87-8. After grete stormes; see note to P. Plowman, C. xxi. 454.
92. grobbed, grubbed; i.e. dug about. Cf. Isaiah, v. 2.
95. a, have (as before). Lya, Leah; Lat. Lia, in Gen. xxix. 17 (Vulgate).
103. eighteth, eighth; an extraordinary perversion of the notion of the sabbatical year. So below, in l. 104, we are informed that the number of workdays is seven; and that, in Christian countries, the day of rest is the eighth day in the week! kinrest, rest for the kin or people; a general day of rest. I know of no other example of this somewhat clumsy compound.
110. sothed, verified; referring to Luke, xiv. 29.
113. conisance, badge. Badges for retainers were very common at this date. See Notes to Richard the Redeless, ii. 2.
117-9. Copied from P. Plowman, C. vii. 24, 25:—
'Lauhynge al aloude, for lewede men sholde
Wene that ich were witty, and wyser than anothere;
Scorner and unskilful to hem that skil shewed.'