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diff --git a/old/13037-8.txt b/old/13037-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..94a76f6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13037-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12785 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rowley Poems, by Thomas Chatterton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rowley Poems + +Author: Thomas Chatterton + +Release Date: July 28, 2004 [EBook #13037] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROWLEY POEMS *** + + + + +Produced by Leah Moser and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + +THE + +ROWLEY POEMS + +BY + +THOMAS CHATTERTON + +REPRINTED FROM TYRWHITT'S THIRD EDITION + +EDITED, WITH AN INTRODUCTION, BY MAURICE EVAN HARE + + + +MCMXI + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION + + I. CHATTERTON'S LIFE AND DEATH AND THE GENESIS OF THE ROWLEY POEMS + + II. THE VALUE OF THE ROWLEY POEMS + + III. BIBLIOGRAPHY + + IV. NOTE ON THE TEXT + + V. NOTES + + VI. APPENDIX ON THE ROWLEY CONTROVERSY + +REPRINT OF THE EDITION OF 1778. (The Table of Contents follows the +1778 title-page.) + + + + +EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION. + +I. CHATTERTON'S LIFE AND DEATH AND THE GENESIS OF THE ROWLEY POEMS + + +Thomas Chatterton was born in Bristol on the 20th of November 1752. +His father--also Thomas--dead three months before his son's birth, had +been a subchaunter in Bristol Cathedral and had held the mastership +in a local free school. We are told that he was fond of reading and +music; that he made a collection of Roman coins, and believed in magic +(or so he said), studying the black art in the pages of Cornelius +Agrippa. With all the self-acquired culture and learning that raised +him above his class (his father and grandfathers before him for +more than a hundred years had been sextons to the church of St. Mary +Redcliffe) he is described as a dissipated, 'rather brutal fellow'. +Lastly, he appears to have been 'very proud', self-confident, and +self-reliant. + +Of Chatterton's mother little need be said. Gentle and rather foolish, +she was devoted to her two children Mary and, his sister's junior by +two years, Thomas the Poet. Of these Mary seems to have inherited the +colourless character of her mother; but Thomas must always have been +remarkable. We have the fullest accounts of his childhood, and the +details that might with another be set down as chronicles of the +nursery will be seen to have their importance in the case of this boy +who set himself consciously to be famous when he was eight, wrote +fine imaginative verse before he was thirteen, and killed himself aged +seventeen and nine months. + +Thomas, then, was a moody baby, a dull small boy who knew few of his +letters at four; and was superannuated--such was his impenetrability +to learning--at the age of five from the school of which his father +had been master. He was moreover till the age of six and a half so +frequently subject to long fits of abstraction and of apparently +causeless crying that his mother and grandmother feared for his +reason and thought him 'an absolute fool.' We are told also by his +sister--and there is no incongruity in the two accounts--that he +early displayed a taste for 'preheminence and would preside over his +playmates as their master and they his hired servants.' At seven and +a half he dissipated his mother's fear that she had borne a fool +by rapidly learning to read in a great black-letter Bible; for +characteristically 'he objected to read in a small book.' In a very +short time from this he appears to have devoured eagerly the contents +of every volume he could lay his hands on. He had a thirst for +knowledge at large--for any kind of information, and as the merest +child read with a careless voracity books of heraldry, history, +astronomy, theology, and such other subjects as would repel most +children, and perhaps one may say, most men. At the age of eight +we hear of him reading 'all day or as long as they would let him,' +confident that he was going to be famous, and promising his mother and +sister 'a great deal of finery' for their care of him when the day of +his fame arrived. Before he was nine he was nominated for Colston's +Hospital, a local school where the Bluecoat dress was worn and at +which the 'three Rs' were taught but very little else, so that the +boy, disappointed of the hope of knowledge, complained he could +work better at home. To this period we should probably assign the +delightful story of Chatterton and a friendly potter who promised to +give him an earthenware bowl with what inscription he pleased upon +it--such writing presumably intended to be 'Tommy his bowl' or 'Tommy +Chatterton'. 'Paint me,' said the small boy to the friendly potter, +'an Angel with Wings and a Trumpet to trumpet my Name over the World.' + +At ten he was making progress in arithmetic, and it should be +mentioned that he 'occupied himself with mechanical pursuits so that +if anything was out of order in the house he was set to mend it.' At +school he read during play hours and made few friends, but those +were 'solid fellows,' his sister tells us; while at home he had +appropriated to himself a small attic where he would read, write +and draw pictures--a number of which are preserved in the British +Museum--of knights and churches, and heraldic designs in red and +yellow ochre, charcoal, and black-lead. In this attic too he had +stored--though at what date is uncertain--a number of writings on +parchment which had a rather singular history. In the muniment room +of St. Mary Redcliffe, the church in which Chatterton's ancestors had +served as sextons, there were six or seven great oak chests, of which +one, greater than the others and secured by no fewer than six locks, +was traditionally called 'Canynges Cofre' after William Canynge the +younger, with whose name the erection and completion of St. Mary's +were especially associated. These had contained deeds and papers +dealing with parochial matters and the affairs of the Church, but some +years before Chatterton's birth the Vestry had determined to examine +these documents, some of which may have been as old as the building +itself. The keys had in the course of time been lost, and the +vestrymen accordingly broke open the chests and removed to another +place what they thought of value, leaving Canynge's Coffer and its +fellows gutted and open but by no means void of all their ancient +contents. Such parchments as remained Chatterton's father carried +away, whole armfuls at a time, using some to cover his scholars' books +and giving others to his wife, who made them into thread-papers and +dress patterns. + +In the house to which Mrs. Chatterton had moved upon her husband's +death there was still a sufficient number of these old manuscripts to +make a considerable trove for the boy who, then nine or ten years old, +had first learnt to read in black-letter and was in a few years to +produce poetry which should pass for fifteenth century with many +well-reputed antiquaries. It was no doubt on blank pieces of these +parchments that he inscribed the matter of the few Rowley documents +which he ever showed for originals. We have the account of a certain +Thistlethwaite, one of the 'solid lads' with whom Chatterton had made +friends at school, that his friend Thomas in the summer of 1764 +told him 'he was in possession of some old MSS. which had been found +deposited in a chest in Redcliffe Church, and that he had lent some or +one of them to Thomas Phillips'--an usher at Colston's, an earnest +and thoughtful man fond of poetry, and a great friend of Chatterton's. +'Within a day or two after this,' (Thistlethwaite wrote to Dean +Milles,) 'I saw Phillips ... who produced a MS. on parchment or vellum +which I am confident was "Elenoure and Juga"[1] a kind of pastoral +eclogue afterwards published in the _Town and Country Magazine_ for +May 1769. The parchment or vellum appeared to have been closely pared +round the margin for what purpose or by what accident I know not ... +The writing was yellow and pale manifestly as I conceive occasioned by +age.' + +This was the beginning of the Rowley fiction--which might be +metaphorically described as a motley edifice, half castle and half +cathedral, to which Chatterton all his life was continually adding +columns and buttresses, domes and spires, pediments and minarets, +in the shape of more poems by Thomas Rowley (a secular priest of St. +John's, Bristol); or by his patron the munificent William Canynge +(many times Mayor of the same city); or by Sir Thibbot Gorges, a +knight of ancient family with literary tastes; or by good Bishop +Carpenter (of Worcester) or John à Iscam (a Canon of St. Augustine's +Abbey, also in Bristol); together with plays or portions of +plays which they wrote--a Saxon epic translated--accounts of +Architecture--songs and eclogues--and friendly letters in rhyme or +prose. In short, this clever imaginative lad had evolved before he +was sixteen such a mass of literary and quasi-historical matter of +one kind or another that his fictitious circle of men of taste and +learning (living in the dark and unenlightened age of Lydgate and the +other tedious post-Chaucerians) may with study become extraordinarily +familiar and near to us, and was certainly to Chatterton himself quite +as real and vivid as the dull actualities of Colston's Hospital and +the Bristol of his proper century. + +Chatterton's own circle of acquaintance was far less brilliant. His +principal patrons were Henry Burgum and George Catcott, a pair of +pewterers, the former vulgar and uneducated but very ambitious to be +thought a man of good birth and education, the latter a credulous, +selfish and none too scrupulous fellow, a would-be antiquary, of +whom there is the most delightfully absurd description in Boswell's +_Johnson_. The biographer relates that in the year 1776 Johnson and +he were on a visit to Bristol and were induced by Catcott to climb the +steep flight of stairs which led to the muniment room in order to +see the famous 'Rowley's Cofre'. Whereupon, when the ascent had been +accomplished, Catcott 'called out with a triumphant air of lively +simplicity "I'll make Dr. Johnson a convert" (to the view then still +largely obtaining that Rowley's poems were written in the fifteenth +century) and he pointed to the "Wondrous chest".' '"_There_" said +he 'with a bouncing confident credulity "_There is the very chest +itself_"!' After which 'ocular demonstration', Boswell remarks, 'there +was no more to be said.' It was to such men as these that Chatterton +read his 'Rouleie's' poems. Another of his audience was Mr. Barrett, a +surgeon, who collected materials for a history of Bristol, which, +when published after the boy-poet's death, was found to contain +contributions (supplied by Chatterton) in the unmistakable and unique +'Rowleian' language--valuable evidence about old Bristol miraculously +preserved in Rowley's chest. + +We hear also of Michael Clayfield, a distiller, one of the very few +men in Bristol whom Chatterton admired and respected; of Baker, the +poet's bedfellow at Colston's, for whom Chatterton wrote love poems, +as Cyrano de Bergerac did for Christian de Neuvillette, to the address +of a certain Miss Hoyland--thin, conventional silly stuff, but Roxane +was probably not very critical; of Catcott's brother, the Rev. A. +Catcott, who had a fine library and was the author of a treatise on +the Deluge; of Smith, a schoolfellow; of Palmer an engraver, and a +number of others--mere names for the most part. Baker, Thistlethwaite +and a few more were contemporaries of the poet, but the rest of the +circle consisted mainly of men who had reached middle age--dullards, +perhaps, who condescended to clever adolescence, whom Chatterton +certainly mocked bitterly enough in satires which he wrote apparently +for his own private satisfaction, but whom he nevertheless took +considerable pains to conciliate as being men of substance who could +lend books and now and then reward the Muse with five shillings. +For Burgum the poet invented, and pretended to derive from numerous +authorities (some of which are wholly imaginary), a magnificent +pedigree showing him descended from a Simon de Seyncte Lyse _alias_ +Senliz Earl of Northampton who had come over with the Conqueror. To +this he appended a portion of a poem not included in this edition, +entitled the 'Romaunte of the Cnyghte', composed by John de Bergham +about A.D. 1320. It was some years before Mr. Burgum applied to the +College of Heralds to have his pedigree ratified, but when he did so +he was informed that there had never been a de Bergham entitled to +bear arms. + +With a second instalment of the genealogical table were copies of +the poems called _The Tournament_ and _The Gouler's_ (i.e. Usurer's) +_Requiem_, which are printed in this volume. Mr. Burgum was completely +taken in, and, exulting in his new-found dignity, acknowledged the +announcement of his splendid birth with a present of five shillings. +It is worthy of notice that the pedigree made mention of a certain +Radcliffe Chatterton de Chatterton, but Burgum's suspicions were not +aroused by the circumstance. + +In July 1765, that is to say when the boy was aged about 13, the +authorities of Colston's Hospital apprenticed him to John Lambert, a +Bristol attorney. He had chosen the calling himself, but it was not +long before the life became intolerable to him. It was arranged +that he should board with Lambert, and the attorney made him share a +bedroom with the foot-boy and eat his meals in the kitchen. Further, +though his sister has recorded that the work was light, the +practice being inconsiderable, Lambert always tore up any writing of +Chatterton's that he could find if it did not relate to his business. +'_Your stuff_!' he would say. Nevertheless he admitted that his +apprentice was always to be found at his desk, for he often sent the +footman in to see. And no doubt on some of these occasions Chatterton +was copying the legal precedents of which 370 folio pages, neatly +written in a well-formed handwriting, remain to this day as evidence +of legitimate industry. At other times he was certainly composing +poems by Rowley. + +Perhaps at this point it would be well to give some account of +Chatterton's method in the production of ancient writings. First it +seems he wrote the matter in the ordinary English of his day. Then he +would with the help of an English-Rowley and Rowley-English Dictionary +(which he had laboriously compiled for himself out of the vocabulary +to Speght's _Chaucer_, Bailey's _Universal Etymological Dictionary_, +and Kersey's _Dictionarium Anglo-Britannicum_) translate the work +into what he probably thought was a very fair imitation of fifteenth +century language. His spelling Professor Skeat characterizes as +'that debased kind which prevails in Chevy Chase and the Battle of +Otterbourn in Percy's _Reliques_, only a little more disguised.' +Percy's _Reliques_ were not published till 1765, but it is natural to +suppose that Chatterton when he was 'wildly squandering all he got +On books and learning and the Lord knows what,' and thereby involving +himself in some little debt, would have bought the volume very soon +after its publication. Finally as to the production of 'an original'. +We have two accounts; one of which represents the pseudo-Rowley +rubbing a parchment upon a dirty floor after smearing it with ochre +and saying 'that was the way to antiquate it'; the other, even more +explicit, is the testimony of a local chemist, one Rudhall, who was +for some time a close friend of Chatterton's. The incident in which +Rudhall appears is worth relating at length. + +In the month of September 1768 an event of some importance occurred at +Bristol--a new bridge that had been built across the Avon to supersede +a structure dating from the reign of the second Henry being formally +thrown open for traffic. At the time when this was the general talk +of the city Chatterton had left with the editor of _Felix Farley's +Bristol Journal_ a description of the 'Fryars passing over the Old +Bridge taken from an ancient manuscript.' This account was in the best +Rowleian manner, with strange spelling and uncouth words, but for +the most part quite intelligible to the ordinary reader. The editor +accordingly published it (no payment being asked) and great curiosity +was aroused in consequence. Where had this most interesting document +come from? Were there others like it? The Bristol antiquaries, +rather a large body, were all agog with excitement. Ultimately they +discovered that the unknown contributor, of whom the editor could +say nothing more than that his 'copy' was subscribed _Dunclinus +Bristoliensis_, was Thomas Chatterton the attorney's apprentice. Now +the amazing credulity of these learned people is one of the least +comprehensible circumstances of our poet's strange life. For on being +asked how he had come by his MSS. he refused at first to give any +answer. Then he said he was employed to transcribe some old writings +by 'a gentleman whom he had supplied with poetry to send to a lady the +gentleman was in love with'--the excuse being suggested no doubt by +the case of Miss Hoyland and his friend Baker. Finally when, as we +can only conclude, this explanation was disproved or disbelieved, he +announced that the account was copied from a manuscript his father +had taken from Rowley's chest. And this explanation was considered +perfectly satisfactory. + +Yet it seemed obvious that the antiquaries would demand to see the +manuscript, and Chatterton, contrary to his usual practice of secrecy, +called upon his friend Rudhall and, having made him promise to tell +nothing of what he should show him, took a piece of parchment +'about the size of a half sheet of foolscap paper,' wrote on it in +a character which the other did not understand, for it was 'totally +unlike English,' and finally held what he had written over a candle +to give it the 'appearance of antiquity,' which it did by changing the +colour of the ink and making the parchment appear 'black and a little +contracted.' Rudhall, who kept his secret till 1779 (when he bartered +it for £10, to be given to the poet's mother, at that time in +great poverty), believed that no one was shown or asked to see this +document. Why, it is impossible to say. + +The present volume contains a reproduction[2] in black and white of +the original MS. of Chatterton's '_Accounte of W. Canynges Feast_'. +This was written in red ink. The parchment is stained with brown, +except one corner, and the first line written in a legal texting hand. +The ageing of his manuscript of the _Vita Burtoni_, to take a further +instance, was effected by smearing the middle of it with glue or +varnish. This document was also written partly in an attorney's +regular engrossing[3] hand. During the next four years Chatterton +'transcribed' a great quantity of ancient documents, including +_Ælla, a Tragycal Enterlude_--far the finest of the longer Rowleian +poems--the _Songe to Ælla_ and _The Bristowe Tragedy_ (the authorship +of which last he appears in an unguarded moment to have acknowledged +to his mother). He told her also that he had himself written one of +the two poems _Onn oure Ladies Chyrche_--which one, Mrs. Chatterton +could not remember[4], but if it was the first of the two printed in +this edition (p. 275) it was a strange coincidence indeed that led +him to repudiate the antiquity of the only two Rowley poems which +are really at all like 'antiques'--Professor Skeat's convenient +expression. The two Battles of Hastings were written during this +period, and it appears that Barrett the surgeon, on being shown the +first poem, was for once very insistent in asking for the original, +whereupon Chatterton in a momentary panic confessed he had written the +verses for a friend; but he had at home, he said, the copy of what was +really the translation of Turgot's Epic--Turgot was a Saxon monk of +the tenth century--by Rowley the secular priest of the fifteenth. This +was the second _Battle of Hastings_ as printed in this book. Again +this strange explanation, so laboured and so patently disingenuous, +was accepted without comment though probably not believed. And if +it appears matter for surprise that there should ever have been any +controversy about the authorship of the Rowley writings, in view of +the lad's admission that he had written three such signal pieces as +the _Bristowe Tragedy_, the first _Battle of Hastings_, and _Onn oure +Ladies Chyrche_, it must be considered that the production of +the greater part of the poems by a poorly educated boy not turned +seventeen would naturally appear a circumstance more surprising than +that such a boy should tell a lie and claim some of them as his own. + +With his acknowledged work, as with Rowley, Chatterton by dint of +continued application was making good progress. In 1769 he had become +a frequent contributor to the _Town and Country Magazine_, to which +he sent articles on heraldry, imitations of Ossian (whom he very much +admired) and various other papers; and in December of this year he +wrote to Dodsley, the well-known publisher, acquainting him that +he could 'procure copies of several ancient poems and an interlude, +perhaps the oldest dramatic piece extant, wrote by one Rowley, a +Priest in Bristol, who lived in the reign of Henry the Sixth and +Edward the Fourth * * * If these pieces would be of any service to +Mr. Dodsley copies should be sent.' The publisher returned no answer. +Chatterton waited two months, then wrote again and enclosed a specimen +passage from _Ælla_. He could procure a copy of this work, he wrote, +upon payment of a guinea to the present owner of the MS. Again Mr. +Dodsley lay low and said nothing, and so the incident closed. + +Dodsley having failed him, Chatterton next took the bolder step of +writing to Horace Walpole, who must have been much in his mind for +some years before his sending the letter. Some one has made the +ingenious suggestion that a consideration of Walpole's delicate +connoisseurship sensibly coloured Chatterton's account of the life +of Mastre William Canynge. More than this, his delight in the +Mediæval--the Gothic--and his content with what may be termed a +purely impressionistic view of the past, was singularly akin to the +Bristol poet's own outlook on these matters. Walpole had further some +three years before this time indulged in the very harmless literary +fraud of publishing his _Castle of Otranto_ as a translation from a +mediæval Italian MS., only confessing his own authorship upon +the publication of the second edition. To Walpole then Chatterton +addressed a short letter enclosing some verses by John à Iscam and +a manuscript on the _Ryse of Peyncteyning yn Englande wroten by T. +Rowleie 1469 for Mastre Canynge_[5] with the suggestion that it might +be of service to Mr. Walpole 'in any future edition of his truly +entertaining anecdotes of painting.' This drew from the connoisseur +one of the politest letters[6] that have been written in English, in +which the simple and elegant sentences expressed with a very charming +courtesy the interest and curiosity of its author. He gave his +correspondent 'a thousand thanks'; 'he would not be sorry to print' +(at his private press) 'some of Rowley's poems'; and added--which +reads strangely in the light of what follows--'I would by no means +borrow and detain your MS.' Now Chatterton's _Peyncteyning yn +Englande_ is the clumsiest fraud of all the Rowley compositions, +with the single exception of a letter from the secular Priest +which exhibits the exact style and language of de Foe's _Robinson +Crusoe_.[7] Professor Skeat has pointed out that the Anglo-Saxon +words, which occur with tolerable frequency in the _Ryse_, begin +almost without exception with the letter _A_, and concludes that +Chatterton had read in an old English glossary, probably Somners, +no farther than _Ah_. Walpole however 'had not the happiness of +understanding the Saxon language,' and it was not until after he had +received a second letter from Chatterton, enclosing more Rowleian +matter both prose and verse, that he consulted his friends Gray +and Mason, who at once detected the forgery. If, as seems certain, +_Elinoure and Juga_ was among the pieces sent, it was inevitable +that Gray should recognize lines 22-25 of that poem as a striking if +unconscious reminiscence of his own _Elegy in a Country Churchyard_. +Now Walpole had some years before introduced Ossian's poems to +the world and his reputation as a critic had suffered when their +authenticity was generally disputed. Accordingly he wrote Chatterton +a stiff letter suggesting that 'when he should have made a fortune he +might unbend himself with the studies consonant to his inclination'; +and in this one must suppose that he was actuated by a very natural +irritation at having been duped a second time by an expositor +of antique poetry, rather than by any snobbish contempt for his +correspondent, who had frankly confessed himself an attorney's +apprentice. Chatterton then wrote twice to have his MS. returned, +asserting at the same time his confidence in the authenticity of the +Rowley documents. Walpole for some reason returned no answer to either +application, but left for Paris, where he stayed six weeks, returning +to find another letter from Chatterton written with considerable +dignity and restraint--a last formal demand to have his manuscript +returned. Whereupon, amazed at the boy's 'singular impertinence,' the +great man snapped up both letters and poems and returned them in a +blank cover--that is to say without a word of apology or explanation. +He might have acted otherwise if he had been a more generous spirit, +but an attempt had been made to impose upon him which had in part +succeeded, and he can hardly be blamed for showing his resentment by +neglecting to return the forgeries. One may notice in passing that +when Chatterton, more than a year later, committed suicide there were +not wanting a great many persons absurd enough to accuse Walpole of +having driven him to his death--a contemptible suggestion. Yet the +connoisseur's credit certainly suffers from the fact that he gave +currency to a false account of the transaction in the hope of +concealing his first credulity.[8] + +We now come to the circumstance which procured Chatterton's release +from his irksome apprenticeship--his threat of suicide. He had often +been heard to speak approvingly of suicide, and there is a story, +which has, however, little authority, that once in a company of +friends he drew a pistol from his pocket, put it to his head, and +exclaimed 'Now if one had but the courage to pull the trigger!' +This anecdote--if not in fact true--illustrates very well the gloomy +depression of spirit which alternated with those outbursts of feverish +energy in which his poems were composed. And he had much to make +him miserable when with a change of mood he lost his buoyancy and +confidence of ultimate fame and success. His ambition was boundless +and his audience was as limited in numbers as in understanding. He +was as proud as the poor Spaniard who on a bitter day rejected the +friendly offer of a cloak with the words 'A gentleman does not feel +the cold,' and his pride was continually fretted. He was keenly +conscious of the indignity of his position in Lambert's kitchen; he +seems to have been pressed for money, and though he 'did not owe five +pounds altogether' he probably smarted under the thought that all +his hard work, all the long nights of study and composition in the +moonlight which helped his thought, could not earn him even this +comparatively small sum. Again, he was not restrained from a +contemplation of suicide by any scruples of religion--for he has left +his views expressed in an article written some few days before his +death. He believed in a daemon or conscience which prompted every +man to follow good and avoid evil; but--different men different +daemons--his held self-slaughter justified when life became +intolerable; with him therefore it would be no crime. Wilson suggests +too that the boy who had read theology, orthodox and the reverse, held +to the common eighteenth century view that death was annihilation; and +this may well have been the case. One thing at any rate is certain, +that Chatterton on the 14th of April 1770 left on his desk a number of +pieces of paper filled with a jumble of satiric verse, mocking prose, +and directions for the construction of a mediæval tomb to cover the +remains of his father and himself. Part of this strange document +was headed in legal form--'This is the last Will and Testament of me +Thomas Chatterton,' and contained the declaration that the Testator +would be dead on the evening of the following day--'being the feast of +the resurrection.' The bundle was dated and endorsed 'All this wrote +between 11 and 2 o'clock Saturday in the utmost distress of mind.' Now +while one need not doubt that the distress was perfectly genuine, it +is tolerably certain that Chatterton intended his master to find what +he had written and draw his own conclusions as to the desirability of +dismissing his apprentice. The attorney (who is represented as timid, +irritable and narrow-minded)[9] did in fact find the document, was +thoroughly frightened, and gave the boy his release. He was now free +to starve or earn a living by his pen--so no doubt he represented +the alternative to his mother. He must go to London, where he would +certainly make his fortune. He had been supplying four or five London +journals of good standing with free contributions for some time past, +and had received it appears great encouragement from their editors. He +gained his point and started out for the great city. + +His letters show that he called upon four editors the very day he +arrived. These were Edmunds of the _Middlesex Journal_; Fell of the +_Freeholders Magazine_; Hamilton of the _Town and Country Magazine_; +and Dodsley--the same to whom he had sent a portion of _Ælla_--of the +_Annual Register_. He had received, he wrote, 'great encouragement +from them all'; 'all approved of his design; he should soon be +settled.' Fell told him later that the great and notorious Wilkes +'affirmed that his writings could not be the work of a youth and +expressed a desire to know the author.' This may or may not have +been true, but it is certain that Fell was not the only newspaper +proprietor who was ready to exchange a little cheap flattery for +articles by Chatterton that would never be paid for.[10] + +We know very little about Chatterton's life in London--but that little +presents some extraordinarily vivid pictures. He lodged at first with +an aunt, Mrs. Ballance, in Shoreditch, where he refused to allow his +room to be swept, as he said 'poets hated brooms.' He objected to +being called Tommy, and asked his aunt 'If she had ever heard of a +poet's being called Tommy' (you see he was still a boy). 'But she +assured him that she knew nothing about poets and only wished he would +not set up for being a gentleman.' He had the appearance of being much +older than he was, (though one who knew him when he was at Colston's +Hospital described him as having light curly hair and a face round as +an apple; his eyes were grey and sparkled when he was interested or +moved). He was 'very much himself--an admirably expressive phrase. +He had the same fits of absentmindedness which characterized him as +a child. 'He would often look stedfastly in a person's face without +speaking or seeming to see the person for a quarter of an hour or +more till it was quite frightful.' We have accounts of his sitting +up writing nearly the whole of the night, and his cousin was almost +afraid to share a room with him 'for to be sure he was a spirit and +never slept.'[11] + +He wrote political letters in the style of Junius--generally signing +them Decimus or Probus--that kind of vague libellous ranting which +will always serve to voice the discontent of the inarticulate. He +wrote essays--moral, antiquarian, or burlesque; he furbished up his +old satires on the worthies of Bristol; he wrote songs and a comic +opera, and was miserably paid when he was paid at all. None of his +work written in these veins has any value as literature; but the skill +with which this mere lad not eighteen years old gauged the taste +of the town and imitated all branches of popular literature would +probably have no parallel in the history of journalism should such a +history ever come to be written. + +His letters to his mother and sister were always gay and contained +glowing accounts of his progress; but in reality he must have been +miserably poor and ill-fed. + +In July he changed his lodgings to the house of a Mrs. Angel, a sacque +maker in Brook Street, Holborn; the dead season of August was coming +on and probably he wanted to conceal his growing embarrassment from +his aunt, who might have sent word of it to his mother at Bristol. + +His opera was accepted--it is a spirited and well written piece--and +for this he was paid five pounds, which enabled him to send a box of +presents to his mother and sister bought with money he had earned. +He had dreamed of this since he was eight. But his _Balade of +Charitie_--the most finished of all the Rowley poems--was refused by +the _Town and Country Magazine_ about a month before the end; which +came on August 24th. He was starving and still too proud to accept the +invitations of his landlady and of a friendly chemist to take various +meals with them. He was offended at the good landlady's suggestion +that he should dine with her; for 'her expressions seemed to hint' +(to _hint_) 'that he was in want'--no cloak for Thomas Chatterton! He +could have borrowed money and gone back to Bristol, but there are many +precedents for beaten generalissimos falling on their swords rather +than return home defeated and disgraced. How could he return? He had +set out so confidently; had boasted not a little of his powers, and +had satirized all the good people in Bristol _de haut en bas_. Think +of the jokes and commiserations of Burgum, Catcott, and the rest! +'Well, here you are again, boy; but of course _we_ knew it would come +to this!' He could not endure to hear that. + +Accordingly on Friday the 24th August 1770 he tore up his manuscripts, +locked his door, and poisoned himself with arsenic. + +Southey, Byron, and others have supposed that Chatterton was mad; it +has been suggested that he was the victim of a suicidal mania. All +the evidence that there is goes to show that he was not. He was +very far-sighted, shrewd, hard-working, and practical, for all his +imaginative dreaming of a non-existent past; and this at least may +be said, that Chatterton's suicide was the logical end to a very +remarkably consistent life. + +Chatterton's character has suffered a good deal from three accusations +vehemently urged by Maitland and his eighteenth-century predecessors. +The first is that the boy was a 'forger'; the second that he was a +freethinker; the third that he was a free-liver. + +To examine these in turn: the first admits of no denial as a question +of fact, but justification may be pleaded which some will accept as a +complete exculpation and others perhaps will hardly comprehend. + +Chatterton could only produce poetry in his fifteenth-century vein; +his imagination failed him in modern English. No one who has any +appreciation of Rowley's poems will consider that the _African +Eclogues_ are for a moment comparable with them. If he was to write at +all he must produce antiques, and, as it happened, interest had been +aroused in ancient poetry, largely by the publication of Percy's +_Reliques_ and of the spurious Ossian. Appearing at this juncture, +then, as ancient writings taken from an old chest, his poems would be +read and their value appreciated; while no one would trouble to make +out the professed imitations--not by any means easy reading--of an +attorney's apprentice. Probably if an adequate audience had been +secured in his lifetime, Chatterton would have revealed the secret +when it had served its purpose--just as Walpole confessed to the +authorship of _Otranto_ only when that book had run into a second +edition. + +To the second count of the indictment no defence is urged. Chatterton +was too honest and too intelligent to accept traditional dogmatics +without examination. + +Finally, he was no free-liver in the sense in which that objectionable +expression is used. Rather he was an ascetic who studied and wrote +poetry half through the night, who ate as little as he slept, and +would make his dinner off 'a tart and a glass of water.' He was +devoted to his mother and sister and to his poetry; and what spare +time was not occupied with the latter he seems to have spent largely +with the former. The attempt to represent him as a sort of +provincial Don Juan--though in the precocious licence of a few of his +acknowledged writings he has even given it some colour himself--cannot +be reconciled with the recorded facts of his life. + +Equally ill judged is that picture which is presented by Professor +Masson and other writers less important--of a truant schoolboy, +a pathetic figure, who had petulantly cast away from him the +consolations of religion. Monsieur Callet, his French biographer, knew +better than this: 'Il fallait l'admirer, lui, non le plaindre,' is the +last word on Chatterton. + +[Footnote 1: An extraordinary production for a boy of twelve, but we +need not suppose that if 'Elenoure and Juga' were written in 1764 and +not published until 1769 no alterations and improvements were made by +its author in the period between these dates.] + +[Footnote 2: From the engraving in Tyrwhitt's edition.] + +[Footnote 3: See Southey and Cottle's edition, quoted in Skeat, ii, p. +123.] + +[Footnote 4: Dean Milles has a delightful account of the reception +accorded to Rowley in the Chatterton household. Neither mother nor +sister would appear to have understood a line of the poems, but +Mary Chatterton (afterwards Mrs. Newton) remembered she had been +particularly wearied with a 'Battle of Hastings' of which her brother +would continually and enthusiastically recite portions.] + +[Footnote 5: Wilson believed that Chatterton never sent the _Ryse_, +&c., at all (see page 173 of his _Chatterton: A Biographical Study_), +but this is disposed of by the fact that the _Ryse of Peyncteyning_ is +the only piece of Chatterton's which contains _Saxon_ words.] + +[Footnote 6: March 28th, 1769.] + +[Footnote 7: _An account of Master William Canynge written by Thos. +Rowlie Priest in_ 1460. Skeat, Vol. III, p. 219; W. Southey's edition, +Vol. III, p. 75. See especially the last paragraph.] + +[Footnote 8: See _Letters of Horace Walpole_, edited by Mrs. Paget +Toynbee (Clarendon Press), Vol. XIV, pp. 210, 229; Vol. XV, p. 123.] + +[Footnote 9: But attorneys are seldom 'in regrate' with the friends of +Poetry.] + +[Footnote 10: Masson's reconstruction of the scene between Chatterton +and the editor of the _Freeholder's Magazine_ is very convincing (see +his _Chatterton: a Biography_, p. 160).] + +[Footnote 11: Almost everything that we know of Chatterton in London +was ascertained by Sir H. Croft and printed in his _Love and Madness_ +(see Bibliography).] + + + + +II. THE VALUE OF ROWLEY'S POEMS--PHILOLOGICAL AND LITERARY + + +As imitations of fifteenth-century composition it must be confessed +the Rowley poems have very little value. Of Chatterton's method +of antiquating something has already been said. He made himself an +antique lexicon out of the glossary to Speght's _Chaucer_, and such +words as were marked with a capital O, standing for 'obsolete' in the +Dictionaries of Kersey and Bailey. Now even had his authorities been +well informed, which they were not by any means, and had Chatterton +never misread or misunderstood them, which he very frequently did, it +was impossible that his work should have been anything better than +a mosaic of curious old words of every period and any dialect. Old +English, Middle English, and Elizabethan English, South of England +folk-words or Scots phrases taken from the border ballads--all +were grist for Rowley's mill. It is only fair to say that he seldom +invented a word outright, but he altered and modified with a free +hand. Professor Skeat indeed estimates that of the words contained in +Milles' Glossary to the Rowley Poems only seven percent are genuine +old words correctly used. The Professor in his modernized edition is +continually pointing out with kindly reluctance that such and such +a word never bore the meaning ascribed to it--that because, for +instance, Bailey had explained _Teres major_ as a smooth muscle of the +arm it was not therefore any legitimate inference of Chatterton's +that _tere_ (singular form) meant a muscle and could be translated +'health'. Only occasionally does one find the note (written with an +obviously sincere pleasure) 'This word is correctly used.' Of +course it was impossible that Chatterton should have produced even a +colourable imitation of fifteenth-century poetry at a time when +even Malone--for all his acknowledged reputation as an English +Scholar--could not quote Chaucer so as to make his lines scan. The +_Rowley Poems_ and Percy's _Reliques_ mark the beginning of that +renascence of our older poetry so conspicuous in the time of Lamb +and Hazlitt. Before this epoch was the Augustan age, much too +well satisfied with its own literature to concern itself with an +unfashionable past. + +But, after all, however absurd from any historical point of view the +language and metres of the boy-poet may be, at least he invented a +practicable language which admirably conveyed his impression of the +latest period of the middle ages--that after-glow which began with +the death of Chaucer. Chatterton's poetry is a pageant staged by an +impressionist. It cannot be submitted to a close examination, and it +is all wrong historically, yet it presents a complete picture with an +artistic charm that must be judged on its own merits. An illusion +is successfully conveyed of a dim remote age when an idle-strenuous +people lived only to be picturesque, to kill one another in tourneys, +to rear with painful labour beautiful elaborate cathedrals, and yet +had so much time on their hands that they could pass half their lives +cracking unhallowed sconces in the Holy Land and, in that part of +their ample leisure which they devoted to study, spell 'flourishes' as +'Florryschethe'. But if any one still anxious for literal truth should +insist--'Is not the impression as false as the medium that conveys +it? Were the middle ages really like that? Is it not a fact that the +average baron stayed at home in his castle devising abominable schemes +to wring money or its equivalent from miserable and half-starved +peasants?'--such a one can only be answered with another question: 'Is +Pierrot like a man, and has it been put beyond question that +Pontius Pilate was hanged for beating his wife?' The Rowley writings +are--properly considered--entirely fanciful and unreal. They have +many faults, but are seen at their worst when Chatterton is trying +to exhibit some eternal truth. There is a horrible (but perfectly +natural) didacticism--the inevitable priggishness of a clever +boy--which occasionally intrudes itself on his best work. Thus that +charming fanciful fragment which begins-- + + As onn a hylle one eve fittynge + At oure Ladie's Chyrche mouche wonderynge + +embodies this truism fit for a bread-platter--or to be the 'Posy of a +ring'--'Do your best.' + + Canynges and Gaunts culde doe ne moe. + +And the poet's boyishness demands still further consideration. He +has a crude violence of expression which is apt to shock the mature +person--some of the descriptions of wounds in the two Battles of +Hastings would sicken a butcher; while in another vein such a phrase +as + + Hee thoughte ytt proper for to cheese a wyfe, + And use the sexes for the purpose gevene. +(_Storie of William Canynge_) + +has an absurd affectation of straightforward good sense divested of +sentiment which could not appeal to any one on a higher plane of +civilization than a medical student. + +And this is easily explicable if only it is borne in mind that the +Rowley poems were written by a boy, and that such lovely things as +the Dirge in _Ælla_ suggest a maturity that Chatterton did not by any +means perfectly possess. In some respects he was as childish (to use +the word in no contemptuous sense) as in others he was precocious. And +it is a thousand pities that the difficulties of Chatterton's language +and the peculiar charm and invention of his metrical technique cannot +be appreciated till the boyish love of adventure, delight in imagined +bloodshed, and ignorance of sentimental love, have generally been left +behind. Nothing--to give an example--could be more frigid than the +description of Kennewalcha-- + + White as the chaulkie clyffes of Brittaines isle, + Red as the highest colour'd Gallic wine + +(an unthinkable study in burgundy and whitewash, _Battle of Hastings_, +II, 401); nothing, on the other hand, more vivid, more obviously +written with a pen that shook with excitement, than + + The Sarasen lokes _owte_: he doethe feere, &c. +(_Eclogue the Second_, 23.) + + Soe wylle wee beere the Dacyanne armie downe, + And throughe a storme of blodde wyll reache the champyon crowne. +(_Ælla_, 631.) + + Loverdes, how doughtilie the tylterrs joyne! +(_Tournament_, 92.). + +In fine, there is no poet, one may boldly declare, +whose pages are so filled with battle, murder and sudden death, as +Chatterton's are; and this is perhaps the clearest indication he gives +of immaturity. + +But if his ideas were sometimes crude and boyish they were not by any +means always so; he has flashes of genius, sudden beauties that take +away the breath. A better example than this of what is called the +sublime could not be found: + + See! the whyte moone sheenes onne hie; + Whyterre ys mie true loves shroude; + Whyterre yanne the mornynge skie, + Whyterre yanne the evenynge cloude. +(_Ælla_, 872.) + +and, from the _Songe bie a Manne and Womanne_, + + I heare them from eche grene wode tree, + Chauntynge owte so blatauntlie, + Tellynge lecturnyes to mee, + Myscheefe ys whanne you are nygh. +(_Ælla_, 107.) + + Did ever shepherd's pipe play a prettier tune? + He has some fine martial sounds, as for instance: + Howel ap Jevah came from Matraval +(_Battle of Hastings_, I, 181.) + +He rarely employs personifications, but no poet used the figure more +convincingly. The third Mynstrelle's description of Autumn is a +lovely thing, and one will not easily forget his Winter's frozen blue +eyes--though unfortunately that is not in Rowley. + +His art was essentially dramatic, and he has some fine dramatic +moments, as for example when the Usurer soliloquizing miserably on his +certain ultimate damnation suddenly cries out + + O storthe unto mie mynde! I goe to helle. +(_Gouler's Requiem_.) + +The word 'storthe' is a good example of Chatterton's use of strange +words. The effect of a sudden outcry which it produces would be lost +in a modernized version which rendered it 'death'. + +Mr. Watts-Dunton in his article on Chatterton in Ward's _English +Poets_ speaks of his extraordinary metrical inventiveness and of his +ultimate responsibility for such lines as these-- + + And Christabel saw the lady's eye + And nothing else she saw thereby + Save the boss of the shield of Sir Leoline tall + Which hung in a murky old niche in the wall-- + +the anapaestic dance of which breaks in upon the normal iambic +movement of the poem with a natural dramatic propriety. He compares +too _The Eve of St. Agnes_ with the _Excelente Balade of Charitie_, +remarking that it was only in his latest work that Keats attained +to that dramatic objectivity which was 'the very core and centre of +Chatterton's genius.' + +Another writer, Mr. Thomas Seccombe, speaks of his 'genuine lyric +fire, a poetic energy, and above all an intensity remote from his +contemporaries and suggestive (as Cimabue in his antique and primitive +manner is suggestive of Giotto and Angelico) of Shelley and Keats.' + +Chatterton's influence on the great body of poets of the generation +succeeding his own was very considerable--Mr. Watts-Dunton indeed +declares him to have been the father of the New Romantic School--and +the affection with which Keats, Coleridge, Wordsworth and many others +regarded him was extraordinary. He was their pioneer, who had lost +his life in a heroic attempt to penetrate the dull crassness of the +mid-eighteenth century. + +He had great originality and the gift of an intense imagination. If +he is sometimes crude and immature in thought and expression--if his +images sometimes weary by their monotony--it is accepted that a poet +is to be judged by his highest and not his lowest; and Chatterton's +best work has an inspiration, a singular and unique charm both of +thought and of music that is of the first order of English poetry. + + + + +III. BIBLIOGRAPHY. + + +A great deal more has been written about Chatterton than it is worth +anybody's while to read. To begin with, there are all the volumes and +pamphlets concerning themselves with the question whether the Rowley +poems were written by Chatterton or by Rowley, or by both (Chatterton +adding matter of his own to existing poems written in the fifteenth +century), or by neither. It may be said that these problems were not +conclusively and finally solved till Professor Skeat brought out his +edition of Chatterton in 1871. + +Then again there are the various lives of the poet; for the most part +mere random aggregations of such facts, true or imagined, as fell +in the editor's way, filled out with pulpit commonplaces and easy +paragraphs beginning 'But it is ever the way of Genius ...' Professor +Wilson's _Chatterton: a Biographical Study_ is as final in its own way +as Professor Skeat's two volumes. It is a scholarly compilation of +all previous accounts, very well digested and arranged. Moreover, +the Professor has for the most part left the facts to tell their +own story; and thus his book is free from such absurdities as the +sentimental regrets of Gregory and Professor Masson that Chatterton +was led into a course of folly ending in suicide through being +deprived of a father's care. Such a father as Chatterton's was! + +While premising that any one who wishes to learn the facts of the +boy-poet's life--his circumstances and surroundings--can find them +all set forth in Professor Wilson's book: while equally if he is +interested in the pseudo-Rowley's language, philologically considered, +he will find this elaborately examined in Professor Skeat's second +volume; it has been thought that the following bibliography of books +dealing with various aspects of the poet which were read and valued in +their day may be found of interest to students of literary history. + +1598. Speght's edition of Chaucer, the glossary of which Chatterton +used in the compilation of his Rowley Dictionary. + +1708. Kersey's _Dictionarium Anglo-Britannicum_, and + +1737. Bailey's _Universal Etymological Dictionary_. (8th Enlarged +Edition.) Bailey is largely copied from Kersey, but Chatterton +certainly used both dictionaries in making his antique language. + +1777. Tyrwhitt's edition of the Rowley poems. Tyrwhitt was +Chatterton's first editor and in his edition many of the poems +were printed for the first time. 'The only really good edition is +Tyrwhitt's.' 'This exhibits a careful and, I believe, extremely +accurate text ... an excellent account of the MSS. and transcripts +from which it was derived. It is a fortunate circumstance that the +first editor was so thoroughly competent.' (Professor Skeat, Introd. +to Vol. II of his 1871 edition.) + +1778. Tyrwhitt's third edition, from which the present edition is +printed. With this was printed for the first time 'An appendix ... +tending to prove that the Rowley poems were written not by any ancient +author but entirely by Thomas Chatterton.' This edition follows the +first nearly page for page; but was reset. + +1780. _Love and Madness_ by Sir Herbert Croft. This strange book +deserves a brief description as it is the source of almost all our +knowledge of Chatterton. + +A certain Captain Hackman, violently in love with a Miss Reay, +mistress of the Earl of Sandwich, and stung to madness by his jealousy +and the hopelessness of his position, had in 1779 shot her in the +Covent Garden Opera House and afterwards unsuccessfully attempted +to shoot himself. Enormous public interest was excited, and +Croft--baronet, parson, and literary adventurer--got hold of copies +which Hackman had kept of some letters he had sent to the charming +Miss Reay. These he published as a sensational topical novel in +epistolary form, calling it _Love and Madness_. This is quite worth +reading for its own sake, but much more so for its 49th letter, +which purports to have been written by Hackman to satisfy Miss Reay's +curiosity about Chatterton. As a matter of fact Croft, who had been +very interested in the boy-poet and had collected from his relations +and those with whom he had lodged in London all they could +possibly tell him, wrote the letter himself and included it rather +inartistically among the genuine Hackman-Reay correspondence. Amongst +other valuable matter, this letter 49 contains a long account of her +brother by Mary Chatterton.--(See _Love letters of Mr. Hackman and +Miss Reay_, 1775-79, introduction by Gilbert Burgess: Heinemann, +1895.) 1774-81. Warton's _History of English Poetry_, in Volume II of +which there is an account of Chatterton. + +1781. Jacob Bryant's _Observations upon the Poems of T. Rowley in +which the authenticity of those poems is ascertained_. Bryant was a +strong Pro-Rowleian and argues cleverly against the possibility of +Chatterton's having written the poems. He shows that Chatterton in his +notes often misses Rowley's meaning and insists that he neglected to +explain obvious difficulties because he could not understand them. +Bryant is the least absurd of the Pro-Rowleians. + +1782. Dean Milles' edition of the Rowley poems--a splendid quarto with +a running commentary attempting to vindicate Rowley's authenticity. +Milles was President of the Society of Antiquaries and his commentary +is characterized by Professor Skeat as 'perhaps the most surprising +trash in the way of notes that was ever penned. + +1782. Mathias' _Essay on the Evidence ... relating to the poems called +Rowley's_--he is pro-Rowleian and criticizes Tyrwhitt's appendix. + +1782. Thomas Warton's _Enquiry ... into the Poems attributed to Thomas +Rowley_--Anti-Rowleian. + +1782. Tyrwhitt's _Vindication_ of his Appendix. Tyrwhitt had +discovered Chatterton's use of Bailey's Dictionary and completely +refutes Bryant, Milles, and Mathias. It may be observed in passing +that though Goldsmith upheld Rowley, Dr. Johnson, the two +Wartons, Steevens, Percy, Dr. Farmer, and Sir H. Croft pronounced +unhesitatingly in favour of the poems having been written by +Chatterton: while Malone in a mocking anti-Rowleian pamphlet shows +that the similes from Homer in the _Battle of Hastings_ and elsewhere +have often borrowed their rhymes from Pope! + +1798. _Miscellanies in Prose and Verse_ by Edward Gardner (two +volumes). At the end of Volume II there is a short account of the +Rowley controversy and, what is more important, the statement that +Gardner had seen Chatterton antiquate a parchment and had heard him +say that a person who had studied antiquities could with the aid of +certain books (among them Bailey) 'copy the style of our elder poets +so exactly that the most skilful observer should not be able to detect +him. "No," said he, "not Mr. Walpole himself."' But perhaps this +should be taken _cum grano_. + +1803. Southey and Cottle's edition in three volumes with an account +of Chatterton by Dr. Gregory which had previously been published as an +independent book. Southey and Cottle's edition is very compendious so +far as matter goes, and contains much that is printed for the first +time. Gregory's life is inaccurate but very pleasantly written. + +1837. Dix's life of Chatterton, with a frontispiece portrait of +Chatterton aged 12 which was for a long time believed to be authentic. +No genuine portrait of Chatterton is known to be in existence; +probably none was ever made. Dix's life, not a remarkable work in +itself, has some interesting appendices; one of which contains a +story--extraordinary enough but well supported--that Chatterton's +body, which had received a pauper's burial in London, was secretly +reburied in St. Mary's churchyard by his uncle the Sexton. + +1842. Willcox's edition printed at Cambridge; on the whole a slovenly +piece of work with a villainously written introduction. + +1854. George Pryce's _Memorials of Canynges Family_; which contains +some notes of the coroner's inquest on Chatterton's body, which would +have been most interesting if authentic, but were in fact forged by +one Gutch. + +1856. _Chatterton: a biography_ by Professor Masson--published +originally in a volume of collected essays; re-published and in +part re-written as an independent volume in 1899. The Professor +reconstructs scenes in which Chatterton played a part; but it is +suggested (with diffidence) that his treatment is too sentimental, and +the boy-poet is Georgy-porgied in a way that would have driven him +out of his senses, if he could have foreseen it. The picture is +fundamentally false. + +1857. _An Essay on Chatterton_ by S.R. Maitland, D.D., F.R.S., and +F.S.A. A very monument of ignorant perversity. The writer shamelessly +distorts facts to show that Chatterton was an utterly profligate +blackguard and declares finally that neither Rowley nor Chatterton +wrote the poems. + +1869. Professor D. Wilson's _Chatterton: a Biographical Study_, and + +1871. Professor W.W. Skeat's _Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton_ (in +modernized English) of which mention has been made above. + +1898. A beautifully printed edition of the Rowley poems with decorated +borders, edited by Robert Steele. (Ballantyne Press.) + +1905 and 1909. The works of Chatterton, with the Rowley poems in +modernized English, edited with a brief introduction by Sidney Lee. + +1910. _The True Chatterton--a new study from original documents_ by +John H. Ingram. (Fisher Unwin.) + +Besides all these serious presentations of Chatterton there are a +number of burlesques--such as _Rowley and Chatterton in the Shades_ +(1782) and _An Archæological Epistle to Jeremiah Milles_ (1782), +which are clever and amusing, and three plays, two in English, and +one in French by Alfred de Vigny, which represents the love affair of +Chatterton and an apocryphal Mme. Kitty Bell. + +The whole of Chatterton's writings--Rowley, acknowledged poems, and +private letters, have been translated into French prose. _Oeuvres +complètes de Thomas Chatterton traduites par Javelin Pagnon, précédées +d'une Vie de Chatterton par A. Callet_ (1839). Callet's treatment of +Chatterton is very sympathetic and interesting. + +Finally for further works on Chatterton the reader is referred to +Bohn's Edition of Lowndes' _Bibliographer's Manual_--but the most +important have been enumerated above. + + + + +IV. NOTE ON THE TEXT. + + +This edition is a reprint of Tyrwhitt's third (1778) edition, which it +follows page for page (except the glossary; see note on p. 291). The +reference numbers in text and glossary, which are often wrong in 1778, +have been corrected; line-numbers have been corrected when wrong, and +added to one or two poems which are without them in 1778, and the text +has been collated throughout with that of 1777 and corrected from it +in many places where the 1778 printer was at fault. These corrections +have been made silently; all other corrections and additions are +indicated by footnotes enclosed in square brackets. + + + + +V. NOTES. + + +1. _The Tournament_, lines 7-10. + + Wythe straunge depyctures, Nature maie nott yeelde, &c. + +'This is neither sense nor grammar as it stands' says Professor Skeat. +But Chatterton is frequently ungrammatical, and the sense of the +passage is quite clear if either of the two following possible +meanings is attributed to _unryghte_. + +(1)=to present an intelligible significance otherwise than by +writing--as 'rebus'd shields' do (un-write); + +or (2) = to misrepresent (un-right). + +With pictures of strange beasts that have no counterpart in Nature and +appear to be purely fantastic ('unseemly to all order') yet none the +less make known to men good at guessing riddles ('who thyncke and +have a spryte') what the strange heraldic forms +express-without-use-of-written-words ('unryghte')--or (taking +the second meaning of unryghte--misrepresent) +present-with-a-disregard-of-truth-to-nature. + +2. _Letter to the Dygne Mastre Canynge_, line 15. + + Seldomm, or never, are armes vyrtues mede, (that is to say, coats of arms) + Shee nillynge to take myckle aie dothe hede + +i.e. 'She unwilling to take much aye doth heed'; 'which is nonsense' +says Prof. Skeat. But the sentence is an example of ellipse, a figure +which Chatterton affected a good deal, and fully expressed would run +'She--not willing to take much, ever doth heed not to take +much', which would of course be intolerably clumsy but perfectly +intelligible. + +3. _Ælla_, line 467. + + Certis thie wordes maie, thou motest have sayne &c. + +Prof. Skeat 'can make nothing of this' and reads 'Certes thy wordes +mightest thou have sayn'. + +A simple emendation of _maie_ to _meynte_ would give very good sense. + +4. _Ælla_, line 489. + +Tyrwhitt has _sphere_--evidently a mistake in the MS. for _spere_ +which he overlooked. It is not included in his errata. In the 1842 +edition the meaning 'spear' is given in a footnote. + +5. _Englysh Metamorphosis_. + +Prof. Skeat was the first to point out that this piece is an imitation +of _The Faerie Queene_, Bk. ii, Canto X, stanzas 5-19. + +6. _Battle of Hastings_, II, line 578. + + To the ourt arraie of the thight Saxonnes came + +Prof. Skeat explains _ourt_ as 'overt' and observes that it +contradicts _thight_, which he renders 'tight'. But really there is +not even an antithesis. _Ourt arraie_ is what a military handbook +calls 'open order' and _thight_ is 'well-built', well put together +(Bailey's Dictionary). The Saxons were well-built men marching in open +order. + + + + +VI. APPENDIX. + +BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE ARGUMENTS USED IN THE ROWLEY CONTROVERSY. + +(Taken mainly from Gregory's _Life of Chatterton_.) + + +_Against Rowley_. + +1. So few originals produced--not more than 124 verses. + +2. Chatterton had shown (by his article on Christmas games, &c.) that +he had a strong turn for antiquities. He had also written poetry. Why +then should he not have written Rowley's poems? + +3. His declaration that the _Battle of Hastings_ I was his own. + +4. Rudhall's testimony. + +5. Chatterton first exhibited the _Songe to Ælla_ in his own +handwriting, then gave Barrett the parchment, which contained strange +textual variations. + +6. Rowley's very existence doubtful. + +William of Worcester, who lived at his time and was himself of +Bristol, makes no mention of him, though he frequently alludes to +Canynge. Neither Bale, Leland, Pitts nor Turner mentions Rowley. + +7. Improbability of there being poems in a muniment chest. 8. Style +unlike other fifteenth century writings. + +9. No mediæval learning or citation of authority to be found in +Rowley; no references to the Round Table and stories of chivalry. + +10. Stockings were not knitted in the fifteenth century (_Ælla_). MSS. +are referred to as if they were rarities and printed books common. + +11. Metres and imitation of Pindar absurdly modern. + +12. Mistakes cited which are derived from modern dictionaries +(Tyrwhitt). + +13. Existence of undoubted plagiarisms from Shakespeare, Gray, &c. + + +_For Rowley_. + +1. Chatterton's assertion that they were Rowley's, his sister having +represented him as a 'lover of truth from the earliest dawn of +reason.' + +2. Catcott's assertion that Chatterton on their first acquaintance had +mentioned by name almost all the poems which have since appeared in +print (Bryant). + +3. Smith had seen parchments in the possession of Chatterton, some as +broad as the bottom of a large-sized chair. (Bryant.) + +4. Even Mr. Clayfield and Rudhall believed Chatterton incapable of +composing Rowley's poems. + +5. Undoubtedly there were ancient MSS. in the 'cofre'. + +6. Chatterton would never have had time to write so much. He did not +neglect his work in the attorney's office and he read enormously. + +7. Chatterton made many mistakes in his transcription of Rowley and in +his notes to the poems. (Bryant's main contention.) + +8. If Leland never mentioned Rowley it is equally true he says nothing +of Canynge, Lydgate, or Occleve. + + +_For Rowley_. + +1. The poems contain much historical allusion at once true and +inaccessible to Chatterton. + +2. The admitted poems are much below the standard of Rowley. + +3. The old octave stanza is not far removed from the usual stanza of +Rowley. + +4. If Rowley's language differs from that of other fifteenth +century writers, the difference lies in provincialisms natural to an +inhabitant of Bristol. + +5. Plagiarisms from modern authors may in some cases have been +introduced by Chatterton but in others they are the commonplaces of +poetry. + + +_Against Rowley_. + +1. No writings or chest deposited in Redcliffe Church are mentioned in +Canynge's Will. + +2. The Bristol library was in Chatterton's time of general access, and +Chatterton was introduced to it by Rev. A. Catcott (Warton). + +3. Facts about Canynge may be found in his epitaph in Redcliffe +Church; and the account of Redcliffe steeple--(which had been +destroyed by fire before Chatterton's time) came from the bottom of an +old print published in 1746. + +4. The parchments were taken from the bottom of old deeds where a +small blank space was usually left--hence their small size. + + + + + POEMS, + + SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN AT BRISTOL, + + BY THOMAS ROWLEY, AND OTHERS, IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. + + + + + POEMS, + + SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN AT BRISTOL, BY THOMAS ROWLEY, + AND OTHERS, IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. THE THIRD EDITION; TO + WHICH IS ADDED AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING SOME OBSERVATIONS UPON + THE LANGUAGE OF THESE POEMS; TENDING TO PROVE, THAT THEY WERE + WRITTEN, NOT BY ANY ANCIENT AUTHOR, BUT ENTIRELY BY THOMAS + CHATTERTON. + + + + +THE CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME. + + The Preface + Introductory Account of the Several Pieces + Advertisement + Eclogue the First + Eclogue the Second + Eclogue the Third + Elinoure and Juga + Verses to Lydgate + Songe to Ælla + Lydgate's Answer + The Tournament + The Dethe of Syr Charles Bawdin + Epistle to Mastre Canynge on Ælla + Letter to the dygne M. Canynge + Entroductionne + Ælla; a Tragycal Enterlude + Goddwyn; a Tragedie. (A Fragment.) + Englysh Metamorphosis, B.I. + Balade of Charitie + Battle of Hastings, No. 1. + Battle of Hastings, No. 2. + Onn oure Ladies Chyrche + On the same + Epitaph on Robert Canynge + The Storie of William Canynge + On Happienesse, by William Canynge + Onn Johne a Dalbenie, by the same + The Gouler's Requiem, by the same + The Accounte of W. Canynge's Feast + GLOSSARY + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The Poems, which make the principal part of this Collection, have +for some time excited much curiosity, as the supposed productions of +THOMAS ROWLEY, a priest of Bristol, in the reigns of Henry VI. and +Edward IV. They are here faithfully printed from the most authentic +MSS that could be procured; of which a particular description is given +in the _Introductory account of the several pieces contained in this +volume_, subjoined to this Preface. Nothing more therefore seems +necessary at present, than to inform the Reader shortly of the manner +in which these Poems were first brought to light, and of the authority +upon which they are ascribed to the persons whose names they bear. + +This cannot be done so satisfactorily as in the words of Mr. George +Catcott of Bristol, to whose very laudable zeal the Publick is +indebted for the most considerable part of the following collection. +His account of the matter is this: "The first discovery of certain MSS +having been deposited in Redclift church, above three centuries ago, +was made in the year 1768, at the time of opening the new bridge at +Bristol, and was owing to a publication in _Farley's Weekly Journal_, +1 October 1768, containing an _Account of the ceremonies observed at +the opening of the old bridge_, taken, as it was said, from a very +antient MS. This excited the curiosity of some persons to enquire +after the original. The printer, Mr. Farley, could give no account of +it, or of the person who brought the copy; but after much enquiry +it was discovered, that the person who brought the copy was a youth, +between 15 and 16 years of age, whose name was Thomas Chatterton, and +whose family had been sextons of Redclift church for near 150 years. +His father, who was now dead, had also been master of the free-school +in Pile-street. The young man was at first very unwilling to discover +from whence he had the original; but, after many promises made to him, +he was at last prevailed on to acknowledge, that he had received this, +_together with many other MSS_, from his father, who had found them +in a large chest in an upper room over the chapel on the north side of +Redclift church." + +Soon after this Mr. Catcott commenced his acquaintance with young +Chatterton[1], and, partly as presents partly as purchases, procured +from him copies of many of his MSS. in in prose and verse. Other +copies were disposed of, in the same way, to Mr. William Barrett, an +eminent surgeon at Bristol, who has long been engaged in writing +the history of that city. Mr. Barrett also procured from him several +fragments, some of a considerable length, written upon vellum[2], +which he asserted to be part of his original MSS. In short, in the +space of about eighteen months, from October 1768 to April 1770, +besides the Poems now published, he produced as many compositions, +in prose and verse, under the names of Rowley, Canynge, &c. as would +nearly fill such another volume. + +In April 1770 Chatterton went to London, and died there in the August +following; so that the whole history of this very extraordinary +transaction cannot now probably be known with any certainty. Whatever +may have been his part in it; whether he was the author, or only +the copier (as he constantly asserted) of all these productions; he +appears to have kept the secret entirely to himself, and not to have +put it in the power of any other person, to bear certain testimony +either to his fraud or to his veracity. + +The question therefore concerning the authenticity of these Poems must +now be decided by an examination of the fragments upon vellum, which +Mr. Barrett received from Chatterton as part of his original MSS., +and by the internal evidence which the several pieces afford. If the +Fragments shall be judged to be genuine, it will still remain to be +determined, how far their genuineness should serve to authenticate the +rest of the collection, of which no copies, older than those made by +Chatterton, have ever been produced. On the other hand, if the writing +of the Fragments shall be judged to be counterfeit and forged by +Chatterton, it will not of necessity follow, that the matter of +them was also forged by him, and still less, that all the other +compositions, which he professed to have copied from antient MSS., +were merely inventions of his own. In either case, the decision must +finally depend upon the internal evidence. + +It may be expected perhaps, that the Editor should give an opinion +upon this important question; but he rather chooses, for many reasons, +to leave it to the determination of the unprejudiced and intelligent +Reader. He had long been desirous that these Poems should be printed; +and therefore readily undertook the charge of superintending the +edition. This he has executed in the manner, which seemed to him best +suited to such a publication; and here he means that his task should +end. Whether the Poems be really antient, or modern; the compositions +of Rowley, or the forgeries of Chatterton; they must always be +considered as a most singular literary curiosity. + +[Footnote 1: The history of this youth is so intimately connected with +that of the poems now published, that the Reader cannot be too early +apprized of the principal circumstances of his short life. He was born +on the 20th of November 1752, and educated at a charity-school on St. +Augustin's Back, where nothing more was taught than reading, writing, +and accounts. At the age of fourteen, he was articled clerk to an +attorney, with whom he continued till he left Bristol in April 1770. + +Though his education was thus confined, he discovered an early turn +towards poetry and English antiquities, particularly heraldry. How +soon he began to be an author is not known. In the _Town and Country +Magazine_ for March 1769, are two letters, probably, from him, as they +are dated at Bristol, and subscribed with his usual signature, D.B. +The first contains short extracts from two MSS., "_written three +hundred years ago by one Rowley, a Monk_" concerning dress in the age +of Henry II; the other, "ETHELGAR, _a Saxon poem_" in bombast prose. +In the same Magazine for May 1769, are three communications from +Bristol, with the same signature, D.B. _viz_. CERDICK, _translated +from the Saxon_ (in the same style with ETHELGAR), p. +233.--_Observations upon Saxon heraldry_, with drawings of _Saxon +atchievements_, &c. p. 245.--ELINOURE and JUGA, _written three hundred +years ago by_ T. ROWLEY, _a secular priest_, p. 273. This last poem is +reprinted in this volume, p. 19. In the subsequent months of 1769 and +1770 there are several other pieces in the same Magazine, which are +undoubtedly of his composition. + +In April 1770, he left Bristol and came to London, in hopes of +advancing his fortune by his talents for writing, of which, by this +time, he had conceived a very high opinion. In the prosecution of this +scheme, he appears to have almost entirely depended upon the patronage +of a set of gentlemen, whom an eminent author long ago pointed out, as +_not the very worst judges or rewarders of merit_, the booksellers of +this great city. At his first arrival indeed he was so unlucky as to +find two of his expected Mæcenases, the one in the King's Bench, and +the other in Newgate. But this little disappointment was alleviated +by the encouragement which he received from other quarters; and on the +14th of May he writes to his mother, in high spirits upon the change +in his situation, with the following sarcastic reflection upon his +former patrons at Bristol. "_As to Mr.----, Mr.----, Mr.----, &c. &c. +they rate literary lumber so low, that I believe an author, in their +estimation, must be poor indeed! But here matters are otherwise. Had_ +Rowley _been a_ Londoner _instead of a_ Bristowyan, _I could have +lived by_ copying _his works_." + +In a letter to his sister, dated 30 May, he informs her, that he is to +be employed "_in writing a voluminous history of_ London, _to appear +in numbers the beginning of next winter_." In the mean time, he had +written something in praise of the Lord Mayor (Beckford), which had +procured him the honour of being presented to his lordship. In the +letter just mentioned he gives the following account of his reception, +with some curious observations upon political writing: "The Lord +Mayor received me as politely as a citizen could. But the devil of +the matter is, there is no money to be got of this side of the +question.--But he is a poor author who cannot write on both +sides.--Essays on the patriotic side will fetch no more than what +the copy is sold for. As the patriots themselves are searching for a +place, they have no gratuity to spare.--On the other hand, unpopular +essays will not even be accepted; and you must pay to have them +printed: but then you seldom lose by it, as courtiers are so sensible +of their deficiency in merit, that they generously reward all who know +how to dawb them with the appearance of it." + +Notwithstanding his employment on the History of London, he continued +to write incessantly in various periodical publications. On the 11th +of July he tells his sister that he had pieces last month in the +_Gospel Magazine_; the _Town and Country, viz._ Maria Friendless; +False Step; Hunter of Oddities; To Miss Bush, &c. _Court and City; +London; Political Register &c._ But all these exertions of his +genius brought in so little profit, that he was soon reduced to real +indigence; from which he was relieved by death (in what manner is not +certainly known), on the 24th of August, or thereabout, when he wanted +near three months to complete his eighteenth year. The floor of his +chamber was covered with written papers, which he had torn into small +pieces; but there was no appearance (as the Editor has been credibly +informed) of any writings on parchment or vellum.] + +[Footnote 2: One of these fragments, by Mr. Barrett's permission, has +been copied in the manner of a _Fac simile_, by that ingenious artist +Mr. Strutt, and an engraving of it is inserted at p. 288. Two other +small fragments of Poetry are printed in p. 277, 8, 9. See the +_Introductory Account_. The fragments in prose, which are considerably +larger, Mr. Barrett intends to publish in his History of Bristol, +which, the Editor has the satisfaction to inform the Publick, is +very far advanced. In the same work will be inserted _A Discorse on +Bristowe_, and the other historical pieces in prose, which Chatterton +at different times delivered out, as copied from Rowley's MSS.; with +such remarks by Mr. Barrett, as he of all men living is best qualified +to make, from his accurate researches into the Antiquities of +Bristol.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNT + +OF THE + +SEVERAL PIECES + +CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME. + + + ECLOGUE THE FIRST. p. 1 + ECLOGUE THE SECOND. 6 + ECLOGUE THE THIRD. 12 + +These three Eclogues are printed from a MS. furnished by Mr. Catcott, +in the hand-writing of Thomas Chatterton. It is a thin copy-book in +4to. with the following title in the first page. "_Eclogues and other +Poems by_ Thomas Rowley, _with a Glossary and Annotations by_ Thomas +Chatterton." + +There is only one other Poem in this book, viz. the fragment of +"_Goddwyn, a Tragedie_," which see below, p. 173. + + +ELINOURE AND JUGA. + +This Poem is reprinted from the _Town and Country Magazine_ for May +1769, p. 273. It is there entitled, "_Elinoure and Juga. Written three +hundred years ago by T. Rowley, a secular priest_." And it has the +following subscription; "D.B. Bristol, May, 1769." Chatterton soon +after told Mr. Catcott, that he (Chatterton) inserted it in the +Magazine. + +The present Editor has taken the liberty to supply [between books][1] +the names of the speakers, at ver. 22 and 29, which had probably been +omitted by some accident in the first publication; as the nature of +the composition seems to require, that the dialogue should proceed by +alternate stanzas. + + + VERSES TO LYDGATE. p. 23 + SONGE TO ÆLLA. Ibid. + LYDGATE'S ANSWER. 26 + +These three small Poems are printed from a copy in Mr. Catcott's +hand-writing. Since they were printed off, the Editor has had an +opportunity of comparing them with a copy made by Mr. Barrett from the +piece of vellum, which Chatterton formerly gave to him as the original +MS. The variations of importance (exclusive of many in the spelling) +are set down below [2]. + +[Footnote 1: Misspelled as hooks in the original.--PG editor] + +[Footnote 2: _Verses to Lydgate_. + + In the title for _Ladgate_, r. _Lydgate_. + ver. 2. r. _Thatt I and thee_. + 3. for _bee_, r. _goe_. + 7. for _fyghte_, r. _wryte_.] + + + THE TOURNAMENT. p. 28 + +This Poem is printed from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, from one in +Chatterton's hand-writing. + +_Songe to Ælla_. + +The title in the vellum MS. was simply "_Songe toe Ælle_," with a +small mark of reference to a note below, containing the following +words--"_Lorde of the castelle of Brystowe ynne daies of yore_." +It may be proper also to take notice, that the whole song was there +written like prose, without any breaks, or divisions into verses. + + ver. 6. for _brastynge_, r. _burslynge_. + 11. for _valyante_, r. _burlie_. + 23. for _dysmall_, r. _honore_. + + _Lydgate's answer_. + +No title in the vellum MS. + + ver. 3. for _varses_, r. _pene_. + antep. for _Lendes_, r. _Sendes_. + ult. for _lyne_, r. _thynge_. + +Mr. Barrett had also a copy of these Poems by Chatterton, which +differed from that, which Chatterton afterwards produced as the +original, in the following particulars, among others. + +In the title of the _Verses to Lydgate_. + + Orig. _Lydgate_ Chat. _Ladgate_. + ver. 3. Orig, _goe_. Chat. _doe_. + 7. Orig. _wryte_. Chat. _fyghte_. + + _Songe to Ælla_. ver. 5. Orig. _Dacyane_. Chat. _Dacya's_. + Orig. _whose lockes_ Chat. _whose hayres_. + 11. Orig. _burlie_. Chat. _bronded_. + 22. Orig. _kennst_. Chat. _hearst_. + 23. Orig. _honore_. Chat. _dysmall_. + 26. Orig. _Yprauncynge_ Chat. _Ifrayning_, + 30. Orig. _gloue_. Chat. _glare_. + +Sir Simon de Bourton, the hero of this poem, is supposed to have been +the first founder of a church dedicated to _oure Ladie_, in the place +where the church of St. Mary Ratcliffe now stands. Mr. Barrett has a +small leaf of vellum (given to him by Chatterton as one of Rowley's +original MSS.), entitled, "_Vita de Simon de Bourton_," in which +Sir Simon is said, as in the poem, to have begun his foundation in +consequence of a vow made at a tournament. + + + THE DETHE OF SYR CHARLES BAWDIN. p. 44 + +This Poem is reprinted from the copy printed at London in 1772, with +a few corrections from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, from one in +Chatterton's hand-writing. + +The person here celebrated, under the name of _Syr Charles Bawdin_, +was probably _Sir Baldewyn Fulford_, Knt. a zealous Lancastrian, who +was executed at Bristol in the latter end of 1461, the first year of +Edward the Fourth. He was attainted, with many others, in the general +act of Attainder, 1 Edw. IV. but he seems to have been executed under +a special commission for the trial of treasons, &c. within the town of +Bristol. The fragment of the old chronicle, published by Hearne at the +end of _Sprotti Chronica_, p. 289, says only; "Item _the same yere_ (1 +Edw. IV.) _was takin Sir Baldewine Fulford and behedid att Bristow_." +But the matter is more fully stated in the act which passed in 7 Edw. +IV. for the restitution in blood and estate of Thomas Fulford, Knt. +eldest son of Baldewyn Fulford, late of Fulford, in the county of +Devonshire, Knt. _Rot. Pat._ 8 Edw. IV. p. 1, m. 13. The preamble of +this act, after stating the attainder by the act 1 Edw. IV. goes on +thus: "And also the said Baldewyn, the said first yere of your noble +reign, at Bristowe in the shere of Bristowe, before Henry Erle of +Essex William Hastyngs of Hastyngs Knt. Richard Chock William Canyng +Maire of the said towne of Bristowe and Thomas Yong, by force of your +letters patentes to theym and other directe to here and determine all +treesons &c. doon withyn the said towne of Bristowe before the vth day +of September the first yere of your said reign, was atteynt of dyvers +tresons by him doon ayenst your Highnes &c." If the commission sate +soon after the vth of September, as is most probable, King Edward +might very possibly be at Bristol at the time of Sir Baldewyn's +execution; for, in the interval between his coronation and the +parliament which met in November, he made a progress (as the +Continuator of Stowe informs us, p. 416.) by the South coast into +the West, and was (among other places) at Bristol. Indeed there is a +circumstance which might lead us to believe, that he was actually a +spectator of the execution from the minster-window, as described in +the poem. In an old accompt of the Procurators of St. Ewin's church, +which was then the minster, from xx March in the 1 Edward IV. to 1 +April in the year next ensuing, is the following article, according to +a copy made by Mr. Catcott from the original book. + + Item _for washynge the church payven ageyns } iiij d. ob. + Kynge Edward 4th is comynge._ } + + + ÆLLA, a tragycal enterlude. p. 65 + +This Poem, with the _Epistle, Letter_, and _Entroductionne_, is +printed from a folio MS. furnished by Mr. Catcott, in the beginning +of which he has written, "Chatterton's transcript. 1769." The whole +transcript is of Chatterton's hand-writing. + + + GODDWYN, a Tragedie. p. 173 + +This Fragment is printed from the MS. mentioned above, p. xv. in +Chatterton's hand-writing. + + + ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS. p. 196 + +This Poem is printed from a single sheet in Chatterton's hand-writing, +communicated by Mr. Barrett, who received it from Chatterton. + + + BALADE OF CHARITIE. p. 203 + +This Poem is also printed from a single sheet in Chatterton's +hand-writing. It was sent to the Printer of the _Town and Country +Magazine_, with the following letter prefixed: + +"To the Printer of the Town and Country Magazine. + +SIR, + +If the Glossary annexed to the following piece will make the language +intelligible; the Sentiment, Description, and Versification, are +highly deserving the attention of the literati. + +July 4, 1770. D.B." + + + BATTLE OF HASTINGS, No. 1. p. 210 + BATTLE OF HASTINGS, No. 2. 237 + +In printing the first of these poems two copies have been made use of, +both taken from copies of Chatterton's hand-writing, the one by +Mr. Catcott, and the other by Mr. Barrett. The principal difference +between them is at the end, where the latter has fourteen lines from +ver. 550, which are wanting in the former. The second poem is printed +from a single copy, made by Mr. Barrett from one in Chatterton's +hand-writing. + +It should be observed, that the Poem marked No. 1, was given to Mr. +Barrett by Chatterton with the following title; "_Battle of Hastings, +wrote by Turgot the Monk, a Saxon, in the tenth century, and +translated by Thomas Rowlie, parish preeste of St. Johns in the city +of Bristol, in the year 1465.--The remainder of the poem I have +not been happy enough to meet with._" Being afterwards prest by Mr. +Barrett to produce any part of this poem in the original hand-writing, +he at last said, that he wrote this poem himself for a friend; but +that he had another, the copy of an original by Rowley: and being then +desired to produce that other poem, he, after a considerable interval +of time, brought to Mr. Barrett the poem marked No. 2, as far as ver. +530 incl. with the following title; "_Battle of Hastyngs by Turgotus, +translated by Roulie for W. Canynge Esq._" The lines from ver. 531 +incl. were brought some time after, in consequence of Mr. Barrett's +repeated sollicitations for the conclusion of the poem. + + + ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. p. 275 + ON THE SAME. 276 + +The first of these Poems is printed from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, +from one in Chatterton's hand-writing. + +The other is taken from a MS. in Chatterton's hand-writing, furnished +by Mr. Catcott, entitled, "_A Discorse on Bristowe, by Thomas +Rowlie_." See the Preface, p. xi. n. + + + EPITAPH ON ROBERT CANYNGE. p. 277 + +This is one of the fragments of vellum, given by Chatterton to Mr. +Barrett, as part of his original MSS. + + + THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. p. 278 + +The 34 first lines of this poem are extant upon another of the +vellum-fragments, given by Chatterton to Mr. Barrett. The remainder +is printed from a copy furnished by Mr. Catcott, with some corrections +from another copy, made by Mr. Barrett from one in Chatterton's +hand-writing. This poem makes part of a prose-work, attributed to +Rowley, giving an account of _Painters, Carvellers, Poets_, and other +eminent natives of Bristol, from the earliest times to his own. +The whole will be published by Mr. Barrett, with remarks, and large +additions; among which we may expect a complete and authentic history +of that distinguished citizen of Bristol, Mr. William Canynge. In the +mean time, the Reader may see several particulars relating to him in +_Cambden's Britannia_, Somerset. Col. 95.--_Rymers Foedera,_ &c. +ann. 1449 & 1450.--_Tanner's Not. Monast._ Art. BRISTOL and +WESTBURY.--_Dugdale's Warwickshire_, p. 634. + +It may be proper just to remark here, that Mr. Canynge's brother, +mentioned in ver. 129, who was lord mayor of London in 1456, is called +_Thomas_ by Stowe in his List of Mayors, &c. + +The transaction alluded to in the last Stanza is related at large in +some Prose Memoirs of Rowley, of which a very incorrect copy has been +printed in the _Town and Country Magazine_ for November 1775. It is +there said, that Mr. Canynge went into orders, to avoid a marriage, +proposed by King Edward, between him and a lady of the Widdevile +family. It is certain, from the Register of the Bishop of Worcester, +that Mr. Canynge was ordained _Acolythe_ by Bishop Carpenter on +19 September 1467, and received the higher orders of _Sub-deacon, +Deacon_, and _Priest_, on the 12th of March, 1467, O.S. the 2d and +16th of April, 1468, respectively. + + + ON HAPPIENESSE, by WILLIAM CANYNGE. p. 286 + ONNE JOHNE A DALBENIE, by the same. Ibid. + THE GOULER'S REQUIEM, by the same. 287 + THE ACCOUNTE OF W. CANYNGE'S FEASTE. 288 + +Of these four Poems attributed to Mr. Canynge, the three first are +printed from Mr. Catcott's copies. The last is taken from a fragment +of vellum, which Chatterton gave to Mr. Barrett as an original. The +Editor has doubts about the reading of the second word in ver. 7, +but he has printed it _keene_, as he found it so in other copies. The +Reader may judge for himself, by examining the _Fac simile_ in the +opposite page. + +With respect to the three friends of Mr. Canynge mentioned in the last +line, the name of _Rowley_ is sufficiently known from the preceding +poems. _Iscamm_ appears as an actor in the tragedy of _Ælla_, p. +66. and in that of _Goddwyn_, p. 174.; and a poem, ascribed to him, +entitled "_The merry Tricks of Laymington_," is inserted in the +"_Discorse of Bristowe_". Sir _Theobald Gorges_ was a knight of an +antient family seated at Wraxhall, within a few miles of Bristol [See +_Rot. Parl._ 3 H. VI. n. 28. _Leland's Itin._ vol. VII. p. 98.]. He +has also appeared above as an actor in both the tragedies, and as +the author of one of the _Mynstrelles songes_ in _Ælla_, p. 91. His +connexion with Mr. Canynge is verified by a deed of the latter, +dated 20 October, 1467, in which he gives to trustees, in part of a +benefaction of £500 to the Church of St. Mary Redcliffe, "_certain +jewells of_ Sir _Theobald Gorges_ Knt." which had been pawned to him +for £160. + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + + +_The Reader is desired to observe, that the notes at the bottom of +the several pages, throughout the following part of this book, are all +copied from MSS. in the hand-writing of_ Thomas Chatterton. + + + + +POEMS, &c. + +ECLOGUE THE FIRST. + + + Whanne Englonde, smeethynge[1] from her lethal[2] wounde, + From her galled necke dyd twytte[3] the chayne awaie, + Kennynge her legeful sonnes falle all arounde, + (Myghtie theie fell, 'twas Honoure ledde the fraie,) + Thanne inne a dale, bie eve's dark surcote[4] graie, 5 + Twayne lonelie shepsterres[5] dyd abrodden[6] flie, + (The rostlyng liff doth theyr whytte hartes affraie[7],) + And wythe the owlette trembled and dyd crie; + Firste Roberte Neatherde hys sore boesom stroke. + Then fellen on the grounde and thus yspoke. 10 + + ROBERTE. + + Ah, Raufe! gif thos the howres do comme alonge, + Gif thos wee flie in chase of farther woe, + Oure fote wylle fayle, albeytte wee bee stronge, + Ne wylle oure pace swefte as oure danger goe. + To oure grete wronges we have enheped[8] moe, 15 + The Baronnes warre! oh! woe and well-a-daie! + I haveth lyff, bott have escaped soe, + That lyff ytsel mie Senses doe affraie. + Oh Raufe, comme lyste, and hear mie dernie[9] tale, + Comme heare the balefull[10] dome of Robynne of the Dale. 20 + + RAUFE. + + Saie to mee nete; I kenne thie woe in myne; + O! I've a tale that Sabalus[11] mote[12] telle. + Swote[13] flouretts, mantled meedows, forestes dygne[14]; + Gravots[15] far-kend[16] arounde the Errmiets[17] cell; + The swote ribible[18] dynning[19] yn the dell; 25 + The joyous daunceynge ynn the hoastrie[20] courte; + Eke[21] the highe songe and everych joie farewell, + Farewell the verie shade of fayre dysporte[22]: + Impestering[23] trobble onn mie heade doe comme, + Ne on kynde Seyncte to warde[24] the aye[25] encreasynge dome. 30 + + ROBERTE. + + Oh! I coulde waile mie kynge-coppe-decked mees[26], + Mie spreedynge flockes of shepe of lillie white, + Mie tendre applynges[27], and embodyde[28] trees, + Mie Parker's Grange[29], far spreedynge to the syghte, + Mie cuyen[30] kyne [31], mie bullockes stringe[32] yn syghte, 35 + Mie gorne[33] emblaunched[34] with the comfreie[35] plante, + Mie floure[36] Seyncte Marie shotteyng wythe the lyghte, + Mie store of all the blessynges Heaven can grant. + I amm duressed[37] unto sorrowes blowe, + Ihanten'd[38] to the peyne, will lette ne salte teare flowe. 40 + + RAUFE. + + Here I wille obaie[39] untylle Dethe doe 'pere, + Here lyche a foule empoysoned leathel[40] tree, + Whyche sleaeth[41] everichone that commeth nere, + Soe wille I fyxed unto thys place gre[42]. + I to bement[43] haveth moe cause than thee; 45 + Sleene in the warre mie boolie[44] fadre lies; + Oh! joieous I hys mortherer would slea, + And bie hys syde for aie enclose myne eies. + Calked[45] from everych joie, heere wylle I blede; + Fell ys the Cullys-yatte[46] of mie hartes castle stede. 50 + + ROBERTE. + + Oure woes alyche, alyche our dome[47] shal bee. + Mie sonne, mie sonne alleyn[48], ystorven[49] ys; + Here wylle I staie, and end mie lyff with thee; + A lyff lyche myn a borden ys ywis. + Now from een logges[50] fledden is selyness[51], 55 + Mynsterres[52] alleyn[53] can boaste the hallie[54] Seyncte, + Now doeth Englonde weare a bloudie dresse + And wyth her champyonnes gore her face depeyncte; + Peace fledde, disorder sheweth her dark rode[55], + And thorow ayre doth flie, yn garments steyned with bloude. 60 + +[Footnote 1: _Smething_, smoking; in some copies _bletheynge_, but in +the original as above.] + +[Footnote 2: deadly.] + +[Footnote 3: pluck or pull.] + +[Footnote 4: _Surcote_, a cloke, or mantel, which hid all the other +dress.] + +[Footnote 5: shepherds.] + +[Footnote 6: abruptly, so Chaucer, Syke he abredden dyd attourne.] + +[Footnote 7: affright.] + +[Footnote 8: Added.] + +[Footnote 9: sad.] + +[Footnote 10: woeful, lamentable.] + +[Footnote 11: the Devil.] + +[Footnote 12: might.] + +[Footnote 13: sweet.] + +[Footnote 14: good, neat, genteel.] + +[Footnote 15: groves, sometimes used for a coppice.] + +[Footnote 16: far-seen.] + +[Footnote 17: Hermit.] + +[Footnote 18: violin.] + +[Footnote 19: sounding.] + +[Footnote 20: inn, or public-house.] + +[Footnote 21: also.] + +[Footnote 22: pleasure.] + +[Footnote 23: annoying.] + +[Footnote 24: to keep off.] + +[Footnote 25: ever, always.] + +[Footnote 26: meadows.] + +[Footnote 27: grafted trees.] + +[Footnote 28: thick, stout.] + +[Footnote 29: liberty of pasture given to the Parker.] + +[Footnote 30: tender.] + +[Footnote 31: cows.] + +[Footnote 32: strong.] + +[Footnote 33: garden.] + +[Footnote 34: whitened.] + +[Footnote 35: cumfrey, a favourite dish at that time.] + +[Footnote 36: marygold.] + +[Footnote 37: hardened.] + +[Footnote 38: accustomed.] + +[Footnote 39: abide. This line is also wrote, "Here wyll I obaie +untill dethe appere," but this is modernized.] + +[Footnote 40: deadly.] + +[Footnote 41: destroyeth, killeth.] + +[Footnote 42: grow.] + +[Footnote 43: lament.] + +[Footnote 44: much-loved, beloved.] + +[Footnote 45: cast out, ejected.] + +[Footnote 46: alluding to the portcullis, which guarded the gate, on +which often depended the castle.] + +[Footnote 47: fate.] + +[Footnote 48: my only son.] + +[Footnote 49: dead.] + +[Footnote 50: cottages.] + +[Footnote 51: happiness.] + +[Footnote 52: monasterys.] + +[Footnote 53: only.] + +[Footnote 54: holy.] + +[Footnote 55: complexion.] + + + + +ECLOGUE THE SECOND. + + + Sprytes[1] of the bleste, the pious Nygelle sed, + Poure owte yer pleasaunce[2] onn mie fadres hedde. + + Rycharde of Lyons harte to fyghte is gon, + Uponne the brede[3] sea doe the banners gleme[4]; + The amenused[5] nationnes be aston[6], 5 + To ken[7] syke[8] large a flete, syke fyne, syke breme[9]. + The barkis heafods[10] coupe[11] the lymed[12] streme; + Oundes[13] synkeynge oundes upon the hard ake[14] riese; + The water slughornes[15] wythe a swotye[16] cleme[17] + Conteke[18] the dynnynge[19] ayre, and reche the skies. 10 + Sprytes of the bleste, on gouldyn trones[20] astedde[21], + Poure owte yer pleasaunce onn mie fadres hedde. + + The gule[22] depeyncted[23] oares from the black tyde, + Decorn[24] wyth fonnes[25] rare, doe shemrynge[26] ryse; + Upswalynge[27] doe heie[28] shewe ynne drierie pryde, 15 + Lyche gore-red estells[29] in the eve[30]-merk[31] skyes; + The nome-depeyncted[32] shields, the speres aryse, + Alyche[33] talle roshes on the water syde; + Alenge[34] from bark to bark the bryghte sheene[35] flyes; + Sweft-kerv'd[36] delyghtes doe on the water glyde. 20 + Sprites of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte youre pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. + + The Sarafen lokes owte: he doethe feere, + That Englondes brondeous[37] sonnes do cotte the waie. + Lyke honted bockes, theye reineth[38] here and there, 25 + Onknowlachynge[39] inne whatte place to obaie[40]. + The banner glesters on the beme of daie; + The mittee[41] crosse Jerusalim ys seene; + Dhereof the syghte yer corrage doe affraie[42], + In balefull[43] dole their faces be ywreene[44]. 30 + Sprytes of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte your pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. + + The bollengers[45] and cottes[45], soe swyfte yn fyghte, + Upon the sydes of everich bark appere; + Foorthe to his offyce lepethe everych knyghte, 35 + Eftsoones[46] hys squyer, with hys shielde and spere. + The jynynge shieldes doe shemre and moke glare[47]; + The dotheynge oare doe make gemoted[48] dynne; + The reynyng[49] foemen[50], thynckeynge gif[51] to dare, + Boun[52] the merk[53] swerde, theie seche to fraie[54], theie blyn[55]. + Sprytes of the bleste, and everyche Seyncte ydedde, + Powre oute yer pleasaunce onn mie fadres hedde. + + Now comm the warrynge Sarasyns to fyghte; + Kynge Rycharde, lyche a lyoncel[56] of warre, + Inne sheenynge goulde, lyke feerie[57] gronfers[58], dyghte[59], + Shaketh alofe hys honde, and seene afarre. 45 + Syke haveth I espyde a greter starre + Amenge the drybblett[60] ons to sheene fulle bryghte; + Syke sunnys wayne[61] wyth amayl'd[62] beames doe barr + The blaunchie[63] mone or estells[64] to gev lyghte. 50 + Sprytes of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte your pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. + + Distraughte[65] affraie[66], wythe lockes of blodde-red die, + Terroure, emburled[67] yn the thonders rage, + Deathe, lynked to dismaie, dothe ugsomme[68] flie, 55 + Enchasynge[69] echone champyonne war to wage. + Speeres bevyle[70] speres; swerdes upon swerdes engage; + Armoure on armoure dynn[71], shielde upon shielde; + Ne dethe of thosandes can the warre assuage, + Botte salleynge nombers sable[72] all the feelde. 60 + Sprytes of the bleste, and everych Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte youre pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. + + The foemen fal arounde; the cross reles[73] hye; + Steyned ynne goere, the harte of warre ys seen; + Kyng Rycharde, thorough everyche trope dothe flie, 65 + And beereth meynte[74] of Turkes onto the greene; + Bie hymm the floure of Asies menn ys sleene[75]; + The waylynge[76] mone doth fade before hys sonne; + Bie hym hys knyghtes bee formed to actions deene[77], + Doeynge syke marvels[78], strongers be aston[79]. 70 + Sprytes of the bleste, and everych Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte your pleasaunce onn mie fadres hedde. + + The fyghte ys wonne; Kynge Rycharde master is; + The Englonde bannerr kisseth the hie ayre; + Full of pure joie the armie is iwys[80], 75 + And everych one haveth it onne his bayre[81]; + Agayne to Englonde comme, and worschepped there. + Twyghte[82] into lovynge armes, and feasted eft[83]; + In everych eyne aredynge nete of wyere[84], + Of all remembrance of past peyne berefte. 