but he seems to have been
executed
under
a special commission for the trial of treasons, &c.
a special commission for the trial of treasons, &c.
Thomas Chatterton - Rowley Poems
How
soon he began to be an author is not known. In the _Town and Country
Magazine_ for March 1769, are two letters, probably, from him, as they
are dated at Bristol, and subscribed with his usual signature, D. B.
The first contains short extracts from two MSS. , "_written three
hundred years ago by one Rowley, a Monk_" concerning dress in the age
of Henry II; the other, "ETHELGAR, _a Saxon poem_" in bombast prose.
In the same Magazine for May 1769, are three communications from
Bristol, with the same signature, D. B. _viz_. CERDICK, _translated
from the Saxon_ (in the same style with ETHELGAR), p.
233. --_Observations upon Saxon heraldry_, with drawings of _Saxon
atchievements_, &c. p. 245. --ELINOURE and JUGA, _written three hundred
years ago by_ T. ROWLEY, _a secular priest_, p. 273. This last poem is
reprinted in this volume, p. 19. In the subsequent months of 1769 and
1770 there are several other pieces in the same Magazine, which are
undoubtedly of his composition.
In April 1770, he left Bristol and came to London, in hopes of
advancing his fortune by his talents for writing, of which, by this
time, he had conceived a very high opinion. In the prosecution of this
scheme, he appears to have almost entirely depended upon the patronage
of a set of gentlemen, whom an eminent author long ago pointed out, as
_not the very worst judges or rewarders of merit_, the booksellers of
this great city. At his first arrival indeed he was so unlucky as to
find two of his expected Maecenases, the one in the King's Bench, and
the other in Newgate. But this little disappointment was alleviated
by the encouragement which he received from other quarters; and on the
14th of May he writes to his mother, in high spirits upon the change
in his situation, with the following sarcastic reflection upon his
former patrons at Bristol. "_As to Mr. ----, Mr. ----, Mr. ----, &c. &c.
they rate literary lumber so low, that I believe an author, in their
estimation, must be poor indeed! But here matters are otherwise. Had_
Rowley _been a_ Londoner _instead of a_ Bristowyan, _I could have
lived by_ copying _his works_. "
In a letter to his sister, dated 30 May, he informs her, that he is to
be employed "_in writing a voluminous history of_ London, _to appear
in numbers the beginning of next winter_. " In the mean time, he had
written something in praise of the Lord Mayor (Beckford), which had
procured him the honour of being presented to his lordship. In the
letter just mentioned he gives the following account of his reception,
with some curious observations upon political writing: "The Lord
Mayor received me as politely as a citizen could. But the devil of
the matter is, there is no money to be got of this side of the
question. --But he is a poor author who cannot write on both
sides. --Essays on the patriotic side will fetch no more than what
the copy is sold for. As the patriots themselves are searching for a
place, they have no gratuity to spare. --On the other hand, unpopular
essays will not even be accepted; and you must pay to have them
printed: but then you seldom lose by it, as courtiers are so sensible
of their deficiency in merit, that they generously reward all who know
how to dawb them with the appearance of it. "
Notwithstanding his employment on the History of London, he continued
to write incessantly in various periodical publications. On the 11th
of July he tells his sister that he had pieces last month in the
_Gospel Magazine_; the _Town and Country, viz. _ Maria Friendless;
False Step; Hunter of Oddities; To Miss Bush, &c. _Court and City;
London; Political Register &c. _ But all these exertions of his
genius brought in so little profit, that he was soon reduced to real
indigence; from which he was relieved by death (in what manner is not
certainly known), on the 24th of August, or thereabout, when he wanted
near three months to complete his eighteenth year. The floor of his
chamber was covered with written papers, which he had torn into small
pieces; but there was no appearance (as the Editor has been credibly
informed) of any writings on parchment or vellum. ]
[Footnote 2: One of these fragments, by Mr. Barrett's permission, has
been copied in the manner of a _Fac simile_, by that ingenious artist
Mr. Strutt, and an engraving of it is inserted at p. 288. Two other
small fragments of Poetry are printed in p. 277, 8, 9. See the
_Introductory Account_. The fragments in prose, which are considerably
larger, Mr. Barrett intends to publish in his History of Bristol,
which, the Editor has the satisfaction to inform the Publick, is
very far advanced. In the same work will be inserted _A Discorse on
Bristowe_, and the other historical pieces in prose, which Chatterton
at different times delivered out, as copied from Rowley's MSS. ; with
such remarks by Mr. Barrett, as he of all men living is best qualified
to make, from his accurate researches into the Antiquities of
Bristol. ]
INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNT
OF THE
SEVERAL PIECES
CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME.
ECLOGUE THE FIRST. p. 1
ECLOGUE THE SECOND. 6
ECLOGUE THE THIRD. 12
These three Eclogues are printed from a MS. furnished by Mr. Catcott,
in the hand-writing of Thomas Chatterton. It is a thin copy-book in
4to. with the following title in the first page. "_Eclogues and other
Poems by_ Thomas Rowley, _with a Glossary and Annotations by_ Thomas
Chatterton. "
There is only one other Poem in this book, viz. the fragment of
"_Goddwyn, a Tragedie_," which see below, p. 173.
