PALACE IN THE FOREST. 191 



palace of green timber, wind (1) with green birks (2) that 

 were green both under and above, which was fashioned in 

 four quarters, and in every quarter and nutre thereof a 

 great round, as it had been a block-house, which was 

 lofted and geisted the space of three house-heights (3) ; 

 the floors laid with green scharets (4) and spreats (5), 

 mod warts (6) and flowers, that no man knew whereon he 

 zeid (7) but as he had been in a garden. Further, there 

 were two great rounds in ilk side of the gate, and a great 

 portcullies of tree falling down with the manner of a 

 barrace (8), with a draw-bridge, and a great stank of 

 water of sixteen feet deep, and thirty feet of breadth : and 

 also the palace within was hung with fine tapestry, and 

 arrasses of silk, and lighted with fine glass windows in all 

 airths (9); that this palace was as pleasantly decored with 

 all necessaries pertaining to a prince, as it had been in his 

 own palace-royal at home. Further, this earl gart make 

 such provision for the king, and his mother, and the 

 ambassador, that they had all manner of meats, drinks, 

 and delicates, that were to be gotten at that time in 

 all Scotland, either in burgh or land; that is to say all 

 kind of drink, as ale, beer, wine, both white and claret, 



1 " Wind," Wound, or bound. 



2 * Birks," Birch trees. 



3 ' Three house-heights," Three stories high. 



4 * Scharets," Green turfs. 



5 ' Spreats," Rushes. 



6 ' Medwarts," Meadow-sweet. 



7 'Zeid," Sat. 



8 ' Barrace," Barrier, an outwork at the gate of a castle. 



9 'Airths," Quarter of the heaven; point of the compass. 



