The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott ... Notes & life of the author.

NOTES TO CANTO FOURTH.
a proclamation full hastily, through all the realm of Scotland, both east
and west, south and north, as well in the isles as in the firm land, to' all
manner of man, betwixt sixty and sixteen years, that they should be ready',
within twenty days, to pass with him, with forty days' victual, and to meet
at the Burrow-muir of Edinburgh, and there to pass forward where he
pleased. His proclamations were hastily obeyed, contrary to the Council
of Scotland's will; but every man loved his prince so well, that they would
in no wise disobey him; but every man caused make his proclamation
so hastily, conform to the charge of the king's proclamation.
"The king came to Lithgow, where he happened to be for the time,
at the Council, very sad and dolorous, making his devotion to God, to
send him good chance and fortune in his voyage. In this mean time,
there came a man, clad in a blue gown, in at the kirk-door, and belted
about him in a roll of linen-cloth; a pair of brotikins (1) on his feet, to
the great of his legs; with all other hose and clothes conform thereto:
but he had nothing on his head, but syde (2) red yellow hair behind, and
on his haffets,(3) which wan down to his shoulders; but his forehead was
bald and bare. He seemed to be a man of two-antd-fifty years, with a
great pike-staff in his hand, and came first forward among the lords, cry.
ing and speiring (4) for the king, saying he desired to speak with him.
While, at the last, he came where the king was sitting in the desk at his
prayers; but when he saw the king he made him little reverence or
salutation, but leaned down grofling on the desk before him, and said to
him in this manner, as after follows:' Sir king, my mother hath sent me
to you, desiring you not to pass, at this time, where thou art purposed;
for if thou does, thou wilt not fare well in thy journey, nor none that
passeth with thee. Further, she bade thee mell (5) with no woman, nor
use their counsel, nor let them touch thy body, nor thou theirs; for if
thou do it, thou wilt be confounded and brought to shame.'
" By this man had spoken thir words unto the king's grace, the evening song was near done, and the king paused on thir words, studying to
give him an answer; but in the mean time, before the king's eyes, and in
the presence of all the lords that were about him for the time, this mar
vanished away, and could no ways be seen nor comprehended, but
vanished away as he had been a blink of the sun, or a whip of the whirlwind, and could no more be seen. I heard say, Sir David Lindesay, lyon.
herauld, and John Inglis the marshal, who were at that time young men,
and special servants to the king's grace, were standing presently beside
the king, who thought to have laid hands on this man, that they might
have speired further tidings at him: but all for nought; they could not
touch him; for he vanished away betwixt them, and was no more seen."
NOTE VI.
June saw his father's overthrow.
The rebellion against James III. was signalized by the cruel circumstance of his son's presence in the hostile army. When the king saw his
own banner displayed against him, and his son in the faction of his ene.
mies, he lost the little courage he ever possessed, fled out of the field, fell
from his horse as it started at a woman and water pitcher, and was slain,
it is not well understood by whom. James IV., after the battle, passed to
Stirling, and hearing the monks of the chapel royal deploring the death of
his father, their founder, he was seized with deep remorse, which mania
fested itself in severe penances.
NOTE VII.
-in proud Scotland's royal shield
The ruddy Lion ramp'd in gold.
The well-known arms of Scotland. If you will believe Boethius and
Buchanan, the double tressure round the shield, counterfleur-de-lised,
or lizgued and armed azure, was first assumed by Achaius, King of
Scotffand, contemporary of Charlemagne, and founder of the celebrated
teague with France; but later antiquaries make poor Eochy, or Achy.
(l)Buskins.'2) Long. (3)Cheeks. (4) Asking. (5) Meddle.
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