2004. overhippeth, i. e. leaps over or omits something, so that he has not all that he desires. The word is used in Piers Plowman, xv. 379, of omitting passages in the services of the Church.
2015 ff. Cp. Mirour de l’Omme, 6253 ff.,
‘Sicomme le Luce en l’eaue gloute
Du piscon la menuse toute,
Qu’il presde luy verra noer,
Ensi ly riches,’ &c.
2031 ff. The tale of Virgil’s Mirror is from the French prose Roman des Sept Sages, as published by Le Roux de Lincy. It might easily be shown that Gower did not follow either the French metrical version or the Latin Historia Septem Sapientum. The English metrical version published by Weber is from a source similar to that of Gower’s story, but it differs in some points. Gower seems to be responsible for the introduction of Carthage and Hannibal.
2099. slepende a nyht, i. e. while they slept.
2101. Cp. Prol. 182.
2115. he his oghne body, i. e. ‘he himself.’