14. I charge thee ride before. Originally, 'you' for 'thee;' as also two lines below. 49. The great plover's human whistle. The shrill call of the stone curlew, or Norfolk plover, which thus often deceives wanderers on the wolds' (Littledale). 77. Your warning or your silence. Originally, Your silence or your warning.' Professor Jones (see p. 303 above) suggests that the first reading was due to the influence of the Mabinogion,' which has, I wish but for silence, and not for warning.' The poet apparently did not see at the moment of writing that the change from the declarative to the interrogative form required a transposition of the nouns. The correction was made in 1869. In the second and third lines below 'you' has been changed to 'ye.' 94. Wolves of woman born. Compare The Coming of Arthur,' 32; and see note. 163. That had a sapling growing on it, slide, etc. Originally, slip' for slide.' 213. Less having stomach for it. The American 1859 edition reads: having a stomach.' This is not in any English edition, and may be a misprint. 221. Ye will be all the wealthier. Originally, You will;' and a few lines below, you are for thou art,' and 'you' (twice) for thee.' 301. She doth not speak to me. Originally, 'does' for 'doth;' as in doth he love you, on the next page. Similarly, 'has' has been changed to hath' in hath turn'd me wild' (line 308) and elsewhere. I shall not hereafter note all these little changes, nor those of you' to ye' or thee,' which occur frequently. 338. Nay; I do not mean blood. The nay' was originally 'no.' 340. My malice is no deeper than a moat, etc. That is, I mean only to imprison Geraint, not to kill him. 344. The one true lover whom you ever own'd. Originally, which you ever had.' 426. Not all mismated, etc. 'Not quite mismated.' Originally, Browning, in 'Sordello,' speaks of Docks, quitch-grass, loathly mallows no man plants.' 914. Then if some knight of mine, etc. Origi nally a knight.' 932. On each of all whom Uther left in charge. Originally, On whom his father Üther left in charge.' 935. The White Horse on the Berkshire hills. The English editions print the white horse,' See Thomas Hughes's 'Scouring of the White Horse,' -a figure of a horse cut in the turf on the side of a chalk-hill near Wantage in Berkshire, to commemorate Alfred's victory over the Danes in the time of Ethelred. 961. Enid, whom her ladies loved to call, etc. Originally, the ladies.' Page 357. BALIN AND BALAN. The story is abridged from the second book of Malory's Morte Darthur,' with the addition of incidents and details that are Tennyson's The blindfold rummage. Compare 'Hamlet,' i. 1. 107: Of this post-haste and romage in the land.' 425. I have shamed thee so that now thou sham 6 est me. Apparently the killing of Garlon was feloniously done, for Garlon was unarmed and unprepared' (Littledale). 434. The fire of heaven has kill'd the barren cold, etc. Stopford Brooke remarks that this song, glorifying the fire of the appetites and senses, might have been written for the wor ship of Astarte, and it is splendidly imagined by Tennyson: it sets the sensual side of pagan Nature-worship into the keenest contrast with the self-control of Christianity. The fire from heaven she speaks of is not the holy fire of the pure spirit; it is the fire of that heaven which some have conceived, and which consists in the full enjoyment of desire. It is this blaze of desire which she sees in all Nature as well as in man, and it creates, she thinks, the real beauty of the world. Tennyson got to the heart of the thing in this exultant pagan song.' It shows us Vivien as she is honest, true, and bold, confessing evil and rejoicing in it. The whole sketch of her in " Balin and Balan" is of this strain of triumphant daring. Her tale of slander about the Queen is there delivered with a ring of conquest in it. Her mocking of her boy squire and of Balan has the bravery of a queen of sin.' Page 366. MERLIN AND VIVIEN. The hint of the story is from Malory, who simply tells how Merlin fell in a dotage about one of the damsels of the lake, whose name was Nimue.' 2. The wild woods of Broceliande. In Brittany, and famous in legendary lore. 4. A tower of ivied mason-work. The 1st edition (1859) has 'ruin'd mason-work.' After the next line that edition goes on with The wily Vivien stole from Arthur's court' (line 147 below). The long passage that intervenes was first inserted in 1874, when it began thus: -- Whence came she? One that bore in bitter grudge and so on to 146 below. 42. My father died in battle against the King. To the Queen she says (line 71), for thy King.' 52. Saith not Holy Writ the same? See Job, xxv. 5, 6. 108. That gray cricket. The minstrel of Caerleon.' See line 9 above. 123. Diet and seeling, jesses, leash, and lure, etc. The diet,' or feeding, of the hawks was regulated strictly. Seeling' was partly sewing up the eyelids of a young hawk, to prevent it seeing men, etc., in front of it, and so becoming alarmed. Hoods came in time to be used instead of seeling. 