Specimens of the early English poets [ed. by G. Ellis.]. To which is prefixed an historical sketch of the rise and progress of the English poetry and language. By G. Ellis, Volume 11801 |
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Page 38
... particular parts of his policy , effects directly opposite to those which they were naturally calculated to produce . We are told , for instance , that William hated and determined to eradicate the language of this island , and to ...
... particular parts of his policy , effects directly opposite to those which they were naturally calculated to produce . We are told , for instance , that William hated and determined to eradicate the language of this island , and to ...
Page 58
... particular description ; he must sieze on every thing that passes before his eyes ; and the dress , the customs , the occupations , the amuse- ments , as well as the arts and learning of the day , are necessary , either to the ...
... particular description ; he must sieze on every thing that passes before his eyes ; and the dress , the customs , the occupations , the amuse- ments , as well as the arts and learning of the day , are necessary , either to the ...
Page 128
... particular patron , and frequently travelled from castle to castle , for the purpose of reciting his compositions during the principal festivals . But as it is very difficult for the same person to attain equal ex- cellence in all the ...
... particular patron , and frequently travelled from castle to castle , for the purpose of reciting his compositions during the principal festivals . But as it is very difficult for the same person to attain equal ex- cellence in all the ...
Page 131
... particular species of composition , is as evident , as that a body of actors must influence the exertions of theatrical writers . They were , at a time when reading and writing were rare accomplishments , the principal medium of ...
... particular species of composition , is as evident , as that a body of actors must influence the exertions of theatrical writers . They were , at a time when reading and writing were rare accomplishments , the principal medium of ...
Page 155
... particular sort of bread . Perhaps another sort of bread used at breakfast . 3 Booth ? or borough ? 4 In some editions the word not is omitted , which will only increase the perplexity . The meaning , as the line stands here ( from edit ...
... particular sort of bread . Perhaps another sort of bread used at breakfast . 3 Booth ? or borough ? 4 In some editions the word not is omitted , which will only increase the perplexity . The meaning , as the line stands here ( from edit ...
Other editions - View all
Specimens of the Early English Poets [Ed. by G. Ellis.]. to Which Is ... English Poets No preview available - 2016 |
Specimens of the Early English Poets [Ed. by G. Ellis.]. to Which Is ... English Poets No preview available - 2018 |
Common terms and phrases
ancient Anglo-Norman Anglo-Saxon appears Beorn called castle century Chaucer Chronicle composed compositions contemporary curious dames Dares Phrygius Dictys Cretensis Dona Dukes of Normandy earl Edward III England English poetry extract fabliau fair Florent France French Geoffrey of Monmouth glossary gold Gothic Gower hafde hath Henry II heore hirede king knight ladies land language Latin Layamon learned Lord Lydgate Macbeth means meat metrical minstrels monk n'is never noble Norman observed original perhaps poem poet poetical preserved probably purpose reader reign of Edward Reign of Henry rhyme rich Robert de Brunne Robert of Gloucester Romance Saxon says Scotish Scotland seems song specimens Stephen Hawes style Summe heo supposed syllables talents thee thou thought tion transcriber translated Tyrwhitt unto verse versification Wace Warton weoren women word writers written Wyntown
Popular passages
Page 213 - HAvE observed, that a reader seldom peruses a book with pleasure, till he knows whether the writer of it be a black or a fair man, of a mild or choleric disposition, married or a bachelor, with other particulars of the like nature, that conduce very much to the right understanding of an author.
Page 301 - And sing with us, away ! winter away ! " Come summer, come ! the sweet season and sun ! " Awake, for shame ! that have your heavens won ! " And amorously lift up your headis all ; " Thank love, that list you to his mercy call I
Page 320 - Now have we many chimneys ; and yet our tenderlings complain of rheums, catarrhs, and poses ; then had we none but reredosses, and our heads did never ache. For as the smoke in those days was supposed to be a sufficient hardening for the timber of the house, so it was reputed a far better medicine to keep the good-man and his family from the quack or pose, wherewith, as then, very few were acquainted.
Page 322 - ... and thereto a sack of chaff to rest his head upon, he thought himself to be as well lodged as the lord of the town...
Page 275 - I am of opinion, that Lydgate made considerable additions to those amplifications of our language, in which Chaucer, Gower, and Occleve led the way : and that he is the first of our writers whose style is cloathed with that perspicuity, in which the English phraseology appears at this day to an English reader.
Page 40 - IT WAS FROM ENGLAND AND NORMANDY THAT THE FRENCH RECEIVED THE FIRST WORKS WHICH DESERVE TO BE CITED IN THEIR LANGUAGE.
Page 323 - As for servants, if they had any sheet above them, it was well, for seldom had they any under their bodies to keep them from the pricking straws that ran oft through the canvas of the pallet and rased their hardened hides.
Page 105 - Thomas, &c. It appears, from a very curious MS. of the thirteenth century, penes Mr Douce, of London, containing a French metrical romance of Sir Tristrem, that the work of our Thomas the Rhymer was known, and referred to, by the minstrels of Normandy and Bretagne.
Page 327 - I saw where hung my own6 hood, That I had lost among the throng : To buy my own hood I thought it wrong; I knew it as well as I did my creed; But, for lack of money, I could not speed. The Taverner took me by the sleeve; "Sir," saith he,
Page 316 - Ploughman, have highly extolled this useful body of men, while the French minstrels of the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries universally seem to approve the supercilious contempt with which the nobles affected to treat them.