[12] See the admirable remarks on this subject in Lounsbury's Studies in Chaucer, i. 305-28. Much that I wish to say is there said for me, in a way which I cannot improve.
[13] MS. Lansdowne (the worst of the seven) has Alle, and Gyngelinge; Cm. has Gyngelyn; Hl. has Euery man; and that is all.
[14] The phrase wel a ten (F. 383) is not precisely parallel.
[15] Thus, the Parson calls his Tale 'a mery' one (I. 46). Tyrwhitt has 'a litel tale.'
[16] Ielousye cannot rime with me.
[17] The latter line answers to A. 2018; lines 2012-7 being wholly omitted.
[18] Which, by the way, makes come monosyllabic.
[19] Dryden had some reason; for whenever (as often) the editors omitted some essential word, the line could not possibly be right.
[20] The explanation of these rules depends upon Middle-English grammar and pronunciation; for which see the Introduction to vol. vi.
[21] A word like taverne is ta-vér-ne, in three syllables, if the accent be on the second syllable; but when it is on the first, it becomes táv-ern', and is only dissyllabic.