[119] The hell of the Teutonic race, before they were Christians, was in the north, and after their conversion, as their converters adopted their name, only giving the place a Christian character, it was natural that the people should retain their original notion of its position.—Bell.
[120] Tyrwhitt.
[121] Money forced out of people by threats or ill-usage.
[122] A proverbial expression.
[123] Tyrwhitt.
[124] Tyrwhitt; more forcible.
[125] The first quarter of the artificial day: i.e. 9 o’clock.
[126] Tyrwhitt. Morris has ‘nothing for to leere.’
[127] This verse means, ‘You shall hereafter understand this subject so well, as to be able to give lectures on it, as a professor in his chair;’ chayer being the term for pulpit or professor’s chair; conne part of the verb conne, to know or be able; and rede, to counsel. The evil one is sarcastic on the special wickedness of the Summoner.
[128] Alluding to Eneas’ visit to infernal regions (6th book of ‘Eneid’) and Dante’s ‘Inferno.’