Wild Wales: / Its People, Language, and Scenery. / By George Borrow, / Author of “The Bible in Spain,” etc. / “Their Lord they shall praise, / Their language they shall keep, / Their land they shall lose, / Except Wild Wales.” / Taliesin: Destiny of the Britons. / In Three Volumes.—Vol. I. [Vol. II, &c.] / London: / John Murray, Albemarle Street. / 1862. / The right of Translation is reserved.
Vol. I.
Collation:—Large duodecimo, pp. xii + 410; consisting of: Half-title (with advertisements of five of Borrow’s Works upon the reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with imprint “London: / Printed by Woodfall and Kinder, / Angel Court, Skinner Street” upon the centre of the reverse) pp. iii–iv; Notice regarding the previous appearance of a portion of the work in The Quarterly Review (with blank reverse) pp. v–vi; Contents of Vol. I pp. vii–xi; p. xii is blank; and Text pp. 1–410. There are head-lines throughout, each verso being headed Wild Wales, whilst each recto is headed with the title of the particular subject occupying it. At the foot of p. 410 the imprint is repeated thus: “Woodfall and Kinder, Printers, Angel Court, Skinner Street, London.” The signatures are A (a half-sheet of 6 leaves), B to S (17 sheets, each 12 leaves), plus T (2 leaves). The second leaf of Sig. T is a blank.
Vol. II.
Collation:—Large duodecimo, pp. viii + 413; consisting of: Title-page, as above (with imprint “London: / Printed by Woodfall and Kinder, / Angel Court, Skinner Street” upon the centre of the reverse) pp. i–ii; Contents of Vol. II pp. v–vii; p. viii is blank; and Text pp. 1–413. The reverse of p. 413 is blank. There are head-lines throughout, as in the first volume. At the foot of p. 413 the imprint is repeated thus, “Woodfall and Kinder, Printers, Angel Court, Skinner Street, London.” The signatures are A (4 leaves), B to S (17 sheets, each 12 leaves), plus T (4 leaves). The last leaf of Sig. T is a blank. The volume was issued without any Half-title.
Collation:—Large duodecimo, pp. viii + 474; consisting of: Title-page, as above (with imprint “London: / Printed by Woodfall and Kinder, / Angel Court, Skinner Street” upon the centre of the reverse) pp. i–ii; Contents of Vol. III pp. iii–viii; and Text pp. 1–474. There are head-lines throughout, as in the first volume. At the foot of p. 474 the imprint is repeated thus, “Woodfall and Kinder, Printers, Angel Court, Skinner Street, London.” The signatures are A (8 leaves), B to U (18 sheets, each 12 leaves), plus X (10 leaves). The last leaf of Sig. H is a blank. The volume was issued without any Half-title.
Issued (in December, 1862) in dark green cloth boards, with white paper back-label, lettered “Wild Wales. / By / George Borrow. / Vol. I [Vol. ii, &c.].” The leaves measure 7⅝ × 4⅞ inches. The published price was 30s.; 1,000 copies were printed.
A Second Edition of Wild Wales was issued in 1865, a Third Edition in 1888, and a Fourth Edition in 1896. The book has since been included in divers series of non-copyright works.
The following Poems made their first appearance in the pages of Wild Wales:
There is a copy of the First Edition of Wild Wales in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 10369. e. 12.
Manuscript of Poverty and Riches
Manuscript of God’s Better than all
Romano Lavo-Lil: / Word-Book of the Romany; / or, / English Gypsy Language. / With many pieces in Gypsy, illustrative of the way of / Speaking and Thinking of the English Gypsies; / with Specimens of their Poetry, and an account of certain Gypsyries / or Places Inhabited by them, and of various things / relating to Gypsy Life in England. / By George Borrow, / Author of “Lavengro,” “The Romany Rye,” “The Gypsies of Spain,” / “The Bible in Spain,” etc. / “Can you rokra Romany? / Can you play the bosh? / Can you jal adrey the staripen? / Can you chin the cost?” / “Can you speak the Roman tongue? / Can you play the fiddle? / Can you eat the prison-loaf? / Can you cut and whittle? / London: / John Murray, Albemarle Street. / 1874.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. viii + 331; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with imprint “London: / Printed by William Clowes and Sons, / Stamford Street and Charing Cross” upon the centre of the reverse) pp. iii–iv; Prefatory Note regarding the Vocabulary p. v; Advertisements of five Works of George Borrow p. vi; Table of Contents pp. vii–viii; and Text pp. 1–331, including Fly-titles (each with blank reverse) to each section of the book. The reverse of p. 331 is blank. At the foot of p. 331 the imprint is repeated thus, “London: Printed by Wm. Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street / and Charing Cross.” There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular subject occupying it. The signatures, are A (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), B to X (20 sheets, each 8 leaves), Y (a half-sheet of 4 leaves), and Z (a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves).
