Stanza XXII. line 407. 'It is a popular article of faith that those who are born on Christmas or Good Friday have the power of seeing spirits and even of commanding them. The Spaniards imputed the haggard and downcast looks of their Philip II to the disagreeable visions to which this privilege subjected him.'--SCOTT. line 408. See St. Matthew xxvii. 50-53. line 415. Richard I of England (1189-99) could not himself have presented the sword, but the line is a spirited example of poetic licence. line 416. Tide what tide is happen what may. Cp. Thomas the Rhymer's remarkable forecast regarding the family of Haig in Scott's country;-- 'Betide, betide, whate'er betide, Haig shall be Haig of Bemerside.' line 420. Alexander III was the last of his line, which included three famous Malcolms, viz. Malcolm II, grandfather of the 'gracious Duncan,' who died in 1033; Malcolm Canmore, who fell at Alnwick in 1093; and Malcolm IV, 'The Maiden,' who was only 34 at his death in 1165. The reference here is probably to Canmore. Stanza XXIII. line 438. See Chambers's 'Encyclopaedia,' articles on 'Earth-houses' and 'Picts' Houses.' line 445. Legends tell of belated travellers being spell-bound in such spots. line 461. The reference is to Edward I, who went as Prince Edward to Palestine in 1270, so that the legend at this point embodies an anachronism, Edward became king in 1274. His shield and banner were emblazoned with 'three leopards courant of fine gold set on red.' Stanza XXIV. line 472. Largs, on the coast of Ayrshire, opposite Bute. line 479. The ravens on the Norse banners were said to flutter their wings before a victory, and to let them droop in prospect of a defeat. line 487. 'For an account of the expedition to Copenhagen in 1801, see Southey's "Life of Nelson," chap. vii.'--LOCKHART. There may possibly be a reference to the bombardment of Copenhagen in 1807. Stanza XXV. line 497. The slight wound was due to the start mentioned in line 462. He had been warned against letting his heart fail him. line 503. Scott quotes thus from the essay on 'Fairy Superstitions' in the 'Border Minstrelsy,' vol. ii., to show 'whence many of the particulars of the combat between Alexander III and the Goblin Knight are derived':--