520. ‘Clamque sedens spectat dum requiem repetat,’ T. #biwalt# is
Mätzner’s correction for biwarlt; it is a rare word and means to rule,
manage, wield, as in ‘þe holie þremnesse þe shop ⁊ biwalt alle shafte,’
OEH ii. 25/8. He explains the passage as, the hunter sits alone,
observes whether his device helps him in any way. But #olon# for al one
or one as in this text, 194/579, 580, the absence of a conjunction
before #bihalt# and the meaning given to #biwalt# all raise doubts.
Morris translates the last word as ‘deceiveth.’ Perhaps in olon lurks al
on, which with *bihalt, observation, would give, intent on watching.
*bihalt, noun of bihalden, is not found, but may be inferred from OE.
#geheald#. #biwalt# may be miswritten for biualt, representing OE.
#befealleþ#: l. 521 might then mean whether his device results in
anything for him.