[Annotations: 1.1: ‘Lythe and listin,’ hearken and listen: a very common opening. 1.2: ‘frebore,’ free-born. 2.2,3: ‘Whyles . . . outlaw’: supplied from the Wynkyn de Worde text. 4.4: _i.e._, worthy of a groom, or young man. 5.3: ‘and,’ if. 6.4: ‘unkouth,’ unknown. 7.1: Wanting in all versions. 7.3: ‘som,’ supplied from Wynken de Worde’s text. 8.4: ‘messis,’ masses. 9.4: ‘allther moste,’ most of all. 10.2: ‘dout,’ fear. 12.3: ‘reve,’ pillage. 13.1: ‘no force,’ no matter. 16.2: ‘lere,’ learn. 16.3: ‘fer dayes,’ late in the day: ‘gest,’ exploit. 18.1: The Sayles, a small part of the manor of Pontefract. 18.2: Watling Street = the great North Road. 18.4: ‘Up chaunce,’ in case. 19.4: ‘dight,’ prepared. 21.2: ‘dernë strete,’ hidden or obscure path. 23.1: ‘iyn,’ eyes. 25.2: ‘Hendë,’ noble. 27.2: ‘in fere,’ in company. 28.2: ‘carefull chere,’ sorrowful face. 28.4: ‘lere,’ cheek. 31.4: ‘meynë,’ company. 32.4: ‘noumbles,’ entrails. 34.1: ‘Do gladly’ = make yourself at home; a hospitable expression. Cp. 103.1 and 232.1. 37.1: ‘or ye wende,’ before you go. 38.4: ‘let not,’ leave nothing undone. 39.2,4: ‘have parte of,’ perhaps means ‘protect,’ or ‘take my part.’ 45.3: This refers to ‘distraint of knighthood,’ instituted in 1224, compelling military tenants to receive knighthood or pay a composition. 46.3: ‘okerer,’ usurer. 48.2: ‘disgrate,’ unfortunate. 49.4: From the rhyme it is obvious the verses have here been confused, especially as all copies print 50.3 before 50.2. 52.4: ‘just,’ joust, tilt. 53.4, 54.1: ‘beth’ (in another version ‘both’), are. 54.1: ‘sette to wedde,’ put in pledge. 56.1: ‘lese,’ lose. 57.1: ‘quyke’ = quick, alive. 59.4: ‘blowe,’ utter. 60.2: ‘on a rowe,’ in file. 61.1: ‘ruthe,’ pity. 61.4: ‘chere,’ entertainment. 62.2: ‘borrowe,’ security. 64.2: ‘shope,’ shaped. 65.4: ‘or,’ before. 66.3: ‘pay,’ liking. 72.2: ‘mete,’ measured. So 73.1 ‘met’ = measured. 74.1: ‘loughe,’ laughed. 78.4: ‘tene,’ trouble. 81.2: ‘knave,’ servant. 81.3: _i.e._, he shall stand for thee instead of a yeoman.] THE SECOND FYTTE (82-143)