CORNELL UNIVERSITY' LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE USTCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 189I BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92401 31 0941 2 THE WORKS or GEOFFREY CHAUCER . 77 - MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA • MADRAS MELBOURNE THE MACMILLAN COMPANY NEW YORK ■ BOSTON - CHICAGO DALLAS . SAN FRANCISCO THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. E!)c ®lo6e lEiitiou THE WORKS OF GEOFFREY CHAUCER EDITED BY ALFRED ^. POLLARD H. FRANK HEATH MARK H. LIDDELL w. s. Mccormick MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON 1926 COPYRIGHT First Edition i8g8 Reprinted 1899, iqot, 1903, 1904, 19061 1907, 1908, 1910,, 1913 1919, 1923, 1925, 1926 'H i- PETNTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY R. & H. CLARK, LIMITED, EDINBURGH TO FREDERICK JAMES FURNIVALL, Ph.D. FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE CHAUCER AND EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETIES 1 THIS POPULAR EDITION OF THE POET FOR WHOM HE HAS DONE SO MUCH IS DEDICATED IN GRATITUDE AND ESTEEM PREFACE Exactly a third of a century ago, in the year 1 864, the pubhshers of this edition of Chaucer brought out their ' Globe ' edition of Shakespeare, and it was their desire from the outset that it should be followed with as little delay as possible by a similar edition of the works of the greatest of his predecessors. The ' Globe ' Shakespeare had been made possible by the previous publication of the splendid ' Cambridge ' edition, in which everything that industry and scholarship could effect had been done to obtain a trustworthy text. It was naturally, therefore, to Cambridge that Mr. Alexander Macmillan turned for an edition of Chaucer, and in January 1864 he wrote to Henry Bradshaw, from whose Memoir by Mr. G.-W. Prothero I am quoting,' to ask him 'to join Mr. Earle and Mr. Aldis Wright in editing a " Library" edition of Chaucer's works.' It is clear that this ' Library ' edition was proposed mainly to settle the text for a ' Globe ' edition, and it seems almost immediately to have been arranged that the Clarendon Press^ with which Mr. Macmillan had intimate relations, should have the honour of publishing the ' Library ' edition, and that the text should afterwards be used for the ' Globe.' ^ In March 1866 Mr. Macmillan could write to Bradshaw of his delight at hearing that ' the great Chaucer' was in 'so prosperous a condition,' and of his willingness to wait for the ' Globe ' edition till after its completion ; but a year or two later, Mr. Prothero tells us, it became apparent that the prospect of a large edition was becoming very uncertain, and the idea of the independent publication of a ' Globe ' Chaucer was revived. 1870 brought a new scheme. Professor Earle retiring from the task and Bradshaw undertaking to edit ' A Memoir of Henry . Bradshaw, Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and University Librarian. By G. W. Prothero (London : Kegan Paul, Trench and Co., 1888), page 108. ^ This seems the most probable explanation of the apparent discrepancy between Mr. Prothero's precise statement already quoted and his subsequent remark (p. 223) that 'the standard edition of Chaucer, to range with that of Shakespeare,' was undertaken in 1864 by Professor Earle, with Mr. Aldis Wright and Mr. Bradshaw as collaborators, for the Clarendon Press. Vlll PREFACE — — — ^ y the ' Library ' edition for the Clarendon Press, with Mr. Aldis Wright and Professor Skeat as his collaborators, and twenty-four years afterwards this idea bore fruit in the noble ' Oxford Chaucer ' edited by Professor Skeat, to which it is a pleasure to the present editors to doff their caps. But in the seventies Chaucer had still to stand waiting. The ' Globe ' edition, as Mr. Prothero remarks, fared no better than the ' Library ' one. ' From . time to time Mr. Macmillan and Dr. Fumivall stirred Bradshaw up, but to no purpose. At length, in 1879, it was suggested that Bradshaw and Fumivall should do the edition together, and Bradshaw assented. They got as far as discussing the title-page, on which Bradshaw wanted his partner's name to stand first ; some specimen pages were put in type " and there the matter ended. In February 1886 Bradshaw died, having done for Chaucer what he had done for many other subjects — marked out the lines on which alone good work could be done, and communicated to others something of his own enthusiasm. That so much of his learning should have died with him, is a calamity which Chaucer- students have to regret in common with philologists, bibliographers, and antiquaries of every kind. In December 1887, with the lightheartedness of his inextinguishable youth. Dr. Fumivall invited the present writer to become his collaborator, and an agreement with the Messrs. Macmillan was duly signed by us .both, embracing both a ' Library ' and a ' Globe ' edition. But, as I have already written, 'the giant in the partnership had been used for a quarter of a century to doing, for nothing, all the hard work for other, people,' and, like Bradshaw, ' could not spare from his pioneering the 1 time necessary to enter into the fruit of his own Chaucer labours. Thus the partner who was not a giant was left to go on pretty much by himself 1 With the Canterbury Tales there was no great difficulty, for the seven manuscripts printed by the Chaucer Society made it possible to produce an adequate text without other help. But for most of the rest of Chaucer's work it was essential for success to get into touch with the manuscripts themselves, and this was for me impossible. Years previously Bradshaw had written, in excuse for his failure to produce a ' Globe ' text, 'the fact is that the work would require an amount of daylight leisure which I can't give, and which no amount of money would enable me to buy,' and this humbler librarian was pulled up by the same difficulty Only the length of the King's Library separated me from all the Chaucer manuscripts of the British Museum, but though the consciousness that they were there was pleasing, they were as inaccessible , for continuous study as those of Oxford or Cambridge. Fortunately, I was able to find, with Dr. Furnivall's aid, first one, and then a second, and then a third helper, who could not only work at the treasures which a librarian may help to guard but must not study for his own ends, but who also possessed the scientific 1 Preface to the ' Eversley ' edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (Macmillan, 1894). PREFACE IX training in the English language for which Oxford offered far fewer opportunities when I was an undergraduate than it does now. It is pleasant to me to know that two of my collaborators have completed this training at the feet of those distinguished foreign scholars, Ten Brink and Zupitza ; Dr. Heath and myself, like Chaucer, are Londoners ; Professor McCormick is a successor of the Scottish poets and students who in the fifteenth century did so much for Chaucer's honour ; and Professor Liddell is an American just called to the Chair of English Literature in the University of Texas. Thus in this popular edition of Chaucer, which, mainly through the steady persistence of the publishers, now sees the light a third of a century after its first proposal, the final workers may at least claim that they represent, however inadequately, all the different countries in which their favourite poet has been especially loved and studied. In the division of labour which has thus been effected I have myself re- mained responsible for the Canterbury Tales, the Legende of Good Women, the Glossary, and the General Introduction ; Professor Liddell has taken the Boece, the Treatise on the Astrolabe, and the Romaunt of the Rosej Professor McCormick, Troilus and Criseyde j Dr. 'iii^^.\}a.,'OaR Housof Fame, Parlement of Foules, and all the shorter pieces. Each editor is responsible for his own work and for that only, and in some minor matters, as will be explained, we have each gone our own way. In the main essential, how- ever, we have been from the first in entire agreement, for we all believe that in the present stage of our knowledge the most conservative treatment, consistent with the necessities of common sense and the known rules of Chaucerian usage, is also the best. We have endeavoured, therefore; as far as may be, to produce texts which shall offer an accurate reflection of that MS. or group of MSS. which critical investigation has shown to be the best, with only such emendation upon the evidence of other manuscripts as appeared absolutely necessary, and with the utmost parsimony of 'conjecture.' Our notes of variant readings have been greatly curtailed by consideration of space, but we have endeavoured to record most of those which have any literary or metrical importance, and I think I may say that in some cases, notably in the Boece, Troilus, and Hous of Fatne, a xeal step forward has been taken towards a thoroughly critical text. As regards spelling, we are agreed in our dislike to any attempt at a uniform ortho- graphy determined by philological considerations. In the present state of our knowledge any such attempt must come perilously near that 'putting our own crotchets in place of the old scribes' habits' which Mr. Bradshaw once deprecated in editions of mediaeval Latin, and which is as little to be desired as it is difficult to carry out. At the same time, every manuscript has its percentage of clerical errors or unusually repellent forms, and to reproduce these in a popular edition would be in the former case absurd, in the latter more or less undesirable. Thus, while we X PREFACE have all adopted the modern usage jA u and v, i and /, in other matters each editor has used his own judgment as to the extent of alteration neicessary, and has explained what he has done in his introductory remarks. With our common belief that the difficulties raised by variations of spelling have been absurdly exaggerated, and our knowledge of how the' balance of advantage shifts with every change of manuscripts, we see no reason to regret that while in some cases a few uncouth forms have been left in order that it might be understood that the text is taken, with only specified alterations, from a given manuscript, in other instances it has seemed ad- visable to do more to conciliate the eye of a modern reader. Where such alterations have been made, forms found in the EUesmere MS. of the Canterbury Tales have been adopted. . Our refusal to reduce the spelling of the manuscripts to a dead level of philological correctness — were this attainable — has compelled us to use an unobtrusive dot to indicate when the letter e is to be fully sounded. This is the less to be regretted as Chaucer's usage in this respect is not quite so rigidly uniform as it is sometimes represented, and few readers will be inclined to grumble at this help which we have endeavoured to offer as modestly as possible. As regards the order in which Chaucer's works are printed in this edition, the Canterbury Tales have been placed first, a precedence which was assigned them in all the old editions, and which is now further justified by our knowledge that they include some of the poet's earliest work, as well as much of his latest. The other pieces are arranged, to the best of my ability, in their chronological order, the Minor Poems being roughly grouped together as Earlier and Later. There is one last word which I should like to add. The appearance ol this ' Globe ' edition, so soon after the Oxford Chaucer and the Students Chaucer, which we owe to Professor Skeat, may perhaps seem superfluous, and even intrusive. Against such a criticism the fact that the publishers have contemplated this edition since 1864, while the present writer began it in 1887, these being personal matters, would be no good defence. But I think the case for the present book can be put on higher ground than this. I am so good a Chaucer-lover as to hope that in the near future the student may have not merely two texts from which to choose, but half a dozen. So long a:s. each editor does his work afresh, each new attempt must add something to the common stock.. Where independent examina- tion of the materials gathered by the Chaucer Society, or still unprinted, has led to different results, the best text will in the end survive ; where the results are the same, every fresh witness adds to the authority of the last. In some cases the texts formed by my colleagues appear to me to take the more adventurous course ; but, for myself, the results I have to show fol my own collations must set me quoting : — PREFACE For wel I wot, that ye han her-biforne Of makynge ropen and lad awey the corne, And I come after glenynge here and there, Andiam ful glad if I may finde an ere Of any goodly word that ye han left. I hope that, more especially in the Legends, some three or four of such 'goodly words' may be found, but in editing both this poem and the Canterbury Tales, and even more in the tedious task of compiling a glossary, my admiration for the thoroughness and precision of my predecessor has been continually increased. But if some future editor can find new manu- scripts or overlooked readings helpful to a better text, I am sure that Dr. Skeat will join me in congratulating him on his good luck. ALFRED W. POLLARD, CONTENTS The Canterbury Tai-es (xxv)* — A. The Prologue Knight's Tale Miller's Tale . Reeve's Tale. Cook's Tale . B. Man of Law's Tale Shipman's Tale Prioress's Tale Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas Chaucer's Tale of Melibeus Monk's Tale . Nun's Priest's Tale C. Doctor's Tale Pardoner's Tale D. Wife of Bath's Prologue Wife of Bath's Tale Friar's Tale , Smnmoner's Tale , E. Clerk of Oxford's Tale Merchant's Tale F. Squire's Tale Franklin's Tale G. Second Nun's Tale Canon's Yeoman's Tale H. Manciple's Tale I. Parson's Tale Here taketh the Makere of this Book his Leve . Earlier Minor Poems — The Dethe of Blaunche the Duchesse (xxxii) The Compleynte unto Pite (xxxv) , Chaucer's ABC (xxxiv) The Compleynte of Mars (xxxvi) . A Compleynte to his Lady (xxxvii) 13 44 S3 59 63 79 8S 89 92 120 132 141 147 154 166 172 178 186 203 219 228 239 250 261 265 310 311 326 327 329 334 Earlier Minor Poems, corMnued — The Compleynte of Faire Anelida and False Arcite (xxxvii) . . 336 The Parlement of Foules (xxxix) . 341 Boece (xl) .... 352 TROILUS AND CrISEYDE (xli). . 438 Chaucer's Words unto Adam, HIS owne Scryveyne (xhii) . 558 The Hous of Fame (xliii) . . 558 The Legende of Good Women (xlv) 585 Later Minor Poems — To Rosemounde (xlvi) , 627 The Former Age (xlvii) . . 627 Fortune (xlvii) .... 628 Truth (xlvii) . . . 630 Gentilesse (xlviii) . . . 630 Lak of Stedfastnesse (xlix) . . 630 Lenvoy de Chaucer a Scogan (1) . 631 The Compleynt of Venus (1) . 632 Lenvoy de Chaucer a Bukton (li) , 633 The Compleynt of Chaucer to his Purse (li) .... 634 Proverbe of Chaucer (lii) . . 634 Doubtful Minor Poems — Merciles Beaute (lii) . , 634 Balade ( ' Madame, for your newe- fangelnesse') (lii) . 635 Compleynt Damours (liii) . 635 Balade of Compleynte (liii) . . 637 Balade that Chancier made (liii) 637 A Treatise on the Astrolabe (liii) 638 The Romaunt of the Rose (liv) . 659 Glossary 745 * The bracketed references in Roman numerals are to the pages of the Introduction which concern the poem. INTRODUCTION LIFE OF CHAUCER (Alfred W. Pollard) Geoffrey Chaucer was the son of John Chaucer, a citizen and vintner of London. His grandfather, Robert le Chaucer, the first member of the, family of whom we hear, was in 13 lo appointed one of the collectors in the Port of London of the new customs upon wine granted by the merchants of Aquitaine. At the time of his death Robert held a small property in Ipswich of the annual value of twenty shillings or there- abouts, i.e. some £1^ oi our present money. The ultimate remainder of other lands in Suffolk was settled on his son John (the poet's father), and apparently for the sake of this property the lad was kidnapped on 3rd December 1324, when he was between twelve and fourteen years of age, with the object of forcibly marrying him to a certain Joan de Westhale, who had also an interest in it. John's stepfather * took up his cause ; his kidnappers were fined £2^0 (a crushing amount in those days), and from a subsequent plea to Parliament for the mitigation of this penalty we learn that in 1 328 John Chaucer was still unmarried. On the 1 2th June 1338 a protection against being sued in his absence was granted to him with some forty-five others who were crossing the sea vidth the King, and ten years later he acted as deputy to the King's Butler in the port of Southampton. At the time of his death, in 1366, he owned a house in Thames Street, London, and was married to Agnes, niece of Hamo de Compton,^ whom we first hear of as his wife in 1349, and who, soon after his death, married again another vintner, Bartholomew atte Chapel, in May 1367. Thus we know that the poet was born after 1328, that (if his father was only married once) his mother was this Agnes, niece of Hamo de Compton, and that he may have been bom in the house in Thames Street, which he subsequently inherited and sold. In October 1386, when he was called upon to give evidence in the suit between Richard, Lord Scrope, and Sir Robert Grosvenor, his age was entered as 'forty years or more,' a statement the value of which is diminished, but not destroyed, by the proved care- lessness of entries as to one or two other witnesses. We shall find that the date of about 1340, which this entry suggests as that of Chaucer's birth, fits in very fairly 1 The biographical sections of this Introduction are mainly tal^en, with some revision and altera- tion, ffom my Chaucer Primer (iVIacmillan, 1895). 2 Jolin's mother Mary married three times ; first one Heyroun, secondly Robert le Chaucer, and thirdly his kinsman or namesake, Kichard Chaucer, who at one time was supposed to have been the poet's grandfather. John's kidnapper was Thomas Stace of Ipswich, who may have been a kinsman on his mother's side. XVI INTRODUCTION well with everything we know of his career, and until more precise evidence is forth- coming it may be accepted as approximately correct. The first certain information we have about Chaucer himself is of his service in the household of Elizabeth de Burgh, Countess of Ulster, and wife of Lionel, third son of Edward III. The fragments of her Household Accounts, which contain the name Galfridus Chaucer, were found, appropriately enough, in the covers of a manu- script at the British Museum, containing Lydgate's Storie of Thebes and Hoccleve's Regement of Princes. The accounts show that in April 1357 the Countess was in London, and that an entire suit of clothes, consisting of a paltock, or short cloak, a pair of red and black breeches, and shoes, was then provided for Geoffrey Chaucer, at a cost of seven shillings {i.e. about five guineas present value), and another purchase of clothing for him was recorded the next month. In the following December, when the Countess was at her seat at Hatfield, in Yorkshire, there is an entry of two shillings and sixpence paid to Geoffrey Chaucer ' for necessaries at Christmas,' The entries of similar payments made to other members of the Countess of Ulster's house- hold are for much larger amounts, and we must therefore conclude that, on account either of his youth or of his not being of noble birth, Chaucer's position among her retainers was not a high one. It was probably, however, sufficiently good to enable him to be present at several great festivities at Court in which we know that the Countess took part, and it may have been during the visit which John of Gaunt paid to Hatfield towards the close of 1357 that the poet first attracted his notice. In 1359, according to his evidence in the Scrope suit, Chaucer took part in the unlucky campaign in France, serving before the town of ' Retters ' (probably Rethel, not far from Rheims), until he was taken prisoner, pis imprisonment did not last long, as on 1st March 1360 the King contributed £,\(> {£2,^0 present value) to his ransom, a sum sufficiently large to show that both by his captors and his ransomers he was regarded as a person of some little importance. This may have arisen from his going to the war in the suite either of Prince Lionel or of the King himself. In any case, he must have been taken into the King's household about this time, as on 20th July 1367, in consideration of his past and future services, Edward III. granted him a pension, or annual salary, of twenty marks (jf 1 3 : 6 : 8) for life, under the title dikctus valettus noster. Chaucer was thus one of the yeomen of the King's chamber, and by Christmas 1368 had been promoted to be an esquire 'of less degree.' On 1 2th September 1366 a Philippa Chaucer, one of the damoiselles of the Queen's chamber (una domicellarum camera RegiruE), was granted a pension of ten marks yearly for life. We know that this Philippa Chaucer in 1374, and occasionally in subsequent years, received part of her pension by the hands of Geoffrey Chaucer, her husband, and there seems to be no good reason to doubt that they were married as early as 1 366. It is probable, though far from certain, that the damoiselle of the Queen's chamber may bs identified with Philippa Roet, daughter of Sir Payne Roet of Hainault, and sister of Katherine Roet, who, after the death of her husband, Sir Hugh Swynford, became the third wife of John of Gaunt, in whose family she had been governess. , Such a roundabout connection with John of Gaunt would help to explain the many marks of favour which he bestowed on both Chaucer and his wife ; but the evidence for-it is at present rather slender. If we believe it, we must also hold it probable that Geoffrey and Philippa Chaucer were the parents of a Thomas Chaucer, a man of wealth and note in the next reign, who, towards the close of his life, exchanged the Chaucer arms for those of Roet ; also, perhaps, of the Elizabeth Chaucer for whose novitiate at the Abb^ of. Barking John of Gaunt paid a consider- able sum in 1381. But the only child of the poet about whom we have certain INTRODUCTION xvil knowledge is the little Lewis, for whom he compiled a treatise on the Astrolabe, calculated for the year 1391, when the boy was ten years old. ' In 1369, the year after his promotion to be an esquire, Chaucer took part in the war in France. We know this from the record of a loan of j^^io advanced to him by a certain Henry de Wakefield, but the record tells us nothing else. In 1370 Chaucer was abroad on the King's service, and obtained letters of protection from creditors till Michaelmas, when he returned and received his pension on 8th October. He received his pension with his own hands in 1371 and 1372, but we know nothing of his doings until 1 2th November of the latter year, when he was joined in a commission with two citizens of Genoa to treat with the Duke, citizens, and merchants of that place for the choice of some port in England where Genoese merchants might settle and trade. For his expenses he was allowed an advance of a hundred marks, and a further sum of thirty-eight marks was paid after his return, which took place before 22nd November 1373, when he received his pension in person. After his return from Genoa Chaucer's affairs prospered greatly. On St. George's I^y 1374 Ae King, then at Windsor, granted him a pitcher of wine daily. He received money in lieu of this in 1377, and the next year it was commuted for a second pension of twenty marks. In May 1374 he leased from the Corporation of London the dwelling-house over the gate of Aldgate. In June he was appointed Comptroller of the Customs and Subsidy of Wools, Skins, and tanned Hides in the Port of London, vrith the obligation to keep the records of his office with his own hand, and to be continually present. On the 1 3th of the same month John of Gaunt granted a pension of £,\o to Chaucer and his wife for good services rendered by them ' to the said Duke, his Consort, and his mother the Queen.' ^ In. 1375 two wardships were granted Chaucer, one of which, that of Edward Staplegate of Kent, subsequently brought him in £\o^. In 1376 the King made him a grant of ;^7i : 4 : 6, the price of some wool forfeited at the Customs for non-payment of duty ; and just before Christmas he received ten marks as his wages, as one of the retinue of Sir John Burley, on some secret service. In 1377 he went to Flanders with Sir Thomas Percy on another secret mission, and later in the same year was engaged in France, probably with the King's ambassadors, who were then negotiating a peace. Edward III.'s death on 21st June 1377 caused no interruption in Chaucer's prosperity. Early in the next year he probably took part in a second embassy to France, to negotiate a marriage between Richard II. (then tjvelve years old) and a daughter of the French king. In May 1378, again, we find him, preparing to accompany Sir Edward Berkeley on a mission to Lombardy, there to treat on military matters with Bernabo Visconti, Lord of Milan, and with the English free-lance. Sir John Hawkwood. He obtained the usual letters of protection, and appointed two friends, Richard Forrester and the poet Gower, his agents during his absence. The arrears of his pension (£,20), with an advance of two marks on the current quarter, were paid him, and on 28th May he received one hundred marks for his wages and expenses during his mission. Of the mission itself we know nothing, but we find Chaucer at home again on 3rd February 1379, when he drew his arrears of pension for the time he had been absent. As far as we know, with this journey to Lombardy Chaucer's career as a diplo- matist came to an end, and for the next five years or so we must picture him as attending to his duties as Comptroller of the Customs and Subsidies, receiving his 1 For new (1900) evidence as to Thomas Chaucer see note to p. xix. 2 A pension of the same amount had been granted by tlie Duke to Philippa Chaucer on 30th August 1372, and possibly the 1374 pension was only a re-grant of this to the husband and wife jointly. XVni INTRODUCTION own and his wife's pensions at irregular intervals, and probably dunning the Treasury for £22 due to him for his last French mission, until in March 138 1 it was finally paid.' On three successive New Year's Days (1380-82) his wife was presented with a silver gilt cup and cover by the Duke of Lancaster, and in May 1382 Chaucer him^ self was appointed to an additional ComptroUership, that of the Petty Customs of the Port of London, with leave to exercise his office by deputy. In February 1385 the same privilege was allowed him in regard to his old ComptroUership, after he had been granted a month's leave of absence at the eiid of the previous year. In October 1386 he sat in the Parliament at Westminster as one of the Knights of the Shire for Kent, and on the l Sth of the same month gave evidence in favour of Lord Scrope in the suit between him and Sir Robert Grosvenor as to the right to a certain coat of arms, which he swore that he had constantly seen Henry le Scrope bearing in the campaign before ' Retters ' seven-and-twenty years previously. That campaign had ended for Chaucer himself in a short imprisonment, but since his ransom by Edward III. he had enjoyed, as far as we can tell, an uninterrupted career of prosperity, with a considerable income from his pension and official employments, and with his various diplomatic missions to increase his knowledge of the world. To no small extent Chaucer's good fortune was due to the favour of his patron John of Gaunt, and now the latter had left England in the spring of 1386 to prosecute his claims to the throne of Castile. The Parliament in which Chaucer had sat had demanded a change in the royal advisers, and though the King at first resisted, the Duke of Gloucester was too strong for him. A Board of eleven was appointed to overlook the royal household and treasury, and Chaucer, who belonged to the King's party, lost both his ComptroUerships, his successors in them being nominated in December. Shortly before this he must have given up his house in Aldgate, for in October of this year it was let to another tenant, and we have no knowledge where the poet lived during the next thirteen years. Some time in the second half of 1387 it is probable that he lost his wife, for there is no record of any payment of her pension after midsummer in that year. By May 1388 he must have been in serious financial straits, for we find him assigning both his pensions {i.e. the original pension of twenty marks and the twenty marks allowed him instead of his pitcher of vnne) to a certain John Scalby, who presumably gave him a lump sum in exchange for them. Exactly a year later (May 1389) the King dismissed Gloucester and the other Lords Appellant from his counsels, and declared his determination no longer to live under governance, and with the return of John of Gaunt to England Chaucer, no doubt, hoped for better times. A brief spell of prosperity came to him by his appointment on the 12th July 1389 to be Clerk of the King's Works at the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London, and various royal manors, at a salary of two shillings a day, with power to employ a deputy. A year later he was ordered to procure workmen and materials for the repair of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, and was paid the costs of putting up scaffolds in Smithfield for the King and Queen to see 1 These years, otherwise apparently .uneventful, were broken by one unpleasant incident, for on ist May 1380 a certain Cecilia de Chaumpaigne executed an absolute release to Chaucer from all liability <^« meo raptic. Quite recently, Mr. Reginald R. Sharpe has printed in the Athenaum for 14th August 1S97 extracts from the Rolls of Plea§ and Memoranda at the Guildhall, which show that on z6th June in the same year 1380 Cecilia 'Chaumpaigne executed a general release 'racione. cuiuscunque cause a principio mundi,' to Richard Goodchild * coteler ' and John Grove ' armurer,' and that on the same day Goodchild and Grove executed a similar release to Chaucer. On the 2nd of the next month Grove gave Cecilia Chaumpaigne a recognisance for ;^io to be paid at Michaelmas, as was duly done. Mr. Sharpe suggests that the ;£io may have been paid to the lady by Grove on Chaucer's account, but I do not agree as to this. Unfortunately the interpretation most favourable to the poet points to his having been accessory to some such attempt on Cecilia de Chaumpaigne as the Stacef £ad practised against his own father. INTRODUCTION the jousts in May. In the intervening March he had been named, with five others, as a commissioner for the repair of the roadways on the banks of the river between Greenwich and Woolwich, but by the summer of 1 39 1 he had lost both his lucrative clerkships, though he received various payments in connection with them as late as 1393. Even these short two years of renewed prosperity were marked by at least one unpleasant incident, for on 6th September 1 390 Chaucer, by a strange misfortune, was robbed twice on the same day by members of the same gang of highwaymen — the first time at Westminster of ^10, the second at Hatcham, near the 'foul oak,' of ;^9 : 3 : 8. The money was not his own, but the King's, and was forgiven him by writ on 6th January 1391. One of the gang turned ' approver' or informer against the rest ; but being challenged to a wager by battle and defeated, was himself hanged, a fate which seems eventually to have befallen most of his comrades. After the loss of his clerkships Chaucer's means of subsistence, so far as we have certain knowledge of them,i were reduced to the proceeds of his commissionership of the roadway between Greenwich and Woolwich. From one of these places, probably in 1393, he wrote to his friend Scogan, as one 'at the streme's hede Of grace, of alle honour and of worthynesse ' (i.e. the Court at Windsor), a humorous poem which ended with the serious request 'mynde thy frend ther it may iructifye,' and it was possibly at Scogan's request that Richard II. came to Chaucer's relief with a grant ol a new pension of ;£^20 a year for life. During the next few years we find the poet frequently obtaining loans from the Treasury in advance of his pension, and on two occasions these loans are as small as 6s. 8d. {£<, modern value). In May 1398 he obtained from the King letters 6f protection against enemies suing him, and the pro- tection was needed, for we know that just at this time he was being sued for a debt of a little over £\i^, nearly three-quarters of a year's pension. . In October of this year Richard granted him a tun of wine yearly in answer to a petition which seems to have begged it somewhat pitifully 'for the sake of God and as a work of charity.' A few months later the King himself was deposed.' To Chaucer, however, as a follower of John of Gaunt, the change was only that from a good friend to a better, for a poem entitled a Compleynt to his Purs, addressed to Henry IV., elicited in October 1399 a fresh pension of forty marks in addition to the £0,0 granted by Richard II. Thus assisted, Chaucer, on 24th December, took a lease of a tenement in the garden of St. Mary's Chapel, Westminster, for no less than fifty-three years. He drew an instalment of one pension on 21st February 1400, and ^fS.on account of another on 5th June, by the hands of a friend. On 2Sth October, just ten months after he had taken his long lease, he died, and was buried in St. Benet's Chapel, in Westminster Abbey, where his grave has since been surrounded by those of many later poets. The fact that Chaucer was a servant of the Crown, and the care with which the public records of this period have been preserved, enable us to trace the poet's external or business life with a certainty and particularity in strong contrast with the little we know of the lives of most of the men of letters of the next two centuries. The additional information which we can glean from his poems is for the most part 1 Between June 1390 and June 1391 a GeoiFrey Chaucer was appointed Forester of North Petherton Park, in Somersetshire. The post was in the gift of the descendants of Chaucer's first patroness, the Countess of Ulster, but even with this to help us, it is hardly safe to assume the identity of the forester and the poet. It is made more probable, however, by the fact that in 1416-17 a Thomas Chaucer was appointed to the same post. Since th6 discovery, in 1900, that a Thomas Chaucer also succeeded the poet in his tenement at Westminster, the tradition that Thomas was" Geoffrey's son is much strength' eued, and the occurrence of both names at North Petherton is a further Hnk. XX INTRODUCTION vague and uncertain. The first of his works which we can date, the Bokc of thl, Duchesse (an allegorical lament for the death of John of Gaunt's first wife, Blanche of Lancaster, who died in 1369), contains an allusion to an eight years' sickness which has caused much conjecture. Nature, he writes, will not suflFer a man to live without sleep and in sorrow. And I ne may, no nyght ne morwe, Slepe ; and this melancolye And drede I have for to dye, Defaute of slepe and hevynesse, Hath sleyn my spirit of quyknesse That I have lost al lustihede. Suche fantasyes been in myn hede So I noot what is best to do. . But men myghte axe me why so I may not slepe, and what me is ? But natheless, who aske this Leseth his asking trewely. My selven can not telle why The sothe ; but trewely, as I gesse, 1 holde hit ben a siknesse That I have suffred this eight yere. And yet my boote is never the nere ; For ther is phisicien but oon That may me hele ; but that is doon. Passe we over until eft ; That wil not be, moot nede be left. It is usual to join with this passage The Compleynte unto Pite, or, as it is other- wise called, The Exclamacion of the Deth of Pite, a fine but rather artificial poem, in which Chaucer tells us how, when he ran to beg pity to avenge him on cruelty, 'I fond hir deed and buried in an herte.' If, however, we are to search for auto- biography in Chaucer's love-poems, A Compleynte to his Lady (ppr 334-336), which is even more artificial than the Pite, contains some far more explicit phrases as to a hopeless love, and its ill effects in melancholy and loss of sleep. Part of this poem is in terza rima, and for this and other reasons it seems impossible to assign it to so early a date as 1369. If we separate these two poems from the pass^e in the Boke of the Duchesse, "we are left vrithout any clue to the meaning of the allusion to the eight years' ' sickness ' and . the one ' physician ' who could heal it. It is possible that the 'sickness,' which seems to have been mysterious to Chaucer himself ('my- selven can not telle why'), may have been nothing more definite than the vague melancholy a.nd unrest, apt to beset young poets when they do not see their way'clear, and in that case the physician may be the ' great physician,' God. It is possible also that the allusion is to a love unrequited, and perhaps unrequitable. It is idle to speculate. All we know is that any passion which Chaucer may have felt left but little trace on his verse, except possiHly in the beauty and purity of the fine passage on the relations of lover and mistress in the Boke of the. Duchesse itself. Save in this one piece Chaucer's contributions to English love-poetry may almost be called insignificant. If we should be cautious in accepting any theory of an unrequited love upon too slender evidence, we should be no less careful to avoid the exaggeration which interprets the conventional satire which Chaucer in his later poems directs against INTRODUCTION xxi women as a proof that the poet's relations with his wife Philippa were tinhappy. If read as the work of any other fourteenth century writer would be read, there is nothing in Chaucer's poetry on which to rest such a theory, and it is even possible to contend that if we compare the poems written during his wife's lifetime with those generally assigned to the period after its close, we have some ground for believing that her death removed a moral influence which had previously made itself felt. On the other hand, we are tempted to conjecture that it was the influence of the ex-damoiselle of the bed-chamber which kept Cha^iicer so long occupied with the fashionable artificial poetry of the day, and that this may have been one of the causes of his abnormally late poetic development. To pass to matters of more certainty, we find in the Boke of the DUchesse an illustration from the side of his poetry of Chaucer's relation with John of Gaunt, while in the two prologues to the Legende of Good Women we see him intending to present his book to the Queen, to whose patronage of him we have no external allusions. Lastly, we may note the well-known passages in the Hoas of Fame (ii. 139-152) and Legende of Good Women (29-50), in which the poet alludes to his studious habits and love of flowers, and the remarks of the Host in the Canterbury Tales (B. 1884- 1894) when he calls upon him for his story. These give us a picture of Chaucer as he imagined that other men would see him, and we have a notable additional help towards realising his appearance in the well-known portrait which his follower, Thomas Hoccleve, caused to be painted on one of the leaves of his own Regement of Fritices, now Harleian MS. 4866 in the British Museum. Dr. Furnivall's description and comments on this portrait bring out its qualities so well that we cannot do better than quote them. ' The face,' he says, ' is wise and tender, full of a sweet and kindly sadness at first sight, but with much bonhomie in it on a further look, and with deep-set, far-looking grey eyes. Not the face of a very old man, a totterer, but of one with work in him yet, looking kindly, though seriously, out on the world before him. Unluckily the parted grey moustache and the vermilion above and below the lips render it difficult to catch the expression of the mouth ; but the lips seem parted, as if to speak. Two tufts of white beard are on the chin ; and a fringe of white hair shows from under the black hood. One feels one would like to go to such a man when one was in trouble, and hear his wise and tender speech. ' Other portraits exist, but they are less carefully drawn. They serve, however, by their general resemblance to show us that the one which we owe to the piety of Hoccleve is no mere fancy sketch. The foregoing account of Chaucer's career has been based entirely on authentic records, without any turning aside to notice the many fanciful statements about him, now known to be false. A full account of these will be found in the interesting chapter entitled ' the Chaucer Legend ' in Professor T. R. Lounsbury's Studies in Chaucer,"^ to another chapter in which ^ students may be referred for an account of the books which we know, firom his use of them in his works, that Chaucer must have lead. That from our biographical sketch all mention of the poet's works has been so rigorously excluded is mainly due to the fact that, although the sequence of most of these is now well established, by evidence which I have epitomised in my Chaucer Primer (pp. 36-60), only in a few cases can we be absolutely sure of the year in which any given poem was begun or ended. In the case, indeed, of many of the poems we cannot even fix the date within five years, and it therefore 1 Vol, i, pp. 129-224. 2 Vol. ii. 169-426. A brief sketch of the same subject will be found in my Chancer Primer, pp. 25-36. Professor Lounsbury seems to me a little unduly hard on Chaucer's inaccuracy as a scholar. INTRODUCTION seemed impossible to introduce references to his poetry into an account of the poet's external life, of which most of the details we have are so singularly precise. The generalisation which has been accepted of recent years that Chaucer in the earliest stage of his career as a poet was subject only to the influences of French models, that he subsequently transferred his allegiance from Machault and Guillaume de Lorris to Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, and finally became his own master and developed an ' English ' style all his own, — such a generalisation as this may pass muster well enough, but when we attempt to define the years within which these stages were accomplished difficulties spring up on every side. The date 1369 as that of the composition of the Boke of the Duchesse is, if not really a landmark, at least solid ground, but one of the few questions of sequence still undecided is as to on which side of the Boke of the Duchesse we should place the translation of the Romaunt of the Rose, the ABC, and the Pite. Again, it is usual to date Chaucer's ' Italian period ' from his Genoa mission of 1372-1373, but if we except a few lines in the invocation before the legend of St. Cecilia, which have the appearance of being translated from Dante (they may be a later addition or derived from a common original), we have no real proof that Chaucer was possessed of any Italian books until his Milan mission of 1378-1379, or indeed that he could read Italian until this date.^ Once more, though we have good reason for believing that the plan of the Canterbury Tales took shape about the years 1 386- 1 388, we have no clue whatever to the number of years during which Chaucer continued writing them. The authenticity of the Retraction at the end of the Tales has been doubted, but with the distinct forecast of it given in the conclusion of the Troilus, the doubts seem themselves indefensible. It is possible that the unfinished treatise on the Astrolabe, compiled in 139 1, practically marks the end of the Tales. It is possible, on the other hand, that the poet continued writing them almost to the last, though in this case, as he would hardly have abstained from publication during so many years, it is probable that we should have had a distinct group of manuscripts, containing only a portion of the extant series, put into circulation before the rest were written. But questions of this kind are never likely to be settled, and they are alluded to here chiefly to show how impossible it is to bring the two sides of Chaucer's life into as close connection as we could wish. When we turn from the attempt to fix the precise date of the beginning or completion of any given poem to trace the development of Chaucer's genius our task becomes much easier. At first sight, indeed, it may seem that here we are merely arguing in a circle, deducing results from an arrangement especially contrived to produce them. But the sequence of Chaucer's poems, though in the early days of the Chaucer Society it was mapped out largely 'by this very test of development, has since been confirmed by a variety of other tests, and is strongly supported by every approximation to a precise date which we have attained. Thus Chaucer!s gradual growth in poetic freedom and power is a real fact, and, as a fact, is worth studying. And at the outset we may note the strong probability that he started as a poet comparatively late in life. He himself went to school before the fashion of construing Latin into French and not into English had been abandoned, and it is probable that in the early years of his service at Court poetry in English would still 1 The story of Griselda, which is generally and rightly regarded as written soon after the first Italian mission, was translated, not from the vernacular version of Boccaccio, but from the Latin ol Petrarch. The sections, again, of the MonUs Tale, which are usually regarded as early, are taken from a Latin, not an Italian, work, the De Casi&us Virorum et Mulierum lllustrium of Boccaccio. INTRODUCTION have been rather looked down on, as a little vulgar or, at least, unfashionable. Certainly when Chaucer did begin to write, whether it was with his translation of the Roman de la Rose, or with the lost Boke of the Leoun (almost certainly a translation of Guillaume Machault's Dit du Lion),^ or with the ABC trans- lated from Guillaume de Deguilleville, or with the Boke of the Duchesse, in which, in addition to some (not very important) direct borrowings from Machault and the Roman de la Rose, the form of the whole poem is French,^ — whichever of these works we may choose to regard as the earliest, there can be no doubt that Chaucer was at starting wholly under the French influences \yhich we may presume to have been predominant at Court, and which indeed were the only ones then open to him. From the three (or should we say the two f) extant works we see that even in these days of his apprenticeship Chaucer's verse is full of music, but that he will con- descend to very poor padding when he is translating and has to fill out his stanza. In the Boke of the Duchesse he is throughout conventional, even his often praised ■portrait of the knight's lady lacking the individuality which in later years he would have given it with far fewer touches and less piling up of pretty adjectives. Yet with all its conventions the Boke of the Duchesse has a certain charm in it, quite different from anything in Chaucer's later work. He writes as the timid lover, who dreams of women sifar off; and it is noticeable how in the three next poems which we may attribute to him, the Ljf of Seint Cecyle, the story of Griselde and the story of the Emperor's daughter Constance (see below, Introduction to Canterbury Tales), he, in each case, takes as his heroines personified virtues whom he certainly never realised to himself as living women. All these poems, it should be noted again, are more or less didactic and religious, though the religious feeling in them is eminently artificial. All three in their present form (more especially the story of Constance, now the Man of Lawes Tale) show marks of revision at a later date. But the adoption of the decasyllabic seven-line stanza instead of the octosyllabic couplet, and the breaking away from French influences to a more straightforward method of narration, must have marked them from the beginning. It was impossible for Chaucer to remain long content with these gracefiil and tender, but very unreal, personifications of religious zeal, patience, and constancy. Between 1369 and 1379 was, if not the busiest, certainly the most adventurous decade of his life, the period when he was moving about and seeing much of men and things, and also becoming acquainted with a new world of literature. The second and third of the three poems we have mentioned show that he had already learnt his art, was no longer a servile translator, unhappy how to fill out a verse when his original failed him. By this time he was ready to improve on the author he followed, introducing touches of his own, some of which show the first traces of his sly humour, 1 This lost work is mentioned in the Retraction, already alluded to, found in many manuscripts of the Canterbury Tales. Other lost works are Origenes upon the Maudeleyn, i.e. a translation of the homily on. St. Mary Magdalene, falsely attributed to Origen, and the Wrecched Engendring 0/ Mankynde, a translation of Innocent III.'s treatise De Miseria Condiiionis huntants, ^ Both these are mentioned in the Prologue to the Legends of Good Women, though the latter only in the earlier draft. This list {Legende, fi, 414-430), with that in the Retraction, and a passage in the Prologue to tlie Man 0/ Lofwes Tale (E, 57-89), mentions all Chaucer's more important works. Others are vouched for by Lydgate, or have been preserved in the writing of Chaucer's younger contemporary John Shirley (i366?-i456), or are ascribed td the poet in good manuscripts. A severely tabular statement of the evidence for the authenticity of each poem will be found in my Chaucer Primer (chapter iii.), where also I have epitomised (appendix, § 85) the evidence in which various poems at one time commonly attributed to Chaucer are now known not to be by him. For a fuller discussion of these supposititious pieces, see Lounsbury's Studies in^ Chaucer (vol. i.) and more especially Professor Skeat's valuable supplement to his six-volume edition of Chaucer, entitled Cliaucerian and other Fieces (C\areadon Press, .xBpy). XXIV INTRODUCTION and strengthening the web of his poetry with thoughts and reflections culled wherever he could find them. His prose translation of Boethius and his study of Dante now came to help this reflective vein^ and on the other hand he had made acquaintance with two of Boccaccio's masterpieces, not the Decamerone, which it is probable he never knew, but the Teseide and the Filostrato. The story of Palamon and Arcite, which, after at least one recasting, has come down to us as the Knightes Tale, represents his work on the Teseide, and Troilus and Criseyde that on the Filostrato, and these two splendid poems, full of all the colour of mediaeval chivalry and love and thought, relieved ever and anon wdth subtle touches of humour, are the striking achievements of his middle period. In the Parlement of Foules, written in 1382, he returns, to please the Court, to the French models of his earlier days, only to show how far he had progressed since the Bake of the Duchesse of thirteen years earlier. In the Hous of Fame he is much less happy. I think there can be no doubt that Dr. Heath is right in his conjecture (see his Introduction to the poem) that Books i. and ii. were separated from Book iii. by some interval, but the poem raises many difficulties, some of which we are not likely ever to solve. Perhaps it is not amiss to remark here that Chaucer, though one of the world's great story-tellers, is not remarkable for inventiveness. Probably all, or nearly all, of his plots are borrowed, and in the fourteenth century books from which he could borrow were not easily come at. He had brought bade the Teseide and Filostrato from one of his visits to Italy, and perhaps had strained his purse to do it ; but when he had used them he was thrown back on the rather jejune material he could find in the books around him. At an earlier period he had probably been driven by some such straits to compile the dreary tragedies of misfortune which we know as the Menkes Tale. In the first two Books of the IIous of Fame we find him narrating or alluding to almost all the tragedies of hapless love which he soon set hmiself to tell, till he. wearied of them, in the Legends of Good Women. The third Book of the Fame is in quite a different style, cast in Chaucer's happy discursive vein, and only failing for lack of a climax. In the Legende it is the Prologue, in its two drafts, which gives him his opportunity. Of the nine stories of loving women which he had patience to complete, only the first three {those of Cleopatra, Thisbe, and Dido) are in any way worthy of him. The Legefide of Good Women was no doubt abandoned from sheer weariness with its monotonous theme, and it was perhaps Chaucer's sense that this monotony must be avoided at all. costs that caused him to conceive the plan of the Canterbury Tales, of which diversity, the exchange of stories between gentle and simple, bookmen and the bookless, the religious and the irreligious, is the very essence. Once more the scheme was left unfinished, but in this case there is little to regret. If indeed Chaucer had been in the mood, he might have described the adventures of the pilgrims at Canter- bury, and the final supper at the Taberd on their return to Southwark, with all the richness of humour which marks the General Prologue or that of the Wife of Bath. But there is some gain in being left with the picture of the pilgrims as still journeying along the Kentish roads, and as for the Tales, they run the whole length of the gamut, and seem to leave no note wanting. As is generally agreed, some of the tales of the gentle folk had probably been written at earlier dates, and had now only to be revised and fitted into their places, but his scheme gave Chaucer an excuse for displaying the same mastery in the broad humours of narration as he had shown in his Troilus and Knightes Tale in the fields of romance. It is too true that several of these tale? must be reckoned among those which, as the Retraction phrases it, ' sounen into sin,' but it is as unfair to take them too seriously as it would be to expose the essential immorality of most fairy-tales, and there can be no question as to the extraordinarj INTRODUCTION skill with which the tales of the Miller, Reeve, and Summoner, no less than the gentler humours of that of the Nun's Priest, are set forth. Along with their many masterpieces of humour and romance, the Canterbury Tales contain some poorer stories, the very feeble version of the death of Virginia, for instance, and the Manciple's tale of Phoebus and the Crow, and it is not easy to tell whether these represent earlier work foisted into the cycle, or whether we have here the fruits of Chaucer's failing powers. It needs some acquaintance with the workings of the mediaeval mind to imagine how, at any period of his career, he could have cared to set forth the weariful prose discourses of Dame Prudence. The Parson's sermon, long as it is, is much more endurable, and though nobody is likely, except for profes- sional reasons, to read it through, as I have done, at least six times, the task is not so repellent as might be imagined. The prose treatise on the Astrolabe, written for little Lewis Chaucer in 1391, though only a tenth of its length, is much more formidable. But in all his prose work Chaucer is merely as any other fourteenth century writer, without a touch of the grace and humour with which his poems are filled'. As a poet he needs to-day no one to praise him. He has been praised already, wisely and well, by many clever writers. All that is now needed is that the praise shall no longer be taken contentedly on trust, but that his poems, which in their freshness and restfulness must in this century have more power of pleasure-giving than ever before, should be allowed to speak for themselves to ears no longer deaf. THE CANTERBURY TALES (Alfred W. Pollard) The Canterbury Tales sue given the place of honour in this edition partly out of deference to a time-honoured precedent, which might fairly claim some weight even against the chronological arrangement which commends itself to modern scholarship, but partly also because their assignment to any other position would be misleading. In addition to two long treatises in prose they contain some 18,000 lines of verse, and it is quite certain that not all of these 18,000 lines sprang from Chaucer's brain after he had conceived the plan which was to link together this wonderful medley. That one, at least, of the tales was written at an earlier period of his career we have clear evidence. In the Prologue to the Legende of Good Women we find the Second Nun's Tale already alluded to as the Lyf of Seint Cecyle, and in its introduction the narrator is made to speak as an ' unworthy sone of Eve ' (1. 60) instead of as a woman, and to address those ' that reden that I write ' (1. 78) instead of the listeners to a tale told along the highway to Canterbury. Again, with our suspicions thus aroused, we note Chaucer's distinct statement that he learnt the story of Grisilde at Padua of 'Fraunceys Petrak,' who died in 1374, and whom the English poet may have met on hi§ Genoa mission of 1373, when Petrarch was living at Arqua, near Padua. Chaucer was not so well off for subjects for it to be probable that if he learnt this story from Petrarch in 1373 he would have left it unused for a dozen years or more, and there is a general agreement in the belief that he wrote his English version of Petrarch's Latin shortly after his return to England. In the Monk's Tale, again, the wearisome tragedies fall into two distinct groups, one of twelve stories of old time, derived from the Bible, Boccaccio's De Casibus Virorum et Feminarum Illustrium and De Claris Mulieribus, and the Roman de la Rose ; the XXVI INTRODUCTION other, of five modern instances, mostly very briefly treated, and one of them recording the death of Bernabo Visconti, Lord of Milan, which occurred as late as 1385. One of the modem stories, that of Ugolino of Pisa, is partly taken from Dante, and is strikingly better than all the rest. In the early stories, though the verse is good enough, the treatment is often careless and unsympathetic, and Chaucer was clearly not ihterested in them. It cannot be said dogmatically that they show early work, but it seems probable that at some time towards the close of the decade 1 369- 1 379 (to which, it must be remembered, there is strikingly little of his poetry which can be positively assigned) Chaucer began a poem on the same plan as that afterwards adopted by his follower Lydgate in his Falls of Princes, and then abandoned it till the need came to suit the Monk with an unexpected but appropriate theme, when it was revised and enlarged. The Man of Lawes Tale, once more a curiously inappropriate one, is cast in the same seven-line stanza as the Seint Cecyle and the Grisilde, and from its subject, style, and tone appears to have been written towards the close of the same period. On the other hand, the Prioress's Tale of the little chorister, though it goes back in feeling to this earlier period, is clearly written after the conception of the plan of the Canterbury Tales, as is proved by the ' quod she' with which the narration is interrupted (B 1644), while its ripe and mature beauty fully agrees with this evidence. Whether any of the other Tales — all of which, except the Sir Thopas parody, are written in heroic couplets — should be assigned to a date earlier than the immortal General Prologue, is a point much more difficult to determine. Outside the Canterbury Tales the only extant poem in which Chaucer used the heroic couplet is the Legende of Good Women, and as this certainly preceded the Canterbury Tales as a whole, there is a general inclination to regard this as Chaucer's first essay in the couplet, rather than to give any individual Tale precedence over it. On the other hand, there is an allusion in the already oft-quoted list of Chaucer's works in the Legende to a poem enshrining Al the love of Palamon and Arcyte Of Thebes, thogh the story is knowen lyte. It is difficult to believe that the ffeference here is to the fragment of Queen Anelida and Fals Arcyte which has come down to us, as it ought to point to a poem which kept much more closely to the loves of the two knights as narrated in the Teseidi. Our natural inclination would therefore be to identiiy this poem with the Knightes Tale, as we now have it, but the ingenuity of Chaucer's commentators has discovered that there are ten seven -line stanzas translated from the Teseide in Anelida and Arcyte, sixteen in the Parlement of Foules, and three in Troilus and Criseyde. Hence has arisen a theory that in addition to the Anelida and the Knightes Tale Chaucer composed a more literal translation of the Teseide in seven -line stanzas, subsequently withdrew it from circulation, and used some of his old material in later poems. Ingenious as this theory is, the supposition of the writing and suppression of a poem, necessarily of considerable length, is no light matter, and if Chaucer really wrote such a poem and subsequently used fragments of it in other works it is extraordinary that he should have called attention to a tale thus cruelly treated by an entirely gratuitous reference in the Legende. As for the fragments of the Teseide found in the three seven-line poems, there is a parallel instance, of the nearly simul- taneous use of the same material in two different metres, in the story of Dido and Mneas, which we find first in the octosyllabic couplets of the IIous of Fame, and again in the decasyllabic couplets of the Legende of Good Women. On the whole, INTRODUCTION and with all deference to the great authority of the scholars who have held the opposite view, it seems best to regard the theory of a lost seven -line version of Palamon and Arcyte as a needless hypothesis. If this be so, the reference in the Legend must be almost certainly to the Knightes Tale, and this fine poem is thus brought back nearer to the period of the Troilus, with which it is so closely allied in style and temper. If the Knightes Tale is thus brought back, other Tales, notably those of the Franklin (one of Chaucer's great successes) and the Squire, may perhaps come with it, and we need not hesitate, on the score of their metre, to relegate such poor work as the story of Appius and Virginia as told by the Doctor of Phisik, and the Manciple's tale of Apollo and the Crow, to a less happy period of Chaucer's career than that in which he was writing the Prologue and others of his finest works. Without wishing to press this point too far, it seems fair to point out that there is nothing unreasonable in supposing that when Chaucer conceived his immensely ambitious scheme of the Canterbury Tales he had a really considerable amount of material already at his disposal. It is sufficient, however, here to emphasise the feet that inclusion in the Canterbury series of itself tells us absolutely nothing as to the date at which any given poem was written, and that we must therefore place the Tales as a whole entirely outside the chronological sequence of the poet's other works. As regards the date at which the idea took shape of a Canterbury Pilgrimage as a framework by which to connect a number of otherwise distinct stories, we have only two or three years from which to choose, and we must not attempt to pin it down too precisely to any one of them. We have various good reasons for believing that the six years which succeeded 1379 produced the Boece, Troilus, Parlement of Foules, Hous of Fame and Legende of Good Women, and it is therefore inconceivable that Chaucer should have planned the Canterbury Tales earlier than the end of 1385 or beginning of 1386. Again, no one who has read the talks by the way can doubt that the poet himself had travelled over the ground, while we know that until on 1 7th February 1385 he was permitted to appoint a deputy in his ComptroUership he was closely lied to his official work, a bondage of which he complains bitterly in the Hous of Fame. Chaucer's own pilgrimage, then, may have been made in 1385 or in any subsequent year, but hardly before this. On the other hand, the short poems written towards the close of his life show that the not very advanced age to which he attained pressed heavily on him, and it would be unreasonable to assign the. plan of the Tales to his last decade. If, as is highly probable, the Legende was begun in 1385 and soon afterwards left unfinished in despair, everything points to the scheme of the Canterbury Tales as taking form during the next two or three years, 1 386- 1 388. Nearer than this it is not easy to go with safety, for in drawing conclusions from the indications of date which we find in the talks by the road we must remember that Chaucer may have fitted them in either to the year in which he was writing, or back to the year in which he himself took his holiday. , In the latter case the dates would be more likely to be real dates, while if we prefer to believe that they are taken from the year in which he was writing, we can hardly imagine that Chaucer was likely to trouble himself to consider too curiously whether this or that week would be a convenient one for some of his imaginary characters to make their pilgrimage. Thus, in drawing conclusions from the mention of 1 8th April in the talk which precedes the Man of Law's Tale (B 5), I do not think we can absolutely rule out of court the year 1386, on the ground that in that year 1 8th April fell in Holy Week, 'when the Parson and others would be much in Xxvill INTRODUCTION request for the duties which the season imposed on them,'* or reject 1388 because 19th April then fell on a Sunday, and 'if Sunday travelling had been intended, something would have been said about the hearing of mass.'^ With this caution, however, I am quite prepared to accept Professor Skeat's assurance that in 1387 ' everything comes right,' since the pilgrims could assemble at the Tabard on Tuesday, 1 6th April, with four clear days before them, and the journey ending conveniently on, a Saturday. Whether we should assign this year to that of Chaucer's own pilgrimage, or to that of his imaginary pilgrims, must remain undetermined. In any case we cannot be wrong in believing that in or about 1387 is the most probable date for the Canterbury Tales tO" have been begun. As to whence the idea of this particular framework for story-telling came to the poet, ' out of his own head' seems in every way the best answer. Certainly there is no shred of evidence to prove that he copied it from the very inferior scheme of Boccaccio's Decamerone. The fame of Becket's shrine, the popularity of the pilgrimage to it, and the mediaeval habit of turning a pilgrimage into a kind of religious holiday, are all matters of such common knowledge that they do not need illustrating here. Nor need we stop to prove the futility of the idea once current, that the pilgrims were in so great a hurry to bring their holiday to an end as to have accomplished the then well-nigh impossible feat of travelling fifty-six miles over heavy roads in a single day. In 1358 the queen-mother Isabella, on her own pilgrimage, left London 7th June, slept that night at Dartford, slept at Rochester on the 8th, and at Ospringe on the 9th, and reached Canterbury the next day. Two years later John of France slept at Dartford 1st July, dined there next day, slept at Rochester on the 2nd, dined at Sittingboume and slept at Ospringe on the 3rd, and reached Canterbury 4th July. The records of other fourteenth century journeys confirm the presumption that Dartford, Rochester, and Ospringe (where some traces of the old Pilgrim's House still exists) were the regular sleeping -places on the road, and there can be no doubt that Chaucer intended his pilgrims to make the journey by these stages, and to take four days over it. As to the exact route they followed some little uncertainty prevails, owing to the line of the modern road not coinciding everywhere with that of the old 'pilgrim's way,' but we have references to Deptford and Greenwich in the talk before the Reeve's Tale (A 3906, 3907), to Rochester in the Host's address to the Monk (B 3116), to Sittingboume in the quarrel between the Friar and the Summoner (D 847), and to Eoughton-under-Blee in the Canon's Yeoman's Prologue (G SS^)) ^°<1 to 'he still mysterious Bobbe-up-and-doun, ' under the Blee,' in the Manciple's (H 2). Rochester could not possibly be reached after Sittingboume, and guided by this fact Henry Bradshaw and Dr. Furnivall were able to correct a mistake in arrangement, found even in the best MSS., by which the five Tales of the Shipman, Prioress, Chaucer, the. Monk, and the Nun's Priest (all linked together by the talks on the road) were placed immediately before that of the Second Nun, instead of between that of the Man of Law (with which the tales of the second day were begun) and that of the Wife of Bath, in which Sittingboume is mentioned. By a less necessary alteration the position of the Tales of the Doctor and Pardoner, which in the best manuscripts come before the Shipman's group, were brought back along with it, but placed after instead of before There are no references to place or time in these two tales, so that the alteration matters little either way, and we now have the twenty-four extant tales and fragments in a reasonable and probable order. Some of these tales (as has been mentioned in the case of the Shipman's group) are linked together by references, backwards or forwards, in the talks on the road ; in other cases there is no link of any kind between r Skeat's Chaucer^ vol. iii. p. 373. INTRODUCTION xxix one tale and Ihe next, Chaucer having left the intermediate talk to be filled in when he had written more of the sixty (or a hundred and twenty !) stories which he at one time contemplated. In this and other editions, since the Chaucer Society issued its great Six-Text edition of the best manuscripts, each group of tales is now marked by a letter of the alphabet (A-I), the line-numeration being consecutive throughout the tales of the group. The mention of the Six-Text edition, which has been the foundation of all subsequent Chaucer work, must lead to a brief statement as to the manuscripts followed, and the method of quoting them, in this text. The extant manuscripts of the Tales are very numerous, but there have here been used only the seven printed by the Chaucer Society, viz. the EUesmere (E), Cambridge University MS. Gg 4. 27 (Cam.), the Hengwrt MS. 154 (Heng.), the Corpus Christi College, Oxford MS. (Corp.), the Petworth (Pet.), and the Lansdowne MS. 851 (Lansd. ), being the Society's Six-Texts, and the very important Harleian MS. 7334 (H), which it subsequently printed. As regards the Harleian MS., there is an interesting footnote in Prothero's Life of Henry Bradshaiu (p. 225) stating, on the authority of Mr. Aldis Wright, that one of Bradshaw's reasons for stopping short in his project of editing Chaucer ' was his inability to account for the wide divergences which distinguish the Harleian MS. of the Canterbury Tales from all the other manuscripts.' Thus the Harleian has much to answer for, and there can be no doubt, also, that its readings are often extraordinarily careless, and even absurd. On the other hand, it has a number of readings (cp. A 74, 257, 363, 415, 559, I^T, 782, 79 1> 799> 803, smyteth off myn heed for I wol yeve you myn heed in 1. 782 being a notable instance) as good or better than those found in any other manuscript, and many of them of a kind which it is very improbable that a copy ist would have introduced in transcription. The most probable explanation seems to be that many of these readings represent Chaucer's own ' second thoughts,' introduced into a manuscript which passed through his hand after the Tales were already in circulation, and that the Harleian MS. is a careless copy of this manuscript. At the extreme opposite pole to the Harleian stands the EUesmere, a most carefully written MS., well spelt and observant of grammatical forms, with readings always straightforward and intelligible. Its discovery by the workers of the Chaucer Society was, perhaps, their greatest achievement. Between the EUesmere and the Harleian stand the other five manuscripts, of which the Cambridge and the Hengwrt are both very closely akin to the EUesmere, while the Lansdowne, Corpus, and Petworth approach, more and more nearly, to the Harleian in their general characteristics, though they seldom agree with it in its most important variants. In all these five manuscripts the process of 'contamination,' i.e. the correction or completion of a manuscript of one group by one of another, has been at work, e.g. in the Doctor's Tale the Cambridge MS. deserts the EUesmere and Hengwrt to join the Harleian and the other three in a number of readings, a few of which are possible, while many are absurd. But on the whole the relations of manuscript and manuscript are fairly constant. The text of the present edition is based on E, mere clerical errors avoided by the other MSS. being silently corrected, while variants of literary or metrical interest are recorded in the notes, or very sparingly introduced into the text. In recording variants E and H are regarded as mutually exclusive, so that if the reading in the note is assigned to H, that in the text is from E, and vice versa. To show further the amount of support accorded to any rejected reading of E or H, an index number is added to the letter. Thus a reading followed by the letter E denotes that the text follows the other six manuscripts, and the variation is supported by the EUesmere only, E^ shows that it is supported by the EUesmere and one other, XXX INTRODUCTION almost certainly the Cambridge ; E' that it is supported by Ellesmere and two others, almost certainly Cambridge and Hengwrt. The numbers 4-6 show the additional support of one, two, or three of the inferior manuscripts, Corpus, Petworth, and Lansdowne. Similarly, a variant followed by the letter H denotes that the text has the support of the Ellesmere and other five manuscripts. H^ indicates the agreement of one other manuscript, probably the Petworth, with H ; H^, H* the support of one or two more, almost certainly Corpus and Lansdowne ; H' that these are again reinforced, probably by Hengwrt ; H^ that even the Cambridge deserts the Ellesmere. I do not claim for this system of abridged collation that it is entirely satisfactory, but it gives a rough view of the authorities on either side at a glance, and makes it possible to record variants which otherwise would have to be omitted. As regards spelling, the modern usage as regards i and/, u and v, has been followed throughout. I have also to confess that a personal dislike to the forms hise, emre, and nemere has led me to alter them throughout to his, ever, and never, though Professor McCormick has since convinced me that Chaucer probably pronounced the two latter words as ev're and nev're. A few accidental misspellings have been altered here and there ; otherwise the excellent spelling of the Ellesmere manuscript has been carefully followed. For full information as to the sources from which Chaucer drew his stories, students interested in such questions will naturally refer to the Originals and Analogues printed by the Chaucer Society, or to the treatment of the subject by Professor Skeat in vol. iii. of the Oxford Chaucer, where all the information gleaned by the Chaucer Society, together with the results of the Editor's own researches, will be found set forth. In this edition, to save referring back, the briefest possible indication of the sources, where known, of each Tale has been prefixed to it by way of a preliminary note, and not much need here be added. As we have remarked before, inventiveness in the matter of plots was not a striking feature in Chaucer's equipment as a poet, but given the barest outline of a story he could develop it in his own inimitable manner, and his power in this respect seems to have -steadily increased. Thus his indebtedness takes every form from the almost servile translation in the Lyf of Seint Cecyle to the re-telling in his own fashion of a tale like that of the Canon's: Yeoman which he may have heard in the streets. For about one-third of the Tales no ' original ' properly so called is known to exist, but from the far East or from France, Italy or Germany stories with similar plots have been unearthed which show that the idea was already in existence and only waited for Chaucer to develop it. This is the case with the tales of The Miller, The Reeve, The Shipman, The Prioress, The Nun's Priest, The Pardoner, The Wife of Bath, The Friar, The Summoner and the Merchant. The fable, or apologue or fabliau which can now be produced may be more or less close to the story as Chaucer tells it, but the literary setting is entirely his own, and in no case is there any need to suppose that he had a. written original before him as he wrote. If he had once been told the story (as Tennyson, to take a modern instance, was told that of Enoch Arden) he would have obtained all the help he needed. In the case of the dull tale of the Manciple Chaucer doubtless followed the version of Ovid (Metamorphoses ii. S34-632), in that of the Doctor he professes to take Livy's account of the death of Virginia, but really borrowed from Hae. Roman de la Rose (11. 5613-5682). For the story of Dorigen, which he assigns to the Franklin, he distinctly mentions his obligation to a Breton 'lay' (F 709-715) and adduces as his authority for the length of Arviragus's absence the fact that ' the book seith thus' (1. 813). Unluckily no such 'lay' can now be found, though Mr. Clouston has discovered several Eastern analogues, from whlQh not only Chaucer's INTRODUCTION story, but the similar one (with quite different incidents) told by Boccaccio (Decam. X. 5), must be sprung. The loss of the original in this case is regrettable, as it would have been curious to have noted how much of a story so well told was borrowed. Unfortunately there can be no doubt that the one blot in the telling, the unmercifully long recital of the martyrs of chastity drawn from S. Jerome ' contra Jovinianum,' is of Chaucer's own introduction. The original of The Squires Tale has in the same way defied detection, though its sources are plainly Eastern. Even the attempt to prove direct indebtedness to the Travels of Marco Polo is something less than convincing. From the fact that the tale is unfinished it seems not un- reasonable to believe that Chaucer borrowed only the materials of this story and broke down for lack of a plot ready furnished to him. Of the poet's own Tale of Sir Thopas, so rudely interrupted by the Host, the ' original ' is to be looked for in the numerous metrical romances which he here parodied so delightfully, and many of the passages which he selected to satirise have been duly pointed out by Dr. E. Kblbing {Englische Studien, xi. ). There remain seven tales derived wholly or in part from literary originals still extant. Chaucer's prose story of Prudence and Melibee is derived from Jean de Meung's adaptation of the Liber Consolationis et Condlii of Albertano of Brescia, a jurist who flourished in the first half of the thirteenth century. The Parson's Tale is similarly derived, but with alterations and additions, from the Somme des Vices et des Vertus of Frere Lourens, who died in 1279, a recent German theory that it was tampered with, after Chaucer's death, or with his consent, by some orthodox priest, being quite unnecessary. I cannot, however, agree with Professor Skeat that this Tale ' was once an independent Treatise, which people could either " herkne or rede," and was probably written before 1380, at much the same time as the Tale of Melibeus, which it somewhat resembles in style.' The words ' herkne or rede ' occur, not in the Tale itself, but in Envoy or Retraction, and I see no reason to doubt that this was really the work of Chaucer's old age. When the Melibee was translated is nearly as difficult to imagine as why it was ever translated at all. At the outset of this introduction to the Canterbury . Tales the sources of the Tales of the Second Nun (Lyf of Seint Cecyle), Clerk and Monk have already been indicated. The Man of Lawes story of Constance is derived from the Anglo-French chronicle of Nicholas Trivet, an English Dominican of the first half of the fourteenth century ; the Knight's Tale from Boccaccio's Teseide, and in the Eversley Edition of the Tales I have already pointed out with some minuteness how the four Tales of the Nun, Clerk, Lawyer, and Knight illustrate the increasing freedom with which Chaucer handled his material as he felt his mastery in his art increase. In the Second Nun's Tale he is at first servile, but at last begins to condense from sheer weariness and even adds a touch here and there. In the Clerk's, with a better original, he translates with much greater ease, and shows some healthy symptoms of rebellion at the severity alike of Grisilde's trials and her patience. In the story of Constance he is no longer a translator but an adapter, introducing as poetic ornament moral reflections from the De Contemptu Mundi, astrological lore from a variety of authors, and, best of all, some very fine speeches and descriptions out of his own head. Lastly in the Knight's Tale we find him improving on the Teseide at every turn. It is he who allows Palamon to see Emily first and so have the better claim to her ; it is to him we owe the fierce quarrel in prison, the vision of Mercury that sends Arcyte back to Athens, the overheard soliloquy in the wood, and the outburst of anger when Theseus discovers the prison-breakers. When he wrote this story of Palamon and Arcyte Chaucer had no longer anything to learn from others, and INTRODUCTION thenceforth he might take his plots where he could find them with as good a right as that of Shakespeare to such treasure trove. MINOR POEMS (H. Frank Heath) A text of Chaucer's Minor Poems which shall be even fairly satisfactory is no easy achievement. There is scarcely one of his shorter works which does not offer serious difficulties to the editor. In some cases the poem is found in only one MS. {e.g. To Rosemounde) ; in some, though there may be two or three authorities, they are copied one from the other (e.g. A Compleynt to his Lady) ; in others, though there may be many MSS. extant, they show so much mutual contamination that it is impossible to construct a complete genealogy, and sometimes very difficult to assign some of these authorities to any one group [e.g. the Parlement of Foules). In all cases the MSS. are much later in date than an editor would desire, and are far removed from the original or originals. A critical study leads one to feel sure that Chaucer was often responsible for more than one draft of the same poem, and took little or no pains to maintain verbal identity. There is also little doubt that he not infrequently made corrections in later copies of his works which may have fallen in his way. Neither of these practices lightens the labours of a conscientious editor. One example must suffice here. There can be no reasonable doubt that the group of MSS. which read 'lyke' (1. 5), 'amonge us' (1. 10), 'man' (l.> 17), and ' wed ' (1. 28) in the Balade Lak of Stedfastnesse must be traced to a different original from the group to which MS. Harl. 7333 belongs, and which I have followed in this edition. It is impossible within the limits of this volume to give all the apparatus necessary for a full critical edition, but the text here printed is the result of a careful collation and critical investigation of all the MSS. printed in the Chaucer Society's publications, and of the MSS. in the British Museum, in all cases where it was advisable or necessary to consult them. As regards the spelling here adopted, in addition to abandoning the medieval use of u for v, and i (or /) for/, and the casual use of capitals in the MSS. , I have adopted the modern spelling of the pronouns thou, you, your, our, etc. With these concessions to modern practice, the spelling of the text has been assimilated so far as possible, to that of the EUesmere MS. I have been rather more consistent, perhaps, than the fifteenth century scribe of the EUesmere, particularly where grammatical forms were in question (e.g. in the distinction of the preterite and past participle, hadde, had ; broghte, broght, etc. ) ; but Chaucer must also have been more particular in these matters, and, be that as it may, the distinction certainly has the advantage of making the construction of the sentence and frequently the run of the verse clearer to the modern reader. THE DETHE OF THE DUCHESSE . This poem was written soon after 1369, in which year John of Gaunt's first wife, Blaunche of Lancaster, died at the age of twenty-,nine, her husband being then of the same age. The poem is clearly the work of a young poet, for, though it strikes a INTRODUCTION true note of pathos at the close, it is unduly long in approaching the climax, and it has no touch of the characteristic humour aiid irony which so constantly relieve Chaucer's later work, even when the theme is a romantic one. Nor is the form marked by any originality. It is a dream-poem of the typical discursive order, for which the Roman de la Rose was responsible throughout European literature of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, with the usual furniture and scenery of twittering birds, the hunt, and the May morning. It has indeed been claimed altogether for France by Taine, who heartily despised English literature prior to Shakespeare as ' mere servile imitation. ' But the-'Z'«//(« of the Duchesse, though it has recollections in it of both the Roman de la Rose and the Remide de Fortune, is not a translation or imitation of either. The incident of ' Seys ' with which it opens is taken from the Metamorphoses of Ovid, in which the story of Alcione's appearance to his faithful wife Ceyx is told, and Machault (possibly to Chaucer's knowledge) imitated thf same ^passage in his Dit de la Fontaine Amoureuse, but beyond this the matter of the English poem is original. Of the three MSS. Fairfax 1 6 is certainly the best, and closely related to it the Bodley MS. My own independent investigation of the MSS. gave the same result as those of Koch^ and Max Lange,^ and I therefore reproduce the following genealogy with the more confidence : — £ F J .^ B= Bodley MS. 638 (fiodleian Library). F = .FairfaxMS. 16 ,., , ',, Tn. = Tanner MS. 346 Th. = Thynne's Edition (1532). The conservative treatment of the authorities in this edition will lead readers to the conclusion, I hope, that Chaucer allowed himself licences in the handling of the four-beat line at the beginning of his life which he refused afterwards in the Hous of Fame, and certainly would never have allowed in the five-beat line. In other words, they will, I trust, be willing to assume for Chaucer a development in technique similar to that of Shakespeare and some other poets. They will'also, if they. agree 1 In Anglia, vol. iv. Auz. p. 05. 2 In his, Unters-uchungen aber Chaucer^ s Boke of the Duchesse^ Halle, 1883. XXXIV INTRODUCTION with the present editor, resist the temptation of setting down these 'freely' con- structed hnes either to the poet's bad ear or (when all the MS. authorities agree) to the copyist's careless hand, but will look for an explanation in the survival of that rhythmic but non-syllabic system of verse which still lived on in England down to Chaucer's day, though much corrupted from its original purity. These native measures must have echoed in the young poet's ear when he first began to write in the foreign manner, and hence most of the so-called lame lines in the Boke of the Duchesse. THE ABC About the same time as the Boke of the Duchesse, perhaps a little later,' Chaucer wrote this poetical prayer to the Virgin. It is based upon a similar ABC con- tained in Guillaume de Deguilleville's Pilerinage de la vie humaine, a French Pilgrim's Progress of the fourteenth century. ^ Chaucer simplified the measure by increasing the number of rhymes from two to three, and reducing the length of the stanzas from tvyelve to eight ; but the result is little more than an exercise. He would fain be a literal translator, but is forced by the exigences of the verse away ftom his model, only rising here and there, notably in the opening and the nineteenth strophes, above mechanical excellence. There are thirteen MSS. and one printed edition (that of Speght 1602) available as authorities for this poem. I agree with Koch in the following classification : — /i Ha I Sion Bedf / Qi^sfr Ff Pep.B Pep.E F = B = Ha.= Pep. B\ Pep. E/ ■ Gg = Sion: Bedf.: Ff: Glasg. : La. : John: Speght: : Fairfax 16 (Bodleian Library). = Bodley 638 (Oxford). iHarleian 7578 (British Museum), incomplete. : Pepys 2006, Magdalene College, Cambridge (two copies), both incomplete. = Cambridge University Library, Gg 4. 27. = Sion College MS. (Shirley's). = Bedford MS. (Bedford Library). = MS. Ff 5. 30 in Cambridge University Library. = Glasgow, Hunterian Museum, Q 2. 25. = Laud 740 (Bodleian Library). = St. John's College, Cambridge, G. 21. iSpeght's Edition, 1602. 1 Ten Brink places it as late as 1374. 2 It was commenced in 1330. INTRODUCTION XXXV The thirteenth MS. Harl. 2257 cannot with certainty be assigned its place in the above scheme. It has general similarity with group B, but it is of little or no value. The best group is C, which is used as the basis of the text. THE COMPLEYNT UNTO PITE This is a better poem than the preceding one, and the mark of sincerity and deep feeling is upon it, though the metaphor is carried too far here and there for clearness. It is usual to place this poem before 1 369, and to make it Chaucer's first original work extant, but both the style and the verse lead me to agree with Ten Brink (whose critical edition of the poem should be a pattern for all editors) in assigning a later date than this somewhere in the two years subsequent to the writing of the Dethe of the Duchesse. Whatever the date, this poem is the earliest example of the famous Chaucer stanza, or 'rhyme royal,' as it was subsequently called. Professor Skeat has pointed out recollections of a phrase or two from the Thebeis (Book xi.), and Mr. Pollard suggests a parallel between the adversaries of Pity and the first part of the Roman de la Rose, But the poem, French in style as it is, is yet original, and is generally interpreted, together with a passage of similar feeling in the Boke of the Duchesse (1. 30 ff. ), as referring to an incident of unrequited love in the poet's life. There are nine extant MSS. , eight of which (in agreement with Ten Brink and Koch) I would arrange in the following scheme : — Ha. T=Tanner MS. 346 (Bodleian Library). F = Fairfax MS. i5 B = Bodley MS. 638 Ha. =Harleian 7578 (British Museum). H = HarIeian 78 ,, ,, C = Cambridge University Library, Ff i. 6. Lt. =LongIeat MS. 258 (Marquis of Bath). Tr. =Trinity College, Cambridge, R 3. 19. The dotted line is intended to show that there is evidence of contamination. Xxxvi LVTRODVCJ'ION MS. Harleian 7578 clearly belongs to the same group as H, but is a much better authority, and more frequently agrees with the derivatives from C. In several cases it supports emendations made by Ten Brink without consulting it (e.g. 11. IS> '9> s-nd loi). I am in some doubt whether H and Ha. should be traced from the same original as the other MSS., or whether we should not rather in this case as in others look on H and Ha. as derivatives from an earlier draft of the poem made by Chaucer himself. MS. Phillipps 9053 I have not yet collated. The best group of MSS. is that marked C in the diagram, and of these MS. F has been used as the basis for the text. THE COMPLEYNT OF MARS This poem falls well within the second period of Chaucer's work, and was probably written after the poet's second mission to Italy in 1378-79, while the ABC and the Compleynt unto Pile came in all probability soon after the dale of the first mission in 1372-73. The storyis founded on one told in the Metamorphoses iv. 170-189 of the love of Mars for Venus and its discovery by Apollo. With this story Chaucer combines the popular astronomy of the day in accordance with which the planet Mars is in conjunction with the planet Venus in the sign of Taurus. Taurus is one of the two astrological houses of Venus, and into this the Sun (Phcebus Apollo) enters on April 1 2th each year. On the basis of two notes made by Shirleiy in the Trinity College MS. this astrological mythical story is also an allegory written 'at the comslndement of the renowned and excellent Prynce my lord the Due John of Lancastre,' and 'made by (i.e. about) my lady of York, doughter to the kyng of Spaygne and my lord huntingdoon, some tyme Due of Excestre.' The ' lady of York ' was John of Gaunt's sister-in-law, through his second wife Constance of Castile. ' My lord huntingdon ' was John Holande, half-brother to Richard II. , who married Elizabeth, daughter of Blaunche, first Duchess of Lancaster. There are eight extant MSS. and one edition (that of Julian Notary 1499-1502) available as authorities. Of these the Fairfex, Tanner, and Longleat MSS., which belong to one group, are the best on the whole. The remaining authorities are difficult to arrange with certainty, but the following scheme expresses my view of their general interconnection. There is some room for doubt as to whether groups B and C should be traced to a single original rather than two drafts made by the poet at different times. INTRODUCTION xxxvil F = Fairfax MS. i6 (Bodleian Library). Lt. =Longleat MS. 258 (Marquis of Bath). Tn.= Tanner 346 (Bodleian Library). P(E) = Pepys 2006 Hand E (Magdalene College, Cambridge). P(B) = Pepys 2006 Hand B ,, ,, ,, T=Trinity College, Cambridge, R 3. 20. Ha. =Harleian 7333 (British Museum). Ar. =Arch. Selden B 24 (Bodleian Library). Ju.= Julian Notary's Edition, 1499-1502. Th. =William Thynne's Edition, London 1532. The dotted Una is intended to show that there is evidence of contamination. The MSS. belonging to group B are certainly better on the whole than any single MS. in group C, but were a satisfactory example of this latter tradition available it would undoubtedly be the one to form the basis of " text. In 11. i, 3, 4, 11, and many others the right reading is clearly fiirnished by one or more of this group, which has possibly been neglected because it has been seen to include such MSS. as the Harleian 7333 and Arch. Selden. These two authorities are of little or no independent value, more particularly the latter, which gives a text that has been purposely edited, yet they sometimes support good readings in MSS. of the B group in opposition to other MSS. of their own group, and such testimony is valuable. Examples are — \. 20, to dure for to endure ; \, T^, is for was; 1. i20^tktsiorthej2.n6.smokingioTsmoketh or smoked ; 1. 143, Venus weping for weping Venus, etc. Had P(E) been complete, it would have been the best basis for this text ; as it is, some approach to a satisfactory result has, it is hoped, been obtained by a combination of P(E) as far as it goes (viz. to 1. 84) and P(B), with aid here and there from Ju. and T, and the adoption where called for of readings from the B group, such as e.g. 1. 66, where the C group read that thilke, I. 80, where they read fe_/f/ ( = fell), and some others, among them I'- 20, 75, 120, and 143 referred to above. A COMPLEYNT TO HIS LADY This 'v[A.txs%'Cva%pot pourri of verse-forms is found in only two MSS. and one edition, that of Stowe 1561. The two MSS. are Harleian 78 (by Shirley), and MS. Phillipps 9053 at Cheltenham, which last I have not been able to consult except indirectly through the critical notes in Professor Skeat's six-volume edition of Chaucer. He there says that Ph. is copied from Harleian 78, and this seems to be the case. All three authorities tack this fragment on to the Compleynt unto Pile, which is, how- ever, complete without it. The poem is clearly intended as a metrical experiment, or series of experiments, and should not be taken too seriously. The similarity of a phrase here and there to the Anelida and Arcite, and of the opening of the third section with the Parlement of Foules (11. 90, 91), which are both serious poems, may just as well point to this work preceding them as following them in date. Some time shortly after 1373-74 seems, therefore, still to be most probable. ANELIDA AND ARCYTE This poem, like the preceding one, is chiefly interesting for the elaborate metrical experiments for which Chaucer made it the excuse. It opens with three b 2 xxxviu INTRODUCTION stanzas from the Teseide, which Chaucer recast later into heroic couplets for his Knightes Tale. These are followed by four based partly on Statius, and these in turn by three more from the Teseide. It is possible that at least the first six stanzas and a half formed part of an earlier translation of the Teseide, now lost, and that the poet refers to this earlier work in the Prologue to the Legende of Good Wo7nen when he says ' he made . . . al the love of Palamon and Arcyte of Thebes, thogh the story is kno wen lyte.' Atl. 47 commences thestory of 'quene Anelidaand falsArcite,' and this continues down to 1. 210. What the source of this tale may be we do not know. At 1. 211 begins the elaborate ' Compleynt of feire Anelida upon fels Arcite,' a more ambitious poem of the same kind as the Compleynt to his Lady. The fourteen stanzas of which it consists are arranged in a proem or introduction, two movements of six stanzas each, and a conclusion. With the exception of the last two stanzas in each of the movements of six, the stanzas are of nine decasyllabic lines rhyming aab, aab, bab. The fifth stanzas in the two movements or Strophes of six are divided into two parts, each of eight lines of octosyllabics, except the fourth and eighth which are decasyllabic. In the first part the rhymes run aaab, aaab, in the second the same rhymes are used in the reverse order bbba, bbba. The sixth stanza in each of the movements is of nine decasyllabics, rhymed as in the main body of the poem, but with the additional ornament of an internal rhyme on the fourth and eighth syllable of each line. At the conclusion of the Compleynt the story is resumed, but breaks off after a single stanza which is only found in five of the eleven MSS. Chaucer doubtless in- tended to reintroduce Theseus, with whom the poem opens, as the avenger of Anelida. There are eleven MSS. and one edition (Caxton's) of this poem, which I agree with Koch in arranging as follows : — Ha, =HarIeian 7333 (British Museum). T= Trinity College, Cambridge, R 3. 20. Add. = Shirley's Additional 16,165 (British Museum). Pep. = Pepys 2006 (Magdalene College, Cambridge). H = Harleian 372 (British Museum). F = Fairfax 16 (Bodleian Library). B = Bodley 638 Tn. = Tanner 346 , , , , Ff=MS. Ff S' 30 (Cambridge University Library). Lt. =Longleat MS. 258 (Marquis of Bath). D = Digby 181 (Bodleian Library). Cx. ^Caxton's Edition, i;. 1477-78. The best group of MSS. is C, and this is the one used as the basis of the text. INTRODUCTION XXXIX THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES This charming fancy is the only poem of any length written during the years that Chaucer was engaged upon his great masterpiece, the Troilus and Cresseida. As Dr. Koch has shown, the poet must have been commissioned in the summer of 1382 to celebrate the wooing and winning of Anne of Bohemia by Richard II. The marriage had taken place on January 14th of that year, after the successfiil mission of the English ambassadors to Bohemia in the previous January. Anne is represented in the poem by the formel {i.e. female) eagle and Richard by the royal eagle, while the two tercels {i.e. males), ' of lower kind,' who plead for her love, are the Prince of Bavaria and the Margrave of Misnia, to each of whom Anne had been in turn contracted. The material supplied him was too slight in itself for a poem of sufficient length and dignity, so the poet elaborated and ornamented his theme by a summary of Cicero's Somnium Scipionis, a description of the Garden of Love taken from the Teseide of Boccaccio and a description of Nature and her birds based upon a passE^e in the Planctus Natune of Alain de I'Isle, though the Cistercian bishop had repre- sented them in mediasval manner as embroidered on the garment of the Goddess, not, as Chaucer does, fiiU of life and wit. His use of other men's work is seen to be much freer than it once was, and the poem is in all real senses an original one. There are fourteen MSS. and one printed edition (Caxton's) which serve as authority for this poem, but some of them are so corrupt and show so much evidence of contamination that it is very difficult to discover their relation to the rest. These doubtful MSS. are printed below the remainder, which I agree with Koch in arrang- ing as follows : — o La F= Fairfax 16 (Bodleian Library). B = BodIey638 Lt. = Longleat MS. 258 (Marquis of Bath). Tn. = Tanner 346 (Bodleian Library). D = Digby 181 Gg = Cambridge University MS. Gg 4. 27. Ff= Cambridge University MS. Ff i. 6. H= Shirley's Harleian MS. 7333 (British Museum). T = Trinity College, Cambridge, MS. R 3. zo. Jo. =St. John's College, Oxford, MS. Ivii. La. = Laud MS. 416 (Bodleian Library). xl INTRODUCTION Seld. = Archibald Selden B 24. Hh = Cambridge University MS. Hh 4. 12. P=:Pepys 2006 (Magdalene College, Cambridge). Cx. =Caxton's Edition {1477-78). The best group of MS. is C, and this is the one used as the basis of the text. BOECE (Mark H. Liddell) The Consolation of Philosophy was one of the most popular books of the four- teenth century, and it is not to be wondered that Chaucer should have undertaken a translation of it. How great an interest this classic had over him can be seen from the numerous quotations from it he makes all through his work. His Latin scholar- ship, however, was by no means adequate to the task, a deficiency which he probably . felt himself, for he makes very free use of an existing French version now commonly ascribed to Jehan de Meung. He used also the paraphrase which was common in early texts of the Consolation, as well as the commentary ascribed by tradition to Thomas Aquinas, and printed in fifteenth century editions of Boethius. Despite these props and stays, however, Chaucer makes blunders which cannot he charged to the incompetent scholarship of the time, but must be laid directly to his own insufficient knowledge of Latin idiom, a fault doubtless due to the fact that the Boece is one of the earliest of his longer works. This edition contains a critical text made from all the known MSS. in which the translation has been preserved to us (including two newly-discovered ones). It follows MS. li i. 38 (Cj) Cambridge University Library, with such de- partures as are justified by critical examination of the other kndwn MSS. These are : — MS. Additional 16, 165 (A2) ; MS. Harleian 2421 (H) ; MS. Bodley 797 (B) ; MS. Hengwrt 393 (Hn), at Peniarth ; MS. li 3. 21 (Cj) of the Cambridge Univer- sity Library ;■ MS. Additional 10,340 (Aj) ; MS. Salisbury 13 (Sal.), in Salisbury Cathedral; MS. Auct. 3. 5 (Com.), in the Bodleian Library. Caxton's edition, made from a with frequent readings from Hn. , is denoted by Cx. ; Jehan de Meung's French translation is quoted from MS. Fr. 1079 (Fr.) unless otherwise noted. The text is based upon the following arrangement of the MSS., each of which, except Sal., which is a copy of Aj, has been collated all through the work. [^ /H. l« (cx. /Ai Sal. The orthography is that of Cj, except where the few northern forms peculiar to the MS. have been changed to Chaucer's spelling. Several nonsensical sentences are set right for the first time by the critical method followed, but there still remain some passages which evidently got wrong in the original ; it is very fortunate for us that the French version makes almost all of these clear. INTRODUCTION xli TROILUS AND CRISEYDE (W. S. McCoRMICK) Troilus and Criseyde is based upon Boccaccio's // Filostrato, from which nearly a third is translated or adapted. The characters of the hero and heroine are, however, considerably modified, and Pandarus, who is transformed from the cousin to the uncle of Cressida, is practically Chaucer's own creation. For the develop- ment of the story in Book v., Chaucer evidently consulted the Roman de Troie of Benoit de Sainte-More, possibly also the Historia Troiana of Guido delle Colonne ; and for the incidents in Cassandra's exposition of Troilus' dream Chaucer is indebted to Ovid and Statius. Chaucer's further borrowings are few. Petrarch's eighty- eighth sonnet forms Troilus' love-song in Book i. 400-420. There are three considerable passages from Boethius' De Consolations Philosophic, which Chaucer was probably translating about the time of the composition of Troilus. The first (iii. 813-833) on 'fals felicite' is put into the mouth of Cressida; in the second (iii. 1744- 1768) Boethius' celebration of divine love serves Troilus for another love-song; while the third (iv. 953-1085), Troilus' dreary moralising in the temple, is a fairly close rendering of Boethius' chapter on Free Will and Predestination. In Book v. two passages (11. I- 14, and 11. 1807-1837) are taken from Boccaccio's Teseide, and the first three lines of the last stanza from Dante's Paradiso. It is worth remarking that three of the above passages from Boethius and the Teseide, viz. iii. 1744-1768, iv. 953-1085, v. 1807-1827, are omitted in some MSS. The relations of the MSS. of Troilus and Criseyde to each other are so compli- cated and variable, that a detailed statement is here impossible. In many cases portions of the same manuscript have been taken from different sources ; and few manuscripts are without traces of contamination. They fall, however, for the most part, into three families (designated here a, p, and 7), which seem to represent three distinct editions or revisions ; although in a number of passages, more especially in Book v., the a and /3 manuscripts frequently alter their relations to each other, and throughout the poem the variations among the ;3 manuscripts are considerable. It appears probable, from a comparison of the readings of the three types with the originals from which Chaucer was translating, that in a type we have the first draft of the poem, copied in parts during its composition ; that manuscripts of the ^ type give more than one partial revision by Chaucer of copies of his work before or after its completion ; . and that the 7 type represents a later copy, either carelessly corrected by the author, or collated by some hand after Chaucer's death. The following list of authorities may serve to indicate in a general way the relations of the MSB., or portions of MSB., to each type, at least for the first four Books. Manuscripts f I. P— MS. Phillipps 8252. -J a throughout. ( II. Hj— MS. Harl. 3943. f a (close to P) till iv. 196 ; ;3 (dose to H4) later. \III. H^— MS. Harl. 2392. o (with /3 readings) till in. 231 (?) ; /3 (with a readings) later. xlii INTRODUCTION (IV. G — MS. Gg 4. 27, Cambridge (first and last leaves of all the Books cut out). J /3 till 11. III. ; a later. I V. Hj — MS. Harl. 4912 — (ends at IV.686). P till II. HI. ; a later. Throughout close to G. VI. J — MS. LI. St. John's College, Cambridge. ^ (with a readings) till iv.400 (?) ; o later. VII. R — MS. Rawlinson Poet 163. Bodleian. |3 throughout ; omits Prologues to Books 11. III. and iv. VIII. H3— MS. Harl. 1239. . R till II. 1033 ; 7 from 11. 1034 till in. 231 ; later, collated from various sources, but keeping close to o through Book iv. IX. S— MS. Arch. Selden B ■24. Bodleian. collated throughout from 7 and /3, and following many of the errors of 7 till II. 516. {X. A MS. Addit. 12,044, British Museum. (Ends at V. 1820. ) 7 throughout (with occasional a or ;8 reading). XI. D— MS. V. ii.i3- Durham, close to A. f XII. Sa— MS. Arch. Selden supra 56. Bodleian. J 7 throughout (with occasional a or ;3 reading). \xill. Dg— MS. Digby 181. Bodleian. (Ends at in. 532.) close to Sj. 'XIV. Cp. — MS. 61 Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. 7 throughout. XV. Hj— MS. Harl. 2280. close to Cp. [XVI. CI.— MS. Campsall. close to Cp. and H^. [To these may be added two MS. fragments printed in Odd Texts of Chancel's Minof Poems (Chaucer Society, 1880) ; and one MS. fragment of Book v. 1443-1498 in Cam- bridge University Library.] Editions XVII. Cx. — Caxton's Edition (1484). /3 throughout (with 7 readings). XVIII. Th.— Thynne's Edition (1532). 7 throughout (with Cx. and a readings, more especially in Books i. and 11.) [The Editions of Wyflkyn de Worde (1517) and pf Pynson (1526) are reprints of Caxton's text. In Sir Francis Kinaston's Latin Translation of the first two Books (1635), the English text is a reprint 0/ Thynne's.] MSS. J, Cp. , Hj, and CI. are the most accurate as to grammatical forms ; but none can be depended upon. , The present text is based upon J (MS. LI. St. John's College), and has been corrected throughout from readings of o and /3 types alone. But all the authorities have been examined, and all the important variations of 7 type are given. In order to curtail the critical notes as much as possible, the mistakes occurring in J alone are corrected, and the spelling (including the insertion or deletion of final e) is normalised, in most cases, without special mention ; also, where possible, a, (3, and 7 have been employed to represent the MSS., or the majority of the MSS., belonging to these types respectively. In printing the text for this edition, some assistance has been offered to the general reader by the indication of stressed syllables, by the use of the dotted e to INTRODUCTION xliii denote a separate syllable in the middle of the line, and by marking elision in such words as K'aj, tfil, tiolde, n'ot, th'ilke, th'effect, m'asterte, this' (for this is), etc. The modern use of i and J, and of u and v, has been adopted, as well as the modern spelling oi thou, you, our, etc. In her { = her), and hir { = their), o (interjection), and 00 {=iane), o»and oon ( = one), of and off, the, thee, and thi { — thrive), the spell- ing has been differentiated to indicate the meaning ; and in French words ending in i, the accent has been retained. The final e of evere, nevere, levere, etc., has been retained, as Chaucer's pronunciation was evidently ev're, >iLv're, levari, etc. CHAUCER'S WORDS UNTO ADAM HIS OWNE SCRIVEYN This keen jeu d'esprit is only found in one manuscript (Trin. Coll. Camb. MS. R 3. 20) and in Shirley's edition of 1561. There can be no doubt as to its authenticity. Its probable date is 1385. (H. F. H.) THE HOUS OF FAME (H. Frank Heath) With the Hous of Fame we leave the period of the poet's finished work. From this time on his plans were far more ambitious, but they were doomed to remain unfinished. The Hous of Fame, the Legende of Good Women, and, greatest of all, the Canterbury Tales, were none of them completed. At the close of the Troilui Chaucer had uttered the hope that God would 'Sende (him) might to make in som comedie,' and most critics are agreed that the Hous of Fame was meant to be the fulfilment of this intention. There is some reason for thinking, I believe, that the Hous of Fame had been commenced some years before 1383, and then laid aside. When the Troilus was complete, this unfinished ' comedy ' came to Chaucer's mind, and hence the prayer. It b difficult, on any other assumption, to understand the use of the short couplet, an unsatisfactory measure at best, particularly for such a theme as the stoiy of .(Eneas, which takes up the major part of the first book. Having finished the second book — in which the story advances rapidly enough, and with a light humorous touch throughout — the work was laid aside. When it was again taken in hand on the completion of the Troilus a new tone is noticeable, and a new invocation to Apollo, 'god of science and of light,' marks the firesh start. This is followed by an apology for the ' light and lewd ' verse. It is not ' craft ' but ' sentence ' which is his aim, and throughout the hufnour is no longer playful but deeply ironical, for the poet has learnt to see his art and life in the light of common day. The close of the fragment describing the hall of Fame and the petitioners to the goddess is the purest piece of satire Chaucer ever wrote. But all this destroyed the original plajrful plan and rendered some striking close necessary. Failing this, no wonder the poet's golden eagle, having borne him up to the realm of Fame, finds it hard, as has been remarked, to get down again. No wonder ' the workmanship of the separate parts of the poem is much more masterly,' as the same critic adds, 'than the general plan.' The fragment we possess of the third book is longer than the first two put together. Chaucer had put new wine into an old xliv INTRODUCTION bottle.^ The care bestowed on the poem is evident from the number of sources from which the poet drew. The mediaeval machinery of a dream with a description' of the temple of Venus offers the opportunity for giving an outline of the story of the Aineid. Then follows the appearance of the eagle and the journey to the house of Fame, the description of which is taken from the Metamorphoses xii. 33"63- Professor Ten Brink was the first to point out that in general plan and in a number of individual passages the influence of the Divina Commedia can be traced. Both poems are visions, in both there is a heaven-sent guide who may but accompany the poet in parts of his journey ; both are divided into three books. Very probably the importance of Vergil in Dante's poem suggested the story of the ySneid. Certainly the idea of the golden eagle is taken from him (Purgat. ix. ). The apo- strophe to 'Thought,' at the opening of the second book, was suggested by the Inferno (ii. 7-9), the invocation in the third book by that at the beginning of the Paradiso (i. 13-27). The philosophy, however, is not Dante's, but rather — as the poet himself suggests — that of Boethius (ii. 464 ff. ) ; yet the poem as a whole is Chaucer's, and none but his. The Hous of Fame was not likely to be popular, and there are unfortunately only three MSS. and two editions to serve as authorities. I arrange them as follows: — rh. F = Fairfax 16 (Bodleian Library). B = Bodley638 P=Pepys 2006 (Magdalene College, Cambridge), Incomplete. Cx. =Caxton's Edition (1477-78). Th. =W. Thynne's Edition (1532). The better group is B, and MS. P has been used as the basis of the text so flu- as it is available. From that point on Cx. and Th. were used with the aid of F andB. Th., it should be remarked, is not merely a reprint of Cx., for Thynne certainly had access to and made use of other authorities. 1 Some support appears to be lent to this theorjr by the Fairfax MS., which commences the third book on f. 169, after a wide space, with a large illuminated capital, similar to that used at the opening of the^oem; whilst the second book, which commences on f. 161, runs straight on after the close of the lirst without any space, and with a capital, which, though similar in design to that used for the other two books, is not quite so large. INTRODUCTION xlv THE LEGENDE OF GOOD WOMEN (Alfred W. Pollard) The Ltgende of Good Women, as Chaucer planned it, was intended to consist of a Prologue, the stories of nineteen women who have been true to love, and lastly, the legend of the crown of womanhood. Queen Alcestis, who gave up her own life to save her husband's. Such a series of poems had plainly been for some time in Chaucer's mind. The goodness of Alceste is the subject of two stanzas in the Troilus, and in the Hous of Fame (Bk. i. 11. 388-426), after telling the story of Dido out of Virgil's y^neid, he gives quite a list of other faithful women_, to whom, doubtless, he meant to apply the phrase he uses of Dido, that if it were not too long to endite he would have liked to write her love in full. Chancer was certainly oc- cupied with the Hous of Fame in 1383-1384, and the Legende — in which it is mentioned first in the poet's list of his own writings — must have immediately succeeded it. We know that on 17th February 1385 he obtained permission to exercise his Comptroller- ship by deputy, and it has been conjectured that the intention he expresses of sending this new poem to the Queen (11. 496, 497), and the probability that she was meant to be identified with the good Alceste, are marks of gratitude for this particular favour, which may have been obtained through her intervention. Lydgate, in the Prologue to his Fall of Princes, even says that the Legende was written ' at the request of the quene,' but if so it would surely have been duly completed. Every- thing, however, points to 1385 as the year of its composition. » Of the nineteen (or twenty) legends planned, only nine were written. These celebrate (i) Cleopatra, who is represented (not quite in accordance, as Chaucer imagines, with ' storial sooth ') as a martyr to her love for Antony ; (2) Thisbe, who refused to survive her lover Pyramus (see Bottom's play in the Midstmmer Nighfs Dream ; (3) Dido ; (4) the two victims of Jason's treachery, Hypsipyle and Medea ; (5) Lucretia; (6) Ariadne; (7) Philomela, the victim of Tereus ; (8) Phyllis, who slew herself for love of Demophon ; (9) Hypermnestra, who accepted death at her father's hands rather than treacherously kill her husband. By the aid of some hiats in the Prologue, and of a curious mention of these ' seintes legendes of Cupide ' in the talk which precedes the Man of Law's story in the Canterbury Tales, it is possible to make a fair guess as to the names of the other ten women, in addition to Alcestis, whose praises Chaucer was too tired to sing. They belong to the same class of heroines as the nine he wrote of, and we need not trouble about them here. For the nine legends Chaucer had recourse chiefly to the Metamorphoses and Heroides of Ovid, but he used also two Latin works by Boccaccio, viz. his De Claris Mulieribus and De Genealogia Deorum, while the story of Dido is taken mainly from Virgil, and that of Hypsipyle and Medea from the Historia Trojana of Guido delle Colonne. The only other point that need be mentioned is that the Prologue (much the most interesting part of the poem) exists in two different versions. The one which appears to be the earlier has 545 lines, of which 90 — including one long passage on love tales, and a reference to Chaucer's own library of ' sixty bookes olde and newe ' all full of stories — do not reappear in the revised text. In this many lines are altered, the position of others transposed, and the 90 omitted lines replaced by 124 new ones, bringing the number in the second version to 579. Some of the alterations seem intended to make the poem more xlvi INTRODUCTION acceptable to the Queen, the rest are poetical improvements which may easily be studied in the parallel columns in which they are printed in this edition. Nine MSS., besides Thynne's Edition (Th.), have been collated, as printed by the Chaucer Society, for the text of this poem, viz. Gg 4. 27, Cambridge (quoted as Gg) ; Fairfax (F) ; Tanner (Tan.); R 3. 19, Trinity College, Cambridge (Trin.); Arch. Seld. B 24, Bodleian Library (Arch. Seld.); Bodley MS. 638 (B) ; British Museum Additional MS. 9832 (Add.), and 12,524 (Add.j); and Pepys MS. 2006 (Pepys). Of these MSS. F and B must be derived immediately from the same original, and Tan., which shares most of their glaring faults, from the original of that. The text of Thynne's edition belongs to the same group, but Thynne must have collated it with other MSS., as he has supplied lines and words which F, B, and Tan. omit. In my notes F2 stands for F and B ; F^ for F, B, and Tan. ; F* for F, B, Tan., and Thynne. The leading MS. in a second group is Trin., with which must be reckoned Add., which, however, stops at 1. 1986. These two MSS. are almost as nearly identical as F and B, and contain a number of good readings. The other Museum fragment Add.j, which only begins at 1. 1640, belongs to the same group, as also does Arch. Seld. The latter, however, is a dangerous MS. to use, as its scribe, who may have worked from the same original used for Trin. and Add. , has plainly in- troduced many emendations of his own to smooth away difficulties of sense or metre. I have occasionally denoted the agreement of Trin. and Add. by Trin.^ ; of Trin. Add. and Arch. Seld. by Trin.s ; and of Trin. Add. Arch. Seld. and Add.g byTrin.* The Cambridge MS. Gg stands by itself, in virtue of its possession of the first draft of the Prologue. Its readings are throughout of great importance, but its spelling is bad, and it lacks II. 1836-1907. The Pepys fragment, which stops at I. 1367, though it has the second draft of the Prologue, is linked to Gg by possessing II. 960, 961, which the other MSS. omit ; but it sometimes agrees with the Trin, group gainst Gg. Its independent readings (with the possible exception of yiftes in 1. 1 126) are of no value. In making my text I am sorry now that I did not take the Trinity MS. as my starting-point, but I for a long time suspected it of being overmuch editfed. Thus the completeness and comparatively good spelling of Fairfax gave it the preference, but in my final revision I have systematically substituted the readings of the Trinity group, or of Gg, for those of the Fairfax where there was any possibility of doubt. In the matter of spelling I have cleared away a good many of the double vowels (especially 00) which are the chief disfigurement of F, and have removed a few eccentricities, though with a very sparing hand. LATER MINOR POEMS (H. Frank Heath) TO ROSEMOUNDE To the Troilus period belongs this playful ballade, which, like the preceding poem, is only found in one MS. (Rawl. Poet. 163, leaf 114) in the Bodleian Library, where it was discovered some years since by Dr. Furnivall, and afterwards rediscovered and first published by Professor Skeat. The metaphor with which the third stanza opens, and the ironical humour of its combination with the story of Isolde, unmis- takably declare the authorship. INTRODUCTION xlvii THE FORMER AGE This pleasant rhapsody upon the good old times is based upon Boethius' De Consolatione Philosophice (ii. met. v.), with echoes here and there from the Roman de la Rdie. It is only found in two MSS., both in the University Library at Cambridge. Their press marks are Ii 3. 2i and Hh 4. 12. The former is the better of the two, and has been used as the basis of the text. This and the next four poems cannot be exactly dated. They were written after 1382, and probably before 1390. FORTUNE Balades de visage sans peinture, as this poem is called in the MSS. , are a series of ballades, or rather a triple ballade, with a single envoy of seven, and possibly only six lines, in praise of the friend of the ' unpainted face,' who is faithful in adversity. It was possibly written after Chaucer's loss of office in 1 386. There are eight MSS. and one edition of this poem, which I arrange as follows : — Ii = Cambridge University Libraiy MS. Ii 3. 2t. A = Shirley's Ashmole MS. 59 (Bodleian Library). Harl. = Harleian MS. 225r (British Museum). T = Shirley's Trinity College, Cambridge, MS. R 3. 20 (sheet 7 lacking). F = Fairfax MS. 16 (Bodleian Library). B=Bodley 638 (Bodleian Library). P = Pepys 2006 (Magdalene College, Cambridge). L = Lansdowne MS. 699 (British Museum). Cx. =Caxton's Edition (T477-78). Ii is decidedly the best authority, and this has been made the basis of the text. TRUTH This ballade and the next, called Gentilesse, show Chaucer in his gravest mood, and reveal the finely-tempered spirit which underlay his ironical and sometimes cynical humour. Both poems, like . the Lak of Stedfastnesse, owe their suggestion, no doubt, to Boethius, but Truth (which is the finest) less so than the others, while they all strike an intensely personal note. xlviii INTRODUCTION There are thirteen MSS. and one printed edition of Truth, which I arrange the following way : — X Gg C EAdd^Add^ L Cx.F, F^T^ H % Seld Kk The dotted line is intended to show that there is evidence of contamination. Gg = Cambridge University Library Gg 4. 27. C=Cotton MS. Cleopatra D vii. (British Museum). ' E=Ellesmere MS. Add. '= Additional MS. 10,340 (British Museum). Add.' = Additional MS. 22,139 m m L = Lansdowne MS. 699 ,, ,, Fi = Fairfax MS. 16 (Bodleian Library). F3 = Fairfax MS. 16 (Bodleian Library), second copy of the poem. Ti = Shirley's Trinity College, Cambridge, MS. R 3. 20. T3= Shirley's Trinity College, Cambridge, MS. R 3. 20, second copy of the poem. H = Shirley.'s Harleian MS. 7333 (British Museum). Seld. =Arch. Selden B 24 (Bodleian Library). Kk= Cambridge University Library Kk i. 5. Cx. =Caxton's Edition (1477-78). Group B is the better of the two main groups into which the authorities fall, and of this group sub-group b is the better. I have used Gg as the basis of the text. GENTILESSE This fine ballade on the qualities that make a gentleman reminds one of the speech in which the Wife of Bath discourses upon ' gentillesse ' ( Wife of Balk's Tale, D 1 109- 1176). There are eight MSS. and one printed edition of this poem, which I arrange as follows : — X Harl. 'Xx. ^ 179. recchelees, reckless ;, c/iyj/tfr/w, H only; neither reading is satisfactory. I84-2S7 TBE CANTERBURY TALES What sholde he studie and make hym- selven wood, Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure, Or swynken with his handes and laboure, As Austyn bit ? how shal the world be served ? Lat Austyn havehisswynk to him reserved. Therfore he was a prikasour aright ; Grehoundes he hadde, as swift as fowel in flight : 190 Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare Was al his lust, for no, cost wolde he spare. I seigh his sieves y-purfiled at the bond With grys, and that the fyneste of a lond ; And for to festne his hood under his chyn Hehaddeofgoldy-wroghtaful curious pyn, A love knotte in the gretter ende ther was. His heed was balled thatshoon as anyglas. And eek his face as he hadde been enoynt. He was a lord fill fat and in good poynt ; Hise eyen stepe and roUynge in his heed. That stemed as a forneys of a leed ; 202 His bootes souple, his hors in greet estaat. Now certeinly he was a fair prelaat. He was nat pale, as a forpyned goost : A fat swan loved he best of any roost ; His palfrey was as broun as is a berye. A Frere ther was, a wantowne and a merye, A l3miytour, a ful solempne man, 209 In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage ; He hadde maad ful many a mar'iage Of yonge wommen at his owene cost : Unto his ordre he was a noble post, Ful wel biloved and famulier was he With frankeleyns over al in his contree ; And eek with worthy wommen of the toun, For he hadde power of confessioun, As seyde hjmn-self, moore than a curat, For of his ordre he was licenciat. 220 Ful swetely herde he confessioun. And plesaunt was his absolucioun. 199. he^ E it. 2io._ ordres foure^ Dominicans, Carmelites, Franciscans, and Augustinians. 212. ful many a mariage, titc, ue, he found husbands for women he had himself seduced. 220. licenciat, i.f. he was licensed to hear con- fessions without asking leave of the parson. He was an esy man to yeve penaunce Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce ; For unto a poure ordre for to yive Is signe that a man is wel ,y-shryve ; For, if he yaf, he dorste make avaunt He wiste that a man was r^pentaunt : For many a man so harde is of his herte He may nat wepe al thpgh hym soore smerte, 230 Therfore in stede of wepynge and preyeres Men moote yeve silver to the poure freres. His typet was ay farsed full of knyves And pynnes, for to yeven yonge wyves ; And certeinly he hadde a murye note ; Wel koude he synge and pleyen on a rote: Of yeddynges he baar outrely the pris ; His nekke whit was as the flour-de-lys, Ther-to he strong was as a champioun. He knew the tavernes well in all the toun And everich hostiler and tappestere 241 Bet than a lazar or a beggestere ; For unto swich a worthy man as he Acorded nat, as by his facultee. To have with sike lazars aqueyntaunce ; It is nat honeste, it may nat avaunce For to deelen with no swiche poraille ; But al with riche and selleres of vitaille. And over al, ther as profit sholde arise, Curteis he was and lowely of servyse, 250 Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous. He was the beste beggere in his hous,* For thogh a wydwe hadde noght a sho, So plesaunt was his In principio, Yet wolde he have a ferthyng er he wente: His purchas was wel bettre than his rente. And rage he koude, as it were right a whelpe. 252. Hengwrt MS. here inserts two lines : ' And yaf a certeyn fenne for the graunt. Noon of his bretheren cam ther in his haunt,' i.e. paid rent for his privilege and was left undis- turbed by his brethren. The couplet is probably Chaucer's, but may have been deliberately omitted by him, as it interrupts the sentence. 254. In principio, the beginning of St. John's Gospel, to the first few verses from which magical value was attached. 256. His purchas, etc. The proceeds of his begging were much greater than the rent or 'ferme (see note to 1. 252) which he paid to his convent. 257. H reads 'and rage he couthe and pleye[nl as a whelpe.' THE PROLOGUE 258-331 In love-dayes ther koude he muchel helpe, For there he was nat lyk a doysterer With a thredbare cope, as is a poure scoler, But he was lyk a maister, or a pope ; 261 Of double worstede was his semycope, That rounded as a belle out of the presse. Somwhat he lipsed for his wantownesse, To make his Englissh sweet upon his tonge, And in his harpyng, whan that he hadde songe, His eyen twynkled in his heed aryght As doon the sterres in the frosty nyght. This worthy lymytour was cleped Huberd. A Marchant was ther with a forked herd, 270 In motteleye, and hye on horse he sat ; Upon his heed a Flaundryssh bevere hat; His bootes clasped faire and fetisly ; His resons he spak ful solempnely, Sownynge alway thencreesof his wynnyng. He wolde the see were kept for any thing Bitwixe Middelburgh and Orewelle. Wei koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle. This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette, Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette, So estatly was he of his governaunce 281 With his bargaynes and with his chevyssaunce. For sothe he was a worthy man with-alle But, sooth to seyn, I noot how men hym calle. A Clerk ther was of Oxenford also That unto logyk hadde longe y-go. As leene was his hors as is a rake, And he nas nat right fat, I undertake. But looked holwe, and ther-to sobrely ; Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy ; For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice, Ne was so worldly for to have ofBce ; For hym was levere have at his beddes heed Twenty bookes clad in blak or reed Of Aristotle and his philosophic. Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie : 277. Middtlburgk, nearly opposite the Orwell on the Dutch coast. Professor Hales notes that between 1384 and 1388 the wool-staple was at Middelburgh instead of at Calais. 278. sheeldes^ French crowns or icusl he could profit by the turn of exchange. But al be that he was a philosophre, Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre ; But al that he myghte of his freendes hente On bookes and his lernynge he it spente, And bisily gan for the soules preye 301 Of hem that yaf hym wher-with to scoleye. Of studie took he moost cure and moost heede, Noght o word spak he moore than was neede, And that was seyd in forme and reverence, And short and quyk and ful of hy sentence. Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche And gladly woldehe lerne and gladly teche. A Sergeant of the Law^;, war and wys, That often hadde been at the Parvys, 310 Ther was also, ful riche of excellence. Discreet he was, and of greet reverence ; He semed swich, hise wordes weren so wise. Justice he was fill often in Assise, By patente and by pleyn commissioun : For his science and for his heigh renoun. Of fees and robes hadde he many oon ; So greet a purchasour was nowher noon. Al was fee symple to hym in effect, His piirchasyng myghte nat been infect. Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas, 321 And yet he semed bisier than he was. In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle That from the tyme of kyng William were falle ; Ther-to hecoude endite and make a thyng, Ther koude no wight pynchen at his writyng ; And every statut coude he pleyn by rote. He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote. Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale ; Of his array telle I no lenger tale. 330 A Frankeleyn was in hiscompaignye. 297. philosophre^ an allusion to the philosophy of the alchemists. 310. Parvys^ church-porch, i,e. of St. Paul's, where lawyers met for consultation. 319. fee symple. The meaning may be either (literally) that the Sergeant could overcome all restrictions on ownership, or (metaphorically) that he could carrv all before him. 332-406 THE CANTERBURY TALES Whit was his herd as is a dayesye, Of his complexioun he was sangwyn. Wei loved he by the morwe a sope in wyn ; To lyven in delit was ever his wone, For he was Epicurus owene sone, That heeld opinioun that pleyn delit Was verraily felicitee parfit. An housholdere, and that a greet, was he : Seint Julian was he in his contree ; 340 His breed, his ale, was alweys after oon ; A better envyned man was nowher noon. Withoute bake mete was never his hous, Of fissh and flessh, and that so plenteuous It snewed in his hous of mete and drynlce. Of alle deyntees that men koude thynke After the sondry sesons of the yeer, So chaunged he his mete and his soper. Ful many a fat partrich hadde he in muwe And many a breem and many a luce in stuwe. 3SO Wo was his cook but if his sauce were Poynaunt and sharpe and redy al his geere. His table dormant in his halle alway. Stood redy covered al the longe day. At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire ; Fal ofte tyme he was knyght of the shire. An anlaas, and a gipser al of silk, Heeng at his girdel, whit as morne milk ; A shirreve hadde he been, and a Countour. Was nowher such a worthy vavasour. 360 An Haberdassherb, and a Car- penter, A Webbe, a Dyere, and a Tapycer, — And they were clothed alle in o lyveree Of a soWmpne and greet fraternitee ; Ful fressh and newe hir geere apiked was ; Hir knyves wpre'chaped noght with bras, But al with silver, wroght ful clene and weel. Hire girdles and hir pouches everydeel. Wei semed ech of hem a fair burgeys To, sit'ten in a yeldehalle, on a deys. ' 370 332, lieed forherd^ E. 340. St. Julian was famed for providing his votaries with good entertainment. . 341. a/ier oon, of one kind, i.e. the best. 303. (7, one. H reads ^Weren with uss eeke clothed in 00 ly vere. ' 364. E^ add a before ^«/, with which reading we must scan : ' Of a 'sd | lempne and | ,' etc. 3^verich for the wisdom that he kan Was shaply for to been an alderman. For catel hadde they ynogh and rente, And eek hir wyves wolde it wel assente ; And elles certeyn were they to blame. It is ful fair to been y-cleped Madame, And goon to vigilies al bifore. And have a mantel roialUche y-bore. A Cook they hadde with hem for the nones, 379 To boille the chiknes with the marybones. And poudre-marchant tart and galyngale ; Wel koude he knowe a draughte of Londoun ale ; He koude rooste and sethe and boille and frye, Maken mortreux and wel bake a pye. But greet harm was it, as it thoughte me, That on his shyne a mormal hadde he. For blankmanger, that made he with the beste. A Shipman was ther, wonynge fer by weste ; For aught I woot he was of Dertemouthe. He rood upon a rouncy as he kouthe, 390 In a gowne of faldyng to the knee. A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he Aboute his nekke under his arm adoun. The hoote somer hadde maad his hewe al broun ; And certeinly he was a good felawe. Ful many a draughte of wyn hadde he y-drawe Fro Burdeuxward whil that the Chapman sleepe. Of nyce conscience took he no keepe. 398 If that hefaught, and hadde the hyer bond ; By water he sente hem hoom to every lond. But of his craft to rekene wel his tydes. His stremes and his daungers hym bisides, His herberwe and his moone, his lode- menage, ThernasnoonswichfromHuUetoCartage. Hardy he was, and wys to undertake : With many a tempest hadde his herd been shake ; 400. By water^ etc., i.e. he drowned his prisoners. THE PROLOGUE 407-461 He knew wel alle the havenes, as they were, From Gootlond to the Cape of Fynystere, And every cryke in Britaigne and in Spayne. His barge y-cleped was the Maudelayne. With us ther was a Doctour of Phisik ; 4H In, all this world ne was ther noon hym lik, To speke of phisik and of surgerye ; For he was grounded in astronomye. He kepte his pacient a ful greet deel In houres, by his magyk natureel. Wel koude he fortunen the ascendent Of his ymages for his pacient. He knew the cause of everich maladye, Were it of hoot, or cold, or moyste, or drye, And where they engendred and of what humour ; 421 He was a verray parfit praktisour. The cause y-knowe and of his harm the roote. Anon he yaf the sike man his boote. Ful redy hadde he his apothecaries To sende him drogges and his letuaries. For ech of hem made oother for to wynne, Hir frendshipe nas nat newe to bigynne. Wel knew he the olde Esculapius And Deyscorides, and eek Rufiis, 430 Olde Ypocras, Haly and Galyen, Serapion, Razis and Avycen, Averrois, Damascien and Constantyn, 408. Gooiiond, Isle of Gottland in the Baltic. 411. With, us ther was, 'Sfi\ Thertuas atiOjB.. 415. a full greet deel^ £6 ; ivondurly wel, H. 416. In houres, ue. the astrological hours. 418. ^images, astrological figures, cp. Hous of Fame, iii. 175-180, 420. hoot, or cold, etc., the four elements of which the world was believed to be composed. 430. Deyscorides, Dioscorides, a physician of the 2nd century A.D., born in Cilicia. 430. Rvfus, a physician of Ephesus, about the time of Trajan. 43T. Olde Ypocras, Hippocrates, bom in Cos about 460 B.C. 431. Haly, or Hall, an Arabian commentator on Galen in the nth century ; John Serapion and the famous Avicenna were his contemporaries. 431. Galyen, Galen, bom at Pergamus 1^0 a.d. 432. Razis, or Rhazes, an Arabian physician of the loth century. 433. Averrois, born at Cordova 1126. 433. Damascien, John Damascene, an Arab physician and theologian of the gth century, 433. Constantyn, Constantinus Afer, born at Carthage in the 12th century. Bernard and Gatesden and Gilbertyn. Of his diete mesurable was he, For it was of no siiperfluitee. But of greet norissyng and digestible. His studie was but litel on the Bible. In sangwyn and in pers he clad was al, Lyned with taffata and with sendal. 440 And yet he was but esy of dispence. He kepte that he wan in pestilence. For gold in phisik is a cordial, Therfore he lovede gold in special. A Good wif was ther of biside Bathe, But she was som-del deef, and that was scathe. Of clooth-makyng she hadde swich an haunt She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt. In al the parisshe wif ne was ther noon That to the offrynge bifore hire sholde goon ; 4SO And if ther dide, certeyn so wrooth was she. That she was out of alle charitee. Hir coverchiefs fill fyne weren of ground, — I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound, — That on a Sonday weren upon hir heed. Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed, Ful streite y-teyd, and shoes fill moyste and newe ; Boold was hir face, and fair, and reed of hewe. She was a worthy womman al hir lyve, Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde fyve, 460 Withouten oother compaignye in youthe, — 434. Berftard, Bemardus Gordonius, a con- temporary of Chaucer, Professor of Medicine at Montpellier. 434. Gatesden, John Gatesden, Fellow of Merton College, Oxford, and court physician in the first half of the 14th century. He wrote a medical treatise called Rosa Angtica, 434. Gilbertyn, Gilbertus Anglicus, one of the earliest English writers on medicine, fl. 1250. 442. pestilences The great plague of the 14th century was in 1349, but lesser ones recurred every few years. 450. to the offrynge. Offerings in kind or money at mass and other services were presented by the people going up in order to the priest. . 460. at chirche dore. The first part of the marriage service used to be read there. 462-538 THE CANTERBURY TALES But ther-of nedeth nat to spelce as nowthe, — And thries hadde she been at Jerusalem ; She hadde passed many a straunge strem ; At Rome she hadde been, and at Boloigne, In Gahce at Seint Jame, and at Coloigne, She koude muchel of wandrynge by the weye. Gat-tothed was she, soothly for to seye. Upon an amblere esily she sat, 469 Y-wympIed wel, and on hir heed an hat As brood as is a bokeler or a targe ; A foot mantel aboute hir hipes large, And on hire feet a paire of spores sharpe. In felaweshipe wel koude she laughe and carpe ; Of remedies of love she knew per chaunce. For she koude of that art the olde daunce. A good man was ther of religioun. And was a PouRE Persoun of a Toun ; But riche he was of hooly thoght and werk ; He was also a lerned man, a clerk, 480 That Cristes Gospel trewely wolde preche : His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche. Benygne he was, and wonder diligent. And in adversitee ful pacient ; And swich he was y-preved ofte sithes. Ful looth were hym to cursen for his tithes, But rather wolde he yeven, out of doute, Untb his poure parisshens aboute. Of his offryng and eek of his substaunce : He koude in litel thjrag have suffisaunce. Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer asonder, 491 But he ne lafte nat for reyn ne thonder. In siknesse nor in meschief to visite Theferreste in his parisshe, mucheand lite, Upon his feet, and in his hand a staf. This noble ensample to his sheepe he yaf That firste he wroghte and afterward he taughte. Out of the gospel he tho wordes caughte, 465. Boloiffne^ _ Boulogne,^ where an image of the Blessed Virgin was exhibited to pilgrims. 466. In Gatice at S. Jame, i.e. at the shrine of St. James of Compostella in Galicia in Spain. 466. Coloigne, to the shrine of the Three Kings of the East at Cologne. 476. koude the olde daunce (' Qu'el scet toute la vielle dance,' Rom. de la Rose), knew the ancient custom. And this figure he added eek therto. That if gold ruste what shal iren doo? 500 For if a preest be foul, on whom we truste, No wonder is a lewed man to ruste ; And shame it is, if a prest take keepe, A shiten shepherde and a clene sheepe. Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yive By his clennesse how that his sheepe sholde \y\e. He sette nat his benefice to hyre Andleethis sheepe encombred in themyre, And ran to Londoun, unto Seint Poules, To seken hym a chaunterie for soules ; 510 Or with a bretherhed to been withholde. But dwelte at hoomandkepte wel hisfolde, Sothat the wolf ne made it nat myscarie, — He was a shepherde, and noght a raercenarie : And though he hooly were and vertuous, He was to synfiil man nat despitous, Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne, But in his techyng d&creet and benygne. To drawen folk to hevene by fairnesse. By good ensample, this was his bisynesse: But it were any persona obstinat, 521 What so he were, of heigh or lough estat, Hym wolde he snybben sharply for the nonys. A bettre preest I trowe that nowher noon ys ; He waited after no pompe and reverence, Ne maked him a spiced conscience, But Cristes loore, and his Apostles twelve. He taughte, but first he folwed it hym selve. With hym ther was a Plowman, was his brother, That hadde y-lad of dong ful many a fother, — 530 A trewe swynkere and a good was he, Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee. God loved he best, with al his hoole herte, At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte. And thanne his neighebore right as hym- selve. He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve, For Cristes sake, for every poure wight, Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght. 8 THE PROLOGUE 539-607 His tithes payde he fill feire and wel, Botha of his propre swynk and his catel. In a tabard he rood upon a mere. 541 Ther was also a Reve and a Millere, A SoMNOUR and a Pardoner also, A Maunciple and myself, — ther were namo. The Millere was a stout carl for the nones, Ful byg he was of brawn and eek of bones ; That proved wel, for over-al, ther he cam, Atwrastlyngehewolde have awey the ram. He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre, Ther nas no dore that he nolde heve of harre, 550 Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed. His herd, as any sowe or fox, was reed. And therto brood, as though it werea spade. Upon the cope right of his nose he hade A werte, and theron stood a toft of herys, Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys ; His nosethirles blake were and wyde ; A swerd and a bokeler bar he by his syde ; His mouth as wyde was as a greet forneys, He was a janglere and a goliardeys, 560 And that was moost of synne and harlotries. Wel koude he stelen com and toUen thriSs, And yet hehaddeathombeof gold, pardee. A whit cote and a blew hood wered he. A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne. And therwithalhebroghte us outof towne. A gentil Maunciple was ther of a temple. Of which achatours myghte take example For to be wise in byynge of vitaille ; For, whaither that ha payde or took by taille, 570 Algata he wayted so in his achaat That he was ay biforn and in good staat. 548. Ofwey, E' ahuey. 559- ivydi, H ; greet, ¥fi. 562. toUen thries, take threefold his due. 563. yet he hadde a thombe of gold. Millers are said to test samples with their thumb. Hence the proverb ' An honest miller has a thumb of gold,' which suggests the meaning here to be ' yet he was honest, — for a miller.' 570. by taille^ on trust, the debt being scored 9n a tally. B2 Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace The wisdom of an heapa of larnad men ? Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten. That waren of lawe expert and curious. Of whiche ther weren a duszayna in that hous Worthy to been sty wardes of rente and lond Of any lord that is in Engelond, 580 To maken hym lyve by his propre good In honour dattelees, but he were wood. Or lyve as scarsly as hym list desire ; And able for to helpen al a shire In any caas that myghte falle or happe ; And yet this Manciple settehir aller cappa. The Reve was a sclendre colerik man, His berd was shave as ny as ever he kan ; His hear was by his erys round y-shorn. His tope was doked lyk a preest biforn, Ful longe were his legges and ful lene, Y-lyk a staf, ther was no calf y-sane. 592 Wel koude he kapa a garner and a bynne, Thar was noon auditour koude on him Vienna. Wel wiste he, by the droghte and by the reyn. The yeldynge of his seed and of his grayn. His lordes sheepe, his naet, his-dayerye, His swyn, his hors, his stoor, and his pultrye. Was hoolly in this reves govemyng. And by his covenant yaf the rakanyng 600 Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age ; Thar koude no man brynga hym in arraraga. There nas baillif, ne hierde, nor oother hyne. That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne ; They were adrad of hym as of the deeth. His wonyng was ful faire upon an heeth. With grane trees y-shadwed was his place. 58T. by his propre good, on his own property. 586. seite hir aller cappe, set the caps of, i.e. befooled, them all. 594. on, E of. 595. Wel ■wiste Jie, etc., i.e. when he had to present his accounts he attributed the loss of the corn he had stolen to bad weather. 604. he, i.e. the Reeve, though H reads they. 608-676 THE CANTERBURY ^lALES He koude bettre than his lord purchace. Ful riche he was a-stored pryvelyj His lord wel koude he plesen subtUly 6io To yeve and lene hym of his owene good And have a thank, and yet a gowne and hood. In youthe he lerned hadde a good myster, He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter. This Reve sat upon a fill good stot, That was al pomely grey, and highte Scot; A long surcote of pars upon he hade. And by his syde he baar a rusty blade. Of Northfolk was this Reve of which I telle, Biside a toun men clepen Baldeswelle. Tukked he was as is a firere, aboute, 621 And ever he rood the hyndreste of oure route. A SoMONOUR was ther with us in that place, That hadde a fyr-reed cherubynnes face, For sawcefleem he was, with eyen narwe. As hoot he was, and lecherous, as a spar we, With scaled bro wes blake and piled herd, — Of his visage children were aferd. Ther nas quyk- silver, lytarge, ne brym- stoon. Boras, ceruce, ne oille of Tartre noon, 630 Ne oynement that wolde dense and byte, That hym myghte helpen of the whelkes white, Nor of the knobbes sittynge on his chekes. Wel loved he garleek, oynons, and eek lekes. And for to drynken strong wyn, reed as blood ; Thanne wolde he speke, and crie as he were wood. And whan that he wel dronken hadde the wyn, Than wolde he speke no word but Latyn. A fewe termes hadde he, two or thre. That he had lerned out of som decree,^- No wonder is, he herde it al the day, 641 And eek ye knowen wel how that a jay 6-zi^ clUru^imesface. The author of the /'^zVtj- hiblon speaks of books brilliantly illuminated as ' cherubici libw-' , ' . Kan clepen Watte as wel as kan the pope. But whoso koude in oother thyng hym grope, I Thanne hadde he spent al his philosophie; Ay Questio quid juris wolde he Crie. He was a gentil harlot and a kynde ; ■ A bettre felawe sholde men noght fynde. He wolde suffre, for a quart of \*yn, A good felawe to have his concubyn 650 A twelf monthe, and excuse hym atte fiille; And prively a fynch eek koude he puUe ; And if he foond owher a good felawe. He wolde techen him to have noon awe, In swich caas, of the Ercedekenes curs, But-if a mannes soule were in his purs ; For in his purs he sholde y-punysshed be : ' Purs is the Ercedekenes helle,' seyde he. But wel I woot he lyed' right in dede, Of cursyng oghte ech gilty man him drede, For curs Wol slee, — right as assoillyng savith ; 66i And also war him of a Significavit. In daunger hadde he at his owene gise The yonge girles of the diocise',' And knew hir conseil, and was al hir reed. A gerlarid hadde he set upon his heed. As greet as it were for an ale-stake ; A bokeleer hadde he maad him of a ca:ke. With hym ther rood a gentil PardonEr Of Rbunoiyale, hisfreend and his compeer. That straight was comen fro the court of Rome. 671 Ful loude he soong Com hider, love, to mel This Somonour b^r to hym,a stif burdoun, Was never trompe of half so greet a soun. This Pardoner hadde heer as yelow as wex But smothe it heeng as dooth a strike of , , flex ; 043. Kan clepen IVatie, can call Walter. 646. Questio quid juris, the question is, what is the law? .652. pulle aj^iich, as we should say ' pluck a pigeon,' plunder a fool. 662. Significavit, the opening Word of a writ for imprisoning an excommunicated person. 664. girles; youths of both sexes. ■ 670. OfRouncivale. 'AnKospit3.\Beatts Maria de Rouncyvalle in Ckaring, London is mentioned in .the Monasticotf\D^z^^'^.^, t. ii.p. 443^ and there was a Runceval Hall in Oxford. So that perhaps it was the. name of some confraternity.* — Tyrwhitt. The parent Roncevaux was - in Navarre. .i. 10 THE PROLOGUE 677-760 By ounces henge his lokkes that he hadde, And therwith he his shuldres overspradde. But thynne it lay by colpons oon and oon ; But hood, for jolitee, ne wered he noon, For it was trussed up in his walet. 68 1 Hym thoughte he rood al of the newe jet ; Dischevelee, save his cappe, he rood al bare. Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an Iiare, A vemycle hadde he sowed upon his cappe ; His walet lay bifom hym in his lappe Bret-ful of pardon, comen from Rome al hoot. A Toys he hadde as smal as hath a goot ; No herd hadde he, ne never sholde have, As smothe it was as it were late shave ; I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare. 691 But of his craft, fro Berwyk unto Ware Ne was ther swich another pardoner, For in his male he hadde a pilwe-beer, Which that, he seyde, was oure lady veyl ; He seyde he hadde a gobet of the seyl ThatSeintePeter hadde, whan thathewente Upon the see, til Jhesu Crist hym hente. He hadde a croysof latoun, ful of stones. And in a glas he hadde pigges boiies. 700 But with thise relikes, whan that he fond A poure person dwellyrige upon lond, Upon a day he gat hym moore moheye Than that the person gat in monthes tweye; And thus with feyned flaterye and japes He made the person and the peple his apes. But, trewely to tellen atte laste, He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste ; Wei koude he rede a lessoun or a storie, But alderbest he song an Offertorie ; 710 For wel he wiste, whan that song was songe, He moste preche, and wel affile his tonge To Wynne silver, as he fill wel koude ; Therefore he song the murierly and loude. Now have I toold you shortly, in a clause, The staat, tharray, the nombre, and eek the cause ' Why that assembled was this compaignye In Southwerk, at this gentil hostelrye, That highte the Tabard, faste by the Belle. But now is tyme to yow for to telle 720 How that we baren us that ilke nyght, Whan we were in -that hostelrie alyght ; And after wol I telle of our viage And al the remenaunt of oure pilgrimage. But first, I pray yow of youre curteisye. That ye narette it nat my vileynye, Thogh that I pleynly speke in this mateere To telle yow hir wordes and hir cheere, Ne thogh I speke hir wordes proprely ; For this ye knowen al-so wel as I, 730 Whoso shal telle a tale after a man. He moote reherce, as. ny as ever he kan, ' - • Everich a word, if it be in his' charge, Al speke he never so rudieliche or large ; Or ellis he moot telle his tale untrewe, Or feyne thyng, or iynde wordes newe. He may nat spare, althogh he were his brother ; He moot as wel seye o word as another. Grist spak hymself ful brode in hooly writ. And wel ye woot no vileynye is it. 740 Eek Plato seith, whoso that kan hym rede, ' The wordes moote be eosyn to the dede.' Also I prey, yow to foryeve it me Al have I nat: set folk in hir degree Heere in this tale, as that they sholde stonde-; Mywit is short, ye may wel understonde. Greet chiere made oure boost us everichon, And- to the soper sette he us anon, And served us with vitaille at the beste : Strong was the wyn and wel; to.drynke us leste. I 750 A semely man Oure Hooste was with-alle For to han been a marchal in an halle. . A large man he was, with eyen stepe, A fairer burgeys is ther noon in Chepe ; Boold of his speche, and wys and well y-taught And of manhodhym lakkede right naught. Eek therto he was right- a myrie man. And after scper pleyen he bigan, And spak , of myrthe amonges othere thynges. Whan that we hadde maadourfekenynges; 727. pleynly speke, E6 ■ speke al pleyn, H. 741. Eek Flaio seith. Chaucer takes his quotation from Boethius, De Consolaiione, bk. ill. prose 12. 733. is, E2 was. 761-834 THE CANTERBURY TALES And seyde thus: 'Now, lordynges, trewely, 761 Ye been to me right welcome, hertely ; For by my trouthe, if that I shal nat lye, I ne saugh this year so myrie a compaignye At ones in this herberwe as is now ; Fayn wolde I doon yow myrthe, wiste I how. And of a myrthe I am right' now bythoght. To doon yow ese, and it shal coste noght. ■' Ye goon to Canterbury — God yow speede, ■ 769 The blis&l martir quite yow youre meede ! And, wel I woot, as ye goon by the weye. Ye shapen yow to talen and to pleye ; For trewely confort ne myrthe is noon To ride by the weye doumb as a stoon ; And therfore wol I maken yow disport. As I seyde erst, and doon yow som confort. And if you liketh alle, by oon assent. Now for to stonden at my juggement. And for to werken as I shal' yow seye, To-morwe, whan ye riden by the weye. Now, by my fader soule, that is deed, 781 But ye be myrie, smyteth of myn heed ! Hoold up youre hond, withouten moore speche.'' ' Oure conseil was nat longe for to seche ; Us thoughte it was noght worth to make it wys. And graunted hjrm withouten moore avys. And bad him seye his verdit, as hym leste. ' Lbrdynges,' quod he, ' now herkneth for the beste ; But taak it nought, I prey yow, in desdeyn ; This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn, • • 790 That ech of yow, to shorte with your weye, In this viage shal telle tales tweye^, — .\ To Caunterburyward, I mean it so, And homward he shal tellen othere twb, — Of aventiiies that whUora han bifalle. 782. . For smyteth of (i.e. off)^ E6 read / wol yeve yow. •;gT. E5 read pure for your^ but this makes the Host too precipitate. 793j 794" As the pilgrims progress we see clearly that they are only to tell one tale each on_ their way to Canterbury. And which of yow that bereth hym beste of alle, That is' to seyn, that telleth in this caas Tales of best sentence and moost solaas, Shal have a soper at oure aller cost, 799 Heere in this place, sittynge by this post, Whan thatwe come agayn fro Caunterbury. And, for to make yow the moore mury, I wol myselven gladly with yow ryde Right at myn owene cost, and be youre , gyde ; And whoso wole my juggement withseye Shal paye al that we spenden by the weye. And if ye vouche-sauf that it be so Tel me anon, withouten wordes mo. And I wol erly shape me therfore.' This thyng was graunted, and oure ■ othes swore 810 With ful glad herte, and preyden hym also That he would vouche-sauf for to do so, And that he wolde been oure governour, And of our tales juge and r^portour, And sette a soper at a certeyn pris. And we wol reuled been at his devys In heigh and lough ; and thus, by oon assent, We been acorded to his juggement, .■ And therupon the wyn wasfet anon ; We dronken, and to reste wente echon, Withouten any lenger .taryynge. 8zi Amorwe, whan that day gan for to sprynge, Up roos oure Hoostand was oure aller cok, And gadrede us togidre alle in a flok, Andforth we riden, a lilel moore tnan paas. Unto the wateryng of Seint Thomas ; And there oure Hoost bigan his hors areste And seyde, 'LordyngeS, herkneth, if yow leste : Ye woot youre foreward and I it yow i recorde. , .„ If even-song and morwe-song accorde, 830 Lat se now who shal telle the firste tale. As ever mote I drjmke wyn or ale. Whoso be rebel to my juggement , Shal paye for all that by the wey is spent ! 799. otire aller, of us all. your aller, H; 803. gladly, ^^ goodly. . 826. the watering of St. Thomas, a brook near ^the second milestone on the Canterbury Road, where pilgrims watered their horses. GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 835-898 Now draweth cut, er that weferrer twynne. He which that hath the shorteste shal bigynne. Sire Knyght,' quod he, 'my mayster and my lord. Now draweth cut, for that is myn accord. Cometh neer,'quod he, 'myladyPrioresse, And ye sire Clerk, lat be your shame- fastnesse, 840 Ne studieth noght ; ley hond to, every man. ' Anon to drawen every wight bigan, And, shortly for to tellen as it was, Were it by aventure, or sort, or cas. The sothe is this, the cut iil to the knyght, Of which M blithe and glad was every wyght : And telle he moste hf" tale, as was resoun, By foreward and by composicioun, As ye han herd ; what nedeth wordes mo? And whan this goode man saugh that it was so, 850 As he that wys was and obedient To kepe his foreward by his free assent, He seyde, ' Syn I shal bigynne the game. What, welcome be the cut, a Goddes name ! Now lat us ryde, and herkneth what I seye.' Arid with that word we ryden forth oure weye ; And he bigan with right a myrie cheere His tale anon, and seyde in this manere. [TALES OF THE FIRST DAY] [GROUP A] KNIGHT'S TALE Heere bigymuth The Knyghtes Tale Whilom, as olde stories tellen us, Ther was a due that highte Theseus ; 860 Of Atthenes he was lord and govemour. And in his tyme swich a conquerour, That gretterwas ther noon under thesonne. Ful many a riche contree hadde he wonne ; That with his wysdom and his chivalrie He conquered al the regne of Femenye, That whilom was y-cleped Scithia ; And weddede the queene Ypolita, And broghte hire hoom with hym in his contree With muchelglorieand greet solempnytee. And eek hir faire suster Emelye. 871 And thus with victorie and with melodye Lete I this noble due to Atthenes ryde, And al his boost in armes hym bisyde. Knishfs Tale. Adapted from Boccaccio's Teseide with mucti abridgement and many original additions. 866. the regne of Femenye^ the' kingdom of the Amazons. 871. /aire, '^^yonge. And certes, if it nere to long to heere, I wolde han told yow fully the manere How wonnen was the regne of Femenye By Theseus and by his chivalrye ; And of the grete bataille for the nones Bitwixen Atthenes and Amazones ; 880 And how asseged was Ypolita, The faire, hardy queene of Scithia, And of the feste that was at hir weddynge, And of the tempest at hir hoom-com^nge ; But al that thyng I moot as now jforbere. I have, God woot,.a large feeld to ere, And wayke been the oxen in my plough. The remenant of the tale is long ynough, I wol nat letten eek noon of this route. Lat every felawe telle his tale aboute, 890 And lat se now who shal the soper wynne ; And ther I lefte I wol ageyn bigynne. This due, of whom I make mencioun, Whan he was come almost unto the toun. In al his wele, and in his mooste pride. He was war, as he caste his eye aside, Where that ther Icneled in the hye weye A compaignye of ladyes, tweye and tweye, n 899-975 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A Ech after oother, clad in clothes blake ; But swich a cry and swich a wo they make That in this world nys creature lyvynge That herde swich another waymentynge : And of this cry they nolde nevere stenten, Til they the reynes of his brydel henten. 'What folk been ye, that at myn hom-coiri^gd Perturben so my feste with cringe ? ' Quod Theseus. ' Have ye so greet envye Of myn honoiir, that thus compleyne and crye? '■ Or who hath yow mysboden or offended ? And telleth me if it may been amended, And why that ye been clothed thus in blak ? ? gii The eldeste lady of hem alle spak < Whan she hadde swowned with a deedly cheere, That it was routhe for to seen and heere. And seyde, ' Lord, to whoin fortune hath yeven Victorie, and as a conqueror to lyven, Nat greveth us youre glorie and youre honour. But we biseken metcy and socour. ' Have mercy on oure wo and dure distresse : Som drope of pitee, thurgh thy gentillesse, Upon us wrecched wommen lat thou falle : For certes, \oi&, ther is noon of us alle That she ne hath been ,a duchesse or a queene. ' ' Now be we caytyves, as it is wel scene : Thanked be Fortune and hire felse whefel. That noon estat assureth to be weel. And certes, lord, toabyden youre presence, Heere in the temple of the goddesse Clemence We han ben waitynge al this fourte- nyght ; • Now help lis, lord, sith it is iii thy myght. ' 930 'I wrecche, which that wepe and waille thus. Was whilom wyf to kyng Cappaneiii; ' That starf at Thebes; cursed be that day! And alle we that been in this array. And maken al this lamentacioun, 931. waille, E3 crig» We losten alle oure housbondes at that toun, ' Whil that the seege ther-aboute lay. And yet now the qlde Creon, weylaway ! That lord is now of Thebes, the citee, Fulfild of ire and of iniquitee, 940 He, for despit and for his tirannye, To do the dede bodyes vileynye Of alle oure lordes, whiche that been slawe. Hath alle the bodyes on an heepe y-drawe, And wol nat suffren hem, by noon assent, Neither to been y-buryed nor y-brent, . . But maketh houndes ete hem in despit' And with that word, withouten moore . respit, ■ They fiUen gruf, and criden pitously, ' Have on us vn:ecched wommen som mercy, 950 And lat oure sorwe synken in thjm herte.' This gentil due doun from his courser st'erte With herte pitous, whan he herde hem speke. Hjmi thoughte that his herte wolde brake WTian he saugh hem, so pitous and so maat, That whilom weren of so greet estaat ; And in his armes he hem alle up hente. And hem conforteth in ful good entente. And swoor his ooth, as he was trewe knyght,- gs9 He wolde doon so ferforthly his myghf / Upon the tiraunt Creon hem to wreke. That all the peple of Grece sholde speke How Creon was of Theseus y-served,. As he that hadde his deeth ful wel deserved. And right anoon, withouten moore abood, His baner he desplayeth and forth rood To Thebesward, and al his boost biside. No neer Atthenes wolde he go ne ride, Ne take his ese fully half a day, 969 But onward on his wey that nyght he lay ; And sente anon Ypolita the queene. And Emelye, hir yonge suster sheene, , Unto the toun of Atthenes to dwelle, And forth he rit ; ther is namoore to telle. The rede statue of Mars with spere and targe 949. fiUtngnif, fell on their f&ces. 14 GROUP A KNIGHTS TALE 976-1059 So shjmeth in his white baner large, That alle the feeldes glyteren up and doun, And by his baner born is his penoun Of gold fill riche, in which ther was y-bete The Mynotaur, which that he slough in Crete. 980 Thus rit this due, thus rit this con- querour, And in his boost of chivalrie the flour, Til that he cam to Thebes, and alighte Faire in a feeld, ther as he thoughte fighte. But, shortly for to speken of this thyng. With Creon, which that was of Thebes kyng. He feught, and slough hym manly as a knyght, In pleyn ' bataille, and putte the folk to flyght, And by assaut he wan the citee after. And rente adoun bothe wall and sparre and rafter ggo And to the ladyes he restored agayn The bones of hir housbondes that weren slayn. To doon obsequies as was tho the gyse. But it were al to longe for to devyse The grete clamour and the waymentyngS That the ladyes made at the brennynge Of the bodies, and the grete honour That Theseus, the noble conquerour, Dooth to the ladyes whan they from hym wente ; But shortly for to telle is myn entente. Whan that this worthy due, this Theseus, looi Hath Creon slayn, and wonne Thebes thus, Stille in that feeld he took al nyghthisreste, And dide with al the contree as hym leste. To ransake in the taas of bodyes dede, Hem for to strepe of hameys andof wede, The pilours diden bisynesse and cure After the bataille and disconfiture. And so bifel that in the taas they founde, Thurgh-girt with many a grevous, blody wounde, loio Two yonge knyghtes, liggynge by and by, Bothe in oon armes, wroght ful richely, 977, thefe6ldes^ sometimes \Vrongly explained as the heraldic ground of his banner ; but cp. Anelida, 1. 40. 993. obsequies, H exequies. Of whiche two Arcita highte that oon, And that oother knyght highte Palamon. Nat fully quyke, ne ftilly dede they were. But by here cote-armures and by hir gere The heraudes knewe hem best in special. As they that weren of the blood roial Of Thebes, and of sustren two y-born. Out of the taas the pilours han hem torn And han hem caried softe unto the tente Of Theseus, and ful soone he hem sente To Atthenes, to dwellen in prisoun Perpetuelly, he nolde no raunsoun. And whan this worthy due hath thus y-don^ He took his boost and hoom he rood anon. With laurer crowned as a conquerour ; And ther he lyftih in joye and in honour Terme of hislyve ; whatnedethwordesmo? And in a tour, in angwissh and in wo, 1030 This Palamon and his felawe Arcite For evermoore ; ther may no gold hem quite. This paSseth yeer by yeer and day by day. Till it fil ones, in a morwe of May, That Emelye, that fairer was to sene Than is the lylie upon his stalke grene. And fressher than the May with floiires newe, — For with the rose colour stroof hire hewe, I noot which was the fyner of hem two, — Er it were day, as was hir wone to do. She was arisen and al redy dight : 1041 For May wole have no slogard'rie a nyght, The sesoun priketh every gentil herte And maketh hym out of his slepe to sterte, And seith, ' Arys, and do Xhyn observaunce. ' This maked Emelye have remembraunce To doon honour to May, and for to ryse. Y-clothed was she fresshe, for to devyse ; Hir yelow beer was broyded in a tresse Bihynde hir bak, a yerde long, I gesse ; icso And in the gardyn, at the Sonne up-riste. She walketh up and doun, and as hire liste She gadereth floures, party white and rede, To make a subtil gerland for hire hede. And as an aungel hevenysshly she soong. The grete tour, that was so thikke and stroong, Which of the castel was the chief dongeiiun (Ther as the knyghtes weren in prisoun. Of whiche I tolde yow and telleh shal), 15 fo6o-ii4S THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A. Was evene joynant to the gardyn wal, Ther as this Emelye hadde hir pleyynge. Bright was the Sonne, and deer that morwenynge, And Palamon, this woM prisoner, As was his wone, bi leve of his gayler. Was risen, and romed in a chambre on heigh, io6s In which he al the noble citee seigh, And eek the gardyn, fulof braunchesgrene, Ther as this fresshe Emelye the sheene Was in hire walk and romed up and doun. This sorwefiil prisoner, this Palamoun, Goth in the chambre romynge to and fro. And to hymself compleynynge of his wo ; Thathe was born, ful ofte he seyde, 'alias !' And so bifel, by aventure or cas. That thurgh a wyndow, thikke of many a barre 1075 Of iren, greet and square as any sparre, He cast his eyen upon Emelya, And therwithal he bleynte and cride, 'A !' As though he stongen were unto the herte. And with that cry Arcite anon up sterte. And seyde, ' Cosyn myn, what eyleth thee, That art so pale and deedly on to see ? Why cridestow ? who hath thee doon offence ? For Goddes love, taak al in pacience Oure prisoun, for it may noon oother be ; Fortune hath yeven us this adversitee. Som wikke aspect or disposicioun Of Saturne, by sum constellacioun,. Hath yeven us this, although we hadde it sworn ; So stood the hevene whan that we were born ; 1090 We moste endure : this is the short and playn. ' This Palamon answerde, and seyde agayn, • Cosyn, for sothe of this opinioun Thow hast a veyn ymaginacioun ; This prison caused me nat for to crye. But I was hurt right nowthurghoutmyneye Into myn herte, that wol my bane be. The fairnesse of that lady that I see Yond in the gardyn romen to and fro, ' Is cause of al my criyng and my wo. uoo I noot wher she be womman or goddesse, But Venus is it, soothly, as I gesse.' And therwithal on knees doun he fil. And seyde : ' Venus, if it be thy ,wil Yow in this gardyn thus to transfigure Bifore me, sorwefiil, wrecche creature. Out of this prisoun helpe that we may scapen. And if so be my destynee be shapen. By eterne word, to dyen in pris6un. Of our lynage have som compassioun, mo That is so lowe y-broght by tirannye.' And with that word Arcite gan espye Wher as this lady romed to and fro. And with that sighte hir beautee hurte hym so, That if that Palamon was wounded sore, Arcite is hurt as moche as he, or moore ; And with a sigh he seyde pitously : ' The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly Of hire that rometh in the yonder place. And but I have hir mercy and hir grace, That I may seen hire atte leeste weye, 1121 I nam but deed ; ther is namoore to seye.' This Palamon, whan he tho wordes herde, Dispitously he looked, and answerde, ' Wlieitherseistowthis inernestorin pley?' ' Nay,' quod Arcite, ' in ernest, by my fey! God helpe me so, me list ful yvele pleye.' This Palamon gan knytte his browes tweye, ' It nere,' quod he, ' to thee no greet hon6ur. For to be fals, ne for to be traitour 1130 To me, that am thy cosyn and thy brother Y-sworn fill depe, and cch of us til oother. That never, for to dyen in the peyne, Til that deeth departe shal us tweyne. Neither of us in love to hymire oother, Ne in noon oother cas, my leeve brother. But that thou sholdest trewely forthren me In every cas, as I shal forthren thee. This was thyn ooth, and myn also certeyn ; I woot right wel thou darst it nat withseyn. Thus artow of my conseil, out of doute : And now thow woldest falsly been aboute To love my lady, whom I love and serve. And ever shal, til that myn herte sterve. Nay certes, false Arcite, thow shall nat so; 16 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 1146-1219 I loved hire first, and tolde thee my wo As to my conseil, and my brother sworn To forthre me, as I have toold biforn. For which thou art y-bounden as a knyght To helpen me, if it lay in thy myght ; 1150 Or elles artow fels, I dar wel seyn. ' This Arcite fill proudly spak ageyn ; 'Thow shalt,' quod he, 'be rather fals than I ; And thou art fals, I telle thee, outrely, For par amour I loved hire first er thow. What wiltow seyn ? thou wistest nat yet now Wheither she be a womman or goddesse ! Thyn is affecci6un of hoolynesse. And myn is love as to a creature ; For which I tolde thee myn aventure 1160 As to my cosyn and my brother sworn. I pose that thow lovedest hire biforn, Wostow nat wel the olde clerkes sawe, That who shal yeve a hrvere any lawe ; Love is agretter lawe, by my pan. Than may be yeve of any erthely man ? And therfore positif lawe and swich decree Is broken al day for love, in ech degree. A man moot nedes love, maugree his heed; He may nat flee it, thogh he sholde be deed, 1170 Al be she mayde, or wydwe, or elles wyf ; And eek it is nat likly, al thy lyf, To stonden in hir grace ; namoore shal I ; For wel thou woost thyselven, verraily. That thou and I be dampned to prisoun Perpetuelly ; us gayneth no raunsoun. We stryven as dide the houndes for the boon, They foughte al day, and yet hir part was noon ; Ther cam a kyte, whil that they weren so wrothe. And baar awey the boon bitwixe hem bothe ; 1180 And therfore, at the kynges court, my brother. 1147. For conseil Lansdowne MS. reads cosin, p. 1. iz6i. X163. olde cUrkes sawe. The proverb is found in Boethius, De Cottsolaiiom Philosophiae, lib. iii. met. iz, translated by Chaucer : But what is he that may yeve a lawe to loveres ? Love is B gretter law and a strengere to hymself than any bwe that men may yeven.' l^ch man for hymself, ther is noon oother. Love, if thee list, for I love and ay shal. And soothly, leeve brother, this is al. Heere in this prisoun moote we endure And everich of us take his aventure. ' Greet was the strif, and long, bitwix hem tweye, If that I hadde leyser for to seye ; But to theffect. It happed on a day, — To telle it yow as shortly as I may, — 1190 A worthy due, that highte Perotheus, That felawe was unto due Theseus, Syn thilke day that they were children lite. Was come to Atthenes, his felawe to visite, And for to pleye, as he was wont to do ; For in this world he loved no man so. And he loved hym as tendrely agayn. So wel th6y lovede, as olde bookes sayn, That whan that oon was deed, soothly to telle. His felawe wente and soughte hym doijn in helle, — 1200 But of that storie list me nat to write. Due Perotheus loved wel Arcite, And hadde hym knowe at Thebes, yeer by yere ; And finally, at request and preyere Of Perotheus, withouten any raunsoun. Due Theseus hym leet out of prisoun Frely to goon wher that hym liste over-al, In swich a gyse as I you tellen shal. This was the forward, pleynly for tendite, Bitwixen Theseus and hym Arcite ; 1210 That if so were that Arcite were y-founde. Ever in his lif, by day or nyght, 00 stounde. In any contree of this Theseus, And he were caught, it was acorded thus, That with a swerd he sholde lese his heed : Ther nas noon oother remedie, ne reed, But taketh his leve and homward he him spedde : Lat hym be war, his nekke lith to wedde. How greet a sorwe suffreth now Arcite ! 119^. Chaucer is out here in his mythology, for Flrithous^ King of Thessaly, was originally the enemy of Theseus, and invaded Attica. 1200. Chaucer takes this from the Roman de Id Rose. According to the original legend Theseus and^ Pirithous visited hell, when the latter was minded to carry off its queen, Pro- serpina. 1213. 00, MSS. or. 17 1220-1301 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A The deeth he feeleth thurgh his herte smyte ; 1220 He wepeth,' wayleth, • crieth pitously ; To sleen bymself he waiteth prively. He seyde, ' Alias that day that I was born ! Now is my prisoun, worse than biforn ; Now is me shape eternally to dwelle, Nat in my purgatorie; but in helle. * Alias that ever knew I Perotheus ! For elles hadde I dwelled with Theseus. Y-fetered in his prisoun evermo. Thanne hadde I been in blisse;' and nat in wo, 1230 Oonly the sighte of hire, whom that I ' serve, — Though' that I never hir grace may deserve, — ■ Wolde han suffised right ynough for me. O deere cosyn Palamonj' quod he, ' Thyn is the victorie of this aventure ! Ful'blisfully in prison maistow dure, In prisoun ? certes nay, but in paradys ! Wei hath Fortune y-turned thee the dys. That hast the sighte of hire and I ■ thabsence. 1239 For possible is, syn thou hast hire presence, And art a knyght, a worthy and an able, That by som cas, syn Fortune is chaurige- . able, ' Thowmaist tothy desir some tymeatteyne, But I, that am exiled and bareyne Of alle grace, and in so greet dispeir. That ther nys erthe, water, fir, ne eir, Ne creature, that of hem maked is. That may me heele, or doon confort in this— Wei oughte I starve in wanhope and distresse ; ' ' •■ ' • i^^g Farwel, my lif, my lust and my gladnesse ! 