and, thirdly, it is frequently added to words without cause, and is therefore mute, as in l. [60]

ðat éu | ere ſpróng | in wérld | wíd ||

It seems to be sometimes mute after -ed, when -ede forms part of a verb. See ll. [1396], [1433], etc.

Attention to the metre may detect errors in the text. Thus, in l. [75], the word dais is missing:—

forð glód | ðat fír | me [dá | is] lígt ||

See l. [113], which proves the point.

In l. [1846] the definite form of the adjective is required, and strong should be stronge

ðe stróng | e gód | of ýs | raél ||

It has been noted that the first foot of a line sometimes consists of one syllable only, and that one accented. By a bolder license, this is sometimes the case not only with the first foot, but with other feet, e.g. with the third foot. Line [2572]:—

Quan é | bru chíld | ſúld | be bóren ||