Hence it is best in this case to rely, for our knowledge of Old
Northumbrian, on the Durham book _alone_.
It must be remembered that a gloss is not quite the same thing as
a free translation that observes the rules of grammar. A gloss
translates the Latin text word by word, in the order of that text; so
that the glossator can neither observe the natural English order nor
in all cases preserve the English grammar; a fact which somewhat
lessens its value, and must always be allowed for. It is therefore
necessary, in all cases, to ascertain the Latin text. I subjoin a
specimen, from Matt, v 11-15.
eadge aron ge mith thy yfle hia gecuoethas iuh and mith thy
11. Beati estis cum maledixerunt uobis et cum
oehtas iuih and cuoethas eghwelc yfel with iuih
persecuti uos fuerint et dixerint omne malum aduersum uos
gesuicas _vel_ w{ae}ges fore mec gefeath and wynnsumiath forthon
mentientes propter me. 12. gaudete et exultate quoniam
mearda iuere monigfalde is _vel_ sint
merces uestra copiosa est
in heofnum su{ae} _vel_ suelce ec forthon
in caelis sic enim
ge-oehton tha witgo tha the weron {ae}r iuih gee
persecuti sunt prophetas qui fuerunt ante uos.
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