5. 'Dignitees apertienen ... to vertu'; Boeth. iii. pr. 4, l. 25.
7. Al were he, albeit he may wear; i. e. although he may be a bishop, king, or emperor.
8. This firste stok, i. e. Christ. In l. 12, his heir means mankind in general.
Compare Le Rom. de la Rose, 18819:—
'Noblece vient de bon corage,
Car gentillece de lignage
N'est pas gentillece qui vaille,
Por quoi bonté de cuer i faille,
Por quoi doit estre en li parans [apparent]
La proece de ses parens