p. [118]. Starven. Starved is still used, dialectically, to mean, nearly dying of cold.
p. [119]. Will eat. Russell, in his directions to the carver, specifies choice bits, as the wings (first left, then right) of capon or hen; the legs of quail, lark or pigeon; of fawn, kid, lamb, first the kidney, then the rib; shoulder, then rib of pork, sides of rabbit or hare, &c.
p. [119]. Lief and dear. This seems to mean only that he might, if he liked, keep a choice bit for a stranger.
SYMON’S LESSON OF WISDOM FOR
ALL MANNER CHILDREN
MS. Bodley 832, fol. 174, about 1500. It seems to be unique, and of the author or copyist I know nothing.
p. [123]. Wall. The passage suggests Lydgate’s poem, giving an account of his school-days, especially:—
“Ran into gardens, apples there I stole,
To gather fruits spared hedge nor wall,
To pluck grapes in other men’s vines
Was more ready than for to say matins.”