NOTES ON THE FOURTH BOOK.
So sodeynly at Hesilden he saw
The Perseys sowme, in quhilk gret ryches was.—V. 26.
In MS. that Hesilden; but I have followed the judicious alteration made in Edit. 1714. In that of 1594 it is completely changed:
Sa suddainlie that time himself he saw, &c.
This is adopted by Hart, Edit. 1620.
Hesilden is evidently a local name, and must be the same place that is now called Hezilton-head, a farm, situated on high ground, in the parish of Mearns, on the direct road from Ayr to Glasgow, about nine miles to the south-west of the latter. This appears unquestionable, from the necessity under which Sir Ranald Crawfurd was laid, in consequence of his sumpter-horse being carried off by the English, of sleeping that night at Mearns, v. 70.
Schyr Ranald was wiss, and kest in his entent;
And said, “I will byde at the Mernys all nycht.”