Reliques of Ancient English Poetry: Volume 1 (Cambridge Library Collection - Literary Studies)
Cambridge University Press, 1/29/2015
EAN 9781108077248, ISBN10: 1108077242
Paperback, 378 pages, 21.6 x 13.9 x 2.3 cm
Language: English
While visiting a friend, the writer and cleric Thomas Percy (1729–1811) noticed a neglected folio whose pages were being used by the maids to light the fire. Upon inspection, this manuscript was found to be a seventeenth-century collection of historical ballads. Following this discovery, Percy collected further ballads and songs from a number of sources, which he published in this three-volume work in 1765, although ultimately only a quarter of the texts he presented came from that original manuscript. Although this work proved to be incredibly popular, Percy's idiosyncratic editorial practices also received much criticism. The collection centres on historical ballads and romances, demonstrating the development of language, customs and traditions, to which Percy added contemporary ballads for his readers' enjoyment. Volume 1 contains texts such as 'The Ancient Ballad of Chevy Chase' and 'The Jew's Daughter', as well as ballads which influenced or illuminate the work of Shakespeare.
Dedication
Preface
Essay on the ancient English minstrels
Part I
1. The ancient ballad of Chevy-Chase
2. The battle of Otterbourne
3. The Jew's daughter
4. Sir Cauline
5. Edward, Edward
6. King Estmere
7. Sir Patrick Spence
8. Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne
9. The tower of doctrine
10. The child of Elle
11. Edom o' Gordon
12. An elegy on Henry, fourth earl of Northumberland
Part II. Ballads that illustrate Shakespeare
1. Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough, and William of Cloudesly
2. The aged lover renounces love
3. A song top the lute in musicke
4. King Cophetua and the beggar-maid
5. Take thy old cloak about thee
6. Willow, willow, willow
7. Sir Lancelot du Lake
8. Corydon's farewell to Phillis
9. Gernutus the Jew of Venice
10. The passionate shepherd to his love
11. Titus Andronicus's complaint
12. Take those lips away
13. King Leir and his three daughters
14. Youth and age
15. The frolicksome duke
16. The friar of orders gray
Part III
1. The more modern ballad of Chevy Chace
2. Death's final conquest
3. The rising in the north
4. Northumberland betrayed by Douglas
5. My mind to me a kingdom is
6. The patient countess
7. You meaner beautyes
8. Dowsabell
9. The farewell to love
10. Ulysses and the syren
11. Cupid's pastime
12. The character of a happy life
13. Unfading beauty
14. Gilderoy
15. Winifreda
16. Jemmy Dawson
17. The witch of Wokey
18. Bryan and Pereene
19. Gentle river, gentle river
20. Alcanzor and Zayda
Glossary.