Many breaches having been made in this old song by the hand of time, principally (as might be expected) in the quick returns of the rhime; an attempt is here made to repair them.
[This ballad was written by Thomas Deloney, who included it in his _Garland of Goodwill_ (Percy Society, vol. xxx. p. 52). It is, as Percy points out, founded on history, but Deloney paid little attention to facts. All the first part of the poem, which tells of the miserable end of the English prince of suitable age to the young French princess, is fiction. Judith was Ethelwulf's wife for about two years, and on the death of her husband she married his son Ethelbert. The only historical fact that is followed in the ballad is the marriage of Judith with Baldwin, Great Forester of France, from which union descended Matilda, the wife of William the Conqueror.
The copy in the Folio MS. (ed. Hales and Furnivall, vol. iii. p. 441) is entitled "In the Dayes of Olde." Percy altered it considerably, sometimes following the printed copy and sometimes the MS.
Mr. Hales suggests that the name of the tune is derived from the dress of the princess, described in vv. 185-6,--
"Their mothers riche array Was of crimson velvet,"
In the dayes of old, When faire France did flourish, Storyes plaine have told, Lovers felt annoye. The queene a daughter bare, 5 Whom beautye's queene did nourish: She was lovelye faire She was her father's joye. A prince of England came, Whose deeds did merit fame, 10 But he was exil'd, and outcast: Love his soul did fire, Shee granted his desire, Their hearts in one were linked fast. Which when her father proved, 15 Sorelye he was moved, And tormented in his minde. He sought for to prevent them; And, to discontent them, Fortune cross'd these lovers kinde. 20
When these princes twaine Were thus barr'd of pleasure, Through the kinges disdaine, Which their joyes withstoode: The lady soone prepar'd 25 Her jewells and her treasure; Having no regard For state and royall bloode; In homelye poore array She went from court away, 30 To meet her joye and hearts delight; Who in a forest great Had taken up his seat, To wayt her coming in the night. But, lo! what sudden danger 35 To this princely stranger Chanced, as he sate alone! By outlawes he was robbed, And with ponyards stabbed, Uttering many a dying grone. 40
