5 IO 15 66 “blemishes wear off very soon; but when they disappear in one part of the face, they are very apt to break out in "another, insomuch that I have seen a spot upon the fore"head in the afternoon, which was upon the chin in the "morning. The Author then proceeds to shew the absurdity of breeches and petticoats, with many other curious observations, which I shall reserve for another occasion. I cannot however conclude this paper without taking notice, that amidst these wild remarks, there now and then appears something very reasonable. I cannot likewise forbear observing, that we are all guilty in some measure of the same narrow way of thinking, which we meet with in this abstract of the Indian Journal; when we fancy the customs, dresses, and manners of other countries are ridiculous and extravagant, if they do not resemble those of our own. 20 25 N° 70. Monday, May 21. [1711.] Interdum vulgus rectum videt. Hor. When I travelled, I took a particular delight in hearing the Songs and Fables that are come from Father to Son, and are most in vogue among the common people of the countries through which I passed; for it is impossible that any thing should be universally tasted and approved by a multitude, though they are only the rabble of a nation, which hath not in it some peculiar aptness to please and gratifie the mind of man. Human nature is the same in all reasonable creatures ; and whatever falls in with it, will meet with admirers amongst Readers of all qualities and conditions. Moliere, as we are told by Monsieur Boileau, used to read all his Comedies to an old woman who was his House-keeper, as she sate with him at her work by the chimney-corner; and could foretel the success of his Play in the Theatre, from the reception it met at his fire-side: for he tells us the Audience always followed the old woman, and never failed to laugh in the same place. I know nothing which more shews the essential and inherent perfection of simplicity of thought, above that which I call the Gothick manner in writing, than this; the first pleases all kinds of palates, and the latter only such as have formed to themselves a wrong artificial taste upon little fanciful Authors and writers of Epigram. Homer, Virgil, or Milton, so far as the Language of their Poems is understood, will please a Reader of plain common sense, who would neither relish nor comprehend an Epigram of Martial, or a Poem of Cowley: So, on the contrary, an ordinary Song or Ballad that is the delight of the common people, cannot fail to please all such Readers as are not unqualified for the entertainment by their affectation of Ignorance; and the reason is plain, because the same paintings of Nature which recommend it to the most ordinary Reader, will appear beautiful to the most refined. 5 IO 15 20 25 The old Song of Chevy-Chase is the favourite Ballad of the common people of England, and Ben. Johnson used to say he had rather have been the Author of it than of all his works. Sir Philip Sidney in his discourse of Poetry speaks of it in the following words; I never heard the old Song of Piercy and Douglas, that I found not my heart more moved than with a Trumpet; and yet it is sung by some blind Crowder with no rougher voice than rude stile; which being so evil apparelled in the dust and cobweb of that uncivil age, what would it work trimmed in the gorgeous eloquence of Pindar? For my own part I am so professed an admirer of this antiquated Song, 30 that I shall give my Reader a Critick upon it, without any further apology for so doing. The greatest modern Criticks have laid it down as a rule, That an heroick Poem should be founded upon some important 5 precept of Morality, adapted to the constitution of the country in which the Poet writes. Homer and Virgil have formed their plans in this view. As Greece was a collection of many Governments, who suffered very much among themselves, and gave the Persian Emperor, who was their common enemy, many advantages over them by their mutual jealousies and animosities, Homer, in order to establish among them an. union, which was so necessary for their safety, grounds his Poem upon the discords of the several Grecian Princes who IO were engaged in a confederacy against an Asiatick Prince, and the several advantages which the enemy gained by such their discords. At the time the Poem we are now treating of was written, the dissensions of the Barons, who were then so many petty Princes, ran very high, whether they quarrelled 15 among themselves, or with their neighbours, and produced unspeakable calamities to the country: The Poet, to deter men from such unnatural contentions, describes a bloody battel and dreadful scene of death, occasioned by the mutual feuds which reigned in the families of an English and Scotch Nobleman: That he designed this for the instruction of his Poem, we may learn from his four last lines, in which, after the example of the modern Tragedians, he draws from it a precept for the benefit of his Readers. 20 25 30 God save the King, and bless the land In plenty, joy, and peace; And grant henceforth that foul debate The next point observed by the greatest heroic Poets, hath been to celebrate persons and actions which do honour to their country: Thus Virgil's Hero was the Founder of Rome, Homer's a Prince of Greece; and for this reason Valerius Flaccus and Statius, who were both Romans, might be justly derided for having chosen the expedition of the Golden Fleece and the wars of Thebes, for the subjects of their Epic writings. 5 The Poet before us, has not only found out an Hero in his own country, but raises the reputation of it by several beautiful incidents. The English are the first who take the field, and the last who quit it. The English bring only fifteen hundred to the battel, and the Scotch two thousand. The English keep the field with fifty three: the Scotch retire with fifty five all the rest on each side being slain in battel. But the most remarkable circumstance of this kind, is the differ- IO ent manner in which the Scotch and English Kings receive the news of this fight, and of the great mens deaths who commanded in it. This news was brought to Edinburgh, Oh heavy news, King James did say, I have not any Captain more Of such account as he. Like tidings to King Henry came Within as short a space, That Piercy of Northumberland Was slain in Chevy-Chase. Now God be with him, said our King, Sith 'twill no better be, I trust I have within my Realm Yet shall not Scot nor Scotland say But I will vengeance take, And be revenged on them all For brave Lord Piercy's sake. 15 20 25 30 This Vow full well the King perform'd In one day fifty Knights were slain, And of the rest of small account Did many thousands dye, &c. At the same time that our Poet shews a laudable partiality to his Country-men, he represents the Scots after a manner not unbecoming so bold and brave a people. Earl Douglas on a milk-white steed, Most like a Baron bold, Rode foremost of the company, Whose armour shone like Gold. His sentiments and actions are every way suitable to an Hero. One of us two, says he, must dye: I am an Earl as well as your self, so that you can have no pretence for refusing the combat: However, says he, 'tis pity, and indeed would be a sin, that so many innocent men should perish for our sakes, rather let you and I end our quarrel in single fight. E'er thus I will out-braved be, One of us two shall dye; I know thee well, an Earl thou art, But trust me, Piercy, pity it were, Let thou and I the battel try, And set our men aside; Accurst be he, Lord Piercy said, By whom this is deny'd. |