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as that period to visit the antiquities and curiosities of
that country *. Mr Sandford farther says, whilst he
was Schoolmaster in Penrith, this place was opened by
William Turner, and the bones of a man of extraordinary
stature, and a broad sword, were found there.
An equally probable account of this place is taken from an
old tradition and song, which informs us that one Torquin, a
man of gigantic stature, but addicted to all kinds of rapine
and brutality, lived in a cave in this neighbourhood, on the
banks of the river Emont. This den, which yet retains the
name of the Giant's Cave, is about two miles from Penrith,
and is, on some account, (the foundation of which is now
forgotten,) much resorted to on the third Sunday in May by
the country people, who carry with them tea, liquors,
&c. and there make merry. It consists of several caverns
in the rocks, the road to which leads down a frightful
precipice, quite to the water's edge: this makes many
decline the journey, but when down, the road is more
tolerable. Many strange and incredible stories are told of
this cave; one, which seems not so absurd as the rest, and
to have had some real foundation is as follows:
Torquin, or Torquinas, (as some call him,) having stolen
several virgins, conveyed them to this dismal mansion, where
he kept them close prisoners. One of them, however, found
means to escape along the side of the rock: in her road she
was obliged to step over a hideous gap a yard and a half
wide; a rugged, craggy rock over-hanging her head, so as
scarcely to allow room to stand upright, and a perpendicular
descent of 48 feet underneath: the sides of the rock are
such as could afford no hold to her hand, and the boiling
and rapidity of the impetuous torrent which roars beneath,
are enough to confuse the calmest and most intrepid.
Notwithstanding these horrors and difficulties, she
preserved and effected her escape, and to this day the place
has retained the name of the Maiden's Step.
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Tradition further says, that the ravages of this Torquin
coming to the ears of King Arthur, he sent Sir Lancelot du
Lake to bring him to Court: Torquin refusing, a battle
ensued, in which Torquin fell, and was buried in Penrith
church-yard, and these pillars erected at his head and feet.
The engagement between Sir Lancelot and Torquin is
celebrated in many of the ballads of the ancient rustic
poets: One of them I shall insert, which has certainly been
in great esteem formerly, as Shakespeare puts the first line
of it into the mouth of the facetious fat Sir John ‡
and it should likewise seem even then to be an old song, as
Sir John is represented singing it in the height of mirth,
in a style that may appear to be one of the songs of his
youth.
(From an Old Manuscript.)
I.
WHEN Arthur first in Court began, and was approved King,
By force of arms great vict'ries wanne, and conquests home
did bring;
Then unto England strait he came with fiftye good and
able
Knights that reverted unto him, and sate at his
Round-Table.
II.
And he had justes and tournaments, whereto were many
prest,
Wherein some Knights did them excelle, and far surmount the
rest;
But good Sir Lancelot Du Lake, who was approved well,
Hee for his deeds and feats of armes, all others did
excelle.
_______ nonnulla desunt.
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