Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Lay, n.² Also: laye. [ME. lai, lay(e, OF. lai.] A lay, a poem for singing, a song. (Only in verse.) c1409-1436 Kingis Q. lxxxv.
The poetis that the sciencis knewe … of lufe in thaire suete layes 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. ii. 274.
This lay was red in oppin audience Of the musis Id. Æn. x. iv. 73.
Quhil that he sang and playt, as hym behwyt The dolly tonys and lays lamentabill Ib. xii. Prol. 195.
For amorus lays doith the rochys ryng 1662 Forbes Cantus (ed. 1666) xxv.
Like as the lark … With piteous voice doth chirk her yeelding lay 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 38.
[Poets] That ballattis breuis lustellie and layis, Quhilks tyll our prince daylie thay do present c1590 Fowler I. 82/147.
Betuix sa manye scalding sighs and havie layes of woe