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SIR ALDINGAR. |
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Or this very remarkable ballad two copies have been printed in English, Sir Aldingar, from the Percy MS. (Reliques, ii. 53), "with conjectural emendations and the insertion of some additional stanzas," and Sir Hugh Le Blond, by Scott, from recitation. The corresponding Danish ballad, Ravengaard og Memering, first published by Grundtvig, is extant in not less than five copies, the oldest derived from a MS. of the middle of the 16th century, the others from recent recitations. With these Grundtvig has given an Icelandic version, from a MS. of the 17th century, another in the dialect of the Faroe Islands, and a third half Danish, half Faroish, both as still sung by the people. The ballad was also preserved, not long ago, in Norway.— Danmarks Gamle Folkeeiser, i. 177-213, ii. 640-645.
All these ballads contain a story one and the same in the essential features — a story which occurs repeatedly in connection with historical personages, in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, as well as England, — and which has also furnished the theme for various modern romances, poems, and tragedies. |
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