Fitz of Fitz-Ford; a legend of Devon - University Library

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FITZ OF FITZ-FORD.
INTRODUCTION.
Nor unsung
Be here the Ta\y, mountain-born, the theme
Of the old bard. The duteous river laves.
Fair Tavistock, thine abbey's mould'ring walls,
And flows complaining by. O ye who dwell
Around yon ruins, guard the precious charge
From hands profane
carrington.
It has of late been much the custom with
writers who raise a superstructure of fiction on
a foundation of truth, to pretend that, for the
narrative they lay before the public, they are
indebted to some lucky chance ; such as find-
ing- a manuscript in an old chest, or amongst
family papers in an ancient castle. In many
instances has this ingenious mode of introduc-
tion been rendered so pleasing by the talent of
the writer, that it has added materially to the
VOL. I. B
Kso'^'S