1846, Thomas Wright, “Essay III. The Chansons de Geste, or Historical Romances of the Middle Ages”, in Essays on Subjects Connected with the Literature, Popular Superstitions, and History of England in the Middle Ages. […] In Two Volumes, volume I, London: John Russell Smith, 4, Old Compton Street, Soho Square, →OCLC, page 94:
The purpose of the anecdote is to show the bold recklessness of the warrior, who could amuse himself with his song-craft in the very face of the enemy.
Pause by some neglected graveyard, / For a while to muse, and ponder / On a half-effaced inscription, / Written with little skill of song-craft, / Homely phrases, but each letter / Full of hope, and yet of heart-break, / Full of all the tender pathos / Of the Here and Hereafter;— / Stay and read this rude inscription, / Read this Song of Hiawatha!
