21266. The marginal note opposite this stanza has lost the ends of its lines by the cutting of the leaves of the MS. Its purport however is clear enough, and it is certainly from the author. In Vox Clam. iv. 689, we have the substance of it,
‘Non volo pro paucis diffundere crimen in omnes,
Spectetur meritis quilibet immo suis;
Quos tamen error agit, veniens ego nuncius illis,
Que michi vox tribuit verba loquenda fero.’ &c.
The note perhaps may be read thus:
‘Nota quod super hii<s> que in ista pa<gina> secundum commune dictum d<e fra>tribus scripta pa<tent>, transgressos simp<liciter> et non alios mater<ia> tangit: vnde h<ii> qui in ordine transgressi sunt ad <viam> reuertentes prius<quam> in foueam cada<nt> hac eminente <scrip>tura cercius pre<mu>niantur.’
21301. Flaterie professé, i.e. Flattery the friar.
21325 ff. This stanza is nearly a repetition of ll. 9145-9156.
21369. In Chaucer, Sompnours Tale, the sack is carried by a ‘sturdy harlot,’ who accompanied the two friars. At the present day the Capuchin in his begging expeditions often goes alone and carries his own sack.