Page:Buke of the Howlat.djvu/94

APPENDIX. 5 temporal epitaph” on the "Death of the Deer," says, “I will something affect the letter, (that is, I will practise alliteration; and, gentle reader, pray mark the reason)--for it argues facility." St. v.-The complaint of this melancholy bird, as Mr Alexander Thomson, in his MS. remarks on this poem, has observed, is not like that of the Owl in Gray's Elegy, complaining to the moon "Of such as, wand'ring near her secret bower, Molest her ancient solitary reign"- But rather resembles that of Shakespeare's Richard, when descanting on his own deformity. St. XIII-XIX.- In these stanzas, the different birds belonging to the State Temporal, with their several dignities, are minutely described. Some inge- nuity,"as Sir Walter Scott, in a MS.note, observes, is displayed in selecting the points of connection betwixt the particular species of birds, and the ranks and orders assigned to each. The author has anticipated Dryden, who describes the Catholic clergy, on account of their early and vigilant church service, under character of the bird which warned Saint Peter of his fall--for Holland informs us, The Cok in his cler cap that crawis and cryis, Was chosyn Chantor.' The mendicant friars are slily described under the guise of Crying Crawis and Cais that cravis the corn.' - The solitary Heron is a contemplative Chartreux. Extensive notes," Sir Walter adds, "might be written on this part of the poem ;" which, however, the editor will not at present attempt. St. xix. 1. 4, Se fowle and seid fowle.'--Chaucer also speaks of "Water- foulis" and " Seed-foulis"-In his poem, the " Assemblie of Foulis," all the birds are gathered before the "noble Goddesse, Nature, on St. Valentine's Day, to choose their makes;" but before proceeding to mention their names, the poet separates them in the following manner :- “ This noble Empresse, full of all grace, Bad every foule take her own place, As they were wont alway, fro yere to yere, On Sanct Valentine's day, standen here. That is to saie, the foules of rauine Were highest set, and then the foules smale That eaten, as that Nature would encline