ANCIENT POEM S. 79 XIV. GENTLE HERDSMAN, TELL TO ME. DIALOGUE BETWEEN A PILGRIM AND HERDSMAN. The fcene of this beautiful old ballad is laid near Walfingham in Norfolk, where was anciently an image of the Virgin Mary, famous over all Europe for the numerous pilgrimages made to it, and the great riches it possessed. Eraf mus has given a very exact and humorous description of the fuperftitions practifed there in his time. See his account of the VIRGO PARATHALASSIA, in his colloquy, intitled, PEREGRINATIO RELIGIONIS ERGO. He tells us, the rich offerings in filver, gold, and precious ftones, that were there fhewn him, were incredible, there being scarce a perfon of any note in England, but what fome time or other paid a vifit, or Jent a prefent to OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM*. At the diffolution of the monafteries in 1538, this fplendid image, with another from Ipswich, was carried to Chelsea, and there burnt in the prefence of commiffioners; who, we truft, did not burn the jewels and the finery. This poem is printed from a copy in the Editor's folio MS. which had greatly fuffered by the hand of time; but veftiges of feveral of the lines remaining, fome conjectural fupplements have been attempted, which, for greater exactness, are in this one ballad diftinguished by Italicks. ex "Thy yeares are young, thy face is faire, 5 10 Thy witts are weake, thy thoughts are greene ; "Time hath not given thee leave, as yett, "For to committ fo great a finne.” e Yes, herdsman, yes, foe woldst thou fay, My witts, and thoughts, and all the reft, I am not what I feeme to bee, My clothes, and fexe doe differ farr: I am a woman, woe is me! Born to greeffe and irkfome care. For my beloved, and well-beloved, My wayward cruelty could kill: 6 15 20 25 Hs |