L’Envoy,
TO THE READER.
Now let the Minstrel bid adieu,
With votive lays, my friends to you:
To you, my friends, he’ll now impart
The wishes of a Minstrel’s heart;
If my poor rede be dull and flat,
Pray blame my head alone for that;
But when I act a friendly part
You must not, cannot, blame my heart.
To every Peer, if Peer there be,
To read my idle minstrelsy,
Unspotted fame, and courage true,
And boundless wealth, like bold B— —h:
To every Bard that serves his Grace,
A goodly pension or a place;
To every Gardener may there be
A Bard to sing his praise, like me;
And may the bard be favoured too,
With Gardener-friend, dear Wat, like you:
Strong head, strong liquor, and good cheer,
To every Butler, far and near,
That serves a worthy, gallant, Peer:
Long life to all; my friends adieu,
And pray with me for bold B— —h.
THE END OF THE GOBLIN GROOM.
NOTES.
NOTES TO CANTO FIRST.
NOTE I, P. 16.
Where garden is, was place of tilt
Or tournament, where blood was spilt;
Where stain’d was many a foeman’s hilt
With blood of knight laid low.
The martial exercise of Tilting is said to have been introduced some time between the years 920 and 937, by Henry I of Germany, styled Anceps, or Falconer, but better known by the appellation of the Fowler: his motto was, “Tardus ad vindictam, ad beneficentiam velox.”[14] He is likewise said to have purchased the lance which pierced our Saviour’s side, and, with it, some of the nails of the holy cross; giving in exchange a great portion of Suabia, and other valuable gifts.
NOTE II, P. 23.
In the centre, soup was seen
Smoking, from a vase of snow.
That learned philosopher and prince of culinary perfection, Count Rumford, has taught the world the mode of preparing ice-cream in a hot oven, and of sending it freezing to table in a light crust of smoking pastry. The epicurean reader will be much disappointed if he expects to find that the above lines allude to some recent improvement in the science of chemistry, establishing the converse of this discovery; and that the soup at Dunse was actually served steaming to the company in an excavated snow-ball. It is hoped, that “a vase of snow” will be allowed as an appropriate figure for a clean white crockery tureen.
NOTE III, P. 26, 27.
The chair is filled! a stranger sat
Upon the honoured seat;
Nor deigned he to doff his hat,
Though more than one had hinted that
Respect was always meet.
But he was heedless of them all,
And thrice he gazed round the hall,
But ne’er a word did he let fall:
Whilst thus he sat, whilst thus he gazed,
The goodly throng were all amazed.—
The subject of superstition, as connected with the history of man, whether it be considered as influencing his character, or as affecting his conduct in society, seems sufficiently important to occupy the serious attention of the most learned investigator. It has been treated, however, with so much ability by an elegant author of our own times,[15] that, if not altogether exhausted, little more seems left to the ingenuity of any succeeding writer, than to avail himself, as his occasions may require, of the store of information thus amply afforded him. No maxim being more certainly founded on truth, than that early impressions are generally the most lasting. Would it not be highly meritorious in any one equal to the task, to favour the public with new editions of these invaluable productions, Satan’s Invisible World, and Glanvil’s History of Witchcraft, rendered, on the modern and improved plan of juvenile education, into easy ditties, to be sung or said by nurse or child? Might we not then expect to see the pure principles of poetic taste reared on the solid basis of useful knowledge?
The following marvellous occurrence, recorded in the letter of a noble peer, and said to be founded in fact, may appear to the reader of prosaic fancy, as extremely dull and uninteresting; but as it has been the ground-work of the present poem, the author cannot think of refusing it insertion. It will likewise help to increase the volume to that respectable size which may entitle it to the honours of Russia or Morocco, and to a distinguished situation on the well arranged shelves of a modern library.
“MY DEAR SIR,
“I obey your commands with some reluctance, in relating the story of which you have heard so much, and to which your curiosity appears to be so broad awake. I do it unwillingly, because such histories depend so much upon the manner in which they are related; and this, which I have told with such success, and to the midnight terrors of so many simple souls, will make but a sorry figure in a written narration.—However, you shall have it.
