OR THE RED KING A ROMANCE "He feared GoD but little-man not at all." WILLIAM OF MALMSBURY. IN THREE VOLUMES VOL. I LONDON SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, CONDUIT STREET MDCCCXXXVIII. INTRODUCTION. I CONFESS that I am far from being assured what kind of reception a tale of chivalry and feudalism may be thought to deserve in the present day from general Readers. It has been whispered to me, indeed, "In a dark hint soft and slow," that a later date would have been more advisable that the days of full-bottomed wigsof gold canes, and laced sleeve ruffles, are more in popular odour, just now, than those of helm and hauberk. "Chivalry," as Lady Caroline Braymore says of Toм JONES," is such a Hack." I trust the answer to her Ladyship may still hold good; "A Hack, Lady Caroline, which the knowing ones have warranted sound." It was this Hack which made the hobby of Ariosto and Spenser, of Tasso, of Chaucer, and of Scott*-which, if Milton did not himself mount, he was delighted to see reined by others! and which Dryden would have "turned and winded like a fiery Pegasus," had he not been "overtaken by age, and a more insufferable evil,-want." The objection, however, may have great force with those who regard freshness of external form rather than internal spirit. I have only one strong ground of confidence to retire upon; I have not trusted to forms of "The mightiest chiefs of British song, Marmion. |