glas's approach. 4. Of the meeting of the two Earls, their proposal to decide the quarrel in single combat, with Witherington's objection. 5. The battle begun, and of its obstinate and bloody countenance: and the death of the two Earls. 88. THE MERRY AND ENTERTAINING JOKES OF GEORGE BUCHANAN, who was servant and teacher to King James VI, as his private Counsellor, but publicly acted as his fool. The whole compiled in three numbers, for the entertainment of youth. 12mo. Newcastle, n. d. In two parts, with miscellaneous jests at the end. This chap-book was exceedingly popular, if we may judge from the numerous editions that have been published in the north of England and in Scotland. following extract is taken from another Newcastle edition, which somewhat differs from the above: The 14. George being now far advanced in years, and being weary of the great fatigue and folly of the court fashions, a short time before his death had a great desire to visit his native country, and the place of his nativity; therefore he petitioned the King for permission to do so, which was granted. So he set out for Scotland, and went to the parish of Buchanan, in Dumbartonshire, where he visited all his relations and friends. But George staying longer from court than the time allowed, the King sent him several messages to return, to which he returned no answer. At last the King sent him a letter, threatening, that if he did not appear before him in the space of twenty days, he would send his Lyon Heralds for him; to which George returned the following answer :— My honour'd liege, and sovereign king, And also gave him many good admonitions and directions concerning the government of his kingdom, and the well-being of his soul, which drew tears from the King's eyes when he read it. 89. THE WITTY AND ENTERTAINING EXPLOITS OF GEORGE BUCHANAN, who was commonly called the King's Fool, in six parts complete: to which are added several witty and entertaining Jests. 12mo. Stirling, 1799. 90. THE HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND DEATH OF FAIR ROSAMOND, KING HENRY II'S CONCUBINE, shewing how Queen Eleanor plotted to destroy Fair Rosamond, to prevent which she was removed to a stately Bower at Woodstock, near Oxford, and while the King was in France, Fair Rosamond was poisoned by Queen Eleanor. 12mo. Whitehaven, n. d. In seven chapters, pp. 24. Drayton has the following notice of Rosamond's Bower in his Poems, ed. 1637:-"Rosamond's Labyrinth, whose ruines, together with her Well, being paved with square stone in the bottome, and also her Tower from which the Labyrinth did run (are yet remaining) was altogether under ground, being vaults arched and walled with brick and stone, almost inextricably wound one within an other, by which, if at any time her lodging were laid about by the Queen, shee might easily avoid perill eminent, and if need be, by secret issues take the aire abroad many furlongs round about Woodstocke in Oxfordshire, wherein it was situated. Thus much for Rosamond's Labyrinth." 91. THE UNFORTUNATE SON, OR A KIND WIFE IS WORTH GOLD, being full of Mirth and Pastime : Good reader let thy patience brook But to read over this small book, Had never, sure, poor harmless lad. 12mo. London, n. d. A comical description of the disasters of a foolish fellow, who blunders in every thing, and succeeds in nothing that he undertakes. It commences thus: There was a man but one son had, And he was all his joy; But still his fortune was but bad, His father sent him forth one day To feed a flock of sheep, And half of them were stole away, While he lay down to sleep. Next day he went with one Tom Goff, When he did cut his fingers off, The sickle was so keen! 92. THE PLEASANT AND DELIGHTFUL HISTORY OF THE UNFORTUNATE Daughter, set forth in two parts. The Unfortunate Son you have had before; Accept the Daughter, and then no more. 12mo. Licensed and entered according to Order, n. d. A similar poem to the last, detailing like misfortunes. The second part commences as follows: Be silent, all ye girls and boys, And while I speak make ye no noise, That fame with art may shine. I spoke of Gellian, that fine girl, There are several indications of early composition in this tract. At p. 13 is an allusion to Bevis of Hampton, "who kill'd the wild boar, and bang'd the giant's hide." It concludes with "An Epitaph which a friend of her's wrote, being some of her rare qualifications which she perform'd in her life-time, who hanged a mourning shoe-clout over her grave instead of a banner." On the title is a large rude wood-cut, representing the events related in the history. 93. THE FIVE STRANGE WONDERS OF THE WORLD, OR A NEW MERRY BOOK OF ALL FIVES, which was written on purpose to make all the People of England merry, who have no occasion to be sad. 8vo. London, n. d. This is clearly an ancient composition. It describes G five different species of each motto. Thus "the five The sorts of people beholden to the horn" are, "the inkhorn-maker for a livelihood, the shoe-maker to draw on his customers' shoes, the farrier to drench sick horses with, the huntsman to call his dogs together, and Tom of Bedlam to call his boys together." following "five things in great request" may ascertain the date of the tract:-"Hoops in women's petticoats almost as big as a well's curble, women who carry their cloaths half up their legs, young men in perukes down to their breeches, wenches who wear high topknots on their heads and never a smock on, painted wh: in coaches, and honest gentlemen who are walking on foot." Another edition, printed by Wolverhampton, has the following verses on the title-page : Here are such conceits and merriment, Which well may give the reader good content; 94. YOUTH'S WARNING-PIECE, OR THE TRAGICAL HISTORY OF GEORGE BARNWELL, who was undone by a Strumpet, that caused him to rob his Master, and murder his Uncle. 12mo. Stockton, n. d. A prose history, with cuts, followed by "George Barnwell, an excellent old ballad, setting forth the weakness and folly of Youth in following the steps of lewd women, which always lead to destruction," which has been printed by Percy. |