ANCIENT POEM S. 3 In the 5th ft. the writer regrets the efcape of the Earl of Warren, and in the 6th and 7th fts. infinuates that if he and Sir Hugh Bigot once fell into the hands of their adverfaries, they should never more return home. A circumftance, which fixes the date of this ballad; for in the year 1265 both thefe noblemen landed in South Wales, and the royal party foon after gained the afcendant. See Holing shed, Rapin, &c. The following is copied from a very ancient MS. in the British Museum. [Harl. MSS. 2253. 23.] This MS. is judged, from the peculiarities of the writing, to be not later than the time of Richard II.; th being every where expreffed by the character b; the y is pointed after the Saxon manner, and the 1 bath an oblique ftroke over it. Prefixed to this ancient libel on government is a small defign, which the engraver intended fhould correspond with the fubject. On the one fide a Satyr, (emblem of Petulance and Ridicule) is trampling on the enfigns of Royalty; on the other Faction under the mafque of Liberty is exciting Ignorance and Popular Rage to deface the Royal Image; which ftands on a pedestal infcribed MAGNA CHARTA, to denote that the rights of the king, as well as thofe of the people, are founded on the laws; and that to attack one, is in effect to demolish both. ITTETH alle ftille, ant herkneth to me; SITTE The kyng of Alemaigne, bi mi leaute, Thritti thoufent pound afkede he 3 Richard of Alemaigne, whil that he wes kying, Haveth he nout of Walingford oferlyng, Richard, thah thou be ever, &c. The kyng of Alemaigne wende do ful wel, With hare sharpe fwerdes he grounde the stel, He wende that the fayles were mangonel To helpe Wyndefore. Richard, thah thou be ever, &o. The kyng of Alemaigne gederede ys hoft, To ftore Wyndefore. Richard, thah thou be ever, &c. By God, that is aboven ous, he dude muche fynne, For love of Wyndefore. Sire an additional &gnoza There to com Be the leef, be the loht, five Edward, to Dovers-ward, Ant that rewath so fore QA Note to come in above NVer. 45. This Stanza was omitted in the former Editions, having sharped the Editor's attention, from to occurring in the MS. at the head of a new Page and the Letters bring marked with st ink like the beginning of a rew ANCIENT POEMS. Sire Simond de Mountfort hath fuore bi vs chŷn, Shuld he never more come to is yn, 5 } Ne with sheld, ne with spere, ne with other gỳn, Richard, thah thou be ever, &c. Sire Simond de Montfort hath fuore bi ys 35 Hevede he nou here Sire Hue de Bigot: To helpe Wyndefore. Richard, thah thou be ever trichard, Ver. 40. g'te here. MS. i. e. grant their. Vid. Glofs. /cop ** The fatirical Ballad on RICHARD OF ALMAIGNE will rife in its importance with the curious Reader, when be finds, that it is even believed to have occafioned a Law in our ftatute Book, viz. "Againft flanderous reports or tales, "to caufe difcord betwixt king and people.' (WESTM. PRIMER, C. 34. anno 3. Edw. I.) That it had this effect is the opinion of an eminent Writer: See" Obferva"tions upon the Statutes, chiefly the more Ancient, &c.” 4to. 2d Edit. 1766. p. 71. If this very ined and ingenious Antiquary would-exawine the original MS in the Harl. Collection, bence-sus Ballad awer extracted, be awould, I believes find other fatirical and defamatory rhymes of the fame age, that might have their fhare in contributing to this first Law against Libels. B 3 Collection and . my II. ON However in the Harl. be found other sahrical |