Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

THE SCOTTISH BORDER. 19
cerning huge and destructive snakes, and also of a poi-
sonous reptile called a mmi-keeper ; although the common
adder, and blind womi, are the only reptiles of that
gemis now known to haunt our wilds. Whether it be
possible, that, at an early period, before the country was
drained, and cleared of wood, serpents of a larger size
may have existed, is a question which the editor leaves
to the naturalist. But, not to mention the fabulous dra-
gon, slain in Northumberland by Sir Bevis, the fame
still survives of many a preux chevalier, supposed to have
distinguished himself by similar achievements.
The manor of Sockburne, in the bishopric of Durham,
anciently the seat of the family of Conyers, or Cogniers,
is held of the bishop by the service of presenting, or
showing to him, upon his first entrance into his diocese.
Punto il Guerrier de questi agre parole,
Torna de nuovo ver la sepoltura,
Tinsegli in rose il color de viole.
In vergogna mutata la paura :
Pur stando ancor' fra due, vuole, e non vuole,
Un pensier lo spaventa, un I'assicura
Al fin tra Tanimoso, e'l disperato,
A lei s'accosta, ed halle un bacio dato.
Un ghiaccio proprio gli parse a toccare
La bocca, die parea prima di foco :
La serpe se commincia a tramutare,
E diventa donzella a poco a poco :
Febosilla costei si fa chiamare,
Ub fata, che fece quel bel loco,
E quel giardino, e quella sepoltura,
Ove gran tempo e stato in pena dura, &.c.