Amang the horss men, that thar raid;

It would have been,

Amang the horsis men that thar raid.

In reading these poems, it must be observed, that, although is, the mark of the plural, is more generally to be viewed as a distinct syllable, this rule does not apply universally. Scottis, for example, is sometimes to be read Scott-is; at other times, when the rhythm requires an abbreviation, as if Scots. Even monosyllables are occasionally to be lengthened; as armes, denoting armour, must at times be pronounced armés. The same liberty seems to have been taken by Chaucer and other old English poets.

In the following Glossary, I do not pretend to explain all the words that may stumble a reader who is not well acquainted with our ancient language; for this would have almost required a volume. But I have not overlooked a single term that seemed to demand attention. For further elucidation, and for the explanation of some words that may have been overlooked here, I beg leave to refer to my Dictionary of the Scottish Language. It will greatly aid the reader of these works, if he recollect that many common words appear here under a disguised orthography, especially by the frequent use of w for v.

A
GLOSSARY
TO
THE BRUCE AND WALLACE.

Printed by Robert Anderson, 22 Ann Street, Glasgow.