The / Death of Balder / From the Danish / of / Johannes Ewald / (1773) / Translated by / George Borrow / Author of “Bible in Spain,” “Lavengro,” “Wild Wales,” etc. / London / Jarrold & Sons, 3 Paternoster Buildings, E.C. / 1889 / All Rights Reserved.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. viii + 77; consisting of: Half-title (with Certificate of Issue upon the centre of the reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. iii–iv; Preface and List of The Persons (each with blank reverse) pp. v–viii; and Text pp. 1–77. The reverse of p. 77 is blank. The head-line is Death of Balder throughout, upon both sides of the page. At the foot of p. 77 is the following imprint, “Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. / London and Edinburgh.” The signatures are A (4 leaves), and B to F (5 sheets, each 8 leaves). Sig. F 8 is a blank.
Issued in dark brown ‘diced’ cloth boards, with white paper back-label. The leaves measure 7¾ × 5 inches. Two Hundred and Fifty Copies were printed. The published price was 7s. 6d.
The Death of Balder was written in 1829, the year during which Borrow produced so many of his ballad translations, the year in which he made his fruitless effort to obtain subscribers for his Songs of Scandinavia. On December 6th of that year he wrote to Dr. [afterwards Sir] John Bowring:
“I wish to shew you my translation of The Death of Balder, Ewald’s most celebrated production, which, if you approve of, you will perhaps render me some assistance in bringing forth, for I don’t know many publishers. I think this will be a proper time to introduce it to the British public, as your account of Danish literature will doubtless cause a sensation.”
Evidently no publisher was forthcoming, for the work remained in manuscript until 1889, when, eight years after Borrow’s death, Messrs. Jarrold & Sons gave it to the world. In 1857 Borrow included the Tragedy among the series of Works advertised as “ready for the Press” at the end of the second volume of The Romany Rye. It was there described as “A Heroic Play.”
Although published only in 1889, The Death of Balder was actually set up in type three years earlier. It had been intended that the book should have been issued in London by Messrs. Reeves & Turner, and proof-sheets exist carrying upon the title-page the name of that firm as publishers, and bearing the date 1886. It would appear that Mr. W. Webber, a bookseller of Ipswich, who then owned the Manuscript, had at first contemplated issuing the book through Messrs. Reeves & Turner. But at this juncture he entered into the employment of Messrs. Jarrold & Sons, and consequently the books was finally brought out by that firm. The types were not reset, but were kept standing during the interval.
Another version of the song of The Three Valkyrier, which appears in The Death of Balder, pp. 53–54, was printed in Marsk Stig’s Daughters and Other Songs and Ballads, 1913, pp. 19–20. The text of the two versions differs entirely, in addition to which the 1913 version forms one complete single song, whilst in that of 1889 the lines are divided up between the several characters.
The Manuscript of The Death of Balder, referred to above, passed into the hands of Dr. Knapp, and is now in the possession of the Hispanic Society, of New York. It consists of 97 pages 4to. A transcript in the handwriting of Mrs. Borrow is also the property of the Society.
There is a copy of the First Edition of The Death of Balder in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 11755. f 9.
(18) [Letters to the Bible Society: 1911]
Letters of / George Borrow / To the British and Foreign / Bible Society / Published by Direction of the Committee / Edited by / T. H. Darlow / Hodder and Stoughton / London New York Toronto / 1911.
Collation:—Octavo, pp. xviii + 471; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. i–ii; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. iii–iv; Dedication To Williamson Lamplough (with blank reverse) pp. v–vi; Preface vii–xi; Note regarding “the officials of the Bible Society with whom Borrow came into close relationship” pp. xi–xii; List of Borrow’s Letters, etc., printed in this Volume pp. xiii–xvii; chronological Outline of Borrow’s career p. xviii; and Text of the Letters, &c., pp. 1–471. There are head-lines throughout, each verso being headed George Borrow’s Letters, and each recto To the Bible Society. Upon the reverse of p. 471 is the following imprint “Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to His Majesty / at the Edinburgh University Press.” The signatures are a (one sheet of 8 leaves), b (a quarter-sheet of 2 leaves), A to 2 F (29 sheets, each 8 leaves) plus 2 G (a half-sheet of 4 leaves). Sig. a 1 is a blank. A facsimile of one of the Letters included in the volume is inserted as Frontispiece.
