XIV. THE LADY ISABELLA'S TRAGEDY. THIS ballad is given from an old black-letter copy in the Pepys Collection, collated with another in the British Museum, H. 263, folio. It is there entitled The Lady Isabella's Tragedy, or the Step-Mother's Cruelty. XV.-A HUE AND CRY AFTER CUPID. THIS song is a kind of translation of a pretty poem of Tasso's, called Amore fuggitivo, generally printed with his Aminta, and originally imitated from the first Idyllium of Moschus. It is extracted from Ben Jonson's masque at the marriage of Lord Viscount Hadington, on Shrove-Tuesday 1608. Still the fairest are his fuell, When his daies are to be cruell; And his baths their warmest bloud: Trust him not: his words, though sweet, Not a kisse but poyson beares; Idle minutes are his raigne ; Then the straggler makes his gaine, To have all childish as himselfe. If by these yee please to know him, XVI. THE KING OF FRANCE'S DAUGHTER.* "THE story of this ballad seems to be taken from an incident in the domestic history of Charles the Bald, King of France. His daughter Judith was betrothed to Ethelwulph, King of England; but before the marriage was consummated, Ethelwulph died, and she returned to France, whence she was carried off by Baldwyn, Forester of I landers, who, after many crosses and difficulties, at length obtained the king's consent to their marriage, and was made Earl of Flanders. This happened about A.D. 863.-See Rapin, Henault, and the French historians." So writes the bishop; but this account is not true to history, as Judith married Ethelwulph with her father's consent and went to England with him. He died two years afterwards, and Judith married his son Ethelbert, which caused great public disapprobation, and a separation was effected. After this, Judith returned to her father's court and eloped with Baldwin, Grand Forester of France. Eventually the king became reconciled to this marriage, Baldwin was made Count of Flanders, and their daughter Matilda married William the Conqueror. The following copy is given from the Editor's ancient folio MS., collated with another in black letter in the Pepys Collection, entitled An excellent Ballad of a prince of England's courtship to the king of France's daughter, etc. To the tune of 'Crimson Velvet.' IN the dayes of old, When faire France did flourish, Storyes plaine have told, Lovers felt annoye. The queene a daughter bare, Whom beautye's queene did nourish : She was lovelye faire, She was her fathers joye. But he was exil'd, and outcast: Shee granted his desire, Their hearts in one were linked fast. And tormented in his minde. * Given in folio as In the Days of Old. |