“It was in the early part of— — —’s life, that he attended an hunting club at their sport, when a stranger, of a genteel appearance, and well mounted, joined the chace, and was observed to ride with a degree of courage and address that called forth the utmost astonishment of every one present. The beast he rode was of amazing powers; nothing stopped them; the hounds could never escape them; and the huntsman, who was left far behind, swore that the man and his horse were devils from hell. When the sport was over, the company invited this extraordinary person to dinner; he accepted the invitation, and astonished the company as much by the powers of his conversation, and the elegance of his manners, as by his equestrian prowess. He was an orator, a poet, a painter, a musician, a lawyer, a divine; in short, he was every thing, and the magic of his discourse kept the drowsy sportsmen awake long after their usual hour. At length, however, wearied nature could be charmed no more, and the company began to steal away by degrees to their repose. On his observing the society diminish, he discovered manifest signs of uneasiness: he therefore gave new force to his spirits, and new charms to his conversation, in order to detain the remaining few some time longer. This had some little effect; but the period could not be long delayed when he was to be conducted to his chamber. The remains of the company retired also; but they had scarce closed their eyes, when the house was alarmed by the most terrible shrieks that were ever heard: several persons were awakened by the noise; but, its continuance being short, they concluded it to proceed from a dog who might be accidentally confined in some part of the house: they very soon, therefore, composed themselves to sleep, and were very soon awakened by shrieks and cries of still greater terror than the former. Alarmed at what they heard, several of them rung their bells, and, when the servants came, they declared that the horrid sounds proceeded from the stranger’s chamber. Some of the gentlemen immediately arose, to inquire into this extraordinary disturbance; and, while they were dressing themselves for that purpose, deeper groans of despair, and shriller shrieks of agony, again astonished and terrified them. After knocking sometime at the stranger’s chamber-door, he answered them as one awakened from sleep, declared he had heard no noise, and, rather in an angry tone, desired he might not be again disturbed. Upon this they returned to one of their chambers, and had scarce begun to communicate their sentiments to each other, when their conversation was interrupted by a renewal of yells, screams, and shrieks, which, from the horror of them, seemed to issue from the throats of damned and tortured spirits. They immediately followed the sounds, and traced them to the stranger’s chamber, the door of which they instantly burst open, and found him upon his knees in bed, in the act of scourging himself with the most unrelenting severity, his body streaming with blood. On their seizing his hand to stop the strokes, he begged them, in the most wringing tone of voice, as an act of mercy, that they would retire, assuring them that the cause of their disturbance was over, and that in the morning he would acquaint them with the reasons of the terrible cries they had heard, and the melancholy sight they saw. After a repetition of his entreaties, they retired; and in the morning some of them went to his chamber, but he was not there; and, on examining the bed, they found it to be one gore of blood. Upon further inquiry, the groom said, that, as soon as it was light, the gentleman came to the stable booted and spurred, desired his horse might be immediately saddled, and appeared to be extremely impatient till it was done, when he vaulted instantly into his saddle, and rode out of the yard on full speed.—Servants were immediately dispatched into every part of the surrounding country, but not a single trace of him could be found; such a person had not been seen by any one, nor has he been since heard of.
“The circumstances of this strange story were immediately committed to writing, and signed by every one who were witnesses to them, that the future credibility of any one, who should think proper to relate them, might be duly supported. Among the subscribers to the truth of this history are some of the first names of this century.—It would now, I believe, be impertinent to add any thing more, than that I am, yours, &c.”
