And gave me charms and sigils, for defence Against ill tongues that scandal innocence:-- But I, said she, my fellows must pursue, Already past the plain, and out of view.-- We parted thus; I homeward sped my way, } Bewildered in the wood till dawn of day; } And met the merry crew, who danced about the May. } Then late refreshed with sleep, I rose to write The visionary vigils of the night. Blush, as thou may'st, my little book, for shame, Nor hope with homely verse to purchase fame; For such thy maker chose, and so designed Thy simple style to suit thy lowly kind. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 195: Derrick, _wearied_.] [Footnote 196: Trumpeters, and other warlike musicians, long held some part of the character of heralds and of ancient minstrels. They were distinguished by collars and tabards, and often employed on messages, during which their persons were sacred.] [Footnote 197: The joints of the armour were rivetted with nails after the warrior had put it on. Hence among the sounds of preparation for battle, Shakespeare enumerates that of ----The armourers accomplishing the knights, With busy hammers closing rivets up. ] [Footnote 198: Personal attendants, as the name implies. They followed the knights in battle, and never quitted their side: The Duke of York so dread, The eager vaward led, With the main Harry sped, Among his _henchmen_. DRAYTON'S _Ballad of Agincourt_. This office was long retained by the Highland chiefs, and usually conferred on a foster brother. Before a battle, the Frenchmen carried, as in the text, the arms of the knight ready for use.] [Footnote 199: Derrick, _pleasures_.] [Footnote 200: i.e. _psaltery._] [Footnote 201: A species of song or lyric composition, with a returning burden. It is of kin to the _Rondeau_, but of a different measure.] [Footnote 202: The common list of the nine worthies comprehends--Hector, Pompey, and Alexander, Pagans; Joshua, David, and Judas Machabeus, Jews; and Arthur, Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Boulogne, Christians: But it is sometimes varied.] [Footnote 203: This is a mistake of Dryden, who was misled by the spelling of the old English. Chaucer talks of _boughs_, not of _bows_; and says simply, And tho that barin bowes in their hand; Of the precious lawrier so notable. This refers to the description of the knights at their entrance, which Dryden has rightly rendered: Some in their hands, besides the lance and shield, The bows of woodbine, or of hawthorn, held; Or branches for their mystic emblems took Of palm, of laurel, or of cerrial oak.