The / Return of the Dead / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 22; 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. 5–22. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. Following p. 22 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 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 Return of the Dead. [Swayne Dyring o’er to the island strayed] |
5 |
The Transformed Damsel. [I take my axe upon my back] |
13 |
The Forced Consent. [Within her own fair castelaye] |
15 |
Ingeborg’s Disguise. [Such handsome court clothes the proud Ingeborg buys] |
19 |
Song. [I’ve pleasure not a little] |
22 |
As a further example of Borrow’s shorter Ballads, I give Ingeborg’s Disguise in full. The entire series included in The Return of the Dead and Other Ballads ranks among the most uniformly successful of Borrow’s achievements in this particular branch of literature:—
INGEBORG’S DISGUISE [161]
Such handsome court clothes the proud Ingeborg buys,
Says she, “I’ll myself as a courtier disguise.”Proud Ingeborg hastens her steed to bestride,
Says she, “I’ll away with the King to reside.”“Thou gallant young King to my speech lend an ear,
Hast thou any need of my services here?”“O yes, my sweet lad, of a horseboy I’ve need,
If there were but stable room here for his steed.“But thy steed in the stall with my own can be tied,
And thou ’neath the linen shalt sleep by my side.”Three years in the palate good service she wrought
That she was a woman no one ever thought.She filled for three years of a horse-boy the place,
And the steeds of the monarch she drove out to graze.She led for three years the King’s steeds to the brook,
For else than a youth no one Ingeborg took.Proud Ingeborg knows how to make the dames gay,
She also can sing in such ravishing way.The hair on her head is like yellow spun gold,
To her beauty the heart of the prince was not cold.But at length up and down in the palace she strayed,
Her colour and hair began swiftly to fade.What eye has seen ever so wondrous a case?
The boy his own spurs to his heel cannot brace.The horse-boy is brought to so wondrous a plight,
To draw his own weapon he has not the might.The son of the King to five damsels now sends,
And Ingeborg fair to their care he commends.Proud Ingeborg took they and wrapped in their weed,
And to the stone chamber with her they proceed.Upon the blue cushions they Ingeborg laid,
Where light of two beautiful sons she is made.Then in came the prince, smiled the babies to view:
“’Tis not every horse-boy can bear such a two.”He patted her soft on her cheek sleek and fair:
“Forget my heart’s dearest all sorrow and care.”He placed the gold crown on her temples I ween:
“With me shalt thou live as my wife and my Queen.”
The complete Manuscript of The Return of the Dead and Other Ballads is in my own library.
There is a copy of The Return of the Dead and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C.44.d.38.
Title page of The Return of the Dead
Manuscript of Ingeborg’s Disguise
Axel Thordson / and Fair Valborg / A Ballad / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 45; 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 Ballad pp. 5–45. The head-line is Axel Thordson and Fair Valborg throughout, upon both sides of the page. Upon the reverse of p. 45 is the following imprint: “London: / Printed for Thomas J. Wise, Hampstead, N.W. / Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A to C (Three sheets, each eight leaves) inset within each other. The last leaf of Sig. C is a blank.
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 |
Axel Thordson and Fair Valborg. [At the wide board at tables play] |
5 |
In some respects Axel Thordson and Fair Valborg is the most ambitious of Borrow’s Ballads. It is considerably the longest, unless we regard the four “Songs” of which Marsk Stig is comprised as forming one complete poem. But it is by no means the most successful; indeed it is invariably in his shorter Ballads that we find Borrow obtaining the happiest result.
Two Manuscripts of Axel Thordson and Fair Valborg are available. The first was prepared in 1829 for the Songs of Scandinavia. The second was revised in 1854 for the Kœmpe Viser. This later Manuscript is in my own possession. I give herewith a reduced facsimile of one of its pages.
There is a copy of Axel Thordson and Fair Valborg in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C.44.d.38.
Axel Thordson and Fair Valborg—1854
King Hacon’s Death / and / Bran and the Black Dog / Two Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 14; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of the Two Ballads pp. 5–14. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. Following p. 14 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.” 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 7½ × 5 inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
There is a copy of King Hacon’s Death and Bran and the Black Dog in the Library of the British Museum. The Pressmark is C. 44. d. 38.
Marsk Stig’s / Daughters / and other / Songs and Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 21; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse), pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse), pp. 3–4; Table of Contents, pp. 5–6; and Text of the Songs and Ballads, pp. 7–21. The reverse of p. 21 is blank. The head-line is Songs and Ballads throughout, upon both sides of the page. The pamphlet concludes with 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.” There are no signatures, but the pamphlet consists of a half-sheet (of four leaves), with 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 7½ × 5 inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached appeared for the first time in this volume.
There is a copy of Marsk Stig’s Daughters and other Songs and Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Title page of Marsk Stig’s Daughters
The Tale of Brynild / and / King Valdemar and his Sister / Two 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 a notice regarding the American copyright upon the reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of the Ballads pp. 5–35. 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), 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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
|
page |
The Tale of Brynild. [Sivard he a colt has got] Of The Tale of Brynild, two manuscripts are extant, written in 1829 and 1854 respectively. The text of the latter, from which the ballad was printed in the present pamphlet, is immeasurably the superior. |
5 |
King Valdemar and his sister. [See, see, with Queen Sophy sits Valdemar bold] |
13 |
Mirror of Cintra. [Tiny fields in charming order] |
34 |
The Harp. [The harp to everyone is dear] |
35 |
There can be little doubt that the series of poems included in this volume present Borrow at his best as a writer of Ballads.
