Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

ftift ANCIENT S G i\ G S
T^tf learned Selden tells us that ahout the time of the
Norman invafion was Ben.)isfamous 'with the title of Earl of
Southampton, whofe refidence was at Dunclon in Wiltjhire
hut obferves that the monkiflo enlargements of his ftory, have
made his very exifence doubted.
Song III.
See Notes on Poly-Qlbion,
As for the martial Hifiory of St. George, it is given up
as entirely apocryphal. The equeftrian figure, worn by the
knights of the garter, has been underftood to be an emblem of
the chrijlian warrior, in his fpiritual armour, vanquijhing
the oldferpent. But a learned writer has lately Jkewn that
it is neither more -nor hfs, than a charm or amulet borrowed
from fo?ne caflern heretics ; which having been originally
worn as a proteclion from the malignity of the air, at length
was confidered as a prefervative from wounds, and a means
to injure viclory in battle. For it feems the ancient orientals
reprefented the fun by a man on horfeback ; the fun's rays by
.a fpear ; and any noxious exhalation by a ferpent. See Pe~
tingall''s dijfertation, \io.
It cannot be denied, but that a great part of thefollowing
ballad is modern : for which reajon it would have been
thrown to the end of the volume, had not itsfubjed procured
it a place here.
LISTEN,
lords, in bower and hall,
I fing the wonderous birth
Of brave St. George, whofe valorous arm
Rid monilers from the earth :
Diftreffed ladies to relieve 5
He travel I'd many a day
In honour of the chrifKan faith,
Which mall endure for aye.
In Coventry fometime did dwell
A knight of worthy fame, i-o
;
;
High