Spencers and Blandfords in the strife unite, While Biblio-maniacs shudder at the sight; NOTES. Romances, as it appears, from Mr. Nicoll's Catalogue, that "The beray trew Historye of the baliant Knight Jason," printed at Anderwarpe, by Gerard Lera, 1492, was bought by the same nobleman for £94 10s.; and the Marquess of Blandford, to complete his classics, buys the (also very true, doubtless) Lyffe of Wirgilius, with wood cuts, for £54 12s. "The most pytifulle Historye of the noble Appolyn, King of Thyre," 4to. M. G. L. is knocked down to Mr. Nornaville for £115 10s.; and the same gentleman, for “The Boke of the Fayte of Arms of Chybalrye," blue Turkey, gilt leaves, gives £ 336. Mr. Triphook obtains "The Storye of Frederyke of Jennen,” with wood cuts, 1518, for £65 2s., and "The Storye of Mary of Memegen" for £87. Mr. Heber only pays £55 for " The right pleasaunte and goodlie Historye of the foure Sonnes of Almon,” 1554; while Earl Spencer for " that of Blanchardyn and Eglantyne," imperfect at the end, puts down £215 5s. Till, hours elapsing ere the Book be won, Then Roxburgh's musty tomes and scurvy trials, Of ballad prints, that swarm in ev'ry street. Yet these but serve, in easier flow, to guide Thro' varied channels Fortune's endless tide. 890 In wooden types, the idly learned Sage May trace the follies of a greener age; NOTES. The prouffytable Boke for (the heir to the Duke of Roxburgh and) Mane's Soule, called the Chastysinge of Gode's Children, is sold for £140. I. B. We should not greatly admire that well-known sacrifice made by the early converts to Christianity, if the books they committed to the flames had not more intrinsic value than such contemptible trash:-if they were not more truly worth 50,000 pieces of silver. And feudal Systems in their zenith see, Not for such themes the modern Bard may claim For Elfin prowess in the " olden time;" For what but dark Oblivion can await Those idle fictions of romantic state, 900 905 910 Where savage Priests, from horrid compact bred, Offspring at once of living and of dead, Duergar's, Da'inshi's, and Felon Sows, And Pigmies, trembling 'neath a Wizard's blows, Are rais'd on ev'ry wretched, weak pretence, To shock the reason and confound the sense. 915 But if to please and to instruct were one, Where Nature reigns, unbounded and sublime? As changing forms upon a mirror's face; Bid Truth and Feeling in his strains combine, 925 And thrilling Horror "live along the line?" Then, Scott! so often warn'd, let judgment plead, Nor Monkish Bards thy truer taste mislead; Leave Lindesay and the Rhymer, by themselves To rot forgotten on the mouldering shelves; 930 Fly from the circle, which a wizard age Has trac'd around thy now neglected page; Exert that Genius which would paint, at best, The rude commotions in a robber's breast, A nobler path of Fancy to design, 935 And make our Reason as our Passions-thine! Forgot the errors* of his earlier days, His prurient page and Aristippian lays, 940 NOTES. * Sera nunquam est ad bonos mores via, Quem pænitet peccasse, pæne est innocens. SENECA, Agamemnon. |