205-8. _More_, which is necessary for the metrical form, is best taken
as conj. 'moreover', 'further'; _weþer_ introduces a direct question
(note to V 118). _louyly_ is perhaps miswritten for _lauly_ 'lawful', as
the _Pearl-Gawayne_ group often show the converse _au_, _aw_ for normal
_ou_, _ow_, e.g. _bawe_ for _bowe_, _trawþe_ for _trowþe_. 'Further, is
my power to do what pleases me with my own lawful?' The meaning is fixed
by Matthew xx. 15 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine
own? Is thine eye evil because I am good?'
212. _mykeȝ._ In the few recorded examples _mik_, _myk_ seems to mean
'an intimate friend'. Here it is used for the sake of rime in an
extended sense 'chosen companion of the Lord'.
221 f. _Wheþer_, &c., 'Although I began <only> just now, coming into the
vineyard in the eventide, <yet>', &c.
224. Note the rime (OE. _sŭm_) with ON. _blóm(i)_, OE. _dōm_,
_cōm_. Such rimes occur occasionally in Northern texts of the
fourteenth century—never in the South.
233. Psalm lxii. 12 'Also unto Thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for Thou
renderest to every man according to his work.'
237-40. Loosely constructed. 'Now, if you came to payment before him
that stood firm through the long day, then he who did less work would be
more entitled to receive pay, and the further <it is carried>, the less
<work>, the more <claim to be paid>.'
249-51. On the meaning of these lines there is no agreement. Gollancz
and Osgood interpret: 'That man's privilege is great who ever stood in
awe of Him (God) who rescues sinners. From such men no happiness is
withheld, for,' &c. Yet it is difficult to believe that even a poet hard
pressed would use _dard to Hym_ to mean 'feared Him'. One of several
rival interpretations will suffice to show the ambiguities of the text:
'His (God's) generosity, which is always inscrutable (lit. lay hidden),
is abundant to the man who recovers his soul from sin. From such men no
happiness is withheld', &c. The sense and construction of _dard_ (for
which the emendation _fard_, pret. of _fere_ 'to go', has been
suggested, the rest of the interpretation following Gollancz), and the
obscurity of the argument, are the chief obstacles to a satisfactory
solution.