2420. _swich a wyf_, such a wife as that described in the Merchant's Tale.
2422. _bees_, bees. Elsewhere, the pl. is _been_; see B. 4582, F. 204.
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2431. _in conseil_, in (secret) counsel, between ourselves. For this use of
_conseil_, see C. 819, and the note; also G. 145, 192.
2435. The phrase _cause why_ is now considered vulgar; it is common in
London. _Caus-e_ is dissyllabic.
2436. _of somme_, by some, by some one. So _of whom_ = by whom; in the next
line. He says, he need not say _by whom_ it would be told; for women are
sure to utter such things, as is expressly said in D. 950. This alludes, of
course, to the ladies in the company, and, in particular, to the Wife of
Bath, who was not the person to keep such things to herself. _outen_, to
utter; a rare word; it occurs again in G. 834, and in D. 521. Also in The
Tale of Beryn, 2408.
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