[158] — Thracia's hills (l. 9) supposed a favourite resort of Mars. Feather'd king (l. 13) the Eagle of Jupiter, admirably described by Pindar in a passage here imitated by Gray. Idalia (l. 19) in Cyprus, where Cytherea (Venus) was especially worshipped.
[159] — l. 6 Hyperion: the Sun. St. 6-8 allude to the Poets of the Islands and Mainland of Greece, to those of Rome and of England.
[160] — l. 27 Theban Eagle: Pindar.
[163] 178 l. 5 chaste-eyed Queen: Diana.
[164] 179 From that wild rhapsody of mingled grandeur, tenderness, and obscurity, that 'medley between inspiration and possession,' which poor Smart is believed to have written whilst in confinement for madness.
[165] 181 the dreadful light: of life and experience.
[166] 182 Attic warbler: the nightingale.
[168] 184 sleekit, sleek: bickering brattle, flittering flight: laith, loth: pattle, ploughstaff: whyles, at times: a daimenicker, a corn-ear now and then: thrave, shock: lave, rest: foggage, after-grass: snell, biting: but hald, without dwelling-place: thole, bear: cranreuch, hoar-frost: thy lane, alone: a-gley, off the right line, awry.
[175] 188 stoure, dust-storm; braw, smart.
[176] 189 scaith, hurt: tent, guard: steer, molest.