'Jesses were two narrow strips of leather, fastened one to each leg, and attached to a swivel, from which hung the leash,' or thong. The lure' was sometimes a live pigeon, but more usually a piece of iron or wood, generally in the shape of a heart or a horseshoe, to which were attached the wings of some bird, with a piece of raw meat fixed between them. The falconer swung this round his head or threw it to a distance by a thong, and the hawk flew down to it. She is too noble.'- The 'falcon' was the female; the 'tercel was the male. Check at pies.' - Either, leave pursuing a game-bird to follow a magpie that crosses her Blight; or, as more usually, fly at worthless birds such as magpies. 'Towered.' Rose spirally to a height. Pounced.' Swooped down on. Quarry.' The game flown at. Her bells' were globular, of brass or silver, and attached to each leg by 'bewits.' These terms of art are from Harting's Ornithology of Shakespeare.' 125. Nor will she rake. That is, 'fly wide at game.' 148. She hated all the knights, etc. The 1859 American edition reads: She loathed the knights, and ever seem'd to hear Their laughing comment when her name was named. For once, when Arthur walking all alone, Vexed at a rumor rife about the Queen, Had met her, etc. This reading is found nowhere else. The American edition was evidently printed from advance sheets, but the poet must have altered the passage before the English edition of 1859 was printed. The 1857 reading was: 3he hated all the knights because she deem'd 187. Then fell on Merlin a great melancholy. The 1859 reading was 'fell upon him.' The next seven lines are not in that edition, but were added in 1873; and the next line began, 'And leaving Arthur's court,' etc. 196. There found a little boat, etc. As Littledale notes, these little boats in the romances (compare The Holy Grail') are generally independent of sail or oar, and this one drives with a sudden wind' across the deeps; not a wind raised by enchantment the poet does not directly say that- but there is just a subtle suggestion of glamour, of something more than natural, in this sudden wind, which sustains the sense of spirit-daunting mystery.' - 19. A twist of gold was round her hair. The 1st American (1859) edition, like The True and the False (1859), has 'snake' for 'twist;' but the English 1859 edition has twist.' The poet must have made the change from 'snake' to twist' after the advance sheets were sent to the American publishers, as he did in 148 fol. 6 233. O Merlin, do ye love me? The early reading was you' for 'ye,' as in sundry other places that I shall not take space to note. 285. Boon? ay' there was a boon. The 1859 edition has yea' for 'ay.' 311. Not yet so strange as you yourself are strange. Originally, Nor yet.' 338. That I should prove it on you unawares. After this line the 1859 edition has the line, To make you lose your use and name and fame' (omitted in 1873); and, in the next line, 'most indignant' for passing wrathful.' 385. In Love, if Love be Love, etc. The song f the lover to his lady. The 5th stanza (444447) is her reply. 430. It buzzes fiercely round the point. The early reading was buzzes wildly.' 459. Yea! Love, though Love were of the grossest, etc. The early reading was True!' for Yea!" 472. Fancied arms. These may be 'described in unheraldic language as an eagle of gold soaring upon a blue surface to a golden sun depicted on the right hand of the upper part of the shield (dexter, that is, on the left hand of any one facing the shield; the right hand of the bearer of the shield who is supposed to be sheltered behind it). As the picture that Merlin substituted is blazoned proper, that is, in the natural colors of the objects represented, it is allowable in strict heraldry to place it upon a field azure, in spite of the fundamental heraldic law that forbids metal to be charged on metal or color on color (Littledale). 494. Because I fain had given them greater wits. In 1859, Because I wish'd to give them greater minds.' In 501 below, 'Broke' has been changed to 'Brake.' 507. The second in a line of stars, etc. The star in the sword of Orion which is surrounded by the great nebula. It is just below the wellknown belt of three' stars. 571. Magnet-like she drew, etc. Littledale sees here a suggestion of Sindbad's magnetmountain;' but why assume that the attractive maid is compared to the mountain? The general suggestion of magnetism is sufficient. 