The next lines are descriptive of the Bellman's poetry, and tell us the
subjects of it. Of some of these I want explanation; and of all, examples.
I am at a loss to explain the following four lines:
"Divorum hyberni menses quotcunque celebrant,
Cuique locum et versum dat tua musa suum:
_Crispino_ ante omnes; neque enim sine carmine fas est
Nobile sutorum praeteriisse decus."
The next lines refer to the Bellman's loyalty in ever remembering the Royal
Family; to his salutation of masters and mistresses; to the useful
instruction he pours forth in song to young men and maidens; and to the
happy marriages he wishes to such as give heed to his warnings. The Bellman
then addresses himself to men-servants and maid-servants, enjoining honesty
on the former, cleanliness on the latter. Repeatedly wishing prosperity to
his masters, he concludes with one pre-eminent exhortation to keep in mind,
that the friendly hand of death levels the highest and the lowest.
My ignorance asks several questions. When did the Bellman lay aside his
bell, and assume the rattle; and, with this change (I presume), drop the
name of Bellman for that of Watchman, to whom the silent policeman has
succeeded? Was the dog the usual aide-de-camp of the Bellman? Are there any
other instances in which the dog is mentioned as assisting the Bellman in
his nocturnal guardianship?
As to the Bellman's poetry, Milton will occur to every one:
"Or the bellman's drowsy charm
To bless the door from nightly harm."--_Il Penseroso._
1. Herrick's _Hesperides_, p. 169., is a Bellman's song, a blessing,
concluding:
"Past one o'clock, and almost two,
My masters all, good-day to you."
2. Ibid. p. 251. is another song; a warning to remember the judgment-day,
and ending--
"Ponder this when I am gone,
By the clock 'tis almost one."
See _The Tatler_, No. 111., for the Bellman's salutation:
"_Good morrow, Mr. Bickerstaff, good morrow, my masters all._"
"It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman,
Which gives the stern'st good night."--Shakspeare, _Macbeth_, Act II. Sc.
2.
Gay refers to the Bellman's song in the following lines:
"Behold that narrow street which steep descends,
Whose building to the slimy shore extends;
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Here Arundel's fam'd structure rear'd its frame,
The street alone retains the empty name;
Where Titian's glowing paint the canvass warm'd,
And Raphael's fair design, with judgment, charm'd,
Now hangs _the bellman's song_, and pasted here
The colour'd prints of Overton appear."--_Trivia_, book ii. 482.
In the _Archaic and Provincial Dictionary_, the duty of the Bellman in his
poetic character seems to be limited to blessing the sleepers. It appears
from the poem by Vincent Bourne, that his Muse took a much more extensive
range.
Can you inform me where I can find more about the Bellman, his bell and his
dog; and, especially, his songs? Where can I find "The Bellman's Songs?"
Is "Bellman" a name given to dogs in modern times? See _Taming of the
Shrew_, Induction.