738. _message_, a messenger; Lat. '_nuncios_ Romam misit.' So in Old
English we find _prisoun_ or _prison_ for prisoner; Piers Pl. B. vii. 30.
772. _anon_, immediately. It was not uncommon in olden times for girls to
be married at twelve years of age. The Wife of Bath was first married at
that age; see D. 4.
797. Lat. 'magna omnis fortuna seruitus magna est; non mihi licet, quod
cuilibet liceret agricolae.'
850. _were_ agrees with the word _clothes_ following; cf. _it ben_, Piers
Plowm. B. vi. 56. She did not really bring her husband even the dower of
her old clothes, as they had been taken from her. Lines 851-861 are all
Chaucer's own, and shew his delicacy of touch.