p. 34, l. 1185. «the botteles of bawme» are not mentioned anywhere else in the «Sowdan»; the other versions tell us that the balm contained in those vessels was the same as that with which Christ was anointed. Cf. «Syr Ferumbras», ll. 510–517; and see «Introduction», p. vi and xxix. p. 34, l. 1191. «the river.» According to the oldest version of the poem the whole combat took place on the shore of the Tiber, near Rome. See «Introduction», pp. xi and xxxii. Cf. «Fierabras», l. 1049: “Pres fu du far de Rome, ses a dedes jetés,” and «Philippe Mousket», I. 4705–6: “Les .ii. barius qu’à Rome prist, Si les gieta enmi le Toivre.” In the «Sowdan» as well as in the «Ashmole» MS. there is no mention of Oliver’s drinking of the balm before throwing it into the water, which both the Provençal and the French versions tell us he did. Cf. «Fierabras», ll. 1031–1048, and the Provençal version, ll. 1335, «et seq.» p. 35, l. 1210. «fille», “fel.” p. 35, ll. 1221. «dere» spoils the rhyme. Read “«free».” p. 36, l. 1250. «Cousyn to King Charles», cf. l. 1117. In ll. 1499 and 1671 Oliver is said to be nephew to Charlemagne. He was the son of Renier de Gennes, who according to «Sir Ferumbras», l. 652: “Y am Charlis emys sone”—was the uncle of Charlemagne. In the poem «Girar de Viane» we find Oliver among the enemies of the [p117] Emperor and fighting with Roland in close combat; they are at length stopped by divine interposition. Then began a close friendship which lasted till their death at Roncesvaux. Oliver’s sister Aude was betrothed to Roland. See, besides, «Syr Ferumbras», ll. 422, 1297, 1305, 1354. p. 36, l. 1258. «harde grace», “misfortune,” cf. l. 2790. p. 36, l. 1259. «Persagyn.» This name does not occur in any other version again, except in the «Destruction», where one Persagon appears in the list of the Saracen barons. But it is not stated there that he is uncle to Ferumbras; cf. besides «Fierabras», ll. 2614, 2784. p. 37, l. 1263. Observe the four consecutive feminine rhymes.