Issued in dark crimson buckram, with paper sides, lettered in gold across the back, “Letters of / George / Borrow / To the / Bible Society / Edited by / T. H. Darlow / Hodder & / Stoughton.” The leaves measure 8⅜ × 5⅞ inches. The published price was 7s. 6d.
“When Borrow set about preparing The Bible in Spain, he obtained from the Committee of the Bible Society the loan of the letters which are here published, and introduced considerable portions of them into that most picturesque and popular of his works. Perhaps one-third of the contents of the present volume was utilised in this way, being more or less altered and edited by Borrow for the purpose.”—[Preface, pp. ix-x].
The holographs of the complete series of Letters included in this volume are preserved in the archives of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
There is a copy of Letters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible Society in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is 010902.e.10.
(19) [Letters to Mary Borrow: 1913]
Letters / To his Wife / Mary Borrow / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 38; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse), pp. 3–4; and Text of the Letters pp. 5–38. The head-line is Letters to His Wife throughout, upon both sides of the page. Following p. 38 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 4 leaves), plus B and C (2 sheets, each 8 leaves), 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 7½ × 5 inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Holograph Letters by Borrow are extremely uncommon, the number known to be extant being far less than one might have supposed would be the case, considering the good age to which Borrow attained. His correspondents were few, and, save to the officials of the Bible Society, he was not a diligent letter-writer. The holographs of this series of letters addressed to his wife are in my own collection of Borroviana.
The majority of the letters included in this volume were reprinted in George Borrow and his Circle. By Clement King Shorter, 8vo, 1913.
There is a copy of Letters to his Wife, Mary Borrow, in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 32.
(20) [Marsk Stig: 1913]
Marsk Stig / A Ballad / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 40; 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. 5–40. The head-line is Marsk Stig throughout, upon both sides of the page. At the foot of p. 40 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 4 leaves), plus B and C (2 sheets, each 8 leaves), 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 7½ × 5 inches.
Thirty Copies only were printed.
Marsk Stig consists of four separate Ballads, or Songs as Borrow styled them, the whole forming one complete and connected story. The plot is an old Danish legend of the same cha
racter as the history of David and Bathsheba, Marsk Stig himself being the counterpart of Uriah the Hittite.
The four Songs commence as follows:—
page
1. Marsk Stig he out of the country rode
To win him fame with his good bright sword
5
2. Marsk Stig he woke at black midnight,
And loudly cried to his Lady dear
15
3. There’s many I ween in Denmark green
Who all to be masters now desire
23
4. There were seven and seven times twenty
That met upon the verdant wold
34
Marsk Stig was one of the ballads prepared by Borrow for The Songs of Scandinavia in 1829, and revised for the Kœmpe Viser in 1854. Both Manuscripts are extant, and I give reproductions of a page of each. It will be observed that upon the margins of the earlier Manuscript Borrow wrote his revisions, so that this Manuscript practically carries in itself both versions of the ballad. The Manuscript of 1829 is in the possession of Mr. J. H. Spoor, of Chicago. The Manuscript of 1854 is in my own library. As a specimen of Marsk Stig I quote the following stanzas:
It was the young and bold Marsk Stig
Came riding into the Castle yard,
Abroad did stand the King of the land
So fair array’d in sable and mard.
“Now lend an ear, young Marshal Stig,
I have for thee a fair emprise,
Ride thou this year to the war and bear
My flag amongst my enemies.”
“And if I shall fare to the war this year,
And risk my life among thy foes,
Do thou take care of my Lady dear,
Of Ingeborg, that beauteous rose.”
Then answer’d Erik, the youthful King,
With a laugh in his sleeve thus answered he:
“No more I swear has thy lady to fear
Than if my sister dear were she.”
It was then the bold Sir Marshal Stig,
From out of the country he did depart,
In her castle sate his lonely mate,
Fair Ingeborg, with grief at heart.
“Now saddle my steed,” cried Eric the King,
“Now saddle my steed,” King Eric cried,
“To visit the Dame of beauteous fame
Your King will into the country ride.”
* * * * *
“Now list, now list, Dame Ingeborg,
Thou art, I swear, a beauteous star,
Live thou with me in love and glee,
Whilst Marshal Stig is engag’d in war.”
Then up and spake Dame Ingeborg,
For nought was she but a virtuous wife:
“Rather, I say, than Stig betray,
Sir King, I’d gladly lose my life.”
“Give ear, thou proud Dame Ingeborg,
If thou my leman and love will be,
Each finger fair of thy hand shall bear
A ring of gold so red of blee.”
