EARLY POPULAR POETRY 
 OF SCOTLAND. 
 
elect 3S^emains 
 
 of t]^c 
 
 ancient popular ^oettp 
 of ^eotlantj. 
 
 r -€. 
 
 ^rintetj at €tjml)ttt8t>. 
 
We redeth ott and findeth y write- 
 and this clerkes wele it wite* 
 Layes that ben in harping* 
 ben y founde of ferlying* 
 fum bethe of wer and fum of wo* 
 and fum of ioie and merthe al fo* 
 and fum of trecherie and of gile* 
 of old auentours that fel while- 
 and fum of bourdes and ribaudry 
 and mani ther beth of fairy 
 of all thinges that men feth* 
 meft o loue for fothe thai beth- 
 
 Auch. Mf. fol. 261. 
 

 THE ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 ITTLE or no apology, it 
 is conceived, will be now 
 looked for, on submitting 
 to the Publick a Col lection, 
 such as this is, of our An- 
 cient Popular Poetry : 
 neither is it necessary to 
 detain the reader with any 
 general reflections which 
 the nature of its contents might be supposed to suggest. 
 The remains of the Early Poetical Literature of our 
 Country, and indeed, of most Nations, are allowed to pos- 
 
 s 
 
 B 3121 
 
THE ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 sess a value, sanctioned by Time, of which neither preju- 
 dice, nor fashion can deprive them, and this may be 
 thought suflScient to justify any attempt that is made for 
 their preservation. They are valuable, no less in en- 
 abling us to trace the history and progress of our lan- 
 guage, than in assisting us to illustrate ancient manners 
 and amusements, of which they often contain the live- 
 liest representations. 
 
 The professed object of this work was to bring together 
 some of the rarer pieces of the ancient vernacular Poetry 
 of Scotland. Accordingly, an endeavour has been made 
 to collect such as either still remained unpublished, 
 or had appeared only in a corrupted or imperfect state : 
 and if, in the prosecution of this design, the Editor has 
 been unsuccessful, it has, at least, arisen from no want on 
 his part of diligence and assiduity. For, it has been well 
 observed, by the ingenious Headley, that **to consti- 
 tute a relish for the Black- Letter, (a term by which we 
 may understand whatever relates to antiquarian know- 
 
THE ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 ledge,) a certain degree of literary Quixotism is highly 
 requisite : he who is unwilling to penetrate the barren 
 heath and solitary desert; he who cannot encounter 
 weariness, perplexity, and disgust; he who is not ac- 
 tuated by an enthusiasm for his employment, is no true 
 knight, and unfit for such service*." More especially is 
 this the case when, in order to publish the early remains 
 of our National Poetry with the correctness and fidelity 
 which is requisite, recourse must be had to ancient and 
 discordant manuscripts, where the obscurity of the lan- 
 guage, or the labour of decyphering them, is the least 
 perplexing or difficult part of the undertaking. 
 
 In the Appendix some remarks are subjoined which 
 have occurred since a part of the volume was printed off. 
 The Reader will observe that the various Pieces contain- 
 ed in it have, at least, in their favour, the claim of an- 
 tiquity, since all of them are given from sources anterior 
 to the close of the Sixteenth Century. These are care- 
 fully pointed out in the short notices which it was thought 
 
 * Select Beauties of Ancient English Poetry, 8vo. p. vii. 
 
THE ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 necessary to prefix to the Poems for their better illustra- 
 tion. At the same time, many other curious reliques 
 might have been found worthy of being brought to light ; 
 and it will be gratifying to the Editor, if this publication 
 prove in any way conducive to a more extensive research 
 after the scanty and too long neglected Remains of this 
 portion of our Ancient Literature. To what extent these 
 may have suffered in their transmission to our times, can- 
 not now be ascertained. That they have suffered great- 
 ly is, however, beyond doubt, and was a natural conse- 
 quence, in their having, (in the words of Bishop Percy,) 
 *' been handed down to us with less care than any other 
 writings in the world''." 
 
 •^ Of some of the Pieces which have hitherto eluded discovery, a shortlist may 
 here be subjoined, as the best mode of exciting attention ; and. the Editor 
 should feel happy to receive information respecting any of them, or of similar 
 compositions, either in a printed, or manuscript state, which may have escaped 
 his researches.— This list might have been easily enlarged. 
 The Tale how the King of Estmoreland mareit the Kingis doch- 
 TER of Westmoreland. A modernized copy of this romantick tale is 
 printed in Percy's Reliques. 
 The tale of the three futtit dog of Norroway. Mentioned in the 
 Complaynt of Scotland, 1549: or, indeed, any of the taijlis, fahillis, or 
 pleysand storeis, enumerated in that curious work, which are pointed out by 
 Dr. Leyden, in his republication of that ancient and singular composition. 
 The Earl of Errol's Testament, in Scotish metre, by Robert Alex- 
 ander, Advocate, was printed at Edinburgh sometime after the year 1.541. 
 Christ's Kirk on the Greene. Any edition prior to that printed in the 
 year 1663. 
 
THE ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The present work must necessarily have a very limit- 
 ed circulation % yet, trusting that such a Collection is 
 
 In the following stanzas of The Palice of Honour, by Bishop Douglas, 
 written in 1503, several curious tales are alluded to, most of which probably 
 are no longer in existence. 
 
 I saw Ralf Coilzear with his thra^vin brow 
 
 Craibit Johnc the lleif, and auld Cowkewpis Sow 
 
 And how the Wran come out of Ailssay 
 
 And Peirs Plewman that maid his workmen few 
 
 Greit Gowmakmorne and Fyn MakcouU and how 
 
 Thay suld be Goddis in Ireland as thay say 
 
 Thair saw I Maitland upon auld Beird Gray 
 
 Robene Hude, and Gilbert with the quhite hand 
 
 How Hay of Nauchtoun flew in Madin land. 
 
 The Nigromansie thair saw I eik anone. 
 
 Of Benytas, Bongo, and Freir Baconc, 
 
 ^Vith mony subtill point of Juglary 
 
 Of Flanders peis maid mony precious stone. 
 
 Ane greit laid sadill of a siching bone. 
 
 Of anc Nutemug thay maid a Monk in hy 
 
 Ane Paroche Kirk of ane penny py. 
 
 And Benytas of ane jMussill maid and Aip 
 
 With mony uther subtill mow and jaip. — Edit. 1579. p. 56. 
 The Battle of Haklaw. Anno 1411. Printed in the Evergreen, by Allan 
 llamsay, from (as supposed) a modernized copy. It was printed in the 
 year 1668. 
 Sill EdEiR, Sir Gryme, and Sir Gray Steill. An analysis of this inte- 
 resting romance is given by Mr. Ellis, (Specimens ofearly English Romances, 
 \'ol. iii. 308 — 3 17,) from a modernized copy, in Mr. Douce's possession, print- 
 ed in the year 1 7 11 , pp. 84. It certainly, however, had been often printed be- 
 fore this edition, which bears to be "Newly corrected and amended." Indeed, 
 in the Will of Thomas Bassandync, a Printer in P^dinburgh, dated 18th Oct. 
 1577, among other books of which his stock consisted, we find " Item III'- 
 []^30()3 Gray Steillis, y^ pece vi''*, summa vii'* x^*" — It is also supposed to have 
 been j)rinted at Edinburgh by Robert Smith, or by Thomas Finlason ; but 
 any copy printed in the sixteenth or seventeenth century, which might pre- 
 sent the text in an avithentick state, would be esteemed a valuable discovery. 
 
 ' Tilt entire imjircssion does not exceed one iiuNnREn and eight copies. 
 
THE ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 neither unworthy of publick attention, nor of the care 
 that has been bestowed in forming it, the Editor, with all 
 due feeling of grateful esteem, would inscribe it as a slight 
 but sincere tribute of respect to The Distinguished 
 Author, to whom, of all others, the Literature of his 
 Native Country is most deeply beholden : — Whose zeal 
 in its cause has been shewn, no less in a friendly and ge- 
 nerous encouragement of those engaged in its cultivation, 
 than in his own successful exertions in behalf of the un- 
 regarded and traditionary productions of former ages ; — 
 and Who has, at the same time, so eminently sustained 
 and extended the reputation of our national literary cha- 
 racter, by those original compositions which have shed 
 so much lustre over the Minstrelsy and Romance of 
 Scotland, and have happily displayed the extent and 
 fertility of his own surpassing Genius. 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 6th Novejiiber, 1822. 
 
THE TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 No. of Leaves 
 contained in 
 each Tract. 
 
 1. THE TALE OF RALF COILYHEAR 
 
 2. THE AWNTYRS OF ARTHUR 
 
 3. ORFEO AND HEURODIS 
 
 4. THOiMAS OF ERSYLDOUNE . 
 .5. THE PISTILL OF SWEET SUSAN 
 
 6. BALLAT OF THE NINE NOBLES 
 
 7. DEFENCE OF THE SCOTS 
 
 8. THE BLUDY SERK . 
 
 9. SIR JOHN ROWLL'S CURSING 
 
 10. TAYIS BANK .... 
 
 11. \VELCU3I TO MAY . 
 
 12. THE TALE OF COLKELBIE SOW 
 
 13. KING BERDOK .... 
 11-. THE GYRE-CARLING 
 
 15. THE MANNER OF THE CRYING OF ANE PLAY 
 
 16. INTERLUDE OF THE LAYING OF A GAIST 
 
 17. SYMMIE AND HIS BRUDER 
 
 18. ALLANE A' MAUT 
 
 19. ANE DESCRIPTIOUN OF PEDDER COFFEIS 
 
 20. THE WYF OF AUCHTERMUCHTY 
 
 21. THE DUMB WYFF ...... 
 
 22. THE WOWING OF JOK AND JYNNY 
 
 23. THE FARi^IER AND DOCHTER . 
 2+. ANE BALLAT OF MATRYMONIE 
 25. THE PROMINE TO KING JAMES 
 
 APPENDIX . . . . . 
 
 18 
 
 14. 
 
 11 
 
 15 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 18 
 
THE TALE OF RALF COILYEAR. 
 
The Tale of Half Coilyear may possibhj^ in common 
 xcith the greater number of the ancient taleft cmd romances 
 in our vernacular language^ be traced to some Norman 
 original. But thejiction itself is of no uncommon nature. 
 The language, the peculiar structure of the stanza., and its 
 alliterative style, refer the composition of this tale to a pe- 
 riod not later than the beginning of the fifteenth century ; 
 but we are not possessed of such evidence as might entitle 
 v^ to ascribe it iji particular to any one of the Scotish 
 Poets. The allusions to it by some of our early loriters-— 
 among others, by Bishop Dowglas, wlw, in his Palice of 
 Honour, written in the year 1503, says, 
 
 ' I saw Raf Col^ear witli his thrawin brow,' 
 
 shew, that in their time it must have been popular ; and 
 this idea is confirmed on finding it enumerated by the 
 autlwr of the Complaynt of Scotland, in 1549, among 
 the ' tailis, fabillis, and plefand ftories,' recited by ' the 
 scheipherdis,"* whereof ' fum vas in profe and fura in verfe, 
 fum vas ftoreis, and fum vas flet taylis.' 
 
 The only intimation Tcnoivn respecting a printed edition 
 occurs in Jos. Ames''s Typographical Antiquities, 1749, 
 4to. ; but so completely, since that time, had repeated 
 search and inquiry Jailed in gratifying the curiosity of 
 our antiquaries, that had been excited by these allusions, 
 
 2 
 
that Leyden, Pinkerton, and others^ considered that no 
 copy of it was longer in existence. In the index to a 
 valuable Manuscript of' the earlier part of the sixteenth 
 century, in the possession of Sir Alexander Boswell of 
 Auchinleck, Bart. " Item fe buke of ralf colgear," ap- 
 pears as the Lxiv. article, — but this, along with some other 
 portions of the same volume, had Ukezoise long since dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 The present re-impression has been made from a print- 
 ed copy corresponding to the description given by Ames, 
 lately discovered in a volume of English tracts of extreme 
 rarity, in the Library of the Faculty of Advocates. The 
 original is in quarto, the title of which there is a correct 
 facsimile given in the oj)positc page,. ^ contains 16 leaves, 
 printed in black letter. Although it seems to be printed 
 with more accuracy than is usually met with in such pub- 
 lications, two lines in the xi* and one line in the \.\^^ 
 stanza appear to have been omitted. The only liberty that 
 has been takeUf besides the change of letter, is the substitic- 
 tion of ' th'' in the few instances where the Anglo-Saxon 
 ' p"' had been introduced. 
 
 JEDINBURGH, Oct. 1821. 
 
THE TALE OF RAUF COIL3EAR. 
 
THE Tale o/^ Rauf Coilgear, in common with the greater 
 number of the ancient tales and romances in our vernacu- 
 lar language, may possibly be traced to some Norman 
 original. But the fiction itself is of no uncommon nature ; 
 and the well known ballad of the King and the Miller of 
 Mansfield, will immediately suggest itself to the reader as 
 one instance of resemblance. The language of this tale, with 
 the peculiar structure of the stanza, and its alliterative style, 
 refer the composition to a period not later than the be- 
 ginning of the Fifteenth Century : but we are not possessed 
 of such evidence as might entitle us to ascribe it in par- 
 ticular to any one Scotish Poet. That at an early period it 
 enjoyed much popularity in Scotland, is sufficiently evident. 
 Dunbar, in one of his poems, addressed to James IV. men- 
 tions, 
 
 ' Gentill and semple, of every clan, 
 
 KjTie of Rauf Col^ear, and Johne the Reif.' 
 
 —~and Bishop Dowglas, in the Palice of Honour, writ- 
 ten in the year 1503, among other characters of notorie- 
 ty, says, 
 
 » I saw Raf Col Tear with his thrawin brow.' 
 
 It is also enumerated by the author of the Complaynt 
 of Scotland, in 1549, among the ' tailis, fabillis, and 
 plefand ftories,"' recited by ' the scheiperdis,' whereof ' fum 
 vas in profe and fum in verfe, fum vas ftoreis, and fum vas 
 flet tajlis.' 
 
 This Tale, however, was, for a length of time, considered 
 no longer to be in existence. The short notice which occurs 
 
in Jos. Ames's Typographical Antiquities, 1749, 4to. 
 J). 583, is the only intimalion respecting any printed edi- 
 tion ; but so completely had every copy eluded detection^ 
 that the repeated search and inquiry of more than half 
 a century Jailed in gratifying the curiosity excited by 
 these different allusions, among our poetical antiquaries. In 
 the index to a valuable Manuscript i)f the earlier part of the 
 sixteenth century , in the possession o^ Sir Alexander Boswell 
 o/^ Auchinleck, Bar'. " Item pe buke of ralf colgear," ap- 
 pears as the lxiv. article, — but this, and some other 
 portions of the same volume, have long since been lost. 
 
 The present re-impression has been made from a print- 
 ed copy lately discovered in a volume of English tracts of 
 extreme rarity, in the Library of the Faculty of Advocates. 
 In the original, (of the title of which a correct facsimile 
 is given on the opposite page,) although seemingly printed 
 ii>ith more accuracy tlian is usually met zvith iii such pub- 
 lications, two lines in the xi'** and one line in the lv''' 
 stanza appear to have been omitted. Unless being in 
 quarto, it agrees with the description given by Ames, 
 and contains sixteen leaves in black letter, each page cor- 
 responding with the reprint. The only liberty that has 
 been taken, besides the change of letter, is the substitution 
 of ' tK" in the Jew instances where the Anglo-Saxon ' j)"* had 
 been introduced. 
 
 The tale o/'Rauf Coil^ear has claims to public attention, 
 altogether independent of its uncommon rarity ; as it 
 possesses no inconsiderable share of poetical merit. Al- 
 though, like most poems of the same age and character, 
 many words are altered Jrom their usual acceptation, 
 or introduced merely Jor the sake of the alliterative styk. 
 
the language is by no means obscure. The narrative is sim- 
 ple and circumstantial ; the characters are well de- 
 scribed; and a vein of comic humour runs through the 
 whole. The adventure with the Saracen towards the con- 
 clusion of the poem — {very skilfully introduced^ to prevent 
 the author from committing the reputation., either of Schir 
 Rauf, his hero, or of the * gentill hnycht^ Schir Rolland,) 
 which terminates so happily in Magog's conversion to the 
 Christian Faith, and his marriage with the ' Gentill Duchess, "" 
 may, perhaps, be considered as the strongest evidence of 
 its Norman original. 
 
 EDINBURGH, Oct. 1821. 
 
e:^tit fieginnts tfie taill 
 of Itauf roiljeat l^oto 
 
 r]^at:li0 
 
 ^mptentit at ^anc 
 
 tnnUrois ht Uohtxt EcUprcuiU. ^iino. 1572. 
 
IN llie chelftynie of Cliarlis that cholln Cliiftanc 
 Thair fell ane ferlytull flan within thay f'ellis wyde 
 Quhair Empreouris and Eriis and vther mony ane 
 Turnit f'ra Sanct Thomas befoir the jule tyde 
 Thay past vnto Paris thay proiidefl in pane 
 With mony Prelatis l Princis that was of mekle pryde 
 All thay went with the King to his worthy wane 
 Ouir the fcildis fa fair thay fure be his fyde 
 All the worthiest went in the morning 
 Baith Dukis and Duchepeiris 
 
 Barrounis and Bacheleiris Of town with the King. 
 
 Mony stout man steiris 
 
 ^And as that Ryall raid ouir the rude mure 
 
 Him betyde ane tempest that tyme hard I tell 
 
 The wind blew out of the Eift ftiflie and fture 
 
 The deip durandlie draif in mony deip dell, 
 
 Sa feirflie fra the Firmament fa fcllounlie it fure 
 
 Thair michl na folk hald na fute on the hcich fell 
 
 In point thay war to parifche thay proudeft men and pure 
 
 In thay wickit wcdderis thair wift nane to dwell 
 
 Amang thay myrck IMontanis fa madlic thay mcr 
 
 Be it was pryme of the day 
 
 Sa wonder hard fure thay And fpcrpellit full fer. 
 
 That ilk ane tuik ane feir way 
 
 •tS'Ithand wedderis of the eift draif on fa faft 
 It all to blaifterit and blew that thairin baid 
 Be thay difseuerit findrie midmornc was paft 
 Thair wift na Knicht of the Court quhat way the King raid 
 He faw thair was na better bot God at the laft 
 His fteid aganis the ftorme ftaluartlie ftraid 
 He Cachit Ira the Court fic was his awin caft 
 Quhair na body was him about be fiue my lis braid 
 
 Aij. 
 
In thay Montanis I wis he wox all will 
 
 In wickit wedderis and wicht 
 
 Amang thay Montanis on hicht The King lykit ill. 
 
 Be that it drew to the nicht 
 
 Euill lykand was the King it nichtit him sa lait 
 And he na harberie had for his behufe ; 
 Sa come thair ane cant Carll chachand the gait 
 With ane Capill and twa Creillis cuplit abufe 
 The King carpit to the Carll withoutin debait 
 Schir tell me thy richt name for the Rude lufe 
 He sayis men callis me Rauf Coil^ear as I weill wait 
 I leid my life in this land with mekle vnrufe 
 Baith tyde and tyme in all my trauale 
 Hine ouir feuin mylis I dwell 
 
 And leidis Coilis to fell All the fuith hale. 
 
 Sen thow fpeiris I the tell 
 
 5[Sa mot I thrife faid the King I fpeir for nane ill 
 
 Thow femis ane nobill fallow thy anfwer is fa fyne 
 
 Forfuith faid the Coilgear traift quhen thow will 
 
 For I trow and it be nocht fwa fum part falbe thyne 
 
 Mary God forbid faid the King that war bot lytill f kill 
 
 Baith my felf and my hors is reddy for to tyne 
 
 I pray the bring me to fum reft the weddir is fa fchill 
 
 For I defend that we fall in ony fechtine 
 
 I had mekill mair nait fum friendfchip to find 
 
 And gif thow can better than I 
 
 For the name of Sanct July And leif me not behind. 
 
 Thow bring me to fum barbery 
 
 I wait na worthie harberie heir neir hand 
 For to ferue fie ane man as me think the 
 Nane bot mine awin hous maift in this land 
 
 Fer 
 
Fer furth in the Forest amang the fellis hie 
 
 With thy thow wald be payit of fic as thow fand 
 
 Forfuith thow fuld be wel cum to pas hame with me 
 
 Or ony vther gude fallow that I heir fand 
 
 Walkand will of his way as me think the 
 
 For tlie wedderis ar fa fell that fallis on the feild 
 
 The King was blyth quhair he raid 
 
 Of the grant that he liad maid Schir God 30W forseild. 
 
 Sayand with hairt glaid 
 
 Na thank me not ouir airlie for dreid that we threip 
 For I haue feruit the ;;it of lytill thing to rufe 
 For nouther lies thow had of me fyre drink nor meit 
 Nor nane vther eifmentis for trauellouris behufe 
 Bot micht we bring this harbcrie this nicht weill to hcip 
 That we micht with refsoun baith thus excufe 
 To morne on the morning quhen thow fall on leip 
 Pryfe at the parting how that thow dois 
 For first to lofe and fyne to lak Peter it is fchame 
 The King faid, in gud fay 
 
 Schir it is fuith that ^e say Quhill thay war neir hame 
 Into fic talk fell thay 
 
 ^To the Coil^earis hous baith or thay wald blin 
 
 The Carll had Cunning weill quhair the gait lay 
 
 Vndo the dure beliue Dame art thow in 
 
 Quhy Deuill makis thow na dule for this euill day 
 
 For my Gaist and I baith cheueris with the chin 
 
 Sa fell ane wedder feld I neuer be my gude fay 
 
 The gude wyfe glaid with the gle to begin 
 
 For durst fcho neuer fit fumoundis that fcho hard him fay 
 
 The Carll was wantou of word and wox wonder wraith 
 
 All abaifit for blame 
 
 To the dure went our Dame And ^our Gaist baith. 
 
 Scho faid Schir ge ar welcome hame 
 
*([Dame I haue deir coft all this day is hyre 
 
 In wickit wedderis and weit walkand full will 
 
 Dame kyith I am cumin hame and kendill on ane fyre 
 
 I trow our Gaist be the gait hes fame als ill 
 
 Ane Ryall rufe het fyre war my defyre 
 
 To fair the better for his faik gif we micht win thair till 
 
 Knap doun Capounis of the beft but in the byre 
 
 Heir is bot hamelie fair do beliue Gill 
 
 Twa cant knaifis of his awin haiflelie hebad 
 
 The ane of gow my Capill ta 
 
 The vther his Courfour alfwa Tha was the King glaid 
 
 To the ftabill fwyith ge ga 
 
 CJ'The Coilgear giidlie in feir, tuke him be the hand 
 
 And put him befoir him as refsoun had bene 
 
 Quhen thay come to the dure the King begouth to ftand 
 
 To put the Coilgear in befoir maid him to mene 
 
 He faid thow art vncourtes that fall I warrand 
 
 He tyt the King be the nek twa part in tene 
 
 Gif thow at bidding fuld be boun or obeyfand 
 
 And gif thow of Courtafie couth thow hes forget it clene 
 
 Now is anis faid the Coilgear kynd aucht to creip 
 
 Sen ellis thow art vnknawin 
 
 To mak me Lord of my awin Begin we to threip. 
 
 Sa mot I thriue I am thrawin 
 
 Than benwart thay zeid quhair brandis was bricht 
 To ane bricht byrnand fyre as the Carll bad 
 He callit on Gyliane his wyfe thair Supper to dicht 
 Of the beft that thair is help that we had 
 Efter ane euill day to haue ane mirrie nieht 
 For fa troublit with ftormis was I ncuer ftad 
 Of ilk airt of the Eift fa laithly it laid 
 3it was I mekle willar than 
 
 Quhe 
 
Quhe I met with this man Quhill the fupper was graid. 
 Of fic taillis thay began 
 
 ^Sone was the Supper dicht and the fyre bet 
 
 And thay had wefchin I wis the worthieft was thair 
 
 Tak my wyfe be the hand in feir withoutin let 
 
 And gang begin the buird faid the Coil5ear 
 
 That war vnfemand forfuith and thy feli'vnfet 
 
 The King profFerit him to gang and maid ane ftrange fair 
 
 Now is twyse faid the Carll me think thow hes forget 
 
 He leit gyrd to the King withoutin ony mair 
 
 And hit him vnder the eir with his richt hand 
 
 Quhill he ftakkerit thair with all 
 
 Half the breid of the hall Quhill the eird fand. 
 
 He faind neuer of ane fall 
 
 <^ H e ftart vp ftoutly agane vneis michthe ftand 
 
 For anger of that outray that he had thair tane 
 
 He callit on Gyliane his wyi'e ga tak him be the hand 
 
 And gang agane to the buird quhair ge fuld air haue ganc 
 
 Schir thow art vnfkilfull and that fall I warrand 
 
 Thow byrd to haue nurtour aneuch and thow hes nane 
 
 Thow hes walkit I wis in mony wyld land 
 
 The mair vertew thow fuld haue to keip the fra blame 
 
 Thow fuld be courtes of kynd and ane cunnand Courteir 
 
 Thocht that I fimpill be 
 
 Do as I bid the And all that is heir. 
 
 The hous is myne pardie 
 
 i!j"£he King faid to himfelf this is ane euill lyfe 
 ^it was I neuer in my lyfe thus gait leird 
 And I haue oft tymes bene quhair gude hes beoe ryfe 
 That maift couth of courtafie in this Criftin eird 
 Is nane fa gude as leif of and mak na mair ftryfe 
 
For I am ftonifchit at this ftraik that hes me thus fteird 
 
 In feir fairlie he foundis with the gude wyfe 
 
 Quhair the Coil^ear bad fa braithlie he beird 
 
 Quhen he had done his bidding, as him gude thocht 
 
 Doun he fat the King neir 
 
 And maid him glaid gude cheir Be him that me bocht. 
 
 And faid ge ar welcum heir 
 
 ^Quhen thay war feruit and fet to the Suppar 
 
 Gyll and the gentill King Charlis of micht 
 
 Syne on the tother fyde fat the Coil5ear 
 
 Thus war thay marfchelUt but mair T; matchit that nicht 
 
 Thay brocht breid to the buird and braun of an bair 
 
 And the worthyest wyne went vpon hicht 
 
 Thay Beirnis as I wene thay had aneuch thair 
 
 Within that burelie bigging, byrnand full bricht 
 
 Syne enteris thair daynteis on deis dicht dayntelie 
 
 Within that worthie wane 
 
 Forfuith wantit thay nane Schir dois glaidhe. 
 
 With blyith cheir, fayis Gyliane 
 
 CC5*The Carll carpit to the King cumlie and cleir 
 
 Schir the Foreftaris forfuith of this Foreft 
 
 Thay haue me all at Inuy for dreid of the Deir 
 
 Thay threip that I thring doun of the fatteft 
 
 T hay fay I fall to Paris thair to compeir 
 
 Befoir our cumlie King in dule to be dreil 
 
 Sic manafsing thay me mak forfuith ilk geir. 
 
 And ^it aneuch fall I haue for me and ane Geft 
 
 Thairfoir fie as thow feis fpend on and not fpair 
 
 Thus faid gentill Charlis the Mane 
 
 To the Coil^ear agane Sum tyme of fie fair. 
 
 The King him felf hes bene fane 
 
 ^Of Caponnis and Cuningis they had plentie 
 
 With 
 
With wyne at thair will and cik Vcnnyfoun 
 
 Byrdis bakin in breid, the beft that may be 
 
 Thus full frefchlie thay fure into fufioun 
 
 The Carll with ane cleir voce carpit on he 
 
 Said Gyll lat the cop raik for my benny foun 
 
 And gar our Gaift begin and fyne drink tliow to me 
 
 Sen he is ane ftranger me think it refsoun 
 
 Thay drank dreichlie about thay wofche and thay rais 
 
 The King with ane blyith chcir 
 
 Thankit the Coil^ear To the fyre gais. 
 
 Syne all the thre into feir 
 
 Quhen they had maid thame eis the Coll^ear tald 
 Mony findrie taillis efter Suppair 
 Ane bricht byrnand fyre was byrnand full bald 
 The King held gude countenance and company bair 
 And euer to his afking ane anfwer he gald 
 Quhill at the laft he l)egan to frane farther mair 
 In faith freind I wald wit tell gif ^^e wald 
 Quhair is thy maift wynning faid the Coil^ear 
 Out of weir faid the King I wayndit neuer to tell 
 With my Lady the Queue 
 
 In office maift haue I bene In the Court for to dwell. 
 
 All thir ^eiris fyftene 
 
 ^Quliat kin office art thow in quhen thow art at hame 
 Gif thow dwellis with the Quene, proudeft in pane 
 Ane Chyld of hir Chalmer Schir be Sanct Jame 
 And thocht my felf it fay maift inwart of ane 
 For my dwelling to nicht I dreid me for blame 
 Quhat fal I cal y*^ faid y"^ Coilgear quhe thow art hync gane 
 Wyniond of the Wardrop is my richt Name 
 Quhair euer thow findis me bcfoir the tin harberie is tano 
 And thow will cum to the Court this I vndcrta 
 
 B. i. 
 
Thow fall haue for thy Fewaill 
 
 For my falk the better faill Worth ane laid or twa. 
 
 And onwart to thy trauaill 
 
 ^He faid I haue na knawledge quhair the Court lyis 
 
 And I am wonder wa to cum quhair I am vnkend 
 
 And I fall fay thee the fuith on ilk fyde I wis 
 
 That thow fall wit weill aneuch or I fra the wend 
 
 Baith the King and the Queue meitis in Paris 
 
 For to hald thair gule togidder for fcho is efter fend 
 
 Thair may thow fell be refsoun als deir as thow will prys 
 
 And ^it I fall help the gif I ocht may amend 
 
 For I am knawin with OfRciaris in cais thow cum thair 
 
 Haue gude thocht on my Name 
 
 And fpeir gif I be at hame Thow fall the better fair. 
 
 For I fuppois be Sanct Jame 
 
 Me think it refsoun be the Rude that I do thy rid 
 In cais I cum to the Court and knaw bot the ane 
 Is nane fa gude as drink and gang to our bed 
 For als far as I wait the nicht is furth gane 
 To ane preuie Chalmer beliue thay him led 
 Quhair ane burely bed was wrocht in that wane 
 Clofit with Courtingis and cumlie cled 
 Of the worthieft wyne wantit thay nane 
 The Coil^ear and his wyfe baith with him thay ^^cid 
 To ferue him all at thay mocht 
 
 Till he was in bed brocht Bot thankit thame thair doid. 
 Mair the King fpak nocht 
 
 C/'Vpon the morne airlie quhen it was day 
 The King bulkit him fone with fcant of Squyary 
 Wachis and Wardroparis all war away 
 That war wont for to walkin mony worthy 
 
 Ane 
 
Ane Pauyot prcuilif broclit liiin his ralfia\ 
 
 The King tlu)cht lano; of tliis lyfc and lap on in liy 
 
 Than calht he on the Carll anent quhair he lay 
 
 For to tak his leif than fpak he freindly 
 
 Than walkinnit thay baith and hard he was thair 
 
 The Carll ftart vp fone 
 
 And prayit him to abyde none I rid nocht 5c fair 
 
 Quhill thir wickit wedderis be done 
 
 Sa mot I thriue faid the King me war lath to byde 
 Is not the morne ;:^ule day formeft of the ;;eir 
 Ane man that Office fuld beir betyme at this tyde 
 He will be found in his fault that wantis foroutin weir 
 I fe the Firmament fair vpon ather fyde 
 I will returne to the Court quhill the wedder is cleir 
 Call furtli the gude wyfe lat pay hir or wc ryde 
 For the worthie harberie that I haue fundin heir 
 Lat be God forbid the Coil^ear faid 
 And thow of Charlis cumpany 
 
 Chcif King of Cheualry Pay fuld be laid. 
 
 That for ane nichtis barbery 
 
 ^ ^ca fen it is fa that thow will haue na pay 
 Cimi the morne to the Court and do my counfall 
 Dcliuer the and bring ane laid and mak na delay 
 Tliow may not fchame with thy Craft gif thow thriue fall 
 Gif I may help the ocht to fell forfuith I fall afsay 
 And als my felf wald haue fum of the Fewall 
 Peter he faid I fall preif the morne gif I may 
 To bring Coillis to the Court to fe ([u thay fell fall 
 Se that thow let noclit I pray the faid the King 
 In faith faid the Coil^ear 
 
 Traift weill I falbe thair To mak .uic lefing 
 
 For thow will neuer gif the mair 
 
 B.ii. 
 
Bot tell me now lelely quhat is thy richt name 
 
 I will forget the morne and ony man me greif 
 
 Wymond of the Wardrop I bid not to lane 
 
 Tak gude tent to my name the Court gif thow will preif 
 
 That I liaue faid I fall hald and that I tell the plane 
 
 Quhair ony Coilgear may enchaip I trow till encheif 
 
 Quhen he had grantit him to cum than was the King fane 
 
 And withoutin ony mair let than he tuke his leif 
 
 Then the Coilgear had greit thochtonthe cunand he had maid 
 
 Wat to the Charcoill in hy 
 
 To mak his Chauft'ray reddy He ordanit him ane laid. 
 
 Agane the morne airly 
 
 ^The lyft lemit vp beliue and licht was the day 
 
 The King had greit knawledge the countrie to ken 
 
 Schir Rolland and Oliuer come rydand the way 
 
 With thame ane thoufand and ma of fenfabill men 
 
 War wanderand all the nicht ouir T; raony ma than thay 
 
 On ilk airt outwart war ordanit lie ten 
 
 Gif thay micht heir of the King or happin quhair he lay 
 
 To Jefus Chrift thay pray that grace thame to len 
 
 Als fone as Schir Rolland faw it was the King 
 
 He kneillit dovin in the place 
 
 Thankand God ane greit space At that gaddering. 
 
 Thair was ane meting of grace 
 
 The gentill Knicht Schir Rolland he kneilit on his kne 
 Thankand greit God that mekill was of micht 
 Schir Oliuer at his hand and Bifchoppis thre 
 Withoutin comounis that come and mony vther Knicht 
 Than to Paris thay pas all that Cheualrie 
 Betuix none of the day and gule nicht 
 The gentill Bifchop Turpine curamand thay fe 
 With threttie Conuent of Preiftis reueft at one ficht 
 
 Preichand 
 
Preichand of Prophccie in Proccflioun 
 
 Efter thamc baith fcr and neir 
 
 Folkis following in feir Thair Lord was gane to toun. 
 
 Thankand God with gude cheir 
 
 (C^Quhcn thay Princis appeirit into Paris 
 
 Ilk Rew Ryallie with riches thame arrayis 
 
 Thair was Digne feruice done at Sanct Dyonys 
 
 With mony proud Prelat as the buik fayis 
 
 Syne to Supper thay went within the Palys 
 
 Befoir that mirthful! man menflrallis playis 
 
 Mony wicht wylis fone worthic and wife 
 
 Was fene at that femblay ane and twentie dayis 
 
 With all kin principall plentie for his plefance 
 
 Thay callit it the bell gule than 
 
 And main worthie began Or euer was in France. 
 
 Sen euer King Charlis was man 
 
 5[Than vpon the morne airlie quhen the day dew 
 The Coil^ear had greit thocht quhat he had vndcr tane 
 He keft twa Crcillis on ane Capill with Coillis anew 
 Wandit thame with widdeis to wend on that wane 
 Mary it is not my counfall, hot f-^onc man that ge knew 
 To do gow in his gentrife faid Gyliane 
 Thow gaif him ane outragious blaw i greit boift blew 
 In faith thow fuld haue bocht it deir t he had bene allane 
 For thy hald 50W fra the Court for ocht that may be 
 ^one man that thow outrayd 
 
 Is not fa fimpill as he faid That fall thow heir and fc. 
 
 Thairun my lyfe dar I layd 
 
 C^'^ca Dame haue nane drcid of my lyfe to day 
 Let me wirk as I will the weird is mine awin 
 I fpak not outof relToun the futh gif I fall fay 
 B. iij. 
 
To Wyraond of the Wardrop war the fuith knawin 
 
 That I haue hecht I fall hald happin as it may 
 
 Quhidder fa it gang to greif or to gawin 
 
 He caucht twa Creillis on ane capill 1 catchit on his way 
 
 Ouir the Daillis fa derf, be the day was dawin 
 
 The hie way to Paris, in all that he mocht 
 
 With ane quhip in his hand 
 
 Cantlie on catchand To the Court focht. 
 
 To fulfill his cunnand 
 
 ^Graith thoeht of the grant had the gude King 
 
 And callit Schir Rolland him till and gaif comandment 
 
 Ane man he traillit in maift atour all vther thing 
 
 That neuer wald fet him on affay withoutin his aflent 
 
 Tak thy hors and thy harnes in the morning 
 
 For to watche Weill the wayis I wald that thow went 
 
 Gif thow meitis ony laid lent on the ling 
 
 Gar thame boun to this Burgh I tell the mine Intent 
 
 Or gyf thow feis ony man cumming furth the way 
 
 Quhat fumeuer that he be 
 
 Bring him haiftely to me In this hall the day. 
 
 Befoir none that I him fe 
 
 ^Schir Rolland had greit ferly and in hart kcfl 
 
 Quhat that fuld betakin that the King tald 
 
 Vpon folemnit gule day quhan ilk man fuld reft 
 
 That him behouit neidlingis to watche on the wald 
 
 Quhen his God to ferue he fuld haue him dreft 
 
 And fyne with ane blyith cheir bulkit that bald 
 
 Out of Paris proudly he preikit full preft 
 
 In till his harnes all haill his hechtis for to hald 
 
 He vmbekeft the countrie outwith the toun 
 
 Ha faw na thing on fteir 
 
 Nouther far nor neir Daillis and doun, 
 
 Bot the feildis in feir 
 
 He 
 
^Hc huit and he houcrit quhill miclmonic ami mair 
 
 Behaldand the hie hillis and paflage fa plane 
 
 Sa Taw he qiiliair the Coil;;;ear come with all his fair 
 
 With twa Creillis on ane Capill thairof was he fane 
 
 He followit to him haiftely amang the holtis hair 
 
 For to brin<; him to the King at bidding full bane 
 
 Courtefly to the Knicht kneillit tiie Coil^ear 
 
 And Schir Holland him felf faliift him agane 
 
 Syne bad him leif his courtafie and boun him to ga 
 
 He faid withoutin letting 
 
 Tho^v mon to Paris to the King Sen I find na ma. 
 
 Speid the fall in ane ling 
 
 ^In faith faid the Coil^ear, ^'^it was I neuer fa nyfe 
 Schir Knicht it is na courtafie commomiis to fcorne 
 Thair is mony better than I cunimis oft to Parys 
 That the King wait not of, nouther nicht nor niorne 
 For to towfdl me or tit me, thocht fouU be my dais 
 Or I be dantit on fie wyfe my lyfe falbe torne 
 Do way faid Schir RoUand, me think thow art not wife 
 I rid thow at bidding be, be all that we haue fworne 
 And call thow it na fcorning bot do as I the ken 
 Sen thow has hard mine Intent 
 
 It is the Kingis commandement And I had met (ic ten. 
 At this tyme thow fuld haue went 
 
 ^I am bot ane mad man that thow hes heir met 
 
 I haue na myfter to matche with maillcrfiill men 
 
 Fairand ouir the feildis, Fewell to fct 
 
 And oft fylit my feit in mony foull fen 
 
 Gangand with laidis my gouerning to get 
 
 Thair is mony Carll in the countrie tliow may nocht ken, 
 
 I fall hald that I haue hecht, liot I be hard let 
 
 To Wymond of the Wardrop, I wait full weill qiiheti 
 
Sa thriiie I faid, Holland it is mine Intent 
 
 That nouther to Wymond nor Will 
 
 Thow fall hald nor hecht till The Kingis comandment. 
 
 Quhill I haue brocht the to fulfill 
 
 ^The Carll beheld to the Knicht as he ftude than 
 
 He bair grauit in Gold and Gowlis in grene 
 
 Glitterand full gaylie quhen Glemis began 
 
 Ane Tyger ticht to ane tre, ane takin of tene 
 
 Trewlie that tenefuU was trimland than 
 
 Semelie fchapin and fchroud in that Scheild fchene 
 
 Mekle worfchip of weir worthylie he wan 
 
 Befoir into fechting with mony worthie fene 
 
 His Bafnet was bordourit and burneift bricht 
 
 With ftanes of Beriall deir 
 
 Dyamountis and Sapheir Reulit full richt. 
 
 Riche Rubeis in feir 
 
 His plaitis properlie picht attour with precious ftanis 
 And his Pulanis full preft of that ilk peir 
 Greit Graipis of Gold his Greis for the nanis 
 And his Cufsanis cumlie fchynand full cleir 
 Bricht braifsaris of fteill about his arme banis 
 Blandit with Beriallis and Criftallis cleir 
 Ticht ouir with Thopas and trew lufe atanis 
 The teind of his tewellis to tell war full teir 
 His Sadill circulit and fet richt fa on ilk fyde 
 His brydill bellifand and gay 
 
 His fteid ftout on ftray On Ronfy micht ryde. 
 
 He was the Ryalleft of array 
 
 <|[0f that Ryall array that Holland in raid 
 
 Rauf rufit in his hart of that Ryall thing 
 
 He is the gayeft in geir that euer on ground glaid 
 
 Haue 
 
Haue he grace to the gre in ilk lornaying 
 
 War he ane manly man, as he is weill maid 
 
 He war full michtie with magre durft abyde his meting 
 
 He bad the Coil^ear in wraith fwyth withoutin baid 
 
 Caft the Crcillis fra the Capill, and gang to the King 
 
 In faith it war greit fchame faid the Coil^ear 
 
 I vndertak thay fuld be brocht 
 
 This day for ocht that be mocht That thow Carpis thair. 
 
 Schir Knicht that word is for nocht 
 
 ^Thow huifis on thir holtis, and haldis me heir 
 
 Quhill half the haill day may the hicht haue 
 
 Be Chrift that was Criftinnit, and his Mother cleir 
 
 Thow fall catche to the Court that fall not be to craue 
 
 It micht be preilit preiudice bot gif thow fuld compeir 
 
 To fe quhat granting of grace the King wald the gaif 
 
 For na gold on this ground wald I but weir 
 
 Be fundin fals to the King, fa Chrift me faue 
 
 To gar the cum and be knawin as I am command 
 
 I wait not quhat his willis be 
 
 Nor he namit na mair the Bot quhome that I fand. 
 
 Nor ane vther man to me 
 
 <([Thow fand me fechand nathing that folio wit to feid 
 
 I war ane fule gif I fled, and fand nane affray 
 
 Bot as ane laucht ful man my laidis to leid 
 
 That leifis with mekle lawtie and laubour in fay 
 
 Be the Mother and the Maydin that maid vs remeid 
 
 And thow mat me ony mair cum efter quhat fa may 
 
 Thow and I fall dyntis deill quhill ane of vs be deid 
 
 For the dcidis thow lies me done vpon this deir day 
 
 Mekle merwcU of that word had Schir RoUand 
 
 He faw na wappinis thair 
 
 That the Coil^ear bair And ane rouftie brand. 
 
 Bot ane auld Buklair 
 
 Ci 
 
5[It is lyke faid Rolland, and lichtly he leuch 
 
 That lie ane ftubill hufband man wald ftryke ftoutly 
 
 Thair is mony toun man to tuggill is full teuch 
 
 Thocht thair brandis be blak and vnburely 
 
 Oft fair foullis ar fundin faynt and als freuch 
 
 I defend we fecht or fall in that foly 
 
 Lat fe how we may difseuer with fobernes aneuch 
 
 And catche crabitnes away, be Chrift counfall I 
 
 Quhair winnis that Wymond thow hecht to meit to day 
 
 With the Quene tauld he me 
 
 And thair I vndertuke to be Withoutin delay. 
 
 Into Paris Pardie 
 
 And I am knawin with the Quene faid Schir Rolland 
 And with mony byrdis in hir Bowre be buikis and bellis 
 The King is into Paris that fall I warrand 
 And all his aduertance that in his Court dwellis 
 Me tharth haue nane noy of myne erand 
 For me think thow will be thair efter as thow tellis 
 Bot gif I fand the forrow now to keip my cunnand 
 Schir Knicht faid the Coilgear thow trowis me neuer ellis 
 Bot gif fum fuddand let put it of delay 
 For that I hecht of my will 
 
 And na man threit me thair till And fall do quhill I may. 
 That I am haldin to fulfill 
 
 ^^e fen thow will be thair thy cunnandis to new 
 
 I neid nane airer myne erand nor none of the day 
 
 Be thow traift faid the Coilgear, man as I am trew 
 
 I will not haift me ane fute fafter on the way 
 
 Bot gif thow raik out of my renk, full raith fall thoAV rew 
 
 Or be the Rude I fall rais thy Ryall array 
 
 Thocht thy body be braifsit in that bricht hew 
 
 Thow falbe fundin als febil of thy bone fay 
 
 Schir 
 
Schir RoUand faid to him felf this is bot foly 
 
 To ftriue with him ocht mair 
 
 I fe Weill he will be thair He tuke lufefumly. 
 
 His leif at the Coilgear 
 
 ^Be Chrift said the Coil^oar, that war ane fouU fcorne 
 
 Tliat thow fuld chaip bot I the knew that is fa fchynand 
 
 For thow feis my weidis ar auld and all to worne 
 
 Thow trowis nathing thir taillis that I am telland 
 
 Bring na Beirnis vs by, bot as we war borne 
 
 And thir Blonkis that vs beiris thairto I mak ane bland 
 
 That I fall meit the heir vpon this mure to morne 
 
 Gif I be haldin in heill, and thairto my hand 
 
 Sen that we haue na laifer at this tyme to ta 
 
 In ane thourtour way 
 
 Seir gaitis pas thay Thus partit thay twa. 
 
 Baith to Paris in fay 
 
 The gentill Knicht Schir Rolland come rydand full fonc 
 And left the Coilgear to cum, as he had vndertane 
 And quhen he come to Paris the hie Mes was done 
 The King with mony cumly out of the Kirk is gane 
 Of his harnes in hy, he hynt withoutin hone 
 And in ane Rob him arrayit richeft of ane 
 In that worfchipfuU weid he went in at none 
 As he was wont with the wy, that weilded the wane 
 On fiite ferly in feir formeft of all 
 Richt Weill payit was the King 
 
 Of Schir Rollandis cumraing Efter him gart call. 
 
 To fpeir of his ty thing 
 
 The King in counfall him callit, cu bidder Schir Knicht 
 Hes thow my bidding done as I the command 
 In faith faid Schir Rolland I raid on full richt 
 
To watch wyfelie the wayis that I fall warrand 
 
 Thair wald na douchtie this day for lornay be dicht 
 
 Fairand ouir the feildis full few than- I fand 
 
 Saif anerly ane man that femblit in my licht 
 
 Thair was na leid on lyfe lent in this land 
 
 Quhat kin a fallow was that ane Schir I the pray 
 
 Ane man in hufband weid 
 
 Bulkit bufteoufly on breid To Paris the way. 
 
 Leidand Coillis he geid 
 
 Quhy hes thow not that hufband brocht, as I the bad ? 
 I dreid me fa he dantit the, thow durft not with him deill 
 In faith faid Schir Holland gif that he fa had 
 That war full hard to my hart, and I ane man in heill 
 He saw the King was engreuit and gat forth glaid 
 To fe gif the Coil^earis lawtie was leill 
 I fuld haue maid him in the ftour to be full hard ftad 
 And I had witten that the Carll wald away fteill 
 Bo I trowit not the day that he wald me beget 
 As he went outwart bayne 
 
 He met ane Porter fwayne Faft fra the get. 
 
 Cummand raith him agayne 
 
 ^Quhair gangis thow Gedling thir gaitis fa gane ? 
 
 Be God faid the Grome, ane gift heir I geif 
 
 I deuife at the get thair is ane allane 
 
 Bot he be lattin in beliue him lykis not to leif 
 
 With ane Capill and twa Creillis cafsin on the plane 
 
 To cum to this Palice he preifsis to preif 
 
 Gif thow hes fundin that Freik in faith I am fane 
 
 Lat him in glaidly it may not engreif 
 
 Bot alkis he eirneftly efter ony man 
 
 Than faid that Gedling on ground 
 
 ^e forfuith in this ftound In all that he can. 
 
 Efter ane Wymound 
 
 {jS-Pas 
 
jt^Pas agane Porter, and let him fwyith in 
 
 Amang the proudeft in preis picfand in pane 
 
 Say thow art not worthy to Wymond to win 
 
 Bid him fcik him his felf, gif thair be fie ane 
 
 Agane gangis Schir Rolland, quhair gle fuld begin 
 
 And the gaip geman to the ^et is gane 
 
 Enbraifsit the bandis behue or that he wald bUn 
 
 Syne leit the wy at his will wend in the wane 
 
 Gang feik him now thy felf he faid vpon hicht 
 
 My felf lies na lafair 
 
 Fra thir gettis to fair I fet that bot licht. 
 
 Be Chrift faid the Coilgear 
 
 ^Gif thow will not feik him, my awin felf fall 
 
 For I haue oft tymes fwet in fcruice full fair 
 
 Tak keip to my Capill that na man him call 
 
 Quhill I cum fra the Court said the Coil^ear 
 
 My laid war I laith to lois, I Icif the heir all 
 
 Se that thow leis thame not, bot ^eme thame full ^air 
 
 In that hardy in hy, he haiket to that hall 
 
 For to wit gif Wymondis wynning was thair 
 
 He arguit with the Ifchar often than anis 
 
 Schir can thow ocht fay 
 
 Quhair is Wymond the day Out of this wanis. 
 
 I pray the bring him gif thow may 
 
 He trowit that the wy had wittin of Wymond he wend 
 Bot to his raifand word he gaue na reward 
 Thair was na man thairin that his name kend 
 Thay countit not the Coil^ear almaist at regaird 
 He faw thair was na meikncs nor mcfure might mend 
 He fpcd him in fpedely and nane of thame he fpaird 
 Thair was na fyue of thay Freikis,that micht him furth fend 
 He focht in fa fadly, quhill fum of thame he faird 
 
 Ciij. 
 
He thriftit in throw thame thraly threttis 
 
 Qulien he come amang thame all 
 
 ^it was the King in the hall Vngane to the meit. 
 
 And mony gude man with all 
 
 ^Thocht he had focht lie ane ficht all this feuin ^eir 
 
 Sa folempnit ane femblie had he not fene 
 
 The hall was properly appertellit and paintit but peir 
 
 Dyamountis full dantely dentit betwene 
 
 It was femely fet on ilk fyde feir 
 
 Gowlis glitterand full gay glemand in grene 
 
 Flowris with Flourdelycis formeft in feir 
 
 With mony flamand ferly ma than fyftene 
 
 The rufe reulit about in reuall of Reid 
 
 Rois reulit Ryally 
 
 Columbyn and Lely Into richo fteid. 
 
 Thair was ane hailfura barbery 
 
 ^Witli Dofouris to the duris dicht quha fa wald deme 
 
 With all diuers danteis dicht dantely 
 
 Circulit with filuer femely to fene 
 
 Selcouthly in feir he was fet futtelly 
 
 Blyth byrdis abufe, and beftiall full bene 
 
 Fyne fouUis in Fyrth, and Fifchis with fry 
 
 The flure carpit and cled and couerit full clcne 
 
 Cummand fra the Cornellis clofand quemely 
 
 Bricht Bancouris about browdin ouir all 
 
 Greit Squechonis on hicht 
 
 Anamalit and weill dicht Endlang the hall. 
 
 Reulit at all richt 
 
 ^Heir is Ryaltie faid Rauf, aneuch for the nanis 
 With all nobilnes anournit and that is na nay 
 Had I of Wyniond ane word, I wald of thir wanis 
 
 Fra 
 
Fra thir wyis I wis, to went on my way 
 
 Bot I mon ;-^it heir mair quhat worthis of him anis 
 
 And eirncftly efter him haue myne gay 
 
 He thriftit in throw threttie all atanis 
 
 Quhair mony douchtie of dcid war loynit that day 
 
 For he was vnburcly on bak thay hira hynt 
 
 As he gat ben throw 
 
 He gat mony greit fchow And laith for to ftynt. 
 
 Bot he was ftalwart I trow 
 
 •[[He thriftit in throw thamc, and thraly can thring 
 
 Faft to the forraeft he foundit in feir 
 
 Sone befyde him he gat ane ficht of the Nobill King 
 
 ;5one is Wymond I wait it worthis na weir 
 
 I ken him weill thocht he be cled in vther clething 
 
 In clais of clene gold ky thand ^one cleir 
 
 Quhen he harbreit with me be half as he is heir 
 
 In faith he is of mair ftait than euer he me tald 
 
 AUace that I was bidder wylit 
 
 I dreid me fair I be begylit Quhen he faw that bald. 
 
 The King preuilie fmylit 
 
 CThair was feruit in that faill Seigis femclie 
 
 Mony Sengeorabill Syre on ilk fyde feir 
 
 With ane cairfull countenance the Coilzear keft his E 
 
 To the cumly Quene courtes and cleir 
 
 Dame of thy glitterand gyde haue I na glc 
 
 Be the gracious God that bocht vs fa deir 
 
 To ken Kingis Courtafic, the Deuill come to me 
 
 And fa I hope I may fay or I chaip heir 
 
 Micht I chaip of this chance, that changes my chcir 
 
 Thair fuld na man be fa wyfc 
 
 To gar me cum to Parife In faith this fcuin ^cir 
 
 To lukc quhair the King lyis 
 
 fit 
 
^Quhen worthie had wefchin, and fra the buirdis went 
 
 Thay war for wonderit I wis of thair wyse Lord 
 
 The King fell in carping, and tauld his Intent 
 
 To mony gracious Grome he maid his record 
 
 How the bufteous Beirne met him on the bent 
 
 And how the Froflis war fa fell, and fa ftrait ford 
 
 Than the Coil^ear quoke as he had bene fchent 
 
 Quhen he hard the fuith fay how he the King fchord 
 
 Greit God gif I war now and thy felf with all 
 
 Vpon the mure quhair we met 
 
 Baith all fuddandly fet Sa gude in thy hall. 
 
 Or ony Knicht that thow may get 
 
 ^Thir Lordis leuch vpon loft, and lyftinit to the King 
 
 How he was ludgeit and led, and fet at fa licht 
 
 Than the curagious Knichtis bad haue him to hing 
 
 For he lies feruit that thay faid be our licht 
 
 God forbot he faid my thank war lie thing 
 
 To him that fuccourit my lyfe in fa euill ane nicht 
 
 Him femis ane ftalwart man and ftout in ftryking 
 
 That Carll for his Courtalie falbe maid Knicht 
 
 I hald the counfall full euill that Criftin man flais 
 
 For I had myfter to haue ma 
 
 And not to diftroy tha To fecht on Goddis fais. 
 
 Tha war worthie to ga 
 
 ^Befoir raony worthie he dubbit him Knicht 
 Dukis and digne Lordis in that deir hall 
 Schir fe for thy felf, thow femis to be wicht 
 Tak keip to this ordour, ane Knicht I the call 
 To mak the manly man I mak the of micht 
 Ilk geir thre hundreth pund afsigne the I fall 
 And als the nixt vacant be refsonabill richt 
 That hapnis in France, quhair fa euer it fall 
 
 Forfaltour 
 
Forfaltour or fre waird, that firft cuir.mis to hand 
 
 I gif the heir heritabilly 
 
 Sa that I heir quhen I haue hy With Birny i brand. 
 
 That thow be fundin reddy 
 
 ^It war my will worthy, thy fchone that thow wan 
 
 And went with thir weryouris wytheft in weir 
 
 Heir ar curagious Knichtis, suppois thay the nocht ken 
 
 For thy fimpill degre that thow art in heir 
 
 I befeik God of his grace to mak the ane gude man 
 
 And I fall gif the to begin glitterand geir 
 
 Ane Chalmer with Armour the King gart richt than 
 
 Betaucht to ane Squyar, and maid him keipeir 
 
 With clois Armouris of fteili for that ftout Knicht 
 
 Sextie Squyaris of fee 
 
 Of his retinew to be Schir Rauf gat that nicht. 
 
 That was ane fair cumpany 
 
 ^Vpon the morne airly Schir Rauf wald not reft 
 
 Bot in Ryall array he reddyit him to ryde 
 
 For to hald that I haue hecht I hope it be the beft 
 
 To gone bufteous Beirne that boiftit me to byde 
 
 Amang the Galgart Gromis I am bot ane Geft 
 
 I will the ganandeft gait to that gay glyde 
 
 Sail neuer Lord lauch on loft quhill my lyfe may left 
 
 That I for liddernes fuld leif, and leuand befyde 
 
 It war ane graceles gude that I war cummin to 
 
 Gif that the King hard on hicht 
 
 That he had maid ane carll Knicht And docht not to do, 
 
 Amang thir weryouris wicht 
 
 •[[Vpon ane rude Runfy he rufchit out of toun 
 In ane Ryall array he rydis full richt 
 Euin to the Montane he maid him full boun 
 
 D.j. 
 
Qubair he had tryftit to meit Schir RoUand the Knicht 
 
 Derfly ouir Daillis difcouerand the doun 
 
 Gif any douchtie that day for Jornayis was dicht 
 
 He band his blonk to ane bulk on the bent broun 
 
 Syne baid be the bair way to hald that he had hecht 
 
 Quhill it was neir time of the day that he had thair bene 
 
 He lukit ane lytill him fra 
 
 He fa cummand in thra That euer he had fene. 
 
 The maift man of all tha 
 
 ^Ane Knicht on an? CameiU comecantly at hand 
 
 With ane curagious countenance and pruell to fe 
 
 He femit baldly to abyde with Birny and with brand 
 
 His blonk was vnburely, braid and ouir hie 
 
 Schir Rauf reddyit him sone, and come rydand 
 
 And in the rowme of ane renk in fewtir keft he 
 
 He feimit fer fellonar than first quhen he him f^n^ 
 
 He foimdis throw his forcenes gif he micht him fe 
 
 He ftraik the fteid with the fpurris he fprent on the bent 
 
 Sa hard ane cours maid thay 
 
 That baith thair hors deid lay Abufe thair heid fprent. 
 
 Thair fpeiris in fplenders away 
 
 ^Thus war thay for thair forcynes left on fute baith 
 
 Thay fture hors at that ftraik ftrikin deid lay than 
 
 Thir riche reftles renkis rufchit out full raitn, 
 
 Cleikit out twa fwordis and togidder ran 
 
 Keft thame with gude will to do vther Ik^ith 
 
 Bast on thair bafnetis thay Beirnis or thay blan 
 
 Haiftely hewit thay togidder, to leif th^y war laith 
 
 To tyne the worfchip of weir that thay air wan 
 
 Na for dout of vincufsing thay went nocht away 
 
 Thus ather vther can afsaill 
 
 With fwordis of mettaill Ane hour of the day. 
 
 Thay maid ane lang battaill 
 
 fThay 
 
^Thay hard harneft iiien thay hl?V(rit on in haift 
 
 Thay worthit hcuy with heid and dngcrit with all 
 
 Quhill thay had maid thame fa mait thay faille almaist 
 
 Sa laith thay war on ather part to lat thair price fall 
 
 The riche reftles men out of the renk paft 
 
 Forwrocht with thair wapnis, and eiiill rent with all 
 
 Thair was na girth on the g lofid, quhill ane gaif the gailt 
 
 Tarne efter ;^eilding, on ilk fyde thay call 
 
 Schir Rauf caucht to cule him, ahd talc mair of the liciit 
 
 He keft vp his Vefseir 
 
 With ane Cheualrous cheir Ane vtheir kene Knicht. 
 
 Sa faw he cummand Full neir 
 
 ^Now be the Rude faid Schir Rauf, I reprcif the 
 
 Thow hes brokin conditioun, thov/ lies not done richt 
 
 Thow hecht na bakheir to bring, bdt anerly we 
 
 Thairto I tuik thy hand, as thow was trew Kniclit 
 
 On loud faid the Sara^^ine, I heir the now lie 
 
 Befoir the fame day I faw the neuer with ficht 
 
 Now fall thow think it richt fone, thow hes met with tiie 
 
 Gif Mahoun or Termagant may raantene niy niicht 
 
 Schir Rauf was blyth of that word T; blenkit with his fdce 
 
 Thow fayis thow art ane Siragine 
 
 Now thankit be Drichtine Vhdeid in this place. 
 
