of this poem": that in the first edition the
line begins _Corruis in Scyllam_, but in the Lyons edition, _Incidis in
Scyllam_; while, as we have already seen, Pasquier says, _Decidis in
Scyllam_. Bohn, in his "Bibliographer's Manual," after referring in
general terms to the editions, says of the poem, "In it will be found
that trite verse so often repeated, _Incidis_, &c.,"--words which he
seems to have borrowed from Beloe.[30] "Trite" seems to be hardly
respectful.[31]

Very little is known of the author. He is called in Latin Philippus
Gualterus or Galterus; in French it is sometimes Gaultier and sometimes
Gautier. The French biographical dictionaries, whether of Michaud or of
Didot, attest the number of persons who bore this name, of all degrees
and professions. There was the Norman knight _sans Avoir_, who was one
of the chiefs of the first Crusade. There also was another Gautier,
known as the Sire d'Yvetot, stabbed to death by his sovereign, Clotaire,
who afterwards in penitence erected the lordship of Yvetot into that
kingdom which Beranger has immortalized. And there have been others of
this name in every walk of life. Fabricius, in his "Bibliotheca Latina
Mediae et Infimae AEtatis,"[32] mentions no less than seventy-six Latin
authors of this name. A single verse has saved one of these from the
oblivion which has overtaken the multitude.

He was born at Lille, but at what precise date is uncertain. Speaking
generally, it may be said that he lived and wrote during the last half
of the twelfth century, while Philip Augustus was King of France, and
Henry II. and Richard Coeur-de-Lion ruled England, one century after
Abelard, and one century before Dante. After studying at Paris, he went
to establish himself at Chatillon; but it is not known at which of the
three or four towns of this name in France. Here he was charged with the
direction of schools, and became known by the name of this town, as
appears in the epitaph, somewhat ambitiously Virgilian, which he wrote
for himself:--

"Insula me genuit, rapuit Castellio nomen;
Perstrepuit modulis Gallia tota meis."

But he is known sometimes by his birthplace, and sometimes by his early
residence. The highest French authority calls him Gaultier of Lille or
of Chatillon.[33] He has been sometimes confounded with Gaultier of
Coutances, Archbishop of Rouen, who was born in the island of
Jersey;[34] and sometimes with the Bishop of Maguelonne of the same
name