[1] Mr. Ellis has preserved it entire, with notes which make it intelligible to any modern reader. [2] Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," ii. 1.--"The liberty of abasing their kings and princes at pleasure, assumed by the good people of this realm, is a privilege of very long standing." [3] The Political Songs of England have been recently given by Mr. Thomas Wright, to whom our literature owes many deep obligations. [In the series of volumes published by the Camden Society.] [4] _Lewed_ Mr. Campbell interprets _low_, which is not quite correct. Hearne explains the term as signifying "the laity, laymen, and the illiterate."--The _layman_ was always considered to be _illiterate_, by the devices of the monks. [5] It is to be regretted that Mr. JAMIESON, in his "Popular Ballads," was unavoidably prevented enlarging this class of his songs. He has given the carols of the _Boatmen_, the _Corn-grinders_, and the _Dairy-women_.--Jamieson's "Popular Ballads," ii. 352. [See also "Curiosities of Literature," vol. ii., p. 142, for an article on Songs of Trades, or Songs of the People. A volume of "Songs of the English Peasantry" was published by the Percy Society; and several others are given with the tunes in Chappell's "Popular Music of the Olden Time."] [6] Hearne's "Preface to Peter Langtoft's Chronicle," xxxvii. [7] The curious researches of a French antiquary in this class of literature are given in the two octavo volumes entitled "Histoire des Livres Populaires, ou de la Littérature du Colportage," (Paris, 1854,) by M. Chas. Nisard, who was appointed to the task by a Royal Commission.--ED. [8] "Foreign Quarterly Review," vol. 18. [It is reprinted in the first Volume of Thoms' "Early English Prose Romances."] [9] It has been frequently reprinted, and recently in Germany, as a _livre de luxe_, illustrated with admirable designs by Kaulbach.--ED. [10] Weber. "Brit. Bib.," vol. iv.--The German song of the Ladybird is beautifully versified in the preface to "German Popular Stories," by the late Edgar Taylor.