244-5 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote3 in…

244-5 As al were slypped vpon slepe so slaked hor lote in hy3e. As all were fallen asleep so ceased their words in haste (suddenly). Sir F. Madden reads slaked horlote, instead of slaked hor lote3, which, according to his glossary, signifies drunken vagabonds. He evidently takes horlote to be another (and a very uncommon) form of harlote = harlots. But harlot, or vagabond, would be a very inappropriate term to apply to the noble Knights of the Round Table. Moreover, slaked never, I think, means drunken. The general sense of the verb slake is to let loose, lessen, cease. Cf. lines 411-2, where sloke, another form of slake, occurs with a similar meaning: —layt no fyrre; bot slokes. —seek no further, but stop (cease). Sir F. Madden suggests blows as the explanation of slokes. It is, however, a verb in the imperative mood.

Brayn. Mätzner suggests brayn-wod.

barlay = par loi. This word is exceedingly common in the T. Book (see l. 3391). I bid you now, barlay, with besines at all Þat ye set you most soverainly my suster to gete.—T.B. l. 2780.

siker. Sir F. Madden reads swer.