Page:The Lay of the Last Minstrel - Scott (1805).djvu/322

 die, and to distribute the contest. They are well-known to the English reader as Gray's Fatal Sisters.

The northern warriors were usually entombed with their arms, and their other treasures. Thus Angantyr, before commencing the duel in which he was slain, stipulated, that if he fell, his sword Tirfyng should be buried with him. His daughter, Hervor, afterwards took it from his tomb. The dialogue which past betwixt her and Angantyr's spirit on this occasion has been often translated. The whole history may be found in the Hervarar-Saga. Indeed the ghosts of the northern warriors were not wont tamely to suffer their tombs to be plundered; and hence the mortal heroes had an additional temptation to attempt such adventures; for they held nothing more worthy of their valour than to encounter supernatural beings. Bartholinus De causis contemptæ a Danis mortis, Lib. I. cap. 2. 9. 10. 13.

This was a family name in the house of St Clair. Henry St Clair, the second of the line, married Rosabelle, fourth daughter of the Earl of Stratherne.

A large and strong castle, now ruinous, situated betwixt