'Alias, why pleynen folk so in coittmiine Of purvieaunce of God, or of Fortune, That yeveth hem ful ofte in many a-gyse Wei bettre than they kan heni self devyse ? Som inan desireth for to han richesse. That cause is of his moerdre, or greet siknesse ; Ajid somipan wolde out of his prisoun fayn, That in his houS' is of his meynee slayni 1226. tny, om. H^. X248. Agele, H^ /teH^e. Infinite harmes been in this mateere,' 1259 We witen nat' what thing we preyen heere. Wefarenas he that dronke is as amous. A dronke man Woot wel he hath an hous, But he noot which the tighte wey is thider. And to a dronke man the wey is slider ; And certes in this world so faren we, — We seken faste after felicitee,; . But we goon wrong ful often, trewely. Thus may we seyen alle, and namely I, That wende and hadde a greet opinioun That if Imyghte esoapen from- prisoun, Thanne hadde' Ii been in joye and perfit heele, ■ i " ■■ , ■ : 1271 Ther now I am exiled fro my wele. Syn that I may nat seen you, Emelye, I nam but deed, there nys no remedye.' Upon that oother syde, Palamon, Whan that he wiste Arcite was agon, S wich. sorwe he maketh that the grete tour • Resouned of his youlyng and clam6ur ; The pure fettres on his shynes grete Weren of bis bittre, salte teeres wete. 1280 ' Alias ! ' quod he, ' Arcita, cosyn myn, ' Of al oure strif, God woot, the fruyt is thyn; - Thow walkest now in Thebes, at thy large. And of my wo thow yevest litel charged' Thou mayst, syn thou hast wysdom and manhede, Assemblen alle the folk of oure kynrede, And make a werre so sharpe^on this dtee, That by som aventure, or som tretee, Thow mayst have hire to lady and to v*7f, For whom that I moste nedes dese my lyf. For, as by wey of possibilitee, 1291 Sith thou art at thy large, of prisoun free, And art a lord, greet is thyn avauntage, Moore than is myn that sterve here in a cage; For I tpoot wepe and wayle while I lyve, With al the wo that prison may me yeve. And eek with peyne that love me yeveth also. That doubleth al my torment and my wo.' Jherwith the fyr of jalousie up-sterte Withinne his brest, and hente him by the herte 1300 So lyoodly, that he lyk was to biholde X278. Resouned^ H6 resouneih. 18 GROCP A X-mGHT>S TALE 1302-1373 The boxtree, or the asshen, dede and colde. Thanne seyde he, ' O crueel goddes that governe This world with byndyng of youre word eterne, And writen in the table of atthamaunt Youre parlement and youre eterne graunt, What is mankynde moore unto you holde Than is the sheepe that rouketh in the folde ? 1308 For slayn is man, right as another beest, And dwelleth eek in prison and arreest, And hath siknesse and greet adversitee, And ofte tymes giltelees, fardee. 'What governance is in this prescience, That giltelees tormenteth innocence ? And yet enoresseth this al my penaunce, That man is bounden to his observaunce For Goddes sake to letten of his wille, Ther as a beest may al his 1 lust fulfiUe ; And whan a beest isdeedhe hathno peyne, But after his deeth man moot wepe and pleyne, 1320 Though in this world he have care and wo ; Withouten doute it may stonden so. The answere of this I lete to dyvynys. But well I woot that in this world greet pyne ys. Alias ! I se a serpent or a theef, That many a trewe man hath doon mescheef. Goon at his large, and where hym list may tume ; But I moot been in prisoun thurgh Satume, And eek thurgh Juno, jalous and eek wood, That hath destroyed wel ny al the blood 1330 Of Thebes, with his waste walles wyde ; And Venus sleeth me on that oother syde For jalousie and fere of ^f"^' Arcite. ' Now wol I stynte of Palamon a lite And lete hym in his prisoun stille dwelle, And of Arcita forth I wol yow telle. 1320. But after his deeth vtatt, etc., so E^, throwing a stress, which- accords well with the sense, on his ; H^ more smoothly, But man after Ms deeih^ etc. 1323.. / lete^ Yfi lete /, 'spoiling the accents throughout the line. The sommer passeth, and the nyghtes longe Encressen double wise the peynes stronge Bothe of the lovere and the prisoner. 1339 I noot which hath the wofuUer mester ; For shortly for to seyn this Palamoun Perpetuelly is dampned to prisoun, In cheynes and in fettres to been deed. And Arcite is exiled upon his heed For ever-mo, as out of that cpntree, Ne never-mo he shal his lady see. Yow loveres axe I now this questioun, Who hath the worse, Arcite or Palamoun? That oon may seen his lady day by day, Biit in prison he moot dwelle alway ; 1350 That oother wher hjon list may ride or go. But seen his lady shal he never mo. Now demeth, as yow Jiste, ye that kan. For I wol telle forth as I bigan. ' Whan that Arcite to Thebes comen was, Ful ofte a day hesswelte and seyde, 'Alias ! ' For seen his lady shal he never mo. And, shortly to conchjden al his wo, So muche sorwe hadde never creature That is, or shal, whil that the world may dure. , 1360 His slepe, his mete, his drynke, is hym biraft. That lene he wexe and drye as is a shaft r Pliseyen holwe, and grisly to biholde, His hewe falow, ^nd pale as asshen colde. And solitarie he was and ever allone. And waillynge al the nyght, makynge his mone : And if he hejtde song or instrument Thanne wolde he wepe, he myghte nat be stent. So feble eek were his spiritz and so lowe. And ehaunged so that no man koude knowe 1370 His speche nor his voys, though men it herde : And in his geere for al the world he ferde, Nat oonly like the loveris maladye 1337. somtner, E Sonne. 1344. upon his heedt on pain of losing his head. 1362. wexe, £2 -wexfth. 19 I374-14SO THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A Of Hereos, but rather lyk manye, Engendred of hum6ur mal^ncolik, Biforn, in his owene celle fantastik. And, shfartly, turned was al up-so-doun Bothe habit and eek disposicioun Of hym, this woful loverfi daun Arcite. What sholde I al day of his wo endite? Whan he endured hadde a yeer or two 1381 This crueel torment and this peyne and woo, At Thebes, in his contree, as I seyde. Upon a nyght, in sleepe as he hym leyde, Hym thoughte how that thejgrngedZgod- . '• TTMerc B rie Biforn hym stood and Jjad- _hyra-to-be- ~ murie j His slepy yerde in hond he bar uprighte, An hat he werede upon his heris brighte. Arrayed was this god, as he took keepe. As he was whan that Argus took his sleepe. And seyde hym thus, 'To Atth^nes - shaltou wende ; 1391 Ther is thee shaperi of thy wo an ende.' And with that Word Arcite wook and sterte, — ' Now trewely, hou soore'that me smerte,' Quod he, 'to Atthenes right nowwol Ifare, Ne for the drede of defeth shal I nat spare. To se my lady that I love and serve ; In hire presence I recche nat to sterve;' And with that word he caughte a greet mirour 1399 And saugh that chaunged was al his colour And saugh his visage al in another kynde ; And right anon it ran hym in his mynde. That sith his face was so disfigiSred Of maladye the which he hadde endured, He myghte wel, if that he bar hym lowe, Lyve in Atthenes evermore unknowe, ' And seen his lady wel ny day by day. And right anon he chaunged his array And cladde hym as a poure laborer, 1374. Hereos^ Eros, Love. . . 1376. Biforn, in his owene celle fantastik ; in is from H only ; owene from E2 only. According to medieval theory Mania was begotten in the front cell of the head which was approp;ia,ted to the imagination. 13S7. yerde. Mercury's caduceus. 1389. he,'E,I. 13^0. Areus, the hundi'ed-eyed guardian of lo. Mercury lulled him with music and slew him. And al allone, — save oonly a squier 1410 That knew his privetee and al his cas, , Which was disgised pourely as he was, — To Atthenes is he goon the nexte way. And to the court he wente upon a day, , And at the gate he profreth his servyse To drugge and drawe, what so men wol devyse. And, shortly of this matere for to Seyn, He fil in office with a chamberleyn The which that dwellynge was with Emelye; 1419 For he was wys and koude soone espye Of every servaunt which that serveth here. Wel koude he hewen wodeand water here, For he was yong, and myghty for the nones. And .therto he was long and big of bones, To doon that any wight kan hym devyse. A yeer or two he was in this servyse, Pageof the chambre of Emelye the brighter And Philostrate he seyde that he highte. But half so wel biloved a man as he 1429 Ne was ther never in court of his degree ; He was so gentil of his condicioun That thurghoutal the court was hisrenouni. They seyden that it were a charitee That Theseus wolde enhauncen his degree, And putten hym in worshipfiil servyse, Ther as he myghte his vertu exercise. And thus withinne a while his name is spronge, Bothe of his dedes and his goode tonge. That Theseus hath taken hym so neer, ' That of his chambre he made hyma squi&, And yaf him gold to mayntene his degree; And eek men broghte hym out of his contree. From yeer to yeer, ful pryvely, his rente ; But honestly and slyly he it spente Thatnoman wondredhowthat he it hadde. And thre yeer in this wise his lif he ladde And bar hym so in pees, and eek in werre, Ther was no man that Theseus hath derre. And in this blisse lete I now Arcite And speke I wole of Palamon a lite. 1450 1424, lonff, EH3 ; Hengwrt-*, strong. ■ 1428. Philostrate ; in the Teseide Arcite takes the name of Pentheo. The name Philostrate was probably suggested to Chaucer by Boccaccio's poem FilostraiOy the original of Troilus and Cressida. 20 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 1451-1532 In derknesse and horrible and strong prison Thise seven yeer hath seten Palamon. Forpyned, what for wo and for distresse. Who feeleth double soor and hevynesse But Palamon ? that love destreyneth so That wood out of his wit he goth for wo ; And eek ther-to he is a prisoner Perpetuelly, noght only for a yer. Who koude ryme in Englyssh proprely His martirdom ? for sothe it am nat I ; Therfore I passe as lightly as I may. 1461 It fel that in the seventhe yer, in May, The thridde nyght, as olde bookes seyn, That al this storie tellen moore pleyn. Were it by aventure or destynee, — As whan a thyng is shapen it shal be, — That soone after the mydnyght, Palamoun, By helpyng of a freend brak his prisoun. And fleeth the citee, faste as he may go, For he hade yeve his gayler drynke so. Of a clarree, maad of a certeyn wyn, 1471 With nercotikes, and opie of Thebes fyn, That al that nyght, thogh that menwolde him shake. The gayler sleepe, he myghte nat awake ; And thus he fleeth, as feste as ever he may. The nyght was short and faste by the day. That nedes-cost he moot hymselven hyde. And til a grove, faste ther bisyde. With dredeful foot, thanne stalketh Pala- moun. For, shortly, this was his opinioun, 1480 That in that grove he wolde hym hyde al day. And in the nyght thanne wolde he take his way To Thebes-ward, his fi-eendes for td preye On Theseus to helpe him to werreye ; And, shortly, outher he wolde lese his lif. Or viynnen Emelye unto his wyf. This is theffect and his entente pleyn. Now wol I turne to Arcite ageyn, That litel wiste how hy that was his care. Til that Fortune had broght him in the snare. 1490 141,4. soor, E5 ; H2, sorwe. 1472. Thebes, in Egypt, not in Greece. 1472. with, E o/. The bisy larke, messagerof day, Salueth in hir song the morwe gray, And iiry Phebus riseth up so brighte That al the orient laugheth of the lighte. And with his stremes dryeth in the greves The silver dropes, hangynge on the leves. And Arcita, that is in the court roial With Theseus, his squier principal. Is risen, and looketh on the myrie day ; And for to doon his observaunce to May, Remembrynge on the poynt of his desir. He on a courser, stertyng as the fir. Is riden into the feeldes hym to pleye, Out of the court, were it a myle or tweye ; And to the grove of which that I yo w tolde. By aventure, his wey he gan to holde, To maken hym a gerland of the greves. Were it of wodebynde, or hawethorn leves. And loude he song ageyn the sonne shene : ' May, with alle thy floures and thy grene. Welcome be thou, faire, fresshe May, 1511 In hope that I som grene gete may.' And from his courser with a lusty herte Into a grove fill hastily he sterte, And in a path he rometh up and doun, Ther as by aventure this Palamoun Was in a bussh, that no man myghte h)m[i se, For soore afered of his deeth was he. No-thyng ne knew he that it was Arcite : God woot he wolde hav^ tirowed it ful lite ; But sooth is seyd, gon sithen many yeres. That feeld hath eyen, and the wode hath eres. It is ful fair a man to here hym evene. For al day meeteth men at unset stevene. Ful litel woot Arcite of his felawe That was so ny to herknen al his sawe. For in the bussh he sitteth now ful stille. Whan that Arcite hadde romed al his fiUe, And songen al the roundel lustily. Into a studie he fil al sodeynly, 1530 As doon thise loveres in hir queynte geres,— Now in the crope, now doun in the breres, 1494. That al the orient laugheth: Dante. Purg. i, 20, ' faceva tutto rider 1' oriente.' (Skeat.) 1522. That feeld hath eyen : ' Campus babet lumen et babet nemus auris :?cumen.' 1524. unset stevene, unappointed time. 21 iS33-i6i3 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A Now up, now doun, as boket in a welle. Right as the Friday, soothly for to telle. Now it shyneth, now it reyneth faste. Right so kan geery Venus -overcaste The hertes of hir folk; right as hir day Is gereful, right so chaiingeth she array, ^ — Selde is the Friday al the wowke y-like. Whan that Arcite had songe, he gan to sikej 1540 And sette hy m doun withouten any moore : 'Alias,' qiiod he, 'that day that, I, was bore ! - How longe, Juno, thurgh thy crueltee, Woltow werreyen Thebes the citee ? Alias, y-broght is to confusioun. The blood roial of Cadme and Amphioun, — Of Cadmus, which that was the firste man That Thebes bulte, or first the toun bigan. And of the citee first was crouned kyng. Of his lynage am I, and his ofspryng 1550 By verray ligne,. as of the stok roial ; And now I am so caytyf and so thral. That he that is my mortal enemy, I serve hym as his squierpourely. ■ ■ And yet dooth Junome wel moore shame, For I dar noght bikno we myn owenename; But ther as I was wont to highte Arcite, Now highte I Philostratej noght worth a myte.: Alias, thou felle' Mars ! alias,- Juno ! 1559 Thus hath youre ire oure kynrede al fordo, Save oonly me, and wrecched Palamoun, That Theseus niartireth in prisoun. And over al this, to sleen me outtely. Love hath his firy dart so brennyngly Y-stiked thurgh my trewe, careful herte, That shapen was my deeth erst than my sherte. Ye sleen me with youre eyen, Emely'e ! Ye been the cause wherfore that I dye ! Of al the remenant of myn oother care Ne sette I nat the montance of a tare. So that I koude doon aught to youre plesaunce.' 1571 And with that word he fil doun in a traunce A longe tyme, and afterward up-sterte. 1336. kan, a^gan. 1566. sherte, shirt ; cp. i Leg-end 0/ Good Women, 1. 2626; and Troilm, 734. This Palamoun, that thoughfe that thurgh his herte He felte a coold swerd sodeynliche glyde, For ire he quook, no lenger wolde he byde. And whan that he had herd Arcites tale. As he were wobd, with face deed and pale. He stirte hym up out of the buskes thikke, And seide, 'Arcite, false traytour vrikke ! Now artow hent, that lovest my lady so. For whom that I have al this peyneandwo. And art my blood, and tomyconseil sworn. As I fill ofle have seyd thee heer-biforn, And hast byjaped heere due Theseus,' And falsly ohaunged hast thy name thus ; I wol be deed, or elles thou shalt dye ; Thou shalt nat love my lady Emelye, But I wol love hire oonly, and namo; For I am Palamon, thy mortal foo, 1590 And though that ' I no wepene have in this place. But out of prison am astert by grace, I drede noght that outher thow shalt dyei Or thow ne shalt nat loven Emelye. Chees which thou wolt, for thou shalt nat asterte ! ' This Arcite, with ful despitous herte,; Whan he hym knew, and hadde his tale herd. As fiers as ieoun pulled out his swerd. And seyde thus, ' By God that sit above, Nere it that thou art sik and wood for love. And eek that thow no wepne hast in this place, 1601 Thou sholdest never out of this grove pace, That thou ne sholdest dyen of myn hond. For I defye the seurete and the bond Which that thou seist that I have maad to thee. What; verray fool, thynk wel that love is fee I And Iwol love hire mawgree al thy myght. But for as muche thou art a worthy knygM, And wilnest to darreyne hire by bataille, Have heer my trouthe, tomorwe I wol nat faile, 1610 Withoute wityng of any oother wight, That heere I wol be fotinden as a knyght, And bryngen barneys right ynough for thee, — 1584. seyd, H6 told. 1 595' /»"■> E6or. 1598. his, H5 (i. 22 KNIGHT'S TALE 1614-1690 And chese the beste and leve the worste for me, — And mete and drynke this nyght wol I brynge Ynough for thee, and clothes for thy beddynge ; And if so be that thou my lady Wynne And sle me in this wode ther I am inne, Thou mayst wel have thy lady, as for me.' This Palamon answerde, ' I graunte it thee.' 1620 And thus they been departed til a-morwe. Whan ech of hem had leyd his feith to borwe. O Cupide, out of alle charitee ! O regne, that wolt no felawe have with thee ! Ful sooth is seyd that love ne lordshipe Wol noght, his thankes, have no felawe- , shipe. Wel fynden that Arcite and Palamoun ! Arcite is riden anon unto the toun, And on the morwe, er it were dayes light, Fulprivelytwohameyshathhedight, 1630 Bothe suiiisaunt and mete to darreyne The bataille in the feeld betwix hem tweyne ; And on his hors, allone as he was bom, He carieth al the barneys hym bifom : And in the grove, at tyme and place y-set. This Arcite and this Palamon ben met. To chaungen gan the colour in hir face, Right as the hunters, in the regne of Trace, That stondeth at the gappe with a spere, Whan hunted is the leoun or the bere. And hereth hym come russhyng in the greves, 1641 And breketh both bowes and the leves. And thynketh, ' Heere cometh my mortal enemy, With-oute feile he moot be deed or I ; For outher I moot sleen hym at the gappe, Or he moot sleen me, if that me myshappe ' : So ferden they in chaungyng of hir hewe. As fer as everich of hem oother knewe. Ther nas no ' Good day,' ne no saluyng, 1637. To,Yi\th>. But streight, withouten word or re- hersyng, 1650 Everich of hem heelpe for to armen oother, As frendly as he were his owene brother ; And after that, with sharpe speres stronge. They foynen ech at oother wonder longed Thou myghtest wene that this Palambun, In his fightyng were a wood leoun. And as a crueel tigre was Arcite : As wilde bores gonne they to smyte, That frothen whit as foom for ire wood, — Up to the ancle foghte they in hir blood. And in' this wise I lete hem fightyng dwelle, 1661 And forth I wole of Theseus yow t^Ue. The Destinee, ministre general. That executeth in the world over al. The purveiaunce that God hath seyn bifom. So strong it is that, though the world had sworn The contrarie of a thyng by ye or nay, Yet somtyme it shal fallen on a day That falleth nat eft withinne a thousand yeere. For certeinly oure appetites- heere, 1670 Be it of werre, or pees, or hate, or love, Al is this reuled by the sighte above. This mene I now by myghty ^Theseus, That for to hunten is so desiriis, ' And namely at the grete hert in May, That in his bed ther daweth hym no day That he nys clad, and redy for to ryde With hunte and home, and houndes hym bisyde. For in his huntyng hath he swich delit. That it is al his joye and appetit 1680 To been hymself the grete hertes bane, For after Mars he serveth now Dyane. Cleer was the day, as I have toold er . this, And Theseus, with alle joye and blis, ' With' his Ypolita, the faire queene. And Emelye, clothed a;l in grene. On huntyng be they fiden roially ; And to the grove, that stood ful faste by. In which ther was an hert, as men hym tolde, Due Theseus the streighte way hath holde ; ' • 1^90 33 I69I-I77I THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A And to the launde he rideth hym ful right,— For thider was the hart wont have his flight,— And over a brook, and so forth in his weye. This due wol han a cours at hym, or tweye. With houndes, swiche as that hym list commaunde. And whan this due was come unto the launde Under the Sonne he looketh, and anon, He was war of Arcite and Falamon, That foughten breme, as it were bores two. 1699 The brighte swerdes wenten to and fro So hidously, that with the leeste strook It semed as it wolde iille an ook ; But what they were no thyng he ne woot. This due his courser with his spores smoot, And at a stert he was bitwix hem two, And pulled out a swerd, and cride, ' Hoo ! Namoore, up peyne of lesynge of youre heed! By myghty Mars, he shal anon be deed That smyteth any strook, that I may seen. But tellethme what mystiers men ye been, That been sohardyfortofighten heere 1711 Withouten juge, or oother oflScere, As it were in a lystes roially ? ' This Palamon answerde hastily , And seyde, 'Sire, what nedeth wordes mo ? We have the deeth disserved bothe two. Two woful wrecches been we, twoicay ty ves. That been encombred of oure owene lyves. And as thou art a rightful lord and juge, Ne yeve us neither merey ne refuge, 1720 But sle me first, for seinte charitee. But sle my felawe eek as wel as me ; Or sle hym first, for though thow knowest it lite. This is thy mortal foo, this is, Arcite, That fro thy lond is banysshed on his heed. For which he hath deserved to be deed ; For this is he that cam unto thy gate And seydS that hehighte Philostrate ; Thus hath he japed thee fill many a yer, And thou hast maked hym thy chief squier ; 1730 And this is he that loveth Emelye ; For sith the day is come that I shal dye, I make pleynly my confessioun That I am thilke woful Palamoun, That hath thy prisoun broken wikkedly. I am thy mortal foo, and it am I That loveth so hoote Emelye the brighte That I wol dye present in hir sighte. Therfore I axe deeth and my juwise ; ■ But sle my felawe in the same wise, 1740 For bothe han we deserved to be slayn;! This worthy due answerde anon agayn, And seyde, ' This is a short conclusioun : Youre owene mouth, by youre confessioun, Hath dampned yow, and I wol it recorde, It nedeth noght to pyne yow with the corde. Ye shal be deed, by myghty Mars the rede ! ' The queene anon, for verray womman- hede, Gan for to wepe, and so dide Emelye, And alle the ladyes in the compaignye. Greet pitee was it, as it thoughte hem alle, That ever swich a chaunce sholde falle, For gentil men they were, of greet estaat, And no thyng but for love was this debaat, — And saugh hir blody woundes, wyde and soore. And alle crieden, bothe lasse and moore ' Have mercy, lord, upon us wommenalle !' And on hir bare knees adoun thfey falle. And wolde have kist his feet ther as he stood. Til at the laste aslaked was his mood, 1760 For pitee renneth soone in gentil herte, And'thoughhe first for irequook andsterte, He hath considered shortly, in a clause. The trespas of hem bothe, and eek the cause, And although that his ire hir gilt accused. Yet in his resoun he hem bothe excused. And thus he thoghte wel, that every man Wol helpe hymself in love, if that he kan. And eek delivere hymself out of prisoun? And eek his herte hadde compassionn 1770 Of wommen, for they wepen ever in oon; 1746. iopytteyirw with thi corde^ put you to torture, i.e. to extract a confesMon. 1761. Forpitee^ etc. This beautiful line occurs four times in Chaucer. «4 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 1772-1851 And in his gentil herte he thoughte anon, And softe unto hym-self he seyde, ' Fy Upon a lord that wol have no mercy, But been a leoun, bothe in word and dede, To hem that been in repentaunce and drede, As wel as to a proud despitous man That wol maynteyne that he first bigan ; That lord hath litel of discrecioun, That in swich cas kan no divisioun, 1780 Butweyeth pride and humblesse after oon.' And shortly, whan his ire is thus agoon, He gan to looken up with eyen lighte. And spak thise same wordes, al on highte. ' The god of love, a benedicite. How myghty and how greet a lord is he ! Ageyns his myght ther gayneth none obstacles. He may be cleped a god for his myracles, For he kan maken, at his owene gyse, Of everich herte as that hym list divyse. ' Lo heere this Arcite, and this Falamoun, 1791 That quitly weren out of my prisoun, And myghte han lyved in Thebes roially, And vriten I am hir mortal enemy, And that hir deth lith in my myght also, And yet hath love, maugree hir eyen two, y^-broght hem hyder, bothe for to dye. Now looketh, is nat that an heigh folye ? ' Who may been a fole, but if he love ? Bihoold, for Goddes sake that sit above, Se how they blede ! be they noght wel arrayed ? 1801 Thus hath hir lord, the god of love, y-payed Hir wages and hir fees for hir servyse : And yet they wenen for to been ful wyse Thatserven love, foraughtthatmaybifalle. But this is yet the beste game of alle, That she, for whom they han this jolitee, Kan hem ther-fore as muche thank as me. She woot namoore of al this hoote fare, By God, than woot a cokkow or an hare. But all moot ben assayed, hoot and coold ; A man moot ben a fool, or yong or oold, — I woot it by myself ful yore agon, 1799. Who'ntay, etc., i.e. your lover is your only perfect foo!. The reading of H, * "who may be a fole if that he love,* necessitates the insertion of not after may. For in my tyme a servant was I oon. And therfore, syn I knowe of loves peyne. And woothowsooreit kan a mandistreyne, As he that hath ben caught ofte in his laas, I yow foryeve al hooUy this trespaas, At requeste of the queene, that kneleth heere, And eek of Emelye, my suster deere. 1820 And ye shul bothe anon unto me swere. That never mo ye shal my contree dere, Ne make werre upon me, nyght ne day, But been my freendes in al that ye may. I yow foryeve this trespas every deel.' And they him sworen his axyng, faire and weel. And hym of lordshipeandof mercypreyde, And he hem graunteth grace, and thus he seyde : — ' To speke of roial lynage and richesse, Though that she were a queene or a princesse, 1830 Ech of you bothe is worthy, doutelees. To wedden whan tyme is, but nathelees, — I speke as for my suster Emelye, Forwhom yehavethis strif andjalousye, — Ye woot your self she may nat wedden two At ones, though ye fighten evermo. That oon of you, al be hym looth or lief. He moot go pipen in an yvy leef : This is to seyn, she may nought have bothe, 1839 Al be ye never so jalouse ne so wrothe ; And for-thy, I yow putte in this degree, That ech of yow shaJ have his destynee As hym is shape, and herkneth in what wyse ; Lo, heere your ende of that I shal devyse. ' My wyl is this, for plat conclusioun Withouten any repplicacioun, — If that you liketh, take it for the beste, — That everich of you shal goon where hym leste Frely, withouten raunson or daunger ; And this day fifty wykes, fer ne ner, 1850 Everich of you shal brynge an hundred knyghtes 1838. go, cm. E. The phrase, equivalent to OMX go whistle, is used by Wyclif. 1850, y%r ne ner, no later or sooner; ffty •wykes are of course used here for a year, Boccaccio's un anno iniero. 25 1852-1929 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP ti Armed for lystes up at alle rightes, Al redy to darreyne hire by bataille ; And this bihote I yow with-outen faille Upon my trouthe and as I am a knyght, That wheither of yow bothe that hath myght, This is to seyn, that wheither he or thow May with his hundred, as I spak of now, Sleen his contrarie, or out of lystes dryve, Him shal I yeve Emelya to wyve, i860 To whom that Fortune yeveth so fair a grace. The lystes shal I maken in this place, And God so wisly on my soule rewe As I shal evene juge been, and trewe. Ye shul noon oother ende with me maken That oon of yow ne shal be deed or taken ; And if yow thynketh this is weel y-sayd, Seyeth youre avys and holdeth you apayd. This is youre ende and youre conclusioun. ' Who looketh lightly now but Pala- moun? 1870 Who spryngeth up for joye but Arcite ? Who kouthe telle, or who kouthe endite, The joye that is maked in the place Whan Theseus hath doon so fair a grace ? But doun on knees wente every maner wight And thonken hym with al hir herte and myght ; And namely the Thebans often sithe. And thus with good hope and with herte blithe They taken hir leve, and homward gonne they ride 1879 To Thebes, with his olde walles wyde. I trowe men wolde deme it necligence If I forgete to tellen the dispence Of Theseus, that gooth so bisily To maken up the lystes roially. That swich a noble theatre as it was I dar wel seyn that in this world there nas. The circuit a myle was aboute. Walled of stoon and dyched al withoute. Round was the shape, in manere of compaas, 1889 Ful of degrees, the heighte of sixty pas, That whan a man was set on o degree, , He lette nat his felawe for to see. Est ward ther stood agate of marbul whit. Westward right swich another in the opposit. And, shortly to concluden, swich a place Was noon in erthe, as in so litel space ; For in the lend ther was no crafty man That geom^trie or ars-metrik kan, Ne portreitour, ne kervere of ymages, That Theseus ne yaf him mete and wages, The theatre for to maken and devyse. 1901 And, for to doon his ryte and sacrifise. He estward hath, upon the gate above, In worshipe of Veniis, goddesse of love, Doon make an auter and an oratorie ; 1 And westward, ih~"the mynde and in memorie Of Mars, he maked hath right swich another, That coste largely of gold a fother. And northward, in a touret on the wal. Of alabastre whit and reed coral, igro An oratorie riche for to see, In worshipe of Dyane of chastitee Hath Theseus doon wroght in noble wyse. But yet hadde I forgeten to devyse The noble kervyng and the portreitures. The shape, the contenaunce, and the figures That weren in thise oratories thre. First, in the temple of Venus maystow se, 1918 Wroght on the wal, ful pitous to biholde. The broken slepes, and the sikes colde. The sacred teeris, and the waymentynge, The firy strokes, and the desirynge. That loves servauntz in this lyf enduren ; The othes that her covenantz assuren ; Plesaunce and Hope, Desir, Foolhardy- nesse, Beautee and Youthe, Bauderie, Richesse, Charmes and Force, Lesynges, Flaterye, Despense, Bisynesse andjafousye. That wered of yelewe gooldes a gerland 1900. hjtn, om. E3 ; H, hent. 1906. Atid westward, etc., text from H ; ««i an the wesiuuard in memorie, E5; and on the westward side in inemorie, Petworth. 1921. sacred, Cambridge MS. secret, an at- tractive reading. 26 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 1930-1998 And a cokkow sitynge on hir hand ; 1930 Testes, instrumentz, caroles, daunces, Lust and array, and alle the circum- staunces Of love, whiche that I reken, and rekne shal, By ordre weren peynted on the wal. And mo than I kan make of mencioun ; For soothly al the mount of Citheroun, Ther Venus hath hir principal dwellynge, Was shewed on the wal in portreyynge, : With al the gardyn and the lustynesse. Nat was forgeten the porter Ydelnesse, ; Ne Narcisus the faire of yore agon, 1941 ■ Ne yet the folye of kyng Salamon, Ne yet the grete strengthe of Ercules, Thenchauntementz of Medea and Circes, Ne of Tumus, with the hardy fiers corage. The riche Cresus, kaytyf in servage. Thus may ye seen that Wysdom ne Richesse, Beautee ne Sleighte, Strengthe, Hardy- nesse, Ne may with Venus holde champartie, For as hir list the world than may she gye. 1950 Lo, aUe thise folk so caught were in hir las Til they for wo ful ofte seyde, 'Alias ! ' Suffiseth heere ensamples oon or two. And though I koude rekene a thousand mo. The statue of Venus, glorious for to se. Was naked, fletynge in the large see. And fro the navele doun al covered was With wawes grene, and brighte as any glas. A citole in hir right hand hadde she. And on hir heed, ful semely for to se, i960 A rose gerland, firessh and wel smellynge. Above hir heed hir dowves flikerynge. Bifom hire stood hir sone Cupido, Upon his shuldres wynges hadde he two. And blind he was, as it is often seene; I Abowe he bar and arwes brighte and kene. 1933, reken, Cambridge MS. ; E, remitted Jiave; H^j rekned. 1936. Citheroun. Chaucer seems to confuse the island of Cytkera, the home of Venus, with Mt. Cithceron, on the borders of Attica, sacred to 'Bacchus and the Muses. • 1940. the porter Ydelnesse, cp. Romaunt of the Rose, II. 53I-593- i 1951. laSi snare ; H, trace. Why sholde I noght as wel eek telle yow al The portreiture that was upon the wal Withinne the temple of myghty Mars the rede? Al peynted was the wal, in lengthe and brede, 1970 Lyk to the estres of the grisly place That highte the grete temple of Mars in Trace, In thilke colde, frosty regioun Ther as Mars hath his sovereyn mansioun. First, on the wal was peynted a forest. In which ther dwelleth neither man nor best, With knotty, knarry, bareyne trees olde Of stubbes sharpe and hidouse to biholde, In which ther ran a rumbel and a swough, As though' a storm sholde bresten every bough ; 1980 And dounward from an hille, under a bente, Ther stood the temple of Mars army- potente, Wroght al of burned steel, of which the entree Was long and streit, and gastly for to see ; And ther out came a rage, and such a veze That it made all the gates for to rese. The northren lyght in at the dores shoon, — For wyndowe on the wal ne was ther noon Thurgh which men myghten any light discerne, — The dores were al of adamant eteme, 1990 Y-clenched overthwart and endelong With iren tough, and for to make it strong, Every pyler, the temple to sustene. Was tonne greet, of iren bright and shene. Ther saugh I first the derke ymaginyng Of felonye, and al the compassyng ; The crueel ire, reed as any gleede ; The pykepurs, and eke the pale drede ; 1973 grete temple of Mars in Trace, i.e. the temple under Mt. Haamus, described by Statins in the seventh book of the Thebaid, lines 40-63. Statius here served as a model to Boccaccio. X979. rumbel, H svjyfnhel, moaning (of wind). 1986. gates, & gate. 1990. dores were, E'* dore was. 1Q98. fiykepurs. The pickpurse is not mentioned in Boccaccio. Wright explains it to refer to the 27 i999"2o6' THE CANTERBURY TALES C,-B.CK-i A The smylere, with the knyfe under the cloke ; The shepne, brennynge with the blake smoke ; 2000 The tresoun of the mordiynge in the bedde ; The open werre, with woundes al bi- bledde ; Contek, with blody knyf, and sharpe manace ; Al ful of chirkyng was that scry place. The sleere of hymself yet saugh I ther, His herte blood hath bathed al his heer ; The nayl y-dryven in the shode a-nyght ; The colde deeth, with mouth gapyng up- right. Amyddes of the temple sat Meschaunce, With disconfort and sory contenaunce. Yet saugh I Woodnesse, laughynge in his rage, 2011 Armed corapleint, out - hees, and fiers outrage, The careyne, in the 'busk, with throte y-corve, ' A thousand slayn and nat of qualm y- storve ; The tiraunt, with the pray by force y-raft ; The toun destroyed, ther was nothyng laft. Yet saugh I brent the shippes hoppe- steres ; The hunte strangled with the wilde beres ; The sowe freten the child right- in the cradel ; 2019 The cook y-scalded, for al his longe ladel. Noght was forgeten by the infortune of Marte, The cartere over-ryden with his carte ; Under the wheel fill lowe he lay adoun. riflers of the dead after a battle. But in Wright's own quotation from the Compost of Ptoloftteus it is said, ' Under Mars is borne iheves and robbers that kepe hye wayes.' 2009. Meschaunce. Statius 'virtus tristissima, ' 20Z2. Armed cofnpleint, Statius has 'Mors armata.' 2014. and nat, E and nat oon, a good reading if we omit and. 20x7. the shippes koppesteres, the dancing ships. Chaucer is translating Teseide, vii. 37, ' Vedevi ancor le navi bellatrici,' and probably read the last word 'ballatrici* in error. 2018. hunte, hunter. H ends the line 'with wilde bores corage' to rhyme with 'rage' in 201 1, omitting ail Detween. Ther were also of Martes divisioun, The harbour and the bocher, and the smyth That forgeth sharpe swerdes on his styth; And al above, depeynted in a tour, Saugh I Conquest sittynge in greet honour With the sharpe swerd over his heed Hangynge by a soutil twynes threed. 2030 Depeynted was the slaughtre of Julius, Of grete Nero, and of Antonius, — Al be that thilke tyme they were unborn, Yet was hir deth depeynted ther-biforn , By manasynge of Mars, right by figure, So it was shewed in that portreiture As is depeynted in the sterres above Who shal be slayn or elles deed for love; Sufiiseth oon ensample in stories olde, 2039 I may nat rekene hem alle though I wolde. The statue of Mars upon a carte stood. Armed, and looked grym as he were wood. And over his heed ther shynen two figures Of sterres that been cleped in scriptures. That oon Fuella, that oother Rubeus. This god of armes was arrayed thus : A wolf ther stood bifom hym at his feet With eyen rede, and of a man he eet, With soutil pencel depeynted was this storie 2049 In redoutynge of Mars and of his glorie. Now to the temple of Dyane the chaste. As shortly as I kan, I wol me haste To telle yow al the descripsioun. Depeynted been the walles up and doun Of huntyng and of shamefast chastitee, ' Ther saugh I how woful Calistopee, Whan that Diane agreved was vrith here. Was turned from a womman to a here, And after was she maad the loode-sterre i Thus was it peynted, I kan sey yow no ferre. 2060 Hir sone is eek a sterre, as men may see. 2023. Barbour, i.e, barber - surgeon. In Wright's extract from the Compost of Ptolo- meus it is said, ' These men of Mars . . . wyll be gladly Smythes or workers of iron . . . good to be a barboure and a blode letter and to drawe tethe.' 2037. sterres, E6 sertres or certres. 204s. Puella. 'Signifieth Mars retrograde and Rubeus, Mars direct ' (Speght). 2049. depeynted was, E6 ivas depeynted. 2056. Calistopee, i.e, the Arcadian nyrapb Callisto. 2o6t. eek a sterre, the constellation Bo3tes. 28 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 2062-2133 Ther saugh I Dane, y-tumed til a tree,— I mene nat the goddesse Diane, But Penneus doughter which that highte Dane. Ther saugh I Attheon an hert y-maked, For vengeance that he saugh Diane al naked ; I saugh how that his houndes have hym caught And freeten hym, for that they knewe hym naught. Yet peynted was a litel forther moor How Atthalante hunted the wilde boor. And Meleagre, and many another mo. For which Dyane wroghte hym care and wo. Ther saugh I many another wonder storie. The whicheme list nat drawen tomemorie. This goddesse on an hert fill hye sect, With smale houndes al aboute hir feet. And undemethe hir feet she hadde a moone, Wexynge it was, and sholde wanye soone. In gaude grene liir statue clothed was. With bowe in honde and arwes in a cas ; Hir eyen caste she ful lowe adoun 2081 Ther Pluto hath his derke regioun. A womman travaillynge was hire biforn, But, for hir child so longe was unborn, Ful pitously Lucyna gan she calle And seyde, ' Helpe, for thou mayst best of alle. ' Welkoudehe peyntenlifly, thatit wroghte ; With many a floryn he the hewes boghte. Nowbeen the ly'stes maad, and Theseus, That at his grete cost arrayed thus 2090 The temples, and the theatre every deel, Whan it was doon hym lyked wonder weel ; But stynte I wole of Theseus a lite. And speke of Palamon and of Arcite. The day approcheth ofhirretoumynge. That everich sholde an hundred knyghtes brynge. The bataille to dareyne, as I yow tolde, 2062. Dane, i.e. Daphne. 2065, AttJuon., Actacon. 2070. AtthalaniBi Atalanta. 2072. hym, H hem. 2085. Lvcyna, the name of Diana as helper of women in labour. 2o8g. the, HS ihtse. And til Atthenes, hir covenantz for to holde, Hath everich of hem broght an hundred knyghtes 2099 Wei armed for the werre at alle rightes ; And sikerly ther trowed many a man That never, sithen that the world bigan, As for to speke of knyghthod of hir hond, As fer as God hath maked see or lond, Nas, of so fewe, so noble a compaignye ; For every wight that lovede chivalrye And wolde, his thankes, han a passant name. Hath preyed that he myghte been of that game; And wel was hym that ther-to chosen was ; For if ther fille tomorwe swich a caas, 2110 Ye knowen wel that every lusty knyght Tha!t loveth paramours, and hath his myght. Were it in Engelond or elles-where. They wolde, hir thankes, wilnen to be there. To fighte for a lady, — benedicitee ! It were a lusty sighte for to see. And right so ferden they with Palamon. With hym ther wenten knyghtes many con; Som wol ben armed in an haubergeoun, In a bristplate and in a light gypoun ; And somme woln have a paire plates large ; 2121 And somme woln have a Pruce sheeld or a targe ; Somme woln ben armed on hir legges weel, And have an ax, and somme a mace of steel ; Ther is no newe gyse that it nas old. Armed were they, as I have yow told, Everych after his opinion. Ther maistow seen comynge with Palamon Lygurge hymself, the grete kjmg of Trace ; Blak was his herd, and manly was his face ; 2130 The cercles of his eyen in his heed. They gloweden bitwyxen yelow and reed ; And lik a grifphon looked he aboute, 2129. Lygurge, Lycurgus. In the Teseide he fights on Arcite's side. 29 2134-2207 THE CANTERBtTRV TALES With kempe heeris on his browes stoute ; His lymes grete, his brawnes harde and stronge, His shuldres brode, his armes rounde and longe, And, as the gyse was in his contree, Ful hye upon a chaar of gold stood he, With foure white boles in the trays. In stede of cote - armure, over his harnays 2140 With nayles yelewe, and brighte as any gold, He hadde a beres skyn, col-blak, for-old. His longe heer was kembd bihynde his bak ; As any ravenes fethere it shoon for-blak ; A wrethe of gold, arm-greet, of huge wighte, Upon his heed, set ful of stones brighte, Of fyne rubyes and of dyamauntz ; Aboute his chaar ther wenten white alauntz, Twenty and mo, as grete as any steer. To hunten at the leoun or the deer ; 2150 And folwed hym with mosel faste y-bounde, Colered of gold and tourettesfyled rounde. An hundred lordes hadde he in his route, Armed ful wel, with hertes stierne and stoute. With Arcita, in stories as men fynde, The grete Emetreus, the kyng of Inde, Upon a steede bay, trapped in steel. Covered in clooth of gold, dyapred weel, Cam ridynge, lyk the god of armes. Mars. His cote armure was of clooth of Tars Couched with perles, white and rounde and grete ; 2161 His sadel was of brend gold, newe y-bete ; A mantelet upon his shulder hangynge, Brat-ful of rubyes rede, as fyr sparklynge ; His crispe heer, lyk rynges was y-ronne, And that was yelow, and glytered as the Sonne. His nose was heigh, his eyen bright citryn ; His lippes rounde, his colour was sangwyn ; 2160. clooth 0/ Tars, i.e. Tartary, Chinese stuffs which passed through Tartary on their way to Europe. A fewe frakenes in his face y-spre3md, Bitwixen yelow and somdel blak y-meynd, And as a leoun he his lookyng caste. 2171 Of fy ve and twenty yeer his age I caste ; His herd was wel bigonne for to sprynge;. His voys was as a trompe thondrynge ; Upon his heed he wered, of laurer grene, A gerland, fressh and lusty for to sene. Upon his hand he bar, for his deduyt. An egle tame, as any lilye whyt. An hundred lordes hadde he with hym there, Al armed, save hir heddes, in al hir gere, Ful richely in alle maner thynges ; 2181 For trusteth wel that dukes, erles, kynges, Were gadered in this noble compaignye, For love and for encrees of chivalrye. Aboute this kyng ther ran on every part Ful many a tame leoun and leopard. And in this wise these lordes, alle and some, Been on the Sonday to the citee come Aboute pryme, and in the toun alight. This Theseus, this due, this worthy knyght, 219c Whan he had broght hem into his citee And inned hem, everich in his degree, He festeth hem, and dooth so greet labour To esen hem, and doon hem al honour, That yet men weneth that no mannes wit Of noon estaat ne koude amenden it. The mynstralcye, the service at the feeste, The grete yiftes to the meeste and leeste, The riche array of Theseus paleys, Ne who sat first, ne last, upon the deys, AATiat ladyes 'fairest been, or best daun- syngC) 2Z0I Or which of hem kan dauncen best and synge, Ne who moost felyngly speketh of love ; What haukes sitten on the perche above, What houndes liggen in thefloor adoun, Of al this make I now no mencioun. But al theifect, that thynketh me the beste ; 2177. iieduyt, delight ; H2 delite. 2188. the Sonday, i.e. the ' this day fifty wykes' from the Saturday May 5th in whicD Palamon and Arcite first fought (see 1., 1850). 2207. al, H of, perhaps rightly. 30 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 2208-2279 Naw Cometh the point, and herkneth if yow leste. The Sonday nyght, er day bigan to sprynge, 2209 Whan Palamon the larke herde synge, Al though it nere nat day by houres two, Yet song the larke, and Palamon also. With hoolyherte and with an heigh corage. He roos to wenden on his pilgrymage Unto the blisful Citherea benigne, — \ mene Venus, honurable and digne, — And in hir houre he walketh forth a paas Unto the lystes, ther hire temple was. And doun heknelethwithful humble cheer And herte soor, and seyde in this inanere : — 2220 ' Faireste of faire, o lady myn, Venus, Doughter to Jove, and spouse of Vulcanus, Thow gladere of the mount of Citheron, For thilke love thow haddest to Adoon, Have pitee of my bittre teeris smerte. And taak myn humble preyere at thyn herte. Alias ! I ne have no langage to telle Theffectes ne the tormentz of myn helle ; Myn herte may myne harmes nat biwreye ; I am so confus that I kan noght seye. 2230 But mercy, lady bright, that knowest weele My thought, and seest what harmes that I feele, Considere al this and rewe upon my soore As wisly as I shal for evermoore, Emforth my myght, thy trewe servant be. And holden werre alwey with chastitee ; That make I myn avow, so ye me helpe. I kepe noght of armes for to yelpe. Ne I ne axe nat tomorwe to have vict6rie, Ne renoun in this cas, ne veyne glorie 2240 Of pris of armes, blowen up and doun, But I wolde have fully possessioun Of Emelye, and dye in thy servyse. 2217. inhirhmtre. The first hour of each day belonged to that one of the seven deities, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury, Luna, to whom the day was dedicated ; the second to the -next on the list, the third to the next, and so on. Sunday being dedicated to_ Sol, Venus would preside over the second, ninth, sixteenth and twenty-third hours, the last of which would begin two hours before day-break on Mohday. 2219. withjiilf H6 and imth. 2220. and seyde in this manere, H6 ^ seide as ye shal here. Fynd thow the manere how, and in what wyse ; I recche nat, but it may bettre be. To have victorie of hem, or they of me. So that I have my lady in myne armes. For though so be that Mars is god of armes, Youre vertu is so greet in hevene above That, if yow list, I shal wel have my love. Thy temple wol I worshipe evermo, 2251 And on thyn auter, wher I ride or go, I wol doon sacrifice and fires beete ; And if ye wol nat so, my lady sweete, Thanne preye I thee, tomorwe with a spere That Arcita me thurgh the herte here ; Thanne rekke I noght, whan I have lost my lyf. Though that Arcita wynne hire to his wyf : This is theffect and ende of my preyere, — Yif me my love, thow blisful lady deere. ' Whan the orison was doon of Palamon, His sacrifice he dide, and that anon, Ful pitously with alle circumstaunces, Al telle I noght as now his observaunces ; But atte laste the statue of Venus shook And made a signe, wher-by that he took That his preyere accepted was that day ; For thogh the signe shewed a delay. Yet wiste he wel that graunted was his boone. And with glad herte he wente hym hoom ful soone. 2270 The thridde houre in - equal that Palamon Bigan to Venus temple for to gon. Up roos the Sonne and up roos Emelye, And to the temple of Dyane gan she hye, Hir maydens, that she thider with hire ladde, Ful redily with hem the fyr they hadde, Thencens, the clothes, and the remenant al That to the sacrifice longen shal. The homes fuUe of meeth, as was the gyse, — 2279 Z271. The thridde houre in-egual, three hours after * two hours before sunrise,' i.e. the first hour on Monday, that dedicated to Luna or Diana : in-egual shows that the reckoning is by planetary hours, which vary with the length o[ the day. 2274. she^ om. E6. 31 2280-2359 THE CANTERBURY TALES Ther lakked noght to doon hir sacrifise. Smokynge the temple, ful of clothes faire, This Emelye, with herte debonaire, Hir body wessh with water of a welle ; But how she dide hir ryte I dar nat telle, But it be any thing in general ; And yet it were a game to heeren al j To hym that menethwel itwere no charge, But it is good a man been at his large. Hir brighte heer was kempd, un- tressed al, A coroune of a grene ook cerial 2290 Upon hir heed was set, ful faire and meete; Two fyres on the auter gan she beete. And dide hir thynges, as men maybiholde In Stace of Thebes, and thise bookes olde. Whan kyndled was the fyr, with pitoiis cheere. Unto Dyane she spak as ye may heere : — ' O chaste goddesse of the wodes grene, To whom bothe hevene and erthe and see is sene, Queene of the regne of Pluto, derk and lowe, Goddesse of maydens, that myn herte hast knowe 2300 Ful many a yeer, and woost what I desire, As keepe me fro thy vengeaunce and thyn ire, That Attheon aboughte cruelly ; Chaste goddesse, wel wostow that I Desire to ben a mayden al my lyf, Ne never wol I be no love, ne wyf. I am, thow woost, yet of thy compaignye, A raayde, and love huntynge and venerye. And for to walken in the wodes wilde, Andnoght to ben a wyf and be with childe ; Noght wol Iknowe the compaignye of man. Now helpe me, lady, sith ye may and kan. For tho thre formes that thou hast in thee. And Palamon, that hath swich love to me. And eek Arcite, that loveth me so soore, 2290. grene ook cerial, Boccaccio's ' querela cereale,' the holm oak. 2294. /« Stace of Theies, i.e. the^ Thebais of Statius, where, however, no description of these observances occurs. 2303. Attheon, Actaeon. 2313. tho thre formes. Diana, a ' diva triformis-,' was known as Luna in heaven, Diana or Lucina on earth, and Proserpina in hell.. This grace I preye thee withoute moore ; As sende love and pees bitwixe hem two, And fro me turne awey hir hertes so That al hire hoote love and hir desir, And al hir bisy torment and hir fir, 2320 Be queynt, or turned in another place. And if so be thou wolt do mc no grace, Or if my destynee be shapen so That I shal nedes have oon of hem two, As sende me hym that moost desireth me. Bihoold, goddesse of clene chastitee. The bittre teeres that on my chekes falle. Syn thou art raayde, and kepere of us alle. My maydenhede thou kepe and wel conserve 2329 And whil I lyve a maydel wol thee serve.' The fires brenne upon the auter cleere Whil Emelye was thus in hir preyere. But sodeynly she saugh a sighte queynte. For right anon oon of the fyres queynte. And quyked agayn, and after that, anon That oother fyr was queynt and al agon And as it queynte it made a whistelynge As doon thise wete brondes in hii brennjmge ; And at the brondes ende out-ran anon As it were blody dropes, many oon ; 2340 For which so soore agast was Emelye That she was wel ny mad, and gan to crye, For she ne wiste what it signyfied. But oonly for the feere thus hath she cried, And weep that it was pitee for to heere ; And ther-with-al Dyane gan appeere, Withbowe inhonde, right as anhunteresse. And seyde, 'Doghter, stynt thyn hevy- nesse. Among the goddes hye it is affermed, 2349 And by eterne word writen and confermed. Thou shalt ben wedded unto oon of tho That han for thee so muchel care and wo, But unto which of hem I may nat telle. Farwel, for I ne may no lenger dwelle. The fires whiche'that on myn auter brenne ShuUe thee declaren, er that thou go henne, Thyn aventure of love, as in this cas.' And with that word the arwes in the caas Of the goddesse clateren faste and rynge, 2358. hrondes, brands ; H, oj doth a wete brotd in his ^rennytif. 32 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 2360-2440 And forth she wente and made a vanysshynge, 2360 For which this Emelye astoned was, And seyde, ' What amounteth this, alias ! I putte me in thy proteccioun, Dyane, and in thy disposicioun. ' And hoom she goth anon the nexte weye. This is thefifect, ther is namoore to seye. The nexte houre of Mars folwynge this, Arcite unto the temple walked is Of fierse Mars, to doon his sacrifise 2369 With alle the rytes of his payen wyse. With pitous herte and heigh devocioun Right thus to Mars he seyde his orisoun : — ' O stronge god, that in the regnes colde Of Trace honoured art and lord y-holde. And hast in every regne and every lond Of armes al the brydel in thjm hond. And hem fortiinest as thee lyst devyse, Accepte of me my pitous sacriiise. If so be that my youthe may deserve, And that my myght be worthy for to serve Thy godhede, that I may been oon of thyne, 2381 Thanne preye I thee to rewe upon mypyne. For thilke peyne, and thilke hoote fir, In which thou whilom brendest for desir. Whan that thou usedeste the beautee Of faire, yonge, fresshe Venus free. And haddest hire in armes at thy wille, Al-though thee ones on a tyme mysfiUe, Whan Vulcanus hadde caught thee in his las, 2389 And foond thee liggynge by his wyf, alias ! For thilke sorwe that was in thyn herte. Have routheas weluponmypeynes smerte. I am yong and unkonnynge, as thow woost, And, as I trowe, with love offended moost That ever was any lyves creature ; For she that dooth me al this wo endure Ne reccheth never wher I synke or fleete. And wel I woot, er she me mercy heete, I moot with strengthe wynne hire in the place ; 2399 And wel I woot withouten helpe or grace Of thee, nemaymystrengthenoght availle. 2367. The iuxie koure of Mars, the fourth hour of the day. 2369. 0/fierte Mars, H To/yry Mars. Thanne helpe me, lord, tomorwe in my bataille. For thilke fyr that whilom brente thee, As well as thilke fyr now brenneth me. And do that I tomorwe have victorie. Myn be the travaille, and thyn be the glorie ! Thy sovereyn temple wol I moost honouren Of any place, and alwey moost labouren In thy plesaunce, and in thy craftes stronge ; 2409 And in thy temple I wol my baner honge. And alle the armes of my compaignye. And ever mo, un-to that day I dye, Eteme fir I wol biforh thee fynde : And eek to this avow I wol me bynde. My beerd, myn heer, that hongeth long adoun, That never yet ne felte offensioun Of rasour nor of shere, I wol thee yive. And ben thy trewe servant whil I lyve. Now, lord, have routhe upon my sorwes soore, 2419 Yif me the victorie, I aske thee namoore ! ' The preyere stynt of Arcita the stronge. The rynges on the temple dore that honge, And eek the dores, clatereden ful faste. Of which Arcita som-what hym s^aste. The fyres brenden upon the auter brighte, That it gan althe temple for to lighte ; And sweete smel the ground anon up yaf. And Arcita anon his hand up-haf, And moore encens into the fyr he caste. With othere rytes mo, and atte last 2430 The statue of Mars bigan his hauberk rynge; And with that soun he herde a mur- murynge Ful lowe and dym, and seyde thus : ' Victorie ! ' For which he yaf to Mars honour and glorie. And thus with joye and hope wel to fare, Arcite anon unto his inne is fare. As fayn as fowel is of the brighte sonne. And right anon swich strif ther is bigonne For thilke grauntyng in the hevene above, Bitwixe Venus, the goddesse of love, 2440 33 244I-2S07 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A And Mars, the stierne.god armypotente, That Juppiter was bisy it to stente ; Til that the pale Saturnus the colde; That knew so manye of aventures olde, Foond in his olde experience an art That he ful soone hath plesed every part. As sooth is seyd, elde hath greet ^vantage ; In elde is bothe wysdom and usage ; Men may the olde at-renne and noght at-rede. 2449 Saturne anon, to stynten strif and drede, Al be it that it is agayn his kynde, Of al this strif he gan remedie fynde. ' My deere doghter Venus,' quod Saturne, ' My cours, that hath so wyde for to turne. Hath moore power than woot any man ; Myn is the drenchyng in the see so wan, Myn is the prison in the derke cote, Myn is the Stranglyng and hangjmg by the throte. The murmure and the cherles rebellyng. The groynynge and the pryvee empoy- sonyng ; 2460 I do vengeance and pleyn eorreccioun Whfl I dwelle in signe of the leoun ; Myn is the ruyne of the hye halles, The fallynge of the toures and of the walles. Upon the mynour or the carpenter, — I slow Sampsoun; in shakyi^e the piler, — And myne be the maladyes colde. The derke tresons and the castes olde ; My lookyng is the fader of pestilence ; Now weepe namoore, I shal doon dili- ■ ' gene'e 247a That Palamon, that is thyn owene knyght, Shal have his lady, as thou hsist him hight. Though Mars shal helpe his knyght, yet : - nathelees, ■ 2445. an, E2 and. 2449. The line is a proverb. 2454. My cours. The reference is to the sup- posed .Qialign influence of the planet Saturn : for its 'width' Wright quotes the Cotnjiost of Ptolotneits, which gives Saturn an orbit of more than thirty years." . 2459. cileries rehellyng. Possibly Cliaucer had in his mind ' he Jacke Strawe and his meynee ' ; cp. Group B, 1. 4584. 2462. in signfi'o/tite leoun. Prof. Siceat notes that the first ten degrees of the sign Leo are called the * face of Saturn.' Bitwixeyow ther moot be som tyme pees, Al be ye noght of o compleccioun. That causeth al day swich divisiouni > : I am thyn aiel, redy at thy wille ; Weepe now namoore, I wol thy lust fulfiUe.' Now wol I stynten of the goddes above, Of Mars, and of Vem'is, goddesse of love. And telle yow, as pleynly as I kan, 2481 The grete effect for which that I bygani Greet was the feeste in Atthenes that day. And eek the lusty seson of that May Made every wight to been in such plesaunce. That al that Monday justen they and daunce. And spenten it in Venus heigh servyse ; But, by the cause that they sholde ryse Eerly, for to seen the grete fight. Unto hir reste wenten they at nyght. 2490 And on the morwe, whan that day gan sprynge. Of hors and hameys noyse and claterynge Ther was in hostelryes al aboute, And to the paleys rood ther many a route Of lordes, upon steedes and palfreys. Ther maystow seen divisynge of barneys So unkouth and so riche, and wroght so weel Of goldsmythrye, of browdynge, and of steel. The sheeldes brighte, testeres, and ' trappiires ; Gold -he wen helmes, hauberkes,, cote armtires ; 2500 Lordes in paramentz on hir courseres ; Knyghtes of retenue, and eek squieres,,/ Nailynge thesperes, and helmes bokelynge, Giggyhge of sheeldes, with layneres lacynge ; There, as nede is, they weren no thyng ydel. ' ^ The fomy steedes on the golden brydel Gnawynge, and faste the armurers also, 2500. Gold'hewen, H Gold-heien. 34 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 2508-2583 With fyle and hamer, prikynge to and fro; Yemen on foote, and communes many con With shorte staves, thikke as they may goon ; 2510 Pypes, troihpes, nakers, clariounes, That in the bataille blowen blody sounes ; The paleys fill of peples up and doun, — Heere thre, ther ten, holdynge hir questioun, Dyvynyngeof thiseThebaneknyghtes two. Somme seyden thus, somme seyde it shal be so, Somme helden with hym with the blake berd, Somme with the balled, somme with the thikke herd. Some seyde he looked grymme and he wolde fighte. He hath a sparth of twenty pound of w^hte, — 2520 Thus was the halle ful of divynynge Longe after that the sonne gan to sprynge. The grete Theseus, that of his sleepe awaked With mynstralcie and noyse that was maked, Heeld yet the chambre of his paleys riche. Til that the Thebane knyghtes, bothe y- liche Honured, were into the paleys fet. Dug Theseus was at a wyndow set, Arrayed right as he were a god in trone. The peple preesseth thiderward fill soone Hym for to seen, and doon heigh reverence, 2531 And eek to herkne his heste and his sentence. An heraud on a scaffold made an ' Ho ! ' Til al the noyse of peple was y-do ; And whan he saugh the peple of noyse al stille Tho shewed he the myghty dukes wille. ' The lord hath of his heih discrecioun Considered that it were destruecioun To gentil blood to fighten in the gysS 2539 Of mortal bataille now in this emprise; Wherfore, to shapen that they shal nat dye. He wolde his firste purpos modifye. ' No man ther-fore, up peyne of los of lyf. No maner shot, ne polax, he Shorte knyf. Into the lystes sende, ne thider brynge ; Ne short swerd, for to stoke with poynl bitj^nge, No man ne drawe, ne bere by his syde; Ne no man shal unto his felawe ryde But o cours with a sharpe y-grounde spere; Foyne, if hym list, on foote, hym self to were. . 2550 And he that is at meschief shal be take, • And noght slayn, but be broght unto the stake That shal ben ordeyned on either syde ; But thider he shal by force, and there abyde. ' , ' ' And if so f^Ue the chieftayn be take. On outher syde, or elles sleen his make. No lenger shal the turneiynge laste; God spede you ! gooth forth, and ley on faste ! With long swerd and with maces fighteth youre fille. , ' . ' ' Gooth now youre weyj this is the lordes will. ' 2566 The voys of peple touchede the hevene, So loude cride they, with murie stevene, ' God save swich a lord, that is so good. He wilneth no destruccion of blood !.' Up goon the trompes and the melodye And to the lystes rit the compaigiiye By ordinance, thurgh-out the citee large. Hanged with clooth of gold, and nat with sargCi , . ■ Ful lik a lord this noble due gan ryde, Thise two Thebanes upon either side ; 257b And after rood the queene arid Emelye, > And after that another compaignye Of oon and oother, after hir degre.; ' And thus they passen thurgh'out the citee. And to the lystes come they by tyme. It nas not of the day yet fully pryme Whan set was Theseus ful riche and hye, Ypolita the queene and Emelye, And othere ladys in degrees aboute. Unto the seettes preesseth al the route. And westward, thurgh the gates under Marte, ■ .2581 Arcite, and eek the hondred of his parte, With baner reed is entired right anon. 2555. chieftayn, cheventein H3. 35 2584-2658 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A And in that selve moment Palamon Is under Venus, estward in the place, With baner whyt, and hardy chiere and face. In al the world to seken up and doun So evene, withouten variacioun, Ther nere swiche compaign;^es tweye ; For ther was noon so wys that koude seye That any hadde of oother avauntage 2591 Of worthynesse, ne of estaat, ne age, So evene were they chosen, for to gesse ; And in two ranges faire they hem dresse. Whan that hir names rad were everichon, That in hir nombre gyle were ther noon, Tho were the gates shet, and cried was loude, ' Do now youre devoir, yonge knyghtes proude ! ' The heraudes lefte hii:, prikyng up and doun ; 2599 Now ryngen trompes loude and clarioun ; Ther is namoore to seyn, but west and est In goon the speres ful sadly in arrest ; In-gooth the sharpe spore into the syde. Ther seen men who kan juste and who kan ryde ; Ther shyveren shaftes upon sheeldes thikke ; He feeleth thurgh the herte-spoon the prikke. Up spryngen speres twenty foot on highte ; Out gooth the swerdes as the silver brighte ; The helmes they to-hewen and to-shrede. Out brest the blood with stierne stremes rede ; 2610 With:myghty maces the bones they to- breste. He, thurgh the thikkeste of the throng gan threste, Ther, stomblen steedes stronge, and doun gooth al ; He, roUeth under foot as dooth a bal ; He, foyneth on his feet with his tronchoun. And he hym hurtleth with his hors adoun ; He, thurgh the body is hurt and sithen y-take, Maugree his heed, and broght unto the stake, Asforward was, right ther he mqste abyde. Another lad is on that oother syde., 2620 And som t3ane dooth hem Theseus to reste. Hem to refresshe anddrynken^ if hemleste. Ful ofte a-day han thise Thebanes two, Togydre' y-met and viToght his felawe wo ; Unhorsed hath ech oother of hem tweye. Ther nas no tygre in the vale of Galgo- pheye, Whan that hir whelpe is stole whan it is lite, So crueel on the hunte, as is Arcite For jelous herte upon this Palamoun ; Ne in Belmarye ther nys so fel leoun, 2630 That hunted is, or for his hunger wood, Ne of his praye desireth so the blood, As Palamoun, to sleen his foo Arcite. The jelous strokes on hir helmes byte ; Out renneth blood on bothe hir sydes rede. Som tyme an ende ther is of every dede. For, er the sonne unto the reste wente, The stronge kyng Emetreus gan hente This Palamon, as he &ught with Arcite, And made his swerd depe in his flessh tc byte, 26411 And bf the force of twenty is he take Unyolden, and y-drawe unto the stake. And in the rescus of this Palamoun The stronge kyng Lygurge is born adoun, And kyng Emetreus, for al his strengthe, Is born out of his sadel a swerdes lengthe ; So hitte him Palamoun, er he were take; But al for noght ; he was broght to the stake. His hardy hertemyghte hym helpe naught; He moste abyde, whan that he was caught. By force, and eek by composicioun. 2651 Who sorweth now but woful Palamoun, That moot namoore goon agayn to fighte ? And whan that Theseus hadde seyn this sighte Unto the folk that foghten thus echon He cryde, ' Hoo ! namoore, for it is doon I I wol be trewe juge, and no partie ; Arcite of Thebes shall have Emelie • 2626. Galgopheye. Prof. Skeat identifies tWs with the valley of Gargaphie (in Bceotia), where Actaeon was torn in pieces. Tyrwhitt suggests a town called Galapha in Mauritania Tingltana. 2630. Belmarye, in North Africa. 36 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 2659-2736 That by his fortune hath hire feire y- wonne. ' Anon ther is a noyse of peple bigonne, For joye of this, so loude and heighe with-alle, 2661 It semed that the lystes sholde falle. What kan now feire Venus doon above? What seith she now, what dooth this queene of love. But wepeth so, for wantynge of hir wille. Til that hir teeres in the lystes fiUe ? She seyde, ' I am ashamed doutelees.' Satumus seyde, ' Doghter, hoold thy pees, Mars hath his wille, his knyght hath al his boone; " And, by myn heed, thow shalt been esed soone.' 2670 The trompes, with the loude myn- stralcie, The hetaudes, that fill loude yoUe and crie. Been in hire wele, for joye of daun Arcite. But herkneth me, -and stynteth now a lite, Which a myracle ther bifel anon. This fierse Arcite hath of his helm y-don. And on a courser, for to shewe his face, He priketh endelong the large place, Lokjfnge upward up-on this Emelye, 2679 And she agayn hym caste a freendlich eye (For wommen, as to speken in comune, Thei folwen all the favour of Fortune), And was al his, in chiere, as in his herte. Out of the ground a fyr infernal sterte. From Pluto sent, at requeste of Satume, For which his hors for fere gan to turne. And leep aside, and foundred as he leep. And er that Arcite may taken keep, He pighte hym on the pomel of his heed, That in the place he lay as he were deed. His brest to-brosten with his sadel-bowe. As blak he lay as any cole or crowe, 2683. ATid was al his, in chiere, as in his herte. This is Dr. Fumivall's emendation^ no MS. containing the first in — ' she was all his in her looks, as the queen of his heart ' ; H reads and for as; Hengwrt, And she was al his cheere.tXc., i.e. 'all his delight, as regarded his heart, but this is not the use of cheere here wanted. 2684._y5'r, "^furie. In Boccaccio (TVf. ix. 4) it is a fury raised by Venus. 269X. sadel-howe. The *bow' was a curved piece of wood fixed before and behind the saddle to hold the rider in his seat. So was the blood y-ronnen in his face. Anon he was y-born out of the place. With herte soor, to Theseus paleys. The was he korven out of his hameys. And in a bed y-brought fiilfaire and blyve ; For he was yet in memorie and alyve. And alwey criynge after Emelye. 2699 Due Theseus with al his compaignye Is comen hoom to Atthenes his citee, With alle blisse and greet solempnitee ; Al be it that this aventure was &lle, He nolde noght disconforten hem alle, — Men seyden eek that Arcite shal nat dye. He shal been heeled of his maladye. And of another thyng they weren as fayn. That of hem alle was ther noon y-slayn ; Al were theysoore y-hurt, and namely oon. That with a spere was thirled his brest boon. 2710 To othere woundes and to broken armes, Somme hadden salves and somme hadden charmes, Fermacies of herbes, and eek save They dronken, for they wolde hir lymes have. For which this noble due, as he wel kan, Conforteth and honoureth every inan. And made revel al the longe nyght Unto the straunge lordes, as was right ; Ne ther was holden no disconfitynge But as a justes, or a tourneiynge ; 2720 For soothly ther was no disconfiture. For fallyng nys nat but an aventure, Ne to be lad by force unto the stake Unyolden, and with twenty knyghtes take, O persone allone, withouten mo, ■ And haryed forth by arme, foot and too. And eke his steede dryven forth with staves, With footmen, bothe yemen and eek knaves, — It nas aretted hym no vileynye ; Ther may no man clepen it cowardye. 2730 For which anon due Theseus leet crye. To stynten alle rancour and envye. The gree as wel of o syde as of oother, And eyther syde y-lik as ootheres brother ; And yaf hem yiftes after hir degree. And fully heeld a feeste dayes three. 37 2? 37 "2820 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A And convoyed the kynges worthily Oul; of his toun; a journee largely, And hoom wente every man the righte way; Ther was namoore, but ' Fare wel ! ' 1 '. Have good day ! ' 2740 Of:this bataille I wol namoore endite, But spake of Palamoun and of Arcyte. Swelleth the brest of Arcite, and the soore Encreesseth at his herte moore and moore. The cloihered blood, for any lechecraft, .Gorrupteth, and is in his bouk y-laft, That neither veyne-blood ne ventusynge, Ne dr55nke of herbes may ben .his helpynge ; The vertu expulsif, or animal, Pro thilke vertii cleped natural, 2750 Ne may. the venym voyden ne expelle. . The pipes of his longes gonne to swelle, .And every lacerte in his brest adoun Is shent with venym and corrupcioun. Hym gayneth neither, for to gete his lif, Vomyt upward, ne dounward laxatif ; Al is to-brosten thilke regioun ; Nature hath now no dominacioun ; And certeinly, ther Nature wol nat wirche, Faiewel, phisik ! go ber the man to chirchel This al and som, that Arcita moot dye, For which he sendeth after Emelye, And Palamon, that was his cosyn deere. Thanne seyde he thus as ye shal .after heere : ' Naught may the woful spirit in myn herte Declare o point of alle my sorwes smerte To yow, my lady, that I love moost, But I biquethe the servyce of my goost To yow aboven every creature, 2769 Syn that my lyf ne may no lenger dure. Alias the wo ! alias, thi; peynes strongey' That I for yow have suffred, and so longe ! Alias, the deeth ! alias, myn Emelye ! ■Alias, departynge of our compaignye ! . Alias, myn hertes queene ! alias, my wyf ! Myn hertes lady, endere of my lyf! What is this world ? what asketh men to have? Now with his love, now in his colde grave 2770. ne, supplied by Tyrwhitl. AUone, withouten any compaignye. 2773 Farewel, my swete foo, myn Emelye ! And sofle taak me in youre armes tweye For love of .God, and herkneth what I seye. ' I have heer with my cosjm Palamon Had strif and rancour, many a day agon, For love of yow, and for my jalousye. And Juppiter so virys my soule gye . To speken of a servaunt proprely. With alle circumstances trewely, — That is to seyn, trouthe, honour, and knygbthede, Wysdom, humblesse, estaat and heigh kynrede, , ^ ,. 2790 FrSdom, and al that longeth to that art, — So Juppiter have of my soule part. As in this world right now ne knowe I non ■So worthy to ben loved as Palamon, That serveth yow and wol doon al his lyf. And if that ever ye shul ben a wyf. Forget nat Palamon, the gentil man,' — And with that word hii speche faille gan, For from his feet up to his brest was come The coold of deeth, that hadde him over- come ; 2800 And yet jmoore-over, in his armes two. The vital strengthe is lost and al ago. Oonly the intellect, withouten moore That dwelled in his herte syk and soore, Gan faillen when the herte felte deeth, Dusked his eyen two and failled breeth. But on his lady yet caste he his eye ; His laste word was, ' Mercy, Emelye ! ' His spirit chaunged hous, and wente ther, As I cam never, I kan nat tellen wher. Therfore I stynte, I nam no divinistrc ; Of soules fynde I nat in this registre, Ne me ne list thilke opinions to telle, Of hem, though that they writen wher they dwelle. Arcite is coold, ther Mars his, soule gye; Now wol I speken forth of Emelye; Shrighte Emelye, and howleth Palamon, And Theseus his suster took anon Swownynge, and baar hire fro , the corps away. What helpeth it to tarien forth the day, 2799. feet, EH3 herte ; Fetwottb, /bt /rum hii fete unto the herte, 2801. in, "S^^for z». 38 GROUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 2821-2894 To tellen how she weepe, bothe eve and '• morwe ? 2821 For in swich cas wommen have swiche sorwe, Whan that hir housbonds ben from hem That, for the moore part, they sorwen so, Or ellis fallen in swich maladye. That, at the laste, certeinly they dye. Infinite been the sorwes and the teeres Of olde folk, and folk of tendre yeeres. In all the toun for deeth of this Theban ; For hym ther wepeth bothe child and man ; 2830^ So greet a wepyng was ther noon, certayn. Whan Ector was y-broght al fressh y-slayn To Troye. Alias ! the pitee that was ther, Cracchynge of chekes, rentynge eek of heer. ' Why woldestow be deed ? ' thise wommen crye, ' And haddest gold ynough, and Emelye. ' No man myghte gladen Theseus, Savynge his olde fader Egeus, That knew this worldes transmutacioun, As he hadde seyn it chaungen, up and doun, 2840 Joye after wo, and wo afler gladnesse. And shewed hem ensamples and liknesse. ' Right as ther dyed never man,' quod he, ' That he ne ly vede in erthe in som degree. Right so ther lyvede never man,' he seyde, ,' In all this world, that som tym he ne deyde ; This world nys but a thurghfare ftil of wo. And we been pilgrymes, passynge to and . fro ; : ■. Deeth is an ende of every worldly soore'; And over al this yet seyde he muchel moore • ; 28J0 To this effect, ful wisely to enhorte The peple that they sholde hem reconforte. Due Theseus, with all his bisy cure. Cast busily wher that the sepulture Of goo^e Arcite may best y-maked be, 2840. ckatinsen, from Hengwrt; H tome; YP 8849. iiiorldly, E worldes. 2854. busily^ E6 now. And' eek mqost hon\jrable' in his degree ; And at the laste he took conclusioun That ther as first Arcite and Palamoun Hadden for love the bataille hem bitwene. That in that selve grove, swoote and grene, 2860 Ther as he hadde his amorouse desires. His complej'nte, and for love his hoote fires, JHe wolde make a fyr in which the office Funeral he myghte al accomplice ; And leet comande anon to hakke and ■ hewe The okes olde, and leye hem on a rewe. In colpons, wel arrayed for to brenne. His officers with swifte feet they renhe. And ryden anon at his conlandement. And after this Theseus hath y-sent 2870 After a beere, and it al over spradde With clooth of gold, the richeste that he hadde ; , , , , , And of the same suyte he clad Arcite. Upon his hondes hadde he gloves white, Eek on his heed a coroune" of lattrer grene. And in his bond a swerd ful bright and kene. He leyde hym, bare the visage, on the beere. Ther- with he weep that pitee was to beere ; And, for the peple sholde seen hym alle. Whan it was day he broghte hym fo the halle, 2880 That roreth of the criyng and, the soun. Tho cam this woful Theban Palamoun, With flotery herd and ruggy asshy heeres. In clothes blake, y-dropped al with teeres ; And passynge othere of wepynge, Emelye, The rewefuUeste of al the compaignye. In as niuche as the servyce sholdq be The moore noble and riche in his degree, Due Theseus leet forth thre steedes brynge. That trapped were in Steele al gliterynge And covered witlj the armes of daun Arcite. . 2891 Upon thise steedes, that weren grete and white, ■ ; Ther sitten folk, of whiche oon baar his sheeld. Another his spere up in his hondes heeld, 39 2895-2966 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A The thridde baar with hym his bowe Turkeys 2895 (Of brend gold was the caas, and eek the hameys) ; And riden forth a paas with sorweful cheere, Toward the grove, as ye shul after heere. The nobleste of the Grekes that ther were Upon hir shuldres caryeden the beere, With slake paas, and eyen rede and ivete, Thurgh-outthe citee, by the maister strete, That sprad was al with blak, and wonder hye Right of the same is al the strete y-wrye. Upon the right bond wente olde Egeus, And on that oother syde due Theseus, With vessels in hir hand of gold fill fyn Al fill of hony, milk, and blood, and wyn : Eek Palamon, with ful greet compaignye. And after that cam wofill Emelye, 2910 With fyr in honde, as was that tyme the gyse To do the office of funeral servyse. Heigh labour, and fill greet apparail- lynge. Was at the service and the fyr niakynge. That with his grene tope the heven raughte. And twenty fadme of brede the armes straughte ; This is to seyn, the bowes weren so brode. Of stree first ther was leyd ful many a lode ; But how the fyr was maked up on highte. And eek the names that the treeshighte, — As 00k, firre, birch, aspe, alder, holm, popeler, 2921 Wylugh, elm, plane, assh, box, chasteyn, lynde, laurer, Mapul, thorn, bech, hasel, ew, whippeltre, — • How they weren feld shal nat be toold for me ; Ne how the goddes ronnen up and doun. Disherited of hire habitacioun. In whiche they woneden in reste and pees, Nymphes, fawnes, and amadriades ; Ne how the beestes and the briddes alle Fledden for fere, whan the wode was falle ; Ne how the ground agast was of the light, 2920. that, H5 how. That was nat wont to seen the Sonne bright ; Ne how the fyr was couched first with stree, And thanne with drye stokkes, cloven a thre. And thanne with grene wode and spicerye, And thanne with clooth of gold, and with perrye, And gerlandes, hangynge with ful many a flour, The mirre, thencens, with al so greet odour ; Ne how Arcite lay among al this, Ne what richesse aboute his body is, 2940 Ne how that Emelye, as was the gyse, Putte in the fyr of funeral servyse, Ne how she swowned whan men made the fyr, Ne what she spak, ne what was hir desyr, Ne what jeweles men in the fyr tho caste Whan that the fyr was greet and brente faste ; Ne how somme caste hir sheeld, and somme hir spere, And of hire vestimentz, whiche that they were. And coppes full of wyn, and milk, and blood, Into the fyr, that brente as it were wood ; 2950 Ne how the Grekes, with an huge route, Thries riden al the place aboute Upon the left hand, with aloud shoutynge, And thries with hir speres claterynge. And thries how the ladyes gonne crye. And how that lad was homward Emelye; Ne how Arcite is brent to asshen colde, Ne how that lychewake was y-holde Al thilke nyght ; ne how the Grekes pleye The wake-pleyes ; ne kepe I nat to seye Who wrastleth best naked, with oille enoynt, - 2961 Ne who that baar hym best in no disjoynt. I wol nat tellen eek how that they goon Hoom til Atthenes, whan the pleye is doon ; But shortly to the point thanne wol I wende. And raaken of my longe tale an ende. 40 G&OUP A KNIGHT'S TALE 2967-3038 By processe and by lengthe of certeyn yeres, Al styntyd is the moomynge and the teres Of Grekes, by oon general assent. 2969 Thanne semed me ther was a parlement At Atthenes, upon certein poyntz and caas ; Among the whiche poyntz y-spoken was, To have with certein contrees alliaunce, And have fully of Thebans obeissaunce. For which this noble Theseus anon Leet senden after gentil Palamon, Unvrist of hym what was the cause and why; But in his Make clothes sorwefiiUy He cam at his comandement in hye. Tho sente Theseus for Emelye. 2980 Whan they were set, and hust was al the place, And Theseus abiden hadde a space Er any word cam fram his wise brest. His eyen sette he ther as was hb lest, And with a sad visage he siked stille, And after that right thus he seyde hisvrille : 'TheFirste Moevere of the cause above, Whanhefirst made the faire cheyneof love, Greet was thefifect and heigh was his entente ; Wei wiste he why and what therof he mente, 2990 For with that faire cheyne of love he bond The fyr, the eyr, the water and the lend; In certeyn boundes that they may nat flee. That same Prince, and that same Moevere,' quod he, ' Hath stablissed in this wrecched world adoun Certeyne dayes and duracioun To al that is engendrid in this place. Over the whiche day they may nat pace,^ Al mowe they yet tho dayes wel abregge, Ther nedeth noon auctoritee allegge 3000 For it is preeved by experience. But that me list declaren my sentence. Thanne may men by this ordre wel discerne 2987-3016. The Firste Moevere, etc. , Theseus takes the arguments of this__ speech from Boethius, Ve Consolaiione, bk. ii. met. 8 ; bk. iv. pr. 6 ; bk. fii. pr. 10. 2994. and that same Moevere, Heng.2 cm. that; HI. and moevere eek. That thilke Moevere stable is and eterne. Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool, That every part dirryveth from his hool ; For nature hath nat taken his bigynnyng Of no pajtie, ne cantel, of a thyng. But of a thyng that parfit is and stable, Descendynge so, til it be corrumpable. And therfore of his wise purveiaunce 301 1 He hath so wel biset his ordinaunce, ' That spaces of thynges and progressiouns ShuUen enduren by successiouns. And nat eterne, withouten any lye ; This maystow understonde, and seen at eye. ' Loo the ook, that hath so long a norisshynge From tyme that it first bigynneth sprynge, And hath so long a lif as we may see. Vet at the laste wasted is the tree. 3020 ' Considereth eek how that the harde stoon Under oure feet, on which we trede and goon,, Yit wasteth it, as it lyth by the weye ; The brode ryver somtyme wexeth dreye ; The grete tounes se we wane and wende ; Thanne may ye se that al this thyng hath ende. 'Of man and womman seen we wel also. That nedeth in oon of thise termes two, This is to seyn, in youthe or elles age. He moot be deed, the kyng as shal a page ; ^ 3030 Som in his bed, som in the depe see, Som in the large feeld, as men may se ; Ther helpeth noght, al goth that ilke weye : Thanne may I seyn that al this thyng moot deye. 'What maketh this but Juppiter, the kyng. The which is prince, and cause of alle thyng, Convertynge al unto his propre welle, From which it is dirryved, sooth to telle? 3015. H And nat eterne he, withoutc lye. 3025. tounes, E toures. 3034. that, cm. E2. 3036. The which, E" tliat. 41 3039-3110 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A And here-agayns no creature on lyve, Of no degree, availleth for to stryve. 3040 ' Thp.nne is it wy sdom, as it thynketh me, To maken vertu of necessitee. And take it wee! that we may not eschue, And namely that to us alle is due. And whoso gruccheth ought, he dooth folye, And rebel is to hym that al may gye ; And certeinly a man hath moost honour. To dyen in his excellence and flour. Whan he is siker of his goode name ; Thanne hath he doon his freend, ne hym, no shame, 3050 And gladder oghte his freend been of his deeth, Whan with honour up-yolden is his breeth, Than whan his name apalled is for age, For al forgeten is his vassellage. Thanne is it best, as for a worthy fame. To dyen whan that he is best of name. ' The contrarie of al this is wilfulnesse. Whygrucchen we, why have we hevynesse, That goode Arcite, of chivalrie flour. Departed is, with duetee and honour, 3060 Out of this foule prisoun of this lyf ? Why grucchen heere his cosyn and his wyf *Of his welfare that loved hem so weel ? Kan he hem thank? — Nay, God woot, never a deel — That bothe his soule and eek hem-self offende. And yet they mowe hir lustes nat amende, ■'What may I conclude of this longe serye, But after wo, I rede us to be merye, And thanken Juppiter of al his grace ? And er that we departen from this place I rede that we make of sorwes two 3071 O parfit joye, lastynge evermo. And looketh now, wher moost sorwe is her-inne, Ther wol we first amenden and bigynne. ' Suster,' quod he, 'this is my fuUe assent, With all thavys heere of my parlement, That gentil Palamon, thyn owene knyght, That serveth yow with wille, herte, and myght, 3077. thyn^ '^ your. And ever hath doon, syn that ye first hym knewe. That ye shul of your grace upon hym rewe, 3080 And taken hym for housbonde and for lord ; Lene me youre hond, for this is oure accord. Lat se now of youre wommanly pitee ; He is a kynges brother sone, pardee, : And though he were a poure bacheler, > ' Syn he hath served yow so many a yeer And had for yow so greet adversitee, It moste been considered, leeveth me. For gentil mercy oghte to passen right.' Thanne seyde he thus to Palamon fill right : 3090 ' I trowe ther nedeth litel sermonyng To make yow assente to this thyng ; Com neer, and taak youre lady by the hond.' Bitwixen hem was maad anon the bond That highte matrimoigne, or mariage, By al the conseil and the baronage ; ' And thus with alle blisse and melodye Hath Palamon y-wedded Emelye, And God, that al this wyde world hath wroght, Sende hym his love that it hath deere aboght, 3100 For now is Palamon in alle wele, Lyvynge in blisse, in richesse, and in heele ; And Emelye hym loveth so tendrely, And he hire serveth al-so gentilly. That never was ther no word hem bitwene Of jalousie, or any oother tene. Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye ; And God save al this faire compaignye. Amen. Heere folwen the wordes bitwene the Hoost and the Millere Whan that the Knyght had thus his tale y-toold. In al the route ne was ther yong ne oold 311a 3106. or any, H ne o/noft. 42 GROUP A HOST AND MILLER 3111-3176 That he ne seyde it was a noble storie, And worthy for to drawen to memorie ; And namely the gentils everichon. Oure Hooste lough and swoor, ' So moot I gon, This gooth aright; unbokeled is the male ; Lat se now who shal telle another tale ; For trewely the game is wel bigonne. Now telleth on, sire Monk, if that ye konne Sumwhat to quite with the Knyghtes tale.' The Millere, that for-dronken ^was al pale, 3120 So that unnethe upon his hors he sat, He nolde avalen neither hood ne hat, Ne abyde no man for his curteisie. But in Pilates voys he gan to crie. And swoor by armes, and by blood and bones, ' I kan a noble tale for the nones. With which I wol now quite the Knyghtes tale.' Oure Hooste saugh that he was dronke of ale. And seyde, 'Abyd, Robyn, my leeve brother, 3129 Som bettre man shal telle us first another ; Abyde, and lat us werken thriftily.' ' By Goddes soule,' quod he, ' that wol nat I, For I wol speke, or elles go my wey.' Oure Hoost answerde, ' Tel on a devele wey ! Thou art a fool, thy wit is overcome. ' 'Now herkneth,' quod the Millere, ' alle and some ; But first I make a protestacioun That I am dronke, I knowe it by my soun; And, therfore, if that I raysspeke or seye, Wyte it the ale of Southwerk, I you preye ; 3140 For I wol telle a legende and a lyf, 31 12. /or to drawen to, H to he drawen in. 3114. loii^h, H tho hugh. 3115. aright. H right wel, ■i^T-l. an, HPye. 3124. in Pilates voys, th» ranting tone assigned to Pilate in the Miracle Plays. 3128. saugh that h£ was dronke, H saugh wel how dronke he was. 3138. zV, H ivel. Bothe of a carpenter and of his wyf. How that a clerk hath set the wrightes cappe.' The Reve answerde and seyde, ' Styut thy clappe ! Lat be thy lewed, dronken harlotrye ; It is a synne, and eek a greeit folye To apeyren any man, or hym defame, And, eek to bryngen wyves in swich fame ; Thou mayst ynogh of othere thyngesseyn.' This dronke Millere spak ful soone ageyn 3150 And seyde, ' Leve brother Osewold, Who hath no wyf he is no cokewold. But I sey'nat therfore that thou art oon, Ther been ful goode wyves many oon. And ever a thousand goode ayeyns oon badde ; That knowestow wel thyself, but if thou madde. Why artow angry with my tale now ? I, have a vtyi pardee, as wel as thow. Yet nolde I, for the oxen in my plogh. Taken upon me moore than ynogh ; 3160 Though that thou deme thiself that thou be oon, I wol bileve wel that I am noon. An housbonde shal nat been inquisityf Of Goddes pry vetee, nor of his wyf ; So he may fynde Goddes foysoun there, Of the remenant nedeth nat enquere. ' What sholde I moore seyn, but this Millere He nolde his wordes for no man forbere. But told his cherles tale in his manere. Mathynketh that I shal reherce it heere ; And therfore every gentil wight I preye, For Goddes love, demeth nat that I seye Of yvel entente, but for I moot reherce Hir tales alle, be they bettre or werse. Or elles falsen som of my mateere : 3175 And therfore, who-so list it nat y-heere, 3148. swich/ame, ^ yllname. 3161. Though, etc. This reading of H (partly supported by Camb.) is much better than the 'As denten ofTnyselfthat I were oon ' of EB. 3167. moore seyn but this, H seye but that this proud. 3173. /or, W that. 3174. Hir tales alle, he they, etc., 'H Here wordes alle, al be they, etc. 43 3177-3240 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP A Turne over the leef and chese another tale ; For he shal fynde ynowe, bothe grete and smale, Of storial thyng that toucheth gehtillesse, And eek moralitee, and hoolynesse, — 3180 Blameth nat me if that ye chese amys. The Millere is a cherl, ye knowe wel. this, So was the Reve, and othere manye mo, And harlotrie they tolden bothe two. Avyseth yow, putteth me out of blame ; And eek men shal nat maken ernest of game. MILLER'S TALE Heere bigynneth The Millere his Tale Whilom ther was dwellynge.aitOxenford A riche gnof, that gestes heeld.to bord. And of his craft he was a carpenter. With hym ther was dwellynge a poure scoler, 3190 Hadde lerned art, but al his fantasye Was turned for to lern astrologye, And koude a certeyn of conclusiouns, To demen by interrogaciouns, If that men asked hym in certein thoures Whan that men sholde have droghteor elles shoures, Or if men asked hym what sholde bifeUe Of every thyng, I may nat rekene hem' alle. This clerk was cleped hende Nicholas. Of deerne love he koude, and of solas. And ther-to he was sleigh and fill privet. And lyk a mayden meke for to see. 3202 A chambre hadde he in that hostelrys AUone, withouten any compaignye, Ful fetisly y-dight, with herbes swoote. And he hymself as sweete as is the roote Of lycorys, or any cetewale. His Almageste, and bookes grete and smale. The Millere his Tale, No original or analogue has been ' discovered for this storjr, and there is no reason to doubt that it is of Chaucer's own invention, 3208. A Imageste, the chief work of the astron- omer Ptoleniy, called by the Greeks MeyaAij Sui'Tttfts ttJs 'Aorpovo/xtas, a name which the Arabs 'by substituting a superlative turned into Al-megiste^QX Almagest,, His astrelabie, longynge for his art. His augrym stones, layen faire apart, 3210 On shelves couched at his beddes heed. His presse y-covered with a faldyng reed, And all above ther lay a gay sautrie. On which he made a-nyghtes melodic So swetely, that al the chambre rong. And Angelus ad Virginem, he song ; And after that he song the 'kynges noote ' ; Ful often blessed was his .myrie throte, And ^us this sWeete clerk his tyme spente 3219 After his freendes fyndyng and his rente. This carpenter hadde wedded newe a wyfj - Which that he lovede moore than his lyf j Of eighteteend yeer she was of lage. Jalous he was, and heeld hire narwe in cage. For she was yong and wylde,. and he was old. And demed hymself been lik a cokewold. He knew nat Catoun, for his wit was rude, — • That bad man sholde wedde his simylitude. Men sholde wedden after hire estaat, 3229 For youthe and elde is often at debaat ; But sith that he was fallen in the snare, He inoste endure, as oother folk, his care. Fair was this yonge wyf, and therwithal, As any wezele, hir body gent and smal. A ceynt she werede, y-barred al of silk ; A barmclooth eek, as whit as mbrne milk, Upon hir lendes, ful of many a goore ; Whit was hir smok, and broyden albifooref And eek bihynde, on hir coler aboute, ■ Of colblak silk withinne and eek withoutc. 3216. Angelus dd Virginem. The music of a 13th-century chant to these words is extant at the British Museum. Of the * kynges noote' nothing appears to be known. 3227. He knew nat Catoun, The maxim here alluded to is not properly one of Cato's; but I find it in a kind of Supplement to the Moral Distichs, entitled Facetus int.. Aiictores' 'octo morales, Lugd. 1538; cap. iii. ' ' ' Due tibi prole parem sponsam moresque venustam, ' Si cum pace vdis vitaln deducere justam ' (Tyrwhitt). The sentiment is as old &s the Seven SageS. - - i 2'2-ii, /alien in, H brought into. 3232. /blkf H doon. 44 GROUP A MILLER'S TALE 3241-331S The tapes of hir white voluper 3241 Were of the same suyte of hir coler ; Hir filet brood, of silk and set fill hye ; And sikerly she hadde a likerous eye. Ful smale y-pulled were hire browes two, And tho were bent, and blake as any sloo. She was ful moore blisfiil on to see rhan is the newe pereionette tree, And softer than the wolle is of a wether ; And by hir girdel heeng a purs of lether, Tasseled with grene and perled with latoun. 3251 In al this world, to seken up and doun, There nas no man so wys that koude thenche So gay a popelote, or swich a wenche. Ful brighter was the shynyng of hir hewe Than in the Tour the noble y-forged newe. But of hir song it was as loude and yerne As any swalwe chitteryng on a berne. Therto she koude skippe and make game. As any kyde, or calf, folwynge his dame. Hir mouth was sweete as bragot or the meeth, 3261 Or hoord of apples leyd in hey or heeth. Wynsynge she was, as is a joly colt ; Long as a mast and uprighte as a bolt. A brooch sche baar upon hir love coler. As brood as is the boos of a bokeler ; Hir shoes were laced on hir legges hye ; She was a prymerole, a piggesnye For any lord, to leggen in his bedde. Or yet for any good yeman to wedde. 3270 Now, sire, and eft, sire, so bifel the cas. That on a day this hende Nicholas, Fil with this yonge wyf to rage and pleye, Whil that hir housbonde was at Oseneye, As clerkes ben ful subtile and ful queynte ; And privelyhecaughtehire by thequeynte. And seyde, 'Y-wis, but if ich have my wiUe, For deeme love of thee, lemman, I spille ' ; And heeld hire harde by the haunche bones, 3256. T ^ J ^ f^ Long was the sobbyng and the bitter I peyne,/ ^ / w ' ^ I Er that hil wofiil hertes myghte cesse ; 1037. The stanza is Chaucer's addition. 1038: sUlful, H riglitf«L _ 1051-1078; Cnaucers addition. Gre^was thppitee for toheerehem pleyne, Thurgh whiche pleinfes gan hfr Wo en- , y cre^e/ ^ / ^ / I_pray yow all my labouj^to relesse, Inmy imt^elHur w until K^mprwe, 1070 1 aid so wery for to speke of sorwe. But finally, whan that the sothe is wist. That Alia giltelees was of hir wo, I trowe an hundred tymes been they kist ; And swich a blisse is ther bitwix hem two, That, save the joye that lasteth evermo, Ther is noon lyk that any creature Hath seyn, or shal, whil that the world may dure. Tho preyde she hir housbonde, mekely. In relief of hir longe pitous pyne, 1080 That he wolde preye hir fader specially, That of his "magestee he wolde enclyne To vouche-sauf som day with hym to dyne. She preyde hym eek he wolde, by no weye. Unto hir fader no word of hire seye. Som men wold seyn how that the child Maurice Dooth this message unto the emperour. But, as I gesse. Alia was nat so nyce To hym, that was of so sovereyn honour As he that is of cristen folk the flour, logo Sente any child ; but it is bet to deeme He wente hymself, and so it may well seeme. This emperour hath graunted gentilly To come to dyner, as he hym bisoughte. And wel rede I, he looked bisily Upon this child, and onhis doghter thoghte. Alia goth to his in, and as him oghte, Arrayed for this feste in every wise, As ferforth as his konnyng may suffise. The morwe cam, and Alia gan hym dresse, noo And eek his wyf, this emperour to meete ; And forth they ryde in joye and in gladnesse ; And whan she saugh hir fader in the strete, She lighte doun and falleth hym to feete ; 1086. Som men, i.e. Trivet. 77 itos-u66 THE CANTERBURY TALES yz 'Fader,' quod she, 'youre yonge child, Custance, Is now ful clene out of youre remembrance. I am youre doghter Custance,' quod she, ' That whilom ye han sent unto Surrye. It am I, fader, that in the salte see 1109 Was put allone, and dampned for to dye. Now, goode fader, mercy, I yow crye ! Sende me namoore unto noon hethenesse, But thonketh my lord heere of his kynde- nesse. ' Who kan the pitous joye tellen al Bitwixe hem thre, syn they been thus y-mette ? < But of my tale make an ende I shal, — The day goth faste, I wol no- lenger lette. This glade folk to dyner they hem sette. Injoyeand bljsseatmetel letehem dwelle, A thousand foold wel moore than I kan telle. iiao This child Maurice was sithen emperour Maad by the pope and lyved cristenly. To Cristes chirche he dide greet honour ; But I lete all his storie passen by ; Of Custance is my tale specially. In the olde Romane Geestes may men fynde Maurices lyf, I here it noght in mynde. This kyng Alia, whan he his tyme say. With his Custance, his hooly wyf so sweete, To Engelond been they come the righte way, J130 Wher as they lyve in joye and in quiete ; But litel while it lasteth, I yow heete. Joye of this world for tyme wol nat abyde, Fro day to nyght it changeth as the tyde. Or ire,' or taftnt, or som liynnes affray, , 1I2B. ,Maad by the pope. Trivet says by his grandfather 'par I'assent del pape Pelagic e de tout le senat de Rome. ' 1Z26. the otde Romane Geestes^ i,e. the Gesta Romanorutn't H om. the. 1 1 35. From De Content^ tu Mundi, i. 2a. 1 137. kyntteSt H tuaner. - / . 7 ■rtaUiteXjvhila in j6ye,^QrihA)lesWice^ j?^ liastdih the blisse of Alia with Custance ; ^ / ^ i* ^^ / ~- y For Deeth, tjjat taketh of Jieigh and logh ?Sr whom ^ Jiisse. _ N^ laj us prayen God ^s^oule ble'sse ! Apd dame Cusjang^ ^^^ ^ siyt, y Toward tfie toun of Rome goth hSrweye. To Rpme is cwne this J iQoly Qreature, And ^ndeSi hire freenaes thir botne / ^ hoole and smjnSe. . ^^^ i .1150 Now is ifie sdapeS allwe aventure, , Am wtoiyhat sheJiiwMer Jathy-fougae; l5oun on hir^naes^laph she toOTJundg; sith¥. iVepynee_^r tejdienesse in herte blithe, 3he h&TOth God an himdred thousaifd ,- / ^ ^ In vertu ajid in hoqly ahnug-de^( T^yl5venafle,and nevereasdmer vy wende.- ?8 Now Jhesp Crist, that of his myght may y sepd^ ^ / ^ J^ /^.6p Jo^ aito wo, £ove^e us,m/his_erag5, And kdpe uT^le that been in this place. Amen. \Words of the Host, the Parson, and the ^_OureHosteupon his stirapesstodeauon, jind' srfy^^ {'Good mfin, hSrkeneth, - , ^evericljoi)^! /^ / ^ j^ This V^fa thrifty talgjor the nones !i ^ Sir Parish Prest,' quod he, 'forGoddes bdnfiS, 1149. hooiy, H nobii. 1 1 63-1 190. The text is taken from MS. Arch, Seld. B. 14, the only MS. which preserves the reading Shipman in fine 1179. 1165. a thrifty tale; an allusion to the same phrase in B. 46, showing that the reference is to the Man of Law's Tale- GROUP B SHIPMAN'S TALE 1 167-1232 XelJ us a tale, as wjisjhy forward jrdre ; I se wel^that ye lerned menjii lore / Can moche good, b^TGoddes dignitee ! ' 1 XEe Personehjmanswerde, 'SeneaipHe' What eyjeth the man so sinfully to swere ? ' iiyT Our Hoste answerde, 'O Jankyn, be ye there ? I smelle a LoUer in the wind,' quod he. 'Nowe, good men,' quod our Hoste, 'herkneth me, Abydeth, for Goddes digne passioun. For we shul han a predicacioun ; This LoUer here wol prechen us somwhat.' ' Nay, by my fader soule ! that shal he nat ! ' Seyde the Shipman ; ' here shal he nat preche ; 1179 He shal no gospel glosen here, ne teche. We leven alle in the grate God,' quod he, ' He wolde sowen som diflSculte, Or sprengen cokkel in our clene com ; And therfore, Hoste, I wame the bifom. My joly body shal a tale telle, 'And r shal clynken yow so mery a belle That I shal wakyn al this companye ; But it shal nat ben of philosophye, Ne of phisyk, ne termes queint of lawe ; There is but litel Latin in my mawe.' 1190 SHIPMAN'S TALE Heere bigynneth The Shifmannes Tale A tnarchant whilom dwelled at Seint Denys, That riche was, for which men helde hym wys ; A wyf he hadde of excellent beautee, 1173. a LolleTy a Lollard. That Chaucer allowed this name to be given to his good parson does not prove that he sympathised with Wyclif 's doctrines. Any priest who lived a strict life just then might incur the charge of Lollardy. 1 1 74. J^owe, from H ; rest Howe. 1178. Tny/ader, Arch. Seld. godis, 1179. Shipfnan, Heng.5 Sguier, H Sompnour. 1183. cokkel, an allusion to the derivation of Lollard from lolium. 1186-1190. The Shipmannes Tale. In Heng.6 here follows the Squire's Tale. No original of the Sbipman's Tale has yet been found. And compaignable and revelous was she. Which is a thyng that causeth more dispence Than worth is al the chiere and reverence That men hem doon at festes and at daunces. 1197 Swiche salutaciouns and contenaunces Passen as dooth a shadwe upon the wal ; But wo is hym that payen moot for al ! 'Theselyhousbonde algate he moste paye ; He moot us clothe and he moot us arraye, Al for his owene worship richely. In which array we daurice jolily. ( And if that he noght may, par aventure. Or ellis list no swich dispence endure, But thynketh it is wasted and y-lost, Thanne moot another payen for oure cost, Or lene us gold, and that is perilous.' This noble nmrchaunt heeld a worthy hous, Z2IO For which he hadde alday so greet repair For his largesse, and for his wyf was fair, That wonder is ; but herkneth to my tale. Amonges alle his gestes, grete and smale, Ther was a monk, a fair man and a boold, — I trowe of thritty wynter he was oold, — That ever in oon was comynge to that place. This yonge monk, that was so fair of face, Aquejmted was so with the goode man Sith that hir firste knoweliche bigan, 1220 That in his hous as famulier was he As it is. p6ssible any freend to be. And for as muchel as this goode man And eelff this monk, of which that I bigan, Were bothe two y-bom in o village. The monk hym claymeth as for cosynage ; And he agayn he seith nat ones nay. But was as glad therof as fowel of day ; For to his herte it was a greet plesaunce. Thus been they knyt with eterne alliaunce. And ech of hem gan oother for tassure 1231 Of bretherhede whil that hir lyf may dure. 1202. and he moot us, H in/ul good. 1206. list no, H ivill not. 1210. vjorthy, H5 noble. 1217. comynge^YL^ drawyng. 1222. is, om. E ; H reads as it possible is a Jriend to lie. 79 I233-I3IS THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP B Free was Daun John, and namely of dispence, As in that hous, and ful of diligence To doon plesaunce, and also greet costage : He noght forgat to yeve the leeste page In al the hous ; but after hir degree He yaf the lord and sitthe al hjs meynee, Whan that he cam, som manere honest thyng, For which they were as glad of his comyng As fowel is fayn whan that the sonne upriseth ; 1241 Na moore of this as now, for it suffiseth. But so bifel this marchant on a day Shoop hjTn to make redy his array , Toward the toun of Brugges for to fare. To byen there a porcioun of ware ; For which he hath to Parys sent anon A raessager, and preyed hath Daun John That he sholde come to Seint Denys, to pleye 1249 With hym and with his wyf a dayor tweye, Er he to Brugges wente, in alle wise. This noble monk, of which I yo w devyse, Hath of his abbot, as hym list, licence, — By-cause he was a man of heigh prudence, And eek an officer, — out for to ryde. To seen hir graungesand hirebemes wyde. And unto Seint Denys he comth anon. Who was so welcome as my lord Daun John, Oure deere cosyn, ful of curteisye ? With hym broghte he a jubbe of malvesye And eek another, ful of fyn vernage, 1261 And volatyl, as ay was his usage. _ And thus I lete hem ete and drynke and pleye, . This marchant and this monk, a day or tweye. The thridde day this marchant up ariseth, And'on his nedes sadly hym avyseth. And up into his countour-hous gooth he, To rekene with hymself, as wel may be, Of thilke yeer, how that it with hym stood. And how that he despended hadde his good, 1270 And if that he encressed were or noon. His bookes and his bagges, many oon, He loith bifornhym on his countyng-bord. Ful riche was his tresor and his hord. For which ful faste his countour dore he shette ; And eek be nolde that no man sholde hym lette Of his accountes, for the meene 'tyme ; And thus he sit til it was passed pryme. Daun John was rysen in the morwe also And in the gardyn walketh to and fro, 128c And hath his thynges seyd ful curteisly. . This goode wyf cam walkynge pryvely Into the gardyn, there he walketh softe. And hym saleweth, as she hath doon ofte. A mayde child cam in hire compaignye, Which as hir Ust she may governe and gye. For yet under the yerde was the mayde. ' O deere cosyn myn, Daun John,' she sayde, ' What eyleth yow, so rathe for to ryse ? ' 'Nece,'quod he, 'it oghteynough suffise Fyve houres for to slepe upon a nyght, 1291 But it were for an old appalled wight. As been thise wedded men that lye and dare. As, in a fourme, sit a wery hare Were al forstraught with houndes grete and smale ; But, deere nece, why be ye so pale ? I trowe certes that oure goode man Hath yow laboured sith the nyght bigan. That yow were nede to resten hastily ' ; And with that word he lough ful murily And of his owene thought he wax al reed. This faire wyf gan for to shake hir heed. And seyde thus : ' Ye, God woot al,' quod she, ' Nay, cosyn myn, it stant nat so with me. For by that God that yaf me soule and lyfi In al the reawme of Frapce is ther no wyf That lasse lust hath to that sory pleye ; For I may synge alias and weylawey That I was bom; but to no wight,' quod she, ' Dar I nat telle how that it stant with me ; Wherfore I thynke out of this lande to wende, 1311 Or elles of myself to make an ende. So fill am I of drede and eek of care.' This monk bigan upon this wyf to stare, And seyde, ' Alias, my nece, God forbede 80 GROUP B SHIPMAN'S TALE 1316-139: That ye, for any sorwe or any drede, Fordo youreself ; but tel me of youre grief; Paraventure I may in youre meschief 131S Conseille or helpe ; and therforetelleth me All youre anoy, for it shal been secree ; For on my porthors here I make an 00th That never in, my lyf, for lief ne looth, Ne shal I of no conseil yow biwreye.' 'The same agayn to yow,' quod she, ' I seye. By God and by this porthors I yow swere. Though men me wolde al into pieces tere, Ne shal I never, for to goon to helle, Biwreye a word of thyng that ye me telle, Nat for no cosynage ne alliance. But verraily for love and affiance.' 1330 Thus been they sworn, and heer-upon they kiste, And ech of hem tolde oother what hem liste. 'Cosyn,' quod she, 'if that I hadde a space, As I have noon, and namely in this place, rhaime wolde I telle a legende of my lyf. What I have sufted sith I was a wyf iVith myn housbonde, al be he of youre kyn.' 'Nay,' quod this monk, 'by God, and Seint Martyn ! He is na moore cosyn unto me 1339 rhan is this lief that hangeth on the tree. [ clepe hym so, by Seint Denys of Fraunce ! To have the moore cause of aqueyntaunce 3f yow, which I have loved specially, Vboven alle wommen sikerly ; rhis swere I yow on my professioun. rellethyoiuregrief, lest thathecomeadoun, ind hasteth yow, and gooth youre way anon. ' ' My deere love,' quod she, ' O my Daun John, ""ul lief were me this conseil for to hyde, 3ut out it moot, I may namoore abyde ! 1350 iIjTi housbonde is to me the worste man That ever was sith that the world bigan, iut sith I am a wyf, it sit nat me 1317. tel, H6 (elletk. 1331. they kiste, H* i-kiste, kist. 1337. al be he of youre kyn, H tliough he i our cosyn. To tellen no wight of cure privetee, Neither a-bedde ne in noon oother place — God shilde I sholde it tellen for his grace ! A wyf ne shal nat seyn of hir housbonde But al honour, as I kan understonde. Save unto yow, thus muche I tellen shal ; As helpe me God, he is noght worth at al In no degree the value of a flye ; 1361 But yet me greveth moost his. nygardye. And wel ye woot that wommen naturelly Desiren thynges sixe, as wel as I : They wolde that hir housbondes sholde be Hardy and wise, and riche, and therto free, And buxom unto his wyf, land fressh abedde ; But by that ilke Lord that for us bledde, For his honour myself for to arraye, A Sonday next, I moste nedes paye 1370 An hundred firankes, or ellis I am lorn ; Yet were me levere that I were unborn Than me were doon a sclaundre or vileynye ; And if myn housbondeeek it myghte espye I nere but lost, and theifore I yow preye, Lene me this somme, or ellis moot Ideye, Daun John, I seye, lene me thise hundred frankes ; Pardee, I wol nat faille yow my thankes, If that yow list to doon that I yow praye. For at a certeyn day I wol yow paye, 1380 And doon to yow what plesanceand service That I may doon, right as yow list devise. And but I do, God take on me vengeance As foul as ever hadde Genyloun of France ! ' This gentU monk answerde in this nianere : ' Now trewely, myn owene lady deere, I have,'quod he, 'on yow sogreet arouthe. That I yow swere, and plighte yow my trouthe, That whan youre housbonde is to Flaundres fare I wol delyvere yow out of this care ; 1390 Fori wol bryngeyow an hundred frankes' ; 1368. H reads : But by that lord that /or us alle bledde. 1370. H reads : A sonday next comyn£ yit moste J praye. 1384. C^wy/fWM, the betrayer of Roland. 1387. H reads : / have on yow so greet pile androuthe^ 81 I392-I469 THE CANTERBURY TALES And with that word he caughte hire by the flankes And hire embraceth harde and kiste hire ofte. ' Gooth now youre wey,' quod he, 'all stille and softe, And lat us dyne as scone as that ye may, For by my chilyndre it is pryme of day. Gooth now, and beeth as trewe as I shal be.' 'Now elles God forbade, sire,' quod she ; And forth she gooth as jolif as a pye, And bad the cookes that they sholde hem hye, 1400 So that men myghtedyne and that anon. Up to hir housbonde is this wyf y-gon, And knokketh at his countour boldely. ' Qy la ? ' quod he. ' Petei: ! it am I,' Quod 'she; 'what, sire, how longe wol ye faste ? How longe tyme wol ye rekene and caste Youre sommes, and youre bookes, and youre thynges ? The devel have part on alle swiche rekenynges ! Ye have ynough, pardee, of Goddes sonde ; Com doun to-day, and lat youre bagges stonde. 1410 Ne be ye nat ashamed that Daun John Shal fasting al this day alenge gpon ? What ! lat us heere a messe, and go we 5'dyne ! ' ' Wyf,' quod this man, ' litel kanstow devyne The curious bisynesse that we have ; For of us chapmen, — al-so God me save. And bythat lord thatclepidisSeint Yve, — • Scarsly amonges twelve two shuln thryve, Continuelly lastynge unto oure age. 1419 We may wel make chiere and good visage. And dryve forth the world as it may be. And kepen oure estaat in pryvetee Til we be deed ; or elles that we pleye A pilgrymage, or goon out of the weye ; And therfore have I greet necessitee 1417. Seint Yve, Saint Ivo. 1418. tivi>, ES ten, Corp.3 tweye. 1423, 24. we pleye A pilgrymage^ as a pretext for keeping out of tiie way of creditors. Upon this queynte world tavyse me, For, evermoore we moote stonde in drede Of hap and fortune in oure chapmanhedej ' To Flaundres wol I go to-morwe at day, 1429 And come agayn as soone as ever I may; For which, my deere wyf, I thee biseke As be to every wight buxom and make, And for to kepe oure good be curious. And honestly goveme wel oure hous. Thou hast ynough in every maner wise, That to a thrifty houshold may suffise ; Thee.lakketh noon array ne no vitaille, Qf silver in thy purs shaltow nat faille.' And with that word his countour dore he shette, And doun he gooth, no lenger wolde he lette ; 1440 But hastily a messe was ther seyd. And spedily the tables were y-leyd. And to the dyner fastS they hem spedde. And richely this monk the chapman fedde. At after dyner Daun John sobrely This chapman took apart and prively He seyde hym thus : ' Cosyn, it standeth so That, wel I se, to Brugges wol ye go. God and Seint Austynspedeyow and gyde! I prey yow, cosyn, wisely that ye ryde ; Governeth yow also of youre diete 1451 Atemprely, and namely in this hete. Bitwix us two nedeth no strange fare ; Fare wel, cosyn, God shilde yow fro care I And if that any thyng, by day or nyght, If it lye in my power and my myght. That ye me wol comande in any wyse. It shal be doon, right as ye wol devyse. ' O thyng, er that ye goon, if it may be, I wolde prey yow for to lene me 1460 An hundred frankes for a wyke or tweye, For certein beestes that I moste beye. To stoore with a place that is oures, — God helpe me so, I wolde it ware youresi I shal nat faille surely of my day, Nat for a thousand frankes a mile way ! But lat this thyng be secree, I yow preye. For yet to-nyght thise beestes moot I beye And fare now wel, myn owene cosyn deere. 82 1438. shaltow, H* thou mayst, 1443. At, H*And. GROUP B SHIPMAN'S TALE 1470-1538 Graunt mercy of youre cost and of yonre cheere ! ' 1470 This noble marchant gentilly anon Answerde and seyde, ' O cosyn niyn, Daun John, Now sikerly this is a smal requeste, My gold is youres whan that it yow leste, And nat oonly my gold, but my chafiFare ; Take what yow list, God shilde that ye spare ! 'But o thyng is, ye knowe it wel ynogh, Of chapmen, that hir moneie is hir plogh ; We may creaunce whil we have a name. But goldlees for to be, it is no game ; 1480 Paye it agayn whan it lith in youre ese ; After mymyght fiilfayn woldel yow plese.' Thise hundred frankes he fette hym forth anon And prively he took hem to Daun John ; No wight in all this world wiste of this loone, Savynge this marchant and Daun John allone. They drynke, and speke, and rome a while and pleye. Til that Daun John rideth to his abbeye. The morwe cam and forth this mar- chant rideth To Flaundres-ward, — his prentys wel hym gydeth, — ' 1490 Til he cam into Brugges murily. Now gooth'this marchant, faste and bisily Aboute his nede, and byeth and creaun- ceth ; He neither pleyeth at the dees, ne daun- ceth, But as a marchant, shortly for to telle. He lad his lyf, and there I lete him dwelle. The Sonday next this marchant was agon. To Seint Denys y-comen is Daun John, With crowne and berde all firessh and newe y-shave. 1499 In al the hous ther nas so litel a knave, Ne no wight elles, that he nas fill fayn For that my lord Daun John was come agayn; And shortly, to the point right for to gon. This faire wyf accorded with Daun John 1483. kytKt om. Hfi. That for thise hundred frankes he sholde a nyght Have hire in his armes bolt upright ; And this acord parfourned was in dede. In myrthe al nyght a bisy lyf they lede Til it was day, that Daun John wente his way. And bad the meynee, Fare wel, have good day! 1510 For noon of hem, ne no vright in the toun. Hath of Daun John right no suspecioun ; And forth he rydeth hoom to his abbeye. Or where hym Ust ; namoore of hym I seye. This marchant, whan that ended was the faire. To Seint Denys he gan for to repaire. And with his wyf he maketh feeste and cheere. And telleth hire that chaffare is so deere That nedes moste he make achevyssaunce. For he was bounden in a recoriyssaunce. To paye twenty thousand sheeld anon }■ For which this marchant is to Parys gon. To borwe of certeine freendes that he hadde A certejm frankes ; and somme with him he ladde. And whan that he was come into the toun. For greet chiertee, and greet affeccioun. Unto Daun John he gooth hym first, to pleye,— Nat for to axe or borwe of hym moneye, — But for to wite and seen of his welfare. And for to tellen hym of his chaffare, 1530 As freendes doon whan they been met y-feere. Daun John hym maketh feeste and murye cheere, And he hym tolde agayn, fill specially. How he hadde wel y-boght and gra- ciously, — Thanked be God ! — al hool his mar- chandise, Save that he moste, in alle maner wise, Maken a chevyssaunce as for his beste, And thanne he sholde been in joye and reste. 1528. H reads: Nought for to iorwe of hym no kyn monay, so Corp.l* omitting kyn. 83 iS39-i6i7 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROBP B Daun John answerde, 'Certes I am fayn, 1539 That ye in heele ar comen hom agayn, , And if that I were riche, as have I blisse, Of twenty thousand sheeld: shold ye nat mysse. For ye so kyndely this oother/ day Lente me gold ; and as I kan and may ' I thanke yow, by God and by Seint Jame ! But nathelees' I took unto oure dame, Youre wyf, at hom, the same gold ageyn Upon youre bench ; she woot it wel certeyn. By certeyn tokenes' that I kan yow telle. Now by youre leve I may no lenger dwelle ; 1550 Oure abbot wole out of this toun anon. And in his compaignye moot I goon. Grete wel oure dame, myn owene nece sweete, And fare wel, deere^ Cosyn, til we ineete !' This marchant, which that was ful war and wys, Creanced hath and payd eek in Parys To certeyn Lumbardes, redy in hir hond. The somme of gold, and hadde of hem his bond ; • And hoom he gooth, murie as a papejay. For wel he knew he stood, in swich array That nedes moste he wynne in that viage A thousand frankes ahoven al his costage. His wyf ful redy mette hym atte gate. As she was wont of oold usage algate. And al that nyght in myrthe they bisette ; For he was riche and cleerly out of dette. Whan it was day this marchant. gan embrace His wyf al newe, and kbte hire on hir face. And up he gooth and maketh it ful tough. 'Namoore,' quod she, 'by God, ye have ynough ! ' 1570 And wantownely agayn with hym she pleyde ; Til atte laste thus this marchant seyde : ' By God,' quod he, ' I am a litel wrooth With yow, my wyf, although it be me looth ; And woot ye why ? By God, as that I gesse 1549. yow^ H* hir, 1557. Lumhardes^ Lombard, money-dealers. That ye han maad a manere straungenraa| Bitwixen me and my cosyn daun John,^ Ye sholde han warned me, er I had gjim, That he yow hadde an hundred frankeS payed. By redy tokene, — and heeld hym yvele ' apayed 1580 For that I to.hym spak of chevyssaunce, — Me semed so,, as by his contenaunce — But nathelees, by God, oure hevene kyng, I thoughte nat to axen hym no thyng. I prey thee, wyf, as do namoore so ; Telle me alwey, er that I fro thee go, If any dettour hath in myn absence Y-payed thee, lest thurgh thy necligence I myghte hym axe a thing that he hath payed.' This wyf was nat afered nor ai&ayed, But boldely she seyde, and that anon, 1591 ' Marie, I deffie the false monk, Daun John ! i I kepe nat of his tokenes never a deel ! He took me certeyn gold, that woot I weel. What, yvel thedam on his monkes snowte ! For, God it woot, I wende withouten doute That he hadde yeve it me bycause of yow, To dooa therwith myn honour and my prow. For cosynagp, and eek for beele cheere, That he hath had ful.ofte tymes heere. But sith I se I stonde in this disjoynt, 1601 I wol answ^re yow shortly to the poynt. Ye han mo slakkere dettours than am I, For I wol paye yow wel and redily Fro day to day, and if so be I faille, I am youre wyf, score it upon my taille, And I sh^l paye as soone as ever I may ; For by my trouthe, I. have on myn array, And nat on wast,.bistowed every deel ; And for I have bistowed it so weel 1610 For youre honour, for Goddes sa.ke, I seye, As be nat wrooth, but lat us laughe and pleye. Ye shal my joly body have to wedde ; By God ! I wol nat paye yow but abedde. Foryive it me, myn owene spouse deere,i Turne hiderward, and maketh bettre cheere ! ' This marchant saugh ther was no remedie, 84 PRIORESS'S TALE 1618-1679 .nd for to chide it nere but greet folie, ith that the thyng may nat amended be. Now, wyf,' he seyde, 'and I foryeve it thee, 1620 ut by thy lyf ne be namoore so large ; leepe bet oure good, this yeve I thee in charge.' hus endeth now my tale, and God us sende alynge ynough unto oure lyves ende. Amen. lihoold the murie wordes of the Hoost to the Shipman, and to the lady Prioresse 'Wei seyd ! by corpus dominus,' quod our Hoost ; Now longe moote thou saille by the cost, ire gentil maister, gentil maryneer ! rod yeve this monk a thousand last quade yeer ! L ha, felawes, beth ware of swiche a jape ! "he monk putte in the mannes hood an ape, 1630 md in his wyves eek, by Seint Austyn ! )raweth no monkes moore unto youre in. ' But now passe over, and lat us seke aboute, VTio shal now telle first of al this route Lnothertale'; and with that word he sayde, ^ curteisly as it had ben a mayde. My lady Prioresse, by youre leva, io that I wiste I sholde yow nat greve, wolde demen that ye tellen sholde V tale next, if so were that ye wolde. 1640 Jow wol ye vouchesauf, my lady deere ? ' 'Gladly,' quod she, and seyde as ye shal heere. PRIORESS'S TALE The Prologe of the Prioresses Tale 'O Lord, oure Lord, thy name how merveillous 1618. nere but greet, H« om. greet, H nas for lere. 1622. oure, 11" my, Heng. Ihy. , . 1643. O Lord, oure Lprd, etc., the beginning f Ps. viii. 85 Is in this large world y-sprad,' quod she ; ' For noght oonly thy laude precious Parfourned is by men of dignitee. But by the mouth of children thy bountee Parfourned is ; for on the brest soukjfnge Somtyme she wen they thyn heriynge. Wherfore, in laude as I best kan or may, Of thee, and of the wlute lylye flour, ifisi Which that the bar and is a mayde alway. To telle a storie I wol do my lab6ur ; Nat that I may encreessen hir honour. For she hirself is honour and the roote Of bountee, next hir sone, and soules boote. O mooder mayde ! O mayde mooder fre ! O bussh unbrent, brennynge in Moyses sighte ! That ravysedest doun fro the Deitee, Thurgh thyn humblesse, the Goost that in thalighte ; 1660 Of whoS vertu, whan He thyn herte lighte, Cdnceyved was the Fadres sapience, Helpe me to telle it in thy reverence ! Lady, thy bountee, thy magnificence. Thy vertu, and thy grete humylite'e, Ther may no tonge expresse in no science ; For somtyme, lady, er men praye to thee, Thou goost biforn of thy benygnytee, Andgetestus the lyght, thurgh thy preyere, To gyden us unto thy Sone so deere. 1670 My konnyng is so wayk, O blisfui queene. For to declare thy grete worthyiiesse. That I ne may the weighte nat susteene ; But as a child of twelf monthe ooldorlesse. That kan unnethes any word expresse. Right so fare I, and therfore I yow preye, Gydeth my song that I shal of yow seye.' Heere bigynneth The Prioresses Tale Ther was in Asye, in a greet citee, Amonges cristene folk, a Jewerye, 1667-1669J Imitated from Dante, Paradiso xxxiii. 16-18, a passage from which, or from some Latin original, Chaucer had already borrowed in the proem to the ' Tale of St. Cecilia,' assigned in the Canterbury Tales to the second Nun. The Prioresses Tale. Apoem ofa Paris beggar i68o-i74S THE CANTERBURY TALES Sustened by a lord of that contree, 1680 For foule usure and lucre of vileynye Hateful to Crist' and to hiS' compaignye ; And thurgh the strete men myghte ride or wende, For it was free, and open at eyther ende. A litel scole of cristen folk ther stood Doun at the ferther ende, in which ther were Children an heepe^ y-comen' of Cristen blood. That lerned in that scole yeer by yere Swich manere doctrine' as men used there, — 1689 This is to seyn, to syngen, and to rede. As smale children doon in hire childhede. Among thise children was a wydwes sone, A litel clergeoun, seven yeer of age, That day by day to scole was his wone ; And eek also, where as he saugh thymage Of Cristas mooder, he hadde in usage, As hym was taught, to knele adoun and seye His Ave Marie, as he goth by the weye. Thus hath this wydwe hir litel sone y-taught 1699 Oure blisful lady, Cristes mooder deere, To worshipe ay, and he forgate, it naught. For sely child wol alday soone leere, — But ay whan I remembre on this mateere, Seint Nicholas stant ever in my presence. For he so yong to Crist dide reverence. This litel child his litel book lernynge. As he sat in the scole at his prymer, He Alma redemftoris herde synge, boy murdered by a Jew ■ for singing the anthem ' Alma Redemptoris Mater,' is among the minor poems of the 'Vernon MS. and has been printed by the Chaucer and Early English Text Societies. In a French analogue, also printed by the Chaucer Society, the boy sings a ' Gaude, Maria.' 1681. lucre of vileynyct glossed 'turpe lucrum,' E2; n/elnnye. 1699. sane, H^ chiid. i-jtyz. The line quotes an old proverb. 1704. Seint Nicholas, who fasted on Wednes- days and Fridays while at his mother's breast. 1708. Alma redetn^toris [-mater]. Two hymns to the B. Virgin, beginning in this way, are still extant. As children lerned hire antiphoner ;' And; as he dorste, he' drough hym ner and ner, 1710 And herkned ay the wordes and the noote. Til he the firste vers koude al by rote. Noght wiste he what this Latyn was to seye. For he so yong and tendre was of age ; But on a day his felawe gan he preye Texpounden hym this song in his langage. Or telle him why this song was in usage ; This preyde he hym to construe and declare Ful often time upon his knowes bare. His felawe, which that elder was than he, 1720 Answerde hym thus : ' This song I have herd seye Was maked of oure blisful lady free, Hire to salue, and eek hire for to preye To been oure help and socour whan we deye ; I kan na moore expounde in this mateere, I lerne song, I kan but smal grammeere.' ' And is this song maked in reverence Of Cristes mooder ? ' seyde this innocent. ' Now certes, I wol do my diligence To konne it al, er Cristemasse is went, 1730 Though that I for my prymer shal be shent. And shal be beten thries in an houre, I wol it konne oure lady for to honoure ! ' His felawe taughte hym homward prively Fro day to day, til he koude it by rote. And thanne he song it wel and boldely Fro word to word, acordynge with the note. Twies a day it passed thurgh his throte. To scoleward and homward whan he wente ; 1739 On Cristes mooder set was his entente. As I have seyd, thurgh-out the'Jewerie This litel child, as he cam to and fro, Ful murily than wolde he synge and crie Alma redemptoris evermo. The swetnesse hath his herte perced so 86 PHIOSESS'S TALE 1746-1817 Of Cristes mooder, that to hire to preye He kan nat stynte of syngyng by the weye. Oure firste foo, the serpent Sathanas, That hath in Jewes herte his waspes nest, Up swal, and seide, ' O Hebrayk peple, alias ! 175a Is this to yow a thyng that is honest That swich a boy shal walken as hym lest In youre despit, and synge of swich sentence, Which is agayn youre lawes reverence ? ' Fro thennes forth the Jewes han con- spired This innocent out of this world to chace. An homycide ther-to han they hyred, That in an aleye hadde a privee place ; And as the child gan forby for to pace, This cursed Jew hym hente and heeld hym faste, 1760 And kitte his throte, and ina pit hym caste. I seye that in a wardrobe they hym threwe Where as thise Jewes purgen hire entraille. O cursed folk, O Herodes al newe ! What may youre y vel entente yow availle ? Mordre wol out, cejteyn, it wol nat faille, And namely ther thoniur of God shal sprede. The blood out-crieth on youre cursed dede. O martir, sowded to virginitee ! 1769 Nowmaystowsyngen, folwynge ever in oon The white Lamb celestial, quod she, OfwhichthegreteEvaungelist, Seint John, In Pathmos wroot, which seith that they that goon Bifom this Lamb, and synge a song al newe, That never fleshly wommen theyne knewe. This poure wydweawaiteth al thatnyght After hii litel child, but he cam noght, 1754. youre, E^ oure. 1771. quod she. This is, I believe, the only instance in the Canterbury Tales in which Chaucer reminds us that we are reading the narrative of a narrative. The words show that the Tale was either written or revised after the idea of the Canterbury Tales had been conceived. For which, as soone as it was dayes lyght, With face pale of drede and bisy thoght. She hath at scole and elles-where hym soght ; 1780 Til finally she gan so fer espie That he last seyn was in the Jewerie. With moodres pitee in hir brest enclosed She gooth, as she were half out- of hir mynde. To every place where she hath supposed By liklihede hir litel child to fynde ; And ever on Cristes mooder, meeke and kynde. She cride, and atte laste thus she wroghte, Among the cursed Jewes she hym soghte. She frayneth and she preyeth'pitously, 1790 To every Jew that dwelte in thilke place, To telle hire if hir child wente oght forby. Theyseyde 'Nay'; but Jhesu, of his grace, Yaf in hir thoght inwith a litel space. That in that place after hir sone she cryde. Where he was casten in a pit bisyde. O grete God that parfournest thy laude By mouth of innocentz, lo, heere thy myght ! ' This gemme of chastite, this emeraude. And eek of martirdom the ruby bright, 1800 Ther he, with throte y-korven, lay upright, He Alma redemftoris gan to synge, So loude, that all the place gan to rynge ! The cristene folk, that thurgh the strefe wente. In comen, for to wondre upon this thyng ; And hastily they for the provost sente. He cam anon, withouteh tarrying, And herieth Crist that is of hevene kyng, And eek his mooder, honour of mankynde. And after that the Jewes leet he bynde_. This child, with pitous lamentacioun. Up-taken was, syngynge his song alway ; And with honour of greet processioun They carien hym unto the nexte abbay. His mooder swownynge by his beere lay ; Unnethe myghte the peple that was there This newe Rachel brynge fro his here. 87 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I With torment, and with shameful deeth echon, This provost dooth the Jfewes for to sterve, That of this mordre wiste, and that anon ; He nolde no swich cursedriesse observe ; ' Yvele shal have that yvele wol deserve' ; Therfore virith wilde hors he dide hem drawe. And aflier that he heng hem by the lawe. Upon his beere ay lith this innocent Biforn the chief auter, whil masse laste, And after that the abbot with his covent Han sped hem for to burien hym fill faste ; And when they hooly water on hymi caste, Yet spak this child, whan spreynd was hooly water, 1830 And song, Alma redemptaris mtzier / This abbot, which that was an hooly man, As monkes been, or elles oghte be, This yonge child to conjure he bigan. And. seyde, ' O deere child, I halse thee, In vertu of the hooly Trinitee, Tel me what is thy cause for to synge, Sith that thy throte is kut, to my semynge ? ' ' My throte is kut unto my nekke boon,' Seyde this child, ' and as by wey of kynde I sholde have dyed, ye, longe tyme agon ; But Jhesu Crist, as ye in bookes fynde, Wil that his glorie laste and be in mynde, And, for the worship of his mooder deere, Yet may I synge O Alma loude and cleere. ' This welle of mercy, Cristes mooder ' sweete, I loved alwey, as after my konnynge, And whan that I my lyf sholde forlete. To me she cam, and bad me for to synge This antheme verraily in my dey^nge. As ye han herd, and whan that I hadde songe 1851 Me thoughte she le3'de a greyn upon my tonge ; Wherfore I synge, and sjTige moot certeyn In honour of that blisful. mayden free. 88 Til fro my tonge of-taken is the greyn ; And after that thus seyde she to me, " My litel child, now wol I fecche thee Whan that the greyn is fro thy tonge y-take ; Be nat agast, I wol thee nat forsake."' This hooly monk, this abbot, hym meene I, , , i860 His tonge out caughte and took awey the greyn, And he yaf up the goost ful softely. And whan this abbot hadde this wondei seyn, , His salte teeris trikled doun as reyn. And gruf he iil, al plat upon the grounde, And stille he lay as he had ben y-bounde. The covent eek lay on the pavement, Wepynge and herying Cristes mooder deere. And after that they. lyse and forth been went. And tooken awey this martir from his beere ; 1870 And in a tombe of marbul stones cleere, Enclosen they his litel body sweete : Ther he is now, God leve us for to meete ! O yonge Hugh of Lyncoln, slayn also With cursed Jewes, as it is notible,; For it is but a litel while ago, Preye eek for us, we S3mfiil folk unstable, That of his mercy God, so merciable, On us his grete mercy multiplie For reverence of his mooder, Marie. Amen. 1880 Bihoold the murye wordes of the Hoost to Chaucer Whan seyd was al this miracle, every man As sobre was that wonder was to se. Til that oure Hooste japen tho bigan. And thanne at erst he looked upon me, 1868. herying, E2 heryen. 1871. tombe, E temple. 1B74. yonge Hufh of Ljincoln, said to have been crucified by the Jews in 1255. SROUP B CHAUCER'S TALE OF SIR THOPAS 1885-1949 ^d seyde thus: 'What man artow?' quod he ; Thou lookest as thou woldest fynde an hare ; ?or ever upon the ground I se thee stare. ^pproche neer, and looke up murily. ■few war yow, sires, and lat this man have place ; 1889 le in the waast is shape as wel as I ; ["his were a popet in an arm tenbrace ■"or any womman, smal and fair of face, le semeth elvyssh by his contenaunce, ■■or unto no wight dooth he daliaunce. ley now somwhat, syn oother folk han sayd ; [■elle us a tale of myrthe, and that anon.' Hooste,' quod I, 'ne beth nat yvele apayd, ^or oother tale certes kan I noon, !ut of a rym I lemed longe agoon.' Ye, that is good,' quod he, ' now shul we heere 1900 lom deyntee thyng, me thynketh by his cheere ! ' CHAUCER'S TALE OF SIR THOPAS Heere btgynneth Chancers Tale of Thopas THE FIRST FIT Listeth, lordes, in good entent. And I wol telle verrayment Of myrthe and of solas ; Al of a knyght was fair and gent In bataille and in toumeyment. His name was sire Thopas. Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas. ' The Rime * Sir Thopas was clearly intended to ridicule le "palpable gross" fictions of the common imer of that age, and still more, perhaps, Le meanness of their language and versification. is full of phrases taken from Isumbras^ i Beaus Desconnus, and other romances the same style, which are still extant' "yrwhitt). Y-bom he was in fer contree. In Flaundres, al biyonde the see, At Poperyng, in the place ; 191a His fader was a man fial free. And lord he was of that contree, As it was Goddes grace. Sire Thopas wax a doghty swayn ; Whit was his face ets payndemayn. His lippes rede as rose ; His rode is lyk scarlet in grayn. And I yow telle in good certayn He hadde a semely nose. His heer, his herd, was lyk safiroun, That to his girdel raughte adoun ; 1921 His shoon of cordewane. Of Brugges were his hosen broun, His robe was of syklatoun fhat coste many a jane. He koude hunte at wilde deer, And ride an haukyng for river With grey goshauk on honde ; Ther-to he was a good archeer ; Of wrastlyng was ther noon his peer, Ther any ram shal stonde. 1931 Ful many a mayde bright in hour They moorne for hym, paramour. Whan hem were bet to slepe ; But he was chaast, and no lechour, And sweete as is the brembul flour That bereth the rede hepe. And so bifel upon a day. For sothe, as I yow telle may. Sire Thopas wolde out ride ; 1940 He worth upon his steede gray, And in his hand a launcegay, A long swerd by his side. He priketh thurgh a fair forest Ther-inne is many a wilde best, Ye, bothe bukke and hare ; And as he priketh north and est, I telle it yow, hym hadde almest Bitidde a sory care. 1910. Poperyng^ not far from Ostend. 1927. forriver, i.e. by the river-side. 89 1950-2034 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP B Ther spryngen herbes grete and smale, The lycorys and cetewale 1951 And many a clowe-gylofre, And notemuge to putte in ale, Wheither it be moyste or stale, Or for to leye in cofre. The briddes synge, it is no nay. The sparhauk and the papejay, That joye it was to heere. The thrustelcok made eek hir lay. The wodedowve upon the spray i960 She sang ful loude and cleere. Sire Thopas fil in love-longynge, Al whan he herde the thrustel synge. And pryked as he were wood ; His faire steede in his prikynge So swatte that men myghte him wrynge. His sydes were al blood. . Sire Thopas eek so wery was For prikyng, on the softe gras, — So fiers was his corage, — 1970 That doun he leyde him in that plas To make his steede som solas, And yaf hym good forage. ' O seinte Marie, benedicite I What eyleth this love at me To bynde me so soore ? Me dremed al this nyght, pardee. An Elf-queene shal my lemman be And slepe under ray goore. ' An Elf-queene wol I love, y-wis, 1980 For in this world no womman is Worthy to be my make In towne. AUe othere wommen I forsake, And to an Elf-queene I me take By dale and eek by downe.' Into his sadel he clamb anon, And priketh over stile and stoon An Elf-queene for tespye ; Til he so longe hadde riden and goon 1990 That he foond in a pryve woon The contree of Fairye, 1963. tkrustei, H briddes. So wilde ; For in that contree was ther noon That to him dorste ryde or goon. Neither wyf ne childe ; Til that ther cam a greet geaunt, His name was sire Olifaunt, A perilous man of dede. He seyde, ' Child, by Termagaunt ! 2000 But if thou prike out of myn haunt. Anon I sle thy steede With mace ! Heere is the queene of Fairye, With harpe, and pipe, and symphonye, Dwellynge in this place.' The child seyde, ' Al-so moote I thee ! Tomorwe wol I meete with thee, Wban I have myn armoure. And yet I hope, par ma fay, 2010 That thou shalt with this launcegay Abyen it fill soure ; Thy mawe Shal I percen, if I may, Er it be fully pryme of day, For heere thow shalt be slawe.' Sire Thopas drow abak ful faste ; This geant at hym stones caste Out of a fel staf-slynge ; But faire escapeth sire Thopas ; 2020 And al it was thurgh Goddes gras. And thurgh his fair berynge. Yet listeth, lordes, to my tale Murier than the nightyngale, For now I wol yow rowne How sir Thopas, with sydes smale, Prikying over hill and dale. Is comen agayn to towne. His murie men comanded he To make hym bothe game and glee, 2030 For nedes moste he fighte With a geaunt, with hevedes three. For paramour and jolitee Of oon that shoon ful brighte. 1995. That to Mm, etc., from H only; E' omit. 2005. pipe, H lute. 90 Croup b CHAUCER'S TALE OP SIR THOPAS 2035-2109 ' Do come,' he seyde, ' my mynstrales, In londe. And geestours for to tellen tales, Loo, lordes myne, heere is a Fit ; Anon in myn arm^nge ; If ye wol any moore of it Of romances that been roiales. To telle it wol I fonde. 2080 Of Popes and of Cardinales, And eek of love-likynge.' 2040 THE SECOND FIT They fette hym first the sweete wyn Now holde youre mouth, par charitee, And mede eek in a mazelyn. Bothe knyght and lady free, And roial spicerye ; And herkneth to my spelle ; And gyngebreed that was ful fyn, Of batailles and of chivalry, And lycorys, and eek comjm, And of ladyes love-drury. With sugre that is so trye. Anon I wol yow telle. He dide next his white leere Men speken of romauns of prys, — Of clooth of lake, fyn and cleere, Of Hornchild, and of Ypotys, A breech and eek a sherte ; Of Beves and of sir Gy, And next his sherte an aketoun. 2050 Of sir Lybeux and Pleyn-damour ; 2090 And over that an haubergeoun But sir Thopas he bereth the flour For perc3mge of his herte ; ,0f roial chivalry ! And over that a fyn hawberk, His goode steede al he bistrood, Was al y-wroght of Jewes werk, And forth upon his wey he rood. Ful strong it was of plate ; As sparcle out of the bronde ; And over that his cote-armour. Upon his creest he bar a tour, As whit as is a lilye flour, And ther-inne stiked a lilie flour, — In which he wol debate. God shilde his cors fro shonde ! His sheeld was al of gold so reed. And for he was a knyght auntrous. And ther-inne was a bores heed. 2063 He' nolde slepen in noon hous, 2100 A charbocle bisyde ; But liggen in his hoode ; And there he swoor, on ale and breed, His brighte helm was his wonger. How that the geaunt shal be deed J And by hym baiteth his dextrer ' Bityde what bityde ! ' Of herbes fyne and goode ; Hise jambeux were of quyrboilly, Hym self drank water of the well. His swerdes shethe of yvory. As dide the knyght sire Percyvell, His helm of laton bright ; So worthy under wede ; His sadel was of rewel boon ; His brydel as the Sonne shoon. Or as the moone light. 2070 Heere the Hoost stynteth Chaucer of his Tale of Thopas His spere it was of fyn dprees. That bodeth werre, and no-thyng pees, ' Na moore of this, for Goddes The heed ful sharpe y-grounde ; dignitee ! ' 2109 His steede was al dappuU-gray, It gooth an ambil in the way 2083. And of , etc., H reads of ladys love and drewerye. Ful softely and rounde 2089. of sir Gy, H'' om. of. 2ogo. sir Lybeux, Li biaus desconneus, or 2041. /ette, E sette. Libius Disconius, 'the fair unknown.' 3046. j(7, om. H6. 2094. rood, WP^lood, 9' 2IIO-2l6o TMn CANTERBURY TALES GROUP B Quod oure Hoste, ' foi thou makest me So wery of thy verray lewednesse That, also wisly God my soule blesse, Min eres aken of thy drasty speche. Now swich a rym the devel I biteche ! This may wel be rym dogerel,' quod he. ' Why so ? ' quod ' I ; ' why wiltow lette me Moore of my tale than another man, Syn that it is the beste ryme I kan ? ' 'By God,' quod he, 'for pleynly, at a word. Thy drasty rymyng is nat worth a toord; Thou doost noght elles but despendest tyme ; 2121 Sire, at o word, thou shalt no lenger ryme. Lat se wher thou kanst tellen aught in geestej Or telle in prose somwhat, at the leeste, In which ther be som murthe, or some doctryne.' 'Gladly,' quod I, 'by Goddes sweete pyne ! I wol yow telle a litel thyng in prose That oghte liken yow, as I suppose, Or elles, certes, ye been to daungerous. It is a moral tale vertuous, 2130 Al be it told somtyme in sondry wyse Of sundry folk, as I shal yow devysei ' As thus ; ye woot that every Evaungelist That telleth us the pejme of Jhesu Crist Ne seith nat alle thyng as hisfelawe dooth ; But nathelees hir sentence is al sooth. And alle acorden as in hire sentence, Al be ther in hir tellyng difference ; For somme of hem seyn moore, and somme lesse, Whan they his pitous passioun expresse, — I meene of Marke, Mathew, Luc and John, — 2141 But doutelees hir sentence is all oon. ' Therfore, lordynges alle, I yow biseche If that ye thynke I varie as in my speche. As thus, though that I telle somwhat moore Of proverbes, than ye han herd bifoore. ' 2118. ryme^ E tale. 2131. told^ E take. 2139. lesse^ E-i seyn lesse. Comprehended in this litel tretys heere, ' To enforce with theffect of my mateere;P And though I nat the same wordes seye, As ye han herd, yet to yow alle I preye, Blameth me nat, for as in my sentence 2151 Ye shul not fynden moche difference Fro the sentence of this tretys lyte After the which this murye tale I write ; And therfore herkneth what that I shal seye. And lat me tellen al my tale, I preye.' CHAUCER'S TALE OF MELIBEUS Heere bigynneth Chaucer's Tale of Melihee A yong man called Melibeus, myghty and riche, bigat upon his wyf, that called was Prudence, a doghter which that called was Sophie. Upon a day bifel, that he for his desport is went into the feeldes, hym to pleye ; his wyf and eek his doghter ~ hath he left in with his hous, of which the dores weren fast y-shette. [2160] Thre of his olde foes han it espyed, and setten laddres to the walles of his hous, and by the wyndowes been entred, and betten his wyf, and wounded his doghter with iyve mortal woundes in fyve sondry places, — this is to seyn, in hir feet, in hir handes, in hir erys, in hir nose, and in hire mouth, — and leften hire for deed, and wenten awey. Whan Melibeus retourned was into his hous and saugh al this meschief, he, lyk a mad man, rentynge his clothes, gan to wepe and crie. Prudence, his wyf, as ferforth as she dorste, bisoghte hym of his wepyng for 2154, Murye, H litel. Chiutcet's Tale 0/ Melihee. This very dull dissertation is taken from Jean de Meiing's French version of the Liber Consolationis et Consilii of Albertano of Brescia, composed ca. 1238. 2157. a doghter which that called was Sophie, the first of many decasyllahic cadences in tht early pages of Chaucer's, prose. GROUP B CHAUCER'S TALE OF MELIBEUS 2 I 65-2 I 90 to stynte ; [2165] but nat for-thy he gan to crie and wepen ever lenger the moore. This noble wyf Prudence remembred hire upon the sentence of Ovide, in his book that cleped is The Remedie of Love, where as he seith, ' He is a fool that destourbeth the mooder to wepen in the deeth of hire child, til she have wept hir fille, as for a certein tyme, and thanne shal man doon his diligence vrith amyable wordes hire to reconforte, and preyen hire of hir wepyng for to stynte.' For which resoun this noble wyf Prudence suffred hir housbonde for to wepe and crie as for a certein space ; [2170] and whan she saugh hir tyme, she seyde hym in this wise: 'Alias, my lord,' quod she, 'why make ye youreself for to be lyk a fool ! For sothe it aperteneth nat to a wys man to maken swiche a sorwe. Youre doghter with the grace of God shal warisshe and escape ; and, al were it so that she right now were deed, ye ne oughte nat, as for hir deeth, youreself to destroye. Senek seith; " The wise man shal nat take to greet disconfort for the deeth of his children, [2175] hut, certes, he sholde suifren it in pacience as wel as he abideth the deeth of his owene propre persone."' This Melibeus answerde anon, and seyde, 'What man,' quod he, 'sholde of his wepyng stente that hath so greet a cause for to wepe ? Jhesu Crist, oure Lord, hymself wepte for the deeth of Lazarus hys freend.' Prudence answerde, ' Certes, wel I wool attempree wepyng is no thyng deffended to hym that sorweiul is amonges folk in sorwe, but it is rather graunted hym to wepe. ' The Apostle Paul unto the Romajms writeth, "Man shal rejoyse with hem that maken joye, and wepen with swich folk as wepen " ; [2180] but though attempree wepyng be y-graunted, outrageous wep- yng certes is deffended. Mesure of 2165, Ovide, in his book: De Rent, Am. i. 1Z7-30. 2170. Senek seith : Ep, Ixxiv, 2Q. This and other references are taken from Dr, Thor Sundby's edition of the Latin text (Chauc. Soc. 1873). wepyng sholde be conserved, after the loore that techeth us Senek: "Whan that thy frend is deed," quod he, "lat nat thyne eyen to moyste been of teeris, ne to muche drye ; although the teeris come to thyne eyen, lat hem nat falle, and whan thou hast for-goon thy freend, do diligence to gete another freend, and this is moore wysdom than for to wepe for thy freend which that thou hast lorn, for ther-inne is no boote" ; and therfore, if ye goveme yow by sapience, put awey sorwe out of youre herte. [2185] Remembre yow that Jhesus Syrak seith, "A man that is joyous, and glad in herte, it hym conserveth florissynge in his ^e, but soothly sorweful herte maketh hise bones drye." He seith eek thus, that sorwe in herte sleeth ful many a man. Salomon seith that "right as motthes in the shepes flees anoyeth to the clothes, and the smale wormes to the tree, right so anoyeth sorwe to the herte " ; wherfore us oghte, as wel in the deeth of oure children as in the losse of othere goodes temporels, have pacience. ' Remembre yow up on the pacient Job. Whan he hadde lost his children and his temporeel substance, and in his body endured and receyved ful many a grevous tribulacion, yet seyde he thus : [2190] " Oure Lord hath yeve it me ; oure Lord hath biraft it me ; right as oure Lord hath wold, right so it is doon ; blessed be the name of oure Lord ! " ' To thise foreseide thynges answerde Melibeus unto his wyf Prudence : ' AUe thy wordes,' quod he, 'been sothe, and therwith profitable, but trewely myn herte is troubled with this sorwe so grevously that I noot what to doone.' ' Lat calle,' quod Prudence, ' thy trewe freendes alle, and thy lynage whiche that been wise. Telleth youre cas and 2180. conserved, E6 considered, but the Latin text has servandus. 2180. Senek, Ep. Ixiii. i and g. 2185. Jhesus Syrak. A quotation from Ecclul;'. XXX. 25 is here omitted. The text occurs in Prov. xvii. 22. 2^90, Telleth youre cits, H telleth hem your grevaunce. 93 2190-2220 THE CANTERBURY TALES herkneth what they seye in conseillyng,- and yow governe after hire sentence. Salomon seith, "Werkalle thy thynges by conseil, and thou shalt never re- pente.'" Thanne by the conseil of his wyf Prudence this Melibeus leet callen a greet congregacioun of folk, [2195] as surgiens, phisiciens, olde folk and yonge, and somme of his olde enemys reconsiled, as by hir semblaunt, to his love and into his grace, and therwithal ther comen somme of his neighebores that diden hym reverence moore for drede than for love, as it happeth ofte. Ther comen also ful many subtille flatereres, and wise advocatz, lerned in the lawe. And whan this folk togidre assembled weren, this Melibeus in sorweful wise shewed hem his cas, and by the manere of his speche it semed wel that in herte he baar a crueel ire, redy to doon venge- ance upon his foes, and sodeynly desired that the werre sholde bigynne, [2200] but nathelees, yet axed he hire conseil upon this matiere. A surgien, by licence and assent of swiche as weren wise, up roos and to Melibeus seyde as ye may heere : 'Sire,' quod he, 'as to us surgiens aperteneth that we do to every wight the beste that we kan, where as we been withholde, and to oure pacientz that we do no damage ; wherfore it happeth many tyme and ofte that whan twey men han everich wounded oother, oon same surgien heeleth hem bothe ; wherfore unto oure art it is nat pertinent to norice werre, ne parties to supporte. [2205] But certes, as to the warisshynge of youre doghter, al be it so that she perilously be wounded, we shuUen do so ententif bisynesse fro day to nyght that with the grace of God she shal be hool and sound as soone as is possible.' Almoost right in the same wise the phisiciens answerden, save that they seyden a fewe woordes moore ; that right 2190. thou shali never repente, H the thar never rewe. 2190. of folk, H ofpeple. as maladies been cured by hir contraries, right so shul men warisshe werre by vengeaunce. His neighebores ful of envye, his feyned freendes that semeden reconsiled, and his flatereres maden semblant of wepyng, and empeireden and agreggeden muchel of this matiere, in preisynge greetly Melibee, of myght, of power, of richesse, and of freendes, despisynge the power of his adversaries, [2210] and seiden outrely that he anon sholde wreken hym on his foes, and bigynne werre. Up roos thanne an advocat that was wys, by leve and by conseil. of othere that were wise, and seide, ' Lordynges, the nede for which we been assembled in this place is a ful hevy thyng, and an heigh matiere, by cause of the wrong and of the wikkednesse that hath be doon, and eek by resoun of the grete damages that in tyme comynge been possible to fallen for this same cause, and eek by resoun of the grete richesse and power of the parties bothe, [2215] for the whiche resouns it were a fill greet peril to erren in this matiere ; wherfore, Melibeus, this is oure sentence ; we conseille yow aboven alle thyng, that right anon thou do thy dili- gence in kepynge of thy propre persone, in swich a wise that thou wante noon espie, ne wacche, thy body for to save ; and after that we conseille that in thyn hous thou sette sufficeant garnisoun, so that they may as wel thy body as thyn hous defende ; but certes, for to moeve werre, or sodeynly for to doon venge- aunce, we may nat demen in so litel tyme that it were profitable. Wherfore we axen leyser and espace to have delibera- cioun in this cas to deme, [2220] for the commune proverbe seith thus : " He that soone deemeth, soone shal repente "j and eek men seyn that thilke juge is wys that soone understondeth a matiere and juggeth by leyser ; for, al be it so that alle tariyng be anoyful, algates it is nat to repreve in yevynge of juggement, ne 2205. empeireden^ H appaired. '"' ' 2210. ^«, and bigynne, H adversarjes'be ht gynnynge of, ■ !' 94 GROUP B CHAUCER'S TALE OF MELIBEUS 2220-2245 in vengeance takyng, whan it is sufficeant and resonable ; and that shewed oure Lord Jhesu Crist by ensample, for whan that the womman that was taken in avowtrie was broght in his presence to knowen what sholde be doon with hire persone, — al be it so that he wiste wel hymself what that he wolde answere, — yet ne wolde he nat answere sodeynly, but he wolde have deliberacioun, and in the ground he wroot twies ; and by thise causes we axen deliberacioun, and we shal thanne, by the grace of God, conseille thee thyng that shal be profitable.' [2225] Up stirten thanne the yonge folk atones, and the mooste partie of that compaignye scorned the wise olde men, and bigonnen to make noyse, and seyden that ' Right so as, whil that iren is hoot, men sholden smyte, right so men sholde wreken hir wronges while that they been fresshe and newe ' ; and with loud voys they criden, ' Werre ! werre ! ' Up roos tho oon of thise olde wise, and with his hand made contenaunce that men sholde holden hem stille, and yeven hym audience. ' Lordynges,' quod he, ' ther is ful many a man that crieth ' ' Werre ! werre ! " that woot ftil litel what werre amounteth. Werre at his lagynnyng hath so greet an entryng and so large, that every wight may entre whan hym liketh and lightly fynde werre ; [2230] but certes, what ende that shal ther-of bifalle it is nat light to knowe ; for soothly, whan that werre is ones bigonne ther is fill many a child unborn of his mooder that shal sterve yong by cause of that ilke werre, or elles lyve in sorwe, and dye in wrecchednesse ; and therfore, er that any werre bigynne, men moste have greet conseil and greet deliberacioun.' And whan this olde man wende to enforcen his tale by resons, wel ny alle atones bigonne they to rise for to breken his tale, and beden hym ful ofte his wordes for to abregge ; for soothly, he that precheth to hem that listen nat heeren his wordes, his sermon hem anoieth ; [2235] for Jhesus Syrak seith, that ' musik in wepynge is a noyous thyng' ; this is to seyn, as muche availleth to speken bifore folk to whiche his speche anoyeth, as doth to synge biforn hym that wepeth. And this wise man saugh that hym wanted audience, and al shamefast he sette hym doun agayn ; for Salomon seith, ' Ther as thou ne mayst have noon audience, enforce thee nat to speke.' ' I see wel,' quod this wise man, 'that the commune proverbe is sooth, "That good conseil wanteth whan it is moost nede."' Yet hadde this Melibeus in his conseil many folk that prively in his eere con- seilled hym certeyn thyng, and conseilled hym the contrarie in general audience. [2240] Whan Melibeus hadde herd that the gretteste partie of his conseil weren accorded that he sholde maken werre, anoon, he consented to hir conseillyng and fully affermed hire sentence. Thanne dame Prudence, whan that she saugh how that hir housbonde shoope hym for to wreken hym on hise foes, and to bigynne werre, she in ful humble wise, whan she saugh hir tyme, seide to hym thise wordes. ' My lord,' quod she, ' I yow biseche, as hertely as I dar and kan, ne haste yow nat to faste, and for alle gerdons, as yeveth me audience ; for Piers Alfonce seith, " Who so that dooth to that oother good or harm, haste thee nat to quiten it ; for in this wise thy freend wole abyde, and thyn enemy shal the lenger lyve in drede." The proverbe seith, "Hehasteth wel that wisely kan abyde, and in wikked haste is no profit. " ' [2245] This Melibee answerde unto his wyf Prudence, 'I purpose nat,' quod he, 'to weike by thy conseil, for many causes and resouns ; for certes, every wight wolde holde me thanne a fool. 2235. is a. noyous thyng : 'Mtisicainluctuest importuna narratio ' (Ecclus. xxii. ^)- 2240. on hise/oes^ H o/liis enemyes, 2240. Piers Alfonce seith': Disciplina Cleri- calis, XXV, 15, 9S 224S"226S THE CANTERBURY TALES This is to seyn, if I, for thy conseillyng, wolde chaungen thynges that been or- deyned and affermed by so manye wyse. Secoundly, I seye that alle wommen been wikke, and noon good of hem alle ; for, "Of a thousand men," seith Salomon, " I foond a good man, but certes, of alle wommen, good womman foond I nevere " ; and also, certes, if I governed me by thy conseil, it sholde seme that I hadde yeve to. thee over me the maistrie, and God forbede that it so were ! for Jhesus Syrak seith, that if the wyf have maistrie she is contrarious to hir housbonde ; [2250] and Salomon seith, " Never in thy lyf, to thy wyf, ne to thy child, ne to thy freend, ne yeve no power over thyself, for bettre it were that thy children aske of thy persone thynges that hem nedeth than thou be thyself in the handes of thy children " ; and if I wolde werke by thy conseilljmg, certes, my conseillyng moste som tyme be secree til it were tyme that it moste be knowe, and this 'ne may noght be. For it is written, "The janglerie of women can hide thyngis that they wot nought " ; furthermore, the philo- sophre saith, " In wykke conseyl women venquysse men " ; and for these reasons I ought not to make use of thy counsel.' Whanne dame Prudence, ful debonairly and with greet pacience, hadde herd al that hir housbonde liked for to seye, thanne axed she of hym licence for to speke, and seyde in this wise : [2255] 'My lord,' quod she, 'as to youre firste resoun, certes it may lightly been answered ; for I seye that it is no folie to chaunge conseil whan the thyng is chaunged, or elles whan the thyng semeth ootherweyes than it was biforn ; and mooreover, I seye that though ye han sworn and bihight to perfourne youre emprise, and nathelees ye weyve to perfourne thilke same emprise by juste cause, men sholde nat seyn therfore that 2250. For it is written . . . tky^ counsel^ om. EH3, supplied from Camb. MS. in accordance with Latm and French. The quotations are from Seneca, Controv, ii. 13. 12, and Publilius Syrus, Sent. 324. .96 ye were a lier ne forsworn, for the book seith that the wise man maketh no lesyng whan he turneth his corage to the bettre, and al be it so that youre emprise be estab- lissed and ordeyned by greet multitude. oi folk, yet thar ye iiat accomplice thilke ordinaunce but yow like ; for the trouthe of thynges and the profit been rather founden in fewe folk that been wise and fill of resoun, than by greet multitude of folk ther every man crieth and clatereth what that hym liketh ; soothly, swich multitude is nat honeste. [2260] 'As to the seconde resoun, whereas ye seyn that alle wommen been wikke ; save youre grace, certes ye despisen alle wommen in this wyse, and "he that al despiseth al displeseth," as seith the book ; and Senec seith, that who so wole have sapience shal no man despise, but he shal gladly techen the science that he kan withouten presump- cioun or pride, and swiche thynges as he nought ne kan he shal nat been ashamed to lerne hem and enquere of lasse folk than hymself ; and, sire, that ther hath been many a good womman may lightly be preved, for certes, sire, oure Lord Jhesu Crist wolde never have descended to be born of a womman, if alle wommen hadden ben wikke ; [2265] and after that, for the grate bountee that is in wommen, oure Lord Jhesu Crist, whan he was risen fro deeth to lyve, appeered rather to a womman than to his Apostles ; and though that Salomon seith that he ne foond never womman good, it folweth nat therfore that alle woranian ben wikke, for though that he ne foond no good womman, certes, fill many another man hath founden many a womman fill good and trewe ; or elles, per aventure, the entente of Salomon was this, that, as in soverejm bounte, he foond no womman ; 2255. the hook seith : Chaucer's translatioa of the ' Scriptum est ' or ' il est escript ' with which the Latin and French texts introduce an unassigned quotation. 2260. Senec seith : in the supposititious Df Quat. Virtutibus, cap. iii. 2260, despise^ H** desprayse, ' GROUP B CHAUCER'S TALE OF MELIBEUS 2265-2295 that is to seyn that ther is no wight that hath sovereyn bountee, save God allone, — as he hymself recordeth in hys evaun- gelie, — [2270] for ther nys no creature so good that hym ne wanteth somwhat of the perfeccioun of God, that is his maker. ' Youre thridde resoun is this, — ye seyn if ye governe yow by my conseil it sholde seme that ye hadde yeve me the maistrie and the lordshipe over youre persone. Sire, save youre grace, it is nat so, for if it v^ere so that no man sholde be conseilled but oonly of hem that hadden lordshipe and maistrie of his persone, men wolden nat be conseilled so ofte, for soothly thilke man that asketh conseil of a pufpos, yet hath he free choys wheither he wole vferke by that conseil or noon. ' And as to youre fourthe resoun ; ther ye seyn that the janglerie of wommen hath hyd thynges that they wiste noght, as who seith that a womman kan nat hyde that she woot, [2275] sire, thise wordes been understonde of wommen that been jangleresses and wikked, of whiche wommen men seyn that thre thynges dryven a man out of his hous, — that is to seyn, smoke, droppyng of reyn, and wikked wyves ; and of swiche wommen seith Salomon, that it were bettre dwelle in desert than with a womman that is riotous, and, sire, by youre leve, that am nat I ; for ye han ful ofte assayed my grete silence and my gret pacience, and eek how wel that I kan hyde and hele thynges that men oghte secreely to hyde., [2280] ' And soothly, as to youre fifthe resoun, where as ye seyn that in wikked conseil wommen venquisshe men, God woot thilke resoun stant heere in no stede ; for, understoond now, ye asken conseil to do wikkednesse, and if ye wole werken wikkednesse, and youre wif restreyneth thilke wikked purpos and overcometh yow by resoun and by good conseil, certes youre wyf oghte rather to be preised than y-blamed. Thus sholde ye understonde the philosophre that seith, " In wikked conseil wommen venquisshen hir hous- bondes." [2285] 'And ther as ye blamen alle wommen and hir resouns, I shal shewe yow by manye ensamples, that many a womman hath ben ful good, and yet been, and hir conseils ful hoolsome and profitable. Eek som men han seyd that the conseillynge of wommen is outher to deere, or elles to litel of pris ; but, al be it so that fill many a womman is badde and hir conseil vile and noght worth, yet han men founde ful many a good womman, and fill discrete and wise in conseillynge. 'Loo, Jacob, by good conseil of his mooder Rebekka, wan the benysoun of Yssak his fader, and the lordshipe over alle his bretheren : Judith, by hire good conseil, delivered the citee of Bethulie, in which she dwelled, out of the handes of Olofemus, that hadde it biseged and wolde have al destroyed it : [2290] Abygail delivered Nabal hir housbonde fro David the kyng that wolde have slayn hym, and apaysed the ire of the kyng by hir wit and by hir good conseillyng : Hester enhaunced greetly by hir good conseil the peple of God in the regne of Assuerus the kyng : and the same bountee in good conseillyng of many a good womman may men telle, and moore over, whan oure Lord hadde creat Adam oure forme fader, he seyde in this wise : " It is nat good to been a man alloone ; make we to hym an helpe semblable to hym self." [2295] ' Heere may ye se that if that wommen were nat goode and hir conseils goode and profitable, oure Lord God of hevene wolde never han wroght hem, ne called hem "help" of man, but rather confusioun of man. And ther seyde oones a clerk in two vers, " What is bettre than Gold ? Jaspre. What is bettre than Jaspre? Wisdom. And what is better than Wisdom ? Wom- 2285. ehsatnples, H resans and ensavtples, 2285. benysoun, H hlessyng. 2295. in iiuo vers : 'Quid melius auro 7 'Jaspis. Quidjaspide? Sensus, Quid sensu? Mulier. Quid Mulierc! Nihil' 97 2295-2330 THE CANTERBURY TALES man. And what is bettre than a good Womman? No thyng." And, sire, by manye of othre resouns may ye seen that manye wommen been goode, and hir conseils goode and profitable, \^i,ao\ and therfore, sire, if ye wol triste to my conseil, I shal restoore yow youre doghter hool and sound, and eek I wol do to yow so muche that ye shul have honour in this cause.' , Whan Melibee hadde herd the wordes of his wyf Prudence, he seyde thus : ' I see wel that the word of Salomon is sooth. He seith that wordes that been spoken discreetly, by ordinaunce, been honycombes, for they yeven swetnesse to the soule and hoolsomnesse to the body ; and, wyf, by-cause of thy sweete wordes, and eek for I have assayed and preved thy grete sapience and thy grete trouthe, I wol governe me by thy conseil in alle thyiig.' [2305] 'Now, sire,' quod dame Prud- ence, 'and syn ye vouchesauf to been governed by my conseil, I wol enforme yow how ye shul governe youreself in chesynge of youre conseillours. Ye shul first in alle youre werkes mekely biseken to the heighe God that he wol be youre conseillour, and shapeth yow to swich entente that he yeve yow conseil and confort, as taughte Thobie his sone : ^' At alle tymes thou shalt blesse God and praye hym to dresse thy weyes, and looke that alle thy conseils been in hym for everemoore." Seint Jame eek seith, " If any of yow have nede of sapience, axe it of God." [2310] And afterward, thanne shul ye taken conseil of youre self and examyne wel youre thoghtes of swich thyng as yow thynketh that is best for youre profit, and tha'nne shul ye diyve fro youre herte thre thynges that been contrariouse to good conseil, — that is to seyn, ire, coveitise, and hastifnesse. ' First, he that axeth conseil of hym- self, cartes he moste been withouten ire, for manye causes. The firste is this : he that hath greet ire and wratthe in hym self, he weneth alwey that he may do thyng that he may nat do. [2315] And secoundely, he that is irous and wrooth, he ne may nat wel deme, and he that may nat wel deme, may nat wel conseille. The thridde is this, that he that is irous and wrooth, as seith Senec, ne may nat speke but blameful thynges, and with his viciouse wordes he stireth oother folk to angre and to ire. And eek, sire, ye moste dryve coveitise out of youre herte, [2320] for the Apostle seith that coveitise is roote of alle harmes ; and trust wel that a coveitous man ne kan noght deme, ne thynke, but oonly to fulfiUe the ende of his coveitise, and certes, that ne may never been accompliced, for ever the moore habundaunce that he hath of richesse the moore he desireth. And, sire, ye moste also dryve out of youre herte hastifnesse, for certes, 'ye ne may nat deeme for the beste a sodeyn thought that falleth in youre herte, but ye moste avyse yow on it fill ofte, [2325] for as ye herde biforn, the commune proverbe is this, that " he that soone deemeth, soone repenteth. " Sire, ye ne be nat alwey in lyke disposicioun, for certes som thyng that somtyme semeth to yow that it is good for to do, another tyme it semeth to yow the contrarie. ' Whan ye han taken conseil of youre self and han deemed by good deliberacion swich thyng as you semeth best, tharaie rede I yow that ye kepe it secree. [2330] Biwrey nat youre conseil to no persone, but if so be that ye wenen sikerly that thurgh youre biwreyyng youre condicioun shal be to yow the moore profitable j for Jhesus Syrak seith, " Neither to thy foo, ne to thy frend, discovere nat thy secree, ne thy folic, for they wol yeve yow audience and lookynge and supportacioun in thy presence, and scorne thee in thyn absence." Another clerk seith, that scarsly shaltou fynden any persone that may kepe conseil sikerly. 2315. as seith Senec, rather Publil. Syrus, Sent. 281. 2315. iut blameful, E hut he blame. 2325. as you semeth, E as you list. 2330. Another clerk: pseudo - Seneca, Bt Moribus, Sent. 16. 98 CHAUCER'S TALE OF ME LIB E US 2330-2360 'The book seith, "Whil that thou kepest thy conseil in thyn herte, thou kepest it in thy prisoun, [233s] and whan thou biwreyest thy conseil to any wight he holdeth thee in his snare " ; and ther- fore yow is bettre to hyde youre conseil in youre herte than praye him to whom ye han biwreyed youre conseil that he wole kepen it cloos and stille ; for Seneca seith, "If so be that thou ne mayst nat thyn owene conseil hyde, how darstou prayen any oother wight thy conseil sikerly to kepe ? " 'But nathelees, if thou wene sikerly that the biwreiyng of thy conseil to a persone wol make thy condicioun to stonden in the bettre plyt, thanne shaltou tellen hjnn thy conseil in this wise : first, thou shall make no semblant wheither thee were levere pees or werre, or this or that, ne shewe hym nat thy wille and thyn entente, — [2340] for trust wel, that comunly thise conseillours been flatereres, namely the conseillours of grete lordes, for they enforcen hem alwey rather to speken plesante wordes, enclynynge to the lordes lust, than wordes that been trewe or profitable ; and therfore men seyn, that the riche man hath seeld good conseil, but if he have it of hym self. 'And after that thou shalt considere thy fireendes and thyne enemys ; [2345] and as touchynge thy freendes thou shalt considere whiche of hem been moost feithftil and moost wise, and oldest, and most approved in conseillyng, and of hem shalt thou aske thy conseil as the caas requireth. ' I seye that first ye shul clepe to youre conseil youre fi-eendes that been trewe, for Salomon seith that "Right as the herte of a man deliteth in savour that is soote, right so the conseil of trewe freendes yeveth swetenesse to the soule " ; he seith also, "Ther may no thyng be likned to the trewe freend, [2330] for certes 2330. The took seith : Petrus Alfonsi, DUcip. Cler. iv. 3. _ ., . 3335, Seneca seith : pseudo-Seneca, De Mart- ius, Sent. 16. gold ne silver beth nat so muche worth as the goode wyl of a trewe freend " ; and eek, he seith that " A trewe freend is a strong deffense ; whoso that it fyndeth, certes, he fyndeth a greet tresour." ' Thanne shul ye eek considere if that youre trewe fi-eendes been discrete and wise, for the book seith, " Axe alwey thy conseil of hem that been wise "' ; and by this same resoun shul ye clepen to youre conseil of youre freendes that been of age, swiche as han seyn and been expert in manye thynges, and been approved in conseillynges ; for the book seith that in the olde men is the sapience, and in longe tyme the prudence ; [2355] and TuUius seith, that grete thynges ne been nat ay accompliced by strengthe, ne by deliver- nesse of body, but by good conseil, by auctoritee of persones, and by science ; the whiche thre thynges ne been nat fieble by age, but certes they enforcen and en- creescen day by day. And thanne shul ye kepe this for a general reule ; first, shul ye clepen to youre conseil a fewe of youre freendes that been especiale ; for Salomon seith, "Manye freendes have thou, but among a thousand, chese thee oon to be thy conseillour," for, al be it so that thou first ne telle thy conseil but to a fewe, thou mayst afterward telle it to mo folk if it be nede. But looke alwey that thy conseillours have thilke thre condiciouns that I have seyd bifore, that is to seyn, that they be trewe, wise, and of oold experience. [2360] And werke nat alwey in every nede by oon coun- seillour allone, for somtyme bihooveth it to been conseilled by manye, for Salomon seith, " Salvacioun of thynges is where as ther been manye conseillours." ' Now, sith I have toold yow of which folk ye sholde been counseilled, now wol I teche yow which conseil ye oghte to eschewe. First, ye shul eschue the con- seillyng of fooles, for Salomon seith, " Taak no conseil of a fool, for he ne kan noght conseille but after his owene lust 2355. TulH-us : Cicero, De Senect. vi. 17. f Cos. Vir. et F'eminarum lUust.^ from which and the same author's De Claris MuUeribus, Boethius, De Consolatione, the Roman de la Rose, and the Bible the monk takes his ' old en- samples.' 3189. Lucifer, Chaucer's addition ; Boccaccio begins with Adam. 3197, Damyssene, Damascus ; Boccaccio's 'Ager, qui postea Damascenus.' Hadde never worldly man so heigh degree As Adam, til he for mysgovernaunce Was dryven out of hys hye prosperitee To labour, and to helle, and to mes- chaunce. Lo Sampson, which that was annunciat By angel, longe er his nativitee. And was to God Almyghty consecrat. And stood in noblesse whil he myghte'see. Was never swich another as was hee, To speke of strengthe, and therwith hardynesse ; 3210 But to his wyves toolde he his secree, Thurgh whiche he slow hymself for wrecchednesse. Sampson, this noble almyghty champioun, Withouten wepene save his handes tweye, He slow and al to-rente the leoun. Toward his weddyng walkynge by the weye. His false wyf koude hym so plese and preye Til she his conseil knew ; and she, un- trewe. Unto his foos his conseil gan biwreye, And hym forsook, and took another newe. Thre hundred foxes took Sampson for ire, And alle hir tayles he togydre bond, And sette the foxes tayles alle on fire. For he on every tayl had knyt a brond ; And they brende alle the comes in that lond, And alle hire olyveres, and vynes eke. A thousand men he slow eek with his ■ hond, And hadde no wepene but an asses cheke. Whan they were slayn so thursted hym that he 3223 Was wel ny lorn, for which he gan to preye That God wolde on his peyne han som pitee, And sende hym drynke, or elles moste he deye And of this asses cheke, that was dreye, 3205. annunciat, from Boccaccio ' Praenuncl- ante per angelum Deo,' but Chaucer takes his points mainly from the Bible. 120 •1.0V P B MONK'S TALE 3234-3303 ut of a wang-tooth sprang anon a welle, f which he drank ynow, shortly to seye ; hus heelpe hym God, 2&Judicum can telle. y verray force at Gazan, on a nyght, iaugree Philistiens of that citee, he gates of the toun he hath up-plyght, nd on his bak y-caryed hem hath hee 3240 [yeon an hille, that men myghte hem see. inoble, almyghty Sampson, lief and deere, [ad thou nat toold to wommen thy secree, 1 all this world ne hadde been thy peere ! his Sampson never ciser drank, ne wyn, 'e on his heed cam rasour noon, ne sheere, y precept of the messager divyn ; or alle his strengthes in his heeres were ; .nd folly twenty wynter, yeer by yeere, [e hadde of Israel the govemaunce ; 3250 lut soone shal he wepe many a teere, 'or wommen shal hym bryngen to mes- chaunce. Unto his lemman Dalida he tolde Tiat in his heeris al his strengthe lay, Lnd falsly to his foomen she hym solde ; Lnd slepynge in hir barm upon a day ihemadeto clippe or shere his heres away, Lnd made his foomen al his craft espyen ; ^d whan that they hymfoond in thisarray, "hey bounde hym faste and putten out his eyen. 3260 !ut er his heer were clipped or y-shave, "her was no boond with which men myghte him bynde ; !ut now is he in prison in a cave, Vhere-as they made hym at the queeme grynde. ) noble Sampson, strongest of mankynde, ) whilom juge, in glorie and in rich&se ! fow maystow wepen with thyne eyen blynde, lith thou fro wele art falle in wrecched- rhende of this caytyf was as I shal seye ; lis foomen made a feeste upon a day, tnd made hym as a fool bifom hem pleye ; 3236. Judicum, Book of Judges. And this was in a temple of greet array ; But atte laste he made a foul affray ; For he the pilers shook and made hem falle, _ . And doun fil temple and al, and ther it my ; And slowhymself, and eekhis foomen alle : This is to seyn, the prynces everichoon ; And eek thre thousand bodyes were ther slayn With fallynge of the grete temple of stoon. Of Sampson nowwol I namooresayn; 3280 Beth war by this ensample oold and playn That no men telle hir conseil til hir wyves Of swich thyng as they wolde han secree fayn. If that it touche hir lymes or hir lyves. Of Hercules, the sovereyn conquer- our, Syngen his werkeslaudeand heigh renoun ; For in his ty me of strengthehe was the flour. He slow, and rafte the skyn of the leoun ; He of Centauros leyde the boost adoun ; He Arpies slow, the crueel bryddes felle ; He golden apples rafte of the dragoun ; He drow out Cerberus, the hound of helle ; He slow the crueel tyrant Busirus, And made his hors to frete hym, flessh and boon ; He slow thq firy serpent venymus ; 329s Of Acheloys two homes he brak oon ; And he slow Cacus in a cave of stoon ; He slow the geant Antheus the stronge ; He slow the grisly boor, and that anon ; And bar the hevene on his nekke longe. Was never wight sith that this world bigan. That slow so manye monstres as dide he ; Thurghout this wyde world his name ran, 3274. the, H6 two. 3285. Hercules, In this and the next stanza Chaucer follows closely Eoethius, De Consola- tione, Bk. iv. Met. 7, keeping some of the phrases of his own translation. 3293. Busirus, Busiris, King of Egypt, who oflierea strangers in sacrifice. 3296. Acheloys. .The river-god turned himself into a bull to fight Hercules the better. 3296. bretk, H raft. 3297. Cacus, who stole the cattle of Hercules 3298. Antheus, Ant£eus. 33°4-3372 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP B What for his strengthe and for his heigh bountee, And every reawme wente he for to see. He was so stroong that no man myghte hym lette ; At bothe the worldes endes, seith Tro- phee, In stide of boundes he a pileer selte. A lemman hadde this noble champioun, That highte Dianira, fressh as May ; 3310 And as thise clerlces maken mentioun, She hath hym sent a sherte, fressh and gay. Alias, this sherte— aUas,and weylaway ! — Envenymed was so subtilly withalle, That er that he had wared it half a day, It made his flessh al from his bones falle ; But nathelees somme clerlces hire excusen By oon that highte Nessus, that it maked. Be as be may, I wol hire noght accusen ; But on his bak this sherte he wered al naked, 3320 Til that his flessh was for the venym blaked ; And whan he saugh noon oother remedye. In hoote coles he hath hymselven raked ; For with no venym deigned hym to dye. Thus starf this worthy, myghty Hercules. Lo ! who may truste on Fortune any throwe ? , For hym that folweth al this world of prees, Er he be war, is ofte y-leyd ful lowe. Ful wys is he that kan hymselven knowe ! Beth war, for whan that Fortune list to glose, 3330 Thanne wayteth she hir man to over- throwe By swich a wey as he wolde leest suppose. The myghty trone, the precious tresor. The glorious ceptre, and roial magestee That hadde the kyng Nabugodonosor, 3307. Trophee. E and Heng., wiser than any modern commentator, append the note ' lUe vates Chaldeorum Tropheus ' ! 3318. Nessus, the Centaur whom Hercules slew. With tonge unnethe may discryved bee. He twyes wan Jerusalem the citee ; The vessel of the temple he with hym ladde. At Babiloigne was his sovereyn see, 3339 In which his glorie and his delit he hadde. The faireste children of the blood roial Of Israel he leet do gelde anoon. And maked ech of hem to been his thral. Amonges othere Daniel was oon, That was the wiseste child of everychon. For he the dremes of the kyng expowned, Where-as in Chaldeye clerk ne was ther noon. That wiste to what fyn his dremes sowned. This proude kyng leet maken a statue of gold, 33« Sixty cubites long and sevene in brede, To which ymage bothe yonge and oold Comanded he to loute, and have in drede, Or in a fourneys, fill of iiambes rede. He shal be brent, that wolde noght obeye ■ But never wolde assente to that dede Daniel, ne his yonge felawes tweye. This kyng of kynges proud was and elaat ; He wende that God that sit in magestee Ne myghte hym nat bireve of his estaatj But sodeynly he loste his dignytee 3360 And lyk a beest hym semed for to bee ; And eet hey as an oxe, and' lay theroute In reyn ; with wilde beestes walked hee Til certein tyme was y-come aboiite ; And lik an egles fetheres wex his heres ; His nayles lik a briddes clawes were ; Til God relessed hym a certeyn yeres. And yaf hym wit, and thanne with many a teere He thanked God, and ever his lyf in feere Was he to doon amys, or moore trespace ; And, til that tyme he leyd was on his beere, 337' He knew that God was ful of myght and grace. 