80 + Sprites of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, + Syke pleasures powre upon mie fadres hedde. + + Syke Nigel sed, whan from the bluie sea + The upswol[85] sayle dyd daunce before his eyne; + Swefte as the withe, hee toe the beeche dyd flee. 85 + And founde his fadre steppeynge from the bryne. + Lette thyssen menne, who haveth sprite of loove, + Bethyncke untoe hemselves how mote the meetynge proove. + +[Footnote 1: Spirits, souls.] + +[Footnote 2: pleasure.] + +[Footnote 3: broad.] + +[Footnote 4: shine, glimmer.] + +[Footnote 5: diminished, lessened.] + +[Footnote 6: astonished, confounded.] + +[Footnote 7: see, discover, know.] + +[Footnote 8: such, so.] + +[Footnote 9: strong.] + +[Footnote 10: heads.] + +[Footnote 11: cut.] + +[Footnote 12: glassy, reflecting.] + +[Footnote 13: waves, billows.] + +[Footnote 14: oak.] + +[Footnote 15: a musical instrument, not unlike a hautboy.] + +[Footnote 16: sweet.] + +[Footnote 17: sound.] + +[Footnote 18: confuse, contend with.] + +[Footnote 19: sounding.] + +[Footnote 20: thrones.] + +[Footnote 21: seated.] + +[Footnote 22: red.] + +[Footnote 23: painted.] + +[Footnote 24: carved.] + +[Footnote 25: devices.] + +[Footnote 26: glimmering.] + +[Footnote 27: rising high, swelling up.] + +[Footnote 28: they.] + +[Footnote 29: a corruption of _estoile_, Fr. a star.] + +[Footnote 30: evening.] + +[Footnote 31: dark.] + +[Footnote 32: rebus'd shields; a herald term, when the charge of the +shield implies the name of the bearer.] + +[Footnote 33: like.] + +[Footnote 34: along.] + +[Footnote 35: shine.] + +[Footnote 36: short-lived.] + +[Footnote 37: furious.] + +[Footnote 38: runneth.] + +[Footnote 39: not knowing.] + +[Footnote 40: abide.] + +[Footnote 41: mighty.] + +[Footnote 42: affright.] + +[Footnote 43: woeful.] + +[Footnote 44: covered.] + +[Footnote 45: different kinds of boats.] + +[Footnote 46: full soon, presently.] + +[Footnote 47: glitter.] + +[Footnote 48: united, assembled.] + +[Footnote 49: running.] + +[Footnote 50: foes.] + +[Footnote 51: if.] + +[Footnote 52: make ready.] + +[Footnote 53: dark.] + +[Footnote 54: engage.] + +[Footnote 55: cease, stand still.] + +[Footnote 56: a young lion.] + +[Footnote 57: flaming.] + +[Footnote 58: a meteor, from _gron_, a fen, and _fer_, a corruption of +fire; that is, a fire exhaled from a fen.] + +[Footnote 59: deckt.] + +[Footnote 60: small, insignificant.] + +[Footnote 61: carr.] + +[Footnote 62: enameled.] + +[Footnote 63: white, silver.] + +[Footnote 64: stars.] + +[Footnote 65: distracting.] + +[Footnote 66: affright.] + +[Footnote 67: armed.] + +[Footnote 68: terribly.] + +[Footnote 69: encouraging, heating.] + +[Footnote 70: break, a herald term, signifying a spear broken in +tilting.] + +[Footnote 71: sounds.] + +[Footnote 72: blacken.] + +[Footnote 73: waves.] + +[Footnote 74: many, great numbers.] + +[Footnote 75: slain.] + +[Footnote 76: decreasing.] + +[Footnote 77: glorious, worthy.] + +[Footnote 78: wonders.] + +[Footnote 79: astonished.] + +[Footnote 80: certainly.] + +[Footnote 81: brow.] + +[Footnote 82: plucked, pulled.] + +[Footnote 83: often.] + +[Footnote 84: grief, trouble.] + +[Footnote 85: swollen.] + + + + +ECLOGUE THE THIRD. + + + Wouldst thou kenn nature in her better parte? + Goe, serche the logges [1] and bordels[2] of the hynde[3]; + Gyff[4] theie have anie, itte ys roughe-made arte, + Inne hem[5] you see the blakied[6] forme of kynde[7]. + Haveth your mynde a lycheynge[8] of a mynde? 5 + Woulde it kenne everich thynge, as it mote[9] bee? + Woulde ytte here phrase of the vulgar from the hynde, + Withoute wiseegger[10] wordes and knowlache[11] free? + Gyf soe, rede thys, whyche Iche dysporteynge[12] pende; + Gif nete besyde, yttes rhyme maie ytte commende. 10 + + MANNE. + + Botte whether, fayre mayde, do ye goe? + O where do ye bende yer waie? + I wille knowe whether you goe, + I wylle not bee asseled[13] naie. + + WOMANNE. + + To Robyn and Nell, all downe in the delle, 15 + To hele[14] hem at makeynge of haie. + + MANNE. + + Syr Rogerre, the parsone, hav hyred mee there, + Comme, comme, lett us tryppe ytte awaie, + We'lle wurke[15] and we'lle synge, and wylle drenche[16] of stronge beer + As longe as the merrie sommers daie. 20 + + WOMANNE. + + How harde ys mie dome to wurch! + Moke is mie woe. + Dame Agnes, whoe lies ynne the Chyrche + With birlette[17] golde, + Wythe gelten[18] aumeres[19] stronge ontolde, 25 + What was shee moe than me, to be soe? + + MANNE. + + I kenne Syr Roger from afar + Tryppynge over the lea; + Ich ask whie the loverds[20] son + Is moe than mee. 30 + + SYR ROGERRE. + + The sweltrie[21] sonne dothe hie apace hys wayne[22], + From everich beme a seme[23]; of lyfe doe falle; + Swythyn[24] scille[25] oppe the haie uponne the playne; + Methynckes the cockes begynneth to gre[26] talle. + Thys ys alyche oure doome[27]; the great, the smalle, 35 + Mofte withe[28] and bee forwyned[29] by deathis darte. + See! the swote[30] flourette[31] hathe noe swote at alle; + Itte wythe the ranke wede bereth evalle[32] parte. + The cravent[33], warrioure, and the wyse be blente[34], + Alyche to drie awaie wythe those theie dyd bemente[35]. 40 + + MANNE. + + All-a-boon[36], Syr Priest, all-a-boon, + Bye yer preestschype nowe saye unto mee; + Syr Gaufryd the knyghte, who lyvethe harde bie, + Whie shoulde hee than mee + Bee moe greate, 45 + Inne honnoure, knyghtehoode and estate? + + SYR ROGERRE. + + Attourne[37] thine eyne arounde thys haied mee, + Tentyflie[38] loke arounde the chaper[39] delle[40]; + An answere to thie barganette[41] here see, + Thys welked[42] flourette wylle a leson telle: 50 + Arist[43] it blew[44], itte florished, and dyd welle, + Lokeynge ascaunce[45] upon the naighboure greene; + Yet with the deigned[46] greene yttes rennome[47] felle, + Eftsoones[48] ytte shronke upon the daie-brente[49] playne, + Didde not yttes loke, whilest ytte there dyd stonde, 55 + To croppe ytte in the bodde move somme dred honde. + + Syke[50] ys the waie of lyffe; the loverds[51] ente[52] + Mooveth the robber hym therfor to slea[53]; + Gyf thou has ethe[54], the shadowe of contente, + Beleive the trothe[55], theres none moe haile[56] yan thee. 60 + Thou wurchest[57]; welle, canne thatte a trobble bee? + Slothe moe wulde jade thee than the roughest daie. + Couldest thou the kivercled[58] of soughlys[59] see, + Thou wouldst eftsoones[60] see trothe ynne whatte I saie; + Botte lette me heere thie waie of lyffe, and thenne 65 + Heare thou from me the lyffes of odher menne. + + MANNE. + + I ryse wythe the sonne, + Lyche hym to dryve the wayne[61], + And eere mie wurche is don + I synge a songe or twayne[62]. 70 + I followe the plough-tayle, + Wythe a longe jubb[63] of ale. + Botte of the maydens, oh! + Itte lacketh notte to telle; + Syr Preeste mote notte crie woe, 75 + Culde hys bull do as welle. + I daunce the beste heiedeygnes[64], + And foile[65] the wysest feygnes[66]. + On everych Seynctes hie daie + Wythe the mynstrelle[67] am I seene, 80 + All a footeynge it awaie, + Wythe maydens on the greene. + But oh! I wyshe to be moe greate, + In rennome, tenure, and estate. + + SYR ROGERRE. + + Has thou ne seene a tree uponne a hylle, 85 + Whose unliste[68] braunces[69] rechen far toe fyghte; + Whan fuired[70] unwers[71] doe the heaven fylle, + Itte shaketh deere[72] yn dole[73] and moke affryghte. + Whylest the congeon[74] flowrette abessie[75] dyghte[76], + Stondethe unhurte, unquaced[77] bie the storme: 90 + Syke is a picte[78] of lyffe: the manne of myghte + Is tempest-chaft[79], hys woe greate as hys forme, + Thieselfe a flowrette of a small accounte, + Wouldst harder felle the wynde, as hygher thee dydste mounte. + +[Footnote 1: lodges, huts.] + +[Footnote 2: cottages.] + +[Footnote 3: servant, slave, peasant.] + +[Footnote 4: if.] + +[Footnote 5: a contraction of _them_.] + +[Footnote 6: naked, original.] + +[Footnote 7: nature.] + +[Footnote 8: liking.] + +[Footnote 9: might. The sense of this line is, Would you see every +thing in its primæval state.] + +[Footnote 10: wise-egger, a philosopher.] + +[Footnote 11: knowledge.] + +[Footnote 12: sporting.] + +[Footnote 13: answered.] + +[Footnote 14: aid, or help.] + +[Footnote 15: work.] + +[Footnote 16: drink.] + +[Footnote 17: a hood, or covering for the back part of the head.] + +[Footnote 18: guilded.] + +[Footnote 19: borders of gold and silver, on which was laid thin +plates of either metal counterchanged, not unlike the present spangled +laces.] + +[Footnote 20: lord.] + +[Footnote 21: sultry.] + +[Footnote 22: car.] + +[Footnote 23: seed.] + +[Footnote 24: quickly, presently.] + +[Footnote 25: gather.] + +[Footnote 26: grow.] + +[Footnote 27: fate.] + +[Footnote 28: a contraction of wither.] + +[Footnote 29: dried.] + +[Footnote 30: sweet.] + +[Footnote 31: flower.] + +[Footnote 32: equal.] + +[Footnote 33: coward.] + +[Footnote 34: ceased, dead, no more.] + +[Footnote 35: lament.] + +[Footnote 36: a manner of asking a favour.] + +[Footnote 37: turn.] + +[Footnote 38: carefully, with circumspection.] + +[Footnote 39: dry, sun-burnt.] + +[Footnote 40: valley.] + +[Footnote 41: a song, or ballad.] + +[Footnote 42: withered.] + +[Footnote 43: arisen, or arose.] + +[Footnote 44: blossomed.] + +[Footnote 45: disdainfully.] + +[Footnote 46: disdained.] + +[Footnote 47: glory.] + +[Footnote 48: quickly.] + +[Footnote 49: burnt.] + +[Footnote 50: such.] + +[Footnote 51: lord's.] + +[Footnote 52: a purse or bag.] + +[Footnote 53: slay.] + +[Footnote 54: ease.] + +[Footnote 55: truth.] + +[Footnote 56: happy.] + +[Footnote 57: workest.] + +[Footnote 58: the hidden or secret part of.] + +[Footnote 59: souls.] + +[Footnote 60: full soon, or presently.] + +[Footnote 61: car.] + +[Footnote 62: two.] + +[Footnote 63: a bottle.] + +[Footnote 64: a country dance, still practised in the North.] + +[Footnote 65: baffle.] + +[Footnote 66: a corruption of _feints_.] + +[Footnote 67: a minstrel is a musician.] + +[Footnote 68: unbounded.] + +[Footnote 69: branches.] + +[Footnote 70: furious.] + +[Footnote 71: tempests, storms.] + +[Footnote 72: dire.] + +[Footnote 73: dismay.] + +[Footnote 74: dwarf.] + +[Footnote 75: humility.] + +[Footnote 76: decked.] + +[Footnote 77: unhurt.] + +[Footnote 78: picture.] + +[Footnote 79: tempest-beaten.] + + + + +ELINOURE AND JUGA. + + + Onne Ruddeborne[1] bank twa pynynge Maydens fate, + Theire teares faste dryppeynge to the waterre cleere; + Echone bementynge[2] for her absente mate, + Who atte Seyncte Albonns shouke the morthynge[3] speare. + The nottebrowne Elinoure to Juga fayre 5 + Dydde speke acroole[4], wythe languishment of eyne, + Lyche droppes of pearlie dew, lemed[5] the quyvryng brine. + + ELINOURE. + + O gentle Juga! heare mie dernie[6] plainte, + To fyghte for Yorke mie love ys dyghte[7] in stele; + O maie ne sanguen steine the whyte rose peyncte, 10 + Maie good Seyncte Cuthberte watche Syrre Roberte wele. + Moke moe thanne deathe in phantasie I feele; + See! see! upon the grounde he bleedynge lies; + Inhild[8] some joice[9] of lyfe or else mie deare love dies. + + JUGA. + + Systers in sorrowe, on thys daise-ey'd banke, 15 + Where melancholych broods, we wyll lamente; + Be wette wythe mornynge dewe and evene danke; + Lyche levynde[10] okes in eche the odher bente, + Or lyche forlettenn[11] halles of merriemente, + Whose gastlie mitches[12] holde the traine of fryghte[13], 20 + Where lethale[14] ravens bark, and owlets wake the nyghte. + + [ELINOURE.] + + No moe the miskynette[15] shall wake the morne, + The minstrelle daunce, good cheere, and morryce plaie; + No moe the amblynge palfrie and the horne + Shall from the lessel[16] rouze the foxe awaie; 25 + I'll seke the foreste alle the lyve-longe daie; + Alle nete amenge the gravde chyrche[17] glebe wyll goe, + And to the passante Spryghtes lecture[18] mie tale of woe. + + [JUGA.] + + Whan mokie[19] cloudis do hange upon the leme + Of leden[20] Moon, ynn sylver mantels dyghte; 30 + The tryppeynge Faeries weve the golden dreme + Of Selyness[21], whyche flyethe wythe the nyghte; + Thenne (botte the Seynctes forbydde!) gif to a spryte + Syrr Rychardes forme ys lyped, I'll holde dystraughte + Hys bledeynge claie-colde corse, and die eche daie ynn thoughte. 35 + + ELINOURE. + + Ah woe bementynge wordes; what wordes can shewe! + Thou limed[22] ryver, on thie linche[23] maie bleede + Champyons, whose bloude wylle wythe thie waterres flowe, + And Rudborne streeme be Rudborne streeme indeede! + Haste, gentle Juga, tryppe ytte oere the meade, 40 + To knowe, or wheder we muste waile agayne, + Or wythe oure fallen knyghtes be menged onne the plain. + + Soe sayinge, lyke twa levyn-blasted trees, + Or twayne of cloudes that holdeth stormie rayne; + Theie moved gentle oere the dewie mees[24], 45 + To where Seyncte Albons holie shrynes remayne. + There dyd theye fynde that bothe their knyghtes were slayne, + Distraughte[25] theie wandered to swollen Rudbornes syde, + Yelled theyre leathalle knelle, sonke ynn the waves, and dyde. + +[Footnote 1: Rudborne (in Saxon, red-water), a River near Saint +Albans, famous for the battles there fought between the Houses of +Lancaster and York.] + +[Footnote 2: lamenting.] + +[Footnote 3: murdering.] + +[Footnote 4: faintly.] + +[Footnote 5: glistened.] + +[Footnote 6: sad complaint.] + +[Footnote 7: arrayed, or cased.] + +[Footnote 8: infuse.] + +[Footnote 9: juice.] + +[Footnote 10: blasted.] + +[Footnote 11: forsaken.] + +[Footnote 12: ruins.] + +[Footnote 13: fear.] + +[Footnote 14: deadly or deathboding.] + +[Footnote 15: a small bagpipe.] + +[Footnote 16: in a confined sense, a bush or hedge, though sometimes +used as a forest.] + +[Footnote 17: church-yard.] + +[Footnote 18: relate.] + +[Footnote 19: black.] + +[Footnote 20: decreasing.] + +[Footnote 21: happiness.] + +[Footnote 22: glassy.] + +[Footnote 23: bank.] + +[Footnote 24: meeds.] + +[Footnote 25: distracted.] + + + + +TO JOHNE LADGATE. + +[Sent with the following _Songe to Ælla._] + + + Well thanne, goode Johne, sythe ytt must needes be soe, + Thatt thou & I a bowtynge matche must have, + Lette ytt ne breakynge of oulde friendshyppe bee, + Thys ys the onelie all-a-boone I crave. + + Rememberr Stowe, the Bryghtstowe Carmalyte, 5 + Who whanne Johne Clarkynge, one of myckle lore, + Dydd throwe hys gauntlette-penne, wyth hym to fyghte, + Hee showd smalle wytte, and showd hys weaknesse more. + + Thys ys mie formance, whyche I nowe have wrytte, + The best performance of mie lyttel wytte. 10 + + + + +SONGE TO ÆLLA, LORDE OF THE CASTEL OF BRYSTOWE YNNE DAIES OF YORE. + + + Oh thou, orr what remaynes of thee, + Ælla, the darlynge of futurity, + Lett thys mie songe bolde as thie courage be, + As everlastynge to posteritye. + + Whanne Dacya's sonnes, whose hayres of bloude-redde hue 5 + Lyche kynge-cuppes brastynge wythe the morning due, + Arraung'd ynne dreare arraie, + Upponne the lethale daie, + Spredde farre and wyde onne Watchets shore; + Than dyddst thou furiouse stande, 10 + And bie thie valyante hande + Beesprengedd all the mees wythe gore. + + Drawne bie thyne anlace felle, + Downe to the depthe of helle + Thousandes of Dacyanns went; 15 + Brystowannes, menne of myghte, + Ydar'd the bloudie fyghte, + And actedd deeds full quent. + + Oh thou, whereer (thie bones att reste) + Thye Spryte to haunte delyghteth beste, 20 + Whetherr upponne the bloude-embrewedd pleyne, + Orr whare thou kennst fromm farre + The dysmall crye of warre, + Orr seest somme mountayne made of corse of sleyne; + Orr seest the hatchedd stede, 25 + Ypraunceynge o'er the mede, + And neighe to be amenged the poynctedd speeres; + Orr ynne blacke armoure staulke arounde + Embattel'd Brystowe, once thie grounde, + And glowe ardurous onn the Castle steeres; 30 + + Orr fierye round the mynsterr glare; + Lette Brystowe stylle be made thie care; + Guarde ytt fromme foemenne & consumynge fyre; + Lyche Avones streme ensyrke ytte rounde, + Ne lette a flame enharme the grounde, 35 + Tylle ynne one flame all the whole worlde expyre. + + + + +The underwritten Lines were composed by JOHN LADGATE, a Priest in +London, and sent to ROWLIE, as an Answer to the preceding _Songe of +Ælla_. + + + Havynge wythe mouche attentyonn redde + Whatt you dydd to mee sende, + Admyre the varses mouche I dydd, + And thus an answerr lende. + + Amongs the Greeces Homer was 5 + A Poett mouche renownde, + Amongs the Latyns Vyrgilius + Was beste of Poets founde. + + The Brytish Merlyn oftenne hanne + The gyfte of inspyration, 10 + And Afled to the Sexonne menne + Dydd synge wythe elocation. + + Ynne Norman tymes, Turgotus and + Goode Chaucer dydd excelle, + Thenn Stowe, the Bryghtstowe Carmelyte, 15 + Dydd bare awaie the belle. + + Nowe Rowlie ynne these mokie dayes + Lendes owte hys sheenynge lyghtes, + And Turgotus and Chaucer lyves + Ynne ev'ry lyne he wrytes. 20 + + + + +THE TOURNAMENT. + +AN INTERLUDE. + + + ENTER AN HERAWDE. + + The Tournament begynnes; the hammerrs sounde; + The courserrs lysse[1] about the mensuredd[2] fielde; + The shemrynge armoure throws the sheene arounde; + Quayntyssed[3] fons[4] depictedd[5] onn eche sheelde. + The feerie[6] heaulmets, wythe the wreathes amielde[7], 5 + Supportes the rampynge lyoncell[8] orr beare, + Wythe straunge depyctures[9], Nature maie nott yeelde, + Unseemelie to all orderr doe appere, + Yett yatte[10] to menne, who thyncke and have a spryte[11], + Makes knowen thatt the phantasies unryghte. 10 + + I, Sonne of Honnoure, spencer[11] of her joies, + Muste swythen[12] goe to yeve[13] the speeres arounde, + Wythe advantayle[14] & borne[15] I meynte[16] emploie, + Who withoute mee woulde fall untoe the grounde. + Soe the tall oake the ivie twysteth rounde; 15 + Soe the neshe[17] flowerr grees[18] ynne the woodeland shade. + The worlde bie diffraunce ys ynne orderr founde; + Wydhoute unlikenesse nothynge could bee made. + As ynn the bowke[19] nete[20] alleyn[21] cann bee donne, + Syke[22] ynn the weal of kynde all thynges are partes of onne. 20 + + Enterr SYRR SYMONNE DE BOURTONNE. + + Herawde[23], bie heavenne these tylterrs staie too long. + Mie phantasie ys dyinge forr the fyghte. + The mynstrelles have begonne the thyrde warr songe, + Yett notte a speere of hemm[24] hath grete mie syghte. + I feere there be ne manne wordhie mie myghte. 25 + I lacke a Guid[25], a Wyllyamm[26] to entylte. + To reine[27] anente[28] a fele[29] embodiedd knyghte, + Ytt gettes ne rennome[30] gyff hys blodde bee spylte. + Bie heavenne & Marie ytt ys tyme they're here; + I lyche nott unthylle[31] thus to wielde the speare. 30 + + HERAWDE. + + Methynckes I heare yer slugghornes[32] dynn[33] fromm farre. + + BOURTONNE. + + Ah! swythenn[34] mie shielde & tyltynge launce bee bounde [35]. + Eftsoones[36] beheste[37] mie Squyerr to the warre. + I flie before to clayme a challenge grownde. + [_Goeth oute_. + + HERAWDE. + + Thie valourous actes woulde meinte[38] of menne astounde; + Harde bee yer shappe[39] encontrynge thee ynn fyghte; + Anenst[40] all menne thou bereft to the grounde, + Lyche the hard hayle dothe the tall roshes pyghte[41]. + As whanne the mornynge sonne ydronks the dew, + Syche dothe thie valourous actes drocke[42] eche knyghte's hue. 40 + + THE LYSTES. THE KYNGE. SYRR SYMONNE DE BOURTONNE, SYRR HUGO + FERRARIS, SYRR RANULPH NEVILLE, SYRR LODOVICK DE CLYNTON, + SYRR JOHAN DE BERGHAMME, AND ODHERR KNYGHTES, HERAWDES, + MYNSTRELLES. AND SERVYTOURS[43]. + + KYNGE. + + The barganette[44]; yee mynstrelles tune the strynge, + Somme actyonn dyre of auntyante kynges now synge. + + MYNSTRELLES. + + Wyllyamm, the Normannes floure botte Englondes thorne, + The manne whose myghte delievretie[45] hadd knite[46], + Snett[46] oppe hys long strunge bowe and sheelde aborne[47], 45 + Behesteynge[48] all hys hommageres[49] to fyghte. + Goe, rouze the lyonn fromm hys hylted[50] denne, + Lett thie floes[51] drenche the blodde of anie thynge bott menne. + + Ynn the treed forreste doe the knyghtes appere; + Wyllyamm wythe myghte hys bowe enyronn'd[52] plies[53]; 50 + Loude dynns[54] the arrowe ynn the wolfynn's eare; + Hee ryseth battent[55] roares, he panctes, hee dyes. + Forslagenn att thie feete lett wolvynns bee, + Lett thie floes drenche theyre blodde, bott do ne bredrenn flea. + + Throwe the merke[56] shade of twistynde trees hee rydes; 55 + The flemed[57] owlett[58] flapps herr eve-speckte[59] wynge; + The lordynge[60] toade ynn all hys passes bides; + The berten[61] neders[62] att hymm darte the stynge; + Styll, stylle, hee passes onn, hys stede astrodde, + Nee hedes the daungerous waie gyff leadynge untoe bloodde. 60 + + The lyoncel, fromme sweltrie[63] countries braughte, + Coucheynge binethe the sheltre of the brierr, + Att commyng dynn[64] doth rayse hymselfe distraughte[65], + He loketh wythe an eie of flames of fyre. + Goe, sticke the lyonn to hys hyltren denne. 65 + Lette thie floes[66] drenche the blood of anie thynge botte menn. + + Wythe passent[67] steppe the lyonn mov'th alonge; + Wyllyamm hys ironne-woven bowe hee bendes, + Wythe myghte alyche the roghlynge[68] thonderr stronge; + The lyonn ynn a roare hys spryte foorthe sendes. 70 + Goe, slea the lyonn ynn hys blodde-steyn'd denne, + Botte bee thie takelle[69] drie fromm blodde of odherr menne. + + Swefte fromm the thyckett starks the stagge awaie; + The couraciers[70] as swefte doe afterr flie. + Hee lepethe hie, hee stondes, hee kepes att baie, 75 + Botte metes the arrowe, and eftsoones[71] doth die. + Forslagenn atte thie fote lette wylde beastes bee, + Lett thie floes drenche yer blodde, yett do ne bredrenn slee. + + Wythe murtherr tyredd, hee sleynges hys bowe alyne[72]. + The stagge ys ouch'd[73] wythe crownes of lillie flowerrs. 80 + Arounde theire heaulmes theie greene verte doe entwyne; + Joying and rev'lous ynn the grene wode bowerrs. + Forslagenn wyth thie floe lette wylde beastes bee, + Feeste thee upponne theire fleshe, doe ne thie bredrenn flee. + + KYNGE. + + Nowe to the Tourneie[74]; who wylle fyrste affraie[75]? 85 + + HERAULDE. + + Nevylle, a baronne, bee yatte[76] honnoure thyne. + + BOURTONNE. + + I clayme the passage. + + NEVYLLE. + + I contake[77] thie waie. + + BOURTONNE. + + Thenn there's mie gauntlette[78] onn mie gaberdyne[79]. + + HEREHAULDE. + + A leegefull[80] challenge, knyghtes & champyonns dygne[81], + A leegefull challenge, lette the flugghorne sounde. 90 + [Syrr Symonne _and_ Nevylle _tylte_. + Nevylle ys goeynge, manne and horse, toe grounde. + [Nevylle _falls_. + Loverdes, how doughtilie[82] the tylterrs joyne! + Yee champyonnes, heere Symonne de Bourtonne fyghtes, + Onne hee hathe quacedd[83], assayle[84] hymm, yee knyghtes. + + FERRARIS. + + I wylle anente[85] hymm goe; mie squierr, mie shielde; 95 + Orr onne orr odherr wyll doe myckle[86] scethe[87] + Before I doe departe the lissedd[88] fielde, + Mieselfe orr Bourtonne hereupponn wyll blethe[89]. + Mie shielde. + + BOURTONNE. + + Comme onne, & fitte thie tylte-launce ethe[90]. + Whanne Bourtonn fyghtes, hee metes a doughtie foe. 100 + [_Theie tylte_. Ferraris _falleth_. + Hee falleth; nowe bie heavenne thie woundes doe smethe[91]; + I feere mee, I have wroughte thee myckle woe[92]. + + HERAWDE. + + Bourtonne hys seconde beereth to the feelde. + Comme onn, yee knyghtes, and wynn the honnour'd sheeld. + + BERGHAMME. + + I take the challenge; squyre, mie launce and stede. 105 + I, Bourtonne, take the gauntlette; forr mee staie. + Botte, gyff thou fyghteste mee, thou shalt have mede[93]; + Somme odherr I wylle champyonn toe affraie[94]; + Perchaunce fromme hemm I maie possess the daie, + Thenn I schalle bee a foemanne forr thie spere. 110 + Herehawde, toe the bankes of Knyghtys saie, + De Berghamme wayteth forr a foemann heere. + + CLINTON. + + Botte longe thou schalte ne tend[95]; I doe thee fie[96]. + Lyche forreying[97] levynn[98], schalle mie tylte-launce flie. + [Berghamme & Clinton _tylte_. Clinton _fallethe_. + BERGHAMME. + + Nowe, nowe, Syrr Knyghte, attoure[99] thie beeveredd[100] eyne. + I have borne downe, and este[101] doe gauntlette thee. + Swythenne[102] begynne, and wrynn[103] thie shappe[104] orr myne; + Gyff thou dyscomfytte, ytt wylle dobblie bee. + [Bourtonne & Burghamm _tylteth_. Berghamme _falls_. + + HERAWDE. + + Symonne de Bourtonne haveth borne downe three, + And bie the thyrd hathe honnoure of a fourthe. 120 + Lett hymm bee sett asyde, tylle hee doth see + A tyltynge forr a knyghte of gentle wourthe. + Heere commethe straunge knyghtes; gyff corteous[105] heie[106], + Ytt welle beseies[107] to yeve[108] hemm ryghte of fraie[109]. + + FIRST KNYGHTE. + + Straungerrs wee bee, and homblie doe wee clayme 125 + The rennome[110] ynn thys Tourneie[111] forr to tylte; + Dherbie to proove fromm cravents[112] owre goode name, + Bewrynnynge[113] thatt wee gentile blodde have spylte. + + HEREHAWDE. + + Yee knyghtes of cortesie, these straungerrs, saie, + Bee you fulle wyllynge forr to yeve hemm fraie? 130 + [_Fyve Knyghtes tylteth wythe the straunge Knyghte, and bee + everichone[114] overthrowne._ + + BOURTONNE. + + Nowe bie Seyncte Marie, gyff onn all the fielde + Ycrasedd[115] speres and helmetts bee besprente[116], + Gyff everyche knyghte dydd houlde a piercedd[117] sheeld, + Gyff all the feelde wythe champyonne blodde bee stente[118], + Yett toe encounterr hymm I bee contente. 135 + Annodherr launce, Marshalle, anodherr launce. + Albeytte hee wythe lowes[119] of fyre ybrente[120], + Yett Bourtonne woulde agenste hys val[121] advance. + Fyve haveth fallenn downe anethe[122] hys speere, + Botte hee schalle bee the next thatt falleth heere. 140 + + Bie thee, Seyncte Marie, and thy Sonne I sweare, + Thatt ynn whatte place yonn doughtie knyghte shall fall + Anethe[123] the stronge push of mie straught[124] out speere, + There schalle aryse a hallie[125] chyrches walle, + The whyche, ynn honnoure, I wylle Marye calle, 145 + Wythe pillars large, and spyre full hyghe and rounde. + And thys I faifullie[126] wylle stonde to all, + Gyff yonderr straungerr falleth to the grounde. + Straungerr, bee boune[127]; I champyonn[128] you to warre. + Sounde, sounde the flughornes, to bee hearde fromm farre. 150 + [Bourtonne & _the_ Straungerr _tylt_. Straunger _falleth_. + + KYNGE. + + The Mornynge Tyltes now cease. + + HERAWDE. + + Bourtonne ys kynge. + Dysplaie the Englyshe bannorre onn the tente; + Rounde hymm, yee mynstrelles, songs of achments[129] synge; + Yee Herawdes, getherr upp the speeres besprente[130]; + To Kynge of Tourney-tylte bee all knees bente. 155 + Dames faire and gentle, forr youre loves hee foughte; + Forr you the longe tylte-launce, the swerde hee shente[131]; + Hee joustedd, alleine[132] havynge you ynn thoughte. + Comme, mynstrelles, sound the strynge, goe onn eche syde, + Whylest hee untoe the Kynge ynn state doe ryde. 160 + + MYNSTRELLES. + + Whann Battayle, smethynge[133] wythe new quickenn'd gore, + Bendynge wythe spoiles, and bloddie droppynge hedde, + Dydd the merke[134] woode of ethe[135] and rest explore, + Seekeynge to lie onn Pleasures downie bedde, + Pleasure, dauncyng fromm her wode, 165 + Wreathedd wythe floures of aiglintine, + Fromm hys vysage washedd the bloude, + Hylte[136] hys swerde and gaberdyne. + + Wythe syke an eyne shee swotelie[137] hymm dydd view, + Dydd foe ycorvenn[138] everrie shape to joie, 170 + Hys spryte dydd chaunge untoe anodherr hue, + Hys armes, ne spoyles, mote anie thoughts emploie. + All delyghtsomme and contente, + Fyre enshotynge[139] fromm hys eyne, + Ynn hys arms hee dydd herr hente[140], 175 + Lyche the merk[141]-plante doe entwyne. + Soe, gyff thou lovest Pleasure and herr trayne, + Onknowlachynge[142] ynn whatt place herr to fynde, + Thys rule yspende[143], and ynn thie mynde retayne; + Seeke Honnoure fyrste, and Pleasaunce lies behynde. 180 + +[Footnote 1: sport, or play.] + +[Footnote 2: bounded, or measured.] + +[Footnote 3: curiously devised.] + +[Footnote 4: fancys or devices.] + +[Footnote 5: painted, or displayed.] + +[Footnote 6: fiery.] + +[Footnote 7: ornamented, enameled.] + +[Footnote 8: a young lion.] + +[Footnote 9: drawings, paintings.] + +[Footnote 10: that.] + +[Footnote 11: soul.] + +[Footnote 11: dispenser.] + +[Footnote 12: quickly.] + +[Footnote 13: give.] + +[Footnote 14: armer.] + +[Footnote 15: burnish.] + +[Footnote 16: many.] + +[Footnote 17: young, weak, tender.] + +[Footnote 18: grows.] + +[Footnote 19: body.] + +[Footnote 20: nothing.] + +[Footnote 21: alone.] + +[Footnote 22: so.] + +[Footnote 23: herald.] + +[Footnote 24: a contraction of _them_.] + +[Footnote 25: _Guie de Sancto Egidio_, the most famous tilter of his +age.] + +[Footnote 26: William Rufus.] + +[Footnote 27: run.] + +[Footnote 28: against.] + +[Footnote 29: feeble.] + +[Footnote 30: honour, glory.] + +[Footnote 31: useless.] + +[Footnote 32: a kind of claryon.] + +[Footnote 33: sound.] + +[Footnote 34: quickly.] + +[Footnote 35: ready.] + +[Footnote 36: soon.] + +[Footnote 37: command.] + +[Footnote 38: most.] + +[Footnote 39: fate, or doom.] + +[Footnote 40: against.] + +[Footnote 41: pitched, or bent down.] + +[Footnote 42: drink.] + +[Footnote 43: servants, attendants.] + +[Footnote 44: song, or ballad.] + +[Footnote 45: activity.] + +[Footnote 46: joined (_1842; left blank in 1777 and 1778_)] + +[Footnote 46: bent.] + +[Footnote 47: burnished.] + +[Footnote 48: commanding.] + +[Footnote 49: servants.] + +[Footnote 50: hidden.] + +[Footnote 51: arrows.] + +[Footnote 52: worked with iron.] + +[Footnote 53: bends.] + +[Footnote 54: sounds.] + +[Footnote 55: loudly.] + +[Footnote 56: dark, or gloome.] + +[Footnote 57 & 58: frighted owl.] + +[Footnote 59: marked with evening dew.] + +[Footnote 60: standing on their hind legs.] + +[Footnote 61: venemous.] + +[Footnote 62: adders.] + +[Footnote 63: hot, sultry.] + +[Footnote 64: sound, noise.] + +[Footnote 65: distracted.] + +[Footnote 66: arrows.] + +[Footnote 67: walking leisurely.] + +[Footnote 68: rolling.] + +[Footnote 69: arrow.] + +[Footnote 70: horse coursers.] + +[Footnote 71: full soon.] + +[Footnote 72: across his shoulders.] + +[Footnote 73: garlands of flowers being put round the neck of the +game, it was said to be _ouch'd_, from _ouch_, a chain, worn by earls +round their necks.] + +[Footnote 74: Turnament.] + +[Footnote 75: fight, or encounter.] + +[Footnote 76: that.] + +[Footnote 77: dispute.] + +[Footnote 78: glove.] + +[Footnote 79: a piece of armour.] + +[Footnote 80: lawful.] + +[Footnote 81: worthy.] + +[Footnote 82: furiously.] + +[Footnote 83: vanquished.] + +[Footnote 84: oppose.] + +[Footnote 85: against.] + +[Footnote 86: much.] + +[Footnote 87: damage, mischief.] + +[Footnote 88: bounded.] + +[Footnote 89: bleed.] + +[Footnote 90: easy.] + +[Footnote 91: smoke.] + +[Footnote 92: hurt, or damage.] + +[Footnote 93: reward.] + +[Footnote 94: fight or engage.] + +[Footnote 95: attend or wait.] + +[Footnote 96: defy.] + +[Footnote 97 & 98: destroying lightening.] + +[Footnote 99: turn.] + +[Footnote 100: beaver'd.] + +[Footnote 101: again.] + +[Footnote 102: quickly.] + +[Footnote 103: declare.] + +[Footnote 104: fate.] + +[Footnote 105: worthy.] + +[Footnote 106: they.] + +[Footnote 107: becomes.] + +[Footnote 108: give.] + +[Footnote 109: fyght.] + +[Footnote 110: honour.] + +[Footnote 111: Tournament.] + +[Footnote 112: cowards.] + +[Footnote 113: declaring.] + +[Footnote 114: every one.] + +[Footnote 115: broken, split.] + +[Footnote 116: scatter'd.] + +[Footnote 117: broken, or pierced through with darts.] + +[Footnote 118: stained.] + +[Footnote 119: flames.] + +[Footnote 120: burnt.] + +[Footnote 121: healm.] + +[Footnote 122: beneath.] + +[Footnote 123: against.] + +[Footnote 124: stretched out.] + +[Footnote 125: holy.] + +[Footnote 126: faithfully.] + +[Footnote 127: ready.] + +[Footnote 128: challenge.] + +[Footnote 129: atchievements, glorious actions.] + +[Footnote 130: broken spears.] + +[Footnote 131: broke, destroyed.] + +[Footnote 132: only, alone.] + +[Footnote 133: smoaking, steaming.] + +[Footnote 134: dark, gloomy.] + +[Footnote 135: ease.] + +[Footnote 136: hid, secreted.] + +[Footnote 137: sweetly.] + +[Footnote 138: moulded.] + +[Footnote 139: shooting, darting.] + +[Footnote 140: grasp, hold.] + +[Footnote 141: night-shade.] + +[Footnote 142: ignorant, unknowing.] + +[Footnote 143: consider.] + + + + +BRISTOWE TRAGEDIE: + +OR THE DETHE OF + +SYR CHARLES BAWDIN. + + + The featherd songster chaunticleer + Han wounde hys bugle horne, + And tolde the earlie villager + The commynge of the morne: + + Kynge EDWARDE sawe the ruddie streakes 5 + Of lyghte eclypse the greie; + And herde the raven's crokynge throte + Proclayme the fated daie. + + "Thou'rt ryght," quod hee, "for, by the Godde + That syttes enthron'd on hyghe! 10 + CHARLES BAWDIN, and hys fellowes twaine, + To-daie shall surelie die." + + Thenne wythe a jugge of nappy ale + Hys Knyghtes dydd onne hymm waite; + "Goe tell the traytour, thatt to-daie 15 + Hee leaves thys mortall state." + + Syr CANTERLOUE thenne bendedd lowe, + Wythe harte brymm-fulle of woe; + Hee journey'd to the castle-gate, + And to Syr CHARLES dydd goe. 20 + + Butt whenne hee came, hys children twaine, + And eke hys lovynge wyfe, + Wythe brinie tears dydd wett the floore, + For goode Syr CHARLESES lyfe. + + "O goode Syr CHARLES!" sayd CANTERLOUE, 25 + "Badde tydyngs I doe brynge." + "Speke boldlie, manne," sayd brave Syr CHARLES, + "Whatte says thie traytor kynge?" + + "I greeve to telle, before yonne sonne + Does fromme the welkinn flye, 30 + Hee hath uponne hys honour sworne, + Thatt thou shalt surelie die." + + "Wee all must die," quod brave Syr CHARLES; + "Of thatte I'm not affearde; + Whatte bootes to lyve a little space? 35 + Thanke JESU, I'm prepar'd." + + "Butt telle thye kynge, for myne hee's not, + I'de sooner die to-daie + Thanne lyve hys slave, as manie are, + Tho' I shoulde lyve for aie." 40 + + Thenne CANTERLOUE hee dydd goe out, + To telle the maior straite + To gett all thynges ynne reddyness + For goode Syr CHARLESES fate. + + Thenne Maisterr CANYNGE saughte the kynge, 45 + And felle down onne hys knee; + "I'm come," quod hee, "unto your grace + To move your clemencye." + + Thenne quod the kynge, "Youre tale speke out, + You have been much oure friende; 50 + Whatever youre request may bee, + Wee wylle to ytte attende." + + "My nobile leige! alle my request + Ys for a nobile knyghte, + Who, tho' may hap hee has donne wronge, 55 + He thoghte ytte stylle was ryghte." + + "Hee has a spouse and children twaine, + Alle rewyn'd are for aie; + Yff thatt you are resolv'd to lett + CHARLES BAWDIN die to-daie." 60 + + "Speke nott of such a traytour vile," + The kynge ynne furie sayde; + "Before the evening starre doth sheene, + BAWDIN shall loose hys hedde." + + "Justice does loudlie for hym calle, 65 + And hee shalle have hys meede: + Speke, Maister CANYNGE! Whatte thynge else + Att present doe you neede?" + + "My nobile leige!" goode CANYNGE sayde, + "Leave justice to our Godde, 70 + And laye the yronne rule asyde; + Be thyne the olyve rodde." + + "Was Godde to serche our hertes and reines, + The best were synners grete; + CHRIST'S vycarr only knowes ne synne, 75 + Ynne alle thys mortall state." + + "Lett mercie rule thyne infante reigne, + 'Twylle faste thye crowne fulle sure; + From race to race thy familie + Alle sov'reigns shall endure." 80 + + "But yff wythe bloode and slaughter thou + Beginne thy infante reigne, + Thy crowne uponne thy childrennes brows + Wylle never long remayne." + + "CANYNGE, awaie! thys traytour vile 85 + Has scorn'd my power and mee; + Howe canst thou thenne for such a manne + Intreate my clemencye?" + + "My nobile leige! the trulie brave + Wylle val'rous actions prize, 90 + Respect a brave and nobile mynde, + Altho' ynne enemies." + + "CANYNGE, awaie! By Godde ynne Heav'n + Thatt dydd mee beinge gyve, + I wylle nott taste a bitt of breade 95 + Whilst thys Syr CHARLES dothe lyve." + + "By MARIE, and alle Seinctes ynne Heav'n, + Thys sunne shall be hys laste." + Thenne CANYNGE dropt a brinie teare, + And from the presence paste. 100 + + Wyth herte brymm-fulle of gnawynge grief, + Hee to Syr CHARLES dydd goe, + And satt hymm downe uponne a stoole, + And teares beganne to flowe. + + "Wee all must die," quod brave Syr CHARLES; 105 + "Whatte bootes ytte howe or whenne; + Dethe ys the sure, the certaine fate + Of all wee mortall menne. + + "Saye why, my friend, thie honest soul + Runns overr att thyne eye; 110 + Is ytte for my most welcome doome + Thatt thou dost child-lyke crye?" + + Quod godlie CANYNGE, "I doe weepe, + Thatt thou so soone must dye, + And leave thy sonnes and helpless wyfe; 115 + 'Tys thys thatt wettes myne eye." + + "Thenne drie the tears thatt out thyne eye + From godlie fountaines sprynge; + Dethe I despise, and alle the power + Of EDWARDE, traytor kynge. 120 + + "Whan throgh the tyrant's welcom means + I shall resigne my lyfe, + The Godde I serve wylle soone provyde + For bothe mye sonnes and wyfe. + + "Before I sawe the lyghtsome sunne, 125 + Thys was appointed mee; + Shall mortal manne repyne or grudge + Whatt Godde ordeynes to bee? + + "Howe oft ynne battaile have I stoode, + Whan thousands dy'd arounde; 130 + Whan smokynge streemes of crimson bloode + Imbrew'd the fatten'd grounde: + + "How dydd I knowe thatt ev'ry darte, + Thatt cutte the airie waie, + Myghte nott fynde passage toe my harte, 135 + And close myne eyes for aie? + + "And shall I nowe, forr feere of dethe, + Looke wanne and bee dysmayde? + Ne! fromm my herte flie childyshe feere, + Bee alle the manne display'd. 140 + + "Ah, goddelyke HENRIE! Godde forefende, + And guarde thee and thye sonne, + Yff 'tis hys wylle; but yff 'tis nott, + Why thenne hys wylle bee donne. + + "My honest friende, my faulte has beene 145 + To serve Godde and mye prynce; + And thatt I no tyme-server am, + My dethe wylle soone convynce. + + "Ynne Londonne citye was I borne, + Of parents of grete note; 150 + My fadre dydd a nobile armes + Emblazon onne hys cote: + + "I make ne doubte butt hee ys gone + Where soone I hope to goe; + Where wee for ever shall bee blest, 155 + From oute the reech of woe: + + "Hee taughte mee justice and the laws + Wyth pitie to unite; + And eke hee taughte mee howe to knowe + The wronge cause fromm the ryghte: 160 + + "Hee taughte mee wythe a prudent hande + To feede the hungrie poore, + Ne lett mye sarvants dryve awaie + The hungrie fromme my doore: + + "And none can saye, butt alle mye lyfe 165 + I have hys wordyes kept; + And summ'd the actyonns of the daie + Eche nyghte before I slept. + + "I have a spouse, goe aske of her, + Yff I defyl'd her bedde? 170 + I have a kynge, and none can laie + Blacke treason onne my hedde. + + "Ynne Lent, and onne the holie eve, + Fromm fleshe I dydd refrayne; + Whie should I thenne appeare dismay'd 175 + To leave thys worlde of payne? + + "Ne! hapless HENRIE! I rejoyce, + I shalle ne see thye dethe; + Moste willynglie ynne thye just cause + Doe I resign my brethe. 180 + + "Oh, fickle people! rewyn'd londe! + Thou wylt kenne peace ne moe; + Whyle RICHARD'S sonnes exalt themselves, + Thye brookes wythe bloude wylle flowe. + + "Saie, were ye tyr'd of godlie peace, 185 + And godlie HENRIE'S reigne, + Thatt you dydd choppe youre easie daies + For those of bloude and peyne? + + "Whatte tho' I onne a sledde bee drawne, + And mangled by a hynde, 190 + I doe defye the traytor's pow'r, + Hee can ne harm my mynde; + + "Whatte tho', uphoisted onne a pole, + Mye lymbes shall rotte ynne ayre, + And ne ryche monument of brasse 195 + CHARLES BAWDIN'S name shall bear; + + "Yett ynne the holie booke above, + Whyche tyme can't eate awaie, + There wythe the sarvants of the Lorde + Mye name shall lyve for aie. 200 + + "Thenne welcome dethe! for lyfe eterne + I leave thys mortall lyfe: + Farewell, vayne worlde, and alle that's deare, + Mye sonnes and lovynge wyfe! + + "Nowe dethe as welcome to mee comes, 205 + As e'er the moneth of Maie; + Nor woulde I even wyshe to lyve, + Wyth my dere wyfe to staie." + + Quod CANYNGE, "'Tys a goodlie thynge + To bee prepar'd to die; 210 + And from thys world of peyne and grefe + To Godde ynne Heav'n to flie." + + And nowe the bell beganne to tolle, + And claryonnes to sounde; + Syr CHARLES hee herde the horses feete 215 + A prauncyng onne the grounde: + + And just before the officers, + His lovynge wyfe came ynne, + Weepynge unfeigned teeres of woe, + Wythe loude and dysmalle dynne. 220 + + "Sweet FLORENCE! nowe I praie forbere, + Ynne quiet lett mee die; + Praie Godde, thatt ev'ry Christian soule + Maye looke onne dethe as I. + + "Sweet FLORENCE! why these brinie teeres? 225 + Theye washe my soule awaie, + And almost make mee wyshe for lyfe, + Wyth thee, sweete dame, to staie. + + "'Tys butt a journie I shalle goe + Untoe the lande of blysse; 230 + Nowe, as a proofe of husbande's love, + Receive thys holie kysse." + + Thenne FLORENCE, fault'ring ynne her saie, + Tremblynge these wordyes spoke, + "Ah, cruele EDWARDE! bloudie kynge! 235 + My herte ys welle nyghe broke: + + "Ah, sweete Syr CHARLES! why wylt thou goe, + Wythoute thye lovynge wyfe? + The cruelle axe thatt cuttes thye necke, + Ytte eke shall ende mye lyfe." 240 + + And nowe the officers came ynne + To brynge Syr CHARLES awaie, + Whoe turnedd toe his lovynge wyfe, + And thus toe her dydd saie: + + "I goe to lyfe, and nott to dethe; 245 + Truste thou ynne Godde above, + And teache thye sonnes to feare the Lorde, + And ynne theyre hertes hym love: + + "Teache them to runne the nobile race + Thatt I theyre fader runne: 250 + FLORENCE! shou'd dethe thee take--adieu! + Yee officers, leade onne." + + Thenne FLORENCE rav'd as anie madde, + And dydd her tresses tere; + "Oh! staie, mye husbande! lorde! and lyfe!"-- 255 + Syr CHARLES thenne dropt a teare. + + 'Tyll tyredd oute wythe ravynge loud, + Shee fellen onne the flore; + Syr CHARLES exerted alle hys myghte, + And march'd fromm oute the dore. 260 + + Uponne a sledde hee mounted thenne, + Wythe lookes fulle brave and swete; + Lookes, thatt enshone ne moe concern + Thanne anie ynne the strete. + + Before hym went the council-menne, 265 + Ynne scarlett robes and golde, + And tassils spanglynge ynne the sunne, + Muche glorious to beholde: + + The Freers of Seincte AUGUSTYNE next + Appeared to the syghte, 270 + Alle cladd ynne homelie russett weedes, + Of godlie monkysh plyghte: + + Ynne diffraunt partes a godlie psaume + Moste sweetlie theye dydd chaunt; + Behynde theyre backes syx mynstrelles came, 275 + Who tun'd the strunge bataunt. + + Thenne fyve-and-twentye archers came; + Echone the bowe dydd bende, + From rescue of kynge HENRIES friends + Syr CHARLES forr to defend. 280 + + Bolde as a lyon came Syr CHARLES, + Drawne onne a clothe-layde sledde, + Bye two blacke stedes ynne trappynges white, + Wyth plumes uponne theyre hedde: + + Behynde hym fyve-and-twentye moe 285 + Of archers stronge and stoute, + Wyth bended bowe echone ynne hande, + Marched ynne goodlie route: + + Seincte JAMESES Freers marched next, + Echone hys parte dydd chaunt; 290 + Behynde theyre backs syx mynstrelles came, + Who tun'd the strunge bataunt: + + Thenne came the maior and eldermenne, + Ynne clothe of scarlett deck't; + And theyre attendyng menne echone, 295 + Lyke Easterne princes trickt: + + And after them, a multitude + Of citizenns dydd thronge; + The wyndowes were alle fulle of heddes, + As hee dydd passe alonge. 300 + + And whenne hee came to the hyghe crosse, + Syr CHARLES dydd turne and saie, + "O Thou, thatt savest manne fromme synne, + Washe mye soule clean thys daie!" + + Att the grete mynsterr wyndowe sat 305 + The kynge ynne myckle state, + To see CHARLES BAWDIN goe alonge + To hys most welcom fate. + + Soone as the sledde drewe nyghe enowe, + Thatt EDWARDE hee myghte heare, 310 + The brave Syr CHARLES hee dydd stande uppe, + And thus hys wordes declare: + + "Thou seest mee, EDWARDE! traytour vile! + Expos'd to infamie; + Butt bee assur'd, disloyall manne! 315 + I'm greaterr nowe thanne thee. + + "Bye foule proceedyngs, murdre, bloude, + Thou wearest nowe a crowne; + And hast appoynted mee to dye, + By power nott thyne owne. 320 + + "Thou thynkest I shall dye to-daie; + I have beene dede 'till nowe, + And soone shall lyve to weare a crowne + For aie uponne my browe: + + "Whylst thou, perhapps, for som few yeares, 325 + Shalt rule thys fickle lande, + To lett them knowe howe wyde the rule + 'Twixt kynge and tyrant hande: + + "Thye pow'r unjust, thou traytour slave! + Shall falle onne thye owne hedde"-- 330 + Fromm out of hearyng of the kynge + Departed thenne the sledde. + + Kynge EDWARDE'S soule rush'd to hys face, + Hee turn'd hys hedde awaie, + And to hys broder GLOUCESTER 335 + Hee thus dydd speke and saie: + + "To hym that soe-much-dreaded dethe + Ne ghastlie terrors brynge, + Beholde the manne! hee spake the truthe, + Hee's greater thanne a kynge!" 340 + + "Soe lett hym die!" Duke RICHARD sayde; + "And maye echone oure foes + Bende downe theyre neckes to bloudie axe, + And feede the carryon crowes." + + And nowe the horses gentlie drewe 345 + Syr CHARLES uppe the hyghe hylle; + The axe dydd glysterr ynne the sunne, + Hys pretious bloude to spylle. + + Syrr CHARLES dydd uppe the scaffold goe, + As uppe a gilded carre 350 + Of victorye, bye val'rous chiefs + Gayn'd ynne the bloudie warre: + + And to the people hee dydd saie, + "Beholde you see mee dye, + For servynge loyally mye kynge, 355 + Mye kynge most rightfullie. + + "As longe as EDWARDE rules thys lande, + Ne quiet you wylle knowe; + Youre sonnes and husbandes shalle bee slayne. + And brookes wythe bloude shalle flowe. 360 + + "You leave youre goode and lawfulle kynge. + Whenne ynne adversitye; + Lyke mee, untoe the true cause stycke, + And for the true cause dye." + + Thenne hee, wyth preestes, uponne hys knees, 365 + A pray'r to Godde dydd make, + Beseechynge hym unto hymselfe + Hys partynge soule to take. + + Thenne, kneelynge downe, hee layd hys hedde + Most seemlie onne the blocke; 370 + Whyche fromme hys bodie fayre at once + The able heddes-manne stroke: + + And oute the bloude beganne to flowe, + And rounde the scaffolde twyne; + And teares, enow to washe't awaie, 375 + Dydd flowe fromme each mann's eyne. + + The bloudie axe hys bodie fayre + Ynnto foure parties cutte; + And ev'rye parte, and eke hys hedde, + Uponne a pole was putte. 380 + + One parte dydd rotte onne Kynwulph-hylle, + One onne the mynster-tower, + And one from off the castle-gate + The crowen dydd devoure: + + The other onne Seyncte Powle's goode gate, 385 + A dreery spectacle; + Hys hedde was plac'd onne the hyghe crosse, + Ynne hyghe-streete most nobile. + + Thus was the ende of BAWDIN'S fate: + Godde prosper longe oure kynge, 390 + And grante hee maye, wyth BAWDIN'S soule, + Ynne heav'n Godd's mercie synge! + + + + + ÆLLA: + + A + + TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE, + + OR + + DISCOORSEYNGE TRAGEDIE, + + WROTENN BIE + + THOMAS ROWLEIE; + + PLAIEDD BEFORE + + MASTRE CANYNGE, ATTE HYS HOWSE NEMPTE THE RODDE LODGE; + + + [ALSOE BEFORE THE DUKE OF NORFOLCK, JOHAN HOWARD.] + + + + +PERSONNES REPRESENTEDD. + + + ÆLLA, bie _Thomas Rowleie_, Preeste, the Aucthoure. + + CELMONDE, _Johan Iscamm_, Preeste. + + HURRA, Syrr _Thybbotte Gorges_, Knyghte. + + BIRTHA, Mastre _Edwarde Canynge_. + + Odherr Partes bie _Knyghtes Mynstrelles_. + + + + +EPISTLE TO MASTRE CANYNGE ON ÆLLA. + + + 'Tys songe bie mynstrelles, thatte yn auntyent tym, + Whan Reasonn hylt[1] herselfe in cloudes of nyghte, + The preeste delyvered alle the lege[2] yn rhym; + Lyche peyncted[3] tyltynge speares to please the syghte, + The whyche yn yttes felle use doe make moke[4] dere[5], 5 + Syke dyd theire auncyante lee deftlie[6] delyghte the eare. + + Perchaunce yn Vyrtues gare[7] rhym mote bee thenne, + Butt eefte[8] nowe flyeth to the odher syde; + In hallie[9] preeste apperes the ribaudes[10] penne, + Inne lithie[11] moncke apperes the barronnes pryde: 10 + But rhym wythe somme, as nedere[12] widhout teethe, + Make pleasaunce to the sense, botte maie do lyttel scathe[13]. + + Syr Johne, a knyghte, who hath a barne of lore[14], + Kenns[15] Latyn att fyrst syghte from Frenche or Greke, + Pyghtethe[16] hys knowlachynge[17] ten yeres or more, 15 + To rynge upon the Latynne worde to speke. + Whoever spekethe Englysch ys despysed, + The Englysch hym to please moste fyrste be latynized. + + Vevyan, a moncke, a good requiem[18] synges; + Can preache so wele, eche hynde[19] hys meneynge knowes 20 + Albeytte these gode guyfts awaie he flynges, + Beeynge as badde yn vearse as goode yn prose. + Hee synges of seynctes who dyed for yer Godde, + Everych wynter nyghte afresche he sheddes theyr blodde. + + To maydens, huswyfes, and unlored[20] dames, 25 + Hee redes hys tales of merryment & woe. + Loughe[21] loudlie dynneth[22] from the dolte[23] adrames[24]; + He swelles on laudes of fooles, tho' kennes[25] hem soe. + Sommetyme at tragedie theie laughe and synge, + At merrie yaped[26] fage[27] somme hard-drayned water brynge. 30 + + Yette Vevyan ys ne foole, beyinde[28] hys lynes. + Geofroie makes vearse, as handycraftes theyr ware; + Wordes wythoute sense fulle grossyngelye[29] he twynes, + Cotteynge hys storie off as wythe a sheere; + Waytes monthes on nothynge, & hys storie donne, 35 + Ne moe you from ytte kenn, than gyf[30] you neere begonne. + + Enowe of odhers; of mieselfe to write, + Requyrynge whatt I doe notte nowe possess, + To you I leave the taske; I kenne your myghte + Wyll make mie faultes, mie meynte[31] of faultes, be less. 40 + ÆLLA wythe thys I sende, and hope that you + Wylle from ytte caste awaie, whatte lynes maie be untrue. + + Playes made from hallie[32] tales I holde unmeete; + Lette somme greate storie of a manne be songe; + Whanne, as a manne, we Godde and Jesus treate, 45 + In mie pore mynde, we doe the Godhedde wronge. + Botte lette ne wordes, whyche droorie[33] mote ne heare, + Bee placed yn the same. Adieu untylle anere[34]. + +THOMAS ROWLEIE. + +[Footnote 1: hid, concealed.] + +[Footnote 2: law.] + +[Footnote 3: painted.] + +[Footnote 4: much.] + +[Footnote 5: hurt, damage.] + +[Footnote 6: sweetly.] + +[Footnote 7: cause.] + +[Footnote 8: oft.] + +[Footnote 9: holy.] + +[Footnote 10: rake, lewd person.] + +[Footnote 11: humble.] + +[Footnote 12: adder.] + +[Footnote 13: hurt, damage.] + +[Footnote 14: learning.] + +[Footnote 15: knows.] + +[Footnote 16: plucks or tortures.] + +[Footnote 17: knowledge.] + +[Footnote 18: a service used over the dead.] + +[Footnote 19: peasant.] + +[Footnote 20: unlearned.] + +[Footnote 21: laugh.] + +[Footnote 22: sounds.] + +[Footnote 23: foolish.] + +[Footnote 24: churls.] + +[Footnote 25: knows.] + +[Footnote 26: laughable.] + +[Footnote 27: tale, jest.] + +[Footnote 28: beyond.] + +[Footnote 29: foolishly.] + +[Footnote 30: if.] + +[Footnote 31: many.] + +[Footnote 32: holy.] + +[Footnote 33: strange perversion of words. _Droorie_ in its antient +signification stood for _modesty_.] + +[Footnote 34: another.] + + + + +LETTER TO THE DYGNE MASTRE CANYNGE. + + + Straunge dome ytte ys, that, yn these daies of oures, + Nete[35] butte a bare recytalle can hav place; + Nowe shapelie poesie hast loste yttes powers, + And pynant hystorie ys onlie grace; + Heie[36] pycke up wolsome weedes, ynstedde of flowers, 5 + And famylies, ynstedde of wytte, theie trace; + Nowe poesie canne meete wythe ne regrate[37], + Whylste prose, & herehaughtrie[38], ryse yn estate. + + Lette kynges, & rulers, whan heie gayne a throne, + Shewe whatt theyre grandsieres, & great grandsieres bore, 10 + Emarschalled armes, yatte, ne before theyre owne, + Now raung'd wythe whatt yeir fadres han before; + Lette trades, & toune folck, lett syke[39] thynges alone, + Ne fyghte for sable yn a fielde of aure; + Seldomm, or never, are armes vyrtues mede, 15 + Shee nillynge[40] to take myckle[41] aie dothe hede. + + A man ascaunse upponn a piece maye looke, + And shake hys hedde to styrre hys rede[42] aboute; + Quod he, gyf I askaunted oere thys booke, + Schulde fynde thereyn that trouthe ys left wythoute; 20 + Eke, gyf[43] ynto a vew percase[44] I tooke + The long beade-rolle of al the wrytynge route, + Asserius, Ingolphus, Torgotte, Bedde, + Thorow hem[45] al nete lyche ytte I coulde rede.-- + + Pardon, yee Graiebarbes[46], gyff I saie, onwise 25 + Yee are, to stycke so close & bysmarelie[47] + To hystorie; you doe ytte tooe moche pryze, + Whyche amenused[48] thoughtes of poesie; + Somme drybblette[49] share you shoulde to yatte[50] alyse[51], + Nott makynge everyche thynge bee hystorie; 30 + Instedde of mountynge onn a wynged horse, + You onn a rouncy[52] dryve yn dolefull course. + + Cannynge & I from common course dyssente; + Wee ryde the stede, botte yev to hym the reene; + Ne wylle betweene crased molterynge bookes be pente, 35 + Botte soare on hyghe, & yn the sonne-bemes sheene; + And where wee kenn somme ishad[53] floures besprente, + We take ytte, & from oulde rouste doe ytte clene; + Wee wylle ne cheynedd to one pasture bee, + Botte sometymes soare 'bove trouthe of hystorie. 40 + + Saie, Canynge, whatt was vearse yn daies of yore? + Fyne thoughtes, and couplettes fetyvelie[54] bewryen[55], + Notte syke as doe annoie thys age so sore, + A keppened poyntelle[56] restynge at eche lyne. + Vearse maie be goode, botte poesie wantes more, 45 + An onlist[57] lecturn[58], and a songe adygne[59]; + Accordynge to the rule I have thys wroughte, + Gyff ytt please Canynge, I care notte a groate. + + The thynge yttself moste bee ytts owne defense; + Som metre maie notte please a womannes ear. 50 + Canynge lookes notte for poesie, botte sense; + And dygne, & wordie thoughtes, ys all hys care. + Canynge, adieu! I do you greete from hence; + Full soone I hope to taste of your good cheere; + Goode Byshoppe Carpynter dyd byd mee saie, 55 + Hee wysche you healthe & selinesse for aie. + +T. ROWLEIE. + +[Footnote 35: nought.] + +[Footnote 36: they.] + +[Footnote 37: esteem.] + +[Footnote 38: heraldry.] + +[Footnote 39: such.] + +[Footnote 40: unwilling.] + +[Footnote 41: much.] + +[Footnote 42: wisdom, council.] + +[Footnote 43: if.] + +[Footnote 44: perchance.] + +[Footnote 45: them.] + +[Footnote 46: Greybeards.] + +[Footnote 47: curiously.] + +[Footnote 48: lessened.] + +[Footnote 49: small.] + +[Footnote 50: that.] + +[Footnote 51: allow.] + +[Footnote 52: cart-horse.] + +[Editor's note: ll. 15-16 _See Introduction_ p. xli] + +[Footnote 53: broken.] + +[Footnote 54: elegantly.] + +[Footnote 55: declared, expressed.] + +[Footnote 56: a pen, used metaphorically, as a muse or genius.] + +[Footnote 57: boundless.] + +[Footnote 58: subject.] + +[Footnote 59: nervous, worthy of praise.] + + + + +ENTRODUCTIONNE. + + + Somme cherisounce[60] it ys to gentle mynde, + Whan heie have chevyced[61] theyre londe from bayne[62], + Whan theie ar dedd, theie leave yer name behynde, + And theyre goode deedes doe on the earthe remayne; + Downe yn the grave wee ynhyme[63] everych steyne, 5 + Whylest al her gentlenesse ys made to sheene, + Lyche fetyve baubels[64] geasonne[65] to be seene. + + ÆLLA, the wardenne of thys[66] castell[67] stede, + Whylest Saxons dyd the Englysche sceptre swaie, + Who made whole troopes of Dacyan men to blede, 10 + Then seel'd[68] hys eyne, and seeled hys eyne for aie, + Wee rowze hym uppe before the judgment daie, + To saie what he, as clergyond[69], can kenne, + And howe hee sojourned in the vale of men. + +[Footnote 60: comfort.] + +[Footnote 61: preserved.] + +[Footnote 62: ruin.] + +[Footnote 63: inter.] + +[Footnote 64: jewels.] + +[Footnote 65: rare.] + +[Footnote 66: Bristol.] + +[Footnote 67: castle.] + +[Footnote 68: closed.] + +[Footnote 69: taught.] + + + + +ÆLLA. + + + CELMONDE, att BRYSTOWE. + + Before yonne roddie sonne has droove hys wayne + Throwe halfe hys joornie, dyghte yn gites[1] of goulde, + Mee, happeless mee, hee wylle a wretche behoulde, + Mieselfe, and al that's myne, bounde ynne myschaunces chayne. + + Ah! Birtha, whie dydde Nature frame thee fayre? 5 + Whie art thou all thatt poyntelle[2] canne bewreene[3]? + Whie art thou nott as coarse as odhers are?-- + Botte thenn thie soughle woulde throwe thy vysage sheene, + Yatt shemres onn thie comelie semlykeene[4], + Lyche nottebrowne cloudes, whann bie the sonne made redde, 10 + Orr scarlette, wythe waylde lynnen clothe ywreene[5], + Syke[6] woulde thie spryte upponn thie vysage spredde. + Thys daie brave Ælla dothe thyne honde & harte + Clayme as hys owne to be, whyche nee fromm hys moste parte. + + And cann I lyve to see herr wythe anere[7]! 15 + Ytt cannotte, muste notte, naie, ytt shalle not bee. + Thys nyghte I'll putte stronge poysonn ynn the beere, + And hymm, herr, and myselfe, attenes[8] wyll slea. + Assyst mee, Helle! lett Devylles rounde mee tende, + To slea mieselfe, mie love, & eke mie doughtie[9] friende. 20 + + + + + ÆLLA, BIRTHA. + + + ÆLLA. + + Notte, whanne the hallie prieste dyd make me knyghte, + Blessynge the weaponne, tellynge future dede, + Howe bie mie honde the prevyd[10] Dane shoulde blede, + Howe I schulde often bee, and often wynne, ynn fyghte; + + Notte, whann I fyrste behelde thie beauteous hue, 25 + Whyche strooke mie mynde, & rouzed mie softer soule; + Nott, whann from the barbed horse yn fyghte dyd viewe + The flying Dacians oere the wyde playne roule, + Whan all the troopes of Denmarque made grete dole, + Dydd I fele joie wyth syke reddoure[11] as nowe, 30 + Whann hallie preest, the lechemanne of the soule, + Dydd knytte us both ynn a caytysnede[12] vowe: + Now hallie Ælla's selynesse ys grate; + Shap[13] haveth nowe ymade hys woes for to emmate[14]. + + BIRTHA. + + Mie lorde, & husbande, syke a joie ys myne; 35 + Botte mayden modestie moste ne soe saie, + Albeytte thou mayest rede ytt ynn myne eyne, + Or ynn myne harte, where thou shalte be for aie; + Inne sothe, I have botte meeded oute thie faie[15]; + For twelve tymes twelve the mone hathe bin yblente[16], 40 + As manie tymes hathe vyed the Godde of daie, + And on the grasse her lemes[17] of sylverr sente, + Sythe thou dydst cheese mee for thie swote to bee, + Enactynge ynn the same moste faiefullie to mee. + + Ofte have I seene thee atte the none-daie feaste, 45 + Whanne deysde bie thieselfe, for wante of pheeres[18], + Awhylst thie merryemen dydde laughe and jeaste, + Onn mee thou semest all eyne, to mee all eares. + Thou wardest mee as gyff ynn hondred feeres, + Alest a daygnous[19] looke to thee be sente, 50 + And offrendes[20] made mee, moe thann yie compheeres, + Offe scarpes[21] of scarlette, & fyne paramente[22]; + All thie yntente to please was lyssed[23] to mee, + I saie ytt, I moste streve thatt you ameded bee. + + ÆLLA. + + Mie lyttel kyndnesses whyche I dydd doe, 55 + Thie gentleness doth corven them soe grete, + Lyche bawsyn[24] olyphauntes[25] mie gnattes doe shewe; + Thou doest mie thoughtes of paying love amate[26]. + Botte hann mie actyonns straughte[27] the rolle of fate, + Pyghte thee fromm Hell, or broughte Heaven down to thee, 60 + Layde the whol worlde a falldstole atte thie feete, + On smyle woulde be suffycyll mede for mee. + I amm Loves borro'r, & canne never paie, + Bott be hys borrower stylle, & thyne, mie swete, for aie. + + BIRTHA. + + Love, doe notte rate your achevmentes[28] soe smalle; 65 + As I to you, syke love untoe mee beare; + For nothynge paste wille Birtha ever call, + Ne on a foode from Heaven thynke to cheere. + As farr as thys frayle brutylle flesch wylle spere, + Syke, & ne fardher I expecte of you; 70 + Be notte toe slacke yn love, ne overdeare; + A smalle fyre, yan a loude flame, proves more true. + + ÆLLA. + + Thie gentle wordis doe thie volunde[29] kenne + To bee moe clergionde thann ys ynn meyncte of menne. + + + + + ÆLLA, BIRTHA, CELMONDE, MYNSTRELLES. + + + CELMONDE. + + Alle blessynges showre on gentle Ælla's hedde! 75 + Oft maie the moone, yn sylverr sheenynge lyghte, + Inne varied chaunges varyed blessynges shedde, + Besprengeynge far abrode mischaunces nyghte; + And thou, fayre Birtha! thou, fayre Dame, so bryghte, + Long mayest thou wyth Ælla fynde muche peace, 80 + Wythe selynesse, as wyth a roabe, be dyghte, + Wyth everych chaungynge mone new joies encrease! + I, as a token of mie love to speake, + Have brought you jubbes of ale, at nyghte youre brayne to breake. + + + ÆLLA. + + Whan sopperes paste we'lle drenche youre ale soe stronge, 85 + Tyde lyfe, tyde death. + + CELMONDE. + + Ye Mynstrelles, chaunt your songe. + + _Mynstrelles Songe, bie a Manne and Womanne._ + + MANNE. + + Tourne thee to thie Shepsterr[30] swayne; + Bryghte sonne has ne droncke the dewe + From the floures of yellowe hue; + Tourne thee, Alyce, backe agayne. 90 + + WOMANNE. + + No, bestoikerre[31], I wylle goe, + Softlie tryppynge o'ere the mees[32], + Lyche the sylver-footed doe, + Seekeynge shelterr yn grene trees. + + MANNE. + + See the moss-growne daisey'd banke, 95 + Pereynge ynne the streme belowe; + Here we'lle sytte, yn dewie danke; + Tourne thee, Alyce, do notte goe. + + WOMANNE. + + I've hearde erste mie grandame saie, + Yonge damoyselles schulde ne bee, 100 + Inne the swotie moonthe of Maie, + Wythe yonge menne bie the grene wode tree. + + MANNE. + + Sytte thee, Alyce, sytte, and harke, + Howe the ouzle[33] chauntes hys noate, + The chelandree[34], greie morn larke, 105 + Chauntynge from theyre lyttel throate; + + WOMANNE. + + I heare them from eche grene wode tree, + Chauntynge owte so blatauntlie[35], + Tellynge lecturnyes[36] to mee, + Myscheefe ys whanne you are nygh. 110 + + MANNE. + + See alonge the mees so grene + Pied daisies, kynge-coppes swote; + Alle wee see, bie non bee scene, + Nete botte shepe settes here a fote. + + WOMANNE. + + Shepster swayne, you tare mie gratche[37]. 115 + Oute uponne ye! lette me goe. + Leave mee swythe, or I'lle alatche. + Robynne, thys youre dame shall knowe. + + MANNE. + + See! the crokynge brionie + Rounde the popler twyste hys spraie; 120 + Rounde the oake the greene ivie + Florryschethe and lyveth aie. + + Lette us seate us bie thys tree, + Laughe, and synge to lovynge ayres; + Comme, and doe notte coyen bee; 125 + Nature made all thynges bie payres. + Drooried cattes wylle after kynde; + Gentle doves wylle kyss and coe. + + WOMANNE. + + Botte manne, hee moste bee ywrynde, + Tylle syr preeste make on of two. 130 + + Tempte mee ne to the foule thynge; + I wylle no mannes lemanne be; + Tyll syr preeste hys songe doethe synge, + Thou shalt neere fynde aught of mee. + + MANNE. + + Bie oure ladie her yborne, 135 + To-morrowe, soone as ytte ys daie, + I'lle make thee wyfe, ne bee forsworne, + So tyde me lyfe or dethe for aie. + + WOMANNE. + + Whatt dothe lette, botte thatte nowe + Wee attenes[38], thos honde yn honde, 140 + Unto divinistre[39] goe, + And bee lyncked yn wedlocke bonde? + + MANNE. + + I agree, and thus I plyghte + Honde, and harte, and all that's myne; + Goode syr Rogerr, do us ryghte, 145 + Make us one, at Cothbertes shryne. + + BOTHE. + + We wylle ynn a bordelle[40] lyve, + Hailie, thoughe of no estate; + Everyche clocke moe love shall gyve; + Wee ynne godenesse wylle bee greate. 150 + + ÆLLA. + + I lyche thys songe, I lyche ytt myckle well; + And there ys monie for yer syngeynge nowe; + Butte have you noone thatt marriage-blessynges telle? + + CELMONDE. + + In marriage, blessynges are botte fewe, I trowe. + + MYNSTRELLES. + + Laverde[41], wee have; and, gyff you please, wille synge, 155 + As well as owre choughe-voyces wylle permytte. + + ÆLLA. + + Comme then, and see you swotelie tune the strynge, + And stret[42], and engyne all the human wytte, + Toe please mie dame. + + MYNSTRELLES. + + We'lle strayne owre wytte and synge. + + _Mynstrelles Songe._ + + FYRSTE MYNSTRYLLE. + + The boddynge flourettes bloshes atte the lyghte; 160 + The mees be sprenged wyth the yellowe hue; + Ynn daiseyd mantels ys the mountayne dyghte; + The nesh[43] yonge coweslepe bendethe wyth the dewe; + The trees enlefed, yntoe Heavenne straughte. + Whenn gentle wyndes doe blowe, to whestlyng dynne ys broughte. 165 + + The evenynge commes, and brynges the dewe alonge; + The roddie welkynne sheeneth to the eyne; + Arounde the alestake Mynstrells synge the songe; + Yonge ivie rounde the doore poste do entwyne; + I laie mee onn the grasse; yette, to mie wylle, 170 + Albeytte alle ys fayre, there lackethe somethynge stylle. + + SECONDE MYNSTRELLE. + + So Adam thoughtenne, whann, ynn Paradyse, + All Heavenn and Erthe dyd hommage to hys mynde; + Ynn Womman alleyne mannes pleasaunce lyes; + As Instrumentes of joie were made the kynde. 175 + Go, take a wyfe untoe thie armes, and see + Wynter, and brownie hylles, wyll have a charme for thee. + + THYRDE MYNSTRELLE. + + Whanne Autumpne blake[44] and sonne-brente doe appere, + With hys goulde honde guylteynge the falleynge lefe, + Bryngeynge oppe Wynterr to folfylle the yere, 180 + Beerynge uponne hys backe the riped shefe; + Whan al the hyls wythe woddie sede ys whyte; + Whanne levynne-fyres and lemes do mete from far the syghte; + + Whann the fayre apple, rudde as even skie, + Do bende the tree unto the fructyle grounde; 185 + When joicie peres, and berries of blacke die, + Doe daunce yn ayre, and call the eyne arounde; + Thann, bee the even foule, or even fayre, + Meethynckes mie hartys joie ys steynced wyth somme care. + + SECONDE MYNSTRELLE. + + Angelles bee wrogte to bee of neidher kynde; 190 + Angelles alleyne fromme chafe[45] desyre bee free; + Dheere ys a somwhatte evere yn the mynde, + Yatte, wythout wommanne, cannot stylled bee; + Ne seyncte yn celles, botte, havynge blodde and tere[46], + Do fynde the spryte to joie on syghte of womanne fayre: 195 + + Wommen bee made, notte for hemselves, botte manne, + Bone of hys bone, and chyld of hys desire; + Fromme an ynutyle membere fyrste beganne, + Ywroghte with moche of water, lyttele fyre; + Therefore theie seke the fyre of love, to hete 200 + The milkyness of kynde, and make hemselfes complete. + + Albeytte, wythout wommen, menne were pheeres + To salvage kynde, and wulde botte lyve to flea, + Botte wommenne efte the spryghte of peace so cheres, + Tochelod yn Angel joie heie Angeles bee; 205 + Go, take thee swythyn[47] to thie bedde a wyfe, + Bee bante or blessed hie, yn proovynge marryage lyfe. + + _Anodher Mynstrelles Songe_, bie Syr _Thybbot Gorges_. + + As Elynour bie the green lesselle was syttynge, + As from the sones hete she harried, + She sayde, as herr whytte hondes whyte hosen was knyttynge, 210 + Whatte pleasure ytt ys to be married! + + Mie husbande, Lorde Thomas, a forrester boulde, + As ever clove pynne, or the baskette, + Does no cherysauncys from Elynour houlde, + I have ytte as soone as I aske ytte. 215 + + Whann I lyved wyth mie fadre yn merrie Clowd-dell. + Tho' twas at my liefe to mynde spynnynge, + I stylle wanted somethynge, botte whatte ne coulde telle, + Mie lorde fadres barbde haulle han ne wynnynge. + Eche mornynge I ryse, doe I sette mie maydennes, 220 + Somme to spynn, somme to curdell, somme bleachynge, + Gyff any new entered doe aske for mie aidens, + Thann swythynne you fynde mee a teachynge. + + Lorde Walterre, mie fadre, he loved me welle, + And nothynge unto mee was nedeynge, 225 + Botte schulde I agen goe to merrie Cloud-dell, + In sothen twoulde bee wythoute redeynge. + + Shee sayde, and lorde Thomas came over the lea, + As hee the fatte derkynnes was chacynge, + Shee putte uppe her knyttynge, and to hym wente shee; 230 + So wee leave hem bothe kyndelie embracynge. + + ÆLLA. + + I lyche eke thys; goe ynn untoe the feaste; + Wee wylle permytte you antecedente bee; + There swotelie synge eche carolle, and yaped[48] jeaste; + And there ys monnie, that you merrie bee; 235 + Comme, gentle love, wee wylle toe spouse-feaste goe, + And there ynn ale and wyne bee dreyncted[49] everych woe. + + + + + ÆLLA, BIRTHA, CELMONDE, MESSENGERE. + + + MESSENGERE. + + Ælla, the Danes ar thondrynge onn our coaste; + Lyche scolles of locusts, caste oppe bie the sea, + Magnus and Hurra, wythe a doughtie hoaste, 240 + Are ragyng, to be quansed[50] bie none botte thee; + Haste, swyfte as Levynne to these royners flee: + Thie dogges alleyne can tame thys ragynge bulle. + Haste swythyn, fore anieghe the towne theie bee, + And Wedecesterres rolle of dome bee fulle. 245 + Haste, haste, O Ælla, to the byker flie, + For yn a momentes space tenne thousand menne maie die. + + ÆLLA. + + Beshrew thee for thie newes! I moste be gon. + Was ever lockless dome so hard as myne! + Thos from dysportysmente to warr to ron, 250 + To chaunge the selke veste for the gaberdyne! + + BIRTHA. + + O! lyche a nedere, lette me rounde thee twyne, + And hylte thie boddie from the schaftes of warre. + Thou shalte nott, must not, from thie Birtha ryne, + Botte kenn the dynne of slughornes from afarre. 255 + + ÆLLA. + + O love, was thys thie joie, to shewe the treate, + Than groffyshe to forbydde thie hongered guestes to eate? + + O mie upswalynge[51] harte, whatt wordes can saie + The peynes, thatte passethe ynn mie soule ybrente? + Thos to bee torne uponne mie spousalle daie, 260 + O! 'tys a peyne beyond entendemente. + Yee mychtie Goddes, and is yor favoures sente + As thous faste dented to a loade of peyne? + Moste wee aie holde yn chace the shade content. + And for a bodykyn[52] a swarthe obteyne? 265 + O! whie, yee seynctes, oppress yee thos mie fowle? + How shalle I speke mie woe, mie freme, mie dreerie dole? + + CELMONDE. + + Sometyme the wyseste lacketh pore mans rede. + Reasonne and counynge wytte efte flees awaie. + Thanne, loverde, lett me saie, wyth hommaged drede + (Bieneth your fote ylayn) mie counselle saie; 271 + Gyff thos wee lett the matter lethlen[53] laie, + The foemenn, everych honde-poyncte, getteth fote. + Mie loverde, lett the speere-menne, dyghte for fraie, + And all the sabbataners goe aboute. 275 + I speke, mie loverde, alleyne to upryse + Youre wytte from marvelle, and the warriour to alyse. + + ÆLLA. + + Ah! nowe thou pottest takells[54] yn mie harte; + Mie soulghe dothe nowe begynne to see herselle; + I wylle upryse mie myghte, and doe mie parte, 280 + To flea the foemenne yn mie furie felle. + Botte howe canne tynge mie rampynge fourie telle. + Whyche ryseth from mie love to Birtha fayre? + Ne coulde the queede, and alle the myghte of Helle, + Founde out impleasaunce of syke blacke a geare. 285 + Yette I wylle bee mieselfe, and rouze mie spryte + To acte wythe rennome, and goe meet the bloddie fyghte. + + BIRTHA. + + No, thou schalte never leave thie Birtha's syde; + Ne schall the wynde uponne us blowe alleyne; + I, lyche a nedre, wylle untoe thee byde; 290 + Tyde lyfe, tyde deathe, ytte shall behoulde us twayne. + I have mie parte of drierie dole and peyne; + Itte brasteth from mee atte the holtred eyne; + Ynne tydes of teares mie swarthynge spryte wyll drayne, + Gyff drerie dole ys thyne, tys twa tymes myne. 295 + Goe notte, Ælla; wythe thie Birtha staie; + For wyth thie femmlykeed mie spryte wyll goe awaie. + + ÆLLA. + + O! tys for thee, for thee alleyne I fele; + Yett I muste bee mieselfe; with valoures gear + I'lle dyghte mie hearte, and notte mie lymbes yn stele, 300 + And shake the bloddie swerde and steyned spere. + + BIRTHA. + + Can Ælla from hys breaste hys Birtha teare? + Is shee so rou and ugsomme[55] to hys fyghte? + Entrykeynge wyght! ys leathall warre so deare? + Thou pryzest mee belowe the joies of fyghte. 305 + Thou scalte notte leave mee, albeytte the erthe + Hong pendaunte bie thie swerde, and craved for thy morthe. + + ÆLLA. + + Dyddest thou kenne howe mie woes, as starres ybrente, + Headed bie these thie wordes doe onn mee falle, + Thou woulde stryve to gyve mie harte contente, 310 + Wakyng mie slepynge mynde to honnoures calle. + Of selynesse I pryze thee moe yan all + Heaven can mee sende, or counynge wytt acquyre, + Yette I wylle leave thee, onne the foe to falle, + Retournynge to thie eyne with double fyre. 315 + + BIRTHA. + + Moste Birtha boon requeste and bee denyd? + Receyve attenes a darte yn selynesse and pryde? + Doe staie, att leaste tylle morrowes sonne apperes. + + ÆLLA. + + Thou kenneste welle the Dacyannes myttee powere; + Wythe them a mynnute wurchethe bane for yeares; 320 + Theie undoe reaulmes wythyn a syngle hower. + Rouze all thie honnoure, Birtha; look attoure + Thie bledeynge countrie, whych for hastie dede + Calls, for the rodeynge of some doughtie power, + To royn yttes royners, make yttes foemenne blede. 325 + + BIRTHA. + + Rouze all thie love; false and entrykyng wyghte! + Ne leave thie Birtha thos uponne pretence of fyghte. + + Thou nedest notte goe, untyll thou haste command + Under the sygnette of oure lorde the kynge. + + ÆLLA. + + And wouldest thou make me then a recreande? 330 + Hollie Seyncte Marie, keepe mee from the thynge! + Heere, Birtha, thou hast potte a double stynge, + One for thie love, anodher for thie mynde. + + BIRTHA. + + Agylted[56] Ælla, thie abredynge[57] blynge[58]. + Twas love of thee thatte foule intente ywrynde. 335 + Yette heare mie supplycate, to mee attende, + Hear from mie groted[59] harte the lover and the friende. + Lett Celmonde yn thie armour-brace be dyghte; + And yn thie stead unto the battle goe; + Thie name alleyne wylle putte the Danes to flyghte, 340 + The ayre thatt beares ytt woulde presse downe the foe. + + ÆLLA. + + Birtha, yn vayne thou wouldste mee recreand doe; + I moste, I wylle, fyghte for mie countries wele, + And leave thee for ytt. Celmonde, sweftlie goe, + Telle mie Brystowans to bedyghte yn stele; 345 + Tell hem I scorne to kenne hem from afar, + Botte leave the vyrgyn brydall bedde for bedde of warre. + + + + + ÆLLA, BIRTHA. + + + BIRTHA. + + And thou wylt goe; O mie agroted harte! + + ÆLLA. + + Mie countrie waites mie marche; I muste awaie; + Albeytte I schulde goe to mete the darte 350 + Of certen Dethe, yette here I woulde notte staie. + Botte thos to leave thee, Birtha, dothe asswaie + Moe torturynge peynes yanne canne be sedde bie tyngue, + Yette rouze thie honoure uppe, and wayte the daie, + Whan rounde aboute mee songe of warre heie synge. 355 + O Birtha, strev mie agreeme[60] to accaie[61], + And joyous see mie armes, dyghte oute ynn warre arraie. + + BIRTHA. + + Difficile[62] ys the pennaunce, yette I'lle strev + To keepe mie woe behyltren yn mie breaste. + Albeytte nete maye to mee pleasaunce yev, 360 + Lyche thee, I'lle strev to sette mie mynde atte reste. + Yett oh! forgeve, yff I have thee dystreste; + Love, doughtie love, wylle beare no odher swaie. + Juste as I was wythe Ælla to be bleste, + Shappe foullie thos hathe snatched hym awaie. 365 + It was a tene too doughtie to bee borne, + Wydhoute an ounde of teares and breaste wyth syghes ytorne. + + ÆLLA. + + Thie mynde ys now thieselfe; why wylte thou bee + All blanche, al kyngelie, all soe wyse yn mynde, + Alleyne to lett pore wretched Ælla see, 370 + Whatte wondrous bighes[63] he nowe muste leave behynde? + O Birtha fayre, warde everyche commynge wynde, + On everych wynde I wylle a token sende; + Onn mie longe shielde ycorne thie name thoul't fynde. + Butte here commes Celmonde, wordhie knyghte and friende. 375 + + + + + ÆLLA, BIRTHA, CELMONDE + + + _speaking._ + + Thie Brystowe knyghtes for thie forth-comynge lynge[64]; + Echone athwarte hys backe hys longe warre-shield dothe slynge. + + ÆLLA. + + Birtha, adieu; but yette I cannotte goe. + + BIRTHA. + + Lyfe of mie spryte, mie gentle Ælla staie. 380 + Engyne mee notte wyth syke a drierie woe. + + ÆLLA. + + I muste, I wylle; tys honnoure cals awaie. + + BIRTHA. + + O mie agroted harte, braste, braste ynn twaie. + Ælla, for honnoure, flyes awaie from mee. + + ÆLLA. + + Birtha, adieu; I maie notte here obaie. 385 + I'm flyynge from mieselfe yn flying thee. + + BIRTHA. + + O Ælla, housband, friend, and loverde, staie. + He's gon, he's gone, alass! percase he's gone for aie. + + CELMONDE. + + Hope, hallie suster, sweepeynge thro' the skie, + In crowne of goulde, and robe of lillie whyte, 390 + Whyche farre abrode ynne gentle ayre doe flie, + Meetynge from dystaunce the enjoyous fyghte, + Albeytte efte thou takest thie hie flyghte + Hecket[65] ynne a myste, and wyth thyne eyne yblente, + Nowe commest thou to mee wythe starrie lyghte; 395 + Ontoe thie veste the rodde sonne ys adente[66]; + The Sommer tyde, the month of Maie appere, + Depycte wythe skylledd honde upponn thie wyde aumere. + + I from a nete of hopelen am adawed, + Awhaped[67] atte the fetyveness of daie; 400 + Ælla, bie nete moe thann hys myndbruche awed, + Is gone, and I moste followe, toe the fraie. + Celmonde canne ne'er from anie byker staie. + Dothe warre begynne? there's Celmonde yn the place. + Botte whanne the warre ys donne, I'll haste awaie. + The reste from nethe tymes masque must shew yttes face. 405 + I see onnombered joies arounde mee ryse; + Blake[68] stondethe future doome, and joie dothe mee alyse. + + O honnoure, honnoure, whatt ys bie thee hanne? + Hailie the robber and the bordelyer, 410 + Who kens ne thee, or ys to thee bestanne, + And nothynge does thie myckle gastness fere. + Faygne woulde I from mie bosomme alle thee tare. + Thou there dysperpellest[69] thie levynne-bronde; + Whylest mie soulgh's forwyned, thou art the gare; 415 + Sleene ys mie comforte bie thie ferie honde; + As somme talle hylle, whann wynds doe shake the ground, + Itte kerveth all abroade, bie brasteynge hyltren wounde. + + Honnoure, whatt bee ytte? tys a shadowes shade, + A thynge of wychencref, an idle dreme; 420 + On of the fonnis whych the clerche have made + Menne wydhoute sprytes, and wommen for to fleme; + Knyghtes, who efte kenne the loude dynne of the beme, + Schulde be forgarde to syke enfeeblynge waies, + Make everych acte, alyche theyr soules, be breme, 425 + And for theyre chyvalrie alleyne have prayse. + O thou, whatteer thie name, + Or Zabalus or Queed, + Comme, steel mie sable spryte, + For fremde[70] and dolefulle dede. 430 + + + + + MAGNUS, HURRA, _and_ HIE PREESTE, _wyth the_ ARMIE, _neare_ Watchette. + + + MAGNUS. + + Swythe[71] lette the offrendes[72] to the Goddes begynne. + To knowe of hem the issue of the fyghte. + Potte the blodde-steyned sword and pavyes ynne; + Spreade swythyn all arounde the hallie lyghte. + + HIE PREESTE _syngeth_. + + Yee, who hie yn mokie ayre 435 + Delethe seasonnes foule or fayre, + Yee, who, whanne yee weere agguylte, + The mone yn bloddie gyttelles[73] hylte, + Mooved the starres, and dyd unbynde + Everyche barriere to the wynde; 440 + Whanne the oundynge waves dystreste, + Stroven to be overest, + Sockeynge yn the spyre-gyrte towne, + Swolterynge wole natyones downe, + Sendynge dethe, on plagues astrodde, 445 + Moovynge lyke the erthys Godde; + To mee send your heste dyvyne, + Lyghte eletten[74] all myne eyne, + Thatt I maie now undevyse + All the actyonnes of th'empprize. 450 + [_falleth downe and efte rysethe._ + Thus sayethe the Goddes; goe, yssue to the playne; + Forr there shall meynte of mytte menne bee slayne. + + MAGNUS. + + Whie, foe there evere was, whanne Magnus foughte. + Efte have I treynted noyance throughe the hoaste, + Athorowe swerdes, alyche the Queed dystraughte, 455 + Have Magnus pressynge wroghte hys foemen loaste. + As whanne a tempeste vexethe soare the coaste, + The dyngeynge ounde the sandeie stronde doe tare, + So dyd I inne the warre the javlynne toste, + Full meynte a champyonnes breaste received mie spear. 460 + Mie sheelde, lyche sommere morie gronfer droke, + Mie lethalle speere, alyche a levyn-mylted oke. + + HURRA. + + Thie wordes are greate, full hyghe of sound, and eeke + Lyche thonderre, to the whych dothe comme no rayne. + Itte lacketh notte a doughtie honde to speke; 465 + The cocke saiethe drefte[75], yett armed ys he alleyne. + Certis thie wordes maie, thou motest have sayne + Of mee, and meynte of moe, who eke canne fyghte, + Who haveth trodden downe the adventayle, + And tore the heaulmes from heades of myckle myghte. 470 + Sythence syke myghte ys placed yn thie honde, + Lette blowes thie actyons speeke, and bie thie corrage stonde. + + MAGNUS. + + Thou are a warrioure, Hurra, thatte I kenne, + And myckle famed for thie handie dede. + Thou fyghtest anente[76] maydens and ne menne, 475 + Nor aie thou makest armed hartes to blede. + Efte I, caparyson'd on bloddie stede, + Havethe thee seene binethe mee ynn the fyghte, + Wythe corses I investynge everich mede, + And thou aston, and wondrynge at mie myghte. 480 + Thanne wouldest thou comme yn for mie renome, + Albeytte thou wouldst reyne awaie from bloddie dome? + + HURRA. + + How! butte bee bourne mie rage. I kenne aryghte + Bothe thee and thyne maie ne bee wordhye peene. + Eftsoones I hope wee scalle engage yn fyghte; 485 + Thanne to the souldyers all thou wylte bewreene. + I'll prove mie courage onne the burled greene; + Tys there alleyne I'll telle thee whatte I bee. + Gyf I weelde notte the deadlie sphere adeene, + Thanne lett mie name be fulle as lowe as thee. 490 + Thys mie adented shielde, thys mie warre-speare, + Schalle telle the falleynge foe gyf Hurra's harte can feare. + + MAGNUS. + + Magnus woulde speke, butte thatte hys noble spryte + Dothe soe enrage, he knowes notte whatte to saie. + He'dde speke yn blowes, yn gottes of blodde he'd wryte, 495 + And on thie heafod peyncte hys myghte for aie. + Gyf thou anent an wolfynnes rage wouldest staie, + 'Tys here to meet ytt; botte gyff nott, bee goe; + Lest I in furrie shulde mie armes dysplaie, + Whyche to thie boddie wylle wurche[77] myckle woe. 500 + Oh! I bee madde, dystraughte wyth brendyng rage; + Ne seas of smethynge gore wylle mie chafed harte asswage. + + HURRA. + + I kenne thee, Magnus, welle; a wyghte thou art + That doest aslee alonge ynn doled dystresse, + Strynge bulle yn boddie, lyoncelle yn harte, 505 + I almost wysche thie prowes were made lesse. + Whan Ælla (name drest uppe yn ugsomness[78] + To thee and recreandes[79]) thondered on the playne, + Howe dydste thou thorowe fyrste of fleers presse! + Swefter thanne federed takelle dydste thou reyne. 510 + A ronnynge pryze onn seyncte daie to ordayne, + Magnus, and none botte hee, the ronnynge pryze wylle gayne. + + MAGNUS. + + Eternalle plagues devour thie baned tyngue! + Myrriades of neders pre upponne thie spryte! + Maiest thou fele al the peynes of age whylst yynge, 515 + Unmanned, uneyned, exclooded aie the lyghte, + Thie senses, lyche thieselfe, enwrapped yn nyghte, + A scoff to foemen & to beastes a pheere; + Maie furched levynne onne thie head alyghte, + Maie on thee falle the fhuyr of the unweere; 520 + Fen vaipoures blaste thie everiche manlie powere, + Maie thie bante boddie quycke the wolfome peenes devoure. + + Faygne woulde I curse thee further, botte mie tyngue + Denies mie harte the favoure soe toe doe. + + HURRA. + + Nowe bie the Dacyanne goddes, & Welkyns kynge, 525 + Wythe fhurie, as thou dydste begynne, persue; + Calle on mie heade all tortures that bee rou, + Bane onne, tylle thie owne tongue thie curses fele. + Sende onne mie heade the blyghteynge levynne blewe, + The thonder loude, the swellynge azure rele[80]. 530 + Thie wordes be hie of dynne, botte nete besyde; + Bane on, good chieftayn, fyghte wythe wordes of myckle pryde. + + Botte doe notte waste thie breath, lest Ælla come. + + MAGNUS. + + Ælla & thee togyder synke toe helle! + Bee youre names blasted from the rolle of dome! 535 + I feere noe Ælla, thatte thou kennest welle. + Unlydgefulle traytoure, wylt thou nowe rebelle? + 'Tys knowen, thatte yie menn bee lyncked to myne, + Bothe sente, as troopes of wolves, to sletre felle; + Botte nowe thou lackest hem to be all yyne. 540 + Nowe, bie the goddes yatte reule the Dacyanne state, + Speacke thou yn rage once moe, I wyll thee dysregate. + + HURRA. + + I pryze thie threattes joste as I doe thie banes, + The sede of malyce and recendize al. + Thou arte a steyne unto the name of Danes; 545 + Thou alleyne to thie tyngue for proofe canst calle. + Thou beest a worme so groffile and so smal, + I wythe thie bloude woulde scorne to foul mie sworde, + Botte wythe thie weaponnes woulde upon thee falle, + Alyche thie owne feare, slea thee wythe a worde. 550 + I Hurra amme miesel, & aie wylle bee, + As greate yn valourous actes, & yn commande as thee. + + + + + MAGNUS, HURRA, ARMYE & MESSENGER. + + + MESSENGERE. + + Blynne your contekions[81], chiefs; for, as I stode + Uponne mie watche, I spiede an armie commynge, + Notte lyche ann handfulle of a fremded[82] foe, 555 + Botte blacke wythe armoure, movynge ugsomlie, + Lyche a blacke fulle cloude, thatte dothe goe alonge + To droppe yn hayle, & hele the thonder storme. + + MAGNUS. + + Ar there meynte of them? + + MESSENGERR. + + Thycke as the ante-flyes ynne a sommer's none, 560 + Seemynge as tho' theie stynge as persante too. + + HURRA. + + Whatte matters thatte? lettes sette oure warr-arraie. + Goe, sounde the beme, lette champyons prepare; + Ne doubtynge, we wylle stynghe as faste as heie. + Whatte? doest forgard[83] thie blodde? ys ytte for feare? 565 + Wouldest thou gayne the towne, & castle-stere, + And yette ne byker wythe the soldyer guarde? + Go, hyde thee ynn mie tente annethe the lere; + I of thie boddie wylle keepe watche & warde. + + MAGNUS. + + Oure goddes of Denmarke know mie harte ys goode. 570 + + HURRA. + + For nete uppon the erthe, botte to be choughens foode. + + + + + MAGNUS, HURRA, ARMIE, SECONDE MESSENGERRE. + + + SECONDE MESSENGERRE. + + As from mie towre I kende the commynge foe, + I spied the crossed shielde, & bloddie swerde, + The furyous Ælla's banner; wythynne kenne + The armie ys. Dysorder throughe oure hoaste 575 + Is fleynge, borne onne wynges of Ælla's name; + Styr, styr, mie lordes! + + MAGNUS. + + What? Ælla? & soe neare? + Thenne Denmarques roiend; oh mie rysynge feare! + + HURRA. + + What doeste thou mene? thys Ælla's botte a manne. + Nowe bie mie sworde, thou arte a verie berne[84]. 580 + Of late I dyd thie creand valoure scanne, + Whanne thou dydst boaste soe moche of actyon derne. + Botte I toe warr mie doeynges moste atturne, + To cheere the Sabbataneres to deere dede. + + MAGNUS. + + I to the knyghtes onne everyche syde wylle burne, 585 + Telleynge 'hem alle to make her foemen blede; + Sythe shame or deathe onne eidher syde wylle bee, + Mie harte I wylle upryse, & inne the battelle slea. + + + + + ÆLLA, CELMONDE, & ARMIE _near_ WATCHETTE. + + + ÆLLA. + + Now havynge done oure mattynes & oure vowes, + Lette us for the intended fyghte be boune, 590 + And everyche champyone potte the joyous crowne + Of certane mastershhyppe upon hys glestreynge browes. + + As for mie harte, I owne ytt ys, as ere + Itte has beene ynne the sommer-sheene of fate, + Unknowen to the ugsomme gratche of fere; 595 + Mie blodde embollen, wythe masterie elate, + Boyles ynne mie veynes, & rolles ynn rapyd state, + Impatyente forr to mete the persante stele, + And telle the worlde, thatte Ælla dyed as greate + As anie knyghte who foughte for Englondes weale. 600 + Friends, kynne, & soldyerres, ynne blacke armore drere, + Mie actyons ymytate, mie presente redynge here. + + There ys ne house, athrow thys shap-scurged[85] isle, + Thatte has ne loste a kynne yn these fell fyghtes, + Fatte blodde has sorfeeted the hongerde soyle, 605 + And townes enlowed[86] lemed[87] oppe the nyghtes. + Inne gyte of fyre oure hallie churche dheie dyghtes; + Oure sonnes lie storven[88] ynne theyre smethynge gore; + Oppe bie the rootes oure tree of lyfe dheie pyghtes, + Vexynge oure coaste, as byllowes doe the shore. 610 + Yee menne, gyf ye are menne, displaie yor name, + Ybrende yer tropes, alyche the roarynge tempest flame. + + Ye Chrystyans, doe as wordhie of the name; + These roynerres of oure hallie houses slea; + Braste, lyke a cloude, from whence doth come the flame, 615 + Lyche torrentes, gushynge downe the mountaines, bee. + And whanne alonge the grene yer champyons flee, + Swefte as the rodde for-weltrynge[89] levyn-bronde, + Yatte hauntes the flyinge mortherer oere the lea, + Soe flie oponne these royners of the londe. 620 + Lette those yatte are unto yer battayles fledde, + Take slepe eterne uponne a feerie lowynge bedde. + + Let cowarde Londonne see herre towne onn fyre, + And strev wythe goulde to staie the royners honde, + Ælla & Brystowe havethe thoughtes thattes hygher, 625 + Wee fyghte notte forr ourselves, botte all the londe. + As Severnes hyger lyghethe banckes of sonde, + Pressynge ytte downe binethe the reynynge streme, + Wythe dreerie dynn enswolters[90] the hyghe stronde, + Beerynge the rockes alonge ynn fhurye breme, 630 + Soe wylle wee beere the Dacyanne armie downe, + And throughe a storme of blodde wyll reache the champyon crowne. + + Gyff ynn thys battelle locke ne wayte oure gare, + To Brystowe dheie wylle tourne yeyre fhuyrie dyre; + Brystowe, & alle her joies, wylle synke toe ayre, 635 + Brendeynge perforce wythe unenhantende[91] fyre: + Thenne lette oure safetie doublie moove oure ire, + Lyche wolfyns, rovynge for the evnynge pre, + See[ing] the lambe & shepsterr nere the brire, + Doth th'one forr safetie, th'one for hongre slea; 640 + Thanne, whanne the ravenne crokes uponne the playne, + Oh! lette ytte bee the knelle to myghtie Dacyanns slayne. + + Lyche a rodde gronfer, shalle mie anlace sheene, + Lyche a strynge lyoncelle I'lle bee ynne fyghte, + Lyche fallynge leaves the Dacyannes shalle bee sleene, 645 + Lyche [a] loud dynnynge streeme scalle be mie myghte. + Ye menne, who woulde deserve the name of knyghte, + Lette bloddie teares bie all your paves be wepte; + To commynge tymes no poyntelle shalle ywrite, + Whanne Englonde han her foemenn, Brystow slepte. 650 + Yourselfes, youre chyldren, & youre fellowes crie, + Go, fyghte ynne rennomes gare, be brave, & wynne or die. + + I saie ne moe; youre spryte the reste wylle saie; + Youre spryte wylle wrynne, thatte Brystow ys yer place; + To honoures house I nede notte marcke the waie; 655 + Inne youre owne hartes you maie the foote-pathe trace. + 'Twexte shappe & us there ys botte lyttelle space; + The tyme ys nowe to proove yourselves bee menne; + Drawe forthe the bornyshed bylle wythe fetyve grace, + Rouze, lyche a wolfynne rouzing from hys denne. 660 + Thus I enrone mie anlace; goe thou shethe; + I'lle potte ytt ne ynn place, tyll ytte ys sycke wythe deathe. + + SOLDYERS. + + Onn, Ælla, onn; we longe for bloddie fraie; + Wee longe to here the raven synge yn vayne; + Onn, Ælla, onn; we certys gayne the daie, 665 + Whanne thou doste leade us to the leathal playne. + + CELMONDE. + + Thie speche, O Loverde, fyrethe the whole trayne; + Theie pancte for war, as honted wolves for breathe; + Go, & sytte crowned on corses of the slayne; + Go, & ywielde the massie swerde of deathe. 670 + + SOLDYERRES. + + From thee, O Ælla, alle oure courage reygnes; + Echone yn phantasie do lede the Danes ynne chaynes. + + ÆLLA. + + Mie countrymenne, mie friendes, your noble sprytes + Speke yn youre eyne, & doe yer master telle. + Swefte as the rayne-storme toe the erthe alyghtes, 675 + Soe wylle we fall upon these royners felle. + Oure mowynge swerdes shalle plonge hem downe to helle; + Theyre throngynge corses shall onlyghte the starres; + The barrowes brastynge wythe the sleene schall swelle, + Brynnynge[92] to commynge tymes our famous warres; 680 + Inne everie eyne I kenne the lowe of myghte, + Sheenynge abrode, alyche a hylle-fyre ynne the nyghte. + + Whanne poyntelles of oure famous fyghte shall saie, + Echone wylle marvelle atte the dernie dede, + Echone wylle wyssen hee hanne seene the daie, 685 + And bravelie holped to make the foemenn blede; + Botte for yer holpe oure battelle wylle notte nede; + Oure force ys force enowe to staie theyre honde; + Wee wylle retourne unto thys grened mede, + Oer corses of the foemen of the londe. 690 + Nowe to the warre lette all the slughornes sounde, + The Dacyanne troopes appere on yinder rysynge grounde. + + Chiefes, heade youre bandes, and leade. + + + + + DANES _flyinge, neare_ WATCHETTE. + + + FYRSTE DANE. + + Fly, fly, ye Danes; Magnus, the chiefe, ys sleene; + The Saxonnes comme wythe Ælla atte theyre heade; 695 + Lette's strev to gette awaie to yinder greene; + Flie, flie; thys ys the kyngdomme of the deadde. + + SECONDE DANE. + + O goddes! have thousandes bie mie anlace bledde, + And muste I nowe for safetie flie awaie? + See! farre besprenged alle oure troopes are spreade, 700 + Yette I wylle synglie dare the bloddie fraie. + Botte ne; I'lle flie, & morther yn retrete; + Deathe, blodde, & fyre, scalle[93] marke the goeynge of my feete. + + THYRDE DANE. + + Enthoghteynge forr to scape the brondeynge foe, + As nere unto the byllowd beche I came, 705 + Farr offe I spied a fyghte of myckle woe, + Oure spyrynge battayles wrapte ynn sayles of flame. + The burled Dacyannes, who were ynne the same, + Fro syde to syde fledde the pursuyte of deathe; + The swelleynge fyre yer corrage doe enflame, 710 + Theie lepe ynto the sea, & bobblynge yield yer breathe; + Whylest those thatt bee uponne the bloddie playne, + Bee deathe-doomed captyves taene, or yn the battle slayne. + + HURRA. + + Nowe bie the goddes, Magnus, dyscourteous knyghte, + Bie cravente[94] havyoure havethe don oure woe, 715 + Dyspendynge all the talle menne yn the fyghte, + And placeyng valourous menne where draffs mote goe. + Sythence oure fourtunie havethe tourned foe, + Gader the souldyers lefte to future shappe, + To somme newe place for safetie wee wylle goe, 720 + Inne future daie wee wylle have better happe. + Sounde the loude flughorne for a quicke forloyne[95]; + Lette alle the Dacyannes swythe untoe oure banner joyne. + + Throw hamlettes wee wylle sprenge sadde dethe & dole, + Bathe yn hotte gore, & wasch oureselves thereynne; 725 + Goddes! here the Saxonnes lyche a byllowe rolle. + I heere the anlacis detested dynne. + Awaie, awaie, ye Danes, to yonder penne; + Wee now wylle make forloyne yn tyme to fyghte agenne. + + + + + CELMONDE, _near_ WATCHETTE. + + + O forr a spryte al feere! to telle the daie, 730 + The daie whyche scal astounde the herers rede, + Makeynge oure foemennes envyynge hartes to blede, + Ybereynge thro the worlde oure rennomde name for aie. + + Bryghte sonne han ynne hys roddie robes byn dyghte, + From the rodde Easte he flytted wythe hys trayne, 735 + The howers drewe awaie the geete of nyghte, + Her sable tapistrie was rente yn twayne. + The dauncynge streakes bedecked heavennes playne, + And on the dewe dyd smyle wythe shemrynge eie, + Lyche gottes of blodde whyche doe blacke armoure steyne, 740 + Sheenynge upon the borne[96] whyche stondeth bie; + The souldyers stoode uponne the hillis syde, + Lyche yonge enlefed trees whyche yn a forreste byde. + + Ælla rose lyche the tree besette wyth brieres; + Hys talle speere sheenynge as the starres at nyghte, 745 + Hys eyne ensemeynge as a lowe of fyre; + Whanne he encheered everie manne to fyghte, + Hys gentle wordes dyd moove eche valourous knyghte; + Itte moovethe 'hem, as honterres lyoncelle; + In trebled armoure ys theyre courage dyghte; 750 + Eche warrynge harte forr prayse & rennome swelles; + Lyche flowelie dynnynge of the croucheynge streme, + Syche dyd the mormrynge sounde of the whol armie seme. + + Hee ledes 'hem onne to fyghte; oh! thenne to saie + How Ælla loked, and lokyng dyd encheere, 755 + Moovynge alyche a mountayne yn affraie, + Whanne a lowde whyrlevynde doe yttes boesomme tare, + To telle howe everie loke wulde banyshe feere, + Woulde aske an angelles poyntelle or hys tyngue. + Lyche a talle rocke yatte ryseth heaven-were, 760 + Lyche a yonge wolfynne brondeous & strynge, + Soe dydde he goe, & myghtie warriours hedde; + Wythe gore-depycted wynges masterie arounde hym fledde. + + The battelle jyned; swerdes uponne swerdes dyd rynge; + Ælla was chased, as lyonns madded bee; 765 + Lyche fallynge starres, he dydde the javlynn flynge; + Hys mightie anlace mightie menne dyd slea; + Where he dydde comme, the flemed[97] foe dydde flee, + Or felle benethe hys honde, as fallynge rayne, + Wythe syke a fhuyrie he dydde onn 'hemm dree, 770 + Hylles of yer bowkes dyd ryse opponne the playne; + Ælla, thou arte--botte staie, mie tynge; saie nee; + Howe greate I hymme maye make, stylle greater hee wylle bee. + + Nor dydde hys souldyerres see hys actes yn vayne. + Heere a stoute Dane uponne hys compheere felle; 775 + Heere lorde & hyndlette sonke uponne the playne; + Heere sonne & fadre trembled ynto helle. + Chief Magnus sought hys waie, &, shame to telle! + Hee soughte hys waie for flyghte; botte Ælla's speere + Uponne the flyynge Dacyannes schoulder felle. 780 + Quyte throwe hys boddie, & hys harte ytte tare, + He groned, & sonke uponne the gorie greene, + And wythe hys corse encreased the pyles of Dacyannes sleene. + + Spente wythe the fyghte, the Danyshe champyons stonde, + Lyche bulles, whose strengthe & wondrous myghte ys fledde; 785 + Ælla, a javelynne grypped yn eyther honde, + Flyes to the thronge, & doomes two Dacyannes deadde. + After hys acte, the armie all yspedde; + Fromm everich on unmyssynge javlynnes flewe; + Theie straughte yer doughtie swerdes; the foemenn bledde; 790 + Fulle three of foure of myghtie Danes dheie slewe; + The Danes, wythe terroure rulynge att their head, + Threwe downe theyr bannere talle, & lyche a ravenne fledde. + + The soldyerres followed wythe a myghtie crie, + Cryes, yatte welle myghte the stouteste hartes affraie. 795 + Swefte, as yer shyppes, the vanquyshed Dacyannes flie; + Swefte, as the rayne uponne an Aprylle daie, + Pressynge behynde, the Englysche soldyerres slaie. + Botte halfe the tythes of Danyshe menne remayne; + Ælla commaundes 'heie shoulde the sleetre staie, 800 + Botte bynde 'hem prysonners on the bloddie playne. + The fyghtynge beynge done, I came awaie, + In odher fieldes to fyghte a moe unequalle fraie. + Mie servant squyre! + + + + + CELMONDE, SERVITOURE. + + + CELMONDE. + + Prepare a fleing horse, + Whose feete are wynges, whose pace ys lycke the wynde, 805 + Whoe wylle outestreppe the morneynge lyghte yn course, + Leaveynge the gyttelles of the merke behynde. + Somme hyltren matters doe mie presence fynde. + Gyv oute to alle yatte I was sleene ynne fyghte. + Gyff ynne thys gare thou doest mie order mynde, 810 + Whanne I returne, thou shalte be made a knyghte; + Flie, flie, be gon; an howerre ys a daie; + Quycke dyghte mie beste of stedes, & brynge hymm heere--awaie! + + CELMONDE. + + Ælla ys woundedd sore, & ynne the toune + He waytethe, tylle hys woundes bee broghte to ethe. 815 + And shalle I from hys browes plocke off the croune, + Makynge the vyctore yn hys vyctorie blethe? + O no! fulle sooner schulde mie hartes blodde smethe, + Fulle soonere woulde I tortured bee toe deathe; + Botte--Birtha ys the pryze; ahe! ytte were ethe 820 + To gayne so gayne a pryze wythe losse of breathe; + Botte thanne rennome æterne[98]--ytte ys botte ayre; + Bredde ynne the phantasie, & alleyn lyvynge there. + + Albeytte everyche thynge yn lyfe conspyre + To telle me of the faulte I nowe schulde doe, 825 + Yette woulde I battentlie assuage mie fyre, + And the same menes, as I scall nowe, pursue. + The qualytyes I fro mie parentes drewe, + Were blodde, & morther, masterie, and warre; + Thie I wylle holde to now, & hede ne moe 830 + A wounde yn rennome, yanne a boddie scarre. + Nowe, Ælla, nowe Ime plantynge of a thorne, + Bie whyche thie peace, thie love, & glorie shalle be torne. + + + + + BRYSTOWE. + + + BIRTHA, EGWINA. + + BIRTHA. + + Gentle Egwina, do notte preche me joie; + I cannotte joie ynne anie thynge botte weere[99]. 835 + Oh! yatte aughte schulde oure sellynesse destroie, + Floddynge the face wythe woe, & brynie teare! + + EGWINA. + + You muste, you muste endeavour for to cheere + Youre harte unto somme cherisaunced reste. + Youre loverde from the battelle wylle appere. 840 + Ynne honnoure, & a greater love, be dreste; + Botte I wylle call the mynstrelles roundelaie; + Perchaunce the swotie sounde maie chafe your wiere[99] awaie. + + + + + BIRTHA, EGWINA, MYNSTRELLES. + + + MYNSTRELLES SONGE. + + O! synge untoe mie roundelaie, + O! droppe the brynie teare wythe mee, 845 + Daunce ne moe atte hallie daie, + Lycke a reynynge[100] ryver bee; + Mie love ys dedde, + Gon to hys death-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. 850 + + Blacke hys cryne[101] as the wyntere nyghte, + Whyte hys rode[102] as the sommer snowe, + Rodde hys face as the mornynge lyghte, + Cale he lyes ynne the grave belowe; + Mie love ys dedde, 855 + Gon to hys deathe-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + Swote hys tyngue as the throstles note, + Quycke ynn daunce as thoughte canne bee, + Defte hys taboure, codgelle stote, 860 + O! hee lyes bie the wyllowe tree: + Mie love ys dedde, + Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, + Alle underre the wyllowe tree. + + Harke! the ravenne flappes hys wynge, 865 + In the briered delle belowe; + Harke! the dethe-owle loude dothe synge, + To the nyghte-mares as heie goe; + Mie love ys dedde, + Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, 870 + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + See! the whyte moone sheenes onne hie; + Whyterre ys mie true loves shroude; + Whyterre yanne the mornynge skie, + Whyterre yanne the evenynge cloude: 875 + Mie love ys dedde, + Gon to hys deathe-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + Heere, uponne mie true loves grave, + Schalle the baren fleurs be layde. 880 + Nee one hallie Seyncte to save + Al the celness of a mayde. + Mie love ys dedde, + Gonne to hys death-bedde, + Alle under the wyllowe tree. 885 + + Wythe mie hondes I'lle dente the brieres + Rounde his hallie corse to gre, + Ouphante fairie, lyghte youre fyres, + Heere mie boddie stylle schalle bee. + Mie love ys dedde, 890 + Gon to hys death-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + Comme, wythe acorne-coppe & thorne, + Drayne mie hartys blodde awaie; + Lyfe & all yttes goode I scorne, 895 + Daunce bie nete, or feaste by daie. + Mie love ys dedde, + Gon to hys death-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + Waterre wytches, crownede wythe reytes[103], 900 + Bere mee to yer leathalle tyde. + I die; I comme; mie true love waytes. + Thos the damselle spake, and dyed. + + BIRTHA. + + Thys syngeyng haveth whatte coulde make ytte please; + Butte mie uncourtlie shappe benymmes mee of all ease. 905 + + + + + ÆLLA, _atte_ WATCHETTE. + + + Curse onne mie tardie woundes! brynge mee a stede! + I wylle awaie to Birtha bie thys nyghte: + Albeytte fro mie woundes mie soul doe blede, + I wylle awaie, & die wythynne her syghte. + Brynge mee a stede, wythe eagle-wynges for flyghte; 910 + Swefte as mie wyshe, &, as mie love ys, stronge. + The Danes have wroughte mee myckle woe ynne syghte, + Inne kepeynge mee from Birtha's armes so longe. + O! whatte a dome was myne, sythe masterie + Canne yeve ne pleasaunce, nor mie londes goode leme myne eie! 915 + + Yee goddes, howe ys a loverres temper formed! + Sometymes the samme thynge wylle bothe bane, & blesse; + On tyme encalede[104], yanne bie the same thynge warmd, + Estroughted foorthe, and yanne ybrogten less. + 'Tys Birtha's loss whyche doe mie thoughtes possesse; 920 + I wylle, I muste awaie: whie staies mie stede? + Mie huscarles, hyther haste; prepare a dresse, + Whyche couracyers[105] yn hastie journies nede. + O heavens! I moste awaie to Byrtha eyne, + For yn her lookes I fynde mie beynge doe entwyne. 925 + + + + + CELMONDE, _att_ BRYSTOWE. + + + The worlde ys darke wythe nyghte; the wyndes are stylle; + Fayntelie the mone her palyde lyghte makes gleme; + The upryste[106] sprytes the sylente letten[107] fylle, + Wythe ouphant faeryes joynyng ynne the dreme; + The forreste sheenethe wythe the sylver leme; 930 + Nowe maie mie love be sated ynn yttes treate; + Uponne the lynche of somme swefte reynyng streme, + Att the swote banquette I wylle swotelie eate. + Thys ys the howse; yee hyndes, swythyn appere. + + + + + + CELMONDE, SERVYTOURE. + + + CELMONDE. + + Go telle to Birtha strayte, a straungerr waytethe here. 935 + + + + + CELMONDE, BIRTHA. + + + BIRTHA. + + Celmonde! yee seynctes! I hope thou haste goode newes. + + CELMONDE. + + The hope ys loste: for heavie newes prepare. + + BIRTHA. + + Is Ælla welle? + + CELMONDE. + + Hee lyves; & stylle maie use + The behylte[108] blessynges of a future yeare. + + BIRTHA. + + Whatte heavie tydynge thenne have I to feare? 