and in 653, "earnest on his game."
665. Of perch and hood. That is, of enforced idleness. See on ii. 525 above. In some eds. this song is printed without any division into stanzas.
670. Forest. The 1st ed. and that of 1821 have "forests," but we suspect that Scott wrote forest.
672. Is meet for me. The MS. has "was meant for me." For the ellipsis, cf. 540 above.
674. From yon dull steeple's," etc. The MS. has "From darkened steeple's" etc. See on v. 558 above.
677. The lark, etc. The MS. has "The lively lark my matins rung," and "sung" in the rhyme. The omission of to with ring and sing is here a poetic license; but in Elizabethan English it is common in many cases where it would not now be admissible. Cf. Othello, ii. 3. 190: "you were wont be civil;" F. Q. i. 1. 50: "He thought have slaine her," etc.
680. A hall, etc. The MS. has "a hall should harbor me."
683. Fleet deer. See on 605 above.
707. At morning prime. Early in the morning. Prime is properly the first canonical hour of prayer, or 6 a.m. For its looser use here, cf. F. Q. ii. 9. 25: "at evening and at prime."
712. Stayed. Supported; not to be printed "staid," as in some editions.