3365. luejc, emend. Skeat for wax (E) and were (HS) etc. of MSS. 122 ROUP B MONK'S TALE 3373-344" His sone, which that highte Baltha- SAR, hat heeld the regne after his fader day, [e by his fader koude noght be war ; or proud he was of herte and of array, nd eek an ydolastre he was ay. [is hye estaat assured hym in pryde ; ut Fortune caste hym doun and ther he lay, Jid sodeynly his regne gan divide. 3380 A feeste he made unto his lordes alle, fpon a tyme, and bad hem blithe bee ; Lnd thanne his ofBceres gan he calle, — Gooth, bryngeth forth the vesselles,' quod he, Whiche that my feder in his prosperitee )ut of the temple of Jerusalem birafte, jid to our hye goddes thanke we )f honour that oure eldres with us lafle.' lys wyf, his lordes, and his concubynes ty dronken, whil hire appetites laste, 3390 )ut of thise noble vessels sondry wynes ; Lnd on a wal this kyng his eyen caste, Lnd saugh an hand, armlees, that wroot ful fast ; ^or feere of which he quook, and siked soore. "his hand, that Balthasar so soore agaste, Vroot Mane, techel, pharss, and namoore. n al that land magicien was noon 'hat koude expounde what this lettre mente ; !ut Daniel expowned it anon, 3399 Lnd seyde, ' King, God to thy fader sente llorie and honour, regne, tresour, rente, Lnd he was proud, and no-thyng God ne dradde, Lnd therfore God greet wreche upon hym sente, Lnd hym birafte the regne that he hadde ; He was out-cast of mannes compaignye ; Vith asses was his habitacioun, Lnd eet hey as a beest in weet and drye, 'il that he knew, by grace and by resoun, 3384. vesselles. Only Corpus and Lansdowne lake ihis a trisyllable here. That God of hevene hath domynacioun Over every regne and every creature ; 3410 And thanne hadde God of hym com- passioun. And hym restored his regne and his figure. ' Eek thou that art his sone art proud also, And knowest alle thise thynges verraily. And art rebel to God and art his foo ; Thou drank eek of his vessels boldely ; Thy wyf eek, and thy wenches, synfuUy Dronke of the same vessels sondry wynys, And heryest false goddes cursedly ; Therfore to thee y-shapenful greet pyne ys. ' This hand was sent from God, that on the wal 34Z1 Wroot, " Mane, techel, phares,'' truste me, — Thy regne isdbon, thou weyest noght at al, Dyvyded is thy regne, and it shal be To Medes and to Perses yeve,' quod he. And thilke same nyght this kyng was slawe. And Darius occupieth his degree, Thogh he therto hadde neither right ne lawe. Lordynges, ensample heer-by may ye take, 3429 How that in lordshipe is no sikernesse ; For whan Fortune wole a man forsake, She bereth awey his regneand his richesse. And eek his freendes, bothe moore and lesse ,■ For what man that hath freendes thurgh Fortune Mishape wol maken hem enemys, as I gesse ; This proverbe is ful sooth and ful com- mune. Cenobia, of Palymerie queene, — As writen Persiens of hir noblesse, — ■ So worthy was in armes, and so keene, That no wight passed hire in hardynesse, Ne in lynage, ne in oother gentillesse. 3437. . Cenobia. The account of Zenobia follows closely, omitting details of battles, Boccaccio's De Claris Mulierilius, cap. 98, 123 3442-35 >4 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP B Of kynges blood of Perce is she descended; I seye nat that she hadde moost fairnesse, But of hire shape she myghte nat been amended. From hirechildhede I fynde that she fledde Office of wommen, and to wode she went, And many a wilde hertes blood she shedde With arwes brode that she to hem sente ; She was so swift that she anon hem hente, And whan that she was elder she wolde kille 3450 Leouns, leopardes, and beres al to-rente, And in hir armes weelde hem at hir wille. She dorste wilde beestes dennes seke, And rennen in themontaignesal thenyght, And slepen under the bussh ; and she koude eke Wrastlen, by verray force and verray myght, With any yong man, were he never so wight. Ther myghte no thyng in hir armes stonde. She kepte hir maydenhod from every. wight ; 3459 To no man deigned hire for to be bonde ; But atte laste hir freendes han hire maried To Onedake, a prynce of that contree ; Al were it so that she hem longe taried. And ye shul understonde how that he Hadde swiche fantasies as hadde she ; But nathelees, whan they were knyt infeere, They lyved in joye and in felicitee. For ech of hem hadde oother lief and deere, Save o thyng, that she wolde never assente By no wey that he sholde by hire lye 3470 But ones, for it was hir pleyn entente To have a child the world to multiplye ; And also soone as that she myghte espye That she was nat with childe with that dede, Thanne wolde she suffre hym doon his fantasye Eft soohe, and nat but oones, out of drede ; And if she were with childe at thilke cast, 3477-80. Chaucer here misunderstands his original. Na moore sholde he pleyen thilke game. Til fully fourty dayes weren past ; Thanne wolde she ones suffre hym do the same. 3480 Al were this Onedake wUde or tame He gat na moore of hire, for thus she seyde, It was to wyves lecherie and shame. In oother caas, if that men with hem pleyde. Two sones by this Onedake hadde she. The whiche she kepte in vertu and lettrure; But now unto our tale turne we. I seye so worshipfiil a creature, And wys ther- with, and large with mesure. So penyble in the werre, and curteis eke, Ne moore labour myghte in werre endure. Was noon, though al this world men sholde seke. Hir riche array ne myghte nat be told. As wel in vessel as in hire clothyng. She was al clad in perree and in gold. And eek she lafte noght, for noon huntyng, To have of sondry tonges ful knowyng, Whan that she leyser hadde ; and for to entende To lerne bookes was al hire likyng, 3499 How she in vertu myghte hir lyf dispende. And, shortly of this storie for to trete. So doghty was hir housbonde and eek she, That they conquered manye regnes grete In the Orient, with many a faire citee Apertenaunt unto the magestee Of Rome, and with strong bond held hem faste, Nenever myghte hir foomendoonhemflee. Ay, whil that Onedakes dayes laste. Hir batailles, whoso list hem for to rede, — Agayn Sapor the kyng and othere mo, 3510 And how that al this proces fil in dede. Why she conquered, and what title had therto. And after of hir meschief and hire wo, How that she was biseged and y-take,— 3487. iale^ H purpos, 3492. H Was noitiher twon, in al this worid to sceke, 3501. sioriCf "^pyoces. 124 MONK'S TALE 3515-3575 it hym unto my maister Petrak go, lat writ ynough of this, I undertake. Whan Onedake was deed she myghtily le regnes heeld, and with hire propre hond ;ayn hir foos she faught so cruelly lat ther nas kyng, ne prynce, in al that lend 3520 lat he nas glad if he that grace fond, lat she ne wolde upon his lond werreye. ith hire they maden, alliance by bond I been in pees, and lete hire ride and pleye. le emperour of Rome, Claudius, ! hym bifore, the Romayn Galien, : dorste never been so corageous : noon Ermyn, ne noon Egipcien, ; Surrien, ne noon Arabyen, ithinne the feelde that dorste with hire fighte 3530 St that she wolde hem with hir handes slen, r with hir meignee putten hem to flighte. kynges habit wente hir sones two, > heires of hir fadres regnes alle, iid Hermanno and Thymalao ir names were, as Persiens hem calle ; It ay Fortune hath in hire hony galle : lis myghty queene may no while endure. >rtune out of hir regne made hire falle ) wrecchednesse and to mysaventure. irelian, whan that the governaunce ■ Rome cam into his handes tweye, e shoope upon this queene to doon vengeaunce ; id with his legions he took his weye )ward Cenobie, and, shortly for to seye, e made hire flee and atte last hire hente, jd fettred hire, and eek hire children tweye, id wan the land, and hoom to Rome he wente. [515. Petrak, i.e. Boccaccio, who, however, is ^er mentioned by Chaucer, for what reason is '. clear. 1519. s6 cruelly, H/ultreifiely, Cor^,"^ ireively. 1528. Ermyn, Armenian. Araonges othere thynges that he wan Hir ehaar, that was with gold wroght and perree, 335° This grete Romayn, this Aurelian, Hath with hym lad, for that men sholde it see. Biforen his triiimphe walketh shea With gilte chey nes on hire nekke hangynge. Coroned was she after hir degree, And ful of perree charged hire clothynge. Alias, Fortune ! she that whilom was Dredeful to kynges and to emperoures, Now gaureth al the peple on hire, alias ! And she that helmed was in starke stoures, 3560 And wan by force townes stronge, and toures, Shal on hir heed now were a vitremyte ; And she that bar the ceptre ful of floures Shal bere a distaf, hire costes for to quyte. O noble, o worthy Petro, glorie of Spayne, Whom Fortune heeld so hye in magestee, Wei oghten men thy pitous deeth com- playne ! Out of thy land thy brother made thee flee, And after, at a seege, by subtiltee, 3569 Thou were bitraysed and lad unto his tente, Where-as he with his owene hand slow thee, Succedynge in thy regne and in thy rente. The feeld of snow with thegle of blak therinne Caught with the lymerod coloured as the gleede. He brew this cursednesseand al this synne. 3565. Petro, Pedro the Cruel, killed by his brother Henry in 1369. In E, Heng. and Camb. this and the three other modern instances come at the end after Croesus, but wrongly as the Host's talk shows. 3568. H* read Thy bastard brother vtade the tofie. 3572. regne, H lond. 357^. Du Guesclin's arms were a black eagle on a silver shield, with a bend gules (the lymerod,' or lime tw;g, coloured like a red coal). Wicked- nest is Sir Oliver de Mauny (mal-ni) of Brittany. The twd trapped Pedro to the fatal meeting. The epithet Genylon refers to the Breton traitor who betrayed Roland. 135 3376-3641 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP B The 'wikked-nest' was werkerof thisnede, Noght Charles-Olyvver, that took ayheede Of trouthe and honour, but of Armorike Genylon-DIyver, corrupt for meede, 3579 Brbghtethis worthy kyng inswiche abrike. O worthy Petro, kyng of Cipre also, That AUsandre wan by heigh maistrie, Ful many a hethen wroghtestow fill wo, Of which thyne owene liges hadde envie, And for no thyng but for thy chivalrie They in thy bed han slayn thee by the I morwe. Thus kan Fortune hir wheel governe and And out of joye brynge men to sorwe. Of Melan, grete Barnabo Viscounte, God of delit, and scourge of Lumbardye, Why sholde I nat thyn infortune acounte, Sith in estaat thow cloumbe were so hye ? Thy brother sone, that was thy double allye, For he thy nevew was, and sone-in-lawe, Withinne his prisoun made thee to dye, — But why, ne how, noot I that* thou were slawe. Of the erl Hugelyn of Pyze the langour Th'er may no tonge telle for pitee ; But litel out of Pize stant a tour, 3599 In whiche tour in prisoun put was he, And with hym been his litel children thre ; The eldeste scarsly fyf yeer was of age. Alias, Fortune ! it was greet crueltee Swiche briddes for to putte in swiche a cage ! Dampned was he to dyen in that prisoun, For Roger, which that bisshope was of Pize, 3581. Petro^ ^yng of CiprCi Pierre de Lusig- nan, assassinated 1369. 3582. Alisandre waft, in 1365. 3589. Barnabo,^ Barnabo Visconti, deposed by his nephew, died in prison 1385. 3597. Hugelyn qfPyzey'V^aWno of Pisa, starved to death in 1^9. See Dante, Inferno, xxxiii., from which Chaucer has borrowed. 3601. thre, Dante says four. 3602. scarsly fyf yeer, a touch added by Chaucer. 3606. Roger, Ruggieri degli Ubaldini. Hadde on hym maad a fals suggestioun Thurgh which the peple gan upon hym rise And putten hym to ppsoun, in swich wise As ye han herd, and mete and drynke he hadde 3610 So smal, that wel unnethe it may sufEse, And therwithal it was ful poure and hadde: And on a day bifil that in that hour Whan that his mete wont was to be broght. The gayler shette the dores of the tour. He herde it wel, but he ne spak right noght. And in his herte anon ther fil a thoght That they for hunger wolde doon hym dyen. ' Alias ! ' quod he, ' alias, that I was wroght ! ' 36,9 Therwith the teeris fiUen from his eyen. His yonge sone, that thre yeer was of age. Unto hym seyde, 'Fader, why do ye wepe? Whanne wol the gayler biyngen cure potage ; Is ther no morsel breed that ye do kepe ? I am so hungry that I may nat slepe ; Now wolde God that I myghte slepen evere ! Thanne sholde nat hunger in my wombe crepe ; Ther is no thyng, but breed, that me were levere.' Thus day by day this child bigan to crye, Til in his fadres barm adoun it lay, 3630 And seyde, ' Farewel, fader, I moot dye I' And kiste his fader, and dyde the same day; And whan the woful fader deed it say, For wo his armes two he gan to byte. And seyde, ' Alias, Fortune ! and weyl- away ! Thy false wheel my wo al may I wyte ! ' His children wende that it for hunger was That he his armes gnow, and nat for wo, And seyde, ' ^ader, do nat so, alias ! But rather ete the flessh upon us two ; Oure flessh thou yaf us, take oure flessh us fro, 364' 126 MONK'S TALE 3642-371 I nd ete ynogh,' — right thus they to hym seyde, nd after that, withinne a day or two, hey leyde hem in his lappe adoun and deyde. ymself, despeired, eek for hunger starf ; hus ended is this myghty erl of Pize ; rom he^h estaat Fortiine awey hym carf. f this tr^edie it oghte ynough suffise. fhoso wol here it in a lenger wise, edeth the grete poete of Ytaille 3650 hat highte Dant, for he kan al devyse ro point to point, — nat o word wol he faille. Although that Nero were as vicious s any feend that lith in helle adoun, et he, as telleth us Swetonius, his wyde world hadde in subjeccioun othe est and west, north and septem- trioun ; f rubies, saphires, and of peerles white, Tere alle hise clothes brouded up and doon ; or he in gemmes greetly gan delite. 3660 [oor? delicaat, moore pompous of array, [oore proud, wasneveremperourthan he ; hat ilke clooth that he hadde wered o day, iter that tyme he nolde it never see. ettes of gold threed hadde he greet plentee o fisshe in Tybre, whan hym liste pleye. [is lustes were al lawe in his decree, or Fortune, as his fireend, hym wolde obeye. [e Rome brende for his delicasie ; he senatours he slow upon a day, 3670 o heere how men wolde wepe and crie ; nd slow his brother, and by his suster lay. !is mooder made he in pitous array, or he hire wombe slitte, to biholde Tiere he conceyved was ; so weilaway ! hat he so litel of his mooder tolde. 3654. in helht K^/uI io7ve. 3655. Swetonius. Chaucer is more indebted the Roman de ht Rose and to Boetbius, De 'ns. lib. 2, met. 6. 3657. ftorikf Chaucer's slip for south; Corp.'' No teere out of his eyen for that sighte Ne cam, but seyde, ' A fair womman was she ! ' Greet wonder is how that he koude or myghte Be domesman of hire dede beautee ; 3680 The wyn to bryngen hym comanded he. And drank anon, — noon oother wo he made. Whan myght is joyned unto crueltee, Alias, to depe wol the venym wade ! In yowthe a maister hadde this emper- our. To teche hym letterure and curteisye, — For of moralitee he was the flour. As in his tyme, but if bookes lye ; And whil this maister hadde of hym maistrye, 3689 He maked hym so konnyng and so sowple, That longe tyme it was er tirannye. Or any vice, dorste on hym uncowple. This Seneca, of which that I devyse. By-cause that Nero hadde of hym swich drede. For he fro vices wolde hym ay chastise Discreetly, as by word, and nat by dede ; 'Sire,' wolde he seyn, 'an emperour moot nede Be vertuous and hate tirannye ' ; For which he in a bath made hym to blede On bothe his armes, til he moste dye. 3700 This Nero hadde eek of acustumaunce In youthe agaylis his maister for to ryse, Which afterward hym thoughte a greet grevaunce ; Therfore he made hym dyen in this wise ; But nathelees this Seneca the wise Chees in a bath to dye in this manere Rather than han another tormentise ; And thus hathNeroslayn his maisterdeere. Now fil it so that Fortune liste no lenger The hye pryde of Nero to cherice, 3710 For though he were strong, yet was she strenger ; [680. Taken verbatim from Chaucer's version of Boethius. 127 3712-3788 THE CANJ'ERBUKY TAJUEH UKUUl' B She thoughte thus : ' By God, I am to nyce, To sette a man that is fulfild of vice In heigh degree, and emperour hym calle. By God ! out of his sete I wol hym trice ; Whan he least weneth sonest shal he falle ! ' The peple roos upon hym on a nyght For his defaute, and whan he it espied, Out of his dores anon he hath hym dight AUone, and, ther he wende han benallied. He knokked faste, and- ay the moore he cried 3721 The fastere shette they the dores alle ; Tho wiste he weel he hadde hymself And wente his wey, no lenger dorste he calle. The peple cride and rombled up and doun, That with hiserys herdehe howtheyseyde, ' Where is this false tiraunt, this Neroun? ' For fere almoost out of his wit he breyde. And to his goddes pitously he preyde For socour, but it myghte nat bityde. For drede of this, hym thoughte that he deyde, 3731 And ran into a garden hym to hyde ; And in this gardyn foond he cherles tweye That seten by a fyr, greet and reed ; And to thise cherles two he gan to preye To sleen hym, and to girden of his heed. That to his body, whan that he were deed. Were no despit y-doon for his defame. Hymself he slow, he koude no bettre reed, Of which Fortune Idugh, and hadde a game. 374° Was never capitayn under a kyng That regnes rao putte in subjeccioun, Ne strenger was in feeld of alle thyng. As in his tyme, ne gretter of renoun, Ne moore pompous in heigh presumpcioun. Than Oloferne, which that Fortune ay kiste So likerously, and ladde hym up and doun. Till that his heed was of, er that he wiste. 3723. E and Heng. have the same line as in 3731 in place of this.. 3746. 0!a/eme, Holofernes. Nat oonly that this world hadde hym in awe For lesynge of richesse or libertee, 37.sc But he made every man reneyen his lawe. ' Nabugodonqsor was god,' seyde hee, , , 'Noonoothergod[ne]sholde adoured bee.' Agayns his heeste no wight dorst trespace Save in Bethulia, a strong citee Where Eliachim a preest was of that place. But taak kepe of the deeth of Oloferne : Amydde his boost he dronke lay a nyght, Withinne his tente, large as is a heme, - And yet, foral his pompe and al his myght, Judith, a womman, as he lay upright 3761 Slepynge, his heed of smoot, and from his tente Ful pryvely she stal from every wight. And vdth his heed unto hir toun she wente. What nedeth it of kyng Anthiochus To telle his hye roial m^estee, His hye pride, his werkes venymus f For swich another was ther noon as he. Rede which that he was in Machabee, And rede the proude wordes that he seyde/ And why he fil fro heigh prosperitee,, And in an hill how wrecchedly he d^de.. Fortune hym hadde enhaunced so in pride That verraily he wende he myghte attayne Unto the sterres upon every syde ; And in balance weyen ech montayrie ; And alle the floodes of the see restrayne ; And Goddes peple haddehemoost in hate; Hem wolde he sleen in torment and in payne, Wenynge that God ne myghte his pride abate. 3780 . And for that Nichanore and Thymothee, Of Jewes weren venquysshed myghtily. Unto the Jewes swich an hate hadde he That he bad greilhen his chaar ful hastily, And swoor, and seyde fill despitously Unto Jerusalem he wolde eftsoone, To wreke his ire on it ful cruelly ; But of his purpos he was let ful soone. 3749. hytn zttf H4 of him. 3752. Ndbugodonosor^ Nebuchadnezzar. 3752. god^ H4 lord. 3753. adoured^ H** honoured. 3769, 70. Rede^ H* Redeih. 3769. Machabee^ Blc. li. chap. 9. .^^^j 128 GROUP B MONK'S TALE 3789-3863 God for his manace hym so soore smoot With invisible wounde, ay incurable, 3790 That in his guttes carf it so and boot, That his peynes weren importable ; And certeinly the wreche was resonable, For many a mannes guttes dide he peyne ; But from his purpos cursed and dampnable For all his smert he wolde hym nat restreyhe ; But bad anon apparaillen his hoost, — And, sodeynly, er he was of it war, God daunted al his pride and all his boost ; For he so soore fil out of his char, 3800 That it his lemes and his skjm to-tar, So that he neyther myghte go ne ryde. But in a chayer men aboute hym bar Al for-brused, bothe bak and syde. The wreche of God hym smoot so cruelly, That thurgh his body wikked wormes crepte, And therwithal he stank so horriblely Thatnoonof al his meyneethat hym kepte, Wheither so he awook or ellis slepte, 3809 Ne myghte noght for stynk of hym endure. In this meschief he wayled and eek wepte, And knew God lord of every creature. To all his hoost and to hym self also Ful wlatsom was the st3Tik of his carejme ; No man ne myghte hym bere to ne fro ; And in this stynk and this horrible peyne. He starf ful wrrecchedly in a monteyne. Thus hath this robbour and this homycide, That many a man made to wepe and pleyne, 3819 Swich gerdoun as bilongeth unto pryde. The storie of Alisaundre is so com- mune, That every wight that hath discrecioun Hath herd somwhat or al of his fortune. This wyde world, as in conclusioun, He wan by strengthe, or for his hye renoun They weren glad for pees imto hym sende. The pride of man and beest he leyde adoun, Wher so he cam, unto the worldes ende. Comparisoun myghte never yet been maked Bitwixe hym and another conquerour ; For al this woiilifl for drede of hym hath quaked. 3831 He was of knighthod and of fredom flour ; Fortune hym made the heir of hire honour ; Save wyn and wommen no thyng mighte aswage His hye entente in armes and labour, So was he ful of leonyn corage. What preys were it to hym though I yow tolde Of Darius, and an hundred thousand mo. Of kynges, princes, erles, dukes bolde, Whiche he conquered and broghte hem into wo ? 3840 I seye, as fer as man may ryde or go, The world was his,— rwhat sholde I moore devyse ? For though I writ or tolde yow evermo ' Of his knyghthode, it myghte nat. suffise. Twelf yeer he regned, as seith Machabee. Philippes sone of Macidoyne he was. That first was kjmg in Grece the contree. O worthy, gentil Alisandre, alias ! That ever sholde fallen swich a cas ! Empoysoned of thyn owene folk thou weere ; 3850 Thy sys Fortune hath turned into aas. And yet for thee ne weep she never a teere ! Who shal me yeven teeris to compleyne The deeth of gentillesse and of franchise, That al the world weelded in his demeyne ? And yet hym thoughte it myghte nat suffise. So ful was his corage of heigh emprise. Alias ! who shal me helpe to endite False Fortune, and poyson to despise. The whiche two of al this wo I wyte ? By wisedora, manhede, and by greet labour 3861 From humble bed to roiai magestee Up roos he, Julius the conquerour, 3862. hujtil/le hed^ Corp.3 humhlehede. .129 3864-3936 THE CANTERBVEY TALES GROUP That wan al thoccident, by land and see, By strengthe of hand, or elles by tretee, And unto Rome made hem tributarie ; And sitthe of Rome the 'Sbiperour was he Til that Fortune weex his adversarie. rayghty Cesar ! that in Thessalie Agayn Pompeus, fader thyn in lawe, 3870 That of the orient hadde all the chivalrie As fer as that the day bigynneth dawe. Thou thurgh thy knyghthod hast hem take and slawe, Save fewe folk that with Pompeus fledde, Thurgh which thou puttest al thorient in awe, — Thanke Fortune, that so wel thee spedde ! But now a litel while I wol biwaille This Pompeus, this noble governour Of Rome, which that fleigh at . this bataille. 3879 1 seye, oon of his men, a fals traitour. His heed of smoot, to wynnen hym favour Of Julius, and hym the heed he broghte. Alias, Pompeye, of thorient conquerour, That Fortune unto swich a fyn thee broghte ! To Rome agayn repaireth Julius With his triiimphe, lauriat ful hye ; But on a tyme Brutus and Cassius, That ever hadde of his hye estaat envye, Ful prively had maad conspiracye Agayns this Julius in subtil wise, 3890 And caste the place in which he sholde dye With boydekyns, as I shal yow devyse. This Julius to the Capitolie wente Upon a day, as he was wont to goon. And in the Capitolie anon hym hente This false Brutus, and his othere foon. And stiked hym with boydekyns anoon With many a wounde, and thus they lete hym lye ; But never gronte he at no strook but oon. Or elles at two, but if his storie lye. 3900 So manly was this Julius of herte, And so wel lovede estaatly honestee. 3866. trihutarie^ H contrihutarie- That though his deedly woundes soc smerte, His mantel over his hypes casteth he For no man sholde seen his privetee ; And as he lay of diyng in a traunce, And wiste verraily that deed was hee. Of honestee yet hadde he remembraunc Lucan, to thee this storie I recomende, And to Swetoun, and to Valerius also, That of this storie writen ord and ende How that to thise grate conqueroures t\ Fortilne was first freend and sitthe foo. No man ne truste upon hire favour long But have hire in awayt for ever-moo ; Witnesse on alle thise conquer6ui stronge. This riche Cresus, whilom kyng Lyde, Of whiche Cresus Cirus soore hym dradd Yet was he caught amyddes al his pryc And to be brent men to the fyr hym ladd' But swich a reyn doun fro the welk shadde, 35 That slow the fyr and made hym toescap But to be war, no grace yet he hadde, Til Fortune on the galwes made hym gap Whanne he escaped was he kan nat sten For to bigynne a newe werre agayn. He wende wel, for that Fortune hym sen Swichhape thathe escaped thurgh the ray That of his foos he rayghte nat be slay And eek a swevene upon a nyght hemetl Of which he was so proud, and eek so fay That in vengeance he al his herte sette Upon a tree he was, as that hym thoughl Ther Juppiter ,hym wesshe, bothe b and syde, And Phebus eek a fair towaille h) broughte To dryen hym with, and therfore w his pryde ; 3910. Vateri-HSj i.e. Valerius Maximus. 3911. ord, beginning; Dr. Hickes' correcli for the word of the M SS. 3920. And to he brent, etc., cp. Boethius, ConsoIaHone, Bk. ii. prose 2 ; H reads : Ana the/uyr to brenne him tnen kim ladde* 3921. weJkne, H heven. 130 THE KNIGHT, HOST, AND MONK 3937-4000 And to his doghter, that stood hym bisyde, Which that he knew in heigh science habounde, He bad hire telle hym what it signyfyde, And she his dreem bigan right thus ex- pounde ; 3940 ' The tree,' quod she, • the galwes is to meene ; And Juppiter bitokneth snow and reyn, And Phebus with his towaille so clene, Tho been the sonne-bemes for to seyn ; Thou shalt anhai^ed be, fader, certeyn, — Reyn shal thee wasshe and sonne shal thee diye ' ; Thus warned she hym ful plat and ful pleyn. His doghter which that called wasPhanye. An-hanged was Cresus, the proude kyng ; His roial trone myghte hym nat availle. Tragedie is noon oother maner thyng ; Ne kan in syngyng crie ne biwaille But for that Fortune alwey wole assaille With unwar strook the regnes that been proude ; For whan men trusteth hire, thanne wol she faille, And covere hire brighte face with a clowde — The Knight and the Host complain of this Tale ' Hoo ! ' quod the Knyght, ' good sire, namoore of this ! That ye han seyd is right ynough, y-wis. And muchel moore ; for litel hevynesse Is right ynough to muche folk, I gesse. I seye for me it is a greet disese, 3961 Where as men han been in greet welthe and ese, To heeren of hire sodeyn fal, alias ! And the contrarie is joye and greet solas. As whan a man hath ben in poure estaat, And clymbeth up, and wexeth fortunat, And there abideth in prosperitee ; 3944. sonne-bemes, H6 sonne-stremes. 3954. With unwar sirook. The phrase is from Boethius. Swich thyng is gladsom, as it thynketh me. And of swich thyng were goodly for to telle.' 'Ye,' quod oure ^oost, 'by Seinte Poules belle ! 3970 Ye seye right sooth ; this Monk he clappeth lowde ; He spak how "Fortune covered with a, clowde " I noot neverwhat, and als of a "tragedie" Right now ye herde, and, pardee, no remedie It is for to biwaille, ne complejoie That that is doon ; and als, it is a peyne, As ye han seyd, to heere of hevynesse. Sire Monk, namoore of this, so God yow blesse ! Youre tale anoyeth all this compaignye ; Swich talkyng is nat worth a boterflye, • For therinne is ther no desport ne game. Wherfore, sire Monk, or daun Piers by youre name, I pray yow hertely, telle us somwhat elles. For sikerly nere clynkyng of youre belles, That on youre bridel hange on every syde. By hevene kyng, that for us alle dyde ! I sholde er this han fallen doun for sleepe, Althogh the slough had never been so deepe ; Thanne hadde youre tale al be toold in veyn, 3989 For certeinly, as that thise clerkes seyn. Where as a man may have noon audience, Noght helpeth it to tellen his sentence ; And wel I woot the substance is in me, If any thyng shal wel reported be. Sir, sey somwhat of huntyng, I yow preye. ' ' Nay ! ' quod this Monk, ' I have no lust to pleye ; Now lat another telle, as I have toold.' Thanne spak oure Hoost with rude speche and boold, And seyde unto the Nonnes Freest anon, ' Com neer, thou preest, com hyder, thou sir John. 4000 3972. covered, H was clipped. 3984. clynkyng, \i. gingling. 131 4001-4068 THE CANTERBURY TALES Telle us swich thyng as may oure hertes glade ; Be blithe, though thou ryde upon a jade. What thogh thyn hors be bothe foule and lane ? . If he wol serve thee, rekke nat a bene ; Looke that thyn herte be murie evermo. ' 'Yis, sir,' quod' he, 'yis, Hoost, so moot I go. But I be myrie, y- wis I wol be blamed. ' And right anon his tale he hath attamed, And thus he seyde unto us everichon, • This sweete preest, this goodly man, sir John. 4010 NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE Heere bigynneth The Nonnes Preestes Tale of the Cokfitid Hen, — Chaun- tedeer and Pertelote A poure wydwS, somdel stape in age, Was whilom dwellyng in a narwe cotage Beside a greve, stondynge in a dale. This wydwe, of which I telle yow my tale, Syn thilke day that she was last a wyf. In pacience ladde a ful sjmple lyf, For litel was hir catel and hir rente. By housbohdrie of swich as God hire sente She.foond hirself, and eek hire doghtren * .' ' two. ' 4019 Thre large sowes hadde she, and namo ; Three keen and eek a sheep that higjite Malle. Ful sooty was hir hour, and eek hire halle. In which she eet ful many a sklendre nieel j Of poynaunt sauce hir neded never a de^L No deyntee morsel passed thurgh hir throte, Hir diete was accordant to hir cote ; Repleccioun ne made, hire never sik, Attempree diete was al hir phisik. And exercise, and hertes suffisaunce. The goute lette hire no-thyng for to . daunce, ' 4030 Napoplexie shente nat hir heed ; The Nonnes Preestes Tale, A fable of Marie de France, Dou Coc et dou IVerpil, contains in 38 lines the germ of this tale. No wyn ne drank she, neither whit: ne reed ; ' (. Hir bord was served ihoost with whit and blak, — ' Milk and broun breed, — in which she foond no lak ; Seyndbacounand somtymean eyor tweye, For'she was, as it were; a maner deye. A yeerd she hadde, enclosed al aboute With stikkes, and a drye dych withoute. In which she hadde a cok, heet Chaun- tecleer. 4039 In al the land of crowyng nas his peer. His voys was murier than the murie orgon On messe dayes that in the chirche gon : Wei sikerer was his crowyng in his logge Than is a clokke, or an abbey orlogge. By nature knew he eche aseencioun ! , Of the equynoxial in thilke toun ; For whan degrees fiftene weren ascended, Thanne crew he that it myghte nat been amended. His coomb was redder than the fyn coral, And batailled as it were a castel wal ; 4050 Hisbyle Was blak, and as the jeet it shoon; Lyk asure were his legges and his toon ; His naylfe whiter than the lylye flour. And lyk the burned gold was his colour. This gentil Gok hadde in his govet naunce Sevene hennesfor to doqji al hisplesaunce, Whiche were his sustres and his para- mours, ' And wonder lyk to hym, as of colours ; Of wjiiche the faireste hewed on hir throte Was eloped faire damoysele Pertelote. 40& Curteys she was, discreet and debonaire. And coinpaignable, and bar hyrself so faire Syn thilke day that she was seven nyght oold. That trewely she hath the herte in hbold Of Chauntecleer, loken in every lith; He loved hire so that wel was hym ther- with ; But swiche a joye was it to here hem synge. Whan that the brightle sonne bigah to sprynge, : 4045. knew he, E^ h£ crew ; rest he kneiu. '( 132 5ROUP B NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE 4069-4x42 [n sweete accord, 'My lief is faren in londe'; . 4069 For thilke tyme, as I have understonde, Beestes and briddes koude speke and synge. And so bifel, that in the dawenynge, \s Chauntecleer among his wyves alle Sat on his perche, that was in the halle, A.nd next hym sat this feire Pertelote, This Chauntecleer gangronen inhisthrote, A.S man that in his dreem is drecched soore. A.nd whan that Pertelote thus herde hym roore. She was ^ast, and seyde, 'O herte deere ! What eyleth yow, to grone in this manure ? iTe been a verray sleper ; fy, for shame ! ' And he answerde and seyde thus : ' Madame, I pray yow that ye take it nat agrief ; By God, me mette I was in swich meschief Right now, that yet myn herte is soore afright. Now God,' quod he, 'my swevene recche aright, And kepe my body out of foul prisoun ! Me mette how that I romed up and doun Withinne our yeerd, wheer as I saugh a beest Was lyk an hound, and wolde han maad areest 4090 Upon my body, and han had me deed. His colour was bitwixe yelow and reed. And tipped was his tayl, and bothe his eeris. With blak, unlyk the remenant of his heeris ; His snowte smal, with glowynge eyen tweye. 7et of his look for feere almoost I deye ; This caused me my gronyng doutelees.' ' Avoy ! ' quod she, ' fy on yow, herte- lees ! fUIas ! ' quod she, ' for by that God above 1 Now han ye lost myn herte and al my love. [ kan nat love a coward, by my feith ! For certes, what so any womman seith, iVe alle desiren, if it myghte bee, 4089. a beest. The description is exactly that )fa 'col-fox' (I. 4405). To han housb6ndes hardy, wise, and free, And secree, and no nygard, ne no fool, Ne hym that is agast of every tool, Ne noon avauntour, by that God above ! How dorste ye seyn, for shame, unto youre love That any thyng myghte make yow aferd ? Have ye no mannes herte, and han a herd ? ' Alias ! and konne ye been agast of swevenys ? 41 11 No thyng, God woot, but vanitee in swevene is. Swevenes engendren of replecciouns, And ofte of fiime, and of complecciounsj Whan humours been to habundant in a wight. ' Certes this dreem, which ye han met to-nyght, Cometh of the greet superfluytee Of youre rede colera, pardee. Which causethfolk to dreden inhir dremes Of arwes, and of iyre with rede lemes, 4120 Of rede beestes, that they wol hem byte. Of contekes and of whelpes, greteand lyte ; Right as the humour of malencolie Causeth ful many a man in sleepe to crie; For feere of blake beres, or boles Make, Or elles blake develes wole hem take. Of othere humours koude I telle also That werken many a man in sleepe fill wo ; But I wol passe as lightly as I kan. Lo, Catoun, which that was so wys a man, Seyde he nat thus, "Ne do ho fors of dremes " ? 'Now, sire,' quod she, 'whan we flee fro the hemes. For Goddes love, as taak som laxatyf. Up peril of my soule, and of my lyf^ I conseille yow the beste, I wol nat lye. That bothe of colere and of malencolye Ye purge yow, and, for ye shal nat tarie. Though in this toun is noon apothecarie, I shal myself to herbes techen yow That shul been for youre hele, and for 3'oure prow ; 4140 And in oure yeerd tho herbes shal I fynde, The whiche han of hire prepretee by ky nde 4120. iemes, gleams ; H beenies. 4121. redg, ^ greti. ^^ 4130. Catoutt, Dist. ii. 32 : ' somnia ne cures.' 133 4143-4224 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP B To purge yow, bynethe and eek above. : Forget nat this, for Goddes owene love ! Ye been ful coleryk of compleccioun. Ware the sonne in his ascencioun Ne fynde yow nat repleet of humours hoote ; And if it do, I dar wel leye a grote That ye shul have a fevere terciane, Or an agu, that may be youre bane. 4150 A day or two ye shul have digestyves Of wormes, er ye take youre laxatyves Of lawriol, centaure and fumetere. Or elles of ellebor that groweth there, Of kata/puce or of gaitrys beryis. Of herbe jrve, growyng in oure yeerd, ther mery is ; Pekke hem up right as they growe and ete hem jm ; Be myrie, housbonde, for youre fader kyn ! Dredeth no dreem ; I kan sey yow namoore.' ' Madame,' quod he, ' graunt mercy of youre loore, 4160 But nathelees, as touchyng daun Catoun, That hath of wysdom swich a greet renoun. Though that he bad no dremes for to drede, By God, men may in olde bookes rede Of many a man, moore of auctorite Than ever Caton was, so moot I thee ! That al the revers seyn of his sentence. And han wel founden by experience That drenles been significaciouns As wel of joye as tribulaciouns, 4170 That folk enduren in this lif present. Ther nedeth make of this noon argui^ient. The verray preeve sheweth it in dede. ' Oon of the gretteste auctours that men rede Seith thus, that whilom two felawes wente On pilgrimage, in a ful good entente, And happed so they coomen in a toun, Wher as ther was swich congregacioun Of peple, and eek so streit of herbergage. That they ne founde as muche as o cotage In which they bothe myghte logged bee ; Wherfore they mosten of necessitee, 4174. auctours. Cicero, De Divin. i. 27, relates both this and the next story. 4181. H reads : In which that thay mis;ht loth i-logged be. As for that nyght, departen compaignye ; And ech of hem gooth to his hostelrye. And took his loggyng as it wolde falle. That oon of hem was logged in a stalle, Fer in a yeerd, with oxen of the plough ; Thatoother man was logged wel ynough. As .was his ^venture, or his fortune, 4189 That us governeth alle as in commune. ' And so bifel that longe er it were day. This man mette in his bed, ther as he lay. How that his felawe gan upon hym calle, And seyde, " Alias ! for in an oxes stalle This nyght I shal be mordred ther I lye ; Now helpe me, deere brother, or I dye ; In alle haste com to me ! " he seyde. ' This man out of his sleepe for feere abrayde ; But whan that he was wakened of his sleepe, 4x99 He turned hym and took of this no keepe ; Hym thoughte his dreefm nas but a vanitee. Thus twies in his slepyng dremed hee, And atte thridde tyme yet his felawe Cam, as hym thoughle,' and seide, " I am now slawe ! Bihoold my bloody woundes, depe and wyde; Arys up erly in the morwe tyde, And at the west gate of the toun," quod he, " A carte ful of donge ther shaltow se. In which my body is hid ful prively ; Do thilke carte arresten boldely ; 4210 My gold caused my mordre, sooth tosayn." And tolde hym every point how he was slayn, With a fill pitous face, pale of hewe ; And truste wel, his dreem he foond fill trewe ; For on the morwe, as soone as it was day, To his felawes in he took the way. And whan that he cam to this oxes stalle. After his felawe he bigan to calle. ' The hostiler answerde hym anon 4219 And seyde, " Sire, your felawe. is agon ; As soone as day he wente out of the toun." ' This man gan fallen in suspeciouns-ir , Remembrynge on his dremes, that Ke mette, — And forth he gooth, no lenger wolde he ktte, «34 GROUP B NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE 4225-4298 Unto the west gate of the toun, and fond A dong carte, as it were to donge lond, That was arrayed in that same wise As ye han herd the dede man devyse ; And with an hardy herte he gan to crye Vengeance and justice of this felonye. 4230 " My felawe mordred is this same nyght, And in this carte he lith gapyng upright. I crye out on the ministres," quod he, " That sholden kepe and reulen this citee ; Harrow ! alias ! heere lith my felawe slayn ! " What sholde I moore unto this tale sayn ? The peple out sterte and caste the cart to grounde. And in the myddel of the dong they founde The dede man, that mordred was al newe. ' O blisfiil God, that art so just and trewe ! 4240 Lo, how that thoubiwreyestmordre alway ! Mordre wol out, that se we day by day ; Mordre is so wlatsom, and abhomynable To God, that is so just and resonable, That he ne wol nat suffire it heled be. Though it abyde a yeer, or two, or thre ; Mordre wol out, this my conclusioun. And right anon, ministres of that toun Han hent the carter, and so soore hym pyned, 4249 And eek the hostiler so soore engyned, That they biknewe hire wikkednesse anon, And were an-hanged by the nekke bon. ' Heere may men seen that dremes been to drede ; And certes, in the same book I rede, Right in the nexte chapitre after this, — I gabbe nat, so have I joye or blis, — Two men that wolde han passed over see. For certeyn cause, into a fer contree, If that the wynd ne hadde been contrarie. That made hem in a citee for to tarie 4260 That stood ful myrie upon an haven syde ; But on a day, agayn the even-tyde, The wynd gan chaunge, and blew right as hem leste. Jolif and glad they wente unto hir reste, And casten hem ful erly for to saille. 4242, that sn we, etc., H certes U is iw nay. ' But to that o man fil a greet mer- vaille ; That oon of hem in slepyng as he lay, Hym mette a wonder dreem, agayn the day : Him thoughte a man stood by his beddes syde 4269 And hym comanded that he sholde abyde, And seyde hym thus : "If thou tomorwe wende, Thou shalt be dreynt, my tale is at an ende." ' He wook, and tolde his felawe what he mette. And preyde hym his viage for to lette ; As for that day, he preyde hym to byde. His felawe, that lay by his beddes syde, Gan for to laughe, and scorned him ful faste ; "No dreem," quod he, "may so myn herte agaste. That I wol lette for to do my thynges ; I sette not a straw by thy dremynges, 4280 For swevenes been but vanytees and japes ; Men dreme al day of owles or of apes. And eke of many a maze therwithal ; Men dreme of thyng that never was ne shal ; But sith I see that thou wolt heere abyde, And thus forslewthen wilfully thy tyde, God woot it reweth me, and have good day !" And thus he took his leve, and wente his way ; But er that he hadde half his cours y-seyled, Noot I nat why, ne what myschaunce it eyled, 4290 But casuelly the shippes botme rente. And shipe and man under the water wente In sighte of othere shippes it bisyde. That with hem seyled at the same tyde ! And therfore, faire Pertelote so deere, By swiche ensamples olde yet maistow leere, That no man sholde been to recchelees Of dremes, for I seye thee doutelees, 4283. eke, om. E6. I3S 4299-4376 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP'S That many a dreem ful soore is for to drede. 4299 ' Lo, in the lyf of Seint Kenelm I rede, That was Kenulphus sone, the noble kyng Of Mercenrike, how Kenelm mette a thyng. A lite er he was mordred, on a day His mordre in his avysioun he say. His norice hym expowned every deel His swevene, and bad hym for to kepe hym weel For traisoun ; but he nas but seven yeer oold, And therfore litel tale hath he toold Of any dreem, so hooly was his herte. By God, I hadde levere than my sherte That ye hadde rad his legende as have I. Dame Perbelote, I sey yow trewely, Macrobeus, that writ the avisioun In Affrike of the worthy Cipioun, Affermeth dremes, and seith' that they been Warnynge of thynges that men after seen ; And forther-moore, I prayyowlooketh wel In the Olde Testament of Daniel, if he heeld dremes any vanitee. ' Reed eek of Joseph, and ther shul ye see 4320 Wher dremes be somtyme, — I sey nat aUe, — Warnynge of thynges that shul after falle. Looke of Egipte the kyng, daun Pharao, His baker and his butiller also, Wher they ne felte noon effect in dremes. Whoso wol seken actes of sondry remes May rede of dremesmany a wonder thyng. ' Lo, Cresus, which that was of Lyde kyng, Mette he nat that he sat upon a tree. Which signified he sholde anhanged bee ? ' Lo heere Andromacha, Ectores viryf, That day that Ector sholde lese his lyf. She dremed on the same nyght biforn. How that the lyf of Ector sholde be lorne. If thilke day he wente into bataille ; She warned hym, but it myghte nat availle ; He wente forth to fighte natheles, 4300. kenelm, murdered by his tutor at the desire of a wicked sister. And he was sla.yn anon of Achilles ; ,j ' But thilke tale is al to longe to telle, And eek it is ny day, I may nat dwelle; Shortly I seye, as for conclusioun, 4341 That I shal han of this avisioun Adversitee ; and I seye forthermoor, ■:■■-•:. That I ne telle bf laxatyves no stoor. For they been venymes, I woot it weel ; I hem diffye, I love hem never a deel ! ' Now let us speke of myrthe, and stynte al this ; Madame Pertelote, so have I blis, Of o thyng God hath sent me large grace; For whan I se the beautee of youre face. Ye been so scarlet reed aboute youre eyen, 4351 It raaketh al my drede for to dyen, For, al-so siker as In principio, Mulier est hominis tonfusio,^-^^ , , Madame, the sentence of this Latyn is, "Womman is mannes joye, and al his blis " ; For whan I feele a-nyght your softe syde, Al be it that I may nat on yow ryde, For that oure perche is maad so narwe, alias ! I am so fill of joye and of solas, 4360 That I diffye bothe swevene and dreem ',: And with that word he fly doun fro , the beem. For it was day, and eke his hennes alia ; And with a chuk he gan hem for to calle. For he hadde founde a corn, lay in the yerd. Real he was, he was namoore aferd. He fethered Pertelote twenty tyme, And trad as ofte, er that it was pryme. He looketh as it were a grym leoun. And on his toos he rometh up and doun ; Hym deigned nat to sette his foot to grounde. 4371 He chukketh whan he hath a corn y-founde, And to hym rennen thanne his wyves alle. Thus roial, as a prince is in an halle, Leve I this Chauntedeer in his pasture. And after wol I telle his ^venture. , ' 4353.. The real meaning of tfie Latin.is : Tn the beginning, woman is man's destruction. 136 GROUP B NUN'S PSIEST'S TALE 4377-4450 Whan that the monthe in which the world bigan, That highte March, whan God first maked man, Was compleet, and [y-] passed were also, Syn March bigan, thritty dayes and two, Bifel that Chauntecleer in al his pryde. His sevene wyves walkynge by his syde, Caste up his eyen to the brighte sonne That in the signe of Taurus hadde y-rcnne Twenty degrees and con, and som-what moore, And knew by kynde, and by noon oother loore, That it was pryme, and crew with blisful stevene. 'The Sonne,' he seyde, 'is clomben up on hevene Fourty degrees and oon, and moore y-wis. Madame Pertelote, my worldes blis, 4390 Herkneth thise blisful briddes how they synge. And se the fresshe floures how they sprynge ; Ful is myn herte of revel and solas ! ' But sodeynly hym fil a sorweful cas ; For ever the latter ende of joy is wo. God woot that worldly joye is soone ago, And if a rethorkoude faire endite, He in a cronycle saufly myghte it write, As for a sovereyn notabilitee. 4399 Now every wys man, lat him herkne me ; This storie is al so trewe, I undertake, As is the book of Launcelot de Lake, That wommen holde in ful greet reverence. Now wol I tome agayn to my sentence. A colfox, ful of sly iniquitee. That in the grove hadde wonned yeres three. By heigh ymaginacioun forn-cast. The same nyght thurgh-out the hegges brast Into the yerd, ther Chauntecleer the faire Was wont, and eek his vpyves, to repaire ; And in a bed of wortes stille he lay, 44 n 4389. Fourty, H Twenty, tut perhaps Chaucer is laughing at the cock. 4399. E and Heng. assign the saying to Petrus Comestor. Til it was passed undren of the day, Waitynge his tyme on Chauntecleer to falle; As gladly doon thise homycides alle That in await liggen to mordre men. O false mordrour lurkynge in thy den ! O newe Scariot, newe Genyloun ! False dissymulour, O Greek Synoun, That broghtest Troye al outrely to sorwe ! Chauntecleer, acursed be that morwe. That thou into that yerd flaugh fro the hemes! 4421 Thou were ful wel y- warned by thy dremes That thilke day was perilous to thee ; But what that God forwoot moot nedes bee. After the opinioun of certein clerkis. Witnesse on hym that any parfit clerk is. That in scole is greet altercacioun In this mateere, and' greet disputisoun. And hath been of an hundred thousand men ; But I ne kan nat bulte it to the bren, 4430 As kan the hooly doctour Augustyn, Or Boece, or the bisshope Bradwardyn, Wheither that Goddes worthy fdrwityng Streyneth me nedely to doon a thyng, — Nedely clepe I symple necessitee, — Or elles if free choys be graunted me To do that same thyng, or do it noght, Though God forwoot' it er that it was wrdght ; Or if his wityng streyneth never a deel. But by necessitee condicioneel. : 4440 1 wil nat han to do of swich mateere. My tale is of a cok, as ye may heere, That topic his conseil of his wyf with sorwe. To walkeii in the yerd upon that morwe That he hadde met that dreem that I yow tolde. Wommennes conseils been ful ofte colde ; Wommannes conseil broghte us first to wo And made Adam fro Paradys to go, Ther as he was ful myrie and wel at ese ; 4449 But for I noot to whom it myght displese, 4417. Genyloun, the betrayer of Roland 4432. Boece, Boethius. 4432. Bradiuardyn, author of the ' De Causa Dei contra Pelagium,' d. 1349. F 3 137 44SI-4S2I THE CANTERBURY TALES If I conseil of wommen wolde' blames Passe over, for I seyde it in my game. Rede auctours where they trete of swich ' mateere, And what they seyn lof wommen ye may heere ; Thise been thie cokkes wordes, and nat myne, ' ' I kan noon hairm of no womman divyne ! Faire in the soond, to bathe hire myrily, Lith Pertelote, and alle hire sustres by, Agayn the Sonne, and Chauntecleer so free Soong murier than the mermayde in the see ; 4460 For Phhiohgus seith sikerly,. How that they syngen wel and myrily. And so bifel that as he cast his eye Among the wprtes, on a boterflye, He was war of this fox that lay fal lowe. No-thyng ne liste hyrn thamiie for to crowe. But cride anon, ' Cok, cok !' and up he sterte, As man that was afifrayed in his herte, — For natureelly a beest desireth flee Fro his contrarie, if he may it see, 4470' Though he never erst hadde sejra it with his eye. This Chauntecleer-, whan he gan hym espye, He wolde han fled, but that the fox anon Seyde, ' Gentil sire, alias ! wher wol ye gon ? • Be ye affi'ayed of me that am youre j freend ? Now, certes, I were worse than a feend, If I to yow wolde harm or vileyhye. I am nat come your conseil for tespye. But trewely the cause of my comynge Was oonly for to herkne how that, ye synge ; 4480 For trewely, ye have as myrie a stevene As any aungel hath that is in hevene. Therwith ye han in musyk moore feelynge Than hadde Boece, or any that kan synge. My lord youre fader, — God his soule blesse ! 4461. Phyiologus^ i.e. the Physiologus de naturis xii. animaliutn, written by a certain Theobaldus. 4484. Boece. Boethius wrote a treatise on music. 138 And eek youre mooder, of hire gentillesse, Han in myn hous y-been to my greet ese. And certes, sire, ful fayn wolde I yow plese. But for men speke of syngyiig, I wol seye, — So moote I brouke wel myne eyen tweye, — 4490 Save yow, I herde never man so synge As dide youre fader in the morwenynge. Certes, it was of herte, al that he song ; And for to make his voys the moore strong. He wolde so peyne hym that with bothe his eyen He moste wynke, so loude he wolde cryen ; And stonden on his tiptoon therwithal. And strecche forth his nekke, long and smal ; And eeki he was of swich discrecioun That ther nas no man in no regioun 4500 That hym in song or wisedom myghte passe. ' I have wel rad, in "Daun Burnel the Asse," Among his vers, how that ther was a cok, For that a preestes sone yaf hym a knok Upon his leg, whil he was yong and nyce, He made hym for to lese his benefice ; But certeyn, ther nys no comparisoun Bitwixe the wisedom and discrecioun Of youre fader and of his subtiltee. Now syrigeth, sire; for seinte charitee ; 4510 Lat se, konne ye youre fader countrefete.' This Chauntecleer his wynges gan to bete. As man that koude his traysoun nat espie. So was he ravysshed with his fiaterie. AUeis, ye lordes, many a fals flatour i Is in youre courtes, and many a losengeour. That plesen yow wel moore, by my feith. Than he that soothfastnesse unto yow seith, — Redeth Ecclesiaste of flaterye, — Beth war, ye lordes, of hir trecherye. 4520 This Chauntecleer stood bye upon his toos 4502. Daun Burnel the Asse, in the Specuhtm Stuliorum of Nigel Wireker. 4515. ye lordes, H lordynges. . ' 4516. courtes, H hous. NUN'S PRIEST'S TALE 4522-4588 Strecchynge his nekke, and heeld his eyen cloos, And gan to crowe loude for the nones, And daun Russell, the fox, stirte up atones, And by the gargat hente Chauntecleer, And on his bak toward the wode hym beer ; For yet ne was ther no man that hym sewed. O destinee, that mayst nat been eschewed ! Alas, that Chauntecleer fleigh firo the bemes ! 4529 Alias, his wyf ne roghte nat of dremes ! And on a Friday fil al this meschaunce. O Venus, that art goddesse of plesaunce, Syn that thy servant was this Chaunte- cleer, And in thy servyce dide al his poweer, Moore for delit than world to multiplye. Why woltestow suffre hym on thy day to dye? O Gaufred, deere maister soverayn. That, whan thy worthy kyng Richard was slayn With shot, compleynedest his deeth so soore ! Why ne hadde I now thy sentence, and thy loore, 4540 The Friday for to chide, as diden ye ? — For on a Friday, soothly, slayn was he. Thanne wolde I shewe yow how that I koude pleyne For Chauntecleres drede, and for his peyne. Certes, swich cry, ne lamentacioun. Was never of ladyes maad whan Ylioun Was wonne, and Pirrus with his streite swerd. Whan he hadde hent kyng Priam by the herd. And slayn hym, — as seith us Eneydos, — As maden alle the hennes in the clos, 4550 Whan they had seyn of Chauntecleer the sighte. But .sovereynly dame Pertelote shrighte, Ful louder than dide Hasdrubales wyf, 4537. Gaufred, Geoffrey of Vinesauf ; author of a treatise on the art of poetry, in which, to show how such poems should be written', he be- wailed the death of Richard. Whan that hir housbonde hadde lost his ly f, And that the Romayns, hadde brend Cartage,' — She was so ful of torment and of rage, That wilfully into the fyr she sterte. And brende hirselven with a stedefast herte. O woful hennes, right so criden ye. As, whan that Nero brende the citee 4560 Of Rome, cryden senatoures wyves. For that hir husbondes losten alle hir lyves Withoutengilt,- — thisNerohathhem slayn. Now wol I tome to my tale agayn. This sely wydwe, and eek hir doghtres two, Herden thise hennes crie and maken wo, And out at dores stirten they anon, And syen the fox toward the grove gon, And bar upon his bak the cok away. And cryden, ' Out ! harrow ! and weyl- away ! 4570 Ha! ha! the fox!' and after hym they ran. And eek with staves many another man ; Ran CoUe, oure dogge, and Talbot, and Gerland And Malkyn, with a dystaf in hir hand ; Ran cow and calf, and eek the verray hogges. So were they fered for berkynge of the And shoutyng of the men and wommen eek ; They ronne so hem thoughte hir herte breek. They yoUeden, as feendes doon in helle ; The dokes cryden, as men wolde hem quelle ; 4580 The gees, for feere, flowen over the trees ; Out of the hyve cam the swarm of bees ; So hydous was the noys, a. benedicitee ! Certes, he Jakke Straw, and his raeynee, Ne made never shoutes half so shrille. Whan that they wolden any Flemyng kille. As thilke day was maad upon the fox. Of bras they broghten hemes, and of box, 4586. Flemyng, to whose competition the English craftsmen objected. 139 4589-4652 THE CANTERBURY TALES Of horn, of boon, in whiche they blewe and powped, And therwithal they skriked and they howped ; 4590 It semed as that hevene sholde falle. Now, goode men, I pray yow herkneth alle ; Lo, how Fortune tumeth sodeynly The hope and pryde eek of hir enemy ! This cok, that lay upon the foxes bak, In al his drede unto the fox he spak, And seyde, ' Sire, if that I ijvere as ye, Yet wolde I seyn, as wys God helpe me, " Tumeth agayn, ye proude cherles alle ! A verray pestilence upon yow falle ; 4600 Now am I come unto the wodes syde, Maugree youre heed, the cok shal heere abyde ; I wol hym ete in feith, and that anon ! " ' The fox answerde, ' In feith it shal be don ' ; And as he spak that word, al sodeynly This cok brak from his mouth delyverly. And heighe upon a tree he fleigh anon ; And whan the fox saugh that he was y-gon,— ' Alias ! ' quod he, ' O Chauntecleer, alias ! I have to yow,' quod he, ' y-doon trespas. In as muche as I maked yow aferd, 4611 Whan I yow hente and broght out of the yerd; But, sire, I dide it of no wikke entente. Com doun, and I shal telle yow what I mente ; I shal seye sooth to yow, God help me so ! ' ' Nay thanne,' quod he, ' I shrewe us bothe two, And first I shrewe myself, bothe blood and bones. If thou bigyle me any ofter than ones. Thou shalt na moore, thurgh thy flaterye. Do me to synge, and wynke with myn eye, 4620 For he that wynketh, whan he sholde see, Al wilfully, God lat him never thee ! ' ' Nay,' quod the fox, ' but God yeve hym meschaunce. That is so undiscreet of governaunce That jangleth whan he sholde holde his pees. ' Lo, swich it is for to be recchelees. And necligent, and truste on flaterye. But ye that holden this tale a folye, — As of a fox, or of a cok and hen, — Taketh the moralite, good men ; 4630 For Seint Paul seith that al that writen is. To oure doctrine it is y-write y-wis ; Taketh the fruyt and lat the chaf be stille. Now, goode God, if that it be thy wille. As seith my lord, so make us alle goode men, And brynge us to his heighe blisse ! Amen. Words of the Host to the Nun's Priest ' Sire Nonnes Freest,' oure Hooste seide anoon, ' I-blessed be thy breche and every stoon ! This was a murie tale of Chaunticleer ; But, by my trouthe, if thou were seculer. Thou woldest ben a tredefoul aright ; 4641 For if thou have corage, as thou hast might. The were nede of hennes, as I wene, Ye, mo than sevene tymes seventene ! Se, which braunes hath this gentil preest, So gret a nekke, and swich a large breest ! He loketh as a sparhawke with his eyen ; . Him nedeth nat his colour for to dyen With brasile, ne with grejm of Portyngale. Now, sire, faire falle yow for youre tale. ' And after that, he with ful merie chere Seide unto another as ye shuUen heere. 4637. Sire Nomtes Freest. Only three MSS., one at Camb. and two at the Brit. Mus., contain this end -link. . Its authenticity is not above suspicion ; 1. 4641 repeats B. 3135, and ' seide unto anoihtr^ could hardly have been written by Chaucer, 140 GROUP C DOCTOR'S TALE 1-58 [TALES OF THE THIRD DAY] [GROUP C] DOCTOR'S TALE Heere fohueth The Phisiciens Tale Ther was, as telleth Titus Livius, A knyght that called was Virginius, Fulfild of honour and of worthynesse, And strong of freendes and of greet richesse. This knyght a doghter hadde by his wyf, — No children hadde he mo in al his lyf. Fair was this mayde in excellent beautee Aboven every wight that man may see ; For Nature hath with sovereyn diligence Y-formed hire in so greet excellence, 10 As though she wolde seyn, ' Lo, I, Nature, Thus kan I forme, and peynte a creature. Whan that me list, — who kan me countre- fete? Pigmalion ? Noght, though he ay forge and bete. Or grave, or peynte ; for I dar wel seyn Apelles, Zanzis, sholde werche in ve)m, Outher to grave, or peynte, or forge, or bete. If they presumed me to countrefete. For He that is the Formere principal Hath maked me his vicaire-general 20 To forme and peynten erthely creaturis Right as me list, and ech thyng in my cure is Under the moone that may wane and waxe ; And for my werk right no thyng wol I axe ; Group C. These two tales follow the Franklin]s in E. Dr. Furnivall is responsible for their present placing, which is not a matter of certainty. Doctot's Takt taken, as to its incidents, as Prof. Lounsbury shows, including the reference to Liyy, from the Roman de la. Rose, 11. 6324-94. In this tgde H5 differ greatly from E and Heng. ; though only a few of the variants can be here recorded. 6. No children, H^ and never ne (H only, ne). 16. Zamis, Zeuxis. 24. nverk right, H' werke. My lord and I been ful of oon accord. I made hire to the worshipe of my lord ; So do I alle royne othere creatures. What colour that they han, or what figures. ' Thus semeth me that Nature wolde seye. This mayde of age twelve yeer was and tweye 30 In which that Nature hadde swich delit ; For, right as she kan peynte a lilie whit. And reed a rose, right with swich peynture She peynted hath this noble creature, Er she were born, upon hir lymes fre, Where as by right swiche colours sholde be; And Phebus dyed hath hire tresses grete Lyk to the stremes of his burned heete ; And if that excellent was hire beautee, A thousand-foold moore vertuous was she. In hire ne lakked no condicioun 41 That is to preyse, as by discrecioun. As wel in goost as body chast was she. For which she floured in virginitee With alle humylitee and abstinence,. With alle attemperaunce and pacience, With mesure eek of beryng and array. Discreet she was in answeryng alway. Though she were wise as Pallas, dar I seyn ; Hir facound eek, ful wommanly and pleyn ; 50 No countrefeted termes hadde she To seme wys ; but after hir degree She spak, and alle hire wordes, moore and lesse, , Sownynge in vertu and in gentillesse ; Shamefast she was, in maydens shame- fastnesse. Constant in herte, and ever in bisynesse To dryve hire out of ydel slogardye. Bacus hadde of hire mouth right no maistrie, 25. ful o/oon, M^/ully at. 141 S9-I37 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP C For wyn and youthe dooth Venus encresse, 59 As man in fyr wol casten oille or greesse. And of hir oWene vertu uncdnstreyned She hath ful ofte tyme syk hire feyned, For that she wolde fleen the compaignye Where likly was to treten of folye,-^ As is at feestes, revels, and at daunces, That been occasions of daliaunces. Swich thynges maken children for to be To soone rype and boold, as men may se, Which is ful perilous, and hath been yoore, For al to soone may she lerrie loore ■ 70 Of booldnesse, whan she woxen is a wyf. And ye maistresses, in youre olde lyf, That lordes doghtres han in governaunce, Ne taketh of my wordes no displesaunce ; Thenketh that ye been set in governynges Of lordes doghtres, oonly for two thynges : Outher for ye han kept youre honestee. Or elies ye han falle in freletee, And knowen wel ynough the olde daunce, And han forsaken fully swich meschaunce For evermo : therfore for Cristes sake 81 To teche hem vertu looke that ye ne slake. A theef of venysoun, that hath forlaft His likerousnesse and al his olde craft, Kan kepe a forest best of any man ; Now kepeth wel, for if ye wolde ye kan ; Looke wel that ye imto no vice assente. Lest ye be dampned for youre wikke entente ; For who so dooth a traitour is certeyn ; And taketh kepe of that that I shal seyn ; Of alle tresons sovereyn pestilence 91 Is whan a wight bitrayseth innocence. Ye fadres and ye moodres eek, also, Though ye han children, be it oon or mo, Youre is the charge of al hir surveiaunce, Whil that they been under youre gover- naunce ; Beth war, if by ensample of youre lyvynge, Or by youre ne'cligence in chastisynge. That they ne perisse ; for I dar wel seye, If that they doon, ye shul it deere abeye. 74. wordes, H4 word. . ■ 82. H5 read Kepeth wel tho thai ye undertake* 84. olde, H5 theves. 86. if ye wolde, H^* and ye wil, 94. 7no, E3 twon Under a shepherde softe and necligent The wolf hath many a sheepe and lamb to-rent. Suffisetli oon ensample now as heere, For I moot turne agayne to my matere. This mayde, of which I wol this tale expr^sse. So kepte hir self hir neded no maistresse ; For in hir lyvyng maydens myghten rede. As in a book, every good word or dede That longeth to a mayden vertuous. She was so prudent and so bounteuous.; For which the fame out sprong on every syde, in Bothe of hir beautee and hirbounteewyde. That thurgh that land they preised hire, echone That loved vertu, save Envye allone, That sory is of oother mennes wele, And glad is of his sorwe and his Tinheele ; The doctour maketh this descripcioun. This mayde upon a day wente in the toun Toward a temple, with hire mooder deere. As is of yonge maydens the nianere. 120 Nowwas ther thanne a justice in that toun. That governour was of that regioun, And so bifel this juge his eyen caste Upon this mayde, avysynge hym ful fastej As she cam forby, ther as this juge stood. Anon his herte chaunged and his mood, So was he caught with beautee of this mayde. And to hymself ful pryvely he sayde, ' This mayde shal be myn, for any man ! ' Anon the feend into his herte ran, 130 Arid taughte hym sodeynly that he by slyghte The mayden to his purpos Wynne myghte; For certes, by no force, ne by no meede, Hym thoughte, he was nat able for to speede ; For she was strong of freendes, and eek she Confermed was in swich soverayn bountee, That wel he wiste he myghte hire never Wynne 105. wol, H5 telle. 117. The doctour, glossed ' Augustinus' in E^. 125. as this, H5 the. 142 GROUP C DOCTOR'S TALE 138-217 As for to maken hire with hir body synne ; For which by greet deUberacioun He sente after a cherl, was in the toun, 140 Which that he knew for-subtil and for- boold, This juge unto this cherl his tale hath toold In secree wise, and made hym to ensure He sholde telle it to no creature, And if he dide he sholde lese his heed. Whan that assented was this cursed reed Glad was this juge, and maked him greet cheere, And yaf hym yiftes, preciouse and deere. Whan shapen was al hire conspiracie, Fro point to point, how that his lecherie Parfoumed sholde been ful subtilly, 151 As ye shul heere it after openly, Hoom gooth the cherl, that highte Claudius. This false juge that highte Apius, — So was his name, for this is no fable. But knowen for historial thyng notable ; The sentence of it sooth is, out of doute, — This false juge gooth now faste aboute To hasten his delit al that he may ; And so bifel soone after, on a day, 160 This false juge, as telleth us the storie, As he was wont, sat in his consistorie : And yaf his doomes upon sondry cas. This false cherl cam tbrth, a ful greet pas, And seyde, ' Lord, if that it be youre wille. As dooth me right upon this pitous bille. In which I pleyne upon Virginius ; And if that he wol sejm it is nat thus, I wol it preeve, and fynde good witnesse That sooth is that my bille wol expresse.' The juge answerde, 'Of this in his absence I may nat yeve dififynytyve sentence ; Lat do hym calle, and I wol gladly heere ; Thou shalt have al right and no wrong heere.' Virginius cam to wite the juges wille. And right anon was rad this cursed bille ; The sentence of it was as ye shul heere : — To yow, my lord,, sire Apius so deere, 138. mahen^ H^ make. 140. chfrl, here and passim HB read clerk; the Roman de la Rose has serjant. Sheweth youre poure servant Claudius, ' How that a knyght, callid Virginius, 180 Agayns the lawe, agayn al equitee, Holdeth, expres agayn the wyl of itie, . My servant, whichthatis mythralbyright. Which fro myn hous was stole upon a nyghti Whilthat shewasfulyong ; this^vol Ipreeve By witnesse, lord, so that it nat yow greeve. She nys his ddghter, nat, what so he seye ; Wherfore to yow, my lord, the juge, I prey e, Yeldme my thral, if that it beyojj/re wille. Lo, this was al the sentence of his bille. Virginius gan upon the cherl biholde, But hastily, er he his tale tolde, • And wolde have preeved it, as sholde a knyght, And eek by witnessyng of many a wight. That it was fals that seyde his adver- sarie, — This cursed juge wolde no thyng itarie,' Ne heere a word moore of Virginius, But yaf his juggement, and seyde thus : — ' I deeme anon this cherl his servaiit have ; 199 Thou shalt na lenger in thyn hous hir save. Go, bryng hire forih, knd put hire' in cure warde. The cherl shal have his thral ; this I awarde.' And whan this worthy knyght, Virginius, Thurgh sentence of this justice Apius, Moste by force his deeie doghter yeven Unto the juge, in lecherie to lyven. He gooth hym hoom and sette him in his halle. And leet anon his deere doghter calle. And with a face deed as asshen colde. Upon hir humble face he gan biholde, 210 Withfadres pitee stikynge thurgh his herte, Al wolde he from his purpos nat converte. 'Doghter,' quod he, 'Virginia by thy name, Ther been two weyes, outher deeth or shame. That thou most suffre ; alias ! that I was bore ! For never thou deservedest wherfore To dyen with a swerd, or with a knyf. ■43 218-287 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP c O deere doghter, endere of my lyf, Which I have fostred up with swich plesaunce . That thou were never out of my remem- braunce,; ■ 220 O doghter, which that art my laste wo, And in my lyf my laste joye also ; O gemme of thastitee ! in pacience Take thou thy deeth, . for this is my sentence. For love, and nat for hate, thou most be deed : My pitous hand moot smyten of thyn , heed ! . Alias ! that ever Apius the say ! Thus hath he falsly jugged the to day ' ; And tolde hire al the cas, as ye bifore Han herd, nat nedeth for to telle it moore. ' O mercy, deere fader ! ' quod this mayde, 231 And with that word she both hir armes . layde About his nekke, as she was wont to do ; The teeris biruste out of hir eyen two. And seyde, ' Goode fader, shal I dye ? Is ther ho grace, is ther no remedye ? ' ' No, certes, deere dbghter myn,' quod he. 'Thanne yif me leyser, fader myn,' quod she, ' My deeth for to compleyne a litel space, Y 01 Pardee Jepte yaf his doghter grace 240 For to compleyne, er he hir slow, alias ! And God it wool, no thyng was hir trespas, But for she ran hir fader first to see, To welcome hym with greet solempnirtee. ' And with that word she fil aswowne anon. And after, whan hir swowning is agon, She riseth up, and to hir fader sayde, ' Blissed be God, that I shal dye a mayde ; Yif me my deeth, er that I have a shame ; Dooth with youre child youre vi^l, a Goddes name ! ' 250 And with that word she preyed hym ful ofte That with his swerd he wolde smyte softe ; And with that word aswowne doun she fil. Hir fader, with fill sorweful herte and wil, 238. leyser^ H6 leve* Hir heed of smoot, and by the tope it hente. And to the juge he gan it to presente,-!' ,; As he sat y.et in doom in consistorie ;' ''' And whan the juge it saugh, as seith the storie. He bad to take hym and anhange hym faste ; asp But right anon a thousand peplein thraste, To save the knyght, for routhe and for pitee ; For knowen was the false iniquitee. The peple anon hath suspect of this thyng, By manere of the cherles chalangyng, , That it was by the assent of Apius ; They wisten wel that he was lecherus ; For which unto this Apius they gon. And caste hym in a prisoun right anon, Wher as he slow hymself ; and Claudius, That servant was unto this Apius, 270 Was demed for to hange upon a tree ; But that Virginius, of his pitee. So preyde for hym that he was exiled, And elles, certes, he had been bigyled. The remenant were anhanged, moore and lesse, That were consentant of this cursednesse. Heere men may seen how synne hath his merite. Beth war, for no man wool whom God wol smyte, r In no degree ; ne in which manere wyse The worm of conscience may agryse 280 Of wikked lyf, though it so pryvee be That no man woot ther-of but God and he; For be he lewed man, or ellis lered. He noot how soone that he shal been afered ; Therfore, I rede yow, this conseil take, Forsaketh synne, er synne yow forsake. The wordes of the Hoost to the Phisicien and the Pardoner Oure Hooste gan to swere as he were wood ; 275. The remenant^ the witnesses promised in 1. 186. 278. -whotn^ H5 how. 283. H5 read Wher {.whether) that he tie le-wed man or lered. 144 GROUP C PREAMBLE OF THE PARDONER'S TALE 288-350 ' Harrow ! ' quod he, ' by nayles, and by blood ! This was a fals cherl and a fals justise ! As shameful deeth as herte may devyse Come to thise juges, and hire advocatz ! Algate this sely mayde is slayn, alias ! Alias ! to deere boughte she beautee ! Wherfore I seye al day, as men may see, That yiftes of Fortune and of Nature Been cause of deeth to many a creature. Hire beautee was hire deth, I dar wel sayn; Alias ! so pitously as she was slayn ! Of bothe yiftes that I speke of now Men han ful ofte moore harm than prow. ' But trewely, myn owene maister deere, 301 This is a pitous tale for to heere ; But nathelees, passe over, is no fors ; I pray to God so save thy gentil cors. And eek thyne urynals, and thy jurdones, Thyn Ypocras, and eek thy Galiones, And every boyste ful of thy letuarie ; God blesse hem, and cure lady Seinte Marie ! So moot I theen, thou art a propre man. And lyk a prelat, by Seint Ronyan ! 310 Seyde I nat wel, I kan nat speke in-terme ? But wel I woot thou doost myn herte to erme That I almoost have caught a cardynacle. By corpus bones ! but I have triacle. Or elles a draughte of moyste and corny ale. Or but I heere anon a myrie tale, Myn herte is lost, for pitee of this mayde. Thou bed amy, thou Pardoner,' he sayde, ' Telle us som myrthe, or japes, right anon ! ' ' It shal be doon,' quod he, ' by Seint Ronyon ! 320 'But first,' quod he, 'heere at this ale stake 289. /ah cherl and, H* cursed thej. 290. shaTtteful, H2 schend/ul. Z91, 292. H3 have the more vigorous couplet : So falle upon his body and his boones. The devel I bykenne him, al at oones. 317. lost, H hrost. 319, H reads Tel us a tale /or thou canst many con, ending next line and thai anoon. I wol bothe drynke and eten of a cake.' And right anon the gentils gonne to crye, ' Nay ! lat hym telle us of no ribaudye ; Telle us som moral thyng, that we may leere Som wit, and>thanne wol we gladly heere. ' ' I graunte, y-wis,' quod he, ' but I moot thynke Upon som honeste thyng, while that I drynke.' Heere fohveth The Preamble of the Pardoners Tale 'Lordynges,' quod he, 'in chirches whan I preche, I peyne me to han an hauteyn speche. And rynge it out as round as gooth a belle, 331 For I kan al by rote that I telle. My theme is alwey con, and ever was, — Radix malorum est Cupiditas. ' First, I pronounce whennes that I come, , And thanne my buUes shewe I, alle and some ; Oure lige lordes seel on my patente. That shewe I first, my body to warente. That no man be so boold, ne preest, ne clerk. Me to destourbe of Cristes hooly werk ; And, after that, thanne telle I forth my tales, 341 BuUes of popes and of cardynales. Of patriarkes and bishoppes I shewe. And in Latjm I speke a wordes fewe To saffron with my predicacioun. And for to stire hem to devocioun ; Thanne shewe I forth my longe cristal stones Y-crammed ful of cloutes and of bones,— Relikes been they, as wenen they echoon Thanne have I in latoun a sholder boon 326, 327. H reads Gladly, quod he^ and sayde as ye schal heere, But in the cuppe •wil I me be- thinke. 328. thyng, H tale, 329. chirches, H3 chirche. 331. as round as gooth, H as lowdas doth. 345. saffron, H^ savore. I4S 351-428 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP C Which that was of an hdoly Jewes sheepe. ' " Goode men," I seye, " taak of my wordes keepe, — If that this boon be wasshe in any welle, If cow, or calf, or sheepe, or oxe swelle That any worm hath ete, or worm y-stonge, Taak water of that welle and wassh his tonge. And it is hool anon ; and forthermoor Of pokkes, and of scabbe, and every soor, Shal every sheepe be hool that of this welle Drynketh a draughte. Taak kepe eek what I telle. 360 If that the goode-man that the beestes oweth Wol every wyke, er that the cok hym croweth, Fastynge, drinkenofthis welle a draughte, As thilke hooly Jew oure eldres taughte. His beestes and his stoor shal multiplie. And, sires, also it heeleth jalousie. For though a man be.falle in jalous rage, Lat maken with this water his potage. And never shal he moore his wyf mystriste, Though he the soothe of hir defaute wiste, — ■ 370 Al had she taken preestes t\yo or thre. Heere is a miteyn eek, that ye may se ; He that his hand wol putte in this mitayn. He shal have multipliyng of his grayn, Whan he hath sowen, be it whete or otes. So that he offre pens, or elles grotes. ' " Goode men and wommen, o thyng warne I yow. If any wight be in this chirche now That hath dopn synne horrible, that he Dar nat for shame of it y-shryven be, , 380 Or any womman, be she yong or old. That hath y-maad hir housbonde, coke- wold, Swich folk shal have no power ne no grace To offren to my relikes in this place ; And whoso fyndethhym outof swich blanle They wol come up and offre on Goddes name, 385. blame, 'E./aine. And I assoille hem by the auctoritee Which that by buUe y-graunted was to me." 'By this gaude have I wonne, yeer by yeer. An hundred mark sith I was Pardoneri, I stonde lyk a clerk in my pulpet, 391 And whan the lewed peple is doun y-set, I preche so as ye han herd bifoore. And telle an hundred false japes moore ; Thanne peyne I me to strecche forth the nekke. And est and west upon the peple I bekke. As dooth a dowve, sittynge on a heme ; Myne handes and my tonge goon so yeme. That it is joye to se my bisynesse. Of avarice and of swich cursednesse 400 Is al my prechyng, for to make hem free To yeven hir pens, and namely unto me ; For myn entente is nat but for to wynne. And no thyng for correccioun of synne, I rekke never whan that they been beryed, Thougk that hir soules goon a-blake- beryed ; For certes rhany a predicaici6un ' Comth ofte tyme of yvel, entencioun ; Som for plesaunce of folk and flaterye,. To been avaunced by ypocrisye j 410 And som for veyne glorie, and som for hate. For whau I dar noon oother weyes debate, Thanne wol I stynge hym with my tonge smerte In prechyng, so that he shal nat asterte To been defamed falsly, if that he- Hath trespased to my bretheren or to me ; For though I telle noght his propre name, Men shal wel knowe that it is the same, By signes, and by othere circumstances. Thus quyte I folk that doon us dis- plesances ; 420 Thus spitte I out my venym under hewe Of hoolynesse, to semen hooly and trewe. ' But, shortly, myn entente I wol devyse, — I preche of no thyng but for coveityse ; Therfore my theme is yet and ever was. Radix malorum est Cupiditas. Thus kan I preche agayn that same vice Which that I use, and that is avarice j 146 GROUP C PARDONER'S TALE 429-502 But though myself be gilty in that synne Yet kan I maken oother folk to twynne From avarice, and sooie to repente ; 431 But that is nat my principal entente ; I preche no thyng but for coveitise. Of this mateere it oghte ynogh suffise. 'Thanne telle I hem ensamples many oon Of olde stories longe tyme agoon, — For lewed peple loven tales olde, — Swiche thynges kan they wel reporte and holde. What ! trowe ye, the whiles I may preche. And Wynne gold and silver for I teche. That I wol Ijfve in poverte wilfully ? 441 Nay, nay, I thoghte it never, trewely, For I wol preche and begge in sondry landes ; I wol nat do no labour with myne handes, Ne make baskettes and lyve therby, By cause I wol nat beggen ydelly. I wol noon of the Apostles countrefete, I wol have moneie, woUe, chese and whete, Al were it yeven of the povereste page. Or of the povereste wydwe in a village, Al sholde hir children sterve for famyne. Nay, I wol drynke licour of the vyne. And have a joly wenche in every toun ; But herkneth, lordynges, in conclusioun. ' Youre likyng is that I shal telle a tale. Now have I dronke a draughte of corny ale. By God, I hope I shal yow telle a thyng That shal by resoun been at youre likyng ; For though myself be a ful vicious man, A moral tale yet I yow telle kan, 460 Which I am wont to preche, for to wynne. Now hoold youre pees, my tale I wol bigynne.' PARDONER'S TALE Heere bigynneth The Pardoners Tale In riaundres whilom was a compaignye Of yonge folk, that haunteden folye, Pard^ntt^s Tale. The earliest form of this tale is a Buddhist Birth; Story in the Vedahbha Jataka; analogues exist in Persian, Arabic, etc., and in the Cento l^ovelle An'tiche, but Chaucer's particular original is unknown. As riot, hasard, stywes and tavernes, Where-as with harpes, lutes and gyternes, They daunce and pleyen at dees, bothe day and nyght. And eten also, and drynken over hir myght, Thurgh which they doon the devel sacrifise Withinne that develes temple, in cursed wise, 470 By superfluytee abhomynable. Hir othes been so grete and so dampnable That it is grisly for to heere hem swere ; Oure blissed Lordes body they to-tere ; Hem thoughte that Jewes rente hym noght ynough. And ech of hem at otheres synne lough ; And right anon thanne comen tombesteres Fetj'S and smale, and yonge frutesteres, Syngeres with harpes, baudes, wafereres, Whiche been the verray develes officeres. To kyndle and blowe the fyr of lecherye. That is annexed unto glotonye. _ The Hooly Writ take I to my witnesse That luxurie is in wyn and dronkenesse. ' Lo, how that dronken Looth, un- kyndely. Lay by his doghtres two unwityngly ; So dronke he was he nyste what he wroghte. Herodes, (who so wel the stories soghte,) Whan he of wyn was repleet at his feeste. Right at his owene table, he yaf his heeste To sleen the Baptist John, ful giltelees. Seneca seith a good word, doutelees ; He seith he kan no difference fynde Bitwix a man that is out of his mynde And a man which that is dronkelewe, But that woodnesse, fallen in a shrewe, Pers^vereth lenger than dooth dronke- nesse. O glotonye, ful of cursednesse ; O cause first of oure confusioun ; O original of oure dampnacioun ; 500 Til Crist hadde boght us with his blood agayn ! L6, how deere, shortly for to sayn, 474. Oure blissed Lordes body, etc. The phrase occurs also in the Parson's Tale. 492. Seneca, E^ Senec ; Corp. 2 reading eek good wordes for a good word. Tyrwhitt traces the reference to Ep. 83. 147 503-573 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP C Aboght was thilke cursed vileynye ; Corrupt was al this world for glotonye i Adam oure fader, and his wyf also, Fro Paradys, to labour and to wo Were dryven for that vice, it is no drede, — For whil that Adam fasted, as I rede. He was in Paradys, and whan that he Eet of the fruyt deffended, on the tree, sio Anon he was out cast to wo and peyne. glotonye, on thee wel oghte us pleyne ! O, wiste a man how manye maladyes Folwen of excesse and of glotonyes, He wolde been the moore mesurable Of his diete, sittynge at his table ! Alias ! the shorte throte, the tendre mouth, Maketh that est and west, and north and south, In erthe, in eir, in water, man to-swynke To gete a glotoun deyntee mete and drynke ! 520 Of this matiere, O Paul, wel kanstow trete ! ' Mete unto wombe, and wombe eek unto mete, ShalGod destroyen bothe,' asPaulus seith. Alias ! a foul thyng is it, by my feith. To seye this word, and fouler is the dede Whan man so drynketh of the white and rede. That of his throte he maketh his pryvee, Thurgh thilke cursed superfluitee. The Apostel wepyng seith ful pitously, ' Ther walken manye of whiche yow toold have I, 530 1 seye it now wepyng with pitous voys. That they been enemys of Cristes croys, Of whiche the ende is deeth, wombe is hir god.' O wombe ! O bely ! O stynkyng is thi cod ! Fulfilled of donge and of corrupcioun ! At either ende of thee foul is the soun ; How greet labour and cost is thee to fynde ! Thise cookes, how they stampe, and streyne, and grynde, 508. as I rede., glossed : leronimus contra louianum (Bk. ii, cap. 15). 534. is thi, om. E6. And turnen substaunce into ax;cident. To fulfiUen al thy likerous talent ! 540 Out of the harde bones knokke they The mary, for they caste noght awey That may go thurgh the golet softe and swoote. Of spicerie, of leef, and bark, and roQte, Shal been his sauce y-maked by delit. To make hym yet a newer appetit ; But certes he that haunteth swiche delices Is deed, whil that he lyveth in tho vices. A lecherous thyng is wyn, and dronke- nesse Is ful of stryvyng and of wrecchednesse. O dronke man ! disfigured is thy face, 551 Sour is thy breeth, foul artow to embrace, And thurgh thy dronke nose semeth the soun. As though thou seydest ay, ' Sampsoun ! Sampsoun ! ' And yet, God woot, Sampsoun drank never no wyn. Thou fallest as it were a styked swyn. Thy tonge is lost and al thyn honeste cure; For dronkenesse is verray sepulture Of mannes wit and his discrecioun ; In whom that drynke hath dominacioun, He kan no conseil kepe, it is no drede. 561 Now kepe yow fro the white and fro the rede. And namely firo the white wyn of Lepe, That is to selle in Fysshstrete, or in Chepe. This wyn of Spaigne crepeth subtilly In othere wynes growynge faste by, Of which ther ryseth swich fumositee. That whan a man hath dronken draughtes thre, And weneth that he be at hoom in Chepe, He is in Spaigne right at the toune ol Lepe, — 570 Nat at the Rochele,neat Burdeux-toun, — And thanne wol he seye, ' Sampsoun, Sampsoun ! ' But herkneth, lordyngs, o word, I yow I)reye, 539. iumen substaunce into accident,^ter the whole character of. Chaucer is imitating the chapter De Gula in the De Contemptu Mwtdi oi Innocent III. 563. Le^e, near Cadiz. 564. Fysshstrete, H Fleetslreet. 148 GROUP C PARDONER'S TALE 574-649 That alle the sovereyn actes,dar I seye, Of victories in the Olde Testament, Thurgh verray God that is omnipotent, Were doon in abstinence and in preyere ; Looketh the Bible and ther ye may it leere. Looke, Attilla, the grete conquerour, Deyde in his sleepe, with shame and dishonour, 580 Bledynge ay at his nose in dronkenesse. A capitayn sholde lyve in sobrenesse ; And over al this avyseth yow right wel What was comaunded unto Lamuel, — Nat Samuel, but Lamuel seye I ; Redeth the Bible, and fynde it expresly Of wyn-yevyng to hem that ban justise. Namoore of this, fw it may wel suffise. And now that I have spoken of glo- tonye. Now wol I yow deffenden hasardrye. sgo Hasard is verray mooder of lesynges. And of deceite, and cursed forswerynges. Blaspheme of Crist, manslaughtre, and wast also Of catel, and of tyme, and forthermo It is repreeve and contrarie of honour For to ben holde a commune hasardour And ever the hyer he is of estaat, The moore is he holden desolaat. If that a prynce useth hasardrye In alle governaunce and policye, 600 He is, as by commune opinioun, Y-holde the lasse in reputacioun. Stilbon, that was a wys embassadour, Was sent to Corynthe in fill greet honour Fro Lacidomye to maken hire alliaunce ; And whan he cam, hym happede par chaunce That alle the gretteste that were of that lond Pleyynge atte hasard he hem fond ; For which, as soone as it myghte be. He stal hym boom agayn to his contree. And seyde, 'Ther wol I nat lese my name, S" 584. Lamtiel, the mysterious king of Prov. xxxi, I. 603. Stilban. The story !s told in the Poly- craticus (Bk. i. cap. v.) of John of Salisbury ; the ambassador's name there being given as Chilon. Ne I wol nat take on me so greet defame, Yow for to allie unto none hasardours ; Sendeth othere wise embassadours. For, by my trouthe, me were levere dye, Than I yow sholde to hasardours allye ; For ye that been so glorious in honours, Shul nat allyen yow with hasardours, As by my wyl, ne as by my tretee ! ' This wise philosophre thus seyde hee. 620 Looke eek that to the kyng Demetrius, The kyng of Parthes, as the book seith us, Sente him a paire of dees of gold, in scorn, For he hadde used hasard ther-biforn ; For which he heeld his glorie or his renoun At no value or reputacioun. Lordes may fynden oother maner pley Honeste ynough to dryve the day awey. Now wol I speke of othes false and grete A word or two, as olde bookes trete. 630 Gret sweryng is a thyng abhominable, 1 And fals sweryng is yet moore reprevable. The heighe God forbad sweryng at al, — Witnesse on Mathew, but in special Of sweryng seith the hooly Jeremye, ' Thou shalt seye sooth thyne othes, and nat lye And swere in doom, and eek in rightwis- nesse ' ; But ydel sweryng is a cursednesse. Bihoold and se, that in the firste table Of heighe Goddes heestes, honurable, 640 How that the seconde heeste of hym is this : ' Take nat my name in ydel, or amys ' ; Lo, rather he forbedeth swich sweryng Than homycide, or many a cursed thyng ; I seye that as by ordre thus it stondeth. This knowen, that his heestes under- stondeth, How that the seconde heeste of God is that; And forther over, I wol thee telle, al plat. That vengeance shal nat parten from his hous 621. Demetrius. This story also is from the Poiycraticus. ■ 641. the seconde heeste. By the Roman Church the first and second commandments are regarded as one, and the tenth divided into two. 149 650-721 THE CANTERBURY TALES That of his othes is to outrageous, — 650 ' By Goddes precious herte,' and ' By his nayles,' And ' By the blood of Crist that is in Hayles,' ' Sevene is my chaunce, and thyn is cynk and treye, By Goddes armes, if thou falsly pleye, This daggere shal thurghout thyn herte go!' This fruyt cometh of the bicched bones two, Forsweryng, ire, falsnesse; homycide. Now for the love of Crist that for us dyde, Leveth youre othes, bothe grete and smale. But, sires, now wol I telle forth my tale. Thise riotoures thre, of whiche I telle, Longe erst er prime rong of any belle. Were set hem in a taverne for to drynke ; And as they sat they herde a belle clynke 1 Biforh a cors, was caried to his grave. That oon of hem gan callen to his knave : 'Go bet,' quod he, 'and axe redily What cors is this that passeth heer forby. And looke that thou reporte his name weeL' 'Sire,' quod this boy, 'it nedeth never a deel, 670 It was me toold er ye cam heere two houres ; He was, fardee, an old felawe of youres. And sodeynly he was y-slayn to-nyght, For-dronke, as he sat on his bench upright ; Ther cam a prfvee theef, men clepeth Deeth, That in this contree al the peple sleeth. And with his spere he smoot his herte atwo. And wente his wey withouten wordes mo. He hath a thousand slayn this pestilence. And, maister, er ye come in his presence. Me thynketh that it were necessarie 681 For to be war of swich an adversarie ; Beth redy for to meete hym evermoore ; Thus taughte me my dame ; I sey na- moore. ' ' By Seinte Marie ! ' seyde this taverner, 652. HayieSt Hailes Abbey in Gloucestersbire. 659. Levethj E2 Lete. 'The child, seith sooth, for he hath slayn this yeer Henne over a mile, withinne a greet village, Bothe man and womman, child, and hyne, and page ; I trowe his habitacioun be there ; To been avysed greet wysdom it were, 690 Er that he dide a man a dishonour.' 'Ye, Goddes armes !" quod thisriotour, ' Is it swich peril with hym for to meete ? I shal hym seke by wey, and eek by strete; I make avow to- Goddes digne bones ! Herkneth, felawes, we thie been al ones, Lat ech of us holde up his hand til oother. And ech of us bicomen otheres brother. And we wol sleen this false traytour, Deeth ; 699 He shal be slayn, he that so manye sleeth. By Goddes dignitee, er it be nyght ! ' Togidres han thise thre hir trouthes plight To lyve and dyen ech of hem for oother, As though he were his owene y-bore brother ; And up they stirte, al dronken, in this rage; And forth they goon towardes that village Of which the taverner hadde spoke bifom - And many a grisly 00th thanne han they sworn ; And Cristes blessed body they to-rente, — Deeth shal be deed, if that they may hym hente. 710 Whan they han goon nat fiilly half " mile. Right as they wolde han troden over a stile, An oold man and a poure with hem mette ; This olde man ful mekely hem grette. And seyde thus : ' Now, lordes, God yow see ! ' The proudeste of thise riotoures three Answerde agayn, ' What, carl with sory grace. Why artow al for- wrapped, save thy face? Why lyvestow so longe in so greet age?' This olde man gan looke in his visage, And seyde thus : ' For I ne kan nat iynde 704. y-hore, H3 swprne. 150 GROUP C PARDONER'S TALE 722-790 A man, though that I walked into Ynde, Neither in citee, ne in no village, That wolde chaunge his youthe for myn age; And therfore moot I han myn age stille. As longe tyme as it is Goddes wille. Ne Deeth, alias ! lie wol nat han my lyf ; Thus walke I, lyk a restelees kaityf, And on the ground, which is my moodres gate, I knokke with my staf, erly and late, 730 And seye, " Leeve mooder, leet me in ! Lo, how I vanysshe, flessh and blood and skyn ; Alias ! whan shul my bones been at reste ? Mooder, with yow wolde I chaunge my cheste That in my chambre longe tyme hath lie, Ye, for an heyre-clowt to wrappe me ! " But yet to me she wol nat do that grace, For which ful pale and welked is my face. ' But, sires, to yow it is no curteisye To speken to an old man vilejmye, 740 But he trespasse in word, or elles in dede. In Hooly Writ ye may your self wel rede, Agayns an oold man, hoor upon his heed. Ye sholde arise ; wherfore I yeve yow reed, Ne dooth unto an oold man noon harm now, Namoore than ye wolde men did to yow In age, if that ye so longe abyde. And God be with yow, where ye go or ryde; I moote go thider as I have to go.' 'Nay, olde cherl, by God, thou shalt nat so ! ' 75° Seyde .this oother hasardour anon ; 'Thou partest nat so lightly, by Seint John ! * Thou spak right now of thilke traytour, Deeth, That in this contree alle oure freendes sleeth ; Have heer my trouthe, as thou art his espye. Telle where he is, or thou shalt it abye, By God and by the hooly sacrement ! 732. vanysslu^ H^ wane. 756. or thou shalt it abye, H2 or elles thou schalt dye. For soothly, thou art oon of his assent To sleen us yonge folk, thou false theef ! ' 'Now, sires,' quod he, 'if that ye be so leef 760 To fynde Deeth, turne up this croked wey, For in that grove I lafte hym, by my fey. Under a tree, and there he wole abyde ; Noght for youre boost he wole him no thyng hyde. Se ye that ook? Right there ye shal hym fynde. God save yow that boghte agayn man- kynde, And yow amende ! ' thus seyde this olde man ; And everich of thise riotoures ran Til he cam to that tree, and ther they founde, 769 Of floryns fyne, of gold' y-coyned rounde, Wel ny a seven busshels, as hem thoughte. No lenger thanne after Deeth they soughte. But ech of hem so glad was of that sighte. For that the floryns been so faire and brighte. That doun they sette hem by this precious hoord. The worste of hem he spak the firste word. ' Bretheren,' quod he, ' taak kepe what I seye ; My wit is greet, though that I bourde and pleye. This tresor hath Fortune unto us yeven In myrthe and joliftee oure lyf to lyven, And lightly as it comth so wol we spende. Ey, Goddes precious dignitee ! who wende To-day, that we sholde han so fair a grace ? But myghte this gold be caried fro this place Hoom to myn hous, - or elles unto youres, — For wel ye woot that al this gold is oures, — Thanne were we in heigh felicitee. But trewely, by daye it may nat bee ; Men wolde seyn that' we were theves stronge, ' 789 And for oure owene tresor doon us honge. 771. sez'ettj EIJ eighie. iSr 791-856 THE CANTERBURY TALES This tresor moste y-caried be by nyghte As wisely and as slyly as it myghte. Wherfore, I rede that cut among us alle Be drawe, and lat se wher the cut wol falle ; And he that hath the cut with herte blithe Shal renne to the towne, and that ful swithe, And biynge us breed and wyn ful prively, And two of us shul kepen subtilly This tresor wel ; and if he wol naj tarie, Whan it is nyght we wol this tresor carie, By oon assent, where as us thynketh best. ' That oon of hem the cut broghte in his fest, And bad hem drawe and looke where it wol falle ; And it fil on the yongeste of hem alle, And forth toward the toun he wente anon ; And al so soone as that he was gon, That oon of hem spak thus unto that oother : • Thow knowest wel thou art my sworne brother ; Thy profit wol I telle thee anon ; 809 Thou woost wel that 'cure felawe is agon, And heere is gold, and that ful greet plentee. That shal departed been among us thre ; But nathelees, if I kan shape it so That it departed were among us two, Hadde I nat doon a freendes torn to thee?' That oother answerde, ' I noot how that may be ; He woot how that the gold is with us tweye ; What shal we doon, what shal we to hym seye ? ' ' Shal it be conseil ? ' seyde the firste shrewe, 819 ' And I shal tellen thee in wordes fewe What we shal doon, and bryngen it wel aboute.' 'I graunte,' quod that oother, 'out of doute. That by my trouthe I shal thee nat biwreye. ' 'Now,' quod the fitste, 'thou woost wel we be tweye, And two of us shul strenger be than oon. Looke whan that he is set, and right anoon Arys, as though thou woldest with hym pleye. And I shal ryve hym thurgh the sydes tweye, Whil that thou strogelest with hym as in game. And with thy daggere looke thou do the same ; 830 And thanne shal al this gold departed be, My deere freend, bitwixen me and thee. Thanne may we bothe oure lustes all fulfiUe, And pleye at dees right at oure owene wille.' And thus acorded been thise shrewes tweye. To sleen the thridde, as ye han herd me seye. This yongeste, which that wente unto the toun, Ful ofte in herte he roUeth up and doun The beautee of thise floryns 'newe and brighte ; ' O Lord,' quod he, ' if so were that I myghte 840 Have al this tresor to my self allone, Ther is no man that lyveth under the trone Of God, that sholde lyve so murye as I !' And atte laste the feend, oure enemy, Putte in his thought that he sholde poyson beye. With which he myghte sleen his felawes tweye ; For-why the feend foond hym ia swich lyvynge. That he hadde levCTnym to sorwe brynge, For this was outrely hi? fulle entente To sleen hem bothe and never to repente. And forth he gooth, no lenger wolde he tarie, 851 Into the toun, unto a pothecarie, And preyde hym that he hym wolde selle Som poysoun, that he myghte his ratteS quelle ; And eek ther was a polcat in his hawe. That, as he seyde, his capouns hadde y-slawe, 152 GROUP C PARDONER'S TALE 857-931 And fayn he wolde wreke hym, if he myghte, On vermyn, that destroyed hym by nyghte. The pothecarie answerde, ' And thou shalt have A thyng that, al so God my soule save ! In al this world ther nis no creature, 861 That eten or dronken hath of this con- fiture, Noght but the montance of a corn of whete, That he ne shal his lif anon forlete ; Ye, sterve he shal, and that in lasse while Than thou wolt goon a-paas nat but a mile ; This poysoun is so strong and violent. ' This cursed man hath in his hond y- hent This poysoun in a box, and sith he ran Into the nexte strete unto a man, 870 And borwed hym large botelles thre, And in the two his poyson poured he ; The thridde he kepte clene for his owene drynke ; For al the nyght he shoope hym for to swynke In cariynge of the gold out of that place. And whan this riotour with sory grace Hadde filled with wyn his grete hotels thre, To his felawes agayn repaireth he. What nedeth it to sermone of it moore ? For right as they hadde cast his deeth bifoore, 880 Right so they han hym slayn, and that anon, And whan that this was doon thus spak that oon : ' Now lat us sitte and drynke, and make us merie, And afterward we wol his body berie ' ; And with that word it happed hym, far cos, To take the hotel ther the poysoun was, And drank and yaf his felawe drynke also, For which anon they storven bothe two. But certes, I suppose that Avycen Wroot never in no Canon, ne in no fen, Mo wonder signes of empoisonyng 891 890, fen^ the Arabic name of the sections of Avicenna's Canon. Than hadde thise wrecches two, er hir endyng. Thus ended been thise homycides two, . And eek the false empoyson^re also. O cursed synne of alle cursednesse ! O traytorous homycide ! O wikkednesse ! glotonye, luxurie, and hasardrye ! Thou blasphemour of Crist with vileynye, And othes grete, of usage and of pride ! Alias ! mankynde, how may it bitide 900 That to thy Creatour which that thee wroghte, And with his precious herte-blood thee boghte. Thou art so fals and so unkynde, alias ! Now, goode men, God foryeve yow youre trespas, And ware yow fro the synne of avarice. Myn hooly pardoun may yow alle warice. So that ye offre nobles, or sterlynges. Or elles silver broches, spoones, rynges. Boweth youre heed under this hooly buUe ! Cometh up, ye wyves, ofTreth of youre woUe ! 910 Youre names I entre heer in my roUe anon ; Into the blisse of hevene shul ye gon ; 1 yow assoille by myn heigh power, — Yow that wol offre, — as clene and eek as cleer As ye were born ; and lo, sires, thus I preche. And Jhesu Crist, that is oure soules leche. So graunte yow his pardoun to receyve ; For that is best ; I wol yow nat deceyve. ' But, sires, o word forgat I in my tale ; I have relikes and pardoun in my male As faire as any man in Engelond, 921 Whiche were me yeven by the popes hond . If any of yow wole of devocioun Offren, and han myn absolucioun. Com forth anon, and kneleth heere adoun, And mekely receyveth my pardoun ; Or elles taketh pardoun as ye wende, Al newe and fressh at every miles ende, — So that ye offren, alwey newe and newe. Nobles or pens, whiche that be goode and trewe. 930 It is an honour to everich that is heer IS3 932- IS THE CANTERBURY TALES That ye mowe have a suffisant Pardoneer Tassoille yow in contree as ye ryde, For Aventiires whiche that may bityde. Paraventure ther may fallen oon or two Doun of his hors and breke his nekke at wo ; Looke which a seuretee is it to yow alle, That I am in youre felaweshipe y-falle, That may assoille yow, bothe moore and lasse, Whan that the soule shal fro the body passe. 940 I rede that oure Hoost heere shal bigynne, For he is moost envoluped in synne ! Com forth, sire Hoost, and offre first anon. And thou shalt kisse my relikes every- chon, — Ye, for a grote ! Unbokele anon thy purs. ' ' Nay, nay,' quod he, ' thanne have I Cristes curs ! Lat be, 'quod he, 'it shal nat be, so theech ! Thou woldest make me kisse thyn olde breech. And swere it were a relyk of a seint. Though it were with thy fundement depeint ; 950 But, by the croys which that Seint Eleyne fond, 93S' /ctUen^ Yi^falle. 951. Eleyne, Helena. I wolde I hadde thy coillons in myn bond Instide of relikes, or of seintuarie. Lat kutte hem of, I wol thee helpe hem carie. They shul be shryned in an hogges toord.' This Pardoner answerde nat a word ; So wrooth he was no word ne wolde he seye. ' Now,' quod oure Hoost, ' I wol no lenger pleye With thee, ne with noon oother angry man.' But right anon the worthy Knyght bigan, — sfc Whan that he saugh that al the peple lough, — ' Namoore of this, for it is righ; ynough ! Sire Pardoner, be glad and myrie 01 cheere ; And ye, sir Hoost, that been to me sc deere, I prey yow that ye kisse the Pardoner ; And Pardoner, I prey thee drawe thee neer, And as we diden, lat us laughe and pleye.' Anon they kiste and ryden forth hir weye. GROUP D The Prologue of the Wyves Tale of Bathe ' Experience, though noon auctoritee Were in this world, were right ynogh tome To speke of wb that is in mariage ; For, lordynges, sith I twelf yeer was of age, — Y-thonked be God, that is eterne on lyve ! Housbondes at chirche dore I have had fyve; For I so ofte have y- wedded bee ; ' Group D. In the Ellesmere MS. this group follows the Man of Law's Tale, but the mention of Sittingbourne (1. 847) shows that it must come after the Monk's Tale with its reference to Rochester. 6. at chirche dore, where the first part of the marriage service used to be read. And alle were worthy men in hir degree. But me was toold certeyn, nat longe agoon is. That sith that Crist ne wente never but onis m To weddyng, in the Cane of Galilee, B^ the same ensample taughte he me That I ne sholde wedded be but ones. Herkne, eek, which a, sharpe word for the nones. Beside a welle Jhesus, God and man, 13. .Against this line E has the note, ' Qui enim semel ivit ad nupcias docuit semel esse nubendum,' a quotation from St. Jerome, Attverstes Joviniatmrn, a treatise in favour of chastity, some of the arguments in which the. Wife of Bath from here to line 128 takes up and inverts or combats. IS4 GROUP D PROLOGUE OF THE WIFE OF BATH'S TALE :6-91 Spak in repreeve of the Samaritan : " Thou hast y-had fyvehousbondes," quod he, " And that ilk man the which that hath now thee Is noght thyn housbonde " ; thus seyde he certeyn. What that he mente therby, I kan nat seyn ; 20 But that I axe, why the fifthe man Was noon housboqde to the Samaritan ? How manye myghte she have in mariage ? Yet herde I never tellen, in myn age. Upon this nombre difl&nicioun. Men maydevyne, and glosen up and doun, But wel I woot, expres, withoute lye, God bad us for to wexe and multiplye ; That gentil text kan I wel understonde. Eek, wel I woot, he seyde myn housbonde Sholde lete fader and mooder, and take me; 31 But of no nombre mencioun made he, Of bigamye, or of octogamye ; Why sholde men speke of it vilejmye. ' Lo, heere the wise kyng daun Saloinon ; I trowe he hadde wyves mo than oon ; As, wolde God, it leveful were to me To be refresshed half so ofte as he ! Which yifte of God hadde he for alle his wyvys ! No man hath swich that in this world alyve is. 4° God woot, this noble kyng, as to my wit, The firste nyght had many a myrie fit With ech of hem, so wel was hym on lyve. ' Y-blessed be God, that I have wedded fyve ! Welcome the sixte, whan that ever he shal. For sothe I wol nat kepe me chaast in al. Whan myn housbonde is fro the world y-gon, Som cristen man shal wedde me anon ; For thanne, thapostle seith, I am free To wedde, a Goddes half, where it liketh me. 50 He seith to be wedded is no synne ; " Bet is to be wedded than to brynne." 50. a Goddes half, on God's part, i.e. with His consent. What rekketh me thogh folk seye vileynye Of shrewed Lameth, and his bigamye ? I woot wel Abraham was an hooly man. And Jacob eek, as ferforth as I kan. And ech of hem hadde wyves mo than two, And many another holy man also. Whanne saugh ye ever in any manere age That hye God defended mariage 60 By expres word ? I pray you telleth me'; Or where comanded he virginitee ? I woot as wel as ye, it is no drede, Thapostel whan he speketh of mayden- hede. He seyde that precept ther-of hadde he noon. Men may conseille a womman to been oon. But conseillyng is nat comandement. He putte it in oure owene juggement ; For hadde God comanded maydenhede Thanne hadde he dampned weddyng with the dede ; 70 And certein, if ther were no seed y-sowe, Virginitee, wher-of thanne sholde it growe? Poul dorste nat comanden, atte leeste, A thyng of which his maister yaf noon heeste. The dart is set up of virginitee, Cacche who so may, who renneth best lat see ! ' But this word is nat taken of every wight. But ther as God lust yive it of his myght. I woot wel that the Apostel was a mayde. But nathelees, thogh that he wroot and sayde So He wolde that every wight were swich as he, Al nys but conseil.to virginitee ; And for to been a wyf he yaf me leve Of indulgence, so it is no repreve To wedde me, if that my make dye, Withouten excepcioun of bigamye, Al were it good no womman for to touche, — ' He mente as in his bed or in his couche ; For peril is bothe fyr and tow tassemble ; Ye knowe what this ensample may resemble. 90 This is al and som, he helde virginitee iSS 92-172 THE CANTERBURY TALES Moore profiteth than weddyng in freletee ; Freeltee depe I, but if that he and she Wolde laden al hir lyf iri chastitee. ' I graunte it wel I have noon en vie Thogh maydenhede preferre bigamye : Hem liketh to be clene, body and goost. Of myn estaat I nyl nat make no boost, For wel ye knowe a lord in his houshold He nath nat every vessel al of gold ; 100 Somme been of tree, and doon hir lord servyse. God clepeth folk to hym in sondry wyse, And everich hath of God a propre yifle, Som this, som that, as hym liketh to shifte. ' Virginitee is greet perfeccioun, And continen6e eek, with devocioun ; But Crist, that of perfeccioun is welle, Bad nat every wight sholde go selle All that he hadde and yive it to the poore. And in swich wise folwe hym and his foore. He spak to hem that wolde lyve parfitly, And, lordynges, by youre leva, that am nat I. I wol bistowe the flour of al myn age In the actes and in fruyt of marine. ' Telle me also, to what conclusioun Were membres maad of generacioun. And for what profit was a wight y-wroght ? Trusteth right wel, they, were nat maad for noght. Glose who so wole, and seye bothe up and doun. That they were makyd for purgacioun 120 Of uryne, and cure bothe thynges smale Were eek to knowe a femele from a male, And for noon oother cause, — sey ye no ? The experience woot wel it is noght so ; So that the clerkes be nat with me wrotlie, I sey this, that they beth maked for bothe ; This is to seye, for office, and for ese Of engendrure, ther we nat God displese. Why sholde men elles in hir bookes sette That man shal yelde to his wyf hire dette ? Now wher-with sholde he make .his paiement, 131 If he ne used his sely instrument ? Thanne were they maad upon a creature, 9a. profiteth, Yi?>parftt. To purge uryne and eek for engendrure. ' But I seye noght that every wight is holde. That hath swich barneys as I to yow tolde. To goon and usen hem in engendiure, — Thanne shuld men take of chaslitee no cure. - ' Crist was a mayde and shapen as a man, And many a seint sith that . the world bigan, ■ 140 Yet lyved they ever in,parfit chastitee: I nyl nat envye no virginitee ; Lat hem be breed of pured whete seed, And lat us wyves hoten barly breed. And yet with barly breed Mark telle kan Oure Lord Jhesu refresshed many la man. ' In swich estaat as God hath clep6d us, ' I wol persevere, I nam nat precius ; In 'wyfhode I wol use myn instrument As frely as my Makere hath it sent. 150 If I be daungerous, God yeve me sorwe ; Myn housbonde shal it have bothe eve and morwe, Whan that hym list 'com forth and paye his dettei An housbonde I wol have, I nyl nat lette. Which shal be bothe my dettour and my thral. And have his tribuladoun withal ■ Upon his flessh, . whil that I am his wyf. I have the power, durynge; al my lyf, Upon his propre body, and noght he. Right thus the Apostel tolde it unto me, 160 And bad oure bousbohdes for to love us weel ; Al this sentence me liketh every deel.' Up stirte the Pardoner, and that anon ; ' Now, dame,' quod he, ' by God and by Seint John ! Ye been a noble prechour in this cas. I was aboute to wedde a wyf, alias l What, sholde I bye it on my flessh so deere? . . ■ Yet hadde I levere wedde no wyf to-yeere !' ' Abyde,' quod she, ' my tale is ■ nat bigonne. 169 Nay, thou shalt drynken of another tonne Er that I go, shal savoure wors than ale; And whan that I have toold thee forth my tale iS6 GROUP D PROLOGUE OF THE WIFE OF BATH'S TALE 173-241 Of tribulacioun in mariage, Of which I am expert in al myn age, — This to seyn, my self have been the whippe, — Than maystow chese wheither thou wolte sippe Of thilke tonne that I shal abroche. Be war of it, er thou to ny approche, For I shal tell ensamples mo than ten, "Whoso that nyl be war by otheremen, 180 By hym shul othere men corrected be " ; The same wordes writeth Ptholomee ; Rede in his Almageste and take it there. ' ' Dame, I wolde praye yow, if youre wyl it were,' Seyde this Pardoner, ' as ye bigan Telle forth youre tale ; spareth for no man. And teche us yonge men of youre prak- . tike.' ' Gladly, sires, sith it may yow like ; But yet I praye to al this compaignye, K that I speke after my fantasye, 190 As taketh not agrief of that I seye, For myn entente is nought but for to pleye. ' Now, sire, now wol I telle forth my tale. As ever moote I drynken wyn or ale, I shal seye sooth, of housbondes that I hadde, As thre of hem were goode, and two were badde. The thre were goode men and riche, and olde ; Unnethe myghte they the statut holde In which that they were boundsn unto me ; Ye woot wel what I meene of this, pardee! As help me God, I laughe whan I thynke How pitouslya-nyght Imadehemswynke ! And, by my fey, I tolde of it no stoor ; They had me yiven hir lond and hir tresoor. Me neded nat do lenger diligence To Wynne hir love, or doon hem rever- ence ; They loved me so wel, by God above, 182. Ptholomee. No one has yet verified the references to the Alrjiagest here and in 1. 324. 188. sires, H5 ^wod sche. 204. lond, Y^gold. That I ne tolde no dejmtee of hir love ! A wys womman wol sette hire, ever in oon, 209 To gete hire love ther as she hath noon ; But sith I hadde hem hooUy in myn hond. And sith they hadde me yeven all hir lond. What sholde I taken heede hem for to plese. But it were for my profit and myn ese ? I sette hem so a werke, by my fey. That many a nyght they songen "weil- awey ! " The bacoun was nat fet for hem, I trowe, That som men han in Essexe at Dun- mowe. 218 I governed hem so wel after my lawe. That ech of hem ful blisM was and fawe To brynge me gaye thynges fro the fayre^; They were ful glad whan I spak to hem faire. For, God it woot, I chidde hem spitously. 'Now herkneth how I baar me pro- prely, ' Ye wise wyves that kan understonde. ' Thus shul ye speke, and beren hem on honde; For half so boldely kan ther no man Swere and lye as a womman kan. I sey nat this by wyves that been wyse, But if it be whan they hem mysavyse. 230 I-wis a wyf, if that she kan hir good, Shal here hym on hond the cow is wood. And take witnesse of hir owene mayde Of hir assent ; but herkneth how I sayde. ' Sire, olde kaynard, is this thyn array? Why is my neighebores v^f so gay ? She is honoured over al ther she gopth ; I sitte at hoom, I have no thrifty clooth. What dostow at my neighebores hous ? Is she so fair ? artow so amorous ? 240 What rowne ye with oure mayde ? Bene- dicite ! 209. seiie, H6 bisy. 218. X^unmowe. The Dunmow flitch is stiU given as a prize to s. husband and wife who have never quarrelled. 232. cow, chough or jackdaw, the reference being to a tale like the Manciple's. 235. From here to I, 315 Chaucer takes his text from a fragment of Theophrastus, De Nup- iiis, preserved in ,§§ 313, 314 of St. Jerome's treatise against Jovinian. tS7 242-314 THE CANTERBURY TALES Sire, olde lecchour, lat thy japes be ! And if I have a gossib or a freend, Withouten gilt thou chidest as a feend, If that I walke or pleye unto his hous. Thou comest hoom as dronken as a mous And prechest on thy bench with yvel preef : Thou seist to me it is a greet meschief To wedde a poure womman for costage ; And if she be riche and of heigh parage, 250 Thanne seistow it is a tormentrie To suffre hire pride and hire malencolie ; And if that she be faire, thou verray knave. Thou seyst that every holour wol hire have ; She may no while in chastitee abyde That is assailled upon eche syde. 'Thou seyst som folk desire us for richesse, Somme for oure shape, somme for oure fairnesse. And som for she kan either synge or daunce, And som for gentillesse, and daliaunce, Som for hir handes, and hir armes smale, — 261 Thus goth al to the devel by thy tale ! Thou seyst men may nat kepe a castel wal. It may so longe assailled been over al. ' And if that she be foul, thou seist that she Coveiteth every man that she may se. For as a spaynel she wol on hym lepe, Til that she fynde som man hire to chepe ; Ne noon so grey a goos gooth in the lake, As, seistow, wol been withoute make ; 270 And seyst it is an hard thyng for to welde A thyng that no man wole, his thankes, helde. Thus seistow, lorel, whan thow goost to bedde. And that no wys man nedeth for to wedde, Ne no man that entendeth unto hevene. With wilde thonder dynt and firy levene Moote thy welked nekke be to-broke ! ' Thow seyst that droppyng houses, and eek smoke. And chidyng wyves, maken men to flee Out of hir owene hous, a I benedicitee I 280 What eyleth swich an old man for to chide ? ' Thow seyst we wyves wol oure vices hide Til we be fast, and thanne we wol hem shewe, — Wei may that be a proverbe of a shrewe. ' Thou seist that oxen, asses, hors, and houndes. They been assayed at diverse stoundes ; Basyns, lavoures, er that men hem bye, Spoones and stooles, and al swich hous- bondrye. And so been pottes, clothes, and array ; But folk of wyves maken noon assay 290 Til they be wedded, — olde dotard shrewe ! Thanne, seistow, we wol oure vices shewe. ' Thou seist also that it displeseth me But if that thou wolt preyse my beautee. And but thou poure alwey upon my face, And clepe me "faire dame" in every place ; And but thou make a feeste on thilke day That I was born, and make me fressh and gay ; And but thow do to my norice honour. And to my chamberere withinne my bour, 300 And to my fadres folk and his allyes, — Thus seistow, olde barelfiil of lyes ! ' And yet of oure apprentice Janekyn, For his crispe heer, shynynge as gold so fyn. And for he squiereth me bothe up and doun. Yet hastow caught a fels suspecioun, — I wol hym noght, thogh thou were deed to-morwe ! ' But tel me this, why hydestow with sorwe The keyes x>f thy cheste, awey fro me ? It is my good, as wel as thyn, pafrdee I What ! wenestow make an ydiot of oure dame ? 311 Now, by that lord that called is Seint Jame, Thou shalt nat bothe, thogh thou were wood. Be maister of my body, and of my good; IS8 GROUP D PROLOGUE OF THE WIFE OF BATH'S TALE 315-382 That oon thou shalt forgo, maugree thyne eyen ! What nedeth thee of me to enquere or spyen ? I trowe thou woldest loke me in thy chiste ; Thou sholdest seye, " Wyf, go wher thee Uste; Taak youre disport, I wol nat leve no talys; I knowe yow for a trewe wyf, dame Alys. " We love no man that taketh kepe, or charge, 321 Wher that we goon ; we wol ben at our large. ' Of alle men y-blessed moot he be. The wise astrologien, Daun Ptholome, That seith this proverbe in his Alms^este, " Of alle men his wysdom is the hyeste That rekketh never who hath the world in honde." By this proverbe thou shalt understonde, Have thou ynogh, what thar thee recche or care How myrily that othere folkes fare ? 330 For certeyn, olde dotard, by youre leve, Ye shul have queynte right ynogh at eve. He is to greet a nygard that yvolde werne A man to lighte his candle a^iSis lanterne. He shal have never the lasse Mght, fardee ! Have thou ynogh, thee thar. nat pleyne thee. 'Thou seyst also, that if we make us gay With clothyng, and with precious array. That it is peril of oure chastitee ; And yet with sorwe thou most enforce thee, 340 And seye thise wordes in the Apostles name : " In habit maad with chastitee and shame. Ye wommen shul apparaille yow," quod he, " And iioght in tressed heer, and gay perree, As perles, ne with gold, ne clothes riche." After thy text, ne after thy rubriche, I wol nat wirche as muchel as a gnat. Thou seydest this, that I was lyk a cat ; For whoso wolde senge a cattes skyn. Thanne wolde the cat wel dwellen in his in ; 35° And if the cattes skyn be slyk and gay. She wol nat dwelle in house half a day ; But forth she wole, er any day be dawed. To shewe hir skyn, and goon a-cater- wawed ; This is to seye, if I be gay, sire shrewe, I wol renne out my borel for to shewe. ' Sire, olde fool, what eyleth thee to spyen ? Thogh thou preye Argus with his hundred eyen To be my wardecors, as he kan best. In feith, he shal nat kepe me but me lest ; 360 Yet koude I make his berd, so moot I thee ! ' Thou seydest eek, that ther been thynges thre The whiche thynges troublen al this erthe. And that no wight ne may endure the ferthe. O leeve sire shrewe, Jhesu shorte thy lyf ! Yet prechestow and seyst an hatefiil wyf Y-rekened is for oon of thise meschances. Been ther none othere of thy resemblances That ye may likne youre parables unto. But if a sely wyf be oon of tho ? 370 ' Thou likenest wommenes love to helle. To bareyne lond, ther water may nat dwelle ; Thou liknest it also to wilde fyr, The moore it brenneth the moore it hath desir To consumen every thyng that brent wole be; Thou seyst, right as wormes shende a tree. Right so a wyf destroyeth hire housbond This knowe they that been to wyves bonde.' Lordynges, right thus as ye have understonde Baar I stifly myne olde housbondes on honde, 1 380 That thus they seyden in hir dronkenesse ; And al was fals,, but that I took witnesse 357. eyleth, H« Mpith. 361. Tnake his berd, cheat him. 159 333-453 THE CANTERBURY TALES On Janekyn, and on my nece also. Lord, the peyne I dide hem and the wo ! Ful giltelees, by Goddes sweete pyne ! For as an hors I koude byte and whyne ; 1 koude pleyne, thogh I were in the gilt, Or elles often tyme hadde I been spilt. ' Who so first cometh to the mille first grynt ' ; I pleyned first, so was oure werre y-stynt ; They were fill glad to excusen hem ful blyve 391 Of thyng of which they never agilte hir lyve. Of wenches wolde I beren hem on honde. Whan that for syk unnethes myghte thay stonde ; Yet tikled it his herte, for that he Wende that I hadde of hym so greet chiertee ! I swoor that al my walkynge out by nyghte Was for tespye wenches that he dighte. Under that colour hadde I many a myrthe. For al swich witte is yeven us in oure byrthe, — 400 Deceite, wepyng, spynnyng, God hath yive To wommen kyndely whil they may lyve ; And thus of o thyng I avaunte me, Atte ende I hadde the bettre in ech de- gree,— f By sleighte, or force, or by som maner thyng. As by continueel murmure or grucchyng. Namely abedde hadden they meschaunce ; Ther wolde I chide and do hem no plesaunce ; I wolde no lenger in the bed abyde, If that I felte his arm over my syde, 410 Til he had maad his raunsoun unto me ; Thanne wolde I suffre hym do his - nycetee ; And therfore every man this tale I telle, — : Wynne who so may, for al is for to selle ; With empty hand men may none haukes lure. For wynnyng wolde I al his lust endure 380. From H ; Heng.'l ' Whoso that first to lite mylle cotnth first grynt. And make me a feyned appetit. And yet in bacoun hadde I never delit ; That made me that ever I wolde hem chide ; For thogh the pope hadde seten hem biside 420 I wolde nat spare hem at hir owene bord. For, by my trouthe, I quitte hem word for word. As helpe me verray God omnipotent, Though I right now sholde make my testament, I ne owe hem nat a word that it nys quit. I broghte it so aboute by my wit That they moste yeve it up as for the beste. Or elles hadde we never been in reste ; For thogh he looked as a wood leoun, Yet sholde he faille of his conclusioun. Thanne wolde I seye, 'Goode lief, taak keepe, — 431 How mekely looketh Wilkyn, oure sheepe ! Com neer, my spouse, lat me ba thy cheke ; Ye sholde been al pacient and meke, And ban a sweete, spiced conscience, Sith ye so preche of Jobes pacienoe. Suffreth alvtey, syn ye so wel kan pieche. And, but' ye do, certein we shal yow teche That it is fair to have a wyf in pees. Oon of us two moste bowen, doutelees. And sith a man is moore resonable 441 Than womman is, ye moste been suffrable. What eyleth yow to grucche thus and grone ? Is it for ye wolde have my queynte allone ? Wy, taak it al ! lo, have it every deel ! Peter ! I shrewe yow, but ye love it weel ; For if I wolde selle my bele chose I koude walke as fressh as is a rose ; ButT wol kepe it for youre owene tooth. Ye be to blame, by God ! I sey yow sooth. ' Swiche manere wordes hadde we On honde. 451 Now wol I speken of my fburthe housbonde. My foiirthe housbonde was a revelour ; 160 GROUP D PROLOGUE OF THE WIFE OF BATH'S TALE 4S4-S34 This is to seyn, he hadde a paramour ; And I was yong and ftil of ragerye, Stibourne and strong and joly as a pye. Wei koude I daunce to an harpe smale, And synge, y-wis, as any nyghtyngale, Whan I had dronke a draughte of sweete wyn. Metelliius, the foule cherl, the swyn ! 460 That with a staf birafte his wyf hire lyf, For she drank wyn ; thogh I hadde been his wyf He sholde nat ban daunted me fro drynke ! And after wyn on Venus moste I thynke. For al so siker as cold engendreth hayl, A likerous mouth moste hanaUkeroustayl. In wommen vinolent is no defence, — This' knowen lecchours by experience. But, Lord Crist ! whan that it remem- breth me Upon my yowthe, and on my jolitee, 470 It tikleth me aboute m3m herte roote ! Unto this day it dooth myn herte boote That I have had my world, as in my tyme. But Age, alias ! that al wole envenyme, Hath me biraft my beautee and my pith, — Lat go, fare wel, the devel go therwith ! The flour is goon, ther is namoore to telle. The bren, as I best kan, now moste I selle ; But yet to be right myrie wol I fonde. Now wol I tellen of myfourthe housbonde. I seye I hadde in herte greet despit 481 That he of any oother had delit ; But he was quit, by. God, and by Seint Joce ! I made hym of the same wode a croce. Nat of my body in no foul manere, But certeinly I made folk swich cheere. That in his owene grece I made hym frye For angre, and for verray jalousye. By God, in erthe I was his purgatorie, For which I hope his soule be in glorie ! 490 For God it wool, he sat fill ofte and song Whan that his shoo fill bitterly hym wrong. Ther was no wight save God and he that wiste In many wise how soore I hym twiste. 460. MeteUius. The story is from Valerius Maximus, Bk. vi. ch. 3. 483. Seint Joce, Saint Jodocus, a Breton bermit of the 7th century. He deyde whan I cam fro Jerusalem, And lith y-grave under the roode beera, Al is his tombe noght so curyus As was the sepulcre of hym Daryus, Which that Appelles wroghte subtilly ; It nys but wast to bury e hym preciously. 500 Lat hym fare wel, God yeve his soule reste. He is now in his grave and in his cheste ! Now of my fifthe housbonde wol I telle. God lete his soule never come in helle ! And yet was he to me the mooste shrewe ; That feele I on my ribbes al by rewe, And ever shal, unto myn endyng day ; But in oure bed he was so fressh and gay ; And therwithal so wel koude he me glose, Whan that he wolde han my bele chose. That thogh he hadde me bet on every bon, He koude wynne agayn my love anon. I trowe I loved hym beste for that he Was of his love daungerous to me. We wommen han, if that I shal nat lye, In this matere a queynte fantasye ; Wayte ! what thyng we may nat lightly have Ther-after wol we crie al day and crave. Forbede us thyng, and that desiren we ; Preesse on us faste and thanne wol we fle. With daunger oute we al oure chaffare ; 521 Greet prees at market maketh deere ware, And to greet cheepe is holde at litel prys; This knoweth every womman that is wys. My fifthe housbonde, God his soule blesse ! Which that I took for love, and no richesse. He somtyme was a clerk of Oxenford, And hadde left scole and wente at hom to bord With my gossib, dwellynge in oure toun ; God have hir soule, hir name was Alisoun. She knew my herte, and eek my privetee, Bet than oure parisshe preest, as moot I thee. To hire biwreyed I my conseil al. For hadde myn housbonde pissed on a wal, 498. Daryu$. The tomb which Apelles wrought for Darius by Alexander's order is described in the 6th book of the AUxandreis of Gualtier de Lille. 161 S3S-6I5 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP » Or doon a thyng that sholde han cost his To hire, and to another worthy wyf, And to my nece, which that I loved ■freel, I wolde han toold his conseil every deel ; And so I dide ful often, God it woot. That made his face ful often reed and hoot For verray shanie, and blamed hymself, for he S41 Had toold to me so greet a pryvetee. And so bifel that ones in a Lente, So often tymes I to my gossyb wente, — For ever yet I loved to be gay. And for to walke in March, Averill and May, Fro hous to hous to heere sondry talys, — That Jankyn clerk, and my gossyb dame Alys And I myself into the feeldes wente. Myn housbonde was at London al that Lente ; 550 I hadde the bettre leyser for to pleye. And for to se, and eek for to be seye Of lusty folk. What wiste I wher my grace Was shapen for to be, or in what place ? Theffore I niade my visitaciouns To vigilies and to processiouns. To prechyng eek, and to thise pilgrimages. To pleyes of myracles, and to mariages. And wered upon my gaye scarlet gytes. Thise wormes, ne thise mdtthes, ne thise mytes, 560 Upon my peril frete hem never a deel. And wostow why ? For they were used weel. Now wol I tellen forth what happed me. I seye that in the feeldes walked we. Till trewely we hadde swich daliance, This clerk and I, that of my purveiance I spak to hym, and seyde hym how that he, If I were wydwe, sholde wedde me ; For certeinly, — I sey for no bobance, — Yet was I never withouten purveiance Of mar'iage, nof othere thjmges eek. 571 I holde a mouses herte nat worth a leek That hath but oon hole for to sterte to. And if that faille, thanne is al y-do. I bar hym on honde he hadde enchanted me, — My dame taughte me that soutiltee,^^ And eek I seyde, I mette of hym al nygBt, He wblde han slayn me as I lay up right. And al my bed was ful of verray blood ; But yet I hope that he shal domegood, 580 For blood bitokeiieth gbld, as me was taught ; And al was fals, I dremed of it right naught. But I folwed ay my dames loore. As wel of this as of othere thynges moore. But now, sire, — lat me se, — what I shal seyn ? A ha ! by God, I have my tale ageyn. Whan that my fourthe housbonde Was on beere I weepte algate and made sory cheere. As wyves mooten, for it is isage. And with my coverchief covered my visage ; 590 But, for that I was purveyed of a make, I wepte but smal, and that I undertake ! To chirche was myn housbonde born a-morwe With neighebores, that for hym maden sorwe. And Jahkyn, oure clerk, was oon of the. As help toe God, whan that I saugh hym go After the beere, me thoughte he hadde a paire Of legges and of feet so clene and faire, That al myn herte I yaf unto his hoold. He was, I troWe, a twenty vfynter oold, 600 And I was fourty, if I shal seye sooth ; But yet I hadde alwey a coltes tooth. Gat-tothed I was, and that bicam me weel, I hadde the prente of seinte Venus seel. As help me God, I was a lusty oon. And faire and riche, and yong, and wel bigon. And trewely, asmyne housbondes tolde me, I hadde the beste quonyam myghte be ; For certes, I am al Venerien 605 In feelynge, and myn herte is Marcien ; Venus me yaf my lust, my likeronsnesse. And Mars yaf me my sturdy hardynesse. Myn ascendent was Taur and Mars therinne ; Alias, alias ! that ever love was synne ! I folwed ay myn inclinaciouh 162 GROUP D PROLOGUE OF THE WIFE OF BATH'S TALE 616-697 By vertu of my constellacioun. That made me I koude noght withdrawe My chambre of Venus from a good felawe. Yet have I Martes mark upon my face, And also in another, privee, place, 620 For God so wys be my savacioun, I ne loved never by no discrecioun, But ever folwede myn appetit, — Al were he short, or long, or blak, or whit ; I took no kepe, so that he liked me. How poore he was, ne eek of what degree. What sholde I seye, but at the monthes ende This joly clerk, Jankyn, that was so hende, Hath wedded me with greet solempnytee. And to hym yaf I all the lond and fee. That ever was me yeven ther-bifoore ; 631 But afterward repented me ful soore. He nolde suffre nothyng of my list ; By God, he smoot me ones, on the lyst. For that I rente out of his book a leef, That of the strook myn ere wex al deef. Stiboume I was as is a leonesse. And of my tonge a verray jangleresse ; And walke I wolde, as I had doon bifom. From hous to hous, although he had it sworn ; 640 For which he often tymes wolde preche. And me of olde Romayn geestes teche ; How he, Symplicius Gallus, lefte his wyf. And hire forsok for terme of al his lyf, Noght but for open-heedid he hir say Lokynge out at his dore upon a day. AJiother Romayn tolde he me by name. That, for his wyf was at a someres game Withouten his wit)mg, he forsook hire eke ; And thanne wolde he upon his Bible seke That ilke proverbe of Ecclesiaste, 651 Where he comandeth, and fprbedeth faste, Man shal nat suffre his wyf go roule aboute. Thanne wolde he seye right thus, with- outen doute : Whosothatbuyldethhis hous al of saliees. And priketh h is blyndehors over thefalwes, Atid suffreth his wyf to go seken halwes, Is worthy to been hanged on the galwes ; 642. geestes. These stones of Sulpicius Gallus and Sempronius Sophus are taken from Valerius Maximus (Bk. vi. ch. 3). But al for noght, I sette noght an hawe Of his proverbesy nof his olde sawe ; 660 Ne I wolde nat of hym corrected be. I hate hym that my vices telleth me. And so doo mo, God woot, of us than I. This made hym with me wood al outrely ; I nolde noght forbere hym in no cas. Now wol I seye yow sooth, by Seint Thomas ! Why that I rente out of his book a leef, For which he smoot me so that I was deef. He hadde a book that gladly, nyght and day. For his desport he wolde rede alway. 670 He cleped it 'Valerie' and 'Theofraste,' At whiche book he lough alwey ful faste ; And eek ther was som-tyme a clerk at Rome, A cardinal, that highte Seint Jerome, That made a book agayn Jovinian, In whiche book eek ther was Tertulan, Crisippus, Trotula, and Helowys, That was abbesse nat fer firo Parys ; And eek the Parables of Salomon, Ovides Art, and bookes many on ; 680 And alle thise were bounden in o volume ; And every nyght and day was his custume, Whan he hadde leyser and vacacioun From oother worldly occupacioun,i To reden on this book of wikked wy ves. He knew of hem mo legendes and lyves Than been of goode wyves in the Bible ; For, trusteth wel, it is an impossible . That any clerk wol speke good of wyves, — ■ But if it be of hooly Seintes lyves, — 690 Ne of noon oother womman never the mo. Who peyntede the leoun ? Tel me who. By God ! if wommen hadde writen stories. As clerkes han withinne hire oratories. They wolde han writen of men moore wikkednesse Than all the mark of Adam may redresse. The children of Mercurie and Venus 671. Valerie, i.e. Walter Map's Epistola Valerii ad Rufimtm de non ducenda uxore 671. Theo/rasie. See note to I. 235. 676. Tertulan, perhaps Tertullian's treatise De Exhortaiione CasHtatis. 677. Crisip^s, Trotula, not identified yet with any probability. 163 698-767' THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP Been in hir wirkyng ful contrarius ; Merclirie loveth wj;sdam_andsciencej_ And^enus loveth ryot and dispence ; 700 ;3jigT5rErre^ive r"s"e~cG"s"posrcioun Each~fal I eEh m othere s exa ltacioun ; And thus, God woot, Me rcurie is desolat_ lirfisce s, wfter'yeTni SIiOSItat-f- And Venus falleth therMercurie is reysed ; lJerefore"Tjo]^w6miri an~bl no clerk preysed. The drartc'TvEan he is oold, and may noght do Of Venus werkes worth his olde sho, Thanne sit he doun and writ in his dotage That wommen kan nat kepe hir raariage. But now to purpos why I tolde thee 711 That I was beten for a book, pardee. Upon a nyght Jankyn, that was oure sire, Redde on his book, as, he sat by the fire, Of Eva first, that for hir wikkednesse Was al mankynde broght to wrecched- nesse ; For which that Jesus Crist hymself was slayn. That boghte us with his herte blood agayn. Lo, heere expres of womman may ye fynde. That womman was the los of al mankynde. Tho redde he me how Sampson loste his heres ; 721 Slepynge, his lemman kitte it with hir sheres ; Thurgh which tresoun loste he bothe his eyen. Tho redde he me, if that I shal nat lyen, Of Hercules and of his Dianyre, That caused hym to sette hymself afyre. No thyng forgat he the penaunce and wo That Socrates hadde with his wyves two ; How Xantippa caste pisse upon his heed. This sely man sat stille as he were deed ; He wiped his heed, namoore dorste he seyn 731 But, ' Er that thonder stynte comth a reyn ! ' Of Phasifpha, that was the queene of Crete, ,708, worthy etc., H is not wdrth a scho. 717-20. Omitted in H8. 727. penaunce, from, ■ Pet.3 E3 sorwe^ H2 care. ' are. • 733. Phasi^ha, Fasiphaei For shrewednesse hym thoughte the tale swete. Fy ! speke namoore ; it is a grisly thyng. Of hire horrible lust and hir likyng ! ' Of Clitermystra, for hire lecherye That falsly made hire housbonde for to . dye ; He redde it with ful good devocioun. He tolde me eek for what occasioun 740 Amphiorax at Thebes loste his lyf ; Myn housbonde hadde a legende of his wyf, Eriphilem, that for an ouche of gold Hath prively unto the Grekes told Wher that hir housbonde hidde hym in a place. For which he hadde at Thebes sory grace. Of Lyma tolde he me, and of Lucye ; They bbthe made hir housbondes for to dye,— That oon for love, that oother was for hate. Lyma hir housbonde, upon an even late, Empoysoned hath, for that she was his . fo; Lucia likerous loved hire housbonde so. That, for he sholde alwey upon hire thynke, She yaf hym swich a manere love-drynke That he was deed, er it were by the morwe ; And thus algates housbondes han sorwe. Thanne tolde he me how oon Latumyus Compleyned, unto his felawe Arrius, That in his gardyn growed swich a tree, On which, he seyde, how that his wyves thre 760 Hanged hemself for herte despitus. ' O leeve brother,' quod this Arrius, ' Yif me a plante of thilke blissed tree. And in my gardjTi planted.it shal be ! ' Of latter date of wyves hath he red, That somme han slayn hir housbondes in hir bed, And lete hir lecchour dighte hire al the nyght, ^43. Eriphilem, who betrayed Amphiaraus to gain the necklace of Harmonia, 747. Lyttta, an error for * Livia, who poisoned Drusus ; this instance and the next are taken from Map. 757. Latumyus. Map calls him Pacuvius. 164 THE SUMMONER AND THE FRIAR 768-841 Whil that the corps lay in the floor upright ; And somme han dryven nayles in hir brayn Whil that they slepte, and thus they han hem slayn. 770 Somme han hem yeven poysoun in hire drynke ; He spak moore harm than herte may bithynke ; And therwithal he knew of mo proverbes, Than in this world ther growen gras or herbes. . ' Bet is,' quod he, • thyn habitacioun Be with a leoun or a foul dragoun, Than with a womman usynge for to - chyde.' ' Bet is,' quod he, ' hye in the roof abyde, Than with an angry wyf doun in the hous. ' They been so wikked and contrarious, 780 They haten that hir housbondes loven ay. He seyde a womman cast hir shame away Whan she cast of hir smok ; and forther mo, A fair womman, but she be chaast also. Is lyk a gold lyng in a sowes nose. Who wolde wene, or who wolde suppose. The wo that in myn herte was, and pyne ? And whan I saugh he wolde never fyne To reden on this cursed book al nyght, Al sodeynly thre leves have I plyght 790 Out of his book, right as he radde, and eke I with my fest so took hym on the cheke, That in oure fyr he fil bakward adoun'; And he up stirte as dooth a wood leoun. And with his fest he smoot me on the heed, : That in the floor I lay as I were deed ; And whan he saugh how stille that I lay, He was agast and wolde han fled his way. Til atte laste out of my swogh I breyde. ' O hastow slayn me, false theef ? ' I seyde ; ' And for my land thus hastow mordred me? 801 Er I be deed, yet wol I kisse thee.' And neer he cam, and kneled faire adoun. And seyde, ' Deere suster Alisoun ! As help me God, I shal thee never smyte. That I have doon it is thyself to wyte ; Foryeve it me, and that I thee biseke ' ; And yet, eft-soones, I hitte hym on the cheke, And seyde, 'Theef! thus muchel am I wreke. 809 Now wol I dye, I may no lenger speke.' But atte laste, with muchel care and wo. We fiUe acorded by us selven two. He yaf me al the bridel in myn bond. To han the governance of hous and lond, And of his tonge, and of his bond also, And made hym brenne his book anon right tho ; And whan that I hadde geten unto me By maistrie al the soveraynetee, — Arid that he seyde, ' Mynowene trewe wyf, Do as thee lust to terme of al thy lyf ; Sao Keepe thyn honour, and keepe eek myn estaat,' — After that day we hadden never debaat. God helpe me so, I was to hym as kynde As any wyf from Denmark unto Ynde, And also trewe, and so was he to me. I prey to God, that sit in magestee. So blesse his soule for his mercy deere. Now wol I seye my tale, if ye wol heere. Biholde the wordes bitwene the Sonumour and the Frere The Frere lough whan he hadde herd al this ; ' Now, dame,' quod he, ' so have I joye or blis, 830 This is a long preamble of a tale.' And whan the Somonour herde the Frere gale, ' Lo,' quod the Somonour, ' Goddes armes two ! A frere wol entremette him ever-mo. Lo, goode men, a flye, and eek a frere, Wol falle in every dysshe and mateere. What spekestow of " preambul^cioun " ? What? amble, or trotte, or pees, or go sit doun ! Thou lettest oure disport in this manere.' ' Ye, woltow so, sire Somonour ? ' quod the Frere ; 840 ' Now, by my feith ! I shal, er that I go, 836. and^ Corp.l* and eek^ a clumsy device to help out the line. 165 842-912 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP D Telle of a somonour swich a tale or two ' That alle the folk shal laughen in this place. ' 'Now elles, Frere, I bishrewe thy face,' Quod this Somonour, 'and I bishrewe me But if I telle tales, two or thre, Of freres, er I come to Sidyngborne, That I shal make thyn herte for to morne, For wel I woot thy paoience is gon.' Oure Hooste cride, ' Pees ! and that anon'; .1850 And seyde, ' Lat the womman telle hire tale ; Ye fare as fialk that dronken ben of ale. Do, dame, telle forth youre tale, and that is best.' 'Al redy, sire,' quod she, 'right as yow lest ; If I have licence of this worthy Frere. ' ' Yis, dame,' quod he, ' tel forth, and I wol heere.' WIFE OF BATH'S TALE In tholde dayes of the Kyng Arthour, Of which that Britons speken greet honour. All was this land fulfild of feirye. 859 The elf queene with hir joly compaignye Daunced ful ofte in many a grene mede. This was the olde opinion as I rede, — I speke of manye hundred yeres ago, — But now kan no man se none elves mo, For now the grete charitee ajid prayeres Of lymytours, and othere hooly freres, That serchen every lond and every streem. As thikke as motes in the sonne beem, — Blessynge halles, chambres, kichenes, boures, Citees, burghes, castels, hye toures, 870 Thr6pes, bernes, shipnes, dayeryes,— This maketh that ther been no feiryes ; For ther as wont to walken was an elf, Ther walketh now the lymytour hyniself, 847. Sidynghome^ Sittingbourne. W'ife of Bath's Tale, No original of this tale is known. Tyrwhitt compares it to the story of Fiorent in Gower's Conjessio Amantis, Bk. 1. 867. serchen, H sechen. In undermeles and in morwenynges, . ' And seyth his matyns and his Tiooly thynges As he gooth in his lymytacioun. Wommen may go now saufly up and doun ; In every bussh or under every tree, Ther is noon oother incubus but he, 880 And he ne wol doon hem non dishonour. And so bifel it that this kynge, Arthour, Hadde in his hous a lusty bacheler That on a day cam ridynge fro ryver. And happed that, allone.as she was bom, He saugh a tnayde walkynge hym bifom, Of whiche mayde, anon, maugree hir heed, By verray force birafte hire maydenhed ; For which oppressioun was swich clamour. And swich pursute unto the kyng Arthour, That dampned was this knyght for to be deed 891 By cours of lawe, and sholde han lost his heed, — Paraventure swich was the statut tho, — But that the queene and othere ladyes mo. So longe preyeden the kyng" of grace. Til he his lyf hym graunted in the place, And yaf hym to the queene al at hir wille To chese wheither she wolde hym save or spille. The queene thanketh the kyng with al hir myght, 899 And aflei this thus spak she to the knyght. Whan that she saugh hir tyme upon a day : ' Thou standest yet,' quod she, ' in swich array. That of thy lyf yet hastow no suretee. I grante thee lyf, if thou kanst tellen me What thjmg is it that wommen moost desiren, — Be war, and keepe thy nekke-boon from iren, — And if thou kanst nat tellen it anon. Yet shal I yeve thee leve for to gon A twelf-month and a day, to seche and leere An answere suffisant in this mateere ; 910 And suretee wol I han, er that thou pace, Thy body for to yelden in this place.' 87S. now, om. EH4. Wx.non, the reading of Camb. MS. only; KH^ but, which is pointless. 166 IV/FS OF BATH'S TALE 913-988 Wo was this knyght, and sorwefiiUy he siketh ; But what? he may.nat do al as hym liketh, And at the laste he chees hym for to wende, And come agayn right at the yeres ende, With swich answere as God wolde hym purveye, And taketh his leve, and wendeth forth his weye. He seketh every hous and every place Where as he hopeth for to fynde grace 920 To leme what thyng wommen loven moost ; But he ne koude arryven in no coost Wher as he myghte fynde in this mateere Two creatures accordynge in feere. Somme seyde wommen loven best richesse, Somme seyde honour, somme seyde joly- nesse, Somme riche array, somme seyden lust abedde. And ofte tyme to be wydwe and wedde. Somme seyde that oure hertes been moost esed 929 Whan that webeeny-flateredandy-plesed. He gooth fill ny the sothe, I wol nat lye,— A man shal wynne us best with flaterye ; And with attendance and with bisvnesse, Been we y-lymed, bothe moore and lesse. And somme seyen that we loven best For to be free, and do right as us lest. And that no man repreve us of oure vice. But seye that we be wise and no-th)mg nyce ; For trewely ther is noon of us alle. If any wight wol clawe us on the galle, 940 That we nyl kike, for he seith us sooth. Assay, and he shal f^nde it that so dooth. For, be we never so vicious vrith-inne, We wol been holden wise and clene of synne. And somme seyn that greet delit han we For to been holden stable and eke secree. And in o purpos stedefastly to dwelle. And nat biwreye thyng that men us telle ; But that tale is nat worth a rake-stele. Pardee, we wommen konne no thyng hele ; Witnesse on Myda, — wol ye heere the tale ? 951 Ovyde, amonges othere thynges smale, Seyde Myda hadde under his longe heres, Growynge upon his heed, two asses eres, The whiche vice he hydde as he best myghte, Ful subtilly, from every mannes sighte. That save his wyf ther wiste of it namo. He loved hire moost, and trusted hirealso; He preyde hire that to no creature She sholde tellen of his disfigure. 960 She swoor him nay, for al this world to Wynne, She nolde do that vileynye or synne. To make hir housbonde han so foul a name. She nolde nat telle it for hir owene shame ; But nathelees hir thoughte that she dyde. That she so longe sholde a conseil hyde ; Hir thoughte it swal so soore aboute hir herte. That nedely som word hire moste asterte ; And sith she dorste telle it to no man, Doun to a mareys faste by she ran. 970 Til she came there her herte was a-fyre, And as a bitore bombleth in the myre She leyde hir mouth unto the water doun : • Biwreye me nat, thou water, with thy soun,' Quod she, ' to thee I telle it and namo, — Myn housbonde hath longe asses erys two. Now is myn herte all hgol, now is it oute, I myghte no lenger kepe it, out of doute.' Heere may ye se, thogh we a tyme abyde. Yet, out it moot, we kan no conseil hyde. The remenant of the tale if ye wol heere, Redeth Ovyde, and ther ye may it leere. This knyght, of which my tale is specially. Whan that he saugh he myghte nat come therby, That is to seye, what wommen love moost, Withinne his brest ful sorweful was the goost. But hoom he gooth, he myghte nat sojourne. The day was come that homward moste he tourne, 951. Myda, Midas. 167 989-1661 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP D And in his wey it happed hym to ryde In al this care, under a forest syde, 990 Wher as he saugh upon a daunce go Of ladyes foure and twenty, and yet mo ; Toward the whiche daunce he drow ftil yeme. In hope that som wysdom sholde he lerne ; But certainly, er he came fully there, Vanysshed was this daunce, he nyste where. No creature saugh he that bar lyf, Save on the grene he saugh sittynge a wyf ; A fouler wight ther may no man devyse. Agayn the knyght this olde wyf gan ryse, And seyde, ' Sire knyght, heer-forth ne lith no wey ; looj Tel me what that ye seken, by youre fey ! Paraventure it may the bettre be ; Thise olde folk kan muchel thyng,' quod ' she. ' My leeve mooder,' quod this knyght, ' certejm I nam but deed but if that I kan seyn What thyng it is that wommen moost desire : Koude ye me wisse I wolde wel quite youre hire. ' ' Plight me thy trouthe, heere in myn hand,' quod she, ' The nexte thyng that I requere thee loio Thou shalt it do, if it lye in thy myght,- And I wol telle it yow, er it be nyght.' ' Have heer my trouthe,' quod the knyght, ' I graunte ! ' Thanne quod she, ' I dar me wel avaunte Thy lyf is sauf, for I wol stonde therby ; Upon my lyf, the queene wol seye as I. Lat se, which is the proudeste of hem alle That wereth on a coverchief or a calle. That dar seye "nay" of that I shal.thee teche. 1019 Lat us go forth withouten lenger speche. ' Tho rowned she a pistel in his ere. And bad hym to be glad and have no fere. Whan they be comen to the court, this knyght Seyde he had holde his day as he hadde bight. And redy was his answere, as he sayde. Ful many a noble wyf, and many a mayde. And many o. wydwe, for that they had been wise. The queene hirself sittynge as a justise. Assembled been, his answere for to heere ; And afterward this knyght was bode appere. 1030 To every wight comanded was silence, And that the knyght sholde telle in audience What thyng that worldly wommen loven best. . This knyght ne stood nat stille as doth a best, But to his questioun anon answerde, With manly voys, that al the court it herde. ' My lige lady, generally,' quod he, ' Womrhen desiren have sovereynetee. As wel over hir housbond, as hir love. And for to been in maistrie hym above. This is youre mooste desir, thogh ye me kille. 1041 Dooth as yow list, I am heer at youre wille.' In al the court ne was ther wyf, ne mayde, Ne wydwe, that contraried that he sayde, But seyden he was worthy han his lyf; And with that word up stirte the olde wyf. Which that the knyght saugh sittynge on the grene ; ' Mercy ! ' quod she, ' my sovereyn lady queene ! Er that youre court departe, do me right ; I taughte this answere unto the knyght, For which he plighte me his trouthe there. The firste thyng I wolde hym requere, He wolde it do, if it lay in his myght. Bifore the court thanne, preye I thee, sir knyght,' Quod she, ' that thou me' take unto thy wyf, For wel thou woost that I have kept thy lyf. If I sey fals, sey " nay," upon thy fey ! ' This knyght answerde, ' Alias, ' and weylawey ! I woot right wel that swich was my biheste. For Goddes love, as chees a newe requeste ! 1060 Taak al my good, and lat my body go.' 168 GROUP D WIFE OF BATH'S TALE 1062- I I 36 ' Nay, thanne,'.quod she, ' I shrewe us bothe two ! For thogh that I be foul, and cold, and poore, I nolde, for al the metal, ne for oore That under erthe is grave, or lith above. But if thy viryf I were, and eek thy love ! ' 'My "love"!' quod he, 'nay, my dampnacioun ! Alias ! that any of my nacioun Sholde ever so foule disparaged be ! ' But al for noght, the ende is this, that he Constreyned was, he nedes moste hire wedde, 1071 And taketh his olde wyf, and gooth to bedde. Now wolden som men seye, para- venture, That for my necligence I do no cure To tellen yow the joye and al tharray. That at the feeste was that iike day ; To which thyng shortly answeren I shal ; I seye, ther nas no joye ne feeste at al. Ther nas but hevynesse, and muche sorwe. For prively he wedded hire on a morwe, And al day after hidde hym as an owle, So wo was hym, his wyf looked so foule. Greet was the wo the knyght hadde in his thoght, Whanhe was with his wyf abedde y-broght. He walweth, and he tumeth to and firo ; His olde wyf lay smylynge evermo. And seyde, ' O deere housbonde, benedicitee I Fareth even? knyght thus with his wyf, as ye? Is this the law of kyng Arthures hous ? Is every knyght of his so dangerous? 1090 I am youre owene love, and youre wyf; I am she which that saved hath youre lyf, And certes, yet dide I yow never unright. Why fare ye thus with me, this firste nyght ? Ye faren lyk a man had lost his wit ; What is my gilt ? For Goddes love tel it, And it shal been amended, if I may.' ' Amended ! ' quod this knyght, ' alias ! nay, nay ! It wol nat been amended never mo, Thou art so loothly, and so oold also, uoo And ther-to comen of so lough a kynde. That litel wonder is thogh I walwe and wynde. So, wolde God ! myn herte wolde breste ! ' ' Is this,' quod she, ' the cause of youre unreste ? ' 'Ye, certeinly,' quod he, ' no wonder is.' ' Now, sire,' quod she, ' I koude amende al this, If that me liste, er it were dayes thre ; So wel ye myghte here yow unto me. ' But for ye speken of swich gentillesse As is descended out of old richesse, mo That therfore sholden ye be gentil men, Swich arrogance is nat worth an hen. Looke, who that is moost vertuous alway, Pryvee and apert, and moost entendeth ay To do the gentil dedes that he kan, Taak hym for the grettest gentil man. Crist wole we clayme of hym oure gentil- lesse, Nat of oure eldres for hire old richesse ; For, thogh they yeve us al hir heritage, — For which we clayme to been of heigh parage, — 1120 ■ Yet may they nat biquethe for no thyng,/ To Jioon of us, hir vertuous lyvyng,_ '' That made hem gentil men y-called be. And bad us folwen hem in swich degree. ' Wel kan the wise poete of Florence, That highte Dant, speken in this sen- tence, — Lo, in swich maner rym is Dantes tale,- — ' Ful selde up riseth by his branches smale Prowesse of man, for God of his goodnesse Wole that of hym we clayme oure gentillesse ; 1130 For of oure eldres may we no -thyng clayme. But temporel thyng that man may hurte and mayme.' ' Eek every wight woot this as wel as I, If gentillesse were planted natureelly. Unto a certeyn lynage doun the lyne, Pryvee nor apert, thanne wolde they never fyne 1126. Dant^ Purgatorio, vH. 121-3: 'Rade volte risurge per li rami L' umana probitate,' etc. 1 131. eldres may we, H aancestres "we* e 3 i$9 I 137-1209 THE CANTERBURY TALES To doon of gentillesse the faire office ; They myghte do no vileynye or vide. ' Taak fyr and ber it in the darkeste hous, 1139 Bitwix this and the mount of Kaukasous, And lat men shette the dores and go thenne, Yet wole the fyr as faire lye and brenne As twenty thousand men myghte it biholde ; His office natureel ay wol it holde, Up peril of my lyf, til that it dye. , 'Heere may ye se wel how that genterye ( Is nat annexed to possessioun, ^ith folk ne doon hir operacioun Alwey, as dooth the fyr, lo, in his kynde ; ,For, God it woot, men may wel often fynde j A lordes sone do shame and vileynye ; And he that wole han pris of his gentrye, 1 For he was boren of a gentil hous, j And hadde his eldres noble and vertuous, ; And nyl hymselven do no gentil dedis, Ne folwenhis gentil auncestre that deed is, He nys nat gentil, be he due or erl ; For vileyns syhful dede^make a cherl ; For gentillesse nys but renomee Of thyne auncestres, for hire heigh bountee, n6o Which is a strange thyng.J;o thy persone. Thy gentillesse cometli fro God allone ; Thanne comth oure verray gentillesse of grace, It was no thyng biquethe us with oure place. ' Thenketh how noble, as seith Valerius, Was thilke Tullius Hostillius, That out of poverte roos to heigh noblesse. Redeth Senek, and redeth eek Boece, Ther shul ye seen expresse, that no drede is, 1169 That he is gentil that dooth gentil dedis ; And therfore, leeve housbonde, I thus conclude ; Al were it that myne auncestres weren rude, 1159. renomee^ renown ; cp. Boethius, Bk. iii. Prose 6. 1165. ValeriuSi see Valerius Maximus, Bk. iii. ch, 4. Yet may the hye God,^nd so hope I, Grante me grace to lyven vertuously ; Thanne am I gentil, whan that I bigynne To lyven vertuously and weyve synne. ' And ther as ye of poverte me repreeve The hye God, on whom that we bileeve. In wilful poverte chees to lyve his lyf. And certes, every man, mayden, or wyf, May understonde that Jhesus, hevene kyng, 1 181 Ne wolde nat chese a vicious lyvyng. Glad poverte is an honeste thyng, certeyn ; This wole Senec and othere clerkes seyn ; Whoso that halt hym payd of his poverte, I holde hym riche, al hadde he nat a sherte ; He that coveiteth is a povere wight, For he wolde han that is nat in his myght ; But he that noght hath, ne coveiteth have, Is riche, although ye holde hym but a knave. . 1190 ' Verray poverte, it syngeth proprely ; Juvenal seith of poverte, myrily, " The poure man, whan he goth by the weye, Bifore the thei^es he may synge and pleye. " Poverte is hateful good, and as I gesse A ful greet biyngere-out of bisynesse, A greet amendere eek of sapience. To hym that taketh it in pacience. Poverte is this, although it seme alenge, Possessioun that no wight wol chalenge. . Poverte ful ofte, whan a man is lowe, Maketh his God, and eek hymself, to knowe. Poverte a spectacle is, as thynketh me, Thurgh which he may his verray ffeendes see ; And therfore, sire, syn that I noght yow greve. Of my poverte namoore ye me repreve, ' Now, sire, of elde ye repreve me ; And certes, sire, thogh noon auctoritee Were in no book, ye gentils of honour 1192. Juvenal^ Sat. x. 22. 1195. Aa^tf/5*/(Corp.S^a:^f/, hostile). E quotes in the margin the answer to the question Quid est paupertas (Odibile bonum, sanitatis mater, etc.)' from the Dialogue of Adrian and SecunduSi; found in Vincent de Beauvais, 170 THE PROLOGUE OF THE FRIAKS TALE 1210-1287 Seyn that men sholde an oold wight doon fevour, 1210 And clepe hym fader, for youre gentil- lesse, And auctours shal I fynden, as I gesse. ' Now, ther ye seye that I am foul and old. Than dredeyou noght to beena cokewold ; For filthe and eelde, al so moot I thee ! Been grete wardeyns upon chastitee : But nathelees, syn I knowe youre delit, I shal fiilfille youre worldly appetit. ' Chese now,' quod she, ' oon of thise thynges tweye : 1219 To han me foul and old til that I deye. And be to yow a trewe, humble wyf, And never yow displese in al my lyf ; Or elles ye wol han me yong and fair, And take youre aventure of the repair That shal be to youre hous by cause of me, Or in som oother place may wel be ; Now chese yourselven, wheither that yow Uketh.' This knyght avyseth hym and sore siketh ; But atte laste he seyde in this manere : ' My lady and my love, and wyf so deere, I put me in youre wise governance ; 1231 Cheseth youre self which may be moost piesance. And moost honour to yow and me also ; I do no fors the wheither of the two. For as yow liketh it sufiSseth me.' ' Thanne have I gete of yow raaistrie,' quod she, 'Sjm I may chese, and goveme as me lest?' 'Ye, certes, wyf,' quod he, 'I holde it best.' ' Kys me,' quod she, ' we be no lenger wrothe. For, by my trouthe, I wol be to yow bothe, — 1240 This is to seyn, ye, bothe fair and good. I prey to God that I moote sterven wood, But I to yow be al so good and trewe, As ever was wyf syn that the world was newe ; And but I be to-morn as fair to seene As any lady, emperice, or queene. That is bitwixe the est and eek the west ; Dooth with my lyf and deth right as yow lest. Cast up the curtyn, — looke, how that it is.' And whan the knyght saugh verraily al this, 1250 That she so fair was, and so yong ther-to. For joye he hente hire in his armes two. His herte bathed in a bath of blisse ; A thousand tyme arewe he gan hire kisse, And she obeyed hym in every thyng That myghte doon hym, piesance or likyng. And thus they l3rve unto hir lyves ende In parfit joye ; and Jhesu Crist us sende Housbondesmeeke, yonge, fressha-bedde. And grace toverbyde hem that we wedde, And eek, I praye Jhesu to shorte hir lyves That nat wol be governed by hir wyves ; And olde and angry nygardes of dispence, God sende hem soone verray pestilence ! The prologe of the Freres Tale This worthy Lymytour, this noble Frere, He made alway a maner louryng chiere Upon the Somonour, but for honestee No vilejms word as yet to hym spak he ; But atte laste he seyde unto the Wyf, ' Dame,' quod he, ' God yeVe yow right good \y^ ! 1270 Ye han heer touched, al so moot I thee ! In scole-matere greet difificultee. Ye han seyd muche thyng right wel, I seye ; But, dame, heere as we ryde by the weye Us nedeth nat to speken but of game, And lete auctoritees, on Goddes name, To prechyng, and to scole of clergye, And if it lyke to this compaignye , I wol yow of a somonour telle a game. Pardee, ye may wel knowebythe name 1280 That of a somonour may no good be sayd. I praye that noon of you be yvele apayd, — A somonour is a rennere up and doun ■ With mandementz for fornicacioun. And is y-bet at every townes ende. ' Oure Hoost tho spak, ' A, sire, ye sholde be hende And curteys, as a man of youre estaat, 171 I288-I3SS THE CANTERBURY TALES In compaignye ; we wol have no debaat ! Telleth youre tale, and lat the Somonour be.' ' Nay,' quod the Somonour, ' lat hym seye to me 1290 What so hym list, — whan it comth to my lot, By God ! I shal hym quiten every grot ! I shal hym tellen which a greet hon6ur It is to be a flaterynge lymytour ; And his office I shal hym telle y-wis. ' Oure Hoost answerde, 'Pees ! namoore of this ! ' And after this he seyde unto the Frere, 'Tel forth youre tale, my leeve maister deere.' FRIAR'S TALE Heere Mgynneth The Freres Tale Whilom ther was dwellynge in my contree An erchedekene, a man of heigh degree. That boldely dide execucioun 1301 In punysshynge of fornicacioun, Of wicchecraft, and eek of bawderye. Of diffamacioun and avowtrye. Of chirche-reves, and of testamentz, Of contracte's, and of lakke of sacramentz. And eek of many another manere cryme, Which nedeth nat rehercen for this tyme ; Of usure, and of symonye also. 1309 But cartes, lecchours dide he grettest wo ; They sholde syngen if that they were hent; And smale tytheres weren foule y-shent ; If any persone wolde upon hem pleyne Ther myghte asterte hym no pecunyal peyne. For smale tithes, and for smal offrynge. He made the peple pitously to synge, For er the bisshope caughte hem with his hook, 1294, 1295. Between these lines Efl wrongly insert 1307, 1308. The Freres Tale. Two Latin stories, one of a wicked seneschal, the other of a lawyer, making the same points as this, were printed by Thomas Wrigiit, and have been reprinted in Part I. of the Chaucer Society's Originals and Analogues, We may be sure that the setting of this story is entirely Chaucer's own. They weren in the ercbedeknes book ; And thanne hadde he, thurgh his juris- diccioun. Power to doon on hem correccioun. 1320 He hadde a somonour redy to his bond ; A slyer boye weis noon in Engelond ; For subtilly he hadde his espiaille That taughte hym wh^r hym myghte "availle. He koude spare of lecchours oon or two. To techen hym to foure and twenty mo ; For thogh this somonour wood was as an hare. To telle his harlotrye I wol nat spare. Foe we been out of his correccioun, They han of us no jurisdiccioun, 1330 Ne never shullen, terme of alle hlr lyves. ' Peter ! so been the wommen of the styves,' Quod the Somonour, ' y-put out of my cure ! ' ' Pees ! with myschance and with mysaventure ! ' Thus seyde our Hoost, 'and lat hym telle his tale. Now telleth forth, thogh that the Somonour gale ; Ne spareth nat, myn owene maister deere.' This false theef, this somonour, quod the Frere, Hadde alwey bawdes redy to his bond. As any hauk to lure in Engelond, 1340 That tolde hym al the secree that they knewe. For hire acqueyntance was nat come of newe ; They weren his approwours prively. He took hymself a greet profit therby ; His maister knew nat alwey what he wan. Withouten mandement, a lewed man He koude somne, on peyne of Cristes curs, And they were glade to fiUe wel his puis. And make hym grete feestes atte nale ; And rightas Judas hadde purses smale, 1350 And was a theef, right svnch a theef was he. His maister hadde but half his duetee. He was, if I shal yeven hym his laude, A theef, and eek a somnour, and a baude. He hadde eek wenches at his retenue 1323. subtilly^ H prively. 172 GROUP D FRIAR'S TALE 1356-1431 That wheither that sir Robert, or sir Huwe, Or Jakke, or Rauf, or whoso that it were That lay by hem, they tolde it in his ere. Thus was the wenche and he of con assent, 135, And he wolde fecche a feyned mandement, And somne hem to the chapitre bothe two, And pile the man, and lete the wenche go. Thanne wolde he seye, ' Freend, I shal for thy sake Do striken thee out of oure lettres Make, Thee thar namoore as in this cas travaille, I am thy freend, ther I thee may availle.' Certeyn he knew of briberies mo Than possible is to telle in yeres two ; For in this world nys dogge for the bowe That kan an hurt deer from an hool y- knowe 1370 Bet than this somnour knew a sly lecchour, Or an avowtier, or a paramour ; And, for that was the fruyt of al his rente, Therfore on it he sette al his entente. And so bifel that ones on a day This somnour, ever waityng on his pray. Rod forth to somne an old wydwe, a ribibe, Feynynge a cause, for he wolde brybe, — And happed that he saugh bifore hym ryde A gay yeman, under a forest syde. 1380 A bowe he bar, and arwes brighte and kene ; He hadde upon a courtepy of grene. An hat upon his heed with frenges blake. ' Sire,' quod this somnoiu:, ' hayl ! and wel atake ! ' ' Welcome ! ' quod he, ' and every good felawe. Wher rydestow, under this grene-wode shawe,' Seyde this yeman ; ' wiltow fer to day ? ' This somnour tiym answerde and seyde, 'Nay, Heere faste by,' quod he, ' is myn entente To ryden, for to reysen up a rente 1390 That longeth to my lordes duetee.' ' Artow thanne a bailly ? ' ' Ye,' quod he, — 1356. sir JRoberi,^ a priest, not a knight. 1364. thee, E2 hire. He dorste nat, for verray filthe and shame, Seye that "he ■ was a somonour, for the name. ' Depardieiix !' quod this yeman, ' deere broother ! Thou art a bailly, and I am another. I am unknowen as in this contree ; Of thyn acqueyntance I wolde praye thee, And eek of bretherhede, if that yow leste ; I have gold and silver in my cheste ; 1400 If that thee happe to comen in oure shire Al shal be thyn, right as thou wolt desire.' 'Grantmercy 1 ' quod this somonour, ' by my feith ! ' Everych in ootheres hand his trouthe leith. For to be swome bretheren til they deye ; In daliance they ryden forth hir weye. This somonour that was as ful of jangles As fill of venym been thise waryangles, And ever enqueryng upon every thyng ; ' Brother,' quod he, ' where is now youre dwellyng, 1410 Another day if that I sholde yow seche ? ' This yeman hym answerde, in softe speche : 'Brother,' quod he, 'fer in the north contree, , Where as I hope som tyme I shal thee see. Er we departe I shal thee so wel wisse That of myn hous ne shaltow never mysse. ' ' Now, brother,' quod this somonour, ' I yow preye, Teche me, whil that we ryden by the weye, — Syn that ye been a baillif as am I, — Som subtiltee, and tel me felthfuUy 1420 In myn office how I may mooste wynne, And spareth nat for conscience ne synne, But as my brother tel me how do ye.' 'Now, by my trouthe, brother deere,' seyde he, ' As I shal tellen thee a feithful tale. My wages been ful streite and ful smale ; My lord is hard to me and daungerous. And myn office is ful laborous ; And therfore by extorcions I lyve ; For sothe, I take all that men wol me yeve, Algate by sleyghte, or by violence. 1431 1395. deere, H2 lieve. Z406. hir weye, H3 and pUye(n), 173 1432-1509 THE CANTERBURV' TALES GROUP D Fro yeer to yeer I wynne al my dispence ; I kan no bettre telle, feithfuUy.' 'Now certes,' quod this somonour, ' so fare I ; I spare nat to taken, God it woot, But if it be to hevy or to hoot, What I may gete in conseil prively ; No maner conscience of that have I ; Nere myn extorcioun I myghte nat lyven. Nor of swiche japes wol I nat be shryven. Stomak, ne conscience, ne knowe I noon I shrewe thise shrifte-fadres everychoon ! Wei be we met, by God and by Seint Jame ! But, leeve brother, tel me thanne thy name,' Quod this somonour ; ' in this meene while.' This yeman gan a litel for to smyle. ' Brother,' quod he, ' wiltow that I thee telle ? I am a feend ; my dwellyng is in helle, And heere I ryde aboute my purchasyng. To wite wher men wol yeve me anythyng. My purchas is theffect of al my rente. 1451 Looke how thou rydest for the same entente. To Wynne good, thou rekkest never how ; Right so fare I, for ryde I wolde right now Unto the worldes ende for a preye.' ' A ! ' quod this somonour, ' benedicife ! what sey ye ? I wende ye were a yeman trewely. Ye han a mannes shape as wel as I, Han ye a figure thanne determinat In helle, ther ye been in youre estat ? ' 1460 'Nay, certeinly,' quod he, 'ther have we noon. But whan us liketh we kan take us oon. Or elles make yow seme we been shape Somtyme lyk a man, or lyk an ape ; "Or lyk an angel kan I ryde or go. It is no wonder thyng thogh it be so ; A lowsy jogelour kan deceyve thee. And Pardee I yet kan I moore craft than he.' ' Why,' quod the somonour, ' ryde ye thanne or goon In sondry shape, and nat alwey in oon ? ' 'For we,' quod he, 'wol us swiche formes make 1471 As moost able is oure preyes for to take.' 'What maketh yow to han al this labour ? ' ' Ful many a cause, leeve sire somonour,' Seyde this feend ; ' but alle thyng hath tyme ; The day is short, and it is passed pryme. And yet ne wan I nothyng in this day; I wol entende to vjynnyng if I may, And nat entende our wittes to declare ; " For, brother myn, thy wit is al to bare 1480 To understonde, althogh I tolde hem thee; But for thou axest why labouren we, — Forsomtyme we been Goddes instrumentz. And meenes to doon his comandementr, Whan that hym list, upon his creatures. In divers art and in diverse figures. Withouten hym we have no myght, certayn. If that hym list to stonden ther agayn. And somtyme, at oure prayere, han we leva Oonly the body and nat the soule greve ; Witnesse on Job, whom that we diden wo ; And somtyme han we myght of bothe two. This is to seyn, of soule and body eke ; And somtyme be we suffred for to seke Upon a man and doon his soule unreste, And nat his body, and al is" for the beste. Whan he withstandeth oure temptacioun It is a cause of his savacioun, — Al be it that it was nat oure entente He sholde be sauf, but that we wolde hym hente, — i5<» And somtyme be we servant unto man, As to the erchebisshope, Seint Dunstan; And to the Apostles servant eek was I.' 'Yet tel me,' quod the somonour, ' feithfuUy, Make ye yow newe bodies thus alway Of elementz?' The feend answerde, 'Nay, Somtyme we feyne, and somtyme we aryse With dede bodyes, in fill sondry wyse. And speke as renably and faire and wel. 1479. wittes, H tkinges. i486, art, H* act, actes. 174 GROUP D FRIAR'S TALE 1510-1571 As to the Phitonissa dide Samuel ; 1510 And yet wol som men seye it was nat he. I do no fors of youre dyvynytee, But o thyng warne I thee, I wol nat jape, Thou wolt algates wite how we been shape. Thou shall herafterwardes, my brother deere, Come there thee nedeth nat of me to leere. For thou shalt by thyn owene experience Konne in a chayer rede of this sentence Bet than Virgile while he was on lyve, Or Dant also ; now lat us ryde blyve, 1520 For I wole holde compaignye with thee Til it be so that thou forsake me.' ' Nay,' quod this somonour, ' that shal nat bityde ! I am a yeman knowen is ful wyde ; My trouthe wol I holde as in this cas ; For though thou were the devel, Sathanas, My trouthe wol I holde to my brother. As I am sworn, and ech of us til oother. For to be trewe brother in this cas ; And bothe we goon abouten oure purchas. Taak thou thy part,.what that men wol thee yeve, 1531 And I shal myn, — thus may we bothe lyve,— And if that any of us have moore than oother, Lat hym be trewe and parte it with his brother.' 'Igraunte,'quodthedevel, 'by my fey !' And with that word they ryden forth hir wey. And right at the entryng of the towhes ende, To which this somonour shoope hym for to wende, They saugh a cart that charged was with hey, Which that a cartere droof forth in his wey. 1540 Deepe was the wey, for which the carte. stood : The cartere smoot and cryde as he were wood, 1510. PkUottissa, Pythoness, i.e. the Witch of Endor. . , . ^ . 1318. i.e. be able to lecture on this theme. ' Hayt, Brok ! hayt, Scot I what spare ye for the stones ! The feend,' quod he, 'yow fecche, body and bones. As ferforthly as ever were ye foled ! So muche wo as I have with yow tholed ! The devel have al, bothe hors and cart and hey ! ' This somonour seyde, ' Heere shal we have a pley ' ; And neer the feend he drough, as noght ne were, Ful prively, and rowned in his ere, 1550 ' Herkne, my brother 1 herkne, by thy feith ! Herestow nat how that the cartere seith ? Hent it anon, for he hath yeve it thee, Bothe hey and cart and eek his caples thre.' 'Nay,' quod the devel, 'God woot, never a deel. It is nat his entente, trust thou me weel ; Axe hym thyself, if thou nat trowest me. Or elles stynt a while, and thou shalt see.' This cartere thakketh his hors upon the croupe, And they bigonne drawen and to-stoupe. ' Heyt ! now,' quod he, ' ther Jhesu Crist yow blesse ! 1561 And al his handwerk bothe moore and lesse ! That was wel twight, myn owene lyard boy ! I pray God save thee ! and Seinte Loy I Now is my cart out of the slow, pardee ! ' ' Lo, brother,' quod the feend, ' what tolde I thee ? Heere may ye se, myn owene deere brother. The carl spak oon thing, but he thoghte another. Lat us go forth abouten oure viage ; Heere wynne I nothyng uponcariage.' 1570 Whan that they coomen somwhat out of towne 1559. ihakketh, smacks ; E2 taketh. 15S9. hors^ plural. 1564. pray^ '^J/ray to. 1364. thte, Wthy (the) body. 1564. Stinte Loy, St. Eligius. 1568. thing, om. E. I7S IS7Z-I639 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP D This somonour to his brother gan to rowne : 'Brother,' quod he, 'heere woneth an old rebekke That hadde almoost as lief to lese hire nekke. As for to yeve a peny of hir good. I wole han twelf pens though that she be wood, Or I wol sompne hire unto oure oflSce, And yet, God woot, of hire knowe I no vice ; But, for thou kanst nat, as in this contree, Wynne thy cost, taak heer ensample of me. ' 1580 This somonour clappeth at the wydwes gate: 'Com out,' quod he, ' thou olde virytrate ! I trowe thou hast som frere or preest with thee.' ' Who clappeth ? ' seyde this wyf, * benedicitee ! God save you, sire ! what is youre sweete wille ? ' ' I have,' quod he, ' of somonaunce a bille ; Up peyne of cursyng looke that thou be To-morn bifore the erchedeknes knee. Tans were to the court of certeyn thynges.' 'Now, Lord,' quod she, 'Crist Jhesu, kyng of kynges, 1590 So wisly heipe me, as I ne may ! I have been syk, and that ful many a day ; I may nat go so fer,' quod she, ' ne ryde. But I be deed, so priketh it in my syde. May I nat axe a libel, sire somonour. And answere there by my prociiratour To swich thyng as men wole opposen me ?' ' Yis,' quod this somonour, 'pay anon — lat se — ■ Twelf pens to me and I wole thee acquite. I shal no profit han therby but lite, 1600 My maister hath the profit, and nat I. Com of, and lat me ryden hastily ; Gif metwelfpenSjI may no lenger tarye ! ' ' Twelf pens ! ' quod she, ' now lady, Seinte Marie ! So wisly help me out of care and synne, 1586. somonaunce, £ somonce. 1587. Up, E Upon. This wyde world thogh that I sholde Wynne, Ne have I nat twelf pens withinne myn hoold ; Ye knowen wel that I am poure and oold. Kithe youre almesse on me, poure wrecche. ' 'Nay, thanne,' quod he, 'the foule feend me fecche, 1610 If I thexcuse though thou shul be spilt ! ' ' Alias 1 ' quod she, ' God woot I have po gilt.' ' Pay me ! ' quod he, ' or by the sweete Seinte Anne, As I wol here awey thy newe panne For dette which that thou owest me of old,— Whan that thou madest thyn housbonde cokewold I payde at hoom for thy correccioun.' ' Thou lixt ! ' quod she, ' by my sava- cioun Ne was I never er now, wydwe ne wyf, Somoned unto youre court in al my lyf ! Ne never I nas but of my body trewe. 1621 Unto the devel, blak and rough of hewe, Yeve I thy body and my panne.also ! ' And whan the devel herde hire cursen so Upon hir knees, he seyde in this manere : ' Now, Mabely, myn owene moder deere. Is this youre wyl in ernest that ye seyde?' ' The devel,' quod she, ' so fecche hym er he deye, — And panne and al, but he wol hym repente ! ' ' Nay, olde stot ! that is nat myn entente,' 1630 Quod this somonour, ' for to repente me For anythyng that I have had of thee ; I wolde I hadde thy smok and every clooth.' 'Now, brother,' quod the devil, 'be nat wrooth : Thy body and this panne been myne by right ; Thou shalt with me to helle yet to-nyght. Where thou shalt knowen of oure privetee Moore than a maister of dyvynytee,' And with that word this foule feend hym hente. 1639 176 GROUP D PROLOGUE OF THE SVMMONER'S TALE 1640-1708 Body and soule he with the devel wente Where as that somonours hanhir heritage ; And God, that maked after his ymage Mankynde, save and gyde us alle and some, And leve thise somonours goode men bic'ome ! Lord5mges, I koude han toold yow, quod this Frere, Haddel had leyser for thisSonmour heere, After the text of Criste, Poul, and John, And of oure othere doctours many oon, Swiche peynes that youre herte myghte agryse; Al be it so no tonge may devyse — 1630 Thogh that I myghte a thousand wynter telle— The peynes of thilke cursed hous of helle; But for to kepe us fro that cursed place Waketh and preyeth Jhesu for his grace, So kepe us fro the temptour Sathanas. Herketh this word, beth war, as in this cas : ' The leoun sit in his awayt alway To sle the innocent, if that he may.' Disposeth ay youre hertes to withstonde The feend, that yow wolde make thral and bonde ; 1660 He may nat tempte yow over youre myght. For Crist wol be youre champion and knyght ; And prayeth that thise somonours hem repente Of hir mysdedes, er that the feend hem hente ! The prologs of the Somonours Tale This Somonour in his styropes hye stood. Upon this Frere his herte was so wood. That lyk an aspen leef he quook for ire. 'Lordynges,' quod he, 'but o thyng I desire, — I yow biseke that of youre curteisye, 1663. HB make the hit more direct, reading ihis (oure) som^nmir him repente, etc. 1665. hye, H «/ he. Syn ye han herd this false Frere lye, 1670 As suffereth me I may my tale telle. 'This Frere bosteth that he knoweth helle, And God it woot, that it is litel wonder ; Freres and feendes been but lyte asonder ; For, Pardee I ye han ofte tyme herd telle How that a frere ravysshed was to helle In spirit ones by a visioun ; And as an angel ladde hym up and doun, _ To shewen hym the peynes that ther were. In al the place saugh he nat a frere. 1680 Of oother folk he saugh ynowe in wo. Unto this angel spak the frere tho : '"Now, sire," quod he, "han freres swich a grace Thatnoonof hem shal come to this place?" '"Yis," quod this angel, "many a millioun " ; And unto Sathanas he ladde hym doun, And now hath Sathanas, seith he, a tayl, Brodder than of a carryk is the sayl. " Hold up thy tayl, thou Sathanas," quod he, " Shewe forth thyn ers, and lat the frere se 1690 Where is the nest of freres in this place " ; And er that half a furlong wey of space, Right so as bees out swarmen from an hyve. Out of the develes ers ther gonne dryve Twenty thousand freres in a route. And thurgh-out helle swarmeden aboute. And comen agayn as faste as they may gon. And in his ers they crepten everychon ; He clapte his tayl agayn and lay fill stille. This frere, whan he hadde looked al his fiUe 1700 Upon the tormentz of this sory place. His spirit God restored of his grace Unto his body agayn, and he awook ; But natheles, for fere yet he quook. So was the develes ers ay in his mynde ; That is his heritage of verray kynde. God save yow alle, save this cursed Frere I My prologe wol I ende in this manere.' 