940 + Of whatte mischaunce dydste thou so latelie saie? + + CELMONDE. + + For heavie tydynges swythyn nowe prepare. + Ælla sore wounded ys, yn bykerous fraie; + In Wedecester's wallid toune he lyes. + + BIRTHA. + + O mie agroted breast! + + CELMONDE: + + Wythoute your syghte, he dyes. 945 + + BIRTHA. + + Wylle Birtha's presence ethe herr Ælla's payne? + I flie; newe wynges doe from mie schoulderrs sprynge. + + CELMONDE. + + Mie stede wydhoute wylle deftelie beere us twayne. + + BIRTHA. + + Oh! I wyll flie as wynde, & no waie lynge; + Sweftlie caparisons for rydynge brynge; 950 + I have a mynde wynged wythe the levyn ploome. + O Ælla, Ælla! dydste thou kenne the stynge, + The whyche doeth canker ynne mie hartys roome, + Thou wouldste see playne thieselfe the gare to bee; + Aryse, uponne thie love, & flie to meeten mee. 955 + + CELMONDE. + + The stede, on whyche I came, ys swefte as ayre; + Mie servytoures doe wayte mee nere the wode; + Swythynne wythe mee unto the place repayre; + To Ælla I wylle gev you conducte goode. + Youre eyne, alyche a baulme, wylle staunche hys bloode, 960 + Holpe oppe hys woundes, & yev hys harte alle cheere; + Uponne your eyne he holdes hys lyvelyhode[109]; + You doe hys spryte, & alle hys pleasaunce bere. + Comme, lette's awaie, albeytte ytte ys moke, + Yette love wille bee a tore to tourne to feere nyghtes smoke. 965 + + BIRTHA. + + Albeytte unwears dyd the welkynn rende, + Reyne, alyche fallynge ryvers, dyd ferse bee, + Erthe wythe the ayre enchased dyd contende, + Everychone breathe of wynde wythe plagues dyd flee, + Yette I to Ælla's eyne eftsoones woulde flee; 970 + Albeytte hawethornes dyd mie fleshe enseme, + Owlettes, wythe scrychynge, shakeynge everyche tree, + And water-neders wrygglynge yn eche streme, + Yette woulde I flie, ne under coverte staie, + Botte seke mie Ælla owte; brave Celmonde, leade the waie. 975 + + + + + A WODE. + + + HURRA, DANES. + + HURRA. + + Heere ynn yis forreste lette us watche for pree, + Bewreckeynge on oure foemenne oure ylle warre; + Whatteverre schalle be Englysch wee wylle slea, + Spreddynge our ugsomme rennome to afarre. + Ye Dacyanne menne, gyff Dacyanne menne yee are, 980 + Lette nete botte blodde suffycyle for yee bee; + On everich breaste yn gorie letteres scarre, + Whatt sprytes you have, & howe those sprytes maie dree. + And gyf yee gette awaie to Denmarkes shore, + Eftesoones we will retourne, & vanquished bee ne moere. 985 + + The battelle loste, a battelle was yndede; + Note queedes hemselfes culde stonde so harde a fraie; + Oure verie armoure, & oure heaulmes dyd blede, + The Dacyannes, sprytes, lyche dewe drops, fledde awaie. + Ytte was an Ælla dyd commaunde the daie; 990 + Ynn spyte of foemanne, I moste saie hys myghte; + Botte wee ynn hynd-lettes blodde the loss wylle paie, + Brynnynge, thatte we knowe howe to wynne yn fyghte; + Wee wylle, lyke wylfes enloosed from chaynes, destroie;-- + Oure armoures--wynter nyghte shotte oute the daie of joie. 995 + + Whene swefte-fote tyme doe rolle the daie alonge, + Somme hamlette scalle onto oure fhuyrie brende; + Brastynge alyche a rocke, or mountayne stronge, + The talle chyrche-spyre upon the grene shalle bende; + Wee wylle the walles, & auntyante tourrettes rende, 1000 + Pete everych tree whych goldyn fruyte doe beere, + Downe to the goddes the ownerrs dhereof sende, + Besprengynge alle abrode sadde warre & bloddie weere. + Botte fyrste to yynder oke-tree wee wylle flie; + And thence wylle yssue owte onne all yatte commeth bie. 1005 + + + + + ANODHER PARTE OF THE WOODE. + + + CELMONDE, BIRTHA. + + BIRTHA. + + Thys merkness doe affraie mie wommanns breaste. + Howe sable ys the spreddynge skie arrayde! + Hailie the bordeleire, who lyves to reste, + Ne ys att nyghtys flemynge hue dysmayde; + The starres doe scantillie[110] the sable brayde; 1010 + Wyde ys the sylver lemes of comforte wove; + Speke, Celmonde, does ytte make thee notte afrayde? + + CELMONDE. + + Merker the nyghte, the fitter tyde for love. + + BIRTHA. + + Saiest thou for love? ah! love is far awaie. + Faygne would I see once moe the roddie lemes of daie. 1015 + + CELMONDE. + + Love maie bee nie, woulde Birtha calle ytte here. + + BIRTHA. + + How, Celmonde, dothe thou mene? + + CELMONDE. + + Thys Celmonde menes. + No leme, no eyne, ne mortalle manne appere, + Ne lyghte, an acte of love for to bewreene; + Nete in thys forreste, botte thys tore[111], dothe sheene, 1020 + The whych, potte oute, do leave the whole yn nyghte; + See! howe the brauncynge trees doe here entwyne, + Makeynge thys bower so pleasynge to the syghte; + Thys was for love fyrste made, & heere ytt stondes, + Thatte hereynne lovers maie enlyncke yn true loves bondes. 1025 + + BIRTHA. + + Celmonde, speake whatte thou menest, or alse mie thoughtes + Perchaunce maie robbe thie honestie so fayre. + + CELMONDE. + + Then here, & knowe, hereto I have you broughte, + Mie longe hydde love unto you to make clere. + + BIRTHA. + + Oh heaven & earthe! whatte ys ytt I doe heare? 1030 + Am I betraste[112]? where ys mie Ælla, saie! + + CELMONDE. + + O! do nete nowe to Ælla syke love bere, + Botte geven some onne Celmondes hedde. + + BIRTHA. + + Awaie! + I wylle be gone, & groape mie passage oute, + Albeytte neders stynges mie legs do twyne aboute. 1035 + + CELMONDE. + + Nowe bie the seynctes I wylle notte lette thee goe, + Ontylle thou doeste mie brendynge love amate. + Those eyne have caused Celmonde myckle woe, + Yenne lette yer smyle fyrst take hymm yn regrate. + O! didst thou see mie breastis troblous state, 1040 + Theere love doth harrie up mie joie, and ethe! + I wretched bee, beyonde the hele of fate, + Gyss Birtha stylle wylle make mie harte-veynes blethe. + Softe as the sommer flowreets, Birtha, looke, + Fulle ylle I canne thie frownes & harde dyspleasaunce brooke. 1045 + + BIRTHA. + + Thie love ys foule; I woulde bee deafe for aie, + Radher thanne heere syche deslavatie[113] sedde. + Swythynne flie from mee, and ne further saie; + Radher thanne heare thie love, I woulde bee dead. + Yee seynctes! & shal I wronge mie Ælla's bedde, 1050 + And wouldst thou, Celmonde, tempte me to the thynge? + Lett mee be gone--alle curses onne thie hedde! + Was ytte for thys thou dydste a message brynge! + Lette mee be gone, thou manne of sable harte! + Or welkyn[114] & her starres wyll take a maydens parte. 1055 + + CELMONDE. + + Sythence you wylle notte lette mie suyte avele, + Mie love wylle have yttes joie, altho wythe guylte; + Youre lymbes shall bende, albeytte strynge as stele; + The merkye seesonne wylle your bloshes hylte[115]. + + BIRTHA. + + Holpe, holpe, yee seynctes! oh thatte mie blodde was spylte! 1060 + + CELMONDE. + + The seynctes att distaunce stonde ynn tyme of nede. + Strev notte to goe; thou canste notte, gyff thou wylte. + Unto mie wysche bee kinde, & nete alse hede. + + BIRTHA. + + No, foule bestoykerre, I wylle rende the ayre, + Tylle dethe do staie mie dynne, or somme kynde roder heare. 1065 + Holpe! holpe! oh godde! + + + + + CELMONDE, BIRTHA, HURRA, DANES. + + + HURRA. + + Ah! thatts a wommanne cries. + I kenn hem; saie, who are you, yatte bee theere? + + CELMONDE. + + Yee hyndes, awaie! orre bie thys swerde yee dies. + + HURRA. + + Thie wordes wylle ne mie hartis sete affere. + + BIRTHA. + + Save mee, oh! save mee from thys royner heere! 1070 + + HURRA. + + Stonde thou bie mee; nowe saie thie name & londe; + Or swythyne schall mie swerde thie boddie tare. + + CELMONDE. + + Bothe I wylle shewe thee bie mie brondeous[116] honde. + + HURRA. + + Besette hym rounde, yee Danes. + + CELMONDE. + + Comme onne, and see + Gyff mie strynge anlace maie bewryen whatte I bee. 1075 + [_Fyghte al anenste_ Celmonde, _meynte Danes he fleath, + and faleth to_ Hurra. + + CELMONDE. + + Oh! I forslagen[117] be! ye Danes, now kenne, + I amme yatte Celmonde, seconde yn the fyghte, + Who dydd, atte Watchette, so forslege youre menne; + I fele myne eyne to swymme yn æterne nyghte;-- + To her be kynde. [_Dieth_. + + HURRA. + + Thenne felle a wordhie knyghte. 1080 + Saie, who bee you? + + BIRTHA. + + I am greate Ælla's wyfe. + + HURRA. + + Ah + + BIRTHA. + + Gyff anenste hym you harboure soule despyte, + Nowe wythe the lethal anlace take mie lyfe, + Mie thankes I ever onne you wylle bestowe, + From ewbryce[118] you mee pyghte, the worste of mortal woe. 1085 + + HURRA. + + I wylle; ytte scalle bee foe: yee Dacyans, heere. + Thys Ælla havethe been oure foe for aie. + Thorrowe the battelle he dyd brondeous teare, + Beyng the lyfe and head of everych fraie; + From everych Dacyanne power he won the daie, 1090 + Forslagen Magnus, all oure schippes ybrente; + Bie hys felle arme wee now are made to straie; + The speere of Dacya he ynne pieces shente; + Whanne hantoned barckes unto our londe dyd comme, + Ælla the gare dheie sed, & wysched hym bytter dome. 1095 + + BIRTHA. + + Mercie! + + HURRA. + + Bee stylle. + Botte yette he ys a foemanne goode and fayre; + Whanne wee are spente, he foundethe the forloyne; + The captyves chayne he tosseth ynne the ayre, + Cheered the wounded bothe wythe bredde & wyne; + Has hee notte untoe somme of you bynn dygne? 1100 + You would have smethd onne Wedecestrian fielde, + Botte hee behylte the flughorne for to cleyne, + Throwynge onne hys wyde backe, hys wyder spreddynge shielde. + Whanne you, as caytysned, yn fielde dyd bee, + Hee oathed you to bee stylle, & strayte dydd sette you free. 1105 + + Scalle wee forslege[119] hys wyfe, because he's brave? + Bicaus hee fyghteth for hys countryes gare? + Wylle hee, who havith bynne yis Ælla's slave, + Robbe hym of whatte percase he holdith deere? + Or scalle we menne of mennys sprytes appere, 1110 + Doeynge hym favoure for hys favoure donne, + Swefte to hys pallace thys damoiselle bere, + Bewrynne oure case, and to oure waie be gonne? + The last you do approve; so lette ytte bee; + Damoyselle, comme awaie; you safe scalle bee wythe mee. 1115 + + BIRTHA. + + Al blessynges maie the seynctes unto yee gyve! + Al pleasaunce maie youre longe-straughte livynges bee! + Ælla, whanne knowynge thatte bie you I lyve, + Wylle thyncke too smalle a guyfte the londe & sea. + O Celmonde! I maie deftlie rede bie thee, 1120 + Whatte ille betydethe the enfouled kynde; + Maie ne thie cross-stone[120] of thie cryme bewree! + Maie alle menne ken thie valoure, fewe thie mynde! + Soldyer! for syke thou arte ynn noble fraie, + I wylle thie goinges 'tende, & doe thou lede the waie. 1125 + + HURRA. + + The mornynge 'gyns alonge the Easte to sheene; + Darklinge the lyghte doe onne the waters plaie; + The feynte rodde leme slowe creepeth oere the greene, + Toe chase the merkyness of nyghte awaie; + Swifte flies the howers thatte wylle brynge oute the daie; 1130 + The softe dewe falleth onne the greeynge grasse; + The shepster mayden, dyghtynge her arraie, + Scante[121] sees her vysage yn the wavie glasse; + Bie the fulle daylieghte wee scalle Ælla see. + Or Brystowes wallyd towne; damoyselle, followe mee. 1135 + + + + + AT BRYSTOWE. + + + ÆLLA AND SERVITOURES. + + ÆLLA. + + 'Tys nowe fulle morne; I thoughten, bie laste nyghte + To have been heere; mie stede han notte mie love; + Thys ys mie pallace; lette mie hyndes alyghte, + Whylste I goe oppe, & wake mie slepeynge dove. + Staie here, mie hyndlettes; I shal goe above. 1140 + Nowe. Birtha, wyll thie loke enhele mie spryte, + Thie smyles unto mie woundes a baulme wylle prove; + Mie ledanne boddie wylle bee sette aryghte. + Egwina, haste, & ope the portalle doore, + Yatte I on Birtha's breste maie thynke of warre ne more. 1145 + + + + + ÆLLA, EGWINA. + + + EGWINA. + + Oh Ælla! + + ÆLLA. + + Ah! that semmlykeene to mee + Speeketh a legendary tale of woe. + + EGWINA. + + Birtha is-- + + ÆLLA. + + Whatt? where? how? saie, whatte of shee? + + EGWINA. + + Gone-- + + ÆLLA. + + Gone! ye goddes! + + EGWINA. + + Alas! ytte ys toe true. + Yee seynctes, hee dies awaie wythe myckle woe! 1150 + Ælla! what? Ælla! oh! hee lyves agen. + + ÆLLA. + + Cal mee notte Ælla; I am hymme ne moe. + Where ys shee gon awaie? ah! speake! how? when? + + EGWINA. + + I will. + + ÆLLA. + + Caparyson a score of stedes; flie, flie. + Where ys shee? swythynne speeke, or instante thou shalte die. 1155 + + EGWINA. + + Stylle thie loud rage, & here thou whatte I knowe. + + ÆLLA. + + Oh! speek. + + EGWINA. + + Lyche prymrose, droopynge wythe the heavie rayne, + Laste nyghte I lefte her, droopynge wythe her wiere, + Her love the gare, thatte gave her harte syke peyne-- + + ÆLLA. + + Her love! to whomme? + + EGWINA. + + To thee, her spouse alleyne[122]. 1160 + As ys mie hentylle everyche morne to goe, + I wente, and oped her chamber doore ynn twayne, + Botte found her notte, as I was wont to doe; + Thanne alle arounde the pallace I dyd seere[123], + Botte culde (to mie hartes woe) ne fynde her anie wheere. 1165 + + ÆLLA. + + Thou lyest, foul hagge! thou lyest; thou art her ayde + To chere her louste;--botte noe; ytte cannotte bee. + + EGWINA. + + Gyff trouthe appear notte inne whatte I have sayde, + Drawe forthe thie anlace swythyn, thanne mee flea. + + ÆLLA. + + Botte yette ytte muste, ytte muste bee foe; I see, 1170 + Shee wythe somme loustie paramoure ys gone; + Itte moste bee foe--oh! how ytte wracketh mee! + Mie race of love, mie race of lyfe ys ronne; + Nowe rage, & brondeous storm, & tempeste comme; + Nete lyvynge upon erthe can now enswote mie domme. 1175 + + + + + ÆLLA, EGWINA, SERVYTOURE. + + + SERVYTOURE. + + Loverde! I am aboute the trouthe to saie. + Laste nyghte, fulle late I dydde retourne to reste. + As to mie chamber I dydde bende mie waie, + To Birtha onne hys name & place addreste; + Downe to hym camme shee; butte thereof the reste 1180 + I ken ne matter; so, mie hommage made-- + + ÆLLA. + + O! speake ne moe; mie harte flames yn yttes heste; + I once was Ælla; nowe bee notte yttes shade. + Hanne alle the fuirie of mysfortunes wylle + Fallen onne mie benned[124] headde I hanne been Ælla stylle. 1185 + + Thys alleyn was unburled[125] of alle mie spryte; + Mie honnoure, honnoure, frownd on the dolce[126] wynde, + Thatte steeked on ytte; nowe wyth rage Im pyghte; + A brondeous unweere ys mie engyned mynde. + Mie hommeur yette somme drybblet joie maie fynde, 1190 + To the Danes woundes I wylle another yeve; + Whanne thos mie rennome[127] & mie peace ys rynde, + Itte were a recrandize to thyncke toe lyve; + Mie huscarles, untoe everie asker telle, + Gyffe noblie Ælla lyved, as noblie Ælla felle. 1195 + [_Stabbeth hys breste_. + + SERVYTOURE. + + Ælla ys sleene; the flower of Englonde's marrde! + + ÆLLA. + + Be stylle: swythe lette the chyrches rynge mie knelle. + Call hyther brave Coernyke; he, as warde + Of thys mie Brystowe castle, wyll doe welle. + [_Knelle ryngeth_. + + + + + ÆLLA, EGWINA, SERVYTOURE, COERNYKE. + + + ÆLLA. + + Thee I ordeyne the warde; so alle maie telle. 1200 + I have botte lyttel tym to dragge thys lyfe; + Mie lethal tale, alyche a lethalle belle, + Dynne yn the eares of her I wyschd mie wyfe! + Botte, ah! shee maie be fayre. + + EGWINA. + + Yatte shee moste bee. + + ÆLLA. + + Ah! saie notte foe; yatte worde woulde Ælla dobblie flee. 1205 + + + + + + ÆLLA, EGWINA, SERVYTOURE, COERNYKE, BIRTHA, HURRA. + + + ÆLLA. + + Ah! Birtha here! + + BIRTHA. + + Whatte dynne ys thys? whatte menes yis leathalle knelle? + Where ys mie Ælla? speeke; where? howe ys hee? + Oh Ælla! art thou yanne alyve and welle! + + ÆLLA. + + I lyve yndeed; botte doe notte lyve for thee. + + BIRTHA. + + Whatte menes mie Ælla? + + ÆLLA. + + Here mie meneynge see. 1210 + Thie foulness urged mie honde to gyve thys wounde, + Ytte mee unsprytes[128]. + + BIRTHA. + + Ytte hathe unspryted mee. + + ÆLLA. + + Ah heavens! mie Birtha fallethe to the grounde! + Botte yette I am a manne, and so wylle bee. + + HURRA. + + Ælla! I amme a Dane; botte yette a friende to thee. 1215 + + Thys damoyselle I founde wythynne a woode, + Strevynge fulle harde anenste a burled swayne; + I sente hym myrynge ynne mie compheeres blodde, + Celmonde hys name, chief of thie warrynge trayne. + Yis damoiselle foughte to be here agayne; 1220 + The whyche, albeytte foemen, wee dydd wylle; + So here wee broughte her wythe you to remayne. + + COERNIKE. + + Yee nobylle Danes! wythe goulde I wyll you fylle. + + ÆLLA. + + Birtha, mie lyfe! mie love! oh! she ys fayre. + Whatte faultes coulde Birtha have, whatte faultes could Ælla feare? + + BIRTHA. + + Amm I yenne thyne? I cannotte blame thie feere. + Botte doe reste mee uponne mie Ælla's breaste; + I wylle to thee bewryen the woefulle gare. + Celmonde dyd comme to mee at tyme of reste, + Wordeynge for mee to flie, att your requeste, 1230 + To Watchette towne, where you deceasynge laie; + I wyth hym fledde; thro' a murke wode we preste, + Where hee foule love unto mie eares dyd saie; + The Danes-- + + ÆLLA. + + Oh! I die contente.-- [_dieth_. + + BIRTHA. + + Oh! ys mie Ælla dedde? + O! I will make hys grave mie vyrgyn spousal bedde. 1235 + [Birtha _feyncteth_. + + COERNYKE. + + Whatt? Ælla deadde! & Birtha dyynge toe! + Soe falles the fayrest flourettes of the playne. + Who canne unplyte the wurchys heaven can doe, + Or who untweste the role of shappe yn twayne? + Ælla, thie rennome was thie onlie gayne; 1240 + For yatte, thie pleasaunce, & thie joie was loste. + Thie countrymen shall rere thee, on the playne, + A pyle of carnes, as anie grave can boaste; + Further, a just amede to thee to bee, + Inne heaven thou synge of Godde, on erthe we'lle synge of thee. 1245 + +THE ENDE. + +[Footnote 1: robes, mantels.] + +[Footnote 2: a pen.] + +[Footnote 3: express.] + +[Footnote 4: countenance.] + +[Footnote 5: covered.] + +[Footnote 6: such.] + +[Footnote 7: another.] + +[Footnote 8: at once.] + +[Footnote 9: mighty.] + +[Footnote 10: hardy, valourous.] + +[Footnote 11: violence.] + +[Footnote 12: binding, enforcing.] + +[Footnote 13: fate.] + +[Footnote 14: lessen, decrease.] + +[Footnote 15: faith.] + +[Footnote 16: blinded.] + +[Footnote 17: lights, rays.] + +[Footnote 18: fellows, equals.] + +[Footnote 19: disdainful.] + +[Footnote 20: presents, offerings.] + +[Footnote 21: scarfs.] + +[Footnote 22: robes of scarlet.] + +[Footnote 23: bounded.] + +[Footnote 24: large.] + +[Footnote 25: elephants.] + +[Footnote 26: destroy.] + +[Footnote 27: stretched.] + +[Footnote 28: services.] + +[Footnote 29: memory, understanding.] + +[Footnote 30: Shepherd.] + +[Footnote 31: deceiver.] + +[Footnote 32: meadows.] + +[Footnote 33: The black bird.] + +[Footnote 34: Gold-finch.] + +[Footnote 35: loudly.] + +[Footnote 36: lectures.] + +[Footnote 37: Apparel.] + +[Footnote 38: At once.] + +[Footnote 39: a divine.] + +[Footnote 40: A cottage.] + +[Footnote 41: Lord.] + +[Footnote 42: stretch.] + +[Footnote 43: tender.] + +[Footnote 44: Naked.] + +[Footnote 45: Hot.] + +[Footnote 46: health.] + +[Footnote 47: Quickly.] + +[Footnote 48: Laughable.] + +[Footnote 49: Drouned.] + +[Footnote 50: Stilled, quenched.] + +[Footnote 51: Swelling.] + +[Footnote 52: Body, substance.] + +[Footnote 53: Still, dead.] + +[Footnote 54: arrows, darts.] + +[Footnote 55: Terrible.] + +[Footnote 56: Offended.] + +[Footnote 57: upbraiding.] + +[Footnote 58: cease.] + +[Footnote 59: swollen.] + +[Footnote 60: Torture.] + +[Footnote 61: asswage.] + +[Footnote 62: difficult.] + +[Footnote 63: Jewels.] + +[Footnote 64: stay.] + +[Footnote 65: Wrapped closely, covered.] + +[Footnote 66: fastened.] + +[Footnote 67: astonish'd.] + +[Footnote 68: Naked.] + +[Footnote 69: Scatterest.] + +[Footnote 70: Strange.] + +[Footnote 71: Quickly.] + +[Footnote 72: offerings.] + +[Footnote 73: mantels.] + +[Footnote 74: Enlighten.] + +[Footnote 75: Least.] + +[Editor's note: l. 467 _see Introduction p._ xli] + +[Footnote 76: Against.] + +[Footnote 77: Work.] + +[Editor's note: l. 489 sphere: _see note on p_. xli] + +[Footnote 78: Terror.] + +[Footnote 79: cowards.] + +[Footnote 80: Wave.] + +[Footnote 81: Contentions.] + +[Footnote 82: frighted.] + +[Footnote 83: Lose.] + +[Footnote 84: Child.] + +[Footnote 85: Fate-scourged.] + +[Footnote 86: flamed, fired.] + +[Footnote 87: lighted.] + +[Footnote 88: dead.] + +[Footnote 89: blasting.] + +[Footnote 90: swallows, sucks in.] + +[Footnote 91: unaccustomed.] + +[Footnote 92: Declaring.] + +[Footnote 93: Shall.] + +[Footnote 94: Coward.] + +[Footnote 95: Retreat.] + +[Footnote 96: Burnish.] + +[Footnote 97: Frighted.] + +[Footnote 98: Eternal.] + +[Footnote 99: Grief.] + +[Footnote 100: Running.] + +[Footnote 101: hair.] + +[Footnote 102: complexion.] + +[Footnote 103: Water-flags.] + +[Footnote 104: Frozen, cold.] + +[Footnote 105: horse coursers, couriers.] + +[Footnote 106: Risen.] + +[Footnote 107: church-yard.] + +[Footnote 108: Promised.] + +[Footnote 109: Life.] + +[Footnote 110: Scarcely, sparingly.] + +[Footnote 111: Torch.] + +[Footnote 112: Betrayed.] + +[Footnote 113: Letchery.] + +[Footnote 114: heaven.] + +[Footnote 115: hide.] + +[Footnote 116: Furious.] + +[Footnote 117: slain.] + +[Footnote 118: Adultery.] + +[Footnote 119: Slay.] + +[Footnote 120: Monument.] + +[Footnote 121: Scarce.] + +[Footnote 122: Only, alone.] + +[Footnote 123: Search.] + +[Footnote 124: Cursed, tormented.] + +[Footnote 125: unarmed.] + +[Footnote 126: soft, gentle.] + +[Footnote 127: renown.] + +[Footnote 128: Un-souls.] + + + + +GODDWYN; + +A TRAGEDIE. + +BY THOMAS ROWLEIE. + + + + +PERSONS REPRESENTED. + + HAROLDE, bie _T. Rowleie_, the Aucthoure. + GODDWYN, bie _Johan de Iscamme_. + ELWARDE, bie Syrr _Thybbot Gorges_. + ALSTAN, bie Syrr _Alan de Vere_. + KYNGE EDWARDE, bie Mastre _Willyam Canynge_. + + Odhers bie _Knyghtes Mynnstrells_. + + + + +PROLOGUE, + +Made bie Maistre WILLIAM CANYNGE. + + + Whylomme[1]bie pensmenne[2] moke[3] ungentle[4] name + Have upon Goddwynne Erie of Kente bin layde: + Dherebie benymmynge[5] hymme of faie[6] and fame; + Unliart[7] divinistres[8] haveth faide, + Thatte he was knowen toe noe hallie[9] wurche[10]; 5 + Botte thys was all hys faulte, he gyfted ne[11] the churche. + + The aucthoure[12] of the piece whiche we enacte, + Albeytte[13] a clergyon[14], trouthe wyll wrytte. + Inne drawynge of hys menne no wytte ys lackte; + Entyn[15] a kynge mote[16] bee full pleased to nyghte. 10 + Attende, and marcke the partes nowe to be done; + Wee better for toe doe do champyon[17] anie onne. + + + + + GODDWYN; A TRAGEDIE. + + + GODDWYN AND HAROLDE. + + GODDWYN. + + Harolde! + + HAROLDE. + + Mie loverde[18]! + + GODDWYN. + + O! I weepe to thyncke, + What foemen[19] riseth to ifrete[20] the londe. + Theie batten[21] onne her fleshe, her hartes bloude dryncke, + And all ys graunted from the roieal honde. + + HAROLDE. + + Lette notte thie agreme[22] blyn[23], ne aledge[24] stonde; 5 + Bee I toe wepe, I wepe in teres of gore: + Am I betrassed[25], syke[26] shulde mie burlie[27] bronde + Depeyncte[28] the wronges on hym from whom I bore. + + GODDWYN. + + I ken thie spryte[29] ful welle; gentle thou art, + Stringe[30], ugsomme[31], rou[32], as smethynge[33] armyes seeme; 10 + Yett efte[34], I feare, thie chefes[35] toe grete a parte, + And that thie rede[36] bee efte borne downe bie breme[37]. + What tydynges from the kynge? + + HAROLDE. + + His Normans know. + I make noe compheeres of the shemrynge[38] trayne. + + GODDWYN. + + Ah Harolde! tis a syghte of myckle woe, 15 + To kenne these Normannes everich rennome gayne. + What tydynge withe the foulke[39]? + + HAROLDE. + + Stylle mormorynge atte yer shap[40], stylle toe the kynge + Theie rolle theire trobbles, lyche a sorgie sea. + Hane Englonde thenne a tongue, butte notte a stynge? 20 + Dothe alle compleyne, yette none wylle ryghted bee? + + GODDWYN. + + Awayte the tyme, whanne Godde wylle sende us ayde. + + HAROLDE. + + No, we muste streve to ayde oureselves wyth powre. + Whan Godde wylle sende us ayde! tis fetelie[41] prayde. + Moste we those calke[42] awaie the lyve-longe howre? 25 + Thos croche[43] oure armes, and ne toe lyve dareygne[44]. + Unburled[45] undelievre[46], unespryte[47]? + Far fro mie harte be fled thyk[48] thoughte of peyne, + Ile free mie countrie, or Ille die yn fyghte. + + GODDWYN. + + Botte lette us wayte untylle somme season fytte. 30 + Mie Kentyshmen, thie Summertons shall ryse; + Adented[49] prowess[50] to the gite[51] of witte, + Agayne the argent[52] horse shall daunce yn skies. + Oh Harolde, heere forstraughteynge[53] wanhope[54] lies. + Englonde, oh Englonde, tys for thee I blethe[55]. 35 + Whylste Edwarde to thie sonnes wylle nete alyse[56], + Shulde anie of thie sonnes fele aughte of ethe[57]? + Upponne the trone[58] I sette thee, helde thie crowne; + Botte oh! twere hommage nowe to pyghte[59] thee downe. + Thou arte all preeste, & notheynge of the kynge. 40 + Thou arte all Norman, nothynge of mie blodde. + Know, ytte beseies[60] thee notte a masse to synge; + Servynge thie leegefolcke[61] thou arte servynge Godde. + + HAROLDE. + + Thenne Ille doe heaven a servyce. To the skyes + The dailie contekes[62] of the londe ascende. 45 + The wyddowe, fahdrelesse, & bondemennes cries + Acheke[63] the mokie[64] aire & heaven astende[65] + On us the rulers doe the folcke depende; + Hancelled[66] from erthe these Normanne[67] hyndes shalle bee; + Lyche a battently[68] low[69], mie swerde shalle brende[70]; 50 + Lyche fallynge softe rayne droppes, I wyll hem[71] slea[72]; + Wee wayte too longe; our purpose wylle defayte[73]; + Aboune[74] the hyghe empryze[75], & rouze the champyones strayte. + + GODDWYN. + + Thie suster-- + + HAROLDE. + + Aye, I knowe, she is his queene. + Albeytte[76], dyd shee speeke her foemen[77] fayre, 55 + I wulde dequace[78] her comlie semlykeene[79], + And foulde mie bloddie anlace[80] yn her hayre. + + GODDWYN. + + Thye fhuir[81] blyn[82]. + + HAROLDE. + + No, bydde the leathal[83] mere[84] + Upriste[85] withe hiltrene[86] wyndes & cause unkend[87], + Beheste[88] it to be lete[89]; so twylle appeare, 60 + Eere Harolde hyde hys name, his contries frende. + The gule-steynct[90] brygandyne[91], the adventayle[92], + The feerie anlace[92] brede[93] shal make mie gare[94] prevayle. + + GODDWYN. + + Harolde, what wuldest doe? + + HAROLDE. + + Bethyncke thee whatt. + Here liethe Englonde, all her drites [95] unfree, 65 + Here liethe Normans coupynge[96] her bie lotte, + Caltysnyng[97] everich native plante to gre[98], + Whatte woulde I doe? I brondeous[99] wulde hem slee[100]; + Tare owte theyre sable harte bie ryghtefulle breme[101]; + Theyre deathe a meanes untoe mie lyfe shulde bee, 70 + Mie spryte shulde revelle yn theyr harte-blodde streme. + Eftsoones I wylle bewryne[102] mie ragefulle ire, + And Goddis anlace[103] wielde yn furie dyre. + + GODDWYN. + + Whatte wouldest thou wythe the kynge? + + HAROLDE. + + Take offe hys crowne; + The ruler of somme mynster[104] hym ordeyne; 75 + Sette uppe fom dygner[105] than I han pyghte[106] downe; + And peace in Englonde shulde be brayd[107] agayne. + + GODDWYN. + + No, lette the super-hallie[108] seyncte kynge reygne, + Ande somme moe reded[109] rule the untentyff[110] reaulme; + Kynge Edwarde, yn hys cortesie, wylle deygne 80 + To yielde the spoiles, and alleyne were the heaulme: + Botte from mee harte bee everych thoughte of gayne, + Not anie of mie kin I wysche him to ordeyne. + + HAROLDE. + + Tell me the meenes, and I wylle boute ytte strayte; + Bete[111] mee to slea[112] mieself, ytte shalle be done. 85 + + GODDWYN. + + To thee I wylle swythynne[113] the menes unplayte[114], + Bie whyche thou, Harolde, shalte be proved mie sonne. + I have longe seen whatte peynes were undergon, + Whatte agrames[115] braunce[116] out from the general tree; + The tyme ys commynge, whan the mollock[117] gron[118] 90 + Drented[119] of alle yts swolynge[120] owndes[121] shalle bee; + Mie remedie is goode; our menne shall ryse: + Eftsoons the Normans and owre agrame[122] flies. + + HAROLDE. + + I will to the West, and gemote[123] alle mie knyghtes, + Wythe bylles that pancte for blodde, and sheeldes as brede[124] 95 + As the ybroched[125] moon, when blaunch[126] shedyghtes[127] + The wodeland grounde or water-mantled mede; + Wythe hondes whose myghte canne make the doughtiest[128] blede, + Who efte have knelte upon forslagen[129] foes, + Whoe wythe yer fote orrests[130] a castle-stede[131], 100 + Who dare on kynges for to bewrecke[123] yiere woes; + Nowe wylle the menne of Englonde haile the daie, + Whan Goddwyn leades them to the ryghtfulle fraie. + + GODDWYN. + + Botte firste we'll call the loverdes of the West, + The erles of Mercia, Conventrie and all; 105 + The moe wee gayne, the gare[133] wylle prosper beste, + Wythe syke a nomber wee can never fall. + + HAROLDE. + + True, so wee sal doe best to lyncke the chayne, + And alle attenes[134] the spreddynge kyngedomme bynde. + No crouched[135] champyone wythe an harte moe feygne 100 + Dyd yssue owte the hallie[136] swerde to fynde, + Than I nowe strev to ryd mie londe of peyne. + Goddwyn, what thanckes owre laboures wylle enhepe! + I'lle ryse mie friendes unto the bloddie pleyne; + I'lle wake the honnoure thatte ys now aslepe. 115 + When wylle the chiefes mete atte thie feastive halle, + That I wythe voice alowde maie there upon 'em calle? + + GODDWYN. + + Next eve, mie sonne. + + HAROLDE. + + Nowe, Englonde, ys the tyme, + Whan thee or thie felle foemens cause moste die. + Thie geason[137] wronges bee reyne[138] ynto theyre pryme; 120 + Nowe wylle thie sonnes unto thie succoure flie. + Alyche a storm egederinge[139] yn the skie, + Tys fulle ande brasteth[140] on the chaper[141] grounde; + Sycke shalle mie fhuirye on the Normans flie, + And alle theyre mittee[142] menne be sleene[143] arounde. 125 + Nowe, nowe, wylle Harolde or oppressionne falle, + Ne moe the Englyshmenne yn vayne for hele[144] shal calle. + + + + + KYNGE EDWARDE AND HYS QUEENE. + + + QUEENE. + + Botte, loverde[145], whie so manie Normannes here? + Mee thynckethe wee bee notte yn Englyshe londe. + These browded[146] straungers alwaie doe appere, 130 + Theie parte yor trone[147], and sete at your ryghte honde. + + KYNGE. + + Go to, goe to, you doe ne understonde: + Theie yeave mee lyffe and dyd mie bowkie[148] kepe; + Theie dyd mee feeste, and did embowre[149] me gronde; + To trete hem ylle wulde lette mie kyndnesse slepe. 135 + + QUEENE. + + Mancas[150] you have yn store, and to them parte; + Youre leege-folcke[151] make moke[152] dole[153], you have theyr worthe asterte[154]. + + KYNGE. + + I heste[155] no rede of you. I ken mie friendes. + Hallie[156] dheie are, fulle ready mee to hele[157]. + Theyre volundes[158] are ystorven[159] to self endes; 140 + No denwere[160] yn mie breste I of them fele: + I muste to prayers; goe yn, and you do wele; + I muste ne lose the dutie of the daie; + Go inne, go ynne, ande viewe the azure rele[161], + Fulle welle I wote you have noe mynde toe praie. 145 + + QUEENE. + + I leeve youe to doe hommage heaven-were[162]; + To serve yor leege-folcke toe is doeynge hommage there. + + + + + KYNGE AND SYR HUGHE. + + + KYNGE. + + Mie friende, Syr Hughe, whatte tydynges brynges thee here? + + HUGHE. + + There is no mancas yn mie loverdes ente[163]; + The hus dyspense[164] unpaied doe appere; 150 + The laste receivure[165] ys eftesoones[166] dispente[167]. + + KYNGE. + + Thenne guylde the Weste. + + HUGHE. + + Mie loverde, I dyd speke + Untoe the mitte[168] Erle Harolde of the thynge; + He raysed hys honde, and smoke me onne the cheke, + Saieynge, go beare thatte message to the kynge. 155 + + KYNGE. + + Arace[169] hym of hys powere; bie Goddis worde, + Ne moe thatte Harolde shall ywield the erlies swerde. + + HUGHE. + + Atte seeson fytte, mie loverde, lette itt bee; + Botte nowe the folcke doe soe enalse[170] hys name, + Inne strevvynge to slea hymme, ourselves wee slea; 160 + Syke ys the doughtyness[171] of hys grete fame. + + KYNGE. + + Hughe, I beethyncke, thie rede[172] ys notte to blame. + Botte thou maiest fynde fulle store of marckes yn Kente. + + HUGHE. + + Mie noble loverde, Godwynn ys the same + He sweeres he wylle notte swelle the Normans ent. 165 + + KYNGE. + + Ah traytoure! botte mie rage I wylle commaunde. + Thou arte a Normanne, Hughe, a straunger to the launde. + + Thou kenneste howe these Englysche erle doe bere + Such stedness[173] in the yll and evylle thynge, + Botte atte the goode theie hover yn denwere[174], 170 + Onknowlachynge[175] gif thereunto to clynge. + + HUGHE. + + Onwordie syke a marvelle[176] of a kynge! + O Edwarde, thou deservest purer leege[177]; + To thee heie[178] shulden al theire mancas brynge; + Thie nodde should save menne, and thie glomb[179] forslege[180]. 175 + I amme no curriedowe[181], I lacke no wite [182], + I speke whatte bee the trouthe, and whatte all see is ryghte. + + KYNGE. + + Thou arte a hallie[183] manne, I doe thee pryze. + Comme, comme, and here and hele[184] mee ynn mie praires. + Fulle twentie mancas I wylle thee alise [185], 180 + And twayne of hamlettes[186] to thee and thie heyres. + So shalle all Normannes from mie londe be fed, + Theie alleyn[187] have syke love as to acquyre yer bredde. + + + + + CHORUS. + + + Whan Freedom, dreste yn blodde-steyned veste, + To everie knyghte her warre-songe sunge, 185 + Uponne her hedde wylde wedes were spredde; + A gorie anlace bye her honge. + She daunced onne the heathe; + She hearde the voice of deathe; + Pale-eyned affryghte, hys harte of sylver hue, 190 + In vayne assayled[188] her bosomme to acale[189]; + She hearde onflemed[190] the shriekynge voice of woe, + And sadnesse ynne the owlette shake the dale. + She shooke the burled[191] speere, + On hie she jeste[192] her sheelde, 195 + Her foemen[193] all appere, + And flizze[194] alonge the feelde. + Power, wythe his heasod[195] straught[196] ynto the skyes, + Hys speere a sonne-beame, and his sheelde a starre, + Alyche[197] twaie[198] brendeynge[199] gronfyres[200] rolls hys eyes, 200 + Chastes[201] with hys yronne feete and soundes to war. + She syttes upon a rocke, + She bendes before his speere, + She ryses from the shocke, + Wieldynge her owne yn ayre. 205 + Harde as the thonder dothe she drive ytte on, + Wytte scillye[202] wympled[203] gies[204] ytte to hys crowne, + Hys longe sharpe speere, hys spreddynge sheelde ys gon, + He falles, and fallynge rolleth thousandes down. + War, goare-faced war, bie envie burld[205], arist[206], 210 + Hys feerie heaulme[207] noddynge to the ayre, + Tenne bloddie arrowes ynne hys streynynge fyste-- + + * * * * * + +[Footnote 1: Of old, formerly.] + +[Footnote 2: writers, historians.] + +[Footnote 3: much.] + +[Footnote 4: inglorious.] + +[Footnote 5: bereaving.] + +[Footnote 6: faith.] + +[Footnote 7: unforgiving.] + +[Footnote 8: divines, clergymen, monks.] + +[Footnote 9: holy.] + +[Footnote 10: work.] + +[Footnote 11: not.] + +[Footnote 12: author.] + +[Footnote 13: though, notwithstanding.] + +[Footnote 14: clerk, or clergyman.] + +[Footnote 15: entyn, even.] + +[Footnote 16: might.] + +[Footnote 17: challenge.] + +[Footnote 18: Lord.] + +[Footnote 19: foes, enemies.] + +[Footnote 20: devour, destroy.] + +[Footnote 21: fatten.] + +[Footnote 22: Grievance; a sense of it.] + +[Footnote 23: cease, be still.] + +[Footnote 24: idly.] + +[Footnote 25: deceived, imposed on.] + +[Footnote 26: so.] + +[Footnote 27: fury, anger, rage.] + +[Footnote 28: paint, display.] + +[Footnote 29: soul.] + +[Footnote 30: strong.] + +[Footnote 31: terrible.] + +[Footnote 32: horrid, grim.] + +[Footnote 33: smoking, bleeding.] + +[Footnote 34: oft.] + +[Footnote 35: heat, rashness.] + +[Footnote 36: counsel, wisdom.] + +[Footnote 37: strength, also strong.] + +[Footnote 38: taudry, glimmering.] + +[Footnote 39: People.] + +[Footnote 40: fate, destiny.] + +[Footnote 41: nobly.] + +[Footnote 42: Cast.] + +[Footnote 43: cross, from crouche, a cross.] + +[Footnote 44: attempt, or endeavour.] + +[Footnote 45: unarmed.] + +[Footnote 46: unactive.] + +[Footnote 47: unspirited.] + +[Footnote 48: such.] + +[Footnote 49: fastened, annexed.] + +[Footnote 50: might, power.] + +[Footnote 51: mantle, or robe.] + +[Footnote 52: white, alluding to the arms of Kent, a horse saliant, +argent.] + +[Footnote 53: distracting.] + +[Footnote 54: despair.] + +[Footnote 55: bleed.] + +[Footnote 56: allow.] + +[Footnote 57: ease.] + +[Footnote 58: throne.] + +[Footnote 59: pluck.] + +[Footnote 60: Becomes.] + +[Footnote 61: subjects.] + +[Footnote 62: contentions, complaints.] + +[Footnote 63: choke.] + +[Footnote 64: dark, cloudy.] + +[Footnote 65: astonish.] + +[Footnote 66: cut off, destroyed.] + +[Footnote 67: slaves.] + +[Footnote 68: loud roaring.] + +[Footnote 69: flame of fire.] + +[Footnote 70: burn, consume.] + +[Footnote 71: them.] + +[Footnote 72: slay.] + +[Footnote 73: decay.] + +[Footnote 74: make ready.] + +[Footnote 75: enterprize.] + +[Footnote 76: Notwithstanding.] + +[Footnote 77: foes.] + +[Footnote 78: mangle, destroy.] + +[Footnote 79: beauty, countenance.] + +[Footnote 80: an ancient sword.] + +[Footnote 81: fury.] + +[Footnote 82: cease.] + +[Footnote 83: deadly.] + +[Footnote 84: lake.] + +[Footnote 85: swollen.] + +[Footnote 86: hidden.] + +[Footnote 87: unknown.] + +[Footnote 88: command.] + +[Footnote 89: still.] + +[Footnote 90: Red-stained.] + +[Footnotes 91, 92: parts of armour.] + +[Footnote 93: broad.] + +[Footnote 94: cause.] + +[Footnote 95: rights, liberties.] + +[Footnote 96: cutting, mangling.] + +[Footnote 97: forbidding.] + +[Footnote 98: grow.] + +[Footnote 99: furious.] + +[Footnote 100: slay.] + +[Footnote 101: strength.] + +[Footnote 102: declare.] + +[Footnote 103: sword.] + +[Footnote 104: Monastery.] + +[Footnote 105: more worthy.] + +[Footnote 106: pulled, plucked.] + +[Footnote 107: displayed.] + +[Footnote 108: over-righteous.] + +[Footnote 109: counselled, more wise.] + +[Footnote 110: uncareful, neglected.] + +[Footnote 111: Bid, command.] + +[Footnote 112: slay.] + +[Footnote 113: presently.] + +[Footnote 114: explain.] + +[Footnote 115: grievances.] + +[Footnote 116: branch.] + +[Footnote 117: wet, moist.] + +[Footnote 118: fen, moor.] + +[Footnote 119: drained.] + +[Footnote 120: swelling.] + +[Footnote 121: waves.] + +[Footnote 122: grievance.] + +[Footnote 123: assemble.] + +[Footnote 124: broad.] + +[Footnote 125: Horned.] + +[Footnote 126: white.] + +[Footnote 127: decks.] + +[Footnote 128: mightiest, most valiant.] + +[Footnote 129: slain.] + +[Footnote 130: oversets.] + +[Footnote 131: a castle.] + +[Footnote 132: revenge.] + +[Footnote 133: cause.] + +[Footnote 134: at once.] + +[Footnote 135: One who takes up the cross in order to fight against +the Saracens.] + +[Footnote 136: holy.] + +[Footnote 137: rare, extraordinary, strange.] + +[Footnote 138: run, shot up.] + +[Footnote 139: assembling, gathering.] + +[Footnote 140: bursteth.] + +[Footnote 141: dry, barren.] + +[Footnote 142: Mighty.] + +[Footnote 143: slain.] + +[Footnote 144: help.] + +[Footnote 145: Lord.] + +[Footnote 146: embroidered; 'tis conjectured, embroidery was not used +in England till Hen. II.] + +[Footnote 147: throne.] + +[Footnote 148: person, body.] + +[Footnote 149: lodge.] + +[Footnote 150: Marks.] + +[Footnote 151: subjects.] + +[Footnote 152: much.] + +[Footnote 153: lamentation.] + +[Footnote 154: neglected, or passed by.] + +[Footnote 155: require, ask.] + +[Footnote 156: holy.] + +[Footnote 157: help.] + +[Footnote 158: will.] + +[Footnote 159: dead.] + +[Footnote 160: doubt.] + +[Footnote 161: waves.] + +[Footnote 162: heaven-ward, or God-ward.] + +[Footnote 163: Purse, used here probably as a treasury.] + +[Footnote 164: expence.] + +[Footnote 165: receipt.] + +[Footnote 166: soon.] + +[Footnote 167: expended.] + +[Footnote 168: a contradiction of mighty.] + +[Footnote 169: Divest.] + +[Footnote 170: embrace.] + +[Footnote 171: mightiness.] + +[Footnote 172: counsel.] + +[Footnote 173: Firmness, stedfastness.] + +[Footnote 174: doubt, suspense.] + +[Footnote 175: not knowing.] + +[Footnote 176: wonder.] + +[Footnote 177: homage, obeysance.] + +[Footnote 178: they.] + +[Footnote 179: frown.] + +[Footnote 180: kill.] + +[Footnote 181: curriedowe, flatterer.] + +[Footnote 182: reward.] + +[Footnote 183: holy.] + +[Footnote 184: help.] + +[Footnote 185: allow.] + +[Footnote 186: manors.] + +[Footnote 187: alone.] + +[Footnote 188: Endeavoured.] + +[Footnote 189: freeze.] + +[Footnote 190: undismayed.] + +[Footnote 191: armed, pointed.] + +[Footnote 192: hoisted on high, raised.] + +[Footnote 193: foes, enemies.] + +[Footnote 194: fly.] + +[Footnote 195: head.] + +[Footnote 196: stretched.] + +[Footnote 197: Like.] + +[Footnote 198: two.] + +[Footnote 199: flaming.] + +[Footnote 200: meteors.] + +[Footnote 201: beats, stamps.] + +[Footnote 202: closely.] + +[Footnote 203: mantled, covered.] + +[Footnote 204: guides.] + +[Footnote 205: armed.] + +[Footnote 206: arose.] + +[Footnote 207: helmet.] + + + + +ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS: + +Bie T. ROWLEIE. + + + BOOKE 1st[1]. + + Whanne Scythyannes, salvage as the wolves theie chacde, + Peyncted in horrowe[2] formes bie nature dyghte, + Heckled[3] yn beastskyns, slepte uponne the waste, + And wyth the morneynge rouzed the wolfe to fyghte, + Swefte as descendeynge lemes[4] of roddie lyghte 5 + Plonged to the hulstred[5] bedde of laveynge seas, + Gerd[6] the blacke mountayn okes yn drybblets[7] twighte[8], + And ranne yn thoughte alonge the azure mees, + Whose eyne dyd feerie sheene, like blue-hayred defs[9], + That dreerie hange upon Dover's emblaunched[10] clefs. 10 + + Soft boundeynge over swelleynge azure reles[11] + The salvage natyves sawe a shyppe appere; + An uncouthe[12] denwere[13] to theire bosomme steles; + Theyre myghte ys knopped[14] ynne the froste of fere. + The headed javlyn lisseth[15] here and there; 15 + Theie stonde, theie ronne, theie loke wyth eger eyne; + The shyppes sayle, boleynge[16] wythe the kyndelie ayre, + Ronneth to harbour from the beateynge bryne; + Theie dryve awaie aghaste, whanne to the stronde + A burled[17] Trojan lepes, wythe Morglaien sweerde yn honde. 20 + + Hymme followede eftsoones hys compheeres[18], whose swerdes + Glestred lyke gledeynge[19] starres ynne frostie nete, + Hayleynge theyre capytayne in chirckynge[20] wordes + Kynge of the lande, whereon theie set theyre fete. + The greete kynge Brutus thanne theie dyd hym greete, 25 + Prepared for battle, mareschalled the syghte; + Theie urg'd the warre, the natyves fledde, as flete + As fleaynge cloudes that swymme before the syghte; + Tyll tyred with battles, for to ceese the fraie, + Theie uncted[21] Brutus kynge, and gave the Trojanns swaie. 30 + + Twayne of twelve years han lemed[22] up the myndes, + Leggende[23] the salvage unthewes[24] of theire breste, + Improved in mysterk[25] warre, and lymmed[26] theyre kyndes, + Whenne Brute from Brutons sonke to æterne reste. + Eftsoons the gentle Locryne was possest 35 + Of swaie, and vested yn the paramente[27]; + Halceld[28] the bykrous[29] Huns, who dyd infeste + Hys wakeynge kyngdom wyth a foule intente; + As hys broade swerde oer Homberres heade was honge, + He tourned toe ryver wyde, and roarynge rolled alonge. 40 + + He wedded Gendolyne of roieal sede, + Upon whose countenance rodde healthe was spreade; + Bloushing, alyche[30] the scarlette of herr wede, + She sonke to pleasaunce on the marryage bedde. + Eftsoons her peaceful joie of mynde was fledde; 45 + Elstrid ametten with the kynge Locryne; + Unnombered beauties were upon her shedde, + Moche fyne, moche fayrer thanne was Gendolyne; + The mornynge tynge, the rose, the lillie floure, + In ever ronneynge race on her dyd peyncte theyre powere. 50 + + The gentle suyte of Locryne gayned her love; + Theie lyved soft momentes to a swotie[31] age; + Eft[32] wandringe yn the coppyce, delle, and grove, + Where ne one eyne mote theyre disporte engage; + There dydde theie tell the merrie lovynge sage[33], 55 + Croppe the prymrosen floure to decke theyre headde; + The feerie Gendolyne yn woman rage + Gemoted[34] warriours to bewrecke[35] her bedde; + Theie rose; ynne battle was greete Locryne sleene; + The faire Elstrida fledde from the enchased[36] queene. 60 + + A tye of love, a dawter fayre she hanne, + Whose boddeynge morneyng shewed a fayre daie, + Her fadre Locrynne, once an hailie manne. + Wyth the fayre dawterre dydde she haste awaie, + To where the Western mittee[37] pyles of claie 65 + Arise ynto the cloudes, and doe them beere; + There dyd Elstrida and Sabryna staie; + The fyrste tryckde out a whyle yn warryours gratch[38] and gear; + Vyncente was she ycleped, butte fulle soone fate + Sente deathe, to telle the dame, she was notte yn regrate[39]. 70 + + The queene Gendolyne sente a gyaunte knyghte, + Whose doughtie heade swepte the emmertleynge[40] skies, + To slea her wheresoever she shulde be pyghte[41], + Eke everychone who shulde her ele[42] emprize[43]. + Swefte as the roareynge wyndes the gyaunte flies, 75 + Stayde the loude wyndes, and shaded reaulmes yn nyghte, + Stepte over cytties, on meint[44] acres lies, + Meeteynge the herehaughtes of morneynge lighte; + Tyll mooveynge to the Weste, myschaunce hys gye[45], + He thorowe warriours gratch fayre Elstrid did espie. 80 + + He tore a ragged mountayne from the grounde, + Harried[46] uppe noddynge forrests to the skie, + Thanne wythe a fuirie, mote the erthe astounde[47], + To meddle ayre he lette the mountayne flie. + The flying wolfynnes sente a yelleynge crie; 85 + Onne Vyncente and Sabryna felle the mount; + To lyve æternalle dyd theie eftsoones die; + Thorowe the sandie grave boiled up the pourple founte, + On a broade grassie playne was layde the hylle, + Staieynge the rounynge course of meint a limmed[48] rylle. 90 + + The goddes, who kenned the actyons of the wyghte, + To leggen[49] the sadde happe of twayne so fayre, + Houton[50] dyd make the mountaine bie theire mighte. + Forth from Sabryna ran a ryverre cleere, + Roarynge and rolleynge on yn course bysmare[51]; 95 + From female Vyncente shotte a ridge of stones, + Eche syde the ryver rysynge heavenwere; + Sabrynas floode was helde ynne Elstryds bones. + So are theie cleped; gentle and the hynde + Can telle, that Severnes streeme bie Vyncentes rocke's ywrynde[52]. 100 + + The bawsyn[53] gyaunt, hee who dyd them slee, + To telle Gendolyne quycklie was ysped[54]; + Whanne, as he strod alonge the shakeynge lee, + The roddie levynne[55] glesterrd on hys headde: + Into hys hearte the azure vapoures spreade; 105 + He wrythde arounde yn drearie dernie[56] payne; + Whanne from his lyfe-bloode the rodde lemes[57] were fed, + He felle an hepe of ashes on the playne: + Stylle does hys ashes shoote ynto the lyghte, + A wondrous mountayne hie, and Snowdon ys ytte hyghte. 110 + +FINIS. + +[Footnote 1: I will endeavour to get the remainder of these poems.] + +[Footnote 2: unseemly, disagreeable.] + +[Footnote 3: wrapped.] + +[Footnote 4: rays.] + +[Footnote 5: hidden, secret.] + +[Footnote 6: broke, rent.] + +[Footnote 7: small pieces.] + +[Footnote 8: pulled, rent.] + +[Footnote 9: vapours, meteors.] + +[Footnote 10: emblaunched.] + +[Editor's note: _Title: See Introduction_ p. xli] + +[Footnote 11: Ridges, rising waves.] + +[Footnotes 12, 13: unknown tremour.] + +[Footnote 14: fastened, chained, congealed.] + +[Footnote 15: boundeth.] + +[Footnote 16: swelling.] + +[Footnote 17: armed.] + +[Footnote 18: companions.] + +[Footnote 19: livid.] + +[Footnote 20: a confused noise.] + +[Footnote 21: Anointed.] + +[Footnote 22: enlightened.] + +[Footnote 23: alloyed.] + +[Footnote 24: savage barbarity.] + +[Footnote 25: mystic.] + +[Footnote 26: polished.] + +[Footnote 27: a princely robe.] + +[Footnote 28: defeated.] + +[Footnote 29: warring.] + +[Footnote 30: Like.] + +[Footnote 31: sweet.] + +[Footnote 32: oft.] + +[Footnote 33: a tale.] + +[Footnote 34: assembled.] + +[Footnote 35: revenge.] + +[Footnote 36: heated, enraged.] + +[Footnote 37: Mighty.] + +[Footnote 38: apparel.] + +[Footnote 39: esteem, favour.] + +[Footnote 40: glittering.] + +[Footnote 41: settled.] + +[Footnote 42: help.] + +[Footnote 43: adventure.] + +[Footnote 44: Many.] + +[Footnote 45: guide.] + +[Footnote 46: tost.] + +[Footnote 47: astonish.] + +[Footnote 48: glassy, reflecting.] + +[Footnote 49: lessen, alloy.] + +[Footnote 50: hollow.] + +[Footnote 51: Bewildered, curious.] + +[Footnote 52: hid, covered.] + +[Footnote 53: huge, bulky.] + +[Footnote 54: dispatched.] + +[Footnote 55: red lightning.] + +[Footnote 56: cruel.] + +[Footnote 57: flames, rays.] + + + + +AN EXCELENTE BALADE + +OF CHARITIE: + +As wroten bie the gode Prieste THOMAS ROWLEY[1], +1464. + + + In Virgyne the sweltrie sun gan sheene, + And hotte upon the mees[2] did caste his raie; + The apple rodded[3] from its palie greene, + And the mole[4] peare did bende the leafy spraie; + The peede chelandri[5] sunge the livelong daie; 5 + 'Twas nowe the pride, the manhode of the yeare, + And eke the grounde was dighte[6] in its mose defte[7] aumere[8]. + + The sun was glemeing in the midde of daie, + Deadde still the aire, and eke the welken[9] blue, + When from the sea arist[10] in drear arraie 10 + A hepe of cloudes of sable sullen hue, + The which full fast unto the woodlande drewe, + Hiltring[11] attenes[12] the sunnis fetive[13] face, + And the blacke tempeste swolne and gatherd up apace. + + Beneathe an holme, faste by a pathwaie side, 15 + Which dide unto Seyncte Godwine's covent[14] lede, + A hapless pilgrim moneynge did abide, + Pore in his viewe, ungentle[15] in his weede, + Longe bretful[16] of the miseries of neede, + Where from the hail-stone coulde the almer[17] flie? 20 + He had no housen theere, ne anie covent nie. + + Look in his glommed[18] face, his sprighte there scanne; + Howe woe-be-gone, how withered, forwynd[19], deade! + Haste to thie church-glebe-house[20], asshrewed[21] manne! + Haste to thie kiste[22], thie onlie dortoure[23] bedde. 25 + Cale, as the claie whiche will gre on thie hedde, + Is Charitie and Love aminge highe elves; + Knightis and Barons live for pleasure and themselves. + + The gatherd storme is rype; the bigge drops falle; + The forswat[24] meadowes smethe[25], and drenche[26] the raine; 30 + The comyng ghastness do the cattle pall[27], + And the full flockes are drivynge ore the plaine; + Dashde from the cloudes the waters flott[28] againe; + The welkin opes; the yellow levynne[29] flies; + And the hot fierie smothe[30] in the wide lowings[31] dies. 35 + + Liste! now the thunder's rattling clymmynge[32] sound + Cheves[33] slowlie on, and then embollen[34] clangs, + Shakes the hie spyre, and losst, dispended, drown'd, + Still on the gallard[35] eare of terroure hanges; + The windes are up; the lofty elmen swanges; 40 + Again the levynne and the thunder poures, + And the full cloudes are braste[36] attenes in stonen showers. + + Spurreynge his palfrie oere the watrie plaine. + The Abbote of Seyncte Godwynes convente came; + His chapournette[37] was drented with the reine, 45 + And his pencte[38] gyrdle met with mickle shame; + He aynewarde tolde his bederoll[39] at the same; + The storme encreasen, and he drew aside, + With the mist[40] almes craver neere to the holme to bide. + + His cope[41] was all of Lyncolne clothe so fyne, 50 + With a gold button fasten'd neere his chynne; + His autremete[42] was edged with golden twynne, + And his shoone pyke a loverds[43] mighte have binne; + Full well it shewn he thoughten coste no sinne; + The trammels of the palfrye pleasde his sighte; 55 + For the horse-millanare[44] his head with roses dighte. + + An almes, sir prieste! the droppynge pilgrim saide, + O! let me waite within your covente dore, + Till the sunne sheneth hie above our heade, + And the loude tempeste of the aire is oer; 60 + Helpless and ould am I alas! and poor; + No house, ne friend, ne moneie in my pouche; + All yatte I call my owne is this my silver crouche + + Varlet, replyd the Abbatte, cease your dinne; + This is no season almes and prayers to give; 65 + Mie porter never lets a faitour[45] in; + None touch mie rynge who not in honour live. + And now the sonne with the blacke cloudes did stryve, + And shettynge on the grounde his glairie raie, + The Abbatte spurrde his steede, and eftsoones roadde awaie. 70 + + Once moe the skie was blacke, the thounder rolde; + Faste reyneynge oer the plaine a prieste was seen; + Ne dighte full proude, ne buttoned up in golde; + His cope and jape[46] were graie, and eke were clene; + A Limitoure he was of order seene; 75 + And from the pathwaie side then turned hee, + Where the pore almer laie binethe the holmen tree. + + An almes, sir priest! the droppynge pilgrim sayde, + For sweete Seyncte Marie and your order sake. + The Limitoure then loosen'd his pouche threade, 80 + And did thereoute a groate of silver take; + The mister pilgrim dyd for halline[47] shake. + Here take this silver, it maie eathe[48] thie care; + We are Goddes stewards all, nete[49] of oure owne we bare. + + But ah! unhailie[50] pilgrim, lerne of me, 85 + Scathe anie give a rentrolle to their Lorde. + Here take my semecope[51], thou arte bare I see; + Tis thyne; the Seynctes will give me mie rewarde. + He left the pilgrim, and his waie aborde. + Virgynne and hallie Seyncte, who sitte yn gloure[52], 90 + Or give the mittee[53] will, or give the gode man power. + +[Footnote 1: Thomas Rowley, the author, was born at Norton Mal-reward +in Somersetshire, educated at the Convent of St. Kenna at Keynesham, +and died at Westbury in Gloucestershire.] + +[Footnote 2: meads.] + +[Footnote 3: reddened, ripened.] + +[Footnote 4: soft.] + +[Footnote 5: pied goldfinch.] + +[Footnote 6: drest, arrayed.] + +[Footnote 7: neat, ornamental.] + +[Footnote 8: a loose robe or mantle.] + +[Footnote 9: the sky, the atmosphere.] + +[Footnote 10: Arose.] + +[Footnote 11: hiding, shrouding.] + +[Footnote 12: at once.] + +[Footnote 13: beauteous.] + +[Footnote 14: It would have been _charitable_, if the author had not +pointed at personal characters in this Ballad of Charity. The Abbot +of St. Godwin's at the time of the writing of this was Ralph de +Bellomont, a great stickler for the Lancastrian family. Rowley was a +Yorkist.] + +[Footnote 15: beggarly.] + +[Footnote 16: filled with.] + +[Footnote 17: beggar.] + +[Footnote 18: clouded, dejected. A person of some note in the literary +world is of opinion, that _glum_ and _glom_ are modern cant words; +and from this circumstance doubts the authenticity of Rowley's +Manuscripts. Glum-mong in the Saxon signifies twilight, a dark or +dubious light; and the modern word _gloomy_ is derived from the Saxon +_glum_.] + +[Footnote 19: dry, sapless.] + +[Footnote 20: The grave.] + +[Footnote 21: accursed, unfortunate.] + +[Footnote 22: coffin.] + +[Footnote 23: a sleeping room.] + +[Footnote 24: sun-burnt.] + +[Footnote 25: smoke.] + +[Footnote 26: drink.] + +[Footnote 27: _pall_, a contraction from _appall_, to fright.] + +[Footnote 28: fly.] + +[Footnote 29: lightning.] + +[Footnote 30: steam, or vapours.] + +[Footnote 31: flames.] + +[Footnote 32: noisy.] + +[Footnote 33: moves.] + +[Footnote 34: swelled, strengthened.] + +[Footnote 35: Frighted.] + +[Footnote 36: burst.] + +[Footnote 37: a small round hat, not unlike the shapournette in +heraldry, formerly worn by Ecclesiastics and Lawyers.] + +[Footnote 38: painted.] + +[Footnote 39: He told his beads backwards; a figurative expression to +signify cursing.] + +[Footnote 40: poor, needy.] + +[Footnote 41: a cloke.] + +[Footnote 42: a loose white robe, worn by Priests.] + +[Footnote 43: A lord.] + +[Footnote 44: I believe this trade is still in being, though but +seldom employed.] + +[Footnote 45: a beggar, or vagabond.] + +[Footnote 46: A short surplice, worn by Friars of an inferior class, +and secular priests.] + +[Footnote 47: joy.] + +[Footnote 48: ease.] + +[Footnote 49: nought.] + +[Footnote 50: unhappy.] + +[Footnote 51: a short under-cloke.] + +[Footnote 52: Glory.] + +[Footnote 53: mighty, rich.] + + + + +BATTLE OF HASTINGS. + +[No 1.] + + + O Chryste, it is a grief for me to telle, + How manie a nobil erle and valrous knyghte + In fyghtynge for Kynge Harrold noblie fell, + Al sleyne in Hastyngs feeld in bloudie fyghte. + O sea-oerteeming Dovor! han thy floude, 5 + Han anie fructuous entendement, + Thou wouldst have rose and sank wyth tydes of bloude. + Before Duke Wyllyam's knyghts han hither went; + Whose cowart arrows manie erles sleyne, + And brued the feeld wyth bloude as season rayne. 10 + + And of his knyghtes did eke full manie die, + All passyng hie, of mickle myghte echone, + Whose poygnant arrowes, typp'd with destynie, + Caus'd manie wydowes to make myckle mone. + Lordynges, avaunt, that chycken-harted are, 15 + From out of hearynge quicklie now departe; + Full well I wote, to synge of bloudie warre + Will greeve your tenderlie and mayden harte. + Go, do the weaklie womman inn mann's geare, + And scond your mansion if grymm war come there. 20 + + Soone as the erlie maten belle was tolde, + And sonne was come to byd us all good daie, + Bothe armies on the feeld, both brave and bolde, + Prepar'd for fyghte in champyon arraie. + As when two bulles, destynde for Hocktide fyghte, 25 + Are yoked bie the necke within a sparre, + Theie rend the erthe, and travellyrs affryghte, + Lackynge to gage the sportive bloudie warre; + Soe lacked Harroldes menne to come to blowes, + The Normans lacked for to wielde their bowes. 30 + + Kynge Harrolde turnynge to hys leegemen spake; + My merrie men, be not caste downe in mynde; + Your onlie lode for aye to mar or make, + Before yon sunne has donde his welke, you'll fynde. + Your lovyng wife, who erst dyd rid the londe 35 + Of Lurdanes, and the treasure that you han, + Wyll falle into the Normanne robber's honde, + Unlesse with honde and harte you plaie the manne. + Cheer up youre hartes, chase sorrowe farre awaie, + Godde and Seyncte Cuthbert be the worde to daie. 40 + + And thenne Duke Wyllyam to his knyghtes did saie; + My merrie menne, be bravelie everiche; + Gif I do gayn the honore of the daie, + Ech one of you I will make myckle riche. + Beer you in mynde, we for a kyngdomm fyghte; 45 + Lordshippes and honores echone shall possesse; + Be this the worde to daie, God and my Ryghte; + Ne doubte but God will oure true cause blesse. + The clarions then sounded sharpe and shrille; + Deathdoeynge blades were out intent to kille. 50 + + And brave Kyng Harrolde had nowe donde hys saie; + He threwe wythe myghte amayne hys shorte horse-spear. + The noise it made the duke to turn awaie, + And hytt his knyghte, de Beque, upon the ear. + His cristede beaver dyd him smalle abounde; 55 + The cruel spear went thorough all his hede; + The purpel bloude came goushynge to the grounde, + And at Duke Wyllyam's feet he tumbled deade: + So fell the myghtie tower of Standrip, whenne + It felte the furie of the Danish menne. 60 + + O Afflem, son of Cuthbert, holie Sayncte, + Come ayde thy freend, and shewe Duke Wyllyams payne; + Take up thy pencyl, all hys features paincte; + Thy coloryng excells a synger strayne. + Duke Wyllyam sawe hys freende sleyne piteouslie, 65 + Hys lovynge freende whome he muche honored, + For he han lovd hym from puerilitie, + And theie together bothe han bin ybred: + O! in Duke Wyllyam's harte it raysde a flame, + To whiche the rage of emptie wolves is tame. 70 + + He tooke a brasen crosse-bowe in his honde, + And drewe it harde with all hys myghte amein, + Ne doubtyng but the bravest in the londe + Han by his soundynge arrowe-lede bene sleyne. + Alured's stede, the fynest stede alive, 75 + Bye comelie forme knowlached from the rest; + But nowe his destind howre did aryve, + The arrowe hyt upon his milkwhite breste: + So have I seen a ladie-smock soe white, + Blown in the mornynge, and mowd downe at night. 80 + + With thilk a force it dyd his bodie gore, + That in his tender guttes it entered, + In veritee a fulle clothe yarde or more, + And downe with flaiten noyse he sunken dede. + Brave Alured, benethe his faithfull horse, 85 + Was smeerd all over withe the gorie duste, + And on hym laie the recer's lukewarme corse, + That Alured coulde not hymself aluste. + The standyng Normans drew theyr bowe echone, + And broght full manie Englysh champyons downe. 90 + + The Normans kept aloofe, at distaunce stylle, + The Englysh nete but short horse-spears could welde; + The Englysh manie dethe-sure dartes did kille, + And manie arrowes twang'd upon the sheelde. + Kynge Haroldes knyghts desir'de for hendie stroke, 95 + And marched furious o'er the bloudie pleyne, + In bodie close, and made the pleyne to smoke; + Theire sheelds rebounded arrowes back agayne. + The Normans stode aloofe, nor hede the same, + Their arrowes woulde do dethe, tho' from far of they came. 100 + + Duke Wyllyam drewe agen hys arrowe strynge, + An arrowe withe a sylver-hede drewe he; + The arrowe dauncynge in the ayre dyd synge, + And hytt the horse of Tosselyn on the knee. + At this brave Tosslyn threwe his short horse-speare; 105 + Duke Wyllyam stooped to avoyde the blowe; + The yrone weapon hummed in his eare, + And hitte Sir Doullie Naibor on the prowe; + Upon his helme soe furious was the stroke, + It splete his bever, and the ryvets broke. 110 + + Downe fell the beaver by Tosslyn splete in tweine, + And onn his hede expos'd a punie wounde, + But on Destoutvilles sholder came ameine, + And fell'd the champyon to the bloudie grounde. + Then Doullie myghte his bowestrynge drewe, 115 + Enthoughte to gyve brave Tosslyn bloudie wounde, + But Harolde's asenglave stopp'd it as it slewe, + And it fell bootless on the bloudie grounde. + Siere Doullie, when he sawe hys venge thus broke, + Death-doynge blade from out the scabard toke. 120 + + And now the battail closde on everych syde, + And face to face appeard the knyghts full brave; + They lifted up theire bylles with myckle pryde, + And manie woundes unto the Normans gave. + So have I sene two weirs at once give grounde, 125 + White fomyng hygh to rorynge combat runne; + In roaryng dyn and heaven-breaking sounde, + Burste waves on waves, and spangle in the sunne; + And when their myghte in burstynge waves is fled, + Like cowards, stele alonge their ozy bede. 130 + + Yonge Egelrede, a knyghte of comelie mien, + Affynd unto the kynge of Dynefarre, + At echone tylte and tourney he was seene, + And lov'd to be amonge the bloudie warre; + He couch'd hys launce, and ran wyth mickle myghte 135 + Ageinste the brest of Sieur de Bonoboe; + He grond and sunken on the place of fyghte, + O Chryste! to fele his wounde, his harte was woe. + Ten thousand thoughtes push'd in upon his mynde, + Not for hymselfe, but those he left behynde. 140 + + He dy'd and leffed wyfe and chyldren tweine, + Whom he wyth cheryshment did dearlie love; + In England's court, in goode Kynge Edwarde's regne, + He wonne the tylte, and ware her crymson glove; + And thence unto the place where he was borne, 145 + Together with hys welthe & better wyfe, + To Normandie he dyd perdie returne, + In peace and quietnesse to lead his lyfe; + And now with sovrayn Wyllyam he came, + To die in battel, or get welthe and fame. 150 + + Then, swefte as lyghtnynge, Egelredus set + Agaynst du Barlie of the mounten head; + In his dere hartes bloude his longe launce was wett, + And from his courser down he tumbled dede. + So have I sene a mountayne oak, that longe 155 + Has caste his shadowe to the mountayne syde, + Brave all the wyndes, tho' ever they so stronge, + And view the briers belowe with self-taught pride; + But, whan throwne downe by mightie thunder stroke, + He'de rather bee a bryer than an oke. 160 + + Then Egelred dyd in a declynie + Hys launce uprere with all hys myghte ameine, + And strok Fitzport upon the dexter eye, + And at his pole the spear came out agayne. + Butt as he drewe it forthe, an arrowe fledde 165 + Wyth mickle myght sent from de Tracy's bowe, + And at hys syde the arrowe entered, + And oute the crymson streme of bloude gan flowe; + In purple strekes it dyd his armer staine, + And smok'd in puddles on the dustie plaine. 170 + + But Egelred, before he sunken downe, + With all his myghte amein his spear besped, + It hytte Bertrammil Manne upon the crowne, + And bothe together quicklie sunken dede. + So have I seen a rocke o'er others hange, 175 + Who stronglie plac'd laughde at his slippry state, + But when he falls with heaven-peercynge bange + That he the sleeve unravels all theire fate, + And broken onn the beech thys lesson speak, + The stronge and firme should not defame the weake. 180 + + Howel ap Jevah came from Matraval, + Where he by chaunce han slayne a noble's son, + And now was come to fyghte at Harold's call, + And in the battel he much goode han done; + Unto Kyng Harold he foughte mickle near, 185 + For he was yeoman of the bodie guard; + And with a targyt and a fyghtyng spear, + He of his boddie han kepte watch and ward; + True as a shadow to a substant thynge, + So true he guarded Harold hys good kynge. 190 + + But when Egelred tumbled to the grounde, + He from Kynge Harolde quicklie dyd advaunce, + And strooke de Tracie thilk a crewel wounde, + Hys harte and lever came out on the launce. + And then retreted for to guarde his kynge, 195 + On dented launce he bore the harte awaie; + An arrowe came from Auffroie Griel's strynge, + Into hys heele betwyxt hys yron staie; + The grey-goose pynion, that thereon was sett, + Eftsoons wyth smokyng crymson bloud was wett. 200 + + His bloude at this was waxen flaminge hotte, + Without adoe he turned once agayne, + And hytt de Griel thilk a blowe, God wote, + Maugre hys helme, he splete his hede in twayne. + This Auffroie was a manne of mickle pryde, 205 + Whose featliest bewty ladden in his face; + His chaunce in warr he ne before han tryde, + But lyv'd in love and Rosaline's embrace; + And like a useless weede amonge the haie + Amonge the sleine warriours Griel laie. 210 + + Kynge Harolde then he putt his yeomen bie, + And ferslie ryd into the bloudie fyghte; + Erle Ethelwolf, and Goodrick, and Alsie, + Cuthbert, and Goddard, mical menne of myghte, + Ethelwin, Ethelbert, and Edwyn too, 215 + Effred the famous, and Erle Ethelwarde, + Kynge Harolde's leegemenn, erlies hie and true, + Rode after hym, his bodie for to guarde; + The reste of erlies, fyghtynge other wheres, + Stained with Norman bloude theire fyghtynge speres. 220 + + As when some ryver with the season raynes + White fomynge hie doth breke the bridges oft, + Oerturns the hamelet and all conteins. + And layeth oer the hylls a muddie soft; + So Harold ranne upon his Normanne foes. 225 + And layde the greate and small upon the grounde, + And delte among them thilke a store of blowes, + Full manie a Normanne fell by him dede wounde; + So who he be that ouphant faieries strike, + Their soules will wander to Kynge Offa's dyke. 230 + + Fitz Salnarville, Duke William's favourite knyghte, + To noble Edelwarde his life dyd yielde; + Withe hys tylte launce hee stroke with thilk a myghte, + The Norman's bowels steemde upon the feeld. + Old Salnarville beheld hys son lie ded, 235 + Against Erie Edelward his bowe-strynge drewe; + But Harold at one blowe made tweine his head; + He dy'd before the poignant arrowe flew. + So was the hope of all the issue gone, + And in one battle fell the sire and son. 240 + + De Aubignee rod fercely thro' the fyghte, + To where the boddie of Salnarville laie; + Quod he; And art thou ded, thou manne of myghte? + I'll be revengd, or die for thee this daie. + Die then thou shalt, Erie Ethelwarde he said; 245 + I am a cunnynge erle, and that can tell; + Then drewe hys swerde, and ghastlie cut hys hede, + And on his freend eftsoons he lifeless fell, + Stretch'd on the bloudie pleyne; great God forefend, + It be the fate of no such trustie freende! 250 + + Then Egwin Sieur Pikeny did attaque; + He turned aboute and vilely souten flie; + But Egwyn cutt so deepe into his backe, + He rolled on the grounde and soon dyd die. + His distant sonne, Sire Romara de Biere, 255 + Soughte to revenge his fallen kynsman's lote, + But soone Erie Cuthbert's dented fyghtyng spear + Stucke in his harte, and stayd his speed, God wote. + He tumbled downe close by hys kynsman's syde, + Myngle their stremes of pourple bloude, and dy'd. 260 + + And now an arrowe from a bowe unwote + Into Erle Cuthbert's harte eftsoons dyd flee; + Who dying sayd; ah me! how hard my lote! + Now slayne, mayhap, of one of lowe degree. + So have I seen a leafic elm of yore 265 + Have been the pride and glorie of the pleine; + But, when the spendyng landlord is growne poore. + It falls benethe the axe of some rude sweine; + And like the oke, the sovran of the woode, + It's fallen boddie tells you how it stoode. 270 + + When Edelward perceevd Erle Cuthbert die, + On Hubert strongest of the Normanne crewe, + As wolfs when hungred on the cattel flie, + So Edelward amaine upon him flewe. + With thilk a force he hyt hym to the grounde; 275 + And was demasing howe to take his life, + When he behynde received a ghastlie wounde + Gyven by de Torcie, with a stabbyng knyfe; + Base trecherous Normannes, if such actes you doe, + The conquer'd maie clame victorie of you. 280 + + The erlie felt de Torcie's trecherous knyfe + Han made his crymson bloude and spirits floe; + And knowlachyng he soon must quyt this lyfe, + Resolved Hubert should too with hym goe. + He held hys trustie swerd against his breste, 285 + And down he fell, and peerc'd him to the harte; + And both together then did take their reste, + Their soules from corpses unaknell'd depart; + And both together soughte the unknown shore, + Where we shall goe, where manie's gon before. 290 + + Kynge Harolde Torcie's trechery dyd spie, + And hie alofe his temper'd swerde dyd welde, + Cut offe his arme, and made the bloude to flie, + His proofe steel armoure did him littel sheelde; + And not contente, he splete his hede in twaine, 295 + And down he tumbled on the bloudie grounde; + Mean while the other erlies on the playne + Gave and received manie a bloudie wounde, + Such as the arts in warre han learnt with care, + But manie knyghtes were women in men's geer. 300 + + Herrewald, borne on Sarim's spreddyng plaine, + Where Thor's fam'd temple manie ages stoode; + Where Druids, auncient preests, did ryghtes ordaine, + And in the middle shed the victyms bloude; + Where auncient Bardi dyd their verses synge 305 + Of Cæsar conquer'd, and his mighty hoste, + And how old Tynyan, necromancing kynge, + Wreck'd all hys shyppyng on the Brittish coaste, + And made hym in his tatter'd barks to flie, + 'Till Tynyan's dethe and opportunity. 310 + + To make it more renomed than before, + (I, tho a Saxon, yet the truthe will telle) + The Saxonnes steynd the place wyth Brittish gore, + Where nete but bloud of sacrifices felle. + Tho' Chrystians, stylle they thoghte mouche of the pile, 315 + And here theie mett when causes dyd it neede; + 'Twas here the auncient Elders of the Isle + Dyd by the trecherie of Hengist bleede; + O Hengist! han thy cause bin good and true, + Thou wouldst such murdrous acts as these eschew. 320 + + The erlie was a manne of hie degree, + And han that daie full manie Normannes sleine; + Three Norman Champyons of hie degree + He lefte to smoke upon the bloudie pleine: + The Sier Fitzbotevilleine did then advaunce, 325 + And with his bowe he smote the erlies hede; + Who eftsoons gored hym with his tylting launce, + And at his horses feet he tumbled dede: + His partyng spirit hovered o'er the floude + Of soddayne roushynge mouche lov'd pourple bloude. 330 + + De Viponte then, a squier of low degree, + An arrowe drewe with all his myghte ameine; + The arrowe graz'd upon the erlies knee, + A punie wounde, that causd but littel peine. + So have I seene a Dolthead place a stone, 335 + Enthoghte to staie a driving rivers course; + But better han it bin to lett alone, + It onlie drives it on with mickle force; + The erlie, wounded by so base a hynde, + Rays'd furyous doyngs in his noble mynde. 340 + + The Siere Chatillion, yonger of that name, + Advaunced next before the erlie's syghte; + His fader was a manne of mickle fame, + And he renomde and valorous in fyghte. + Chatillion his trustie swerd forth drewe. 345 + The erle drawes his, menne both of mickle myghte; + And at eche other vengouslie they flewe, + As mastie dogs at Hocktide set to fyghte; + Bothe scornd to yeelde, and bothe abhor'de to flie, + Resolv'd to vanquishe, or resolv'd to die. 350 + + Chatillion hyt the erlie on the hede, + Thatt splytte eftsoons his cristed helm in twayne; + Whiche he perforce withe target covered, + And to the battel went with myghte ameine. + The erlie hytte Chatillion thilke a blowe 355 + Upon his breste, his harte was plein to see; + He tumbled at the horses feet alsoe, + And in dethe panges he seez'd the recer's knee: + Faste as the ivy rounde the oke doth clymbe, + So faste he dying gryp'd the recer's lymbe. 360 + + The recer then beganne to flynge and kicke, + And toste the erlie farr off to the grounde; + The erlie's squier then a swerde did sticke + Into his harte, a dedlie ghastlie wounde; + And downe he felle upon the crymson pleine, 365 + Upon Chatillion's soulless corse of claie; + A puddlie streme of bloude flow'd oute ameine; + Stretch'd out at length besmer'd with gore he laie; + As some tall oke fell'd from the greenie plaine, + To live a second time upon the main. 370 + + The erlie nowe an horse and beaver han, + And nowe agayne appered on the feeld; + And manie a mickle knyghte and mightie manne + To his dethe-doyng swerd his life did yeeld; + When Siere de Broque an arrowe longe lett flie, 375 + Intending Herewaldus to have sleyne; + It miss'd; butt hytte Edardus on the eye, + And at his pole came out with horrid payne. + Edardus felle upon the bloudie grounde, + His noble soule came roushyng from the wounde. 380 + + Thys Herewald perceevd, and full of ire + He on the Siere de Broque with furie came; + Quod he; thou'st slaughtred my beloved squier, + But I will be revenged for the same. + Into his bowels then his launce he thruste, 385 + And drew thereout a steemie drerie lode; + Quod he; these offals are for ever curst, + Shall serve the coughs, and rooks, and dawes, for foode. + Then on the pleine the steemie lode hee throwde, + Smokynge wyth lyfe, and dy'd with crymson bloude. 390 + + Fitz Broque, who saw his father killen lie, + Ah me! sayde he; what woeful syghte I see! + But now I must do somethyng more than sighe; + And then an arrowe from the bowe drew he. + Beneth the erlie's navil came the darte; 395 + Fitz Broque on foote han drawne it from the bowe; + And upwards went into the erlie's harte, + And out the crymson streme of bloude 'gan flowe. + As fromm a hatch, drawne with a vehement geir, + White rushe the burstynge waves, and roar along the weir. 400 + + The erle with one honde grasp'd the recer's mayne, + And with the other he his launce besped; + And then felle bleedyng on the bloudie plaine. + His launce it hytte Fitz Broque upon the hede; + Upon his hede it made a wounde full slyghte, 405 + But peerc'd his shoulder, ghastlie wounde inferne, + Before his optics daunced a shade of nyghte, + Whyche soone were closed ynn a sleepe eterne. + The noble erlie than, withote a grone, + Took flyghte, to fynde the regyons unknowne. 410 + + Brave Alured from binethe his noble horse + Was gotten on his leggs, with bloude all smore; + And now eletten on another horse, + Eftsoons he withe his launce did manie gore. + The cowart Norman knyghtes before hym fledde, 415 + And from a distaunce sent their arrowes keene; + But noe such destinie awaits his hedde, + As to be sleyen by a wighte so meene. + Tho oft the oke falls by the villen's shock, + 'Tys moe than hyndes can do, to move the rock. 420 + + Upon du Chatelet he ferselie sett, + And peerc'd his bodie with a force full grete; + The asenglave of his tylt-launce was wett, + The rollynge bloude alonge the launce did fleet. + Advauncynge, as a mastie at a bull, 425 + He rann his launce into Fitz Warren's harte; + From Partaies bowe, a wight unmercifull, + Within his owne he felt a cruel darte; + Close by the Norman champyons he han sleine, + He fell; and mixd his bloude with theirs upon the pleine. 430 + + Erie Ethelbert then hove, with clinie just, + A launce, that stroke Partaie upon the thighe, + And pinn'd him downe unto the gorie duste; + Cruel, quod he, thou cruellie shalt die. + With that his launce he enterd at his throte; 435 + He scritch'd and screem'd in melancholie mood; + And at his backe eftsoons came out, God wote, + And after it a crymson streme of bloude: + In agonie and peine he there dyd lie, + While life and dethe strove for the masterrie, 440 + + He gryped hard the bloudie murdring launce, + And in a grone he left this mortel lyfe. + Behynde the erlie Fiscampe did advaunce, + Bethoghte to kill him with a stabbynge knife; + But Egward, who perceevd his fowle intent, 445 + Eftsoons his trustie swerde he forthwyth drewe, + And thilke a cruel blowe to Fiscampe sent, + That soule and bodie's bloude at one gate flewe. + Thilk deeds do all deserve, whose deeds so fowle + Will black theire earthlie name, if not their soule. 450 + + When lo! an arrowe from Walleris honde, + Winged with fate and dethe daunced alonge; + And slewe the noble flower of Powyslonde, + Howel ap Jevah, who yclepd the stronge. + Whan he the first mischaunce received han, 455 + With horsemans haste he from the armie rodde; + And did repaire unto the cunnynge manne, + Who sange a charme, that dyd it mickle goode; + Then praid Seyncte Cuthbert, and our holie Dame, + To blesse his labour, and to heal the same. 460 + + Then drewe the arrowe, and the wounde did seck, + And putt the teint of holie herbies on; + And putt a rowe of bloude-stones round his neck; + And then did say; go, champyon, get agone. + And now was comynge Harrolde to defend, 465 + And metten with Walleris cruel darte; + His sheelde of wolf-skinn did him not attend, + The arrow peerced into his noble harte; + As some tall oke, hewn from the mountayne hed, + Falls to the pleine; so fell the warriour dede. 470 + + His countryman, brave Mervyn ap Teudor, + Who love of hym han from his country gone, + When he perceevd his friend lie in his gore, + As furious as a mountayne wolf he ranne. + As ouphant faieries, whan the moone sheenes bryghte, 475 + In littel circles daunce upon the greene, + All living creatures flie far from their syghte, + Ne by the race of destinie be seen; + For what he be that ouphant faieries stryke, + Their soules will wander to Kyng Offa's dyke. 480 + + So from the face of Mervyn Tewdor brave + The Normans eftsoons fled awaie aghaste; + And lefte behynde their bowe and asenglave. + For fear of hym, in thilk a cowart haste. + His garb sufficient were to move affryghte; 485 + A wolf skin girded round his myddle was; + A bear skyn, from Norwegians wan in fyghte, + Was tytend round his shoulders by the claws: + So Hercules, 'tis sunge, much like to him, + Upon his sholder wore a lyon's skin. 490 + + Upon his thyghes and harte-swefte legges he wore + A hugie goat skyn, all of one grete peice; + A boar skyn sheelde on his bare armes he bore; + His gauntletts were the skynn of harte of greece. + They fledde; he followed close upon their heels, 495 + Vowynge vengeance for his deare countrymanne; + And Siere de Sancelotte his vengeance feels; + He peerc'd hys backe, and out the bloude ytt ranne. + His bloude went downe the swerde unto his arme, + In springing rivulet, alive and warme. 500 + + His swerde was shorte, and broade, and myckle keene, + And no mann's bone could stonde to stoppe itts waie; + The Normann's harte in partes two cutt cleane, + He clos'd his eyne, and clos'd hys eyne for aie. + Then with his swerde he sett on Fitz du Valle, 505 + A knyghte mouch famous for to runne at tylte; + With thilk a furie on hym he dyd falle, + Into his neck he ranne the swerde and hylte; + As myghtie lyghtenynge often has been founde, + To drive an oke into unfallow'd grounde. 510 + + And with the swerde, that in his neck yet stoke, + The Norman fell unto the bloudie grounde; + And with the fall ap Tewdore's swerde he broke, + And bloude afreshe came trickling from the wounde. + As whan the hyndes, before a mountayne wolfe, 515 + Flie from his paws, and angrie vysage grym; + But when he falls into the pittie golphe, + They dare hym to his bearde, and battone hym; + And cause he fryghted them so muche before, + Lyke cowart hyndes, they battone hym the more. 520 + + So, whan they sawe ap Tewdore was bereft + Of his keen swerde, thatt wroghte thilke great dismaie, + They turned about, eftsoons upon hym lept, + And full a score engaged in the fraie. + Mervyn ap Tewdore, ragyng as a bear, 525 + Seiz'd on the beaver of the Sier de Laque; + And wring'd his hedde with such a vehement gier, + His visage was turned round unto his backe. + Backe to his harte retyr'd the useless gore, + And felle upon the pleine to rise no more. 530 + + Then on the mightie Siere Fitz Pierce he flew, + And broke his helm and seiz'd hym bie the throte: + Then manie Normann knyghtes their arrowes drew, + That enter'd into Mervyn's harte, God wote. + In dying panges he gryp'd his throte more stronge, 535 + And from their sockets started out his eyes; + And from his mouthe came out his blameless tonge; + And bothe in peyne and anguishe eftsoon dies. + As some rude rocke torne from his bed of claie, + Stretch'd onn the pleyne the brave ap Tewdore laie. 540 + + And now Erle Ethelbert and Egward came + Brave Mervyn from the Normannes to assist; + A myghtie siere, Fitz Chatulet bie name, + An arrowe drew, that dyd them littel list. + Erle Egward points his launce at Chatulet, 545 + And Ethelbert at Walleris set his; + And Egwald dyd the siere a hard blowe hytt, + But Ethelbert by a myschaunce dyd miss: + Fear laide Walleris flat upon the strande, + He ne deserved a death from erlies hande. 550 + + Betwyxt the ribbes of Sire Fitz Chatelet + The poynted launce of Egward did ypass; + The distaunt syde thereof was ruddie wet, + And he fell breathless on the bloudie grass. + As cowart Walleris laie on the grounde, 555 + The dreaded weapon hummed oer his heade. + And hytt the squier thylke a lethal wounde, + Upon his fallen lorde he tumbled dead: + Oh shame to Norman armes! a lord a slave, + A captyve villeyn than a lorde more brave! 560 + + From Chatelet hys launce Erle Egward drew, + And hit Wallerie on the dexter cheek; + Peerc'd to his braine, and cut his tongue in two: + There, knyght, quod he, let that thy actions speak-- + + * * * * * + + + + +BATTLE OF HASTINGS. + +[No 2.] + + + Oh Truth! immortal daughter of the skies, + Too lyttle known to wryters of these daies, + Teach me, fayre Saincte! thy passynge worthe to pryze, + To blame a friend and give a foeman prayse. + The sickle moone, bedeckt wythe sylver rays, 5 + Leadynge a traine of starres of feeble lyghte, + With look adigne the worlde belowe surveies, + The world, that wotted not it coud be nyghte; + Wyth armour dyd, with human gore ydeyd, + She sees Kynge Harolde stande, fayre Englands curse and pryde. 10 + + With ale and vernage drunk his souldiers lay; + Here was an hynde, anie an erlie spredde; + Sad keepynge of their leaders natal daie! + This even in drinke, toomorrow with the dead! + Thro' everie troope disorder reer'd her hedde; 15 + Dancynge and heideignes was the onlie theme; + Sad dome was theires, who lefte this easie bedde, + And wak'd in torments from so sweet a dream. + Duke Williams menne, of comeing dethe afraide, + All nyghte to the great Godde for succour askd and praied. 20 + + Thus Harolde to his wites that stoode arounde; + Goe, Gyrthe and Eilward, take bills halfe a score, + And search how farre our foeman's campe doth bound; + Yourself have rede; I nede to saie ne more. + My brother best belov'd of anie ore, 25 + My Leoswinus, goe to everich wite, + Tell them to raunge the battel to the grore, + And waiten tyll I sende the hest for fyghte. + He saide; the loieaul broders lefte the place, + Success and cheerfulness depicted on ech face. 30 + + Slowelie brave Gyrthe and Eilwarde dyd advaunce, + And markd wyth care the armies dystant syde. + When the dyre clatterynge of the shielde and launce + Made them to be by Hugh Fitzhugh espyd. + He lyfted up his voice, and lowdlie cryd; 35 + Like wolfs in wintere did the Normanne yell; + Girthe drew hys swerde, and cutte hys burled hyde; + The proto-slene manne of the fielde he felle; + Out streemd the bloude, and ran in smokynge curles, + Reflected bie the moone seemd rubies mixt wyth pearles. 40 + + A troope of Normannes from the mass-songe came, + Rousd from their praiers by the flotting crie; + Thoughe Girthe and Ailwardus perceevd the same, + Not once theie stoode abashd, or thoghte to flie. + He seizd a bill, to conquer or to die; 45 + Fierce as a clevis from a rocke ytorne, + That makes a vallie wheresoe're it lie; + [1]Fierce as a ryver burstynge from the borne; + So fiercelie Gyrthe hitte Fitz du Gore a blowe. + And on the verdaunt playne he layde the champyone lowe. 50 + + Tancarville thus; alle peace in Williams name; + Let none edraw his arcublaster bowe. + Girthe cas'd his weppone as he hearde the same, + And vengynge Normannes staid the flyinge floe. + The sire wente onne; ye menne, what mean ye so 55 + Thus unprovokd to courte a bloudie fyghte? + Quod Gyrthe; oure meanynge we ne care to showe, + Nor dread thy duke wyth all his men of myghte; + Here single onlie these to all thie crewe + Shall shewe what Englysh handes and heartes can doe. 60 + + Seek not for bloude, Tancarville calme replyd, + Nor joie in dethe, lyke madmen most distraught; + In peace and mercy is a Chrystians pryde; + He that dothe contestes pryze is in a faulte. + And now the news was to Duke William brought, 65 + That men of Haroldes armie taken were; + For theyre good cheere all caties were enthoughte, + And Gyrthe and Eilwardus enjoi'd goode cheere. + Quod Willyam; thus shall Willyam be founde + A friend to everie manne that treades on English ground. 70 + + Erie Leofwinus throwghe the campe ypass'd, + And sawe bothe men and erlies on the grounde; + They slepte, as thoughe they woulde have slepte theyr last, + And hadd alreadie felte theyr fatale wounde. + He started backe, and was wyth shame astownd; 75 + Loked wanne wyth anger, and he shooke wyth rage; + When throughe the hollow tentes these wordes dyd sound, + Rowse from your sleepe, detratours of the age! + Was it for thys the stoute Norwegian bledde? + Awake, ye huscarles, now, or waken wyth the dead. 80 + + As when the shepster in the shadie bowre + In jintle slumbers chase the heat of daie, + Hears doublyng echoe wind the wolfins rore, + That neare hys flocke is watchynge for a praie, + He tremblynge for his sheep drives dreeme awaie, 85 + Gripes faste hys burled croke, and sore adradde + Wyth fleeting strides he hastens to the fraie, + And rage and prowess fyres the coistrell lad; + With trustie talbots to the battel flies, + And yell of men and dogs and wolfins tear the skies. 90 + + Such was the dire confusion of eche wite, + That rose from sleep and walsome power of wine; + Theie thoughte the foe by trechit yn the nyghte + Had broke theyr camp and gotten paste the line; + Now here now there the burnysht sheeldes and byll-spear shine; 95 + Throwote the campe a wild confusionne spredde; + Eche bracd hys armlace siker ne desygne, + The crested helmet nodded on the hedde; + Some caught a flughorne, and an onsett wounde; + Kynge Harolde hearde the charge, and wondred at the sounde. 100 + + Thus Leofwine; O women cas'd in stele! + Was itte for thys Norwegia's stubborn sede + Throughe the black armoure dyd the anlace fele, + And rybbes of solid brasse were made to bleede? + Whylst yet the worlde was wondrynge at the deede. 105 + You souldiers, that shoulde stand with byll in hand, + Get full of wine, devoid of any rede. + Oh shame! oh dyre dishonoure to the lande! + He sayde; and shame on everie visage spredde, + Ne sawe the erlies face, but addawd hung their head. 110 + + Thus he; rowze yee, and forme the boddie tyghte. + The Kentysh menne in fronte, for strenght renownd, + Next the Brystowans dare the bloudie fyghte, + And last the numerous crewe shall presse the grounde. + I and my king be wyth the Kenters founde; 115 + Bythric and Alfwold hedde the Brystowe bande; + And Bertrams sonne, the man of glorious wounde, + Lead in the rear the menged of the lande; + And let the Londoners and Suffers plie + Bie Herewardes memuine and the lighte skyrts anie. 120 + + He saide; and as a packe of hounds belent, + When that the trackyng of the hare is gone, + If one perchaunce shall hit upon the scent, + With twa redubbled fhuir the alans run; + So styrrd the valiante Saxons everych one; 125 + Soone linked man to man the champyones stoode; + To 'tone for their bewrate so soone 'twas done, + And lyfted bylls enseem'd an yron woode; + Here glorious Alfwold towr'd above the wites, + And seem'd to brave the fuir of twa ten thousand fights. 130 + + Thus Leofwine; today will Englandes dome + Be fyxt for aie, for gode or evill state; + This sunnes aunture be felt for years to come; + Then bravelie fyghte, and live till deathe of date. + Thinke of brave Ælfridus, yclept the grete, 135 + From porte to porte the red-haird Dane he chasd, + The Danes, with whomme not lyoncels coud mate, + Who made of peopled reaulms a barren waste; + Thinke how at once by you Norwegia bled + Whilste dethe and victorie for magystrie bested. 140 + + Meanwhile did Gyrthe unto Kynge Harolde ride, + And tolde howe he dyd with Duke Willyam fare. + Brave Harolde lookd askaunte, and thus replyd; + And can thie say be bowght wyth drunken cheer? + Gyrthe waxen hotte; fhuir in his eyne did glare; 145 + And thus he saide; oh brother, friend, and kynge, + Have I deserved this fremed speche to heare? + Bie Goddes hie hallidome ne thoughte the thynge. + When Tostus sent me golde and sylver store, + I scornd hys present vile, and scorn'd hys treason more. 150 + + Forgive me, Gyrthe, the brave Kynge Harolde cryd; + Who can I trust, if brothers are not true? + I think of Tostus, once my joie and pryde. + Girthe saide, with looke adigne; my lord, I doe. + But what oure foemen are, quod Girth, I'll shewe; 155 + By Gods hie hallidome they preestes are. + Do not, quod Harolde, Girthe, mystell them so, + For theie are everich one brave men at warre. + Quod Girthe; why will ye then provoke theyr hate? + Quod Harolde; great the foe, so is the glorie grete. 160 + + And nowe Duke Willyam mareschalled his band, + And stretchd his armie owte a goodlie rowe. + First did a ranke of arcublastries stande, + Next those on horsebacke drewe the ascendyng flo, + Brave champyones, eche well lerned in the bowe, 165 + Theyr asenglave acrosse theyr horses ty'd, + Or with the loverds squier behinde dyd goe, + Or waited squier lyke at the horses syde. + When thus Duke Willyam to a Monke dyd saie, + Prepare thyselfe wyth spede, to Harolde haste awaie. 170 + + Telle hym from me one of these three to take; + That hee to mee do homage for thys lande, + Or mee hys heyre, when he deceasyth, make, + Or to the judgment of Chrysts vicar stande. + He saide; the Monke departyd out of hande, 175 + And to Kyng Harolde dyd this message bear; + Who said; tell thou the duke, at his likand + If he can gette the crown hee may itte wear. + He said, and drove the Monke out of his syghte, + And with his brothers rouz'd each manne to bloudie fyghte. 180 + + A standarde made of sylke and jewells rare, + Wherein alle coloures wroughte aboute in bighes, + An armyd knyghte was seen deth-doynge there, + Under this motte, He conquers or he dies. + This standard rych, endazzlynge mortal eyes, 185 + Was borne neare Harolde at the Renters heade, + Who chargd hys broders for the grete empryze + That straite the hest for battle should be spredde. + To evry erle and knyghte the worde is gyven, + And cries _a guerre_ and slughornes shake the vaulted heaven. 190 + + As when the erthe, torne by convulsyons dyre, + In reaulmes of darkness hid from human syghte, + The warring force of water, air, and fyre, + Brast from the regions of eternal nyghte, + Thro the darke caverns seeke the reaulmes of lyght; 195 + Some loftie mountaine, by its fury torne, + Dreadfully moves, and causes grete affryght; + Now here, now there, majestic nods the bourne, + And awfulle shakes, mov'd by the almighty force, + Whole woods and forests nod, and ryvers change theyr course. 200 + + So did the men of war at once advaunce, + Linkd man to man, enseemed one boddie light; + Above a wood, yform'd of bill and launce, + That noddyd in the ayre most straunge to syght. + Harde as the iron were the menne of mighte, 205 + Ne neede of slughornes to enrowse theyr minde; + Eche shootynge spere yreaden for the fyghte, + More feerce than fallynge rocks, more swefte than wynd; + With solemne step, by ecchoe made more dyre, + One single boddie all theie marchd, theyr eyen on fyre. 210 + + And now the greie-eyd morne with vi'lets drest, + Shakyng the dewdrops on the flourie meedes, + Fled with her rosie radiance to the West: + Forth from the Easterne gatte the fyerie steedes + Of the bright sunne awaytynge spirits leedes: 215 + The sunne, in fierie pompe enthrond on hie, + Swyfter than thoughte alonge hys jernie gledes, + And scatters nyghtes remaynes from oute the skie: + He sawe the armies make for bloudie fraie, + And stopt his driving steeds, and hid his lyghtsome raye. 220 + + Kynge Harolde hie in ayre majestic raysd + His mightie arme, deckt with a manchyn rare; + With even hande a mighty javlyn paizde, + Then furyouse sent it whystlynge thro the ayre. + It struck the helmet of the Sieur de Beer; 225 + In vayne did brasse or yron stop its waie; + Above his eyne it came, the bones dyd tare, + Peercynge quite thro, before it dyd allaie; + He tumbled, scritchyng wyth hys horrid payne; + His hollow cuishes rang upon the bloudie pleyne. 230 + + This Willyam saw, and soundynge Rowlandes songe + He bent his yron interwoven bowe, + Makynge bothe endes to meet with myghte full stronge, + From out of mortals syght shot up the floe; + Then swyfte as fallynge starres to earthe belowe 235 + It slaunted down on Alfwoldes payncted sheelde; + Quite thro the silver-bordurd crosse did goe, + Nor loste its force, but stuck into the feelde; + The Normannes, like theyr sovrin, dyd prepare, + And shotte ten thousande floes uprysynge in the aire. 240 + + As when a flyghte of cranes, that takes their waie + In householde armies thro the flanched skie, + Alike the cause, or companie or prey, + If that perchaunce some boggie fenne is nie. + Soon as the muddie natyon theie espie, 245 + Inne one blacke cloude theie to the erth descende; + Feirce as the fallynge thunderbolte they flie; + In vayne do reedes the speckled folk defend: + So prone to heavie blowe the arrowes felle, + And peered thro brasse, and sente manie to heaven or helle. 250 + + Ælan Adelfred, of the stowe of Leigh, + Felte a dire arrowe burnynge in his breste; + Before he dyd, he sente hys spear awaie, + Thenne sunke to glorie and eternal reste. + Nevylle, a Normanne of alle Normannes beste, 255 + Throw the joint cuishe dyd the javlyn feel, + As hee on horsebacke for the fyghte addressd, + And sawe hys bloude come smokynge oer the steele; + He sente the avengynge floe into the ayre, + And turnd hys horses hedde, and did to leeche repayre. 260 + + And now the javelyns, barbd with deathhis wynges, + Hurld from the Englysh handes by force aderne, + Whyzz dreare alonge, and songes of terror synges, + Such songes as alwaies clos'd in lyfe eterne. + Hurld by such strength along the ayre theie burne, 265 + Not to be quenched butte ynn Normannes bloude; + Wherere theie came they were of lyfe forlorn, + And alwaies followed by a purple floude; + Like cloudes the Normanne arrowes did descend, + Like cloudes of carnage full in purple drops dyd end. 270 + + Nor, Leofwynus, dydst thou still estande; + Full soon thie pheon glytted in the aire; + The force of none but thyne and Harolds hande + Could hurle a javlyn with such lethal geer; + Itte whyzzd a ghastlie dynne in Normannes ear, 275 + Then thundryng dyd upon hys greave alyghte, + Peirce to his hearte, and dyd hys bowels tear, + He closd hys eyne in everlastynge nyghte; + Ah! what avayld the lyons on his creste! + His hatchments rare with him upon the grounde was prest. 280 + + Willyam agayne ymade his bowe-ends meet, + And hie in ayre the arrowe wynged his waie, + Descendyng like a shafte of thunder sleete, + Lyke thunder rattling at the noon of daie, + Onne Algars sheelde the arrowe dyd assaie, 285 + There throghe dyd peerse, and stycke into his groine; + In grypynge torments on the feelde he laie, + Tille welcome dethe came in and clos'd his eyne; + Distort with peyne he laie upon the borne, + Lyke sturdie elms by stormes in uncothe wrythynges torne. 290 + + Alrick his brother, when hee this perceevd, + He drewe his swerde, his lefte hande helde a speere, + Towards the duke he turnd his prauncyng steede, + And to the Godde of heaven he sent a prayre; + Then sent his lethale javlyn in the ayre, 295 + On Hue de Beaumontes backe the javelyn came, + Thro his redde armour to hys harte it tare, + He felle and thondred on the place of fame; + Next with his swerde he 'sayld the Seiur de Roe, + And braste his sylver helme, so furyous was the blowe. 300 + + But Willyam, who had seen hys prowesse great, + And feered muche how farre his bronde might goe, + Tooke a strong arblaster, and bigge with fate + From twangynge iron sente the fleetynge floe. + As Alric hoistes hys arme for dedlie blowe, 305 + Which, han it came, had been Du Roees laste, + The swyfte-wyngd messenger from Willyams bowe + Quite throwe his arme into his syde ypaste; + His eyne shotte fyre, lyke blazyng starre at nyghte, + He grypd his swerde, and felle upon the place of fyghte. 310 + + O Alfwolde, saie, how shalle I synge of thee + Or telle how manie dyd benethe thee falle; + Not Haroldes self more Normanne knyghtes did slee, + Not Haroldes self did for more praises call; + How shall a penne like myne then shew it all? 315 + Lyke thee their leader, eche Bristowyanne foughte; + Lyke thee, their blaze must be canonical, + Fore theie, like thee, that daie bewrecke yroughte: + Did thirtie Normannes fall upon the grounde, + Full half a score from thee and theie receive their fatale wounde. 320 + + First Fytz Chivelloys felt thie direful force; + Nete did hys helde out brazen sheelde availe; + Eftsoones throwe that thie drivynge speare did peerce + Nor was ytte stopped by his coate of mayle; + Into his breaste it quicklie did assayle; 325 + Out ran the bloude, like hygra of the tyde; + With purple stayned all hys adventayle; + In scarlet was his cuishe of sylver dyde: + Upon the bloudie carnage house he laie, + Whylst hys longe sheelde dyd gleem with the sun's rysing ray. 330 + + Next Fescampe felle; O Chrieste, howe harde his fate + To die the leckedst knyghte of all the thronge! + His sprite was made of malice deslavate, + Ne shoulden find a place in anie songe. + The broch'd keene javlyn hurld from honde so stronge 335 + As thine came thundrynge on his crysted beave; + Ah! neete avayld the brass or iron thonge, + With mightie force his skulle in twoe dyd cleave; + Fallyng he shooken out his smokyng braine, + As witherd oakes or elmes are hewne from off the playne. 340 + + For, Norcie, could thie myghte and skilfulle lore + Preserve thee from the doom of Alfwold's speere; + Couldste thou not kenne, most skyll'd Astrelagoure. + How in the battle it would wythe thee fare? + When Alfwolds javelyn, rattlynge in the ayre, 345 + From hande dyvine on thie habergeon came, + Oute at thy backe it dyd thie hartes bloude bear, + It gave thee death and everlastynge fame; + Thy deathe could onlie come from Alfwolde arme, + As diamondes onlie can its fellow diamonds harme. 350 + + Next Sire du Mouline fell upon the grounde, + Quite throughe his throte the lethal javlyn preste, + His soule and bloude came roushynge from the wounde; + He closd his eyen, and opd them with the blest. + It can ne be I should behight the rest, 355 + That by the myghtie arme of Alfwolde felle, + Paste bie a penne to be counte or expreste, + How manie Alfwolde sent to heaven or helle; + As leaves from trees shook by derne Autumns hand, + So laie the Normannes slain by Alfwold on the strand. 360 + + As when a drove of wolves withe dreary yelles + Assayle some flocke, ne care if shepster ken't, + Besprenge destructione oer the woodes and delles; + The shepster swaynes in vayne theyr lees lement; + So foughte the Brystowe menne; ne one crevent, 365 + Ne onne abashd enthoughten for to flee; + With fallen Normans all the playne besprent, + And like theyr leaders every man did flee; + In vayne on every syde the arrowes fled; + The Brystowe menne styll ragd, for Alfwold was not dead. 370 + + Manie meanwhile by Haroldes arm did falle, + And Leofwyne and Gyrthe encreasd the slayne; + 'Twould take a Nestor's age to synge them all, + Or telle how manie Normannes preste the playne; + But of the erles, whom recorde nete hath slayne, 375 + O Truthe! for good of after-tymes relate, + That, thowe they're deade, theyr names may lyve agayne, + And be in deathe, as they in life were, greate; + So after-ages maie theyr actions see, + And like to them æternal alwaie stryve to be. 380 + + Adhelm, a knyghte, whose holie deathless fire + For ever bended to St. Cuthbert's shryne, + Whose breast for ever burnd with sacred fyre. + And een on erthe he myghte be calld dyvine; + To Cuthbert's church he dyd his goodes resygne, 385 + And lefte hys son his God's and fortunes knyghte; + His son the Saincte behelde with looke adigne, + Made him in gemot wyse, and greate in fyghte; + Saincte Cuthberte dyd him ayde in all hys deedes, + His friends he lets to live, and all his fomen bleedes. 390 + + He married was to Kenewalchae faire, + The fynest dame the sun or moone adave; + She was the myghtie Aderedus heyre, + Who was alreadie hastynge to the grave; + As the blue Bruton, rysinge from the wave, 395 + Like sea-gods seeme in most majestic guise. + And rounde aboute the risynge waters lave, + And their longe hayre arounde their bodie flies, + Such majestic was in her porte displaid, + To be excelld bie none but Homer's martial maid. 400 + + White as the chaulkie clyffes of Brittaines isle, + Red as the highest colour'd Gallic wine, + Gaie as all nature at the mornynge smile, + Those hues with pleasaunce on her lippes combine, + Her lippes more redde than summer evenynge skyne, 405 + Or Phoebus rysinge in a frostie morne, + Her breste more white than snow in feeldes that lyene, + Or lillie lambes that never have been shorne, + Swellynge like bubbles in a boillynge welle, + Or new-braste brooklettes gently whyspringe in the delle. 