"His table dormant in his halle alway
Stood ready covered all the longè day."
The meaning of that is, that any person, or party, might sit down, at
any hour of the day, and help himself to something comfortable, as
indeed is the case now in all country houses worth Visiting--such as
Buchanan Lodge. Mr Horne stupidly exaggerates thus--
"His table with repletion heavy lay
Amidst his hall throughout the feast-long day."
In the prologue to the Reve's Tale, the Reve, nettled by the miller, who
had been satirical on his trade, says he will
"_somdel set his howve_
For leful is with force force off to showve."
"Howve" is cap--and in the Miller's Prologue we had been told
"How that a clerk had set the wrightès cappe;"
that is, "made a fool" of him--nay, a cuckold. Mr. Horne,
"Though my reply _should somewhat fret his nose_."