Seli constantly occurs in O.E. writers in the sense of good, and unseli, with the opposite meaning of bad, wicked. At first sight it would appear that the for in forwrogt is the same prefix which we have in forbid, forsake, O.E. for-worth, "good for nothing;" but forwrogt in O.E. = overworked, and, hence, fatigued. Forwrogt seems to be connected with the O.H.Ger. foruuerget, cursed; O.E. weried, cursed. The first interpretation, however, is supported by the Goth. verb fra-vaurkjan; Ger. verwirken, sündigen.

[271]

Ligber he sridde a dere srud.

Lucifer he shrouded (clothed) in dear (precious) shrouds (vestments).

Ligber is evidently Ligtber = Lucifer. It occurs in the Ayenbite, p. 10:—"And verst we willeþ zigge of þe zenne of prede, vor þet wes þe verste zenne and þe aginninge of alle kueade, for prede brek verst velaȝrede and ordre, huanne Liȝtbere the angel for his greate vayrhede and his greate wyt wolde by above þe oþre angeles and him wolde emni to God þet hine zo vayr an zuo guod hedde ymad."

[272]-276

And he became in himself proud,

And with that pride upon him waxed envy

That evilly influenced all his conduct;

Then might he no lord tolerate,