By nature enemies to peace, &c.
Stanza lxxxviii. line 8.
This line, in the original,
“Nemica naturalmente della pace,”
is taken from Petrarch, who applies it to the northern nations.
Such Moray’s flag.
Stanza lxxxix. line 7.
In the original Morato. It is hardly necessary to observe, in opposition to the commentators, that these bearings and colours are fanciful.
And saw the fabulous Hibernia, where
The goodly sainted elder made the cave.
Stanza xcii. lines 1 and 2.
St. Patrick was supposed to have made a cave, through which was a descent into purgatory for the living sinner, who was desirous of expiating his evil deeds while yet in the flesh; and in the Advocate’s Library at Edinburgh is a curious MS. metrical romance, entitled Owain Miles, which contains an account of all the dreadful trials which Sir Owen underwent with this view. Some extracts of this are given in Sir Walter Scott’s Border Minstrelsy.
Her would Rogero have some statue deemed
Of alabaster made, or marble rare,
Which to the rugged rock so fastened seemed
By the industrious sculptor’s cunning care,
But that he saw distinct a tear which streamed
Amid fresh opening rose and lily fair,
Stand on her budding paps beneath in dew,
And that her golden hair dishevelled flew.
Stanza xcvi.
Quaui simul ad duras religatam brachia cautes
Vidit Abantiades, nisi quod levis aura capillos
Moverat, et tepido manabant lamina fletu,
Marmoreum ratus esset opus.—Ovid.
