797. And slept, etc. The MS. has "streak" and "lake" for beam and
stream.
Canto Fifth.
1. Fair as the earliest beam, etc. "This introductory stanza is well
worked in with the story. The morning beam 'lights the fearful path on
mountain side' which the two heroes of the poem are to traverse, and the
comparison which it suggest enlists our sympathy for Roderick, who is to
be the victim of defeat" (Taylor).
5. And lights, etc. The MS. has "And lights the fearful way along its
side."