Chapter 72

51. Dank. Damp, moist. Cf. Shakespeare, R. and J. ii. 3. 6: "and night's dank dew;" Milton, Sonnet to Mr. Lawrence: "Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire," etc. 64. Sooth to tell. To tell the truth. See on i. 476 above. Sooth to say, to say sooth, in sooth, in good sooth, etc., are common in old writers. Cf. the Lay, introd. 57: "the sooth to speak." 65. To claim its aid. The MS. has "to draw my blade." 78. Enough. Suffice it that. 81. A knight's free footsteps, etc. The MS. reads: "My errant footsteps …