410 + + Browne as the fylberte droppyng from the shelle, + Browne as the nappy ale at Hocktyde game, + So browne the crokyde rynges, that featlie fell + Over the neck of the all-beauteous dame. + Greie as the morne before the ruddie flame 415 + Of Phoebus charyotte rollynge thro the skie, + Greie as the steel-horn'd goats Conyan made tame, + So greie appeard her featly sparklyng eye; + Those eyne, that did oft mickle pleased look + On Adhelm valyaunt man, the virtues doomsday book. 420 + + Majestic as the grove of okes that stoode + Before the abbie buylt by Oswald kynge; + Majestic as Hybernies holie woode, + Where sainctes and soules departed masses synge; + Such awe from her sweete looke forth issuynge 425 + At once for reveraunce and love did calle; + Sweet as the voice of thraslarkes in the Spring, + So sweet the wordes that from her lippes did falle; + None fell in vayne; all shewed some entent; + Her wordies did displaie her great entendement. 430 + + Tapre as candles layde at Cuthberts shryne, + Tapre as elmes that Goodrickes abbie shrove, + Tapre as silver chalices for wine, + So tapre was her armes and shape ygrove. + As skyllful mynemenne by the stones above 435 + Can ken what metalle is ylach'd belowe, + So Kennewalcha's face, ymade for love, + The lovelie ymage of her soule did shewe; + Thus was she outward form'd; the sun her mind + Did guilde her mortal shape and all her charms refin'd. 440 + + What blazours then, what glorie shall he clayme, + What doughtie Homere shall hys praises synge, + That lefte the bosome of so fayre a dame + Uncall'd, unaskt, to serve his lorde the kynge? + To his fayre shrine goode subjects oughte to bringe 445 + The armes, the helmets, all the spoyles of warre, + Throwe everie reaulm the poets blaze the thynge, + And travelling merchants spredde hys name to farre; + The stoute Norwegians had his anlace felte, + And nowe amonge his foes dethe-doynge blowes he delte. 450 + + As when a wolfyn gettynge in the meedes + He rageth sore, and doth about hym slee, + Nowe here a talbot, there a lambkin bleeds, + And alle the grasse with clotted gore doth stree; + As when a rivlette rolles impetuouslie, 455 + And breaks the bankes that would its force restrayne, + Alonge the playne in fomynge rynges doth flee, + Gaynste walles and hedges doth its course maintayne; + As when a manne doth in a corn-fielde mowe, + With ease at one felle stroke full manie is laide lowe. 460 + + So manie, with such force, and with such ease, + Did Adhelm slaughtre on the bloudie playne; + Before hym manie dyd theyr hearts bloude lease, + Ofttymes he foughte on towres of smokynge slayne. + Angillian felte his force, nor felte in vayne; 465 + He cutte hym with his swerde athur the breaste; + Out ran the bloude, and did hys armoure stayne, + He clos'd his eyen in æternal reste; + Lyke a tall oke by tempeste borne awaie, + Stretchd in the armes of dethe upon the plaine he laie. 470 + + Next thro the ayre he sent his javlyn feerce, + That on De Clearmoundes buckler did alyghte, + Throwe the vaste orbe the sharpe pheone did peerce, + Rang on his coate of mayle and spente its mighte. + But soon another wingd its aiery flyghte, 475 + The keen broad pheon to his lungs did goe; + He felle, and groand upon the place of fighte, + Whilst lyfe and bloude came issuynge from the blowe. + Like a tall pyne upon his native playne, + So fell the mightie sire and mingled with the slaine. 480 + + Hue de Longeville, a force doughtre mere, + Advauncyd forwarde to provoke the darte, + When soone he founde that Adhelmes poynted speere + Had founde an easie passage to his hearte. + He drewe his bowe, nor was of dethe astarte, 485 + Then fell down brethlesse to encrease the corse; + But as he drewe hys bowe devoid of arte, + So it came down upon Troyvillains horse; + Deep thro hys hatchments wente the pointed floe; + Now here, now there, with rage bleedyng he rounde doth goe. 490 + + Nor does he hede his mastres known commands, + Tyll, growen furiouse by his bloudie wounde, + Erect upon his hynder feete he staundes, + And throwes hys mastre far off to the grounde. + Near Adhelms feete the Normanne laie astounde, 495 + Besprengd his arrowes, loosend was his sheelde, + Thro his redde armoure, as he laie ensoond, + He peercd his swerde, and out upon the feelde + The Normannes bowels steemd, a dedlie syghte! + He opd and closd hys eyen in everlastynge nyghte. 500 + + Caverd, a Scot, who for the Normannes foughte, + A man well skilld in swerde and soundynge strynge, + Who fled his country for a crime enstrote, + For darynge with bolde worde hys loiaule kynge, + He at Erie Aldhelme with grete force did flynge 505 + An heavie javlyn, made for bloudie wounde, + Alonge his sheelde askaunte the same did ringe, + Peered thro the corner, then stuck in the grounde; + So when the thonder rauttles in the skie, + Thro some tall spyre the shaftes in a torn clevis flie. 510 + + Then Addhelm hurld a croched javlyn stronge, + With mighte that none but such grete championes know; + Swifter than thoughte the javlyn past alonge, + Ande hytte the Scot most feirclie on the prowe; + His helmet brasted at the thondring blowe, 515 + Into his brain the tremblyn javlyn steck; + From eyther syde the bloude began to flow, + And run in circling ringlets rounde his neck; + Down fell the warriour on the lethal strande, + Lyke some tall vessel wreckt upon the tragick sande. 520 + + + + + CONTINUED. + + + Where fruytlefs heathes and meadowes cladde in greie, + Save where derne hawthornes reare theyr humble heade, + The hungrie traveller upon his waie + Sees a huge desarte alle arounde hym spredde, + The distaunte citie scantlie to be spedde, 525 + The curlynge force of smoke he sees in vayne, + Tis too far distaunte, and hys onlie bedde + Iwimpled in hys cloke ys on the playne, + Whylste rattlynge thonder forrey oer his hedde, + And raines come down to wette hys harde uncouthlie bedde. 530 + + A wondrous pyle of rugged mountaynes standes, + Placd on eche other in a dreare arraie, + It ne could be the worke of human handes, + It ne was reared up bie menne of claie. + Here did the Brutons adoration paye 535 + To the false god whom they did Tauran name, + Dightynge hys altarre with greete fyres in Maie, + Roastynge theyr vyctimes round aboute the flame, + 'Twas here that Hengyst did the Brytons slee, + As they were mette in council for to bee. 540 + + Neere on a loftie hylle a citie standes, + That lyftes yts scheafted heade ynto the skies, + And kynglie lookes arounde on lower landes, + And the longe browne playne that before itte lies. + Herewarde, borne of parentes brave and wyse, 545 + Within this vylle fyrste adrewe the ayre, + A blessynge to the erthe sente from the skies, + In anie kyngdom nee coulde fynde his pheer; + Now rybbd in steele he rages yn the fyghte, + And sweeps whole armies to the reaulmes of nyghte. 550 + + So when derne Autumne wyth hys sallowe hande + Tares the green mantle from the lymed trees, + The leaves besprenged on the yellow strande + Flie in whole armies from the blataunte breeze; + Alle the whole fielde a carnage-howse he sees, 555 + And sowles unknelled hover'd oer the bloude; + From place to place on either hand he slees, + And sweepes alle neere hym lyke a bronded floude; + Dethe honge upon his arme; he sleed so maynt, + 'Tis paste the pointel of a man to paynte. 560 + + Bryghte sonne in haste han drove hys fierie wayne + A three howres course alonge the whited skyen, + Vewynge the swarthless bodies on the playne, + And longed greetlie to plonce in the bryne. + For as hys beemes and far-stretchynge eyne 565 + Did view the pooles of gore yn purple sheene, + The wolsomme vapours rounde hys lockes dyd twyne, + And dyd disfygure all hys femmlikeen; + Then to harde actyon he hys wayne dyd rowse, + In hyssynge ocean to make glair hys browes. 570 + + Duke Wyllyam gave commaunde, eche Norman knyghte, + That been war-token in a shielde so fyne, + Shoulde onward goe, and dare to closer fyghte + The Saxonne warryor, that dyd so entwyne, + Lyke the neshe bryon and the eglantine, 575 + Orre Cornysh wrastlers at a Hocktyde game. + The Normannes, all emarchialld in a lyne, + To the ourt arraie of the thight Saxonnes came; + There 'twas the whaped Normannes on a parre + Dyd know that Saxonnes were the sonnes of warre. 580 + + Oh Turgotte, wheresoeer thie spryte dothe haunte, + Whither wyth thie lovd Adhelme by thie syde, + Where thou mayste heare the swotie nyghte larke chaunte, + Orre wyth some mokynge brooklette swetelie glide, + Or rowle in ferselie wythe ferse Severnes tyde, 585 + Whereer thou art, come and my mynde enleme + Wyth such greete thoughtes as dyd with thee abyde, + Thou sonne, of whom I ofte have caught a beeme, + Send mee agayne a drybblette of thie lyghte, + That I the deeds of Englyshmenne maie wryte. 590 + + Harold, who saw the Normannes to advaunce, + Seizd a huge byll, and layd hym down hys spere; + Soe dyd ech wite laie downe the broched launce, + And groves of bylles did glitter in the ayre. + Wyth showtes the Normannes did to battel steere; 595 + Campynon famous for his stature highe, + Fyrey wythe brasse, benethe a shyrte of lere, + In cloudie daie he reechd into the skie; + Neere to Kyng Harolde dyd he come alonge, + And drewe hys steele Morglaien sworde so stronge. 600 + + Thryce rounde hys heade hee swung hys anlace wyde, + On whyche the sunne his visage did agleeme, + Then straynynge, as hys membres would dyvyde, + Hee stroke on Haroldes sheelde yn manner breme; + Alonge the field it made an horrid cleembe, 605 + Coupeynge Kyng Harolds payncted sheeld in twayne, + Then yn the bloude the fierie swerde dyd steeme, + And then dyd drive ynto the bloudie playne; + So when in ayre the vapours do abounde, + Some thunderbolte tares trees and dryves ynto the grounde. 610 + + Harolde upreer'd hys bylle, and furious sente + A stroke, lyke thondre, at the Normannes syde; + Upon the playne the broken brasse besprente + Dyd ne hys bodie from dethe-doeynge hyde; + He tournyd backe, and dyd not there abyde; 615 + With straught oute sheelde hee ayenwarde did goe, + Threwe downe the Normannes, did their rankes divide, + To save himselfe lefte them unto the foe; + So olyphauntes, in kingdomme of the sunne, + When once provok'd doth throwe theyr owne troopes runne. 620 + + Harolde, who ken'd hee was his armies staie, + Nedeynge the rede of generaul so wyse, + Byd Alfwoulde to Campynon haste awaie, + As thro the armie ayenwarde he hies, + Swyfte as a feether'd takel Alfwoulde flies, 625 + The steele bylle blushynge oer wyth lukewarm bloude; + Ten Kenters, ten Bristowans for th' emprize + Hasted wyth Alfwoulde where Campynon stood, + Who aynewarde went, whylste everie Normanne knyghte + Dyd blush to see their champyon put to flyghte. 630 + + As painctyd Bruton, when a wolfyn wylde, + When yt is cale and blustrynge wyndes do blowe, + Enters hys bordelle, taketh hys yonge chylde, + And wyth his bloude bestreynts the lillie snowe, + He thoroughe mountayne hie and dale doth goe, 635 + Throwe the quyck torrent of the bollen ave, + Throwe Severne rollynge oer the sandes belowe + He skyms alofe, and blents the beatynge wave, + Ne stynts, ne lagges the chace, tylle for hys eyne + In peecies hee the morthering theef doth chyne. 640 + + So Alfwoulde he dyd to Campynon haste; + Hys bloudie bylle awhap'd the Normannes eyne; + Hee fled, as wolfes when bie the talbots chac'd, + To bloudie byker he dyd ne enclyne. + Duke Wyllyam stroke hym on hys brigandyne, 645 + And sayd; Campynon, is it thee I see? + Thee? who dydst actes of glorie so bewryen, + Now poorlie come to hyde thieselfe bie mee? + Awaie! thou dogge, and acte a warriors parte. + Or with mie swerde I'll perce thee to the harte. 650 + + Betweene Erie Alfwoulde and Duke Wyllyam's bronde + Campynon thoughte that nete but deathe coulde bee, + Seezed a huge swerde Morglaien yn his honde, + Mottrynge a praier to the Vyrgyne: + So hunted deere the dryvynge hounds will flee, 655 + When theie dyscover they cannot escape; + And feerful lambkyns, when theie hunted bee, + Theyre ynfante hunters doe theie oft awhape; + Thus stoode Campynon, greete but hertlesse knyghte, + When feere of dethe made hym for deathe to fyghte. 660 + + Alfwoulde began to dyghte hymselfe for fyghte, + Meanewhyle hys menne on everie syde dyd slee, + Whan on hys lyfted sheelde withe alle hys myghte + Campynon's swerde in burlie-brande dyd dree; + Bewopen Alfwoulde fellen on his knee; 665 + Hys Brystowe menne came in hym for to save; + Eftsoons upgotten from the grounde was hee, + And dyd agayne the touring Norman brave; + Hee graspd hys bylle in syke a drear arraie, + Hee seem'd a lyon catchynge at hys preie. 670 + + Upon the Normannes brazen adventayle + The thondrynge bill of myghtie Alfwould came; + It made a dentful bruse, and then dyd fayle; + Fromme rattlynge weepons shotte a sparklynge flame; + Eftsoons agayne the thondrynge bill ycame, 675 + Peers'd thro hys adventayle and skyrts of lare; + A tyde of purple gore came wyth the same, + As out hys bowells on the feelde it tare; + Campynon felle, as when some cittie-walle + Inne dolefulle terrours on its mynours falle. 680 + + He felle, and dyd the Norman rankes dyvide; + So when an oke, that shotte ynto the skie, + Feeles the broad axes peersynge his broade syde, + Slowlie hee falls and on the grounde doth lie, + Pressynge all downe that is wyth hym anighe, 685 + And stoppynge wearie travellers on the waie; + So straught upon the playne the Norman hie + + * * * * * + + Bled, gron'd, and dyed; the Normanne knyghtes astound + To see the bawsin champyon preste upon the grounde. 690 + + As when the hygra of the Severne roars, + And thunders ugsom on the sandes below, + The cleembe reboundes to Wedecesters shore, + And sweeps the black sande rounde its horie prowe; + So bremie Alfwoulde thro the warre dyd goe; 695 + Hys Kenters and Brystowans slew ech syde, + Betreinted all alonge with bloudless foe, + And seemd to swymm alonge with bloudie tyde; + Fromme place to place besmeard with bloud they went, + And rounde aboute them swarthless corse besprente. 700 + + A famous Normanne who yclepd Aubene, + Of skyll in bow, in tylte, and handesworde fyghte + That daie yn feelde han manie Saxons sleene, + Forre hee in sothen was a manne of myghte; + Fyrste dyd his swerde on Adelgar alyghte, 705 + As hee on horseback was, and peersd hys gryne, + Then upwarde wente: in everlastynge nyghte + Hee closd hys rollyng and dymsyghted eyne. + Next Eadlyn, Tatwyn, and fam'd Adelred, + Bie various causes sunken to the dead. 710 + + But now to Alfwoulde he opposynge went, + To whom compar'd hee was a man of stre, + And wyth bothe hondes a myghtie blowe he sente + At Alfwouldes head, as hard as hee could dree; + But on hys payncted sheelde so bismarlie 715 + Aslaunte his swerde did go ynto the grounde; + Then Alfwould him attack'd most furyouslie, + Athrowe hys gaberdyne hee dyd him wounde, + Then soone agayne hys swerde hee dyd upryne, + And clove his creste and split hym to the eyne. 720 + + * * * * * + +[Footnote 1: In Turgott's tyme Holenwell braste of erthe so fierce +that it threw a stone-mell carrying the same awaie. J. Lydgate ne +knowynge this lefte out o line.] + +[Editor's note: l. 578 _see Introduction_ p. xlij] + + + + +ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. + + + As onn a hylle one eve sittynge, + At oure Ladie's Chyrche mouche wonderynge, + The counynge handieworke so fyne, + Han well nighe dazeled mine eyne; + Quod I; some counynge fairie hande 5 + Yreer'd this chapelle in this lande; + Full well I wote so fine a syghte + Was ne yreer'd of mortall wighte. + Quod Trouthe; thou lackest knowlachynge; + Thou forsoth ne wotteth of the thynge. 10 + A Rev'rend Fadre, William Canynge hight, + Yreered uppe this chapelle brighte; + And eke another in the Towne, + Where glassie bubblynge Trymme doth roun. + Quod I; ne doubte for all he's given 15 + His sowle will certes goe to heaven. + Yea, quod Trouthe; than goe thou home, + And see thou doe as hee hath donne. + Quod I; I doubte, that can ne bee; + I have ne gotten markes three. 20 + Quod Trouthe; as thou hast got, give almes-dedes soe; + Canynges and Gaunts culde doe ne moe. + +T.R. + + + + +ON THE SAME. + + + Stay, curyous traveller, and pass not bye, + Until this fetive pile astounde thine eye. + Whole rocks on rocks with yron joynd surveie, + And okes with okes entremed disponed lie. + This mightie pile, that keeps the wyndes at baie, 5 + Fyre-levyn and the mokie storme defie, + That shootes aloofe into the reaulmes of daie, + Shall be the record of the Buylders fame for aie. + + Thou seest this maystrie of a human hand, + The pride of Brystowe and the Westerne lande, 10 + Yet is the Buylders vertues much moe greete, + Greeter than can bie Rowlies pen be scande. + Thou seest the saynctes and kynges in stonen state, + That seemd with breath and human soule dispande, + As payrde to us enseem these men of slate, 15 + Such is greete Canynge's mynde when payrd to God elate. + + Well maiest thou be astound, but view it well; + Go not from hence before thou see thy fill, + And learn the Builder's vertues and his name; + Of this tall spyre in every countye telle, 20 + And with thy tale the lazing rych men shame; + Showe howe the glorious Canynge did excelle; + How hee good man a friend for kynges became, + And gloryous paved at once the way to heaven and fame. + + + + +EPITAPH ON ROBERT CANYNGE. + + + Thys mornynge starre of Radcleves rysynge raie, + A true manne good of mynde and Canynge hyghte, + Benethe thys stone lies moltrynge ynto claie, + Untylle the darke tombe sheene an eterne lyghte. + Thyrde fromme hys loynes the present Canynge came; + Houton are wordes for to telle hys doe; + For aye shall lyve hys heaven-recorded name, + Ne shall yt dye whanne tyme shalle bee no moe; + Whanne Mychael's trumpe shall sounde to rise the solle, + He'll wynge to heavn wyth kynne, and happie bee hys dolle. + + + + +THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. + + + Anent a brooklette as I laie reclynd, + Listeynge to heare the water glyde alonge, + Myndeynge how thorowe the grene mees yt twynd, + Awhilst the cavys respons'd yts mottring songe, + At dystaunt rysyng Avonne to be sped, 5 + Amenged wyth rysyng hylles dyd shewe yts head; + + Engarlanded wyth crownes of osyer weedes + And wraytes of alders of a bercie scent, + And stickeynge out wyth clowde agested reedes, + The hoarie Avonne show'd dyre semblamente, 10 + Whylest blataunt Severne, from Sabryna clepde, + Rores flemie o'er the sandes that she hepde. + + These eynegears swythyn bringethe to mie thowghte + Of hardie champyons knowen to the floude, + How onne the bankes thereof brave Ælle foughte, 15 + Ælle descended from Merce kynglie bloude, + Warden of Brystowe towne and castel stede, + Who ever and anon made Danes to blede. + + Methoughte such doughtie menn must have a sprighte + Dote yn the armour brace that Mychael bore, 20 + Whan he wyth Satan kynge of helle dyd fyghte, + And earthe was drented yn a mere of gore; + Orr, soone as theie dyd see the worldis lyghte, + Fate had wrott downe, thys mann ys borne to fyghte. + + Ælle, I sayd, or els my mynde dyd saie, 25 + Whie ys thy actyons left so spare yn storie? + Were I toe dispone, there should lyvven aie + In erthe and hevenis rolles thie tale of glorie; + Thie actes soe doughtie should for aie abyde, + And bie theyre teste all after actes be tryde. 30 + + Next holie Wareburghus fylld mie mynde, + As fayre a sayncte as anie towne can boaste, + Or bee the erthe wyth lyghte or merke ywrynde, + I see hys ymage waulkeyng throwe the coaste: + Fitz Hardynge, Bithrickus, and twentie moe 35 + Ynn visyonn fore mie phantasie dyd goe. + + Thus all mie wandrynge faytour thynkeynge strayde, + And eche dygne buylder dequac'd onn mie mynde, + Whan from the distaunt streeme arose a mayde, + Whose gentle tresses mov'd not to the wynde; 40 + Lyche to the sylver moone yn frostie neete, + The damoiselle dyd come soe blythe and sweete. + + Ne browded mantell of a scarlette hue, + Ne shoone pykes plaited o'er wyth ribbande geere, + Ne costlie paraments of woden blue, 45 + Noughte of a dresse, but bewtie dyd shee weere; + Naked shee was, and loked swete of youthe, + All dyd bewryen that her name was Trouthe. + + The ethie ringletts of her notte-browne hayre + What ne a manne should see dyd swotelie hyde, 50 + Whych on her milk-white bodykin so fayre + Dyd showe lyke browne streemes fowlyng the white tyde, + Or veynes of brown hue yn a marble cuarr, + Whyche by the traveller ys kenn'd from farr. + + Astounded mickle there I sylente laie, 55 + Still scauncing wondrous at the walkynge syghte; + Mie senses forgarde ne coulde reyn awaie; + But was ne forstraughte whan shee dyd alyghte + Anie to mee, dreste up yn naked viewe, + Whych mote yn some ewbrycious thoughtes abrewe. 60 + + But I ne dyd once thynke of wanton thoughte; + For well I mynded what bie vowe I hete, + And yn mie pockate han a crouchee broughte, + Whych yn the blosom woulde such sins anete; + I lok'd wyth eyne as pure as angelles doe, 65 + And dyd the everie thoughte of foule eschewe. + + Wyth sweet semblate and an angel's grace + Shee 'gan to lecture from her gentle breste; + For Trouthis wordes ys her myndes face, + False oratoryes she dyd aie deteste: 70 + Sweetnesse was yn eche worde she dyd ywreene, + Tho shee strove not to make that sweetnesse sheene. + + Shee sayd; mie manner of appereynge here + Mie name and sleyghted myndbruch maie thee telle; + I'm Trouthe, that dyd descende fromm heavenwere, 75 + Goulers and courtiers doe not kenne mee welle; + Thie inmoste thoughtes, thie labrynge brayne I sawe, + And from thie gentle dreeme will thee adawe. + + Full manie champyons and menne of lore, + Payncters and carvellers have gaind good name, 80 + But there's a Canynge, to encrease the store, + A Canynge, who shall buie uppe all theyre fame. + Take thou mie power, and see yn chylde and manne + What troulie noblenesse yn Canynge ranne. + + As when a bordelier onn ethie bedde, 85 + Tyr'd wyth the laboures maynt of sweltrie daie, + Yn slepeis bosom laieth hys deft headde, + So, senses sonke to reste, mie boddie laie; + Eftsoons mie sprighte, from erthlie bandes untyde, + Immengde yn flanched ayre wyth Trouthe asyde. 90 + + Strayte was I carryd back to tymes of yore, + Whylst Canynge swathed yet yn fleshlie bedde, + And saw all actyons whych han been before, + And all the scroll of Fate unravelled; + And when the fate-mark'd babe acome to syghte, 95 + I saw hym eager gaspynge after lyghte. + + In all hys shepen gambols and chyldes plaie. + In everie merriemakeyng, fayre or wake, + I kenn'd a perpled lyghte of Wysdom's raie; + He eate downe learnynge wyth the wastle cake. 100 + As wise as anie of the eldermenne, + He'd wytte enowe toe make a mayre at tenne. + + As the dulce downie barbe beganne to gre, + So was the well thyghte texture of hys lore; + Eche daie enhedeynge mockler for to bee, 105 + Greete yn hys councel for the daies he bore. + All tongues, all carrols dyd unto hym synge, + Wondryng at one soe wyse, and yet soe yinge. + + Encreaseynge yn the yeares of mortal lyfe, + And hasteynge to hys journie ynto heaven, 110 + Hee thoughte ytt proper for to cheese a wyfe, + And use the sexes for the purpose gevene. + Hee then was yothe of comelie semelikeede, + And hee had made a mayden's herte to blede. + + He had a fader, (Jesus rest hys soule!) 115 + Who loved money, as hys charie joie; + Hee had a broder (happie manne be's dole!) + Yn mynde and boddie, hys owne fadre's boie; + What then could Canynge wissen as a parte + To gyve to her whoe had made chop of hearte? 120 + + But landes and castle tenures, golde and bighes, + And hoardes of sylver rousted yn the ent, + Canynge and hys fayre sweete dyd that despyse, + To change of troulie love was theyr content; + Theie lyv'd togeder yn a house adygne, 125 + Of goode fendaument commilie and fyne. + + But soone hys broder and hys syre dyd die, + And lefte to Willyam states and renteynge rolles, + And at hys wyll hys broder Johne supplie. + Hee gave a chauntrie to redeeme theyre soules; 130 + And put hys broder ynto syke a trade, + That he lorde mayor of Londonne towne was made. + + Eftsoons hys mornynge tournd to gloomie nyghte; + Hys dame, hys seconde selfe, gyve upp her brethe, + Seekeynge for eterne lyfe and endless lyghte, 135 + And sleed good Canynge; sad mystake of dethe! + Soe have I seen a flower ynn Sommer tyme + Trodde downe and broke and widder ynn ytts pryme. + + Next Radeleeve chyrche (oh worke of hande of heav'n, + Whare Canynge sheweth as an instrumente.) 140 + Was to my bismarde eyne-syghte newlie giv'n; + 'Tis past to blazonne ytt to good contente. + You that woulde faygn the fetyve buyldynge see + Repayre to Radcleve, and contented bee. + + I sawe the myndbruch of hys nobille soule 145 + Whan Edwarde meniced a seconde wyfe; + I saw what Pheryons yn hys mynde dyd rolle; + Nowe fyx'd fromm seconde dames a preeste for lyfe. + Thys ys the manne of menne, the vision spoke; + Then belle for even-songe mie senses woke. 150 + + + + +ON HAPPIENESSE, by WILLIAM CANYNGE. + + + Maie Selynesse on erthes boundes bee hadde? + Maie yt adyghte yn human shape bee founde? + Wote yee, ytt was wyth Edin's bower bestadde, + Or quite eraced from the scaunce-layd grounde, + Whan from the secret fontes the waterres dyd abounde? + Does yt agrosed shun the bodyed waulke, + Lyve to ytself and to yttes ecchoe taulke? + + All hayle, Contente, thou mayde of turtle-eyne, + As thie behoulders thynke thou arte iwreene, + To ope the dore to Selynesse ys thyne, + And Chrystis glorie doth upponne thee sheene. + Doer of the foule thynge ne hath thee seene; + In caves, ynn wodes, ynn woe, and dole distresse, + Whoere hath thee hath gotten Selynesse. + + + + +ONN JOHNE A DALBENIE, by the same. + + + Johne makes a jarre boute Lancaster and Yorke; + Bee stille, gode manne, and learne to mynde thie worke. + + + + +THE GOULER'S REQUIEM, by the same. + + + Mie boolie entes, adieu! ne moe the syghte + Of guilden merke shall mete mie joieous eyne, + Ne moe the sylver noble sheenynge bryghte + Schall fyll mie honde with weight to speke ytt fyne; + Ne moe, ne moe, alass! I call you myne: 5 + Whydder must you, ah! whydder must I goe? + I kenn not either; oh mie emmers dygne, + To parte wyth you wyll wurcke mee myckle woe; + I muste be gonne, botte whare I dare ne telle; + O storthe unto mie mynde! I goe to helle. 10 + + Soone as the morne dyd dyghte the roddie sunne, + A shade of theves eche streake of lyght dyd seeme; + Whann ynn the heavn full half hys course was runn, + Eche stirryng nayghbour dyd mie harte afleme; + Thye loss, or quyck or slepe, was aie mie dreme; 15 + For thee, O gould, I dyd the lawe ycrase; + For thee I gotten or bie wiles or breme; + Ynn thee I all mie joie and good dyd place; + Botte now to mee thie pleasaunce ys ne moe, + I kenne notte botte for thee I to the quede must goe. 20 + + + + +THE ACCOUNTE OF W. CANYNGES FEAST. + + + Thorowe the halle the belle han sounde; + Byelecoyle doe the Grave beseeme; + The ealdermenne doe sytte arounde, + Ande snoffelle oppe the cheorte steeme. + Lyche asses wylde ynne desarte waste 5 + Swotelye the morneynge ayre doe taste, + + Syke keene theie ate; the minstrels plaie, + The dynne of angelles doe theie keepe; + Heie stylle the guestes ha ne to saie, + Butte nodde yer thankes ande falle aslape. 10 + Thus echone daie bee I to deene, + Gyf Rowley, Iscamm, or Tyb. Gorges be ne seene. + +THE END. [Illustration] + + + + +[NOTE ON THE GLOSSARY + +The following glossary was compiled by Tyrwhitt before he had +discovered Chatterton's use of Kersey's and Bailey's dictionaries +(vide Introduction, p. xxviii) and a number of words were thus +necessarily left unexplained by him. The present editor has added, +in square brackets, explanations of all these words except about +half-a-dozen which neither Kersey's _Dictionarium Anglo-Britannicum +(K.)_, nor Bailey's _Universal Etymological Dictionary (B.)_, nor the +glossary to Speght's edition of Chaucer (_Speght_), nor the notes of +Prof. Skeat in his 1871 edition (_Sk._), nor any native ingenuity of +his own has served to elucidate.] + + + + +A GLOSSARY OF UNCOMMON WORDS IN THIS VOLUME. + + +_In the following Glossary, the explanations of words by CHATTERTON, +at the bottom of the several pages, are drawn together, and digested +alphabetically, with the letter C. after each of them. But it should +be observed, that these explanations are not to be admitted but with +great caution; a considerable number of them being (as far as +the Editor can judge) unsupported by authority or analogy. The +explanations of some other words, omitted by CHATTERTON, have been +added by the Editor, where the meaning of the writer was sufficiently +clear, and the word itself did not recede too far from the established +usage; but he has been obliged to leave many others for the +consideration of more learned or more sagacious interpreters._ + + + + +EXPLANATION OF THE LETTERS OF REFERENCE. + + + Æ stands for _Ælla; a tragycal enterlude_, + Ba. ------ _The dethe of Syr C. Bawdin_, + Ch. ------ _Balade of Charitie_, + E. I. ---- _Eclogue the first_, + E. II. --- _Eclogue the second_, + E. III. -- _Eclogue the third_, + El. ------ _Elinoure and Juga_, + Ent. ----- _Entroductionne to Ælla_, + Ep. ------ _Epistle to M. Canynge_, + G. ------- _Goddwyn; a Tragedie_, + H. 1. ---- _Battle of Hastings, No 1._ + H. 2. ---- _Battle of Hastings, No 2._ + Le. ------ _Letter to M. Canynge_, + M. ------- _Englysh Metamorphosis_, + P.G. ----- _Prologue to Goddwyn_, + T. ------- _Tournament_, + + The other references are made to the pages. + + + + +A GLOSSARY. + + + [B.=Bailey's _Universal Etymological Dictionary_ (8th ed. 1737). + K.=Kersey's _Dictionarium Anglo-Britannicum_ (1708). + Sk.=Prof. Skeat's Aldine Edition (1871). + Speght=Glossary to Speght's Chaucer (1598). + T.=Tyrwhitt. + C.=Chatterton's notes to the poems.] + +Abessie, E. III. 89. _Humility_. C. + +Aborne, T. 45. _Burnished_. C. + +Abounde, H. 1. 55. [Evidently _avail_; K. B. and Speght do not help.] + +Aboune, G. 53. _Make ready_. C. + +Abredynge, Æ. 334. _Upbraiding_. C. + +Abrewe, p. 281. 60. as _Brew_. + +Abrodden, E. I. 6. _Abruptly_. C. + +Acale, G. 191. _Freeze_. C. + +Accaie, Æ. 356. _Asswage_. C. + +Achments, T. 153. _Atchievements_. C. + +Acheke, G. 47. _Choke_. C. + +Achevments, Æ. 65. _Services_. C. + +Acome, p. 283. 95. as _Come_. + +Acrool, El. 6. _Faintly_. C. + +Adave, H. 2. 402. [Probably _beheld_; cannot be explained from K., who +has nothing nearer than adawe (O.), _to awaken; awoke_ can hardly be +the meaning.] + +Adawe, p. 282. 78. _Awake_. + +Addawd, H. 2. 110. [_Limply_. Sk. translates _wakened_ from B.'s +addawe, _to waken_, which makes no sense. K. has 'adaw, _to awaken_; +but it is used by the poet Spencer _to slacken_'; hence the meaning I +have given.] + +Adente, Æ 396. _Fastened_. C. + +Adented, G. 32. _Fastened, annexed_. C. + +Aderne, H. 2. 272. See _Derne, Dernie_. [_Sad, cruel_, from K.'s dern +(O.), _sad_, &c.] + +Adigne. See _Adygne_. + +Adrames, Ep. 27. _Churls_. C. + +Adventaile, T. 13. _Armour_. C. + +Adygne, Le. 46. _Nervous; worthy of praise_. C. + +Affynd, H. 1. 132. _Related by marriage_. + +Afleme, p. 287. 14. as _Fleme_; to drive away, to affright. + +After la goure, H. 2. 353. should probably be _Astrelagour_; +Astrologer. [A singular mistake for B.'s Asterlagour _an astrolabe_. +Sk.] + +[Agested, p. 278. 9. _Heaped up_ (B.). (For C.'s _clowde_ Sk. boldly +reads _clod_.)] + +Agrame, G. 93. _Grievance_. C. + +Agreme, Æ 356. _Torture_. C.--G. 5. _Grievance_. C. + +Agrosed, p. 286. 6. as _Agrised_, terrified. + +Agroted, Æ. 348. See _Groted_. + +Agylted, Æ. 334. _Offended_. C. + +Aidens, Æ. 222. _Aidance_. + +Ake, E. II. 8. _Oak_. C. + +Alans, H. 2. 124. _Hounds_. + +Alatche, Æ. 117. [? _call for help_. K. has latch (O.) _release, let +go_, but this cannot be the meaning intended.] + +Aledge, G. 5. _Idly_. C. + +Alest, Æ. 50. _Lest_. + +All a boon, E. III. 41. _A manner of asking a favour_. C. + +Alleyn, E. I. 52. _Only_. C. + +Almer, Ch. 20. _Beggar_. C. + +[Alofe, H. 1. 292. _Aloft_.] + +[Alse, Æ. 1063. _Else_.] + +Aluste, H. i. 88. [The sense is clearly _draw himself out, release +himself_; but K. B. and Speght throw no light on the word.] + +Alyne, T. 79. _Across his shoulders_. C. + +Alyse, Le. 29. _Allow_. C. + +Amate, Æ. 58. _Destroy_. C. + +Amayld, E. II. 49. _Enameled_. C. + +Ameded, Æ. 54. _Rewarded_. + +Amenged, p. 278. 6. as _Menged_; mixed. + +Amenused, E. II. 5. _Diminished_. C. + +[Ametten, M. 46. _Met_.] + +Amield, T. 5. _Ornamented, enameled_. C. + +[Anenste, as _Anente_; against.] + +Anente, Æ. 475. _Against_. C. + +Anere, Æ. 15. _Another_. C. [Ep. 48. _another time or occasion_.] + +Anete, p. 281. 64. [_put an end to_, from C.'s _nete, nothing_.] + +Anie, p. 281. 59. as _Nie_; nigh. + +[Anie, H. 1. 120. _Annoy_.] + +Anlace, G. 57. _An ancient sword_. C. + +Antecedent, Æ. 233. _Going before_. + +Applings, E. I. 33. _Grafted trees_. C. + +Arace, G. 156. _Divest_. C. + +[Arcublaster, H. 2. 52. K. has arcubalista, _a warlike engine for +casting great stones_, and Speght has arblasters, _crosse-bowes_. This +last is evidently C.'s meaning.] + +[Ardurous, p.25. 30. ? as if _ardourous_, valiant.] + +Arist, Ch. 10. _Arose_. C. + +Arrowe-lede, H. 1. 74. [Neither K.B. nor Speght throws any light on +_-lede_. Sk. reads _arrow-head_.] + +Ascaunce, E. III. 52. _Disdainfully_. C. + +Asenglave, H. 1. 117. [_Ashen-spear_. K. has glaive, _a weapon like a +halbert_.] + +Askaunted, Le. 19. [_Look carelessly at_, from two words side by +side in K., askaunce (O.), _if by chance_, and askaunt (O.) _to look +askaunt i.e. to look sideways_.] + +Aslee, Æ 504. [Probably _sidle_ would give the meaning. Sk. renders +_dost but slide away_.] + +Asseled, E. III. 14. _Answered_. C. + +Ashrewed. Ch. 24. _Accursed, unfortunate_. C. + +Asswaie, E. 352. [There is no satisfactory explanation; the sense is +clearly _cause_.] + +Astedde, E. II. II. _Seated_. C. + +Astende, G. 47. _Astonish_. C. + +Asterte, G. 137. _Neglected_. C. + +Astoun, E. II. 5. _Astonished_. C. + +Astounde, M. 83. _Astonish_. C. + +Asyde, p. 282. 90. perhaps _Astyde_; ascended. [More probably _wyth +Trouthe asyde_ means _at the side of Truth_.] + +Athur, H. 2. 466. as _Thurgh_; thorough. + +Attenes, Æ 18. _At once_. C. + +Attoure, T. 115. _Turn_. C. + +Attoure, Æ 322. _Around_. + +Ave, H. 2. 636. for _Eau_. Fr. Water. + +Aumere, Ch. 7. _A loose robe, or mantle_. C. + +Aumeres, E. III. 25. _Borders of gold and silver_, &c. C. + +Aunture, H. 2. 133. as _Aventure_: adventure. Autremete, Ch. 52. _A +loose white robe, worn by priests_. C. + +Awhaped, Æ. 400. _Astonished_. C. + +Aynewarde, Ch. 47. _Backwards_. C. + + +B. + +Bankes, T. III. _Benches_. + +[Bante, Æ. 207. _Banned, cursed_.] + +Barb'd hall, Æ. 219. [See Appendix, p. 317, § 8.] + +Barbed horse, Æ. 27. _Covered with armour_. + +[Bardi, H. 1. 305. _Bards_. (Latin plural!)] + +Baren, Æ. 880, for _Barren_. + +Barganette, E. III. 49. _A song, or ballad_. C. + +Bataunt, Ba. 276. 292. [Evidently a musical instrument, but Sk. can +get no nearer an etymological explanation than O.F. _battant_, a +fuller's mallet.] + +Battayles, Æ. 707. _Boats, ships_. Fr. + +Batten, G. 3. _Fatten_. C. + +Battent, T. 52. _Loudly_. C. + +Battently, G. 50. _Loud roaring_. C. + +Battone, H. 1. 520. _Beat with sticks_. Fr. + +Baubels, Ent. 7. _Jewels_. C. + +Bawfin, Æ. 57. _Large_. C. + +Bayre, E. II. 76. _Brow_. C. + +Beheste, G. 60. _Command_. C. + +Behight, H. 2. 365. [_Name_; from _hight_, called.] + +Behylte, Æ. 939. _Promised_. C. + +Belent, H. 2. 121. [? from Speght's blent, _stayed, turned back_.] + +Beme, Æ. 563. _Trumpet_. + +Bemente, E. I. 45. _Lament_. C. + +Benned, Æ. 1185. _Cursed, tormented_. C. + +Benymmynge, P.G. 3. _Bereaving_. C. + +Bercie, p. 278. 8. [No explanation.] + +Berne, Æ. 580. _Child_. C. + +Berten, T. 58. _Venomous_. C. + +Beseies, T. 124. _Becomes_. C. + +Besprente, T. 132. _Scattered_. C. + +Bestadde, p. 286. 3. [_Lost_, K.'s _bestad_ (O.).] + +Bestanne, Æ. 411. [=Bestadde.] + +Bested, H. 2. 140. [_Contended_. ? from B.'s bestad, _beset, +oppressed_.] + +Bestoiker, Æ. 91. _Deceiver_. C. + +Bestreynts, H. 2. 634. [_Sprinkles_, from K.'s betreint (O.), +_sprinkled_; but affected by _bestrewed_.] + +Bete, G. 85. _Bid_. C. + +Betrassed, G. 7. _Deceived, imposed on_. C. + +Betraste, Æ. 1031. _Betrayed_. C. + +Betreinted, H. 2. [634] 707. [_Sprinkled_; from K.'s betreint (O.), +_sprinkled_.] + +Bevyle, E. II. 57. _Break. A herald term signifying a spear broken in +tilting_. C. + +Bewrate, H. 2. 127. [_Treachery_.] + +Bewrecke, G. 101. _Revenge_. C. + +Bewreen, Æ. 6. _Express_. C. + +Bewryen, Le. 42. _Declared, expressed_. C. + +Bewryne, G. 72. _Declare_. C. + +Bewrynning, T. 128. _Declaring_. C. + +Bighes, Æ. 371. _Jewels_. C. + +Birlette, E. III. 24. _A hood, or covering for the back part of the +head_. C. + +Bismarde, p. 285. 141. [_Curious, wondering_; from bismar, _curiosity_, +K.B. and Speght.] + +Blake, Æ. 178. 407. _Naked_. C. + +Blakied, E. III. 4. _Naked, original_. C. + +Blanche, Æ. 369. _White, pure_. + +Blaunchie, E. II. 50. _White_. C. + +Blatauntlie, Æ. 108. _Loudly_. C. + +[Blents, H. 2. 638. ?] + +Blente, E. III. 39. _Ceased, dead_. C. + +Blethe, T. 98. _Bleed_. C. + +Blynge, Æ. 334. _Cease_. C. + +Blyn, E. II. 40. _Cease, stand still_. C. + +Boddekin, Æ. 265. _Body, substance_. C. + +Boleynge, M. 17. _Swelling_. C. + +[Bollen, II. 2. 636. _Swollen_ (K.).] + +Bollengers and Cottes, E. II. 33. _Different kinds of boats_. C. + +Boolie, E. I. 46. _Beloved_. C. + +Bordel, E. III. 2. _Cottage_. C. + +Bordelier, Æ. 410. _Cottager_. + +Borne, T. 13. Æ. 741. _Burnish_. C. + +[Borne, H. 2. 289. ?_ground_. (No satisfactory explanation.)] + +Boun, E. II. 40. _Make ready_. C. + +Bounde, T. 32. _Ready_. C. + +Bourne, Æ. 483. [_Borne_.] + +Bouting matche, p. 23. 2. [_Bout, trial of skill_.] + +Bowke, T. 19.--Bowkie, G. 133. _Body_. C. + +Brasteth, G. 123. _Bursteth_. C. + +Brayd, G. 77. _Displayed_. C. + +Brayde, Æ 1010. [cf. B.'s braid, _a small lace_, &c.] + +Breme, subst. G. 12. _Strength_. C. + +------adj. E. II. 6. _Strong_. C. + +Brende, G. 50. _Burn, consume_. C. + +Bretful, Ch. 19. _Filled with_. C. + +[Brigandyne, H. 2. 645. _An old-fashioned coat of mail_, K.] + +Broched, H. 2. 335. _Pointed_. + +Brondeous, E. II. 24. _Furious_. C. + +Browded, G. 130. _Embroidered_. C. + +Brynnyng, Æ. 680. _Declaring_. C. [? contracted for _bewrynning_.] + +Burled, M. 20. _Armed_. C. + +Burlie bronde, G. 7. _Fury, anger_. C. + +[Burne, Æ. 585. H. 2. 265. ? _Run_ (no explanation).] + +Byelecoyle, p. 288. 2. _Bel-acueil_. Fr. the name of a personage in +the _Roman de la Rose_, which Chaucer has rendered _Fair welcoming_. +[Speght followed by K. has Bialacoyl [Fr. Bel-acueil], _faire +welcoming_. C. did not observe that the word was a proper name, but +uses it to mean _hospitality_.] + +Byker, Æ. 246. _Battle_. + +Bykrous, M. 37. _Warring_. C. + +Bysmare, M. 95. _Bewildered, curious_. C. + +Bysmarelie, Le. 26. _Curiously_. C. + + +C. + +Cale, Æ. 854. _Cold_. + +Calke, G. 25. _Cast_. C. + +Calked, E. I. 49. _Cast out_. C. + +Caltysning, G. 67. _Forbidding_. C. + +Carnes, Æ. 1243. _Rocks, stones_. Brit. + +Castle-stede, G. 100. _A Castle_. C. + +Caties, H. 2. 67. _Cates_. [_Dainties_.] + +Caytisned, Æ. 32. _Binding, enforcing_. C. [Æ. 1104. _Bound, +fettered_.] + +Celness, Æ. 882. [Probably _coldness_; no explanation.] + +Chafe, Æ. 191. _Hot_. C. + +Chastes, G. 201. _Beats, stamps_. C. + +Champion, v. P.G. 12. _Challenge_. C. + +Chaper, E. III. 48. _Dry, sunburnt_. C. + +Chapournette, Ch. 45. _A small round hat_. C. + +Chefe, G. 11. _Heat, rashness_. C. + +Chelandree, Æ. 105. _Gold-finch_. C. + +Cheorte, p. 288. 4. [? _Pleasant;_ K. B. and Speght have chert, +cheorte, _love, jealousy_, and K. and B. have also chertes, _merry +people_.] + +Cherisaunce, Ent. 1. _Comfort_. C. + +Cherisaunied, Æ. 839. perhaps _Cherisaunced_. [The mistake is in C.'s +authorities; Cherisaunei (K.) Cherisaunie (B.).] + +Cheves, Ch. 37. _Moves_. C. + +Chevysed, Ent. 2. _Preserved_. C. + +Chirckynge, M. 23. _A confused noise_. C. + +Church-glebe-house, Ch. 24. _Grave_. C. + +[Chyne, H. 2. 640. _Cut thro' the back_. K.] + +[Cleembe, as _Cleme_.] + +Cleme, E. II. 9. _Sound_. C. + +Clergyon, P.G. 8. _Clerk, or clergyman_. C. + +Clergyon'd, Ent. 13. _Taught_. C. + +Clevis, H. 2. 46. [_Cliffs_, or _rocks_. K.] + +Cleyne, Æ. 1102. [_Sound_. ? from clymbe (O.) _noise_. K.] + +Clinie, H. 1. 431. [Apparently a _declination_, a stooping attitude; +part of the science of arms.] + +Cloude-agested, p. 278. 9. [See _Agested_.] + +Clymmynge, Ch. 36. _Noisy_. C. + +Coistrell, H. 2. 88. [_A young lad_ (O.) K.] + +Compheeres, M. 21. _Companions_. C. + +Congeon, E. III. 89. _Dwarf_. C. + +Contake, T. 87. _Dispute_. C. + +Conteins, H. 1. 223. for _Contents_. + +Conteke, E. II. 10. _Confuse; contend-with_. C. + +Contekions, Æ. 553. _Contentions_. C. + +Cope, Ch. 50. _A cloke_. C. + +Corven, Æ. 56. See _Yeorven_. + +Cotte, E. II. 24. _Cut_. + +Cottes, E. II. 33. See _Bollengers_. + +Coupe, E. II. 7. _Cut_. C. + +Couraciers, T. 74. _Horse-coursers_. C. + +Coyen, Æ. 125. _Coy_. q? + +Cravent, E. III. 39. _Coward_. C. + +Creand, Æ. 581. as _Recreand_. + +Crine, Æ. 851. _Hair_. C. + +Croched, H. 2. 511. perhaps _Broched_. [What is _broched_? Sk. renders +_crooked_, but surely a javelin should be straight. Perhaps C. was +thinking of the _cross_-piece of a halbert. Cf. _croche_.] + +Croche, v. G. 26. _Cross_. C. + +Crokynge, Æ. 119. _Bending_. + +Cross-stone, Æ. 1122. _Monument_. C. [Crouchee, p. 281. 63. _Cross_; +from Speght's crouch, _cross_.] + +Cuarr, p. 281. 53. _Quarry_. q? + +[Cuishes, H. 2. 230. _Armour for the thighs_; cuisses K.] + +Cullis-yatte, E. I. 50. _Portcullis-gate_. C. + +Curriedowe, G. 176. _Flatterer_. C. + +Cuyen kine, E. I. 35. _Tender cows_. C. + + +D. + +Dareygne, G. 26. _Attempt, endeavour_. C. + +Declynie, H. i. 161. _Declination_. q? [See _Clinie_.] + +Decorn, E. II. 14. _Carved_. C. + +Deene, E. II. 69. _Glorious, worthy_. C. + +[Deene, p. 288. II. _Dine_?] + +Deere, E. III. 88. _Dire_. C. + +Defs, M. 9. _Vapours, meteors_. C. + +Defayte, G. 52. _Decay_. C. + +Defte, Ch. 7. _Neat, ornamental_. C. + +Deigned, E. III. 53. _Disdained_. C. + +Delievretie, T. 44. _Activity_. C. + +Demasing, H. 1. 276. [?_Considering_; no explanation.] + +Dente, Æ. 886. See _Adente_. + +Dented, Æ. 263. See _Adented_. + +Denwere, G. 141. _Doubt_. C.--M. 13. _Tremour_. C. + +Dequace, G. 56. _Mangle, destroy_. C. + +Dequaced, p. 280. 38. [_Dashed_ K. and Speght.] + +Dere, Ep. 5. _Hurt, damage_. C. + +Derkynnes, Æ. 229. _Young deer_. q? + +Derne, Æ. 582.--H. 2. 522. [_Barbarous, cruel_ K.] + +Dernie, E. I. 19. _Woeful, lamentable_. C.----M. 106. _Cruel_. C. + +Deslavate, H. 2. 333. [_Lecherous, beastly_, from K.'s deslavy.] + +Dellavatie, Æ. 1047. _Letchery_. C. + +Detratours, H. 2. 78. [_Slanderous detractors_.] + +Deysed, Æ. 46. _Seated on a deis_. + +Dheie; _They_. + +Dhere, Æ. 192. _There_. + +Dhereof; _Thereof_. + +Difficile, Æ. 358. _Difficult_. C. + +Dighte, Ch. 7. _Drest, arrayed_. C. + +Dispande, p. 276. _ult_. perhaps for _Disponed_. [B. has dispand, _to +stretch out_.] Dispone, p. 279. 27. _Dispose_. + +Divinistre, Æ. 141. _Divine_. C. + +Dolce, Æ. 1187. _Soft, gentle_. C. + +Dole, n. G. 137. _Lamentation_. C. + +Dole, adj. p. 283. 13. [_Doleful_.] + +Dolte, Ep. 27. _Foolish_. C. + +[Dolthead, H. 1. 335. _Blockhead_.] + +Donde, H. 1. 51. [_Done, finished_.] + +Donore, H. 1. 5. This line should probably be written thus; _O +sea-oerteeming Dovor_! + +Dortoure, Ch. 25. _A sleeping room_. C. + +Dote, p. 279. 20. perhaps as _Dighte_. + +Doughtre mere, H. 2. 481. _D'outre mere_. Fr. From beyond sea. + +[Draffs, Æ. 717. _Lees, dregs_, so _useless, worthless_.] + +Dree, Æ. 983. [H. 2. 664. _? Work_, or _Drive_.] + +Drefte, Æ. 466. _Least_. C. + +[Drenche, Æ. 85. _Drink_. (Really _to dose with medicine_.)] + +Drented, G. 91. _Drained_. C. + +Dreynted, Æ. 237. _Drowned_. C. + +Dribblet, E. II. 48. _Small, insignificant_. C. + +Drites, G. 65. _Rights, liberties_. C. + +Drocke, T. 40. _Drink_. C. + +Droke, Æ. 461. [Meaning and source quite uncertain.] + +Droorie, Ep. 47. See Chatterton's note. _Druerie_ is _Courtship, +gallantry_. + +Drooried, Æ. 127. _Courted_. [Probably _modest_, from B.'s drury, +_modesty_.] + +Dulce, p. 283. 103. as _Dolce_. + +Duressed, E. I. 39. _Hardened_. C. + +Dyd, H. 2. 9. should probably be _Dyght_. + +Dygne, T. 89. _Worthy_. C. + +[Dyngeynge, Æ. 458. _Dinging_ or _striking_.] + +Dynning, E. I. 25. _Sounding_. C. + +Dysperpellest, Æ. 414. _Scatterest_. C. + +Dysporte, E. I. 28. _Pleasure_. C. + +Dysportisment, Æ. 250. as _Dysporte_. + +Dysregate, Æ. 542. [_? Deprive of command_.] + + +E. + +Edraw, H. 2. 52. for _Ydraw_; Draw. + +Eft, E. II. 78. _Often_. C. + +Eftsoones, E. III. 54. _Quickly_. C. + +Ele, M. 74. _Help_. C. + +Eletten, Æ. 448. _Enlighten_. C. + +Eke, E. I. 27. _Also_. C. + +Emblaunched, E. I. 36. _Whitened_. C. + +Embodyde, E. I. 33. _Thick, stout_. C. + +[Embollen, Æ. 596. as _Bollen_.] + +Embowre, G. 134. _Lodge_. C. + +Emburled, E. II. 54. _Armed_. C. + +Emmate, Æ. 34. _Lessen, decrease_. C. + +Emmers, p. 287. 7. [_? coins_. No explanation.] + +Emmertleynge, M. 72. _Glittering_. C. + +[Emprize, M. 74. _Adventure_. C.] + +Enalse, G. 159. _Embrace_. C. + +Encaled, Æ. 918. _Frozen, cold_. C. + +Enchased, M. 60. _Heated, enraged_. C. + +Engyne, Æ. 381. _Torture_. + +Enheedynge, p. 283. 105. [_Taking heed, studying_.] + +Enlowed, Æ. 606. _Flamed, fired_. C. + +Enrone, Æ. 661. [Evidently _Unsheath_; no explanation.] + +Enseme, Æ. 971. _To make seams in_. q? + +Enseeming, Æ. 746. as _Seeming_. + +Enshoting, T. 174. _Shooting, darting_. C. + +[Ensooned, H. 2. 497. Probably, _In a swoon_; not in K.B. or Speght.] + +Enstrote, H. 2. 503. [No explanation.] Enswote, Æ. 1175. _Sweeten_. q? + +Enswolters, Æ. 629. _Swallows, sucks in_. C. + +Ensyrke, p. 25. 10. _Encircle_. + +Ent, E. III. 57. _A purse or bag_. C. + +Entendement, Æ. 261. _Understanding_. + +Enthoghteing, Æ. 704. [_Thinking_; cf. _Enheedynge_.] + +Entremed, p. 276. 4. [_Intermingled_, from Speght's Entremes, +_entermingled_. (Really _entremes_ means a side-dish.)] + +Entrykeynge, Æ. 304. as _Tricking_. + +Entyn, P.G. 10. _Even_. C. + +Estande, H. 2. 271. for _Ystande_; Stand. + +Estells, E. II. 16. A corruption of _Estoile_, Fr. A star. C. + +Estroughted, Æ. 918. [_Stretched out_] + +Ethe, E. III. 59. _Ease_. C. + +Ethie, p. 280. 49. _Easy_. + +Evalle, E. III. 38. _Equal_. C. + +Evespeckt, T. 56. _Marked with evening dew_. C. + +Ewbrice, Æ. 1085. _Adultery_. C. + +Ewbrycious, p. 281. 60. _Lascivious_. + +Eyne-gears, p. 279. 13. [Sk. considers this a compound of _eyne, eyes_ +and _gear, tackle_ and renders _objects_.] + + +F. + +Fage, Ep. 30. _Tale, jest_. C. + +Faifully, T. 147. _Faithfully_. C. + +Faitour, Ch. 66. _A beggar, or vagabond_. C. + +Faldstole, Æ. 61. _A folding stool, or seat_. See Du Cange in v. +_Faldistorium_. + +[Fay, H. 2. 144. _Faith_.] + +[Faytour, p. 280. 37. as _Faitour_.] + +Fayre, Æ. 1204. 1224. _Clear, innocent_. + +Feere, Æ. 965. _Fire_. + +Feerie, E. II. 45. _Flaming_. C. + +Fele, T. 27. _Feeble_. C. [A Rowleian contraction, cf. _gorne_ for +_garden_.] + +Fellen, E. I. 10. _Fell_ pa. t. sing. q? + +Fetelie, G. 24. _Nobly_. C. + +Fetive, Ent. 7. as _Festive_. + +Fetivelie, Le. 42. _Elegantly_. C. + +Fetiveness, Æ. 400. as _Festiveness_. + +Feygnes, E. III. 78. A corruption of _feints_. C. + +Fhuir, G. 58. _Fury_. C. + +Fie, T. 113. _Defy_. C. + +Flaiten, H. I. 84. [_Frightful_, from B.'s flaite, _to affright, to +scare_.] + +Flanched, H. 2. 242. [_Arched_, from K.'s flanch, _in heraldry, an +ordinary made of an arch-line_.] + +Flemed, T. 56. _Frighted_. C. + +Flemie, p. 278. _ult_. [_Daunted_, from B.'s _flemed_.] + +Flizze, G. 197. _Fly_. C. + +Floe, H. 2. 54. _Arrow_. + +Flott, Ch. 33. _Fly_. C. + +[Flotting, H. 2. 42. _? Flying_, cf. _flott_; or _Whistling_, from B.'s +floting (O.), _whistling, piping_.] + +Foile, E. III. 78. _Baffle_. C. + +Fons, Fonnes, E. II. 14. _Devices_. C. + +Forgard, Æ. 565. _Lose_. C. + +Forletten, El. 19. _Forsaken_. C. + +Forloyne, Æ. 722. _Retreat_. C. + +Forreying, T. 114. _Destroying_. C. + +Forslagen, Æ. 1076. _Slain_. C. + +Forslege, Æ. 1106. _Slay_. C. + +Forstraughte, p. 281. 58. _Distracted_. + +Forstraughteyng, G. 34. _Distracting_. C. + +Forswat, Ch. 30. _Sun-burnt_. C. + +Forweltring, Æ. 618. _Blasting_. C. + +Forwyned, E. III. 36. _Dried_. C. + +Fremde, Æ. 430. _Strange_. C. + +Fremded, Æ. 555. _Frighted_. C. + +Freme, Æ. 267. [and Fremed, H. 2. 147. _Strange_, from K.'s fremd +(O.), _strange_.] + +Fructile, Æ. 185. _Fruitful_. + +[Furched, Æ. 519. _Forked_.] + + +G. + +Gaberdine, T. 88. _A piece of armour_. C. + +Gallard, Ch. 39. _Frighted_. C. + +Gare, Ep. 7. _Cause_. C. + +Gastness, Æ. 412. _Ghastliness_. + +Gayne, Æ 821. To gayne so _gayne_ a pryze. _Gayne_ has probably been +repeated by mistake. [More probably C. intended it to mean _Worth +gaining_.] + +Geare, Æ. 299. _Apparel, accoutrement_. + +Geason, Ent. 7. _Rare_. C.--G. 120. _Extraordinary, strange_. C. + +Geer, H. 2. 284. as _Gier_. + +Geete, Æ. 736. as _Gite_. + +Gemote, G. 94. _Assemble_. C. + +Gemoted, E. II. 8. _United, assembled_. C. + +Gerd, M. 7. _Broke, rent_. C. + +Gies, G. 207. _Guides_. C. + +Gier, H. 1. 527. _A turn, or twist_. + +Gif, E. II. 39. _If_. C. + +Gites, Æ. 2. _Robes, mantels_. C. + +Glair, H. 2. 570. [? _Glare_.] + +[Gledes.H. 2. 217. _Glides_] + +Gledeynge, M. 22. _Livid_. C. + +Glomb, G. 175. _Frown_. C. + +Glommed, Ch. 22. _Clouded, dejected_. C. + +Giytted, H. 2. 272. [_Glittered_.] + +Gorne, E. I. 36. _Garden_. C. + +Gottes, Æ. 740. _Drops_. + +Gouler, p. 282. 76. [_Usurer_, from K.'s goule, _usury_.] + +Graiebarbes, Le. 25. _Greybeards_. C. + +Grange, E. I. 34. _Liberty of pasture_. C. + +Gratche, Æ. 115. _Apparel_. C. + +Grave, p. 288. 2. _Chief magistrate, mayor_. [Where does T. find this +meaning? B. and K. have grave, _a German title signifying a great lord +etc_., but no word of mayor.] + +Gravots, E. I. 24. _Groves_. C. + +Gree, E. I. 44. _Grow_. C. + +Groffile, Æ. 547. [_Grovelling_, from K.'s groff or gruff (O.), +_groveling_.] + +Groffish, Æ. 257. [_Gruffly_.] + +Groffynglie, Ep. 33. _Foolishly_. C. + +Gron, G. 90. _a fen, moor_. C. + +Gronfer, E. II. 45. _A meteor_, from _gron_ a fen, and _fer_, a +corruption of fire. C. [? then whether C. does not mean a will o' the +wisp.] + +Gronfyres, G. 200. _Meteors_. C. + +Grore, H. 2. 27. [No explanation.] + +Groted, Æ. 337. _Swollen_. C. + +[Gryne, H. 2. 706. _Groin_.] + +Gule-depeincted, E. II. 13. _Red-painted_. C. + +Gule-steynct, G. 62. _Red-stained_. C. + +[Guylde, G. 152. _Tax_.] + +[Guylteynge, Æ. 179. _Gilding_.] + +Glyttelles, Æ. 438. _Mantels_. C. + + +H. + +[Habergeon. H. 2. 346. _A little coat of mail_ (K.).] + +Haile, E. III. 60. _Happy_. C. + +Hailie, Æ. 148. 410. as _Haile_. + +Halceld, M. 37. _Defeated_. C. + +Hailie, T. 144. _Holy_. C. + +Hailie, Æ. 33. _Wholely_. [But here _Hallie_ would seem to be put for +hailie, _happy_. Sk. renders _blissful_.] + +Halline, Ch. 82. _Joy_. C. + +Hancelled, G. 49. _Cut off, destroyed_. C. + +Han, Æ. 734. _Hath_. q? [One of C.'s fundamental mistakes.] + +Hanne, Æ. 409. _Had_. particip. q?--Æ. 685. _Had_. pa. t. sing. q? + +Hantoned, Æ. 1094. [A mistake for _hancelled; hanten_ in B.K. and +Speght means _use, accustom_.] + +Harried, M. 82. _Tost_. C. [But in Æ. 209 plainly=_hurried_.] + +Hatched, p. 25. I. [Probably C. meant _covered with a cloth exhibiting +its rider's coat of arms_. Cf. _Hatchments_.] + +[Hatchments, H. 2. 489. In heraldry, _a coat of arms_. (K.).] + +Haveth, E. I. 17. _Have_. 1st perf. q? + +Heafods, E. II. 7. _Heads_. C. + +Heavenwere, G. 146. _Heavenward_. C. + +Hecked, Æ. 394. _Wrapped closely, covered_. C. + +Heckled, M. 3. _Wrapped_. C. + +Heie, E. II. 15. _They_. C. + +Heiedeygnes, E. III. 77. _A country dance, still practised in the +North_. C. + +Hele, n. G. 127. _Help_. C. + +Hele, v. E. III. 16. _To help_. C. + +Hem, T. 24. A contraction of _them_. C. + +[Hendie, H. 1. 95. ? _Hand to hand_; K. B. and Speght all have _neat, +fine, genteel_, for this Chaucerian word.] + +Hente, T. 175. _Grasp, hold_. C. + +Hentyll, Æ. 1161. [Evidently _Custom_; no explanation.] + +[Herehaughte, M. 78. _Herald_.] + +Herselle, Æ. 279. _Herself_. + +Herste, Æ. 1182. [? _Command_.] + +Hilted, Hiltren, T. 47. 65. _Hidden_. C. + +Hiltring, Ch. 13. _Hiding_. C. + +Hoastrie, E. I. 26. _Inn, or publick house_. C. + +[Hocktide, H. 1. 25. _A festival celebrated in England antiently +in memory of the sudden death of King Hardicanute A.C. 1042 and the +downfall of the Danes_. B.] + +Holtred, Æ. 293. [? _Hidden_, from B.'s _hulstred_.] + +Hommeur, Æ. 1190. [? _Honour_.] + +Hondepoint, Æ. 273. [Sk. renders (_every_) _moment_; K.B. and Speght +give no help.] + +Hopelen, Æ. 399. [_Hopelessness_--'I from a night of hopelessness am +awakened.'] + +Horrowe, M. 2. _Unseemly, disagreeable_. C. + +Horse-millanar, Ch. 56. See C.'s note. [According to Steevens a +Bristol tradesman in 1776 so described himself over his shop-door.] + +Houton, M. 93. _Hollow_. C. + +Hulstred, M. 6. _Hidden, secret_. C. + +Huscarles, Æ. 922. 1194. _House-servants_. + +Hyger, Æ. 627. The flowing of the tide in the Severn was antiently +called the _Hygra_. Gul. Malmesb. de Pontif. Ang. L. iv. ['The eagre +or "bore" of the Severn is a large and swift tide-wave which sometimes +flows in from the Atlantic Ocean with great force.' Sk. II, p. 61, +note.] + +Hylle-fyre, Æ. 682. _A beacon_. + +Hylte, T. 168. _Hid, secreted_. C.--Æ. 1059. _Hide_. C. + +[Hylted, Hyltren, T. 47 .65. _Hidden_. C.] + + +I., J. + +Jape, Ch. 74. _A short surplice_, &c. C. + +Jeste, G. 195. _Hoisted, raised_. C. + +Ifrete, G. 2. _Devour, destroy_. C. + +Ihantend, E. I. 40. _Accustomed_. C. + +Jintle, H. 2. 82. for _Gentle_. + +Impestering, E. I. 29. _Annoying_. C. + +Inhild, E. I. 14. _Infuse_. C. + +Ishad, Le. 37. _Broken_. C. + +Jubb, E. III. 72. _A bottle_. C. + +[Iwimpled, H. 2. 528. _Muffled_ (Speght).] + +Iwreene, p. 286. 9. [Evidently the same as K.'s bewreen, _expressed, +shewn_.] + + +K. + +Ken, E. II. 6. _See, discover, know_. C. + +Kennes, Ep. 28. _Knows_. C. + +Keppend, Le. 44. [_Careful, precise,_ from B.'s kepen, _keep, take +care of_.] + +Kiste, Ch. 25. _Coffin_. C. + +Kivercled, E. III. 63. _The hidden or secret part_. C. + +Knopped, M. 14. _Fastened, chained, congealed_. C. + + +L. + +[Lack in C. generally = _to be in need of_ rather than simply _to be +without_; cf. G. 176.] + +Ladden, H. 1. 206. [_Lay_.] + +Leathel, E. I. 42. _Deadly_. C. + +Lechemanne, Æ. 31. _Physician_. + +Leckedst, H. 2. 332. [No explanation.] + +Lecturn, Le. 46. _Subject_. C. + +Lecturnies, Æ. 109. _Lectures_. C. + +Leden, El. 30. _Decreasing_. C. + +Ledanne, Æ. 1143. [? _Leaden, heavy_; or it may be an adj. formed from +K.'s leden (O.), _languish_.] + +[Lee, Ep. 6. _Lay_; or ? _lie_.] + +Leege, G. 173. _Homage, obeysance_. C. + +Leegefolcke, G. 43. _Subjects_. C. + +[Leffed, H. 1. 141. _Left_.] + +Lege, Ep. 3. _Law_. C. + +[Legeful, E. I. 3. _Loyal_.] + +Leggen, M. 92. _Lessen, alloy_. C. + +Leggeude, M. 32. _Alloyed_. C. + +Lemanne, Æ. 132. _Mistress_. + +Lemes, Æ 42. _Lights, rays_. C. + +Lemed, El. 7. _Glistened_. C.--Æ. 606. _Lighted_. C. + +Lere, Æ 568. H. 2. 597. seems to be put for _Leather_. + +Lessel, El. 25. _A bush or hedge_. C. + +Lete, G. 60. _Still_. C. + +Lethal, El. 21. _Deadly, or death-boding_. C. + +Lethlen, Æ. 272. _Still, dead_. C. + +Letten, Æ. 928. _Church-yard_. C. + +Levynde, El. 18. _Blasted_. C. + +Levynne, M. 104. _Lightning_. C. + +Levyn-mylted, Æ. 462. _Lightning-melted_. q? + +Liefe, Æ. 217. [? from K. and B.'s lief, _rather_. Sk. renders _at my +choice_.] + +Liff, E. I. 7. _Leaf_. + +Ligheth, Æ. 627. [? _Lay low_, from K.'s lig, _lie_.] + +Likand, H. 2. 177. _Liking_. + +Limed, El. 37. _Glassy, reflecting_. C. + +Limmed, M. 90. _Glassy, reflecting_. C. + +Lissed, T. 97. _Bounded_. C. + +[List, H. 1. 544. ? _Pleasure_.] + +Lithie, Ep. 10. _Humble_. C. + +Loaste, Æ. 456. _Loss_. + +[Lode, H. 1. 33. Probably as _load_, a _task_ or _burden_. Sk. renders +_praise_, as if _land_; this is far from convincing.] + +Logges, E. I. 55. _Cottages_. C. + +Lordinge, T. 57. _Standing on their hind legs_. C. + +Loverd's, E. III. 29. _Lord's_. C. + +Low, G. 50. _Flame of fire_. C. + +Lowes, T. 137. _Flames_. C. + +Lowings, Ch. 35. _Flames_. C. + +[Lurdanes, H. 1. 36. From B.'s 'Lurdane, lordane, _a dull heavy +fellow_, derived by some from _Lord_ and _Dane_'. So the word becomes +for C. an opprobrious equivalent for _Dane_.] + +[Lygheth, Æ. 627. _Lay_, from K.'s lig, _to lie_.] + +[Lymed, E. II. 7. _Glassy, reflecting_. C.] + +Lymmed, M. 33. _Polished_. C. + +Lynch, El. 37. _Bank_. C. + +Lynge, Æ. 376. _Stay_. C. + +Lyoncel, E. II. 44. _Young lion_. C. + +Lyped, El. 34. [? miswritten for _lithed_, Speght's lith, _to make +less_, so _wasted_. Sk. renders _wasted away_, deriving _lyped_ from +B.'s liposychy, _a small swoon_, which seems too far-fetched even for +Rowley.] + +Lysse, T. 2. _Sport, or play_. C. + +Lyssed, Æ 53. _Bounded_. C. + + +M. + +Mancas, G. 136. _Marks_. C. + +Manchyn, H. 2. 222. _A sleeve_. Fr. + +[Mastie, H. 1. 348. 425. ? _Mastiff_.] + +Maynt, Meynte, E. II. 66. _Many, great numbers_. C. + +Mee, Mees, E. I. 31. _Meadow_. C. + +Meeded, Æ 39. _Rewarded_. [The construction _meeded out_ is probably +affected by _meted out_.] + +Memuine, H. 2. 120. [? _Body of troops_, ? _Command_. No explanation.] + +Meniced, p. 285. 146. _Menaced_, q? [The sense is _threatened to make +him marry again_.] + +Mere, G. 58. _Lake_. C. + +Merk-plante, T. 176. _Night-shade_. C. + +Merke, T. 163. _Dark, gloomy_. C. + +Miesel, Æ 551. _Myself_. + +Milkynette, El. 22. _A small bagpipe_. C. + +Mist, Ch. 49. _Poor, needy_. C. + +[Mister, Ch. 82. as _Mist_, poor, needy.] + +Mitches, El. 20. _Ruins_. C. + +Mittee, E. II. 28. _Mighty_. C. + +Mockler, p. 283. 105. _More_. + +Moke, Ep. 5. _Much_. C. + +Mokie, El. 29. _Black_. C. + +[Mokynge, H. 2. 584. K. and B. have moky (O.), _cloudy_; so perhaps +C. meant a brook the surface of which reflected the clouds. Sk. reads +_mocking_.] + +Mole, Ch. 4. _Soft_. C. + +Mollock, G. 90. _Wet, moist_. C. + +Morglaien. M. 20. _The name of a sword_ [Morglay] _in some old +Romances_. + +Morthe, Æ 307. [_Violent death_. K. has morth, _murder_.] + +Morthynge, El. 4. _Murdering_. C. + +Mote, E. I. 22. _Might_. C. + +Motte, H. 2. 184. _Word, or motto_. + +Myckle, Le. 16. _Much_. C. + +Myndbruch, Æ. 401. [_A hurting of honour and worship_ (B.).] + +Mynster, G. 75. _Monastery_. C. + +Mysterk, M. 33. _Mystic_. C. + + +N. + +[Nappy, Ba. 13. B. has nappy-ale, [_q. d. such as will cause persons +to take a nap_] _pleasant and strong_. But the word _nappy_ in this +connexion has nothing to do with causing sleep.] + +Ne, P.G. 6. _Not_. C. + +Ne, p. 281. 58. _Nigh_. + +Nedere, Ep. II. _Adder_. C. + +Neete, p. 280. 41. _Night_. + +Nesh, T. 16. _Weak, tender_. C. + +Nete, Æ. 399. _Night_. + +Nete, T. 19. _Nothing_. C. + +Nilling, Le. 16. _Unwilling_. C. + +Nome-depeinted, E. II. 17. _Rebus'd shields_; a herald term, when the +charge of the shield implies the name of the bearer. C. + +Notte-browne, p. 280. 49. _Nitt-brown_. + + +O. + +Obaie, E. I. 41. _Abide_. C. + +Offrendes, Æ. 51. _Presents, offerings_. C. + +Olyphauntes, H. 2. 609. _Elephants_. + +Onknowlachynge, E. II. 26 _Not knowing_. C. Onlight, Æ. 678. [_Put +out, extinguish_.] + +Onlist, Le. 46. _Boundless_. C. + +[Ore, H. 2. 25. Contracted for _other_.] + +Orrests, G. 100. _Oversets_. C. + +Ouchd, T. 80. See C.'s note. + +Ouphante, Æ. 888. 929. _Ouphen, Elves_. + +Ourt, H. 2. 578. [Contraction for B.'s _overt_.] + +Ouzle, Æ. 104. _Black-bird_. C. + +Owndes, G. 91. _Waves_. C. + + +P. + +Pall, Ch. 31. Contraction from _appall_, to fright. C. + +Paramente, Æ. 52. _Robes of scarlet_. C.--M. 36. _A princely robe_. C. + +[Passante, El. 28. _Passing, going by_. (K.)] + +Paves, Pavyes, Æ. 433. _Shields_. + +Peede, Ch. 5. _Pied_. C. + +[Peene, Æ. 484. _Pain_.] + +Pencte, Ch. 46. _Painted_. C. + +Penne, Æ. 728. _Mountain_. + +Percase, Le. 21. _Perchance_. C. + +'Pere, E. I. 41. _Appear_. C. + +Perpled, p. 283. 99. _Purple_. q? [From B.'s disparpled, disperpled, +_in heraldry, scattered loosely_. T.'s suggestion is certainly wrong.] + +Persant, Æ. 561. _Piereing_. + +Pete, Æ. 1001. [as _Pighte_.] + +Pheeres, Æ. 46. _Fellows, equals_. C. + +Pheon, H. 2. 272. in Heraldry, _the barbed head of a dart_. + +Pheryons, p. 285. 147. ['A mistake for pheons.' Sk.] + +Picte, E. III. 91. _Picture_. C. + +Pighte, T. 38. _Pitched, or bent down_. C. + +Poyntel, Le. 44. _A pen_. C. + +Prevyd, Æ 23. _Hardy, valourous_. C. + +Proto-slene, H. 2. 38. _First-slain_. + +Prowe, H. 1. 108. [?_Forehead_. No explanation.] + +Pynant, Le. 4. _Pining, meagre_. + +Pyghte, M. 73. _Settled_. C. + +Pyghteth, Ep. 15. _Plucks, or tortures_. C. + +[Pyke, Ch. 53. See _Shoone-pykes_.] + +[Pynne, Æ. 213. Probably the peg which supported the target; which a +clever marksman might split. There is no satisfactory explanation of +'the basket'.] + + +Q. + +Quaced, T. 94. _Vanquished_. C. + +Quayntyssed. T. 4. _Curiously devised_. C. + +Quansd, Æ. 241. _Stilled, Quenched_. C. + +Queede, Æ. 284. 428. _The evil one; the Devil_. + + +R. + +Receivure, G. 151. _Receipt_. C. + +Recer, H. 1. 87. for _Racer_. + +Recendize, Æ. 544. for _Recreandice; Cowardice_. + +Recrandize, Æ. 1193. for _Recreandice; Cowardice_. [Though Sk. renders +_Recendize_ resentment.] + +Recreand, Æ. 508. _Coward_. C. + +Reddour, Æ. 30. _Violence_. C. + +Rede, Le. 18. _Wisdom_. C. + +Reded, G. 79. _Counselled_. C. + +Redeyng, Æ. 227. _Advice_. + +Regrate, Le. 7. _Esteem_. C.--M. 70. _Esteem, favour_. C. + +Rele, n. Æ. 530. _Wave_. C. + +Reles, v. E. II. 63. _Waves_. C. + +Rennome, T. 28. _Honour, glory_. C. + +Reyne, Reine, E. II. 25. _Run_. C. + +Reyning, E. II. 39. _Running_. C. + +Reytes, Æ. 900. _Water-flags_. C. + +Ribaude, Ep. 9. _Rake, lewd person_. C. + +Ribbande-geere, p. 280. 44. _Ornaments of ribbands_. + +Rodded, Ch. 3. _Reddened_. C. + +Rode, E. I. 59. _Complexion_. C. + +Rodeing, Æ. 324. _Riding_. + +Roder, Æ. 1065. _Rider, traveller_. + +Roghling, T. 69. _Rolling_. C. + +Roin, Æ. 325. _Ruin_. + +Roiend, Æ. 578. _Ruin'd_. + +Roiner, Æ. 325. _Ruiner_. + +Rou, G. 10. _Horrid, grim_. C. + +Rowney, Le. 32. _Cart-horse_. C. + +Rynde, Æ. 1192. _Ruin'd_. + + +S. + +Sabalus, E. I. 22. _The Devil_. C. + +Sabbatanners, Æ 275. [_Soldiers_, from B.'s sabatans, _soldiers' +boots_; cf. Lat. _Caligati_.] + +[Sarim, H. 1. 301. i.e. _Sarum_.] + +Scalle, Æ. 703. _Shall_. C. + +Scante, Æ. 1133. _Scarce_. C. + +Scantillie, Æ. 1010. _Scarcely, sparingly_. C. + +Scarpes, Æ. 52. _Scarfs_. C. + +Seethe, T. 96. _Hurt or damage_. C. + +Scille, E. III. 33. _Gather_. C. + +Scillye, G. 207. _Closely_. C. + +Scolles, Æ. 239. _Sholes_. + +Scond, H. 1. 20. for _Abscond_. + +Seck, H. 1. 461. for _Suck_. + +Seeled, Ent. II. _Closed_. C. + +Seere, Æ. 1164. _Search_. C. + +Selyness, E. I. 55. _Happiness_. C. + +Semblate, p. 281. 67. [=_Semblance_.] + +Seme, E. III. 32. _Seed_. C. + +Semecope, Ch. 87. _A short undercloke_. C. + +Semmlykeed, Æ. 298. [as _Semlykeene_.] + +Semlykeene, Æ. 9. _Countenance_. C. C.--G. 56. _Beauty, countenance_. +C. + +Sendaument, p. 284. 126. [_Appearance_. The word has no authority; B. +and K. are silent.] + +Sete, Æ. 1069. _Seat_. + +Shappe, T. 36. _Fate_. C. + +Shap-scurged, Æ. 603. _Fate-scourged_. C. + +Shemring, E. II. 14. _Glimmering_. C. + +Shente, T. 157. _Broke, destroyed_. C. + +Shepen, p. 283. 97. [_Simple_, from K.'s shepen (O.), _simple, +fearful_.] + +Shepstere, E. I. 6. _Shepherd_. C. + +Shoone-pykes, p. 280. 44. _Shoes with piked toes_. The length of the +pikes was restrained to two inches, by 3 Edw. 4. c. 5. + +Shrove, H. 2. 432. [It is difficult to discover the probable sense of +this word. Perhaps an allusion to an imaginary legend is intended; cf. +the reference (H. 2. 417) to Conyan's goats. Sk. has a note '_Shrove_ +is the Rowleian for _shrouded_'; this is possible but hardly +convincing.] + +[Slea, Æ. 18. _Slay_.] + +[Sleeve, H. 1. 178. _Silk not yet twisted, floss._] + +Sletre, Æ. 539. _Slaughter_. + +Slughornes, E. II. 9. _A musical instrument not unlike a hautboy_. +C.--T. 31. A kind of clarion. C. + +Smethe, T. 101. _Smoke_. C. + +Smething, E. I. 1. _Smoking_. C. + +Smore, H. 1. 412. [? _Smeared_ or _Smothered_.] + +Smothe, Ch. 35. _Steam or vapours_. C. + +Snett, T. 45. _Bent_. C. + +[Sorgie, G. 17. _Surging_.] + +Sothen, Æ. 227. _Sooth_, q? + +Souten, H. 1. 252. for _Sought_. pa. t. sing. q? + +Sparre, H. 1. 26. _A wooden bar_. + +Speckle, H. 2. 525. [? _Spied_, or perhaps _Reached_.] + +Spencer, T. 11. _Dispenser_. C. + +Spere, Æ. 69. [_Spare, allow_.] + +Spyryng, Æ. 707. _Towering_. + +Staie, H. 1. 198. [B. has Stay, _stop, let, hindrance_; so possibly C. +uses it as a paraphrase for _armour_; or some special piece of armour +may be meant.] + +Starks, T. 73. _Stalks_. + +[Steeked, Æ. 1188. Not in K. B. or Speght, but Sk. notes that C. has +_steeked=stole_; so here the sense would be _stole upon_.] + +Steeres, p. 25. 6. _Stairs_. + +Stente, T. 134. _Stained_. C. + +Steynced, Æ. 189. [?_Stinted_, from B.'s stent (Saxon),_stint_.] + +Storthe, p. 287. 10. [_Death_; cf. _Storven_.] + +Storven, Æ. 608. _Dead_. C. + +Straughte, Æ. 59. _Stretched_. C. + +[Stre, H. 2. 712. _Straw_.] + +Stret, Æ. 158. _Stretch_. C. + +Strev, Æ. 358. _Strive_. + +Stringe, G. 10. _Strong_. C. + +Suffycyl, Æ. 62. 981. [_Sufficient_.] + +[Swanges, Ch. 210. _Swings_.] + +Swarthe, Æ. 265. [A _swath_, or _swarth_ (so rarely, but cf. _Twelfth +Night_, II. iii, where Maria calls Malvolio 'an affectioned ass, that +cons state without book and utters it by great swarths') is as +much hay as the mower can cut at one movement of the scythe. So, an +unsubstantial thing compared with a _boddekin_.] + +Swartheing, Æ. 295 [_Darkling_, _darkening_.] + +Swarthless. II. 2. 563. [_Dark-less_, i.e. _pallid_.] + +Sweft-kervd, E. II. 20. _Short-liv'd_. C. + +Swoltering, Æ. 444. [?_Swallowing_.] + +[Swote, E. I. 25. _Sweet_. C.] + +Swotie, E. II. 9. _Sweet_. C. + +Swythe, Swythen, Swythyn; _Quickly_. C. + +Syke, E. II. 6. _Such, so_. C. + + +T. + +Takelle. T. 72. _Arrow_. C. + +[Talbot, H. 2. 89. _A kind of hunting dog_ (K.); _a dog with a +turned-up tail_(B.).] + +Teint, H. 1. 462. for _Tent_. [_Bandage_.] + +Tende, T. 113. _Attend, or wait_. C. + +Tene, Æ 366. _Sorrow_. + +Tentyflie, E. III. 48. _Carefully_. C. + +Tere, Æ 194. _Health_. C. + +Thoughten, Æ 172. 1136. for _Thought_, pa. t. sing. q? + +[Thraslarkes, H. 2. 427. Presumably a kind of lark. K.B. and Speght +give no help.] + +Thyghte, p. 283. 104. [II. 2. 578. _Well-built_.] + +Thyssen, E. II. 87. _These_, or _those_. q? + +Tochelod, Æ 205. [Perhaps a mistake for _Tochered_ = dowered. (Sk.)] + +Tore, Æ 1020. _Torch_. C. + +Trechit, H. 2. 93. for _Treget_; Deceit. + +Treynted, Æ 454. [? _Scatter_, from K.'s Betreint (O.), _sprinkled_.] + +Twyghte, E. II. 78. _Plucked, pulled_. C. + +Twytte, E. I. 2. _Pluck, or pull_. C. + +Tynge, Tyngue; _Tongue_. + + +U., V. + +Val, T. 138. _Helm_. C. + +Vernage, H. 2. II. _Vernaccia_ Ital. a sort of rich wine. + +Ugsomeness, Æ. 507. _Terror_. C. + +Ugsomme, E. II. 55. _Terribly_. C.--Æ. 303. _Terrible_. C. + +[Virgyne, Ch. I. The sign of the zodiac, _Virgo_, which the sun enters +about the 21st of August.] + +Unaknell'd, H. 1. 288. _Without any knell rung for them._ q? +[_unaknelled_ was Pope's reading of _unancaled_ in his edition of +_Hamlet_.] + +Unburled, Æ. 1186. _Unarmed_. C. + +Uncted, M. 30. _Anointed_. C. + +Undelievre, G. 27. _Unactive_. C. + +Unenhantend, Æ. 636. _Unaccustomed_. C. + +Unespryte, G. 27. _Unspirited_. C. + +[Uneyned, E. 516. _Blinded_.] + +Unhailie, Ch. 85. _Unhappy_. C. + +Unliart, P.G. 4. _Unforgiving_. C. + +Unlift, E. III. 86. _Unbounded_. C. + +Unlored, Ep. 25. _Unlearned_. C. + +Unlydgefull, Æ. 537. [_Disloyal_.] + +Unplayte, G. 86.--Unplyte, Æ. 1238. _Explain_. C. + +Unquaced, E. III. 90. _Unhurt_. C. + +[Unryghte. See Note I.] + +Unsprytes, Æ. 1212. _Un-souls_. C. + +Untentyff, G. 79. _Uncareful, neglected_. C. + +Unthylle, T. 30. _Useless_. C. + +Unwer, E. III. 87. _Tempest_. C. + +Volunde, Æ. 73. _Memory, understanding_. C.--G. 140. _Will_. C. + +Upriste, Æ. 928. _Risen_. C. + +Upryne, H. 2. 719. [? _Raise up_, from B.'s uprist, _uprisen, risen +up_.] + +Upswalynge, Æ. 258. _Swelling_. C. + + +W. + +Walsome, H. 2. 92. _Wlatsome; loathsome_. + +Wanhope, G. 34. _Despair_. C. + +Waylde, Æ. 11. _Choice, selected_. + +Waylinge, E. II. 68. _Decreasing_. C. [Wayled (O.), _grown old_ (K.).] + +Wayne, E. III. 31. _Car_. C. + +Weere, Æ. 835. _Grief_. C. + +Welked, E. III. 50. _Withered_. C. + +Welkyn, Æ. 1055. _Heaven_. C. + +[Whaped, H. 2. 579. _Amazed_, from K.'s Awhaped (O.) _amazed_.] + +Wiseegger, E. III. 8. _A philosopher_. C. [But used by C. as an +adjective.] + +Wissen, Æ. 685. _Wish_. + +Wite, G. 176. _Reward_. C. + +Withe, E. III. 36. A contraction of _Wither_. C. + +[Wolfynn, T. 51. &c. _Wolf_. Not in K. B. or Speght.] + +Wolsome, Le. 5. See _Walsome_. + +Wraytes. See _Reytes_. + +Wrynn, T. 117. _Declare_. C. + +Wurche, Æ. 500. _Work_. C. + +Wychencref, Æ. 420. _Witchcraft_. + +Wyere, E. II. 79. _Grief, trouble_. C. + +Wympled, G. 207. _Mantled, covered_. C. + +Wynnynge, Æ. 219. [The sense is 'which my father's hall had no +winning,' i.e. 'which I could never get in my father's hall.' Sk. is +almost certainly wrong here.] + + +Y. + +Yan, Æ. 72. _Than_. + +Yaped, Ep. 30. _Laughable_. C. + +Yatte, T. 9. _That_. C. + +Yblente, Æ. 40. _Blinded_. C. + +Ybroched, G. 96. _Horned_. C. + +[Ybrogten, Æ. 919. _Brought_] + +Ycorne, Æ. 374. [Contracted for _ycorven_.] + +Ycorven, T. 170. _To mould_. C. + +[Ycrase, p. 287. 16. _Break_.] + +Yceasedd, T. 132. _Broken_. C. + +Yenne; _Then_. + +Yer, E. II. 29. _Their_. + +Yer, Æ. 152. _Your_. + +Ygrove, H. 2. 434. [? _Shaped_, for _y-graven_.] + +Yinder, Æ. 692. _Yonder_. + +Yis; _This_. + +Ylach'd, H. 2. 436. [? _Concealed_. B. has Lach, _catch_ or _snatch_; +but this is hardly to the point.] + +Ynhyme, Ent. 5. _Inter_. C. + +Ynutile, Æ. 198. _Useless_. + +Yreaden, H. 2. 207. [_Ready_.] + +Yroughte, H. 2. 318. for _Ywroughte_. + +Ysped, M. 102. _Dispatched_. C. + +Yspende, T. 179. _Consider_. C. + +Ystorven, E. I. 53. _Dead_. C. + +Ytfel, E. I. 18. _Itself_. + +Ywreen, E. II. 30. _Covered_. C. + +Ywrinde, M. 100. _Hid, covered_. C. + +Yyne, Æ. 540. _Thine_. + + +Z. + +Zabalus, Æ. 428. as _Sabalus_; the Devil. + + + + +APPENDIX; + +CONTAINING SOME OBSERVATIONS UPON THE LANGUAGE OF THE POEMS ATTRIBUTED +TO ROWLEY; + +TENDING TO PROVE, THAT THEY WERE WRITTEN, NOT BY ANY ANCIENT AUTHOR, +BUT ENTIRELY BY THOMAS CHATTERTON. + + Tum levis haud ultra latebras jam quærit imago, Sed sublime volans + nocti se immiscuit atræ. + + VIRGIL. Æ. X. + + + + +APPENDIX, &c. + + +When these Poems were first printed, it was thought best to leave the +question of their authenticity to the determination of the impartial +Public. The Editor contented himself with intimating his opinion, +[Pref. p. xii, xiii.] that the external evidence on both sides was +so defective as to deserve but little attention, and that the final +decision of the question must depend upon the internal evidence. To +shew that this opinion was not thrown out in order to mislead the +enquiries and judgements of the readers, I have here drawn together +_some observations upon_ THE LANGUAGE[1] _of the poems attributed to +Rowley_, which, I think, will be sufficient to prove, 1st, that they +were not written in the XV Century; and 2dly, that they were written +entirely by Thomas Chatterton. + +The proof of the second proposition would in effect carry with it that +of the first; but, notwithstanding. I choose to treat them separately +and to begin with the first. + +I shall premise only one _postulatum_, which is, that Poets of the +same age and country use the same language, allowances being made for +certain varieties, which may arise from the local situation, the rank +in life, the learning, the affectation of the writers, and from the +different subjects and forms of their compositions [2]. + +This being granted, I have nothing to do but to prove, that the +language of the poems attributed to Rowley (when every proper +allowance has been made) is totally different from that of the other +English writers of the XV Century, in many material particulars. It +would be too tedious to go through them all; and therefore I shall +only take notice of such as can be referred to three general heads; +the _first_ consisting of words not used by any other writer; the +_second_, of words used by other writers, but in a different sense; +and the _third_, of words inflected in a manner contrary to grammar +and custom. + +Under the _first_ head I would recommend the following words to the +reader's consideration. + + 1. ABESSIE. E. III. 89. + Whylest the congeon flowrette _abessie_ dyghte. + + 2. ABORNE. T. 45. + Snett oppe hys long strunge bowe and sheelde _aborne_. + + 3. ABREDYNGE. Æ 334. + Agylted Ælla, thie _abredynge_ blynge. + + 4. ACROOLE. El. 6. + Didde speke _acroole_, wythe languishment of eyne. + + 5. ADAVE. H. 2. 392. + The fynest dame the Sun or moon _adave_. + + 6. ADENTE. Æ 396. ADENTED. G. 32. + Ontoe thie veste the rodde sonne ys _adente_. + _Adented_ prowess to the gite of witte. + + 7. ADRAMES. Ep. 27. + Loughe loudlie dynneth from the dolte _adrames_. + + 8. ALATCHE. Æ 117. + Leave me swythe or I'lle _alatche_. + + 9. ALMER. Ch. 20. + Where from the hail-stone coulde the _almer_ flie? + + 10. ALUSTE. H. 1. 88. + That Alured coulde not hymself _aluste_. + + 11. ALYNE. T. 79. + Wythe murther tyred he flynges hys bowe _alyne_. + + 12. ALYSE. Le. 29.--G. 180. + Somme dryblette share you shoulde to that _alyse_. + Fulle twentie mancas I wylle thee _alise_. + + 13. ANERE. Æ 15.--Ep. 48. + And cann I lyve to see herr wythe _anere_? + ----Adieu untylle _anere_. + + 14. ANETE. p. 281. 64. + Whych yn the blosom woulde such sins _anete_. + + 15. APPLINGS. E. I. 33. + Mie tendre _applynges_ and embodyde trees. + + 16. ARROW-LEDE. H. 1. 74. + Han by his soundynge _arrowe-lede_ bene sleyne. + + 17. ASENGLAVE. H. 1. 117. + But Harold's _asenglave_ stopp'd it as it flewe. + + 18. ASLEE. Æ 504. + That doest _aslee_ alonge ynn doled dystresse. + + 19. ASSWAIE. Æ 352. + Botte thos to leave thee, Birtha, dothe _asswaie_ + Moe torturynge peynes, &c. + + 20. ASTENDE. G. 47. + Acheke the mokie aire and heaven _astende_. + +I stop here, not because the other Letters of the alphabet would not +afford a proportionable number of words which might be referred to +this head, but because I think these sufficient for my purpose. I +proceed therefore to set down an equal number of words under the +_second_ general head. + +1. ABOUNDE. H. 1. 55. + + His cristede beaver dyd him smalle _abounde_. + +The common sense of _Abound_, a verb, is well known; but what can be +the meaning of it here? + +2. ALEDGE. G. 5. + + Lette notte thie agreme blyn ne _aledge_ stonde. + +_Aledge_, or _Alege_, v. Fr. in Chaucer signifies _to alleviate_. +It is here used either as an adjective or as an adverb. Chatterton +interprets it to mean _idly_; upon what ground I cannot guess. + +3. ALL A BOON. E. III. 41.--p. 23. l. 4. + + _All-a-boon_, fyr Priest, _all-a-boon_. + Thys ys the onelie _all-a-boone_ I crave. + +Here are three English words, the sense of which, taken separately, +is clear. As joined together in this passage they are quite +unintelligible. + +4. ALLEYN. E. I. 52. + + Mie sonne, mie sonne _alleyn_ ystorven ys. + +Granting _alleyn_ to be rightly put for alone, no ancient writer, I +apprehend, ever used such a phrase as this; any more than we should +now say--_my son alone_ for _my only son_. 5. ASCAUNCE. E. III. 52. + + Lokeynge _ascaunce_ upon the naighboure greene. + +The usual sense of _ascaunce_ in Chaucer, and other old writers, has +been explained in a note on ver. 7327. of the Canterbury Tales. It +is used in the same sense by Gascoigne. The more modern adverb +_ascaunce_, signifying _sideways, obliquely_, is derived from the +Italian _a schiancio_, and I doubt very much whether it had been +introduced into the English language in the time of the supposed +Rowley. + +6. ASTERTE. G. 137. + + ----You have theyr worthe _asterte_. + +I despair of finding any authorized sense of the word _asterte_, that +will suit this passage. It cannot, I think, signifie _neglected or +passed by_, as Chatterton has rendered it. + +7. AUMERE. Æ. 398.--Ch. 7. AUMERES. E. III. 25. + + Depycte wyth skylled honde upponn thie wyde _aumere_. + And eke the grounde was dighte in its mose deste _aumere_. + Wythe gelten _aumeres_ stronge ontolde. + +The only place in which I remember to have met with this word is in +Chaucer's Romant of the Rose, ver. 2271. and there it undoubtedly +signifies _a purse_; probably from the Fr. _Aumoniere. Aumere of silk_ +is Chaucer's translation of _Bourse de foye_. In another place of +the same poem, ver. 2087. he uses _aumener_ in the same sense. The +interpretations given of this word by Chatterton will be considered +below. + +8. BARBED. Æ 27. 219. + + Nott, whan from the _barbed_ horse, &c. + Mie lord fadre's _barbde_ halle han ne wynnynge. + +Let it be allowed, that _barbed horse_ was a proper expression, in the +XV Century, for _a horse covered with armour_, can any one conceive +that _barbed hall_ signified _a hall in which armour was hung_? or +what other sense can _barbde_ have in this passage? + +9. BLAKE. Æ 178. 407. + + Whanne Autumpne _blake_ and sonne-brente doe appere. + _Blake_ stondeth future doome, and joie doth mee alyse. + +_Blake_, in old English, may signifie either _black_, or _bleak_. +Chatterton, in both these passages, renders it _naked_; and, in the +latter, some such signification seems absolutely necessary to make any +sense. + +10. BODYKIN. Æ 265. + + And for a _bodykin_ a _swarthe_ obteyne. + +_Bodekin_ is used by Chaucer more than once to signifie a _bodkin_ or +_dagger_. I know not that it had any other signification in his time. +_Swarthe_, used as a noun, has no sense that I am acquainted with. + +11. BORDEL. E. III. 2.--Æ 147. BORDELIER. Æ 410. + + Goe serche the logges and _bordels_ of the hynde. + We wylle in a _bordelle_ lyve. + Hailie the robber and the _bordelyer_. + +Though _bordel_, in very old French, signifies a _cottage_, and +_bordelier_ a _cottager_, Chaucer uses the first word in no other +sense than that of _brothel_ or _bawdy-house_; and _bordeller_ with +him means the keeper of such a house. After this usage of these words +was so established, it is not easy to believe that any later writer +would hazard them in their primitive sense. + +12. BYSMARE. M. 95. + + Roaringe and rolleyng on yn course _bysmare_. + +_Bismare_, in Chaucer, signifies _abusive speech_; nor do I believe +that it ever had any other signification. + +13. CHAMPYON, V. PG. 12. + + Wee better for to doe do _champyon_ anie onne. + +I do not believe that _champion_ was used as a verb by any writer much +earlier than Shakespeare. + + 14. CONTAKE. T. 87. CONTEKE. E. II. 10. + + ----I _contake_ thie waie. + _Conteke_ the dynnynge ayre and reche the skies. + +_Conteke_ is used by Chaucer, as a _noun_, for _Contention_. I know no +instance of its being used as a _verb_. + +15. DERNE. Æ 582. DERNIE. E. I. 19. El. 8. M. 106. + + Whan thou didst boaste soe moche of actyon _derne_. + Oh Raufe, comme lyste and hear mie _dernie_ tale. + O gentle Juga, beare mie _dernie_ plainte. + He wrythde arounde yn drearie _dernie_ payne. + +_Derne_ is a Saxon adj. signifying _secret, private_, in which sense +it is used more than once by Chaucer, and in no other. + +16. DROORIE. Ep. 47. + + Botte lette ne wordes, whiche _droorie_ mote ne heare, + Bee placed in the same ----. + +The only sense that I know of _druerie_ is _courtship, gallantry_, +which will not suit with this passage. + + +17. FONNES. E. II. 14. Æ 421. FONS. T. 4. + + Decorn wyth _fonnes_ rare ---- + On of the _fonnis_ whych the clerche have made. + Quayntyssed _fons_ depictedd on eche sheelde. + +A _fonne_ in Chaucer signifies a _fool_, and _fonnes--fools_; and +Spenser uses _fon_ in the same sense; nor do I believe that it ever +had any other meaning. + +18. KNOPPED. M. 14. + + Theyre myghte ys _knopped_ ynne the froste of fere. + +_Knopped_ is used by Chaucer to signifie _fastened_ with a button, +from _knoppe_, a button; but what poet, that knew the meaning of his +words, would say that any thing was buttoned with _frost_? + +19. LECTURN. Le. 46. + + An onlist _lecturn_ and a songe adygne. + +I do not see that _lecturn_ can possibly signifie any thing but _a +reading-desk_, in which sense it is used by Chaucer. + +20. LITHIE. Ep. 10. + + Inne _lithie_ moncke apperes the barronnes pryde. + +If there be any such word as this, we should naturally expect it to +follow the signification of _lithe_; soft, limber: which will not suit +with this passage. + + * * * * * + +I go on to the _third_ general head of words inflected contrary to +grammar and custom. In a language like ours, in which the inflections +are so few and so simple, it is not to be supposed that a writer, even +of the lowest class, would commit very frequent offences of this sort. +I shall take notice of some, which I think impossible to have fallen +from a genuine Rowley. + +1. CLEVIS. H. 2. 46. + + Fierce as a _clevis_ from a rocke ytorne. + +_Clevis_ or _cleves_ is the plural number of _Cleve_, a cliff. It +is so used by Chaucer. I cannot believe that it was ever used as a +singular noun. + +EYNE. E. II. 79. T. 169. See also Æ 681. + + In everich _eyne_ aredynge nete of wyere. + Wythe syke an _eyne_ shee swotelie hymm dydd view. + +_Eyne_, a contraction of _eyen_, is the plural number of _eye_. It +is not more probable that an ancient writer should have used the +expressions here quoted, than that any one now should say--In _every +eyes_;--_With such an eyes_. + +HEIE. E. II. 15. T. 123. Le. 5. 9. Ent. 2. Æ 355. + +_Heie_, the old plural of _He_, was obsolete, I apprehend, in the time +of the supposed Rowley. At least it is very improbable that the same +writer, at any time, should use _heie_ and _theie_ indifferently, as +in these poems. + +THYSSEN. E. II. 87. + + Lette _thyssen_ menne, who haveth sprite of love. + +I cannot believe that _thyssen_ was ever in use as the plural number +of _this_. The termination seems to have been added, for the sake of +the metre, by one who knew that many words formerly ended in _en_, +but was quite ignorant of what particular sorts they were. In the same +manner _coyen_, Æ. 125. and _sothen_, Æ. 227. are put for _coy_ and +_sothe_, contrary to all usage or analogy. + +And this leads me to the capital blunder, which runs through all these +poems, and would alone be sufficient to destroy their credit; I mean, +the termination of _verbs in the singular number_ in _n_[3]. I will +set down a number of instances, in which _han_ is used for the present +or past time _singular_ of the v. _Have_; only premising, that _han_, +being an abbreviation of _haven_, is never used by any ancient writer +except in the present time _plural_ and the infinitive mode. + + P. 26. v. 9. The Brytish Merlyn oftenne _hanne_ + The gyfte of inspyration. + + Ba. 2. The featherd songster chaunticleer + _Han_ wounde hys bugle horne. + + Æ. 685. Echone wylle wyssen hee _hanne_ seene the daie. + + 734. Bryghte sonne _han_ ynne hys roddie robes byn dyghte. + + 650. Whanne Englonde _han_ her foemenn. + + 1137. ----Mie stede _han_ notte mie love. + + 1184. _Hanne_ alle the fuirie of mysfortunes wylle + Fallen onne mie benned headde I _hanne_ been Ælla stylle. + + G. 20. _Hane_ Englonde thenne a tongue butte notte a stynge? + + M. 61. A tye of love a dawter faire she _hanne_. + + H. 1. 74. Ne doubting but the bravest in the londe + _Han_ by his foundynge arrowe-lede bene sleyne. + + 182. Where he by chance _han_ slayne a noble's son. + + 184. And in the battel he much goode _han_ done. + + 188. He of his boddie _han_ kepte watch and ward. + + 207. His chaunce in warr he ne before _han_ tryde. + + 281. The erlie felt de Torcies trecherous knyfe + _Han_ made his crymson bloude and spirits floe. + + 319. O Hengist, _han_ thy cause bin good and true! + + 321. The erlie was a manne of hie degree. + And _han_ that daie full manie Normannes sleine. + + 337. But better _han_ it bin to lett alone. + +If more instances should be wanted, see H. 1. 396. 429. 455. H. 2. +306. 703.--p. 275. ver. 4.--p. 281. ver. 63.--p. 288. ver. 1. + +In the same irregular manner the following verbs are used +_singularly_. + + E. I. 10. Then _fellen_ on the grounde and thus yspoke. + + H. 2. 665. Bewopen Alfwoulde _fellen_ on his knee. + + P. 287. ver. 17. For thee I _gotten_ or bie wiles or breme. + + H. 1. 252. He turned aboute and vilely _souten_ flie. + + H. 2. 339. Fallyng he _shooken_ out his smokyng braine. + + H. 2. 334. His sprite--Ne _shoulden_ find a place in anie songe. + + Æ. 172. So Adam _thoughtenne_ when ynn paradyse---- + + 1136. Tys now fulle morne; I _thoughten_, bie laste nyghte-- + + Ch. 54. Full well it _shewn_, he _thoughten_ coste no sinne. + +See also H. 2. 366. where _thoughten_, with the additional syllable, +not being quite long enough for the verse, has had another syllable +added at the beginning. + + Ne onne abash'd _enthoughten_ for to flee. + +And (what is still more curious) we have a participle of the present +tense formed from this fictitious past time, in Æ. 704. + + _Enthoughteyng_ for to scape the _brondeynge_ foe-- + +Which would not have been a bit more intelligible in the XV Century +than it would be now. _Brondeynge_ will be taken notice of below. + +Many other instances of the most unwarrantable anomalies might be +produced under this head; but I think I have said enough to prove, +that the language of these poems is totally different from that of the +other English writers of the XV Century; and consequently that they +were not written in that century; which was my first, proposition. I +shall now endeavour to prove, from the same internal evidence of the +language, that they were written entirely by Thomas Chatterton. + +For this purpose it will only be necessary to have recourse to those +interpretations of words by way of Glossary, which were confessedly +written by him[4]. It will soon appear, if I am not much mistaken, +that the author of the Glossary was the author of the Poems. + +Whoever will take the pains to examine these interpretations will +find, that they are almost all taken from SKINNER'S _Etymologicon +Linguæ Anglicanæ_[5]. In many cases, where the words are really +ancient, the interpretations are perfectly right; and so far +Chatterton can only be considered in the light of a commentator, who +avails himself of the best assistances to explane any genuine author. +But in many other instances, where the words are either not ancient +or not used in their ancient sense, the interpretations are totally +unfounded and fantastical; and at the same time the words cannot be +altered or amended consistently with any rules of criticism, nor can +the interpretations be varied without destroying the sense of +the passage. In these cases, I think, there is a just ground for +believing, that the words as well as their interpretations came from +the hand of Chatterton, especially as they may be proved very often to +have taken their rise either from blunders of Skinner himself, or from +such mistakes and misapprehensions of his meaning as Chatterton, from +haste and ignorance, was very likely to fall into. + +I will state first some instances of words and interpretations which +have evidently been derived from blunders of Skinner. + +ALL A BOON. E. III. 41. See before, p. 315. _A manner of asking a +favour_, says Chatterton. + +Now let us hear Skinner. + +"=All a bone=, exp. Preces, Supplex Libellus, Supplicatio, vel ut jam +loquimur Petitio viro Principi exhibita, ni fallor ab AS. Bene, unde +nostrum _Boon_ additis particulis Fr. G. A _la_. Ch. Fab. Mercatoris +fol. 30. p. i. Col. 2." + +The passage of Chaucer which is referred to, as an authority for this +word, is the following, Canterb. Tales, ver. 9492. + +"And alderfirst he bade them _all a bone_," i.e. he made a request to +them all. So that Skinner is entirely mistaken in making one phrase of +these three words; and it is surely more probable that the author of +the poems was misled by him, than that a really ancient writer mould +have been guilty of so egregious a blunder. + +AUMERES. E. III. 25. is explained by Chatterton to mean _Borders of +gold and silver_, &c. And AUMERE in Æ. 398, and Ch. 7. seems to be +used in the same sense of _a border of a garment_. And so Skinner has +by mistake explained the word, in that passage of Chaucer which has +been mentioned above [See p. 316, where the true meaning of _Aumere_ +is given]. + +"=Aumere= ex contextu videtur _Fimbria_ vel _Instita_, nescio an a +Teut. =Umbher=, Circum, Circa, q. d. Circuitus seu ambitus. _Ch_. f. +119. p. I.C. I." + +BAWSIN. Æ. 57. _Large_. Chatterton. M. 101. _Huge, bulky_. Chatterton. + +Without pretending to determine the precise meaning of Bawsin, I think +I may venture to say that there is no older or better authority for +rendering it large, than Skinner. "=Bawsin=, exp. _Magnus, Grandis_, +&c." + +BRONDEOUS. E. II. 24. _Furious_. Chatterton. BRONDED. H. 2. 558. +BRONDEYNGE. Æ. 704. BURLIE BRONDE. G. 7. _Fury, anger_. Chatterton. +See also H. 2. 664. All these uses of _Bronde_, and its supposed +derivatives, are taken from Skinner. "Bronde, exp. _Furia_, &c." +though in another place he explains Burly brand (I believe, rightly) +to mean _Magnus ensis_. It should be observed, that the phrase _Burly +brand_, if used in its true sense, would still have been liable to +suspicion, as it does not appear in any work, that I am acquainted +with, prior to the _Testament of Creseide_, a Scottish composition, +written many years after the time of the supposed Rowley. + +BURLED. M. 20. _Armed_. Chatterton. So Skinner, "Burled, exp. +_Armatus_, &c." + +BYSMARE. M. 95. _Bewildered, curious_. Chatterton. BYSMARELIE. Le. 26. +_Curiously_. Chatterton. See also p. 285. ver. 141. BISMARDE. + +It is evident, I think, that all these words are originally derived +from Skinner, who has very absurdly explained Bismare to mean +Curiosity. The true meaning has been stated above, p. 318. + +CALKE. G. 25. _Cast_. Chatterton. CALKED. E. I. 49. _Cast out, +ejected_. Chatterton. This word appears to have been formed upon a +misapprehension of the following article in Skinner. "Calked, exp. +Cast, credo Cast up." Chatterton did not attend to the difference +between _casting out_ and _casting up_, i.e. _casting up figures in +calculation_. That the latter was Skinner's meaning may be collected +from his next article. "Calked for Calculated. Ch. the Frankeleynes +tale." It is probable too, I think, that in both articles Skinner +refers, by mistake, to a line of _the Frankelein's tale_, which in the +common editions stands thus: + + "Ful subtelly he had _calked_ al this." + +Where _calked_ is a mere misprint for _calculed_, the reading of the +MSS. See the late Edit. ver. 11596. + +It would be easy to add many more instances of words, _either not +ancient or not used in their ancient sense_, which repeatedly occur +in these poems, and must be construed according to those fanciful +significations which Skinner has ascribed to them. How that should +have happened, unless either Skinner had read the Poems (which, I +presume, nobody can suppose,) or the author of the Poems had read +Skinner, I cannot see. It is against all odds, that two men, living +at the distance of two hundred years one from the other, should +accidentally agree in coining the same words, and in affixing to them +exactly the same meaning. + +I proceed to state some instances of words and interpretations which +are evidently founded upon misapprehensions of passages in Skinner. + +ALYSE. Le. 29. G. 180. _Allow_. Chatterton. See before, p. 314. + +Till I meet with this word, in this sense, in some approved author, I +shall be of opinion that it has been formed from a mistaken reading +of the following article in Skinner. "Alised, Authori Dict. Angl. apud +quem folum occurrit, exp. Allowed, ab AS. Alised, &c." In the Gothic +types used by Skinner f might be easily mistaken for a long s. + +BESTOIKER. Æ. 91. _Deceiver_. Chatterton. See also Æ. 1064. + +This word also seems plainly to have originated from a mistake in +reading Skinner. "Bestwike, ab AS. Berpican, Spican, _Decipere_, +Fallere, Prodere, Spica, Proditor, _Deceptor_." Chatterton in his +hurry read this as Bestoike, and formed a noun from it accordingly. + +BLAKE. Æ. 178. 407. _Naked_. Chatterton. BLAKIED. E. III. 4. _Naked, +original_. Chatterton. See before, p. 317. + +Skinner has the following article. "Blake _and_ bare, videtur ex +contextu prorsus _Nuda_, sort. q. d. Bleak _and_ Bare, dum enim nudi +fumus eóque aeri expositi, præ frigore pallescimus. Ch. sol. 184. p. +i. Col. i." + +Chatterton has caught hold of _Nuda_, which in Skinner is the +exposition of _Bare_, as if it belonged to _Blake_. + +HANCELLED. G. 49. _Cut off, destroyed_. Chatterton. _Hancelled_ from +erthe these Normanne hyndes shalle bee. + +Skinner has the same word, which he thus explains. "Hanceled, exp. Cut +off, credo dici proprie, vel primario faltem, tantum de prima portione +feu segmento quod ad tentandam feu explorandam rem abscindimus, ut ubi +dicimus, _to_ Hansell _a pasty or a gammon of bacon_." Chatterton, who +had neither inclination nor perhaps ability to make himself master of +so long a piece of Latin, appears to have looked no further than +the two English words at the beginning of this explanation; and +understanding _Cut off_ to mean _Destroyed_, he has used _Hancelled_ +in the same sense. + +SHAP. Æ. 34. G. 18. _Fate_. Chatterton. SHAP-SCURGED. Æ. 603. +_Fate-scourged_. Chatterton. + +_Shap_ haveth nowe ymade hys woes for to emmate. Stylle mormorynge +atte yer _shap_.----There ys ne house athrow thys _shap-scurged_ +isle. + +I never was able to conceive how _Shap_ should have been used in the +English language to signifie _Fate_, till I observed the following +article in Skinner, "Shap, _now is my_ Shap, nunc mihi _Fato_ +præstitutum est (i.e.) _now is it_ shapen _to me_, ab AS. Sceapan, +&c." I suppose that the word _Fato_, in the Latin, led Chatterton to +understand _now is my shap_ to mean _now is my fate_. + +The passage, to which Skinner refers, is in the Knight's tale of +Chaucer, ver. 1227. + + _Now is me shape_ eternally to dwelle + Not only in purgatorie but in helle. + +But in the Edit. of 1602, which Skinner appears to have made use +of, it is written _Now is me shap_. The putting of _my_ for _me_ was +probably a mistake of the Printer, as Skinner's explanation shews that +he read _me_. I fancy the generality of readers will be satisfied by +the foregoing quotations, that the Author of these poems had not only +read Skinner, but has also misapprehended and misapplied what he found +in him. If more instances should be wanted, a comparison of the words +explained by Chatterton with the same or similar words as explained by +Skinner, will furnish them in abundance[6]. I shall therefore conclude +this Appendix with a short view of the preceding argument. It has been +proved, that the poems attributed to Rowley were not written in the +XV Century; and it follows of course, that they were written, at a +subsequent period, by some impostor, who endeavoured to counterfeit an +author of that century. + +It has been proved, that this impostor lived since Skinner, and that +the same person wrote the interpretations of words by way of Glossary, +which are subjoined to most of the poems. + +It has also been proved, that Chatterton wrote those interpretations +of words. + +Whether any thing further be necessary to prove, that the poems were +entirely written by Chatterton, is left to the reader's judgement. +If he should stick at the word _entirely_, which may possibly seem to +carry the conclusion a little beyond the premisses, he is desired to +reflect, that, the poems having been proved to be a forgery since the +time of Skinner, and to have been written in great part by Chatterton, +it is infinitely more probable that the remainder was also written by +him than by any other person. The great difficulty is to conceive that +a youth, like Chatterton, should ever have formed the plan of such an +imposture, and should have executed it with so much perseverance and +ingenuity; but if we allow (as I think we must) that he was the author +of those pieces to which he subjoined his interpretations, I can see +no reason whatever for supposing that he had any assistance in the +rest. The internal evidence is strong that they are all from one hand; +and external evidence there is none, that I have been able to meet +with, which ought to persuade us, that a single line, of verse or +prose, purporting to be the work of ROWLEY, existed before the time of +CHATTERTON. + +[Footnote 1: I have chosen this _part_ of the internal evidence, +because the arguments, which it furnishes, are not only very decisive, +but also lie within a moderate compass. For the same reason of +brevity, I have confined my observations to a _part_ only of +this _part_, viz. to _words_, considered with respect to their +_significations_ and _inflexions_. A complete examination of this +subject _in all its parts_ would be a work of length.] + +[Footnote 2: Of these varieties all, except the first, are more +properly varieties of _style_ than of _language_. The _local +situation_ of a writer may certainly produce a _provincial dialect_, +which will often differ essentially from the language used at the same +time in other parts of the same country. But this can only happen in +the case of persons of no education and totally illiterate; and such +persons seldom write. It is unnecessary however to discuss this point +very accurately, as nobody, I believe, will contend, that the poems +attributed to Rowley are written in any _provincial dialect_. If there +should be a few words in them, which are now more common at Bristol +than at London, it should be remembered that Chatterton was of +Bristol.] + +[Footnote 3: It is not surprizing that Chatterton should have been +ignorant of a peculiarity of the English language, which appears to +have escaped the observation of a professed editor of Chaucer. Mr. +Urry has very frequently lengthened _verbs in the singular number_, by +adding _n_ to them, without any authority, I am persuaded, even from +the errors of former Editions or MSS. It might seem invidious to point +out living writers, of acknowledged learning, who have slipped into +the same mistake in their imitations of Chaucer and Spenser.] + +[Footnote 4: This is a point so material to the following argument, +that, though it has never hitherto, I believe, been made a question, +it ought not perhaps to be assumed without some proof. It may be said, +that Chatterton was only the _transcriber_ of the Glossary as well +as of the Poems. If to such an attention we were to answer, that +Chatterton always declared himself the _author_ of the Glossaries, +we should be told perhaps, that with equal truth he always declared +Rowley to have been the author of the Poems. But (not to insist upon +the very different weight, which the same testimony might be allowed +to have in the two cases) it has happened luckily, that the Glossary +to the Poem, entitled "_Englysh Metamorphosis_," [See p. 196.] was +written down by Chatterton extemporally, without the assistance of any +book, at the desire and in the presence of Mr. Barrett. Whoever will +compare that Glossary with the others, will have no doubt of their +being all from the same hand.] + +[Footnote 5: Printed at London, MDCLXXI. The part, which Chatterton +seems to have chiefly consulted, is that, which begins at Sign. U u u +u, and is entitled "_Etymologicon vocum omnium antiquarum Anglicarum, +quæ usque a Wilhelmo Victore invaluerunt, &c._"] + +[Footnote 6: I will state shortly some of those words, which have +been cited above, p. 313. as _either not ancient or not used in their +ancient sense_, with their corresponding articles in Skinner. + +ABESSIE; _Humility_. C.--Abessed;--_Humiliatus_. Sk. + +ABORNE; _Burnished_, C.--Borne; _Burnish_. Sk. It was usual with +Chatterton to prefix _a_ to words of all sorts, without any regard to +custom or propriety. See in the Alphabetical Gloss. _Aboune, Abreave, +Acome, Aderne, Adygne, Agrame, Agreme, Alest_, &c. + +ABOUNDE. This word Chatterton has not interpreted, but the context +shews that it is used in the sense of _good_. So that I suspect it was +taken from the following article in Skinner. Abone,--a Fr. G. Abonnir; +_Bonum_ facere. + +ABREDYNGE: _Upbraiding_. C.--Abrede, exp. _Upbraid_. Sk. + +ACROOL; _Faintly_. C.--Crool, exp. _Murmurare_. Sk. See the remark +upon ABORNE. + +ADENTE, ADENTED: _Fastened, annexed_. C.--Adent;--_Configere, +Conjungere_. Sk. + +ALUSTE has no interpretation: but it is used in the sense of _raise_. +Perhaps it may have been derived from a mistaken reading of Alust, +which is explained by Skinner to mean _Tollere_. See the remarks upon +_Alyse_ and _Bestoiker_, p. 328, 329. + +DERNE, DERNIE; _Woeful, lamentable, cruel_. C.--Derne; _Dirus, +crudelis_. Sk. + +DROORIE; _Modesty_. C.--Drury; _Modestia_. Sk. + +FONS, FONNES; _Fancys, Devices_. C.--Fonnes; _Devises_. Sk. + +KNOPPED; _Fastened, chained, congealed_. C.--Knopped; _Tied_. Sk. + +LITHIE: _Humble_. C.