If farther proof were necessary to shew, that the dominion of superstition is not altogether confined, as has been erroneously supposed, to the heroes of romance, it might be found in the learned support afforded, but a few years ago, to the predictions of the unfortunate Prophet Brothers: And although the sublime and simple truths of the Christian faith have given a fatal blow to the superstitious absurdities of more early creeds, our propensity to the marvellous, has still retained sufficient influence, to screen from detection the grossest impositions of the Roman Church. Among the numberless deceptions, which Popish craft has successfully practised upon the credulity of its votaries, one has been handed down by a venerable historian, the insertion of which cannot fail to gratify the enlightened commentators and note-compilers of the present age.—
“Qui, cum die quadam tale aliquid foris ageret, digressis ad ecclesiam sociis, ut dicere cœperam, et episcopus solus in oratorio loci, lectioni vel orationi operam daret; audivit repente, ut postea referebat, vocem suavissimam cantantium atque lætantium de cœlo ad terras usque descendere: quam videlicet vocem ab Euro austro, id est, ab alto brumalis, exortam, primo se audisse dicebat, ac deinde paulatim eam sibi appropiare, donec ad tectum usque oratorii, in quo erat Episcopus, perveniret; quod ingressa totum implevit, atque in gyro circundedit. At ille, dum solicitus in ea quæ audiebat, animum intenderet, audivit denuo transacto quasi dimidiæ horæ spatio, ascendere de tecto ejusdem oratorii idem lætitiæ canticum; et ipsa qua venerat via, ad cœlos usque cum ineffabili dulcedine, reverti. Qui cum aliquantulum horæ quasi attonitus maneret, et quid hæc essent solerti animo scrutaretur, aperuit Episcopus fenestram oratorii, et sonitum manu faciens, ut sæpius consuevit, siquis foris esset, ad se intrare præcepit. Introivit ille concitus; cui dixit antistes: vade cito ad ecclesiam, et hos septem fratres huc venire facito; tu quoque simul adesto. Qui cum venissent, primo admonuit eos, ut virtutem dilectionis et pacis, ad invicem et ad omnes fideles servarent. Instituta quoque disciplinæ regularis, quæ vel ab ipso didicissent, vel in ipso vidissent, vel in patrum præcedentium factis sive dictis invenissent, indefessa instantia sequerentur. Deinde subjunxit, diem sui obitus jam proxime instare. Namque hospes, inquit, ille amabilis, qui fratres nostros visitare solebat, ad me quoque hodie venire, meque de seculo evocare dignatus est. Propter quod revertentes ad ecclesiam, dicite fratribus, ut et meum exitum Domino precibus commendent, et suum quoque exitum, (cujus hora incerta est), vigiliis, orationibus, bonis operibus, prævenire meminerint. Cumque hæc et hujusmodi plura loqueretur, atque illi, percepta ejus benedictione, jam multum tristes exiissent, rediit ipse solus, qui carmen cœleste audierat, et prosternens se in terram, Obsecro, inquit pater, licetne aliquid interrogare? Interroga, inquit, quod vis. At ille, Obsecro, inquit, ut dicas, quod erat canticum illud lætantium, quod audivi, venientium de cœlis super oratorium hoc, et post tempus redeuntium ad cœlos. Respondit ille; Si vocem carminis audivisti, et cœlestes supervenire cœtus cognovisti, præcipio tibi in nomine Domini, ne hoc cuiquam, ante meum obitum, dicas. Revera autem Angelorum fuere spiritus, qui me ad cœlestia, quæ semper amabam ac desiderabam, præmia vocare venerunt; et post dies septem se redituros, ac me secum adducturos esse promiserunt. Quod quidem ita ut dictum ei erat opere completum est. Nam confestim languore corporis tactus est, et hoc per dies ingravescente, septimo (ut promissum ei fuerat) die, postquam obitum suum dominici corporis, et sanguinis perceptione munivit, soluta ab ergastulo corporis anima sancta, ducentibus (ut credi fas est), angelis comitibus, æterna gaudia petivit.”
E HIST. ECCLES. VENER. BED.
NOTE IV, P. 28.
A pea-green jerkin on his back,
All dabbled by a splashing hack.—
The dress of this little stranger, and his manner of introducing himself to the festival, must satisfy the reader that the Goblin Groom is one of those supernatural sportsmen usually termed Fairies. In the sequel, however, it will appear evident, that he owes his origin to the hardy race of northern Elves, rather than to the more delicate family of eastern Peris.[16]
The existence of the Fairy, like that of the Mermaid, no longer rests on the credulity of the ignorant, but is confirmed and established by attestations no less respectable than the affidavits so frequently made before the Lord Mayor of London, in support of the infallibility of a quack and his nostrums.
In the isle of Man, where sportsmen of more tangible materials enjoy a temporary security, these little supernaturals, probably under similar circumstances, find an agreeable retreat. In the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders, on the unrefuted authority of Mr. Waldron, we have the following interesting particulars.—
“Like the FELD ELFEN of the Saxons, the usual dress of the Fairies is green; though, on the moors, they have been sometimes observed in heath-brown, or in weeds dyed with the stoneraw, or lichen. They often ride in invisible procession, when their presence is discovered by the shrill ringing of their bridles. On these occasions, they sometimes borrow mortal steeds; and when such are found at morning, panting and fatigued in their stalls, with their manes and tails dishevelled and entangled, the grooms, I presume, often find this a convenient excuse for their situation; as the common belief of the elves quaffing the choicest liquors in the cellars of the rich, (see the story of Lord Duffus below), might occasionally cloak the delinquencies of an unfaithful butler.
