655. The adj. _sly_ here appears in the indefinite form, and rimes with
_hertely_; correctly. Lounsbury (Studies, i. 388) admits the fact, but
immediately proceeds to rate Chaucer for using the form _dry-e_
(dissyllabic) as an indefinite form! The attack, being founded on an error,
ignominiously fails. It so happens that _sly_ is, etymologically, a
monosyllable, whilst _drye_ is etymologically dissyllabic; see _sleh_ and
_druye_ in Stratmann.
658. A _blind lane_ is one that has no opening at the farther end; a _cul
de sac_.