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284 FAIR ROSAMOND." |
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and besides, with trifling variations, in A Collection of Old Ballads, i. 11, Percy's Reliques, ii. 151, and Bitson's Ancient Songs, ii. 120, from black-letter copies.
Another ballad with the title of the Unfortunate Concubine, or, Rosamond's Overthrow, is given in the collection of 1723, vol. i. p. 1. The story is also treated in the forty-first chapter of Warner's Albion's England. Warner has at least one good stanza,1 which is more than can be said of this wretched, but very popular, production.
Some corrections have been adopted from the Crown Garland of Golden Roses.
When as King Henrie rul'd this land,
The second of that name, Beside the Queene, he dearly loved
A faire and princely dame. Most peerelesse was her beautie found, s
Her favour, and her face; A sweeter creature in this world
Did never prince imbrace.
Her crisped locks like threades of gold
Appeared to each mans sight; io
Her comely eyes, like orient pearles, Did cast a heavenly light.
The blood within her cristall cheekes Did such a cullour drive,
1. With that she dasht her on the lips, So dyed double red; Hard was the heart that gave the blow, Soft were those lips that bled. |
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