BOOK II.

GLASGERION.

THE two following ballads have the same subject, and perhaps had a common original. The "Briton GLASKYRION" is honourably mentioned as a harper by Chaucer, in company with Chiron, Orion, and Orpheus, (House of Fame, B. iii. v. 118,) and with the last he is also associated, as Mr. Finlay has pointed out, by Bishop Douglas, in the Palice of Honour. "The Scottish writers," says Jamieson, "adapting the name to their own meridian, call him GLENKINDY, GLENSKEENIE, &c."

Glasgerion is reprinted from Percy's Reliques, iii. 83.

GLASGERION was a kings owne sonne,
And a harper he was goode;

He harped in the kings chambere,

Where cuppe and caudle stoode,

And soe did hee in the queens chambere, ŏ

Till ladies waxed wood,

And then bespake the kinges daughter,
And these wordes thus shee sayd:-

"Strike on, strike on, Glasgerion,

Of thy striking doe not blinne;
Theres never a stroke comes oer thy harpe,
But it glads my hart withinne."

10

"Faire might him fall, ladye," quoth hee, "Who taught you nowe to speake! I have loved you, ladye, seven longe yeere, 15 My harte I neere durst breake."

"But come to my bower, my Glasgerion,
When all men are att rest:

As I am a ladie true of my promise,
Thou shalt bee a welcome guest."

Home then came Glasgerion,

A glad man, lord! was hee:

"And, come thou hither, Jacke my boy, Come hither unto mee.

20

"For the kinges daughter of Normandye 25 Hath granted mee my boone;

And att her chambere must I bee

Beffore the cocke have crowen."

13, him fall.