Tant le queroit, tant le sivoit ...
Que vis en enfer l'ala querre.'
1201. Observe the expression to wryte, which shews that this story was not originally meant to be told. (Anglia, viii. 453.)
1212. Most MSS. read or stounde, i. e. or at any hour. MS. Dd. has o stound, one moment, any short interval of time.
'The storme sesed within a stounde.'
Ywaine and Gawin, l. 384.
On this slight authority, Tyrwhitt altered the reading, and is followed by Wright and Bell, though MS. Hl. really has or like the rest, and the black-letter editions have the same.
1218. his nekke lyth to wedde, his neck is in jeopardy; lit. lies in pledge or in pawn.
1222. To sleen himself he wayteth prively, he watches for an opportunity to slay himself unperceived.