ELINOURE AND JUGA.
This Poem is reprinted from the _Town and Country Magazine_ for May
1769, p. 273. It is there entitled, "_Elinoure and Juga. Written three
hundred years ago by T. Rowley, a secular priest_. " And it has the
following subscription; "D. B. Bristol, May, 1769. " Chatterton soon
after told Mr. Catcott, that he (Chatterton) inserted it in the
Magazine.
The present Editor has taken the liberty to supply [between books][1]
the names of the speakers, at ver. 22 and 29, which had probably been
omitted by some accident in the first publication; as the nature of
the composition seems to require, that the dialogue should proceed by
alternate stanzas.
VERSES TO LYDGATE. p. 23
SONGE TO AELLA. Ibid.
LYDGATE'S ANSWER. 26
These three small Poems are printed from a copy in Mr. Catcott's
hand-writing. Since they were printed off, the Editor has had an
opportunity of comparing them with a copy made by Mr. Barrett from the
piece of vellum, which Chatterton formerly gave to him as the original
MS. The variations of importance (exclusive of many in the spelling)
are set down below [2].
[Footnote 1: Misspelled as hooks in the original. --PG editor]
[Footnote 2: _Verses to Lydgate_.
In the title for _Ladgate_, r. _Lydgate_.
ver. 2. r. _Thatt I and thee_.
3. for _bee_, r. _goe_.
7. for _fyghte_, r. _wryte_. ]
THE TOURNAMENT. p. 28
This Poem is printed from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, from one in
Chatterton's hand-writing.
_Songe to AElla_.
The title in the vellum MS. was simply "_Songe toe AElle_," with a
small mark of reference to a note below, containing the following
words--"_Lorde of the castelle of Brystowe ynne daies of yore_. "
It may be proper also to take notice, that the whole song was there
written like prose, without any breaks, or divisions into verses.
ver. 6. for _brastynge_, r. _burslynge_.
11. for _valyante_, r. _burlie_.
23. for _dysmall_, r. _honore_.
_Lydgate's answer_.
No title in the vellum MS.
ver. 3. for _varses_, r. _pene_.
antep. for _Lendes_, r. _Sendes_.
ult. for _lyne_, r. _thynge_.
Mr. Barrett had also a copy of these Poems by Chatterton, which
differed from that, which Chatterton afterwards produced as the
original, in the following particulars, among others.
In the title of the _Verses to Lydgate_.
Orig. _Lydgate_ Chat. _Ladgate_.
ver. 3. Orig, _goe_. Chat. _doe_.
7. Orig. _wryte_. Chat. _fyghte_.
_Songe to AElla_. ver. 5. Orig. _Dacyane_. Chat. _Dacya's_.
Orig. _whose lockes_ Chat. _whose hayres_.
11. Orig. _burlie_. Chat. _bronded_.
22. Orig. _kennst_. Chat. _hearst_.
23. Orig. _honore_. Chat. _dysmall_.
26. Orig. _Yprauncynge_ Chat. _Ifrayning_,
30. Orig. _gloue_. Chat. _glare_.
Sir Simon de Bourton, the hero of this poem, is supposed to have been
the first founder of a church dedicated to _oure Ladie_, in the place
where the church of St. Mary Ratcliffe now stands. Mr. Barrett has a
small leaf of vellum (given to him by Chatterton as one of Rowley's
original MSS. ), entitled, "_Vita de Simon de Bourton_," in which
Sir Simon is said, as in the poem, to have begun his foundation in
consequence of a vow made at a tournament.
THE DETHE OF SYR CHARLES BAWDIN. p. 44
This Poem is reprinted from the copy printed at London in 1772, with
a few corrections from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, from one in
Chatterton's hand-writing.
The person here celebrated, under the name of _Syr Charles Bawdin_,
was probably _Sir Baldewyn Fulford_, Knt. a zealous Lancastrian, who
was executed at Bristol in the latter end of 1461, the first year of
Edward the Fourth. He was attainted, with many others, in the general
act of Attainder, 1 Edw. IV.
but he seems to have been executed under
a special commission for the trial of treasons, &c. within the town of
Bristol. The fragment of the old chronicle, published by Hearne at the
end of _Sprotti Chronica_, p. 289, says only; "Item _the same yere_ (1
Edw. IV. ) _was takin Sir Baldewine Fulford and behedid att Bristow_. "
But the matter is more fully stated in the act which passed in 7 Edw.
IV. for the restitution in blood and estate of Thomas Fulford, Knt.
eldest son of Baldewyn Fulford, late of Fulford, in the county of
Devonshire, Knt. _Rot. Pat. _ 8 Edw. IV. p. 1, m. 13. The preamble of
this act, after stating the attainder by the act 1 Edw. IV. goes on
thus: "And also the said Baldewyn, the said first yere of your noble
reign, at Bristowe in the shere of Bristowe, before Henry Erle of
Essex William Hastyngs of Hastyngs Knt. Richard Chock William Canyng
Maire of the said towne of Bristowe and Thomas Yong, by force of your
letters patentes to theym and other directe to here and determine all
treesons &c. doon withyn the said towne of Bristowe before the vth day
of September the first yere of your said reign, was atteynt of dyvers
tresons by him doon ayenst your Highnes &c. " If the commission sate
soon after the vth of September, as is most probable, King Edward
might very possibly be at Bristol at the time of Sir Baldewyn's
execution; for, in the interval between his coronation and the
parliament which met in November, he made a progress (as the
Continuator of Stowe informs us, p. 416. ) by the South coast into
the West, and was (among other places) at Bristol. Indeed there is a
circumstance which might lead us to believe, that he was actually a
spectator of the execution from the minster-window, as described in
the poem. In an old accompt of the Procurators of St. Ewin's church,
which was then the minster, from xx March in the 1 Edward IV. to 1
April in the year next ensuing, is the following article, according to
a copy made by Mr. Catcott from the original book.
