The measure is the common ballad-metre, the basis of which is a line of eight syllables followed by one of six, the even syllables accented, with the alternate lines rhyming, so as to form a four-line stanza.  It is varied by extra unaccented syllables, and by rhymes within the longer lines (both of which modifications we have in 263 and 271), and by “double rhymes” (like singing and ringing).

262.  Mavis and merle.  Thrush and blackbird.

267.  Wold.  Open country, as opposed to wood.  Cf.  Tennyson, In Memoriam, 11:  “Calm and deep peace on this high wold,” etc.  See also 724 below.

274.  Glaive.  Broadsword.  Cf.  Spenser, F. Q. iv. 7. 38:  “laying both his hands upon his glave,” etc.  See also v. 253 below.

277.  Pall.  A rich fabric used for making palls, or mantles.  Cf.  F. Q. i. 7. 16:  “He gave her gold and purple pall to weare.”

278.  Wont.  Were accustomed.  See on i. 408 above.

282.  ’Twas but, etc.  The Ms. reads: 

    “’Twas but a midnight chance;
     For blindfold was the battle plied,
       And fortune held the lance.”

283.  Darkling.  In the dark; a poetical word.  Cf.  Milton, P. L. iii. 39: 

       “as the wakeful bird
    Sings darkling;”

Shakespeare, Lear, i. 4. 237:  “So out went the candle, and we were left darkling,” etc.  See also 711 below.

285.  Vair.  The fur of the squirrel.  See Wb.

286.  Sheen.  See on i. 208 above.

291.  Richard.  Here accented on the final syllable.  Such license is not unusual in ballad poetry.

298.  Woned.  Dwelt.  See on i. 408 above.  Scott has the following note here: 

“In a long dissertation upon the Fairy Superstitions, published in the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, the most valuable part of which was supplied by my learned and indefatigable friend, Dr. John Leyden, most of the circumstances are collected which can throw light upon the popular belief which even yet prevails respecting them in Scotland.  Dr. Grahame, author of an entertaining work upon the Scenery of the Perthshire Highlands, already frequently quoted, has recorded with great accuracy the peculiar tenets held by the Highlanders on this topic, in the vicinity of Loch Katrine.  The learned author is inclined to deduce the whole mythology from the Druidical system—­an opinion to which there are many objections.

‘The Daoine Shi’, or Men of Peace, of the Highlanders, though not absolutely malevolent, are believed to be a peevish, repining race of beings, who, possessing themselves but a scanty portion of happiness, are supposed to envy mankind their more complete and substantial enjoyments.  They are supposed to enjoy, in their subterraneous recesses, a sort of shadowy happiness,—­a tinsel grandeur; which, however, they would willingly exchange for the more solid joys of mortality.