 That ane of vs fall ncuer hine 
 
 ^Than faid the Sara;5ine to Schir Rauf fuccudroufly 
 I haue na lyking tt) lyfe to lat the with lufe 
 He gauc ane braid with his brand to the Beirne by 
 Till the blude of his browis brcft out abufe 
 The kcnc Knicht in that fteid ftakkerit fturely 
 The lenth of ane rude braid lie gart him rcmufe 
 Schir Rauf rufchit vp agaiic, and hit him in hy 
 Thay preis furth properly thair pithis to prufe 
 ' D. ij. 
 
Ilk ane a fchort knyfe braidit out fone 
 
 In ftour ftifly thay ftand 
 
 With twa knyfis in hand As thay had neir done. 
 
 With that come Schir Holland 
 
 The gentill Knicht Schir Holland come rydand ful richt 
 And rufchit fra his Hunfy, and ran thame betwene 
 He fayis thow art ane Saragine I fe be my ficht 
 For to confound our Chriftin men that counteris fa kene 
 Tell me thy name tyte, thow trauelland Knicht 
 Fy on thy fechting fell hes thow bene 
 Thow art ftout and ftrang, and ftalwart in fecht 
 Sa is thy fallow in faith, and that is weill fene 
 In Christ and thow will trow thow takis nane outray 
 Forfuith faid the Saragine faid 
 
 Thy felf maid me neuer fa affraid Na not fall to day. 
 
 That I for fouerance wald haue praid 
 
 •[[Breif me not with gour boift, bot mak 30W baith boun 
 
 Batteris on baldly the beft I 50W pray 
 
 Na faid Schir Holland that war na refoun 
 
 I trow in the mekle God, that maift of michtis may 
 
 The tane is in power to mak that prefoun 
 
 For that war na wafsalage fum men wald fay 
 
 I rid that thow hartfully forfaik thy Mahoun 
 
 Fy on that fouU Feind for fals is thy fay 
 
 Bccum Chriftin Schir Knicht, and on Chrift call 
 
 It is my will thow conuert 
 
 This wickit warld is bot ane ftart That maker is of all. 
 
 And haue him halely in hart 
 
 ^ Schir Holland I rek nocht of thy Rauingis 
 
 Thow dois bot reuerance to thame that rckkis it nocht 
 
 Thow flane hes oft thy felf of my Counfingis 
 
 Soudanis 
 
Soudanis and fib men that the with fchamc focht 
 
 Now faindis to haue fauour with thy flcichingis 
 
 Now haue I ferlic gif I fauour the ocht 
 
 We fall fpuil^e gow difpittoufly at the nixt fpringis 
 
 Mak 30W biggingis full bair bodword haue I brocht 
 
 Chace Charlis gour King fer out of France 
 
 Fra the Chane of Tartaric 
 
 At him this mefsage wald I be Withoutin plefance 
 
 To tell him as I haue tauld the 
 
 ^Tyte tell me thy name it feruis of nocht 
 
 ^e Sarageins ar fuccuderus and felf willit ay 
 
 Sail neuer of fa four ane brandane bricht fyre be brocht 
 
 The Feynd is fa fcUoun als fcrs as he may 
 
 Sa thriue I faid the Saragine to thrcip is my thocht 
 
 Quha waitis the Criftin with cair my cufingis ar thay 
 
 My name is Magog in will and I mocht 
 
 To ding thame doun dourly that euer war in my way 
 
 For thy my waryfoun is full gude at hame quhair I dwcl 
 
 In faith faid Schir Holland 
 
 That is full euill wyn land Sine at thine end hell 
 
 To haue quhill thow ar Icuand 
 
 €[Wald thow conucrt the in hy, and coucr the of fin 
 
 Thow fuld haue mair profite and mckle pardoun 
 
 Riche Douchereis fcir to be fefit in 
 
 During quhill day dawis, that neuer will gang doun 
 
 Wed ane worthie to wyfc, and wcild hir with win 
 
 Ane of the riche of our Realmc be that rcfsoun 
 
 The gentill Duches Dame lane that clamis be hir kin 
 
 Angeos and vther landis with mony riche toun 
 
 Thus may thow and thow will wirk the bcft wife 
 
 I do the out of difpair 
 
 In all France is nane fa fair Tp twa Douchereis. 
 
 Als fcho is appcirand air 
 
•lyi rek nocht of thy riches, Schit Rdlland the Knicht 
 
 Said the rude Sara^ine in Ryall array 
 
 Thy God nor thy Grafsum fet I bot licht 
 
 Bot gif thy God bfe fa gude as I heir the fay 
 
 I ^vill forfaik IMahoun, and tak me to his miclu 
 
 Euer mair perpetuallie as he that tiiair may 
 
 Heir with hart and gude will my trellth I the plieht 
 
 That 1 fall lelely leif on thy Lord ay 
 
 And I befeik him of Grace and alkis him mercy 
 
 And Chrift his Sone full fchene 
 
 For I haue Chriftin men fene Full oft bn hihi cry. 
 
 That in mony angeris hes bene 
 
 ^I thank God fdid Rolland that word lykis me 
 
 And Chriil his fwieit Sbne, that the that m-ace fend 
 
 Thay fwoir oil thdll' fwordis fwyftlie all tlii-e 
 
 And conferuit tham6 freindis to thaii* lyfis ehd 
 
 Euer in all trauell to lieif and to die 
 
 Thay Kriithtis caryit to tile cdurt, as Chl-ift had tliathe keiid 
 
 The King for thair cumming mdld galhe and gle 
 
 With mony mirthfull man thair mihhis to merid 
 
 Digne Bifchoppis that day, that douchtie gart britlg 
 
 And gaue him Sacramentis feir 
 
 And callit him Schir Gawteir He wieddit with aiife ring. 
 
 And fme the Duches cleir 
 
 ^Thah Schir Rauf gat rewaird to keip his Khichthfeid 
 Sic tythingis come to the King within thay nyhe nlcht 
 That the Marfchell of France was newlingis deid 
 Richt thair with the counfall of mony kehfe Khicht 
 He thocht him richt worthie to byde in his fteid 
 For to weild that worfchip worthie and wicht 
 His wyfe wald be nocht forget for doiit of Goddis feid 
 He fend efter that hende to leif thame in richt 
 
 Syrie 
 
Syne foundit ane fair place quhair lie met the King 
 Euer mair perpetually 
 
 In the Name of Sanct July Suld haue geftnui« 
 
 That all that wantis harbery 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 i>3(in))t^^tit at ^mi= 
 
 tanlrrois tic Uo^tvt Hcfeprcuife. Stnno. 1575. 
 
THE AWNTYRS OF ARTHURE AT THE 
 TERNE WATHELYN. 
 
THE History of the Romance-Poetry of our country, 
 oxoing to the jJeculiar circumstances attending- its transmis- 
 sion to modern times, is utifortunately involved in great 
 obscurity. Although the more ancient of these remains 
 qccasionally bear internal evidence of having proceeded from 
 the celebrated Makars of the Northe Countreye, loe remain 
 in ignorance respecting the individuals who contributed so 
 much to the amusement of our ancestors in these remote 
 times, and even possess little or no positive evidence that 
 might help us to disfmguish the productions of Scotish 
 writers from those of the English Minstrels. This may 
 indeed be esteemed a matter of extreme unimportance, 
 since the most valuable specimens of romantick fiction that 
 are extant, have, in one shape or other, been made pub- 
 lick. The 'Sir Tristrem/ by our venerable poet, Thomas 
 of Ersyldoune, who flourished about the middle part of the 
 IQth Century, has received every possible advantage in the 
 illustrations of its distinguished Editor : — the Geste of 
 King Horn, perhaps the next in point of antiquity, has 
 been faithfully printed by Ritson : and the Lyf of Alex- 
 ander, (erroneously assigned to an English poet in the age 
 of Edward II.) is given zaitk no less accuracy by Weber, 
 in his excellent Collection of Metrical Romances. 
 
 The Romance zvhich follows bears such a close resem- 
 blance in subject, style, and manner to the Knightly tale of 
 Golagros and Gawane, (which should also have found a place 
 in this Collection, had not its ajjpearance, in a correct and 
 anthentickform, in a different jniblication, been speedily look- 
 ed for,) that both have generally been attributed to one and 
 the same author. The antiquity of these tales is unquestion- 
 
ably considerable ; and Ltd for our knowledge of other 
 similar alliterative iwemSy of which the dates are ascertain- 
 ed, and go Jar to rival these in point of obscurity, we might 
 be justified in carrying them bach to a very remote period. 
 The only conjecture that can be offered respecting their 
 author, is founded on the slight allusion in Dunl)ar's 
 ' Lament Jor the Death of the Makers,^ where he says, , 
 
 Clerk of Tranent eik he hes tane 
 That made the aventers of Sir Gawane. 
 
 As different poems of the Adventures of Sir Gawane are 
 known, we are prevented Jrom ascribing one or other of 
 them to Clerk, with any degree of certainty ; besides, we 
 have the authority of Wyntoun for assigning them to 
 Hucheon, another of our early Poets, (by whom the reader 
 will find a specimen, in the same alliterative style, in the 
 present volume,) who says, 
 
 •' He made the gret Gest of Arthure, 
 And the Awntyre of Gawane."— 
 
 The Autlior of these Romaiices, wlwever he may have 
 been, has certainly added something new to the Poetry of his 
 Country. In them there is both originality of incident and 
 manner i—Jbr although they doubtless were founded on po- 
 pidar tradition, the Author surely would not have chosen 
 such an intricate and cumbrous mode of versification, had 
 they been mere translations, or had he profited by the eec- 
 aniple of the numerous productions of English Romance- 
 Poetry, during its best period, namely, from the middle of 
 the fourteenth to the early part of the Jiftccnth Century. 
 
 Two copies only of this Romance areknozon to he extant. 
 The one mno adopted is transcribed by the Editor from the 
 same volume, in the Cathedral Library, Lincoln, xcliich 
 
furnished the text q/* Thomas of Ersyldoune, and of which 
 a short account is given in the Appendix. From a tran- 
 script of the other manuscript, it was published in the year 
 1792, under the title of Sir Gawan and Sir Galaron 
 OF Galloway, by Pinkerton, which excited the indigna- 
 tion o/^Ritson, into whose possession the manuscript had 
 then come, after the death of his young and intelligent 
 friend Mr. Baynes of Grey'' s Inn ; — and thus, he tells us, 
 his intention of printing it in a collection ' of such things'" 
 was defeated *. This Manuscript, which consists of eleven 
 leaves, in folio, written in a very fair and legible hand, in 
 the reign o/" Henry VI. is now in the Library o/* Francis 
 Douce, Esq. who, with that attention to the interests of 
 early English Literature, for which he is so Justly distin- 
 guished, and which demands the Editor''s best acknowledg- 
 ments, was so kind as to transmit it to Edinburgh ; thus 
 enabling him, while filing up the omissions and supplying 
 the defects of the Lincoln copy, to avoid the err&rs found 
 in Pinkerton"'s edition. It was thought unnecessary to swell 
 out the pages, by noticing all the minute variations and 
 discrepancies between the two Manuscripts ; since in every 
 line some difference in orthography, in omiss'ion, or transpo- 
 sition is found. Whatever seems material is, however, care- 
 fully pointed out — and the words or lines in the text, printed 
 w'lthiJi inverted commas, are those which Mr. Douce's Ma- 
 nuscript has furnished, unless it be otherwise stated. 
 
 ^ See Ritson's Letter on this subject in Gentleman's Magazine, Jan. 1793. 
 
J^ere bpgpnnes %fit atontprs off :artl)ure 
 at tlje %tvnz WSXatlitlvn. 
 
 IN Kyng Arthurs tym ane awntir by tyde, 
 By the Teriie Wathclyn, als the huke tellis ; 
 Als he to Carelele was commen, tluit conqueroure kyde, 
 With Dukes, and witli ducheperes, that with that dere ihiellys, 
 Ffor to liunte at the herdys, that lanjre hafe bene hyde ; 
 And one a day thay tham diojhte to the depe deUis, 
 To felle of the ffemmales in tlie fibrefte, ' and frydde,' 
 Ffaire in the fternyfone tyme, by ff'rythis, and I'ellis : 
 
 Thus to the wode are thay wente, the wlonkafte in wedvs, 
 Bothe the Kynge, and the Qwene, 
 And all the doghety by dene, 
 Schir Gawane o-ayefte one grene, 
 Dame Gayenour he Icdis. 
 
 II. 
 
 And thus Schir Gawane the gay, dame (Jaycnour he ledis, 
 
 In a gletterande gyde, that glemet full gaye ; 
 
 With rich rebanes reuerfl'ede, who that righte redys, 
 
 Jlaylede with rubes one royalle arraye : 
 
 Hir hude was of hawc hewe that liir hede hydys, 
 
 Wroghte with pelours, and palle, and perryc to paye ; 
 
 Schruedede in a fchorte doke, that the rayne fchrydes, 
 
 I. — 1. ' In tlie tynie of Artliur un aunter by tydde.' 2. ' Turnewatlielan.' or Tcarn 
 Wadling, in Cuniberland — sec note at the end of this romance. ;i. • ami concjiiernur 
 kydde.' 4. ' the dere.' 7. ' in forest and frydde' Alf. I,, reads ' in the ftbrcstc wtlc 
 frythede.' H. 'fayre by the ]'"irniysthaniis, in frithcs.' — 
 
 II — 3. * With riche ribaynes reuerssct' 4-. ' rubss of rial' .5. >• of hcrde liawc.' 
 7. ' Schurde in a schort clokc that the rayne shedes.' 
 
Sett oucr with fafyrs, full fothely to faye ; 
 
 And thus wondirfully was all the wyghtis wedys, 
 Hir fadill femyde of that ilke, 
 Semlely fewede with fylke ; 
 One a muyle als the milke, 
 Gayely fcho glydis. 
 
 III. 
 
 Thus alle in gleterande golde gayely fcho glydis 
 The gates, with Schir Gawane, by a grene welle ; 
 Nane bot hym felfe one a blonke, by that birde bydis, 
 That borne was in Burgoyne, by buke, and by belle. 
 He ledde that lady fo lange by thefe landes fydys, 
 Sythen fo neir a lorere fcho lyghte lawe by a felle. 
 Schir Arthure, with his Erles, full ernellly rydis, 
 To teche thame to thaire trillis, trewely to telle : 
 
 To thaire triftis he tham taughte, who that righte trowes, 
 like a lorde, with owttyn lett, 
 At his trifle was he fett, 
 With bewe and with barcelett, 
 Vndir thefe bewes. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Vndir thefe bewes thay bade, thefe beryns fo bolde, 
 To bekire at thofe bargayne, in bankis fo bare ; 
 Thay kefte of tiiaire copills, in clyffes fo calde ; 
 Thay recomforthes thaire kenettis, to kele tham of care ; 
 Thare niyght hirdmen, hendaly forfothe, herdis by holde, 
 Herkyn huntyngis with hornnes, in holtis fo hare, 
 Thay fellede downe the ffemmalls, full thlkke folde, 
 With frefche hundis, and felle, felonofly thay fare ; 
 
 Thay queftede and quellys, 
 
 By fry this and fellis, 
 
 That the dere dwellys, 
 And darkys and darys. 
 
 9. ' with safFres and seladynes, set by the sides.' 
 
 Ill — 3. ' And that barne on his blonke with the quene bidis.' 5. ' by the lawe sides.' 
 6. ' under a lorre they lyghte.' 8. ' the trouth for to telle. 9. ' who the trouth trowes.' 
 JO. ' to an oke he hem sett.' 
 
 IV 2. ♦ these baryanes.' 5. ' There might hatheles in high, lierdes be holde.' 
 
 6. ' huntyng in haste.' 8. ' thei folowen her fare.' 9. A line seems to be wanting 
 in this stanza in both Mfs. 9. ' with gret questis and quellis. 10. ' both in frithis 
 aud fellis.' 11. • all the dere in the delles. ' 13. ' Thei durken and dare.' 
 
AUe darkis the dere, and to down fchowys, 
 And, for the ' drede"* of the dcde drowpys the daa, 
 And by tlie ftremys, fo ftrange, that fwyftly fwoghes, 
 Thay wery the wildc fwyne, and wyrkkis tliam waa ; 
 Thay hunte, and halowes, ' in hurstis and huwes,'' 
 And till thaire rifte, raches relyes on thaire raye ; 
 Thay gafe no gamen, no grythe, that one grownde growes, 
 Grete hundis ' in the grcues' full gladly gan gaa. 
 Thus thies gomes, thay ga in greuys lo grene, 
 
 And boldly blawes rechayfe, 
 
 And folowes fade one the trafe, 
 
 With many fergaunts of mace, 
 Swylk folauce to fene. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Thus with folauce thay femeleddc, the prowdeftc in palle, 
 And fe'wen'' to the foueraygne, in cleues fo clone ; 
 Nane bot Schir Gawane, the gayelle of alle, 
 By leuys with dame Gaynoure in those greues grene : 
 Vndir a lorerc fcho laye, that lady fo fmalle, 
 Off boxe, and of barborane, byggand full bene; 
 Ffafle by fore vndrone, this ferly gan falle, 
 And this mcikill mcrvcUo, that I ' fhalP of mene. 
 Now will I of this mervele mene, gif I mote, 
 The daye woxe als dirke, 
 A Is it were mydnyghte mirke, 
 Ther of Schir Gawane was irke ; 
 And lyghtc one his fote. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Thus one fote arc thay lyghte, thofe frekis vn fayne, 
 And fledde fade ' fro' the forefle to the fawe fcllis ; 
 
 V — 1. ' Thei (lurken the dere in the dynic skuwes." 2. , that for drede of the deth.' 
 3. this hne omitted in IMC. D. 4. ' in hurstis and huwes.' — Alt'. L. reads ' in holttis and 
 hillys.' C. » And bluwe reclias, ryally thei ran to ro.' 10. ' the King blew.' 
 
 VI. 1. ' they scnibled.' 2. ' within schaf,'hes srhenc.' 3. ' Al bou' <». ' and of 
 barber.* 9. ' nieve if I mote. 12. ' thereof tlic King.' 
 
 VII — 1. ' Thus to fote ar thei farcn.' 2. ♦ and flecn fro the (Ibrcst to the fcwe fcUis.' 
 Mf. L. reads ' fastc to the forcstc, and to.' 
 
Thay rane fad to the roches, for reddoure of the rayne, 
 Ffor the flete, and the fnawe, that fuappede tham fo fnelle : 
 Thare come a lawe one the loughe, in lede is noghte to layne. 
 In the lyknes of Lucyfere, layeth'h'efte in helle, 
 And glyddis to dame Gaynoure, the gatis full gayne, 
 ^olland gamyrjy, with many lowde ^elle ; 
 
 It ^ellede, it 5amede with vengeance full wete ; 
 
 And faid, aftre fyghande full fare, 
 
 I am the body that the bare, 
 
 Alias ! now kyndyls my kare, 
 I gloppyn and I grete ! 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Thane gloppenyde, and grett, dame Gaynoure the gay, 
 And alkede Schir Gawayne, whatt was his belle rede ? — 
 It es the clippes of the Mone, I herde a clerke faye ; 
 And thus he comforthede the Qwene, with his knyghthede. 
 Schir Cadore, Schir Caduke, Schir Coftarde, Schir Kaye, 
 Thir knyghtes are vn curtayfe, by crofe, and by crede, 
 That thus me hafe lefte in this Erthe at my dede daye. 
 With the gryfelyefte gafte, that euer herde I grete ! — 
 At this gafte, quod Schir Gawayne, greue gowe no more, 
 I falle fpeke with gone fprete. 
 In gone wayes fo wete. 
 If I maye the bales bete. 
 Of gone body bare. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Bare was hir body, and blake to the bane, 
 
 Alle by claggede in claye, vn comlyly clede : 
 
 It weryit, it wayemettede, lyke a Womann, 
 
 That nowther one hede, ne one hare, hillynge it hade ; 
 
 It ftottyde, it ftounnede, it ftode als a ftane. 
 
 It marrede, it memerede, it moyffed for made. 
 
 Vn to that gryfely gafte Schir Gawane es gane. 
 
 He raykede to it one a rafe, for he was neuer rade : 
 
 Lines 3. and 6. are omitted in Mf. D. 4. « For the sueterand snawe suartly hem snel- 
 les.' 5. ' a lede of the lawe, in land is.' 7. ' And glides to Schir Gawayne the gates 
 to gayne. * 8. * gauland and gomerand.' 9. ' hit gaules, hit gamers with waymeyngis 
 wete.' 10. ♦ I ban the body me bare.' 
 
 VIIl — 3. 'the clippes of the Son.' 5. ' Schir Cador, Schir Clegis, Schir Costar- 
 dyne, Schir Cay.' 9. 'Of the goost, quod the grome.' 
 
 IX.— 4, ' But on hide, ne on huwe, no helling.' 5. ' Hit stemered, hit stounade.' 
 
Ffor radc was he neucr newe who that ryghtc redis, 
 
 One the chefc of the chollc, 
 
 A tade pykit one hir poUe, 
 
 Hir eghne ware holkede full hollc, 
 Glowand als gledis. 
 
 X. 
 
 AUe glowede als gledis, the gafte wharc fcho glydis, 
 Vmbyclede in a clowde, with clethynge vn clere ; 
 Cerkelytt with ferpentes that fatt by hir fydes, 
 To tell the tedis ther one, my tongue wer to tere. 
 The beryn brawndeche owte his brande, and the body bydis, 
 Therefore that chevalrous knyghte thoghte it no chcre ; 
 The hundes are to hillys < and ther'' hedis hydis 
 Ffor that gryfely gafte made fo gryme bere : 
 
 The grete grewhundes were agayfte, for that grym bere, 
 
 The birdes on the bewes, 
 
 That one that gafte gewes, [ 
 
 Thay clyme in the clewes, 
 That hedows when thay here. 
 
 XL 
 
 Who that myghte that hedows fee, hcndefte in haulle, 
 How hir choUe chatircde, hir chaftis, and hir chyne; 
 Thane coniurede hir that knyghte, and one Crifte gun he calle, 
 Alls thou was crucyfyede one croyfe,to faue ws fra fyn. 
 Thou fpirette faye me the fothe, whedir that thou fall. 
 And whi that thow walkcs thies wayes, thies woddis, with inn ? 
 —I was of ff'egure, and of flefche, the fayerefte of alle, 
 Chriftenede, and kryfmede, with kynges in my kyn : 
 I hafe kynges in my kyn, knawen for kyde full kene, 
 God hafe fent me this grace. 
 To drye my paynes in this place. 
 And nowe am I commen one a pafe, 
 To fpeke with goure Qwene. 
 
 8. ' neuer dr.-ide.' 9. « drade was he.' 10 ' clicf of the clollc' 11. ' tlic gooste glowcs.' 
 X — 2. ' Vnibe clipped wiih a cloude.' 3. ' Skelcd with scrpenfcs all aboute the 
 
 sides.' (5. ' cliargtd no chcre.' 7. ' The houndes higher to the wode.' 12. ' thci 
 
 skryke in the skowes.' 13. ' that hatheles may here.' 
 
 XI — 1. • Ilathclesse might here so fer into halle.' 2. ' How chatcred the chollc, 
 
 the chaUus, on tiic ch)ne ' 7. ' figure and face.' ». ' and knowcn.' 12. ' 1 am comcn 
 
 in this cacc.' 
 
XII. 
 
 Qwene was I whilome, wele bryghtere of browes, 
 Than Beryke, or Brangwayne, the byrdis fo balde ; 
 Of any games, or gudis, that one the grownde groAves, 
 AVele grettere than Gaynoure, of garfomes, and of golde, 
 Of pales, of powndis, of parkis, of plewes, 
 Of tounes, of towris, of trefoures vn tolde ; 
 Of contres, of call ells, of cragges, of clewes ; 
 And now am I cachede owte of kythe, in carys fo colde : 
 In care am I cachede, and cowchede in claye ; 
 Loo ! curtayfe knyghte. 
 How that dede hafe me dyghte, 
 Nowe gyffe me anes a fyghte. 
 Of Gayenour the gaye. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Nowe to Gayenour the gaye, Schir Gawayne es gane. 
 
 And to that body hafe he broghte that birde then fo bryghte : 
 
 Welcome, Waynoure ! fcho fays, thu worthye in wane ! 
 
 Loo ! howe that dulefull dede, hafe thi dame dyghte, 
 
 I was reddare in rode than rofe in the rayne ; 
 
 My lyre als the lely, lufely to fyghte, 
 
 And nowe I am a grefely gafte, and grymly granes. 
 
 With Lucefere in a lake lawe ame I lyghte ; 
 
 Thus am I lyke to Lucefere, takis witnes by mee, 
 
 Ffor all goure frefche fauoure, 
 
 Now meyfe one this mirroure, 
 
 Ffor bothe Kynge and Emperoure, 
 Thus fall ge bee. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 And thus dede will 50W dyghte, ' take thare of no dowte,' 
 And there one hertly takis hede, while that thu es here, 
 
 XII 2. ' Than berell.' 11, ' How delfulle deth has me dight.' 12. ' lete me 
 
 onys haue a sight.' 
 
 XIII 3. ' \Vaynoure' here, and in some of the subsequent stanzas in both Mfs. is 
 
 ■w.ritten instead of ' Gaynoure.' It was thought unnecessary to correct this, although at 
 first it might appear to be the name of the apparition of Gaynoure's mother, but whose 
 name is not mentioned. In the same manner Wawayn occurs elsewhere instead of Gawayn. 
 6. ' lonched on hight. 
 
 XIV. — 1. ' takis witness by mee.' Mf. L. 
 
When tliou cs richely arrayed, and rydes in a rowte, 
 Hafc tlian pctc, and mynd one the pore, for thu arte of powere, 
 Boryns, and byrdis, arc bcfyc the abowte, 
 When thi body is bawmede, and broghte appone here, 
 Than will thay leue the lyghtely, that nowe will the lowte, 
 And than lielpes the no thynge, bot lialye prayere : 
 Tlie prayere of the pore, chaflcs the from helle, 
 
 Of thafe that ^ellis at thi ^ate, 
 
 When thu fittis in thi fette, 
 
 With all mirthes at thi mete, 
 Some dayntes thou dele. 
 
 XV. 
 
 With dayntethe one defle, thi dyetes are dyghte ; 
 And thus in dawngere, and dole I downe, and I duelle, 
 Nafty, and nedfull, and nakede one nyghte 
 There ftblowes me a ferde of ffendis ff'ull ffell : 
 Thay harle me vnhendely, and hewys me one hyghte ; 
 In braffe. and in bromftane, I birne als a belle : 
 Was neuer wroghte in this werldc, a wafullere wyghte, 
 It were tere till any tonge my tourmenttis to telle ! 
 Bot now will I of my tourment talke, or I gaa ; 
 
 Thynke hertly on this, 
 
 Now fonde to mende of this mys ; 
 
 Ffor thou arte warnede I wyfle, 
 Be warre now be my waa ! 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Now wo es me ! for thi waa, fayd Waynour, I wyfle, 
 Bot a worde wolde I wete, and thi will ware : 
 Gyff matyns, or mefles, myghte oghte menden thi myfle, 
 Or any mobylls on molde, my myrthis ware the mare ; 
 Or bedis of bechopes, myghte brynge the to blyfle ; 
 Or conuentis in cloyfters, myghte kere the of care ; 
 Ffor if thou be my modir, grcte mervclle it cs, 
 That thi burlyche body es bakcncde fo bare ! — 
 
 7. « than lite wyn the light.' 9. — 'may purchas tlie pes.' 13. ' and ilayntcs on dcs.' 
 XV — 2. 'in donj^on I dwcllc.' 4 ' fendes of licllc' 
 X\'l. — 8. ' is broui'lit to be so bare.' 
 
I bare the of my body ; whate bote es to lye ? 
 
 Be that to takenynge thou trewe, 
 
 I brake a folempne a vowe, 
 
 That none wyile bot I, and thowe. 
 And ther fore dole I drye, 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Telle me now fothely, what may fafe thi fytis, 
 And I fall garre feke fayntes, for thi fake ; 
 Bot of thafe balefull beftis, that one thi body bytys, 
 AUe blendis my blode, thi blee es foo blake ; 
 This es it to lufFe paramoures, and luftys, and litys, 
 That gerfe me lyghte, and lenge fo lawe in this lake ; 
 Ffor alle the welthe of this werlde, thus awaye wytis ; 
 This werlde is wandrethe, that wirkes me ^vrake : 
 Ffor wrake it me wirkes, now Waynovire, I wyfle ! 
 
 Were thritty trentalls done, 
 
 By twyxen vndrone and none. 
 
 My faule were faluede full fone. 
 And broghte in to blyffe. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 To blyffe brynge the that barne, « that boghte the on rode,' 
 That was crucyfiede one croyfe, and crownnede with thorne; 
 Cryflynnede, and kryfemmede, with candills and coude, 
 Ffullede in funilane, full frely by forne ; 
 Mary, that es myghty, and myldeft of mode. 
 That bare that blyffchede, in Bedleme was borne, 
 Gyffe me grace for to grete thy faule with fome gude ; 
 And mene the with meffes, and matynes one morne ; 
 To mene me with meffes, grete menlke nowe it were, 
 
 Ffor hym, that rylle on the rode, 
 
 Gyffe nowe fall of thy gude. 
 
 To folke that fayles the fude, 
 Whylls that thou erte here. 
 
 9. ' what bote is hit I layn.' 12. ' And no man wist h' but thowe.' 13. ' that sothely 
 I sayn.' 
 
 XVII — 1. « what may the sauen y wis.' 2. ' And I sail make sere men to singe 
 for thi sake.' 4. ' Al bledis my ble, thi bones.' 8. ' With the wilde wormis that 
 worche me wrake.' 12. ' soeoured with son.' 
 
 XV'III — 1. ' that barne that brought the on rede.' — ' that dere has the boghte' Mf. L. 
 4. ' ffolowed in fontestone.' 10. ' grete niyster. ' 
 
XIX. 
 
 Now here hertly one handc, I hefte the to haklc, 
 With a melyone of meflcs to make thy mcnyngc. 
 13ot one worde, faide dame Waynoure, now wicte that I walde, 
 What greues Gode mofte of any kyns tliynge ? — 
 Pride, Avith apparementis, als prophetis haue tolde, 
 By fore the pople, appertly in tliaire prechyngc ; 
 The ' bowes' is full bittire, tharc of be thou baldc, 
 It makis beryns full baldc, to breke his byddynge ; 
 AVho fo liis byddyng brekis, bare he cs of blylTe ; 
 
 Bot thay be fadncs of that fare, 
 
 Certis, or thay hethyn fare, 
 
 Thay mon wiete of calde care, 
 Waynoure, I wys. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Telle me, fayde Waynoure, a worde ^if thou woftc, 
 Whatc bedis myghte me beftc, in to blys the bryngc ?— 
 Mckeneffe and mercy, fcho faide, tho are the mofte, 
 Hafe petie on the pore, thane plefys thou owre Kyngc ; 
 Sythen after that, do almous dedis of alle other thynge, 
 Thics aren the gud gyftis of the Haly Gofte, 
 That enfpyres alle fperites, withowttyn fpillynge ; 
 Ffor to come to that blyffe, that euer more fall lafte. 
 Of thies fperituale thinges, fpyre me na mare, 
 Whills thou arte Qwene in this quarte, 
 Halde thies wordis in thyn herte, 
 Ffor thou fall lyff'e bot a ftarte ; 
 Hethyn fall thu ftare. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 How fall we fare, faide the freke, that fowndis to fyghtc, 
 
 That ofte foundis the folkes, in fele kyngis landis ; 
 
 That richc rewmcs ouer rynnes, agaynes the ryghte. 
 
 And Wynnes wirchippis, and wclthis, by wyghtcncs of handis. 
 
 XIX 4. « What wrathed Gotl most.' S. ♦ with appurtennancc. ' H, ' burncs so 
 
 bly.* 10. 'be salucd.' 
 
 XX. This stanza in the Lincoln Mf. is misplaced, as it is tlicrc introduced as the 
 XVIII. !). ' spate thou na mare.' 
 
 XXI 2. ' and thus dctoulcn the folkc.' i. ' wynncn worshipp in wcrrc thorgh.' 
 
— ^owre Kynge es to covetous, I tell the, Schir knyghte ; 
 May no man Here hym of flrenghe, whills thou whale flandis, 
 When he es in his magefte heghelle, and mafte es of myghte, 
 He fall lighte full lawe, appone the See fandis : 
 
 Thus gowre cheualrous Kynge chefe fchalle a chawnce, 
 Ffalfe fortune in fyghte, 
 That wondirfull whele wryghte, 
 « Makis' lordis lawe for to lyghte ; 
 Takis witnes by Fraunce. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Ffraunce hafe ge frely with gour fyghte wonncn ; 
 The Ffrolo and the Ffarnaghe es frely by leuede ; 
 Bretayne, and Burgoyne, es bothe to gow bownnen, 
 And alle the Dugepers of Ffraunce with the dyn dreuede : 
 Gyane may gretyn that the werre was by gounnen ; 
 Es noghte a lorde in that lande, appon lyfe leuede ; 
 gete fall the riche Romaynes with gow ben ouer ronnen, 
 And alle the Rownde Tabill thaire rentis be reuede. 
 Thay fall gitt be Tybire tymbire gow tene, 
 
 Gete the Schir Gawayne 
 
 Turne thou to Tulkayne, 
 
 Ffor ' lefe' thu fall Bretayne, 
 With a knyghte kene. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 A knyghte fall kenly clofen the crowne. 
 
 And at Carelyone be crownede for kynge : 
 
 That fege fall be fefede at a fefone, 
 
 That mekill bale, and barete, till Ynglande fall brynge ; 
 
 Ther fall in Tulkane be tallde of that trefone. 
 
 And tome home agayne for that tydynge ; 
 
 And ther fall the Rownde Tabille iolTe the renowne, 
 
 Be fyde RamefTaye, faill ryghte at a rydynge, 
 
 6 . « May no man stry him with strength, whil« his whele stondes. ' 9. < chiualrous knight. ' 
 10. 'ffalsely fordone in fight.' 11. 'with a wonderfull wight.' 12. • mase' Mf. L. 
 
 XXII. — 2. ' Freol and his folke fey ar they leued.' 3. ' to gow bowen.* 9. ' Thus 
 shall a Tyber vn true tymber with tene.' 
 
 XXIII. — 1. ' This knight shal be clanly enclosed with a crowne.' 2. 'at Carlele 
 shal that comly. ' 3. ' A sege shal he seche with a cession.' 4. 'to Bretayn.' 
 8. ' Beside Ramsey full rade.' 
 
And at Dorfett fall dy the doghetyeftc of alle. 
 
 Gctte the Schir Gawaync, 
 
 The baldcft of Bretayne ; 
 
 Ffor in a flake thu fall be flayne, 
 Swylke ferly fall falle. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Siche ferly fall falle with owtten any fabille, 
 Appone Cornewayle cofte, with a knyghte kene : 
 Arthure the auenance that honefle es and abill, 
 Sail be wondid I wyffe full wathely I wene : 
 ' And al the rial rowte of the Rounde Tabillc 
 Thei fhullen dye on a day, the doug^ »y dene"* 
 Suppryfede with a fugette that beris of fabille, 
 A fawtire engrelede of Siluer full fchene ; 
 He beris * it' of fabille, fothely to faye, 
 
 In kyng Artliures haulle 
 
 The childe playes hym at the balle 
 
 That fall owttraye 50 w alle, 
 FuU derfely a daye. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Hafe gud daye, dame Gaynoure, and Gawane the gude ; 
 I hafe no langare tyme, mo tales to telle, 
 Ffor me bufe wende one my waye, tliorowte this wode, 
 Vn to my winnynge wane, in waa for to welle : 
 Ffor him that rewfully rafe, and rente was one rude, 
 Thynke one the dawngere, and the dole, that I in duellc ; 
 And fedc folke, for my fake, that fawte the fude, 
 And menc me with meffes, and matyns in mcllc : 
 ' Meflcs are medecynes to vs that bale bides^ 
 
 Vs thynke a meffe als fwetc, 
 
 Als any fpyce that euer thu ete : 
 
 And thus with a gryfely grete. 
 The gafle awayc glydis. 
 
 XXIV.— 5. and 6. instead of these two lines, taken from Mf. D. the third and fourth 
 lines of this stanza are repeated in Mf. L. 7. ' Suppriset with a surget, lie beris hit in 
 sable.' 13. ' Dclfully that day.' 
 
 XXV — 7. ' that failen the fudc' 9. the last four lines of stanza XIX. »re here re- 
 peated by mistake in Mf. L. followed, however, by the lines in tiie text, cxcipt tlic Oih, 
 which is given from Mf. D. 
 
XXVI. 
 
 ' With a grifly grete, the gafte away glydis ; 
 And goes, with gronyng fore, thorgh the greues grene :' 
 The wynde, and the wedyre, ' the"* welkyn vn hydis, 
 Than vnclofede the clowddis, the fone fchane fchene. 
 The kynge his bogill hafe blowen, and on the bent bydis, 
 His fayre folke in firthes, flokkes in fere ; 
 All that royalle rowte, to the Qwene rydys 
 And melis to hir mildely, one thaire manere ; 
 
 The wyes on fwilke wondirs, a wondirde thaire were ; 
 
 The prynces prowdefte in palle. 
 
 Dame Gaynoure, and alle, 
 
 Wente to Rendolfe felt haulle 
 To thaire fopere. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 The Kynge was fett to the fupere, and ferued in fale, 
 Vndir a Seloure of fylke, full daynetyuoufely dyghte ; 
 With alle the wirchipe to welde, and wyne for to wale, 
 Birdis in brede, of brynt golde bryghte. 
 Ther come two fotolers in with a fymbale, 
 A lady, lufefome of late, ledande a knyghte ; 
 Seho rydes vp to the heghe deffe by fore the royalle ; 
 And aflced Schir Arthure, full hendely one highte, 
 Scho faide to that fouerayne, wlonkefte in wedis, 
 
 Mane mode of myghte, 
 
 Here es comyn ane armede knyghte ; 
 
 Now do hym refone and ryghte, 
 Ffor thi manhede. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 The mane in his mantyll, fyttis at his mete. 
 
 In paulle purede with pane, full precyoufly dyghte, 
 
 Trofelyte and trauerfte, with trewloues in trete ; 
 
 XXVI. — 1. and 2. these lines are wanting in Mf. 1j. 
 6. ' in the frith thei flokken by dene.' 8. ' She sayis hem the selcouthes that thei hadde 
 thairseene.' 9. ' the wise of the weder.' 12. ' Went to llondoles halle.' 
 
 XXVII. — 1. 'serued in halle.' 3. ' worshipp and wele, mewith the walle.' 
 
 4. ' Rriddes branden and brad in bankers bright.' 7. ' Ho raykes up in a res.' 
 
 8. ' And halsed.' 9. ' Ho said.' 10. ' JVIon makles.' 11. ' an errant knight.' 
 
 XXVIII. —2. ' pured to pay prodly pight.' 3. This line is omitted in Mf. D. 
 
The tafee was of topas that ther to was tyghte : 
 He glyfte vpe with hys eghne, that gray ware, and grete, 
 With his burely berde, one that birde bryghte. 
 He was tlie Soueraynefte Sir, fittande in I'ette, 
 That euer any fegge faughe, or fene with fyghte. 
 Thus the kyng, crowned in kythe, carpis hir till ; 
 Welcome worthyly wyghte ! 
 Thou fall hafe refone and ryghte; 
 Whythen es this comly knyghte, 
 If it be thi will ? 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Scho was the worthiliefte wyghte, that any wy myghte welde ; 
 Hir gyde was gloryous, and gaye, alle of gyrfe grene ; 
 Hir belle was of plonkette, with birdis full baulde, 
 Botonede with befantes, and bokelledc full bene ; 
 Hir faxe in fyn perrye frette was in fowldc, 
 The conterfelette in a kelle colourcde full clcne. 
 With a crowne of cryftalle, and of clere golde : 
 Hir courchefes were coryoufe, with mony prowd pyn, 
 * Her perre was pray fed, with prife men of might/ 
 The bryghte byrde, and balde, 
 Had note ynoghe to by halde 
 One that freely to fawlde, 
 And one that hende knyghte. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 That knyghte in liis coloures, was armede ' fuir clene, 
 With his comly crcfle, full clere to by holde ; 
 His brcnyes, and his bafnett, birnefchet full bene, 
 With a bourdoure abowte, alle of brynte golde; 
 His mayles was mylk whytte, enclofede fo clene ; 
 His horfe trapjx-d with the fame, als it was me taulde ; 
 Tlie fchelde one his ftliuldir, of fyluere full fchene, 
 With bare heuedis of blake, burely, and baulde ; 
 
 6. ' With liis beuercn berde. 9. ' talkis hir tillc.' 
 
 XXIX — 1. ' that cny wedc wolde.' 3 ' here belle was of blunkct.' 4. ' branded 
 with brcndc golde' 7. ' with a crowne craltly al of clene golde.' 0. omitted in .Ml. I,. 
 
 XXX 5. • were niylke white many hit seen.' 0'. ' trapped of tiiat ilkt as true 
 
 men me tolde.' 7. * of brake browed ful bolde.' 
 
His horfe with fendale was teldade, and trappede to the hele 
 
 And, his cheuarone by forne, 
 
 Stude als dois vnycorne, 
 
 Als so fcharpe as any thorne, 
 And mayles of ftele. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 In ftele was he ftuft'ede, that fteryn was one ftede, 
 Alle of fternys of golde ; that ftekillede was one ftraye ; 
 He and his gambefouns, ' glowede als a glede,' 
 With graynes of rubyes, that graythede were gaye. 
 And his fchene fchynbandes, fcharpe fre to fchrede ; 
 * His polemus with pelicocus were pondred to pay :' 
 Thus with a lance appon lofte that lady gun he lede ; 
 A fwayne one a frefone, folowede him on faye. 
 ' The ffrefon was afered, for drede of that fare C 
 
 He was feldom wovinte 
 
 To fee, the tabills at his frounte, 
 
 Swilke gammens was he wonte, 
 ' Saghe he neuer are.' 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Arthure alkede in hye, one herande tham alle, 
 
 Whate woldeft thu, Wy, gif it were thi wille ? 
 
 Telle me whate thu fekis, and whedir that thu fchalle ? 
 
 And why thu ftonyes on thi ftede, and ftondis fo ftille .'* 
 
 He lyfte vpe his vifare fro the ventalle ; 
 
 And with a knyghtly contenance he carpis hym till. 
 
 Be thu kayfere, or kynge, here I the be calle 
 
 To fynde me a freke, to fyghte one my fill : 
 
 Ffor fyghtynge to fray ft e, I fowndede fra hame. 
 
 The kynge carpede on heghte, 
 
 Lyghte, and lende alle nyghte, 
 
 If thou be curtayfe knyghte, 
 And tell me thi name. 
 
 9. ' in fyne sandel was trapped.' 11. ' Stode as an.' 13. ' An anlas of stele.' 
 
 XXXI — 2. • his pencell displaied.' 3. ' His gloves, his gamesouns glowed as a glede.' 
 The end of this line in Mf. L. seems to be ' glomede als stedie.' 5. ' schynbandes.' 
 
 6. this line is wanting in Mf. L. and also the 9th in this stanza. 8. ' A freke, on a 
 freson.' 10. ' For he was selden wonte to see.' 11. ' The tablet floure.' 12. ' Siche 
 gamen ne gle.' 13. ' full seldonie to see' ]Mf. L. 
 
 XXXII — 4. • sturne on thi stedc.' 5. ' he wayned up his viser.' 10. ' then saiil 
 the King vppon hight.' 
 
XXXIII. 
 
 My name es Schir Galleroun, with owttyn any gyle ; 
 
 The grettefte of Galowaye, of greues and of gyllis, 
 
 Of Konynge ; of Carryke ; of Connygame ; of Kylle ; 
 
 Of Lomonde ; of Lenay ; of Lowthyane hilhs. 
 
 Thou hafe wonnen thaym one werre with owttrageoufe will ; 
 
 And gyffen tliam Schir Gawayne, and that myn herte grilles. 
 
 * But he fhal wring his honde, and warry the wyle"* 
 
 Or he wclden my landes, at myn vn thankes : 
 
 By alle the welthe of this werlde, he fall tham neuer welde, 
 Whills I my hede may bere ; 
 Bot he wyn tham one werre, 
 Bothe with fchelde, and with fpere, 
 Appone a fair felde. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 I will feghte on a felde, and thcr to make I my faythe, 
 With any freke one the faulde, that frely es borne : 
 To lofe fwilke a lordfchipe, me thynke it full laythe ; 
 And ilke a ieueande lede wolde laughe me to ikorne. — 
 We aren here in the wode walkand, one our wathe, 
 We hunte at the herdis, with hundes, and with home ; 
 We aren one owre gamcn, we ne hafe no gude graythe ; 
 Bot ^itt thu fall be machede by middaye to morne. 
 
 And for thi I rede the, thu rathe mane, thu rifte the all the nyghte. 
 
 Than Gawayne, gayefl of alle, 
 
 Ledis hym owte of the haulle, 
 
 Vn till a paveleone of paulle. 
 That prowdely was pyghte. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Pighto was it prowdely, with purpurc and paulle, 
 
 With doflburs, and qwefchyns, and bankowres full bryghte; 
 
 With inn was a chapclle, a chambir, and ane haulle ; 
 
 XXXIII — ;{. 'of Connok, of Conyngliam, and also Kyle' t ' of r,omand of 
 
 Losex.' 't. ♦ with a wrange willc' 7. this line is wanting in Ml". I.. H. ' Et he weld 
 hem Y wys agayn myn utnwyllcs.' 
 
 XXXIV — 4. ' And bickc Icdc open lyvc' 5. ' went to walkc' 7- ' gome 
 graithe.' 10. ♦ gralhcst of alle.' 
 
 XXXV — 2. 'liirdes brandcii above, in brend gold bright.' 3. ' Inwith was .x' 
 
A chymneye with charecole, to chawfFen that knyghte, 
 His ftede was fone ftabillede, and lede to the ftalle, 
 And haye hendly heuyde in hekkes one hyghte. 
 Sythen he brayde vp a burde, and clathes gun calle ; 
 Sanapes, and falers, full femly to fyghte, 
 
 Preketes, and broketes, and ftandertis by twene : 
 
 Than thay feruede that knyghte, 
 
 And his worthy wyghte. 
 
 With full riche daynteths dyghte, 
 In Siluere full fchene. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 In Siluer fa femly thay feme tham of the belle, 
 With vernage, in verrys, and cowppys fa clene : 
 And thus thafe gleterande gommes, gladdis thaire geftis, 
 With riche dayntethe, endorred, in dyfches by dene. 
 When the ryalle renke was gone to his ryfle, 
 The Kynge in to concelle hafe callede his knyghtis fo kene ; 
 Sayes lukes nowe, ge lordyngs, oure lofe be noghte loft, 
 Who fall enconter with gone knyghte, now lukes vs by twene. 
 Thane faid Schir Gawayne, he fall vs noghte greue, 
 
 Here my trouthe I gow plyghte, 
 
 I fall feghte with gone knyghte. 
 
 In the defence of my ryghte. 
 My Lord, with gowre lefe. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 I leue wele, quod the kynge, thi latis are ' light,' 
 
 ' But I nolde, for no Lordelliippe, fe thi life lorne.' 
 
 Late gaa, quod Schir Gawayne, Gode ' ftond with the right,' 
 
 If he Ikape ikatheles, ' hit were a foule Ikorne."' 
 
 In the dawynge of the ' day, the doughti were dight ;' 
 
 Thaye herde matyns ' and maffe erly on morne.' 
 
 By that one ' Pluton land a palais was pight,' 
 
 Whare neuer < freke opon folde had foughten biforne ;' 
 
 6. ' Hay hertly he had in haches on hicht.' 7. ♦ thei braide.' 9. ' Torches.' 
 
 10. ' Thus thei.' 
 
 XXXVI. — 3. * And thus Schir Gawayn the good.' 8. ' kestis gou bitwene.' 
 
 9. ' Then said Gawayn thegoode.' 10. 'Here my honde I you highte.' 
 
 XXXVII The greater part of this, and tlie two first lines of the next stanza are 
 
 torn away in Mf. L. 
 
' Thci fettcn liftes by lyue on the logh lande : 
 
 Thre foppes de mayn 
 
 Thci brought to Schir Gawayn, 
 
 For to comfort his brayn, 
 The King gared commaunde.'' 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 ' The King commaunded Krudely, the ErHs fon of Kent, 
 Curtayfly in this cafe, take kepe to the Knight."" 
 With riche dayntethe, * or' day, he dynede in his tcnte, 
 With birdes baken in brede, of brynte goide bryghte ; 
 And fythen vn to dame Waynour full wyefely he wente ; 
 And lefte with hir in warde his worthily wyghte : 
 And than thies hachells full hendely thaire horffes hafe hent 
 At the lycence of the lorde that lordely gun lyghte, 
 Alle bot thir ' two' beryns, bouldefte of blode. 
 
 The kynges chere was fette, 
 
 A bowne on a chafTelett : 
 
 And many a gaylyarde grett 
 Ffor Gawayne the gude. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Gawayne and Galleron dyglitis thaire fledis, 
 Alle of gleterande golde, full gaye was thaire gere ; 
 Twa lordes be lyfe to thaire lyftes thaym ledis, 
 With many fergeauntes of mace, it Avas the manere ; 
 The beryns broches thaire blonkes to thair fydes bledis. 
 Aythir freke appon felde hafe fichede thaire fpere, 
 Schaftis of fchene wode thay fcheucrede in fchides ; 
 So jolyly thofe gentill men juflede one were : 
 Schaftis thay fcheuer in Ichydes full fchene : 
 
 Sythen, with brandes full bryghte, 
 
 Riche mayles thay richte ; 
 
 Thus enconterde the knyghte 
 With Gawayne one grene. 
 
 XXXVIII. — 3. ' or day'...* that day' Mf. L. 1. ' After buskis him in a brene 
 
 that burneshcd was biiglit.' (i. ' He in here.' 7. * After aithcr in high hour iiorscs 
 thci hcnt.' 8. 'And at the libtes on the lande.' 9. ' Bothc tiics two burnes.' 
 II. • (Juenc on a chacckt.' 
 
 XXXIX — 1. ' gurden her stedes.' G. • has fastncd his spcrc.' 7. ' Utei sliindrc. 
 9. ' Shaftcs thci shindrc in shcldcs so shcne.' 
 
XL. 
 
 Gawane was graythely graythede on grene, 
 
 With griffons of golde, engrelede full gaye, 
 
 Trayfolede with trayfoles, and trewluffes by twene, 
 
 ' On"* a llertande ftede he ftrykes one fti'aye. 
 
 ' That other in"* his turnaynge he talkes ' in' tene ; 
 
 < Whi drawes thou the' one dreghe, and makis fwilke delay ? 
 
 ' He fwapped him then at the fwyre' with a fwerde kene : 
 
 ' That greued Schir Gawayn, to' his dede day. 
 
 ' The dyntes of that doughty, were do'wttous by dene. 
 
 ' Fyfte mayles, and mo,' 
 
 < The fwerde fwapt in two,' 
 
 « The cauel bone alfo,' 
 * And clef his' fchelde fchene. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 ' He clef through the cautell that couered the Knight, 
 Thorgh the fliinand flielde, a Ihaftmon, and mare ; 
 And then the lady loude lowe vppon hight, 
 And Gawayn greches therwith, and gremed ful fare : 
 I fhal rewarde the thi route, if 1 con rede right. 
 He folowed in on the ffreke, with a freflh fare, 
 Thorgh blafon, and brene, that burnefhed wer bright, 
 With a burlich bronde, thorgh him he bare. 
 
 The bronde was blody, that burneftied was bright ; 
 
 Then gloppened that gay : 
 
 Hit was no ferly, in fay, 
 
 The Hume ftrikis on ftray, 
 In fliropes ftright. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Streyte in his fteroppes, ftoutely he llrikes. 
 And Waynes at Schir Wawayn als he were wode ;, 
 Then his leman on lowde Ikirles, and Ikrikes, 
 When that burly burne blenket on blode : 
 Lordes and ladies of that laike likes ; 
 
 XL. — 1. ' gaily grathed in grene.' 3. • trifeled with traues.' 4. 'onastargand 
 stede.' 5 — 13 these lines, partly destroyed in Z\If. L. are filled up from Mf. D. 
 
 XL! A leaf in the Lincoln Manuscript appears unfortunately to be lost. This, 
 
 and the next five stanzas, and part of the XLVIL which it seems to have contained 
 are therefore printed from the other copy. 
 
 XLII 4. * burne' here, and elsewhere in Mf, D. for • barne,' or 'beryn.' 
 
And thonked God fele fithe for Gawayn the gode. 
 With a fwap of a fwerde, that fwathcl him fwykes, 
 He flrokc of the ftedc-hede, ftreite there he ilode ; 
 The faire folc fond red, and fel to the grounde. 
 Gawayn gloppened in hert, 
 Of he were hafty and fmert ; 
 Oute of fterops he flert, 
 Fro Grillblt the goode. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Griffelt, quod Gawayn, gon is, God wote : 
 He was the burlokeft blonke, that euer bote brcde ! 
 By him, that in Bcdeleem was borne euer to ben our bote, 
 I fhall venge the to day, if I con right rede ; 
 Go feiche me my frefon, faireft on fote. 
 He may ftonde the in lloure in as meklc ftcdc ; 
 No more for the faire fole, then for a riffh rote, 
 But for doel of the dombe beft, that thus ftiuld be dede. 
 I mone for no montur, for I may gete mare ; 
 
 Als lie (lode by his flede. 
 
 That was fo goode at neede : 
 
 Ncr Gawayn wax wede, 
 So fiked he fare. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Thus wepus for wo, Wawayn the wight ; 
 And wenys him to quyte that wonded is fare. 
 That other drogh him on dreght, for drede of the knight, 
 And boldely brochcd his blonk on the bent bare. 
 Thus may thei dry vc forthe the day, to the derk night : 
 The fon was palled, by that, mydday, and mare. 
 Within the Hftes the Icde lordly don light, 
 Touard the burne, with his brondc, he bufkcd him thare : 
 To ])ataile they bowe with brondes fo bright, 
 
 Sheiie Iheldcs wer flired ; 
 
 Bright l)renes by bled; 
 
 Many doughti were a dred : 
 So ferfely thei fight. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Thus thei f'eght on fote, on tli;it fair felde, 
 As frel'ih as a lyoii, that I'autes the iille ; 
 
Wilele thes wight men, thair wepenes they welde, - - - 
 He bronched him yii with his bronde, under the brode Ihelde, 
 Thorgh the waaft of the body, and wonded him ille : 
 The fwerde ftent for no ftuf, hit was fo wel fteled ; 
 That other ftartis on bak, and llondis Hon ftille ; 
 
 Though he were ftonayd, that ftonde he ftrikis ful fare ; 
 
 He gurdes to Schir Gawayn, 
 
 Thorgh ventaile, and pefayn ; 
 
 He wanted noght to be flayn 
 The brede of an hare. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Hardely then thes hatheles on helmes they hewe, 
 Thei beten down beriles, and bourdures bright ; 
 Shildes on ihildres, that fliene were to fhewe. 
 Fretted were in fyne golde, thei failen in fight ; 
 Stones of iral they ftrenkel, and llrewe ; 
 Stithe ftapeles of ftele they ftrike don flight ; 
 Burnes bannen the tyme the bargan was brewe, 
 The doughti with dyntes, fo delfully were dight. 
 Then gretes Gaynour, with bothe her gray ene ; 
 
 For tho doughti that fight, 
 
 AVere manly mached of might, 
 
 With oute refon, or right, 
 As al men fene. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Thus gretis Gaynour, with bothe her gray yene, 
 For gref of Schir Gawayn, grifly was wounded : 
 The Knight of corage was cruel and kene ; 
 And with a flele bronde, that flurne oft ftonded ; 
 Al the coft of ' the' Knyght, he carf downe clene, 
 Thorgh the riche mailes, that ronke were, and rounde ;' 
 Swilke a touche at that tyme, he taughte hym in tene ; 
 He girdede Schir Galleron growellynge one grownde : 
 Galleron full greuoufely granes on the grene ; 
 And als wondede als he was, 
 Swyftly vpe he rafe, 
 And folowde in fafte on his faas. 
 With a fwerde ' kene.*' 
 
 XLV The fourth Hne in this stanza is wanting in Mf. D. 
 
 XLVII 7. ' With a teneful touche.' 1 1. • Sone buredely he ras." 13. « schene' Mf. L. 
 
XLVIII. 
 
 Clenly that crewelle couerde hym on highte, 
 And with a cafle of the care, in kautclle he ftrykis ; 
 Ffull ^erne he wayttis Schir Wawayne the wighte, 
 Bot hym lympede the werfe ; and that me wele lykis ; 
 He etyllde with a flynge hafe flayne hym with flighte. 
 The fwerde fleppis on flante, and one the mayle flykys, 
 And Schir Gawayne by the colere clekis the knyghte, 
 Than liis leman fo lowde Ikremes and ' fkrykis/ 
 
 Scho grcte one dame Gaynour, with granes fo grylle, 
 
 And faide, lady ! makles of myghte, 
 
 Hafe now mercy one ^one knychte, 
 
 That es fo dulefully dyghte, 
 Giffe it be thi will. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 Than Avilfully dame Waynour fon to the kynge went, 
 Scho caught of hir coronalle ; and knelyd hym till : 
 Als thu erte Roye ryalle, and rechefte of rent, 
 And I thyn wyfe, weddid at myn awen will, 
 ;^one beryns in gone batelle that bledis one gone bent, 
 Thay are wery, I wyfle ; and wondide full ille, 
 Thurgh ' thaire' fchene fchildis thaire fchuldirs are fchent ; 
 ' The granes of Schir Gawayne dois my hert grille.'' 
 The granes of Schir Gawayne greuys me full fare : 
 
 Wolde thu lufly lorde 
 
 Gare the knyghtis accorde, 
 
 It ware grete comforde, 
 Till alle that here ware. 
 
 L. 
 
 Bot than hym fpake Gallcron to Gawayne the gudc : 
 
 I wcnde no wy in this wcrlde, were haluendelle fo wyghtc, 
 
 Here I make the relefe, in my rentis, by the rode ; 
 
 XLVIII 3. « And waynes at Schir Wawayn.' 5. ' He atteled with a slcnk.' 
 
 0. ' The swerde swapped on his swange.' 7. • keppes the knight.' S. ' ikrillcs 
 and skrikis'...' skykis' Mf. L. 
 
 XLIX. — 1. ' Wisly dame Waynour.' i. 'at thi awen wille.' 8. this line itt 
 
 omitted in Mf. L. 10. ' Woldcst thou levc lordc' 
 
And by fore thiefe ryalle, refynge the my ryghte ; 
 And fythen I make the manreden with a mylde mode, 
 Als to mane in this medil erthe makles of myghte. 
 He talkes to warde the knyghte, one heghte there he (lode, 
 He bedde that burely his brande, that birnefchede was bryghte : 
 Of renttis and reches I make the relefe. 
 
 Downe knehs that knyghte, 
 
 And carpis thies wordes one highte, 
 
 The kyng fend me vp ryghte, 
 And commandis the pefe. 
 
 LI. 
 
 The kynge commandis the pefe, and cryes one highte ; 
 And Gawayne was gudly, and lefte for his fake. 
 And than to the lyftis the lordis leppis full lyghte, 
 Schir Owayne, Schir Vryene, and Arrake full rathe : 
 Marrake, and Menegalle, that mafte were of myghte. 
 Bathe thafe trauelde knyghtis trewly thay taghte : 
 Vnnethes myghte thofe knyghtes ftande vp ryghte, 
 Thay were for bett, and for blede thaire wedis wexe bleke : 
 ' Hir blees were brofed, for beting of brondes ;' 
 With owtten more lettynge, 
 Was dighte there thiere femblynge. 
 By fore that comly kynge, 
 And helde vpe thair handes. 
 
