J. F. Campbell Collection > Minstrelsy of the Scottish border > Volume 1

CXXX INTRODUCTION.
altogether distinct from that which he has com-
menced. Besides, the prejudices of clans and of
districts have occasioned variations in the mode of
telling the same story. Some arrangement was
also occasionally necessary, to recover the rhyme,
which was often, by the ignorance of the reciters,
transposed or thrown into the middle of the hne.
With these freedoms, which ^vCre essentially neces-
sary to remove obvious corruptions, and fit the
ballads for the press, the editor presents them to
the jiublic, under the complete assurance, that they
carry with them the most indisputable marks of
their authenticity.
The same observations apply to the Second Class,
liere termed Romantic Ballads ; intended to
comprehend such legends as are current upon the
Border, relating to fictitious and marvellous adven-
tures. Such were the tales, with which the friends
of Spenser strove to beguile his indisposition :
" Some told of ladies, and their paramours ;
" Some of brave knights, and their renowned squires ;
" Some of the fairies, and their strange attires,
" And some of giants, liavd to be believed."
These, carrying with tlioni a general, and not