“The Fairies, beside their equestrian processions, are addicted, it would seem, to the pleasures of the chace. A young sailor, travelling by night from Douglas, in the Isle of Man, to visit his sister, residing in Kirk Merlugh, heard the noise of horses, the holla of a huntsman, and the sound of a horn. Immediately afterwards, thirteen horsemen, dressed in green, and gallantly mounted, swept past him. Jack was so much delighted with the sport, that he followed them, and enjoyed the sound of the horn for some miles; and it was not till he arrived at his sister’s house that he learned the danger which he had incurred. I must not omit to mention, that these little personages are expert jockeys, and scorn to ride the little Manks ponies, though apparently well suited to their size. The exercise, therefore, falls heavily upon the English and Irish horses brought into the Isle of Man. Mr. Waldron was assured by a gentleman of Ballafletcher, that he had lost three or four capital hunters by these nocturnal excursions.
WALDRON’S WORKS, P. 132.”
It is to be lamented, for the comfort of that valuable class of society denominated Hunting-Grooms, that their masters do not look into the casualties of their studs with the discriminating eye of the worthy gentleman of Ballafletcher.
NOTE V, P. 29.
And every toast with ready will
His elfin hand consents to fill.
Heavens! what a wondrous draught he drew
Whene’er they toasted bold B— —h.
Monsieur Mallet, the learned author of the ingenious work on Northren Antiquities, seems to consider Fairies and Elves as synonymous terms. In his remarks on the ninth fable of the Edda, we find him thus expressing himself.—“Alfheim signifies, in Gothic, the abode of the Genii, that is, the Fairies of the male-sex.” To prove the Gothic origin of our Elf, we need only appeal to the devotion he shews to the bottle. His conduct at the Dunse Festival is truly northern, and the mighty Thor himself, the great champion of Scandinavian revelry, could not have displayed greater zeal in emptying the enchanted horn.—But of this the reader may judge by perusing the Gothic fable.—
THE TWENTY-FIFTH FABLE.
Of the Trials that Thor underwent.
“Then the king asked Thor, in what art he would choose to give proof of that dexterity for which he was so famous. Thor replied, that he would contest the prize of drinking with any person belonging to his court. The king consented, and immediately went into his palace to look for a large horn, out of which his courtiers were obliged to drink when they had committed any trespass against the customs of the court.[17] This the cup-bearer filled to the brim, and presented to Thor, whilst the king spake thus.—Whoever is a good drinker, will empty that horn at a single draught; some persons make two of it; but the most puny drinker of all can do it at three. Thor looked at the horn, and was astonished at its length;[18] however, as he was very thirsty, he set it to his mouth, and, without drawing breath, pulled as long and as deeply as he could, that he might not be obliged to make a second draught of it; but when he withdrew the cup from his mouth, in order to look in, he could scarcely perceive any of the liquor gone. To it he went again with all his might, but succeeded no better than before. At last, full of indignation, he again set the horn to his lips, and exerted himself to the utmost to empty it entirely: then looking in, he found that the liquor was a little lowered; upon this, he resolved to attempt it no more, but gave back the horn. I now see plainly, says the king, that thou art not quite so stout as we thought thee; but art thou willing to make any more trials? I am sure, says Thor, such draughts as I have been drinking, would not have been reckoned small among the Gods.
MALLET’S NORTH. ANTIQ. VOL. II, P. 126-127.”
NOTES TO CANTO SECOND.
NOTE I, P. 60.
He strode a poney, lank and lean,
That looked as if astray ’t had been;
Dun was its hue, with flowing-mane;
The tail was black, and like a train—
Contrary to the custom of the Manx Fairies, it might be inferred, that our Groom had just returned from the sanctuary of sportsmen, with a nag of the native breed. But having already made considerable progress in establishing the origin of the rider, we shall now take some pains in proving to our readers the pedigree of the steed: and in asserting him to be from the stock of the far-famed Sleipner, we hope to be borne out by his performances, and confirmed by probability in our opinion. The circumstance of that noted stallion having had eight legs, does not in the least degree weaken our belief in the genuine descent of the Goblin’s poney; for, reasoning by analogy, we have never yet heard of a parent with a wooden-leg transmitting timber-toes to posterity.
To those sportsmen who confine their genealogical inquiries to the general stud-book and racing-calendar, we present, in the words of the Gothic Edda, the history of a horse, more famed than the Childer’s Barb, or the Godolphin Arabian.—
HISTORIA VICESIMA PRIMA.
