J. Stewart - Encyclopedia

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

J. (?JAMES) STEWART, of Baldynneis (fl. 1590), Scottish verse writer, is known as the translator of Ariosto's Orlando Furioso. The work is an abridgment in twelve cantos and has the historical interest of having preceded Sir John Harington's translation (1591). The volume containing this version and other poems (of indifferent quality) is preserved in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. It bears the title Ane Abbregement of Roland Fvriovs, translait ovt of Aroist: togither vith sym Rapsodies of the Avthor's ycvthfvll braine, and last ane Schersing ovt of trees Felicitie; composit in Scotis Inciter be J. Stewart of Baldynneis. This MS. appears to be the original which was once in the possession of James VI. Extracts are printed in Irving's History of Scotish Poetry (1861).