(Vol. ii., p. 519. Vol. iii., p. 27.)
Subjoined is a brief notice of the various printed forms in which the old
song called "Winifreda" has, from time to time, been brought before the
public. I am indebted for these particulars to a kind friend in the British
Museum, but we have hitherto failed in discovering the author.
1. The song first occurs as a translation from the ancient British language
in D. Lewis's _Collection of Miscellaneous Poems_, 8vo. 1726, vol. i., p.
53., pointed out by your correspondent, MR. HICKSON. (Vol. ii., p. 519.)
2ndly. In Watts' _Musical Miscellany_, vol. vi., p. 198. Lond. 1731; it is
with the tune, "Eveillez vous ma belle Endormie," and is called "Winifreda,
from the ancient language."
3dly. As an engraved song entitled "Colin's Address;" the words by the Earl
of Chesterfield, set by W. Yates, 1752. The air begins "Away, &c."
4thly. In 1755, 8vo., appeared _Letters concerning Taste_, anonymously, but
by John Gilbert Cooper; in Letter XIV. pp. 95, 96, he says,--
"It was not in my power then to amuse you with any poetry of my own
composition, I shall now take the liberty to send you, without any
apology, an old song wrote above a hundred years ago by the happy
bridegroom himself."
Cooper then praises the poem, and prints it at length.
5thly. In 1765, Dr. Percy first published his _Reliques_, with the song, as
copied from Lewis.
6thly. We find an engraved song, entitled "Winifreda, an Address to
Conjugal Love," translated from the ancient British language; set to music
by Signor Giordani, 1780. The air begins, "Away, &c."
7thly. In Ritson's printed Songs as by Gilbert Cooper, Park's edition,
1813, vol. i., p. 281., with a note by the editor referring to Aikin's
_Vocal Biography_, p. 152.; and mentioning that in the _Edinburgh Review_,
vol. xi., p. 37. "Winifreda" is attributed to the late Mr. Stephens,
meaning George Steevens.
8thly. In Campbell's _British Poems_, 1819, vol. vi., p. 93., with a Life
of John Gilbert Cooper, to whom Campbell attributes the authorship, stating
that he was born in 1723, and died in 1769; he was, consequently, only
three years old when the poem was printed, which would settle the question,
even if his disclaimer had been merely a trick to deceive his friend.
Lord Chesterfield's claim is hardly worth notice; his name seems to have
been used to promote the sale of the "Engraven old Song;" and no one can
doubt that he would gladly have avowed a production which would have added
to his literary fame.
Whether the problem will ever be solved, seems very doubtful; but I am
disposed to think that the song belongs to a much earlier period, and that
it should be looked for amongst the works of those poets of whom Izaak
Walton has left us such agreeable reminiscences; and whose simplicity and
moral tone are in keeping with those sentiments of good feeling to which
"Winifreda" owes its principal attraction.