So in Amys and Amylion[1124] (No. 31. iii. appendix) in sta. 3d. we have
"In Geste as we rede,"
and similar phrases occur in stanzas 34, 125, 140, 196, &c.
These are all studied compositions, in which the story is invented with more skill and ingenuity, and the style and colouring are of superior cast, to such as can with sufficient probability be attributed to the minstrels themselves.
Of this class I conceive the romance of Horn Child (mentioned in the last note, [S2], and in No. 1, vol. iii. appendix), which, from the naked unadorned simplicity of the story, I would attribute to such an origin.
But more evidently is such the Squire of Lowe Degree (No. 24, iii. appendix), in which is no reference to any French original, nothing like the phrase which so frequently occurs in others, "As the Romance sayth,"[1125] or the like. And it is just such a rambling performance, as one would expect from an itinerant bard. And
Such also is A lytell Geste of Robyn Hode, &c. in eight fyttes, of which are extant two editions, 4to. in black letter, described more fully in this volume, book i. No. 8. This is not only of undoubted English growth, but, from the constant satire aimed at abbots and their convents, &c. could not possibly have been composed by any monk in his cell.
Other instances might be produced; but especially of the former kind is Syr Launfal (No. 11, iii. appendix), the 121st st. of which has
"In Romances as we rede."
This is one of the best invented stories of that kind, and I believe the only one in which is inserted the name of the author.