Tales, in a note to the Essay on the Language and Versification of Chaucer' prefixed to which work their existence was first mentioned. This was in 1775. In 1781 some specimens of them were given (out of their chronological place) by Warton in the third volume of his History of Poetry. Finally, in 1796, the whole were published by Ritson under the title of Poems written anno MCCCLII., by Lawrence Minot; with Introductory Dissertations on the Scottish Wars of Edward III., on his claim to the throne of France, and Notes and Glossary,' 8vo., London; and a reprint of this volume appeared in 1825. Of the 250 pages, or thereby, of which it consists, only about 50 are occupied by the poems, which are only ten in number, their subjects being the Battle of Halidon Hill (fought 1333); the Battle of Bannockburn (1314), or rather the manner in which that defeat, sustained by his father, had been avenged by Edward III.; Edward's first Invasion of France (1339); the Sea-fight in the Swine, or Zwin * (1340); the Siege of Tournay (the same year); the Landing of the English King at La Hogue, on his Expedition in 1346; the Siege of Calais (the same year); the Battle of Neville's Cross (the same year); the Seafight with the Spaniards off Winchelsea (1350); and the Taking of Guisnes (1352). It is from this last date that Ritson, somewhat unwarrantably, assumes that all the poems were written in that year. As they are very various in their form and manner, it is more probable that they were produced as the occasions of them arose, and therefore that they ought rather to be assigned to the

To the south of the Isle of Cadsand, at the mouth of the West Schelde.

interval between 1333 and 1352. They are remarkable, if not for any poetical qualities of a high order, yet for a precision and selectness, as well as a force, of expression, previously, as far as is known, unexampled in English verse. There is a fine martial tone and spirit too in them, which reminds us of the best of our old heroic ballads, while it is better sustained, and accompanied with more refinement of style, than it usually is in these popular and anonymous compositions. As a sample we will transcribe the one on Edward's first expedition to France, omitting a prologue, which is in a different measure, and modernising the spelling where it does not affect the rhyme or rhythm :

f Fleur de lis.

8 Come.

h Philip VI. de Valois, king of France.

1 The meaning seems to be," informed his men in those days that he had a design to fight." Unless, indeed, wit be a mistranscription of with.

J Number.

k Against.

1 Report.

m Prayer, request.-Rits. Perhaps, rather, vow or bond.

Our king and his men held the field
Stalworthly with spear and shield,
And thought to win his right;
With lordés and with knightés keen,
And other doughty men bydeen "
That war full frek" to fight.

When Sir Philip of France heard tell
That king Edward in field wald P dwell,
Then gained him no glee: "

He traisted of no better boot,"
Bot both on horse and on foot
He hasted him to flee.

It seemed he was feared for strokes
When he did fell his greaté oaks
Obout his pavilioùn;
Abated was then all his pride,

For langer there durst he nought bide';
His boast was brought all down.

The king of Beme had cares cold,
That was full hardy and bold
A steed to umstride: "

He and the king als of Naverne w
War fair feared in the fern

Their hevids for to hide.

And levés well it is no lie,
And field hat " Flemangry b
That king Edward was in,

"Perhaps "besides." The word is of common occurrence, but of doubtful or various meaning.

• Were full eager.

P Would.

The meaning seems to be," then no glee, or joy, was given him" (accessit ei).

He trusted in no better expedient, or alternative.

▾ Also.

Was called.

b The village of La Flamengrie.

d

The princes that were rich on raw
Gert nakers strike, and trumpés blaw,
And made mirth at their might,
Both alblast and many a bow
War ready railed upon a row,
And full frek for to fight.

h

Gladly they gave meat and drink,
So that they suld the better swink, i
The wight men that there were.
Sir Philip of France fled for doubt,
And hied him hame with all his rout:
Coward! God give him care!

For there then had the lily flower
Lorn all halely k his honour,

That so gat fled for feard;

Bot our king Edward come full still m
When that he trowed no harm him till,"
And keeped him in the beard.

ALLITERATIVE VERSE. PIERS PLOUGHMAN.

It may be observed that these verses are thickly sprinkled with what is called alliteration, or the repetition of words having the same commencing letter, either immediately after one another, or with the intervention only of one or two other words generally unemphatic or

• Reckoned.

d Apparently, "arranged richly clad in a row."

• Caused. i Tymbals.

h Placed.

8 Arblast, or crossbow. iShould the better labour.

j Stout. k Lost wholly. 4 Got put to flight?

m Came back quietly at his ease.

n When he perceived there was no harm intended him. Perhaps, "kept his beard untouched."