Quomodo Loco procreavit equum Sleipnerum cum Svadilfaro.
“Faber quidam Asas adveniens, ad urbem illis ædificandam per tres annos sese obtulit, eamque adeo munitam, ut tuta esset ab incursionibus Gigantum. Mercedem vero laboris Frejam postulavit, ut et lunam solemque. Dii vero, inito consilio, paciscuntur; si vero quid laboris prima die æstatis superesset, præmium amitteret; nullius vero opera ei uti liceret. Hic de auxilio equi sui Svadelfari tantum pactus fuit. Omnia vero hæc fiebant, dirigente et instigante Locone. Hic urbam ædificaturus, noctu per equum lapides attraxit. Asis mirum videbatur, eam tam magnos adferre montes; nec non equum plus, quam fabrum, conficere. Pacto autem multi interfuere testes: quippe cum gigas videretur non satis tutus inter Asas, si hic esset, Toro domum reverso. Qui jam mari Baltico trajecto, hinc per amnes et fluvios ad Asiam progressus, (quod priscis Austerveg audit) bellum cum gigantibus gessit. Urbs fuit munita et tam alta, ut perspicere non valeres. Tribus vero reliquis fabro diebus, Dii congregati solia sua ascendentes quæsiverunt, quisnam auctor esset, ut Freya in Jotunheimiam elocaretur? ut et aer perderetur, inducta cœlo calligine, sublatum solem et lunam dando gigantibus. Illos vero inter conventum fuit, Loconem hoc dedisse consilium. Dicebant, eum misera morte afficiendum esse, nisi rationem, qua faber mercedem amitteret, inveniret, adjicientes fore ut statim illum comprehenderent. Examinatus vero jurejurando promisit se effecturum, ut faber mercede frustraretur, quicquid tandem huic negotio impenderet. Fabro autem lapidis advehendi causa, cum Svadilfaro, egressuro, ex sylva prosiliit equa quædam solitaria, equo adhinniens. Quam conspicatus equus, in furorem actus, rupto fune, eam adcurrit, jam in sylvam accelerantem, insequente fabro, equum assecuturo. Equa vero totam per noctem discurrente, faber impeditus fuit, quominus, hac nocte, una cum die sequente, opus, uti antea, fuerit continuatum. Quo cognito, animo percellitur giganteo. Quo viso, juramentis non parcentes Torum invocarunt: qui statim adveniens, vibrato in aera malleo, dataque mercede, occisum fabrum in Niflheimium detrusit. Loconi vero cum Svadilfaro res fuit, ut equuleum genuerit nomine Sleipnerum, octo habentem pedes.
EDDA, FAB. XXI, OPERA ET STUDIO JO. GORANSON.”
NOTE II, P. 63.
The Goblin Groom now screamed a scream;
For Goblins hate a running stream;
And, if the truth my records say,
The Elfin Poney neighed a neigh.
The terror of the inhabitants of Alfheim, or Fairy land, for running water, has been too often asserted to require much comment. Unlicensed spirits, that wander on the face of the earth, with intentions injurious to mankind, are always represented as tortured with hydrophobia. The author cannot hope that he has painted the Goblin’s terror in all the glowing colours of a Burns,[19] or with the finer tints of a Scott; yet he flatters himself some beauty may be found, by the admirers of pleonastic redundancy, in the passage expressive of the horror of the horse and rider; and he feels that, in this judgment, he will be supported by the most classical authorities in the English language; e.g.
GILES SCROGGINS.
Giles Scroggins courted Molly Brown,
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido;
The fairest wench in all the town,
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido;
He bought a ring with posie true,
“If you loves I as I loves you,
“No knife can cut our love in two.”
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido.
But scissars cut as well as knives,
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido;
And quite unsartin’s all our lives,
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido;
The day they were to have been wed,
Fate’s scissars cut poor Giles’s thread,
So they could not be mar-ri-ed.
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido.
Poor Molly laid her down to weep,
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido;
And cried herself quite fast asleep,
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido;
When, standing all by the bed-post,
A figure tall her sight engrossed,
And it cried, I beez Giles Scroggins’ Ghost!
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido.
The Ghost it said, all solemnly,
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido;
O Molly, you must go with I!
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido;
All to the grave, your love to cool.—
She says, I am not dead, you fool!—
Says the Ghost, says he, Vy that’s no rule.
