desolation, I never witnessed any in which it pressed more deeply upon the eye and the heart than at Loch Corisken; at the same time that its grandeur elevated and redeemed it from the wild and dreary character of utter barrenness.” Note IV. Men were they all of evil mien, Down-looked, unwilling to be seen.-St. XIX. p. 105. The story of Bruce's meeting the banditti is copied, with such alterations as the fictitious narrative rendered necessary, from a striking incident in the monarch's history, told by Barbour, and which I shall give in the words of the hero's biographer, only modernizing the orthography. It is the sequel to the adventure of the blood-hound, narrated in Note XIX. upon Canto II. It will be remembered that the narrative broke off, leaving the Bruce escaped from his pursuers, but worn out with fatigue, and having no other attendant but his fosterbrother. And the good king held forth his way, Swords they had, and axes also; And one of them, upon his hals' A mekill bounden weather bore. They meet the king, and halsed' him there. They said, Robert the Bruce they sought; For they were foes to the king, And dwell with him, while that they saw And said, “Fellows, you must all three, And on the same wish we two Shall follow behind, well near." "None do I," said he; "but I will That ye go forth thus, while we Better with other knowen be." "We grant," they said, "since ye will so." Thus went they till the night was near, At a fire, and they all three On no wise with them together be. In the end of the house they should ma' Another fire and they did sua. They drew them in the house end, And they roasted in haste their meat, And fell right freshly for to eat. 66 May I trust in thee, me to wake, "Ya, sir," he said, “ till I may dree."1 But glanced up oft suddenly, For he had dread of these three men, • And drew their swords hastily; And sleeping thought they would him slay. The king upblinked hastily, And saw his man sleeping him by, And saw coming the t' other three. That came for to slay the king, 6 And waryet all the t'other three. And right towards his tryst is gone. THE BRUCE, Book VII. line 105. Note V. And mermaid's alabaster grot, Who bathes her limbs in sunless well, Deep in Strathaird's enchanted cell.-St. XXVIII. p. 117. Imagination can hardly conceive any thing more beautiful than the extraordinary grotto discovered not many years since upon the estate of Alexander Mac-Allister, Esq. of Strathaird. It has since been much and deservedly celebrated, and a full So securely situated. 5 Much afflicted. 2 Had it not been for the armour he wore. 3 Nevertheless, 4 Fray or dispute. 6 Cursed. 7 The place of rendezvous appointed for his soldiers. |