Fierabras, ll. 4360–64.
If now we consider that some lines back (l. 4093) the French poem expressively states that Richard seeing himself hard pressed by the Saracens, signed himself with the sign of the cross—
“Lors a levé sa main, de Jhesu s’est signiés”
an incident which at that moment is omitted in the Sowdan—we think ourselves entitled to regard this proof as not very convincing.
p. 81, l. [2820]. Ganelon, one of Charlemagne’s officers, who by his treachery was the cause of the defeat of Roncesvaux, the death of Roland, etc., for which he was torn to death by horses. For [‹p131›] several centuries his name was a synonymous word with traitor. Ganelo = Germ. Wenhilo.
p. 81, l. [2845]. Fremounde cannot be the true reading, as it does not rhyme with kinge. Besides Fremounde does not occur again in the poem. Perhaps we ought to read Qwyntyne, as in l. 1298. In the corresponding passage of the French Fierabras (l. 4625) it is to St. Denis that Charles swears; cf. also Syr Ferumbras, l. 4289.
p. 82, l. [2850]. And makes no sense. Read “God.”
p. 83, l. [2887]. gryse : assaye. We get a perfect rhyme if we read gray instead of gryse. Halliwell, s. v. “gray,” has: “the skin or fur of a badger.”
p. 83, l. [2891]. As it stands, the line does not rhyme with l. 2893. The rhyme will be restored if we read:
“Lycence gete ye noone nere,” or perhaps