Robert of Gloucester wrote in the western dialect, and his language differs
exceedingly from that of other contemporary writers, who resided in the metropolis,
or in the midland counties. Had the Heptarchy continued, our Engilsh language would
probably have been as much distinguished for its different dialects as the Greek; or at
least as that of the several independent states of Italy.
- Or of thirteen syllables, in what they call a feminine verse. It is remarkable that
the French alone have retained this old Gothic metre for their serious poems; while
the English, Spaniards, &c., have adopted the Italic verse of ten syllables, although
the Spaniards, as well as we, anciently used a short-lined metre. I believe the success
with which Petrarch, and perhaps one or two others, first used the heroic verse of ten
syllables in Italian poesy, recommended it to the Spanish writers; as it also did to our
Chaucer, who first attempted it in English; and to his successors Lord Surrey, Sir
Thomas Wyat, &c.; who afterwards improved it and brought it to perfection. To Lord
Surrey we also owe the first introductlon of blank verse in his versions of the second
and fourth books of the Æneid, 1567, 4to. - Thus our poets use this verse indifferently with twelve, eleven, and even ten
syllables. For though regularly it consists of four anapests ( ̆ ̆ˉ) or twelve syllablles,
yet they frequently retrench a syllable from the first or third anapest and sometimes
from both; as in these instances from Prior, and from the following song of
Conscience:
"Whŏ hăs eēr beĕn ăt Pārĭs, mŭst nēeds knŏw thĕ Grēve,
Thĕ fātăl rĕtrēat ŏf th'ŭnfōrtŭnăte brāve.
Hĕ stēpt tŏ hĭm strāight, ănd dīd hĭm rĕquīre."17.See instances inL'Hist. de la Poésie Françoise, par Massieu, &c. In the same book
are also specimens of alliterative French verses.
- Catalina, A. 3.
- Boileau, Sat.
- Boil., Sat 11.
- In a small 4to. MS., containing 38 leaves, in private hands.
- Didst dye.
- Though.
- Being overpowered.
25.i.e.either, or.
- Solemn.
- Since the above was written, this poem hath been printed in "Ancient Scottish
Poems, &c. from the MS. Collections of Sir R. Maitland of Lethington, knight."
London, 1786, 2 vols. 12mo. The two first lines are here corrected by that edition. - Garden.
- Hedged.
- Bough.