10. The reference is probably to the diligent inquiries Herod
made at the time of Christ’s birth. See Matt. ii. 4-8
11. A drunkard. “Perhaps,” says Tyrwhitt, “Chaucer refers to
Epist. LXXXIII., ‘Extende in plures dies illum ebrii habitum;
nunquid de furore dubitabis? nunc quoque non est minor sed
brevior.’” (“Prolong the drunkard’s condition to several days;
will you doubt his madness? Even as it is, the madness is no
less; merely shorter.”)
12. Defended: forbidden; French, “defendu.” St Jerome, in his
book against Jovinian, says that so long as Adam fasted, he was
in Paradise; he ate, and he was thrust out.
13. “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats; but God shall
destroy both it and them.” 1 Cor. vi. 13.
14. “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now
tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of
Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and
whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Phil.
iii. 18, 19.
15. Cod: bag; Anglo-Saxon, “codde;” hence peas-cod, pin-cod
(pin-cushion), &c.
16. Compare with the lines which follow, the picture of the
drunken messenger in the Man of Law’s Tale.
17. Lepe: A town near Cadiz, whence a stronger wine than the
Gascon vintages afforded was imported to England. French
wine was often adulterated with the cheaper and stronger
Spanish.