[1041]-4 "Lord," quoth he, "how shalt thou do (this), if thou shalt take vengeance thereon; shalt thou not the righteous protect (spare), or for them (for their sake) to the others mercy bear (show)?" með beren = to bear mercy, to show mercy to. See ll. [1046], [1242].
Ic sal meðen ðe stede for ðo,
I shall have mercy upon the place for those (for their sake).
Meðen signifies to use gently, act with moderation towards any one, to compassionate, to show mercy to. (See Allit. Poems, p. 45, l. 247; p. 51, l. 436; p. 54, l. 565; O.E. Hom. 2nd S. p. 153.) [1049] at-wot, departed. There is no such verb as æt-wítan, to depart, in Bosworth's A.Sax. Dict. The only meaning given to atwiten by Stratmann is to reproach, twit. At-wot may be a blunder for at-wond, departed. See l. [3058]. Laȝ. l. 87. We have the O.E. at-flegen, at-gon, at-scape, etc. The simple verb wite is not uncommon in Early English authors.
"The first dai sal al the se
Boln and ris, and heyer be
Than ani fel of al the land,
. . . . . . . . .
And als mikel the tother day