with a vision of the
poetry of Shakespeare and Milton.

_Glo'ster_: Gilbert de Clare, son-in-law to Edward; _Mortimer_: one of
the Lords Marchers of Wales.

_Arvon_: the shores of Carnarvonshire opposite Anglesey.

_She-wolf_: Isabel of France, adulterous Queen of Edward II.; _Towers of
Julius_: the Tower of London, built in part, according to tradition, by
Julius Caesar.

_bristled boar_: the badge of Richard III.

_Half of thy heart_: Queen Eleanor died soon after the conquest of
Wales.

_Arthur_: Henry VII. named his eldest son thus, in deference to British
feeling and legend.

Poem 125.

The Highlanders called the battle of Culloden, Drumossie.

Poem 126.

_lilting_: singing blithely; _loaning_: broad lane; _bughts_: pens;
_scorning_: rallying; _dowie_: dreary; _daffin'_ and _gabbin'_: joking
and chatting; _leglin_: milkpail; _shearing_: reaping; _bandsters_:
sheaf-binders; _lyart_: grizzled; _runkled_: wrinkled; _fleeching_:
coaxing; _gloaming_: twilight; _bogle_: ghost; _dool_: sorrow.

Poem 128.

The Editor has found no authoritative text of this poem, in his judgment
superior to any other of its class in melody and pathos. Part is
probably not later than the seventeenth century: in other stanzas a more
modern hand, much resembling Scott's, is traceable. Logan's poem (127)
exhibits a knowledge rather of the old legend than of the old verses.

_Hecht_: promised, the obsolete _hight_; _mavis_: thrush; _ilka_: every;
_lav'rock_: lark; _haughs_: valley-meadows; _twined_: parted from;
_marrow_: mate; _syne_ then.

Poem 129.

The _Royal George_, of 108 guns, whilst undergoing a partial careening
in Portsmouth Harbour, was overset about 10 A.M. Aug. 29, 1782. The
total loss was believed to be near 1000 souls.

Poem 131.

A little masterpiece in a very difficult style: Catullus himself could
hardly have bettered it. In grace, tenderness, simplicity, and humour it
is worthy of the Ancients; and even more so, from the completeness and
unity of the picture presented.

Poem 136.

Perhaps no writer who has given such strong proofs of the poetic nature
has left less satisfactory poetry than Thomson. Yet he touched little
which he did not beautify: and this song, with "Rule Britannia" and a
few others, must make us regret that he did not more seriously apply
himself to lyrical writing.

Poem 140.

_Aeolian lyre_: the Greeks ascribed the origin of their Lyrical Poetry
to the colonies