177 1709-1778 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP D SUMMONER'S TALE Heere bigynnetk The Somonour his Tale Ivordynges, ther is in Yorkshire, as I gesse, A mersshycontree called Holdernesse, 1710 In which ther wente a lymytour aboute To preche, and eek to begge, it is no dpute. And so bifel that on a day this frere Hadde preched at a chirche in his manere, And specially, aboven every thyng, Excited he the peple in his prechyng To trentals, and to yeve for Goddes sake, Wherwith menmyghtehooly houses make, Ther as divine servyce is honoured, Nat ther as it is wasted and devoured, Ne ther it nedeth nat for to be yeve, 1721 As to possessioners that mowen lyve, Thanked be God ! in wele and habun- daunce. ' Trentals,' seyde he, ' deliveren fro penaunce Hir freendes soules, as wel olde as yonge ; Ye, whan that they been hastily y-songe, Nat for to holde a preest joly and gay ; He syngeth nat but o masse in a day. Delivereth out,' quod he, ' anon, the soules ! Ful hard it is, with flesshhook or with oules 1730 To been y-clawed, or to brenne, or bake ; Now spede yow hastily for Cristes sake.' And whan this frere had seyd al his entente With^wz cumpatre, forth his wey he wente. Whan folk in chirche had yeve him what hem lest. He went his wey, no lenger wolde he reste. With scrippeand tipped staf, y-tukked hye, In every hous he gan to poure and prye. And beggeth mele, and chese, or elles corn. His felawe hadde a stafe tipped with horn, Summonet's Tale. The central incident of this was, no doubt, common property ; but the setting of the tale must be Chaucer's. 1709. Yorkshire^ -as, H Engelond. 1737. tipped^ Hpyked. A peyre of tables al of yvory, 1741 And a poyntel polysshed fetisly, And wroote the names alwey as he stood Of alle folk that, yaf hym any good, Ascaunces that he wolde for hem prey. ' Yif us a busshel whete, malt or reye, A Goddes kechyl, or a trype of chese, Or elles what yow lyst, we may nat cheese ; A Goddes halfpeny, or a masse peny, 1749. Or yif us of youre brawn, if ye have eny ; A ds^oun of youre blanket, leeve dame, Oure suster deere, — lo heere I write youre name, — Bacoun, or beef, or swich thyng as ye fynde.' (A sturdy harlot wente ay hem bihynde. That was hir hostes-man, and bar a sak. And what men yaf hem leyde it on his bak. And whan that he was out at dore anon, He planed awey the names everichon That he bifom had writen in his tables. He served hem with nyfles and with fables. ' Nay ! ther thou lixt, thou Somonour ! ' quod the Frere. 1761 ' Pees ! ' quod oure Hoost, ' for Cristes mooder deere ; Tel forth thy tale and spare it nat at al.' So thryve I, quod this Somonour, so I shal ! So longe he wente, hous by hous, til he Cam til an hous ther he was wont to be Refresshed moore than in an hundred placis ; Syk lay the gobde man whos that the place is ; Bedrede upon a couche lowe he lay. ' Deus, hie ! ' quod he, ' O Thomas, ■ freend, good day ! ' 1770 Seyde this frere, curteisly and sdfle. ' Thomas,' quod he, ' God yelde yow ! ful ofte Have I upon this bench &ren fill weel ; Heere have I eten many a myrie meel ' ; And fro the bench he droof awey the cat. And leyde adoun his potente and his hat, And eek his scrippe, and sette hym softe ' adoun. His felawe was go walked into toun, 78 GROUP D SUMMONEJi'S TALE 1779-1851 Forth with his knave into that hostelrye Where as he shoope hym thilke nyght to lye. 1780 ' O deere maister,' quod this sike man, ' How han ye fare sith that March bigan ? I saugh yow noght this fourtenyght or moore. ' 'God woot,' quod he, 'laboured I have ful soore. And specially for thy savacioun Have I seyd many a precious orisoun ; And for oure othere freendes, God hem blesse. I have to day been at youre chirche at messe. And seyd a sermoun after my symple wit, Nat al after the text of hooly writ ; 1790 For it is hard to yow, as I suppose, And therfore wol I teche yow al the glose. Glosynge is a glorious thyng certeyn. For lettre sleeth, so as we clerkes seyn. There have I taught hem to be charitable. And spende hir good ther it is resonable ; And there I saugh oure dame, — a, where is she ? ' ' Yond, in the yerd, I trowe that she be,' Seyde this man, ' and she wol come anon. ' ' Ey, maister, welcom be ye, by Seint John ! ' 1800 Seyde this wyf; 'how fare ye, hertely?' The frere ariseth up fill curteisly And hire embraceth in his armes narwe. And kiste hire sweete, and chirketh as a sparwe With his lyppes : ' Dame,' quod he, ' right weel, As he that is youre servant every deel. Thanked be God, that yow yaf soule and lyf, Yet saugh I nat this day so fair a wyf In al the chirche, God so save me ! ' ' Ye, God amende defautes, sire,' quod she, 1810 ' Algates welcome be ye, by my fey ! ' ' Graunt mercy, dame, this have I founde alwey, But of youre grete goodnesse, by youre leve, I wolde prey yow that ye nat yow greve, I wole with Thomas speke a litel throwe ; Thise curatz been ful necligent and slowe To grope tendrely a conscience. In shrift, in prechyng is my diligence, And studie in Petres wordes and in Poules. 1B19 I walke, and fisshe cristen mennes soules. To yelden Jhesu Crist his propre rente. To sprede his word is set al myn entente.' 'Now, by youre leve, O deere sire,' quod she, ' Chideth him weel, for, seinte Trinitee ! He is as angry as a pissemyre. Though that he have al that he kan desire, Though I him wrye a-nyght and make hjnn warm. And on hym leye my leg, outher myn arm, He groneth lyk oure boor, lith in oure sty. Oother desport ryght noon of hym have I, I may nat plese hym in no maner cas. '1831 ' O .Thomas, je vous dy, Thomas 1 Thomas ! This maketh the feend, this moste ben amended ; Ire is a thyng that hye God defended. And therof wol I speke a word or twa' ' Now, maister,' quod the wyf, ' er that I go, What, wol ye dyne ? I wol go theraboute.' ' Now, dame,' quod he, 'je vous dy sanz doute, Have I nat of a capoun but the lyvere. And of youre softe breed nat but a shyvere, 1840 And after that a rosted pigges heed, — But that I nolde no beast for me were deed, — Thanne hadde I with yow hoomly suffi- saunce. I am a man of litel sustenaunce. ]^y spirit hath his fostryng in the Bible, The body is ay so redy and penyble To wake, that my stomak is destroyed ; I prey yow, dame, ye be nat anoyed. Though I so freendly yow my conseil shewe. By God, I wolde nat telle it but a fewe ! ' 'Now, sire,' quod she, 'but o word er I go ; 1851 179 1852-1931 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP D My child is deed withinne thise wykes two, Soone after that ye wente out of this toun. ' •His deeth saugh I by revelacioun,' Seith this frere, ' at hoom in oure dortour. I dar wel seyn that er that half an hour After his deeth, I saugh hym born to blisse In my avisioun, so God me wisse ! So dide our sexteyn and oure fermerer, That han been trewe freres fifty yeer,^ They may now, God be thanked of his loone ! 1861 Maken hir jubilee, and walke allone. And up I roos, and al oure covent eke, With many a teare triklyng on my cheke, Withouten noyse, or claterynge of belles, Te deum was oure song and no thyng elles ; Save that to Crist I seyde an orisoun, Thankynge hym of his revelacioun ; For, sire and dame, trustethme right weel, Oure orisons been moore effectueel, 1870 And moore we seen of Cristes secree thynges. Than burel folk, al though they weren kynges. We lyve in poverte and in abstinence, And burell folk in richesse and despence Of mete and drynke, and in hir foul delit. We han this worldes lust al in despit. Larar and Dives lyveden diversly And diverse gerdoun hadden they ther-by. Who-so wol preye he moot faste and be clene, And fatte his soule and make his body lene. 1880 We fare as seith thapostle ; clooth and foode Suffisen us, though they be nat ful goode ; The clennesse and the fastynge of us freres Maketh that Crist acceptethoure preyeres. ' Lo, Moyses fourty dayes and fourty nyght Fasted, er that the heighe God of myght Spak with hym in the mount of Synay. With empty wombe, fastynge many a day, Receyved he the lawe that was writen With Goddes fynger ; and Elye, wel ye witen, 1890 In mount Oreb, er he hadde any speche With hye God, that is oure lyves leche. He fasted longe, and was in contemp- launce. 'Aaron, that hadde the temple in governaunce, And eek the othere preestes everichon. Into the temple whan they sholde gon To preye for the peple, and do servyse. They nolden drynken in no maner wyse No drynke which that myghte hem dronke make ; 1899 But there, in abstinence preye and wake. Lest that they deyden : — taak heede what I seye, — But they be sobre that for the peple preye, War that ! — I seye namoore, — for it suffiseth. Oure Lord Jhes^i, as hooly writ devyseth, Yaf us ensample of fastynge and preyeres; Therfore we mendynantz, we sely freres, Been wedded to poverte and continence. To charite, humblesse, and abstinence, To persecucioun for rightwisnesse, To wepynge, misericorde and clennesse ; And therfore may ye se that oure pre- yeres, — igii I speke of us, we mendynantz, we freres, — Been to the hye God moore acceptable Than youreswithyoure feestes at the table. Fro Paradys first, if I shal nat lye. Was man out chaced for his glotonye. And chaast was man in Paradys certeyn. ' But herkne, Thomas, what I shal the seyn, I ne have no text of it, as I suppose. But I shal fynde it in a maner glose, 192a That specially oure sweete Lord Jhesus Spak this by freres, whan he seyde thus : ' " Blessed be they that povere in spirit been," — And so forth al the gospel may ye seen Wher it be likker oure professioun. Or hirs that swymmen in possessioun, — Fy on hire pompe and on hire glotonye ! And for hir lewednesse, I hem difiye ! ' Me thynketh they been lyk Jovinyan, Fat as a whale, and walkynge as a swan, Al vinolent as hotel in the spence. 1931 1029. Jovinyan^ probably the mythical emperor of the Gesia RoTnaturum, 180 GROUP D SUMMONER'S TALE 1932-2013 Hir preyere is of fill greet reverence Whan they for soules seye the Psalm of Davit, — Lo, "buf" they seye, cormeumeructavit, — Who folweth Cristes gospel, and his foore, But we that humble been and chaast and poore, Werkeris of Goddes word, not auditours ? Therfore, right as an hauk up at a sours Up springeth into their, right so prayeres Of charitable and chaste, bisy freres 1940 Maken hir sours to Goddes eres two. Thomas, Thomas, so moote I ryde or go, — And by that lord that clepid is Seint Yve ! Nere thou oure brother sholdestou nat thryve ! In our chapitre praye we day and nyght To Crist tiat he thee sende heele and myght Thy body for to weelden, hastily. ' ' God woot,' quod he, ' no thyng therof feele I ! As help me Crist, as I, in fewe yeres, Han spent upon diverse manere freres 1950 Ful many a pound, yet fare I never the bet. Certeyn my good I have almoost biset, — '- Farwel my gold, for it is al ago ! ' The frere answerde, ' O Thomas, dos- tow so ? What nedeth yow diverse freres seche ? What nedeth hym that hath a parfit leche To sechen othere leches in the toun ? Youre inconstance is youre confiisioun. Holde ye thanne me, or elles oure covent. To praye for yow been insufficient ? i960 Thomas, that jape nys nat worth a myte ; Youre maladye is for we han to lyte. A ! yif that covent half a quarter otes ! A ! ^that covent foure and twenty grotes! A ! yif that firere a peny, and lat hym go ! Nay, nay, Thomas, it may no thyng be so ! What is a ferthyng worth parted in twelve? Lo, ech thyng that is oned in it selve Is moore strong than whan it is to-scatered. Thomas, of me thou shalt nat been y- flatered ; 1970 Thou woldest han oure labour al for noght ; The hye God, that al this world hath wroght, Seith that the werkman worthy is his hyre. Thomas, noght of youre tresor I desire, As for my self, but that al oure covent To preye for yow is ay so diligent. And for to buylden Cristes owene chirche. Thomas, if ye wol lernen for to wirche Of buyldynge up of chirches, may ye fynde If it be good in Thomas lyf of Inde. 1980 Ye lye heere ful of anger and of ire. With which the devel set youre herte afyre. And chiden heere the sely innocent, Youre yfyi, that is so raeke and pacient ; And therfore, Thomas, trowe me if thee leste, Ne stryve nat with thy wyf, as for thy beste ; And ber this word awey now, by thy feith, Touchynge this thyng, lo what the wise seith, ' ' Withinne thyn hous ne be thou no leoun ; To thy subgitz do noon oppressioun, 1990 Ne make thyne acqueyntis firo the flee." And, Thomas, yet eft-soones I charge thee. Be war of yre that in thy bosom slepeth. War fro the serpent that so slily crepeth Under the gras and styngeth subtilly ; Be war, my sone, and herkne paciently. That twenty thousand men han lost hir lyves For stryvyng with hir lemmans and hir wyves. Now sith ye han so hooly, meke a wyf, Whatnedethyow, Thomas, tomakenstryf? Ther nys, y-wys, no serpent so cru^l 2001 Whan man tret on his tayl, ne half so fel As womman is, whan she hath caught an ire ; Vengeance is thanne al that they desire. Ire is a synne, oon of the grete sevene, Abhomynable unto the God of hevene. And to hymself it is destruccioun. This every lewed viker, or persoun, Kan seye, how ire engendreth homycide. Ire is in sooth executour of pryde. 2010 I koude of ire seye so muche sorwe My tale sholde laste til tomorwe ; And therfore preye I God, bothe day and nyght, 1980. Thomas. St. Thomas professed to be aa architect, but the palace he built for the Indian king was in heaven. 20 14-208 1 THE CANTERBURY TALES An irous man God sende hym litel myght. It is greet harme and certes greet pitee To sette an irous man in heigh degree. 'Whilom ther was an irous potestat, As seith Senek, that durynge his estaat Upon a day out ryden knyghtes two ; And as Fortune wolde that it were so That oon of hem cam hoom, that oother noght. 302I Anon the knyght bifore the juge is broght, That seyde thus : " Thou hast thy felawe slayn, For which I deme thee to the deeth certayn " ; And to another knyght comanded he, " Go lede hym to the deeth, I charge thee ! " And happed as they wente by the weye, Toward the place ther he sholde deye. The knyght cam which men wenden had be deed. Thanne thoughte they it was the beste reed, 2030 To lede hem bothe to the juge agayn. They seiden, " Lord, the knyght ne hath nat slayn His felawe ; heere he standeth hool aly ve. " " Ye shul be deed," quod he, " so moot I thryve ! That is to seyn, bothe oon, and two, and thre." And to the firste knyght right thus spak he: " I dampned thee, thou most algate be deed ; And thou, also, most nedes lese thyn heed. For thou art cause why thy felawe deyth" ; And to the thridde knyght right thus he seith : 2040 "Thou hast nat doon that I comanded thee " ; And thus he dide doon sleen hem alle thre. ' Irous Cambises was eek dronkelewe And ay delited hym to been a shrewe ; And so bifel a lord of his meynee, 2018. Senek. This story is told by Seneca, De Ira., i. 16, of Cn. Piso (T.) 2043. Cambises, This story is also in Seneca, iii. 14 ; it differs a little from one in Herodotus, Bk. iu. (T.) That loved vertuous moralitee, Seyde on a day bitwene hem two right thus : ' " A lord is lost if he be vicius. And dronkenesse is eek a foul record Of any man, and namely in a lord. 2050 Ther is fill many an eye, and many an ere, Awaityng on a lord, and he npot where. For Goddes love drynk moore attemprely ! Wyn maketh man to lesen wrecchedly His mynde and eek his lymes everichon.'' ' ' ' The revers shaltou se, " quod he anon, " And preeve it by thyn owene experience, That wyn ne dooth to folk no swich offence. Ther is no wyn bireveth me my myght Of hand, ne foot, ne of myne eyen sight " ; And for despit he drank ful muchel moore. An hondred part, than he hadde doon bifoore ; And right anon, this irous, cursed wrecche Leet this knyghtes sone bifore hym fecche, Comandynge hym he sholde bifore hym stonde ; And sodeynly he took his bowe in honde. And up the streng he pulled to his ere. And with an arwe he slow the child right there. " Now, wheither have I a siker hand or noon ? " Quod he ; "is al my myght and mynde agon ? 2070 Hath wyn byreved me myne eyen sight ? " What sholde I telle thanswere of the knyght ? His sone was slayn, ther is namoore to seye. Beth war, therfore, with lordes how ye pleye. Syngeth Placebo, — and I shal, if I kan, But if it be unto a poure man. To a poure man men sholde his vices telle. But nat to a lord, thogh he sholde go to helle. • Lo, irous Cirus, thilke Percien, How he destroyed the ryver of Gysen, 2080 For that an hors of his was dre)mt ther- 2079. Cirus, See Herodotus, Bk. i. , and Seneca, De Ira, both of whom call the river Gyndes. 182 SUMMONER'S TALE 2082-2152 Whan that he wente Babiloigne to wynne. He made that the ryver was so smal That wommen myghte wade it over al. ' Lo, what seyde he that so wel teche kan : " Ne be no felawe to an irons man, Ne with no wood man walke by the weye, Lest thee repente," — ther is namoore to seye.' ' Now, Thomas, leeve brother, lef thyn ire. Thou shalt me fynde as just a^ is a squyre ; Hoold nat the develes knyf ay at thyn herte, — 2091 Thyn angre dooth thee al to soore smerte, — But shewe to me al thy confessioun.' ' Nay,' quod the sike man, ' by Seint Ssmaoun ! I have be shryven this day at my curat ; I have hym toold hooUy al myn estat. Nedeth namoore to speken of it, seith he. But if me list, of myn humylitee. ' ' Yif me thanne of thy gold, to make oure cloystre,' Quod he, ' for many a muscle and many an oystre, 2100 Whan othere men han ben fill wel at eyse. Hath been oure foode, our cloystre for to reyse ; And yet, God woot, unnethe the ftmdement Parfoumed is, ne of our pavement Nys nat a tyle yet withinne oure wones, — By God, we owen fourty pound for stones ! ' Now help, Thomas ! for hym that harwed helle. For elles moste we oure bookes selle ; And if ye lakke oure predicacioun 2109 Thanne goth the world al to destruccioun. For whoso wolde us fro this world bireve. So God me save, Thomas, by youre leve. He wolde bireve out of this world the Sonne ; For who kan teche, and werchen, as we konne ? And that is nat of litel tyme,' quod he, ' But syn that Elie was, or Elise, Han freres been, — that iynde I of record ; 8ii6. ElU, E Ennok. In charitee y-thanked be oure Lord ! Now, Thomas, helpe for seinte charitee ! ' And doun anon he sette hym on his knee. 2120 This sike man wax wel ny wood for ire ; He wolde that the iirere had been on fire With his false dissymulacioun. ' Swich thyng as is in my possessioun,' Quod he, ' that may I yeven, and noon oother. Ye sey me thus, " that I am youre brother " ? ' ' Ye, certes,' quod the firere, ' trusteth weel, I took oure dame oure lettre and oure seel.' 'Now wel,' quod he, 'and somwhat shal I yeve 2129 Unto youre hooly covent whil I lyve, And in thyn hand thou shalt it have anon. On this condicioun, and oother noon ; That thou departe it so, my leeve brother, That every frere have also muche as oother ; This shaltou swere on thy professioun, Withouten fraud or cavillacioun.' 'I swere it,' quod this frere, 'by my feith ! ' And therwithal his hand in his he leith, — ' Lo heer my feith, in me shal be no lak.' ' Now thanne, put in thyn hand doun by my bak,' 2140 Seyde this man, ' and grope wel bihynde ; Bynethe my buttok ther shaltow fynde A thyng that I have hyd in pryvetee.' ' A ! ' thoghte this frere, ' this shal go with me ! ' And doun his hand he launcheth to the clifte, In hope for to fynd^ there a yifte ; And whan this sike man felte this frere Aboute his tuwel grope there and heere, Amydde his hand he leet the frere a fert; Ther nys no capul drawynge in a cart 2150 That myghte have lete a fart of swich a soun.' The frere up stirte, as dooth a wood leoun,— 2133. Ueve^ HC dsere^ 183 2153-2223 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP D 'A! false cherl,' quod he, 'for Goddes bones ! This hastow for despit doon for the nones ; Thou shalt abye this fart, if that I may ! ' 'His me!ynee, whiche that herden this Cam lepynge in, and chaced out the frere ; And forth he gooth with -a. ful angry cheere, And fette his felawe, ther as lay his stoor. He looked as it were a wilde boor, — He grynte with his teeth, so was he wrooth ; 2161 A sturdy paas doon to the court he gooth, Wher as ther woned a, man of greet honour, To whom that he was alwey confessour ; This worthy man was lord of that village. This frere cam as he were in a rage. Where as this lord sat etyng at his bord ; Unnethes myghte the frere speke a word. Til atte laste he seyde, ' God yow see ! ' This lord gan looke and seide, ' Benedicitee ! 2170 What, frere John, what maner world is this? I se wel that som thyng ther is amys ; Ye looken as the wode were ful of thevys ; Sit doun anon, and tel me what youre grief is. And it shal been amended, if I may.' 'I have,' quod he, 'had a despit this day, God yelde yow ! adoun in youre village, That in this world is noon so poure a page. That he nolde have abhomynacioun 2179 Of that I have receyved in youre toun ; And yet ne greveth me no thyng so soore. As that this olde cherl, with lokkes hoore. Blasphemed hath ourf hooly covent eke. ' ' Now, maister,' quod this lord, ' I yow biseke ' — 'No "maister,'' sire,' quod he, 'but servitour, Thogh I have had in scole swich honour ; God liketh nat that " Raby " men us calle, Neither in market ne in youre large halle. ' 'No fors,' quod he, 'but tel me al youre grief.' 2172. se wel that som, E trowe sotn maner. 184 'Sire,' quod this frere, 'an odious meschief 2190 This day bityd is to myn ordre and me ; And so par consequens in ech degree Of hooly chirche ; God amende it soone ! ' ' Sire,' quod the lord, ' ye woot what is to doone ; Distempre yow noght, ye be my confes- sour ; Ye been the salt of the erthe and the savour ; For Goddes love youre pacience ye holde ; Tel me youre grief ; and he anon hym tolde. As ye han herd bifom, ye woot wel what. The lady of the hous al stille sat 220a Til she had herde what the frere sayde ; ' Ey ! Goddes mooder,' quod she, — ' blisful mayde ! Is ther oght elles? Telle me feithfiilly.' 'Madame,' quod he, 'how thynke ye hereby ? ' ' How that me thynketh ? ' quod she ; ' so God me speede ! I seye, a cherle hath doon a cherles dede. What sholde I seye? God lat hym never thee. His sike heed is ful of vanytee ; I holde hym in a manere frenesye.' 'Madame,' quod, he, 'by God I shal nat lye, 2210 But I on oother wise may be awreke, I shal disclaundre hym, over al ther I speke, — This false blasphemour that charged me To parte that wol nat departed be, — To every man yliche, with meschaunce ! ' The lord sat stille, as he were in a traunce. And in his herte he rolled up and doun ' How hadde the cherl ymaginacioun. To shewe swich a probleme to the frere ? Never erst er now herd I of swich mateere ; 222c I trowe the devel putte it in his mynde. In ars-metrike shal ther no man fynde, Biforn this day of swich a questiouD. 221 1. wise^'W^ weyeS' GROUP D SUMMONER'S TALE 2224-2294 Certes, it was a shrewed conclusioun, That everyman sholde haveyliche his part, As of the soun or savour of a fart. vile proude cherl ! I shrewe his face ! Lo, sires,' quod the lord, with harde grace, ' Who herd ever of swich a thyng er now ? " To every man ylike," — tel me how ? It is an inpossible, it may nat be. 2231 Ey, nyce cherl ? God lete thee never thee ! The rumblynge of a fart, and every soun, Nis but of eir reverberacioun, And ever it wasteth, litel and litel awey. Ther is no man kan demen, by my fey ! If that it were departed equally. What, lo, my cherl, lo, yet how shrewedly. Unto my confessour to day he spak ; 1 holde hym, certeyn, a demonyak. 2240 Now ete youre mete, and lat the cherl go pleye. Lat hym go honge hymself a devel weye ! ' The wordes of the lordes Squier and his kervere for departynge of the fart on twelve Now stood the lordes Squier at the bord. That karf his mete, and herde, word by word, Of alle thynges whiche that I have sayd ; ' My lord,' quod he, ' be ye nat yvele apayd, I koude telle for a gowne-clooth To yow, sir frere, so ye be nat wrooth, How that this fart sholde evene y-deled be Among youre covent, if it lyked me. ' 2250 'Tel,' quod the lord, 'and thou shalt have anon A gowne-clooth, by God, and by Seint John ! ' 'My lord,' quod he, 'whan that the weder is fair, Withouten wynd, or perturbynge of air, Lat brynge a cartewheel into this halle, — But looke that it have his spokes alle, — Twelve spokes hath a cartwheel comunly ; And bryng me thanue twelf freres, — woot ye why ? 2224. H6 read who schulde make a demanstm- cioun. 2227. vihy H6 nyce. For thritten is a covent, as I gesse ; The confessour heere, for his worthynesse, Shal parfoume up the nombre of his covent. 2261 Thanne shal they knele doun, by oon assent, And to every spokes ende, in this manere, Ful sadly leye his nose shal a frere. Youre noble confessour there, God hym save ! Shal holde his nose upright under the nave. Thanne shal this cherl, with bely stif and toght As any labour, hyder been y-broght. And sette hym on the wheel right of this cart, 2269 Upon the nave, and make hym lete a fart, And ye shul seen, up peril of my lyf. By preeve which that is demonstratif, That equally the soun of it wol wende, And eke the stynk, unto the spokes ende, — Save that this worthy man,- youre con- fessour. By cause he is a man of greet honour, Shal have the firste fruyt, as resoun is. The noble usage of freres yet is this. The worthy men of hem shul first be served, — 2279 And certeinly, he hath it weel disserved, He hath to day taught us so muchel good With prechyng in the pulpit ther he stood. That I may vouchesauf, I sey for me. He hadde the firste smel of fartes three, And so wolde al the covent hardily ; He bereth hym so faire and hoolily.' The lord, the lady, and alle men save the frere, Seyden that Jankyn spak in this matere As wel as Euclude, or Protholomee : Touchjmge this cherl, they seyden, sub- tiltee 2290 And heigh wit made hym speken as he He nys no fool, ne no demonyak ; And Jankyn hath y-wonne a newe gowne. My tale is doon, — we been almoost at towne. 2272. jireeve ■which, H verray proef, 2289. Protholomee, Ptolemy. 2294. at towne, Sittingboume. i8S -58 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP E GROUP E Heere folweth The Prologe of the Clerkes Tale of Oxenford ' Sire Clerk of Oxenford,' cure Hoste sayde, 'Ye ryde as coy and stille as dooth ». mayde, Were newe spoused, sittynge at the bord ; This day ne herd I of youre tonge a word. I trowe ye studie aboute soiu sophyme ; But Salomon seith " every thyng hath tyme. " For Goddes sake ! as beth of bettre cheere ! It is no tyme for to studien heere ; Telle us som myrie tale, by youre fey ! For what man that is entred in a pley, lo He nedes moot unto the pley assente ; But precheth nat, as freres doon in Lente, To make us for oure olde synnes wepe, Ne that thy tale make us nat to slepe. Telle us som murie thyug of aventiires, — Youre termes, youre col6urs, and youre ■ figures Keepe hem in stoor til so be ye endite Heigh style, as whan that men to kynges write ; Speketh so pleyn at this tyme, I yow preye, 19 That we may understonde what ye seye.' This worthy clerk benignely answerde, ' Hoste, ' quod he, ' I am under youre yerde, Ye han of us, as now, the governance. And therefor wol I do yow obeisance As fer as resoun axeth hardily. I wol yow telle a tale which that I Lemed at Padwe of a worthy clerk. As preved by his wordes and his werk ; He is now deed and nayled in his cheste, I prey to God so yeve his soule reste ! 30 ' Fraunceys Petrak, the lauriat poete, Highte this clerk whos rethorike sweete Enlumyned al Ytaille of poetrie, — 19. I,Wwe. 27. Lemed at Padwe, Petrarch was either at or near Padua from Jan. to Sept. r373, and Chaucer may_ perhaps have visited him on his Genoese mission of that year. 29. deed. Pettarch died in 1374. As Lynyan dide of philosophie. Or lawe, or oother art particuler, — But deeth, that wol nat suffre us dwellen beer. But as it were a twynklyng of an eye. Hem bothe hath slayn, and alle shul we dye. But forth to tellen of this worthy man That taughte me this tale, as I bigan, 40 I seye that first with heigh stile he enditeth, Er he the body of his tale writeth, A prohemye, in the which discryveth he Pemond, and of Saluces the contree ; And speketh of Apennyn, the hilles hye That been the boundes of West Lum- bardye, And of Mount Vesulus in special. Where as the Poo out of a welle smal Taketh his firste spryngyng and his sours. That estward ay encresseth in his cours 50 To Emeleward, to Ferrare and Venyse, — The which a longe thyng were to devyse, And trewely, as to my juggement. Me thynketh it a thyng impertinent. Save that he wole convoyen his mateere ; But this is his tale which that ye may heere. ' CLERK OF OXFORD'S TALE Heere bigynneth The Tale of the Clerk of Oxenford Ther is, at the West syde of Ytaille, Doun at the roote of Vesulus the colde, 34. Lynyan, an Italian jurist, who died in 1383. 44. Pemond, Piedmont. 44. Saluces, Saluzzo. 47. Mount Vesulus, Monte Vise. 51, 'Xo Emeleward, i.e. towards the district traversed hy the old Via AetniUana. 56. this ts, E2 this. The Tale of the Clerk. This is for the most part a close rendering of the, Latin version of the Tale of Griselda, written by Petrarch after reading Boccaccio's story in the Decamerone. Chaucer's chief departures from Petrarch, ^e pointed out in the notes. 186 GROUP E CLERK OF OXFORD'S TALE 59-11:9 A lusty playne, habundant of vitaille, Where many a tour and toun thou mayst biholde 60 That founded were in tyme of fadres olde, And many another delitable sighte, And Saluces this noble contree highte. A markys whilom lord was of that lond, As were his worthy eldres hym bifore, And obeisant and redy to his bond Were alle his liges, bothe lasse and moore. Thus in delit he lyveth, and hath doon yoore, Biloved and drad, thurgh fevour of Fortune, 69 Bothe of his lordes and of his commune. Therwith he was, to speke as of lynage. The gentilleste y-bom of Lumbardye ; A feire persone, and strong, and yong of age, And fill of honour and of curteisye ; Discreet ynogh his contree for to gye, — Save in somme thynges that he was to blame, — And Walter was this yonge lordes name. I blame him thus, that he considered noght In tyme comjmge what hym myghte bityde ; 79 But in his lust present was al his thoght, As for to hauke and hunte on every syde, Wei ny alle othere cures leet he slyde ; And eek he nolde, and that was worst of alle, Wedde no wyf, for noght that may bifalle. Oonly that point his peple bar so soore That flokmeele on a day they to hym wente. And oon of hem that wisest was of loore, — 78. considered, E5 considereth. We may quote the original of this stanza to show how_ close Chaucer keeps to his text : ' vir insjgnis _ nisi ?[uod, prasenti sua sorte contentus, incuriosissimus uturorum erat. Itaque venatui aucupioque de- ditus sic illis incubuerat ut alia pene cuncta negligeret ; quodque in primis Kgre populi fere- bant alj ipsis quoque conjugii consdiis abhor- reret ' Or elles that the lord best wolde assente That he sholde telle hym what his peple mente. Or elles koude he showe wel swich mateere, — 90 He to the markys seyde as ye shul heere : ' O noble markys, youre humanitee Asseureth us and yeveth us hardinesse As ofle as tyme is of necessitee That we to yow mowe telle oure hevy- nesse. Accepteth, lord, now for youre gentillesse. That we with pitous herte unto yow pleyne. And lat youre eres nat my voys desdeyne. Al have I nogljt to doone in this mateere Moore than another man hath in this place, Yet for as muche as ye, my lord so deere, Han alwey shewed me favour and grace, I dar the bettre aske of yow a space Of audience, to shewen oure requeste. And ye, my lord, to doon right as yow leste ; For certes, lord, so wel us liketh yow And al youre werk, and ever han doon, that we Ne koude nat us-self devysen how We myghte lyven in moore felicitee. Save o thyng, lord, if it youre wille be, no That for to been a wedded man yow leste ; Thanne were youre peple in sovereyn hertes reste. Boweth youre nekke under that blisfiil yok Of soveraynetee, noght of servyse, Which that men clepeth spousaille or wedlok. And thenketh, lord, among youre thoghtes wyse. How that oure dayes passe in sondry wyse. For thogh we slepe, or wake, or rome, or ryde. Ay fleeth the tyme, it nyl no man abyde ; 113. Chaucer here transfers Petrarch's epithets. ' Cotlumque non liberum modo sed imperiosum 1 legitimo subjicias jugo' is the Latin. 187 120-192 THU CANTERBURY 'TAL&S GROUP E And thogh youre grene youthe floure as yit, 120 In crepeth age alwey, as stille as stoon, And Deeth manaceth every age and sniyt In ech estaat, for ther escapeth noon ; And al so certein as we knowe echoon That we shul deye, as uncerteyn we alle Been of that day whan deeth shal on us falle. ■ Accepteth thanne of us the trewe entente That never yet refiiseden thyn heeste, And we wol, lord, if that ye wole assente, Chese yow a wyf in short tyme atte leeste, Born of the gentilleste and of the meeste Of al this land, so that it oghte seme Honour to God and yow, as we kan deeme. Delivere us out of al this bisy drede, And taak a -fiyi, for hye Goddes sake ; For if it so bifelle, as God forbede ! That thurgh youre deeth youre lyne sholde slake, And that a straunge siiccessour sholde take Youre heritage, O, wo were us alyve ! Wherfore we pray you hastily to wyve.' 140 Hir meeke preyere, and hir pitous cheere, Made the markys herte han pitee. 'Ye wol,' quod he, 'myn owene peple deere. To that I never erst thoughte streyne me. I me rejoysed of my libertee. That seelde tyme is founde in mariage ; Ther I was free, I moot been in servage ; But nathelees, -I se youre .trewe entente. And trust upon youre wit, and have doon ay ; Wherfore, of my free viryl, I wole assente To wedde me as soone as ever I may. ' 151 But ther as ye han profred me this day To chese me a wyf, I yow relesse That choys, and prey yow of that profre cesse. For, God it woot, that children ofte been Unlyk hir worthy eldres hem bifore ; Bountee comth al of God, nat of the streen Of which they been engendred and y-bore. I truste in Goddes bontee, and therfore My mariage, and myn estaat and reste, I hym bitake, — ^he may doon as hym leste. Lat me allone in chesynge of my wyf — That charge upon my bak I wol endure ; But I yow preye, and charge upon youre lyf. That what wyf that I take, ye me assure Toworshipehire, whilthathirlyfmaydure, In word and werk, bothe heere and everywheere. As she an emperoures doghter weere ; And forthermoore, this shal ye swere, that ye Agayn my choys shul neither grucche ne stryve ; . 170 For sith I shal forgoon my libertee At youre requeste, as ever moot I thryve ! Ther as myn herte is set, ther wol I wyve; And, but ye wole assente in this manere, I preyyowspekethnamooreofthis matere.' With hertely wyl they sworen and assenten To al this th)Tig, ther seyde no wight nay; Bisekynge hym of grace, er that they wenten. That he wolde graunten hem a certein day Of his spousaille, as soone as ever he may ; For yet alwey the peple somwhat dredde Lest that this markys no wyf wolde wedde. He graunted hem a day, swich as hym leste. On which he wolde be wedded sikerly. And seyde he dide al this at hir requeste ; And they, with humble entente, buxomly, Knelynge upon hir knees M reverently, Hym thonken alle ; and thus they han an ende Of hire entente, and hoom agayn they wende. And heer-upon he to his officeres 190 Comaundeth for the feste to purveye ; And to his privee knyghtes and squieres 174. And but ye wole, etc., not in Latin. 188 CLERK OF OXFORD'S TALE 193-266 Swich charge yaf as hym liste on hem leye ; And they to his comandement obeye, And ech of hem dooth al his diligence To doon unto the feeste reverence. Noght fer fro thilke paleys honurable Ther as this markys shoope his mariage, There stood a throop, of site delitable, In which that poure folk of that village Hadden hir beestes and hir herbergage, And of hire labour tooke hir sustenance, After the erthe yaf hem habundance. 203 Among thise poure folk ther dwelte a man Which that was holden pourest of hem alle,— But hye God som tyme senden kan His grace into a litel oxes stalle ; Janicula, men of that throope hym calle ; A doghter hadde he fair ynogh to sighte, And Grisildis this yonge mayden highte. But for to speke of vertuous beautee Thanne was she oon the faireste under Sonne, For poureliche y-fostred up was she ; No Ukerous lust was thurgh hire herte y-ronne, Wei ofter of the welle than of the tonne She drank, and for she wolde vertu plese She knew wel labour, but noon ydel ese. But thogh this mayde tendre were of age. Yet in the brest of hire virginitee 219 Ther was enclosed rype and sad corage. And in greet reverence and charitee Hir olde, poure fader fostred shee ; A fewe sheepe, spynnynge, on feeld she kepte. She wolde noght been ydel til she slepte. And whan she homward cam she wolde brynge Wortes, or othere herbes, tymes ofte. The whiche she shredde and seeth for hir lyvynge. 215-220. Chaucer's addition. And made hir bed fill harde and no thyng softe ; And ay she kepte hir fadres lyf on-lofte, With everich obeisaunce and diligence That child may doon to fadres reverence. Upon Grisilde, this poure creature, Ful ofte sithe this markys sette his eye As he on huntyng rood paraventure ; And, whan it fil that he myghte hire espye. He noght with wantowne lookyng of folye His eyen caste on hire, but in sad wyse Upon hir chiere he gan hym ofte avyse, Commendynge in his herte hir womman- hede, 239 And eek hir virtu, passynge any wight Of so yong age, as wel in chiere as dede ; For thogh the peple have no greet insight In vertu, he considered fill right Hir bountee, and disposed that he wolde Wedde hire oonly, if ever he wedde sholde. The dayof weddyng cam, but no wight kan Telle what womman that it sholde be ; For which merveille wondred many a man. And seyden, whan they were in privetee, 'Wol nat cure lord yet leve his vanytee? Wol he nat wedde? alias! alias! the while! Why wole he thus hymself and us bigile ? ' But nathelees this markys hath doon make. Of gemmes, set in gold and in asure, ■ Brooches and rynges, for Grisildis sake ; And of hir clothyng took he the mesure B^ a mayde lyke to hire of stature. And eek of othere ornementes alle That unto swich a weddyng sholde falle. The time of undern of the same day Approcheth, that this weddyng sholde be, And al the paleys put was in array, 262 Bothehall andchambres, ech inhisdegree; Houses of office stuffed with plentee, Ther maystow seen of deynteuous vitaille That may be founde as fer as last Ytaille. 233, sette, E caste. 238. gan, H* wolde. 249-252. Chaucer's addition. 263-266. Chaucer's addition. 189 267-343 THE CANTERBURY TALES This roial markys richely arrayed, Lordes and ladyes in his compaignye, The whiche to the feeste weren y-prayed, And of his retenue the bachelrye, 270 With many a soun of sondry melodye^ Unto the village of the which I tolde, In this array the righte wey "han holde. Grisilde of this, God woot, fill innocent. That for hire shapen was al this array, To fecchen water at a welle is went. And Cometh hoom as scone as ever she may; For wel she hadde herd seyd that thilke day The markys sholde wedde, and if she • myghte 279 She wolde fayn han seyn som of that sighte. She thoghte, 'I wole with othere maydens stonde. That been my felawes, in oure dore and se The markysesse, and therfore wol I fonde To doon at hoom as soone as it may be The labour which that longeth unto me ; And thanne I may at leyser hire biholde If she this wey unto the castel holde.' And as she wolde over hir thresshfold gon The markys cam, and gan hire for to calle ; And she set doun hir water pot anon 290 Biside the thresshfold in an oxes stalle, And doun upon hir knes she gan to falle. And with sad contenance kneleth stille Til she had herd what was the lordes will. This thoghtful markysspak unto this mayde Ful sobrely, and seyde in this manere : ' Where is youre fader, Grisildis ? ' he sayde ; And she with reverence, in humble cheere, Answerde, ' Lord, he is al redy heere ' ; And in she gooth withouten lenger lette. And to the markys she hir fader fette. 301 He by the hand thanne took this olde man, Andseyde thus, whan he hym hadde asyde, 'Janicula, I neither' may ne kan Lenger the plesance of myn herte hyde. 267. richely, H2 really (royally). .^ z8i sqq. Theformof the soliloquy is Chaucer's. 290-294. Chaucer's addition. If that thou vouchesauf, what-so bityde, Thy doghter wol I take, er that I wende, As for my vr^ unto hir lyves ende. Thou lovest me, I woot it wel certeyn, , And art my feithful lige man y-bore, 310 And all that liketh me, I dar wel seyn. It liketh thee, and specially therfore, Tel me that poynt that I have seyd bifoie. If that thou wolt unto that purpos drawe. To take me as for thy sone-in-lawe.' This sodejm cas this man astonyed so That reed he wax, abayst, and al quakyng He stood ; unnethes seyde he wordes mo, But oonly thus: 'Lord,' quod he, 'my willyng 319 Is as ye wole, ne ayejmes youre likyng I wol no thyng, ye be my lord so deere ; Right as yow lust governeth this mateere.' ' Yet wol I,' quod this markys softely, 'That in thy chambre, I, and thou, and she. Have a coUacioun, and wostow why ? For I wol axe if it hire wille be To be my wyf, and reule hire after me ; And al this shal be doon in thy presence, I wol noght speke out of thyn audience.' And in the chambre whil they were aboute 330 Hir tretys, which as ye shal after heere. The peple cam unto the hous with-oute. And wondred hem in how honeste manere. And tentifly, she kepte hir fader deere ; But outrely Grisildis wondre myghte. For never erst ne saugh she swich a sighte. No wonder is thogh that she were astoned To seen so greet a gest come in that place ; She never was to swiche gestes woned. For which she looked with fill pale face. But, shortly forth this tale for to chace, 341 Thise arn the wordes that the markys sayde To this benigne, verray, feithful mayde : 334. tentifly, H tendurly. 340. Chaucer's conventional addition. 341. tale, H6 matiere. 190 GROUP E CLERK OF OXFORD'S TALE 344-413 'Grisilde,' he seyde, 'ye shal wel understonde It liketh to youre fader and to me That I yow wedde ; and eek it may so stonde. As I suppose, ye wol that it so be ; But thise demandes axe I first,' quod he, ' That sith it shal be doon in hastif wyse, Wol ye assente or elles yow avyse ? 350 I seye this, be ye redy with good herte To al my lust, and that I frely may As me best thynketh do yow laughe or smerte. And never ye to grucche it nyght ne day? And eek whan I sey "ye" ne sey nat "nay," Neither by word, ne frownyng contenance? Swere this, and heere I swere oure alli- ance.' Wondrynge upon this word, quakynge for drede, She seyde; ' Lord, undigne and unworthy Am I to thilke honour that ye me beede ; But as ye wole youreself, right so wol I, 361 And heere I swere that never willyngly In werk, ne thoght, I nyl yow disobeye. For to be deed, though me were looth to deye ! ' ' This is ynogh, Grisilde myn,' quod he. And forth he gooth with a ful sobre cheere Out at the dore, and after that cam she. And to the peple he seyde in this manere : ' This is my 'Wji,' quod he, ' that standeth heere ; 3^9 Honoureth hire, and loveth hire, I preye, Whoso me loveth; ther isnamoore to seye.' And for that nothyng of hir olde gere She sholde brynge into his hous, he bad That wommen sholde dispoillen hire right there ; Of which thise ladyes were nat right glad To handle hir clothes wher-inne she was clad ; But nathelees this mayde, bright of hewe. Fro foot to heed they clothed han al newe. 375* 376* Chaucer here varies needlessly from Petrarch. Hir heris han they kembd, that lay un- tressed Ful rudely, and with hir fyngres smale 380 A corone on hire heed they han y-dressed. And sette hire ful of nowches grete and smale. Of hire array what sholde I make a tale ? Unnethe the peple hire knew for hire faimesse, ^ Whan she translated was in swich richesse. This markys hath hire spoused with a Broght for the same cause, and thanne hire sette Upon an hors snow- whit and wel amblyng. And to his paleys, er he lenger lette. With joyful peple that hire ladde and mette, 390 Convoyed hire, and thus the day they spende In revel til the sonne gan descende ; And, shortly forth this tale for to chace, I seye that to this newe markysesse God hath swich fevour sent hire of his grace, That it ne semed nat by liklynesse That she was born and fed in rudenesse. As ill: a cote, or in an oxe stalle. But norissed in an emperoures halle. To every wight she woxen is so deere And worshipful, that folk ther she was bore, 401 And from hire birthe knewe hire yeer by yeere, Unnethe trowed they, but dorstehan swore That to Janicle of which I spak bifore She doghter nere, for, as by conjecture. Hem thoughte she was another creature ; For though that ever vertuous was she. She was encressed in swich excellence Of thewes goode, y-set in heigh bountee, And so discreet and fair of eloquence, 41C3 So benigne, and so digne of reverence. And koude so the peples herte embrace. That ech hire lovede that looked onhir face. 191 414-483 THE CANTERBURY TALES Noght oonly of Saluces in the toun Publiced was the bountee of hir name. But eek biside in many a regioun, If con seide wel, another seyde the same. So spradde of hire heighe bountee the fame That men and wommen, as wel yonge as olde, Goon to Saluce upon hire to bihold. 420 / Thus Walter lowely — nay, but roially — ■ Wedded with fortunat honestetee, In Goddes pees lyveth ful esily At hoom, and outward grace ynogh had he ; And for he saugh that under lowe degree Was ofte vertu hid, the peple hym heelde A prudent man, and that is seyn ful seelde. Nat oonly this Grisildis thurgh hir wit Koude al the feet of wyfly homlynesse. But eek, whan that the cas required it, 430 The commune profit koude she redresse ; Ther nas discord, rancour, ne hevynesse, In al that land, that she ne koude apese. And wisely brynge hem alle in reste and ese. Though that hire housbonde absent were anon. If gentil men or othere of hire contree Were wrothe," she wolde bryngenhem aton; So wise and rype wordes hadde she. And juggementz of so greet equitee, That she firom hevene sent was, as men wende, 440 Peple to save and every wrong tamende. Nat longe tyme after that this Grisild Was wedded, she a doghter hath y-bore, Al had hire levere have born a knave child. Glad was this markys and the folk ther- fore, For though a mayde child coome al bifore. She may unto a knave child atteyne, By liklihede, syn she nys nat bareyne. Ther fil, as it bifalleth tymes mo. Whan that this child had souked but a tbrowe, 450 IS. bountegy E beaHtee, This markys in his herte longeth so To tempte his wyf, hir sadnesse for to knowe. That he ne myghte out of his herte throwe This merveillous desir his wyf tassaye ; Nedelees, God woot, he thoghte hire for taffraye. He hadde assayed hire ynogh bifore. And foond hire ever goode, — what neded it Hire for to tempte, and alwey moore and moore ? Though som men preise it for a subtil wit, But as for me, I seye that yvele it sit 460 To assaye a wyf whan that it is no nede. And putten hire in angwyssh and in drede. For which this markys wroghte in this manere ; He cam allone a nyght, ther as she lay. With stierne face and with fill trouble cheere. And seyde thus: 'Grisilde,' quod he, ' that day That I yow took out of youre poure array And putte yow in estaat of heigh noblesse, — Ye have nat that forgeten, as I gesse ? I seye, Grisilde, this present dignitee 470 In which that I have put yow, as I trowe, Maketh yow nat forgetfiil for to be That I yow took in poure estaat fill lowe ; For any wele ye moot youreselven knowe j Taak heede of every word that I yow seye, Ther is no wight that hereth it but we tweye. Ye woot youreself wel how that ye cam heere Into this hous, it is nat longe ago. And though to me that ye be lief and deere, Unto my gentils ye be no thyng so ; 480 They seyn to hem it is greet shame and wo For to be sub^etz, and been in servage, To thee, that born art of a smal village ; 460. Chaucer is here much more emphatic than Petrarch. 192 CLERK OF OXFORD'S TALE 484-548 And namely sith thy doghter was y-bore Thise wordes han they spoken, dbutelees ; But I desire, as I have doon bifore, To lyve my lyf with hem in reste and pees ; I may nat in this caas be recchelees, I moot doon with thy doghter for the baste, Nat as I wolde, but as my peple leste ; 490 And yet, God woot, this is ful looth to me ; But nathelees withoute youre wityng I wol nat doon, but this wol I,' quod he, ' That ye to me assente, as in this thyng. Shewe now youre pacience in youre werkjmg, That ye me highte and swore in youre village, That day that maked was oure mariage. ' Whan she had herd al this she noght ameved, Neither in word, or chiere, or coun- tenaunce. For as it semed she was nat agreved. 500 She seyde, ' Lord, al lyth in youre plesaunce ; My child and I, with hertely obeisaunce, Been youres al, and ye mowe save or spille Youre owene thyng ; werketh after youre wille. Ther may no-thyng, God so my soule save ! Liken to yow that may displese me ; Ne I desire no-thyng for to have, Ne drede for to leese, save oonly yee ; This wyl is in myn herte, and ay shal be. No lengthe of tyme, or deeth, may this deface, 510 Ne chaunge my corage to another place.' Glad was this markys of hire answeryng. But yet he feyned as he were nat so ; Al drery was his cheere and his lookyng, Whan that he sholde out of the chambre go- Soone after this, a furlong wey or two. He prively hath toold al his entent Unto a man, and to his wyf hym sente. A maner sergeant was this privee man. The which that feithfiil ofte he founden hadde 520 In thynges grete, aiid eek swich folk wel kan Doon execucioun in thynges badde ; The lord knew wel that he hym loved and dradde : And whan this sergeant wiste his lordes wille. Into the chambre he stalked hym ful stille. ' Madame,' he seyde, ' ye moote foryeve it me, Though I do thyng to which I am constrejmed ; Ye been so wys, that ful wel knowe ye That lordes heestes mowe nat been y-feyned : They mowe wel been biwailled and compleyned, 530 But men moote nede unto hire lust obeye. And so wol I ; ther is namoore to seye. This child I am comanded for to take,'^ — And spak namoore but out the child he hente Despitously, and gan a cheere make As though he wolde han slayn it er he wente. Grisildis moot al suffren and consente ; And as a lamb she sitteth meke and stille. And leet this crueel sergeant doon his wille. Suspecious was the dififame of this man. Suspect his face, suspect his word also, 541 Suspect the tyme in which he this bigan ; Alias, hir doghter that she loved so. She wende he wolde han slawen it right tho; But nathelees she neither weepe ne syked, Consentynge hire to that the markys lyked ; But atte laste to spelcen she bigan. And mekely she to the sergeant preyde. 546. Consentynge^ H" Conformyng, 193 549-6" THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP E'; So as he was a worthy gentil man, That she moste kisse hire child er that it deyde. 550 And in hir barm this litel child she leyde With ful sad face, and gan the child to blisse. And lulled it, and after gan it kisse ; And thus she seyde in hire benigne voys, ' Fareweel, my child, I shal thee never see ! But sith I thee have marked with thecroys. Of thilke Fader, blessed moote he be. That for us deyde up on a croys of tree. Thy soule, litel child, I hym bitake, 359 For this nyght shaltow dyen for my sake.' I trowe that to a norice in this cas It had been hard this reuthe for to se ; Wei myghte a mooder thanne han cryd, alias! But natheless, so sad stidefast was she, That she endured al adversitee. And to the sergeant mekely she sayde, ' Have heer agayn youre litel yonge mayde ; Gooth now,' quod she, 'and'dooth my lordes heeste ; But o thyng wol I prey yow of youre grace, That, but my lord forbad yow, atte leeste Burieth this litel body in som place 571 That beestes, ne no briddes, it to-race ' ; But he no word wol to that purpos sftye. But took the child and wente upon his weye. This sergeant cam unto his lord ageyn. And of Grisildis wordes and hire cheere He tolde hym point for point, in short and pleyn. And hym presenteth with his doghter deere. Somwhat this lord hath routhe in his manere, But nathelees his purpos heeld he stille, 580 554-560. Chaucer's addition, though Petrarch mentions the signing with the cross. 567. This pretty hne is Chaucer's addition. As lordes doon whan they wol han hir . wille ; And bad his sergeant that he pryvely Sholde this child ful softe wynde and wrappe With alle circumstances, tendrely. And carie it in a cofire, or in a lappe ; But, upon peyne his heed of for to swappe. That no man sholde knowe of his entente, Ne whenne he cam, ne whider that he wente ; But at Boloigne to his suster deere, That thilke tyme of Panik was countesse. He sholde it take, and shewe hire this mateere, 591 Bisekynge hire to doon hire bisynesse This child to fostre in alle gentillesse ; And whos child that it was he bad hirhyde From every wight for oght that maybityde. The sergeant gooth, and hath fulfild this thyng ; But to this markys now retourne we. For now gooth he fill faste ymaginyng If by his wyves cheere he myghte se. Or by hire word aperceyve, that she 600 Were chaunged ; but he never hire koude iynde But ever in oon ylike sad and kynde. As glad, as humble, as bisy in servyse, And eek in love, as she was wont to be. Was she to hym in every maner wyse ; Ne of hir doghter noght a word spak she. Noon accident for noon adversitee Was seyn in hire, ne never hir doghter name Ne nempned she, in ernest nor in game. In thb estaat ther passed been foure year Er she with childe was; but, as God wolde, 581. Chaucer's comment. 589. Boloigne^ Bologna. 590. Pamk, W Pavyk, Fame: ' Comiti de Panico' in Petrarch. 607-609, An unhappy translation of Petrarch s ' nunquam sine ex proposito siue incidenter nomen eius ex ore matris auditum.' 194 CLERK OF OXFORD'S TALE 612-682 A knave child she bar by this Walter, Ful gracious and fair for to biholde ; And whan that folk it to his fader tolde, Nat oonly he, but al his contree, merye Was for this child, and God they thanke and herye. Whan it was two year old, and fro the brest Departed of his norice, on a day This markys caughte yet another lest To tempte his wyf yet ofter, if he may. 620 O, nedelees was she tempted in assay ! But wedded men ne knowe no mesure Whan that they fynde a pacient creature ! 'Wyf,' quod this markys, 'ye han herd er this My peple sikly berth oure mariage, And namely sith my sone y-boren is, Now is it worse than ever in al oure age. The murmure sleeth myn herte and my corage ; For to myne eres comth the voys so smerte That it wel ny destroyed hath myn herte. ' Now sey they thus : " Whan Walter is agon 631 Thanne shal the blood of Janicle succede. And been oure lord, for oother have we noon " ; Swichewordesseith my peple, out of drede, Wei oughte I of swichmurmur taken heede. For certeinly I drede swich sentence. Though they nat pleyn speke in myn audience. I wolde lyve in pees, if that I myghte, Wherfore I am disposed outrely, As I his suster servede by nyghte, 640 Right so thenke I to serve hym pryvely. This warne I yow, that ye nat sodeynly Out of youreself for no wosholdeoutreye — Beth pacient, and ther-of I yow preye.' ' I have,' quod she, ' seyd thus, and ever shal, I wol no thyng, ne nyl no thyng, certayn, But as yow list ; naught greveth me at al 62X-623. Chaucer's comment. Though that my doughter and my sone be slayn At youre comandement ; this is to sayn, I have noght had no part of children tweyne, 650 But first siknesse and after wo and peyne. Ye been oure lord, dooth with youre owene thyng Right as yow list, — axeth no reed at me, For as I lefte at hoom al my clothyng Whan I first cam to yow, right so, 'quod she, ' Lefte I my wyl, and al my libertee. And took youre clothyng ; wherfore I yow preye, Dooth youre plesaunce, I wol youre lust obeye. And certes, if I hadde prescience Youre wyl to knowe er ye youre lust me tolde, 660 I wolde it doon withooten necligence ; But now I woot youre lust and what ye wolde, Al youre plesance fermeand stable I holde; Forwiste I that my deeth wolde doyowese. Right gladly wolde I dyen, yow to plese ; Deth may noght make no comparisoun .Unto youre love '; and whan this markys say The Constance of his wyf, he caste adoun His eyen two, and wondreth that she may In pacience suffre al this array ; 670 And forth he goth with drery contenance. But to his herte it was ful greet plesance. This ugly sergeant, in the same wyse That he hire doghter caughte, right so he, Or worse, if men worse kan devyse. Hath hent hire sone that ful was of beautee. And ever in oon so pacient was she That she no chiere maade of hevynesse. But kiste hir sone, and after gan it blesse ; Save this : she preyde hym, that, if he myghte, 680 Hir litel sone he wolde in erthe grave. His tendre lymes, delicaat to sighte, 667. youre^ Corp.^tjur, supported bj^PetrarcL's ' nee mors ipsa nostra fuerit par amori.' I9S 683-759 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP E Fro foweles and fro beestes for to save ; But she noon ans were of hym myghte have ; He wente his wey, as hym nothyng ne toghte, But to Boloigne he tendrely it broghte. This markys wondred ever lenger the moore Upon hir pacience, and if that he Ne hadde soothly knowen ther-bifoore That parfitly hir childreij loved she, 690 He wolde have wend that of som subtiltee, And of malice, or for crueel corage, That she hadde suffred this with sad visage ; But wel he knew, that nexthymself, certayn She loved hir children best in every wyse. But now of wommen wolde I axen fayn If thise assayes myghte nat sufEse ? What koude a sturdy housbonde moore devyse To preeve hire wyfhod and hir stedefast- nesse, 699 And he continuynge ever in sturdinesse ? But ther been folk of swich condicioun That whan they have a certein purpos take, They kan nat stynte of hire entencioun, But, right as they were bounden to that stake, They wol nat of that firste purpos slake. Right so this markys fiilliche hath purposed To tempte his wyf as he was first disposed. He waiteth, if by word or contenance. That she to hjrni was changed of corage ; But never koude he fynde variance : 710 She was ay oon in herte and in visage. And ay the forther that she was in age The moore trewe, if that it were possible. She was to hym in love, and moore penyble; For which it semed thus that of hem two Ther nas but o wyl, for as Walter leste. The same lust was hire plesance also ; And, God be thanked, al fil for the beste. She shewed wel, for no worldly unreste A wyf, as of hirself, no thing ne sholde 720 Wille in effect, but as hir housbonde wolde. S^, It is Ghaucer who addresses the query to 'W07ne7U The sclaundre of Walter ofle and wyde spradde, That of a crueel herte he wikkedly, ' For he a poure womman wedded hadde, Hath mordred bothe his children prively. Swich murmure was among hem comunly. No wonder is, for to the peples ere Ther cam no word but that they mordred For which, where-as his peple ther-bifore Hadde loved hym wel, the sclaundre of his diffame 730 Made hem that they hym hatede therfore. To been a mordrere is an hatefiil name, But nathelees, for ernest ne for game. He of his crueel purpos nolde stente ; To teihpte his wyf was set al his entente. Whan that his doghter twelf yeer was of age He to the court of Rome, in subtil wyse Enformed of his wyl, sente his message, Comaundynge hemswiche buUes todevyse As to his crueel purpos may sufiyse, 740 How that the pope, as for his peples reste. Bad hym to wedde another, if hym leste. I seye, he bad they shblde countrefete The popes buUes, makynge mencioun That he hath leve; his firste wyf to lete, As by the popes dispensacioun, To stynte rancour and dissencioun Bitwixe his peple and hym ; thus seyde the bulle. The which they han publiced atte fiiUe. The rude peple, as it no wonder is, 7S0 Wenden ful wel that it hadde be right so ; But whan thise tidynges cam to Grisildis I deeme that hire herte was ful wo ; But she — ^ylike sad for evermo — Disposed was, this humble creature The adversitee of Fortune al tendure, Abidynge ever his lust and his plesance To whom that she was yeven herte and al. As to hire verray worldly suffisance. 759 754. sadi constant ; Petrarch's ' inconcussa.' 196 GROUP E CLERK OF OXFORD'S TALE 760-833 But, shortly if this storie I tellen shal, This markys writen hath in special A lettre, in which he sheweth his entente, And secreely he to Boloigne it sente. To the erl of Panyk, which that hadde the Wedded his suster, preyde he specially To bryngen hoom agayn his children two In honurable estaat al openly ; But o thyng he hym prgyede outrely. That he to no wight, though men wolde enquere, 769 Sholde nat telle whos children they were But seye, the mayden sholde y- wedded be Unto the markys of Saluce anon. And as this erl was preyed, so dide he ; For at day set he on his wey is goon Toward Saluce, and lordes many oon In riche array, this mayden for to gyde, Hir yonge brother ridynge hire bisyde. Arrayed was toward hir mariage This frfesshe mayde ful of gemmes cleere. Hir brother, which that seven yeer was of age, 780 Arrayed eek ful fressh in his manere ; And thus in greet noblesse and with glad cheere. Toward Saluces shapynge hir journey. Fro day to day they ryden in hir wey. Among al this, after his wikke usage. This markys, yet his wyf to tempte moore. To the uttereste preeve of hir corage. Fully to han experience and loore If that she were as stidefast as bifoore, He on a day, in open audience, 790 Ful boistously hath sej'd hire this sentence : ' Certes, Grisilde, I hadde ynogh plesance To han yow to my wyf for youregoodnesse. As for youre trouthe and for youre obeis- ance, 764. Panyk, E^ Pavyk, Pavi^. 770. they, E tkat they, 777. hire bisydet H? by hir syde. Noght for youre lynage, ne for youre richesse : But now knowe I in verray soothfastnesse That in greet lordshipe, if I wel avyse, Ther is greet servitute, in sondry wyse. I may nat doon as every plowman may, — My peple me constreyneth for to take 800 Another wyf, and crien day by day. And eek the pope, rancour for to slake, Consenteth it, that dar I undertake ; And treweliche thus muche I wol yow seye, My newe wyf is comynge by the weye. Be strong ofherte, and voy de anon hir place. And thilke dowere that ye broghten me, Taak it agayn, I graunte it of my grace. Retourneth to youre fadres hous,' quod he, ' No man may alwey han prosperitee. 810 With evene herte I rede yow tendure This strook of Fortune or of iventure. ' And she answerde agayn in pacience : 'My lord,' quod she, 'I woot and wiste alway How that bitwixen youre magnificence And my poverte no wight kan ne may Maken comparisoun, it is no nay ; I ne heeld me never digne in no manere To be youre wyf, no, ne youre chamberere ; And in thishoustheryeme lady maade, 820 The heighe God take I for my witnesse, And also wysly he my soule glaade ! I never heeld me lady, ne maistresse, But humble servant to youre worthynesse, And ever shal, whil that my lyf may dure, Aboven every worldly creature. That ye so longe, of youre benignitee, Han holden me in honour and nobleye. Where as I was noght worthy for to bee. That thonke I God, and yow, to whom I preye 830 Foryelde it yow ; ther is namoore to seye ; Unto my fader gladly wol I wende And with hym dwelle unto my lyves ende. 808. I £^aunte it 0/ my gxace. Petrarch only has * dotem tuam referens.' 811, 812. Chaucer's expansion of ' 2equa mente.' 197 834-910 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP E Ther I was fostred of a child fill smal, Til I be deed my lyf ther wol I lade, A wydwe clene, in -body, herte and al ; For sith I yaf to yow my inaydenhede, And am youre trewe wyf, it is no drede, God shilde swich a lordes wyf to take 839 Another man to housbonde or to make ; And of youre newe wyf God of his grace So graunte yow wele and prosperitee ; For I wol gladly yelden hire my place, In which that I was blis&l wont to bee ; For sith it liketh yow, my lord, 'quod shee, ' That whilom weren al myn hertes reste. That I shal goon, I wol goon whan yow leste. But ther as ye me profre swich dowaire As I first broghte, it is wel in my mynde It were my wrecched clothes, no thyngfaire. The whiche to me were hard now for to fynde. 851 O goode God, how gentil and how kynde Ye semed by yoTire speche and youre visage The day that maked was oure mariage ! But sooth is sqyd, algate I fynde it trewe, For in effect it preeved is on me. Love is noght oold as whan that it is newe ! But certes, lord, for noon adversitee. To dyen in the cas, it shal nat bee 859 That ever in word or werk I shal repente That I yow yaf myn herte in hool entente. My lord, ye woot that in my fadres place Ye dide me streepe out of my poure weede. And richely me cladden of youre grace. To yow broghte I noght elles, out of drede, But feithandnakednesseand maydenhede ; And heere agayn my clothyng I restoore. And eek my weddyng ryng, for evermore. The remenant of youre jueles redy be 869 In-with youre chambre, dar I saufly sayn. Naked out of my fadres hous,' quod she, ' I cam and naked moot I turne agayn ; Al youre plesance wol I folwen fayn ; 836-840. Expanded from Petrarch's ' Felix semper et honorabilis vidua, quae viri talis uxor fuerim.* 853-860. Chaucer's addition. 866,' nakednessBj H2 mekenes. But yet I hope it be nat youre entente That I smoklees out of youre paleys wente. Ye koude nat doon so dishoneste a thyng, That thilke wombe in which youre children leye Sholde bifom the peple, in my walkyng, Be seyn al bare, wherfore I yow preye, Lat me nat lyk a worm go by the weye. Remembre yow, myn owene lord, sodeere, I was youre wyf, though I unworthy weere; Wherfore in gerdoun of my maydenhede Which that I broghte, and noght agayn I bere. As vouchethsauf to yeve me to my meede But swich a smok as I was wont to were, That I ther-with may wrye the wombe of here That was youre wyf; and heer take I my leeve Of yow, mjm owene lord, lest I yow greve.' ' The smok,' quod he, ' that thou hast on thy bak, 890 Lat it be stille, and bere it forth with thee.' But wel unnethes thilke word he spak. But wente his wey, for routhe and for pitee. Bifom the folk hirselven strepeth she, And in her smok, with heed and foot al bare, Toward hir fader hous forth is she fere. The folk hire folwe wepynge in hir weye, And Fortune ay they cursen as they goon ; But she fro wepyng kepte hire eyen dreye, Ne in this tyme word ne spak she noon. Hir fader, that this tidynge herde anoon, Curseth the day and tyme that nature Shoope hym to been a lyves creature ; For out of doute this olde poure man Was ever in suspect of hir mariage ; For ever he demed, sith that it bigan, , That whan the lord fiilfild hadde his corage, Hym wolde thynke it were a disparage To his estaat, so lowe for talighte, And voyden hire as soone as ever he myghte. , 9" 888. and Jieer, etc., Chaucer's addition. 198 CLERK OF OXFORD'S TALE 911-977 Agayns his doghter hastiliche goth he, For he by noyse of folk knew hire comynge. And with hire olde coote, as it myghte be, He covered hire fill sorwefiiUy wepynge ; But on hire body myghte he it nat brynge, For rude was the clooth and moore of age By deyes fele than at hire mariage. Thus with hire fader, for a certeyn space, Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pac'ience, 919 That neither by hire wordes ne hire face, Bifom the folk, ne eek in hire absence, Ne shewed she that hire was doon offence ; Ne of hire he^he estaat no remembraunce Ne hadde she, as by hire contenaunce. No wonder is, for in hire grete estaat. Hire goost was ever in pleyn huraylitee ; No tendre mouth, noon herte delicaat, No pompe, no semblant of roialtee ; But fill of pacient benyngnytee. Discreet and pridelees, ay honurable, 930 And to hire housbonde ever meke and stable. Men speke of Job, and moost for his humblesse. As clerkes, whan hem list, konne wel endite, Namely of men, but as in soothfastnesse, Though clerkes preise wommen but a lite, Ther kan no man in humblesse hym acquite As wommen kan, ne kan been half so trewe As wommen been, but it be falle of newe. Fro Boloigne is this erl of Panyk come, Of which the feme up sprang to moore and lesse, 94° And to the peples eres, alle and some. Was kouth eek that a newe markysesse 915-917. Chaucer's perverse expansion of ' attritam senic' 032-938. Chaucer's addition,^ in apparent forget- fufness that it is a Clerk who is speaking. He with hym broghte, in swich pompe and richesse, That never was ther seyn with mannes eye So noble array in al West Lumbardye. The markys, which that shoope and knew al this, Er that this erl was come, sente his message For thilke sely, poure Grisildis ; And she with humbleherteandglad visage, Nat with no swollen thoght in hire corage. Cam at his heste, and on hire knees hire sette, 951 And reverently and wisely she hym grette. ' Grisilde,' quod he, ' my wyl is, outrely. This mayden, that shalwedded been to me. Received be to-morwe as roially As it possible is in myn hous to be. And eek that every wight in his degree Have his estaat in sittyng and servyse And heigh plesaunce as I kan best devyse. I have no wommen suffisaunt, certayn, 960 The chambres for tarraye in ordinaunce After my lust, and therfore wolde I fayn That thyn were al swich manere govern- aunce ; Thou knowest eek of old al my plesaunce ; Thoghthynarraybebadde and yvel biseye. Do thou thy devoir at the leeste weye.' ' Nat oonly, lord, that I am glad,' quod she, ' To doon youre lust, but I desire also , Yow for to serve and plese in my degree Withouten feyntyng, and shal evermo ; Ne never for no wele, ne no wo, 971 Ne shal the goost withinne myn herte stente To love yow best, with al my trewe entente.' And with that word she gan the hous to dighte. And tables for to sette and beddes make. And peyned hire to doon al that she myghte, Preyynge the chambreres for Goddes sake 199 978-1048 THE CANTERBURY TALES To hasten hem, and feste swepe and shake ; And she the mooste servysable of alle Hath every chambre arrayed and his halle. Abouten undern gan this eri alighte 981 That with him broghte thise noble children tweye, For which the peple ran to seen the sighte Of hire array, so richely biseye ; And thanne at erst ambnges hem they seye, That Walter was no fool, thogh that hym leste To chaunge his wyf, for it was for the beste ; For she is fairer, as they deemen alle. Than is Giisilde, and moore tendre of age. And fairer fruyt bitwene hem sholde falle, And moore plesant, for hire heigh lynage ; Hir brother eek so faire was of visage That hem to seen the peple hath caught plesaunce, Gommendynge now the markys govern- aunce. — Auctor. ' O stormy peple ! unsad, and ever untrewe ! Ay undiscreet, and chaungynge as a vane, Delit)mge ever in rumbul that, is newe ; For lyk the moone ay wexe ye and wane ! Ay ful of clappyng, deere ynogh a jane ! Youre doom is fals, youre Constance yvele preeveth, 1000 A ful greet fool is he that on yow leeveth.i Thus seyden sadde folk in that citee Whan that the peple gazed up anddoun, — For they were glad, right for the noveltee. To han a newe lady of hir toun. fJamoore of this make I now mencioun, But to Grisilde agayn wol I me dresse. And tellehir Constance and hir bisynesse.^ — Ful bisy was Grisilde in every thyng That to the feeste was apertinent ; loio Right noght was she abayst of hire clothyng, '993. tjt£ peple. Petrarch merely says ' erantque qui dicerent. The next t wo stanzas are Chaucer's addition ( marked vlttf/sr in £2), inserted in revis- ing the tale. Thogh it were rude and somdeel eek to- rent. But with glad cheere to the gate is went With oother folk to greete the taarkysesse. And after that dooth forth hire bisynesse. With so glad chiere his gestes she re- ceyveth, And konnyngly, everich in his degree, That no defaute no man aperceyveth, But ay they wondren what she inyghte bee That in so poure array was for to see, 1020 And koude swich hon6ur and' reverence, And worthily they preisen hire prudence. In al this nieene-while she ne stente This mayde, and eek hir brotheij to com- mende With al hir herte, in ful benyngne entente, So wel that no man koude hir pris amende; But atte laste whan that thise lordeswende To sitten doun to mete, he gan to calle , Grisilde, as she was bisy in his halle. , ' Grisilde,' quod he, as it were in his pley, ' How liketh thee my wyf, arid hire beautee?' 'Right wel,' quod she, 'my lord, for in good fey A fairer saugh I never noon than she ; I prey to God yeve hire prosperitee ; And so hope I that he wol to yow sende Plesance ynogh unto youre lyves ende. O thyng biseke I yow, and warne also, That ye ne prikke with no tormentynge This tendre mayden, as ye han doon mo ; For she is fostred in hire norissynge 1040 Moore tendrely, and, to my supposynge. She koude nat adversitee endure As koude a poure fostred creature.' And whan this Walter saugh hirepaciencej Hir glade chiere, and no malice at al. And he so ofte had doon to hire offence And she ay sad and constant as a Wal, , Continuynge ever hire innocence overal, 1039. j«(j, more, others ; cp. Petrarch ' he hanc illis aculeis agites, quibus alteram agitasti. Kven now she will not say ' me.' GROUP E CLERK OF OXFORD'S TALE 1049-1118 This sturdy markys gan his herte dresse To rewen upon hire wyfly stedfestnesse. ' This is ynogh, Grisilde myn,' quod he, ' Be now namoore agast, ne yvele apayed ; I have thy feith and thy benyngnytee, As wel as ever womman was, assayed, In greet estaat and poureliche arrayed. Now knowe I, goode wyf, thy stedfast- nesse ' ; And hire in armes took, and ganhirekesse. And she for wonder took of it no keepe. She herde nat what thyng he to hire seyde. She ferde, as she had stert out of a sleepe, Tilsheoutofhiremazednesseabreyde. 1061 'Grisilde,', quod he, 'by God that for us deyde, Thou art my wyf, ne noon oother I have, Ne never hadde, as God my soule save ! This is thy doghter, which thou hast supposed To be my wyf, — that oother feithfiilly Shal be myn heir, as I have ay purposed ; Thou bare hym in thy body trewely ; At Boloigne have I kept hem prively. Taakhem agayn, for now maystownat seye That thou hast lom noon of thy children tweye ; ^o^^ And folk that ootherweys ban seyd of me, I wame hem wel that I have doon this deede For no malice, ne for no crueltee, But for tassaye in thee thy wommanheede. And nat to sleen my children, God forbeede ! But for to kepe hem pryvely and stille Til I thy purpos knewe and al thy wille.' Whan she this herde, aswowne doun she falleth • 1079 For pitous joye, and after hire swownynge She bothe hire yonge children to hire calleth, And in hire armes, pitously wepynge, Embraceth hem, and tendrely kissynge, Ful lyk a mooder, with hire salte teeres She bathed bothe hire visage and hire heeres. 1056. goode, H6 dere. 1084. ful lyk a mooder, Chaucer's phrase. O which a pitous thyng it was to se Hir swownyng, and hire humble voys to heere ! ' Graunt mercy, lord ! that thanke I yow,' quod she, ' That ye han saved me my children deere. Now rekke I never to been deed right heere, 1090 Sith I stonde in youre love and in youre grace. No fors of deeth, ne whan my spirit pace ! O tendre, O deere, O yonge children myne !. Youre woful mooder wende stedfastly That crueel houndes, or som foul vermjme, Hadde eten yow ; but God, of his mercy. And youre benyngne fader, tendrely Hath doon yow kept ' — and in that same stounde Al sodeynly she swapte adoun to grounde ; And in hire swough so sadly holdeth she Hire children two, whan she gan hem tembrace. That with greet sleighte, and greet difficultee The children from hire arm they goone arace. O many a teere on many a pitous face Doun ran, of hem that stooden hire bisyde; Unnethe abouten hire myghte they abyde! Walter hire gladeth,andhiresorweslaketh; She riseth up, abaysed, from hire traunce. And every wight hire joye and feeste maketh, nog Til shehath caught agayn hire contenaunce. Walter hire dooth so feithfuUy plesaunce That it was deyntee for to seen the cheere Bitwixe hem two, now they been met yfeere. Thise ladyes, whan that they hir tymesaye, Han taken hire and into chambre gon. And strepen hire out of hire rude array. And in a clooth of gold that brighte shoon. With a coroune of many a riche stoon 1086-1113. Chaucer's addition. 1088. thai thanke I yow, H^ God thank it {thanke) you, God I thank it {thank) you. mg-iiSS THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP E Upon hire heed, they into halle hire broghte, 1119 And ther she was honiired as hire oghte. Thus hath this pitous day a bUsful ende, For every man and womman dooth his myght This day in murthe and revel to dispende, Til on the welkne shoon the sterres lyght ; For more solempne in every manbes syght This feste was, and gretter of costage, Than was the revel of hire mariage. Ful many a yeer in heigh prosperitee Lyven thise two in concord and in reste. And richely his doghter maryed he 1130 Unto a lord, oon of the worthieste Of al Ytaille ; and thanne in pees and reste. His wyves fader in his court he kepeth. Til that the soule out of his body crepeth. His sone succedeth in his heritage In reste and pees after his fader day, And'rortunat was eek in mariage ; Al putte he nat his wyf in greet assay. This world is nat so strong, it is no nay, As it hath been of olde tymes yoore ; 1140 And herkneth what this auctour seith therfoore. This storie is seyd, nat for that wyves sholde Folwen Grisilde as in humylitee, For it were inportable, though they wolde, — But for that every wight in his degree Sholde be constant in adversitee As was Grisilde, therfore Petrak writeth This storie, which with heigh stile he enditeth ; For sith a womman was so pacient 1149 Unto a mortal man, wel moore us oghte Receyven al in gree that God us sent. For greet skile is he preeve that he wroghte. 1124. lyghU H* bright. 1140. of, H6 in. 1141. ikis aucitmr, Petrarch, who added the moraliziag of the next three stanzas to Boccaccio's tale. But he ne tempteth no man that he boghte, As seith Seint Jame, if ye his pistel rede. He preeveth folk al day, it is no drede, And suffreth us, as for oure exercise. With sharpe scourges of adversitee Ful ofte to be bete in sondry wise, Nat for to know oure wyl, for certes he, Er we were born, knew al oure freletee ; And for oure beste is al his governaunce ; Lat us thanne lyve in vertuous suffraunce. But o word, lordynges, herkneth, er I go : It were ful hard to fynde now-a-dayes In al a toun Grislldis thre or two ; ' For if that they were put to swiche assayes. The gold of hem hath now so badde alayes With bras, that thogh the coyne be fair at eye It wolde rather breste a-two than plye ; For which heere, for the Wyves love ot Bathe, ^ — ■ 1170 Whos lyf and al hire secte God mayntene Inheigh maistrie, and e'Ues were it scathe, — I wol with lusty herte, fressh and grene, Seyn yow a song, to glade yow, I wene ; And lat us stynte of ernestful matere : Herkneth my song that seith in this manere. Lenvoy de Chaucer Grisilde is deed, and eek hire pacience, And bothe atones buryed in Ytaille ; For which I crie in open audience. No wedded man so hardy be tassaille 1180 His wyves pacience in hope to fynde Grisildis, for in certein he shal faille ! O noble wyves, ful of heigh prudence, Lat noon humylitee youre tonge naill, Ne lat no clerk have cause or diligence To write of yow a storie of swich mervaille As of Grisildis pacient and kynde, Lest Chichwache yow s wel we in hire entraille ! 1163. Buioivord. What follows is all Chaucer's. Its unsuitablenesse to the Clerk has often been noticed. 1188. Chichivache, the lean cow who fed on patient wives, while her mate Bycorne grew fat on humble husbands. A corruption of chickefacfUt lean-faced. MERCHANTS TALE I I 89- I 258 Folweth Ekko, that holdeth no silence, But ever answereth at the countretaille. Beth nat bidaffed for youre innocence, iigi But sharply taak on yow the governaille. Emprenteth wel this lessoun in youre mynde For commune profit sith it may availle. Ye archiwyves stondeth at defense, Syn ye be strong as is a greet camaille, Ne suffreth nat that men yow doon offense ; And sklendre wyves, fieble, as in bataille, Beth egre as is a tygre yond in Ynde ; 1199 Ay clappeth as a mille, I yow consaille ; Ne dreed hem nat, doth hem no reverence, For though thyn housbonde armed be in maille. The arwes of thy crabbed eloquence Shal perce his brest, and eek his aventaille. In jalousie I rede eek thou hym bynde, And thou shalt make hym couche as dooth a quaille. If thou be fair, ther folk been in presence Shewe thou thy visage and thynapparaille ; If thou be foul, be fre of thy dispence, 1209 To gete thee freendes ay do thy travaille ; Be ay of chiere, as light as leef on lynde. And lat hym care and wepe, and wryng and waille ! ■ The Prologe of the Manhantes Tale ' Wepyng and waylyng, care and oother sorwe I knowe ynogh, on even and a-morwe,' Quod the Marchant, ' and so doon othere mo That wedded been, I trowe that it be so ; For wel I wool it fareth so with me. I have a wyf, the worste that may be, For thogh thefeend to hire y-coupled were, She wolde hym overmacche, I dar wel swere. 1220 What sholde I yow reherce in special Hir hye malice ? She is a shrewe at al. Ther is a long and large difference Bitwix Grisildis grete pacience. And of my wyf the passyng crueltee. Were I unbounden, al so moot I thee ! I wolde never eft comen in the snare. We wedded men ly ven in sorwe and care. Assaye who so wole and he shal fynde 1229 I seye sooth, by Seint Thomas of Ynde ! As for the moore part, I sey nat alle ; God shilde that it sholde so bifalle ! ' A ! good sire Hoost ! I have y- wedded bee Thise monthes two, and moore nat,^flri^cf.' And yet, I trowe, he that al his lyve Wyflees hath been, though that men wolde him ryve Unto the herte, ne koude in no manere Tellen so muchel sorwe as I now heere Koude tellen of my wyves cursednesse ! ' ' Now,' quod our Hoost, ' Marchant, so God yow blesse ! 1240 Syn ye so muchel knowen of that art, Ful hertely I pray yow telle us parti ' ' Gladly,' quod he, ' but of myn owene socre, For soory herte, I telle may namoore.' MERCHANT'S TALE Heere bigynneth The Marchantes Tale Whilom ther was dwellynge in Lum- bardye A worthy knyght that born was of Pavye, In which he lyved in greet prosperitee ; And sixty yeer a wyflees man was hee. And folwed ay his bodily delyt On wommen ther as was his appetyt, 1250 As doon thise fooles that been seculeer ; And whan that he was passed sixty yeer, Were it for hoolynesse or for dotage I kan nat seye, but swich a greet corage Hadde this knyght to been a wedded man That day and nyght he dooth al that he lean Tespien where he myghte wedded be ; Preyinge oure Lord to granten him that he The Marchantes Tale. The Pear-tree incideill in this story is the subject of the ninth novel of the seventh day in Boccaccio's Decanterone, and is found also in a collection of Latin fables by one Adolphus, written in 1315^ and elsewhere. It has probably an Eastern origin. 1248. sixty, H^/aurty! so H in 1252. 203 I259-I342 TBE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP B Mighte ones knowe of thilke blisful lyf 1259 That is bitwixe an housbonde and his wyf. And for to lyve under that hooly bond With which that first God man and womman bond. 'Noon oother lyf,' seyde he, 'is worth a bene, For wedlok is so esy, and so clene, That in this world it is a paradys ' ; Thus seyde this olde knyght; that was so wys. And certeinly, as sooth as God is kyng, To take a wyf it is a glorious thyng, And namely whan a man is oold andhoor, — Thanne is a wyf the fruyt of his tresor,— Thannesholde hetakeayong wyf anda feir, On which he myghte engendren hym an heir. And lede his lyf in joye and in solas ; Where as thise bachel^ris synge, ' Alias ! ' Whan that they fynden any adversitee In love, which nyS but childyssh vanytee ; And trewely it sit wel to be so That bacheieris have often peyne and wo ; On brotel ground they buylde, and brotel- nesse 1279 They fynde whan they wene sikernesse. They lyve but as a bryd, or as a beest. In libertee and under noon arreest, Ther as a wedded man, in his estaat, Lyveth a lyf blisful and ordinaat, Under this yok of mariage y-bounde. Wel may his herte in joye and blisse ha- bounde. For who kan be so buxom as a wyf? Who is so trewe and eek so ententyf To kepe hym, syk and hool, as is his make ? For wele or wo she wole hym nat forsake ; She nys nat wery hym to love and serve, Thogh that he lye bedrede til he sterve. And yet somme clerkesse)m it nys nat so. Of whiche he, Theofraste, is oon of tho. What force though Theofraste liste lye ?. ' Ne take no wyf,' quod he, ' for hous- bondrye. As for to spare in houshold thy dispence ; A trewe servant dooth moore diligence 1373. joyct H vtirthe. 1294. Theofrmte. See Wife of Bath's Tale, II. 23Si 6tl. Thy good to kepe, than thyn owene wyf. For she wol clayme half partal hir lyf; 1300 And if that thou be syk, so God me save . Thy verray freendes, or a trewe knave, Wolkepe thee bet than she, that waiteth ay After thy good, and hath doon many a day : And if Jhou take a wyf imto thyn hoold, Ful lightly maystow been a coke wold.' This sentence, and an hundred thynges worse, ' Writeththis man, ther God his bones corse ! But take no kepe of al swich vanytee ; Deffie Theofraste and herke me. 1310 A wyf is Goddes yifte verraily ; Alle othere manere yiftes hardily. As londes, rentes, pasture, or commune. Or moebles, alle been yiftes of Fortune, That passen as a shadwe upon a wal ; But dredelees, if pleynly speke I shal, A wyf wol laste and in thyn hous endure, Wel lenger than thee list, paraventure. Mariage is a fill greet sacrement ; He which that hath no wyf I holde hym shent ; 1320 He lyveth helplees and al desolat,^ I speke of folk in seculer estaat ; And herke why, I sey nat this for noght, That womman is for mannes helpe y- wroght. Thehye GodwhanhehaddeAdammaked, And saugh him al allone, bely naked, God of his grete goodnesse seyde than, ' Lat us now make an helpe unto this man, Lyk to hymself ' ; and thanne he made him Eve. 1329 Heere may yese, and heerbymayye preve, That wyf is mannes helpe and his confort, His Paradys terrestre, and his disport ; So buxom and so vertuous is she, They moste nedes lyve in unitee. O flessh they been, and o flessh, as I gesse. Hath but oon herte in wele and indistresse. A wyf ! a ! Seinte Marie, benedicite, How myghte a man han any adversitee That hath a wyf ? Certes, I kah nat seye. The blisse which that is bitwixe hem tweye 134" Ther may no tonge telle or hertethynke. If he be poure she helpeth hym to swynke, 1316. dredelees^ H^ drede tuU 204 GROUP E MERCHANTS TALE 1343-1414 She kepeth his good and wasteth never a deel ; Al that hire housbonde lust hire hketh weel ; She seith not ones, ' nay,' whan he seith, 'ye.' ' Do this,' seith he ; ' Al redy, sire,' seith she. O blisM ordre of wedlok precious ! Thou art so murye, and eek so vertuous. And so commended and appreved eek. That every man that halt hym worth a leek, 1350 Upon his bare knees, oughte, al his lyf, Thanken his God that hym hath sent a wyf; Or elles preye to God hym for to sende A wyf, to laste unto his lyves ende ; For thanne his lyf is set in sikemesse ; He may nat be deceyved, as I gesse, So that he werke after his wyves reede. Thanne may he boldely kepen up his heed, They been so trewe, and therwithal so vfyse ; For which, if thou wolt werken as the wyse, 1360 Do alwey so as wommen wol thee reede. Lo, how that Jacob, as thise clerkes rede. By good conseil of his mooder Rebekke, Boonde the kydes skyh aboute his nekke, Thurgh which his fadres benysoun he wan. Lo Judith, as the storie telle kan. By wys conseil she Goddes peple kepte. And slow hym Olofernus, whil he slepte. Lo Abigayl, by good conseil how she Saved hir housbonde, Nabal, whan that he Sholde han be slayn ; and looke Ester also, 1371 By good conseil delyvered out of wo The peple of God, and made hym Mar- dochee Of Assuere enhaunced for to be. Ther nys no thyng in gree superlatyf. As seith Senek, above an humble wyf. 1366. storie, E^ storie eek. 1375. Glossed in E and Heng. : 'Seneca: Sicut nichil est superius (om. E) benigna conjuge, ita nihil crudelius est infesta muliere.' Suffre thy wyves tonge, as Catoun bit, Sheshal comande, and thou shalt suffrenit, And yet she wole obeye of curteisye'; A wyf is kepere of thyn housbondrye. 1380 Wei may the sike man biwaille and wepe, Ther as ther nys no wyf the hous to kepe. I wame thee if wisely thou wolt wirche. Love wel thy wyf, as Crist loved his chirche. If thou lovest thyself thou lovest thy wyf. No man hateth his flessh, but in his lyf He fostreth it, and therfore bidde I thee Cherisse thy wyf, or thou shalt never thee. Housbonde and W3rf, what so men jape or pleye. Of worldly folk holden the siker weye ; 1390 They been so knyt ther may noon harm bityde. And namely upon the wyves syde ; For which this Januarie, of whom I tolde, Considered hath, inwith his dayes olde. The lusty lyf, the vertuous quyete, That is in mariige hony sweete ; . i And for his freendes on a day he sente. To tellen hem theffect of his entente. With face sad his tale he hath hem toold. 1399 He seyde, ,' Freendes, I am hoor and oold. And almoost, God woot, on my pittes brynke ; Upon the soule somwhat moste I thynke. I have my body folily despended ; Blessed be God ! that it shal been amended. For I wol be certeyn a wedded man, And that anoon, in al the haste I kan. Unto som mayde, fair and tendre of age, I prey yow shapeth for my mariage Al sodeynly,. for I wol nat abyde ; And I wol fonde tespien on my syde 1410 To whom I may For wel I woot that it shal never bityde. Lat swiche folies out of youre herte slyde ; What deyntee sholde a man han in his lyf For to go love another mannes wyf. That hath hir body whan so that hym lyketh?' Aurelius fill ofte soore siketh. Wo was Aurelie, whan that he this herde, And with a sorweful herte he thus emswerde : ' Madame,' quod he, ' this were an in- possfble ! J009 Thanne moot I dye of sodeyn deth horrible ! ' And with that word he turned hym anon. Tho come hir othere freendes many oon. And in the aleyes romeden up and doun, And no thyng wiste of this conclusioun ; But sodeynly bigonne revel newe, Til that the brighte sonne lost his hewe. For Ihorisonte hath reft the sonne his lyght,— This is as muche to seye, as it was nyght ; 231 loig-iogS THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP F And hoom they goon in joye and in solas, Save oonly wrecche Aurelius, alias ! 1020 Heto his hous is goon with sorweftil herte ; He seeth he may nat fro his deeth asterte, Hym semed that he felte his herte colde. Up to the hevene his handes he gan holde, And on his knowes bare he sette hym doun, And in his ravyng seyde his orisoun. For verray wo out of his wit he breyde, He nyste what he spak, but thus he seyde. With pitous hertehis pleynt hathhe bigonne Unto the goddes, and first unto the sonne. He seyde, 'AppoUo, god and govemour, Of every plaunte, herbe, tree and flour, That yevest after thy declinacioun To ech of hem his tyme and his sesoun. As thyn herberwe chaungeth lowe or heighe ; Lord Phebus, cast thy merciable eighe On wrecche Aurelie, which that am but lorn 1 Lo, lord, my lady hath my deeth y-sworn Withoute gilt, but thy benignytee Upon my dedly herte have som pitee ; 1040 For wel I woot, lord Phebus, if yow lest Ye may me helpen, save my lady, best. Now vouchethsauf that I may yow devyse How that I may been holpen and in what wyse. ' Youre blisful suster, Lucina the sheene. That of the see is chief goddesse and queene, — Though Neptunus have deitee in the see. Yet emperisse aboven hym is she, — Ye knowe wel, lord, that right as hir desir Is to be quyked, and lightned of youre fir. For which she folweth yow ful bisily, 1051 Right so the see desireth naturelly To folwen hire, as she that is goddesse, Bothe in the see and ryveres moore and lesse. Wherfore, lord Phebus, this is my requeste. Do this miracle, or do myn herte breste ; That now next at this opposicioun. Which in the signe shal be of the Leoun, As preieth hire so greet a flood to brynge. That fyve fadme at the leeste it over- sprynge 1060 1045. Lucina^ or Diana, the moon. The hyeste rokke in Armorik Briteyne ; And lat this flood endure yeres tweyne, Thanne certes to my lady may I seye, " Holdeth youre heste, the rokkes been aweye." ' Lord Phebus, dooth this miracle for me ; Preye hire she go no faster cours than ye ; I seye, preyeth your suster that she go No faster cours than ye thise yeres two ; Thanne shal she been evene atte fiiUe alway. And spryng-flood laste bothe nyght and day;' 1070 And, but she vouchesauf in swich manere To graunte me my sovereyn lady deere, Prey hire to synken every rok adoun Into hir owene dirke regiouti Under the ground, ther Pluto dwelleth inne, Or never-mo shal I my lady vfynne. Thy temple in Delphos wol I barefoot seke, — Lord Phebus, se the teeris on my cheke, And of my peyne have som compassioun !' And with that word in swownehe fil adoun. And longe tyme he lay forth in a traunce. His brother, which that knew of his penaunce. Up caughte hym, and to bedde he hath hym broght. Dispeyred in this torment and this thoght, Lete I this woful creature lye ; Chese he, for me, wher he wol lyve or dye. Arveragus with heele and greet honour. As he that was of chivalrie the flour. Is comen hoom, and othere worthy men. O, blisful artow now, thou Dorigen ! 1090 That hast thy lusty housbonde in thyne armes. The fresshe knyght, the worthy man of armes. That loveth thee as his owene hertes lyf. Nothyng list hym to been ymaginatyf. If any wight had spoke, whil he was oute. To hire of love ; he hadde of it no doute. He noght entendeth to no swich mateere, But daunceth, justeth, maketh hire good cheere ; 10^4. Under her name of Hecate Diana ruled also m the underworld. 232 FRANKLIN'S TALE 1099-1179 And thus in joye and blisse I lete hem dwelle, And of the sike Aurelius wol I telle. iioo In langour and in torment fiiryus, Two yeer and moore, lay wreccheAurelyus Er any foot he myghte on erthe gon ; Ne confort in this tyme hadde he noon, Save of his brother, which that was a clerk. He knew of al this wo and al this werk ; For to noon oother creature, certeyn, Of this matere he dorste no word seyn ; Under his brest he baar it moore secree Than ever dide Pamphilus for Gala- thee. iiio His brest was hool withoute for to sene, But in his herte ay was the arwe kene ; And wel ye knowe that of a sursanure In surgerye is perilous the cure, But men myghte touche the arwe, or come therby. His brother weepe and wayled pryvely, Til atte laste hym fil in remembraunce That whiles he was at Orliens in Fraunce, — As yonge clerkes, that been lykerous To reden artes that been curious, 1120 Seken in every halke and every heme Particular sciences for to lerne, — He hym remembred that, upon a day. At Orliens in studie a book he say Of magyk natureel, which his felawe. That was that tyme a bacheler of lawe,- — Al were he ther to lerne another craft, — Hadde prively upon his desk y-laft, Which book spak muchel of the operaciouns Touchynge the eighte and twenty man- siouns 1130 That longen to the moone, and swich folye As in oure dayes is nat worth a flye, — For hooly chirches feith, in oure bileve, Ne suffreth noon illusion us to greve ; And whan this book was in his remem- braunce. Anon for joye his herte gan to daunce. And to hymself he seyde pryvely, ' My brother shal be warisshed hastily. For I am siker that ther be sciences 1139 By whiche men maken diverse apparences, IIIO. Pamphilus, etc., a reference to the poem Pamphilus de Amore, of which Galatea was the heroine. Swiche as thise subtile tregetoures pleye. For ofte at feestes have I wel herd seye That tregetours withinne an halle large Have maad come in a water and a barge. And in the halle rowen up and doun. Somtyme hath semed come a grym leoun, And somtyme flouresspryngeas in a mede ; Somtyme a vyne, andgrapes white and rede ; Somtyme a castel, al of lym and stoon. And whan hem lyked voyded it anoon, — Thus semed it to everymannes sighte. 1151 Now thanne conclude I thus, that if I myghte At Orliens som old felawe y-fynde. That hadde these moones mansions in mynde, Or other magyk natureel above, He sholde wel make my brother ban his love ; For with an apparence a clerk may make. To mannes sighte, that alle the rokkes blake Of Britaigne weren y-voyded everichon. And shippes by the brynkecomenand gon ; And in swich forme enduren a wowke or two. 1161 Thanne were my brother warisshed of his wo; Thanne moste she nedes holden hire biheste. Or elles he shal shame hire atte leeste.' What sholde I make a lenger tale of this? Unto his brotheres bed he comen is. And swich confort he yaf hym for to gon To Orliens, that he up stirte anon. And on his wey forthward thanne is he fare In hope for to been lissed of his care. Whan they were come almoost to that citee, 1171 But if it were a two furlong or thre, A yong clerk romynge by hymself they m^Ue, Which that m Latyn thriftily hem grette. And after that he seyde a wonder thyng : 'I knowe,' quod he, 'the cause of youre comyng,' — And er they ferther any foote wente, He tolde hem al that was in hire entente. This Briton clerk hym asked of felawes 1161. 2U(?wAtf (week), Heng.^ day, Corp.^yeer. 233 1 1 80-1247 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP F The whiche that he had knowe in olde dawes ; 1180 And heanswerdehym that they dede were, For which he weep ful ofte many a teere. Doun of his hors Aurelius lighte anon, And forth with this magicien is he gon Hoom to his hous, and maden hem wel at ese ; Hem lakked no vitaille that myghte hem plese, So wel arrayed hous as ther was oon Aurelius in his lyf saugh never noon. He shewed hym, er he wente to sopeer, Forestes, parkes fill of wilde deer ; 1190 Ther saugh he hertes with hir homes hye, "The gretteste that were ever seyn with eye, — He saugh of hem an hondred slayn with houndes, And somme with arwes blede of bittre woundes. He saugh, whan voyded were thise wilde deer, Thise fauconers upon a fair ryver, That with hir haukes han the heroun slayn. Tho saugh he knyghtes justyng in a playn, And after this he dide hym swich ples- aunce 1199 That he hym shewed his lady on a daunce. On which hymself he daunced, as hym thoughte ; And whan this maister that this m^yk wroughte Saugh it was tyme, he clapte his handes two. And, farewel ! al oure revel was ago. And yet remoeved they never out of the hous Whil they saugh al this sighte merveillous ; But in his studie, ther as his bookes be, They seten stille, and no wight but they thre. ^ To hym this maister called his squier. And seyde hym thus : ' Is redy oure soper ? Almoost an houre it is, I undertake,' 1211 Sith I yow bad oure soper for to make. Whan that thise worthy men wenten with me Into my studie, ther as my bookes be.' 1205. wA om. E. Z503. hown^ ready. That sith I se his grete gentillesse ; To yow, and eek I se wel youre distresse. That him were levere han shame, — and that were routhe, — Than ye to me sholde breke thus youre' trouthe, 1530 I have wel levere ever to suffre wo. Than I departe the love bitwix yow two. I yow relesse, madame, into youre hond, Quyt every surement and every bond That ye han maad to me as heer biforn, Sith thilke tyme which that ye were born. My trouthe I plighte, I shal yow never repreve Of no biheste, and heere I take my leve. As of the treweste and the beste -k^. That ever yet I knew in al my lyf. 1540 But every wyf be war of hire biheeste ; On Dorigene remembreth, atte leeste. Thuskan a squier doon a gentil dede As wel as kan a knyght, withouten-drede.'' She thonketh hym upon hir knees al bare. And hoom unto hir housbonde is she fare. And tolde hym al, as ye han herd me sayd; And be ye siker he was so weel apayd That it were inpossible me to wryte. What sholde I lenger of this cas endyte ? Arveragus and Dorigene his wyf 1551 In sovereyn blisse leden forth hir lyf; Never eft ne was ther angre hem bitwene. He cherisseth hire, as though she were a que^ne. And she was to hym trewe for evermoore. Of thise folk ye gate of me namoore. Aurelius, that his cost hath all forlorn, Curseth the tyme that ever he was bom. ' Alias ! ' quod he, ' alias, that I bihighte Of pured gold a thousand pound of wighte Unto this philosophre ! How shal I da ? 238 SECOND NUN'S TALE 1562-7 I se namoore but that I am fordo ; Myn heritE^e moot I nedes selle, Andbeenabeggere ; heeremaylnatdwelle And shamen al my kynrede in this place, But I of hjnn may gete bettre grace ; But nathelees I wole of hym assaye At certeyn dayes, yeer by yeer, to paye, And thanke hym of his grete curteisye. Mytrouthewol I kepe, Iwol nat lye.' 1570 With herte soor he gooth unto his cofre, And broghte gold unto this philosophre, The value of fyve hundred pound, I gesse, And hym bisecheth, of his gentillesse, To graunte hym dayes of the remenaunt, And seyde, ' Maister, I dar wel make avaunt I feilled never of my trouthe as yit, For sikerly my dette shal be quyt Towardes yow, however that I fare To goon a-begged in my kirtle bare ; 1580 But wolde ye vouchesauf, upon seuretee, Two yeer, or thre, for to respiten me, Thanne were I wel, for elles moot I selle Myn herit^e ; ther is namoore to telle.' This philosophre sobrely answerde. And seyde thus, whan he thise wordes herde : ' Have I nat holde covenant unto thee ? ' 'Yes, certes, wel and trewely,' quod he. ' Hastow nat had thy lady as thee liketh?' ' No, nOj'quodhe, andsorwefoUyhesiketh. ' What was the cause; tel me if thou lean.' Aurelius his tale anon bigan. And tolde hym al, as ye han herd bifoore ; It nedeth nat to yow reherce it moore. He seide, ' Arveragus, of gentillesse, Hadde levere dye insorweand in distresse. Than that his wyf were of hir trouthe fals ' ; The sorwe of Dorigen he tolde hym als, — How looth hire was to been a wikked wyf. And that she levere had lost that day tirlyf. And that hir trouthe she swoor thurgh innocence, 1601 She never erst herd speke of apparence ; ' That made me han of hire so greet pitee, And right as frely as he sente hire me, As frely sente I hire to hym ageyn ; This is al and som, therisnamoore to seyn. ' This philosophre answerde, ' Leeve brother, Everich of yow dide gentilly til other ; Thou art a squier, and he is a knyght. But God forbede, for his blisfril myght, 1610 But if a clerk koude doon a gentil dede, As wel as any of yow, it is no drede. ' Sire, Ireleesse thee thy thousand pound As thou right now were cropen out of the ground, Ne never er now ne haddest knowen me ; For, sire, I wol nat taken a peny of thee For al my craft, ne noght for my travaille. Thou hast y-payed wel for my vitaille ; It is ynogh, and farewel, have good day ! ' And took his hors, and forth he gothhis way. Lordynges, this questioun wolde I aske now, 1621 Which was the mooste fre, as thynketh yow? Now telleth me, er that ye ferther wende. I kan namoore, my tale is at an ende. 1621. E* this questioun thanne. Possibly the word to be omitted is * questioun. ' GROUP G SECOND NUN'S TALE The Prologs of the Seconds Nonnes Tale The ministre and the norice unto vice Which that men clepe in Englissh ydel- nesse, Seconde Nonnes Tale, a translation, at first close, afterwards free, of the life of St. Cecilia in the Legenda Aurea. of Jac6bus de Voragine. Tlie stanzas on idleness were probably suggested by the Prologue of the French translator, Jehan That porter at the gate is of delices. To eschue, and by hire contrarie hire oppresse, — That is to seyn, by leveful bisynesse, — Wel oghten we to don al oure entente. Lest that the feend thurgh ydelnesse us hente, de Vignay, but in the Tale Chaucer follows the Latin. 3. porter, as in the Roman de la Rose, 239 8-72 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP G For he that with his thousand cordes slye Continiielly us waiteth to biclappe, 9 Whai^ he may man in ydelnesse espye, Hekanso lightlycacche hymin his trappe, Til that a man be hent right by the lappe, He nys nat war the feend hath hym in honde : Wei oghte us werche, and ydelnesse withstonde. And though men dradden never for to dye, Yet seen men wel by resoun, doutelees, That ydelnesse is roten slogardye, Of which ther never comth no good encrees ; And seen that slouthe hir holdeth in a lees Oonly to slepe and for to ete and drynke, And to devouren al that othere swynk. 21 And for to putte us fro swich ydelnesse, That cause is of so greet confusioun, I have heer doon my feithful bisynesse. After the Legende, in translacioun, Right of thy glorious lif and passioun. Thou with thy gerland wroght with rose and lilie, — Thee, meene I, mayde and martir, seint Cecilie. Invocacio ad Mariam And thow that flour of virgines art alle. Of whom that Bernard list so wel to write ; To thee, at my bigynnyng, first I call, 31 Thou confort of us wrecches, do me endite Thy maydens deeth, that wan thurgh hire merite. The eternel lyf, and of the feend victorie As man may after reden in hire storie. Thow mayde and mooder, doghter of thy sone, Thow welle of merCy, synful soules cure. In whom that God, for bountee, chees to wone, Thow humble, and heigh over every creature, 39 36-56. These three stanzas are partly a trans- lation of some of the first twenty-one lines of Dante's Paradiso^ Cant. 33, or perhaps of some Latin prayer or hymn which Dante may have imitated. Thow nobledest so ferforth oure nature, That no desdeyn the Makere hadde of kynde His sone in blood and flessh to clothe and wynde. Withinne the cloistre blisful of thy sydis Took mannes shape the eterneel Love and Pees, That of the tryne compas lord and gyde is. Whom erthe, and see, and hevene, out of relees. Ay heryen ; and thou virgine wemmelees Baar of thy body, and dweltest mayden pure. The creatour of every creature. Assembled is in thee magnificence, 50 With mercy, goodnesse, and with swich pitee. That thou, that art the Sonne of excellence, Nat oonly helpest hem that preyen thee, But often tyme, of thy benygnytee, Ful frely, er that men thjm help biseche. Thou goost biforn and art hir lyves leche. Now help, thow meeke and blisful faire mayde. Me flemed wrecche in this desert of galle; Thynk on the womman Cananee, that sayde That whelpes eten somme of the crommes alle . 60 That from hir lordes table been y-falle. And though that I, unworthy sone of Eve, Be synful, yet accepte my bileve. Andfor that feithisdeed withoutenwerkis, So, for to werken, yif me wit and space, That I be quit fro thennes that moost derk is. O thou that art so fair and ful of grace. Be myn advocat in that heighe place,, Theras withouten ende is songe Osanne, Thow Cristes mooder, doghter deere of Anne ! 70 And of thy light my soule in prison lighte. That troubled is by the contagioun 62. sone of Eve: The phrase (cp. 1. 78, reden tkat I wriie) shows that this legend was not written as one of the Canterbury Tales. 240 GROUP G SECOND NUN'S TALE 73-141 Of my body, and also by the wighte Of erthely lust and fals affeccioun ! havene of refut, O salvacioun Of hem that been in sorweandin distresse, Nowhelpe, fortomy werk Iwol me dresse ! Yet preye I yow that reden that I write, Foryeve me that I do no diligence This ilke storie subtilly to endite, 80 For bothe have I the wordes and sentence Of hym that at the seintes reverence The storie wroot, and folwenhire legende ; 1 pray yow that ye wole my werk amende. Interpretacio nominis Cecilie First wolde I yow the nariie of Seinte Cecile Expowne, as men may in hir storie see. It is to seye in Englissh 'hevenes lilie,' For pure chaastnesse of virginitee, Or for she whitnesse hadde of honestee. And grene of conscience, and of good fame The soote savour, lilie was hir name ; 91 Or Cecile is to seye ' the wey to blynde,' For she ensample was by good techynge ; Or elles Cecile, as I writen fynde. Is joyned by a manere conjoynynge Of 'hevene' and 'lia,' and heere, in figurynge. The 'hevene'is setfor thoghtof hoolynesse And ' lia ' for hire lastynge bisynesse. Cecile may eek be seyd in this manere ' Wantynge of blyndnesse,' for hir grete light 100 Of sapience, and for hire thewes cleere ; Or elles, loo, this maydens name bright Of ' hevene ' and ' leos ' comth, for which by right Men myghte hire wel the hevene of peple calle, Ensample of goode and wise werkes alle. For ' leos ' ' peple ' in Englissh is to seye ; And right as men may in the hevene see 87. hevenes lilie, ' coeli lilia.' 92. the wey to blynde, ' caecls via.' 103. lees, G\e.. Aeidff. The Sonne, and moone, and sterres, every weye. Right so men goostly in this mayden free Syen of feith the magnanymytee, no And eek the cleemesse hool of sapience, And sondry werkes brighte of excellence. And right so as thise philosophres write That hevene is swift, and round, and eek brennjrnge. Right so was faire Cecilie the white, Ful swift and bisy ever, in good werkynge ; And round and hool in good pers^verynge, Andbrennyngeever in charite ful brighte : Now have I yow declared whatshe highte. Here bigynneth The Seconde Nonnes Tale of the lyf of Seinte Cecile This mayden bright, Cecile, as hir lif seith, 120 Was comen of Romayns and of noble kynde. And from hir cradel up fostred in the feith Of Crist, and bar his gospel in hir mynde. She never cessed, as I writen fynde. Of hir preyere, and God to love and drede, Bisekynge hym to kepe hir maydenhede. And whan this mayden sholde unto a man Y-wedded be, that was ful yong of age. Which that y-cleped was Valerian, And day was comen of hir marriage, 130 She ful devout and humble in hire corage. Under hir robe of gold that sat ful faire, Hadde next hire flessh y-cldd hire in an haire ; And whil the organs maden melodic. To God allone in herte thus sang she : ' O Lord, my soule and eek my body gye Unwepomed, lest that I confounded be'; And for his love that dyde upon a tree, Every sec6nde or thridde day she faste Ay biddynge in hire orisons ful faste. 140 The nyght cam, and to bedde moste she gon 241 142-210 THE CANTERBURY TALES With hire housbonde, asofte is themanere, And pryvely to hym she seyde anon, ' O sweete and wel-biloved spouse deere, Ther is a conseil, and ye wolde it heere, Which that right fayn I wolde unto yow seye, So that ye swere ye shul it nat biwreye.' Valerian gan faste unto hire swere That for no cas, ne thyng that myghte be, He sholde never mo biwreyen here ; 150 And thanne at erst to hym thus seyde she : ' I have an aungel which that loveth me. That with greet love, wher so I wake or sleepe. Is redy ay my body for to kepe ; And if that he may feelen, out of drede, That ye me touche or love in vilejmye, He right anon wol sle yow with the dede, And in youre yowthe thus ye sholden dye ; And if that ye in clene love me gye, HewolyowlovenasmeforyoUreclennesse, And shewen yow his joye and his brightnesse.' 161 Valerian, corrected as God wolde, Answerde agayn, ' If I shal trusten thee Lat me that aungel se, and hym biholde,' And if that it a verray angel bee, Thanne wol I doon as thou hast prayed me ; And if thou love another man, for sothe, Right with this swerd thanne wol I sle yow bothe ! ' Cecile answerde anon right in thiswise : ' If that yow list, the angel shul ye see, So that ye trowe in Crist, and yow baptize. Gooth forth to Via Apia,' quod shea, ' Thatfro this toun nestant butmiles three, And to the poure folkes that ther dwelle Seyhem right thus as that I shal yow telle. ' Tell hem that I, Cecile, yow to hem sente 142. as ofie is the inanere, Chaucer's tag. Cp. and ye wolde it keere, 1. 145 ; luhtr so I wake or sleepe, 1. 153, and many more. Z72. Via Apia. Chaucer seems to take this as the name of a place. _ The Latin says * the third milestone on the Appian road.' To shewen yow the goode Urban the olde, For secree needes, and for good entente ; And whan that ye Seint Urban han biholde, Telle hym the wordes whiche that I yow tolde, 180 And whan that he hath purged yow fro synne, Thanne shul ye see that angel, er ye twynne.' Valerian is to the place y-gon. And light- as hym was taught by his lernynge, He foond this hooly olde Urban anon, Among the seintes buryeles lotynge ; And he anon, withouten tariynge, Dide his message ; and whan that he it tolde, Urban for joye his handes gan up holde ; The teeris from his eyen leet he falle. 190 ' Almyghty Lord ! O Jhesu Crist,' quod he, ' Sower of chast conseil, hierde of us alle. The fruyt of thilke seed of chastitee That thouhast sowein Cecile, taak to thee! Lo, lyk a bisy bee, withouten gile, Thee serveth ay thyn owene thral Cecile; For thilke spouse that she took right now, Ful lyk a fiers leoun, she sendeth heere As meke as ever was any lamb, to yow': And vidth that word anon ther gan appere An oold man, clad in white clothes cleere. That hadde a book with lettre of gold, in honde. And gan bifore Valerian to stonde. Valerian, as deed, fil doun for drede Whan he hym saugh, and he up hente hym tho, And on his book right thus he gan to rede : ' O Lord, o feith, o God, withouten mo; O Cristendom, and Fader of alle also, Aboven alle, and over alle, everywhere'; Thise wordes al with gold y-writen were. 195. hisy hee, Latin : ' apis argumentosa,' a delightful phrase for Cecilia. 208. O Crisiendom,1ja\S.'a\ 'unumbaptisma.* 242 GROUP G SECOND NUN'S TALE 211-281 Whan this was rad, thanne seyde this olde man, an ' Leevestow this thyng ; or no ? Sey ye or nay. ' ' I leeve al this thyng,' quod Valerian, 1^ For oothefthyng than this, I dar wel say, Under the hevene no wight thynke may. ' Tho vanysshed this olde man, he nyste where. And Pope Urban hym cristned right there. Valerian gooth hoom and fynt Cecile Withinne his chambre with an angel stonde. This angel hadde of roses and of lilie 220 Corones two, the which he bar in honde ; And first to Cecile, as I understonde. He yaf that oon, and after gan he take That oother to Valerian, hir make. ' With body clene, and with unwemmed thoght, Kepeth ay wel thise corones,' quod he ; ' Fro paradys to yow have I hem broght, Ne never mo ne shal they roten bee, Ne lese hir soote savour, trusteth me ; Ne never wight shal seen hem with his eye. But he be chaast and hate vileynye ; 231 And thow. Valerian, for thow so soone Assentedest to good conseil also, Sey what thee list, and thou shall han thy boone.' ' I have a brother,' quod Valerian tho, ' That in this world I love no man so ; I pray yow that my brother may han grace Toknowe the trouthe, as I do in this place. ' The angel seyde, 'God liketh thyrequeste. And bothe with the palm of martirdom Ye shullen come unto his blissful feste ' ; And with that word Tiburce his brother com. And whan that he the savour undemom Which that the roses and the lilies caste, Withinne his herte he gan to wondre faste ; Andseyde, 'I wondre, thistymeof theyeer, Whennes that soote savour cometh so 241. unio his iliss/ul/esie, ' ad Dominum.' Of rose and lilies that I smelle heer ; For though I hadde hem in myne handes two 249 The savour myghte in me no depper go ; The sweete smel that in myn herte I fynde Hath chaunged me al in another kynde. ' Valerian seyde, 'Two corones han we. Snow white and rose reed, that shynen cleere, Whiche that thyne eyen han no myght to see ; And as thou smellest hem thurgh my preyere. So shaltow seen hem, leeve brother deere. If it so be thou wolt, withouten slouthe, Bileve aright and knowen verray trouthe.' Tiburce answerde, ' Seistow this to me In soothnesse, or in dreem I herkne this?' ' In dremes,' quod Valerian, ' han we be Unto this tyme, brother myn, y-wis ; But now at erst in troutheourdwellyng is. ' ' How woostow this,' quod Tiburce, ' in what wyse ? ' Quod Valerian, ' That shal I thee devyse. The aungel of God hath me the trouthe y-taught. Which thou shalt seen, if that thou wolt reneye The ydoles, andbeclene, andelles naught. ' (And of themyracleof thisecorones tweye, SeintAmbrosein his preface list toseye, — Solempnely this noble doctour "deere Commendeth it, and seith in this manere : ' The palm of martirdom for to receyve Seinte Cecile, fulfild of Goddes yifte. The world and eek hire chambre gan she- weyve ; Witnesse Tyburces and Valerians shrifte. To which God of his bountee wolde shifte Corones two of floures wel smell3mge. And made his angel hem the corones brynge ; 280 The mayde hath broght thise men to blisse above ; 251. ' Ita sum refectus.* 243 282-348 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP G The world hath wist what it is worth certeyn, Devocioun of chastitee to love. ') Tho shewed hymCecile, al open and pleyn, That alle ydoles nys but a thyng in veyn ; For they been dombe and therto they been deve, And charged hym his ydoles for to leve. • Who so that troweth nat this, a beest he is,' Quod tho Tiburce, 'if that I shal nat lye,' And shegan kisse his brest that herde this. And was ful glad he koude trouthe espye. ' This day I take thee for myn allye,' Seyde this blissful, faire mayde, deere, And after that she seyde as ye may heere : ' Lo, right so as the love of Crist, ' quod she, ' Made me thy brotheres wyf, right in that wise Anon for myn allye heer take I thee, Syn that thou wolt thyne ydoles despise ; Go with thy brother now, and thee baptise, And make thee clene so tha^ thou mowe biholde 300 The angeles face, of which thy brother tolde.' Tiburce answerde and seyde, ' Brother dere, First tell me whider I shal, and to what man?' ' To whom ? ' quod ,he ; ' com forth with right good cheere ; I wol thee lede unto the Pope Urban. ' ' Til Urban, brother myn Valerian ? ' Quod tho Tiburce ; ' woltow me thider lede? Me thynketh that it were a wonder dede. Ne menestow nat Urban,' quod he tho, ' That is so ofte dampned to be deed,- 310 And woneth in halkes alwey to and fro, And dar nat ones putte forth his heed ? Men sholde hym brennen in a fyr so reed. If he were founde, or that men myghte hym spye. And we also to bere hym compaignye ; 292. ' Hodie te fateor meum esse cognatum,' I own you are really of my kin. And whil we seken thilke divinitee, That is y-hid in hevene pryvely, Algate y-brend in this world shul we be I' To whom Cecile answerde boldely, ' Men myghten dreden wel and skilfully This lyf tolese, mjmeowene deere brother,^ If this were lyvynge oonly, and noon oother ; But ther is bettre lif in oother place. That never shal be lost, ne drede thee noght. Which Goddes swie us tolde thurgh his grace; That Fadressone hath alle thyngy-wroght; And al that wroght is with a skilfiil thoght TheGoost, that fro the Fader gan procede, Hath sowled hem, withouten any drede. By word and by myracle, Goddes sone, VVhan he was in this world, declared heere That ther was oother lyf ther men may wone.' To whom answerde Tiburce, ' O suster deere, Ne seydestow right now in this manere, "Ther nys but o God, lord in soothfast- nesse," — And now of three how maystow bere witnesse ? ' ' That shal I telle, ' quod she, 'ere I go. Right as a man hath sapiences three, Memorie, engyn, and intellect also. So in o beynge of divinitee 340 Thr^ persones may ther right wel bee ' ; Tho gan she hym ful bisely to preche Of Cristes come, and of his peynes teche; And many pointes of his passioun. How Goddes sone in this world was withholde To doon mankynde playn remissioun. That was y-bounde in synne and cares colde ; Al this thyng she unto Tiburce tolde, 322. ' Si h^ec sola esset vita.' 346. Hitherto Chaucer has translated literally, only eking out his stanzas with tags ; he now begins to abridge, at the same time adding stanzas of his own. 244 SECOND NUN'S TALE 349-418 And after this Tiburce in good entente With Valerian to Pope Urban he wente, That thanked God, and with glade herte and light, 351 He cristned hym, and made hym in that place Parfit in his lernynge, Goddes knyght ; And after this Tiburce gat swich grace Thatevery day he saugh in tyme and space Theaungelof God.andeverymanerboone That he God axed, it was sped ful soone. It were fill hard by ordre for to seyn How manye wondres Jhesus for hem wroghte ; 359 But atte laste, to tellen short and pleyn. The sergeantz of the toun of Rome hem soghte, And hem biforn Almache, the Prefect, broghte. Which hem apposed, and knew al hire entente. And to the ymage of Juppiter hem sente; And seyde, ' Whoso wol nat sacrifise, Swape of his heed ; this my sentence heer ! ' Anon thise martirs that I yow devyse, Oon Maximus, that was an officer Of the Prefectes, and his corniciiler, Hem hente, and whan he forth the seintes ladde, 370 Hymself he weepe for pitee that he hadde. Whan Maximus had herd the seintes loore, He gat hym of the tormentoures leve. And ladde hem to his hous, withoute moore, And with hir prechyng, er that it were eve, They gonnen fro the tormentours to reve, And fro Maxime, and fro his folk echone. The false feith, to trowe in God allone. Cecile cam, whan it was woxen nyght, With preestes, thathem cristnedally-feere ; And afterward, whan day was woxen light, Cecile hem seyde with a ful stedefast cheere, 360. atte laste. The offence alleged in the Legend K the burial of the bodies of martyrs. ' Now, Cristes owene knyghtes, leeve, and deere, Cast alle awey the werkes of derknesse. And armeth yow in armure of brightnesse. Ye han, for sothe, y-doon a greet bataille, Youre cours is doon, youre feith han ye conserved. Gooth to the corone of lyf, that may nat faille ; The rightful Juge, which thatyehan served, Shal yeve it yow, as ye han it deserved ' ; And whan this thing was seyd as I devyse, Men ledde hem forth to doon thesacrefise. But whan they weren to the place y-broght, — To tellen shortly the conclusioun, — Theynoldeencensene sacrifise rightnoght, But on hir knees they setten hem adoun With humble herte and sad devocioun. And losten bothe hir hevedes in the place ; Hir soules wenten to the kyng of grace. This Maximus, that saugh this thyng bityde, 400 With pitous teeris tolde it anon right, That he hir soules saugh to hevene glyde, With aungelsful of cleernesse and of light ; And withhis word converted many a wight. For which Almachius dide hym so to-bete, With whippe of leed, til he his lif gan lete. Cecile hym took, and buryed hym anon By Tiburce and Valerian softely Withinne hire buriyng-place under the stoon ; And after this Almachius hastily 410 Bad his ministres fecchen openly Cecile, so that she myghte in his presence Doon sacrifice, and Juppiter encense ; But they, converted at hir wise loore, Wepten ful soore, and yaven ful credence Unto hire word, and cryden moore and moore, ' Crist, Goddes sone, withouten difference Is verray God, this is al oure sentence, 409, Added. 24s 4I9~4S8 THE CANTERBURY TALES That hath so good a servant hym to serve ; This with o voys we trowen, thogh we sterve ! ' 420 Almachius that herde of this doynge Bad fecchen Cecile that he tnyghte hire see ; And alderfirst, lo this Was his axynge, ' What maner womman artow ? ' tho quod he. ' I am a gentil womman born,' quod she. ' I axe thee,' quod he, ' though it thee greeve. Of thy religioun, and of thy bileeve.' ' Ye han bigonne youre question folily, ' Quod she, ' that wolden two answeres conclude In o demande ; ye axed lewedly. ' 430 Almache answerde unto that similitude, ' Of whennes comth thyn answering so rude?' ' Of whennes ? ' quod she, whan that she was freyned ; ' Of conscience, and of good feith unfeyned.' Almachius seyde, ' Ne takestow noon heede Of my power ? ' And she answerde hym this: ' Youre myght,' quod she, ' ful litel is to dreede, For every mortal mannes power nys But lyke a bladdre, ful of wynd, y-wys ; For with a nedles poynt whan it is blowe May al the boost of it be leyd ful lowe.' ' Ful wrongfully bigonne thow,' quod he, ' And yet in wrong is thy pers^veraunce ; Wostow nat how oure myghty princes free Han thus comanded and maadordinaunce. That every Cristen wight shal han penaunce. But if that he his Cristendom withseye ; And goon al quit, if he wple it reneye ? ' 'Yowre princes erren, as youre npbleye dooth,' 449 Quod tho Cecile, ' and w 1th a wood sentence Ye make us gilty, and it is nat sooth ; For ye that knowen wel oure innocence, — ' For as muche as we doon a reverence ToCrist, and for we bere a Cristen name, — Ye putte on us a cryme, and eeka blame; But we, that knowen thilke name so For vertuous, we may it not withseye.' Almache answerde, ' Chees oon of thise two,- — Do sacrifice, or Cristendom reneye, 459 That thou mowe now escapen by that weye. ' At which the hooly blisful faire mayde Gan for to laughe, and to the juge sayde, ' Ojuge, confus in thy nycetee ! Woltow that I reneye innocence. To make me a wikked wight ? ' quod she. Lo, he dissymuleth heere in audience. He stareth, and woodeth in his adver- tence. To whom Almachius, 'Unselywrecche! Ne woostow nat how far my myght may strecche ? Han noght oure myghty princes to me yeven, 470 Ye, bothe power and auctoritee To maken folk to dyen or to lyven ? Why spekestow so proudly thanne to me?' ' I speke noght but stedfastly , ' quod she, ' Nat proudly, for, I speke as for my syde. We haten deedly thilke vice of pryde ; And if thou drede nat a sooth to heere, Thanne wol I shewe al openly by right That thou hast maad aful gret lesyng heere. Thou seyst thy princes han thee yeven myght 480 Bothe for to sleen and for to quyken a wight ; Thou that ne mayst but oonly lyf bireve. Thou hast noon oother power, ne no leve : But thou mayst seyn thy princes han thee maked Ministre of deeth, for if thou speke of mo, Thou lyest, for thy power is ful naked ! ' ' Do wey thy booldnesse ! ' seyde Alma- chius tho, ' And sacrifie to oure goddes er thou go! 346 GROUP G SECOND NUN'S TALE 489-554 I recche nat what wrong that thou me profre, For I can suffre it as a philosophre, 490 But thilke wronges may I nat endure, That thou spekest of oure goddes heere,' quod he. Cecile answerde, ' O nyce creature ! Thou seydest no word syn thou spak to me That I ne knew therwith thy nycetee, And that thou were in every maner wise A lewed officer and a veyn justise ! Ther lakketh no thyngto thyneouttereyen That thou nart blynd, for thyng that we seen alle That it is stoon, — that men may wel espyen, — 500 That ilke stoon a god thow wolt it calle. I rede thee, lat thyn hand upon it falle, And taste it wel, and stoon thou shalt it fynde, Syn that thou seest nat with thyne eyen blynde. It is a shame that the peple shal So scorne thee, and laughe at thy folye ; For communly men woot it wel overal That myghty God is in his hevenes hye. And thise ymages, wel thou mayst espye, To thee, ne to hemself, mowen noght profite, 510 For in effect they been nat worth a myte. ' Thise wordes and swiche other Seyde she ; And he weex wrooth, and bad men sholde hir lede Horn til hir house, and ' In hir hous,' quod he, ' Brenne hire right in a bath of flambes rede ' ; And as he bad, right so was doon in dede, For in a bath they gonne hirefaste shetten, And nyght and day greet fyre they under betten. The longe nyght, and eek a day also. For al the fyr, and eek the bathes heete. 489-497. Chaucer's addition. J05-J11. Added. She sat al coold and felte of it no wo ; It made hire nat a drope for to sweete ; But in that bath hir lyf she moste lete. For he, Almachius, with ful wikke entente To sleen hire in the bath his sonde sente, Thre strokes in the nekke he smoot hire tho. The tormentour, but for no maner chaunce He myghte noght smyt al hir nekke atwo ; Andfor ther was that tyme an ordinaunce. That no man sholde doon men swich penaunce 530 Theferthe strook tosmyten, softeor score, This tormentour ne dorste do namoore ; But half deed, with hir nekke y-corven there. He lefte hir lye, and on his wey is went. The Cristenfolk which that aboute hire were, With sheetes han the blood ful faire y -hent. Thre dayes lyved she in this torment, And never cessed hem the feith to teche That she hadde fostred ; hem she gan to preche ; 539 Andhem she yafhirmoebles, and hir thyng, And to the Pope Urban bitook hem tho. And seyde, ' I axed this at hevene kyng, To han respit thre dayes and namo, To recomende to yow, er that I go, Thise soules, lo, and that I myghte do werche Heere of myn hous perpetuelly a cherche.' Seint Urban, with his deknes, prively The body fette, and buryed it by nyghte Among his other seintes honestly. Hir hous the chirche of Seinte Cecilie highte ; 550 Seint Urban halwed it, ashe wel myghte. In which, into this day, in noble wyse. Men doon to Crist and tohisseinteservyse. The prologs of the Chanons Yemannes Tale Whan toold was al the lyf of Seinte Cecile, 535. 536- Added, 347 5SS-636 THE CANTERBURY TALES Er we hadde riden fully fyve mile, At Boghton-under-Blee, us gan atake A, man that clothed was in clothes blake, And undernethe he had a white surplys ; His hackeney, which that was al pomely So swatte that it wonder was to see; 560 It semed as he had priked miles three. The hors eek that his Yeman rood upon So swatte that unnethe myghte it gon ; Aboute the peytrel stood the foom ful hye, He was of foom al flekked as a pye. A male tweyfoold upon his croper lay, It semed that he caried lite array. Al light for somer rood this worthy man, And in myn herte wondren I bigan What that he was, til that lunderstood 570 How that his cloke was sowed to his hood. For which, whan I hadde long avysed me, I demed hym som Chanoun for to be. His hat heeng at his bak doun by a laas. For he hadde riden moore than trot or paas ; He hadde ay priked lik as he were wood. A clote-leef he hadde under his hood For swoot, and for to kepe his heed from heete ; But it was joye for to seen hym swete ! His forheed dropped as a stillatorie 580 Were fill of plantayne and ofparitori^; And whan that he was come he gan to crye, ' God save, ' quodhe, ' this joly compaignye ! Faste have I prikM,' quod he, ' for youre sake. By-cause that I wolde yow atake To riden in this myrie compaignye.' His Yeman eek was ful of curteisye. And seyde, ' Sires, now in the morwetyde, Out of youre hostelrie I saugh you ryde, And warned heer my lord, and my soverayn, . 590 Which that to ryden with yow is ful fayn. For his desport ; he loveth daliaunce. ' ' Freend, for thy warnyng God ye ve thee good chaunce ! ' Thanne seyde oure Hoost, ' for certes it wolde seme 555. fyve mile, i.e. from Ospringe. 573. som Chafwun. The de'scription accords with that of a ' hlack Augu-stinian.' Thy lord were wys, and so I may weldeme ; He is ful jocunde also, dar I leye ! Can he oght telle a myrie tale or tweye, With which he glade may this com- paignye?' 'Who.sire? mylord? ye, ye, withouten lye ! 599 Hi kan of murthe, and eek of jolitee Nat but ynough ; also, sire, trusteth me. And ye hym knewe as wel as do I, Ye wolde wondre how wel and craftily He koude werke, and that in sondry wise. Hehathtakeon hymmanya greet emprise. Which were ful hard for any that is heere To brynge about, but they of hym it leere. As hoomely as he rit amonges yow. If ye hym knewe it wolde be for youre prow ; Ye wolde nat forgoon his aqueyntaunce For mtichel good, I dar leye in balaunce Al that I have in my possessioun. He is a man of heigh discrecioun ; I wame yow wel, he is a passyng man.' ' Wel,' quod oure Hoost, ' I pray thee tel me than Is he a clerk or noon ? Telle what he is. ' ' Nay," he is gretter than a clerk, y-wis,' Seyde this Yeman, ' and in wordes fewe, Hoost, of his craft somwhat I wol yow shewe. 619 ' I seye, mylord kan smch subtilitee, — But al his craft ye may nat wite at me, And somwhat helpe I yet tohiswirkyng, — That al this ground on which we been ridyng, ' Til that we come to Caunterbury toun. He koude al clene turne it up-so-doun. And pave it al of silver and of gold.' And whan this Yeman hadde this tale y-told Unto oure Hoost, he seyde, ' Benedicitee ! This thyng is wonder merveiUous to me, Syn that thy lord is of so heigh prudence, By cause of which men sholde hym reverence, 631 That of his worshipe rekketh he so lite. His overslope nys nat worth a myte, As in effect, to hym, so moot I go ! It is al baudy and to-tore also. Why is thy lord so sluttissh, I the preye, 603. craftily, H* thriftily. 248 GROUP G CANON'S YEOMAN'S PSOLOGVE 637-712 And is of power bettre clooth to beye, — If that his dede accorde with thy speche ? Telle me that, and that I thee biseche.' ' Why ? ' quod thisYeman, ' wherto axe ye me ? 640 God help me so, for he shal never thee ! — But I wol nat avowe that I seye. And therfore keepe it secree, I yow preye,— He is to wys, in feith, as I bileeve ; That that is overdoon it wol nat preeve Aright ; as clerkes seyn, it is a vice. Wherfore in that I holde hym lewed and nyce ; For whan a man hath over-greet a wit, Ful oft hym happeth to mysusen it. So dooth my lord, and that me greveth soore. 650 God it amende ! I kan sey yow namoore. ' ' Ther-of no fors, good Yeman,' quod oure Hoost, ' Syn of the konnyngof thy lord thow woost, Telle how he dooth, I pray thee hertely, Syn that he is so crafty and so sly ; Where dwelle ye, if it to telle be ? ' ' In the suburbes of a toun,' quod he, 'Lurkynge in hemes, and in lanes blynde. Where as thise robbours and thise theves by kynde, Holden hir pryvee fereful residence, 660 As they that dar nat shewen hir presence ; So faren we, if I shal seye the sothe.' 'Now,' quod oure Hoost, 'yet lat me talke to the; Why artow So discoloured of thy face ? ' ' Peter ! ' quod he, ' God yeve it harde grace, I am so iKed in the fyr to blowe. That it hath chaunged my colouf, I trowe. I am nat wont in no mirour to prie, But swynke soore, and leme multiplie ; We blondren ever, and pouren in the fir. And for al that we faille of our desir, 671 For ever we lakken oure conclusioun. To muchel folk we doon illusioun, And borwe gold, be it a pound or two, Or ten, or twelve, or manye sommes mo, And make hem wenen, at the leeste weye. That of a pound we koude make tweye ; Yet is it fals ; but ay we han good hope It for to doon and after it we grope ; But that science is so fer us bifom 680 We mowen nat, al though we hadde it sworn, It over-take, it slit awey so faste. It wole us maken beggers atte laste. ' Whil this Yeman was thus in his talkyng ThisChanoundrough hymneer, and herde al thyng Which this Yeman spak, forsuspecioun Of mennes speche ever hadde this Chanoun ; For Catoun seith that he that gilty is Demeth alle thyng bespoke of hym, y-wis. That was the cause he gan so nyhymdrawe To his Yeman, to herknen al his sawe, And thus he seyde unto his Yeman tho : ' Hoold thou thy pees, and spek no wordes mo ! For if thou do, thou shalt it deere abye ! Thou sclaundrest me, heere in this compaignye, And eek discoverest that thou sholdest hyde.' ' Ye ? ' quod our Hoost, ' telle on what so bityde ; Of al his thretyng rekke nat a myte ! ' 'In feith,' quod he, 'namoore I do but lyte.' And whan this Chanoun saugh it wolde nat be, 700 But his Yeman wolde telle his pryvetee, He fledde awey for verray sorwe and shame. ' A ! ' quod the Yeman, ' heere shal arise a game ; Al that I kan anon now wol I telle, Syn he is goon, — the foule feend hym quelle ! For never heer-after well with hym meete, For peny ne for pound, I yow biheete ! He that me broghte first unto that game, Er that he dye, sorwe have he and shame ; For it is ernest to me, by my feith 1 710 That feele I wel, what so any man seith. And yet for al my smert, and al my grief, 688. Catoun : De Morib. 1.17: ' Conscius ipse sibi de se putat omnia dici.' 690. That was the cause, H^ By cause oj that. 249 ?>3-79S THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP G For al my sorwe, labour, and meschief, I koude never leve it in no wise. Now wolde God, my witte myghte sufBse To tellen al that longeth to that art ; And nathelees yow wol I tellen part ; Syn that my lord is goon I ■ And of the pot and glasses enlutyng. That of the eyr myghte passe out no thjng. And of the esy fir, and smart also. Which thatwasmaad,andofthecareand wo That we hadden in oure matires sublymyng, And in amalgamyng and calcenyng 771 Of quyk-silver, y-clept mercurie crude ; For alle our sleightes we kan nat conclude. Oiire orpyment and sublymed mercurie, Oure grounden litarge eek on the porfurie, Of ech of thise of ounces a certeyn, Noght helpeth us, oure labour is in veyn ; Ne eek oure spirites ascencioun, Ne oure matires that lyen al fix adoun, Mo we inourewerkyng no thyng usavaille; For lost is al oure labour and travaille, -781 And al the cost, a twenty devel way. Is lost also, which we upon it lay. Ther is also ful many another thyng That is unto oure craft apertenyng, Thogh I by ordre hem nat reherce kan. By-cause that I am a lewed man ; Yet wol I telle hem as they come to mynde, Thogh I ne kan nat sette hem in hir kynde, — As boole armonyak, vertgrees, boras, 790 Andsondry vesselsmaadof erthe and glas: Oure urynals, and our descensories, Violes, erosletz, and snblymatories, Cucurbites, and alambikes eek, And othere swiche, deere ynough a leek ; 7go. booie armonyak, astringent earth, froa Armenia. ' 250 GROOP a CaMoM'S YEOMAN'S Tale ?g6-88i Nat nedeth it for to reherce hem alle, — Watres rubifiyng, and boles galle, Arsenyk, sal armonyak, and brymstoon ; And herbes koude I telle eek many oon, As egremoyne, valerian, and lunarie, 800 And othere swiche, if that me liste tarie ; Oure lanlpes brennyng bothe nyght and day. To brynge aboute oure purpos if we may ; Oure foumeys eek of calcinacioun, And of watres albificacioun, Unslekked lym, chalk, and gleyre of aney, Foudres diverse, asshes, donge, pisse, and cley, Cered pokettes, sal-peter and vitriole. And diverse fires maad of wode and cole ; Sal-tartre, alkaly and sal-preparat ; 810 And combust matires, and coagulat ; Cley maad with hots and mannes heer, and oille Of tartre, alum, glas, berme, wort and argoille, Resalgar, and oure matires enbibyng. And eek of oure matires encorporyng, And of oure silver citrinacioun, Oure c^mentyng and fermentacioun, Oure yngottes, testes, and many mo. I wol yow telle as was me taught also The foure spirites and the bodies sevene. By ordre, as ofte I herde my lord hem nevene. 821 The firste spirit quyk-silver called is, The seconde orpyment, the thridde, y-wis, Sal-armonyak, and the ferthe brymstoon. The bodyes sevene eek, lo, hem heere anoon ! Sol gold is, and Luna silver we threpe. Mars iren, Mercurie^quyk-silver we clepe, Saturnus leed, and Juppiter is tyn. And Venus coper, by my fader kyn. This cursed craft whoso wol exercise 830 He shal nogood han that hym may suffise ; For al the good he spendeth ther-aboute He lese shal ; ther-of have I po. doute. Whoso that listeth outen his folie, Lat hym come forth and leme multiplie ; And everyman that oght hath in his cofre, Lat hym appiere and wexe a philosophre ; Ascaunce that crafte is so light to leere ! Nay, nay, God woot,albehemonkor frere. Freest orchanoun, or any ootherwyght, 840 Though he sitte at his book bothe day and night In lernyng of this elvysshe nyce loore, Al is in veyn, 3iii,parde, muchel moore ! To lerne a lewed man this subtiltee,: — Fy ! spek nat ther-of, for it wol nat bee ; And konne he letterure, or konne he noon. As in effect he shal fynde it al oon ; For bothe two, by my salvacioun, Concluden in multiplicacioun Ylike wel, whan they han al y-do, — 850 This is to seyn, they faillen bothe two. Yet forgat I to maken rehersaille Of wa&es corosif, and of lymaille, And of bodies moUificacioun, And also of hire induracioun, Oilles, ablucions, and metal fusible, — To tellen al wolde passen any bible That owher is ; wherfore, as for the beste. Of alle thise name^ now wol I me reste. For as I trowe I have yow toold ynowe 860 To reyse a feend, al looke he never so rowe. A! nay! lat be; thephilosophresstoon, Elixer clept, we sechen faste echoon, For hadde we-hym, thanne were we siker ynow ; But, unto God of hevene I make avow, For al oure craft, whan we han al y-do. With al oure sleighte, he wol nat come us to. He hath y-made us spenden muchel good, For sorwe of which almoost we wexen wood, 869 But that good hope crepeth in oure herte, Supposynge ever, though we sore smerte. To be releeved by hym afterward. Swich supposyng and hope is sharpe and hard ; I warne yow wel it is to seken ever ; rhat^«/«?- temjis hath maad men to dis- sever. In trust ther-of, from al that ever they hadde. Yet of that art theykan nat wexen sadde, For unto hem it is a bitter-sweete, — Sosemethit, — for nadde they but a sheete. Which that they myghte wrappe hem inne at nyght, B6a And a brat to walken inne by day-lyght, 881. brat, cloak ; H^ ia&, back-cloth. 251 882-9S9 THE CANTERBURY TALES They wolde hem selle, and spenden on this craft ; They kan nat stynte til no thyng be laft ; Andevermooie, where that ever they goon, Menmayhemknowebysmelofbrymstoon. For al the world they stynken as a goot ; Hir savour is so rammyssh and so hoot That though a man a mile from hem be The savour wole infecte hym, truste me. Lo thus by smellyng, and threedbare array, 890 If that men liste, this folk they knowe may ; And if a man wole aske hem pryvely, Why they been clothed so unthriftily, They right anon wol rownen in his ere And seyn, that if that they espied were, Men woldehem slee by-cause of hirscience. Lo, thus this folk bitrayen innocence ! Passe over this, I go my tale unto. Er that the pot be on the fire y-do. Of metals with a certeyn quantitee 900 My lord hem tempreth, and no man but he,— Now he is goon I dare seyn boldely, — For as men seyn he kan doon craftily, Algate I woot wel he hath swich a name. And yet ful oft he renneth in a blame ; And wite ye how? Ful ofte it happeth so The pot to-breketh, and farewel, al is go. Thise metals been of so greet violence Oure walles mowe nat make hem resistence, 909 But if theyweren wroght of lym and stoon, They percen so, and thurgh the wal they goon. And somme of hem synken into the ground, — • Thus han we lost by tymesmany a pound, — And somme are scatered al the floor aboute, Sommelepe into the roof, withouten doute. Though that the feend nbght in oure sighte hym shewe, I trowe he with us be, that ilke shrewe ! In helle, where that he is lord and sire, Nis ther moore wo, ne moore rancour, ne ire. 919 Whan that oure pot is broke, as I have sayd, Every man chit and halt hym yvele apayd. 919. H^* Nis therno more wo,ne angler, ne ire. Somme seyde it was along on the fir makyng', Sommeseydenay, it wasontheblowyng, — Thannewas Ifered, for that was myn office. ' Straw ! ' quod the thridde, ' ye been lewed and nyce. It was nat tempred as it oghte be.' 'Nay,' quod the fourthe, 'stynt and herkne me ; By-cause our fir ne was nat maad of beech. That is the cause, and oother noon, so theech.' I kan nat telle wheron it was along, 930 But wel I woot greet strif us is among. ' What ! ' quod my lord, ' ther is namoore to doone ; Of thise perils I wol be war efl-soone. I am right siker that the pot was erased ; Be as be may, be ye no thyng amased. As usage is, lat swepe the floor as swithe, Plukke up your hertes and beeth glad and blithe ! ' The muUok on an heepe i-sweped was, And on the floor y-cast a canevas, 939 And al this muUok in a syve y-throwe, And sifted and y-piked many a throwe. ' Pardee I ' quod oon, ' somwhat of oure metal Yet is ther heere, though that we han nat al. Al though this thyng myshapped have as now. Another tyme it may be wel ynow. Us moste putte oure good in aventure ; A marchant, /a^i/«« .' may nat ay endure, Trusteth me wel, in his prosperitee. Soratyme his good is drenched in the see, And somtymecomthitsauf unto thelonde.' 'Pees!' quod my lord, 'the nexte tyme I shal fonde gS' To bryngen oure craft al in another plite ; And but I do, sires, lat me han the wite ; Ther was defaute in somwhat, wel Iwoot.' Anothei; seyde the fir was over hoot ; But, be it hoot or coold, I dar seye this. That we concluden evermoore amys. We faille of that which that we wolden have. And in oure madnesse evermoore we rave ; 941. y-piked^ picked over ; IXIi y-plukksd. 252 CANON'S YEOMAN'S TALE 960-1037 And whan we been togidres everichoon Every man semeth a Salomon ; 961 But al thyng which that shyneth as the gold, Nis nat gold, as that I have herd it told ; Ne every appul that is fair at eye Ne is nat good, what somendappeor crye. Right so, lo, fareth it amonges us : He that semeth the wiseste, by Jhesus, Is moost fool, whan it cometh to the preef ; And he that semeth trewest is a theef. That shul ye knowe, er that I fro yow wende, 970 By that I of my tale have maad an ende. [PART II] Thar is a Chanoun of Religioun Amonges us wolde infecte al a toun. Thogh it as greet were as was Nynyvee, Rome, Alisaundre, Troye, and othere three. His sleightes and his infinit falsnesse Ther koude no man writen, as I gesse. Though that he lyve myghte a thousand yeer. In al this world of falshede nis his peer. For in his termes so he wolde hym wynde, 980 And speke his wordes in so sly a kynde, Whanne he commune shal with any wight, That he wol make hym doten anon right, But it a feend be, as hymselven is. Ful many a man hath he bigiled er this. And wole, if that he lyve may a while ; Andyet men ride and goon ful many a mile Hym for to seke and have hisaqueyntaunce, Noghtknowynge ofhis false governaunce ; And if yow list to yeve me audience, 990 I wol it telle heere in youre presence. But, worshipful chanouns religious, Ne demeth nat that I desclaundre youre hous. Although my tale of a chanoun bee ; Of every ordre som shrewe is, pardee. And God forbede that al a compaignye Sholde rewe o singuleer mannes folye. To sclaundreyowisno thyng myn entente. But to correcten that is mys, I mente. This tale was nat oonly toold for yow, 1000 97S. lyve myghte, H^ mighie lyven. But eek for othere mo ; ye woot wel how That among Cristes apostelles twelve Ther nas no traytour but Judas hymselve. Thanne why sholde al the remenant have a blame. That giltlees were ? By yow I seye the same, Save oonly this, if ye wol herkne me, — If any Judas in youre covent be, Remoeveth hym bitymes, I yow rede, If shame, or los, may causen any drede. And beeth no thyng displesed, I yow preye, joio But in this cas herketh what I shal seye. In Londoun was a preest, an annueleer, Thatther-innedwelled hadde many ayeer, Which was so plesaunt and so servysable Unto the wyf, where as he was at table, That she wolde suffre hym no thyng for to paye For bord ne clothyng, wente he never so gaye ; And spendyng silver hadde he right ynow. Ther-of no fors, I wol procede as now. And telle forth my tale of the chanoun That broghte this preest to confusioun. This false chanoun cam upon a day Unto this preestes chambre, wher he lay, Bisechynge hym to lene hym a certeyn Of gold, and he wolde quite it hym ageyn. ' Leene me a marc,' quod he, ' but dayes three. And at my day I wol it quiten thee ; And if so be that thow me fynde fals Another day, do hange me by the hals. ' This preest hym took a marc, and that as swithe, 1030 And this chanoun hym thanked ofte sithe. And took his leve, and wente forthe his weye, Andatthe thridde day broghte his moneye. And to the preest he took his gold agayn, Wher-of this preest was wonder glad and fayn. 'CerteSj'quod he, 'nothyng anoyethme To lene a man a noble, or two, or thre, 1012. an, om. £. X012. titvnueleer, a priest employed to sing anniversary masses for the dead. 253 103S-1II8 THE CANTERBURY TALES Or what thyng were in my possessioun, Whan he so trewe is of condicioun 1039 That in no wise he breke wole his day ; To swich a man I kan never seye nay.'. ' What ! ' quod this chanoun, ' sholde I be untrewe? Nay, that were thyng y-fallen al of newe. Trouthe is a thyng that I wol ever kepe, Unto that day in which that I shal crepe Into my grave, or ellis, God forljede 1 Bileveth this, as siker as the Crede. God thankel, and in good tyme be it sayd. That ther was never man yet yvele apayd For gold ne silver that he to me lente ; Ne never falshede in myn herte I mente ; And, sire,' quod he, ' now of my pryvetee, — Syn ye so goodlich han been unto me, And kithed to me so greet gentillesse, — Somwhat to quyte with youre kyndenesse I wol yow shewe, and if yow list to leere. I wol yow teche pleynly the manere How I kan werken in philosophic ; Taketh good heede ye shul wel seen at eye That I wol doon a maistrie er I go.' 1060 'Ye,' quod the preest, 'ye, sire, and wol ye so ? Marie ! ther-of I pray yow hertely.' ' At youre comandement, sira, trewely,' Quod the chanoun, 'and ellis God forbeede. ' Loo, how this theef koude his service beede ! Ful sooth it is that swiche profred servyse Stynketh, as witnessen thise olde wyse ; And that ful soone I wol it verifie In this chanoun, roote of alle trecherie. That ever moore delit hath and glad- nesse, — 1070 Swiche feendly thoughtes in his herte impresse, — ■ How Cristes peple he may to meschief brynge. God kepe us from his false dissymulynge ! Noght wiste this preest with whom that he delt, Ne of his harm comynge he no thyng felte. O sely preest, O sely innocent ! , With coveitise anon thou shalt be blent. O gracelees, ful blynd is thy conceite, No thyng ne artow war of the deceite Which that this fox y-shapen hathfor thee ; His wily wrenches thou ne mayst nat flee j Wherfore, to go to the conclusioun , That refereth to thy confiisioun, Unhappy man, anon I wol me hye To tellen thyn unwit and thy folye, And eek the falsnesse of that^ oother wrecche. As ferforth as my konnynge may strecche. This chanoun was my lord, ye wolden weene — Sire Hoost, in feith, and by the hevenes queene, It was another chanoun and nat hee, 109a That kan an hundred foold moore subtiltee. He hath bitrayed folkes many tyme ; Of his falshede it duUeth me to ryme. !^ver whan I speke of his falshede, For shame of hym my chekes wexen rede; Algates they bigynnen for to glowe. For reednesse have I noon, right wel I knowe. In my visage ; iqx furties diverse Of metals, whiche ye han herd mereherce, Consumed and wasted han myreedeniesse. Now taak heede of this chanons cursed- nesse. 1101 ' Sire,' quod he to the preest, 'lat youre man gon For quyk-silver, that we hadde it anon, And lat hym bryngen ounces two or three, And whan he comth, as faste shal ye see A wonder thyng which ye saugh never er this.' 'Sire,' quod the preest, 'it sha! 1)6 doon y-wis.' He bad his servant fecchen hym this thyng, And he al redy was at his biddyng, 1109 Andwente hym forth, and cam anon agayn With this quyk-silver, soothly for ta sayn ; And toke thiseounces thre to thechanoun, And he hem leyde faire and wel adoun, And bad the servant coles for to brynge. That he anon myghte go to his werkynge. The coles right anon weren y-fet. And this chanoun took out a crosselet Of his bosom, and shewed it to the preest nil. sooiAly, "S.^ sckort^, . 254 CANON'S YEOMAN'S TALE 1119-119S ' This instrument,' quod he, ' which that thou seest, Taake in thyn hand and put thy self therinne Of this quyk-silver an ounce, and heer bigynne, 1121 In the name of Crist, to wexe a philosofre. Therbeenful fewe towhiche I woldeprofre To shewen hem thus muche of myscience : For ye shul seen heer by experience, That this quyk-silver wol I mortifye, Right in youre sighte anon, I wol nat lye. And make it as good silver and as fyn, As ther is any in youre purse or myn. Or elleswhere, and make it malliable 51130 And elles holdeth me fals and utiable Amonges folk for ever to appeere. I have a poudre heer, that coste me deere, Shal make al good, for it is cause of al My konnyng, which that I yow shewen shal. Voydith youre man and lat hym be ther-oute, Andshette the dore, whils we been aboute Oure pryvetee, that no man us espie. Whiles we werke in this philosophie.' Al as he bad fulfilled was in dede ; 1140 This like servant anonright out yede. And his maister shette the dore anon. And to hire labour spedily they gon. This preest at this cursed chanouns bidd;^ng Upon the fir anon sette this thyng, And blew the fir and bisyed hym ful faste ; And this chanoun into the crosselet cast A poudre, — noot I wher-of that it was Y-maad, outher of chalk, outher of glas. Or somwhat elles, was nat worth a flye, — Toblyndewiththepreest, and badhymhye The coles for to couchen al above The crosselet ; ' For in tokenyng I thee love,' Quod this chanoun, ' th3me owene handes two Shul werche al thyng which shal heer be do.' ' Graunt mercy ! ' quod the preest, and was ful glad, And couched coles as that chanoun bad ; And while he bisy was, this feendly wrecehe, This false chanoun,— the foule feend hym fecche ! — 1159 Out of his bosom took a bechen cole, In whieh ful subtilly was maad an hole, And therinne put was of silver lemaille An ounce, and stopped was withouten faille Thehole with wex, to kepe the lemaille in ; And understondeth, that this false gyn Wasnatmaad ther, but itwas maadbifore; And othere thynges I shal tellen moore Herafterward, whiche that he with hym broghte ; Er hecam there, hym to bigile he thoghte; And so he dide, er that they wente atwynne ; 1170 Til he had terved hym, he koude nat Wynne. It duUeth me, whan that I of hym speke ; On his falshede fayn wolde I me wreke. If I wiste how, but he is heere and there, He is so variaunt, he abit nowhere. But taketh heede now, sires, for Goddes love ! He took this cole of which I spak above, And in his hand he baar it pryvely. And whyles the preest couchede bisily The coles, as I tolde yow er this, iiSo This chanoun seyde, ' Freend, ye doon amys. This is nat couched as it oghte be ; But soone I shal amenden it,' quod he. ' Now lat me medle ther-with but a while. For of yow have I pitee, by Seint Gile ! Ye been right hoot, I se wel how ye swete ; Have heer a clooth, and wipe awey the wete.' And whyles that the preest wiped his face, This chanoun took his cole with harde grace, 1189 And leyde it above, upon the myddeward Of the crosselet, and blew wel afterwardi Til that the coles gonne faste brenne. ' Now yeve us dtynke, ' quod the chanoun thenne, ' As swithe al shal be wel, I undertake. Sitte we doun, and lat us myrie make ' ; 1171. ^«7tW, stripped. Dr. Skeat's restoration for the common reading terned. 1 1 89. with harde (Camb. sory) grace, H^ y schrewe his/aas, • USS 1196-1276 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP G And whan that this chanones bechen cole Was brent, al the lemaille out of the hole Into the crosselet fil anon adoun, And so it moste nedes, by resoun, 1199 Syn it so evene aboven couched was ; But ther-of wiste the preest no thyng, alas ! He demed alle the coles yliche good, For of that sleighte he no thyng under- stood ; And whan this alkamystre saugh his tyme, — ' Ris up,' quod he, ' sire preest, and stonde by me, And for I woot wel ingot have ye noon, Gooth walketh forth, and brynge us a ~ chalk stoon, For I wol make it of the same shape That is an ingot, if I may han hape ; And bryngeth eek with yow a bolle or a panne 1210 Ful of water, and ye shul se wel thanne How that oure bisynesse shal thryve and preeve ; And yet, for ye shul han no mysbileeve, Ne wrong conceite of me in youreabsence, I ne wol nat been out of youre presence. But go with yow, and come with yow ageyn.' The chambre dore, shortly for to seyn, They opened and shette, and went hir weye, And forth with hem they carieden thekeye. And coome agayn withouten any delay. What sholde I tarien al the longe day ? He took the chalk and shoope it in the wise Of an ingot, as I shal yow devyse. I seye, he took out of his owene sleeve A teyne of silver — y vele moot he chee ve ! — Which that ne was nat but an ounce of weighte ; ^nd taketh heede now of his cursed sleighte. He shoope his ingot in lengthe and eek in breede Of this teyne, withouten any drede, So slyly that the preest it nat espide, 1230 And in his sieve agayn he gan it hide. And fro the fir he took up his mateere And in thyngot putte it with myrie cheere, And in the water-vessel he it caste, Whan that hym luste, and bad the preest as faste, 'Look whatther is, put in thin hand and grope, Thow fynde shalt ther silver, as I hope.' What, devel of helle ! sholde it ellis be? Shavyng of silver silver is, fardet 1239 He putte his hand in, and took up a teyne Of silver fyn, and glad in every veyne Was this preest, when he saugh that it was so. ' Goddes blessyng, and his moodres also, And alle halwes, have ye, sire chanoun !' Seyde this (preest, ' and I hir malisoun ! But, and ye vouchesauf to techen me This noble .craft and this subtilitee, I wol be youre in al that ever I may.' Quod the chanoun, 'Yet wol I make assay 1249 The seconde tyme, that ye may taken heede And been expert of this, and in youre neede Another daye assaye in myn absence This disciplyne, and this crafty science. Lat take another ounce,' quod he tho, ' Of quyk-silver, withouten wordes mo, And do therwith as ye han doon er this With that oother, which that now silver is.' This preest hym bisiethin al that he kan To doon as this chanoun, this cursed man, Comanded hym, and faste he blew the fir, For to come to theffect of his desir ; iz6i And this chanoun, right in the meene while, Al redy was the preest eft to bigile, And for a contenaunce in his hand he bar An holwe stikke, — taak kepe and be war, — In the ende of which an ounce and namoore Of silver lemaille put was (as bifore Wasinhiscole)and stopped with wex weal, For to kepe in his lemaille every deel. 1269 And whil this preest was in his bisynesse, This chanoun with his stikke gan hym dresse To hym anon, and his poudre caste in As he did er, — the devel out of his skyn Hymterve, I pray to God, for his falshede ! For he was ever fals in thoght and dede, — And with this stikke, above the crosselet, 3274. tervet H^ torne, turne ; see 1. 117X. 256 CANON'S YEOMAN'S TALE 1277-1354 That was ordeyned with that false get, He stired the coles, til relente gan The wex agayn the fir, as every man, But it a fool be, wool wel itmootnede; 1280 And al that in the stikke was out yede, And in the crosselet hastily it fel. Now, good sires, what wol ye bet than wel ? Whan that this preest thus was bigiled ageyn, Supposynge noght but treuthe, sooth to seyn, He was so glad that I kan nat expresse In no manere his myrthe and his gladnesse ; And to the chanoun he profred eftsoone Body and good. ' Ye,' quod the chanoun soone, ' ' Though poure I be, crafty thou shalt me fynde ; 1290 I warne thee yet is ther moore bihynde. Is ther any coper her-inne ? ' seyde he. ' Ye,' quod the preest, ' sire, I trowe wel ther be.' ' EUes go bye us som, and that as swithe. Now, goode sire, go forth thy wey and hy the.' Hewente his wey, and with the coper cam, And this chanoun it in his handes nam. And of that coper weyed out but an ounce. Al to symple is my tonge to pronounce. As ministre of my wit, the doublenesse 1300 Of this chanoun, roote of alle cursednesse. He semed freendly to hem that knewe hym noght. But he was feendly bothe in werk and thoght. It weerieth me to telle of his falsnesse, And nathelees yet wol I it expresse To. that entent men may be war therby. And for noon oother cause, trewely, He putte the ounce of coper in the crosselet, And on the fir as swithe he hath it set, And caste in poudre, and made the preest to blowe, 1310 And in his werkyng for to stoupe lowe, As he dide er, and al nas but a jape. Right as hym liste the preest he made his ape ; And afterward in the ingot he it caste, And in the panne putte it at the laste. Of water. In he putte his owene hand ; And in his sieve, as ye biforen-hand Herde me telle, he hadde a silver teyne ; Heslylytookeitout,^thiscursedheyne, — Unwityng this preest of his false craft, 1320 And in the pannes botme he hath it laft, And in the water rombleth to and fro, And wonder pryvely took up also The coper teyne, noght knowynge this preest, Andhiddeit, and hym hente by the breest, And tohym spak and thus seyde in hisgame, ' Stoupeth adoun, by God, ye be to blame, Helpeth me now, as I dide yow whil-eer, Putte in youre hand, and looketh what is theer.' Tljis preest took up this silver teyne anon, 1330 And thanne seyde the chanoun, 'Latus gon With thise thre teynes whiche that we han wroght To som goldsmyth, and wite if they been ought ; For, by my feith, I nolde for myn hood, But if they were silver fyn arid good, And that as swithe preeved it shal bee.' Unto the goldsmyth with thise teynes three They wente, and putte thise teynes in assay Tofirand hamer; myghtenomanseyenay. But that they weren as hem oghte be. 134a This sotted preest, who was gladder than he ? Was never brid gladder agayn the day, Ne nyghtyngale in the sesoun of May. Nas never man that luste bet to synge, Ne ladye lustier in carolynge. Or, for to speke of love and wommanhede, Ne knyght in armes todoon an hardy dede To stonden in grace of his lady deere, Than hadde this preest this soory craft to leere ; 1349 And to the chanoun thus hespakandseyde : ' For love of God, that for us alle deyde, And as I may deserve it unto yow. What shal this receite coste, telleth now?' ' By oure lady,' quod this chanoun, ' it is deere. 257 I3SS-I432 THE CANTERBURY TALES I warneyow wel, for save I and a frere In Engelond ther kan no man it make.' ' No fors,' quod he, ' now, sire, for Goddes sake. What shal I paye ? Telleth me, I preye.' ' Y- wis, ' quod he, ' it is ful deere, I seye. Sire, at o word, if that thee list it have, Ye shul paye fourty pound, so God me save ; 1361 And nere the freendshipe that ye dlde er this To me ye sholde paye moore, y-wis.' This' preest the somme of fourty pound anon Of nobles fette, and took hem everichon To this chanoun, for this ilke receit. Al his werkyng nas but fraude and deceit. ' Sire preest, ' he seyde, , ' I kepe han no loos Of my craft, for I wolde it kept were cloos. And, as ye love me, kepeth it secree; 1370 Fori and men knewen al my soutiltee. By God, they wolden han so greet envye To me, by Cause of my philosophye, I sholde be deed ; ther were noon oother weye. ' 'God it forbeede,' quod the preest; ' what say ye ? Yet hadde I levere spenden al the good Which that I have, — and elles wexe I wood ! — Than that ye sholden falle in swiche mescheef.' ' For youre good wyl, sire, have ye right good preef,' Quod the chanoun, ' and . farewel, grant ntercy 1 ' 1380 He wente his wey and never the preest hyra sy After that day; and whan that this preest sholde Maken assay at swich tyme as he wolde Of this receit, farwel, it wolde nat be ! Lo, thus byjaped and bigiled was he. Thus maketh he his introduccioun. To brynge folk to hir destruccioun. Considereth sires, how that inechestaat, Bitwixe men and gold ther is debaat So ferforfh, that unnethS is ther noon. 1390 This multiplying blent so many oon. That, in good faith, I trowe that it bee ' The cause grettest of swich scarsetee. : > Philosophres speken so mystily In thiscraft,thatmen kan nat come therby. For any wit that men han now-d-dayeffiA They mowe wel chiteren as doon thesi. jayes. And in hir termes sette hir lust and peyne, But to hir purpos shul they never atteyne. A man may lightly lerne, if he have aught. To multiplie, and brynge his good to naught. 140J Lo, swich a lucre is in this lusty game A mannes myrthe it wol turne unto grame. And empten also grete and hevye purses, And maken folk for to purchacen curses Of hem that han hir good therto y-lent. O fy, for shame ! they that han been brent, Alias ! kan they nat flee the fires heete ? Ye that it use I rede ye it leete, Lest ye lese al, for 'bet than never is late- ; Never to thryve were to long a date. 1411 Though ye prolle ay, ye shul it never fynde. Ye been as bodld as is Bayard the blynde, That blondreth forth and peril casteth noon. He is as boold to renne agayn a stoon, As for to goon bisides in the weye. So faren ye that multiplie, I seye ; If that youre eyen kan nat seen aright, Looke that youre mynde lakke noght his sight, For though ye looken never so brode, and stare, 1420 Ye shul nat Wynne a myte on that.chaffare, But wasten al that ye may rape and renne. Withdraweth the fir, lest it to faste brenne, — Medleth namoore with that art, I mene For, ifyedoon, youre thrift isgoonfulclene; And rightas swithe, Iwolyowtellen heere, What philosophres seyn in this mateere. Lo,thusseithArnoIdoftheNewe-Toun, As his Kosarie maketh mencioun ; He seithright thus, withouten any lye, 1430 The r may no man mercurie mortifiej But It be'^with his broth gr_kn owlechvng . 1413. Bayard^ a typical name for a horse. 1428. AntoMaf the Newe-Tpun^ \nio\Aa^i^ Villanova, a philosophical .physician of the 13th century. ' ■ 2S8 WORDS OF THE PILGRIMS H33-8 How that he which that first se^e this -thyng_ OffluEaOEiires fader was, Hermes ; Tie s eith how t hat tEe dragon 3outelees Nedyett3uaatj~Kt'"3j)SaEKe^H^^^ Vv ith ms IbrotHer" iS^ t'lSLBi^JC-J'iisjn!' -Bytlie drago n Mercurierand noon oothei;, tie und erstood, and brymstopii' By.^ils brother. That out of Sol and Luna were y-drawe ; ' And therfore,' seyde he, ' taak heede to my sawe ; 1441 Lat nomari bisyehym thisarte fortoseche, But if that he thentericioun and speche Of philosophres understonde kan ; And, if he do, he is a lewed man, For this science and this konnyng, ' quod he, ' Is of the secree of secrees, /io«fe«.? Also ther was a disciple of Plato That on a tyme seyde. his maister to. As his book Seniorwol bere witnesse, 1450 And this was his demande, in soothfast- nesse, ' Telle me the name of the privee stoon.' And Plato answerde unto hym anoon, ' Take the stoon that 7V/a»oj men name ' — 1434. Hervtes, i.e. Hermes Trismegistus. ' ' 1435. the dr£lgon,.l^aTairy. 1440. Sol and Luna, i.e, gold and silver. 1447. The allusion is to the pseudo-Aristotelian Secreta SecretoniTn. r ' - , ; 1450. his book Senior,^ ' The hook alluded to is printed in the Tfi^ati^tn'Chetniaim under this title : " Senioris Zadith fil. .Hamuelis tahula chemica.'! The story which follows of Plato and his disciples is there told, with some variations, of Solomon ' (Tyrwhitt). Dr. Skeat notes that the jiame Plato occurs three times only a few lines below, which explains Chaucer's mistake. ' Which is that ? ' quod he. is the same,' Seyde Plato. ' Ye, sire, and is it thus ? This is ignotum per ignocius. What is Magnasia, good sire, lyowpreye?' ' It is a water that is maad, I seye. Of elementes foure,' quod Plato. 1460 ' Telle me the roote, good sire,' quod he tho, ' Of that wateir, if it be youre wille.' ' Nay, nay,' quod Plato, ' certein that I nylle ; The philosophres sworn were everychoon That they sholden discovere it unto noon, Ne in no book it write in no manere. For unto Crist it is so lief and deere. That he wol nat that it discovered bee. But where itliketh to his deitee Man for tenspire, and eek for to deffende Whom that hym liketh ; lo, this is the ende. ' 147 1 Thanne conclude I thus, sith that God of hevene Ne wil nat that the philosophres nevene How that a man shal come unto this stoon, I rede as for the beste late it goon ; For who so maketh God his adversarie. As for to werken anythyng in contrarie Of his wil, certes never shal he thryve, Thogh that he multiplieterme of his lyve ; And there a poynt ; for ended is my tale. God sende every trewe man boote of his bale. Amen. 1481 1461. rooie\ H* roche. GROUP H Words of Divers of the Pilgrims WoOT ye nat where ther stant alitel toun. Which that y-cleped is Bobbe-up-and- doun. Under the Blee in Caunterbury weye? 2. Bohbe-up-and-doun, usually identiHed with Harbledown, but in the parish of Thannington there is a field of 'Up^aiid-Down' which, if, as is probable, the old Canterbury road took a somewhat different direction from the modern one, may be the site intended. 3. the Blee, Blean forest. TherganoureHooslefortojapeandpleye, And seyde, ' Sires, what I Dun is in the Myre! Is ther no man for preyere ne for hyre, That wole awake oure felawe al bihynde ? A theef myght hym ful lightly robbe and byiide. 5. Dun is in the Myre (the horse is stuck), -the name of an old game in which the conipan3j had to extricate a wooden * Dun ' from an imaginary slough. 2S9 9-S2 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP a See how he nappeth ! see how, for cokkes bones ! As he wol falle fro his hors atones. lo Is that a Cook of Londoun? with meschaunce ! Do, hym come forth, he knoweth his penaunce, For he shal telle a tale, by my fey ! Although it be nat worth a bote! hey. Awake, thou Cook,' quod he, ' God yeve thee sorwe ! What eyleth thee to slepe by the morwe ? Hastow had fleen al nyght, or artow dronke ? Or hastow with som quene al nyght y-swonke, Sp that thou mayst nat holden up thyn heed?' . This' Cook, that, was, ful pale atid- no thyng reed, 20 Seyde to cure Hoost, ' So God my soule < blesse, As ther is falle on me swich hevynesse, Noot I nat why, that roe were levere slepe Than the beste galon wyn in Ghepe.' ' Wei,' quod the Maunciple, ' if it may - doon ese : , \ To thee, sire Cook, and to nowightdisplese Which that heere rideth in this com- paignye. And that oure Hoost wole of hiscurteisye, I wol as now excuse thee of thy tale, For, in good ieith, thy visage is ful pale, Thyne eyen daswen eek, as that me thynketh, 31 And wel I woot thy breeth ful soure stynketh. That sheweth wel thou art nat wel disposed ; Of me certeyn thou shalt nat been y-glosed. See how he ganeth, lo, this dronken wight ! Although he wolde swolwe us anonright. Hoold cloos thy mouth, man, by thy fader kyn ! The devel of helle sette his foot ther-in ! Thy cursed breeth infecte wole us alle. Fy, stynkyrig swyn ! fy, foule moote thou falle ! 40 A ! taketh heede, sires, of this lusty man ! Now, sweete sire, wol ye justen atte fan ? 9. hoWf/or cokkes, li^ybr Goddes. Therto me thynketh ye been wel y-shape \ I trowe that ye dronken han wyn ape. And thatis whan men pleyen with a straw.' And with- this speche the Cook wax wrooth and wraw, , And on the Manciple he gan nodde faste For lakke of speche, and doun the hors hym caste. Where ashe laytill that men up hym took. This was a fair chyvachee !of a Cook. 50 Alias ! he nadde holde hym by his ladel !• And er that he agayn were in his sadel Ther was greet showvyng,bothe to andfro, To lifte hym up, and muchel care and wo, So unweeldy was this sory, palled goost. And to the Manciple thanne spak oure Hoost : ' By-cause drynke hath dominacioun ' Upon this man, by. my savacioun, I trowe, helewedly wolde telle his tald," For were it wyn, or oold or mbysty ale, That he hath dronke, he speketh an ! his nose, 61 And fneseth faste, and eekhehath the pose.' He hath also to do moore than ynough To kepe hym and his capul out of slough ; And if he falle from his capul eftsoone, Thanne shal we alle have ynogh to doone, In liftyng up his hevy, dronken cors ; Telle on thy tale, of hym make I no fors. ' But yet. Manciple, in feith thou art to nyce, Thus openly repreve hym of his vice ; 70 Another day he wole, peraventure, Reclayrae thee and brynge thee to lure, — I meene, he speke wole of siiiale thynges As for to pynchen at thy rekenynges : That were nat honeste, if it cam to preef.' ' No,' quod the Manciple, ' that were a greet mescheef ! Somyghtehe lightly bryngemeinthesnare, Yet hadde I levere payen for the mare Which he rit on, than he sholde with me stryve. 79 Iwolnat wratthehym,al somooti thryve I That that I spake I seyde it in my bourde; And wite ye what? I have heerin agourde 44. vjyn ape. The lion, ape, 'sheep, and pig represented degrees of ,drunkenness ; the ape answering to the 'joyous' stage, an unkind jest at the cook's sullenness. 260 MANCIPLE'S TALE 83-15? A draghte of wyn, ye, of a ripe grape, And right anon ye shul seen a good jape. This Cook shal drynke ther-of, if that I may. Up peyne of deeth, he wol nat say e me nay. ' And certeynly, to tellen as it was. Of this vessel the Cook drankefaste, alias ! What neded hym ? he drank ynough biforn ; 89 And whan he hadde pouped in this horn. To the Manciple he took the gourde agayn ; And of that drynke the Cook was wonder fayn, And thanked hym in swich wise as he koude. Thanne gan oure Hoost to laughen wonder loude. And seyde, ' I se wel it is necessarie, Where that we goon, good drynke we with us carie, For that wol turne rancour and disese Tacordand love, and many a wrong apese. ' OthouBacus ! y-blessed be thy name ! That so kanst turnen ernest into game, Worshipe and thank be to thy deitee ! Of that mateere ye gate namoore of me ; Talla on thy tale, Manciple, I thee preye. ' ' Wel, sire, ' quod he, ' now herkneth what I seye.' MANCIPLE'S TALE Heere bigynneth The Manciples Tale of the Crowe Whan Phabus dwelled heere in this erthe adoun, As olde bookes maken mencioun. He was the mooste lusty bachiler In al this world, and eek the best archer. Ha slow Phitoun, the serpent, as ha lay Slapynge agayn the sonne upon a day. And many another noble worthy dede He with his bowe wroghte, as men may rade. Manciple's Tale. 'The fable of the Crow, which is the subject of the Manciple's Tale, haS' been related by so many authors from Ovid down to Gower that it is impossible to say whom Chaucer principally followed ' (Tyrwhitt). 105. erthe^ E -it'ffrld. 109, Phitoun, Python. Pleyen he koude on every mynstralcie, And syngan, that it was a melodie To haeren of his claere voys the soun. Certes the kyng of Thebes, Amphioun, That with his syngyng walled that citee, Koude never syngen half so wel as hee. Therto ha was the semalieste man 119 That is, or was, sith that the world bigan. What nedeth it his fetures to discryve. For in this world was noon so fair on lyva. He was ther-with fulfild of gentillesse, Of honour, and of parfit worthynesse. This Phebus that was flour of bachilrie. As wel in fredom as in chivalrie, For his desport, in signe eek of victorie Of Phitoun, so as telleth us the storie. Was wont to beren in his hand a bowe. Now hadde this Phebus in his hous a crowe 130 Which in a cage he fostred many a day, And taughte it spaken, as men teche a jay. Whit was this crowe as is a snow-whit swan. And countrafete the speche of every man He koude, whan he sholde talla a tale ; Ther-with in al this world no nyghtyngale Ne koude, by an hondrad thousand deal, Syngen so wonder myrily and weel. Now hadde this Phebus in hishousawyf. Which that ha lovade moore than his lyf. And nyght and day dide ever his diligence Hir for to plese, and doon hire reverence; Save oonly, if the sothe that I shal sayn, Jaloushewasandwoldehavekepthirefayn, For hym were looth byjaped for to be ; And so is every wight in swich degree ; But all in ydel, for it availleth noght. Agoodwyf thatisclene of werkand thoght Sholde nat been kept in noon awayt, cartayn ; And trawely the labour is in vayn 150 To kepe a shrewe, for it wol nat baa. This holde I for a verray nycatee. To spille labour for to kape wyves ; Thus writen olde clerkes in hir lyves. But now to purpos, as I first bigan ; This worthy Phebus dooth all that he kan To plesen hire, wenynge by swich plesaunce, 147. in ydelf li^/or nought. 261 158-240 THE CANTBRBURY TALES GROUP H And for his manhede and his govemaunce, ; That no man sholde han put hym from hire grace ; 159 But God it woot, ther may no man embrace As to destreyne a thyng which that nature Hath natureelly set in a creature. Taak any bryd, and put it in a cage, And do al thyn entente, and thy corage, To fostre it tendrely with Mete and drynke Of alle deyntees that thou lianst bithynke, And keepe it ai so clenly as thou may, , Al though his cage of gold be neverso gay. Yet hath this brid by twenty thousand foold Levere in a forest, that is rude ajld coold, Goon cte wormes and swich wrecched- nesse ; For ever this brid wrol doon his bisynesse To escape out of his eagp, if he may ; His libertee this brid desireth ay. Lat take a cat, and fostre hym wel with milk And tendre flessh, and make his couche of silk. And lat hym seen a mous go by the wal. Anon he weyveth milk, and flessh, and al. And every deyntee that is in that hous, Swich appetit he hath to ete a mous. 180 Lo, heere hath lust his dominacioun. And appetit flcemeth discrecioun. A she-wolf hath also a vileyns kynde ; The lewedeste wolf that she may fynde, Or leest of reputacionn, that wol she. take In tyme whan hir lust to han a make. AUe thise ensamples spake I by thise men That been untrewe, and no thyng by wommen ; ilfor men han ever a likerous appetit. On lower thyng to parfourne hir delit igo Than on hire wyves, be they never so faire, Ne iiever so trewe, ne Bo debonaire ; Fl?sshis so newefengelj'with meschaunce ! That we ne konne in no thyng han plesaunce. That sowneth into vertu, any while. • This Phebus, which that thoghte upon no gile, Deceyv^d was for al his jolitee, For under hym another hadde shee, A man of litel reputacioun, Nat worth to Phebus in comparisoun ; 'a&j The moore harm is, it happeth ofte so, Of which ther cometh muchel harm and wo. And so bifel, whan Phebus was absent. His wyf anon hath for hir lemman sent. ' Hir lemman? ' certes this is a knavyssh speche 1 Foryeveth it me, and that I yow biseche. The wise Plato seith, as ye may rede, ' The word moot nede accorde with the dede ' ; If men shal telle properly a thyng 209 The word moot cosyn be to the werkyng. I am a boystous man ; right thus seye I, Ther nys no difference trewely I', Bitwixe a wyf that is of heigh degree. If of hire body dishoneste she bee. And a poure wenche, oother than this, — If it so be they werke both amys, — But that tlie gentile in hire estaat above; She shal be,cleped his ' lady,' as in love ; And for that oother is a poure womman, She shal be cleped his 'wenche,' or his ' lemman, ' 220 And Godit woot, mynowenedeere brother, Men leyn that oon as lowe as lith that oother. Right so bitwixe a titleless tiraunt And an outlawe, or a theef erraunt, The same I seye, ther is no difference, — To AIisaundr6 was toold this sentence, — That for the tiraunt is of gretter myght By force of mey nee, for to sleen doun right, And brennen hous and hoom, and make al playn, Lo, therforeis he cleped a 'capitayn ' ; 230 And for theoutlawe hathbut smalmeynee, And may nat doon so greet an harm as he, Ne brynge a cpntree to so greet mescheef, Menclepenhyman ' outlawe,' or a 'theef '; But for I am a man noght textueel, I wol noght telle of textes never a deel ,' I wol go to my tale as I bigan. Whan Phebus wyf had sent for hir lemman, , Anon they wroghten al hire lust volage. The white crowe that heeng ay in the cage 24" 207. TJie wise Plain, quoted from Boethias, Bk. lii, prose 12. Cp. General Prologue, U. 74^ 742. 262 MANCIPLE'S TALE 241-317 Biheeld hire werk and seyde never a word ; And whan that hoom was come Phebus, the lord, This crowe sang ' Cokkow ! Cokkow ! Cokkow 1 ' ' What ! bryd,' quod Phebus, ' what song syngestow ? Ne were thow wont so myrily to synge That to myn herte it was a rejoysynge To heere thy. voys ? Alias ! what song is this ? ' ' By God !' quod he, ' I synge nat amys. Phebus, 'quod he, ' for al thy worthynesse^ For al thy beautee and thy gentilesse, 250 For al thy song and al thy mynstralcye, For al thy waityng, blered is thyn eye With oon of litel reputacioun, Noght worth to thee as in comparisoun The montance of a gnat, so moote I thry ve ! For onthybedthywyf I saughhymswyve.' What wol ye moore ? The crowe anon hym tolde By sadde tokenes, and by wordes bolde, How that his wyf had doon hire lecherye, Hym to greet shame and to greet vileynye. And tolde hym ofte he saugh it with his eyen. 261 ThisPhebusganaweyward fortowryen, And thoughte his sorweful herte brast atwo ; His bowe he bente, and sette ther-inne a flo, And in his ire his wyf thanne hath he slayn, — This is thefTect, ther is namoore to sayn ; Forsorweofwhichhebrakhismynstralcie, Bothe harpe, and lute, and gyterne, and sautrie. And eek he brak his arwes and his bowe, And after that thus spak he to the crowe : ' Traitour,' quod he, ' with tonge of scorpioun 271 Thou hast me broght to my confusioun. Alias ! that I was wroght ! why nere I deed? O deere wyf ! O gemme of lustiheed ! That were to me so sad, and eek so trewe, Now listow deed, with face pale of hewe, Ful gylteles, — that dorste I swere, y-wys ! O rakel hand 1 to doon so foule amys. O trouble wit ! O ire, reccheles ! That unavysed smyteth gilteles ! 