Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/248

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champion, indeed, could not have chosen a better spot for the purpose than this scene; the solemnity of which is well calculated to excite higher aspira- tions in the mind than the thirst of human glory, and to teach better sentiments than the love of slaughter, or the lust of triumph. Br. Percy has well observed, that the history of Guy, though now very properly resigned to children, was once admired by all readers of wit and taste, for taste and wit had once their childhood ; you will, there- fore, pardon me, if, in respect to the tales of the times of old, I just remind you that this redoubted soldier is said to have fought with and conquered an enormous giant, called Collibrand or Colbrand, an African and a Pagan;

" An ugly giant, which the Danes " Had for their champion hither brought;"

that he afterwards slew " a boar of passing might and strength, near Windsor;" on Dunsmore- hcath, " a monstrous wyld andcrucll beast, called the dun cow of Dunsmore-heath;" and finally, " a dragon in Northumberland, which did both man and beast oppresse, and all the countrye sore annoye;" and at length came to Guy's-ClifT,

" Where with his hands he hew'd a house, " And lived like a palmer poore,

" Wilhiu that cave himself alone."'

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