Chapter VI: Part I: Editiones Principes, Etc (4)

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

Niels Ebbesen. [_All his men the Count collects_] 5

Germand Gladenswayne. [_Our King and Queen sat o'er the 22 board_]

There is a copy of _Niels Ebbesen and Germand Gladenswayne_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Title page of Niels Ebbesen]

(38) [CHILD MAIDELVOLD: 1913]

Child Maidelvold / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a notice regarding the American copyright upon the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-27. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

Child Maidelvold. [_The fair Sidselil_, _of all maidens 5 the flower_]

Another, but widely different and altogether inferior, version of this beautiful and pathetic ballad--one of Borrow's best--was printed (under the title _Skion Middel_) in _The Monthly Magazine_, _November_, 1823, p. 308; and again (under the amended title _Sir Middel_, and with a slightly revised text) in _Romantic Ballads_, 1826, pp. 28-31. In these earlier versions the name of the heroine is Swanelil in place of Sidselil, and that of the hero is Sir Middel in place of Child Maidelvold.

Sir Peter. [_Sir Peter and Kirstin they sat by the 11 board_]

Ingefred and Gudrune. [_Ingefred and Gudrune they sate 15 in their bower_]

Sir Ribolt. [_Ribolt the son of a Count was he_] 20

As a further example of these Ballads I give _Ingefred and Gudrune_ in full.

_INGEFRED AND GUDRUNE_ {199}

_Ingefred and Gudrune they sate in their bower_,
_Each bloomed a beauteous fragrant flower_--
_So sweet it is in summer tide_!

_A working the gold fair Ingefred kept_,
_Still sate Gudrune_, _and bitterly wept_.

"_Dear sister Gudrune so fain I'd know_
_Why down thy cheek the salt tears flow_?"

"_Cause enough have I to be thus forlorn_,
_With a load of sorrow my heart is worn_.

"_Hear_, _Ingefred_, _hear what I say to thee_,
_Wilt thou to-night stand bride for me_?

"_If bride for me thou wilt stand to-night_,
_I'll give thee my bridal clothes thee to requite_.

"_And more_, _much more to thee I'll give_,
_All my bride jewels thou shalt receive_."

"_O_, _I will not stand for bride in thy room_,
_Save I also obtain thy merry bridegroom_."

"_Betide me whatever the Lord ordain_,
_From me my bridegroom thou never shalt gain_."

_In silks so costly the bride they arrayed_,
_And unto the kirk the bride they conveyed_.

_In golden cloth weed the holy priest stands_,
_He joins of Gudrune and Samsing the hands_.

_O'er the downs and green grass meadows they sped_,
_Where the herdsman watched his herd as it fed_.

"_Of thy beauteous self_, _dear Damsel_, _take heed_,
_Ne'er enter the house of Sir Samsing_, _I rede_.

"_Sir Samsing possesses two nightingales_
_Who tell of the Ladies such wondrous tales_.

"_With their voices of harmony they can declare_
_Whether maiden or none has fallen to his share_."

_The chariot they stopped in the green wood shade_,
_An exchange_ '_twixt them of their clothes they made_.

_They change of their dress whatever they please_,
_Their faces they cannot exchange with ease_.

_To Sir Samsung's house the bride they conveyed_,
_Of the ruddy gold no spare was made_.

_On the bridal throne the bride they plac'd_,
_They skinked the mead for the bride to taste_.

_Then said from his place the court buffoon_:
"_Methinks thou art Ingefred_, _not Gudrune_."

_From off her hand a gold ring she took_,
_Which she gave the buffoon with entreating look_.

_Said he_: "_I'm an oaf_, _and have drunk too hard_,
_To words of mine pay no regard_."

'_Twas deep at night_, _and down fell the mist_,
_To her bed the young bride they assist_.

_Sir Samsing spoke to his nightingales twain_:
"_Before my young bride sing now a strain_.

"_A song now sing which shall avouch_
_Whether I've a maiden or none in my couch_."

"_A maid's in the bed_, _that's certain and sure_,
_Gudrune is standing yet on the floor_."

"_Proud Ingefred_, _straight from my couch retire_!
_Gudrune come hither_, _or dread my ire_!

"_Now tell me_, _Gudrune_, _with open heart_,
_What made thee from thy bed depart_?"

"_My father_, _alas_! _dwelt near the strand_,
_When war and bloodshed filled the land_.

"_Full eight there were broke into my bower_,
_One only ravished my virgin flower_."

_Upon her fair cheek he gave a kiss_:
"_My dearest_, _my dearest_, _all sorrow dismiss_;

"_My swains they were that broke into thy bower_,
'_Twas I that gathered thy virgin flower_."

_Fair Ingefred gained_, _because bride she had been_,
_One of the King's knights of handsome mien_.

