Without expatiating upon the nature of such a royal entertainment as this, I shall observe from it, that as the "the Lady of the Lake" was a very popular character in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, so consequently the romance which supplied this fiction, was at the same time no less popular. We may add, that it is not improbable that Spenser might allude, in the above-cited verses, to some of the circumstances in this part of the queen's entertainment; for Queen Elizabeth, the Fayre Elisa, is the lady whom the "Ladies of the Lake" are represented as repairing to, in that eclogue*. Nor is it improbable that this lady was often exhibited upon other occasions; nor is it improper to remark in this place, that Ben. Johnson has introduced her, together with Spenser's pastorals were published about four years after this entertainment. Their first edition is dated 1579. It is a thin quarto, printed in the black letter, with the commentary of E. K. perhaps Edward King. King Arthur and Merlin, in an entertainment before the court of James I. called, "Prince Henries Barriers." The above ancient letter acquints us, that the queen was entertained with a song from this romance, which is a corroborative proof of its popularity at that time." A minstrall came forth with a sollem song warranted for story out of King Arthur's acts, the first book, 24. whereof I gat a copy, and that is this. "So it fell out on a Pentecost day This is the song above hinted at, where mention is made of King Rience demanding the beard of King Arthur. In the same letter, a gentleman who shewed some particular feats of activity before the queen, is said to be" very cunning in fens, and hardy as Gawen." This Gawen was King Arthur's nephew, and his achievements are highly celebrated in Morte Arthur. We find Spenser in another place alluding to the fable of the Lady of the Lake so much spoken of in this romance. -A little while Before that Merlin dyde, he did intend In the mean time, thro' that false ladies traine These verses are obscure, unless we consider the following relation in Morte Arthur."The 'Lady of the Lake'and Merlin departed; and by the way as they went, Merlin shewed to her many wonders, and came into Cornwaile. And alwaies Merlin lay about the ladie for to have her favour; and she was ever passing wery of him, and faine would have been delivered of him; for she was afraid of him, because he was a divells son, and she could not put him away by no meanes. And so upon a time it hapned, that Merlin shewed to her in a roche [rock] whereas was a great wonder, and wrought by enchauntment, which went under a stone, so by her subtle craft and working she made Merlin to go under that stone, to let him wit of the marvailes there. But she wrought so there for him, that he came never out, for all the craft that he could doe*." Our author has taken notice of a superstitious tradition, which is related at large in this romance. * B. i. c. 60. -Good Lucius That first received christianitie, The sacred pledge of Christs evangelie: Hither came Joseph of Arimathie*, Who brought with him the holy grayle, they say, And preacht the truth; but since it greatly did decay. 2: 10. 53. The holy Grale, that is, the real blood of our blessed Saviour. What Spenser here writes Grayle, is often written Sangreal, or St. Grale, in Morte Arthur, and it is there said to have been brought into England by Joseph of Arimathea. Many of King Arthur's knights are in the same book represented as adventuring in quest, or in search of the * Concerning the preaching of Joseph of Arimathea there was an old song or legend." The olde man had an harpe, and there he sung how Joseph of Arimathea came into this land."-Morte Arthur B. iii. c. 5. See also c. 38. |