601. The lady never made unwilling war, etc. Littledale remarks that Vivien's criticism exactly parallels the remark made to Dr. Johnson by a lady' of great beauty and excellence,' after reading the fourth line of Pope's epitaph on Mrs. Corbet. The line in question states that Mrs. Corbet no arts essayed but not to be admired; and the lady considered that it contained an unnatural and incredible panegyric.' In fact, Mrs. Corbet never made unwilling war with those fine eyes! Of this,' adds the doctor, let the ladies judge.' etc. 652. For keep it like a puzzle chest in chest, Littledale sees here an allusion to those Chinese puzzles of laborious orient ivory, sphere in sphere,' mentioned in the prologue to The Princess;' but those are not chests,' nor are they locked,' and they cannot be opened, the inner spheres having been carved and detached through the openings in the carving of the outer ones. The reference in the present passage is to sets of chests, or boxes, made to fit one within another, each with its own lock. 707. There lay the reckling. 'Reckling' is properly the smallest and weakest in a litter, as of puppies or kittens; here used contemptuously for the puny infant. 763. The holy king, whose hymns, etc. David. 779. Man! is he man at all, etc. The 1859 edition has Him!' for 'Man!' In the next line,winks' is used in its old sense of shutting one's eyes. Compare Shakespeare, Sonnet 43. 1: When most I wink [in sleep], then do my eyes best see,' etc. 816. She cloaks the scar of some repulse with lies, etc. The 1859 edition reads: Farewell; think kindly of me, for I fear Page 380. LANCELOT AND ELAINE. The outline of the story is from Malory (book xviii. chapters 7 to 21), whom the poet has followed very closely in many passages, of which I give occasional illustrations. For a fuller account of the poet's indebtedness to the Morte Darthur,' as also of the points in which he has varied from it, see Littledale, or consult the editions of Malory mentioned on p. 303 above. 2. The lily maid of Astolat. Elaine le Blank' (blanche, or white), as Malory calls her. 7. Fearing rust or soilure. Knights usually kept their shields covered, to prevent rust or soilure,' and doubtless many a fair damsel wrought a cover for her warrior's shield. 34. For Arthur, long before they crown'd him king, etc. The 1859 edition reads: 75. The place which now Is this world's hugest. That is, London. 78. Spake-for she had been sick -to Guinevere, etc. Compare Malory (xviii. 8): 'So King Arthur made him ready to depart to those jousts, and would have had the queen with him; but at that time she would not, she said, for she was sick and might not ride at that time.. And many deemed the queen would not be there because of Sir Launcelot du Lake, for Sir Launcelot would not ride with the King; for he said that he was not whole of the wound the which Sir Mador had given him. Wherefore the King was heavy and passing wroth,' etc. 80. Yea, lord,' she said, 'ye know it.' The 1859 edition has 'you' for ye,' as in the next line and in 83; also in about forty other places in the idyll of which I shall make no note. 97. To blame, my lord Sir Lancelot, much to blame! Compare Malory (xviii. 8): 'Sir Launcelot, ye are greatly to blame, thus to hold you behind my lord; what trow ye, what will your enemies and mine say and deem? nought else but see how Sir Launcelot holdeth him ever behind the king and so doth the queen, for that they would be together: and thus will they say, said the queen to Launcelot, have ye no doubt thereof.' 168. Thither he made, and blew the gateway horn. Originally, wound' for 'blew.' 288. And in the four loud battles by the shore. The 1859 reading was wild battles.' The list of the twelve great battles, as Littledale notes, is first found in Nennius, whom Tennyson follows. Compare the translation of Nennius in Bohn's 'Six Chronicles,' p. 408: Then it was that the magnanimous Arthur, with all the kings and military force of Britain, fought against the Saxons. And though there were many more noble than himself, yet he was twelve times chosen their commander, and was as often conqueror. The first battle in which he was engaged, was at the mouth of the river Gleni. The second, third, fourth, and fifth, were on another river, by the Britons called Duglas, in the region Linius. The sixth, on the river Bassas. The seventh in the wood Celidon, which the Britains call Cat Coit Celidon. The eighth was near Gurnion Castle, where Arthur bore the image of the Holy Virgin, mother of God, upon his shoulders, and through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy Mary, put the Saxons to flight, and pursued them the whole day with great slaughter. The ninth was at the City of Legion, which is called Caer Leon. The tenth was on the banks of the river Trat Treuroit. The eleventh was on the mountain Breguoin, which we call Cat Bregion. The twelfth was a most severe contest, when Arthur penetrated to the hill of Badon. In this engagement, nine hundred and forty fell by his hand alone, no one but the Lord affording him assistance. In all these engagements the Britons were successful. For no strength can avail against the will of the Almighty.' 338. Till rathe she rose. For 'rathe,' see 'In Memoriam,' cx. 1 and note. 392. Paused by the gateway, standing near the shield. Originally, Paused in the gateway, standing by the shield.' 