--Lithy; _Humble_. Sk. But in truth I do not +believe that there is any such word. Skinner probably found it in his +edition of Chaucer's _Cuckow and Nightingale_, ver. 14. where the MSS. +have LITHER (_wicked_), which is undoubtedly the right reading.] + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rowley Poems, by Thomas Chatterton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROWLEY POEMS *** + +***** This file should be named 13037-8.txt or 13037-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/0/3/13037/ + +Produced by Leah Moser and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rowley Poems + +Author: Thomas Chatterton + +Release Date: July 28, 2004 [EBook #13037] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROWLEY POEMS *** + + + + +Produced by Leah Moser and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + +THE + +ROWLEY POEMS + +BY + +THOMAS CHATTERTON + +REPRINTED FROM TYRWHITT'S THIRD EDITION + +EDITED, WITH AN INTRODUCTION, BY MAURICE EVAN HARE + + + +MCMXI + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION + + I. CHATTERTON'S LIFE AND DEATH AND THE GENESIS OF THE ROWLEY POEMS + + II. THE VALUE OF THE ROWLEY POEMS + + III. BIBLIOGRAPHY + + IV. NOTE ON THE TEXT + + V. NOTES + + VI. APPENDIX ON THE ROWLEY CONTROVERSY + +REPRINT OF THE EDITION OF 1778. (The Table of Contents follows the +1778 title-page.) + + + + +EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION. + +I. CHATTERTON'S LIFE AND DEATH AND THE GENESIS OF THE ROWLEY POEMS + + +Thomas Chatterton was born in Bristol on the 20th of November 1752. +His father--also Thomas--dead three months before his son's birth, had +been a subchaunter in Bristol Cathedral and had held the mastership +in a local free school. We are told that he was fond of reading and +music; that he made a collection of Roman coins, and believed in magic +(or so he said), studying the black art in the pages of Cornelius +Agrippa. With all the self-acquired culture and learning that raised +him above his class (his father and grandfathers before him for +more than a hundred years had been sextons to the church of St. Mary +Redcliffe) he is described as a dissipated, 'rather brutal fellow'. +Lastly, he appears to have been 'very proud', self-confident, and +self-reliant. + +Of Chatterton's mother little need be said. Gentle and rather foolish, +she was devoted to her two children Mary and, his sister's junior by +two years, Thomas the Poet. Of these Mary seems to have inherited the +colourless character of her mother; but Thomas must always have been +remarkable. We have the fullest accounts of his childhood, and the +details that might with another be set down as chronicles of the +nursery will be seen to have their importance in the case of this boy +who set himself consciously to be famous when he was eight, wrote +fine imaginative verse before he was thirteen, and killed himself aged +seventeen and nine months. + +Thomas, then, was a moody baby, a dull small boy who knew few of his +letters at four; and was superannuated--such was his impenetrability +to learning--at the age of five from the school of which his father +had been master. He was moreover till the age of six and a half so +frequently subject to long fits of abstraction and of apparently +causeless crying that his mother and grandmother feared for his +reason and thought him 'an absolute fool.' We are told also by his +sister--and there is no incongruity in the two accounts--that he +early displayed a taste for 'preheminence and would preside over his +playmates as their master and they his hired servants.' At seven and +a half he dissipated his mother's fear that she had borne a fool +by rapidly learning to read in a great black-letter Bible; for +characteristically 'he objected to read in a small book.' In a very +short time from this he appears to have devoured eagerly the contents +of every volume he could lay his hands on. He had a thirst for +knowledge at large--for any kind of information, and as the merest +child read with a careless voracity books of heraldry, history, +astronomy, theology, and such other subjects as would repel most +children, and perhaps one may say, most men. At the age of eight +we hear of him reading 'all day or as long as they would let him,' +confident that he was going to be famous, and promising his mother and +sister 'a great deal of finery' for their care of him when the day of +his fame arrived. Before he was nine he was nominated for Colston's +Hospital, a local school where the Bluecoat dress was worn and at +which the 'three Rs' were taught but very little else, so that the +boy, disappointed of the hope of knowledge, complained he could +work better at home. To this period we should probably assign the +delightful story of Chatterton and a friendly potter who promised to +give him an earthenware bowl with what inscription he pleased upon +it--such writing presumably intended to be 'Tommy his bowl' or 'Tommy +Chatterton'. 'Paint me,' said the small boy to the friendly potter, +'an Angel with Wings and a Trumpet to trumpet my Name over the World.' + +At ten he was making progress in arithmetic, and it should be +mentioned that he 'occupied himself with mechanical pursuits so that +if anything was out of order in the house he was set to mend it.' At +school he read during play hours and made few friends, but those +were 'solid fellows,' his sister tells us; while at home he had +appropriated to himself a small attic where he would read, write +and draw pictures--a number of which are preserved in the British +Museum--of knights and churches, and heraldic designs in red and +yellow ochre, charcoal, and black-lead. In this attic too he had +stored--though at what date is uncertain--a number of writings on +parchment which had a rather singular history. In the muniment room +of St. Mary Redcliffe, the church in which Chatterton's ancestors had +served as sextons, there were six or seven great oak chests, of which +one, greater than the others and secured by no fewer than six locks, +was traditionally called 'Canynges Cofre' after William Canynge the +younger, with whose name the erection and completion of St. Mary's +were especially associated. These had contained deeds and papers +dealing with parochial matters and the affairs of the Church, but some +years before Chatterton's birth the Vestry had determined to examine +these documents, some of which may have been as old as the building +itself. The keys had in the course of time been lost, and the +vestrymen accordingly broke open the chests and removed to another +place what they thought of value, leaving Canynge's Coffer and its +fellows gutted and open but by no means void of all their ancient +contents. Such parchments as remained Chatterton's father carried +away, whole armfuls at a time, using some to cover his scholars' books +and giving others to his wife, who made them into thread-papers and +dress patterns. + +In the house to which Mrs. Chatterton had moved upon her husband's +death there was still a sufficient number of these old manuscripts to +make a considerable trove for the boy who, then nine or ten years old, +had first learnt to read in black-letter and was in a few years to +produce poetry which should pass for fifteenth century with many +well-reputed antiquaries. It was no doubt on blank pieces of these +parchments that he inscribed the matter of the few Rowley documents +which he ever showed for originals. We have the account of a certain +Thistlethwaite, one of the 'solid lads' with whom Chatterton had made +friends at school, that his friend Thomas in the summer of 1764 +told him 'he was in possession of some old MSS. which had been found +deposited in a chest in Redcliffe Church, and that he had lent some or +one of them to Thomas Phillips'--an usher at Colston's, an earnest +and thoughtful man fond of poetry, and a great friend of Chatterton's. +'Within a day or two after this,' (Thistlethwaite wrote to Dean +Milles,) 'I saw Phillips ... who produced a MS. on parchment or vellum +which I am confident was "Elenoure and Juga"[1] a kind of pastoral +eclogue afterwards published in the _Town and Country Magazine_ for +May 1769. The parchment or vellum appeared to have been closely pared +round the margin for what purpose or by what accident I know not ... +The writing was yellow and pale manifestly as I conceive occasioned by +age.' + +This was the beginning of the Rowley fiction--which might be +metaphorically described as a motley edifice, half castle and half +cathedral, to which Chatterton all his life was continually adding +columns and buttresses, domes and spires, pediments and minarets, +in the shape of more poems by Thomas Rowley (a secular priest of St. +John's, Bristol); or by his patron the munificent William Canynge +(many times Mayor of the same city); or by Sir Thibbot Gorges, a +knight of ancient family with literary tastes; or by good Bishop +Carpenter (of Worcester) or John a Iscam (a Canon of St. Augustine's +Abbey, also in Bristol); together with plays or portions of +plays which they wrote--a Saxon epic translated--accounts of +Architecture--songs and eclogues--and friendly letters in rhyme or +prose. In short, this clever imaginative lad had evolved before he +was sixteen such a mass of literary and quasi-historical matter of +one kind or another that his fictitious circle of men of taste and +learning (living in the dark and unenlightened age of Lydgate and the +other tedious post-Chaucerians) may with study become extraordinarily +familiar and near to us, and was certainly to Chatterton himself quite +as real and vivid as the dull actualities of Colston's Hospital and +the Bristol of his proper century. + +Chatterton's own circle of acquaintance was far less brilliant. His +principal patrons were Henry Burgum and George Catcott, a pair of +pewterers, the former vulgar and uneducated but very ambitious to be +thought a man of good birth and education, the latter a credulous, +selfish and none too scrupulous fellow, a would-be antiquary, of +whom there is the most delightfully absurd description in Boswell's +_Johnson_. The biographer relates that in the year 1776 Johnson and +he were on a visit to Bristol and were induced by Catcott to climb the +steep flight of stairs which led to the muniment room in order to +see the famous 'Rowley's Cofre'. Whereupon, when the ascent had been +accomplished, Catcott 'called out with a triumphant air of lively +simplicity "I'll make Dr. Johnson a convert" (to the view then still +largely obtaining that Rowley's poems were written in the fifteenth +century) and he pointed to the "Wondrous chest".' '"_There_" said +he 'with a bouncing confident credulity "_There is the very chest +itself_"!' After which 'ocular demonstration', Boswell remarks, 'there +was no more to be said.' It was to such men as these that Chatterton +read his 'Rouleie's' poems. Another of his audience was Mr. Barrett, a +surgeon, who collected materials for a history of Bristol, which, +when published after the boy-poet's death, was found to contain +contributions (supplied by Chatterton) in the unmistakable and unique +'Rowleian' language--valuable evidence about old Bristol miraculously +preserved in Rowley's chest. + +We hear also of Michael Clayfield, a distiller, one of the very few +men in Bristol whom Chatterton admired and respected; of Baker, the +poet's bedfellow at Colston's, for whom Chatterton wrote love poems, +as Cyrano de Bergerac did for Christian de Neuvillette, to the address +of a certain Miss Hoyland--thin, conventional silly stuff, but Roxane +was probably not very critical; of Catcott's brother, the Rev. A. +Catcott, who had a fine library and was the author of a treatise on +the Deluge; of Smith, a schoolfellow; of Palmer an engraver, and a +number of others--mere names for the most part. Baker, Thistlethwaite +and a few more were contemporaries of the poet, but the rest of the +circle consisted mainly of men who had reached middle age--dullards, +perhaps, who condescended to clever adolescence, whom Chatterton +certainly mocked bitterly enough in satires which he wrote apparently +for his own private satisfaction, but whom he nevertheless took +considerable pains to conciliate as being men of substance who could +lend books and now and then reward the Muse with five shillings. +For Burgum the poet invented, and pretended to derive from numerous +authorities (some of which are wholly imaginary), a magnificent +pedigree showing him descended from a Simon de Seyncte Lyse _alias_ +Senliz Earl of Northampton who had come over with the Conqueror. To +this he appended a portion of a poem not included in this edition, +entitled the 'Romaunte of the Cnyghte', composed by John de Bergham +about A.D. 1320. It was some years before Mr. Burgum applied to the +College of Heralds to have his pedigree ratified, but when he did so +he was informed that there had never been a de Bergham entitled to +bear arms. + +With a second instalment of the genealogical table were copies of +the poems called _The Tournament_ and _The Gouler's_ (i.e. Usurer's) +_Requiem_, which are printed in this volume. Mr. Burgum was completely +taken in, and, exulting in his new-found dignity, acknowledged the +announcement of his splendid birth with a present of five shillings. +It is worthy of notice that the pedigree made mention of a certain +Radcliffe Chatterton de Chatterton, but Burgum's suspicions were not +aroused by the circumstance. + +In July 1765, that is to say when the boy was aged about 13, the +authorities of Colston's Hospital apprenticed him to John Lambert, a +Bristol attorney. He had chosen the calling himself, but it was not +long before the life became intolerable to him. It was arranged +that he should board with Lambert, and the attorney made him share a +bedroom with the foot-boy and eat his meals in the kitchen. Further, +though his sister has recorded that the work was light, the +practice being inconsiderable, Lambert always tore up any writing of +Chatterton's that he could find if it did not relate to his business. +'_Your stuff_!' he would say. Nevertheless he admitted that his +apprentice was always to be found at his desk, for he often sent the +footman in to see. And no doubt on some of these occasions Chatterton +was copying the legal precedents of which 370 folio pages, neatly +written in a well-formed handwriting, remain to this day as evidence +of legitimate industry. At other times he was certainly composing +poems by Rowley. + +Perhaps at this point it would be well to give some account of +Chatterton's method in the production of ancient writings. First it +seems he wrote the matter in the ordinary English of his day. Then he +would with the help of an English-Rowley and Rowley-English Dictionary +(which he had laboriously compiled for himself out of the vocabulary +to Speght's _Chaucer_, Bailey's _Universal Etymological Dictionary_, +and Kersey's _Dictionarium Anglo-Britannicum_) translate the work +into what he probably thought was a very fair imitation of fifteenth +century language. His spelling Professor Skeat characterizes as +'that debased kind which prevails in Chevy Chase and the Battle of +Otterbourn in Percy's _Reliques_, only a little more disguised.' +Percy's _Reliques_ were not published till 1765, but it is natural to +suppose that Chatterton when he was 'wildly squandering all he got +On books and learning and the Lord knows what,' and thereby involving +himself in some little debt, would have bought the volume very soon +after its publication. Finally as to the production of 'an original'. +We have two accounts; one of which represents the pseudo-Rowley +rubbing a parchment upon a dirty floor after smearing it with ochre +and saying 'that was the way to antiquate it'; the other, even more +explicit, is the testimony of a local chemist, one Rudhall, who was +for some time a close friend of Chatterton's. The incident in which +Rudhall appears is worth relating at length. + +In the month of September 1768 an event of some importance occurred at +Bristol--a new bridge that had been built across the Avon to supersede +a structure dating from the reign of the second Henry being formally +thrown open for traffic. At the time when this was the general talk +of the city Chatterton had left with the editor of _Felix Farley's +Bristol Journal_ a description of the 'Fryars passing over the Old +Bridge taken from an ancient manuscript.' This account was in the best +Rowleian manner, with strange spelling and uncouth words, but for +the most part quite intelligible to the ordinary reader. The editor +accordingly published it (no payment being asked) and great curiosity +was aroused in consequence. Where had this most interesting document +come from? Were there others like it? The Bristol antiquaries, +rather a large body, were all agog with excitement. Ultimately they +discovered that the unknown contributor, of whom the editor could +say nothing more than that his 'copy' was subscribed _Dunclinus +Bristoliensis_, was Thomas Chatterton the attorney's apprentice. Now +the amazing credulity of these learned people is one of the least +comprehensible circumstances of our poet's strange life. For on being +asked how he had come by his MSS. he refused at first to give any +answer. Then he said he was employed to transcribe some old writings +by 'a gentleman whom he had supplied with poetry to send to a lady the +gentleman was in love with'--the excuse being suggested no doubt by +the case of Miss Hoyland and his friend Baker. Finally when, as we +can only conclude, this explanation was disproved or disbelieved, he +announced that the account was copied from a manuscript his father +had taken from Rowley's chest. And this explanation was considered +perfectly satisfactory. + +Yet it seemed obvious that the antiquaries would demand to see the +manuscript, and Chatterton, contrary to his usual practice of secrecy, +called upon his friend Rudhall and, having made him promise to tell +nothing of what he should show him, took a piece of parchment +'about the size of a half sheet of foolscap paper,' wrote on it in +a character which the other did not understand, for it was 'totally +unlike English,' and finally held what he had written over a candle +to give it the 'appearance of antiquity,' which it did by changing the +colour of the ink and making the parchment appear 'black and a little +contracted.' Rudhall, who kept his secret till 1779 (when he bartered +it for L10, to be given to the poet's mother, at that time in +great poverty), believed that no one was shown or asked to see this +document. Why, it is impossible to say. + +The present volume contains a reproduction[2] in black and white of +the original MS. of Chatterton's '_Accounte of W. Canynges Feast_'. +This was written in red ink. The parchment is stained with brown, +except one corner, and the first line written in a legal texting hand. +The ageing of his manuscript of the _Vita Burtoni_, to take a further +instance, was effected by smearing the middle of it with glue or +varnish. This document was also written partly in an attorney's +regular engrossing[3] hand. During the next four years Chatterton +'transcribed' a great quantity of ancient documents, including +_AElla, a Tragycal Enterlude_--far the finest of the longer Rowleian +poems--the _Songe to AElla_ and _The Bristowe Tragedy_ (the authorship +of which last he appears in an unguarded moment to have acknowledged +to his mother). He told her also that he had himself written one of +the two poems _Onn oure Ladies Chyrche_--which one, Mrs. Chatterton +could not remember[4], but if it was the first of the two printed in +this edition (p. 275) it was a strange coincidence indeed that led +him to repudiate the antiquity of the only two Rowley poems which +are really at all like 'antiques'--Professor Skeat's convenient +expression. The two Battles of Hastings were written during this +period, and it appears that Barrett the surgeon, on being shown the +first poem, was for once very insistent in asking for the original, +whereupon Chatterton in a momentary panic confessed he had written the +verses for a friend; but he had at home, he said, the copy of what was +really the translation of Turgot's Epic--Turgot was a Saxon monk of +the tenth century--by Rowley the secular priest of the fifteenth. This +was the second _Battle of Hastings_ as printed in this book. Again +this strange explanation, so laboured and so patently disingenuous, +was accepted without comment though probably not believed. And if +it appears matter for surprise that there should ever have been any +controversy about the authorship of the Rowley writings, in view of +the lad's admission that he had written three such signal pieces as +the _Bristowe Tragedy_, the first _Battle of Hastings_, and _Onn oure +Ladies Chyrche_, it must be considered that the production of +the greater part of the poems by a poorly educated boy not turned +seventeen would naturally appear a circumstance more surprising than +that such a boy should tell a lie and claim some of them as his own. + +With his acknowledged work, as with Rowley, Chatterton by dint of +continued application was making good progress. In 1769 he had become +a frequent contributor to the _Town and Country Magazine_, to which +he sent articles on heraldry, imitations of Ossian (whom he very much +admired) and various other papers; and in December of this year he +wrote to Dodsley, the well-known publisher, acquainting him that +he could 'procure copies of several ancient poems and an interlude, +perhaps the oldest dramatic piece extant, wrote by one Rowley, a +Priest in Bristol, who lived in the reign of Henry the Sixth and +Edward the Fourth * * * If these pieces would be of any service to +Mr. Dodsley copies should be sent.' The publisher returned no answer. +Chatterton waited two months, then wrote again and enclosed a specimen +passage from _AElla_. He could procure a copy of this work, he wrote, +upon payment of a guinea to the present owner of the MS. Again Mr. +Dodsley lay low and said nothing, and so the incident closed. + +Dodsley having failed him, Chatterton next took the bolder step of +writing to Horace Walpole, who must have been much in his mind for +some years before his sending the letter. Some one has made the +ingenious suggestion that a consideration of Walpole's delicate +connoisseurship sensibly coloured Chatterton's account of the life +of Mastre William Canynge. More than this, his delight in the +Mediaeval--the Gothic--and his content with what may be termed a +purely impressionistic view of the past, was singularly akin to the +Bristol poet's own outlook on these matters. Walpole had further some +three years before this time indulged in the very harmless literary +fraud of publishing his _Castle of Otranto_ as a translation from a +mediaeval Italian MS., only confessing his own authorship upon +the publication of the second edition. To Walpole then Chatterton +addressed a short letter enclosing some verses by John a Iscam and +a manuscript on the _Ryse of Peyncteyning yn Englande wroten by T. +Rowleie 1469 for Mastre Canynge_[5] with the suggestion that it might +be of service to Mr. Walpole 'in any future edition of his truly +entertaining anecdotes of painting.' This drew from the connoisseur +one of the politest letters[6] that have been written in English, in +which the simple and elegant sentences expressed with a very charming +courtesy the interest and curiosity of its author. He gave his +correspondent 'a thousand thanks'; 'he would not be sorry to print' +(at his private press) 'some of Rowley's poems'; and added--which +reads strangely in the light of what follows--'I would by no means +borrow and detain your MS.' Now Chatterton's _Peyncteyning yn +Englande_ is the clumsiest fraud of all the Rowley compositions, +with the single exception of a letter from the secular Priest +which exhibits the exact style and language of de Foe's _Robinson +Crusoe_.[7] Professor Skeat has pointed out that the Anglo-Saxon +words, which occur with tolerable frequency in the _Ryse_, begin +almost without exception with the letter _A_, and concludes that +Chatterton had read in an old English glossary, probably Somners, +no farther than _Ah_. Walpole however 'had not the happiness of +understanding the Saxon language,' and it was not until after he had +received a second letter from Chatterton, enclosing more Rowleian +matter both prose and verse, that he consulted his friends Gray +and Mason, who at once detected the forgery. If, as seems certain, +_Elinoure and Juga_ was among the pieces sent, it was inevitable +that Gray should recognize lines 22-25 of that poem as a striking if +unconscious reminiscence of his own _Elegy in a Country Churchyard_. +Now Walpole had some years before introduced Ossian's poems to +the world and his reputation as a critic had suffered when their +authenticity was generally disputed. Accordingly he wrote Chatterton +a stiff letter suggesting that 'when he should have made a fortune he +might unbend himself with the studies consonant to his inclination'; +and in this one must suppose that he was actuated by a very natural +irritation at having been duped a second time by an expositor +of antique poetry, rather than by any snobbish contempt for his +correspondent, who had frankly confessed himself an attorney's +apprentice. Chatterton then wrote twice to have his MS. returned, +asserting at the same time his confidence in the authenticity of the +Rowley documents. Walpole for some reason returned no answer to either +application, but left for Paris, where he stayed six weeks, returning +to find another letter from Chatterton written with considerable +dignity and restraint--a last formal demand to have his manuscript +returned. Whereupon, amazed at the boy's 'singular impertinence,' the +great man snapped up both letters and poems and returned them in a +blank cover--that is to say without a word of apology or explanation. +He might have acted otherwise if he had been a more generous spirit, +but an attempt had been made to impose upon him which had in part +succeeded, and he can hardly be blamed for showing his resentment by +neglecting to return the forgeries. One may notice in passing that +when Chatterton, more than a year later, committed suicide there were +not wanting a great many persons absurd enough to accuse Walpole of +having driven him to his death--a contemptible suggestion. Yet the +connoisseur's credit certainly suffers from the fact that he gave +currency to a false account of the transaction in the hope of +concealing his first credulity.[8] + +We now come to the circumstance which procured Chatterton's release +from his irksome apprenticeship--his threat of suicide. He had often +been heard to speak approvingly of suicide, and there is a story, +which has, however, little authority, that once in a company of +friends he drew a pistol from his pocket, put it to his head, and +exclaimed 'Now if one had but the courage to pull the trigger!' +This anecdote--if not in fact true--illustrates very well the gloomy +depression of spirit which alternated with those outbursts of feverish +energy in which his poems were composed. And he had much to make +him miserable when with a change of mood he lost his buoyancy and +confidence of ultimate fame and success. His ambition was boundless +and his audience was as limited in numbers as in understanding. He +was as proud as the poor Spaniard who on a bitter day rejected the +friendly offer of a cloak with the words 'A gentleman does not feel +the cold,' and his pride was continually fretted. He was keenly +conscious of the indignity of his position in Lambert's kitchen; he +seems to have been pressed for money, and though he 'did not owe five +pounds altogether' he probably smarted under the thought that all +his hard work, all the long nights of study and composition in the +moonlight which helped his thought, could not earn him even this +comparatively small sum. Again, he was not restrained from a +contemplation of suicide by any scruples of religion--for he has left +his views expressed in an article written some few days before his +death. He believed in a daemon or conscience which prompted every +man to follow good and avoid evil; but--different men different +daemons--his held self-slaughter justified when life became +intolerable; with him therefore it would be no crime. Wilson suggests +too that the boy who had read theology, orthodox and the reverse, held +to the common eighteenth century view that death was annihilation; and +this may well have been the case. One thing at any rate is certain, +that Chatterton on the 14th of April 1770 left on his desk a number of +pieces of paper filled with a jumble of satiric verse, mocking prose, +and directions for the construction of a mediaeval tomb to cover the +remains of his father and himself. Part of this strange document +was headed in legal form--'This is the last Will and Testament of me +Thomas Chatterton,' and contained the declaration that the Testator +would be dead on the evening of the following day--'being the feast of +the resurrection.' The bundle was dated and endorsed 'All this wrote +between 11 and 2 o'clock Saturday in the utmost distress of mind.' Now +while one need not doubt that the distress was perfectly genuine, it +is tolerably certain that Chatterton intended his master to find what +he had written and draw his own conclusions as to the desirability of +dismissing his apprentice. The attorney (who is represented as timid, +irritable and narrow-minded)[9] did in fact find the document, was +thoroughly frightened, and gave the boy his release. He was now free +to starve or earn a living by his pen--so no doubt he represented +the alternative to his mother. He must go to London, where he would +certainly make his fortune. He had been supplying four or five London +journals of good standing with free contributions for some time past, +and had received it appears great encouragement from their editors. He +gained his point and started out for the great city. + +His letters show that he called upon four editors the very day he +arrived. These were Edmunds of the _Middlesex Journal_; Fell of the +_Freeholders Magazine_; Hamilton of the _Town and Country Magazine_; +and Dodsley--the same to whom he had sent a portion of _AElla_--of the +_Annual Register_. He had received, he wrote, 'great encouragement +from them all'; 'all approved of his design; he should soon be +settled.' Fell told him later that the great and notorious Wilkes +'affirmed that his writings could not be the work of a youth and +expressed a desire to know the author.' This may or may not have +been true, but it is certain that Fell was not the only newspaper +proprietor who was ready to exchange a little cheap flattery for +articles by Chatterton that would never be paid for.[10] + +We know very little about Chatterton's life in London--but that little +presents some extraordinarily vivid pictures. He lodged at first with +an aunt, Mrs. Ballance, in Shoreditch, where he refused to allow his +room to be swept, as he said 'poets hated brooms.' He objected to +being called Tommy, and asked his aunt 'If she had ever heard of a +poet's being called Tommy' (you see he was still a boy). 'But she +assured him that she knew nothing about poets and only wished he would +not set up for being a gentleman.' He had the appearance of being much +older than he was, (though one who knew him when he was at Colston's +Hospital described him as having light curly hair and a face round as +an apple; his eyes were grey and sparkled when he was interested or +moved). He was 'very much himself--an admirably expressive phrase. +He had the same fits of absentmindedness which characterized him as +a child. 'He would often look stedfastly in a person's face without +speaking or seeming to see the person for a quarter of an hour or +more till it was quite frightful.' We have accounts of his sitting +up writing nearly the whole of the night, and his cousin was almost +afraid to share a room with him 'for to be sure he was a spirit and +never slept.'[11] + +He wrote political letters in the style of Junius--generally signing +them Decimus or Probus--that kind of vague libellous ranting which +will always serve to voice the discontent of the inarticulate. He +wrote essays--moral, antiquarian, or burlesque; he furbished up his +old satires on the worthies of Bristol; he wrote songs and a comic +opera, and was miserably paid when he was paid at all. None of his +work written in these veins has any value as literature; but the skill +with which this mere lad not eighteen years old gauged the taste +of the town and imitated all branches of popular literature would +probably have no parallel in the history of journalism should such a +history ever come to be written. + +His letters to his mother and sister were always gay and contained +glowing accounts of his progress; but in reality he must have been +miserably poor and ill-fed. + +In July he changed his lodgings to the house of a Mrs. Angel, a sacque +maker in Brook Street, Holborn; the dead season of August was coming +on and probably he wanted to conceal his growing embarrassment from +his aunt, who might have sent word of it to his mother at Bristol. + +His opera was accepted--it is a spirited and well written piece--and +for this he was paid five pounds, which enabled him to send a box of +presents to his mother and sister bought with money he had earned. +He had dreamed of this since he was eight. But his _Balade of +Charitie_--the most finished of all the Rowley poems--was refused by +the _Town and Country Magazine_ about a month before the end; which +came on August 24th. He was starving and still too proud to accept the +invitations of his landlady and of a friendly chemist to take various +meals with them. He was offended at the good landlady's suggestion +that he should dine with her; for 'her expressions seemed to hint' +(to _hint_) 'that he was in want'--no cloak for Thomas Chatterton! He +could have borrowed money and gone back to Bristol, but there are many +precedents for beaten generalissimos falling on their swords rather +than return home defeated and disgraced. How could he return? He had +set out so confidently; had boasted not a little of his powers, and +had satirized all the good people in Bristol _de haut en bas_. Think +of the jokes and commiserations of Burgum, Catcott, and the rest! +'Well, here you are again, boy; but of course _we_ knew it would come +to this!' He could not endure to hear that. + +Accordingly on Friday the 24th August 1770 he tore up his manuscripts, +locked his door, and poisoned himself with arsenic. + +Southey, Byron, and others have supposed that Chatterton was mad; it +has been suggested that he was the victim of a suicidal mania. All +the evidence that there is goes to show that he was not. He was +very far-sighted, shrewd, hard-working, and practical, for all his +imaginative dreaming of a non-existent past; and this at least may +be said, that Chatterton's suicide was the logical end to a very +remarkably consistent life. + +Chatterton's character has suffered a good deal from three accusations +vehemently urged by Maitland and his eighteenth-century predecessors. +The first is that the boy was a 'forger'; the second that he was a +freethinker; the third that he was a free-liver. + +To examine these in turn: the first admits of no denial as a question +of fact, but justification may be pleaded which some will accept as a +complete exculpation and others perhaps will hardly comprehend. + +Chatterton could only produce poetry in his fifteenth-century vein; +his imagination failed him in modern English. No one who has any +appreciation of Rowley's poems will consider that the _African +Eclogues_ are for a moment comparable with them. If he was to write at +all he must produce antiques, and, as it happened, interest had been +aroused in ancient poetry, largely by the publication of Percy's +_Reliques_ and of the spurious Ossian. Appearing at this juncture, +then, as ancient writings taken from an old chest, his poems would be +read and their value appreciated; while no one would trouble to make +out the professed imitations--not by any means easy reading--of an +attorney's apprentice. Probably if an adequate audience had been +secured in his lifetime, Chatterton would have revealed the secret +when it had served its purpose--just as Walpole confessed to the +authorship of _Otranto_ only when that book had run into a second +edition. + +To the second count of the indictment no defence is urged. Chatterton +was too honest and too intelligent to accept traditional dogmatics +without examination. + +Finally, he was no free-liver in the sense in which that objectionable +expression is used. Rather he was an ascetic who studied and wrote +poetry half through the night, who ate as little as he slept, and +would make his dinner off 'a tart and a glass of water.' He was +devoted to his mother and sister and to his poetry; and what spare +time was not occupied with the latter he seems to have spent largely +with the former. The attempt to represent him as a sort of +provincial Don Juan--though in the precocious licence of a few of his +acknowledged writings he has even given it some colour himself--cannot +be reconciled with the recorded facts of his life. + +Equally ill judged is that picture which is presented by Professor +Masson and other writers less important--of a truant schoolboy, +a pathetic figure, who had petulantly cast away from him the +consolations of religion. Monsieur Callet, his French biographer, knew +better than this: 'Il fallait l'admirer, lui, non le plaindre,' is the +last word on Chatterton. + +[Footnote 1: An extraordinary production for a boy of twelve, but we +need not suppose that if 'Elenoure and Juga' were written in 1764 and +not published until 1769 no alterations and improvements were made by +its author in the period between these dates.] + +[Footnote 2: From the engraving in Tyrwhitt's edition.] + +[Footnote 3: See Southey and Cottle's edition, quoted in Skeat, ii, p. +123.] + +[Footnote 4: Dean Milles has a delightful account of the reception +accorded to Rowley in the Chatterton household. Neither mother nor +sister would appear to have understood a line of the poems, but +Mary Chatterton (afterwards Mrs. Newton) remembered she had been +particularly wearied with a 'Battle of Hastings' of which her brother +would continually and enthusiastically recite portions.] + +[Footnote 5: Wilson believed that Chatterton never sent the _Ryse_, +&c., at all (see page 173 of his _Chatterton: A Biographical Study_), +but this is disposed of by the fact that the _Ryse of Peyncteyning_ is +the only piece of Chatterton's which contains _Saxon_ words.] + +[Footnote 6: March 28th, 1769.] + +[Footnote 7: _An account of Master William Canynge written by Thos. +Rowlie Priest in_ 1460. Skeat, Vol. III, p. 219; W. Southey's edition, +Vol. III, p. 75. See especially the last paragraph.] + +[Footnote 8: See _Letters of Horace Walpole_, edited by Mrs. Paget +Toynbee (Clarendon Press), Vol. XIV, pp. 210, 229; Vol. XV, p. 123.] + +[Footnote 9: But attorneys are seldom 'in regrate' with the friends of +Poetry.] + +[Footnote 10: Masson's reconstruction of the scene between Chatterton +and the editor of the _Freeholder's Magazine_ is very convincing (see +his _Chatterton: a Biography_, p. 160).] + +[Footnote 11: Almost everything that we know of Chatterton in London +was ascertained by Sir H. Croft and printed in his _Love and Madness_ +(see Bibliography).] + + + + +II. THE VALUE OF ROWLEY'S POEMS--PHILOLOGICAL AND LITERARY + + +As imitations of fifteenth-century composition it must be confessed +the Rowley poems have very little value. Of Chatterton's method +of antiquating something has already been said. He made himself an +antique lexicon out of the glossary to Speght's _Chaucer_, and such +words as were marked with a capital O, standing for 'obsolete' in the +Dictionaries of Kersey and Bailey. Now even had his authorities been +well informed, which they were not by any means, and had Chatterton +never misread or misunderstood them, which he very frequently did, it +was impossible that his work should have been anything better than +a mosaic of curious old words of every period and any dialect. Old +English, Middle English, and Elizabethan English, South of England +folk-words or Scots phrases taken from the border ballads--all +were grist for Rowley's mill. It is only fair to say that he seldom +invented a word outright, but he altered and modified with a free +hand. Professor Skeat indeed estimates that of the words contained in +Milles' Glossary to the Rowley Poems only seven percent are genuine +old words correctly used. The Professor in his modernized edition is +continually pointing out with kindly reluctance that such and such +a word never bore the meaning ascribed to it--that because, for +instance, Bailey had explained _Teres major_ as a smooth muscle of the +arm it was not therefore any legitimate inference of Chatterton's +that _tere_ (singular form) meant a muscle and could be translated +'health'. Only occasionally does one find the note (written with an +obviously sincere pleasure) 'This word is correctly used.' Of +course it was impossible that Chatterton should have produced even a +colourable imitation of fifteenth-century poetry at a time when +even Malone--for all his acknowledged reputation as an English +Scholar--could not quote Chaucer so as to make his lines scan. The +_Rowley Poems_ and Percy's _Reliques_ mark the beginning of that +renascence of our older poetry so conspicuous in the time of Lamb +and Hazlitt. Before this epoch was the Augustan age, much too +well satisfied with its own literature to concern itself with an +unfashionable past. + +But, after all, however absurd from any historical point of view the +language and metres of the boy-poet may be, at least he invented a +practicable language which admirably conveyed his impression of the +latest period of the middle ages--that after-glow which began with +the death of Chaucer. Chatterton's poetry is a pageant staged by an +impressionist. It cannot be submitted to a close examination, and it +is all wrong historically, yet it presents a complete picture with an +artistic charm that must be judged on its own merits. An illusion +is successfully conveyed of a dim remote age when an idle-strenuous +people lived only to be picturesque, to kill one another in tourneys, +to rear with painful labour beautiful elaborate cathedrals, and yet +had so much time on their hands that they could pass half their lives +cracking unhallowed sconces in the Holy Land and, in that part of +their ample leisure which they devoted to study, spell 'flourishes' as +'Florryschethe'. But if any one still anxious for literal truth should +insist--'Is not the impression as false as the medium that conveys +it? Were the middle ages really like that? Is it not a fact that the +average baron stayed at home in his castle devising abominable schemes +to wring money or its equivalent from miserable and half-starved +peasants?'--such a one can only be answered with another question: 'Is +Pierrot like a man, and has it been put beyond question that +Pontius Pilate was hanged for beating his wife?' The Rowley writings +are--properly considered--entirely fanciful and unreal. They have +many faults, but are seen at their worst when Chatterton is trying +to exhibit some eternal truth. There is a horrible (but perfectly +natural) didacticism--the inevitable priggishness of a clever +boy--which occasionally intrudes itself on his best work. Thus that +charming fanciful fragment which begins-- + + As onn a hylle one eve fittynge + At oure Ladie's Chyrche mouche wonderynge + +embodies this truism fit for a bread-platter--or to be the 'Posy of a +ring'--'Do your best.' + + Canynges and Gaunts culde doe ne moe. + +And the poet's boyishness demands still further consideration. He +has a crude violence of expression which is apt to shock the mature +person--some of the descriptions of wounds in the two Battles of +Hastings would sicken a butcher; while in another vein such a phrase +as + + Hee thoughte ytt proper for to cheese a wyfe, + And use the sexes for the purpose gevene. +(_Storie of William Canynge_) + +has an absurd affectation of straightforward good sense divested of +sentiment which could not appeal to any one on a higher plane of +civilization than a medical student. + +And this is easily explicable if only it is borne in mind that the +Rowley poems were written by a boy, and that such lovely things as +the Dirge in _AElla_ suggest a maturity that Chatterton did not by any +means perfectly possess. In some respects he was as childish (to use +the word in no contemptuous sense) as in others he was precocious. And +it is a thousand pities that the difficulties of Chatterton's language +and the peculiar charm and invention of his metrical technique cannot +be appreciated till the boyish love of adventure, delight in imagined +bloodshed, and ignorance of sentimental love, have generally been left +behind. Nothing--to give an example--could be more frigid than the +description of Kennewalcha-- + + White as the chaulkie clyffes of Brittaines isle, + Red as the highest colour'd Gallic wine + +(an unthinkable study in burgundy and whitewash, _Battle of Hastings_, +II, 401); nothing, on the other hand, more vivid, more obviously +written with a pen that shook with excitement, than + + The Sarasen lokes _owte_: he doethe feere, &c. +(_Eclogue the Second_, 23.) + + Soe wylle wee beere the Dacyanne armie downe, + And throughe a storme of blodde wyll reache the champyon crowne. +(_AElla_, 631.) + + Loverdes, how doughtilie the tylterrs joyne! +(_Tournament_, 92.). + +In fine, there is no poet, one may boldly declare, +whose pages are so filled with battle, murder and sudden death, as +Chatterton's are; and this is perhaps the clearest indication he gives +of immaturity. + +But if his ideas were sometimes crude and boyish they were not by any +means always so; he has flashes of genius, sudden beauties that take +away the breath. A better example than this of what is called the +sublime could not be found: + + See! the whyte moone sheenes onne hie; + Whyterre ys mie true loves shroude; + Whyterre yanne the mornynge skie, + Whyterre yanne the evenynge cloude. +(_AElla_, 872.) + +and, from the _Songe bie a Manne and Womanne_, + + I heare them from eche grene wode tree, + Chauntynge owte so blatauntlie, + Tellynge lecturnyes to mee, + Myscheefe ys whanne you are nygh. +(_AElla_, 107.) + + Did ever shepherd's pipe play a prettier tune? + He has some fine martial sounds, as for instance: + Howel ap Jevah came from Matraval +(_Battle of Hastings_, I, 181.) + +He rarely employs personifications, but no poet used the figure more +convincingly. The third Mynstrelle's description of Autumn is a +lovely thing, and one will not easily forget his Winter's frozen blue +eyes--though unfortunately that is not in Rowley. + +His art was essentially dramatic, and he has some fine dramatic +moments, as for example when the Usurer soliloquizing miserably on his +certain ultimate damnation suddenly cries out + + O storthe unto mie mynde! I goe to helle. +(_Gouler's Requiem_.) + +The word 'storthe' is a good example of Chatterton's use of strange +words. The effect of a sudden outcry which it produces would be lost +in a modernized version which rendered it 'death'. + +Mr. Watts-Dunton in his article on Chatterton in Ward's _English +Poets_ speaks of his extraordinary metrical inventiveness and of his +ultimate responsibility for such lines as these-- + + And Christabel saw the lady's eye + And nothing else she saw thereby + Save the boss of the shield of Sir Leoline tall + Which hung in a murky old niche in the wall-- + +the anapaestic dance of which breaks in upon the normal iambic +movement of the poem with a natural dramatic propriety. He compares +too _The Eve of St. Agnes_ with the _Excelente Balade of Charitie_, +remarking that it was only in his latest work that Keats attained +to that dramatic objectivity which was 'the very core and centre of +Chatterton's genius.' + +Another writer, Mr. Thomas Seccombe, speaks of his 'genuine lyric +fire, a poetic energy, and above all an intensity remote from his +contemporaries and suggestive (as Cimabue in his antique and primitive +manner is suggestive of Giotto and Angelico) of Shelley and Keats.' + +Chatterton's influence on the great body of poets of the generation +succeeding his own was very considerable--Mr. Watts-Dunton indeed +declares him to have been the father of the New Romantic School--and +the affection with which Keats, Coleridge, Wordsworth and many others +regarded him was extraordinary. He was their pioneer, who had lost +his life in a heroic attempt to penetrate the dull crassness of the +mid-eighteenth century. + +He had great originality and the gift of an intense imagination. If +he is sometimes crude and immature in thought and expression--if his +images sometimes weary by their monotony--it is accepted that a poet +is to be judged by his highest and not his lowest; and Chatterton's +best work has an inspiration, a singular and unique charm both of +thought and of music that is of the first order of English poetry. + + + + +III. BIBLIOGRAPHY. + + +A great deal more has been written about Chatterton than it is worth +anybody's while to read. To begin with, there are all the volumes and +pamphlets concerning themselves with the question whether the Rowley +poems were written by Chatterton or by Rowley, or by both (Chatterton +adding matter of his own to existing poems written in the fifteenth +century), or by neither. It may be said that these problems were not +conclusively and finally solved till Professor Skeat brought out his +edition of Chatterton in 1871. + +Then again there are the various lives of the poet; for the most part +mere random aggregations of such facts, true or imagined, as fell +in the editor's way, filled out with pulpit commonplaces and easy +paragraphs beginning 'But it is ever the way of Genius ...' Professor +Wilson's _Chatterton: a Biographical Study_ is as final in its own way +as Professor Skeat's two volumes. It is a scholarly compilation of +all previous accounts, very well digested and arranged. Moreover, +the Professor has for the most part left the facts to tell their +own story; and thus his book is free from such absurdities as the +sentimental regrets of Gregory and Professor Masson that Chatterton +was led into a course of folly ending in suicide through being +deprived of a father's care. Such a father as Chatterton's was! + +While premising that any one who wishes to learn the facts of the +boy-poet's life--his circumstances and surroundings--can find them +all set forth in Professor Wilson's book: while equally if he is +interested in the pseudo-Rowley's language, philologically considered, +he will find this elaborately examined in Professor Skeat's second +volume; it has been thought that the following bibliography of books +dealing with various aspects of the poet which were read and valued in +their day may be found of interest to students of literary history. + +1598. Speght's edition of Chaucer, the glossary of which Chatterton +used in the compilation of his Rowley Dictionary. + +1708. Kersey's _Dictionarium Anglo-Britannicum_, and + +1737. Bailey's _Universal Etymological Dictionary_. (8th Enlarged +Edition.) Bailey is largely copied from Kersey, but Chatterton +certainly used both dictionaries in making his antique language. + +1777. Tyrwhitt's edition of the Rowley poems. Tyrwhitt was +Chatterton's first editor and in his edition many of the poems +were printed for the first time. 'The only really good edition is +Tyrwhitt's.' 'This exhibits a careful and, I believe, extremely +accurate text ... an excellent account of the MSS. and transcripts +from which it was derived. It is a fortunate circumstance that the +first editor was so thoroughly competent.' (Professor Skeat, Introd. +to Vol. II of his 1871 edition.) + +1778. Tyrwhitt's third edition, from which the present edition is +printed. With this was printed for the first time 'An appendix ... +tending to prove that the Rowley poems were written not by any ancient +author but entirely by Thomas Chatterton.' This edition follows the +first nearly page for page; but was reset. + +1780. _Love and Madness_ by Sir Herbert Croft. This strange book +deserves a brief description as it is the source of almost all our +knowledge of Chatterton. + +A certain Captain Hackman, violently in love with a Miss Reay, +mistress of the Earl of Sandwich, and stung to madness by his jealousy +and the hopelessness of his position, had in 1779 shot her in the +Covent Garden Opera House and afterwards unsuccessfully attempted +to shoot himself. Enormous public interest was excited, and +Croft--baronet, parson, and literary adventurer--got hold of copies +which Hackman had kept of some letters he had sent to the charming +Miss Reay. These he published as a sensational topical novel in +epistolary form, calling it _Love and Madness_. This is quite worth +reading for its own sake, but much more so for its 49th letter, +which purports to have been written by Hackman to satisfy Miss Reay's +curiosity about Chatterton. As a matter of fact Croft, who had been +very interested in the boy-poet and had collected from his relations +and those with whom he had lodged in London all they could +possibly tell him, wrote the letter himself and included it rather +inartistically among the genuine Hackman-Reay correspondence. Amongst +other valuable matter, this letter 49 contains a long account of her +brother by Mary Chatterton.--(See _Love letters of Mr. Hackman and +Miss Reay_, 1775-79, introduction by Gilbert Burgess: Heinemann, +1895.) 1774-81. Warton's _History of English Poetry_, in Volume II of +which there is an account of Chatterton. + +1781. Jacob Bryant's _Observations upon the Poems of T. Rowley in +which the authenticity of those poems is ascertained_. Bryant was a +strong Pro-Rowleian and argues cleverly against the possibility of +Chatterton's having written the poems. He shows that Chatterton in his +notes often misses Rowley's meaning and insists that he neglected to +explain obvious difficulties because he could not understand them. +Bryant is the least absurd of the Pro-Rowleians. + +1782. Dean Milles' edition of the Rowley poems--a splendid quarto with +a running commentary attempting to vindicate Rowley's authenticity. +Milles was President of the Society of Antiquaries and his commentary +is characterized by Professor Skeat as 'perhaps the most surprising +trash in the way of notes that was ever penned. + +1782. Mathias' _Essay on the Evidence ... relating to the poems called +Rowley's_--he is pro-Rowleian and criticizes Tyrwhitt's appendix. + +1782. Thomas Warton's _Enquiry ... into the Poems attributed to Thomas +Rowley_--Anti-Rowleian. + +1782. Tyrwhitt's _Vindication_ of his Appendix. Tyrwhitt had +discovered Chatterton's use of Bailey's Dictionary and completely +refutes Bryant, Milles, and Mathias. It may be observed in passing +that though Goldsmith upheld Rowley, Dr. Johnson, the two +Wartons, Steevens, Percy, Dr. Farmer, and Sir H. Croft pronounced +unhesitatingly in favour of the poems having been written by +Chatterton: while Malone in a mocking anti-Rowleian pamphlet shows +that the similes from Homer in the _Battle of Hastings_ and elsewhere +have often borrowed their rhymes from Pope! + +1798. _Miscellanies in Prose and Verse_ by Edward Gardner (two +volumes). At the end of Volume II there is a short account of the +Rowley controversy and, what is more important, the statement that +Gardner had seen Chatterton antiquate a parchment and had heard him +say that a person who had studied antiquities could with the aid of +certain books (among them Bailey) 'copy the style of our elder poets +so exactly that the most skilful observer should not be able to detect +him. "No," said he, "not Mr. Walpole himself."' But perhaps this +should be taken _cum grano_. + +1803. Southey and Cottle's edition in three volumes with an account +of Chatterton by Dr. Gregory which had previously been published as an +independent book. Southey and Cottle's edition is very compendious so +far as matter goes, and contains much that is printed for the first +time. Gregory's life is inaccurate but very pleasantly written. + +1837. Dix's life of Chatterton, with a frontispiece portrait of +Chatterton aged 12 which was for a long time believed to be authentic. +No genuine portrait of Chatterton is known to be in existence; +probably none was ever made. Dix's life, not a remarkable work in +itself, has some interesting appendices; one of which contains a +story--extraordinary enough but well supported--that Chatterton's +body, which had received a pauper's burial in London, was secretly +reburied in St. Mary's churchyard by his uncle the Sexton. + +1842. Willcox's edition printed at Cambridge; on the whole a slovenly +piece of work with a villainously written introduction. + +1854. George Pryce's _Memorials of Canynges Family_; which contains +some notes of the coroner's inquest on Chatterton's body, which would +have been most interesting if authentic, but were in fact forged by +one Gutch. + +1856. _Chatterton: a biography_ by Professor Masson--published +originally in a volume of collected essays; re-published and in +part re-written as an independent volume in 1899. The Professor +reconstructs scenes in which Chatterton played a part; but it is +suggested (with diffidence) that his treatment is too sentimental, and +the boy-poet is Georgy-porgied in a way that would have driven him +out of his senses, if he could have foreseen it. The picture is +fundamentally false. + +1857. _An Essay on Chatterton_ by S.R. Maitland, D.D., F.R.S., and +F.S.A. A very monument of ignorant perversity. The writer shamelessly +distorts facts to show that Chatterton was an utterly profligate +blackguard and declares finally that neither Rowley nor Chatterton +wrote the poems. + +1869. Professor D. Wilson's _Chatterton: a Biographical Study_, and + +1871. Professor W.W. Skeat's _Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton_ (in +modernized English) of which mention has been made above. + +1898. A beautifully printed edition of the Rowley poems with decorated +borders, edited by Robert Steele. (Ballantyne Press.) + +1905 and 1909. The works of Chatterton, with the Rowley poems in +modernized English, edited with a brief introduction by Sidney Lee. + +1910. _The True Chatterton--a new study from original documents_ by +John H. Ingram. (Fisher Unwin.) + +Besides all these serious presentations of Chatterton there are a +number of burlesques--such as _Rowley and Chatterton in the Shades_ +(1782) and _An Archaeological Epistle to Jeremiah Milles_ (1782), +which are clever and amusing, and three plays, two in English, and +one in French by Alfred de Vigny, which represents the love affair of +Chatterton and an apocryphal Mme. Kitty Bell. + +The whole of Chatterton's writings--Rowley, acknowledged poems, and +private letters, have been translated into French prose. _Oeuvres +completes de Thomas Chatterton traduites par Javelin Pagnon, precedees +d'une Vie de Chatterton par A. Callet_ (1839). Callet's treatment of +Chatterton is very sympathetic and interesting. + +Finally for further works on Chatterton the reader is referred to +Bohn's Edition of Lowndes' _Bibliographer's Manual_--but the most +important have been enumerated above. + + + + +IV. NOTE ON THE TEXT. + + +This edition is a reprint of Tyrwhitt's third (1778) edition, which it +follows page for page (except the glossary; see note on p. 291). The +reference numbers in text and glossary, which are often wrong in 1778, +have been corrected; line-numbers have been corrected when wrong, and +added to one or two poems which are without them in 1778, and the text +has been collated throughout with that of 1777 and corrected from it +in many places where the 1778 printer was at fault. These corrections +have been made silently; all other corrections and additions are +indicated by footnotes enclosed in square brackets. + + + + +V. NOTES. + + +1. _The Tournament_, lines 7-10. + + Wythe straunge depyctures, Nature maie nott yeelde, &c. + +'This is neither sense nor grammar as it stands' says Professor Skeat. +But Chatterton is frequently ungrammatical, and the sense of the +passage is quite clear if either of the two following possible +meanings is attributed to _unryghte_. + +(1)=to present an intelligible significance otherwise than by +writing--as 'rebus'd shields' do (un-write); + +or (2) = to misrepresent (un-right). + +With pictures of strange beasts that have no counterpart in Nature and +appear to be purely fantastic ('unseemly to all order') yet none the +less make known to men good at guessing riddles ('who thyncke and +have a spryte') what the strange heraldic forms +express-without-use-of-written-words ('unryghte')--or (taking +the second meaning of unryghte--misrepresent) +present-with-a-disregard-of-truth-to-nature. + +2. _Letter to the Dygne Mastre Canynge_, line 15. + + Seldomm, or never, are armes vyrtues mede, (that is to say, coats of arms) + Shee nillynge to take myckle aie dothe hede + +i.e. 'She unwilling to take much aye doth heed'; 'which is nonsense' +says Prof. Skeat. But the sentence is an example of ellipse, a figure +which Chatterton affected a good deal, and fully expressed would run +'She--not willing to take much, ever doth heed not to take +much', which would of course be intolerably clumsy but perfectly +intelligible. + +3. _AElla_, line 467. + + Certis thie wordes maie, thou motest have sayne &c. + +Prof. Skeat 'can make nothing of this' and reads 'Certes thy wordes +mightest thou have sayn'. + +A simple emendation of _maie_ to _meynte_ would give very good sense. + +4. _AElla_, line 489. + +Tyrwhitt has _sphere_--evidently a mistake in the MS. for _spere_ +which he overlooked. It is not included in his errata. In the 1842 +edition the meaning 'spear' is given in a footnote. + +5. _Englysh Metamorphosis_. + +Prof. Skeat was the first to point out that this piece is an imitation +of _The Faerie Queene_, Bk. ii, Canto X, stanzas 5-19. + +6. _Battle of Hastings_, II, line 578. + + To the ourt arraie of the thight Saxonnes came + +Prof. Skeat explains _ourt_ as 'overt' and observes that it +contradicts _thight_, which he renders 'tight'. But really there is +not even an antithesis. _Ourt arraie_ is what a military handbook +calls 'open order' and _thight_ is 'well-built', well put together +(Bailey's Dictionary). The Saxons were well-built men marching in open +order. + + + + +VI. APPENDIX. + +BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE ARGUMENTS USED IN THE ROWLEY CONTROVERSY. + +(Taken mainly from Gregory's _Life of Chatterton_.) + + +_Against Rowley_. + +1. So few originals produced--not more than 124 verses. + +2. Chatterton had shown (by his article on Christmas games, &c.) that +he had a strong turn for antiquities. He had also written poetry. Why +then should he not have written Rowley's poems? + +3. His declaration that the _Battle of Hastings_ I was his own. + +4. Rudhall's testimony. + +5. Chatterton first exhibited the _Songe to AElla_ in his own +handwriting, then gave Barrett the parchment, which contained strange +textual variations. + +6. Rowley's very existence doubtful. + +William of Worcester, who lived at his time and was himself of +Bristol, makes no mention of him, though he frequently alludes to +Canynge. Neither Bale, Leland, Pitts nor Turner mentions Rowley. + +7. Improbability of there being poems in a muniment chest. 8. Style +unlike other fifteenth century writings. + +9. No mediaeval learning or citation of authority to be found in +Rowley; no references to the Round Table and stories of chivalry. + +10. Stockings were not knitted in the fifteenth century (_AElla_). MSS. +are referred to as if they were rarities and printed books common. + +11. Metres and imitation of Pindar absurdly modern. + +12. Mistakes cited which are derived from modern dictionaries +(Tyrwhitt). + +13. Existence of undoubted plagiarisms from Shakespeare, Gray, &c. + + +_For Rowley_. + +1. Chatterton's assertion that they were Rowley's, his sister having +represented him as a 'lover of truth from the earliest dawn of +reason.' + +2. Catcott's assertion that Chatterton on their first acquaintance had +mentioned by name almost all the poems which have since appeared in +print (Bryant). + +3. Smith had seen parchments in the possession of Chatterton, some as +broad as the bottom of a large-sized chair. (Bryant.) + +4. Even Mr. Clayfield and Rudhall believed Chatterton incapable of +composing Rowley's poems. + +5. Undoubtedly there were ancient MSS. in the 'cofre'. + +6. Chatterton would never have had time to write so much. He did not +neglect his work in the attorney's office and he read enormously. + +7. Chatterton made many mistakes in his transcription of Rowley and in +his notes to the poems. (Bryant's main contention.) + +8. If Leland never mentioned Rowley it is equally true he says nothing +of Canynge, Lydgate, or Occleve. + + +_For Rowley_. + +1. The poems contain much historical allusion at once true and +inaccessible to Chatterton. + +2. The admitted poems are much below the standard of Rowley. + +3. The old octave stanza is not far removed from the usual stanza of +Rowley. + +4. If Rowley's language differs from that of other fifteenth +century writers, the difference lies in provincialisms natural to an +inhabitant of Bristol. + +5. Plagiarisms from modern authors may in some cases have been +introduced by Chatterton but in others they are the commonplaces of +poetry. + + +_Against Rowley_. + +1. No writings or chest deposited in Redcliffe Church are mentioned in +Canynge's Will. + +2. The Bristol library was in Chatterton's time of general access, and +Chatterton was introduced to it by Rev. A. Catcott (Warton). + +3. Facts about Canynge may be found in his epitaph in Redcliffe +Church; and the account of Redcliffe steeple--(which had been +destroyed by fire before Chatterton's time) came from the bottom of an +old print published in 1746. + +4. The parchments were taken from the bottom of old deeds where a +small blank space was usually left--hence their small size. + + + + + POEMS, + + SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN AT BRISTOL, + + BY THOMAS ROWLEY, AND OTHERS, IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. + + + + + POEMS, + + SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN AT BRISTOL, BY THOMAS ROWLEY, + AND OTHERS, IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. THE THIRD EDITION; TO + WHICH IS ADDED AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING SOME OBSERVATIONS UPON + THE LANGUAGE OF THESE POEMS; TENDING TO PROVE, THAT THEY WERE + WRITTEN, NOT BY ANY ANCIENT AUTHOR, BUT ENTIRELY BY THOMAS + CHATTERTON. + + + + +THE CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME. + + The Preface + Introductory Account of the Several Pieces + Advertisement + Eclogue the First + Eclogue the Second + Eclogue the Third + Elinoure and Juga + Verses to Lydgate + Songe to AElla + Lydgate's Answer + The Tournament + The Dethe of Syr Charles Bawdin + Epistle to Mastre Canynge on AElla + Letter to the dygne M. Canynge + Entroductionne + AElla; a Tragycal Enterlude + Goddwyn; a Tragedie. (A Fragment.) + Englysh Metamorphosis, B.I. + Balade of Charitie + Battle of Hastings, No. 1. + Battle of Hastings, No. 2. + Onn oure Ladies Chyrche + On the same + Epitaph on Robert Canynge + The Storie of William Canynge + On Happienesse, by William Canynge + Onn Johne a Dalbenie, by the same + The Gouler's Requiem, by the same + The Accounte of W. Canynge's Feast + GLOSSARY + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The Poems, which make the principal part of this Collection, have +for some time excited much curiosity, as the supposed productions of +THOMAS ROWLEY, a priest of Bristol, in the reigns of Henry VI. and +Edward IV. They are here faithfully printed from the most authentic +MSS that could be procured; of which a particular description is given +in the _Introductory account of the several pieces contained in this +volume_, subjoined to this Preface. Nothing more therefore seems +necessary at present, than to inform the Reader shortly of the manner +in which these Poems were first brought to light, and of the authority +upon which they are ascribed to the persons whose names they bear. + +This cannot be done so satisfactorily as in the words of Mr. George +Catcott of Bristol, to whose very laudable zeal the Publick is +indebted for the most considerable part of the following collection. +His account of the matter is this: "The first discovery of certain MSS +having been deposited in Redclift church, above three centuries ago, +was made in the year 1768, at the time of opening the new bridge at +Bristol, and was owing to a publication in _Farley's Weekly Journal_, +1 October 1768, containing an _Account of the ceremonies observed at +the opening of the old bridge_, taken, as it was said, from a very +antient MS. This excited the curiosity of some persons to enquire +after the original. The printer, Mr. Farley, could give no account of +it, or of the person who brought the copy; but after much enquiry +it was discovered, that the person who brought the copy was a youth, +between 15 and 16 years of age, whose name was Thomas Chatterton, and +whose family had been sextons of Redclift church for near 150 years. +His father, who was now dead, had also been master of the free-school +in Pile-street. The young man was at first very unwilling to discover +from whence he had the original; but, after many promises made to him, +he was at last prevailed on to acknowledge, that he had received this, +_together with many other MSS_, from his father, who had found them +in a large chest in an upper room over the chapel on the north side of +Redclift church." + +Soon after this Mr. Catcott commenced his acquaintance with young +Chatterton[1], and, partly as presents partly as purchases, procured +from him copies of many of his MSS. in in prose and verse. Other +copies were disposed of, in the same way, to Mr. William Barrett, an +eminent surgeon at Bristol, who has long been engaged in writing +the history of that city. Mr. Barrett also procured from him several +fragments, some of a considerable length, written upon vellum[2], +which he asserted to be part of his original MSS. In short, in the +space of about eighteen months, from October 1768 to April 1770, +besides the Poems now published, he produced as many compositions, +in prose and verse, under the names of Rowley, Canynge, &c. as would +nearly fill such another volume. + +In April 1770 Chatterton went to London, and died there in the August +following; so that the whole history of this very extraordinary +transaction cannot now probably be known with any certainty. Whatever +may have been his part in it; whether he was the author, or only +the copier (as he constantly asserted) of all these productions; he +appears to have kept the secret entirely to himself, and not to have +put it in the power of any other person, to bear certain testimony +either to his fraud or to his veracity. + +The question therefore concerning the authenticity of these Poems must +now be decided by an examination of the fragments upon vellum, which +Mr. Barrett received from Chatterton as part of his original MSS., +and by the internal evidence which the several pieces afford. If the +Fragments shall be judged to be genuine, it will still remain to be +determined, how far their genuineness should serve to authenticate the +rest of the collection, of which no copies, older than those made by +Chatterton, have ever been produced. On the other hand, if the writing +of the Fragments shall be judged to be counterfeit and forged by +Chatterton, it will not of necessity follow, that the matter of +them was also forged by him, and still less, that all the other +compositions, which he professed to have copied from antient MSS., +were merely inventions of his own. In either case, the decision must +finally depend upon the internal evidence. + +It may be expected perhaps, that the Editor should give an opinion +upon this important question; but he rather chooses, for many reasons, +to leave it to the determination of the unprejudiced and intelligent +Reader. He had long been desirous that these Poems should be printed; +and therefore readily undertook the charge of superintending the +edition. This he has executed in the manner, which seemed to him best +suited to such a publication; and here he means that his task should +end. Whether the Poems be really antient, or modern; the compositions +of Rowley, or the forgeries of Chatterton; they must always be +considered as a most singular literary curiosity. + +[Footnote 1: The history of this youth is so intimately connected with +that of the poems now published, that the Reader cannot be too early +apprized of the principal circumstances of his short life. He was born +on the 20th of November 1752, and educated at a charity-school on St. +Augustin's Back, where nothing more was taught than reading, writing, +and accounts. At the age of fourteen, he was articled clerk to an +attorney, with whom he continued till he left Bristol in April 1770. + +Though his education was thus confined, he discovered an early turn +towards poetry and English antiquities, particularly heraldry. How +soon he began to be an author is not known. In the _Town and Country +Magazine_ for March 1769, are two letters, probably, from him, as they +are dated at Bristol, and subscribed with his usual signature, D.B. +The first contains short extracts from two MSS., "_written three +hundred years ago by one Rowley, a Monk_" concerning dress in the age +of Henry II; the other, "ETHELGAR, _a Saxon poem_" in bombast prose. +In the same Magazine for May 1769, are three communications from +Bristol, with the same signature, D.B. _viz_. CERDICK, _translated +from the Saxon_ (in the same style with ETHELGAR), p. +233.--_Observations upon Saxon heraldry_, with drawings of _Saxon +atchievements_, &c. p. 245.--ELINOURE and JUGA, _written three hundred +years ago by_ T. ROWLEY, _a secular priest_, p. 273. This last poem is +reprinted in this volume, p. 19. In the subsequent months of 1769 and +1770 there are several other pieces in the same Magazine, which are +undoubtedly of his composition. + +In April 1770, he left Bristol and came to London, in hopes of +advancing his fortune by his talents for writing, of which, by this +time, he had conceived a very high opinion. In the prosecution of this +scheme, he appears to have almost entirely depended upon the patronage +of a set of gentlemen, whom an eminent author long ago pointed out, as +_not the very worst judges or rewarders of merit_, the booksellers of +this great city. At his first arrival indeed he was so unlucky as to +find two of his expected Maecenases, the one in the King's Bench, and +the other in Newgate. But this little disappointment was alleviated +by the encouragement which he received from other quarters; and on the +14th of May he writes to his mother, in high spirits upon the change +in his situation, with the following sarcastic reflection upon his +former patrons at Bristol. "_As to Mr.----, Mr.----, Mr.----, &c. &c. +they rate literary lumber so low, that I believe an author, in their +estimation, must be poor indeed! But here matters are otherwise. Had_ +Rowley _been a_ Londoner _instead of a_ Bristowyan, _I could have +lived by_ copying _his works_." + +In a letter to his sister, dated 30 May, he informs her, that he is to +be employed "_in writing a voluminous history of_ London, _to appear +in numbers the beginning of next winter_." In the mean time, he had +written something in praise of the Lord Mayor (Beckford), which had +procured him the honour of being presented to his lordship. In the +letter just mentioned he gives the following account of his reception, +with some curious observations upon political writing: "The Lord +Mayor received me as politely as a citizen could. But the devil of +the matter is, there is no money to be got of this side of the +question.--But he is a poor author who cannot write on both +sides.--Essays on the patriotic side will fetch no more than what +the copy is sold for. As the patriots themselves are searching for a +place, they have no gratuity to spare.--On the other hand, unpopular +essays will not even be accepted; and you must pay to have them +printed: but then you seldom lose by it, as courtiers are so sensible +of their deficiency in merit, that they generously reward all who know +how to dawb them with the appearance of it." + +Notwithstanding his employment on the History of London, he continued +to write incessantly in various periodical publications. On the 11th +of July he tells his sister that he had pieces last month in the +_Gospel Magazine_; the _Town and Country, viz._ Maria Friendless; +False Step; Hunter of Oddities; To Miss Bush, &c. _Court and City; +London; Political Register &c._ But all these exertions of his +genius brought in so little profit, that he was soon reduced to real +indigence; from which he was relieved by death (in what manner is not +certainly known), on the 24th of August, or thereabout, when he wanted +near three months to complete his eighteenth year. The floor of his +chamber was covered with written papers, which he had torn into small +pieces; but there was no appearance (as the Editor has been credibly +informed) of any writings on parchment or vellum.] + +[Footnote 2: One of these fragments, by Mr. Barrett's permission, has +been copied in the manner of a _Fac simile_, by that ingenious artist +Mr. Strutt, and an engraving of it is inserted at p. 288. Two other +small fragments of Poetry are printed in p. 277, 8, 9. See the +_Introductory Account_. The fragments in prose, which are considerably +larger, Mr. Barrett intends to publish in his History of Bristol, +which, the Editor has the satisfaction to inform the Publick, is +very far advanced. In the same work will be inserted _A Discorse on +Bristowe_, and the other historical pieces in prose, which Chatterton +at different times delivered out, as copied from Rowley's MSS.; with +such remarks by Mr. Barrett, as he of all men living is best qualified +to make, from his accurate researches into the Antiquities of +Bristol.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNT + +OF THE + +SEVERAL PIECES + +CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME. + + + ECLOGUE THE FIRST. p. 1 + ECLOGUE THE SECOND. 6 + ECLOGUE THE THIRD. 12 + +These three Eclogues are printed from a MS. furnished by Mr. Catcott, +in the hand-writing of Thomas Chatterton. It is a thin copy-book in +4to. with the following title in the first page. "_Eclogues and other +Poems by_ Thomas Rowley, _with a Glossary and Annotations by_ Thomas +Chatterton." + +There is only one other Poem in this book, viz. the fragment of +"_Goddwyn, a Tragedie_," which see below, p. 173. + + +ELINOURE AND JUGA. + +This Poem is reprinted from the _Town and Country Magazine_ for May +1769, p. 273. It is there entitled, "_Elinoure and Juga. Written three +hundred years ago by T. Rowley, a secular priest_." And it has the +following subscription; "D.B. Bristol, May, 1769." Chatterton soon +after told Mr. Catcott, that he (Chatterton) inserted it in the +Magazine. + +The present Editor has taken the liberty to supply [between books][1] +the names of the speakers, at ver. 22 and 29, which had probably been +omitted by some accident in the first publication; as the nature of +the composition seems to require, that the dialogue should proceed by +alternate stanzas. + + + VERSES TO LYDGATE. p. 23 + SONGE TO AELLA. Ibid. + LYDGATE'S ANSWER. 26 + +These three small Poems are printed from a copy in Mr. Catcott's +hand-writing. Since they were printed off, the Editor has had an +opportunity of comparing them with a copy made by Mr. Barrett from the +piece of vellum, which Chatterton formerly gave to him as the original +MS. The variations of importance (exclusive of many in the spelling) +are set down below [2]. + +[Footnote 1: Misspelled as hooks in the original.--PG editor] + +[Footnote 2: _Verses to Lydgate_. + + In the title for _Ladgate_, r. _Lydgate_. + ver. 2. r. _Thatt I and thee_. + 3. for _bee_, r. _goe_. + 7. for _fyghte_, r. _wryte_.] + + + THE TOURNAMENT. p. 28 + +This Poem is printed from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, from one in +Chatterton's hand-writing. + +_Songe to AElla_. + +The title in the vellum MS. was simply "_Songe toe AElle_," with a +small mark of reference to a note below, containing the following +words--"_Lorde of the castelle of Brystowe ynne daies of yore_." +It may be proper also to take notice, that the whole song was there +written like prose, without any breaks, or divisions into verses. + + ver. 6. for _brastynge_, r. _burslynge_. + 11. for _valyante_, r. _burlie_. + 23. for _dysmall_, r. _honore_. + + _Lydgate's answer_. + +No title in the vellum MS. + + ver. 3. for _varses_, r. _pene_. + antep. for _Lendes_, r. _Sendes_. + ult. for _lyne_, r. _thynge_. + +Mr. Barrett had also a copy of these Poems by Chatterton, which +differed from that, which Chatterton afterwards produced as the +original, in the following particulars, among others. + +In the title of the _Verses to Lydgate_. + + Orig. _Lydgate_ Chat. _Ladgate_. + ver. 3. Orig, _goe_. Chat. _doe_. + 7. Orig. _wryte_. Chat. _fyghte_. + + _Songe to AElla_. ver. 5. Orig. _Dacyane_. Chat. _Dacya's_. + Orig. _whose lockes_ Chat. _whose hayres_. + 11. Orig. _burlie_. Chat. _bronded_. + 22. Orig. _kennst_. Chat. _hearst_. + 23. Orig. _honore_. Chat. _dysmall_. + 26. Orig. _Yprauncynge_ Chat. _Ifrayning_, + 30. Orig. _gloue_. Chat. _glare_. + +Sir Simon de Bourton, the hero of this poem, is supposed to have been +the first founder of a church dedicated to _oure Ladie_, in the place +where the church of St. Mary Ratcliffe now stands. Mr. Barrett has a +small leaf of vellum (given to him by Chatterton as one of Rowley's +original MSS.), entitled, "_Vita de Simon de Bourton_," in which +Sir Simon is said, as in the poem, to have begun his foundation in +consequence of a vow made at a tournament. + + + THE DETHE OF SYR CHARLES BAWDIN. p. 44 + +This Poem is reprinted from the copy printed at London in 1772, with +a few corrections from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, from one in +Chatterton's hand-writing. + +The person here celebrated, under the name of _Syr Charles Bawdin_, +was probably _Sir Baldewyn Fulford_, Knt. a zealous Lancastrian, who +was executed at Bristol in the latter end of 1461, the first year of +Edward the Fourth. He was attainted, with many others, in the general +act of Attainder, 1 Edw. IV. but he seems to have been executed under +a special commission for the trial of treasons, &c. within the town of +Bristol. The fragment of the old chronicle, published by Hearne at the +end of _Sprotti Chronica_, p. 289, says only; "Item _the same yere_ (1 +Edw. IV.) _was takin Sir Baldewine Fulford and behedid att Bristow_." +But the matter is more fully stated in the act which passed in 7 Edw. +IV. for the restitution in blood and estate of Thomas Fulford, Knt. +eldest son of Baldewyn Fulford, late of Fulford, in the county of +Devonshire, Knt. _Rot. Pat._ 8 Edw. IV. p. 1, m. 13. The preamble of +this act, after stating the attainder by the act 1 Edw. IV. goes on +thus: "And also the said Baldewyn, the said first yere of your noble +reign, at Bristowe in the shere of Bristowe, before Henry Erle of +Essex William Hastyngs of Hastyngs Knt. Richard Chock William Canyng +Maire of the said towne of Bristowe and Thomas Yong, by force of your +letters patentes to theym and other directe to here and determine all +treesons &c. doon withyn the said towne of Bristowe before the vth day +of September the first yere of your said reign, was atteynt of dyvers +tresons by him doon ayenst your Highnes &c." If the commission sate +soon after the vth of September, as is most probable, King Edward +might very possibly be at Bristol at the time of Sir Baldewyn's +execution; for, in the interval between his coronation and the +parliament which met in November, he made a progress (as the +Continuator of Stowe informs us, p. 416.) by the South coast into +the West, and was (among other places) at Bristol. Indeed there is a +circumstance which might lead us to believe, that he was actually a +spectator of the execution from the minster-window, as described in +the poem. In an old accompt of the Procurators of St. Ewin's church, +which was then the minster, from xx March in the 1 Edward IV. to 1 +April in the year next ensuing, is the following article, according to +a copy made by Mr. Catcott from the original book. + + Item _for washynge the church payven ageyns } iiij d. ob. + Kynge Edward 4th is comynge._ } + + + AELLA, a tragycal enterlude. p. 65 + +This Poem, with the _Epistle, Letter_, and _Entroductionne_, is +printed from a folio MS. furnished by Mr. Catcott, in the beginning +of which he has written, "Chatterton's transcript. 1769." The whole +transcript is of Chatterton's hand-writing. + + + GODDWYN, a Tragedie. p. 173 + +This Fragment is printed from the MS. mentioned above, p. xv. in +Chatterton's hand-writing. + + + ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS. p. 196 + +This Poem is printed from a single sheet in Chatterton's hand-writing, +communicated by Mr. Barrett, who received it from Chatterton. + + + BALADE OF CHARITIE. p. 203 + +This Poem is also printed from a single sheet in Chatterton's +hand-writing. It was sent to the Printer of the _Town and Country +Magazine_, with the following letter prefixed: + +"To the Printer of the Town and Country Magazine. + +SIR, + +If the Glossary annexed to the following piece will make the language +intelligible; the Sentiment, Description, and Versification, are +highly deserving the attention of the literati. + +July 4, 1770. D.B." + + + BATTLE OF HASTINGS, No. 1. p. 210 + BATTLE OF HASTINGS, No. 2. 237 + +In printing the first of these poems two copies have been made use of, +both taken from copies of Chatterton's hand-writing, the one by +Mr. Catcott, and the other by Mr. Barrett. The principal difference +between them is at the end, where the latter has fourteen lines from +ver. 550, which are wanting in the former. The second poem is printed +from a single copy, made by Mr. Barrett from one in Chatterton's +hand-writing. + +It should be observed, that the Poem marked No. 1, was given to Mr. +Barrett by Chatterton with the following title; "_Battle of Hastings, +wrote by Turgot the Monk, a Saxon, in the tenth century, and +translated by Thomas Rowlie, parish preeste of St. Johns in the city +of Bristol, in the year 1465.--The remainder of the poem I have +not been happy enough to meet with._" Being afterwards prest by Mr. +Barrett to produce any part of this poem in the original hand-writing, +he at last said, that he wrote this poem himself for a friend; but +that he had another, the copy of an original by Rowley: and being then +desired to produce that other poem, he, after a considerable interval +of time, brought to Mr. Barrett the poem marked No. 2, as far as ver. +530 incl. with the following title; "_Battle of Hastyngs by Turgotus, +translated by Roulie for W. Canynge Esq._" The lines from ver. 531 +incl. were brought some time after, in consequence of Mr. Barrett's +repeated sollicitations for the conclusion of the poem. + + + ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. p. 275 + ON THE SAME. 276 + +The first of these Poems is printed from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, +from one in Chatterton's hand-writing. + +The other is taken from a MS. in Chatterton's hand-writing, furnished +by Mr. Catcott, entitled, "_A Discorse on Bristowe, by Thomas +Rowlie_." See the Preface, p. xi. n. + + + EPITAPH ON ROBERT CANYNGE. p. 277 + +This is one of the fragments of vellum, given by Chatterton to Mr. +Barrett, as part of his original MSS. + + + THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. p. 278 + +The 34 first lines of this poem are extant upon another of the +vellum-fragments, given by Chatterton to Mr. Barrett. The remainder +is printed from a copy furnished by Mr. Catcott, with some corrections +from another copy, made by Mr. Barrett from one in Chatterton's +hand-writing. This poem makes part of a prose-work, attributed to +Rowley, giving an account of _Painters, Carvellers, Poets_, and other +eminent natives of Bristol, from the earliest times to his own. +The whole will be published by Mr. Barrett, with remarks, and large +additions; among which we may expect a complete and authentic history +of that distinguished citizen of Bristol, Mr. William Canynge. In the +mean time, the Reader may see several particulars relating to him in +_Cambden's Britannia_, Somerset. Col. 95.--_Rymers Foedera,_ &c. +ann. 1449 & 1450.--_Tanner's Not. Monast._ Art. BRISTOL and +WESTBURY.--_Dugdale's Warwickshire_, p. 634. + +It may be proper just to remark here, that Mr. Canynge's brother, +mentioned in ver. 129, who was lord mayor of London in 1456, is called +_Thomas_ by Stowe in his List of Mayors, &c. + +The transaction alluded to in the last Stanza is related at large in +some Prose Memoirs of Rowley, of which a very incorrect copy has been +printed in the _Town and Country Magazine_ for November 1775. It is +there said, that Mr. Canynge went into orders, to avoid a marriage, +proposed by King Edward, between him and a lady of the Widdevile +family. It is certain, from the Register of the Bishop of Worcester, +that Mr. Canynge was ordained _Acolythe_ by Bishop Carpenter on +19 September 1467, and received the higher orders of _Sub-deacon, +Deacon_, and _Priest_, on the 12th of March, 1467, O.S. the 2d and +16th of April, 1468, respectively. + + + ON HAPPIENESSE, by WILLIAM CANYNGE. p. 286 + ONNE JOHNE A DALBENIE, by the same. Ibid. + THE GOULER'S REQUIEM, by the same. 287 + THE ACCOUNTE OF W. CANYNGE'S FEASTE. 288 + +Of these four Poems attributed to Mr. Canynge, the three first are +printed from Mr. Catcott's copies. The last is taken from a fragment +of vellum, which Chatterton gave to Mr. Barrett as an original. The +Editor has doubts about the reading of the second word in ver. 7, +but he has printed it _keene_, as he found it so in other copies. The +Reader may judge for himself, by examining the _Fac simile_ in the +opposite page. + +With respect to the three friends of Mr. Canynge mentioned in the last +line, the name of _Rowley_ is sufficiently known from the preceding +poems. _Iscamm_ appears as an actor in the tragedy of _AElla_, p. +66. and in that of _Goddwyn_, p. 174.; and a poem, ascribed to him, +entitled "_The merry Tricks of Laymington_," is inserted in the +"_Discorse of Bristowe_". Sir _Theobald Gorges_ was a knight of an +antient family seated at Wraxhall, within a few miles of Bristol [See +_Rot. Parl._ 3 H. VI. n. 28. _Leland's Itin._ vol. VII. p. 98.]. He +has also appeared above as an actor in both the tragedies, and as +the author of one of the _Mynstrelles songes_ in _AElla_, p. 91. His +connexion with Mr. Canynge is verified by a deed of the latter, +dated 20 October, 1467, in which he gives to trustees, in part of a +benefaction of L500 to the Church of St. Mary Redcliffe, "_certain +jewells of_ Sir _Theobald Gorges_ Knt." which had been pawned to him +for L160. + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + + +_The Reader is desired to observe, that the notes at the bottom of +the several pages, throughout the following part of this book, are all +copied from MSS. in the hand-writing of_ Thomas Chatterton. + + + + +POEMS, &c. + +ECLOGUE THE FIRST. + + + Whanne Englonde, smeethynge[1] from her lethal[2] wounde, + From her galled necke dyd twytte[3] the chayne awaie, + Kennynge her legeful sonnes falle all arounde, + (Myghtie theie fell, 'twas Honoure ledde the fraie,) + Thanne inne a dale, bie eve's dark surcote[4] graie, 5 + Twayne lonelie shepsterres[5] dyd abrodden[6] flie, + (The rostlyng liff doth theyr whytte hartes affraie[7],) + And wythe the owlette trembled and dyd crie; + Firste Roberte Neatherde hys sore boesom stroke. + Then fellen on the grounde and thus yspoke. 10 + + ROBERTE. + + Ah, Raufe! gif thos the howres do comme alonge, + Gif thos wee flie in chase of farther woe, + Oure fote wylle fayle, albeytte wee bee stronge, + Ne wylle oure pace swefte as oure danger goe. + To oure grete wronges we have enheped[8] moe, 15 + The Baronnes warre! oh! woe and well-a-daie! + I haveth lyff, bott have escaped soe, + That lyff ytsel mie Senses doe affraie. + Oh Raufe, comme lyste, and hear mie dernie[9] tale, + Comme heare the balefull[10] dome of Robynne of the Dale. 20 + + RAUFE. + + Saie to mee nete; I kenne thie woe in myne; + O! I've a tale that Sabalus[11] mote[12] telle. + Swote[13] flouretts, mantled meedows, forestes dygne[14]; + Gravots[15] far-kend[16] arounde the Errmiets[17] cell; + The swote ribible[18] dynning[19] yn the dell; 25 + The joyous daunceynge ynn the hoastrie[20] courte; + Eke[21] the highe songe and everych joie farewell, + Farewell the verie shade of fayre dysporte[22]: + Impestering[23] trobble onn mie heade doe comme, + Ne on kynde Seyncte to warde[24] the aye[25] encreasynge dome. 30 + + ROBERTE. + + Oh! I coulde waile mie kynge-coppe-decked mees[26], + Mie spreedynge flockes of shepe of lillie white, + Mie tendre applynges[27], and embodyde[28] trees, + Mie Parker's Grange[29], far spreedynge to the syghte, + Mie cuyen[30] kyne [31], mie bullockes stringe[32] yn syghte, 35 + Mie gorne[33] emblaunched[34] with the comfreie[35] plante, + Mie floure[36] Seyncte Marie shotteyng wythe the lyghte, + Mie store of all the blessynges Heaven can grant. + I amm duressed[37] unto sorrowes blowe, + Ihanten'd[38] to the peyne, will lette ne salte teare flowe. 40 + + RAUFE. + + Here I wille obaie[39] untylle Dethe doe 'pere, + Here lyche a foule empoysoned leathel[40] tree, + Whyche sleaeth[41] everichone that commeth nere, + Soe wille I fyxed unto thys place gre[42]. + I to bement[43] haveth moe cause than thee; 45 + Sleene in the warre mie boolie[44] fadre lies; + Oh! joieous I hys mortherer would slea, + And bie hys syde for aie enclose myne eies. + Calked[45] from everych joie, heere wylle I blede; + Fell ys the Cullys-yatte[46] of mie hartes castle stede. 50 + + ROBERTE. + + Oure woes alyche, alyche our dome[47] shal bee. + Mie sonne, mie sonne alleyn[48], ystorven[49] ys; + Here wylle I staie, and end mie lyff with thee; + A lyff lyche myn a borden ys ywis. + Now from een logges[50] fledden is selyness[51], 55 + Mynsterres[52] alleyn[53] can boaste the hallie[54] Seyncte, + Now doeth Englonde weare a bloudie dresse + And wyth her champyonnes gore her face depeyncte; + Peace fledde, disorder sheweth her dark rode[55], + And thorow ayre doth flie, yn garments steyned with bloude. 60 + +[Footnote 1: _Smething_, smoking; in some copies _bletheynge_, but in +the original as above.] + +[Footnote 2: deadly.] + +[Footnote 3: pluck or pull.] + +[Footnote 4: _Surcote_, a cloke, or mantel, which hid all the other +dress.] + +[Footnote 5: shepherds.] + +[Footnote 6: abruptly, so Chaucer, Syke he abredden dyd attourne.] + +[Footnote 7: affright.] + +[Footnote 8: Added.] + +[Footnote 9: sad.] + +[Footnote 10: woeful, lamentable.] + +[Footnote 11: the Devil.] + +[Footnote 12: might.] + +[Footnote 13: sweet.] + +[Footnote 14: good, neat, genteel.] + +[Footnote 15: groves, sometimes used for a coppice.] + +[Footnote 16: far-seen.] + +[Footnote 17: Hermit.] + +[Footnote 18: violin.] + +[Footnote 19: sounding.] + +[Footnote 20: inn, or public-house.] + +[Footnote 21: also.] + +[Footnote 22: pleasure.] + +[Footnote 23: annoying.] + +[Footnote 24: to keep off.] + +[Footnote 25: ever, always.] + +[Footnote 26: meadows.] + +[Footnote 27: grafted trees.] + +[Footnote 28: thick, stout.] + +[Footnote 29: liberty of pasture given to the Parker.] + +[Footnote 30: tender.] + +[Footnote 31: cows.] + +[Footnote 32: strong.] + +[Footnote 33: garden.] + +[Footnote 34: whitened.] + +[Footnote 35: cumfrey, a favourite dish at that time.] + +[Footnote 36: marygold.] + +[Footnote 37: hardened.] + +[Footnote 38: accustomed.] + +[Footnote 39: abide. This line is also wrote, "Here wyll I obaie +untill dethe appere," but this is modernized.] + +[Footnote 40: deadly.] + +[Footnote 41: destroyeth, killeth.] + +[Footnote 42: grow.] + +[Footnote 43: lament.] + +[Footnote 44: much-loved, beloved.] + +[Footnote 45: cast out, ejected.] + +[Footnote 46: alluding to the portcullis, which guarded the gate, on +which often depended the castle.] + +[Footnote 47: fate.] + +[Footnote 48: my only son.] + +[Footnote 49: dead.] + +[Footnote 50: cottages.] + +[Footnote 51: happiness.] + +[Footnote 52: monasterys.] + +[Footnote 53: only.] + +[Footnote 54: holy.] + +[Footnote 55: complexion.] + + + + +ECLOGUE THE SECOND. + + + Sprytes[1] of the bleste, the pious Nygelle sed, + Poure owte yer pleasaunce[2] onn mie fadres hedde. + + Rycharde of Lyons harte to fyghte is gon, + Uponne the brede[3] sea doe the banners gleme[4]; + The amenused[5] nationnes be aston[6], 5 + To ken[7] syke[8] large a flete, syke fyne, syke breme[9]. + The barkis heafods[10] coupe[11] the lymed[12] streme; + Oundes[13] synkeynge oundes upon the hard ake[14] riese; + The water slughornes[15] wythe a swotye[16] cleme[17] + Conteke[18] the dynnynge[19] ayre, and reche the skies. 10 + Sprytes of the bleste, on gouldyn trones[20] astedde[21], + Poure owte yer pleasaunce onn mie fadres hedde. + + The gule[22] depeyncted[23] oares from the black tyde, + Decorn[24] wyth fonnes[25] rare, doe shemrynge[26] ryse; + Upswalynge[27] doe heie[28] shewe ynne drierie pryde, 15 + Lyche gore-red estells[29] in the eve[30]-merk[31] skyes; + The nome-depeyncted[32] shields, the speres aryse, + Alyche[33] talle roshes on the water syde; + Alenge[34] from bark to bark the bryghte sheene[35] flyes; + Sweft-kerv'd[36] delyghtes doe on the water glyde. 20 + Sprites of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte youre pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. + + The Sarafen lokes owte: he doethe feere, + That Englondes brondeous[37] sonnes do cotte the waie. + Lyke honted bockes, theye reineth[38] here and there, 25 + Onknowlachynge[39] inne whatte place to obaie[40]. + The banner glesters on the beme of daie; + The mittee[41] crosse Jerusalim ys seene; + Dhereof the syghte yer corrage doe affraie[42], + In balefull[43] dole their faces be ywreene[44]. 30 + Sprytes of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte your pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. + + The bollengers[45] and cottes[45], soe swyfte yn fyghte, + Upon the sydes of everich bark appere; + Foorthe to his offyce lepethe everych knyghte, 35 + Eftsoones[46] hys squyer, with hys shielde and spere. + The jynynge shieldes doe shemre and moke glare[47]; + The dotheynge oare doe make gemoted[48] dynne; + The reynyng[49] foemen[50], thynckeynge gif[51] to dare, + Boun[52] the merk[53] swerde, theie seche to fraie[54], theie blyn[55]. + Sprytes of the bleste, and everyche Seyncte ydedde, + Powre oute yer pleasaunce onn mie fadres hedde. + + Now comm the warrynge Sarasyns to fyghte; + Kynge Rycharde, lyche a lyoncel[56] of warre, + Inne sheenynge goulde, lyke feerie[57] gronfers[58], dyghte[59], + Shaketh alofe hys honde, and seene afarre. 45 + Syke haveth I espyde a greter starre + Amenge the drybblett[60] ons to sheene fulle bryghte; + Syke sunnys wayne[61] wyth amayl'd[62] beames doe barr + The blaunchie[63] mone or estells[64] to gev lyghte. 50 + Sprytes of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte your pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. + + Distraughte[65] affraie[66], wythe lockes of blodde-red die, + Terroure, emburled[67] yn the thonders rage, + Deathe, lynked to dismaie, dothe ugsomme[68] flie, 55 + Enchasynge[69] echone champyonne war to wage. + Speeres bevyle[70] speres; swerdes upon swerdes engage; + Armoure on armoure dynn[71], shielde upon shielde; + Ne dethe of thosandes can the warre assuage, + Botte salleynge nombers sable[72] all the feelde. 60 + Sprytes of the bleste, and everych Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte youre pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. + + The foemen fal arounde; the cross reles[73] hye; + Steyned ynne goere, the harte of warre ys seen; + Kyng Rycharde, thorough everyche trope dothe flie, 65 + And beereth meynte[74] of Turkes onto the greene; + Bie hymm the floure of Asies menn ys sleene[75]; + The waylynge[76] mone doth fade before hys sonne; + Bie hym hys knyghtes bee formed to actions deene[77], + Doeynge syke marvels[78], strongers be aston[79]. 70 + Sprytes of the bleste, and everych Seyncte ydedde, + Poure owte your pleasaunce onn mie fadres hedde. + + The fyghte ys wonne; Kynge Rycharde master is; + The Englonde bannerr kisseth the hie ayre; + Full of pure joie the armie is iwys[80], 75 + And everych one haveth it onne his bayre[81]; + Agayne to Englonde comme, and worschepped there. + Twyghte[82] into lovynge armes, and feasted eft[83]; + In everych eyne aredynge nete of wyere[84], + Of all remembrance of past peyne berefte. 