280 O wantrust ! ful of fals suspecioun, Where was thy wit and thy discrecioun ? O every man, be war of rakelnesse, Ne trowe no thyng withouten strong witnesse. Srayt nat to soone, er that ye witen why ; And beeth avysed wel and sobrely, Er ye doon any execucioun Upon youre ire for suspecioun ! Alias ! a thousand folk hath rakel ire Fully fordoon, and broght hem in the mire ! 290 Alias ! for sorwe I wol myselven slee.' And to the crowe, ' O false theef ! ' seyde he, ' I wol thee quite anon thy false tale. Thou songe whilom lyk a nyghtyngale '; Now shaltow, false theef, thy song forgon, And eek thy white fetheres everichon ; Ne never in al thy lif ne shaltou speke ; Thus shal men on a traytour been awreke. Thou, and thyn of-spiyng, ever shul be blake, Ne never sweete noyse shul ye make, 300 But ever crie agayn tempest and rayn, In tokenynge that thurgh thee my wyf is slayn.' And to the crowe he stirte, and that anon. And pulled his white fetheres everychon, And made hym blak, and refte hym all his song, And eek his speche, and out at dore hym slong. Unto the devel, which I hym bitake ! And'for this caas been alle crpwes blake. Lordynges, by this ensaraple I yow preye, 309 Beth war, and taketh kepe what I seye ; Ne telleth never no man in youre lyf How that another man hath dight his wyf; He wol yow haten mortally, certeyn. Daun Salomon, as wise clerkes seyn, Techeth a man to kepen his tonge weel ; But as I seyde, I am noght textueel, But nathelees, thus taughte me my dame : 300. noyse, E Toys. 310. I seye, TH* ye seye. 3z6. textueel, H4 textedi.tex^wel. 318-21 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I ' My sone, thenk on the crowe, on Goddes name ; My sone, keepe wel thy tonge and keepe thy freend ; 319 A wikked tonge is worse than a feend ; My sone, from a feend men may hem blesse ; My sone, God of his endelees goodnesse Walled a tonge with teeth and lippes eke, Formansholdehymavysewhat he speeke; My sone, ful ofte for to muche speche Hath many a man been spilt, as clerkes teche. But for litel speche avysely Is no man shent, to speke generally. My sone, thy tonge sholdestow restreyne At alle tymes, but whan thou doost thy peyne 330 To speke of God, in honour and preyere. The firste vertu, sone, if thou wolt leere, Is to restreyne and kepe wel thy tonge ; Thus lerne children whan that they been yonge. My sone, of muchel spekyng yvele avysed, Ther lasse spekyng haddeynough suffised, Comth muchel harm, thus was me toold and taught ; In muchel speche synne wanteth naught. Wqstow wher-of a rakel tonge serveth ? Right as aswerd for-kutteth and forkerveth An arm atwo, my deere sone, right so A tonge kutteth freendshipe al atw6. A jangler is to God abhomynable. Reed Salomon, so wys and honurable, ' ■ Reed David in hisPsalmes, reed Senekke. My sone, spek nat, but with thyn heed thou bekke ; Dissimule as thou were deef, if that thou heere A jangler speke of perilous mateere. TheFlemyhgseith, andlerneitiftheeleste, That "litel janglyng causeth muchel rest. " 350 My sone, if thou no wikked word hast seyd, Thee thar nat drede for to be biwreyd ; But he that hath mysseyd, I dar wel sayn, He may by no wey clepe his word agayn. Thyng that is seyd is seyd, and forth it gooth, Though hym repente, or be hym leef or looth. He is his thral to whom that he hath sayd A tale of which he is now yvele apayd. My sone, be war, and be noonauctour newe Of tidynges, wheither they been false or trewe ; 360 Wher so thou come, amonges hye or lowe, Kepe wel thy tonge, and thenk upon the crowe.' GROUP I Heere folweth the Prologe of the Persons Tale By that the Maunciple hadde his tale al ended Thesonnefro thesouth lynewasdescended So lowe that he ne nas nat to my sighte Degrees nyne-and-twenty as in higlite ; [Foure] of the clokke it was tho, as I gesse, Fo* ellevene foot, or litel moore or lesse. My shadwe was at thilke tyme, as there. Of swiche feet as my lengthe parted were In sixe feet equal of proporcioun. I. the Maunciple. According to the notes of time some other tales must have intervened, and Manciple is only the guess of the copyists. 5. Foure. The MSS. read Ten, which accords with neither line 4 nor line 72. 7. as tAere, i.e. in th&tlaUtadCf TAofiheyere. Ther-with the moones exaltacioun, lo I meene Libra, alwey gan ascende. As we were entryng at a thropes ende ; For which our Hoost, as he was wont to gye, As in this caas, oure joly compaignye, Seydein thiswise, ' Lordyngeseverichoon, Now lakketh us no tales mo than oon ; Fulfilled is my sentence and my decree ; I trowe that we han herd of ech degree. Almoost fulfild is al myn ordinaunce ; I pray to God so yeve hym right; good chaunce 20 That telleth this tale to us lustily. 10, II. the moones exaltacioun, J meene Libra. It seems hest to suppose with Tyrwhitt that ilie fnoones is a blunder for Saiitmes, Taurus being the exaltation of the moon, %pd i ilira of Saturn. H reads In mena for / meene. In Tnene (in the middle oi) has been suggested as a possible reading. 264 PARSON'S TALE Z2-8o ' Sire Freest,' quod he, 'artow a vicary, Or arte a Person? sey sooth, by thy fey ! Be what thou be, ne breke thou nat oure pley, Foreverymansave thouhath toold his tale. Unbokele, and shewe us what is in thy male ; For trewely, me thynketh by thy cheere, Thou sholdest knytte up wel a greet mateere. J]g]J^j|g^i^iy^^lnn..^or,rokkps lion£«; ! ' a"""-^""^' lOaesl' This Persoune answerde al atones, 30 ' Thou getest fable noon y-toold for me. For Paul, that writeth unto Thymothee, Repreveth hem that weyveth soothfast- nesse. And tellen fables and swich wrecched- nesse. Why sholde I sowen draf out of my fest. Whan I may sowen whete, if that me lest? For which I seye, if that yoW list to heere Moralitee and vertuous mateere. And thanne that ye wol yeve me audience, I wol ful fayn, at Cristes reverence, 40 Do yow plesaunce leefiul, as I kan ; But, trusteth wel, I am a southren man, Ikannatgeeste " > «OT, ra»«, >-z<^"by lettre ; Ne, God woot, rym holde I but litel bettre ; And therfore, if yow list, — I wol nat glose, — I wol yow telle a myrie tale in prose. To knytte up al this feeste, and make an ende; And Jhesu, for his grace, wit me sende To shewe yow the wey, in this viage, Of thilke parfit, glorious pilgrymage, 50 That highte Jerusalem celestial ; And if ye vouchesauf, anon I shal Bigynne upon my tale, for whiche I preye Telle youre avys. I kan no bettre seye. ' But nathelees this raeditacioun I putte it ay under correccioun Of clerkes, for I am nat textueel. I take but the sentence, trusteth weel ; Therfore I make a protestacioun That I wol stonde to correccioun.' 60 Upon this word we han assented soone, 43. geeste^ etc., tell tales in alliterative metres like the northern poets. 58. the (om. E) sentence, the meaning as op- posed to the letter. For as us semed, it was for to doone, To enden in som vertuous sentence, And for to yeve hym space and audience ; And bede oure Hoost he sholde to hym seye That alle we to telle his tale hym preye. Oure Hooste hadde the wordes for us alle: 'Sire Freest,' quod he, 'now faire yow bifalle ! Sey what yow list, and we wol gladly heere ' ; And with that word, he seyde in this manere : 70 'Telleth,' quod he, 'youre meditacioun; But hasteth yow, the sonne wole adoun. Beth fructuous, and that in litel space. And to do wel, God sende yow his grace. ' PARSON'S TALE Heere bigynneth the Persouns Tale Jer. VI. State super vias, et videte, et interro- gate de semttis antiguis, qua sit via bona, et ambulate in ea; et invenietis refrigeriufn ani- Tnabus vestris, [75] Oure sweete Lord God ofhevene, that no man wole perisse, but wole that we comen alle to the knoweleche of hym and the blissful lif that is perdurable, amonesteth us by the prophete Jeremie, and seith in this wyse : ' Stondeth upon the weyes, and seeth, and axeth of olde pathes, that is to seyn of olde sentences, which is thegoodewey, andwalkethinthat wey, and ye shal fynde refresshynge for youre soules.' Manye been the weyes espirituels that leden folk to oure Lord Jhesu Crist, and to the regne ofglorie; [8o]ofwhicheweyes ther is a ful noble wey, and a covenable, whichmaynat fayIetoman,netowomman, that thurgh synne hath mysgoon fro the righte wey of Jerusalem celestial, and this Parson^s Tale. The treatise on the Deadly Sins and their cure which is wedged into this account of Penitence is taken from the Sottime de Vices etde Vertus of Frfere Lorens, a thirteenth century writer. Chaucer's authorship of these sections has been doubted, perhaps needlessly ; but the sermon is unmercifully long. Jer, vi., V. 16. 75. that no man wole perisse, who desires to destroy no man. 265 8o-uo THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I wey is cleped penitence ; of which man sholde gladly herknen and enquere with al his herte to wyten what is penitence, and whennesit is cleped penitence, and in how raanye maneres been the acciouns or werkynges of penitence, and how manye speces ther been of penitence, and whiche thynges apertenen and bihoven to peni- tence, and whiche thynges destourben penitence. Seint Ambrose seith that penitence is the pleynynge of man for gilt that he hath doon and namoore to do any thyng for which hym oghte to pleyne; [85] and som doctour seith, ' Penitence is the way- menty nge of man that sorweth for his synne, and pyijeth hymself for he hath mysdoon. ' Penitence with certeyne circumstances is verray repentance of a man that halt hym self in sorwe and oother peyne for his giltes; and for he shall be verray penitent, he shal first biwaylen the synnes that he hath doon and stidefastly purposen in his herte to have shrift of mouthe and to doon satisfaccioun, and never to doon thyng for which hym oghte moore biwayle or to compleyne, and continue in goodewerkes, or elles his repentance may nat availle ; for, as seith Seint Ysidre, ' He is a japer and a gabber and no verray repentant that eftsoone dooth thyng for which hym oghte repente.' [90] Wepynge, and nat for to stynt to do synne, may nat avaylle ; but natheleesmen shal hope that at every tyme that man falleth, be it never so ofte, that he may arise thurgh penitence, if he have grace ; but certeinly it is greet doute, for, as seith Seint Gregorie, unnethe ariseth he out of his synne that is charged with the charge of yvel usage ; and therfore repentant folk that stynte for to synne, and forlete synne er that synne forlete hem, hooly chirche holdeth hem siker of hire savacioun. And he that synneth and verraily repenteth hym in his laste ende, hooly chirche yet hopeth his savacioun, by the grett mercy of cure Lord Jhesu Crist for his repentaunce ; but taak the siker wey. 85. shrift ofmouthet verbal confession. 85. Seint Ysidre^ St. Isidore. [95] And now sith I have declared yow what thyng is penitence, now shul ye understonde that ther been thre acciouns of penitence. The firste accioun of penitence is that a man be baptized after that he hath synned. Seint Augustyn seith, ' But he be penytent for his olde synful lyf, he may nat bigynne the newe clene lif ' ; for certes, if he be baptized withouten penitence of his olde gilt, he receyxeth the mark ,of baptesme, but nat the grace, ne the remission of his synnes, til he have repentance verray. Another defaute is this, that men doon deedly synne after that they han receyved baptesme. [100] The thridde defaute is that men fallen in venial synnes after hir baptesme. fro day to day. Ther-of seith Seint Augustyn thatpenitence of goode and humble folk is the penitence of every day. The speces of penitence been thre. That oon of hem is solempne, another is commune, and the thridde is privee. Thilke penance that is solempne is in two maneres ; as to be put out of hooly chirche in Lente for slaughtre of children, and swich maner thyng. Another thyng is whan a man hath synned openly, of which synne the fame is openly spoken in the contree, and thanne hooly chirche by juggement destreyneth hym for to do open penaunce. [los] Commune pen- aunce is that preestes enjoynen men in certeyn caas, as for to goon peraventure nakedin pilgrimages, or bare-foot. Pryvee penaunce is thilke that men doon alday for privee synnes, of whiche they shryve hem prively, and receyve privee penaunce. Now shaltow understande what is bihovely and necessarie to verray perfit penitence. And this stant on thre thynges : Contricioun of herte, Confessioun of mouth, and Satisfaccioun ; for which seith Seint John Crisostom, 'Penitence destreyneth a man to accepte benygnely eveiy peyne that hym is enjoyned with contricioun of herte, and shrift of mouth, with satisfaccioun, and in werkynge of alle manere humylitee ' ; [no] and this is 105. naked, i.e. without upper garments. 266 PARSON'S TALE IIO-I35 fruytful penitence agayn thre thynges in whiche we wratthe oure Lord Jhesu Crist. This is to seyn, by delit in thynkynge, by reccheleesnesse in spekynge, and by wikked synful werkynge ; and agayns thise wikkede giltes is penitence, that may be likned unto a tree. The roote of this tree is contricioun, that hideth hym in the herte of hym that is verray repentaunt, right as the roote of a tree hydeth hym in the erthe. Of the roote of contricioun spryngeth a stalke, that bereth braunches and leves of confessioun, and fruyt of satisfaccioun. [115] For which Crist seith in his gospel, ' Dooth digne fruyt of penitence ' ; for by this fruyt' may men Icnowe this tree, and nat by the roote that is hyd in the herte of man, ne by the. braunches, ne by the leves of confessioun ; and therfore oure Lord Jhesu Crist seith thus, ' By the fruyt of hem ye shul knowen hem.' Of this roote eek spryngeth a seed of grace, the which seed is mooder of siker- ness, and this seed is egre and hoot. The grace of this seed spryngeth of God thurgh remembrance of the day of doome and s on the peynes of helle. Of this matere seith Salomon, that in the drede of God man forleteth his synne. [120] The heete of this seed is the love of God, and the desiryng of the joye perdurable. This heete draweth the herte of a man to God, and dooth hym haten his synne ; for soothly ther is no thyng that savoureth so wel to a child as the milk of his norice, ne no thyng moore abhomynable than thilke milk whan it is medled with oother mete. Right so the synful man that loveth his synne, hym semeth that it is to him moost sweete of any thyng ; but fro that tyme that he loveth sadly oure Lord Jhesu Crist, and desireth the lif perdurable, ther nys to him no thyng moore abhomynable ; [125] for soothly the lawe of God is the love of God. For which David the prophete seith, ' I have loved thy lawe, and hated wikkednesse and hate ; he that loveth God kepeth his lawe and his word. ' This tree saugh the prophete Daniel in spirit upon the avysioun of Nabugodonosor, whan he conseiled hym to do penitence. Penaunce is the tree of lyf to hem that it receyven, and he that holdeth hym in verray peni- tence is blessed, after the sentence of* Salomon. In this penitence or contricioun man shal understonde foure thynges ; that is to seyn, what is contricioun, and whiche been the causes that moeven a man to contricioun, and how he sholde be contrit, and what contricioun availleth to the soule. Thanne is it thus that contricioun is the verray sorwe that a man receyveth in his herte for his synnes, with sad purpos to shryve hym and to do penaunce, and nevermoore Xa do synne ; [130] and this sorwe shal been in this manere, ay seith Seint Bernard ; it shal been hevy and grevous, and ful sharpe and poynant in herte. First, for man hath agilt his Lord and his Creatour, and moore sharpe and poynaunt for he hath agilt hys Fader celestial, and yet moore sharpe and poy- naunt for he hath wrathed and agilt hym that boghte hym, which with his precious blood hath delivered us fro the bondes of synne, and fro the crueltee of the devel, and fro the peynes of helle. The causes that oghte moeve a man to contricioun been sexe. First, a man shal remembre hym of his synnes ; but looke he that thilke remembraunce ne be to hym no delit by no wey, but greet shame and sorwe for his gilt ; for Job seith, synful men doon werkes worthy of confessioun. [13s] And therfore seith ■ Ezechie, ' I wol remembre me alle the yeres of my lyf in bitternesse of myn herte.' And God seith in the Apocalipse, • Remembreth yow fro whennes that ye been falle ' ; for biforn that tyme that ye synned ye were the children of God, and lymes of the regne of God ; but for youre synne ye been woxen thral and foul, and membres of the feend, hate of aungels, 125. in spirit upon the avysioun of, E in the avysioun of the ky7ig. Z25. Nabugodonosor, Nebuchadnezzar. 267 I3S-I6S THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I sclaunde of hooly chirche, and fobde of the false serpent, perpetueel matere of the fir of helle ; and yet moore foUl and abhomynable, for ye trespassen so ofte tyme as dooth the hound that retourneth "to eten his spewyng ; and yet be ye fouler for youre longe continuyng in synne and youre synful usage, for which ye be roten in youre synne as a beest in his dong. [140] Swiche manere of thoghtes maken a man to have shame of his synne and no delit, as God seith by the prophete Ezechiel, 'Ye shal remembre yow of youre weyes and they shuln displese yow. ' Soothly synnes been the weyes that leden folk to helle. The seconde cause that oghte make a man to have desdeyri of synne is this, that, as seith Seint Peter, ' WHo-so that dooth synne is thral of synne ' ; and synne put a mati in greet thraldom, and therfore seith the prophete Ezechiel, ' I wente sorweful in dfesdayn of my self ; and certes, wel oghte a man have des- dayn of synne and withdrawe hym from that thraldom and vileynye. And lo, what seith Seneca in this matere ? He seith thus : ' Though I wiste that God — neither God ne man — ne sholde never knowe it, yet wolde I have desdayn for to do synne. ' [145] And the same Seneca also seith, ' I am born to gretter thynges than to be thral to my body, or than for to maken of my body a thral ' ; ne a fouler thral may no man ne womman maken of his body than for to yeven his body to synne. Al were it the fouleste oherl, or the fouleste womman that lyveth, and leest of value, yet is he thanne moore foule and moore in servitute. Ever fro the hyer degree that man falleth, the moore is he thral, and moore to God and to the world vile and abhomynable. O goode God ! wel oghte man have desdayn of synne, sith that thurgh synne ther he was free now is he maked bonde ; [150] and therfore seyth Seint Augustyn, ' If thou hast desdayn of thy servant, if he agilte, or synne, have thou thanne desdayn that thou thyself sholdest do synne ; take reward of thy value, that thou ne be to foul to thyself.' Alias! wel oghten they thanne have desdayn to been servauntz and thralles to synne, and soore been ashamed of hemself, that God of his endelees goodnesse hath set hem in heigh estaat, or yeven hem wit, strengthe of body, heele, beautee, pros- peritee, and boghte hem fro the deeth with his herte blood, that they so un- kyndely agayns his gentilesse quiten hym so vileynsly, to slaughtre of hir owene soules. [155] O goode God ! ye wommen that been of so greet beautee, remembreth yow of the proverbe of Salomon, he seith, ' Likneth a fair womman that is a fool of hire body lyk to a ryng of gold that were in the groyn of a sowe, for right as a sowe wroteth in everich ordure, so wroteth hire beautee in the stynkynge ordure of synne. ' The thridde cause that oghte moeve a man to contricioun is drede of the day of doome and of the horrible peynes of helle ; for as Seint Jerome seith, ' At every tyme that me remembreth of the day of doome, I quake, [160] for whan I ete, or drynke, or what so that I do, - ever semeth me that the trompe sowneth in myn ere, " Riseth up, ye that been dede, and cometh to the juggement."' O goode God ! muchel oghte a man to drede swich a juggement, ther as we shuUen been alle, as Seint Poul seith, biforn the seete of cure Lord Jhesu Crist, wher as he shal make a general congre- gacioun, wher as no man may been absent, for certes there availleth noon essoyne, ne excusacioun. [165] And nat oonly that ouredefautesshuUen be jugged, but eek that alle oure werkes shuUen openly be knowe. And as seith Seint Bernard, 'Ther ne shal no pledynge availle, ne sleighte ; we shullen yeven i;ekenynge of everich ydel word ; ther shul we han a juge that may nat been deceyved ne corrupt.' And why? for certes alle oure thoghtes been discovered as to hym ; ne for preyere, ne for meede, he shal nat been corrupt. And therfore 268 PARSON'S TALE 165-190 seith Salomon, ' The wratthe of God ne wol nat spare no wight for preyere ne for yifte'; and therfore, at the day of doom ther nys noon hope to escape. Wherfore, as seith Seint Anselm, 'Ful greet angwyssh shul the synful folk have at that tyme. [170] Ther shal the stierne and wrothe juge sitte above, and under hym the horrible put of helle open to destroyen hym that moot biknoviren his synnes, whiche synnesopenly been shewed bifom God and bifom every creature ; and in the left syde mo develes than herte may bithjrnke, for to harye and drawe the synful soules to the peyne of helle ; and withinne the hertes of folk shal be the bitynge conscience, and withoute forth shal be the world al brennynge. ' Whider shal thanne the wrecched synful man flee to hiden hym? Certes, he may nat hyden hym, — he moste come forth and shewen hym ; for certes, as seith Seint Jerome, ' The erthe shal casten hym out of hym, and the see also, and the eyr also, that shal be ful of thonder clappes and lightnynges. ' [175] Now soothly, who so wel re- membreth hym of thise thynges, I gesse that his synne shal nat turne hym to delit, but to greet sorwe, for drede of the pejme of helle. And therefore seith Job to God, ' Suffre, Lord, that I may awhile biwaille, and wepe, er I go withoute, retumyng to the derke lond, covered with the derknesse of deeth, to the lond of mysese and of derknesse, where as is the shadwe of deeth, where as ther is noon ordre or ordinaunce, but grisly drede that ever shal laste.' Loo, heere may ye seen that Job preyde respit a while to biwepe and waille his trespas, for soothly con day of respit is bettre than al the tresor of this world ; and foras- muche as a man may acquiten hymself biforn God by penitence in this world, and nat by tresor, therfore sholde he preye to God to yeve hym respit a while to biwepe and biwaillen his trespas ; [180] for certes, al the sorwe that a man myghte make fro the bigynnyng of the world nys but a litel thyng at regard of the sorwe of helle. The cause why that Job clepeth helle ' the lond of derknesse ' : understondeth that he clepeth it londe or erthe, for it is stable and never shal faille ; dirk, for he that is in helle hath defaute of light material, for certes, the derke light that shal come out of the fyr that ever shal brenne shal turne hym al to peyne that is in helle, for it sheweth hym to the horrible develes that hym tormenten ; ' covered with the derknesse of deeth ' ; that is to seyn, that he that is in helle shall have defaute of the sighte of God ; for certes, the sighte of God is the lyf perdurable. [185] The ' derknesse of deeth' been the synnes that the wrecched man hath doon, whiche that destourben hym to see the face of God, right' as dooth a derk clowde bitwixe us and the sonne. ' Lond of misese,' by-cause that ther been thre maneres of defautes agayn thre thynges that folk of this world han in this present lyf; that is to seyn, honours, delices, and richesses. Agayns honour have they in helle shame and confusioun ; for wel ye wool that men clepen honour the reverence that man doth to man ; but in helle is noon honour ne reverence, for certes, namoore reverence shal be doon there to a kyng than to a knave. For which God seith by the prophete Jeremye, ' Thilke folk that me despisen shul been in despit.' [190] Honour is eek deped greet lordshipe. Ther, shal no wight serven oother but of harm and torment. Honour is eek cleped greet dignytee and heighnesse, but in helle shul they been al fortroden of develes. And God seith, ' The horrible develes shulle goon and comen upon the hevedes of the dampned folk ' ; and this is forasmuche as the hyer that they were in this present lyf, the moore shulle they been abated and de- fouled in helle. Agayns the richesses of this world shul they han mysese of poverte ; and this 185. despisen, H displesett. 269 190-21 s THE CANTERBURY TALES poverte shal been in foure thynges. In defaute of tresor, of which that David seith, 'The riche folk that embraceden, and oneden al hire herte to tresor of this world, shul slepe in the slepynge of deeth, and no thyng ne shal they fynden in hir handes of al hir tresor.' And mooreover the mysese of helle shal been in defaute of mete and drinke, [195] for God seith thus by Moyses, ' They shul been wasted with hunger, and the briddes of helle shal devouren hem with the bitter deeth, and the galle of the dragon shal been hire drynke, and the venym of the dragon hire morsels.' And forther-over hire mysese shal been in defaute of clothyng, for they shuUe be naked in body, as of clothyng, save the fyr in which they brenne, and othere filthes ; and naked shul they been of soule, as of alle manere vertues which that is the clothyng of the soule. Where been thanne the gaye robes, and the softe shetes, and the smale shertes ? Loo, what seith God of hem by the prophete Ysaye ? That under hem shul been strawed motthes, and hire covertures shuUe been of wormes of helle. And forther-over hir mysese shal been in defaute of freendes, for he nys nat poure that hath goode freendes ; but there is. no frend ; [200] for neither God, ne no creature, shal been freend to hem. ; and everich of hem shal haten oother with deedly hate. Thesones and the doghtren shullen rebellen agayns fader and mooder, and kynrede agayns kynrede, and chiden and despisen everich of hem oother bothe day and nyght, as God seith by the prophete Michias. And the lovynge children, that whilom loveden so flesshly everich oother, wolden everich of hem eten oother, if they myghte ; for how sholden they love togidre in the peyne of helle, whan they hated ech of hem oother in the prosperitee of this lyf ? For truste wel, hir flesshly love was deedly hate, as seith the prophete David, ' Whoso that loveth wikkednesse he hateth his soule ' ; [20s] and whoso hateth his owene 195. the Utter deeth, H bitter teeth. soule, certes, he may love noon oother wight in no manere ; and therfore in helle is no solas, ne no freendshipe, but ever the moore flesshly kynredes that been in helle, the moore cursynges, the more chidynges, and the moore deedly hate ther is among hem. And forther-over they shul have de- faute of alle manere delices ; for certes dehces been after the appetites of the five wittes, as sighte, herynge, smellynge, savorynge, and touchynge : [210] but in helle hir sighte shal be ful of derknesse and of smoke, and therfore ful of teeres, and hir herynge ful of waymentynge and of gryntynge of teeth, as seith Jhesu Crist. Hir nose-thirles shullen be fill of stynkynge stynk ; and, as seith Ysaye the prophete, hir savoryng shal be ful of bitter galle ; and touchynge of al hir body y-Covered with fir that never shal quenche, and with wormes that never shul dyen, as God seith by the mouth of Ysaye. And forasmuch as they shul nat wene that they may dyen for peyne, and by hir deeth flee fro peyne, that may they understonden by the word of Job, that seith, 'Ther as is the shadwe of deeth.' Certes a shadwe hath the lik- nesse of the thyng of which it is shadwe, but shadwe is nat the same thyng of' which it is shadwe. Right so fareth the peyne of helle ; it is lyk deeth for the horrible angwissh ; and why ? For it peyneth hem ever as though they sholde dye anon, but certes, they shal nat dye, for as seith Seint Gregorie, ' To wrecche caytyves shal be deeth withoute deeth, and endewithouten ende, and defaute withoute failyfige, [21s] for hir deeth shal alwey lyven and hir ende shal evermo bigynne, and hir defaute shal nat faille ' ; and therfore seith Seint John the Evaungelist, ' They shullen folwe deeth and they shul nat fynde hym, and they shul desiren to dye and deeth shal flee fro hem.' And eek Job seith that in helle is noon ordre of rule, and al be it so that God hath creat alle thynges in right ordre and 270 PARSON'S TALE 215-240 no thyng withouten oidre, but alle thynges been ordeyned and nombred ; yet nathelees, they that been dampned been no thyng in the ordre, ne holden noon ordre, for the erthe ne shal here hem no fruyt, [220] for, as the prophete David seith, ' God shal destroie the fruyt of the erthe as fro hem, ne water ne shal yeve hem no moisture, ne the eyr no refresshyng, ne fyr no light,' For as seith Seint Basilie, ' The brennynge of the fyr of this world shal God yeven in helle to hem that been dampned, but the light and the cleernesse shal'be yeven in hevene to his children, right as the goode man yeveth flessh to his children and bones to his houndes. ' And for they shullen have noon hope to escape, seith Seint Job atte laste, that ther shal horrour and grisly drede dwellen withouten ende. Horrour is alwey drede of harm that is to come, and this drede shal ever dwelle in the hertes of hem that been dampned ; and therfore han they lorn al hire hope for sevene causes. [225] First, for God that is hir juge shal be withouten mercy to hem, and they may nat plese hym ne noon of his halwes ; ne they ne may yeve no thyng for hir raunsoun ; ne they have no voys to speke to hym ; ne they may nat fle fro peyne ; ne they have no goodnesse in hem that they mowe shewe to delivere hem fro peyne. jVnd therfore seith Salomon, ' The wikked man dyeth, and whan he is deed he shal have noon hope to escape fro peyne.' Whoso thanne wolde wel understande these peynes and bithynke hym weel that he hath deserved thilke peynes for his synnes, certes, he sholde have moore talent to siken and to wepe, than for to syngen and to pleye, for as that seith Salomon, ' Whoso that hadde the science to know the peynes that been establissed and ordeyned for synne, he wolde make sorvte.' [230] Thilke science, as seith Seint Augustyn, maketh a man to waymenten in his herte. The fourthe point that oghte maken a man to have contricioun is the sorweful remembraunce of the good that he hath left to doon heere in erthe, and eek the good that he hath lorn. Soothly, the goode werkes that he hath [left], outher they been the goode werkes that he hath wroght er he fel into deedly synne, or elles the goode werkes that he wroghte while he lay in synne. Soothly, the goode werkes that he dide biforn that he fil in synne been al mortefied and astoned, and dulled, by the ofte synnyng. The othere goode werkes that he wroghte while he lay in deedly synne, thei been outrely dede as to the lyf perdurable in hevene. [23s] Thanne thilke goode werkes that been mortefied by ofte synnyng, whiche goode werkes he dide whil he was in charitee, ne mowe never quyken agayn withouten verray penitence ; and ther-of seith God by the mouth of Ezechiel, ' That if the rightful man returne agayn from his rightwisnesse and werke wikkednesse, shal he lyve? Nay, for alle the goode werkes that he hath wroght ne shul never been in remem- brance, for he shal dyen in his synne.' And upon thilke chapitre seith Seint Gregorie thus : ' That we shuUe under- stonde this principally, that whan we doon deedly synne it is for noght thanne to rehercen or drawen into memorie the goode werkes that we han wroght biforn ' ; [240] for certes, in the werkynge of the deedly synne ther is no trust to no good werk that we han doon biforn, that is for to seyn, as for to have therby the lyf perdurable' in hevene ; but nathelees, the goode werkes quyken agayn and comen agayn and helpen and availlen to have the lyf perdurable in hevene whan we han contricioun. But soothly, the goode werkes that men doon whil they been in deedly synne, forasmuch as they were doon in deedly synne, they may never quyke agayn ; for certes, thyng that never hadde lyf may never quykene ; and nathelees, al be it that they ne ayaille noght to han the lyf perdurable. 271 240-265 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I yet availlen they to abregge of the peyne of helle, or elles to geten temporal richesse, or elles that God wole the rather enlumyne and lightne the herte of the sjpnful man to have repentaunce. [245] And eek they availlen for to usen a man to doon goode werkes that the feend have the lasse power of his soule. And thus the curteis Lord Jhesu Crist wole that no good werk be lost, for in som- what it shal availle. But, forasmuche as the goode werkes that men doon whil they been in good lyf been al mortefied by synne folwynge; and eek sith that alle the goode werkes that men doon whil they been in deedly synne been outrely dede, for to have the lyf perdurable, wel may that man that no good werk ne dooth synge thilke newe Frenshe song, 'Jay tout perdu — mon temps et man labour. ' For certes synne bireveth a man bothe goodnesse of nature and eek the goodnesse of grace ; [250] for soothly, the grace of the Hooly Goost fareth lyk fyr that may nat been ydel, for fyr fayleth anoon as it forleteth his wirkynge ; and right so grace fayleth anoon as it forleteth his werkynge. Then leseth the synful man the goodnesse of glorie that oonly is bihight to goode men that labouren and werken. Wel may he be sory thanne that oweth al his lif to God, as longe as he hath lyved and eek as longe as he shal lyve, that no goodnesse ne hath to paye with his dette to God, to whom he oweth al his lyf; for, trust wel, he shal yeven acountes, as seith Seint Bernard, of alle the goodes that han be yeven hym in this present lyf, and how he hath hem despended ; noght so muche that ther shal nat perisse an heer of his heed, ne a moment of an boure ne shal nat perisse of his tyme, that he ne shal yeve of it a rekenyng. [zss] The fifthe thyng that oghte moeve a man to contricioun is remembrance of the passioun that oure Lord Jhesu Crist suffred for oure synnes, for, as seith 245. thilke newe Frenshe song. Quoted again in the Fortune, i. 7. Seint Bernard, ' Whil that I lyve I shal have remembrance of the travailles that oure Lord Crist suffred in prechyng, his werynesse in tvavaillyng, his tempta- ciouns whan he fasted, his longe wakynges whan he preyde, his teeres whan that he weepe for pitee of good peple, the wo and the shame and the filthe that men seyden to hym, of the foule spittyng that men spitte in his face, of the buffettes that men yaven hym, of the foule mowes and of the repreves that men, to hym seyden j of the nayles with whiche he was nayled to the croys, and of al the remenaunt of his passioun that he suffred for my synnes and no thyng for his gilt.' [260] And ye shul understonde that in mannes synne is every manere of ordre or ordinaunce turned up-so-doun. For it is sooth that God and rcsoun and sensualitee and the body of man been ordeyned that everich of thise foure thynges sholde have lordshipe over that oother ; as thus : God sholde have lord- shipe over resoun, and resoun over sensualitee, and sensualitee over the body of man ; but soothly, whan man synneth al this ordre or ordinaunce is turned up- so-doun. And therfore thanne, foras- muche as the resoun of man ne wol nat be subget ne obeisant to God, that is his lord by right, therfore leseth it the lord- shipe that it sholde have over sensualitee, and eek over the body of man. [265] And why? For sensualitee rebelleth thanne agayns resoun, and by that way leseth resoun the lordshipe over sensualitee and over the body, for, right as resoun is rebel to God, right so is bothe sensualitee rebel to resoun and the body also. And certes, this disordinaunce and this rebellioun oure Lord Jhesu Crist aboghte upon his precious body ful deere ; and herkneth in which wise. Foi: as muche thanne as resoun is rebel to God, therfore is man worthy to have sorwe and to be deed. This suffred oure Lord Jhesu Crist for man, after that he hadde be bitraysed of his disciple, and distreyned 272 GROUP » PAJiSON'S TALE 265-290 and bounde, so that his blood brast out at every nayl of his handes, as seith Saint Augustyn. [270] And forther-over for as muchel as resoun of man ne wol nat daunte sensualitee whan it may, therfore is man worthy to have shame, and this suffred oure Lord Jhesu Crist for man whan they spetten in his visage. And forther-over for as muchel thanne as the caytyf body of man is rebel bothe to resoun and to sensualitee, therfore is it worthy the deeth, and this suffred oure Lord Jhesu Crist for man upon the croys, where as ther was no part of his body free withouten greet peyne and bitter passioun. And al this suffred Jhesu Crist that never forfeted, and therfore resonably may be said of Jhesu in this manere : ' To muchel am I peyned for the thynges that I never deserved, and to muche defouled for shendshipe that man is worthy to have. ' And therfore may the synful man wel seye, as seith Seint Bernard, ' Acursed be the bitternesse of my synne, for which ther moste be suffred so muchel bitternesse ' ; [27s] for certes, after the diverse discordaunces of oure wikkednesses was the passioun of Jhesu Crist ordeyned.in diverse thynges, as thus ; certes, synful mannes soule is bitraysed of the devel by coveitise of temporeel prosperitee, and scorned by deceite whan he cheseth flesshly delices, and yet is it tormented by inpacience of adversitee, and by-spit by servage and subjeccioun of synne, and atte laste it is slayn fynally. For this disordinaunce of synful man was Jhesu Crist first bitraysed, and after that he was bounde that cam for to unbynden us of synne and of peyne. Thanne was he by-scorned that oonly' sholde han been honoured in alle thynges and of alle thynges. Thanne was his visage, that oghte be desired to be seyn of al mankynde, in which visage aungels desiren-to looke, vileynsly bispet ; [280] thanne was he scourged that no thyng hadde agilt ; and finally thanne 275. hy-spitf E dispeir* was he crucified and slayn. Thanne was acompliced the word of Ysaye, ' He was wounded for oure mysdedes and defouled by oure felonies.' Now, sith that Jhesu Crist took upon hymself the peyne of alle oure wikkednesses, muchel bghte synful man wepen and biwayle that for his synnes Goddes sone of hevene sholde al this peyne endure. The sixte thyng that oghte moeve a man to contricioun is the hope of thre thynges ; that is to seyn, foryifhesse of synne, and the yifte of grace wel for to do, and the gloria of hevene, with which God shal gerdone a man for his goode dedes. And, for as muche as Jhesu Crist yeveth us thise yiftas of his largesse, and of his sovereyn bountee, therfore is he cXe^ei/hesus Nazarenus, rexjudceorum. [285] Jhesus is to seyn saveour, or salvacioun, on whom men shul hope to have foryifnessa of synnes, which that is proprely salvacioun of synnes ; and ther- fore seyde the aungel to Joseph, ' Thou shalt clepen his name Jhesus that shal saven his peple of hir synnes.' And hear-of seith Saint Peter, ' Ther is noon oother name under hevene that is yeve to any man by which a man may be saved,' but oonly Jhesus. Nazarenus is as muche for to seye as florisshynge, in which a man shal hope that he that yeveth hym ramissioun of synnes shal yeve hym eek grace wel for to do, for in the flour is hope of fruyt in tyme comynge, and in foryifnesse of synnes, hope oif grace wel for to do. 'I was atte dore of thyn herte,' seith Jhesus, ' and cleped for to entre ; he that operieth to me shal haveforyifnesseof synne; [290] I wol entre into hym by my grace and soupe with hyra (by the goode warkas that he shal doon, whiche werkes bean the foode of God), and he shal soupe with me' (by the grete joye that I shal yeven hym). Thus shal man hope for his werkes of penaunce that God shal yeven hym his regne, as he bihooteth hym in the gospel. Now shal a man undarstonda in which 273 290-310 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP 1 manere shal been his contiicioun. I seye that it shal been universal and total. This is to seyn, a man shal be verray repentaunt for alle his synnes that he hath doon in delit of his thoght, for delit is ful perilous. For ther been two manere of consentynges ; that oon of hem is cleped consentynge of affeccioun, whan a man is moeved to do synne, and deliteth hym longefor to thynke on that synne, and his resounaperceyvethit welthatitissynne agayns the lawe of God, and yet his resoun refreyneth nat his foul delit or talent, though he se wel apertly that it is agayns the reverence of God ; although his resoun ne consente noght to dooU that synne in dede, [295] yet seyn somme doctours that swich delit that dwelleth longe it is ful perilous, al be it never so lite. And also a man sholde sorwe namely, for al that ever he hath desired agayn the lawe of God with perfit con- sentynge of his resoun, for ther-of is no doute that it is deedly synne in con- sentynge ; for certes, ther is no deedly synne that it nas first in mannes thought, and after that in his delit and so forth into consentynge, and into dede. Wher- fore, I seye that many men ne repenten hem never of swiche thoghtes and delites, ne never shryven hem of it, but oonly of the dede of grete synnes outward ; wher- fore, I. seye that swiche wikked delites andwikked thoghtes been subtile bigileres of hem that shuUen be dampned. [300] Moore-over, man oghte to sorwe for his wikkede wordes, as wel as for his wikkede dedes; for, certes, the re- pentaunce of a synguler synne, and nat repente of alle his othere synnes, or elles repenten hym of alle his othere synnes and nat of a synguler synne, njay nat availle. For certes, God Almyghty is al good, and'therfore he foryeveth al, or elles right noght. And heer-of seith Seint Augustyn, I wot certeynly that God is enemy to everich synnere, and how thanne he that observeth o synne, shal he have foryifnesse of the remenaunt of his othere synnes ? Nay. [305] And forther-over contricioun sholdebe wonder sorweful and angwissous, and therfore yeveth hym God pleynly his mercy, and therfore ' whan my soule was angwissous with-inne me, I hadde re- membrance of God, that my preyere myghte come to hym.' Forther-over contricioun moste be continueel, and that man havestedefast purpos to shriven hym, and for to amenden hym of his lyf ; for, soothly, whil contricioun lasteth man may ever have hope of foryifnesse, and of this comth hate of synne, that destiroyeth synne bothe in.him-self and eek in oother folk, at his power ; for which seith David, 'Ye thatloven God, hateth wikkednessej' for, trusteth wel, to love God is for to love that he loveth and hate that he hateth.. The laste thyng that man shal under- stonde in contricioun is this, 'Wher-of avayleth contricioun ? ' I seye that som tyme contricioun delivereth a man fro synne ; of which that David seith, ' I seye,' quod David, that is to seyn, 'I purposed fermely to shryve me, and thow, Lord, relesedest my synne.' [310] And right so as contricioun availleth noght withouten sad purpos of shrifte, if man have oportunitee, right so litel worth is shrifte or satisfaccioun withouten con- tricioun. And moore-over contricioun destroyeth the prisoun of helle, and maketh wayk and treble alle the strengthes of the develes, and restoreth the yiftes of the Hooly Goost and of alle goodevertues; and it clenseth the soule of synne and delivereth the soule fro the peyne of helle, and fro the compaignye of the devel, and fro the servage of synne, and re- storeth it to alle goodes espirituels, and to the compaignye and communyoun of hooly chirche. And forther-over it maketh hym that whilom was sone of ire to be soneofgrace, and alle thise thynges been preved by hooly writ, and therfore he that wolde sette his entente to thise thynges, he were ful wys, for, soothly, he ne sholde nat 310. entente^ H kerie. 274 GROUP I PAJiSON'S TALE 3JO-33S thanne in al his lyf have corage to synne, but yeven his body and al his herte to the service of Jhesu Crist, and ther-of doon hym hommage ; [315] for soothly oure sweete Lord Jhesu Crist hath spared us so debonairly in our folies, that if he ne hadde pitee of mannes soule a sory song we myghten alle synge. Explicit prima pars penitentie. Et sequitur secunda pars eitisdan The seconde partie of penitence is confessioun that is signe of contricioun. Now shul ye understonde what is con- fessioun, and wheither it oghte nedes be doon or noon, and whiche thynges been covenable to verray confessioun. First shallow understonde that con- fessioun is verray shewynge of synnes to the preest; this is to seyn 'verray,' for he moste confessen hym of alle the condiciouns that bilongen to his synne, as ferforth as he kan ; [320] al moot be seyd and no thyng excused, ne hyd, ne for-wrapped, and noght avaunte thee of thy goode werkes. And forther-over it is necessarie to understonde whennes that synnes spryngen, and how they encreessen, and whiche they been. Of the spryngynge of synnes seith Seint Paul in this wise, that ' Right as by a man synne entred first into this world, and thurgh that synne deeth ; right so thilke deeth entred into alle men that synneden ' ; and this man was Adam, by whom synne entred into this world whan he brak the comaundementz of God. And therfore, he that first was so myghty that he sholde nat have dyed, bicam swich oon that he moste nedes dye, wheither he wolde or noon, and al his progenye in this world that in thilke man synneden. [3zs] Looke, that in thestaat of inno- cence, whan Adam and Eve naked weren in Paradys and no thyng ne hadden shame of hir nakednesse, how that the serpent, that was moost wily of alle aao. thee of thy, H5 him o/his. othere beestes that God hadde maked, seyde to the womman, ' Why comaunded God to yow ye sholde nat eten of every tree in Paradys ? ' The wommananswerde, ' Of the fruyt,' quod she, 'of the trees in Paradys we feden us, but soothly, of the fruyt of the tree that is in the myddel of Paradys God forbad us for to ete, and nat touchen it, lest peraventure we sholde dyen.' The serpent seyde to the womman, ' Nay, nay, ye shul nat dyen of deeth ; for sothe, God woot that what day that ye eten ther-of youre eyen shul opene, and ye shul been as goddes, knowynge good and harm.' The womman thanne saugh that the tree was good to feedyng, and fair to the eyen, and delitable to the sighte. She took of the fruyt of the tree, and eet it, and yaf to hire housbonde, and he eet, and anoon the eyen of hembothe openeden ; [330] and whan that they knewe that they were naked they sowed of fige leves a maner of breches, to hidenhire members. There may ye seen that deedly synne hath first suggestioun of the feend, as sheweth heere by the naddre, and after- ward the delit of the flessh, as sheweth heere by Eve, and after that the con- sentynge of resoun, as sheweth heere by Adam. For trust wel, though so were that the feend tempted Eve, that is to seyn the flessh, and the flessh hadde delit in the beautee of the fruyt defended, yet certes til thatresoun, thatis toseyn Adam, consented to the etynge of the fruyt, yet stood he in thestaat of innocence. Ofthilke Adam tooke we thilke synne original, for of hym flesshly descended be we a:lle, and engendred of vile and corrupt mateere ; and whan the soule is put in oure body, right anon is contract original synne, and that that was erst but oonly peyne of concupiscence is afterward both peyne and synne ; [335] and therfore be we alle born sonesofwrattheand ofdamp- nacioun perdurable, if it nere baptesme that we receyven, which bynymeth Us the culpe. But for sothe the peyne dwelleth with us as to temptacioun, which peyne 275 33S-3SS THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I highte concupiscence. And this con- cupiscence whan it is wrongfully disposed or ordeyned in man it maketh hym coveite by coveitise of flessh, flesshly synne by sighte of his eyen as to erthely thynges, and eelc. coveitise of hynesse by pride of herte. Now, as for to speken of the firste coveitise, that is concupiscence after the lawe of oure membres that weren lawe- fuUiche y-maked and by rightful jugge- ment of God. I seye, forasmuche as man is nat obeisaunt to God, that is his Lord, therfore is the flessh to hym disobeis- aunt thurgh concupiscence, which yet is cleped norrissynge of synne, and occasion of synne. Therfore al the while that a man hath in hym the peyne of concupis- cence it is impossible but he be tempted somtime and moeved in his flessh to synne, [340] and this thyng may nat faille as longe as he lyveth. It may wel wexefieble and faille by vertuof baptesme, and by the grace of God thurgh penitence, but fully ne shal it never quenche, that he ne shal som tyme be moeved in hym- self, but if he were al refreyded by sik- nesse, or by malefice of sorcerie, or colde drynkes. For Ip, what seith Seint Paul, 'The flessh coveiteth agayn the spirit, and the spirit agayn the flessh; they been so contrarie and so stryven that a man ma.y nat alwey doon as he wolde.' The same Seint Paul after his grete penaunce in water and in lond ; — in water by nyght and by day, in greet peril and in greet peyne ; in lond, in famyne, in thurst, in coold, and cloothlees, and ones stoned almoost to the deeth, — yet seyde he, ' Alias ! I caytyf man, who shal delivere me fro the prisoun of my caytyf body ? ' [34s] And Seint Jerome, whan he longe tyme hadde woned in desert, where as he hadde no corapaignye but of wilde beestes, where as he ne hadde no mete but herbes, and water to his drynke, ne no bed but the naked erthe, for which his flessh was blak as an Ethiopeen for heete, and ny destroyed for coold, yet seyde he that the brcnnynge of lecherie boylcd in al his body ; wherfore, I woot wel sykerly, that they been deceyved that seyn that they ne be nat tempted in hir body. Witnesse on Seint Jame the Apostel, that seith that every wight js tempted in his owene concupiscence, that is to seyn, that everich of us hath matere and occasioun to be tempted of the norissynge of synne that is in his body. And therfore seith Seint John the evaungelist, ' If that we seyn that we beth withoute synne, we deceyve us selve, and trouthe is nat in us.' [350] Now shal ye understonde in what manere that synne wexeth and encreesseth in man. The firste thyng is thilke norissynge of synne of which I spak biforn, thilke flesshly concupiscence; and after that comth the subjeccioun of the devel, this is to seyn the develes bely, with which he bloweth in man the fir of flesshly concupiscence ; and after that a man bithynketh hym wheither he wol doon, or no, thilke thing to which he is tempted. And thanne, if that a man withstonde and weyve the firste entisynge of his flessh, and of the feend, thanne is it no synne ; and if it so be that he do nat so, thanne feeleth he anoon a flambe of delit, and thanne is it good to be war and kepen hym wel, or elles he wol falle anon into consentynge of synne ; and thanne wol he do it, if he may have tyme and place. [355] And of this matere seith Moyses, by the devel, in this manere : The feend seith, ' I wole chace and pursue the man by wikked suggestioun, and I wole hente hym by moevynge and stirynge of synne ; I wol departe my prise, or my praye, by deliberacioun, and my lust shal been accompliced in delit ; I wol drawe my swerd in consentynge,' — for certes, right as a swerd departeth a thyng in two peces, right so con- sentynge departeth God fro man, — ' and thanne wol I sleen hymi with myn hand in dede of synne ' ; thus seith the feendj for certes, thanne is a man al deed in soule. And thus is synne accompliced 276 PARSON'S TALE 35S-37S yj temptacioun, by delit, and by con- ientynge, and thanne is the synne cleped ictueel. Forsothe synne is in two maneres, juther it is venial, or deedly synne. Soothly, whan man loveth any creature tnoore than Jhesu Crist cure Creatour, thanne is it deedly synne. And venial synne is it, if man love Jhesu Crist lasse than hym oughte. Forsothe the dede of this venial synne is ful perilous, for it amenuseth the love that men sholde han to God moore and moore. [360] And therfore if a man charge hymself with manye swiche venial synnes, certes, but if so be that he som tyme descharge hym of hem by shrifte, they mowe ful lightly amenuse in hym al the love that he hath to Jhesu Crist ; and in this wise skippeth venial into deedly synne, for certes, the moore that a man chargeth his soule with venial synne, the moore is he enclyned to fallen into deedly synne. And therfore lat us nat be necligent to deschargen us of venial synnes, for the proverbe seith that 'manye smale maken a greet.' And herkne this ensample ; a. greet wawe of the see comth somtyme with so greet a violence that it drencheth the shipe ; and the same harm dooth som tyme the smale dropes of water that entren thurgh a litel crevace into the thurrok, and in the botme of the shipe, if men be so necligent that they ne descharge hem nat by tyme. And therfore, although ther be a difference bitwixe thise two causes of drenchynge, algatps the shipe is dreynt. [365] Right so fareth it somtyme of deedly synne, and of anoyouse veniale synnes, whan they mnltiplie in a man so greetly that thilke worldly thynges that he loveth, thurgh whiche he synneth venyally, is as greet in his herte as the love of God, or moore. And therfore the love of every thyng that is nat biset in God, ne doon princi- pally for Goddes sake, al though that a man love it lasse than God, yet is it venial synne, and deedly synne whan the love of any thyng weyeth in the herte of man as muchel as the love of God, or moore. Deedly synne, as seith Seint Augustyn, is ' whan a man turneth his herte fro God, which that is verray sovereyn bountee, that may nat chaunge, and yeveth his herte to thyng that may chaunge and flitte ' ; and certes, that is every thyng, save God of hevene. For sooth is that if a man yeve his love, the which that he oweth al to God with al his herte, unto a creature, certes as muche as he yeveth of his love to thilke creature, so muche he bireveth fro God, [370] and therfore dooth he synne, for he that is dettour to God ne yeldeth nat to God al his dette, that is to seyn, al the love of his herte. Now, sith man understondeth gener- ally which is venial synne, thanne is it covenable to tellen specially of synnes whiche that many a man peraventure ne demeth hem nat synnes, and ne shryveth hem nat of the same thynges, and yet nathelees they been synnes. Soothly, as thise clerkes writen, this is to seyn, that at every tyme that a man eteth or drynketh moore than suffiseth to the sustenaunce of his body, in certein he dooth synne ; and eek whan he speketh moore than nedeth it is synne ; eke whan he herkneth nat benignely the compleint of the poure ; eke whan he is in heele of body and wol nal faste wharf hym oghte faste, withouten cause resonable ; eke whan he slApeth moore than nedeth, or whan he comth by thilke enchesoun to late to chirche, or to othere werkes of charite ; [375] eke whan he useth his wyf withouten sovereyn desir of engendrure, to the honour of God, or for the entente to yelde to his wyf the dette of his body ; eke whan he wol nat visite the sike and the prisoner, if he may ; eke if he love wyf or child, or oother worldly thyng, moore than resoun requireth ; eke if he flatere or blandise moore than hym oghte, for any necessitee ; eke if he amenuse or withdrawe the 370. hym oghte, H^ other folk {other nten). 277 375-395 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP 1, almesse of the poure ; eke if he appar- ailleth his mete moore deliciously than nede is, or ete to hastily, by likerous- nesse ; eke if he tale vanytees at chirche, or at Goddes service, or that he be a talker of ydel wordes, of folye, or of vileynye, — for he shal yelden acountes of it at the day of doome ; eke whan he biheteth or assureth to do thynges that he may nat perfourne ; eke whan that he by lightnesse or folie mysseyeth or scorneth his neighebore ; [380] eke whan he hath any wikked suspecioun of thyng ther he ne woot of it no sooth- fastnesse ; thise thynges and mo withoute nombre been synnes, as seith Seint Augustyn. Now shal men understonde that al be it so that noon erthely man may eschue alle venial synnes, yet may he refreyne hym by the brennynge love that he hath to oure Lord Jhesu Crist, and by preyeres and confessioun and othere goode werkes, so that it shal but litel greve ; for, as seith Saint Augustyn, ' If a man love God in swich manere that al that ever he dooth is in the love of God, and for the love of God verraily, for he brenneth in the love of God, looke, how muche that a drope of water that falleth in a fourneys ful of fyr anoyeth or greveth, so muche anoyeth a venial synne unto a man that is perfit in the love of Jhesu Crist.' [385] Men may also refreyne venial synne by receyvynge worthily of the precious body of Jhesu Crist ; by receyvyng eek of hooly water, by almes- dede, by general confessioun of Confiteor at masse, and at complyn, and by blessynge of bisshopes and of preestes and oothere goode werkes. Sequitur de septem peccatis mortalibus et eorum dependenciis et speciebtcs Now is it bihovely thyng to telle Sequitur de sepietn peccatis. At this point Chaucer begins to follow the Sotmfte de Vices et de Vertus of Frfere Lorens, altering, however, his arrangement, and with less close logical coherence. whiche been the deedly synnes, this is to seyn chieftaynes of synnes. Alle they renne in o lees, but in diverse maneres. Now been they cleped chieftaynes, for-as- muche as they been chief, and spiyngen of alle othere synnes. Of the roote of thise sevene synnes thanne is pride;^>(he general roote of alle harmes, for of this roote spryngen certein braunches, as ire ; envye '; accidie, or slewthe ; avarice, or coveitise, to commune understondynge; glotonye, and lecherye. And everich of thise chief synnes hath his braunches and his twigges as shal be declared in hire chapitres folwynge. De Superbia [390] And thogh so be that no man kan outrely telle the nombre of twigges. and of the harmes that cometh of pride,, yet wol I shewe a partie of hem, as ye shul understonde, Ther is inobedience^ avauntynge, ypocrisie, despit, arrogance, inpudence, Swellynge of herte, insolence,! elacioun, inpacience, strif, contumacie, presumpcioun, irreverence, pertinacie, veyne glorie and many another twig that I kan nat declare. Inobedient is he that disobeyeth for despit to the comandementz of God and to his sovereyns and to his goostly fader. Avauntour is he that bosteth of the harm or of the bountee that he hath doon. Ypocrite is he that hideth to shewe hym swich as he is, and sheweth hymswichas he noghtis, [395] Despitous is he that hath desdeyn of his neighebore, that is to seyn of his evene Cristene, or hath despit to doon that hym oghteto do. Arrogant is he that thynketh (hat he hath thilke bountees in hym that he hath noght, or weneth that he sholde have hem by his desertes, or elles he demeth that he be that he nys nat. Inpudent is he that for his pride hath no shame of his synnes. Swellynge of herte is whan a man rejoyseth hym of 385. as irCj etc. These are really treated separately, and not as branches of Pride. 278 PARSON'S TALE 39S-420 harm that he hath doon. Insolent is he that despiseth in his juggement alle othere folk, as to regard of his value, and of his konnyng, and of his spekyng, and of his beryng. [400] Elacioun is whan he ne may neither suffre to have maister ne felawe. Inpacient is he that wol nat been y-taught ne undemome of his vice, and by strif werreieth trouthe wityngly, and deffendeth his folye. Contumax is he that thurgh his in- dignacioun is agayns everich auctoritee or power of hem that been his sovereyns. Presumpcioun is whan a man under- taketh an emprise that hym oghte nat do, or elles that he may nat do, and this is called surquidie. Irreverence is whan men do nat honour there as hem oghte to doon, and waiten to be reverenced. Pertinacie is whan man deffendeth his folies, and trusteth to muchel in his owene wit. [405] Veyneglorie is for to have pompe and delit in his temporeel hynesse, and glorifie hym in this worldly estaat. Janglynge is whan men speken to muche biforn folk, and clappen as a mille, and taken no kepe what they seye. And yet is ther a privee spece of pride that waiteth first to be salewed er he wole salewe, al be he lasse worth than that oother is, peraventure ; and eek he waiteth or desireth to sitte, or elles to goon above hym in the wey, or kisse pax, or been encensed, or goon to offryng biforn his neighebore, and swiche semblable thynges, agayns his duetee, peraventure, but that he hath his herte and his entente in swich a proud desir to be magnified and honoured biforn the peple. Now been ther two maneres of pride. That oon of hem is withinne the herte of man and that oother is withoute, [410] of whiche soothly thise forseyde thynges, and mo than I have seyd, apertenen to pride that is in the herte of man, and that othere speces of pride been withoute ; 405. privee spece, secret kind. This section is Chaucer's addition. but natheles that oon of thise speces of pride is signe of that oother, right as the gaye leefsel atte taverne is signe of the wyn that is in the celer. And this is in manye thynges, as in speche and con- tenaunce, and in outrageous array of clothyng ; for certes, if ther ne hadde be no synne in clothyng, Crist wolde nat so soone have noted and spoken of the clothyng of thilke riche man in the gospel. And as seith Seint Gregorie, ' That precious clothyng is cowpable for the derthe of it, and for his softenesse and for his strangenesse and degisynesse, and for the superfluitee, and for the inordinat scantnesse of it,* [415] Alias ! may men nat seen as in oure dayes the synful costlewe array of clothynge, and namely in to muche superfluite, or elles in to desordinat scantnesse ? As to the firste synne, in superfluitee of clothynge, which that maketh it so deere to harm of the peple, nat oonly the cost of embrowdynge, the degise, endentynge, barrynge, owndynge, palynge, wyndynge or bendynge, and semblable wast of clooth in vanitee, but ther is also costlewe furrynge in hir gownes, so muche pownsonynge of chisel to maken holes, so muche daggynge of sheres ; forth - with the superfluitee in lengthe of the forseide gownes, trailynge in the dong, and in the mire, on horse and eek on foote, as wel of men as of wommen, that al thilke trailyng is verraily as in effect wasted, consumed, thredbare, and roten with donge, rather than it is yeven to the poure, to greet damage of the forseyde poure folk. [420] And that in sondry wise ; this is to seyn, that the moore that clooth is wasted, the moore it costeth to the peple for the scantnessei And forther-over if so be that they wolde yeven swich powsoned and dagged clothyng to the poure folk, it is nat convenient to were for hire estaat, ne sufiisant to beete hire necessitee 410. On the subject of clothes, Chaucer greatly expands his original. 279 420-440 THE CANTERBURY TALES GRODP I to kepe hem fro the distemperance of the firmament. Upon that oother side to speken of the horrible disordinat scantnesse of clothyng as been thise kutted sloppes, or haynselyns, that thurgh hire shortnesse ne covere nat the shameful membres of man, to wikked entente. Alias ! somme of hem shewen the boce of hir shape, and the horrible swollen membres, that semeth lik the maladie of hirnia, in the wrappynge of hir hoses ; and eek tlie buttokes of hem faren as it were the hyndre part of a she ape in the fuUe of the moone. [425] And mooreover the wrecched swollen membres that they shewe thurgh the degisynge, in departynge of hire hoses in whit and reed, semeth that half hir shameful privee membres weren flayne. And if so be that they departen hire hoses in othere colours, as is whit and blak, or whit and blew, or blak and reed, and so forth, thanne semeth it as by variaunce of colour that half the partie of hire privee membres were corrupt by the fir of Seint Antony, or by cancre, or by oother swich meschaunce. Of the hyndre part of hir buttokes it is ful horrible for to see, for certes, in that partie of hir body ther as they purgen hir stynkynge ordure, that foule partie shewe they to the peple prowdly in despit of honestitee, the which honestitee that Jhesu Crist and his freendes observede to shewen in hir lyve. [430] Now of the outrageous array of wommen, God woot that though the visages of somme of hem seme ful chaast and debonaire, yet notifie they in hire array of atyr likerousnesse and pride. I sey nat that honestitee in clothynge of man or womman is uncovenable, but certes the superfluitee or disordinat scantitee of clothynge is reprevable. Also the synne of aornement, or of apparaille, is in thynges that apertenen to ridynge, — as in to manye delicat horses that been hoolden for delit, that been so faire, fatte, and costlewe, and also to many a vicious knave that is sustened by cause of hem ; ;n to curious barneys, as in sadeles, in crouperes, peytrels, and bridles covered with precious clothyng, and riche barres, and plates of gold, and of silver ; for which God seith, by Zakarie the prophete, ' I wol confounds the rideres of swiche horses. ' [435] This folk taken litel reward of the ridynge 'of Goddes sone of hevene and of his barneys whan he rood upon the asse, and ne hadde noon oother barneys but the poure clotlies of his disciples, ne we ne rede nat that ever he rood on oother beest. I speke this for the synne of superfluitee, . and nat for resonable honestitee, whan reson it requireth. And forther, certes, piide is greetly notified in holdynge of greet meynee whan they be of Htel profit, or of right no profit ; and namely whan that meynee is felonous and damageous to the peple, by hardynesse of heigh lordshipe, or by wey of offices ; for certes, swiche lordes sellen thanne hir lordshipe to the devel of helle, whanne they sustenen the wikkednesse of hir meynee. [440] Or elles whan this folk of lowe degree, as thilke that holden hostelries, sustenen the thefte of hire hostilers, and that is in many manere of deceites. Thilke manere of folk been the flyes that folwen the hony, or elles the houndes that folwen the careyne. Swich forseyde folk stranglen spiritually hir lordshipes, for which thus seith David the prophete, ' Wikked deeth moote come upon thilke lordshipes, and God yeve that they moote descenden into helle al doun, al doun ; for in hire houses been iniquitees and shrewednesses, and nat God of hevene.' And certes, but if they doon amendement, right as God yaf his benysoun to Pharao by the service of Jacob, and to Laban by the service ot Joseph, right so God wol yeve his malisoun to swiche lordshipes as sustenen Jncoh. All the seven MSS. 1 Ihis order, so it may be 440. Pharao . . have -the names i] Chaucer's mistake. 280 PARSON'S TALE 440-46S the wikkednesse of hir servauntz, but if they come to amendement. Pride of the table appeereth eek ful ofte ; for certes, riche men been cleped to festes and poure folk been put awey and Tebuked. [445] Also in excesse of diverse metes and drynkes, and namely swiche manere bake-metes and dissh- metes, brennynge of wilde fir, and peynted and castelled with papir, and semblable wast, so that it is abusioun for to thynke. And eek in to greet preciousnesse of vessel and curiositee of myustralcie, by whiche a man is stired the moore to delices of luxurie. If so be that he sette his herte the lasse upon oure Lord JJiesu Crist, certeyn it is a synne ; and certeinly the delices myghte been so grete in this caas that man myghte lightly falle by hem into deedly synne. The especes that sourden of pride, soothly, whan they sourden of malice ymagined, avised, and fomcast, or elles of usage, been deedly synnes, it is no doute ; and whan they sourden by freletee unavysed and sodeynly with- drawen ageyn, al been they grevouse synnes, I gesse that they ne been nat deedly. [450] Now myghte men axe wher-of that pride sourdeth and spryngeth, and I seye, somtyme it spryngeth of the goodes of nature, and somtyme of the goodes of fortune, and somtyme of the goodes of grace. Certes, the goodes of nature stonden outher in goodes of body or in goodes of soule. Certes, goodes of body been heele of body, as strengthe, delivemesse, beautee, gentrie, franchise ; goodes of nature of the soule been good wit, sharpe understondynge, subtil engyn, vertu natureel, good memorie ; goodes of fortune been richesse, hyghe degrees of lordshipes, preisynges of the peple ; [45s] goodes of grace been science, power to suffre spiritueel travaille, benignitee, vertuous contemplacioun, withstondynge of temptacioun, and semblable thynges ; of whiche forseyde goodes, certes, it is a ful greet folye a man to priden hym in any of hem alle. Novir as for to speken of goodes of nature ; God woot that somtyme we han hem in nature as muche to oure damage as to oure profit. As for to speken of heele of body, certes, it passeth ful lightly, and eek it is ful ofte enchespun of the siknesse of oure soule ; for,~God woot, the flessh is a ful greet enemy to the soule, and therfore the moore that the body is hool the moore be we in peril to falle. Eke for to pride hym in his strengthe of body, it is an heigh folye, for certes, the fiessh coveiteth agayn the spirit, and ay the moore strong that the flessh is, the sorier may the soule be, [460] and over al this, strengthe of body and worldly hardynesse causeth ful ofte many a man to peril and meschaunce. Eek for to pride hym of his gentrie is ful greet folic, for ofte tyme TEe gentrie of the body bin^meth -| the gentrie of the soule, and eek we ben alle of o fader and of o mooder, and alle we been of o nature, rolen and corrupt, bothe riche and poure. Forsothe o manere gentrie is for to preise — that apparailleth mannes corage with vertues and moralitees and maketh hym Cristes child ; for truste wel, that over what man that synne hath maistrie he is a •verray cherl to synne. Now been ther generale signes of gentillesse, as eschewynge of vice and ribaudye and servage of synne, in word, in werk, and contenaunce, [465] and usynge vertu, curteisye, and clennesse, and to be liberal, that is to seyn, large by mesure, for thilke that passeth mesure is folie and synne. Another is to remembre hym of bountee that he of oother folk hath receyved. Another is to be benigne to his goode subgetis, wherfore seith Senek, ' Ther is no thing moore covenable to a map of heigh estaat, than d,eboijakstee and pitee ' ; and ther- ' fore thise flyes that men clepeth bees, whan they maken hir kyng, they chesen oon that hath no prikke wherwith he may stynge. Another is, a man to have a noble 281 465-485 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I herte, and a diligent to attayne to heighe vertuouse thynges. Now certes, a man to pride hym in the goodes of grace is eek an outrageous folia, for thilfce yifte of grace that sholde have turned hym to goodnesse and to medicine, turneth hym to venym and to confusioun, as seith Seint Gregoiie. [470] Certes also, who- so prideth hym in the goodes of fortune, he is a jful greet fool, for somtyme is a man a greet lord by the morwe, that is , a caytyf and a wrecche er it be nyght ; ; and somtyme the richesse of a man is cause of his deth ; somtyme the delices of a man is cause of the grevous maladye thurgh which he dyetK Certes, the commendacioun of the peple is somtyme ful fals and ful brotel for to triste, — this day they preyse, tomorwe they blame ; God woot, desir to have commendacioun of the peple hath caused deeth to many a bisy man. R'emedium contra peccatum Superbie [475] Now sith that so is that ye han understonde what is pride, and whiche been the speces of it, and whennes pride sourdeth and spryngeth, now shul ye' understonde which is the remedie agayns the synne of pride ; and that is humylitee or mekenesse, that is a vertu thurgh which ■a man hath verray knoweleche of hymself, : and holdeth of hymself no pris ne deyntee, as in regard of his desertes, considerynge ever his freletee. Now been ther thre maneres of humy- litee ; as humylitee in herte, and another humylitee in his mouth, the thridde in his werkes. The humilitee in herte is in foure maneres. That oon is whan a man holdeth hymself as noght worth bifom God of hevene. Another is, whan he ne despiseth noon oother man. [480] The thridde is whan he rekketh nat though men holde hym noght worth. 470. Reitiedium. In the Sofnme de Vices, etc., the remedies and the sins are kept apart, Chaucer brings each remedy after its sin. The fertile is whan he nys nat sory of his humiliacioun. Also the humilitee of mouth is in foure thynges ; in attempree speche, and in humblesse of speche ; and whan he biknoweth with his owene mouth that he is swich as hym thynketh that he is in his herte ; another is whan he preiseth the bountee of another man and no thyng therof amenuseth. Humilitee eek in werkes is in foure maneres ; the firste is whan he piitteth othere men bifom hym ; the seconde is to chese the Idweste place over al ; the thridde is' gladly to assente to good conseil ; the ferthe is to stonde gladly to the award of his sovereyns, or of hym that is in hyer degree. Certein this is a greet werk of humylitee. Sequiiur de Jnvidia After pride wol I speken of the fonle synne of envye, which is; as by the word of the philosophre, sorwe of Dother mannes prosperitee ; and after the word of Seint Augustyn, it is sorwe of oothet mannesiwele and joye of othere mennes harm. [48s] This synne is platly agayns the Hooly Goost. Al be it so that every synne is agayns the Hooly Goost, yet nathelees for-as-muche as bountee aperteneth proprely to the Hooly Goost, and envye comth proprely of malice, therfore it is proprely agayn the bountee of the Hooly Goost. Now.hath malice two speces, that is to seyn, hardnesse of herte in wikkednesse, or elles the flessh of man is so blynd that he considereth nat that he is in synne, or rekketh nat that he is in synne, which is the hardnesse of the devel. That oother spece of malice is whan a man werreyeth trouthe, whan he woot that it is trouthe, and eek whan he wer- reyeth the grace that God hath yeve to his neighebore ; and al this is by envye. Certes thanne is envye the worste synne that is; for soothly alle othere synnes been somtymeoonly agayns ospecial vertu, 282 PARSON'S TALE 485-510 3ut certes, envye is agayns alle vertues, ind agayns alle goodnesses, for it is scry of ille the bountees of his neigbebore ; and n this manere it is divers from alle othere iynnes ; [490] for wel unnethe is ther any ■ynue that it ne hath som delit in itself, iave oonly envye, that ever hath in itself mgwissh and sorwe. The speces of envye been thise ; ther s first, sorwe of oother mannes good- lesse and of his prosperitee ; and pros- peritee is kyndely matere of joye ; thanne is envye a synne agayns kynde. The ieconde spece of envye is joye of oother tnannes harm ; and that is proprely lyk to the devel, that ever rejoyseth hym of oiannes harm. Of thise two speces comth bakbityng, md this synne of bakbityng, or detraccion, tiath certeine speces, as thus ; som man preiseth his neighebore by a wikke entente, for he maketh alwey a wikked knotte atte laste ende, alwey he maketh 1 'but' atte laste ende, — that is digne af moore blame than worth is al the preisynge. [495] The seconde spece is that if a man be good, and dooth or seith 1 thing to good entente, the bakbiter wol turne all thilke goodnesse up-so-doun, to liis shrewed entente. The thridde is to imenuse the bountee of his neighebore. The fourthe spece of bakbityng is this, that if men speke goodnesse of a man, thanne wol the bakbiter seyn, ' Pardee ! iwich a man is yet bet than he,' in dis- preiqrnge of hym that men preise. The fifte spece is this, for to consente gladly and herkne gladly to the harm that men speke of oother folk ; this synne is ful greet and ay encreeseth after the (vikked entente of the bakbiter. After bakbityng cometh grucchyng or murmuracioun, and somtyme it spryngeth jf inpacience agayns God, and somtyme jgayns man. [500] Agayns God it is whan a man jruccheth agayn the peynes of helle, or igayns poverte, or loss of catel, agayn eyn or tempest, or elles gruccheth that ihrewes han prosperitee, or elles for th^t goode men han adversitee ; and alle thise thynges sholde men suffre paciently, for they comen by the rightful juggement and ordinance of God. Somtyme comth grucching of avarice, as Judas grucched agayns the Magdaleyne, whan sheenoynte the heved of oure Lord Jhesu Crist with hir precious oynement.. This maner murmure is swich as whan man gruccheth of goodnesse that hymself dooth, or that oother folk doon of hir owene catel. Somtyme comth murmure of pride, as whan Simon the Pharisee grucched agayn the Magdaleyne, whan she approched to Jhesu Crist and weepe at his feet for hiresynnes. [505] Andsomtymegrucchyng sourdeth of envye, whan men discovereth a mannes harm that was pryvee, or bereth hym on bond thyng that is fals. Murmure eek is ofte amonges servantz, that grucchen whan hir sovereyns bidden hem doon leveful thynges ; and, ,for-as- muche as thejr dar nat openly withseye the comaundementz of hir sovereyns, yet wol they seyn harm, and grucche and murmure prively, for verray despit, whiche wordes men clepen ' the develes Pater noster,' though so be that the devel ne hadde never Pater noster, but that lewed folk yeven it swich a name. Somtyme grucchyng comth of ire, or prive hate that norisseth rancour in herte, as after- ward I shal declare. [510] Thanne cometh eek bitternesse of herte» thurgh which bitternesse every good dede of his neighebor semeth to, hym bitter and un- savory. Thanne cometh discord that unbyndeth alle manere of freendshipe. Thannecomth scomynge of his neighebor, al do he never so weel. Thanne comth accusynge, as whan man seketh occasioun to anoyen his neighebor, which that is lyk to the craft of the devel, that waiteth bothe nyght and day to accusen us alle. Thanne comth malignitee, thurgh which a man anoyeth his neighebor prively, if he may ; and if he noght may, algate his wikked wil ne shal nat wante, as for to Sogi withseye^ contradict ; H tvithsionde. 505. folk . . , name, H men calle it so. 283 SIO-53S THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I brennen his hous pryvely, or empoysone or sleen his beestes, and semblable thynges. [515] Remedium contra peccatum Jtwidie Now wol I speke of the remedie agayns this foule sjmne of envye. First is the lovynge of God principal, and lovyng of his neighebor as hymself, for soothly that oon ne may nat been with- oute that oother. And truste wel, that In the name of thy neigheborfi' thou shalt underslonde the name of thy brother ; for certes alle we have c fader flesshly, and o mooder, that is to seyn, Adam and Eve ; and eek o Fader espiritueel, and that is God of hevene. Thy neighebore artow holden for to love and wilne hym alle goodnesse, and therfore seith God, ' Love thy neighebore as thyselve ' ; that is to seyn, to salvacioun of lyf and of soule. And moore-over thou shalt love hym in word, and in benigne amonestynge and chastisynge, and con- forten hym in his anoyes, and preye for hym with al thyn herte. And in dede thou shalt love hym in swich wise that thou shalt doon to hym in charitee as thou woldest that it were doon to thyn owene persona ; [520] and therfore thou ne shalt doon hym no damage in wikked word, ne harm in his body, ne in his catel, ne in his soule by entissyng of wikked ensample ; thou shalt nat desiren his wyfi ne none of his thynges. Under- stoond eek, that in the name of neighebor is comprehended his enemy. Certes man shal loven his enemy by the com- andement of God, and soothly, thy freend shaltow love in God. I seye, thyn enemy shaltow love for Goddes sake by his comandement ; for if it were reson that a man sholde haten his enemy, for- sothe God nolde nat receyven us to his love, that been his enemys. Agayns thre manere of wronges that his enemy dooth to hym he shal doon thre thynges, as thus : [525] agayns hate and rancour of herte, he shal love hym in herte ; agayns chidyng and wikkede wordts, he shal preye for his enemy; and agayn wikked dede of his enemy, he shal doon hym bountee ; for Crist seith, ' Loveth youre enemys, and preyeth for hem that speke ybw harm, and eek for hem that yow chacen and pursewen, and dooth bountee to hem that yow haten." Loo, thus comaundeth us oure Lord Jhesu Crist to do to oure enemys, for soothly nature dryveth us to loven cure freendes, and parfey, oure enemys han moore nede to love than oure freendes ; and they that moore nede have, certes, to hem shal men doon goodnesse ; and certes, in thilke dede have we remem- brance of the love of Jhesu Crist that deyde for his enemys. And, in as muche as thilke love is the moore grevous to perfourne, in so muche is the moore gretter the merite, and therfore the lovynge of oure enemy hath coni founded the venym of the devel ; [530] for, right as the devel is disconfited by humylitee, right so is he woundeil to the deeth by love of oure enemy. Certes thanne is love the medicine that casteth out the venym of envye fro mannes herte. The speces of this paas shullen be moore largely in hir chapitres folwynge declared. Sequitur de Ira After envye wol I discryven the synne of ire ; for soothly whoso hath envye upon his neighebor anon he wole comunly fynde hym a matere of wratthe in word, or in dede, agayns hym to whom he hath envye. And as iVel comth ire of pride as of envye, for soothly he that is proude or envyous is lightly wrooth. [535] This synne of ire, after t;he dis- cryvyng of Seint Augustyn, is wikked wil to been avenged by word or by dede.' Ire, after the philosophre, is the fervent blood of man y-quyked in his herte, thurgh which he wole harm to hym that he hateth. For certes, the herte of man, by eschawfynge and moevynge of his blood, wexeth so trouble that he is out of alle juggement of resoun. 284 ROUP I PARSON'S TALE 535-560 But ye shal understonde, that ire is in vo maneres; thatoon of hem is good nd that oother is wikked. The goode e is by jalousie , of goodnesse, thurgh ■hich a man is wrooth with wikkednesse, ud agayns wikkednesse ; and therfore ;ith a wys man, that ire. is bet than ley. [540] This ire is with debonairetee, nd it is wrooth withouten bittemesse, at wrooth agayns the man, but wrooth rith the mysdede of the man, as seith le prophete^David, Irascimini, et nolite eccare^ , , Now understondeth that wikked ire is 1 two maneres, that is to seyn, sodeyn :e, or hastif ire withouten avisement nd consentynge of resoun. The meny ng nd the sens of this is, that the resoun of lan ne consente nat to thilke sodeyn ire ; nd thanne it is venial. Another ire is il wikked, that comth of felonie of herte, vysed and cast biforn with wikked wil 3 do vengeance, and therto his resoun ansenteth ; and soothly this is deedly imne. This ire is so displesant to God lat it troubleth his hous and chaceth le Hooly Goost out of mannes soule, nd wasteth and destroyeth the liknesse f God, that is to se)m, the vertu that is 1 mannes soule, [54s] and put in hym le liknesse of the devel, and bynymeth le man fro God that is his rightful lord. Tiis ire is a ful greet plesaunce to the evel, for it is the develes foumeys that i eschawfed with the fir of belle. For ertes, right so as fir is moore mighty to estroyen erthely thynges than any other element, right, so ire is myghty to estroyen alle spiritiieel thynges. Looke how that fir of smale gleedes, lat been almoost dede under asshen, 'oUen quike agayn whan they been juched with brymstoon. Right so ire 'ol evermo quyken agayn whan it is juched by the pride that is covered in lannes herte ; for certes, fir ne may nat Dmen out of no thyng, but if it were rst in the same thyng natureelly, as fir drawen out of flyntes with steel. [550] Jid, right so as pride is ofte tyme matere of ire, right so is rancour norice and keper of ire. Ther is a maner tree, as seith Seint Ysidre, that whaii men maken fire of thilke tree and covere the coles of it with asshen, soothly the fir of it wol lasten al a yeer or moore, and right so fareth it of rancour ; whan it is ones conceyved in the hertes of som men, certein it wol lasten peraventure from oon Estre day unto another Estre day and moore ; but certes, thilke man is ful fer fro the mercy of God in thilke while. In this forseyde develes foumeys ther forgen thre shrewes : Pride, that ay bloweth and encreesseth the fir by chidynge and wikked wordes ; [555] thanne stant Envye, and holdeth the hoote iren upon the herte of man with a peire of lorige toonges of long rancour ; and thanrie stant the synne of Contumelie or strif and cheeste, and batereth and forgeth by vileyns reprevynges. Certes, this cursed synne anoyeth bothe to the man hymself and eek to his neighebore. For soothly, almoost al the harm that any man dooth to his neighebore comth of wratthe ; for certes, outrageous wratthe dooth al that ever the devel hym comaundeth : for he ne spareth neither Grist, ne his sweete mooder. And in his outrageous anger and ire, alias ! alias ! ful many oon at that tyme feeleth in his herte ful wikkedly both of Crist and of alle his halwes. [560] Is nat this a cursed vice ? Yis, certes. Alias ! it bynymeth from man his wit and his resoun and al his debonaire lif espiritueel, that sholde kepen his soule. Certes it bynymeth eek Goddes due lordshipe, and that is mannes soule and the love of his neighebores. It stryveth eek alday agjayn trouthe. It reveth hym the quiete of his herte and subverteth his soule. Of ire comen thise stynkynge en- gendrures ; first, hate, that is oold wratthe ; discord, thurgh which a man forsaketh his olde freejid that he hath 28s S6o-s8o THE CANTERBURY TALES ORrtUP I lotede ful, longe ; and-^thanne cometh weire, and every manere of wrong that man (Jooth to his neigh^ore in body, or in catel. Of tliis cursed synne of ire cometh eek manslaughtre, and under- stonde wel that homycide, that is man- slaughtre, is ,in diverse 'wise.' Soih manere of homycide is ^piritueei, and som is bodily. , [56s] Spiritueel manslaughtre is in sixe thynges. First, by hate;, as Seint John seith, 'He that hateth hisi brother f is homycide.' Homycide is eek by. bakr bitynge ; of ,vVhiche bakbiteres ' sdith Salomon, that ! they han two , swerdes with whiche they sleen hire neighebores ; for soothly as wikke is to bynyme his good name, As his lyf. Homycide is eek in yevynge of wikked ■ conseil ' bj^ fraude, as for to yeven conseil to areysen wrongful custumes and taillages; of whiche seith i Salomon : ' Leoun rorynge and here hongiy been like to the crueel lordshipes in withholdynge or abreggynge of the shepe (or the hyre), or of the wages of servauntz, or elles in usures or in with- drawynge of the almesse of poure folk. ' For which the wise man seith, ' Fedeth hyra that almoost dyeth for honger'; for soothly, but if thow feede hym, thou sleest hym. And alle thise been deedly synnes. [570] Bodily manslai^htre is whaii thow sleest him with thy tonge in ©other' manere, as whan thou comandest to sleen a man, or elles yevest hym conseil to sleen a man. ; \ Manslaughtre in dede is in foure maneres. ' That oon is by lawe, right as a, justice dampneth hym that is coupable to the deeth ; but lat the justice be war that he do it rightfully, and that he do it nat for delit to spille blood, but for kepynge of rightwisenesse. Another homycide is that is doon for necessitee, as whan o man sleeth another in his defendaunt, and that he ne may noon ootherwise escape from his owene deeth ; but certeinly, if he mlay escape: withouten manslaughtre of his adversaria and sleeth hym, he dooth synne, and he shal bere penance as for' deedly synne. Eek if a man, by caas or aventure, shetean arwe, or caste a stoon, with which he sleeth a man, he is homycide. - [575] Eek if a womman by necligence 1 overlyeth ' hire child in hir slepyng, it is homycide and deedly synne. Eek whan man des- tourbeth concepcioun of a child, and maketh a womman outher bareyne by drynkynge venemouse herbes thurgh which she may iiat conceyve, or sleeth a child by drynkes, or elles putteth certeine material thynges in hire secree places to slee the child, or elles dooth unkyndely synne by which man or womman shedeth hire nature, in manere or in place ther as a child may nat be conceived, or elles if a woman have con- cey ved and hurt ' hirselfe, and sleeth the child, yet it is homycide. What seye we eek of wommen that mordren hir children for drede of worldly sham6>?' Certes, an horrible homicide ! Homycide is eek if a man approcheth to a womman by desir of lecherie, thurgh which the child is perissed, or elles .smyteth a womman wityngly, thurgh which she leseth hir child. Alle thise been homycides and horrible deedly synnes. ■ [580] Yet comen ther of ire manye mo synnes, as wel in word, as in thoght and in dede, as he that arrefteth upon God, or blameth God; of thyng of which he is hymself gilty, or despiseth God, and alle his ihalwes, as- doon 'thise cursede hasardours in diverse contrees. This cursed synne doon they, whan they feelen in hir hertes ful wikkedly of God and of his halwes ; also whan they treten un- reverently the sacrament of the ailter,— thilke synne is so greet that unnethe may it been releessed, but that the mercy of God passeth alle his werkes, it is so greet, and he so benigne. Thanne comth' of ire attry angre,' whan a man is sharpely amonested in his shrifte to forleten his synne, thanne wole he be angry and answeren'hokerly and angrily, and deffenden or excusen 575' ^ drynkfs^ E adds ivilfully. 286 PARSOirS TALE 58o-6(X) lis synne by unstedefastnesse of his iessh ; or elles he dide it for to holde :ompaignye with his felawes ; or elles le seith,, the fend enticed hym ; [585] or ;lles he dide it for his youthe ; or elles his :ompleccioun is so corageous that he nay nat forbere ; or elles it is his destinee, LS he seith, unto a certain age ; or elles, le seith, it cometh hym of gentillesse of lis auncestres ; and semblable thynges. Mle this manere of folk so wrappen hem n hir synnes that they ne wol nat lelivere hemself; for soothly no wight hat excuseth hym wilfully of his synne nay nat been delivered of his synne, til hat he mekely biknoweth his synne. After this thanne cometh sweryng, that s expres agayn the comandement of God ; md this bifalleth ofte of anger and of re. God seith, 'Thow shalt nat take he name of thy Lord God in veyn, ' or n ydel. Also cure Lord Jhesu Crist eith, by the word of Seint Mathew, Ne wol ye nat swere in alle manere ; leitherby hevene, for it is Goddes trone ; le by erthe, for it is the bench of his eet ; ne by Jerusalem, for it is the citee >f a greet kyng j ne by thyn heed, for hou njayst nat make an hear whit ne )lak ; [590] but seyeth by youre word, 'ye, ye," and "nay, nay"; and what hat is moore it is of yvel,' seith Crist, ii'or Cristes sake, ne swereth nat so lynfuUy, in dismembrynge of Crist by loule, herte, bones, and body ; for certes t semeth that ye thynke that the cursede fewes ne dismenibred nat ynough the wecjouse persone of Crist, but ye dis- nembre hym moore. And if: so be hat the lawe compelle yow to swere, hanne rule yow after the lawe of God n youre sweryng, as seith Jeremye, 4° c°, rhou shalt kepe thre condicions ; ' thou halt swere in trouthe, in doom, and in ightwisnesse ' ; this is to seyn, thou halt swere sooth ; for every lesynge is gayns Crist, for Crist is verray trouthe. 5^. dismetUhrynge^ i.e. the swearing by Christ's diiilerent members ; cp. Pardoner's Talc^ '• 474, 475- And thynk wel this, that every greet swerere, nat compelled lawefully to swere, the wounde shal nat departe from his hous whil he useth swich unleveful sweryng. Thou shalt sweren eek in doom, whan thou, art constreyned by thy domesman to witnessen the trouthe. [595] Eek thow shalt nat swere for envye, ne for favour, ne for -m'eede, but for rightwisnesse, and for declaracioun of it, to the worshipe of God, and helpyng of thyne evene Cristene. And therfore; every man'that taketh Goddes name in ydel, or falsly swereth with his mouth, or elles taketh on hym the name of Crist, ' to be called a Cristene man, and lyveth ; agayns Cristes lyvynge and his techynge, \ alle they taken Goddes name in ydel. Looke eek, what Seint Peter seith,' Actuimi 4°, -Non est aliud nomen sub celo, etc.: 'Their nys noon oother name,' seith Seint Peter, ' under hevene yeven to men, in which they mowe be saved'-; that is to seyn, but the name of Jhesu Crist. Take kepe - eek how that the name of Crist so precious is, as seith Seint Paul ad Phiiifenses 2°, In nomine Jhesu, etc. : that 'in the name of Jhesu every knee of hevenely creatures, or erthely, or of helle, sholden bowe ' ; for it is so heigh and so worshipful that the cursede feend in helle sholde tremblen to heeren it y-nempned. Thanne semeth it that men that sweren so horriblely by his blessed ■ name, 1 that they despise hym moore booldely than dide the cursede- Jewes, or elles the devel, that trembleth whan he beerethhis name.: . [600] Now certes, sith that sweryng, but if it be lawefully doon, is so heighly deifended, muche worse is , forsweryng falsly, and yet nedelees. What seye we eek of hem that deliten hem in sweryng and holden it a gentrie or a manly dede to swere grete othes? And what of hem that of verray usage ne cesse nat to swere grete othes, al be the cause nat worth a straw ? Certes, it is horrible synne. Swerynge sodeynlyj withoute avysement, is eek a synne. 287 600:625 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I But kt us go now to thilke horrible sweryng of adjuradiouh and conjuracioun, as doon thise false enchaimtours or nigro- ihanciens, in bacyns ful of water, or in a bright swerd, in a cercle, or in a fir, or in a shulder-boon of a sheepe ! I kan naf seye but that they doon cursedly and damnablely agayns Crist; and' al the feith of hooly Chirche. [605] Whatseyewe of hem that bileeven in divynailes, as by flight or by noyse of briddes,' or of beestes, or by sort, by geomancie, by dremes, by chirkynge of cloxes, or cirakynge of houses, bygnawynge of rattes, and swich manere wrecched- nesse ? , Certes, al this thyng is deffended by God, and by al hooly Chirche ; for which they been aciirsed til they come tp amendement, that on swich filthe setten hire bileeve. Charmes for woundes or maladie of men, or of beestes, if they taken any effept, it may be peraventure that God suffreth it, for folk sholden yeve (he moore feith and reverence to his name. Now wol I speken of lesynges, which generally is fals signyficaoiouh of word, in entente to deceyven his evene Cristene. Some lesynge is, of which ther comth noon avantage to no wight ; and som lesynge turneth to the ese and profit of o man, and to disese and damage of an- other man. [6io] Another lesynge is f(jr to saven his-lyf or his catel. - Another lesynge comth of delit for to lye, in which delit they wol forge ,a long tale and peynten it with alle circumstaunces, where al the ground of the tale is. fals. Som lesynge comth. for he wole sustene his word ; and som lesynge comth of recche- leesnesse withouten avisement ; and sem- blable thynges. Lat us now louche the viceof flaterynge, which ne comth nat gladly, but for drede, or for coveitise. ' Flaterye is generally wrongful preisynge. Flatereres been the develes norices, that norissen his chil- dren with milk of losengerie. Forsothe Salomon seith that flaterie is wors than detraccioun, for somtyme detraccion maketh an-hauteyn man be the moore humble, for he dredeth detraccion; but certes, flaterye, that maketh a man to enhauncen his herte and his contenaunce. [615] Flatereres been the develes enchaunt- ours, for they make a man to. wene of hymself be lyk that he nys nat lyk ; they been lyk to Judas, that bitraysed [God, and thise flatereres bitraysen] a man to sellen hym to his enemy, that is to the devel. Flateireres been the develes chapel- leyns that syngen ever Placebo. I rekene flaterie in the vices of ire, for ofte tyme if o man be wrooth with another, tharine wole he flatere som wight to sustene hym in his querele. Speke we now of swich cursynge as comth of irons herte. Malisoun generally may be seyd every maner power or harm, Swich cursynge bireveth man' fro the regne of God, as seith Seint Paul. [6zo] And ofte tyme swich cursynge wrongfully retorneth agayn to hym that curseth, as a bryd that retorneth agayn to his owene nest. And over alle thyng men oghteri eschewe tb cursen hire children, and yeven to the devel hire engendrure, as ferforth as in hem is ; certes it is greet peril and greet synne. Lat us thanne speken of chidynge and reproche, whiche been ful grete woundes in mahnes herte, for they unsowen the semes of freehdshipe in mannes herte. For certes, unnethes may a man pleynly been accorded with hym that hath hyiii openly revyled and repreved in dis- claundre. This is a ful grisly synne, as Crist seith in the gospel. And taak kefie. now, that he that repreveth his neighebor,' outher he repreveth hym by som harm of peyne that he hath on his body, as, •mesel!' 'croked harlot!' or by som synne that he dooth. [625] Now if he repreve hym by harm of peyne, thaine turneth the repreve to Jhesu Crist, for peyne is sent by the rightwys sonde of God, and by his suffrance, be it meselrie, or mayme, or maladie. And if he repreve hym uncharitably of synne, as ' thou 615. T rekene _^aterie,^ic., Chaucer's unhappy defence of the digression in the Somme. 288 PARSON'S TALE 625-645 [ronkelewe harlot ! ' and so forth, thanne iperteneth that to the rejoysynge of the level, that ever hath joye that men loon synne. And certes chidynge may nat come )ut out of a vileyns herte, for after the labundance of the herte speketh the nouth ful ofte. And ye shul under- itonde that. Looke by any wey whan iny man shal chastise another, that he )e war from chidynge and reprevynge ; or trewely, but he be war, he may fijl ightly quyken the fir of angre, and of vratthe, which that he sholde quenche, ind peraventure sleeth hym which that le myght chastise with benignitee. For IS seith Salomon, ' The amyable tonge s the tree of lyf ' ; that is to seyn, of yf espiritueel, and soothly, a deslavee onge sleeth the spirites of hym that epreveth and eek of hym that is repreved. 630] Loo, what seith Seint Augustyn, Ther is no thyng so lyk the develes :hild as he that ofte chideth,' Seint Paul seith eek, ' A servant of God rihoveth nat to chide.' And how that ;hidynge be a vileyns thyng bitwixe alia nanere folk, yet is it, certes, moost un- ;ovenable bitwixe a man and his wyf; or there is never reste ; and therfore eith Salomon, 'An hous that is un- lovered in reyn and droppynge and a :hidynge wyf been lyke.' A man that s in a droppynge hous in manye'places, hough he eschewe the droppynge in o >lace, it droppeth on hym in another )lace ; so fareth it by a chydynge wyf ; mt she chide hym in o place, she wol hide hym in another ; and therfore, Bettre is a morsel of breed with joye ban an hous ful of delices with chidynge,' eith Salomon. Seint Paul seith, ' O e wommen, be ye suhgetes to youre lousbondes, as bihoveth in God, and ye len loveth youre wyves.' Ad Colos- inses 3°. [63s] Afterward speke we of scornynge, rhich is a wikked synne, and namely rhan he scometh a man for his goode ?erkes ; for certes, swiche scorneres faren lyk the foule tode that may nat endure to smelle the soote savour of the vyne whanne it florissheth. Thise scorneres been partyng-felawes with the devel, for they han joye whan the devel wynneth, and sorwe whan he leseth ; they been adversaries of Jhesu Crist, for they haten that he loveth, that is to seyn, salvacioun of soule. Speke we now of wikked conseil, for he that wikked .conseil yeveth is a traytour ; he deceyveth hym that trusteth in hym, ut Achitofel ad Absolonem. But nathelees yet is his wikked conseil first agayn hymself. [640] For, as seith the wise man, ' Every fals lyvynge hath his propertee in hymself, that he that wole anoye another man, he anoyeth first hym- self.' And men shul understonde that man shal nat taken his conseil of fals folk, ne of angry folk, or grevous folk that loven specially to muchel hir owene profit ; ne to muche worldly folk ; namely in conseilynge of soules. Now comth the synne of hem that sowen and maken discord amoriges folk ; which is a synne that Crist hateth outrely ; and no wonder is; for he deyde for to make concord. And moore shame do they to Crist, than dide they that hym crucifiede; for God loveth bettre that freendshipe be amonges folk than he dide his owene body,. the which that he yaf for unitee. Therfore been they likned to the devel, that ever been aboute to maken discord. Now comth the synne of double tonge swiche as speken faire byforn folk and wikkedly bihynde, or elles they maken semblant as though they speeke of good entencioun or elles in game and pley, and yet they speke of wikked entente. [645] Now comth biwreying of conseil, thurgh which a man is defamed ; certes, unnethe may he restoore the damage. Now comth manace, that is an open folye, for he that ofte manaceth, he threteth moore than he may perfourne ful ofte tyme. Now Cometh ydel wordes, that is with- 289 64S-66S- THE CANTERBURY T4LES GROUP I outen profit of hym that speketh tho wordes, and eek of hym that herkneth tho wordes. Or elles ydel wordes been tho that been nedelees, or withouten entente of natureel profit. And al be it that ydel wordes been somtyme venial synne, yet sholde men douten hem, for we shul yeve rekenynge of hem bifore God. Now comth janglynge, that may nat been withoute synne. And. as seith Salomon, it is a synne of apert folye, [650] and therfore a philosophre seyde, whan men axed hym how that men sholde plese the peple, and he answerde, ' Do manye goode werkes and spek fewe jangles.' After this comth the synne of japeres, that been the develes apes, for they raaken folk to laughe at hire japerie as folk doon at the gawdes of an ape. Swioh japes deffendeth Seint Paul. Looke, how that vertuouse wordes and hooly woordes conforten hem that travaillen in the service of Crist; right so conforten the vileyns wordes and knakkes of japeris hem that travaillen in the service of the devel. Thise been the synnes that comen of the tonge, that comen of ire, and of othere synnes mo. Sequitur remedium contra peccatum Ire The remedie agayns ire is a vertu that inen clepen mansuetude,- that is debon- airetee, and eek another vertu that men callen pacience, or suffrance. [635] Debonairetee withdraweth and refreyneth the stirynges and the moev- ynges of mannes corage in his herte, in swich manere that they ne skippe nat out by angre ne by ire. Suffrance suffreth swetely alle the anoyaunces and the wronges that men doon to man outward. Seint Jerome seith thus of debonairetee, that it dooth noon harm to no wight, ne seith, ne for noon harm that men doon or seyn he ne eschawfeth nat agayns his resoun. This 650. that is dehoHairetee^ Cam. that Jhon de Bonania clepith de^ontiyretee* vertu som tyme comth of nature, for, asi, seith the philosophre, ' A man is a quyk: thyng, by nature debonaire and tretable to goodnesse ' ; but whan debonairetee is enformed of grace, thanne is it the moore worth. Pacience, that is another remedie agayns ire, is a vertu that suffreth swetely, every mannes goodnesse, and is nat wrooth for noon harm that is doon to hym. [660] The philosophre seith that pacience is thilke vertu that suffreth debonairely alle the outrages of adver- sitee and every wikked word. This vertu maketh a man lyk to God, and maketh hym Goddes owene deere child, as seith Crist ; this vertu disconfiteti thyn enemy, and therfore seith the wise man, ' If thow wolt venquysse thyn enemy, lerne to sufifre.' And thou shalt understonde that man suffreth foure manere of grevances in outward thynges; agayns the whiche foure he moot have foure manere of paciences. The firste grevance is of wikkede wordes ; thilke suffrede Jhesu Crist with- outen grucchyng, ful paciently, whan the Jewes despised and repreved hym ful ofte. Snffre thou therfore paciently; for the wise man seith, ' If thou stryve with a fool, though the fool be wrooth ot though he laughe, algate thou shalt have no reste.' [665] That oother grevance outward is to have damage of thy catel. Thet- agayns suffred Crist ful paciently, when he was despoyled of al that he hadde in this lyf, and that nas but his clothes. The thridde grevance is a man to have harm in his body. That suffred Crist ful paciently in al his passioun. The fourthe grevance is in outrageous labour in werkes. Wherfore I seye that folk that maken hir servantz to travaillen to grevously, or out of tyrne, as on haly dayes, soothly they do greet synne, Heer-agajms suffred Crist ful paciently and taughte us pacience, whan he baar upon his blissed shulder the croys, upon which he sholde suffren despitous deeth, 290 PARSON'S TALE 665-685 3eere may men lerne to be pacierit ; for lertes noght oonly Cristen men been lacient for love of Jhesu Crist and for ;erdoun of the blisful lyf that is perdur- ible, but cartes the olde payens that lever were Cristene, commendeden and iseden the vertu of pacience. [670] A philosophre upon a tyme, that volde have beten his disciple for his ;rete trespas, for which he was greetly imoeved, and broghte a yerde to scourge he child ; and whan this child saugh the ferde, he seyde to his maister, ' What henke ye to do?' 'Iwolbetethee,'quod he maister, 'for thy correccioun.' 'For- lothe,' quod the child ; ' ye oghten first ;orrecte youreself, that han lost al youre jacience for the gilt of a child.' 'For- 10 the,' quod the maister, al wepynge, thow seyst sooth ; have thow the yerde, ny deere sone, and correcte me for myn npacience.' Of pacience comth obedi- :nce, thurgh which a man is obedient to ^rist and to alle hem to whiche he ighte to been obedient in Crist. [67s] ^d understond wel that obedience is )erfit whan that a man dooth gladly and lastily, with good herte, entierly, al that le sholde do. Obedience generally is o perfourne the doctrine of God and of lis sovereyns, to whiche hym oghte to >en obeisaunt in alle rightwisnesse. Sequitur de Accidia After the synne of envye and of ire, low wol I speken of the synne of accidie ; or envye blyndeth the herte of man, ind ire troubleth a man, and accidie naketh hym hevy, thoghtful and wraw- ul. Envye and ire maken bitternesse n herte, which bitternesse is mooder of ccidie and bynymeth hym the love of He goodnesse. Thanne is accidie the ngwissh of troubled herte ; and Seint ^ugustyn seith, it is anoy of goodnesse nd joye of harm. Certes this is a damp- able synne, for it dooth wrong to Jhesu ^rist, in as muche as it bynymeth the ervice that men oghte doon to Crist with alle diligence, as seith Salomon. [680] But accidie dooth noswich diligence. He dooth alle thyng with anoy, and with wrawnesse, slaknesse, and excusacioun, and with ydelnesse, and unlust ; for which the book seith, ' Accursed be he that dooth the service of God necli- gently.' Thanne is accidie enemy to everich estaat of man ; for certes the estaat of man is in thre maneres. Outher it is thestaat of innocence, as was thestaat of Adam biforn that he fil into synne ; in which estaat hewas holden towirche, as in heriyngeand adowrynge of God. Another estaat is estaat of synful men, in which estaat men been holden to laboure in preiynge to God for amendement of hire synnes, and that he wole graunte hem to arysen out of hir S3mnes. Another estaat is thestaat of grace, in which estaat he is holden to werkes of penitence ; and certes to alle thise thynges is accidie enemy and contrarie, for he loveth no bisynesse at al. [68s] Now certes this foule sinne, accidie, is eek a ful greet enemy to the liflode of the body, for it ne hath no purveaunce agayn temporeel necessitee, for it for- sleweth and forsluggeth, and destroyeth alle goodes temporeles by reccheleesnesse. The fourthe thyng is, that accidie is lyk to hem that been in the peyne of helle, by-cause of hir slouthe and of hire hevynesse ; for they that been dampned been so bounde that they ne may neither wel do, ne wel thynke. , Of accidie comth first, that a man is anoyed and encom- bred for to doon any goodnesse, and maketh that God hath abhomynacion of swich accidie, as seith Seint John. Now Cometh slouthe, that wol nat suifre noon hardnesse ne no penaunce ; for soothly, slouth is so tendre and so deHcat, as seith Salomon, that he wol nat suffre noon hardnesse, ne penaunce, and therfore he shendeth al that he dooth. Agayns this roteh-herted synne of accidie and slouthe sholde men exercise hemself to doon goode werkes, and manly and 685. sittne, E svtyn. 291 685-7 lo THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP 1 vertuously cacchen corage wel to doohj thynkynge that oure Lord Jhesu Crist quiteth every good dede, be it never so lite. [690] Usage of labour is a greet thyng, for it maketh, as seith Seint Bernard, the laborer to have stronge armes, and harde synwes ; and slouthe maketh hem feble and tendre. Thanne comth drede to bigynne to werke anye goode werkes ; for certes he that is enclyned to synne, hym thjmketh it is so greet an emprise for to undertake to doon werkes of goodnesse, and casteth in his herte that the circumstaunces of good- nesse been so grevouse and so chargeaunt for to suffre, that he dar nat undertake to do werkes of goodesse, as seith Seint Gregorie. Now comth wanhope, that is despeir of the mercy of God, that comth som- tyme of to muche outrageous sorwe, and somtyme of to muche drede, ymaginynge' that he hath doon so muche synne that it wol nat availlen hym, though he wolde repenten hym and forsake synne ; thurgh which despeir or drede he abaundoneth al his herte to every maner synne, as seith Seint Augustin. [695] Which dampnable synne, if that it continue unto his ende, it is cleped synnyng in the Hooly Goost. This horrible synne is so perilous, that he that is despaired, ther nys no felonye ne no synne that he douteth for to do, as sheweth wel by Judas. Certes, aboven alle synnes thanne is this synne moost displesant to Crist and moost adversarie. Soothly, he that despeireth hym is lyke the coward champioun recreant that seith ' creaunt ' withoute nede. Alas ! alas ! nedeles is he recreaunt and nedelees des- peired. . Certes, the mercy of God is ever redy to the penitent, and is aboven alle his werkes. [700] Alias ! kan a man nat bithynke hym on the gospel of Seint Luc xv., where as Crist seith that as wel shal ther be joye in hevene upon a synful man that dooth penitence, as upon nynety and nyne rightftil men that never ne dede synne, ne neden no penitence. Looke forther in the same gospel, the joye and the feeste of the goode man that hadde lost his sone, whan his sone with repentaunce was retourned to his fader. Kan they nat remembren hem eek, that, as seith Seint Luc xxiii., how that the theef that was hanged bisyde Jhesu Crist seyde, ' Lord, remembre of me, whan thow comest into thy regne. ' ' Forsothe,' seyde Crist, ' Iseye to thee, to day shaltow been with me in paradys.' Certes, thet is noon so horrible synne of man that it ne may in his lyf be destroyed by penitence, thurgh vertu of the passion and of the deeth of Crist. [705] Alias! whatnedeth man thanne to been despeired, sith that his mercy so redy is and large ? Axe and have. Thanne cometh sompnolence, that is sloggy slombrynge, which maketh a man be hevy and dul in body and in soule. And this synne comth of slouthe. And certes, the tyme that by wey of resoun men sholde nat slepe, that is by the morwe, but if ther were cause resonable ; ' for soothly the morwe tyde is moost' covenable a man to sey his preyeres, and for to thynken on God, and for to honoure God, and to yeven almesse to the poure, that first cometh in the name of Crist. Lo, what seith Salomon ? ' Whoso wolde by the morwe awaken and seke me, he shal fynde. ' [710] Thanne cometh necli- gence or reccheleesnesse, that rekketh of no thyng ; and how that ignoraunce be mooder of alle harm, certes necligence is the norice. Necligence ne dooth no fors, whan he shal doon a thyng, wheithet hg do it weel or baddely. Of the remedie of thise two synnes, as seith the wise man, that he that dredeth God he spareth nat to doon that him oghte doon, and he that loveth God he wol doon diligence to plese God by his werkes, and abaundone hymself, with al his myght, wel for to doon. Thanne comth ydelnesse that is the yate of alle harmes; An ydel man is lyk to a place that hath no walles ; the develes may entre on every syde and sheten at hym at discoveftj 292 IROUP I PARSON'S TALE 7IS-73S ly temptacion on every syde. [715] This delnesse is the thurrok of alle wikked nd vileyns thoghtes and of alle jangles, rufles, and of alle ordure. Certes, the levene is yeven to hem that wol labouren, nd nat to ydel folk. Eek David seith, hat they ne been nat in the labour of nen, ne they shul nat been whipped with tien, that is to seyn in purgatorie ; certes hanne semeth it they shul be tormented i-ith the devel in helle, but if they doon lenitence. Thanne comth the synne that men lepen tarditas, as whan a man is to aterede or tariynge, er he wole tume to Jod ; and certes that is a greet folie. He s lyk to hym that falleth in the dych, nd wol nat arise. And this vice comth if a fals hope, that he thynketh that he hal lyve longe ; but that hope faileth al ofte. [720] Thanne comth lachesse ; that is e that whan he biginneth any good ^erk, anon he shal forleten it, and tynten, as doon they that han any wight D goveme and ne taken of hym namoore :epe, anon as they fynden any contrarie r any anoy. Thise been the newe (leepherdes that leten hir sheepe wityngly o renne to the wolf, that is in the breres, r do no fors of hir owene governaunce. )f this comth poverte and destruccioun, othe of spiritueel and temporeel thynges. 'hanne comth a manere cooldnesse, that :eseth al the herte of a man. Thanne omth undevocioun, thurgh which a man i blent, as seith Seint Bernard, and ath swich langour in soule, that he may either rede ne singe in hooly chirche, ne eere, ne thynke of no devocioun, ne ravaille with his handes in no good 'erk, that it nys hym unsavory and al palled. Thanne wexeth he slough and ombry, and soone wol be wrooth, and 3one is enclyned to hate and to envye. ■zs] Thanne comth the synne of worldly jrwe, swich as is cleped tristicia, that eeth man, as Seint Paul seith. For ;rtes, swich sorwe werketh to the deeth f the soule and of the body also, for ther-of comth that a man is anoyed of his owene lif ; wherfore swich sorwe shorteth ful ofte the lif of man, er that his tyme be come by wey of kynde. Remedium contra peccatum Accidie Agayns this horrible synne of accidie, and the branches of the same, ther is a vertu that is caWti foriitudo, or strengthe ; that is, an affeccioun thurgh which a man despiseth anoyouse thinges. This vertu is so myghty and so vigorous that it dar withstonde myghtily, and wisely kepen hym self fro perils that been wikked, and wrastle agayn the assautes of the devel ; [730] for it enhaunceth and enforceth the soule, right as accidie abateth it, and maketh it fieble ; for this fortitude may endure by long suffraunce the travailles that been covenable. This vertu hath manye speces, and the firste is cleped magnanimitee, that is to seyn greet corage ; for certes ther bihoveth greet corage agains accidie lest that it ne swolwe the soule by the synne of sorwe, or destroye it by i*anhope. This vertu maketh folk to undertake harde thynges and grevouse thynges by hir owene wil, wisely and resonably. And for as muchel as the devel fighteth agayns a man moore by queyntise and by sleighte than by strengthe, therfore men shal withstonden hym by wit and ty resoun and by discrecioun. Thanne am ther the vertues of feith and hope in God, and in his seintes, to acheve and accomplice the goode werkes, in the whiche he purposeth fermely to continue. [735] Thanne comth seuretee, or sikernesse, and that is whan a man ne douteth no travaille in tyme comynge of the goode werkes that a man hath bigonne. Thanne comth magnificence, that is to seyn whan a man dooth and perfoumeth grete werkes of goodnesse ; and that is the ende why that men sholde do goode werkes ; for in the acom- plissynge of grete goode werkes lith the grete gerdoun. Thanne is ther con- 293 73S-75S THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUM staunce, that is stablenesse of corage; and this sholde been in herte by stedefast faith, and in mouth, and in berynge, ,and in chiere, and in dede. Elce ther been mo speciale remedies agains accidie in diverse werkes, and in consideracioun of the peynes of helle, and Of the joyes of hevene, and in trust of the grace of the Holy Goost, that wole yeve hym myght to perfourne his goode entente. Sequitur de Avaricia After accidie wol I speke of avarice and of coveitise, of which synne seith Seint Paule that the roote of alle harmes is coveitise.' Ad TJiimotheum vi. [740] For soOthly, Vfhan the herte of a man is confounded in itself, and troubled, and that the soule hath lost the confort of God, thanne seketh he an ydel solas of worldly thynges. Avarice, after the descripcion of Seint Augustyn, is likerousnesse in herte to have erthely thynges. Som ; oother folk seyn that avarice is for to purchacen manye erthely thynges, and no thyng yeve to hem that han nede. And under' stoond that avarice ne stant nat oonly in lond ne catel, but somtyme in science and in glorie, and in every manere of outrageous thyng is avarice and coveitise. And the difference bitwixe avarice and coveitise is this ; coveitise is for to coveite swiche thynges as thou hast nat, and avarice is for to withholde and kepe swiche thynges as thou hast withoute rightful nede. [74s] Soothly this avarice is a synne that is ful dampnable, for al hooly writ curseth it, and speketh agayns that vice, for it dooth wrong to Jhesu Crist ; for it bireveth hym the love that men to hym owen, and turneth it bakward agayns alle resoun, and maketh that the avaricious man hath moore hope in his catel than in Jhesu Crist, and dooth moore observance in kepynge of his tresor than he dooth to service of Jhesu Crist. And therfore seith Seint Paul, ad Ephesios v. , that an avaricious man is the thraldom of ydolatrie. ■ 'What difference is betwixe an ydolastre and an avaricious man ? but that any ydolastre peraventure ne hath but.io mawmet or two and the avaricious man hath manye ; for certes, every fioryn in his cofre is his mawmet. [75b],, And certes, the synne of mawmettrie is the firste thyng that God deffended in the ten comaundmentz, as bereth vritnesse, Exodi capitulo xx. ' Thou shalt have no false goddes bifore me, ne thou shalt make to thee no grave thyng.' Thus is an avaricious man that loveth his tresor biforn God an ydolastre, thurgh this cursed synne of avarice. Of coveitise comen thise harde lord- shipes thurgh whiche men been distreyned by taylages, custumes, and cariagssj moore than hire duetee or resoun i&j and eek they taken of hire bonde-lnffl amercimentz, whiche myghten, moore r'esoriably ben cleped extorcions than amercimentz. Of whiche amercimenfe ' and raunsonynge of bondemen som'me lordes stywardes seyn that it is righttti for as muche as a cherl hath no tempore|| thyng that it ne is his lordes, as they seyn ; but certes thise lordshipes doon wrong that bireven hire bonde folk thynges that they never yave hem. Augustinus de Civitate Dei, libro ix. [735] Sooth is that the condicioun of thraldom and the firste cause of thraldom is for synne. Genesis ix. Thus may ye seen that the gilt dis- serveth thraldom, but nat nature! wherfore thise lordes ne sholde nat muche glorifien hem in hir lordshipes) sith that by natureel condicioun they been nat lordes of thralles, but that thraldom comth first by the desert of synne. And forther-over ther as the lawe seith that temporeel gopdeS'; of boonde folk been the goodes of hirlprd- shipes, ye, that is for to understonde, the goodes of the emperour, to deffendeD hem in hir right, but nat for to robbe? 750. the Jirste thyng. The 1st and 2nd coni- mandments were , reckoned by the Roman Chiircll as one, thfe loth being divided. 294 PARSON'S TALE 755-775 hem ne reven hem. And therfore seith Seneca, ' Thy prudence sholde lyve benignely with thy thralles ' ; [760] thilke that thou clepest thy thralles been Goddes peple, for humble folk been Cristes freendes, they been contubernyal with the Lord. Thynk eek that of swich seed as cherles spryngeth, of swich seed spryngen lordes. As wel may the cherl be saved as the lord ; the same deeth that take the cherl, swich deeth taketh the lord ; wherfore I rede, do right so with thy cherl as thou woldest that thy Lord dide with thee, if thou were in his plit. Every synful man is a cherl to synne. I rede thee, certes, that thou, lord, werke in swiche wise with thy cherles that they rather love thee than drede. I woot wel ther is degree above degree, as reson is, and skile it is that men do hir devoir ther as it is due ; but certes, extorcions and despit of youre underlynges is dampnable. [76s] And forther-over understoond wel that thise conquerours, or tirauntz, maken ful ofte thralles of hem that been born of as rbial blood as been they that hem conqueren. This name of thraldom was never erst kowth, til that Noe seyde that his sone Canaan sholde be thra:! to his bretheren for his synne. What seye we thanne of hem that pilen and doon " extorcions in hooly chirche ? Certes, the swerd that men yeven first to a knyght, whan he is newe dubbed, signifieth that he sholde deffenden hooly chirche, and nat robben it ne pilen it ; and who so dooth is traitour to Crist. And, as seith Seint Augustyn, they been the develes wolves that stranglen the sheepe of Jhesu Crist, and doon worse than wolves ; for, soothly, whan the wolf hath ful his wombe he stynteth to strangle sheepe, but soothly, the pilours and destroyours of Goddes hooly chirche ne do nat so, for they ne stynte never to pile. [770] Now, as I have seyd, sith so is 765. thraldom, H3 cherldom. that synne was first cause of thraldom, thanne is it thus, that thilke tyme that al this world was in synne, thanne was al this world in thraldom' and subjeccioun ; but certes, sith the time of grace cam, God ordeyned that som folk sholde be moore heigh in estaat and in degree, and som folk moore lough, and that everich sholde be served in his estaat and his degree ; and therfore in somme contrees, ther they byen thralles, . whan they han turned hem to the feith, they maken hire thralles free out of thraldom. And ther- fore certes the lord oweth to his man that the . man oweth to his lord. The pope calleth hymself servaunt of the servauntz of God ; but for-as-muche as the estaat of hooly chirche ne myghte nat han be, ne the commune profit myghte nat han -be kept, ne pees and reste in erthe, but if God hadde ordeyned that som men hadde hyer degree and som men lower, therfore was sovereyntee ordeyned to kepe and mayntene and deffenden hire underlynges or hire subgetz, in resoun, as ferforth as it lith in hire power, and nat to destroyen hem ne confounde. [775] Wherfore I seye, that thilke lordes that been lyk wolves that devouren the possessiouns or the catel of poure folk wrongfully, withouten mercy or mesure, they shul receyven, by the same mesure that they han mesured to poure folk, the mercy of Jhesu Crist, but if it be amended. Now comth deceite bitwixe marchaunt and marchaunt. And thow shalt under- stonde that marchandise is in manye maneres ; that oon is bodily, and that oother is goostly, that oon is honeste and leveful, and that oother is deshoneste and unleveful. Of thilke bodily marchandise that is leveful and honeste is this, that there as God hath ordeyned that a regne or a contree is suffisaunt to hym-self, thanne is it honeste and leveful that of habundaunce of this contree that men helpe another contree that is moore nedy ; and therfore ther moote been marchantz 295 77S-8od THE CANTERBURY TALES GROOF I to bryngen fro that o contree to that oother hire marchandises. [780] That oother marchandise, that men haunten with fraude and trecherie and deceite, with lesynges and false othes, is cursed and dampnable. Espiritueel marchandise is proprely symonye, that is, ententif desir to byen thyng espiritueel, that is thyng that aperteneth to the seintuarie of God, and to cure of the soule. This desir, if so be that a man do his diligence to par- fournen it, al be it that his desir ne take noon effect, jet is it to hym a deedly synne, and if he be ordred he is irreguleer. Certes symonye is cleped of Simon Magus, that wolde han boght for temporeel catel the yifte that God hadde yeven by the Hooly Goost to Seint Peter and to the Appstles. And therfore understoond that bothe he that selleth and he that beyeth thynges espirituels been cleped symonyals, be it by catel, be it by procuryngei or by flesshly preyere of his freendes, flesshly freendes, or espiritueel freendes. [785] Flesshly in two maneres ; as by kynrede, or othere freendes ; soothly, if they praye for hym that is nat worthy and able, it is symonye, if he take the benefice ; and if he be worthy and able ther nys noon. That oother manere is whan a man or womman preyen for folk to avauncen hem oonly for wikked flesshly affeccioun that they have unto the persone, -and that is foul symonye. But certes in service for which men yeven thynges espirituels unto hir servantz it moot be understonde that the service- moot been honeste, and elles nat ; and eek that it be withouten bargaynynge, and that the persone be able ; for, as seith Seint Damasie, ' Alle the synnes of the world at regard of this synne am as thyiig of noght, for it is the gretteste synne that may be, after the synne of Lucifer and Antecrist ' ; for by this synne God forleseth the chirche and the soule that he boghte with his precious blood by hem that yeven chirches to hem that been nat digne, [790] for they putten in theves that stelen the soules of Jhesu Crist and destroyen his patrimoyne. Ejr swiche nndigne preestes and curates han lewed men the lasse reverence of the sacramentr of hooly chirche, arid swiche yeveres of chirches putten out the children of Crist, and putten into the chirche the develes owene sone. They sellen the soules that lambes sholde kepen, to the wolf that strangleth hem ; and therfore, shul tliey never han part of the pasture of lambes, that is the blisse of hevene. Now comth hasardrie, with his apur- tenaunces, as tables and rafles, of which comth deceite, false othes, chidynges^; and alle ravynes, blasphemynge and< reneiynge of God, and hate of his neighe- bores, wast of goodes, mysspendynge of tyme, and somtyme manslaughtre. Certes, hasardours ne mowe nat been withouten greet synne whil thay haunte that crafle, [79s] Of avarice comen eek lesynges, thefte, fals witnesse, and false othes; and ye shul understonde that thise been grete synnes, and expres agayn the com- aundementz of God, as I have seyd. Fals- witnesse is in word and eek in dede. In word, as for to bireve thy neighebores goode name by thy fals witnessyng, or bireven hym his catel or his heritage by thy fals witnessyng, whan thou for ire, or for meede, or for 'envyCj berest fals witnesse, or accusest hym, or excusest hym, by thy fals witnesSe, or elles excusest thyself falsly. Ware yow questemongeres and notaries. Certes, for fals witnessyng was Susanna in ful gret sorwe and peyne, and many another mo. The synne of thefte is eek expres agayns Goddes heeste, and in twomaneres, corporeel and espiritueel. Corporel, as for to take thy neighebores catel agayn his wyl, be it by force or by sleighte, be it by met or by mesure, [800] by stelyng eek of false enditementz upon hym, and in borwynge of thy neighebores catel, in entent never to payen it agayh, and semblable thynges. 296 PARSON'S TALB 800-820 Espiritueel thefte is sacrilege, that is to seyn, hurtynge of hooly thynges, or of thynges sacred to Crist, in two maneres ; by reson of the hooly place, as chirches or chirche-hawes, for which every vileyns synne that men doon in swiche places may be cleped sacrilege, or every violence in the semblable places. Also they that withdrawen falsly the rightes that longen to hooly chirche. And pleynly and generally, sacrilege is to reven hooly thyng fro hooly place, or unhooly thyng out of hooly place, or hooly thyng out of unhooly place. Rekvacio contra peccatum Avaricie Now shul ye understonde that the releevynge of avarice is misericorde and pitee largely taken. And men myghten axe why that misericorde and' pitee is releevynge of avarice. [805] Certes, the avaricious man sheweth no pitee ne miseri- corde to the nedeful man, for he deliteth hym in the kepynge of his tresor and nat in the rescowynge ne releevynge of his evene Cristene ; and therfore speke I first of misericorde. Thanne is misericorde, as seith the philosophre, a vertu by which the corage of man is stired by the mysese of hym that is mysesed ; upon which misericorde folweth pitee in parfournynge of charit- able werkes of misericorde. And certes, thise thynges moeven a man to miseri- corde of Jhesu Crist, that he yaf hymself for oure gilt, and suffred deeth for miseri- corde, and foryaf us oure originale synnes, and therby relessed us fro the peynes of helle, and amenused the peynes of purga- torie by penitence, and yeveth grace wel to do, and atte laste the blisse of hevene. [810] The speces of misericorde been, as for to lene and for to yeve, and to foryeven and relesse, and for to han pitee in herte, and compassioun of the meschief of his evene Cristene, and eek to chastise there as nede is. Another manere of remedie agayns avarice is resonable largesse, but soothly heere bihoveth the consideracioun of the grace of Jhesu Crist and of his temporeel goodeS, and eek of the goodes perdurables that Crist yaf to us, and to han remem- brance of the deeth that he shal receyve, he noot whanne, where, ne how ; and eek that he shal forgon al that he hath, save oonly that he hath despended in goode werkes. But, for as muche as som folk been unmesurable, men oughten eschue fool- largesse, that men clepen wast. Certes, he that is fool-large ne yeveth nat his catel, but he leseth his catel. Soothly what thyng that he yeveth for veyneglorie, as to mynstrals and to folk, for to beren his renoun in the world, he hath synne ther-of, and noon almesse. [815] Certes he leseth foule his good that ne seketh with the yifte of his good no thyng but synne. He is lyk to an hors that seketh rather to drynken drovy or trouble water, than for to drynken water of the clere welle. And for as muchel as they yeven ther as they sholde nat yeven, to hem aperteneth thilke malisoun that Crist shal yeven at the day of doome to hem that shuUen been dampned. Sequitur de Gttld After avarice comth glotonye, which is expres eek agayn the comandement ot God. Glotonye is unmesurable appetit to ete or to drynke, or elles to doon ynogh to the unmesurable appetit and desordeynee coveitise to eten or to drynke. This synne corrumped al this world, as is wel shewed in the synne of Adam and of Eve. Looke, eek, what seith Seint Paul of glotonye. [8zo] ' Manye,' seith Seint Paul, ' goon, of whiche I have ofte seyd to yow, and now I seye it wepynge, that been the enemys of the croys of Crist, of whiche the ende is deeth, and of whiche hire wombe is hire God, and hire glorie in confusioun of hem that so devouren erthely thynges.' He that is usaunt to this synne of glotonye 830. devouren^ H^ saueren* vL 2 297 820-840 THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I- he ne may no synne withstonde ; he moot been in servage of alia vices, for it is the develes hoord ther he hideth hym and resteth. This synne hath manye speces. The firste is dronkenesse, that is the horrible sepulture of mannes resoun, and therfore whan a man is dronken he hath lost, his resoun, and this is deadly synna. But soothly, whan that a man is nat wont to strong drynke, and peraventure na knowath nat the strengthe of the diynke, or hath fablassa in his heed, or hath travailed, thurgh which he drynketh the moore, al be' he sodeynly caught with drynka, it is no deadly synne, but venyal. The saconde space of glotonye is, that the spirit of a man wexath al trouble, for dronkenesse biravath hym the dis- crecioun of his wit. [825] The thridde spece of glotonye is whan a man davoureth his mete, and hath no rightful manare of etynge. The fourth is, whan thurgh the grete habundaunce of his mate, the humours in his body been destamprad. The fifthe is forgatelnesse by to muchel drynkynge, for which somtyme a man forgeteth er tha morwa what he dide at even, or on tha nyght biforn. In oother manere been ^ distinct the spaces of glotonye, after Seint Gregorie. The firste is for to eta biforn tyme to ete ; the seconde is whan a man gat hym to delicaat mete or drynke ; the thridde is whan men taken to muche over masure ; tha fourthe is curiositaa with greet entente to makan and apparaillen his mete ; the fifthe is for to eten to gradily. [830] Thise been the fyve fyngres of the develes hand, by whicha he draweth folk to synne. . Remedium contra peccatum Gule Agayns glotonye is the remedie ab- stinence, as seith Galien ; but that holde I nat meritorie, if he do it oonly for the heele of his body. Seint Augustyn wole that abstinence be doon for vertu and with pacience. ' Abstinence,' he seith. ' is litel worth, but if a man have good wil thar-to, and but it be enforced by pacience and by charitae, and that men doon it for Godas sake, and in hope to have the blisse of hevena.' Tha felawas of abstinence been, at, temperaunce, that holdeth the meanein alle thynges ; eek shame, that eschueth alia dashonestee ; sufifisance, that seketh no riche metes na drynkes, ne dooth no fors of to outrageous apparailynge ■ of meta ; mesura also, that restreyneth by resoun the deslavee appetit of etynge; sobrenesse also, that restreyneth the out- rage of drynke ; [835] sparynge also, that restreyneth tha delicaat ese to sitte longe at his mete and softely, wherfore som folk stonden, of hir owane wyl, to etan at the lasse Jeyser. I Sequitur de Luxuria After glotonye thanna comth lecherie, for thise two synnes bean so ny cosynSi that ofte tyme they wol nat daparte. God woot this synne is ful displesaunt thyng to God, for he seyde hymself, ' Do no lecharia ' ; and therfore he putte grete peynas agayns this synne in the olde lawe. If womman thral were taken in this synna, she sholda ba beten with staves to the deeth ; and if she ware a gentil womman, she sholda ba slayn with stones ; and if she were a bisshoppes doghter, she sholde been brent, by Goddascomande- ment. Fortherover, by the synne of lecherie God dreynte al the world at the diluga, and after that he brente fiv^e citaes with thonder leyt and sank hem into hella. [840] Now lat us speke thanne of thilke stynkynge synna of lecherie that men clepe avowtrie of wedded folk ; that is to seyn, if that oon of hem be wedded, or alles bothe. Seint John seith that avowtiers shuUen been in hella in a stank branny nge of fyr and of brymston. In fyr for lecherie, in brymston for the stynk of hire ordure. Certes, the brekynge of this sacrement is an horrible thyng ; it PARSON'S TALE 840-865 was maked of God hymself in paradys, and confermed by Jhesu Crist, as witness- eth Seint Mathew in the gospel : ' A man shal lete fader and mooder and taken hym to his wif, and they shullen be two in o flessh.' This sacrement bitokneth the knyttynge togidre of Crist and of hooly chirche. And nat oonly that God forbad avowtrie in dede, but eek he comanded that thou sholdest nat coveite thy neighebores wyf. [84s] In this heeste, seith Seint Augustyn, is forboden alle manere coveitise to doon lecherie. Lo, what seith Seint Mathew in the gospel ; that who-so seeth a womman to coveitise of his lust, he hath doon lecherie with hire in his herte. Heere may ye seen that nat oonly the dede of this synne is forboden, but eek the desir to doon that synne. This cursed synne anoyeth grevousliche hem that it haunten. And first to hire soule, for he obligeth it to synne and to peyne of deeth that is perdurable. Unto the body anoyeth it grevously also, for it dreyeth hym, and wasteth, and shenteth hym, and of his blood he maketh sacrifice to the feend of helle ; it wasteth his catel and his substaunce. And certes if it be a foul thyng a man to waste his catel on wommen, yet is it a fouler thyng whan that for swich ordure wommen dispenden upon men hir catel and substaunce. [850] This synne, as seith the prophete, bireveth man and womman hif goode fame, and al hire honour, and it is ful plesaunt to the devel ; for ther-by wynneth he the mooste partie of this world ; and, right as a marchant deliteth hym moost in chaffare that he hath moost avantage of, right so deliteth the fend in this ordure. This is that oother hand of the devel with five iyngres to cacche the peple to his vileynye. The firste fynger is the fool lookynge of the fool womman, and of the fool man, that sleeth right as the basilicok sleeth folk by the venym of his sighte ; for the coveitise of eyen folweth the coveitise of the herte. The seconde fynger is the vileyns touchynge in wikked manere ; and therfore, seith Salomon that whoso toucheth and handleth a womman he fareth lyk hym that handleth the scorpioun that styngeth and sodeynly sleeth thurgh his envenymynge ; as who- so toucheth warm pych, it shent his fyngres. [85s] The thridde is foule wordes, that fareth lyk fyr, that right anon brenneth the herte. The fourthe fynger is the kissynge ; and trewely he were a greet fool that wolde kisse the mouth of a brennynge ovene, or of a fourneys. And moore fooles been they that kissen in vileynye, for that mouth is the mouth of helle ; and namely thise olde dotardesholours,yetwol they kisse, though they may nat do,andsmatrehem. Certes, they been lyk to houndes, for an hound whan he comth by the roser, or by othere [bushes], though he may nat pisse, yet wole he heve up his leg and make a contenaunce to pisse. And for that many man weneth that he may nat synne, for no likerousnesse that he dooth with his wyf, certes, that opinioun is fals ; God woot a man may sleen hymself with his owene knyf and make hymselven dronken of his owene tonne. [860] Certes, be it wyf, be it child, or any worldly thyng that he loveth biforn God, it is his raawmet, and he is an ydolastre. Man sholde loven his wyf by discrecioun, paciently and atemprely, and thanne is she as though'it were his suster. The fifthe fynger of the develes hand is the stynkynge dede of leccherie. Certes, the five fyngres of glotonie the feend put in the wombe of a man, and with his five fyngres of lecherie he gripeth hym by the reynes for to throwen hym into the fourneys of helle, ther as they shul han the fyr and the wormes that ever shul lasten, and wepynge and wailynge, sharpe hunger and thurst, and grymnesse of develes that shullen al to- tredehem, withouten respit and withouten ende. [865] Of leccherie, as I seyde, sourden 855. hushes, Tyrwhitt's emendation for tea,utes of the MSS. 299 865-88S THE CANTERBURY TALES diverse speces, as fornicacioun that is bitwixe man and womman that been nat maried, and this is deedly synne and agayns nature. Al that is enemy and destruccioun to nature is agayns nature. Parfay, the resoun of a man (telleth eek hym wel that it is deedly synne, for as muche as God forbad leccherie. And Seint Paul yeveth hem the regne, that nys dewe to no wight but to hem that doon deedly synne. Another synne of leccherie is to bireve a mayden of hir maydenhede, for he that so dooth, certes, he casteth a mayden out of the hyeste degree that is in this present lif, and bireveth hire thilke precious fruyt that the book clepeth the 'hundred fruyt.' I ne kan seye it noon oother weyes in Englissh, but in Latyn it highte Centesimus fructus. [870] Certes, he that so dooth is cause of raanye damages and vileynyes, mo than any man kan rekene, right as he somtyme is cause of alle damages that beestes don in the feeld that breketh the heggeor the closure, thurgh which he destroyeth that may nat been restoored.' For certes, namoore may maydenhede be restoored than an arm that is smyten fro the body may re- tourne agayn to wexe. She may have mercy, this woot I wel, if she do peni- tence ; but never shal it be that she nas corrupt. And, al be it so that I have spoken somwhat of avowtrie, it is good to shewen mo perils that longen to avowtrie, for to eschue that foule synne. Avowtrie in Latyn is for to seyn, approchynge of oother mannes bed, thurgh which tho that whilom weren o flessh abawndone hir bodyes to othere persones. [87s] Of this synne, as seith the wise man, folwen manye harmes. First, brekynge of feith ; and certes, in feith is the keye of Cris- tendom, and whan that feith is broken and lorn, soothly, Cristendom stant veyn and withouten fruyt. This synne is eek a. thefte ; for thefte generally is for to reve a wight his thyng agayns his wille. Certes this is the fouleste thefte that may be, whan a womman steleth hir body from hir housbonde and yeveth it to hire holour to defoulen hire, and steleth hir soule fro Crist, and yeveth it to the devel. This is a fouler thefte than for to brekea chirche and stele the chalice, for thise avowtiers breken the temple of God spiritually, and stelen the vessel of grace, that is the body and the soule, fol which Crist shal destroyen hem, as seith Seint Paul. [880] Soothly of this thefte douted Joseph, whan that his lordes wyf preyed hym of vileynye, whan he seyde, ' Lo, my lady, how my lord hath take tome under my warde al that he hath in this world, ne no thyng of his thynges is out of my power, but oonly ye, that been his wyf j and how sholde I thanne do this wikked- nesse and synne so horrible agayns God, and agayns my lord ? God it forbeede ! ' Alias ! al to litel is swich trouthe now y-founde. The thridde harm is the filthe thurgh which they breken the comandement of God and defoulen the auctour of mat- rimoyne, that is, Crist. For certes, in so muche as the sacrement of mariage is so noble and so digne, so muche is it gretter synne for to breken it ; for God made mariage in paradys, in the estaat of innocence, to multiplye mankynde to the service of God ; and therfore is the brekynge moore grevous ; of which brekynge comen false heires ofte tyme, that wrongfully ocupien folkes heritages. And therfore wol Crist putte hem out of the regne of hevene, that is heritage to goode folk. [885] Of this brekynge comth eek ofte tyme that folk unwar wedden or synnen with hire owene kynrede, and namely thilke harlottes that haunten bordels of thise fool wommen, that niowe be likned to a commune gonge, where as men purgen hire ordure. What seye we eek of putours that lyven by the horrible synne of putrie, and con- streyne wommen to yelden to hem a certeyn rente of hire bodily puterie, — ye, somtyme of his owene wyf, or his child, as doon this bawdes. Certes, thise been 300 GROUP I PARSON'S TALE 885-905 cursede synnes. Understoond eek, that avowtrie is set gladly in the tm comande- mentz bitwixe thefte and manslaughtre, for it is the gretteste thefte that may be, for it is thefte of body and of ,souIe ; and it is lyk to homycide, for it kerveth atwo and breketh atwo hem that first were maked o flessh, and therfore by the olde lawe of God they sholde be slayn. But nathelees, by the lawe of Jhesu Crist, that is lawe of pitee, whan he seyde to the womman that was founden in avowtrie, and sholde ban been slayn with stones after the wyl of the Jewes, as was hir lawe, ' Go,' quod Jhesu Crist, ' and have namoore wyl to synne,' orwille namoore to do synne. [890] Soothly, the venge- aunce of avowtrie is awarded to the peynes of helle, but if so be that it be destourbed by penitence. Yet been ther mo speces of this cursed synne, as whan that oon of hem is re- ligious, or elles bothe, or of folk that been entred into ordre, as subdekne, or dekne or preest, or hospitallers, and ever the hyer that he is in ordre the gretter is the synne. The thynges that gretly agreggen hire sjmne is the brekynge of hire avow of chastitee, whan theyreceyved the ordre. And forther-over, sooth is, that hooly ordre is chief of al the tresorie of God, and his especial signe and mark of chastitee, to shewe that they been joyned to chastitee, which that is moost precious lyf that is. And thise ordred folk been specially titled to God, and of the special meignee of God, for which, whan they doon deadly synne, they been the special traytours of God and of his peple, for th^ lyven of the peple to preye for the peple, and while they been suche traytours her prayers availla not to the papla. [895] Preastes been aungelas as by the dignitee of hir mysterye, but forsothe Seint Paul seith, that Sathanas transformeth hym in an aungel of light. Soothly, the preest that hauntath deedly synne, he may be likned to the aungel rof derknesse transformed in the aungel of light ; he semeth aungel of light, but forsothe he is aungel of derknesse. Swiche preestes been the sones of Helie, as shaweth in the book of Kynges, that they weren the sones of Belial, that is the devel. 'Belial' is to seyn ' withouten juge,' and so faren they ; hem thynketh they been free and han no juge, namoore than hath a free bole, that taketh which cow that hym liketh in the town. So faren they by wommen, for right as a free bole is ynough for al a toun, right so is a wikked preest corrupcion ynough for al a parisshe, or for al a contree. [goo] Thise preastes, as seith the book, ne konne nat the mysterie of preesthode to the peple, ne God ne knowe they nat ; they ne holde hem nat apayd, as seith the book, of soden flessh that was to hem offred, but they tooke by force the flessh that is rawe. Certes, so thise shrewes ne holden hem nat apayed of roosted flessh and sode flessh with which the peple fedden hem in greet reverence, but they wole have raw flessh of folkes wyvas and hir doghtres. And cartes, thise wommen that consentan to hire harlotrie doon greet wrong to Crist and to hooly chirche and alle halwes, and -to alia soulas ; for they bireven alle thise hym that sholde worshipe Crist and hooly chirche, and preye for cristene soules. And therfore han swiche preestes, and hire lemmanes eek that consenten to hir leccherie, the malisoun of al the court cristiene, til they come to amendament. The thridde space of avowtrie is som tyme bitwixe a man and his wyf ; and that is whan they take no reward in hire assemblynge but oonly to hire flesshly delit, as seith Seint Jerome ; [905] and ne rekken of no thyng but that they been assembled. By-cause that they been maried al is good ynough, as thynketh to hem. But in swich folk hath the devel power, as seyde the aungel Raphael to Thobie, for in hire assemblynge they putten Jhesu Crist out of hire herte, and yeven hem-self to alle ordure. The fourthe spece is the assemblee of hem that been of hire kynrede, or of hem 301 905-920 THE CANTERBURY TALES. that been of oon affynytee, or elles with hem with whiche hir fadres or hir kynrede han deled in the syiine of lecherie. This synne maketh hem lyk to houndes that taken no kepe to kynrede. And cartes, parenteleis in twomaneres, outher goostly or flesshly : goostly, as for to deelen with his godsibbes ; for, right so as he that engendreth a child is his flesshly fader, right so is his godfader his fader espirit- ueel ; iot which a womman may in no lasse synne assemblen with hire godsib than with hire owene flesshly brother. [910] Thefifthe spece is thilkeabhomyn- able synne of which that no man unnethe oghte speke ne write, nathelees it is openly reherced in holy writ. This eursednesse doon men and wommen in diverse entente, and in diverse manere, but though that hooly writ speke of horrible synne, certes hooly writ may nat beendefouled, namoorethan thesonnethat shyneth on the mixen. Another synne aperteneth to leccherie that comth in slepynge ; and this synne Cometh ofte to hem that been maydenes, and eek to hem that been corrupt. And this synne men clepen polucioun, that comth in thre maheres. Somtyme of langwissynge of body, for the humours been to ranke and habundaunt in the body of man ; somtyme of infermetee, for the fieblesse of the vertu retentif, as phisik maketh mencioun ; somtyme for surfeet of mete and drynke ; and somtyme of vileyns thoghtes that been enclosed in mannes mynde whan he gooth to slepe, which may nat been withoute synne ; for which men moste kepen hem wisely, or elles may men synnen ful grevously. Remedium contra peccatUTn Luxurie [915] Now comth the remedie agayns leccherie, and that is generally chastitee and continence, that restreyneth alle the desordeynee nioevynges that comen of flesshly talentes. And ever the gretter merite shal he han that moost restreyneth the wikkede eschawfynges of the ordure of this synne , and this is in two maneres; that is to seyn, chastitee in mariage, and chastitee of widwehode. Now shaltow understonde that matrimoyne is leefSil assembljmge of man and of womman, that recey ven, by vertu of the sacrement, the boond thurgh which they may nat be departed in al hir lyf, that is to seyn, whil that they lyven bothe. This, as seith the book, is a ful greet sacrement ; God maked it, as I have seyd, in paradys, and wolde hymself be born in mariage ; and, for to halwen maris^e, he was at a weddynge, where as he turned water in to wyn, which was the firste miracle that he wroghte in erthei biforn his disciples. ' [920] Trewe effect of mariage clenseth fornicacioun and replenysseth hooly chirche of good lynage, for that is the ende of mariage ; and it chaungeth deedly synne into venial synne bitwixe hem that been y-wedded, and maketh the hertes al oon of hem that been y-wedded, as wel as the bodies. This is verray mariage that was establissed by God, er that synne bigan, whan natureel lawe ' was in his right poynt in paradys, and it was ordeyned that o man sholde have but o womman, and o womman but man, as seith Seint Augustyn, by manye resouns. First, for mariage is figured bitwixe Crist and holy chirche ; and that oother is, for a man is heved of a womman, — algate by ordinaunce it sholde be so. For, if a womman hadde mo men than oon, thanne sholde she have moo hevedes than oon, and that were an horrible thyng biforn God ; and eek a womman ne myghte nat plese to many folk at oones. And lalso ther ne sholde never be pees ne reste amonges hem, for everich wolde axen his owene thyng; and'forther-over no man ne sholde knowe his owene engendrure, ne who sholde have his heritage, and the womman sholde been the lasse biloved fro the tyme that she were conjoynt to many ,30a PARSON'S TALE 925-945 [92s] Now comth how that a man sholde here hym with his wif; and namely in two thynges, that is to seyn, in suffraunce and reverence, as shewed Crist whan he made first womman. For he ne made hire nat of the heved of Adam, for she sholde nat clayme to greet lordshipe ; for ther as the womman hath the maistrie she maketh to muche desray. Ther neden none ensamples of this, the experience of day by day oghte sufiise. Also certes, God ne made nat womman of the foot of Adam, for she ne sholde nat been holden to lowe, for she kan nat paciently suffre. But God made womman of the ryb of Adam for womman sholde be felawe unto man. Man'sholde here hym to his wyf in feith, in trouthe, and in love, as seith Seint Paul, that a man sholde loven his wyf as Crist loved hooly chirche, that loved it so wel that he deyde for it ; so sholde a man for his yiyf, if it were nede. [930] Now how that a womman sholde be subget to hire housbonde, that telleth Seint Peter. First, in obedience. And eek, as seith the decree, a womman that is wyf, as longe as she is a wyf, she hath noon auctoritee to swere, ne here witnesse, withoute leve of hir housbonde, that is hire lord, — algate he sholde be so by resoun. She sholde eek serven hym in alle honestee, and been attempree of hire array. I woot wel that they sholde setten hire entente to plesen hir hous- bondes, but nat by hire queyntise of array. Seint Jerome seith that wyves that been apparailled in silk and in precious purpre ne mowe nat clothen hem in Jhesu Crist. What seith Seint John eek in thys matere ? Seint Gregorie eek seith that no wight seketh precious array, but oonly for veyne glorie to been honoured the moore bifom the peple. [93s] It is a greet folye, a womman to have a fair array outward and in hir-self foul inward. A wyf sholde eek be mesurable in lookynge, and in berynge, and in lawgh- ynge, and discreet in all hire wordes and |< hire dedes and aboven alle worldly thyng she sholde loven hire housbonde with al hire herte, and to hym be trewe of hir body. So sholde an housbonde eek be to his wyf, for, sith that al the body is the housbondes, so sholde hire herte been, or elles ther is bitwixe hem two, as in that, no parfit mariage. Thanne shal men understonde that for thre thynges a man and his wyf flesshly mowen assemble. The firste is in entente of engendrure of children, to the service of God, for certes that is the cause final of matrimoyne. [940] Another cause is to yelden everich of hem to oother the dette of hire bodies, for neither of hem hath power over his owene body. The thridde is for to eschewe leccherye- and vileynye. The ferthe is forsothe deedly synne. As to the firste, it is meritorie; the seconde also, for, as seith the decree, that she hath merite of chastitee that yeldeth to hire housbonde the dette of hir body, ye, though it be agayn hir likynge and the lust of hire herte. The thridde manere is venyal synne, and trewely scarsly may ther any of thise be withoute venial synne, for the corrupcioun and for the delit. The fourthe manere is for to understonde if they assemble oonly for amorous love, and for noon of the fore- seyde causes, but for to accomplice thilke brennynge delit, they rekke never how ofte, soothly it is deedly synne, and yet with sorwe somme folk wol peynen hem moore to doon than to hire appetit suffiseth. The seconde manere of chastitee is for to been a clene wydewe and eschue the embracynges of man and desiren the embracynge of Jhesu Crist. [945] Thise been tho that han been wyves and han forgoon hire housbondes, and eek wommen that han doon leccherie and been releeved by penitence. And certes, if that a vi^f koude kepen hire al chaast, by licence of hii housbonde, so that she yeve never noon occasion that he agilte, it were to hire a greet merite. Thise 303 94S-96S THE CANTERBURY TALES GROUP I manere wommen that observer! chastitee moste be clene in herte, as wele as in body and in thoughte, and mesurable in clothynge and in contenaunce, abstinent in etynge and drynkynge, in spekynge and in dede. They been the vessel, or the boyste of the blissed Magdelene, that fulfilleth hooly chirche of good odour. The thridde manere of chastitee is virginitee, and it bihoveth that she be hooly in herte, and clene of body ; thanne is she spouse to Jhesu Crist, and she is the lyf of angeles. She is the preisynge of this world, and she is as thise martirs in egalitee. She hath in hire that tonge may nat telle, ne herte thynke. [950] Virginitee baar oure Lord Jhesu Crist, and virgine was h)^!- selve. Another remedie agayns leccherie is specially to withdrawen swiche thynges as yeve occasion to thilke vileynye, as ese, etynge and drynkynge ; for certes, whan the pot boyleth strongly the beste remedie is to withdrawe the fyr. Slepynge longe in greet quiete is eek a greet norice to leccherie. Another remedie agayns leccherie is that a man or a womman eschue the compaignye of hem by whiche he douteth to be tempted, for al be it so that the dede is withstonden, yet is ther greet temptacioun. Soothly, a whit wal, although it ne brenne noght fully by stikynge of a candele, yet is the wal blak of the leyt. Ful ofte tyme [955] I rede, that no man truste in his owene perfeccioun, but he be stronger than Sampsoun, and hoolier than Danyel, and wiser than Salomon. Now after that I have declared yow as I kan the sevene deedly synnes, and somme of hire braunches and hire remedies, soothly, if I koude, I wolde telle yow the ten comandementz ; but so heigh a doctrine I lete to divines ; nathelees I hope to God they been touched in this tretice, everich of hem alle. Sequitur secunda pars Penitencie Now, for as muche as the seconde partie of penitence stant in confessioun of mouth, as I bigan in the firste chapitre, I seye, Seint Augustyn seith, ' Synne is every word and every dede, and al that men coveiten agayn the lawe of Jhesu Crist ; and this is for to synne in herte, in mouth, and in dede, by thy five wittes, that been sighte, herynge, smellynge, tasty nge or savpurynge, and feelynge.' [960] Now is it good to understonde the circumstaunces that agreggeth muchel every synne. Thow shalt considete what thow art that doost the synne ; wheither thou be male or femele,'yong or oold, gentil or thral, free or servant, hool or syk, wedded or sengle,; ordred or unordred,' wys or fool, clerk or seculeer; if she be of thy kynrede, bodily or goostly, or noon ; if any of thy kynrede have synned with hire or noon, and manye mo thinges. Another circumstaunce is this, wheither it be doon in fornicacioun, or in avowtrie, or noon, incest or noon, mayden or noon, in manere of homicide or noon, horrible grete synnes or smale, and how longe thou hast continued in synne. The thridde circumstaunce is the place ther thou hast do synne, wheither in oother mennes hous or in thyn owene, in feeld or in chirche or in chirchehawe, in chirche dedicaat or noon ; [965] for if the chirche be halwed, and man or womman spille his kynde in-with that place, by wey of synne or by wikked temptacioun, the chirche is enlredited til it be reconsiled by the bysshope ; and the preest that dide swich a vileyne, to terme of al his lif he sholde namoore synge masse ; and if he dide, he sholde doon deedly synne at every time that he so songe masse. The fourthe circum- staunce is, by whiche mediatours or by whiche messagers, as for enticement or for consentement to here compaignye. with felaweshipe, — for many a wrecche, 304 PARSON'S TALE 965-985 for to bere compaignye, wil go to the devel of helle, — wher-fore they that eggen or consenten to the synne been parteners of the synne and of the dampnacioun of the synnere. ^?. early in the 9th cent. ; cp. New Engl. Diet. s.v. Algorism. Through his treatise on Algebra the Arabic or * new ' numerals became known in Europe. 315 436-S2S EARLIER MINOR POEMS Sete to rekene in his countour, And rekene with his figures ten — For by the figures new al ken, If they be crafty, rekene and noumbre And telle of every thinge the noumbre, — Yet sholde he fayle to rekene even 441 The wondres me mette in my sweven. But forth they romed right wonder faste Doun the wode ; so at the laste I was war of a man in blak, That sat, and hadde y-turned his bak To an ooke, an huge tree. ' Lord ! ' thoghte I, ' who may that be? What ayleth hym to sitten here?' Anoon right I wente nere ; 450 Than fond I sitte even upright A wonder wel-farynge knyght, — By the maner me thbughte so,-^ Of good mochel, and right yong therto. Of the age of four and twenty yeer. Upon his berde but litel heer, And he was clothed al in blake. I stalked even unto his bake, And ther I stood as stille as ought, That, sooth to saye, he saw me nought ; For why he heng hys heed adoun, 461 And with a deedly, sorwful soun He made of ryme ten vers or twelve Of a Compleynt to hiin-selve. The moste pitee, the moste routhe, That ever I herde ; for by my trouthe, Hit was gret wonder that Nature Myght suffren any creature To have swich sorw, and be not deed. Ful pitous, pale, and no-thyng reed 470 He sayde a lay, a maner song, Withoute note, w'ithoute song ; And was this, for ful wel I kan Reherse hit — right thus hit began. — / have of sorwi so grete woon That joye gete I never noon. Now that I see my lady bright. Which I home loved with al my myght, Is fro me deed and is a-goon, 445. John of Gaunt, who was, however, twenty- nine when his wife died ; cp. 1, 455. 479. Th. wrongly inserts And thus in sorowe le/te vie alone after this line. Alias, Deeth, what ayleth thee 48a That thou noldest have taken me. Whan thou toke my lady sweete That was sofayr, so fresh, sofre. So good, that men may wel se Of al goodnesse she had no meele. Whan he hadde mad thus his com- playnte. His sorwful herte gan faste faynte, And his spirites wexen dede ; The blood was fled for pure drede 489 Doun to his herte, to make hym warme ; For wel hit feled the herte hadde harme ; To wite eke why hit Avas a-drad By kynde, and for to make hit glad ; For hit is membre principal Of the body ; and that made al His hewe chaunge, and wexe grene. And pale, for ther no blood was sene In no maner lyme of his. Anoon therwith whan I saw this, He ferde thus evel ther he seet, 500 I went and stood right at his feet, And grette hym, but he spak noght, But argued with his owne thoght And in his wit disputed faste, Why and how his lyf myght laste, — Hym thought his sorwes were so smerte And lay so colde upon his herte ; So, through his sorw and hevy thoght. Made hym that he herde me noght For he had wel-nygh lost his mynde 510 Thogh Pan, that men clepe god of kynde. Were for his sorwes never so wrooth. But at the last, to sayn right sooth. He was war of me how I stood Before hym, and did of myn hood. And hadde y-gret hym as I best coude. Debonayrly, and no thyng loude. He sayde, ' I prey the be not wrooth ; I herde thee not, to seyn the sooth, Ne I saw thee not, sir, trewely.' 520 'A ! goode sir, no fors,' quod I, ' I am right sory if I have ought . t Destroubled yow out of your thought; For-yive me, if I have mis-take.' ' Vis, thamendes is light to make,' 497. was. All read u. 3«6 THE DETHE OF BLAUNCHE THE DUCHESSE 526-618 Quod he, ' for ther lyth noon ther-to, Ther is no thyng missayd nor do. ' Lo ! how goodly spak this knyght, As hit hadde been a-nother wyght. He made hit nouther tough ne queynte, And I saw that, and gan me aqueynte 531 With hym, and fond hym so tretable. Right wonder skilful and reasonable, As me thoghte, for al his bale ; A-noon right I gan fynde a tale To hym, to loke wher I might ought Have more knowyng of his thought. ' Sir,' quod I, ' this game is doon ; I holde that this hert be goon ; Thise huntes conne hym nowher see. ' 540 ' I do no fors therof,' quod he, ' My thought is ther-on never a del.' ' Bi our Lord ! ' quod I, ' I trowe yow wel. Right so me thinketh bi your chere. But, sir, 00 thyng, wol ye here ? Me thinketh in gret sorwe I yow see ; But certes, sire, if that ye Wolde ought discure me your wo I wolde, as wis God helpe me so. Amende hit, if I can or may. 550 Ye mowe preve hit bi assay, For, by my trouthe, to make yow hool, I wol do al my power hool ; And telleth me of your sorwes smerte, Paraunter hit may ese your herte. That semeth ful seke under your side. ' With that he loked on me aside. As who sayth, ' Nay, that wol not be.' ' Graunt mercy ! goode frend,' quod he, ' I thanke the that thou woldest so, 560 But hit may never the rather be do. No man may my sorwe glade That maketh my hewe to falle and fade, And hath myn understondyng lorn. That me is wo that I was bom ! May noght make my sorwes slyde, — Nought al the remedies of Ovyde ; Ne Orpheus, god of melodye ; Ne Dedalus, with his playes slye ; Ne hele me may no phisicien, 570 Noght Ypocras, ne Galyen ; 569. kis playes slye, his ingenious contrivances, i.e. his artificial wings. 571. ypocras, Hippocrates. Me is wo that I lyve houres twelve. But who so wol assay hym-selve. Whether his herte can have pite Of any sorwe, lat hym see me. I, wrecche, that deeth hath mad al naked Of all the blisse that ever was maked ; Y-worthe worste of alle wightes, — That hate my dayes and my nightes ; My lyf, my lustes, be me lothe 580 For al welfare, and I be wrothe. The pure Deeth is so ful my fo That I wolde deye,- — hit wol not so ; For whan I folwe hit, hit wol flee ; I wolde have hym, hit nyl nat me. This is my peyne wythoute reed, Alway deyingeand be not deed. That Cesiphus, that lyth in helle, May not of more sorwe telle ; And who-so wiste al, bi my trouthe, 590 My sorwe, but he hadde routhe And pite of my sorwes smerte. That man hath a feendly herte ; For who so seeth me first on morwe May seyen he hath met with Sorwe, For I am Sorwe, and Sorwe is I. ' Alias ! and I wol telle the why ; My song is turned to pleynyng. And al my laughter to wepyng. My glade thoghtes to hevynesse, 600 In travaile is myn ydelnesse, And eek my reste ; my wele is wo. My good is harm, and ever mo In wrathe is turned my pleying. And my delit in-to sorwyng. Myn hele is turned in-to seekiiesse. In drede is al my sykernesse ; To derke is turned al my light. My wit is foly, my day is night. My love is hate, my sleep ivakyng, 6ia My mirthe and meles is fastyng, My countenaunce is nycete. And al abaved wher-so I be. My pees, in pledyng, and in wevre. Alias ! how myghte I fare werre ? ' My boldnesse is turned to shame, For fals Fortune hath pleyd a game Atte chess with me, — alias ! the while ! 588. Cesiphis, Sisyphus. 598. S(m£. All read sorouie, a contamination from 1. 590. 317 619-708 EARLIER MINOR POEMS The trayteresse fals, and ful of gyle, ' That al behoteth, and no thyng halt, 620 She goth upright, and yet she halt, That baggeth foule, and loketh faire. The dkpitouse debonaire ! That stforneth many a creature! An ydole of fals povtrayture Is she, for she wol sone wrien. She is the monstres heed y-wrien. As filthe over y-strawed with floures. Hir moste worship and hir flour is To lyen, for that is hir nature ; 630 With-oute feythe, lawe, or mesure. She is fals ; and ever laghyng With oon eye, and that other wepyng. That is broght up she setal doun ; I likne hir to the scorpioun. That is a fals, flateryng beste, For with his heed he maketh feste. But, al amydd his flaterynge. With his tayle he wol stynge And envenyme ; and so wol she; 640 She is thenvyouse Charite, That is ay fals, and semeth weel, So turneth she hir false wheel Aboute, for hit is no thyng stable, Now by the fire, now at table ; For many oon hath she thus y-blent. She is pley of enchauntement. That semeth oon, and is not so. The false theef ! what hath she do, Trowest thou ? By our Lord, I wol thee seye. 650 • Atte ches with me she gan to pleye ; With hir false draughtes dyvers She' stal on me, and took my fers ; And whan I saw my fers aweye. Alias ! I couthe no lenger pleye. But seyde, " Far-wel, swete, y-wys ! And far-wel al that ever ther is !" Ther-with Fortune seyde, " Chek heer ! " And " Mate! " in the myd poynt of the chekkere. With a poune erraunt, alias ! 660 Ful craftier to pley she was Than Athalus that made the game 651. Aite, All read A f the. ^ 662. Athalus. The reputed inventor of Chess. According to Warton A iialus Philometer^ King of Pergamus, is meant. This whole passage is imitated from the Rom. de la Rose^ 11. 6644-6881. First of the ches, so was his name. But God wolde,: I had oones or twyes Y-coud and knowe the jeupardyes That coude the Grek Pithagores, I shulde have pleyde the bet at ches, . And kept my fers the bet ther-by. ' And thogh whereto ? For trewely I holde that wysh nat worth a stree ! 670 Hit had be never the bet for me. For Fortune can so many a wyle, Ther be but fewe can hir begyle, And eek she is the las to blame ; My-self I wolde have do the same. Before God, hadde I been as she. .; She oghte the more excused be For this. I say yet more ther-to, — Hadde I be God and myghte have do My wille, whan my fers. she caughte, 680 I wolde have drawe the same draughte. For, also wys God yive me reste ! I dar wel swere, she took the beste. 'But through that draughte I have lorn My blisse. Alias ! that I was born, For evermore I trowe trewely, For al my wil, my lust hooUy Is turned ; but yet, what to doone ? Be our Lorde ! hit is to deye soone, For no thyng I leve hit noght, 690 But lyve and deye right in this thoght. For there nis planete in firmament Ne in ayre, ne in erthe, noon element That they ne yive me a yift echoon Of wepyng, whan I am alloon. For whan that I avise me wel, And be-thenke me every-del. How that ther lyth in rekenyng In my sorwe for no thyng ; And how ther leveth no gladnesse 700 May gladde me of my distresse. And how I have lost suffisance, And ther-to I have no plesance, Than may I say I have right noght. And whan al this falleth in my thoght, Alias, than am I overcome ! For that is doon is not to come : I have more sorwe than Tantale ! ' 665. jeupardyes, problems; O.F. j'e-u parti, a divided game. 681. the same draughte, move at chess. 698, 699. _ In my account with sorrow there lies to my credit no amount at all. , 318 THE DETHE OF BLAUNCHE THE DUCHESSE 709-797 And whan I herde hym telle this tale Thus pitously, as I yow telle, 710 Unnethe myghte I lenger dwelle, Hit dide myn herte so moche wo. ' A, good sir ! ' quod I, ' say not so ! Have som pite on your nature, That formed yow to creature. Remembre yow of Socrates, For he ne counted nat three strees Of noght that Fortune coude do. ' ' No,' quod he, ' I can not so.' ' Why so, sir ? yis, parde ! ' quod I ; ' Ne say noght soo, for trewely, 721 Thogh ye had lost the ferses twelve. And ye for sorwe mordred your selve. Ye sholde be dampned in this cas Bi as good right as Medea was. That slow hir children for Jason ; And Phyllis also for Demophon Heng hir-selfe, so weylaway ! For he had broke his terme day To come to hir. Another rage 730 Had Dydo, the quene.eek of Cartage, That slow hir self; for Eneas Was fals ; — which a foole she was. And Ecquo died, for Narcisus Nolde nat love hir ; and right thus Hath many another foly don. And for Dalida dyed Sampson, That slow, hym-self with a pilere, — But ther is no man a-lyve here Wolde for a fers make this wo ! ' 740 ' Why so ! ' quod he, ' hyt ys nat so ; Thou wost ful lytel what thou menest ; I have lost more than thow wenest.' ' Lo, sey, how that may be ? ' quod I ; ' Good sir, tel me al hooUy In what wyse, how, why, and wherfore. That ye have thus your blisse lore. ' ' Blythly,' quod he ; 'com sit adoun ! I telle the upon a condicioun That thou shalt hooly with al thy wit 750 720, sir. All read good syr, contamination witb quod in line above. 722. the ferses twelve, t.e. 'all the pieces ex- cept the king, which could not be taken. (Skeat.) 727. Phyllis committed suicide from fear that Demophon had forgotten her, and was changed into a tree. Demophon was a son of Theseus. ■ 734. Ecqtto, Echo. All these examples occur ' in the Roman de la Rose, •jyj, Dalida, Delilah. Do thyn entent to herkene hit. ' 'Yis, sir'.' ' Swere thy trouthe ther-to.' 'Gladly.' 'Do than holde her-to.' ' I shal, right blythly,, so God me save ! Hoolly with al the wit I have Here yow as wel as I kan.' 1 ' A Goddes half ! ' quod he, and began : ' Sir,' quod he, ' sith first I kouthe Have any maner wit fro youthe. Or kyndely understondyng 760 To comprehende in any thyng What love was in myn owne wit, Dredeles I have ever yit Be tributary and yiven rente To love, hooly with goode entente. And through plesaunce become his thral With good wil, body, herte, and al. Al this I putte in his servage. As to my lorde, and dide homage. And ful devoutly I prayde hym to, 770 He shulde besette myn herte so. That hit plesance to hym were. And worship to my lady dere. 'And this was longe, and many a yeer, Or that myn herte was set owher. That I dide thus, and nyste why, I trowe, hit cam me kyndely. Peraunter I was therto most able. As a whyt wal or a table. For hit is redy to cacche and take 780 Al that men wi! therynne make, Whethir-so men wil portreye or peynte, Be the werkes never so queynte. ' And thilke tyme I ferde right so I was able to have lerned tho. And to have kenned as wel or better Paraunter other art or letter. But for love cam first in my thought, Therfore I forgat hit nought. I chees love to my firste craft, 79a Therfore hit is with me laft. For why ? I took hit of so yong age That malice hadde my corage Nat that tyme turned to no thyng, Through to mochel knowlechyng. For that tyme Youthe, my maistresse, Governed me in ydelnesse, 319 798-893 EARLIER MINOR POEMS For hit was in my firste youthe, And tho ful litel good I couthe, -. For al my werkes were flittynge 800 That tyme, and thoghtes varyinge, AI were to me ylyche good; • That I knew tho, but thus hit stood. ' Hit happed that I cam on a day In-to a place ther that I say Trewly the fayrest comp'anye Of ladyes, that ever man with ye Had seen to-gedres in 00 place. Shal I clepe hyt hap, other grace That broghte me ther ? Nay, but Fortune, 810 That is to lyen ful comune, — The false trayteresse, pervers ! God wolde I coude clepe hir wers ! For now she worcheth me ful woj And I wol telle sone why so. ' Among these ladies thus echoon, Soth to seyen, I sawgh oon ,That was lyk noon of the route, For I dar swere, withoute doute. That as the someres sonne bryght 8zo Is fairer, clerer, and hath more lyght Than any other planete in heven. The mone, or the sterres seven ; For al the worlde so had she Surmounted hem alle of beaute, Of maner, and of comlynesse. Of stature, and of wel set gladnesse, Of goodlihede, so wel be-seye, — Shortly, what shal I more seye ? By God, and by his halwes twelve, 830 Hit was my swete, ryght as hir-selve ! She had so stedfast countenaunce, So noble port and meyntenaunce. And love, that had wel herd my bone, Had espyed me thus sone. That she ful sone, in my thoght, As helpe me God, so was y-caught So sodeniy, that I ne took No maner. counseyl, but at hir look And at myn herte ; for-why, hir yen 840 So gladly, I trow, myn herte syen. That purely tho myn owne thoght Seyde hit were beter serve hir for noght 798. John of Gaunt was married at nineteen. 8z8. so. All read and so, caught from the line above. 830. By Christ and His twelve apostles. Than with a-nother to be wel. And it was sooth,, for everydel •• .,.IT I wil a-noon right telle the why. ' I saw hir daunce so comUly, Carole and synge so swetely, Laughe and pleye so womanly. And loke so debonairly, 850 So goodly speke, and so friendly, That certes,. I trowe that ever-more Nas seyn so blisful a tresore, For every heer on hir hede, Soth to seyn, it was not rede, Ne nouther yelw, ne broun it nas. Me thoghte most lyk gold it was. ' And whiche yen my lady hadde ! Debonair, goode, glade, and sadde, Symple, of goode mochel, noght to wyde, Ther-to hir look nas not a-syde, 861 Ne overthweii,, but beset so wel, Hit drew and took up everydel Alle that on hir gan be-holde. Hir yen semed anoon she wolde Have mercy, — fooles wenden so, — 1 But hit was never the rather do. Hit nas no countrefeted thyng, Hit was hir owne pure lokyng, . That the goddesse, dame Nature, 87c Had made hem opene by mesure. And close ; for were she never so glad Hir lokyng was not foly sprad, , Ne wildely, thogh that she pleyde ; But ever me thoghte hir yen seyde, " By God, my wraths is al for-yivel" ' Therwith hir liste so wel to live, That dulnesse was of hir a-drad. She nas to sobre, ne to glad. In alle thynges more mesure 880 Had never, I trowe, creature. But many oon with hir loke she herte. And that sat hir ful lyte at herte. For she knew no-thyng of hir thoght. But whether she knew, or knew it noght, Algate she ne roghte of hem a stree ! To gete hir love noo ner nas he That woned at home, than he in Ynde, The formest was alway behynde. But goode folke, over al other, 890 .She loved as man may do his brother, Of whiche love she was wonder large In skilful places that here charge. 320 THE DETHE OF BLAUNCBE THE DUCHESSE 894-985 ' But which a visage had she ther-to ! Alias, myn herte is wonder wo That I ne can discryven hit ! Me lakketh bothe English and wit For t6 un-do hit at the fulle, And eek my spirits be so duUe So greet a thyng for to devyse. 900 I have no wit that can suffise To comprehenden hir beaut^, But thus tnoche dar I seyn, that she Was, rody, fresh, and lyvely hewed ; And evei-y day hir beaute newed ; And negh hir face was alder-best ; For certes, Nature had swich lest To make that fair, that trewly she Was hir cheef patron of beaut^, And cheef ensample of al hir werke, 910 And moustre ; for be hit never so derke, Me thynketh I se hir ever-mo ; And yet, more-over, thogh alle tho That ever lyved were now a-lyve. They ne sholde have founde to diskiyve In al hir face a wikked signe ; For hit was sad, symple, and benygne. ' And which a goodly, softe speche Had that swete, my lyves leche ! So friendly and so wel y-grounded, 920 Up al resoun so wel y-founded, And so tretable to al gode, That I dar swere wel by the rode. Of eloquence was never founde So swete a sownynge facounde, Ne trewer tonged; ne scorned lasse, Ne bet coude hele ; that by the masse I durste swere, thogh the pope hit songe, That ther was never yet through hir tonge Man ne woman gretly harmed, 930 As for hir ther was al harm hyd ; Ne lasse fiateryng in hir wordcj That purely hir symple recorde Was founde as trewe as any bonde, Or trOuthe of any mannes honde. Ne chyde she koude never a del. That knoweth al the world ful wel. ' But swich a faimesse of a nekke Had that swete, that boon nor brekke 904. All read ■white, ndy, etc Skeat omits white, for it spoils the point of 1. 948 and the metre of this line. 915. All omit They, which is necessary to the Syntax. Nas ther non sen^ that mys-sat ; 94a Hit was smothe, streght, and pure flat, Wyth-outen hole ; nor canel boon, " As be semynge, had she'noon. Hir throte, as I have now memoire, Semed a round tour of y voire. Of good gretnesse, and noght to grete. 'And gode, faire, White, she hete, — That was my lady name tyght, — She was bothe faire and bryglit. She hadde not hir name wrong. 