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144 THE NUTBRCCWNE MAIDE.
Literaria, vol. i. p. 15, and by Mr. Wright, in a little black-letter volume, London, 1836. Wehave adoPYEd Mr. Wright's text, not neglecting to compare it with that of Sir Egerton Brydges.
It will be interesting to compare with this matchless poem a ballad in other languages, which has the same drift; — Die Lind im Thale, or Liebesprobe, Erk, Deutscher Liederhort, p. 1, 3 ; Uhland, No. 116 ; Hoffmann, Schlesische V. L., No. 22, Niederlandische V. L., No. 26; Haupt and Schmaler, V. L. der Wenden, i. 72 (Hoffmann).
In the sixteenth century a ridiculous attempt was made to supplant the popular ballads in the mouths and affections of the people by turning them into pious parodies. The Nut-Brown Maid was treated in this way, and the result may be seen in The New Nol-borune Mayd, printed by the Eoxburghe Club, and by the Percy Society, vol. vi.
" Be it right or wrong, these men among
On women do complaine, Affermyng this, how that it is
A labour spent in vaine To love them wele, for never a dele s
They love a man agayne : For lete a man do what he can
Ther favour to attayne, Yet yf a newe do them pursue,
Ther furst trew lover than w
Laboureth for nought, and from her thought
He is a bannished man." |
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