 LII. 
 
 I gyffe to the Schir Gawayne, quode the kynge; trefoure,andgolde, 
 
 Glamorgans landis, with greuys fo grene. 
 
 The wirchipe of Wales, to welde and to wolde ; 
 
 With Gryffons, caftelle, kirnelde fo clene ; 
 
 And the hufters haulle, to hafe, and to holde ; 
 
 Wayfurthe, and Wakfelde, wallede I wene ; 
 
 Twa baronryfe in Burgoyne, with burghes fo balde. 
 
 That are moted abowte, and byggede full bene : 
 
 Ii — 4. ' relese the my right.' 12. ' The kyng stode vp right.' 
 
 jLI. — 4. ' Schir Ewayn, Schir Erian, and Arrak, Schir I^ake.' 5. ' Schir Dowrelat 
 and Moylard that most wer of might.' 8. ' What for bufFetes and blode, her blees wex 
 blake.' 9. this line is omitted in Mf. L. 11. ' Dight was here saughtlying.' 
 
 LII. — 1. • withgerson and golde.' 2. ' All the Glamorgan lande.' 5. ' Eke Ulstur 
 ha!le.' 6. ' Wayford and Waterforde in Wales I wene.' 7. 'Two baronrees in Bre- 
 tane.' 8. ' That arn batailed about.' 
 
I fall cndowe the als a duke, and dub the witli niyn hande, 
 That thu faughtill with ^onc gentill knyghte, 
 That cs so hardy and wyghtc, 
 And rclcfe hyra thi ryghte, 
 
 And grante hym his lande. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 Now, and here I gyff'e hym, quod Gawayne, withowttyn ony gyle, 
 Alle the landes, and the lythes, fra Lowyke to Layre ; 
 Commoke, and Carrike ; Connynghame ; and Kylle ; 
 Als the cheualrous knyghte, hafe chalandchcde als Ayerc ; 
 The Lebynge, the Lewpynge, the Leveaftre I lee, 
 Bathe frythes, and foreftes, frely and faire : 
 * Vnder ^our lordefhip to lenge heren while, 
 And to the Rounde Table to make rcpaire ; 
 I Ihall refeff' him in felde, in forcftis fo faire :' 
 Than the Kynge, and the Queue, 
 And alle the doghety by dene, 
 Thorow the greuys fo grene. 
 To Carlele thay kayre. 
 
 LIV. 
 
 The Kyng to Carelele es comen, with knyghttis fo kenc, 
 
 To halde his Rownde Tabill one ryalle array ; 
 
 Thefe knyghtes, that were wondede full wathely, als I wene, 
 
 Surgeons, ' fone' fanede thaym, fothcly to faye ; 
 
 Botlie comforthede thaym than the Kynge, and the Qwene ; 
 
 Thay ware dubbyde Dukes bothe one a daye. 
 
 And ther Schir Gallcron weddid his wyfe, that femly and fchenc, 
 
 With gyftis, and gerfonis, of Schir Gawayne the gaye. 
 And thus thofe hathells with haldis that hende : 
 And when he was faned, and fowndc, 
 
 Thay made hym fworne, to Schir Gawane in that ftowndc, 
 And fythen, a knyghte of the Tabille Rownde, 
 Vn till his lyues end. 
 
 LIII — 1. ' Here I <?if Schir Galeron, quod G.' 2. ' fra Lauer.' 3. • Connok and 
 Carlele.' 5. 'The I. other, the Lcmok, the Loynak, the Lilc.' (i. ' forcstcs and fossis 
 so faire.' 7 — 9. these lines are not in Mf. I^. 
 
 I^I V — 2. ' And al the rounde table.' 3. ' Tlic wees that were.' 5. ' Ilothc confurtcs 
 the knyglitis.' 7. '"ihcre he wedded liis wife, slonkest I wene.* H. • Schir (Jaleron tlic 
 gayc.' y. 'Tlius tliat liathel in lii^h.' 11. » Thci made Schir Galcron that .stonde.' 
 12. • A knight of the Table Kondc.' 
 
Dame Gaynour garte befyly wryte in to the wefte, 
 To alle manere of relygeous, to rede and to fynge ; 
 Prieftes with procefTyons, ' to pray were preft, 
 With a myhon of meffis, to make hir menynge ; 
 Dukes, Erles, Barouns, and bechoppes of the befte, 
 Thurghe alle Ynglande fcho garte make menynge. 
 And thus this ferlyes by felle in a fforefte, 
 Vndir an holte fo hare, at an hunttynge ; 
 
 Swylke hunttynge in holtis, culde noghte ben hyde 
 
 Thus to the fforeftes thay fure, 
 
 Steryn knyghtes and fture : 
 
 And in the tym of Arthure 
 This awntyr by tyd. 
 
 This ferly by felle, full fothely to faye, 
 
 In Yggiliwode fforefte, at the Ternwathelayne. » 
 
 explicit. 
 
 LV — 1. 'Waynour gated wisely.' 3 — 4. the words within inverted commas are 
 wanting in Mf. L. 5. » Buke lered men ; bisshops the best.' 6. ' Thorgh al Bretayne 
 besely the burde gared rynge.' 7. ' This ferly bifelle in Englond forest.' 9. ' a holte 
 so hore.' 10. » thay fore.' 11. ' and store.' 
 
 a Tern Wathelayne, or Tearne Wadling, the name of a small lake near Hesketh in 
 Cumberland. It is celebrated in several old ballads and romances. Yggilwoode, En- 
 glewood, or, as it is sometimes called, the English wood, was an extensive forest in 
 Cumberland, sixteen miles in length, and reached from Penrith to Carlisle, 
 
ORFEO AND HEURODIS. 
 
' Herken, lordyngys, that ben trewe. 
 And Y wol you telle of fir Orphewe.' 
 
 THE fairy tale of Orfeo and Heurodis is possessed of' a very 
 distinct^ though twt less interesting character^ from the nu- 
 merous remains of early Romantic fiction. In the concluding 
 lines it professes to be a lay of Bretaigne, but whether a 
 translation or Tiot, there can be no doubt that it was formed 
 on the classical story of Oripheus and Eurydice. This tale 
 was extensively Tcnown at an early period, owing to the 
 circulation of the Latin poets and the works of other an- 
 cient authors in which it has been so beautifidly narrated. 
 Inproofofthis, Mr. Turner, in his valuable and instruc- 
 tive history has shewn, that during the lUh century, King- 
 Alfred, when translating the Metrum to the Consolations 
 of Philosophy, in his Anglo-Saxon version of Boethius, 
 where the incident is described in a general manner, by that 
 popular writer, has told " the story so completely in his own 
 way, and with so many of his own little touches and addi- 
 tions, as to make his account an original tale ^." In the pre- 
 sent instance, the narrative, (as observed by a distinguished 
 writer of our times, who, in a felicitous manner, has employ- 
 ed it to illustrate a highly interesting Essay on the Fairies 
 of Popular Superstition'') has been transformed into a 
 beautiful romantic tale of Faery, in which the Gothick 
 Mythology and the usages of Chivalry are with singidar 
 skill engrcfted on the fables of Greece. 
 
 Among the pleyfand ftoreis enumerated in The Com- 
 playnt of Scotland, 1549, as being popular, is Opheus, 
 
 a History of the Anglo-Saxons, vol. ii. p. 157, edit. 1820. 
 
 •• Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, vol. ii. p. 174. edit. 1803. 
 
kyng of Portingal; but no romance of this particular title is 
 knoxmi. Therefore, it is more than probable that it might be 
 some corruption of the present story; as we Tcnow how little 
 stress should be laid on the geographical correctness, or con- 
 sistency of the Minstrel-writers. Thu^ in the follovcing 
 tale, we have Orfeo represented as King of Winchester, the 
 ancient name of which, ' the Romancer, with unpar ailed in- 
 genuity, discovers to have been Traciens or Thrace:''^ 
 and, in the burlesque interlude of the laying of a gaist, 
 printed in this collection, < the GaisC is married to ' the 
 Spenziejlie' — 
 
 And crownd him kyng of Kandelie ; 
 And thay gat them thame betwene 
 Orpheus Kyng, and ElpJut quene.' 
 
 The story o/" Orpheus and Eurydice, in the latter part 
 ofthejifteenth Century, was moralized by Robert Henryson, 
 the Scotish j9o^^. ll was Jirst printed at Edinburgh, in the 
 year 1508, with the title Heir begynnis the traitie of Or- 
 pheus kyng, and how he geid to hewyn 1 to hel to feik 
 his quene. After detailing, with minute Jidelity to his clas- 
 sical authorities, the genealogy and history of the King of 
 Thrace, Henryson introduces, in a different kind of mea- 
 sure, the ' mone lamentable' o/" Orpheus, beginning 
 
 O dulfull harpe ! with mony dolly string 
 Tume all thi mirth and musik in murnyng 
 And cess of all the sub tell sangis sweit— . 
 
 After this pathetic lamentation, the poet having related his 
 visit to the celestial spheres, conducts him to the infernal re- 
 gions in 5mrc/i o/ Eurydice. From this part of Henryson's 
 performance a few stanzas, by way of specimen, maybe given. 
 
 He passit furth the space of xx. dayis, 
 Fcr and full ferthcr than I can tell, 
 And ay he fand stretis and ledy wayis, 
 Tyll at the last, vnto the yett of hell 
 
 " Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, vol. ii. p. 203. 
 
He com ; and thare he fand a portar fell 
 With thre hedis, was callit Cerberus ; 
 A hund of hell, a monster meruailus ! 
 
 He charms Cerberus^ and then the ' three sisters,"" Alecto, 
 Megera, and Theslphone, whose employment was turning 
 round the wheel on which Ixion was spread. ' Syne,"" — the 
 poet says,-— 
 
 Syne come he till a wonder grisely flud, 
 Droubly and depe, that rathly doun can ryn, 
 Quhare Tantalus nakit full thristy stude. 
 And yit the water yede abone his chyn ; 
 Thouch he gapit thare wald na drop cum in, 
 Quhen he dulkit the water wald descend ; 
 Thus gat he noucht his thrist to slake or mend. 
 
 Before his face ane apill hang also 
 Fast at his mouth apon a tolter threde, 
 Quhen he gapit it rokkit to and fro 
 And fled, as it reftisit hym to fede : 
 Than Orpheus had reuth of his grete nede 
 Tuke out his harp, and fast on it can clink, 
 The water stude, and Tantalus gat drink. 
 
 The next object which presents itself in his progress, is 
 Theseus preyed on by a ' grisely gripe'' or vulture, which 
 also excites the compassion o/^ Orpheus. On entering ' hy- 
 douse hellis housed he exclaims, 
 
 O dolly place and groundles depe dungeoun ! 
 Furnes of fyre, with stynk intollerable. 
 Pit of dispair, wythout remissioun, 
 Thy mete venym, thy drynk is poysonable. 
 Thy grete panis to compt vnnowmerabil ; 
 Quhat creature cummys to duel in the 
 Is ay deyand, and newir more may dee '. 
 
 We must pass over the different personages whom he here 
 
 beholds, in order to make room for the description of his 
 
 meeting with Eurydice. 
 
 Syn nethir mare he went quhare Pluto was 
 And Proserpine, and thider ward he drewe, 
 
 Ay play and on his harp as he coud pas, 
 
 Till at the last Eurydice he knewe ; 
 
Lene and dedelike pitousc and pale of hewe, 
 llycht warsch and wan, and walowit as a wede, 
 Hir lily lyre was lyke vnto the lede. 
 
 Quod he, my lady lele, and my delyte, 
 Full wa is me, to se yow changit thus! 
 Quhare is thy rude as rose with chekis qiihite ? 
 Thy cristall eyne with blenkis amorouse ? 
 Thi lippis rede to kis deliciouse ? — 
 Quod scho, as now I dar noucht tell, perfay, 
 Bot ye sail wit the cause ane other day. 
 
 The present tale has been justly admired no less for the 
 harmony of' its versification^ than for the beautiful descrip- 
 tion which it contains of Fairy-land. Heurodis is carried 
 away by thelcing of the Fairies, zohose attendants are as nu- 
 raerous as his riches and magnifieence are dazzling ; and is 
 recovered by Orfeo in the disguise of a Minstrel. The fol- 
 lowing lines, which occur in one of the ancient copies of thus 
 poem, (but apparently omitted by the transcriber of the ma- 
 nuscript that is followed) may be quoted, as illustrative of 
 Orfeo's sMll, and love of Minstrelsy. 
 
 " Orpheo most of ony thing, 
 
 Liovede the gle of harpyng ; 
 
 Syker was every gode harpourc 
 
 Of hym to have moche honour. 
 
 Hymself loved for to harpe, 
 
 And layde thereon his wittes scharpe ; 
 
 He lerned so, ther non was 
 
 A better harper in no plas. 
 
 In the world was never man born, 
 
 That onus Orfeo sat biforn. 
 
 And he myght of his harpyng her. 
 
 He shulde thinke that he wer 
 
 In one of the joys of paradys, 
 
 Suche joy and melody in his harpyng is." 
 
 The reader will perceive that in this story the catastrophe 
 IS different; but if less pathetic, it certainly is more agree- 
 able than that of the classical fiction. 
 
At some later period this romantic legend appears to have 
 been considerably altered and abridged. In such a state it 
 is preserved in a Manuscript in the Harleian collection ^, 
 from which it was published by Ritson *=. The present 
 copy is taken from the more ancient volume in the Advo- 
 cates' Libraiy, called, from its donor, the Auchinleck 
 Manuscript. The period of its composition may be refer- 
 red to the beginning of the fourteenth century; as the 
 volume which contains it was evidently written during the 
 minority of Edward III. From this early, and precious 
 record of Ancient Poetry the text is given literally, except 
 that a few useless contractions are discarded, which might 
 only have served to perplex the reader. As Ritson's col- 
 lection, which contains tlie story in its more recent and some- 
 what compendious state is by no means of rare occurrence, 
 it was thought unnecessary to point out any of the variations. 
 The prologue that there accompanies it is not found in the 
 Auchinleck manuscript: yet, as the leaf immediately be- 
 fore the first line 
 
 ' Orfeo was a king' 
 
 has been torn out for the sake of the illumination, it is pos- 
 sible that it may not have begun so abruptly ; — even al- 
 though the commencement of another poem in the volume is in 
 substance the same with that of the ' Sir Orfeo'' in the Har- 
 leian manuscript, which in cdl consists of 510 lines. It may 
 be added that a correspondent in the British Bibhographer s, 
 states, that in a manuscript volume in the Ashmolean Col- 
 lection at Oxford, is preserved a copy of the romance of 
 ' King Orfeo"* altogether different from the translation pub- 
 lished by Ritson. Possibly it might be found on compari- 
 son to come nearer to that xvhich is noza given. 
 
 «» MSS. Harl. no. 3810. 
 
 • Ancient English Metrical Romances, vol. ii. p. 248 — 269, 1802, 8vo. 
 
 ^Lai le Fraine, printed in Weber's Collection. » Vol. iv. p. 18 and 95. 
 
^ £)tfeo ano i^euroOis*' 
 
 ORFEO was a king, 
 
 In Inglond an heighc lording, 
 
 A ftalworth man and hardi bo^ 
 
 Large and curteys, he was al fo ; 
 
 His fader was comen of king Pluto, 5 
 
 And his moder of * quene** Juno, 
 
 That fum time were as godes y hold, 
 
 For auentours that thai dede and told. 
 
 This king foiurnd in Traciens, 
 
 That was a cite of noble defens, 10 
 
 For Wincheftcr was clepcd tho 
 
 Traciens, with outen no : 
 
 The king hadde a quen of priis, 
 
 That was y cleped dame Herodis, 
 
 The faireft leuedi for the nones 15 
 
 That might gon on bodi and bones, 
 
 Ful of loue and of godeniffe 
 
 Ac no man may telle hir fairnife. 
 
 ^Bifel fo in the comeffing of May, 
 When miri and hot is the day, 20 
 
 And oway beth winter fchours, 
 And eueri feld is ful of flours, 
 And blofme breme on eueri bough, 
 Ouer al wexeth miri anough, 
 This ich quen dame Heurodis, 25 
 
 Tok ' to"* maidens of priis, 
 
 And 
 
 l.ti. ' king.' 3//. 1. 26. ♦ to' Mf. \h ' two. 
 
And went in an vndren tide 
 
 To play bi an orchard fide, 
 
 To fe the floures fprede and fpring, 
 
 And to here the foules fing: 30 
 
 Thai fett hem doun al thre, 
 
 Vnder a fair ympe tre, 
 
 And wel fone this fair quene, 
 
 Fel on flepe opon the grene : 
 
 The maidens durst hir nought awake, 35 
 
 Bot lete hir ligge and reft take, 
 
 So fche flepe til after none. 
 
 That vnder tide was al y done ; 
 
 Ac as fone as fche gan awake, 
 
 Sche crid and lothli here gan make ; 40 
 
 Sche froted hir honden and hir fet. 
 
 And crached her vifage, it bled wete, 
 
 Hir riche robe hye al to rett, 
 
 And was remeyd out of hir witt : 
 
 The tvo maidens hir bifide, 45 
 
 No durft with hir no leng abide. 
 
 But ourn to the palays ful right, 
 
 And told bothe fquier and knight, 
 
 That her quen awede wold. 
 
 And bad hem go and hir at hold. 50 
 
 Knightes vrn, and leuedis al fo, 
 
 Damifels fexti and mo. 
 
 In the orchard to the quen hye come, 
 
 And her vp in her armes nome. 
 
 And brought hir to bed attelaft, 55 
 
 And held hir there fine faft ; 
 
 Ac euer fche held in o cri, 
 
 And wold vp and owy. 
 
 When Orfeo herd that tiding, 
 
 Neuer him nas wers for no thing ; 60 
 
 He come with knightes tene, 
 
 To chaumber right bifor the quene. 
 
 And 
 
And biheld and leyd with grete pitf : 
 
 O lef liif, what is te, 
 
 That euer ^ete haft ben fo ftille, 65 
 
 And now gredeft wonder fchillc ; 
 
 Thi bodi, that was fo white y core, 
 
 With thine nailes is al to tore, 
 
 Alias ! thi rode that was fo red, 
 
 Is al wan as thou were ded ; 70 
 
 And alfo thine fingres fmale, 
 
 Beth al blodi and al pale ; 
 
 Alias ! thi louefum eyghen to 
 
 Loketh fo man doth on his fo ; 
 
 A dame, Ich bifeche merci, 75 
 
 Lete ben al this reweful cri, 
 
 And tel me what the is, and hou. 
 
 And what thing may the help now ? 
 
 Tho lay fche ftille attelaft, 
 
 And gan to wepe fwithe faft, WO 
 
 And fcyd thus the king to, 
 
 Alias ! mi lord, fir Orfeo, 
 
 Seththen we first to gider were, 
 
 Ones vvroth neuer we nere, 
 
 Bot euer Ich haue y loued tiie, 'S5 
 
 As mi liif, and so thou me, 
 
 Ac now we mot delen ato. 
 
 Do thi beft, for Y mot go. 
 
 Alias ! quath he, forlorn Ich am, 
 
 Whider wiltow go and to wham ? 90 
 
 Whider thou goft Ichil with the. 
 
 And whider Y go thou fchalt with me. 
 
 Nay, nay, fir, that nought nis, 
 
 Ichil the telle al how it is : 
 
 As Ich lay this vnder tide, 95 
 
 And flepe vnder our orchard fide, 
 
 Ther come to me to fair knightes 
 
 Wele y armed al to rightes. 
 
 And 
 
And bad me comen an heighing, 
 
 And fpeke with her lord the king ; 100 
 
 And Ich anfwerd at wordes bold, 
 
 Y durft nought, no Y nold : 
 
 Thai priked oghain as thai might driue, 
 
 Tho com her king alfo bliue, 
 
 With an hundred knightes and mo, 105 
 
 And damiffels an hundred al fo ; 
 
 Al on fnowe white ftedes, 
 
 As white as milke were her wedes, 
 
 Y no feighe neuer gete bifore 
 
 So fair creatours y core ! 110 
 
 The king hadde a croun on hed. 
 
 It nas of filuer, no of gold red, 
 
 Ac it was of a precious fton ; 
 
 As bright as the fonne it fchon : 
 
 And as fon as he to me cam, 115 
 
 Wold Ich, nold Ich, he me nam. 
 
 And made me with him ride, 
 
 Opon a palfray bi his fide, 
 
 And brought me to his pallays, 
 
 Wele atird in ich ways ; 120 
 
 And fchewed me caftels and tours, 
 
 Riuers, foreftes, frith with flours ; 
 
 And his riche ftedes ichon, 
 
 And feththen me brought oghain hom, 
 
 In to our owhen orchard, 125 
 
 And faid to me after ward : 
 
 Loke dame ! to morwe thatow be 
 
 Right here vnder this ympe tre ; 
 
 And than thou fchalt with ous go, 
 
 And Hue with ous euer mo, 130 
 
 And gif thou makeft ous y let, 
 
 Where thou be, thou worft y fet. 
 
 And to tore thine limes al, 
 
 That nothing help the no fchal, 
 
 And 
 
And thei thou beft fo to torn, 135 
 
 gete thou worft with ous y born. 
 
 ^When king Orfeo herd this cas, 
 O we ! quath he, alias ! alias ! 
 Leuer me were to lete mi liif, 
 Than thus to lefe the quen mi wiif, 140 
 
 He afked confeyl at ich man, 
 Ac no man him help no can. 
 A morwe the vnder tide is come, 
 And Orfeo hath his armes y nome, 
 And wele ten hundred knightes with him, 145 
 Ich y armed ftout and grim ; 
 And with the quen wenten he, 
 Right vnto that ympe tre : 
 Thai made fcheltrom in ich afide, 
 And fayd thai wold there abide, 160 
 
 And dye ther eucrichon, 
 Er the quen fchuld fram hem gon : 
 Ac gete amiddes hem ful right, 
 The quen was oway y tvight, 
 With fairi forth y nome, 155 
 
 Men wift neuer wher fche was bicomc. 
 Tho was ther criing, wepe and wo, 
 The king in to his chamber is go, 
 And oft fwoned opon the fton, 
 And made fwichc diol and fwiche mon, ICO 
 
 That neighe his liif was y fpent ; 
 Ther was non amendement. 
 He cleped to gider his barouns, 
 Erls, lordes of renouns, 
 
 And when thai al y comcn were: 165 
 
 Lordinges, he faid, bifor 50U here 
 Ich ordainy min heigh fteward 
 To wite mi kingdom after ward, 
 In mi ftede ben he fchal. 
 
 To kepe mi londcs oner al, ^'70 
 
 l-'or 
 
For now Ichaue mi quen y lore, 
 
 The faireft leuedi that euer was bore ; 
 
 Neuer eft y nil no woman fe, 
 
 Into wildernes Ichil te, 
 
 And liue ther euer more, 175 
 
 With wilde beftes in holtes hore ; 
 
 And when ge vnder ftond that Y be fpent, 
 
 Make gou than a parlement. 
 
 And chefe 50U a newe king : 
 
 Now doth 30ur beft with al mi thing. 180 
 
 ^Tho was ther wepeing in the halle ; 
 And grete cri among hem alle ; 
 Vnnethe might old or gong 
 For wepeing fpeke a word with tong. 
 Thai kneled adoun al y fere, 185 
 
 And praid him gif his wille were, 
 That he no fchuld nought fram hem go. 
 Do way ! quath he, it fchal be fo : 
 All his kingdom he forfoke 
 
 But a fclauin on him he toke ; 190 
 
 He no hadde kirtel, no hode, 
 Schert, no nother gode, 
 Bot his harp he toke algate, 
 And dede him barfot out atte gate : 
 No man moft with him go. 195 
 
 O way ! what ther was wepe, and wo. 
 When he that hadde ben king with croun, 
 Went fo pouerlich out of toun, 
 Thurch wode, and ouer heth. 
 Into the wildernes he geth, 200 
 
 Nothing he fint that him is ays, 
 Bot euer he liueth in gret malais ; 
 He that hadde y werd the fowe and griis. 
 And on bed the purper biis, 
 Now on hard hethe he lith, 205 
 
 With leues and grefle he him writh : 
 
 He 
 
He that hadde caltels, and tours, 
 
 Riuer, foreft, frith with flours ; 
 
 Now, thei it commenci to fnewe and frefe, 
 
 This king mot make his bed in mefe : 210 
 
 He that had y had knightes of priis 
 
 Bifor him kneland, and leuedis, 
 
 Now feth he no thing that him liketh, 
 
 Bot wild wormes bi him ftriketh : 
 
 He that liad y had plente 215 
 
 Of mete and drink, of ich deynte, 
 
 Now may he al day digge and wrote, 
 
 Er he finde his fille of rote ; 
 
 In fomer he liueth bi wild frut, 
 
 And berren, bot gode lite ; 220 
 
 In winter may he no thing finde, 
 
 Bot rote, grafes, and the rinde ; 
 
 Al his bodi was oway duine, 
 
 For miflays, and al to chine, 
 
 Lord ! who may telle the fore 225 
 
 This king fufferd ten gere and more : 
 
 His here of his herd, blac and rowe. 
 
 To his girdel ftede was growe ; 
 
 His harp, where on was al his gle. 
 
 He hidde in an holwe tre; 230 
 
 And, when the weder was clere and bright, 
 
 He toke his harp to him wel right, 
 
 And harped at his owhen wille, 
 
 Into alle the wode the foun gan fchillc, 
 
 That alle the wilde beftes that ther beth, 235 
 
 For ioie abouten him thai teth ; 
 
 And alle the foules that ther were. 
 
 Come and fete on ich a brere ; 
 
 To here his harping a fine, 
 
 So miche melody was ther in. 240 
 
 And when he his harping lete wold, 
 
 No beft bi him abide nold. 
 
*([He might fe him befides 
 Oft in hot vnder tides, 
 
 The king o fairy, with his rout, 245 
 
 Com to hunt him al about : 
 With dim cri and bloweing, 
 And houndes also with him berking ; 
 Ac no beft thai no nome, 
 
 No neuer he nift whider thai bi come. 250 
 
 And other while he might him fe 
 As a gret oft bi him te, 
 Wele atourned ten hundred knightes, 
 Ich y armed to his rightes ; 
 
 Of cuntenaunce ftout and fers, 255 
 
 With mani defplaid baners ; 
 And ich his fwerd y drawe hold : 
 Ac neuer he nift whider thai wold. 
 And other while he feighe other thing ; 
 Knightes and leuedis com daunceing, 260 
 
 In queynt atire gifely, 
 Queyitt pas, and foftly ; 
 Tabours and trimpes ^ede hem bi, 
 And al maner menftraci. 
 
 ^And on a day he feighe him bifide 265 
 
 Sexti leuedis on hors ride, 
 Gentil and iolif, as brid on ris ; 
 Nought o man amonges hem ther nis ; 
 And ich a faucoun on hond here, 
 And riden on haukin bi o riuere, 270 
 
 Of game thai founde wel gode haunt, 
 Maulardes, hayroun, and cormeraunt ; 
 The foules of the water arifeth, 
 The faucouns hem wele deuifeth, 
 Ich faucoun his pray flough : 275 
 
 That feighe Orfeo, and lough. 
 Par fay, quath he, ther is fair game ! 
 Thider Ichil bi Godes namcj 
 
 Ich 
 
Ich was y won fwiche werk to fe . 
 
 He aros, and thider gan te ; 280 
 
 To a leuedi he was y come, 
 
 Biheld, and hath wele vnder nome, 
 
 And feth, bi al thing, that it is 
 
 His owhen quen dam Heurodis : 
 
 gem he biheld hir, and fche him eke, 285 
 
 Ac neither to other a word no fpeke : 
 
 For meffais that fche on him feighe, 
 
 That had ben fo riche and fo heighe, 
 
 The teres fel out of her eighe ; 
 
 The other leuedis this y feighe, 290 
 
 And maked hir oway to ride, 
 
 Sche moft with him no lenger abide , 
 
 Alias ! quath he, now me is wo ! 
 
 Whi nil deth now me flo, 
 
 Alias ! wroche, that Y no might 295 
 
 Dye now, after this fight ! 
 
 Alias ! to long laft mi liif 
 
 When Y no dar nought with mi wiif. 
 
 No hye to me, o word fpeke, 
 
 Alias ! whi nil min hert breke ! 500 
 
 Parfay, quath he, tide what bitide, 
 
 Whider fo this leuedis ride, 
 
 The felue way Ichil ftreche, 
 
 Of liif, no deth, me no reche. 
 
 His fclauain he dede on, al fo fpac, SOo 
 
 And henge his harp opon his bac ; 
 
 And had wel gode wil to gon. 
 
 He no fpard noither ftub no fton : 
 
 In at a roche the leuedis rideth. 
 
 And he after, and nought abideth ; 310 
 
 When he was in the roche y go, 
 
 Wele thre mile, other mo, 
 
 He com in to a fair cuntray, 
 
 As bright fo fonne on fomers dav ; 
 
 Siiiolhc» 
 
Sinothe, and plain, and al grene, 315 
 
 Hille, no dale, nas ther non y fene ; 
 
 Amidde the lond a caftel he fighe, 
 
 Riche, and real, and wonder heighe ; 
 
 Al the vt maft wal, 
 
 Was clere and fchine as criftal ; 320 
 
 An hundred tours ther were about, 
 
 Degiselich and bataild ftout ; 
 
 The butras com out of the diche. 
 
 Of rede gold y arched riche ; 
 
 The bonfour was auowed al, 325 
 
 Of ich maner diuers animal ; 
 
 With in ther wer wide wones, 
 
 Al of precious ftones. 
 
 The werft piler on to biholde, 
 
 Was al of burnift gold ; 380 
 
 Al that lond was euer light, 
 
 For when it fchuld be therk and night, 
 
 The riche ftones light gonne. 
 
 As bright as doth at none the fonne. 
 
 No man may telle, no thenche in thought, 335 
 
 The riche werk that ther was wrought, 
 
 Bi al thing, him think that it is 
 
 The proude court of paradis. 
 
 In this caftel the leuedis alight, 
 
 He wold in after, gif he might. 340 
 
 ^Orfeo knokketh atte gate, 
 The porter was redi ther ate, 
 And alked, what he wold haue y do ? 
 Parfay, quath he, Icham a minftrel lo, 
 To folas thi lord with my gle, 345 
 
 gif his fwete wille be. 
 The porter vndede the gate anon, 
 And lete him in to the caftel gon. 
 
 5[Than he gan bihold about al. 
 And feighe ful liggeand with in the wal, 350 
 
 Of 
 
Of folk tliat were thider y brought, 
 And thought dede and niire nought : 
 Sum ftode with outen hade; 
 And fuin non amies nade ; 
 
 And fum thurch the bodi hadde wounde ; 355 
 And fum lay wode y bounde ; 
 And fum armed on hers fete ; 
 And fum aftrangled as thai ete ; 
 And fum were in water adreynt ; 
 And fum with fire al for fchreynt ; ti^^O 
 
 Wiues ther lay on child bedde ; 
 Sum ded, and fum awedde; 
 And wonder fele ther lay bifides, 
 Right as thai flepe her vnder tides ; 
 Eche was thus in this warld y nome, tibo 
 
 With fairi thider y come ; 
 Ther he feighe his owhen wiif, 
 Dame Heurodis his liif liif 
 Slepe vnder an ympe tre ; 
 
 Bi her clothes he knewe that it was he. 870 
 
 •[[And when he hadde bihold this meruails alle, 
 He went in to the kinges halle ; 
 Than feighe he ther a femly fight, 
 A tabernacle bliffeful and bright ; 
 Ther in her maifter king fete, 375 
 
 And her quen fair and f wete ; 
 Her crounes, her clothes, fchine fo bright, 
 That vnnethe bihold he hem might : 
 When he hadde biholden al that thing, 
 He kneled adoun bifor the king ; 380 
 
 O Lord, lie feyd, ^^if it thi wille were, 
 Mi menftraci thou fchuft y here. 
 The king anfwerd, what man artow, 
 That art hider y comen now ? 
 Ich, no non that is with me, 385 
 
 No fent neuer after the, 
 
 Seththen 
 
 I. ;nO. 'he*;-, 'she' Aff. 
 
Seththen that ich here regni gan, 
 
 Y no fond neuer fo fole hardi man 
 That hider to ous durft wende, 
 
 Bot that Ichim wald of fende. 890 
 
 Lord, quath he, trowe ful wel, 
 
 Y nam bot a pouer menftrel, 
 And, fir, it is the maner of ous, 
 To feche mani a lordes hous, 
 
 Thei we nought welom no be, 395 
 
 gete we mot proferi forth our gle. 
 
 ^Bifor the king he fat adoun 
 And tok his harp so miri of foun, 
 And tempreth his harp as he wele can, 
 And bhffeful notes he ther gan, 400 
 
 That al that in the palays were, 
 Com to him for to here. 
 And Hggeth adoun to his fete. 
 Hem thenketh his melody fo fwete. 
 The king herkneth, and fitt ful ftille, 405 
 
 To here his gle he hath gode wille ; 
 Gode bourde he hadde of his gle, 
 The riche quen al fo hadde he ; 
 When he hadde ftint his harping, 
 Than feyd to him the king, 410 
 
 Menftrel, me liketh wele thi gle. 
 Now alke of me what it be, 
 Largelich Ichil the pay. 
 Now fpeke, and tow might afay. 
 Sir, he feyd, Ich bifeche the, 415 
 
 Thatow woldeft giue me. 
 That ich leuedi bright on ble. 
 That flepeth vnder the ympe tre. 
 Nay, quath the king, that nought nere, 
 A fori couple of 50U it were, 4J20 
 
 For thou art lene, rowe, and blac, 
 And fche is louefome with outen lac ; 
 
 A 
 
 1. 408 * he' j>. * she' Mf. 
 
A lothlich thing it were forthi, 
 To fen hir in thi compayni. 
 
 ^O fir, he feyd, gentil king, 425 
 
 ^ete were it a wele fouler thing 
 To here a lefing of thi inouthe, 
 So, fir, as ^e feyd nouthe, 
 What Ich wold afki haue Y fchold ; 
 And nedes thou moft thi word hold. 430 
 
 The king feyd, feththen it is fo, 
 Take hir bi the hand, and go ; 
 Of hir Ichil thatow be blithe. 
 He kneled adoun, and thonked him fwithe. 
 His wiif he tok bi the bond, 435 
 
 And dede him fwithe out of that lond ; 
 And went him out of that thede, 
 Right as he come the way he gede. 
 So lon^^ he hath the way y nome, 
 To Winchester he is y come, 440 
 
 That was his owhen cite, 
 Ac no man knewe that it was he, 
 No forther than the tounes ende, 
 For knoweleche no durft wende, 
 Bot with a begger y bilt ful narwe, 445 
 
 Ther he tok his herbarwe, 
 To him, and to his owhen wiif, 
 As a minstrel of pouer liif; 
 And afked tidinges of that lond, 
 And who the kingdom held in bond. 450 
 
 The pouer begger, in his cote, 
 Told him euerich a grot, 
 Hou her quen was ftole owy, 
 Ten ger gon with fairy, 
 
 And how her king en exile gede, 455 
 
 Bot no man nifte in wiche thede, 
 And how the fteward the lond gan hold. 
 And other mani thinges him told. 
 
 HA 
 
^A morwe ogain none tide 
 He maked his wiif ther abide, 460 
 
 The beg-ffers clothes he borvved anon. 
 And heng his harp his rigge opon, 
 And went him in to that cite, 
 That men might him bi hold and fe. 
 Erls, and barouns bold, 465 
 
 Buriays, and leuedis, him gun bi hold ; 
 Lo ! thai feyd, fwiche a man, 
 Hou long the here hongeth him opan ! 
 Lo ! hou his herd hongeth to his kne. 
 He is y clongen al fo a tre : 470 
 
 And as he ^ede in the ftrete, 
 With his fteward he gan mete. 
 And fonde he fett on him a crie, 
 Sir fteward, he feyd, merci, 
 Icham an harpour of hethenifle, 475 
 
 Help me now in this diftreffe ! 
 The fteward feyd, com with me, come, 
 Of that Ichaue thou fchalt haue forae ; 
 Euerich gode harpour is welom me to. 
 For mi lordes loue, fir Orfeo. 480 
 
 ^In the caftel the fteward fat atte mete, 
 And mani lording was bi him fete ; 
 There were trompour and tabourers, 
 Harpours fele, and crouders, 
 Miche melody thai maked alle, 485 
 
 And Orfeo fat ftille in the halle. 
 And herkneth when thai ben al ftille, 
 He toke his harp and tempred fcjiille. 
 The blifuleft notes he herped there, 
 That euer ani man y herd with ere : 490 
 
 Ich man liked wele his gle; 
 The fteward biheld and gan y fe, 
 And knewe the harp als bliue ; 
 Menftrel, he feyd, fo mot thou thriue, 
 
 Where 
 
Whore hadeftow this haip, and hou ? 495 
 
 Ypray that thou nic telle now. 
 
 ^Lord, quath lie, in vncouthe thede, 
 Thureh a wildernes as Y gede ; 
 Ther V founde in a dale, , 
 
 With lyouns a man to torn fmalc, 500 
 
 And wolues him frete with teth fo fcharp ; 
 Bi him Y found this ich harp, 
 Wele ten gere it is y go. 
 O ! quath the fteward, now me is wo I 
 That was mi lord, fir Orfeo ! 505 
 
 Alias ! wreche what fchall Ydo, 
 That haue fwiche a lord y lore, 
 A way, that Ich was y bore. 
 That him was fo hard grace y garked, 
 And fo vile deth y marked ! 510 
 
 Adoun he fel afwon to gnmnde, 
 His barouns him tok vp in that ftounde, 
 And telleth him hou it geth. 
 It nis no bot of mannes deth. 
 
 ^King Oi-fco knewe wel bi than, 515 
 
 His fteward was a trewe man, 
 And loucd him as he aught to do, 
 And ftont vp, and feyt thus lo. 
 Steward, herkne now this thing, 
 ;5if Ich were Orfeo the king, 520 
 
 And hadde y fuffred ful gore, 
 In wilderniffe miche fore ; 
 And hadde y won mi quen owy, 
 Out of the lond of fairy ; 
 
 And hadde y brought the leuedi hendc, 525 
 Right here to the tounes ende, 
 And with a bcgger her in y nomc. 
 And were mi felf hider y come, 
 Pouerlich to the thus ftille. 
 
 For to afay thi gode wille ; 520 
 
 And 
 
And Ich founde the thus trewe, 
 
 Thou no fchuft it neuer rewe, 
 
 Sikerlich for loue, or ay, 
 
 Thou fchuft be king after mi day, 
 
 And gif thou of mi deth hadeft ben blithe, 535 
 
 Thou fchuft haue voided al fo fwithe. 
 
 ^Tho al tho that ther in fete, 
 That it was king Orfeo vnder gete, 
 And the fteward him wele knewe, 
 Ouer and ouer the bord he threwe, 540 
 
 And fel adoun to his fet ; 
 So dede euerich lord that ther fete, 
 And al thai fayd at o criing, 
 ge beth our lord, fir, and our king. 
 Glad thai were of his line, 545 
 
 To chaumber thai ladde him als biliue, 
 And bathed him and fchaued his berd, 
 And tired him as a king apert ; 
 And feththen with gret proceffioun, 
 Thai brought the quen in to the toun, 650 
 
 With al maner menftraci ; 
 Lord ther was grete melody ! 
 For ioie thai wepe with her eighe, 
 That hem fo founde y comen feighe. 
 Now king Orfeo newe coround is, 555 
 
 And his quen dame Heurodis ; 
 And lined long afterward ; 
 And feththen was king the fteward. 
 Harpours in Bretaine after than 
 Herd hou this meruaile bigan, 660 
 
 And made her of a lay of gode likeing, 
 And nempned it after the king : 
 That lay Orfeo is y bote, 
 Gode is the lay, fwete is the note. 
 Thus com fir Orfeo out of his care ; 565 
 
 God graunt ous alle wele to fare ! Amen. 
 
 EXPLICIT. 
 
THOMAS OF ERSYLDOUNE 
 AND THE QUENE OF ELF-LAND. 
 
THERE are, perhaps, Jew poems now extant that may 
 so well as the Jbllowing beautiful and interesting tale of' 
 Fairy Land, exemplify the practice of those whose employ- 
 ment it was to chaiint or rehearse the effusions of the Min- 
 strels. This legend of Thomas of Ersyldoune, in its pre- 
 sent state, evidently owes much to that facility and readiness 
 of composition, which at times might enable them to enlarge 
 and amplify the productions of others, in order to suit ex- 
 isting circumstances, and serve for the amusement of their 
 auditors. The exordium is professedly the work of an 
 English reciter, anxious to draw the attention of the as- 
 sembled company to the ' mervelles'' and predictions qf which 
 he was about to tell. Nor is it less evident, but that the 
 propheticJc parts, however obscure their object may now be, 
 or uncertain from what materials they were constructed, 
 were either added at a subsequent period, or so altered as to 
 be instrumental to some political purpose. Of the poems 
 or prophecies attributed to Thomas the Rhymer, we un- 
 fortunately have none but what are preserved in English 
 manuscripts, in which they have lost much of their indivi- 
 duality ; the orthography being uniformly accommodated to 
 that of the transcriber. 
 
 This poem is preserved in three ancient manuscripts ; 
 each qfthem in a state more or less mutilated, and varying 
 in no inconsiderable degree from the other. A portion of it 
 was first printed in the Border Mmstrelsy,^ow the frag- 
 
ment in the British Museum, among the Cotton Mfs.^'; — 
 and the one lohich Mr. Jamieson adoj)ted in his Collection of 
 Popular Ballads and Songs, was carefully deciphered J)-om 
 a volume of no ordinary curiosity, in the University Li- 
 brary, Cambridge'', written in a very illegible hand, 
 about the middle of the 15th Century. It is now printed 
 from the other copy, as it occurs in a volume, compiled at a 
 still earlier period, which is preserved in the Cathedral Li- 
 brary of Lincoln. On comparison, it xoill be readily per- 
 ceived, that the text is in every respect preferable to that of 
 either of the other manuscripts. Since it has been sup- 
 posed that another copy of this poem might be found in 
 Peterborough, the Editor may state, that after a careful 
 and satisfactory search, it appeared that, if ever such a 
 Manuscript was there deposited, it must have suffered the 
 fate of the numerous collection, of wliich, a list, drawn tip 
 at a remote period, is found in Gunton's history of that 
 splendid Cathedral. 
 
 Owing' to the loose and careless manner in which the 
 Lincoln manuscript has, at some former time, been Jcept, 
 this 2)oem has suffered much, in common with most of the 
 others wliich the volume contains : many of the leaves hav- 
 ing been either mtctilated, or entirely lost. An endeavour 
 lias been made to fill up) the defective parts from the Cam- 
 bridge copy, though, in some instances, as will be seen, with- 
 out success. The words or lines thus supplied are distin- 
 guished by being printed within inverted commas. 
 
 After the copious illustrations of this poem by its former 
 Editors, in works which cither are, or ought to be, in the 
 
 • Cotton JNIfs. Vitclliu?. E. x. ^ Bishop INforc's INliV. Ff. v. 48. 
 
hands of every possessor of this collection. Utile farther can 
 he required. The reader will perceive the great beauty of 
 the descriptive parts.) and thejine vein of imagination that 
 runs through nearly the whole of the first Fytt. It is in- 
 deed impossible to read this and suppose that the poem could 
 have been written by any other than Thomas himself., how- 
 ever much it may have siiffered by subsequent interpolation. 
 " In the introduction to the prophecies,'''' as Mr. Jamieson 
 7ias well observed, " there is so much more fancy and ele- 
 gance than in the prophecies themselves, that they can hard- 
 ly be supposed to be the composition of the same person. 
 Indeed, the internal evidence to the contrary almost amounts 
 to a proof that they are not, and that the romance itself 
 was of Scotish origin, although no indubitably Scotish copy 
 is lnow?i to be in existence.'''' " It is remarkable,'''' Mr. J. 
 continues, " that in all the three copies, the poet beg'ms the 
 story in the first person, and seems disposed to tell the inci- 
 dents as if they had really happened to himself.'''' 
 
 St. 1. " As / vie went this Andyr's day, 
 
 Fast on my way making my nione, &c," 
 
 St. 3. " Alle in a longyng as / lay, 
 Undreneth a semely tre, 
 Saw 1 wher a lady gay, 
 Came ridand ouer a longe lee," &c. 
 
 " And although he afterwards, awkwardly and unnatu- 
 rally enough, speaks of Thomas as a third person, yet even 
 then he seems to insinuate that the story, which he is garb- 
 ling, was told by another before him : 
 
 St. 14. "And certenly, as the story sayse. 
 He hir mette at Eldyn tre." 
 
If he assumes the mask with a bad grace here ^ he shows still 
 less address when he drojjs it again at. stanza 52 of' the 
 First Fit: 
 
 " Ther was revell, game, and play, 
 
 ]\Iore than I you say, perdye, 
 Till hit fell upon a day, 
 
 All/ lufly lady said to me 
 Busk the, Thomas, for thu must gon ; 
 
 For here no longer mayst thu be, 
 Hye the fast, with mode and mone ; 
 
 I shall //ic bryng to the Eldyn tre." . ' " . 
 
 Would it not be pardonable^Jrom such instances as these, to 
 suppose it at least iirohahle that Thomas Rymoiir was 
 really the original author of this romance ; and that^ in or- 
 der to give a sanction to his predictions, which seem all to 
 have been calculated, in one way or other, for the service of 
 his country, he pretended to an intercourse zcith the Queen 
 of Elfland, as Numa Pompilius did with the nymph Ege- 
 ria ? Such an intercourse, in the days of True Thomas, 
 was accounted neither unnatural nor uncommon.'''' 
 
 The Iluntly bank on which Thomas is said to have met 
 the Queen of Faery is situated on one of the Eldoun hills, 
 not Jar distant from the Eldoun tree. Such a distinction, 
 however, is claimed Jbr another Huntly-bank, which, w'lth 
 a Cleugh, that still retains the name of^ the Rhymer'' s glen ^ 
 is now the property of Sir Walter Scott, — by whom, in 
 the publication of the Ancient Metrical Romance of Sir 
 Tr'iatvcm, attribided to our Author, it is almost unnecessary 
 to observe, a degree of interest has been attached to the cha- 
 racter o/" Thomas, which even, as being the earliest of our 
 Poetical icrilers, he might not othcric'isc have enjoyed. 
 
With respect to the propheticJc character of Thomas we 
 have sufficient evidence in the testhnony of such early writers 
 as Barber and Wyniown. The latter, in describing the 
 battle ofKylbkne, in the year 1335, says, 
 
 " Of this Fycht qwhilum spak Thomas 
 Of Ersyldowne, that sayd in derne, 
 Thare suld mete stalwartly stark and sterne : 
 He sayd it in his Prophecy ; 
 Bot, how he wyst it, wes Ferly." 
 
 — but whether or not this be one of the predictions contained 
 in the following poem is uncertain. — The prophetick parts 
 of which might afford ample scope for illustration, were this 
 the object of the Editor ; though, indeed, it would be no easy 
 matter to reconcile them with any degree of satisfaction to 
 the various national events that seem to have heenforetold. 
 
Xijomag off €rffelOoiine* 
 
 Lyflnys, lordyngs, bothc gretc and smale, 
 
 And takis gudc tcnte what I will fay : 
 I fall 30W telle als trewe a tale, 
 
 A Is euer was herde by nyghtc or daye : 
 And the mafte meruelle ffbrowttyn naye, 5 
 
 That euer was herde by fore or fyen, 
 And ther fore prillly I 30W praye, 
 
 That ^ijc will of ^oure talkyng blyn. 
 It es an harde thyng for to faye, 
 
 Of doghety dedis that hafe bene done ; 10 
 
 Of felle feghtyngs and batells fere ; 
 
 And how that knyghtis hafe wonne thair fchone. 
 Bot Jhu Chrill, that fyttis in trone, 
 
 Safe Ynglyfche men bothe fcrre and nere ; 
 And I fall telle ^ow tyte and fone, 15 
 
 Of Battells done fythen many a ^^ere ; 
 And of batells that done fall bee ; 
 
 In whate place, and howe and whare ; 
 And wha fall hafe the heghere gree ; 
 
 And whethir partye fall hafe the wcrre ; 20 
 Wha fall take the flyghte and flee ; 
 
 And wha fall dye, and by tenc, thare : 
 Bot Jhu Chrift, that dyed on tre, 
 
 Saue Inglyfche men wharc fo thay fare. 
 
' THE FYRST FYTT.' 
 
 Als I me wentc this Endres daye, 
 Full fafte in mynd makane my mone, 
 
 In a mery mornynge of Maye, 
 
 By Huntle bankkes my felfe allone. 
 
 I herde the jaye, and the throflylle cokke, 5 
 
 The mawys menyde of hir fonge, 
 The wodewale beryde als a belle, 
 
 That alle the wode abowte me ronge. 
 
 Allone in longynge, thus als I laye, 
 
 Vndre nethe a femely tre, 10 
 
 ' Saw I' whare a lady gaye, 
 
 ' Came ridand' ouer a longe lee. 
 
 If I fuld fytt to Domefdaye, 
 
 AVith my tonge, to wrebbe and wrye, 
 
 Certanely that lady gaye, 15 
 
 Neuer befe fcho alkryede for mee. 
 
 Hir palfraye was a dappill graye ; 
 
 Swilke one I faghe ne neuer none : 
 Als dofe the fonne, on fomeres daye, 
 
 That faire lady hir felfe fcho fchone. 20 
 
 Hir 
 
 1. 5. instead of the ' throstylle cokke,' the Canibr. 311'. simply 
 leads ' the ihrostelle,' which thus serves as the proper rhyme to » belle.' 
 
Hir fette it was of reelle bone ; 
 
 Full femely was that fyghte to fee ! 
 Stefly fett with procyous Itoncs, 
 
 And compafle all with ' cramcfcc' 
 
 Stones of Oryence grete plente ; 25 
 
 Hir hare abowte hir hcde it hangc ; 
 
 Sclio rode ouer that lange lee, 
 
 A whylle fcho blcwe, a nother fcho fange. 
 
 Hir garthes of nobyll fylke thay were ; 
 
 The bukylls were of berelle ftonc ; 30 
 
 Hir lleraps were of cryftalle clere, 
 
 And all with perelle ouer by gone. 
 
 Hir payctrellc was of irallc fyne ; 
 
 Hir cropoure was of orfare ; 
 And als clere golde hir brydill it fchone ; 35 
 
 One aythir lydc hangc bcllys three. 
 
 ' Scho led feuen grew houndis in a lecflie ;"' 
 And feuen raches by hir thay rone ; — 
 
 Scho bare a home abowte liir lialfe; 
 
 And vndir hir belte full many a flone. 40 
 
 Thomas laye and fawe that fyghte, 
 
 Vnder nethe ane femly tree ; 
 He fayd, gone es Marye moft of myghte, 
 
 That bare that diilde that dyede for mee. 
 
 But if I fpeke with ;-^one lady bryghte, 45 
 
 I hope myn herte will bryile in tiiree ; 
 
 Now fall I go with all my myghte, 
 Hir for to mete at Eldoun tree. 
 
 Thomas 
 
 1. 2i. ' crapotee.' Mf. Line. 1. 37. is omitted in the Ml'. In tiie 
 Cambr. Mf. this stanza is unnecessarily enlarged into eight lines. 
 
Thomas rathely vpe he rafe, 
 
 And he rane ouer that mountayne hye ; 50 
 GyfF it be als the ftorye fayes, 
 
 He hir mette at Eldone tree. 
 
 He knelyde down appon his knee, 
 
 Vndir nethe that grenwode fpraye : — 
 
 And fayd, lufly ladye ! rewe one mee ; 55 
 
 Qwene of heuen, als thu wele maye. 
 
 Than fpake that lady milde of thoghte :— 
 
 Thomas, late fwylke wordes bee ; 
 Qwene of heuenne, am I noghte, 
 
 For I tuke neuer fo heghe degre. 60 
 
 Bot I arae of ane other contree, 
 
 If I be payrelde mofte of pryfle ; 
 I ryde aftyre this wylde fee ; 
 
 My raches rynnys at my devyfe. 
 
 If thu be parelde mofte of pryfle, 65 
 
 And here rydis thus in thy folye, 
 Of lufe lady, als thu art wyfl'e. 
 
 Thou gyffe me leue to lye the bye. 
 
 Scho fayde, thu man, that ware folye ; 
 
 I praye the, Thomas, thu lat me bee; 70 
 
 Ffor I faye the full fekirlye. 
 
 That fynne will for doo all my beaute. 
 
 Now lufly ladye rewe on mee, 
 
 And I will euer more with the duelle ; 
 
 Here my trouthe I ' plyghte to thee.' 75 
 
 Wethir thu will in heuen or hclle. 
 
 Mane 
 
 1. 75. ' will the plyghte.' Mf. Line 
 
Mane of moldc, thu will me marre, 
 
 But ^itt thu fall hafe all thy will ; 
 And trovvc it wele thu chewys the werre, 
 
 Ffor alle my beaute will thu fpylle. 80 
 
 Down than lyghte that lady bryghtc, 
 Vndir nethe that grene wode fjjraye ; 
 
 And, als the florye tellis full ryghte, 
 Seuen fythis by hir he laye. 
 
 Scho fayd, man, the lykes thi playe : 85 
 
 What byrde in boure maye delle with the ? 
 
 Thou merrys me all this longe daye ; 
 I pray the, Thomas, late me bee. 
 
 Thomas ftode wpe in that llede, 
 
 And ho by helde that lady gaye ; 90 
 
 Hir hare it hange all ouer hir hede, 
 
 Hir eghne femedc owte, that are were graye. 
 
 And all the riclie clothynge was a waye, 
 That he by fore fawe in that ftede ; 
 
 Hir a fchanke blake, hir other graye, 95 
 
 And all hir body lyke the lede ; 
 
 Thomas laye, and fawe that fyghte, 
 Vndir nethe that g-renewod tree. 
 
 o" 
 
 Than fayd Thomas, alias ! alias ! 
 
 In fay the this es a dullfull fyghte, 100 
 
 How arte thu fadyde thus in the face. 
 
 That fchane by fore als the fonne fo bryght ! 
 
 Scho fayd, Thomas, take leve at fone and mone, 
 And als at lefe that grewes on tree ; 
 
 This twelmoneth fall thu with me gone, 105 
 
 And medill crthe thu fall non fee. 
 
 He 
 
He knelyd downe appon his knee, 
 Vndir nethe that grenewod fpraye ; 
 
 And fayd, lufly lady ! rewe on mee, 
 
 Mylde qwene of heuen, als thu befte may e. 110 
 
 Alias ! he fayd, and wa es mee, 
 
 I trewe my dedis will wirke me care ; 
 
 My faulle, Jhu, by teche I the, 
 
 Whedir come that euer my banes fall fare. 
 
 Scho ledde hym in at Eldone hill, 115 
 
 Vndir nethe a derne lee ; 
 Whare it was dirk as mydnyght myrke, 
 
 And euer the water till his knee. 
 
 The montenans of dayes three, 
 
 He herd bot fwoghyne of the flode, 120 
 
 At the lafte, he fayde, full wa es mee ! 
 
 Almafte I dye, for fawte of fude. 
 
 Scho lede hym in till a faire herbere, 
 
 Whare frwte was ' growyng in gret plentee ;■■ 
 
 Pers and appill, bothe rype thay were, 125 
 
 The date, and als the damafee. 
 
 The fygge, and als fo the wyne berye ; 
 
 The nyghtyngales lyggande on thair nefte ; 
 The papeioyes fafte abowte gan flye ; 
 
 And throftylls fange, wolde hafe no relle. 130 
 
 He preffede to pulle frowte with his hande ; 
 Als man for fude that was nere faynt. 
 
 Scho 
 1. lOT. these lines seem to be an improper repetition of a former 
 stanza. In the Cambr. Mf. Thomas kneels down, and makes his 
 mone to ' Mary mylde,' and says,—' but thu rew on mee 
 
 All my games fro me ar gone.' 
 
 1.115. should perhaps read, as in Cambr. Mf. ♦ to the Eldoun birke.' 
 
Scho fayd, Thomas, thu late tham llande, 
 Or ells the fende the will atteynt. 
 
 If thu it plokk, fothely to fay, 135 
 
 Thi faule gofc to the fyre of helle ; 
 
 It comes neuer owte or Domefdaye, 
 Bot ther in payne ay for to duelle. 
 
 Thomas, fothely, I the hyghte, 
 
 Come lygge thyn hede down on my knee, 140 
 And ' thou' fall fe the fayrefle fyghte, 
 
 That euer fawe man of thi contree. 
 
 He did in hye als fcho hym badde ; 
 
 Appone hir knee his hede he layde, 
 Ffor hir to paye he was full glade, 145 
 
 And than that lady to hym fayde — 
 
 Seefe thu nowe gone faire waye. 
 
 That lyggis ouer gone heghe montayne ?— 
 ^one es the waye to heuen for aye. 
 
 When fynfull fawles are paffed ther payne. J 50 
 
 Seefe thu nowe, gone other waye. 
 
 That lygges lawe by nethe gone ryffe ? 
 
 ^one cs the waye, the fothe to fayc, 
 Vnto the joye of paradyfe. 
 
 Seefe thu gitt gone thirde waye, 155 
 
 That ligges vnder gone grene playne ? 
 
 ^one es the waye, with tene and traye, 
 Whare fynfull faulis fuffirris thare payne. 
 
 Bot feefe thu nowe gone forthe waye. 
 
 That lygges ouer gone dcpc dcllc ? 160 
 
 ^one es the way, fo waylawayc, 
 Vnto the byrnande fyre of hell. 
 
 Seefe 
 
Seefe thu gitt gone faire callelle, 
 
 That ftandes vpone gone heghe hill ? 
 
 Of towne and towre, it beris the belle ; 165 
 
 In erthe es none lyk it vn till. 
 
 Ffor fothe, Thomas, gone es myn awenn, 
 
 And the kynges of this countree ; 
 Bot me ware leuer hanged and drawen, 
 
 Or that he wyile thou laye me by. 1 70 
 
 When thu commes to gone caftelle gay, 
 
 I pray the curtafe man to bee ; 
 And whate fo any man to the faye, 
 
 Luke thu anfwere none bott mee. 
 
 My lorde es seruede at ylk a mefe, 175 
 
 With thritty knyghttis faire and free ; 
 
 I fall faye, fyttande at the dafle, 
 
 I tuke thi fpeche by gonde the See. 
 
 Thomas ftill als ftane he ftude, 
 
 And he by helde that lady gaye ; 180 
 
 Scho come agayne als faire, and gude, 
 
 And alfo ryche one hir palfraye. 
 
 Hir grewe hvmdis fillide with dere blode ; 
 
 Hir rachis couplede by my faye ; 
 Scho blewe hir home with mayne and mode, 185 
 
 Vn to the caftelle fcho tuk the waye ; 
 
 In to the haulle fothely fcho went ; 
 
 Thomas foloued at hir hande ; 
 Than ladyes come bothe faire and gent. 
 
 With curtaflye to hir knelande. 190 
 
 Harpe 
 
Harpe and f'ethill bothe thay fande, 
 
 Gctterne and als so the fawtrye ; 
 Lutte, and rybybe, bothe gangandc, 
 
 And all manere of mynftralfye. 
 
 The moft meruelle that Thomas thoghtc, 195 
 When that he (lode appon the flore ; 
 
 Ffor feftty hertes in were broghte, 
 
 That were bothe ' largely' grete and llore. 
 
 llachcs laye lapande in the blode, 
 
 Cokes come with dryflynge knyfe ; 200 
 
 They brittened tham als thay were wode ; 
 
 Reuelle amanges thame was full ryfe. 
 
 Knyghtis dawnfede by three and three, 
 Thare was revelle, gamen, and playe, 
 
 Lufly ladycs faire and free, 205 
 
 That fatte and fange one riche araye. 
 
 Thomas ducllide in that folace, 
 
 More than I ^owe faye perde ; 
 Till one a daye, fo hafe I grace, 
 
 My lufly lady fayde to mee. 210 
 
 Do bulk the, Thomas, — the bufe agaync, 
 
 Ffor thu may here no lengare be ; 
 Hye the fafte, with myghtc and maync ; 
 
 I fall the brynge till Eldone tree. 
 
