l. 252. ǣr as a conj. generally has subj., as here; cf. ll. 264, 677, 2819,
732. For ind., cf. l. 2020.
l. 253. lēas = _loose_, _roving_.
Ettmüller
corrected
to lēase.
l. 256. This proverb (ofest, etc.) occurs in _Exod._ (Hunt), l. 293.
l. 258. An "elder" may be a very young man; hence yldesta, = _eminent_, may
be used of Beowulf. Cf. _Laws of AElfred_, C. 17: Nā þæt ǣlc eald sȳ, ac
þæt hē eald sȳ on wīsdōme.
l. 273. Verbs of hearing and seeing are often followed by acc.