There is a copy of _Child Maidelvold and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of Child Maidelvold]

[Picture: Manuscript of Ingefred and Gudrune]

(39) [ERMELINE: 1913]

Ermeline / A Ballad / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 23; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the Poems pp. 5-23. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular poem occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 23 is the following imprint: "_London_ / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a half-sheet of four leaves), and B (a full sheet of eight leaves), the one inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

Ermeline. [_With lance upraised so haughtily_] 5

The paper upon which the Manuscript of _Ermeline_ is written is water-marked with the date 1843. No other MS. is forthcoming.

The Cuckoo's Song in Merion. [_Though it has been my 21 fate to see_]

The fifth stanza of this _Song_ was printed by Borrow in _Wild Wales_, 1862, vol. i, p. 153. The two versions of this stanza offer some interesting variations of text; I give them both:

1862

_Full fair the gleisiad in the flood_,
_Which sparkles_ '_neath the summer's sun_,
_And fair the thrush in green abode_
_Spreading his wings in sportive fun_,
_But fairer look if truth be spoke_,
_The maids of County Merion_.

1913

_O fair the salmon in the flood_,
_That over golden sands doth run_;
_And fair the thrush in his abode_,
_That spreads his wings in gladsome fun_;
_More beauteous look_, _if truth be spoke_,
_The maids of county Merion_.

There is a copy of _Ermeline A Ballad_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Title page for Giant of Bern]

(40) [THE GIANT OF BERN: 1913]

The Giant of Bern / and Orm Ungerswayne / A Ballad / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Crown octavo, pp. 15; consisting of Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballad_ pp. 5-15. The head-line is _The Giant of Bern_ throughout, upon both sides of the page. Upon the reverse of p. 15 is the following imprint: "_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 7.5 x 5 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

The Giant of Bern and Orme Ungerswayne. [_It was the 5 lofty jutt of Bern_, _O'er all the walls he grew_]

Fifteen stanzas, descriptive of the incident of Orm's obtaining his father's sword from the dead man's grave, were printed in _Targum_, 1835, pp. 59-61, under the title _Birting_. _A Fragment_. The text differs greatly in the two versions, that of the later (which, though not printed until 1913, was written about 1854) is much the superior. As an example I give the first two stanzas of each version:

1835

_It was late at evening tide_,
_Sinks the day-star in the wave_,
_When alone Orm Ungarswayne_
_Rode to seek his father's grave_.

_Late it was at evening hour_,
_When the steeds to streams are led_;
_Let me now_, _said Orm the young_,
_Wake my father from the dead_.

1913

_It was so late at evening tide_,
_The sun had reached the wave_,
_When Orm the youthful swain set out_
_To seek his father's grave_.

_It was the hour when grooms do ride_
_The coursers to the rill_,
_That Orm set out resolved to wake_
_The dead man in the hill_.

There is a copy of _The Giant of Bern and Orm Ungerswayne_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

(41) [LITTLE ENGEL: 1913]

Little Engel / A Ballad / With a Series of / Epigrams from the Persian / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballad_ and _Epigrams_ pp. 5-27. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Poem occupying it--save for pp. 23-27, which are headed _Epigrams_. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (six leaves), and B (a full sheet of eight leaves), the one inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

Little Engel. [_It was the little Engel_, _he_] 5

An Elegy. [_Where shall I rest my hapless head_] 21

Epigrams. From the Persian:

1. [_Hear what once the pigmy clever_] 23

2. [_The man who of his words is sparing_] 23

3. [_If thou would'st ruin_ '_scape_, _and blackest 24 woe_]

4. [_Sit down with your friends in delightful repose_] 24

5. [_The hungry hound upon the bone will pounce_] 24

6. [_Great Aaroun is dead_, _and is nothing_, _the man_] 25

7. [_Though God provides our daily bread_] 25

8. The King and his Followers. [_If in the boor's 25 garden the King eats a pear_]

9. The Devout Man and the Tyrant. [_If the half of a 26 loaf the devout man receives_]

10. The Cat and the Beggar. [_If a cat could the power 26 of flying enjoy_]

11. The King and Taylor. [_The taylor who travels in 26 far foreign lands_]

12. Gold Coin and Stamped Leather. [_Of the children of 27 wisdom how like is the face_]

13. [_So much like a friend with your foe ever deal_] 27

The Manuscript of these _Epigrams_ bears instructive evidence of the immense amount of care and labour expended by Borrow upon his metrical compositions. Reduced facsimiles of two of the pages of this Manuscript are given herewith. It will be observed that a full page and a half are occupied by the thirteenth _Epigram_, at which Borrow made no fewer than seven attempts before he succeeded in producing a version which satisfied him. The completed _Epigram_ is as follows:--

_So much like a friend with your foe ever deal_,
_That you never need dread the least scratch from his
steel_;
_But ne'er with your friend deal so much like a foe_,
_That you ever must dread from his faulchion a blow_.

