This volume contains Sir Walter Scott s seminal poem "The Lay of the Last Minstrel." This book was originally intended as a guide to help students gain an understanding of the composition and form of "The Lay," and includes historical notes, simple explanations of words and expressions likely to be unfamiliar, and hints to the literary appreciation of the poem. A wonderful addition to any bookshelf, this volume is highly recommended for fans of Scott s seminal work. Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, poet, and playwright. He is considered the first truly international English-language author and many of his works remain classics of both English and of Scottish literature. Many vintage texts such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this book now, in an affordable, high-quality, modern edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned biography of the author."