I know not whether the favour you have done me, in having wrote to me
once or twice, entitles me to address you with the familiarity of a near
acquaintance; but I have ventured to trouble you with a voluntary letter.
I presume you have received a very long one from me through the medium of
Mr. Williams. In that I requested to know if you had any good old
popular ballads in the Welsh language on historical and romantic
subjects. This was not a random question. I have in my possession a
very ancient MS. collection of such pieces in our own language, some of
which will throw great light on our old poets. I have selected two for
your inspection, which, when perused, do me the favour to return, and
inform me whether you can remember any on the same subjects in the
Cambrian tongue. I have reason to believe both the inclosed pieces are
of great antiquity. The fragment is certainly more ancient than the time
of Chaucer, who took his Old Wife Bath's tale from it, as any one upon
perusal will be convinced, and consequently that the song was not taken
from Chaucer. I cannot help thinking many of these pieces, about King
Arthur, translations from the ancient British tongue; and it is in order
to receive information on this subject, that I now apply to you. I am
going to print a select collection of these old pieces, not only on
account of the merit of the poetry which they contain, (and even these
display proofs of great invention,) but also as conducing to illustrate
our best old poets who frequently allude to these compositions. As the
press waits, I would intreat the favour of a speedy answer. I shall soon
be able to send you a specimen of some Runic poetry; which, you will
find, bears a surprising similitude to your own Welsh songs, more
specimens of which, at your leisure, will oblige,
Dear Sir, your most faithful servant,
THOMAS PERCY.
_Easton Maudit_, _Nov._ 22, 1761.
* * * * *
The same to the same.