"Sir Walter Scott it is impossible to assail, however much the
scholarly conscience may disapprove," says Mr. Kittredge. {150a} Not
much is to be taken by assailing him! "Business first, pleasure
afterwards," as, according to Sam Weller, Richard III. said, when he
killed Henry VI. before smothering the princes in the Tower. I proceed
to pleasure in the way of presenting imitations of "the traditional
ballad" which "appears to be inimitable by any person of literary
cultivation," according to Mr. Kittredge.
IMITATIONS OF BALLADS
The three following ballads are exhibited in connection with Mr.
Kittredge's opinion that neither poet nor poetaster can imitate, to-
day, the traditional ballad. Of course, not one of my three could now
take in an expert, for he would ask for documentary evidence of their
antiquity. But I doubt if Mr. Kittredge can find any points in my
three imitations which infallibly betray their modernity
The first, Simmy o' Whythaugh, is based on facts in the Border
despatches. Historically the attempt to escape from York Castle
failed; after the prisoners had got out they were recaptured.
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