PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. THE Reliques of Bishop Percy have for a century been favourites with all lovers of ancient poetry and of English literature ; and as they were among the chief friends of my boyhood, it has been a great pleasure to me, in advanced manhood, to help in giving to the world a popular edition of them. I have added a few brief foot-notes, where the Author's meaning, or a passing allusion, seemed obscure; and the Glossaries to each of the three original volumes have been drafted into one in this edition. Those of the "Reliques" which are to be found also in Percy's "Folio Manuscript" have been duly noted; and I have prefixed to the volume a new biography of the venerable author himself. HAMPSTEAD, N.W. E. WALFORD. |