The Golden Violet with its Tales of Romance and Chivalry and Other Poems/Notes
NOTES
TO
THE GOLDEN VIOLET, ETC.
NOTES.
Clairshach is the name of a small species of harp anciently used in the Highlands. See Annot Lyle's song in the "Legend of Montrose."
The Dream. This tale is founded on more modern tradition than that of the distant age to which my minstrel belongs: the vision, the prophecy, and ultimately death of the youthful pair, are actual facts; and the present ———— Campbell, Esq. Laird of Glensaddaell, Anglicè Melancholy Valley, is the very child whose health and prosperity have realised the prediction of his birth.
The Pilgrim's Tale. In one, I think, of Dr. Mavor's beautiful essays (read years ago with delight), mention is made of an Eastern monarch who, after years of power, pride, and pleasure, left it to be recorded in his archives, that in all those years he had known but fourteen days of happiness. The Haunted Lake is founded on the Irish tradition of O'Donoghue, mentioned in one of Moore's charming melodies. I trust the slight liberties taken with the story will be pardoned on the plea of poetical variety.
The tulip symbol, alluded to in page 226, bears the allegorical construction of eternal separation in the beautiful language of Eastern flowers.
Sir Walter Manny. The most touching incident on which this little poem is founded is a historic fact, and as such is recorded in Mills's History of Chivalry; pages to which my debt of obligation and delight is more freely though no regretfully rendered, in the knowledge that it is gratitude, not flattery, which is spoken of the dead.
In Eastern tales, the bird of Paradise never rests on the earth.
THE END.
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