Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 14; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as

above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of the Two Ballads pp. 5–14. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. Following p. 14 is a leaf, with blank reverse, and with the following imprint upon its recto, “London: / Printed for Thomas J. Wise, Hampstead, N.W. / Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” There are no signatures, the pamphlet being composed of a single sheet, folded to form sixteen pages.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 7½ × 5 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

Contents.

page
King Hacon’s Death. [“And now has happened in our day”] 5
Bran and the Black Dog. [“The day we went to the hills to chase”] I venture to regard this ballad of the fight between Bran and the Black Dog as one of Borrow’s happiest efforts. Here are some of its vigorous stanzas: The valiant Finn arose next day,
Just as the sun rose above the foam;
And he beheld up the Lairgo way,
A man clad in red with a black dog come. He came up with a lofty gait,
Said not for shelter he sought our doors;
And wanted neither drink nor meat,
But would match his dog ’gainst the best of ours. * * * * * “A strange fight this,” the great Finn said,
As he turn’d his face towards his clan;
Then his face with rage grew fiery red,
And he struck with his fist his good dog Bran. “Take off from his neck the collar of gold,
Not right for him now such a thing to bear;
And a free good fight we shall behold
Betwixt my dog and his black compeer.” The dogs their noses together placed,
Then their blood was scatter’d on every side;
Desperate the fight, and the fight did last
’Till the brave black dog in Bran’s grip died. * * * * * We went to the dwelling of high Mac Cuol,
With the King to drink, and dice, and throw;
The King was joyous, his hall was full,
Though empty and dark this night I trow. 		11

The valiant Finn arose next day,
Just as the sun rose above the foam;
And he beheld up the Lairgo way,
A man clad in red with a black dog come.

He came up with a lofty gait,
Said not for shelter he sought our doors;
And wanted neither drink nor meat,
But would match his dog ’gainst the best of ours.

* * * * *

“A strange fight this,” the great Finn said,
As he turn’d his face towards his clan;
Then his face with rage grew fiery red,
And he struck with his fist his good dog Bran.

“Take off from his neck the collar of gold,
Not right for him now such a thing to bear;
And a free good fight we shall behold
Betwixt my dog and his black compeer.”

The dogs their noses together placed,
Then their blood was scatter’d on every side;
Desperate the fight, and the fight did last
’Till the brave black dog in Bran’s grip died.

* * * * *

We went to the dwelling of high Mac Cuol,
With the King to drink, and dice, and throw;
The King was joyous, his hall was full,
Though empty and dark this night I trow.

There is a copy of King Hacon’s Death and Bran and the Black Dog in the Library of the British Museum. The Pressmark is C. 44. d. 38.

(31) [Marsk Stig’s Daughters: 1913]

Marsk Stig’s / Daughters / and other / Songs and Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.