474. A fury seized them all. Originally, 'seized on them.' 498. Then the trumpets blew. The 1859 edition has heralds' fortrumpets.' 509. 'Draw the lance-head,' etc. Compare Malory (xviii. 12): 'O gentle knight Sir Lavaine, help me that this truncheon were out of my side, for it sticketh so sore that it nigh slayeth me. O mine own lord, said Sir Lavaine, I would fain do that might please you, but dread me sore, and I draw out the truncheon, that ye shall be in peril of death. I charge you, said Sir Launcelot, as ye love me draw it out. And therewithal he descended from his horse, and right so did Sir Lavaine, and forthwith Sir Lavaine drew the truncheon out of his side. And he gave a great shriek, and a marvellous grisly groan, and his blood brast out nigh a pint at once, that at last he sank down, and so swooned pale and deadly.' 513. And Sir Lancelot gave, etc. The 1859 edition has that other' for 'Sir Lancelot.' 534. He must not pass uncared for, etc. The 1859 edition reads: He must not pass uncared for. Gawain, arise, 543. Rise and take, etc. Originally, 'Wherefore take,' etc. 545. And bring us where he is. Originally, what' for 'where.' 555. And Gareth, a good knight. Originally 'Lamorack' for 'Gareth;' and, in the next line, of a crafty house' for and the child of Lot.' 595. Ill news, my Queen, for all who love him, this! Originally, these' for 'this.' 605. Past to her chamber. Originally, 'moved to her chamber.' 626. The victor, but had ridden a random round, etc. The 1859 edition reads: The victor, that had ridden wildly round, To seek him, and was wearied of the search. To whom the Lord of Astolat, Bide with us, And ride no longer wildly, noble Prince!' 653. Who lost the hern we slipt her at. Originally, him' for 'her,' which was a slip, as the male bird was seldom used in the sport, the female being larger and stronger. 658. And when the shield was brought, etc. Compare Malory (xviii. 14): 'Ah, mercy, said Sir Gawaine, now is my heart more heavier than ever it was tofore. Why? said Elaine. For I have great cause, said Sir Gawaine; is that knight that owneth this shield your love? Yea truly, said she, my love he is, God would I were his love. Truly, said Sir Gawaine, fair damsel, ye have right, for, and he be your love, ye love the most honorable knight of the world, and the man of most worship. So me thought ever, said the damsel, for never, or that time, for no knight that ever I saw loved I never none erst. God grant, said Sir Gawaine, that either of you may rejoice other, but that is in a great adventure. But truly, said Sir Gawaine unto the damsel, ye may say ye have a fair grace, for why, I have known that noble knight this four and twenty year, and never or that day I nor none other knight, I dare make it good, saw nor heard say that ever he bare token or sign of no lady, gentlewoman, nor maiden, at no justs nor tournament. And therefore, fair maiden, said Sir Gawaine, ye are much beholden to him to give him thanks. But I dread me, said Sir Gawaine, that ye shall never see him in this world, and that is great pity that ever was of earthly knight. Alas, said she, how may this be? Is he slain? I say not so, said Sir Gawaine, but wit ye well, he is grievously wounded, by all manner of signs, and by men's sight more likely to be dead then to be on live; and wit ye well he is the noble knight Sir Launcelot, for by this shield I know him. Alas, said the fair maiden of Astolat, how may this be, and what was his hurt? Truly, said Sir Gawaine, the man in the world that loved him best hurt him so, and I dare say, said Sir Gawaine, and that knight that hurt him knew the very certainty that he had hurt Sir Launcelot, it would be the most sorrow that ever came to his heart. Now, fair father, said then Elaine, I require you give me leave to ride and to seek him, or else I wot well I shall go out of my mind, for I shall never stint till that I find him and my brother Sir Lavaine. Do as it liketh you, said her father, for me right sore repenteth of the hurt of that noble knight. Right so the maid made her ready, and before Sir Gawaine making great dole. Then on the morn Sir Gawaine came to king Arthur, and told him how he had found Sir Launcelot's shield in the keeping of the fair maiden of Astolat. All that knew I aforehand, said king Arthur, and that caused me I would not suffer you to have ado at the great justs: for I espied, said king Arthur, when he came in till his lodging, full late in the evening in Astolat. But marvel have I, said Arthur, that ever he would bear any sign of any damsel: for, or now, I never heard say nor knew that ever he bare any token of none earthly woman. By my head, said Sir Gawaine, the fair maiden of Astolat loveth him marvellously well; what it meaneth I cannot say; and she is ridden after to seek him. So the king and all came to London, and there Sir Gawaine openly disclosed to all the court that it was Sir Launcelot that justed best." 674. I know there is none other I can love. Originally, Methinks there is,' etc. 683. Nay-like enow. Originally, 'May it be so ?' 