Item _for washynge the church payven ageyns } iiij d. ob.
Kynge Edward 4th is comynge. _ }
AELLA, a tragycal enterlude. p. 65
This Poem, with the _Epistle, Letter_, and _Entroductionne_, is
printed from a folio MS. furnished by Mr. Catcott, in the beginning
of which he has written, "Chatterton's transcript. 1769. " The whole
transcript is of Chatterton's hand-writing.
GODDWYN, a Tragedie. p. 173
This Fragment is printed from the MS. mentioned above, p. xv. in
Chatterton's hand-writing.
ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS. p. 196
This Poem is printed from a single sheet in Chatterton's hand-writing,
communicated by Mr. Barrett, who received it from Chatterton.
BALADE OF CHARITIE. p. 203
This Poem is also printed from a single sheet in Chatterton's
hand-writing. It was sent to the Printer of the _Town and Country
Magazine_, with the following letter prefixed:
"To the Printer of the Town and Country Magazine.
SIR,
If the Glossary annexed to the following piece will make the language
intelligible; the Sentiment, Description, and Versification, are
highly deserving the attention of the literati.
July 4, 1770. D. B. "
BATTLE OF HASTINGS, No. 1. p. 210
BATTLE OF HASTINGS, No. 2. 237
In printing the first of these poems two copies have been made use of,
both taken from copies of Chatterton's hand-writing, the one by
Mr. Catcott, and the other by Mr. Barrett. The principal difference
between them is at the end, where the latter has fourteen lines from
ver. 550, which are wanting in the former. The second poem is printed
from a single copy, made by Mr. Barrett from one in Chatterton's
hand-writing.
It should be observed, that the Poem marked No. 1, was given to Mr.
Barrett by Chatterton with the following title; "_Battle of Hastings,
wrote by Turgot the Monk, a Saxon, in the tenth century, and
translated by Thomas Rowlie, parish preeste of St. Johns in the city
of Bristol, in the year 1465. --The remainder of the poem I have
not been happy enough to meet with. _" Being afterwards prest by Mr.
Barrett to produce any part of this poem in the original hand-writing,
he at last said, that he wrote this poem himself for a friend; but
that he had another, the copy of an original by Rowley: and being then
desired to produce that other poem, he, after a considerable interval
of time, brought to Mr. Barrett the poem marked No. 2, as far as ver.
530 incl. with the following title; "_Battle of Hastyngs by Turgotus,
translated by Roulie for W. Canynge Esq. _" The lines from ver. 531
incl. were brought some time after, in consequence of Mr. Barrett's
repeated sollicitations for the conclusion of the poem.
ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. p. 275
ON THE SAME. 276
The first of these Poems is printed from a copy made by Mr. Catcott,
from one in Chatterton's hand-writing.
The other is taken from a MS. in Chatterton's hand-writing, furnished
by Mr. Catcott, entitled, "_A Discorse on Bristowe, by Thomas
Rowlie_. " See the Preface, p. xi. n.
EPITAPH ON ROBERT CANYNGE. p. 277
This is one of the fragments of vellum, given by Chatterton to Mr.
Barrett, as part of his original MSS.
THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. p. 278
The 34 first lines of this poem are extant upon another of the
vellum-fragments, given by Chatterton to Mr. Barrett. The remainder
is printed from a copy furnished by Mr. Catcott, with some corrections
from another copy, made by Mr. Barrett from one in Chatterton's
hand-writing. This poem makes part of a prose-work, attributed to
Rowley, giving an account of _Painters, Carvellers, Poets_, and other
eminent natives of Bristol, from the earliest times to his own.
The whole will be published by Mr. Barrett, with remarks, and large
additions; among which we may expect a complete and authentic history
of that distinguished citizen of Bristol, Mr. William Canynge. In the
mean time, the Reader may see several particulars relating to him in
_Cambden's Britannia_, Somerset. Col. 95. --_Rymers Foedera,_ &c.
ann. 1449 & 1450. --_Tanner's Not. Monast. _ Art. BRISTOL and
WESTBURY. --_Dugdale's Warwickshire_, p. 634.
It may be proper just to remark here, that Mr. Canynge's brother,
mentioned in ver. 129, who was lord mayor of London in 1456, is called
_Thomas_ by Stowe in his List of Mayors, &c.