Issued in dark blue cloth boards, with white paper back-label, lettered “Romano Lavo-Lil; / Word-Book / of / The Romany. / By / George Borrow.” The leaves measure 7¾ × 4⅞ inches. The published price was 10s. 6d.
One Thousand Copies were printed.
The book was set up in type towards the end of 1873, and published early in 1874. Proof-sheets still exist bearing the earlier date upon the title-page.
A considerable amount of Verse by Borrow made its first appearance in the pages of Romano Lavo-Lil, as detailed in the following list:
Contents
Upon page 122 of Romano Lavo-Lil, is printed a version of The Lord’s Prayer cast into Romany by Borrow. The original Manuscript of this translation has survived, and its text presents some curious variations from the published version. A reduced facsimile of this Manuscript serves as Frontispiece to the present Bibliography.
Accompanying the Manuscript of The Lord’s Prayer in Romany, is the Manuscript of a translation made by Borrow into the dialect of the English Gypsies. This translation has never, so far as I am aware, appeared in print. It is an interesting document, and well worthy of preservation. A reduced facsimile of it will be found facing the present page.
Manuscript of The Lord’s Prayer
A Second Edition of Romano Lavo-Lil was issued by the same publisher, John Murray, in 1888, and a Third in 1905.
There is a copy of the First Edition of Romano Lavo-Lil in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 2278. c. 15.
The Turkish Jester; / Or, / The Pleasantries / of / Cogia Nasr Eddin Effendi. / Translated from the Turkish / By / George Borrow. / Ipswich: / W. Webber, Dial Lane. / 1884.
Collation:—Crown octavo, printed in half-sheets, pp. ii + 52; consisting of: Title-page, as above (with Certificate of Issue upon the centre of the reverse) pp. i–ii; and Text pp. 1–52. There are no head-lines, the pages being numbered centrally. The book is made up in a somewhat unusual manner, each half-sheet having a separately printed quarter-sheet of two leaves imposed within it. The register is therefore B to E (four sections, each 6 leaves), plus F (2 leaves), the whole preceded by two leaves, one of which is blank, whilst the other carries the Title-page. There is no printer’s imprint. The book was issued without any Half-title. The title is enclosed within a single rectangular ruled frame.
Issued in cream-coloured paper wrappers, with the title-page reproduced upon the front, but reset in types of different character, and without the ruled frame, and with the imprint reading High Street in place of Dial Lane. Inside the front cover the Certificate of Issue is repeated. The leaves measure 7¾ × 5 inches. The edition consisted of One Hundred and Fifty Copies. The published price was 7s. 6d.
The Manuscript of The Turkish Jester was formerly owned by Dr. Knapp, and is now the property of the Hispanic Society, of New York. It extends to 71 pages 4to. The translation was probably made about 1854, at the time when Borrow was at work upon his Songs of Europe. In 1857, the book was included among the Advertisements appended to the second volume of The Romany Rye.
There is a copy of the First Edition of The Turkish Jester in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 758. b. 16.
The / Death of Balder / From the Danish / of / Johannes Ewald / (1773) / Translated by / George Borrow / Author of “Bible in Spain,” “Lavengro,” “Wild Wales,” etc. / London / Jarrold & Sons, 3 Paternoster Buildings, E.C. / 1889 / All Rights Reserved.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. viii + 77; consisting of: Half-title (with Certificate of Issue upon the centre of the reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. iii–iv; Preface and List of The Persons (each with blank reverse) pp. v–viii; and Text pp. 1–77. The reverse of p. 77 is blank. The head-line is Death of Balder throughout, upon both sides of the page. At the foot of p. 77 is the following imprint, “Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. / London and Edinburgh.” The signatures are A (4 leaves), and B to F (5 sheets, each 8 leaves). Sig. F 8 is a blank.
