lad history here referred to has been printed for chapmen up to a very recent period. It is printed in Percy's Reliques, p. 40, ed. 1840. An edition printed by Copland is in the British Museum, and it was licensed to John Kynge as early as 1558. See Collier's Extracts, p. 15. 24. The Churl and the Bird. A poem by Lydgate, the original of which was probably an old French fabliau, printed by Barbazan, under the title of "Le Lais de l'oiselet." It was printed by Caxton, Wynkyn de Worde, Copland, Ashmole, and recently in Lydgate's Minor Poems, p. 179. 25. The Seven Wise Masters. An oriental romance, very popular in the middle ages, and translated into several European languages. Weber and Wright have printed early English metrical versions of this romance. Marshe had a license for this book in 1559; Copland published an edition, but without date; and Purfoote had a license for it in 1566. See Collier's Extracts, pp. 16, 143. 26. The Wife Lapt in a Morel's Skin. A curious poem, "imprinted at London, in Fleetestreete, beneath the Conduite, at the signe of Saint John Evangelist." It is entitled, "Here begynneth a merry Jeste of a shrewde and curste wyfe, lapped in Morrelles Skin for her good behavyour." 27. The Sack Full of News. Heber had a small jest book, printed in 1673, under this title, whether a re-impression of the one here mentioned or not I am unable to say: Bibl. Heber, part iv., p. 275. It was entered on the books of the Stationers' Company by John Kynge, in 1557. See further observations in Collier's Extracts, p. 3. 28. The Sergeant that became a Friar. A poetical tale, by Sir Thomas More, an unique edition of which, in 4to., is in the Bodleian Library. It is also printed in the folio edition of his works, Lond., 1577. 29. Skogan. The collection of silly stories, published under the title of "Scoggin's Jests," is supposed to have been written by the celebrated Andrew Borde. It was licensed to Colwell in 1566, but the oldest known edition bears the date of 1626. 30. Colin Clout. A poetical satire, by Skelton, on the corruptions of the Church. It was printed in his Workes, ed. 1568. 31. The Friar and the Boy. A most popular story. An early copy in MS. is preserved at Cambridge, printed by Mr. Wright, 12mo., 1836. Several editions appeared in the 16th century, and chap-books of it have continued to be printed till very recently. 32. Elynor Rumming. A poetical description of an ale-wife, by Skelton. It was printed in his Workes, ed. 1568. 33. The Nutbrown Maid. A well-known old ballad of great merit. It has been repainted by Capell, Percy, and Wright. "John Kynge ys fyned, for that he did prynt the Nutbrowne Mayde without lycense."-Stationers' Registers, 1559, Collier, p. 16. 34. The Shepherd's Kalendar. "The Boke of Shepherdes Kalender," printed by Wynkyn de Worde, is in Douce's collection. It is a compilation of popular philosophy, and was often reprinted. The contents of this calendar are very miscellaneous, including astronomy, ethics, politics, divinity, physiognomy, medicine, astrology, and geography. 35. The Ship of Fools. A general satire on the times, partly original and partly translated, by Alexander Barclay, 1509; another edition, 1570. This poem is too well known to require further notice. 36. Daniel's Dreams. An early treatise on the interpretation of dreams, professedly taken from the prophet Daniel. "The Dreames of Daniell, with the exposycions of the xij. sygnes, devyded by the xij. monthes of the yeare, and also the destenys both of man and woman borne in eche monthe of the yere," 16mo., printed by R. Wyer. See Lowndes, p. 538. 37. The Book of Fortune. A poem by Sir Thomas More. See Warton, vol. iii., p. 95. An edition of this work, printed by Robert Wyer, is at Lambeth Palace, and is, as far as I know, unique. It was also licensed to William Powell in 1560. 38. Stans Puer ad Mensam. A poem on manners at table, by John Lydgate. It was printed by Pynson, and republished in 1588. A copy of it, from an early manuscript, will be found in the Reliquiæ Antiquæ, vol. i., p. 156, of which the following specimen may suffice: "Grennyng and mowes at table eschewe; Kepe clene thi lippes fro fatt of flessh or fysshe; "Off brede y-bite no soppis that thu make; 39. The High Way to the Spittle House. A very curious poem, by R. Copland, and printed by him, describing the impositions of mendicants, their eating soap, their assumed fits, &c. A copy of this tract is in the Bodleian Library, and has been reprinted by Mr. Utterson. 40. Julian of Brainford's Testament. I have had the misfortune of reading this very rare blackletter tract, and can only say that not even a line of it is fitted for "ears polite," save the poem which is quoted in the notes to the First Sketch of the Merry Wives of Windsor, p. 68. Only two copies of it are known to exist. Heber's fetched £9 108. Od., part 4, p. 74. 41. The Castle of Love. This is a translation from the Spanish, for which see further in Collier's Extracts, p. 100. A poem by Grosteste, under this title, exists in MS., and is described by Warton, vol. i., p. 73, but I am not aware of its having been printed at this early period. 42. The Budget of Demands. This is probably "Delectable demandes and pleasaunt questions," 4to., 1566, Dibdin, No. 2551; or it may perhaps be the "Demaundes Joyous," printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1511. See, however, Collier, ibid., p. 94. 43. Hundred Merry Tales. An old collection of foolish anecdotes, printed by Rastell, and again by Walley in 1558. It is alluded to in Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing." 44. Book of Riddles. A popular book, mentioned also in "The English Courtier," 4to., 1586. Master Slender had a copy, which he lent to Alice Shortcake. See the "Merry Wives of Windsor," act i., sc. 1. An edition of this book, printed in 1629, is in the library of the Earl of Ellesmere. 45. The Seven Sorrows of Women. I am not acquainted with any tract bearing this title. 46. The Proud Wives Paternoster. A curious satirical poem, printed by John Kynge, in 1560. A copy of it is in the Bodleian Library, reprinted by Mr. Utterson. 47. The Chapman of a Pennyworth of Wit. According to a letter in the "Gentleman's Magazine," this tract has been reprinted by Mr. Utterson. A book, entitled "a penyworth of wytt," was licensed to John Sampson in 1561. The tract here referred to was no doubt the poem printed by Ritson, "How a merchande dyd hys wyfe betray." 48. Youth and Charity. A book under this title was entered on the registers of the Stationers' Company in 1557. There is little doubt but that Laneham refers to the "Interlude of Youth," printed by Waley and Copland, in which Charity is one of the dramatis personæ. VOL. IV. Ꭰ |