950 Right faire shuldres, and body long, She hadde, and armes, every lith Fattyssh, fiesshy, not greet therwith ; Right white handes, and nayles rede, Rounde brestes ; and of good brede Hir hippes were, a streight flat bak. I knew on hir non other lak. That al hir lymmes nere pursewing, In as fer as I had knowyng. ' Therto she coude so wel pleye, 960 Whan that hir lyste, that I dar seye That she was lyk to torche bright That every man may take of light Ynogh, and hit hath never the lesse. ' Of maner and of comlynesse, Right so ferde my lady dere. For every wyght of hir manere Myght cacche ynogh, if that he wolde. If he had yen hir to be-holde ; For I dar swere wel if that she 970 Hadde among ten thousand be, ■ She wolde have be, at the leste, A cheef mirour of al the feste, Thogh they had stonden in a rowe, To mennes ^en that coude have knowe. For wher-so men had pleyed or waked. Me thoghte the felawship as naked Withouten hir, that saw I ones. As a coroune withoute stones. Trewly she was to myn ye 9C0 The soleyn fenix of Arabye, For ther lyveth never but oon ; Ne swich as she ne knew I noon. ' To speke of goodnesse ; trewly she 941. All read white, smothe, etc.; cp. 1. 904 note. Skeat here omits jfure. 942. All read or. 947. A reference to the name of the Duchess, viz. Blaunche. 958. All read pure sewing. 321 985-1068 EARLIER MINOR POEMS Hadde as moche debonairt^ As ever hadde Hester in the Bible, And more, gif more were possible. And soth to seyne, therwyth-al She had a wyt so general, So hool enclyned to alle gode, 990 That al hir wyt was set, by the rode, With-oute malyce upon gladnesse;, , And ther-to I saw never yet a lesse Harmful than she was in doyng. I sey nat that she ne had knowyng What harm was, or elles she Had coud no good, so thynketh me. ' And trewly, for to speke of trouthe. But she hadde had, it hadde be routhe. Therof she had so moche hir del, 1000 And I dar seyn, and swere hit Wei, That Trouthe hym-self, over al and al. Had chose his maner principal In hir, that was his restyng-place. Ther-to she hadde the moste grace To have stedfast perseveraunce An esy, atempre governaunce. That ever I knew, or wyste yit. So pure, suffraunt, was hir wyt. And resoun gladly she understood ; loio Hit folowed wel she coude good. She used gladly to do wel : These were hir maners everydel. ' Therwith she loved so wel right. She wrong do wolde to no wyght ; No wyght myghte do hir no shame. She loved so wel hir owne name. Hir luste to holde no wyght in honde, Ne, be thou siker, she wolde not fonde To holde no wyght in balaunce 1020 By half word, ne by countenaunce, But if men wolde upon hir lye ; Ne sende men in-to Walakye, To Pruyse, and in-to Tartarye, To Alysaundre, ne in-to Turkye ; And bidde hym faste, anoon that he Go hoodies in-to the drye se, 986. Hester, Esther. 1024. Pruyse, Prussia. 1027. the drye se. According to Mr. Brae (Appendix to his ed. of Chaucer s Astrolabe, p. 101) this refers to the variable Lake Czirknitz, near Laibach,^ N.E. of Trieste, which is some- times dry. And come hoom by the Carrenare ; And seye, " Sir, be now right ware That I may of yow here seyn 1030 Worship, or that ye come ageyn ! " She ne used no suche knakkes smale. ' But wherfor that I telle ray tale ? Right on this same, as I have seyd, Was hooUy al my love leyd, For certes, she was, that swete wyf My suffisaunce, my lust, my lyf, Myn hap, myn hele, and al my blisse, ' My worldes welfare, and my [goode lisse,] And I hooUy hirs, and everydel.' 1040 ' By our Lord,' quod I, ' I trowe yow wel ! Hardely, your love was wel beset, , , I not how ye myghte have do bet.' ' Bet ? ne noght so wel ! ' quod he. ' I trowe hit, sir,' quod I, ' parde !' ' Nay, leve hit wel ! ' ' Sire, so do I ; I leve yow wel, that trewely Yow thoghte that she was the baste, And to be-holde the alderfayreste, 1049 Who so had loked hir with your eyen ' — ' With myn ? nay, alle that hir seyen Seyde, and sworen hyt was so. And thogh they ne hadde, I wolde tho Have loved best my lady fre, Thogh I hadde had al the beaut^ ' That ever hadde Alcipyades, i. And al the strengthe of Ercules, And therto hadde the worthynesse Of Alysaundre, and al the rychesse That ever was in Babyloyne, 1060 In Cartage, or in Macedoyne, , Or in Rome; or in Nynyve.; 1 And therto also as hardy be As was Ector, so have I joye, That Achilles slow at Troye,-T- And ther-for was he slayn also , • In a temple, for bothe two Were slayn, he and Antylegyus, 1028. Mr. Brae suggests that this is the Gulf of Carnaro or Quarnaro in the Adriatic to which Dante refers; cp. Inf. ix. 113. It is within 40 miles of Lake Czirlcnitz. 1039. goode lisse. All read goddesse. Skeat lisse. 1056. Alcipyades, Alcibiades. 1068. Antylegyus, Antilochus. 322 THE DETHE OF BLAUNCHE THE DUCHESSE 1069-1154 And so seyth Dares Frigius, For love of Polixena, — 1070 Or ben as wys as Mynerva, I wolde ever, vfithoute drede, Have loved hir, for I moste nede ! ' " Nede ! " nay, trewly, I gabbe now, — Noght "nede," and I wol telle how. For of good wille myn herte it wolde, And eek to love hir I was holde. As for the faireste and the beste. ' She was as good, so have I reste. As ever was Penelope of Grece, 1080 Or as the noble wyf Lucrece, That was the beste, — he telleth thus The Romayn, Tytu^ Lyvyus, — She was as good, and no thyng lyke, Thogh hir stories be autentyke ; Algate she was as trewe as she. ' But wherfor that I telle the Whan I first my lady say ? I was right yong, soth to say. And ful greet need I hadde to leme togo Whan my herte wolde yern To love, it was a greet emprise ; But as my wyt coude beste suffise. After my yonge, childly wyt, Withoute drede, I be-sette hit To love hir in my beste wyse. To do hir worship, and the servise. That I coude tho, by my trouthe, Withoute feynyng, outher slouthe. For wonder fayn I wolde hir se. iioo ' So mochel hit amended me, That whan I saw hir first a-morwe, I was warished of al my sorwe Of al day after, til hit were eve ; Me thoghte no-thyng myghte me greve. Were my sorwes never so smerte ; And yet she syt so in myn herte. That by my trouthe, I nolde noght, For al this worlde, out of my thoght Leve my lady ; no, trewely !' mo 1069. Dares Phrygius, the Trojan priest of Vulcan, in whose name the popular spurious history of Troy was written by a Roman after the fall of Rome. The reference here, however, is to the medieval version df the story, written hy Guido delle Colonne, which was hased on Benoit de Sainte-Manre's Roman de Troie. 1089. Possibly, as Skeat thinks, the has been omitted before soth, but cp. 1. 1180. ' Now, by my trouthe, sir,' quod I, ' Me thynketh ye have such a chaunce, As shrift wythoute r^pentaunce.' ' ' ' Repentaunce ! " nay, fy ! ' quod he, ' Shulde I now repente me To love ? nay, certes, than were I wel Wers than was Achitofel, Or Anthenor, so have I joye. The traytour that betraysed Troye, Or the false Genellon, 1120 He that purchased the treson Of Rowland and of Olyvere. Nay, whil I am a-lyve here I nyl foryete hir, never mo ! ' ' Now, goode sire,' quod I tho, ' Ye han wel told me her-before, Hit is no need to reherse hit more How ye sawe hir first, and where ; But wolde ye telle me the manere To hir which was your firste speche, — Therof I wolde yow be-seche, — 1131 And how she knewe first your thoght. Whether ye loved hir or noght. And telleth me eek what ye have lore, I herde yow telle herbefore.' 'Ye,' seyde he, 'thou nost what thou menest ; I have lost more than thou wenest.' ' What los is that ? ' quod I tho ; ' Nyl she not love yow ? is hit so ? Or have ye oght doon amys, 1140 That she hath left yow ? is it this ? For Goddes love, telle me al.' ' Be-fore God,' quod he, ' and I shal. I saye right as I have seyd. On hir was al my love leyd, And yet she nyste it never a del Noght longe tyme, leve it wel ! For be right siker, I durste noght. For al this worlde, tel hir my thoght, Ne I wolde have wratthed hir trewely. For wostow why? she was Ikdy 1151 Of the body, — she had the herte. And who hath that may not asterte. ' But, for to kepe me fro ydelnesse, J120. Genellon, one of Charlemagne's officers^ whose treachery caused the defeat at Roncevaux and the death of Roland. ri^2, ■ Rowland and Oliver, the two most celebrated of Charlemagne's knights. 1146. All read wit never. ,323 nSS-iz44 EARLIER MINOR POEMS Trewly I did my besynesse To make songes, as I best coude ; And ofte tyme I song hem loude, And made songes thus a greet del, Al thogh I coude not make so wel Songes, ne knowe the art al 1160 As coude Lamekes sone, Tubal, That fond out first the art of songe ; — • For as his brothres hamers ronge Upon his anvelt up and doun Therof he took the firste soun ; But Grekes seyn Pictagoras, That he the firste fynder was Of the art, Aurora telleth so ; But therof no fors, of hem two. Algates, songes thus I made 1170 Of my felyng, myn herte to glade. And lo ! this was the alther-firste, — I not wher it were the werste. Lorde, hyt maketh myn herte lyght Whan I thenke on that sweti ivyght That is so semely on to see ; And wisshe to God it myght so bee That she wolde holde me for hir knyghty My lady that is so fair and bright I ' Now have I told the, soth to saye. My firste song. Upon a daye uSi I be-thoghte me what wo And sorwe that I suffred tho For hir, and yet she wyste it noght, Ne telle hir durste I nat my thoght. Alias ! thoghte I, I can no reed ; And but I telle hir I nam but deed. And if I telle hir, to seye right sooth, I am a-dred she wol be wrooth. Alias ! what shal I thanne do ? 119a ' In this debat I was so wo, Me thoghte myn herte braste a-tweyn 1 So at the laste, soth to sayn, I be-thoghte me that Nature Ne formed never in creature So moche beauti, trewely, And bounti, wyth-oute mercy. 1161. Tubal, an error for Jubal, * the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. ' 1166. Pictagoras, Pythagoras. 1168. Aurora, a Latin metrical version of parts of the Bible allegorised by Petrus de Riga, Canon of Rheims, in the zzth century. 1T72. ijU aliker-jfirste. All omit the, but the rime proves the necessity of the demonstrative. ' In hope of that my tale I tolde With sorwe, as that I never sholde For nedes ; and, maugree my heed, 1200 I moste have told hir or be deed. I not wel how that I began, Ful evel rehersen hit I can. And eek, as helpe me God, with-al I trowe hit was in the dismal That was the ten woundes of Egipte, For many a word I over-skipte In my tale, for pure fere Lest my wordes mys-set were , With sorwful herte, and woundes dede, Softe, and quakyng for pure drede 1211 And shame, and styntyng in my tale For ferde, and myn hewe al pale, Ful ofte I wex bothe pale and reed ; Bowyng to hir, I heng the heed, I durste nat ones loke hir on. For wit, manere, and al was goon. I seyde ' ' Mercy ! " and no more. Hit nas no game, hit sat me sore. ' So at the laste, sooth to seyn, 1220 Whan that myn herte was come ageyn, '' To telle shortly al my speche, ' With hool herte I gan hir beseche That she wolde be my lady swete ; And swor, and gan hir hertely hete Ever to be stedfast and trewe, And love hir alwey freshly newe, And never other lady have. And al hir worship for to save As I best coude, — I swor hir this,— ^ 1230 " For youres is al that ever ther is For evermore, myn herte swete ! And never to false yow, but I mete, I nyl, as wys God helpe me so ! " ' And whan I hadde my tale y-do, God wot she acounted nat a stree Of al my tale, so thoghte me. To telle shortly, right as it is, Trewly hir answere hit was this ; I can not now wel counterfete 1240 Hir wordes, but this was the grete Of hir answere : she sayde, " Nay ! " Al-outerly. Alias ! that day The sorwe I sufTred and the wo, 1205. disTHol, on an evil day; Anglo-French dis mat'CLsit. dies tnali). The form of the' word caused it to be used as an adjective later.' 324 THE DETHE OF BLAUNCHE THE DUCHESSE 1245-1333 That trewly Cassandra, that so Bewayled the destruccioun Of Troye and of Ilioun, Had never swich sorwe as I tho. I durste no more say ther-to For pure fere, but stal away ; 1250 And thus I lyved ful many a day, , That trewely, I hadde no need, Ferther than my beddes heed, \ Never a day to seche sorwe ; I fond hit redy every morwe. For why I loved hir in no gere. ' So hit befel another yere, I thoughte ones I wolde fonde To do hir knowe and understonde . My wo ; and she wel understood 1260 That I ne wilned no thyng but good. And worship, and to kepe hir name Over alle thyng, and drede hir shame, And was so besy hir to serve. And pite were I shulde sterve, Sith that I wihied noon harm y-wys. ' So whan my lady knew al this. My lady yaf me al hooUy The noble yift of hir mercy, Savyng hir worship by al weyes ; 1270 Dredles, I mene noon other weyes. And therwith she yaf me a ryng, I trowe hit was the firste thyng ; But if myn herte was y-waxe Glad, that is no need to axe ! As helpe me God, I was as blyve Reysed, as fro dethe to lyve. Of al happes the alder-beste, The gladdest, and the moste at reste. For trewely that swete wyght 1280 Whan I hadde wrong and she the right, She wolde alway so goodely For-yeve me so debonairly ! In alle my youthe, in alle chaunce She took me in hir governaunce. ' Therwyth she was alway so trewe Our joye was ever y-liche newe. Our hertes wern so even a payre That never nas that oon contraire To that other, for no wo ; 129° For sothe y-liche they suffred tho Oo blysse, and eek 00 sorwe bothe ; 1261. thyng. All read thynges^ unidiomadcally. Y-liche they were bothe gladde and wrothe, Al was us oon withoute were. And thus we lyved ful many a yere So wel, I can nat telle how.' ' Sir,' quod I, ' wher is she now ? ' ' " Now ! " ' quod he, and stynte anoon. Therwith he wex as deed as stoon And seyde, ' Alias, that I was bore ! 1300 That was the los, that her-before I tolde the that I hadde lorn ; Bethenk how I seyde herbeforn ; " Thow wost ful litel what thou menest ; I have lost more than thou wenest ! " God wot, alias ! right that was she ! ' ' Alias ! sir, how ? what may that be ? ' ' She ys deed ! ' 'Nay!' ' Yis, by my trouthe ! ' ' Is that your los ? by God, hit is routhe ! ' And with that worde right anoon 1310 They gan to strake forth ; al was doon For that tyme, the hert-huntyng. With that me thoghte that this kyng Gan homwardes for to i7de. Unto a place was ther besyde. Which was from us but a lyte ; A long castel with walles white Be Seynt Johan ! on a riche hil, As me mette ; but thus hyt fil. Ryght thus me mette, as I yow telle, 1320 That in the castell ther was a belle. As hit hadde smyten houres twelve. Therewyth I a-wook my selve And fond me lying in my bed ; And the book that I hadde red. Of Alcyone and Seys the kyng, And of the goddes of slepyng, I fond it in myn hond.e ful even. Thoghte I, ' This is so queynt a sweven, That I wol, be processe of tyme, 1330 Fonde to putte this sweven in ryme As I can best ' ; and that anoon. This was my sweven ; now hit is doon ! 1314. All read Gan howvward^ which seems to make the line too short. 1317. A long castelf presumably Windsor. 325 1-70 EARLIER MINOR POEMS THE COMPL^YNTE UNTO PITE Complainte of the Deathe of Pitie, in Stowe's hand. Pixfe that I have sought so yore ago With herte sore and ful of besy peynfe, That in this worlde was never wight so wo With-oute dethe ; and if I shal not feyne, My purpos was to Pite to compleyne Upon the crueltee and tirannye Of Love, that for my trouthe doth me dye. And when that I, by lengthe of certeyn yeres, Had evere in oon a tyme sought to speke, To Pite ran I, al bespreynt with teres, lo To preyen hir on Crueltee me a wreke ; But er I myght with any worde out-breke, Or tellen any of my pejmes smerte, I fond hir deed and buried in an herte. Adoun fel I when that I saugh the herse, Deed as a stoon, whyl that the swogh me laste ; But up I roos with colour ful dyverse, And pitously on hir myn eyen I caste, And ner the corps I gan to presen faste, And for the soule I shoop me for to preye ; 20 I nas but lorne, ther -was no more to sey. Thus am I slayn sith that Pite is deed ; Alias the day ! that ever hit shulde falle ! What maner man dar now holde up his heed? To whom shal any sorwful herte calle? Now Crueltee hath cast to sleen us alle. In ydel hope, folk redelees of peyne, — Sith she is deed, to whom shul we com- pleyne ? But yet encreseth me this wonder newe, 29 That no wight woot that she is deed but I ; So mony men as in her tyme hir knewe. And yet she dyed not so sodeynly ; For I have sought hir ever ful besily Sith I first hadde wit or mannes mynde ; But she was deed er that I coude hir fynde. 21. nas. All read was. Aboute hir herse ther stoden lustily, ' Withouten any wo, as thoughte me, Bountee parfit, wel-armed and richely, And fresshe Beautee, Lust and Jolitee, Assured Maner, Youthe and Honestee, ^o Wisdom, Estaat, and Dreed, and Govern- aunce, Confedred bothe by bonde and alliaunce. A compleynte hadde I writen in myn hond. For to have put to Pite as a bille ; But whan I al this companye ther fond. That rather wolden al my cause spille Than do me help, I held my pleynte stille J For to tho folk, with-outen any faile, Withoute Pite may no bille availe. Then leve I al thise vertues, sauf Pit^, so Kepyng thecorps, as yehave herd meseyn, Cofedred alle by bonde of Cruelte, And ben assented that I shal be sleyn. And I have put toy Compleynte up ageyn ; For to my foes my bille I dar not shewe, Theffect of which seith thusin wordes fewe. The Bille Humblest of herte, highest of reverence, Benygne flour, coroune of vertues alle ! Sheweth un-to your rial excellence Your servaunt, if I durste me so calle, 60 His mortal harm in which he is y-falle ; And noght al only for his evel fare, But for your renoun, as he shal declare. Hit stondeth thus, your contraire Crueltee AUyed is ageynst your regalye, ■ Under colour of womanly Beautee,-^ For men ne shulde not knowe hit tirannye, — With Bountee, Gentilesse, and Curtesye, And hath depryved yow nowof yourplace. That highte ' Beautee apertenant to Grace.' 70 41. All omit av^ after Esiaai; Ten Brink sup- plies it. 67. AH omit ne, which Ten Brink supplies. 326 CHAUCER S ABC r-26 For kyndly, by your heritage right, Ye been annexed ever unto Bountee, And verrayly ye oughte do your myght To helpe Trouthe in his adversitee. Ye been also the coroune of Beautee, And certes, if ye wanten in thise tweyne The world is lore ; ther nis no more to seyne. Eek what availeth Maner and Gentilesse Withoute you, benygne creature ! Shal Crueltee be your governeresse ? 80 Alias ! what herte may hit long endure ? Wherfor but ye the rather take cure To breke that perilous alliaunce, Ve sleen hem that ben in your obeisaunce. And further over, if ye suffre this, Your renoun is fordo than in a throwe ; Ther shal no man wite wel what Pite is. Alias ! that your renoun shoulde be so lowe ; Ye be than fro your heritage y-throwe By Crueltee, that occupieth your place, 90 And we despeired that sekento yourgrace. Have mercy on me, thou serenous quene, That you have sought so tenderly and yore, Let somstreemof your light on me be sene. That love and drede yow ever lenger the more ; For, sothly for to seyne, I here the sore. And though I benotcunnyng for topleyne, For Goddes love, have mercy on my peyne! My peyne is this, that what-so I desire, 99 That have I not, ne no thing lyk therto ; And ever set Desire myn herte on fire, Eek on that other syde where-so I go. What maner thinge that may encrese my wo That have I redy, unsoght, everywhere. Me ne lakketh but my deth, and than my here. What nedeth to shewe parcel of my peyne, Sith every wo that herte may be-thynke, I suffire ? And yet I dar not to you pleyne. For wel I wool, although I wake or wynke, Ye rekke not whether I flete or synke no 92, serentms, Mr. Liddell's emendation for herenus, heremus, and vertuausc^ of the MSS. 105. All omit »f. But natheles, my trouthe I shal sustene Unto my deth, and that shal wel be sene. This is to seyne, I wol be youres ever ; Though ye me slee by Crueltee your fo, Algate ray spirit shal never dissever Fro your servyse, for any peyne or wo ! Sith ye be deed,. — alias ! that hit is so ! — Thus for your deth I may wel wepe and pleyne With herte sore, and ful of besy peyne ! Here endeih ths exclamacion of the Deth of Pyte. CHAUCER'S ABC Incipit carmen secundum ordinem Litterarum alphabeti. Al myghty and al mercyable Queene, To whom that al this world fieeth for socour Tohavereleesofsinne, of sorwe, andteene ! Glorious Virgine, of all6 floures flour. To thee I flee confounded in errour. Help, and releeve, thou mihti debonayre. Have mercy on my perilous langour ! Venquisshed me hath my cruel adversaire. Bountee so fix hath in thyn herte his teiite, That wel I wot, thou wolt my socour be ; Thou canst not warne him that with good entente n Axeth thyn helpe, thyn herte is ay so free ! Thou art largesse of pleyn felifcitee. Haven of refute, of quiete, and of reste. Loo ! how that theeves seven chasen mee ! Help ! Lady bryght, er that my ship to- breste ! Comfort is noon, but in you, Ladideere ! For loo, my sinne and my cOnfUsioun, Which oughtennotin thy presence appeere, Han take on me a grevous accioun 20 Of verrey right and desperacioun ! And as bi right they mighten wel susteene That I were worthy my dampnacioun, Nere merci of you, blisful hevene Queene! Doute is ther noon. Queen of miseri- corde. That thou nart cause of grace and merci here ; 327 27-1 lo EARLIER MINOR POEMS God vouched-sauf thurgh thee with us to accorde. For certes, Crystes blisful mooder dere, Were now the bowe bent in swich manere As it was first, of justice and of ire, 30 The rightful God nolde of no mercy here ; But thurgh thee han we grace as we desire. Ever hath myn hope of refut been in thee. For heer-biforn ful ofte in many a wyse Hast thou to misericorde resceyved me ; But merci. Lady at the grete assyse. Whan weshul come bifore thehye justyse ! So htel fruit shal thanne in me be founde That, but thou erthat day me wel chastyse, Ofverreyrightmy werkwolmeconfounde. Fleeyng, I flee for socour to thy tente 41 Me for to hide from tempest fill of dreede, Biseeching you that ye you not absente Though I be wikke; O help yit at this neede ! Al have I ben a beste in wille and deede, Yit, Lady, thou me clothe with thy grace. Thyn enemy and myn. Lady, tak heede, Un-to my deth in poynt is me to chace ! Glorious mayde and moder which that never 49 Were bitter, neither in erthe nor in see, But ful of swetnesse and of merci ever, Help that my Fader be not wroth with me ! Spek thou, for I ne dar not him y-see, So have I doon in erthe, alias the while ! That cartes, but if thou my socour be To stynk eteme he wol my gost exile ! He vouched-sauf, tel him, as was his wille ■ Bicome a man to have our alliaunce. And with his precious blood . he wrot the biUe Up-on the crois as general acquitaunce To every penitent in ful creaunce. 61 And therfor, Lady bright, thou foruspraye ! Thanne shalt thou bothe stinte al his grevaunce. And make our foo to fallen, of his praye. I wot it wel thou wolt ben our socour, Thou art so ful of bountee in certeyn ; For whan a soule falleth in errour Thi pitee goth and haleth him ageyn. Thanne makest thou his pees with his sovereyn, And bringest him out of thecrooked strete. Who-so thee loveth he shal not love in veyn : ' 71 That shal he fynde as he the lyf shal lete. Kalenderes enlumyned ben they That in this world ben lighted with thj name, And who-so goth to yow the rihte wey. Him thar not drede in soule to be lame. Now, Queen of comfort ! sith thou art that same To whom I seche for my medioyne, Lat notmyfoonomoremy wounde entame, Myn hele in-to thyn hand al I resigne. 80 Lady, thi sorwe kan I not portreye Under the cros, ne his grevous penaunce. But for your bothes peynes I yow preye, Lat not our alder foo make his bobaunce That he hath in his listes of inischaunce C6nvict that ye bothe have bought so dere. As I seide erst, thou ground of out substaunce Continue on us thy pitous eyen clere. Moises that saugh the bush with flaumes rede 89 Brenninge, of whiche never a stiklce brende. Was signe of thyn un wemmed inaidenhede ; Thou art the bush on which ther gan descende The Holy Goost, the which that Moysej wende Had ben a-lyr ; and this was in figure. Now, Lady, from the fyr thou us defende AATiich that in helle eternally shal dure. Nobleprincesse that never haddestpere ! Certes, if any comfort in us be That Cometh of thee, thou Cristes moder deere, We han noon other melodye or glee 100 Us to rejoyse in our adversitee, Ne advocat noon that wol and dar so preye For us, and that for litel hire as ye. That helpen for an Ave Marie or tweye. verrey light of eyen that ben blynde ! O verrey lust of labour and distresse ! O tresorere of bountee to mankynde ! Thee whom God ches to moder for humblesse ! From his ancille he made thee maistresse Of hevene and erthe, our bille up for to bede^ im 328 THE COMPLEYNTE OF MARS 1-4 This world awaiteth ever on thygoodnesse, For thou ne failest never wight at nede. Purpos I have sum tyme for to enquere Wherfore and why the Holy Gost the soughte, Whan Gabrielles vois cam to thyn ere; He not to werre us swich a wunder wroughte, But for to save us that he sithen boughte ; Than needeth us no wepen us for to save, But oonly ther we did not as us oughte, — Do penitence, and merci axe and have. 120 Queen of comfort ! yit whan I me bi- thinke That I agilt have bothe him and thee, And that my soule is wurthi for to sinke, Alias ! I caitif, whider may I flee ? Who shal un-to thi Sone my mene bee ? Who, but thy-self, that art of pitee welle ? Thou hast more reuthe on our adversitee Than in this world mighte any tunge telle. Kedresse me, moder, and me chastise. For certeynly my Fadres chastisynge 130 That dar I nought abiden in no wise. So hidous is hys rightful rekenynge. Moder, of whom our merci gan to sprynge, Beth ye my juge and eek my soules leche, For ever in you is pitee haboundynge To eche that wol of pitee you biseche. Soth is that God ne granteth no pitee With-outethee ; forGod, of his goodnesse, Foryiveth iioon, but it like un-to thee ; He hath thee maked vicaire and maistresse 140 Of al the world, and eek governeresse Of hevene, and he represseth his justise After thy wille, and therfore in witnesse. He hath thee crouned in so ryal wise. Temple devout, ther God hath his wonynge Fro which these misbileved deprived been. To you my soule penitent I brynge. Resceyve me, — I can no ferther fleen. With thornes venymous, O hevene Queen ! For which the erthe acursed was ful yore. I am so wounded as ye may wel seen 151 That I am lost almost, it smert so sore. Virgine, that art so noble of apparaile, And ledest us in-to the hye tour Of paradys, thou me wisse and counsaile How I may have thy grace and thy socour, Al have I ben in filthe and in errour. Lady, un-to that court thou me ajourne That cleped is thy bench, O freshe flour Ther as that merci evere shal sojourne. 160 Xristus, thi sone, that in this world alighte Up-on the cros to suffre his passioun, Eek suffred that Longius his herte prihte, And made his herte blood to renne adoun, And al was this for my salvacioun. And I to hym am fals and eek unkynde, And yit he wol not my dampnacioun ; This thanke I you, socour of al mankynde ! Ysaac was figure of his deth certeyn. That so fer forth his fader woldeobeye, 170 That him ne rouhte no thing to be slayn ; Right soo thy Sone lust as a lamb to deye. Now, Lady ful of mercy ! I you preye, Sithe he his mercy mesured so large. Be ye not skant, for alle we singe and seye Thatye ben from vengeaunce ay oure targe. Zacharie you clepeth the opene welle, To wasshe sinful soule out of his gilt ; Therfore this lessoun ought I wel to telle. That nere thy tender herte we weren spilt. Now, Lady brihte, sith thou canst and wilt, Ben to the seed of Adam merciable. So bring us to that palais that is bilt To penitents that ben to' mercy able. Amen. Explicit carmen. THE COMPLEYNTE OF MARS The Proem ' Gladeth, ye foules, of the morwe gray ! Lo, Venus, risen among you rowes rede ! And fioures fresshe, honoureth ye this day ; For when the sonne uprist, then Wol ye sprede. 163. All read And at the beginning of this line, destroying the syntax of the stanza. It is clearly caught from the lines below. All read pihte for prighte, which is Skeat's suggestion ; pihie does not mean 'pierced.' 2. VenuSj the planet which sometimes rises in the morning. 329 S-7S EARLIER MINOR POEMS But ye lovers, that lye in any drede, Fleeth, lest wikked tonges yow espye! ^o yond the sonne, the candel of jelosye ! ' Wyth teres blewe, and with a wounded herte, Taketh your leve ; and with Seynt John to borwe, 9 Apeseth somwhat of your sorwes smerte, Tyme cometh eft that cese shal your sorwe ; The glade nyght is worth an hevy morwe ! ' (Seynt Valentyne ! afoulthusherdelsynge Upon thy day,, er sonne gan up-sprynge. ) Yet sang this foul, ' Irede yow alle a- wake, And ye that hannot chosenin humble wyse, With-out repentyng cheseth yow your make ; And ye that han ful chosen as I devyse. Yet at the leste renoveleth your servyse ; Confermeth hit perpetuely to dure, 20 And paciently taketh your aventure.' And for the worship of this highe feste. Yet wol I, in my briddes wise, synge The sentence of the compleynt at the leste That woful Mars made atte departynge Fro fresshe Venus, in a morwenynge Whan Phebus, with his firy torches rede, Ransaked every lover in his drede. Whilom thethridde hevenes lord above, As wel by hevenysh revolucioun 30 As by desert, hath wonne Venus, his love. And she hath take him in subjeccioun, And as amaistresse taught him his lessoun, Commaundyng him that never, in her servyse, He nere so bold no lover to despyse. For she forbad him jelosye at alle. And crueltee, and host, and tyrannye ; She made hym at hir lust so humble and talle. That when hir deyned caste on hym her ye, He took in pacience to lyve or dye ; 40 9. Seynt John, the apostle of truth. 31. All. read Aw 'except Harl., which omits th& word. And thus she brydeleth him in hir manere, With no-thing but with scourgyng of hir chere. il Who regneth now in blisse but Venus, That hath this worthy knyght in govern- aunce.? Who syngeth now but Mars, that serveth thus The faire Venus, causer of plesaunce ? He bynt him to perpetual obeisaunce. And she bynt hir to loven him for ever, But so be that his trespas hit dissever. Thus be they kny t, and regnen as in heven 50 Be lokyng most ; til hit fil on a tyde That by her bothe assent was set a Steven That Mars shal entre, as fast as he may Into hir nexte paleys, and abyde, Walkynghis cours til she hadde him a- take ; And he preyde hir to haste hir for his sake. Then seyde he thus, ' Myn hertes lady swete Ye knowe wel my myschef in that place ;, For sikgrly, til that I with yow mete, My lyf stant ther in ^venture and grace, 60 But when t se the beautee of your face, Thernisnodreedofdethmaydomesmerte, For al your lust is ese to myn herte.' She hath so gret compassion ofhir knyght That dwelleth in solitude til she come, — For hit stood so, that ilke tyme, no wyght Counseyled hym, ne seyde to him wel- come, — Thatnyghherwitforsorwewas overcome ; Wherforeshespedde hirasfaste in her weye Almost in oon day as he dide in tweye. 70 The grete joyethat was betwix hem two When they bemet, ther mayno tunge telle; Ther is no more, but unto bed they go ; Andthusinjoyeandblissellethemdwelle; This worthi Mars, that is of knyghthod welle, 62. nis. All read is. 70. The orbit of Venus is smaller than that 9f Mars, so her apparent motion is twice as great. 330 TffE COMPLEYNTE OF MARS 76-143 The flour of fairnes lappeth in his armes, AndVenuskisseth Mars, the god of armes. Sojourned hath this Mars of which I rede In chambre amyd the paleys, prively, A certeyn tyme, til him fel adrede, 80 Through Pliebus, that was comen hastely Within the paleys gates, sturdely. With torche in honde, of which the slremes bryghte On Venus chambre knokeden ful lighte. The chambre ther as lay this fresshe quene Depeynted was with white boles grete. And by the light she knew, that shoon so shene, That Phebus cam to brenne hem with his hete ; This sely Venus, nygh dreynt in teres wete, Enbraceth Mars, and seyde, 'Alas, I dye ! The torch is come that al this world wol wrie.' 91 Up sterte Mars, hym liste not to slepe. When he his lady herde so compleyne. But for his nature was not for to wepe, Instede of teres, from his eyen tweyne The firy sparkes brosten out for peyne ; And hente his hauberk, that lay hym besyde. Flee wolde he not, ne myghte him-selven hyde. Hethrowethonhishelmofhugewyghte, And girt him with his swerde y and in his honde 100 His myghty spere, as he was wont to fighte He shaketh so that almost hit to-wonde. Ful hevy was he to walken over londe. He may.not holde with Venus companye, But bad her fleen, lest Phebus hir espye. O woful Mars ! alas ! what mayst thou seyn, That in the paleys of thy disturbaunce Art left behynde in peril to be sleyn ? And yet ther-to is double thy penaunce, For she that hath thyn herte in govern- aunce no 86. white boles, the sign of Taurus, in which both Mars and Venus now are. Is passed halfe the stremes of thyn yen ; That thou nere swift wel mayst thou wepe and crien. Now fleeth Venus un-to Cylenius tour. With voide cours, for fere of Phebus light, Alas I and ther ne hath she no socour, For she ne fond ne saugh no maner wyght ; And eek as ther she had but litil myght ; Wher-for her-selven for to hyde and save. Within the gate she fledde in-to a cave. Derk was this cave, and smokyng as the helle, izo Not but two pas within the gate hit stood ; A naturel day in derk I lete her dwelle. Now wol I speke of Mars, furious and wood. For sorwe he wolde have seen his herte blood ; Sith that he myghte don her no companye. He ne roghte not a myte for to dye. So feble he wex for hete and for his wo That nygh he swelt, he myghte unnethe endure, He passeth but 00 steyre in dayes two. But nattfeles for al his hevy armure. He foloweth hir that is his lyves cure ; 131 For whos departyng he toke gretter ire Thanne for al his brennyng in the fire. After he walketh softely a pas, Compleynyng, that it pile was to here ; He seyde, ' O lady bryght, Venus ! alas ! That ever so wyde a compas ys my spere ! Alas ! when shal I mete yow, herte dere? This twelfte day of April I endure, Through jelous Phebus, this mysayenture.' NowGod helpesely Venus, ala-lone! 141 But, as God wolde, hit happed for to be That while that Venus weping made her mone 112. Cylenius, Mercury, born onMt. Cyllene in Arcadia. The Tower of Cyllenium, i.e. man- sion of Mercury, is the sign Gemini into which Venus now passes. 119. cave, according to Skeat a translation of the technical Latin ^ astrological term puteus. The ^utei in Gemini are the degrees numbered 2, 12, 17, 26, 30. So Venus was now in thti second degree of the sign. 139. On 1.2th April the sun entered Taurus. 331 i44"2JO EARLIER MINOR POEMS Cylenius, ridyng in his chevauche Fro Venus valance, myghte his paleys se, And Venus he salueth, and maketh chere, And her receyveth as his frend ful dere. Mars dwelleth forth in his adversity, Compleynyng ever in on hir departynge, And what his compleynt was, remem- breth me, 150 And therfor in this lusty morwenynge. As I best can, I wol it seyn and synge, And after that I wol my leve take ; And God yeve*every wyght joye of his make ! The Compleynte of Mars The Proem The ordre of compleynt requireth skil- fully, , That if a wyght shal pleyne pitously Ther mot because wherfor that men pleyne ; Or men may deme he pleyneth folily. And causeles ; alas, that am not I ! Wherfor the ground and cause of al my peyne, 160 So as my troubled wit may hit ateyne, I wol reherse ; not for to have redresse. But to declare my ground of hevynesse. Thefirstetyme, alas ! thatlwaswroght, And for certeyn effectea hider broght, By him that lordeth ech intelligence, I yaf my trewe servise and my thoght. For ever-more, — how dere I have it boght ! — To hir, that is of so gret excellence That what wyght that first sheweth his presence 170 When she is wroth and taketh of hym no cure, He may not longe in joye of love endure. 145. valance^ according to Skeat, is either the Fr. fallance, faiUancet failure, and an eT^act translation of the Latin astrological term detri- menium, or it is avaltztice, a translation of the Latin occasus, an alternative expression for the same thing. The detrimentum is the sign of the Zodiac opposite the planet's mansion, and is here equivalent to Aries. This is no feyned mater that I telle ; My lady is the verrey sours and welle Of beaute, lust, fredom, and gentilnesse, Of riche aray, — how dere men it selle ! — Of al disport in which men frendly dwelle, Ofloveandpley, andofbenigne humblesse. Of soune of instruments of al swetnesse, And therto so wel fortuned and thewed That through the world hir goodnesse is y-shewed. 181 What wonder is then, thoghthat I besette My servise on suche oon that may me knette To wele or wo, sith hit lyth in her myght? Therfor my herte for ever I to her hette, Ne trewly for my dethe I shal not lette To ben her trewest servaunt, and her knyght. I flater noght, that may wite every wyght, For this day in hir servise shal I dye j But grace be, I se hir never with ye. 190 To whom shal I then pleyne of my distresse ? Who may me helpe ? Who may my harm redresse ? Shal I compleyne unto my lady fre ? Nay, certes ! for she hath such hevynesse For fere, and eek for wo, that, as I gesse, In litil tyme it wol her bane be. But were she sauf, it were no fors of me ! Alas ! that ever lovers mote endure. For love, so many a perilous aventure ! For thogh so be that lovers be as trewe As any metal that is forged newe, 201 In many a cas hem tydeth ofte sorwe. Somtyme hir ladies will not on hem rewe ; Somtyme if that lelosie hit knewe, They myghten lightly leye hir heed to borwe ; Somtyme envyous folke with tunges horwe Depraven hem ; alas ! Whom may they plese ? But he be fals, no lover hath his ese 1 But what availeth suche a long sermoun Of ^ventures of love up and doun ? 21a 332 THE COMPLEYNTE OF MARS 211-283 I wol returne and speken of my peyne ; The poynt is this of my. destruccioun, — My righte lady, my salvacyoun, Is in affray, and not to whom to pleyne. O herte swete ! O lady sovereyne ! For your disese wel oghte I swoune and swelte, Thogh I non other harm ne drede felte. To what fyn made the God that sit so hye, Be-nethen him love other companye. And streyneth folk to love malgr^ hirhede. And then hir joye, for oght I canespye, 221 Ne lasteth not the twynkelyng of an ye ; Andsommehan never joye til they be dede. What meneth this? whatisthismystihede? Wherto constreyneth he his folk so faste Thyng to desyre, but it sholde laste ? , And thogh he made a lover love a thyng, And maketh it seme stedfast and duryng, Yet putteth he in it such mysaventure That reste nis ther noon in his yevyng ; 230 And that is wonder that so just a kyng Doth such hardnesse to his creature. Thus, whether love breke, or elles dure, Algates he that hath with love to done Hath ofter wo then changed is the mone. Hit semeth he hath to lovers enmyte. And lyk a fissher, as men alday may se, Baiteth his angle-hook with somplesaunce. Til mon ya fish is wood, til that he be 239 Sesed ther-with ; and then at erst hath he Al his desire, and ther-with al myschaunce ; And thogh the lyne breke, he hath pen- aunce. For with the hook he wounded is so sore That he his wages hath for ever-more. The broche of Thebes was of such a kynde ; 245. Tlie brocke of Thebes or magic bracelet (cp. Tliebais of Statius, Bk. ii.) was made by Vulcan for Harmonia, a daughter of Mars and Venus, in order to bring an evil fate on her and all later possessors of it. So ful of rubies, and of stones Inde, That every wyght that sette on hit an ye. He wende anon to worthe out of his mynde, — So sore the beaut^ wold his herte bynde, — Til he hit hadde him thoghte he mostedye, And whan that hit was his, then sholde he drye 251 Such wo for drede, ay while that he hit hadde. That welnygh for thefere he sholdemadde. And whan hit was fro his possessioun Then hadde he double wo and passioun. For he so fair a tresor had forgo ; But yet this broche, as in conclusioun. Was not the cause of this confusioun ; But he that wroghte hit enfortuned hit so That every wyght that hadde hit sholde have wo ; 260 And therfor in the worcher was the vyce, And in the covetour that was so nyce. So fareth hit by lovers and by me ; For thogh my lady have so gret beaut^ That I was mad til I had gete hir grace. She was not cause of myn adversity, But he that wroghte hir, also mot I thee, That putte such a beaute in hir face, That made me coveten and purchace 269 Myn owne deth ; him wyte I that I dye. And myn unwit that ever I clomb so hye. But to yow, hardy knyghtes of renoun, Syn that ye be of my divisioun, — : Al be I not worth to so grete a name. Yet seyn these clerkes lam your patroun, — Ther-for ye oghte have som compassioun Of my disese, and take hit noght a-game. The proudest of yow may be mad ful tame. Wherfor I prey yow of your gentilesse. That ye compleyne for myn hevynesse. 280 And ye, my ladies, that ben trewe and stable. By way of kynde, ye oghten to been able To have pit^ of folk that been in peyne ; 246. Inde is an adjective ; cp. Romcatnt of the Roset 1. 67. 333 1-43 EARLtER MINOR POEMS Now have ye cause to clothe yow in sable ; Sith that your emperice, the honorable, Is desolat, wel oghte ye to pleyne ; Nowsholde your holy teres falle and reyne. Alas ! your honour and your emperice, Nigh deed fordrede, necan hir notchevise ! Compleyneth eek, ye lovers, al in-fere. For hir that with unfeyned humble, chere; Was ever redy to do yow socour ; 292 Compleyneth hir that ever hath had yow dere ; Compleyneth beaute, fredom, and manere ; Compleyneth hir that endeth your labour ; Compleyneth thilke ensample of al honour, ■ That never dide but al gentilesse ; Kytheth therfor on hir som kyndenesse ! A COMPLEYNTE TO HIS LADY The longe nightes, whan every creature Shulde have hir rest in somwhat, as by kynde, Or elles ne may hir lif nat long endure, Hit falleth most into my wqful- mynde How I so fer have broght myself behynde. That, sauf the deeth, ther may no-thyng me lisse, So desespaired I am from alle blisse. This same thoght me lasteth til the morwe And from the morwe forth til hit be eve ; Ther nedeth me no care for to borwe, 10 Forbothel have good lej'ser and good leve ; Ther is no wyght that wol me wo bereve To wepe y-nogh, and wailen al my fille ; The sore spark of peyne now doth mespille. This Love, that hath me set in swich a place That my desir wol never he fulfille, For neither pitee, mercy, neither grace, 2, 3. Shirley, tJwyre for hir. 15-43. This passage is in terza rimOy the first example of the measure in English literature. x6. Shirley omits he. Can I nat fynde ; and yit my sorwfiil herte. For to be deed, I can hit nought arace ; The more I love, the more she doth me smerte. zq Through which I see, withoute remedye' That from the deeth I may no wyse asterte ; Now sothly, whatshe hight I wol rehersei Hir name is Bountee, set in womanhede, Sadnesse in youthe and Beautee prydelees And Plesaunce, under governaunce and drede ; Her surname is eek Faire Rewthelees, The Wyse, y-knit un-to Good Aventure, That, for I love hir, she sleeth me giltelees. 30 Hir love I best, and shal, whyl I may dure, Bet than my-self an hundred thousand deel. Than al this worldesrichesse or creature. Now hath not Love me bestowed weel To love ther I never shal have part ? Alias ! right thus is turned me the wheel, Thus am I slayn with Loves firy dart. I can but love hir best, my swete fo ; Love hath me taught no more of his art But serve alwey, and stinte for no wo. 40 In my trewe a.nd careful herte ther is So moche wo, and [eek] so litel blis . That wo is me that ever I was bore ; ■23. It is ipossible that another .line to rime with 1. 22 is missing here. 24. Skeat thinks two lines have fallen out before this, forming the opening to this section, but it is more probable that 1. 24, which is not necessaiy to the sense, has been inserted. Shirley or his author- ity has tried to reduce this passage of terza rima to a series of eight-line stanzas:. He divides at 1. 23, I. 32, and I. 41 ; the last stanza, being hard to amend, had to remain with nine lines. 39. This line seems to be a syllable .short. 41. So Shirley, who first wrote In tny trewe heri^ etc. , and then corrected )iert into and. Tha line IS probably corrupt. Ed. i.sCiT omits and. 42. Shirley omits eek, which Skeat supplies. 334 A COMPLEYNTE TO HIS LADY 44.-110 For al that thyng which I desyre I mys, And al that ever I wolde not, y-wys, That finde I redy to me evermore ; And of al this I not to whom me pleyne. For she that might e me out of this bry nge Ne reccheth nought whether I wepe or synge ; 49 So litel rewthe hath she upon my peyne. Alias ! whan slepyng-t3mie is, than I wake, Whan I shulde daunce, for fere than I quake ; This hevy lif I lede for your sake Thogh ye ther-of in no wyse hede take. My hertes lady, and hool my Ijrves quene ! For trewly dorste I seye, as that I fele, Me semeth that your swete herte of stele Is whetted now ageynes me to kene. My dere herte and best beloved fo, Why liketh yow to do me al this wo, 60 What have I doon that greveth yow, or sayd. But for I serve and love yow and no mo ? And whilst I lyve I wol ever do so ; And therfor, swete, ne beth nat yvel For so good and so fair as ye be Hit were right gret wonder but ye hadde Of alle servantes, bothe of goode and badde ; And leest worthy of alle hem, I am he. But never-the-les, my righte lady swete, Thogh that I be unconnyng and unmete To serve, as I coude best, ay your hynesse. 71 Yit is ther fayner noon, that wolde I hete. Than I, to do yow ese, or elles bete What so I wiste that were to your [distresse] ; 44-46. Cp. Pari, Foules, 11. 90, 91, and Compl. of Pite, 11. 99-104. 47. Cp. Anclida^ 1. 237. 51. Shirley inserts lo before ika-n. 51. This stanza is different in form from those that precede and follow it. 53. Shirley inserts to after lede. 65. /air seems here to be dissyllabic as in A.S. 72. Shirley, Tioon/ayner, 74. Shirley, toytmre hyenesse, caught from 1. 71. Skeat reads to yow distresse. Perhaps thai was And hadde I myght as good as I have wille Than shulde ye fele wher it were so or noon ; For in this worlde lyvyng is ther noon That fayner wolde your hertes wil fiilfille. For bothe I love and eekdredeyowsosore, And algates moot, and have doon yow, ful yore, • 80 That bettre loved is noon, ne never shal ; And yit I wolde beseche yow of no more, But leveth wel, and be not wrooth ther-fore. And lat me serve yow forth ; lo, this is al ! For I am not so hardy, ne so wood. For to desire that ye shulde love me ; For wel I wot, alias ! that may nat be ; I am so litel worthy, and ye so good. For ye be oon the worthiest on-lyve And I the most unlikly for to thryve ; 90 . Yit for al this witeth ye right wele That ye ne shul me from yourservyce dryve That I nil ay, with alle my wyttes fyve. Serve yow trewly, whatwosothat I fele. For I am set on yow in swich manere. That, thogh ye never wil upon me rewe, I moste yow love, and beeneveras trewe As any man can, or may, on-lyve [here]. But the more that I love yow, goodly free, The lasse fynde I that ye loven me ; 100 Alias ! whan shal that hardewyt amende? Wher is. now al your wommanly pitee. Your genlilesse arid your debonairtee Wil yeno-thyng ther-of uponme'spehde? And so hool, swete, as I am youres al. And so gret wil as I have yow to serve. Now, certes, and ye lete me thus sterve, Yit have ye wonne ther-on but a smal. F6r at my knowyng, I do nought why. And this I wol beseche yow hertely, no not in the original text and wisie was pronounced as a dissyllable. 91. Skeatinserts now before iviieik, but the whole poem is experimental, and possibly this line is as Chaucer wrote it. Cp. II. 39, 109, and 116. In all a heavy stress on the first syllable lends dramatic^ value to the line. 93. Shirley, ne ■wit. 98. here supplied by Skeat. 99. Shirley, But the tnore^ etc. But. Skeat omits 335 r-38 EARLIER MINOR POEMS m That, ther ever ye fynde, whil ye lyve, A trewer servant to yow than am I, Leveth thanne, and sleeth me hardely And I my deeth to yovif wol al foryive. And if ye fynde no trewer verely Will ye suffre than that I thus spille, Andforno maner gilt but mygood wille? As good wer thanne untrevife as treweto be. But I, my lyf and deeth, to yow obeye. And with right buxom herte hooly I preye As is your moste plesure, sb doth by me ; Wei lever is me liken yow and dye 122 Than for to anythyng or th3Tike or seye That myghte yow offende in any tyme. And ther-for, swete, rewe on my peynes smerte And of your grace granteth me som drope ; For elles may me laste ne blis, ne hope, Ne dwellen in my trouble careful herte. THE COMPLEYNTE OF FAIRE ANELIDA AND FALSE ARCITE THOUferseGodof armes. Mars the rede, That in the frosty contree called Trace, Within thy grisly temple ful of drede. Honoured art, as patroun of that place ! With thy Bellona, Pallas, fill of grace ! Be present, and my song contymleand gye. At my begynnyng thus to the I crye. For hit fill depe is sonken in my mynde. With pitous herte, in Englysh for fendyte This olde storie, in Latyn which I fynde, 10 Of quene Anelyda and fals Arcite, That elde, which that al can frete and bite, — TTi. Shirley, whyles. 115. 5h\T:\eY, no irewer so verrayly, Ed. 1561 no trewer merely, a false rime. iig-128. This stanza is only found in the Philipps MS., and I take the text from Skeat. I am doubt- ful of'its authenticity. 1-70. These first ten stanzas are based on the Teseide, i. and ii. I. Mars the rede, 'O Marte rubicondo,' Tes, 2. Trace, Thrace. As hit hath freten mony a noble storie,'— - Hath nygh devoured out of our mem6rie. Be favorable eek, thou Pol^mnyd, On Parnaso that with thy sustres glade, By Elicon, not fer from Cirrei, Syngest with vols memorial in the shade. Under the laurer, which that may not fade. And do that I.my shippe to haven wynne. First folwe I Stace, and after him Corynne. \The Story] When Theseus, with werres longe and grete, 22 The aspre folk of Cithe hadde overcome. With laurer crouned, in his char, gold bete. Home to his contre houses is y-come ; For which the peple, blisfiil al and somme, So cryden, that un-to the sterres hit wente. And him to honouren dide al hir entente. Beforn this duke, in signe of hy vict6rie. The trompes come, and in his baner large, The ymdge of Mars ; and in tokeny^g oi glorie, 31 Men myghte seen of tresor mony a charge, Mony a bright helm, and mony a spere and targe, Mony a fresh knyght, and mony a blis- ful route, On hers, and fote, in al the felde aboute. Ipolita, his wyf, the hardy quene Of Cithia, that he conquered hadde, With Eraelye her yonge suster shene, 15. Folymnya, HoXvfivia, one of the nine Mu^es^ 16. Parnaso, Mount Parnassus. 17. Elicon, Mount Helicon in Bceotia, biit Chaucer seems to have confused it with the Castalian spring. Cp. H. of F. 1., 522, and Troil. iii. i8og. 17. Cirrea, Cirra, an ancient town near Delphi at the foot of Parnassus. 21. Stace, Statius, whose Thehaid is the source of some of the following stanzas. 21. Corynne, Corinnus, who is said to have written an account of the Trojan war in Doric Greek. 23. Cithe, Scythia. 24. Cp. Kn. T. i6g, 121. 30, 31. Cp. /bid. 117, 118. 36, 37. Cp. Ibid, 23, 24. 38. Cp. Ibid. Z14. 336 COMPLEYNTE OF FAIRS ANELIDA AND FALSE ARCITE 39-102 Faire in a char of golde he with hym ladde, That al the ground aboute her char she spradde 40 Withbrightnesse of the beautee in her face, Fulfilled of largesse and of al grace. With his tryumph, and laurer-crouned thus, In al the floure of fortunes yevynge, Lete I this noble prince, this Theseus, Toward Athenes in his wey ridynge, And founde I wol in shortly for to brynge The slye wey of that I gan to write, Of quene Anelida and fals Arcite. Mars, which that through his furious course of yre, 50 The olde wrath of Juno to fiilfille, Hath set the peples hertes bothe on fire Of Thebes and Grece, eche other for to kille With blody speres, ne rested, never stille, But throng now her, now ther, among hem bothe, That everych other slough, so were they wrothe. For when Amphiorax and Tydeus, Ipomedon, Parthonopee also Were dede, and slawen proud Campaneus, And when the wrecched Thebans bretheren two 60 Were slayn, and kyng Adrastus home a-go. So desolat stood Thebes and so bare, That no wyght coude remedie of his fare. And when that olde Creon gan espye How that the blood roial was broghtadoun. He held the cite by his tyrannye. And dide the gentils of that regioun To ben his frendes, and wonneninthetoun. 50-70. Cp- Teseide, ii. st. 10-12. 57. Ampkiorax, Amphiaraus, swallowed up by the earth at the sie^e of Thebes. 57. Tydeus, married a daughter of Adrastus. 58. Ifomedoti, Hippomedon, one of the 'Septem contra Thebas,' as also was Parthonopee (Parthenopffius), and Campaneus (Capaneus) who was struck with lightning by Jupiter. 59. Cy.. siayn and proud ; rmt siayn proud. 60. i.e. Eteocles and Polynices, who caused the war. 61. Adrastus, King of Argos, who assisted his son-in-law Polynices. So, what for love of him, and what for awe, The noble folk wer to the toune y-drawe. Among al these, Anelida the quene 71 Of Ermony was in that toune duellynge, That fairer was then is the sonne shene ; Throughout the world so gan her name sprynge. That her to seen had every wyght lik^nge ; For, as of trouthe, ther is noon her liche. Of al the women in this worlde riche. Yong was this quene, of twenty yeer of elde, Of mydel stature, and of swich fairnesse. That Nature had a joye hir to behelde ; 80 And for to speken of her stidfastnesse, She passed hath Penelope and Lucresse, And shortly, yf she shal be comprehended. In her ne myghte nothing been amended. This Theban knyght [Arcite] eek, soth to seyn, Wasyonge, and ther- withal a lusty knyght. But he was double in love, and nothyng pleyn. And subtil in that crafte over any wyght. And with his cunnyngwan this lady bright : For so ferforth he can hir trouthe assure, go That she him trust over any creature. What shulde I seyn? She lovede Arcite so That when that he was absent any throwe. Anon hir thoghte hir herte brast a-two ? For in hir sight to hir he bar him lowe, Sothatshewendehavealhishertey-knowe; But he was fals, hit nas but feyned chere, — As nedeth not to men SHch craft to lere ! But natheles ful mychel besynesse Haddehe, erthathe myghtehislady wynne. And swor he wolde dyen for distresse, loi Or firom his wy t, he seyde, he wolde twynne. 72. Ermony, Armenia. 76. So Lt. ; , the rest is ther; perhaps Chaucer wrote nis ther. ' 82. Lucresse, Lucretia. 85. Skeat inserts Arcite, 91. Skeat reads trust; B Lt. F H D Cx. trusted; Ha. Tn. trustcth. 337 103-176 EARLIER MINOR POEMS Alas the while ! for hit was routhe and synne, That she upon his sorwes wolde rewe, But nothyng thenketh the fals as doth the trewe. Hir fredom fondArcite inswichmanere, Thatalwashisthatshehath, mocheorlyte; Ne to no creature ne made she chere, Ferther than that it lykede to Arcite ; Ther was no lak with which he myghte hir wyte, ; no She was so ferforth yeven him to plese, That al that lykede him it dide hir ese. Ther nas to hir no maner lettre y-sent That touched love, from eny maner wyght, That she ne shewed hit him er hit was brent; Sopleyn she was, and dide hir fuUe myght, That she nyl hiden nothyng from her knyght, Lest he of any untrouth hir upbreyde ; Withoute bode his heste she obeyde. 119 And eek he made him jelous over here. That what that eny man hadde to hir seyd, Anoon he wolde preyen hir to swere What was that word, or. make him- evel apaid ; Then wende she out of her wyt have brayd. But al this nas but sleight and flaterie ; Withouten love, he feyned jelousye. And al this took she so debonairly, That al his wylle, hir thoghte hit skilful thyng ; And ever the lenger she loved him tenderly, Anddidehimhonour as he were a kyng. 130 Hir herte was to-him wedded with a ring ; So ferforth upon trouthe is hir entente, ThatwherhegQth,hirhertewithhimwente. When she shal ete, on him is so hir thoght. That wel unnethe of mete took she kepe ; And whan that she was to her reste broght. On h im she thbghte alwey til that she sleep ; When he was absent, prevely she weep. Thus lyyeth fair Anelida the quene, 139 For fals Arcite, that dide her al this terje. This fals Arcite, of his newfangelnesse, For she to him so lowly was and trewe, Took lesse deyntee for her stedfestnesse, ; And saw another lady, proud and newe. And right anon he cladde him in hir hewe,' — Wot I not whether in white, rede, or grene, — And falsed feir Anelida the quene. But nathelesse, gret wonder was hit noon Thoghhe were fals, for hit is kynde of man, Sith Lamek was, that is so longe agoon, 150 To been in love as fols as ever he can ; He was the firste fader that began To loven two; and was in bigamye. And he found tentes first, but if men lye. This fals Arcite somwhat moste he feyne When he was fals, to covere his traitoryej Right as kn hors, that can both bite and pl'eyne ; For he bar hir on honde of trecherye, And swoor he coude her doublenesse espye. And al was falsnes that she to him mente ; Thus swoor this theef, and forth his way he wente. 161 Alas ! whkt herte myghte enduren hit. For routhe or wo, hir sorwe for to telle ? Or what man hath the cunnyng or the wyt? Or what man myghte wi{hin the chambre duelle. If I to him rehersen shal the helle That suffreth fair Anelida the quene For fals Arcite, that dide her al this tene ? She wepeth, waileth, swouneth pitously. To grounde deed she falleth as a stoon ; Al crampisshetb hir l)rmes crokedly ; 171 She speketh as hir wyt were al agoon ; Other colour then asshen hath she noon, Non other word she speketh moche or lyte. But ' Mercy 1 cruel herte myn, Arcite ! ' And thus endureth, til she was so mate 146. But not blue, the colour of constancy. 174. All read speketh sJie. 338 COMPLEYNTE OF FAIRE ANELIDA AND FALSE ARCITE 177-244 That she ne hath foot, on which she may sustene, But forth, languisshing evere in this estate, Of which Arcite hath nother routhe ne tene; His herte is elleswher so newe and grene, That on hir wo ne deyneth him not to thinke, 181 Him rekketh never wher sheflete or synke. His newe lady holdeth him so narwe Up by the brydel, at the staves ende, That every word he dradde hit as an arwe ; Hir daunger made him bothe bowe and bende. And as hir liste, made him turne or wende ; For she ne graunted him in her lyvynge No grace, why that he hath lust to synge ; But drof him forth, unnethe liste hir knowe 190 That he was servaunt to her ladishippe ; But lest that he wer proude, she helde him lowe. Thus serveth he, withouten fee or shipe She sent him now to londe, now to shippe, And for she yaf him daunger al his fille, Therfor she hadde him at her owne wUle. Ensample of this, ye thrifty wymmen, alle. Take here of Anelida and fals Arcite, That for hir liste him ' dere herte ' calle. And was so meke, therfor he loved hir lyte ; The kynde of mannes herte is to delyte 201 In thyng that straunge is, also God me save ! For what he may not gete, that wolde he have Now turne we to Anelida ageyn. That pyneth day be day in languisshyng : But when she saw that hir ne gat no geyn, Upon a day, ful sorwfully wepyng. She caste hir for to make a compleynyng ; And with her owne bond sheganhit wryte. And sente it to her Theban knyght Arcite. 183. A metaphor borrowed from a horse Ifghtly harnessed to the pole of a cart. 191. All read unio- [The Compleynt of Faire Anelyda upon Fals Arcyte\ (Proem) So thirleth with the poynt of remem- brance, ■ ' 211 The swerd of sorwe, y-whet with fals plesaunce, Mynhertebare of blis, andblak of hewe. That turned is to quakyng al my daunce. My surety in a-Whiped countenaunce, Sith hit availeth not for to ben trewe i For who-so trewest is, hit shall hir rewe That serveth love, and doth hir observaunce Alwey to oon, and chaungeth for no newe. (Strophe) I wot my-self as wel as any wyght, 220 Forlloyed oon withalmy herte and myght. More then my-self an hundred thousand sithe. And callede him myhertes lyf, my knyght. And was al his, as fer as hit was right ; And whan that he was glad, than was I blithe. And his disese was my deeth as swythe, And he ageyn his trquthe me hadde plight, For ever-more, his lady me to kythe. Now is he fals, alas ! and causeles. And of my wo hp is so routheles, 230 Thatwithawordehimlistnot ones deyne To bringe ageyn my sorwful herte in pees, For he is caught up in another lees ; Right as him list, he laugheth at my peyne, . And I ne.can myn herte not restreyne That I ne love him alwey natheles, Andof al this I noottowhomme pleyne. And shal I pleyne (alas 1, the harde stounde) 238 Unto my foo, that yaf my herte a wounde. And yet desireth that myn harm be more ? Nay, certes ,! ferther wol I never founde Non other help my sores for to sounde ; My desteny hath shapen hit ful yore, I wil non other medecyne ne lore, 229. F B H Alias now hath he left mc causeles. 339 24S-3I6 EARLIER MINOR POEMS' I wil ben ay ther I was ones bounde ; That I have said, be seid for evermore. Alas ! wher is become your gentilesse? Your wordes ful of plesaunce and hum- blesse ? Your observaunces in soo low manere ? And your away ting, and your besynesse, 250 Upon me, that ye callede your maistresse, Your sovereyn lady in this world here? Alas ! and is ther now nother word ne chare, Ya vouchesauf upon myn hevynesse ? Alas ! your love, I bye hit al to dere ! Now cartes, swete, thogh that ye Thus causeles the cause be, Of my dedl;^ adversity, Your manly rasoun oghte it to respyte, To slee your frand, and namely me, 260 That never yat in no degr^ Offended yow, as wisly ha. That al wot, put of wo my soule quyte. But for I was so playne, Arcita, In alle my werkes, muche and lite, And so bes^ yow to delyte, — Myn honour save, — meke, kynde, and fre, Therfor ye putte on me this wyte : And of me recche not a myta, Thogh that the swarda of sorwe byte 270 My woful harte, through your cruelte. My swete foo, why do ye so, for shame ? And thenke ya that furthered be your name, Tolovaa-newe, andbenuntrawe? Nay! And putte yon in sclaundernow and blame. And do to me adversitae and grame. That love you most — God, wel thou wost ! — alway ? And come ageyn, and be al pleyn som day, And then shal this, that hath be mys, be game. And al foryive, whyl I lyve may. 280 364-266. F B Tn. H D Lt. Ff.— But for I shewedyou, Arcite, All that men wolcle to me wryte, And was so bcsy, etc. 27g. F BHAwi turae al this , {Antistrophe) Lo, herte myn, al this is for to sayn. As whether shal I preya or alles pleyn ? Which is the wey to doon yow to be trewe ? For either mot I have yow in my cheyn, Or with tha dethe ya mot dapartaustweyn ; Ther ban non other mane weyes newe, For, God so wisly upon my soule rewe. As verily ye sleen me with the peyn ; ' That may ye see unfeyned of myn bewe. For thus ferforth have I my deeth y-soght, My-selflmordrewithmyprevythoght; 291 ' For sorwa and routhe of your unkynde'" ;. nassa, I wepa, I wake, I faste ; al helpeth noght; I weyve joy that is to spake of oght, I voyde companya, I flee gladnessa ; Who may avaunta hir bet of hevynesse Than I ? And to this plyte have ye me broght, Withoute gilt, — me nedeth nowitnesse. And sholde I preye, and weyve woman- hede ? 299 Nay ! rather deeth, then do so cruel dede, And axe mercy, causeles, — what nede? And if I pleyne what lyf that I lede. Than wol ye laugh ; I know it outof drade; And if I unto you myn othes bede Formyn excuse, ascorn shalbemymede. Your chare flourath, but it wol not sede, Ful longaagoon I oghta have take hade. For thogh I hadde yow to-morweagayn, I myghte as wel holde Averill fro reyn, As holde yow to make yow stedfast, 310 Almyghty God, of trouth the sovereign ! Wher is the trouthe of man ? who hath it sleyn ? Who that hem loveth, shal he jn fynde as fast As in a tempest is a roten mast. Is that a tame best, that is ay feyn To ranhe away, when he is leest agast? 290. Harl. Cx. omit this stanza. All read soght. 303. F B Tn. Lt. Ff. H Yow reekethnoi that; D You rekke not that. 340 THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 1-30 Now mercy, swete, if I mysseye ! Have I seyd oght amys, I preye ? I noot, my wit is al aweye. • I fare as doth the songe of Chauntepleure ; For now I pleyne, and now I pleye, 321 I am so mased that I deye, Arcite hath born awey the keye Of al my worlde, and my good aventure. For in this worlde nys creature, Walkynge, in more discomfiture. Then I, ne more sorwe endure ; And if I slepe a furlong wey or tweye, Than thinketh me, that your figure Before me stant clad in asure, 330 To profren eft a newe assure, For to be trewe, and mercy me to preye. The longe nyght, this wonder sight I drye. And on the day for this afray I dye. And of al this right noght, ywys, yerecche ; Ne nevermo myn yen two be drye. And to your routhe and to your trouthe I crie ! But, welawey ! to fer be they to fecche, Thus holdeth me my destynee a wrecche. But me to rede out of this drede, or gye, Ne may my wit, so weyke is hit, not strecche. 341 (Conclusiott) Then ende I thus, sithlmay do no more, — I yeve hit up for now and evermore ; For I shal never eft putten in balaunce My sekernes, ne leme of love the lore ; But as the swan, I have herd seye ful yore, Ayeyns his deeth shal singen his penaunce, So singe I here the destyny or chaunce. How that Arcite, Anelida so sore Had thirled with the poynt of remem- braunce. 350 \The Story continued^ Whan that Anelida, this woful quene, Hath of her hande writen in this wyse, 320. Chauntepleure^ the name of a famous poem of the 13m century addressed to those who sing in this world but shall weep in the next. 331. F B'H To swere yet. 351. This stanza is found only in Tn. D Fl. and Lt. With face deed, betwyxe pale and grene, She fel a-swowe ; and sith she gan to rise. And unto Mars avoweth sacrifise Within the temple, with a sorwful chere, That shapen was, as ye shal after here. THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES Here begynyth the Parlement of Foulys The Proem The l3rf so short, the craft so long to leme, Thassay so hard, so sharp thecdnquerynge. The dredful joye, alwey that slit so yerne ; Al this mene I be love, that my felyng A-stonyeth with his wondyrful werkyng, So sore y-wis, that whan I on hym thynke Nat wot I wel wher that I flete or synke. Foral be that I knowe not Love indede, Ne wot how that he quyteth folk hir hyre, Yit happeth me ful ofte in bokes rede 10 Of his myracles and his cruel yre ; Ther rede I wel he wol be lord and syre, I dar nat seyn, his strokes been so sore, But God save swich a lord ! I sey no more. Of usage, what for lust and what for lore, On bokes rede I ofte, as I yow tolde. But wherfor that I speke al this ? Not yore Agon, it happed me for to be-holde 18 Up-on a bok, was write with lettres olde ; And ther-upon, a certeyn thing to leme, The longe day ful faste I radde and yerne. For out of olde feldes, as men seith, Cometh al this newe •corn from yeer to yere; And out of olde bokes, in good feith, ,Cometh al this newe science that men lere. But now to purpos as of this matere, — To rede forth it gan me so delyte, That al the day me thoughte but a lyte. This bok, of which I make mencioun, Entitled was al thus as I schal telle, 30 357' Lt. Th. tnay plainly. %. Hippocrates' first aphorism: — 341 31-98 EARLIER MINOR POEMS ' TuUyus, of the Dreem of Scipioun. ' Chapitres it hadde sevene, of hevene and helle And erthe, and soules thattherynnedwelle, Of whiche, as shortly as I can it trete, Of his sentence I wol you seyn the grete. First, tellethit, whan Scipioun was come In Affrik, how 'he mette Massynisse That him for joye in armes hath y-nome. Than telleth he hir speche, and al the bhsse 39 That was betwix hem til the day gan misse, And how his auncestre, African so dere, Gan in his slep that nyght it> him appere. Thaji telleth it, that from a sterry place, How African hath him Cartage shewed, And warned him be-fore of al his grace, And seyd him, what man lered other lewed That loveth comun profit, wel y-thewed, He shuldein-to a blisful place wende, Ther as joye is that last with-outen ende. Than axede he if folk that heer been dede . .50 Han lyf and dwellyng in another place. And African seyde, 'Ye,withoute drede,' And that Qur present worldes lyves space Nis but a maner deth, what wey we trace; And rightful folk shul gon after they dye To hevene ; and shewede him theGalaxye. Than shewede he hym the litel erthe that here is, — At regard of the hevenes quantity, — And after shewede he hymthenyne speres. And after that the'melodye herde he 60 That Cometh of thilke speres thryes three, That welle is of musik and melodye In this world heer, and cause of armonye., 31. Marcus TuIUus Cicero, whose Somnium Scipionis was originally included in the De Re- i>ublica, Bk. vi. ' ' 36. Scipioun^ P. Cornelius Scipio jEmilianus Africanus^ Minor, who won the third Punic War. He went in 150 B.C. to meet Masinissa, King of NumidiE^, who had received many favours from ' his auncestre ' Africanus Major. 61, 62. An allusion to the so-called ' harmony of the spheres ' which arose from the supposed connection between the number of the planets and Than bad he him, syn erthe was so lyte, And ful of torment and of harde grace, ■ That he ne schulde him in the world delyte. Thanne tolde he him in certeynyeres space That everysterre shulde come into hisplace Ther it was first, and al shuldeoutofmynde That in this world is don of al mankynde. Than praydehim Scipioim to telle hym al Theweye tocome in-to that hevene blisse ; And he seyde, ' Know thy -self first immortdl. And loke aybesilythow werche and wysse To comoun profit, and thowshalt not mysse To comen swiftly to that place dere That ful of blysse is and of soules clere. ' But brekers of the lawe, soth to seyn. And lecherous folk, after that they be dede, Shul whirle a-boute the erthe alwey in peyne, 80 Til many a world be passed, out of drede, And than, for-yeven alle hir wikked dede, Than shul they come in- to that blysfiil place, To which to comen God thee sende his grace!' The daygan failen, and the derke nyght, That reveth bestes from hir besynesse, Berafte me my book for lakke of lyght. And to my bed I gan me for to dresse, Fulfild of thought and besy hevynessej 81, Forbothe I had(Jethyngwhichthatlnplde, And ek I ne hadde that thyng that I wolde. But fynally, my spirit at the laste, For-wery of my labour al the day, Took rest, that made me to slepe faste j And in my sleep I mette, as that I lay. How African right in the same aray That Scipioun him saw before that tyde Was come and stood right at my beddes syde. ' the number of musical notes in the scale. ' Cp. Shalt. M. o/V.v. 60. 80. whirle a-boute, 'volutantur,' Cicero. 85 f. Cp. Inferno, ii. 1-3. I-o siorno se n' andava, e I' aer bruno Toelieva g:U animai, die sono in terra Daue fatiche loro. '90. Cp. Boethius, Bk. iii. pr. 3. 343 THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 99-166 The wery hunter, slepyng in his bed, Towode ayein his mynde goth anoon ; 100 The juge drenieth how his plees ben sped ; The carter dremeth how his carte is goon ; The riche of gold ; the knyghf fight with his foon ; The syke met he drynketh of the tonne ; The lover met he hath his lady wonne. Can I not seyn if that the cause were For I hadde red of African beforn, That made me to mete that he,stood there, But thus seyde he : ' Thou hast thee so wel bom In lokyng of myn olde book to-torn, no Of which Macrobie rbghte not a lyte, That somdel of thy labour wolde I quyte. ' Cytherea, thou blisful lady swete. That with thy fyrbrond dauntest whom thee lest, And madest me this sweven for to mete. Be thou my helpe in this, for thow mayst best As wisly as I say the north-north-west. Whan I began myn sweven for to wryte ; So yif me myght to ryme it and endyte. The Story This forseyd African me hente a-noon. And forth- with him unto a gate me broghte Right of a park, walled with grene stoon ; And over the gate v«th lettres large y-wroghte There weren vers y-vmten, as me thoghte. On eyther syde of ful gret difference. Of which I shal now seyn the pleyn sentence. ' Thurgh me men goon in-to that blisful place Of hertes hele and dedly woundes cure ; Thurgh me men gon un-to the welle of Grace Cp. Claudian, In Sexiutn Consulntum ^onorii Au^usti PrcE/atio, II. 3-10. 109. Cp. Inf&rno^ i. 83. 113. Cytherea, Venus. 117. A reference to the planet Venus, say, saw. T27. Cp. Inferno, iii. i ff. Htm^ Ther grene and lusty May shal ever endure ; 13° This is the wey to al good aventure ; Be glad, thowrederand thysorweof-casle. Al open am I, pas in and sped the faste ! ' ' Thurgh me men gon,' than spak that other syde, • Unto the mortal strokes of the spere Of which Disdaynand Daungeris thegyde,; Ther never tre shal firuyt ne leves here. This streem you ledeth to the sorwful were Ther as the fish in prison is al drye ; Thesohewyng is only the remedye;' 140 Thise vers of gold and blak y-writen were. The whiche I gan a-stonied to be-holde ; For with that oon encresede ay my fere. And with that other gan myn herte bolde ; That oon me hette, that other dide me colde ; No wit hadde I, for errour, for to chese To entre or fleen, or me to save or lese. Right as be-twixen adamauntes two Of even myght a pece of yren set, 149 That hath no myght to meve to ne fro, — For what that oon may hale that other let, — Ferde I, that nyste whether me was best To entre or leve, til African, my gyde. Me hente, and shoof in at the gates wyde. And seyde, ' It stondeth writen in thy face Thyn errour, though thou telle it not to me, But dred thee not to come iia-to this place. For thiswrityng nis no thyng ment by thee, Ne by noon, but he Loves servaunt be, For thou of love hast lost thy tast, I gesse. As seek man hath of swete and bitternesse. ' But natheles, al-though that thou be dulle, 162 Yit that thou canst notdo, yitmayst thou se. For many a man that may not stonde a puUe, It liketh him at wrastlyng for to be. And demen yit wher he do bet or he ; 343 167-234 EARLIER MINOR POEMS And, if thou haddest cunnyng for tendite, I shal thee shewe mater of to write. ' With that myhond inhishetooka-noon, Of which I comfort caughte, and wente in faste ; 170 But Lord ! so I was glad and wel begoon ! For overal wher that I myn eyen caste Were trees clad with leves that ay shal laste, Eche in his kyndei of colour fresch and grene As emeraude, that joye it was to sene. The bildereookand eekthe hardy asshe; The piler elm, the cofre unto careyne ; The boxtree piper ; holm to whippes lasshe ; The saylyng firr ; the cipres, deth to pleyne ; The sheter ew ; the asp for shaftes pleyne ; The olyve of pees, and eek the drunken vyne ; 181 The victor palm, the laurer to devyne. A garden saw I ful of blosmy bowes Up-on a river in a grene mede, There as ther swetnesse evermorey-nowis; With floures white, blewe.yelwe, and rede, And colde welle-stremes, no-thyng dede, That swommen ful of smale fisches lighte, With fynnes rede and scales silver-brighte. On every bough the briddes herde I synge, igo ' With voys of aungel in her armonye ; Som besyede hem hir briddes forth to brynge. The litel conyes to hir pley gunne hye ; And further al aboute I gan aspye The dredful roo, the buk the hert and hynde, Squerels and bestes smale of gentil kynde. 169 f. Cp. Inferno^ iii. 19. 176 ff. Cp. Faery Queene, I. i. S, 9, The above is based on Teseide^ xi. 22-24, and ^- ^^ to. R. 1338^1368. 177. piler elttt, Spenser ' vine-prop elm.' 178. piper, i.e. used for pipes or horns. 180. sheiereiu, because used for bows. 182. to devyne, because used for divination. 183-259. Cp. 7>J«V?, vii. St. 51-60 ; s\soK'ingis Quair, St. 31-33, 152, 153. Of instruments of strenges in acord Herde I so pleye a ravisshyng swetnesse, That God, that maker is of al and Lord, Ne herde never beter, as I gesse ; 200 Therwith a wynd, unnethe it myghte be lesse. Made in the leves grene a noyse softe, Acordant to the foules songe on-lofte. The air of that place so attempre was That never was grevaunce of hoot ne cold ; There wexeekeveryholsomspiceandgras; Ne no man may ther wexe seek ne old, Yit was ther joye more a thousand fold Than man can telle ; ne never wolde it nyghte, But ay cleer day to any mannes sighte. 210 Under a tre beside a welle, I say Cupide our lord his arwes forge and file And at his fet his bowe al redy lay, AndWillehisdoghtertempredealthiswhile The hedes in the welle ; and vrith hirwyle She couchede hem after as they shulde serve, Som for to slee, and som to wounde and kerve. The was I war of Plesaunce anon-right. And of Aray and Lust and Curtesye, 219 And of the Craft that can and hath the myght To doon be force a wyght to doon folye ; Disfigurat was she, I nyl not lye ; And by him-self, under an ok I gesse. Saw I Delyt that stood with Gentjlesse. ■ I saw Beaut^, withouten any atyr ; And Youthe, fill of game and Jolyte ; Fool-hardinesse, Flatery and Desyr, Messagerye and Mede and other three, — Hir names shal, not here be told for me, — And upon pilers grete of Jasper longe, 230 I saw a temple of bras y-founded stronge. Aboute the temple daunseden alwey Wommen y-nowe, of whiche somme ther were Faire of hem-self, and somme of hem were gay ; 344 THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 235-291 In kirtels, al disshevele wente they there, — That was hir office alwey, yeer be yere, — And on the temple of doves white and faire Saw I sittynge many an hundred peire. Be-fore the temple dore, ful soberly. Dame Pees sat with a curteyn in hir hond, 240 And hir besyde, wonder discretly. Dame Pacience sittyng ther I fond With face pale, up-on an hille of sond ; And aldemext within and eek with-oute, Beheste and Art, and of hir folk a route. Within the temple, of syghes hote as fyr I herde a swogh that gan aboute renne ; Whiche syghes were engendred with desyr That maden every auter for to brenne Of newe flaume ; and wel espyed I thenne 250 That al the cause of sorwes that they drye Com of the bitter goddesse Jelousye. The god Priapus saw I as I wente Within the temple, in sovereyn place stonde In swich aray as whan the asse him shente. With cry by nyght, and with his ceptre in honde. Ful besily men gunne assaye and fonde Up-on his hede to sette, of sondry hewe Garlondes ful of freshe floures newe. 259 And in a privee corner in desporte Fond I Venus and hir portere Richesse, That was ful noble and hauteyn of hir porte ; Derk was that place, but afterward lightnesse I saw a lyte, unnethe it myghte be lesse. And on a bed of golde she lay to reste Til that the hote Sonne gan to weste. 255. Cp. Ovid, Fasti, i. 415. 260-280. Cp. Teseide, vii. st. 63-66. Hir gilte heres with a golden thred Y-bounden were, untrussed as she lay. And naked fro the breste unto the hed Men myghte hir seen ; and sothly for to say, 270 The remenaunt was wel kevered to my pay, Right with a subtil kerchef of Valence, Ther nas no thikker cloth of no defence. The place yaf a thousand savours swote. And Bachus, god of wyn, sat hir besyde. And Sereis next, that doth of hungir bote ; And as I seyde, amyddes lay Cypride, To whom, on knees two yonge folkes cryde To ben hir help ; but thus I let hir lye. And ferther in the temple I gan espye 280 That, in dispit of Diane the chaste, Ful many a bow y-broke heng bn the wal. Of maydens swiche as gunne hir tymes Waste In hir servyse ; and peynted overal Ful many a story of which I touche shal A fewe, as of Calyxte and Athalante, And many a mayde of which the name I wante : Semyramus, Candace and Hercules, Biblis, Dido, Thisbe, and Piramus, Tristram, Isoude, Paris, and Achilles, 290 Eleyne, Cleopatre, and Troilus, Silla, and eek the moder of Romulus, — i 272. Valence, probably Valence near Lynos, where silk is still niade. BoGcaccio has ' Testa, tanta sottil.' 276. Sereis, Ceres. 277. Cypride, i.e. Venus, because of her wor- ship in Cyprus. 281-294. Cp. Teseide, vii. st. 61, 62.- 286. Calixte, daughter of Lycaon, King of Arcadia, and mother of Areas, changed by Juno ' from jealousy ^ into a she - bear, and raised to heaven by Jupiter as Ursa Major. 288. Semyra/mus, Semiramis, Queen of As- syria. 288. Candace, an Indian queen loved by Alex- ander the Great. 200. Trisiram, Isoude, Tristran (or Tristan) and Ysolde (Ysolt) of French mediaeval romance. 292. Silla, Scylla, daughter of Nisus, who for love of Minos cut ofifher father's hair, on which his life depended, and was turned into the bird Ciris. 292. moder of Romulus, Ilia or Rhea Silvia, daughter of Numitor. .345 293-350 EARLIER MINOR POEMS AUe these were peynted on that other syde, And al hir love and in what plyt they dyde. Whan I was come, ayen un-to the place That I of spak, that was so swote and grene,- Forth welk I tho my-selven to solace. Tho was I war wher that ther sat a qtiene That as of light the somer-sunne shene Passeth the sterre, right so over mesure 300 She fairer was i than any creature; And. in a launde upon an hille of floures , ' ■ iii Was set this noble goddesse Nature. Of braunches were hir halles and hir boures Y- wrought after hir craft and hir mesure ; Ne there nas foul that cometh of engen- ' drure, ! ; . , That they ne were prest in hir presence, To take ,hir doom and yeve hir audience. For this was on Seynt. Valentynes day, Whan every bryd cometh ther to ' chese . his make, 310 Of every kynde that irien thynke may ; And that so huge a noyse gan they makej That erthe and eyr and tre and every lake So ful was, that unnethe was there space For me to stonde, so ful was al the place. And right as Aleyn, in the Pleynt of Kynde, Devyseth Nature of aray and face, In swich aray men myghten hir . ther fynde. This noble emperesse, ful of grace. Bad every foul to take his owne place, 320 316. A reference to the Plancius Naiuree of Alanus de Insulis, or Alain Delille, a poet of the 12th centiijy. . 319. MSS. unanimous as to this line. As they were wont alwey fro yeer to yere Seynt Valent3mes day to stonden there. That is to seyn, the foules of ravyne Were hyest set, and than the foules smale, That eten as hem nature wolde enclyne. As worm or thyng, of whiche I telle no tale ; And water-foul sat lowest in the dale. But foul that lyveth by seed sat on the grene. And that so fele that wonder was to sene. There myjghte men the royal egle fynde. That with his sharpe look pers^th the Sonne ; 331 And other egles of a lower kynde, Of whiche that clerkes wel devyse cunne, Ther was the tyraunt with his fethres donne And greye, I mene the goshauk that doth pyne To bryddes for his outrageous ravyne. The gentil faucon that with his feet distreyneth The kynges hond; the hardy sperhauk eke, 338 The qiiayles foo ; the merlion that peyneth Hym-self fill ofte the larke for to seke ; There was the douve, with hir eyen meke; The jalous swan, ayens his deth that syngeth ; The oule eke, that of deth the bode bryngeth ; The crane the geaunt, with his trompes soune ; The theef the chough, and eek the jangelyng pye ; The scornynge jay ; the eles foo, the heroune ; n: The false lapwyng, ful of trecherye ; The stare, that the counseyl can be-wrye ; The tame ruddok, and the coward kyte; The cok, that orloge is of thorpes lyte ; 342, 343, .From Alanus; cp. . Anglo -Latin Satirical Poets, vol. ii. p. 74 (Record -Series). Most of the natural history of this vfhole passage comes from him. 346 THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 351-420 The sparwe, Venus sone ; the nyhtyn- gale, 351 That clepeth forth the grene leves newe ; The swajow, mortrer of the flyes smale, That maken hony of floures fresshe of hewe ; The wedded turtel, with hire herte ttewe, The pecok, with his aungels fethres bright ; The fesaunt, scomer of the cok by nyght ; The wafcer goos ; the cukkow ever lin- kynde ; The popynjay, fill of delicasye ; 339 The drake, stroyer of his owne kynde ; The stork, the wreker of avouterye ; The hole cormeraunt of glotenye ; The raven wys ; the crow, with vois of care ; The throstel old ; the frosty feldefare. What shulde I seyn ? Of foules every kynde That in this world han fethres and stature, Men mygh ten in that place assembled fynde Before the noble goddesse Nature. And everich of hem did his besy cure Benygnely to chese or for to take 370 By hir acord his formel or his make. But to the poynt, — Nature held on hir hond A formel egle, of shap the gentil&te That ever she a-mong hire werkes fond ; The moste benygne and the goodli^ste ; In hir was every vertu at his reste So ferforth, that Nature hir-selfe hadde blisse To loke on hir and ofte hir bek to kisse. Nature, the vicaire of the almyghty Lord, That hoot, cold, hevy, light, and moist, and dreye 380 Hath knytjwith evene noumbresof a-cord, In esy vois began to speke and seye, ' Foules, tak hede of my sentence, I preye, 351. The sparrow was sacred to Venus. 361, Cp. Neckam, Liber de Naiuris Return (Ed. Wright, lib. i. c. 64). 363. 'with vois of care, a mistranslation of Virgil, Georg. i. 388. And, foryouresein furtheryngof yournede, As faste as I may speke I wol me speede. T ' Yeknowwel howseyntValentyiiesday, Bymy statut and through my governaunce, Ye comen for to che'se^ — and flee your way — Your makes, as I prike yow with plesaunce; But natheles my rightful ordenaurice 390 May I nat lete for al this world to wynne. That he that most is worthy shal begynne. 'The tercel egle, as that ye khowen wel. The foul royal, a-bove yow in degree, The wyse and worthy, secree, trewe as stel. The which I have y-formed, as ye may see. In every part as it best liketh me, — Hit nedeth not his shap yow to deyyse, — He shal first chese and speken in his gyse.. ' And after him by order shul ye chescj After your kynde, everich as yqw lyketh,. And as your hap is shul ye wynne or lese ; But which of yow that love most entriketh God sende him hir that sorest for him syketh.' And therwithal the tercel gan she calle,' And seyde, ' My sone, the choys is to thee falle. ' But natheles, in this condicioun Mot be the choys of everich that is here, That she a-gree to his eleccioun, Who-so he be that shulde be hir fere ; 410 This our usage alwey from yeer to yere. And who-so may at this tyme have his grace. In blisful tyme he com into this place.' With hed enclytaed and with humble chere ' This royal tercel spak, and taried nought : ' Un-to my sovereyn lady, and nought my fere — I chese, and chese with wille and herte and thought, Thefotmel onyour hond, so wely-wrought, Whos I am al and ever wol hir serve, 419 Do what hir list, to do me live or sterve. 411. r;4M=this is. Cp. II. 6zo, 649 ; also K. T. 233 and 885. 347 142-498 EARLIER MINOR POEMS ' Besechyng hir of mercy and of grace, As she that is my lady sovereyne ; Or let me dye present in this place g For certes, longe I may nat live in payne, For in myn herte is corven every veyne; And havyng reward only to my trouthe, My dere herte have of my wo som routhe ! ' And if that I to hir be founde Untrewe, Disobeysaunt, or wilfiil negligent, Avauntour, or in proces love anewe, 430 I preye to yow this be my jugement. That with these foules be I al to-rent, That ilke day that ever she me iynde To hir untrewe, or in my gilt unkynde. ' And, syn that noon loveth hir so wel as I, Al be she never of love me behette. Than oughte she be myn thourgh hir mercy. For other bond can I noon onTiir knette ; Ne never foi'no wo ne shal I lette 439 To seryen hir, how fer so that she wende ; Say what yow list, my tale is at an ende. ' Right as the fresshe, rede rose newe A-yen the somer sonne coloured is, Right so for shame al wexen gan the hewe Of this formel. Whan she herde al this. She neyther answerde 'Wel,' ne seyde amys. So sore abasshed was she, til that Nature Seyde, ' Doughter, dred yow nought, I yow assure.' Another tercel egle spak anoQn, Of lower kynde, and seyde, ' That shal not be ! 450 I love hir bet than ye do, by Seynt John ! Or atte leste I love as wel as ye, And lenger have served hir in my degree ; And if she shulde have loved for long lovyng. To me allone hadde been the guerdonyng. ' I dar eek, seyn,.if she me fynde fals, Unkynde, janglere, or rebel any wyse. Or jalous, do me hangen by the hals ! And, but I here me in hir servyse, 459 As wel as that my wit can me sufiyse, 445. A short line, but so in all MSS. Perhaps ^de fierd is the true reading. hade ' Fro poynt to poynt hir honour for to save, Tak she my lif and al- the good I have.' The thridde tercel egle answ&.de tho, . 'Now, sirs, ye seen the litel leyserhere,( For every foul cryeth out to ben a-go , Forth with his make, or with his lady derej And eek Nature hir-self ne wol not here, For tarying here, not half that I wolde seye. And but I speke I mot for sorwe deye. ' Of long servyse avaunte I me nothing But as possible is me to deye to-day 471 For wo, as he that hath benlanguysshyng Thise twenty winter, and wel happen may A man may serven bet and more to pay In half a yer, although it were no more Than som man doth that hath served ful yore. ' I ne sey not this by me, for I ne can Don no servyse that may my lady plese ; But I dar seyn I am hir trewest man, 479 As to my dom, and feynest wolde hir ese ; At shorte.wordes, til that deth me sese, I wol ben hiresj whether I wake or wynke, And trewe in al that herte may bethyrike.' Of al my lyf syn that day I was born So gentil pie in love or other thyng *Ne herde never no man me beforn, Who-so that hadde leyser and cunnyng For to reheise hir chere and hir spekyng .' And from the morwe gan this speche laste Tildounward drow the sonne wonder faste. The noyse of foules for to ben delyvered So loude rong, 'Have doon and let us wende ! ' That wel wende I the wode hadde al to- shyvered. • Come of ! ' they cryde, ' alias, ye wil us shende ! Whan shal your cursed pleyng have an ende ? How shulde a juge eyther party leve For yee or nay, with-outen any preve ? ' The goos, the cokkow, and the doka also, 348 THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 499-572 So cryden, ' Kek, kek ! ' ' Kokkow ! ' ' Quek, quek ! ' hye, 499 That thurgh myn eres the noyse wente tho. The goos seyde, ' Al this nys not Worth a flye ! But I can shape hereof a remedye, And I wol sey my verdit faire and swythe, For water-foul, who-so be wrooth or blythe.' ' And I for worm-foul ! ' quod the fol cokkow ; ' And I wol of myn owne autorit^, For comun sped take on thechargenow, — For to delyvere us is gret charity. ' ' Ye may abyde a while yet, parde ! ' Seide the turtil, ' if it be your wille 51Q A wight may speke, him were as fayr be stille.' ' I am a seed-foul, oon the unworthieste. That wot I wel, and litel of cunnynge, But bet is that a wyghtes tonge reste. Than entremeten him of swiche doynge Of which he neyther rede can, ne synge ; And who-so doth, fill foule himself acloyeth, For office uncommytted ofte anoyeth. ' Nature, which that alway hadde an ere To murmur of the lewednes bebynde, 520 With facound voyse seyde, ' Hold your tunges there ! And I shal sone, I hope, a conseyl fynde, Yow to delyvere, and fro. this nOyse un- bynde. I juge, of every flok men shal oon calle To seyn the verdit for yow foules alle.' Assented were to this conclusioun The briddes alle ; and foules of ravyne Han chosen first, by playn eleccioun. The tercelet of the faucon, to diffyne 529 Al hir sentence as him list to termyne ; And to Nature him gonnen to presente, And she accepteth him with glad entente. The tercelet seide then in this manure : ' Ful hard were hit to preven by resoun Who loveth best this gentil formel here, For everich hath swich replicacioun That noon by skilles may be brought a- doun ; I can not se that arguments avayle ; Than semeth hit ther muste be batayle.' ' Al redy ! ' quod these egles tercels tho. 540 'Nay, sirs,' quod he, 'if that I dorste it seye Ye doon me wrong, myn tale is not y-do. For sirs, ne taketh nought a-gref, I preye. It may not gon, as ye wolde, in this weye ; Oure is the voys that han the charge in honde, And to the juges dome ye moten stpnde ; ' And therfor, pes ! I seye, as to my wit. Me wolde thynke how that the worthieste Of knyghthode, and lengest hath used hit, Moste of estat, of blod the gentileste, 550 Were sittyngest for hir, if that hir leste, And of these thre she wot hir-self, I trowe. Which that he be, for hit is light to kno we. ' The water-foules han her hedes leyd Togedre, and of a short avys^ment, Whan everich hadde his large golee seyd. They seyden sothly, al by oon assent. How that the 'goos, with hirfacoundegent. That so desyreth to pronounce our nede, Shal telle our tale,' and preyden ' god hii spede. ' 560 And for these water-foules tho began The goos to speke, and in hir kakelynge Sheseyde, 'Pees ! nowtak keepevery'man, And herkeneth which a resoun I shal brynge ; My wit is sharp, I love no taryinge ; I seye, I rede him, though he were my brother, _ But she wol love him let him take another. ' ' Lo here ! a perfit resoun of a goos ! ' Quod tho the sperhauke, ' never mot she the ! Lo, sich it is to have a tunge loos ! 570 Now pard^, fool, yet were it bet for the Han holde thy pes, than shewed thy nycet^ ! 349 573-637 EARLIER MINOR POEMS It lyth nat in his wit, ne in his wille. But sooth is seyd, "a fool can noght be stille."' The. laughter aroos of gentil foules alle, Andrighta-noonth'eseed-foulchosenhadde ! Theturteltrewe,and gunnehir to hemcalle And preyden hir to seyn the sothe sadde Of this matere, and asked what she radde. And sheanswf&de, that pleynly hir entente She wolde shewe, and sothly what she mente. s8i ' Nay, god forbede a lover shulde chaunge ! ' The turtel seyde, and wex for shame red ; ' Though' that • his lady ever more be straunge. Yet let him serven hir til he be deed. Forsothe I preyse noght the gooses reed, For though she "deyede I wol jion other make, I wol ben hires til that the deth me take ! ' ' Wei bourded,' qmod the doke, 'by my hatl , i That men shul loven alwey.i causeles, 590 Who can a resoun iynde, or wit in that ? Daunceth he mury that is myrtheles ? Who shulde recche of that is recoheles ? Ye, kek!' yit seyde the gos, ful wel and fayre, ' There been mo sterres, god wot, than a payre ! ' • Nowfy, cherl I'quodthegentil tercelet, ' Outof thedonghil comthatword ful right. Thou canst not see what thyng isw.el be-set ; Thow farest by love as oules doon by light, The day hem blent, but wel they sen by nyght ; fxx> Thy kynde is of so lowe a wrechednesse. That what love is thow canst nat see ne gesse.' Tho gan the cukkow put him forth in prees 574. Cp. 'A fool's bolt is soon shot,' .<4j You Like 7i. v. 4, 67, and Henry^ V. iiil 7, 132. 594. So Ha., except that it reads Za queke. For foul that eteth worm, and seyde blythe, ' So I,' quod he, ' may have my make in pees I recche nat how longe thiit ye stryve ; Lat ech of hem be soleyn al hir lyve ; This i? my reed, syn they may not acordCj This shorte lessoun n^deth not recorde.' ' Ye ! have the glotoun fild yrnogh his paunche, 610 Than are we wel,' seyde the merlioun ; ' Thow mordrer of the heysugge on the braunche Thatbroghte thee forth ! thou'[rewthelees] glotoun ! Live thou soleyn, wormes corrupcioun ! For no fors is of lakke of thy nature ! Go, lewed be thou, while the world may dure ! ' ' Now pees,' quod Nature, 'I comaunde here ! For I have herd al your opynyoun. And in effect yet be we never the nere ; But fynally, this my conclusioun,^ 620 That she-hir-self shal han the eleccioun Of whom hir list, who-so be wrooth or blythe, Him that she cheseth,' he shal hir han as swythe ; • For syn it may not here discussed be Who loveth hir best, as seyde the tercelet. Than wol I dpn hir this favour, that.she Shal han right him on whom hir herte is set, And he hir that his herte hath on hir knet. Thus juge I, Nature, for I may not lye To non estat, I have non othir ye. 630, ' But as for conseyl for to chese a make. If I were Resoun, certes than wolde I Conseyle yow the royal tercel take, As seyde the tercelet ful skylfuUy, ;, As for the gentilest and most worthy Which I have wrought so wel to my plesaunce That to yow oughte been a suffisaunce.' 613. Skeat's emendation for rewfitl of most MSS. Gg. reufiilles; P, r(rwtkfuU. 350 THE PARLEMENT OF FOULES 638-699 With dredful vois the formel hir answerde : ' Myn rightful lady, goddesse of Nature, Soth is that I am ever under your yerde, Like as is everich other creature, 6'«^'.'-^^Metrum i Allas ! I, wepynge, am confetreyned to bygynnen vers of sorwful matere, that whilom in florysschyng studie made de- litable ditees. For lo ! rendynge Muses of poetes enditen to me thynges to ben writen, and drery vers of wrecchidnesse weten my face with verray teres. At the leeste, no drede ne myghte overcomen tho Muses, that thai ne were felawes, and folwyden my wey (that is to seyn, whan I was exiled). They that weren. glorie of my youthe, whilom wele- ful' and grene, confof ten nowe the sorwful wyerdes of me, olde man. For eelde is comyn unwarly uppon me, hasted by the harmes that y have, and sorwe hath comandid his age to ben in me. [5] Heeris hore am schad over-tymeliche up-on myn heved, and the slakke skyn trembleth of mjrn emptid body. Thilke deth of men is weleful that ne comyth noght in yeeris that ben Swete, but Cometh to wrecches often yclepid. Allas ! alias 1 with how deef an ere deth, cruwel, turneth awey fro wrecches, and nayteth to closen wepynge eien. Whil fortune, unfeithful, favourede me with For the relation of MSS. see Introduction. Abbreviations^— Ci, Camb. Univ. Libr. li. i. 38 ; A2, Brit. Mus. Additional 16,165 ; H, Brit. Mus. Hftrleian 2421 ; Cx., Caxton's Ed. ; B., Bodleian Libr., Bodley 707 ; C2, Canib. Univ. Libr. li. 3. 21 ; Aj, Brit. Mus. Add. 10,340 ; Hn., the Hengwrt Fragment, MS. Peniarth 393 ; Com., the fragment of a commentary in £ocU, MS. Auct. F. 3- S ; Fr., Bibl. Nat. Fonds.Fran9. 1079, or French text in general ; L, Bibl, Nat. Fonds Lat. 18,^24 (French and Latin parallel text); Lat., Latin text of Obbarius, Jena 1843; Aq., the so-called Aquinas Commentary. 4. Tiiyerdes, 'fata.' lyghte goodes, the sorwful houre (that is to seyn, the deth) hadde almoost dreynt myn heved. But now, for fortune cloudy hath chaunged hir deceyvable chere to me ward, myn unpietous lif draweth along unagreable duellynges in me. [10] O ye, my frendes, what, or wher-to avaunted ye me to be weleful ? P'or he that hath fallen stood noght in stedefast degre. ' Hec dum mecum tacitus. ' — Prosa 1 In the mene while that I, stille, re- cordede these thynges with my-self, and merkid my weply compleynte with ofBce of poyntel, I sawe, stondynge aboven the heighte of myn heved, a womman of ful greet reverence by semblaunt, hir eien brennynge and cleer seynge over the comune myghte of men ; with a lifly colour and with swich vigourand strengthe that it ne myghte nat ben emptid, a! were it so that sche was ful of so greet age that men ne wolden not trowen in no manere that sche were of our elde. [15] The stature of hire was of a doutous jugement, for som-tyme sche constreyned and schronk hir-selven lik to the comune mesure of men, and som-tyme it semede that sche touchede hevene with the heighte of here heved ; and whan sche hef hir heved heyere, sche percede the selve hevene so that the sighte of men lokynge was in ydel. Hir clothes weren makid of right delye thredes and subtile craft, of perdurable matere, the whiche clothes sche hadde ' 10. vnpietoiis, 'impia.' Ci H Cx. Ag omit m f?te. II. what here, as often, is Chaucer's transla- tion of ' quid,' ' why.' ' 18. Supply * witli ' before svbtile. In the Latin tht heaute belongs to the next sentence, ' Quarura speciem," etc. 352 BOECE 19-41 woven with hir owene handes, as I knewe wel aftir by hir-selve declarynge and schewynge to me the beaute. The whiche clothes a derknesse of a for-leten and de- spised elde hadde duskid and dirked, as it is wont to dirken besmokede ymages. In the nethereste hem or bordure of thise clothes, men redden y-woven in a 6rek- issch P (that signifieth the lif actif) ; [20] and aboven that lettre, in the heieste bordure, a Grekyssh T (that signifieth the lif contemplatif). And bytwixen thise two lettres ther were seyn degrees nobly y-wrought in manere of laddres, by whiche degrees men myghten clymben fro the nethereste lettre to the uppereste. Natheles handes of some men hadden korve that cloth by violence and by strengthe, and everich man of hem hadde boren awey swiche peces as he myghte geten. And for sothe this forseide womman bar smale bokis in hir right hand, and in hir left hand sche bar a ceptre. And whan she saughe thise poetical Muses aprochen aboute my bed and enditynge wordes to my wepynges, sche was a litil amoeved, and glowede with cruel eighen. [25] 'Who,' quod sche, ' hath sufifred aprochen to this sike man thise comune strompettis of swich a place that men depen the theatre ; the whiche not oonly ne asswagen noght his sorwes with none remedies, but thei wolden fedyn and noryssen hym with sweete venym. For sothe thise ben tho that with thornes and prikkynges of talentes or affeccions, whiche that ne bien nothyng fructifyenge nor profitable, destroyen the come plenty vous of fruytes of resoun. For thei holden hertes of men in usage, but thei delyvre noght folk fro maladye. But yif ye muses hadden with-drawen fro me with youre 20, 21. P, T, {.e. UpaKTiK^, fdemptyrtKri, referring to tKe two divisions of philosophy. 23. Ci Ag H read or for first and. 27. Ci A2 read comes. 27. plentyvous ofjruytes, ' uberem fructibus.' 29. ' Hominum tnentes adsuefaciunt morbo, non Hberant.' But Chaucer has mistranslated, ' Tiennent les pensees' des hommes en costume et ne les delivrent pas de maladie.' flateries, any unkunnynge and unprofit- able man as men ben wont to fynde comonly among the peple, I wolde wene suffre the lasse grevosly ; [30] for-whi, in swych an unprofitable man, myne en- tentes weren nothyng endamaged. But ye with-drawen me this man, that hath ben noryssed in the studies or scoles of Eleaticis and of Achademycis in Grece. But goth now rather awey, ye mermay denes, whiche that ben swete til it be at the laste, and suffreth this man to be. cured and heeled by myne muses (that is to seyn, by noteful sciences). And thus this companye of Muses, I - blamed, casten wrothly the chere dounward to the erthe, and, schewing by rednesse hir schame, thei passeden sorwfuUy the thresschefolde. And I, of whom the sighte, ploungid in teeres, was dirked so that y ne myghte noght knowen what that womman was of so imperial auctorite, [35] I wax al abayssched and astoned, and caste my syghte doun to the erthe, and bygan, stille, for to abide what sche woolde doon aftirward. Tho com sche ner, and sette her doun uppon the uttereste corner of my bed ; and sche, byholdynge my chere that was cast to the erthe hevy and grevous of wepynge, compleynede, with thise wordis that I schal seyn, the perturbacion of my thought. ' ^eu quam precipiti mersa profundi). ' 1 Metrum 2 ' Alias how the thought of this man, dreynt in overthrowynge depnesse, duUeth and for-leteth his propre clemesse, mynt- ynge to gon in-to foreyne dirknesses as ofte as his anoyos bysynes waxeth with- oute mesure, that is dryven with werldly wyndes. This man, that whilom was fre, to whom the hevene was opyn and knowen, and was wont to gon in heven- liche pathes, [40] and saughe the lyght- nesse of the rede Sonne, and saughe the sterres of the coolde mone, and whiche sterre in hevene usethwandrynge recourses 39. C2 Al com. dryven to and fro. M 3S3 42-68 BOECE I-flyt by diverse speeris, this man, over- comere, hadde comprehendid al this by nombres (of acontynge in astronomye). And, over this, he was wont to seken the causes whennes the sounynge wyndes moeven and bysien the smothe watir of the see ; and vi'hat spirit turneth the stable hevene ; and why the sterre ariseth out of the rede est, to fallen in the westrene wawes ; and what attemprith the lusty houres of the firste somer sesoun, that highteth and apparaileth the erthe with rosene floures ; [45] and who maketh that plentyvous autumpne in fulle yeris fletith with hevy grapes. And eek this man was wont to tellen the diverse causes of nature that weren yhidde. Alias ! now lyth he emptid of lyght of his thoght, and his nekke is pressyd with hevy cheynes, and bereth his chere enclyned adoun for the grete weyghte, and is con- streyned to loken on the fool erthe ! ' Set medicine inquit temfus.' — Prosa 2 ' But tyme is how,' quod sche, ' of medicyne more than of compleynte.' Forsothe thanne sche, entendynge to me ward with al the lookynge of hir eien, seyde : — [50] ' Art nat thou he,' quod sche, ' that whilom, norissched with my melk and fostred withmynemetes, were escaped and comyn in-to corage of a parfit man, Certes I yaf the swiche armures that, yif thou thi-selve ne haddest first cast hem a-wey, they schulden han defended the in sekernesse that mai nat ben overcomyn. Knowestow me nat ? Why arttow stille? Is it for schame or for astonynge? It were me levere that it were for schame, but it semeth me that astonynge hath oppresside the.' [55] And whan she say me nat oonly stille, but withouten office of tunge and al dowmbe, sche leyde hir hand sooftly uppon my breest, and seide ; 42. I-Jlyt by diverse speeris^ ' flexa, i.e. mola, per varlos orbes,' refers to the ancient theory of direct and retrograde planetary motions ; cp. As/r. II. concl. 35. 49. Ci A2 H Cx. B Al read _/hul erthe; Lat. ' stolidam terram ' ; Fr. la fole terre.' ' Here nys no peril,' quod sche, ' he is fallen in-to a litargye, whiche that is a comune seknesse to hertes that been desceyved. He hath a litil foryeten hym-selve, but certes he schal lightly remembren hymself, yif it so be that he hath knowen me or now ; and that he mayso doon, I will wipe a litil his eien that ben dirked by the cloude of mor- tel thynges.' [60] Thise woordes seide sche, and with the lappa of hir garne- ment, yplited in a frownce, sche dryede myn eien, that weren fulle of the wawes of my wepynges. ' Tunc me discussa.' — Metrum 3 Thus, whan that nyght was discussed and chased a-wey, dirknesses forleten me, and to myn eien repeyred ayen hir firste strengthe. And ryght by ensaumple as the Sonne is hydd vphan the sterres ben clustred (that is to seyn, when sterres ben covered with cloudes) by a swyft wynd that hyghte Chorus, and that the firmament stant dirked with wete plowngy cloudes, and that the sterres nat apeeren upon hevene, so that the nyght semeth sprad upon erthe : yif thanne the wynde that hyghte Boreas, I-sent out of the kaves of the cuntre of Trace, betith this nyght (that is to seyn, chaseth it a-wey), [6s] and discovereth the closed day; thanne schyneth Phebus I-schaken with sodeyn light, and smyteth with his beemes in merveylynge eien. 'Haul aliter tristicie.' — Prosa 3 Ryght so, and noon other wise, the cloudes of sorwe dissolved and doon a-wey, I took hevene, and resceyved mynde to knowe the face of my fisycien ; so that I sette myne eieri on hir and fastned my lookynge. I byholde my noryce, Philosophie, in whoos houses I 63. sterres ben clustred^ literal rendering of 'sidera glomerantur.' 68. / took Hellene, Fr. ' ie pris le ciel,' a literal' translation of * hausi ccelum ' (1 looked up). 354 BOECE 69-92 hadde conversed and hauntyd fro my youthe ; and I seide thus : ' O thou maystresse of alle vertues, descended from the sovereyne sete, whi arttow comen in-to this solitarie place of myn exil? Artow comen for thou art maad coupable with me of false blames ? ' [70] ' O ! ' quod sche, ' my nory, schulde I forsake the now, and schulde I nat parten with the, by comune travaile, the charge that thow hast suffred for envye of my name ? Certes it nere nat leveful ne syttynge thyng to philosophic, to leten with-outen companye the weye of hym that is innocent. Schulde I thanne redowte my blame, and agrysen as though ther were by-fallen a newe thyng ? For trowestow that philosophic be now alder- ferst assailed in periles by folk of wykkide maneris? Have I noght stryven with ful greet strif in olde tyme, byfor the age of my Plato, ayens the foolhardynesse of folye? [75] And eek, the same Plato lyvynge, his mayster Socrates desserved victorie of unryghtful deth in my presence. The heritage of the whiche Socrates (the heritJ^e is to seyn, the doctryne of the whiche Socrates in his opinyoun of felicite, that I clepe welefulnesse) whan that the peple of Epycuriensand Stoyciens and many othre enforceden hem to gon ravyssche everyche man for his part (that is to seyn that everych of hem •wolde drawen to the deffense of his opinyoun the wordes of Socrates), they as in partye of hir preye to-drowen me, cryinge and debatyng ther ayens, and korven and to-rente my clothes that I hadde woven with myn handes ; and with the cloutes that thei hadden arased out of my clothes, thei wenten a-wey wenynge that I hadde goo with hem every del. [80] In whiche Epycuriens and Stoyciens for as myche as ther semede some traces or steppes of myn abyte, the folie of men wenynge tho Epycuryens and Stoyciens my familiers pervertede some thurw the errour of the wikkide or unkunnynge multitude of hem. (This is to seyn, that, for they semeden philoso- phres, thei weren pursued to the deth and slayn.) So yif thou ne hast noght kriowen the exilynge of Anaxogore, ne the enpoisonynge of Socrates, ne the turmentes of Zeno, for they weren straungiers, yit myghtestow han knowen the Seneciens, and the Canyos, and the Soranas, of whiche folk the renoun is neyther over-oold ne unsoUempne. [8s] The whiche men . no thyng elles broght hem to the deeth, but oonly for thei weren enformyd of myne maneris, and semyde moost unlyk to the studies of wykkid folk. And for-thi thou ought- est noght to wondren thoughe that I, in the byttere see of this lif, be fordryven with tempestes blowynge aboute. In the whiche this is my moste purpoos, that is to seyn to displesen to wikkide men. Of whiche schrewes al be the oost nevere so greet, it is to despise ; for it nys nat governyd with no lec^ere (of resoun), but it is ravyssched oonly by fleetynge errour folyly and lightly ; and yif they som-tyme, makynge an oost ayens us, assayle us as strengere, our ledere draweth to-gidre his richesses in-to his tour, and they ben ententyf aboute sar- pleris or sachelis, unprofitable for to taken. [90] But we that ben heighe aboye, syker fro alle tumolte and wood noyse, warnstoryd and enclosed in swiche a paleys whider as that chaterynge or anoyinge folye ne may nat atayne, we scome swyche ravyneres and henteres of fouleste thynges. ' Quisquis camfiosiio.'^-MelrMm 4 Who-so it be that is cleer of vertue, sad and wel ordynat of lyvynge, that hath put under fote the proude weerdes and loketh, up -right, up -on either, fortune, he may holden his chere undesconfited. 84. Anaxogore, like Canyos {sj^^ Soranas?) below, owes its form to the Latin text. 85. Me Seneciens, etc., i.e. men like Seneca, Canius, and Soranus. Seneciens is probably due to Fr. ' Senecciens.' 92. deer of vertue, ' serenus ' glossed ' clarus virtute.' 355 93-114 BOECB The rage ne the manaces of the see, commoevynge or chasynge upward hete fro the botme, ne schal nat moeve that man. Ne the unstable mowntaigne that highte Visevus, that writhith out thurw his brokene chemeneyes smokynge fieres, ne the wey of thoiider leit, that is wont to smyten hye toures, ne schal nat moeve that man. Whar-to thanne, o wrecches, drede ye tirauntes that ben wode and felenous withouten ony strengthe? [95] Hope aftir no thyng, ne drede nat ; and so schaltow desarmen the ire of thilke unmyghty tiraunt. But who so that, qwakynge, dredeth or desireth thyng that nys noght stable of his ryght, that man that so dooth hath cast awey his scheeld, and is remoeyed from his place, and enlaceth hym in the cheyne with whiche he mai ben drawen. 'Sentis ne inquit.' — Prosa 4 ' Felistow, ' quod sche, ' thise thypges, and entren thei aughte in thy corage ? Artow like an asse to the harpe ? Why wepistow, why spillestow teeris? Yif thou abidest after helpe of thi leche, the byhoveth discovre thy wownde.' Tho I, that hadde gaderyd strengthe in my corage, answeride and jsejde : ' And nedeth it yit,' quod I, ' of rehers- ynge or of ammonicioun? [100] And scheweth it nat y-noghe by hym-selve the sharpnesse of fortune, that waxeth wood ayens me ? Ne moeveth it nat the to seen the face or the manere of this place ? Is this the librarye whiche that thou haddest chosen for a ryght certein sege to the in myn hous, there as thow disputedest ofte with me of the sciences . of thynges touchynge dyvinyte and man- kynde ? Was thanne myn habit swiche as it is now ? Was my face or my chere swyche as now whan I soghte with the 93. keiCt ' Eestum,' which means * surge ' here ; cp. 255. 97. his, its. Chaucer follows _L. , ' estahles tet Fr.] de son droit,' not Lat. 'stabilis suique iuris.' g8. tm asse' to the harfie, the Greek proverb oi/os KvptK, through Lat. 'asinus ad lyram.' the secretis of nature, whan thow en- formedest my maneris and the resoun of al my lif to the ensaumple of the ordre of hevene ? Is noght this the gerdouns that I referre to the, to whom I have ben obeisaunt ? [105] Certes thou confermedest by the mouth of Plato this sentence, that is to seyne that comune thynges or comunalites weren blisful yif they that hadden studied al fully to wysdom governeden thilke thynges ; or elles yif it so befiUe that the governours of comunalites studieden to geten wysdom. Thou seidest eek by the mouth of the same Plato that it was a necessarie cause wise men to taken and desire the governance of comune thynges, for that the governementz of cites,- 1- lefte in the handes of felonous turmentours citezeens, ne schulde noght bryngen in pestilence and destruccioun to good folk. And therfore I, folwynge thilke auctorite, desired to putten forth in exe- cucion and in acte of comune administra- cioun thilke thynges that I hadde lernyd of the among my secre restyng-whiles. [no] Thow and god, that putte the in the thoughtes of wise, folk, ben knowynge with me that no thyng ne- brought me to maistrie or dignyte but the comune studie of alle goodnesse. And therof cometh it that bytwixen wikkid folk and me han ben grevous discordes, that ne myghte nat ben relessed by preyeris ; for this liberte hath fredom of conscience, that the wraththe of more myghty folk hath alwey ben despised of me for savacioun of right. How ofte have I resisted and withstonden thilke man that highte Conigaste, that made alwey assawtes ayens the prospere fortunes of pore feble folk ! How ofte eek have I put of or cast out hym Trygwille, provost of the kyngis hous, bothe of the wronges that log. Is noffht thi&, etc., ' Hseccine priemia referimus tibi ? ' loi. wise uten, etc., gerundive idiom, i.e, ' for wise,' etc. 111. den knowynge, etc., 'mihi conscii,' but Fr. * consachables avecques moi.' 112. /or this, etc., should be and,/or this, etq. 3S6 BOECE 115-136 he hadde bygunne to doon, and ek- fully performed ! [115] How ofte have I covered and defended by the auctorite of me put ayens perils (that is to seyn, put myn auctorite in peril for) the wrecche pore folk, that the covetise of straungiers unpunyschid tormentyde al- wey with myseses and grevances out of nombre ! Nevere man ne drow rae yit fro right to wrong. Whan I say the fortunes and the richesses of the peple of the provinces ben harmed or amanuced outher be pryve rauynes or by comune tributes or cariages, as sory was I as they that suffriden the harm. (Glosa. Whan that Theoderic, the kyng of Gothes, in a dere yeer, hadde his gemeeris ful of corn, and comaundede that no man schulde byen no coom til his com were soold, and that at grevous dere prys, Boece with-stood that ordenaunce and overcome it, knowynge al this the kyng hym-selve. [120] Coempcioun is to seyn comune achat or beyinge to-gidre, that were establissed up-on the peple by swiche a manere imposicioun, as whoso boughte a busschel come, he most yyve the kyng the fyfte part.) Textus. Whan it was in the sowre hungry tyme, ther was establissed or cryed grevous and unpl it- able coempcioun, that men sayen wel it schulde gretly tormenten and endamagen al the provynce of Campayne, I took stryf ayens the provost of the pretorie for comune profit ; and, the kyng knowynge of it, overcom it, so that the coempcioun ne was nat axid ne took effect. Paulyn, a conseiller of Rome, the richesses of the whiche Paulyn the howndes of the paleys (that is to seyn the ofiSceres) wolden han devoured by hope and covetyse, yit drowe I hym out of the jowes of hem that gapeden. And for as moche as the pejme of the accusacioun ajugid byfom ne schulde noght sodeynli henten ne punyssche wrongfully Albyn, a conseiller 116. Ci Cx. E C2 read tonnentyden. 119, 120 refer to what precedes, 121 to what follows. of Rome, I putte me ayens the hates and indignacions of the accusour Cyprian. [125] Is it not thanne I-noghe sene, that I have purchaced gvete discordes ayens my-self? But I oughte be the more asseured ayens alle othere folk, that, for the love of rightwisnesse, I ne reservede nevere no thyng to my selve to hem ward of the kyngis halle, by whiche I were the more syker. But thurw the sam£ accusours accusynge I am condempned. Of the nombre of whiche accusours, oon Basilius, that whilom was chased out of the kyngis servyse, is now compelled in accusynge of my name for nede of foreyne moneye. Also Opilion and Gaudencius han accused me, al be it so that the justise regal hadde whilom demed hem bothe to gon in-to exil for hir trecheries and frawdes withouten nombre, [130] to whiche juggement they nolden nat obeye, but defendeden hem by the sikernesse of holi houses (that is to seyn, fledden into seynte warie) ; and whan this was aper- ceyved to the kyng, he comandide that, but they voydide the cite of Ravenne by certeyn day assigned, that men scholde marken hem in the forheved with an hoot iren and chasen hem out of towne. Now what thyng semyth myghte ben likned to this cruelte? Forcertes thilke same day was resceyved the accusynge of myu name by thilke same accusours. What may ben seyd her-to ? Hath my studie and my kunnynge disserved thus ? Or elles the forseyde dampnacioun of me — made that hem ryghtfulle accusours or no? Was noght fortune aschamed of this? [135] Certes, al hadde noght for- tune ben aschamed that innocence was accused, yit oughte sche han hadde schame of the fylthe of myn accusours. But axestow in somme of what gylt I am 127. io hem ivard is due to a mistranslation of ' vers ' in ' vers ceus du paliz roial ' ; Lat. ' apud auHcos.' i2g. /ornede, etc., 'alieni aeris necessitate.' 132. C2 Ci A3 Cx. B of the town. 133. A2 Al seemeth the; B see^eih you ; likned should be 'added,' 'posse adstrui.' Chaucer has understood Fr. 'pareille,' p. part, of 'pareiller^ (adstruere), as that oipareiller, ' to liken.' 357 I37-IS7 SOECE SOOK I accused ? Men seyn that I wolde saven the companye of the senatours. And desirestow to heren in what manere ? I am accused that I schulde ban disturbed the accusour to beren lettres, by whiche he scholde han maked the senatours gylty ayens the kynges real maieste. O Maystresse, what demestow of this? Schal I forsake this blame, that y ne be no schame.to the ? Certes I have wolde it (that is to seyn the savacioun of the senat), ne schal I nevere letten to wilne it ; and that I confesse and am aknowe ; but the entente of the accusour to ben distorbed schal cese. [140] For shal I clepe it thanne a felonye or a synne, that I have desired the savacioun of the ordre of the senat ? And certes yit ■ hadde thilke same senat don by me thurw hir decretes and hir jugementes as thoughe it were a synne and a felonye (that is to seyn, to wilne the savacioun of hem). But folye, that lyeth alwey to hym-selve, may noght chaunge the merite of thynges, ne I trowe nat by the jugement of Socrates, that it were leveful to me to hide the sothe, tie assente to lesynges. But certes, how so evere it be of this, I putte it to gessen or prisen to the juge- ment of the and of wys folk. Of whiche thyng all the ordenaunce and the Sothe, for as moche as folk that been to comen aftir our dayes schullen knowen it, I have put it in scripture and in remembraunce. [14s] , For touchynge the lettres falsly maked by whiche lettres I am accused to han hoped the fredom of Rome, what aperteneth me to speken ther-of? Of whiche lettres the fraude hadde ben schewed apertely, yif I hadde had liberte for to han used and ben at the confessioun of myn accusours, the whiche thyng in alle nedes hath greet strengthe. For what other fredom mai men hopen ? Certes I wolde that som other fredom myghte ben hoped ; I wolde thanne han answeryd 140. and that I confesse, etc., should be Ska.1 I confesse 1 ' Fatejaimur ? ' 147. in alle nedes, * omiiibus negotiis,' 'en toutez besomgne.s.' Chaucer read 'besoignes' (besognes) as hesoings (besoins). by the wordys of a man that hyghte Canyus. For whan he was accused by- fore Gains Cesar, Germaynes sone, that he was knowynge and consentynge of a coniuracioun ymaked ayens hym, this Canyus answeride thus: "Yif I hadde wyst it, thou haddest noght wyst it." In whiche thyng sorwe hath noght so duUid my wyt, that I pleyne oonly that schrewed folk apparailen felonyes ayens vertu ; but I wondre gretly how that thei may performe thynges that thei han hoped for to doon. [iso] For-why to wylne schrewydnesse — that cometh per- aventure of our defaute ; but it is lyk a monstre and a merveyle, how that, in the presente sight of god, may ben acheved and performed swiche thynges as every felonous man hath conceyved in his thoght ayens innocentes. For whiche thynge oon of thy familiers noght unskil- fully axed thus: "Yif god is, whennes comen wikkide thyngis ? And yif god ne is, whennes comen gode thynges?" But al hadde it ben leveful that felonous folk, that now desiren the blood and the deeth of alle gode men and ek of al the senat, han wilned to gon destroyen me, whom they han seyn alwey bataylen and defenden gode men and eek al the senat, yit hadde I nought disservyd of the faderes (that is to seyn, of the senatours) that they schulden wilne my destruccioun. Thow remembrest wel, as I gesse, that whan I wolde doon or seyn any thyng, thow thi-selve alwey present reuledest me. [15s] Atte cite of Verone, whan that the kyng, gredy of comune slaughtre, caste hym to transporten up-on al the ordre of the senat the gilt of his real maieste, of whiche gilt that Albyn was accused, with how gret sykernesse of peril to me defended I al the senat ! Thow woost wel that I sey sooth, ne I ne avawntede me nevere in preysynge of my-selve. For al\yey whan any wyght 153- io gon destroyett, * perditum ire,' ' aler destruire.' 156. the gilt, etc., 'maiestatis crimen,' 'le blasme de la royal maieste.' 358 BOECE 158-176 resceyveth precious renoun in avauntynge hym-selve of his werkes, he amenuseth the secre of his conscience. But now thow mayst wel seen to what eende I am comen for myn innocence ; I resceyve peyne of fals felonye for guerdoun of verrai vertue. And what opene con- fessioun of felonye hadde evei'e juges so accordaunt in cruelte (that is to seyn, as myn accusynge hath) that either errour of mannys wit, or elles condicion of fortune, that is uncerteyn to alle mortel folic, ne submyttede some of hem (that is to seyn, that it ne enclynede some juge to have pite or compassioun)? [160] For al-thoughe I hadde ben accused that I wolde brenne holi houses and straungle preestis with wykkid sweerd, or that I hadde greythed deth to alle gode men, algates the sentence scholdehanpunysshed me present, confessed or convict. But now I am remuwed fro the cite of Rome almest fyve hundred thowsand paas, I am withoutedeffensedampnyd to proscripcion and to the deth for the studie and bountes that I have doon to the senat. But O wel ben thei wurthy of meryte ! (As who seith, nay.) Ther myghte nevere yit noon of hem ben convicte of swiche a blame as myn is. Of whiche trespas inyne accusours sayen ful wel the dignete ; the whiche dygnyte, for thei wolden derken it with medlynge of some felonye, they bare me on hande and lieden that I hadde poUut and defouled my con- science with sacrilegie for covetise of dignyte. And certes thou thi-selve, that art plaunted in me, chacedest out of the sege of my corage alle covetise of mortel thynges, ne sacrilege hadde no leve to han a place in me byforn thyne eien. [165] For thow droppiddest every day in myn eris and in my thought thilke comaunde- ment of Pittagoras; that is to seyn men schal serven to god, and noght to goddes. 157. the secre, etc, *se probands conscientia: secretam {sc. pretium).' The same mistake occurs in Fr. 164. For lieden H Cx. read seyden, B seyden corrected in same hand from leyden. Ne it was noght convenient ne no nede to taken help of the fouleste si^irites — I, that thow hast ordeyned and set in swiche excellence, that than makedest me lyk to god. And over this, the right clene secre chaumbre of myn hous (that is to seyn my wif), and the companye of myne honeste freendes, and my wyves fadir, as wel holi as worthy to ben reverenced thurw his owene dedes, defenden me fro alle suspecioun of swiche blame. But O malice ! For they that accusen me taken of the, philosophic, feith of so greet blame, for they trowen that I have had affinyte to malefice or enchauntement, bycause that I am replenysshid and fultild with thy techynges, and enformed of thi maneris. And thus it sufiflseth nat oonly that thi reverence ne avayle me nat, but that thow of thy free wil rather be blemessched with myne offencioun. [170] But certes to the harmes that I have ther bytideth yit this encrees of harm, that the gessynge and the jugement of moche folk loken no thyng to the desertes of thynges, but oonly to the aventure of fortune ; and jugen that oonly swiche thynges ben purveied of god, whiche that temporel welefulnesse commendeth. (Glose. As thus : that yif a wyght have prosperite, he is a good man and worthy to- han that prosperite ; and who-so hath adversite, he is a wikkid man, and god hath forsake hym, and he is worthy to han that adversite. This is the opinyoun of some folk.) Textus. And ther -of cometh that good gessynge, first of alle thynge, forsaketh wrecches. Certes it greveth me to thynke ryght now the diverse sentences that the peple seith of me. [175] And thus moche I seie, that the laste charge of contrarious fortune is this : 167. For vjas Ci Ag H B read is ; Cg omits. 168. the right dene, etc., ' penetral innocens domus,' i.e. ' my unblemished private life.' Cliau- cer translates a gloss, ' uxor.' 170.: of thy free ivU^ * ultro,' i.e. ' for thy part ' ; but Fr. 'de ton gre.' 171. bytideth. Chaucer has read ' accedit ' as ' accidit.' 359 I76-I9S BOECE BOOK I that whan that eny blame is leid upon a caytif, men wenen that he hath desservyd that he suffreth. And I, that am put a-wey fro gpde men, aijd despoyled of dignytes, and defouled of myn name by gessynge, have suffride torment for my gode dedes. Certes me semyth that I se the felonous covynes of wykkid men habounden in joye and in gladnesse ; and I se that every lorel schapeth hym to fynde out newe fraudes for to accuse good folk ; and I se that goode men ben overthrowen for drede of my peril, and every luxurious turmentour dar doon alle felonye unpunysschyd, and ben excited ther-to by yiftes ; and innocentes ne ben noght oonly despoiled of sikernesse, but of defence ; and ther-fore me lyst to crie to god in this manere : ' [i8o] ' stelliferi conditor orbis. ' — Metrum 5 ' O thow makere of the wheel that bereth the sterres, whiche that art festnyd to thi perdurable chayer, and turnest the hevene with a ravysschynge sweighe, and constreynest the sterres to suffren thi lawe ; so that the moone som-tyme, schynynge with hir fuUe homes metynge with alle the beemes of the sonne hir brothir, .hideth the sterres that ben lasse, and som-tyme, whan the moone pale with hir derke homes aprocheth the Sonne, leeseth hir lyghtes ; and that the eve sterre, Hesperus, whiche that in ^ the first tyme of the nyght bryngeth forth hir colde arysynges, Cometh eft ayen hir used cours, and is pale by the morwe at rysynge of the sonne, and is thanne clepid Lucyfer ! Thow re- streynest the day by schortere duellynge jn the tyme of coold wynter, that maketh the leeves falle. Thow devydest the swyfle tydes of the nyght, whan the 181. vjheeli etc., * stelliferi orbis,' 'la roe qui porte les estoiles.' iZ\, /est»yd, 'nexus' variant of Lat. text for nixtts. 183. Cometh eft^ etc., i.e, returns in the op- posite direction. bote somer is comen. [185] Thy myghte attempreth the variauntes sesouns of the yer, so that Zephirus, the debonere wynd, bryngeth ayen in the first somer sesoun the leeves that the wynd that hyghte Boreas hath reft awey in autumpne (that is to seie, the laste ende of somer) ; and the seedes that the sterre that highte Aucturus saugh, ben waxen heye cornes whan the sterre Syrius eschaufeth hem. Ther nys no thyng unbounde from his olde lawe, ne for- leteth the werk of his propre estat. governour, governynge alle thynges by certein ende, whi refusestow oonly to governe the werkes of men by duwe manere ? Why suffrestow that slydynge fortune turneth so grete enterchaungynges of thyiiges ; so that anoyous peyne, that scholde duweliehe punysche felons, punysscheth innocentes ? [190] And folk of wikkide maneres sitten in heie chayeres ; and anoyinge folk treden, and that unrightfully, on the nekkes of holi men j and vertue, cleer and schynynge naturely, is hidde in derke derknesses ; and the rightful man bereth the blame and the peyne of the feloun ; ne the for-swerynge, ne the fraude covered and kembd with a false colour, ne anoieth nat to schrewes ? The whiche schrewes, whan hem list to usen hir strengthe, they reioyssen hem to putten undir hem the sovereyne kynges, whiche the peple withowten nombre dreden, O thou, what so evere thou be that knyttest alle boondes of thynges, loke on thise wrecchide erthes. We men, that ben noght a foul partie, but a fair partie of so greet a werk, we ben turmented in this see of fortune. Thow governour withdraughe and restreyne the ravysschynge flodes, and fastne and ferme ' thise erthes stable with thilke boond by whiche thou governest the hevene that is so large.' [19s] 186. C2 Ao H B in the laste ende. 187. "^or saugk, 'vidit,' Hn. reads sevigh^ Cx. sewBt B sovjyn. 189. slydynge fortune, ' lubrica fortuna.' 360 BOBCE 196-214 ' Hec ubi continuato dolore delatraui.' — Prosa 5 Whan I hadde, with a contynuel sorwe, sobbyd or borken out thise thynges, sche, with hir cheere pesibje and no thyng amoeved with my cotn- pleyntes, seide thus : ' Whan I saugh the,' quod sche, 'sorwful and wepynge, I wiste anoon that thow were a wrecche and exiled ; but I wyste nevere how fer thyn exil was yif thy tale ne hadde schewid it me. But certes, al be thow fer fro thy cuntre, thou nart nat put out of it, but thow hast fayled of thi weye and gon a-mys. And yif thou hast levere for to wene that thow be put out of thy cuntre, thanne hastow put out thy-selve rather than ony other .wyght hath. For no wyght but thy-selve. myghte nevere han doon that to the. [200] For yif thow remepibre of what cuntre thow art born, it nys nat governed by emperoures, ne by gouvernement of multitude, as weren the cuntrees of hem of Atthenes; but o lord and o kyng, and that is god, is lord of thi cuntre, whiche that reioisseth hym, of the duellynge of his citezeens, and nat for to putten hem in exil ; of the whiche lord it is a sovereyn fredom to ben governed by the brydel of hym and obeye to his justice. Hastow foryeten thilke ryghte oolde lawe of thi citee, in the whiche cite it is ordeyned and establysschid, that what wyght that hath levere founden ther-in his sete or his hous than elles where, he may nat ben exiled by no ryght fro that place ? For who-so that is contened in-with the palays and the clos of thilke cite, ther nys no drede that he mai deserve to ben exiled ; but who that leteth the wil for to enhabyten there, he for-leteth also to deserve to ben citezen of thilke cite. [205] So that 196. Borken, ' delatravi ' ; Ai Ag H Cx. read broken ; B spoken. 201. em^ieroures is due to the Fr. trans, of 'imperio,* *par empire ne par commandement.' 202. MSS. that is lorcUB Ae is lord). lot,. C\ A2 H Cx. Al Hn. omit and tfie clos. I seie that the face of this place ne moeveth me noght as mochel as thyn owene face, ne I ne axe nat rather the walles of thy librarye, apparayled and wrought with yvoiy and with glas, than after the sete of thi thought, in whiche I put noght Vhilom bookes, but I putte that that maketh bokes wurthy of prys or precyous, that is to seyn the sentence of liiy bookes. And certeynly of thy dessertes bystowed in comune good thow hast seyd soth, but after the multitude of thy gode dedes thou hast seyd fewe. And of the honestete or of the falsnesse of thynges that ben opposed ayens the, thow hast remembred thynges that ben knowen to alle folk. And of the felonyes apd fraudes of thyn accusours, it semeth the have touched it for sothe ryghtfully and schortly, al myghten tho same thynges betere and more plentevously ben couth in the mouth of the peple that knoweth all this. [210] Thow hast eek blamed gretly and compleyned of the wrongful dede of the senat, and thow hast sorwyd for my blame, and thow hast wepen for the damage of thi renoun that is apayred ; and thi laste sorwe eschaufede ayens fortune and compleyndest that guerdouns ne ben nat eveneliche yolden to the dessertes of folk. And in the lattre eende of thy wode muse, thow preydest that thilke pees that governeth the hevene schulde governe the erthe. But for that many tribulacions of affeccions han assailed the, and sorwe and ire and wepynge to-drawen the diversely, as thou art now feble of thought, myghtyere remedies ne schullen noght yit touchen the. For wyche we wol usen somdel lyghtere medicynfesj so that thilke passiouns that ben waxen hard in swellynge by perturbacions flowynge in to thy thought, mowen waxen esy and, softe to resceyven the 208. dessertes, etc. , ' de tuis in commune bonum meritis.' 212. compleyndest, subject omitted as often; cp. 49, ' hereih, ' N « 361 2I5-23S BOECE strengthe of a more myghty and more egre medicyne, by an esyere touch- ynge. [215] ' Cum Phebi radiis grave Cancri sidus inestuat.' — Metrum 6 Whan that the hevy sterre of the Cancre eschaufeth by the hemes of Phebus (that is to seyn, whan that Phebus the sonne is in the sygne of the Cancre), who-so yeveth thanne largely his seedes to the feeldes that refusen to resceyven hem, lat hym gon, be-giled of trust that he hadde to his corn, to accornes of okes. Yif thow wolt gadere vyoUetes, ne go thow nat to the purpre wode whan the feeld, chirkynge, agryseth of cold by the felnesse of the wind that hyghte Aquilon. Yif thou desirest or wolt usen grapes, ne seek thou nat with a glotonous hand to streyne and presse the stalkes of the vyne in the first somer sesoun ; for Bachus, the god of wyn, hath rather yyven his yiftes to autumpne (the lattere ende of somer). God tokneth and assigneth the tymes, ablynge hem to hir propre office, ne he ne suffreth nat the stowndes whiche that hym-self hath devyded and constreyned to ben I- medled to-gidre. [220] And for -thy he that forleteth certein ordenaunce of doynge by overthrowynge wey, he hath no glad issue or ende of his werkes. ' Primum igitur paterisne me pauculis 'bus,^ — Prosa 6 First wiltow suffre me to touche and assaye the staat of thi thought by a fewe demaundes, so that I may understande what be the manere of thi curacioun ? ' ' Axe me,' quod I, ' at thi wille what thou wolt, and I schal answere.' Tho seyde sche thus: 'Whethir wenestow,' quod sche, ' that this world be governed by foolyssche happes and fortunows, or elles wenestow that ther be inne it ony gouvernement of resoun ? ' 216. heiiy sterre, 'grave Cancri sidus.' 221. by overthrowynge wey, ' prEecipiti via. 'Certes,' quod I, ' I ne trowe nat in no manere thatsocerteyn thyngesschulden be moeved by fortunows [folie] ; [22s] but I woot wel that god, makere and maister, is governour of his werk, ne nevere nas yit day that myghte putte me out of the sothnesse of that sentence.' ' So it is,' quod sche, ' for the same thyng songe thow a litil here by-forn, and by-wayledest and by-weptest, that oonly men weren put out of the cure of god ; for of alle othere thynges thou ne doutedest the nat that they nere governed by resoun. But owgh I wondre gretly, certes, whi that thou art sik, syn that thow art put in so holsome a sentence : but lat us seken deppere ; I coniecte that ther lakketh y not what. But sey me this : syn that thow ne doutest noght that this world be governed by god, with whiche govemayles takestow heede that it is governed? ' ' Unnethes,' quod I, ' knowe I the sentence of thy questioun, so that I ne may nat yit answeren to thy demandes.' [230] ' I nas nat desseyved,' quod sche, ' that ther nefaileth som-what, by whiche the maladye of perturbacion is crept in to thi thought, so as [thorw] the strengthe of the palys chynynge [and] open. But sey me this : remembrestow what is the ende of thynges, and whider that the entencion of alle kende tendeth ?' ' I have herd tolde it som-tyme,' quod I, ' but drerynesse hath dulled my mem- orie.' 'Certes,' quod sche, 'thou wost wel whennes that alle thynges bien comen and proceded ? ' ' I woot wel,' quod I, and answerede that god is bygynnynge of al. [235] 225. Instead of folic all MSS. read /orfuiii. But Lat.^ 'fortuita temeritate' and Fr. *fo^ tunele folie ' point to /ifiie as the word Chaucer used. 228. owgk, 'papae.' 229. y not what, ' nescio quid ' ; L. ' ie ne see quoi.' 231. so as, etc., 'velut hianti valli robore ' ; the MSS. omit thortv ajid read is openinsttaioVamt open. The correction, justified by the Lat. and Fr. versions, is necessary to the sense. 368 BOECE 236-257 'And how may this be,' quod sche, ' that, syn thow knowesf the bygynnynge . of thynges, that thow he knowest nat what is the eende of thynges? But swiche ben the customes of perturba- ciouns, and this power they han, that they mai moeve a man from his place (that is to seyn, fro the stabelnesse and perfeccion of his knowynge) ; but certes, the! mai nat al arrace hym, ne aliene hym in al. But I wolde that thou wold- est answere to this : Remembrestow that thow art a man ? ' ' Whi schulde I nat remembren that?' quod I. ' Maystow noght telle me thanne,' quod sche, ' what thyng is a man ? ' ' Axestow me nat,' quod I, ' whethir that I be a resonable mortel beste ? I wool wel, and I confesse wel that I am it.' [=40] ' Wystestow nevere yit that thow were ony othir thyng ? ' quod sche. ' No,' quod I. 'Now woot I,' quod sche, 'other cause of thi maladye, and that ryght greet : thow hast left for -to knowen thy-selve what thou art. Thurw whiche I have playnly fownde the cause of thi maladye, or elles the entree of recover- ynge of thyn hele. For-why, for thow art confunded with foryetynge of thi-self, for-thi sorwestow that thow art exiled fro thy propre goodes ; and for thow ne woost what is the eende of thynges, for- thy demestow that felouns and wikkide men ben myghty and weleful ; [245] and for thow hast foryeten by whiche governe- mentes the werld is governed, for -thy weenestow that thise mutacions of for- tunes fleten withouten governour. Thise ben grate causes, noght oonly to maladye, but certes gret causes to deth. But I thanke the auctour and the makere of hele, that nature hath nat al forleten the. 243. Thurw whiche^ etc., 'quare plcnissime . . . inveni ' ; Fr. ' par quoy (for pourquoi) ie ai plaincment (i.e. pleinement, mistaken by Chaucer for O.Y. plainentent, ouvcrtement) trolivee,' etc. 246. fortunes^ * fortunarum ' ; found only in Ci Cx. ; othersy(jri7^ne^ I have gret noryssynge of thy hele, and that is, the sothe sentence of governance of the world, that thou by-levest that the governynge of it is nat subgit ne underput to the folye of thise happes aventurous, but to the resoun of god. And ther-fore doute the nothings for of this litel spark thine heet of lijf schal shine. But for as moche as it is nat tyme yet of fastere remedies, and the nature of thoughtes desceyved is this, that, as ofte as they casten awey sothe opynyouns, they clothen hem in false opynyouns, [250] of the whiche false opynyouns the derknesse of perturbacion waxeth up, that confowndeth the verray insyghte — that derknesse schal I assaie som-what to maken thynne and wayk by lyghte and meneliche remedies ; so that, aftir that the derknesse of desceyvynge de- syrynges is doon away, thow mowe knowe the schynynge of verraye light. * Nubibus atris condita.'' — Metrum 7 The sterres, covred with blake cloudes, ne mowen yeten a-doun no lyght. Yif the truble wynd that hyghte Auster, turhynge and wallwynge the see, medle- eth the heete (that is to seyn, the boyl- ynge up fro the botme), the wawes, that whiloth weren clere as glas and lyk to the fayre bryghte dayes, withstant anon the syghtes of men by the filthe and ordure that is resolved. [255] And the fleetynge streem, that royleth doun di- versely fro heye montaygnes, is areestid and resisted ofte tyme by the encountrynge of a stoon that is departed and fallen fro some roche. And for-thy, yif thou wolt loken and demen soth with cleer lyght, and hoolden the weye with a ryght path, weyve thow joie, dryf fro the drede, fleme thow hope,' ne lat no sorwe aproche (that is to seyn, lat non of thise passiouns overcomen the or blenden the). For 248. noryssynge^ ' fomentum ' ; found only in Cx. ; B trust ; others noryssynees. 251. Before that derknesse alFMSS. insert and. 257. C2 Al Hn. thise/otire passiouns. 363 258-280 BOECE cloudy and derk is thiike thoght, and bownde with bridelis, where as thise thynges reignen.' EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS INCIPIT LI5ER SECUNDUS " Postea paulisper conticuit.' — Prqsa I After this sche stynte a lytel ; and after that sche hadde gadrede by afcempre stillenesse myn attencioun (as who so myghte seyn thus : after thise thynges sche stynte a htil, and whan sche aper- ceyved by atempre stillenesse that I was ententyf to herkne hire), sche bygan to speke on this wyse : ' If I,' quod sche, ' have undirstonden and knowen outrely the causes and the habyt of thy maladye, thow languyssest and art deffeted for desir and talent of thi rather fortune. [a6o] Sche (that ilke Fortune) oonly, that is chaunged, as thow feynest, to the ward, hath perverted the oleemesse and the estat of thi corage. I understonde the fele folde colours and desceytes of thiike raerveylous monstre (Fortune) and how sche useth ful flaterynge famylarite with hem that sche enforceth to bygyle, so longe, til that ^che confounde with un- suffrable sorwe hem that sche hath left in despeir unpurveied. And yif thou remembrest wel the kynde, the maneris, and the desserte of thiike fortune, thou shalt wel knowe that, as in hir, thow nevere ne haddest ne hast ylost any fair thyng. But, as I trowe, I schal nat greetly travailen to don the remembren on thise thynges. [265] For thow were wont to hurtlen hir with manly wQordes whan sche was blaundyssching and present, and pursuydest hir with sentences that weren drawen out of myn entre (that is to seyn, of myn enformacion). 264. 03 in hir, i.e. as far as she is concerned. 266. C2 Hn. Cx. hurtelyn and despysen ; Lat. 'incessere': Fr. *assaillir.* 267. entre, cp. Aq., * aditu id est de nostra in- formatione.' The received text has simply "tdyto. But nb sodeyn' mutacioun ne bytideth noght with-outen -a. manere chaungynge of corages ; and so is it by-fallen that thou art a litil departed fro the pees of thi thought. But now is tyme that thou drynke and a -taste some softe and delitable thynges, so that whanne thei ben entred with-ynne the, it mowen maken wey to strengere drynkes of medycines. Com now forth, therfore, the suasyoun of swetnesse rethorien, whiche that goht oonly the righte wey while sche forsak- eth nat myn estatutes. And with Rethorice com forth Musice, a damoysele of our hous, that syngeth now lightere moedes or prolacions, now hevyere. [270] What eyleth the, man ? What is it that hath cast the in-to moornynge and in-to wepynge ? I trow that thou hast seyn some newe thyng and unkouth. Thou wenest that fortune be chaunged ayens the ; but thow wenest wrong, yif thou that wene : alway tho ben hir maneres. Sche hath rather kept, as to the ward, hir propre stablenesse in the chaungynge of hir -self. Ryght swiche was sche whan sche flateryd the and desseyved the with unleful lykynges of false welefiil- nesse. Thou hast now knowen and ateynt the doutous or double visage of thiike , blynde goddesae (Fortune). [275] Sche, that yit covereth and wympleth hir to other folk, hath schewyd hir every del to the. Yif thou approvest here and thynkest that sche is good, use hir maneris and pleyne the nat ; and yif thou agrisest hir false trecherie, despise and cast awey hir that pleyeth so harm- fully. For sche, that is now cause of so mochel sorwe to the, scholde ben cause to the of pees and of joye. Sche hath fofsaken the, forsothe, the whiche that nevere man mai ben siker that sche ne schal forsaken hym. (Glose. Butnatheles some booUes han the texte -thus : for- 270. moedes or prolacions, ' modos ' ; but prob* ably due to some gloss. 277. use hir tnaneris, ' utere moribus.' 280. some bookes, i.e. the French text. 364 BOECE 280-300 sothe sche hath forsaken the, ne ther nys no man siker that sche hath nat forsake.) [280] Holdestow thanne thilke weleful- nesse precious to the, that schal passen ? And is present Fortune dere- worth to the, whiche that nys nat feithful for to duelle, and whan sche goth awey that sche bryngeth a wyght in sorwe? For syn schfe may nat ben with-holden at a mannys wille, sche maketh hym a wrecchc; when sche departeth fro hym. What other thyng is flyttynge Fortune but a maner schewynge of wrecchidnesse that is to comen ? Ne it suffiseth nat oonly to loken on thyng that is present byfom the eien of a man ; but wisdom loketh and mesur- eth the ende of thynges. And the same chaungynge from oon in-to another (that is to seyn, fro adversite in-to prosperite), maketh that the manaces of Fortune ne ben nat foif to dreden, ne the flaterynges of hir to ben desired. Thus, at the laste, it byhoveth the to suffren wyth evene wil in pacience al that is doon in- with the floor of Fortune (that is to seyn, in this world), syn thou hast oonys put thy nekke undir the yok of hir. [28s] For yif thow wilt writen a lawe of wend- ynge and of duellynge to Fortune, whiche that thow hast chosen frely to ben thi lady, artow nat wrongful in that, and makest Fortune wroth and aspre by thyn impacience? And yit thow mayst nat chaungen hir. Yif thou committest and be-takest thi seyles to the wynd, thow shalt ben shoven, nat thider that thow woldest, but whider that the wynd shouveth the. Yif thow castest thi seedes in feeldes, thou sholdest ban in raynde that the yeres ben amonges outher- while plentevous and outher- while bareyne. Thou hast by-taken thi- self to the goyemaunce of Fortune and for-thi it byhoveth the to ben obeisaunt to the maneris of thi lady. Enforcestow the to aresten or withholden the swyft- nesse and the sweighe of hir turnynge wheel? O thow fool of alle mortel foolis ! Yif Fortune bygan to duelle stable, she cessede thanne to ben Fortuije. [290] ' Hec cum supej^ia.' — Metrum i Whan Fortune with a proud ryght hand hath turned hir chaungynge stowndes, sche fareth lyke the maneres of the boylynge Eurippe, (Glosa. Eurippe is an arm of the see that ebbeth and floweth, and som-tyme the stream is on o side, and som-tyme on the tothir.) Textus. She cruel (Fortune) casteth adbun kynges that whilom weren y-dradd ; and sche, desceyvable, enhaunceth up the humble chere of hym that is discounfited. Ne sche neither heei-eth, ne rekketh of wrecchide wepynges ; and she is so hard that sche leygheth and scorneth the wepynges of hem, the whiche sche hath maked wepe with hir free wille. Thus sche pleyefh, and thus sche proeveth hir strengthen, and scheweth a greet wonder to alle hir servauntes yif that a wyght is' seyn welefiil and overthrowe in an houre. [295] ' Vellem autem pauca.' — Prosa 2 Certes I wolde pleten with the a fewe thynges, usynge the woordes of Fortune. Take hede'now thy^selve, yif that sche asketh ryght : " O' thou man, wherfore makestow me gylty by thyne every dayes pleynynges ? What wrong have I don the ? What godes have 1 byreft the that weren thyne? Stryf or pleet with me byforn what juge that thow wolt of the possessioun of rychesses or of dignytees ; and yif thou maist schewen me that ever any mortel man hafh resceyved ony of tho thynges to ben hise in propre, thanne wil I graunte freely that thilke thynges weren thyne whiche that thow axest. Whan that nature brought the foorth out of thi modir wombe, I' resceyved the nakid and nedy of alle thynges, and I norissched the with my richesses, and was fedy and ententyf thurwe my favour 295. in an houre, i.e. in one hour. 296. asJieih ryg-kt, ' ius postulet.' 297. Ci C;^. A2 read gyttyf, 299. ever goes with any, ' cuiusquam.* 36s 300-322 BOECE to sustene the [300] — and that maketh the now inpacient ayens me ; and I envyiounde the with al the habundaunce and schynynge of alle goodes that ben in my ryght. Now it liketK me to wilh- drawe myn hand. . Thow hast had grace as he that hath used of foreyne goodes ; thow hast no ryght to pleyne the, as though thou haddest outrely forlorn alle thy thynges!, Why pleynestow thanne? I have doon the no wrong. Richesse's, , honbiirs, and swiche othere thinges ben of myiright. My servauntes knowen me for hir lady ; they comen with me, and departen whan I wehde. I dar wel affermen hardely that, yif tho thyngesiof whiche thow pleynest that thou hast for-Iorh [hem] hadden ben thyne, thow ne haddest nat lorn heni. §chal I thanne, oonly, be defended to usen my ryght ? Certes it is leueful to the hevene to maken'clere dayes, and after that to coveren the same dayes with dirke nyghtes. [303] The yeer hath eek leve to apparaylen the visage of the erthe, now with floures, and now with fruyt, and to confownden hem som-tyme with reynes and with coldes, The see hath eek his ryght to ben som-tyme, cairn arid blaundysschjmg with smothe watir, and som-tyme to ben horrible with wawes and with tempestes. But the covetise of men, that mai nat be stawnched, — schal it bynde me to ben stidfast, syn that stidfastnesse is uncouth to my maneris ? Swiche is my strengthe, arid this pley I pleye continuely. I tome the whirlynge wheel with the turnynge sercle ; I am glad to chaungeii the loweste to the heyeste, and the heyeste to the loweste. Worth up yif thow wolt, so it be by this lawe, that thow ne holde nat that I do the wrong, though thow descende a-down whan the resoun of iriy pley axeth it. [310] [Wystestow nat thanne my maneris ?] Wystestow nat )iow Cresus, kyng of Lydyens, of whjche kyng Cirus was ful 304. hem, supplied from Fr. B omits of, and for that thou hast reads to have, 3T1. Wystestow, etc. Supplied frdm Lat. and Fr. ; probably omitted by Adam Scrivener. sore agast o. lytil byforn, — that this rewliche Cresus waj caught of Cirus and lad to the fyer to ben brend ; but that a rayn descendede down fro hevene that rescowyde hym. And is it out of thy mynde how that Paulus, consul of Romej whan he had taken the kyng of Percyens, weep pitously for the captivyte of the ' selve kyng. What other thyrige by- waylen the cryinges of tragedyes but oonly the dedes of fortune, that with unwar strook overturneth the realmes of greet nbbleye ? ^Glose. Tragedye is to seyn a dite of a prosperite for a tyme, that endeth in wrecchidnesse.) Textus. [315] Lernedest nat thow in Greek whan thow were yong, that in the entre or in the seler of Juppiter ther ben cowched two tonnes ; the toon is ful of good, and the tother is ful of harm. What ryght hastow to pleyne, yif thou hast taken more plentevously of the gode side (that is to seyn of my richesses and prosperites) ? And what ek yif y ne be nat al departed fro the? What eek yif my mutabilite yeyeth the ryghtful cause of hope to han yit bettere thynges? Natheles disriiaye the nat in thi thought ; and thow that art put in the ' comune realme of alle, desire nat to lyven by thyh oonly propre ryght. ' Si quanta! rapidis.' — ftletrum 2 Though Plente (that is, goddesse of rychesses) hielde a-doun with ful horn, and withdraweth nat hir hand, as many richesses as the see torneth upward sandss whan it is moevedwith ravysshynge blastes, [320] or elles as manye rychesses as .ther schynen bryghte sterres in hevene on the sterry nyghtes ; yit for all that fnankynde nolde nat cese to wepe wrecchide pleyntes. And al be it so that god resceyveth gladly hir preiers, 313. kyn^.of Percyens i,^o^l\i\3& kyng; Perses\ 'regis Persi * ; but Fr. '' le roy de Perse.' ^ 316. seler, possibly a mistake for j^/^, 'limine': Fr. 'sueil.' 319. desire nat, 'desideres vivere'; but cp. variant in Notker, * ne Qesideres v.' 366 SOECE 322-343 and yyveth hem, as fool large, moche gold, and apparayieth coveytous folk with noble or cleer honours ; yit semeth hem haven I-geten no thyng, but alwey hir cruel ravyne, devourynge al that they han geten, scheweth othere gapynges (that is to seyn, gapyn and desiren yit after mo rychesses). What brydles myghte withholden to any certeyn ende the disordene covetise of men, whan evere the rather that it fletith in large yiftes, the more ay brenneth in hem the thurst of havynge ? Certes he that qwakynge and dredful weneth hym-selven nedy, he ne lyveth never-mo ryche." [325] ' Hiis igitur si pro «.'-;— Prosa 3 Therfore, yif that fortune spake with the for hir-self in this manere, for-sothe thow ne haddest noght what thou myghtest answere. And yif thow hast any thyng wher-with thow mayst right- fully defenden thi compleynte, it be- hoveth the to schewen it, and I wol yyve the space to tellen it.' ' Certeynly,' quod I thanne, ' thise ben faire thynges and enoynted with hony swetnesse of Rethorik and Musike ; and oonly whil thei ben herd thei ben delycious, but to wrecches it is a deppere felyng of harm. (This is to seyn, that wrecches felen the harmes that thei suffren more grevously tban the remedies or the delices of thise wordes mowen gladen or conforten him.) So that, whanne thise thynges stynten for to soune in eris, the sorwe that is in-set greveth the thought.' [330] ' Right so it is,' quod sche, ' For thise ben yit none remedies of thy maladye, but they ben a maner norissch- ynges of thi sorwe, yit rebel ayen thi curacioun. For whan that tyme is, I schal moeve and adiust swiche thynges 323. schiweth, etc., * pandit i.e. manifestat alios hiatos.' 328. it is, i.e. there is. Cg Hn. Ai Ag H omit it. 332. C2 Hn. Ax Ci omit and adiust; B and aiuse ; Fr. ' aiusterai. that percen hem - selve depe. But natheles that thow schalt noght wilne to leten thi-self a wrecche, hastow fovyeten the nowmbre and the maner of thi wele- fulnesse ? I holde me stille how that the sovereyn men of the city token the in cure and in kepynge, whan thow were orphelyn of fader and of modir, and were chose in affynite of prynces of the cite ; and thow by-gonne rather to ben leef and deere than for to been a neyghebour, the whiche thyng is the moste preCyous kinde of any propinquyte or alliaunce that mai ben. [33s] Who is it that ne seide tho that thow neere right weleful, with so gret a nobleye of thi fadres:in- lawe, and with the chastete of thy wyf, and with the oportunyte and noblesse of thyne masculyn children (that is to seyn, thy sones) ? And over al this — me list to passen of comune thynges — how thow haddest in thy youthe dignytees that weren wernd to oolde men. But it deliteth me to comen now to the synguler uphepynge of thi welefulnesse. Yif any fruyt of mortel thynges mai han any weyghte or pris of welefulnesse, myghtestow evere forgeten, for any charge of harm that myghte byfalle, the remembraunce of thilke day that thow seye thi two sones maked conseileris,' and I-ladde to-gidre fro thyn hous uiider so greet assemble ofsenatours and under the blithnesse of peple ; [340] and whan thow saye hem set in the court in hir chayeres of dignytes? Thow, rethorien or pronouncere of kynges preysynges, desservedst glorie of wit and of eloquence when thow, syttynge bytwixen thi two sones conseylers, in the place that highte Circo, fiiliildest the abydynge of the multitude of peple that was sprad abouten the with so large preysynge and laude as men syngen in victories. Tho yave 336. nsere, C2 were. 336. /adres-in-lawe, ' socerorum.' 337. inier al this, etc., ' Praetereo (libet enim praeterire conmunia) sumptas,' etc., misread as * Prseterea (libet praeterire,' etc., so that how depends on / holde me stille) in 334. 340. under, 'sUb frequentia,'etc. 343. MSS. andfulfildest. 367 344-366 BOECE BOOK IJ thow woordes to Fortune, as I trowe, (that is to seyn, tho feddestow fortune with glosynge wordes and desceyvedest hir) whan sche accoyede the and norysside the as hir owne delices. Thow bare awey of Fortune a yifte (that is to seye swich guerdoun) that sche nevere yaf to prive man. [345] Wiltow therfore leye a relmynge with Fortune? Sche hath now twynltled first upon the with a wilclcid eye. If thow cpnsidere the nowmbre and the maner of thy blisses and of thy sorwes, thou mayst noght forsaken that thow nart yit blisful. For yif thou therfore wenest thi-self nat wele- ful, for thynges th^t tho semeden joyeful ben passed, ther nys nat why thow sholdest wene thi-self a wrecche ; for thynges that semen nowsory passen also. Artow now comen first, a sodeyn gest, into the schadowe or tabernacle of this lif ? Or trowestow that any stedfastnesse be in mannes thynges, whan ofte a swyft hour dissolveth the same man (that is to seyn, whan the soule departeth fro the body). [350] For al though that selde is ther anyfeith that fortunes thynges woUen dwellen, yet natheles the laste day of a mannes lif is a maner deth to fortune, and also to thilke that hath dwelt. And therfore what wenestow thar rekke, yif thoiy forleete hir in deyinge, or elles that sche (Fortune) forleete the in fleynge awey ? ' Cum prima polo.' — Metrum 3 Whan Phebus (the sonne) bygynneth to spreden his clernesse with rosene chariettes, thanne the sterre, y-dymmed, paleth hir white cheeres by the flambes of the Sonne that overcometh the sterre lyght. (This to seyn, whan the sonne is 344. as hir tnvne deliceSt ' ut suas deliclas ' (as her darling).' 349. schadowe or tabernacle^ 'in . . . scenam'; Fr. 'en la cortine et en Tombre.' But 'taber- naculum ' and ' umbra ' are common mediaeval glosses of 'scena.' 352, thar rekke (A thar, B ^Asr, others dar. Perhaps read the before thar, cp. D 329, Boece looi), i.e. What do you think you need care, etc. rysen, the day -sterre waxeth pale, and leeseth hir lyght for the grete bryght- nesse of the sonne.) Whan the wode waxeth rody of rosene floures in the fyrst somer sesoun thurw the breeth of the wynd Zephirus that waxeth warm, yif the cloudy wynd Auster blowe felliche; than goth awey the fairnesse of thornes. [355] Ofte the see is cleer and calm with- out moevynge flodes, a,nd ofte the horrible wynd Aquylon moeveth boylynge tem- pestes, and overwhelveth the see. Yif the forme of this world is so seeld stable, and yif it torneth by so manye entre- chaungynges, wiltow thanne trusten in the tumblynge fortunes of men ? Wiltow trowen on flyttynge goodes? It is certeyn and establissched by lawe perdurable, that nothyng that is engendred nys sted- fast ne stable.' ' Turn ego vera inguam.' — Prosa 4 Thanne seide I thus : ' O norice of alle vertues, thou seist ful sooth ; ne I mai noght forsake the ryght swyfte cours of.my prosperite (that is to seyn, that prosperite ne be comen to me wonder swyftli ai^d sone) ; but this is a thyng that greetly smerteth me whan it remem- breth me. [360] For in alle adversites of fortune the moost unseely kynde of contrarious fortune is to han ben weleful.' ' But that thow,' quod sche, ' abyest thus the torment of thi false opynioun, that maistow nat ryghtfiilly blamen ne aretten to thynges. (As who seith, for thow hast yit manye habundances of thynges.) Textus. For al be' it so. that the ydel name of aventurous welefulnesse moeveth the now, it is leveful that, thow rekne with me of how many grete thynges thow hast yit plente. And therfore yif that thilke thyng that thow haddest for moost precyous in al thy rychessft of fortune be kept to the yit by the grace of god unwemmed and undefouled, [365] maistow thanne pleyne ryghtfuUy upon 364. grete, found only in Ca Hn. 368 BOECE 366-391 the mescheef of fortune, syn thow haSl yit thi beste thynges ? Certes yit iy veth in good poynt thilke precyous honour of niankynde, Symacus, thi wyves fader, whiche that is a man maked al of sapience and of vertu, the whiche man thow woldest byen redyly with the pris of thyn owene lif. He bywayleth the wronges that men don to the, and nat for hym-self ; for he lyveth in sikernesse of anye sentences put ayens hym. And yit lyveth thi wyf, that is a-tempre' of wyt and passynge othere wommen in clennesse of chastete ; and, for I wol closen schortly hir bountes, sche is lyk to hir fadir. I telle the wel that sche lyveth, loth of this lyf, and kepeth to the oonly hir goost, and is al maat and overcomen by wepynge and sorwe for desir of the ; [370] in the whiche thyng oonly I moot graunten that thi welefulnesse is amenused. What schal I seyn eek of thi two sones con- seylours, of whiche, as of children of hir age, ther shyneth the liknesse of the wit of hir fadir or of hir eldefader \ And syn the sovereyne cure of al mortel folk is to saven hir owene lyves, O how weleful artow, if thow knowe thy goodes ! For yit ben ther thynges dwelled to the ward that no man douteth that they ne be more derworthe to the than thyn owene lif. And for-thy drye thi teeris, for yit nys nat every fortune al hateful to the ward, ne over greet tempest , hath nat fallen upon the, [375] whan that thyne ancres clyven faste, that neither wolen suffren the counfort of this tyme present ne the hope of tyme comyng to passen ne to faylen.' 'And I preie,' quod I, 'that faste mote thei halden ; for, whiles that thei halden, how so ever that thynges been, I shal wel fleetyn forth and escapyn ; but thou mayst wel seen how grete apparailes and array that me lakketh, that ben passed awey fro me.' 'I have somwhat avaunced and for 372. ofwh^he, i.e. in whom, ' es quiex.* 373. den dwelled, have remained; Ai l>e» dwellyng. thred the,' quod sche, 'yif that thow anoye nat, ne forthynke nat of al thy fortune. (As who seith, I have som-what comforted the, so that thou tempeste the nat thus with al thy fortune, syn thow hast yit thy beste thynges. ) [380] But I mai nat suffren thi delices, that pleyn- est so wepynge and" angwysschous for that ther lakketh som-vwhat to thy wele- fulnesse. For what man is so sad or of so parfite welefulnesse, that he ne stryveth or pleyneth on some halfe ayen the qualite of his estat ? For- why ful anguysschous thing is the condicioun of mannes goodes; for eyther it cometh nat altogidre to a wyght, or elles it ne last nat perpetual. For som man hath gret rychesse, but he is aschamed of his ungentil lynage ; and som man is renomyd of noblesse of kyn- rede, but he is enclosed in so greet angwyssche of nede of thynges that hym were levere that he were unknowe ; and som man haboundeth bothe in rychesse and noblesse, but yit he bewayleth his chaste lyf, for he ne hath no wyf ; [385] and som man is wel and selyly y-maried, but he hath no children, and norissheth his rychesses to the eyres of straunge folk ; and som man is gladed with children, but he wepeth ful sory for the trespas of his sone or of his- doughter. And for this ther ;ie accordeth no wyght lyghtly to the condicioun of his fortune ; for alwey to every man ther is in som- what that, unassayed, he woot nat, or elles he dredeth that he hath assaied. And adde this also, that every weleful man hath a ful delicaat feelynge ; so that, but yif alle thynges byfalle at his owene wil, for he [is] inpacient or is nat used to. have noon adversite, anoon he is throwen adoun for every litil thyng. [390] And ful litel thynges ben tho that withdrawen the somme or the perfeccioun 381. delices, ' delicias tuas,' eflfeminacy; cp. 344- , , . . 384, angwyssche of nede, etc., 'angustia rei familiaris ; Fr. 'angoisse de povrete.' 389. ther is in (B thsr is in hym, A ther is inmesi), i.e. something is therein that, etc. 390. is inpacient, ' is ' is found only in Cx. As- 369 392-415 BOECE of blisfulnesse fro hem that been most fortunat. How manye men trowestow wolde demen hemself to ben almoste in hevene, yif thei myghten atayne to the leste partye of the remenaunt of thi fortune? This same place that thow clepest exil is contre to hem that enhiab- iten here, and forthi no-thyng wrecchide but whan thou wenest it. (As who seith, thow thi-self, ne no wyght ellis, nis a wrecche but whanne he weneth hym self a wrech by.reputacion of his corage.) And ayenward, alle fortune is blisful to a man by the aggreablete or by the egalyte of hym that suffreth it. (39s] What man is that that is so weleful that nolde chaunge his estat whan he hath lost pacience ? The swetnesse of manhes welefiilnesse is spraynd with many bitter- nesses ; the whiche welefulnesse although it seme swete and joieful to hym that useth it, yit mai it nat ben withholden that it ne goth awey whan it wole. Thanne is it wele seene how wrecchid is the blisfulnesse of mortel thynges, that neyther it dureth perpetuel with hem that every fortune resceyven agl-e- ablely or egaly, ne it deliteth nat in al to hem that ben angwyssous. O ye mortel folk, what seeke ye thanne blisfulnesse out of your-self whiche that is put in your-self? Errour and folic con- foundeth yow. I schal schewethe shortly the poynt of soverayn blisfulnesse. Is there any thyng more precyous to the than thi-self? [400] Thow wolt answere, "nay." Thannej yif it so be that thow art myghty, over thyself (that is to seyn, by tranquillite of thi soule), than hastow thyng in thi powere that thow noldest nevere leesen, ne fortune may nat bynymen it the. And that thow mayst knowe that blisfulnesse ne mai nat standen in thynges that ben fortunous and temporel, now undirstond and gadere it togidre thus : yif blisfulnesse be the soverayn 393. and forthi^ etc., should be and forthi nothyng is wreccked, etc. But some Latin texts read * nihil miserum ' for ' nihil est miserum.' 395. hy the aggreablete, etc.. according to the equanimity with which one takes it. good of nature that lyveth by resoun, ne thilke thyng nys nat soverayn good that may ben taken awey in any wise (for more worthy thyng and more dygne is thilke thyng that mai nat ben take awey) ; than scheweth it wel that the unstabienesse of fortune may nat atayne to receyven verray blisfulnesse. [40s] And yit more over, what man that this towmblynge welefulnesse ledeth, eyther he woot that it is chaungeable, or eller he woot it nat. And yif he woot it nat, what blisful fortune may ther ben in the blyndnesse of ignoraunce? And yif he woot that it ^i^ chaungeable, he mot alwey ben adralc. that he ne lese that thyng that he ne douteth nat but that he may leseen it (as who seith he mot bien alwey agast lest he lese that he woot wel he may lese it) ; for whiche the contynuel drede that he hath, ne suffreth hym nat to ben weleful, or elles yif he lese it, he weneth to ben despised and forleteri. Certes eek that is a ful litel good that is born with evene herte whan it is lost (that is to seyn that men do no more force of the lost than of the havynge). [410] And for as moche as thow thi-self art he to whom it hath be schewed and proved by ful many demon- stracyons, as I woot wele, that the soules of ttien ne mowen nat deyen in no wyse ; and ek syn it is cleer and certeyne that fortunous welefulnesse endeth by the deth of the body ; it mai nat be douted that, yif that deth may take awey blisful- nesse, that al the kynde of mortel thynges ne descendeth into wrecchidnesse by the ende of the deth. And syn we knowe wel that many a man hath sought the fruyt of blysfulnesse, nat oonly with suffrynge of deeth, but eek with suffrynge of peynes and tormentes, how myghte thanne this present lif make men blisful, syn that whanne thilke selve lif is ended it ne maketh folk no wrechches ? [415] 406. Udeth, 'vehit.* ^ 410. lost, i.e. loss. 413. al the kyndet etc. , mistranslation of * omne mortalium genus.' 370 BOECE 416-436 ' Quisquis volet perhennem caulus.' — Metrum 4 What maner man stable and war, that wol fownden hym a perdurable seete, and ne wol noght ben cast doun with the lowde blastes of the wynd Eurus, and wole despice the see manasynge with flodes ; lat hym eschuwen to bilde on the cop' of the mountaigne, or in the_ moyste sandes ; for the felle wynd Auster tormeflteth the cop of the mountaigne with alle hise strengthes, and the lause sandes refusen to beren the hevy weyghte. And for-thi, yif thou wolt fleen the perilous aventure (that is to seyn, of the werld) have mynde certeynly to fycchen thin hous of a myrie site in a low stoon. For al-though the wynd troublynge the see thondre with overthrowynges, thou, that art put in quiete and weleful by strengthe of thi palays, schalt leden a cler age, scomynge the woodnesses and the ires of the eyr. [420] * Set cum racionuTn iam in /£.'--- Prosa 5 But for as mochel as the norisschynges of my resouns descenden now into the, I trowe it were tyme to usen a litel strengere medicynes. Now undirstand heere ; al were it so that the yiftes of fortune ne were noght brutel ne transitcrie, what is tber in hem that mai be thyn in any tyme, or elles that it nys fowl, yif that it be considered and lookyd perfitely ? Rich- esses ben they preciouse by the nature of hem-self, or elles by the nature of the ? What is most worth of rychesses ? Is it nat gold or myght of moneye assembled ? Certes thilke gold and thilke moneye schyneth and yeveth bettre 1 renoun to hem that dispenden it than to thilke folk 419. of a myrie site (Ci H B ciie^ A2 cytee^ Hn, Cx. sete) should follow aventure^ ' sortem sedis amcena:.' 420. a cler age, 'duces serenus aevum,' mis- read as ' duces serenuiri sevum. ' _ ■ 422. Now undirstand heere, mistranslation of * Or entens ici ' (Lat. ' age '). that mokeren it ; for avaryce maketh alwey mokereres to ben hated, and largesse maketh folk cleer of renoun. [42s] For, syn that swiche thyng as is transferred fro man to an othir ne may nat duellen with no man, certes thanne is thilke moneye precyous whan it is translated into other folk and stynteth to ben had by usage of large yyvynge of hym that hath yeven it. And also yif al the moneye that is over-'al in the world were gadryd to-ward o man, it scholde make alle othere ■ men to be nedy as of that And certes a voys al hool (that is to seyn with-outen amenusynge) fulfilleth to-gydre the herynge of moche folk. But certes your rychesses ne mowen noght passen unto moche folk withouten amenusynge ; and whan they ben apassed, nedes theymaken hem pore that forgoon tho rychesses. O streyte and nedy clepe I this richesse, syn that many folk mai nat han it al, ne al mai nat comen to o man without pouert of alle othere folke. [430] And the schynynge of gemmes, that I clepe precyous stones, draweth it nat the eighen of folk to hem-ward (that is to seyn for the beautes) ? But certes, yif ther were beaute or bountee in the schynynge of stones, thilke clernesse is of the stones hem-selve, and nat of men ; for whiche I wondre gretly that men merveylen on swiche thynges. For-whi what thynge is it that, yif it wanteth moevynge and joynture of soule and body, that by right myghte semen a fair creature to hym that hath a soule; of resoun? F"or al be it so that gemmes drawen to hem-self a litel of the laste beaute of the world thurw the entente of hir creatour and thurw the distin'ccioun of hem-self, yit, for as mochel as thei ben put under your excellence, thei ne han nat desserved by no way that ye schulde merveylen on hem. [435] And the beaute offeeldes, deliteth it nat mochel unto you?' 428. a voys, etc., 'vox quidem tota pariter multorum replet auditum.' 434. Chaucer means fnoevynge of soule and joynture of hody. * a fair creature,' etc., should be fair io a creature that hath a soule and resoun 371 437-458 BOECS Boece. ' Why schulde it nat deliten us, syn that it is a ryght fayr porcioun of the ryght fair werk {that is to seyn, of this worlde) ? And right so ben we gladed som-tyme of the face of the see whan it is cleer j and also merveylen we on the hevene, and on the sterres, and on the Sonne, and on the moone.' Philmophie, ' Aperteneth,' quod sche, ' any of ■ thilke thynges to the ? Why darstow glorifye the in the shynjmge of any swiche thynges? Artow distyng- wed and embelysed by the spryngyhge floures of the first somer sesoun, or swelleth thi plente in fruites of somer? Whi artow ravyssched with idel joies ? Why enbracest thow straunge goodes as they weren thyne? [440] > Fortune schal nevere maken that swiche thynges ben thyne that nature of thynges hath maked foreyne fro the. Soth is that, withouten' doute, the fruites of the erthe owen to be to the noryssynge of beestis ; and yif thow wilt fulfille thyn nede after that it suffiseth to nature, thanne is it no nede that thow seke aftir the. superfluyte of fortune. For with ful fewe thynges and with ful litel thynges nature halt hir apayed ; and yif thow wolt a - choken the fulfillynge of nature with superfluytees, certes thilke thynges that thow woll thresten or powren in-to nature Schulle ben unjoyeful to the, or elles anoyous. Wenestow eek that it be a fair thyng to schyne with diverse clothyhge ? [445] Of whiche clothynge yif the beaute be aggre- able to loken uppon, I wol merveylen on the nature of the matiere of thilke clothes^ or elles on the werkman that wroughte hem. But also a long route of meyne, maketh that a blisful man ? The whiche servantes yif thei ben vioyous of condy- ciouns, it is a gret charge and a destruccioun to the hous, and. a gret enemy to the lord hym-self; and yif 445. a-choken the /ul/iUynse, ' urgere satie- tatem.' 445- to the should be to her. 447. vicyous 0/ condyciimns, 'vitiosinioribus.' 448. a. gret enemy, 'forment anemie,' '.vehe- menter inimica ' ; enemy is here adj. they ben gode men, how schal straunge or foreyne goodnesse ben put in the nowmbre of thi richesses ? So that by alle thise forseide thynges it es cleerly schewed, that.nevere oon of thilke thynges that thou' acountedest for thyne goodes nas nat thi good. In the whiche thynges yif ther be no beaute to ben desired, why scholdestow ben sory yif thou leese hem, or whi scholdestow reioysen the for to holden hem ? [450] For yif thei ben faire of hir owene kynde, what aperteneth that to the? For' als so wel scholde they han ben fayre by hem-selve, though thei were departed fro alle thyne rychesses. For-why fair ne precyous were thei nat for; that, thei comen among thi rychesses ; but for they semeden fair .and precyous, therfore thou haddest levere rekne hem among thi rychesses. But what desires- tow of fortune with so greet a noyse and with so greet a fare ? I trowe thou seeke to dryve arwey nede with habundaunce o( thynges, but certes it turneth to you al in the contrarie. For-why certes it nedeth of ful manye helpynges to kepyn the diversite of precious ostelementes j and sooth it is that of many thynges han they nede, that many thynges han ; and ayenward of litel nedeth hem that mesureth hir fille after the nede of kynde, and nat after the oultrage of covetyse. [455] Is it thanne so, that ye men ne han no propre good I -set in you, for whiche ye mooten seke outward your goodes in foreyne and subgit thynges ? So is thanne the eondicion of thynges turned up so doun, that a man, that is a devyne beest be meryte of his resoun, thynketh that hymrself nys neyther fair ne noble but it be thurw possessioitn of ostelementes that ne.han no soules. And certes alle othere thynges ben apayed of hir owene beautes, but ye men that ben semblable to god by your resonable thought, desiren to apparailen your excellent kynde 456. subgit, * sepositts,* probably misread as ' suppositis.'. 