 Thomas fayde, than with heuy chere ; 215 
 
 Lufly lady, nowe late me bee ; 
 Ffor certis lady I hafe bene here, 
 
 Noghtc bot the fpaco of daycs three. 
 
 Ffor 
 
Ffor fothe, Thomas, als I the telle, 
 
 Thou hafe bene here thre gere and more ; 220 
 Bot langere here, thu may noghte duelle, 
 
 The Ikylle I fall the telle where fore. 
 
 To morne of helle the foulle fende, 
 Amange this folke will feche his fee ; 
 
 And thu arte mekill man and hende, 225 
 
 I trowe full wele he wolde chefe the. 
 
 Ffor all the gold that euer may bee, 
 Ffro hethyn vn to the worldis ende, 
 
 Thou befe neuer be trayede for mee ; 
 
 There fore with me I rede thou wende. 230 
 
 Scho broghte hym agayne to Eldone tree, 
 Vndir nethe that grenewode fpraye. 
 
 In Huntlee bannkes es mery to bee, 
 
 Whare fowles fynges bothe nyght and daye. 
 
 Fferre owtt in gone mountane graye, 235 
 
 Thomas my fawkon byggis a nefle ; — 
 
 A fawcoun is an Eglis praj'e ; 
 Ffor thi in na place may he refte. 
 
 Ffare wele, Thomas ; I wend my waye ; 
 
 Ffor me by houys ouer thir benttis brown. 240 
 — Loo here a fy tt : more es to faye. 
 
 All of Thomas or Erselldown.— 
 
'THE SECOND FYTT.' 
 
 Fare wcle, Thomas ; I wend my wayc ; 
 
 I may no lengare flande with the. — 
 Gif me a tokynynge, lady gaye, 
 
 That I may faye I fpake with the. 
 
 To harpe or carpe, whare fo thu gofe, 5 
 
 Thomas, thu fall hafe the chofe fothely. 
 
 And he faid, harpynge kepe I none ; 
 Ffor tonge es chefe of mynllralfyc. 
 
 If thou will fpelle, or tales telle, 
 
 Thomas, thu fall neuer lefynge lye : 10 
 
 Whare euer thu fare, by frythe or fcllc, 
 
 I pray the fpekc none euyll of mc. 
 
 Ffare wele, Thomas, with owttyn gyle ; 
 
 I may no lengare duelle with the. — 
 Lufly lady, habyd a while, 15 
 
 And telle thu me of fome ferly. 
 
 Thomas, herkyn what I the faye. 
 
 When ' that"" a tree rote es dede, 
 The leues fadis than, and wycis a wayc ; 
 
 And froyte it bcris nane than whytc nc rede. 20 
 
 Of 
 
Of the Baylliolfe blod fo fall it falle, 
 
 It fall be lyke a rotyn tre ; 
 The Comyns, and the Barlays alle, 
 
 The Ruffells, and the Ffrefells free, 
 
 All fall thay fade, and wyce a waye ; 25 
 
 Na ferly if that froyte than dye ! 
 And mekill bale fall after fpraye, 
 
 Whare joy and blyfle was wonte ' to bee.' 
 
 30 
 
 Ffare wele, Thomas ; I wende * my way ;" 
 I may no longer Hand ' with thee.' 
 
 Now lufly lady, gude ' and gay,' 
 Telle me gitt of fome ferly. 
 
 What kyne ferlys, Thomas gode. 
 Sold I thee telle and thi wille bee ? 
 
 Telle me, of this gentill blode, 35 
 
 Wha fall thrife, and who fall thee ; 
 
 Wha fall be kynge, wha fall be none. 
 And wha fall welde this Northe con tre ; 
 
 Wha fall flee, and wha fall be tane, 
 
 And whare thir batells donne fall bee. 40 
 
 Thomas, of a Batelle I fall the telle. 
 That fall be done righte fone at wille : 
 
 Beryns fall mete bothe fers and felle. 
 And frefchely fighte at Eldone hille. 
 
 The Bretons blode fall vndir fete ; 45 
 
 The Bruyfe blode fall wyn the fpraye ; 
 
 Sex thowfande Ynglyfche, wele thu wete. 
 Sail there be flayne that ilk day. 
 
 Ffare 
 
 I. 44. • Ledyn hill.' Mf. Camb ' Halendon hill.' Mf. Cotton. 
 
Ffare wele, Thomas ; I wende my waye ; 
 
 To ftande with the nie thynk full irke — 50 
 Of a batell I will the faye, 
 
 That fall be done at Fawkirke. 
 
 Baners fall ftande, bethe ' large and leng,' 
 Trowe this wele, with mode and mayne ; 
 
 The Bruyffe blode fall vndir gane, 55 
 
 Seuen thowfande Scottis ther fall be flayne. 
 
 Ffare wele, Thomas ; I pray the fefle ; 
 
 No lengare here thu tarye mee ; 
 My grew hundis thay brck thaire leffe. 
 
 And my raches thaire copills in three ; 6*0 
 
 Loo ! whare the dere by twa and twa, 
 Haldis ouer ^one montane hcghe. — 
 
 Thomas faid, God fchilde thu gaa, 
 Bot telle me ^itt of fome forly. 
 
 [Holde thi greyhoundis in thi honde; 65 
 
 And cupull thi raches to a ' tre ;' 
 And lat the dere reyke ouer the londe ; — 
 
 Ther is a herd in Holteby.J 
 
 ' or a batelle I fall the faye, 
 
 ' That fair gare ladyfe niorne in mode : H) 
 *• At Banokis borne'' bothe water and claye, 
 
 Sail be mengyde with nuinnis blode. 
 
 Stedis fall ftombill with trefoinic, 
 
 Bothe baye and broun, grylTelle and graye ; 
 Gentill knyghtis fall (lonibiUdowne, ' 75 
 
 Thorowe the takynge of a wykkide waye. 
 
 The 
 
 1. i3. ' Icng and large,* in Line M{. — 1. (•.I — (58. do not occur 
 ill tlie ijnc. Mr. — they are supplied t'roin flic ("aiubr. copy. 
 
The Bretons blode fall vndir falle ; 
 
 The Bruyfle blode fall wynn the fpraye ; 
 Sex thowfand Ynglyfche, grete and fmale, 
 
 Sail there be flane that ilk a daye. 80 
 
 Than fall Scottland kyngles ftande ; 
 
 Trow it wele that I the faye; 
 A tercelet of the fame lande, 
 
 To Bretane fall take the redy waye. 
 
 And take tercellettis grete and graye, 85 
 
 With hym owte of his awen contree ; 
 Thay fall wende on an ryche arraye, 
 
 And come agayne by land and fee. 
 
 He fall ftroye the North contree, 
 
 Mare and leffe hym by forne ; 90 
 
 Ladyfe fall faye, alias and waloway ! 
 
 That euer that royalle blode was borne. 
 
 He fall ryfe vpe at Kynkehorne, 
 
 And tye the ' fchippis"" vn to the fande ; 
 
 At Dipplynge more, appon the morne, 95 
 
 Lordis will thynke full lange to ftande. 
 
 By twix Depplynge and the dales, 
 
 The watir that rynnes on rede claye, 
 Thare fall be flayne, for fothe, Thomas, 
 
 Eleuen thowfande Scottis, that nyght and daye. 100 
 
 Thay fall take a townn of grete renowne, 
 
 That ftandis nere the water of Taye, 
 The ffadir, and the fone, fall be dongen downe, 
 
 And with ftrakis ftrange be flayne awaye. 
 
 When 
 
 ). 94. ' chippis.' Line. Mf. 
 
When thay hafe wone that wallede towne, 105 
 And ylke man hafe cheuedc thayre chaunce, 
 
 Than fall thir Bretons make tham bown, 
 And fare forthe to the werre of Fraunce. 
 
 Than fall Scotland kyngleffe ftande, 
 
 And be lefte, Thomas als I the faye ; 110 
 
 Than fall a kyng be chofen fo gynge, 
 
 That kane no lawes lede, perfaye. 
 
 Dauid with care he fall be gynn, 
 
 And with care he fall wende a waye ; 
 
 Lordis and ladyfe, more dois myn, 115 
 
 Sail come appon a riche araye ; 
 
 And croune hym at the town of Skynne, 
 Appon an certane folempne daye : 
 
 Beryns bald, bothe gongc and aide. 
 
 Sail till hym drawe with owttyn naye ; 120 
 Euyn he fall to Yngland ryde, 
 
 Eftc and wefte als lygges the waye. 
 
 Be twixe a parke and an abbaye, 
 
 A paleffe and a parefche kyrke, 
 Thare fall gour kynge faill of his praye, 125 
 
 And of his lyfe be wondir irke : — 
 
 He fall be tane fo wondir fare, 
 
 So that a waye he fall noghte flee ; 
 
 Heys 
 
 1. 113 — 116. according to the Cambr. Ml', tliey read 
 
 ' Robert with care he shall reiig, 
 
 And also he shalle wynd awaye; 
 Lordys and ladys, bothe old and ytng, 
 
 ^haU draw to hym witii owtyn naye.' 
 
Heys nebbe fall ryne, or he thethyn fare, 
 
 The rede blode tryklelande vn to his knee. 130 
 
 He fall than be with a falfe _ _ _ 
 Be trayede of his awen - _ - 
 
 And whether it come - _ _ _ 
 Hefallbyde 
 
 That ran - - _ _ _ 135 
 
 [[About six lines seem to be wanting. J 
 
 In the Northe to do owttraye. 
 
 And when he es man mofte of mayne. 
 
 And hopis belle than for to fpede, 
 On a ley lande, fall he be flayne 145 
 
 Be fyde a waye, for owttyn drede ; 
 
 Sythen fall felle Scotland, per ma faaye, 
 
 Ffulle, and fere, full many ane, 
 Ffor to make a certane paye, 
 
 But ende of it fall neuer come nane. 150 
 
 And than fall Scotland kyngles ftande, 
 
 Trowe this welc, that I telle the ; 
 Thre tercelettis of the fame lande. 
 
 Sail ftryfe to bygg and browke the tree ; 
 
 He fall bygg, and browke the tree, 155 
 
 That hafe no flyghte to fley a waye ; 
 
 Thay fall with pryde to Ynglande ryde, 
 Efte and wefte, als lygges the waye. 
 
 Haly 
 
 1. 129. ' his nek shall rife.' 3If. Cambr. 
 
Haly kyrke befe fett be fyde, 
 
 Relygyous byi'nede on a fyre ; 160 
 
 Sythen fall thay to a cafleile < ryde,' 
 
 And fchewe thain thare with 
 
 By fyde a wyth _ _ - - - 
 A why ------ 
 
 [^The conclusion of the Second Fytt, (evidently consist- 
 ing of about twelve lines,) which is wanting, is here 
 added from the Cambridge Manuscript.^ 
 
 [Be twene a myckul way and a water, 
 
 A parke and a llony way then, 
 Ther Ihal a cheften mete in fere ; 165 
 
 A ful dughty ther fhalbe flayn. 
 
 The toder cheftan flialbe tane, 
 
 A prefans of blode hym fhal flee, 
 And lede hym a w'ay in a' wane, 
 
 And cloyfe hym in a caftell hee. 170 
 
 Ffare wel, Thomas ; I wende my way ; 
 
 Ffor I mofl; over ^one bentis brown. 
 Here ar two fytts Thomas to fay, 
 
 Off Thomas of Erseldown.] 
 
 1. 163. This stanza in the Cotton INIf. is here added, as it varies 
 from that given above. 
 
 * Bytwys a wethy and a water, 
 A wel and a haly staine, 
 Ther sal two chcftans met in fer ; 
 The Douglas ther sail be slaine.' 
 
*THE THIRD FYTT.* 
 
 Now lufly lady, gente and hende, 
 
 Tell me, ^if it thi willis bee, 
 Of thyes batells, how thay fehall ende, 
 
 And wliate fehall worthe of this Northe contre. 
 
 This worlde, Thomas, fothely to telle, 5 
 
 Es noghte bot wauerethe and woghe ; 
 
 Of a batelle, I will the telle. 
 
 That fehall be done at Spynkerde cleughe. 
 
 The Bretons blode fehall vndir falle ; 
 
 The Bruyfe blode fchalle wyn the fjDraye; 10 
 Sex thowfande Ynglyfche grete and fmalle, 
 
 Salle thare be flayne that nyghte and daye. 
 
 The rerewarde fall noghte weite, perfaye. 
 
 Of that ilke dulfulle dede ; 
 Thay fall make a grete journaye, 15 
 
 Dayes tene, with owttyn drede. 
 
 And of a batelle I will the telle, 
 That fall be done now fone at will ; 
 
 Beryns fall mete, bothe ferfe and felle, 
 
 And frefchely fyghte at Pentland hyll. 20 
 
 By 
 
By twyx Sembery and Pentlande, 
 
 The haulle that ftandis appone the rede claye, 
 There fchall be flayne Eleuen thowfande 
 
 ' Oft' Sco'ttis men, that nyghte and daye. 
 
 ' They fall take a' towne of grete renown, 25 
 ' That ftandis nere the' water of Taye, 
 
 [[About thirteen lines are torn away.]] 
 
 The tother efte at Barbeke. 40 
 
 Fforyours furthe fall flee - _ _ _ 
 On a Sonondaye by fore the mefle ; 
 
 Seucn thowfandes fothely fail be flayne. 
 One aythir pertye, more and lefle. 
 
 Ffor ther fall be no banneres prefle, 45 
 
 Bot ferre in fondir fall they bee ; 
 Carefull fall be the after mefe, 
 
 By twixe Ceton and the See. 
 
 Schippes fall ftande appon the fande, 
 
 Wayffande with the fee fame ; 50 
 
 This gere and mare than fall thay ftande, 
 Or any beryn come for tham hame. 
 
 Stedis awaye mafterles fall flynge, 
 
 Oucr the mountans too and fraa ; 
 Thaire fadills one thaire bakkis fall hynge, 55 
 
 Vn to the garthe be rotyn in twaa. 
 
 ^itt fall thay hewe one ' (jther"* aye, 
 
 Vn to the fone be fctt nere wefte ; 
 Bot thare cs no wighte that gitt wiete maye, 
 
 Whether of thaym fall hafe the befte. 60 
 
 Thay 
 
 1. 21. instead of ' Sembery,' the Ciimbr. Mf. reads' Edyn-borow.' 
 
Thay fall plante down thaire * baners' thare, 
 
 Worthi men all nyghte fall dye ; 
 Bot one the morne, ther fall be care, 
 
 Ffor nowther fyde fall hafe the gree. 
 
 Than fall thay tak a * truce and' fwere, 65 
 
 Ffor thre 5ere, and more, I vnderftande ; 
 
 That nane of tham fall other dere, 
 ' Nouther' by fee, ne gitt by lande. 
 
 ' Be tweene twoo' faynte Marye dayes, 
 
 lange 70 
 ----- baners rayfe 
 
 [[Other seven lines seem to be torn away *.]] 
 
 Bot wiete wele, Thomas, he fall fynd nane. 80 
 
 He 
 
 * The following lines, from the Cambridge Manuscript, serve 
 to fill up the deficiency in this place : — 
 
 Be twene twoo seynt Alary dayes, 
 
 When the tyme waxis nere long, 
 Then shall thei mete and banerse rese, 
 
 In Gleydis-more that is so long. 
 
 Gladys-more, that gladis us all ; 
 
 This is beginning of oure gle ; 
 Gret sorow there shall fall. 
 
 Where rest and peese were wont to be. 
 
 Crowned kyngus ther shalbe slayn. 
 With dynts sore, and wonder ' to' se, 
 
 Out of a more a raven shal cum. 
 And of hym a schrew shall flye. 
 
 And seke the more with owten rest. 
 
 After a crosse is made of ston, 
 Hye and lowe, both est and west ; 
 
 But up he shal spede anon. 
 
 He sail lig ther wher he sulde be, &.c 
 
He fall lyghte whare the crofe foldc bee, 
 And holdc his nebbe wp to the ikye ; 
 
 And drynkc of gentill blode and free, 
 Then ladys waylovvaye ! fall crye. 
 
 Then fall a lorde come to that werrc, 8.5 
 
 Tliat fall be of full grete renowne ; 
 
 And in his benere fall he here, 
 Trifle it wele a rede lyone. 
 
 Ther fall another come to that werrc, 
 
 That fall fyghte full fayre in ' molde ;' 90 
 
 And in his banere fall he bere 
 
 A fchippe with an ankyre of golde. 
 
 ^it fall another come to that werre 
 
 That es noghte knawen by northe - - 
 
 And in his banere fall he bere 95 
 
 A Wolfe with a nakede childc in his - - 
 
 ^itt fall the forthe lorde come to that ' werre^ 
 That fall grete mayftree after men 
 
 And in his --____ 
 The bere 100 
 
 [[Although the first letters remain of about other eigh- 
 teen lines, which are torn away, they are not service- 
 able in enabling us to perfect them from the other 
 Mfs. — But a still more considerable deficiency occurs 
 in this part of the poem, as two whole columns, con- 
 taining thirty-five lines in each, have at the same time 
 been destroyed, thus leaving a hiatus altogether of 
 about twenty-two stanzas. The conclusion of the 
 poem written on the reverse corner of the same leaf, 
 has fortunately been preserved. The seventeen fol- 
 lowing stanzas are given from the Cambridge Ms. 
 since there is no reason to doubt that they formed a 
 part of those of which Ave have now had occasion to 
 mention the loss.^ 
 
[Then dial they fight with helm and fpere, 
 
 Un to the fun be set nere weft ; 
 Ther is no wyght in that fyld ' ther' 
 
 That wots qwylke fide fliall have the beft. 
 
 A baftard Ihall cum fro a foreft, 105 
 
 Not in Yngland borne fliall he be, — 
 
 And he flial wyn the gre for the beft, 
 Alle men leder of Bretan flial he be. 
 
 And with pride to England ride, 
 
 Eft and weft in certan ; ^^^ 
 
 And holde a parlement with pride, 
 
 Wher never non be fore was feyn. 
 
 All falfe lawes he flialle lay doune, 
 
 That are begune in that cuntre ; 
 Truly to wyrke he flialbe boune, 115 
 
 And all leder of Bretans ftial he be. 
 
 The baftard flial get hym power ftrong, 
 And all his faes he fliall down dyng ; 
 
 Of alle the v kingys londis, 
 
 Ther ftial non bodword home bryng. 120 
 
 The baftard flialle go in the Holy land ; 
 
 Trow this wel as I the fay : 
 Tak his ' foule' to his hande, 
 
 Jhu Chrifte that mycuH may, 
 
 Thomas ' truly' I the fay, 1^^ 
 
 This fertand yll worde ; — 
 Of the laft batel I the fay, 
 
 That flialbe don at Sandeforde. 
 
 Nere 
 
Nere Sandy forth ther is a wroo, 
 
 And nere tliat wro is a well ; 130 
 
 A Hon there is the wcl even fro, 
 
 And nere the wel truly to tell, 
 
 On that grounde ther groeth okys thre, 
 
 And is called Sandyford ; 
 Ther the laft batel ever fhalbe ; 135 
 
 Thomas, trow thu ilke a worde ; 
 
 Then fhe faid with hevy chere ; 
 
 The terys ran out of her een gray. — 
 Lady, or thu wepe fo fore, 
 
 Take thi houndis, and wend thi way. 140 
 
 I wepe not for my way-walkyng, 
 
 Thomas, treuly, I the fay ; 
 But for ladys ilial wed ladys 5eng, 
 
 When the lordis are dede away. 
 
 He fhall have a ilede in ftabul fed, 1 45 
 
 A hauke to beyre upon his hond ; 
 A bright lady to his bed. 
 
 That before had non in londe. 
 
 Fare wel, Thomas ; I wende my way ; 
 
 Alle the day thu wil me marre. — 160 
 
 Lufly lady, tel thu me 
 
 Of Black Agnes of Dunbar. 
 
 And why ftie have gyven me the warre, 
 
 And put me in her prifon depe ; 
 For I walde dwel with her ever mar, 155 
 
 And kepe hir plaes and hir fhepc. 
 
 Off 
 1. 129. ' wroo,' in Mf. Cotton, it is ' broo.' 
 
Oft' black Agnes cum never gode ; 
 
 Wher for, Thomas, flie may not the ; 
 Ffor al hir welth and hir worldly gode, 
 
 In London cloyfed ftial fhe be. 160 
 
 Ther prevyfle never gode of hir blode, 
 
 In a dyke than fhall ihe dye ; 
 Hounds of hir fhall have ther fode, 
 
 Margrat of all hir kyn and flie. 
 
 Then Thomas a fory man was he, 165 
 
 The terys ran out of his een gray : — 
 
 Lufly lady, ^et tell to me, 
 
 If we fhall parte for ever and ay ? — 
 
 Nay ; when thou fitts at Erfeldown,] 
 
 To Huntlee bankkis take thi waye, 170 
 
 There fall I fikirly be bowne, 
 
 ' To' mete the, Thomas, when I maye. 
 
 - - -11 the kene whare euer thu gaa 
 - - - the pryce of our tayfye ; 
 
 ' A tu'nge es wele, a tunge as waa, 1 75 
 
 < The tunge' es chefe of mynftralfye. 
 
 * She ble'we hir home on hir palfraye, 
 
 < And lefte' Thomas vnder nethe a tre ; 
 
 * Till Helmefd'ale fcho tuke the waye, 
 
 ' And thus de'pertede fcho and hee. 1 80 
 
 - - - - on hire man wolde I here 
 •• That couth' telle of fwilke ferly ; 
 
 ' Jhu' crownde with a crown of brere, 
 ' Bry'nge vs to his heuen fo hye. 
 
 Amen. Amen. 
 
 EXPLICIT TH03IAS OF ERSELEDOWNN. 
 
THE PYSTYL OF SWETE SUSAN. 
 
HUCHEON of the Awle Ryale, as we learn from 
 Wyntoun's Metrical Chronicle, was the author of this very 
 ancient and curious relique of Scotish Poetry. His great 
 ■work was the ' Gest Historiale,'' in which, according to 
 the same authority, Hucheon 
 
 " has tretyd curyously 
 
 In Gest of Broyttys auld story." 
 
 and the Prior of Lochleven, defends him, and « the Auctore^ 
 from whom his work zvas perhaps translated, against the 
 exceptions that in his time had been made to some of the 
 statements which it contained. Wyntoun, to whom we 
 owe all the information we possess respecting Hucheon and 
 his writings, says, 
 
 Men of gud discretyowne 
 
 Suld excuse and love Huchowne 
 
 That cunnand wes in Literature. 
 
 He made the gret Gest of Arthurc, 
 
 And the Awntyre of Gawane, 
 
 The Pystyl als of Swete Susan ; 
 
 He wes curyws in hys style, 
 
 Fayre of fecund, and subtile, 
 
 And ay to plesans and delyte, 
 
 Made in metyre mete his dyte, 
 
 Lytil or nowcht nevyr the les 
 
 Waverand fra the suthfastnes. 
 
 E. V. xiv. 300—312. 
 
 From Hucheon's being thus called of « the Awle Ryale,'' 
 or Royal hall, or palace, the learned editor of Wyntoun's 
 Chronicle supposes he may have been the King's Poet. It 
 seems, hoxoever, agreed among 07ir poetical antiqiiaries that 
 this Hucheon was one and the same person with the Sir 
 Hugh of Eglynton, a Scotish poet, of the fourteenth 
 century, who is mentioned by Dunbar in his ' Lament for 
 the Death of the Mahars.' ^' He flourished;' (says Mr. 
 George Chalmers, in a letter to the Editor,) " under David 
 
//. and died binder Robert II. I think there cannot be any 
 doubt ichether Sir Hugh de Eglynton were not Hucheon of 
 the Awle Ryale. He is supposed to have died about the 
 year 1381. As he was a busy Knight., in his day, so are 
 there many notices about him.'''' These notices, as tve may 
 reasonably anticipate, will be recorded in Mr. Chalmers' 
 long expected History of Scot'ish Poetry. 
 
 No other production, by our author, besides the Jbllow- 
 ing, is known to be extant, unless, on the author'ity o/'Wyn- 
 toun, we should attribute to him one or other of the curious 
 metrical romances of the adventures of Arthur and Gawane. 
 
 In the present collection xo'ill be found one of these an- 
 cient all'iterative poems ; — a style of composit'ion Jbr which, 
 for a length of time, the Northern Poets were particularly 
 renowned ; for although the use of alliteration was not en- 
 tirely pecid'iar to them, it xvas, at least, one distinguishing 
 feature of their compositions. Thus Chaucer makes ' h'ls 
 Persone'' to say 
 
 " I am a Sothetne man 
 
 I can not geste, Rom, Ham, lluf, by my letter, 
 And, God wote, rime hold I but litel better." 
 
 George Gascoigne, an English poet of the age of Qiieen 
 Elizabeth, has the following reference to this curious pas- 
 sage : — " In making a delectable poem,"" he says, " it is not 
 enough to roll in pleasant woordes, nor yet to thunder in 
 Rym, Ram, Ruff by letter, (quoth my maister Chaucer,) 
 ?ior yet to ahounde in apte vocables, or epithets, U7ilesse the 
 inventioji have in it also aliquid salis." 
 
 Of the Py still of Susan, which has not h'ltherto been pub- 
 lished, there are various anc'ient manuscripts. It was, in- 
 deed, printed by Ritson, about the year 1803, as the com- 
 mencement (fa projected volume if'- Select Scotish Poems ;"" 
 similar in size to his excellent Collection of Scotish Songs. 
 This volume the Editor leorns was to have been published 
 
by Mr. Constable, (to whose spirited and liberal enterprise 
 the literature qfotir time is so greatly indebted,) but, owing 
 to the death of' the Editor, it was never completed, and a Jew 
 copies only, it is believed, of the two sheets that were ac- 
 tually printed off, have been preserved. After Ritson had 
 spent several years in forming this selection, which, al- 
 though not numerous, would have been extremely Judi- 
 cious ; it is a matter of regret, that this little volume should 
 have been left unjinished. The care and Jidelity exhi- 
 bited in what he has done, is beyond all praise, and might 
 have served as a guide to editors who have since been en- 
 gaged in similar ptiblications. We owe much to the zeal 
 which Ritsoii showed towards the remains of our ancient 
 poetry at a time tchen they were disregarded and overlook- 
 ed by our countrymen. 
 
 The copy folloi^ed by Ritson, is contained in the very large 
 collection, or ingens volumen, as it is jjroperly enough styled, 
 in the Bodleian Library: it is called, from its donor, the Ver- 
 non Manuscript, and was probably compiled about the end of 
 the XlVth century. In a volume of old metrical romances in 
 the Cotton Library, written about the middle of the JCVth cen- 
 tury, is another copy, wanting", however, thefrst eight stan- 
 zas; and a third copy forms part of a volume now in Mr. He- 
 bers possession. This last, which had successively belong- 
 ed to Sir Henry Spelman, Dr. Taylor, (the Editor of De- 
 mosthenes,) and Richard Gough, Esq. is described by Dr. 
 Whitaker, the learned Editor of Piers'' Plouhman's Vi- 
 sions, as a manuscript, which, 'from the hand writing, 
 might probably be assigned to the reign of Richard the Se- 
 cond.' He considers the poem to be nearly as ancient as 
 Piers' Plouhman ; and, from the alliterat'ion being combined 
 w'lth rhyme, and a very complicated stanza, (he adds,) it 
 is not to be xoondered at that it has had no imitators. A 
 specimen, to show hoxv much the copies of this poem drffer 
 from each other, ivill be given in the Appendix. 
 
' Xlje laistill of ^usan/ 
 
 I. 
 
 THer was in Babilolne a bern, in that borw riche, 
 That was a Jeugh jentil, and Joachim he hiht ; 
 He was fo lele in his lawe, there lived non him Uche, 
 Of all riches that reuke arayes he was riht : 
 His innes, and his orchardes, weren withinne a dep dich, 
 Halles and herbergages, hey uppon height ; 
 To feche thoru that cite ther nas non lich, 
 Of erbes, and of erberi, fo avenauntliche idiht, 
 That day. 
 Withinne the fercle of fees, 
 Of erberi and alees, 
 Of all e nianer of trees, 
 
 Sothely to fay. 
 
 II. 
 
 He had a wif hight Sufan, was fotil and fage, 
 Heo was Elches dough ter, eldeft and eyre, 
 Lovelich and lilie-whit, on of that lynage, 
 Of alle fafon of foode frelich and feire : 
 Thei lerned hire lettrure of tiiat langage, 
 The maundement of Moifes, thei marked to that deire, 
 To the mount of Synai that went in meflage, 
 That the Trinite bitok of tables a peire, 
 To rede ; 
 
 Thus thei lerne hire the lawe, 
 
 Cleer clergye to knawe, 
 
 To God ftod hire gret awe. 
 
 That wlonkefl: in weede. 
 
III. 
 
 He hedde an orchard nevve, that neighed wel nere, 
 Ther Jewes with Joachim prevehche gon playe ; 
 For he real and riche of rentes ever were, 
 Honeft, and avenaunt, and honorableft aye. 
 I wis, ther haunted til her hous, hende, ge mai here, 
 Two domes of that lawe, that dredde were that day, 
 Preoftes and prefidens preifed als peere, 
 Of whom ur foverein lord fawes gan fay, 
 And tolde, 
 
 How heor wikkednes comes 
 
 Of the wrongwys domes 
 
 That they have gyve to gomes, 
 
 This juges of olde. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Thus this dredful domes [-men] on daies thider drewe ; 
 Al for gentrife and joye of that Juwefle, 
 To go in his gardeyn, that gayliche grewe, 
 To fonge floures and fruit, thought thei no frefle : 
 And whon they feigh Sufan, femelich of hewe, 
 Thei weor fo fet uppon hir, might thei not felTe; 
 Thei wolde enchaunte that child : hou fchold heo efchewe .'' 
 And thus this cherles unchafte in chaumbre hir chefle, 
 With chere, 
 
 With two maidenes alon, 
 
 Semelyche Sufon, 
 
 On dayes in the merion, 
 
 Of murthes wol here. 
 
 V. 
 
 Whon theos perlous preftes perceyved hire play, 
 
 Tho thoughte the wretches to bewile that worly in wone, 
 
 Heore wittes wel waiwordes thei wrethen awai. 
 
 And turned fro his teching, that teeld is in trone. 
 
 For fiht of here foverayn, fothli to fay, 
 
 Heore hor hevedes fro'hevene thei hid apon one, 
 
Thei caught for heor covetyfe tlie curfyng of Kai, 
 For rightwys jiigemcnt recordet thei none, 
 They two. 
 Every day bi day 
 In the pomeri thei play, 
 While thei mihte Sufan aflay, 
 
 To worchen hire wo. 
 
 VI. 
 
 In the fcfon of fomer, with Sibell and Jonc, 
 Heo grcthed hir til hir gardin, that growed fo grene, 
 Ther lyndes and lorers wer lent upon lone, 
 The favyne and fypres, felcouth to fene, 
 The palme, and the popler, the pirie, the plone, 
 The juniper jentel, jonyng bitwene, 
 The rofe ragged on rys, richell on rone, 
 Ipeuwed with the thorn trinaunt to fene, 
 So tiht ; 
 
 Ther weore popejayes prcft, 
 
 Nihtyngales uppon neft, 
 
 Blitheil briddes o the beft. 
 
 In bloflbms so briht. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The briddes in bloffoms thei beeren wel loude 
 On olyves, and amylliers, and al kynde of trees, 
 The popejayes perken and pruynen for proude, 
 On peren and pyn-appcl they joyken in pees ; 
 On croppes of canel keneliche thei croude, 
 On grapes the goldfinch thei gladen and glees ; 
 Thus fchene briddes in fchawe fchewen lieore fchroude, 
 On figges and fygers thei fongen heore fees, 
 In fay ; 
 
 Ther weore growyng fo grene 
 
 The date, with the damefcne, 
 
 Turtils troncd on trene, 
 
 By fixti, I faygh. 
 
VIII. 
 
 The fyge and the filbert were fodemed fo fayre, 
 The chirie and the cheftein, that chofen is of hewe, 
 Apples and almaundes that honeft are of ayre, 
 Grapes and garnettes gayhche thei grew, 
 The collar des comehche in cuylthes thei cay re, 
 The britouns, the blaunderers, [the] braunches, the bewe, 
 Fele floures and fruit, frehch of flayre, 
 With wardons winhch and Walfhe notes newe, 
 They wald 
 
 Over heor hedes gon hyng. 
 
 The wince and the wederlyng, 
 
 Spyces fpeden to fpryng, 
 
 In erbers enhaled. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Tlie chyve, and the chollet, the chibolle, the cheve, 
 The chouwet, the cheverol, that fchaggen on niht, 
 The parfel, the paffenep, poretes to preve. 
 The pyon, the peere, wel proudhche ipiht ; 
 The lilye, the louache, lavinfyng with leve. 
 The fauge, the forfecle, fo femehche to fiht ; 
 Columbyne and charuwe clottes thei creve. 
 With ruwe and rubarbe, ragget ariht, 
 No lees ; 
 
 Dayfye, and ditoyne, 
 
 Yfope, and averoyne, 
 
 Peletre, and plantoyne, 
 
 Proudeft in prees. 
 
 X. 
 
 Als this fchaply thing gede in hire ^erde, 
 
 That was hir hofbondes and hire, that holden with hende ; 
 
 Now folk be faren from us, thar us not be ferde 
 
 Aftur myn oynement, warliche ^e wende. 
 
 Efpieth now fpecialy, the ^ates ben fperde 
 
 For we wol waflche as i-wis bi this welle flrendc. 
 
For-thi the wyf wcrp of hir wedes unwerde, 
 Under a lorere ful low that ladi gan lende, 
 So fone : 
 By a wynUche well, 
 Sufan cafle of hir kelle, 
 Bote feole ferlys hir bifelle, 
 
 Bi midday or none. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Now wer this domes-men derf drawen in derne, 
 Whiles thei feo that ladi was laft al hire one, 
 Forte heilfe that hende thei highed ful gerne 
 With wordes thei worfhipe that worliche in wone : 
 Wolt thou, ladi, for love, on ure lay lerne. 
 And under this lorere ben ur lemmone ? 
 The ne tharf wonde for no wight ur willes to werne, 
 For alle gomes that fcholde greve of gardin ar gone 
 In feere. 
 
 ^if thou this neodes deny. 
 
 We fchall telle trewely 
 
 We toke the with avoutri ; 
 
 Under this lorere. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Then Sufan was ferwful, and feide in hire thought, 
 I am with ferwe bifet on everiche fyde, 
 gif I affent to this fin, that this fegges have fought, 
 I be bretenet and brent in baret to byde : 
 And, gif I nikkc hem with nai, hit helpeth me nought : 
 Such toret and tcone taketh me this tyde. 
 Ar I that worthlich wrcch, that all this world wrought, 
 Beter is wemles wendc of this world wyde. 
 With this 
 
 Tho caft hco a careful cri. 
 
 This loveliche ladi, 
 
 Hir fervauns hedde felli. 
 
 No wonder, i-wis. 
 
XIII. 
 
 Whon kene men of hir court comen til her cri, 
 Heo hedde caft of hir calle and hire kever-cheve, 
 In at a prive pofterne thi paffen in hi, 
 And findes this preftes wel preft her poyntes to preve ; 
 Tho feid the lofelle aloud to the ladi, 
 Thou hall gon with a gome, thi God to greve. 
 And ligge with thi lemon in avoutri. 
 Bi the lord and the lawe that we onne leeve, 
 They fwere, 
 
 AUe hire fervauns, thei Ihont, 
 
 And Helen away in a ftont ; 
 
 Of hire weore thei never wont 
 
 Such wordes to here. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Hir kinrede, hir cofyns and al that hire knewe, 
 Wrong handes, i-wis, and wepten wel fare, 
 Sykeden for Sufan, fo femeliche of hewe, 
 Al onwyfe of that wyf, wondred thei were. 
 Thei dede hire in a dungon, ther never day dewe. 
 While domes-men were dempt this dede to clare ; 
 Marred in manicles, that made wer newe ; 
 Meteles, whiles the morwen to middai and mar, 
 In drede. 
 
 Ther com hir fader, fo fre. 
 
 With al his affinite ; 
 
 The preftes fauns pite, 
 
 And ful of fallhede. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Tho feide the juftifes on bench, to Joachim the Jewe, 
 That was of Jacobes kynde, gentil of dedes, 
 Let fenden after Sufan, fo femelych of hewe, 
 That thou haft wedded to wyf, wlonkeft in wedes ; 
 Heo was in trouthe, as we trowe, trifti and trewe ; 
 Hir herte holliche on him that the hevene hedes. 
 
Thus thei brought hir to the barr, hir bales to brewe, 
 Nouther dom ne deth that day hco ne dredes, 
 Als thare. 
 Hir hed was 50I0W as wyre 
 Of gold fyned with fyre ; 
 Hire fcholdres fchaply and fchire ; 
 
 That bureliche was bare. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Nou is Sufan in fale, fengeliche arayed, 
 In a felken fchert, with fcholdres wel fchene. 
 Tho ros up with rancour the reukes reneyed, 
 This comelich accufed, with wordes wel kene ; 
 Homliche on her heved heor hondes thei leyed : 
 And hco wepte for wo, no wonder, i-wene. 
 We fchul prefenten this pleint, hou thou ever be paied, 
 And fei fadliche the foth, right as we have fene, 
 On fake. 
 
 Thus with cauteles waynt, 
 
 Preoftes prefented this playnt, 
 
 git fchal trouthc liem ataynt, 
 
 I dar undertake. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Thorw-out the pomeri we pafled us to play, 
 Of preier and of penaunce was ur purpofe, 
 Heo com with two maidens, al richeli that day, 
 In riche robes arayed, red as the rofe ; 
 Wylyliche heo wyled hir wenches away. 
 And comaunded hem kenely the gates to clofe ; 
 Heo rode to a goung mon, in a valay, 
 The femblaunt of Sufan wolde non fuppofe. 
 For foth : 
 
 Be this caufe that we fay, 
 
 Heo wyled hir wenches away, 
 
 This word we witnefle for ay. 
 
 With tonge and with toth. 
 
XVIII. 
 
 Whon we that femblant feigh, we fiked wel fare, 
 For fert of hir fovereyn, and for hir owne fake, 
 Ur copes weore cumberous, and cundelet us care, 
 But git we trinet a trot, that traytur take ; 
 He was borlich and bigge, bold as a bare ; 
 More mighti mon then we his maistris to make : 
 To the gate gaply thei geoden wel gare. 
 And he lift up the lach, and leop over the lake. 
 That gouthe. 
 
 Heo ne fchunte for no fchame. 
 
 But bouwed aftur for blame, 
 
 Heo nolde cuythe us his name, 
 
 For craft that we couthe. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Now heo is dampned on deis, with deol thaigh hir deve. 
 And hir domes-men unduwe do hir be withdrawen. 
 Loveliche heo louted, and latched hir leve, 
 At kynred and cofyn, that heo had ever i-knawen, 
 Heo alked merci with mony, in this mifcheve : 
 I am fakeles of fyn, heo feide in hir fawen, 
 Grete God of his grace gor gultus forgive. 
 That doth me derfliche be ded and don out of dawen, 
 With dere. 
 
 Wolde God that I micht 
 
 Speke with Joachim a nicht, 
 
 And fithen to deth me bediht ; 
 
 I charge hit not a pere. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Heo fel doun flat in the flore, hir feer whom heo fand, 
 Carped to him kyndeli, as heo ful wel couthe : 
 I wis I wraththed the nevere, at my witand. 
 Neither in word, ne in werk, in elde, ne in gouthe. 
 Heo kevered upon hir kneos, and cuffed his hand : 
 For I am dampned, I ne dar difparage thi mouth. 
 
Was never more fcrwful feggc, bi fe, nor bi fande, 
 Ne never a forioure fiht, bi north, ne bi fouth, 
 Tho thare. 
 Thei toke the feteres of hire feete, 
 And evere he cuffed that fwete : 
 In other world fchul we mete. — 
 Seide he no mare. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Then Sufan, the ferwfol, feide uppon hight, 
 Heef hir hondes on high, biheld heo to hevene : 
 Thou maker of middelert, that moft art of miht, 
 Bothe the fonne and the fee, thou fette uppon fevene ; 
 Alle my werkes thou woft, the wrong, and the riht, 
 Hit is nedful nou thy names to neven. 
 Setlithe I am deolfolich dampned, and to deth diht, 
 Lord, herteliche tak hede, and herkne my flevene. 
 So fre ! 
 
 Seththe thou maight not be fene, 
 
 With no flcfchliche eyene. 
 
 Thou woft Avel tliat I am clene, 
 
 Have merci now on me ! 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Now thei dreffe hir to deth withouten eny drede. 
 And lede forth that ladi, lovefum of lere ; 
 Grete God, of his grace, of gultes unguede, 
 Holp with the Holi Goft, and herde hir preyere. 
 He directed this dome, and this delful dede 
 To Danyel, the prophete, of dcdes fo dcre. 
 Such ^iftes god him ^af in his ^outhehede, 
 ;^it failed hit a fourtenight, ful of the sere, 
 Nouht fayne. 
 
 Tho criede that freoly fode, 
 
 Why Ipille ^e innocent blode ^ 
 
 And alle ihci ftodeyd and fttode, 
 
 This ferlys to frayne. 
 
XXIII. 
 
 What lignefyes, gode fone, thefe fawes that thou feeth, 
 Thus thefe maifterful men mouthes can mele, 
 Thei be fendes all the frape, I fei hit in feith, 
 And in folk of Ifrael be foles wel fele. 
 Umbiloke gou, lordes, fuch lawes ben leith, 
 Methinketh gor dedes unduwe fuch domes to dele, 
 Agein to the gildhalle, ge gomes ungreith, 
 I fchal, be proces apert, dif prove this apele, 
 For nede. 
 
 Lat twinne hem in two, 
 
 For now wakneth heor wo, 
 
 Thei fchal graunte, as thei go, 
 Al heore falftiede. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Thei difevered him fone, and fette hem fere, 
 And fodeynly afkede, thei brought into the fale, 
 Bifore this gonge prophete this preoll go apere, 
 And he him apeched fone, with chekes wel pale : 
 Thou haft I be prefedent, the peple to fteere. 
 Thou doteft nou on thin olde tos, in the difmale ; 
 Now fchal thi confcience be knowen that ever was unclere, 
 Thou haft in Babiloygne on benche brewed much bale, 
 Wel bolde : 
 
 Now fchal gor fynnes be feene, 
 
 Of fals domes bideene. 
 
 For theofe in Babiloyne han bene 
 Jugget of olde. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Thou feideft thow feighe Sufanne finned in thi fiht, 
 
 Tel nou me trewly, under what tre ? — 
 
 Mon, bi the muche God, that moft is of miht. 
 
 Under a cyne, fothli, myfelven I hir fe. — 
 
 Now thou lyeft in thin lied, bi heven uppon hiht, 
 
 An angel with a naked fwerd the neighes wel nei, 
 
He hath brandiil his brond, brennynde fo briht, 
 To marke thi niiddcl at a mafe in more then in thre, 
 No lefc : 
 Thou brak Godes comaundement, 
 To fie fuch an innocent, 
 With eny fols juggement, 
 
 Unduweliche on defe. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Now is this domes-mon withdrawen withouten eni drede, 
 And put into prifon a5cyn into place, 
 Thei broughten the tother forth whom the barn bede, 
 To-fore the folk and the faunt, freli of face : 
 Cum forth, thou corfed caytif, thou Canaan, he fede, 
 Bi caufc of thi covetife, thou art in this cafe, 
 Thou haft difceyvet thi felf, with thi oune dede, 
 Of thi wit for a wyf biwiled thou wafe, 
 In wede. 
 
 Thou fey now, fo mote thou the. 
 
 Under what kind of tre, 
 
 Semeli Sufan thou fe 
 
 Do that derne dede. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Thou gome of gret elde, thin hed is grei hored, 
 Tel hit me treweli, ar thou thi lif tyne. 
 Tho that rothly cherl ruydely rored, 
 And fcid bifor the prophet, thei pleied bi a prine.— 
 Now thou lieft loude, fo helpe me ur lorde ; 
 For fulthe of thi falfhcd thou fchalt ha evel pine, 
 Thou and thi curfed cumpere, ^e mon not acorde ; 
 ge fchul be drawen to the deth, this dai ar we dine, 
 So rathe. 
 
 An angel is neih honde. 
 
 Takes the domes of gor honde, 
 
 With a orcnnyngc bronde, 
 
 To byte you bathe. 
 
XXVIII. 
 
 Then the folk of Ifrael felle upon knees. 
 And lowed that loveli lord, that hir the lyf lent ; 
 All the gomes, that hir God wolde gladen and glees, 
 This prophete fo pertli proves his entent, 
 Thei trompe bifore this traitours, and traylen hem on trees, 
 Thorw-out the cite, by comuyn aflent ; 
 Hofe leeveth on the lord, thar him not lees. 
 That thus his fervant faved that fchold ha be fchent, 
 In fete. 
 
 This ferlys bifel 
 
 In the days of Danyel, 
 
 The Piftel witnefleth wel 
 
 Of that Profete. 
 
 explicit. 
 
ANE BALLET OF THE NINE NOBLES. 
 
ON the margin of the ancient copy o/'Fordun's Scotichro- 
 nicon, that once belonged to the celebrated historian, Hector 
 Boece, is written this translation of some barbarous Latin 
 verses, added by Bower about the year 1440, and occurring 
 in most copies of the same Chronicle^. It has, indeed, been 
 already printed, but may, without much impropriety, be in- 
 serted in this place ; particularly as it is given from the 
 Manuscript itself, — the copy printed by the industrious 
 antiquary, Thomas Hearne, not being remarhable for its 
 accuracy. 
 
 " On fut suld be all Scottis weir, 
 Be hyll and mosse, thaim selff to ' steir.''' 
 Llat wod for wallis be bow and speir, 
 That innymeis do thaim na deir. 
 In streit placis gar keip all stoir ; 
 And byrne the plane land thaim befor : 
 Thane sail thai pass away in haist, 
 Quhen that thai find na thing hot waist. 
 With wyllis and waykene of the nycht, 
 And mekill noyis maid on hycht : 
 Thane sail thai turne with gret afFrai, 
 As thai war chassit with suerd away. 
 This is the consall and intent 
 Off gud King Kobert'is Testament." 
 
 The following ballad, however, is not known to be in 
 print, and may serve to shew the esteem in which the me- 
 mory o/' Robert the Bruce was long held by the people of 
 Scotland. It occurs at the end of the large and splendid 
 copy o/Tordvm's Chronicle, in the University Library of 
 Edinburgh, and is written in the same hand with the rest 
 of the Manuscript. 
 
 * Lib. xii. cap. x. * In the Mf. ' weir.' 
 
2i>e nonem nobilibus/ 
 
 HEctour of Troy throu hard feichthyngis, 
 In half thrid ^eris flew xix kyngis ; 
 And ammiraUis a hundred and mare, 
 Wy th fmail folk at vnrackynnit war ; 
 He flew fa fell, at wes ferly, 5 
 
 Qwham Achilez flew trefnabli. 
 
 Alexander als nobil a kyng, 
 In xij ^eris wan throw hard feichtyng, 
 Al landis vnder the formament ! 
 Eqwhethir adai in till parlement, , . 10 
 
 He faid, he had hut variance. 
 Our litill in till his gouernance. 
 
 Julius Cesar wan hailily 
 The ilis of Grece, and all Surry ; 
 Atfrick, Arab, Bretan wan he, 15 
 
 And discumfit his niawche Pompe : 
 Throw hard batell, and fl:alward fliour. 
 He war the firfl: was cmperour. 
 
 The gentill JewD Jofue, 
 Anek xxx kyngis throw weir wan he ; 20 
 
 And conquirit the landis also. 
 The flu Jordan pertit m two 
 Throw Goddis grace, and llrang power ; 
 Men fuld hym loff on gret raaner. 
 
 Dauid flew mychthy Golias, 25 
 
 And Philifteus at felon was ; 
 He wes fo wycht, et wcill feichtand, 
 That he wes neucr fene rccriand ; 
 Thair for men call him, loud and fliill, 
 A trew prophet, of hardy will. 30 
 
 Miclity 
 
Michty Judas Macliabeus 
 In bathell flew Antiochus, 
 Appolonius and Nichanore, 
 At in his dais wald neuer fhor, 
 No multitud be adred of men, 35 
 
 Thoff he war ane eganes ten. 
 
 Arthur wan Dace, Spange, and France, 
 And hand for hand flew giantis ; 
 Lvicius the pubhk procuratour 
 Of Rome, wy th milleonis in flialwar fl;our ; 40 
 And in till Paris Schir Frollo, 
 In lyfliis flew wyth outin mo. 
 
 Charlez of France flew Aygoland, 
 And wan Span^e, fra hethoun land ; 
 He flew the fowden of Pavi, 45 
 
 And wan the Saxonis halily ; 
 And quhar God deid for our fafte, 
 He put haly the Crifliante. 
 
 . Godefrey Bolgone flew Solimant, 
 Before Antioche, and Corborant, 50 
 
 Quham he throu ful fl:rak ha^ ourtane, 
 Throu cops and harmez his glave is gane ; 
 Sere hethownis he flew throu hard feychtyng, 
 And of lerlin a ^eir was Kyng. 
 
 Robert the Brois throu hard feichtyng, 55 
 With few, venkufl: the mychthy Kyng 
 Off Ingland, Edward, twyfe in fycht, 
 At occupit his realme but rycht 
 At fum tyme wes fet fo hard, 
 At hat nocht fax till hym toward. 60 
 
 ^e gude men that thir balletis redis, 
 Deme qulia dochtyafl: was in dedis. 
 
THE DUIK OF ORLYANCE IN DEFENCE 
 OF THE SCOTS. 
 
THE following lines, transcribedjrom the Maitland CoU 
 lections ofScotish Poetry, deposited in the Pepysian Library, 
 Cambridge, are merely an extract, with some occasional 
 variations, Jrom Andrew of Wyntown's Chronicle, — a 
 •work, the publication of which was fortunately undertaken, 
 and executed with an unrivalled degree of care and elegance, 
 by the unwearied assiduity of its learned Editor, the late 
 David Macpherson. 
 
 These lines, however, may be allowed to stand in op^ 
 position to some of the many ancient rhymes which the 
 English are known to have scattered abroad against the 
 Scots. The jealous and hostile spirit which, for so many 
 ages, existed betwixt the inhabitants of the two Kingdoms, 
 lias long happily ceased, and, we trust, for ever. Never- 
 theless, it is curious and intei-esting to observe the various 
 manifestations of this long cherished, and deep-seated ani- 
 mosity ; — whether we may read in our Annals of strife and 
 bloodshed in the field of battle ; — of border forays and pre- 
 datory excursions ; or, discover it in the more harmless, 
 but not less vehement and sarcastic effusions in which they 
 mutually seem to have indulged. 
 
 The question put by the illustrious Duke of Orleans is 
 sufficiently simple and dispassionate, and leads to a natural 
 and satisfactory conclusion, when he asked, how it came 
 that the English, with all their boasting, never were able 
 to vanquish ' the puir folk of Scotland' — 
 
 • whose gaddering into weiris 
 
 Micht nocht exceid five hundreth speiris— * 
 
 but allozved themselves to be harassed night and day, by 
 those whom they pretended to hold in despite ; nor could 
 enforce that loomage and obedience which, at times, they 
 presumed to say, we owed to the Crown of England. 
 
'SDefence of tlje ^cots/ 
 
 ANE thowfand ^eir thre hundreth nyntye and ane 
 
 Fra Jefus Chryft had manheid tane 
 
 The bifchop of Sandl Androis fe, 
 
 Maifter Waltir Traill calUt was he, — 
 
 Be counfale and be ordinance 5 
 
 Of Scottifmen, he paffit in France : 
 
 Ffor, in to Scotland men hard tell, 
 
 At the duik Johne of Longcaftell, 
 
 Be ane ordinat delyuerance 
 
 Off Inglifmen, he paffit in France. 10 
 
 And qnhatfoeuir thay tretit had, 
 
 Our biichop thair tuell monethis baid. 
 
 And thair fayrlie the Inglifmen 
 
 The Scottifmen diffamit than : — 
 
 Thai faid, thair gaddering in to weiris, 15 
 
 Micht nocht exceid fyve hundreth fpeiris : 
 
 The king of France, thai faid, forthy, 
 
 Suld lat of Scottis men bot lichtlye. 
 
 Thir wourdis war faid in the prefence 
 
 Of the duchtie Duik of Orlyance, 20 
 
 Quhilk had ane fpeciale cffectioun 
 
 Till Scottifmen and thair natioun; 
 
 And than in haift he maid anfueyr, 
 
 As it was faid on this maneyr : — 
 
 ge wein to lak, bot ge commend 25 
 
 That natioun, as ge mak it kend : 
 
 Was neuer rcalme, nor rcgioun, 
 
 Wourth mair commcndatioun, 
 
 Than ar the few folk of Scotland, 
 
 As that ge gar ws vnderfland. 30 
 
56 fay, thair gaddering in to weiris, 
 
 May nocht exceid fyve hundreth fpeiris ; 
 
 And 56 ar ane michtie natioun, 
 
 Excelland in prefumptioun, 
 
 Ffor all landis lyand gow by 35 
 
 ge fupprefs with gour fengory ; 
 
 Owthir ge win thame to gour croun, 
 
 Or haldis thame in fubje6lioun ; 
 
 Bot the few folk of Scotland, 
 
 Quhilk by dry marchis ar lyand 40 
 
 Neir on to 50W, thai hald thair awin, 
 
 As it is maid vntill ws knawin ; 
 
 And will cum with thair poweir, 
 
 Playn ge, or gour land, of weir, 
 
 And day and nycht will ly thairin, 45 
 
 And in gour licht gour landis ' bryne ;** 
 
 gour cattale, and gour gudis, thay ta ; 
 
 And fpairis nathing gour felf to (la ; 
 
 Thus fuffer thay on na kin wyf, 
 
 50W of fie micht to do fuppryf ; 50 
 
 I3ot euir thay quyt gow lill for lall, 
 
 Or that ge Ikaill the market all : 
 
 That natioun may ge nocht defame, 
 
 Bot gif ge fmyt gour awin with fchame ! 
 
 The king of France thairfor think me, 55 
 
 Suld hald thame in to mair daintie. 
 
 That fo few folk, of fo lytill micht, 
 
 Aganis gow can manteine thair fecht, 
 
 Vpon the dry merchis lyand. 
 
 As it is gart ws vnderftand. — 60 
 
 Quhen this was faid the Inglifmen, 
 War fchamit of thair wourdis than, 
 And hold thame ftill, and fpak no mair. 
 In till difpyt as thai did ayr. 
 
 fiinita refponfio llluftriffimi ducis Orlianen- 
 lis in honoremet defenfionem Scotorum. 
 
THE BLUDY SERK. 
 
THE author of this admired ballad^ which owes its -pre- 
 servation to Bannatyne's Manuscript^ was our fine moral 
 poet Robert Henryson, who flourished in the latter part of 
 the Fifteenth Century. His poems, although they have never 
 been collected, and only partially printed, are pretty gene- 
 rally known, and, in particular, his Robene and Makyne, 
 which is allowed to be the earliest and one of the finest pas- 
 torals in our language. There is no perfect edition of his 
 Fables, which, it may be observed, were on the eve of being 
 sent to press, from the excellent manuscript in the Bri- 
 tish Museum, when our ancient literature lost one of its 
 most zealous and active supporters, in the late Sir Alex- 
 ander Boswell. 
 
 This manuscript, written in the year 1571, the Editor 
 conceives may have been a transcript from a printed copy, as 
 the Fables certainly were printed more than once about that 
 period. In the Sale Catalogue of the curious library of Sir 
 Andrew Balfour, M. D, which was dispersed by auction at 
 Edinburghinl695, an edition printed there in 1570 occurs ; 
 but no copy of so early a date is at present known. If these 
 Fables ever should have the good fortune to be re-published, 
 besides the advantage of having many of them preserved in 
 different ancient manuscripts, some curious elucidations 
 might be received from an English version by Richard 
 Smith, which appeared at London in 1577, under the title of 
 " The Fabulous Tales of Efope the Phrygian, compiled 
 mofte eloquently in Scottiflie Metre by Mafter Robert Hen- 
 rifon, T; now lately Engliftied."" The translator, who is like- 
 wise the printer of the volume, speaks of these fables as^^verie 
 eloquent and full of great invention^'' and, referring to one of 
 the printed copies, exposed, as the custom was, for sale, he says, 
 
 " Late passing thorowe Paules Church yarde, Aside I cast mine eye 
 And ere I wist, to me appearde, Sir Esope by and by 
 Apparelled both braue and fine, After the Scottish guise," &c. 
 
' %ijt bluop Mv% 
 
 THis hindir ^eir I hard be tald, 
 Thair was a worthy Khig ; 
 Dukis, ErHs, and Barronis bald, " 
 
 He had at his bidding. 
 The Lord was anceanc, and aid, 5 
 
 And fcxty geiris cowth ring ; 
 He had a dochter, fair to fald, 
 A lufty lady ging. 
 
 Off all fairheid fcho bur the flour, 
 
 And oik hir faderis air ; 10 
 
 Off' lufty laitis, and he honour ; 
 ■ Mcik, bot and debonair: 
 Scho wynnit in a bigly hour ; 
 
 On fold wcs none fo fair, 
 Princis luvit hir paramour, 15 
 
 In cuntrcis our all quhair. 
 
 Thair dwelt a lyt befyde the King 
 
 A fowll Gyane of anc ; 
 Stollin he hes the lady ^ing, 
 
 Away with hir is ganc ; 20 
 
 And keft hir in his dungering, 
 
 Quhair licht fcho micht fe nane : 
 Hungir and cauld, and grit thrifting, 
 
 Scho fand in to hir wane. 
 
 He wcs the laithlicft on to luk 25 
 
 That on the grund mycht gang : 
 His nailis wes lyk ane hcllis cruk, 
 
 Thairwith fyve quartcris lang. 
 
 Thair 
 
 1. 21. It is ' wainu' or ' wanie.' in the Mf. 
 
Thair wcs nane that he ourtuk, 
 
 In rycht oi git in wrang, 30 
 
 But all in fchondir he thamc fchuke ; 
 
 The Gyane wes fo llrang. 
 
 He held the lady day and nycht, 
 
 Within his deip dungeoun ; 
 He wald nocht gif of hir a ficht 35 
 
 For gold nor gh ranfoun. 
 Bot gife the King mycht get a Knycht, 
 
 To fecht with his perfoun, — 
 To fecht with him, both day and nycht, 
 
 Quhill ane wer dungin doun. 40 
 
 The King gart feik baith fer and neir, 
 
 Beth be fe and land, 
 Off ony 'knycht gife he niicht heir, 
 
 Wald fecht with that Gyand. 
 A worthy Prince, that had no peir, 45 
 
 Hes tane the deid on hand, 
 For the luve of the lady cleir; 
 
 And held full trew cunnand. 
 
 That Prince come prowdly to the toun, 
 
 Of that Gyane to heir ; 50 
 
 And fawcht with him, his awin perfoun, 
 
 And tuke him prefoneir ; 
 And kell him in his awin dungeoun: 
 
 AUane withouttin feir, 
 With hungir, cauld, and confufioun, 55 
 
 As full Weill worthy weir. 
 
 Syne brak the bour, had hame the bricht, 
 
 Vnto hir fadir ' he"* : 
 Sa evil wondit was the knycht. 
 
 That he behuvit to de : 60 
 
 Vnlufum 
 
 1. 58. « deir' Mf. 
 
Vnlufum was his likamc dicht ; 
 
 His fark was all bludy ; 
 In all the warld was thair a wicht 
 
 So petyou{i for to fe ! 
 
 Tlic lady murnyt, and maid grit monc, 65 
 
 With all her mekle micht : 
 I lufit nevir lufe, bot one, 
 
 That dulfully now is dicht ! 
 God fen my lyfe wer fra me tone, 
 
 Or I liad fene gone ficht ; 70 
 
 Or ellis in begging evir to gone, 
 
 Furth with gone curtafs knycht. 
 
