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ADVERTISEMENT.

The Author once had thoughts (in concert with a Friend) of giving the History of English Poetry: In the Introduction to it he meant to have produced some specimens of the Style that reigned in ancient times among the neighbouring nations, or those who had fubdued the greater part of this Inland, and were our Progenitors: the following three Imitations made a part of them. He has long fince drop'd his defign, efpecially after he had heard, that it was already in the hands of a Person well qualified to do it justice, both by his taste, and his researches into antiquity.

PREFACE.

N the Eleventh Century Sigard, Earl of the

Orkney-Iflands, went with a fleet of ships and a confiderable body of troops into Ireland, to the affiftance of Siaryg with the filken beard, who was then making war on his father-in-law Brian, King of Dublin: the Earl and all his forces were cut to pieces, and Siɛtryg was in danger of a total defeat; but the enemy had a greater lofs by the death of Brian, their King, who fell in the action. On Christmas-day, (the day of the battle,) a Native of Caithness in Scotland faw at a diftance a number of persons on horseback riding full speed towards a hill,

and

and seeming to enter into it. Curiofity led him to follow them, till looking through an opening in the rocks he faw twelve gigantic figures resembling women they were all employed about a loom; and as they wove, they fung the following dreadful Song; which when they had finifhed, they tore the web into twelve pieces, and (each taking her portion) galloped Six to the North and as many to the South.

THE

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Note The Valkyriur were female Divinities, Servants of Odin (or Woden) in the Gothic mythology. Their name fignifies Ghufers of the flain. They were mounted on swift horses, with drawn fwords in their hands; and in the throng of battle felected fuch as were destined

to flaughter, and conducted them to Valkalla, the hall of Odin, or pa

radise of the Brave; where they attended the banquet, and ferved the departed Heroes with horns of mead and ale.

9 How quick they wheel'd; and flying, Sharp fleet of arrowy fhower

T The noife of battle hurtled in the air.

behind them fhot

Milton's Paradife Regained.

Shakespear's Jul. Cæfar,

Glitt'ring

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