INTRODUCTION. 49 
which it was sent to the king of England, and free 
from any subsequent additions. 
_ This original text, if anywhere, is to be found in 
the edition which received the stamp of authenticity 
from Arnaldus de Villa Nova, by whom it was pub- 
"lished and commented upon, and from the additional 
approbation of rs of the university of Mont- 
Pelier. Villa Nein as early as the thirteenth 
century. He was resident in the kingdom of Sicily, 
Where the poem was written, and of course had the 
best opportunity of obtaining a correct copy. This 
commentary was written to flatter the national pre- 
judices of his protector Frederic, who was justly 
. proud of a composition so honourable to his country. 
It is not probable, therefore, that he should have 
mutilated, or curtailed the original work, as has 
been supposed by some crities®, for which he could 
have no assignable motive. Neither was he a care- 
*ss, or uncritical, editor: he sometimes quotes 
Various readings, and always distinguishes between 
the text itself, and other verses which he introduces 
‘nto his commentary. 
Under all these considerations, I have adopted 
the text as it was settled by Villa Nova, and as it is 
Murat. Antiq. Ital. vol. iii. col. 935. Schola Salernitana 
fortassis olim auctior quam nune in editis conspicitur. 
F 