Issued in dark brown ‘diced’ cloth boards, with white paper back-label. The leaves measure 7¾ × 5 inches. Two Hundred and Fifty Copies were printed. The published price was 7s. 6d.
The Death of Balder was written in 1829, the year during which Borrow produced so many of his ballad translations, the year in which he made his fruitless effort to obtain subscribers for his Songs of Scandinavia. On December 6th of that year he wrote to Dr. [afterwards Sir] John Bowring:
“I wish to shew you my translation of The Death of Balder, Ewald’s most celebrated production, which, if you approve of, you will perhaps render me some assistance in bringing forth, for I don’t know many publishers. I think this will be a proper time to introduce it to the British public, as your account of Danish literature will doubtless cause a sensation.”
Evidently no publisher was forthcoming, for the work remained in manuscript until 1889, when, eight years after Borrow’s death, Messrs. Jarrold & Sons gave it to the world. In 1857 Borrow included the Tragedy among the series of Works advertised as “ready for the Press” at the end of the second volume of The Romany Rye. It was there described as “A Heroic Play.”
Although published only in 1889, The Death of Balder was actually set up in type three years earlier. It had been intended that the book should have been issued in London by Messrs. Reeves & Turner, and proof-sheets exist carrying upon the title-page the name of that firm as publishers, and bearing the date 1886. It would appear that Mr. W. Webber, a bookseller of Ipswich, who then owned the Manuscript, had at first contemplated issuing the book through Messrs. Reeves & Turner. But at this juncture he entered into the employment of Messrs. Jarrold & Sons, and consequently the books was finally brought out by that firm. The types were not reset, but were kept standing during the interval.
Another version of the song of The Three Valkyrier, which appears in The Death of Balder, pp. 53–54, was printed in Marsk Stig’s Daughters and Other Songs and Ballads, 1913, pp. 19–20. The text of the two versions differs entirely, in addition to which the 1913 version forms one complete single song, whilst in that of 1889 the lines are divided up between the several characters.
The Manuscript of The Death of Balder, referred to above, passed into the hands of Dr. Knapp, and is now in the possession of the Hispanic Society, of New York. It consists of 97 pages 4to. A transcript in the handwriting of Mrs. Borrow is also the property of the Society.
There is a copy of the First Edition of The Death of Balder in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 11755. f 9.
Letters of / George Borrow / To the British and Foreign / Bible Society / Published by Direction of the Committee / Edited by / T. H. Darlow / Hodder and Stoughton / London New York Toronto / 1911.
Collation:—Octavo, pp. xviii + 471; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. iii–iv; Dedication To Williamson Lamplough (with blank reverse) pp. v–vi; Preface vii–xi; Note regarding “the officials of the Bible Society with whom Borrow came into close relationship” pp. xi–xii; List of Borrow’s Letters, etc., printed in this Volume pp. xiii–xvii; chronological Outline of Borrow’s career p. xviii; and Text of the Letters, &c., pp. 1–471. There are head-lines throughout, each verso being headed George Borrow’s Letters, and each recto To the Bible Society. Upon the reverse of p. 471 is the following imprint “Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to His Majesty / at the Edinburgh University Press.” The signatures are a (one sheet of 8 leaves), b (a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves), A to 2 F (29 sheets, each 8 leaves) plus 2 G (a half-sheet of 4 leaves). Sig. a 1 is a blank. A facsimile of one of the Letters included in the volume is inserted as Frontispiece.
Issued in dark crimson buckram, with paper sides, lettered in gold across the back, “Letters of / George / Borrow / To the / Bible Society / Edited by / T. H. Darlow / Hodder & / Stoughton.” The leaves measure 8⅜ × 5⅞ inches. The published price was 7s. 6d.
“When Borrow set about preparing The Bible in Spain, he obtained from the Committee of the Bible Society the loan of the letters which are here published, and introduced considerable portions of them into that most picturesque and popular of his works. Perhaps one-third of the contents of the present volume was utilised in this way, being more or less altered and edited by Borrow for the purpose.”—[Preface, pp. ix-x].
The holographs of the complete series of Letters included in this volume are preserved in the archives of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
There is a copy of Letters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible Society in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 010902.e.10.
