Scott's Lady of the Lake

233

Loch Earn region.

234

Foundation.

235

“Red streamers,” etc., i.e., the aurora borealis.

236

Trusted.

237

An abbey or church. This abbey is not far from Stirling.

238

Presage.

239

Prophetic.

240

Deceive.

241

Song thrush.

242

Blackbird.

243

Open country.

244

A rich fabric.

245

In the dark.

246

Fur of the squirrel.

247

Coarse homespun cloth.

248

The clothing of a hunter.

249

Dwelt.

250

Kindred.

251

Knew.

252

A town in Fifeshire, thirteen miles northwest of Edinburgh, the residence of the early Scottish kings. Its Abbey of the Gray Friars was the royal burial place.

253

Boundary; stream.

254

Harm.

255

Foot soldier. Referring to the treacherous guide, Red Murdoch (see Stanza VII. p. 109).

256

Danger.

257

Artifice.

258

As if.

259

Take heed.

260

Garments.

261

Awry; confused.

262

A beautiful stream which joins the Forth near Stirling.

263

A beautiful stream which joins the Forth near Stirling.

264

“Pitching the bar” was a favorite athletic sport in Scotland.

265

Fatten.

266

Having antlers with ten branches.

267

“The hunters are Clan-Alpine’s men; the stag of ten is Fitz-James; the wounded doe is herself!” —Taylor.

268

Penalty.

269

Wet.

270

Avenge.

271

Troops.

272

Midsummer heat.

273

Loose from the leash.

274

See Stanza VI. p. 109.

275

Safeguard.

276

Eat hastily.

277

Pebbles.

278

Moist.

279

Declare yourself to be.

280

Duke of Albany (See Introduction, p. 12, and Stanza VI).

281

Imprisoned.

282

That period of Scottish history from the battle of Flodden to the majority of James V. was full of disorder and violence.

283

Robbed.

284

“Good faith,” i.e., in good faith.

285

Flashed.

286

Flow.

287

Katrine, Achray, and Vennachar.

288

The eagle, with wings displayed and a thunderbolt in one of its talons, was the ensign of the Roman legions. Ancient earthworks near Bochastle are thought to date back to the Roman occupation of Britain.

289

Without advantage.

290

Complete.

291

Strongholds.

292

In France.

293

Spur.

294

About a mile from the mouth of Lake Vennachar.

295

Spurred.

296

“Bride of Heaven,” i.e., a nun.

297

William, eighth earl of Douglas, was stabbed by James II. while in Stirling Castle, and under royal safe-conduct.

298

“Heading Hill,” where executions took place.

299

A church of the Franciscans or Gray Friars was built near the castle, in 1494, by James IV.

300

The morris dance was of Moorish origin, and brought from Spain to England, where it was combined with the national Mayday games. The dress of the dancers was adorned with party-colored ribbons, and little bells were attached to their anklets, armlets, or girdles. The dancers often personated various fictitious characters.

301

Every borough had its solemn play or festival, where archery, wrestling, hurling the bar, and other athletic exercises, were engaged in.

302

Strong.

303

A small Spanish horse.

304

Like Henry VIII. in England, and Louis XI. in France, James V. had checked the lawless nobles, and favored the commons or burghers.

305

In clothing of varied form and color.

306

A renowned English outlaw and robber, supposed to have lived at the end of the twelfth and beginning of the thirteenth century, and to have frequented Sherwood Forest. Characters representing him and his followers were often introduced into the popular games.

307

All six were followers of Robin Hood.

308

The usual prize to the best shooter was a silver arrow.

309

A simple, ordinary archer.

310

The throw made by Douglas.

311

A point from which the ladies of the court viewed the games.

312

Surrounded.

313

As you value.

314

Wrongly, mistakenly proud.

315

Disorder.

316

A village on the Clyde.

317

Knighthood was conferred by a slight blow with the flat of a sword on the back of the kneeling candidate.

318

Ward off.

319

Fickle.

320

Crest; livery.

321

Monarchs frequently applied this epithet to their noblemen, even when no blood relationship existed.

322

The Douglas who was stabbed by James II.

323

Wretched, unfortunate man.

324

Armor and other accouterments of war.

325

James V. was the first to increase the army furnished by the nobles and their vassals by the addition of a small number of mercenaries.

326

A native of Switzerland.

327

An inhabitant of Flanders, as Belgium was then called.

328

Holiday.

329

Poacher.

330

War.

331

Paul.

332

Severe.

333

A leathern beer jug.

334

Spanish wine.

335

“Upsees out,” i.e., in the Dutch fashion, or deeply.

336

Name for Satan.

337

Another name for Satan.

338

“Placket and pot,” i.e., women and wine.

339

A royal forest in Staffordshire.

340

Tullibardine was an old seat of the Murrays in Perthshire.

341

In the days of chivalry any oppressed “damosel” could obtain redress by applying to the court of the nearest king, where some knight became her champion.

342

Undertaking.

343

Prison.

344

Doctor.

345

Prow.

346

Stranded.

347

The Campbell clan. The Clan-Alpine, or the MacGregors, and the Campbells, were hereditary enemies.

348

The sea eagle or osprey.

349

Wearing defensive armor.

350

Order of battle.

351

Advance.

352

A circle of sportsmen surrounding a large space, which was gradually narrowed till the game it inclosed was brought within reach.

353

Flowing back.

354

A bonnet piece is an elegant gold coin, bearing on one side the head of James V. wearing a bonnet.

355

The region bordering Loch Tay.

356

Stained or painted to form pictures illustrating history.

357

Supported.

358

Fanciful; imaginary.

359

Presence chamber of the King.

360

James V. was accustomed to make personal investigation of the condition of his people. The name he generally assumed when in disguise was "Laird of Ballingeich."

361

Successful issue.

362

Returning to the hive.