80 + Sprites of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, + Syke pleasures powre upon mie fadres hedde. + + Syke Nigel sed, whan from the bluie sea + The upswol[85] sayle dyd daunce before his eyne; + Swefte as the withe, hee toe the beeche dyd flee. 85 + And founde his fadre steppeynge from the bryne. + Lette thyssen menne, who haveth sprite of loove, + Bethyncke untoe hemselves how mote the meetynge proove. + +[Footnote 1: Spirits, souls.] + +[Footnote 2: pleasure.] + +[Footnote 3: broad.] + +[Footnote 4: shine, glimmer.] + +[Footnote 5: diminished, lessened.] + +[Footnote 6: astonished, confounded.] + +[Footnote 7: see, discover, know.] + +[Footnote 8: such, so.] + +[Footnote 9: strong.] + +[Footnote 10: heads.] + +[Footnote 11: cut.] + +[Footnote 12: glassy, reflecting.] + +[Footnote 13: waves, billows.] + +[Footnote 14: oak.] + +[Footnote 15: a musical instrument, not unlike a hautboy.] + +[Footnote 16: sweet.] + +[Footnote 17: sound.] + +[Footnote 18: confuse, contend with.] + +[Footnote 19: sounding.] + +[Footnote 20: thrones.] + +[Footnote 21: seated.] + +[Footnote 22: red.] + +[Footnote 23: painted.] + +[Footnote 24: carved.] + +[Footnote 25: devices.] + +[Footnote 26: glimmering.] + +[Footnote 27: rising high, swelling up.] + +[Footnote 28: they.] + +[Footnote 29: a corruption of _estoile_, Fr. a star.] + +[Footnote 30: evening.] + +[Footnote 31: dark.] + +[Footnote 32: rebus'd shields; a herald term, when the charge of the +shield implies the name of the bearer.] + +[Footnote 33: like.] + +[Footnote 34: along.] + +[Footnote 35: shine.] + +[Footnote 36: short-lived.] + +[Footnote 37: furious.] + +[Footnote 38: runneth.] + +[Footnote 39: not knowing.] + +[Footnote 40: abide.] + +[Footnote 41: mighty.] + +[Footnote 42: affright.] + +[Footnote 43: woeful.] + +[Footnote 44: covered.] + +[Footnote 45: different kinds of boats.] + +[Footnote 46: full soon, presently.] + +[Footnote 47: glitter.] + +[Footnote 48: united, assembled.] + +[Footnote 49: running.] + +[Footnote 50: foes.] + +[Footnote 51: if.] + +[Footnote 52: make ready.] + +[Footnote 53: dark.] + +[Footnote 54: engage.] + +[Footnote 55: cease, stand still.] + +[Footnote 56: a young lion.] + +[Footnote 57: flaming.] + +[Footnote 58: a meteor, from _gron_, a fen, and _fer_, a corruption of +fire; that is, a fire exhaled from a fen.] + +[Footnote 59: deckt.] + +[Footnote 60: small, insignificant.] + +[Footnote 61: carr.] + +[Footnote 62: enameled.] + +[Footnote 63: white, silver.] + +[Footnote 64: stars.] + +[Footnote 65: distracting.] + +[Footnote 66: affright.] + +[Footnote 67: armed.] + +[Footnote 68: terribly.] + +[Footnote 69: encouraging, heating.] + +[Footnote 70: break, a herald term, signifying a spear broken in +tilting.] + +[Footnote 71: sounds.] + +[Footnote 72: blacken.] + +[Footnote 73: waves.] + +[Footnote 74: many, great numbers.] + +[Footnote 75: slain.] + +[Footnote 76: decreasing.] + +[Footnote 77: glorious, worthy.] + +[Footnote 78: wonders.] + +[Footnote 79: astonished.] + +[Footnote 80: certainly.] + +[Footnote 81: brow.] + +[Footnote 82: plucked, pulled.] + +[Footnote 83: often.] + +[Footnote 84: grief, trouble.] + +[Footnote 85: swollen.] + + + + +ECLOGUE THE THIRD. + + + Wouldst thou kenn nature in her better parte? + Goe, serche the logges [1] and bordels[2] of the hynde[3]; + Gyff[4] theie have anie, itte ys roughe-made arte, + Inne hem[5] you see the blakied[6] forme of kynde[7]. + Haveth your mynde a lycheynge[8] of a mynde? 5 + Woulde it kenne everich thynge, as it mote[9] bee? + Woulde ytte here phrase of the vulgar from the hynde, + Withoute wiseegger[10] wordes and knowlache[11] free? + Gyf soe, rede thys, whyche Iche dysporteynge[12] pende; + Gif nete besyde, yttes rhyme maie ytte commende. 10 + + MANNE. + + Botte whether, fayre mayde, do ye goe? + O where do ye bende yer waie? + I wille knowe whether you goe, + I wylle not bee asseled[13] naie. + + WOMANNE. + + To Robyn and Nell, all downe in the delle, 15 + To hele[14] hem at makeynge of haie. + + MANNE. + + Syr Rogerre, the parsone, hav hyred mee there, + Comme, comme, lett us tryppe ytte awaie, + We'lle wurke[15] and we'lle synge, and wylle drenche[16] of stronge beer + As longe as the merrie sommers daie. 20 + + WOMANNE. + + How harde ys mie dome to wurch! + Moke is mie woe. + Dame Agnes, whoe lies ynne the Chyrche + With birlette[17] golde, + Wythe gelten[18] aumeres[19] stronge ontolde, 25 + What was shee moe than me, to be soe? + + MANNE. + + I kenne Syr Roger from afar + Tryppynge over the lea; + Ich ask whie the loverds[20] son + Is moe than mee. 30 + + SYR ROGERRE. + + The sweltrie[21] sonne dothe hie apace hys wayne[22], + From everich beme a seme[23]; of lyfe doe falle; + Swythyn[24] scille[25] oppe the haie uponne the playne; + Methynckes the cockes begynneth to gre[26] talle. + Thys ys alyche oure doome[27]; the great, the smalle, 35 + Mofte withe[28] and bee forwyned[29] by deathis darte. + See! the swote[30] flourette[31] hathe noe swote at alle; + Itte wythe the ranke wede bereth evalle[32] parte. + The cravent[33], warrioure, and the wyse be blente[34], + Alyche to drie awaie wythe those theie dyd bemente[35]. 40 + + MANNE. + + All-a-boon[36], Syr Priest, all-a-boon, + Bye yer preestschype nowe saye unto mee; + Syr Gaufryd the knyghte, who lyvethe harde bie, + Whie shoulde hee than mee + Bee moe greate, 45 + Inne honnoure, knyghtehoode and estate? + + SYR ROGERRE. + + Attourne[37] thine eyne arounde thys haied mee, + Tentyflie[38] loke arounde the chaper[39] delle[40]; + An answere to thie barganette[41] here see, + Thys welked[42] flourette wylle a leson telle: 50 + Arist[43] it blew[44], itte florished, and dyd welle, + Lokeynge ascaunce[45] upon the naighboure greene; + Yet with the deigned[46] greene yttes rennome[47] felle, + Eftsoones[48] ytte shronke upon the daie-brente[49] playne, + Didde not yttes loke, whilest ytte there dyd stonde, 55 + To croppe ytte in the bodde move somme dred honde. + + Syke[50] ys the waie of lyffe; the loverds[51] ente[52] + Mooveth the robber hym therfor to slea[53]; + Gyf thou has ethe[54], the shadowe of contente, + Beleive the trothe[55], theres none moe haile[56] yan thee. 60 + Thou wurchest[57]; welle, canne thatte a trobble bee? + Slothe moe wulde jade thee than the roughest daie. + Couldest thou the kivercled[58] of soughlys[59] see, + Thou wouldst eftsoones[60] see trothe ynne whatte I saie; + Botte lette me heere thie waie of lyffe, and thenne 65 + Heare thou from me the lyffes of odher menne. + + MANNE. + + I ryse wythe the sonne, + Lyche hym to dryve the wayne[61], + And eere mie wurche is don + I synge a songe or twayne[62]. 70 + I followe the plough-tayle, + Wythe a longe jubb[63] of ale. + Botte of the maydens, oh! + Itte lacketh notte to telle; + Syr Preeste mote notte crie woe, 75 + Culde hys bull do as welle. + I daunce the beste heiedeygnes[64], + And foile[65] the wysest feygnes[66]. + On everych Seynctes hie daie + Wythe the mynstrelle[67] am I seene, 80 + All a footeynge it awaie, + Wythe maydens on the greene. + But oh! I wyshe to be moe greate, + In rennome, tenure, and estate. + + SYR ROGERRE. + + Has thou ne seene a tree uponne a hylle, 85 + Whose unliste[68] braunces[69] rechen far toe fyghte; + Whan fuired[70] unwers[71] doe the heaven fylle, + Itte shaketh deere[72] yn dole[73] and moke affryghte. + Whylest the congeon[74] flowrette abessie[75] dyghte[76], + Stondethe unhurte, unquaced[77] bie the storme: 90 + Syke is a picte[78] of lyffe: the manne of myghte + Is tempest-chaft[79], hys woe greate as hys forme, + Thieselfe a flowrette of a small accounte, + Wouldst harder felle the wynde, as hygher thee dydste mounte. + +[Footnote 1: lodges, huts.] + +[Footnote 2: cottages.] + +[Footnote 3: servant, slave, peasant.] + +[Footnote 4: if.] + +[Footnote 5: a contraction of _them_.] + +[Footnote 6: naked, original.] + +[Footnote 7: nature.] + +[Footnote 8: liking.] + +[Footnote 9: might. The sense of this line is, Would you see every +thing in its primaeval state.] + +[Footnote 10: wise-egger, a philosopher.] + +[Footnote 11: knowledge.] + +[Footnote 12: sporting.] + +[Footnote 13: answered.] + +[Footnote 14: aid, or help.] + +[Footnote 15: work.] + +[Footnote 16: drink.] + +[Footnote 17: a hood, or covering for the back part of the head.] + +[Footnote 18: guilded.] + +[Footnote 19: borders of gold and silver, on which was laid thin +plates of either metal counterchanged, not unlike the present spangled +laces.] + +[Footnote 20: lord.] + +[Footnote 21: sultry.] + +[Footnote 22: car.] + +[Footnote 23: seed.] + +[Footnote 24: quickly, presently.] + +[Footnote 25: gather.] + +[Footnote 26: grow.] + +[Footnote 27: fate.] + +[Footnote 28: a contraction of wither.] + +[Footnote 29: dried.] + +[Footnote 30: sweet.] + +[Footnote 31: flower.] + +[Footnote 32: equal.] + +[Footnote 33: coward.] + +[Footnote 34: ceased, dead, no more.] + +[Footnote 35: lament.] + +[Footnote 36: a manner of asking a favour.] + +[Footnote 37: turn.] + +[Footnote 38: carefully, with circumspection.] + +[Footnote 39: dry, sun-burnt.] + +[Footnote 40: valley.] + +[Footnote 41: a song, or ballad.] + +[Footnote 42: withered.] + +[Footnote 43: arisen, or arose.] + +[Footnote 44: blossomed.] + +[Footnote 45: disdainfully.] + +[Footnote 46: disdained.] + +[Footnote 47: glory.] + +[Footnote 48: quickly.] + +[Footnote 49: burnt.] + +[Footnote 50: such.] + +[Footnote 51: lord's.] + +[Footnote 52: a purse or bag.] + +[Footnote 53: slay.] + +[Footnote 54: ease.] + +[Footnote 55: truth.] + +[Footnote 56: happy.] + +[Footnote 57: workest.] + +[Footnote 58: the hidden or secret part of.] + +[Footnote 59: souls.] + +[Footnote 60: full soon, or presently.] + +[Footnote 61: car.] + +[Footnote 62: two.] + +[Footnote 63: a bottle.] + +[Footnote 64: a country dance, still practised in the North.] + +[Footnote 65: baffle.] + +[Footnote 66: a corruption of _feints_.] + +[Footnote 67: a minstrel is a musician.] + +[Footnote 68: unbounded.] + +[Footnote 69: branches.] + +[Footnote 70: furious.] + +[Footnote 71: tempests, storms.] + +[Footnote 72: dire.] + +[Footnote 73: dismay.] + +[Footnote 74: dwarf.] + +[Footnote 75: humility.] + +[Footnote 76: decked.] + +[Footnote 77: unhurt.] + +[Footnote 78: picture.] + +[Footnote 79: tempest-beaten.] + + + + +ELINOURE AND JUGA. + + + Onne Ruddeborne[1] bank twa pynynge Maydens fate, + Theire teares faste dryppeynge to the waterre cleere; + Echone bementynge[2] for her absente mate, + Who atte Seyncte Albonns shouke the morthynge[3] speare. + The nottebrowne Elinoure to Juga fayre 5 + Dydde speke acroole[4], wythe languishment of eyne, + Lyche droppes of pearlie dew, lemed[5] the quyvryng brine. + + ELINOURE. + + O gentle Juga! heare mie dernie[6] plainte, + To fyghte for Yorke mie love ys dyghte[7] in stele; + O maie ne sanguen steine the whyte rose peyncte, 10 + Maie good Seyncte Cuthberte watche Syrre Roberte wele. + Moke moe thanne deathe in phantasie I feele; + See! see! upon the grounde he bleedynge lies; + Inhild[8] some joice[9] of lyfe or else mie deare love dies. + + JUGA. + + Systers in sorrowe, on thys daise-ey'd banke, 15 + Where melancholych broods, we wyll lamente; + Be wette wythe mornynge dewe and evene danke; + Lyche levynde[10] okes in eche the odher bente, + Or lyche forlettenn[11] halles of merriemente, + Whose gastlie mitches[12] holde the traine of fryghte[13], 20 + Where lethale[14] ravens bark, and owlets wake the nyghte. + + [ELINOURE.] + + No moe the miskynette[15] shall wake the morne, + The minstrelle daunce, good cheere, and morryce plaie; + No moe the amblynge palfrie and the horne + Shall from the lessel[16] rouze the foxe awaie; 25 + I'll seke the foreste alle the lyve-longe daie; + Alle nete amenge the gravde chyrche[17] glebe wyll goe, + And to the passante Spryghtes lecture[18] mie tale of woe. + + [JUGA.] + + Whan mokie[19] cloudis do hange upon the leme + Of leden[20] Moon, ynn sylver mantels dyghte; 30 + The tryppeynge Faeries weve the golden dreme + Of Selyness[21], whyche flyethe wythe the nyghte; + Thenne (botte the Seynctes forbydde!) gif to a spryte + Syrr Rychardes forme ys lyped, I'll holde dystraughte + Hys bledeynge claie-colde corse, and die eche daie ynn thoughte. 35 + + ELINOURE. + + Ah woe bementynge wordes; what wordes can shewe! + Thou limed[22] ryver, on thie linche[23] maie bleede + Champyons, whose bloude wylle wythe thie waterres flowe, + And Rudborne streeme be Rudborne streeme indeede! + Haste, gentle Juga, tryppe ytte oere the meade, 40 + To knowe, or wheder we muste waile agayne, + Or wythe oure fallen knyghtes be menged onne the plain. + + Soe sayinge, lyke twa levyn-blasted trees, + Or twayne of cloudes that holdeth stormie rayne; + Theie moved gentle oere the dewie mees[24], 45 + To where Seyncte Albons holie shrynes remayne. + There dyd theye fynde that bothe their knyghtes were slayne, + Distraughte[25] theie wandered to swollen Rudbornes syde, + Yelled theyre leathalle knelle, sonke ynn the waves, and dyde. + +[Footnote 1: Rudborne (in Saxon, red-water), a River near Saint +Albans, famous for the battles there fought between the Houses of +Lancaster and York.] + +[Footnote 2: lamenting.] + +[Footnote 3: murdering.] + +[Footnote 4: faintly.] + +[Footnote 5: glistened.] + +[Footnote 6: sad complaint.] + +[Footnote 7: arrayed, or cased.] + +[Footnote 8: infuse.] + +[Footnote 9: juice.] + +[Footnote 10: blasted.] + +[Footnote 11: forsaken.] + +[Footnote 12: ruins.] + +[Footnote 13: fear.] + +[Footnote 14: deadly or deathboding.] + +[Footnote 15: a small bagpipe.] + +[Footnote 16: in a confined sense, a bush or hedge, though sometimes +used as a forest.] + +[Footnote 17: church-yard.] + +[Footnote 18: relate.] + +[Footnote 19: black.] + +[Footnote 20: decreasing.] + +[Footnote 21: happiness.] + +[Footnote 22: glassy.] + +[Footnote 23: bank.] + +[Footnote 24: meeds.] + +[Footnote 25: distracted.] + + + + +TO JOHNE LADGATE. + +[Sent with the following _Songe to AElla._] + + + Well thanne, goode Johne, sythe ytt must needes be soe, + Thatt thou & I a bowtynge matche must have, + Lette ytt ne breakynge of oulde friendshyppe bee, + Thys ys the onelie all-a-boone I crave. + + Rememberr Stowe, the Bryghtstowe Carmalyte, 5 + Who whanne Johne Clarkynge, one of myckle lore, + Dydd throwe hys gauntlette-penne, wyth hym to fyghte, + Hee showd smalle wytte, and showd hys weaknesse more. + + Thys ys mie formance, whyche I nowe have wrytte, + The best performance of mie lyttel wytte. 10 + + + + +SONGE TO AELLA, LORDE OF THE CASTEL OF BRYSTOWE YNNE DAIES OF YORE. + + + Oh thou, orr what remaynes of thee, + AElla, the darlynge of futurity, + Lett thys mie songe bolde as thie courage be, + As everlastynge to posteritye. + + Whanne Dacya's sonnes, whose hayres of bloude-redde hue 5 + Lyche kynge-cuppes brastynge wythe the morning due, + Arraung'd ynne dreare arraie, + Upponne the lethale daie, + Spredde farre and wyde onne Watchets shore; + Than dyddst thou furiouse stande, 10 + And bie thie valyante hande + Beesprengedd all the mees wythe gore. + + Drawne bie thyne anlace felle, + Downe to the depthe of helle + Thousandes of Dacyanns went; 15 + Brystowannes, menne of myghte, + Ydar'd the bloudie fyghte, + And actedd deeds full quent. + + Oh thou, whereer (thie bones att reste) + Thye Spryte to haunte delyghteth beste, 20 + Whetherr upponne the bloude-embrewedd pleyne, + Orr whare thou kennst fromm farre + The dysmall crye of warre, + Orr seest somme mountayne made of corse of sleyne; + Orr seest the hatchedd stede, 25 + Ypraunceynge o'er the mede, + And neighe to be amenged the poynctedd speeres; + Orr ynne blacke armoure staulke arounde + Embattel'd Brystowe, once thie grounde, + And glowe ardurous onn the Castle steeres; 30 + + Orr fierye round the mynsterr glare; + Lette Brystowe stylle be made thie care; + Guarde ytt fromme foemenne & consumynge fyre; + Lyche Avones streme ensyrke ytte rounde, + Ne lette a flame enharme the grounde, 35 + Tylle ynne one flame all the whole worlde expyre. + + + + +The underwritten Lines were composed by JOHN LADGATE, a Priest in +London, and sent to ROWLIE, as an Answer to the preceding _Songe of +AElla_. + + + Havynge wythe mouche attentyonn redde + Whatt you dydd to mee sende, + Admyre the varses mouche I dydd, + And thus an answerr lende. + + Amongs the Greeces Homer was 5 + A Poett mouche renownde, + Amongs the Latyns Vyrgilius + Was beste of Poets founde. + + The Brytish Merlyn oftenne hanne + The gyfte of inspyration, 10 + And Afled to the Sexonne menne + Dydd synge wythe elocation. + + Ynne Norman tymes, Turgotus and + Goode Chaucer dydd excelle, + Thenn Stowe, the Bryghtstowe Carmelyte, 15 + Dydd bare awaie the belle. + + Nowe Rowlie ynne these mokie dayes + Lendes owte hys sheenynge lyghtes, + And Turgotus and Chaucer lyves + Ynne ev'ry lyne he wrytes. 20 + + + + +THE TOURNAMENT. + +AN INTERLUDE. + + + ENTER AN HERAWDE. + + The Tournament begynnes; the hammerrs sounde; + The courserrs lysse[1] about the mensuredd[2] fielde; + The shemrynge armoure throws the sheene arounde; + Quayntyssed[3] fons[4] depictedd[5] onn eche sheelde. + The feerie[6] heaulmets, wythe the wreathes amielde[7], 5 + Supportes the rampynge lyoncell[8] orr beare, + Wythe straunge depyctures[9], Nature maie nott yeelde, + Unseemelie to all orderr doe appere, + Yett yatte[10] to menne, who thyncke and have a spryte[11], + Makes knowen thatt the phantasies unryghte. 10 + + I, Sonne of Honnoure, spencer[11] of her joies, + Muste swythen[12] goe to yeve[13] the speeres arounde, + Wythe advantayle[14] & borne[15] I meynte[16] emploie, + Who withoute mee woulde fall untoe the grounde. + Soe the tall oake the ivie twysteth rounde; 15 + Soe the neshe[17] flowerr grees[18] ynne the woodeland shade. + The worlde bie diffraunce ys ynne orderr founde; + Wydhoute unlikenesse nothynge could bee made. + As ynn the bowke[19] nete[20] alleyn[21] cann bee donne, + Syke[22] ynn the weal of kynde all thynges are partes of onne. 20 + + Enterr SYRR SYMONNE DE BOURTONNE. + + Herawde[23], bie heavenne these tylterrs staie too long. + Mie phantasie ys dyinge forr the fyghte. + The mynstrelles have begonne the thyrde warr songe, + Yett notte a speere of hemm[24] hath grete mie syghte. + I feere there be ne manne wordhie mie myghte. 25 + I lacke a Guid[25], a Wyllyamm[26] to entylte. + To reine[27] anente[28] a fele[29] embodiedd knyghte, + Ytt gettes ne rennome[30] gyff hys blodde bee spylte. + Bie heavenne & Marie ytt ys tyme they're here; + I lyche nott unthylle[31] thus to wielde the speare. 30 + + HERAWDE. + + Methynckes I heare yer slugghornes[32] dynn[33] fromm farre. + + BOURTONNE. + + Ah! swythenn[34] mie shielde & tyltynge launce bee bounde [35]. + Eftsoones[36] beheste[37] mie Squyerr to the warre. + I flie before to clayme a challenge grownde. + [_Goeth oute_. + + HERAWDE. + + Thie valourous actes woulde meinte[38] of menne astounde; + Harde bee yer shappe[39] encontrynge thee ynn fyghte; + Anenst[40] all menne thou bereft to the grounde, + Lyche the hard hayle dothe the tall roshes pyghte[41]. + As whanne the mornynge sonne ydronks the dew, + Syche dothe thie valourous actes drocke[42] eche knyghte's hue. 40 + + THE LYSTES. THE KYNGE. SYRR SYMONNE DE BOURTONNE, SYRR HUGO + FERRARIS, SYRR RANULPH NEVILLE, SYRR LODOVICK DE CLYNTON, + SYRR JOHAN DE BERGHAMME, AND ODHERR KNYGHTES, HERAWDES, + MYNSTRELLES. AND SERVYTOURS[43]. + + KYNGE. + + The barganette[44]; yee mynstrelles tune the strynge, + Somme actyonn dyre of auntyante kynges now synge. + + MYNSTRELLES. + + Wyllyamm, the Normannes floure botte Englondes thorne, + The manne whose myghte delievretie[45] hadd knite[46], + Snett[46] oppe hys long strunge bowe and sheelde aborne[47], 45 + Behesteynge[48] all hys hommageres[49] to fyghte. + Goe, rouze the lyonn fromm hys hylted[50] denne, + Lett thie floes[51] drenche the blodde of anie thynge bott menne. + + Ynn the treed forreste doe the knyghtes appere; + Wyllyamm wythe myghte hys bowe enyronn'd[52] plies[53]; 50 + Loude dynns[54] the arrowe ynn the wolfynn's eare; + Hee ryseth battent[55] roares, he panctes, hee dyes. + Forslagenn att thie feete lett wolvynns bee, + Lett thie floes drenche theyre blodde, bott do ne bredrenn flea. + + Throwe the merke[56] shade of twistynde trees hee rydes; 55 + The flemed[57] owlett[58] flapps herr eve-speckte[59] wynge; + The lordynge[60] toade ynn all hys passes bides; + The berten[61] neders[62] att hymm darte the stynge; + Styll, stylle, hee passes onn, hys stede astrodde, + Nee hedes the daungerous waie gyff leadynge untoe bloodde. 60 + + The lyoncel, fromme sweltrie[63] countries braughte, + Coucheynge binethe the sheltre of the brierr, + Att commyng dynn[64] doth rayse hymselfe distraughte[65], + He loketh wythe an eie of flames of fyre. + Goe, sticke the lyonn to hys hyltren denne. 65 + Lette thie floes[66] drenche the blood of anie thynge botte menn. + + Wythe passent[67] steppe the lyonn mov'th alonge; + Wyllyamm hys ironne-woven bowe hee bendes, + Wythe myghte alyche the roghlynge[68] thonderr stronge; + The lyonn ynn a roare hys spryte foorthe sendes. 70 + Goe, slea the lyonn ynn hys blodde-steyn'd denne, + Botte bee thie takelle[69] drie fromm blodde of odherr menne. + + Swefte fromm the thyckett starks the stagge awaie; + The couraciers[70] as swefte doe afterr flie. + Hee lepethe hie, hee stondes, hee kepes att baie, 75 + Botte metes the arrowe, and eftsoones[71] doth die. + Forslagenn atte thie fote lette wylde beastes bee, + Lett thie floes drenche yer blodde, yett do ne bredrenn slee. + + Wythe murtherr tyredd, hee sleynges hys bowe alyne[72]. + The stagge ys ouch'd[73] wythe crownes of lillie flowerrs. 80 + Arounde theire heaulmes theie greene verte doe entwyne; + Joying and rev'lous ynn the grene wode bowerrs. + Forslagenn wyth thie floe lette wylde beastes bee, + Feeste thee upponne theire fleshe, doe ne thie bredrenn flee. + + KYNGE. + + Nowe to the Tourneie[74]; who wylle fyrste affraie[75]? 85 + + HERAULDE. + + Nevylle, a baronne, bee yatte[76] honnoure thyne. + + BOURTONNE. + + I clayme the passage. + + NEVYLLE. + + I contake[77] thie waie. + + BOURTONNE. + + Thenn there's mie gauntlette[78] onn mie gaberdyne[79]. + + HEREHAULDE. + + A leegefull[80] challenge, knyghtes & champyonns dygne[81], + A leegefull challenge, lette the flugghorne sounde. 90 + [Syrr Symonne _and_ Nevylle _tylte_. + Nevylle ys goeynge, manne and horse, toe grounde. + [Nevylle _falls_. + Loverdes, how doughtilie[82] the tylterrs joyne! + Yee champyonnes, heere Symonne de Bourtonne fyghtes, + Onne hee hathe quacedd[83], assayle[84] hymm, yee knyghtes. + + FERRARIS. + + I wylle anente[85] hymm goe; mie squierr, mie shielde; 95 + Orr onne orr odherr wyll doe myckle[86] scethe[87] + Before I doe departe the lissedd[88] fielde, + Mieselfe orr Bourtonne hereupponn wyll blethe[89]. + Mie shielde. + + BOURTONNE. + + Comme onne, & fitte thie tylte-launce ethe[90]. + Whanne Bourtonn fyghtes, hee metes a doughtie foe. 100 + [_Theie tylte_. Ferraris _falleth_. + Hee falleth; nowe bie heavenne thie woundes doe smethe[91]; + I feere mee, I have wroughte thee myckle woe[92]. + + HERAWDE. + + Bourtonne hys seconde beereth to the feelde. + Comme onn, yee knyghtes, and wynn the honnour'd sheeld. + + BERGHAMME. + + I take the challenge; squyre, mie launce and stede. 105 + I, Bourtonne, take the gauntlette; forr mee staie. + Botte, gyff thou fyghteste mee, thou shalt have mede[93]; + Somme odherr I wylle champyonn toe affraie[94]; + Perchaunce fromme hemm I maie possess the daie, + Thenn I schalle bee a foemanne forr thie spere. 110 + Herehawde, toe the bankes of Knyghtys saie, + De Berghamme wayteth forr a foemann heere. + + CLINTON. + + Botte longe thou schalte ne tend[95]; I doe thee fie[96]. + Lyche forreying[97] levynn[98], schalle mie tylte-launce flie. + [Berghamme & Clinton _tylte_. Clinton _fallethe_. + BERGHAMME. + + Nowe, nowe, Syrr Knyghte, attoure[99] thie beeveredd[100] eyne. + I have borne downe, and este[101] doe gauntlette thee. + Swythenne[102] begynne, and wrynn[103] thie shappe[104] orr myne; + Gyff thou dyscomfytte, ytt wylle dobblie bee. + [Bourtonne & Burghamm _tylteth_. Berghamme _falls_. + + HERAWDE. + + Symonne de Bourtonne haveth borne downe three, + And bie the thyrd hathe honnoure of a fourthe. 120 + Lett hymm bee sett asyde, tylle hee doth see + A tyltynge forr a knyghte of gentle wourthe. + Heere commethe straunge knyghtes; gyff corteous[105] heie[106], + Ytt welle beseies[107] to yeve[108] hemm ryghte of fraie[109]. + + FIRST KNYGHTE. + + Straungerrs wee bee, and homblie doe wee clayme 125 + The rennome[110] ynn thys Tourneie[111] forr to tylte; + Dherbie to proove fromm cravents[112] owre goode name, + Bewrynnynge[113] thatt wee gentile blodde have spylte. + + HEREHAWDE. + + Yee knyghtes of cortesie, these straungerrs, saie, + Bee you fulle wyllynge forr to yeve hemm fraie? 130 + [_Fyve Knyghtes tylteth wythe the straunge Knyghte, and bee + everichone[114] overthrowne._ + + BOURTONNE. + + Nowe bie Seyncte Marie, gyff onn all the fielde + Ycrasedd[115] speres and helmetts bee besprente[116], + Gyff everyche knyghte dydd houlde a piercedd[117] sheeld, + Gyff all the feelde wythe champyonne blodde bee stente[118], + Yett toe encounterr hymm I bee contente. 135 + Annodherr launce, Marshalle, anodherr launce. + Albeytte hee wythe lowes[119] of fyre ybrente[120], + Yett Bourtonne woulde agenste hys val[121] advance. + Fyve haveth fallenn downe anethe[122] hys speere, + Botte hee schalle bee the next thatt falleth heere. 140 + + Bie thee, Seyncte Marie, and thy Sonne I sweare, + Thatt ynn whatte place yonn doughtie knyghte shall fall + Anethe[123] the stronge push of mie straught[124] out speere, + There schalle aryse a hallie[125] chyrches walle, + The whyche, ynn honnoure, I wylle Marye calle, 145 + Wythe pillars large, and spyre full hyghe and rounde. + And thys I faifullie[126] wylle stonde to all, + Gyff yonderr straungerr falleth to the grounde. + Straungerr, bee boune[127]; I champyonn[128] you to warre. + Sounde, sounde the flughornes, to bee hearde fromm farre. 150 + [Bourtonne & _the_ Straungerr _tylt_. Straunger _falleth_. + + KYNGE. + + The Mornynge Tyltes now cease. + + HERAWDE. + + Bourtonne ys kynge. + Dysplaie the Englyshe bannorre onn the tente; + Rounde hymm, yee mynstrelles, songs of achments[129] synge; + Yee Herawdes, getherr upp the speeres besprente[130]; + To Kynge of Tourney-tylte bee all knees bente. 155 + Dames faire and gentle, forr youre loves hee foughte; + Forr you the longe tylte-launce, the swerde hee shente[131]; + Hee joustedd, alleine[132] havynge you ynn thoughte. + Comme, mynstrelles, sound the strynge, goe onn eche syde, + Whylest hee untoe the Kynge ynn state doe ryde. 160 + + MYNSTRELLES. + + Whann Battayle, smethynge[133] wythe new quickenn'd gore, + Bendynge wythe spoiles, and bloddie droppynge hedde, + Dydd the merke[134] woode of ethe[135] and rest explore, + Seekeynge to lie onn Pleasures downie bedde, + Pleasure, dauncyng fromm her wode, 165 + Wreathedd wythe floures of aiglintine, + Fromm hys vysage washedd the bloude, + Hylte[136] hys swerde and gaberdyne. + + Wythe syke an eyne shee swotelie[137] hymm dydd view, + Dydd foe ycorvenn[138] everrie shape to joie, 170 + Hys spryte dydd chaunge untoe anodherr hue, + Hys armes, ne spoyles, mote anie thoughts emploie. + All delyghtsomme and contente, + Fyre enshotynge[139] fromm hys eyne, + Ynn hys arms hee dydd herr hente[140], 175 + Lyche the merk[141]-plante doe entwyne. + Soe, gyff thou lovest Pleasure and herr trayne, + Onknowlachynge[142] ynn whatt place herr to fynde, + Thys rule yspende[143], and ynn thie mynde retayne; + Seeke Honnoure fyrste, and Pleasaunce lies behynde. 180 + +[Footnote 1: sport, or play.] + +[Footnote 2: bounded, or measured.] + +[Footnote 3: curiously devised.] + +[Footnote 4: fancys or devices.] + +[Footnote 5: painted, or displayed.] + +[Footnote 6: fiery.] + +[Footnote 7: ornamented, enameled.] + +[Footnote 8: a young lion.] + +[Footnote 9: drawings, paintings.] + +[Footnote 10: that.] + +[Footnote 11: soul.] + +[Footnote 11: dispenser.] + +[Footnote 12: quickly.] + +[Footnote 13: give.] + +[Footnote 14: armer.] + +[Footnote 15: burnish.] + +[Footnote 16: many.] + +[Footnote 17: young, weak, tender.] + +[Footnote 18: grows.] + +[Footnote 19: body.] + +[Footnote 20: nothing.] + +[Footnote 21: alone.] + +[Footnote 22: so.] + +[Footnote 23: herald.] + +[Footnote 24: a contraction of _them_.] + +[Footnote 25: _Guie de Sancto Egidio_, the most famous tilter of his +age.] + +[Footnote 26: William Rufus.] + +[Footnote 27: run.] + +[Footnote 28: against.] + +[Footnote 29: feeble.] + +[Footnote 30: honour, glory.] + +[Footnote 31: useless.] + +[Footnote 32: a kind of claryon.] + +[Footnote 33: sound.] + +[Footnote 34: quickly.] + +[Footnote 35: ready.] + +[Footnote 36: soon.] + +[Footnote 37: command.] + +[Footnote 38: most.] + +[Footnote 39: fate, or doom.] + +[Footnote 40: against.] + +[Footnote 41: pitched, or bent down.] + +[Footnote 42: drink.] + +[Footnote 43: servants, attendants.] + +[Footnote 44: song, or ballad.] + +[Footnote 45: activity.] + +[Footnote 46: joined (_1842; left blank in 1777 and 1778_)] + +[Footnote 46: bent.] + +[Footnote 47: burnished.] + +[Footnote 48: commanding.] + +[Footnote 49: servants.] + +[Footnote 50: hidden.] + +[Footnote 51: arrows.] + +[Footnote 52: worked with iron.] + +[Footnote 53: bends.] + +[Footnote 54: sounds.] + +[Footnote 55: loudly.] + +[Footnote 56: dark, or gloome.] + +[Footnote 57 & 58: frighted owl.] + +[Footnote 59: marked with evening dew.] + +[Footnote 60: standing on their hind legs.] + +[Footnote 61: venemous.] + +[Footnote 62: adders.] + +[Footnote 63: hot, sultry.] + +[Footnote 64: sound, noise.] + +[Footnote 65: distracted.] + +[Footnote 66: arrows.] + +[Footnote 67: walking leisurely.] + +[Footnote 68: rolling.] + +[Footnote 69: arrow.] + +[Footnote 70: horse coursers.] + +[Footnote 71: full soon.] + +[Footnote 72: across his shoulders.] + +[Footnote 73: garlands of flowers being put round the neck of the +game, it was said to be _ouch'd_, from _ouch_, a chain, worn by earls +round their necks.] + +[Footnote 74: Turnament.] + +[Footnote 75: fight, or encounter.] + +[Footnote 76: that.] + +[Footnote 77: dispute.] + +[Footnote 78: glove.] + +[Footnote 79: a piece of armour.] + +[Footnote 80: lawful.] + +[Footnote 81: worthy.] + +[Footnote 82: furiously.] + +[Footnote 83: vanquished.] + +[Footnote 84: oppose.] + +[Footnote 85: against.] + +[Footnote 86: much.] + +[Footnote 87: damage, mischief.] + +[Footnote 88: bounded.] + +[Footnote 89: bleed.] + +[Footnote 90: easy.] + +[Footnote 91: smoke.] + +[Footnote 92: hurt, or damage.] + +[Footnote 93: reward.] + +[Footnote 94: fight or engage.] + +[Footnote 95: attend or wait.] + +[Footnote 96: defy.] + +[Footnote 97 & 98: destroying lightening.] + +[Footnote 99: turn.] + +[Footnote 100: beaver'd.] + +[Footnote 101: again.] + +[Footnote 102: quickly.] + +[Footnote 103: declare.] + +[Footnote 104: fate.] + +[Footnote 105: worthy.] + +[Footnote 106: they.] + +[Footnote 107: becomes.] + +[Footnote 108: give.] + +[Footnote 109: fyght.] + +[Footnote 110: honour.] + +[Footnote 111: Tournament.] + +[Footnote 112: cowards.] + +[Footnote 113: declaring.] + +[Footnote 114: every one.] + +[Footnote 115: broken, split.] + +[Footnote 116: scatter'd.] + +[Footnote 117: broken, or pierced through with darts.] + +[Footnote 118: stained.] + +[Footnote 119: flames.] + +[Footnote 120: burnt.] + +[Footnote 121: healm.] + +[Footnote 122: beneath.] + +[Footnote 123: against.] + +[Footnote 124: stretched out.] + +[Footnote 125: holy.] + +[Footnote 126: faithfully.] + +[Footnote 127: ready.] + +[Footnote 128: challenge.] + +[Footnote 129: atchievements, glorious actions.] + +[Footnote 130: broken spears.] + +[Footnote 131: broke, destroyed.] + +[Footnote 132: only, alone.] + +[Footnote 133: smoaking, steaming.] + +[Footnote 134: dark, gloomy.] + +[Footnote 135: ease.] + +[Footnote 136: hid, secreted.] + +[Footnote 137: sweetly.] + +[Footnote 138: moulded.] + +[Footnote 139: shooting, darting.] + +[Footnote 140: grasp, hold.] + +[Footnote 141: night-shade.] + +[Footnote 142: ignorant, unknowing.] + +[Footnote 143: consider.] + + + + +BRISTOWE TRAGEDIE: + +OR THE DETHE OF + +SYR CHARLES BAWDIN. + + + The featherd songster chaunticleer + Han wounde hys bugle horne, + And tolde the earlie villager + The commynge of the morne: + + Kynge EDWARDE sawe the ruddie streakes 5 + Of lyghte eclypse the greie; + And herde the raven's crokynge throte + Proclayme the fated daie. + + "Thou'rt ryght," quod hee, "for, by the Godde + That syttes enthron'd on hyghe! 10 + CHARLES BAWDIN, and hys fellowes twaine, + To-daie shall surelie die." + + Thenne wythe a jugge of nappy ale + Hys Knyghtes dydd onne hymm waite; + "Goe tell the traytour, thatt to-daie 15 + Hee leaves thys mortall state." + + Syr CANTERLOUE thenne bendedd lowe, + Wythe harte brymm-fulle of woe; + Hee journey'd to the castle-gate, + And to Syr CHARLES dydd goe. 20 + + Butt whenne hee came, hys children twaine, + And eke hys lovynge wyfe, + Wythe brinie tears dydd wett the floore, + For goode Syr CHARLESES lyfe. + + "O goode Syr CHARLES!" sayd CANTERLOUE, 25 + "Badde tydyngs I doe brynge." + "Speke boldlie, manne," sayd brave Syr CHARLES, + "Whatte says thie traytor kynge?" + + "I greeve to telle, before yonne sonne + Does fromme the welkinn flye, 30 + Hee hath uponne hys honour sworne, + Thatt thou shalt surelie die." + + "Wee all must die," quod brave Syr CHARLES; + "Of thatte I'm not affearde; + Whatte bootes to lyve a little space? 35 + Thanke JESU, I'm prepar'd." + + "Butt telle thye kynge, for myne hee's not, + I'de sooner die to-daie + Thanne lyve hys slave, as manie are, + Tho' I shoulde lyve for aie." 40 + + Thenne CANTERLOUE hee dydd goe out, + To telle the maior straite + To gett all thynges ynne reddyness + For goode Syr CHARLESES fate. + + Thenne Maisterr CANYNGE saughte the kynge, 45 + And felle down onne hys knee; + "I'm come," quod hee, "unto your grace + To move your clemencye." + + Thenne quod the kynge, "Youre tale speke out, + You have been much oure friende; 50 + Whatever youre request may bee, + Wee wylle to ytte attende." + + "My nobile leige! alle my request + Ys for a nobile knyghte, + Who, tho' may hap hee has donne wronge, 55 + He thoghte ytte stylle was ryghte." + + "Hee has a spouse and children twaine, + Alle rewyn'd are for aie; + Yff thatt you are resolv'd to lett + CHARLES BAWDIN die to-daie." 60 + + "Speke nott of such a traytour vile," + The kynge ynne furie sayde; + "Before the evening starre doth sheene, + BAWDIN shall loose hys hedde." + + "Justice does loudlie for hym calle, 65 + And hee shalle have hys meede: + Speke, Maister CANYNGE! Whatte thynge else + Att present doe you neede?" + + "My nobile leige!" goode CANYNGE sayde, + "Leave justice to our Godde, 70 + And laye the yronne rule asyde; + Be thyne the olyve rodde." + + "Was Godde to serche our hertes and reines, + The best were synners grete; + CHRIST'S vycarr only knowes ne synne, 75 + Ynne alle thys mortall state." + + "Lett mercie rule thyne infante reigne, + 'Twylle faste thye crowne fulle sure; + From race to race thy familie + Alle sov'reigns shall endure." 80 + + "But yff wythe bloode and slaughter thou + Beginne thy infante reigne, + Thy crowne uponne thy childrennes brows + Wylle never long remayne." + + "CANYNGE, awaie! thys traytour vile 85 + Has scorn'd my power and mee; + Howe canst thou thenne for such a manne + Intreate my clemencye?" + + "My nobile leige! the trulie brave + Wylle val'rous actions prize, 90 + Respect a brave and nobile mynde, + Altho' ynne enemies." + + "CANYNGE, awaie! By Godde ynne Heav'n + Thatt dydd mee beinge gyve, + I wylle nott taste a bitt of breade 95 + Whilst thys Syr CHARLES dothe lyve." + + "By MARIE, and alle Seinctes ynne Heav'n, + Thys sunne shall be hys laste." + Thenne CANYNGE dropt a brinie teare, + And from the presence paste. 100 + + Wyth herte brymm-fulle of gnawynge grief, + Hee to Syr CHARLES dydd goe, + And satt hymm downe uponne a stoole, + And teares beganne to flowe. + + "Wee all must die," quod brave Syr CHARLES; 105 + "Whatte bootes ytte howe or whenne; + Dethe ys the sure, the certaine fate + Of all wee mortall menne. + + "Saye why, my friend, thie honest soul + Runns overr att thyne eye; 110 + Is ytte for my most welcome doome + Thatt thou dost child-lyke crye?" + + Quod godlie CANYNGE, "I doe weepe, + Thatt thou so soone must dye, + And leave thy sonnes and helpless wyfe; 115 + 'Tys thys thatt wettes myne eye." + + "Thenne drie the tears thatt out thyne eye + From godlie fountaines sprynge; + Dethe I despise, and alle the power + Of EDWARDE, traytor kynge. 120 + + "Whan throgh the tyrant's welcom means + I shall resigne my lyfe, + The Godde I serve wylle soone provyde + For bothe mye sonnes and wyfe. + + "Before I sawe the lyghtsome sunne, 125 + Thys was appointed mee; + Shall mortal manne repyne or grudge + Whatt Godde ordeynes to bee? + + "Howe oft ynne battaile have I stoode, + Whan thousands dy'd arounde; 130 + Whan smokynge streemes of crimson bloode + Imbrew'd the fatten'd grounde: + + "How dydd I knowe thatt ev'ry darte, + Thatt cutte the airie waie, + Myghte nott fynde passage toe my harte, 135 + And close myne eyes for aie? + + "And shall I nowe, forr feere of dethe, + Looke wanne and bee dysmayde? + Ne! fromm my herte flie childyshe feere, + Bee alle the manne display'd. 140 + + "Ah, goddelyke HENRIE! Godde forefende, + And guarde thee and thye sonne, + Yff 'tis hys wylle; but yff 'tis nott, + Why thenne hys wylle bee donne. + + "My honest friende, my faulte has beene 145 + To serve Godde and mye prynce; + And thatt I no tyme-server am, + My dethe wylle soone convynce. + + "Ynne Londonne citye was I borne, + Of parents of grete note; 150 + My fadre dydd a nobile armes + Emblazon onne hys cote: + + "I make ne doubte butt hee ys gone + Where soone I hope to goe; + Where wee for ever shall bee blest, 155 + From oute the reech of woe: + + "Hee taughte mee justice and the laws + Wyth pitie to unite; + And eke hee taughte mee howe to knowe + The wronge cause fromm the ryghte: 160 + + "Hee taughte mee wythe a prudent hande + To feede the hungrie poore, + Ne lett mye sarvants dryve awaie + The hungrie fromme my doore: + + "And none can saye, butt alle mye lyfe 165 + I have hys wordyes kept; + And summ'd the actyonns of the daie + Eche nyghte before I slept. + + "I have a spouse, goe aske of her, + Yff I defyl'd her bedde? 170 + I have a kynge, and none can laie + Blacke treason onne my hedde. + + "Ynne Lent, and onne the holie eve, + Fromm fleshe I dydd refrayne; + Whie should I thenne appeare dismay'd 175 + To leave thys worlde of payne? + + "Ne! hapless HENRIE! I rejoyce, + I shalle ne see thye dethe; + Moste willynglie ynne thye just cause + Doe I resign my brethe. 180 + + "Oh, fickle people! rewyn'd londe! + Thou wylt kenne peace ne moe; + Whyle RICHARD'S sonnes exalt themselves, + Thye brookes wythe bloude wylle flowe. + + "Saie, were ye tyr'd of godlie peace, 185 + And godlie HENRIE'S reigne, + Thatt you dydd choppe youre easie daies + For those of bloude and peyne? + + "Whatte tho' I onne a sledde bee drawne, + And mangled by a hynde, 190 + I doe defye the traytor's pow'r, + Hee can ne harm my mynde; + + "Whatte tho', uphoisted onne a pole, + Mye lymbes shall rotte ynne ayre, + And ne ryche monument of brasse 195 + CHARLES BAWDIN'S name shall bear; + + "Yett ynne the holie booke above, + Whyche tyme can't eate awaie, + There wythe the sarvants of the Lorde + Mye name shall lyve for aie. 200 + + "Thenne welcome dethe! for lyfe eterne + I leave thys mortall lyfe: + Farewell, vayne worlde, and alle that's deare, + Mye sonnes and lovynge wyfe! + + "Nowe dethe as welcome to mee comes, 205 + As e'er the moneth of Maie; + Nor woulde I even wyshe to lyve, + Wyth my dere wyfe to staie." + + Quod CANYNGE, "'Tys a goodlie thynge + To bee prepar'd to die; 210 + And from thys world of peyne and grefe + To Godde ynne Heav'n to flie." + + And nowe the bell beganne to tolle, + And claryonnes to sounde; + Syr CHARLES hee herde the horses feete 215 + A prauncyng onne the grounde: + + And just before the officers, + His lovynge wyfe came ynne, + Weepynge unfeigned teeres of woe, + Wythe loude and dysmalle dynne. 220 + + "Sweet FLORENCE! nowe I praie forbere, + Ynne quiet lett mee die; + Praie Godde, thatt ev'ry Christian soule + Maye looke onne dethe as I. + + "Sweet FLORENCE! why these brinie teeres? 225 + Theye washe my soule awaie, + And almost make mee wyshe for lyfe, + Wyth thee, sweete dame, to staie. + + "'Tys butt a journie I shalle goe + Untoe the lande of blysse; 230 + Nowe, as a proofe of husbande's love, + Receive thys holie kysse." + + Thenne FLORENCE, fault'ring ynne her saie, + Tremblynge these wordyes spoke, + "Ah, cruele EDWARDE! bloudie kynge! 235 + My herte ys welle nyghe broke: + + "Ah, sweete Syr CHARLES! why wylt thou goe, + Wythoute thye lovynge wyfe? + The cruelle axe thatt cuttes thye necke, + Ytte eke shall ende mye lyfe." 240 + + And nowe the officers came ynne + To brynge Syr CHARLES awaie, + Whoe turnedd toe his lovynge wyfe, + And thus toe her dydd saie: + + "I goe to lyfe, and nott to dethe; 245 + Truste thou ynne Godde above, + And teache thye sonnes to feare the Lorde, + And ynne theyre hertes hym love: + + "Teache them to runne the nobile race + Thatt I theyre fader runne: 250 + FLORENCE! shou'd dethe thee take--adieu! + Yee officers, leade onne." + + Thenne FLORENCE rav'd as anie madde, + And dydd her tresses tere; + "Oh! staie, mye husbande! lorde! and lyfe!"-- 255 + Syr CHARLES thenne dropt a teare. + + 'Tyll tyredd oute wythe ravynge loud, + Shee fellen onne the flore; + Syr CHARLES exerted alle hys myghte, + And march'd fromm oute the dore. 260 + + Uponne a sledde hee mounted thenne, + Wythe lookes fulle brave and swete; + Lookes, thatt enshone ne moe concern + Thanne anie ynne the strete. + + Before hym went the council-menne, 265 + Ynne scarlett robes and golde, + And tassils spanglynge ynne the sunne, + Muche glorious to beholde: + + The Freers of Seincte AUGUSTYNE next + Appeared to the syghte, 270 + Alle cladd ynne homelie russett weedes, + Of godlie monkysh plyghte: + + Ynne diffraunt partes a godlie psaume + Moste sweetlie theye dydd chaunt; + Behynde theyre backes syx mynstrelles came, 275 + Who tun'd the strunge bataunt. + + Thenne fyve-and-twentye archers came; + Echone the bowe dydd bende, + From rescue of kynge HENRIES friends + Syr CHARLES forr to defend. 280 + + Bolde as a lyon came Syr CHARLES, + Drawne onne a clothe-layde sledde, + Bye two blacke stedes ynne trappynges white, + Wyth plumes uponne theyre hedde: + + Behynde hym fyve-and-twentye moe 285 + Of archers stronge and stoute, + Wyth bended bowe echone ynne hande, + Marched ynne goodlie route: + + Seincte JAMESES Freers marched next, + Echone hys parte dydd chaunt; 290 + Behynde theyre backs syx mynstrelles came, + Who tun'd the strunge bataunt: + + Thenne came the maior and eldermenne, + Ynne clothe of scarlett deck't; + And theyre attendyng menne echone, 295 + Lyke Easterne princes trickt: + + And after them, a multitude + Of citizenns dydd thronge; + The wyndowes were alle fulle of heddes, + As hee dydd passe alonge. 300 + + And whenne hee came to the hyghe crosse, + Syr CHARLES dydd turne and saie, + "O Thou, thatt savest manne fromme synne, + Washe mye soule clean thys daie!" + + Att the grete mynsterr wyndowe sat 305 + The kynge ynne myckle state, + To see CHARLES BAWDIN goe alonge + To hys most welcom fate. + + Soone as the sledde drewe nyghe enowe, + Thatt EDWARDE hee myghte heare, 310 + The brave Syr CHARLES hee dydd stande uppe, + And thus hys wordes declare: + + "Thou seest mee, EDWARDE! traytour vile! + Expos'd to infamie; + Butt bee assur'd, disloyall manne! 315 + I'm greaterr nowe thanne thee. + + "Bye foule proceedyngs, murdre, bloude, + Thou wearest nowe a crowne; + And hast appoynted mee to dye, + By power nott thyne owne. 320 + + "Thou thynkest I shall dye to-daie; + I have beene dede 'till nowe, + And soone shall lyve to weare a crowne + For aie uponne my browe: + + "Whylst thou, perhapps, for som few yeares, 325 + Shalt rule thys fickle lande, + To lett them knowe howe wyde the rule + 'Twixt kynge and tyrant hande: + + "Thye pow'r unjust, thou traytour slave! + Shall falle onne thye owne hedde"-- 330 + Fromm out of hearyng of the kynge + Departed thenne the sledde. + + Kynge EDWARDE'S soule rush'd to hys face, + Hee turn'd hys hedde awaie, + And to hys broder GLOUCESTER 335 + Hee thus dydd speke and saie: + + "To hym that soe-much-dreaded dethe + Ne ghastlie terrors brynge, + Beholde the manne! hee spake the truthe, + Hee's greater thanne a kynge!" 340 + + "Soe lett hym die!" Duke RICHARD sayde; + "And maye echone oure foes + Bende downe theyre neckes to bloudie axe, + And feede the carryon crowes." + + And nowe the horses gentlie drewe 345 + Syr CHARLES uppe the hyghe hylle; + The axe dydd glysterr ynne the sunne, + Hys pretious bloude to spylle. + + Syrr CHARLES dydd uppe the scaffold goe, + As uppe a gilded carre 350 + Of victorye, bye val'rous chiefs + Gayn'd ynne the bloudie warre: + + And to the people hee dydd saie, + "Beholde you see mee dye, + For servynge loyally mye kynge, 355 + Mye kynge most rightfullie. + + "As longe as EDWARDE rules thys lande, + Ne quiet you wylle knowe; + Youre sonnes and husbandes shalle bee slayne. + And brookes wythe bloude shalle flowe. 360 + + "You leave youre goode and lawfulle kynge. + Whenne ynne adversitye; + Lyke mee, untoe the true cause stycke, + And for the true cause dye." + + Thenne hee, wyth preestes, uponne hys knees, 365 + A pray'r to Godde dydd make, + Beseechynge hym unto hymselfe + Hys partynge soule to take. + + Thenne, kneelynge downe, hee layd hys hedde + Most seemlie onne the blocke; 370 + Whyche fromme hys bodie fayre at once + The able heddes-manne stroke: + + And oute the bloude beganne to flowe, + And rounde the scaffolde twyne; + And teares, enow to washe't awaie, 375 + Dydd flowe fromme each mann's eyne. + + The bloudie axe hys bodie fayre + Ynnto foure parties cutte; + And ev'rye parte, and eke hys hedde, + Uponne a pole was putte. 380 + + One parte dydd rotte onne Kynwulph-hylle, + One onne the mynster-tower, + And one from off the castle-gate + The crowen dydd devoure: + + The other onne Seyncte Powle's goode gate, 385 + A dreery spectacle; + Hys hedde was plac'd onne the hyghe crosse, + Ynne hyghe-streete most nobile. + + Thus was the ende of BAWDIN'S fate: + Godde prosper longe oure kynge, 390 + And grante hee maye, wyth BAWDIN'S soule, + Ynne heav'n Godd's mercie synge! + + + + + AELLA: + + A + + TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE, + + OR + + DISCOORSEYNGE TRAGEDIE, + + WROTENN BIE + + THOMAS ROWLEIE; + + PLAIEDD BEFORE + + MASTRE CANYNGE, ATTE HYS HOWSE NEMPTE THE RODDE LODGE; + + + [ALSOE BEFORE THE DUKE OF NORFOLCK, JOHAN HOWARD.] + + + + +PERSONNES REPRESENTEDD. + + + AELLA, bie _Thomas Rowleie_, Preeste, the Aucthoure. + + CELMONDE, _Johan Iscamm_, Preeste. + + HURRA, Syrr _Thybbotte Gorges_, Knyghte. + + BIRTHA, Mastre _Edwarde Canynge_. + + Odherr Partes bie _Knyghtes Mynstrelles_. + + + + +EPISTLE TO MASTRE CANYNGE ON AELLA. + + + 'Tys songe bie mynstrelles, thatte yn auntyent tym, + Whan Reasonn hylt[1] herselfe in cloudes of nyghte, + The preeste delyvered alle the lege[2] yn rhym; + Lyche peyncted[3] tyltynge speares to please the syghte, + The whyche yn yttes felle use doe make moke[4] dere[5], 5 + Syke dyd theire auncyante lee deftlie[6] delyghte the eare. + + Perchaunce yn Vyrtues gare[7] rhym mote bee thenne, + Butt eefte[8] nowe flyeth to the odher syde; + In hallie[9] preeste apperes the ribaudes[10] penne, + Inne lithie[11] moncke apperes the barronnes pryde: 10 + But rhym wythe somme, as nedere[12] widhout teethe, + Make pleasaunce to the sense, botte maie do lyttel scathe[13]. + + Syr Johne, a knyghte, who hath a barne of lore[14], + Kenns[15] Latyn att fyrst syghte from Frenche or Greke, + Pyghtethe[16] hys knowlachynge[17] ten yeres or more, 15 + To rynge upon the Latynne worde to speke. + Whoever spekethe Englysch ys despysed, + The Englysch hym to please moste fyrste be latynized. + + Vevyan, a moncke, a good requiem[18] synges; + Can preache so wele, eche hynde[19] hys meneynge knowes 20 + Albeytte these gode guyfts awaie he flynges, + Beeynge as badde yn vearse as goode yn prose. + Hee synges of seynctes who dyed for yer Godde, + Everych wynter nyghte afresche he sheddes theyr blodde. + + To maydens, huswyfes, and unlored[20] dames, 25 + Hee redes hys tales of merryment & woe. + Loughe[21] loudlie dynneth[22] from the dolte[23] adrames[24]; + He swelles on laudes of fooles, tho' kennes[25] hem soe. + Sommetyme at tragedie theie laughe and synge, + At merrie yaped[26] fage[27] somme hard-drayned water brynge. 30 + + Yette Vevyan ys ne foole, beyinde[28] hys lynes. + Geofroie makes vearse, as handycraftes theyr ware; + Wordes wythoute sense fulle grossyngelye[29] he twynes, + Cotteynge hys storie off as wythe a sheere; + Waytes monthes on nothynge, & hys storie donne, 35 + Ne moe you from ytte kenn, than gyf[30] you neere begonne. + + Enowe of odhers; of mieselfe to write, + Requyrynge whatt I doe notte nowe possess, + To you I leave the taske; I kenne your myghte + Wyll make mie faultes, mie meynte[31] of faultes, be less. 40 + AELLA wythe thys I sende, and hope that you + Wylle from ytte caste awaie, whatte lynes maie be untrue. + + Playes made from hallie[32] tales I holde unmeete; + Lette somme greate storie of a manne be songe; + Whanne, as a manne, we Godde and Jesus treate, 45 + In mie pore mynde, we doe the Godhedde wronge. + Botte lette ne wordes, whyche droorie[33] mote ne heare, + Bee placed yn the same. Adieu untylle anere[34]. + +THOMAS ROWLEIE. + +[Footnote 1: hid, concealed.] + +[Footnote 2: law.] + +[Footnote 3: painted.] + +[Footnote 4: much.] + +[Footnote 5: hurt, damage.] + +[Footnote 6: sweetly.] + +[Footnote 7: cause.] + +[Footnote 8: oft.] + +[Footnote 9: holy.] + +[Footnote 10: rake, lewd person.] + +[Footnote 11: humble.] + +[Footnote 12: adder.] + +[Footnote 13: hurt, damage.] + +[Footnote 14: learning.] + +[Footnote 15: knows.] + +[Footnote 16: plucks or tortures.] + +[Footnote 17: knowledge.] + +[Footnote 18: a service used over the dead.] + +[Footnote 19: peasant.] + +[Footnote 20: unlearned.] + +[Footnote 21: laugh.] + +[Footnote 22: sounds.] + +[Footnote 23: foolish.] + +[Footnote 24: churls.] + +[Footnote 25: knows.] + +[Footnote 26: laughable.] + +[Footnote 27: tale, jest.] + +[Footnote 28: beyond.] + +[Footnote 29: foolishly.] + +[Footnote 30: if.] + +[Footnote 31: many.] + +[Footnote 32: holy.] + +[Footnote 33: strange perversion of words. _Droorie_ in its antient +signification stood for _modesty_.] + +[Footnote 34: another.] + + + + +LETTER TO THE DYGNE MASTRE CANYNGE. + + + Straunge dome ytte ys, that, yn these daies of oures, + Nete[35] butte a bare recytalle can hav place; + Nowe shapelie poesie hast loste yttes powers, + And pynant hystorie ys onlie grace; + Heie[36] pycke up wolsome weedes, ynstedde of flowers, 5 + And famylies, ynstedde of wytte, theie trace; + Nowe poesie canne meete wythe ne regrate[37], + Whylste prose, & herehaughtrie[38], ryse yn estate. + + Lette kynges, & rulers, whan heie gayne a throne, + Shewe whatt theyre grandsieres, & great grandsieres bore, 10 + Emarschalled armes, yatte, ne before theyre owne, + Now raung'd wythe whatt yeir fadres han before; + Lette trades, & toune folck, lett syke[39] thynges alone, + Ne fyghte for sable yn a fielde of aure; + Seldomm, or never, are armes vyrtues mede, 15 + Shee nillynge[40] to take myckle[41] aie dothe hede. + + A man ascaunse upponn a piece maye looke, + And shake hys hedde to styrre hys rede[42] aboute; + Quod he, gyf I askaunted oere thys booke, + Schulde fynde thereyn that trouthe ys left wythoute; 20 + Eke, gyf[43] ynto a vew percase[44] I tooke + The long beade-rolle of al the wrytynge route, + Asserius, Ingolphus, Torgotte, Bedde, + Thorow hem[45] al nete lyche ytte I coulde rede.-- + + Pardon, yee Graiebarbes[46], gyff I saie, onwise 25 + Yee are, to stycke so close & bysmarelie[47] + To hystorie; you doe ytte tooe moche pryze, + Whyche amenused[48] thoughtes of poesie; + Somme drybblette[49] share you shoulde to yatte[50] alyse[51], + Nott makynge everyche thynge bee hystorie; 30 + Instedde of mountynge onn a wynged horse, + You onn a rouncy[52] dryve yn dolefull course. + + Cannynge & I from common course dyssente; + Wee ryde the stede, botte yev to hym the reene; + Ne wylle betweene crased molterynge bookes be pente, 35 + Botte soare on hyghe, & yn the sonne-bemes sheene; + And where wee kenn somme ishad[53] floures besprente, + We take ytte, & from oulde rouste doe ytte clene; + Wee wylle ne cheynedd to one pasture bee, + Botte sometymes soare 'bove trouthe of hystorie. 40 + + Saie, Canynge, whatt was vearse yn daies of yore? + Fyne thoughtes, and couplettes fetyvelie[54] bewryen[55], + Notte syke as doe annoie thys age so sore, + A keppened poyntelle[56] restynge at eche lyne. + Vearse maie be goode, botte poesie wantes more, 45 + An onlist[57] lecturn[58], and a songe adygne[59]; + Accordynge to the rule I have thys wroughte, + Gyff ytt please Canynge, I care notte a groate. + + The thynge yttself moste bee ytts owne defense; + Som metre maie notte please a womannes ear. 50 + Canynge lookes notte for poesie, botte sense; + And dygne, & wordie thoughtes, ys all hys care. + Canynge, adieu! I do you greete from hence; + Full soone I hope to taste of your good cheere; + Goode Byshoppe Carpynter dyd byd mee saie, 55 + Hee wysche you healthe & selinesse for aie. + +T. ROWLEIE. + +[Footnote 35: nought.] + +[Footnote 36: they.] + +[Footnote 37: esteem.] + +[Footnote 38: heraldry.] + +[Footnote 39: such.] + +[Footnote 40: unwilling.] + +[Footnote 41: much.] + +[Footnote 42: wisdom, council.] + +[Footnote 43: if.] + +[Footnote 44: perchance.] + +[Footnote 45: them.] + +[Footnote 46: Greybeards.] + +[Footnote 47: curiously.] + +[Footnote 48: lessened.] + +[Footnote 49: small.] + +[Footnote 50: that.] + +[Footnote 51: allow.] + +[Footnote 52: cart-horse.] + +[Editor's note: ll. 15-16 _See Introduction_ p. xli] + +[Footnote 53: broken.] + +[Footnote 54: elegantly.] + +[Footnote 55: declared, expressed.] + +[Footnote 56: a pen, used metaphorically, as a muse or genius.] + +[Footnote 57: boundless.] + +[Footnote 58: subject.] + +[Footnote 59: nervous, worthy of praise.] + + + + +ENTRODUCTIONNE. + + + Somme cherisounce[60] it ys to gentle mynde, + Whan heie have chevyced[61] theyre londe from bayne[62], + Whan theie ar dedd, theie leave yer name behynde, + And theyre goode deedes doe on the earthe remayne; + Downe yn the grave wee ynhyme[63] everych steyne, 5 + Whylest al her gentlenesse ys made to sheene, + Lyche fetyve baubels[64] geasonne[65] to be seene. + + AELLA, the wardenne of thys[66] castell[67] stede, + Whylest Saxons dyd the Englysche sceptre swaie, + Who made whole troopes of Dacyan men to blede, 10 + Then seel'd[68] hys eyne, and seeled hys eyne for aie, + Wee rowze hym uppe before the judgment daie, + To saie what he, as clergyond[69], can kenne, + And howe hee sojourned in the vale of men. + +[Footnote 60: comfort.] + +[Footnote 61: preserved.] + +[Footnote 62: ruin.] + +[Footnote 63: inter.] + +[Footnote 64: jewels.] + +[Footnote 65: rare.] + +[Footnote 66: Bristol.] + +[Footnote 67: castle.] + +[Footnote 68: closed.] + +[Footnote 69: taught.] + + + + +AELLA. + + + CELMONDE, att BRYSTOWE. + + Before yonne roddie sonne has droove hys wayne + Throwe halfe hys joornie, dyghte yn gites[1] of goulde, + Mee, happeless mee, hee wylle a wretche behoulde, + Mieselfe, and al that's myne, bounde ynne myschaunces chayne. + + Ah! Birtha, whie dydde Nature frame thee fayre? 5 + Whie art thou all thatt poyntelle[2] canne bewreene[3]? + Whie art thou nott as coarse as odhers are?-- + Botte thenn thie soughle woulde throwe thy vysage sheene, + Yatt shemres onn thie comelie semlykeene[4], + Lyche nottebrowne cloudes, whann bie the sonne made redde, 10 + Orr scarlette, wythe waylde lynnen clothe ywreene[5], + Syke[6] woulde thie spryte upponn thie vysage spredde. + Thys daie brave AElla dothe thyne honde & harte + Clayme as hys owne to be, whyche nee fromm hys moste parte. + + And cann I lyve to see herr wythe anere[7]! 15 + Ytt cannotte, muste notte, naie, ytt shalle not bee. + Thys nyghte I'll putte stronge poysonn ynn the beere, + And hymm, herr, and myselfe, attenes[8] wyll slea. + Assyst mee, Helle! lett Devylles rounde mee tende, + To slea mieselfe, mie love, & eke mie doughtie[9] friende. 20 + + + + + AELLA, BIRTHA. + + + AELLA. + + Notte, whanne the hallie prieste dyd make me knyghte, + Blessynge the weaponne, tellynge future dede, + Howe bie mie honde the prevyd[10] Dane shoulde blede, + Howe I schulde often bee, and often wynne, ynn fyghte; + + Notte, whann I fyrste behelde thie beauteous hue, 25 + Whyche strooke mie mynde, & rouzed mie softer soule; + Nott, whann from the barbed horse yn fyghte dyd viewe + The flying Dacians oere the wyde playne roule, + Whan all the troopes of Denmarque made grete dole, + Dydd I fele joie wyth syke reddoure[11] as nowe, 30 + Whann hallie preest, the lechemanne of the soule, + Dydd knytte us both ynn a caytysnede[12] vowe: + Now hallie AElla's selynesse ys grate; + Shap[13] haveth nowe ymade hys woes for to emmate[14]. + + BIRTHA. + + Mie lorde, & husbande, syke a joie ys myne; 35 + Botte mayden modestie moste ne soe saie, + Albeytte thou mayest rede ytt ynn myne eyne, + Or ynn myne harte, where thou shalte be for aie; + Inne sothe, I have botte meeded oute thie faie[15]; + For twelve tymes twelve the mone hathe bin yblente[16], 40 + As manie tymes hathe vyed the Godde of daie, + And on the grasse her lemes[17] of sylverr sente, + Sythe thou dydst cheese mee for thie swote to bee, + Enactynge ynn the same moste faiefullie to mee. + + Ofte have I seene thee atte the none-daie feaste, 45 + Whanne deysde bie thieselfe, for wante of pheeres[18], + Awhylst thie merryemen dydde laughe and jeaste, + Onn mee thou semest all eyne, to mee all eares. + Thou wardest mee as gyff ynn hondred feeres, + Alest a daygnous[19] looke to thee be sente, 50 + And offrendes[20] made mee, moe thann yie compheeres, + Offe scarpes[21] of scarlette, & fyne paramente[22]; + All thie yntente to please was lyssed[23] to mee, + I saie ytt, I moste streve thatt you ameded bee. + + AELLA. + + Mie lyttel kyndnesses whyche I dydd doe, 55 + Thie gentleness doth corven them soe grete, + Lyche bawsyn[24] olyphauntes[25] mie gnattes doe shewe; + Thou doest mie thoughtes of paying love amate[26]. + Botte hann mie actyonns straughte[27] the rolle of fate, + Pyghte thee fromm Hell, or broughte Heaven down to thee, 60 + Layde the whol worlde a falldstole atte thie feete, + On smyle woulde be suffycyll mede for mee. + I amm Loves borro'r, & canne never paie, + Bott be hys borrower stylle, & thyne, mie swete, for aie. + + BIRTHA. + + Love, doe notte rate your achevmentes[28] soe smalle; 65 + As I to you, syke love untoe mee beare; + For nothynge paste wille Birtha ever call, + Ne on a foode from Heaven thynke to cheere. + As farr as thys frayle brutylle flesch wylle spere, + Syke, & ne fardher I expecte of you; 70 + Be notte toe slacke yn love, ne overdeare; + A smalle fyre, yan a loude flame, proves more true. + + AELLA. + + Thie gentle wordis doe thie volunde[29] kenne + To bee moe clergionde thann ys ynn meyncte of menne. + + + + + AELLA, BIRTHA, CELMONDE, MYNSTRELLES. + + + CELMONDE. + + Alle blessynges showre on gentle AElla's hedde! 75 + Oft maie the moone, yn sylverr sheenynge lyghte, + Inne varied chaunges varyed blessynges shedde, + Besprengeynge far abrode mischaunces nyghte; + And thou, fayre Birtha! thou, fayre Dame, so bryghte, + Long mayest thou wyth AElla fynde muche peace, 80 + Wythe selynesse, as wyth a roabe, be dyghte, + Wyth everych chaungynge mone new joies encrease! + I, as a token of mie love to speake, + Have brought you jubbes of ale, at nyghte youre brayne to breake. + + + AELLA. + + Whan sopperes paste we'lle drenche youre ale soe stronge, 85 + Tyde lyfe, tyde death. + + CELMONDE. + + Ye Mynstrelles, chaunt your songe. + + _Mynstrelles Songe, bie a Manne and Womanne._ + + MANNE. + + Tourne thee to thie Shepsterr[30] swayne; + Bryghte sonne has ne droncke the dewe + From the floures of yellowe hue; + Tourne thee, Alyce, backe agayne. 90 + + WOMANNE. + + No, bestoikerre[31], I wylle goe, + Softlie tryppynge o'ere the mees[32], + Lyche the sylver-footed doe, + Seekeynge shelterr yn grene trees. + + MANNE. + + See the moss-growne daisey'd banke, 95 + Pereynge ynne the streme belowe; + Here we'lle sytte, yn dewie danke; + Tourne thee, Alyce, do notte goe. + + WOMANNE. + + I've hearde erste mie grandame saie, + Yonge damoyselles schulde ne bee, 100 + Inne the swotie moonthe of Maie, + Wythe yonge menne bie the grene wode tree. + + MANNE. + + Sytte thee, Alyce, sytte, and harke, + Howe the ouzle[33] chauntes hys noate, + The chelandree[34], greie morn larke, 105 + Chauntynge from theyre lyttel throate; + + WOMANNE. + + I heare them from eche grene wode tree, + Chauntynge owte so blatauntlie[35], + Tellynge lecturnyes[36] to mee, + Myscheefe ys whanne you are nygh. 110 + + MANNE. + + See alonge the mees so grene + Pied daisies, kynge-coppes swote; + Alle wee see, bie non bee scene, + Nete botte shepe settes here a fote. + + WOMANNE. + + Shepster swayne, you tare mie gratche[37]. 115 + Oute uponne ye! lette me goe. + Leave mee swythe, or I'lle alatche. + Robynne, thys youre dame shall knowe. + + MANNE. + + See! the crokynge brionie + Rounde the popler twyste hys spraie; 120 + Rounde the oake the greene ivie + Florryschethe and lyveth aie. + + Lette us seate us bie thys tree, + Laughe, and synge to lovynge ayres; + Comme, and doe notte coyen bee; 125 + Nature made all thynges bie payres. + Drooried cattes wylle after kynde; + Gentle doves wylle kyss and coe. + + WOMANNE. + + Botte manne, hee moste bee ywrynde, + Tylle syr preeste make on of two. 130 + + Tempte mee ne to the foule thynge; + I wylle no mannes lemanne be; + Tyll syr preeste hys songe doethe synge, + Thou shalt neere fynde aught of mee. + + MANNE. + + Bie oure ladie her yborne, 135 + To-morrowe, soone as ytte ys daie, + I'lle make thee wyfe, ne bee forsworne, + So tyde me lyfe or dethe for aie. + + WOMANNE. + + Whatt dothe lette, botte thatte nowe + Wee attenes[38], thos honde yn honde, 140 + Unto divinistre[39] goe, + And bee lyncked yn wedlocke bonde? + + MANNE. + + I agree, and thus I plyghte + Honde, and harte, and all that's myne; + Goode syr Rogerr, do us ryghte, 145 + Make us one, at Cothbertes shryne. + + BOTHE. + + We wylle ynn a bordelle[40] lyve, + Hailie, thoughe of no estate; + Everyche clocke moe love shall gyve; + Wee ynne godenesse wylle bee greate. 150 + + AELLA. + + I lyche thys songe, I lyche ytt myckle well; + And there ys monie for yer syngeynge nowe; + Butte have you noone thatt marriage-blessynges telle? + + CELMONDE. + + In marriage, blessynges are botte fewe, I trowe. + + MYNSTRELLES. + + Laverde[41], wee have; and, gyff you please, wille synge, 155 + As well as owre choughe-voyces wylle permytte. + + AELLA. + + Comme then, and see you swotelie tune the strynge, + And stret[42], and engyne all the human wytte, + Toe please mie dame. + + MYNSTRELLES. + + We'lle strayne owre wytte and synge. + + _Mynstrelles Songe._ + + FYRSTE MYNSTRYLLE. + + The boddynge flourettes bloshes atte the lyghte; 160 + The mees be sprenged wyth the yellowe hue; + Ynn daiseyd mantels ys the mountayne dyghte; + The nesh[43] yonge coweslepe bendethe wyth the dewe; + The trees enlefed, yntoe Heavenne straughte. + Whenn gentle wyndes doe blowe, to whestlyng dynne ys broughte. 165 + + The evenynge commes, and brynges the dewe alonge; + The roddie welkynne sheeneth to the eyne; + Arounde the alestake Mynstrells synge the songe; + Yonge ivie rounde the doore poste do entwyne; + I laie mee onn the grasse; yette, to mie wylle, 170 + Albeytte alle ys fayre, there lackethe somethynge stylle. + + SECONDE MYNSTRELLE. + + So Adam thoughtenne, whann, ynn Paradyse, + All Heavenn and Erthe dyd hommage to hys mynde; + Ynn Womman alleyne mannes pleasaunce lyes; + As Instrumentes of joie were made the kynde. 175 + Go, take a wyfe untoe thie armes, and see + Wynter, and brownie hylles, wyll have a charme for thee. + + THYRDE MYNSTRELLE. + + Whanne Autumpne blake[44] and sonne-brente doe appere, + With hys goulde honde guylteynge the falleynge lefe, + Bryngeynge oppe Wynterr to folfylle the yere, 180 + Beerynge uponne hys backe the riped shefe; + Whan al the hyls wythe woddie sede ys whyte; + Whanne levynne-fyres and lemes do mete from far the syghte; + + Whann the fayre apple, rudde as even skie, + Do bende the tree unto the fructyle grounde; 185 + When joicie peres, and berries of blacke die, + Doe daunce yn ayre, and call the eyne arounde; + Thann, bee the even foule, or even fayre, + Meethynckes mie hartys joie ys steynced wyth somme care. + + SECONDE MYNSTRELLE. + + Angelles bee wrogte to bee of neidher kynde; 190 + Angelles alleyne fromme chafe[45] desyre bee free; + Dheere ys a somwhatte evere yn the mynde, + Yatte, wythout wommanne, cannot stylled bee; + Ne seyncte yn celles, botte, havynge blodde and tere[46], + Do fynde the spryte to joie on syghte of womanne fayre: 195 + + Wommen bee made, notte for hemselves, botte manne, + Bone of hys bone, and chyld of hys desire; + Fromme an ynutyle membere fyrste beganne, + Ywroghte with moche of water, lyttele fyre; + Therefore theie seke the fyre of love, to hete 200 + The milkyness of kynde, and make hemselfes complete. + + Albeytte, wythout wommen, menne were pheeres + To salvage kynde, and wulde botte lyve to flea, + Botte wommenne efte the spryghte of peace so cheres, + Tochelod yn Angel joie heie Angeles bee; 205 + Go, take thee swythyn[47] to thie bedde a wyfe, + Bee bante or blessed hie, yn proovynge marryage lyfe. + + _Anodher Mynstrelles Songe_, bie Syr _Thybbot Gorges_. + + As Elynour bie the green lesselle was syttynge, + As from the sones hete she harried, + She sayde, as herr whytte hondes whyte hosen was knyttynge, 210 + Whatte pleasure ytt ys to be married! + + Mie husbande, Lorde Thomas, a forrester boulde, + As ever clove pynne, or the baskette, + Does no cherysauncys from Elynour houlde, + I have ytte as soone as I aske ytte. 215 + + Whann I lyved wyth mie fadre yn merrie Clowd-dell. + Tho' twas at my liefe to mynde spynnynge, + I stylle wanted somethynge, botte whatte ne coulde telle, + Mie lorde fadres barbde haulle han ne wynnynge. + Eche mornynge I ryse, doe I sette mie maydennes, 220 + Somme to spynn, somme to curdell, somme bleachynge, + Gyff any new entered doe aske for mie aidens, + Thann swythynne you fynde mee a teachynge. + + Lorde Walterre, mie fadre, he loved me welle, + And nothynge unto mee was nedeynge, 225 + Botte schulde I agen goe to merrie Cloud-dell, + In sothen twoulde bee wythoute redeynge. + + Shee sayde, and lorde Thomas came over the lea, + As hee the fatte derkynnes was chacynge, + Shee putte uppe her knyttynge, and to hym wente shee; 230 + So wee leave hem bothe kyndelie embracynge. + + AELLA. + + I lyche eke thys; goe ynn untoe the feaste; + Wee wylle permytte you antecedente bee; + There swotelie synge eche carolle, and yaped[48] jeaste; + And there ys monnie, that you merrie bee; 235 + Comme, gentle love, wee wylle toe spouse-feaste goe, + And there ynn ale and wyne bee dreyncted[49] everych woe. + + + + + AELLA, BIRTHA, CELMONDE, MESSENGERE. + + + MESSENGERE. + + AElla, the Danes ar thondrynge onn our coaste; + Lyche scolles of locusts, caste oppe bie the sea, + Magnus and Hurra, wythe a doughtie hoaste, 240 + Are ragyng, to be quansed[50] bie none botte thee; + Haste, swyfte as Levynne to these royners flee: + Thie dogges alleyne can tame thys ragynge bulle. + Haste swythyn, fore anieghe the towne theie bee, + And Wedecesterres rolle of dome bee fulle. 245 + Haste, haste, O AElla, to the byker flie, + For yn a momentes space tenne thousand menne maie die. + + AELLA. + + Beshrew thee for thie newes! I moste be gon. + Was ever lockless dome so hard as myne! + Thos from dysportysmente to warr to ron, 250 + To chaunge the selke veste for the gaberdyne! + + BIRTHA. + + O! lyche a nedere, lette me rounde thee twyne, + And hylte thie boddie from the schaftes of warre. + Thou shalte nott, must not, from thie Birtha ryne, + Botte kenn the dynne of slughornes from afarre. 255 + + AELLA. + + O love, was thys thie joie, to shewe the treate, + Than groffyshe to forbydde thie hongered guestes to eate? + + O mie upswalynge[51] harte, whatt wordes can saie + The peynes, thatte passethe ynn mie soule ybrente? + Thos to bee torne uponne mie spousalle daie, 260 + O! 'tys a peyne beyond entendemente. + Yee mychtie Goddes, and is yor favoures sente + As thous faste dented to a loade of peyne? + Moste wee aie holde yn chace the shade content. + And for a bodykyn[52] a swarthe obteyne? 265 + O! whie, yee seynctes, oppress yee thos mie fowle? + How shalle I speke mie woe, mie freme, mie dreerie dole? + + CELMONDE. + + Sometyme the wyseste lacketh pore mans rede. + Reasonne and counynge wytte efte flees awaie. + Thanne, loverde, lett me saie, wyth hommaged drede + (Bieneth your fote ylayn) mie counselle saie; 271 + Gyff thos wee lett the matter lethlen[53] laie, + The foemenn, everych honde-poyncte, getteth fote. + Mie loverde, lett the speere-menne, dyghte for fraie, + And all the sabbataners goe aboute. 275 + I speke, mie loverde, alleyne to upryse + Youre wytte from marvelle, and the warriour to alyse. + + AELLA. + + Ah! nowe thou pottest takells[54] yn mie harte; + Mie soulghe dothe nowe begynne to see herselle; + I wylle upryse mie myghte, and doe mie parte, 280 + To flea the foemenne yn mie furie felle. + Botte howe canne tynge mie rampynge fourie telle. + Whyche ryseth from mie love to Birtha fayre? + Ne coulde the queede, and alle the myghte of Helle, + Founde out impleasaunce of syke blacke a geare. 285 + Yette I wylle bee mieselfe, and rouze mie spryte + To acte wythe rennome, and goe meet the bloddie fyghte. + + BIRTHA. + + No, thou schalte never leave thie Birtha's syde; + Ne schall the wynde uponne us blowe alleyne; + I, lyche a nedre, wylle untoe thee byde; 290 + Tyde lyfe, tyde deathe, ytte shall behoulde us twayne. + I have mie parte of drierie dole and peyne; + Itte brasteth from mee atte the holtred eyne; + Ynne tydes of teares mie swarthynge spryte wyll drayne, + Gyff drerie dole ys thyne, tys twa tymes myne. 295 + Goe notte, AElla; wythe thie Birtha staie; + For wyth thie femmlykeed mie spryte wyll goe awaie. + + AELLA. + + O! tys for thee, for thee alleyne I fele; + Yett I muste bee mieselfe; with valoures gear + I'lle dyghte mie hearte, and notte mie lymbes yn stele, 300 + And shake the bloddie swerde and steyned spere. + + BIRTHA. + + Can AElla from hys breaste hys Birtha teare? + Is shee so rou and ugsomme[55] to hys fyghte? + Entrykeynge wyght! ys leathall warre so deare? + Thou pryzest mee belowe the joies of fyghte. 305 + Thou scalte notte leave mee, albeytte the erthe + Hong pendaunte bie thie swerde, and craved for thy morthe. + + AELLA. + + Dyddest thou kenne howe mie woes, as starres ybrente, + Headed bie these thie wordes doe onn mee falle, + Thou woulde stryve to gyve mie harte contente, 310 + Wakyng mie slepynge mynde to honnoures calle. + Of selynesse I pryze thee moe yan all + Heaven can mee sende, or counynge wytt acquyre, + Yette I wylle leave thee, onne the foe to falle, + Retournynge to thie eyne with double fyre. 315 + + BIRTHA. + + Moste Birtha boon requeste and bee denyd? + Receyve attenes a darte yn selynesse and pryde? + Doe staie, att leaste tylle morrowes sonne apperes. + + AELLA. + + Thou kenneste welle the Dacyannes myttee powere; + Wythe them a mynnute wurchethe bane for yeares; 320 + Theie undoe reaulmes wythyn a syngle hower. + Rouze all thie honnoure, Birtha; look attoure + Thie bledeynge countrie, whych for hastie dede + Calls, for the rodeynge of some doughtie power, + To royn yttes royners, make yttes foemenne blede. 325 + + BIRTHA. + + Rouze all thie love; false and entrykyng wyghte! + Ne leave thie Birtha thos uponne pretence of fyghte. + + Thou nedest notte goe, untyll thou haste command + Under the sygnette of oure lorde the kynge. + + AELLA. + + And wouldest thou make me then a recreande? 330 + Hollie Seyncte Marie, keepe mee from the thynge! + Heere, Birtha, thou hast potte a double stynge, + One for thie love, anodher for thie mynde. + + BIRTHA. + + Agylted[56] AElla, thie abredynge[57] blynge[58]. + Twas love of thee thatte foule intente ywrynde. 335 + Yette heare mie supplycate, to mee attende, + Hear from mie groted[59] harte the lover and the friende. + Lett Celmonde yn thie armour-brace be dyghte; + And yn thie stead unto the battle goe; + Thie name alleyne wylle putte the Danes to flyghte, 340 + The ayre thatt beares ytt woulde presse downe the foe. + + AELLA. + + Birtha, yn vayne thou wouldste mee recreand doe; + I moste, I wylle, fyghte for mie countries wele, + And leave thee for ytt. Celmonde, sweftlie goe, + Telle mie Brystowans to bedyghte yn stele; 345 + Tell hem I scorne to kenne hem from afar, + Botte leave the vyrgyn brydall bedde for bedde of warre. + + + + + AELLA, BIRTHA. + + + BIRTHA. + + And thou wylt goe; O mie agroted harte! + + AELLA. + + Mie countrie waites mie marche; I muste awaie; + Albeytte I schulde goe to mete the darte 350 + Of certen Dethe, yette here I woulde notte staie. + Botte thos to leave thee, Birtha, dothe asswaie + Moe torturynge peynes yanne canne be sedde bie tyngue, + Yette rouze thie honoure uppe, and wayte the daie, + Whan rounde aboute mee songe of warre heie synge. 355 + O Birtha, strev mie agreeme[60] to accaie[61], + And joyous see mie armes, dyghte oute ynn warre arraie. + + BIRTHA. + + Difficile[62] ys the pennaunce, yette I'lle strev + To keepe mie woe behyltren yn mie breaste. + Albeytte nete maye to mee pleasaunce yev, 360 + Lyche thee, I'lle strev to sette mie mynde atte reste. + Yett oh! forgeve, yff I have thee dystreste; + Love, doughtie love, wylle beare no odher swaie. + Juste as I was wythe AElla to be bleste, + Shappe foullie thos hathe snatched hym awaie. 365 + It was a tene too doughtie to bee borne, + Wydhoute an ounde of teares and breaste wyth syghes ytorne. + + AELLA. + + Thie mynde ys now thieselfe; why wylte thou bee + All blanche, al kyngelie, all soe wyse yn mynde, + Alleyne to lett pore wretched AElla see, 370 + Whatte wondrous bighes[63] he nowe muste leave behynde? + O Birtha fayre, warde everyche commynge wynde, + On everych wynde I wylle a token sende; + Onn mie longe shielde ycorne thie name thoul't fynde. + Butte here commes Celmonde, wordhie knyghte and friende. 375 + + + + + AELLA, BIRTHA, CELMONDE + + + _speaking._ + + Thie Brystowe knyghtes for thie forth-comynge lynge[64]; + Echone athwarte hys backe hys longe warre-shield dothe slynge. + + AELLA. + + Birtha, adieu; but yette I cannotte goe. + + BIRTHA. + + Lyfe of mie spryte, mie gentle AElla staie. 380 + Engyne mee notte wyth syke a drierie woe. + + AELLA. + + I muste, I wylle; tys honnoure cals awaie. + + BIRTHA. + + O mie agroted harte, braste, braste ynn twaie. + AElla, for honnoure, flyes awaie from mee. + + AELLA. + + Birtha, adieu; I maie notte here obaie. 385 + I'm flyynge from mieselfe yn flying thee. + + BIRTHA. + + O AElla, housband, friend, and loverde, staie. + He's gon, he's gone, alass! percase he's gone for aie. + + CELMONDE. + + Hope, hallie suster, sweepeynge thro' the skie, + In crowne of goulde, and robe of lillie whyte, 390 + Whyche farre abrode ynne gentle ayre doe flie, + Meetynge from dystaunce the enjoyous fyghte, + Albeytte efte thou takest thie hie flyghte + Hecket[65] ynne a myste, and wyth thyne eyne yblente, + Nowe commest thou to mee wythe starrie lyghte; 395 + Ontoe thie veste the rodde sonne ys adente[66]; + The Sommer tyde, the month of Maie appere, + Depycte wythe skylledd honde upponn thie wyde aumere. + + I from a nete of hopelen am adawed, + Awhaped[67] atte the fetyveness of daie; 400 + AElla, bie nete moe thann hys myndbruche awed, + Is gone, and I moste followe, toe the fraie. + Celmonde canne ne'er from anie byker staie. + Dothe warre begynne? there's Celmonde yn the place. + Botte whanne the warre ys donne, I'll haste awaie. + The reste from nethe tymes masque must shew yttes face. 405 + I see onnombered joies arounde mee ryse; + Blake[68] stondethe future doome, and joie dothe mee alyse. + + O honnoure, honnoure, whatt ys bie thee hanne? + Hailie the robber and the bordelyer, 410 + Who kens ne thee, or ys to thee bestanne, + And nothynge does thie myckle gastness fere. + Faygne woulde I from mie bosomme alle thee tare. + Thou there dysperpellest[69] thie levynne-bronde; + Whylest mie soulgh's forwyned, thou art the gare; 415 + Sleene ys mie comforte bie thie ferie honde; + As somme talle hylle, whann wynds doe shake the ground, + Itte kerveth all abroade, bie brasteynge hyltren wounde. + + Honnoure, whatt bee ytte? tys a shadowes shade, + A thynge of wychencref, an idle dreme; 420 + On of the fonnis whych the clerche have made + Menne wydhoute sprytes, and wommen for to fleme; + Knyghtes, who efte kenne the loude dynne of the beme, + Schulde be forgarde to syke enfeeblynge waies, + Make everych acte, alyche theyr soules, be breme, 425 + And for theyre chyvalrie alleyne have prayse. + O thou, whatteer thie name, + Or Zabalus or Queed, + Comme, steel mie sable spryte, + For fremde[70] and dolefulle dede. 430 + + + + + MAGNUS, HURRA, _and_ HIE PREESTE, _wyth the_ ARMIE, _neare_ Watchette. + + + MAGNUS. + + Swythe[71] lette the offrendes[72] to the Goddes begynne. + To knowe of hem the issue of the fyghte. + Potte the blodde-steyned sword and pavyes ynne; + Spreade swythyn all arounde the hallie lyghte. + + HIE PREESTE _syngeth_. + + Yee, who hie yn mokie ayre 435 + Delethe seasonnes foule or fayre, + Yee, who, whanne yee weere agguylte, + The mone yn bloddie gyttelles[73] hylte, + Mooved the starres, and dyd unbynde + Everyche barriere to the wynde; 440 + Whanne the oundynge waves dystreste, + Stroven to be overest, + Sockeynge yn the spyre-gyrte towne, + Swolterynge wole natyones downe, + Sendynge dethe, on plagues astrodde, 445 + Moovynge lyke the erthys Godde; + To mee send your heste dyvyne, + Lyghte eletten[74] all myne eyne, + Thatt I maie now undevyse + All the actyonnes of th'empprize. 450 + [_falleth downe and efte rysethe._ + Thus sayethe the Goddes; goe, yssue to the playne; + Forr there shall meynte of mytte menne bee slayne. + + MAGNUS. + + Whie, foe there evere was, whanne Magnus foughte. + Efte have I treynted noyance throughe the hoaste, + Athorowe swerdes, alyche the Queed dystraughte, 455 + Have Magnus pressynge wroghte hys foemen loaste. + As whanne a tempeste vexethe soare the coaste, + The dyngeynge ounde the sandeie stronde doe tare, + So dyd I inne the warre the javlynne toste, + Full meynte a champyonnes breaste received mie spear. 460 + Mie sheelde, lyche sommere morie gronfer droke, + Mie lethalle speere, alyche a levyn-mylted oke. + + HURRA. + + Thie wordes are greate, full hyghe of sound, and eeke + Lyche thonderre, to the whych dothe comme no rayne. + Itte lacketh notte a doughtie honde to speke; 465 + The cocke saiethe drefte[75], yett armed ys he alleyne. + Certis thie wordes maie, thou motest have sayne + Of mee, and meynte of moe, who eke canne fyghte, + Who haveth trodden downe the adventayle, + And tore the heaulmes from heades of myckle myghte. 470 + Sythence syke myghte ys placed yn thie honde, + Lette blowes thie actyons speeke, and bie thie corrage stonde. + + MAGNUS. + + Thou are a warrioure, Hurra, thatte I kenne, + And myckle famed for thie handie dede. + Thou fyghtest anente[76] maydens and ne menne, 475 + Nor aie thou makest armed hartes to blede. + Efte I, caparyson'd on bloddie stede, + Havethe thee seene binethe mee ynn the fyghte, + Wythe corses I investynge everich mede, + And thou aston, and wondrynge at mie myghte. 480 + Thanne wouldest thou comme yn for mie renome, + Albeytte thou wouldst reyne awaie from bloddie dome? + + HURRA. + + How! butte bee bourne mie rage. I kenne aryghte + Bothe thee and thyne maie ne bee wordhye peene. + Eftsoones I hope wee scalle engage yn fyghte; 485 + Thanne to the souldyers all thou wylte bewreene. + I'll prove mie courage onne the burled greene; + Tys there alleyne I'll telle thee whatte I bee. + Gyf I weelde notte the deadlie sphere adeene, + Thanne lett mie name be fulle as lowe as thee. 490 + Thys mie adented shielde, thys mie warre-speare, + Schalle telle the falleynge foe gyf Hurra's harte can feare. + + MAGNUS. + + Magnus woulde speke, butte thatte hys noble spryte + Dothe soe enrage, he knowes notte whatte to saie. + He'dde speke yn blowes, yn gottes of blodde he'd wryte, 495 + And on thie heafod peyncte hys myghte for aie. + Gyf thou anent an wolfynnes rage wouldest staie, + 'Tys here to meet ytt; botte gyff nott, bee goe; + Lest I in furrie shulde mie armes dysplaie, + Whyche to thie boddie wylle wurche[77] myckle woe. 500 + Oh! I bee madde, dystraughte wyth brendyng rage; + Ne seas of smethynge gore wylle mie chafed harte asswage. + + HURRA. + + I kenne thee, Magnus, welle; a wyghte thou art + That doest aslee alonge ynn doled dystresse, + Strynge bulle yn boddie, lyoncelle yn harte, 505 + I almost wysche thie prowes were made lesse. + Whan AElla (name drest uppe yn ugsomness[78] + To thee and recreandes[79]) thondered on the playne, + Howe dydste thou thorowe fyrste of fleers presse! + Swefter thanne federed takelle dydste thou reyne. 510 + A ronnynge pryze onn seyncte daie to ordayne, + Magnus, and none botte hee, the ronnynge pryze wylle gayne. + + MAGNUS. + + Eternalle plagues devour thie baned tyngue! + Myrriades of neders pre upponne thie spryte! + Maiest thou fele al the peynes of age whylst yynge, 515 + Unmanned, uneyned, exclooded aie the lyghte, + Thie senses, lyche thieselfe, enwrapped yn nyghte, + A scoff to foemen & to beastes a pheere; + Maie furched levynne onne thie head alyghte, + Maie on thee falle the fhuyr of the unweere; 520 + Fen vaipoures blaste thie everiche manlie powere, + Maie thie bante boddie quycke the wolfome peenes devoure. + + Faygne woulde I curse thee further, botte mie tyngue + Denies mie harte the favoure soe toe doe. + + HURRA. + + Nowe bie the Dacyanne goddes, & Welkyns kynge, 525 + Wythe fhurie, as thou dydste begynne, persue; + Calle on mie heade all tortures that bee rou, + Bane onne, tylle thie owne tongue thie curses fele. + Sende onne mie heade the blyghteynge levynne blewe, + The thonder loude, the swellynge azure rele[80]. 530 + Thie wordes be hie of dynne, botte nete besyde; + Bane on, good chieftayn, fyghte wythe wordes of myckle pryde. + + Botte doe notte waste thie breath, lest AElla come. + + MAGNUS. + + AElla & thee togyder synke toe helle! + Bee youre names blasted from the rolle of dome! 535 + I feere noe AElla, thatte thou kennest welle. + Unlydgefulle traytoure, wylt thou nowe rebelle? + 'Tys knowen, thatte yie menn bee lyncked to myne, + Bothe sente, as troopes of wolves, to sletre felle; + Botte nowe thou lackest hem to be all yyne. 540 + Nowe, bie the goddes yatte reule the Dacyanne state, + Speacke thou yn rage once moe, I wyll thee dysregate. + + HURRA. + + I pryze thie threattes joste as I doe thie banes, + The sede of malyce and recendize al. + Thou arte a steyne unto the name of Danes; 545 + Thou alleyne to thie tyngue for proofe canst calle. + Thou beest a worme so groffile and so smal, + I wythe thie bloude woulde scorne to foul mie sworde, + Botte wythe thie weaponnes woulde upon thee falle, + Alyche thie owne feare, slea thee wythe a worde. 550 + I Hurra amme miesel, & aie wylle bee, + As greate yn valourous actes, & yn commande as thee. + + + + + MAGNUS, HURRA, ARMYE & MESSENGER. + + + MESSENGERE. + + Blynne your contekions[81], chiefs; for, as I stode + Uponne mie watche, I spiede an armie commynge, + Notte lyche ann handfulle of a fremded[82] foe, 555 + Botte blacke wythe armoure, movynge ugsomlie, + Lyche a blacke fulle cloude, thatte dothe goe alonge + To droppe yn hayle, & hele the thonder storme. + + MAGNUS. + + Ar there meynte of them? + + MESSENGERR. + + Thycke as the ante-flyes ynne a sommer's none, 560 + Seemynge as tho' theie stynge as persante too. + + HURRA. + + Whatte matters thatte? lettes sette oure warr-arraie. + Goe, sounde the beme, lette champyons prepare; + Ne doubtynge, we wylle stynghe as faste as heie. + Whatte? doest forgard[83] thie blodde? ys ytte for feare? 565 + Wouldest thou gayne the towne, & castle-stere, + And yette ne byker wythe the soldyer guarde? + Go, hyde thee ynn mie tente annethe the lere; + I of thie boddie wylle keepe watche & warde. + + MAGNUS. + + Oure goddes of Denmarke know mie harte ys goode. 570 + + HURRA. + + For nete uppon the erthe, botte to be choughens foode. + + + + + MAGNUS, HURRA, ARMIE, SECONDE MESSENGERRE. + + + SECONDE MESSENGERRE. + + As from mie towre I kende the commynge foe, + I spied the crossed shielde, & bloddie swerde, + The furyous AElla's banner; wythynne kenne + The armie ys. Dysorder throughe oure hoaste 575 + Is fleynge, borne onne wynges of AElla's name; + Styr, styr, mie lordes! + + MAGNUS. + + What? AElla? & soe neare? + Thenne Denmarques roiend; oh mie rysynge feare! + + HURRA. + + What doeste thou mene? thys AElla's botte a manne. + Nowe bie mie sworde, thou arte a verie berne[84]. 580 + Of late I dyd thie creand valoure scanne, + Whanne thou dydst boaste soe moche of actyon derne. + Botte I toe warr mie doeynges moste atturne, + To cheere the Sabbataneres to deere dede. + + MAGNUS. + + I to the knyghtes onne everyche syde wylle burne, 585 + Telleynge 'hem alle to make her foemen blede; + Sythe shame or deathe onne eidher syde wylle bee, + Mie harte I wylle upryse, & inne the battelle slea. + + + + + AELLA, CELMONDE, & ARMIE _near_ WATCHETTE. + + + AELLA. + + Now havynge done oure mattynes & oure vowes, + Lette us for the intended fyghte be boune, 590 + And everyche champyone potte the joyous crowne + Of certane mastershhyppe upon hys glestreynge browes. + + As for mie harte, I owne ytt ys, as ere + Itte has beene ynne the sommer-sheene of fate, + Unknowen to the ugsomme gratche of fere; 595 + Mie blodde embollen, wythe masterie elate, + Boyles ynne mie veynes, & rolles ynn rapyd state, + Impatyente forr to mete the persante stele, + And telle the worlde, thatte AElla dyed as greate + As anie knyghte who foughte for Englondes weale. 600 + Friends, kynne, & soldyerres, ynne blacke armore drere, + Mie actyons ymytate, mie presente redynge here. + + There ys ne house, athrow thys shap-scurged[85] isle, + Thatte has ne loste a kynne yn these fell fyghtes, + Fatte blodde has sorfeeted the hongerde soyle, 605 + And townes enlowed[86] lemed[87] oppe the nyghtes. + Inne gyte of fyre oure hallie churche dheie dyghtes; + Oure sonnes lie storven[88] ynne theyre smethynge gore; + Oppe bie the rootes oure tree of lyfe dheie pyghtes, + Vexynge oure coaste, as byllowes doe the shore. 610 + Yee menne, gyf ye are menne, displaie yor name, + Ybrende yer tropes, alyche the roarynge tempest flame. + + Ye Chrystyans, doe as wordhie of the name; + These roynerres of oure hallie houses slea; + Braste, lyke a cloude, from whence doth come the flame, 615 + Lyche torrentes, gushynge downe the mountaines, bee. + And whanne alonge the grene yer champyons flee, + Swefte as the rodde for-weltrynge[89] levyn-bronde, + Yatte hauntes the flyinge mortherer oere the lea, + Soe flie oponne these royners of the londe. 620 + Lette those yatte are unto yer battayles fledde, + Take slepe eterne uponne a feerie lowynge bedde. + + Let cowarde Londonne see herre towne onn fyre, + And strev wythe goulde to staie the royners honde, + AElla & Brystowe havethe thoughtes thattes hygher, 625 + Wee fyghte notte forr ourselves, botte all the londe. + As Severnes hyger lyghethe banckes of sonde, + Pressynge ytte downe binethe the reynynge streme, + Wythe dreerie dynn enswolters[90] the hyghe stronde, + Beerynge the rockes alonge ynn fhurye breme, 630 + Soe wylle wee beere the Dacyanne armie downe, + And throughe a storme of blodde wyll reache the champyon crowne. + + Gyff ynn thys battelle locke ne wayte oure gare, + To Brystowe dheie wylle tourne yeyre fhuyrie dyre; + Brystowe, & alle her joies, wylle synke toe ayre, 635 + Brendeynge perforce wythe unenhantende[91] fyre: + Thenne lette oure safetie doublie moove oure ire, + Lyche wolfyns, rovynge for the evnynge pre, + See[ing] the lambe & shepsterr nere the brire, + Doth th'one forr safetie, th'one for hongre slea; 640 + Thanne, whanne the ravenne crokes uponne the playne, + Oh! lette ytte bee the knelle to myghtie Dacyanns slayne. + + Lyche a rodde gronfer, shalle mie anlace sheene, + Lyche a strynge lyoncelle I'lle bee ynne fyghte, + Lyche fallynge leaves the Dacyannes shalle bee sleene, 645 + Lyche [a] loud dynnynge streeme scalle be mie myghte. + Ye menne, who woulde deserve the name of knyghte, + Lette bloddie teares bie all your paves be wepte; + To commynge tymes no poyntelle shalle ywrite, + Whanne Englonde han her foemenn, Brystow slepte. 650 + Yourselfes, youre chyldren, & youre fellowes crie, + Go, fyghte ynne rennomes gare, be brave, & wynne or die. + + I saie ne moe; youre spryte the reste wylle saie; + Youre spryte wylle wrynne, thatte Brystow ys yer place; + To honoures house I nede notte marcke the waie; 655 + Inne youre owne hartes you maie the foote-pathe trace. + 'Twexte shappe & us there ys botte lyttelle space; + The tyme ys nowe to proove yourselves bee menne; + Drawe forthe the bornyshed bylle wythe fetyve grace, + Rouze, lyche a wolfynne rouzing from hys denne. 660 + Thus I enrone mie anlace; goe thou shethe; + I'lle potte ytt ne ynn place, tyll ytte ys sycke wythe deathe. + + SOLDYERS. + + Onn, AElla, onn; we longe for bloddie fraie; + Wee longe to here the raven synge yn vayne; + Onn, AElla, onn; we certys gayne the daie, 665 + Whanne thou doste leade us to the leathal playne. + + CELMONDE. + + Thie speche, O Loverde, fyrethe the whole trayne; + Theie pancte for war, as honted wolves for breathe; + Go, & sytte crowned on corses of the slayne; + Go, & ywielde the massie swerde of deathe. 670 + + SOLDYERRES. + + From thee, O AElla, alle oure courage reygnes; + Echone yn phantasie do lede the Danes ynne chaynes. + + AELLA. + + Mie countrymenne, mie friendes, your noble sprytes + Speke yn youre eyne, & doe yer master telle. + Swefte as the rayne-storme toe the erthe alyghtes, 675 + Soe wylle we fall upon these royners felle. + Oure mowynge swerdes shalle plonge hem downe to helle; + Theyre throngynge corses shall onlyghte the starres; + The barrowes brastynge wythe the sleene schall swelle, + Brynnynge[92] to commynge tymes our famous warres; 680 + Inne everie eyne I kenne the lowe of myghte, + Sheenynge abrode, alyche a hylle-fyre ynne the nyghte. + + Whanne poyntelles of oure famous fyghte shall saie, + Echone wylle marvelle atte the dernie dede, + Echone wylle wyssen hee hanne seene the daie, 685 + And bravelie holped to make the foemenn blede; + Botte for yer holpe oure battelle wylle notte nede; + Oure force ys force enowe to staie theyre honde; + Wee wylle retourne unto thys grened mede, + Oer corses of the foemen of the londe. 690 + Nowe to the warre lette all the slughornes sounde, + The Dacyanne troopes appere on yinder rysynge grounde. + + Chiefes, heade youre bandes, and leade. + + + + + DANES _flyinge, neare_ WATCHETTE. + + + FYRSTE DANE. + + Fly, fly, ye Danes; Magnus, the chiefe, ys sleene; + The Saxonnes comme wythe AElla atte theyre heade; 695 + Lette's strev to gette awaie to yinder greene; + Flie, flie; thys ys the kyngdomme of the deadde. + + SECONDE DANE. + + O goddes! have thousandes bie mie anlace bledde, + And muste I nowe for safetie flie awaie? + See! farre besprenged alle oure troopes are spreade, 700 + Yette I wylle synglie dare the bloddie fraie. + Botte ne; I'lle flie, & morther yn retrete; + Deathe, blodde, & fyre, scalle[93] marke the goeynge of my feete. + + THYRDE DANE. + + Enthoghteynge forr to scape the brondeynge foe, + As nere unto the byllowd beche I came, 705 + Farr offe I spied a fyghte of myckle woe, + Oure spyrynge battayles wrapte ynn sayles of flame. + The burled Dacyannes, who were ynne the same, + Fro syde to syde fledde the pursuyte of deathe; + The swelleynge fyre yer corrage doe enflame, 710 + Theie lepe ynto the sea, & bobblynge yield yer breathe; + Whylest those thatt bee uponne the bloddie playne, + Bee deathe-doomed captyves taene, or yn the battle slayne. + + HURRA. + + Nowe bie the goddes, Magnus, dyscourteous knyghte, + Bie cravente[94] havyoure havethe don oure woe, 715 + Dyspendynge all the talle menne yn the fyghte, + And placeyng valourous menne where draffs mote goe. + Sythence oure fourtunie havethe tourned foe, + Gader the souldyers lefte to future shappe, + To somme newe place for safetie wee wylle goe, 720 + Inne future daie wee wylle have better happe. + Sounde the loude flughorne for a quicke forloyne[95]; + Lette alle the Dacyannes swythe untoe oure banner joyne. + + Throw hamlettes wee wylle sprenge sadde dethe & dole, + Bathe yn hotte gore, & wasch oureselves thereynne; 725 + Goddes! here the Saxonnes lyche a byllowe rolle. + I heere the anlacis detested dynne. + Awaie, awaie, ye Danes, to yonder penne; + Wee now wylle make forloyne yn tyme to fyghte agenne. + + + + + CELMONDE, _near_ WATCHETTE. + + + O forr a spryte al feere! to telle the daie, 730 + The daie whyche scal astounde the herers rede, + Makeynge oure foemennes envyynge hartes to blede, + Ybereynge thro the worlde oure rennomde name for aie. + + Bryghte sonne han ynne hys roddie robes byn dyghte, + From the rodde Easte he flytted wythe hys trayne, 735 + The howers drewe awaie the geete of nyghte, + Her sable tapistrie was rente yn twayne. + The dauncynge streakes bedecked heavennes playne, + And on the dewe dyd smyle wythe shemrynge eie, + Lyche gottes of blodde whyche doe blacke armoure steyne, 740 + Sheenynge upon the borne[96] whyche stondeth bie; + The souldyers stoode uponne the hillis syde, + Lyche yonge enlefed trees whyche yn a forreste byde. + + AElla rose lyche the tree besette wyth brieres; + Hys talle speere sheenynge as the starres at nyghte, 745 + Hys eyne ensemeynge as a lowe of fyre; + Whanne he encheered everie manne to fyghte, + Hys gentle wordes dyd moove eche valourous knyghte; + Itte moovethe 'hem, as honterres lyoncelle; + In trebled armoure ys theyre courage dyghte; 750 + Eche warrynge harte forr prayse & rennome swelles; + Lyche flowelie dynnynge of the croucheynge streme, + Syche dyd the mormrynge sounde of the whol armie seme. + + Hee ledes 'hem onne to fyghte; oh! thenne to saie + How AElla loked, and lokyng dyd encheere, 755 + Moovynge alyche a mountayne yn affraie, + Whanne a lowde whyrlevynde doe yttes boesomme tare, + To telle howe everie loke wulde banyshe feere, + Woulde aske an angelles poyntelle or hys tyngue. + Lyche a talle rocke yatte ryseth heaven-were, 760 + Lyche a yonge wolfynne brondeous & strynge, + Soe dydde he goe, & myghtie warriours hedde; + Wythe gore-depycted wynges masterie arounde hym fledde. + + The battelle jyned; swerdes uponne swerdes dyd rynge; + AElla was chased, as lyonns madded bee; 765 + Lyche fallynge starres, he dydde the javlynn flynge; + Hys mightie anlace mightie menne dyd slea; + Where he dydde comme, the flemed[97] foe dydde flee, + Or felle benethe hys honde, as fallynge rayne, + Wythe syke a fhuyrie he dydde onn 'hemm dree, 770 + Hylles of yer bowkes dyd ryse opponne the playne; + AElla, thou arte--botte staie, mie tynge; saie nee; + Howe greate I hymme maye make, stylle greater hee wylle bee. + + Nor dydde hys souldyerres see hys actes yn vayne. + Heere a stoute Dane uponne hys compheere felle; 775 + Heere lorde & hyndlette sonke uponne the playne; + Heere sonne & fadre trembled ynto helle. + Chief Magnus sought hys waie, &, shame to telle! + Hee soughte hys waie for flyghte; botte AElla's speere + Uponne the flyynge Dacyannes schoulder felle. 780 + Quyte throwe hys boddie, & hys harte ytte tare, + He groned, & sonke uponne the gorie greene, + And wythe hys corse encreased the pyles of Dacyannes sleene. + + Spente wythe the fyghte, the Danyshe champyons stonde, + Lyche bulles, whose strengthe & wondrous myghte ys fledde; 785 + AElla, a javelynne grypped yn eyther honde, + Flyes to the thronge, & doomes two Dacyannes deadde. + After hys acte, the armie all yspedde; + Fromm everich on unmyssynge javlynnes flewe; + Theie straughte yer doughtie swerdes; the foemenn bledde; 790 + Fulle three of foure of myghtie Danes dheie slewe; + The Danes, wythe terroure rulynge att their head, + Threwe downe theyr bannere talle, & lyche a ravenne fledde. + + The soldyerres followed wythe a myghtie crie, + Cryes, yatte welle myghte the stouteste hartes affraie. 795 + Swefte, as yer shyppes, the vanquyshed Dacyannes flie; + Swefte, as the rayne uponne an Aprylle daie, + Pressynge behynde, the Englysche soldyerres slaie. + Botte halfe the tythes of Danyshe menne remayne; + AElla commaundes 'heie shoulde the sleetre staie, 800 + Botte bynde 'hem prysonners on the bloddie playne. + The fyghtynge beynge done, I came awaie, + In odher fieldes to fyghte a moe unequalle fraie. + Mie servant squyre! + + + + + CELMONDE, SERVITOURE. + + + CELMONDE. + + Prepare a fleing horse, + Whose feete are wynges, whose pace ys lycke the wynde, 805 + Whoe wylle outestreppe the morneynge lyghte yn course, + Leaveynge the gyttelles of the merke behynde. + Somme hyltren matters doe mie presence fynde. + Gyv oute to alle yatte I was sleene ynne fyghte. + Gyff ynne thys gare thou doest mie order mynde, 810 + Whanne I returne, thou shalte be made a knyghte; + Flie, flie, be gon; an howerre ys a daie; + Quycke dyghte mie beste of stedes, & brynge hymm heere--awaie! + + CELMONDE. + + AElla ys woundedd sore, & ynne the toune + He waytethe, tylle hys woundes bee broghte to ethe. 815 + And shalle I from hys browes plocke off the croune, + Makynge the vyctore yn hys vyctorie blethe? + O no! fulle sooner schulde mie hartes blodde smethe, + Fulle soonere woulde I tortured bee toe deathe; + Botte--Birtha ys the pryze; ahe! ytte were ethe 820 + To gayne so gayne a pryze wythe losse of breathe; + Botte thanne rennome aeterne[98]--ytte ys botte ayre; + Bredde ynne the phantasie, & alleyn lyvynge there. + + Albeytte everyche thynge yn lyfe conspyre + To telle me of the faulte I nowe schulde doe, 825 + Yette woulde I battentlie assuage mie fyre, + And the same menes, as I scall nowe, pursue. + The qualytyes I fro mie parentes drewe, + Were blodde, & morther, masterie, and warre; + Thie I wylle holde to now, & hede ne moe 830 + A wounde yn rennome, yanne a boddie scarre. + Nowe, AElla, nowe Ime plantynge of a thorne, + Bie whyche thie peace, thie love, & glorie shalle be torne. + + + + + BRYSTOWE. + + + BIRTHA, EGWINA. + + BIRTHA. + + Gentle Egwina, do notte preche me joie; + I cannotte joie ynne anie thynge botte weere[99]. 835 + Oh! yatte aughte schulde oure sellynesse destroie, + Floddynge the face wythe woe, & brynie teare! + + EGWINA. + + You muste, you muste endeavour for to cheere + Youre harte unto somme cherisaunced reste. + Youre loverde from the battelle wylle appere. 840 + Ynne honnoure, & a greater love, be dreste; + Botte I wylle call the mynstrelles roundelaie; + Perchaunce the swotie sounde maie chafe your wiere[99] awaie. + + + + + BIRTHA, EGWINA, MYNSTRELLES. + + + MYNSTRELLES SONGE. + + O! synge untoe mie roundelaie, + O! droppe the brynie teare wythe mee, 845 + Daunce ne moe atte hallie daie, + Lycke a reynynge[100] ryver bee; + Mie love ys dedde, + Gon to hys death-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. 850 + + Blacke hys cryne[101] as the wyntere nyghte, + Whyte hys rode[102] as the sommer snowe, + Rodde hys face as the mornynge lyghte, + Cale he lyes ynne the grave belowe; + Mie love ys dedde, 855 + Gon to hys deathe-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + Swote hys tyngue as the throstles note, + Quycke ynn daunce as thoughte canne bee, + Defte hys taboure, codgelle stote, 860 + O! hee lyes bie the wyllowe tree: + Mie love ys dedde, + Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, + Alle underre the wyllowe tree. + + Harke! the ravenne flappes hys wynge, 865 + In the briered delle belowe; + Harke! the dethe-owle loude dothe synge, + To the nyghte-mares as heie goe; + Mie love ys dedde, + Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, 870 + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + See! the whyte moone sheenes onne hie; + Whyterre ys mie true loves shroude; + Whyterre yanne the mornynge skie, + Whyterre yanne the evenynge cloude: 875 + Mie love ys dedde, + Gon to hys deathe-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + Heere, uponne mie true loves grave, + Schalle the baren fleurs be layde. 880 + Nee one hallie Seyncte to save + Al the celness of a mayde. + Mie love ys dedde, + Gonne to hys death-bedde, + Alle under the wyllowe tree. 885 + + Wythe mie hondes I'lle dente the brieres + Rounde his hallie corse to gre, + Ouphante fairie, lyghte youre fyres, + Heere mie boddie stylle schalle bee. + Mie love ys dedde, 890 + Gon to hys death-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + Comme, wythe acorne-coppe & thorne, + Drayne mie hartys blodde awaie; + Lyfe & all yttes goode I scorne, 895 + Daunce bie nete, or feaste by daie. + Mie love ys dedde, + Gon to hys death-bedde, + Al under the wyllowe tree. + + Waterre wytches, crownede wythe reytes[103], 900 + Bere mee to yer leathalle tyde. + I die; I comme; mie true love waytes. + Thos the damselle spake, and dyed. + + BIRTHA. + + Thys syngeyng haveth whatte coulde make ytte please; + Butte mie uncourtlie shappe benymmes mee of all ease. 905 + + + + + AELLA, _atte_ WATCHETTE. + + + Curse onne mie tardie woundes! brynge mee a stede! + I wylle awaie to Birtha bie thys nyghte: + Albeytte fro mie woundes mie soul doe blede, + I wylle awaie, & die wythynne her syghte. + Brynge mee a stede, wythe eagle-wynges for flyghte; 910 + Swefte as mie wyshe, &, as mie love ys, stronge. + The Danes have wroughte mee myckle woe ynne syghte, + Inne kepeynge mee from Birtha's armes so longe. + O! whatte a dome was myne, sythe masterie + Canne yeve ne pleasaunce, nor mie londes goode leme myne eie! 915 + + Yee goddes, howe ys a loverres temper formed! + Sometymes the samme thynge wylle bothe bane, & blesse; + On tyme encalede[104], yanne bie the same thynge warmd, + Estroughted foorthe, and yanne ybrogten less. + 'Tys Birtha's loss whyche doe mie thoughtes possesse; 920 + I wylle, I muste awaie: whie staies mie stede? + Mie huscarles, hyther haste; prepare a dresse, + Whyche couracyers[105] yn hastie journies nede. + O heavens! I moste awaie to Byrtha eyne, + For yn her lookes I fynde mie beynge doe entwyne. 925 + + + + + CELMONDE, _att_ BRYSTOWE. + + + The worlde ys darke wythe nyghte; the wyndes are stylle; + Fayntelie the mone her palyde lyghte makes gleme; + The upryste[106] sprytes the sylente letten[107] fylle, + Wythe ouphant faeryes joynyng ynne the dreme; + The forreste sheenethe wythe the sylver leme; 930 + Nowe maie mie love be sated ynn yttes treate; + Uponne the lynche of somme swefte reynyng streme, + Att the swote banquette I wylle swotelie eate. + Thys ys the howse; yee hyndes, swythyn appere. + + + + + + CELMONDE, SERVYTOURE. + + + CELMONDE. + + Go telle to Birtha strayte, a straungerr waytethe here. 935 + + + + + CELMONDE, BIRTHA. + + + BIRTHA. + + Celmonde! yee seynctes! I hope thou haste goode newes. + + CELMONDE. + + The hope ys loste: for heavie newes prepare. + + BIRTHA. + + Is AElla welle? + + CELMONDE. + + Hee lyves; & stylle maie use + The behylte[108] blessynges of a future yeare. + + BIRTHA. + + Whatte heavie tydynge thenne have I to feare? 