comprehends also the histories of the
other six champions, as well as that of St. George. It is contained in a
thick 4to. volume of 524 closely written pages, in Russia, and was
formerly in the collection of the Duke of Roxburghe, whose arms are on
the sides; and afterwards in that of Mr. Heber. This MS. is entirely in
the handwriting of Sir George Buc, as prepared by him for publication.
The initials "G. B." correspond with those of his name, and the
handwriting, having been compared, is found to be exactly similar to a
MS. inscription, in Sir George Buc's handwriting, prefixed to a copy of
his poem ~Daphnis Polustephanos~, 4to., 1605, presented by him to
Lord Chancellor Ellesmere, and preserved at Bridgewater House; a
fac-simile of which is given by Mr. Collier in his privately printed
catalogue of that library, p. 41.

The volume commences with a sort of metrical preface, entitled _The
Muse's Apologie_, in which he says,--

"Consider that my Muse is aged growne,
Whose pilgrimage to _seventy-six is knowne_."

And again:--

"Thy nimble steps to _Norfolk_ none forbeare,
I'm confident thou shalt be welcom'd there,
Where that thy autor _hee was bred and borne_,
Though to Parnassus Girles was never sworne."

The work is dedicated "To the vertuous Lady and his most honoured
friend, the Lady Bacon, at Readgrave Hall, in Suffolk, wife to S^r
Edmond Bacon, Prime Baronett of England," commencing thus:--

"Faire madam,--Having nothing at present, I thought was fitt
(_living at so far distance_) to present to y^r ladyship,"
&c.

The distance here alluded to was probably caused by the author's
residence in London at that time. This is followed by some lines "To the
Courteous Reader," beginning,--

"Some certaine Gentlemen did mee ingage
To publish forth this work, done in myne age
That this, my aged act, it may survive
My funerall and keep me still alive."

and by others, entitled "The Autor," signed "Vale, G. B.;" after which
are added the following lines:--

"Some Poets they are poore, and so am I,
_Except I bee reliev'd in Chancery_;
I scorne to begg, my pen nere us'd the trade,
This book to please my friends is only made,
Which is performed by my aged quill,
For to extend my country my good will.
Let not my country think I took this paynes
In expectation of any gaines."

We know from Mr. Collier's Bridgewater