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido.
The Ghost he seized her, all so grim,
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido;
All for to go along with him;
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido.
“Come, come, said he, ere morning beam.”—
“I vont!” said she, and she screamed a scream—
Then she woke and found she dreamed a dream.
Fol deriddle lol, fol deriddle lido.
With rapid round the Baron bent;
He sighed a sigh, he prayed a prayer;
The prayer was to his patron Saint,
The sigh was to his lady fair.
NOTE III, P. 66.
And thus he hilter skilter flew,
And distanced all the huntsmen-crew.
We cannot give a better idea of the hilter skilter mode of riding with hounds, than by quoting the truly classical words of an accomplished Leicestershire sportsman, who is equally celebrated as a painter and a poet.—
And next in the cluster
See Wor’ster and Muster;
Now Muster sets Wor’ster,
Now Wor’ster beats Muster;
Now Muster is first, Sir,
And Wor’ster is burst, Sir:
Such bunglers as those are
Ought both to be curst, Sir.
Although we in general disapprove of Parodies, the above is so excellent, and so applicable to our subject, that we sacrifice our principles for the gratification of our readers.
NOTE IV, P. 72.
No demi volte, nor demi air;
No high curvett, nor terre-a-terre;
No hand to guide the gay croupade.
Nor heel to aid the balotade;
No capriole his skill to shew;
He these disdained, with pas et saut.
It must be truly gratifying to yeomanry officers, and those who have not had the advantages of an equestrian education, that, in works of fancy, they may be at once amused and instructed with valuable hints on horsemanship; and believing, as we do, that those who have feasted on the pages of Marmion are now enabled to take a leading part in a meslee or fight, we shall proceed to forward them in their pursuits, by recommending to their attention Astley’s explanation of the Croupade.
The Tailor too of Brentford will be enjoyed with greater glee, when the spectators do not curb their mirth by a fellow-feeling for the Cockney equestrian.
“CROUPADE.
“The horse leaps into the air with all his feet off the ground at one and the same time, and without stretching out those behind: by an attention to this action, much good might result to the cavalry; and here I will relate a manœuvre, to which I often had recourse in 1761, and at other periods of the seven years war. I instructed my horse to strike an object, or objects, at the will of the rider, within a given distance, before, behind, or together; and necessity furnished me with the idea.
“In patroling, a soldier sometimes wants a guide, and gentle means often prove ineffectual to induce a peasant to quit his bed, at the dead of the night, for the accommodation of others,—to dismount for the purpose of procuring admittance into a house, at such a time, barred and bolted within, and perhaps in an enemy’s country, would be dangerous. I knew my duty, and, ere this, my horse knew his. On approaching the door, I caused him to strike it with his fore-feet; and if this did not answer my purpose, (for it would sometimes fail), I faced him about, when, with his croup, he would break the door in pieces: this he would accomplish in a few moments, to the surprise and terror of the inhabitants: on the other hand, when upon the defensive, no person could approach me without danger; and when on the offensive, and animated at my pleasure, to the highest pitch, he would strike in every direction, and clear his way!
ASTLEY’S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION, P. 177.”
We do not remember that La Broue has any where pointed out the application of this useful air du Manège, as the French term it.
NOTE V, P. 74.
Loud howled each hound; I will presume
They howled at loss of Goblin Groom;
And well they might, for such a fay
Ne’er rode before on hunting day;—
Though not exactly authorized by the writer of the following poem, yet we cannot think he will take offence at our availing ourselves of its beauties, to illustrate the fidelity and attachment of the canine species to their masters, and those who have shared with them in the dangers and fatigues of the chace. We extract this poem from a Calcutta Gazette of 1807.—
BETH-GELERT,
OR THE GRAVE OF THE GREYHOUND.[20]
The spearmen heard the bugle sound,
And cheerly smiled the morn,
And many a brach, and many a hound,
Obeyed Llewelyn’s horn.
And still he blew a louder blast,
And gave a lustier cheer,
“Come, Gelert, come, wer’t never last
“Llewelyn’s horn to hear.
“Oh! where does faithful Gelert roam,
“The flower of all his race?
“So true, so brave; a lamb at home,
“A lion in the chace!”
’Twas only at Llewelyn’s board
The faithful Gelert fed;
He watched, he served, he cheered his lord,
And sentineled his bed.
In sooth he was a peerless hound,
The gift of royal John;
But now no Gelert could be found,
And all the chace rode on.
