Walter Scott

Name: The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott
Author: Walter Scott

The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (1858)

Summary

“The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott”, published in 1858, is a work by Walter Scott. It explores elements such as Thomas of Ercildoune, prophecies and Fairy Land.

Quotes from The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (Walter Scott)

Walter Scott, The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (1858)

“ It cannot be doubted, that Thomas of Ercildoune was a remarkable and important person in his own time, since, very shortly after his death, we find him celebrated as a prophet and as a poet. Whether he himself made any pretensions to the first of these characters, or whether it was gratuitously conferred upon him by the credulity of posterity, it seems difficult to decide. If we may believe Mackenzie, Learmont only versified the prophecies delivered by Eliza, an inspired nun of a convent at Haddington. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Walter Scott, The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (1858)

“ Few personages are so renowned in tradition as Thomas of Ercildoune, known by the appellation of The Rhymer. Uniting, or supposing to unite, in his person, the powers of poetical composition and of vaticination, his memory, even after the lapse of five hundred years, is regarded with veneration by his countrymen. To give anything like a certain history of this remarkable man would be indeed difficult ”

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Source: Wikisource

Walter Scott, The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (1858)

“ So thick the corses there shall be."
"But tell me now," said brave Dunbar,
"True Thomas, tell now unto me,
What man shall rule the isle Britain,
Even from the north to the southern sea?"
A French queen shall bear the son,
Shall rule all Britain to the sea ”

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Source: Wikisource

Walter Scott, The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (1858)

“ On the contrary, all ancient authors, who quote the Rhymer's prophecies, uniformly suppose them to have been emitted by himself.
The popular tale bears, that Thomas was carried off, at an early age, to the Fairy Land, where he acquired all the knowledge, which made him afterwards so famous. After seven years' residence, he was permitted to return to the earth, to enlighten and astonish his countrymen by his prophetic powers ”

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Source: Wikisource

Walter Scott, The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (1858)

“ Thomas the Rhymer was renowned among his contemporaries, as the author of the celebrated romance of "Sir Tristrem." Of this once-admired poem only one copy is now known to exist, which is in the Advocates' Library. The Editor, in 1804, published a small edition of this curious work; which, if it does not revive the reputation of the bard of Ercildoune, is at least the earliest specimen of Scottish poetry hitherto published. Some account of this romance has already been given to the world in Mr. Ellis's "Specimens of Ancient Poetry," vol i. p. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Walter Scott, The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (1858)

“ This prophecy is remarkable, in so far as it bears very little resemblance to any verses published in the printed copy of the Rhymer's supposed prophecies.
Corspatrick (Comes Patrick) , earl of March, but more commonly taking his title from his castle of Dunbar, acted a noted part during the wars of Edward I. in Scotland. As Thomas of Ercildoune is said to have delivered to him his famous prophecy of King Alexander's death, the author has chosen to introduce him into the following ballad. All the prophetic verses are selected from Hart's publication. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Walter Scott, The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (1858)

“ According to the popular belief, he still "drees his weird" in Fairy Land, and is one day expected to revisit earth. In the meanwhile, his memory is held in the most profound respect. The Eildon Tree, from beneath the shade of which he delivered his prophecies, now no longer exists ”

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Source: Wikisource

Walter Scott, The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott (1858)

“ Brown's MSS. The former copy, however, as might be expected, is far more minute as to local description. To this old tale the Editor has ventured to add a Second Part, consisting of a kind of cento, from the printed prophecies vulgarly ascribed to the Rhymer; and a Third Part, entirely modern, founded upon the tradition of his having returned with the hart and hind, to the Land of Faërie. To make his peace with the more severe antiquaries, the Editor has prefixed to the Second Part some remarks on Learmont's prophecies,
PART FIRST.
Ancient. ”

Walter Scott

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