The transaction alluded to in the last Stanza is related at large in
some Prose Memoirs of Rowley, of which a very incorrect copy has been
printed in the _Town and Country Magazine_ for November 1775. It is
there said, that Mr. Canynge went into orders, to avoid a marriage,
proposed by King Edward, between him and a lady of the Widdevile
family. It is certain, from the Register of the Bishop of Worcester,
that Mr. Canynge was ordained _Acolythe_ by Bishop Carpenter on
19 September 1467, and received the higher orders of _Sub-deacon,
Deacon_, and _Priest_, on the 12th of March, 1467, O. S. the 2d and
16th of April, 1468, respectively.
ON HAPPIENESSE, by WILLIAM CANYNGE. p. 286
ONNE JOHNE A DALBENIE, by the same. Ibid.
THE GOULER'S REQUIEM, by the same. 287
THE ACCOUNTE OF W. CANYNGE'S FEASTE. 288
Of these four Poems attributed to Mr. Canynge, the three first are
printed from Mr. Catcott's copies. The last is taken from a fragment
of vellum, which Chatterton gave to Mr. Barrett as an original. The
Editor has doubts about the reading of the second word in ver. 7,
but he has printed it _keene_, as he found it so in other copies. The
Reader may judge for himself, by examining the _Fac simile_ in the
opposite page.
With respect to the three friends of Mr. Canynge mentioned in the last
line, the name of _Rowley_ is sufficiently known from the preceding
poems. _Iscamm_ appears as an actor in the tragedy of _AElla_, p.
66. and in that of _Goddwyn_, p. 174. ; and a poem, ascribed to him,
entitled "_The merry Tricks of Laymington_," is inserted in the
"_Discorse of Bristowe_". Sir _Theobald Gorges_ was a knight of an
antient family seated at Wraxhall, within a few miles of Bristol [See
_Rot. Parl. _ 3 H. VI. n. 28. _Leland's Itin. _ vol. VII. p. 98. ]. He
has also appeared above as an actor in both the tragedies, and as
the author of one of the _Mynstrelles songes_ in _AElla_, p. 91. His
connexion with Mr. Canynge is verified by a deed of the latter,
dated 20 October, 1467, in which he gives to trustees, in part of a
benefaction of ? 500 to the Church of St. Mary Redcliffe, "_certain
jewells of_ Sir _Theobald Gorges_ Knt. " which had been pawned to him
for ? 160.
ADVERTISEMENT.
_The Reader is desired to observe, that the notes at the bottom of
the several pages, throughout the following part of this book, are all
copied from MSS. in the hand-writing of_ Thomas Chatterton.
POEMS, &c.
ECLOGUE THE FIRST.
Whanne Englonde, smeethynge[1] from her lethal[2] wounde,
From her galled necke dyd twytte[3] the chayne awaie,
Kennynge her legeful sonnes falle all arounde,
(Myghtie theie fell, 'twas Honoure ledde the fraie,)
Thanne inne a dale, bie eve's dark surcote[4] graie, 5
Twayne lonelie shepsterres[5] dyd abrodden[6] flie,
(The rostlyng liff doth theyr whytte hartes affraie[7],)
And wythe the owlette trembled and dyd crie;
Firste Roberte Neatherde hys sore boesom stroke.
Then fellen on the grounde and thus yspoke. 10
ROBERTE.
Ah, Raufe! gif thos the howres do comme alonge,
Gif thos wee flie in chase of farther woe,
Oure fote wylle fayle, albeytte wee bee stronge,
Ne wylle oure pace swefte as oure danger goe.
To oure grete wronges we have enheped[8] moe, 15
The Baronnes warre! oh! woe and well-a-daie!
I haveth lyff, bott have escaped soe,
That lyff ytsel mie Senses doe affraie.
Oh Raufe, comme lyste, and hear mie dernie[9] tale,
Comme heare the balefull[10] dome of Robynne of the Dale. 20
RAUFE.
Saie to mee nete; I kenne thie woe in myne;
O! I've a tale that Sabalus[11] mote[12] telle.
Swote[13] flouretts, mantled meedows, forestes dygne[14];
Gravots[15] far-kend[16] arounde the Errmiets[17] cell;
The swote ribible[18] dynning[19] yn the dell; 25
The joyous daunceynge ynn the hoastrie[20] courte;
Eke[21] the highe songe and everych joie farewell,
Farewell the verie shade of fayre dysporte[22]:
Impestering[23] trobble onn mie heade doe comme,
Ne on kynde Seyncte to warde[24] the aye[25] encreasynge dome. 30
ROBERTE.
Oh! I coulde waile mie kynge-coppe-decked mees[26],
Mie spreedynge flockes of shepe of lillie white,
Mie tendre applynges[27], and embodyde[28] trees,
Mie Parker's Grange[29], far spreedynge to the syghte,
Mie cuyen[30] kyne [31], mie bullockes stringe[32] yn syghte, 35
Mie gorne[33] emblaunched[34] with the comfreie[35] plante,
Mie floure[36] Seyncte Marie shotteyng wythe the lyghte,
Mie store of all the blessynges Heaven can grant.
I amm duressed[37] unto sorrowes blowe,
Ihanten'd[38] to the peyne, will lette ne salte teare flowe. 40
RAUFE.
