p. 3, l. [86]. Mahounde, Appolyn and Termagant are the principal deities (cf. ll. 2105, 2177, 2761) of the Mahometans, who were considered as pagans = payens (ll. 535, 1040) or paynym (ll. 539, 866, etc.). Other idols of the Saracens are mentioned in ll. 2761–2 of the Sowdone. Compare also Gautier’s note to l. 8, of his Edition critique de la Chanson de Roland, and Skeat, Prioress’s Tale (Clarendon P.S.), 161/2000.
p. 3, l. [88]. theyme instead of hem occurs only three times in the poem (ll. 88, 1237, 2787). There must be some corruption here, as there is no rhyme to theym. The last stanza ends at l. 87, and the next one begins at l. 89. As far as the sense is concerned we could easily do without this line; it ought perhaps to be regarded as spurious.
p. 3, l. [93]. Ferumbras is spelt differently in the different versions of the romance. In the Sowdan we always find Ferumbras, in the Ashmole MS. Ferumbras and Fyrumbras. He is called Fierabras in the French [‹p100›] Ferabras in the Provençal version; the Destruction has Fierabras, but more frequently Fierenbras. In Caxton’s Life of Charles the Great his name is Fyerabras, Skelton has Pherumbras, Lyndsay Pharambras, and in Barbour’s Bruce we read Ferambrace; see Introduction, pp. xxv and xxxii.
p. 4, l. [99]. Oliborn. This name does not occur in any other version of this poem. The same is the case with regard to Espiard, l. 103. None of the French versions gives any name to the Soudan’s messenger. In the Ashmole MS. l. 3823, the messenger is called Malyngryas.
p. 4, l. [102]. Assye = Asia. This name does not occur in the other versions of the poem; cf. note to l. 1000.
p. 4, l. [103]. Cf. the Destruction, l. 202:
“Par tote la terre sont li baron mande”
ferre and nere, cf. ll. 117, 996, and the note to l. 528 of Syr Ferumbras.
p. 4, l. [104]. frike, “quick, bold,” O.E. frec. See Stratmann, Dictionary, p. 225.
p. 4, l. [108]. Þon. Compare Introduction, p. xxxvii.