An israel folc lete we ben.’”
p. 86, l. [3020]. As it stands, this line does not scan well. Perhaps we may read month instead of monthes, and childre instead of children, and scan the line thus:
p. 87, l. [3021]. thay : Normandy. The rhyme, though imperfect, cannot be objected to; but as the rhyme e : y (i) is frequently employed by our author (see Introduction, p. xliv), and was of rather common use about that period (see Ellis, Pronunciation, I. 271), we might incline to the supposition that he is the true reading. Cf. besides l. 2698.
p. 87, l. [3034]. mene makes no sense. Perhaps we ought to read: mete, “food.”
p. 87, l. [3044]. In the French poem, l. 5108, Hoel and Riol are appointed governors of Mantrible, whereas Richard goes on with Charles and commands one of the divisions of his army (l. 5577). Cf. Syr Ferumbras, l. 5643.
p. 88, l. [3062]. coost, “country, region.” See Mätzner’s Wörterb., 487.
p. 88, l. [3084]. In the Fierabras, l. 5374, it is Naymes who first recognizes the banner of France; cf. Syr Ferumbras, l. 5209. [‹p132›]
p. 89, l. [3098]. of the Ethiopes = “some of the Ethiopians.” This may be regarded as an example of the partitive use of of. Cf. Zupitza’s note to Guy, 1961.
p. 89, l. [3103]. alto hewe must be more correctly written al to-hewe;—to-, as a mere prefix (signifying “in twain, asunder, apart” = Germ. zer) belongs essentially to the verb; the intensive adverb al (= “utterly, omnino,”) used before verbs beginning not only with to-, but also before other prefixes, still further strengthens, and belongs to, the whole expression. So al to-treden, l. 1382, to-braste, l. 1168.