There is a copy of The Tale of Brynild and King Valdemar and his Sister in the Library of the British Museum. The Pressmark is C. 44. d. 38.
Title page of The Tale of Brynild
Proud Signild / 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 notice regarding the American copyright upon 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 (six leaves), and B (a full sheet of eight leaves), the one inset within the other.
Issued in bright green paper wrappers, with the title-page reproduced upon the front. The leaves measure 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
There is a copy of Proud Signild and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Ulf Van Yern / 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 (with 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), 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.
|
page |
Ulf Van Yern. [It was youthful Ulf Van Yern] This ballad was here printed from the Manuscript prepared for the projected Kœmpe Viser of 1854. In the MS of 1829 the ballad is entitled Ulf Van Yern and Vidrik Verlandson. The texts of the two versions differ widely in almost every stanza. |
5 |
The Chosen Knight. [Sir Oluf rode forth over hill and lea] |
16 |
Sir Swerkel. [There’s a dance in the hall of Sir Swerkel the Childe] |
19 |
Finn and the Damsel, or The Trial of Wits. [“What’s rifer than leaves?” Finn cried] |
23 |
Epigrams by Carolan: |
|
1. On Friars. [Would’st thou on good terms with friars live] |
26 |
2. On a surly Butler, who had refused him admission to the cellar. [O Dermod Flynn it grieveth me] |
26 |
Lines. [How deadly the blow I received] The last four lines of this Poem had already served (but with a widely different text) as the last four lines of the Ode from the Gaelic, printed in Romantic Ballads, 1826, pp 142–143. |
27 |
There is a copy of Ulf Van Yern and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Ellen of Villenskov / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 22; 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. 5–22. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. Following p. 22 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 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 |
Ellen of Villenskov. [There lies a wold in Vester Haf] |
5 |
Uranienborg. [Thou who the strand dost wander] Previously printed, with an earlier and far inferior text, under the title The Ruins of Uranienborg, in The Foreign Quarterly Review. June, 1830, pp. 85–86. |
13 |
19 |
|
Epigrams: |
|
1. There’s no living, my boy, without plenty of gold |
22 |
2. O think not you’ll change what on high is designed |
22 |
3. Load not thyself with gold, O mortal man, for know |
22 |
Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.
The Manuscripts of the poems included in Ellen of Villenskov and Other Ballads are in the Library of Mr. Clement K. Shorter.
There is a copy of Ellen of Villenskov and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
The Songs of Ranild / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 26; 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. 5–26. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular poem occupying it. Following p. 26 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 (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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
|
page |
The Songs of Ranild: |
|
Song the First. [Up Riber’s street the dance they ply] |
5 |
Song the Second. [To saddle his courser Ranild cried] |
10 |
Song the Third. [So wide around the tidings bound] |
13 |
Child Stig and Child Findal. [Child Stig and Child Findal two brothers were they] The Songs of Ranild were first written in 1826, and were finally prepared for press in 1854. I give herewith, facing p. 191, a facsimile, the exact size of the original, of the first page of the first draft of Song the Third. The complete MS. from which these four Ballads were printed is in the Library of Mr. J. A. Spoor, of Chicago. |
17 |
There is a copy of The Songs of Ranild in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
Manuscript of Songs Relating to Marsk Stig
Niels Ebbesen / and / Germand Gladenswayne / Two 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 notice regarding the American copyright upon 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 8½ × 6⅞ 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 board] |
22 |
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.
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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
|
page |
Child Maidelvold. [The fair Sidselil, of all maidens 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. |
5 |
Sir Peter. [Sir Peter and Kirstin they sat by the board] |
11 |
Ingefred and Gudrune. [Ingefred and Gudrune they sate in their bower] |
15 |
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.
Manuscript of Child Maidelvold
Manuscript of Ingefred and Gudrune
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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
|
page |
Ermeline. [With lance upraised so haughtily] The paper upon which the Manuscript of Ermeline is written is water-marked with the date 1843. No other MS. is forthcoming. |
5 |
The Cuckoo’s Song in Merion. [Though it has been my 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:
|
21 |
There is a copy of Ermeline A Ballad in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
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 7½ × 5 inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
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.
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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
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.
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 8½ × 6⅞ 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 Denmark do?”] |
14 |
Sir Pall, Sir Bear, And Sir Liden. [Liden he rode to the Ting, and shewed] |
20 |
Belardo’s Wedding. [From the banks, in mornings beam] |
23 |
The Yew Tree. [O tree of yew, which here I spy] 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. |
27 |
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.
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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Contents.
|
page |
King Diderik and the Lion’s Fight with the Dragon. [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. |
5 |
Diderik and Olger the Dane. [With his eighteen brothers Diderik stark] |
14 |
Olger the Dane and Burman. [Burman in the mountain holds] |
21 |
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.
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 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.
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.
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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
|
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 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:
|
14 |
Sir Guncelin’s Wedding. [It was the Count Sir Guncelin] |
19 |
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, they thee ignite] |
27 |
Epigram on Himself. By Wessel [He ate, and drank, and slip-shod went] |
28 |
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.
Manuscript of Sir Guncelin’s Wedding
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 8½ × 6⅞ inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
The Frontispiece is a reduced facsimile of the first page of the original Manuscript of Ramund.
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.