[1124] It ought to have been observed in its proper place in No. 31, vol. iii. appendix, that Amys and Amylion were no otherwise "Brothers" than as being fast friends: as was suggested by the learned Dr. Samuel Pegge, who was so obliging as to favour the essayist formerly with a curious transcript of this poem accompanied with valuable illustrations, &c: and that it was his opinion that both the fragment of the Lady Bellesent mentioned in the same No. 31, and also the mutilated tale No. 37, were only imperfect copies of the above romance of Amys and Amylion, which contains the two lines quoted in No. 37.
[1125] Whenever the word Romance occurs in these metrical narratives, it hath been thought to afford decisive proof of a translation from the Romance, or French language. Accordingly it is so urged by T. Warton (i. 146, note), from two passages in the pr. copy of Sir Eglamour, viz., Sign. E. i.
"In Romaunce as we rede."
Again in fol. ult.
"In Romaunce this cronycle is."
But in the Cotton MS. of the original the first passage is:
"As I herd a Clerke rede."
And the other thus:
"In Rome this Gest cronycled ys."
So that I believe references to "the Romaunce," or the like, were often meer expletive phrases inserted by the oral reciters; one of whom, I conceive, had altered or corrupted the old Syr Eglamour in the manner that the copy was printed.