15. By. The word is used for the rhyme, but perhaps gives the idea of a hurry—muttered off the prayers.
16. Steal. The word here is expressive of haste.
18. Gael. "The Scottish Highlander calls himself, Gael, or Gaul, and terms the Lowlanders Sassenach, or Saxons" (Scott).
22. Wildering. Bewildering. See on i. 274 above. For winded, see on i. 500.
32. Bursting through. That is, as it burst through—"a piece of loose writing" (Taylor).
36. At length, etc. The MS. reads:
"At length they paced the mountain's side,
And saw beneath the waters wide."
44. The rugged mountain's scanty cloak, etc. The MS. reads:
"The rugged mountain's stunted screen
Was dwarfish | shrubs | with cliffs between."
| copse |
46. Shingles. Gravel or pebbles. See on iii. 171 above.