 He faid, fair lady now monc I 
 
 De, treftly go me trow : 
 Tak ge my fark that is bludy, 75 
 
 And hing it forrow gow : 
 Firft think on it, and fyne on me, 
 
 Qiihcn men cumis gow to wow. 
 The lady faid, be Mary fre, 
 
 Thairto I mak a wow. 80 
 
 Quhen that fcho lukit to the ferk, 
 
 Scho thocht on the perfoim : 
 And prayit for him with all hir hartc, 
 
 That lowfd hir of bandoun : 
 Quhair fcho was wont to fit full mcrk 85 
 
 In that deip dungeoun : 
 And ever quhill fcho wes in quert, 
 
 That wafs hir a leflbun. 
 
 Sa Weill the lady luvit the Knycht, 
 
 That no man wald fcho tak : 90 
 
 Sa fuld we do our God of micht 
 
 That did all for ws mak ; 
 
 Quhilk 
 
 1. Gl. ' his likamc' is, /lis body, (from the Isl. lykamc, corpus,) 
 wliicli Sibbalil, supjwsing it an error of the transcriber, chose to 
 uher to ' lynkonic,' linen, and tlien bring forward this as an addi- 
 tional presumption that Ilcnryson t«/.s the author of ' Christ's Kirk 
 on tile Greene,' because, forsooth, the word lijiiUovu occurs in it ! 
 
Quhilk fullely to deid wes dicht, 
 
 For finfull manis faik : 
 Sa fuld we do, both day and nycht, 95 
 
 With prayaris to him mak. 
 
 iMoralitas, 
 
 This King is lyk the Trinitie 
 
 Baith in hevin and heir: 
 The Manis faule to the Lady : 
 
 The Gyane to Lucefeir : 1 00 
 
 The Knycht to Chryft, that deit on tre, 
 
 And coft our fynnis deir : 
 The pit to hell, with panis fell ; 
 
 The fyn to the woweir. 
 
 The Lady was wowd, but fcho faid nay, 105 
 
 With men that wald hir wed ; 
 Sa fuld we wryth all fyn away, 
 
 That in our breillis bred. 
 I pray to Jefu Chryll verrey 
 
 For ws his blud that bled, 110 
 
 To be our help on domyfday, 
 
 Quhair lawis ar llraitly led. 
 
 The faule is Godis dochtir deir. 
 
 And eik his handewerk, 
 That was betrafit with Lucifeir, 115 
 
 Quha fittis in hell, full merk. 
 Borrowit with Chryftis angell cleir, 
 
 Hend men ! will ^e nocht herk ? 
 For his lufe that bocht ws deir. 
 
 Think on the Bludy Serk ! 
 
 ffinis q; mr. R. Henryci. 
 
SIR JOHN ROWLL'S CURSING. 
 
Dunbar, n* his Lavwntjbr the Death of the Makkaris, 
 bezvaih the Jaie of two contemporary poets named RowU, 
 with whom he seems to have been familiar. He says : 
 
 Death hes tane llowU of Abirdene 
 And gentill KowU of Corftorphyn ; 
 Two bettir fallowis did no man fie ; 
 
 Timor mortis eoMurhat me a / 
 
 But so little is h^iozcn concerning these two ecclesiastics^ as 
 to leave ituncertain which of them should he considered author 
 of the folloiving singular invective : — which, indeed, is the 
 solitary memorial that remains of the talents of either one 
 or other of two men, who received from their illustrious 
 friend this testimony to the ciccellence of their natural dis- 
 positions. 
 
 Sir David Lyndsay also names Rowll with other Scotish 
 Poets, of whom he says, 
 
 * Thocht thay be deid, thair libellis bene levand, 
 Quhilkis, to reherfe, makith reidaris to rejofe •>.' 
 
 RowlFs j)oem has been presei-ved both in George Ban- 
 natyne''s and Sir Richard Maitland's collections of old 
 Scotish poetry. Lord Hailes says, < Whether it was written 
 by him, or only in his name, I know not. The following 
 passage in it (he adds) determines the aera at which he 
 lived. 
 
 *' and now of Rome that beiris the rod, 
 
 Undir the hevin to lowfe and bind, 
 Palp Alexander." 
 
 » Bann. Mf. fol. 104. '■ J.yndsay's Works, vol. I. p. 285. 
 
The Pont iff here vieant vmst have been the v'irtuo7(s Alex- 
 ander VI. ivhotcas! Divine V'ice-gerent//-o?// 1492 to 150')^'." 
 And Dunbar's po^m, zahich commemorates their death, -ivas 
 printed in the year 150(S. 
 
 Pinkerton mentions the folloroing' poem w-ith great con- 
 tempt, st^liuff it a stupid and despicable production, and 
 qtioting the last lines, 
 
 " This Iragcihj is callit, but dreid 
 Kowlis curfing, qulia will it rcid." 
 
 says the author ' might have put a point of interrogation 
 at the close^."* The name of Tragedy, in the language of 
 those times, zaas applied to any descriptive poem, nor icas 
 it appropriated to dramatic compositions in England be- 
 fore the reign of Henry VIII., although no regular tra- 
 gedy zcas produced earlier than January 15G1, vchen I'er- 
 rex and Porrex was first represented. 
 
 Sir John RowlTs Cursing may he considered as a reli- 
 gious satire, being, as Lord Ilailos justly observed, " an 
 invective against those who defraud the clergy of their 
 dues, and has no resemblance to any sort of dramatic com- 
 position'^.'''' Dr. ^jvytXcwHliovght that in acrimony it was Ut- 
 ile inferior to Sterne's chapter of curses : and the author\'! 
 invocation of all the devils to revenge the stealing of his 
 geese, he considered as formins; a curious eonfrast to Sir 
 John of Grantani's curse for the Millers eels that were 
 stolen, recorded in Ilarsnefs Detection of Kgregious Im- 
 postures. 
 
 ' IJannatyiic I'oems, 1770, p. '^72. '^ Maiiland idpnis, ITSfi, p. I.^I. 
 
 * IJannatyne I'ocnis, 177i', p. 'i7(>. ' (Jlossary to ilii- C'omplivnt of 
 
 Scotland. I HOI, p. ;'.2!>. 
 
• All you that have stolen the Miller's eelis, 
 
 Laudate Dominutn de calls ; 
 And all that have consented thereto, 
 Benedicamus Domino. 
 
 After the author has excommunicated 
 
 ' Baith the halderis and conceilaris 
 Ressetaris and the preve steilaris' 
 
 and bade them * hy to the pot of hell,' the lines 
 
 In hellis hoill quhair nevir is licht. 
 Nor nevir is day, hot evir nicht, 
 Quhair nevir is joy evin & morrow 
 Bot endlis pane, dule & sorrow, 
 Quhair nevir is petie nor concord. 
 Nor amitie, bot discord. 
 Malice, rancour & invy, &c. 
 
 are very striking, and remind us of the impressive des- 
 cription by a greater poet, of 
 
 A dungeon horrible on all sides round. 
 
 As one great furnace flam'd ; yet from those flames 
 
 No light ; but rather darkness visible 
 
 Serv'd only to discover sights of woe. 
 
 Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 
 
 And rest can never dwell ; hope never comes, 
 
 That comes to all ; but torture without end 
 
 Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed 
 
 With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed— 
 
 Milton. 
 
tije curCing of S)^ 3Ioi)ne JRotolis 
 tmpDun tije fteilam of |)i6 fotoli^* 
 
 DEVYNE power of michtis maift 
 Of Fadir Sone and Haly Ghaift 
 Jefu Chryft and his appoftillis 
 Petir Paule and his difcipillis 
 
 And all ])e power vndir God 5 
 
 And now of Rome ])at beiris the rod 
 Vndir ]>e hevin to lowfe & bind 
 Paip Alexander pat we do fynd 
 W fat power that Petir gaif 
 
 Godis braid malefone nixt thay haif 10 
 
 And all pe blude about fair hairt 
 Blak be pair hour blak be fair pairt 
 For fyve fat geifs of fir Johne Rowlis 
 W caponis heis and vfir fowlis 
 
 Baith fe halderis and conceilaris 15 
 
 Reflettaris and the preve fteilaris 
 And he fat faulis faifis and damis 
 Beteich the devill thair guttis and gamis 
 Thair toung thair teith thair handis thair feit 
 And all thair body haill compleit 20 
 
 That brak his ^aird and ftall his frutt 
 And raif his erbis vp be fe rute 
 
His quheit his aitis his peifs his beir 
 
 In ftowk or ftak to do him deir 
 
 In barne in houfs in kill or mill 25 
 
 Except it had bene his aAvin will 
 
 His wow his lamb his cheis his ftirk 
 
 Or ony teyndis of haly kirk 
 
 And all pat lattis vnkend or knawln 
 
 The vicar to difpone his awin SO 
 
 Kirkland hay or gerfs to awaill 
 
 Be thair fupport red or counfall 
 
 Now curfit and wareit be pair werd 
 
 Quhill thay be levand on this erd 
 
 Hungir fturt and tribulatioun 35 
 
 And nevir to be w*out vexatioun 
 
 Of vengance forrow fturt and cair 
 
 Gracelefs thriftles and threid bair 
 
 All tymes in pair legafie 
 
 Fyre fword watter and woddie 40 
 
 Or ane of thir infirmeteis 
 
 Off warldly fcherp aduerfeteis 
 
 Pouertie peftilence or peplecy 
 
 Dum deif or edropofy 
 
 Maigram madnefs or miffilry 45 
 
 Appoftrum or pe perlocy 
 
 Fluxis hy vis or huttit ill 
 
 Hoift heidwark or fawin ill 
 
 Kald kanker feiftir or feveris 
 
 Brukis bylis blobbis and bleiftiris 50 
 
 Emeroidefe or the fair halfs 
 
 The pokkis the fpaving in pe halfs 
 
 The panefull gravell and the gutt 
 
 The gulfoch that they nevir be but 
 
 Seattica and arrattica 55 
 
 The cruke the cramp the collica 
 
 The worme the wareit wedonypha 
 
 Rumburlin rippillis or bellythra 
 
The choikis that haldis the chaftis fra chowing 
 Golkgaliter at the hairt growinor 60 
 
 The ftane wring ftane and ftanebhacl 
 The bcrne bed and mor behind 
 The ftx-angelour and grit glengloir 
 The harchatt in ]ie hppis befoir 
 
 The inowlis and y fleip the mair 65 
 
 The kanker and the kattair 
 Mott fall vpoun thair kankart corfs 
 With all ]>c evil that evir had horfs 
 Fifehe fowll beift or man 
 
 In erd fen firft |ie warld began 70 
 
 , ■ Till thay remember or thay de 
 Repentand j^air iniquitie 
 And draw jiair inclinatioun 
 Fra ftowth to contemplatioun 
 
 Fra feyndis fell fubiectioun 75 
 
 To lialy kirkis correctioun 
 Sua thay mak plane confeflloun 
 Thair gud will and contritioun 
 Confefl'and ])ame to |;air curatt 
 
 That in ])air hairtis is evill indurat 80 
 
 Na vpir preift hes power nor freir 
 And thay that daly will perfeveir 
 Nocht dreidand God in work nor word 
 Nor ^it of haly kirk the fuord 
 
 Bot in ])air curfit and finfull wayis 85 
 
 Levand and dryvand our thair dayis 
 Nor alk God mercy nor repent 
 Than this falbe j'air facrament 
 Fra God our Lady and all thair hallowis 
 To ])C feynd })air faulis thair craig the gallowis 90 
 I gif and Cerberus thair ])anis fall knaw 
 For ])air difpyt of \>c kirkis law 
 Gog and Magog and grym Garog 
 The devill of hell the theif Harog 
 
Sym Skynar and S^ Garnega 95 
 
 Julius appoftata 
 
 Prince Pluto and quene Cokatrice 
 
 Devetinus pe devill pat maid ye dyce 
 
 Cokadame and Semiamis 
 
 Fyremouth and Tutivillus 100 
 
 And Browny als pat can play kow 
 
 Behind pe claith w* mony mow 
 
 All thir about the beir falbe 
 
 Singand ane dolorus dergie 
 
 And vpiris devillis thair falbe fene 105 
 
 Als thik as mot in fonis heme 
 
 Thair faU thay kary in pair clukis 
 
 Sum libberlais and fum hell crukis 
 
 Sum \vt kais and fum w* kardis 
 
 Sum w' quhippis of leddrin tardis HQ 
 
 Sum w^ clubbis and mellis of leid 
 
 Sum w' brandrathis birnand reid 
 
 Sum w' rupillis lyk a Ikait 
 
 And geifs and caponis roftit hait 
 
 That fal be lafchit on pair lippis 115 
 
 Cum thay w4n pe devillis grippis 
 
 W Ikulgeoun clowttis and drefling knyvis 
 
 Piatt for plat on p' gyngyvis 
 
 Sayis richt thus of Rowlis geifs 
 
 Thame chaftis pame chowit every peifs 120 
 
 For thow art he and thow art fcho 
 
 That Rowlis blak robene put in bro 
 
 And thow art fcho that ftall pe hen 
 
 And put her in pe pot pair ben 
 
 Lo this is he pat wt his hairt 125 
 
 Wald nevir gif the vicar his pairt 
 
 Bot ay abowt for to diffaif 
 
 The haly kirk pat it fowld haif 
 
 Than ruff'y talker w' his flaill 
 
 Sail beit pame all fra top to taill 130 
 
And rutty ragme wt his taggis 
 Sail ryfe pir finfuU faule in raggis 
 And quhen pe devillis hes fame tirvit 
 All fair faulis fal be tranfformit 
 
 Sum in bichis and fum in beiris 135 
 
 Sum in mvlis and fum in meiris 
 Aganis the ftatour pat thay wer in 
 For vengence of fair deidly fin 
 To ryd and tak pofleflioun 
 
 Throw all hell vp and doun 140 
 
 And w' grit din and deray 
 Compeir fall Sathan but delay 
 Sayand richt thus w* fentece he 
 Vpoun fe day fat thow fall de 
 
 I devill of deillis I ^ow codame 145 
 
 For geis for ^owis for woll for lame 
 Thairfoir hy gow to f e pott of hell 
 W* Sathan our Abirone to dwell 
 As feyndis fpreitis perpetualy 
 
 For to remane in mefary 150 
 
 Deip Acheron gour faulis invaid 
 As blak as ruch as ony taid 
 Snaykis ferpentis and edderis 
 Mott ftuf ^o"^ bellyis & 30' bledderis 
 In hellis hoill q' nevir is licht 155 
 
 Nor nevir is day bot evir nicht 
 Q"^ nevir is joy evin & morrow 
 Bot endlis pane dule & forrow 
 Q^ nevir is petie nor concord 
 
 Nor amitie bot difcord 160 
 
 Malice racour & invy 
 W magry &e malacoly 
 Than fra fe fentencc be on fame said 
 Grit Baliall fall gif a braid 
 
 And bcikwart Icip vpon a beir 165 
 
 Sum on anc nivle fum on n mcir 
 
Sum on wolffis and fum on wic his 
 
 Sum on brodfowis fum on bichis 
 
 Tlian is pair no' bot fadill & brydill 
 
 Thir outtit meiris hes lang gane ydill IjTO 
 
 Bot fie ane clawing w* pair clukis 
 
 And fic ane reirding w' f rukis 
 
 Rapand w"^ ane hiddowis beir 
 
 Cryand all is ouris pat is heir 
 
 The memberis of the wickit me 175 
 
 That ftaw the gufe pe cok the hen 
 
 Thay falbe revin be pe throttis 
 
 For cutting of the fovvlis croppis 
 
 Syne led in to wis and in lang tedderis 
 
 And daly etin w' taidis & edderis 180 
 
 That all pe court of hevin may knaw 
 
 Thay war the thevis pat Rowlis geifs ftaw 
 
 For quhy grit God our hieft juge 
 
 He gaif decreit but refuge 
 
 That all pykaris of pultre 185 
 
 Gais no' to hevin bot thay fall fle 
 
 To hell wtout redeptioun 
 
 Q"^ is no remiflioun 
 
 The forme of thir vgly devillis 
 
 Thay hafe lang tailis en pair heilis 190 
 
 And rupillis hingand on pair tailis 
 
 Dragoun heidis & warwolf nalis 
 
 W glowrane eyne as glitterad glafs 
 
 W bowgillis & hornis maid of brafs 
 
 And dyverfs facis repleit w' yre 195 
 
 Spowtad venu & fparkis of fyre 
 
 And fum w' teith and tegir tungis 
 
 Attour pair chin w' bludy dangis 
 
 Spottit and fprinklit vp & doun 
 
 Reid attry lyk a fcorpioun ?0O 
 
 And fum ar fmeith & fum are rueh 
 
 1. 182 may be ' Ebin' in the Mf. 1. 183 ' cvin.' Mf. I. 1<>,5 ' eyne.' Mf. 
 
And fiiin ar lyk ane i'erpcntis llucli 
 
 W* prik mule ciris fum ar lyk 
 
 Thair eiris neifs ar lyk anc midding tyk 
 
 W gaippand niowth richt gaip to fwelly 205 
 
 The mair the lefs devill in his belly 
 
 Of fair fowle fegouris na ma can tell 
 
 Tho* thay wer fevin geiris in hell 
 
 To leir to paynt portoiir or blafoun 
 
 Thair forme & thayr feyndly fallbun 210 
 
 Thair vgfiim horribiliteis 
 
 Nor ^it na ])' fchaipis w' fcheiris 
 
 Tlio' infineit he be of gciris 
 
 Maift principaly to fchaip ])air graith 
 
 In hell for fteilling heir of claith 215 
 
 Can conterfit nor mak it meit 
 
 Ane gabart for a deill copleit 
 
 And git in hell ar mony anc 
 
 That faid }»ai war als trew as ftane 
 
 Gif p' be ony in pis houfs 220 
 
 That beiris ])e nedill gorrit fe lowfs 
 
 I fame befeik thay be no' wraith 
 
 Suppois they clyit haif parte of claith 
 
 Bot feik ])e caufs and leif ]>e dcid 
 
 And blame fe fcheiris fat raif fo fkrcid 225 
 
 And quha fat fteilis & on ftowth levis 
 
 Curfit mot thay be amang thir thevis 
 
 Now to f e effect ga will I 
 
 And fpeik of feyndis phantefy 
 
 In court no' wt f e qucne of fary 230 
 
 But heltaris heidtailis fonkis or fadillis 
 
 But butis or fpurris crukis or ladillis 
 
 VV full bcrdis blafand in fe wind 
 
 And hett fpcilis in fair taill behind 
 
 Than inftar tafy w' liis jaggis 235 
 
 And l)elly balfy w' his baggis 
 
 At hellis 3cttis fall mak fic reirding 
 
On thir fteillaris of geifs fall ding 
 
 That it beis hard in middil erd 
 
 The grit flappis w* fie faird 240 
 
 Thunder blaftis & fyre fall blaw 
 
 That na devill may ane vpir knaw 
 
 For reik ftynk & bryntftane birnand 
 
 Devillis gelpand gaipand and girnand 
 
 Than fall Baliall gif ane brattill 245 
 
 And all the thevis in hell fall ftartill 
 
 Lyk to ane gaid of yrne or fteill 
 
 That doun war finkand in ane weill 
 
 Sa fall thay ga to endles pane 
 
 And nevir to cum hame agane 250 
 
 Now Jefu for thy paffioun 
 And deit for our redemptioun 
 Of makynd half mercy fone 
 Latt never this fentece fall hame vpone 
 Bot grant pame grace ay till forbeir 255 
 
 Reflet or ftowth of vjjir meis geir 
 And als agane pe geir reftoir 
 Till Rowl as I hafe faid befoir 
 And to repent thay may in tyme 
 Pray we to God thus endis ryme 260 
 
 This tragedy is callit but dreid 
 RowLis CURSING quha will it reid. 
 
 a ROWLL. 
 
 ilinis. 
 
 1. 847 ' bla' in the Mf. is inserted before ' Baliall' apparently by mistake. 
 
TAYIS BANK. 
 
TWYSBANK^ one of the popular airs mentioned in Col- 
 kelbie''s Sow, has been conjectured * to be the appropj-iate 
 tune of the following beautiful song, which owes its pre- 
 servation to George Bannatyne, in whose ' ballat-buiJc' it 
 occurs. Although an affected quaintness has somewhat dis- 
 figured it by a redundance of alliteration, yet as a descrip- 
 tive poem, it is possessed of considerable merit ; and as few 
 if any, of the Scotish songs now extant, are of equal anti~ 
 quity, it is remarkable that ' Tayis bank' should have escap- 
 ed the notice of Ritson, and other collectors of our Lyric 
 poetry. Not many years since, however, a copy of it ap- 
 peared in the British Bibliographer*^, to which work it 
 was transmitted by the late Henry Weber, whose services 
 in publishing, with great fidelity and care, several of the 
 early Metrical Romances in our vernacular tongue, have 
 not been duly appreciated. 
 
 From the context of this poem, says Mr. Weber, " it 
 appears to have been composed on a lady of the noble fami- 
 ly o/^ Perth, named Margaret ; and it may be conjectured 
 with almost more than probability, that the subject of the 
 poem was Margaret, eldest daughter of Sir John Drum- 
 mond, lo7'd of that ilk, and Stobhall, who is stated to have 
 been contracted to King James IV. and had a daughter by 
 him, afterwards married to Alexander, Earl of Huntley." 
 Should this supposition respecting the lady be deemed well 
 founded, the reader may feel some interest in the description 
 contained in the quotation that is annexed. The poem 
 itself may unquestionably be attributed to the reign of our 
 gallant Motiarch James IV. 
 
 ^Leydcn, Complaynt of Scotland, Introd. p. 283. Ho\. 229. 'Vol. IV. p. 186. 
 
' Xapis banfe/ 
 
 Quhen Tayis bank wes blumyt brycht, 
 
 With blofvmes blycht and bred, 
 Be that riuer that ran doun rycht, 
 
 Vndir the ryfs I red ; 
 The merle melit with all hir mycht 5 
 
 And mirth in mornying maid, 
 Throw folacc, found, and femely ficht, 
 
 Alfwth a fang I faid. 
 
 Vndir that bank, quhair blifs had bene, 
 
 I bownit me to abyde ; 10 
 
 Ane holene, hevinly hewit grene, 
 
 Rycht heyndly did me hyd ; 
 The fone fchyne our the fchawis fchene 
 
 Full femely me befyd ; 
 In bed of blumes bricht befene 15 
 
 A fleip cowth me ourflyd. 
 
 About all blumet wes my bour 
 
 With blofummes broun and blew, 
 O'fret with mony fair frefch flour, 
 
 Helfum of hevinly hew ; 20 
 
 With fchakeris of the fchene dew fchour 
 
 Schynnyng my courtenis fchew, 
 Arrayit with a rich vardour 
 
 Of natouris werkis new. 
 
 Rafinff 
 
Rafing the birdis fra thair reft 25 
 
 The reid fone raifs with rawis ; 
 The lark fang lowd, quhill lycht mycht left, 
 
 A lay of luvis la wis ; 
 The nythingall woik of hir neft 
 
 Singing the day vpdawis ; 30 
 
 The mirthfuU maveifs merrieft 
 
 Schill fchowttit throw the fchawis. 
 
 All flouris grew that firth within, 
 
 That man cowth haif in mynd ; 
 And in that flud all fifche with fyn, S5 
 
 That creat wer be kynd : 
 Vndir the rise the ra dyd ryn, 
 
 Our ron, our rute, our rynd, 
 The dvn deir danfit with a dyn, 
 
 And herdis of hairt and hynd. 40 
 
 Wod winter with his wallowand wynd. 
 
 But weir, away wes went : 
 Brafit about with wyld wodbynd 
 
 Wer bewis on the bent : 
 Allone vnder the lufty lynd, 45 
 
 I faw ane lufum lent, 
 That fairly war fo fare to fynd, 
 
 Vndir the firmament. 
 
 Scho wes the luftieft on lyve, 
 
 Allone lent on a land, 50 
 
 And fareft figour, be fct. Syve, 
 
 That evir in firth I fand. 
 Hir cumly cullour to difcryve 
 
 I dar nocht tak on hand ; 
 Moir womanly borne of a wyfe 55 
 
 Wes neuer, I dar warrand. 
 
 To 
 
To creatur that wes in carr. 
 
 Or eauld of crewelty, 
 A blicht blenk of hir vefage bair 
 
 Of baill his bate mycht be ; 60 
 
 Hir liyd, hir hew, hir hevinly hair 
 
 Mycht havy hairtis vphie ; 
 So angehk vnder the air 
 
 Neuir wicht I faw with E. 
 
 The blofummes that wer blycht and brycht 65 
 
 By hir wer blacht and blew ; 
 Scho gladit all the foull of flicht 
 
 That in the forreft flew ; 
 Scho mycht haif comfort king or knycht 
 
 That ever in cuntre I knew 70 
 
 As waill, and well of wardly wicht 
 
 In womanly vertcw. 
 
 Hir cuDour cleir, hir countinance, 
 
 Hir cumly criftall ene, 
 Hir portratour of moft plefance 75 
 
 All pictour did prevene. 
 Off every vertew to avance 
 
 Quhen ladeis prafit bene, 
 Rychteft in my remembrance 
 
 That rofe is rutit grene. 80 
 
 This myld meik menfuet Mergrite, 
 
 This perle polift moft quhyt. 
 Dame Natouris deir dochter difcreit, 
 
 The dyamant of dely t ; 
 Never formit wes to found on feit 85 
 
 Ane figour more perfyte. 
 Nor non on mold that did hir meit, 
 
 Mycht mend hir wirth a myte. 
 
 This 
 
This myrthfull maid to meit I ment, 
 
 And merkit furth on mold ; 90 
 
 Bot fone within a wane fcho went, 
 
 Moft hevinly to behold ; 
 The bricht fone with his bemys blent 
 
 Vpoun the bertis bold, 
 Fareft vnder the firmament 95 
 
 That formit wes on fold. 
 
 As paradyce that place but peir 
 
 Wes plefant to my ficht ; 
 Of forreft, and of frefch reveir, 
 
 Of firth, and fowll of flicht, 1 00 
 
 Of birdis, bath on bonk and breir, 
 
 With blumes breckand bricht. 
 As hevin in to this erd doun heir, 
 
 Hertis to hald on hicht. 
 
 So went this womanly away 105 
 
 Amang thir woddis wyd, 
 And I to heir thir birdis gay 
 
 Did in a bonk abyd ; 
 Quhair ron and ryfs raifs in aray 
 
 Endlang the reuer fyd : 110 
 
 This hapnit me in a tyme in May 
 
 In till a morning tyd. 
 
 The reuer throw the ryfe cowth rowt 
 
 And roferis raifs on raw ; 
 The fchene birdis full fchill cowth fchowt 115 
 
 Into that feraly fchaw : 
 Joy wes within and joy without 
 
 Vnder that vnlenkeft waw, 
 Quhair Tay ran down with ftremis ftout 
 
 Full ftrecht vnder Stobfchaw. 1J20 
 
 ffillis. 
 
" Margaret Drummond, eldest daughter of John Lord 
 Drummond, was a Lady of rare perfections and singular 
 beautie. With her, the young King James the 4th was 
 [so] deeply enamoured, that without acquainting his 
 Nobles or Council, he was affianced to her in order to 
 have made her his Queen. But so soon as his intentions 
 were discovered, all possible obstructions were made both 
 by the Nobility, who designed an allyance w' a daughter 
 of England, as a mean to procure Peace betwixt the Na- 
 tions, and by the Clergie, who declared against the law- 
 fulness of the marriage, because they were within the de- 
 grees of consanguinity forbidden by the Canon Law. 
 Nevertheless, the King, under promise, gott her with 
 child, Avhich proved a daughter, [in the year 1497,] and 
 was called Lady Margaret Stewart ; but he was so mucli 
 touched in conscience for the engagement he had made to 
 the young Lady, that, notwithstanding the weakness of the 
 Royal family, he rejected all propositions of marriage, so 
 long as she lived : for he was crowned in the year 1488, at 
 the age of sixteen, and did not marry untill the year 1502, 
 when he was near thirty, and about a year after her death, 
 which was effected not without suspition of poison, for the 
 common tradition goes, that a potion was provided in a 
 breakfast to dispatch her for liberating the King from his 
 promise, that he might match with England ; but so it 
 happened that she called two of her sisters, then with her, 
 
Lady Flemyng and a younger [sister] Sybilla, a maid, 
 whereby it fell out all the three were destroyed with the 
 force of the poyson. They ly buried in a curious vault, 
 covered with 3 fair blue marble stones joined closs together, 
 about the middle of the quyre of the Cathedrall church 
 of Dumblane : for about this time the buriall place for the 
 family of Drummond at InnerpafFray was not yet built. 
 The Monument which contains the ashes of these three 
 lady's stands intire to this day, and confirms the credit of 
 this sad story." — History of the Family of Drum- 
 mond. [by William, Viscount of Strathallan,] 1681. MS. 
 folio. 188. Drumm. Castle. 
 
WELCUM TO MAY. 
 
THE finest 'poetical descriptions of external nature, not 
 unusually are found referable to the month of May — ' fair 
 May,' (in the words of' the gentle Spenser^ J — 
 
 — ' the fairest maid on ground, 
 
 who comes 
 
 Deckt all with dainties of her Season's pride 
 And throwing flow'rs out of her lap around.' 
 
 The present poem, which has something of a lyrical cha- 
 racter, is a pleasing specimen, to shew how attentive our 
 ancient poetical writers were in celebrating the praises 
 
 » Of lusty May, that mudder is of flouris.' 
 It is given from Bannatyne''s manuscript ^, which likewise 
 C07itains the earliest copy of the well known song ' O lufty 
 Maye, of Flora Quene/ mentioned in the Complaynt of 
 Scotland, and supposed to have been written by Alexander 
 Scott. 
 
 It is rather singidar that in the following poem no allu- 
 sions should be found to the games and pastimes peculiar 
 
 — ' to the mery moneth of May 
 Whan loue lads masken in fresh aray.' 
 
 This circumstance might warrant us in fixing the date 
 of its composition between the year 1555, rvhen all such 
 recreations were forbidden by an Act of Parliament'', (which 
 enjoined, that ' gif ony wemen or vthers about fimmer treis 
 lingand makis perturbatioun to the Quenis liegis in the 
 paffage throw Burrowis and vtheris landwart townis the 
 wemen perturbatouris for fkafrie of money or vtherwife 
 falbe takin handellit and put vpone the Cukftulis of euerie 
 Burgh or towne,''J — and the year 1568, when the manus- 
 cript, from which the poem is given, was compiled. 
 
 » Faerie Quene, B. vii. vii. 34. >> Mf. fol. 229''. ' Acts of Pari. vol. ii. p. 300. 
 
JKaelcum to fi0ai>; 
 
 Be glaid al ge that luvaris bene, 
 
 For now hes May depaynt with grene 
 
 The liillis, vaUs, and the medis ; 
 
 And flouris luftely vpfpreidis. 
 
 Awaik out of gour fluggairdy, 5 
 
 To heir the birdis melody ; 
 
 Quhois fuggourit nottis loud & cleir 
 
 Is now ane parradice to heir. 
 
 Go walk vpoun fum rever fair ; 
 
 Go tak the frefch and holfum air; 10 
 
 Go luke vpoun the flurift fell ; 
 
 Go feill the herbis plefand fmell ; 
 
 Quhilk will gour comfort gar incres, 
 
 And all avoyd gour havines. 
 
 The new cled purpo"" hevin efpy, 15 
 
 Behald the lark now in the Iky, 
 
 With befy wyng fcho clymis on hicht, 
 
 For grit joy of the dayis licht. 
 
 Behald the verdo*^ frefch of hew, 
 
 Powddcrit with grene, quhyt, and blew, 20 
 
 Quhairwith dame Flora, in this May, 
 
 Dois richely all the feild array ; 
 
 And how Aurora, with vifage pale, 
 
 Inbalmes with hir criftal hale. 
 
 The grene and tendir pylis ging, 25 
 
 Of every grefs that dois vpfpryng ; 
 
 And 
 
And with hir beriall droppis bricht, 
 
 Makis the grefys gleme of licht. 
 
 Luk on the aufir firmament, 
 
 And on the anammellit orient ; 30 
 
 Luke or Phebus put vp his heid, 
 
 As he dois raifs his baneris reid, 
 
 He dois the eift fo bricht attyre, 
 
 Tliat all femis birnyng in a fyre ; 
 
 Quhilk comfort dois to every thing, 35 
 
 Man, bird, beift, and fluriffing. 
 
 Quhairfoir luvaris be glaid and lycht, 
 
 For fchort[it] is gour havy nycht, 
 
 And lenthit is gour myrry day, 
 
 Thairfoir ge velcum now this May: 40 
 
 And birdis do ^our haill plefance 
 
 With mirry fong and obfervance, 
 
 This May to velcum at gour mycht, 
 
 At frefch Phebus vpryfing bricht : 
 
 And all the flouris that dois fpreid, 45 
 
 Lay fur' 50ur levis vpoun breid, 
 
 And welcum May with benyng cheir, 
 
 The queue of euery moneth cleir. 
 
 And euery man thank in his mynd 
 
 The God of natur and of kynd, 50 
 
 Quhilk ordanit all for our behufe, 
 
 The erd vndir, the air abufe, 
 
 Bird, beift, flour, tyme, day and nycht, 
 
 The planeitis haill to gif ws licht. 
 
 ffinis. 
 
THE TALE OF COLKELBIE SOW. 
 
THEJoUowing Tale, which is of considerable antiquity, 
 is now printed for the Jirst time, from Bannatyne's 
 Manuscript, preserved in the Library of the Faculty of 
 Advocates. It is contained in the Fifth part or division, of 
 this valuable Collection, commencing — " Heir follouis the 
 *'"' fy'ft pairt of this huik contenying the ffabellis ofEsop 
 " with diuerfs vthir fdbillis and poeticall worMs maid and 
 ** compyld he divers lernit men 1568." 
 
 On the back of this Title is the following Address : 
 
 TO THE KEOAB. 
 
 My freindis thir storeis subsequent 
 Albeid bot fabillis thay present 
 jit devyne doctowris of jugement 
 
 Sayis thair ar hid but dowt 
 Grave materis wyifs and sapient 
 Vnder the workis of poyetk gent 
 Thairfoir be war that thow consent 
 
 To blame thir heir set owt. 
 
 From internal evidence, the date o/*Cowkelbie Sow, or 
 Colkelbie, although posterior to Chaucen, evidently ap- 
 pears, from the Prohemium, to have been written during the 
 aera of Minstrelsy. With little hesitation, therefore, it 
 may be assigned to some time previous to the middle of the 
 Fifteenth Century — since it seems at least, to have been very 
 popular, considerably anterior to the age of Dowglas and 
 Dunbar, both qfivhomfourished in the reign of James IV. 
 
 ' The first wes the samyn Chanticleer to luke, 
 Of quhomc Chaucer treitis into his buke. (Vide Stanaa 778.) 
 
Gawin Dowglas thus emivierates Colkelbie^ among olher 
 heroes of romance^ represented in the Mirror of VeuK't — 
 
 I saw Raf Coil-rier with his thrawin brow, 
 
 o 
 Crabbit Johne the lleif, and Aitld Cou-Iccllpis Sow *. 
 
 In " Ane interlude of the laying of' a Gaist,'''' a burlesque 
 poem contained in Bannat}jne''s manuscript, and printed 
 for the first time in the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border*, 
 it is also noticed — 
 
 To reid quha will this gentiU geist 
 -rC herd it no' at Cokilby' s fcht ^. 
 
 And Dunbar, in his *' General Satire,^'' alludes to the poem, 
 in the following passage — 
 
 Sic knavis and crakkaris to play at carts and dyce 
 Sic halland-scheckaris whilk at Cinokclbyls gnjcc 
 Are haldyn of pryce when lyniaris do convene '. 
 
 The humour of this very singular composition, which is 
 professedly satirical, is certainly coarse, and the versifica- 
 tion exceedingly irregular. But the poem, although refey-- 
 ring in its allusions (as Dr. Leyden has observed) to local 
 and temporary circumstances, which are not obvious at this 
 distance of time ; throws much light on the manners and 
 rustic festivities of the Scotish peasantry, during a very early 
 period. From the minuteness of its description, it is also 
 highly illustrative of the music, dances, and musical instru- 
 ments in common use in Scotland, in the Fifteenth Century. 
 And what adds, in no small degree, to its ititerest, is the 
 
 » Part iii. Si. W. ^ Vol. 1. p. clxiv. ♦ Batin. MS. • Bann. MS. 
 
consideration^ that the names of the greater proportion of 
 the airs, dances, and songs, enumerated in Colkelbie''s Sow, 
 are otherwise unknown. 
 
 No other copy of the poem, than that from which the 
 present transcript was made, is Jcnown to exist. In the 
 manuscript, possessed hy Sir Alexander Boswell of Auch- 
 inleck, Baronet, alluded to elsewhere in the present Collec- 
 tion, there appears to have been a copy ; but most unfortii- 
 nately it has shared the same fate with Half Coil^ear, and 
 some others of the curious tales and romances, which it once 
 contained. 
 
 Of the Author of this Popidar Tale, there is no trace 
 whatever in the manuscript ; and neither Dr. Leyden, who, 
 in his learned introduction to the Complaynt of Scotland, 
 has given various extracts from it, nor any other writer 
 who notices its existence, seem to have Known Ms name. 
 The Arms at the end of the Prohemium, of which an accu- 
 rate facsimile has been made, seem to be those of George 
 Bannatyne the transcriber, as they very closely correspond 
 with the Arms of the family of Bannatyne. 
 
 The orthography of the manuscript, has been strictly fol- 
 lowed ; and no liberties have been taken, with the exception 
 of a few of the contracted words, the preservation of which 
 could have answered no good purpose, and would no doubt 
 have been embarrassing to those unaccustomed to the peru- 
 sal of ancient manusc7-ipts. 
 
 K. P. 
 
 EDINBURGH, Nov. 1821. 
 
j^eir beflpnnis Colfeelfaie &oio. 
 
 PROHEMIUM. 
 
 QUHEN rialleft nioft rcdowttit and he 
 Magnificat crownit kingis in maiefte 
 Princis duces and marquis curiouf 
 Erlis barronis and kny'tis chevelrouf 
 And gentillmen of hd genolegye 5 
 
 As scutiferais and squieris full courtlye 
 At aflemblit and fett in a ryell fe 
 W' namit folkis of he nobilite 
 Thair talk pat tyme in table honorable 
 Befoir lordingis and ladeis amiable 10 
 
 Is eft finging and fawis of folace 
 Quhair melody is ]>c mirtlifuU maiftrace 
 Ermy deidis in auld dayis done afoir 
 Croniculis gcftis ftoreis and mich moir 
 
 Manef trails 
 
Maneftralis amang mvficianis merely 15 
 
 To half hartis in hevinly armony 
 So semis it weill pat futhly fo war ay 
 Quhat is ]>e warla w*out plefance or play 
 Bot pafsionale Than lat ws mak fum fport 
 And recreatioun the cumpany to confort 20 
 
 Wold my lordis do fe quho wold begin it 
 Quho fall furthfchaw or quho fall first fall in it 
 Quho fall w' difcreit correctioun of 30 w 
 Bot I quho hath begune this mat' now 
 For begynnyng w*out end quhat availis 25 
 
 Bot lyk a tre flureift quhair the fruct falls 
 To quhich all men of quliat eftait he be 
 W recent mynd fuld evir haif his E 
 No* to begin flureift and fyne decrefs 
 The langir lyfe the gud loff than to cefs 30 
 
 Quhat fal be said bot at his ending he 
 Frome on fair ymp fell down a Avidderit tre 
 The lyfe is gone the lofs lefting is loft 
 The begynning thay fay wes bot a woft 
 Quhairfoir ge men moft honorable at all 35 
 
 Quhich eternall wald haif memoriall 
 Gyd 50W fo pat first gour God plefit be 
 And obtene name and wirchep quhen ^e de 
 And quho will no* eftir his gudly powere 
 Confidering his eftait go profefs him a maftere 40 
 
 Or fuftene lak fo may he lyknit be 
 A fair flureifs fadit in a falty tre 
 All be my felf is this symylitude 
 Suld I begin to fport and no* conclude 
 Than wold ge all belyve fay lo him gondir 45 
 
 That fet to bourd and left it in a blondir 
 Quhairfoir I will fay of my fantefy 
 Sum folafing to glaid this cumpany 
 Bot for Godis luve and his appoftiil Petir 
 Pardoun the fulich face of this mad metir 50 
 
 Sen 
 
Sen pe fentence to feill is fantaftike 
 
 Lat the lettir and langagc be fuch like 
 
 Sen all the world changis fo mony facis 
 
 I treft I will caft caifTc vpoun caifsis 
 
 And fo lat fe quhat cais ge think moft nyce 55 
 
 Wifdome vmq'^ holdis ye nyceft wys 
 
 So pat it be fport in difcretioun 
 
 W'out odius crewale comparifoun 
 
 Perticular malice and all fuch thing removit 
 
 The wyfs nyceft the wifesft quhile is provit 60 
 
 For quhich knawing myne vnfufficience 
 
 To be compryfit perticiane wt prudence 
 
 I propone not as wifs prefumpteoufs 
 
 Bot ra])ir fport myne awin fpereit to reiofs 
 
 And my lordis to heir pat will deden 65 
 
 Now I begin w' litill eft Amen. 
 
 EXPLICIT PROHEMIUM 
 ET SEQUITUR PRIMA PARS. 
 
FITT FIRST. 
 
 HEIR I gifc 50W caifs 
 Vmquhile a mery man wais 
 Callit Cokkelbe 
 He had a fimple blak fow 
 And he fald her bot how 5 
 
 For penneis thre as eftir ^e may fee 
 And verrely as I hard 
 Thus the money he ward 
 The first penny' of the thre 
 For a girle gaif he •10 
 
 The fecund fell in a furde 
 The thrid he hid in a hurde 
 Now quhilk penny of the thre 
 Wes beft beftowit say ^e 
 The loft penny wes vplefit 15 
 
 The girle for the tyme pLefit 
 Bot the penny hat wes hid 
 I hold leift gude did 
 For in old prouerbe we fing 
 Cumis httill gud of gaddering 20 
 
 Quhair wrechit awerice birnis 
 Hyding hurdis in to hirnis 
 
 And 
 
 I. 6. "As eftir -re may see," are added in tlie manuscript, 
 perhaps by the same hand, but evidently written with different 
 ink. 
 
 1. 10. " maid" on the margin, and the word " pirle" put 
 within brackets. 
 
And knawis nevir quhome till 
 
 Latting wirfchep to go will 
 
 Gret laubor is to get geir 25 
 
 And to conferue it is feir 
 
 And moir angir is to leifs 
 
 Thir thre peruerft propirteifs 
 
 I find in fkarfs keping 
 
 And auaritious wynnyng 30 
 
 Quhair mefur is no' maiftrefs 
 
 Bot gaddering for gredenefs 
 
 The hid penny thinkis me 
 
 Wes werft beftowit of the thre 
 
 For it waifs for the vse of man 35 
 
 Lat warldis gudis go than 
 
 W' mefsur and merines 
 
 ^it thair is moir of this cais 
 
 The penny loft in -pe lak 
 
 Wes fundln and vptak 40 
 
 And he fat fand it did by 
 
 W the famyn penny 
 
 A littell pig for his prow 
 
 Off Kolkelbeis fow 
 
 A harlot wynnit neir by 45 
 
 And fclio wald mak at mangery 
 
 And had no fubftance at all 
 
 Bot this pur pig ftall 
 
 To furnifs a gret feift 
 
 Wt outtin ftufe, bot this beift 50 
 
 And git fcho callit to hir cheir 
 
 On apoftita freir 
 
 A peruerft pardoneir 
 
 And practand palmair 
 
 A wich and a wobftare 55 
 
 A milygant and a mychare 
 
 A fond 
 
 1. 4J. " Gryce" on the margin, written in the same liand. 
 
A fond fule a fariar 
 
 A cairtar a cariar 
 
 A libbar and a lyar 
 
 And riddill revar 60 
 
 A tuttivillus a tutlar 
 
 And a fan^eit flatterar 
 
 A forfarn falconar 
 
 A malgratious millare 
 
 A berward a brawlar ^S 
 
 And ane aip ledar 
 
 Wt a curfit cuftumar 
 
 A tratlar a tinklar 
 
 And mony vj)ir in that hour 
 
 Of all cviil ordour 70 
 
 First w' a fulifch flour 
 
 An aid monk a lechour 
 
 A drunkin drcchour 
 
 A dowblc toungit counfalour 
 
 A trimpour a trvcour 75 
 
 A hangman a hafardour 
 
 A tyrant a tormentour 
 
 A truphane and a tratlour 
 
 A faynit nigre manfour 
 
 A japer a juglour 80 
 
 A lafe pat lufis bot for lour 
 
 And a man merrour 
 
 An cvill wyffis mirrour 
 
 In all thair semblance sour 85 
 
 W a noyefull nytbour 
 
 A lunatik a fifmatyk 
 
 An heretyk a purfpyk 
 
 A lumbard a lolard 
 
 Ane vfurar a bard 90 
 
 Ane ypocrcit in haly kirk 
 
 A burn grenge in the dirk 
 
 A fchipman 
 
A fchipman on fe & fand 
 
 That takis lyfe & gud on hand 
 
 And knawis nowp' courfs nor tyd 95 
 
 Bot prefumpteoufs in pryd 
 
 Practing no^ thing expert 
 
 In cunnyng cumpafs nor kert 
 
 A fkeg a fcornar a fkald 
 
 A bald ftrod and a bald 100 
 
 An vnthrifty dapill man 
 
 A rebald a ruffian 
 
 A murderer of leilmen 
 
 A revifcher of wemen 
 
 And two lerit men thame by 105 
 
 Schir Ockir and Schir Symony 
 
 ^it mony in a grit rout 
 
 For lak of rowme ftud about 
 
 Now wald I wit at this fefte 
 
 Quho fure beft of this befte 1 10 
 
 I hald ]>e folk beft fure 
 
 That ftud fer w'out fe dure 
 
 Fro this curlit cumpany 
 
 And menfles mangery 
 
 git of this caifs fair is moir 115 
 
 The pure pig gaif a rore 
 
 Him to kiU quhen thay pynit 
 
 So foir the filly pig quhrynit 
 
 Quhill all pe fwyn fabout 
 
 Rufchit furth in a rout 120 
 
 I keip no* now to commoun 
 
 All beiftes for to blafsoun 
 
 Of thair diuerfs naturis 
 
 Complexionis and cuUouris 
 
 Quhom the law levis ete 125 
 
 Or quho fuld be no manis meit 
 
 Nor of the foulis of the are 
 
 How fum w' clois feit thay fare 
 
 And 
 
And turn diuidit the nalis 
 
 Nor of the fifche w' tliair fcalis 1 30 
 
 All this I fet afyd now 
 
 Half at Cokilbeis fow 
 
 For to fay \>e verite 
 
 Lufand beiftis fwyne be 
 
 Contrair houndis nature 135 
 
 For brawle doggis at pe dure 
 
 All fettis on the fory hound 
 
 That lyis euir at the grund 
 
 And he ])at cryis moft & roris 
 
 Ourthrawin fchent & moft foiris 1 40 
 
 All the remanent him ruo-o-is 
 
 Sum be leggis sum be luggis 
 
 Thay ar luving to men 
 
 Bot not to thame felf than 
 
 For wo is him fat hes royne 1 Hi 
 
 Bot no' fo of the fwyne 
 
 And on of thame be ourthrawin 
 
 That his cry may be knawin 
 
 All the remanent that heiris 
 
 Cumis in thair beft maneiris 150 
 
 To refkew as thay may 
 
 So did thay this day 
 
 That fowls fonis hard I nevir 
 
 Win fo grit wirfchep for euir 
 
 For Stiftapill all the store 155 
 
 Rufchit out wt a rore 
 
 This pig quhen they hard him 
 
 Thay come golfand full grim 
 
 Mony long tuthit bore 
 
 And mony gait come befoir 160 
 
 And mony grit Gunnald 
 
 Gruntillot and ganiaid 
 
 Wrotok 
 
 1. 131-, *' LuvajiU"on margin ot the .MS. 
 
Wrotok and Writhneb 
 
 Hogy evir in the eb 
 
 W the halkit hoglyn 1 b'5 
 
 Snelly Snattis Swankyn 
 
 Baymell bred in the bog 
 
 Hog hoppit our hog 
 
 Mage of the milhill 
 
 Grom Gym of the gill 1 70 
 
 The fuddill fow and the ford 
 
 Reid Kit that eft rord 
 
 Patypull of the Pappourtis 
 
 And Knvtknot of the Kuppourtis 
 
 The gray the gerot and the grym 1 75 
 
 Hurlhekill hoblit w' him 
 
 Sigill Wrigill ovir fow 
 
 Gret bore Tufky the grow 
 
 Mony gait mony gilt 
 
 Come let the pig to be fpilt 180 
 
 Rowchrumple out ran 
 
 Weill mo than I tell can 
 
 W lick a din and a dirdy 
 
 A garray and a hirdy girdy 
 
 The fulis all afterd wer 185 
 
 And the hai'lot hurt thare 
 
 W bair Tufky is tuth 
 
 And for to fay the verry suth 
 
 In that fellon affray 
 
 The littill pig gat away 190 
 
 And ilk bore & ilk beist 
 
 Defoulit the fulis of the feift 
 
 Sum mokit mengcit & merrit 
 
 Thus wer thay fro the meit fkcrrit 
 
 Is no* this a nyce caifs 195 
 
 Bot ^it a fer werfs it weifs 
 
 A new noyment and nois 
 
 W a rumour vprois 
 
 That 
 
That of that caiis to degeft 
 
 It inycht he calht a tempeft • ^00 
 
 For all the fuynis awnaris 
 
 Said feilis how the fulis fairis 
 
 And feis fo curft a cumpany, 
 
 Herand thair awin fwyne cry 
 
 W thir myligantis machit 205 
 
 Afferd the fulis had thame kaehit 
 
 As to fteill thame away 
 
 Tlian dyn roifs and dirray 
 
 Stok hornis blew ftout 
 
 Mony on ifchit out i> 1 
 
 Gibby on his gray meir 
 
 And Fergy on liis fow fair 
 
 Hoge Hygin by jie hand hint 
 
 And Symy ])at was fone brim 
 
 With liis lad Loury 215 
 
 And his gofsep Gloury 
 
 Fergy in frunt paft 
 
 And Fynny followit him faft 
 
 Thurlgill thrang till a club 
 
 So ferfs he flaw in a dub 2^0 
 
 Quhill Downy him abak drewgh 
 
 Than Rany of fe lleidhewch 
 
 Wt Gregry the bowman 
 
 For lufe of his leman 
 
 Licht lap at a lyn 225 
 
 He fel5eit and he fell in 
 
 And Hoge was sa haifty 
 
 That he fualterit him by 
 
 Quliil Tho])y cario' him tiik 
 
 To land w' a fclieij) cruk S30 
 
 Schipirdis fchowit to fchore 
 
 And Fergy Flitfy geid befoir 
 
 Chiftane 
 
 1. 232, The word " "jeid" is interlined in the original. 
 
Chiftane of that chef chak 
 
 A ter ftowp on his bak 
 
 W his lad Luddroun 235 
 
 And his hound Hunddroun 
 
 Mony fchiphird with him is 
 
 Fro brokis brois and brymmis 
 
 Off two ram crukit hornis 
 
 Thair baner on a birk born is 240 
 
 With Barmyberd thair banerman 
 
 And his coufing Cachcran 
 
 Thair menftrall Diky Doyt 
 
 Fur befoir w' 3iJloyt 
 
 Than danfit Doby Drymouth 245 
 
 The /one fhene in the Sowth 
 
 And as they lukit on a lee 
 
 Thay faw an vfir men^e 
 
 Than all thay fled fuU afi*erd 
 
 And the maifter fchipherd 250 
 
 Fergy Flitfy befoir 
 
 Tho^ was litil on his ftore 
 
 His feit maid fie dynnyng 
 
 He lakkit breth for rynning 
 
 How q" Hobby herk me 255 
 
 We neid not to fordir fle 
 
 ^one folk our awin frendis ar 
 
 I knaw be thair banar 
 
 Than wer thay nevir half fo fane 
 
 And glaidly turnit all againe 260 
 
 And knew be thair array 
 
 That all nolt hirdis wer thay 
 
 That ifchit out to the cry 
 
 And thair banar borne by 
 
 Of Crumhorne the cowis taill 265 
 
 Feftnitt on a lang flaill 
 
 Befyd thair capitane I trow 
 
 Callit wes Colyne Cuckow 
 
 And 
 
And Davy Doyle of the dale 
 
 Was thair mad menftrall 270 
 
 He blew on a pype he 
 
 Maid of a borit boutre 
 
 Waytftath him by 
 
 Danfit and Dandy 
 
 The thrid fallowfchip he law 275 
 
 That thay wundir weill knaw 
 
 The fwynehirdis in a rowt 
 
 And Sneirbum with his fnowt 
 
 Wes captane of thame thair 
 
 And borne wes his banair 280 
 
 Vpoun a fchule for to fchaw 
 
 A flekkit fowis f kyn faw 
 
 W terletheris tyit hy 
 
 Quho bur it bot Bolgy 
 
 And Clarus the long clype 285 
 
 Play it on a hag pype 
 
 Haggyfheid and Helly 
 
 Ballybrafs and Belly 
 
 Danfit and his sone Samyn 
 
 Than all affemblit w' a gamyn 290 
 
 And all the menftralis attonis 
 
 Blew up and playit for the nonis 
 
 Schiphird nolt hirdis 
 
 And swynhirdis outgirdis 
 
 For to dance merily 295 
 
 A maiftir fwynhird fwanky 
 
 And his coufing Copyn Cull 
 
 Fowll ofhellisjidfull 
 
 Led the dance and began 
 
 Play us Joly Icmmcine 300 
 
 Sum trottit Tras and Trenqfs 
 
 Sum baiter it The Bq/s 
 
 Sum Pcrdo-wy sum Trolly lolly 
 
 >iun 
 
Sum Col' crnrc tl/nir qnlii/l dntj 
 
 Tivyshanh and Tcrumy 305 
 
 Sum Lmcolme siuii Lmdjay 
 
 Sum Joly lemman dawts it no' day 
 
 Sum Be ^on wodfyd fingls 
 
 Sum Late laite on evinnyngls 
 
 Sum Joly Martene w' a mok 310 
 
 Sum Lidalow lute cok 
 
 Sum bekkit fum bingit 
 
 Sum crakkit fum cringit, 
 
 Sum movit mojl mak revell 
 
 Sum Symonfonis of Quhynfell 315 
 
 Sum Maiji^ Pier de Congatc 
 
 And v|)ir fum in cotifate 
 
 At lefer dreft to dance 
 
 Sum Ourfute fum Orliance 
 
 Sum Riijly bully zaifh a hek 320 
 
 And Every note in vperis nek 
 
 Sum vfit the danfis to deme 
 
 Of Cipres and Boheme 
 
 Sum The Jaites full ;^arne 
 
 Off Portingall and Naverne 325 
 
 Sum covuitirfutit \\\e gyfs of Spane 
 
 Sum Italy sum Almane 
 
 Sum noifit Napillis anone 
 
 And v]iir sum of Arragone 
 
 Sum The Cane of Tartary 330 
 
 Sum The Soldane of Surry 
 
 All his danfis defynd 
 
 Sum Pretir Johnie of grit Ynd 
 
 Sum As the Ethiopis vfit 
 
 Sum futit and sum refufit 335 
 
 Sum had danfis mony ma 
 
 Wt all the danfis of Afia 
 
 Sum of Affrickis age 
 
 And principale of Cartage 
 
 Thair 
 
Tliiiir prcllil in Pcry Pull 340 
 
 Full ofhelllsfulfnll 
 
 Maiff Myngeis The mangeis 
 
 Maift"^ Tyngeis La taiigeis 
 
 M"" Totis La toutis 
 
 And Roujly rottis the routis 345 
 
 Maiff Nykkis La naJcJcis 
 
 And Sr Jakkis Lajakk 
 
 The Hary hurlere hxijljj 
 
 And Calhy the curjl cujly 
 
 Mony laddis many tozo)iis 350 
 
 Knowfknois kynnis culroxcnis 
 
 Curris kenfeis and knavis 
 
 Inthrang and danfit in thravis 
 
 W thame Toxais the mowis 
 
 And Hary lo'' the rekl hoiois 355 
 
 Than all arrayit in a ring 
 
 Danfit My deir derllng 
 
 And all afl'entit in a fop 
 
 To the vfe of Ewrop 
 
 I'hat for fo much thay beleuit 360 
 
 That expert and weill preuit 
 
 Thay war in the Eft warld 
 
 As is heir brenly ourliarld 
 
 Thay conclud the vfe plane 
 
 Of Ylandis in Ottiane S65 
 
 And of the fermeland of France 
 
 And how the Emprio"^ dois dance 
 
 Suefis in Stiauia fyne 
 
 And als the Reuir of Rync 
 
 Off Bretane the bro'd He 370 
 
 Off Yrland and Argyle 
 
 Bur^one and Breband 
 
 Hanynii^o and Holland 
 
 Flaiidi ris 
 
 1. 3.J0, •• JNlony laddis mony towni?" nii iiKiij;in nl (Ik .MN. 
 
Blanderis Frei/land, and eilc 
 
 Frandebu?'* and Broinfweilc 375 
 
 Dittiner and Baywer 
 
 Pruce Poill and Pomer 
 
 Luhwich land and Lunaburgh 
 
 Malejirand and Mahilbur' 
 
 The JieidisJ'ev'in andfevinty 380 
 
 And all boundf thameby 
 
 The Reiall and Rii/land 
 
 iSilania and Gotland 
 
 l)enmark and Norroway 
 
 All thair danfis and play 385 
 
 Thay movit in thair mad muting 
 
 And all thay falit in futing 
 
 For maftrit wes thair menftralis 
 
 Thair instrumentis in tonis felis 
 
 And all thair plat pure panfis 390 
 
 Coud no' the fete of ony danfis 
 
 Bot fuch thing as affeiris 
 
 To hirdis and their maneris 
 
 For thay hard fpeik of men gud 
 
 And fmall thairof vndirftud 395 
 
 Bot hurlit furth vpoun held 
 
 A cojoynd cull coud thame lede 
 
 And fo thay wend thay weill danfit 
 
 And did bot praclit, and pranfit 
 
 And quhen thay had all done 400 
 
 It was a tratlyng out of time 
 
 Than thay began for to chyd 
 
 Qvihill Quhorlorehufty cryd 
 
 Oe ceifs this brangling and here 
 
 Remembir quhy pe come here 405 
 
 That ilk knave and ilk cuft 
 
 Compryfit Horlore liujl 
 
 For a witte man commendit 
 
 And thus thair danfine; thav endit 
 
 ^ • And 
 
And fo concluding thay paft 410 
 
 To thair niaifteris als fal't 
 The filly pig to refkow 
 All the fauiyn are thay met trew 
 Be than wes mathit on mold 
 Als mony as tliay wold 415 
 
 Lord God fo lowd as thay cryd 
 Full oft the fulis thay defyd 
 And on them femblit att onis 
 Bot thair wes breking of bonis 
 Hold how he wes heir 420 
 
 Thay chace with a frefch cheir 
 Fy" on the foirfaid fottis 
 And ourthrcw all the ydiottis 
 Both of the fwyne & the men 
 Be this ge may wcill ken 425 
 
 That foly is no fapience 
 For multitud in ncffliffcnce 
 He feldin palmc of victory 
 Bot God & gud wit <yy 
 
 And all this grit brawling 430 
 
 Babling and u])"" thing 
 Wes for a pig as ^e hard fayn 
 ^it he yefkapit vnflane 
 Now juge as ^e lift by 
 
 For this is bot a fancc fly 435 
 
 And littill a poynt of poetry 
 Bot fport to mak ws mirry 
 And ^it this is a ftrange caifs 
 Bot eftirward this pig waifs 
 Growin to a grit l)oir 440 
 
 Lo fuch is this warldis fflore 
 Now lair now the 
 Nothing ftable we fc 
 In this warld of variance 
 
 "^it fell a caifs and new chance 445 
 
 The 
 
This pig quhen he a boir wes 
 
 Off micht he grew maikles 
 
 As to fecht for awant 
 
 W' Antelop or Oliphant 
 
 Tiger Pard or Pantere 450 
 
 •Bull Wolf or Wyld bore 
 
 W the awfull Vnicorne 
 
 Nor ony beift that wes borne 
 
 For he faucht wichtly wt Wad 
 
 And wt Melliager mad 455 
 
 W' Anteroufs & Hercules 
 
 He did a battell in pres 
 
 And huntit was in the plane 
 
 Befoir the goddes Dyane 
 
 Bot he eJkapit harmeles 460 
 
 And killit houndis in the chafe 
 
 The rich king of Sydon 
 
 And his knychtis ilk on 
 
 For thir here afferd wer 
 
 For vmquhile he wonit thair 465 
 
 And gaif a battell curious 
 
 To Eglamoir of Artherus 
 
 The vgly worme nevir so weill preuit 
 
 Quhill this bald bore leuit 
 
 Nor git as I vnderftand 470 
 
 The dragone in the holy land 
 
 Is not this a nyce cais 
 
 That firft this pig fo pure waifs 
 
 And in fo many dengeris 
 
 He fo elkapit with weris 475 
 
 ^e may confaue be this twich 
 
 That oft of littill cumis mich 
 
 To contempt a fmall fo 
 
 Quhill he haith grace to ryd or go 
 
 At liberty and fredome 480 
 
 I hold it no wifdome 
 
 Or 
 
Or for Joif of pcnnjis 
 
 To fuffer honour perreis 
 
 And tiius is the cais endit 
 
 Of the penny fat wes fpendit 48.'"> 
 
 That grew to fo grit prifs 
 
 Scarfs fpending fkathis gentrifs 
 
 Thus haif I tald gow a caifs 
 
 To fett 30W in folaifs 
 
 For our cxccding ftudy 490 
 
 May caufs quhyle malancoly 
 
 Thairfoir to niak ws mirryar 
 
 Thus did my fantefy fair 
 
 And this liirdy girdy I 
 
 And dirdy cry 30W mercy. 495 
 
 EXPLICIT 
 PRIMA PARS. 
 
