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

by Unknown

1356. Domine, labia mea aperies, Lord, open thou my lips; 'the opening' of Matins.

1358. bewrye, a variant of bewreye, to bewray; used by Dunbar.

1359. Venite, exultemus, Ps. xcv (Vulgate, xciv); still in use.

1362. 'The unhappy chorister who comes late skulks in behind the desks and stalls.'—Bell.

1364. Domine, Dominus noster, Ps. viii. The 'first psalm.'

1366. Celi enarrant, Ps. xix (Vulgate, xviii). The 'second psalm.'

1370. Domini est terra, Ps. xxiv (Vulgate, xxiii). The 'third psalm.' this Laten intent, this Latin signifies; intent is the contracted form of intendeth; by analogy with went for wendeth.

1372. A queer reminiscence of Troil. iii. 690:—'There was no more to skippen nor to traunce.'

1373. Jube, Domine, benedicere, 'Lord, comaunde us to blesse'; versicle preceding the first lesson; which explains l. 1374.