The original Manuscript of _Little Engel_, written in 1829, is in the library of Mr. Edmund Gosse. The Manuscript of 1854, from which the ballad was printed, is in my own library.

There is a copy of _Little Engel_, _A Ballad_, &c., in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Title page of Little Engel]

(42) [ALF THE FREEBOOTER: 1913]

Alf the Freebooter / Little Danneved and / Swayne Trost / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-27. There are headlines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint, "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves), B (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), and _C_ (a full sheet of 8 leaves), all inset within each other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

SIR ALF THE FREEBOOTER. [_Sir Alf he is an Atheling_.] 5

LITTLE DANNEVED AND SWAYNE TROST. ["_O what shall I in 14 Denmark do_?"]

SIR PALL, SIR BEAR, AND SIR LIDEN. [_Liden he rode to 20 the Ting_, _and shewed_]

BELARDO'S WEDDING. [_From the banks_, _in mornings 23 beam_]

THE YEW TREE. [_O tree of yew_, _which here I spy_] 27

Two earlier versions of this Ode were printed by Borrow in _Wild Wales_, vol. iii, pp. 203 and 247. The texts of all three versions differ very considerably.

There is a copy of _Alf the Freebooter and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of Epigrams]

[Picture: Manuscript of Epigrams]

(43) [KING DIDERIK: 1913]

King Diderik / and the Fight between the / Lion and Dragon / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-27. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint, "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves), B (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), and C (a full sheet of 8 leaves), all inset within each other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

KING DIDERIK AND THE LION'S FIGHT WITH THE DRAGON. 5

[_From Bern rode forth King Diderik_]

There exists a single leaf of an early draft of another, entirely different, version of this ballad. Upon the opposite page is a facsimile, the exact size of the original, of this fragment.

DIDERIK AND OLGER THE DANE. [_With his eighteen brothers 14 Diderik stark_]

OLGER THE DANE AND BURMAN. [_Burman in the mountain 21 holds_]

The complete Manuscript of _King Diderik_, _&c._, _and Other Ballads_, as prepared for the _Songs of Scandinavia_ of 1829, is preserved in the British Museum.

There is a copy of _King Diderik and the Fight between the Lion and Dragon_, _&c._ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: King Diderik--Early draft]

(44) [THE NIGHTINGALE: 1913]

The Nightingale / The Valkyrie and Raven / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-27. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N. W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves), B (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), and C (a full sheet of 8 leaves), all inset within each other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

THE NIGHTINGALE, OR THE TRANSFORMED DAMSEL. [_I know 5 where stands a Castellaye_]

THE VALKYRIE AND RAVEN. [_Ye men wearing bracelets_] 11

Previously printed in _Once a Week_, _August_ 2_nd_, 1862, pp. 152-156, where the Ballad was accompanied by a full-page Illustration engraved upon wood. [_See post_, pp. 302-305.]

ERIK EMUN AND SIR PLOG. [_Early at morn the lark sang 21 gay_]

THE ELVES. [_Take heed_, _good people_, _of yourselves_] 25

There are two Manuscripts of _The Elves_ available. So far as the body of the poem is concerned the texts of these are identical, the fifth line alone differing materially in each. This line, as printed, reads:

_The lass he woo' d_, _her promise won_.

In the earlier of the two MSS. it reads:

_Inflamed with passion her he woo'd_.

A cancelled reading of the same MS. runs:

_Whom when he saw the peasant woo'd_.

But the Ballad is furnished with a repeated refrain. This refrain in the printed version reads:

_Take heed_, _good people_, _of yourselves_;
_And oh_! _beware ye of the elves_.

In the earlier MS. the refrain employed is:

'_Tis wonderful the Lord can brook_
_The insolence of the fairy folk_!

A reduced facsimile of the first page of the later MS. will be found facing the present page.

The entire poem should be compared with _The Elf Bride_, printed in _The Brother Avenged and Other Ballads_, 1913, pp. 21-22.

FERIDUN. [_No face of an Angel could Feridun claim_] 26

EPIGRAMS:

1. [_A worthless thing is song_, _I trow_] 27

2. [_Though pedants have essayed to hammer_] 27

3. [_When of yourself you have cause to speak_] 27

_Note_.--Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy of _The Nightingale_, _The Valkyrie and Raven_, _and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of The Elves]

(45) [GRIMMER AND KAMPER: 1913]

Grimmer and Kamper / The End of Sivard Snarenswayne / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 28; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-28. There are headlines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. At the foot of p. 28 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N. W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves), B (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), and C (a full-sheet of 8 leaves), all inset within each other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

GRIMMER AND KAMPER. [_Grimmer walks upon the floor_] 5

MIMMERING TAN. [_The smallest man was Mimmering_] 11

THE END OF SIVARD SNARENSWAYNE. [_Young Sivard he his 14 step-sire slew_]

The two Manuscripts, belonging to the years 1829 and 1854 respectively, of this ballad exhibit very numerous differences of text. As a brief, but sufficient, example I give the second stanza as it occurs in each:

1829

_It was Sivard Snareswayne_ [sic]
_To his mother's presence hied_:
"_Say_, _shall I go from thee on foot_,
_Or_, _tell me_, _shall I ride_?"

