102. spyces, species, kinds; of frequent occurrence in this Tale.
103. The 'slaughter of children' here referred to is probably the accidental overlying of them by nurses, which was accounted a deadly sin, as being the result of negligence. This Chaucer expressly states below; see 575 (p. 604).
105. naked, i. e. thinly clad, in little more than a shirt-like garment.
108. Cf. P. Plowman, C. xvii. 29:—
'Cordis contricio cometh of sorwe in herte,
And oris confessio, that cometh of shrifte of mouthe,
And operis satisfactio, that for synnes payeth
And for alle synnes soueraynliche quiteth:
Cordis contricio, oris confessio, operis satisfactio.'
I find 'confessio' and 'cordis contritio' mentioned near together in the Latin version of St. Chrysostom's 20th homily on Genesis, cap. iv; ed. Migne, vol. liii. col. 170.