Chaucerian and Other Pieces / Being a Supplement to the Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer

by Unknown

112. helpe of unkyndnesse, relieve from unkind treatment.

115-6. fleddest, didst avoid. privitè to counsayle, knowledge of a secret.

120-1. Cf. Ch. Boeth. bk. ii. pr. 8. ll. 31-3.

Chap. VIII. 1. Eft, again. Thynne prints Ofte, which does not give the sense required. Fortunately, we know that the first letter must be E, in order that the initial letters of the Prologue and chapters I. to VIII. may give the word MARGARETE. The reading Ofte would turn this into MARGARETO.

4, 5. From Ch. Troil. iv. 3; Boeth. bk. ii. pr. 8. ll. 19-21.

13. and thou, if thou. Cf. Matt. xviii. 12.

27. in their mouthes, into their mouths; Matt. xii. 34.

31. leve for no wight, cease not on any one's account.

32. use Jacobs wordes. The allusion seems to be to the conciliatory conduct of Jacob towards Esau; Gen. xxxiii. 8, 10, 11. Similarly the author is to be patient, and to say—'I will endure my lady's wrath, which I have deserved,' &c.