Letters / To his Wife / Mary Borrow / 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 blank reverse), pp. 3–4; and Text of the Letters pp. 5–38. The head-line is Letters to His Wife throughout, upon both sides of the page. Following p. 38 is 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 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 7½ × 5 inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Holograph Letters by Borrow are extremely uncommon, the number known to be extant being far less than one might have supposed would be the case, considering the good age to which Borrow attained. His correspondents were few, and, save to the officials of the Bible Society, he was not a diligent letter-writer. The holographs of this series of letters addressed to his wife are in my own collection of Borroviana.
The majority of the letters included in this volume were reprinted in George Borrow and his Circle. By Clement King Shorter, 8vo, 1913.
There is a copy of Letters to his Wife, Mary Borrow, in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 32.
Marsk Stig / A Ballad / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 40; 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. 5–40. The head-line is Marsk Stig 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 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 7½ × 5 inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Marsk Stig consists of four separate Ballads, or Songs as Borrow styled them, the whole forming one complete and connected story. The plot is an old Danish legend of the same character as the history of David and Bathsheba, Marsk Stig himself being the counterpart of Uriah the Hittite.
The four Songs commence as follows:—
|
page |
1. Marsk Stig he out of the country rode |
5 |
2. Marsk Stig he woke at black midnight, |
15 |
3. There’s many I ween in Denmark
green |
23 |
4. There were seven and seven times twenty |
34 |
Marsk Stig was one of the ballads prepared by Borrow for The Songs of Scandinavia in 1829, and revised for the Kœmpe Viser in 1854. Both Manuscripts are extant, and I give reproductions of a page of each. It will be observed that upon the margins of the earlier Manuscript Borrow wrote his revisions, so that this Manuscript practically carries in itself both versions of the ballad. The Manuscript of 1829 is in the possession of Mr. J. H. Spoor, of Chicago. The Manuscript of 1854 is in my own library. As a specimen of Marsk Stig I quote the following stanzas:
It was the young and bold Marsk Stig
Came riding into the Castle yard,
Abroad did stand the King of the land
So fair array’d in sable and mard.“Now lend an ear, young Marshal Stig,
I have for thee a fair emprise,
Ride thou this year to the war and bear
My flag amongst my enemies.”“And if I shall fare to the war this year,
And risk my life among thy foes,
Do thou take care of my Lady dear,
Of Ingeborg, that beauteous rose.”Then answer’d Erik, the youthful King,
With a laugh in his sleeve thus answered he:
“No more I swear has thy lady to fear
Than if my sister dear were she.”It was then the bold Sir Marshal Stig,
From out of the country he did depart,
In her castle sate his lonely mate,
Fair Ingeborg, with grief at heart.“Now saddle my steed,” cried Eric the King,
“Now saddle my steed,” King Eric cried,
“To visit the Dame of beauteous fame
Your King will into the country ride.”* * * * *
“Now list, now list, Dame Ingeborg,
Thou art, I swear, a beauteous star,
Live thou with me in love and glee,
Whilst Marshal Stig is engag’d in war.”Then up and spake Dame Ingeborg,
For nought was she but a virtuous wife:
“Rather, I say, than Stig betray,
Sir King, I’d gladly lose my life.”“Give ear, thou proud Dame Ingeborg,
If thou my leman and love will be,
Each finger fair of thy hand shall bear
A ring of gold so red of blee.”“Marsk Stig has given gold rings to me,
And pearls around my neck to string;
By the Saints above I never will prove
Untrue to the Marshal’s couch, Sir King.”* * * * *
It was Erik the Danish King,
A damnable deed the King he wrought;
He forc’d with might that Lady bright,
Whilst her good Lord his battles fought.* * * * *
It was the young Sir Marshal Stig
Stepp’d proudly in at the lofty door;
And bold knights then, and bold knight’s men,
Stood up the Marshal Stig before.So up to the King of the land he goes,
And straight to make his plaint began;
Then murmured loud the assembled crowd,
And clench’d his fist each honest man.“Ye good men hear a tale of fear,
A tale of horror, a tale of hell—&c., &c.
There is a copy of Marsk Stig A Ballad in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Title page of Marsk Stig, 1913
The Serpent Knight / and / Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 35; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; Table of Contents (with blank reverse) pp. 5–6; and Text of the Ballads pp. 7–35. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 35 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), plus B & C (two sheets, each eight 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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
The complete Manuscript of The Serpent Knight and Other Ballads is in my own collection of Borroviana.
