128. Fateful. The reading of the 1st ed. and that of 1821; "fatal" in
some recent eds.
132. Which spills, etc. The MS. has "Which foremost spills a foeman's
life."
"Though this be in the text described as a response of the Taghairm, or
Oracle of the Hide, it was of itself an augury frequently attended to.
The fate of the battle was often anticipated, in the imagination of the
combatants, by observing which party first shed blood. It is said that
the Highlanders under Montrose were so deeply imbued with this notion,
that on the morning of the battle of Tippermoor, they murdered a
defenceless herdsman, whom they found in the fields, merely to secure an
advantage of so much consequence to their party" (Scott).
140. A spy. That is, Fitz-James. For has sought, the 1st ed. has "hath
sought."
144. Red Murdoch, etc. The MS. has "The clansman vainly deemed his
guide," etc.
147. Those shall bring him down. For the ellipsis of who, see on i. 528
above. The MS. has "stab him down."
153. Pale. In the heraldic sense of "a broad perpendicular stripe in an
escutcheon." See Wb.