the original and the English Gesta."[1] "It is natural to suppose that a work like the original Gesta would stimnlate some person to the compilation of one that should emulate, if not altogether supersede it; and accordingly this design was aocomplished at a very early period by some Englishman—in all probability, a monk."[2] The feeling on my mind with regard to this Gesta certainly is, that it was intended for the same work as the original: but that in the transcription, with the latitude which the "Adam scriveners" of old invariably allowed themselves, many alterations (miscalled improvements) were made, together with some additions. The English translations of this last compilation vary frequently from their original. For instance, in the eighteenth chapter of the MS. ["English"] Gesta, fol. 17, a knight falls in love with Aglaës, daughter of the Emperor Polentius; but in the English translation of the story (in 1648, a thin 18mo, containing forty-four stories) this same person is styled Philominus. It forms "The fourteenth History." Now, the fact that no manuscript of this Gesta exists in any of the catalogues of continental libraries is easily accounted for, on the supposition of its being transcribed in England, and consequently confined to this country. For other nations, being in possession of an authenticated original, would have little inducement to seek after a newly fabricated copy. English verses found therein, with English proper names, and English law terms, and modes of speech (arguments on which Mr. Douce lays much stress), no more constitute another work than Horace's Art of Poetry, translated by Roscommon; or than Donne's Satires, modernized by Pope.
As the annexed tales gave occasion to some of Shakespeare's plays, and moreover are not defective in that kind of interest which is the peculiar merit of such things, I shall transcribe as many as appear in the English translation,[3] following Mr. Deuce's arrangement, in order to show that the difference between the two Gestas is not so wide as this gentleman appears to imagine. Such as are of no interest, I shall omit.
- ↑ Douce, Illustr. of Shakespeare, vol. ii. p. 362.
- ↑ Ibid. p. 364.
- ↑ I follow a copy printed in 1703, "for R. Chiswell, B. Walford, G. Conyers, at the Ring in Little Britain, and J. W." It is a reprint of the edition of 1648, containing forty-four stories; and is rather scarce. The title-page assures us that it is "very pleasant in reading, and profitable in practice." I hope it may be found so. Amongst the late Sir M. M. Sykes's books was a Black Letter copy of the same work, printed in 1672, "by Edward Crowch for A. Crook." It is in excellent condition which most other copies are not.