1854

_It was Sivard Snarenswayne_
_To his mother's presence strode_:
"_Say_, _shall I ride from hence_?" _he cried_,
"_Or wend on foot my road_?"

SIR GUNCELIN'S WEDDING. [_It was the Count Sir 19 Guncelin_]

EPIGRAMS:

HONESTY. [_No wonder honesty's a lasting article_] 27

A POLITICIAN. [_He served his God in such a fashion_] 27

THE CANDLE. [_For foolish pastimes oft_, _full oft_, 27 _they thee ignite_]

EPIGRAM ON HIMSELF. BY WESSEL [_He ate_, _and drank_, 28 _and slip-shod went_]

There is a copy of _Grimmer and Kamper_, _The End of Sivard Snarenswayne_, _and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of Sir Guncelin's Wedding]

(46) [THE FOUNTAIN OF MARIBO: 1913]

The / Fountain of Maribo / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Frontispiece (with blank recto) pp. 3-4; Title-page (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 5-6; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 7-27. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

The Frontispiece is a reduced facsimile of the first page of the original Manuscript of _Ramund_.

_Contents_.

PAGE

THE FOUNTAIN OF MARIBO, OR THE QUEEN AND THE ALGREVE. 7 [_The Algreve he his bugle wound_]

Of _The Fountain of Maribo_ there are two Manuscripts available, one written in 1829 and the other in 1854. The text of these differs appreciably, that of the second being as usual the superior. Here are some stanzas from each version:

1829

The Algreve he his bugle wound,
_The longest night_.
The Queen in her bower heard the sound
_Love me doth thrall_.

The Queen her little foot boy address'd:
_The longest night_.
"Go, come to me hither the Algreve request."
_Love me doth thrall_.

In came the Algrave, 'fore the board stood he:
"What wilt thou my Queen that thou'st sent for me?"

"If I survive when my lord is dead,
Thou shall rule o'er my gold so red."

1854

The Algreve he his bugle wound
_The long night all_--
The Queen in bower heard the sound,
_I'm passion's thrall_.

The Queen her little page address'd,
_The long night all_--
"To come to me the Greve request,"
_I'm passion's thrall_.

He came, before the board stood he,
_The long night all_--
"Wherefore, O Queen, hast sent for me?"
_I'm passion's thrall_,

"As soon as e'er my lord is dead,
_The long night all_--
Thou shall rule o'er my gold so red,"
_I'm passion's thrall_.

RAMUND. [_Ramund thought he should a better man be_] 13

A reduced facsimile of the first page of the manuscript of _Ramund_ faces the present page.

ALF OF ODDERSKIER. [_Alf he dwells at Odderskier_] 22

There is a copy of _The Fountain of Maribo and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of Ramund]

(47) [QUEEN BERNGERD: 1913]

Queen Berngerd / The Bard and the Dreams / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 31; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Frontispiece (with blank recto) pp. 3-4; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 5-6; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 7-31. There are headlines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 31 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A and B (two sheets each eight leaves), the one inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x6.75 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

The Frontispiece consists of a reduced facsimile of the original Manuscript, in Borrow's handwriting, of _The Bard and the Dreams_.

_Contents_.

PAGE

QUEEN BERNGERD. [_Long ere the Sun the heaven arrayed_] 7

DAME MARTHA'S FOUNTAIN. [_Dame Martha dwelt at 13 Karisegaard_]

Previously printed (with some small differences of text) in _The Foreign Quarterly Review_, June 1830, p. 83.

THE BARD AND THE DREAMS. [_O'er the sweet smelling meads 16 with his lyre in his hand_]

KING OLUF THE SAINT. [_King Oluf and his brother bold_] 23

Previously printed (with some slight differences of text) in _The Foreign Quarterly Review_, _June_ 1830, pp. 59-61.

TO SCRIBBLERS. [_Would it not be more dignified_] 30

This delightful Squib, here first printed, was written by Borrow upon the refusal by Lockhart to insert in _The Quarterly Review_ Borrow's Essay suggested by Ford's _Handbook for Travellers in Spain_, 1845, in the unmutilated and unamended form in which the author had written it.--[See _ante_, No. 10.]

