[32]. that he is despysed, i.e. because he is despised. The argument is, that a wicked man seems the more wicked when he is despised by a very great number of people; and if he be of high rank, his rank makes him more conspicuous, and therefore the more generally contemned. The MSS. vary here; perhaps the scribes did not see their way clearly. See the footnote.
[35]. and ... nat unpunisshed; 'Verùm non impunè.'
[40]. comen by, arise from; 'per has umbratiles dignitates non posse contingere.' See Chaucer's Balade on Gentilesse, l. 5.
[42]. many maner, a mistranslation: 'Si quis multiplici consulatu functus.'
[46]. to don his office, to perform its function. Cf. Wyf of Bathes Tale, D 1144.
[50]. that wenen, i.e. (folk or people) who suppose.
[56]. provostrie, i.e. the prætorship; 'praetura.'
[57]. rente, income; 'et senatorii census grauis sarcina.'
[58]. the office; this alludes to the Praefectus annonae, once an honourable title. It was borne by Augustus, when emperor.
[64]. by the opinioun of usaunces; 'opinione utentium.' Chaucer's phrase seems to mean 'by estimation of the mode in which it is used.' He should have written 'by the opinioun of hem that usen it.'