"Dee, which Britons long ygone
Did call DIVINE."
And Browne, in his Britannia's Pastorals, book ii. § 5., says,
"Never more let HOLY Dee,
Ore other rivers brave," &c.
Much superstition was founded on the circumstance of its being the ancient boundary between England and Wales; and Drayton, in his tenth Song, having recited this part of its history, adds, that by changing its fords it foretold good or evil, war or peace, dearth or plenty, to either country. He then introduces the Dee, over which King Edgar had been rowed by eight kings, relating to the story of Brutus. See more on this subject in Warton's note to line 55. in Milton's Lycidas:
"Now yet where Deva spreads her wizard stream."
Who was True Blue?—In the churchyard of Little Brickhill, Bucks, is a table monument bearing the following inscriptions:
"Here lieth ye body of True Blue, who departed this life January ye 17th, 1724-5, aged 57. Also ye body of Eleanor, ye wife of True Blue, who departed this life January 21st, 1722-3, ageed (sic) 59."
Who was "True Blue?" If it were not for his wife Eleanor, one would take him to be some kin to "Eclipse" or "Highflyer." Lysons makes no mention of such a person; nor, I am assured by a friend who has made the search for me, does Lipscomb; although another friend referred me there under the conviction that he was not only named, but that his history was given. The kind