920. male, bag; see Prol. 694. Cf. E. mail-bag.
935. The first two syllables in peravénture are to be very rapidly pronounced; it is not uncommon to find the spelling peraunter, as in P. Plowman, B. xi. 10.
937. which a, what sort of a, how great a, what a.
945. Ye, for a grote, yea, even for a groat, i. e. 4d.
946. have I, may I have; an imprecation.
947. so theech, a colloquialism for so thee ich, as I may thrive, as I hope to thrive. The Host proceeds to abuse the Pardoner.
951. This is a reference to the 'Invention of the Cross,' or finding of the true cross by St. Helen, the mother of Constantine; commemorated on May 3. See Chambers, Book of Days, i. 586; Alban Butler, Lives of the Saints.
962. right ynough, quite enough; right is an adverb. Cf. l. 960.