What the fame celebrated artist immediately fubjoins, that the use of glass introduced mullions into windows, is very probable. At least it contributed to multiply the ramifications; especially the ufe of painted glass; where the different ftainings were by this means fhewn to better advantage, and different stories and figures required feparate compartments.

Soon after the year 1200, they began in England, to cover the facades, or weft ends of cathedrals, with niches and rows of ftatues large as the life. The first example of this kind is, I think, at Salisbury; for that of Litchfield is too rich to be of equal antiquity *. The weft end of Wells cathedral was perhaps intended to vye with that of Salisbury, in the fame decorations; being in a bordering county, and erected after it, 1402 t. It is in fine prefervation, and exhibits a curious specimen of the state of ftatuary at that time. The weft front of Exeter, adorned in this taste by bishop Grandifon, 1340, is far inferior to any of the other three. That of the abbey church at Bath, is light and elegant; but is much more modern than

* It was built at least before 1400. For the spire of St. Michael's church in Coventry, finished about 1395, is manifeftly a copy of the ftyle of its two fpires. Salisbury church was begun in 1217, and finished in 1256.

This date is on the authority of Willis, Mitr. Abb, vol. 2. 375.

thofe

those I have mentioned; being begun and finished but a few years before the diffolution of the abbey *.

These hafty remarks are fubmitted to the candour of the curious, by One, who, befides other defects which render him difqualified for fuch a difquifition, is but little acquainted with the terms and principles of architecture.

B. vi. c. ix. f. viii.

Him compeld

To open unto him the prison dore,

And forth to bring thofe thrals that there he held;
Thence forth to him were brought about a score,
Of knights and fquires, &c.

All which he did from bitter bondage free.

The releafing of the prifoners is a ceremony conftantly practised in romance, after the knight has killed the giant, and taken poffeffion of his caftle. It would be endless, and perhaps ridiculous, to point out all Spenfer's allufions of this fort.

B. iv. c. x. ARG.

Scudamore doth his conqueft tell

Of vertuous Amoret.

*The whole church was rebuilt in the time of the two laft priors, after 1500. Leland. Itin, vol. 2. The abbey was diffolved, 1534.

Scudamore

Scudamore is a name derived from Scudo, a shield, and Amore, love, ital. because in this canto, f. 10. he wins the SHIELD OF LOVE.

B. iv. c. x. f. xxxv.

Elfe would the waters overflow the lands,
And fire devour the air, and hell them quight.

I fuppofe he means,

"Elfe the waters would over"flow the lands, and fire devoure the air, and hell "would entirely devour both water and lands." But this is a moft confused construction. Unless hell

Scudamore, in the temple of Venus, is much in the fame circumstances with Leander, in Mufæus.

Tho fhaking off all doubt, and fhamefaft feare,
Which ladies love I heard had never wonne
'Mongft men of worth, I to her stepped neare,
And by the lilly hand her labourd up to rear.

*

Ηρεμα μεν θλίβων ροδοειδέα δακτυλα κόρης.

Audacter autem ob amorem impudentiam affectans.

Sed ipfe audacter adibat prope puellam,

Tacite quidem firingens rofeos digitos puellæ.

WOOMANHOOD rebukes Scudamore for this infult, whom Scudamore anfwers. She begins,

Saying it was to knight unfeemly shame,

Upon a reclufe virgin to lay hold;
That unto Venus' fervices was fold.

Scudamore replies.

To whom I thus: nay, but it fitteth best,
For Cupid's man with Venus mayd to hold;
For ill your goddeffe fervices are drest
By virgins, and your facrifices let to rest.

f. 54.

In the fame manner Hero rebukes, and Leander anfwers. Thus Hero;

Leander answers,

Κυπριδος ὡς ἱερεια μετερχεο Κυπριδα εργα
Δενςιθι, μυςιπολευε γαμηλια θεσθλα θερινης
Παρθενον εκ επεοικεν ὑποδρησσειν Αφροδίτη,
Παρθενικαις & Κυπρις ιαινεῖαι.

Veneris ut facerdos exerce Veneris opera;
Huc ades, initiare nuptialibus legibus dea;
Virginem non decet adminiftrare Veneri;
Virginibus Venus non gaudet.

--

B. iv. c. xi. f. xlvi.

Congealed little drops which do the morn adore.

Adore for adorn. Perhaps it is used in the fame manner by Beaumont and Fletcher.

And those true tears, falling on your pure crystals,
Should turn to armlets for great queens to adore*.

In this inftance it may, however, fignify veneror, though there is a french verb, d'orer, to gild, from whence it might be formed, in both the paffages. Milton ufes adorn as a participle.

Made fo adorn for thy delight†.

Might not this participle be formed from Spenfer's

*Elder Brother, 4. 3.

VOL. II.

† Par, Loft, 8, 576. D d

verb