About 56 lines at the beginning of the work are intended as a general prologue; and 26 more form the introduction to the first Lay. This prefatory matter is written in a style of considerable obscurity, which the author defends by the example of the ancients, and quotes Priscian as her authority. But the doctrine she means to inculcate is, that those who possess talents are bound to employ them; and that study is always good as a preservative from vice and from affliction. She tells us, she had therefore form'd a plan of translating, from Latin into romance, _some good history_, but found her project had been anticipated by others. She then thought of the numerous lays which she _had heard, and carefully treasured in her memory_. These, she was sure, must be new to the generality of her readers; and, in this confidence, she offers to the king the fruits of her labours. After complaining she has met with envy and persecution where she deserved praise, she declares her intention to persevere, and relate, as briefly as possible, such stories as she _knows to be true_, and to have been _formed into lays by the Britons_. Les contes ke jeo sai _rerrais, Dunt li Bretun ont fait ces lais_, Vus conterai asez briefment, &c. The Lays are twelve in number; nine of which, with the above introduction, are extracted, with some trifling abridgment, from the Specimens of early English Metrical Romances, by George Ellis, Esq.; the two in verse from Way's Fabliaux; and the other from the notes to Sir Tristrem, by Walter Scott, Esq. No. 1.--_The Lay of_ SIR GUGEMER, _or_ GUIGEMAR. While Arthur reign'd, (so chim'd, in earlier day, Loud to the twanging harp the Breton lay,) While Arthur reign'd, two kingdoms born to bless, Great Britain's king, and suzerain of the less; A lord of Leon, one of fair report Among the vassal barons of his court, Own'd for his son a youth more bravely thew'd Than aught both countries yet had seen of good. Dame Nature gave the mould; his sire combin'd Due culture, exercise of limbs and mind, Till the rare strippling, now no longer boy, Chang'd his fond parents' fearful hope for joy. His name was Gugemar: as strength grew on, To Arthur's court the sire consign'd his son. There soon in feats of arms the youth excell'd, Magnanimous, in sports, or deadly field. Chief of the Table-round, from time to time Illustrious Arthur mark'd his opening prime, Then dealt him noble meed; the honour high, From his own hand, of glorious chivalry.