Four MSS. have a tag after the k in Mark; hence I have printed Mark-e. But I fear it can hardly be justified.
Lines B 3384, 3535 are unsatisfactory. Line E 2240, which is obviously incomplete, is easily mended.
[§ 111]. Accentuation. The above sections explain most of the more difficult points in the scansion of Chaucer, and should enable the student to scan most of the lines. But it is necessary to add a few words as regards his system of accentuation, elision, contraction, and other noteworthy points.
Accent. Most words of native origin are to be accented as in
modern English; as fáder, wrýting, hólier, plówman, úpright, arýsen, almíghty, misháp. In words like séemlièste, oútrydère, the secondary accent was stronger than at present, especially when the final -e was sounded.
But many compound words, and some others, have a variable accent, being also used with an accent on a later syllable than in modern English; as, answére, forhéed, upríght, manhóod, windówe, gladnésse, goddésse, wrytíng, bodý. This usage is frequent, and must always be borne in mind.