A Bibliography of the Writings in Prose and Verse of George Henry Borrow
Page 11
26
Lines. [How deadly the blow I received]
The last four lines of this Poem had already served (but with a widely different text) as the last four lines of the Ode from the Gaelic, printed in Romantic Ballads, 1826, pp 142–143.
27
There is a copy of Ulf Van Yern and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
(35) [Ellen of Villenskov: 1913]
Ellen of Villenskov / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 22; 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. 5–22. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. Following p. 22 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 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
Ellen of Villenskov. [There lies a wold in Vester Haf]
5
Uranienborg. [Thou who the strand dost wander]
Previously printed, with an earlier and far inferior text, under the title The Ruins of Uranienborg, in The Foreign Quarterly Review. June, 1830, pp. 85–86.
13
The Ready Answer. [The brother to his dear sister spake]
19
Epigrams:
1. There’s no living, my boy, without plenty of gold
22
2. O think not you’ll change what on high is designed
22
3. Load not thyself with gold, O mortal man, for know
22
Note.—Each poem to which no reference is attached, appeared for the first time in this volume.
The Manuscripts of the poems included in Ellen of Villenskov and Other Ballads are in the Library of Mr. Clement K. Shorter.
There is a copy of Ellen of Villenskov and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
(36) [The Songs of Ranild: 1913]
The Songs of Ranild / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 26; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of the Poems pp. 5–26. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular poem occupying it. Following p. 26 is a leaf, with a notice regarding the American copyright upon the 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 (six leaves), and B (a full sheet of eight leaves), the one inset within the 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 Songs of Ranild:
Song the First. [Up Riber’s street the dance they ply]
5
Song the Second. [To saddle his courser Ranild cried]
10
Song the Third. [So wide around the tidings bound]
13
Child Stig and Child Findal. [Child Stig and Child Findal two brothers were they]
The Songs of Ranild were first written in 1826, and were finally prepared for press in 1854. I give herewith, facing p. 191, a facsimile, the exact size of the original, of the first page of the first draft of Song the Third.
The complete MS. from which these four Ballads were printed is in the Library of Mr. J. A. Spoor, of Chicago.
17
There is a copy of The Songs of Ranild in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
(37) [Niels Ebbesen: 1913]
Niels Ebbesen / and / Germand Gladenswayne / Two Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 32; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page as above (with notice regarding the American copyright upon the reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of the Ballads pp. 5–32. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. At the foot of p. 32 is the following imprint: “London: / Printed for Thomas J. Wise, Hampstead, N.W. / Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A and B (two sheets, each eight leaves), the one inset within the 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
Niels Ebbesen. [All his men the Count collects]
5
Germand Gladenswayne. [Our King and Queen sat o’er the board]
22
There is a copy of Niels Ebbesen and Germand Gladenswayne in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
(38) [Child Maidelvold: 1913]
Child Maidelvold / and Other Ballads / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with a notice regarding the American copyright upon the reverse) pp. 3–4; and Text of the Ballads pp. 5–27. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Ballad occupying it. Upon the reverse of p. 27 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), B (a half-sheet of four leaves), and C (a full sheet of eight leaves), each inset within the 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
Child Maidelvold. [The fair Sidselil, of all maidens the flower]
Another, but widely different and altogether inferior, version of this beautiful and pathetic ballad—one of Borrow’s best—was printed (under the title Skion Middel) in The Monthly Magazine, November, 1823, p. 308; and again (under the amended title Sir Middel, and with a slightly revised text) in Romantic Ballads, 1826, pp. 28–31. In these earlier versions the name of the heroine is Swanelil in place of Sidselil, and that of the hero is Sir Middel in place of Child Maidelvold.
5
Sir Peter. [Sir Peter and Kirstin they sat by the board]
11
Ingefred and Gudrune. [Ingefred and Gudrune they sate in their bower]
15
Sir Ribolt. [Ribolt the son of a Count was he]
20
As a further example of these Ballads I give Ingefred and Gudrune in full.
INGEFRED AND GUDRUNE [199]
Ingefred and Gudrune they sate in their bower,
Each bloomed a beauteous fragrant flower—
So sweet it is in summer tide!
A working the gold fair Ingefred kept,
Still sate Gudrune, and bitterly wept.
“Dear sister Gudrune so fain I’d know
Why down thy cheek the salt tears flow?”
“Cause enough have I to be thus forlorn,
With a load of sorrow my heart is worn.
“Hear, Ingefred, hear what I say to thee,
Wilt thou to-night stand bride for me?
“I
f bride for me thou wilt stand to-night,
I’ll give thee my bridal clothes thee to requite.
“And more, much more to thee I’ll give,
All my bride jewels thou shalt receive.”
“O, I will not stand for bride in thy room,
Save I also obtain thy merry bridegroom.”
“Betide me whatever the Lord ordain,
From me my bridegroom thou never shalt gain.”
In silks so costly the bride they arrayed,
And unto the kirk the bride they conveyed.
In golden cloth weed the holy priest stands,
He joins of Gudrune and Samsing the hands.
O’er the downs and green grass meadows they sped,
Where the herdsman watched his herd as it fed.
“Of thy beauteous self, dear Damsel, take heed,
Ne’er enter the house of Sir Samsing, I rede.
“Sir Samsing possesses two nightingales
Who tell of the Ladies such wondrous tales.
“With their voices of harmony they can declare
Whether maiden or none has fallen to his share.”
The chariot they stopped in the green wood shade,
An exchange ’twixt them of their clothes they made.
