Yet this inconstancy is such, As you too shall adore; I could not love thee, deare, so much, 10 XII. Valentine and Vrsine. The old story-book of Valentine and Orson (which suggested the plan of this tale, but it is not strictly followed in it) was originally a translation from the French, being one of their earliest attempts at romance. See "Le Bibliothèque de Romans, &c." The circumstance of the bridge of bells is taken from the old metrical legend of Sir Bevis, and has also been copied in the Seven Champions. The original lines are, "Over the dyke a bridge there lay, That man and beest might passe away: That there might no man passe in, Sign. E. iv. In the Editor's folio MS. was an old poem on this subject, in a wretched corrupt state, unworthy the press: from which were taken such particulars as could be adopted. Through the deep forest swift they pass, They found a new-born child; All in a scarlet kercher lay'd A golden mantle wrapt him round, The sudden sight surpriz'd them all; They look, they call, the mother seek; At length the king himself drew near, The pretty babe look'd up and smil'd, "Now, by the rood," King Pepin says, I wot he is of gentle blood: "Goe bear him home unto my court With all the care ye may. Let him be christen'd Valentine, In honour of this day; “And look me out some cunning nurse; Well nurtur'd let him bee; 15 20 25 330 35 Nor ought be wanting that becomes A bairn of high degree." 40 The king did smiling say. Nor many days, when low! there came "Help, gracious lord," they weeping say'd; 65 And knelt, as it was meet; "From Artoys forest we be come, "'Mong ruthless beares he sure was bred; He lurks within their den; With beares he lives; with beares he feeds, 75 "To more than savage strength he joins A more than human skill; For arms, ne cunning may suffice Up then rose Sir Valentine And claim'd that arduous deed. "Go forth and conquer," say'd the king, "And great shall be thy meed." 80 |