130. _debat_, strife. Merchants, being great travellers, were expected to
pick up good stories.
131. _were_, should be. _desolat_, destitute. 'The E. E. word is _westi_;
'westi of alle gode theawes,' destitute of all good virtues; O. Eng.
Homilies, i. 285.'--M.
132. _Nere_, for _ne were_, were it not. _goon is, &c._, many a year ago,
long since. [145]