458. apayed of, i.e. satisfied wHth. 372 BOECE 459-480 of the loweste thynges ; ne ye undir- standen nat how greet a wrong ye don to your creatour. For he wolde that mankynde were moost wurthy and noble of any othere erthly thynges, and ye thresten a-doun yowre dignytes bynethen the loweste thynges. [460] For yif that al the good of every thyng be more precyous than is thilke thyng whos that the good is, syn ye demen that the fowleste thynges ben your goodes, thanne submitten ye and putten your-selven undir the fouleste thynges by your estima- cioun ; and certes this betydeth nat withouten your desert. For certes swiche is the condicioun of alle mankynde, that oonly whan it hath knowynge of it-self, thanne passeth it in noblesse alle othere thynges ; and whan it forletith the knowynge of it-self thanne it is brought by-nethen alle beestes. For-whi alle othere lyvynge beestes han of kynde to knowe nat hem-self ; but whan that men leeten the knowynge of hem-self,it cometh hem of vice. But how broode scheweth the errovir and the folie of yow men, that wenen that anythyng mai ben apparailed with straunge apparailementes ! But for- sothe that mai nat be don; [465] For yif a wyght schyneth with thynges that ben put to hym (as thus, yif thilke thynges schynen with whiche a man is aparayled), certes thilke thynges ben comended and preysed with whiche he is apparayled ; but natheles, the thyng that is covered and wrapped under that duelleth in his felthe. And I denye that thilke thyng be good that anoyeth hym that hath it. Gabbe I of this? Thow woltsey "nay." Certes rychesses han anoyed ful ofte hem that han tho rychesses, syn that every wikkid schrewe, and for his wikkidnesse is the 463. han . . . to knowe, 'ceteris animantibus natura est ignorare sese,' with 'natura' read as abl. Cometh hem, 'leur vint'; cp. Bk. 0/ Du., 778- 479. and for his wikkidnesse, etc. (Ci Hn. A2 Al omit is, B of his wikkidnesse is the more, etc., Cg is for kis -wikkidnesse the wtore, etc.), i.e. even for his wickedness, etc. more gredy aftir othir folkes rychesses wher so evere it be in ony place, be it gold or precyous stones ; and weneth hym oonly most worthy that hath hem. [470] Thow thanne, that so bysy dredest now the swerd and the spare, yif thou haddest entred in the path of this lif a voyde weyfarynge man, thanne woldestow syi^en by-for the theef. (As who seith, a pore man that bereth no rychesse on hym by the weie may boldely synge byforn theves, for he hath nat where-of to be robbed.) O precyous and ryght cleer is the blisfiilnesseof mortel rychesses, that, whan thow hast geten it, thanne hastow lorn thi sikernesse ! ' Felix nimium prior etas. ' — MetrUm 5 Blisful was the firste age of men. They heelden hem apayed with the metes that the trewe feeldes broughten forth. They ne destroyeden ne des- seyvede nat hem-self with outrage. They weren wont lyghtly to slaken hir hungir at even with accornes of ookes. [475] They ne coude nat medle the yift of Bachus to the cleer hony (that is to seyn, they coude make no pyment or clarree), ne they coude nat medle the bryghte fleeses of the contre of Seryens with the venym of Tyrie (this is to seyn, thei coude nat deyen, white fleeses of Syrien contre with the blood of a maner schelle- fyssche that men fynden in Tyrie, with whiche blood men deyen purpre). They slepen holsomeslepes uppon the gras, and dronken of the rennynge watres, and layen undir the schadwes of the heye pyn trees. Ne no gest ne straunger ne karf yit the heye see with cores or with schipes ; ne thei ne hadden seyn yit none newe stroondes to leden marchandise into diverse contrees. Tho weren the crude clariouns ful hust and ful stille. Ne blood I-schad by egre hate ne hadde nat 474-484. Also translated in The Fortner Age. 476. fleeses o^ the, etc. , ' vellera serum ' (cp. Verg. Georg. il. 121), Mes toisons des Sirians,' i.e. silks of Syria, venym of Tyrie, ' Tyrid veneno ' (cp. Georg. ii. 465). ' 373 480-501 BOECE deyed yit armures. [480] For wher-to or which woodnesse of enemys wolde first moeven armes, whan thei seyen cruele wowndes ne none medes be of blood I- shad. I wolde that our tymes sholde torne ayen to the oolde maneris I But the anguysschous love of havynge bren- neth in folk more cruely than the.fyer of the mountaigne of Ethna that ay brenneth. Alias ! what was he that first dalf up the gobbettes or the weyghtes of gold covered undir erthe and the precyous stones that wolden han be hydd? He dalf up precious periles. (That is to seyn, that he that hem first ' up dalf, he dalf up a precious peril for-why, for the precious- nesse of swich thyng hath many man ben in peril.) ' Quid autem de dignitatibus.' — Prosa 6 But what schal I seye of dignytes and of powers, the whiche ye men, that neither knowen verray dignyte ne verray powere, areysen hem as heyghe as the hevene ? [485] The whiche dignytees and powyeres yif thei comen to any wikkid man, thei doon as greet damages and destrucciouns as doothe the flaumbe of the mountaigne Ethna whan the flaumbe walweth up, ne no deluge ne doth so cruele harmes. Certes the remembreth wel, as I trowe, that thilke dignyte that men clepyn the Imperie of consulers, the whiche that whilom was begynnynge of fredom, yowr eldren coveyteden to han don awey that dignyte for the pride of the consulers. And ryght for the same pride yowr eldres by-forn that tyme hadden doon awey out of the cite of Rome the kynges name (that is to seyn, thei nolden han no lengere no kyng). But now, if it so be that dignytees and poweris ben yyven to gode men, the whiche thyng is ful selde, what aggreable thynges is ther in the dignytees or powyers but oonly the goodnesse of folk that usen hem ? And therfore it is thus that honour ne cometh nat tO vertu for 485. doon to 547, preysynge, missing from Hn. cause of dignyte, but, ayenward, honour cometh to dygnite for cause of vertu. [490] But whiche is thilke your derworthe power that is so cleer and so requerable? ye erthliche bestes considere ye nat over whiche thyng that it semeth that ye han power? Now yif thou saye a mows among othere mys that chalanged to hym-self ward ryght and power over alle othere mys, how gret scorn woldestow han of it ! (Glosa; So fareth it by men ; the body hath power over the body.) For yif thou looke wel upon the body of a wyght, what thyng shaltow fynde more freele than is mankynde ; the whiche men ful ofte ben slayn by bytynge of smale flyes, or elles with the entrynge of crepynge wormes in -to the pryvetees of mannes body ? [49s] But wher schal men fynden any man that mai exercen or haunten any ryght up-on another man, but oonly on his body, or elles up-on thynges that ben lowere than the body, the whiche I clepe fortunous possessiouns ? Maystow evere have any comaundement over a free corage? Maystowe remuwen fro the estat of his propre reste a. thought that is clyvynge togidre in hym self by stedfast resoun? As whilom a'tyraunt wende to confownde a fre-man of corage, and wende to constreyne hym by torment to maken hym discoveren and accusen folk that wisten of a coniuracioun (whiche 1 clepe a confederacye) that was cast ayens this tyraunt ; but this freman boot of his owene tonge, and caste it in the visage of thilk wode tyraunt. So that the tormentes that this tyraunt wende to han maked matere of cruelte, this wise man maked it matere of vertu. [500] But what thing is it that a man may doon to an other man, that he ne may resceyven the same thyng of other folk in hym-self? 491. But 'whiche is, etc., 'mais quiex est,' «.^ but what is, etc. 401. over -whiche thyng, etc., ' consideratis, qui bus qui praesidere videamini. ' 498. Aswhil'onr, 'cum' temporal; but probably Fr. ' comme ' was misunderstood. 500. tormentes . . . zV, 'les torments . . . li sages homs le (L. les) fist estre.' 374 BOECE 502-522 (Or thus : what may a man don to folk, that folk ne may don hym the same ?) I have herd told of Busyrides, that was wont to sleen his gestes that herberweden in his hous, and he was slayn hym-self of Ercules that was his gest. Regulus hadde taken in bataile manye men of Affryke and cast hem in -to feteres, but sone ther after he most yyve hise handes to ben bownde with the cheynes of hem that he hadde whilom overcomen. Wenestow thanne that he be myghty that hath no power to doon a thyng that othere ne mai doon in hym that he doth in othere? [505] And yit moreover, yif it so were that thise dygnytes or poweris hadden any propre or naturel goodnesse in hem-self, nevere nolde they comen to schrewes. For contrarious thynges ne ben nat wont to ben I-felaschiped togydre. Nature refuseth that contrarious thynges ben I-joygned. And so, as I am in certeyn that ryght wykkyd folk han dignjrtees ofte tyme, thanne scheweth it wel that dignytees and poweres ne ben nat gode* of hir owene kynde, syn that they sufFren hem-selve to eleven or joynen hem to schrewes. And certes the same thyng mai I most digneliche juggen and seyn of alle the yiftes of fortune that most plentevously comen to schrewes. Of the whiche yiftes I trowe that it oughte ben considered, that no man douteth that he ne is strong in whom he seeth strengthe ; [510] and in whom that swyftnesse is, sooth it is that he is swyft ; also musyke maketh mucisyens, and phisykmaketh phisicyeens, and rethoryke, rethoriens. For-why the nature of every thyng maketh his proprete, ne it is nat entremedlyd with the effect of con- trarious thynges, and of wil it chaseth out thynges that to it ben contrarie. But certes rychesse mai nat restreyne 502, Busyrides, rather 'Busirus,' as in B. 3293 ; but Aq, has * Busirides.' 505. Wenestow . . . othere, nonsense, due either to mistranslation of * de faire que ' (' efficere ne'), or to text -corruption, a thyng belonging after 2nd to doon, 512, ^ ivil, ' ultro, i.e. sponte ^ ; Q thilke general ther moot ben som thing that is parfit. For yif so be that perfeccioun is don awey, men may nat thinke ne say 87s. heye, to rise. 8^7. ^nviroune, .* lustrare ' (to look upon), Fr ' auirouher.' 392 I BOOK III BOECE 887-91S fro whennes thilke thing is that is cleped inpariyt. For the nature of thinges ne took nat hir begynnynge of thinges araenused and inparfit, but it procedith of thinges that ben alle hole and ab- solut, and descendith so doun into uttereste thinges and iu-to thinges empty and withouten fruyt. But, as I have schewid a litel here byfom that yif ther be a blisfiiUiesse that be iireel and veyn and inpariyt, ther may no man doute that ther nys som blisfulnesse that is sad, stede- fast, and parfyt.' ' This is concluded,' quod I, ' feermely and soothfastly.' [89c] 'But considere also,' quod sche, 'in whom this blisfulnesse enhabiteth. „The comune accordaunce and conceyt of the corages of men proveth and graunteth that god, prince of alle thinges, is good. For, so as no thyng mai ben thought betere than god, it mai nat ben douted thanne that he that no thinge nys betere, that he nys good. Certes resoun soheweth that god is so good that it proeveth by verray force that parfyt good is in hym. For yif god nys swyche, he ne mai nat be prince of alle thinges ; [895] for certes som -thing possessyng in it -self parfyt good schulde be more worthy than god, and it scholde semen that thilke were first and eldere than god. For we han schewyd apertely that alle thinges that ben parfyt ben first er thynges that ben inparfit ; and for-thy, for as moche as that my resoun or my proces ne go nat awey withouten an ende, we owe to graunte that the sovereyn god is right ful of sovereyn parfit good. And we han establissched that the sovereyne good is verray blisfulnesse. Thanne moot it nedis be that verray blisfulnesse is set in sovereyn god.' [900] 'This take I wel,' quod I, ' ne this ne mai nat be withseid in no manere.' 'But I preye the,' quod sche, 'see now how thou mayst proeven holily and 894. that no thinget etc., \ is superior. 901. take, ' accipio ' ; Fr. O 2 e. to whom' nothing ■recoif.' 393 withoute corrupcioun this that I have seid, that the sovereyn god is ryght ful of sovereyne good.' ' In whiche manere ? ' quod I. ' Wenestow aught,' quod sche, ' that the prince of alle thynges have I -take thilke sovereyne good any-wher out of hym-self, of whiche sovereyne good men proeveth that he is ful ; ryght as thou myghtest thynken that god, that hath blisfulnesse in hym-self, and thilk blisful- nesse that is in hym, were divers in substaunce? [90s] For yif thow wene that god have resseyved thilke good out of hym-self, thow mayst wene that he that yaf thilke good to god be more worth than is god. But I am beknowe and confesse, and that ryght dignely, that god is ryght worthy aboven alle thinges. And yif it so be that this good be in hym by nature, but that it is djrvers from him by wenynge resoun, syn we speke of god pry nee of alle thynges, — feyne who so feyne mai — who was he that hath con- ioyned thise divers thynges togidre ? And eek at the laste se wel that a thing that is divers from any thing, that thilke thing nys nat that same thing fro whiche it is undirstonden to be diverse. Thanne folweth it that thilke thing that by his nature is divers from sovereyn good, that that thyng nys nat sovereyn good. [910] But certes it were a felenous cursydnesse to thinken that of hym that no thing nys more worth. For alwey, of alle thinges, the nature of hem may nat ben betere thanne his begynnynge. For whiche I mai concluden by ryght verray resoun that thilke that is begynnynge of alle thinges, thilke same thing is sovereyn good in his substaunce.' ' Thow hast seyd ryghtfully,' quod I. 'But we han graunted, ' quod sche, ' that the sovereyn good is blisfulnesse. ' ' That is sooth,' quod I. [915] 904. Chaucer and one of French MSS. omit 'vel itanaturaliter habere.* Add, therefore, after /ut; or wenestow that he hath it nat-urely in himself. 912. C\ H Cx. Ag hir heginnynge, and rightly, but probably a correction. 916-939 BOECE BOOK in ' Thanne,' quod sche, ' moten we nedes granten and confessen that thilke same sovereyn good be god ? ' ' Certes,' quod I, 'y ne may nat denye, ne withstonde the resouns purposed; and I se wel that it folwelh by strengthe of the premisses.' ' Loke now,' quod sche, ' yif this be proevid yet more fermely thus that there ne mowen not ben two sovereyn goodis that ben. divers among hem-self. For certes the goodis that ben divers among hem- self, that oon is nat that that that othir is ; thanne mowen neither of hem ben parfit, so as eyther of hem lalilceth to othir. But that that nys nat parfit, men mai seen apertely that it nys not sovereyn. [920] The thinges thanne that ben sovereynly gode ne mowe by no weie be divers. But I have wel concluded that blisful- nesse and god ben the sovereyn good ; for whiche it mote nedes be that sovereyne blisfulnesse is sovereyn devynite.' '■No thing,' quod I, 'nys more soth- faste than this, ne more ferme by resoun, ne a more worthy thing than god mai not ben concluded.' ' Upon thise thynges thanne,' quod sche, 'ryght as thise geometriens whan thei han schewed her proposicions ben wont to bryngen yn thinges that thei clepen porismes or declaracions of for- seide thinges, right so wol I yeve the here as a corolarie or a meede of coroune. For-why for as moche as by the getynge of blisfulnesse men ben makid blisful, and blisfulnesse is dyvinite, than is it manifest and opene that by the getynge of dyvinite men ben makid blisful. [92s] Right as by the getynge of justice [men ben maked just], and be the getynge of sapience thei ben maked wise, ryght so nedes by the semblable resoun, whan they han geten dyvinite thei ben maked goddes. Thanne is every blisful man 918. thus that, i,e. from the fact that. 919. neither^ often plural in Middle-English. 924. aSf as it were. 924. vteede of coroune^ 'loier de coroune.' 926. »ten . . . just^ MSS. omit ; supplied from French. god. But certes by nature ther nys but o god ; but by the participacioun of dyvinite ther ne let ne distourbeth no thyng that ther ne ben many goddis.' 'This ys,' quod I, 'a fair thing and a precious, clepe it as thou wilt, be it corolerie, or porisme, or mede oi coroune, or declarynges. ' 'Certes,' quod sche, 'no thing nys fairere than is the thing that by resoun schulde ben addide to thise forseide thinges.' [930] 'What thing?' quod I. ' So,' quod sche, ' as it semeth that blisfulnesse conteneth many thinges, it weere for to witen whether that alle thise, thinges maken or conioynen as a maner body of blisftilnesse by diversite of parties or membres, or elles yif any of alle thilke thinges ben swich that it acomplise by hymself the substaunce of blisfulnesse, so that alle thise othere thynges ben referrid and brought to blisfulnesse (that is to seyn, as to the cheef of hem). ' ' I wolde,' quod I, ' that thow madest me clerly to undirstonde- what thou seist, and that thou recordidest me the for- seide thinges.' ' Have I not jugged,' quod sche, 'that blisfulnesse is good ? ' [935] 'Yys for sothe,' quod I, 'and that sovereyn good.' 'Adde thanne,' quod sche, 'thilke good that is maked [of] blisfulnesse to alle thise forseide thinges. For thilke same blisfulnesse that is demed to ben sovereyn sufifisaunce, thilke selve is sovereyn power, sovereyn reverence, sovereyn clemesse or noblesse, and sovereyn delyt. What seistow thanne of all thise thinges, that is to seyn, sufifisaunce, power, and alle thise othere thinges, — ben thei thanne as membris of blisfulnesse, or ben they reffered and brought to sovereyne good ryght as alle thinges that ben brought to the cheef of hem ? ' ' I undirstonde wel,' quod I, ' what 928. let^ hindereth. 937. o/y MSS. omit ; supplied from French. 394 BOECE 940-966 thou purposes! to seke, but I desire for to herkne that thow schewe it me.' [940] ' Tak now thus the discrecioun of this questioun,' quod sche ; ' yif alle thise thinges,' quod sche, 'weren membris to felicite, thanne weren thei dyverse that on fro that othir. And swich is the nature of parties or of membres, that diverse membris compounen a body.' 'Certes,' quod I, 'it hath wel ben schewyd here byfom that alle thise thinges ben al o thyng.' 'Thanne ben thei none membres,' quod sche, 'for elles it schulde seme that blisfulnesse were conioyned al of o membre allone ; but that is a thing that mai not ben don. ' 'This thing,' quod I, 'nys not doutous ; but I abide to herknen the remenaunt of the question.' [945] ' This is opene and cler,' quod sche, ' that alle othere thinges ben referrid and brought to good. For therfore is suffi- saunce requerid, for it is demyd to ben good ; and for-thy is power requirid, for men trowen also that it be good ; and this same thing mowen we thinken and coniecten of reverence, and of noblesse, and of delyt. Thanne is sovereyn good the somme and the cause of al that oughte ben desired ; for-why thilke thing that with-holdeth no good in it selve, ne semblance of good, it mai not wel in no manere be desired ne requerid. [950] And the contrarie ; for thoughe that thinges by here nature ne ben not gode, algates yif men wene that ben gode, yet ben thei desired as though that thei were verrayliche gode ; and ther-fore is it that men oughte to wene by ryghte that bounte be the sovereyn fyn and the cause of alle the thinges that ben to requiren. But certes thilke that is cause for which men requiren any thing, it semeth that thilke same thing be moost desired. As thus : yf that a v^yght wolde ryden for cause of hele, he ne desireth not so mochel the 940. thai, Fr. ' que _' (how). 941. Tak now, 'accipe.' 942. a body, one body. 951. Hn. ends with * yii hen they' moevyng to ryden, as the effect of his hele. Now thanne, syn that alle thynges ben required for the grace of good, thei ne ben not desired of alle folk more than the same good. [955] But we han grauntide that blisfiilnesse is that thing, for whiche that alle thise othere thinges ben desired ; thanne is it thus that certes oonly blysflilnesse is requered and desired. By whiche thing it scheweth cleerly that of good and of blisfulnesse is al. on and the same substaunce.' 'I se nat,' quod I, 'wherfore that men myghten discorden in this.' 'And we han schewed that god and verray blisfulnesse is al o thing.' ' That is sooth,' quod I. ' Thanne mcwen we concluden sykerly, that the substaunce of god is set in thilke same good, and in noon other place. [960] ' Nunc omnes fariter ■venite cdpti.' — Metrum 10 Cometh alle to gidre now, ye that ben ykaught and ybounde with wikkide cheynes by the desceyvable delyt of erthly thynges enhabitynge in yowr thought ! Her schal ben the reste of your labours, her is the havene stable in pesible quiete ; this allone is the open refut to wreches. (Glose. This to seyn, that ye that ben combryd and disseyvid with worldly affeccions, cometh now to this sovereyn good, that' is god, that is refut to hem that wolen come to hym.) Textus. Alle the thinges that the ryver Tagus yyveth yow with his goldene gravelis, or elles alle the thinges that the ryver Herinus yeveth with his rede brinke, [965] or that Indus yyveth, that is next the bote partie of the world, that medleth the grene stones with' the white, ne scholden not 954. tiwevyng; to ryden, movement of zidxn%. 95S- yor tnee^ace, etc., ' gmtiahoni.' g6i- Ca Ax ^ cometh. 965. Herinus, Hermus. 966. grene stones . . . white, glossed smarae- dus (emeralds) and margarites (pearls) in Cj Cj Aj. 395 967-992 BOECE BOOK in cleren the lookynge of your thought, but hiden rather your blynde corages withynne here deitnesse. Al that liketh yow here, and exciteth and moeveth your thoughtes, the erthe hath norysschid it in his lowe caves. But the schynynge by whiche the hevene is governed and whennes that it hath his strengthe, that eschueth the derke overthrowynge of the soule ; and who so evere may knowen thilke light of blisfulnesse, .he schal wel seyn that the white beemes of the sonne ne ben nat deer.' [970] ' Assencior inqicam cuncia.' — Prosa 1 1 ' I assente me,' quod I, 'for alle thise thinges ben strongly bounden with ryght ferme resouns.' ' How mychel wiltow preysen it,' quod sche, ' yif that thow knowe what thilke good is ? ' ' I wol preyse it,' quod I, ' be pris withouten ende, yif it schal betyde me to knowe also to gedre god that is good. ' ' Certes,' quod sche, ' that schal I do the be verray resoiin, yif that tho thinges that I have conoluiJed a litel here byforn duellen only in hir first grauntynge. ' ' Thei dwellen graunted to the,' quod I. (This to seyn as who seith, ' I graunte thi forseide conclusyouns.') [975] ' Have I nat sche wed the,' quod sche, 'that the thinges that ben required of many folk ne ben-not verray goodis ne parflte ; for thei ben divers that on fro that othir. And so as iche of hem is lakkynge to othir, thei han no power to bryngen a good that is fill and absolut. But thanne at erste ben thei verraye good, whan thei ben gadred togidere alle in-to o forme and in-to oon werkynge. So that thilke thing that is suffisauncei thilke same be power, and reverence, and rioblesse, and myrthe. And for sothe, but yif alle thise thinges ben alle o same 970. overthrowynge^ 'ruina.s.' 972. preysen^ prize. 973. ahO' ta gedre^^ ■' aussi 'ensemble,' at the same time. thing, thei ne han not wherby that the mowen be put in the nombre of thinges that oughten ben required or desired.' [980] 'It is schewyd,' quod I, 'ne herof mai ther no man douten.' ' The thinges thanne,' quod sche, ' that ne ben none goodis whan thei ben diverse, and whanne thei bygynnen to ben al thing, thanne ben thei goodes, — ne Cometh it hem nat thanne by the getynge of unyte that thei ben maked goodes?' ' So it semeth,' quod I. ' But alle thing that is good,' quod sche, 'grauntestow that it be good by the participacioun of good, or no ? ' ' I graunte it,' quod I. ' Thanne mustow graunten,' quod sche, ' by semblable resoun that oon and good be o same thing ; [985] for of thinges of whiche that the effect nys nat naturely divers, nedes the substaunce moot be 00 same thing.' ' I ne may nat denye it,' quod' I. ' Hastow nat knowen wel,' qnod'sche, ' that -alle thing that is hath so longe'his duellynge and his substaunce as longeas it is oon ? But whanne it forletith to be oon, it moot nedys deien and cor- rumpen to gidres ? ' ' In whiche manere ? ' quod I. ' Ryght as in beestis,' quod sche, 'whanne the body and the soule ben conibyned in oon and dwellen to gidre, it is cleped a beeste ; and whanne her unyte is destroyed be the disseveraunce the toon fro the tothir, thanne scheweth it wel that it is a deed thing, and that if nys no lengere no beeste. [990] ' And the body of a vifyght, while it duellethin 00 fourme be ooniiinccion of membriSj it is wel seyn that it is a figure of mankyndej and yif the parties of the body ben so devyded and disseverid the ton ' fro the tother that thei destroyen unite, the body forletith to ben that it was befom. And who so wolde renne in the same 983. Cometh it hem, ' leur avient ' ; cp. 463. 988. to gidres, at once. 990. no beeste, a beast. 991. /rgure qfinan/eyftde, ' huniaine figure.' 396 BOECE 992-1019 manere be alle thinges, he scholde seen that withouten doute every thing is in his substaunce as longe as it is oon ; and whanne it forletith to ben oon, it dyeth and peryssheth.' ' Whanne I considere,' quod I, ' manye thinges, I se noon other.' ' Is ther any thing thanne,' quod sche, ' that, in as moche as it lyveth naturely, that forletith the talent or the appetyt of his beynge and desireth to come to deth and to corrupcioun ? ' [995] ' Yif I considere,' quod I, ' the beestes that han any maner nature of wyllynge and of nyllynge, I ne fynde no beeste, but if it be constreyned fro withoute-forth that forletith or despiseth the entencion to lyven and to duren ; or that wole, his thankes, hasten hym to dyen. For every beest travaileth hym to defende and kepe the savacion of his lif, and eschueth deeth and destruccioun. But certes I doute me of herbes and of trees (that is to seyn, that I am in a doute of swiche thinges as herbes or trees), that ne ban no felyng soules (ne no naturel werkynges servynge to appetites as beestes han), whether thei han appetyt to duellen and to duren.' [1000] ' Certes,' quod sche, ' ne therof thar the nat doute. Now looke upon thise herbes and thise trees. They wexen first in suche places as ben covenable to hem, in which places thei mowen nat sone deye ne dryen, as longe as hir nature mai defenden hem. For some of hem waxen in feeldis, and some in mountaynes, and othere waxen in mareys, and othre eleven on roches, and some wexen plenty- vous in soondes ; and yif any wyght ■ en- force hym to here hem in-to other places, thei wexen drye. [1005] For nature yeveth to every thing that that is con- venient to hym, and travailleth that they ne deie nat, as longe as thei han power to duellen and to lyven. What wiltow seyn of this, that thei drawen alle here norysschynges by here rootes, ryght as thei hadden here mouthes y-plounged withynne 997. his thankes, voluntjrily. the erthes, and sheden be hir maryes hir wode and hir bark ? And what wyltow seyn of this, that thilke thing that is ryght softe, as the marie is, that it is alwey hyd in the seete al with-inne, and that it is defended fro withoute by the stedfastnesse of wode ; and that the outreste bark is put ayens the distemperaunce of the hevene as a deffendour myghty to suffren harm ? And thus certes maistow wel seen how greet is the diligence of nature ; [loio] for alle thinges renovelen and publysschen hem with seed y-multiplied, ne thej: nys no man that ne woot wel that they ne ben ryght as a foundement and edifice for to duren, noght oonly for a tyme, but ryght as for to dure perdur- ably by generacion. And the thinges eek that men wenen ne haven none soules, ne desire thei nat iche of hem by semblable resoun to kepjm that that is his (that is to seyn, that is accordynge to hir nature in conservacioun of hir beynge and en- durynge) ? For wherfore ellis bereth lightnesse the fiaumbes up, and the Weyghte presseth the erthe adoun, but for as moche as thilke places and thilke moevymges ben covenable to everyche of hem ? And for-sothe every thing kepeth thilke that is accordynge and propre to hym, ryght as thinges that ben contrari- ous and enemys corrumpen hem. [1015] And yet the harde thinges, as stones, clyven and holden here parties togidre ryght faste and harde, and defenden hem in withstondynge that thei ne departe nat lyghtly atwynne. And the thinges that ben softe and fletynge, as is watir and eyr, thei departen lyghtly and yeven place to hem that breken or divyden hem ; but natheles they retome sone ageyn into the same thinges, fro whennes thei ben arraced ; but fyer fleeth and 1007. sheden; perhaps s/ieden should be Swe- den, 'esparident. 1008. Cg Aa H Cx. ihai is alwey. loio. myghty, etc., Aq. 'patlens mali, i.t. potens mala sustinere.' 101 1, renovelen and publysschen, ' renouvel- lent' and ' propagentur. 1012. Cg is hirs, possibly right ; cp. Fr. ' leur,' and pronouns of following gloss. 397 1020-I042 BOECB BOOK 111 refliseth alle dyvisioun. I trete not now here of willeful moevynges of the soule that is knowyng, but of the naturel en- tencioun of thinges, as thus : [1020] ryght as we swolwen the mete that that we resseyven and ne thinke nat on it, and as we drawen our breeth in slepynge that we witen it nat while we slepyn. For certes in the beestis the love of hire lyvynges ne of hire beynges ne Cometh not of the wilnynges of the soule, but of the bygynnynges of nature. For certes, thurw constreynynge causes, wil desireth and embraceth ful ofle tyme the deeth that nature dredeth. (That is to seyn as thus : that a man may be constreyned so, by som cause, that his wille desireth and taketh the deeth whiche that nature hateth and dredeth ful sore. ) And som- tyme we seen the contrarye, as thus : that the wil of a wyght distourbeth and constreyneth that that nature desireth and requirith alwey, that is to seyn the werk of generacioun, by whiche generaciouh only duelleth and is susteyned the longe durablete of mortel thinges. [1025] And thus this charite and this love, that every thing hath to hym-self, ne cometh not of the moevynge of the soule, but of the (•entencioun of nature. For the purveaunce of god hath yeven to thinges that ben creat of hym this, that is a fill grete cause to lyven and to duren, for whiche they desiren naturely here lif as longe as evere thei mowen. For which thou mayst not drede be no manere that alle the thinges that ben any where, that thei ne req.uiren naturely the ferme stablenesse of perdurable duellynge, and eek the eschuynge of destruccioun. ' ' Now confesse I wel,' quod I, ' that y see wel now certeynly withouten doutes the thinges that whilom semeden uncer- teyn to me.' 'But,' quod sche, ' thilke thing that desireth to be and to duelle perdurably, he desireth to ben oon. [1030] For yif 1020. Cg H Ag B here now. 1025. by tvkicke, etc., i.e. by which the per- manency of mortal things is maintained. ^ that oon were destroyed certes beynge schulde ther noon diiellen to no wyght.' ' That is sooth,' quod I. 'Thanne,' quod sche, 'desiren alle thinges oon.' ' I assente,' quod I. 'And I have schewed,' quod sche, 'that thilke same oon is thilke that is good.' ' Ye forsothe,' quod I. ' Alle thinges thanne,' quod sche, ' requiren good ; and thilke good thow mayst descryven ryght thus : good is thillt thing that every wyght desireth.' [103s] 'Ther ne may be thought,' quod I, ' no more verraye thing. For eyther alle thinges ben referrid and brought to noght, and iioteren withouten govemour, despoyled of oon as of hire propre heued ; or elles, yif ther be any thing to whiche that alle thinges tenden and hyen to, that thing muste ben the sovereyn good of alle goodes.' Thanne Seide sche. thus: 'Omynory,' quod sche, ' I have greet gladnesse of the, for thow hast fycched in thyri herte the myddel sothfastnesse, that is to seyn, the prykke. But this thing hath ben discoveryd to the in that thow seydest that thow wisteth not a litel her byforn.' ' What was that ?' quod I. 'That thou ne wistest noght,' quod sche, 'whiche was the ende of thinges. [1040] And certes that is the thyng that every wyght desireth ; and for as mochel as we han gadrid and comprehendid that good is thilke thing that is desired of alle, thanne mote we nedys confessen that good is the fyn of alle thinges. ' Quisquis profunda. ' — Metrum 1 1 Whoso that seketh sooth by a deep thought,, and coveyteth not to ben dis- seyvid by no mys-weyes, lat hym roUen 1036. oon, unity. 1037. the myddel soth/asiTtesse, ' mediae. veri- tatis notam.' The gloss is due to note in A(^.~ 1039. But this thing; should be Bui in this things and in thai should be that that to give sense of Latin and French. 1042. j/tis-weyes, bypaths. 398 BOOK ni BOECE 1043-1066 and trenden withynne hymself the lyght of his ynwarde sighte ; and let hym gaderyn ayein, enclynynge in-to a com- pas, the longe moevynges of his thoughtes ; and let hym techyn his corage that he hath enclosid and hid in his tresors, al that he compasseth or secheth fro with- oute. And thanne thilke thing, that the blake cloude of errour whilora hadde y-covered, schal lighte more clerly than Phebus hymself ne schyneth. [1045] (Glosa. Who so wol seke the depe ground of soth in his thought, and wil nat ben disseyvid by false proposicouns that goon amys fro the trouthe, lat hym wel'examine and rolle withynne hym-self the nature and the propretes of the thing ; and let him yet eft sones examine and rollen his Ihoughtes by good deliberacion or that he deme, and lat hym techyn his soule that It hath, by naturel principles kyndeliche yhyd with-ynne it-self, al the trouthe the whiche ymagineth to ben in thinges with- oute. And thanne al the derknesse of his mysknowynge shall seen more evy- dently to the sighte of his undirstond- ynge than the sonne ne semeth to the sighte withoute-forth. ) [1050] For certes the body, bryngynge the weighte of foryetynge, ne hath nat chased out of your thought al the cleernesse of your knowyng ; for certeynli the seed of soth haldeth and clyveth within yowr corage, and it is a -waked and excited by the wynde and by the blastes of doctrine. For wherfore elles demen ye of your owene wil the ryghtes, whan ye ben axid, but if so were that the noryssch- ynges of resoun ne lyvede y-plounged in the depe of your herte ? (This to seyn, how schulde men deme the sothe of any thing that wer axid, yif ther nere a rote of sothfastnesse that wefe y- plounged and hyd in the naturel prin- ciples, the whiche sothfastnesse lyvede within the depnesse of the thought ?) And if it so be that the Muse and the 1050. seen (B has he") seems to mean ' appear' ; cp. Legend 0/ G. IV. 156, Gen. and Ex. 1923 (Morris). doctrine of Plato syngeth soth, al that every viryght leerneth, he ne doth no thing elles thanne but recordeth, as men recorden thinges that ben foryeten. ' [1055] ' Tunc ego Platoni inquatn. ' — Prosa 1 2 Thanne seide I thus : ' I accorde me gretly to Plato, for thou recordist and remembrist me thise thinges yet the seconde tyme ; that is to seye, first whan I loste ray memorie be the con- tagious coniunccioun of the body with the soule, and eftsones aftirward, whan y lost it confounded by the charge and be the burdene of my sorwe. ' And thanne seide sche thus : ' Yif thow loke,' quod sche, 'first the thynges that thou hast graunted, it ne schal nat ben ryght fer that thow ne schalt remem- bren thilke thinges that thou seidest that thou nystist nat. ' ' What thing ? ' quod I. 'By whiche governement,' quod sche, 'that this world is governed.' ' Me remembreth it wel,' quod I ; 'and I confesse wel that I ne wyste it nat. [1060] But al be it so that I see now from afer what thou purposist, algates I desire yit to herknen it of the more pleynly.' 'Thou ne wendest nat,' quod sche, ' a litel here byfom, that men schulde doute that this world nys governed by god.' * ' Certes,' quod I, ' ne yet ne doute I it naught, ne I nyl nevere wene that it were to doute ' (as who seith, ' but I woot wel that god gouverneth this world ') ; 'and I schal schortly answeren the be what resouns I am brought to this. This world,' quod I, ' of so manye and diverse and contraryous parties, ne myghte nevere han ben assembled in o forme, but yif ther ne were con that conioyned so manye diverse thinges ; [1065] and the same diversite of here 1058. it ne schal naf, etc., i.e. thou shalt not be far from remembering. 1064. ans7veren, ' exponam ' ; Fr. ' espondrai,' read as respondrai. 399 1066-1089 SOECE BOOK HI natures, that so discorden the ton fro that other, most departen and unioynen the thinges that ben conioynid, yif ther ne were con that contenyde that he hath conioynid and ybounden. Ne the certein ordre of nature schulde not brynge forth so ordene moevynges by places, by tymes, by doynges, by spaces, by qualites, yif ther ne were on, that were ay stedfaste duellynge, that ordeynide and disponyde thise diversites of moevynges. And thilke thing, what-so-evere it be, by whiche that alia thinges ben y-maked and I-lad, y clepe hym " god," that is a word that is used to alle foUi.' [1070] Thanne seide sche : ' Syn thou feehst thus thise thinges,' quod sche, ' I trowe that I have litel more to done that thou, rayghty of welefulnesse, hool and sound, ne see eflsones thi contre. ' But let us loken the thinges that we han purposed here-byforn. 'Have I nat nombrid and seid,' quod sche, ' that suffisaunce is in blisfulnesse ? and we han accorded that god is thilke same blisftil- nesse ? ' ' Yis forsothe,' quod I. 'And that to governen this world,' quod sche, ' ne schal he nevere han nede of noon help fro with-oute ? For elles, yif he hadde nede of any help, he ne schulde nat have no ful suffisaunce?' [107s] 'Yys thus it moot nedes be,' quod I. 'Thanne ordeyneth he be hym -self alone alle thinges ? ' quod sche. ' That may noght ben denyed,' quod I. ' And I have schewyd that god is the same good ? ' ' It remembreth me wel,' quod I. ' Thanne ordeigneth he alle thinges by thilke good,' quod sche, ' syn he, whiche that we han accordid to ben good, governeth alle thinges by hym-self ; and he is as a keye and a styere, by whiche 1067. Ne the ceriein, etc., should be ' The ordre of nature ne schoulde not procede certein^ and unfolden so ordene,' etc. 1077. the same good, 'ipsum bonum," ' biens meismes.' 1070. keye 'clavus' read as 'clavis,' or 'clos' as 'clef.' that the edifice of this world is kept stable and withouten corrumpynge ? ' ' I accorde me greetly,' quod I. * And I aperceyvede a litil here byforn that thow woldest seyn thus, al be it so that it were by a thynne suspeeioun.' [1080] 'I trowe it wel,' quod sche; 'for, as I trowe, thou ledist now more ententyf- liche thyn eyen to loken the verray goodes. But natheles the thing that I schal telle the yet ne scheweth not lesse to loken." ' What is that ? ' quod I. ' So as men trowen,' quod sche, ' and that ryghtfuUy, that god governeth ille thinges by the keye of his gOodnesse, and alle thise same thinges, as I have taught the, hasten hem. by naturel entencioun to come to good, ther ne may no man douten that thei ne ben governed volun- tariely, and that they ne converten hem of here owene wil to the wil of here ordeynour, as thei that ben accordynge and enclynynge to here governour and here kyng.' 'It moot nedes be so,' quod I, 'for the reame ne schulde nat seme blisfiil yif ther were a yok of mysdrawynges in diverse parties, ne the savynge of obedient thynges ne scholde nat be.' [1085] ' Thanne is ther no thyng,' quod sdie, ' that kepith his nature, that enforceth hym to gon ayen god.' 'No,' quod I. ' And yif that any thing enforcede hym to withstonde god, myghte it avayle at the laste ayens hym that we han graunted to ben almyghty be the ryght of blisful- nesse ? ' ' Certes,' quod I, ' al outrely it ne myghte nat avaylen h)Tn.' ' Thanne is ther no thing,' quod she, ' that either wole or mai with-stonden to this sovereyn good.' ' I trow nat,' quod I. ' Thanne is thilke the sovereyn good,' io8z. scheweth, etc., is no less evident. ■ 108^. yif ther were, etc., i,e, if it were a re- straining of the refractory elements. and not a preserving of the harmonious ones. 400 BOECE 1090-1115 quod sche, ' that alle thinges governeth strongly and ordeyneth hem softly ? ' [1090] Thanne seide I thus: 'I delite me,' quod I, 'nat oonly m the eendes or in the somme of resouns that thou hast concluded and proved, but thilke woordes that thou usest dellten me moche more. So that, at the laste, foolis that somtyme reenden grete thinges oughten ben asschamid of hem-self.' (That is to sejm, that we foolis that reprehenden wikkidly the thinges that touchin godis govemaunce, we aughten ben asschamid of our -self; as I, that seide that god refuseth oonly the werkis of men and ne entremittifh nat of it. ) ' Thow hast wel herd,' quod sche, ' the fables of the poetis, how the geaunttis assaileden hevene with the goddis, but for - sothe the debonayre force of god disposide hem as it was worthy (that is to sey, destroyden the geauntes, as it was worthy.) [1095] But wiltow that we ioynen to-gidres thilke same resouns, for paraventure of swiche coniunccioun may sterten up som fair sparcle of soth ? ' ' Do,' quod I, 'as the list.' 'Wenestow,' quod sche, 'that god ne be almyghty? — No man is in doute of it?' ' Certes,' quod I, ' no wyght ne douteth it, yif he be in his mynde.' ' But he,' quod sche, ' that is almyghti — ther nys no thyng that he ne may?' 'That is sooth,' quod I. ' May god don evel ? ' quod sche. 'Nay for-sothe,' quod I. ' Thanne is evel no thing,' quod sche, ' syn that he ne may not don evel, that niai doon alle thinges.' [iioo] 'Scornestow me,' quod I, — (or elles, ' Pleyestow or disseyvistow me,') — ' that hast so wowen me with thi resouns the hous of Didalus, so entrelaced that it is unable to ben unlaced — thow that other- 1091. H Cx. K^the resouns; Ci the inserted later (?). 1095. with ike goddis, 2.%an%\.\\\&%o&s. Prob- ably due to misreading 'ou !es dieux' as 'aux diex.' iioi. Didalus, Dedahis. while entrist ther thow issist, and other while issest ther thow ent'rest? Ne fooldist thou nat to-gidre (by replicacioun of wordes) a manere wondirful cercle or envirounynge of the simplicite devyne ? For certes a litel here byforne, whanne thou bygunne at blisfiilnesse, thou seidest that it is sovereyn good, and seidest that it is set in sovereyn god ; and seidest that god hym-self is sovereyn good, and that good is the ful blisfulnesse ; [1105] for whiche thou yave me as a covenable yifte, that is to seyn, that no wyght is blisful, but yif he be god also ther-with. And seidest eke that the forme of good is the substaunce of god and of blisfulnesse ; and seidest that thilke. same oon is thilke same good that is required and desired of al the kynde of thinges. And thou provedest in disputynge that god govern- eth alle the thinges of the world by the governementis of bounte ; and seidest that alle thinges wolen obeyen to hym ; and seidest that the nature of yvel nys no thing. And thise thinges schewedest thou, naught with noone resouns y-taken fi:o withouten, [mo] but by proeves in , cercles and homliche knowen, the whiche proeves drawen to hem-self heer feyth and here accord everiche of hem of othir. ' Thanne seide sche thus : 'I ne'scorne the nat, ne pleie, ne disceyve the ; but I have schewed the the thing that is grettest over alle thinges, by the yifte of god that we whilome prayeden. For this is the forme of the devyne substaunce, that is swiche that it ne slideth nat in-to uttreste foreyne thinges, ne ne .resceyveth noone straunge thinges in hym ; but ryght as Parmanydes seide in Greec of thilke devyne substaunce — he seide thus : that thilke devyne substaunce tornith the 1 106. as, as it were. 1106. covenable yifte, probably misreading of ' coronable don ' (correlarium). ^ nil. proeves in cercles, etc., 'in!;itis et domes- ticis probationibus ' ; in cercles is due to gloss on insitis in Aq., and known to Fr. 'conneus' (? conseus) translating 'domesticis.' 1115. Pamianydes, Farmenides. 401 II15-II4Z BOECE BOOK III world and the moevable cercle of thinges, while thilk'e devyne substaunce kepith it- self withouten moevynge. [iiis] (That is to seyn that it ne moeveth nevere mo, and yet it moeveth alle othere thinges. ) But natheles, yif I have styred resouns that ben nat taken from withouten the compas of the thing of whiche we treten, but resouns that ben bystowyd withinne that compas, ther nys nat why that thou schuldest merveillen, sith thow hast lernyd by the sentence of Plato that nedes the wordis moot nedes be cosynes to the thinges of whiche thei speken. ' Felix qui potuit.' — Metrum 12 Blisful is that man that may seen the clere welle of good ! Blisful is he that mai unbynden hym fro the boondes of the hevy erthe ! The poete of Trace (Qrpheus), that whilome hadde ryght greet sorwe for the deth of his wyf, aftir that he hadde makid by his weeply songes the wodes moevable to renne, [ii2o] and hadde makid the ryveris to stonden stille, and hadde maked the hertes and the hyndes to joynen dreedles here sydes to cruel lyouns (for to herknen his song), and hadde maked that the hare >vas nat agast of the hound, whiche was plesed by his song ; so, whanne the moste ardaunt love of his wif brende the entrayles of his breest, ne the songes that hadden overcomen alle thinges ne mighten nat asswagen hir lord (Orpheus). He pleynid hym of the hevene goddis that weren cruel to hym. He wente hym to the houses of helle, and ther he tempride his blaundysschinge songes by resounynge strenges, [1125] and spak and song in wepynge al that evere he hadde resceyved and lavyd out of the noble welles of his modir (Callyope), the goddesse. And lie song, with as mochel as he myghte of wepynge, and with as moche as love, that doublide his sorwe, myghte yeve hym and 1117. styred^ 'agitavimus.' 1123. ne the songes^ not even the songs. X125. iavyd, 'puisie. ' teche h3ma, and he commoevde the helle, and irequyred and bysoughte by swete preyere the lordes of soules in helle of relessynge (that is to seyn, to yelden hym his wyf). Cerberus, the porter of helle, with hise thre hevedes was caught and al abasschid for the newe song. And the thre goddesses, fiiriis and vengeresses of felonyes, that tormenten and agasten the soules by anoy, woxen sorweful and scry, and wepyn teeris for pite. Tho was nat the heved of Ixion y-tormented by the overthrowynge wheel. [1130] And Tantalus, that was destroied by the woodnesse of long thurst, despyseth the floodes to drynken. The foul that highte voltor, that etith the stomak or the gyser of Tycius, is so fulfild of his song that it nil eten ne tiren no more. At the laste the lord and juge of soules was moevid to misericordes, and cryede : " We ben overcomen," quod he; "yeve we to Orpheus his wif to beren hym compaignye j he hath wel y-bought hire by his faiie song and his ditee. [1135] But we wolen putten a lawe in this and covenaunt in the yifte ; that is to seyn that, til he be out of helle, yif he loke byhynde hym, that his wyf schal comen ^eyn unto us." But what is he that may yeven a lawe to loverys ? Love is a grettere lawe and a strengere to hymself (thanne any lawe that men mai yyven). Alias ! whanne Orpheus and his wyf weren almest at the termes of the nyght (that is to seyn, at the laste boundes of helle), Orpheus lokede abakward on Erudyce his wif, and lost hire, and was deed. This fable apertenith to yow alle, who so evere desireth or seketh to lede his thought in- to the sovereyn day (that is to seyn, in-to cleernesse of sovereyn good). [1140] For who so that evere be so overcomen that he ficche his eien in-to the put of helle (that is to sejm, who so sette his thoughtes in erthly thinges), al that evere he hath drawen of the noble good celestial he 1129. by arwy, rather anoyous soules, ' sontes. 1136. covenaunt, ' covenances.' 1137. 7ften mai yyven, one may give. 1139. and was deed, and she was dead. 402 BOECE I142-1165 lesith it, whanne he looketh the helles (that is to seyn, in-to lowe thinges of the erth).' EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS INCIPIT LIBER QUARTUS 'Hec cum philosophia dignitate vultus.' — Prosa I Whanne Philosophia hadde songen softly and delitably the forseide thinges kepynge the dignyte of hir cheere and the weyghte of hir wordes, I, thanne, that ne hadde nat al outrely foryeten the wepynge and the moornynge that was set in myn herte, for-brak the entencioun of hir that entendede yit to seyn some othere thinges. 'O,' quod I, 'thou that art gyderesse of verray light, the thinges that thou hast seid -me hidir-to ben to me so cleer and so schewynge by the devyne lookynge of hem, and by thy resouns, that they ne mowen nat ben overcomen. [114s] And thilke thinges that thou toldest me, al be it so that I hadde whilom foryeten hem for the sorwe of the wrong that hath ben don to me, yet natheles thei ne weren not al outrely un- knowen to me. But this same is namely a ryght grate cause of my sorwe : that so as the governour of thinges is good, yif that the eveles mowen ben by any weyes, or elles yif that evalis passen with- outan punysschynge. The whiche thing oonly how worthy it is to ben wondrid uppon, thou considerest it wel thi-selve certeynly. But yit to this thing ther is yit another thing I-ioyned more to ben wondrid uppon : [1150] for felonye is emperissa, and flourath fill of richesses, and vartu is nat al oonly withouten meedas, but it is cast undir and fortrodan undir the feet of falonous folk, and it 1142. helles, * inferos,' 1145. C2 Cx. Ag the resouns. 1 1 48. yif that . . . or yif thai, i.e. how that ... or how that. abyeth the tormentes in stede of wikkide felouns. Of alle whiche thinges ther nys no wyght that may mervaillen y-nowghe, ne compleyne that swiche thinges ben don in the reigne of god, that alle thinges woot and alle thinges may and ne wole nat but oonly gode thinges. ' Thanne seide sche thus : ' Cartes,' quod sche, ' that were a great merveilla and abaysschinge withouten ende, and wel more horrible than alle monstres, yif it were as thou wanest ; that is to seyn, that in the ryght; ordene hous of so mochel a fadir and an ordeynour of meyne, that the vesselis that ben foule and vyl schulden ben honoured and heryed, and the precious vesselis schulden ben defouled and vyl. [1155] But it nys nat so. For yif the thinges that I ha:ve concludid a litel here byforn ben kept hoole and unaraced, thou schalt wal knowe by the auctorita of god, of the whos regne I speke, that certes the gode folk ben alwey myghty and schrewas ban alway outcast and febla ; ne the vices ben nevere mo with-outen peyne, ne the vartus ben nat withouten mede ; and that blisfulnasses comen alwey to good folk, and infortuna comith alwey to wykkida folk. [1160] And thou schalt wel knowe manye thinges of this kynde, that schuUen cesen thi pleyntis and strengthen the with stedfaste sadnesse. And for thou hast seyn the forme of the verray blisfulnesse by me that have whilom y-schewid it the, and thow hast knowan in whom blisfulnesse is y-set, alle thingis y-treted that I trowe ban necessarie to putten forth, I schal schawe the the weya that schal bryngen the ayen unto thyn hous ; and I schal fycchen fetheris in thi thought, by whiche it mai areisen in heighte ; so that, alle tribu- lacioun I-don awey, thow, by my gyding and by my path and by my sledys, shalt mowen retourna hool and sownd in-to thi contree. [iiSs] 1151. abyeth tjie tormentes, *supplicia luit.' 1161. sadnesse, firmness. 1164. fetheris, wings. 1165. sledys, 'vehiculis,' 'voiturez.' 403 1I66-1I91 BOECE ' Sunt eteiiim penne volucres michi,'^ , Metrum i ' I have, for-thi, swifte fetheris that surmounten the heighte of the hevene. Whanne the swifte thoght hath clothid it -self in tho fetheris, it despiseth the hateful erthes, and surmounteth the rowndenesse of the gret ayr ; and it seth the clowdes byhynde his bak, and passeth the heighte of the regioun of the fir, that eschaufelh by'the swifte moev- Jfnge of the firmament, til that he aryseth hym in -to the houses that beren the sterres, and ioyneth his weies with the Sonne, Phebus, and felawschipeth the Weie of the olde colde Saturnus ; and he, I-maked a knyght of the clere sterre (that is to seyn, whan the thought is makid godis knyght by the sekynge of cleer trouthe to comen to the Verray knowleche of god) [1170] — and thilke soule renneth by cercle of the sterres in alle the places there as the schynnynge nyght is y-painted (that is to sey, the nyght that is cloiideles ; for on nyghtes that ben cloudeles it semeth as the hevene were peynted with diverse jmiages of sterres). And whan the thought hath don there I-noghe, he schal forleten the laste hevene, and he schal pressfen artd wenden on the bak of the swifte firma- ment, and he schal be makid parfit of the worschipful lyght of god. There halt the lord of kynges the septre of his myght and a-temprith the governementeS of the world, [1175] and the schynynge juge of thinges, stable in hyiii-self, governeth the swifte wayn (that is to seyn, the circular moevynge of the sonne). And yif thi wey ledeth the ayein so that thou be brought thider, thanne wiltow seye that that is the contre that thou requerest, of 1166. /br-thi, C2 Ax forsotke. 1168. Ptolemy's system of the universe is here referred to^ 1 169. Ci A2 Cx. B H omit hym ; Ai kir {soule is represented by the feminine pronoun after 1168 in Ai). 1170. C2 Ai read that for whan and omit cleer. 1 174. •worschif/ullyght^Kxdredefulclerenesse. whiche thou ne haddest no mynde — " but now it remembreth me wel, here was I born, her wol I fastne my degree (here wol I duelle). " But yif the liketh thanne to looken on the derknesse of the erthe that thou hast forleten, thanne schaltow seen that these felouns tirantes, that the wrecchide peple dredeth now, schuUen ben exiled fro thilke faite contre.' ' Turn ego pape ut magna. ' — Prosa 2 Thanne seide I thus : ' Owh ! I wondre me that thow byhetist me so grete thinges. [1180] Ne I ne doute nat that thou ne maist wel performe that thow behetist; but I preie the oonly this, that thow ne tarie nat to telle me thilke thinges that thou hast moevid.' 'First,' quod sche, 'thow most nedes knowen that. good folk ben alwey strong and myghti, and the schrewes ben feble, and desert and naked of alle strengthes. And of thise thinges certes everiche of hem is declared and schewed by otherel For so as good and yvel ben two con- traries, yif so be that good be stedfast, thanne scheweth the feblesse of yvel al opynly ; and if thow knowe clerly the freelnesse of yvel, the stedfastnesse of good is knowen. [1185] But for as moche as the fey of my sentence schal ben the more ferme and haboundant, I wil gon by the to weye and by the tothir, and I wil conferme the thinges that ben pur- posed, now on this side and now on that side. Two thinges ther ben in whiche the effect of alle the dedes of mankynde standeth, that is to seyn, wil and power ; and yif that oon of thise two faileth, ther nys nothing that may be doon. For yif that wille lakketh, ther nys no wyght that undirtaketh to done that he wol nat doon ; and yif power faileth, the wil nys but in idel and slant for naught. [1190] And therof cometh it that yif thou see a 1 177. fasine my degree^ ' sistam gradum.' n8i. thai thou, etc. ; me is the antecedent of that. 1182. naked, 'desunez,' misread as 'desnuez.' 404 BOECE 1191-1217 wyght that wolde geten that he mai not geten, thow maist nat douten that power ne faileth hym to have that he wolde. ' 'This is open and cler,' quod I, 'ne it ne mai nat be denyed in no manere.' ' And yif thou se a wyght,' quod sche, ' that hath doon that he wolde doon, thow ne wil nat douten that he ne hath had power to doon it ? ' ' No,' quod I. 'And in that that every wyght may, in that men may holden hym myghti ? ' (As who seith, in so mdche as man is myghty to doon a thing, in so mochel men halt hym myghti ; and in that he ne mai, in that men demen hym to ben feble.) [1195] ' I confesse it wel;' quod I. ' Remembreth the,' quod sche, ' that I have gaderid and I-schewid by forseide resouns that al the entencioun of wil of mankynde, whiche that is lad by diverse studies, hasteth to comen to blisM- nesse.' ' It remembreth me wel,' quod I, 'that it hath ben sche wed.' ' And recordeth the nat thanne,' quod sche, 'that blisfiilnesse is thiike same good that men requiren ? sd that whanne that blisfulnesse is required of alle, that good also is required and desired of alle?''[i2cx>] , 'It ne recordeth me noght,' quod I, ' for I have it gretly alwey ficched in my memorie.' 'Alle folk thanne,' quod sche, 'good and eek badde, enforcen hem withoute difference of entencioun to comen to good.' ' This is a verray consequence,' quod I. 'And certein is,' quod sdhe, 'that by the getynge of good men ben y-niakid gode.' ' This is certain,' quod I. ' Thanne geten gode men that thei desiren ? ' ' So semeth it,' quod I. ' But wikkide folk,' quod sche, ' yif 1201. H Cx. omit s^etly (not found in Latin and French). thei geten the good that thei desiren, thei ne mowe nat ben wikkid.' [1205] ' So is it,' quod I. ' Than so as the ton and the tothir,' quod sche, 'desiren good, and the gode folk geten good and not the wikkide folk, than is it no doute that the gode folk ne ben myghty and wikked folk ben feble.' 'Who so that evere,'quod I, 'douteth of this, he ne mai nat considere the nature of thinges ne the consequence of resouns.' 'And' over this,' quod sche, 'if that ther ben two thinges that han o same purpos by kynde, and that oon of hem pursuweth and performeth thiike same thing by naturel office, and that oother mai nat doon thiike naturel office, but folweth, by other manere than is coven- able to nature, hym that acomplisseth his purpos kyndely, [1210] and yit he ne acomplisseth nat his owene purpos — whether of thise two demestow for more myghti ? ' 'Yif that I coniecte,' quod I, 'that thou wilt seie, algates yit I ' desire to herkne it more pleynly of the.' ' Thou nilt nat thanne denye,' quod sche, ' that the moevement of goynge nys in men by kynde ? ' ' No for sothe,' quod I. 'Ne thou doutest nat,' quod sche, ' that thiike naturel office of goinge ne be the office of feet ? ' ' I ne doute it nat,' quod I. - 'Thanne,' quod sche, 'yif that a wight be myghti to moeve, and goth uppon hise feet, and another, to whom thiike rlaturel office of feet lakketh, enforceth hym to gone crepinge uppon his handes, whiche of thise two oughte to ben holden the more myghty by right ? ' [1215] 'Knyt forth the remenaunt,' quod I, 'for no wight ne dputeth that he that mai gon by naturel office of feet ne be more myghti than he that ne may nat.' 'But the soverein good,' quod sche, 1206. the tofi, etc., 'uifique,' ' li un et li autre.' 1207; Tftai nat, is not able. 1 208. katio savte pjtrpos, have the same function to perform. 1212. yif that, although. 405 I2I8-I242 BOECE BOOK IV ' that is eveneliche purposed to the good folk and to badde, the gode folk seken it by naturel office of vertus, and the schrewes enforcen hem to getin it by diverse coveytise of erthly thinges, whiche that nys noon naturel ofEce to gete thilke same soverein good. Trowestow that it be any other wise ? ' ' Nai,' quod I, • for the consequence is opene and schewynge of thinges that I have graunted, that nedes good folk moten be myghty, and schrewes feble and unmyghti.' [1220] 'Thou rennist aryght byforn me,' quod sche, 'and this is the jugement (that is to sein, I juge of the), ryght as thise leches ben wont to hopin of sike folk, whan thei aperceyven that nature is redressed and with-stondeth to the maladye. But for I se the now al redy to the undirstondynge, I schal schewe the more thlkke and contynuel resouns. For loke nowj how greetly scheweth the feblesse and infirmite of wikkid folk, that ne mowen nat comen to that hir naturel entencioun ledetiji hem ; and yit almest thilke naturel eijtencioun constreyneth hem. And what' were to demen thanne of schrewes, yif thilk naturel help hadde forleten hem, the yhiche naturel help of entencioun goth aiwey byforn hem and is so gret that unnelihe it mai ben overcome. [122s] Considere 1 thanne how gret de- faute of power an,d how gret feblesse ther is in wikkide fe|onous folke. (As who seith the gretter^ thing that is coveyted and the desir liat acomplissed, of the lasse myght is he that coveyteth it and mai nat acomplisse ; and for-thi philo- sophie seith thus be sovereyn good. ) Ne schrewes requeren not lighte meedes ne veyne games, whiche thei ne mai nat i2ao. scJuwyngei perhaps error for 'sewing.' 1221. jicgementi 'jugemens'C indicium 'read as ' indicium '). 1222. redressed, rather addressed, * erectse.' 1224. /(?/Aa^, to that'to which. 1225. Ci A2 H B omit alweyi C2 awey, T-ii-j. be sovereyn good, in respect to the chief good. 1228. ^antes, Ai H gaines, 'prsemia levia et ludicra, i.e. jocosa.' folwen ne holden ; but thei fallen of thilke somme and of the heighte of thinges (that is to seyn sovereyn good). Ne these wrecches ne comen nat to the effect of sovereyn good, the whiche thei enforcen hem oonly to geten by nyghtes and dayes. [1230] In the getyng of whiche good the strength of good folk is ful wel yseene. For ryght so as thou myghtest demen hym myghty of goinge that goth on his feet til he myghte comen to thilke place fro the whiche place ther laye no weie forthere to be gon, ryght so mostow nedes demen hym for ryght myghty, that geteth and atteyneth to the ende of alle thinges that ben to desire, by-yonde the whiche ende ther nys no thing to desire. Of the whiche power of good folk men mai conclude that the wikkide men semen to be bareyne and naked of alle strengthe. For whi forleten thei vertus and folwen vices ? Nys it nat for that thei ne knowen nat the godes ? But what thing is more feble and more caytif than is the blynd- nesse of ignorance ? [1235] Or elles thei knowen fill wel whiche thinges that thei oughten folwe, but lecherie and covetise overthroweth hem mys-tomed. And certes so doth distempraunce to feble men, that ne mowen nat wrastlen ayen the vices. Ne knowen thei nat thanne wel that thei forleten the good wilfully, and turnen hem wilfully to vices ? And in this wise thei ne forleten nat oonly to ben myghti, but thei forleten al outrely in any wise for to been. For thei that forleten the comune fyn of alle thinges that ben, thei forleten also therwith-al for to been. [1240] And peraventure it scholde seme to som folk that this were a merveile to seien, that schrewes, whiche that contenen the more partie of men, ne ben nat ne han no beynge ; but yit natheles it is so, and thus stant this thing. For thei that ben schrewes I denye nat that they ben schrewes, but I denye, and seie simply and pleynly, that thei ne ben nat, ne han no beynge. For 1236. mys-tomed, ' transversos,' 'les en des* tourne.' dso, so R Cx. ; IJeredso ; ysoferie)i; others var. 133. n'ot not, .so H3 y ; a p om. not, G R insert as before /. 134. forme, so nS y6 ; J R Cx. H3S2 Dg. qwdht 140. so, H4 y as. 4S6 TROILVS AND CRISEYDE 141-203 Tho gan she wondren more than bifom A thousand fold, and down her ^en caste ; For nevere sith the time that she was born To knowe thing desired she so faste. And with a sik she seyde him at the laste, ' Now, uncle min, I n'il you not displese, Nor axen more that may do you disese.' So after this with many wordes glade, And frendly tales, and with mery chere. Of this and that they pley'de, and gonnen wade ISO In many an uncouth glad and deep matere, As firendes don, whan they be met i-fere ; Til she gan "axen him how Ector ferde, That was the townes wal and Grekes yerde. ' Fulwel, Ithankeit God, 'quod Pandarus, ' Save in his arm he hath a litel wounde ; And ek his fresshe brother Troilus, The wise worthy Ector the secounde. In whom that alle vertu list abounde, As alle trouthe and alle gentilesse, 160 Wisdom, honour, fredom, and worthi- nesse.' ' In good feith, em,' quod she, • that liketh me ! They faren wel, God save hem bothe two ! For treweliche I holde it gret dejmt^, A Kinges sone in armes wel to do, And ben of good condiciouns therto ; For gret power and moral vertu here Is selde y-seyn in o pers6ne i-fere.' ' In good feith, that is soth,' quod Pandarus ; ' But, by my trouthe the king hath sones tweye, 170 That is to mene, Ector and Troilus, That certeinly, though that I sholde deye. They ben as voide of vices, dar I seye, 141, more, H4 G wel more. 143. time, H4 G tid.^ 143. that, R Cx. omit. 144. thing, a" Cx. a thing. ■Hj. Nor, a2 To ; R Cx. Ne. 166. of good condiciouns ; r^zAf^ good of con- diciouns. 170. trouthe, a? heed. As any men that live urider the sonne : Hir might is wide y-knowe, and what they conne. ' Of Ector nedeth no thing for to telle : In al this world ther n'is a bettre knight Than he, that is of worthinesse welle ; And he wel more vertu hath than might. This knoweth many a wis and worthy wight. The same pris of Troilus I seye : 181 God help me so, I knowe not swiche tweye ! ' — ' By God,' quod she, 'of Ector that is soth ; Of Troilus the same thing trowe I, For dredeles men telleth that he doth In armes day by day so worthily. And ber'th him here at hom so gentilly To every wight, that alle pris hath he Of hem that me were levest preised be. ' ' Ye seye right soth, y-wis ! ' quod Pandarus, 190 ' For yesterday who-so had with him been, Mighte ban wondred upon Troilus ; For nevere yit so thikke a swarm of been Ne fleigh, as Grekes for him gonne fleen ; And thorugh the feld in every wightes ere Ther n'as no cry but " Troilus is there ! " • Now here, now there he hunted hem so faste, Ther n'as but Grekes blood and Troilus : Now him he hurte, and him al doun he caste : 199 Ay wher he wente, it was arrayed thus : He was hir deth, and sheld and lif for us ; That, as that day, ther dorste non with- stonde, Whilthat heheld his blodyswerdin honde. 174. live, so J and others ; a^ CI. liveth; others liven ; H4 lyven under sonjie. 176. nedeth no thing, so a2 J Cx. H3 ; H4 G nediih (it) mj(ugh)t; y nedeth it no more. 182. God kelp me so, J so helpe me god ; G so god helpe vie. 185. telleth, so J etc. ; others telle, tellen. 188. alle, J etc. al; Ph. G al the; Cx. • overal. igz. Mighte, y He mighte. 194. for him, J Cp. and others ; rest Jro him (see I. 748). 199. him . . him, Hg H3 7^ ^fn , , . hem. Q 2 457 204-271 TROILVS AND CRISEYDE BOOK IJ ' Therto he is the frendlieste man Of gret estat, that evere I saw my live, And, wher him list, best felawshipe can To swich as him think'th able for to thrive. ' — ■ And with that word thoPandarus, as blive. He took his leve and seyde, ' I wol go henne. ' — 'Nay, blame have I, myn uncle,' quod she thenne. 210 ' What aileth you to be thus wery sone, And nameliche of wommen ? Wol ye so ! Nay, sitteth down ! By God, I have to done With you, to speke of wisdom, or ye go ! ' And every wight that was about them tho. That herde that, gan fer awey to stonde, Whil they two hadde al that hem liste on honde. Whan that her tale al brought was to an ende Of her estat and of her governaunce, =19 Quod Pandarus, ' Now is it time I wende ! But yit, I seye, arise and lat us daunce. And cast your widwes habit tomischaunce ! What list you thus your-self to disfigure, Sith you is tid so glad an aventiire ? ' — •A ! wel bithought ! For love of God,' quod she, 'Shal I not witen what ye mene of this?' — ■ ' No, this thing axeth leiser,' tho quod he, ' And ek me wolde muche greve, y-wis. If I it tolde and ye it toke amis. Yit were it bet my tonge for to stille 230 Than seye a soth that were ayeinsyour wille. ' For, nece, by the Goddesse Minerve, And Jupiter thatmak'th the thonder ringe. And by the blisfiil Venus that I serve. Ye ben the woman in this world livinge, Withouten paramours, to my witinge, / Tuol, G Cx. H3 D A< Tiiolde. thot so tt J etc. ; others io, too, two. al ikat hem liste, J al this maiere. on honde, y in honde. is it time, so Hj G H3 ; Si time is thai ; time. J D to (for /). I seye, arise, } arise th, I seye. J -y^ omit 209. 215. 217. 217. 220. }yis 221. tend. 224. 226. so glad, so a /3 ; y thus /aire, not, a^ now. That I best love and lothest am to greve ; And that ye witen wel your-self, I leve.' ' Y-wis, myn uncle,' quod she, ' graunt mercy ! Your frendship have I founden evere yit ; I am to no man holden trewely 241 So muche as you, and have so litel quit ; And with thegraceofGod, emforth my wit. As in my gilt I shal you nevere offende ; And if I have or this, I wol amende ! ' But, for the love of God, I you biseche, As ye ben he that I most love and triste, Lat be to me your fremde maner speche, And sey to me your nece what you liste.' — And with that word her uncle anon her kiste, And seyde, ' Gladly, leve nece dere ! 251 Tak it for gode that I shal seye you here ! ' — With that she gan her yen down to caste ; And Pandarus to coughe gan a lite, And seyde, 'Nece, alwey, lo ! to the laste, How-so it be that some men hem delite With subtil art hir tales for t' endite, Yit for al that, in hii entepcioun, Hir tale is al for som conclusioun. ' Andsithen th'ende is every tales strengthe, And this matere is so bihovely, 261 What sholde I peynte or drawen it on lengthe To you that ben my frend so feithiiilly ?'— And with that word he gan right inwardly Biholden her and loken on her face. And seyde, 'On swich a mirour goode grace ! ' — Than thoughtehethus : 'If I my tale endite Aught harde, or make a proces any while, She shal no savour han therin but lite. And trowe I wolde her in my wil bigile ; For tendre wittes wenen al be wile 271 239. myn, Hg y omit. 21,%. fremde, so A D only; } /riende; othtrs ^zx./rende,frendly, etc. 252. for gode, so G H3 etc. ; J f:tc. for good: 233. yen down to, J R Hj look down for to. 257. for t endite, a etc. to endite. 458 TROILUSiAND CRISEYDE 212-11^1 Wher-as they can not pleynlich under- stonde : For-thy her wit to serven wol I fonde. ' — And loked on her in a 'bisy wise ; And she was war that he biheld her so, Andseyde, ' Lord ! so feste ye m' avise ! Say ye me nevere or no w ? What sey y e ? No?'— ' Yis, yis ! ' quod he, ' and bet wol, or I go ! But, by my trouthe, I thoughte now if ye Be fortunat, for now men shal it see. 280 ' For t' every wight som goodly dventure Som time is shape, if he it can receiven ; And if that he wol take of it no cure Whan that it com'th, but wilfuUiche it weiven, Lo, neither cas ne fortune him deceiven. But right his owne slouthe and wrecched- nesse : And swich a wight is for to blame, I gesse ! ' Good aventure, O bele nece, have ye Ful lightly founden, and ye conne it take ! And, for the love of God and ek of me, Cache it anon, lest ^venture slake ! 291 What sholde I lenger proces of it make ? Vif meyour hond ; for in this world is non, If that you list, a wight so wel bi-gon. ' And sith I speke of good intencioun. As I to you have told wel her-bifom. And love as wel your honour and renoun As creature in al this world y-born. By alle the oothes that I have you sworn, And ye be wroth therfore, or wene I lye, Ne shal I nevere see you eft with ye ! 301 ' Beth not agast, ne quaketh not ! Wher- to? Ne chaungeth naught for feresoyour hewe ! For hardily the werste of this is do ; And thoughmy tale as now be to you newe, Yit trist alwey ye shal me finde trewe ; And were it thing that me thoughte unsittinge, To you wolde I no swiche tales bringe. '^- 286. owne, y verray. 292. o/itf o.^ H4 Cx. H3 io you; R om. ' Now, my goode em, for Goddes love I preye,' 309 Quod she, ' Com off, and tel me what it is ! For bothe I am agast what ye woL seye. And ek me longeth it to wite, y-wis ; For whether it be wel or be amis, Sey on ! Lat me not in this fere d welle ! ' — 'Sowilldon: nowherkneth! I shal telle! ' Now, nece myn, the kinges dere sone, The goode, wise, worthy, fresshe, and free, Which alwey for to do wel is his wone. The noble Troilus, so loveth thee, 319 That, but ye helpe, it wil his bane be. Lo, here is al ! What sholde I more seye ? Do what you list, to make him live or deye ! ' But if ye lete him deyen, I wil sterve : Have here my trouthe, nece, In'il not lyen, Al sholde I with this knjf my throte kerven ! ' — With that the teres braste out of his yen, Andseyde, — ' If that ye don us bothe dyen Thus gilteles, than have ye fisshed faire ! What mende ye, though that we bothe a- paire ? 329 ' Alias ! he which that is my lord so dere. That trewe man, that noble gentil knight, That naught desireth but your frendly chere, I see him deyen, ther he go'th up right And hasteth him with al his fiiUe might For to be slayn, if his fortune assente. Alias, that God you swich a beaute sente ! ' If it be so that ye so cruel be 337 That of his deth you liste not to recche, (That is so trewe and worthy as we see), No more than of a japer or a wrecche, — If ye be swich, your beaute may notstrecche To make amendes of so cruel a dede ! Avisement is good bifore the nede ! 309. we, -yS omits. 329. though^ J Hj (^ 331. gentU, oifl worthy ; Cx. omits. 335. his /ort-ilnei G H3 CI. fortune ivoAfle) ; H5 kis/ortune woUe. 338. you^ ] and others ye. 339. 7w, so a ^ ; G y ye, 342. Uf R H3 omit. 459 344-408 TROILUS AND ORISEYDE BOOK II ' Wo worth the faire gemme vertules ! Woworth that herbealso that dothno bote ! Wo worth that beaut^ that is toutheles 1 Wo worth that wight that tret ech under- fote! And ye that ben of beaute crop and rote, If therwithal in you ther be no routhe, 349 Than is it harm ye liven by my trouthe ! ' And also thenk wel that it is no gaude ; For me were levere thou and I and he ■ Were hanged, than I sholde be his baude, As hye, as men mighte on us alle see ! I am thyn em : the shame were to me As wel as thee, if that I sholde assente Thorugh myn abet, that he thyn honour shente. ' Now understond, for I you naught requere To binde you to him thorugh no biheste. But only that ye make l)im bettre chere Than ye han don or this, and more feste, So that his lif be saved at the leste : 362 This'al and som, and pleynly our entente : God help me so, I nevere other mente. ' Lo, this requeste is not but skile y-wis ; Ne doute of reson, parde, is ther non. I sette the werste : that ye drede this. Men wolde wondren sen him come and gon ; And ther-ayeins answere I thus anon, 369 That every wight, but he be fool of kinde, Wol deme it love of frendshipinhis minde. ' What ! Who wil demen, though he see a man To temple go, that he th' images eteth ? Thenk ek how wel and wisly that he can Governe him -self, that he no thing forgeteth. That wher he com'th he pris and thank him geteth ; And ek therto, he shal come here so selde, What fors were it, though al the town behelde ? 349. If, J CI. And. 349. ther, J G ne; a Cx. Cp. omit, 351. ikat it is, so J H2 G H5 S ; Hi thai is ; rest (Jhai) this is. 369. And, R only ; rest omit. ' Swich love of frendes regn'th in al this toun ; And wrye you in that mantel evere Mo ! And, God so wis be my savacioun, 381 As I have seyd, your best is to do so. But, goode nece, alwey to stinte his wo, So lat your daunger sucred ben a lite. That of his deth ye be not for to wite.' — Criseyde, which that herdehimin thiswise. Thoughte, 'I shal felen what he mene, y-wis ! ' — 'Now, em,' quod she, 'what wolde ye devise ? What is your reed I sholde don of this ?' — ' That is wel seyd ! ' quod he, ' Certein best is, 390 That ye him love ayein for his lovinge. As love for love is skilful guerdoninge. ' Thenk ek how elde wasteth every hpure In ech of you a party of beaute ; And therfor, or that age thee devoure, Go love, for, old, ther wil no wight of thee ! Lat this proverbe a lore unto you be : Too late y-war ! quod Beaut^, whan it paste : And Elde daunteth Daunger at the laste ! ' The kinges fool is wont to cryen loude. Whan that hira think'th a womman ber'th her hye, 401 " So longe mote ye live, and alle proude, Til Crowes feet be growe under your ye. And sende you thanne a mirour in to prye, In which that ye may see your face a- morwe ! " I bidde wisshe you no more sorwe ! ' — With thishestinte, and caste adounthehed; And she began to breste a-wepe anon, 379. in, so P H2 R Cx. Si ; G liaur; } etc. omit. (See C.r. B 776.) 380. wrye, a^ covers ; ywre. 383. goode nece, alwey, 78 alwey, goodie) nece. 384. So, a^ omit. 385. not for to, a2 nothing to; Cx. Hi CI. no^?tgh)t to. ' 387. he, H4 G Hs Cx. ye- 403. be growe, so J R y ; a^ be iva.xe. 406. /, 78 Nece, I. 460 BOOK 11 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 409-483 And seyde, ' Alias, for wo ! Why n'ere 1 ded ? 409 For of this world the feith is al a-gon ! Alias ! What sholden straungfi to me don, Whan he that for my beste frend I wende, Ret me to love, and sholde it medefende ? ' Alias ! I wolde han trusted, douteles, That if that I thorugh my disaventure Had loved outher him or Achilla, Ector, or any mannes creature. Ye n'olde han had no mercy ne mesure On me, but alwey had me in repreve ! 419 This false world, "alias, who may it leve ? 'What ! Is this al the joye and al the feste? Is this your red ? Is this my blisflil cas ? Is this the verray mede of your biheste ? Is al this peynted proces seyd, alias. Right for this fyn ? O Lady myn, Pallas, Thou in this dredfvil cas for me purveye. For so astoned am I that I deye ! ' With that she gan fill sorwfuUy to sike. — ' A ! may if be no bet ? ' quod Pandarus ; 'By God I shal no more come here this wike, And God to-forn, that am mistrusted thus ! I see wel that ye sette lite of us, 43a Or of our deth ! Alias, I woful wrecche ! Mighte he yit live, of me were naught to recche ! ' O cruel God, O dfspitouse Marte ! O Furies three of helle, on you I crye ! So lat me nevere out of this hous departe, If that I mente harm or vilanye ! But sith I see ray lord mot nedes dye, And I with him, here I me shrive, and seye That wikkedly ye don us bothe deye ! 441 ' But sith it liketh you that I be ded. By Neptunus, that God is of the see, • Fro this forth shal I nevere ete bred Til I myn owne herte blood may see ! For certein I wol deye as sone as he.' — And up he sterte, and on his wey he raughte, Til she agayn him by the lappe caughte. 434. were, so J H4 R Cx. H3; others is. Criseyde, which that wel nigh starf for fere. So as she was the ferfuUeste wight 450 That mighte be, and herde ek with her ere And saw the sorwful ernest of the knight. And in his prayer ek saw non unright. And for theharm thatmighte«k fallerhore. She gan to reweand drede her wonder sore. And thoughte thus : ' Unhappes fallen thikke Alday for love, and in swich maner cas As men ben cruel in hemself and wikke ; And if this man slee here himself, alias. In my presence, it n'il be no solas ! 460 What men wolde of itdeme I cannot seye : It nedeth me ful sleighly for to pleye ! ' — And with a sorwful sik she seyde thrye, ' A ! Lord ! What me is tid a sory chance ! For myn estat li'th in a jupartye. And ek myn emes lif is in ba.Uunce ! But nathel^s with Goddes governaunce I shal so don, myn honour shal I kepe. And ek his lif ! ' — and stinte for to wepe. ' Of harmes two the lesse is for to chese : Yit have I levere maken him good chere In honour, than myn emes lif to lese ! 472 Ye seyn, ye nothing elles me requere ? '-^ 'No, wis,' quod he, 'myn owne nece dere ! '— ' Now wel ! ' quod she, ' and I wol do my peyne ! I shal myn herte ayein my lust constreyne, ' But that I n'il not holden him in honde ; Ne love a man ne can I naught, ne may Ayeins my wil ; but elles wil I fonde, 479 Myn honour sauf, plese him fro day to day. Ther^fo n'olde I not ones have seyd nay, But-that I drede as in my faritasye ; But, cesse cause, ay cesseth maladye ! 454- harm thai mighte eh, 6? ] harm ek that might. 457. and, a? R Cx. omit. 460. nil, so a^ J ; others wil, wol. 465. nth in a, so Ha H4 H3 R ; lith in, J P G Hg Cx. ; y litk navj in (CI. now lith in). 467. Goddes, H2 H4H3 Hg T> gode {.good). 47B, 479. aP read : JVir love no (a) man, that can no wight He vtay Ayeins his wil. 482. dredef Cp. dredde. 461 484-549 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE BOOK II ' But here I make a protestacioun, That in this proces if ye depper go, That eerteinly for no savacioun Of you, though that ye sterven bothe two, . Though al the world on 00-day be my fo, Ne shal I nevere of him han other routhe ! ' ' I grante wel,' quod Pandar, ' by my trouthe ! ^ 490 • But may I truste wel to you,' quod he, 'That of this thing thatyehanhightme here Ye wol it holden trewely to me ? ' — ' Ye, douteles,' quod she, ' myn uncle dere ! ' — ' Ne that I shal han cause in this matere,' Quod he, ' to pleyne, or ofter you to preche ? ' ' Why, no, pard^ ! What nedeth more speche?' Tho fillen they in othre tales glade. Til at thelaste, 'Ogoodeem.'quod shetho, ' For love of God which that us bothe made, Tel me how first ye wisten of his wo ! 501 Wot non'of it but ye?' — He seyde, 'No!'— ' Can he wel speke of love ? ' quod she ; ' I preye, Tel me ; for I the bet me shal purveye. ' — Tho Pandarus a litel gan to smile, And sey de, ' By my trouthe I shal you telle ! This other day, not gon ful longe while, With-in the paleis gardin, by a welle, Gan he and I wel half a day to dwelle. Right for to speken of an ordinaunce 510 How we the Grekes mighten disavaunce. Sone after that bigonne we to lepe, And casten with our dartes to and fro. Til at the laste he seyde he wolde slepe ; And on the gres a-doun he leyde him tho ; And I afer gan romen to and fro, 491. ioyoUt yS ther-to. 493. iOf so P Ha Hk : others unto. 500. love of God, H4 the love; Hs Cx. 78 his love. 504. me shal, o? etc. shal me. 508. With-in, 78 In-with. 516. I a/er, so J R only; P K2 yn a fere (I) ; H4 G Ha etc. after ; y^ ther-after. Til that I herde, as that I welk allonej- How he bigan ful wofuUy to grone. ' Tho gan I stalke him softely behinde ; And, sikerly the sothe for to seyne 520 As I can clepe ayein now to my minde, Right thus to Love he gan him for to pleyne : He seyde, " Lord, have routhe upon my' peyne ! Al have I ben reb^l in myn entente. Now, mea culpa. Lord, I me repente ! ' " O God, that at thy disposicioun Ledest the fyn, by juste pilrveyaunce. Of every wight, my lowe confessioun 528 Accepte in gr^, and send me swich penaunce As liketh thee ; but from desesperaunce, That may my gost departe awey fro thee, Thou be my sheld, for thy benignete ! ' " For certes. Lord, so sore hath she me wounded, That stood in blak, with loking of heryen, That to myn hertes botme it is y-soiinded, Thorugh which I wot that I mot nedes dyen. This is the worste : I dar me not biwiyen; And wel the hotter ben the glades rede, That men hem wryen with asshen pale and dede." 539 ' With that he smot his hed a-doun anon, And gan to muttre, I n'ot what trewely; And I with that gan stille awey to gon, And leet ther-of as no-thing wist had I, And com ayein a-non, and stood him by, And seyde, ' 'Awak, ye slepen al too longe! It semeth not that Love doth you longe, ' " That slepen so that no man may you wake ! Who say evere or this so dul a man ? " " Ye, frend," quod he, " do ye your hedes ake 521. now, so J H4 etc. ; a* R Cx. A omit. 523. routhe upon, J R CI. routhe on; H4G Hj mercy on {of). 539. wryen'; J Hi wren. ■ S48. evere or this, G or this evere (read ? eotrt sey or). i^bz BOOK II TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 550-616 For love, and lat me liven as I can ! " 550 But though that he for wo was pale and wan, Yit made he tho as fressh a countenaunce As though he sholde have led the newe daunce ! ' This passed forth, til now this other day It fil that I com roming al allone Into his chaumbre, and fond how that he lay Upon his bed. But man so sore grone Ne herde I nevere. And what that was his mone Ne wiste I not ; for, as I was cominge, Al sodeynly he left his compleyninge ; 560 ' Of which I took som-what suspecioun ; And ner I com and fond he wepte sore ; And, God so wis be my savacioun, As nevere of thing hadde I no routhe more ; For neither with engine ne with no lore Unnethes mighte I fro the deth him kepe. That yit fele I myn herte for him wepe. ' And God wot, nevere sith that I was born Was I so besy no man for to preche, ^69 Ne nevere was to wight so depe y-swom. Or he me tolde who mighte ben his leche ! But now to you rehersen al his speche. Or alle his wofiil wordes for to soune, Ne bid me naught, but ye wol see me swoune ! ' But for to save his lif, and elles nought, And to non harm of you, thus am I driven. And for the love of God that us hath wrought, Swich chere him doth, that he and I may liven ! Now have I plat to you myn herte shriven ; And sith ye wot that myn entente is clene, Tak hede ther-of, for I non yvel mene. 581 ' And right good thrift, I preye to God, have ye. That have swich oony-caughtwithoutenet ! And, be ye wis as ye be fair to see, 551. wo^ J G love. 568. nevere sith thai, J R thai nevere sith. %jg. shriven, J P I-shriven. Wei in the ring than is the ruby set ! Ther were nevere two so wel y-met ! When ye hen his al hool as he is youre, Ther mighty God yit graunte us see that houre ! ' — 588 ' Nay, therof spak I not, aha ! ' quod she, ' As help me God, ye shenden every del ! ' ' A ! mercy, dere nece ! ' anon quod he, ' What-so I spak, I mente not but wel, By Mars, the God that helmed is of stel ! Now beth not wroth, my blood, my nece dere ! ' ' Now wel ! ' quod she, ' foryeven be it here ! ' With this he took his leva and hom he wente ; And, Lord, so he was glad and wel bigon ! Criseyde aros, no lenger she ne stente. But streight into her closet wente anon, 599 And sette her doun as stille as any ston, And every word gan up and doun to winde That he had seyd, as it com her to minde ; And was somdel astoned in her thought Right for the newe cas. But whan thatshe Was ful avised, tho fond she right nought Of peril, why she oughte afered be ; For man may love, of possibility, A womman, so his herte may to-breste, And she not love ayein, but-if her leste. But as she sat allone and thoughte thus, Ascry aros at scarmuch al withoute, 611 And men cri'de in the strete, ' See, Troilus Hath right now put to flight the Grekes route ! ' With that gan al her meyne for to shoute, f A ! Go we see ! Caste up the latis wide ! For thorugh this stretehe mot to paleysride ; 588. yit grannie us see, so G Hg R, etc. : J Cp. graunte us see ; a3 us graunte to see. 591. A, 78 o. 597. And, a.* Ye; R Cx. H3 A. 597. so, a? y omit ; G Hg how. 603. was, a^ wex. 606. a/ered be, a R Cx. aferd to be. 611. Ascry, Hi G TJi ascry. 615. /fl^M, so H2 only ; PH4GCX. zarfj; Jetc. yates. 463 617-686 TROILUS AND CRISEYDB BOOK II ' For other wey is fro the yate non Of Dardanus, ther open is the cheyne ! ' With that com he and al his folk anon An esy pas, riding in routes tweyne, 6so Right as his happy day was, soth to seyne, For-which, men seith, may notdistorbed be That shal bitiden of necessite. This Troilus sat on his baye stede, Al armed save his hed ful richely ; And wounded was his hors, and gan to blede. On which he rod a pas ful softeiy. But swich a knightly sighte trewely As was on him, was not withouten faile To loke on Mars, that God is of bataile ! So lik a man of armes and a knight 631 He was to sen, fulfil'd of heigh prowesse ; For bothe he hadde a body and a might To don that thing, as well as hardinesse ; And ek to sen him in his gate him dresse. So fressh, so yong, so weldy semed he. It was an hevene upon him for to see I His helm to-hewen was in twenty places, That by a tissu heng his bak bihinde ; His sheld to-dasshed was with swerdes and maces, 640 In which men mighte many an arwe finde That thirled hadde horn and nerf and rinde ; And ay the peple cri'de, ' Here com'th our joye ! And next his brother, holder up of Troye ! ' For which he wex a litel red for shame. Whan he the peple upon him herde cryen, That to beholde it was a noble game, How. sobreliche he caste doun his yen. Criseyde anon gan al his chere aspyen. And let so softe it in her herte sinke 650 That to her-self she seyde, ' Who yaf mfe drinke ? ' 617. zj, J CI- is ther. \/ro, y io. 636. weldy f so ay', P •worthy, 640. swerdes, a2 Hs swerd. 642. horn and, a2 bothe, 646. he the peple, etc., a5 he so herde ihet^eple on hitn cryen. 648. doun, a^ R adoun. 649. C?iseyde anon, so a2 R ; rest Criseyde, Criseyda. 650. //, J H4 Ad. Cp. omit. For of her owne thought she wex al red, Remembring her right thus, ' Lo, this is he AVhich that myn uncle swer'th he mot be ded But I on him have mercy and pite ' ; And with that pure thought for-shamed, she Gan in her hed to puUe, and that as faste, Whil he and al the peple for-by paste ; And gan to caste and rollen up and doun Within her thought his excellent prowesse, And his estat, and also his renoun, 661 His wit, his sbap, and ek his gentilesse ; But most her favour was, for his distresse Was al for her, and thoughte it was.a routhe To slenswichoon, if that he menje trouthe. Now mighte som envious jangle thus : ' This was a sodein love ! How mighte it be. That she so lightly loved Troilus Right for the firste sighte ? ' — Ye, pard6 ! Now, who-so seith so, mote he nevere the ! For every thing a ginning hath it nede 671 Or al be wrought, withouten any drede. For I seye not that she so sodeinly Yaf him her love, but that she gan encline To like him first ; and I have told you why; And after that, his manhod and his pine Made love within her herte for to mine ; For-which by proces and by good servise He gat her love, and in no sodein wise. And also blisful Venus, wel arrayed, 680 Sat in her seventhe hous of hevene the, Disposed wel, and with aspectes payed, To helpen sel^ Troilus of his wo ; And, soth to seyn, she n'as not al a fo To Troilus in his nativite : God wot that wel the soner spedde he ! 656. (?)MSS. var. ; a? And for that I _ pure ashantyd she ; G J etc. 7 And with that thought (J word) for pure (ei)shamed she, 679. seith, J H3 seyde. 670. mote he nevere, a^ nevere viote he. 671. a, O'B.of. 677. within, R Cx. in. 677. herte, so a2 Cx. H3 S2 Dg. ; R inwardly, rest omit. 679. g-at, a5 wan. 464 BOOK n TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 687-747 Now lat us stinte of Troilus a throwe, That rideth forth ; and let us tome faste Unto Criseyde, that heng her hed ful lowe, Ther-as she sat allone, and ganto caste 690 Wher-onshe wolde apoynte her atthelaste, If it so were her em ne wolde cesse For Troilus upon her for to presse. And, Lord ! so she gan in her herte arguwe In this matere of which I have you told ; And what to don best were, and what t' eschuwe, That pUted she fill ofle in many fold : Now was her herte warm, now was it cold ; And what she thoughte som-what shal I write. As to myn auctour listeth for t' endite. 700 She thoughte first that Troilus' persona She knew by sighte, and ek his gentilesse ; And also thoughte, ' It were not to done To graunte him love ; yit for his worthi- nesse It were honour, with pley and with gladn^sse. In honest^ with swich a lord to dele. For myn estat, and also for his hele. ' Ek wel wot I my kinges sone is he. And sith he hath to see me swich delit. If I wolde outreliche his sighte flee, 710 Paraunter he mighte have me in despit, Thorugh which I mighte stonde in worse plit: Now were I wis, me hate to purchace Withoutenede, ther I may stonde in grace ? ' In every thing I wot ther li'th mesiire : For though a man forbede dronkenesse. He naught forbet, that every creature Be drinkeles for alwey, as I gesse ; Ek sith I wot for me is his distresse, 694. And, J Hi A. 694. so, H4 G fww. 694. herte, so a^ J R H^ Sg Dg. : rest thought. 696. feschwuie, so a* Cx. Sa Dg. ; rest esehmue. 697. many, G Hg R Cx. Hg S.memy a. 701. first, so a3 J R; G H5 rf this; Cx. H3 yS wel. 703. And also tkmi.%hte, etc., so H4 J R ; a^ And seyde thus, ^ Al itiere it not, etc. ; Cx. H3 yB And thus she seyde, ' Al were it Vi't, etc. I oughte not for that thing him despise. If it be so, he tnen'th in goode wise. 721 'And ek I knowe, of longe time agon. His thewes goode, and that he is not nice. N'avauntour, seith men, certeyn, he is non; Too wis is he to don so gret a vice ; Ne als I n'il him nevere so chen'ce That he may make avaunt by juste cause ; He shal me nevere binde in swich a clause. ' Now sette a cas, the hardest is, y-wis : Men mighten demen that he loveth me. What dishonour to myn estat is this ? 731 May ieh him lette of that ? Why nay, parde ! I knowe also, and alday here and see, Men loven wommen al biside hir leve ; And whan hem list no more, lat hem leve ! ' Ek wot I wel he worthy is to have Of wommen in this world the thriftieste, As ferforth as she may her honour save ; For out and out he is the worthieste, 739 Save only Ector, which that is the beste ; And yit his lif li'th al now in my cure ! But swich is love, and ek myn ^venture I ' Ne me to love, a wonder is it nought ; For wel wot I myself, so God me spede, Al wolde I that no man wiste of my thought, I am oon of the fairest out of drede And goodlieste, who-so taketh hede ; 720. oughte, so J H2 H4 R ; rest n^oughte. 721. /fit be, so J H4 R ; rest Sith it is. 726. als, J G H5 also. 734, 735. al biside, etc. a** (and Ad. altered) a/ ■ this toun aboute Be they the wers ? Why nay, withouten doute 1 (Boc.) 735, leve, so J H4 H3 R Cx. : -y bileve. (See i. 686.) 736, 737. Ek wot I, etc., so J H4 R ; rest / thenke ek how he able is for to have. Of al this noble town the thriftieste (-y^ insert iike before nobli). 738. As ferforth as she may, so J H4 R ; a* That womman is, so she ; Cx. H3 y^ 7"^ ben his love, so she, 741. If thai now, so J ; MSS. var.' order. 745. no man, "f noon. Tlfi. of, a^ Cx. H3 y> omit (read ? That I am oon thefairest). 746. out of, a? Cx. witliouten. ■46s 748-808 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE BOOK II And so men seyn in al the town of Troye. What wonder is, though 'he of me have joye? ' I am myn owne womman, wel at ese, I thanke it God, as after myn estat, 751 Rightyong, andstondeuntey'd in lusty lese, Withouten jalousye or swich debat : Shal non housbonde seyn to me "Chek- mat ! " For either they ben ful of jalousye, Or maisterful, or loven novelrye. ' What shal I don ? To what fyn live I thus? Shal I not love, in cas if that me leste ? What, pard6 ! I am not religious ! And though that I myn herte sette at reste Upon this knight that is the worthieste, 761 Andkepe alwey myn honour and my name. By alle right it may do me no shame ! ' But right as whan the Sonne shineth brighte In March that chaungeth ofte time his face. And that a cloude is put with wind to flighte. Which oversprat the Sonne as for a space, A cloudy thought gan thorugh her soule pace. That overspradde her brighte thoughtes alle, So that for fere almost she gan to falle. That thought was this : ' Alias ! sith I am free, 771 Sholde I now love, and putte in jupartye My sikernesse, and thrallen liberty ? Alias ! how dorste I thenken that fol^e ? May I not wel in other folk aspye Hir dredful joye, hir constreynt, and hir peyne ? Ther loveth non that she n'ath why to pleyne ! 749. ij, so J etc. : a"* etc. is it; G isi, 751. after, J R ^; Cx.^or. 758. «/J J ie; a3 omit. 759. pardi, jypardieux. 759. not, Hs Cx. no. 761. Ufion this^knight, J unwist of him. 768. soule, so J G 7 : aS R Cx. H3 herte. 775- in, J h- yj-j. -why, so G Ad. only ; J wexi}) ; rest wey. (.IVey, meaning woe, may be the correct reading.) ' For love is yit the moste stormy lif, _' Right of himself, that evere was bigoniie ; For evere som mistrust or nice strif 780 Ther is in love, som cloude is over that Sonne ; Therto we wrecched wommen nothing conne Whan us is wo, but wepe, and sitte and thinke : Our wreche is this, our owne wo to drinke. ' Also these wikked tonges ben so prest To speke us harm, ek men ben sountrewe, That, right anon as cessed is hir lest. So cesseth love, and forth to love a-newe ! But harm y-don is don, who-so it rewe ! For though these men for love hem first to- rende, 790 Ful sharp biginning breketh ofte at ende. ' How ofte time hath it y-knowen be. The tresoun that to wommen hath he do ! To what fyn is swich love, I can not see, Or wher becom'th it whan it is a-go j Ther is no wight that wot, I trowe so, Wher it becom'th : lo, no wight on it sporneth : That erst was no thing, into nought it torneth. ' How bisy, if I love, ek moste I be To plesen hem that jangle of love and demen, 800 And coye hem, that they seyn non harm of me ; For, though ther be no cause, yit hem semen Al be for harm that folk hir frendes quemen ; And who may stoppen every wikked tonge. Or soun of belles whil that they be ronge?' And after that her thought began to clere, And seyde, ' He which that nothing under- taketh. Nothing acheveth, be him loth or dere.' 781. that, G Cx. the.. 783. wepe and sitter a^ Cx. sitte (and) wept. 784. to, G R Hs we. 792. hath it y-knowen he, so Cx. H3 y ; a" J R may men rede and see. 800. demen, so a ; J and others dremen, 801. that, y omit. 808. acheveth, y n'acheveth. 466 BOOK TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 809-872 And with another thought her herte quaketh ; Than slepeth hope, and after drede awaketh ; 810 Nowhot, now cold ; butthus betwixe tweye She rist her up, and wente her for to pleye. A-doun the stayre anon right tho she wente Into the gardin, with her neces three ; Andupanddoun theymaden manyawente, Flexippe and she, Tarbe and Antigone, To pleyen, that it joye was to see ; And other of her wommen, a gret route. Her folwed in the gardin al aboute. This yerd was large, and railed alle th' aleyes, 820 . Andshadwed welwithblosmybowesgrene ; Y-benchednewe, and sondedalle the vrkyes, In which she walketh arm in arm bitwene ; Til at the laste Antigone the shene Gan on a Trojan lay to singen clere. That it an hevene was her vois to here. She seyde, 'O Love, to whom I have and shal ■■ Ben humble subgit, trewe in myn entente As I best can, to you. Lord, give ich al For evere mo myn hertes lust to rente ! 830 For nevere yit thy grace no wight sente So blisfiil cause as me, my lif to lede In alle joye and seurte, out of drede. ' Ye, blisful God, han me so wel biset In love, y-wis, that al that bereth lif Imaginen ne coude how to be bet ; For, Lord, withouten jalousye or strif, I love oon which is most ententif 812. wenie her. J G2 wente. 813. A-daun, J H4 R Anddimn. 814. the, J ^ her; a? a. 815. they, -fi ther; H3 the. 8t6. ami she, ^ she. 821. blosmy, H4 Cx. H3 blosmed (see Rom. Rose, 108). 822. Y-tenched, P-R Hb -fi Avdhctiched. 825. lay, so 8 omit. 1587. he can, J Cx. that can. 1590. alwey this, Cx. althis; 78 al this thing. 1591. /or, J Cx. D CI- omit. 1593. !V — ' Lo, this mene I, myn owne swete herte.' Quod Pandarus, ' Lo, here an hard requeste. And resonable a lady for to werne ! Now,' nece myn, by natal Joves feste, 150 Were I a god, yeshulden sterve as yerne, , That heren wel this man Vfol no, thing: yerne But your honodr, and sen him almost: sterve, And ben so loth to.suf&en him you serve ! '! With that she gan her yen on him -caste ' Ful esily and ful debonerly, Avising her, and hiede her not too faste With nevere a word, but se'ide him: sobrely, 'Myn honour sauf, I wol wel trewely,. And in swich forme as he gan now devise, ; Receiven him fuU;^ to my servfee, 161' 130. /rendly somtime, H4 yfl somtime frendly,' 136. /, y5 omfts. 139. you, so a2 J G R S ; rest ye. 144. y-like, so'a^Cx. H3 ; J and others ayy-like. 157- hiede her, so a? Cx. ', others omit her, 158. sobrely, yS ss/tely t6o. And, J Bui. loo. ht;1 and others ye. ' Biseching him, for Goddes love, 'that he Wolde, in hon6ur of trouthe and gentilesse. As I wel mene, ek mene wel to me. And myn honour with wit and bisinesse Ay kepe ; and if I may don him glad- nesse From hennesforth, ywis I n'il not feyne.— Nowbeth al hool, no lenger that yepleyne. 'But natheles this warne I you,' quod she, ' A kinges sone although ye be y-wis, 170 Ye shal no more have sovereynete Of me in love than right in that cas is ; N' I n'il forbere, if that ye don amis. To wraththe you, and, whil that ye me serve, Cherf ce you right after ye deserve. 'And shortly, dere herte and al my knight, Beth glad, and draweth you to lustinesse ; And I shal trewely with al my might , Your bittre tornen al into swetn&se; If I be she that may do you gladnesse, iSo For every wo ye shal recovere a blisse.'— Andhim inarmes took, and gan him kisse. Fil Pandarus on knees, and up his yen To hevene threw, and held his hondfe . hye : 'Jnmortal God,' quod he, ' that mayst not dyen, Cupide I mene, of this mayst glorifyej. And Venus, thou mayst maken melodye ; Withouten bond, me semeth that in toune For this miracle I here ech belle soune ! ' But ho ! no more as now of this jnatere, For-why this folk wol comen up anon 151 That have the lettre red : lo .* I hem here. But I conjure thee Criseyde, and— oor i And tvvo — 'thee Troilus, whan thou mayst That -at myn housye ben at my wartinge, For I ful wel shal shape your cdminge j , ' And eseth ther your hertes right y-noiigh 1 1 Andlat see which of you shal here the belle 168. lenger that j-i, oS R Cx. ; J G 7 Uh" ye-He, ■ 1 I 188. in. y6 ,« /^. 189. mirdcle, -yB inerveille. 484 BOOK III TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 199-269 To speke of love ! ' — and right therwith he lough, — 199 ' For ther have ye a leiser for to telle.' — Quod Troilus, ' How longe shal I dwelle Or this be don ? ' Quod he, ' Whan thou mayst rise. This thing shal be right as I thee devise. ' With that, Eleyne and also Deiphebus Tho comen upward right at the staires ende ; And Lord, so tho gan gronen Troilus, His brother and his suster for to blende. Quod Fandarus, 'It time is that we wende : Talc, nece toyn, your leve at alle three. And lat hem speke, and cometh forth with me.' 210 She took her leve at hem fill thriftily As she wel coude ; and they her reverence Unto the fiille diden hardily, And speken wonder wel in her absence Of her, in preising of her excellence, Hergovemaunce, her wit ; and her manere Commendeden, it joye was to here. Now lat her wende unto her owne place, And tome we to Troilus ayein. That gan fill lightly of the lettre pace 220 That Deiphebus had in the gardin seyn ; And of Eleyne and him he wolde feyn Delivered ben, and seide that him leste To slepe, and after-tales to han reste. Eleyne him kiste and took her leve blive ; Deiphebus ek ; and hom wente every wight; And Pandanis, as faste as he may drive, To Troilus tho com, as line right ; And on a pallet al that gladde night By Troilus he lay, with blisful chere, 230 To tale ; and wel was hem they were i-fere. Whan every vright was voided butthey two. And alle the dores weren &ste y-shette — 199. and rigki^ J Hg y a-right. 203. / theet so R ; a2 Cx. / ; H4 theit J G thou -wilt; Hs/woii; y / you. 205. right at ; a? Cx. Hg at. 2c6. tho, Hg H3 y ihait{tie). 330. hlis/ul, Hg y inerie. ■ To telle in short withoute wordes mo — This Pandarus withouten any lette Up-roos, and on his beddes side him sette. And gan to speken in a sobre wise To Troilus, as I shal you devise : 238 ' Myn alderlevest lord and brother dere, God wot, and thou, that it sat me so sore When I thee saw so languisshing to-yere For love, of which thy wo wex alweymore ; That I with al my might and al my lore Have evere sithen don my bisinesse To bringe thee to joye out of distresse, 'And have it brought to swich plit as thou wost, So that thorugh me thou stondest now in weye To faren wel : I seye it for no host. And wosto w why ? For, shame it is to seye. For thee have I bigonne a game pleye 250 Which that I nevere don shal eft for other. Although he were a thousand fold my brother ; ' That is to seyn, for thee am I becomen, Betwixen game and ernest, swich a mene As maken Wommen unto men to comen : Thou woSt thy-selven what I wolde mene. For thee have I my nece, of vices clene. So fully maad thy gentilesse triste, ^si- That al shal ben right as thy-selven liste. ' But God that al wot take I to witn^sse, That nevere I this for coveitise wroughte, But only for t' abregge that distresse For which wel nigh thou deydest, as me thoughte. But, goode brother, do now as thee oughte For Goddes love, andkeepheroutofblame ; Sith thou art wis, so save alwey her name. ' For wel thou wost the name yit of here Among the peple, as who seith, halwed is ; For nevere was ther wight, I dar wel swere, 256. Son )3 ; y Alseye I nought, thou wost wel what I tnene. , 266, so save, J G2 so kepe ; y and save. 267. yet, y as yet. 269. So J Hi G2 S Cx. ; <«2 R Y For that man is unbare. 48s 270-336 TROILVS AND CRISEYDE BOOK in That evere wiste that she dide amis. 270 But wo is me, that I, that cause al this, May thenken that she is my nece dere. And I her em and trattor ek i-fere ! ' And were it wist that I thorugh myn eng;^n Had in my nece y-put this fantasye To don thy lust and hooUy to ben thyn, Why, al the peple wolde upon it crye And seyn that I the worste trecherye Dide in this cas that evere was bigonne, And she fordon, and thou right naught y-wonne ! 280 ' Wherfor, or I wol farther gon a pas, Thee preye ich eft, although thou shuldest deye. That privete go with us in this cas : That is to seye, that thou us nevere wreye ; And be not wroth though I thee ofte preye To holden secr6 swich an heigh matere, For skilfal is, thou wost wel, my pray^j-e- • And thenk what wo ther hathbetidorthis For making of avauntes, as men rede. And what mischaunce in this world yit ther is, 290 Fro day to day, right for that wikked dede; For- which thise wise clerkes that ben dede Han evere thus prov^rbed to us yonge, " The firste vertu is to kepe tonge." ■ And n'ere it that I wilne as now abregge Defusioun of speche, I coude almost A thousand olde stories thee alegge Of wommen lost thorugh fals and folisbost. Prov&bes canst thyselve y-noweand wost, Ayeins that vice, for to ben a labbe 300 Though men soth seide as often as they gabbe. 273. traitor 0), Hi tractor; J and othera 486 BOOK in TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 337-411 ' For wel I wot thou menest wel, pard6 ; Therfore I dar this fully undertake. Thou wost ek what thy lady graunted thee, And day is set the chartres up to make. Have now good night, I may no lenger wake ; 341 And bid for me, sith thou art now inblisse. That God me sende deth or sone lisse ! ' Who mighte tellen half the joye or feste Which that the soule of Troilus tho felte, Hering th'effect of Pandarus' beheste ? His olde wo that made his herte swelte Gan tho for joye wasten and to-melte ; And al the lichesse of his sikes sore 349 At-ones fledde, he felte of hem no more. But right so as thise holtes and thise hayis. That han in winter dede ben and dreye, Revesten hem in grene whan that May is, Whan every lusty listeth best to pleye, Right in that selve wise, soth to seye, Wex sodeinly his herte fill of joye. That gladder was thernevere man in Troye. And gan his look on Pandarus up-caste Ful sobrely and frendly for to see. And seide, ' Frend, in Aperil the laste, 360 As wel thou wost, if it remembre thee. How neigh the deth for wo thou founde me, And how thou didest al thy bisinesse To knowe of me the cause of my distresse. 'Thou wost how longe ich it forbar to seye To thee, that art the man that I best triste; And peril non was it to thee biwreye, That wiste I wel : but tel me, if thee liste, Sith I so loth was that thy-self it wiste. How dorste I mo tellen of this matere, 370 That quake now, and no wight may us here? ' But natheles by that God I thee swere That as him list may al this world gov^rne. And if I lye, Achilles with his spere 354. listeth^ so aP; y liketh. 355- to, R Cx. -ifor to. 359- for to, a5 Hs Cx, on(^ltti) to. 371. wight, J R Cx. man. Myn herte cleve, al were my lif eterne As I am mortal, if I late or yerne Wolde it biwreye, or dorste, or sholde konne. For al the good that God made under Sonne ; 378 ' That rather dye I wolde, and determine. As thinketh me, now stokked in prisoun, Inwrecchednesse, in filthe, andin vermine, Captif to cruel King Ag^menoun : And this in alle the temples of this toun Upon the Goddes alle I wol thee swere To-morwe day, if that it lik'th thee here. ' And that thou hast so muche y-don for me That I ne may it nevere mo deserve. This knowe I wel, al mighte I now for thee A thousand times on a morwe sterve. 389 I can no more, but that I wol thee serve Right as thy sclave, whider so thou wende. For evere-more unto my lives ende ! 'But here with al myn herte I thee biseche That nevere in me thou deme swich folye As I shalseyn : me thoughte by thy speche That this which thou me dost for com- pan;^e, I sholde wene it were a bauderye. I am not wood, al if I lewed be ! It is not oon, that wot I wel, parde ! 399 ' But he that go'th for gold orfor Jich&se On swich messdge, calle him as thee list ; And this that thou dost, calle it gentilesse, Compassioun, and felawship, and trist. Departe it so, for wide-wher is vrist How that ther is diversity requered Bitwixen thinges like, as I have lered. ' And that thou knowe I thenke not ne wene That this servfee a shame be or jape, I have my faire suster Polixene, 409 Cassandre, Eleyne, or any of the frape : Al be she nevere so faire or wel y-shape, 379. That, H4 R Cx. S But. 399. oon, so J a? Qfi ; rest so. 411. Al, so R ; rest omit. 487 412-479 TROILVS AND CRISEYDE BOOK III, Telle me which thou wilt of everychone To han for thyn, and lat me thanne allone ! ' But sith thou hast y-don me this servise My hf to save, and fornon hope of mede, So, for the love of God, this grete emprise Parforme it out, for now is moste nede ; For heigh and lowe, withouten any drede, I wol alwey thine hestes alle kepe : Have now good night, and lat us bothe slepe: ' 420 Thus held him ech of other wel apayed, That al the world ne mighteit bet amende ; And on the morwe, whan they were arayed, Ech to his owne nedes gan entende. But Troilus, though as the fir he brende For sharp desir of hope and of plesaunce,- He not forgat his wise governaunce, But in himself with manhod gan restreyne Ech rakel dede and ech unbridled chere. That alle tho that liven, soth to seyne, 430 Ne sholde han wist by word or by manere What that he mente, as touching thiS mature : From every wight as fer as is the cloude He was, so wel dissimulen he coude. And al this while that I you devise. This was his lif : with al his fuUe might By day he was in Martes heigh servise. This is to seyn, in annes as a knight ; And for the more part the longe night 439 He lay and thoughte how he mighte serve His lady best, her thonk for to deserve; I n'il not seyn that, though he lay ful softe. That in his thought he n'as somwhat. disesed, Ne that he torned on his pilwes ofte. And wold e of that he missed han ben esed ;" But in swich casmen ben not alwey plesed, 412. me ; -y omits. 427. wise, so a /3 ; y gode, 433. From every wipii, a? G2 From ech in that, 435. this, y ,the. 439, more, 0^ G^ R Cx. mosie. 442. So J H4 R S ; a2 G2 7 N'il I not sviere attJuyugh. 442. ful, so H4 R ; rest omit. 445. esed, a2 R y sesed. For aught I wot, no more than was he : That can I deme of possibflite. ' But certein is, to purpos for to go, 449 This mene while, as writen is in geste, He saw his lady som-time ; and also She with him spak whan- that she durste and leste ; And by hir bothe avis, as was the beste, Apoimteden fill warly in this nede' In every thing how they wolden precede. But it was spoken in so short a wise. In swich await alwey, and in swich fere, Lest any wight devinen or devise Wolde on this thing, or to it leye an ere, That al this world so lief to hem ne were As Cupido wolde hem aspace sende 461 To maken of hir speche aright an ende. But th'ilkelitelthat they spake or wroughte His wise gost took ay of al swich hede, It semed her he wiste what she thoughte' Withouten word, so that it was no nede To bidde him aught to don, or aught forbede : For which her thoughte that love, al come it late, Of alle joye had opned her the yate. And, shortly of this proces for to pace, 470 So wel his. werk and wordes he bisetle,. ' That he so ful stood in his lady grace That twenty thousand times or she lette She thonked God she evere with him mette. So coude he him gov^rne in swich servise That al the world ne mighte it bet devise, For-why she fond him so discret in al. So secret, and of swich obeisaunce, That wel she felte he was to her a wal 450., This metie while; a? Qfi y That in thtt while, 452. and, J and others or. 4SS. In every thing, so J H4 R ; n^ 02 y St, as they dorsie, 459. on this thing, so J H4 R S ; o" G" in this specM; y of hem two. 461. As, so J H4 R ; a2 G2 y As tliai. 461. spacS, so J a^ G3 H4 ; R y grace. 468. her, so J H4 R ; o« C2 y she. BOOK III TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 480-548 Of steel, and sheld frota every dfsplesaunce, That to ben in his gode governaunce, 481 So wis he was, she was no more afered,-^ I mene, as fer as oughte ben requered. And Pandarus, to quike alwey this fir, Was evere y-like prest and diligent ; To ese his frend was set al his desir ; ! He shof ay on ; he to and fro was sent ; He lettres bar whan TroUus was absent ; That neverp wight £is in his frendes nede Ne bar him bet to don his frend to spede. But now paraunter som man waiten wolde That every word or look, or sonde or chere Of Troilus that I rehersen sholde • 493 In al this while unto his lady dere ; I trowe it were a long thing for to here. Or of what wight that slant in swich disjoint His wordes alia or every look to-point ! For-sothe I have not herd it don or this ! In storie non, ne no man here I wene ! A.nd though I wolde, I coude -not y-wis ; For ther was some epistel hem bitwene That wolde, as seith myn auctour, weli contene 502 An hondred vers, of which him list not i write ; ' How sholde I than a line of it endite ? But to the grete effect. Than seye I thus. That— stonding in concord and in quiete Thise ilke two, Criseyde and Troilus, As I have seid, and in this time swete. Save only ofle mighte they not mete, ' Ne leiser han hir speche to fulfelle, — 510 That it bifel right as I shal you telle, That Pandar, which that alwey dide his might Right for the fin that I shal speke of here, ; As for to bringen to his hous som night '■ His faire nece and Troilus i-fere, ■ Wher-as at leiser al this heighe mature ■ 484. thh, so J H4 R ; a2 G2 V the. ; 490. to don his/re?td to spede^ so J H4 R Cx. ; others than he withauten drede. 503. An hundred vers, so J H4 R Cx. ; others Neigk half this hook. 508. seuli so J H4 R Cx. ; others. ^t?^. i K 3 iX Touching hir love were at the fuUe up- bounde, . , , Had, as him thoughte, a time to it founde. For he with gret deliberacioun . 319 Had every thing that ther-to mighte availe Forncast and put in execucioun. And neither left for cost ne for travaile. Come if hem list, hem sholde no thing &ile ; And for to ben in aught aspyed there. That wiste he wel an impossible were. And dredeles it cler was in the wind Of every pye, of svery lette-game. Thus al is wel ; for al this world is blind In this mature, bothe wilde and tame ! This timber is al redy up to frame : 530 Us lakkethnaught, but that we witen wolde A certein houre in which she comen Sholde ! And Troilus, that al this piirveyaunce Knew at the.fuUe and waited on it ay. Had her-upon ek maad his ordinaunce, And founde hiscause and ther-toal th'aray, That if that he were missed night or day Ther-whil he was about6 this servfse, ' That he was gon to don his sacrifise. And moste at swich a temple allone wake. Answered of Apollo for to be, 541 And first to sen the holy laurer quake Or that Apollo spake out of the tree To telle him whan the Grekes sholden flee, — And for-thylette him no man, Godforbede, But preye Apollo that he wolde him spede ! Ndw is ther litel more for to done ; But Pandar up, and (shortly for to seyne) 518. as hifn thoughte, so J H4 R Cx. S ; others enti qfdimte. " 520. A-nd, so.Cx. S H3; rest omit. 529. wiUe, so J H4 R Cx. S H3 ; a2 G2 7 fremde. j 535. his, S Usygret. - S37- Thati/that.y/fihat. 543. Apollo, li' ^^ the god (aug-ht). 544. whan the Grekes, a2 G^ y next 'u'han Grekes (var.) S46. that he wolde him spede, so J H4 R Cx, ; others helpen in this nede. S49"6i6 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE BOOK III Right soneupon thechaungingof the mone Whan lightles is the world a night or tweyne, 550 And that the welken shop him for toreyne, He streight a-morwe unto his nece wente : Ye han wel herd the fin of his entente. Whan he was come, he gan anon to pleye As he was wont, and at hira-self to jape ; And finaliche he swor and gan her seye Bythis and that, shesholde himnot escape, Ne make him lenger after her to gape. But certeinly she moste by her leve 559 Come soupen in his hous with him at eve. At which she lough, and gan her faste excusen, And seide, ' It raineth : lo, how sholde I gon ? '— ' Lat be,' quod he, ' ne stond not thus to museu : This mot be don : ye shal be ther anon ! ' — So at the laste her-of they fiUe at oon. Or elles, softe he swor her in her ere, He wolde nevere comen ther she were. And she a-game gan him for to rouiie. And axed him if .Troilus were there. 569 He swor her, 'nay, for he was out of toune,' And seide, 'Nece, I pose that he were, Thee thurfte nevere han the more fere ; For, rather than men sholdehim ther aspye. Me were levere a thousand fold to dye.' Not list myn auctour fully to declare What that she thoughte whan he seide so. That Troilus was out of toune y-fare. As if he seide soth ther-of or no ; But that she graunted with him for to go Withoute await, sin he her that bisoughte. And as his nece obeyed as her oughte. But natheles yit gan she him biseche, jSz Although with him to gon it was no fere. For to be war of goosissh peples speche 568. And she a-game (?\ J R Cx. And she againe (H4 on game) ; a2 G^ -y Sdne after this she (var.) Sse 11. 636, 648. 579, 580. So J H4 R Cx. S ; a2 G^v But that withoute await with him to go She graunted him . . . That dremen thinges whiche that nevere were. And wel avise him whom he brought^ there, And seide him, ' Em, sin I moste on you triste, Loke al be wel, for I do as you liste.' He swor her this, by stokkes and bystones, And by the Goddes that in hevene dwelle, Or elles were him levere, fel and bones, 591 With Pluto King as depe ben in helle As Tantalus! — What sholde I longe telle? Whan al was wel, he roos and took his leve ; And she to soper com, whan it was eve, With"ek a certein of her owne men. And with her faire nece Antigone And other of her wommen nine or ten. But who was glad now? Who, astrowenye. But Troilus, thatstoodandmighteitsee 600 Thorugh-out a litel window in a stewe Ther he bi-shet til midnight was in mewe, Unwist of every wight but of Panddre ? But now to purpos. Whan that she was come With alle joye and alle frendes fare. Her em anon in armes hath her noma, And after to the soper, alle and some, When time was, ful softe they hem sette ; God wot, ther was no deynt^ for to fette ! And after soper gonnen they to rise 6» At ese wel with hertes fresshe and glade ; And wel was him that coude best devise To liken her, or that her laughen made. He song : she pleyde : he tolde tale of Wade. But at the laste, as every thing hath ende, She took her leve, and nedes wolde wende, 5B8. for I do, so J H4 R Cx ; G2 V and(<^ fl do now. 589. this, so J R G2 ; Cx. tho; oS H4 D om. ; ^ 596. With ek (?), all With. 598. a* G2 And (0/) her wommenweHatnitu or ten. 599. was. a? G2 is. 602. til, H2 tul; others sin. 604. now to purpos, so J H4 R Cx. S ; i^&) to the point novi. 614. tale of Wade; see C.T. E 1424. 490 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 617-688 But O Fortune, executrice of wierdes ! O Influences of thise hevenes hye ! Soth is, that under God ye ben our hierdes. Though to us beestes ben the causes wrye ! This mene I now, for she gan homward hye ; 621 But execut was al biside her leve The Goddes wil ; for which she moste ble ve. The bente mone with her homes pale, Saturn, and Jove, in Cancro joined were, That swich a reyn from hevene gan avale That every maner womman that was there Had of that smoky reyn a verray fere ; At which Pandora tho lough, and seide thenne, 629 ' Now were it time a lady to gon henne ! ' But, gode nece, if I mighte evere plese You any thing, than preye ich you, ' quodhe, ' To don myn herte as now so gret an ese As for to dwelle hereal this night withme ; For, nece, this' your owne hous, pard£ ! Now by my trouthe I seye it not a-game : To wende as now, to me it were a sha:me.' Criseyde, which that coude as muche good As half a world, took hede of his prey fee ; And sin it ron and al was on a flood, 640 Shethoughte, 'as goodchep may I dwellen here, And graunte it gladly with a frendes chere And have a thank, as grucche and than abide. For hom to gon, it miy not wel bi-tide. ' ' I wol,'quod she, 'myn uncle lief and dere ; Sin that you list, it skile is to be so ; I am right glad with you to dwellen here ; I seide but a-game, I wolde go. ' — 648 ' Y- wis, graunt mercy, nece ! ' quod he tho ; ' Were it a-game or no, soth for to telle. Now am I glad, sin that you list to dwelle. ' Thus al is wel. But tho began aright The newe joye and al the feste agayn ; 623. Thi, -^ At tht. 635. For^ nece, this (is), so J H4 R Cx. S : a2 G2 y For why this is. 636. Now, Ha And; y' For. But Pandarus, if goodly had he might. He wolde han hyed her to bedde fayn ; And seide, ' Lord, this is a huge rayn ! This were a weder for to slepen inne ! And that I rede us sone to beginne 1 658 ' And, nece, wot ye wher I shal you leye ? For-that we shal not liggen fer asonder. And for ye neither shuUen, dar I seye. Here no noise of reynes nor of thonder, . By God, right in my lite closet yonder ; And I wol in that outer hous allone Ben wardein of yourwommen everychone, • And in this middel chaumbre that ye see Shul alle your wommen slepen wel and softe. And al withinne shal yoiir-selven be ; And if ye liggen wel to-night come ofle. And careth not what weder is a-lofte ! 670 The wyn anon ; and whan so that you leste, Than is, it time for to gon to reste.' Ther n'is no more ; but her-after sone. The void^ dronke, and travers draweanon, Gan every wight that hadde naught to done More in the place out of the chaumbre gon. And alwey in this mene while it ron. And blew ther- with so wonderliche loude. That wel nigh no man heren other coude. Tho Pandarus, her em, right as him oughte. With wommen swiche as were her inost aboute, 681 Fulgladunto her beddesside her brbughte. And took his leve, and gan ftil lowe loute, Andseideher,'Atthisclosetdorewithoute, Right overthwart, your wommen liggen alle. That whom you list ofhem ye may her calle. ' So whan that she was in the closet leyd. And alle her wommen forth by ordinaunce 662. Here no (r), all Herdfi). 667. alle, so Hb S Ci. j rest omit. (Read ? Shullen ; see 1. 661.) 668. al withinne, so J H4 R Cx. S ; aS y ther Iseyde; G^ ther besyden. 672. So J H4 R Cfx. S H3 (var.) ; cfi G2 y' So go weslefie, I trowe it be the bests (var.) 677. So J H4 R Cx. S ; a2 G2 -fi And evere me so stemeliche it ron. 491 689-7S8 TROILUS AND PRISEYDE BOOK III A-bedde weren ther-as I have seyd, 689 Ther was no more toskippenne to traunce, But boden gon to bedde, with mischaunce, If any man was stering any-wherej And- lat hem slepen that a-bedde were. But Pandarus, that welcoude ech a del The olde daunce, and every point ther-inne, Whan that he saw that alle thing was wel, He thoughte' he wolde upon his werk biginne, And gan the stewe dore al softe unpinne ; And stiUe as stoon, withouten lenger lette, By Troilus adoun right he him sette. 700 And, shortly to the point right for to gon^ Of al this thing he tolde him word and ende, Arid seide, ' Mak thee redy right anon, For thou shalt into hevene blisse wende ! ' * Now, seinte Venus, thou me grace sende,' Quod Troilus, ' for hevere yit no nede Hadde ich or now, ne halvendel the drede !' Quod Pandarus, ' Ne dred theenevere a del. For it shal ben right as thou wolt desire : So thrive I, this night shal I make it wel. Or casten al the gruel in the fire ! '—r- 711 ' Yit, blisful Venus, this night thou m' enspire,' Quod Troilus, ' as wis as I thee serve, And evere bet and bet shal til I sterve. ' And if ich hadde, O Venus ful of mirthe, Aspectes badde of Mars or of Saturne, Or thou combust or let were in' my biithe. Thy fader prey al th'ijke harm disturne Of grace, and that I glad ayein may turne. For love of him thou lovedest in theshawe, ImeneAdon, that with the boor was slawe. ' O Jove ek, for the love of faire Europe The whiche in forme ofbole awey thou fette. Now help ! O Mars, thou with thy blody cope. For love of Cipris thou me naught ne lette ! \ 692. man, so J H4.CX. a^ G" ; R S 78 Tnght. 696. saw, a2 G2 wiste: 725. Cipris, Venus ; see v, ao8. O Phebus, thenk whan Dane her-selven shette Under the barke, and laurer wex for drede ; Yit for her love, O help now at this nede I ' Mercurie, for the love of Hierse eke, 729 For which iPallds was with Aglauroswrothi Now help ! And ek Diane, I thee hiseke That this vidge be not to thee loth ! O fatal sustren, whiche, or any cloth Me shapen was, my destine me sponne, So helpeth to this werk that is begonne!'— Quod Pandarus, ' Thou wrecched mouses herte ! Aft thou agast so that she wol thee bite? Why, don this fiirred cloke upon thy sherte, And folwe me, for I wol han the wite! 739 But bid, and lat me gon biforn a lite.'— And with that word he gan undo a trappe, And Troilus he broughte in by the lappe. The Sterne wind so loude gan to route That no wight other noise mighte here ; And they that layen at the dore withoute Ful sikerly they slepteii alle i-fere ; And Pandarus, with a fiilsobre chere, Go'th to the dore anon withouten lette, Ther-as they laye, and softeliche it shette. And, as he com ayeinward prively, . 750 His nece awook, and asked, ' Who go'th there?'— ' My dere nece,' quod he, 'it am I ! Ne wondreth not, ne have of it no fere.'— And ner he com, and seyde her in her ere, ' No word, for love of God, I you bisecke ! Lat no wight rise and heren of our speche !, ' . ' What ! which way be ye comen, ben- dist^?' Quod tshe, ' and how thus unwist of hem alle?'— ■ 726. Dane, Daphne ; seb C. T, 2062-2064. 729. Hierse, Herse, daughter of Cecrops, ■be- loved by Mercury. __ 730. Aglauros, Herse's sister; see Ovid, Mti ii. 708-832, 733. fatal sustren, the three Fates. 757. bendisti, so J ; others benediciii^, - 758. thus, R y8 omit / -w* BOOK III TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 759-828 ' Here at this Ute trappe-dore,' quod he. — Quod tho Criseyde, ' Lat me som wight calle ! ' — 760 ' Ey ! God forbede that it sholde falle,' Quod Pandarus, ' that ye swich foly wroughte ! They mighte demen that they nevere er thoughte ! ' It n'is not good a sleping hound to wake, Ne yeve a wight a cause to devine : Your wommen slepen alle, I undertake, So that for hem the hous men mighte mine. And slepen woUen til the Sonne shine ! And whan my tale y-brought is to an ende, Unwist, rightasi com, sowollwende. 770 ' No\?, nece myn, ye shal wel understonde, ' Quod he, ' so as ye wommen demen alle. That for to holden longe a man in honde And him her lief and dere herte calle, And maken him an howve above a calle, I mene, as love another in this while, — She doth herself a shame and him a gile. ' Now, wher-by that I telle you al this : Ye wot your-self as wel as any wight How that your love al fiiUy graunted is 780 To Troilus, the worthieste knight Oon of this world, and therto trouthe y-plight. That, but it were on him along, ye n'olde Him nevere falsen whil ye liven sholde. 'Nowstant it thus : that sinlfroyouwente. This Troilus, right platly for to seyn. Is thorugh a goter by a priv^ wente Into my chaumbre come in al this reyn, Unwist of every maner w%ht, certeyn. Save of myself, as wisly have I joye, 790 And by that feith I shal Priam of Troye ! ' And he is come in swich peyne and distresse That, but he be al fully wood by this, He sodeinly mot falle into woodn&se But-if Godhelpe. And cause whythisis, — He seith him told is of a frend of his, 773. holden Imge, so J H4 R Cx. H3 ; others holde in lovgt How that ye sholden love oon, hatte Horaste, For sorwe of which this night shal ben his laste ! ' Criseyde, which that al this wonder herde, Ga^ therwithal aboute her herte colde, 800 And with a sik she sodeinly answerde, ' Alias, I wen'de, who-so tales tolde, My dere herte wolde me not holde So lightly fals ! Alias, conceites wronge. What harm they don, for now live I too longe ! ' Horaste ! alias, and falsen Troilus ! I knowe him not, God help me sb ! ' quod she. ' Alias, what wikked spirit tolde him thus ? Now certes, em, to-morwe, and I him see, I shal of that as ful excusen me 810 As evere dide womman, if him like.' And with that word she gan ful sore sike. ' O God ! ' quod she, 'so worldly selinesse. Which clerices callen fals felicite, Y-medled is with many a bitternesse ! Ful anguisshous than is, God wot,' quod she, ' Condicioun of veyn prosperity ! For either joyes comen not i-fere. Or elles no wight hath hem alwey here. ' O brotel wele ! O worldly joye un- stable ! 820 With what wight so thou be or how thou . pleye, Either he wot that thou, joye, art mudble. Or wot it not ; it mot be oon of tweye. Now, if he wot it not, how may he seye That he hath verray joye and selinesse, That is of ignoraunce ay in derknesse ? ' Now, if he wot that joye is transitorie, As every joye of worldly thing mot flee, 797. oon, G y oon that 800. therwithal, o^ G^ y sodeinly. 801. sodeinly, a^ (jfi y soTwfitlly. 810. of that, S y therof. 813-836. Adapted from Boethius ii. prosa 4, 820. O worldly, so J H4 R Cx ; o2 G^ y 4) 493 829-903 TROILVS AND CRISEYDE BOOK III Than every time he that hath in memorie, The drede of lesingmaketh him that he 830 May in no parfit selinesse be ; And if to lese his joye he set a mite, Than semeth it that joye is worth fill lite. ' Wherfor I wol define in this manure. That trewely, for aught I can espye, Thar is no verray wele in this world here. But O thou wikked serpent jalousjre ! Thou misbeleved envious fol;^e ! Why hastow Troilus maad to me untriste, That nevere yit agilte him that I wiste ? ' — 840 Quod Pandarus, 'Thus fallen is this cas — ' 'Why! uncle myn,' quod she, 'whotolde him this ? Why doth my dere herte thus, alias ?'-r- ' Ye wot, ye nec§ myn,' quod he, 'what is. I hope al shal be wel that is amis. For ye may quenche al this if that you leste. And doth right so : I holde it for the beste.' — ' So shal I don to-morwe, y-wis,' quod she, ' And God to-forn, so that it shal suffise. '— ' To - morwe ? alias, that were a fair ! ' quod he. 850 ' Nay, nay, it may not stonden in this wise ; For, nece myn, thus writen clerkes wise. That peril is with drecching in y-drawe : Nay, such abodes ben not worth a ha we ! ' Nece, alle thing hath time, I daf avowe ; For whan a chaumbre a-fire is, or an halle, Wel more nede is, it sodeinly rescowe Than to dispute and axe amonges alle "How is this candel in the straw y-falle?" A ! bendist^ ! for al among this fare 860 The harm is don, and far-wel feldefare ! ' And, nece myn, ne take it not a-grief : If that ye suffre him al night in this wo, God help me so, ye had him nevere lief ! That dar I seyn, now ther is but we two. But wel I wot that ye wol not do so ; 838. envitMis,! y* £ 86z. ne, «« G^ J om Ye ben too wis to don so gret fol;^e • To putte his lif al night in jupart^e.' — ' Had ich him nevere lief? ByGod, Iwene Ye hadde nevere thing so lief!' quod she. — 870 ' Now, by my thrift,' quod he, ' that shal be sene ! For, sin ye maken this ensaumple of me. If ich al night wolde him in sorwe see For al the tresour in the town of Troye, I bidde God I nevere mote have joye ! ' Now, loke than, if ye that ben his love Shall putte his lif al night in jupartye For thing of naught, nowbythat God above Not only this delay com'th of fol^e But of maUce, if that I shal not lye ! 880 What ! platly,andyesuffrehimindistresse, Ye neither wisdom don ne gentilesse ! ' Quod tho Criseyde, ' Wol ye don 00 thing, And ye therwith shal stinten his disese : Have here and bereth him this blewe ring, For ther is no thing mighte him bettre plese Save I my-self, ne more his herte apese ; And seye my dere herte, that his sorwe Iscauseles: that shal heseen to-morwe !'— 'A ring?' quod he, 'ye, haselwodes shaken ! 890 Ye, nece myn, that ring moste have a ston That mighte dede men a-live maken ; And swich a ring tro we I that ye have non ! Discrecioun out of your hed is gon : That fele I now,' quod he, 'and that is routhe. time y-lost ! wel maystow corsen slouthe ! "Wotyenot wel that nobleandheighcoiige Ne sorweth not ne stinteth ek for lite ? But, if a fool were in a jalous rage, 1 n'olde setten at his sorwe a mite, 900 But feffe him vnth a fewe wordes white Another da,y whan that I mighte him finde! But this thing stant al in another kinde. 882. wisdom, a^ G^ y bounte. '889. causeles, a2 G^ nedeles. 889. he seen, a? G^ y be sene (sefx). 494 BOOK in TROIL us AND CRISE YDS 904-968 ' This is so gentil and so tendre of herte That with thedethhe wolhissorweswreke ; For, trusteth wel, how sore that him smerte, He wol to you no jalous wordes speke. And for-thy, nece, or ye his herte breke, So spek yourself to him of this mature ; For with 00 word ye mayhis herte stere. 910 ' Now have I told what peril he is inne ; And his cominge unwist is t' every wight ; And, pard^ harm may ther be non ne sinne ; I wol my-self ben with you al this night. Ye knowe ek how it is your owne knight, And that by right ye mosteupon him triste. And I al prest to fecche him whan you Uste.' — This accident so pitous was to here. And ek so lik a soth at prime face. And Troilus her knight to her so dere, 920 His prive coming, and the siker place. That, though that she dide him as tho a grace. Considered alle thinges as they stode, No wonder is, sin she dide al for gode. Criseyde answerde, 'As wisly God at reste My soule bringe, as me is for him wo ! And em, y-wis, fayn wolde I don thebeste, If that ich hadde grace to do so. But whether that ye dwelle or for him go, I am, til God me bettre minde sende, 930 At Dulcamon, right at my wittes ende.' — Quod Pandarus, ' Ye, nece, wol ye here ? Dulcamon called is " fleeminge of wrecches " : It semeth hard, for wrecches wol not lere For verray slouthe and othre wilful tecches : This' seid by hem that ben not worth two fecches ! 913. Andf y Ne 931. Dulcamon (from Arab, two - homed), applied to Euclid i. 47. Here in the general sense of difficulty or perplexity. 933. fleeminge of ivrecckes ; a translation of Fuga fniserorum, or Eleu/uga, applied to Euclid i. 5, which FandaruSj perhaps purposely confuses with the 47th proposition. But ye ben wis ; and this matere on honde N'is neither hard, ne skilful to with- stonde.' — 'Than, em,' quod she, 'doth her-of as you list ! But, or he come, I wol up first arise. 940 And, for the love of God, sin al my trist Is on you two, and ye ben bothe wise. So werketh now in so discreet a wise That ich honour may have, and he pies- dunce, For I am here as in your govemaunce.' 'That is wel seid,' quod he, 'my nece dere; Ther good thrift on that wise gentil herte ! But liggeth stille and taketh him right here ; It nedeth not no ferther for him sterte. And echof you eseothressorwes smerte 950 For love of God ! And, Venus, I thee herie. For sone hope I weshul ben alle merie ! ' — This Troilus ful sone on knees him sette Ful sobrely, right by her beddes hed. And in his beste wise his lady grette. But, Lord, so She wex sodeinliche red ! Ne, though men sholden smiten oflF her hed. She coude not a word a-right out-bringe So sodeinly, for his sodein cominge ! But Pandarus, that so wel coude fele 960 In every thing, to pleye anon bigan, And seide, ' Nece, see how this lord can knele Now for your trouthe ! Y-see this gentil man ! ' And with that word he for a quisshin ran. And seide, ' Kneleth now whil that you leste ! Ther God your hertes bringe sone at reste ! ' — Can I not seyn, for she bad him not rise. If sorwe it putte out of her r^membraunce. 937. thU mature, a? G3 y that uue han. 49S 969-1039 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE BOOK III Or elles that she took it in the *ise Of duete as for his observaunce ; 970 But wel wot I she dide him this plesduneej That she him kiste, although she sighte sere, And bad him sitte a-doun withouten more. Quod Pandarus, ' Nowwolye wel biginne! Now doth him sitte, gode nece dare. Upon your beddes side al ther withinne. That ech of you the bet may other here ! '— And with that wordhe drowhim to the fere. And took a light, and fond his conte- naunce As for to loke upon an old romaunce. 980 Criseyde, that was Troilus' lady right And cleer stood on a ground of sikernesse, Al thoughte she her servaunt and her knight Ne sholde of right non untrouthe in her gesse. Yet natheles, considered his distresse And that love is in cause of swich fol^e. Thus to him spak she of his jalousie : • Lo, herte myn, as wolde th' exdellence Of love, aye'ins the whiche no man may Neougjiteek goodly maken resistence, 990 And ek because I felte wel and say Your grete trouthe and servise every day. And that your herte al myn was, soth to seyne. This drof me for to re we upon your peyne, ' And your goodnesse have I founde alwey yit, Of which, my dere herte and al my knight, I thonke it you as fer as I have wit, Al can I not as muche as it were right ; And I emforth my coniiing ai)d my might Have, and ay shal how sore that me smerte, 1000 Ben to you trewe and hool with al myn herte ; 971. woi^ so J H4 R ; Cx. rede ; others _;?«<^tf. 972. sighte^ so J ; others siked. 979. /mid, Hg Cx. feyiwde. 989. whiche^ so H4 R Cx. a? G^ ; J y whiche that. 'Anddredeles that shal befounde afprevel But, herte myn, what al this is to seyne Shal wel be told, so that ye not you gieve, Though I to you right on your-self com- pleyne ; For ther-with mene I finally the peyne That halt your herte and myn in hevinesse Fully to slen, and every wrong redresse. ' My goiJe myn, n'ot I for-why ne how That jalous;^e, alias, that wikked wivere, So causeles is cropen into you, ion The harm of which I wolde fayn delivere. Alias, that he, al hool, or of him slivere, Sholde han his refiit in so digne a place I Ther Jove him sone outof yourhertearace! ' But O thou Jove, O auctour of nature I Is this an honour to thy deite, . That folk ungiltif suffren here injure. And who that giltif is,, al quit go'th he ? O were it leveful for to pleyne on thee, :om That undeserved suffrest jalousjFe, Of that I wolde upon thee pleyne and crye! ' Ek al my wo is this, that folk now usen To seyn right thus, " Ye, jalousye is love," And wolde a busshel venim al excusen For-that 00 greyn of love is in it shove ! But that wot heighe God that sit above, If it be liker love, or hate and grame ! And after that it oughte here his name ! ' But certein is, som maner jalousyfe ' 103a Is excusable more than som, y-vids ; As whan cause is, and som swich fantasye With piet^ so wel repressed is That it unnethe doth or seith amis, But goodly drinketh up al his distresse 1 And that excuse I for the gentilesse. ' And som so ful of furie is and despit That it surmounteth his repressioun. But, herte myn, ye ben not in that plit, loii. So^ so J H4 R Cx ; others Thus, 1024. Ye, J and others that, 1026. in, y Oft. 1028. and grante, so J H4^; others or. 1033. piet£, so J S Cp. Hi only ; rest ^te, pete, etc. , , 49& TROILUS AN^D CRISEYDE 1040-U09 That thanke I God ; for-which your passioun 1040 I wol not calle it but illusioun Of habundaunce of love and bisy cure, That doth your herte this disese endure ; ' Of which I am right sory, but not wroth. But, for my devoir and your hertes reste, Whe'r so you list by ordal, or by oth. By sort, or in what wise so you leste, For love of God, lat preve it for the beste ! And if that I be giltif, do me deye ! Alias, what mighte I more don or seye?' — Witk that a fewe brighte teres newe 1051 Out of her yen fille, and thus she seyde, ' Now God, thou wost in thought ne dede untrewe To Troilus was nevere yit Criseyde ! ' — With that her hed doun in the bed she leyde. And with the shete it v^reigh, and sightS sore, And held her pees : not 00 word spak she more. But no w help God to quenchen al this sorwe ! So hope I that he shal, for he best may ! For I have seyn of a fill misty morwe Folwen fill ofte a merie som^er's day ; 1061 And after winter folweth grene May. Men sen alday, and reden ek in stories, That after sharpe shoures ben victories. This Troilus whan he her wordes herde, (Have ye no care !) him liste not to slepe ; For it thoughte him no strokes of a yerde To here or sen Criseyde his lady wepe, But wel he felte aboute his herte crepe. For every tere which that Criseyde asterte, The crampe of deth, to streyne him by the herte. 1071 And in his minde he gan the time acorse That evere he com ther, or that he was bom ; For now is wikke turned into worse, 1073. eueret so H3 only. 1073. or^ -y and' 1073. that, Cp. that that, 1073. was, H5 man was. . And al the labour he hath don biforn He wen'de it lost : he thoughte he n'as but lorn. 'O Pandarus,' thoughte he, 'alias, thy wile Serveth of naught, so weylawey the while ! '— And therwithal he heng adoun the hed, And fil on knees, and sorwfiilliche he sighte : 1080 What mighte he seyn ? He felte he h'as but ded ; For wroth was she thai sholde his sorwes lighte. But natheles, whan that he speken mighte; Than seide he thus, ' God wot that of this game. Whan al is wist, than am I not to blame ! ' — Therwith the sorwe so his herte shette That from his ^en fil ther not a tere ; And every spirit his vigour in-knette. So they astoned and oppressed were ; 1089' The feling of his sorwe, or of his fere. Or of aught elles, fled was out of towne ; And down he fil al sodeinliche a-swowne. This was no litel sorwe for to see ; But al was hust, for Pandar up as faste, ' O neCe, pes, or we be lost ! ' quod he, ' Beth not agast ! ' But certein, at the laste. For this or that, he into bedde him caste. And seide, ' O thef, is this a mannesherte?' And off he rente al to his bare sherte. And seide, ' Nece, but ye helpe us now. Alias, your owne Troilus is lorn 1 ' iioi ' Y-wis, so wolde I, and I wiste how, Ful fayn ! ' quod she : ' Alias, that I was born ! ' — ' Ye, nece, wole ye puUen out the thorn That stiketh in his herte,' quod Pandire, ' Sey " al foryeve," and stint is al this fare ! '— 'Ye, that to me, 'quod she, 'fill levere were Than al the good the sonne aboute go'th,!' And therwithal she swor him in his ere. 1094. But, J Cx, a2 and others For. 1094. for, so H4 G ; Cx. a^ but ; J y and. 497 lllo-ii8l TROILVS AND CRISRYDE BOOK III ' Y-wis, my dere herte, I am not wroth, Have here my trouthe ! ' and many another oth ; mi ' Nowspek to me, for it am I, Criseyde ! ' — But al for naught : yit mighte he not abreyde. Therwithhispousandpaumesofhishoiides They gan to frote, and wete his temples tweyne ; And, to deliveren him fro bittre bondes, She ofte him kiste ; and, shortly for to seyne, 1117 Him to revoken she dide al her peyne. And at the laste, he gan his breth to drawe. And of his swough sone after that adawe. And gan bet minde and reson to him take ; But wonder sore he was abayst, y-wis. And with a sik, when he gan bet awake, He seide, ' O mercy, God, what thing is this?'— ' Why do ye with your-selven thus amis ? ' Quod thoCriseyde, 'Isthisamannesgam'e? ' What, Troilus ! wol ye do thus ? For shame ! ' — Andtherwithal her arm over him she leyde. And al forya,f, and ofte time him keste. He thonked her, and to herspakandseyde As fil to purpos for his hertes reste ; 1131 And she to that answerde him as her leste, And with her goodly wordes him disporte She gan, and ofte his sorwes to conf6rte. Quod Pandarus, ' For aught I can espyen, I nor this candel serven here of nought ; Light is not good for sike folkes yen ! But for the love of God, sin ye be brought In thus goodplit, lat nownonhevy thought Ben hanging in the hertes of youtweye 1'^ — And bar his candel to the chimeneye. 1141 Sone after this, though it no nede were, Whan she swiche othes as her list devise 1115. wete^ J H4 R H3 ek. 1127. a?G^WalTroiliisdo thus' Alias, fin- shame ! 1136. / m?r tit's candel, That ye thus fer han deyned me to gide, 1805. envye, and ire, so J ; a^ R H3 G2 CI. omit and; Cx. Cp. H and ire, envye. I can no more but, sin that ye wol wende, Ye heried ben for ay, withouten ende ! Thorugh you have I seid fully in my song Th'effect and joye of Troilus' servfse, Al be that ther was som. disese among. As to myn auctour listeth to devise. My thridde book now ende ich in this wise ; And Troilus in lust and in qui^te 1819 Is with Criseyde, his owne herte swete. BOOK IV But al too litel, weylawey the while, Lasteth such joye, y-thanked be Fortune,, That semeth trewest whan she wil bigile And can to foles so her song entune That she hem hent and blent, traitour comune ! And whan a wight is from her wheel y- throwe. Than laugheth she, and maketh him a mowe. From Troilus she gan her brighte face Awey to writhe, and took of him non hede, 9 But caste him clene out of his lady grace, And on hir wheel she sette up Diomede ; For-which right now myn herte ginneth blede. And now my penne, alias, with which I write, Quaketh for drede of that I moste endite. For how Criseyde Troilus forsook. Or at the leeste, how that she was un- kinde. Mot hennes-forth ben mater of my book, As writen folk thorugh which it is in minde. Alias ! that they sholde evere cause finde To speke her harm ; and, if the;y on her lye, 20 Y-wis, hem-self sholde han the vilanye ! z. R oinits 11. 1-28. 7. a, a2 Hfl y ike,. O ye Herines, Nightes doughtren three, That endeles compleinen evere in peyne, Megera, Alete, and eek Thesiphone-l Thou cruel Mars eek, fader to Quirine, This ilke ferthe book me helpeth fine, So that the loS of lif and love i-fere Of Troilus be fully shewed here. — Ligging in ost, as I have seid or this, TheGrekes stronge aboute Troye toun, 3c Bifel that, whan that Phebus shining is Upon the brest of Hercules' Lioun, That Ector with ful many a bold baroun Caste on a day with Grekes for to fighte As he was wont, to grave hfem what he mighte. N'ot I how long or short it was bitwene This purpos and that day they issen mente ; But on a day wel armed, brighte and shene. With spere in honde and bigge bowes bente, Ector and many a worthy wight cut- wente ; ' 40 And in the herd anon withouten lette Hir fo-men in the. feld hem faste mette. 22. Herines i the Three Furies, Megaeraj Alecto, and Tisiphone. (See i. 6.) 26. This ilke /erthe, ifi This ferthe ; Hs ThU /y/te and laste ; H4 This/eerde and laste. 29. seid, H4 R Cx. Hs told. 37. issen, so J ; P issu; H2 thvs; others Jighien^fauhten. (Boc. usci.) 39, 40. .H5 S 7 transpose U. 39, 40. 508 BOOK IV TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 43-108 The longe day, with speres sharpe y- grounde, With arwes, dartes, swerdes, maces felle, They fighte, and bringen hors and man to grounde, And with hir axes out the braines quelle. But in the laste shour, soth for to telle, ■ The folk of Troye hem-selven so mis-ledden That with the wors at night homward they fledden. Atte whiche day was taken Antenore 50 Maugre Polydamas or Monesteo,, Santippe, Sarpedon, Polyuestore, Polyte, or eek the Trojan daun Riph^o And othre lasse folk as Phebus^o ; So that for harm that day the folk of Troye Dredden to lese a gret part of hir joye. But natheles a trewe was ther take At gret requeste, and tho they gonnen trete Of prisoneres a chaunge for to make, 59 And for the surplus yeven sommes grete. This thing anon was couth in every strete' Bothe in th'assege, in towne, and every where, And with the firste it com to Calcas' ere. When Calcas knew this tretis sholde holde, ' In consistorie among the Grekes sohe He gan in-thringe forth with.lordes olde, And sette him ther-as he was wont to done ; And with a chaunged face hem bad a bone, For love of God to don that reverence To stinte noise and yeve him audience. 70 Than seide he thus, ' Lo, lordes mine, ich was 50. Aite^ so H2 A ; others At. 51. MaugrS Polydatnas nr ; Hg FaHdoiftas) and also (60c.) 53. or, Hg and (Boc.) 54- And, o? Or. ' 55. So that for kurtn that day, H3 For at Ector; so that (Boc.) 57, 58, 59- So J H4 R Cx. S (var.) ; H3 H5 a2 yj read (var.) ' To (of) Friamus was yeve at his- (gret, Grek, Grekes): requeste A time of trewe, and tlio they gonnen -trete Hir prisoneres to chaungen, most and leste. (Boc. Chiese Priamb triegua, e fugli data, etc.) - Trojan, as it is knowen out of drede ; And, if that you remembre, I am Calcas That alderfirst yaf confort to your nede, And tolde wel how that ye sholden spede : For dredeles thorugh you shal in a stounde Ben Troye y-brent and beten doun to grounde. ' -And in what forme and in what maner wise This toun to shende, and al your list t'acheve, 79 Ye han or this wel herd me you devise t This knowe ye, my lordes, as I leve. And, for the Grekes weren me so leve, I com my-self in my propre persone, To teche in this how you was best to done, ' Having unto my tresour ne my rente Right no resport, to respect of your ese. Thus al my good I lefte, and to you wente, Wening in this, my lordes, you to plese. But al this los he doth me no disese : I vouche-sauf, as wisly have I joye, 90 For you to lese al that I have in Troye, ' Save of a doughter that I lefte, alias, Slepingathome, whan outofTroyel sterte. steme and cruel fader that ich was ! How mighte I have in that so hard an herte ? ; Alias, In'haddey-broughtherinhersherte ! Forsorwe of which I wil notlive to mOrwe, But-if ye lordes rewe upon my sorwe. ' For, by that cause I say no time or now Her to delivere, ich holdeh have my pes ; But now or neyere, yif it Jike yow, 101 1 may her have right sone douteles. O help and grace ! amonges al this pres ReWe on this bide caitif in distresse. Sin I thorugh you have al this hevlnesse ! ' Ye have now caught and fetred in prisoto Trojans y~nowe ; and if your willes be My child with oon may have redempcioun, 80. me you, y it me. ■'■ 87. k/te, so J- H's-Cx. A D ; others leste, losti (Boc. lasciai). . , - 89. this; so J H3 Cx. ; a2 Hb my: others that. 93. Troye, (& Hg toutu, loi. yif, so J H3 H4 ; D Cp. CI. if that. .509 109-178 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE BOOK IV Now for the love of God and of bounty, Oon of 60 fele, alas, so yeve him. me ! no What nede were it this prayer for to werne, Sin ye shal bothe ban folk and toun as yeme ? ' On peril of my lif I shal not lye, AppoUo hath me told it feithfiilly ; I have eek founde it by astronomye, By sort and by augiirie eek trewely. And dar wel seyn the time is faste by That fir and flaumbe on al the toun shal sprede ; And thus shal Troye torne inasshen dede. ' For, certein, Phebus and Neptiinus bothe That makeden the walles of the toun 121 Ben with the folk of Troye alw^y so wrothe. They wol eft bringe it to confcsioun Right for despit of King Lam^adoun : Bi-cause he n'olde payen hem hir hire. The toun shal yit be set upon a fire.' Telling his tale alwey, this olde greye, Humble in his speche, andinhislokingeke. The salte teres from his ^en tweye Ful faste ronnen doun by either cheke. 130 So longe he gan of socour hem biseke That, for to hele him of his sikes sore. They yave him Antenor withouten more. But who was glad y-nough but Calcas tho ! And of this thing ful sone his nedes leyde On hem that sholden for the treth go. And hem for Antenor ful ofte preyde To bringen horn King ThoasandCriseyde : And whan Pridm his save garde sente, Th'embassadours to Troye streight they wente. 140 The cause y-told of hir comlnge, the olde Priam, the king, ful sone in general Let her-upon his parlement to holde. Of which th'efFect rehersen you I shal : 121. makeden, so J R y (exc. A CI.) ; a2 G" S maden alte; Hs H4 Cx. A CI. maden,. 123. They wol e/t, so J H3 H4 R Cx. ; others That they wol. 132. sikesj so J H3 H4 R Cx. ; others sorwes. 137, 138. H3 reads : And hem ful ofte specyally preyde For Antenor to bnnge home Criseide. 139. save garde, a? G^ sa/.conduit hem. Th'embassadours ben answer'd for final, Th'exchaunge of prisoneres andalthisnede Hem liketh wel ; and forth in they precede. This Troilus was present in the place, Whan axed was for Antenor Criseyde ; ^ For-which iul sone chaungen gan his face As he that with tho wordes wel neigh deyde, But natheles he no word to it seyde ; Lest men sholde his aifeccioun espye. With mannes herte he gan his sorwe drye, And fill of anguissh and of grisly drede Abood what other lordes wolde seye ; And if they wolde graunte, as God forbede, Th'exchaunge of her, than thbughte he thinges tweye r ' First how to saveher honour, and whatweye He mighte best th'eschaunge of her with- stonde ; 160 Fulfaste he caste howal thismightestonde. Love made him al prest to don her bide, Or rather dyen than she sholde go ; But Reson seide hiln on that other side, ' Withoute assent of her ne do not so. If thou debate it, lest she be thy fo. And seyn that thorugh thy medling is y-blowe Your bother love, therit waserstunknowe.' For-which he gan deliberen for the beste, That, though the lordes wolde that she wente, i;o He wolde lete hem graunte what hem leste, And telle his lady first what that they mente 1 And whan that she had seid him her entente, Therafter wolde he werken al-so blive, Theigh al the world ayein it wolde strive. Ector which that right wel the Grekes herds, For Antenor how they wolde han Criseyde, Ganit withstonde and sobrelicheansw&de; 156. other lordes wolde, «2 G2 y lordes vfoldl (un)to it. 162. jKode hfm, so Hg A ; rest him madt (read ? Lo, Love; see i. 603). 163. Or, V Arid. 166. If thou debate (it)Ustsht, .10 J H3 H4K; a2 G2 y Lest for thy work she wolde he. 176. right wel, so Cx. S : rest wel. 510 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 179-249 'Sires, she n'is no prisoner,' he seyde ; ryg ' I n'ot on you who that this charge leyde ; But on my part ye may eft-sone hem telle, We usen here no wommen for to selle.' The noise of peple up-sterte than at ones As breme as blase of straw y-set on fire ; For Infortune it wolde for the nones. They sholden hir confusioun desire. ' Ector ! ' quod they, ' What gost may you enspire This woman thus to shilde, and don us lese Daun Antenor — a wrong wey now ye chese — 189 ' That is so wis and eek so bold baroun ? And we han nede of folk as men may se. He is eek oon the grettest of this toun ! O Ector, lat tho &ntas^es be ! O King Priam t ' quod they, ' thus siggen we. That al our vois is to forgon Criseyde.' And to deliveren Antenor they preyde. O Juvenal, lord, soth is thy sentence : That litel witen folk what is to yeme, That they ne finde in hir desir offence ; For cloude of errour letteth hem disceme What best is. And lo, here ensaumple as yeme ! 201 This folk desiren now deliverance Of Antenor, that broughte hem to mischance ; For he was after traitour to the toun Of Troye. Alas, they quitte him out too rathe ! O nice world, lo, thy discrecioun ! Criseyde which that nevere dide hem scathe Shal now no lenger in her blisse bathe ; But Antenor, he shal come hom to toune, Ajid she shal out : thus seiden here and houne. 210 For-which delivered was by parlement For Antenor to yelden out Criseyde, And it pronounced by the president, 197. soth^ y trewe. zcx). Utteth hetfty so R ; Hg Cr. lei hem to ; others lat kem, ne lat hem, lat hem not, etc. Altheigh that Ector nay ful ofte preyde ; That finaly, what wight that it withseyde, It was for naught : itmoste ben and sholde. For substance of the parlement it wolde. Departed out of parlement echone. This Troilus withoute wordes mo Into his chambre spedde him faste, allone But-if it were a man of his or two, 221 The whiche he bad out faste for to go. Because he wolde slepen, as he seyde ; And hastily upon his bed him leyde. And as in winter leves ben biraft, Ech after other, til the tree be bare, So that ther n'is but bark and braunche y-lafte, Li'th Troilus biraft of ech welfare, Y-bounden in the Make bark of care, 229 Disposed wood out of his wit to breyde, So sore him sat the chaunging of Criseyde. He rist him up, and every dore he shette And window eek ; and tho this sorwful man Upon his beddes side adoun him sette, Ful lik a ded image pale and wan ; And in his brest the heped wo began Outbreste, and he to werken in this wise In his woodn&se, as I shal you devise. Right as the wilde bole ginneth springe Nowhere, now there, y-darted to theherte, And of his deth roreth in compleininge, ■ Right so gan he aboute thechambre sterte, Smiting his brest ay with his fistes smerte ; His hed to walle, his body to the grounde Ful ofte he s wapte, himselven to confounde. His yen two for piete of herte. Out stremeden as swifte welles tweye ; The heighe sobbes of his sorwes smerte His speche him rafte : unnethes mighte he seye, 249 239. ginneth, so G2; P H3 gintith to; J and others biginneth, 244, to walle, so R ; Cx. to viallys ; J and others to the waUJe). 246. pieti, so J Ha S ; Be cause certein of the piirveyinge. , ' ' But now n'enforce I me not in shewinge How th'ordre of causes slant. But wel wot I That it bihoveth, that the bifallinge Of thinges wiste btforn certeinly Be hecessarie, al seme it not therby 1020 That prescience put falling necessaire To thing to come, al falle it foule or faire. 9B9. Umtedfast, so J P Cx. D ; rest Uncertti«' 989. ce?-^fl«, so JPCx. (Domit); rest sted/itft. S23 BOOK lY TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 1023-1095 ' For if ther sit a man yond on a see, Than by necessity bihoveth it That cartes thyn opinioun soth be, That wenest or conjectest that he sit ; And further over now ayeinward yit, Lo, right so is it of the part contrarie. As thus : — now herkne, for I wol not tarie. — ' I seye, that if th'opinioun of thee 1030 Be soth for-that he sit, than seye I this, That he mot sitten by necessite. And thus necessite in either is. For in him nede of fitting is, y-wis. And in thee nede of soth ; and thus, for- sothe, Ther mot necessite ben in you bothe. ' But thou mayst seyn : the man sit not therfore That thyn opinioun of sitting soth is, But rather, for the man sit ther bifore, Therfor is thyn opinioun soth, y-wis. 1040 And I seye, though the cause of soth of this Com'th of his sitting, yit necessity Is entrechaunged bothe in him and thee. ' Thus in this same wise, out of doutaunce, I may wel miken, as it semeth me. My resoninge of Goddes piirveyaunce And of the thinges that to comen be : By whiche resons men may wel y-see That th'ilke thinges that in erthe falle, That by necessite they comen alle. 1050 ' For although that, for thing shal come, y-wis, Therfore is it purveyed, certeinly. Not that it Cometh for it purvey'd is, — Yit natheles bihov'th it nedfully That thing to come be purvey'd trewely : Or elles, thinges that purveyed be. That they bitiden by necessite. ' And this sufEseth right ynough, certeyn, For to destroye our free chois every del ! But now is this abusioun, to seyn 1060 1030. that, Cx. omits. 1038. 0/ sitting, so P only ; rest of his sitting. 1048. resons, all reson. That falling of the thinges temporel Is cause of Goddes prescience eternel. Now trewely that is a fals sentence, That thing to come shul cause his pre- science ! ' What mighte I wene, and I had swich a thought. But that God piirvey'th thing that is to come For that it is to come, and elles nought ? So mighte I wene that thinges alle and some, ^ That whilom ben bifalle and overcome, Ben cause of th'ilke sovereign Piirveyaunce That forwot al withouten ignoraunce ! 1071 ' And over al this, yit seye I more therto : That, right as whan I wot ther is a thing, Y-wis that thing mot needfully be so, — , Ek right so, whan I wot a thing coming. So mot it come. And thus the bffalling Of thinges that ben wist biforn the tide. They mowe not ben eschuwed on no side. ' — Than seide he thus, 'Almighty Jove in trone. That wost of althis thing the sothfastnesse, Rewe on my sorwe, and do me deyen sone. Or bring Criseyde and me from this dis- tresse ! ' And whil he was in al this hevinesse, Disputing with himself in this matere, Com Pandar in, and seide as ye may here. ' O mighty God, ' quod Pandarus, ' in trone 1 Ey ! who say evere a wis-man faren so ?, Why, Troilus, what thenkestow to done ? Hastow swich list to ben thjm ovrae fo ? What, pard^, yit is not Criseyde ago ! 1090 Why list thee so thyself fordon for drede. That in thyn hed thine yen semen dede ? ' Hastow not lived of thy lif biforn Withouten her, and ferd ful wel at ese ? Artow for her and for non other born ? 1064. shul, so R Cx. ; P shal; J and others shulde, sholde. 1065. P omits 11. 1065-1071. 1093. o/thy lif, .so J (P H3 al thy lif; G oftyn in thyn lif) ; J3 y many a yer. 523 I096-II60 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE BOOK IV Hath ICinde y-wrought thee only her to plese ? Canstow not thenken thus in thy disese, That, on the dees right as thee fallen chaunces. In love also ther come and gon plesaunces ? ' And yit this is my wonder most of alle ; Why thou thus sorwest, sin thou n'ost not yit, iioi Touching her going, how that it shal falle, Ne, if she can herself disturben it. Thou hast fiot yet assayed al her wit. A man may al by-time his nekke bede Whan it shal off, and sorwen at the nede ! ' For-thy tak hede what I shal thee seye : I have with her y-spoke and longe y-be. So as acorded was bitwixe us tweye ; And everemo me thinketh thus, that she Hath somwhat in her hertes privete, mi Wher-with she can, if I shal right arede, Stinte al this thing of which thou art in drede. 'For- which my conseil is, whan it is night. Thou to her go and make of this an ende ; And blisful Juno, thorugh her grete might, Shal, as I hope, her grace unto us sende. Myn herte seith, "certein, she shal not wende " ; And for-thyput thyn herte a while in reste, And hold thy purpos, for it is the beste.' — This Troilus answerde, and sighte sore, 'Thou sey'st right wel, and I wil don right so.' 1122 And what him list he seide to him more. But whan that it was time for to go, Ful prively himself, withouten mo. Unto her com, as he was wont to done ; And how they wroughte, I shal you tellen 10.97. Canstow not tJienken^ jS y Lat he, and ihenk right (var.). logg. In love also, |3 y Right so in love. 1100. tny, S 7 a. 1113. Stinte a.1 this thing, fL y Disturbs al this. (See 1. IT03.) 1124. But, so a ^ (Boc.) ; S y And. Soth is, thatwhan they gonnen first tomete, So gan the sorwe hir hertes for to twiste, That neither of hem other mighte grete, But hem in armes hente and softe kiste ; The lasse woful of hem bothe n'iste 1132 What for to don, ne mighte a word out- bringe, As I seide erst, for wo and for sobbinge. The wofiil teres that they leten falle As bittre weren, out of teres kinde. For peyne, as is ligne aloes or galle : So bittre teres wep not thorugh the rinde The wofiil Mirra, writen as I finde ; 1139 That in this world ther n'is so hard anherte, Thatn'oldehanrewedonhirpeynessmerte. But whan hir woful wery goostes tweyne Retorned ben ther-as hem oughte dwelle, And that somwhat toweykengan the peyne By lengthe of pleynte, and ebben gan the welle Of bittre teres, and the herte unswelle. With broken vols, al hoors for-shright, Criseyde To Troilus thise ilke wordes seyde : 1148 ' O Jove, I deye, and mercy I beseche ! Help, Troilus !' — And therwithal her face Upon his brest she leyde, and loste speche, Her woful spirit from his propre place. Right with the word, alweyo-point to pace. And thus she li'th with hewes pale and grene. That whilom fressh and fairest was to sene, This Troilus, that on her gan biholde, Cleping her name, — and she layasfor ded, Withoute answere, and felte her limes colde, 1158 Her yen throwen upward to her hed,— This sorwful man can now no maner red, 1133. What /or to don, so a. Cx. ; /3 y Whif that he was. 1138, 1139. p y read : So bittre teres wep not, as I finde, The woful Myrxa through the bark and rinde. 1146. iittreff), Htthe; Hg om. ; J and others hir(e). (Boc. Gli occhidolentiper gliaspridisiri.) See 11. 1136-1138 (Boc. Ch'amarc fosser oltte lor iiatura). SH BOOK IV TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 1161-1230 But ofte time her colde mouth he kisle : Whe'r hnm was wo, God and himself it wiste ! He rist him up, and long streight he her leyde ; For signe of lif, for aught he can or may, Can he non finde in no cas on Criseyde, For which his song fill ofte is 'weylawey !' And whan he saw that specheles she lay. With sorwful vols and herte of blisse al bare. He seide how she was fro this world y-fare. So after-that he longe had hercompleyned. His hondes wrong, and seid that was to seye, 1171 And with his teres salte hisbrestbi-reynedf He gan the teres wipen off ful dreye. And pitously gan for the soule preye. And seide, 'Lord, that set art in thy trone, Rewe ek on me, for I shal folwe her sone ! ' She cold was, and withouten sentement For aught he wiste, and breth ne felte he non ; And that was him a prpi cmj^nt arginT^ pnl- That she was forth out of this world agon. And whan he saw ther was non other won. He gan her limes dresse in swich manere, As men don folk that shul ben laid on here. And after this, With steme and cruel herte. His swerd anon out of the shethe he twighte. Himself to sleen, how sore that him smerte, So that his soule her soule folwe mighte' Ther-as the doomof Minos woldeit ffighte ; Sin Love and cruel Fortune it ne wolde That in this world he lenger liven sholde. Than seidehe thus, fijlfil'dofheighdesdayn, 'O cruel Jove, and thou Fortune adverse. This' al and som : that falsly han ye slayn Criseyde, and sin ye can do me no werse, Fy on your might and werkes so diverse ! Thus cowardly ye shal me nevere winne : Ther shal no deth me fro my lady twinne ! 1167. And, /3 Y But. 1173. fut, so P (3 y ; J H3 G and. 1183. folk, ^ y hem {fmn). 'For I this world, sin yejian slain her thus, Wol lete, and folwe her spirit forth in hye : Shal nevere lover seyn that Troilus 1200 Dar not for fere with his lady dye ; For, certein, I wol bere her companye. But sin ye n'il not suffre us liven here, . Yit suifreth that our soules ben i-fere ! ' And thou cite, which that I leve in wo, And thou Priam, and brethren alle i-fere. And thou, my moder, far-wel, for I go I And Attropos, mak redy thou my bere ! And thou, Criseyde, swete herte dere. Receive now my spirit ! ' — wolde he seye, With swerd at herte, al redy for to deye. But, as God wolde, of swough therwith she breyde, 1212 And gan to sike, and 'Troilus !' she cride. And he answerde, ' Herte myn, Criseyde, Live ye yit?' and let his swerd doun glide. ' Ye, herte myn, y-thanked be Cipride ! ' Quod she ; and therwithal she sore sighte, And he bigan conforte her as he mighte ; Took her in armes two, and kiste her ofte. And her to glade he dide al his entente : For-which her goost, that flikered ay on lofte, I22I Ayein into her herte al softe wente. So at the laste, as that her ye glente Aside, anon she gan his swerd espye. As it lay bare, and gan for fere crye. And axed him, why he it hadde out-drawe. And Troilus anon the cause tolde, And how himself therwith he wolde han slawe ; For which Criseyde upon him gan biholde. And gan him in her armes faste folde, 1230 iigg. forth in hye, fi y lowe or (and) hye. i2o8. So P Ha /5y; J G read Thou Attropos that is (G art) ful redy here (read ? for I go To Attropos that is ful redy here. Boc. chlo me ne vo sotterra). 1214. Herte ; ^ y Lady {Eoc. dolce mio disiro). T2i8. confiSrte, ^ y to glade (see 1. 1220). Boc. La conforte. 1222. )3 Y read : Into her woful herte ayein it wcnte, 1223. So, /5 Y But. 52s 1231-1302 TROILUS AMD CktSBYDE BOOK IV And seide, '■© mercy, God, lo, which a dede ! Alias ! how neigh we were bothe dede ! ' Than if I n'hadde spoTce, as grace was. Ye wolde han slain yourself anon ? ' quod she. — 'Ye, dou teles ! ' — And she answerde, ' Alias ! For by that ilke Lord that made me, I n'olde a forlong wey on-live han be After your deth, to han ben crowned quene Of al the lond the sonne on-shineth shene ; ' But with this selven swerd, which that here is, 1240 My-selve I wolde han slawe ! ' — Quod she tho, ' But ho ! for we han right ynough of this, And lat us rise and streight to bedde go, And there lat us speken of our wo ; For, by the morter which that J see brenne, Knowe I ful wel that day is not fer henne.' Whan they were in hir bed inarmes folden. Nought was it lik the nightes her-biforn ; For pitously ech other gan biholden, As they that hadde hir joyes alle lorn, 1250 Seying, 'alias, that evere they were born ! ' Til at the laste this woful wight, Criseyde, To Troilus thise ilke wordes seyde : • Lo, herte myn, wel wot yethis,'quod she, ' That, if a wight alwey his wo compleyne And seketh nought how holpen for to be, It n'is but foly and encrees of peyne. And sin that here assembled be we tweyne To finde bote of wo that we ben inne. It were al time sone to biginne. 1260 ' I am a woman, as ful wel ye wot ; And as I am avised sodeinly. So wol I telle it you whil it is hot. Me thinketh thus : that nouther ye nor I Oughte half this wo to maken skilfully ; 1241. slawe^ so G R ; rest siain. 1251. /3 y read : Biwailing ay the day that they were born. 1252. w.o/ul^ so a J3 S ; y sorvjfut. For ther is art y-nough for to redresse That yit is mis, and sleen this hevinesse. ' Soth is, that wo the whiche that we ben inne. For aught I wot, for nothing elles is 1269 But for the cause that we shuUen twinne : Considered al, ther n'is no more amis. But what is thanne a remedie unto this, But that we shape us sone for to mete ! This' al and som, my dere herte swete ! ' Now, that I shal wel bringen it aboute To come ayein sone after that I go, Therof am I no maner thing in doute. For, dredeles, withinne a wowke or two I shal ben here ; and that it may be so. By alle right, and in a wordes fewe, 1280 I shal you wel an hep of weyes shewe 'For- which I n'il not maken long sermoun, For time y-lost may not recovered be ; But I wol go right to conclusioun. And to the beste, in aught that I can see. And for the love of God, foryive it me If I speke aught ayeins your hertes reste. For trewely I speke it for the beste ; ' Making alwey a protestacioun. That in effect this thing that I shal seye 1290 N'is but to shewen you my mocioun, To finde unto our help the beste weye. And taketh it non other wise, I preye ; For finaly what-so ye me comaunde. That wol I don, for that is no demaunde. ' Now herkneth this : ye han wel under- stonde My going graunted is by parlement So ferforth that it may not ben withstonde For al this world, as by my jugement. And sin ther helpeth non avisement 1300 To letten it, lat it passe out of minde, ,- And lat us shape a bettre wey to finde. 1284. right to conclusioun^ fi y to my con- clusioun. 1288. speke^ J seye ; P mene. 1290. in e_ffect this things j3 y now thise wordu whiche. 1294. j^ntiiy, H3 jS y in effect. S25. BOOK IV TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 1 303- 1 384 'Thesothisthis, that twinning of us tweyne Wol us disese and crueliche anoye, But him bihoyeth somtime han a peyne, Thatserveth Love, if that hewol havejoye. And sin I shal no ferther out of Troye Than I may ride ayein on half a morwe, It oughte lasse causen us to sorwe : ' So as I shal not so ben hid in muwe, 1310 That day by day, myn owne herte dere, (Sin wel ye wot that it is now a truwe,) Ye shal ful wel al myn estat y-here. And, or that trewe is don, I shall ben here, And thus have ye bothe Antenor y-wonne And me also. Beth glad now, if ye conne, ' And thenk right thus : " Criseyde is now agon. But what ! sheshal come hastily ayeyn ! " ' — ' And whanne, alias ! ' — ' By God, lo, right anon, Or dayes ten, that dar I saufly seyn ! 1320 And thanne atte erste shal ye ben so feyn That we shul evere-mo togedere dwelle. That al this worid ne mighte our joye telle. ' I see that often, ther-as we ben now. That for the beste, our conseil for to hide. Ye speken not with me, nor I with yow In fourtenight, ne see you go ne ride. Mowen ye not ten dayes thanne abide For myn honour in swich an aventure ? Y-wis, ye mowen elles lite endure ! 1330 ' Ye knowe ek how that al my kin is here. Only but-if that it myn fader be. And ek mine othre thinges alle i-fere. And namely, my dere herte, ye. Whom that I n'olde leven for to see Foral this world, asmuche as it hath space ; Or elles see ich nevere Joves face ! ' Why ! trowe ye my fader in this wise Coveiteth so to see me, but for drede Lestinthistownthat folkesmedespise 1340 Bicause of him, for his unhappy dede ? What wot my fader what lif that I lede ? 1315. thus, p y ihani^ne). 1328. Mowen (?) all May (see 1330). 1336. muche, H^brode; Pywiit(,e). For if he wiste in Troye how wel I fare. Us nedeth for my going naught to care. ' Ye sen that every day ek more and more Men trete of pees, and it supposed is That men the quene Eleynq shal restore. And Grekes us restoren that is mis ; So, though ther n'ere confort non but this, That menpurposenpeesoneveryside, 1350 Ye may the bettre at ese of herte abide. ' For if that it be pees, myn herte dere. The nature of the pees mot nedes drive That men moste entrecomunen i-fere. And to and fro ek ride and go as blive, Alday as thikke as been ilen from a hive. And every wight han liberte to bleve Wher-as him list the bet, withouten leve. 'And though so be that pees ther may be non, Yit hider, though ther nevere pees ne were, Imostecome: forwhidersholdelgon, 1361 Or how mischaunce sholde I dwellen there Among tho men of armes evere in fere ? For which, so wisly God my soule rede, I can not sen wherof ye sholden drede. ' Have here another wey, if it so be That al this thing ne may you not suffise. My fader, as ye knowen wel, parde. Is old, and elde is ful of coveitise ; 1369 And I right now have founden al the gise, Withouten net wherwith I shal him hente. And herkneth how, if that ye wol assente ! ' Lo, Troilus, men seith that hard it is, The wolf ful and the wether hool to have ; This is to seyn, that men ful ofte, y-wis. Mot spenden part the remenaunt for to save. For ay with gold men may the herte grave Of him that set is upon coveitise. And how I mene, I shal it you devise. ' The moeble which that I have in this toun 1380 Unto my fader shal I take, and seye. That right for trust and for savacioun It sent is from a frend of his or tweye. The whiche frendes fervently him preye 527 1385-1459 TkOlLVS AND CklSEVDE Book tv To senden after more, and that in hye, Whil-that this town slant thus in jupartye ; ' And that shal ben a huge quantity — Thus shal I seyn; — but lest it folk espi'de, This may be ^ent by no wight but by me. I shal ek shewen him, if pees bitide 1390 What frendes that I have on every side Toward the court, to don the wrathe pace Of Priamus, and don him stonde in grace. ' So, what for 00 thing and for other, swete, I shal him so enchaunten with my sawes. That right in hevene his soule shal he mete ! For al AppoUo, or his clerkes lawes Or calculinge availeth not three hawes ! Desir of gold shal so his soule blende, 1399 That, as me list, I shal wel make an ende ! ' And if he wolde aught by his sort it preve If that I lye, in certein I shal fonde Distorben him and plukke him by the sieve Making his sort, or beren him on honde He hath not wel the Goddes understonde : For Goddes spake in amphibologyes. And for a soth they tellen twenty lyes ! ' Ek drede fond first Goddes, I suppose, — Thusshal Iseyn, — andek his coward herte Made him amis the Goddes text to glose Whan he for-fered out of Delphos sterte. And, but I make him sone to converte. And don my red withinne a day or tweye, I wol to you oblige me to deye ! ' And treweliche as writen wel I finde, That al this thing was seid of good entente. And that her herte trewe was and kinde Towardeshim, andspak right as shemente. And that she starf for wo neigh, whan she wente, 1419 And was in purpos evere to ben trewe : Thus writen they that of her werkes knewe. This 'Troilus with herte and eres spradde Herde al this thing devisen to and fro ; 1396. soule^ H4 S D Hi CI. soule is. 1409. ek, Hs p y that- 1415. AT, J D is. And verrayliche him semed that he hadde The selve wit ; but yit to lete her go His herte mis-foryaf him evere-mo. But finaly he gan his herte wreste To tristen her, and took it for the beste. For which the grete furie of his penaunce Was queynt with hope ; and therwith hem bitwene 1430 Bigan for joye th'amoroiise daunce. And as the briddes, whan the Sonne isshen6,i Deliten in hir song in leves grene, Right so the wordes that they spake i-fere Delited hem, and made hir hertes clere. But natheles the wending of Criseyde, For al this world, ne may out of his minde : For-which fill ofte he pitousliche her prey'de That of her herte he mighte her trewe finde, And seyde her, — ' Certes, if ye ben un- kinde, 1440 And but ye come at day set into Troye, Ne shal I nevere have hele, honour, ne joye. ' For al-so soth as sonne uprist a-morwe, And God ! so wisly thou me, wofiil wrecche. To reste bringe out of this cruel sorwe, I wil myselven slee if that ye drecche ! But of my deth though litel be to recche, Yit, or that ye me causen so to smerte, Dwel rather here, myn owne dere herte ! ' For trewely, myn owne lady dere, 1450 Tho sleightes yit that I you here stere Ful shaply ben to fallen alle i-fere ; And thus men seith, that "oon thenketh the bere, But al another thenketh his ledere ! " Your sire is wis : and seid is, out of drede, " Men may the wise at-renne, and not at-rede ! " ' It is ful hard to halten unespyed Bifore a crepil, for he can the craft : Your fader is in sleighte as Argus yed. 1459 1449. dere, y swete. 528 BOOK IV TROtLVS AMD CRlSEVDE 1460-1538 For, al be that his moeble is him biraft, His olde sleighte is yit so with him laft, Ye shal not blende him for your womman- hede, Ne feyne aright : and that is al my drede. ' I n'ot if pees shal evere-mo bitide ; But, pees or no, for ernest ne for game, I wot, sin Calcas on the Grekes side Hath ones ben and lost so foule his name. He dar no more come here ayein for shame : For- which that wey, for aught I can espye, To trusten on, n'is but a fantasye. 1470 ' Ye shal eeksen, your fader shal you glose To ben a wif, and as he can wel preche, He shal som Grek so preyse and wel alose, Thatravisshen he shal you with his speche, Or do you don by force as he shal teche ; And Troiliis, of whom he n'il have routhe, Shal causeles so sterven in his trouthe ! ' And over al this, your fader shal despise Us alle, and seyn this cit^ n'is but lorn, And that the sege nevere shal arise, 1480 For- why the Grekes han it alle sworn Til we be slayn and doun our walles torn ; And thus he shal you with his wordes fere, That ay drede I that ye wol bleven- there. ' Ye shal ek sen so many a lusty knight Among the Grekes, ful of worthinesse, And ech of hem with herte, wit, and might To plesen you don al his bisinesse. That ye shul duUen of the rudenesse Of us sely Troj^nes, but-if routhe 1490 Remorde you, or vertu of your trouthe. ' And this to me so grevous is to thinke That fro my brest it wol the soule rende ; Ne, dredeles, in me ther can not sinke A good opinioun, if that ye wende ; For-whyyourfadres sleighte wol us shende: And if ye gon, as I have told you yore. So thenk I n'am but ded, withoute more ! 1490. TrajAnes (?), all Trojans (read ? As of us sely Trojans'). 1493. the, ^ y my. 'For -which, with humble, trewe and pitous herte, 1499 A thousand times mercy I you preye : So reweth on mine aspre peynes smerte, And doth somwhat as that I shal you seye. And lat us stele awey bitwixe us tweye ; And thenk that foly is, whan man may chese, For accident his substaunce ay to lese. ' I mene thus : that sin we mowe or day Wel stele awey and ben togedre so. What wit were it to putten in assay, In cas ye sholden to your fader go, If that ye mighteu come ayein or no ? 1510 Thus mene I, that it were a gret foli^e To putte that sikernesse in jupartye. ' And, vulgarly to speken of substaunce Of tresour, may we bothe with us lede Y-nough to live in honour and ples^unce, Til into time that we shal be dede ; And thus we may eschewen al this drede : For everich other wey ye can recorde, Myn herte, y-wis, may therwithnotacorde. ' And hardily ne dredeth no poverte, 1520 For I have kin and frendes elleswhere That, though we comen in our bare sherte, Us sholde neither lakken gold ne gere. But ben honoured whil we dwelten there : And go w' anon : for, as in myn entente. This is the beste, if that ye wol assente. ' — Criseyde him, with a sik, right in this wise Answerde, ' Y-wis, my dere herte trewe. We may wel stele awey, asye devise, 1529 Or finden swiche unthrifty weyes newe ; But afterward ful sore it wol us rewe. And, help me God so at my moste nede. As causeles ye suffren al this drede ! ' For th'ilke day that I for cherisshinge. Or drede of fader, or for other wight. Or for estat, delit, or for weddinge Be fals to you, my Troilus, my knight, Saturnes doughter, Juno, thorugh her might, 1567. him, H3 y omit. 1530. Or, y aiid. 529 1539- I 6o8 TROILVS AND CRISEYDE BOOK tV As wood as Athamante do me dwelle Eternaliche in Stix, the put of helle ! 