The authorities are F. (Fairfax 16); B. (Bodley 638); P. (Pepys 2006); Cx. (Caxton's ed.); Th. (Thynne's ed. 1532). I follow F. mainly, correcting the spelling.

1. P. drem; rest dreme.

8. All have And why; I omit why. 9, Io. F. swevene, evene; Cx. Th. sweuen, euen. 11. Th. B. a fantome; P. a

fauntom; Cx. a fanton; F. affaintome; after which, all needlessly insert why.

12. F. Th. B. P. not; Cx. note (= noot). insert is before more.

Elide o in so.

20. All wrongly

As if folkes complexiouns
Make hem dreme of reflexiouns ;
Or elles thus, as other sayn,
For to greet feblenesse of brayn,
By abstinence, or by seeknesse,
Prison, stewe, or greet distresse;
Or elles by disordinaunce
Of naturel acustomaunce,
That som man is to curious

In studie, or melancolious,

Or thus, so inly ful of drede,

That no man may him bote bede;
Or elles, that devocioun.

Of somme, and contemplacioun
Causeth swiche dremes ofte;

Or that the cruel lyf unsofte
Which these ilke lovers leden

That hopen over muche or dreden,
That purely hir impressiouns
Causeth hem avisiouns;

Or if that spirits have the might
To make folk to dreme a-night
Or if the soule, of propre kinde,
Be so parfit, as men finde,

25

30

35

40

24. B. of the; rest of her; I omit the (her).

Cx. stryf; Th. stryfe.

wote; rest wote.

26. F. B. stewe; P. stoe; 35. P. sweche; rest suche, such. 45. F. B. for50. F. vnderstonde, followed by a metrical mark, in

dicating a pause: I add n.