And now, as o’er the rocks and dells
The gallant chidings rise,
All Snowdon’s craggy chaos yells
The many mingled cries!
That day Llewelyn little loved
The chace of hart or hare,
And scant and small the booty proved,
For Gelert was not there.
Unpleased, Llewelyn homeward hied:
When, near the portal seat,
His truant Gelert he espied
Bounding his lord to greet.
But, when he gained his castle door,
Aghast the chieftain stood;
The hound all o’er was smeared with gore,
His lips, his fangs, ran blood.
Llewelyn gazed with fierce surprise:—
Unused such looks to meet,
His fav’rite checked his joyful guise,
And crouched and licked his feet.
Onward in haste Llewelyn past,
And on went Gelert too,
And still, where’er his eyes he cast,
Fresh blood-gouts shocked his view.
O’erturned his infant’s bed he found,
With blood-stained covert rent;
And all around, the walls and ground
With recent blood besprent.
He called his child, no voice replied;
He searched with terror wild;
Blood, blood he found on every side;
But no where found his child.
“Hell-hound! my child by thee’s devoured!”
The frantic father cried;
And to the hilt his vengeful sword
He plunged in Gelert’s side.
His suppliant looks, as prone he fell,
No pity could impart:
But still his Gelert’s dying yell
Passed heavy o’er his heart.
Aroused by Gelert’s dying yell
Some slumberer wakened nigh:
What words the parent’s joy could tell
To hear his infant’s cry!
Concealed beneath a tumbled heap,
His hurried search had missed:
All glowing from his rosy sleep,
The cherub boy he kissed.
Nor scath had he, nor harm, nor dread;
But the same couch beneath
Lay a gaunt wolf, all torn and dead,
Tremendous still in death.
Ah, what was then Llewelyn’s pain!
For now the truth was clear;
His gallant hound the wolf had slain,
To save Llewelyn’s heir.
Vain, vain was all Llewelyn’s woe:
“Best of thy kind adieu!
“The frantic blow, which laid thee low,
“This heart shall ever rue.”
And now a gallant tomb they raise,
With costly sculpture deckt;
And marbles storied with his praise,
Poor Gelert’s bones protect.
There never could the spearman pass,
Or forester, unmoved;
There oft the tear-besprinkled grass
Llewelyn’s sorrow proved.
And there he hung his horn and spear,
And there, as evening fell,
In Fancy’s ear he oft would hear
Poor Gelert’s dying yell.
And till great Snowdon’s rocks grow old,
And cease the storm to brave,
The consecrated spot shall hold
The name of “Gelert’s Grave!”
NOTE VI, P. 76.
The passing shepherd calls the bush,
The Winning-Post of Friar Rush;—
This Friar, or “esprit follet,” is a gentleman of as many names and titles as any Spanish Grandee; “Will o’ the Wisp,” however, is the name he is best known by, when stript of his ecclesiastical honours: he has always been considered a tricky knave, and is thus spoken of in Marmion.—
Better we had through mire and bush
Been lanthorn led by Friar Rush.
MARMION, CANTO IV, P. 187.
NOTE VII, P. 79.
To every Bard that serves his Grace,
A goodly pension or a place;—
We here call upon our readers, to attend to the origin of the word Bard; inasmuch as, that term has become applicable to poem-mongers in general. The learned Mr. Prideaux informs us,—
“Bardus possessed his father Druis’ place. To his ancestors Phylosophy, Magick, Politicks, Rites and Ceremonies, this man added Poetry, and set all their excellencies at a higher key. 2. From him we have the ancient Bardi, the chroniclers of all heroick actions, and commenders of their performers, to the imitation of their posterity, whom an ancient poet thus bespeaketh,—
Vos quoq. qui fortes animas belloq. peremtas,
Laudibus in longum vates deducitis ævum.
Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi.
Then you brave Bards securely song,
The praise of dead Pears;
In lofty strains, for to prolong
Their fame for many years.
3. Their esteem was such amongst the greatest commanders, that if two armies were even at push of pike, and a Bard had step’d in between them, they would have held their hands, harkened to their advice, and not have offered to strike until he were out of danger. 4. Famous amongst those Bards (before the coming of our Saviour) were held Plenidius and Glaskirion, and of late years, Davye Dee, David ap Williams and others. They say the island Bardsey had Bardorum Insula, its name, from them, and Aquila, Perdix, Patrick, Maddoch, and both the Merlins the wisards, were from this institution.”