FITT SECOUND. 
 
 Off thir mokking meteris and mad matere 
 
 3our he reuercnce humly eft I requyre 
 
 All 36 hereris pardoun w* patience 
 
 My noyous noyifs nycetie and negligence 
 
 And to fatiffie my foirfaid fymple dyte 500 
 
 In recompance of it now will I wryte 
 
 Of gE SECUND PENNY fFor the girle coft 
 
 How it did thryve ^at onis was thrall half loft 
 
 A ^eir eftir walking in his difport 
 
 By a rever Cokelby faw refort 505 
 
 Ane auld blind man w' a pretty maid 
 
 Not twelf 3eir hold * I hold of age fcho haid 
 
 Bot futh to fay fcho was no* lyk to be 
 
 A wordly wicht fo wvmdir fair wes fche 
 
 So Weill nurtourit as fcho had nurifcheit bene 510 
 
 In clofter or court dochter to kyng or quene 
 
 Innocentlie fcho faluft on hir kne 
 
 This carlage man this foirfaid Colkelbe 
 
 ^it for to tell ge werray treuth of it 
 
 He was ane man boith of fubftance k wit 515 
 
 And faid dochter have goddis bly fling & myne 
 
 The auld man afkit le pour amour deuine 
 
 Cherite & he said father cum to my houfs 
 
 He had him home and gaif him fair almoufs 
 
 And 
 ♦ So in Mf. 
 
And intentlie inquireit quhair he had 520 
 
 Gottin that fair innocent gudelie maid 
 
 And gif fcho war his dochter or kyn to fay 
 
 He faid fuithhe fcho is nother perfay 
 
 Bot one palmar ane honest man was he 
 
 One ahane come frome beyond ^e fe ^%^ 
 
 With his awin wyf a blyffit creatour 
 
 Longeit with me fuppoifs tliat I be peur 
 
 And throuch pe will of God fo as it was 
 
 Thay war weftat with fuddane foir feiknefs 
 
 And deceiffit thairin boith in ane hour 530 
 
 This little maid this tender creatour 
 
 Was thair dochter and beluiffit with me 
 
 That leiddis me now fence myfelf may nocht fe 
 
 Colkelbe faid I beleif it is fo 
 
 Bot quhat cuntrc that ewer thai folk come fro 535 
 
 It femis thai Avar of kynreid full potent 
 
 Be the dochtcris feris this innocent 
 
 Bot guid father gif tliat ge wald aggree 
 
 To lat ])e maid rcmane lieir ftill with me 
 
 For hir honour and elfs fo wald I reid ^ow 540 
 
 Bot ge fall haif ane boy of myne to leid ;50w 
 
 The blynd man faid thre foneis at home I have 
 
 And war I thair no moir gyding I crawe 
 
 Bot for fe maide hath bene a quhill with me 
 
 And ge hir haue I fuld the better be ^^b 
 
 Cokkelby faid I had thre pennyis round 
 
 The firft wes loft onys in a lak and found 
 
 And with it coft a pig fum callis a gryfs 
 
 Quhich incrcfcit to the wirschip and pryfs 
 
 So mervellous mony men of him reidis 550 
 
 He wes the caus of feill ferlifuU deidis 
 
 As his legend beris witnefs luke quho fo lift 
 
 The fecound penny I haif heir in my fift 
 
 On 
 
 1. 551. The words " the caus" ate repeated by mistake in tlie manuscript. 
 
On lyis in hurd this is tjip caifs of thame 
 
 Thre filly pennyis futhly I hald the same 555 
 
 The faid secound penny I fall gife the 
 
 For this young maid gif pat thow will and fche 
 
 W* my favoris in tyme to cum alfo 
 
 Thay agreit and thus I lat thame go 
 
 This Colkelby nvreift hir in his houfs 560 
 
 Quich grew fo fair and verry verteoufs 
 
 So gentill in all his geftis and appliable 
 
 And fobir in fpirite and amiable 
 
 That all pat hir faw thay luvit hir as thair lyfe 
 
 And fpecialy this Colkelbeis wyfe 565 
 
 A worfchepfuU woman in to her houfs 
 
 Thay callit hir to name Kellamcroufs 
 
 Betuix hir and hir husband Colkelby 
 
 Thay had a fone callit Flammiflie 
 
 Galland he wes and gud in all his feir 570 
 
 And of all vperis odly the beft archeir 
 
 In ony land ry' wirschepfull and wyfe 
 
 Big of bonis a ftrong man of dewyfe 
 
 And as his fader and moder did oft efpy 
 
 He coppeit this going wench attentely 575 
 
 In his confait w* fad degeftioun 
 
 Hir moft plefand perfyt pure perfoun 
 
 Hir frefche figour formyt of forme & fete 
 
 Gevin to all gud fulfiUit of Godis grace 
 
 That all bonty and bewty my' be 580 
 
 Worthy compryfs pairof anewch had fche 
 
 He lovit fo Weill pair was non vthir 
 
 Bot w' consent of freindis fadir & moder 
 
 He weddit hir to wyfe wit ge for ay 
 
 This amiable innocent Adria 585 
 
 Wes callit to name and this in France fell 
 
 Into the firft orifing of it to tell 
 
 Or it preveht planeift and popelus 
 
 Quhair now Pareifs citie is fituat thus 
 
 This 
 
This Colkelby wonit Kair quhair the caifs 590 
 
 Of ye pig fulis and all pat foirfaid was 
 
 Till on a tyme pat he France the king 
 
 Roid to vefy the boundis thair as regne 
 
 And in the place y as Cokkelby dwelt 
 
 A man of fcoir with fuch thing he delt 595 
 
 For than non could haif traft cornis to win 
 
 That king of mycht lugit into his In 
 
 And on the morne a grit fchoting thay did try 
 
 Quhair Flamslie our all wan victory 
 
 The king faw him fo big a man and ftrong 600 
 
 And gudly als to tary gow no* lang 
 
 For his body a fquyer he him maid 
 
 And in his wciris fo weill he him behaid 
 
 He was maid knycht in court to continew 
 
 And than he fend for his fair lady trew 605 
 
 Dame Adria quhome the king did commend 
 
 In his chalmer vpovm the quene to attend 
 
 Beft belouit and moft pcrfyte wes fche 
 
 For his gcftis and bewtie and bontie 
 
 Our all the laif the ladeis pat thair ware 610 
 
 And Flammiflie fo weill in weiris him bare 
 
 That the king eftir maid him erle ryall 
 
 And a cornar of a comtie seuerall 
 
 No' than invent inhabit as it lay 
 
 Gaif him be feile heretable for ay 61 5 
 
 Quhich he plenyflit w' peple and polefy 
 
 And namit it eftir him and his lady 
 
 This is to fay Flammflie and Adria 
 
 His hole erldome callit Flandria 
 
 Flan fra the firft fillab of Flammislie 620 
 
 And Dria drcvin fra Adria the fre 
 
 The (juhich famoufs erldome of Flanderis ay 
 
 Haldis of Frankland and Duchpeir to this ^ay 
 
 Oft" the fecound penny thus come grit grace 
 
 Wt correctioun and this I call a cace 635 
 
 I 
 
 1. 590. •' ^air," inttrlinfid in manuscript. 
 
I reid not this in story autentyfe 
 
 I did it leir at ane full auld wyfe 
 
 My gritgraundame men callit hir Gurgunnald 
 
 Scho knew fe lyfe of raony faderis aid 
 
 Notable geftis of peas and weiris in ftorye 630 
 
 Frefche in hir mynd & recent of memorye 
 
 No'w'ftanding fcho was weill fett in eild 
 
 Hir aige I hald of fevin fcoir of winteris heild 
 
 And faw fumdeill hot for to fay the suth 
 
 Into hir held I treft was no^ a tuth 635 
 
 Thairfoir grwew moft gredely eit fche 
 
 And laking teith famvlit hir faculte 
 
 That few folk mycht confaue hir mvmling mowth 
 
 Bot I j)at was expert f'in of gowth 
 
 Than wald I fay fcho had grit grace of God 640 
 
 Quhy fo q*^ fcho my fon and maid a nod 
 
 Madame q** I for thair be mony wyffis 
 
 Throw haboundance of fpech pat nevir tryffis 
 
 And I wald chenge my* it be at my reid 
 
 For a gud toung all the teith in thair heid 645 
 
 As ge ar now fo fuld thay no* be nemit 
 
 Skaldis baldis and pairthrow fchent and fchamit 
 
 Than angrit fcho and faid Sanct Johne to borrow 
 
 Thow licht boy thow menis mekle forrow 
 
 And fall do moir gife thow in lyfe may byd 650 
 
 Madame q*^ I that tak I on gour fyd 
 
 Than wald fcho preifs belt me in angry wyfs 
 
 Bot Weill was me fcho myt no* ryn nor ryfs 
 
 And I wald vp and wilk away full wyld 
 
 Than wald fcho flattir cum in agane my chyld 655 
 
 And thow fall haif lo ftanding in the Ikelf 
 
 Quheit breid and reme confervit for my felf 
 
 Than fett fcho me to leir littell at the fcule 
 
 Nowdir lyk to be a wyf man nor a fule 
 
 And 
 
 I. 636. The word " grwew" in the manuscript seems unintelligible. Per- 
 haps it is an error of the transcriber for " grwell." 
 
And ott w' pyne fcho maid me to repovl G60 
 
 Of Inr tnilis and lo conclud in fchort 
 
 Scho faid my lone be this faid taill thou fall 
 
 Lerne fyve wittis and the flrft of thame all 
 
 Is to concidder of fulis the foly 
 
 Set in nummer thay ryfs and multeply 665 
 
 Thay may nevir moir fruct in felicity 
 
 Thair ignorance requyris no^ it fo be 
 
 Experience and teftimoniall 
 
 Off pe faidis fulis my fone confaif thow fall 
 
 That a pure pig in pair pofleffioun 670 
 
 Thay had and tuk for ferme conclufioun 
 
 To kill j)e famyn and mak of it a feift 
 
 And fyne thay war ourthrawin moft and leift 
 
 For fory fwyne for thair golfing affraid 
 
 Till pat pe pig brak fra thame in a braid 675 
 
 And fyne knavis ourcome pamc w* a crye 
 
 Thairfoir my fone fra fie fulich foly 
 
 And fallowfchip keip the for the /ir/l wit 
 
 Thc/ecimd is my fone will thow lerne it 
 
 Perfoune nevir bot povert may prewaill 680 
 
 Be it ry^ wifs aganis men of grit availl 
 
 That ar no' wyifs bot wrangufs in p"^ deidis 
 
 In cais pai mak the quhiles vex' at nedis 
 
 Witnes this pig fone be experience 
 
 That was fangit in pc fulis offence 685 
 
 To be killit and recoucrit agane 
 
 To fo grit grace as is foirfaid certaine 
 
 Thairfoir my fone leif no' thy gud quarrel 1 
 
 For appcrancc of dangeris and parrell 
 
 For be thow juft God fall thy jugc be 690 
 
 In all pcrrellis and weill dcliuer tiie 
 
 And the danger paffit thow art alfs fure 
 
 As cvir thow was and stranger in nature 
 
 To aventure agane in richlowfnace 
 
 Bot quho fo will cowardly hyd his face 695 
 
 In 
 
In defens of his juit actioun 
 Quhen he treftis him for fuch fowl! affectioun 
 Moft in flirty fuppreffit fone fal he be 
 Quhair the richtoufs frome all feir fall go fre 
 
 Lychtly nevir thy gud querrell for feir 700 
 
 Off* all perellis dowt damage or dangeir 
 
 Suld it fo be nevir fuld martirdome 
 
 Fortefie fath nor win the fege of Rome 
 
 Quho ])at fureft dois keip him foneft dois flyd 
 
 Bot gud quarrell and grace God be thy gyd 705 
 
 The thrid wit is my fone gif thow will ken 
 
 Quhair evir thow feis grit wit in virtewifs men 
 
 Thot thay be pure auld or gong fpecially 
 
 Contempne thame no^ fone and lo the quhy 
 
 This maid this girle this pure Adria wes 710 
 
 3oung faderles leuit and eik moderles 
 
 In strenge lond and git the Holy Goft 
 
 Vpliftit hir for wit to wirfchep moft 
 
 And in lykwayifs hir lord Erie Flannyflie 
 
 Quho wold haif j)ame oppreft for y pouirte 715 
 
 Remembir now in fuch hicht as thay are 
 
 Quhat may thay do to jiair party contrare 
 
 Thay may weill quyt and ouirthraw pame at all 
 
 Difpyfs nevir wyifs vertewis in purall 
 
 The^r^ wit is lat nevir thy penny be 720 
 
 Nor warldis gud my fone maftir of the 
 
 For littill thing weill fpendit may incres 
 
 To he honour wirfchep and gritt riches 
 
 As did thir tuo pennyis fpendit weill 
 
 Vpoun ])e pig and the pure damefell 725 
 
 I neid no moir of thame to multeply 
 
 Thow knawis befoir how thay did fructefy 
 
 Thairfoir hald no^ pennyis our pretioufs 
 
 Bot fuffer thame pafs profpering commodioufs 
 
 Forfuth a tymc a penny thow may fpcnd 730 
 
 That may awaill the to thy lyvis end 
 
 Thairfoir 
 
Thairfoir my fonc gife thow thinkis to indure 
 
 Spend w* mefure for luk wit and mcfure 
 
 The Jj/i/t wit is my fono set nevir thy hartc 
 
 To mak an liurd fuffering hono' by ftarte 735 
 
 For littill watt thow how fone ]>* thow may flid 
 
 Frome it flely or it fra pe to glid 
 
 And at the leift in pe hurd quhili it lyis 
 
 It fervis nowdir pe warld nor multeplyis 
 
 And gif thow deis it is unknawin to men 740 
 
 In avarice quhat cheir is w* the then 
 
 For quich this man this worthy Colkelby 
 
 That in his dayis gat nevir bot pcnnyis thre 
 
 Saw two thry ve weill and the thrid did no' 
 
 Incontinent pat penny out he brocht 745 
 
 And awowit to God in folempnit word 
 
 That he fuld nevir ftudy to mak ane hord 
 
 Ry' fo my fone I chairge the to dude 
 
 Spend wt wirchep and fpair w' Godis gud 
 
 How httill wat thow ane vdir tyme quho may 750 
 
 Bruk thy wyfe & baggis eftir thy day 
 
 Thus Gurgunnald my grit grandame me kend 
 
 Haif I myflaid in ocht I fall amend. 
 
 EXPLICIT 
 SECUNDA 1»ARS. 
 
FITT THIRD. 
 
 AND w* pardoun now of ^our he lordfchippis 
 
 And correctioun of gour reuerend maifterfchippis 755 
 
 Heir wald I tell of the thrid hid penny 
 
 As I haif told govv two did fructefy 
 
 This Cokelby concidering weill the cais 
 
 That of wrechit awarice grew nevir grace 
 
 Having in hairt the hole experience T60 
 
 How fat the two pennyis raifs in afcenfs 
 
 Tho' he wald preve the thrid penny quhyle hid 
 
 Quhilk for ])e tyme no fruct nor proflf'eit did 
 
 To fuff'er it fpreid in warld and fructefy 
 
 And gif fum folk wald fay pat I go by 1(65 
 
 How fuld a penny fruct contrair nature 
 
 Sen gold filuer mettell and alkyn vre 
 
 Fynit be folkis vanilis and not increffis 
 
 Sum wold allege my lewit langage a lefs is 
 
 Bot or I waid moir in this wildirnes 770 
 
 Off fuch weir I will declair the cafs 
 
 Quhill ])at the vre is in the awin nature 
 
 And not fynit nor forgit be manis cure 
 
 So long the forfs of the four elementis 
 
 o .... 
 
 And moft pe erth mynifteris it nvtrnnentis 775 
 
 To increfling as herbis ftone or tre 
 
 Frome thair orifing ftok cuttit quhill thav be 
 
 And 
 
And frome thair ferm firft rutit grund dewydit 
 
 Thay may no' than be natur fo abfcidit 
 
 Do fructifie and flureifs is afoir 780 
 
 Lyk as a man hcidit he may no moir 
 
 Bot pat the faule throw grace of God only 
 
 In fpirituall joy is only dois fructefy 
 
 So pe mettell abfcidit be pe man 
 
 Not fructefeis of nature bot quhat than 785 
 
 Manly refoun and wit of Godis gift 
 
 Fyndis menis the money to vplift 
 
 And multeply in moir memoir & mycht 
 
 Than evir it did in erd quhill it plycht 
 
 For quhy fo long as it lay on the ground 790 
 
 It was vnfynit as fruct nevirmoir found 
 
 And quhan it was vptak be manis wit 
 
 Throw out the warld alway welcome wes it 
 
 And fet in cas and menifTit a lyte 
 
 Vfit and handlit be men ^it quhair a myte 795 
 
 Failis ])airof manis wit bringis agane 
 
 A thowfand pundis fynit out of vris plane 
 
 The examplis ]»at quhofo hath a vertew 
 
 Vfs it wyfly eft syifs ten from it grew 
 
 And in Ichort my long legend quho fo leftis 800 
 
 The euwangell the trew' pairof atteftis 
 
 Goddis awin word quhich tuk frome on fule man 
 
 A pure penny having no moir as than 
 
 And gaif the wyfs that had ten pennyis tald 
 
 Bot quhy was that for the fule man no wald 805 
 
 Difpone wyfly his penny bot abufs it 
 
 Hyd it and he J»at had ten weill tham vfit 
 
 Thairfoir god tuk frome the vnverteoufs man 
 
 A penny and gaif to the gud having ten 
 
 Ry' fo ho pat has ftrente and it abufis 810 
 
 No' following faft the fruct but it refufis 
 
 God will it geif to him ).at lies far moir 
 
 I caft me nocht alday to gloil's in gloir 
 
 Or 
 
Or to langar legendis j»at ar prolixt 
 
 Thairfoir I tunic vnto my firft text 815 
 
 As to declair the thrid penny quhyle hid 
 
 Eftir out brocht and gydit grace it did 
 
 As foUowis heir quho lykis to adwert 
 
 Throw confaitis of Colkelby expert 
 
 Lyk o fede fawin in erd mortificat 820 
 
 Flouris money fructis vinificat 
 
 Lyk martiris kiUit oft' quhome the mirreitis ryfis 
 
 Sanctis in hevin quhome finfull man suppryfis 
 
 And herkynnis how befyd this Colkelby 
 
 Thair duelt a man was rich of ftoir and fie 825 
 
 Quhair Bodyvincant caftell ftandis now in plane 
 
 His big ny'bour men callit him Bleirblowane 
 
 A wirthy wyfe had he weddit and fche 
 
 Was callit Susane on quhome a fone gat he 
 
 And Colkelby was gollep to the fame 830 
 
 And he callit him Cokalb to his rycht name 
 
 Colkelby w' the faid thrid penny bocht 
 
 xxiiij hen heggis and w' them focht 
 
 To his gud fone for godfadirly reward 
 
 Him to remcmbir as Ichawit is eftirward bii5 
 
 Sufan angrit heirat as oft woman is 
 
 Quliile paffionat ]>at all confaitis kennis 
 
 Tuk in difdaine this gift this symple thing 
 
 And faid goffap beir hame ^our pure offi-ing 
 
 Mene ge to mok my fone & me no moir 840 
 
 I will heirof fure it away ])airfoir 
 
 He faid I fall keip thame to my gud fone 
 
 And had thame home to his place quhair he wone 
 
 And chairgeit fone his henwyfe to do hir cure 
 
 And mak ])ame fruct than to fet thame fcho fure 8 15 
 
 Hir beft brod hen callit lady Pekle pes 
 
 And goung Cokrell hir lord and lemman wes 
 
 Scho maid brud on thir eggis pat in fchort fpace 
 
 Twenty four chikkynis of Vamc fcho hcs 
 
 -^ • Twclf 
 
Twcif inaill and twcll i'amcll he croniculis clcir 850 
 
 And (juhat thay war w' thair names we fall heir 
 
 The first wes the famyn Chantecleir to lukc 
 
 Of quhome Chaucer treitis into his buke 
 
 And his lady Partlot fifter and wyfe 
 
 Quhilk wes no lyfe in detis of ])at lyfc 855 
 
 For quhy folkis levit be naturall lawis than 
 
 The tuther bru})ir was clipit Cokademan 
 
 He tuk to wyfe his fair trew lifter Toppok 
 
 Coktrawdoun was the third and his wyfe Coppok 
 
 And to compt juft the fourt Cok lyk oiiris 860 
 
 And littill Henpen his pretty paramo'^is 
 
 The fyift lord was Lyricok in hall 
 
 And Kekilcroufs thay did his lady call 
 
 Brid to Kittilcok that fat on reid caill stok 
 
 And Feklcfaw fareft of all the flok 865 
 
 Was the fext and Cokrufty the fevin 
 
 Dame Strange his wyfe qiihille had a ftout flevin 
 
 Cokky the aucht his lady clepit Lerok 
 
 Coknolus the nynt fpowiit his fifter Vrok 
 
 Cokcoby the tent and Sprutok his fpeciall 870 
 
 Cokobenar the levint his maik thay call 
 
 Dame Juliane the twelf wes Cokjawbert 
 
 And lady Wagtail his joy and all his hairt 
 
 So ftout a ftoir come of |)ir brep"^ twelf 
 
 And ]iair fifteris I can no' fay my felf 875 
 
 The fyiftre p^ thay wer fo fructeoufs 
 
 And at fchreftis evin sum wes fo battaloufs 
 
 That he wald win to his mainT in feild 
 
 Fourty florans w' bill and fpuris beild 
 
 Sum of i)is ftoir this Cokkelby did fell 880 
 
 Sum auld fum ^ung fum eggis in the fchell 
 
 And coft j.'wt v|/ ware and fo it turnit 
 
 This penny that xv ;^eir it no' fowrnit 
 
 Tic iiivlte])lyit nioir than a (howfand pound 
 
 'i'han hi^ gud fone he callil lo him a fiound 885 
 
 Jlefoir 
 
Befoir his fader moder and freindis all 
 
 And faid Cokkalb my fone reffaif thow fall 
 
 All the gudis for juftly thay ar thyne 
 
 Off thy qhyld gift ftorit throw grace devyne 
 
 Fro xxiiij hen eggis quiche I the gaif 890 
 
 ^et ])i moder fone Avald fame no^ reffaif 
 
 Than as ge hard he tald all jie caifs 
 
 This Cokelb grew eftir to fo grit richefs 
 
 Throw this penny he grew the michtieft man 
 
 In ony realme quhat did pe penny than 895 
 
 Firft hid in hurde to vertew no' applyit 
 
 And fyne outbrocht ]>ai fo fer fructefyit 
 
 Thairfoir my fone ftudy nevir in thy day 
 
 W auarice warldis gud in hurd till ley 
 
 Nor be thow no' difparit of Godis grace 900 
 
 The thrid penny this was and ])e last caice 
 
 As my biledame old Gurgunnald told me 
 
 I allege non v|)ir auctorite 
 
 In this fentence maid on revill raill 
 
 Quhich ferny s moft to be a wyfis taill 905 
 
 W correctioun quhile noAv I this conclud 
 
 God ]iat ws bocht w' his awin bliffit blud 
 
 Both gow and me to confarue he deden 
 
 Throw meik mirreitis of his only fone Amen. 
 
 EXPLICIT 
 TERTIA PARS ET VLTIMA. 
 
KING BERDOK. 
 
This singular fragment, 'preserved in George Banna- 
 tyne's iioell known Manuscript ' Ballat Bui7c\'' has been 
 overlooked by the different editors of early Scotish poetry, 
 except by John Leyden, who alludes to it in his interesting- 
 and learned introduction to the Complaynt of Scotland", 
 Although it may now be impossible to ascertain the ifidivi- 
 dual work, the ludicrous nature of this fairy tale plainly 
 intimates that it was intended as a burlesque of some ^geste^ 
 or romantic story, which may have been popular at the time 
 of its composition. 
 
 « Fol. 142. b. * P. 152. 
 
* mins BcrDofe; 
 
 SYM of Lyntoun be ]>e ram is horn, 
 Quhe Pliebus rang in ' figne' of Capricorn, 
 And the mvne wes paft the gusf' cro, 
 Thair fell in France ane jeperdie forlo, 
 Be ],e grit ' king' of Babilon, Berdok, 5 
 
 That dwelt in fjmer in till ane bowkaill ftok ; 
 And into Avinter, quhe ]>c froftis ar fell. 
 He dwelt for cauld in till a cokkil fchell : 
 Kingis vfit no* to weir clathis in tha day is, 
 Bot geid naikit, as myne auctor fay is ; 10 
 
 Weill cowd he play in clarfchot and on lute, 
 And bend ane aiprin bow, and nipfchot fchute ; 
 He wes ane ftalwart ma of hairt and hand ; 
 He wowit the golk sevin geu-, of Maryland, 
 Mayiola, and fcho wes bot ^eiris thre, 15 
 
 Ane bony bird, and had bot ane e ; 
 Neuirthelefs king Berdok luvit hir weill, 
 For hir foirfute wes langar tha hir heill. 
 The king Berdok he fure our fe and land, 
 To reveifs May ok the golk of Maryland, 20 
 
 And nane w' him bot ane bow and ane bowlt ; 
 Syne hapnit him to cum amang pe nowlt. 
 And as this Berdok about him cowd efpy 
 He faw Mayok milkand hir mvderC ky. 
 And in ane creill vpoun his bak hir keft; 25 
 
 Quhe he come hame it wes ane howlat ncft, 
 
 The manuscript reads, in 1. 2, ' sing' — nnd in 1. .5, * kin.' 
 
Full of fkait birdf, and tha this Berdok grett, 
 
 And ran agane Meyock for to gett. 
 
 The king of Fary hir fadir than blew out, 
 
 And focht Berdok all the land abowt, 30 
 
 And Berdok fled in till a killogy ; 
 
 Thair wes no grace bot gett him or ellf die ; 
 
 Thair wes the kingis of Pechtis and Portingaill, 
 
 The king of Naippillis and Navern alhaill, 
 
 W bowis & brandis w* fegis thay vmbefet him, 35 
 
 Sum bad tak, fum flay, fum bad byd quhill thay get him ; 
 
 Thay ftellit gunis to the killogy laith, 
 
 And proppit gunis w* bulettis of rawdaich : 
 
 Than Jupiter prayit to god Saturn, 
 
 In liknes of ane tod he wald him turn; 40 
 
 Bot fone pe gracioul3 god Mercurius 
 
 Turnit Berdok in till ane braikane buf ; 
 
 And quhen thay faw the buf wag to * fra, 
 
 Thay trowd it wes ane gaift, and thay to ga : 
 
 Thir fell kingis thus Berdok wald haif flane, 45 
 
 All this for lufe, luveris fufferis pane, 
 
 Boece said, of poyettis jj* wes flour, 
 
 Tho' lufe be fweit, oft fyif it is full four. 
 
 EXPLICIT. 
 
THE GYRE-CARLING. 
 
Gyre-Carling is the name of the Hecate, or Mother 
 Witch, of the Scotish peasantry, zvho is sometimes identi- 
 Jied with the queen of the Fairies. Carling, Dr. Leyden ex- 
 plains as being the feminine of carl, and as used " to denote 
 an old hag or witch ; hence cojnpoimded with the I si. gier ; 
 R. gier ; Al. geyr ; the Gyre-Carling, the Queen qfFaries, 
 the Great Hag, Hecate, or Mother Witch of the peasants, 
 concerning whom many popular stories were formerly cur- 
 rent, and rude burlesque verses are still repeated^.'''' Fre- 
 quent allusions in our early writers occur respecting these 
 superstitions. Sir David Lyndfay, ' who feinzeit many 
 fabillis'' Jbr the amusement of his royal pupil, James V. re- 
 minds him how, in his tender years, he was accustomed with 
 
 — •• mony plesand storye, 
 
 Of the Reid Etin, and the Gyer Carling. 
 
 Confortand the, quhen that I saw the sorye ''." 
 
 — And Montgomery, with great minuteness, in the Fly ting, 
 describes the array o/*Nienevin {another of her popular ap- 
 pellations,) — and her ' elricK' company in their procession 
 on All-hallow-evin'^. 
 
 After the Editor transcribed the following burlesque frag- 
 ment from Bannatyne"'s manuscript^, hefoundthat it had been 
 introduced into the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border^, in the 
 interesting and valuable dissertation " on the Fairies of Po- 
 pidar Supe^'stition.'''' Leyden had previously remarked the 
 peculiarity of its commencing in the same manner as * The 
 Warris of the Jewish an alliterative poem preserved in 
 the British Museum ^, which is cited by Warton s. 
 
 3 Glossary to Complaynt of Scotland, 8vo. 1801. p. 318. See also Dr. Ja- 
 mieson's Diet, sub v. ; and Mr. Chalmers's Glossary in his edition of Lynsday. 
 •> Lyndsay's Works, vol. i. p. 189. '^ Montgomery's Poetical Works, 
 
 edit. 8vo. 1821, p. J 13. ^ Fol. 136, b. « Vol. ii. p. 174. edit. 1803. 
 
 ^ MSS. Cotton. Calig. A ii. 109. « Warton's Hist, of Poetry, vol. i. p. 311. 
 
' Xfje (Bvtt^^axlins: 
 
 IN Tiberius tyme, the trew Imperiour, 
 QuhenTinto hillis fraikraipingof toun-henis waskeipit, 
 Thair dwelt ane grit Gyre-Carling in awldBetokf bour, 
 That levit vpoun Chriftiane menis flefche, and rew*heidf 
 
 vnleipit ; 
 Thair wynit ane her by, on the weft fyd, callit Blafour, 5 
 For luve of hir lawchane hppis, he waht and he weipit ; 
 He gaddcrit ane men^ie of modwartf to warp doun the tour: 
 The carhng w' ane yrne club, quhen ])at Blasour sleipit, 
 Behind the heill fcho hatt him sic ane blaw, 
 
 Quhill Blasour bled ane quart 10 
 
 Of milk pottage inwart, 
 The Carling luche, and lut fart 
 North Berwik Law. 
 
 The king of Fary than come, w* elffis mony ane, 
 And sett ane fcge, and ane fait, w* grit penfallC of pryd ; 15 
 And all the doggis fra Dumbar, wes thair to Dumblane, 
 W all the tykis of Tervey, come to thame that tyd ; 
 Thay gnew doun w' thair gomes mony grit ftane. 
 The Carling fchup hir in ane fow, and is hir gaitis gane, 
 Gruntlyng our the Greik fie and durft na langer byd, 20 
 For bruklyng of barganc, & breking of browis : 
 
 The Carling now for difpyte 
 
 Is niareit w' Mahomyte, 
 
 And will the doggis interdyte. 
 For fcho is quene of Jowis. 95 
 
Senfyne the cokkis of Crawmound crew nevir a day, 
 For dule of pat devillifch deme wes w* Mahoun mareit, 
 And the henis of Hadingtoun fenfyne wald no' lay, 
 For this wyld wUroun wich thame widlit fa 8e wareit ; 
 And pe fame North Berwick Law, as I heir wyvis fay, 30 
 This Carling, w* a fals caft, wald away carreit : 
 For to luk on quha fa lykis, na langer fcho tareit. 
 All this lango'^ for luve befoir tymes fell, 
 Lang or Betok wes bom, 
 Scho bred of ane accorne ; 
 The laif of the ftory to morne 
 To sow I fall tell. 
 
 EXPLICIT. 
 
THE MANER 
 OF THE CRYING OF ANE PLAYE. 
 
IN the following curious Interlude, the Genius of Wealth 
 is represented under the character of a blind pigmy, or one 
 of a distinct race of lesser divinities, peculiar to the mytho- 
 ^^gy of the Northern nations. They were supposed to in- 
 habit the rocks in the wildest recesses, and to be possessed 
 of immense riches in gold and precious stones. As expres- 
 sive of their dwarjish size, they were called Duerghar, or 
 Droichs. Accordingly, in Bannatyne's manuscript it is 
 entitled * Ane little interlude of the Droichis part of the 
 play,' — although we are unable to say whether it actually 
 formed a part of any dramatic poem,, as assuredly no com- 
 positionofthe same period now exists, that can be dignified 
 with the title of the Play. The earliest drama that belongs 
 exclusively to our country is The Satire of the thrie Eftaits, 
 which it is certain was not "written before the year 1535; and 
 therefore, to connect this interlude with that most sitigular 
 production, or assign them both to the same author, as have 
 repeatedly been done, is very erroneous. The present poem 
 evidently belongs to the reign of James IV. a?id not of his 
 successor ; and instead of being the work of Sir David 
 Lyndsay, it seems to bear sufficient evidence of the more 
 masterly hand of his predecessor Dunbar. 
 
 The volume that has furnished the present copy, (writ- 
 ten by John Asloan, apparently in or before the year 
 1515,^ is in the possession o/^ Sir Alexander Boswell of 
 Auchinleck, Bart, Besides presenting the text in a more 
 genuine state, it contains several stanzas of a local nature, 
 and of no inconsiderable interest that do not occur in Ban- 
 natyne's later manuscript, from which it has hitherto been 
 printed. An account o^Asloan's early and precious ma- 
 nuscript, together with some remarks on passages in the 
 poem itself, are reserved for another place. 
 
' J^eir foUotoifi tlje mancv 
 of tlje crping of ane idlat^e/ 
 
 Harry, harry, hobillfchowe! 
 Se quha is cummyii nowe, 
 Bot I wait nevir howe, 
 
 With the quhorle wynd ? 
 A Soldane owt of Seriand land, 5 
 
 A gyand ftrang for to ftand. 
 That with the ftrentli of my hand 
 
 Beres may bynd. 
 
 <5it I trowe that I wary, 
 
 I am the nakit, blynd Hary, 10 
 
 That lang has bene in the fary, 
 
 Farleis to fynd ; 
 And ^it gif this be nocht I, 
 I wait I am the fpreit of Gy, 
 Or ellis go by the Iky, 15 
 
 Licht as the lynd. 
 
 The God of moft magnificence, 
 Conferf this fair prefens, 
 And faif this amyable audiens, 
 
 Grete of renovne ; 20 
 
 Proweft, baillies, officeris, 
 And honerable induellaris, 
 Marchandis, and familiaris. 
 
 Of all this fair towne. 
 
 Quha 
 
 1. 5. in Bann. Mf. reads ' A sargeand out of Sowdoun land.' 
 
Quha is cummyn heir, bot 1, 25 
 
 A bauld buftuofs bellamy, 
 At gour corfs to mak a cry, 
 
 With a hie fowne ? 
 Quhilk generit am of gyandis kynd, 
 Fra ftrang Hercules be ftrynd, 30 
 
 Off all the Occident of Ynd, 
 
 My eldaris bair the crovne. 
 
 My fore grantfchir, hecht Fyn M'^Kowle, 
 That dang the devill, and gart him gowle, 
 The Ikyis ranyd quhen he wald fcowle, 35 
 
 And trublit all the air : 
 He gat my grantfchir Gog Magog ; 
 Ay quhen he danlit, the warld wald fchog ; 
 Five thoufand ellis geid in his frog, 
 
 Of Hieland pladdis of hair. 40 
 
 <5it he was bot of tendir gouth ;^ 
 Bot eftir he grewe mekle at fouth, 
 Ellevyne ell wyde met was his mouth, 
 
 His teith was ten myle sqwau*. 
 He wald apon his tais ftand, 45 
 
 And tak the fternis dovne with his hand. 
 And fet tham in a gold garland 
 
 Aboue his wyfis hair. 
 
 He had a wyf was lang of clift ; 
 
 Hir hed was hiear than the lift ; 50 
 
 The hevyne rerdit quhen fcho wald rift ; 
 
 The lafs was no thing Iklender : 
 Scho fpittit Loch-Lomond with hir lippis ; 
 Thunner and fyre-flaucht flewe fra hir hippis ; 
 Quhen fcho was crabit, the fon tholit clips; 55 
 
 The fende durft nocht offend hir. 
 
 For 
 
 1. 43. ' Ellevyne niylle' in Bann. Mf. 
 
For cald fcho tukc the fcvir cartane; 
 For all the claith of Fraunce and Bcrtane, 
 Wald nocht be till hir leg a gartane, 
 
 Thocht fcho was gung and tendir ; 60 
 Apon a nycht heir in the North, 
 Scho tuke the grawell, and ftalit Cragorth 
 Scho pifchit the mekle watter of Forth ; 
 
 Sic tyde ran after hendir. 
 
 A thing writtin of hir I fynd, 65 
 
 In Irland quhen fcho blewe behynd, 
 At Noroway coftis fcho rafit the wynd, 
 
 And gret fchippis drownit thar. 
 Scho fifchit all the Spange feis, 
 With hir fark lape befor hir theis ; 70 
 
 Sevyne dayis faling betuix hir kneis. 
 
 Was eftymit and mair. 
 
 The hyngand brayis on athir fyde, 
 Scho poltit with hir lymmis wyde . 
 Laflis mycht Icir at hir to ftryd, 75 
 
 Wald ga to lufis lair. 
 Scho merkit fyne to land with myrth ; 
 And pifchit fyf quhalis in the Firth, 
 That cropyn war in hir geig for girth, 
 
 Weltcrand amang the wair. 80 
 
 My fader, mekle Gow Makmorne, 
 Out of that wyfis wame was fchorne ; 
 For litilnefs fcho was forlorne, 
 
 Sic a kempe to beir : 
 Or he of eld was ^eris thre, 86 
 
 He wald ftepe ovr the Occeanc fe ; 
 The monc fprang neuer aboue his kne; 
 
 The hevyn had of him feir. 
 
 Anc 
 
 1. 71. • Thri' dayis lailing.' l?ann. i^ff. 
 
 1. 79. a word or two in thihlini; has been supplied from Bann. Mf. 
 
Ane thoufand ^er is paft fra mynd, 
 
 Sen I was generit of his kynd, 
 
 Full far amang the defertis of Ynde, 
 
 Amang lyoun and beir : 
 Baith the King Arthour and Gawane, 
 And mony bald berne in Brettane, 
 Ar deid, and in the weris flane, 95 
 
 Sen I couth weild a fpeir. 
 
 I haue bene forthwart euer in feild, 
 And now fo lang I haf borne fcheld, 
 That I am all crynd in for eld 
 
 This litill, as ge may fe. 100 
 
 I haue bene bannift wnder the lynd 
 Full lang, that no man couth me fynd, 
 And now with this laft fouthin wynd, 
 
 I am cummyn heir parde. 
 
 My name is Welth, thairfor be blyth, 105 
 
 I am come heir comfort gow to kyth ; 
 Suppofs that wretchis wryng and wryth, 
 
 All darth I fall gar de ; 
 For fekerly, the treuth to tell, 
 I come amang gow heir to duell, 110 
 
 Fra found of fanct Gelis bell, 
 
 Nevir think I to fle. 
 
 Sophea and the Soldane ftrang. 
 With weris that has leftit lang, 
 Furth of thar boundis maid me to gang, 115 
 
 And turn to Turky tyte. 
 The King of Frauncis gret army. 
 Has brocht in darth in Lombardy; 
 And in ane cuntre he and I 
 
 May nocht baith ftand perfyte. 120 
 
 In 
 
In Denmark, Swetherik, and Noroway, 
 Na in the Steidis I dar nocht ga ; 
 Amang thaim is hot tak and fla, 
 
 Cut thropillis, and mak quytc. 
 Irland for evir I haue refufit, 125 
 
 All wichtis fuld hald me excufit, 
 For neuer in land quhar Erifche was vfit, 
 
 To duell had I delyte. 
 
 Quharfor in Scotland come I heir, 
 
 With 30W to byde and perfeveir, 130 
 
 In Edinburgh, quhar is meriaft cheir, 
 
 Plefans, difport and play ; 
 Quhilk is the lampe, and A per fe, 
 Of this regioun, in all degre, 
 Of welefair, and of honefte, ] 35 
 
 Renovne, and riche aray. 
 
 Sen I am Welth, cummyn to this wane, 
 ^e noble merchandis euerilkane, 
 Addrefs gow furth with bow and flane, 
 
 In lufty grene lufraye , 140 
 
 And follow furth on Robyn Hude, 
 With hartis coragioufs and gud, 
 And thocht that wretchis wald ga wod, 
 
 Of worfchipe hald the way. 
 
 For I, and my thrc feres aye, 145 
 
 Weilfair, Waxtoness, and Plav, 
 Sail byde with gow, in all affray. 
 
 And cair put clene to flicht : 
 And we fall dredlefs ws addrefs. 
 To bannifs derth, and all diltrei's ; 150 
 
 And with all fportis, and n;erynefs, 
 
 gour hartis hald eucr on hichl. 
 
 I am 
 
* Sen' I am of mekle quantite, 
 Of gyand kynd, as ^e may fe, 
 Quhar fall be gottin a wyf to me 155 
 
 Sicklyke of breid and hicht ? 
 I dreid that thair be nocht a ' bryde\ 
 In all this towne may me abyd, 
 Quha wait gif ony heir befyde, 
 
 Micht fuffer me all nycht. 160 
 
 With gow fen I mon leid my lyf, 
 Gar ferfs baith Louthiane and Fyf, 
 And vale to me a mekle wyf, 
 
 A gret vngracioufs gan ; 
 Sen fcho is gane, the Gret Forlore 165 
 
 [Of Babylon, that I full yore 
 Efpoufit, quhan we tochir ftore 
 
 Fra gud fanct Dawy wan.] 
 
 Adew ! fairweill ; for now I go, 
 
 Bot I will nocht lang byd gow fro ; 170 
 
 Chryft gow conferve fra every wo, 
 
 Baith madin, wyf, and man. 
 God bhfs thame, and the haly rude, 
 Givis me a drink, fa it be gude ; 
 And quha trowis beft that I do lude, 175 
 
 Skynk firft to me the kan. 
 
 ffinis off the droichis part of the play. 
 
 ' Sen' in 1. 153, & ' bryde' in 1. 157, are supplied from Bann. Mf. 
 
 1, 166 — 168. This Interlude in Asloane's Mf. is incomplete ; 
 the leaf which had the conclusion being lost. As Bannatyne's 
 Mf. from which the subsequent stanza is given, does not contain 
 the former, these three lines were kindly supplied by a friend, who 
 has given the public more ample specimens of the success with 
 which he has cultivated the ancient Ballad-style of our Poetry. 
 
THE LAYING OF LORD FERGUS S GAIST, 
 
 ANE INTERLUDE. 
 
THIS amusing Interlude, preserved by Bannatyne in 
 his ' Ballet BuiJc^'' ^ has already been printed in the ' Min- 
 strelsy of the Scottish Border,'' ^ — where it is said to be " in 
 the same strain with the verses concerning the Gyre Car- 
 line. As the mention of Bettokis Bowr, occurs in both 
 pieces, and as the scene of both is laid in East Lothian, they 
 are perhaps composed by the same author.'''' Sir Walter Scott, 
 w'lth his usual discrimination, at the same time, observes, 
 *' The humour of these fragments seems to have been directed 
 against the superstitions of Rome, but it is now become very 
 obscure. Nevertheless the verses are worthy of preserva- 
 tion, for the sake of the ancient language and allusions.'''' 
 
 Calderwood, in his highly valuable, but unpublished 
 History of the Church of Scotland, mentions James 
 Wedderburn as one of those wlio, before the Reforma- 
 tion, being persecuted on accou7it of their religious opinions, 
 Jledfrom Scotland; — and says, that *' he had a good g'ft 
 of poesie, and. made diverse Comedies and Tragedies in 
 if Scotish tongue, (f'm he nipped, the abuses and supersti- 
 tions of the time.'''' The historian adds, that " he coun- 
 terfeited also y^ conjuring of ane gaist, ^^^ was indeed 
 -practised be Frier Lang, beside Kinghorn, q"'' Frier Lang 
 had been Confessor to yc King : — But qfler «/« conjuring 
 the King was constrained for shame to remove him.''"' A cu- 
 rious allusion to this story occurs in 'AneEpistill direct from 
 the halie hermeit of Alareit, to his brethren the Gray Freirs,^ 
 which was written by Alexander Earle of Glencairn, 
 
 — Bot ordourlie to dress this thing 
 A gaist I purpois to gar gang 
 By counsaill of Frier Walter Lang — — 
 That practick he provit anis befoir 
 Betuix Kyrkaldie and Kinghorne 
 Bot Lymmaris maid therat sik skorne 
 And to his fame mad sik digressioun 
 Sensyne he hard not the Kingis confessioun 
 Thoicht at that time he come with speid. — '' 
 
 From the allusion by Calderwood, it has been conjectured 
 that Wedderburn was the author of the following bur- 
 lesque poem. 
 
 » MS. fol. 114. '• Vol. I. p. clx. «^ Knoxe's History, edit. 1732, p. 25. 
 
' %nt 3lnterlulie 
 of t|)e %tivxnQ of a dPaist. 
 
 LISTIS lordis, I fall 30W tell 
 Off ane verry grit meruell, 
 Off Lord Fergnf gaift, 
 How mekle S"^ Andro it cheft, 
 
 Vnto Beittokis bour, 5 
 
 The filly fawle to succour : 
 And he hes writtin vnto me, 
 Auld ftoreif for to fe, 
 Gif it appinis him to meit, 
 
 How he fall coniure the fpreit : 10 
 
 And I haif red mony quar£> 
 Bath the Donet, and Dominusque parf, 
 Ryme maid, and als reiddin, 
 Bath Inglis and Latene : 
 
 And ane ftory haif I to reid 15 
 
 Paf f Bonitatem in the creid— 
 To coniure the iittill gaist 50 men haif 
 Off tod tailis ten thraif 
 And kast the grit haly watter 
 W^ pater noftcr, patter patter SO 
 
And ^e man f itt in ane compai* 
 
 And cry, Harbert tuthless, 
 
 Drag thow, and ]iifs draw, 
 
 And fitt thair quhill cok craw. 
 
 The compafs mon hallo wit be 25 
 
 With Afpergis me Domine ; 
 
 The haly writt fchawis als 
 
 Thair man be hung abowt ^our hals 
 
 Pricket in ane woll poik 
 
 Off neif powder ane grit loik. 30 
 
 Thir thingis mon ge beir, 
 
 Brynt in ane doggis eir, 
 
 Ane plucke, ane paiddill, and ane palme cori' 
 
 Thre tuf kis of ane awld deid horf, 
 
 And of ane fallow wob the warp, 35 
 
 The boddome of ane awld herp, 
 
 The heid of ane cuttit reilJ, 
 
 The band of ane awld quheil. 
 
 The taill of ane seild fow, 
 
 And ane bait of blew wow, 40 
 
 Ane botene, and ane brechame, 
 
 And ane quhorle maid of lame, 
 
 To luke owt at the litill boir, 
 
 And cry, Chryltis croff, 50W befoir : 
 
 And quhen ^e se the kittill gaift, 45 
 
 Cumand to 50W in all haift. 
 
 Cry lowd Chryfte eleifone. 
 
 And fpeiris quhat law it leivis on ? 
 
 And gif it sayis on Gode ley, 
 
 Than to the littill gaift ge say, 50 
 
 W braid benedicitie ; 
 
 Littill gaift, I coniure the, 
 
 W harie ^ larie. 
 
 Bay' fra God, ■£ Sanct Marie, 
 
 First wt ane fifschis mowth, 55 
 
 And syne w' ane fowlis towth. 
 
W» ten pertane tais, 
 
 And n3'nc knokc of windil ftrais, 
 
 W' thre hcid(' of curie doddy. 
 
 And bid the gaift turn in a boddy. GO 
 
 Then eftir this coniuratioun, 
 
 The httill gaift will fall in foun, 
 
 And )/ eftir doun ly, 
 
 Cryand mercy petoufly ; 
 
 Than wt ^our left heill it sane, 65 
 
 And it will nevir cum agane, 
 
 Als mekle as ane mige amaift. — — — 
 
 He had a littill we leg-. 
 
 And it was cant as ony cleg, 
 
 It wes wynd in ane wyndin fcheit, 70 
 
 Bayt the handf and the feit : 
 
 Suppois this gaift wes littill 
 
 ;^it it ftall fra Godis quhitell ; 
 
 It ftall fra peteoufs Abrahame, 
 
 Ane quhorle and ane quhu quhamc ; 75 
 
 It ftall fra the carle of j^e mone 
 
 Ane pair of awld yrn schone ; 
 
 It ran to Pencaitlane, 
 
 And wirreit ane awld chaplane 
 
 This littill gaist did na mair ill 80 
 
 Bot clok lyk a corne in myll ; 
 
 And it wald play and hop, 
 
 Abowt the heid ane ftra ftrop ; 
 
 And it wald fing and it wald dance, 
 
 Oure fute, and Orliance. 85 
 
 Quha coniurit the littill gaist sa ^e ? 
 
 Nane bot the littil Spenzie fle 
 
 That w* hir wit and ingyne, 
 
 Gart the gaift leif agane ; 
 
 And sune mareit the gaift the fle, 90 
 
 And cround him kyng of Kandelie ; 
 
 Line 68. Apparently one or more lines are here omitted. 
 
And they gat thame betwene, 
 
 Orpheus king and Elpha quene, 
 
 To reid quha will this gentill geift 
 
 ^e hard it no* at Cokilby's feSt. 95 
 
 EXPLICIT. 
 
SYMMIE AND HIS BRUTHEK. 
 
IN a satirical poem * included in the present collection^ 
 the ' fwingeour coife/ (a character in which the lewd and 
 inordinate lives of the secular clergy is drawn ^rom exist- 
 ing manners,) at times, is spolcen of, as, 
 
 " Peipand peurly with petous granis 
 Like fenzeit Symmie and his bruder." 
 
 These persons are no doubt the heroes of the Jbllowing 
 poem, which, as Lord Hailes has observed, seems to inti- 
 mate that they were what is termed in the Canons of the 
 Scotish Church, A. D. 1242 and 1296, quaestionarii, or 
 persons sent out by the church upon a begging mission. 
 Kennedy, in order to throw ridicule upon Dunbar, repre- 
 sents him as one of these quaestionarii, or begging friars, 
 and says to him, with « cloutit cloke, Ikyrp, burdoun, and 
 clam-fchellis,' 
 
 ♦ ' Fra Ettrick forest furthward to Dumfrese, 
 Thow beggit with a pardon in all kirkis, 
 Collapis, cruddis, meil, grotis, gryce, and geis, 
 And undernicht quhyle stall thow staigs and stirks." * 
 
 The poem itself is certainly obscure, and perhaps not 
 quite entire, but possesses a considerable share (f humour in 
 its descriptions, even although it falls very Jar short o/'Peblis 
 to the Play, or Christis Kirk on the Grene, of one or other of 
 which it may be considered as an imitation. The stanza in 
 which it is written, however, was popular during the 15th 
 and I6th centuries ; and, amidst the contrariety of opinions 
 that have been expressed respecting the age of these compo- 
 sitions, it might be diffictdt to assign the present poem, with 
 any degree of certainty, to a particular age. It has hither- 
 to been inedited, except the first seven stanzas, which ap- 
 peared in Sibbald's Chronicle of Scotish Poetry^. 
 
 ^ < Ane Descriptioun of Fedder CofFeis.' * Flyting. '^ Vol. i. p. 360. 
 
ifoHotois <S)pm aitti !)is BtuDer. 
 
 T 
 
 HAIR is no ftory that I of heir, 
 Of Johnnc nor Robcne Hude, 
 Nor ^it of Wallace wicht but weir, 
 That me thinkc half fo gude. 
 As of thir Palmare twa but peir, 
 To heir how thay conclude ; 
 In to begging I trow fyve geir 
 In Sanct Andro( thay stude 
 togidder, 
 Bayth Sym and his bruder. 
 
 Tho^ thay war wicht, I warrand 30W, 
 Thay had no will to wirk ; 
 Thay maid them burdownis no* to bow, 
 Twa bewis of the birk, 
 Weill ftobbit w' fteill, I trow 
 To ftik in to ])e mirk ; 
 Bot fen pair baird(' grew on ],^ mow 
 They faw nevir ])e kirk 
 w* in, 
 Nowthir Syme nor his bruder. 
 
 Syne fchupe thame vp to lowp o"^ leifs, 
 Twa tabartis of the tartane ; 
 Thay compt not quhat j)"" clowtis weis 
 Wes fewit fai on incertane : 
 Syne clapit vp fanct PeterC keifs, 
 Bot of ane auld reid gartane : 
 Sanct James fchellc on pe tof fyd fleuis 
 As pretty as ony pertane 
 ta, 
 On Sym, ' and his bruder.' 
 
Thus quhe thai had reddit f ragis, 
 To rome they war infpyrit ; 
 Tuk vp thair joupis and all thair jaggis, 
 Fure fur* as thay war hyrit ; 
 And ay fe eldeft bure pe baggis 
 Q" that fe sungeft tyrit ; 
 Tuk counfall at Kinkellf craggis, 
 Come hame as thay war hyrit 
 agane, 
 Baith Sym and his bruper. 
 
 Than held thay houfs, as men me tellf, 
 
 And fpendit of thair feis ; 
 
 Quhen meit wes went, thay flew our fellf 
 
 Als bifly as ony beis ; 
 
 Syne clengit fanct Jameis fchellf 
 
 And pecis of palme treis ; 
 
 To fe quha beft the pardone fpellf , 
 
 I fchrew pame pat ay leifs 
 
 but lauchter, 
 ^ Sym to * his bruder.' 
 
 Quhen thay wer wel'full in pair wyning, 
 
 Thay puft thame vp in pryd ; 
 
 Bot quhair that Symy levit in fynyng. 
 
 His bruder wald haif ane bryd ; 
 
 Hir wedoheid fra the begyning 
 
 Wes neir ane moneth tyd ; 
 
 Gif fcho wes fpedy ay in fpyning 
 
 Tak witnefs of thame befyd 
 
 ilk ane, 
 Baith ' Sym and his bruder.' 
 
 The carlis thay thikkit faft in cludf , 
 
 Agane pe ma wes mareit, 
 
 AV' breid & beif, and vp' bude, 
 
Syne to the kirk thay kareit ; 
 
 But or thay twynd him « his dudis, 
 
 The tyme of none wes tareit : 
 
 Wa worth this wedding, for be thir wide 
 
 The meit is all miskareit 
 
 to day ! 
 a * Sym and his bruder.' 
 
 Our all the houfs be lyne and levall, 
 The ladis came to luk him ; 
 To tak a jufting of fat javell, 
 The bryd wount no' to bruk him ; 
 Thay maneift him w* mony nevell 
 Tha Syme raifs and fchuk him, 
 I cleme to clergy q the cavell 
 How dar thow cum to luk him 
 ;5ondir, 
 a Sym ' and his bruder/ 
 
 W* that ]ie carle begow' to crak, 
 Glowrit vp and gaif a glufe ; 
 His beird it wes als lang l blak. 
 That it hang our his mvif ; 
 He wes als lang vpoun the bak, 
 As evir wes Angus Dufe ; 
 He fayis, this jufting I vndirtak, 
 My coit is of gud ftuffe, 
 call to, 
 c^ Sym ' and his bruder.' 
 
 He hoppit fa mycht na mu hald him, 
 
 Said blame me bot I bind him ; 
 
 I sail ourtak him, and pat I tald him, 
 
 In ^one feild gife I fynd him, 
 
 On his gray mcir faft fur' thay cald him 
 
 The flokC flew fur' behind liim, 
 
Thay dafchit him doun, pe dirt ourhaild him, 
 Tha ftart thay to and tind him 
 
 Baith < Sym and his bruder'. 
 
 Tha brak he lowfs, the horfs pat bair him 
 Ran ftarthng to Stratyrum, 
 And he gat vp, and Syme fwair him 
 ge meit not bot ge myr him ; 
 Off pat fowll courfs for to declair him 
 The cairlis come to requyr him. 
 Than all pe laddf cryd w' a lairru 
 To flud him & to Ayr him 
 bayth, 
 c^ Syme ' and his bruder.' 
 
 This was no bourdone to brown hill 
 That gatt betwene pe browis, 
 And had no thing ado p'' till 
 As mony vder trewis 
 Bot come fur* on his awin gud will 
 To Squyar Johne of Mowis, 
 He gratt and fit vp in pe fchill, 
 And p' the ladde allowis 
 
 ilk ane, 
 To ' Sym and his bruder."* 
 
 gob Symer was the ftirrepman, 
 Was nolt bird of pe toun, 
 He faid I will just as I can, 
 Sen he is ftrickin doun ; 
 He gatt twa plaitis of ane awld pan, 
 Ane breift plait maid him boun, 
 The firft rynk raif his mow' a fpan. 
 And p"^ he fell in fwoune 
 
 almaist. 
 Bay* Sym ' and his bruder."* 
 
Doun fra pe leggis quhe he wcs laift 
 He maid a peteoufs panting, 
 He fwownit « he fwelt almaift 
 For gaping « for ganting ; 
 Abyd 5t the leich I f e a waift, 
 His wrang twch is in wanting, 
 God faif him & the Haly Gaist 
 And keip ])C ma fra mating 
 mekle, 
 q, Sym ' and his bruder\ 
 
 His mowth wes fchent, and fa forfchorne, 
 Held nowdir wind nor watter ; 
 Fair weill all blaft of blawing home, 
 He mycht no* do bot blatter : 
 He ende pe ftory w'^ harme forlorne, 
 The nolt begow' till Ikatter, 
 The ky ra ftartling to pe corne, 
 Wa worth the tyme thow gat hir 
 now ! 
 q Symmic till his bruder. 
 
 EXPLICIT. 
 
ANE BALLAT OF ALLANE-A^-MAUT. 
 