They change of their dress whatever they please,
Their faces they cannot exchange with ease.
To Sir Samsung’s house the bride they conveyed,
Of the ruddy gold no spare was made.
On the bridal throne the bride they plac’d,
They skinked the mead for the bride to taste.
Then said from his place the court buffoon:
“Methinks thou art Ingefred, not Gudrune.”
From off her hand a gold ring she took,
Which she gave the buffoon with entreating look.
Said he: “I’m an oaf, and have drunk too hard,
To words of mine pay no regard.”
’Twas deep at night, and down fell the mist,
To her bed the young bride they assist.
Sir Samsing spoke to his nightingales twain:
“Before my young bride sing now a strain.
“A song now sing which shall avouch
Whether I’ve a maiden or none in my couch.”
“A maid’s in the bed, that’s certain and sure,
Gudrune is standing yet on the floor.”
“Proud Ingefred, straight from my couch retire!
Gudrune come hither, or dread my ire!
“Now tell me, Gudrune, with open heart,
What made thee from thy bed depart?”
“My father, alas! dwelt near the strand,
When war and bloodshed filled the land.
“Full eight there were broke into my bower,
One only ravished my virgin flower.”
Upon her fair cheek he gave a kiss:
“My dearest, my dearest, all sorrow dismiss;
“My swains they were that broke into thy bower,
’Twas I that gathered thy virgin flower.”
Fair Ingefred gained, because bride she had been,
One of the King’s knights of handsome mien.
There is a copy of Child Maidelvold and Other Ballads in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
(39) [Ermeline: 1913]
Ermeline / A Ballad / 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 Poems pp. 5–23. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular poem 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), and B (a full sheet of eight leaves), the one inset within the 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
Ermeline. [With lance upraised so haughtily]
The paper upon which the Manuscript of Ermeline is written is water-marked with the date 1843. No other MS. is forthcoming.
5
The Cuckoo’s Song in Merion. [Though it has been my fate to see]
The fifth stanza of this Song was printed by Borrow in Wild Wales, 1862, vol. i, p. 153. The two versions of this stanza offer some interesting variations of text; I give them both:
1862
Full fair the gleisiad in the flood,
Which sparkles ’neath the summer’s sun,
And fair the thrush in green abode
Spreading his wings in sportive fun,
But fairer look if truth be spoke,
The maids of County Merion.
1913
O fair the salmon in the flood,
That over golden sands doth run;
And fair the thrush in his abode,
That spreads his wings in gladsome fun;
More beauteous look, if truth be spoke,
The maids of county Merion.
21
There is a copy of Ermeline A Ballad in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
(40) [The Giant of Bern: 1913]
The Giant of Bern / and Orm Ungerswayne / A Ballad / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Crown octavo, pp. 15; 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. 5–15. The head-line is The Giant of Bern throughout, upon both sides of the page. Upon the reverse of p. 15 is the following imprint: “London: / Printed for Thomas J. Wise, Hampstead, N.W. / Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” There are no signatures, the pamphlet being composed of a single sheet, folded to form sixteen pages.
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.
Contents.
page
The Giant of Bern and Orme Ungerswayne. [It was the lofty jutt of Bern, O’er all the walls he grew]
Fifteen stanzas, descriptive of the incident of Orm’s obtaining his father’s sword from the dead man’s grave, were printed in Targum, 1835, pp. 59–61, under the title Birting. A Fragment. The text differs greatly in the two versions, that of the later (which, though not printed until 1913, was written about 1854) is much the superior. As an example I give the first two stanzas of each version:
1835
It was late at evening tide,
Sinks the day-star in the wave,
When alone Orm Ungarswayne
Rode to seek his father’s grave.
Late it was at evening hour,
When the steeds to streams are led;
Let me now, said Orm the young,
Wake my father from the dead.
1913
It was so late at evening tide,
The sun had reached the wave,
When Orm the youthful swain set out
To seek his father’s grave.
It was the hour when grooms do ride
The coursers to the rill,
That Orm set out resolved to wake
The dead man in the hill.
5
There is a copy of The Giant of Bern and Orm Ungerswayne in the Library of the British Museum. The Press-mark is C. 44. d. 38.
(41) [Little Engel: 1913]
Little Engel / A Ballad / With a Series of / Epigrams from the Persian / By / George Borrow / London: / Printed for Private Circulation / 1913.
Collation:—Square demy octavo, pp. 27; consisting of: Half-title (with blank reverse) pp. 1–2; Title-page, as above (with blank rev
erse) pp. 3–4; and Text of the Ballad and Epigrams pp. 5–27. There are head-lines throughout, each page being headed with the title of the particular Poem occupying it—save for pp. 23–27, which are headed Epigrams. Upon the reverse of p. 27 is the following imprint: “London: / Printed for Thomas J. Wise, Hampstead, N.W. / Edition limited to Thirty Copies.” The signatures are A (six leaves), and B (a full sheet of eight leaves), the one inset within the 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
Little Engel. [It was the little Engel, he]
5
An Elegy. [Where shall I rest my hapless head]
21
Epigrams. From the Persian:
1. [Hear what once the pigmy clever]
23
2. [The man who of his words is sparing]
23
3. [If thou would’st ruin ’scape, and blackest woe]
24
4. [Sit down with your friends in delightful repose]
24
5. [The hungry hound upon the bone will pounce]
24
6. [Great Aaroun is dead, and is nothing, the man]
25
7. [Though God provides our daily bread]
25
8. The King and his Followers. [If in the boor’s garden the King eats a pear]