An older copy is preserved in the Cotton Library (Calig. A. 2. fol. 40) but containing such innumerable variations, that it is apparently a different translation of some old French original, which will account for the title of Le Beaux Disconus, or the Fair Unknown. The first line is,
"Jesu Christ our Savyour."
As for Pleindamour, or Blandamoure, no romance with this title has been discovered; but as the word Blaundemere occurs in the romance of Libius Disconius, in the Editor's folio MS. p. [319] [pr. ed. vol. ii. p. 420], he thought the name of Blandamoure (which was in all the editions of Chaucer he had then seen) might have some reference to this. But Pleindamour, the name restored by Mr. Tyrwhitt, is more remote.
8. Le Morte Arthure is among the Harl. MSS 2252, § 49. This is judged to be a translation from the French; Mr. Wanley thinks it no older than the time of Henry VII., but it seems to be quoted in Syr Bevis, (Sign. K. ij. b.) It begins,
"Lordinges, that are lesse and deare."
In the library of Bennet Coll. Cambridge, No. 351, is a MS. intitled in the catalogue Acta Arthuris Metrico Anglicano, but I know not its contents.
9. In the Editor's folio MS. are many songs and romances about King Arthur and his knights, some of which are very imperfect, as King Arthur and the King of Cornwall (page [24]) [pr. ed. vol. i. p. 61], in stanzas of four lines, beginning,
"'Come here,' my cozen Gawaine so gay."
The Turke and Gawain (p. [38]) [pr. ed. vol. i. p. 90], in stanzas of six lines beginning thus:
"Listen lords great and small,"[520]