The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

ADVERTISEMENT.
The scene of this poem lies, at first, in the Castle of
Artornish, on the coast of Argyleshire; and, afterwards,
in the Islands of Skye and Arran, and upon the coast
of Ayrshire. Finally, it is laid near Stirling. The
story opens in the spring of the year 1307, when Bruce,
who had been driven out of Scotland by the English,
and the Barons w1ho adhered to that foreign interest,
returned from the Island of Rachrin on the coast of
Ireland, again to assert his claims to the Scottish crown.
Many qf the personages and incidents introduced are
of historical celebrity. The authorities used are chiefly
those of the venerable Lord Hailes, as well entitled to be
called the restorer of Scottish history, as Bruce the restorer of Scottish monarchy; and of Archdeacon Barbour, a correct edition of whose Metrical History of
Robert Brucel will soon, I trust, appear, under the care
of my learned friend, the Rev. Dr Jamieson.
Abbotsford, 10th December, 1814.2
1 [The work alluded to appeared in 1820, under the title of
"The Bruce and Wallace." 2 vols. 4to.]
2 [" Here is another genuine lay of the great Minstrel, with
all his characteristic faults, beauties, and irregularities. The