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Gentleman's Magazine 1791 p.991
[bru]tality and depredation within his reach, retreated to
this strong hold. This step is not so wide as to
exceed the bounds of credibility; but the difficulty of
escape afterwards arises from the most horrible situation
any one must be in, every moment, by scrambling up a steep
ascent upon the very edge of a naked precipice, with
scarcely the appearance of security for either hand or foot:
notwithstanding, to succeed in the attempt I am convinced is
not impossible, especially where life or death are the
alternatives. Returning by the same path, we passed the cave
in an opposite direction, and came to a grotto, with a stone
table in the middle, all cut out of the solid rock. This is
said to have been done by the late Sir Christopher Musgrave,
as occasionally a place of pleasure.
In some parts of the North of England it has been a custom,
for time immemorial, for the lads and lasses of the
neighbouring villages to collect together at springs or
rivers on some Sunday in May, to drink sugar and
water, where the lasses give the treat: this is called
sugar-and-water Sunday. They afterwards adjourn to
the public-house, and the lads return the compliment in
cakes, ale, punch, &c.; and a vast concourse of both
sexes always assemble at the Giant's Cave on the third
Sunday in May for this purpose. Of this practice, Mr. Urban,
I have been many years an eye-witness; and I shall be much
obliged to any of your correspondents that can give me an
account of the origin of this singular custom.
Two circular stone pillars, resembling ancient spears, near
12 feet high, and 14 assunder, point out to us The
Giant's Grave, in Penrith churchyard; but the
particulars of this curious monument of antiquity have been
so frequently given, that to add here would be superfluous.
Tradition, mostly something to rest upon, informs us that
Torquin, refusing to obey the summons of King Arthur to
appear at his Court, to answer for the ravages he daily
committed, Sir Lancelot du Lac was dispatched to bring him
by force. A battle was the consequence; Torquin fell, and
was buried betwixt these pillars. The battle, I think, is
celebrated in many ballads of the antient poets. The
following, which I thought curious, may be met with in
Percy's "Reliques of Antient English Poetry."
When Arthur first in court began, and was approved King,
By force of arms great vict'ries wanne, and conquest home
did bring,
Then into England straight he came with fifty good and
able
Knights that reverted unto him, and sate at the Round
Table*.
And he had justes and tournaments, whereto were many
prest,
Wherein some knights them did excelle, and far surmount the
rest;
But good Sir Lancelo du Lake, who was approved well.
He for his deeds and feats of armes all others did
excell.
When he had rested him awhile in play, and game, and
sporte,
He said he would go prove himself in some advent'rous
sorte.
He armed rode in forrest wyde, and met a damsell faire,
Who told him of adventures great, whereto he gave good
eare,
"Such wold I find," quoth Lancelot, "for that came I
hither."
"Thou seem'st," quoth she, "a knight full good, and I will
bring thee thither,
Whereas a mightye knight doth dwell, that now is of great
fame;
THerefore tell me what wight thou art, and what may be thy
name."
"My name is Lancelot du Lake." Quoth she, "It likes me
than,
Here dwells a knight who never was yet match'd with any
man,
Who has in prison threescore knights and four that he did
wound;
Knights of King Arthurs courts they be, and of his Table
round."
She brought him to a river side, and also to a tree,
Whereon a copper bason hung, and many a shield to see.
He struck so hard the bason broke, and Torquin soon he
spy'd,
Who drove a horse before him fast, whereon a knight was
ty'd.
"Sir Knight," then said Sir Lancelot, "bring me that
horse-load hither,
And lay him downe, and let him rest, we'll try our force
together;
For, as I understand, thou hast, as far as thou art able,
Done great despite and shame unto the Knights of the Round
Table."
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