51. Puella and Rubeus were two figures in geomancy,
representing two constellations-the one signifying Mars
retrograde, the other Mars direct.
52. Calistope: or Callisto, daughter of Lycaon, seduced by
Jupiter, turned into a bear by Diana, and placed afterwards, with
her son, as the Great Bear among the stars.
53. Dane: Daphne, daughter of the river-god Peneus, in
Thessaly; she was beloved by Apollo, but to avoid his pursuit,
she was, at her own prayer, changed into a laurel-tree.
54. As the goddess of Light, or the goddess who brings to light,
Diana — as well as Juno — was invoked by women in childbirth:
so Horace, Odes iii. 22, says:—
“Montium custos nemorumque, Virgo,
Quae laborantes utero puellas
Ter vocata audis adimisque leto,
Diva triformis.”
(“Virgin custodian of hills and groves, three-formed goddess
who hears and saves from death young women who call upon
her thrice when in childbirth”)
55. Every deal: in every part; “deal” corresponds to the
German “Theil” a portion.
56. Sikerly: surely; German, “sicher;” Scotch, “sikkar,” certain.
When Robert Bruce had escaped from England to assume the
Scottish crown, he stabbed Comyn before the altar at Dumfries;
and, emerging from the church, was asked by his friend
Kirkpatrick if he had slain the traitor. “I doubt it,” said Bruce.
“Doubt,” cried Kirkpatrick. “I’ll mak sikkar;” and he rushed
into the church, and despatched Comyn with repeated thrusts of
his dagger.