728. Marr'd her friend's aim. Originally, 'point' for 'aim.' 806. The cell wherein he slept. Originally, ‘in which he slept.' 810. Then she that saw him lying unsleek, unshorn, etc. Compare Malory (xviii. 15): And when she saw him lie so sick and pale in his bed, she might not speak, but suddenly she fell to the earth down suddenly in a swoon, and there she lay a great while. And when she was relieved she sighed, and said, My lord Sir Launcelot, alas, why be ye in this plight? and then she swooned again. And then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to take her up,- And bring her to me. And when she came to herself, Sir Launcelot kissed her, and said, Fair maiden, why fare ye thus? Ye put me to pain; wherefore make ye no more such cheer, for, and ye be come to comfort me, ye be right welcome, and of this little hurt that I have, I shall be right hastily whole, by the grace of God. But I marvel, said Sir Launcelot, who told you my name.' 839. The weirdly-sculptured gates. Originally, wildly-sculptured.' 877. The bright image of one face. Originally, 'the sweet image.' 920. Seeing I go to-day. Originally, 'Seeing I must go to-day. 924. Then suddenly and passionately she spoke, etc. Compare Malory (xviii. 19): My lord Sir Launcelot, now I see ye will depart, now, fair knight and courteous knight, have mercy upon me, and suffer me not to die for thy love. What would ye that I did? said Sir Launcelot. I would have you to my husband, said Elaine. Fair damsel, I thank you, said Sir Launcelot, but truly, said he, I cast me never to be wedded man. Then, fair knight, said she, will ye be my love? Jesu defend me, said Sir Launcelot, for then I rewarded to your father and your brother full evil for their great goodness. Alas, said she, then must I die for your love. Ye shall not so, said Sir Launcelot, for wit ye well, fair maiden, I might have been married and I had would, but I never applied me to be married yet. But because, fair dam. sel, that ye love me as ye say ye do, I will, for your good will and kindness, shew you some goodness, and that is this; that wheresoever ye will beset your heart upon some good knight that will wed you, I shall give you together a thousand pound yearly, to you and to your heirs. Thus much will I give you, fair maiden, for your kindness, and always while I live to be your own knight. Of all this, said the maiden, I will none, for, but if ye will wed me, or else be my lover, wit you well, Sir Launcelot, my good days are done. Fair damsel, said Sir Launcelot, of these two things ye must pardon me. Then she shrieked shrilly, and fell down in a swoon." Stopford Brooke remarks here: She rises to the very verge of innocent maidenliness in passionate love, but she does not go over the verge. And to be on the verge, and not pass beyond it, is the very peak of innocent girlhood when seized by overmastering love. It was as difficult to represent Elaine as to represent Juliet; and Tennyson has succeeded well where Shakespeare has succeeded beautifully. It is great praise, but it is well deserved.' 1015. Hark the Phantom of the house, etc. As Littledale remarks, this phantom is described in Croker's stories of the Banshee (Fairy Legends,' pages 103, 119). Compare Scott's 'Rosabelle, and see Baring Gould's Curious Myths' (2d series, pages 215, 225). 1060. To whom the gentle sister made reply. The 1859 edition has which' for 'whom.' 1147. Oar'd by the dumb. Originally, 'Steer'd by the dumb.' 1167. The shadow of some piece of pointed lace. Originally, of a piece.' 1230. In half disdain. disgust.' Originally, half 1264. Most noble lord, Sir Lancelot of the Lake, etc. Compare Malory (xviii. 20): And this was the intent of the letter:- Most noble knight, Sir Launcelot, now hath death made us two at debate for your love; I was your lover, that men called the fair maiden of Astolat; therefore unto all ladies I make my moan; yet pray for my soul, and bury me at the least, and offer ye my mass-penny. This is my last request. And a clean maiden I died, I take God to witness. Pray for my soul, Sir Launcelot, as thou art peerless. This was all the substance in the letter. And when it was read the king, the queen, and all the knights wept for pity of the doleful complaints. Then was Sir Launcelot sent for. And when he was come, king Arthur made the letter to be read to him; and when Sir Launcelot heard it word by word, he said, My lord Arthur, wit ye well I am right heavy of the death of this fair damsel. God knoweth I was never causer of her death by my willing, and that will I report me to her own brother; here he is, Sir Lavaine. I will not say nay, said Sir Launcelot, but that she was both fair and good, and much I was beholden unto her, but she loved me out of measure. Ye might have shewed her, said the queen, some |