940 + Of whatte mischaunce dydste thou so latelie saie? + + CELMONDE. + + For heavie tydynges swythyn nowe prepare. + AElla sore wounded ys, yn bykerous fraie; + In Wedecester's wallid toune he lyes. + + BIRTHA. + + O mie agroted breast! + + CELMONDE: + + Wythoute your syghte, he dyes. 945 + + BIRTHA. + + Wylle Birtha's presence ethe herr AElla's payne? + I flie; newe wynges doe from mie schoulderrs sprynge. + + CELMONDE. + + Mie stede wydhoute wylle deftelie beere us twayne. + + BIRTHA. + + Oh! I wyll flie as wynde, & no waie lynge; + Sweftlie caparisons for rydynge brynge; 950 + I have a mynde wynged wythe the levyn ploome. + O AElla, AElla! dydste thou kenne the stynge, + The whyche doeth canker ynne mie hartys roome, + Thou wouldste see playne thieselfe the gare to bee; + Aryse, uponne thie love, & flie to meeten mee. 955 + + CELMONDE. + + The stede, on whyche I came, ys swefte as ayre; + Mie servytoures doe wayte mee nere the wode; + Swythynne wythe mee unto the place repayre; + To AElla I wylle gev you conducte goode. + Youre eyne, alyche a baulme, wylle staunche hys bloode, 960 + Holpe oppe hys woundes, & yev hys harte alle cheere; + Uponne your eyne he holdes hys lyvelyhode[109]; + You doe hys spryte, & alle hys pleasaunce bere. + Comme, lette's awaie, albeytte ytte ys moke, + Yette love wille bee a tore to tourne to feere nyghtes smoke. 965 + + BIRTHA. + + Albeytte unwears dyd the welkynn rende, + Reyne, alyche fallynge ryvers, dyd ferse bee, + Erthe wythe the ayre enchased dyd contende, + Everychone breathe of wynde wythe plagues dyd flee, + Yette I to AElla's eyne eftsoones woulde flee; 970 + Albeytte hawethornes dyd mie fleshe enseme, + Owlettes, wythe scrychynge, shakeynge everyche tree, + And water-neders wrygglynge yn eche streme, + Yette woulde I flie, ne under coverte staie, + Botte seke mie AElla owte; brave Celmonde, leade the waie. 975 + + + + + A WODE. + + + HURRA, DANES. + + HURRA. + + Heere ynn yis forreste lette us watche for pree, + Bewreckeynge on oure foemenne oure ylle warre; + Whatteverre schalle be Englysch wee wylle slea, + Spreddynge our ugsomme rennome to afarre. + Ye Dacyanne menne, gyff Dacyanne menne yee are, 980 + Lette nete botte blodde suffycyle for yee bee; + On everich breaste yn gorie letteres scarre, + Whatt sprytes you have, & howe those sprytes maie dree. + And gyf yee gette awaie to Denmarkes shore, + Eftesoones we will retourne, & vanquished bee ne moere. 985 + + The battelle loste, a battelle was yndede; + Note queedes hemselfes culde stonde so harde a fraie; + Oure verie armoure, & oure heaulmes dyd blede, + The Dacyannes, sprytes, lyche dewe drops, fledde awaie. + Ytte was an AElla dyd commaunde the daie; 990 + Ynn spyte of foemanne, I moste saie hys myghte; + Botte wee ynn hynd-lettes blodde the loss wylle paie, + Brynnynge, thatte we knowe howe to wynne yn fyghte; + Wee wylle, lyke wylfes enloosed from chaynes, destroie;-- + Oure armoures--wynter nyghte shotte oute the daie of joie. 995 + + Whene swefte-fote tyme doe rolle the daie alonge, + Somme hamlette scalle onto oure fhuyrie brende; + Brastynge alyche a rocke, or mountayne stronge, + The talle chyrche-spyre upon the grene shalle bende; + Wee wylle the walles, & auntyante tourrettes rende, 1000 + Pete everych tree whych goldyn fruyte doe beere, + Downe to the goddes the ownerrs dhereof sende, + Besprengynge alle abrode sadde warre & bloddie weere. + Botte fyrste to yynder oke-tree wee wylle flie; + And thence wylle yssue owte onne all yatte commeth bie. 1005 + + + + + ANODHER PARTE OF THE WOODE. + + + CELMONDE, BIRTHA. + + BIRTHA. + + Thys merkness doe affraie mie wommanns breaste. + Howe sable ys the spreddynge skie arrayde! + Hailie the bordeleire, who lyves to reste, + Ne ys att nyghtys flemynge hue dysmayde; + The starres doe scantillie[110] the sable brayde; 1010 + Wyde ys the sylver lemes of comforte wove; + Speke, Celmonde, does ytte make thee notte afrayde? + + CELMONDE. + + Merker the nyghte, the fitter tyde for love. + + BIRTHA. + + Saiest thou for love? ah! love is far awaie. + Faygne would I see once moe the roddie lemes of daie. 1015 + + CELMONDE. + + Love maie bee nie, woulde Birtha calle ytte here. + + BIRTHA. + + How, Celmonde, dothe thou mene? + + CELMONDE. + + Thys Celmonde menes. + No leme, no eyne, ne mortalle manne appere, + Ne lyghte, an acte of love for to bewreene; + Nete in thys forreste, botte thys tore[111], dothe sheene, 1020 + The whych, potte oute, do leave the whole yn nyghte; + See! howe the brauncynge trees doe here entwyne, + Makeynge thys bower so pleasynge to the syghte; + Thys was for love fyrste made, & heere ytt stondes, + Thatte hereynne lovers maie enlyncke yn true loves bondes. 1025 + + BIRTHA. + + Celmonde, speake whatte thou menest, or alse mie thoughtes + Perchaunce maie robbe thie honestie so fayre. + + CELMONDE. + + Then here, & knowe, hereto I have you broughte, + Mie longe hydde love unto you to make clere. + + BIRTHA. + + Oh heaven & earthe! whatte ys ytt I doe heare? 1030 + Am I betraste[112]? where ys mie AElla, saie! + + CELMONDE. + + O! do nete nowe to AElla syke love bere, + Botte geven some onne Celmondes hedde. + + BIRTHA. + + Awaie! + I wylle be gone, & groape mie passage oute, + Albeytte neders stynges mie legs do twyne aboute. 1035 + + CELMONDE. + + Nowe bie the seynctes I wylle notte lette thee goe, + Ontylle thou doeste mie brendynge love amate. + Those eyne have caused Celmonde myckle woe, + Yenne lette yer smyle fyrst take hymm yn regrate. + O! didst thou see mie breastis troblous state, 1040 + Theere love doth harrie up mie joie, and ethe! + I wretched bee, beyonde the hele of fate, + Gyss Birtha stylle wylle make mie harte-veynes blethe. + Softe as the sommer flowreets, Birtha, looke, + Fulle ylle I canne thie frownes & harde dyspleasaunce brooke. 1045 + + BIRTHA. + + Thie love ys foule; I woulde bee deafe for aie, + Radher thanne heere syche deslavatie[113] sedde. + Swythynne flie from mee, and ne further saie; + Radher thanne heare thie love, I woulde bee dead. + Yee seynctes! & shal I wronge mie AElla's bedde, 1050 + And wouldst thou, Celmonde, tempte me to the thynge? + Lett mee be gone--alle curses onne thie hedde! + Was ytte for thys thou dydste a message brynge! + Lette mee be gone, thou manne of sable harte! + Or welkyn[114] & her starres wyll take a maydens parte. 1055 + + CELMONDE. + + Sythence you wylle notte lette mie suyte avele, + Mie love wylle have yttes joie, altho wythe guylte; + Youre lymbes shall bende, albeytte strynge as stele; + The merkye seesonne wylle your bloshes hylte[115]. + + BIRTHA. + + Holpe, holpe, yee seynctes! oh thatte mie blodde was spylte! 1060 + + CELMONDE. + + The seynctes att distaunce stonde ynn tyme of nede. + Strev notte to goe; thou canste notte, gyff thou wylte. + Unto mie wysche bee kinde, & nete alse hede. + + BIRTHA. + + No, foule bestoykerre, I wylle rende the ayre, + Tylle dethe do staie mie dynne, or somme kynde roder heare. 1065 + Holpe! holpe! oh godde! + + + + + CELMONDE, BIRTHA, HURRA, DANES. + + + HURRA. + + Ah! thatts a wommanne cries. + I kenn hem; saie, who are you, yatte bee theere? + + CELMONDE. + + Yee hyndes, awaie! orre bie thys swerde yee dies. + + HURRA. + + Thie wordes wylle ne mie hartis sete affere. + + BIRTHA. + + Save mee, oh! save mee from thys royner heere! 1070 + + HURRA. + + Stonde thou bie mee; nowe saie thie name & londe; + Or swythyne schall mie swerde thie boddie tare. + + CELMONDE. + + Bothe I wylle shewe thee bie mie brondeous[116] honde. + + HURRA. + + Besette hym rounde, yee Danes. + + CELMONDE. + + Comme onne, and see + Gyff mie strynge anlace maie bewryen whatte I bee. 1075 + [_Fyghte al anenste_ Celmonde, _meynte Danes he fleath, + and faleth to_ Hurra. + + CELMONDE. + + Oh! I forslagen[117] be! ye Danes, now kenne, + I amme yatte Celmonde, seconde yn the fyghte, + Who dydd, atte Watchette, so forslege youre menne; + I fele myne eyne to swymme yn aeterne nyghte;-- + To her be kynde. [_Dieth_. + + HURRA. + + Thenne felle a wordhie knyghte. 1080 + Saie, who bee you? + + BIRTHA. + + I am greate AElla's wyfe. + + HURRA. + + Ah + + BIRTHA. + + Gyff anenste hym you harboure soule despyte, + Nowe wythe the lethal anlace take mie lyfe, + Mie thankes I ever onne you wylle bestowe, + From ewbryce[118] you mee pyghte, the worste of mortal woe. 1085 + + HURRA. + + I wylle; ytte scalle bee foe: yee Dacyans, heere. + Thys AElla havethe been oure foe for aie. + Thorrowe the battelle he dyd brondeous teare, + Beyng the lyfe and head of everych fraie; + From everych Dacyanne power he won the daie, 1090 + Forslagen Magnus, all oure schippes ybrente; + Bie hys felle arme wee now are made to straie; + The speere of Dacya he ynne pieces shente; + Whanne hantoned barckes unto our londe dyd comme, + AElla the gare dheie sed, & wysched hym bytter dome. 1095 + + BIRTHA. + + Mercie! + + HURRA. + + Bee stylle. + Botte yette he ys a foemanne goode and fayre; + Whanne wee are spente, he foundethe the forloyne; + The captyves chayne he tosseth ynne the ayre, + Cheered the wounded bothe wythe bredde & wyne; + Has hee notte untoe somme of you bynn dygne? 1100 + You would have smethd onne Wedecestrian fielde, + Botte hee behylte the flughorne for to cleyne, + Throwynge onne hys wyde backe, hys wyder spreddynge shielde. + Whanne you, as caytysned, yn fielde dyd bee, + Hee oathed you to bee stylle, & strayte dydd sette you free. 1105 + + Scalle wee forslege[119] hys wyfe, because he's brave? + Bicaus hee fyghteth for hys countryes gare? + Wylle hee, who havith bynne yis AElla's slave, + Robbe hym of whatte percase he holdith deere? + Or scalle we menne of mennys sprytes appere, 1110 + Doeynge hym favoure for hys favoure donne, + Swefte to hys pallace thys damoiselle bere, + Bewrynne oure case, and to oure waie be gonne? + The last you do approve; so lette ytte bee; + Damoyselle, comme awaie; you safe scalle bee wythe mee. 1115 + + BIRTHA. + + Al blessynges maie the seynctes unto yee gyve! + Al pleasaunce maie youre longe-straughte livynges bee! + AElla, whanne knowynge thatte bie you I lyve, + Wylle thyncke too smalle a guyfte the londe & sea. + O Celmonde! I maie deftlie rede bie thee, 1120 + Whatte ille betydethe the enfouled kynde; + Maie ne thie cross-stone[120] of thie cryme bewree! + Maie alle menne ken thie valoure, fewe thie mynde! + Soldyer! for syke thou arte ynn noble fraie, + I wylle thie goinges 'tende, & doe thou lede the waie. 1125 + + HURRA. + + The mornynge 'gyns alonge the Easte to sheene; + Darklinge the lyghte doe onne the waters plaie; + The feynte rodde leme slowe creepeth oere the greene, + Toe chase the merkyness of nyghte awaie; + Swifte flies the howers thatte wylle brynge oute the daie; 1130 + The softe dewe falleth onne the greeynge grasse; + The shepster mayden, dyghtynge her arraie, + Scante[121] sees her vysage yn the wavie glasse; + Bie the fulle daylieghte wee scalle AElla see. + Or Brystowes wallyd towne; damoyselle, followe mee. 1135 + + + + + AT BRYSTOWE. + + + AELLA AND SERVITOURES. + + AELLA. + + 'Tys nowe fulle morne; I thoughten, bie laste nyghte + To have been heere; mie stede han notte mie love; + Thys ys mie pallace; lette mie hyndes alyghte, + Whylste I goe oppe, & wake mie slepeynge dove. + Staie here, mie hyndlettes; I shal goe above. 1140 + Nowe. Birtha, wyll thie loke enhele mie spryte, + Thie smyles unto mie woundes a baulme wylle prove; + Mie ledanne boddie wylle bee sette aryghte. + Egwina, haste, & ope the portalle doore, + Yatte I on Birtha's breste maie thynke of warre ne more. 1145 + + + + + AELLA, EGWINA. + + + EGWINA. + + Oh AElla! + + AELLA. + + Ah! that semmlykeene to mee + Speeketh a legendary tale of woe. + + EGWINA. + + Birtha is-- + + AELLA. + + Whatt? where? how? saie, whatte of shee? + + EGWINA. + + Gone-- + + AELLA. + + Gone! ye goddes! + + EGWINA. + + Alas! ytte ys toe true. + Yee seynctes, hee dies awaie wythe myckle woe! 1150 + AElla! what? AElla! oh! hee lyves agen. + + AELLA. + + Cal mee notte AElla; I am hymme ne moe. + Where ys shee gon awaie? ah! speake! how? when? + + EGWINA. + + I will. + + AELLA. + + Caparyson a score of stedes; flie, flie. + Where ys shee? swythynne speeke, or instante thou shalte die. 1155 + + EGWINA. + + Stylle thie loud rage, & here thou whatte I knowe. + + AELLA. + + Oh! speek. + + EGWINA. + + Lyche prymrose, droopynge wythe the heavie rayne, + Laste nyghte I lefte her, droopynge wythe her wiere, + Her love the gare, thatte gave her harte syke peyne-- + + AELLA. + + Her love! to whomme? + + EGWINA. + + To thee, her spouse alleyne[122]. 1160 + As ys mie hentylle everyche morne to goe, + I wente, and oped her chamber doore ynn twayne, + Botte found her notte, as I was wont to doe; + Thanne alle arounde the pallace I dyd seere[123], + Botte culde (to mie hartes woe) ne fynde her anie wheere. 1165 + + AELLA. + + Thou lyest, foul hagge! thou lyest; thou art her ayde + To chere her louste;--botte noe; ytte cannotte bee. + + EGWINA. + + Gyff trouthe appear notte inne whatte I have sayde, + Drawe forthe thie anlace swythyn, thanne mee flea. + + AELLA. + + Botte yette ytte muste, ytte muste bee foe; I see, 1170 + Shee wythe somme loustie paramoure ys gone; + Itte moste bee foe--oh! how ytte wracketh mee! + Mie race of love, mie race of lyfe ys ronne; + Nowe rage, & brondeous storm, & tempeste comme; + Nete lyvynge upon erthe can now enswote mie domme. 1175 + + + + + AELLA, EGWINA, SERVYTOURE. + + + SERVYTOURE. + + Loverde! I am aboute the trouthe to saie. + Laste nyghte, fulle late I dydde retourne to reste. + As to mie chamber I dydde bende mie waie, + To Birtha onne hys name & place addreste; + Downe to hym camme shee; butte thereof the reste 1180 + I ken ne matter; so, mie hommage made-- + + AELLA. + + O! speake ne moe; mie harte flames yn yttes heste; + I once was AElla; nowe bee notte yttes shade. + Hanne alle the fuirie of mysfortunes wylle + Fallen onne mie benned[124] headde I hanne been AElla stylle. 1185 + + Thys alleyn was unburled[125] of alle mie spryte; + Mie honnoure, honnoure, frownd on the dolce[126] wynde, + Thatte steeked on ytte; nowe wyth rage Im pyghte; + A brondeous unweere ys mie engyned mynde. + Mie hommeur yette somme drybblet joie maie fynde, 1190 + To the Danes woundes I wylle another yeve; + Whanne thos mie rennome[127] & mie peace ys rynde, + Itte were a recrandize to thyncke toe lyve; + Mie huscarles, untoe everie asker telle, + Gyffe noblie AElla lyved, as noblie AElla felle. 1195 + [_Stabbeth hys breste_. + + SERVYTOURE. + + AElla ys sleene; the flower of Englonde's marrde! + + AELLA. + + Be stylle: swythe lette the chyrches rynge mie knelle. + Call hyther brave Coernyke; he, as warde + Of thys mie Brystowe castle, wyll doe welle. + [_Knelle ryngeth_. + + + + + AELLA, EGWINA, SERVYTOURE, COERNYKE. + + + AELLA. + + Thee I ordeyne the warde; so alle maie telle. 1200 + I have botte lyttel tym to dragge thys lyfe; + Mie lethal tale, alyche a lethalle belle, + Dynne yn the eares of her I wyschd mie wyfe! + Botte, ah! shee maie be fayre. + + EGWINA. + + Yatte shee moste bee. + + AELLA. + + Ah! saie notte foe; yatte worde woulde AElla dobblie flee. 1205 + + + + + + AELLA, EGWINA, SERVYTOURE, COERNYKE, BIRTHA, HURRA. + + + AELLA. + + Ah! Birtha here! + + BIRTHA. + + Whatte dynne ys thys? whatte menes yis leathalle knelle? + Where ys mie AElla? speeke; where? howe ys hee? + Oh AElla! art thou yanne alyve and welle! + + AELLA. + + I lyve yndeed; botte doe notte lyve for thee. + + BIRTHA. + + Whatte menes mie AElla? + + AELLA. + + Here mie meneynge see. 1210 + Thie foulness urged mie honde to gyve thys wounde, + Ytte mee unsprytes[128]. + + BIRTHA. + + Ytte hathe unspryted mee. + + AELLA. + + Ah heavens! mie Birtha fallethe to the grounde! + Botte yette I am a manne, and so wylle bee. + + HURRA. + + AElla! I amme a Dane; botte yette a friende to thee. 1215 + + Thys damoyselle I founde wythynne a woode, + Strevynge fulle harde anenste a burled swayne; + I sente hym myrynge ynne mie compheeres blodde, + Celmonde hys name, chief of thie warrynge trayne. + Yis damoiselle foughte to be here agayne; 1220 + The whyche, albeytte foemen, wee dydd wylle; + So here wee broughte her wythe you to remayne. + + COERNIKE. + + Yee nobylle Danes! wythe goulde I wyll you fylle. + + AELLA. + + Birtha, mie lyfe! mie love! oh! she ys fayre. + Whatte faultes coulde Birtha have, whatte faultes could AElla feare? + + BIRTHA. + + Amm I yenne thyne? I cannotte blame thie feere. + Botte doe reste mee uponne mie AElla's breaste; + I wylle to thee bewryen the woefulle gare. + Celmonde dyd comme to mee at tyme of reste, + Wordeynge for mee to flie, att your requeste, 1230 + To Watchette towne, where you deceasynge laie; + I wyth hym fledde; thro' a murke wode we preste, + Where hee foule love unto mie eares dyd saie; + The Danes-- + + AELLA. + + Oh! I die contente.-- [_dieth_. + + BIRTHA. + + Oh! ys mie AElla dedde? + O! I will make hys grave mie vyrgyn spousal bedde. 1235 + [Birtha _feyncteth_. + + COERNYKE. + + Whatt? AElla deadde! & Birtha dyynge toe! + Soe falles the fayrest flourettes of the playne. + Who canne unplyte the wurchys heaven can doe, + Or who untweste the role of shappe yn twayne? + AElla, thie rennome was thie onlie gayne; 1240 + For yatte, thie pleasaunce, & thie joie was loste. + Thie countrymen shall rere thee, on the playne, + A pyle of carnes, as anie grave can boaste; + Further, a just amede to thee to bee, + Inne heaven thou synge of Godde, on erthe we'lle synge of thee. 1245 + +THE ENDE. + +[Footnote 1: robes, mantels.] + +[Footnote 2: a pen.] + +[Footnote 3: express.] + +[Footnote 4: countenance.] + +[Footnote 5: covered.] + +[Footnote 6: such.] + +[Footnote 7: another.] + +[Footnote 8: at once.] + +[Footnote 9: mighty.] + +[Footnote 10: hardy, valourous.] + +[Footnote 11: violence.] + +[Footnote 12: binding, enforcing.] + +[Footnote 13: fate.] + +[Footnote 14: lessen, decrease.] + +[Footnote 15: faith.] + +[Footnote 16: blinded.] + +[Footnote 17: lights, rays.] + +[Footnote 18: fellows, equals.] + +[Footnote 19: disdainful.] + +[Footnote 20: presents, offerings.] + +[Footnote 21: scarfs.] + +[Footnote 22: robes of scarlet.] + +[Footnote 23: bounded.] + +[Footnote 24: large.] + +[Footnote 25: elephants.] + +[Footnote 26: destroy.] + +[Footnote 27: stretched.] + +[Footnote 28: services.] + +[Footnote 29: memory, understanding.] + +[Footnote 30: Shepherd.] + +[Footnote 31: deceiver.] + +[Footnote 32: meadows.] + +[Footnote 33: The black bird.] + +[Footnote 34: Gold-finch.] + +[Footnote 35: loudly.] + +[Footnote 36: lectures.] + +[Footnote 37: Apparel.] + +[Footnote 38: At once.] + +[Footnote 39: a divine.] + +[Footnote 40: A cottage.] + +[Footnote 41: Lord.] + +[Footnote 42: stretch.] + +[Footnote 43: tender.] + +[Footnote 44: Naked.] + +[Footnote 45: Hot.] + +[Footnote 46: health.] + +[Footnote 47: Quickly.] + +[Footnote 48: Laughable.] + +[Footnote 49: Drouned.] + +[Footnote 50: Stilled, quenched.] + +[Footnote 51: Swelling.] + +[Footnote 52: Body, substance.] + +[Footnote 53: Still, dead.] + +[Footnote 54: arrows, darts.] + +[Footnote 55: Terrible.] + +[Footnote 56: Offended.] + +[Footnote 57: upbraiding.] + +[Footnote 58: cease.] + +[Footnote 59: swollen.] + +[Footnote 60: Torture.] + +[Footnote 61: asswage.] + +[Footnote 62: difficult.] + +[Footnote 63: Jewels.] + +[Footnote 64: stay.] + +[Footnote 65: Wrapped closely, covered.] + +[Footnote 66: fastened.] + +[Footnote 67: astonish'd.] + +[Footnote 68: Naked.] + +[Footnote 69: Scatterest.] + +[Footnote 70: Strange.] + +[Footnote 71: Quickly.] + +[Footnote 72: offerings.] + +[Footnote 73: mantels.] + +[Footnote 74: Enlighten.] + +[Footnote 75: Least.] + +[Editor's note: l. 467 _see Introduction p._ xli] + +[Footnote 76: Against.] + +[Footnote 77: Work.] + +[Editor's note: l. 489 sphere: _see note on p_. xli] + +[Footnote 78: Terror.] + +[Footnote 79: cowards.] + +[Footnote 80: Wave.] + +[Footnote 81: Contentions.] + +[Footnote 82: frighted.] + +[Footnote 83: Lose.] + +[Footnote 84: Child.] + +[Footnote 85: Fate-scourged.] + +[Footnote 86: flamed, fired.] + +[Footnote 87: lighted.] + +[Footnote 88: dead.] + +[Footnote 89: blasting.] + +[Footnote 90: swallows, sucks in.] + +[Footnote 91: unaccustomed.] + +[Footnote 92: Declaring.] + +[Footnote 93: Shall.] + +[Footnote 94: Coward.] + +[Footnote 95: Retreat.] + +[Footnote 96: Burnish.] + +[Footnote 97: Frighted.] + +[Footnote 98: Eternal.] + +[Footnote 99: Grief.] + +[Footnote 100: Running.] + +[Footnote 101: hair.] + +[Footnote 102: complexion.] + +[Footnote 103: Water-flags.] + +[Footnote 104: Frozen, cold.] + +[Footnote 105: horse coursers, couriers.] + +[Footnote 106: Risen.] + +[Footnote 107: church-yard.] + +[Footnote 108: Promised.] + +[Footnote 109: Life.] + +[Footnote 110: Scarcely, sparingly.] + +[Footnote 111: Torch.] + +[Footnote 112: Betrayed.] + +[Footnote 113: Letchery.] + +[Footnote 114: heaven.] + +[Footnote 115: hide.] + +[Footnote 116: Furious.] + +[Footnote 117: slain.] + +[Footnote 118: Adultery.] + +[Footnote 119: Slay.] + +[Footnote 120: Monument.] + +[Footnote 121: Scarce.] + +[Footnote 122: Only, alone.] + +[Footnote 123: Search.] + +[Footnote 124: Cursed, tormented.] + +[Footnote 125: unarmed.] + +[Footnote 126: soft, gentle.] + +[Footnote 127: renown.] + +[Footnote 128: Un-souls.] + + + + +GODDWYN; + +A TRAGEDIE. + +BY THOMAS ROWLEIE. + + + + +PERSONS REPRESENTED. + + HAROLDE, bie _T. Rowleie_, the Aucthoure. + GODDWYN, bie _Johan de Iscamme_. + ELWARDE, bie Syrr _Thybbot Gorges_. + ALSTAN, bie Syrr _Alan de Vere_. + KYNGE EDWARDE, bie Mastre _Willyam Canynge_. + + Odhers bie _Knyghtes Mynnstrells_. + + + + +PROLOGUE, + +Made bie Maistre WILLIAM CANYNGE. + + + Whylomme[1]bie pensmenne[2] moke[3] ungentle[4] name + Have upon Goddwynne Erie of Kente bin layde: + Dherebie benymmynge[5] hymme of faie[6] and fame; + Unliart[7] divinistres[8] haveth faide, + Thatte he was knowen toe noe hallie[9] wurche[10]; 5 + Botte thys was all hys faulte, he gyfted ne[11] the churche. + + The aucthoure[12] of the piece whiche we enacte, + Albeytte[13] a clergyon[14], trouthe wyll wrytte. + Inne drawynge of hys menne no wytte ys lackte; + Entyn[15] a kynge mote[16] bee full pleased to nyghte. 10 + Attende, and marcke the partes nowe to be done; + Wee better for toe doe do champyon[17] anie onne. + + + + + GODDWYN; A TRAGEDIE. + + + GODDWYN AND HAROLDE. + + GODDWYN. + + Harolde! + + HAROLDE. + + Mie loverde[18]! + + GODDWYN. + + O! I weepe to thyncke, + What foemen[19] riseth to ifrete[20] the londe. + Theie batten[21] onne her fleshe, her hartes bloude dryncke, + And all ys graunted from the roieal honde. + + HAROLDE. + + Lette notte thie agreme[22] blyn[23], ne aledge[24] stonde; 5 + Bee I toe wepe, I wepe in teres of gore: + Am I betrassed[25], syke[26] shulde mie burlie[27] bronde + Depeyncte[28] the wronges on hym from whom I bore. + + GODDWYN. + + I ken thie spryte[29] ful welle; gentle thou art, + Stringe[30], ugsomme[31], rou[32], as smethynge[33] armyes seeme; 10 + Yett efte[34], I feare, thie chefes[35] toe grete a parte, + And that thie rede[36] bee efte borne downe bie breme[37]. + What tydynges from the kynge? + + HAROLDE. + + His Normans know. + I make noe compheeres of the shemrynge[38] trayne. + + GODDWYN. + + Ah Harolde! tis a syghte of myckle woe, 15 + To kenne these Normannes everich rennome gayne. + What tydynge withe the foulke[39]? + + HAROLDE. + + Stylle mormorynge atte yer shap[40], stylle toe the kynge + Theie rolle theire trobbles, lyche a sorgie sea. + Hane Englonde thenne a tongue, butte notte a stynge? 20 + Dothe alle compleyne, yette none wylle ryghted bee? + + GODDWYN. + + Awayte the tyme, whanne Godde wylle sende us ayde. + + HAROLDE. + + No, we muste streve to ayde oureselves wyth powre. + Whan Godde wylle sende us ayde! tis fetelie[41] prayde. + Moste we those calke[42] awaie the lyve-longe howre? 25 + Thos croche[43] oure armes, and ne toe lyve dareygne[44]. + Unburled[45] undelievre[46], unespryte[47]? + Far fro mie harte be fled thyk[48] thoughte of peyne, + Ile free mie countrie, or Ille die yn fyghte. + + GODDWYN. + + Botte lette us wayte untylle somme season fytte. 30 + Mie Kentyshmen, thie Summertons shall ryse; + Adented[49] prowess[50] to the gite[51] of witte, + Agayne the argent[52] horse shall daunce yn skies. + Oh Harolde, heere forstraughteynge[53] wanhope[54] lies. + Englonde, oh Englonde, tys for thee I blethe[55]. 35 + Whylste Edwarde to thie sonnes wylle nete alyse[56], + Shulde anie of thie sonnes fele aughte of ethe[57]? + Upponne the trone[58] I sette thee, helde thie crowne; + Botte oh! twere hommage nowe to pyghte[59] thee downe. + Thou arte all preeste, & notheynge of the kynge. 40 + Thou arte all Norman, nothynge of mie blodde. + Know, ytte beseies[60] thee notte a masse to synge; + Servynge thie leegefolcke[61] thou arte servynge Godde. + + HAROLDE. + + Thenne Ille doe heaven a servyce. To the skyes + The dailie contekes[62] of the londe ascende. 45 + The wyddowe, fahdrelesse, & bondemennes cries + Acheke[63] the mokie[64] aire & heaven astende[65] + On us the rulers doe the folcke depende; + Hancelled[66] from erthe these Normanne[67] hyndes shalle bee; + Lyche a battently[68] low[69], mie swerde shalle brende[70]; 50 + Lyche fallynge softe rayne droppes, I wyll hem[71] slea[72]; + Wee wayte too longe; our purpose wylle defayte[73]; + Aboune[74] the hyghe empryze[75], & rouze the champyones strayte. + + GODDWYN. + + Thie suster-- + + HAROLDE. + + Aye, I knowe, she is his queene. + Albeytte[76], dyd shee speeke her foemen[77] fayre, 55 + I wulde dequace[78] her comlie semlykeene[79], + And foulde mie bloddie anlace[80] yn her hayre. + + GODDWYN. + + Thye fhuir[81] blyn[82]. + + HAROLDE. + + No, bydde the leathal[83] mere[84] + Upriste[85] withe hiltrene[86] wyndes & cause unkend[87], + Beheste[88] it to be lete[89]; so twylle appeare, 60 + Eere Harolde hyde hys name, his contries frende. + The gule-steynct[90] brygandyne[91], the adventayle[92], + The feerie anlace[92] brede[93] shal make mie gare[94] prevayle. + + GODDWYN. + + Harolde, what wuldest doe? + + HAROLDE. + + Bethyncke thee whatt. + Here liethe Englonde, all her drites [95] unfree, 65 + Here liethe Normans coupynge[96] her bie lotte, + Caltysnyng[97] everich native plante to gre[98], + Whatte woulde I doe? I brondeous[99] wulde hem slee[100]; + Tare owte theyre sable harte bie ryghtefulle breme[101]; + Theyre deathe a meanes untoe mie lyfe shulde bee, 70 + Mie spryte shulde revelle yn theyr harte-blodde streme. + Eftsoones I wylle bewryne[102] mie ragefulle ire, + And Goddis anlace[103] wielde yn furie dyre. + + GODDWYN. + + Whatte wouldest thou wythe the kynge? + + HAROLDE. + + Take offe hys crowne; + The ruler of somme mynster[104] hym ordeyne; 75 + Sette uppe fom dygner[105] than I han pyghte[106] downe; + And peace in Englonde shulde be brayd[107] agayne. + + GODDWYN. + + No, lette the super-hallie[108] seyncte kynge reygne, + Ande somme moe reded[109] rule the untentyff[110] reaulme; + Kynge Edwarde, yn hys cortesie, wylle deygne 80 + To yielde the spoiles, and alleyne were the heaulme: + Botte from mee harte bee everych thoughte of gayne, + Not anie of mie kin I wysche him to ordeyne. + + HAROLDE. + + Tell me the meenes, and I wylle boute ytte strayte; + Bete[111] mee to slea[112] mieself, ytte shalle be done. 85 + + GODDWYN. + + To thee I wylle swythynne[113] the menes unplayte[114], + Bie whyche thou, Harolde, shalte be proved mie sonne. + I have longe seen whatte peynes were undergon, + Whatte agrames[115] braunce[116] out from the general tree; + The tyme ys commynge, whan the mollock[117] gron[118] 90 + Drented[119] of alle yts swolynge[120] owndes[121] shalle bee; + Mie remedie is goode; our menne shall ryse: + Eftsoons the Normans and owre agrame[122] flies. + + HAROLDE. + + I will to the West, and gemote[123] alle mie knyghtes, + Wythe bylles that pancte for blodde, and sheeldes as brede[124] 95 + As the ybroched[125] moon, when blaunch[126] shedyghtes[127] + The wodeland grounde or water-mantled mede; + Wythe hondes whose myghte canne make the doughtiest[128] blede, + Who efte have knelte upon forslagen[129] foes, + Whoe wythe yer fote orrests[130] a castle-stede[131], 100 + Who dare on kynges for to bewrecke[123] yiere woes; + Nowe wylle the menne of Englonde haile the daie, + Whan Goddwyn leades them to the ryghtfulle fraie. + + GODDWYN. + + Botte firste we'll call the loverdes of the West, + The erles of Mercia, Conventrie and all; 105 + The moe wee gayne, the gare[133] wylle prosper beste, + Wythe syke a nomber wee can never fall. + + HAROLDE. + + True, so wee sal doe best to lyncke the chayne, + And alle attenes[134] the spreddynge kyngedomme bynde. + No crouched[135] champyone wythe an harte moe feygne 100 + Dyd yssue owte the hallie[136] swerde to fynde, + Than I nowe strev to ryd mie londe of peyne. + Goddwyn, what thanckes owre laboures wylle enhepe! + I'lle ryse mie friendes unto the bloddie pleyne; + I'lle wake the honnoure thatte ys now aslepe. 115 + When wylle the chiefes mete atte thie feastive halle, + That I wythe voice alowde maie there upon 'em calle? + + GODDWYN. + + Next eve, mie sonne. + + HAROLDE. + + Nowe, Englonde, ys the tyme, + Whan thee or thie felle foemens cause moste die. + Thie geason[137] wronges bee reyne[138] ynto theyre pryme; 120 + Nowe wylle thie sonnes unto thie succoure flie. + Alyche a storm egederinge[139] yn the skie, + Tys fulle ande brasteth[140] on the chaper[141] grounde; + Sycke shalle mie fhuirye on the Normans flie, + And alle theyre mittee[142] menne be sleene[143] arounde. 125 + Nowe, nowe, wylle Harolde or oppressionne falle, + Ne moe the Englyshmenne yn vayne for hele[144] shal calle. + + + + + KYNGE EDWARDE AND HYS QUEENE. + + + QUEENE. + + Botte, loverde[145], whie so manie Normannes here? + Mee thynckethe wee bee notte yn Englyshe londe. + These browded[146] straungers alwaie doe appere, 130 + Theie parte yor trone[147], and sete at your ryghte honde. + + KYNGE. + + Go to, goe to, you doe ne understonde: + Theie yeave mee lyffe and dyd mie bowkie[148] kepe; + Theie dyd mee feeste, and did embowre[149] me gronde; + To trete hem ylle wulde lette mie kyndnesse slepe. 135 + + QUEENE. + + Mancas[150] you have yn store, and to them parte; + Youre leege-folcke[151] make moke[152] dole[153], you have theyr worthe asterte[154]. + + KYNGE. + + I heste[155] no rede of you. I ken mie friendes. + Hallie[156] dheie are, fulle ready mee to hele[157]. + Theyre volundes[158] are ystorven[159] to self endes; 140 + No denwere[160] yn mie breste I of them fele: + I muste to prayers; goe yn, and you do wele; + I muste ne lose the dutie of the daie; + Go inne, go ynne, ande viewe the azure rele[161], + Fulle welle I wote you have noe mynde toe praie. 145 + + QUEENE. + + I leeve youe to doe hommage heaven-were[162]; + To serve yor leege-folcke toe is doeynge hommage there. + + + + + KYNGE AND SYR HUGHE. + + + KYNGE. + + Mie friende, Syr Hughe, whatte tydynges brynges thee here? + + HUGHE. + + There is no mancas yn mie loverdes ente[163]; + The hus dyspense[164] unpaied doe appere; 150 + The laste receivure[165] ys eftesoones[166] dispente[167]. + + KYNGE. + + Thenne guylde the Weste. + + HUGHE. + + Mie loverde, I dyd speke + Untoe the mitte[168] Erle Harolde of the thynge; + He raysed hys honde, and smoke me onne the cheke, + Saieynge, go beare thatte message to the kynge. 155 + + KYNGE. + + Arace[169] hym of hys powere; bie Goddis worde, + Ne moe thatte Harolde shall ywield the erlies swerde. + + HUGHE. + + Atte seeson fytte, mie loverde, lette itt bee; + Botte nowe the folcke doe soe enalse[170] hys name, + Inne strevvynge to slea hymme, ourselves wee slea; 160 + Syke ys the doughtyness[171] of hys grete fame. + + KYNGE. + + Hughe, I beethyncke, thie rede[172] ys notte to blame. + Botte thou maiest fynde fulle store of marckes yn Kente. + + HUGHE. + + Mie noble loverde, Godwynn ys the same + He sweeres he wylle notte swelle the Normans ent. 165 + + KYNGE. + + Ah traytoure! botte mie rage I wylle commaunde. + Thou arte a Normanne, Hughe, a straunger to the launde. + + Thou kenneste howe these Englysche erle doe bere + Such stedness[173] in the yll and evylle thynge, + Botte atte the goode theie hover yn denwere[174], 170 + Onknowlachynge[175] gif thereunto to clynge. + + HUGHE. + + Onwordie syke a marvelle[176] of a kynge! + O Edwarde, thou deservest purer leege[177]; + To thee heie[178] shulden al theire mancas brynge; + Thie nodde should save menne, and thie glomb[179] forslege[180]. 175 + I amme no curriedowe[181], I lacke no wite [182], + I speke whatte bee the trouthe, and whatte all see is ryghte. + + KYNGE. + + Thou arte a hallie[183] manne, I doe thee pryze. + Comme, comme, and here and hele[184] mee ynn mie praires. + Fulle twentie mancas I wylle thee alise [185], 180 + And twayne of hamlettes[186] to thee and thie heyres. + So shalle all Normannes from mie londe be fed, + Theie alleyn[187] have syke love as to acquyre yer bredde. + + + + + CHORUS. + + + Whan Freedom, dreste yn blodde-steyned veste, + To everie knyghte her warre-songe sunge, 185 + Uponne her hedde wylde wedes were spredde; + A gorie anlace bye her honge. + She daunced onne the heathe; + She hearde the voice of deathe; + Pale-eyned affryghte, hys harte of sylver hue, 190 + In vayne assayled[188] her bosomme to acale[189]; + She hearde onflemed[190] the shriekynge voice of woe, + And sadnesse ynne the owlette shake the dale. + She shooke the burled[191] speere, + On hie she jeste[192] her sheelde, 195 + Her foemen[193] all appere, + And flizze[194] alonge the feelde. + Power, wythe his heasod[195] straught[196] ynto the skyes, + Hys speere a sonne-beame, and his sheelde a starre, + Alyche[197] twaie[198] brendeynge[199] gronfyres[200] rolls hys eyes, 200 + Chastes[201] with hys yronne feete and soundes to war. + She syttes upon a rocke, + She bendes before his speere, + She ryses from the shocke, + Wieldynge her owne yn ayre. 205 + Harde as the thonder dothe she drive ytte on, + Wytte scillye[202] wympled[203] gies[204] ytte to hys crowne, + Hys longe sharpe speere, hys spreddynge sheelde ys gon, + He falles, and fallynge rolleth thousandes down. + War, goare-faced war, bie envie burld[205], arist[206], 210 + Hys feerie heaulme[207] noddynge to the ayre, + Tenne bloddie arrowes ynne hys streynynge fyste-- + + * * * * * + +[Footnote 1: Of old, formerly.] + +[Footnote 2: writers, historians.] + +[Footnote 3: much.] + +[Footnote 4: inglorious.] + +[Footnote 5: bereaving.] + +[Footnote 6: faith.] + +[Footnote 7: unforgiving.] + +[Footnote 8: divines, clergymen, monks.] + +[Footnote 9: holy.] + +[Footnote 10: work.] + +[Footnote 11: not.] + +[Footnote 12: author.] + +[Footnote 13: though, notwithstanding.] + +[Footnote 14: clerk, or clergyman.] + +[Footnote 15: entyn, even.] + +[Footnote 16: might.] + +[Footnote 17: challenge.] + +[Footnote 18: Lord.] + +[Footnote 19: foes, enemies.] + +[Footnote 20: devour, destroy.] + +[Footnote 21: fatten.] + +[Footnote 22: Grievance; a sense of it.] + +[Footnote 23: cease, be still.] + +[Footnote 24: idly.] + +[Footnote 25: deceived, imposed on.] + +[Footnote 26: so.] + +[Footnote 27: fury, anger, rage.] + +[Footnote 28: paint, display.] + +[Footnote 29: soul.] + +[Footnote 30: strong.] + +[Footnote 31: terrible.] + +[Footnote 32: horrid, grim.] + +[Footnote 33: smoking, bleeding.] + +[Footnote 34: oft.] + +[Footnote 35: heat, rashness.] + +[Footnote 36: counsel, wisdom.] + +[Footnote 37: strength, also strong.] + +[Footnote 38: taudry, glimmering.] + +[Footnote 39: People.] + +[Footnote 40: fate, destiny.] + +[Footnote 41: nobly.] + +[Footnote 42: Cast.] + +[Footnote 43: cross, from crouche, a cross.] + +[Footnote 44: attempt, or endeavour.] + +[Footnote 45: unarmed.] + +[Footnote 46: unactive.] + +[Footnote 47: unspirited.] + +[Footnote 48: such.] + +[Footnote 49: fastened, annexed.] + +[Footnote 50: might, power.] + +[Footnote 51: mantle, or robe.] + +[Footnote 52: white, alluding to the arms of Kent, a horse saliant, +argent.] + +[Footnote 53: distracting.] + +[Footnote 54: despair.] + +[Footnote 55: bleed.] + +[Footnote 56: allow.] + +[Footnote 57: ease.] + +[Footnote 58: throne.] + +[Footnote 59: pluck.] + +[Footnote 60: Becomes.] + +[Footnote 61: subjects.] + +[Footnote 62: contentions, complaints.] + +[Footnote 63: choke.] + +[Footnote 64: dark, cloudy.] + +[Footnote 65: astonish.] + +[Footnote 66: cut off, destroyed.] + +[Footnote 67: slaves.] + +[Footnote 68: loud roaring.] + +[Footnote 69: flame of fire.] + +[Footnote 70: burn, consume.] + +[Footnote 71: them.] + +[Footnote 72: slay.] + +[Footnote 73: decay.] + +[Footnote 74: make ready.] + +[Footnote 75: enterprize.] + +[Footnote 76: Notwithstanding.] + +[Footnote 77: foes.] + +[Footnote 78: mangle, destroy.] + +[Footnote 79: beauty, countenance.] + +[Footnote 80: an ancient sword.] + +[Footnote 81: fury.] + +[Footnote 82: cease.] + +[Footnote 83: deadly.] + +[Footnote 84: lake.] + +[Footnote 85: swollen.] + +[Footnote 86: hidden.] + +[Footnote 87: unknown.] + +[Footnote 88: command.] + +[Footnote 89: still.] + +[Footnote 90: Red-stained.] + +[Footnotes 91, 92: parts of armour.] + +[Footnote 93: broad.] + +[Footnote 94: cause.] + +[Footnote 95: rights, liberties.] + +[Footnote 96: cutting, mangling.] + +[Footnote 97: forbidding.] + +[Footnote 98: grow.] + +[Footnote 99: furious.] + +[Footnote 100: slay.] + +[Footnote 101: strength.] + +[Footnote 102: declare.] + +[Footnote 103: sword.] + +[Footnote 104: Monastery.] + +[Footnote 105: more worthy.] + +[Footnote 106: pulled, plucked.] + +[Footnote 107: displayed.] + +[Footnote 108: over-righteous.] + +[Footnote 109: counselled, more wise.] + +[Footnote 110: uncareful, neglected.] + +[Footnote 111: Bid, command.] + +[Footnote 112: slay.] + +[Footnote 113: presently.] + +[Footnote 114: explain.] + +[Footnote 115: grievances.] + +[Footnote 116: branch.] + +[Footnote 117: wet, moist.] + +[Footnote 118: fen, moor.] + +[Footnote 119: drained.] + +[Footnote 120: swelling.] + +[Footnote 121: waves.] + +[Footnote 122: grievance.] + +[Footnote 123: assemble.] + +[Footnote 124: broad.] + +[Footnote 125: Horned.] + +[Footnote 126: white.] + +[Footnote 127: decks.] + +[Footnote 128: mightiest, most valiant.] + +[Footnote 129: slain.] + +[Footnote 130: oversets.] + +[Footnote 131: a castle.] + +[Footnote 132: revenge.] + +[Footnote 133: cause.] + +[Footnote 134: at once.] + +[Footnote 135: One who takes up the cross in order to fight against +the Saracens.] + +[Footnote 136: holy.] + +[Footnote 137: rare, extraordinary, strange.] + +[Footnote 138: run, shot up.] + +[Footnote 139: assembling, gathering.] + +[Footnote 140: bursteth.] + +[Footnote 141: dry, barren.] + +[Footnote 142: Mighty.] + +[Footnote 143: slain.] + +[Footnote 144: help.] + +[Footnote 145: Lord.] + +[Footnote 146: embroidered; 'tis conjectured, embroidery was not used +in England till Hen. II.] + +[Footnote 147: throne.] + +[Footnote 148: person, body.] + +[Footnote 149: lodge.] + +[Footnote 150: Marks.] + +[Footnote 151: subjects.] + +[Footnote 152: much.] + +[Footnote 153: lamentation.] + +[Footnote 154: neglected, or passed by.] + +[Footnote 155: require, ask.] + +[Footnote 156: holy.] + +[Footnote 157: help.] + +[Footnote 158: will.] + +[Footnote 159: dead.] + +[Footnote 160: doubt.] + +[Footnote 161: waves.] + +[Footnote 162: heaven-ward, or God-ward.] + +[Footnote 163: Purse, used here probably as a treasury.] + +[Footnote 164: expence.] + +[Footnote 165: receipt.] + +[Footnote 166: soon.] + +[Footnote 167: expended.] + +[Footnote 168: a contradiction of mighty.] + +[Footnote 169: Divest.] + +[Footnote 170: embrace.] + +[Footnote 171: mightiness.] + +[Footnote 172: counsel.] + +[Footnote 173: Firmness, stedfastness.] + +[Footnote 174: doubt, suspense.] + +[Footnote 175: not knowing.] + +[Footnote 176: wonder.] + +[Footnote 177: homage, obeysance.] + +[Footnote 178: they.] + +[Footnote 179: frown.] + +[Footnote 180: kill.] + +[Footnote 181: curriedowe, flatterer.] + +[Footnote 182: reward.] + +[Footnote 183: holy.] + +[Footnote 184: help.] + +[Footnote 185: allow.] + +[Footnote 186: manors.] + +[Footnote 187: alone.] + +[Footnote 188: Endeavoured.] + +[Footnote 189: freeze.] + +[Footnote 190: undismayed.] + +[Footnote 191: armed, pointed.] + +[Footnote 192: hoisted on high, raised.] + +[Footnote 193: foes, enemies.] + +[Footnote 194: fly.] + +[Footnote 195: head.] + +[Footnote 196: stretched.] + +[Footnote 197: Like.] + +[Footnote 198: two.] + +[Footnote 199: flaming.] + +[Footnote 200: meteors.] + +[Footnote 201: beats, stamps.] + +[Footnote 202: closely.] + +[Footnote 203: mantled, covered.] + +[Footnote 204: guides.] + +[Footnote 205: armed.] + +[Footnote 206: arose.] + +[Footnote 207: helmet.] + + + + +ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS: + +Bie T. ROWLEIE. + + + BOOKE 1st[1]. + + Whanne Scythyannes, salvage as the wolves theie chacde, + Peyncted in horrowe[2] formes bie nature dyghte, + Heckled[3] yn beastskyns, slepte uponne the waste, + And wyth the morneynge rouzed the wolfe to fyghte, + Swefte as descendeynge lemes[4] of roddie lyghte 5 + Plonged to the hulstred[5] bedde of laveynge seas, + Gerd[6] the blacke mountayn okes yn drybblets[7] twighte[8], + And ranne yn thoughte alonge the azure mees, + Whose eyne dyd feerie sheene, like blue-hayred defs[9], + That dreerie hange upon Dover's emblaunched[10] clefs. 10 + + Soft boundeynge over swelleynge azure reles[11] + The salvage natyves sawe a shyppe appere; + An uncouthe[12] denwere[13] to theire bosomme steles; + Theyre myghte ys knopped[14] ynne the froste of fere. + The headed javlyn lisseth[15] here and there; 15 + Theie stonde, theie ronne, theie loke wyth eger eyne; + The shyppes sayle, boleynge[16] wythe the kyndelie ayre, + Ronneth to harbour from the beateynge bryne; + Theie dryve awaie aghaste, whanne to the stronde + A burled[17] Trojan lepes, wythe Morglaien sweerde yn honde. 20 + + Hymme followede eftsoones hys compheeres[18], whose swerdes + Glestred lyke gledeynge[19] starres ynne frostie nete, + Hayleynge theyre capytayne in chirckynge[20] wordes + Kynge of the lande, whereon theie set theyre fete. + The greete kynge Brutus thanne theie dyd hym greete, 25 + Prepared for battle, mareschalled the syghte; + Theie urg'd the warre, the natyves fledde, as flete + As fleaynge cloudes that swymme before the syghte; + Tyll tyred with battles, for to ceese the fraie, + Theie uncted[21] Brutus kynge, and gave the Trojanns swaie. 30 + + Twayne of twelve years han lemed[22] up the myndes, + Leggende[23] the salvage unthewes[24] of theire breste, + Improved in mysterk[25] warre, and lymmed[26] theyre kyndes, + Whenne Brute from Brutons sonke to aeterne reste. + Eftsoons the gentle Locryne was possest 35 + Of swaie, and vested yn the paramente[27]; + Halceld[28] the bykrous[29] Huns, who dyd infeste + Hys wakeynge kyngdom wyth a foule intente; + As hys broade swerde oer Homberres heade was honge, + He tourned toe ryver wyde, and roarynge rolled alonge. 40 + + He wedded Gendolyne of roieal sede, + Upon whose countenance rodde healthe was spreade; + Bloushing, alyche[30] the scarlette of herr wede, + She sonke to pleasaunce on the marryage bedde. + Eftsoons her peaceful joie of mynde was fledde; 45 + Elstrid ametten with the kynge Locryne; + Unnombered beauties were upon her shedde, + Moche fyne, moche fayrer thanne was Gendolyne; + The mornynge tynge, the rose, the lillie floure, + In ever ronneynge race on her dyd peyncte theyre powere. 50 + + The gentle suyte of Locryne gayned her love; + Theie lyved soft momentes to a swotie[31] age; + Eft[32] wandringe yn the coppyce, delle, and grove, + Where ne one eyne mote theyre disporte engage; + There dydde theie tell the merrie lovynge sage[33], 55 + Croppe the prymrosen floure to decke theyre headde; + The feerie Gendolyne yn woman rage + Gemoted[34] warriours to bewrecke[35] her bedde; + Theie rose; ynne battle was greete Locryne sleene; + The faire Elstrida fledde from the enchased[36] queene. 60 + + A tye of love, a dawter fayre she hanne, + Whose boddeynge morneyng shewed a fayre daie, + Her fadre Locrynne, once an hailie manne. + Wyth the fayre dawterre dydde she haste awaie, + To where the Western mittee[37] pyles of claie 65 + Arise ynto the cloudes, and doe them beere; + There dyd Elstrida and Sabryna staie; + The fyrste tryckde out a whyle yn warryours gratch[38] and gear; + Vyncente was she ycleped, butte fulle soone fate + Sente deathe, to telle the dame, she was notte yn regrate[39]. 70 + + The queene Gendolyne sente a gyaunte knyghte, + Whose doughtie heade swepte the emmertleynge[40] skies, + To slea her wheresoever she shulde be pyghte[41], + Eke everychone who shulde her ele[42] emprize[43]. + Swefte as the roareynge wyndes the gyaunte flies, 75 + Stayde the loude wyndes, and shaded reaulmes yn nyghte, + Stepte over cytties, on meint[44] acres lies, + Meeteynge the herehaughtes of morneynge lighte; + Tyll mooveynge to the Weste, myschaunce hys gye[45], + He thorowe warriours gratch fayre Elstrid did espie. 80 + + He tore a ragged mountayne from the grounde, + Harried[46] uppe noddynge forrests to the skie, + Thanne wythe a fuirie, mote the erthe astounde[47], + To meddle ayre he lette the mountayne flie. + The flying wolfynnes sente a yelleynge crie; 85 + Onne Vyncente and Sabryna felle the mount; + To lyve aeternalle dyd theie eftsoones die; + Thorowe the sandie grave boiled up the pourple founte, + On a broade grassie playne was layde the hylle, + Staieynge the rounynge course of meint a limmed[48] rylle. 90 + + The goddes, who kenned the actyons of the wyghte, + To leggen[49] the sadde happe of twayne so fayre, + Houton[50] dyd make the mountaine bie theire mighte. + Forth from Sabryna ran a ryverre cleere, + Roarynge and rolleynge on yn course bysmare[51]; 95 + From female Vyncente shotte a ridge of stones, + Eche syde the ryver rysynge heavenwere; + Sabrynas floode was helde ynne Elstryds bones. + So are theie cleped; gentle and the hynde + Can telle, that Severnes streeme bie Vyncentes rocke's ywrynde[52]. 100 + + The bawsyn[53] gyaunt, hee who dyd them slee, + To telle Gendolyne quycklie was ysped[54]; + Whanne, as he strod alonge the shakeynge lee, + The roddie levynne[55] glesterrd on hys headde: + Into hys hearte the azure vapoures spreade; 105 + He wrythde arounde yn drearie dernie[56] payne; + Whanne from his lyfe-bloode the rodde lemes[57] were fed, + He felle an hepe of ashes on the playne: + Stylle does hys ashes shoote ynto the lyghte, + A wondrous mountayne hie, and Snowdon ys ytte hyghte. 110 + +FINIS. + +[Footnote 1: I will endeavour to get the remainder of these poems.] + +[Footnote 2: unseemly, disagreeable.] + +[Footnote 3: wrapped.] + +[Footnote 4: rays.] + +[Footnote 5: hidden, secret.] + +[Footnote 6: broke, rent.] + +[Footnote 7: small pieces.] + +[Footnote 8: pulled, rent.] + +[Footnote 9: vapours, meteors.] + +[Footnote 10: emblaunched.] + +[Editor's note: _Title: See Introduction_ p. xli] + +[Footnote 11: Ridges, rising waves.] + +[Footnotes 12, 13: unknown tremour.] + +[Footnote 14: fastened, chained, congealed.] + +[Footnote 15: boundeth.] + +[Footnote 16: swelling.] + +[Footnote 17: armed.] + +[Footnote 18: companions.] + +[Footnote 19: livid.] + +[Footnote 20: a confused noise.] + +[Footnote 21: Anointed.] + +[Footnote 22: enlightened.] + +[Footnote 23: alloyed.] + +[Footnote 24: savage barbarity.] + +[Footnote 25: mystic.] + +[Footnote 26: polished.] + +[Footnote 27: a princely robe.] + +[Footnote 28: defeated.] + +[Footnote 29: warring.] + +[Footnote 30: Like.] + +[Footnote 31: sweet.] + +[Footnote 32: oft.] + +[Footnote 33: a tale.] + +[Footnote 34: assembled.] + +[Footnote 35: revenge.] + +[Footnote 36: heated, enraged.] + +[Footnote 37: Mighty.] + +[Footnote 38: apparel.] + +[Footnote 39: esteem, favour.] + +[Footnote 40: glittering.] + +[Footnote 41: settled.] + +[Footnote 42: help.] + +[Footnote 43: adventure.] + +[Footnote 44: Many.] + +[Footnote 45: guide.] + +[Footnote 46: tost.] + +[Footnote 47: astonish.] + +[Footnote 48: glassy, reflecting.] + +[Footnote 49: lessen, alloy.] + +[Footnote 50: hollow.] + +[Footnote 51: Bewildered, curious.] + +[Footnote 52: hid, covered.] + +[Footnote 53: huge, bulky.] + +[Footnote 54: dispatched.] + +[Footnote 55: red lightning.] + +[Footnote 56: cruel.] + +[Footnote 57: flames, rays.] + + + + +AN EXCELENTE BALADE + +OF CHARITIE: + +As wroten bie the gode Prieste THOMAS ROWLEY[1], +1464. + + + In Virgyne the sweltrie sun gan sheene, + And hotte upon the mees[2] did caste his raie; + The apple rodded[3] from its palie greene, + And the mole[4] peare did bende the leafy spraie; + The peede chelandri[5] sunge the livelong daie; 5 + 'Twas nowe the pride, the manhode of the yeare, + And eke the grounde was dighte[6] in its mose defte[7] aumere[8]. + + The sun was glemeing in the midde of daie, + Deadde still the aire, and eke the welken[9] blue, + When from the sea arist[10] in drear arraie 10 + A hepe of cloudes of sable sullen hue, + The which full fast unto the woodlande drewe, + Hiltring[11] attenes[12] the sunnis fetive[13] face, + And the blacke tempeste swolne and gatherd up apace. + + Beneathe an holme, faste by a pathwaie side, 15 + Which dide unto Seyncte Godwine's covent[14] lede, + A hapless pilgrim moneynge did abide, + Pore in his viewe, ungentle[15] in his weede, + Longe bretful[16] of the miseries of neede, + Where from the hail-stone coulde the almer[17] flie? 20 + He had no housen theere, ne anie covent nie. + + Look in his glommed[18] face, his sprighte there scanne; + Howe woe-be-gone, how withered, forwynd[19], deade! + Haste to thie church-glebe-house[20], asshrewed[21] manne! + Haste to thie kiste[22], thie onlie dortoure[23] bedde. 25 + Cale, as the claie whiche will gre on thie hedde, + Is Charitie and Love aminge highe elves; + Knightis and Barons live for pleasure and themselves. + + The gatherd storme is rype; the bigge drops falle; + The forswat[24] meadowes smethe[25], and drenche[26] the raine; 30 + The comyng ghastness do the cattle pall[27], + And the full flockes are drivynge ore the plaine; + Dashde from the cloudes the waters flott[28] againe; + The welkin opes; the yellow levynne[29] flies; + And the hot fierie smothe[30] in the wide lowings[31] dies. 35 + + Liste! now the thunder's rattling clymmynge[32] sound + Cheves[33] slowlie on, and then embollen[34] clangs, + Shakes the hie spyre, and losst, dispended, drown'd, + Still on the gallard[35] eare of terroure hanges; + The windes are up; the lofty elmen swanges; 40 + Again the levynne and the thunder poures, + And the full cloudes are braste[36] attenes in stonen showers. + + Spurreynge his palfrie oere the watrie plaine. + The Abbote of Seyncte Godwynes convente came; + His chapournette[37] was drented with the reine, 45 + And his pencte[38] gyrdle met with mickle shame; + He aynewarde tolde his bederoll[39] at the same; + The storme encreasen, and he drew aside, + With the mist[40] almes craver neere to the holme to bide. + + His cope[41] was all of Lyncolne clothe so fyne, 50 + With a gold button fasten'd neere his chynne; + His autremete[42] was edged with golden twynne, + And his shoone pyke a loverds[43] mighte have binne; + Full well it shewn he thoughten coste no sinne; + The trammels of the palfrye pleasde his sighte; 55 + For the horse-millanare[44] his head with roses dighte. + + An almes, sir prieste! the droppynge pilgrim saide, + O! let me waite within your covente dore, + Till the sunne sheneth hie above our heade, + And the loude tempeste of the aire is oer; 60 + Helpless and ould am I alas! and poor; + No house, ne friend, ne moneie in my pouche; + All yatte I call my owne is this my silver crouche + + Varlet, replyd the Abbatte, cease your dinne; + This is no season almes and prayers to give; 65 + Mie porter never lets a faitour[45] in; + None touch mie rynge who not in honour live. + And now the sonne with the blacke cloudes did stryve, + And shettynge on the grounde his glairie raie, + The Abbatte spurrde his steede, and eftsoones roadde awaie. 70 + + Once moe the skie was blacke, the thounder rolde; + Faste reyneynge oer the plaine a prieste was seen; + Ne dighte full proude, ne buttoned up in golde; + His cope and jape[46] were graie, and eke were clene; + A Limitoure he was of order seene; 75 + And from the pathwaie side then turned hee, + Where the pore almer laie binethe the holmen tree. + + An almes, sir priest! the droppynge pilgrim sayde, + For sweete Seyncte Marie and your order sake. + The Limitoure then loosen'd his pouche threade, 80 + And did thereoute a groate of silver take; + The mister pilgrim dyd for halline[47] shake. + Here take this silver, it maie eathe[48] thie care; + We are Goddes stewards all, nete[49] of oure owne we bare. + + But ah! unhailie[50] pilgrim, lerne of me, 85 + Scathe anie give a rentrolle to their Lorde. + Here take my semecope[51], thou arte bare I see; + Tis thyne; the Seynctes will give me mie rewarde. + He left the pilgrim, and his waie aborde. + Virgynne and hallie Seyncte, who sitte yn gloure[52], 90 + Or give the mittee[53] will, or give the gode man power. + +[Footnote 1: Thomas Rowley, the author, was born at Norton Mal-reward +in Somersetshire, educated at the Convent of St. Kenna at Keynesham, +and died at Westbury in Gloucestershire.] + +[Footnote 2: meads.] + +[Footnote 3: reddened, ripened.] + +[Footnote 4: soft.] + +[Footnote 5: pied goldfinch.] + +[Footnote 6: drest, arrayed.] + +[Footnote 7: neat, ornamental.] + +[Footnote 8: a loose robe or mantle.] + +[Footnote 9: the sky, the atmosphere.] + +[Footnote 10: Arose.] + +[Footnote 11: hiding, shrouding.] + +[Footnote 12: at once.] + +[Footnote 13: beauteous.] + +[Footnote 14: It would have been _charitable_, if the author had not +pointed at personal characters in this Ballad of Charity. The Abbot +of St. Godwin's at the time of the writing of this was Ralph de +Bellomont, a great stickler for the Lancastrian family. Rowley was a +Yorkist.] + +[Footnote 15: beggarly.] + +[Footnote 16: filled with.] + +[Footnote 17: beggar.] + +[Footnote 18: clouded, dejected. A person of some note in the literary +world is of opinion, that _glum_ and _glom_ are modern cant words; +and from this circumstance doubts the authenticity of Rowley's +Manuscripts. Glum-mong in the Saxon signifies twilight, a dark or +dubious light; and the modern word _gloomy_ is derived from the Saxon +_glum_.] + +[Footnote 19: dry, sapless.] + +[Footnote 20: The grave.] + +[Footnote 21: accursed, unfortunate.] + +[Footnote 22: coffin.] + +[Footnote 23: a sleeping room.] + +[Footnote 24: sun-burnt.] + +[Footnote 25: smoke.] + +[Footnote 26: drink.] + +[Footnote 27: _pall_, a contraction from _appall_, to fright.] + +[Footnote 28: fly.] + +[Footnote 29: lightning.] + +[Footnote 30: steam, or vapours.] + +[Footnote 31: flames.] + +[Footnote 32: noisy.] + +[Footnote 33: moves.] + +[Footnote 34: swelled, strengthened.] + +[Footnote 35: Frighted.] + +[Footnote 36: burst.] + +[Footnote 37: a small round hat, not unlike the shapournette in +heraldry, formerly worn by Ecclesiastics and Lawyers.] + +[Footnote 38: painted.] + +[Footnote 39: He told his beads backwards; a figurative expression to +signify cursing.] + +[Footnote 40: poor, needy.] + +[Footnote 41: a cloke.] + +[Footnote 42: a loose white robe, worn by Priests.] + +[Footnote 43: A lord.] + +[Footnote 44: I believe this trade is still in being, though but +seldom employed.] + +[Footnote 45: a beggar, or vagabond.] + +[Footnote 46: A short surplice, worn by Friars of an inferior class, +and secular priests.] + +[Footnote 47: joy.] + +[Footnote 48: ease.] + +[Footnote 49: nought.] + +[Footnote 50: unhappy.] + +[Footnote 51: a short under-cloke.] + +[Footnote 52: Glory.] + +[Footnote 53: mighty, rich.] + + + + +BATTLE OF HASTINGS. + +[No 1.] + + + O Chryste, it is a grief for me to telle, + How manie a nobil erle and valrous knyghte + In fyghtynge for Kynge Harrold noblie fell, + Al sleyne in Hastyngs feeld in bloudie fyghte. + O sea-oerteeming Dovor! han thy floude, 5 + Han anie fructuous entendement, + Thou wouldst have rose and sank wyth tydes of bloude. + Before Duke Wyllyam's knyghts han hither went; + Whose cowart arrows manie erles sleyne, + And brued the feeld wyth bloude as season rayne. 10 + + And of his knyghtes did eke full manie die, + All passyng hie, of mickle myghte echone, + Whose poygnant arrowes, typp'd with destynie, + Caus'd manie wydowes to make myckle mone. + Lordynges, avaunt, that chycken-harted are, 15 + From out of hearynge quicklie now departe; + Full well I wote, to synge of bloudie warre + Will greeve your tenderlie and mayden harte. + Go, do the weaklie womman inn mann's geare, + And scond your mansion if grymm war come there. 20 + + Soone as the erlie maten belle was tolde, + And sonne was come to byd us all good daie, + Bothe armies on the feeld, both brave and bolde, + Prepar'd for fyghte in champyon arraie. + As when two bulles, destynde for Hocktide fyghte, 25 + Are yoked bie the necke within a sparre, + Theie rend the erthe, and travellyrs affryghte, + Lackynge to gage the sportive bloudie warre; + Soe lacked Harroldes menne to come to blowes, + The Normans lacked for to wielde their bowes. 30 + + Kynge Harrolde turnynge to hys leegemen spake; + My merrie men, be not caste downe in mynde; + Your onlie lode for aye to mar or make, + Before yon sunne has donde his welke, you'll fynde. + Your lovyng wife, who erst dyd rid the londe 35 + Of Lurdanes, and the treasure that you han, + Wyll falle into the Normanne robber's honde, + Unlesse with honde and harte you plaie the manne. + Cheer up youre hartes, chase sorrowe farre awaie, + Godde and Seyncte Cuthbert be the worde to daie. 40 + + And thenne Duke Wyllyam to his knyghtes did saie; + My merrie menne, be bravelie everiche; + Gif I do gayn the honore of the daie, + Ech one of you I will make myckle riche. + Beer you in mynde, we for a kyngdomm fyghte; 45 + Lordshippes and honores echone shall possesse; + Be this the worde to daie, God and my Ryghte; + Ne doubte but God will oure true cause blesse. + The clarions then sounded sharpe and shrille; + Deathdoeynge blades were out intent to kille. 50 + + And brave Kyng Harrolde had nowe donde hys saie; + He threwe wythe myghte amayne hys shorte horse-spear. + The noise it made the duke to turn awaie, + And hytt his knyghte, de Beque, upon the ear. + His cristede beaver dyd him smalle abounde; 55 + The cruel spear went thorough all his hede; + The purpel bloude came goushynge to the grounde, + And at Duke Wyllyam's feet he tumbled deade: + So fell the myghtie tower of Standrip, whenne + It felte the furie of the Danish menne. 60 + + O Afflem, son of Cuthbert, holie Sayncte, + Come ayde thy freend, and shewe Duke Wyllyams payne; + Take up thy pencyl, all hys features paincte; + Thy coloryng excells a synger strayne. + Duke Wyllyam sawe hys freende sleyne piteouslie, 65 + Hys lovynge freende whome he muche honored, + For he han lovd hym from puerilitie, + And theie together bothe han bin ybred: + O! in Duke Wyllyam's harte it raysde a flame, + To whiche the rage of emptie wolves is tame. 70 + + He tooke a brasen crosse-bowe in his honde, + And drewe it harde with all hys myghte amein, + Ne doubtyng but the bravest in the londe + Han by his soundynge arrowe-lede bene sleyne. + Alured's stede, the fynest stede alive, 75 + Bye comelie forme knowlached from the rest; + But nowe his destind howre did aryve, + The arrowe hyt upon his milkwhite breste: + So have I seen a ladie-smock soe white, + Blown in the mornynge, and mowd downe at night. 80 + + With thilk a force it dyd his bodie gore, + That in his tender guttes it entered, + In veritee a fulle clothe yarde or more, + And downe with flaiten noyse he sunken dede. + Brave Alured, benethe his faithfull horse, 85 + Was smeerd all over withe the gorie duste, + And on hym laie the recer's lukewarme corse, + That Alured coulde not hymself aluste. + The standyng Normans drew theyr bowe echone, + And broght full manie Englysh champyons downe. 90 + + The Normans kept aloofe, at distaunce stylle, + The Englysh nete but short horse-spears could welde; + The Englysh manie dethe-sure dartes did kille, + And manie arrowes twang'd upon the sheelde. + Kynge Haroldes knyghts desir'de for hendie stroke, 95 + And marched furious o'er the bloudie pleyne, + In bodie close, and made the pleyne to smoke; + Theire sheelds rebounded arrowes back agayne. + The Normans stode aloofe, nor hede the same, + Their arrowes woulde do dethe, tho' from far of they came. 100 + + Duke Wyllyam drewe agen hys arrowe strynge, + An arrowe withe a sylver-hede drewe he; + The arrowe dauncynge in the ayre dyd synge, + And hytt the horse of Tosselyn on the knee. + At this brave Tosslyn threwe his short horse-speare; 105 + Duke Wyllyam stooped to avoyde the blowe; + The yrone weapon hummed in his eare, + And hitte Sir Doullie Naibor on the prowe; + Upon his helme soe furious was the stroke, + It splete his bever, and the ryvets broke. 110 + + Downe fell the beaver by Tosslyn splete in tweine, + And onn his hede expos'd a punie wounde, + But on Destoutvilles sholder came ameine, + And fell'd the champyon to the bloudie grounde. + Then Doullie myghte his bowestrynge drewe, 115 + Enthoughte to gyve brave Tosslyn bloudie wounde, + But Harolde's asenglave stopp'd it as it slewe, + And it fell bootless on the bloudie grounde. + Siere Doullie, when he sawe hys venge thus broke, + Death-doynge blade from out the scabard toke. 120 + + And now the battail closde on everych syde, + And face to face appeard the knyghts full brave; + They lifted up theire bylles with myckle pryde, + And manie woundes unto the Normans gave. + So have I sene two weirs at once give grounde, 125 + White fomyng hygh to rorynge combat runne; + In roaryng dyn and heaven-breaking sounde, + Burste waves on waves, and spangle in the sunne; + And when their myghte in burstynge waves is fled, + Like cowards, stele alonge their ozy bede. 130 + + Yonge Egelrede, a knyghte of comelie mien, + Affynd unto the kynge of Dynefarre, + At echone tylte and tourney he was seene, + And lov'd to be amonge the bloudie warre; + He couch'd hys launce, and ran wyth mickle myghte 135 + Ageinste the brest of Sieur de Bonoboe; + He grond and sunken on the place of fyghte, + O Chryste! to fele his wounde, his harte was woe. + Ten thousand thoughtes push'd in upon his mynde, + Not for hymselfe, but those he left behynde. 140 + + He dy'd and leffed wyfe and chyldren tweine, + Whom he wyth cheryshment did dearlie love; + In England's court, in goode Kynge Edwarde's regne, + He wonne the tylte, and ware her crymson glove; + And thence unto the place where he was borne, 145 + Together with hys welthe & better wyfe, + To Normandie he dyd perdie returne, + In peace and quietnesse to lead his lyfe; + And now with sovrayn Wyllyam he came, + To die in battel, or get welthe and fame. 150 + + Then, swefte as lyghtnynge, Egelredus set + Agaynst du Barlie of the mounten head; + In his dere hartes bloude his longe launce was wett, + And from his courser down he tumbled dede. + So have I sene a mountayne oak, that longe 155 + Has caste his shadowe to the mountayne syde, + Brave all the wyndes, tho' ever they so stronge, + And view the briers belowe with self-taught pride; + But, whan throwne downe by mightie thunder stroke, + He'de rather bee a bryer than an oke. 160 + + Then Egelred dyd in a declynie + Hys launce uprere with all hys myghte ameine, + And strok Fitzport upon the dexter eye, + And at his pole the spear came out agayne. + Butt as he drewe it forthe, an arrowe fledde 165 + Wyth mickle myght sent from de Tracy's bowe, + And at hys syde the arrowe entered, + And oute the crymson streme of bloude gan flowe; + In purple strekes it dyd his armer staine, + And smok'd in puddles on the dustie plaine. 170 + + But Egelred, before he sunken downe, + With all his myghte amein his spear besped, + It hytte Bertrammil Manne upon the crowne, + And bothe together quicklie sunken dede. + So have I seen a rocke o'er others hange, 175 + Who stronglie plac'd laughde at his slippry state, + But when he falls with heaven-peercynge bange + That he the sleeve unravels all theire fate, + And broken onn the beech thys lesson speak, + The stronge and firme should not defame the weake. 180 + + Howel ap Jevah came from Matraval, + Where he by chaunce han slayne a noble's son, + And now was come to fyghte at Harold's call, + And in the battel he much goode han done; + Unto Kyng Harold he foughte mickle near, 185 + For he was yeoman of the bodie guard; + And with a targyt and a fyghtyng spear, + He of his boddie han kepte watch and ward; + True as a shadow to a substant thynge, + So true he guarded Harold hys good kynge. 190 + + But when Egelred tumbled to the grounde, + He from Kynge Harolde quicklie dyd advaunce, + And strooke de Tracie thilk a crewel wounde, + Hys harte and lever came out on the launce. + And then retreted for to guarde his kynge, 195 + On dented launce he bore the harte awaie; + An arrowe came from Auffroie Griel's strynge, + Into hys heele betwyxt hys yron staie; + The grey-goose pynion, that thereon was sett, + Eftsoons wyth smokyng crymson bloud was wett. 200 + + His bloude at this was waxen flaminge hotte, + Without adoe he turned once agayne, + And hytt de Griel thilk a blowe, God wote, + Maugre hys helme, he splete his hede in twayne. + This Auffroie was a manne of mickle pryde, 205 + Whose featliest bewty ladden in his face; + His chaunce in warr he ne before han tryde, + But lyv'd in love and Rosaline's embrace; + And like a useless weede amonge the haie + Amonge the sleine warriours Griel laie. 210 + + Kynge Harolde then he putt his yeomen bie, + And ferslie ryd into the bloudie fyghte; + Erle Ethelwolf, and Goodrick, and Alsie, + Cuthbert, and Goddard, mical menne of myghte, + Ethelwin, Ethelbert, and Edwyn too, 215 + Effred the famous, and Erle Ethelwarde, + Kynge Harolde's leegemenn, erlies hie and true, + Rode after hym, his bodie for to guarde; + The reste of erlies, fyghtynge other wheres, + Stained with Norman bloude theire fyghtynge speres. 220 + + As when some ryver with the season raynes + White fomynge hie doth breke the bridges oft, + Oerturns the hamelet and all conteins. + And layeth oer the hylls a muddie soft; + So Harold ranne upon his Normanne foes. 225 + And layde the greate and small upon the grounde, + And delte among them thilke a store of blowes, + Full manie a Normanne fell by him dede wounde; + So who he be that ouphant faieries strike, + Their soules will wander to Kynge Offa's dyke. 230 + + Fitz Salnarville, Duke William's favourite knyghte, + To noble Edelwarde his life dyd yielde; + Withe hys tylte launce hee stroke with thilk a myghte, + The Norman's bowels steemde upon the feeld. + Old Salnarville beheld hys son lie ded, 235 + Against Erie Edelward his bowe-strynge drewe; + But Harold at one blowe made tweine his head; + He dy'd before the poignant arrowe flew. + So was the hope of all the issue gone, + And in one battle fell the sire and son. 240 + + De Aubignee rod fercely thro' the fyghte, + To where the boddie of Salnarville laie; + Quod he; And art thou ded, thou manne of myghte? + I'll be revengd, or die for thee this daie. + Die then thou shalt, Erie Ethelwarde he said; 245 + I am a cunnynge erle, and that can tell; + Then drewe hys swerde, and ghastlie cut hys hede, + And on his freend eftsoons he lifeless fell, + Stretch'd on the bloudie pleyne; great God forefend, + It be the fate of no such trustie freende! 250 + + Then Egwin Sieur Pikeny did attaque; + He turned aboute and vilely souten flie; + But Egwyn cutt so deepe into his backe, + He rolled on the grounde and soon dyd die. + His distant sonne, Sire Romara de Biere, 255 + Soughte to revenge his fallen kynsman's lote, + But soone Erie Cuthbert's dented fyghtyng spear + Stucke in his harte, and stayd his speed, God wote. + He tumbled downe close by hys kynsman's syde, + Myngle their stremes of pourple bloude, and dy'd. 260 + + And now an arrowe from a bowe unwote + Into Erle Cuthbert's harte eftsoons dyd flee; + Who dying sayd; ah me! how hard my lote! + Now slayne, mayhap, of one of lowe degree. + So have I seen a leafic elm of yore 265 + Have been the pride and glorie of the pleine; + But, when the spendyng landlord is growne poore. + It falls benethe the axe of some rude sweine; + And like the oke, the sovran of the woode, + It's fallen boddie tells you how it stoode. 270 + + When Edelward perceevd Erle Cuthbert die, + On Hubert strongest of the Normanne crewe, + As wolfs when hungred on the cattel flie, + So Edelward amaine upon him flewe. + With thilk a force he hyt hym to the grounde; 275 + And was demasing howe to take his life, + When he behynde received a ghastlie wounde + Gyven by de Torcie, with a stabbyng knyfe; + Base trecherous Normannes, if such actes you doe, + The conquer'd maie clame victorie of you. 280 + + The erlie felt de Torcie's trecherous knyfe + Han made his crymson bloude and spirits floe; + And knowlachyng he soon must quyt this lyfe, + Resolved Hubert should too with hym goe. + He held hys trustie swerd against his breste, 285 + And down he fell, and peerc'd him to the harte; + And both together then did take their reste, + Their soules from corpses unaknell'd depart; + And both together soughte the unknown shore, + Where we shall goe, where manie's gon before. 290 + + Kynge Harolde Torcie's trechery dyd spie, + And hie alofe his temper'd swerde dyd welde, + Cut offe his arme, and made the bloude to flie, + His proofe steel armoure did him littel sheelde; + And not contente, he splete his hede in twaine, 295 + And down he tumbled on the bloudie grounde; + Mean while the other erlies on the playne + Gave and received manie a bloudie wounde, + Such as the arts in warre han learnt with care, + But manie knyghtes were women in men's geer. 300 + + Herrewald, borne on Sarim's spreddyng plaine, + Where Thor's fam'd temple manie ages stoode; + Where Druids, auncient preests, did ryghtes ordaine, + And in the middle shed the victyms bloude; + Where auncient Bardi dyd their verses synge 305 + Of Caesar conquer'd, and his mighty hoste, + And how old Tynyan, necromancing kynge, + Wreck'd all hys shyppyng on the Brittish coaste, + And made hym in his tatter'd barks to flie, + 'Till Tynyan's dethe and opportunity. 310 + + To make it more renomed than before, + (I, tho a Saxon, yet the truthe will telle) + The Saxonnes steynd the place wyth Brittish gore, + Where nete but bloud of sacrifices felle. + Tho' Chrystians, stylle they thoghte mouche of the pile, 315 + And here theie mett when causes dyd it neede; + 'Twas here the auncient Elders of the Isle + Dyd by the trecherie of Hengist bleede; + O Hengist! han thy cause bin good and true, + Thou wouldst such murdrous acts as these eschew. 320 + + The erlie was a manne of hie degree, + And han that daie full manie Normannes sleine; + Three Norman Champyons of hie degree + He lefte to smoke upon the bloudie pleine: + The Sier Fitzbotevilleine did then advaunce, 325 + And with his bowe he smote the erlies hede; + Who eftsoons gored hym with his tylting launce, + And at his horses feet he tumbled dede: + His partyng spirit hovered o'er the floude + Of soddayne roushynge mouche lov'd pourple bloude. 330 + + De Viponte then, a squier of low degree, + An arrowe drewe with all his myghte ameine; + The arrowe graz'd upon the erlies knee, + A punie wounde, that causd but littel peine. + So have I seene a Dolthead place a stone, 335 + Enthoghte to staie a driving rivers course; + But better han it bin to lett alone, + It onlie drives it on with mickle force; + The erlie, wounded by so base a hynde, + Rays'd furyous doyngs in his noble mynde. 340 + + The Siere Chatillion, yonger of that name, + Advaunced next before the erlie's syghte; + His fader was a manne of mickle fame, + And he renomde and valorous in fyghte. + Chatillion his trustie swerd forth drewe. 345 + The erle drawes his, menne both of mickle myghte; + And at eche other vengouslie they flewe, + As mastie dogs at Hocktide set to fyghte; + Bothe scornd to yeelde, and bothe abhor'de to flie, + Resolv'd to vanquishe, or resolv'd to die. 350 + + Chatillion hyt the erlie on the hede, + Thatt splytte eftsoons his cristed helm in twayne; + Whiche he perforce withe target covered, + And to the battel went with myghte ameine. + The erlie hytte Chatillion thilke a blowe 355 + Upon his breste, his harte was plein to see; + He tumbled at the horses feet alsoe, + And in dethe panges he seez'd the recer's knee: + Faste as the ivy rounde the oke doth clymbe, + So faste he dying gryp'd the recer's lymbe. 360 + + The recer then beganne to flynge and kicke, + And toste the erlie farr off to the grounde; + The erlie's squier then a swerde did sticke + Into his harte, a dedlie ghastlie wounde; + And downe he felle upon the crymson pleine, 365 + Upon Chatillion's soulless corse of claie; + A puddlie streme of bloude flow'd oute ameine; + Stretch'd out at length besmer'd with gore he laie; + As some tall oke fell'd from the greenie plaine, + To live a second time upon the main. 370 + + The erlie nowe an horse and beaver han, + And nowe agayne appered on the feeld; + And manie a mickle knyghte and mightie manne + To his dethe-doyng swerd his life did yeeld; + When Siere de Broque an arrowe longe lett flie, 375 + Intending Herewaldus to have sleyne; + It miss'd; butt hytte Edardus on the eye, + And at his pole came out with horrid payne. + Edardus felle upon the bloudie grounde, + His noble soule came roushyng from the wounde. 380 + + Thys Herewald perceevd, and full of ire + He on the Siere de Broque with furie came; + Quod he; thou'st slaughtred my beloved squier, + But I will be revenged for the same. + Into his bowels then his launce he thruste, 385 + And drew thereout a steemie drerie lode; + Quod he; these offals are for ever curst, + Shall serve the coughs, and rooks, and dawes, for foode. + Then on the pleine the steemie lode hee throwde, + Smokynge wyth lyfe, and dy'd with crymson bloude. 390 + + Fitz Broque, who saw his father killen lie, + Ah me! sayde he; what woeful syghte I see! + But now I must do somethyng more than sighe; + And then an arrowe from the bowe drew he. + Beneth the erlie's navil came the darte; 395 + Fitz Broque on foote han drawne it from the bowe; + And upwards went into the erlie's harte, + And out the crymson streme of bloude 'gan flowe. + As fromm a hatch, drawne with a vehement geir, + White rushe the burstynge waves, and roar along the weir. 400 + + The erle with one honde grasp'd the recer's mayne, + And with the other he his launce besped; + And then felle bleedyng on the bloudie plaine. + His launce it hytte Fitz Broque upon the hede; + Upon his hede it made a wounde full slyghte, 405 + But peerc'd his shoulder, ghastlie wounde inferne, + Before his optics daunced a shade of nyghte, + Whyche soone were closed ynn a sleepe eterne. + The noble erlie than, withote a grone, + Took flyghte, to fynde the regyons unknowne. 410 + + Brave Alured from binethe his noble horse + Was gotten on his leggs, with bloude all smore; + And now eletten on another horse, + Eftsoons he withe his launce did manie gore. + The cowart Norman knyghtes before hym fledde, 415 + And from a distaunce sent their arrowes keene; + But noe such destinie awaits his hedde, + As to be sleyen by a wighte so meene. + Tho oft the oke falls by the villen's shock, + 'Tys moe than hyndes can do, to move the rock. 420 + + Upon du Chatelet he ferselie sett, + And peerc'd his bodie with a force full grete; + The asenglave of his tylt-launce was wett, + The rollynge bloude alonge the launce did fleet. + Advauncynge, as a mastie at a bull, 425 + He rann his launce into Fitz Warren's harte; + From Partaies bowe, a wight unmercifull, + Within his owne he felt a cruel darte; + Close by the Norman champyons he han sleine, + He fell; and mixd his bloude with theirs upon the pleine. 430 + + Erie Ethelbert then hove, with clinie just, + A launce, that stroke Partaie upon the thighe, + And pinn'd him downe unto the gorie duste; + Cruel, quod he, thou cruellie shalt die. + With that his launce he enterd at his throte; 435 + He scritch'd and screem'd in melancholie mood; + And at his backe eftsoons came out, God wote, + And after it a crymson streme of bloude: + In agonie and peine he there dyd lie, + While life and dethe strove for the masterrie, 440 + + He gryped hard the bloudie murdring launce, + And in a grone he left this mortel lyfe. + Behynde the erlie Fiscampe did advaunce, + Bethoghte to kill him with a stabbynge knife; + But Egward, who perceevd his fowle intent, 445 + Eftsoons his trustie swerde he forthwyth drewe, + And thilke a cruel blowe to Fiscampe sent, + That soule and bodie's bloude at one gate flewe. + Thilk deeds do all deserve, whose deeds so fowle + Will black theire earthlie name, if not their soule. 450 + + When lo! an arrowe from Walleris honde, + Winged with fate and dethe daunced alonge; + And slewe the noble flower of Powyslonde, + Howel ap Jevah, who yclepd the stronge. + Whan he the first mischaunce received han, 455 + With horsemans haste he from the armie rodde; + And did repaire unto the cunnynge manne, + Who sange a charme, that dyd it mickle goode; + Then praid Seyncte Cuthbert, and our holie Dame, + To blesse his labour, and to heal the same. 460 + + Then drewe the arrowe, and the wounde did seck, + And putt the teint of holie herbies on; + And putt a rowe of bloude-stones round his neck; + And then did say; go, champyon, get agone. + And now was comynge Harrolde to defend, 465 + And metten with Walleris cruel darte; + His sheelde of wolf-skinn did him not attend, + The arrow peerced into his noble harte; + As some tall oke, hewn from the mountayne hed, + Falls to the pleine; so fell the warriour dede. 470 + + His countryman, brave Mervyn ap Teudor, + Who love of hym han from his country gone, + When he perceevd his friend lie in his gore, + As furious as a mountayne wolf he ranne. + As ouphant faieries, whan the moone sheenes bryghte, 475 + In littel circles daunce upon the greene, + All living creatures flie far from their syghte, + Ne by the race of destinie be seen; + For what he be that ouphant faieries stryke, + Their soules will wander to Kyng Offa's dyke. 480 + + So from the face of Mervyn Tewdor brave + The Normans eftsoons fled awaie aghaste; + And lefte behynde their bowe and asenglave. + For fear of hym, in thilk a cowart haste. + His garb sufficient were to move affryghte; 485 + A wolf skin girded round his myddle was; + A bear skyn, from Norwegians wan in fyghte, + Was tytend round his shoulders by the claws: + So Hercules, 'tis sunge, much like to him, + Upon his sholder wore a lyon's skin. 490 + + Upon his thyghes and harte-swefte legges he wore + A hugie goat skyn, all of one grete peice; + A boar skyn sheelde on his bare armes he bore; + His gauntletts were the skynn of harte of greece. + They fledde; he followed close upon their heels, 495 + Vowynge vengeance for his deare countrymanne; + And Siere de Sancelotte his vengeance feels; + He peerc'd hys backe, and out the bloude ytt ranne. + His bloude went downe the swerde unto his arme, + In springing rivulet, alive and warme. 500 + + His swerde was shorte, and broade, and myckle keene, + And no mann's bone could stonde to stoppe itts waie; + The Normann's harte in partes two cutt cleane, + He clos'd his eyne, and clos'd hys eyne for aie. + Then with his swerde he sett on Fitz du Valle, 505 + A knyghte mouch famous for to runne at tylte; + With thilk a furie on hym he dyd falle, + Into his neck he ranne the swerde and hylte; + As myghtie lyghtenynge often has been founde, + To drive an oke into unfallow'd grounde. 510 + + And with the swerde, that in his neck yet stoke, + The Norman fell unto the bloudie grounde; + And with the fall ap Tewdore's swerde he broke, + And bloude afreshe came trickling from the wounde. + As whan the hyndes, before a mountayne wolfe, 515 + Flie from his paws, and angrie vysage grym; + But when he falls into the pittie golphe, + They dare hym to his bearde, and battone hym; + And cause he fryghted them so muche before, + Lyke cowart hyndes, they battone hym the more. 520 + + So, whan they sawe ap Tewdore was bereft + Of his keen swerde, thatt wroghte thilke great dismaie, + They turned about, eftsoons upon hym lept, + And full a score engaged in the fraie. + Mervyn ap Tewdore, ragyng as a bear, 525 + Seiz'd on the beaver of the Sier de Laque; + And wring'd his hedde with such a vehement gier, + His visage was turned round unto his backe. + Backe to his harte retyr'd the useless gore, + And felle upon the pleine to rise no more. 530 + + Then on the mightie Siere Fitz Pierce he flew, + And broke his helm and seiz'd hym bie the throte: + Then manie Normann knyghtes their arrowes drew, + That enter'd into Mervyn's harte, God wote. + In dying panges he gryp'd his throte more stronge, 535 + And from their sockets started out his eyes; + And from his mouthe came out his blameless tonge; + And bothe in peyne and anguishe eftsoon dies. + As some rude rocke torne from his bed of claie, + Stretch'd onn the pleyne the brave ap Tewdore laie. 540 + + And now Erle Ethelbert and Egward came + Brave Mervyn from the Normannes to assist; + A myghtie siere, Fitz Chatulet bie name, + An arrowe drew, that dyd them littel list. + Erle Egward points his launce at Chatulet, 545 + And Ethelbert at Walleris set his; + And Egwald dyd the siere a hard blowe hytt, + But Ethelbert by a myschaunce dyd miss: + Fear laide Walleris flat upon the strande, + He ne deserved a death from erlies hande. 550 + + Betwyxt the ribbes of Sire Fitz Chatelet + The poynted launce of Egward did ypass; + The distaunt syde thereof was ruddie wet, + And he fell breathless on the bloudie grass. + As cowart Walleris laie on the grounde, 555 + The dreaded weapon hummed oer his heade. + And hytt the squier thylke a lethal wounde, + Upon his fallen lorde he tumbled dead: + Oh shame to Norman armes! a lord a slave, + A captyve villeyn than a lorde more brave! 560 + + From Chatelet hys launce Erle Egward drew, + And hit Wallerie on the dexter cheek; + Peerc'd to his braine, and cut his tongue in two: + There, knyght, quod he, let that thy actions speak-- + + * * * * * + + + + +BATTLE OF HASTINGS. + +[No 2.] + + + Oh Truth! immortal daughter of the skies, + Too lyttle known to wryters of these daies, + Teach me, fayre Saincte! thy passynge worthe to pryze, + To blame a friend and give a foeman prayse. + The sickle moone, bedeckt wythe sylver rays, 5 + Leadynge a traine of starres of feeble lyghte, + With look adigne the worlde belowe surveies, + The world, that wotted not it coud be nyghte; + Wyth armour dyd, with human gore ydeyd, + She sees Kynge Harolde stande, fayre Englands curse and pryde. 10 + + With ale and vernage drunk his souldiers lay; + Here was an hynde, anie an erlie spredde; + Sad keepynge of their leaders natal daie! + This even in drinke, toomorrow with the dead! + Thro' everie troope disorder reer'd her hedde; 15 + Dancynge and heideignes was the onlie theme; + Sad dome was theires, who lefte this easie bedde, + And wak'd in torments from so sweet a dream. + Duke Williams menne, of comeing dethe afraide, + All nyghte to the great Godde for succour askd and praied. 20 + + Thus Harolde to his wites that stoode arounde; + Goe, Gyrthe and Eilward, take bills halfe a score, + And search how farre our foeman's campe doth bound; + Yourself have rede; I nede to saie ne more. + My brother best belov'd of anie ore, 25 + My Leoswinus, goe to everich wite, + Tell them to raunge the battel to the grore, + And waiten tyll I sende the hest for fyghte. + He saide; the loieaul broders lefte the place, + Success and cheerfulness depicted on ech face. 30 + + Slowelie brave Gyrthe and Eilwarde dyd advaunce, + And markd wyth care the armies dystant syde. + When the dyre clatterynge of the shielde and launce + Made them to be by Hugh Fitzhugh espyd. + He lyfted up his voice, and lowdlie cryd; 35 + Like wolfs in wintere did the Normanne yell; + Girthe drew hys swerde, and cutte hys burled hyde; + The proto-slene manne of the fielde he felle; + Out streemd the bloude, and ran in smokynge curles, + Reflected bie the moone seemd rubies mixt wyth pearles. 40 + + A troope of Normannes from the mass-songe came, + Rousd from their praiers by the flotting crie; + Thoughe Girthe and Ailwardus perceevd the same, + Not once theie stoode abashd, or thoghte to flie. + He seizd a bill, to conquer or to die; 45 + Fierce as a clevis from a rocke ytorne, + That makes a vallie wheresoe're it lie; + [1]Fierce as a ryver burstynge from the borne; + So fiercelie Gyrthe hitte Fitz du Gore a blowe. + And on the verdaunt playne he layde the champyone lowe. 50 + + Tancarville thus; alle peace in Williams name; + Let none edraw his arcublaster bowe. + Girthe cas'd his weppone as he hearde the same, + And vengynge Normannes staid the flyinge floe. + The sire wente onne; ye menne, what mean ye so 55 + Thus unprovokd to courte a bloudie fyghte? + Quod Gyrthe; oure meanynge we ne care to showe, + Nor dread thy duke wyth all his men of myghte; + Here single onlie these to all thie crewe + Shall shewe what Englysh handes and heartes can doe. 60 + + Seek not for bloude, Tancarville calme replyd, + Nor joie in dethe, lyke madmen most distraught; + In peace and mercy is a Chrystians pryde; + He that dothe contestes pryze is in a faulte. + And now the news was to Duke William brought, 65 + That men of Haroldes armie taken were; + For theyre good cheere all caties were enthoughte, + And Gyrthe and Eilwardus enjoi'd goode cheere. + Quod Willyam; thus shall Willyam be founde + A friend to everie manne that treades on English ground. 70 + + Erie Leofwinus throwghe the campe ypass'd, + And sawe bothe men and erlies on the grounde; + They slepte, as thoughe they woulde have slepte theyr last, + And hadd alreadie felte theyr fatale wounde. + He started backe, and was wyth shame astownd; 75 + Loked wanne wyth anger, and he shooke wyth rage; + When throughe the hollow tentes these wordes dyd sound, + Rowse from your sleepe, detratours of the age! + Was it for thys the stoute Norwegian bledde? + Awake, ye huscarles, now, or waken wyth the dead. 80 + + As when the shepster in the shadie bowre + In jintle slumbers chase the heat of daie, + Hears doublyng echoe wind the wolfins rore, + That neare hys flocke is watchynge for a praie, + He tremblynge for his sheep drives dreeme awaie, 85 + Gripes faste hys burled croke, and sore adradde + Wyth fleeting strides he hastens to the fraie, + And rage and prowess fyres the coistrell lad; + With trustie talbots to the battel flies, + And yell of men and dogs and wolfins tear the skies. 90 + + Such was the dire confusion of eche wite, + That rose from sleep and walsome power of wine; + Theie thoughte the foe by trechit yn the nyghte + Had broke theyr camp and gotten paste the line; + Now here now there the burnysht sheeldes and byll-spear shine; 95 + Throwote the campe a wild confusionne spredde; + Eche bracd hys armlace siker ne desygne, + The crested helmet nodded on the hedde; + Some caught a flughorne, and an onsett wounde; + Kynge Harolde hearde the charge, and wondred at the sounde. 100 + + Thus Leofwine; O women cas'd in stele! + Was itte for thys Norwegia's stubborn sede + Throughe the black armoure dyd the anlace fele, + And rybbes of solid brasse were made to bleede? + Whylst yet the worlde was wondrynge at the deede. 105 + You souldiers, that shoulde stand with byll in hand, + Get full of wine, devoid of any rede. + Oh shame! oh dyre dishonoure to the lande! + He sayde; and shame on everie visage spredde, + Ne sawe the erlies face, but addawd hung their head. 110 + + Thus he; rowze yee, and forme the boddie tyghte. + The Kentysh menne in fronte, for strenght renownd, + Next the Brystowans dare the bloudie fyghte, + And last the numerous crewe shall presse the grounde. + I and my king be wyth the Kenters founde; 115 + Bythric and Alfwold hedde the Brystowe bande; + And Bertrams sonne, the man of glorious wounde, + Lead in the rear the menged of the lande; + And let the Londoners and Suffers plie + Bie Herewardes memuine and the lighte skyrts anie. 120 + + He saide; and as a packe of hounds belent, + When that the trackyng of the hare is gone, + If one perchaunce shall hit upon the scent, + With twa redubbled fhuir the alans run; + So styrrd the valiante Saxons everych one; 125 + Soone linked man to man the champyones stoode; + To 'tone for their bewrate so soone 'twas done, + And lyfted bylls enseem'd an yron woode; + Here glorious Alfwold towr'd above the wites, + And seem'd to brave the fuir of twa ten thousand fights. 130 + + Thus Leofwine; today will Englandes dome + Be fyxt for aie, for gode or evill state; + This sunnes aunture be felt for years to come; + Then bravelie fyghte, and live till deathe of date. + Thinke of brave AElfridus, yclept the grete, 135 + From porte to porte the red-haird Dane he chasd, + The Danes, with whomme not lyoncels coud mate, + Who made of peopled reaulms a barren waste; + Thinke how at once by you Norwegia bled + Whilste dethe and victorie for magystrie bested. 140 + + Meanwhile did Gyrthe unto Kynge Harolde ride, + And tolde howe he dyd with Duke Willyam fare. + Brave Harolde lookd askaunte, and thus replyd; + And can thie say be bowght wyth drunken cheer? + Gyrthe waxen hotte; fhuir in his eyne did glare; 145 + And thus he saide; oh brother, friend, and kynge, + Have I deserved this fremed speche to heare? + Bie Goddes hie hallidome ne thoughte the thynge. + When Tostus sent me golde and sylver store, + I scornd hys present vile, and scorn'd hys treason more. 150 + + Forgive me, Gyrthe, the brave Kynge Harolde cryd; + Who can I trust, if brothers are not true? + I think of Tostus, once my joie and pryde. + Girthe saide, with looke adigne; my lord, I doe. + But what oure foemen are, quod Girth, I'll shewe; 155 + By Gods hie hallidome they preestes are. + Do not, quod Harolde, Girthe, mystell them so, + For theie are everich one brave men at warre. + Quod Girthe; why will ye then provoke theyr hate? + Quod Harolde; great the foe, so is the glorie grete. 160 + + And nowe Duke Willyam mareschalled his band, + And stretchd his armie owte a goodlie rowe. + First did a ranke of arcublastries stande, + Next those on horsebacke drewe the ascendyng flo, + Brave champyones, eche well lerned in the bowe, 165 + Theyr asenglave acrosse theyr horses ty'd, + Or with the loverds squier behinde dyd goe, + Or waited squier lyke at the horses syde. + When thus Duke Willyam to a Monke dyd saie, + Prepare thyselfe wyth spede, to Harolde haste awaie. 170 + + Telle hym from me one of these three to take; + That hee to mee do homage for thys lande, + Or mee hys heyre, when he deceasyth, make, + Or to the judgment of Chrysts vicar stande. + He saide; the Monke departyd out of hande, 175 + And to Kyng Harolde dyd this message bear; + Who said; tell thou the duke, at his likand + If he can gette the crown hee may itte wear. + He said, and drove the Monke out of his syghte, + And with his brothers rouz'd each manne to bloudie fyghte. 180 + + A standarde made of sylke and jewells rare, + Wherein alle coloures wroughte aboute in bighes, + An armyd knyghte was seen deth-doynge there, + Under this motte, He conquers or he dies. + This standard rych, endazzlynge mortal eyes, 185 + Was borne neare Harolde at the Renters heade, + Who chargd hys broders for the grete empryze + That straite the hest for battle should be spredde. + To evry erle and knyghte the worde is gyven, + And cries _a guerre_ and slughornes shake the vaulted heaven. 190 + + As when the erthe, torne by convulsyons dyre, + In reaulmes of darkness hid from human syghte, + The warring force of water, air, and fyre, + Brast from the regions of eternal nyghte, + Thro the darke caverns seeke the reaulmes of lyght; 195 + Some loftie mountaine, by its fury torne, + Dreadfully moves, and causes grete affryght; + Now here, now there, majestic nods the bourne, + And awfulle shakes, mov'd by the almighty force, + Whole woods and forests nod, and ryvers change theyr course. 200 + + So did the men of war at once advaunce, + Linkd man to man, enseemed one boddie light; + Above a wood, yform'd of bill and launce, + That noddyd in the ayre most straunge to syght. + Harde as the iron were the menne of mighte, 205 + Ne neede of slughornes to enrowse theyr minde; + Eche shootynge spere yreaden for the fyghte, + More feerce than fallynge rocks, more swefte than wynd; + With solemne step, by ecchoe made more dyre, + One single boddie all theie marchd, theyr eyen on fyre. 210 + + And now the greie-eyd morne with vi'lets drest, + Shakyng the dewdrops on the flourie meedes, + Fled with her rosie radiance to the West: + Forth from the Easterne gatte the fyerie steedes + Of the bright sunne awaytynge spirits leedes: 215 + The sunne, in fierie pompe enthrond on hie, + Swyfter than thoughte alonge hys jernie gledes, + And scatters nyghtes remaynes from oute the skie: + He sawe the armies make for bloudie fraie, + And stopt his driving steeds, and hid his lyghtsome raye. 220 + + Kynge Harolde hie in ayre majestic raysd + His mightie arme, deckt with a manchyn rare; + With even hande a mighty javlyn paizde, + Then furyouse sent it whystlynge thro the ayre. + It struck the helmet of the Sieur de Beer; 225 + In vayne did brasse or yron stop its waie; + Above his eyne it came, the bones dyd tare, + Peercynge quite thro, before it dyd allaie; + He tumbled, scritchyng wyth hys horrid payne; + His hollow cuishes rang upon the bloudie pleyne. 230 + + This Willyam saw, and soundynge Rowlandes songe + He bent his yron interwoven bowe, + Makynge bothe endes to meet with myghte full stronge, + From out of mortals syght shot up the floe; + Then swyfte as fallynge starres to earthe belowe 235 + It slaunted down on Alfwoldes payncted sheelde; + Quite thro the silver-bordurd crosse did goe, + Nor loste its force, but stuck into the feelde; + The Normannes, like theyr sovrin, dyd prepare, + And shotte ten thousande floes uprysynge in the aire. 240 + + As when a flyghte of cranes, that takes their waie + In householde armies thro the flanched skie, + Alike the cause, or companie or prey, + If that perchaunce some boggie fenne is nie. + Soon as the muddie natyon theie espie, 245 + Inne one blacke cloude theie to the erth descende; + Feirce as the fallynge thunderbolte they flie; + In vayne do reedes the speckled folk defend: + So prone to heavie blowe the arrowes felle, + And peered thro brasse, and sente manie to heaven or helle. 250 + + AElan Adelfred, of the stowe of Leigh, + Felte a dire arrowe burnynge in his breste; + Before he dyd, he sente hys spear awaie, + Thenne sunke to glorie and eternal reste. + Nevylle, a Normanne of alle Normannes beste, 255 + Throw the joint cuishe dyd the javlyn feel, + As hee on horsebacke for the fyghte addressd, + And sawe hys bloude come smokynge oer the steele; + He sente the avengynge floe into the ayre, + And turnd hys horses hedde, and did to leeche repayre. 260 + + And now the javelyns, barbd with deathhis wynges, + Hurld from the Englysh handes by force aderne, + Whyzz dreare alonge, and songes of terror synges, + Such songes as alwaies clos'd in lyfe eterne. + Hurld by such strength along the ayre theie burne, 265 + Not to be quenched butte ynn Normannes bloude; + Wherere theie came they were of lyfe forlorn, + And alwaies followed by a purple floude; + Like cloudes the Normanne arrowes did descend, + Like cloudes of carnage full in purple drops dyd end. 270 + + Nor, Leofwynus, dydst thou still estande; + Full soon thie pheon glytted in the aire; + The force of none but thyne and Harolds hande + Could hurle a javlyn with such lethal geer; + Itte whyzzd a ghastlie dynne in Normannes ear, 275 + Then thundryng dyd upon hys greave alyghte, + Peirce to his hearte, and dyd hys bowels tear, + He closd hys eyne in everlastynge nyghte; + Ah! what avayld the lyons on his creste! + His hatchments rare with him upon the grounde was prest. 280 + + Willyam agayne ymade his bowe-ends meet, + And hie in ayre the arrowe wynged his waie, + Descendyng like a shafte of thunder sleete, + Lyke thunder rattling at the noon of daie, + Onne Algars sheelde the arrowe dyd assaie, 285 + There throghe dyd peerse, and stycke into his groine; + In grypynge torments on the feelde he laie, + Tille welcome dethe came in and clos'd his eyne; + Distort with peyne he laie upon the borne, + Lyke sturdie elms by stormes in uncothe wrythynges torne. 290 + + Alrick his brother, when hee this perceevd, + He drewe his swerde, his lefte hande helde a speere, + Towards the duke he turnd his prauncyng steede, + And to the Godde of heaven he sent a prayre; + Then sent his lethale javlyn in the ayre, 295 + On Hue de Beaumontes backe the javelyn came, + Thro his redde armour to hys harte it tare, + He felle and thondred on the place of fame; + Next with his swerde he 'sayld the Seiur de Roe, + And braste his sylver helme, so furyous was the blowe. 300 + + But Willyam, who had seen hys prowesse great, + And feered muche how farre his bronde might goe, + Tooke a strong arblaster, and bigge with fate + From twangynge iron sente the fleetynge floe. + As Alric hoistes hys arme for dedlie blowe, 305 + Which, han it came, had been Du Roees laste, + The swyfte-wyngd messenger from Willyams bowe + Quite throwe his arme into his syde ypaste; + His eyne shotte fyre, lyke blazyng starre at nyghte, + He grypd his swerde, and felle upon the place of fyghte. 310 + + O Alfwolde, saie, how shalle I synge of thee + Or telle how manie dyd benethe thee falle; + Not Haroldes self more Normanne knyghtes did slee, + Not Haroldes self did for more praises call; + How shall a penne like myne then shew it all? 315 + Lyke thee their leader, eche Bristowyanne foughte; + Lyke thee, their blaze must be canonical, + Fore theie, like thee, that daie bewrecke yroughte: + Did thirtie Normannes fall upon the grounde, + Full half a score from thee and theie receive their fatale wounde. 320 + + First Fytz Chivelloys felt thie direful force; + Nete did hys helde out brazen sheelde availe; + Eftsoones throwe that thie drivynge speare did peerce + Nor was ytte stopped by his coate of mayle; + Into his breaste it quicklie did assayle; 325 + Out ran the bloude, like hygra of the tyde; + With purple stayned all hys adventayle; + In scarlet was his cuishe of sylver dyde: + Upon the bloudie carnage house he laie, + Whylst hys longe sheelde dyd gleem with the sun's rysing ray. 330 + + Next Fescampe felle; O Chrieste, howe harde his fate + To die the leckedst knyghte of all the thronge! + His sprite was made of malice deslavate, + Ne shoulden find a place in anie songe. + The broch'd keene javlyn hurld from honde so stronge 335 + As thine came thundrynge on his crysted beave; + Ah! neete avayld the brass or iron thonge, + With mightie force his skulle in twoe dyd cleave; + Fallyng he shooken out his smokyng braine, + As witherd oakes or elmes are hewne from off the playne. 340 + + For, Norcie, could thie myghte and skilfulle lore + Preserve thee from the doom of Alfwold's speere; + Couldste thou not kenne, most skyll'd Astrelagoure. + How in the battle it would wythe thee fare? + When Alfwolds javelyn, rattlynge in the ayre, 345 + From hande dyvine on thie habergeon came, + Oute at thy backe it dyd thie hartes bloude bear, + It gave thee death and everlastynge fame; + Thy deathe could onlie come from Alfwolde arme, + As diamondes onlie can its fellow diamonds harme. 350 + + Next Sire du Mouline fell upon the grounde, + Quite throughe his throte the lethal javlyn preste, + His soule and bloude came roushynge from the wounde; + He closd his eyen, and opd them with the blest. + It can ne be I should behight the rest, 355 + That by the myghtie arme of Alfwolde felle, + Paste bie a penne to be counte or expreste, + How manie Alfwolde sent to heaven or helle; + As leaves from trees shook by derne Autumns hand, + So laie the Normannes slain by Alfwold on the strand. 360 + + As when a drove of wolves withe dreary yelles + Assayle some flocke, ne care if shepster ken't, + Besprenge destructione oer the woodes and delles; + The shepster swaynes in vayne theyr lees lement; + So foughte the Brystowe menne; ne one crevent, 365 + Ne onne abashd enthoughten for to flee; + With fallen Normans all the playne besprent, + And like theyr leaders every man did flee; + In vayne on every syde the arrowes fled; + The Brystowe menne styll ragd, for Alfwold was not dead. 370 + + Manie meanwhile by Haroldes arm did falle, + And Leofwyne and Gyrthe encreasd the slayne; + 'Twould take a Nestor's age to synge them all, + Or telle how manie Normannes preste the playne; + But of the erles, whom recorde nete hath slayne, 375 + O Truthe! for good of after-tymes relate, + That, thowe they're deade, theyr names may lyve agayne, + And be in deathe, as they in life were, greate; + So after-ages maie theyr actions see, + And like to them aeternal alwaie stryve to be. 380 + + Adhelm, a knyghte, whose holie deathless fire + For ever bended to St. Cuthbert's shryne, + Whose breast for ever burnd with sacred fyre. + And een on erthe he myghte be calld dyvine; + To Cuthbert's church he dyd his goodes resygne, 385 + And lefte hys son his God's and fortunes knyghte; + His son the Saincte behelde with looke adigne, + Made him in gemot wyse, and greate in fyghte; + Saincte Cuthberte dyd him ayde in all hys deedes, + His friends he lets to live, and all his fomen bleedes. 390 + + He married was to Kenewalchae faire, + The fynest dame the sun or moone adave; + She was the myghtie Aderedus heyre, + Who was alreadie hastynge to the grave; + As the blue Bruton, rysinge from the wave, 395 + Like sea-gods seeme in most majestic guise. + And rounde aboute the risynge waters lave, + And their longe hayre arounde their bodie flies, + Such majestic was in her porte displaid, + To be excelld bie none but Homer's martial maid. 400 + + White as the chaulkie clyffes of Brittaines isle, + Red as the highest colour'd Gallic wine, + Gaie as all nature at the mornynge smile, + Those hues with pleasaunce on her lippes combine, + Her lippes more redde than summer evenynge skyne, 405 + Or Phoebus rysinge in a frostie morne, + Her breste more white than snow in feeldes that lyene, + Or lillie lambes that never have been shorne, + Swellynge like bubbles in a boillynge welle, + Or new-braste brooklettes gently whyspringe in the delle. 