Here I wille obaie[39] untylle Dethe doe 'pere,
Here lyche a foule empoysoned leathel[40] tree,
Whyche sleaeth[41] everichone that commeth nere,
Soe wille I fyxed unto thys place gre[42].
soon he began to be an author is not known. In the _Town and Country
Magazine_ for March 1769, are two letters, probably, from him, as they
are dated at Bristol, and subscribed with his usual signature, D. B.
The first contains short extracts from two MSS. , "_written three
hundred years ago by one Rowley, a Monk_" concerning dress in the age
of Henry II; the other, "ETHELGAR, _a Saxon poem_" in bombast prose.
In the same Magazine for May 1769, are three communications from
Bristol, with the same signature, D. B. _viz_. CERDICK, _translated
from the Saxon_ (in the same style with ETHELGAR), p.
233. --_Observations upon Saxon heraldry_, with drawings of _Saxon
atchievements_, &c. p. 245. --ELINOURE and JUGA, _written three hundred
years ago by_ T. ROWLEY, _a secular priest_, p. 273. This last poem is
reprinted in this volume, p. 19. In the subsequent months of 1769 and
1770 there are several other pieces in the same Magazine, which are
undoubtedly of his composition.
In April 1770, he left Bristol and came to London, in hopes of
advancing his fortune by his talents for writing, of which, by this
time, he had conceived a very high opinion. In the prosecution of this
scheme, he appears to have almost entirely depended upon the patronage
of a set of gentlemen, whom an eminent author long ago pointed out, as
_not the very worst judges or rewarders of merit_, the booksellers of
this great city. At his first arrival indeed he was so unlucky as to
find two of his expected Maecenases, the one in the King's Bench, and
the other in Newgate. But this little disappointment was alleviated
by the encouragement which he received from other quarters; and on the
14th of May he writes to his mother, in high spirits upon the change
in his situation, with the following sarcastic reflection upon his
former patrons at Bristol. "_As to Mr. ----, Mr. ----, Mr. ----, &c. &c.
they rate literary lumber so low, that I believe an author, in their
estimation, must be poor indeed! But here matters are otherwise. Had_
Rowley _been a_ Londoner _instead of a_ Bristowyan, _I could have
lived by_ copying _his works_. "
In a letter to his sister, dated 30 May, he informs her, that he is to
be employed "_in writing a voluminous history of_ London, _to appear
in numbers the beginning of next winter_. " In the mean time, he had
written something in praise of the Lord Mayor (Beckford), which had
procured him the honour of being presented to his lordship. In the
letter just mentioned he gives the following account of his reception,
with some curious observations upon political writing: "The Lord
Mayor received me as politely as a citizen could. But the devil of
the matter is, there is no money to be got of this side of the
question. --But he is a poor author who cannot write on both
sides. --Essays on the patriotic side will fetch no more than what
the copy is sold for. As the patriots themselves are searching for a
place, they have no gratuity to spare. --On the other hand, unpopular
essays will not even be accepted; and you must pay to have them
printed: but then you seldom lose by it, as courtiers are so sensible
of their deficiency in merit, that they generously reward all who know
how to dawb them with the appearance of it. "
Notwithstanding his employment on the History of London, he continued
to write incessantly in various periodical publications. On the 11th
of July he tells his sister that he had pieces last month in the
_Gospel Magazine_; the _Town and Country, viz. _ Maria Friendless;
False Step; Hunter of Oddities; To Miss Bush, &c. _Court and City;
London; Political Register &c. _ But all these exertions of his
genius brought in so little profit, that he was soon reduced to real
indigence; from which he was relieved by death (in what manner is not
certainly known), on the 24th of August, or thereabout, when he wanted
near three months to complete his eighteenth year. The floor of his
chamber was covered with written papers, which he had torn into small
pieces; but there was no appearance (as the Editor has been credibly
informed) of any writings on parchment or vellum. ]
[Footnote 2: One of these fragments, by Mr. Barrett's permission, has
been copied in the manner of a _Fac simile_, by that ingenious artist
Mr. Strutt, and an engraving of it is inserted at p. 288. Two other
small fragments of Poetry are printed in p. 277, 8, 9. See the
_Introductory Account_. The fragments in prose, which are considerably
larger, Mr. Barrett intends to publish in his History of Bristol,
which, the Editor has the satisfaction to inform the Publick, is
very far advanced. In the same work will be inserted _A Discorse on
Bristowe_, and the other historical pieces in prose, which Chatterton
at different times delivered out, as copied from Rowley's MSS. ; with
such remarks by Mr. Barrett, as he of all men living is best qualified
to make, from his accurate researches into the Antiquities of
Bristol. ]
INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNT
OF THE
SEVERAL PIECES
CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME.
ECLOGUE THE FIRST. p. 1
ECLOGUE THE SECOND. 6
ECLOGUE THE THIRD. 12
These three Eclogues are printed from a MS. furnished by Mr. Catcott,
in the hand-writing of Thomas Chatterton. It is a thin copy-book in
4to. with the following title in the first page. "_Eclogues and other
Poems by_ Thomas Rowley, _with a Glossary and Annotations by_ Thomas
Chatterton. "
There is only one other Poem in this book, viz. the fragment of
"_Goddwyn, a Tragedie_," which see below, p. 173.
ELINOURE AND JUGA.