“Marsk Stig has given gold rings to me,
And pearls around my neck to string;
By the Saints above I never will prove
Untrue to the Marshal’s couch, Sir King.”
* * * * *
It was Erik the Danish King,
A damnable deed the King he wrought;
He forc’d with might that Lady bright,
Whilst her good Lord his battles fought.
* * * * *
It was the young Sir Marshal Stig
Stepp’d proudly in at the lofty door;
And bold knights then, and bold knight’s men,
Stood up the Marshal Stig before.
So up to the King of the land he goes,
And straight to make his plaint began;
Then murmured loud the assembled crowd,
And clench’d his fist each honest man.
“Ye good men hear a tale of fear,
A tale of horror, a tale of hell—
&c., &c.
There is a copy of Marsk Stig A Ballad in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
(21) [The Serpent Knight: 1913]
The Serpent Knight / and / Other 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 blank reverse) pp. 3–4; Table of Contents (with blank reverse) pp. 5–6; and Text of the Ballads pp. 7–35. 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), plus B & C (two sheets, each eight leaves), 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
The Serpent Knight. [Signelil sits in her bower alone]
The only extant MS. of this ballad originally bore the title The Transformed Knight, but the word Transformed is struck out and replaced by Serpent, in Borrow’s handwriting.
7
Sir Olaf. [Sir Olaf rides on his courser tall]
Sir Olaf is one of Borrow’s most successful ballads. The only extant Manuscript is written upon paper water-marked with the date 1845, and was prepared for the projected Kœmpe Viser.
10
The Treacherous Merman. [“Now rede me mother,” the merman cried]
This Ballad is a later, and greatly improved, version of one which appeared under the title The Merman only, in the Romantic Ballads of 1826. The introduction of the incident of the changing by magic of the horse into a boat, furnishes a reason for the catastrophe which was lacking in the earlier version.
In its final shape The Treacherous Merman is another of Borrow’s most successful ballads, and it is evident that he bestowed upon it an infinite amount of care and labour. An early draft of the final version [a reduced facsimile of its first page will be found ante, facing p. 40] bears the tentative title Marsk Stig’s Daughter. Besides the two printed versions Borrow certainly composed a third, for a fragment exists of a third MS., the text of which differs considerably from that of both the others.
15
The Knight in the Deer’s Shape. [It was the Knight Sir Peter]
Facing the present page is a reduced facsimile of the first page of the Manuscript of The Knight in the Deer’s Shape.
18
The Stalwart Monk. [Above the wood a cloister towers]
The Stalwart Monk was composed by Borrow about the year 1860. Whether he had worked upon the ballad in earlier years cannot be ascertained, as no other Manuscript besides that from which it was printed in the present volume is known to exist.
24
The Cruel Step-Dame. [My father up of the country rode]
30
The Cuckoo. [Yonder the cuckoo flutters]
34
The complete Manuscript of The Serpent Knight and Other Ballads is in my own collection of Borroviana.
There is a copy of The Serpent Knight and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
(22) [The King’s Wake: 1913]
The King’s Wake / and Other Ballads / 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 Ballads pp. 5–23. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad 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), 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 King’s Wake. [To-night is the night that the wake they hold]
An early draft of this ballad has the title The Watchnight.
5
Swayne Felding. [Swayne Felding sits at Helsingborg]
Of Swayne Felding two Manuscripts are extant. One, originally destined for The Songs of Scandinavia, is written upon white paper water-marked with the date 1828. The other, written upon blue paper, was prepared for the Kœmpe Viser of 1854. In the earlier MS. the ballad bears the title Swayne Felding’s Combat with the Giant; the later MS. is entitled Swayne Felding only. The texts of the two MSS. differ widely.
10
Innocence Defamed. [Misfortune comes to every door]
The heroic ballads included in these collections are all far too long to admit of any one of them being given in full. As an example of the shorter ballads I quote the title-poem of the present pamphlet, The King’s Wake:
THE KING’S WAKE [132]
To-night is the night that the wake they hold,
To the wake repair both young and old.
Proud Signelil she her mother address’d:
“May I go watch along with the rest?”
“O what at the wake wouldst do my dear?
Thou’st neither sister nor brother there.
“Nor brother-in-law to protect thy youth,
To the wake thou must not go forsooth.
“There be the King and his warriors gay,
A Bibliography of the Writings in Prose and Verse of George Henry Borrow Page 8
