12

V. Last Years.--Chaucer, King of Letters--His retreat
in St. Mary's, Westminster--His death--His fame 341

CHAPTER III.

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

CHAPTER IV.

WILLIAM LANGLAND AND HIS VISIONS.

Langland first poet of the period after Chaucer 373

I. Life and Works.--A general view--Birth, education,
natural disposition--Life at Malvern--His unsettled state of
mind--Curiosities and failures--Life in
London--Chantries--Disease of the will--Religious
doubts--The faith of the simple--His book a place of refuge
for him 374

II. Analysis of the Visions.--The pilgrims of
Langland and the pilgrims of Chaucer--The road to Canterbury
and the way to Truth--Lady Meed; her betrothal, her
trial--Speech of Reason--The hero