This Poem is reprinted from the _Town and Country Magazine_ for May
1769, p. 273. It is there entitled, "_Elinoure and Juga. Written three
hundred years ago by T. Rowley, a secular priest_. " And it has the
following subscription; "D. B. Bristol, May, 1769. " Chatterton soon
after told Mr. Catcott, that he (Chatterton) inserted it in the
Magazine.
The present Editor has taken the liberty to supply [between books][1]
the names of the speakers, at ver. 22 and 29, which had probably been
omitted by some accident in the first publication; as the nature of
the composition seems to require, that the dialogue should proceed by
alternate stanzas.
VERSES TO LYDGATE. p. 23
SONGE TO AELLA. Ibid.
LYDGATE'S ANSWER. 26
These three small Poems are printed from a copy in Mr. Catcott's
hand-writing. Since they were printed off, the Editor has had an
opportunity of comparing them with a copy made by Mr. Barrett from the
piece of vellum, which Chatterton formerly gave to him as the original
MS. The variations of importance (exclusive of many in the spelling)
are set down below [2].
[Footnote 1: Misspelled as hooks in the original. --PG editor]
[Footnote 2: _Verses to Lydgate_.
In the title for _Ladgate_, r. _Lydgate_.
ver. 2. r. _Thatt I and thee_.
3. for _bee_, r. _goe_.
7. for _fyghte_, r. _wryte_. ]
THE TOURNAMENT. p. 28
This Poem is printed from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, from one in
Chatterton's hand-writing.
_Songe to AElla_.
The title in the vellum MS. was simply "_Songe toe AElle_," with a
small mark of reference to a note below, containing the following
words--"_Lorde of the castelle of Brystowe ynne daies of yore_. "
It may be proper also to take notice, that the whole song was there
written like prose, without any breaks, or divisions into verses.
ver. 6. for _brastynge_, r. _burslynge_.
11. for _valyante_, r. _burlie_.
23. for _dysmall_, r. _honore_.
_Lydgate's answer_.
No title in the vellum MS.
ver. 3. for _varses_, r. _pene_.
antep. for _Lendes_, r. _Sendes_.
ult. for _lyne_, r. _thynge_.
Mr. Barrett had also a copy of these Poems by Chatterton, which
differed from that, which Chatterton afterwards produced as the
original, in the following particulars, among others.
In the title of the _Verses to Lydgate_.
Orig. _Lydgate_ Chat. _Ladgate_.
ver. 3. Orig, _goe_. Chat. _doe_.
7. Orig. _wryte_. Chat. _fyghte_.
_Songe to AElla_. ver. 5. Orig. _Dacyane_. Chat. _Dacya's_.
Orig. _whose lockes_ Chat. _whose hayres_.
11. Orig. _burlie_. Chat. _bronded_.
22. Orig. _kennst_. Chat. _hearst_.
23. Orig. _honore_. Chat. _dysmall_.
26. Orig. _Yprauncynge_ Chat. _Ifrayning_,
30. Orig. _gloue_. Chat. _glare_.
Sir Simon de Bourton, the hero of this poem, is supposed to have been
the first founder of a church dedicated to _oure Ladie_, in the place
where the church of St. Mary Ratcliffe now stands. Mr. Barrett has a
small leaf of vellum (given to him by Chatterton as one of Rowley's
original MSS. ), entitled, "_Vita de Simon de Bourton_," in which
Sir Simon is said, as in the poem, to have begun his foundation in
consequence of a vow made at a tournament.
THE DETHE OF SYR CHARLES BAWDIN. p. 44
This Poem is reprinted from the copy printed at London in 1772, with
a few corrections from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, from one in
Chatterton's hand-writing.
The person here celebrated, under the name of _Syr Charles Bawdin_,
was probably _Sir Baldewyn Fulford_, Knt. a zealous Lancastrian, who
was executed at Bristol in the latter end of 1461, the first year of
Edward the Fourth. He was attainted, with many others, in the general
act of Attainder, 1 Edw. IV.
but he seems to have been executed under
a special commission for the trial of treasons, &c. within the town of
Bristol. The fragment of the old chronicle, published by Hearne at the
end of _Sprotti Chronica_, p. 289, says only; "Item _the same yere_ (1
Edw. IV. ) _was takin Sir Baldewine Fulford and behedid att Bristow_. "
But the matter is more fully stated in the act which passed in 7 Edw.
IV. for the restitution in blood and estate of Thomas Fulford, Knt.
eldest son of Baldewyn Fulford, late of Fulford, in the county of
Devonshire, Knt. _Rot. Pat. _ 8 Edw. IV. p. 1, m. 13. The preamble of
this act, after stating the attainder by the act 1 Edw. IV. goes on
thus: "And also the said Baldewyn, the said first yere of your noble
reign, at Bristowe in the shere of Bristowe, before Henry Erle of
Essex William Hastyngs of Hastyngs Knt. Richard Chock William Canyng
Maire of the said towne of Bristowe and Thomas Yong, by force of your
letters patentes to theym and other directe to here and determine all
treesons &c. doon withyn the said towne of Bristowe before the vth day
of September the first yere of your said reign, was atteynt of dyvers
tresons by him doon ayenst your Highnes &c. " If the commission sate
soon after the vth of September, as is most probable, King Edward
might very possibly be at Bristol at the time of Sir Baldewyn's
execution; for, in the interval between his coronation and the
parliament which met in November, he made a progress (as the
Continuator of Stowe informs us, p. 416. ) by the South coast into
the West, and was (among other places) at Bristol. Indeed there is a
circumstance which might lead us to believe, that he was actually a
spectator of the execution from the minster-window, as described in
the poem. In an old accompt of the Procurators of St. Ewin's church,
which was then the minster, from xx March in the 1 Edward IV. to 1
April in the year next ensuing, is the following article, according to
a copy made by Mr. Catcott from the original book.