There is a copy of The Serpent Knight and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Title page of The Serpent King
Manuscript of The Knight in the Deer’s Shape
The King’s Wake / and Other Ballads / 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 Ballads pp. 5–23. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad 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), with B (a full sheet of eight leaves) inset within it.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
|
page |
The King’s Wake. [To-night is the night that the wake they hold] An early draft of this ballad has the title The Watchnight. |
5 |
Swayne Felding. [Swayne Felding sits at Helsingborg] Of Swayne Felding two Manuscripts are extant. One, originally destined for The Songs of Scandinavia, is written upon white paper water-marked with the date 1828. The other, written upon blue paper, was prepared for the Kœmpe Viser of 1854. In the earlier MS. the ballad bears the title Swayne Felding’s Combat with the Giant; the later MS. is entitled Swayne Felding only. The texts of the two MSS. differ widely. |
10 |
Innocence Defamed. [Misfortune comes to every door] The heroic ballads included in these collections are all far too long to admit of any one of them being given in full. As an example of the shorter ballads I quote the title-poem of the present pamphlet, The King’s Wake:
|
20 |
There is a copy of The King’s Wake and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
The Dalby Bear / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 20; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of the Ballads pp. 5–20. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. At the foot of p. 20 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), with B (a full sheet of 8 leaves) inset within it.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
|
page |
The Dalby Bear. [There goes a bear on Dalby moors] |
5 |
Tygge Hermandsen. [Down o’er the isle in torrents fell] The ballad was printed from a Manuscript written in 1854. I give a reduced facsimile of a page of an earlier Manuscript written in 1830. |
9 |
The Wicked Stepmother. [Sir Ove he has no daughter but one] This ballad should be read in conjunction with The Wicked Stepmother, No. ii, printed in Young Swaigder or The Force of Runes and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 23–37. |
14 |
The complete Manuscript of The Dalby Bear and Other Ballads is in the library of Mr. Clement Shorter.
There is a copy of The Dalby Bear and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Manuscript of Tygge Hermandsen
The / Mermaid’s Prophecy / and other / Songs relating to Queen Dagmar / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 30; consisting of Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of the Songs pp. 5–30. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Song occupying it. Following p. 30 is a leaf, with a notice regarding the American copyright upon the 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 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 8¾ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
|
page |
Songs relating to Queen Dagmar: |
|
I. King Valdemar’s Wooing. [Valdemar King and Sir Strange bold] |
5 |
II. Queen Dagmar’s Arrival in Denmark. [It was Bohemia’s Queen began] |
14 |
III. The Mermaid’s Prophecy. [The King he has caught the fair mermaid, and deep] |
19 |
Rosmer. [Buckshank bold and Elfinstone] This ballad should be read in conjunction with Rosmer Mereman, printed in Young Swaigder or The Force of Runes and Other Ballads, 1913, pp. 16–22. |
25 |
Of The Mermaid’s Prophecy there are two Manuscripts extant. In the earlier of these, written in 1829, the Poem is entitled The Mermaid’s Prophecy. In the later Manuscript, written apparently about the year 1854, it is entitled The Mermaid only. From this later Manuscript the Poem was printed in the present volume.
Unlike the majority of Borrow’s Manuscripts, which usually exhibit extreme differences of text when two holographs exist of the same Poem, the texts of the two versions of The Mermaid’s Prophecy are practically identical, the opening stanza alone presenting any important variation. Here are the two versions of this stanza:
1829
The Dane King had the Mermaiden caught by his swains,
The mermaid dances the floor upon—
And her in the tower had loaded with chains,
Because his will she had not done.1854
The King he has caught the fair mermaid, and deep
(The mermaid dances the floor upon)
In the dungeon has placed her, to pine and to weep,
Because his will she had not done.
There is a copy of The Mermaid’s Prophecy and other Songs relating to Queen Dagmar in the Library of the British Museum. The Press mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Hafbur and Signe / 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 Ballad pp. 5–23. The head-line is Hafbur and Signe throughout, upon both sides of the page. 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), with B (a full sheet of eight leaves) inset within it.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
|
page |
Hafbur and Signe. [Young Hafbur King and Sivard King They lived in bitter enmity] |
5 |
Of Hafbur and Signe two Manuscripts are extant. The first of these was doubtless written in the early summer of 1830, for on June 1st of that year Borrow wrote to Dr. Bowring:
I send you “Hafbur and Signe” to deposit in the Scandinavian Treasury [i.e. among the Songs of Scandinavia].