THIS ballad, transcribed from Bannatyne's Manuscript, 
 1568, is doubtless the most ancient which we now have of a 
 numerous class of compositions, that still preserve no or- 
 dinary share of popularity among the peasantry both of 
 Scotland and England, respecting this celebrated personage, 
 Allane-a'-Maut, or, as he is moi'C frequently styled. Sir 
 John Barleycorn. It has never been printed, except by 
 Mr. Jamieson, in his valuable collection o/' Popular Ballads 
 and Songs *, where it is accompanied with Jive or six other 
 curious pieces of a similar Mnd, taken from, tradition, or 
 English copies of a more recent period. Among the la'er 
 productions of the same class, the Editor cannot help allud- 
 ing to a wild and romanticJc story, by his friend Mr. Allan 
 Cunningham, lately published in his two volumes o/ Tradi- 
 tional Tales''. 
 
 A curious mistake has arisen from the jocular signature 
 affixed to the poem in the Manuscript, as, instead of read- 
 ing 'quodi Allanc Matfonis fuddartis'^,"' or soldiers, the name 
 o/" Allan Watson has found a place in the diffxrent lists and 
 lives of the early Scotish Poets as its author. In the same 
 manner has the name o/'John T^\y\\\ been registered among 
 the Scotish Poets, as author (fa ' Balled ofGude Falloxois.'' 
 — Surely it requires very little discernment to ascertain that 
 such names xvere assumed for ' tlie nones,'' and suggested by 
 the nature of the verses. The only Poet, to whom the fol- 
 lowing ballad can with any degree (f likelihood be attributed, 
 is Dunbar, among- xohose works will be found a few unpub- 
 lished pieces of a like kind, and who, perhaps, assumed no 
 feigned character token he so designated himself. 
 
 " Edii). 1806. vol. ii. p. 231— 2G0. i" Lond. 1822. 12mo. vol, i. 
 
 c The bijjiiatuie is not iiffi.\.t.tl to ihc copy in Wr. Janiieson's collection. 
 
' £lu|)P fotalD no^ :^llane Ijouovit be. 
 
 QUhen he wes gung, and cled in grenc, 
 Haifand his air abovvt his cne, 
 Baith men and wemen did him menc, 
 Quhcn he grew on ;^on hillis he; — 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allane honorit be ? 5 
 
 His fofter faider fure of the toun, 
 
 To vifly Allane he maid him boun ; 
 
 He faw him lyane, allace ! in fwoun, 
 
 For fait of help, and iyk to de ;— 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allane honorit be ? 10 
 
 Thay faw his heid begin to ryfe ; 
 
 Syne for ane nureifs thay fend belyfe, 
 
 Quha brocht witli hir fyfty-and-fyve 
 
 Of men of war full prevely ; — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allane honorit be ? 15 
 
 Thay rufchit furth Iyk hellis rukis 
 
 And euery ane of thame had hukis ; 
 
 They cawcht him fchortly in thair clukis 
 
 Syne band him in ane creddill of tre ; — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allan honorit be ? i20 
 
 Thay brocht him inuart in the land, 
 
 Syne euery freynd maid him his band, 
 
 Quhill they micht owdir gang or flanci, 
 
 Ncuer ane fute fra him to fle ; — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allane honorit be ? 25 
 
 TIk" gritteft cowart in this land, 
 Ffra he with Allane entir in band, 
 Thocht he may nowdir gang nor ftand, 
 
^it fourty fall nocht gar him fle ; — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht AUane honorit be ? 30 
 
 Sir Allanis hewmond is ane cop, 
 
 With ane fege feddir in his top : 
 
 Fra hand to hand fo dois he hop, 
 
 Quhill fum may nowdir fpeik nor fe ; — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht AUane honorit be ? 35 
 
 In 5ule, quhen ilk man fingis his carrel! 
 
 Gude Allane lyis in to ane barrell 
 
 Quhen he is thair, he dowtis no parrell 
 
 To cum on him be land or fe, — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allane honorit be ? 40 
 
 ^it was thair neuir fa gay gallane, 
 
 Fra he meit with our maiftir Sir Allane, 
 
 Bot gif he hald him by the hallane, 
 
 Bak wart on the flure fallis he ; — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allane honorit be ? 45 
 
 My maiftir Allane grew fo ft ark, 
 
 Quhill he maid mony cunning clerk, 
 
 Vpoun thair faifs he fettis his mark, 
 
 A blud reid noifs befyd thair E ; — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allane honorit be ? 45 
 
 My maiftir Allane I may fair curf, 
 
 He levis no mony in my purf. 
 
 At his command I mon difburf 
 
 Moir nor the twa pert of my fe ; — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allane honorit be ? 50 
 
 And laft, of Allane to conclude ; 
 
 He is bening, courtaf and gude, 
 
 And fervis ws of our daly fude, 
 
 And that with liberalitie ; — 
 
 Quhy fowld nocht Allane honorit be ? 55 
 
 ffinis q; Allane Matfonis fuddartis. 
 
ANE DESCRIPTIOUN OF PEDDER COFFEIS. 
 
This satirical Poem was originally published hy Lord 
 Hailes, among his selections from the MS. ' Ballat Builc' 
 of George Bannatyne *. " What the author meant by Cof- 
 feis," says Lord Hailes, (and we cannot use better words 
 than his own to describe the poem,) " he explains in I. 3, 
 where he speaks of < Pedder Knavis.' Coffe, in the mo- 
 dern Scottish language means rustic. The sense here ?',? 
 peddling merchants. The seven sorts are, 1. An higgler 
 and Jbrestaller ; 2. A lewd parish priest ; 3. A merchant 
 who traffics in company upon too small a stock ; 4. Though 
 obscurely expressed, is a low born fellow, who intrudes him- 
 self into the magistracy of a royal burgh ; 5. A fraudulent 
 bankrupt; 6. A miser; 7. A dignified churchman : the cha- 
 racter of each is drawn from the living manners of tliat 
 age:' 
 
 The Notes \> subjoined by Lord Hailes, in explanation of 
 this satirical description, and which Sibbald ', with a few 
 slight alterations, adopted without acknowledgment, are too 
 valuable to be withheld. They are therefore annexed with- 
 out either mixture or alteration. 
 
 There is one thing, however, that, in this place, ought 
 to be remarked, since the Poem has hitherto been published 
 as an anonymous composition. In the same manner that 
 other pieces are attributed to their respective authors, the 
 signature ' g. LinTdfay' appears in the manuscript. Al- 
 tlwugh the name be written in a different coloured ink, the 
 hand is apparently of the same age with that of the poem 
 to which it is affixed. Nor does internal evidence, in 
 any degree, invalidate the propriety of its being so attri- 
 buted. This circumstance having been unnoticed, was per- 
 haps the cause why it did not Jlnd a place in the elaborate 
 edition by Mr. George Chalmers, of the poetical works of 
 Lyon King at Arms. 
 
 a 12mo. Edinburgh, 1770. p. 170. ^ Id. p. 298. 
 
 • Chronicle of Scottish Poetry, vol. i. p. 368. 
 
♦ of ptVbtv fenatjis.' 
 
 IT is my purpoifs to difcryve 
 This holy perfyte genolagie 
 Of pedder knavis superlatyve, 
 Pretendand to awtoretie, 
 
 That wait of nocht bot beggartie. 5 
 
 ^e burges fonis prevene their lownis, 
 That waid diftroy nobilitie, 
 And baneifs it all borrow townis. 
 
 Thay ar declarit in seven pairtis ; 
 
 1. Ane (fcroppit cofc) quhen he begynis, 10 
 Sornand all and findry airtis, 
 
 For to by henis reid-wod he rynis ; 
 He lokis thame vp in to his innis 
 Vnto ane derth, and fellis thair eggis, 
 Regraitandly on thame he wynis, 15 
 
 And fecondly his meit he beggis. 
 
 2. Ane fwyngeor coife, amangis the wyvis, 
 In land-wart dwellis w* fubteill menis, 
 Exponand thame auld fan£lis lyvis, 
 
 And fanis thame w' deid menis banis ; 20 
 
 Lyk Rome-rakaris, with awfterne granis, 
 Spcikand curlyk ilk ane till vder ; 
 Peipand pcurly with peteoufs granis, 
 Lyk fen^eit Symmie and his briidcr. 
 
3. Thir cur coffeis that failis oure fone, 25 
 And thretty fum abowt ane pak, 
 
 Wt bail* blew bonattis and hobbeld fchone, 
 And beir bonnokkis with thame thay tak ; 
 Thay fchamed fchrewis, God gif thame lak. 
 At none quhen merchantis makis gud cheir, 30 
 Steilis doun, and lyis behind ane pak, 
 Drinkand bot dreggis and barmy beir. 
 
 4. Knaifatica coff mifknawis him fell, 
 Quhen he gettis in a furrit goun ; 
 
 Grit Lucifer, maifter of heU, 35 
 
 Is nocht fa helie as that loun ; 
 
 As he cCmis brankand throw the toun, 
 
 Wt his keis clynkand on his arme, 
 
 That calf clovin-futtit fleid cuftroun, 
 
 Will mary nane bot a burgefs bairne. 40 
 
 5. Ane dyvour cofFe, that wirry hen, 
 Diftroyis the honor of our natioun, 
 Takis gudis to frift fra fremit men. 
 And brekis than his obligatioun ; 
 
 Quhilk dois the marchandf defamatioun; 45 
 
 Thay ar reprevit for that regratour. 
 Thairfoir we gif our declaratioun. 
 To hang and draw that comon tratour. 
 
 6. Ane curloreoufs coffe, that hege-kraper, 
 
 He fittis at hame quhen that thay baik, 50 
 
 That pedder brybour, that fcheip-keipar, 
 
 He tellis thame ilk ane caik by caik ; 
 
 Syne lokkis thame vp, and takis a faik, 
 
 Betwix his dowblett and his jackett, 
 
 And eitis thame in the buith that fmaik ; 55 
 
 God that he mort into ane rakkett. 
 
7. Ane cathedral! coffe, he is ouir riche, 
 And hes na hap his gude to fpend, 
 Bot levis lyk ane wareit wretche, 
 And treftis nevir till tak ane end ; 60 
 
 W' falfheid evir dois him defend, 
 Proceeding ftill in averice, 
 And leivis his faille na gude comend, 
 Bot walkis ane wilfome wey, I wifs. 
 
 I 30W exhort all that is heir, 65 
 
 That reidis this bill, gc wald it fchaw 
 
 Vnto the proveft, and him requeir, 
 
 That he will geif thir coffis the law, 
 
 And baneis thame the burgefs raw, 
 
 And to the fcho ftreit 30 thame ken ; 70 
 
 Syne cutt thair luggis, that ge may knaw, 
 
 Thir peddir knavis be burges men. 
 
 ffinis. 
 
NOTES ON THE PRECEDING POEM, 
 
 BY LORD HAILES, 1770. 
 
 St. 2. 1. 11. " Somand all and sindry airts.^' This scrojjpit or con- 
 temptible dealer is represented as going about in every quarter sor- 
 nand; a contraction from sojournand. Hence sorners, or sojourners, 
 which so often occurs in our more ancient statutes. He is here des- 
 cribed as solicitous in purchasing fowls, profiting by the sale of their 
 eggs, forestaUing the market, and drawing advantage from a dearth. 
 These are topics of popular discontent, which the legislature has 
 sometimes sanctified by inextricable statutes. 
 
 My reason for imagining that scroppit means contemptible, is 
 founded on the following passage in Knox, p. 93. " Thair was pre- 
 sentit to the Quein Regent a calfe having two heidis ; whairat she 
 scorppit, and said, it was hot a common thing." 
 
 St. 3. A rascally wencher among the married women, resides in 
 the country, versant in the arts of subtilty ; he interprets to them 
 the legends of the saints, and sanctifies them with dead-men's bones 
 or rehcs. Such persons seem to have raked the streets of Rome for 
 every superstitious foolery. Sometimes they growl like dogs, in the 
 offices of reUgion ; sometimes they pitifully whine Uke the hypocriti- 
 cal Symmye and his brother. 
 
The first part of this description alludes to the lewd and inor- 
 dinate lives of the secular clergy — The description of their employ- 
 ment in the country resembles that which the younger Vossius pro- 
 fanely gave of a friend of his : "Est sacrificulus in pago quodam, et 
 decipit rusticos." — In Lord Hyndford's MS. phe ' Ballat Buik of 
 Geo. Bannatyne,]] there is a poem relative to Symmye and his bruder ; 
 it is obscure ; but seems to import, that they were what is termed 
 (jiicEstionarii in the ancient Scottish canons, c. 48. that is, persons 
 sent out by the church upon a begging mission. 
 
 St. 4. 1. 25. " Thir cur cofFeis that sailis cure sone, 
 " And thretty-sum about ane pak." 
 
 These lines are unintelligible without the aid of the statute-book. 
 By Act 24. pari. 4. James "V. it is provided, " That na merchand 
 saill, without he have ane halfe last of gudes of his awin, or else in go- 
 vernance, as factour, to uthir merchandes." And by Act 25. " That 
 na schip be frauchted out of the realme., with ony staple gudes, fra 
 the feast of Simon's day and Judes, []28. Oct.^ unto the feast of the 
 purification of our lady, called Candlemas." The reader will now 
 perceive what it was to sail too early, and wherein they offended, who, 
 to the number of thirty, were joint adventurers in one pack of goods. 
 
 St. 5. 1. 33. " Knaifatica coflP misknawis himself." The word knai- 
 fatica has been invented to describe a pedlar of mean servile original. 
 Every one knows, that knave formerly meant a servant. It is proba- 
 ble that this stanza was aimed at some living character, remarkable 
 for the insolence of office ^. 
 
 1. 38. " With his keis clynkand on his arme." The keys of 
 
 a city are considered as the symbols of trust and power, and therefore 
 they may have been borne by Magistrates. It is an ancient custom 
 for the chief magistrate of a city to deliver the keys to the Sovereign, 
 upon his first entry. 
 
 •Tliosc who most frequently held the office of Provost of Kdinbiirgh, dur- 
 ing the latter part of this reign, [Queen ^Mary's] were Lord Scaton, Dou- 
 glafl of Kilspindic, and Symon Prestoun of Prestoun. — SnuiAX-n. 
 
St. 6. 1. 41. " Ane dyvour coffe." This stanza describes, in very 
 emphatical terras, the offence of one who, while unable or unwilling 
 to pay, deals upon credit with foreign merchants. 
 
 St. 7. 1. 55. " And eitis thame in the buith that smaik." The word 
 smaik means a pitiful ignominious fellow. It occiu-s in a curious 
 poem by the Earl of Glencairn, preserved in Knox, p. 25. 
 
 " They smaikis dois set their haill intent, 
 " To reid the Inglische New Testament*' 
 
 The churl here described, after having carefully numbered his cakes, 
 conveys one of them imder his cloaths, and eats it in his booth or 
 shop. 
 
 St 9. 1. 70. " And to the schosfreit ye thame ken» 
 " S3me cut thair luggis,'* &c 
 
 Shoes are still sold at Edinburgh in the upper part of the GrasS' 
 market, which is [[formerly was^ also the place of execution. It is pro- 
 bable that lesser punishments, such as that of cutting off the ears of 
 delinquents, were anciently inflicted in the same place. It has been 
 suggested to the editor, that by Scho-streit, a street in Perth, still 
 termed the Shoe-gate, is understood : But there seems no reason for 
 supposing that this poem was composed at Perth, or that the Shoe» 
 gate in Perth was a place of punishment. 
 
THE WYF OF AUCHTERMUCHTY. 
 
THE ' Wyf of Auchtermuchty' has long continued to he a 
 favourite among all classes of the people o^ Scotland : — and 
 few poems of the same nature have qftener been printed, 
 though seldom, it must be added, with a due regard to accu- 
 racy. Having been preserved by tradition, as well as by 
 writing, there is no cause Jor surprise atjinding the differ- 
 ent copies vary considerably Jrom each other. Of these, the 
 one co7itained in Bannatyne''s manuscript ' Ballat Buik,'' is 
 the most ancient. Lord Hailes indeed was inclined to think 
 that it " had been transcribed at some later period than 1568, 
 when most of the MS. was written.'''' But there is no reason 
 for entertaining such an opinion, since it occurs in the middle 
 of the volume, and, as appears from the original series of 
 paging, eould not possibly have been inserted at a later 
 period than the rest of the collection. From this copy the 
 text is carefully given, and the most important variations 
 of other editions are pointed out at the foot of the page. The 
 only one, however, which requires particular notice is written 
 in a hand not much later than the year 1600, and is distin- 
 guished as MS. A. 
 
 For genuiiie humour, and as a faiiffid picture of rustic 
 vianners, * The Wyf of Auchtermuchty'' has seldom or ever 
 been equalled. Ritson, who intended to republ'ish it in a 
 projected volume of ' Select Scotish Poems,'' says, in a 
 manuscript note, " The subject of this poem seems to be 
 
borrowed from thejirst part of a story in the ' Silva Ser- 
 monuin jucundissimorum," Basil. 1569. 8i;o. p. 116,- 
 though certainly from a more ancient authority. It has 
 been very popular, (he adds,) and given rise to several imi- 
 tations.'''' The story referred to is quoted at full length at 
 th^ conclusion of the poem, (the volume Jrom which it is ta- 
 ken be'ing of rare occurrence,) so that the reader may be en- 
 abled to draw his own conclusion respecting" its orig'mality. 
 There is indeed a str'iking similarity in many of the 
 incidents ; but the poem has too much of a natural clmrac- 
 ter and propriety, to make us think of depriving the old 
 Scotish author of the merit of its invention. 
 
 Allan Ramsay, who, so far as we learn, was its earliest 
 pitblisher, has, as Lord Hailes observed, altered sio" lines, 
 and added no fewer than twenty. " It must be admitted 
 (Lord Hailes adds) that his alterations and additions are 
 in the style of the o?-iginal. They prove him to have been 
 a better poet than a publisher of other men's works.''"' Af- 
 ter such an encomium by one every way so well qiial'ified to 
 estimate their merit, it wotdd have been improper to have 
 withheld these add'it'ions. 
 
 Respecting the author of this poem, it may be observed 
 that in Bannatyne's manuscript,^ ' g Motat' is subjoined, 
 in a different, if not in a more modern hand. Accord- 
 ingly it has been attributed to a Sir John Moffat, C^ one 
 of the Pope's knights,'') the only Scotish poet of the name, — 
 
 a Tol. 12'". b. 
 
who is cmijectured to have lived in the earlier part of the 
 \(5th century. All we hnow concerning Mm is, that he was 
 author of the fine moral poem, beginning 
 
 ' Bruthir be wyiH I reid 'tow now ;' 
 
 that has been printed in Lord Hailes"'s collection. The 
 Wyf of Auchtermuchty may therefore be supposed to have 
 been written about the year 1520. Shoidd the solitary evi- 
 dence. Just referred to, respecting its author, be relied on, 
 there is but too much cause to Justify our regret, in not 
 possessing more considerable remains of a poet, zvhose 
 claims to original genius, it is presumed, zcill not be dis- 
 puted. 
 
 EDINBURGH, Dec. 1821. 
 
%f^t vKttpf of :^toc|)tirmtoc|)tp 
 
 IN Awchtirmwchty thair dwelt ane man. 
 An husband, as I hard it tawld 
 Quha Weill cowld tippill owt a can, 
 And naifir luvit hungu* nor cawld 
 Quhill anis it fell vpoun a day, 5 
 
 He gokkit his plwch vpoun the plane ; 
 Gif it be trcw, as I hard fay, 
 The day was fowll for wind and rane. 
 
 He lowfit the pluche at the landis end. 
 
 And draif his oxin hame at evin ; 10 
 
 Quhen he come in he lukit bend, 
 
 And faw the wyf baith dry and clene. 
 
 And fittand at ane fyre, beik and bawld, 
 
 W ane fat fowp, as I hard fay : 
 
 The man being verry weit and cawld, 15 
 
 Betwene thay twa it was na play. 
 
 Quoth he, quhair is my horfis corne ? 
 My ox hes naipir hay nor ftray ; 
 
 L. 1. thair wind an honest man — L. 2. a rach husband. 
 L. 3. Sa Weill can tipple vpon a good can — L. i. tliis man. 
 L. 8. It came on a f'oull day. 
 
 L. 9—16. This stanr.a in MS. A. lias ohlij four lines. 
 He loosed the plcuch hame as he came. 
 
 He saw the goodwife sitting baith fair and dene. 
 Sitting before a good beikman bald, 
 
 A good fat sowp his handt betuene. 
 L. 17. « Quho'.' MS. liaunal. 
 L. 18. My cattell L. 19. Ye bhall go to the pluch the morne. 
 
Dame, ge mon to the pluch to morne, 
 
 I falbe hufly, gif I may. ^0 
 
 Hufband, quoth fcho, content am I 
 
 To tak pe pluche my day abowt, 
 
 Sa ge will rewU baith kavis % ky, 
 
 And all the houf baith in and owt. 
 
 But fen that ge will hufyfkep ken, '25 
 
 Firft 36 fall fift, * fyne fall kned ; 
 
 And ay as ge gang but * ben, 
 
 Luk that the bairnis dryt not the bed. 
 
 'reis lay ane foft wifp to pe kill, 
 
 We haif ane deu' ferme on or heid ; til) 
 
 And ay as ge gang furtli and in, 
 
 Keip Weill the gaiflingis fra the gled. 
 
 The wyf was vp richt late at evin, 
 
 I pray God gif hir evill to fair, 
 
 Scho kyrnd the kyrne, and Ikwmd it clene, S5 
 
 And left the gudema bot the bledoch bair ; 
 
 Than in the mornyng vp fcho gatt 
 
 And on hir hairt laid hir disjwne, 
 
 Scho put als mekle in hir lap, 
 
 As micht haif ferd them baith at nwne. 40 
 
 L. 20. If^ gyde the hous als well as I may. 
 
 I.. 21. Goodman — L. 22. To gang to the pleuch, 
 
 L. 24. Gyde my hous well. 
 
 L. 25. A gude husband if ye will be. 
 
 L. 28. Jlisvse not the bed. 
 
 L. 29, 30, 31. And a good husband as ye wold be, 
 
 Some spottt in the house ye man outspy ; 
 We have a deare ken [q. kane] to the ludie. 
 See that the calfes swk not the ky. 
 
 I^. 37 40. These lines m MS. A. read thus : 
 
 The goodwife gat up soone in the morning, 
 
 Vpon hir heart laid a fine disjune, 
 Sho preind mair to Jock in hir lap 
 
 Nor wold have serued three honest menat noone. 
 
Sayis, Jok, will thow be maifter of wark, 
 
 And thow fall had, and I fall kail ; 
 
 If promif the ane gude new fark, 
 
 Athir of round claith or of fmall. 
 
 Scho lowfit oxin aucht or nyne, 45 
 
 And hynt ane gad-ftafF in hir hand ; 
 
 And the gudman raifs eftir syne, 
 
 And faw the wyf had done comand. 
 
 And cawd the gaiflingis fwrth to feid, 
 
 Thair was bot fevenfum of thame all ; 50 
 
 And by thair cumis the gredy gled, 
 
 And likkit vp five, left him bot twa : 
 
 Than owt he ran in all liis mane, 
 
 How svne he hard the gaiflingis cry ; 
 
 Bot than or he come in agane, 55 
 
 The calfis brak lowfs and fowkit the ky. 
 
 The calvis and ky being met in the lone, 
 
 The man ran av' ane rung to red ; 
 
 Than by thair cuis ane ill-willy cow, 
 
 And brodit his buttok quhill })at it bled. 60 
 
 Than hame he ran to an rok of tow. 
 
 And he satt doun to fay the fpyning ; 
 
 I trow he lowtit our neir the low, 
 
 Quoth he, this wark hes ill begyning. 
 
 L. 41, &c. This address to Jock, the servant, is not in MS. A. ,• nor indeed 
 are several other tines. 
 
 Li. 53. The goodman ran forth in a great anger. 
 
 Ij. 54. Soon ever as he. 
 
 Li. 55. Ere he came in what thought ye of yt. 
 
 Li. 59, 60. And wold he hauejuniblit while the dumsday, 
 
 Sorrow a bit butter i)at ever he gat. 
 Iv. CI. He gat the rock soonc in his bosome, 
 
 He thought well to have begun his spinning; 
 But alace I he leand our neir the low ; 
 
 Alace ! (quo) this work hes a hard beginning. 
 
Than to ]>e kyrn that he did itoure, 65 
 
 And jwmlit at it quhill he swatt : 
 
 Quhen he had jwmlit a full lang houre, 
 
 The forrow crap of butter he gatt. 
 
 Albeit na butter he cowld gett, 
 
 git he wes cumerit w* the kyrne, TO 
 
 And fyne he het the milk o"^ hett, 
 
 And forrow a fpark of it wald gyrne. 
 
 Than ben thair come ane gredy fow, 
 
 I trow he cund hir littil thank ; 
 
 For in scho fchot hir mekle mow, 75 
 
 And ay fcho winkit and fcho drank. 
 
 He cleikit vp ane crukit club, 
 
 And thocht to hitt the sow ane rowt, 
 
 The twa gaiflingis the gled had left, 
 
 That ftraik dang baith thair harnis out. 80 
 
 He gat his foot vpon the fpyre, 
 
 To haue gotten the flefch doune to the pat, 
 
 He fell backward into the fyre, 
 
 And brack his head on the kerning ftock : 
 
 Yit he gat the mekle pat vpon the fyre, 85 
 
 And gat twa cannes and ran to the fpout, 
 
 Er he came it, q' thought ge of y* ? 
 
 The fyre brunt aw the pat arl> out. 
 
 Than he beur kendling to the kill, 
 
 But fcho ftart all vp in ane low, 90 
 
 Quhat evir he hard, quhat evir he faw, 
 
 That day he had na will to mow. 
 
 L. 73. And in there came L 75. Hir ill fard mow. 
 
 L. 79. The glaidt; had chaped — L. 80. He chanced to ding. 
 L. 81 — 88. This stanza, which docs not occur in MS. Bonn, nor in the o, 
 Unary printed copies, is given from MS. A. 
 
Than he ^eid to tak vp the bairnis, 
 
 Thocht to haif fund thame fair « clene ; 
 
 The firft jjat he gat in his armis 95 
 
 Was all bedirtin to the ene. 
 
 The firft that he gat in his armis, 
 
 It was all dirt vp to the eine ; 
 
 The deuill cut of thair hande, q'' he, 
 
 That fild 50W all fa fow this ftrene. 100 
 
 He trailit fowl I fcheitis doun the gait, 
 
 Tho' to haif wefcht thame on ane ftane ; 
 
 The burne wes riiTin grit of fpait. 
 
 Away fra him the fcheitis hes tane. 
 
 Then vp he gat on ane know heid, 105 
 
 On hir to cry, on hir to fchowt, 
 
 Scho hard him, and fcho hard him not, 
 
 Bot ftowtly fteird the ftottis abowt. 
 
 Scho draif the day vnto pe night, 
 
 Scho lowifit the plwch and fyne come hamc ; 110 
 
 Scho fand all wrang that fowld bene richt, 
 
 I trow the man tho' richt grit fchame. 
 
 Quoth he, my office I forfaik. 
 
 For all the dayis of my lyf. 
 
 For I wald put ane howP to wraik, 115 
 
 Had I bene twety dayis gudwyf. 
 
 Quoth fcho, Weill mot ge brukc ^o' place. 
 
 For trewlie I will never excep it ; 
 
 Quoth he, feind fall the lyaris face, 
 
 Bot 3it 3c may be bly th to get it. 1 20 
 
 Than vp fcho gat ane meklc rung. 
 And the gudman maid to the doir; 
 
 I-. inf>. ^Cray', AfS. liann. 
 
 I,. Ifl(i. V|H)n the goodwit'i; he trycd iiiony gnoil shmii. 
 
 I,. 113. Dame I'lc ^c oucr my liussiei^ skep. 
 
 I,. Hi. Forsooth of my life L. \i\. Diir. y\S. Hhiui. 
 
Quoth he, Deme, I sail hald my tung, 
 
 For and we fecht I''ill gett the woir. 
 
 Quoth he, quhen I forsuk my plwche, 
 
 I trow I hot forsuk my seill, 125 
 
 And I will to my plwch agane, 
 
 ffbr I and this howf will nevir do weill. 
 
 L, 121 — 124. arc not in MS. A. 
 
 L. 128. Goodwife your houfs and I will neredoe well. MS. A. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
ADDITIONAL VERSES AXU EMENDATIONS, 
 BY ALLAN RAMSAY, 1724. 
 
 L. 7, 8. But fchort the ftorm wald let him ftay, 
 
 Sair blew the day with wind and rain. 
 L. 12. He blinkit ben. 
 L. 13. Set beikand by a fire full bauld. 
 L. 14. Suppand fat fowp. 
 L. 15. Being weary. 
 L. 18. My owsen has nae. 
 L. 20. After this line are added. 
 
 This feid-time it proves cauld and bad, 
 
 And ze fit warm, nae troubles fe ; 
 The morn zc fall gae with the lad. 
 And fyne zeil ken what drinkers drie. 
 L. 21, Gudeman, quod fcho. 
 L. 24. After this line are added, 
 
 And now fen ze haif made the Law, 
 
 Than gyde all richt and do not break ; 
 They ficker raid that neir did faw, 
 Therefore let naithing be neglect. 
 L. 49. He draif the gaislingis. 
 L. 59. Than by come an ill-willy roan. 
 L. 61. Syne up he tuk an rok of tow. 
 L. 63. He loutit doun. 
 
 L. 65. Before this line the follozcing stanza is inserted. 
 The learn up throw the kun did How, 
 
 The fute tiike fyiv it flvcd liim llian, 
 Sum lumps did f'.ill and burn \\\> pow ; 
 T wat ln' was a dirty man : 
 
Zit he gat water in a pan, 
 
 Quherwith he flokend out the fyre : 
 
 To foup the Houfe he fyne began ; 
 To had all richt was his desyre. 
 
 L. 77. He tuke the kirnftafF be the fhank. 
 
 L. 79. The two left gaiflings gat a clank. 
 
 L. 97 — 100.' These lines Ramsay has altered thus : 
 
 The firft it fmelt fae fappylie, 
 
 To touch the lave he did not grein : 
 
 The Deil cut aff thair hands, quoth he. 
 That cramd zour kytes fae ftrute zestrein. 
 
' A BALLET SHEWING HOW A DUMB 
 WYFF WAS MAID TO SPEIK.* 
 
THEJolio Maitland Alf. in the Pepysian Library, con- 
 tains a fragment of the Jbllowing humorous tale ; and a 
 less imperfect copy occurs in one o/'Bishop More's MSs. in 
 the University Library, Cambridge. The stanzas in the 
 latter Mf. having been awkwardly transposed by the writer, 
 both copies are made use of in order that this ballad might 
 be given in its most perfect state. The only deficiency which 
 ive are left to regret is that of the first four lines. 
 
 The incident on which this story is founded might be traced 
 back through a long series of writers of various nations, 
 both in prose and verse. The original of the present tale 
 may perhaps be found in one of the numerous French iabXi- 
 aux, which doubtless were well-knx)wn at an early period in 
 Scotland, owing to the great intercourse which subsisted 
 between the two nations. 
 
 Part of a vulgar Scotish ballad of a similar hind, which 
 never seems to have been printed, is still remembered. The 
 husband takes his xoife to a Surgeon < to cure her of the 
 dumb, dumb, dumb,' who, by cutting the strings of her 
 tongue, brings her facidties of speech to ' a pretty tolerable 
 consistency :' — or rather, enables her ' to rattle with her 
 tongue, tongue, tongue,' at such a rate, that the poor man 
 is fain to apply a second time for assistance, and beg of the 
 doctor to make her dumb again. Instead of pointing out some 
 remedy, or even ansxvering him as we might suppose him 
 to do, like Sganarelle, in the admirable Comedy qf^G Me- 
 decin malgre lui, on a similar application, 
 
 " That's impossible ; Sir : all that I can do to serve you, is, I can make you 
 deaf, if you please," — 
 
 — he is so malicious as to say, like the Devil in the following 
 tale, that though it is an easy matter to make a xcoman 
 speak, it is beyond the skill of all the Doctors in the land 
 afterwards to silence her. 
 
* Xlje Dtttn!) mv(t' 
 
 Qulian wthair wyfes war glaid 5 
 
 To mak thair hufl^andis blyth, 
 
 Scho fatt, and nothing faid ; 
 
 And comfort none culd kyth. 
 
 Than, to be brief, He tuik fic grieff, 
 
 That deiplie he did fweir, 10 
 
 That he for thoucht. That he ' had' brocht 
 
 Ane dum wyfF hame for geir. 
 
 And fo wppone ane day, 
 
 He went alone to pance ; 
 
 So mett he in his way 15 
 
 Ane grit grim man be chance : 
 
 Quhilk faft at him did fraine 
 
 Quhy he fadlie went ? 
 
 Quhat angwifche, greiff, or paine, 
 
 Perturbit his intent 20 
 
 He bad him fchaw, And latt him knaw 
 
 Off all his grieff the ground — 
 
 He fould remeid, Haue he na dreid, 
 
 Gif remeid micht be found. 
 
 Thau 
 
 The beginntng of tliis poctii ha^ been lost, but only tour lines in 
 the tirst stanza appear to be wanting. 
 
Than he declairis cleir 25 
 
 The mater all and fum ; 
 
 How he had tane for geir 
 
 Ane woman deifF and dum. 
 
 For hir riches and rentes 
 
 He weddit hir to his wyfF; 30 
 
 Bot now he fair repentes, 
 
 And irkis fair of his lyff. 
 
 His earthlie joy Is turnit to noy ; 
 
 He wift him fellf war deid. 
 
 Quoth he agane, Tak no difdane, 35 
 
 And I fall find remeid. 
 
 Gif thow will counfell keip, 
 
 And learne weil quhat I fay, 
 
 This nicht in hir firft fleip, 
 
 Vndir hir towng thow lay 40 
 
 Off quaiken afpein leiff, 
 
 The quhilk betaiknis wound ; 
 
 And fcho fall haif releiff 
 
 Of fpeiking thow fall find ; 
 
 Quhat kind of taill, With outtin faill 45 
 
 That thow of hir requyreis, 
 
 Scho fall fpeik out, Haif thow na doutt. 
 
 And mair than thow defyreis. 
 
 Than was he glaid of this, 
 
 And thocht him felf weill chewin : 50 
 
 And hame he com with blifs ; 
 
 Thocht lang quhill it was ewin. 
 
 Quhill fcho was fallin on fleip 
 
 Ay warrlie watchit he ; 
 
 And than he tuik guid keip, 55 
 
 And laid in leifes thrie ; 
 
 Thinkand his cuir To wirk moift fuir. — 
 
 He lav walkand quhill day ; 
 
 ^ Quhill 
 
Quhill fcho awoik Guid tent he tuik, 
 
 To heir quhat fcho fuld fay. 60 
 
 Na reft than cauld he tak 
 
 Bot tumbillis heir and thair : 
 
 The firft word that fcho fpak, 
 
 Scho faid, 111 mot ^e fair ! 
 
 That wald nocht latt me reft, 65 
 
 And I fa feik this nycht ! — 
 
 — For joy he hir imbraift, 
 
 His hairt was hie on hicht. 
 
 Than furth fcho fchew, All that fcho knew, 
 
 Quhen that fcho could nocht fpeik, 70 
 
 Fra fcho began, Scho fpairit nocht than, 
 
 And litill till ane feik. — 
 
 And qiihan I did hir pray 
 
 In licence for to litt. 
 
 That is the neireft way 75 
 
 To putt hir by hir witt : 
 
 God knawis the drerie lyfF 
 
 I had fen fcho was dum ; 
 
 Off ane gud quyet wyff 
 
 Is now ane feind becum ; 80 
 
 Hir fpeiche but feflioun, But ryme or reflbun, 
 
 Now deiffis vp all the hous ; 
 
 Allace ! this day, That, I may fay, 
 
 That euer fcho fpak fa crous. 
 
 Blame thy fclft', quod he, 85 
 
 That gaif hir fupcrflew ; 
 
 Thow laid in leilis thrie, 
 
 Quhair ane mycht bene enew ; 
 
 Had thow don as I bad, 
 
 Or now thow fould haue feine, 90 
 
 Weill 
 
 1. «0. « begun' Mf.—\. 91. oniitlid in Mf. 
 
Weill temperet toung betwene ; 
 
 Bot quha may latt hir Ane wyfe to clatter, 
 
 Syne no man can conuert hir ; 
 
 The mimeft wyff That euer tuik lyfF, 95 
 
 Will warie fum wordis, and ftart hir. 
 
 Quod he, tak quhat I haifF, 
 
 And leif hir as ge fand hir. — 
 
 Allace ! quod he, ge raiff, 
 
 I dar nocht cum neir hand hir ; 100 
 
 I am Devill but doutt ; 
 
 Ffirft lang age learnit hir till, 
 
 I dar nocht be fo ftoutt. 
 
 To bid hir hald hir ftill ; 
 
 Ffra fcho del3rte To fecht, and flytt, 105 
 
 I dar nocht with hir mell ; 
 
 Scho will fpeik out, Haue ge na doutt, 
 
 Off all the deuiUis in hell. 
 
 The leift deuill that is in hell 
 
 Can gif ane wyfF hir toung ; 110 
 
 The griteft, I gow tell. 
 
 Cannot do mak hir dum. 
 
 Ffra fcho begin to clatter, 
 
 Scho will claver quhair fcho pleis 
 
 We deuillis can na way is latt hir ; 115 
 
 Giue man tak gow the waneis : 
 
 Thocht nighbouris aboutt Wis hir toung outt, 
 
 It dois thame nocht availl, 
 
 I fay for me Scho will chyde ' till' fcho die, 
 
 Scho is beft with littill daill. 120 
 
 Quod he, than tell me plane, 
 Quhat counfall'beft ge call?— 
 Quod he, gang hame agane, 
 Ffor it is ill over all : 
 
 Lat 
 
 1. 93. Matter' Mf.—l 119. ' will' Mf. 
 
Latt thy wyff fpeik hir fill, Igg 
 
 Sen fcho thairto was borne ; 
 
 Ffor wyffis M'ill haue thair will 
 
 Thocht gc and I had fworne. 
 
 Quhat eucr hir happin, Hir toung is hir wapin, 
 
 To fpeik than quha may latt hir, 1 30 
 
 Quha may ganeftand, Or contramand 
 
 Ane crabit wyff to clatter ? 
 
 Thus thai depairtit plane : 
 
 The feind flew ouir ane hill ; 
 
 The guidman hame agane, 135 
 
 And with his wyff' baid ftill : 
 
 Quod he, now I perfeaue 
 
 Thair is na leid in land 
 
 That has, as I wald haiff'. 
 
 His wyff at his command. 140 
 
 Ffra thine furth ay. He leit hir fay. 
 
 And neuer was offendit, 
 
 But at hir wourdis Maid quyet bourdis, 
 
 Quhill death thair dayis endit. 
 
 ffinis hujus. 
 
THE WOWING OF JOK AND JYNNY. 
 
THE Wowing of Jok and Jynny is the most ancient, and 
 not the least humorous of many similar songs and ballads 
 which still retain their popularity in this country. Lord 
 Hailes observed — and his words are quite applicable at the 
 present time, that Hhis well known poem,by frequent publica- 
 tion, has been much corrupted. Every publisher took the 
 liberty of adding or altering just as his fancy led him. It 
 is now given faithfully from the manuscript^, and exhibits 
 a ludicrous picture of the curta supellex of the Scottish Com- 
 mons in the sixteenth century.'' ^ 
 
 Even since the time that Lord Hailes presented the text 
 in a genuine state, the interpolated copies have been gene- 
 rally adopted, by its different editors. But the original 
 poem- has too much merit, and possesses too close a resem- 
 blance to the nature of the present collection, to Just fy its 
 exclusion, merely because it has been already published. 
 
 We possess no information with respect to the author, un- 
 less it be worth observing that the signature ^ Clerk, attach- 
 ed to this poem in the manuscript, has, at an early period, 
 been intentionally obliterated. The name, apparently, is writ- 
 ten in the same hand, (not that of the transcriber,) which 
 attributes The Brash of Wowing, and two other poems in 
 the same collection, to a writer of this name, — supposed to 
 have been Maister Johne Clerk, the poet mentioned by 
 Dunbar as having been taken by Death 
 
 ' Fra balat making and trigide.'c 
 
 The explanations by Lord Hailes, which are subjoined 
 on the last page, may be found usful to some readers. 
 
 » Bann. Mf. fol. 137. '' Ancient Scottish Poems. Edin. 1770, 12°- p. 292. 
 '■ Lament for the deth of the Makars. Edin. 1508. 
 
%l)t (HHo^Dinfi of 3Jofe ano 
 
 llobeyns Jok come to wow our Jynny, 
 
 On our feift-evin quhen we wer fow ; 
 
 Scho brankit faft, and maid hir bony, 
 
 And faid, Jok, come ge for to wow ? 
 
 Scho bimeift liir baith breift and brow, 5 
 
 And maid hir cleir as ony clok ; 
 
 Tlian fpak hir deme, and faid, I trow, 
 
 ge come to wow our Jynny, Jok. 
 
 Jok said, forfuth I gern full fane. 
 
 To luk my heid, and fit doun by gow. 10 
 
 Than fpak hir modir, and faid agane. 
 
 My bairne hes tocher-gud to ge gow. 
 
 Te he, quoth Jynny, keik, keik, I fe gow ; 
 
 Muder, gone man makis gow a mok. 
 
 I fchro the, lyar ! full leis me gow, 15 
 
 I come to wow your Jynny, quoth Jok. 
 
 My berne, fcho fayis, hes of hir awin, 
 
 Ane gufs, ane gryce, ane cok, ane hen, 
 
 Ane calf, ane hog, ane fute-braid fawin, 
 
 Ane kirn, ane pin, that ge weill ken, 20 
 
 Ane pig, ane pot, ane raip thair ben, 
 
 Ane fork, ane flaik, ane reill, ane rok, 
 
 Difchis and dublaris nyne or ten : 
 
 Come ge to wow our Jynny, Jok ? 
 
 Ane 
 
 1. 1 2. ' annwcir is inserted after • tocher-gud' but liak been scor- 
 ed tilrou^h in the .Mf. by the transcriber. 
 
Ane blanket, and ane wecht alfo, 25 
 
 Ane fchule, ane fcheit, and ane lang flail, 
 Ane ark, ane almry, and laidillis two, 
 Ane milk-fyth, with ane fwyne-taill, 
 Ane rowfty quhittill to fcheir the kaill, 
 Ane quheill, ane mell the beir to knok, 30 
 
 Ane coig, ane caird wantand ane naill ; 
 Come ge ' to wow our Jynny, Jok ?' 
 
 Ane furme, ane furlet, ane pott, ane pek, 
 
 Ane tub, ane barrow, with ane quheilband, 
 
 Ane turs, ane troch, and ane meil-fek, 35 
 
 Ane fpurtill braid, and ane elwand. 
 
 Jok tuk Jynny be the hand, 
 
 And cryd, Ane feift ; and flew ane cok. 
 
 And maid a brydell vp alland ; 
 
 Now haif I gottin gour Jynny, quoth Jok. 40 
 
 Now, deme, I haif gour bairne mareit ; 
 
 Suppoifs ^e mak it nevir fa twche, 
 
 I lat 30W wit fchof' nocht mifkareit, 
 
 It is Weill kend I haif annweh : 
 
 Ane crukit gleyd fell our ane huch, 45 
 
 Ane fpaid, ane fpeit, ane fpur, ane fok, 
 
 Withouttin oxin I haif a pluche 
 
 To gang to gidder Jynny and Jok. 
 
 I haif ane belter, ane eik, ane hek, 
 
 Ane coird, ane creill, and als ane cradill, 50 
 
 Fyve fidder of raggis to stuff ane jak, 
 
 Ane auld panneli of ane laid fadill, 
 
 Ane pepper-polk maid of a padill, 
 
 Ane fpounge, ane fpindill wantand ane nok, 
 
 Twa lufty lippis to lik ane laiddill, 55 
 
 To gang to gidder Jynny and Jok. 
 
 Ane 
 1. 26. originally ' four lang flailis.' 
 
Anc brccliame, and twa brochis fync 
 
 Weill buklit with a brydill rcn^e, 
 
 Anc fark maid of the Jinkomc twyne, 
 
 Ane gay grene clokc that will nocht ften^e ; 60 
 
 And ^it for mifter I will nocht fenge, 
 
 Fyivc hundreth fleis now in a flok. 
 
 Call ge nocht that ane joly menge, 
 
 To go to ' giddir Jynny, and Jok ?' 
 
 Ane trene truncheour, ane ramehorne fponc, ()5 
 
 Twa buttis of barkit blafnit ledder, 
 
 All graith that ganis to hobbill fchone, 
 
 Ane thrawcruk to twyne ane tedder, 
 
 Ane brydill, ane girth, and ane fwyne blcdder, 
 
 Ane malkene-fatt, ane fetterit lok, 70 
 
 Ane fcheip weill keipit fra ill weddcr, 
 
 To « gang to giddir, Jynny and Jok.' 
 
 Tak thair for my parte of the feift ; 
 
 It is Weill knawin I am weill bodin ; 
 
 ge may nocht fay my parte is Icift. 75 
 
 The wyfe faid, Speid, the kaill ar foddin, 
 
 And als the laverok is fuft and loddin"; 
 
 Quhcn ge haif done tak hame the brok. 
 
 The roft wes twchc, fa wcr thay bodin ; 
 
 Syne gaid to giddir bayth, Jynny and Jok. 80 
 
 EXrLlcIT. 
 
Loud Hailes, in his notes to the preceding poem, says, 
 " Instead of encumbering the glossary with a minute de- 
 tail of the wretched goods and chattels of the bride and 
 bridegroom, I subjoin a list of whatever might be dubi- 
 ous or unintelligible to an English reader."" 
 
 Almry^ cupboard. ArTc, large chest for keeping corn or 
 meal. Blasnit-ledder, probably basnit, tanned-leather. 
 Brechame, the collar of a work-horse. Brochis, clasps. 
 Brydill-renye^ the rein of a bridle. Cotg, a pail or trough. 
 CreiU, basket. Duhlaris^ probably dished with covers. 
 FM-wand, an ell measure or rod. Fetterit-loJc, fetter-lock. 
 Fidder^ 128 C. weight. Flaik, hurdle. Furme, form or 
 bench. Furlet, a measure containing one fourth of a boll. 
 Fute-braid sawing, corn sufficient to sow a foot-breadth. 
 Graith, girth. Gryce, pig. Guss, goose. Heck, rack. 
 Hobbil schone, clouted shoes. Hog, a sheep of two years 
 old. Jak, that piece of warlike dress called a doublet of 
 fors, or defence. Kaill, coleworts. Kirn, churne. Laid- 
 saddill, load-saddle. Maskene fatt, vessel to boil malt in 
 for brewing. Milk-syth, milk-strainer. Nek, button of a 
 spindle. Pek, a measure containing one sixteenth of a ^ 
 boll. Polk, poke, bag. Qiihittill, knife. Raip, rope. 
 Rok, distaff. Sark, shirt. ScJmle, shovel. Spounge, pro- 
 bably spung, purse. Spurtill, spattula, flat iron for turn- 
 ing cakes. Thraiv-cruk, a crooked stick for twisting hay 
 or straw ropes. Trene, spout. Truncheour, trencher, 
 ]:)latter. I do not know the signification of padelV [Sib- 
 bald explains Padell, " a small leathern bag or wallet for 
 containing a pedlar's wares.''] 
 
THE FERMORAR AND HIS DOCHTER. 
 
THIS lively and spirited dialogue between a Farmer 
 and his Daughter, on the subject of her marriage, is 
 apparently of English composition, although the Editor 
 found it written on the Jly-leqf of an ancient copy of Wyn- 
 toun's Chronicle, which appears to have formerly belonged 
 to the Abbacy o;f Cambuskenneth. The date of the manus- 
 cript itself is the earlier part of the i5th century ; that of 
 the poem is certainly not later than the reign of James V. 
 
 In a foolish and vulgar English song of the last century, 
 not worth preserving, entitled The Maid's refolution to 
 marry a Rake, wejind reasons nearly similar to those ex- 
 pressed in the following dialogue, for choosing a Gentleman, 
 instead of a Ploughman or Farmer, as her husband. 
 
 My Mother would have me to marry a Clown 
 That hedges and ditches all week for a crown ; 
 But to marry a Rake is all my delight ; 
 If he rambles all day he will please me at niglit. 
 
 The name of a Clown I highly disdain, 
 My Father and JNIother they love the same : 
 A Clown is a Clown both at home and abroad 
 When a Kake he is comely, and sweet in his bed. 
 
 A Ploughman I own is good in his kind. 
 
 But I'm resolv'd to alter my mind ; 
 
 For a Rake dress'd in scarlet and trimm'd with gold 
 
 Is handsome and pleasant, and lovely to behold. 
 
 The sixth stanza of this poem is defective of three lines; 
 but possibly we have no great cause to regret the loss which 
 it has sustained. 
 
' Xije iTennorar ano ijis 2DDc|)tei:.* 
 
 As I did walk onys be ane medo fide, 
 In ane symmer feffoun, quhen men wynnis thair hay, 
 I hard ane riche fermorar with his dochter chide, 
 Tuiching hir merriage, and thus he did say ;— 
 Here duellis Symkin my nychtbour, ourthort ^one way, 5 
 He hes thre welthy childering, choif the one of thoif ; — 
 Thow fall haue one of tharae, with mychc of my poif. 
 
 Ffader, quoth the dochter, that gois aganis my hart, 
 Sen I haue bene gour drevill this xx ^eris and more, 
 Now wald ge gar me go at pleach and ' at' cart, 10 
 
 And leiff my lift' in flclavary, as I haue done to fore ; 
 Tak it for ane anfuer, I will do fo no more : 
 -re can nocht compell me to mary one of thois. 
 For I will haue ane gentill man, with plesand cloiC. 
 
 Dochter, quoth the fader, quhydois thou thaim refuf, 15 
 Sen thai be gudlie ^^emen that be in all this land ?^- 
 In all this cuntre, I think, thou can not choif. 
 More nymlar fallowis of fute, nor of hand ; 
 More panefuUar, more thrifty, I lat the vnderftand : 
 Thou can nocht do better than mary on of thoif ; 20 
 No ! thou fall mary one of thame, in fpite of thy noif. 
 
 Ffader, quoth the dochter I put gou out of dout, 
 I rak nocht of tharc manheid, nor thair thriftynes at all ; 
 
 I am 
 
I am nocht difpofit to mary Hob Klout, 
 
 To leif like my mothir, in meflarie and thrall, 25 
 
 Servand the fwyne, and the oxin in thare ftall, 
 
 With ane pare of clamper kynnis clowtit to my hoif, 
 No ! I will haue ane gentill man, in fpyte of gour noil}. 
 
 Gif I gett ane gentill man, I can nocht lychtly myf, 
 
 Of doctouris of phefik, and neceflary fude ; 30 
 
 Gif I fay hot onys, gude hufband gett me this, 
 
 I can nocht lychtly laik it, and it will do me gude ; 
 
 Sic qualiteis hes ane gentill man that is cum of gentill blude : 
 
 How mony of this cuntre, dois laik one of thoiP ? 
 
 No ! I will haue ane gentill man, in fpite of gour noil*. 35 
 
 Ane gentill man is lufty, luvand, and faithfuU of fay. 
 He is worthy to be luvit, he is plefand and gay :— 
 Fader, content gou, in fpite of gour noiO, 
 And euir I maryt be, I will haue one of thoif . 
 
 GifF I get ane gentill man, his fycht will do me gude, 40 
 He will half me, and braif me, and lufe me out of mefour ; 
 So fall I haue my lilkan gowne, with my franche hude, 
 I fall haue aboundance, and infinite treffour. 
 And I falbe accumpanyit with ladeis of plefour, 
 
 And I fall haue my fchois of veluot, to my fine hoif?, 45 
 So will I haue ane gentill man, in fpite of gour noif. 
 
 Ane gentill man is lufty, and will lay on the laid, 
 With ane fwerde, and ane dagar glitterand by his fide, 
 Quhen Symkin ftandis quhifling, with ane quhip and ane gaid, 
 Prickand and ^arkand ane aid ox hide, 50 
 
 With one pare of ftro bulkynis, he gois to ride, 
 
 Moift like one fpittell man : — fuld I haue one of thoif ! 
 
 No ! I will haue ane gentill man, in defpite of gour noif. 
 
ANE BALLAT OF MATRYMONIE. 
 
THIS humorous poem may serve as a counterpart to 
 ' The Wife lapped in Morels sJchi,'' and some other well 
 known pieces of English poetry, which were coeval with it. 
 The original is preserved in a very curious volume^ of 
 iniscellaneous poetry among the Cotton Manuscripts in the 
 British Museum, described as having once been the property 
 of Sir Henry Savile, 
 
 The text is given on the authority of the late Joseph Rit- 
 son^, whose scrupulous fidelity ajid correctness have never been 
 called in question, nor were his antiquarian pursuits, with the 
 prejudices entertained for a length of time by his country- 
 men, bounded by « the cold river of Tweid.' In Ritson's 
 volume this poem is entitled The Honey Moon, rc^ic/i ha^ here 
 been altered, as there seems to be no authority to shew that 
 the period, usually regarded as at least the positive term of 
 matrimonial happiness, (but in which the following ludi- 
 crous adventure is said to Jiave occurred,) had, so early as 
 the latter part of the \Qth century, received such an appro- 
 priate denomination. 
 
 The publication by Ritson that is alluded to, contains a 
 very judicious selection from the earlier Scotish Poets, al- 
 thougk it is but little known in Scotland, owing to the 
 peculiar circumstances attending its posthumous appear- 
 ance, in an unfinished state. 
 
 a MSS. Cotton, Vesp. A. 25. * From the Caledonian Muse. 
 
 London, printed 1T85, and first published 1821, 8vo p. 172. 
 
ane 35aHat. 
 
 BY weft of late as I dyd walke, 
 In the prymc tyme of the day, 
 Yt was my chaunce to here the talkc 
 Of two yonge folkes in ' fay' ; 
 
 They had not bene married at the kyrke 5 
 
 Thre dayes then fully paft, 
 The good man bad his wyffe to worke, 
 Nay foft, quod fhe, no hesfte, 
 
 For now 
 I wyll, quod fhe, Not worke for the, 10 
 
 I make to God a vowe. 
 
 And yf thow wylt not worke, quod he. 
 
 Thou drab I shall the dryve. 
 
 I would to God, thow knave, quod fhe, 
 
 Thow durft that matter ' pryve.' 15 
 
 The goodman for to beate his wyffe 
 
 In liande a pafe lie went, — 
 
 He caught two blowos vpon his head 
 
 For every one he lent, 
 
 Indedc; 20 
 
 He never ' blan' Beating her than — 
 
 Tyll both hys eares dyd blede. 
 
 He was fo ftowte and fterne that ftoure, 
 
 And fearfse with her in fyght, 
 
 That even vpon the ftony flowre — 25 
 
 She knokt his head full ryght. 
 
 The good wyft'e was wondcrous wake in hande, 
 
 Fearefull and nothing l)old, 
 
 V. i. .say. V. I,-,. ,,rcvr. V. 21. Iilnndc. 
 
But he — had never a fott to ftande 
 When f he of hym caught hold 30 
 
 By the crage ; 
 
 And with her fyft, His mouth fhe kyft, 
 
 As faft as yt myght wagge. 
 
 Now then, fhe cryed lowd, a lake ' 
 I do you well to wytt ; — 35 
 
 But he lay downe vpon his bake. 
 And fhe ftode on her fett ; 
 Bending her felffe to hym a pace, 
 She cryed him merfy then 
 
 And pylled the barke even of hys face 40 
 
 With her commaundements ten ; 
 And oft 
 
 She dyd hym dofse Abowt the nofe, 
 
 Tyll ' aV his face was softe. 
 
 Now when the neybowres hard the noyse, 45 
 
 So longe betwen them twayne. 
 
 They wyft yt was no wanton toyes. 
 
 And faft thether they ranne ; 
 
 But when they came, in vayne yt was. 
 
 The dores was fparred rounde, 50 
 
 The good wyfFe cryed owt alas ! 
 
 But he — ^lay on the grounde, 
 
 Well beate ; 
 
 Lying alonge He sayd among 
 
 That better he would her heate. 55 
 
 Hys neybowres they were fore afrayde 
 
 That he would kyll hys wyffe. 
 
 Then hym full instantly they prayde, 
 
 To ftynt and leave hys ftryffe. 
 
 And not hys wrath vpon her « wreache', 60 
 
 They dyd hym all exorte ; 
 
 V. 38. pua-c V. 14. al hys facce — V. 60. wyikc. 
 
Nay, nay, quod he, I fhall her teache 
 How fhe fhall be fo fhorte 
 
 With me ; — 
 
 Yet on his face She layd apace, 65 
 
 And cryed hym ftyll merfe. 
 
 Whiche thing to here the neyboures all 
 
 Dyd pytty her fo fore, 
 
 That to the good man they dyd call. 
 
 And fayd, for fhame, no more : 70 
 
 He bad them then go pyke them home, 
 
 And there go medle them now ; 
 
 I am, quod he, not fuch a one. 
 
 To leave fighting for yowe, 
 
 I trow : 75 
 
 Yet for all this. They fayd, I wys, 
 Small neyboure hede he dyd f howe. 
 
 Some prayed hym, in avoyding cryme. 
 That he hys handc would hold ; 
 Let her, quod he, another tyme, 80 
 
 Not be with mc fo bolde ; 
 For furedly, and owght I were 
 To bede her taunt or cheke,— > 
 But he could fcante the fame declare, 
 She held fo faft hys neke, 85 
 
 In a bande ; 
 
 Alas, quod fhc, Wyll ye kyll mc ? 
 
 Swete hufbaund, hold youre handc. 
 
 His neyboures then were fore afrayed. 
 
 That he would her devoure, 00 
 
 The dorres then being faft fparrcd 
 
 They threw them in the ' floure ;' 
 
 The good wyff'c lepte away apace, 
 
 Wlien f hamc had put to flyght, 
 
 V. !»?. (loiirc. 
 
And he, well blowen abowt the face, 95 
 
 Began to ftand upright, 
 
 Nere made ; 
 
 No wyght of fkill, I think, judge wyll 
 
 But he thereoff was glade. 
 
 All thoughe his bake were fomewhat dufte 100 
 
 After a folyshe guyffe. 
 
 Yet was the man hym felffe fo luft,— • 
 
 That fcarcely he could ryfle. 
 
 The good wyffe dyd her chamber take, 
 
 Shewing her felff in drede ; 105 
 
 To neyboures the goodman myrth dyd make. 
 
 To them that fawe that dede. 
 
 All and fome ; 
 To whom he fware. That he had thare, 
 Slane her had thay not come. 110 
 
 < Wish"* all yong marryed wyves I wyll 
 
 No fuch mafters to ' pryve,' 
 
 But even obey your huf bandes ftyll, 
 
 Lefle they do worke yowe dryve ; 
 
 And feeing that yt ys not the beft 115 
 
 To leve in debate and ftryfFe, 
 
 God {end all ' then' that quiet reft 
 
 May be with man and wyffe. 
 
 To the end : 
 Grant vs all pray Both night and day, 120 
 That God fuche grace may fendc. 
 
 V. 60. wyrke. Mf. V. 111. with Mf. V. 112. preve. Mf. 
 V. 1 1T. them. Mf. , V. 120. grant fie Mf. f. Lat. (let.) 
 
 FINIS. 
 