Item _for washynge the church payven ageyns } iiij d. ob.
Kynge Edward 4th is comynge. _ }
AELLA, a tragycal enterlude. p. 65
This Poem, with the _Epistle, Letter_, and _Entroductionne_, is
printed from a folio MS. furnished by Mr. Catcott, in the beginning
of which he has written, "Chatterton's transcript. 1769. " The whole
transcript is of Chatterton's hand-writing.
GODDWYN, a Tragedie. p. 173
This Fragment is printed from the MS. mentioned above, p. xv. in
Chatterton's hand-writing.
ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS. p. 196
This Poem is printed from a single sheet in Chatterton's hand-writing,
communicated by Mr. Barrett, who received it from Chatterton.
BALADE OF CHARITIE. p. 203
This Poem is also printed from a single sheet in Chatterton's
hand-writing. It was sent to the Printer of the _Town and Country
Magazine_, with the following letter prefixed:
"To the Printer of the Town and Country Magazine.
SIR,
If the Glossary annexed to the following piece will make the language
intelligible; the Sentiment, Description, and Versification, are
highly deserving the attention of the literati.
July 4, 1770. D. B. "
BATTLE OF HASTINGS, No. 1. p. 210
BATTLE OF HASTINGS, No. 2. 237
In printing the first of these poems two copies have been made use of,
both taken from copies of Chatterton's hand-writing, the one by
Mr. Catcott, and the other by Mr. Barrett. The principal difference
between them is at the end, where the latter has fourteen lines from
ver. 550, which are wanting in the former. The second poem is printed
from a single copy, made by Mr. Barrett from one in Chatterton's
hand-writing.
It should be observed, that the Poem marked No. 1, was given to Mr.
Barrett by Chatterton with the following title; "_Battle of Hastings,
wrote by Turgot the Monk, a Saxon, in the tenth century, and
translated by Thomas Rowlie, parish preeste of St. Johns in the city
of Bristol, in the year 1465. --The remainder of the poem I have
not been happy enough to meet with. _" Being afterwards prest by Mr.
Barrett to produce any part of this poem in the original hand-writing,
he at last said, that he wrote this poem himself for a friend; but
that he had another, the copy of an original by Rowley: and being then
desired to produce that other poem, he, after a considerable interval
of time, brought to Mr. Barrett the poem marked No. 2, as far as ver.
530 incl. with the following title; "_Battle of Hastyngs by Turgotus,
translated by Roulie for W. Canynge Esq. _" The lines from ver. 531
incl. were brought some time after, in consequence of Mr. Barrett's
repeated sollicitations for the conclusion of the poem.
ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. p. 275
ON THE SAME. 276
The first of these Poems is printed from a copy made by Mr. Catcott,
from one in Chatterton's hand-writing.
The other is taken from a MS. in Chatterton's hand-writing, furnished
by Mr. Catcott, entitled, "_A Discorse on Bristowe, by Thomas
Rowlie_. " See the Preface, p. xi. n.
EPITAPH ON ROBERT CANYNGE. p. 277
This is one of the fragments of vellum, given by Chatterton to Mr.
Barrett, as part of his original MSS.
THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. p. 278
The 34 first lines of this poem are extant upon another of the
vellum-fragments, given by Chatterton to Mr. Barrett. The remainder
is printed from a copy furnished by Mr. Catcott, with some corrections
from another copy, made by Mr. Barrett from one in Chatterton's
hand-writing. This poem makes part of a prose-work, attributed to
Rowley, giving an account of _Painters, Carvellers, Poets_, and other
eminent natives of Bristol, from the earliest times to his own.
The whole will be published by Mr. Barrett, with remarks, and large
additions; among which we may expect a complete and authentic history
of that distinguished citizen of Bristol, Mr. William Canynge. In the
mean time, the Reader may see several particulars relating to him in
_Cambden's Britannia_, Somerset. Col. 95. --_Rymers Foedera,_ &c.
ann. 1449 & 1450. --_Tanner's Not. Monast. _ Art. BRISTOL and
WESTBURY. --_Dugdale's Warwickshire_, p. 634.
It may be proper just to remark here, that Mr. Canynge's brother,
mentioned in ver. 129, who was lord mayor of London in 1456, is called
_Thomas_ by Stowe in his List of Mayors, &c.