TO A CONCEITED WOMAN. [_Be still_, _be still_, _and 31 speak not back again_]

_Note_.--Each poem, to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy of _Queen Berngerd_, _The Bard and the Dreams_, _and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of The Bard and the Dreams]

[Picture: Title page of Finnish Arts]

(48) [FINNISH ARTS: 1913]

Finnish Arts / Or / Sir Thor and Damsel Thure / A Ballad / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Frontispiece (with blank recto), pp. 3-4; Title-page, as above (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 5-6; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 7-27. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

The Frontispiece is a reduced facsimile of the first page of the original Manuscript of _Finnish Arts_, _or Sir Thor and Damsel Thure_.

_Contents_.

PAGE

FINNISH ARTS, OR, SIR THOR AND DAMSEL THURE. [_Sir Thor 7 was a knight of prowess tried_]

A reduced facsimile of the first page of the Manuscript of _Finnish Arts_ will be found facing the present page.

A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNE. [_Who starves his wife_] 22

ODE FROM ANACREON. [_The earth to drink does not 24 disdain_]

LINES FROM THE ITALIAN. ["_Repent_, _O repent_!" _said a 25 Friar one day_]

A DRINKING SONG. [_O how my breast is glowing_] 26

There is a copy of _Finnish Arts_, _Or Sir Thor and Damsel Thure_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Pressmark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of Finnish Arts]

(49) [BROWN WILLIAM: 1913]

Brown William / The Power of the Harp / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 31; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-31. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 31 is the following imprint: "_London_ / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A and B (two sheets, each eight leaves), the one inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

BROWN WILLIAM. [_Let no one in greatness too confident 5 be_]

Previously printed in _Once a Week_, _January_ 4_th_, 1862, pp. 37-38.

THE POWER OF THE HARP. [_Sir Peter would forth from the 12 castle ride_]

A reduced facsimile of one of the pages of the Manuscript of _The Power of The Harp_ will be found facing herewith.

THE UNFORTUNATE MARRIAGE. [_Hildebrand gave his sister 18 away_]

THE WRESTLING-MATCH. [_As one day I wandered lonely_, 25 _in extreme distress of mind_]

THE WARRIOR. FROM THE ARABIC. [_Thou lov'st to look on 31 myrtles green_]

_Note_.--Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy of _Brown William_, _The Power of the Harp_, _and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of The Power of the Harp]

(50) [THE SONG OF DEIRDRA: 1913]

The Song of Deirdra / King Byrge and his Brothers / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 28; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-28. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. At the foot of p. 28 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), all inset within each other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.75 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

THE SONG OF DEIRDRA. [_Farewell_, _grey Albyn_, _much 5 loved land_]

THE DIVER. [_Where is the man who will dive for his 8 king_]

Previously printed in _The New Monthly Magazine_, vol. vii., 1823, pp. 540-542.

KING BYRGE AND HIS BROTHERS. [_Dame Ingeborg three brave 18 brothers could boast_]

TURKISH HYMN TO MAHOMET. [_O Envoy of Allah_, _to thee 26 be salaam_]

_Note_.--Each poem to which no reference is attached appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy of _The Song of Deirdra_, _King Byrge and his Brothers_, _and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Title page of King Byrge]

(51) [SIGNELIL: 1913]

Signelil / A Tale from the Cornish / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 28; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-28. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. At the foot of p. 28 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), all inset within each other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

SIGNELIL. [_The Lady her handmaid to questioning took_] 5

A TALE FROM THE CORNISH. [_In Lavan's parish once of 8 yore_]

Previously printed, with some trifling inaccuracies, in Knapp's _Life_, _Writings_, _and Correspondence of George Borrow_, 1899, vol. ii, pp. 91-95.

SIR VERNER AND DAME INGEBORG. [_In Linholm's house_ 19 _The swains they were drinking and making carouse_]

THE HEDDEBY SPECTRE. [_At evening fall I chanced to 22 ride_]

An earlier, and utterly different, version of this ballad was printed (under the tentative title _The Heddybee-Spectre_) in _Romantic Ballads_, 1826, pp. 37-39. Borrow afterwards described this earlier version as "a paraphrase."

FROM GOUDELI. [_Yestere'en when the bat_, _and the owl_, 25 _and his mate_]

PEASANT SONGS OF SPAIN:

1. [ _When Jesu our Redeemer_] 27

2. [_There stands a stone_, _a rounded stone_] 28

_Note_.--Each poem to which no reference is attached appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy of _Signelil_, _a Tale from the Cornish_, _and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of Signelil]

(52) [YOUNG SWAIGDER: 1913]

Young Swaigder / or / The Force of Runes / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a notice regarding the American copyright upon the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-27. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

YOUNG SWAIGDER, OR THE FORCE OF RUNES. [_It was the 5 young Swaigder_]

THE HAIL STORM. [_As in Horunga Haven_] 14

Previously printed in _Romantic Ballads_, 1826, pp. 136-138. Again printed in _Targum_, 1835, pp. 42-43.