PRIDEAUX’S INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY, P. 255-256.
Although the terms Bard and Poet are those in more general use to express the rhyme-weaving brotherhood, yet there are words of Gothic origin which may still be found of uncommon meaning, and, on certain occasions, even more significant than the former. Thus, a dame declaiming in heroics to her waiting-women and children, is denominated a Scold, from the Scalds or Poets of Iceland; and the term Bragger may, from “Brage” of the Goths, be employed to designate a blustering Poetaster, who claims, for alleged facility and unquestionable length of composition, the applause reserved for creative genius and continued exertion.
THE END.
Printed by Alex. Lawrie & Co. Edinburgh.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] In this happy manner of expressing his admiration of the object before him, the author assures his readers, that he lays no claim to originality.
[2] Bumble or bumbart bee. Vide Dr. Jamieson’s Dictionary.
[3] North of the Tweed beast is applied, as a general term, to animals, without distinction.
[4] The following anecdote, with many others equally interesting, is recorded in a very rare work, to be found in few collections, however excellent. A gentleman and his friend, passing along Oxford Road, were stopped by an immense crowd near Hyde Park, and, on inquiring into the cause, were told that a person of the name of Vowel was leading to execution at Tyburn. “I wonder what vowel it can be,” (cried the one). “It is neither U nor I, (replied the other), so let us pass on.” Joe Miller, a very old edition.
[5] Dunse, supposed to be derived from the old Celtic word Dun, a hill, is situated in the centre of the county of Berwick, near to the Lammermoor hills,—is famous for its cabbages,—from its being the birth-place of Duns Scotus,—and from the number of alehouses which it contains. For an account of its places of ancient strength, vide Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. iv.
[6] Whitadder and Blackadder, probably corruptions of Whitewater and Blackwater, two streams which, uniting in their course, empty themselves into the Tweed a little above Berwick.
[7] Those who feel with the author on this subject, will consult, with peculiar pleasure, the general tenor of our Parliamentary Reports.
O fortes pejoraque passi
Mecum sæpe viri nunc vino pellite curas
Cras ingens iterabimus æquor.
HOR. ODE 7, LIB. 1.
Et vox assensu nemorum ingeminata remugit.
GEORG. III.
[10] The Fern Islands.
[11] Looking intensely. Dr. Jamieson gives the following authority for this meaning of the word.—
“He girnt, he glourt, he gapt, as he war weid.”
DUNBAR, MAITLAND POEMS, p. 77.
Il monte avec la main les eperons et gaule,
Le cheval de pegase qui volle en capriole,
Il monte si haut qu’il touche de sa teste les cieux,
Et par ses merveilles ravit en extasses les Dieux,
Les chevaux corruptible qui la bas sur terre son
En courbettes demi-airs terre-à-tere vont
Avec humilite soumission et bassesse,
L’adorer, comme Dieu et auteur de leur adresse.
See a General System of Horsemanship, &c.
by the Duke of Newcastle.
[13] Alias “Will o’ the Wisp,”—alias, in Scotland, “Spunkie.” The reader who is anxious for farther information on this interesting subject is referred to the notes on Marmion.
[14] Hedio. Sleidan.
[15] Scott. Vide Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, vol. ii.
[16] By some etymologists of that learned class, who not only know whence words come, but also whither they are going, the term Fairy, or Faërie, is derived from Faë, which is again derived from Nympha. It is more probable the term is of oriental origin, and is derived from the Persic, through the medium of the Arabic. In Persic, the term Peri expresses a species of imaginary being, which resembles the Fairy in some of its qualities, and is one of the fairest creatures of romantic fancy.
Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, p. 115-116.
[17] Our modern Bachanals will here observe, that punishing by a bumper is not an invention of these degenerate days. The ancient Danes were great Topers.
[18] The drinking vessels of the northern nations were the horns of animals, of their natural length, only tipt with silver, &c. In York-Minster is preserved one of those ancient drinking-vessels, composed of a large elephant’s tooth, of its natural dimensions, ornamented with sculpture, &c. See Drake’s Hist.
[19] Tam O’Shanter.
[20] The story of this Ballad is traditionary in a village at the foot of Snowden, where Llewelyn the Great had a house. The Greyhound, named Gêlert, was given to him by his father-in-law, King John, in the year 1205; and the place to this day is railed Beth Gêlert, or the Grave of Gêlert.