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THE CHILD' OF ELLE.
" From a fragment in the Editor's folio MS., which, though extremely defective and mutilated, appeared to have so much merit, that it excited a strong desire to attempt the completion of the story. The reader will easily discover the supplemental stanzas by their inferiority, and at the same time be inclined to pardon it, when he considers how difficult it must be to imitate the affecting simplicity and artless beauties of the original." Percy, Reliques, i. 113. (See vol. ii. p. 114.)
It must be acknowledged that this truly modest apology was not altogether uncalled for. So extenÂsive are Percy's alterations and additions, that the reader will have no slight difficulty in detecting the few traces that are left of the genuine composition. Nevertheless, Sir Walter Scott avers that the correcÂtions are " in the true style of Gothic embellishment!"
On yonder hill a castle standes,
"With walles and towres bedight, And yonder lives the Child of Elle,
A younge and comely knighte. |
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