In each instance the text varied very considerably. The present version was written about 1854, and represents the text as Borrow finally left it. I quote the first stanza of each version. It will be seen that the revision was progressive.

1826

_When from our ships we bounded_,
_I heard_, _with fear astounded_,
_The storm of Thorgerd's waking_;
_With flinty masses blended_,
_Gigantic hail descended_,
_And thick and fiercely rattled_
_Against us there embattled_.

1835

_For victory as we bounded_,
_I heard_, _with fear astounded_,
_The storm_, _of Thorgerd's waking_,
_From Northern vapours breaking_.
_Sent by the fiend in anger_,
_With din and stunning clangour_,
_To crush our might intended_,
_Gigantic hail descended_.

1854

_As in Horunga haven_
_We fed the crow and raven_,
_I heard the tempest breaking_,
_Of demon Thorgerd's waking_;
_Sent by the fiend in anger_,
_With din and stunning clangor_,
_To crush our might intended_,
_Gigantic hail descended_.

Another translation of the same Ballad, extending to 84 lines, was printed in _Once a Week_, 1863, vol. viii, p. 686, under the title _The Hail-Storm_; _Or_, _The Death of Bui_.

ROSMER MEREMAN. [_In Denmark once a lady dwelt_] 16

This ballad should be read in conjunction with _Rosmer_, printed in _The Mermaid's Prophecy_, _and other Songs relating to Queen Dagmar_, 1913, pp. 25-30.

THE WICKED STEPMOTHER. NO. II. [_Sir Peter o'er to the 23 island strayed_--]

This ballad should be compared with _The Wicked Stepmother_, printed in _The Dalby Bear and Other Ballads_, 1913, pp. 14-20.

_Note_.--Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy of _Young Swaigder or The Force of Runes and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

(53) [EMELIAN THE FOOL: 1913]

Emelian the Fool / A Tale / Translated from the Russian / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Crown octavo, pp. 37; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3-4; _Introduction_ pp. 5-7; and Text of the _Tale_ pp. 8-37. The reverse of p. 37 is blank. The head-line is _Emelian the Fool_ throughout, upon both sides of the page. The pamphlet is concluded by a leaf, with blank reverse, carrying the following imprint upon its recto: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), plus B and C (2 sheets, each 8 leaves), inset within each other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 7.5 x 5 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Emelian the Fool_ first appeared in _Once a Week_, vol. vi, _March_ 8_th_, 1862, pp. 289-294, where it formed the first of a series of three _Russian Popular Tales_, in Prose, translated by George Borrow.

The _Tale_ was also included in _The Avon Booklet_, vol. ii, 1904, pp. 175-197.

There is a copy of _Emelian the Fool_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 57. e. 45 (1).

(54) [THE STORY OF TIM: 1913]

The Story of Tim / Translated from the Russian / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Crown octavo, pp. 31; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3-4; _Introduction_ p. 5; and Text of the _Story_ pp. 6-31. The head-line is _The Story of Tim_ throughout, upon both sides of the page. Upon the reverse of p. 31 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A and B (two sheets, each eight leaves), the one inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 7.5 x 5 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_The Story of Tim_ first appeared in _Once a Week_, vol. vii, _October_ 4_th_, 1862, pp. 403-406, where it formed the third of a series of _Russian Popular Tales_, in Prose, translated by George Borrow.

The _Story_ was also included in _The Avon Booklet_, vol. ii, 1904, pp. 211-229.

There is a copy of _The Story of Tim_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 57. e. 45 (2).

[Picture: Title page of The Story of Tim]

(55) [MOLLIE CHARANE: 1913]

Mollie Charane / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 28; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-28. There are headlines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular _Ballad_ occupying it. At the foot of p. 28 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

MOLLIE CHARANE. [_O_, _Mollie Charane_, _where got you 5 your gold_?]

Previously printed in _Once a Week_, vol. vi, 1862, pp. 38-39.

THE DANES OF YORE. [_Well we know from saga_] 8

A SURVEY OF DEATH. [_My blood is freezing_, _my senses 11 reel_]

Another version of this poem was printed in _The Monthly Magazine_, vol. lvi, 1823, p. 245; and reprinted (with some small textual variations) in _Romantic Ballads_, 1826, pp. 169-170. As the poem is a short one, and as the two versions afford a happy example of the drastic changes Borrow introduced into his text when revising his Ballads, I give them both in full:

1823

_Perhaps_ '_tis folly_, _but still I feel_
_My heart-strings quiver_, _my senses reel_,
_Thinking how like a fast stream we range_,
_Nearer and nearer to life's dread change_,
_When soul and spirit filter away_,
_And leave nothing better than senseless clay_.