410 + + Browne as the fylberte droppyng from the shelle, + Browne as the nappy ale at Hocktyde game, + So browne the crokyde rynges, that featlie fell + Over the neck of the all-beauteous dame. + Greie as the morne before the ruddie flame 415 + Of Phoebus charyotte rollynge thro the skie, + Greie as the steel-horn'd goats Conyan made tame, + So greie appeard her featly sparklyng eye; + Those eyne, that did oft mickle pleased look + On Adhelm valyaunt man, the virtues doomsday book. 420 + + Majestic as the grove of okes that stoode + Before the abbie buylt by Oswald kynge; + Majestic as Hybernies holie woode, + Where sainctes and soules departed masses synge; + Such awe from her sweete looke forth issuynge 425 + At once for reveraunce and love did calle; + Sweet as the voice of thraslarkes in the Spring, + So sweet the wordes that from her lippes did falle; + None fell in vayne; all shewed some entent; + Her wordies did displaie her great entendement. 430 + + Tapre as candles layde at Cuthberts shryne, + Tapre as elmes that Goodrickes abbie shrove, + Tapre as silver chalices for wine, + So tapre was her armes and shape ygrove. + As skyllful mynemenne by the stones above 435 + Can ken what metalle is ylach'd belowe, + So Kennewalcha's face, ymade for love, + The lovelie ymage of her soule did shewe; + Thus was she outward form'd; the sun her mind + Did guilde her mortal shape and all her charms refin'd. 440 + + What blazours then, what glorie shall he clayme, + What doughtie Homere shall hys praises synge, + That lefte the bosome of so fayre a dame + Uncall'd, unaskt, to serve his lorde the kynge? + To his fayre shrine goode subjects oughte to bringe 445 + The armes, the helmets, all the spoyles of warre, + Throwe everie reaulm the poets blaze the thynge, + And travelling merchants spredde hys name to farre; + The stoute Norwegians had his anlace felte, + And nowe amonge his foes dethe-doynge blowes he delte. 450 + + As when a wolfyn gettynge in the meedes + He rageth sore, and doth about hym slee, + Nowe here a talbot, there a lambkin bleeds, + And alle the grasse with clotted gore doth stree; + As when a rivlette rolles impetuouslie, 455 + And breaks the bankes that would its force restrayne, + Alonge the playne in fomynge rynges doth flee, + Gaynste walles and hedges doth its course maintayne; + As when a manne doth in a corn-fielde mowe, + With ease at one felle stroke full manie is laide lowe. 460 + + So manie, with such force, and with such ease, + Did Adhelm slaughtre on the bloudie playne; + Before hym manie dyd theyr hearts bloude lease, + Ofttymes he foughte on towres of smokynge slayne. + Angillian felte his force, nor felte in vayne; 465 + He cutte hym with his swerde athur the breaste; + Out ran the bloude, and did hys armoure stayne, + He clos'd his eyen in aeternal reste; + Lyke a tall oke by tempeste borne awaie, + Stretchd in the armes of dethe upon the plaine he laie. 470 + + Next thro the ayre he sent his javlyn feerce, + That on De Clearmoundes buckler did alyghte, + Throwe the vaste orbe the sharpe pheone did peerce, + Rang on his coate of mayle and spente its mighte. + But soon another wingd its aiery flyghte, 475 + The keen broad pheon to his lungs did goe; + He felle, and groand upon the place of fighte, + Whilst lyfe and bloude came issuynge from the blowe. + Like a tall pyne upon his native playne, + So fell the mightie sire and mingled with the slaine. 480 + + Hue de Longeville, a force doughtre mere, + Advauncyd forwarde to provoke the darte, + When soone he founde that Adhelmes poynted speere + Had founde an easie passage to his hearte. + He drewe his bowe, nor was of dethe astarte, 485 + Then fell down brethlesse to encrease the corse; + But as he drewe hys bowe devoid of arte, + So it came down upon Troyvillains horse; + Deep thro hys hatchments wente the pointed floe; + Now here, now there, with rage bleedyng he rounde doth goe. 490 + + Nor does he hede his mastres known commands, + Tyll, growen furiouse by his bloudie wounde, + Erect upon his hynder feete he staundes, + And throwes hys mastre far off to the grounde. + Near Adhelms feete the Normanne laie astounde, 495 + Besprengd his arrowes, loosend was his sheelde, + Thro his redde armoure, as he laie ensoond, + He peercd his swerde, and out upon the feelde + The Normannes bowels steemd, a dedlie syghte! + He opd and closd hys eyen in everlastynge nyghte. 500 + + Caverd, a Scot, who for the Normannes foughte, + A man well skilld in swerde and soundynge strynge, + Who fled his country for a crime enstrote, + For darynge with bolde worde hys loiaule kynge, + He at Erie Aldhelme with grete force did flynge 505 + An heavie javlyn, made for bloudie wounde, + Alonge his sheelde askaunte the same did ringe, + Peered thro the corner, then stuck in the grounde; + So when the thonder rauttles in the skie, + Thro some tall spyre the shaftes in a torn clevis flie. 510 + + Then Addhelm hurld a croched javlyn stronge, + With mighte that none but such grete championes know; + Swifter than thoughte the javlyn past alonge, + Ande hytte the Scot most feirclie on the prowe; + His helmet brasted at the thondring blowe, 515 + Into his brain the tremblyn javlyn steck; + From eyther syde the bloude began to flow, + And run in circling ringlets rounde his neck; + Down fell the warriour on the lethal strande, + Lyke some tall vessel wreckt upon the tragick sande. 520 + + + + + CONTINUED. + + + Where fruytlefs heathes and meadowes cladde in greie, + Save where derne hawthornes reare theyr humble heade, + The hungrie traveller upon his waie + Sees a huge desarte alle arounde hym spredde, + The distaunte citie scantlie to be spedde, 525 + The curlynge force of smoke he sees in vayne, + Tis too far distaunte, and hys onlie bedde + Iwimpled in hys cloke ys on the playne, + Whylste rattlynge thonder forrey oer his hedde, + And raines come down to wette hys harde uncouthlie bedde. 530 + + A wondrous pyle of rugged mountaynes standes, + Placd on eche other in a dreare arraie, + It ne could be the worke of human handes, + It ne was reared up bie menne of claie. + Here did the Brutons adoration paye 535 + To the false god whom they did Tauran name, + Dightynge hys altarre with greete fyres in Maie, + Roastynge theyr vyctimes round aboute the flame, + 'Twas here that Hengyst did the Brytons slee, + As they were mette in council for to bee. 540 + + Neere on a loftie hylle a citie standes, + That lyftes yts scheafted heade ynto the skies, + And kynglie lookes arounde on lower landes, + And the longe browne playne that before itte lies. + Herewarde, borne of parentes brave and wyse, 545 + Within this vylle fyrste adrewe the ayre, + A blessynge to the erthe sente from the skies, + In anie kyngdom nee coulde fynde his pheer; + Now rybbd in steele he rages yn the fyghte, + And sweeps whole armies to the reaulmes of nyghte. 550 + + So when derne Autumne wyth hys sallowe hande + Tares the green mantle from the lymed trees, + The leaves besprenged on the yellow strande + Flie in whole armies from the blataunte breeze; + Alle the whole fielde a carnage-howse he sees, 555 + And sowles unknelled hover'd oer the bloude; + From place to place on either hand he slees, + And sweepes alle neere hym lyke a bronded floude; + Dethe honge upon his arme; he sleed so maynt, + 'Tis paste the pointel of a man to paynte. 560 + + Bryghte sonne in haste han drove hys fierie wayne + A three howres course alonge the whited skyen, + Vewynge the swarthless bodies on the playne, + And longed greetlie to plonce in the bryne. + For as hys beemes and far-stretchynge eyne 565 + Did view the pooles of gore yn purple sheene, + The wolsomme vapours rounde hys lockes dyd twyne, + And dyd disfygure all hys femmlikeen; + Then to harde actyon he hys wayne dyd rowse, + In hyssynge ocean to make glair hys browes. 570 + + Duke Wyllyam gave commaunde, eche Norman knyghte, + That been war-token in a shielde so fyne, + Shoulde onward goe, and dare to closer fyghte + The Saxonne warryor, that dyd so entwyne, + Lyke the neshe bryon and the eglantine, 575 + Orre Cornysh wrastlers at a Hocktyde game. + The Normannes, all emarchialld in a lyne, + To the ourt arraie of the thight Saxonnes came; + There 'twas the whaped Normannes on a parre + Dyd know that Saxonnes were the sonnes of warre. 580 + + Oh Turgotte, wheresoeer thie spryte dothe haunte, + Whither wyth thie lovd Adhelme by thie syde, + Where thou mayste heare the swotie nyghte larke chaunte, + Orre wyth some mokynge brooklette swetelie glide, + Or rowle in ferselie wythe ferse Severnes tyde, 585 + Whereer thou art, come and my mynde enleme + Wyth such greete thoughtes as dyd with thee abyde, + Thou sonne, of whom I ofte have caught a beeme, + Send mee agayne a drybblette of thie lyghte, + That I the deeds of Englyshmenne maie wryte. 590 + + Harold, who saw the Normannes to advaunce, + Seizd a huge byll, and layd hym down hys spere; + Soe dyd ech wite laie downe the broched launce, + And groves of bylles did glitter in the ayre. + Wyth showtes the Normannes did to battel steere; 595 + Campynon famous for his stature highe, + Fyrey wythe brasse, benethe a shyrte of lere, + In cloudie daie he reechd into the skie; + Neere to Kyng Harolde dyd he come alonge, + And drewe hys steele Morglaien sworde so stronge. 600 + + Thryce rounde hys heade hee swung hys anlace wyde, + On whyche the sunne his visage did agleeme, + Then straynynge, as hys membres would dyvyde, + Hee stroke on Haroldes sheelde yn manner breme; + Alonge the field it made an horrid cleembe, 605 + Coupeynge Kyng Harolds payncted sheeld in twayne, + Then yn the bloude the fierie swerde dyd steeme, + And then dyd drive ynto the bloudie playne; + So when in ayre the vapours do abounde, + Some thunderbolte tares trees and dryves ynto the grounde. 610 + + Harolde upreer'd hys bylle, and furious sente + A stroke, lyke thondre, at the Normannes syde; + Upon the playne the broken brasse besprente + Dyd ne hys bodie from dethe-doeynge hyde; + He tournyd backe, and dyd not there abyde; 615 + With straught oute sheelde hee ayenwarde did goe, + Threwe downe the Normannes, did their rankes divide, + To save himselfe lefte them unto the foe; + So olyphauntes, in kingdomme of the sunne, + When once provok'd doth throwe theyr owne troopes runne. 620 + + Harolde, who ken'd hee was his armies staie, + Nedeynge the rede of generaul so wyse, + Byd Alfwoulde to Campynon haste awaie, + As thro the armie ayenwarde he hies, + Swyfte as a feether'd takel Alfwoulde flies, 625 + The steele bylle blushynge oer wyth lukewarm bloude; + Ten Kenters, ten Bristowans for th' emprize + Hasted wyth Alfwoulde where Campynon stood, + Who aynewarde went, whylste everie Normanne knyghte + Dyd blush to see their champyon put to flyghte. 630 + + As painctyd Bruton, when a wolfyn wylde, + When yt is cale and blustrynge wyndes do blowe, + Enters hys bordelle, taketh hys yonge chylde, + And wyth his bloude bestreynts the lillie snowe, + He thoroughe mountayne hie and dale doth goe, 635 + Throwe the quyck torrent of the bollen ave, + Throwe Severne rollynge oer the sandes belowe + He skyms alofe, and blents the beatynge wave, + Ne stynts, ne lagges the chace, tylle for hys eyne + In peecies hee the morthering theef doth chyne. 640 + + So Alfwoulde he dyd to Campynon haste; + Hys bloudie bylle awhap'd the Normannes eyne; + Hee fled, as wolfes when bie the talbots chac'd, + To bloudie byker he dyd ne enclyne. + Duke Wyllyam stroke hym on hys brigandyne, 645 + And sayd; Campynon, is it thee I see? + Thee? who dydst actes of glorie so bewryen, + Now poorlie come to hyde thieselfe bie mee? + Awaie! thou dogge, and acte a warriors parte. + Or with mie swerde I'll perce thee to the harte. 650 + + Betweene Erie Alfwoulde and Duke Wyllyam's bronde + Campynon thoughte that nete but deathe coulde bee, + Seezed a huge swerde Morglaien yn his honde, + Mottrynge a praier to the Vyrgyne: + So hunted deere the dryvynge hounds will flee, 655 + When theie dyscover they cannot escape; + And feerful lambkyns, when theie hunted bee, + Theyre ynfante hunters doe theie oft awhape; + Thus stoode Campynon, greete but hertlesse knyghte, + When feere of dethe made hym for deathe to fyghte. 660 + + Alfwoulde began to dyghte hymselfe for fyghte, + Meanewhyle hys menne on everie syde dyd slee, + Whan on hys lyfted sheelde withe alle hys myghte + Campynon's swerde in burlie-brande dyd dree; + Bewopen Alfwoulde fellen on his knee; 665 + Hys Brystowe menne came in hym for to save; + Eftsoons upgotten from the grounde was hee, + And dyd agayne the touring Norman brave; + Hee graspd hys bylle in syke a drear arraie, + Hee seem'd a lyon catchynge at hys preie. 670 + + Upon the Normannes brazen adventayle + The thondrynge bill of myghtie Alfwould came; + It made a dentful bruse, and then dyd fayle; + Fromme rattlynge weepons shotte a sparklynge flame; + Eftsoons agayne the thondrynge bill ycame, 675 + Peers'd thro hys adventayle and skyrts of lare; + A tyde of purple gore came wyth the same, + As out hys bowells on the feelde it tare; + Campynon felle, as when some cittie-walle + Inne dolefulle terrours on its mynours falle. 680 + + He felle, and dyd the Norman rankes dyvide; + So when an oke, that shotte ynto the skie, + Feeles the broad axes peersynge his broade syde, + Slowlie hee falls and on the grounde doth lie, + Pressynge all downe that is wyth hym anighe, 685 + And stoppynge wearie travellers on the waie; + So straught upon the playne the Norman hie + + * * * * * + + Bled, gron'd, and dyed; the Normanne knyghtes astound + To see the bawsin champyon preste upon the grounde. 690 + + As when the hygra of the Severne roars, + And thunders ugsom on the sandes below, + The cleembe reboundes to Wedecesters shore, + And sweeps the black sande rounde its horie prowe; + So bremie Alfwoulde thro the warre dyd goe; 695 + Hys Kenters and Brystowans slew ech syde, + Betreinted all alonge with bloudless foe, + And seemd to swymm alonge with bloudie tyde; + Fromme place to place besmeard with bloud they went, + And rounde aboute them swarthless corse besprente. 700 + + A famous Normanne who yclepd Aubene, + Of skyll in bow, in tylte, and handesworde fyghte + That daie yn feelde han manie Saxons sleene, + Forre hee in sothen was a manne of myghte; + Fyrste dyd his swerde on Adelgar alyghte, 705 + As hee on horseback was, and peersd hys gryne, + Then upwarde wente: in everlastynge nyghte + Hee closd hys rollyng and dymsyghted eyne. + Next Eadlyn, Tatwyn, and fam'd Adelred, + Bie various causes sunken to the dead. 710 + + But now to Alfwoulde he opposynge went, + To whom compar'd hee was a man of stre, + And wyth bothe hondes a myghtie blowe he sente + At Alfwouldes head, as hard as hee could dree; + But on hys payncted sheelde so bismarlie 715 + Aslaunte his swerde did go ynto the grounde; + Then Alfwould him attack'd most furyouslie, + Athrowe hys gaberdyne hee dyd him wounde, + Then soone agayne hys swerde hee dyd upryne, + And clove his creste and split hym to the eyne. 720 + + * * * * * + +[Footnote 1: In Turgott's tyme Holenwell braste of erthe so fierce +that it threw a stone-mell carrying the same awaie. J. Lydgate ne +knowynge this lefte out o line.] + +[Editor's note: l. 578 _see Introduction_ p. xlij] + + + + +ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. + + + As onn a hylle one eve sittynge, + At oure Ladie's Chyrche mouche wonderynge, + The counynge handieworke so fyne, + Han well nighe dazeled mine eyne; + Quod I; some counynge fairie hande 5 + Yreer'd this chapelle in this lande; + Full well I wote so fine a syghte + Was ne yreer'd of mortall wighte. + Quod Trouthe; thou lackest knowlachynge; + Thou forsoth ne wotteth of the thynge. 10 + A Rev'rend Fadre, William Canynge hight, + Yreered uppe this chapelle brighte; + And eke another in the Towne, + Where glassie bubblynge Trymme doth roun. + Quod I; ne doubte for all he's given 15 + His sowle will certes goe to heaven. + Yea, quod Trouthe; than goe thou home, + And see thou doe as hee hath donne. + Quod I; I doubte, that can ne bee; + I have ne gotten markes three. 20 + Quod Trouthe; as thou hast got, give almes-dedes soe; + Canynges and Gaunts culde doe ne moe. + +T.R. + + + + +ON THE SAME. + + + Stay, curyous traveller, and pass not bye, + Until this fetive pile astounde thine eye. + Whole rocks on rocks with yron joynd surveie, + And okes with okes entremed disponed lie. + This mightie pile, that keeps the wyndes at baie, 5 + Fyre-levyn and the mokie storme defie, + That shootes aloofe into the reaulmes of daie, + Shall be the record of the Buylders fame for aie. + + Thou seest this maystrie of a human hand, + The pride of Brystowe and the Westerne lande, 10 + Yet is the Buylders vertues much moe greete, + Greeter than can bie Rowlies pen be scande. + Thou seest the saynctes and kynges in stonen state, + That seemd with breath and human soule dispande, + As payrde to us enseem these men of slate, 15 + Such is greete Canynge's mynde when payrd to God elate. + + Well maiest thou be astound, but view it well; + Go not from hence before thou see thy fill, + And learn the Builder's vertues and his name; + Of this tall spyre in every countye telle, 20 + And with thy tale the lazing rych men shame; + Showe howe the glorious Canynge did excelle; + How hee good man a friend for kynges became, + And gloryous paved at once the way to heaven and fame. + + + + +EPITAPH ON ROBERT CANYNGE. + + + Thys mornynge starre of Radcleves rysynge raie, + A true manne good of mynde and Canynge hyghte, + Benethe thys stone lies moltrynge ynto claie, + Untylle the darke tombe sheene an eterne lyghte. + Thyrde fromme hys loynes the present Canynge came; + Houton are wordes for to telle hys doe; + For aye shall lyve hys heaven-recorded name, + Ne shall yt dye whanne tyme shalle bee no moe; + Whanne Mychael's trumpe shall sounde to rise the solle, + He'll wynge to heavn wyth kynne, and happie bee hys dolle. + + + + +THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. + + + Anent a brooklette as I laie reclynd, + Listeynge to heare the water glyde alonge, + Myndeynge how thorowe the grene mees yt twynd, + Awhilst the cavys respons'd yts mottring songe, + At dystaunt rysyng Avonne to be sped, 5 + Amenged wyth rysyng hylles dyd shewe yts head; + + Engarlanded wyth crownes of osyer weedes + And wraytes of alders of a bercie scent, + And stickeynge out wyth clowde agested reedes, + The hoarie Avonne show'd dyre semblamente, 10 + Whylest blataunt Severne, from Sabryna clepde, + Rores flemie o'er the sandes that she hepde. + + These eynegears swythyn bringethe to mie thowghte + Of hardie champyons knowen to the floude, + How onne the bankes thereof brave AElle foughte, 15 + AElle descended from Merce kynglie bloude, + Warden of Brystowe towne and castel stede, + Who ever and anon made Danes to blede. + + Methoughte such doughtie menn must have a sprighte + Dote yn the armour brace that Mychael bore, 20 + Whan he wyth Satan kynge of helle dyd fyghte, + And earthe was drented yn a mere of gore; + Orr, soone as theie dyd see the worldis lyghte, + Fate had wrott downe, thys mann ys borne to fyghte. + + AElle, I sayd, or els my mynde dyd saie, 25 + Whie ys thy actyons left so spare yn storie? + Were I toe dispone, there should lyvven aie + In erthe and hevenis rolles thie tale of glorie; + Thie actes soe doughtie should for aie abyde, + And bie theyre teste all after actes be tryde. 30 + + Next holie Wareburghus fylld mie mynde, + As fayre a sayncte as anie towne can boaste, + Or bee the erthe wyth lyghte or merke ywrynde, + I see hys ymage waulkeyng throwe the coaste: + Fitz Hardynge, Bithrickus, and twentie moe 35 + Ynn visyonn fore mie phantasie dyd goe. + + Thus all mie wandrynge faytour thynkeynge strayde, + And eche dygne buylder dequac'd onn mie mynde, + Whan from the distaunt streeme arose a mayde, + Whose gentle tresses mov'd not to the wynde; 40 + Lyche to the sylver moone yn frostie neete, + The damoiselle dyd come soe blythe and sweete. + + Ne browded mantell of a scarlette hue, + Ne shoone pykes plaited o'er wyth ribbande geere, + Ne costlie paraments of woden blue, 45 + Noughte of a dresse, but bewtie dyd shee weere; + Naked shee was, and loked swete of youthe, + All dyd bewryen that her name was Trouthe. + + The ethie ringletts of her notte-browne hayre + What ne a manne should see dyd swotelie hyde, 50 + Whych on her milk-white bodykin so fayre + Dyd showe lyke browne streemes fowlyng the white tyde, + Or veynes of brown hue yn a marble cuarr, + Whyche by the traveller ys kenn'd from farr. + + Astounded mickle there I sylente laie, 55 + Still scauncing wondrous at the walkynge syghte; + Mie senses forgarde ne coulde reyn awaie; + But was ne forstraughte whan shee dyd alyghte + Anie to mee, dreste up yn naked viewe, + Whych mote yn some ewbrycious thoughtes abrewe. 60 + + But I ne dyd once thynke of wanton thoughte; + For well I mynded what bie vowe I hete, + And yn mie pockate han a crouchee broughte, + Whych yn the blosom woulde such sins anete; + I lok'd wyth eyne as pure as angelles doe, 65 + And dyd the everie thoughte of foule eschewe. + + Wyth sweet semblate and an angel's grace + Shee 'gan to lecture from her gentle breste; + For Trouthis wordes ys her myndes face, + False oratoryes she dyd aie deteste: 70 + Sweetnesse was yn eche worde she dyd ywreene, + Tho shee strove not to make that sweetnesse sheene. + + Shee sayd; mie manner of appereynge here + Mie name and sleyghted myndbruch maie thee telle; + I'm Trouthe, that dyd descende fromm heavenwere, 75 + Goulers and courtiers doe not kenne mee welle; + Thie inmoste thoughtes, thie labrynge brayne I sawe, + And from thie gentle dreeme will thee adawe. + + Full manie champyons and menne of lore, + Payncters and carvellers have gaind good name, 80 + But there's a Canynge, to encrease the store, + A Canynge, who shall buie uppe all theyre fame. + Take thou mie power, and see yn chylde and manne + What troulie noblenesse yn Canynge ranne. + + As when a bordelier onn ethie bedde, 85 + Tyr'd wyth the laboures maynt of sweltrie daie, + Yn slepeis bosom laieth hys deft headde, + So, senses sonke to reste, mie boddie laie; + Eftsoons mie sprighte, from erthlie bandes untyde, + Immengde yn flanched ayre wyth Trouthe asyde. 90 + + Strayte was I carryd back to tymes of yore, + Whylst Canynge swathed yet yn fleshlie bedde, + And saw all actyons whych han been before, + And all the scroll of Fate unravelled; + And when the fate-mark'd babe acome to syghte, 95 + I saw hym eager gaspynge after lyghte. + + In all hys shepen gambols and chyldes plaie. + In everie merriemakeyng, fayre or wake, + I kenn'd a perpled lyghte of Wysdom's raie; + He eate downe learnynge wyth the wastle cake. 100 + As wise as anie of the eldermenne, + He'd wytte enowe toe make a mayre at tenne. + + As the dulce downie barbe beganne to gre, + So was the well thyghte texture of hys lore; + Eche daie enhedeynge mockler for to bee, 105 + Greete yn hys councel for the daies he bore. + All tongues, all carrols dyd unto hym synge, + Wondryng at one soe wyse, and yet soe yinge. + + Encreaseynge yn the yeares of mortal lyfe, + And hasteynge to hys journie ynto heaven, 110 + Hee thoughte ytt proper for to cheese a wyfe, + And use the sexes for the purpose gevene. + Hee then was yothe of comelie semelikeede, + And hee had made a mayden's herte to blede. + + He had a fader, (Jesus rest hys soule!) 115 + Who loved money, as hys charie joie; + Hee had a broder (happie manne be's dole!) + Yn mynde and boddie, hys owne fadre's boie; + What then could Canynge wissen as a parte + To gyve to her whoe had made chop of hearte? 120 + + But landes and castle tenures, golde and bighes, + And hoardes of sylver rousted yn the ent, + Canynge and hys fayre sweete dyd that despyse, + To change of troulie love was theyr content; + Theie lyv'd togeder yn a house adygne, 125 + Of goode fendaument commilie and fyne. + + But soone hys broder and hys syre dyd die, + And lefte to Willyam states and renteynge rolles, + And at hys wyll hys broder Johne supplie. + Hee gave a chauntrie to redeeme theyre soules; 130 + And put hys broder ynto syke a trade, + That he lorde mayor of Londonne towne was made. + + Eftsoons hys mornynge tournd to gloomie nyghte; + Hys dame, hys seconde selfe, gyve upp her brethe, + Seekeynge for eterne lyfe and endless lyghte, 135 + And sleed good Canynge; sad mystake of dethe! + Soe have I seen a flower ynn Sommer tyme + Trodde downe and broke and widder ynn ytts pryme. + + Next Radeleeve chyrche (oh worke of hande of heav'n, + Whare Canynge sheweth as an instrumente.) 140 + Was to my bismarde eyne-syghte newlie giv'n; + 'Tis past to blazonne ytt to good contente. + You that woulde faygn the fetyve buyldynge see + Repayre to Radcleve, and contented bee. + + I sawe the myndbruch of hys nobille soule 145 + Whan Edwarde meniced a seconde wyfe; + I saw what Pheryons yn hys mynde dyd rolle; + Nowe fyx'd fromm seconde dames a preeste for lyfe. + Thys ys the manne of menne, the vision spoke; + Then belle for even-songe mie senses woke. 150 + + + + +ON HAPPIENESSE, by WILLIAM CANYNGE. + + + Maie Selynesse on erthes boundes bee hadde? + Maie yt adyghte yn human shape bee founde? + Wote yee, ytt was wyth Edin's bower bestadde, + Or quite eraced from the scaunce-layd grounde, + Whan from the secret fontes the waterres dyd abounde? + Does yt agrosed shun the bodyed waulke, + Lyve to ytself and to yttes ecchoe taulke? + + All hayle, Contente, thou mayde of turtle-eyne, + As thie behoulders thynke thou arte iwreene, + To ope the dore to Selynesse ys thyne, + And Chrystis glorie doth upponne thee sheene. + Doer of the foule thynge ne hath thee seene; + In caves, ynn wodes, ynn woe, and dole distresse, + Whoere hath thee hath gotten Selynesse. + + + + +ONN JOHNE A DALBENIE, by the same. + + + Johne makes a jarre boute Lancaster and Yorke; + Bee stille, gode manne, and learne to mynde thie worke. + + + + +THE GOULER'S REQUIEM, by the same. + + + Mie boolie entes, adieu! ne moe the syghte + Of guilden merke shall mete mie joieous eyne, + Ne moe the sylver noble sheenynge bryghte + Schall fyll mie honde with weight to speke ytt fyne; + Ne moe, ne moe, alass! I call you myne: 5 + Whydder must you, ah! whydder must I goe? + I kenn not either; oh mie emmers dygne, + To parte wyth you wyll wurcke mee myckle woe; + I muste be gonne, botte whare I dare ne telle; + O storthe unto mie mynde! I goe to helle. 10 + + Soone as the morne dyd dyghte the roddie sunne, + A shade of theves eche streake of lyght dyd seeme; + Whann ynn the heavn full half hys course was runn, + Eche stirryng nayghbour dyd mie harte afleme; + Thye loss, or quyck or slepe, was aie mie dreme; 15 + For thee, O gould, I dyd the lawe ycrase; + For thee I gotten or bie wiles or breme; + Ynn thee I all mie joie and good dyd place; + Botte now to mee thie pleasaunce ys ne moe, + I kenne notte botte for thee I to the quede must goe. 20 + + + + +THE ACCOUNTE OF W. CANYNGES FEAST. + + + Thorowe the halle the belle han sounde; + Byelecoyle doe the Grave beseeme; + The ealdermenne doe sytte arounde, + Ande snoffelle oppe the cheorte steeme. + Lyche asses wylde ynne desarte waste 5 + Swotelye the morneynge ayre doe taste, + + Syke keene theie ate; the minstrels plaie, + The dynne of angelles doe theie keepe; + Heie stylle the guestes ha ne to saie, + Butte nodde yer thankes ande falle aslape. 10 + Thus echone daie bee I to deene, + Gyf Rowley, Iscamm, or Tyb. Gorges be ne seene. + +THE END. [Illustration] + + + + +[NOTE ON THE GLOSSARY + +The following glossary was compiled by Tyrwhitt before he had +discovered Chatterton's use of Kersey's and Bailey's dictionaries +(vide Introduction, p. xxviii) and a number of words were thus +necessarily left unexplained by him. The present editor has added, +in square brackets, explanations of all these words except about +half-a-dozen which neither Kersey's _Dictionarium Anglo-Britannicum +(K.)_, nor Bailey's _Universal Etymological Dictionary (B.)_, nor the +glossary to Speght's edition of Chaucer (_Speght_), nor the notes of +Prof. Skeat in his 1871 edition (_Sk._), nor any native ingenuity of +his own has served to elucidate.] + + + + +A GLOSSARY OF UNCOMMON WORDS IN THIS VOLUME. + + +_In the following Glossary, the explanations of words by CHATTERTON, +at the bottom of the several pages, are drawn together, and digested +alphabetically, with the letter C. after each of them. But it should +be observed, that these explanations are not to be admitted but with +great caution; a considerable number of them being (as far as +the Editor can judge) unsupported by authority or analogy. The +explanations of some other words, omitted by CHATTERTON, have been +added by the Editor, where the meaning of the writer was sufficiently +clear, and the word itself did not recede too far from the established +usage; but he has been obliged to leave many others for the +consideration of more learned or more sagacious interpreters._ + + + + +EXPLANATION OF THE LETTERS OF REFERENCE. + + + AE stands for _AElla; a tragycal enterlude_, + Ba. ------ _The dethe of Syr C. Bawdin_, + Ch. ------ _Balade of Charitie_, + E. I. ---- _Eclogue the first_, + E. II. --- _Eclogue the second_, + E. III. -- _Eclogue the third_, + El. ------ _Elinoure and Juga_, + Ent. ----- _Entroductionne to AElla_, + Ep. ------ _Epistle to M. Canynge_, + G. ------- _Goddwyn; a Tragedie_, + H. 1. ---- _Battle of Hastings, No 1._ + H. 2. ---- _Battle of Hastings, No 2._ + Le. ------ _Letter to M. Canynge_, + M. ------- _Englysh Metamorphosis_, + P.G. ----- _Prologue to Goddwyn_, + T. ------- _Tournament_, + + The other references are made to the pages. + + + + +A GLOSSARY. + + + [B.=Bailey's _Universal Etymological Dictionary_ (8th ed. 1737). + K.=Kersey's _Dictionarium Anglo-Britannicum_ (1708). + Sk.=Prof. Skeat's Aldine Edition (1871). + Speght=Glossary to Speght's Chaucer (1598). + T.=Tyrwhitt. + C.=Chatterton's notes to the poems.] + +Abessie, E. III. 89. _Humility_. C. + +Aborne, T. 45. _Burnished_. C. + +Abounde, H. 1. 55. [Evidently _avail_; K. B. and Speght do not help.] + +Aboune, G. 53. _Make ready_. C. + +Abredynge, AE. 334. _Upbraiding_. C. + +Abrewe, p. 281. 60. as _Brew_. + +Abrodden, E. I. 6. _Abruptly_. C. + +Acale, G. 191. _Freeze_. C. + +Accaie, AE. 356. _Asswage_. C. + +Achments, T. 153. _Atchievements_. C. + +Acheke, G. 47. _Choke_. C. + +Achevments, AE. 65. _Services_. C. + +Acome, p. 283. 95. as _Come_. + +Acrool, El. 6. _Faintly_. C. + +Adave, H. 2. 402. [Probably _beheld_; cannot be explained from K., who +has nothing nearer than adawe (O.), _to awaken; awoke_ can hardly be +the meaning.] + +Adawe, p. 282. 78. _Awake_. + +Addawd, H. 2. 110. [_Limply_. Sk. translates _wakened_ from B.'s +addawe, _to waken_, which makes no sense. K. has 'adaw, _to awaken_; +but it is used by the poet Spencer _to slacken_'; hence the meaning I +have given.] + +Adente, AE 396. _Fastened_. C. + +Adented, G. 32. _Fastened, annexed_. C. + +Aderne, H. 2. 272. See _Derne, Dernie_. [_Sad, cruel_, from K.'s dern +(O.), _sad_, &c.] + +Adigne. See _Adygne_. + +Adrames, Ep. 27. _Churls_. C. + +Adventaile, T. 13. _Armour_. C. + +Adygne, Le. 46. _Nervous; worthy of praise_. C. + +Affynd, H. 1. 132. _Related by marriage_. + +Afleme, p. 287. 14. as _Fleme_; to drive away, to affright. + +After la goure, H. 2. 353. should probably be _Astrelagour_; +Astrologer. [A singular mistake for B.'s Asterlagour _an astrolabe_. +Sk.] + +[Agested, p. 278. 9. _Heaped up_ (B.). (For C.'s _clowde_ Sk. boldly +reads _clod_.)] + +Agrame, G. 93. _Grievance_. C. + +Agreme, AE 356. _Torture_. C.--G. 5. _Grievance_. C. + +Agrosed, p. 286. 6. as _Agrised_, terrified. + +Agroted, AE. 348. See _Groted_. + +Agylted, AE. 334. _Offended_. C. + +Aidens, AE. 222. _Aidance_. + +Ake, E. II. 8. _Oak_. C. + +Alans, H. 2. 124. _Hounds_. + +Alatche, AE. 117. [? _call for help_. K. has latch (O.) _release, let +go_, but this cannot be the meaning intended.] + +Aledge, G. 5. _Idly_. C. + +Alest, AE. 50. _Lest_. + +All a boon, E. III. 41. _A manner of asking a favour_. C. + +Alleyn, E. I. 52. _Only_. C. + +Almer, Ch. 20. _Beggar_. C. + +[Alofe, H. 1. 292. _Aloft_.] + +[Alse, AE. 1063. _Else_.] + +Aluste, H. i. 88. [The sense is clearly _draw himself out, release +himself_; but K. B. and Speght throw no light on the word.] + +Alyne, T. 79. _Across his shoulders_. C. + +Alyse, Le. 29. _Allow_. C. + +Amate, AE. 58. _Destroy_. C. + +Amayld, E. II. 49. _Enameled_. C. + +Ameded, AE. 54. _Rewarded_. + +Amenged, p. 278. 6. as _Menged_; mixed. + +Amenused, E. II. 5. _Diminished_. C. + +[Ametten, M. 46. _Met_.] + +Amield, T. 5. _Ornamented, enameled_. C. + +[Anenste, as _Anente_; against.] + +Anente, AE. 475. _Against_. C. + +Anere, AE. 15. _Another_. C. [Ep. 48. _another time or occasion_.] + +Anete, p. 281. 64. [_put an end to_, from C.'s _nete, nothing_.] + +Anie, p. 281. 59. as _Nie_; nigh. + +[Anie, H. 1. 120. _Annoy_.] + +Anlace, G. 57. _An ancient sword_. C. + +Antecedent, AE. 233. _Going before_. + +Applings, E. I. 33. _Grafted trees_. C. + +Arace, G. 156. _Divest_. C. + +[Arcublaster, H. 2. 52. K. has arcubalista, _a warlike engine for +casting great stones_, and Speght has arblasters, _crosse-bowes_. This +last is evidently C.'s meaning.] + +[Ardurous, p.25. 30. ? as if _ardourous_, valiant.] + +Arist, Ch. 10. _Arose_. C. + +Arrowe-lede, H. 1. 74. [Neither K.B. nor Speght throws any light on +_-lede_. Sk. reads _arrow-head_.] + +Ascaunce, E. III. 52. _Disdainfully_. C. + +Asenglave, H. 1. 117. [_Ashen-spear_. K. has glaive, _a weapon like a +halbert_.] + +Askaunted, Le. 19. [_Look carelessly at_, from two words side by +side in K., askaunce (O.), _if by chance_, and askaunt (O.) _to look +askaunt i.e. to look sideways_.] + +Aslee, AE 504. [Probably _sidle_ would give the meaning. Sk. renders +_dost but slide away_.] + +Asseled, E. III. 14. _Answered_. C. + +Ashrewed. Ch. 24. _Accursed, unfortunate_. C. + +Asswaie, E. 352. [There is no satisfactory explanation; the sense is +clearly _cause_.] + +Astedde, E. II. II. _Seated_. C. + +Astende, G. 47. _Astonish_. C. + +Asterte, G. 137. _Neglected_. C. + +Astoun, E. II. 5. _Astonished_. C. + +Astounde, M. 83. _Astonish_. C. + +Asyde, p. 282. 90. perhaps _Astyde_; ascended. [More probably _wyth +Trouthe asyde_ means _at the side of Truth_.] + +Athur, H. 2. 466. as _Thurgh_; thorough. + +Attenes, AE 18. _At once_. C. + +Attoure, T. 115. _Turn_. C. + +Attoure, AE 322. _Around_. + +Ave, H. 2. 636. for _Eau_. Fr. Water. + +Aumere, Ch. 7. _A loose robe, or mantle_. C. + +Aumeres, E. III. 25. _Borders of gold and silver_, &c. C. + +Aunture, H. 2. 133. as _Aventure_: adventure. Autremete, Ch. 52. _A +loose white robe, worn by priests_. C. + +Awhaped, AE. 400. _Astonished_. C. + +Aynewarde, Ch. 47. _Backwards_. C. + + +B. + +Bankes, T. III. _Benches_. + +[Bante, AE. 207. _Banned, cursed_.] + +Barb'd hall, AE. 219. [See Appendix, p. 317, Sec. 8.] + +Barbed horse, AE. 27. _Covered with armour_. + +[Bardi, H. 1. 305. _Bards_. (Latin plural!)] + +Baren, AE. 880, for _Barren_. + +Barganette, E. III. 49. _A song, or ballad_. C. + +Bataunt, Ba. 276. 292. [Evidently a musical instrument, but Sk. can +get no nearer an etymological explanation than O.F. _battant_, a +fuller's mallet.] + +Battayles, AE. 707. _Boats, ships_. Fr. + +Batten, G. 3. _Fatten_. C. + +Battent, T. 52. _Loudly_. C. + +Battently, G. 50. _Loud roaring_. C. + +Battone, H. 1. 520. _Beat with sticks_. Fr. + +Baubels, Ent. 7. _Jewels_. C. + +Bawfin, AE. 57. _Large_. C. + +Bayre, E. II. 76. _Brow_. C. + +Beheste, G. 60. _Command_. C. + +Behight, H. 2. 365. [_Name_; from _hight_, called.] + +Behylte, AE. 939. _Promised_. C. + +Belent, H. 2. 121. [? from Speght's blent, _stayed, turned back_.] + +Beme, AE. 563. _Trumpet_. + +Bemente, E. I. 45. _Lament_. C. + +Benned, AE. 1185. _Cursed, tormented_. C. + +Benymmynge, P.G. 3. _Bereaving_. C. + +Bercie, p. 278. 8. [No explanation.] + +Berne, AE. 580. _Child_. C. + +Berten, T. 58. _Venomous_. C. + +Beseies, T. 124. _Becomes_. C. + +Besprente, T. 132. _Scattered_. C. + +Bestadde, p. 286. 3. [_Lost_, K.'s _bestad_ (O.).] + +Bestanne, AE. 411. [=Bestadde.] + +Bested, H. 2. 140. [_Contended_. ? from B.'s bestad, _beset, +oppressed_.] + +Bestoiker, AE. 91. _Deceiver_. C. + +Bestreynts, H. 2. 634. [_Sprinkles_, from K.'s betreint (O.), +_sprinkled_; but affected by _bestrewed_.] + +Bete, G. 85. _Bid_. C. + +Betrassed, G. 7. _Deceived, imposed on_. C. + +Betraste, AE. 1031. _Betrayed_. C. + +Betreinted, H. 2. [634] 707. [_Sprinkled_; from K.'s betreint (O.), +_sprinkled_.] + +Bevyle, E. II. 57. _Break. A herald term signifying a spear broken in +tilting_. C. + +Bewrate, H. 2. 127. [_Treachery_.] + +Bewrecke, G. 101. _Revenge_. C. + +Bewreen, AE. 6. _Express_. C. + +Bewryen, Le. 42. _Declared, expressed_. C. + +Bewryne, G. 72. _Declare_. C. + +Bewrynning, T. 128. _Declaring_. C. + +Bighes, AE. 371. _Jewels_. C. + +Birlette, E. III. 24. _A hood, or covering for the back part of the +head_. C. + +Bismarde, p. 285. 141. [_Curious, wondering_; from bismar, _curiosity_, +K.B. and Speght.] + +Blake, AE. 178. 407. _Naked_. C. + +Blakied, E. III. 4. _Naked, original_. C. + +Blanche, AE. 369. _White, pure_. + +Blaunchie, E. II. 50. _White_. C. + +Blatauntlie, AE. 108. _Loudly_. C. + +[Blents, H. 2. 638. ?] + +Blente, E. III. 39. _Ceased, dead_. C. + +Blethe, T. 98. _Bleed_. C. + +Blynge, AE. 334. _Cease_. C. + +Blyn, E. II. 40. _Cease, stand still_. C. + +Boddekin, AE. 265. _Body, substance_. C. + +Boleynge, M. 17. _Swelling_. C. + +[Bollen, II. 2. 636. _Swollen_ (K.).] + +Bollengers and Cottes, E. II. 33. _Different kinds of boats_. C. + +Boolie, E. I. 46. _Beloved_. C. + +Bordel, E. III. 2. _Cottage_. C. + +Bordelier, AE. 410. _Cottager_. + +Borne, T. 13. AE. 741. _Burnish_. C. + +[Borne, H. 2. 289. ?_ground_. (No satisfactory explanation.)] + +Boun, E. II. 40. _Make ready_. C. + +Bounde, T. 32. _Ready_. C. + +Bourne, AE. 483. [_Borne_.] + +Bouting matche, p. 23. 2. [_Bout, trial of skill_.] + +Bowke, T. 19.--Bowkie, G. 133. _Body_. C. + +Brasteth, G. 123. _Bursteth_. C. + +Brayd, G. 77. _Displayed_. C. + +Brayde, AE 1010. [cf. B.'s braid, _a small lace_, &c.] + +Breme, subst. G. 12. _Strength_. C. + +------adj. E. II. 6. _Strong_. C. + +Brende, G. 50. _Burn, consume_. C. + +Bretful, Ch. 19. _Filled with_. C. + +[Brigandyne, H. 2. 645. _An old-fashioned coat of mail_, K.] + +Broched, H. 2. 335. _Pointed_. + +Brondeous, E. II. 24. _Furious_. C. + +Browded, G. 130. _Embroidered_. C. + +Brynnyng, AE. 680. _Declaring_. C. [? contracted for _bewrynning_.] + +Burled, M. 20. _Armed_. C. + +Burlie bronde, G. 7. _Fury, anger_. C. + +[Burne, AE. 585. H. 2. 265. ? _Run_ (no explanation).] + +Byelecoyle, p. 288. 2. _Bel-acueil_. Fr. the name of a personage in +the _Roman de la Rose_, which Chaucer has rendered _Fair welcoming_. +[Speght followed by K. has Bialacoyl [Fr. Bel-acueil], _faire +welcoming_. C. did not observe that the word was a proper name, but +uses it to mean _hospitality_.] + +Byker, AE. 246. _Battle_. + +Bykrous, M. 37. _Warring_. C. + +Bysmare, M. 95. _Bewildered, curious_. C. + +Bysmarelie, Le. 26. _Curiously_. C. + + +C. + +Cale, AE. 854. _Cold_. + +Calke, G. 25. _Cast_. C. + +Calked, E. I. 49. _Cast out_. C. + +Caltysning, G. 67. _Forbidding_. C. + +Carnes, AE. 1243. _Rocks, stones_. Brit. + +Castle-stede, G. 100. _A Castle_. C. + +Caties, H. 2. 67. _Cates_. [_Dainties_.] + +Caytisned, AE. 32. _Binding, enforcing_. C. [AE. 1104. _Bound, +fettered_.] + +Celness, AE. 882. [Probably _coldness_; no explanation.] + +Chafe, AE. 191. _Hot_. C. + +Chastes, G. 201. _Beats, stamps_. C. + +Champion, v. P.G. 12. _Challenge_. C. + +Chaper, E. III. 48. _Dry, sunburnt_. C. + +Chapournette, Ch. 45. _A small round hat_. C. + +Chefe, G. 11. _Heat, rashness_. C. + +Chelandree, AE. 105. _Gold-finch_. C. + +Cheorte, p. 288. 4. [? _Pleasant;_ K. B. and Speght have chert, +cheorte, _love, jealousy_, and K. and B. have also chertes, _merry +people_.] + +Cherisaunce, Ent. 1. _Comfort_. C. + +Cherisaunied, AE. 839. perhaps _Cherisaunced_. [The mistake is in C.'s +authorities; Cherisaunei (K.) Cherisaunie (B.).] + +Cheves, Ch. 37. _Moves_. C. + +Chevysed, Ent. 2. _Preserved_. C. + +Chirckynge, M. 23. _A confused noise_. C. + +Church-glebe-house, Ch. 24. _Grave_. C. + +[Chyne, H. 2. 640. _Cut thro' the back_. K.] + +[Cleembe, as _Cleme_.] + +Cleme, E. II. 9. _Sound_. C. + +Clergyon, P.G. 8. _Clerk, or clergyman_. C. + +Clergyon'd, Ent. 13. _Taught_. C. + +Clevis, H. 2. 46. [_Cliffs_, or _rocks_. K.] + +Cleyne, AE. 1102. [_Sound_. ? from clymbe (O.) _noise_. K.] + +Clinie, H. 1. 431. [Apparently a _declination_, a stooping attitude; +part of the science of arms.] + +Cloude-agested, p. 278. 9. [See _Agested_.] + +Clymmynge, Ch. 36. _Noisy_. C. + +Coistrell, H. 2. 88. [_A young lad_ (O.) K.] + +Compheeres, M. 21. _Companions_. C. + +Congeon, E. III. 89. _Dwarf_. C. + +Contake, T. 87. _Dispute_. C. + +Conteins, H. 1. 223. for _Contents_. + +Conteke, E. II. 10. _Confuse; contend-with_. C. + +Contekions, AE. 553. _Contentions_. C. + +Cope, Ch. 50. _A cloke_. C. + +Corven, AE. 56. See _Yeorven_. + +Cotte, E. II. 24. _Cut_. + +Cottes, E. II. 33. See _Bollengers_. + +Coupe, E. II. 7. _Cut_. C. + +Couraciers, T. 74. _Horse-coursers_. C. + +Coyen, AE. 125. _Coy_. q? + +Cravent, E. III. 39. _Coward_. C. + +Creand, AE. 581. as _Recreand_. + +Crine, AE. 851. _Hair_. C. + +Croched, H. 2. 511. perhaps _Broched_. [What is _broched_? Sk. renders +_crooked_, but surely a javelin should be straight. Perhaps C. was +thinking of the _cross_-piece of a halbert. Cf. _croche_.] + +Croche, v. G. 26. _Cross_. C. + +Crokynge, AE. 119. _Bending_. + +Cross-stone, AE. 1122. _Monument_. C. [Crouchee, p. 281. 63. _Cross_; +from Speght's crouch, _cross_.] + +Cuarr, p. 281. 53. _Quarry_. q? + +[Cuishes, H. 2. 230. _Armour for the thighs_; cuisses K.] + +Cullis-yatte, E. I. 50. _Portcullis-gate_. C. + +Curriedowe, G. 176. _Flatterer_. C. + +Cuyen kine, E. I. 35. _Tender cows_. C. + + +D. + +Dareygne, G. 26. _Attempt, endeavour_. C. + +Declynie, H. i. 161. _Declination_. q? [See _Clinie_.] + +Decorn, E. II. 14. _Carved_. C. + +Deene, E. II. 69. _Glorious, worthy_. C. + +[Deene, p. 288. II. _Dine_?] + +Deere, E. III. 88. _Dire_. C. + +Defs, M. 9. _Vapours, meteors_. C. + +Defayte, G. 52. _Decay_. C. + +Defte, Ch. 7. _Neat, ornamental_. C. + +Deigned, E. III. 53. _Disdained_. C. + +Delievretie, T. 44. _Activity_. C. + +Demasing, H. 1. 276. [?_Considering_; no explanation.] + +Dente, AE. 886. See _Adente_. + +Dented, AE. 263. See _Adented_. + +Denwere, G. 141. _Doubt_. C.--M. 13. _Tremour_. C. + +Dequace, G. 56. _Mangle, destroy_. C. + +Dequaced, p. 280. 38. [_Dashed_ K. and Speght.] + +Dere, Ep. 5. _Hurt, damage_. C. + +Derkynnes, AE. 229. _Young deer_. q? + +Derne, AE. 582.--H. 2. 522. [_Barbarous, cruel_ K.] + +Dernie, E. I. 19. _Woeful, lamentable_. C.----M. 106. _Cruel_. C. + +Deslavate, H. 2. 333. [_Lecherous, beastly_, from K.'s deslavy.] + +Dellavatie, AE. 1047. _Letchery_. C. + +Detratours, H. 2. 78. [_Slanderous detractors_.] + +Deysed, AE. 46. _Seated on a deis_. + +Dheie; _They_. + +Dhere, AE. 192. _There_. + +Dhereof; _Thereof_. + +Difficile, AE. 358. _Difficult_. C. + +Dighte, Ch. 7. _Drest, arrayed_. C. + +Dispande, p. 276. _ult_. perhaps for _Disponed_. [B. has dispand, _to +stretch out_.] Dispone, p. 279. 27. _Dispose_. + +Divinistre, AE. 141. _Divine_. C. + +Dolce, AE. 1187. _Soft, gentle_. C. + +Dole, n. G. 137. _Lamentation_. C. + +Dole, adj. p. 283. 13. [_Doleful_.] + +Dolte, Ep. 27. _Foolish_. C. + +[Dolthead, H. 1. 335. _Blockhead_.] + +Donde, H. 1. 51. [_Done, finished_.] + +Donore, H. 1. 5. This line should probably be written thus; _O +sea-oerteeming Dovor_! + +Dortoure, Ch. 25. _A sleeping room_. C. + +Dote, p. 279. 20. perhaps as _Dighte_. + +Doughtre mere, H. 2. 481. _D'outre mere_. Fr. From beyond sea. + +[Draffs, AE. 717. _Lees, dregs_, so _useless, worthless_.] + +Dree, AE. 983. [H. 2. 664. _? Work_, or _Drive_.] + +Drefte, AE. 466. _Least_. C. + +[Drenche, AE. 85. _Drink_. (Really _to dose with medicine_.)] + +Drented, G. 91. _Drained_. C. + +Dreynted, AE. 237. _Drowned_. C. + +Dribblet, E. II. 48. _Small, insignificant_. C. + +Drites, G. 65. _Rights, liberties_. C. + +Drocke, T. 40. _Drink_. C. + +Droke, AE. 461. [Meaning and source quite uncertain.] + +Droorie, Ep. 47. See Chatterton's note. _Druerie_ is _Courtship, +gallantry_. + +Drooried, AE. 127. _Courted_. [Probably _modest_, from B.'s drury, +_modesty_.] + +Dulce, p. 283. 103. as _Dolce_. + +Duressed, E. I. 39. _Hardened_. C. + +Dyd, H. 2. 9. should probably be _Dyght_. + +Dygne, T. 89. _Worthy_. C. + +[Dyngeynge, AE. 458. _Dinging_ or _striking_.] + +Dynning, E. I. 25. _Sounding_. C. + +Dysperpellest, AE. 414. _Scatterest_. C. + +Dysporte, E. I. 28. _Pleasure_. C. + +Dysportisment, AE. 250. as _Dysporte_. + +Dysregate, AE. 542. [_? Deprive of command_.] + + +E. + +Edraw, H. 2. 52. for _Ydraw_; Draw. + +Eft, E. II. 78. _Often_. C. + +Eftsoones, E. III. 54. _Quickly_. C. + +Ele, M. 74. _Help_. C. + +Eletten, AE. 448. _Enlighten_. C. + +Eke, E. I. 27. _Also_. C. + +Emblaunched, E. I. 36. _Whitened_. C. + +Embodyde, E. I. 33. _Thick, stout_. C. + +[Embollen, AE. 596. as _Bollen_.] + +Embowre, G. 134. _Lodge_. C. + +Emburled, E. II. 54. _Armed_. C. + +Emmate, AE. 34. _Lessen, decrease_. C. + +Emmers, p. 287. 7. [_? coins_. No explanation.] + +Emmertleynge, M. 72. _Glittering_. C. + +[Emprize, M. 74. _Adventure_. C.] + +Enalse, G. 159. _Embrace_. C. + +Encaled, AE. 918. _Frozen, cold_. C. + +Enchased, M. 60. _Heated, enraged_. C. + +Engyne, AE. 381. _Torture_. + +Enheedynge, p. 283. 105. [_Taking heed, studying_.] + +Enlowed, AE. 606. _Flamed, fired_. C. + +Enrone, AE. 661. [Evidently _Unsheath_; no explanation.] + +Enseme, AE. 971. _To make seams in_. q? + +Enseeming, AE. 746. as _Seeming_. + +Enshoting, T. 174. _Shooting, darting_. C. + +[Ensooned, H. 2. 497. Probably, _In a swoon_; not in K.B. or Speght.] + +Enstrote, H. 2. 503. [No explanation.] Enswote, AE. 1175. _Sweeten_. q? + +Enswolters, AE. 629. _Swallows, sucks in_. C. + +Ensyrke, p. 25. 10. _Encircle_. + +Ent, E. III. 57. _A purse or bag_. C. + +Entendement, AE. 261. _Understanding_. + +Enthoghteing, AE. 704. [_Thinking_; cf. _Enheedynge_.] + +Entremed, p. 276. 4. [_Intermingled_, from Speght's Entremes, +_entermingled_. (Really _entremes_ means a side-dish.)] + +Entrykeynge, AE. 304. as _Tricking_. + +Entyn, P.G. 10. _Even_. C. + +Estande, H. 2. 271. for _Ystande_; Stand. + +Estells, E. II. 16. A corruption of _Estoile_, Fr. A star. C. + +Estroughted, AE. 918. [_Stretched out_] + +Ethe, E. III. 59. _Ease_. C. + +Ethie, p. 280. 49. _Easy_. + +Evalle, E. III. 38. _Equal_. C. + +Evespeckt, T. 56. _Marked with evening dew_. C. + +Ewbrice, AE. 1085. _Adultery_. C. + +Ewbrycious, p. 281. 60. _Lascivious_. + +Eyne-gears, p. 279. 13. [Sk. considers this a compound of _eyne, eyes_ +and _gear, tackle_ and renders _objects_.] + + +F. + +Fage, Ep. 30. _Tale, jest_. C. + +Faifully, T. 147. _Faithfully_. C. + +Faitour, Ch. 66. _A beggar, or vagabond_. C. + +Faldstole, AE. 61. _A folding stool, or seat_. See Du Cange in v. +_Faldistorium_. + +[Fay, H. 2. 144. _Faith_.] + +[Faytour, p. 280. 37. as _Faitour_.] + +Fayre, AE. 1204. 1224. _Clear, innocent_. + +Feere, AE. 965. _Fire_. + +Feerie, E. II. 45. _Flaming_. C. + +Fele, T. 27. _Feeble_. C. [A Rowleian contraction, cf. _gorne_ for +_garden_.] + +Fellen, E. I. 10. _Fell_ pa. t. sing. q? + +Fetelie, G. 24. _Nobly_. C. + +Fetive, Ent. 7. as _Festive_. + +Fetivelie, Le. 42. _Elegantly_. C. + +Fetiveness, AE. 400. as _Festiveness_. + +Feygnes, E. III. 78. A corruption of _feints_. C. + +Fhuir, G. 58. _Fury_. C. + +Fie, T. 113. _Defy_. C. + +Flaiten, H. I. 84. [_Frightful_, from B.'s flaite, _to affright, to +scare_.] + +Flanched, H. 2. 242. [_Arched_, from K.'s flanch, _in heraldry, an +ordinary made of an arch-line_.] + +Flemed, T. 56. _Frighted_. C. + +Flemie, p. 278. _ult_. [_Daunted_, from B.'s _flemed_.] + +Flizze, G. 197. _Fly_. C. + +Floe, H. 2. 54. _Arrow_. + +Flott, Ch. 33. _Fly_. C. + +[Flotting, H. 2. 42. _? Flying_, cf. _flott_; or _Whistling_, from B.'s +floting (O.), _whistling, piping_.] + +Foile, E. III. 78. _Baffle_. C. + +Fons, Fonnes, E. II. 14. _Devices_. C. + +Forgard, AE. 565. _Lose_. C. + +Forletten, El. 19. _Forsaken_. C. + +Forloyne, AE. 722. _Retreat_. C. + +Forreying, T. 114. _Destroying_. C. + +Forslagen, AE. 1076. _Slain_. C. + +Forslege, AE. 1106. _Slay_. C. + +Forstraughte, p. 281. 58. _Distracted_. + +Forstraughteyng, G. 34. _Distracting_. C. + +Forswat, Ch. 30. _Sun-burnt_. C. + +Forweltring, AE. 618. _Blasting_. C. + +Forwyned, E. III. 36. _Dried_. C. + +Fremde, AE. 430. _Strange_. C. + +Fremded, AE. 555. _Frighted_. C. + +Freme, AE. 267. [and Fremed, H. 2. 147. _Strange_, from K.'s fremd +(O.), _strange_.] + +Fructile, AE. 185. _Fruitful_. + +[Furched, AE. 519. _Forked_.] + + +G. + +Gaberdine, T. 88. _A piece of armour_. C. + +Gallard, Ch. 39. _Frighted_. C. + +Gare, Ep. 7. _Cause_. C. + +Gastness, AE. 412. _Ghastliness_. + +Gayne, AE 821. To gayne so _gayne_ a pryze. _Gayne_ has probably been +repeated by mistake. [More probably C. intended it to mean _Worth +gaining_.] + +Geare, AE. 299. _Apparel, accoutrement_. + +Geason, Ent. 7. _Rare_. C.--G. 120. _Extraordinary, strange_. C. + +Geer, H. 2. 284. as _Gier_. + +Geete, AE. 736. as _Gite_. + +Gemote, G. 94. _Assemble_. C. + +Gemoted, E. II. 8. _United, assembled_. C. + +Gerd, M. 7. _Broke, rent_. C. + +Gies, G. 207. _Guides_. C. + +Gier, H. 1. 527. _A turn, or twist_. + +Gif, E. II. 39. _If_. C. + +Gites, AE. 2. _Robes, mantels_. C. + +Glair, H. 2. 570. [? _Glare_.] + +[Gledes.H. 2. 217. _Glides_] + +Gledeynge, M. 22. _Livid_. C. + +Glomb, G. 175. _Frown_. C. + +Glommed, Ch. 22. _Clouded, dejected_. C. + +Giytted, H. 2. 272. [_Glittered_.] + +Gorne, E. I. 36. _Garden_. C. + +Gottes, AE. 740. _Drops_. + +Gouler, p. 282. 76. [_Usurer_, from K.'s goule, _usury_.] + +Graiebarbes, Le. 25. _Greybeards_. C. + +Grange, E. I. 34. _Liberty of pasture_. C. + +Gratche, AE. 115. _Apparel_. C. + +Grave, p. 288. 2. _Chief magistrate, mayor_. [Where does T. find this +meaning? B. and K. have grave, _a German title signifying a great lord +etc_., but no word of mayor.] + +Gravots, E. I. 24. _Groves_. C. + +Gree, E. I. 44. _Grow_. C. + +Groffile, AE. 547. [_Grovelling_, from K.'s groff or gruff (O.), +_groveling_.] + +Groffish, AE. 257. [_Gruffly_.] + +Groffynglie, Ep. 33. _Foolishly_. C. + +Gron, G. 90. _a fen, moor_. C. + +Gronfer, E. II. 45. _A meteor_, from _gron_ a fen, and _fer_, a +corruption of fire. C. [? then whether C. does not mean a will o' the +wisp.] + +Gronfyres, G. 200. _Meteors_. C. + +Grore, H. 2. 27. [No explanation.] + +Groted, AE. 337. _Swollen_. C. + +[Gryne, H. 2. 706. _Groin_.] + +Gule-depeincted, E. II. 13. _Red-painted_. C. + +Gule-steynct, G. 62. _Red-stained_. C. + +[Guylde, G. 152. _Tax_.] + +[Guylteynge, AE. 179. _Gilding_.] + +Glyttelles, AE. 438. _Mantels_. C. + + +H. + +[Habergeon. H. 2. 346. _A little coat of mail_ (K.).] + +Haile, E. III. 60. _Happy_. C. + +Hailie, AE. 148. 410. as _Haile_. + +Halceld, M. 37. _Defeated_. C. + +Hailie, T. 144. _Holy_. C. + +Hailie, AE. 33. _Wholely_. [But here _Hallie_ would seem to be put for +hailie, _happy_. Sk. renders _blissful_.] + +Halline, Ch. 82. _Joy_. C. + +Hancelled, G. 49. _Cut off, destroyed_. C. + +Han, AE. 734. _Hath_. q? [One of C.'s fundamental mistakes.] + +Hanne, AE. 409. _Had_. particip. q?--AE. 685. _Had_. pa. t. sing. q? + +Hantoned, AE. 1094. [A mistake for _hancelled; hanten_ in B.K. and +Speght means _use, accustom_.] + +Harried, M. 82. _Tost_. C. [But in AE. 209 plainly=_hurried_.] + +Hatched, p. 25. I. [Probably C. meant _covered with a cloth exhibiting +its rider's coat of arms_. Cf. _Hatchments_.] + +[Hatchments, H. 2. 489. In heraldry, _a coat of arms_. (K.).] + +Haveth, E. I. 17. _Have_. 1st perf. q? + +Heafods, E. II. 7. _Heads_. C. + +Heavenwere, G. 146. _Heavenward_. C. + +Hecked, AE. 394. _Wrapped closely, covered_. C. + +Heckled, M. 3. _Wrapped_. C. + +Heie, E. II. 15. _They_. C. + +Heiedeygnes, E. III. 77. _A country dance, still practised in the +North_. C. + +Hele, n. G. 127. _Help_. C. + +Hele, v. E. III. 16. _To help_. C. + +Hem, T. 24. A contraction of _them_. C. + +[Hendie, H. 1. 95. ? _Hand to hand_; K. B. and Speght all have _neat, +fine, genteel_, for this Chaucerian word.] + +Hente, T. 175. _Grasp, hold_. C. + +Hentyll, AE. 1161. [Evidently _Custom_; no explanation.] + +[Herehaughte, M. 78. _Herald_.] + +Herselle, AE. 279. _Herself_. + +Herste, AE. 1182. [? _Command_.] + +Hilted, Hiltren, T. 47. 65. _Hidden_. C. + +Hiltring, Ch. 13. _Hiding_. C. + +Hoastrie, E. I. 26. _Inn, or publick house_. C. + +[Hocktide, H. 1. 25. _A festival celebrated in England antiently +in memory of the sudden death of King Hardicanute A.C. 1042 and the +downfall of the Danes_. B.] + +Holtred, AE. 293. [? _Hidden_, from B.'s _hulstred_.] + +Hommeur, AE. 1190. [? _Honour_.] + +Hondepoint, AE. 273. [Sk. renders (_every_) _moment_; K.B. and Speght +give no help.] + +Hopelen, AE. 399. [_Hopelessness_--'I from a night of hopelessness am +awakened.'] + +Horrowe, M. 2. _Unseemly, disagreeable_. C. + +Horse-millanar, Ch. 56. See C.'s note. [According to Steevens a +Bristol tradesman in 1776 so described himself over his shop-door.] + +Houton, M. 93. _Hollow_. C. + +Hulstred, M. 6. _Hidden, secret_. C. + +Huscarles, AE. 922. 1194. _House-servants_. + +Hyger, AE. 627. The flowing of the tide in the Severn was antiently +called the _Hygra_. Gul. Malmesb. de Pontif. Ang. L. iv. ['The eagre +or "bore" of the Severn is a large and swift tide-wave which sometimes +flows in from the Atlantic Ocean with great force.' Sk. II, p. 61, +note.] + +Hylle-fyre, AE. 682. _A beacon_. + +Hylte, T. 168. _Hid, secreted_. C.--AE. 1059. _Hide_. C. + +[Hylted, Hyltren, T. 47 .65. _Hidden_. C.] + + +I., J. + +Jape, Ch. 74. _A short surplice_, &c. C. + +Jeste, G. 195. _Hoisted, raised_. C. + +Ifrete, G. 2. _Devour, destroy_. C. + +Ihantend, E. I. 40. _Accustomed_. C. + +Jintle, H. 2. 82. for _Gentle_. + +Impestering, E. I. 29. _Annoying_. C. + +Inhild, E. I. 14. _Infuse_. C. + +Ishad, Le. 37. _Broken_. C. + +Jubb, E. III. 72. _A bottle_. C. + +[Iwimpled, H. 2. 528. _Muffled_ (Speght).] + +Iwreene, p. 286. 9. [Evidently the same as K.'s bewreen, _expressed, +shewn_.] + + +K. + +Ken, E. II. 6. _See, discover, know_. C. + +Kennes, Ep. 28. _Knows_. C. + +Keppend, Le. 44. [_Careful, precise,_ from B.'s kepen, _keep, take +care of_.] + +Kiste, Ch. 25. _Coffin_. C. + +Kivercled, E. III. 63. _The hidden or secret part_. C. + +Knopped, M. 14. _Fastened, chained, congealed_. C. + + +L. + +[Lack in C. generally = _to be in need of_ rather than simply _to be +without_; cf. G. 176.] + +Ladden, H. 1. 206. [_Lay_.] + +Leathel, E. I. 42. _Deadly_. C. + +Lechemanne, AE. 31. _Physician_. + +Leckedst, H. 2. 332. [No explanation.] + +Lecturn, Le. 46. _Subject_. C. + +Lecturnies, AE. 109. _Lectures_. C. + +Leden, El. 30. _Decreasing_. C. + +Ledanne, AE. 1143. [? _Leaden, heavy_; or it may be an adj. formed from +K.'s leden (O.), _languish_.] + +[Lee, Ep. 6. _Lay_; or ? _lie_.] + +Leege, G. 173. _Homage, obeysance_. C. + +Leegefolcke, G. 43. _Subjects_. C. + +[Leffed, H. 1. 141. _Left_.] + +Lege, Ep. 3. _Law_. C. + +[Legeful, E. I. 3. _Loyal_.] + +Leggen, M. 92. _Lessen, alloy_. C. + +Leggeude, M. 32. _Alloyed_. C. + +Lemanne, AE. 132. _Mistress_. + +Lemes, AE 42. _Lights, rays_. C. + +Lemed, El. 7. _Glistened_. C.--AE. 606. _Lighted_. C. + +Lere, AE 568. H. 2. 597. seems to be put for _Leather_. + +Lessel, El. 25. _A bush or hedge_. C. + +Lete, G. 60. _Still_. C. + +Lethal, El. 21. _Deadly, or death-boding_. C. + +Lethlen, AE. 272. _Still, dead_. C. + +Letten, AE. 928. _Church-yard_. C. + +Levynde, El. 18. _Blasted_. C. + +Levynne, M. 104. _Lightning_. C. + +Levyn-mylted, AE. 462. _Lightning-melted_. q? + +Liefe, AE. 217. [? from K. and B.'s lief, _rather_. Sk. renders _at my +choice_.] + +Liff, E. I. 7. _Leaf_. + +Ligheth, AE. 627. [? _Lay low_, from K.'s lig, _lie_.] + +Likand, H. 2. 177. _Liking_. + +Limed, El. 37. _Glassy, reflecting_. C. + +Limmed, M. 90. _Glassy, reflecting_. C. + +Lissed, T. 97. _Bounded_. C. + +[List, H. 1. 544. ? _Pleasure_.] + +Lithie, Ep. 10. _Humble_. C. + +Loaste, AE. 456. _Loss_. + +[Lode, H. 1. 33. Probably as _load_, a _task_ or _burden_. Sk. renders +_praise_, as if _land_; this is far from convincing.] + +Logges, E. I. 55. _Cottages_. C. + +Lordinge, T. 57. _Standing on their hind legs_. C. + +Loverd's, E. III. 29. _Lord's_. C. + +Low, G. 50. _Flame of fire_. C. + +Lowes, T. 137. _Flames_. C. + +Lowings, Ch. 35. _Flames_. C. + +[Lurdanes, H. 1. 36. From B.'s 'Lurdane, lordane, _a dull heavy +fellow_, derived by some from _Lord_ and _Dane_'. So the word becomes +for C. an opprobrious equivalent for _Dane_.] + +[Lygheth, AE. 627. _Lay_, from K.'s lig, _to lie_.] + +[Lymed, E. II. 7. _Glassy, reflecting_. C.] + +Lymmed, M. 33. _Polished_. C. + +Lynch, El. 37. _Bank_. C. + +Lynge, AE. 376. _Stay_. C. + +Lyoncel, E. II. 44. _Young lion_. C. + +Lyped, El. 34. [? miswritten for _lithed_, Speght's lith, _to make +less_, so _wasted_. Sk. renders _wasted away_, deriving _lyped_ from +B.'s liposychy, _a small swoon_, which seems too far-fetched even for +Rowley.] + +Lysse, T. 2. _Sport, or play_. C. + +Lyssed, AE 53. _Bounded_. C. + + +M. + +Mancas, G. 136. _Marks_. C. + +Manchyn, H. 2. 222. _A sleeve_. Fr. + +[Mastie, H. 1. 348. 425. ? _Mastiff_.] + +Maynt, Meynte, E. II. 66. _Many, great numbers_. C. + +Mee, Mees, E. I. 31. _Meadow_. C. + +Meeded, AE 39. _Rewarded_. [The construction _meeded out_ is probably +affected by _meted out_.] + +Memuine, H. 2. 120. [? _Body of troops_, ? _Command_. No explanation.] + +Meniced, p. 285. 146. _Menaced_, q? [The sense is _threatened to make +him marry again_.] + +Mere, G. 58. _Lake_. C. + +Merk-plante, T. 176. _Night-shade_. C. + +Merke, T. 163. _Dark, gloomy_. C. + +Miesel, AE 551. _Myself_. + +Milkynette, El. 22. _A small bagpipe_. C. + +Mist, Ch. 49. _Poor, needy_. C. + +[Mister, Ch. 82. as _Mist_, poor, needy.] + +Mitches, El. 20. _Ruins_. C. + +Mittee, E. II. 28. _Mighty_. C. + +Mockler, p. 283. 105. _More_. + +Moke, Ep. 5. _Much_. C. + +Mokie, El. 29. _Black_. C. + +[Mokynge, H. 2. 584. K. and B. have moky (O.), _cloudy_; so perhaps +C. meant a brook the surface of which reflected the clouds. Sk. reads +_mocking_.] + +Mole, Ch. 4. _Soft_. C. + +Mollock, G. 90. _Wet, moist_. C. + +Morglaien. M. 20. _The name of a sword_ [Morglay] _in some old +Romances_. + +Morthe, AE 307. [_Violent death_. K. has morth, _murder_.] + +Morthynge, El. 4. _Murdering_. C. + +Mote, E. I. 22. _Might_. C. + +Motte, H. 2. 184. _Word, or motto_. + +Myckle, Le. 16. _Much_. C. + +Myndbruch, AE. 401. [_A hurting of honour and worship_ (B.).] + +Mynster, G. 75. _Monastery_. C. + +Mysterk, M. 33. _Mystic_. C. + + +N. + +[Nappy, Ba. 13. B. has nappy-ale, [_q. d. such as will cause persons +to take a nap_] _pleasant and strong_. But the word _nappy_ in this +connexion has nothing to do with causing sleep.] + +Ne, P.G. 6. _Not_. C. + +Ne, p. 281. 58. _Nigh_. + +Nedere, Ep. II. _Adder_. C. + +Neete, p. 280. 41. _Night_. + +Nesh, T. 16. _Weak, tender_. C. + +Nete, AE. 399. _Night_. + +Nete, T. 19. _Nothing_. C. + +Nilling, Le. 16. _Unwilling_. C. + +Nome-depeinted, E. II. 17. _Rebus'd shields_; a herald term, when the +charge of the shield implies the name of the bearer. C. + +Notte-browne, p. 280. 49. _Nitt-brown_. + + +O. + +Obaie, E. I. 41. _Abide_. C. + +Offrendes, AE. 51. _Presents, offerings_. C. + +Olyphauntes, H. 2. 609. _Elephants_. + +Onknowlachynge, E. II. 26 _Not knowing_. C. Onlight, AE. 678. [_Put +out, extinguish_.] + +Onlist, Le. 46. _Boundless_. C. + +[Ore, H. 2. 25. Contracted for _other_.] + +Orrests, G. 100. _Oversets_. C. + +Ouchd, T. 80. See C.'s note. + +Ouphante, AE. 888. 929. _Ouphen, Elves_. + +Ourt, H. 2. 578. [Contraction for B.'s _overt_.] + +Ouzle, AE. 104. _Black-bird_. C. + +Owndes, G. 91. _Waves_. C. + + +P. + +Pall, Ch. 31. Contraction from _appall_, to fright. C. + +Paramente, AE. 52. _Robes of scarlet_. C.--M. 36. _A princely robe_. C. + +[Passante, El. 28. _Passing, going by_. (K.)] + +Paves, Pavyes, AE. 433. _Shields_. + +Peede, Ch. 5. _Pied_. C. + +[Peene, AE. 484. _Pain_.] + +Pencte, Ch. 46. _Painted_. C. + +Penne, AE. 728. _Mountain_. + +Percase, Le. 21. _Perchance_. C. + +'Pere, E. I. 41. _Appear_. C. + +Perpled, p. 283. 99. _Purple_. q? [From B.'s disparpled, disperpled, +_in heraldry, scattered loosely_. T.'s suggestion is certainly wrong.] + +Persant, AE. 561. _Piereing_. + +Pete, AE. 1001. [as _Pighte_.] + +Pheeres, AE. 46. _Fellows, equals_. C. + +Pheon, H. 2. 272. in Heraldry, _the barbed head of a dart_. + +Pheryons, p. 285. 147. ['A mistake for pheons.' Sk.] + +Picte, E. III. 91. _Picture_. C. + +Pighte, T. 38. _Pitched, or bent down_. C. + +Poyntel, Le. 44. _A pen_. C. + +Prevyd, AE 23. _Hardy, valourous_. C. + +Proto-slene, H. 2. 38. _First-slain_. + +Prowe, H. 1. 108. [?_Forehead_. No explanation.] + +Pynant, Le. 4. _Pining, meagre_. + +Pyghte, M. 73. _Settled_. C. + +Pyghteth, Ep. 15. _Plucks, or tortures_. C. + +[Pyke, Ch. 53. See _Shoone-pykes_.] + +[Pynne, AE. 213. Probably the peg which supported the target; which a +clever marksman might split. There is no satisfactory explanation of +'the basket'.] + + +Q. + +Quaced, T. 94. _Vanquished_. C. + +Quayntyssed. T. 4. _Curiously devised_. C. + +Quansd, AE. 241. _Stilled, Quenched_. C. + +Queede, AE. 284. 428. _The evil one; the Devil_. + + +R. + +Receivure, G. 151. _Receipt_. C. + +Recer, H. 1. 87. for _Racer_. + +Recendize, AE. 544. for _Recreandice; Cowardice_. + +Recrandize, AE. 1193. for _Recreandice; Cowardice_. [Though Sk. renders +_Recendize_ resentment.] + +Recreand, AE. 508. _Coward_. C. + +Reddour, AE. 30. _Violence_. C. + +Rede, Le. 18. _Wisdom_. C. + +Reded, G. 79. _Counselled_. C. + +Redeyng, AE. 227. _Advice_. + +Regrate, Le. 7. _Esteem_. C.--M. 70. _Esteem, favour_. C. + +Rele, n. AE. 530. _Wave_. C. + +Reles, v. E. II. 63. _Waves_. C. + +Rennome, T. 28. _Honour, glory_. C. + +Reyne, Reine, E. II. 25. _Run_. C. + +Reyning, E. II. 39. _Running_. C. + +Reytes, AE. 900. _Water-flags_. C. + +Ribaude, Ep. 9. _Rake, lewd person_. C. + +Ribbande-geere, p. 280. 44. _Ornaments of ribbands_. + +Rodded, Ch. 3. _Reddened_. C. + +Rode, E. I. 59. _Complexion_. C. + +Rodeing, AE. 324. _Riding_. + +Roder, AE. 1065. _Rider, traveller_. + +Roghling, T. 69. _Rolling_. C. + +Roin, AE. 325. _Ruin_. + +Roiend, AE. 578. _Ruin'd_. + +Roiner, AE. 325. _Ruiner_. + +Rou, G. 10. _Horrid, grim_. C. + +Rowney, Le. 32. _Cart-horse_. C. + +Rynde, AE. 1192. _Ruin'd_. + + +S. + +Sabalus, E. I. 22. _The Devil_. C. + +Sabbatanners, AE 275. [_Soldiers_, from B.'s sabatans, _soldiers' +boots_; cf. Lat. _Caligati_.] + +[Sarim, H. 1. 301. i.e. _Sarum_.] + +Scalle, AE. 703. _Shall_. C. + +Scante, AE. 1133. _Scarce_. C. + +Scantillie, AE. 1010. _Scarcely, sparingly_. C. + +Scarpes, AE. 52. _Scarfs_. C. + +Seethe, T. 96. _Hurt or damage_. C. + +Scille, E. III. 33. _Gather_. C. + +Scillye, G. 207. _Closely_. C. + +Scolles, AE. 239. _Sholes_. + +Scond, H. 1. 20. for _Abscond_. + +Seck, H. 1. 461. for _Suck_. + +Seeled, Ent. II. _Closed_. C. + +Seere, AE. 1164. _Search_. C. + +Selyness, E. I. 55. _Happiness_. C. + +Semblate, p. 281. 67. [=_Semblance_.] + +Seme, E. III. 32. _Seed_. C. + +Semecope, Ch. 87. _A short undercloke_. C. + +Semmlykeed, AE. 298. [as _Semlykeene_.] + +Semlykeene, AE. 9. _Countenance_. C. C.--G. 56. _Beauty, countenance_. +C. + +Sendaument, p. 284. 126. [_Appearance_. The word has no authority; B. +and K. are silent.] + +Sete, AE. 1069. _Seat_. + +Shappe, T. 36. _Fate_. C. + +Shap-scurged, AE. 603. _Fate-scourged_. C. + +Shemring, E. II. 14. _Glimmering_. C. + +Shente, T. 157. _Broke, destroyed_. C. + +Shepen, p. 283. 97. [_Simple_, from K.'s shepen (O.), _simple, +fearful_.] + +Shepstere, E. I. 6. _Shepherd_. C. + +Shoone-pykes, p. 280. 44. _Shoes with piked toes_. The length of the +pikes was restrained to two inches, by 3 Edw. 4. c. 5. + +Shrove, H. 2. 432. [It is difficult to discover the probable sense of +this word. Perhaps an allusion to an imaginary legend is intended; cf. +the reference (H. 2. 417) to Conyan's goats. Sk. has a note '_Shrove_ +is the Rowleian for _shrouded_'; this is possible but hardly +convincing.] + +[Slea, AE. 18. _Slay_.] + +[Sleeve, H. 1. 178. _Silk not yet twisted, floss._] + +Sletre, AE. 539. _Slaughter_. + +Slughornes, E. II. 9. _A musical instrument not unlike a hautboy_. +C.--T. 31. A kind of clarion. C. + +Smethe, T. 101. _Smoke_. C. + +Smething, E. I. 1. _Smoking_. C. + +Smore, H. 1. 412. [? _Smeared_ or _Smothered_.] + +Smothe, Ch. 35. _Steam or vapours_. C. + +Snett, T. 45. _Bent_. C. + +[Sorgie, G. 17. _Surging_.] + +Sothen, AE. 227. _Sooth_, q? + +Souten, H. 1. 252. for _Sought_. pa. t. sing. q? + +Sparre, H. 1. 26. _A wooden bar_. + +Speckle, H. 2. 525. [? _Spied_, or perhaps _Reached_.] + +Spencer, T. 11. _Dispenser_. C. + +Spere, AE. 69. [_Spare, allow_.] + +Spyryng, AE. 707. _Towering_. + +Staie, H. 1. 198. [B. has Stay, _stop, let, hindrance_; so possibly C. +uses it as a paraphrase for _armour_; or some special piece of armour +may be meant.] + +Starks, T. 73. _Stalks_. + +[Steeked, AE. 1188. Not in K. B. or Speght, but Sk. notes that C. has +_steeked=stole_; so here the sense would be _stole upon_.] + +Steeres, p. 25. 6. _Stairs_. + +Stente, T. 134. _Stained_. C. + +Steynced, AE. 189. [?_Stinted_, from B.'s stent (Saxon),_stint_.] + +Storthe, p. 287. 10. [_Death_; cf. _Storven_.] + +Storven, AE. 608. _Dead_. C. + +Straughte, AE. 59. _Stretched_. C. + +[Stre, H. 2. 712. _Straw_.] + +Stret, AE. 158. _Stretch_. C. + +Strev, AE. 358. _Strive_. + +Stringe, G. 10. _Strong_. C. + +Suffycyl, AE. 62. 981. [_Sufficient_.] + +[Swanges, Ch. 210. _Swings_.] + +Swarthe, AE. 265. [A _swath_, or _swarth_ (so rarely, but cf. _Twelfth +Night_, II. iii, where Maria calls Malvolio 'an affectioned ass, that +cons state without book and utters it by great swarths') is as +much hay as the mower can cut at one movement of the scythe. So, an +unsubstantial thing compared with a _boddekin_.] + +Swartheing, AE. 295 [_Darkling_, _darkening_.] + +Swarthless. II. 2. 563. [_Dark-less_, i.e. _pallid_.] + +Sweft-kervd, E. II. 20. _Short-liv'd_. C. + +Swoltering, AE. 444. [?_Swallowing_.] + +[Swote, E. I. 25. _Sweet_. C.] + +Swotie, E. II. 9. _Sweet_. C. + +Swythe, Swythen, Swythyn; _Quickly_. C. + +Syke, E. II. 6. _Such, so_. C. + + +T. + +Takelle. T. 72. _Arrow_. C. + +[Talbot, H. 2. 89. _A kind of hunting dog_ (K.); _a dog with a +turned-up tail_(B.).] + +Teint, H. 1. 462. for _Tent_. [_Bandage_.] + +Tende, T. 113. _Attend, or wait_. C. + +Tene, AE 366. _Sorrow_. + +Tentyflie, E. III. 48. _Carefully_. C. + +Tere, AE 194. _Health_. C. + +Thoughten, AE 172. 1136. for _Thought_, pa. t. sing. q? + +[Thraslarkes, H. 2. 427. Presumably a kind of lark. K.B. and Speght +give no help.] + +Thyghte, p. 283. 104. [II. 2. 578. _Well-built_.] + +Thyssen, E. II. 87. _These_, or _those_. q? + +Tochelod, AE 205. [Perhaps a mistake for _Tochered_ = dowered. (Sk.)] + +Tore, AE 1020. _Torch_. C. + +Trechit, H. 2. 93. for _Treget_; Deceit. + +Treynted, AE 454. [? _Scatter_, from K.'s Betreint (O.), _sprinkled_.] + +Twyghte, E. II. 78. _Plucked, pulled_. C. + +Twytte, E. I. 2. _Pluck, or pull_. C. + +Tynge, Tyngue; _Tongue_. + + +U., V. + +Val, T. 138. _Helm_. C. + +Vernage, H. 2. II. _Vernaccia_ Ital. a sort of rich wine. + +Ugsomeness, AE. 507. _Terror_. C. + +Ugsomme, E. II. 55. _Terribly_. C.--AE. 303. _Terrible_. C. + +[Virgyne, Ch. I. The sign of the zodiac, _Virgo_, which the sun enters +about the 21st of August.] + +Unaknell'd, H. 1. 288. _Without any knell rung for them._ q? +[_unaknelled_ was Pope's reading of _unancaled_ in his edition of +_Hamlet_.] + +Unburled, AE. 1186. _Unarmed_. C. + +Uncted, M. 30. _Anointed_. C. + +Undelievre, G. 27. _Unactive_. C. + +Unenhantend, AE. 636. _Unaccustomed_. C. + +Unespryte, G. 27. _Unspirited_. C. + +[Uneyned, E. 516. _Blinded_.] + +Unhailie, Ch. 85. _Unhappy_. C. + +Unliart, P.G. 4. _Unforgiving_. C. + +Unlift, E. III. 86. _Unbounded_. C. + +Unlored, Ep. 25. _Unlearned_. C. + +Unlydgefull, AE. 537. [_Disloyal_.] + +Unplayte, G. 86.--Unplyte, AE. 1238. _Explain_. C. + +Unquaced, E. III. 90. _Unhurt_. C. + +[Unryghte. See Note I.] + +Unsprytes, AE. 1212. _Un-souls_. C. + +Untentyff, G. 79. _Uncareful, neglected_. C. + +Unthylle, T. 30. _Useless_. C. + +Unwer, E. III. 87. _Tempest_. C. + +Volunde, AE. 73. _Memory, understanding_. C.--G. 140. _Will_. C. + +Upriste, AE. 928. _Risen_. C. + +Upryne, H. 2. 719. [? _Raise up_, from B.'s uprist, _uprisen, risen +up_.] + +Upswalynge, AE. 258. _Swelling_. C. + + +W. + +Walsome, H. 2. 92. _Wlatsome; loathsome_. + +Wanhope, G. 34. _Despair_. C. + +Waylde, AE. 11. _Choice, selected_. + +Waylinge, E. II. 68. _Decreasing_. C. [Wayled (O.), _grown old_ (K.).] + +Wayne, E. III. 31. _Car_. C. + +Weere, AE. 835. _Grief_. C. + +Welked, E. III. 50. _Withered_. C. + +Welkyn, AE. 1055. _Heaven_. C. + +[Whaped, H. 2. 579. _Amazed_, from K.'s Awhaped (O.) _amazed_.] + +Wiseegger, E. III. 8. _A philosopher_. C. [But used by C. as an +adjective.] + +Wissen, AE. 685. _Wish_. + +Wite, G. 176. _Reward_. C. + +Withe, E. III. 36. A contraction of _Wither_. C. + +[Wolfynn, T. 51. &c. _Wolf_. Not in K. B. or Speght.] + +Wolsome, Le. 5. See _Walsome_. + +Wraytes. See _Reytes_. + +Wrynn, T. 117. _Declare_. C. + +Wurche, AE. 500. _Work_. C. + +Wychencref, AE. 420. _Witchcraft_. + +Wyere, E. II. 79. _Grief, trouble_. C. + +Wympled, G. 207. _Mantled, covered_. C. + +Wynnynge, AE. 219. [The sense is 'which my father's hall had no +winning,' i.e. 'which I could never get in my father's hall.' Sk. is +almost certainly wrong here.] + + +Y. + +Yan, AE. 72. _Than_. + +Yaped, Ep. 30. _Laughable_. C. + +Yatte, T. 9. _That_. C. + +Yblente, AE. 40. _Blinded_. C. + +Ybroched, G. 96. _Horned_. C. + +[Ybrogten, AE. 919. _Brought_] + +Ycorne, AE. 374. [Contracted for _ycorven_.] + +Ycorven, T. 170. _To mould_. C. + +[Ycrase, p. 287. 16. _Break_.] + +Yceasedd, T. 132. _Broken_. C. + +Yenne; _Then_. + +Yer, E. II. 29. _Their_. + +Yer, AE. 152. _Your_. + +Ygrove, H. 2. 434. [? _Shaped_, for _y-graven_.] + +Yinder, AE. 692. _Yonder_. + +Yis; _This_. + +Ylach'd, H. 2. 436. [? _Concealed_. B. has Lach, _catch_ or _snatch_; +but this is hardly to the point.] + +Ynhyme, Ent. 5. _Inter_. C. + +Ynutile, AE. 198. _Useless_. + +Yreaden, H. 2. 207. [_Ready_.] + +Yroughte, H. 2. 318. for _Ywroughte_. + +Ysped, M. 102. _Dispatched_. C. + +Yspende, T. 179. _Consider_. C. + +Ystorven, E. I. 53. _Dead_. C. + +Ytfel, E. I. 18. _Itself_. + +Ywreen, E. II. 30. _Covered_. C. + +Ywrinde, M. 100. _Hid, covered_. C. + +Yyne, AE. 540. _Thine_. + + +Z. + +Zabalus, AE. 428. as _Sabalus_; the Devil. + + + + +APPENDIX; + +CONTAINING SOME OBSERVATIONS UPON THE LANGUAGE OF THE POEMS ATTRIBUTED +TO ROWLEY; + +TENDING TO PROVE, THAT THEY WERE WRITTEN, NOT BY ANY ANCIENT AUTHOR, +BUT ENTIRELY BY THOMAS CHATTERTON. + + Tum levis haud ultra latebras jam quaerit imago, Sed sublime volans + nocti se immiscuit atrae. + + VIRGIL. AE. X. + + + + +APPENDIX, &c. + + +When these Poems were first printed, it was thought best to leave the +question of their authenticity to the determination of the impartial +Public. The Editor contented himself with intimating his opinion, +[Pref. p. xii, xiii.] that the external evidence on both sides was +so defective as to deserve but little attention, and that the final +decision of the question must depend upon the internal evidence. To +shew that this opinion was not thrown out in order to mislead the +enquiries and judgements of the readers, I have here drawn together +_some observations upon_ THE LANGUAGE[1] _of the poems attributed to +Rowley_, which, I think, will be sufficient to prove, 1st, that they +were not written in the XV Century; and 2dly, that they were written +entirely by Thomas Chatterton. + +The proof of the second proposition would in effect carry with it that +of the first; but, notwithstanding. I choose to treat them separately +and to begin with the first. + +I shall premise only one _postulatum_, which is, that Poets of the +same age and country use the same language, allowances being made for +certain varieties, which may arise from the local situation, the rank +in life, the learning, the affectation of the writers, and from the +different subjects and forms of their compositions [2]. + +This being granted, I have nothing to do but to prove, that the +language of the poems attributed to Rowley (when every proper +allowance has been made) is totally different from that of the other +English writers of the XV Century, in many material particulars. It +would be too tedious to go through them all; and therefore I shall +only take notice of such as can be referred to three general heads; +the _first_ consisting of words not used by any other writer; the +_second_, of words used by other writers, but in a different sense; +and the _third_, of words inflected in a manner contrary to grammar +and custom. + +Under the _first_ head I would recommend the following words to the +reader's consideration. + + 1. ABESSIE. E. III. 89. + Whylest the congeon flowrette _abessie_ dyghte. + + 2. ABORNE. T. 45. + Snett oppe hys long strunge bowe and sheelde _aborne_. + + 3. ABREDYNGE. AE 334. + Agylted AElla, thie _abredynge_ blynge. + + 4. ACROOLE. El. 6. + Didde speke _acroole_, wythe languishment of eyne. + + 5. ADAVE. H. 2. 392. + The fynest dame the Sun or moon _adave_. + + 6. ADENTE. AE 396. ADENTED. G. 32. + Ontoe thie veste the rodde sonne ys _adente_. + _Adented_ prowess to the gite of witte. + + 7. ADRAMES. Ep. 27. + Loughe loudlie dynneth from the dolte _adrames_. + + 8. ALATCHE. AE 117. + Leave me swythe or I'lle _alatche_. + + 9. ALMER. Ch. 20. + Where from the hail-stone coulde the _almer_ flie? + + 10. ALUSTE. H. 1. 88. + That Alured coulde not hymself _aluste_. + + 11. ALYNE. T. 79. + Wythe murther tyred he flynges hys bowe _alyne_. + + 12. ALYSE. Le. 29.--G. 180. + Somme dryblette share you shoulde to that _alyse_. + Fulle twentie mancas I wylle thee _alise_. + + 13. ANERE. AE 15.--Ep. 48. + And cann I lyve to see herr wythe _anere_? + ----Adieu untylle _anere_. + + 14. ANETE. p. 281. 64. + Whych yn the blosom woulde such sins _anete_. + + 15. APPLINGS. E. I. 33. + Mie tendre _applynges_ and embodyde trees. + + 16. ARROW-LEDE. H. 1. 74. + Han by his soundynge _arrowe-lede_ bene sleyne. + + 17. ASENGLAVE. H. 1. 117. + But Harold's _asenglave_ stopp'd it as it flewe. + + 18. ASLEE. AE 504. + That doest _aslee_ alonge ynn doled dystresse. + + 19. ASSWAIE. AE 352. + Botte thos to leave thee, Birtha, dothe _asswaie_ + Moe torturynge peynes, &c. + + 20. ASTENDE. G. 47. + Acheke the mokie aire and heaven _astende_. + +I stop here, not because the other Letters of the alphabet would not +afford a proportionable number of words which might be referred to +this head, but because I think these sufficient for my purpose. I +proceed therefore to set down an equal number of words under the +_second_ general head. + +1. ABOUNDE. H. 1. 55. + + His cristede beaver dyd him smalle _abounde_. + +The common sense of _Abound_, a verb, is well known; but what can be +the meaning of it here? + +2. ALEDGE. G. 5. + + Lette notte thie agreme blyn ne _aledge_ stonde. + +_Aledge_, or _Alege_, v. Fr. in Chaucer signifies _to alleviate_. +It is here used either as an adjective or as an adverb. Chatterton +interprets it to mean _idly_; upon what ground I cannot guess. + +3. ALL A BOON. E. III. 41.--p. 23. l. 4. + + _All-a-boon_, fyr Priest, _all-a-boon_. + Thys ys the onelie _all-a-boone_ I crave. + +Here are three English words, the sense of which, taken separately, +is clear. As joined together in this passage they are quite +unintelligible. + +4. ALLEYN. E. I. 52. + + Mie sonne, mie sonne _alleyn_ ystorven ys. + +Granting _alleyn_ to be rightly put for alone, no ancient writer, I +apprehend, ever used such a phrase as this; any more than we should +now say--_my son alone_ for _my only son_. 5. ASCAUNCE. E. III. 52. + + Lokeynge _ascaunce_ upon the naighboure greene. + +The usual sense of _ascaunce_ in Chaucer, and other old writers, has +been explained in a note on ver. 7327. of the Canterbury Tales. It +is used in the same sense by Gascoigne. The more modern adverb +_ascaunce_, signifying _sideways, obliquely_, is derived from the +Italian _a schiancio_, and I doubt very much whether it had been +introduced into the English language in the time of the supposed +Rowley. + +6. ASTERTE. G. 137. + + ----You have theyr worthe _asterte_. + +I despair of finding any authorized sense of the word _asterte_, that +will suit this passage. It cannot, I think, signifie _neglected or +passed by_, as Chatterton has rendered it. + +7. AUMERE. AE. 398.--Ch. 7. AUMERES. E. III. 25. + + Depycte wyth skylled honde upponn thie wyde _aumere_. + And eke the grounde was dighte in its mose deste _aumere_. + Wythe gelten _aumeres_ stronge ontolde. + +The only place in which I remember to have met with this word is in +Chaucer's Romant of the Rose, ver. 2271. and there it undoubtedly +signifies _a purse_; probably from the Fr. _Aumoniere. Aumere of silk_ +is Chaucer's translation of _Bourse de foye_. In another place of +the same poem, ver. 2087. he uses _aumener_ in the same sense. The +interpretations given of this word by Chatterton will be considered +below. + +8. BARBED. AE 27. 219. + + Nott, whan from the _barbed_ horse, &c. + Mie lord fadre's _barbde_ halle han ne wynnynge. + +Let it be allowed, that _barbed horse_ was a proper expression, in the +XV Century, for _a horse covered with armour_, can any one conceive +that _barbed hall_ signified _a hall in which armour was hung_? or +what other sense can _barbde_ have in this passage? + +9. BLAKE. AE 178. 407. + + Whanne Autumpne _blake_ and sonne-brente doe appere. + _Blake_ stondeth future doome, and joie doth mee alyse. + +_Blake_, in old English, may signifie either _black_, or _bleak_. +Chatterton, in both these passages, renders it _naked_; and, in the +latter, some such signification seems absolutely necessary to make any +sense. + +10. BODYKIN. AE 265. + + And for a _bodykin_ a _swarthe_ obteyne. + +_Bodekin_ is used by Chaucer more than once to signifie a _bodkin_ or +_dagger_. I know not that it had any other signification in his time. +_Swarthe_, used as a noun, has no sense that I am acquainted with. + +11. BORDEL. E. III. 2.--AE 147. BORDELIER. AE 410. + + Goe serche the logges and _bordels_ of the hynde. + We wylle in a _bordelle_ lyve. + Hailie the robber and the _bordelyer_. + +Though _bordel_, in very old French, signifies a _cottage_, and +_bordelier_ a _cottager_, Chaucer uses the first word in no other +sense than that of _brothel_ or _bawdy-house_; and _bordeller_ with +him means the keeper of such a house. After this usage of these words +was so established, it is not easy to believe that any later writer +would hazard them in their primitive sense. + +12. BYSMARE. M. 95. + + Roaringe and rolleyng on yn course _bysmare_. + +_Bismare_, in Chaucer, signifies _abusive speech_; nor do I believe +that it ever had any other signification. + +13. CHAMPYON, V. PG. 12. + + Wee better for to doe do _champyon_ anie onne. + +I do not believe that _champion_ was used as a verb by any writer much +earlier than Shakespeare. + + 14. CONTAKE. T. 87. CONTEKE. E. II. 10. + + ----I _contake_ thie waie. + _Conteke_ the dynnynge ayre and reche the skies. + +_Conteke_ is used by Chaucer, as a _noun_, for _Contention_. I know no +instance of its being used as a _verb_. + +15. DERNE. AE 582. DERNIE. E. I. 19. El. 8. M. 106. + + Whan thou didst boaste soe moche of actyon _derne_. + Oh Raufe, comme lyste and hear mie _dernie_ tale. + O gentle Juga, beare mie _dernie_ plainte. + He wrythde arounde yn drearie _dernie_ payne. + +_Derne_ is a Saxon adj. signifying _secret, private_, in which sense +it is used more than once by Chaucer, and in no other. + +16. DROORIE. Ep. 47. + + Botte lette ne wordes, whiche _droorie_ mote ne heare, + Bee placed in the same ----. + +The only sense that I know of _druerie_ is _courtship, gallantry_, +which will not suit with this passage. + + +17. FONNES. E. II. 14. AE 421. FONS. T. 4. + + Decorn wyth _fonnes_ rare ---- + On of the _fonnis_ whych the clerche have made. + Quayntyssed _fons_ depictedd on eche sheelde. + +A _fonne_ in Chaucer signifies a _fool_, and _fonnes--fools_; and +Spenser uses _fon_ in the same sense; nor do I believe that it ever +had any other meaning. + +18. KNOPPED. M. 14. + + Theyre myghte ys _knopped_ ynne the froste of fere. + +_Knopped_ is used by Chaucer to signifie _fastened_ with a button, +from _knoppe_, a button; but what poet, that knew the meaning of his +words, would say that any thing was buttoned with _frost_? + +19. LECTURN. Le. 46. + + An onlist _lecturn_ and a songe adygne. + +I do not see that _lecturn_ can possibly signifie any thing but _a +reading-desk_, in which sense it is used by Chaucer. + +20. LITHIE. Ep. 10. + + Inne _lithie_ moncke apperes the barronnes pryde. + +If there be any such word as this, we should naturally expect it to +follow the signification of _lithe_; soft, limber: which will not suit +with this passage. + + * * * * * + +I go on to the _third_ general head of words inflected contrary to +grammar and custom. In a language like ours, in which the inflections +are so few and so simple, it is not to be supposed that a writer, even +of the lowest class, would commit very frequent offences of this sort. +I shall take notice of some, which I think impossible to have fallen +from a genuine Rowley. + +1. CLEVIS. H. 2. 46. + + Fierce as a _clevis_ from a rocke ytorne. + +_Clevis_ or _cleves_ is the plural number of _Cleve_, a cliff. It +is so used by Chaucer. I cannot believe that it was ever used as a +singular noun. + +EYNE. E. II. 79. T. 169. See also AE 681. + + In everich _eyne_ aredynge nete of wyere. + Wythe syke an _eyne_ shee swotelie hymm dydd view. + +_Eyne_, a contraction of _eyen_, is the plural number of _eye_. It +is not more probable that an ancient writer should have used the +expressions here quoted, than that any one now should say--In _every +eyes_;--_With such an eyes_. + +HEIE. E. II. 15. T. 123. Le. 5. 9. Ent. 2. AE 355. + +_Heie_, the old plural of _He_, was obsolete, I apprehend, in the time +of the supposed Rowley. At least it is very improbable that the same +writer, at any time, should use _heie_ and _theie_ indifferently, as +in these poems. + +THYSSEN. E. II. 87. + + Lette _thyssen_ menne, who haveth sprite of love. + +I cannot believe that _thyssen_ was ever in use as the plural number +of _this_. The termination seems to have been added, for the sake of +the metre, by one who knew that many words formerly ended in _en_, +but was quite ignorant of what particular sorts they were. In the same +manner _coyen_, AE. 125. and _sothen_, AE. 227. are put for _coy_ and +_sothe_, contrary to all usage or analogy. + +And this leads me to the capital blunder, which runs through all these +poems, and would alone be sufficient to destroy their credit; I mean, +the termination of _verbs in the singular number_ in _n_[3]. I will +set down a number of instances, in which _han_ is used for the present +or past time _singular_ of the v. _Have_; only premising, that _han_, +being an abbreviation of _haven_, is never used by any ancient writer +except in the present time _plural_ and the infinitive mode. + + P. 26. v. 9. The Brytish Merlyn oftenne _hanne_ + The gyfte of inspyration. + + Ba. 2. The featherd songster chaunticleer + _Han_ wounde hys bugle horne. + + AE. 685. Echone wylle wyssen hee _hanne_ seene the daie. + + 734. Bryghte sonne _han_ ynne hys roddie robes byn dyghte. + + 650. Whanne Englonde _han_ her foemenn. + + 1137. ----Mie stede _han_ notte mie love. + + 1184. _Hanne_ alle the fuirie of mysfortunes wylle + Fallen onne mie benned headde I _hanne_ been AElla stylle. + + G. 20. _Hane_ Englonde thenne a tongue butte notte a stynge? + + M. 61. A tye of love a dawter faire she _hanne_. + + H. 1. 74. Ne doubting but the bravest in the londe + _Han_ by his foundynge arrowe-lede bene sleyne. + + 182. Where he by chance _han_ slayne a noble's son. + + 184. And in the battel he much goode _han_ done. + + 188. He of his boddie _han_ kepte watch and ward. + + 207. His chaunce in warr he ne before _han_ tryde. + + 281. The erlie felt de Torcies trecherous knyfe + _Han_ made his crymson bloude and spirits floe. + + 319. O Hengist, _han_ thy cause bin good and true! + + 321. The erlie was a manne of hie degree. + And _han_ that daie full manie Normannes sleine. + + 337. But better _han_ it bin to lett alone. + +If more instances should be wanted, see H. 1. 396. 429. 455. H. 2. +306. 703.--p. 275. ver. 4.--p. 281. ver. 63.--p. 288. ver. 1. + +In the same irregular manner the following verbs are used +_singularly_. + + E. I. 10. Then _fellen_ on the grounde and thus yspoke. + + H. 2. 665. Bewopen Alfwoulde _fellen_ on his knee. + + P. 287. ver. 17. For thee I _gotten_ or bie wiles or breme. + + H. 1. 252. He turned aboute and vilely _souten_ flie. + + H. 2. 339. Fallyng he _shooken_ out his smokyng braine. + + H. 2. 334. His sprite--Ne _shoulden_ find a place in anie songe. + + AE. 172. So Adam _thoughtenne_ when ynn paradyse---- + + 1136. Tys now fulle morne; I _thoughten_, bie laste nyghte-- + + Ch. 54. Full well it _shewn_, he _thoughten_ coste no sinne. + +See also H. 2. 366. where _thoughten_, with the additional syllable, +not being quite long enough for the verse, has had another syllable +added at the beginning. + + Ne onne abash'd _enthoughten_ for to flee. + +And (what is still more curious) we have a participle of the present +tense formed from this fictitious past time, in AE. 704. + + _Enthoughteyng_ for to scape the _brondeynge_ foe-- + +Which would not have been a bit more intelligible in the XV Century +than it would be now. _Brondeynge_ will be taken notice of below. + +Many other instances of the most unwarrantable anomalies might be +produced under this head; but I think I have said enough to prove, +that the language of these poems is totally different from that of the +other English writers of the XV Century; and consequently that they +were not written in that century; which was my first, proposition. I +shall now endeavour to prove, from the same internal evidence of the +language, that they were written entirely by Thomas Chatterton. + +For this purpose it will only be necessary to have recourse to those +interpretations of words by way of Glossary, which were confessedly +written by him[4]. It will soon appear, if I am not much mistaken, +that the author of the Glossary was the author of the Poems. + +Whoever will take the pains to examine these interpretations will +find, that they are almost all taken from SKINNER'S _Etymologicon +Linguae Anglicanae_[5]. In many cases, where the words are really +ancient, the interpretations are perfectly right; and so far +Chatterton can only be considered in the light of a commentator, who +avails himself of the best assistances to explane any genuine author. +But in many other instances, where the words are either not ancient +or not used in their ancient sense, the interpretations are totally +unfounded and fantastical; and at the same time the words cannot be +altered or amended consistently with any rules of criticism, nor can +the interpretations be varied without destroying the sense of +the passage. In these cases, I think, there is a just ground for +believing, that the words as well as their interpretations came from +the hand of Chatterton, especially as they may be proved very often to +have taken their rise either from blunders of Skinner himself, or from +such mistakes and misapprehensions of his meaning as Chatterton, from +haste and ignorance, was very likely to fall into. + +I will state first some instances of words and interpretations which +have evidently been derived from blunders of Skinner. + +ALL A BOON. E. III. 41. See before, p. 315. _A manner of asking a +favour_, says Chatterton. + +Now let us hear Skinner. + +"=All a bone=, exp. Preces, Supplex Libellus, Supplicatio, vel ut jam +loquimur Petitio viro Principi exhibita, ni fallor ab AS. Bene, unde +nostrum _Boon_ additis particulis Fr. G. A _la_. Ch. Fab. Mercatoris +fol. 30. p. i. Col. 2." + +The passage of Chaucer which is referred to, as an authority for this +word, is the following, Canterb. Tales, ver. 9492. + +"And alderfirst he bade them _all a bone_," i.e. he made a request to +them all. So that Skinner is entirely mistaken in making one phrase of +these three words; and it is surely more probable that the author of +the poems was misled by him, than that a really ancient writer mould +have been guilty of so egregious a blunder. + +AUMERES. E. III. 25. is explained by Chatterton to mean _Borders of +gold and silver_, &c. And AUMERE in AE. 398, and Ch. 7. seems to be +used in the same sense of _a border of a garment_. And so Skinner has +by mistake explained the word, in that passage of Chaucer which has +been mentioned above [See p. 316, where the true meaning of _Aumere_ +is given]. + +"=Aumere= ex contextu videtur _Fimbria_ vel _Instita_, nescio an a +Teut. =Umbher=, Circum, Circa, q. d. Circuitus seu ambitus. _Ch_. f. +119. p. I.C. I." + +BAWSIN. AE. 57. _Large_. Chatterton. M. 101. _Huge, bulky_. Chatterton. + +Without pretending to determine the precise meaning of Bawsin, I think +I may venture to say that there is no older or better authority for +rendering it large, than Skinner. "=Bawsin=, exp. _Magnus, Grandis_, +&c." + +BRONDEOUS. E. II. 24. _Furious_. Chatterton. BRONDED. H. 2. 558. +BRONDEYNGE. AE. 704. BURLIE BRONDE. G. 7. _Fury, anger_. Chatterton. +See also H. 2. 664. All these uses of _Bronde_, and its supposed +derivatives, are taken from Skinner. "Bronde, exp. _Furia_, &c." +though in another place he explains Burly brand (I believe, rightly) +to mean _Magnus ensis_. It should be observed, that the phrase _Burly +brand_, if used in its true sense, would still have been liable to +suspicion, as it does not appear in any work, that I am acquainted +with, prior to the _Testament of Creseide_, a Scottish composition, +written many years after the time of the supposed Rowley. + +BURLED. M. 20. _Armed_. Chatterton. So Skinner, "Burled, exp. +_Armatus_, &c." + +BYSMARE. M. 95. _Bewildered, curious_. Chatterton. BYSMARELIE. Le. 26. +_Curiously_. Chatterton. See also p. 285. ver. 141. BISMARDE. + +It is evident, I think, that all these words are originally derived +from Skinner, who has very absurdly explained Bismare to mean +Curiosity. The true meaning has been stated above, p. 318. + +CALKE. G. 25. _Cast_. Chatterton. CALKED. E. I. 49. _Cast out, +ejected_. Chatterton. This word appears to have been formed upon a +misapprehension of the following article in Skinner. "Calked, exp. +Cast, credo Cast up." Chatterton did not attend to the difference +between _casting out_ and _casting up_, i.e. _casting up figures in +calculation_. That the latter was Skinner's meaning may be collected +from his next article. "Calked for Calculated. Ch. the Frankeleynes +tale." It is probable too, I think, that in both articles Skinner +refers, by mistake, to a line of _the Frankelein's tale_, which in the +common editions stands thus: + + "Ful subtelly he had _calked_ al this." + +Where _calked_ is a mere misprint for _calculed_, the reading of the +MSS. See the late Edit. ver. 11596. + +It would be easy to add many more instances of words, _either not +ancient or not used in their ancient sense_, which repeatedly occur +in these poems, and must be construed according to those fanciful +significations which Skinner has ascribed to them. How that should +have happened, unless either Skinner had read the Poems (which, I +presume, nobody can suppose,) or the author of the Poems had read +Skinner, I cannot see. It is against all odds, that two men, living +at the distance of two hundred years one from the other, should +accidentally agree in coining the same words, and in affixing to them +exactly the same meaning. + +I proceed to state some instances of words and interpretations which +are evidently founded upon misapprehensions of passages in Skinner. + +ALYSE. Le. 29. G. 180. _Allow_. Chatterton. See before, p. 314. + +Till I meet with this word, in this sense, in some approved author, I +shall be of opinion that it has been formed from a mistaken reading +of the following article in Skinner. "Alised, Authori Dict. Angl. apud +quem folum occurrit, exp. Allowed, ab AS. Alised, &c." In the Gothic +types used by Skinner f might be easily mistaken for a long s. + +BESTOIKER. AE. 91. _Deceiver_. Chatterton. See also AE. 1064. + +This word also seems plainly to have originated from a mistake in +reading Skinner. "Bestwike, ab AS. Berpican, Spican, _Decipere_, +Fallere, Prodere, Spica, Proditor, _Deceptor_." Chatterton in his +hurry read this as Bestoike, and formed a noun from it accordingly. + +BLAKE. AE. 178. 407. _Naked_. Chatterton. BLAKIED. E. III. 4. _Naked, +original_. Chatterton. See before, p. 317. + +Skinner has the following article. "Blake _and_ bare, videtur ex +contextu prorsus _Nuda_, sort. q. d. Bleak _and_ Bare, dum enim nudi +fumus eoque aeri expositi, prae frigore pallescimus. Ch. sol. 184. p. +i. Col. i." + +Chatterton has caught hold of _Nuda_, which in Skinner is the +exposition of _Bare_, as if it belonged to _Blake_. + +HANCELLED. G. 49. _Cut off, destroyed_. Chatterton. _Hancelled_ from +erthe these Normanne hyndes shalle bee. + +Skinner has the same word, which he thus explains. "Hanceled, exp. Cut +off, credo dici proprie, vel primario faltem, tantum de prima portione +feu segmento quod ad tentandam feu explorandam rem abscindimus, ut ubi +dicimus, _to_ Hansell _a pasty or a gammon of bacon_." Chatterton, who +had neither inclination nor perhaps ability to make himself master of +so long a piece of Latin, appears to have looked no further than +the two English words at the beginning of this explanation; and +understanding _Cut off_ to mean _Destroyed_, he has used _Hancelled_ +in the same sense. + +SHAP. AE. 34. G. 18. _Fate_. Chatterton. SHAP-SCURGED. AE. 603. +_Fate-scourged_. Chatterton. + +_Shap_ haveth nowe ymade hys woes for to emmate. Stylle mormorynge +atte yer _shap_.----There ys ne house athrow thys _shap-scurged_ +isle. + +I never was able to conceive how _Shap_ should have been used in the +English language to signifie _Fate_, till I observed the following +article in Skinner, "Shap, _now is my_ Shap, nunc mihi _Fato_ +praestitutum est (i.e.) _now is it_ shapen _to me_, ab AS. Sceapan, +&c." I suppose that the word _Fato_, in the Latin, led Chatterton to +understand _now is my shap_ to mean _now is my fate_. + +The passage, to which Skinner refers, is in the Knight's tale of +Chaucer, ver. 1227. + + _Now is me shape_ eternally to dwelle + Not only in purgatorie but in helle. + +But in the Edit. of 1602, which Skinner appears to have made use +of, it is written _Now is me shap_. The putting of _my_ for _me_ was +probably a mistake of the Printer, as Skinner's explanation shews that +he read _me_. I fancy the generality of readers will be satisfied by +the foregoing quotations, that the Author of these poems had not only +read Skinner, but has also misapprehended and misapplied what he found +in him. If more instances should be wanted, a comparison of the words +explained by Chatterton with the same or similar words as explained by +Skinner, will furnish them in abundance[6]. I shall therefore conclude +this Appendix with a short view of the preceding argument. It has been +proved, that the poems attributed to Rowley were not written in the +XV Century; and it follows of course, that they were written, at a +subsequent period, by some impostor, who endeavoured to counterfeit an +author of that century. + +It has been proved, that this impostor lived since Skinner, and that +the same person wrote the interpretations of words by way of Glossary, +which are subjoined to most of the poems. + +It has also been proved, that Chatterton wrote those interpretations +of words. + +Whether any thing further be necessary to prove, that the poems were +entirely written by Chatterton, is left to the reader's judgement. +If he should stick at the word _entirely_, which may possibly seem to +carry the conclusion a little beyond the premisses, he is desired to +reflect, that, the poems having been proved to be a forgery since the +time of Skinner, and to have been written in great part by Chatterton, +it is infinitely more probable that the remainder was also written by +him than by any other person. The great difficulty is to conceive that +a youth, like Chatterton, should ever have formed the plan of such an +imposture, and should have executed it with so much perseverance and +ingenuity; but if we allow (as I think we must) that he was the author +of those pieces to which he subjoined his interpretations, I can see +no reason whatever for supposing that he had any assistance in the +rest. The internal evidence is strong that they are all from one hand; +and external evidence there is none, that I have been able to meet +with, which ought to persuade us, that a single line, of verse or +prose, purporting to be the work of ROWLEY, existed before the time of +CHATTERTON. + +[Footnote 1: I have chosen this _part_ of the internal evidence, +because the arguments, which it furnishes, are not only very decisive, +but also lie within a moderate compass. For the same reason of +brevity, I have confined my observations to a _part_ only of +this _part_, viz. to _words_, considered with respect to their +_significations_ and _inflexions_. A complete examination of this +subject _in all its parts_ would be a work of length.] + +[Footnote 2: Of these varieties all, except the first, are more +properly varieties of _style_ than of _language_. The _local +situation_ of a writer may certainly produce a _provincial dialect_, +which will often differ essentially from the language used at the same +time in other parts of the same country. But this can only happen in +the case of persons of no education and totally illiterate; and such +persons seldom write. It is unnecessary however to discuss this point +very accurately, as nobody, I believe, will contend, that the poems +attributed to Rowley are written in any _provincial dialect_. If there +should be a few words in them, which are now more common at Bristol +than at London, it should be remembered that Chatterton was of +Bristol.] + +[Footnote 3: It is not surprizing that Chatterton should have been +ignorant of a peculiarity of the English language, which appears to +have escaped the observation of a professed editor of Chaucer. Mr. +Urry has very frequently lengthened _verbs in the singular number_, by +adding _n_ to them, without any authority, I am persuaded, even from +the errors of former Editions or MSS. It might seem invidious to point +out living writers, of acknowledged learning, who have slipped into +the same mistake in their imitations of Chaucer and Spenser.] + +[Footnote 4: This is a point so material to the following argument, +that, though it has never hitherto, I believe, been made a question, +it ought not perhaps to be assumed without some proof. It may be said, +that Chatterton was only the _transcriber_ of the Glossary as well +as of the Poems. If to such an attention we were to answer, that +Chatterton always declared himself the _author_ of the Glossaries, +we should be told perhaps, that with equal truth he always declared +Rowley to have been the author of the Poems. But (not to insist upon +the very different weight, which the same testimony might be allowed +to have in the two cases) it has happened luckily, that the Glossary +to the Poem, entitled "_Englysh Metamorphosis_," [See p. 196.] was +written down by Chatterton extemporally, without the assistance of any +book, at the desire and in the presence of Mr. Barrett. Whoever will +compare that Glossary with the others, will have no doubt of their +being all from the same hand.] + +[Footnote 5: Printed at London, MDCLXXI. The part, which Chatterton +seems to have chiefly consulted, is that, which begins at Sign. U u u +u, and is entitled "_Etymologicon vocum omnium antiquarum Anglicarum, +quae usque a Wilhelmo Victore invaluerunt, &c._"] + +[Footnote 6: I will state shortly some of those words, which have +been cited above, p. 313. as _either not ancient or not used in their +ancient sense_, with their corresponding articles in Skinner. + +ABESSIE; _Humility_. C.--Abessed;--_Humiliatus_. Sk. + +ABORNE; _Burnished_, C.--Borne; _Burnish_. Sk. It was usual with +Chatterton to prefix _a_ to words of all sorts, without any regard to +custom or propriety. See in the Alphabetical Gloss. _Aboune, Abreave, +Acome, Aderne, Adygne, Agrame, Agreme, Alest_, &c. + +ABOUNDE. This word Chatterton has not interpreted, but the context +shews that it is used in the sense of _good_. So that I suspect it was +taken from the following article in Skinner. Abone,--a Fr. G. Abonnir; +_Bonum_ facere. + +ABREDYNGE: _Upbraiding_. C.--Abrede, exp. _Upbraid_. Sk. + +ACROOL; _Faintly_. C.--Crool, exp. _Murmurare_. Sk. See the remark +upon ABORNE. + +ADENTE, ADENTED: _Fastened, annexed_. C.--Adent;--_Configere, +Conjungere_. Sk. + +ALUSTE has no interpretation: but it is used in the sense of _raise_. +Perhaps it may have been derived from a mistaken reading of Alust, +which is explained by Skinner to mean _Tollere_. See the remarks upon +_Alyse_ and _Bestoiker_, p. 328, 329. + +DERNE, DERNIE; _Woeful, lamentable, cruel_. C.--Derne; _Dirus, +crudelis_. Sk. + +DROORIE; _Modesty_. C.--Drury; _Modestia_. Sk. + +FONS, FONNES; _Fancys, Devices_. C.--Fonnes; _Devises_. Sk. + +KNOPPED; _Fastened, chained, congealed_. C.--Knopped; _Tied_. Sk. + +LITHIE: _Humble_. C.--Lithy; _Humble_. Sk. But in truth I do not +believe that there is any such word. Skinner probably found it in his +edition of Chaucer's _Cuckow and Nightingale_, ver. 14. where the MSS. +have LITHER (_wicked_), which is undoubtedly the right reading.] + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rowley Poems, by Thomas Chatterton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROWLEY POEMS *** + +***** This file should be named 13037.txt or 13037.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/0/3/13037/ + +Produced by Leah Moser and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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