Note 110 — WILLIAM DUNBAR.

Mahoun, or the devil, proclaimed a dance of sinners that had not received absolution. [111] The evening before Lent, usually a festival at the Scottish court. [112] go prepare a show in character. [113] gambols. [114] Holy harlots (hypocrites), in a haughty manner. The term harlot was applied indiscriminately to both sexes. [115] Names of spirits, like Robin Goodfellow in England, and Brownie in Scotland. [116] Pride, with hair artfully put back, and bonnet on side: "vaistie wanis" is now unintelligible; some interpret the phrase as meaning "wasteful wants", but this seems improbable, considering the locality or scene of the poem. [117] His cassock for the nonce or occasion. [118] a cheat or impostor. [119] groans. [120] bear. [121] Boasters, braggarts, and bullies. [122] Arrayed in the accoutrements of war. [123] In coats of armour, and covered with iron network to the heel. [124] Wild was their aspect. [125] brands beat. [126] many strong dissemblers. [127] With feigned words fair or white. [128] spreaders of false reports. [129] usurers. [130] Misers. [131] a great quantity. [132] gold of every coinage. [133] his grunt. [134] Many a lazy glutton. [135] served with care. [136] loins. [137] quicker of apprehension. [138] neighing like an entire horse. [139] corpse. [140] grease. [141] Their reward, or their desire not diminished. [142] No minstrels without doubt—a compliment to the poetical profession: there were no gleemen or minstrels in the infernal regions. [143] letter of right. [144] Pageant. [145] By the time he had done shouting the coronach or cry of help, the Highlanders speaking Erse or Gaelic gathered about him. [146] croaked like ravens and rooks. [147] deafened. [148] smothered.