The transaction alluded to in the last Stanza is related at large in
some Prose Memoirs of Rowley, of which a very incorrect copy has been
printed in the _Town and Country Magazine_ for November 1775. It is
there said, that Mr. Canynge went into orders, to avoid a marriage,
proposed by King Edward, between him and a lady of the Widdevile
family. It is certain, from the Register of the Bishop of Worcester,
that Mr. Canynge was ordained _Acolythe_ by Bishop Carpenter on
19 September 1467, and received the higher orders of _Sub-deacon,
Deacon_, and _Priest_, on the 12th of March, 1467, O. S. the 2d and
16th of April, 1468, respectively.
ON HAPPIENESSE, by WILLIAM CANYNGE. p. 286
ONNE JOHNE A DALBENIE, by the same. Ibid.
THE GOULER'S REQUIEM, by the same. 287
THE ACCOUNTE OF W. CANYNGE'S FEASTE. 288
Of these four Poems attributed to Mr. Canynge, the three first are
printed from Mr. Catcott's copies. The last is taken from a fragment
of vellum, which Chatterton gave to Mr. Barrett as an original. The
Editor has doubts about the reading of the second word in ver. 7,
but he has printed it _keene_, as he found it so in other copies. The
Reader may judge for himself, by examining the _Fac simile_ in the
opposite page.
With respect to the three friends of Mr. Canynge mentioned in the last
line, the name of _Rowley_ is sufficiently known from the preceding
poems. _Iscamm_ appears as an actor in the tragedy of _AElla_, p.
66. and in that of _Goddwyn_, p. 174. ; and a poem, ascribed to him,
entitled "_The merry Tricks of Laymington_," is inserted in the
"_Discorse of Bristowe_". Sir _Theobald Gorges_ was a knight of an
antient family seated at Wraxhall, within a few miles of Bristol [See
_Rot. Parl. _ 3 H. VI. n. 28. _Leland's Itin. _ vol. VII. p. 98. ]. He
has also appeared above as an actor in both the tragedies, and as
the author of one of the _Mynstrelles songes_ in _AElla_, p. 91. His
connexion with Mr. Canynge is verified by a deed of the latter,
dated 20 October, 1467, in which he gives to trustees, in part of a
benefaction of ? 500 to the Church of St. Mary Redcliffe, "_certain
jewells of_ Sir _Theobald Gorges_ Knt. " which had been pawned to him
for ? 160.
ADVERTISEMENT.
_The Reader is desired to observe, that the notes at the bottom of
the several pages, throughout the following part of this book, are all
copied from MSS. in the hand-writing of_ Thomas Chatterton.
POEMS, &c.
ECLOGUE THE FIRST.
Whanne Englonde, smeethynge[1] from her lethal[2] wounde,
From her galled necke dyd twytte[3] the chayne awaie,
Kennynge her legeful sonnes falle all arounde,
(Myghtie theie fell, 'twas Honoure ledde the fraie,)
Thanne inne a dale, bie eve's dark surcote[4] graie, 5
Twayne lonelie shepsterres[5] dyd abrodden[6] flie,
(The rostlyng liff doth theyr whytte hartes affraie[7],)
And wythe the owlette trembled and dyd crie;
Firste Roberte Neatherde hys sore boesom stroke.
Then fellen on the grounde and thus yspoke. 10
ROBERTE.
Ah, Raufe! gif thos the howres do comme alonge,
Gif thos wee flie in chase of farther woe,
Oure fote wylle fayle, albeytte wee bee stronge,
Ne wylle oure pace swefte as oure danger goe.
To oure grete wronges we have enheped[8] moe, 15
The Baronnes warre! oh! woe and well-a-daie!
I haveth lyff, bott have escaped soe,
That lyff ytsel mie Senses doe affraie.
Oh Raufe, comme lyste, and hear mie dernie[9] tale,
Comme heare the balefull[10] dome of Robynne of the Dale. 20
RAUFE.
Saie to mee nete; I kenne thie woe in myne;
O! I've a tale that Sabalus[11] mote[12] telle.
Swote[13] flouretts, mantled meedows, forestes dygne[14];
Gravots[15] far-kend[16] arounde the Errmiets[17] cell;
The swote ribible[18] dynning[19] yn the dell; 25
The joyous daunceynge ynn the hoastrie[20] courte;
Eke[21] the highe songe and everych joie farewell,
Farewell the verie shade of fayre dysporte[22]:
Impestering[23] trobble onn mie heade doe comme,
Ne on kynde Seyncte to warde[24] the aye[25] encreasynge dome. 30
ROBERTE.
Oh! I coulde waile mie kynge-coppe-decked mees[26],
Mie spreedynge flockes of shepe of lillie white,
Mie tendre applynges[27], and embodyde[28] trees,
Mie Parker's Grange[29], far spreedynge to the syghte,
Mie cuyen[30] kyne [31], mie bullockes stringe[32] yn syghte, 35
Mie gorne[33] emblaunched[34] with the comfreie[35] plante,
Mie floure[36] Seyncte Marie shotteyng wythe the lyghte,
Mie store of all the blessynges Heaven can grant.
I amm duressed[37] unto sorrowes blowe,
Ihanten'd[38] to the peyne, will lette ne salte teare flowe. 40
RAUFE.
Here I wille obaie[39] untylle Dethe doe 'pere,
Here lyche a foule empoysoned leathel[40] tree,
Whyche sleaeth[41] everichone that commeth nere,
Soe wille I fyxed unto thys place gre[42].