Coyur.NiUNT \un f.t rxon, ut uutsquk korum T:xEncF.nET oFFrcrr-n aite 
 
 RIDS, QUO rOSSET AT.TER EOUUM IN rOSTERUM EXERCERE UTIlUMdUE, 
 
 RvsTiCUS quidam non jwliiit conuenire cfi sua coniuge, scd semper iniprobabant sibi 
 mutuo officia sua. Vno dieru I.aurentius, (sic enim uocabatur ille. & ilia Adclhcidis) 
 cogitabat penes so, quid agendum esset, quo possent tot inimicitiae, rixae nc tumultus se- 
 dari inter eos : dicit uxori, in posterum se oportere agerc partes suas, i])se ucro uxoris ac- 
 turus est. Oportere earn arare, triturare, screre, ac similia opera uirilia faccrc : ipse 
 domi uellet exercere qu.-e muliebria sunt : utpote curare prolem, nutrire ac prouidere 
 gallinis, anseribus, anatibus, porcis, pullo equino, coquere & uerrere pauimentfi, &c. 
 per qd. quisq; posset alterius munus ac officiu scire. Arrisit consiliii mulicri, quae alio- 
 qui cupietes sunt freni ac doniinij. Accessit stabulu, parat equos ac aratrum, adit 
 campu, iubet marito (qui iam uxor erat) mittat sibi prandiu in campu, curet prolem, 
 Sc uideat ne excidat ex cunis, aut inucrtatur cunae, ac coquat diligi-ter. Curabo omnia 
 diligeter, ait uir, simulq; satagit in domo, catillat argute, ut uidcatur mulier in domo 
 esse satagendo inuertit magna, ollam lactis, quo butyrum debuit cotudissc & coxisse 
 pultem pro puero. Hfec erant primordia cius ceconomiae, quibus tantum horruit, me- 
 minitq; eius quod dixerat dominus : curam gereret pueri ac cunarum, ne inucitantur. 
 quare capit magna ac latum lapidem, superponit puero atq; ita sistit cunas. Subit 
 etiam Laurentio se debere coquere, iam instabat tepus priidij, quare capit duodcnam ou- 
 orum, diffringit ea in sartagine cum butyro, ad coquendum aut frixendum : abit interim 
 in penum, ad promendu uinum, it ibide meminit ouorum, recurrit cito superius, dcti- 
 nens spinam epistomij in manu. Quu uenit in coquinam, decidit coctura in ignem, cui 
 assidet felis ac dcuorat oua. jVlcminit & prolis, uisit num dormiat, cSc amoto lapidc, rc- 
 perit earn mortuam. Eone Deus quam tristatur, ac cogitat quid incoeptet ? concutit ac 
 costringit manus : quod faciedo, excidit ex eius manibus spina epistomij, quam oblitus 
 erat in manu : quare currit actutu in penum, & reperit uinum penitus clflaxum esse. 
 Volens rapide amouere poculum, in quo prompserat uinum, collidens illud uasi, excidit 
 ex manibus eius, atq ; ita uniuersun uinil perditu est. Quis bono hoc Laurentio ma- 
 gis perplexus ? uoluit subinde apud se : Tu iiis esse hera, & eftudisti lac, no potcs iam 
 contudere butyrum, proles cxtincta est, oua ac butyrum arserut, ac comesta sunt a foli- 
 bus, uinum iiatat in penu, poculii uini effiisum est. Quid fiet cum redierit uir fameli- 
 cus Si. sitibudus, uidcritq ; banc bellam opconomiam? Kx quo ego me intcrposui rebus 
 domesticis, & ilia uirilibus, ob hoc baculo mea latera c'ltunderet, & me onerarct ictibus, 
 mihi secquum fieret, ita uolui, cur non mansi uir? Interim cogitat bonus Laurentins 
 quomodo agat. Vcnit illi in mente equulus oblitus in stabulo, capit seculam, i*c exit. 
 Veniens secundum uiuarium, uidet lupum in margine, latatur, proijcit seculam post lu- 
 pum, putans se nacturum eundem, natando aufugit ille, & falcula manet in Jimo. 
 Exuit se Laurentius, & intrat aquam, quasrit secula, uerrens diu in limo : interim uenit 
 quida qui furatus est eius uestes. Post diutina, quaesitione in uanum, crigit sc, & ([ua;- 
 rens indusium in ripa, uidet uniuersas uestes ablatas. Kxit aquas nudus, »t digitis 
 uellit tot herbas, ut fasciculu collegerit : simul uclles pugillfi graminis, quo contegat ca, 
 qurc natura tegenda suadet. Deinde currit celeriter domum, retro per liortfi, (ne quis 
 eum posset ita animaduertere nudii) ad stabulii, uolens equulo dare granu- scu herbas. 
 Ille ualde esuriens inuadit herbas ac gramina, simul & quod natura tcgendum suadet, 
 & amordet omnia simul. Quis posset esse in maiori anxietatc, qua hie pauper Lauren- 
 tius? Nesciuit introitum nee exitfl, nee quo posset confugere, nisi in furno, ubi sc retro 
 
local, expectans misericordiam. Interim uenit uxor, uel tunc temporis arator ex agro, 
 putans coniugem bene obijsse sua munia. Videns aute quid actum esset de pucro, in 
 penu, coquina ac lacte, attonita erat, & uocat circumquaque, Lentzo, Lentzo. Is ab- 
 sconditus in furno nolebat primo respondere, timebat enim sibi. Post paululum uocat 
 iterum, Lentzo. Respondet ille in furno: Heho. Vocat iterum arator; Vbi es? 
 Respondet Laurentius : Hie in furno. Quid agis ibi, procede. Isequaquam here, ait 
 alter, male exercui rem domesticam. Quid actum est, ait iila ? Prolem ego necaui, 
 uolens sistere cunas. Eia bone Laurenti, nil referl (inquit ilia) nos satagemus alias 
 proles progignere, exi saltern ex furno, nihil fiet tibi. Sed plus feci, bone here. Quid 
 fecisti praeterea ? Laurentius dixit : Vinum siui efHuere ex uase in penu, & poculuni 
 uini effudi etiam. Nil nocet mi Laurenti (inquit ilia) exi, bibemus aquam. Sed plura 
 feci, 6 here. Quid sit, rogat ilia ? Dispersi butyrum & oua, & feles comederunt ilia. 
 Non adeo magnum est hoc damnum, prodi s^tiabimur pane ac caseo. Plus adhuc per- 
 petraui. Quid est illud rogat ilia ? Volebam praebere equulo nostro gramen, & secu- 
 1am amisi in limo uiuarij : interim quod quaero eam, ablatae sunt mihi uestes. Nil 
 refert nee hoc, gramen demetemus cultro, & uestes alias curabimus resarciri wider- 
 sdorfij, prodi saltem. Sed aliud adhuc perpatraui quod omnium est maximum & 
 pessimum. Qua;rit ilia : Quidnam est hoc mali ? Volui ait inijcere gramen nostro 
 equulo, ille importunus ac famelicus, ex quo eram nudus uolens rapere gramen, quo su- 
 pellectilem mea conabar tegere, abmordit una cum gramine meu compositors discordiaru, 
 uentre tenus, Hac est causa cur non audeo prodire. Audies hoc Adelheidis, capit ilico 
 furcam furnariam, ac ait : Videbatur mihi aliud in hoc negocio quam oua, lac, uinum, 
 uestes & proles. Vis tu curare rem domesticam, & destruere omnia, perdere ac deuas- 
 tare : quin & sinis auferri tibi (quod omnia maximu est) nostrum compositorem dis- 
 cordiaru ? Siste, pro tua hac ceconomia te renmnerabo. Cotrudit eum furca furnaria ita, 
 ut necessario cofregerit furnu superne, & effugeret nudus in domu : & ita nudus ac san- 
 gulinolentus, exiliuit per fenestra. Ilia insequitur furca iUa furnaria, clamat ille, im- 
 precatur ilia. Vicina audies hunc tumultu, miratur, prospicit, uidet uicinum suum 
 Laurentium currentem, uxorem insequentem, ac male se habentem. JMota autem ui- 
 cinali misericordia, dixit : Eia commater Adelheidis, quid ita comota es erga compa- 
 trcm Laurentium ? qui semper bonus ac probus extitit, desine parumper ab ira hac, & 
 da ei saltem indusium. Ego dedero illi fel potius (ait Ula) omnia deuastauit in domo, 
 prolem oppressit magno lapide. Omnia condonanda forent, sed unum & pra;cipuum de- 
 signauit, quod celandum esst; a nostro equulo in stabulo, siuit amorderi praecipuam su- 
 pellectilem nostram, uentre tenus. Caetera condonanda forent, sed hoc unum nullo mo- 
 do potest expiari nee condonari. Audiens hoc uicina, quod deprsedatus esseteo, quod 
 praecipue expetitur, fit & ipsa infesta suo compatri, ac conitat caniculum que habuit com- 
 plosis manib. in eum, dicens : Hurss, hurss, cape eum, ad nihil enim utilis est. Miser 
 flic Laurentius penitus abdicatur, nullus restat ei locus ulterius, sed aufugit nudus qua- 
 qua uersum. Vicina aut dixit : Age comater Adelheidis, copone mente tua, habeo 
 ego seruu bond, forte ac uigile, qui erit in rem tua. scio enim ualere : nam ego sum usa 
 eo his sex aut septem annis. Hoc pacto perdidit Laurentius optimu suH pugione, & 
 cogebatur deleri omnino ex libro uiuentiu, Suadeo ergo uiris obire sua munia, & mu- 
 lierib. similiter sua : sic poterit neuter imprope rare alteri. Ita fiet, ut uiro maneat sua 
 uigil ales salua ac uegeta, & uxor reddetur pacatior, nee cogatur diffringere furnu, & 
 tandem aufugere nudus & mutilatus. 
 
THE PROMINE TO KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
A T the time when the Editor was engaged in collecting the 
 poetical zmrks of the anihoj- of' The Cherrie and the Slae, 
 leMch, (accompanied with " Biographical Notices/'^rom a 
 more learned peuyj have recently appeared, he was not aware 
 of the epcistence of this Promine otherwise than from the notice 
 given of its title by our typographical historians^ ; and from 
 observing, that in the sale of Mr. West''s highly curious and 
 valuable Library, in the year 1773, a copy of it was sold 
 in a lot of'"'- Fragments of old English and Scottish verse." 
 After many fruitless inquiries, it appeared that this identical 
 copy is in the possession o/' Francis Douce, Esq. who, with 
 great politeness, allowed a transcript to be made for the 
 present publication. 
 
 The author of this poem was Sir Patrick Hume of Pol- 
 wart, the antagonist of Montgomery, in the well-Tcnown 
 Fly tings, which they are said to have carried on ' in friendly 
 emulation.'' Among " The names of the xxv. gentlemen 
 pensioneris appointit to attend on the Kingis Majestic at 
 all tymes of his ryding and passing to the feildis."" xvij. of 
 Maij. 1580. we find our author mentioned as * The young 
 Laird of Polwart.' We are told that he ivas in great favour 
 with King James VI. who appointed him Master of his 
 Household, 1591 ; one of the gentlemen of his bed-chamber ; 
 and Warden of the Marches. This last office 70as suppres- 
 sed upon the Union of the Crowns in 1603. He died 15th 
 June, 1609''. His brother, Alexander Hume, Minister 
 of Logic, is known as the author of some beaut ful descrip- 
 tive poems contained in a volume which nearly rivals the 
 present tract in rarity. 
 
 a Ames, p. 58j. Herbert, p. 1501. ^ Crawford's Peerage, p. 313, 
 
The Promine, 
 
 Contening tl^e nxmtx, 
 
 phut, aittJ time, of tfjc immt ^llustci- IMixq Janicg 
 
 tjje ^cxt Usi first passing to tf)t fctltits : titiTftit 
 
 to ijiQ UcntQ : 3Se P. H. familiar sci -- 
 
 tiitotir to f)is i^aiestie* 
 
 I 
 
 R 
 
 il%mpxtmiut€ain= 
 
 fturgf) l)c 3ol)nr 3Uoji, for ^?cnric Cljartcriss. i.5So. 
 
 Cum Priiiilegio Hcgali. 
 
The Epiftiil. 
 
 ORcuerend Rois, and maift redowtit Roy, 
 O peirlcs Prince, and Peril fuperlatiue ; 
 Our hope, our helth, our help, and warldlie Joy, 
 Comfort to Scotland Indefinitiue : 
 Cleir lamp of licht aboue all that dois liue ; 
 Patronc of prudence, precious and perfite ; 
 Gem of Ingine, to quhome God lykis to giue 
 Gracis far ma, nor I can think or write. 
 
 ^ Thocht ouir all quhair thy famous louing fpringis 
 In reputation n, and greit reuerence ; 
 Thocht thy renoun out throch al Europe ringis, 
 As flowand fountane full of sapience, 
 To offer this git to thine Excellence, 
 For feir of fault, I wald haue bene effrayit, 
 Gif I had not be fure experience 
 Thy gracious gudenes prouin and aflayit. 
 
 5[Eor this refpect, maift cuning courtes King, 
 As I defire, and vvifchis eirneftlie 
 To pleis and ferue gour grace in euerie thing, 
 Swa I befeik gour mightie Maieftie, 
 For to accept this mater, made be me 
 To glaid gour grace, conforme to Intentioun 
 Of Clerkis commending, mirth with honeftie, 
 As Comedeis, and lie uther Inuentioun. 
 
 ^Schir reid thairfoir, and mak me to reiois ; 
 I hecht gour hienes, helping Goddis grace, 
 That I fall pen fum Poetrie, or prois, 
 Mair profitabill, gif I get time and fpace : 
 And fen gour wit all verteweis dois Imbrace, 
 Schortlie I fweir, bot gif gour grace allow it, 
 That I fall curs my cairfull catiue cace, 
 Sine quite this quair, and neuer fall awow it. 
 
 UTo 
 
•f[To tak this peice in })roper patronage, 
 gour Prencelie prudence will me not deny ; 
 Than «rif thay fpeir, the Author to alledgc 
 Quha wrait the veirs, I fall fay it was I ; 
 And fall not fuflic men geuin to Inuy, 
 Bot (pihcn thay lak, or lauchis at my letter, 
 Bauldlie fall fay in geuing the defy, 
 Upon the fubiedl fe quha can do better. 
 
 f FINIS. 
 
 ^Qour Graces humhill fcruand to. command, 
 I P. H. with faithfull hart and hand. 
 
 ^THE PROMJNE. 
 
 %0n the x'lj. day at fine houris before none 
 1.500 Jeuentie nyne in June. 
 
 GOLDIN Titan with burning bemis brieht, 
 Be kindlie cours, and reuolutioun, 
 Appcirandlie, to the Aftrologues ficht, 
 Was in the firft-degre of Cancer wone; 
 Or neir hand by, in his Ecliptyk rone. 
 Against the force quliilk daylie had him rent, 
 Be the firfl Mobillis, weltering violent. 
 
 ^Sa in his Solftice glemand gloriouflie, 
 Throw nature of his proper motioun. 
 That Pompous Planeit, placit properlie, 
 In that North Signc, of richt afccnfioun 
 Quhair Jujipiter lies exaltatioun. 
 Did with his bcniis on bankis, and brayis beit, 
 The frutes to folter, with his hailfum heit. 
 
 And flowand Phabe, Lady of the feyis. 
 Not retrograd, rcuoluing in hir ring. 
 Beheld the weft with fixit face and eyis 
 In Joyfull Jun(>, (juhen tlie xij. day did fpring 
 Bcfbir the fmtluonic of that cumlic King : 
 Qulnlk as the Sone out of the cloudes gray, 
 Fra Snawdoun Callcll, did difccnd that day. 
 
 A.ij. 
 
^[With manlike maneris, maikles to behald, 
 With Princelie port, and vifage glorious, 
 With gentill gefture, wordis wife and cald, 
 In taikning of the maifl viftorious, 
 Richt gaylie garnift with giftis gracious, 
 Quhais heuinlie hauingis ftonifchit the Air, 
 As afterward, I purpois to declair. 
 
 5[At his lirft furthcome on the Gowane hillis, 
 To write how euerie circumftance befell, 
 Quhat beir began of Hagbutis, bo wis, and Billis, 
 Quhat din of daggis, with clink of mony bell 
 At Falcounis fair, war tedious to tell : 
 For to be fchort, I fchaw not how the fteidis 
 On bridillis bait, quhil famie mouthis bleidis. 
 
 ^^it wald my Mufe Infpire me with the fpreit 
 Of Poetrie, and pairt of Eloquence, 
 To fchaw the maner, I efteme it meit. 
 How euerie thing maid haill obedience. 
 Unto his Royal hie Magnificence, 
 Reiofit fwa, with fuddand femelie ficht 
 Of that leidfterne, and luiffum lamp of licht. 
 
 ^His Princelie prefence fuperexcellent. 
 As leniand Lanterne maift delectabill. 
 Did euerie leuing creature content ; 
 And to thingis senceles femit amiabill, 
 Quhais Celfitude was fa acceptabill. 
 That in their kind. Ilk thing did obferuance. 
 His heich honour and worfchip to auance. 
 
 ^I mene not onlie thingis Inferiall 
 That fubieft ar unto corruptioun ; 
 Bot alfo celefte, and Superiall, 
 Quhais fubflance is but alteratioun ; 
 As fair Phebus, or utherwayis the Sone, 
 Quhilk is compofit of na Element, 
 That day brak up in his bricht birneifl Tent. 
 
 And 
 
^And fchcw his radious vifage rubicound, 
 Quhilk all the day, lay hid unto the hour 
 That his grace Ilchit furth upon the ground ; 
 Thaircfter did on eirth his prefence powr, 
 Excluding than all fignes of the fchowr, 
 Sa glaid he was to fe his gudlie grace, 
 And - - - -f- the phifiome of his face. 
 
 ^Sine in the praifes of that Prince preclair, 
 Spred furth his Purpour fpringis aureat, 
 Into fic fort to purifie the Air, 
 Quhill all the Ikyis fkaillit violat; 
 The Hemifpheir become Illuminat 
 Upon the eirth, be heuinlie Influence, 
 Diftelland dewis on vapouris fweit as fence. 
 
 f[The ground ouirgiltand all with goldin glemis, 
 Quhill throw his michtie operatiounis, 
 Furth of frefche fludes, bet with buriall bcmis, 
 Rais fappie fubtil exhalatiounis, 
 Quhais potent pithie Infpiratiounis 
 Makis treis, frutes, and flouris for to fpreid, 
 Nicelie enamaling mony mirthful! meid, 
 
 ^Tha fair dame Flora glaiding gardings gay, 
 Syilit with fchaddow of the blumand be wis, 
 Hir minglit Mantill mciklie did difplay ; 
 Richt curiouflie, ouircleithand all the clcwis, 
 With flouris of ane hundreth heuinlie hewis, 
 Quhair befilie the bummand honie Beis, 
 Tuik nurifchement on natures tapeflreis. 
 
 ^Thair micht be fene the dewic perllis round, 
 Rcucft the Rofis, and the Lilleis quhite ; 
 Into dulce humouris herbis did abound 
 Bathing tlic bony Dafeis of delite : 
 With ane fweit liquour on the leiffis lite, 
 Comforting all the fragrant freklit flouris 
 That fpreidis in Maii, throw hailfum balmis fchouris. 
 
 A. iij. 
 
 f Two words in this line arc illegible. 
 
^Obedientlie begoulh than to unfald 
 The beiraris bricht, thair flouris to his eis, 
 Quhen thay his potent prefence did behald, 
 Sa tender twiftis trimling on the treis, 
 His prudent hie precellence for to pleis. 
 Thair Criftall croppis me thocht thay did IncHne 
 In fiene of homasre to that Prince deuine. 
 
 *&'■ 
 
 ^Into the Park did properUe appeir, 
 Richt trimlie trottand into trowpis and twais, 
 The wilde quhite cullourit Ky, and falow deir, 
 With brawland bowkis, bendand ouir the brais, 
 The flingand Fownis, followand dune dais; 
 Sa curage caufit beillis mak befines 
 His Maieftie muifand to merines. 
 
 ^Bot to behald it was ane perfite Joy, 
 And as ane eirdhe plefand Paradice : 
 To heir and fe, thair at the Kingis conuoy. 
 The Merle and Maweis, chageing notes nice ; 
 The Kiddis fkippand, with Rais throw the rice, 
 Quhair birdis blyithlie on the branches fang. 
 With fie ane reird, quhill all the Rokkis rang. 
 
 ^Swa fchortlie throw fie heuinlie harmoneis, 
 Become richt coy, heiring the fowlis fing, 
 Baith Eolus, and Neptune God of feis, 
 Behalding fall the cumming of that King ; 
 Quhilk was fa welcum unto euerie thing ; 
 Quhat mifteris mair, the Goldfpinkis was fa glaid, 
 Cald thai haif fpokin, doutles thai had faid : 
 
 ^Welcum maift maikles Mirrour, and A per se, 
 With euerie princelie prerogatiue pofleft ; 
 Welcum worfchip, vertew, and honeftie ; 
 Welcum in warld, the Avife, and worthieft ; 
 Welcum bliil birth, as bountiful! and bell ; 
 Welcum but peir, the maift Imperiall King, 
 That is, or was, or in the warld fall ring. 
 
 ^Thow 
 
^Thow Salomon fecund in fapiencc, 
 Ane Job in Jufticc, Jonit with pietie, 
 Perfitelio plcneifl with all abftinence, 
 Difcreitlic mixt with Magnaniniitic, 
 Meik, merciful!, kind but Inconftancie, 
 To all gude men luifing and liberall : 
 In the thair wantis na wit Heioicall. 
 
 ^Thy liuelie licht, o leidar Laurcat! 
 AH Chrifliane men may cleirlie knaw and fe, 
 Dois glance as gyde, lyifis to Illuminat, 
 Inftru£lnig Kingis, and thair Nobilitie, 
 Be gude exampill, for to follow the, 
 As worthieft, but fein^e to confes 
 Next under God, the hall eirth to pofles. 
 
 ^Thow onlie may be callit verteous, 
 In quhome na vertew is deficient : 
 Indewit with the giftis plenteous 
 Of bodie, mind, and fortoun, to the lent ; 
 Thairfoir ^^e Knichtis, and Clerkis, with ane cofcnt, 
 And pynit pure men, from all panis rclaxt 
 Salute 50ur Souerane, fweit King James the faxt. 
 
 ^For vicious folk, with filthie faultis defylit, 
 Into his Court fall haue na praise nor place. 
 And gredie godles men fall be begylit, 
 Gif thay prefume for to obtene his grace. 
 All fen^eit flatteraris fall ay fle his face ; 
 And as the fnaw mcltis from the Sone away, 
 Sa from his ficht, the wickit fall decay. 
 
 ^Quhairfoir now Scotland fing with ane accord 
 Baith greit and fmall, of Ilk ftait and degre, 
 Pcrpetuall praife, and thankis to the Lord, 
 That hes ^ow gcuin fa gude ane King as he : 
 50W to mantene in eis and Equitie. 
 Waid God his dayis, for euer might Indure, 
 Swa of all feill, but forrow war ;ic fure. 
 
 A. iiij. 
 
^God grant his grace the Euerlafting gloir, 
 Long life, glide hehh, praife and profperitie : 
 Baith worfchip, wehh, and weilfair euermoir, 
 And of his fois the vailgeand vidlorie ; 
 With heuinhe, eirthlie, full felicitie : 
 And that in him (God) be ay glorifeit, 
 Luifit, honourd, feird, and euer fanftifeit. 
 <f[FINIS. 
 
 ^KENVOY. 
 
 ^ Thir wordisjew the Authour dots reheirs 
 Into tills 7nanery fpeiTiand to his veirs. 
 
 MY bony bill, of harbour language breuit, 
 Gif thow be euill, thow will be wors repreuit, 
 Be witles, vaine, enuyous, Ignorantis, 
 Quhilk to fpeik euill, and do na gude thame hantis. 
 For fum will fay, thy febill Eloquence 
 Is euill cuUourit, but Intelligence. 
 Sum will fay this, fum utheris will fay that, 
 And pairt will fpeik in deid, and wait not quhat. 
 Syne fum feditious craftie knaifis Inding, 
 Will fay, perhaps, thow dois but fleiche the King. 
 Thus, gif thow heir fals knaifis calumniat the, 
 I pray the, baith to fay, and fweir thay le ! 
 Schaw to fie fuillis, quhair euer that thow fairis. 
 Thy mening gude, and honefter than thairis. 
 Gif, for all this, they ceis not to maling : 
 Than fay thow art reflauit of the King 
 Unto quhais ferene Celfitude I fend the : 
 Thay ar ouir pert : fyne gif thay vilipend the : 
 ^^it of ane thing greitly thow may reiois 
 In Burgh, or land, quhair euer that thow gois. 
 All men of knawledge, and Clerkis will comend the, 
 And honeft folkis will euir mair defend the. 
 
 ^Fin de L'enuoy. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
Cl^e appenuiji:. 
 
THE APPENDIX. 
 
 3aalf €oil}tnv. 
 
 THE excellent and worthy Prelate, who was the first to draw puh- 
 lick attention to the stores of" our ancient poetical literature, has 
 justly ohserved, that it has ever " been a favourite subject with our 
 English ballad-makers to represent our Kings conversing, either by 
 accident or design, with the meanest ot" their subjects '' ;" and, at the 
 same time he states, that his manuscript volume of old Ballad and 
 Romance Poetry contains a mutilated copy of the ancient poem of 
 John the Reeve, the fiction of which, he conceived the authors of 
 these popular ballads had in some measure copied. This poem Bisnor 
 Percy describes as consisting of more than 900 lines, and as " be- 
 ing built on an adventure of the same kind with the ballad of The King 
 and the Miller of' Mansfield^ which happened between King Edward 
 Longshanks and one of his Reeves or Bailiffs. This, (he adds,) is a 
 piece of great antiquity, being written before the time of Edward IV. 
 and for its genuine humour, diverting incidents, and faithful picture of 
 rustic manners, is infinitely superior to all that have since been writ- 
 ten in imitation." — Judging, however, from the lircs which he else- 
 where quotes '', the originality of conception thus assignrd to this 
 poem, appears rather questionable, as there are several I-nglish bal- 
 
 a Iteliqiies of Ancient English Poetry, vol. iii. p. 179. " Vol. ii. p. 8*. 
 
lads, (such as the King and the Barker, printed by Ritson,) that may 
 vie with it in point of antiquity : and certainly, it can, by no means, be 
 esteemed so ancient as Ralf Coii.gEAR, (which, indeed, ought more 
 explicitly to have been referred to the Fourteenth Century,) with which 
 we find a poem of a similar title specified as being popular in Scotland 
 so early, at least, as the reign of our James the Fourth. The Editor 
 of this volume entertained a hope of being able to present the reader, 
 not only with the very curious and amusing tale of 
 
 " Ralf Coil^eak with his thrawin brow,"" 
 
 which was so fortunately recovered, but likewise with 
 
 " Craibit Johne the Reif ; and auld Cokellpie's Sow," 
 
 and used his best endeavours for this purpose; but in the instance of 
 ' John the Reeve,"' was disappointed. 
 
 The reader is requested to correct the following oversights, which 
 have been discovered during a more careful comparison of this poem 
 with the original, than the Editor had it in his power to make, when 
 the sheets were at press. Most of these are very slight, and might be 
 easily excused, by the indistinct manner in which many of the letters 
 and words, in the original, are printed. 
 
 Stanza V. 1. 9- ' nait' i. e. neid. VII. 2. Jur 'rufe' read 'rufe.' 
 1. 4. 'behufe' r. ' behufe.' 1. 10. ' gud' r. ' gude.' IX. 9 ' hebad' r. 
 ' he bad.' XII. 13. r. ' Quhill he.' XIII. 1. ' michthe' r. ' micht he.' 
 XI V. 1 1. r. ' glad « gude.' XV. 5. < an' r. ' ane.' XX. 6. r. ' to- 
 gidder.' XXir. 6. ' by' r. ' hy.' XXIV. 8. ' qu' r. 'gif XXV. 
 10. ' Wat' r. ' Went.' XXVII. 8. ' one' r. ' ane.' XXXI. 7. ' laid' 
 r. 'leid; XXXII. 3. ' quhan' r. 'quhen.' 1. 11. 'far'r. ' fer.' 
 XXXIV. 6. ' tome' r. ' lorne.' 1. 10. • has' r. ' hes.' XXXIX. 
 
 5. ' preifit' q. ' preifit.' XL. 3. ' laucht ful' r. ' lauchfull.' XLI. 
 1. r. 'Schir Rolland.' XLIII. 1. 'ge' r. 'gea.' 1. 2. r. ' airar.' 
 XL IV. 6. ' bland' q. ' band.' XLV. 8. r. ' weildit.' L. 7. r. ' haikit.' 
 1. 9. r. ' ofter.' LI. 5. r. « micht.' 1. 9. r. ' with threttis.' LIV. 
 
 6. r. ' myne E ay.' LVIII. 5- ' forbot' q. ' forbot' i. e. forbid. LXI. 
 ' the' r. ' thir.' 1. 13. ' not' n ' nocht'. LXV. 10. r. ' vefeir.' 
 LXXIII. 12. ' angeris' q. ' dangeris.' LXXV. ' be' r. ' he.' 
 
It may be stated, that a very rude wood-cut follows the imprint in 
 the original, which has been omitted, as it would not have been any 
 ornament, and, besides, has not the slightest allusion to the poem itself. 
 That of the two heads on the title page occurs also in the edition of 
 Sir David Lyndsay's poems, ' Imprentit at Edinburgh be Johne Scot 
 at the expenfis of Henrie Charteris,' 1571. 4to. 
 
 The Editor has been favoured by his friend, Dn. Robert Ander- 
 son, whose attachment and valuable contributions to our National 
 Literature are well known, with a sight of some remarks on this ancient 
 romance, by the late Alexaxdeu Thomson, Esq. the ingenious au- 
 thor of Whist, Paradise of Taste, and other poems. They occur among 
 the Collections which he had made for a History of Scotish Poetry. 
 Mr. Thomson appears to have been engaged several years in the 
 formation of such a work, after the plan and example of Warton"'s va- 
 luable and amusing, but unfinished and ill-digested History of the 
 Poetry of England. Although he has not accomplished much, he, 
 nevertheless, seems to have examined with diligence the earlier remains 
 of Scotish Poetry which were then accessible to him ; having done lit- 
 tle more than sketch out the plan of so desirable a work, and filled 
 up occasional portions of it, with careful analysis and critical examina- 
 tion. The following extract will evince the discrimination which he 
 was capable of showing, and the value that might have been attach- 
 ed to his labours had he proceeded farther in completing such an im- 
 portant undertaking. 
 
 " The most glaring imperfections of this Romance, [Gawan and 
 Galoran of Galloway] is undoubtedly its deficiency in unity of action, 
 the two parts being entirely unconnected. In this respect, it is infe- 
 rior to the former, although the appearance and behaviour of the ghost 
 displays more of fancy and of poetry than any thing to be found in 
 the Gawan and Gologras. It is, however, to be wished that this 
 marvellous incident had constituted the latter half of the Poem, as 
 the entrance of Galoran, at the banquet of Arthur, would have open- 
 ed the piece in a striking manner ; and the whole of that story must 
 have been more interesting, had it preceded and not followed the su- 
 pernatural adventures. — The same error, in point of arrangement, I 
 
have often regretted, in the Romance of the Forest, where the woes 
 and wanderings of the two lovers, although suflBciently interesting in 
 themselves, are read almost with a perfect indifference after the terri- 
 fic scenes at the castle. 
 
 " Although the characters are not marked with that strength of 
 pencil which distinguished those of Gawan and Gologras, that 
 defect is perhaps compensated by the introduction of two female per- 
 sonages ; and the circumstance of a wedding making part of the ca- 
 tastrophe, gives it more the air of a modern performance." 
 
 The Lincoln Manuscript, which has furnished the text of this an- 
 cient romance, is a thick volume of more than 300 leaves, in folio, 
 consisting of a variety of old English poems and romances, written in 
 the earlier part of the fifteenth century. It appears to have been 
 compiled between the years 1420 and 1430, or perhaps later, by 
 Robert de Thornton, who held some situation in the Cathedral, 
 and was afterwards translated to the Archdeaconry of Bedford. He 
 died in May 1450, and lies buried in the Cathedral of Lincoln. To 
 the Reverend Mr. Gray of Lincoln, the Editor owes his best 
 thanks for the kind and friendly manner in which he facilitated his 
 object, during the time required in making some transcripts from the 
 curious volume alluded to— the most important contents of which are 
 as follows : — 
 
 The Lyf of gret Alexander, conquerour of all the worlde, (in prose,) 
 imperfect at beginning. 
 
 Morte Arthur, (in English verse.) 
 
 The Romaunce of Octovyane. 
 
 The Romaunce off S"^ Yfambrace. 
 
 The Romance off Dyocleoydois the Erapo% t the Erie Berade 
 of Tholous, etc. 
 
 The llorye of faynte Christofre. 
 
 Sir Degrenante, (q. Sir Degore.) 
 
 Sir Eglamour of Arteas. 
 
 Lyarde, (an absurd story of an old horse.) 
 
 Thomas off' Erfylldoune, (printed in the present collection.) 
 
 The Awntyrs of Arthure at the Terne Wathelyn, (printed in the 
 present collection.) 
 
The Romance of S"^ Perciuell of Gales, cousin to Kynge xVrthur. 
 — Also various Prayers, Homilies, Sic. with the Miracles of S'- Ed- 
 mond, Archbishop of Canterburye. 
 
 Since this poem was printed the Editor has had an opportu- 
 nity of examining the copy referred to as being preserved in Ash- 
 mole's Collection, at Oxford. It approaches as close as was antici- 
 pated to the present text, except, that it contains the prologue, which, 
 as supplying the deficiency in the Auchinleck Mf. is here inserted. 
 
 King orfeo. 
 Mery tyme is in Apprelle 
 That mekyll fchewye of Maye wylle 
 In feldys T: medowys Howys fpryng 
 In g"nys i wodes foules syng 
 Than wex ^ong men jolyffe 
 And pan {inyth man « wyffe 
 The brytane as ])e boke feys 
 Off diu'^fe thingC ]>' made ^ leys 
 Som y made of harpyngf 
 And fom of o^ diu^fe thingf 
 Som of werre T; fom of wo 
 Som of myrthe ^ joy alfo 
 Som of trechery t fom off gyle 
 Som of happys ]/ felle fom whyle 
 And fom be of rybawdry 
 And many y ben of fary 
 Off all ])e vent"rys men here 1 fe 
 Mofl off luffe for foth J>* be 
 That in jie leys ben j wrought 
 Ffyrft fond T; forth brought 
 Off avcnto''s ]>' fell fom deys 
 The bretonys y of made p^ leys 
 Off klngC ])t be fore vs were 
 When ]>' niy,-;t (iny wonder here 
 They lete them wryte as it w^ . 
 
And Y among is lir Orfew 
 
 He was for foth a nobill kyng 
 
 That moft luffed gle 1 herpyng 
 
 Wele fekyr was eu''y gode herper 
 
 To haue oflP mekyll hono"" 
 
 Hym felue he lernyd for to herpe 
 
 And leyd y 6 hys wytte fo fcherpe 
 
 He lernyd fo wele w*^ outen les 
 
 So gode herper neu"^ no was 
 
 In all Y werld was no man bore 
 
 That had kyng Orfeo ben be fore 
 
 And he myght hys herpe here 
 
 Bot he wold wene ]>* it were 
 
 A blylTed full note of peradC 
 
 Suche melody y in is 
 
 The kyng jorneyd in Tracyence 
 
 That is a cyte off grete defence 
 
 And w* hym hys quen off ^ce 
 
 That was callyd dame Meroudys 
 
 A feyrer lady than fche was one 
 
 Was neu'^ made off flefch ne bone 
 
 Sche was full off lufe T; godnes 
 
 Ne may no man telle hyr feyrnes 
 
 Yt be fell in yl^ be gyning of Mey 
 
 When ffoules fyng 6 eu'^y fprey 
 
 And bloffom fpryng on eu''y bou^he 
 
 Ou"^ all wexyth mery jnowhe 
 
 Than ])e quen, &c. 
 In the same Manuscript are several curious Pieces of old English 
 verse. One of these is a fragment, entitled The Kyng and the 
 HiiiiMYT, consisting of about 522 lines. Although possessed of con- 
 siderable humour, it seems to have remained unnoticed, except in the 
 pages of the British Bibliographer, a work replete with curious and 
 interesting matter of antiquarian lore, in which it is printed (vol. iv. 
 p. 81 — 95.)from a transcript communicated by Professor Conybeare of 
 Oxford. This story is now more especially worthy of notice, from the 
 conviction which the present writer has of its having suggested one of 
 the happiest scenes, of a humorous description, that occurs in the works 
 of our great living Novelist. It would be unnecessary to give any thing 
 
like an analysis of it in this place, as the poem itself can so easily be 
 referred to, but there is certainly a striking similarity in some parts, — 
 as in the King's losing his way in Sherwood forest ; his prayer to Saint 
 Julyan, the patron of pilgrims and way-faring men ' for harborow ;'' 
 his meeting with the hermit, from whom he seeks a night's shelter, and 
 the reception he meets with ; his supper of bread, cheese, and ' tinjfi 
 drynke^ before the hermit is induced to bring forth ' whytebred'' and 
 venyson, with ' a pott of galons fourc ;"" tlie bows and broad arrows 
 about the friar's bed ; and the tenour of their conversation ; all which 
 seem to have somewhat more than a casual resemblance to the truly 
 graphick and delightful scene of Richard and Friar Tuck, in the 
 splendid story of Ivanhoe. The adventures of the Hermit at Court, 
 where, like Italf ("oil^^car, (without being aware of his quality.) he 
 engaged to return the King's visit, might have been interesting, but 
 this part of the story is lost : — that the fragment, however, has been 
 excelled, in the scene alluded to, it need hardly be said. We find 
 nothing, for instance, that will bear a comparison with the conclu- 
 sion of the adventure — when Locksley, in the morning, knocks at the 
 cell, and addressing the jolly Friar of Copmanhurst, says to him, 
 *' Art thou mad ? to "ive admittance to a knight thou didst not know ? 
 Hast thou forgot our articles ?" 
 
 '< Not know him," replied the friar boldly, " I know him as well 
 as the becrtrar knows his dish/' 
 
 " And what is his name then ?" demanded Locksley. 
 " His name," said the hermit, — " his name — is Sir Anthony of 
 Scrablestone — as if I would drink with a man, and did not know his 
 name." 
 
 Another poem, contained in the same Manuscript, may also be here 
 shortly noticed, as the Editor can find no allusion to it in particular. 
 It is an ancient hoxcrde^ of ^55 lines, which might be entitled The 
 Cokwold's Daunce, and it might serve as a companion, or counter- 
 part to the well-known poem of the Boy and the Mantle^ published 
 by Bishop Percy, in the Reliques of Ancient Poetry. The trial of 
 the Home is there alluded to in the following lines : — 
 
 " The little boy had a borne, 
 
 Of red gold that ronge : 
 
 He faid, there was noe cuckoldc 
 
 Shall drinke of my borne ; 
 
 But he Hiold it (hecde 
 
 Either bchnul or i)efornc. 
 
Som fhedd on their fliouilder, 
 
 And fome on their knee ; 
 
 He that cold nott hitt his mouthe, 
 
 Put it in his eye ; 
 
 And he that was a cuckold 
 
 Every man might him fee." 
 
 Percy's Reliques, Vol iii. p. 10. 
 
 From this * bowrde — that ys full gode and trew,' we learn that 
 King Arthur, who loved and honoured Cokwolds both day and night, 
 had a bugill Home, out of which he was accustomed to drink, 'for 
 myche craft he couthe thereby ;' — it having the peculiar property as- 
 signed to it in the above extract ; — for 
 
 "Iff any cokwold drynke of itt 
 Spyll he fchuld withouten lett." 
 
 This, we are told, afforded much amusement to the king, who entertain- 
 ed a number of cokwolds at court, where a table was set apart for them 
 * and none other,' at which, they sat dressed in scarlet kirtells, with 
 garlands of willow on their heads, and were fed with the best meat 
 from the King's own table. It so happened that the Duke of Glose- 
 ter came to court, where he was received with mirth, honour, and 
 great solace ; and on a day, when set at meat with the King, he 
 looked about in surprise, and inquired what these men had done who 
 wore these willow-garlands. The King satisfies his curiosity on this 
 point, — and, 
 
 after the Erlys word. 
 
 Send to the cokwold's bord, 
 
 To make them mery among 
 All manor of mynstralsy, 
 To glad the cokwoldes, by and by. 
 
 With harpe, fydell, and song." — 
 
 and likewise bids them ' take no grefFe,' but prepare themselves for 
 their Daunce. The King asks, in the meanwhile, for his drinking 
 horn, and informing the Duke of its properties, who asked by what 
 skill he might know a cokwold, says to him, 
 
 ' Syr Erie, take and begyn.' 
 
To this the Duke, with commendable politeness, answers, 
 
 Nay ! be feynt Auftyn, 
 
 That wer to me vilony ; 
 Not for all a rcme to wyn, 
 Befor 50U I fcliuld bcgyn. 
 Ffor honour off my curtall'y." 
 
 Accordingly, the King takes the Horn to drink as he had often done, 
 for, as this poem goes on to say, 
 
 he wend to haue dronk of the beft, 
 
 Bot fone he fpyllcd on hys breft. 
 
 With in a lytell whyle ; 
 The cokwoldis lokyd iche on other, 
 And thocht the King was thair owne brother. 
 
 And fjlad thci wer of that : 
 He hath vs fcornyd many a tyme, 
 And now he is a cokwold fyne. 
 
 To were a cokwoldis hate. 
 
 Finding himself to be thus unexpectedly qualified to ' dauncc in the 
 cokwolde's rowte,' and that he could not better himself, he, with all 
 possible good nature, says to his 
 
 — lordyngcs, fykerly, 
 We be all off a frcyry, 
 
 I am gour awne brother — 
 
 and thinking it best ' to make mery, and take no care,"' offers to join 
 in the dance at which, 
 
 Euery cokwold feyd to other 
 
 King Arthour is owr awne brother — 
 
 and, as might on such occasion have been expected, 
 
 — the cokwoldes wer full blythe 
 And thankyd God a C. fyth, 
 
 Fforfoth, with outen doutc. 
 
 The poem then concludes with the following lines, 
 
 Kyng Arthour left [lived ?] at Skarlyon, 
 With hys cokwoldis euerychon, 
 And made both gam and gle ; — 
 
A knyght ther was, with outen les, 
 That ferued at the Kjngis des, 
 
 Syr Corneus hyght he ; 
 He made thu* geft in hys game, 
 And named it after hys awne name, 
 
 In herpying, or other gle ; 
 And after nobull Kyng Arthour, 
 Lyued and dyghed with honour, 
 
 As mony hath don fene, 
 Both cokwoldis, and other mo : 
 God gyff vs grace, that we may go 
 
 To Heuyn. Amen. Amen."" 
 
 The reader will no doubt be glad to receive the following illustrations 
 of the prophetical partsof this poem, coming, as they do, from onewhois 
 so well qualified to elucidate both the historical and literary remains of 
 our country. Sir Walter Scott, (in a letter to the Editor) says, '< I 
 am much delighted, and considerably puzzled, with Thomas the Rhy- 
 vier. It seems to me made up of different patches, which have been add- 
 ed from time to time in the true spirit of English prophecy, — for you 
 may remember Comines says, 'LeChancelier d'Angleterre, commen9a 
 par une prophetie dont les Anglais ne sont Jamais despourveus.'' 
 Pinky Cleugh is in one place distinctly mentioned by name ; in 
 another, Black Agnes of Dunbar is spoken of as alive, and his cap- 
 tivity is prophetical. There must have been a lapse of more than 
 two centuries betwixt the composition of these two different passages." 
 ( — But, whatever credit we may be disposed to give, either to Thomas 
 or the actual writer of these prophecies, it ought to be kept in view, 
 that the manuscript, from which the poem is now given, was written 
 more than a century previous to the fulfilment of some of the predic- 
 tions which it is supposed to contain.) " As well as I can, without 
 books, (Sir Walter proceeds,) I will endeavour to guess at the diffe- 
 rent historical events which are obscurely or more directly alluded to : — 
 
" Fytt 2cl. line 21. 'The Baliolfe — Cotnyns — Barlays (rather liar- 
 clays) — as well the Frefells (Frasers)' were all distinguished dur- 
 ing the wars of David I Fs minority, or shortly before, as probably 
 were the Russells. 
 
 " Line 44. The fight at Eldone Hill here alluded to, may, per- 
 haps, be that in which Oswin, a pretender to the throne of Northumber- 
 land, was defeated and slain by Ethelwold, about the middle of the 
 Vlllth century. The field of battle is still called Corpsc-cleugh, or 
 some such name, and distinguished by barrows, and other marks of 
 ancient contest : — bones, and remnants of armour are even yet turned 
 up by the plough. 
 
 " Line 50. The battle of Falkirk is obviously that in which Wal- 
 lace was defeated by Edward I. 
 
 " Line 70. Bannockburn is mentioned by name. The allusion to 
 the defeat of the English chivalry by stratagem is worth remarking ; 
 it shews the country of the pseudo-prophet, who is naturally disposed 
 to apologise for the defeat of the English at that memorable occur- 
 rence. 
 
 " Line 97. Dupplin Moor is distinctly mentioned ; and the subse- 
 quent capture of Perth, line 102. 
 
 " The battle of Durham, and the captivity of David IL is alluded 
 to from line 120 to line 135, and the three last lines of the Second 
 Fytt seem to me a variation of the same passage ; Or it may relate to 
 the previous battle of Halidon, where the llegent, Archibald Doug- 
 lass, may be the ' full doughty that was slain.' 
 
 " All these personages and events hitherto noticed relate as distinct- 
 ly as can well be expected to the middle of the XI Vth century, when, 
 in the beginning of Fytt Third, we light all at once upon " Spyn- 
 karde Cleugh,'" being clearly our unlucky battle of Pinkie. I can- 
 not help thinking this stanza much more modern than the rest of the 
 ])oem. 
 
 " The battle at Pentland hill, p. 20, appears to be a wild guess at 
 future events. In former times the prediction might have been deem- 
 ed oracular, but now, few will be disposed to allow that it hath any 
 reference to the battle of Pentland, in Charles IFs time, any more 
 than the press of banners between Seton and the sea refers to the 
 battle of Prcstonpans. But Thomas, or more properly his imitator, 
 has made a chance hit in both cases. In the latter, especially, a 
 staunch Jacobite would say, the rout of the dragoons was foretold, line 
 53. — Only they did not stay for the hc-icing, mentioned line 57. 
 
^^ The story of the Cross of stone is a favourite presage in Nixon^s 
 prophecy, and I know not how many besides. 
 
 " Line 125. The rivulet, near to Flodden-field, is called Sandyford, 
 or something like it. Flodden is, therefore, probably alluded to in 
 this and the following stanza. 
 
 " Line 150. Here the story returns to the Fourteenth Century, and to 
 Black Agnes of Dunbar, which makes it probable that this part of 
 the poem must have been written when she was in the height of re- 
 nown. 
 
 " It is singular that Thomas should be represented as speaking of 
 himself as one in disgrace with Agnes of Dunbar, though her 
 bounden vassal. Unquestionably it is highly probable that Thomas 
 of Ercildoune held his lands of the Earl of Dunbar, as he resided in 
 the very village which took the name of Earls-town, from its depend- 
 ance on these great Earls. An antiquary is tempted to guess that 
 the obscure hint, here thrown out, may possibly allude to some dis- 
 pute between Thomas and his superior, which, making a part of the 
 remembered history of the former, was introduced by the English 
 imitator, who writes prophecies in his name." 
 
 After all, it may in general be admitted that the whole of the 
 prophecies attributed to 
 
 ' Thomas the true, that never spak falfe,' 
 
 in the corrupted and modernised state in which those bearing his 
 name now appear, are little better than spurious. If he attempted any 
 such predictions, which cannot reasonably be doubted, after the uni- 
 form tradition of more than five centuries, and the concurring testimo- 
 ny of so many ancient writers to his prophetical character, they were not, 
 it is highly probable, committed to writing in his own time, but being 
 circulated and handed down by tradition only, every person, no doubt, 
 considered it lawful to alter or accommodate them to his own views. 
 At least, we find occasionally the same prophecy, either by accident or 
 design, bearing the most opposite construction. But if there be one 
 exception, it is that which follows, given exactly as it occurs in a very 
 ancient manuscript, in the Harlcian Collection, (No. 2253. fol. 127.) 
 supposed to be of the time of Edward I. and which, as it approaches 
 so near the period in which he flourished, may be considered as ex- 
 hibiting a genuine specimen of the language of the author. This 
 Response assuredly bears reference to the Wars in Scotland during 
 
the time of Edward I. A contrary opinion, however, has long been held, 
 (see Border Minstrelsy, Vol. iii. p. 282-5. — Sir Tristrem, p. xvi.) — 
 and Sir Walter Scott still thinks that " the Battle of Dupplin is 
 distinctly referred to in line IG, and that line 11 th alludes to the 
 dreadful famine in the reign of David II. The only line of the pro- 
 phecy still remembered and quoted, is that of a hare kindling on the 
 hearth stone, a prophecy which Thomas is said by tradition to have 
 uttered concerning the desolation of his own house." 
 
 The hare fall kittle (litter) on my hearth fhane, 
 And there will never be a laird Learmont ajrain. 
 Every circumstance, however, warrants us in referring the following 
 lines to some time before the end of the Xlllth century, and their ap- 
 plication to the wars of Edward I. just previous to the commencement 
 of a long scries of war and desolation (about which time Thomas ap- 
 pears to have died) is certainly more appropriate, than conceiving him 
 to overlook these in a foresight of what should take place more than 
 half a century after his death. The erroneous supposition of this re- 
 sponse having been addressed to Black Agnes, the heroic Countess 
 of March, seems first to have given rise to the conjecture, which 
 has thrown discredit on the idea of its being uttered by the Poet of 
 Ersyldoune. In his time, the title of that powerful family had not 
 been changed from Dunbar to March. 
 
 " La Countefle de Donbar demanda a Thomas 
 do Efledoiine, q^nt la guere defcoce \n\'i\- 
 drcit fyn/ e yl la refpoinuly ct dyt. 
 
 When man as mad a kyng of a capped man/ 
 When mon is leuere ofer mones ]'yng ])en is owcn/ 
 When Loudyon ys forell an foreft/ ys felde/ 
 When hares kcndles o ])C herftcm/ 
 When wyt 1 wille wcrres togedere 
 
 When mon makes (tables of kyrkcs "i fteles caflles wy|) Hycs 
 When Rokesbourh nys no burgh ant market is at l-'forwyleye 
 When ])C aide is gan ant ]>e newe ))" don nojit 
 When Bandjourne ys donged with (lcdon>en 
 When men k'dcs men in ropes to biiyen i to fcllen/ 
 When a (j^rtcr of whaty whete is chaunged lor a colt of ten marks/ 
 When prude prikes 1 pees is leyd in prifoun, 
 When a Scot ne may hym hude afe hare in foftiKy 
 Jj' ]'e Englyffli ne (hal hym fynde/ 
 
When ry])' ant wronge aftentef to gedere/ 
 
 When laddes wedde]) louedis 
 
 When Scottes flen fo fafte j)^ for faute of fhip hy drounef hemfelve/ 
 
 Whenne ftial this be/ 
 
 Noufer in pine tyme ne in niyne, 
 
 Ah comen i gone 
 
 Wifinne twenty wynter ant on/' 
 
 The Prophecies attributed to Thomas the Rhymer, in the common 
 collection of ' The Whole Prophecies of Scotland, England, France, 
 Ireland,' &c. have not the slightest marks of authenticity. They 
 are, besides, too darkly veiled in allegory, or shadowed forth in ob- 
 scure allusions, to interest any one : — But the persons or events 
 prefigured must have, at one time, been more intelligible than now, 
 else it would be difficult to account for their extensive popularity ; 
 unless, on the idea which the common people may have entertained 
 of their actually bearing reference to future national occurrences ; 
 as it is said, ' though thir fayis be felcouth, they Ihall be footh found.' 
 Without, therefore, being possessed either of historical value, or poe- 
 tick merit, they are now to be regarded merely as literary curiosities. 
 
 ^l)e J^istill oi ^usan. 
 
 Thk Editor has it not in his power to give the various readings 
 which occur in the text of this poem between the different manu- 
 scripts ; but, in order to show in what these might have consisted, the 
 first stanza of the one manuscript, as selected and printed by Dr. 
 Whitaker, in his very elegant and elaborate publication is here in- 
 serted. 
 
 Ther was in Babyloyn a biern in ])* burgh riche 
 That was a Jewe Jentil and Joachym he highte 
 
 He was fo lele in his law. y was non hym liche 
 Of al richesses ^ vewke. arayed was righte 
 
 His ynnes and his orchardes. wer wi}) a depe diche 
 Hallis and herbgages. hye upon bight 
 
To feek J)urgh }>' cite, j/ was non slche 
 Of arbres and herbes. fo avenntly dight 
 That day 
 Wij)in ]>e cercle of the fees 
 Of arborye and aloes 
 Of all manne of trees 
 
 Sothely to fay. 
 
 And the last stanza of the Cotton i\If. may be added for the same 
 intent. By comparing these readings with the adopted text, it will 
 be perceived how far the ancient copies often vary from each other, 
 even when the sense of the passage and the words themselves are in 
 substance the same. 
 
 Then pe folk of Ifraell felle/ vpon knees 
 
 And lowely thanked our lord/ ])t her jie lyf lent 
 All gomes ]i' her god wolde/ glades t glees 
 
 That })ys prophete fo pertly preued hys entente 
 They trumpped before ])e trayto''cs/ 1 trayied hem on trees 
 
 Thorow out ])e cyte/ be comune aflentc 
 He ]/ loueth ])t lorde/ par hym not drede no lees 
 
 That ])US his feruant con faue/ |)' fliuld haue be fchent 
 So fwete 
 Thys ferly befell 
 
 In j)e dayes of Danyell "^ 
 
 The wytneffe wyll well tell 
 
 Of the fame prophete. 
 
 0ne halM of tijc ^iiu ^obUs. 
 
 The Nine Worthies enumerated in this ancient ballad often make 
 a conspicuous figure in old English poems. Thus, John Gowcr, in 
 his ' Balade to King Henry the fourth,' says, 
 
 " See Alexander, Hector, and Julius, 
 See Alachabeus, Dauid, and Jofuc, 
 See Charlemaine, Godfray, and Arthus, 
 
Fulfilled of warre, and of mortallte 
 
 Her fame abitte, but all is vanite 
 
 For death, which hath the warres vnder fote 
 
 Hath made an end, of which there is no bote. 
 
 Chaucer's Works, Speght's Edit. 1597. fol. 332. 
 
 The reader will remember the amusing Pageant of the Nine Wor- 
 thies, introduced, by Shakspeare, in Love's Labour Lost : where the 
 King says — 
 
 " Here is like to be a good presence of worthies : He (Don 
 Adriano de Armado) presents Hector of Troy ; the swain, Pompey the 
 Great ; the parish curate, Alexander ; Armado's page, Hercules j 
 the pedant, Judas Machabaeus. 
 
 " And if these four worthies in their first show thrive. 
 These four will change habits, and present the other five." 
 
 In line 41, < Schir Frollo.' This personage, who is introduced to 
 exemplify the prowess of Arthur, according to the Chronicles, was a 
 Roman knight, governor of Gaul. His name and that of " Lucyus 
 the emperour of Rome" are alluded to in the ' Legend of King Ar- 
 thur,' printed in Percy's Reliques, vol. iii. p. 79. 
 
 Another allusion to this strange and whimsical rhapsody, (the 
 moral of which, however, Is expressed in no obscure terms,) occurs in 
 an unpublished poem by Dunbar, who says, 
 
 " And thocht this nobill cunning fort, 
 Quhom of befoir, I did report 
 Rewardit be, it war hot relToun ; 
 Thairat fuld no man mak enchefoun : — 
 Bot qulien thir vthir fulis nyce 
 That i'eiflit at Colkelbie's gryce, 
 Ar all rewardit, and nocht I, 
 Than on this fals warld, I cry fy !" — 
 
 Maitland Mf. p. 196. 
 
For completing the transcript of Colkkliue, and carefully collating 
 it with the INIanuscript, the Editor may take this opportunity of 
 acknowledging, that he is indebted to his friend Robert Pitcairn, 
 Esq. whose zeal and knowledge in antiquarian pursuits has lately 
 been shewn in his curious publication of Queen Mary's Fuke- 
 
 RALS. 
 
 A subsequent revision, however, requires that the following should 
 be pointed out for correction. They may easily be excused, by the si- 
 milarity of several letters to each other in the manuscript, which 
 often renders it doubtful whether a ^ or a c is the proper reading in 
 many of the uncouth terms and names with which it abounds. 
 Those alone who have had experience in transcribing, collating, and 
 publishing such remains, can be aware of the difficulty there is in 
 avoiding mistakes of still greater moment. 
 
 Prohemium. Line 10. ' eft' read ' oft."* 1. 40. ' maftere"" r. ' m'tere' 
 i. €. mertere, or martyr. Fitt First. 1. 2. * mery' r. m'^ry, ' merry.' 
 1. 5. ' her' r. ' hir.' 1. 35. ' for' r. ' fro.' 1. 78. dele ' and.' 1. 211. 
 < Gibby' r. ' Gilby.' 1. 9.5B. ' q"' r. « cj i. e. quod, or quoth. 1. 278. 
 ' Sneirbum' r. ' Sweirbum.' 1. 332. ' defynd' r. <■ defynd.' 1. 350. 
 ' townis' r. ' lownis.' 1. 365. « Ottiane' r. ' Occiane.' 1. 374, 375, 
 and 37C, should read ' Flanderis — Brandebur* — Dittmer.' 1. 382 
 and 383. r. ' Rerall — Sclauia.' 1. 388. ' maftrit' r. ' m-'rit' i. e. 
 merrit, or marrit. 1. 397. ' cojoyned' r. ' copyne.' 1. 405. ' ])e' r. 
 *^e.' 1. 414. 'mathit' r. < machit.' 1. 433. r. ' efkapit.' 1. 435. 
 ' fance fly' r. ' fantefy.' 1. 442. r. < now lair, now the,' r. ' now law, 
 now he.' 1. 451. 'bore' q. 'here.'" 1. 456. r. 'w' anteroufs Her- 
 cules.' 1. 475. dele < fo.' 1. 51 4. « ge' r. ' fe.' 1. 525. ' 50 r. « j,e.' 
 1. 527. « Longeit' q. Lougeit .'' i. e. lodged. 1. 529. ' vveftat' r. 
 ' wefeit.' 1. 549. ' the' r. ' he.' 1. 563. ' fpirite' r. < fuice' or fcruice. 
 1. 567. ' Kellamcroufs' r. ' Bellameroufs.' 1. 578. ' fete' r. ' fece.' 
 1. 580. r. ' that my' be.' 1. 596. ' traft' r. ' craft.' 1. 613. ' comtie' 
 r. 'cuntre.' 1. 652. '•belt' r. ' bett.' I. 680. ' perfoune' r. ' pre- 
 fumc.' 1. 749. ' w^' r. ' no*' or nocht. 1. 810. ' ftrente' r. ' fcience.' 
 1. 867. ' quhille' r. ' quhilk.' 1. 869. ' Vrok' r. ' Erok.' 1- 877. 
 ' fyiftre' r. ' fyfte.' 1. 888. ' the' r ' thir.' 1. 906. ' quhile' /•. ' quhite' 
 for quite. — There is an error in the numbering of the lines, after 1. 80. 
 
By some oversight, the title given in the manuscript of this poem 
 is omitted. Instead, therefore, ' Of Pedder Knaves,' read ' Ane 
 
 DESCRIPTIOUN OF PeDDER CoFFEIS HAVING NA REGAIRD TILL 
 HONESTIE IN THAIR VGCATIGUN."' 
 
 The story from which Ritson supposes that this admirable comick 
 poem may have been borrowed, is contained in the opposite leaf 
 
 NoTwiTHSTANDiKG what is Said in the prefatory notice to this 
 poem, it would appear that more is wanting than is there supposed. 
 The stanza beginning with verse 73, is evidently the continuation of 
 a dialogue, the commencement of which, describing how the husband 
 met the ' gret grym man' the second time, has been lost. 
 
 1. 18. should read ' fo fadlie.' 1. 42. ' wound' q. < wind.^' 
 
 33allat oi i^atipmonie. 
 
 This ballad has since been compared with the manuscript in the 
 British Museum, but unnecessarily, unless in having afforded an in- 
 stance of the reliance that may be placed on Ritson's accuracy. 
 
EDINBURGH, 
 
 PRINTED FOR Wu. & D. I-AING; 
 
 BY BALFOUR & CLARKE. 
 
 MDCCCXXI— MDCCCXXII. 
 
u4 
 
- A 
 
 
 . V ^ intufl ^rg. 
 
 M ;J4121 
 
 ■.-Vv 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY