P. 88, l. 13. In your name Maria.] Lydgate, in MS. Harl. 2255, fol. 141, has given three similar acrostics of the name of the blessed Virgin.
P. 90, l. 1. Ab Ysakar.] Sic in MS. pro Abysakar. This pageant was privately printed by Mr. Collier, 12mo. Lond. 1836. The argument is taken from the apochryphal gospel of the Birth of Mary. Lydgate, in the fifth chapter of his Life of the Virgin, introduces the chief incidents here employed.
P. 94, l. 29. So.] Perhaps yow.
P. 94, l. 31 to p. 95, l. 22. This is added to the MS. in a more recent handwriting.
P. 97, l. 20. Episcopus comyth, thens Joseph.] Owing to this line being inserted in the MS. as a stage direction, and the deficiency of the metre, it has been arranged erroneously. It should be as follows:—
Episcopus. Comyth thens.
Joseph. Sere, he may evyl go, &c.
P. 99, l. 13. Foreschyth.] So in MS. for floreschyth.
P. 101, l. 8. Sere, xalle ffulffyl.] The pronoun I is probably omitted before the word xalle.
P. 105. The Salutation and Conception.] Part of the argument of this pageant may be found in the apocryphal gospel of the Birth of Mary. The incident of the council of the Trinity is given in the Speculum Vitæ Christi, and in Lydgate's Life of the Virgin.
P. 105, l. 22. Babys.] Probably balys.
P. 112, l. 16. This name Eva is turnyd Ave.] Compare MS. Harl. 2255, fol. 140, a poem in praise of the Virgin:
Heyl sterre of Jacob, glorie of Israelle!
Eva transfformyd the lettrys wel out sought;
Into thy closet whan that Gabryelle
With this wourd Ave hath the tydynges brought.
P. 113, l. 17. But I aske it xal be do.] The word how has probably been omitted after aske.
P. 114, l. 31. Bemys.] Mr. Collier, Hist. Dram. Poet. ii. 176, writes bennys, and considers that the word means benedicites. I confess I do not see the necessity of such an explanation, for it appears
