Note 49 — 271

I can make no guess that I am willing to mention as to the derivation and meaning of Dissawar. The old woman in the romance, v. 249 ff., says, ‘Dissawar is a poor name, yet Dissawar you shall not be, for good help you shall have;’ and the schoolmaster, v. 283 ff., says, ‘Dissawar, thou shalt want neither meat nor laire.’ It would seem that they understood the word to mean, “in want.” Some predecessor of the romance may by and by be recovered which shall put the meaning beyond doubt.