[§ 14]. The Harleian MS. The printing of this MS. for the Chaucer Society enables us to see that Mr. Wright did not adhere so closely to the text of the MS. as he would have us believe. As many readers may not have the opportunity of testing this statement for themselves, I here subjoin a few specimens of lines from this MS., to shew the nature of its errors.
Bet than a lazer or a beggere; A. 242.
So in Wright; for beggere read beggestére.
But al that he might gete and his frendes sende; A. 299.
Corrected by Wright.
For eche of hem made othur to Wynne; A. 427.
Wright has 'othur for to wynne.' This is correct; but the word for is silently supplied, without comment; and so in other cases.
Of his visage children weren aferd; A. 628.
For weren, read were; or pronounce it wer'n. I cite this line because it is, practically, correct, and agrees with other MSS., it being remembered that 'viság-e' is trisyllabic. But readers have not, as yet, been permitted to see this line in its correct form. The black-letter editions insert sore before aferd. Tyrwhitt follows them; Wright follows Tyrwhitt; and Morris follows Wright, but prints sore in italics, to shew that there is here a deviation from the MS. of some sort or other.
A few more quotations are here subjoined, without comment.