The later Manuscript was written in or about the year 1854.
The earlier of these two Manuscripts is in the collection of Mr. Herbert T. Butler. The later Manuscript is in my own library.
As is usually the case when two Manuscripts of one of Borrow’s ballads are available, the difference in poetical value of the two versions of Hafbur and Signe is considerably. Few examples could exhibit more distinctly the advance made by Borrow in the art of poetical composition during the interval. Here are some stanzas from the version of 1854.
So late it was at nightly tide,
Down fell the dew o’er hill and mead;
Then lists it her proud Signild fair
With all the rest to bed to speed.“O where shall I a bed procure?”
Said Hafbur then, the King’s good son.
“O thou shalt rest in chamber best
With me the bolsters blue upon.”Proud Signild foremost went, and stepped
The threshold of her chamber o’er;
With secret glee came Hafbur, he
Had never been so glad before.Then lighted they the waxen lights,
So fairly twisted were the same.
Behind, behind, with ill at mind,
The wicked servant maiden came
The following are the parallel stanzas from the version of 1830
So late it was in the nightly tide,
Dew fell o’er hill and mead;
Then listed her proud Signild fair
With the rest to bed to speed.“O where shall I a bed procure?”
Said Hafbour the King’s good son.
“In the chamber best with me thou shalt rest,
The bolsters blue upon.”Proud Signild foremost went and stepp’d
The high chamber’s threshold o’er,
Prince Hafbour came after with secret laughter,
He’d ne’er been delighted moreThen lighted they the waxen lights,
Fair twisted were the same.
Behind, behind with ill in her mind
The wicked servant came.
I give herewith a reduced facsimile of the last page of each Manuscript.
There is a copy of Hafbur and Signe A Ballad in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Title page of Hafbur and Signe
The Story / of / Yvashka with the Bear’s Ear / Translated from the Russian / 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; Frontispiece (with blank recto) pp. 3–4; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 5–6; Introduction (by Borrow) pp. 7–10; and Text of the Story pp. 11–23. The head-line is Yvashka with the Bears Ear throughout, upon both sides of the page. 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 4 leaves), and B (a full sheet of 8 leaves), the one inset within the other. The Frontispiece consists of a reduced facsimile of the first page of the original Manuscript in Borrow’s handwriting.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with untrimmed edges, and with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
The Story of Yvashka was the second of three Russian Popular Tales, which were contributed by Borrow to the pages of Once a Week during 1862. The Story of Yvashka appeared in the number for May 17th, 1862, Vol. vi, pp. 572–574.
The Story was reprinted in The Sphere, Feb. 1st, 1913, p. 136.
The Text of Yvashka as printed in Once a Week differs appreciably from that printed in The Sphere, and in the private pamphlet of 1913, both of which are identical. The Manuscript from which the two latter versions were taken was the original translation. The version which appeared in Once a Week was printed from a fresh Manuscript (which fills 11 quarto pages) prepared in 1862. A reduced facsimile of the first page of the earlier Manuscript (which extends to 5⅛ quarto pages) will be found reproduced upon the opposite page. In this Manuscript the story is entitled The History of Jack with the Bear’s Ear.
Judging from the appearance of this MS., both paper and handwriting, together with that of fragments which remain of the original MSS. of the other two published Tales, it seems probable that the whole were produced by Borrow during his residence in St. Petersburg. Should such surmise be correct, the Tales are contemporary with Targum.
The Once a Week version of The Story of Yvashka was reprinted in The Avon Booklet, Vol. ii, 1904, pp. 199–210.
There is a copy of The Story of Yvashka in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 37.
Manuscript of History of Jack with the Bear’s Ear
The Verner Raven / The Count of Vendel’s / Daughter / 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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.
The Manuscript of The Count of Vendel’s Daughter is included in the extensive collection of Borroviana belonging to Mr. F. J. Farrell, of Great Yarmouth.
There is a copy of The Verner Raven, The Count of Vendel’s Daughter, and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.