250. #þa þe--lof#, those to whom it was too pleasing, those who took too
much delight in: ll. 250, 251 may be a reminiscence of the Anarchy; see
7/49, 6/44.
252. Those who had the power to do evil, (and) those (without the power)
to whom it was sweet to contemplate it. But the other MSS., except T D,
and M which omits the line, agree with E, þo þe ne mihte euel don · ⁊
lef was it to þenche. In T 256 #þe# does double duty as _nom._ to
mihten, and as _dat._ to lief; comp. 118/28.
254. ⁊ á · on ðes deofles weorc · bliðeliche swunche e; comp. 40/177;
‘qui laetantur cum malefecerint, et exultant in rebus pessimis,’ Prov.
ii. 14.
255. ‘Or ne set lum ki creire tant est fel e muanz,’ Guischart 13. Comp.
7/47.