Bannatyne Club > Buke of the Howlat

xii THE PREFACE.
antiquated and obscure. They will, by tliis means, be
better enabled to judge for themselves respecting the
notions which some people have entertained of its sati-
rical tendency ; particularly, should any one, anxious to
vindicate the character of the Scotish Monarch, propose
the question,
" Have vou heard the arijumeiit ? Is there no offence in't ?"
The poet walks out at the soft season of the year, and,
sitting down by the side of a river, (of the pleasures of
which place, he decHnes giving any particular descrip-
tion, in order to avoid prolixity, having, as he says, me-
Me matter in meter to gloss) — he hears a piteous lamen-
tation, uttered by an owl in a holly tree, who was look-
ing with horror at his own visage in the water. The Owl
resolves to appeal to the Pope of Birds, in the hopes,
that, through the prayers and intercession of his holi-
ness. Dame Nature may be prevailed upon to alter his ap-
pearance, and to scliape Mm a schand bird. Accordingly,
he comes to the Peacock, who is Pope, and falling reve-
rently on his knees, receives his braid benesoun or bene-