_Yield_, _beauty_, _yield_, _for the grave does
gape_,
_And_, _horribly alter'd_, _reflects thy shape_;
_For_, _oh_! _think not those childish charms_
_Will rest unrifled in his cold arms_;
_And think not there_, _that the rose of love_
_Will bloom on thy features as here above_.

_Let him who roams at Vanity Fair_
_In robes that rival the tulip's glare_,
_Think on the chaplet of leaves which round_
_His fading forehead will soon be bound_,
_And on each dirge the priests will say_
_When his cold corse is borne away_,

_Let him who seeketh for wealth_, _uncheck'd_
_By fear of labour_, _let him reflect_
_That yonder gold will brightly shine_
_When he has perish'd_, _with all his line_;
_Tho' man may rave_, _and vainly boast_,
_We are but ashes when at the most_.

1913

_My blood is freezing_, _my senses reel_,
_So horror stricken at heart I feel_;
_Thinking how like a fast stream we range_
_Nearer and nearer to that dread change_,
_When the body becomes so stark and cold_,
_And man doth crumble away to mould_.

_Boast not_, _proud maid_, _for the grave doth gape_,
_And strangely altered reflects thy shape_;
_No dainty charms it doth disclose_,
_Death will ravish thy beauty's rose_;
_And all the rest will leave to thee_
_When dug thy chilly grave shall be_.

_O_, _ye who are tripping the floor so light_,
_In delicate robes as the lily white_,
_Think of the fading funeral wreath_,
_The dying struggle_, _the sweat of death_--
_Think on the dismal death array_,
_When the pallid corse is consigned to clay_!

_O_, _ye who in quest of riches roam_,
_Reflect that ashes ye must become_;
_And the wealth ye win will brightly shine_
_When burried are ye and all your line_;
_For your many chests of much loved gold_
_You'll nothing obtain but a little mould_.

DESIDERABILIA VITAE. [_Give me the haunch of a buck to 13 eat_]

Previously printed, with a slightly different text, and arranged in six lines instead of in three four-line stanzas, in _Lavengro_, 1851, vol. i, p. 306.

SAINT JACOB. [_Saint Jacob he takes our blest Lord by 14 the hand_]

THE RENEGADE. [_Now pay ye the heed that is fitting_] 19

Previously printed, with some small differences of text, in _The Talisman_, 1835, pp. 13-14.

AN IMPROMPTU. [_And darest thou thyself compare_] 21

A HYMN. [_O Jesus_, _Thou Fountain of solace and 23 gladness_]

THE TRANSFORMED DAMSEL. [_My father up of the country 25 rode_]

This Ballad should be compared with _The Cruel Step-dame_, printed in _The Serpent Knight and Other Ballade_, 1913, pp. 30-33. Also with _The Transformed Damsel_, printed in _The Return of the Dead and Other Ballads_, 1913, pp. 13-14. The actions described in the earlier stanzas follow closely those of the opening stanzas of _The Cruel Step-dame_; whilst the incident of the lover cutting a piece of flesh from his own breast to serve as bait to attract his mistress, who, in the form of a bird, is perched upon a branch of the tree above him, is common to both the _Transformed Damsel_ ballads.

_Note_.--Each poem to which no reference is attached appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy of _Mollie Charane and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of The Danes of Yore]

(56) [GRIMHILD'S VENGEANCE: 1913]

Grimhild's Vengeance / Three Ballads / By / George Borrow / Edited / With an Introduction / By / Edmund Gosse, C. B. / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 40; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; _Introduction_ pp. 5-14; and text of the three _Ballads_ pp. 15-40. The head-line is _Grimhild's Vengeance_ throughout, upon both sides of the page. At the foot of p. 40 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a half-sheet of four leaves), and B and C (two sheets, each eight leaves), each inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

_Contents_.

PAGE

GRIMHILD'S VENGEANCE. SONG THE FIRST. [_It was the 15 proud Dame Grimhild Prepares the mead and beer_]

A reduced facsimile of page 2 of the 1854 Manuscript of this _Song_ faces the present page.

