Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

16 MINSTRELSY OF
out of which a monstrous snake issues forth, with a tre-
mendous hiss. Brcmdimarte, with much reluctance,
fulfils the bizarre conditions of the adventure ; and the
monster is instantly changed into a beautiful Fairy, who
loads her deliverer with benefits. For the satisfaction
of those, who may wish to compare the tale of the Ita-
lian Poet with that of Kempion, a part of the original of
Boiardo is given below.*
There is a ballad, somewhat resembling Kempion,
called the Laidlcy Worm of Spindleston-heught Avhich is
very popular upon the Borders ; but having been often
published, it was thought unnecessary to insert it in this
collection. The most common version was either entirely
composed, or re-written, by the Reverend Mr
Lamb, of Norham.
Poich' ebbe il verso Brandiniarte letto,
La lipida pesante in aria alzava ;
Ecco fuor una serpe insin' al petto.
La qiial, forte stridendo, zutblava,
Di spaventoso, c terribil' aspetto,
A prendo il muso gran denti mobtrava,
De' quali il cavalier non t\ fidando.
Si trnsse a dietro, et mise mano al brando.
Ma quella Dcnna gridava " non fate"
Col viso smorto, e grido tremebondo,
" Non far, clie ci farai pcricolare,
K cadrem' tutti quanti nel profondo :
A tc convien quella scipe bariarc,
() far pcnsier di non esscr' al Monik',
Accostar la lua bocca c^n la su,i,
O pcrduia tcner la vita tua."