In Kemp's "Nine Daies Wonder," printed in 1600, there is apparently an allusion to Johnson, as "the ballad-maker whom his kinsman Jansonius brought out," and whom Kemp “humbly requests not to fill the country with lyes of his never done actes, as he did in his late morrice to Norwich."

"The Famous Historie of the Seven Champions of Christendome" is the work by which Johnson is best known. Though now "the play-thing of children," it was once in high repute. Meres mentions it in his "Palladis Tamia, or Wit's Treasury," fol. 268, 1598; and Bishop Hall, in his Satires, published in 1597, ranks

"St. George's sorrell, and his cross of blood"

among the most popular stories of his time. The earliest extant edition of this celebrated romance (what edition the title-page does not indicate) was printed, in two parts, in 1608, 4to. but the Rev. A. Dyce has pointed out two entries of it in the Stationers' Books in 1596. The first is to John Danter, on the 20th of April, and the second to Cuthbert Burby (by assignment from John Danter) on the 6th of September. Vide notes on Kemp's Nine daies Wonder, p. 35.

Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth, Johnson lamented that " untimely event" in a work bearing

the title of "Anglorum Lachrymæ, in a sad Passion, complayning the Death of Queene Elizabeth ; yet comforted againe by the vertuous hopes of King James."

In 1607 he published "The Pleasant Walkes of Moore-fields," 4to., and in 1612" A Remembrance of the Honors due to the Life and Death of Robert (Cecill) Earle of Salisbury."

Johnson was probably the author of "The History of Tom of Lincoln," 4to., by R. J., who likewise reprinted "Don Flores of Greece," 4to. His latest work appears to have been "Dainty Conceits," printed in the year 1630. Of this we know no other copy than that sold in the WhiteKnight's Sale. It may be conjectured that Johnson did not long survive this date; for, if we suppose him to have been twenty-five years old in the year 1592, when we first hear of him as an author, he must have attained the age of sixty-three when the "Dainty Conceits" were published.

The following Garland is reprinted from the first known edition, viz. that of 1612, a copy of which is deposited in the Bodleian Library. It was frequently reprinted, each time receiving "new additions." The greater proportion of the ballads are historical, and, from very early times down to the end of the seventeenth century, the common people knew history chiefly from ballads.

Aubrey mentions that his nurse could repeat the history of England, from the conquest down to the time of Charles I, in ballads.

It would be impossible to give anything like a complete list of the editions through which "The Crown Garland" passed; but those of 1631; of 1659 and 1662, for W. Gilbert; of 1680, for W. W.; and of 1692, for W. Thackeray (and probably others) are still extant.

It was at first intended to add, in an appendix to the present edition, the ballads included in that of 1659, but a careful examination has proved that the greater part, if not the whole, are to be found in other Garlands, which the Percy Society proposes at a future time to reprint. Many of the added ballads are by Thomas Deloney.

The contents of the two editions are the same as far as page 51 of the present reprint. All after that are omitted in the edition of 1659, and the following inserted in their place.

1. A Servant's Sorrow for the Loss of his late royal Mistris Queen An., who dyed at Hampton Court.

The tune is "In sad and ashy weeds."

First line." In dole and deep distress."

2. The Good Shepheard's sorrow for the death of his beloved son. To a new tune.

First line.--"In sad and ashy weeds."

3. Coridon's Comfort.-The second part of the Good Shepheard. To the same tune.

First line.-"Peace, Shepheard, cease to moan.'

4. A Mournful Ditty of the death of the Fair Rosamond, King Henry the Second's concubine. To the tune of Flying Fame.

First line." When as King Henry rul'd this land."

5. A most rare and excellent History of the Duchess of Suffolk's calamity. To the tune of Queen Dido.

First line." When God had taken for our sin.”

This ballad, which ends the first part, is taken from Deloney's "Strange Histories," 1607, which have already been reprinted by the Society. The second part begins with—

6. The lamentable Fall of the great Dutches of Glocester, the wife of Duke Humfrey: how she did penance in London Streets_bare-footed, with a wax candle in her hand: and how at last she was banished the land, where, in exile in the Isle of Man, she ended her dayes in woe. To the tune of "Fortune my Foe."

First line.-"I once a Dutches was of great renown."

7. A courtly new song of the Princely wooing of the fair Maid of London, by King Edward. To the tune of “Bonny sweet Robin."

First line.-"Fair Angel of England, thy beauty so bright."

8. The Fair Maid of London's answer to King Edward's wanton love. To the same tune.

First line." Oh wanton King Edward, 'tis labour in vain."

9. The story of ill May-day in the time of King Henry the

Eighth, and why it was so called: and how Queen Katherine begged the lives of two thousand London Prentices. To the tune of "Essex's good night."

First line.-"Peruse the stories of this land."

10. The life and death of the two Ladies of Finsbury that gave Moor-Fields to the City, for the Maidens of London to dry cloaths in. To the tune of "Where is my true love." First line."You gallant London Damsels."

11. An excellent Song made of the successors of King Edward the Fourth. To the tune of "O man in desperation."

First line." When as the King of England dy'd."

12. The princely Song of the Six Queens that were married to Henry the Eighth, King of England. The tune is "Welladay."

First line." When England fame did ring."

13. The lamentable complaint of Queen Mary for the unkind departure of King Philip, in whose absence she fell sick, and dyed. The tune is Crimson Velvet.

First line. Many doth complain."

14. The Battel of Agen-Court, between the English-men and French-men. The tune is Flying Fame.

First line." A council grave our king did hold."