Page:Lusitania illustrata- notices on the history, antiquities, literature, etc., of Portugal. Literary department. Part I. Selection of sonnets, with biographical sketches of the authors (IA lusitaniaillustr00adam 0).pdf/140

x Romance of Bernal-Francez to the late Dr. Southey, who was pleased to signify his unqualified approbation of them and highly to compliment the author. He has promised in a subsequent volume to continue the Romances he has restored, and to accompany them by a collection of other fragments from the best copies he has been able to procure. As the pieces are illustrated, either in the preface, or by notes, we shall hope to derive from this continuation much valuable information on their structure; and may in a subsequent publication give some further account of them.

In his laudable research the author states, that he had been assisted by various literary friends, and he particularly mentions the Senhor Duarte Lessa— Doctor Emygdio Costa--Senhor Rivara, the able and zealous Librarian of the City of Evora-Senhor Rodrigues d’Abreu, the Librarian at Braga--his old and faithful companion Doctor J. Eloy Nunes-Cardoso of Monte-mor-o-novo, and the Senhor Herculano, the keeper of the Royal Library of the Ajuda Palace.

It has been thought right to present to our readers one of the pieces in its original state, as preserved in the oral traditions of the people; with a literal translation. The Romance of Bernal-Francez has been selected for this purpose, as being one of the best known and probably the most antient Chacra which the people sing Its simple commencement, at the