8. _Eft_, again, a second time. This seems to assert that Chaucer was at
this time a widower. Cf. C. T. 9103 (E 1227).
9. 'Mariage est maus liens,' marriage is an evil tie; Rom. de la Rose,
8871. And again, with respect to marriage--'Quel forsenerie [_witlessness_]
te maine A cest torment, a ceste paine?' R. Rose, 8783; with much more to
the same effect. Cf. Cant. Tales, Marchauntes Prologue (throughout); and
Barbour's Bruce, i. 267.