the former, for the preservation of the best-selected examples of their poetical taste; and the latter, for a history of the English language, which will only cease to be interesting with the existence of our mother-tongue, and all that genius and learning have recorded in it. It is sufficient here to mention, that so great was the reputation of the romance of "Sir Tristrem," that few were thought capable of reciting it after the manner of the author.
The following attempt to commemorate the Rhymer's poetical fame, and the traditional account of his marvellous return to Fairy Land, being entirely modern, would have been placed with greater propriety among the class of Modern Ballads, had it not been for its immediate connection with the first and second parts of the same story.
Was war through Scotland spread,
And Ruberslaw showed high Dunyon
His beacon blazing red.
Pitched palliouns[1] took their room,
And crested helms, and spears a rowe,
Glanced gaily through the broom.
Resounds the ensenzie;[2]
They roused the deer from Caddenhead,
To distant Torwoodlee.
In Learmont's high and ancient hall;
And there were knights of great renown,
And ladies, laced in pall.
The music nor the tale,
Nor goblets of the blood-red wine,
Nor mantling quaighs[3] of ale.
When as the feast was done;
(In minstrel strife, in Fairy Land,
The elfin harp he won.)
And harpers for envy pale;
And armèd lords leaned on their swords,
And hearkened to the tale.
The prophet poured along;
No after bard might e'er avail
Those numbers to prolong
