Chapter 11

THE GROUP OF POETS.

Coppice and forest trees 344

I. Metrical Romances.--Jugglers and minstrels--Their life, deeds, and privileges--Decay of the profession towards the time of the Renaissance--Romances of the "Sir Thopas" type--Monotony; inane wonders--Better examples: "Morte Arthure," "William of Palerne," "Gawayne and the Green Knight"--Merits of "Gawayne"--From (probably) the same author, "Pearl," on the death of a young maid--Vision of the Celestial City 344

II. Amorous Ballads and Popular Poetry.--Poetry at Court--The Black Prince and the great--Professional poets come to the help of the great--The _Pui_ of London; its competitions, music and songs--Satirical songs on women, friars, fops, &c. 352

III. Patriotic Poetry.--Robin Hood--"When Adam delved"--Claims of peasants--Answers to the peasants' claims--National glories--Adam Davy--Crecy, Poictiers, Neville's Cross--Laurence Minot--Recurring sadness--French answers--Scottish answers--Barbour's "Bruce"--Style of Barbour--Barbour and Scott 359

IV. John Gower.--His origin, family, turn of mind--He belongs to Angevin England--He is tri-lingual--Life and principal works--French ballads--Latin poem on the rising of the peasants, 1381, and on the vices of society--Poem in English, "Confessio Amantis"--Style of Gower--His tales and _exempla_--His fame 364