GRIMHILD'S VENGEANCE. SONG THE SECOND. [_It was the 24 proud Dame Grimhild The wine with spices blends_]

GRIMHILD'S VENGEANCE. SONG THE THIRD. [_O_, _where will 32 ye find kempions So bold and strong of hand_]

The Introduction furnished by Mr. Edmund Gosse to _Grimhild's Vengeance_ is undoubtedly by far the most illuminating and important contribution yet made to the critical study of Borrow's Ballads, a study which has hitherto been both meagre and inadequate. Not only does Mr. Gosse handle the three _Songs_ particularly before him, and make clear the relationship they bear to each other, but he deals with the whole subject of the origin of Borrow's Scandinavian Ballads, and traces fully and precisely the immediate source from which their author derived them. One of Borrow's most vivid records Mr. Gosse calls into question, and proves indisputably that it must henceforth be regarded, if not as a fiction, at least as one more result of Borrow's inveterate habit of "drawing the long bow,"--to wit the passages in _Lavengro_ wherein Borrow recounts his acquisition of the "strange and uncouth-looking volume" at the price of a kiss from the yeoman's wife, and the purpose which that volume served him.

Of the first and second of the three Ballads included in _Grimhild's Vengeance_ two Manuscripts are available. The first of these was written in 1829, and was intended to find a place in the _Songs of Scandinavia_ advertised at the close of that year. The second Manuscript was written in 1854, and was prepared for the projected volumes of _Koempe Viser_ of that date. Of the third Ballad there exists only a single Manuscript, namely that produced in 1829. Apparently in 1854 Borrow had relinquished all hope of publishing the _Koempe Viser_ before he had commenced work upon the third Ballad. In the present volume the first two _Songs_ were printed from the Manuscripts of 1854; the third _Song_ from the Manuscript of 1829.

There is a copy of _Grimhild's Vengeance_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of Grimhild's Vengeance: Song the First--1854]

(57) [LETTERS TO ANN BORROW: 1913]

Letters / To his Mother / Ann Borrow / and Other Correspondents / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Crown octavo, pp. 38; consisting of Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a notice regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; and Text of the _Letters_ pp. 5-38. The head-line is _Letters to his Mother_ throughout, upon both sides of the page. Following p. 38 is a leaf, with blank recto, and with the following imprint upon the reverse: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A (a half-sheet of four leaves), plus B and C (two sheets, each eight leaves), each inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 7.5 x 5 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.

The series of letters contained in this volume were reprinted in _George Borrow and his Circle_. _By Clement King Shorter_, 8vo, 1913. The whole of the holographs are in Mr. Shorter's possession.

There is a copy of _Letters to his Mother_, _Ann Borrow_, in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 57. e. 46.

(58) [THE BROTHER AVENGED: 1913]

The Brother Avenged / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 32; consisting of Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp 3-4; and Text of the _Ballads_ pp. 5-32. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. At the foot of p. 32 is the following imprint: "_London_: / _Printed for Thomas J. Wise_, _Hampstead_, _N.W._ / _Edition limited to Thirty Copies_." The signatures are A and B (two sheets, each eight leaves), the one inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed

_Contents_.

PAGE

THE BROTHER AVENGED. [_I stood before my master's 5 board_]

Previously printed (with some textual variations) in _The Foreign Quarterly Review_, vol. vi, _June_ 1830, pp 61-62.

THE EYES. {268} [_To kiss a pair of red lips small_] 9

HARMODIUS AND ARISTOGITON. [_With the leaves of the 12 myrtle I'll cover my brand_]

MY DAINTY DAME. [_My dainty Dame_, _my heart's delight_] 14

GRASACH ABO OR THE CAUSE OF GRACE. [_O_, _Baillie Na 16 Cortie_! _thy turrets are tall_]

DAGMAR. [_Sick in Ribe Dagmar's lying_] 19

THE ELF BRIDE. [_There was a youthful swain one day_] 21

These stanzas should be compared with _The Elves_, printed in _The Nightingale_, _The Valkyrie and Raven_, _and Other Ballads_, 1913, pp. 25-26.

THE TREASURE DIGGER. [_O_, _would that with last and 23 shoe I had stay'd_]

THE FISHER. [_The fisherman saddleth his good winged 25 horse_]

THE CUCKOO. [_Abiding an appointment made_] 29

_Note_.--Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.

There is a copy of _The Brother Avenged and Other Ballads_ in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.

[Picture: Manuscript of Grasach Abo]

(59) [THE GOLD HORNS: 1913]

The Gold Horns / Translated by / George Borrow / from the Danish of / Adam Gottlob Oehlenschlager / Edited / with an Introduction by / Edmund Gosse, C.B. / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.

Collation:--Square demy octavo, pp. 25; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1-2; Title-page, as above (with a note regarding the American copyright upon the centre of the reverse) pp. 3-4; _Introduction_ pp. 5-9; and Text of _The Gold Horns_, the Danish and English texts facing each other upon opposite pages, pp. 10-25. The reverse of p. 25 is blank. There are head-lines throughout, each recto being headed _The Gold Horns_, and each verso _Guldhornene_. The book is completed by 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_." The signatures are A (a half-sheet of four leaves), B (a quarter-sheet of two leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each inset within the other.

Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8.5 x 6.875 inches.

Thirty Copies only were printed.