her stories and
appearances of the same kind; yet we are not to discard as incredible
the tradition of a barbarous age, merely because it asserts the
sacrifice of a young and beautiful heiress to the jealousy or the
avarice of a stepmother. When this is granted, the story of the pie with
all its horrors may safely be ascribed to the inventive genius of a
minstrel. On the whole, Radcliffe is a place which, not only from its
antiquity and splendour, but from the great families which have branched
out from it, and the romantic tradition attached to it, can scarcely be
surveyed without enthusiasm, or quitted without regret."

There is a story of its being haunted by a black dog; but as this
apparition has never been seen by two persons in company, it may safely
be ascribed to the genius of fear, quite as creative a power as any
other faculty of the imagination.

We have thought it best to give the ballad entire, without any
embellishments of our own. Though not in the best style of these
metrical romances, it is still of sufficient interest, from its
connection, to claim a place in the "Traditions" of the county.

There was a lord of worthy fame,
And a hunting he would ride,
Attended by a noble traine
Of gentrye by his side.

And while he did in chase remaine,
To see both sport and playe,
His ladye went, as she did feigne,
Unto the church to praye.

This lord he had a daughter deare,
Whose beauty shone so bright,
She was beloved both far and neare
Of many a lord and knight.

Fair Ellen was this damsel call'd,
A creature faire was she;
She was her father's only joye,
As you shall after see.

Therefore her cruel stepmother
Did envye her so much,
That daye by daye she sought her life,
Her malice it was such.

She bargain'd with the master-cook,
To take her life awaye;
And, taking of her daughter's book,
She thus to her did saye:--

Go home, sweet daughter, I thee praye,
Go hasten presentlie;
And tell unto the master-cook
These wordes that I tell thee:

And bid him dresse to dinner streight
That fair and milk-white doe,
That in the parke doth shine so bright
There's none so faire to showe.

This ladye, fearing of no harme,
Obey'd her mother's will;
And presentlye she hasted home,
Her pleasure to fulfil.

She streight i