e name from the Catterans, or Highland robbers, that once infested the
shores of the lake. Others make it "the Lake of the Battle," in memory
of some prehistoric conflict.

267. Livelier. Because in motion; like living gold above.

270. Benvenue. See on 97 above.

271. Down to. Most editions misprint "down on."

272. Confusedly. A trisyllable; as in ii. 161 below, and in the Lay,
iii. 337: "And helms and plumes, confusedly tossed."

274. Wildering. Bewildering. Cf. Dryden, Aurungzebe, i. 1: "wilder'd in
the way," etc. See also 434 and v. 22 below.

275. His ruined sides, etc. The MS. reads:

"His ruined sides and fragments hoar,
While on the north to middle air."

277. Ben-an. This mountain, 1800 feet high, is north of the Trosachs,
separating that pass from Glenfinlas.

278. From the steep, etc. The MS. reads:

"From the high promontory gazed
The stranger, awe-struck and amazed."

The Critical Review (Aug. 1820) remarks of this portion of the poem (184
fol.): "Perhaps the art of landscape-painting in poetry has never been
displayed in higher perfection than in these stanzas, to which rigid
criticism might possibly object that the picture is somewhat too minute,
and that the contemplation of it detains the traveller somewhat too long
from the main purpose of his pilgrimage, but which it would be an act of
the greatest injustice to break into fragments and present by piecemeal.
Not so the magnificent scene which bursts upon the bewildered hunter
as he emerges at length from the dell, and commands at one view the
beautiful expanse of Loch Katrine."

281. Churchman. In its old sense of one holding high office in the
church. Cf. Shakespeare, 2 Hen. VI. i. 3. 72, where Cardinal Beaufort is
called "the imperious churchman," etc.

285. Cloister. Monastery; originally, the covered walk around the inner
court of the building.

287. Chide. Here, figuratively, in the modern sense. See in 151 above.

290. Should lave. The 1st ed. has "did lave," which is perhaps to be
preferred.

294. While the deep peal's. For the measure, see on 73 above.

300. To friendly feast, etc. The MS. has "To hospitable feast and hall."

302. Beshrew. May evil befall (see on shrewdly, 84 above); a mild
imprecation, often used playfully and even tenderly. Cf. Shakespeare, 2
Hen. IV. ii. 3. 45:

"Beshrew your heart,
Fair daughter, you do draw my spirits fr