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THE PREFACE.
The allegorical Poem of the Howlat was composed about the middle of the fifteenth century. Although it has been regarded by criticks, and certainly without much injustice, as a prolix and very uncouth performance, still it is by no means to be considered as wholly destitute of claims to attention. The forced style of alliteration adopted by the author, has, it is true, imparted to his work a certain degree of obscurity, whilst the singular want of propriety shewn in the construction of the fable may likewise, in some measure, contribute to render it less attractive:—yet, after all, as it serves to fill up a chasm in the history of our poetical literature, the reader's curiosity may be excited, if we attempt to throw
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