Cr1.2.185KD.2.183 As friers and faytours that on their fete runnen
C.2.185KD.2.183 As frers and faitours · þat on hir fete rennen
O.2.184KD.2.183As freris & fautourisO.2.184: O alone has fautouris in place of Faitours. The terms are distinct. The MED defines fautour as "an adherent, supporter, follower," "one who encourages or connives in reproachable action or belief," and faitour as "a deceiver, imposter, cheat; esp., a beggar or vagabond who feigns injury or disease." þat on her feet rennen
R.2.144KD.2.183 As fobberesR.2.144:
Beta has Freres. A majority of A witnesses attests
folis at this point (though three, manuscripts LaWaN, agree with beta).
Cx has fobbes. That support, as well as the word's
relative rarity, suggests alpha's variant is likely to be authorial in B. Schmidt accepts fobberes at face value. MED, s. v.
fobben, hypothesizes that fobberes was derived from
"fobben," v., but cites merely two Piers Plowman manuscripts for the form's
existence. Conversely, Kane-Donaldson view alpha's variant as scribal and emend to the C form. and faytoures þat on here feet rennen .