> Is Norval the alternative Scots spelling of Neville, Robin, or is it an
> anagram for L(ittle) R(obbie) (on) Avon?
> mj
"My name is Norval. / On the Grampian plains ... "
<<
Broadside ballad entitled 'Norval on the Grampian Hills'
This ballad begins: 'My name is Norval. On the Grampian hills / My
father feeds his flocks; a frucal swain; / Whose constant cares were to
increase his store, / And keep his only son, myself, at home.' The sheet was
published by the Poet's Box, but it is not clear where.
John Home's (1722-1808) tragic play, 'Douglas', was based on this
ballad. It tells the story of the infant son of Douglas, who is supposed
dead by his parents. Old Norval, a shepherd, finds and brings up the boy,
who saves his stepfather, Lord Randolph's, life and is then reunited with
his mother. Randolph's heir, Glenalvon, however, is not happy about having
his inheritance threatened and puts an end to Young Norval's life. In
despair, Lady Randolph throws herself from a cliff.
>>
http://www.nls.uk/broadsides/broadside.cfm/id/16332
It was the tear-jerking first performance of "Douglas" in Edinburgh in the
eighteenth century which inspired a spontaneous cry from an over-wrought
lady in the audience, "Whaur's yir Willie Shakespeare noo?"
(Nice to see you back Martin, and thanks for the postcard.)
Robin
|