ing sheer from the waters of the Esk; and under it are several small caverns, hewn out of the solid rock, which have excited much speculation among antiquarians." — Rolfe.

385. Where Roslin's chiefs uncoffined lie. The chiefs of the St. Clair family were buried in their armor, in the vaults beneath the chapel.

387. Panoply. Full armor.

389. Sacristy. A chamber in which were kept the sacred vessels and vestments used in religious services. Altar's pale. The enclosure round the altar.

390. Foliage-bound. Carved with the figures of leaves.

392. Pinnet. Pinnacle.

394-395. So still they blaze. A superstition of the St. Clair family.

401. With candle, with book, and with knell. An allusion to the lighting of candles, reading of prayers, and tolling of the bell at funeral services.

429. Levin-brand. Thunderbolt.

454-455. Like him of whom the story ran. An allusion to the apparition of a dog which was said to haunt a certain castle in the Isle of Man. Scott tells a grewsome story of a soldier who, after much boastful and profane talk, sought the animal alone one night. After some time he returned to his comrades; but he was speechless, and, after lingering for three days, died in great agony. 468. Plight. Vow or pledge.

496. Sackcloth vest. Clothing of coarse cloth worn as a sign of penitence.

499. Uneath. Scarcely, an old Saxon word.

515. Scapular. A scarf worn over the shoulders by monks.

519. Host. Consecrated bread.

523. Mitred. Wearing a mitre or bishop's cap.

532. Office close.

dead.

Close of the office or special service for the

535. Burden. A repeated phrase or refrain in a song.

536-537. Dies irae, dies illa, etc. Day of wrath, that day shall dissolve the world in ashes. The opening lines of a famous Latin hymn ascribed to Thomas of Celano, a Franciscan friar of the tenth century. Scott was very fond of the hymn and hummed parts of it during his last illness.

568. Sweet Bowhill. The residence of Lord Dalkeith, to whom Scott dedicated the Lay of the Last Minstrel. It was Lady Dalkeith who suggested to Scott the subject of the poem. See Introduction.

571. Throstles. Thrushes. from Bowhill.

Harehead-shaw. A wood not far

572. Carterhaugh. A plain near Newark.

573. Blackandro's Oak. Blackandro was a hill near Abbotsford