6402. The margin makes him ‘octogenarius,’ and so it is also in the Mirour and Traitié, as well as in the Epistola Valerii.
6435 ff. This shows more knowledge than could have been got from the Roman de Troie. The story is told by Hyginus, Fab. 121, but not exactly as we have it here. This ‘Criseide douhter of Crisis’ should be distinguished from the Criseide daughter of Calchas (Briseïda in the Roman de Troie), who is associated with Troilus, if it is worth while making distinctions where so much confusion prevails.
6442. dangerous, that is, ‘grudging’ or ‘reluctant’: cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, D 1090, and see note on i. 2443.
6452. So grete a lust: cp. l. 5737 and Introduction, p. cx.
6498. as a Pocok doth. It is difficult to see the appropriateness of the comparison, for to ‘stalke’ is to go cautiously or secretly, and that is evidently the meaning here, so that any idea of display is out of the question. The peacock was supposed to be ashamed of its ugly feet, cp. Mirour, 23459, and in the Secretum Secretorum we actually have the expression ‘humilis et obediens ut pavo,’ translated by Lydgate (or Burgh) ‘Meeke as a pecock.’ Albertus Magnus says, ‘Cum aspicitur ad solem, decorem ostentat, et alio tempore occultat quantum poterit’ (De Animalibus, 23). There seems to have been a notion that it was liable to have its pride humbled and to slink away ashamed.
6526. bile under the winge, that is, concealed, as a bird’s head under its wing: apparently proverbial.
6541. I mai remene ... mene. This is apparently the reading of the MSS. The meaning of ‘remene’ is properly to bring back. It is used earlier, i. 279, with reference to the application of the teaching about vices generally to the case of love, and here it seems to have much the same sense. ‘So that I may apply what has been said about this craft directly’ (‘Withouten help of eny mene’) to the case of lovers, they being very evidently offenders in this way.
6581. hire it is: but in l. 4470, ‘It schal ben hires.’
6608 ff. For the construction see note on i. 718.
6620. Danger: see note on i. 2443.