[35]. The unwise man, if he have any generous purpose, makes shipwreck (on the stone-rock of the unbeliever), because the latter collides with his good will and wrecks it by using such words as these. The figure of the ship and the rock is continued in this sentence; the change of subject in ‘he hert’ is not uncommon.
[37]. spelleres, talkers, preachers. For hadede, see 4/20.
[38]. Holthausen puts a comma after mannen, making Wile ðu subjunctive, if thou wilt, which was no doubt the intention of the author.
[39]. be trewe mann: equivalent to our, Be a man!
[42]. te gode: comp. 30/21.
[45]. Hie &c. Charity has led me into talking about it at greater length than I had intended. Comp. ‘Ich hadde iþoht ðat ic naht ne scolde writen bute of ðese haliȝe mihtes . . . ðanne am ic iladd ut oðerhwile, ær ic hit ouht wite, to oðer þinge,’ VV 53/15.
[47]. lokest aweiward, avertest thy face: comp. ‘a-weiward his heued heold; [&] nolde hit ihere,’ L, MS. O 8878.
[48]. heuiliche latst, appearest to be wearied; in common phrase, look bored.
[51]. me to helpe, for my help: comp. 85/107; 176/24 note.
[53]. grundwall, foundation: comp. ‘Ne mai no mann leiȝen oðer grundwall’ (= fundamentum), VV 93/30.