723. _at the fontstoon_, i. e. at his baptism; French text--'al baptisme fu
nome Moris.'
729. _to doon his avantage_, to suit his convenience. He hoped, by going
only a little out of his way, to tell Donegild the news also, and to
receive a reward for doing so. Trivet says that the old [159] Queen was
then at Knaresborough, situated 'between England and Scotland, as in an
intermediate place.' Its exact site is less than seventeen miles west of
York. Donegild pretends to be very pleased at the news, and gives the man a
rich present.
736. _lettres_; so in all seven MSS.; Tyrwhitt reads _lettre_. But it is
right as it is. _Lettres_ is sometimes used, like Lat. _literae_, in a
singular sense, and the French text has 'les lettres.' Examples occur in
Piers Plowman, B. ix. 38; Bruce, ii. 80. See l. 744, and note to l. 747.