1540 • And this on every God celestial I swere it you, and ek on ech Godd^sse, On every Nymphe and Deit^ infernal, On Satiry and Fauny more and lesse. That halve Goddes ben of wildernesse ; And Attropos my thred of lif to-breste If I be fals ! Now trowe me if you leste ! ' And thou, Simoys, that as an arwe clere Thorugh Troye ay rennest downward to the see, 1549 Ber witnesse of this word that seid is here. That th'ilke day that ich untrewe be To Troilus, myn owne herte free, That thou retorne backward to thy welle. And I with body and soule sinke in helle ! ' But that ye speke, awey thus for to go And leten alle your frendes, God forbede For any womman that ye sholde so ! And namely, sin Troye hath now swich nede Of help. And ek of 00 thing taketh hede : If this were wist, my lif laye in balaiSnce, And your honour : God shilde us fro mischaunce ! 1561 ' And if so be, herafter pees be take, — As alday happeth, after anger, game, — Why, Lord, the sorwe and wo ye wolden make. That ye ne dorste come ayein for shame ! And, or that ye juparten so your name, Beth not too hastif in this bote fare : For hastif man ne wanteth nevere care ! ' What trowen ye the peple ek al aboute Wolde of it seye ? It is ful light t'arede ! They wolden seyn, and swere it out of doute, 1571 That love ne drof you not to do this dede, But lust voluptuous and coward drede : 1^49. ay rennest y so J H3 A D ; rennest P G R Cx. ; H2 H4 S Cp. Hi CI. S2 rennest ay. 1562. hera/ter pees be take, so P; rest that fees herafter take. Thus were al lost, y-wis, myn herte dere. Your honour, which that shineth now so clere. ' And also thenketh on myn honest^ That floureth yit : how foule I sholde it shende, And with what filthe it spotted sholde be. If in this forme I sholde with you wende. Ne though I livede unto the worldes ende. My name sholde I nevere ayein ward winne : Thus were I lost, and that were routhe and sinne. ' And for-thy slee with reson al this hete! Men seyn "the suffrant overcom'th," pard6 ; Ek, "who-sowolhan lief, he lief mot lete." Thus maketh vertu of necessite ! Be pacient, and thenk that lord is he Of Fortune ay, that naught wol of her recche. And she ne daunteth no wight but a wrecche 1 1589 ' And trusteth this : that certes, herteswete. Or Phebus' suster, Liicina the shene, The Lioun passe out of this Ariete, I wil ben here, withouten any wene, I mene, as help me Juno, hevenes queue. The tenthe day, but-if that deth m'assaile, I wil you sen, withouten any faile,'^ — ' And now, so this be soth,' quod Troilus, I shal wel suffre unto the tenthe day, Sin that I see that nede it mot be thus. But for the love of God, if it be may, 1600 So lat us stelen priveliche away ! For evere in oon, as for to live in reste, Myn herte seith that it wol be the beste.'— 'O mercy, God, what lif is this !' quod she. ' Alias, ye slee me thus for verray tene 1 I see wel now that ye mistrusten me, For by your wordes it is wel y-sene ! Now, for the love of Cynthea the shene, 1575. shineth nov}, so P Ha ; rest now shineth, 1587. Be pacient, so P G Hs R ; J and others By patience. 530 BOOK IV TROILVS AND CRISEYDE 1609-1685 Mistrust me not thus causeles, for routhe, Sin to be trewe I have you plight my trouthe ! 1610 ' And thenketh wel, that somtime it is wit To spende a time, a time for to winne. Ne, pard4 lorn am I not fro you yit, Though that we ben adayor two a-twinne. Drif out the fantasyes you withinne, And trusteth me, and levethek yoursorwe, Or, hermy trouthe, I wil not live tilmorwe ! 'For if.ye wiste how sore it dothmesmerte. Ye wolde cesse of this : for God, thou wost The pure spirit wepeth in myn herte 1620 To sen you wepen that I love most. And that I mot gon to the Grekes ost ! Ye, n'ere it that I wiste remedye To come ayein, right here I wolde dye ! ' But, certes, I am not so nice a wight That I ne can imaginen a wey To com ayein that day that I have hight. For who may holde a thing that wol awey ? My fader nought, for al his queynte pley ! And by my thrift, my wending out of Troye 1630 Another day shal tome us al to joye ! ' For-thy with al myn herte I you biseke. If that you list don aught for my preyere And for that love which that I love you eke, That, or that I departe fro you here. That of so good a confort and a chere I may you sen, that ye may bringe at reste Myn herte which that is o-point to breste. 'And over althis Ipreyeyou,'quodshetho, 'Myn owne hertes sothfast suffisaunce, 1640 Sin I am thyn al hool, withouten mo, That whil that I am absent, no plesaunce Of other do me fro your remembraunce ; For I am evere a-gast, for-why men rede That "love is thing ay ful of bisy drede. " ' For in this world ther liveth lady non, If that ye were untrewe (as God defende!). That so bitraysed were or wo-bigon As I, that alle trouthe in you entende. And douteles, if-that I other wen'de, 1650 I n'ere but ded. And, or ye cause finde, For Goddes love, so beth me not un- kinde ! ' — To this answ^rde Troilus, and seyde, ' Now God, to whom ther n'is no thought y-wrye. Me glade, as wis I nevere unto Criseyde, Sin th'ilke day I saw her first with ye. Was fals, ne nevere shal til that I dye ! At shorte wordes, wel ye may me leve : I can no more, it shal be founde at preve ! ' — 1659 ' Gramercy, goode myn, y- wis ! ' quod she, ' And blisfui Venus,- lat me nevere sterve Or I may stonde of plesaunce in degree To quite him wel, that so wel can deserve ! And whil that God my wit wil me con- serve, I shal so don, so trewe I have you founde. That ay honour to me-ward shal rebounde! ' For trusteth wel, that your estat real, Ne veyn delit, nor only worthinesse Of you in werre or torney marcial, 1669 Ne pompe, array, nobleye, or ek richesse Ne made me to rewe on your distresse. But moral vertu, grounded upon trouthe : That was the cause I first had on you routhe ! 'Ek gentilherteandmanhodthat yehadde. And that ye hadde, as me thoughte, in despit Every thing that souned into badde, As rudenesse and poeplissh appetit. And that your reson bridleth you delit : This made, aboven every creature That I was youre, and shal whil I may dure. i68o ' And this may lengthe of yeres not fordo, Ne remuable Fortune it deface. But Jupiter, that of his might may do The sorwful to be glad, so yive us grace, Or nightes ten, to meten in this place, 1654. thought, y ca7lse. 1682. zV, so S ; rest om. S3I 1-49 TROILUS AND CklSMYDB BOOK V So that it may your herte and myn sufiiise ! And far now wel, for time is that ye rise ! ' — But after - that they longe y - pleyned hadde. And ofte kist, and streite in armes folde, The day gan rise, and Troilus him cladde, 1690 And rewfully his lady gan biholde As he that felte dethes cares colde, 1688. But, SyAnd. And to her grace he gan him recomaunde.. Whe'r him was wo, this holde I no de- maunde ! For mannes hed imaginen ne can, N'entendement considere, or tonge telle The cruel peynes of this wofiil man. That passen every torment down in helle. For whan he saw that she nemightedwelle, Which that his soule out of his herte rente, Withoute more out of the chaumbre he wente. 1701 1696. OTy so J H3 ; P ^ y ne. ^tq-j. wqful, y sorwful. * BOOK V Aprochen gan the fatal destin^ That Joves hath in disposicioun, And to you, angry Parcas, sustren three, Committeth to don execucioun : For which Criseyde moste out of the toun. And Troilus shal dwellen forth in pine Til Lachesis his thred no lenger twine. The gold-ytressed Phebus heighe on-lofle Thryes hadde alle, with his bemes shene. The snowes molte, and Zephirus as ofte 10 Y-brought ayein the tendre leves grene, Sin that the sone of Ecuba the quene Bigan to love her first for whom his sorwe Was al, that she departe sholde a-morwe. Ful redy was at prime Diomede, Criseyde unto the Grekes ost to lede, Forsorweofwhich she felte her herte blede. As she that n'iste what was best to rede. And trewely, as men in bokes rede, 19 Men wiste nevere womman han the care, Ne was so loth out of a town to fare. This Troilus, withouten reed or lore, As man that hath his joyes ek forlore. Was waytirig on his lady evere more 3. Parcas, Fates. '7. Lachesis, one of the Fates. 8. gold-ytressed (?), all goldifiyiressed. 9. shene, so Hg H4 R S ; J P dene ; Cx. H3 -y clere. As she that was the sothfast crop and more Of al his lust or joyes her-bifore. But Troilus ! now far-wel al thy joye, For shaltow nevere sen her eft in Troye ! Soth is, that whil he bood in this manere, He gan his wo ful manly for to hide, 30 That wel unnethe it sene was in his chere ; But at the yate ther she sholde out-ride. With certein folk he hoved her t'abide. So wo-bigon, al wolde he naught him pleyne. That on his hors unnethe he sat for peyne. For ire he quok, so gan his herte gnawe. Whan Diomede on horse gan him dresse, And seide unto himself this ilke sawe, j ' Alias ! ' quod he, ' thus foul a wrecohed- nesse. Why suffre ich it ? Why n'il ich it re- dresse ? 40 Were it not bet at ones for to dye Than evere more in langour thus to drye ? ' Why n'il I make at ones riche and pore To have y-nough to do or-that she go ? Why n'il I bringe al Troye upon a rore ' Why n'il I sleen this Diomede also ? Why n'il I rather with a man or two Stele her awey ? Why wol I this endure? Why n'il I helpen to myn owne cure ? ' S3Z TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 50-123 But why he n'olde don so fel a dede, 50 That shal I seyn, and why him listeitspare : He hadde in herte alweyes a maner drede Lest that Criseyde, in rumour of this fare, Sholde han ben slayn : lo, this was al his care. And elles, certein, as I seide yore, He hadde it don, withouten wordes more. Criseyde, whan she redy was to ride, FulsorwhiUyshesighte, and seide, 'Alias ! ' But forth she mot, foraughtthatmaybitide : Ther n'is non other r^medie in this cas ; And forth she rit fill sorwfiilliche a pas. 61 What wonder is though that hersore smerte. Whan she forgo'th her owne dare herte ? This Troilus, in wise of curteisye. With hauke on honde, and with a huge route Of knightes, rod and dide her companye. Passing al the valeye fer withoute ; And ferther wolde han riden, out of doute, Ful fayn ; and wo was him to gon so sone : But tome he moste, and it was ek to done. AndrightwiththatwasAntenory-come 71 Out of the Grekes ost ; and every wight Was of it glad, and seide he was welcome. And Troilus, al n'ere his herte light, He peyned him with al his fulle might Him to with-holde of weping at the leste ; And Antenor he kiste, and made feste. And therwithal he moste his leve take. And caste his ye upon her pitously, 79 And neer he rod, his cause for to make, To take her by the hond al sobrely ; And, Lord, so she gan wepen tendrely ! And he ful softe and sleighly gan her seye, ' Now hold your day, and dome not todeye!' With that his courser torned he aboute With face pale, and unto Diomede No word he spak, ne non of al his route ; Of which the sone of Tydeus took hade, 60, 61. So a ^ S ; Ha y transpose 11. 60, 61. 63. dere, y sivete. (See iv. 1449.) 67. valiye ; R wallas (read ? The walles alle), valeye Is a mistranslation of Boc. vallo, 'rampart.' 88. sone of Tydeus^ Diomede. As he that coude more than the crede 89 In swich a craft, and by the reyn e her han ta ; And Troilus lo Troye homwarde he wente. This Diomede that lad her by the bridal, Whan that he saw the folk of Troye aweye, Thoughte, ' Al my labour shal not ben on ydel If that I may, for somwhat shal I seye ; For at the worstaitmayyit shorte ourwaya. I have herd seyd ek, times twyes twelve, ' ' He is a fool that wol foryeta himsalve. " ' But natheles thusthoughtaha wel y-nough. That 'certeinliche I am aboute nought 100 If that I spake of love, or make it tough ; For douteles, if she have in her thought Him that I gesse,he maynotbany-brought So sone awey ; but I shal finde a mene, That she not wite as yit shal, what I mana. ' This Diomede, as ha that coude his good. Whan time was, gan fallen forth in speche. Of this and that, and axed why she stood In swich disese, and gan her ek bisacha 109 That if that he encresse mighta or ache ■ With any thing her ese, that she sholde Comaundaithim,andsaidahadonit wolde. For traweliche ha swor her, as a knight. That ther n'as thing with which he mighte her plasa That he n'il don his herte and al his might To don it, for to don her herte an ese ; And preyed her, she wolda her sorwe apase. And seide, ' Y-wis, we Grekes can have joye T'honouren you, as wel as folk of Troye. ' He seide ek thus, ' I wot you thinkath straunge, — 120 No wonder is, for it is to you newe, — Th'aqueyntaunca of thise Trojans for lo chaunge For folk of Grece, that ye nevere knewe. to/. Whan- iinte was, y IV/uin this was don. 115. n'il, H4 R S 7 n'olde. 122. Trojans; H^iii'D Troj'anes. 122. /"or to, so G Cx. ; J and others to. 533 124-198 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE BOOK V But wolde nevere God but-if as trewe A Grek ye sholde amonge us alle finde As any Trojan is, and ek as kinde. ' And by the cause I swor you right lo now To be your frend, and helply to my might, And for-that more acqueyntaunce ek of yow 129 Have ich had than anotherstraungerwight, So fro thisforth, I preye you, day andnight, Comaundeth me, how sore that me smerte, To don al that may like unto your herte ; ' And that ye me wolde as your brother trete. And taketh not my frendship in despit ; And, though your sorwes ben for thinges grete, N'ot I not why, but out of more respit Myn herte hath for t'amende it gret delit ; And if I may your harmes not redresse, I am right sory for your hevinesse. 140 ' For though ye Trojans with us Grekes wrothe Han many a day ben, alwey j'it, pard^ 00 God of love in soth we serven bothe. And, for the love of God, my lady free. Whom so ye hate, asbeth not wroth with me; For trewely ther can no wight you serve. That half so loth your wraththe wolde deserve. 'And n'ereit that we ben so neigh thetente Of Calcas, which that sen us bothe may, 1 wolde of thisyoutelleal myn entente; 150 But this' enseled til another day. Yif me your hond : I am, and shal be ay, God help me so, whil that my lif may dure, Your owne, aboven every creiture ! ' Thus seide I nevere or now to womman born ; For, God myn herte as wisly glade so, I lovede nevere womman her-biforn As paramours, ne nevere shal no mo : And for the love of God bethnot my fo, Al can I not to you, my lady dere, 160 Compleyne aright, for I am yit to lere. ' Andwondreth not, myn owne ladybright, Though that I spake of love to you thus blive ; For I have herd or this of mony a wight. Hath loved thing he nevere say his live : Nor I am not of power for to strive Ayeins the God of Love, but him ob'eye I wol alwey ; a#id mercy I you preye. ' Ther ben so worthy knightes in this place, And ye so fair, that everich of them alle 170 Wol peynen him to stonden in your grace ; But mighte me so fair a grace falle; That ye me for your servant wolde calle, So lowly ne so trewely you serve N'il non of hem, as I shal, til I sterve.' — Criseyde unto that purpos lite ariswerde, As she that was with sorwe oppressed so, That in effect she nought his tales herde Buthere and there, nowhereaword or two. Herthoughtehersorwfulhertebrasta-two; For whan she gan her fader fer espye, 181 Wei neigh down off her horsshegan tosye. But natheles she thanked Diomede Of al his travaile and his goode chere, And that him liste his frendship her to bede ; And she accepteth it in good manure. And wol do fayn that is him lief and dere; And trusten him she wolde, and wel she mighte. As seide she. And from her hors sh' alighte. 189 Her fader hath her in his armes nome. And twenty time -he kiste his doughter swete, And seide, ' O dere doughter myn, wel- come ! ' She seideek, she was fayn withhim to mete. And stood forth muwet, milde, and man- suete. — But here I leve her with her fader dwelle, And forth I wol of Troilus you telle. To Troye is come this woful- Troilus In sorwe aboven alle sorwes smerte, 166. Nor, J H4 H3 ; %y Ek; rest For, Ne. S34 BOOK V TROILVS AND CRISEYDE 199-271 With felon look, and face dispitous. igj Tho sodeinly down from his hors he sterte, And thorugh his paleis with a swoUenherte To chaumbre wente : of no wight took he hede, Ne non to him dar speke a word for drede. And there his sorwes that he spared hadde He yaf an issue large, a,nd Deth he cri'de ; And in his throwes" frenetik and madde He corseth Jove, AppoUo, and ek Cupide, He corseth Ceres, Bacus, and Ciprlde, His burthe, himself, his fate, and ek nature. And, save his lady, every creature. 210 To bedde he go'th, and walweth there and tometh In fiirie, as doth he, Ixion, in helle ; And in this wise he neigh til day sojorneth. But tho bigan his herte a lite unswelle Thorugh teres, whiche that gonnen up to welle ; And pitously he cri'de upon Criseyde, And tohimself right thus hespak and seyde : ' Where is myn owne lady, lief and dere ? Where is her white brest ? Where is it, where ? Z19 Where ben her armes and her yen clere. That yesternight this time with me were ? Now may I wepe allone many a tere, Andgraspeaboutelmay ; but in this place. Saving a pilwe, I finde naught t'enbrace. ' How shal I don ? Whan shal she come ayeyn ? I n'ot, alias ! Why let ich her to go ? As wolde God, ich hadde as tho ben slayn ! O herte myn, Criseyde ! O swete fo ! O lady myn, that I love and no mo, 329 To whom for evere mo myn herte I dowe ! See how I deye, ye n'il me not rescowe ! ' Who seeth you now, my righ telode-sterre? Whositright noworstant in your presence? 211. ival-wetk, so G H4 Cx. ; J ivhieleth ; others wcyleth. 212. Ixion. See ASneid^ vi. 601. 223. g-raspe, H4 A grope. 224, Saving, so R ; rest Save. Who can conforten now your hertes werre ? Now I am gon,' whom yeve ye audience ? Who spek'th for me right now in myn absence ? Alias, no wight : and that is al my care ; For wel I wot, as yvele as I ye fare ! ' How sholde I thus ten day es ful endure, 239 Whan I the firste night have al this tene ? How shal she don ek, sorwful creature ? For tendrenesse how shal she ek sustene S wich wo for me ? O pitous, pale, and grene Shal ben your fresshe, wommanliche face For longing, or ye tome into this place ! ' And whan he fil in any slomberinge^ Anon biginne he sholde for to grone. And dremen of the dredfuUeste thinges That mighte ben : as, mete he were allone In place horrible making ay his mone, 250 Or meten that he was amonges alle His enemies and in hir hondes falle. And therwithal his body sholde sterte, And with the stert al sodeinly awake, And swich a tremour fele aboute his herte, That of the fere his body sholde quake ; And therwithal he sholde a noise make. And seme as though he sholde falle depe From heighe on-lofte : and than he wolde wepe. And rewen on himself so pitously, 260 That wonder was to here his fantasye. Another time he sholde mightily ' Conforte himself, and seyn it was fol^e So causeles swich drede for to drye ; And eft biginne his aspre peynes newe. That every man mighte on his sorwes re we. Who coude telle aright or ful discrive His wo, his pleynte, his langour, and his pine ? Nought alle thementhathan or ben on-live! Thou, reder, mayst thyself ful wel devine 270 That swich a wo my wit can not define : 242. ek, R 7 this. 245. longing, S V tangour. 265. peynes, so H2 ; J and others sorwes. 270. Thou, reder ;_s^^ i. 52 (note). Chaucer seems now to be writing for publication. S35 272-343 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE On ydel for to write it sholde I swinke, Whan that my wit is wery it to thinke ! On hevene yit the sterres were y-sene, Although ful pale y-woxen was the mone, And whiten gan the orisonte shene Al estward, as it wont is for to done, And Phebus with his rosy carte sone Gan after that to dresse him up to fare, Whan Troilus hath sent after Pandare. 280 This Pandar, — that of al the day biforn Ne mighte han comen Troilus to see,' Although he on his hed it hadde y-sworh. For with the king Priam alday was he, So that it lay not in his liberte No-wher to gon, — but on the morwe he wente To Troilus, whan that he for him sente. For in his herte he coude \yel devine That Troilus al night for sorwe wook ; And that he wolde telle him of his pine, 290 This knew he wel y-nough, withoute book ! For- which to chaumbre streight the wey he took, And Troilus tho sobreliche he grette. And on the bed ful sone he gan him sette. ' My Pandarus,' quod Troilus, ' the sorwe Whichthat I drye, I may not longe endure : I trowe I shal not liven til to-morwe ; For-which I wolde alweys, on aventure. To thee devisen of my sepulture The forme ; and of my raoeble thou dispone 300 Right as thee seraeth best is for to done. ' But of the fir and flaumbe flineral In which my body brennen shal to glede. And of the feste and pleyes palestral At my vigile, I preye thee, tak good hede That that be wel ; and oSire Mars my stede; My swerd, myn helm ; and, leve brother dere, My sheld to Pallas yif, that shineth'clere. ' The poudre in which myn herte y-brend shal tome. That preye I thee thou take, and ek conserve 310 It in a vessel, that men clep'th an urne. Of gold ; and to my lady that I serve, For love of whom thus pitousliche I sterve. So yive it her, and do me this plesaunce To preye her kepe it for a remembraunce. ' For wel I fele, by my maladye And by my dremes now and yore ago, Al certeinly that I mot nedes dye : The owle eek, which that hight Escaphilo; Hath after me shright alle thise nightes two. 320 And, God M ercurie, of me now woful wreccne . The soffle gide, and, whan thee list, it fecc' he ! ' — ' Pandare answerde and seide, ' Troilus, My dere frSnd, as I have told thee yore, That it is foly for to sorwen thus, And causeles, for-which I can no more ; But who-so wol not trowen red ne lore, I can not sen in him no remedye But lete him worthen with his fantasye. ' But Troilus, I preye thee, tel me now 330 If-that thou trowe, or this, that any wight Hath loved paramours as wel as thou ? Ye, God wot ! And ful many a worthy knight Hath his lady foigon a fourtenight. And he not yit made halvendel the fare ! What nede is thee to maken al this care ? ' Sin day by day thou mayst thy-selven see That from his love, or elles from his wif, A man mot twinnen of necessite. Ye, though he love her as his owne lif ; 340 Yit n'il he with himself thus maken strif ; For wel thou wost, my leve brother dere. That alwey frendes may not ben i-fere. 310. ek, so G ; J and others li. 311. Itin{% all In. 319. Escaphilo, Ascalapbus, whom Proserpine changed into an owl. See Ovid, Mei. v. 539. 333- /^^i so P R-; G so; x^^lfro fji. for). 334. /organ, so P R G ; Cx. ben gon; A gon yee; rest^ew. 536 BOOK V TROILUS AND CRISEYDB 344-416 ' How don thise folk that seen hir loves wedded By frendes might, as it bitit ful ofte, And seen hem in hir spouses bed y-bedded ? God wot, they take it wisly, faire, and softe, For-why good hope halt up hir herte on- lofte; And, for they can a time of sorwe endure. As time hemhurt, a timedothhemcure ! 350 ' So sholdestow endure and leten slide The time, and fonde to be glad and light ! Ten dayes n'is so longe nought t'abide ! And sin she thee to comen hath bihight, She n'il her heste breken for no wight ; For dred thee nought that she n'il finden weye To come ayein, my lif that dorste I leye ! ' Thy swevenes ek and al swich fantasye Drif out, and lat hem faren to mischaunce ; For they precede of thy malencolye, 360 That doth thee fele in slepe al this penaunce. A straw for alle swevenes signefiaunce ! God help me so, I counte hem nought a bene ! Ther wotno man aright what dremesmene ! ' For prestes of the temple tellen this. That dremes ben the revelaciouns Of Goddes ; and as wel they telle, y-wis, That fthey ben infemals illusiouns ; And leches seyn, that of complexiouns Proceden they, or fast, or glotonye ; 370 Who wot in soth thus what they signefye? 'Ek othre seyn that thorugh impressiouns, As, if a wight hath faste a thing in minde, That therof comen swiche avisiouns ; And othre seyn, as they in bookes finde. That, after times of the year, by kinde Men dreme, and that th'effect go'th by the mone : But lef no drem, for it is nought to done ! 'Wel worth of dremes ay thise olde wives, Andtrewelicheekaugurie of thisefoules 380 For fere of which men wenen lese hir lives. 362. signefiaunce, so J GA ; rest signifiaunce. As ravenes qualm, or shriking of thise oules ! To trowen on it bothe fals and foul is : Alias, alias, so noble a creature As is a man shal dreden swich ordure ! 'For- which with almyn herte I theebiseche. Unto thyself that al this thou foryive : And ris now up withoute more speche, Andlatuscastehow forth may best be drive This time, and ek how fresshly we may live 390 Whan that she coni'th, the whiche shal be right sone : God help me so, thy beste is thus to done.' ' Ris,. lat us speke of lusty lif in Troye ' That we ban lad, and forth the time drive, And eek of time coming us rejoye, That bringen shal our blisse now so blive ; And langour of thise twyes dayes five We shal therwith so foryete or oppresse, That wel unnethe it don shal us duresse. ' This town is fill of lordes al aboute, 400 And trewes lasten al this mene whije : Go we and pleye us in som lusty route To Sarpedoun, not hennes but a mile : And thus thou shalt the time wel bigile. And drive it forth unto that blisful morwe That thou her see, that cause is of thy sorwe. ' Now ris, my dere brother Troilus : For certes, it non honour is to thee To wepe, and in thy bed to rouken thus ; For treweliche of 00 thing truste me, 410 If thou thus ligge a day or two or three. The folk wol seyn that thou for cowardise Thee feynest sik, and that thou darst not rise ! ' — This Troilus answerde, ' O brother dere, This knowen folk that hany-suffred peyne. That, though he wepe and make sorwful chere 398. or, so P R H4 H3 : rest ouric). 402. and, so R S ; rest omit. 403. Sarpedoutt. See iv. 52. 409. rouken, so Cx. Th. ; J and others iouken, (See Cani. Tales, A 1308.) 412. seyn, S y wene, (Boc. diria 1' uom.^ 537 417-496 TROILVS AMD CRISEYDB BOOK V That feleth harm and smert in every veyne, No wonderis ; and, thoughicheverepleyne Or alwey wepe, I n'am no thing to blame, Sin I have lost the cause of al my game. ' But sin of fine force I mot arise, 421 I shal arise as sone as evere I may ; And God, to whom my herte I sacriiise. So sende us hastily the tenthe day ! For was ther nevere fowl so fayn of May As I shal ben, whan that she com'th to Troye That cause is pf my torment and my joye. ' But whider is thy red,' quod Troilus, 'That wemaypleyeusbestin al this toun?' ' By God, my conseil is,' quod Pandarts, 'To ride and pleye us with King Sarpedoun.' 431 So longe of this they spaken up and doun, Til Troilus gan at the laste assente To rise, and forth to Sarpedoun they wente. This Sarpedoun, as he that honorable Was everehis live, and ful of heigh largesse. With al that mighte y-served ben on table That deynte was, al coste it gret richesse. He fedde hem day by day ; that swich noblesse, 439 Asseydenbothe the meste and ek the leste. Was nevere or that day wist at any feste. Nor in this world ther is non instrument Delicious through wind, ortoucheof corde. As fer as any wight hath evere went. That tonge telle or herte may recorde. That at the feste it n'as wel herd acorde ; N'of ladies ek so fair a companye On daunce, or tho, was nevere seyn with ye. But what availeth this to Troilus, 449 That for his sorwe nothing of it roughte ? For evere in con his herte pietus Ful bisily Criseyde his lady soughte : On her was evere al that his herte thoughte, 421. sin of Jlne force ; var. sziM.£«),fn, of/ors (read ? sith in Jin offors). Rawl. has two leaves wanting (11. 421 560). 436. largesse^ Sy/rowesse. 443. e^ so P Ha H4 Cx. A Cp. ; H3 S Hj S2 m: J GDCl. or. Now this, now that, so faste imagining?, That glade, y-wis, can him no festeyinge. Thise ladies ek that at the feste ben. Sin that he saw his lady was aweye, It was his sorwe upon hem for to sen. Or for to here on instrument so pleye : 459 For she that of his herte ber'th the keye Was absent, lo, this was his fantasye, That no wight sholde maken melodye. Nor ther n'as houre of al the day or night. Whan he was there-as no wight mighte him here, 1 That he ne seide, ' O lufsom lady bright, How have ye faren sin that ye were here? Welcome, y-wis, myn owne lady dere ! ' But weylawey, al this n'as but a mase : Fortune his howve intendeth bet to glase ! The lettres ek that she of olde time 470 Hadde him y-sent, he wolde allone rede An hundred sithe a-twixen noon and prime, Refiguring her shap, her wommanhede, •■ Withinne his herte, and every word.or dede That passed was. And thus he drof fan ende The ferthe day ; and thennes wolde he wende, And seide, ' Leve brother Pandarus, Intendestow that we shal here bleve Til Sarpedoun wil forth cong^yen us ? 479 Yit were it fairer that we toke our leve. For Goddes love, lat us now sone at eve Our leve take, and homward lat us torne, For treweliche I n'il not thus sojorne ! ' Pandare answfrde, • Be we comen hider To fecchen fir, and rennen hom ayeyn ? God help me so, I can not tellen whider We mighte gon, if I shal sothly seyn, Ther any wight is of us more fayn . Than Sarpedoun. And if we hennes hye Thus sodeinly, I holde it vilanye, 49° 455. festeyinge^ so J S only ; rest festeyng, festyngifi\festenynge. (See iii. 1718.) 476. iJunnes wolde he, so J P G Ha; Cx. cop rupt. ; rest seyde (S that) he wolde. 478. hleve, so J S D Cp. H CI. ; rest bilaic. 538 BOOK V TROILVS AND CRlSEYDE 491-562 ' Sin that we seiden that we wolde bleve With himawowke ; and now thus sodeinly The ferthe day to take of him our leve, He wolde wondren on it trewely. Lat us forth holde our purpos fermely, And sin that we bihighten him to bide, Hold forward now, and after lat us ride.' Thus Pandarus with alle peyne and wo Made him to dwelle; and at the wikes ende, Of Sarpedoun they toke hir leve tho, 500 And on hir wey they speddenhem to wende. Quod Troilus, ' Now Lord me grace sende. That I may finden at myn hom-cominge Criseyde come ! ' and ther-with gan he singe. ' Ye, haselwode ! ' thoughte this Pandare, And to himself ful sojfteliche he seyde, ' God wot, refreyden may this hole fare Or Calcas sende Troilus Criseyde ! ' 508 But natheles he japed thus, and pley'de. And swor, y-wis, hisherte him wel bihighte She wolde come as sone as e vere she mighte. Whan they unto the paleis were y-comen Of Troilus, they down off horse alighte, And to the chaumbre hir wey than han they nomen ; And into time that it gan to nighte They gonne speken of Criseyde the biighte ; And after this, whan that hem bothe leste, They spedde hem fro the soper unto reste. On morwe, as sone as day bigan to clere. This Troilus gan of his slep t'abreyde, 520 And to Pandare, his owne brother dere, ' For love of God,' ful pitousliche he seyde, ' As go we sen the paleis of Criseyde : For sin we yit may han no more feste. So lat us sen her paleis at the leste ! ' ^tjS' /orth holde, so Cx.; S y holdein) forth ; rest holde. 496. H/«, so J G S A ; Hahe; rest^c. 509. ple^de, so H3 H4 ; J and others seyde. 516. gonne, so J ; rest omit, 521. Pandare; J G '^^ Pandarus. 523. As, CI. So; J G P omit. And therwithal, his meyn^ for to blende, A cause he fond in towne for to go, And to Criseydes hous they gonne wende. But, Lord, this sely Troilus was wo ! 529 Him thoughte his sorwful herte brast a-two ; For, whan he saw her dores spered alle, Wel nigh for sorwe adown he gan to falle. Therwith whan he was war and gan biholde How shet was every window of the place. As frost, him thoughte, his herte gan to ~ colde ; For- which with chaunged dedlich pale face, Withouten word he forth-by gan to pace ; And, as God wolde, he gan so faste ride. That no wight of his contenaunce espi'de. Than seide he thus : ' O paleis desolat, O hous, of houses whilom best y-hight, O paleis empty and disconsolat, O thou lanterne of which queynt is the light, O paleis, whilom day that now art night, Wel oughtestow to falle, and I to dye, Sin she is went that wont was us to gye ! ' O paleis, whilom crowne of houses alle, Enlumined with sonne of alle blisse ! O ring, fro which the ruby is out-falle, O cause of wo, that cause hast been of lisse ! 550 Yit, sin I may no bet, fayn wolde I kisse Thy colde dores, dorste I for this route : And far-wel shrine, of which the seynt is oute ! ' Ther-with he caste on Pandarus his ye. With chaunged face, and pitous to bii holde ; And, whan hemighte his timearightespye, Ay as he rod, to Pandarus he tolde His newe sorwe and ek his joyes olde So pitously, and with so ded an hewe, That every wight mighte on his sorwe rewe. 560 Fro thennesforth he rideth up and down, And everything com him toremembraunce 550. hast, J G hath. 550. lisse, so J Cx. S Cp. ; H2 hisse ; restl>lisse. 539 563-632 TROILVS AND CRISEYDE BOOK V As he rod for-by places of the town In which he whilom hadde al his ples- aunce. ' Lo, yonder saw I last my lady daunce ! And in that temple with her yen clere Me caiighte first my righte lady dere ! ' And yonder have ich herd ful lustily My dere herte laughe ! And yonder pleye Saw I her ones ek ful bisily ! 570 And yonder ones to me gan she seye, "Now goode swete, love me wel, I preye ! " And yond so goodly gan she me biholde, That to the deth myn herte is to her holde ! ' And at that corner in the yonder hous Herde I myn alderlevest lady dere So wommanly with vois melodious Singen so wel, so goodly and so clere. That in my soule yit me think'th ich here The blisful soun ! And in that yonder place s8o My lady first me took unto her grace ! ' Than thoughte he thus : ' O blisfiil Lord Cupide, Whan I the proces have in my memorie. How thou me hast werrey'd on every side. Men mighte a book make of it, lik a storie ! What nede is thee to seke on me vict6rie. Sin I am thyn, and hooUy at thy wille ? What joye hast thou thine owne folk to spille ? ' Wel hastow, Lord, y-wroke on me thyn ire. Thou mighty God, and dredful for to greve ! 590 Now mercy, Lord ! Thouwostwel Idesire Thy grace most of alle lustes leve, And live and deye I wol in thy bileve : For which I n'axe in guerdon but 00 bone, That thou Criseyde ayein me sende sone. 565. S y read : Zo, yonder (CI. yende) saiv I viyn owne lady daunce. S70, bisily^ so P G Hg R Cx. ; rest hlisfully. 583. viy, P H4 Cx. S Y omit. ' Distreyne her herte as faste to retome As thou dost myn to longen her to see : Than wot I wel that she n'il not sojorne. Now, blisful Lord, so cruel thou ne be Unto the blood of Troye, I preye thee, 600 As Juno was unto the blood Theb^ne, For which the folk of Thebes caughte hir bane ! ' And after this he to the yates wente Ther-as Criseyde out-rod a fill good pas ; And up and down ther made he many a wente. And to himself ful ofte he seide, ' Alias ! From hennes rod my blis and my solfe ! As wolde blisful God now for his joye, I mighte her sen ayein come into Troye ! ' And to the yonder hil I gan her gide, 610 Alias, and there I took of her my leve ! And yond I saw her to her fader ride. For sorwe of which myn herte wol to-cleve ! And hider hom I com whan it was eve ; And here I dwelle out-cast from alle joye, And shal, til I may sen her eft in Troye ! ' And of himself imagined he ofte To ben defet and pale, and waxen lesse Than he was wont ; and that men seiden softe, ' What may it be ? Who can the sothe gesse, 620 Why Troilus hath al this hevinesse ? ' And al this n'as but his mal^ncolye. That he hadde of himself swich fantasye. Another time imaginen he wolde That every wight that wente by the weye Had of him routhe, and that they seyen sholde, ' I am right sory Troilus wol deye.' 627 And thus he drof a day yit forth or tweye As ye han herd : swich lif right gan he lede As he that stood bitwixen hope and drede. For-which him liked in his songes shewe Th'encheson of his wo as he best mighte, Sg8. not^ J so (read ? Than wot I wel she «'»i not so sojorne). 6z8. yit, J P G H3 R H4 omit.- 629. right, JPG Cx. omit. S-lo BOOK V TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 633-707 And make a song of wordes but a fewe, Somwhat his wofiil herte for to lighte ; And whan he was from every mannes sighte, With softe vois he of his lady dere That absent was gan singe as ye may here : ' O sterre, of which I lost have al the light. With herte soor wel oughte I to biwaile That evere derk in torment night by night, 640 Toward my deth with wind in stere I saile : For-which the tenthe night if-that I faile The giding of thy hemes brighte an houre, My ship and me Caribdis wol devoure. ' This song whan he thus songen hadde, sone He fil ayein into his sikes olde ; And every night, as he was wont to done, He stood the brighte mone to biholde, And al his sorwe he to the mone tolde, And seide, ' Y-wis, whan thou art horned newe, 650 I shal be glad, if al the world be trewe ! ' I saw thy homes olde by the morwe Whan hennes rod my righte lady dere, That cause is of my tormentand mysorwe ; For-which, O brighte Liicina the clere, For love of God, ren faste aboute thyspere ! For, whan thy homes newe ginne springe. Than shal she come that may my blisse bringe !' The dayes more and lenger every night Than they ben wont to ben, him thoughte tho ; 660 And that the sonne wente his cours unright By lenger wey than it was wont to go ; And seide, ' Y-wis, me dredeth evere mo The sonnes sone Pheton be on-live, And that his fader carte amis he drive.' Upon the walles faste ek wolde he walke. And on the Grekes oost he wolde see, 655. Liicina, so Cx. Th. ; J and others La- ,, ajipna. See iv. 1591, I 664. PJutotty Phaeton. See H. F. 942. I And to himself right thus he wolde talke, ' Lo, yonder is myn owne lady free ! Or elles yonder ther the tentes be ! 670 And thennescom'th this eir that is soswote. That in my soule I fele it doth me bote ! 'And, hardily, this wind, that more and more Thus stoundemele encresseth in my face. Is of my lady's depe sikes sore ! I preve it thus, for in non other space Of al this town, save only in this place, Fele I no wind that souneth so lik peyne : It seith, " Alias ! why twinned be we tweyne ? " ' This longe time he driveth forth right thus, Til fully passed was the ninthe night ; 681 And ay biside him was this Pandarus, That bisily dide al his fuUe might Him to conforte and make his herte light, Yiviiig him hope alwey, the tenthe morwe That she shal come andstintenalhis sorwe. — Upon that other side was Criseyde, With women fewe, among the Grekes stronge : For-which ful ofte a day 'Alias ! ' she seyde, ' That I was born ! Wel may myn herte longe 690 After my deth, for now live I too longe ! Alias, and I ne may it not amende. For now is wors than evere yit I wen'de ! ' My fader n'il for no thing do me grace To gon ayein, for aught I can him quemen; And, if so be that I my terme pace. My Troilus shal in his herte deme That I am fals ; and so it may wel seme : Thus shal I have unthank on every side. That I was born, so weylawey the tide ! 700 ' And if that I me putte in jupartye To stele awey by night, and it bifalle That I be caught, I shal be holde espye : Or elles, lo, this drede I most of alle, If in the hondes of som wrecche I fille. I n'am but lost, al be myn herte trewe ! Now mighty God, thou on mysorwe rewe !' 695. aught, J and others naught. 541 708-784 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE BOOK V Ful pale y-waxen was her brighte face, Her limes lene, as she that al the day Stood whan she dorste, and loked on the place 710 Ther she was born and ther she dwelt had ay ; And al the night wepinge, alias, she lay. And thus despaired out of alle cure, She ledde her lif, this woful creature. Ful ofte a day she sighte ek for distresse. And in herself she wente ay portreyinge Of Troilus the grete worthinesse, And alle his goodly wordes r^cordinge Sin iirst that day her love bigan to springe : And thus she sette her woful herte a-fire 720 Thorugh remembraunce of that she gan desire. In al this world ther n'is so cruel herte That her had herd compleynen in her sorwe. That n'olde han wepen for her peynes smerte. So tendrelyshe wep bothe eveand morwe : Her nedede no teres for to borwe. And this was yet theworsteof al her peyne, Ther was no wight to whom she dorste . her pleyne. Ful rewfuUy she loked upon Troye, 729 Biheld the toures heighe and ek the halles : 'Alias !' quod she, 'the plesaunce and the joye, The whiche that nowal torned intogalle is. Have ich had ofte withinne tho yonder walles ! O Troilus, what dostow now ? ' she seyde : ' Lord, whether thou yit thenke upon Criseyde ! ' Alias, I n'hadde y-trowed on your lore. And went with you, as ye me redde or this ! | Than hadde I now not siked half so sore ! Who mighte have said that I had don amis To stele awey with swich oon as he is? 740 But al too late com'th the letuarie Whan men the cors unto the grave carie ! 725. ivep (?), all ixiepte. ' Too late is now to speke of that matere: Prudence, alias ! oon of thine yen three Me lakked alwey or-that I com here ! On time passed wel remembred me. And present time ek coude ich wel y-see, But futur time, or I was in the snare, Coude I not see : that causeth now my care ! ' But natheles, bitide what bitide, 750 I shal tomorwe at night, by est or west, Out of this oost stele on som maner side. And gon with Troilus wher-as him lest : This purpos wol I holde, and this is best. No fors of wikked tonges janglerye. For evere on love han wrecches had env^e I ' For who-so wol of every word take hede. Or rulen him by every wightes wit, Ne shal he nevere thriven, out of drede ; For that that some men blamen evere yit, Lo, other maner folk comenden it. 761 And as for me, for al swich variaunce, Felicite clepe I my sufSsaunce ! ' For-which, withouten any wordes mo, To Troye I wol, as for conclasioun.' — But God it wot, or fully monthes two. She was ful fer fro that entencioun ! For bothe Troilus and Troyes toun Shal knotteles throughout her herte slide ; For she wol take a purpos for t'abide. 770 — This Diomede, of whom you telle I gan, Go'th now, withinne himself ay arguinge Withal thesleighteandalthat evere hecan, How he may best with shortest taryinge Into his net Criseydes herte bringe. To this entente he coude nevere fine : To fisshen her, he leyde out hook and line. But natheles wel in his herte he thoughte. That she n'asnot withoute a love in Troye ; For nevere sithen he her thennes broughte Ne coude he sen her laughe and maken joye. 781 He n'iste how best her herte for t'acoye ; But ' for t'assaye,' he seide, ' it nought ne greveth, For he that nought n'assayeth, naught n'acheveth ! ' 752, on, J and others in. 542 BOOK V TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 785-852 Yit seide he to himself upon a night, ' Now am I not a fool, that wot wel how Her wo for love is of another wight ; And her-upon to gon assaye her now, I may wel wite, it n'il not ben my prow. For wise folk in bokes it expresse, 790 " Menshal not wowe a wightinhevinesse. " ' But who-so mighte winnen swich a flour From him for whom she morneth night and day, He mighte seyn he were a conquerour ! ' And right anon, as he that bold was ay, Thoughte in his herte, ' Happe how happe may, Al sholde I deye, I wol her herte seche : I shal no more lese but my speche ! '* This Diomede, as bokes us declare. Was in his nedes prest and corageus, 800 With Sterne vois and mighty limes square. Hardy and testif, strong and chivalrus Of dedes, lik his fader Tideus ; And some men seyn he was of tonge large, And heir he was of Calidoyne and Arge. Criseyde mene was of her statiire, Therto of shap, of face, and ek of chere Ther mighte be no fairer creature : And ofte time this was her manere To gon y-tressed with her heres clere 810 Down by her coler at her bak bihinde, Whiche with a thred of gold she wolde binde ; And, save her browes joineden i-fere, Ther nas no lak in aught I can espyen. But for to speken of her i^en clere, Lo, trewely, they writen that her syen, That Paradys stood formed in her yen ; And with her riche beaute evere more Strof love in her ay, which of hem was more. 819 She sobre was, ek simple and wis withal. The best y-norisshed ek that mighte be, 799-840. Much of this passage seems to have been taken direct from Benoit de Sainte More, Rommt de Troie. It is remarkable that in these six stanzas there should be six defective or doubt- ful lines. 802. and testi/f so S ; rest testif. And goodlich of her speche in general. And charitable, estatly, lusty, free : Ne nevere mo ne lakked piete Her tendre herte, sliding of corage. But trewely I can not telle her age. And Troilus wel waxen was on highte. And complet formed by proporcioun So wel that kindeit nought amendemighte : Yong, fressh, and strong, and hardy as lioun, 830 And trewe as steel in ech condicioun : And oon the best entecched creature That is, or shal, whil-that the world may dure. And certeinliche in storie it is y-founde That Troilus was nevere unto no wight. As in his time, in no degre secoiinde In durring don that longeth to a knight. Al mighte a geaunt passen him of might. His herte ay with the firste and with the beste 839 Stood paregal to durre-don that him leste. — But for to tellen forth of Diomede. It fil that after, on the tenthe day Sin that Criseyde out of the cite yede. This Diomede, as fressh as braunche in May, Com to the tente ther-as Calcas lay. And feyned him with Calcas han to done : But what he mente, I shal you telle sone. Criseyde, at shorte wordes for to telle. Welcomed him, and down him by hersette; And he was ethe y-nough to maken dwelle ! And after this, withoute longe lette 851 The spices and the wyn men forth hem fette ; 823. And chariiahle (?), all Charitable; P and (before estatly) ; H4 G H3 R Cx. A D Hi CI. and (hefoieyree) ; P R estatly ; J etc. esta{f)ii{/)ckifi). 824. lahkedpietei^^ all laJikedie) her pite ij>ete). (See iii. 1033 ; iv. 246 ; v. 1598.) 825. Her tendre herte (?), G tendyr herte ; P Tendre hertis; H3 Thendere hertede ; rest Tendre herted. 830. and strong, so S ;■ rest strong, 831. And trewe (J), all Trewe. 832. And oon the (?), Hi Oon the; rest Oon o) the. 842. This line follows I. 770 in Boccaccio, who makes it the fourth day. S43 853-928 TROILVS AND CRISEYDE BOOK V And forth they speke of this and that i-fere As frendes don, of which som shal ye here. He gan first fallen of the werre in speche Bitwixe hem and the folk of Troye toun ; And of th'assege he gan her ek biseche To telle him what was her opinioun. Fro that demaunde he so descendeth doun To axen her, if that her straunge thoughte The Grekes gise, and werkes that they wroughte ; 86i And' why her fader tarieth so longe To wedden her unto som worthy wight. — Criseyde, that was in her peynes stronge I For love of Troilus, her owne knight, ) As ferforth as she conning hadde or might I Answerde him tho ; but, as of his entente, It semed not she wiste what he mente. , But natheles this ilke Diomede Gan in hiniself assure, and thus he seyde : ' If ich aright have taken of you hede, 871 Me thinketh thus, O lady myn Criseyde, That, sin I first hond on your bridal leyde Wlian ye out-come of Troye by the m6rwe, Ne coude I nevere sen you but in sorwe. ' Can I not seyn what may the cause be, But-if for love of som Trojan it were ; The whiche right sore wolde athinken me. That ye for any wight that dwelleth there Sholde evere spille a quarter of a tare, 880 Or pitously yourselven so bigile : For dredeles it is not worth the while. ' The folk of Troye, as who saith, alia and some In prison ben, as ye yourselven sea ; Nor thannes shal not con on-live come For al the gold atwixen Sonne and sea : Trusteth right wel and understondeth me, Ther shal not oon to mercy gon on-live, Al were he lord of worldes twyes five ! ' Swich wreche on ham for facching of Eleyna 890 Thar shal ben take or-that we hennes wenda, 880. Sholde irvere (?), all Slwlden. 887. right ivelf so Cx. S ; rest wel. That Manes, whiche that Goddes^ ban oi payna, Shal ben agastthat Grekes wolhemshende, And menshuldrede, untotheworldes ande, From hennesforth to ravisshen any quane. So cruel shal our wreche on hem ba sane ! 'And but-if Calcas lede us with ambages, That is' to seyn, vfith double wordesslye, Swich as men clapa a word with two visages, Ye shal wel knowen that I nought ne lye, And al this thing right sen it vrith your ye, And that anon, ye n'il not trowe how sone ! 902 Now taketh hede, for it is to done ! ' AAThat ! Wene ye your wise fedar wplde Have yeyen Antenor for you anon, If he ne wiste that the cite sholde Destroyed ban? Why, nay; so motel gon ! He knew fill wel ther shal not scapen oon That Trojan is, and for the grete feja He durste not ye dwelte langar there. 910 ' 'What wol ye more, lufsom lady dere ? Lat Troye and Trojan fro your herte pace ! Drif out that bittre hope, and mak good chere. And clepe ayein the beaut^ of your face That ye vdth salte tejresso deface, For Troye is brought in swicl;i a jupartye That it to save is now no remedye ! 'And thenketh wel, yeshal in Grekes finde A more parfit love, or it be night. Than any Trojan is, and more kinde, 920 And bet to serven you wol don his might ; And if ye vouchesauf, my lady bright, I wol ben ha to sarvan you myselve. Ye, levere than be king of Graces twelve!' And with that word he gan to waxen red, Aiid in his spacha a litel wight he quook. And caste aside a litel wight his lied. And stinte a while." And afterward he wook, 8^5. ravisshen, pronounce rm/sshen. (See norisshed, 1. 821.) Q03. to, so Cx. ; H4 noiv to ; G not to; J and others y9r to. 928. he "wook, J and others wwook. 544 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 929-1004 And sobreliche on her he threw his look, 929 And seide, ' I am, al be it you no joye, ' As gentil man as any wight in Tioye. ' For if my fader Tydeus,' he seyde, ' Y-lived hadde, ich hadde ben, or this, Of Calidoyne and Arge a king, Criseyde ! And so hope I that I shal yit, ywis ! But he was slayn, alias, the more harm is, Unhappily at Thebes al too rathe, Polymites and many a man to scathe. 'But, herte myn, sin that I am your man, 939 And ye the firste of whom I seche grace To serve you as hertly as I can. And evere shal whil I to live have space, So, or that I departe out of this place. That ye me grauntc that I may tomorwe At bettre leiser telle you my sorwe ! ' What sholde I telle his wordes that he seyde ? He spak y-noiigh for 00 day at the meste ! It preveth wel, he spak so that Criseyde Grauntedhim on themorwe at his requeste To have a speche with her at the leste, 950 So that he n'olde speke of swich matere : And thus to him she seide, as ye may here. As she that hadde her herte on Troilus . So faste, that ther may it non arace ; And straungely she spak, and seide thus : ' O Diomede, I love that iike place Ther I was bom ; and Joves for his grace Delivere it sone of al that doth it care ! God, for thy might, so leve it wel to fare ! ' That Grekes wolde hir wraththe on Troye wreke 960 If that they mighte, I knowe it wel, y- wis : But it shal not bifallen as ye speke, And God to-forn ! And ferther over this, I wot my fader wis and redy is ; 938. Polymites , Polynices. (See 11. 1488, 1507, and I. 1498 note.) 940. ye thCf so Cx. ; P ye he; Hs hetke the; rest ben the. 944. That ye ^ %y Ye vtol.^ 949. him, so Cx, ; rest omit. 950. To have a speche with her, so Cx. ; rest For to speken with him. And that he me hath bought, as ye me tolde. So dere, I am the more unto him holde. ' That Grekes ben of heigh condicioun I wot ek wel ; but, certein, men shal finde As worthy folk withinne Troye toiin, 969 As conning, and as parfit, and as kinde, As ben bitwixen Orcades and Inde ; And that ye coude jjjsl your lady serve, It trowe it wel, her thank for to deserve. ' But as to speke, of love, y-wis,' she seyde, ' I hadde a lord, to whom I wedded was, The whos myn herte al was til that he deyde ; And other love, as help me novir Pallas, Ther in myn herte n'is, ne nevere was. And that ye ben of noble and heighkinrede, I have wel herd it tellen, out of drede ; 980 'And that doth me tohansogret a wonder. That ye wol scornen any woman so ! , Ek, God wot, love and I be fer asonder : I am disposed bet, so mote I go. Unto my deth to pleyne ajid maken wo : What I shal after don, can I not seye ; But treweliche, as yit, me list not pleye. ' Myn herte is now in tribulacioun. And ye in armes bisy day by day : 989 Herafter, whan ye wonnen han the toun, Paraunter thanne so it happen may. That whan I see that nevere yit I say, Than wol I werke that I nevere wroughte I This word to you y-nough suffisen oughte. 'To-morweek wol I speken with you fayn. So that ye touchen nought of this matere ; And whan yOu list , ye may come here ay eyn. And, oryegon, thus muchelseyeyou here : As help me Pallas with her heres clere, 999 If that I sholde on any Grek han routhe. It sholde be yourselven, by my trouthe ! ' I sey not therfor that I wol you love, N'l sey not nay ; but in conclusioun, I mene wel, by God that sit above ! ' 992. nevere yit /, so Cx. P H* ; J / tieriereyitt others / nevereier), etc. 54S 1005-1078 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE And therwithal she caste her ^en doun, And gan tosike, andseide, ' O Troye toun, Yit bidde I God, in quiete and in reste I may thee sen, or do myn herte breste ! ' But in eiiFect, andshortly for to seye. This Diomede al fresshly newe ayeyn loio Gan pressen on , and faste her mercy preye ; And after this, the sothe for to seyn, Herglovehetook, ofwhichhe wasful fayn : And finaly, whan it was waxen eve, And al was wel, he roos and took his leve. The brighte Venus folwed and ay taughte The wey ther brode Phebus doun alighte. And Cynthea her char-hors over-raughte To whirle out of the Leoun, if she mighte. And Signifer his candels sheweth brighte, Whan that Criseyde unto her reste wente Inwith her fadres faire brighte tente, 1022 Retorning in her soule ay up and doun The wordes of this sodein Diomede, His grete estat, and peril of the toun. And that she was allone and hadde nede Of frendes help. And thus bigan to brede The causes why, the sothe for to telle, That she took fully purpos for to dwelle. The morwe com, and gostly for to speke ThisDiomede is come unto Criseyde ; 1031 And, shortly, lest that ye my tale breke. So wel he for himselven spak and seyde, That alle her sikes sore adoun he leyde ; And finaly, the sothe for to seyne. He refte her of the grete of al her peyne. And after this the storie telleth us That she him yaf the faire baye stede 1019. See Cressida's promise, iv. 1592, and v. 1 190. 1020. Signifer^ the Zodiac. 1021. restCy IA.%^ -^ hecU^de)\ 'S.^chavthir. Z028. causes^ so J P G (Boc.) ; rest cause. 1030. gostly^ as her spiritual adviser. 1037. The incidents in the two following stanzas seem to have been taken from Benoit, though the Historia Troiana of Guido delle Colonne may also have been consulted (see 1. 1044). Chaucer (or his audience, see P-rologue to Legend of Good Wotnen) has evidently been_ dissatisfied with Boccaccio's account of Cressida's faithlessness. Cressida's complaint (11. 1051 se^.) is probably Chaucer's own. Chaucer returns to Boccaccio at 1. iioo. The whiche he ones wan of Troilus ; 1039 And ek a broche — and thatwas litel nede ! — That Troilus' was, she yaf this Diomede ; And ek, the bet from sorwe him to releve. She made him were a pencel of her sieve. I finde ek in the stories elleswhere. Whan thorugh the body hurt was Diomede Of Troilus, tho wep she many a tere. Whan that shesawhiswidewoundesblede; And that she topk, to kepen him, good hede ; And, for to hele him of his sorwes smerte. Men seyn^I n'ot — that she yaf him her herte. 1050 But trewely the storie telleth us, Ther made nevere woman more wo Than she, whan that she falsed Troilus. She seyde, ' Alias ! for now is clene ago My name of trouthe in love for everemo ! For I have falsed oon the gentileste That evere was, and oon the worthieste ! ' Alias ! of me, unto the worldes ende, Shal neither ben y-writen nor y-songe No good word, for thise bokes wol me shende. 1060 O, rolled shal I ben on many a tonge : Throughout the world my belle shal be ronge : And wommen most wol hate me of alle ! Alias, that swich a cas me sholde falle ! ' They wol seyn, in as muche as in me is, I have hem don dishonour, weylawey ! Al be I not the firste that dide amis, Whathelpeth that, to don my blame awey? But, sin I see ther is no bettre wey, 1069 And that too late is now for me to rewe, To Diomede algate I wol be trewe. ' But Troilus, sin I no bettre may, And sin that thus departen ye and I, Yet preye I God so yive you right good day As for the gentileste, trewely. That evere I say, to serven feithfuUy, And best can ay his lady honour kepe.' And with that word she brast anon to wepe. 1044. tke^ J and others omit. 1046. vjc^^ so J G P ; H4 wepe gan; rest wefte. 546 BOOK V TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 1079-1150 •' And certes, you ne haten shal I nevere, And frendes love, that shal ye han of me, And my good-word, al mighte I liven evere ! And treweliche, I wolde sory be 108a For to sen you in any adversity : And gilteles, I wot wel, I you leve : But al shal passe ! — And thus take I my leve.' But trewely, how longe it was bitwene. That she forsook him for this Diomede, Thar n'is non auetour telleth it, I wene : Take every man now to his bokes hede. He shal no terme linden, out of drede ; For though that he bigan to wowehersone. Or he her wan, yit was ther more to done. Ne me ne list this sely womman chide Further than thilke storie wol devise : Her name, alias, published is so wide. That for her gilt it oughte y-nough sufBse : And if I mighte' excuse her any wise, For she so sory was for her untrouthe, Y-wis, I wolde excuse her yit for routhe. — This Troilus, as I bifore have told, iioo Thus driveth forth as wel as he hath might : But often was his herte hoot and cold, And namely that ilke ninthe night, Which on the morwe she had him bihight To come ayein : God wot, ful litel reste Hadde he that night : nothing to slepe him leste ! The laurer-crowned Phebus with his hete Gan, in his cours ay upward as he wente, To warme of th' este see the wawes wete. And Nisus' doughter song with fressh entente, mo Whan Troilus his Pandar after sente. And on the walles of the town they pleyde. To loke if they can sen alight of Criseyde. io8z. mighte^ J and others sholde. 1083. any, so H4 Cx. S I rest omit. 1085. But, J H3 CI. And. 1094. thilke (7), CI. tAts ; rest tie, 1095, ^bltsshed, so H2 Cx. ; J and others ^»»- isshed. * 1 103. ninthe, J G Hg tenihe. mo. Nisus^ doughter, Scylla, changed into a lark. SeeZ.G.W'. igo8. Til it was noon they stoden for to see Who that ther com; and every maner wight That com fro fer, they seiden it was she, Til that they couden knowen him aright : Now was his herte dul, now was it light ; And thus bi-japed, stonden for to stare Aboute naught this Troilus and Pandare ! To Pandarus this Troilus tho seyde, 1121 ' For aught I wot, bifor noon sikerly Into this townne com'th not here Criseyde. She hath y-nough to done, hardily. To winnen from her fader, so trowe I. Her olde fader wol yit make her dine Or- that she go ; God yive his herte pine !' Pandireanswerde, ' It may wel be, certein ; And for-thy lat us dine, I thee biseche ; And after noon than maystow come ayein.' 1130 And horn they gon, withouten more speche. And qome ayein, But longe may they seche Or-that they finden that they after cape : Fortune hem' bothe thenketh for to jape ! Quod Troilus, ' I see wel now that she Is taried with her olde fader so'. That, or she come, it wil neigh even be. Com forth, I wol unto the yate go. Thise porters ben unconning evere mo. And I wol don hem holden up the yate As naught ne were, although she come late.' 1141 The day go'th faste, and after that com'th eve. And yit com nought to Troilus Criseyde. He loketh forth by haye, by tree, by greve. And fer his hed over the wal he leyde ; And at the laste he torned him and seyde, ' By God, I wot her mening now, Pandire ! Almost, y-wis, al newe was my care ! ' Now douteles this lady can her good ! I wot she meneth riden prively, 1150 11Z3. here, J and otl^ers omit. 1125. winnen, J CI. iwinnen, 1144. hayei^, all heg{g)es, heg{g\e. (See iii. 3SI.) S47 IIS1-I22I TROILVS AND CRISEYDE And I comende her wisdom, by myn hood ! She n'il not maken peple nicely Gaure on her whan she com'th ; but softely By night into the town she thenketh ride. And, dere brother, thenk not long t'abide ; We have not elles for to done, y-wis. — And Pandarus, now wiltow trowen me ? Have here my trouthe, I see her 1 Yond she is ! . , Heve up thine yen, man ! Maystow not , see?' II59 Pandare answ^rde, ' Nay, so mote I thee ! Al wrong, by God ! What seysto w, man ? Wher arte ? That I see yond n'is but a fare-carte ! ' ' Alias, thou sey'st ful soth ! ' quod Troilus. ' But, hardily, it li'is not al for nought That in myn herte I now rejoise thus : It is ayeins som good I have a thought. N'ot I not how, but sin that I was wrought Ne felte I swich a confort, soth to seye ! She com'th to-night, my lif that dorste I leye ! ' Pandare answ^rde, ' It may be, wel y-nough !' . 1170 And held with him of al that everehe leyde : But in his herte he thdiighte, and softe lough, And to himself ful sobreliche he seyde : ' From hasel-wode ther joly Robin pleyde Shal come al that that thou abidest here ! Ye, far- wel al the snow of feme yere ! ' The wardein of the yates gan to calle The folk whiche that withoute the yates were, And bad hem driven in hir beestes alle. Or al the night they mosten bleven there. And fer withinne the night, with many a tere, uSi This Troilus gan hbmward for to ride, For wel he seeth it helpeth nought t'abide. 1151. ^/K^/ (?), all /, (Boc. ed ia '1 commendo.) 1163, ful, S 7 (exc. A) right. 1168. soth to seyey S y (exc. A) dar I seye. 1171. leyde (^y sX\ seyde. (See 11. 1169, 1304.) 1174-1176. In Boccaccio, 'From Etna the poor fellow expects a wind I ' . 1175. thai thai, so J P Hj R CI. ; A thai at; rest that. But natheles he gladded him in this : Hethoughte hemisacounted haddehisday. And seide, ' I understonden have amis ; ' For th'ilke night I last Cris^de say. She seide, " I shal ben here, if that I may, Or that the mone, O dere herte swete. The Lioun passe out of this Ariete." ngo 'For-which she may yit holde al her biheste. ' — And on the morwe unto the yate he wente, And up and down, by westeand ek by este. Upon the walles made he many a wente. But al for nought : his hope alw^ hin blente. For-which at night, in sorweandsikes sore, He wente him hom, withouten any more. His hope al clene out of his herte fledde, He n'hath wheron now lengei: for to honge." But for the peyne him thoughte his herte 'bledde, * 1200 So were his throwes sharpe and wonder stronge. For, whan he saw that she abood solonge, He n'iste what he jugenof it mighte, Sin she hath broken that she him bihighte. The thridde, ferthe, fifte, sixte day After tho dayes ten of which I tolde, v Bitwixen hope and drede his herte lay, Yit somwhat trusting on her hestes olde ; But whan hesawshen'oldehertermeholde. He can now sen non other remedye 1210 But for to shape him sone for to dye. Therwith, the wikked spirit (God u^blesse!} Which that men clepeth wode Jalousye, Gan in him crepe in al his Jievii^esse ; For-which, bicause he wolde sone dye. He n'eet ne dronk for his mal^ncolye. Arid ek from every companye he fledde : This" was the lif that al this time he ledde. He so defet was, that no nianer man Unnethe him mighte knowe ; ther he wente, 1220 So was he lene, and therto pale and wan 1190. this, J'Ha R his; G that. (See iv. 1590.) 1213. wode, P Hs D Cp. C\.. the ivode. ■ S48. BOOK V TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 1222-1292 And feble, that he walketh by potente ; And with his ire he thus himselven shente. And who-so axed him wherof him smerte, He seide, his harm was al aboute his herte. Priam fill ofte, and ek his moder dere, His 'brethren and his sustren gonne him freyne Why he so sorwfiil was in all his chere, And what thing was the cause of al his peyne ; But al for nought. He n'olde his cause pleyne, 1230 But seide he felte a grevous maladye Aboute his herte, and fayn he wolde dye. So on a day he leyde him down to slepe : And so bifil that in his slep him thoughte That in a forest faste he walk to wepe For love of her that him this peyne wroughte ; And, up and down as he the forest soughte, Him mette, he say a boor with tuskes grete, That slep ayein the brighte sonnes hete ; And by this boor, faste in her arffles folde, Z240 Lay, kissing ay, his lady bright, Criseyde : For sorwe of which, whanheit gan biholde. And for despit, out of his slep he breyde. And loude he cri'de on Pandarus, and seyde, ' O Pandarus, now knowe I crop and rote ! I n'am but ded, ther n'is non other bote ! ' My lady bright, Criseyde, hath me bitrayed, In whom I trusted most of any wight : She elleswhere hath now her herte apayed : The blisful Goddes through hir grete might Han in my drem y-shewed it ful right ! 1251 Thus in my drem Criseyde I have biholde, ' — And al this thing to Pandarus he tolde. ' O my Criseyde, alias ! what subtilte. What newelust, whatbeaut^ what science, What wraththe of juste cause han ye to me ? What gilt of me, what fel experience 1240. her, H4 CI. his; P H2 H3 Cx. omit. Hath fro me reft, alias, thyn Advertence ? trust ! O feith ! O depe dssuraunce ! Who hath me reft Criseyde, al my ples- aunce ? 'Alias ! why let I you from hennes go, 1261 P"or which wel neigh out of my wit I breyde ? Who shal now trowe on any othes mo ? > God wot, I wen'de, Olady bright, Criseyde, That every word was gospel that ye seyde ! But who may bet bigile, yif him liste, Than he on whom men weneth best to triste ? ' What shal I don, my Pandarus? Alias ! 1 fele now so sharpe a newe peyne, 1269 Sin that ther li'th no remedie in this cas. That bet were it I with mine hondes tweyne Myselven slow, alwey than thus to pleyne ; For through the deth my wo sholde have an ende, Ther every day with lif myself I shende.' Pandire answerde and seide, ' Alias the while ' That I was born ! Have I not seid or this. That dremes many a maner man bigile ? And why ? For folk expounden hem amis ! How darstow seyn that fals thy lady is 1279 For any drem, righj for thyn owne drede ? Lat be this thought, thou canst no dremes rede ! ' Paraunter, ther thou dremest of this boor. It may so ben that it may signefye. Her fader, which that old is and ek hoor, Ayein the sonne li'th, o-point to dye, And she for sorwe ginneth wepe and crye, And kisseth him ther he li'th on the grounde : Thus sholdestow thy drem a-right ex- pounde ! ' ' How mighte I thanne don,' quod Troilus, ' To knowe of this, ye, were it nevere so lite?' — 1290 ' Now seystow wisly ! ' quod this Pandarus, ' My red is this : sin thou canst wel endite, 1259. read ? O deitefeithl O assurauncel 1266. yif, so J G .H4 ; Hs D i/t/iai; others i/. 1270. ii'th, S y is^ 549 I293-I36S TROILUS AND CRISEYDB That hastily a lettre thou her write, Thorugh which thou shalt wel bringen it aboute, To knowe asoth ther thouartnowindoute. ' And see now why ! for this I dar wel sey n ; That, if so is that she untrewe be, I can not trowen she wol write ayeyn ; And, if she write, thou shalt sone see As whether she hath any liberty 1300 To come ayein, or elles in som clause. If she be let, she wol assigne a cause. ' Thou hast not writen her sin that she wente, Nor she to thee ; and this I dorste leye, Ther may swich cause ben in her entente, That hardily thou wolt thyselven seye That her abood the beste is for you tweye. Now write her thanne, and thou shalt fele sone A soth of al : ther n'is no more to done. ' Acorded ben to this conclusioun, 1310 And that anon, thise ilke lordes two ; And hastily sit Troilus adoun. And roUeth in his herte to and fro How he may best discriven her his wo. And to Criseyde, his owne lady dere, He wrot right thus, and seide as ye shal here.— • Right fresshe flour, whos I ben have and shal, Withouten part of elleswhere servise. With herte, body, lif, lust, thought, and al, I, wofiil wight, in every humble wise 1320 That tonge telle or herte may devise, As ofte as mater occupieth place. Me recomaunde unto your noble grace. ' Liketh it you to witen, swete herte. As ye wel knowe, how longe time agon That ye me lefte in aspre peynes smerte Whan that ye wente : of which yit bote non Have I non had, but evere wors bigon 1295. ther ihou art now, J Cx. omit now ; S y of that (Hg qfwhicK) thou art, 1298. she, so J R Cx. G H3 ; rest that she. 1299. sone, J and othcrsjut sone. 1316. shat, so J P R Cx. G H4 ; rest majf. Z324. it, J and others omit. Fro day to day am I, and so mot dwelle, Whil it you list, of wele and wo my welle ! ' For-which to you, with dredful herte trewe, 1331 I write, as he that sorwe drif'th to write, My wo that everich houre encresseth fiewe, Compleyning as I dar or can endite. And that defaced is, that may ye wite The teres whiche that fro mine ^en reyne, That wolden speke if that they coude, and pleyne. ' You first biseche I, that your yen clere. To loke on this, defouled ye not holde. And over al this, that ye, my lady dere, 1340 Wol vouche-sauf this lettre to biholde : And by the cause ek of my cares colde That sleethmy wit, if aught amis m'asterte, Foryive it' me, myn owne swete herte ! ' If any servant dorste or oughte of right Upon his lady pitously compleyne, Than wene I that ich oughte ben that wight. Considered this, that ye thise monthes tweyne Han taried, ther ye seyden, soth to seyne, But dayes ten ye n'olde in oost sojorne, — But in two monthes yit ye not retorne. 1351 ' But for as muche as me mot nedes like Al that you list, I dar not pleyne more ; But hnmblely, with sorwfiil sikes sike, You write ich mine unresty sorwes sore. Fro day to day desiring evere more To knowen fully, if your wille it were. How ye han ferd and don whil ye be there ; ' The whos welfare and hele ek God encresse 13S9 In honour swich, that upward in degree It growe alwey, so that it nevere cesse. Right as your herte ay can, my lady free. Devise, I preye to God so mote it be, And grante it that ye sone upon me rewe As wisly as in al I am you trewe ! 1335. And that, J And that it (read ? Ani Ihaf). 1365. you, J and others to you ; Cx. your. SSo TROILUS AND CRISEYDE I 366- I 437 ' And if you liketh knowen of the fare Of me, whos wo ther may no wit descrive, I can no more, but, cheste of every care. At writing of this lettre I was on-live, Al redy out my woful gost to drive : 1370 Which I delay, and holde him yit in honde Upon the sighte of mater of your sonde. ' Myn yen two, in veyn with whiche I see. Of sorwful teres salte am waxen welles : My song, in pleynte of myn adversite : My good, in harm : myn ese ek waxen helle is : My joye, in wo : I can seye you nought elles, But turned is, for which my lif I warie, Everich joye or ese in his contrarie. ' Which with your coming hom ayein to Troye 1380 Yemay redresse, and, moreathousandsithe Thanevereich hadde, encressen inmejoye. For was ther rievere herte yit so blithe To han his lif as I shal ben, as swithe As I you see. And, though no maner routhe Commeve you, yit thenketh on your trouthe. ' And if so be my gilt hath deth deserved. Or if you list no more upon me see. In guerdon yit of that I have you served Biseche I you, myn hertes lady free, 1390 That her-upon ye wolden write me, For love of God, my righte lode-sterre, That deth may make an ende upon my werre ! ' If other cause aught doth you for to dwelle. That with your lettre ye me reconforte ! For, though to me your absence is an helle. With pacience I wol my wo conporte, And with your lettreof hopel wol desporte. Now writeth, swete, and lat me thus not pleyne : With hope, or deth, delivereth me fro peyne ! 1400 1367. iiiit, G CI. and others wight; H4 man. 1393. That, Cx. Or; H2 The: CI. Cp. Ther. ' Y-wis, myn owne dere herte trewe, I wot that, whan ye next upon me see, So lost have I myn hele and ek myn hewe, Criseyde shal not conne knowen me. Y-wis, myn hertes day, my lady free, So thursteth ay myn herte to biholde Your beaut^ that my lif unnethe I holde. ' I sey no more, al have I for to seye To you wel more than I tellen may. 1409 But whether that ye do me live or deye, Yit preye I God so yi ve you right good day ! And far'th wel, goodly faire fresshe may, . As she that lif or deth me may comaunde ! And to your trouthe ay I me recomaunde ' With hele swich that, but ye yiven me The same hele, I shal non hele have ! In you li'th, whan you list that it so be. The day on which me clothen shal my glrave : In you my lif, in you might for to save Me from disese of alle peynes smerte ! 1420 And far'th now wel, myn owne swete herte ! ' This lettre forth was sent unto Criseyde, Of which her answer in eifect was this : Ful pitously she wrot ayein, and seyde. That al-so sone as that she mighte, y-wis, She wolde come, and mende al that was mis. And finaly — she wrot and seide him thanne — She wolde come, ye, but she n'iste whanne. But in her lettre made she swiche festes That wonder was, and swer'th she lov'th him best ; 1430 Of which h,e fond but botmeles bihestes. But Troilus, thou mayst now, est or west, Pipe in an ivy leef, if that thee lest ! Thus go'th the world ! God shilde us fro mischaunce. And every wight that meneth trouthe avaunce ! Encressen gan the wo fro day to night Of Troilus, for tarying of Criseyde, 1413. she, Cx. S y^e. 551 w 1438-14.98 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE BOOK V And lessen gan his hope and ek his might '; Forwhich al down he in his bed him leyde. He n'eet, ne dronk, ne slep, ne no word seyde, 1440 Imagininge ay that she was unkinde ; For-which wel neigh he wex out of his minde. This drem, of which I told have ek biforn, May nevere come out of his remembraunce : He thoughte ay wel he hadde his lady.lorn, And that that Joves of his piirveyaunce Him shewed hadde in slep the signefiaunce ■ Of her untrouthe and his disaventure. And that this boor was shewed him in figure. 1449 For-which he for Sibille his suster sente, That called was Cassandre ek al aboute ; And al his drem he tolde her or he stente, And 'her bisoughte assbilenhim the doute Of th'ilke stronge boor with tuskes stoute ; And finaly withinne a litel stounde Cassandre him gan right thus his drem expounde. She gan first smile, and seide, 'O brother dere, If thou a soth of this desirest knowe, Thou most a fewe of olde stories here, To purpos how that Fortune overthrowe Hath loi-des olde : thorughwhich, withinne a throwe, 1461 Thou wel this boor shal knowe,' and of what kinde He comen is, as men in bokes finde. ' Diarie, which that wroth was and in ire For Grekes n'olden don her sacrifise, N'encens upon her auter sette a'-fire, She, for-that Grekes gonne her so despise, Venged her in a wonder cruel wise ; 1440. no luardj so H4 R Cx. J G no word he ne (om. Tie slep) \ Hg ivOrde ne ; rest word(e). 1446. ikai that, so J P H4 G Fragi ;■ rest thai. (Seeiii. 1751, 1758.) 1447. signefiaunce, so J A ; rest signifiaUTice, 1449. this, Hg S y ttu. 1454. th'ilke i^), R that ; Cx. this; A a; rest the. : 1457; The incidents in the following lines are taken from Ovid and Statins. Chaucer returns to Boccaccio at 1. 1513. 1468. Fengeif, so H2 only ; rest Wrak. For with a boor as gret as oxe in stalle She made up-frete hir corn and vines alle. 'To slee this boor was al the contre reysed, Amotiges whiche ther com, this boor to see, 1472 A mayde, oon of this world the best y-preysed ; Aid Meleagre, lord of that contre, He lovede so this fresshe mayde free That with his manhod, or he wolde stente, This boor he slow, and her the hed he sente : ' Of which, as olde bokes tellen us, Ther ros a contek and a gret env^e. And of this lord descended Tydeus 1480 By ligne, or elles olde bokes lye : But how this Meleagre gan to dye Thorugh his moder, wol I you not telle. For al too long it were for to dwelle.' She tolde ek how Tyd6us, or she stente, Unto the stronge cite of Thebes To cleymen kingdom of the cit^ wente For his felawe, daun Polymites, Of which the brother, daun Ethiocles, Ful wrongfully of Thebes held the strengthe : 1490 This tolde she by proces al by lengthe. She tolde ek how Heinonides asterte. Whan Tydeus slough fifty knightes stoute; She told? ek alle the prophecies by herte. And how the sevene kinges with hir route Bisegeden the cite al aboute ; And of the holy serpent, and the welle. And of the Furies, al she gan him telle : 1473. A mayde, Atalanta. 1480. Tydeus was Meleager's brother. Chau- cer's mistake may have been made on purpose ; or it may be due to Filostraio vii. stanza 27, where Troilus refers to 'Meleager as the ancestor of Diomede. 1482. gan to, G dude. " 1483. Thdrugh his, H2 Thurgh; G Of hire; R Thrugh out. 1483. -his moder, Altheea. , . 1498. The following argument of the twelve books of Statins' Theoais is placed after this line in all the MSS. except H4 and Rawl. : — Asspciat profugum Tideo pritnus Polimitem ; Tidea lepatum docet insid asque secttndus; Tercius Hemonidem canit 6t vates latitantes ; SS2 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 1499-1561 Of Archimoris' burying and the pleyes, And how Amphiorax fil thorugh the grounde ; 1500 How Tydeus was slayn, Icxrd of Argdyes : And how Ypomedon in litel stounde Was dreynt, and ded Parthonope of wounde : And also how Cappaneus the proude With thonder-dint was slayn, that cri'de loude. She gan ek telle him how that either brother, Ethiocles and Polymite also, Yit at a scarmuche ech of hem slough other, And of Argives weping and hir wo ; And how the town was brent she tolde ek tho ; 1510 And so descendeth down from gestes olde To Diomede : and thus she spak and tolde. ' This ilke boor bitokneth Diomede, Tydeus sone, that doun descended is Fro Meleagre, that made the boor to blede : And thy lady, wher-so she be, y-wis, This Diomede her herte hath, and she his. Wep if thou wolt, or lef ! For out of doute This Diomede is inne, and thou art oute ! ' ' Thou seyst not soth,' qiiod he, ' thou sorceresse, 1520 With al thy false gost of prophecye ! Thou wenest ben a gret devineresse ! Now seestow not this fool of fantasye That peyneth her on ladies for to lye ! Qitartiis habet regres ineuntes prelia septem ; Mox furie Lenne quinto narratur et anguis; Archimori bustuin sexto ludique leguntur; Dat Graios Thebes et vatem sepiimtcs umbHs ; Octavo cecidit Tideus,.spes, vita Pelasgis; Ypomedon none moritur cum Parthonopeo ; Fultuine percussus, decitno Capaneussuperatur; llndecimo sese perimunt per vulnera fratres ; Argiuatn flentem narrat auodenus et ignem. 1502-1504. J G read ; And how Ypomedon with blody wounde And elt Farthonop^ in litel stounde Ben slayn, and how Cappaneus the proude 1503. ded, Cp. dede (read ? deyde Pdrthonope of. . .). 1508, Yit at, so A ; rest At. I5r6. iv/ier.so, CI. wher thai; J and others wher (read ? ATid thus thy lady, wher she be, y.7vis). 1524. That peyft^th (?), all Peyneth. Awey ! ' quod he, ' Ther Joves yive thee sorwe ! Thou shaltbenfals paraunteryitto-morwe ! ' As wel thou mightest lyen on Alceste, That was of creatures, but men lye, That evere weren, kindest and the beste : For whan her housband was in jupartye To dye himself but-if she wolde dye, 1531 She ches for him to dye and gon to helle. And starf anpn, as us the bokes tell^ ! ' Cassandre go'th : and he with cruel herte Foryat his wo for angre of her speche. And from his bed al sodeinly he sterte, As though al hbol him hadde maad a leche. And day by day he gan enquere and seche A soth of this with al his fuUe cure : And thus he drieth forth his aventure. 1540 — Fortune, which that permutacioun Of thinges hath, as it is her committed By piirveyaunce and disposicioun Of heighe Jove, as regnes shal be flitted Fro folk to folk, or whan they shal be smitted, Gan puUe awey the fetheres brighte of Troye Fro day to day, til they ben bare of joye. Among al this, the fyn of the parodie Of Ector gan aprochen wonder blive ; 1549 The Fate wolde, his soule sholde unbodie, And shapen hadde a mene it out to drive Ayeins whichfate him helpeth notto strive ; But on a day to tighten gan he wende, At which, alias, he caughte his lives ende. For which me thinketh every maner wight That haunteth armes oughte to biwaile The deth of him that was so noble a knight ; For, as he drough a king by th'aventaile, Unwar of this, Achille's, thorugh the maile And thorugh the body gan him for to rive ; And thus this worthy knight was brought of live. 1561 1527. Alceste, Alcestis. See I. 1778, and L.G.W. 432, etc. 1532. for him to dye and gon, 1 G to dye (G deth) and ek to gon. 1543. By^ S y Thorugh. 1558. This account of the death of Hector seems to have been taken from Benott. T 2 5.S3 1562- i633 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE For whom, as olde bokes tellen us, Was maad swich wo, that torige it may not telle, And namely, the sorwe of Troilus, That next him was of worthinesse welle : And in this wo gan Troilus to dwelle. That, what for sorwe, and love, and for unreste, Ful ofte a day he bad his herte breste. But natheles, though he gan him despeire^ And dredde ay that his lady was untrewe, Yit ay on her his herte gan repeire ; 1571 And as thise lovers don, he soughte ay newe To gete ayein Criseyde bright of hewe, And in his herte he wente her excusinge. That Calcas caused al her taryinge. And ofte time he was in purpos grate Himselven lik a pilgrim to disgise, To sen her ; but he may not contrefete To ben unknowe of folk that weren wise, Ne finde excuse aright that may sufifise, If he among the Grekes knowen were : For which he wep ful ofte, and many a tere. 1582 To her he wrot yit ofte time al newe Ful pitously, — ^he lefte it not forslouthe, — Biseching her that, sin that he was trewe. That she wol come ayein and holde her trouthe : For which Criseyde upon a day, for routhe (I take it so, ) touching al this mature Wrot him ayein, and seide as ye may here. — 1589 ' Cupides sone, ensaumple of godlihede, Oswerdofknighthod, sours of gen tilesse ! How mighte a wight, in torment and in drede ' And heleles, you sende as yit gladnesse ? I herteles, I sik, I in distresse ! Sin ye with me, nor I with you may dele. You neither sende ich herte may ne hele ! 1570. dredde ay, JPG Hs dredijTje ; H4 dredde evere. 1577. disgise, J Hi CI. degise. 1582. ami, G H4 CI. omit. 1590. Cressida's letter is not in Boccaccio. ' Your lettres ful, the papir al y-pleynted, Conceyved hath myn hertes piete : 1598 I have ek seyn with teres al depeynted Your lettre, and how that ye requeren me To come ayein, which yit ne may not be ; But why, lest that this lettre founden were, No mencioun ne make I now for fere. ' Grevous to me, God wot, is your unreste, Your haste, and that the Goddes ordi- naunce. It semeth not ye take it for the beste ; Nor other thing n'is in your r^mem- braunce, As thinketh me, but only your plesaunce. But beth not wroth, and thatlyoubiseche ; For that I tarie is al for wikked speche. 1610 ' For I have herd wel more than I wen'de, Touchingus two howthingeshany-stonde. Which I shal with dissimulinge amende. And beth not wroth, I haveek understonde How ye ne don but holden me in honde. But now no fors : I can not in you gesse But alle trouthe and alle gentilesse. ' Comen I wol ; but yit in swich disioynt I stonde as now, that what yer or what day That this shal be, thatcanlnota-poynt. 1620 But in effect, I preye you as I may Of your good- word and of your frendship ay; For trewely, whil-that my lif may dure, As for a frend ye may in me assure. ' Yet preye I you, on y vel ye ne take That it is short which that I to you write. I dar not, ther I am, wel lettres make, Ne nevere yit ne coude I wel endite. Ek gret effect men write in place lite : Th'entente is al, and not the lettres space. And far'th now wel, God have you in his grace ! ' — 1631 This Troilus this lettrethoughteal straunge Whan he it saugh, and sorwfully he sighte : 1598. ^/ff/^, so J'SCp. ; ^^rivetee; rest >//£(*), pete. 1618. disjoy?it, J and others disiointe. • 1620. a-poynt,^ J poynie ; CI. and others .*i/- {p^oynte, (See iii. 496, 497.) 554 TROILUS AND CRISEYDE 1634-1710 Him though te it lik a kalendes of chaunge. But finaly he fill ne trowen mighte That she ne wolde him holden that she highte ; For with fill yvel wil list him to leve That loveth wel, in swich cas, though him greve ! But natheles men seyn that at the laste, For anything, men shal the sothe see ! 1640 And swich a cas bitidde, and that as faste, That Troilus wel understood that she N'as not so kinde as that her oughte be ; And finaly he wot now, out of doute. That al is lost that he hath ben aboute. — Stood on a day in his malencolye This Troilus, and in suspicioun Of her for whom he wen'de for to dye : And so bifel that thorugh-out Troye toun, Aswasthegise,y-bornwasupanddoun 1650 A maner cote-armure, as seith the storie, Biforn Deiphebe in signe of his victorie : The whiche cote, as telleth LoUius, Deiphebe it hadde y-rent fro Diomede The same day. And whan this Troilus It saugh, he gan to taken of it hede, Avising of the lengthe and of the brede And al the werk. But, as he gan biholde, Ful sodeinliche his herte gan to colde. As he that on the coler fond withinne 1660 A broche, that he Criseyde yaf that morwe That she from Troye mpste nedes twinne. In remembraunce of him and of his sorwe. And she him leydeayein her feith to borwe To kepe it ay ! But now ful wel he wiste, His lady n'as no lenger on to triste. He go'th him hom, and gan ful sone sende For Pandarus ; and al this newe chaunce And of this broche he tolde him, word and ende, Compleyning of her hertes variaunce, 1670 His longe love, his trouthe, and his penaunce. And after deth, withouten wordes more, Ful faste he cri'de, his reste him to restore. 1653. LoUius^ Boccaccio. (See i. 394 note.) Than spak he thus, 'O lady bright, Criseyde, Wher is your feith, and wher is your biheste? Wher is your love ? Wher is your trouthe ? ' he seyde ; ' Of Diomede have ye now al this feste ! Alias ! I wolde han trowed at the leste That, sin ye n'olde in trouthe tome stonde, That ye thus n'olde han holden me in honde ! 1680 'Who shal now trowe on any oothes mo ? Alias ! I n'olde nevere han wen'd or this That ye, Criseyde, coude han changed so, Ne, but I hadde agilt and don amis, So cruel wen'de I not your herte, y-wis. To slee me thus ! Alias, your name of trouthe Is now fordon : and that is al my routhe ! ' Was ther non other broch'e you liste lete To feffe with your newe love,'quod he, 1689 ' But th'ilke broche that I with teres wete You yaf as for a remembraunce of me ? Non other cause, alias, ne hadden ye But for despit, and ek for-that ye mente Al outrely to shewen your entente ! 'Thorughwhichlsee that cleneout of your minde » Ye han me cast ! And I ne can ne may. For al this world, within myn herte finde T'unloven you a quarter of a day 1 In cursed time I born was, weylawey, 1699 That you, that don me al this wo endure, Yit love I best of any creature ! ' Now God,' quod he, ' me sende yit the grace. That I may meten with this Diomede ! And trewely, if I have might and space. Yet shal I make, I hope, his sides blede ! 01God,'quodhe, 'that oughtest taken hede To furthren trouthe, and wronges to punfce. Why n'iltow don a vengeaunce on this vice ? ' O Pandar, that in dremes for to triste Me blamed hast, and wont art ofte upbreyde, 1710 1674. bright^ Hs S y myn (Boc.) S5S I7II-I790 TROILVS AND CRISEYDE Now maystow sen thyself, if that thee liste, How trewe is now thy nece; bright, Criseydei In sondry formes, God it wot,' he seyde, ' The Goddes shewen bothe joye and tene In slep, and by my drem it is now sene. ' And certeinly, withoute more speche. From hennesforth, as ferforth as I may, Myn owne deth in armes wol I seche : I recche not how sone be the day ! But trewely Criseyde, swete may, 1720 Whom I haveay with almymighty-served, That ye thus don, I n'have it not deserved ! ' This Fandarus, that a(Me these thingesherde. And wiste wel he seide a soth of this. He not a word ayein to him answ&de ; For sory of his frendeS sorwe he is. And shamed for his nece hath don amis ; And stant, astoned of thise causes tweye, As stille as ston : a word ne coude he seye. But a,tthe]aste thus he spak and seide : 1730 ' My brother dere, I may do thee no more ! What sholde I seye? I hate, y-wis, Criseyde ; . And God wot, I wol hate her everemore ! And that thou me bisoughtest don of yore. Having unto myn honour ne my teste ' Right no reward, I dide sd that thee leste. ' If I dide aught that mighte liken thee. It is me lief. And of this treson now, God wot that it a sorwe is unto me ! And dredeles, for hertes ese of yow, 1740 llove, ne your bonde. That ye han sworn with your right honde, Ne my cruel deeth,' quod she, ' May holde you still heer with me ! O, haveth of my deeth pitee ! Y-wys, my dere herte, ye Knowen ful wel that never yit. As fer-forth as I hadde wyt, Agilte [I] you in thoght ne dede. O men, have ye swich goodliheed 330 In speche, and never a deel of trouthe ? Alias, that ever hadde routhe Any woman on any man ! Now see I wel, and telle can, We wrecched wymmen conne noon art ; For certeyn, for the more parte. Thus we be served everichone. How sore that ye men conne grone, Anoon as we have you receyved, Certeinly we ben deceyved ; 340 For, though your love laste a sesoun, Wayte upon the conclusioun. 305. F B ^j thus. 329. All omit /. 333. P Cx. Th. a/ah man. And eek how that ye d^termynen, And for the more part diflfynen. ' O, welawey that I was born ! For through you is my name lorn, And myn actes red and songe Over al this londe, on every tonge. O wikke Fame ! for ther nys Nothyng so swift, lo, as she is ! 350 O, sooth is, every thyng is vfyst, Though hit be kevered with the myst. Eek, thogh I myghte enduren ever. That I have doon rekever I never. That I ne shal be seyd, alias, Y-shamed be through Eneas, And that I shal thus juged be, — " Lo, right as she hath doon, now she Wol do eftsones, hardily." Thus seyth the peple prevely.' 360 But that is doon nis not to done ; Al hir compleynt ne al hir mone, Certeyn avayleth hir not a stre. And whan she wiste sothly he Was forth unto his shippes goon. She into hir chambre wente anoon, And called on hir suster Anne, And gan her to compleyne thanne ; And seyde, that she cause was, That she first lovede him, alas, 370 And thus counseilled hir therto. But what ! whan this was seyd and do, She roof hir-selve to the herte. And deyde through the wounde smerte. But al the maner how she deyde, And al the wordes that she seyde, Who-so to knowe hit hath purpos, Rede Virgile in Eneidos, Or the Epistle of Ovide, What that she wroot or that she dide ; And nere hit to long tendyte, 381 By God, I wolde hit here write. But, welaway ! the harm, the routhe, That hath betid for swich untrouthe, As men may ofte in bokes rede. 347. F B your for vtyn; F B insert a/ before Tnyn, 362. All read But before Al^ caught from line above ; P compleynynge ne hir; Cx.' Th. ne hir. 370. All except Th. omit him; P Cx. so lot Jirst, perhaps rightly. 381. B P Cx. nere it were; F nor hyt •mere. 562 THE nous 386-472 OF FAME ^ T)i« t^nnv .zcytii lyrfj-j-iiirjiii .■if"'"" fju-iar- " Bad him p" 'jit'7 Ttgilp 430 And leve Auffrikesrpa ffli ff- AWa' Di'dcTan d hir faire toun— Tho saw I grave how to Itaile Daun Eneas is go to saile ; And how the tempest al began, And how he loste his steresman. Which that the stere, or he took keep, Smot over bord, lo as he sleep. And also saw I how Sibyle And Eneas, beside an yie, 44a To helle wenten, for to see His fader Anchises the free, How he ther fond Palinurus, And also Dido, and Deiphebiis, And every torment eek in helle Saw he, which is long to telle. Which who-so willeth for to knowe, He moste rede many a rowe On Virgile or on Claudian, Or Daunt^, that hit telle can. 450 Tho saw I grave al tharivaile That Eneas had in Itaile ; ^nd with kyng Latyne his tret^. And alle the batailles that he Was at himself, and eek his knyghtes, Or he hadde al y-wonne his rightes ; And how he Turnus refte his lyf, And wan Lavyna to his wyf ; And al the mervelous signals Of the goddes celestials ; -160 How, mawgre Juno, Eneas For al hir sleighte and hir compas, Acheved al his aventure ; For Jupiter' took of him cure, At the prayere of Vends, — The whiche I preye alway save us. And us ay of our sorwes lighte ! When I hadde seyen al this sighte In this noble temple thus, ' A, Lord ! ' thoughte I, ' that madest us. Yet saw I never swich noblesse 471 Of ymages, ne swich richesse, 429. The iiook, i.e. j^n. iv. 252 ff. 446. P Cx. whyche no tonge can telle. 449. Claudian^ Claudius Claudianus wrote Di Raptu Proserpina in the 4th century. 450. Dauntij Dante in the In/emo. 453. Latyne^ Latinus, king of the Rutuli. 458. Lavynaj Lavinia, daughter of Latinus. And al day seen hit yet in dede. That for to thenken hit a tene is. Lo, Demophon, duk of Athenis, How he forswor him ful falsly, And trayed Phillis wikkedly, 390 That kynges doghter was of Trace, And falsly gan his terme pace ; And when she wyste that he was fals. She heng hir-selven by the hals, For he hadde do hir swich untrouthe ; Loo ! was not this a wo and routhe ? Eek lo ! how fals and reccheles Was to Breseida Achill&, And Paris to Enone ; And Jason to Isiphile ; 400 And eft Jason to Medea ; Erciiles to Dyanira ; For he lefte hir for lole. That made him cacche his deeth, parde. How fels eek was he, Theseus ; That, as the story telleth us. How he betrayed Adriane ; The devel be his soules bane ! For had he laughed, had he loured. He moste have ben al devoured, 410 If Adriane ne hadde be. And, for she hadde of him pitee, She made him fro the deeth escape. And he made hir a fill fals jape ; For after this, withyn a while, He lefte hir slepyng in an ile, Deserte alone, right in the se. And stal awayi and leet hir be ; And took hir suster Phedra tho With him, and gan to shippe go. 420 And yet he hadde y-sworn to here, On al that ever he myghte swere. That so she savede him his \yi, He wolde have take hir to his wyf. For she desirede nothing elles. In certeyn, as the book us telles. But to excusen Eneas FuUiche of his grete trespas. 388. Demophon and the other false lovers mentioned below are referred to in the Heroides^ Epistles ii. iii. v. vi. ix. x. xi. 398. Breseida, Briseis. 400. IsiphiU, Hypsipyle ; cp. L. 0/ G. W. 407. Adridne, Ariadne. 428. Th. inserts al before hisi F B of al his irespas. ^563 1-36 THE nous OF FAME BOOK II As I saw graven in this chirche ; But not woot I who dide hem wirehe, Ne wher I am, ne in what contree. But now wol I go out and see, Right at the wyket, yif I can See o-wher any steryng man. That may me telle wher I am.' When I out of the dores cam, 480 I feste aboute me behelde; Then sawgh I but a large feld. As fer as ever I myghte see, Withouten toun, or hous, or tree, Or bush, or gras, or ered lond ; For al the feld nas but of sonde, As smal as man may see yet lye In the desert of Lybye ; Ne no maner creature, 478. Th. sterynge any. That is y-formed by nature,. 490 Ne saw I me to rede or wysse. ' O Crist, ' thoughte I, ' that art in blisse, Fro fantom and illusioun Me save ! ' and with devocioun Myn yen to the heven I caste. , Tho was I war lo ! at the laste, That faste be the sonne, as hye As kenne myghte I with myn ye, Me thoughte I saw an egle sore, But that bit semede moche more jao Then I hadde any egle seyn. But, this as sooth as deeth certeyn. Hit was of goldj and shoon so bright. That never saw men swich a sight, But-if the heven hadde y-wonne Al newe of gold another sonne ; So shoon the egles fethres brighte. And somwhat dounward gan hit lighte. SECOND BOOK {Proem) Now herkneth every maner man, That English understonde kan. And listeth of my dreem to lere ; For at the firste shul ye here So sely an avisyoun, That Isaye ne Scipioun, Ne kyng Nabugodonospr, Pharo, Turniis, ne Eleanor, Ne mette swich a dreem as this. Now faire blisfiil, O Cipris, 10 So be my favour at this tyme ! And ye, me to endite and ryme Helpeth, that on Parnaso dwelle, By Elicon the clere welle. O Thought, that wroot al that I mette, 4. F B Th. For now at erste shal. 6. IsayCy Isaiah. Scipioun, cp. P. of Foulei, 1. 31 note. 7. Nahuzodonosor, Nebuchadnezzar, a variant of the Vu^ate spelling Nabuchodonosor. 8. Pharo, Pharaoh. Eleanor^ perhaps Elkanah iyulgate Elcana); cp. i Sam. 1. i. 10. Cipris, Venus ; cp. /*. o/Foules, 1. 277 note. 13. Parnaso, Parnassus. 14. Elicon; cp. Anelida, I. 17 note. 15. Thought; cp. Inferno, ii. 8 ; — O mente, che scrivesti ci6 ch' io vidi. It here means memory. And in the tresorie hit shette Of my brayn ! now shal men se If any vertu in thee be. To tellen al my dreem aright ; Now kythe thyn engyn and myght ! 20 ( The Dream) This egle of which I now have told, That shoon with fethres alle of gold. Which that so hye gan to sore, I gan beholde more and more, To see her beautee and the wonder. But never was ther dynt of thonder, — Ne that thyng that men calle foudre, That smyteth sone a tour to poudre. And in his swifle comyng brende, — ■ That so swythe gan descende, 3" As this foul when hit behelde,. That I a-roume was in the felde ; And with his grymme pawes stronge, Withyn his sharpe nayles longe. Me, fleynge, at a swappe He hente. And vpith his sours a-geyn up wente, 20i P Th. insert iky before myght. 28. P Cx. Th. smyte for smyteth; F B stmit sotn tyme a towre of poudre. 30. P Cx. Th. insert dewwward ^h^r gan. 564 BOOK II THE HOUS OF FAME 37-129 Me carying in his clawes Starke, As lightly as I were a larke, How high, I cannot telle yow, For I cam up, I nyste how. 40 For so astonyed and a-sweved Was every vertu in my heved, What with his sours and with my drede, That al my felyng gan to dede ; For why hit was to greet affray. Thus I long in his clawes lay, Til at the laste he to me spak In mannes vois, and seyde, ' Awak ! And be not so a-gaste, for shame ! ' « And callede me tho by my name. 50 And for I sholde the bet abreyde. Me mette, ' Awak,' to me he seyde. Right in the same vois and stevene, That useth oon I coude nevene ; And with that vois, soth for to seyne. My mynde cam to me ageyn For hit was goOdly seyd to me, So nas hit never wont to be. And herwithal I gan to stere, " And he me in his feet to here, 60 Til that he felte that I hadde hete, And felte eek tho myn herte bete. And tho gan he me to disporte, And with wordes to comforte, And sayde twyes, ' Seynte Marie ! Thou art noyous for to carie, And nothyng nedith hit parde For, al-so wys God helpe me. As thou noon harm shalt have of this ; And this cas that betid thee is, 70 Is for thy lore and for thy prow, — Let see ! darst thou yet loke now ? Be ful assured, boldely, I am thy frend. ' And therwith I Gan for to wondren in my mynde. ' O God,' thoghte I, ' that madest kynde, Shal I noon other weyes dye ? Wher Joves wol me stellifye, Or vfhat thing may this signyfye ? I neyther am Enok, ne Elye, 80 Ne Romulus, ne Ganymede, That was y-bore up, as men rede, 49. Cx. Th. 'S ngastsl, 80. Enok, Enoch. 80. Siye, Elias. F B omit so. To hevene with daun Jupiter, And made the goddes boteler.' Lo ! this was tho my fantasye ! But he that bar me gan espye That I so thoghte, and seyde this : ' Thow demest of thy-self amys ; For Joves is not theraboute, — I dar wel putte thee out of doute, — 90 To make of thee as yit a sterre. But er I here thee moche ferre, I wol thee telle what I am, And whider thou shalt, and why I cam To done this, so that thou take Good herte, and not for fere quake. ' ' Gladly, ' quod I. 'Now wel, ' quod he : — ' First, I, that in my feet have thee. Of which thou haste a feer and wonder. Am dwellyng with the god of thonder, 100 Which that men callen Jupiter, That dooth me flee ful ofte fer To do al his comaundement. And for this cause he hath me sent To thee : now herke, by thy trouthe ! Certeyn he hath of thee routhe. That thousolongetrewely Hast served so ententifly His blinde nevew Cupido, And fair [dame] Venus also, no Withoute guerdoun ever yit, And neverthelesse hast set thy wyt — Although that in thy heed ful lyte is — To make bookes, songes, or dytees, In ryme, or elles in cadence. As thou best canst in reverence Of Love, and of his servants eke. That have his servyse soght, and seke ; And peynest thee to pieyse his arte. Although thou haddest never part ; iso Wherfor, al-so God me blesse, Joves halt hit greet humblesse, And vertu eek, that thou wolt make A-nyght fill ofte thyn heed to ake, In thy studie so thou writest, ' And evermo of love enditest. In honour of him and preisynges. And in his folkes furtherynges. And in hir matere al devysest, no. All 6mit tiatne. Skeat inserts goddesse after Venus. J 13, All read lyiel. 56S 13P-22I TITE ROUS OF FAME BOOK 11 And noght him nor his folk despisest, 130 Although thou maist go in the daunce Of hem that him list not avaunce. ' Wherfor, as I seyde, y-wys, Jupiter considereth wel this ; And also, beau sir, other thynges ; That is, that thou hast no tydynges Of Loves folk, if they be glade, Ne of nothyng elles that God made ; And noght only fro fer contree, That ther no tydyng cometh to thee, 140 But of thy verray neyghebores That dwellen almost at thy dores, Thou herest neither that ne this ; For when thy labour doon al is, And hast y-maad thy rekenynges. In stede of reste and newe thynges. Thou gost hoom to thy hous anoon, And, also domb as any stoon. Thou sittest at another boke, Til fully daswed is thy looke, 150 And lyvest thus as an heremyte, Although thyn abstynence is lyte. ' And therfor Joves, through his grace, Wol that I bere thee to a place, Which that hight the Hous of Fame, To do thee som disport and game. In som recompensacioun Of labour and devocioun That thou hast had, lo ! causeles. To Cupido the reccheles. 160 And thus this god, through his merite, Wol with som maner thyng thee quyte, So that thou wolt be of good chere. For truste wel that thou shalt here. When we be comen ther I seye. Mo wonder thynges, dar I leye. Of Loves folke mo tidynges. Both sothe sawes and lesynges ; And moo loves newe begonne. And longe y-served loves wonne ; 170 And mo loves casuell^ That been betid, no man wot why. But " as a blynd man stert an hare " ; And more jolytee and well-fare, Whil that they fynden love of stele. As thinketh hem, and over-al wele ; Mo discords, and mo jelous;^es. Mo murmurs, and mo novelryes, 134. F B omit weL And mo dissymulaciouns. And feyned reparaciouns ; 180 And mo berdes in two houres — Withoute rasour or sisoures — Y-maad, then greynes be of sondes ; And eek mo holdjfng in hondes, And also mo renovelaunces Of olde forleten aqueyntaunces ; Mo love-dayes, and acordes. Then on instruments ben cordes ; And eek of lov& mo eschaunges. Than ever comes were in graunges ; igo Wnethe maistow trowen this ? " Quod he. ' No, helpe me God so wys ! ' Quod I. 'No? why?' quod he. 'For hit Were impossible to my wyt. Though that Fame hadde al the pies In al a realme, and al the spies. How that yet she shulde here all this. Or they espie hit.' ' O yis, yis ! ' Quod he to me, ' that can I preve By resoun, worthy for to leve, 200 So that/thou yeve thyn advertence To understonde my sentence. ' First shalt thou heren where she dwelleth. And so thyn owne book hit telleth, Hir paleys stant, as I shal seye Right even a-myddes of the weye, Betwixen hevene, erthe, and see ; That whatsoever in al these tljree Is spoken in privee or aperte. The wey therto isso overte, 210 And stant eek in so juste a place. That every soun mot to hit pace. Or what so cometh fro any tonge. Be hit rouned, red, or songe. Or spoke in suertee or in drede, Certeyn hit moste thider nede. ' Now herkne wel ; for-why I wille Tellen thee a propre skile, And a worthy demonstracioun In myn ymagynacioun. 220 ' Geffrey, thou wost right wel this, 182. P inserts any before rasour. 187. P Cx. Th. insert mo before acordes^ per- haps rightly. 192. Cx. Th. So helpe. P Cx. Th. as iatso. 19s. P Cx. Th. omit that. 219. F luorthe a ; B worth a. Perhaps worcJu a is the true reading. 221. P Cx. Th. luotest wel. S66 THE HOUS OF FAME 222-308 That every kyndly thyng that is, Hath a kyndly stede ther he May best in hit conserved be ; Unto which place every thyng. Through his kyndly enclynyng, Moveth for to comen to. Whan that it is awey therfro ; As thus, lo, thou maist al day see That any thing that hevy be, S30 As stoon or leed, or thyng of wighte, And ber hit never so hye on highte, Lat go thyn hand, hit falleth doun. ' Right so seye I, by fire or soun, Or smoke, or other thynges lighte, Alwey they seke upward on highte ; Whil ech of hem is at his large, Lyght thyng up, and dounward charge. ' And for this cause mayst thou see, That every ryver to the see 240 Enclyned is to go by kynde. And by these skilles, as I fynde. Hath fish dwellyng in floode and see. And trees eek on erthe be. Thus every thyng by this resoun Hath his propre mansioun. To which hit seketh to repaire, Ther as hit shulde not apaire. Loo, this sentence is knowen couthe Of every philosophres mouthe, 250 As Aristotle and dan Platon, And other clerkes many oon. And to confirme my resoun. Thou wost wel this, that speche is soun. Or elles no man myghte hit here ; Now herkne what I wol thee lere. ' Soun is noght but eyr y-broken. And every speche that is spoken, Lowde or pryvee, foul or fair. In his substaunce is but air ; 260 For as flaumbe is but lighted smoke. Right so soun is air y-broke. But this may be in many wyse. Of which I wil thee two devyse, As soun that cometh of pipe or harpe. For whan a pipe is blowen sharpe, 237, 238. Cx. Th. invert these lines. Cx. Th. Light thynges up; P Light thynges upward; F B upward for up. 254. P Cx. Th. omit this. 260. P Cx. an air. 262. P Cx. 1 h. is soun. The air is twyst with violence. And rent : lo, this is my sentence ; Eek, whan men harpe-strynges smyte, Whether hit be moche or lyte, 270 Lo, with the strook the air to-breketh ; Right so hit breketh whan men speketh. Thus wost thou wel what thyng is speche. ' Now hennesforth I wol thee teche. How every speche, or noise, or soun. Through his multiplicacioun, Thogh hit were piped of a mouse. Moot nedes come to Fames House. I preve hit thus — tak hede now — By experience ; for if that thou 280 Throwe in a water now a stoon, Wel wost thou, hit wol make anoon A litel roundel as a cercle,- Paraunter brood as a covercle ; And right anoon thow shalt see weel, That wheel wol cause another wheel, ^ind that the thridde, and so forth, brother. Every cercle causyng other, Broder than himselve was ; And thus, fro roundel to compas, 290 Ech aboute other goynge, Causeth of othres sterynge, And multiplying evermo. Til that hit be so fer y-go That hit at bothe brynkes be. Al-thogh thou mowe hit not y-see Above, hit goth yet alway under. Although thou thenke hit a gret wonder. And who-so seith of trouthe I varie, Bid him proven the contrarie. 30a And right thus every word, y-wys. That loude or pryvee spoken is, Moveth first an air aboute. And of his movyng, out of doute. Another air anoon is meved. As I have of the water preved. That every cercle causeth other. Ryght so of air, my leve brother ; 284. P Cx. Th. insert as before brood. 285. P Cx. omit this and the next three lines ; F 15 Th. insert cercle after wheels to which it was originally a gloss, 289. FB Wyderthan. 292. F B Caused. 296. P Cx. Th. see. 297. F B omit aliiiay. 303. P Cx. in the air. 304. F B this for his. 567 309-401 THE HOUS OF FAME BOOK II Everich air in other stereth ; More and more, and speche up bereth, 310 Or vois, or noise, or word, or soun. Ay through multiplicacioun, Til hit be atte House of Fame, — Tak hit in ernest or in game. ' Now have I told, if thou have mynde, How speche or soun, of pure kynde Enclyned is upward to meve ; This, mayst thou fele, wel I preve. r And that same place, y-wys. That every thyng enclyned to is, 320 Hath his kyndeliche stede : That sheweth hit, withouten drede, That kyndely the mansioun Of every speche, of every soun. Be hit either foul or fair. Hath his kynde place in air. And syn that every thyng that is Out of his kynde place, y-wys, Moveth thider for to go. If hit a-weye be therfro, 330 As I before have preved thee. Hit seweth, every soun, pardee, Moveth kyndely to pace Al up into his kyndely place. And this place of which I telle, Ther as Fame list to dwelle. Is set amyddes of these three, Heven, erthe, and eek the see, As most conservatif the soun. Than is this the conclusioun, 340 That every speche of every man, As I thee telle first began, Moveth up on high to pace Kyndely to Fames place. ' Telle me this feithfully, Have I not preved thus symply, Withouten any subtilitee Of speche, or gret prolixitee Of termes of philosoph^e. Of figures of poetr^e, 350 Or colours of rethorike ? Pardee, hit oghte thee to lyke ; For hard langage, and hard matere 309. F B omit in ; Willert reads another for in other. 319. Y And that sunt place slide ; "& And that so»t styde; Th. And that some stede; P Cx. omit 11. 827-864. slede is a gloss on place, which has crept klto the text, some should he saute. Is encombrous for to here Atones ; wost thou not wel this ? ' And I answerde and seyde, ' Yis.' i ' A ha ! ' quod he, ' lo, so I can, Lewedly to a lewed man Speke, and shewe him swyche skiles. That he may shake hem by the biles, 360 So palpable they shulden be. But tel me this now pray I thee, How thinketh thee my conclusioun ? ' [Quod he,] 'A good persuasioun,' Quod I, ' hit is ; and lyk to be Right so as thou hast preved me.' ' By God,' quod he, ' and as I leve, Thou sbalt have yet, or hit be eve, Of every word of this sentence A preve by experience ; 370 And with thyn eres heren wel Top and tail, and everydel; That every word that spoken is Cometh into Fames House, y-Wys, As I have seyd ; what wilt .thou more ? ' And with this word upper to sore He gan, and seyde, ' By Seynt Jame ! Now wil we speken al of game. ' How farest thou ? ' quod he to me. ' Wel,' quod I. ' Now see,' quod he, 380 ' By thy trouthe, yond adoun, Wher that thou knowest any toun. Or hous, or any other thyng. And whan thou hast of ought knowyng, Loke that thou warne me, i And I anoon shal telle thee How fer thou art now therfro.' And I adoun gan loken tho. And beheld feldes and playnes, And now hilles,' and now moiintaynes, 390 Now valeys, and now forestes. And now unethes grete bestes ; Now ryv^res, now citees, Now tounes, and now grete trees. Now shippes seyllynge in the see. But thus sone in a while he Was flowen fro the grounde so hye, That al the world, as to myn jre,. No more semede than a prikke ; Or elles was the air so thikke 400 That I ne myghte not disceme. 364. All omit Qiiod lu ; Skeat inserts. 387. P omits^T-; F B Th. insert that alifx/er. S68 THE HOVa OF FAME 402-484 - With that he spak to me as yerne, And seyde : • Seestow any token, Or ought that in the world is of Spoken ? ' I seyde, 'Nay.' 'No wonder nis,' Quod he, ' for half so high as this Nas Alexandre Macedo ; Ne the kyng, dan Scipio, That saw in dreme, at poynt devys, Helle and erthe, and paradys ; 410 Ne eek the wrighte Dedalus, Ne his child, nyce Icarus, That fleigh so highe that the hete His wynges malt, arid he fel wete In-myd the see, and ther he dreynte. For whom was maad a greet compleynte. ' Now turn upward,' quod he, ' thy face, And behold this large place. This eyr ; but loke thou ne be Adrad of hem that thou shalt see ; 420 For in this regioun, certeyn Dwelleth many a citezeyn, Of which that speketh dan Plato. These ben the eyrysh bestes, lo ! ' And tho saw I al that meynee, Bothe goon and also flee. 'Now,' quod he tho, ' cast up thyn ye ; See yonder, lo, the Gaiaxye, The which men clepe the Milky Wey, For hit is white : and somme, parfey 430 Callen hit Watlynge strete. That ones was brent wyth the hete, Whan the sonnes sone, the rede, That highte Pheton, wolde lede Algate his fader cart, and gye. The cart-hors gonne wel espye That he [ne] coude no governaunce, And gonne for to lepe and daunce. And beren him now up, now doun. Til that he saw the Scorpioun, 440 Which that in heven a sign is yit. And he, for ferde, lost his wyt Of that, and lat the reynes goon Of his hors ; and they anoon 403, 404. F B omit. P reads, 1. 404, Or ought thouu knowest yonder dmvn ; Th. this for the. 408. Scipio, cp. Pari. o/Foules, \. 31 note. 411. F B wrecche Dedalus. 416. F B maked »tock compleynte. 427. P Cx. Th. Lo, guod he, cast, 437, All omit ne. Gonne up to movmte, and doun descende, Til bothe eyr and erthe brende; Til Jupiter, lo, atte laste Him slow, and fro the carte caste. Lo, is it not a greet myschaunce, To lete a fole ban governaunce 450 Of thynges that he can not demeyne ? ' And with this word, soth for to seyne. He gan alwey upper to sore, And gladded me ay more and more. So feithfuUy to me spak he. Tho gan I loken under me, And behelde the eyrish bestes, Cloudes, mystes, and tempestes, Snowes, hayles, re3mes, wyndes, And thengendryng in hir kyndes, 460 Al the wey through which I cam ; ' O God,' quod I, ' that made Adam, Moche is thy. myght and thy noblesse.' And tho thoughte I upon Boece, That writ ' A thought may flee so hye, With fetheres of Philosophye, To passen everich element ; And whan he hath so fer y-went, Than may be seen, behynd his bak, Cloud, and al that I of spak.' 470 Tho gan I wexen in a were. And seyde, ' I woot wel I am here ; But wher in body or in gost I noot y-wys ; but God, thou wost ! ' For more clere entendement Nadde he me never yit y-sent. And than thoughte I on Marcian, And eek on Anteclaudian, That sooth was hir descripcioun Of al the hevenes regioun, 480 As fer as that I saw the preve ; Therfor I can hem now beleve. With that this egle gan to crye : ' Lat be,' quod he, ' thy fantasy e ; 449. F B tnochil, 464. Boece, cp* Eoethius, - De Consolatione Philosophice, bk. iv. met. i. 476. F B Nas never; Th. Nas me never. 477. Marcian, Martianus Mineus Felix Capella, the 8th ' bobk, 1. 857, of whose Dt Nuptiis inter Mercurium et Philologiam is quoted by Copernicus in support of his system of astronomy ; cp. also March. TalCj 1. 1732 ff. 478. Anteclaudian, ' Anticlaudlanus,' a Latin poem by Alanus de Insulis ; cp. P. o/F, 1. 316. 480. P omits this line. .S69 485-570 THE HOUS OP FAME BOOK II Wilt thou lere of sterres aught ? ' 'Nay, certeynly,' quod I, 'right naught.' ' And why ? ' ' For I am now to old.' ' EUes wolde I thee have told,' Quod he, ' the sterres names, lo, And al the hevenes signes ther to, 490 And which they been.' 'No fors,' quod I. 'Yis, pardee,' quod he, 'wostow why? For whan thou redest pbetrye, How goddes gonne stelliiye Brid, fish, beste, or him, or here, As the Raven or eyther Bere, Or Ariones harpe fyn, Castor, Pollux, or Delphyn, Or Atlantes doughtres sevene. How alle these are set in hevene ; 30° For though thou have hem ofte on honde. Yet nostow not wher that they stonde.' ' No fors,' quod I, ' hit is no nede, As wel I leve, so God me spede, Hem that write of this matere, As though I knew hir places here ; An eke they shynen here so brighte Hit shulde shenden al my sighte, To loke on hem.' ' That may wel be,' Quod he. And so forth bar he me s'o A whil, and than he gan to crye, That never herde I thjTig so hye, ' Now up the heed ; for al is wel ; Seynt Julyan, lo, bon hostel ! See here the Hous of Fame, lo ! Maistow not heren that I do ? ' ' What ? ' quod I. • The grete soun,' Quod' he, ' that rumbleth up and doun In Fames Hous, ful of tidynges, Bothe of fair speche and chidynges, 520 And of fals and soth compouned. Herkne wel ; hit is not rouned. Herestow not the grete swogh ? ' 'Yis, pardee,' quod I, 'wel y-nogh.' ' And what soun is it lyk ? ' quod he. ' Peter ! betyng of the see,' 496. eyther Bere, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. 497. Ariones harpe, cp. Fasti, ii. 82. 498. Delphyn, the dolphin. 499- A tlantes doughtres, the Pleiades. 51^. Seynt Julyan, St Julian, patron of hospitality ; cp. C. T. Prol. 1. 340. 520. P Cx. Th. and of other thyngcs. Quod I, ' again the roches holowe, Whan tempest doth the shippes swalowe. And lat a man stonde, out of doute, A myle thens, and here hit route. 530 Or elles lyke the last humblynge After the clappe of a thundrynge. When loves hath the air y-bete ; But hit doth me for fere swete. ' Nay, dred thee not therof,' quod he, ' Hit is nothyng wil beten thee. Thou shalt non harm have trewely.' And with this word bothe he and I As nygh the place arryved were As men may casten with a spere. 540 I nyste how, but in a strete He sette me faire on my fete, And seyde, ' Walke forth a pas. And tak thyn aventure or cas, That thou shalt fynde in Fames place.' ' Now,' quod I, ' whil we han space To speke, or that I go fro thee, For the love of God, tel me, In sooth, that wil I of thee lere, If this noise that I here 550 Be, as I have herd thee tellen. Of folk that doun in erthe dwellen, And Cometh here in the same wyse As I thee herde or this devyse ; And that there lyves body nys In al that hous that yonder is, That maketh al this loude fare ? ' ' No,' quod he, ' by Seynte Clare ! And, also wis God rede me. But o thinge I wil warne thee, 560 Of the which thou wolt have wonder. Lo, to the House of Fame yonder, Thou wost now how cometh every speche, Hit nedeth noght eft thee to teche. But understond now right wel this, Whan any speche y-comen is Up to the paleys, anon-right Hit wexeth lyk the same wyght. Which that the word in erthe spak. Be he clothed reed or blak ; 570 536. Th. B Uten ; Cx. greue. S49. P Cx. Th. / ■mil. 552. P Cyl,/orth for doun. \ 553. Seynte Clare, a disciple of St. Francis \ whose day is Aug, 12th. S70 BOOK in THE HO US OF FAME 1-6S And hath so verray his lyknesse, 571 That spak the word, that thou wilt gesse That it the same body be, Man or woman, he or she. And is not this a wonder thyng ? ' ' Yis,' quod I tho, ' by hevene kyng ! ' 576. P hevenes. And with this worde, ' Farewel,' quod he, ' And here I wol abyden thee, And God of hevene sende thee grace, Som good to lernen in this place.' 580 And I of him took leve anoon, And gan forth to the paleys goon. THIRD BOOK ( The Invocation) O GOD of science and of light, Apollo, through thy grete myght, This lytel laste book thou gye ! Nat that I wilne, for maistrjfe Here art poetical be shewed ; But, for the rym is light and lewed, Yit make hit surawhat agreable, Thogh som vers faile in a sillable ; And that I do no diligence, To shewe craft, but o sentence. And if, divyne vertu, thou Wilt helpe me to shewe now That in myn hede y-marked is, — Lo, that is for to menen this. The Hous of Fame for to descryve, — Thou shalt see me go as blyve Unto the nexte laure I see, And kisse it, for hit is thy tree. Now entreth in my breste anoon ! (The Dream') Whan I was fro this egle goon, 20 I gan -beholde upon this place. And certein, or I ferther .pace, I wol yow al thys shap devyse Of hous and site ; and al the wyse How I gan to this place aproche, That stood upon so high a roche, Hyer stant there noon in Spayne. But up I clomb with alle payne, And though to clymbe it grevede me, Yit I ententif was to see, 30 And for to pouren wonder lowe, If I coude any weyes know 6. P Cx. But the ryme that is so lewd. 10. P Cx. omit o. What maner stoon this roche was ; For hit was lyk aljmed glas. But that hit shoon ful more clere ; But of what congeled matere Hit was, I nyste redely. But at the laste espied I, And found that hit was everydeel A roche of yse, and not of steel. 40 Thoughte I, ' By Seynt Thomas of Kent ! This were a feble foundement. To bilden on a place hye ; He oughte him litel glorif;^e That her-on bilt, so God me save ! ' Tho saw I al the half y-grave With famous folkes names fele. That hadde y-been in mochel wele, And her fames wide y-blowe. But wel unethe's coude I knowe 50 Any lettres for to rede Hir names by ; for, out of drede, They were almost of-thowed so, hat of the lettres oon or two Were molte away of every name. So unfamous was wexe hir fame ; But men seyn, ' What may ever laste ? ' Tho gan I in myn herte caste, That they were molte awey with hete, And not alwey with stormes bete. 60 For on that other syde I sey Of this hill, that northward lay, How hit was written full of names Of folk that hadden grete fames Of olde tyme, and yit they were 34. P alymde; Cx. Th. a lymed; thyng of. I read alyited (=aligned, ?.tf, in lines). 35. "Pshewenmor; Cy.. shewed more. 41. Seynt Thatnas, Thomas ^ Becket. S3. P Cx. onerthowed. 64. Vhedda/er; Cx. Th. had afrre. F B a placed 571 66-146 ThB, ffOUS OF FAME BOOK III As fresshe as men had write hem here The selve day right, or that houre That I upon hem gan to poure. But wel I wiste what hit made ; Hit was conserved with the shade, 70 Of a castel stood on hy, AI the writynge that I sy ; And stood eek on so cold a place, That hete myghte it not deface. Tho gan I up the hill to goon. And fond upon the coppe a woon. That alle the men that ben on lyve Ne ban the cunnyng to descryve The beautee of that ilke place, Ne coude casten no compace 80 Swich another for to make. That myghte of beautee be his make ; Ne so wonderliche y- wrought. That hit astonyeth yit my thought. And maketh al my wyt to swynke On this castel for to thynke. So that the grete craft, beautee. The caste, the curiositee Ne can I not to yow devyse, My wyt ne may me not sufiise. 90 But natheles al the substance I have yit in my remembrance ; For-why me thoughte, by Seynt Geyle ! Al was of stone of beryle, Bothe the castel and the tour, And eek the halle, and every bour, Wythouten paces or ioynynges. But many subtil compassyng€s, „ Babevirynnes and pynacles, ^ Imageries and tabernacles, 100 I saw eek, and ful of wyndowes. As flakes falle in grete snowes. And eek in ech of the pynacles Weren sondry habitacles, In whiehe stoden al withoute — Ful the castel, al aboute — Of alle maner of mynstrales, 71. F B Th. invert the order of this and the next line. P Cx. Th. insert that so before stood; B inserts that. 87. F B omit cra/t ; P Cx. Th. insert it wrongly in the next line. gg. F Rabewyures ; B Rdbeiiiynnes ; Cx. As babeuivryes ; Ti\v,Asbabeuries; y Babeiveuries. Skeat rightly reads Babewinnes {0,F. babuin. L, T.at. babewyniis^ Mod. Engl. baboot£j\ used of grotesque figures in architecture. And gestiours, that tellen tales Bothe of weping and of game, Of al that longeth unto Fame. no Ther herde I pleyen on an harpe That sowned bothe wel and sharpe, Orpheus ful craftely, ■ And on his syde faste by - Sat the harper.Orion And Eacides Chiron, And other harpers many oon. And the Bret Glascurioun, And smale harpers with her glees, Seten under hem in sees, 120 And gonne on hem upward to gape. And countrefet hem as an ape. Or as craft countrefeteth kynde. Tho saw I stonden hem behynde, A-fer fro hem, alle be hemselve, Many thousand tymes twelve. That maden loude menstralcyes In cornemuse, and shalmyes. And many other maner pipe. That craftely begunne to pipe, 130 Bothe in doucet and in rede, That ben at festes with the brede, And many floute and liltyng home, And pipes made of grene come, As han thise litel herde-gromes. That kepen bestes in the bromes. Ther saw I than dan Cytherus, And of Athenes dan Proserus, And Marcia that lost hir skyn, Bothe in face, bod^, and chyn, 140 r 112. PCx. Th. omit fo/Ae. 113. P inserts And^ Cx. Th^ insert Hym be- fore Orpheus. Perhaps the original copy read Dan Orpheus^ and the first word had become illegible. 115. Orion, Arion ; cp. bk. ii. 1. 407, 116. Eacides Chiron, i.e. Achilles' Chiron: Chiron, the centaur, was tutor to Achilles, son of ^acus; cp. Ovid, Ars Am. i. 17, ^acidje Chiron. 118. Bret Glascurioun, the British Gla.s|;enoii ; cp. Percy Folio MS. ed. Hales and Fumivall, i. 246. ,. 128. c-i7rfii?tf2ZMf, a bagpipe. j^z/mE^f, a shawm, from Lat. • calamus/ a reed. 137. -F B invert this and the next line. 137. F B Atiteris for dan Cytherus, both per- haps corruptions for dan Tityrus. T.3S., FB dan I'seustis; P dan presentus. All three readings are corrupt. 139. Marcia, Dante's Marsia {Farad, i. 13-27), i.e. tiarsyas tlie male flute-player; cp. Metir morphoses, vi. 382-400. S72 BOOK III THE HOUS OF FAME 141-208 For that she wolde env^en lo ! To pipen bet than Apoil6. There saw I famous, olde and yonge, Pipers of the Duche tonge, To lerne love-daunces, sprynges, Reyes, and these straunge thynges. Tho saw I in another place, Stonden in a large space Of hem that maken blody soun, In trumpe, heme, and clarioun ; 150 For in fight and blod-shedynge Is used gladly clarionynge. Ther herde I trumpen Messenus, Of whom that speketh Virgilius. Ther herde I Joab trumpe also, Theodomas, and other mo ; And al that usede clarion. In Cataloigne and Aragon, That in hir tyme famous were To lerne, saw I trumpe there. 160 Ther saw I sit in other sees, Pleyinge upon othere glees, Whiche that I cannot nevene, Mo than sterres been in hevene. Of whiche I nyl as now not rynie. For ese of yow, and losse of tyme : For tyme y-lost, this knowen ye, By no way may recovered be. Ther saw I pleyen jogelours, Magiciens, and tregetours, 170 And phitonesses, charmeresses, Olde wycches, sorceresses. That use exorsisaciouns. And eek thise fumygaciouns ; And clerkes eek, which conne wel Al this magik nature!, 146. ^«y^j, round dances, from Dut. *rey'; cp. Ger. ' Relhentanz,' a circular dance. 150. betne^ a horn, trumpet. 153. Messenus, Misenus, son of ^olus, trum- peter first to Hector and then to iEneas ; cp. j^ji. iii. 239 and vi. 163 ff. 155. Joab, cp. 2 Sam. ii. 28 ; xviii. 16 ; xx. 22. 156. Theodomas, Thiodamas, augur in succes- sion to Amphiaraus at the siege of Thebes ; cp. Statius, Thebaid viii. 343, and March. Tale, 1. 1720 fF. 162. F B sondry for othere; Th. other sondry. i6g. jogelours played, sang, danced, and per- formed tricks by sleight of hand. 170. tregetours f^ortneA more elaborate tricks requiring mechanical contrivances. 171. phitonesses, pythonesses; cp. Freres Tale, L 1510. 174. F omit this line. That craftely don hir ententes. To make, in certeyn ascendentes. Images, lo, through swych magik. To make a man ben hool or syk. 180 Ther saw I thee quene Meded, And Circes eek, and CalipSa ; Ther saw I Hermes Ballenus, Lymote, and eek Symon Magus. Ther saw I, and knew hem by name. That by such art don men han fame. Ther saw I CoUe tregetour Upon a table of sicamour Pleye an uncouth thyng to telle ; I saw him carien a wynd-melle 190 Under a walsh-note shale. What shulde I make lenger tale Of al the peple that I say. Fro hennes uirto domesday ? Whan I hadde al this folk beholde. And fond me lous, and noght y-holde. And eft y-mused longe while Upon these walles of berile. That shoon ful lighter than a glas, And made wel more than hit was, 200 To semen, every thyhge, y-wis. As kynde thyng of Fames is ; I gan forth romen til I fond The castel-yate on my right bond. Which that so wel corven was. That never swich another nas ; And yit it was by aventure Y-wrought, as often as by cure. 178. ascendentes. The ascendent is that point of the zodiac ascending above the horizon at a given time. It was a factor of great importance m calculating nativities. 181. Meded, the wife of Jason. 182. Circes, Circe J cp. Odyssey x. Calipsa, Calypso ; cp. Odyssey i. 183. Hermes Ballenus. Belinous, the, disciple of Hermes. Belinous discovered beneath a statue of Hermes a book explaining the secrets of the universe. Hermes is here in the possessive case. 184. Lymote, Elymas the sorcerer (Acts xiii. 8), according to Prof. Hale's. Syjnon Magus; cp. Acts viii. 9. 187. Colle tregetour, CoUe the juggler, a now unknown celebrity. 194. Cx. Th^ / coud not telle tyl domesday. 197. P lengura whyle, perhaps rightly ; Cx. a lenger whyle. 201. P omits this- line ; Cx. Th. also omit but insert the \\nti And thenne anon after this aiiex 1. 202. 208, Cx. Th. Ywrought by grete and subtyl S73 209-290 THE HO US OF FAME Hit nedeth noght yow for to tellen, To make yow to lenger duellen, 210 Of this yates florisshynges, Ne of compasses, ne of kervynges, Ne how they hatte in masoneries, As corbels, ful of ymageries. But, Lord ! so fair it was to shewe For hit w£is al of gold behewe. But in I wente, and that anoon ; Ther mette I crying many oon, — ' A larges, larges ! uphold wel ! God save the lady of this pel, 220 Our owne gentil lady Fame, And hem that wilne to have a name Of us ! ' Thus herde I crien alle, And faste comen out of halle. And shoken nobles and sterlynges. And somme crouned were as kynges. With crounes wroght ful of losenges ; And many riban, and many frenges Were on hir clothes trewely. Tho atte laste aspyed I 230 That pursevauntes and heraudes, That crien riche folkes laudes. Hit weren alle ; and every man Of hem, as I yow tellen can, Hadde on him throwen a vesture, Which that men clepe a cote-armure, Enbrowded wonderliche riche, Al-though they nere nought y-liche. But noght nyl I, so mote I thryve, Been aboute to dyscryve 240 Al this armes that ther weren, That they thus on hir cotes beren. For hit to me were impossible ; Men myghte make of hem a bible. Twenty foot thikke, as I trowe. For certeyn, who-so coude y-knowe Myghte ther alle the armes seen. Of famous folk that hadde been In Auffrike, Europe, and As^e, Sith first began the chevalr^e. 250 lyO ! how shulde I now telle al this ? 213. P Cx. Th. how the hackynge hu 214. P Cx. Th. and ioxjul ^. 219. F B Th. holde «/; P Cx. Th. repeat a before second lurges. ■ 227. P C%,/uU of lesynges. Z28. P and moy thynges ; Cx. and many thynges. 250. P Cx. Th. lo for began the. Ne of the halle eek what nede is To tellen yow that every wal Of hit, and floor, and roof wyth al, Was plated half a fote thikke Of gold, and that nas no thyng wikke, But, for to prove in alle wyse. As fyn as ducat of Venyse, Of whiche to litel in my pouche is ? And they. were set as thikke of nouchis FuUe of the fynest stones faire, 261 That men rede in the Lapidaire, As greses growen in a mede. But hit were al to longe to rede The names ; and therfore I pace. But in this ryche lusty place. That Fames halle called was, Ful moche prees of folke ther nas, Ne croudyng, for to moche prees. But al on hye, upon a dees, 270 Sitte in a see imperial. That maad was of a rubee al. Which that a carbuncle is y-called, I saw perpetually y-stalled, A femynyne creature ; That never formed by nature Nas swich another thyng y-seye. For altherfirst, soth for to seye. Me thoughte that she was so Ijrte, That the lengthe of a cubite 280 Was lenger than she semede be ; But thus sone in a while she Hir-self tho wonderliche streighte. That with hir feet she therthe reighte. And with hir heed she touchede hevene, Ther as shyne the sterres sevene. And therto eek, as to my wyt, I saw as gret a wonder yit, Upon hir eyen to beholde. But certeyn I hem never tolde. 290 259. P Th. to lite al in; Cx. to lyte in; F to litel al, 260. P Cx. as owches. 271. P Cx. on for in. 271. P omits al; Cx. Th. Ryal (royal) for al. 277. P Cx. omit Nas; Th. IVas. 283. Y '& This tvas gret tnaivaylle to nte. 284. F Hir tho so ivonderh streight ; B Hif tho so wondirlich streyght; P Cx, Th. ivonderly for -wonderliche. The original of F B probably read : — This was gret marvaylle to me, she Hir tho so wonderliclie streighte, which is perhaps the right reading. 574 BOOK III THE nous OF FAME 291-372 For as fele eyen hadde she, As fetheres upon foules be, Or weren on the bestes foure. That goddes trone gunne honoure, As writ John in the Apocalips. Hir heer that oundy was and crips. As burned gold shoon for to see. And sooth to tellen also, she Had also fele up-stondyng eres And tonges, as on a best ben heres ; 300 And on hir feet wexen saw I Partriches winges redely. But, lord ! the perrie and the richesse I saw sittyng on this godesse ! And, lord ! the hevenysh melodye. Of songes fiil of armonye, I herde aboute her trone y-songe. That al the paleys-walles ronge ! So song the myghty Muse, she That cleped is Caliopee, 310 And hir eighte sustren eek That in her face semen meke ; And evermo, eternally They synge of Fame as tho herde I : — ' Heried be thou and thy name, Goddesse of renoun and of fame.' Tho was I war, lo, atte laste. As I myn eyen gan up caste. That this ilke noble quene On hir shuldres gan sustene 320 Bothe tharmes, and the name Of tho that hadde large fame ; Alexander, and Hercules That with a sherte his lyf lees ! Thus fond I sittyng this goddesse. In nobley honour and richesse ; Of which I stynte a while now. Other thyng to tellen yow. Tho saw I stonde on either syde. Straight doun to the dores wyde, 330 Fro the dees many a pileer Of metal, that shoon not fill cleer. But though they nere of no rychesse, Yet they were maad for greet noblesse, 297. P Cx. insert as before /or; F B Th. hit shoon to see. 300. F B as on testes heres. 321. F B P Cx. Both (Bothe) armes. 325. All read And thus. 329. P Cx. Th. on thother. And in hem hy and greet sentence ; And folk of digne reverence. Of whiche I wol yow telle fonde. Upon the piler saw I stonde. Alderfirst, lo, ther I sigh. Upon a piler stonde on high, 34a That was of lede and yren fyn. Him of secte Saturnyn, The Ebrayk Josephus the olde. That of Jewes gestes tolde ; And bar upon his shuldres hye, The fame up of the lewerye. And by him stoden other sevene, Wyse and werthy for to nevene. To helpen him here up the charge. Hit was so hevy and so large. 350 And for they Writen of batailes. As wel as of othere mervailes, Therfor was, lb, this pileer. Of which that I yow telle heer. Of lede and yren bothe, y-wys. For yren Martes metal is, Which that god is of bataile ; And the leed, withouten faile. Is, lo, the metal of Satume, That hath ful large wheel to turne. 360 Tho stoden forth on every rowe Of hem which that I coude knowe, Thogh I hem noght be ordre telle. To make you to long to dwelle. These, of whiche I gynne rede. There saw I stonden, out of drede : Upon an yren piler strong. That peynted was, al endelong. With tigres Mode in every place. The Tholosan that highte Stace, 370 That bar of Thebes up the name Upon his shuldres, and the fame 335. All omit^ hy and, which, however, Th. wrongly inserts in the next line ; P and Cx. alter hy^ and in 1. 3^6 into gret and by contamination with the previous line. 342. P omits this line ; Cx. Hym that wrote thactes dyuyne. 347. P Cx. th£r stoden sevene. 352. F B estes, caught from line All and of. F B Th. is for was. Cx. Upon the kotts that was Jul hye. F B this for that. Somme good therin, or sumwhat here That leef me were, or that I wente.' ' Peter ! that is myn entente,' 910 Quod he to me ; ! therfor I dwelle, But certeyn, oon thyng I thee telle. That, but I bringe thee therinne, Ne shalt thou never cunne gynne To come into hit, out of doute. So faste hit whirleth, lo, aboute. But sith that Joves, of his grace. As I have seyd, wol thee solace Fynally with thise thynges, Unkouthe syghtes and tydynges, 920 'To passe with thyn hevynesse, Swiche routhe hath he of thy distresse,— That thou suffrest debonairly. And wost thy-selven utterly, Desperat of all maner blis, Sith that Fortune hath maad a-mys The swote of al thyn hertes reste Languisshe and eek in poynt to breste, — That he through his myghty merite, Wol do thee an ese, al be hit lyte, 93c And yaf expresse commaundement. To whiche I am obedient. To furthre thee with al my myght. And wysse and teche thee aright, Wher thou maist most tydynges here ; Thou shalt anoon heer many oon lere.' With this worde he right anoon Hente me up bytwene his toon. And at a wyndowe in me broghte. That in this hous was, as me thoghte, — 940 And therwithal me thoghte hit stente. And no-thing hit aboute wente, — And me sette in the flore adoun. But which a congregacioun Of folk, as I saw rome aboute, go8. F B thereon. gio. Cx. Th. insert no-w after that. 914. Cx. Th. conne the gyn. 919. So all authorities. The line is at least one syllable short. 925. F B Disesperat of alle litis. 927. Y frot; B foot; Cx. Th. swote; Koch fruit. ■ 930. Cx. the an; F than; Th. B thi. Cx. omits Wol and inserts wyl after he in line above, 931. All insert in s.hzT yaf. 936. F B Shallow here anoonj Cx. Th. omit anooHf perhaps rightly ; Skeat anoon heer. 938. F B omit this line. 940. Cx. Whyche on. 944. Cx. wkyche a grete ; Th. sttche a great. 582 BOOK III THE HO US OF FAME 946-1020 Some within and some withoute, Nas never seen, ne shal ben eft ; That, certes, in the world nys left So manj' formed by Nature, Ne deed so many a creature ; 950 That wel unethe in that place Hadde I oon foot brede of space ; And every wyght that I saw there Rounede everych in otheres ere A newe tydyng prevely, Or elles tolde al openly Right thus, and seyde, ' Nost not thou That is betid, late or now ? ' ' No,' quod he, ' tel me what.' And than he tolde him this and that, 960 And swoor therto that hit was sooth, — ' Thus hath he sayd,' and 'Thus he dooth,' ' Thus shal hit be,' ' Thus herde I seye,' ' That shal be found,' ' That dare I leye.' That al the folk that is a-lyve Ne han the connyng to discryve The thynges that I herde there, What aloude, and what in ere. But al the wonder-most was this : Whan oon hadde herd a thyng y-wys, 970 He com forth to another wight, And gan him tellen, anoon-right. The same that to him was told, Or hit a forlong-way was old. But gan somwhat for to eche To this tidyng in his speche More than ever hit spoken was. And nat so sone departed nas Tho fro him, that he ne mette With the thridde ; and, or he lette 980 946, F B omit this line, which is probably corrupt. Koch Many a thousand in a. route. 956. Cx. Th. insert // before tolde. 958, Cx- Th. to right now. 959- A.\\ ^uod ke ; Willert quod the other. 963. All insert ««(^ before each Thus ; Cx. Th. And tlvys {this) shall be. 971. V B come forth ryght to ; Cx. come/orth unto; Th. Cafne streyght to. Probably right in the original of F_B had the varA/orth written above it because of its recurrence in the next line, and it then crept into the text as well as right. This theory is supported by the reading of Th., which is an edited text. 973, P B Th. that him was ; Cx. that was to JliTH. 976. F B.Th. this for his. 977. F B More than hit e:ver was. 979. F B That he/ro . . . thoo, etc. Any stounde, he tolde him als ; Were the tidyng sooth or fals, Yit wolde he telle hit nathelees. And evermo with more encrees Than hit was erst. Thus north and southe Went every [thyng] fro mouth to mouthe. And that encresyng evermo, As fire is wont to quykke and go From a sparke spronge amys. Til al a citee brent up is. 990 And whan that was ful up-spronge. And woxen more on every tonge Than ever hit was, [hit] went anoon Up to a wyndowe out to goon Or, but hit myghte out ther pace, Hit gan out crepe at som crevace. And fleigh forth faste for the nones. And somtyme saw I ther, at ones A lesyng and a sad soth-sawe. That gonne of .a venture drawe 1000 Out to a wyndowe for to pace ; And, when they metten in that place, They were a-chekked bothe two. And neither of hem myghte out go ; For other so they gonne croude. Til eche of hem gan crien loude, ' Lat me go first ! ' ' Nay, but lat me ! And here I wol ensuren thee Wyth the nones that thou wolt do so. That I shal never fro thee go, loio But be thyn owne sworen brother ! We wil medle us eche with other. That no man, be they never so wrothe, Shal han that oon [of] two, but bothe At ones, al beside his leve. Come we a-morwe or on eve. Be we cried or stille y-rouned.' Thus saw I false and sooth compouned. Togeder flee for 00 tidynge. Thus out at holes gonne wrynge 1020 986. F B mouthe for thyng; Cx. Th. tydyng; Skeat "word. 991. F ^ y.sironge. 993. All read and for second hit. 999. Cx. soth saydsawe, perhaps rightly. 1004. F B most (must). 1005. Cx. omits 1. 1005 to the end, but prints twelve spurious lines as conclusion. 1006. Th. J^or eche other they gonne so. 1009. Th. omits the. 1012. Th. in for with. 1014. F han on two; B omits o/" two ; Th. hane one two. 583 to2i-is8o THE HO US OP FAME BOOK i;i Every tidyng streight to Fame ; And she gan yeven eche his name, After hir disposicioun, And yaf hem eek duracioun, Some to wexe and wane sone, As dooth the faire white mone, And leet hem gon. Ther myghte I seen Wenged wondres faste fleen, Twenty thousand in a route, As Eolus hem blew aboute. 1030 And, lord ! this hous in alle tymes Was ful of shipmen and pilgrymes, With scrippes bret-ful of lesynges, Entremedled with tidynges, And eek alone by hemselve. O, many a thousand tymes twelve Saw I eek of these pardoneres, Currours, and eek messangeres, With boistes crammed fill of lyes. As ever vessel was with lyes. 1040 And as I alther-fastest wente Aboute, and dide al myn entente. Me for to pleye and for to lere. And eek a tydynge for to here, That I hadde herd of som contree That shal not now be told for me ; For hit no nede is, redely ; Folk can synge hit bet than I. For al mot out, other late or rathe, Alle the sheves in the lathe. 1050 I herde a grete noise withalle In a corner of the halle, Ther men of love tydynges tolde, 1036. Th. omits a. 1039. Th. boxes, B bowgys, 1049. Th. omits other. 1050. Th. rathe for lathe. And I gan thiderwarde beholde ; For I saw rennjmge every wyght, As faste as that they hadden myght ; Andeveryche criede, 'What thing is that?' And som sayde, ' I not never what.' And whan they were alle on an hepe, Tho behynde gonne up lepe, 1060 And clamben up on other faste. And up the nose and yen caste. And troden faste on otheres heles. And stampe, as men doon after eles. Atte laste I saw a man, Which that I ne wot, ne kan, But he semede for to be A man of greet auctorite. ( Unfinished) Cx. Th. add the following spurious lines [And therwithal I abraide Out of my slepe, half afraide ; rojc Remembring wel what I hadde seen, And how hye and ferre I hadde been In my goost ; and hadde gret wonder Of that the god of thunder Hadde let me knowe ; and began to write Lyk as ye have herd me endite. Wherefor to studye and rede alway, I purpose to do day by day. Thus in dreaming and in game Endeth this lytel book of Fame.] 1080 1062. Til. the noyse on hyghen. 1066. F B nat ne kan; Th. naught ne can', Slceat ncvene naught necan, 1069-71. Cx. And wyth the noyse of them wo Sodeynly awoke anon tho, And rememhryd, etc. 584 1-24 THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 1-24 THE LEGENDE OF GOOD WOMEN THE PROLOGUE This prologue is extant in two different versions, an earlier and a later, between which there are many important variations (see Introduction). The portion in which most of these occur is here given in both forms, words and lines in -the first version omitted or altered in the second being printed in italics. THE PROLOGUE First Version A THOUSENT sythis have I herd men telle, That there is joye inhevene and peyne in helle, And I acorde wel that it be so ; But, natheles, this wit I wel also, That there ne is non that dwellyth in this cuntre That eythir hath in helle or hevene i-be, Ne may of it non othere weyis vifytyn But as he hath herd seyd, or founde it wrytyn ; For by asay there may no man it preve. But goddis forbode but men sehulde leva 10 Wel more thyng than men han seyn with eye ! Men schal nat wenyn everything a lye. For that he say it nat of yore ago. God wot a thyng is nevere the lesse so, Thow every w^ght ne may it nat i-se. Bernard the monk ne say nat al pardee ! Thanne motyn we to bokys that we fynde, Thourw whiche that olde thyngis ben in mynde, And to the doctryne of these olde ^vyse, Yevyn credence, in every skylftil wyse ; 20 And trowyn on these olde aprovede storyis Of holynesse, of regnys, of victoryis, Of love, of hate, of othere sundery thyngis Of which I may nat make r^hersyngys. 1-49. Cp. B 1-49. THE PROLOGUE Second Version, B A THOUSANDE tymes I have herd men telle. That there is joy in hevene, and peyne in helle. And I acorde wel that it is so ; But, natheles, yet wot I wel also. That ther is noon dwellyng in this.countre.e. That eythir hath in hevene or in helle y-be, Ne may of hit noon other weyes witen, But as he hath herd seyde, or founde it writen ; For by assay ther may no man it preve. But Godforbedebutmenshuldeleve jo Wel more thing than men han seen with eye ! Men shal not wenen everything a lye But-if hymselfe it seeth, or elles dooth ; For, God wot, thing is never the lasse sooth, Thogh every wight ne may it not y-see. Bernarde, the monke, ne saugh nat al, parde ! Than mote we to bokes that we fynde, — Thurgh which that olde thinges ben in mynde, — And to the doctrine of these olde vfyse, Yeve credence, in every skylfiil wise, 20 That tellen of these olde appreved stories. Of holynesse, of regnes; of victories, Of love, of hate, of other sondry thynges. Of whiche I may not maken rehersynges. I. men^ om, F3. That, om. F2. 16. Bernard, gl monachus (om, (l)-non vidit omnia, G F4. 'Bernardus U 2 585 2S-6o THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 25-67 First Version And if that olde bokis weryn a'weye, 1-loryn were of remembrance the keye. Wei oughte us thanne on olde bokys leve. There as there is non othyr asay be preve ; And as for me, thow that myn wit be lite. On bokys for to rede I me delyte, 30 And in myn herte have hem in reverence, And to hem yeve swich lust_ and swich credence That ther is wel onethe game non That from myne bokys make [th] me to gon But it be other upon the halyday, Or ellis, in thejdly tyme of May, Whan that I here the smale foulys synge. And that theflouris gynneforto sprynge, — Farwel myn stodye, as lastynge that sesoun ! Now have I therto this condycyoun, 40 That of alle the fiouris in the mede Thanne love I most these flourys white and rede, ^ Swyche as men calle dayesyis in oure toun. To hem have I so gret affecioun, As I seyde erst, whan comyn is the may. That in myn bed there dawith me no day That I ne am up and walkynge in the mede, To sen these flouris agen the sunne to- sprede, Whan it upryseth be the morwe schene, 49 The longe day thus walkynge in thegretu. And whan the sunne begynnysfor tovieAt, Thanne closet h it, and drawith itto reste^ So sore it is a-ferid of the nyght. Til on the viorwe that it is dayis lyght. This dayeseye, of alle flouris flour, Fuliyld of vertu and of alle honour. And evere i-like fayr and firosh of hewe. As wel in wyntyr as in somyr newe, Fayn wolde I preysyn if I coude aright, But, wo is me I it lyth nat in myn myght 51-59. Cp. B 60-67. 43. our, F her. 50-52, 57-60, 64-72, New lines. Second Version, B And if that olde bokes were awey, Y-lorne were of remembraunce the key. Wel ought us, thanne, honouren andbeleve' These bokes, ther we han noon other preve. And as for -me, though that I konne but lyte. On bokes for to rede I me delyte, 30 And to hem yive I feyth and fill credence, And in myn herte have hem in reverence So hertely, that ther is game noon That fro my bokes maketh me to goon, But it be seldom on the holyday. Save, certeyniy, whan that the month ; of May Is comen, and that I here the foules synge, And that the floures gynnen for to sprynge,— Farewel my boke, and my devocion ! Now have I thanne suche a condicion, That of alle the floures in the mede, 41 Than love I most thise floures white and rede, Suche as men callen daysyes in our toun. To hem have I so grete afieccioun, As I seyde erst, whan comen is the May, That in my bed ther daweth me no day, That I nam up and walkyng in the mede. To seen this floure agein the sonne sprede, Whan it uprysith erly by the morwe ; ■; That blisfiil sighte softneth al mysorwe, so : So glad am I, whan that I have presence ' Of it, to doon it alle reverence. As she that is of alle floures flour. Fulfilled of al vertue and honour. And evere ilike faire, and fresshe of hewe. And I love it, and evere ylike newe. And ever shal, til that myn herte dye ; Al swere I nat, of this I wol nat lye ; Ther loved no wight hotter in his ly ve. S9 And, whan that it is eve, I renne blyve, As sone as evere the sonne gynneth weste, To seen this flour, how it wol go to reste, For fere of nyght, so hateth she derknesse! Hir chereispleynlyspradinthe brightnesse Of the Sonne, for ther it wol unclose. Alias, that I ne had Englyssh, ryme or prose, Siiffisant this flour to preyse aryght ! S86 61-88 THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 68-107 First Version For wel I wot \ha.tfolk han herebefom 61 Of makynge ropyn and lad awey the corn, [And] I come aftyr, glenynge here and ther, And am fill glad if I may fynde an er Of ony goodly word that they han laft. And if it happe me rehersen eft That they han in here frosche songis said, / hope that they wele nat ben evele a-payed. Sit he it is seyd in fortheryng and honour Of hem that eythir seruyn lef or flour ; 70 For trustyth wel I ne have nat undyrtake As of the lef agayn the flour to make, Ne of the flour to make ageyn the lef, No more than of the corn agen the shef ; For as to me is lefere non, ne lothere, I atn withholde yit with never nothire ; / not who servyth lef ne who the flour. That nys nothyng the entent oj myn labour ; For this werk is al of anothyr tunne _ 79 Of olde story, er swich strifvias begunne. But wherfore that I spak to yeve credence S" To bokys olde and don hem reverence Is for mep schulde autoriteis beleve, There as mere lyth non othyrasaybe preve. For myn entent is, or J fro you fare, The nakede tixt in Englis to declare Ofmanye a story, or ellis of many e a geste, As autourys seyn — Iffvyth hem if you leste. 61-70. Cp. E 73-82. 7T-80. Cp. B i88-ig6. 81-84. Cp. B 97-100. 72. With the Leef or with the Flour. This appears to be the earliest allusion to the dispute as to the merits of the Flower and the Leaf on which a follower of Chaucer afterwards wrote the Poem with that title. 83-96. New lines. 96. in (2), B2 only ; rest om. 100. they, Trin.2 ; Arch. Seld. man ; F om. ; rest men. 101-120. New lines. J02. al, om. F. Second Version, B But helpeth ye that han konnyng and myght, Ye loverSj that kan make of sentement ; In this case oghte ye be diligent 70 To forthren me somwhat in my labour, Whethir ye ben with the Leef or with the Flour ; For wel I wot, that ye han her-biforne Of makynge ropen, and lad awey the come ; And I come after, glenyng here and there. And am ful glad if I may fynde an ere Of any goodly word that ye han left. And thogh it happen me rehercen efl; That ye han in your fresshe songes sayede, Forbereth me, and beth not evele apayede, Syn that ye see I do it in the honour 81 Of love, and eke in service of the flour Whom that I serve as I have witte or myght. She is the clerenesse and the verray lyght. That in this derke worlde me wynt and ledyth. The herte in-with my sorwful brest yow dredith. And loveth so sore, that ye ben verrayly The maistresse of my witte, and nothing I. My worde, my werk, is knyt so in youre bond That as an harpe obeieth to the bond, 90 That maketh it soune after his fyngerynge, Ryghtso mowe ye cute of myn herte bringe Swich vois, ryght as yow lyst, to laughe or pleyne ; Be ye my gide, and lady sovereyne. As to my erthely god, to yowe I calle, Bothe in this werke, and in my sorwes alle. But wherfore that I spake to yive credence To olde stories, and doon hem reverence, And that men mosten more thyng beleve Then they may seen at eye or elles preve, That shal I seyn, whanne that I see my tyme — loi I may nat al attones speke in ryme. My besy gost, that thursteth alwey newe, To seen this flour so yong, so fresshe of hewe, Constreyned me with so gledy desire. That in myn herte I feele yet the fire. That made me to ryse er it wer day, 587 89-120 THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 108-151 First Version Whan passed was almost the monyth of May And I hadde romed, al the somerys day, 90 The greni vtedewe, of which that I yoiv tolde. Upon thefrosche dayeseie to beholde. And that the sonne out of the south gan weste And closede was the flour and gon to reste For derknesse of the nyht of which sche dradde, Horn to mynhous, fill swiftly, I me spadde, And in a lytyl erber that I have, /-benchede newe with turvis, frosche i- grave, I bad men schulde me myn couche make ; For deynte of the newe somerys sake, 100 I bad hem strowe flouris on my bed. Whan I was layd and hadde mjm eyen hid I fel aslepe withinne an hour or two. Me mette how / was in the medewe tho. And that I romede in that same gyse,. To sen that flour, as ye han herd devyse. Fayr was this medewe, as thoughte me, overal ; With flouris sote enbfoudit was it al. As for to speke of gomme, or erbe, or tre, Comparisoun may non i-makede be ; no For.it surmounted/? plejmly alle odours. And of riche beute alle flourys. Forgetyn hadde the erthe his pore estat Of wyntyr, that hym nakede made and mat. And with his swerd of cold so sore hadde grevyd : Now hadde the tempresoime al that xelevyd, And clothede hym ingrenealnevis ageyn. The smale foulis, of the seson fayn. That from the panter and the net ben skapid, 115 Upon the foulere, that hem made a-wapid 89-107. Cp. B 100, 180-182, 197-212. -108-137. Cp. B 119-151, loS. iJtis, cm. F. III. that, om. F. 113. the beiie, Taurus or the Bull. 114. Agenores doghtre, Europa. 124. atle, F. qf.^ 143-144. New lines. Second Version, B And this was now the firste morwe of May, With dredfiil hert, and glad devocion For to ben at the resurreccion im Of this flour, whan that it shulde unclose Agayne the sonne, that roos as rede as rose. That in the brest was of the beste, that day, That Agenores doghtre ladde away. And doun on knes anon-ryght I me sette, And as I koude, this fresshe flour I grette, Knelyng alwey, til it unclosed was. Upon the smale, sofle, swote gras. That was with floures swote enbrouded al, Of swich swetnesse, and swich odour over-al, i^ That for to speke of gomme, or herbe, or tree, Comparisoun may noon y-maked be ; For it surmounteth pleynly alle odoures. And of riche beaute alle floures. Forgeten had the erthe his pore estate Of wyntir, that him naked made and mate, And with his swerd of coldesosoregreved; Now hath the atempresonneal thatreleved That naked was, and clad it new agayne. The smale foules, of the sesoun fayne, 130 That of the panter and the nette ben scaped, Upon thefoweler, that hem madea-whaped In wynter, and distroyed hadde hire broode. In his dispite hem thoghte it did hem goode To synge of hym, and in hir songe dispise The foule cherle, that, for his coveytise, Had hem betrayed with his sophistrye. This was hir songe, 'The foweler we defiye, Andalhiscrafte.' Andsommesongenclere tayes of love, that joye it was to here, 140 In worshipynge and in preysing of hir make ; And, for the newe blisful somers sake, Upon the braunches fill of blosmes softe. In hire delyt, they turned heni'fiil ofte, And songen, ' Blessed be Seynt Valentyne ! For on his day I chees you to be myne, Withouten repentyng myne herte swete ! ' And therewithal hire bekes gonnen meete, Yeldyng honour and humble obeysaunces Tolove, anddidenhireothereobservaunces That longeth onto love, and to nature ; 151 S88 121-146 THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 152-195 First Version In wyntyr, and distroyed hadde hire brood, In his dispit hem thoughte it dede hem good To synge of hym, and in here song despise The foule cherl that, for his coveytyse, Hadde hem betrayed with his sophistrye. This was here song ' The foulere we defye. ' Some songyn on the [ ] braunchis clere [Layes] of love, that joye it was to here. In worschepe and in preysyng of hire make, And [for] the newe blySful somerys sake. [And]sungyn 'Blyssedebe seyntValentyn, [For] at his day I ches yow to be myn, 132 Withoute r^pentynge, myn herte swete ! ' And therwithal here bekys gunne mete, [Yeldyng] honour and humble obey- saunces. And after dedyn othere observauncys, Ryht [longynge] onto love and to natures : So eche of hem to cryaturys. This song to herken I dede al myn entent, Forwhy I mette I wiste what they ment. Tyl at the lasts a larke song above, 141 ' / «,' quod she, ' tlu myghty god of love. Lo,yondhecomyth. Isehisewyngissprede.' Tho gan I token endelong the mede And saw hym come and in his hondaquene Clothed in ryal abyte, al of grene. Lines 127-138 are very imperfect in the unique MS., which omits several words and reads wnd thai ior that m\. 128, o/iaxfor'va. 1. 130, That for And in 1. 131, The hotwur and the humble in 1. 135, L. 138 seems hopeless. 144-166. Cp. B 211-234. 152-187. New lines. 164. it, Arch. Seld. that; F5 // nat. Second Version, B ■ Construeth that as yow lyst, I do no cure. And tho that hadde don unkynde- nesse, — 'As doth the tydif, for newfangelnesse, — I Besoghte mercy of hir trespassynge, , And humblely songen hir repentynge, ; And sworen on the blosmes to be trewe, ; So that hire makes wolde upon hem rewe. And at the laste maden hir acorde. 159 Al founde they Daunger for a tyme a lord. Yet Pitee, thurgh his strongegentil myght, Foryaf, and made Mercy passen Ryght, Thurgh Innocence, and ruled Curtesye. But I ne clepe it innocence folye, Ne fals pitee, for vertue is the mene ; As Ethike seith, in swich maner I mene. , And thus thise foweles, voide of al malice, Acordeden to love, and laften vice Of hate, and songen alle of oon acorde, '■ ' Welcome, Somer, oure governour and lorde. ' 170 And Zepherus and Flora gentilly Yaf to the floures, softe and tenderly, Hir swoote breth, and made hem for to sprede. As god and goddesse of the floury mede. In -wiiche me thoght I myghte, day by day, Dwellen alwey, the joly month of May, Withouten slepe, withouten mete or drynke. |Adoun ful softely I gan to synke, ; And lenynge on myn-elbowe and my syde. The longe day I shoop me for to abide, 180 For nothing ellis, and I shal nat lye, But for to loke upon the dayesie, That men by resoun wel it calle may The dayesie, or elles the ye of day. The emperice, and floure of floures alle. , I pray to God that faire mote she%ille, And alle that loven floures, for hire sake ! But, natheles, ne wene nat that I maKe In preysing of the Flour agayn the'Leef, No more than of the come agayn thesheef ; For as to me nys leyer noon, ne^ lother, 191 I nam withholden yit with never nother. Ne I not who serveth Leef, ne who the Flour. • ; Wel browken they hir service or labour ) For this thing is al of another tonne. 589 147-154 THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 196-234 First Version Afrette of goold sche hadde next hyre heer And upon that a whit corone sche beer, With nianye flourys, and I schal nat lye ; For al the world ryght as the dayseye 150 I-corounede is with white levys hte, Swiche were the flourys of hire corone white. For of o perle fyn and oriental Hyre white coroun was i-makyd al. For which the white coroun above the grene Made hire lyk a dayseye for to sene, Cohsiderede ek the fret of gold above. I-clothed was this myhty god of love O/'silk, i-broudede ful of grene grevys, A garlihd on his hed of rose levys, 160 SiSkid al with lylye flourys newe ; But of his face I can not seyn the hewe, For sekyrly his face schon so bryhte That with the glem astonede was the syhte, 149. manye, text mane, with the n added as a correction. 201. A new line. 211-212. 'F has these lines in reverse order, perhaps rightly. 217. A7id, Arch. Seld. and if, 229-231. New lines. Second Version, B Of olde storye, er swiche thinge was begonne. Whan that the sonne out of the south gan weste. And that this flour gan close, and goon to reste. For derknesse of the nyght, the which she dredde. Home to myn house full swiftly I me spedde To goon to reste, and erly for to ryse, 201 To seen this flour to-sprede, as I devyse. And in a litel herber that I have, y^ That benched was on turves fressh y-grave, I bad men ^holde me my couche make ; For deyntee of the newe someres sake, I bad hem strawen floures on my bed. Whan I was leyde, and hadde myn eyen hed, I fel on slepe, in-with an houre or two. Me mettehowl layin themedewe the, 21c To seen this flour that I love so and drede j And from a-fer come walkjmg in the mede The god of Love, and in his hand a quene, And she was clad in real habite grene ; A fret of gold she hadde next her heer. And upon that a white crowne she beer, With flourouns smale, and I shal nat lye, For al the worlde ryght as a daysye Y-corouned is with white leves lyte. So were the flourouns of hire coroune white ; 220 For of o perle, fyne, oriental. Hire white coroune was i-maked al. For which the white coroune above the grene Made hire lyke a daysie for to sene. Considered eke hir fret of golde above. Y-clothed was this mighty god of Love In silke enbrcuded, ftil of grene greves, In-with a fret of rede rose leves. The fresshest syn the worlde was first by- gonne. His gilte here was corownedwithasonneaj:- In stede of golde, for hevynesse and wyghte; Therwith me thoght his face shon so brighte That wel unnethes myght I him beholde ! ■ And in his hande me thoght I saugh him holde 590 165-204 THE LEGBNDE OF GOOD WOMEN 235-266 First Version A furlongwey I my hie hym not beholde. But at the laste in hande I saw hym holde Two firy dartis, as the gleedys rede. And aungellychhyse wengis^aw fesprede. And al-be that men seyn that blynd is he, Algate me thoughte he myghte wtl i-see, For stemely on me he gan beholde, 171 So that his lokynge doth myn herte colde. And be the hond he held the noble quene, Corouned with whit and clothede al in grene. So womanly, so benygne and so meke That in this world, thow that men wolde seke. Half hire beute schulde men not fynde In cryature that formede is be Kynde. Hire name was Alceste the debonayre. I prey e to God that evere falle sche fayre, 180 For ne hadde confort been of hire presence I hadde be ded withoutyn ony defence. For dred of Lovys wordys and his chere. As, whan tyme is, hereaftyr ye'schal here. Byhynde this god of love, upon this grene, I saw comynge of ladyis nynetene, [n ryal abyte, a ful esy pas, And aftyrhem come of wemen swich a tras, That syn that God Adam [hadde] made of erthe The thredde part of women, ne the ferthe, Ne wende I not by possibilite 191 Haddyn evere in this [wyde] world i-be. And tre we of love these wemen were echon. Now whether was that a wondyr thyng, or non. That ryht anon as that they gunne espye This flour whiche that I clepe the dayseye, Ful sodeynly they styntyn alle atonys And knelede adoun, as it were for the nonys. And aftyr that they wentyn in cumpas, Daunsynge about this flour an esy pas, 200 And songyn, as it were in carole-wyse. This balade, whiche that I schal yowdevyse. Hyd, Absalon, thyne gilte tresses clere, Ester, ley thow thy meknesse al adoun, 167-178. Cp. B 235-246. 167. For twojiry the MS. reads iho/ery, and in 1. 172 both for doik. 179-198. Cp. B 276-295. 203-224. Cp. B ^59-270. Second Version, B Two firy dartes, as the gledes rede. And aungelyke his wynges saugh I sprede. And, al be that men seyn that blynd is he, Algate me thoghte that he myghte se ; For stemely on me he gan byholde, - 239 So that his loking doth myn herte colde. And by the hande he helde this noble quene, Crowned with white, and clothed al in grene. So womanly, so benigne, and so meke. That in this world, thogh that men wolde seke. Half hire beute shulde men nat fynde In creature that formed is by Kynde. And therfore may I seyn, as thynketh me. This songe in preysyng of this lady fre. Hyde, Absalon, thy gilte tresses clere ; Ester, ley thou thymekenesseal adoun ; 250 Hyde, Jonathas, al thy frendly manere ; Penalopee, and Marcia Gatoun, Make of youre wifhode no comparysoun ; Hyde ye youre beautes, Ysoude and Eleyne ; My lady comith, that al this may disteyne. Thy faire body lat it nat appere, Lavy ne ; and thou Lucresse of Rome toun. And Polixene, that boghten love so dere. And Cleopatre, with al thy passyoun, Hyde ye your trouthe of love, and your renoun, 260 And thou, Tesbe, that hast of love suche peyne ; My lady comith, that al this may disteyne. Hero, Dido, Laudomia, alle yfere, And Phillis, hangyng for thy Demophon, And Canace, espied by thy chere, Ysiphile, betraysed with Jason, 245. Hal/, Arch. Seld. Hal/of. 247-248. New lines. 252. Marcia Catoun, Cato's daughter Marcia, who would not marry a second time. 257. Lavyne, Lavinia, wife of Aeneas. 258. Polixene, Polyxena, daughter of Frlam, betrothed to Acliilles. 263. Laudomia, Laodamia. 264. Phillis, see II. 2394-2560. 265. Canace, cp. Cani, Tales, B 78. 266. Ysipkile, Hypsipyle, see 11. 1368-1577. S9I 205-240 THE LEGENDE OF GOOD WOMEN 267-302 First Version Hyde, Jonathas, al thy frendely manere ; Penolope and Marcia Catoun, Mak of youre wyfhod no comparisoun ; Hyde ye youre beuteis, Ysoude and Elene : Akeste is here that al that may destene. Thyn fayre body lat it nat apeere, 210 Laveyne, and thow, Lucresse of Rome town, And PoUexene, that boughte love so dere, Ek Cleopatre with al thyn passioun, Hide ye youre trouth in love and youre renoun ; And thow Tysbe, that hast _/»?- love swich peyne ; Akeste is here that al that may desteyne. Herro, Dido, Laodomya, alle in fere, Ek Phillis hangynge for thynDemophoun, And Canace espied be thjm chere, Ysiphile bytrayed with Jasoun, " 220 Mak of youre trouthe in love no bost, ne soun ; Nor Ypermystre, or Adriane, ne pleyne; Akeste is here that al that may disteyne. Whan that this balade al i-songyn was. Upon the softe and sote grene gras They settyn hem ful softely adoun. By ordere alle in cumpas, alle inveroun. Fyrst sat the god of love and thanne this queene With the white corone clad in grene, And sithyn al the remenant by and by, 230 As they were of degre, ful curteysly ; Ne nat a word was spokyn in that place The mountenaunce of a furlongwey of space. I lenynge faste by, undyr a bente, Abod to knowe what this peple mente. As stille as ony ston, til at the laste The god of love on me his eye caste And seyde ' Who restith there ? ' and I answerde Unto his axsynge, whan that Ihym herde. And' seyde 'Sere, it am I,' and cam hym nere 240 226-257. Cp. B 301-331. Second Version, B Maketh of. your trouthe neythir boost ne soun, Nor Ypermystre, or Adriane, ye tweyne; My lady cometh, that althys may dysteyne. This balade may ful wel y-songen be. As I have seyde erst, by my lady free ; 271 For certeynly al thise mowe nat suffise To apperen w^\!t\ my lady in no wyse. For as the Sonne wole the fire disteyne, So passeth al my lady sovereyne, That is so good, so faire, so debonayre, I prey to God that ever falle hire faire. For nadde comfort ben of hire presence, I hadde ben dede, withouten any defence. For drede of Loves wordes, and his chere, As, when tyme is, herafter ye shal here. Behynde this god of Love upon the grene 282 I saugh comyng of ladyes nynetene In real habite, a ful esy paas ; And after hem come of wymen swich a traas. That syn that God Adam hadde made of erthe. The thridde part of mankynde, or the ferthe, Ne wende I nat by possibilitee, Had ever in this wide worlde y-bee ; And trewe of love thise women were echon. Now wheither was that a wonder thing or non, 291 That ryght anon, as that they gonne espye Thys flour, which that I clepe the dayesie, Ful sodeynly they stynten al attones, And knelede doune, as it were for the nones, And songen with o vois, , 'Heel and honour To trouthe of womanhede, and to this flour That beteth our alder pris in figurynge ! Hire white corowne beryth the witness- ynge ? ' And with that word, a-compas enviroun, They setten hem ful softely adoun. 3°' First sat the god of Love, and syth his 1 quene j 268. Ypermystre, Hypermne.stra, see 11. 2561' 2723. 268. Adriane, Ariadne, see U. 1886-2225. 271. -^j/, concerning. 271-275. New lines. 296-297. New lines. 59? 241-278 THE. LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 303-340 First Version And salewede hym. Quod he, 'What dost thow her In myn presence, and that so boldely ? For it were better worthi, trewely, A worm to com in\to'\ myn syht than thow. ' 'Andwhy, sere?'quodI, 'anditlykeyow?' • For thow,' quod he, ' art therto nothyng able, Myne servauntis been alle wyse and hon- ourable. Thow art myn mortal foandme warreyest. And of myne olde servauntis thow mysseyest. And hynderyst hem with thy translacyoun. And lettist folk to han devocyoun 251 To servyn me, and haldist it folye To troste on me : thow mayst it nat denye. For in pleyn tiKt, it nedyth nat to glose, Thow hast translatid the Romauns of the Rose That is an eresye ageyns myn lawe. And makyst wise folk fro me withdrawe. And thynkist in thyn wit, that is Jul cole. That he nys but a verray proprefole 259 That lovyth paramours to harde and hote, Wei wot J therby thow begynnyst dote. As olde folis, whan here spiryt faylyth Thanne blame they folk andwete nat what hem ealyth. Hast thow nat mad in Englys ek the bok Bow that Crisseyde Troylis forsok. In schewyng how that wemen han don mis. But natheles answere me now to this. Why noldist thow as wel a seyd goodnes Of wemen, as thow hast seyd wekedenes ? Was there nogoode matyr in thyn mynde, Ne in alle thy bokys ne coudist thow nat fynde 271 Sum story of wemen that were goode and trewe ; Yis, God wot, sixty bokys, olde and newe. Hast thow thyself, alle ftd of storyis grete. That bothe Romaynys and ek Grekis trete Of sundery wemen, whiche lyf that they ladde. And evere an hunderede goode agcyn on badde, — This knowith God, and alle clerkis eke, 263-266. Cp. B 332-333. Second Version, B With .the white corowne, clad in grene ; And sithen al the remenaunt by and by. As they were of estaat, ful curteysly, Ne nat a worde was spoken in the place, The mountaunce of a furlong wey of space. I, knelyng by thisfloure, in good entente Abode, to knowen what this peple mente. As stille as any ston ; til at the laste 310 This god of Love on me his eighen caste, And seyde, ' Who kneleth there ? ' And I answerde Unto his askynge, whan that I it herde, • And seyde, ' It am I,' and come him nere. And salwed him. Quod he, ' What dostow here. So nygh myn owne floure, so boldely ? It were better worthy trewely A worme to neghen ner my flour than thow.' 'Andwhy, sire,'quod I, 'and it lyke y.ow ?' ' For thow,' quod he, ' art therto nothing able. 320 It is my relyke, digne and delytable. And thow my foo, and al my folke werreyest, Andofmynoldeservauntesthowmysseyest, And hynderest hem, with thy translacioun, And lettest folke from hire devocioun To serve me, and boldest it folye To serve Love. Thou maist it nat denye,. For in pleyne text, withoutennede of glose. Thou hast translated the Romaunce of the Rose, That is an heresye ayeins my lawe, 330 And makest wise folke fro me withdrawe ; Andof Cresyde thou hast seydeasthe lyste. That maketh men to wommen lasse triste. That ben as trewe as ever was any steel? Of thyn answere avise the ryght weel. For thogh that thou reneyed hast my lay. As other wrecches han doon many a day, By Seynte Venus, that my moder ys. If that thou lyve, thou shalt repenten this So cruelly, that it shal wele be sene.' 340 321. A new line. 330. This line clearly points to Chaucer having translated ^"001 the continuation of the Ronja» de la Rose by Jean de Meung as well as from the unfinished original by Guillaume Lorris. 335, 348-493. New lines. 593 279-318 THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 341-345 First Version That usyji sweche niateris for to seke. What seyth Valerye, Titus, or ClcCudyan, What seyth Jerome agayns Jovynyan, 281 How dene may deny s and howtrewe wyvys, How siedefaste wedewys durynge alle here lyvys, Telleth Jerome, and that nat of a f ewe But, I dar seyn, an hunderede on a rewe, That it is pite for to rede, and routhe. The wo that they endure for here trouthe. For to hyre love were they so trewe, That rathere than they ivole take a newe, They chose to be ded in sundery wyse, ago And deiedyn, as the story wele devyse. And some were brend and some were cut the hals, And some dreynkt, for they woldyn not be fals ; For alle kepid they here maydynhed, Or ellis wedlok, or here wedewehed. And this thyng was nat kept for holynesse, But alfor verray vertu and clennesse. And for men schulde set on hem no lak ; And yit they were hethene, al the pak. That were so sore a-drad of alle schame. 300 These olde wemen kepte so here name. That in this world I trowe men shal nat fynde A man that cowdi be so trewe and kynde As was the lesie woman in that tyde I What seyth also the epistelle of Ovyde Of trewe wyvys and of here labour? What Vincent in his Estoryal Myrour ! Ek al the world of autourys may stow here, Cristene and hethene, trete ofswich matere. It nedyth nat al day thus for to endite. 310 But yit I seye what eylyth the to wryte The draf of storyis andforgete the corn 1 Be Seynt Venus, of whom that I was born, ^/thow [that] thow reneyfed] hast myn lay, As othere olde folys manye a day, Thow shalt repente it, that it schalbe sene. Thanne spak Alceste the worthyere queene, And seyde, ' God, ryght of youre curteysye 307. Vincent de Beauvais, in his Miroir Hisiorial, 313-323, Cp. B 338-347- 316. thai, MS. so that. Second Version, B The spake this lady, clothed al in greene, 341 And seyde, 'God, ryght of youre curtesyd, Ye moten herken if he can replye Agayns al this that ye have to him raeved'; A god ne sholde nat be thus agreved, 594 319-358 THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 346-378 First Version Ye motyn herken, if he can replye Ageyns these poyntys that ye han to hym mevid. 320 A. go(} ne schulde not thus been agrevyd, But of his deitee he schal be stable. And therto ryghtful and ek mercyable. He schal nat ryghtfully his yri wreke Or he have herd the tothyr partye speke. Al lu is nat gospel that is to you pleynyd ; The god of love hereth many atale i-feynyd. For in youre court is many a losengeour, And manye a queynte totulour acusour, That tabouryn in youre eresmanyea/.4j'»f, For hate or for jelous ymagynyng, 331 And for to han with you sum dalyaunce. Envye — / preye to God yeve hire mys- chaunce — Is lavender in the grete court alway ; For sche ne partyth, neythir nyght ne day, Out of the hous of Cesar — thus seyth Dante — Whoso that goth, alwey sche mote wante. This man to you may wrongly ben acused, There as be ryght hym oughte ben excusid. Or ellis, sere, for thai this man is nyce, 340 He may translate a thyng in no malyce But for he usyth bokis for to make, And takyth non hede of what matere he take, Therfore he wrot the Rose and ek Crisseyde Of innocence, and nysle what he seyde. Or hym was bodyn make thilke tweye Of sumpersone, and durste it not withseye ; For he hath wrete manye a bok er this. He ne hath not don so grevously amys To translate that olde clerkes wryte, 350 As thow that he of malyce wolde endyte Despit of love, and hadde hymself /-wrought. This schulde a ryghtwys lord han in his thought And not ben lyk tyrauntis of Lumbardye That usyn wilfulhed and tyrannye. For he that kyng or lord is naturel Hym oughte nat be tyraunt and crewel, As is a fermour, to don the harm he can. 322. deitee, MS. dede. 328-343. Cp. B 352-361. 3SO-3SI. 362-365. 346 sqq. Cp. B 366 sqq. Second Version, B But of hys deitee he shal be stable, And therto gracious and merciable. And if ye nere a god that knowen alle, Thanne myght it be as I yow tellen shalle ; This man to yow may falsly ben accused. That as by right him oughte ben excused ; For in youre courte ys many a losengeour, And many a queinte totelere dccusour, That tabouren in youre eres many a soun, Ryght aftir hire ymagynacioun, To have youre daliance, and for envie. Thise ben the causes, and I shal nat lye, Envie is lavendere of the court alway ; For she ne parteth, neither nyght ne day. Out of the house of Cesar, — thus seith Dante ; 360 Whoso that goth, algate she wol nat wante. And eke, parauntere, for this man is nyce. He myghte doon it, gessyng no malice ; But for he useth thynges for to make, Hym rekketh noght of what matere he take ; Or him was boden maken thilke tweye Of somme persone, and durste it nat withseye Or him repenteth outrely of this. He ne hath nat doon so grevously amys. To translaten that olde clerkes writen, As thogh that he of malice wolde enditen. Despite of Love, and had himselfe it wroght. 372 This sholde a ryghtwis lord have in his thoght, And nat be lyke tirauntes of Lumbardye, That han no reward but at tyrannye. For he that kynge or lorde is naturel, Hym oghte nat be tiraunt ne crewel, As isa fermour, to doon the harme he kan ; 351. That, so that ; a better reading than the Ther of the earlier version. 354. soun, F swoun, wrongly. 357. A new line. 359. In t\i&lnfenw, xvii. 64-65, Invidia is called La raeretrice, che mai dall' ospizio Di Cesare non torse gli occhi putti. 361. wante, be missing. 364. But, F B om. J 368. A new line. 371. As, F3 and Pepys And, wrongly, 374. tirauntes o/Lumtiardye, like the Visconti. 595 359-374 THE LEGENDE OF GOOD WOMEN 379-412 First Version He muste thynke it is his lige man. And that hym owilk verry duetee, 360 Schewyn his peple pleyn benygnete And itiel to heryn here excusacyouns. And here cotnpleyntys and petycioum, In duewe tytne, whan they schal it prof re. This is the sentens of the philosophre : A kyng to kepe hise lygis in justice, Withouten doute that is his oflfise, And therto is a kyngful depe i-swom Ful manye an hunderede wyntyr here- be-forn. And for to kepe his lordys hir degre, 370 As it is ryght and skylful that they be Enhaunsedeand honoured [and] most dere For they ben half goddys in this worlde here. TTiis schal be don bothe to pore [and] ryche, etc. [For the rest of the Prologue and the Legends the differences between this MS. and the rest are slight enough to be indicated in the notes.] 367. Withouten, MS. ivhich oughtyiu Second Version, B He moste thinke it is his leege man, 379 1 And is his tresour, and his gold in cofre. This is the sentence of the philosophre : A kyng to kepe his leeges in justice, Withouten doute that is his office. Al wol he kepe his lordes hire degree. As it is ryght and skilful that they bee Enhaunced and honoured, and moste dere, For they ben half goddys in this worlde here. — Yit mote he doon bothe ryght, topoore and ryche, Al be that hire estaat be nat yUche, And han of poore folke compassyoun ; 390 For lo, the gentil kynde of the lyoun ! ■ For whan a flye offendith him or biteth. He with his tayle awey the flye smyteth Al esely ; for of his genterye Hym deyneth nat to wreke hym on a flye, As doth a curre, or elles another best. ' In noble corage oughte ben arest, And weyen every thing by equytee, And ever have rewarde to his owen degree, i For, syr, it is no maistrye for a lorde 40c To dampne a man, without answere o( worde, : And for a lorde, that is ful foule to use. And if so be he may hym nat excuse. But asketh mercy with a dredeful herte, And profereth him, ryght in his bare sherte, To ien ryght at your owen jugement. Than oght a god, by short avysement, Cpnsydrehis o wne honour, and hys trespas ; For syth no cause of dethe lyeth in this caas, Yow oghteto benthelyghtermerciable. 410 Leteth youre ire, and beth sumwfiat tretable ! The man hath served yow of his kunnyng, Andfurthred wel youre laweinhismakyng. 380. A new line. 384, kept, i.e. keep for; Trin. MS. reads: Ai well hys lordes to kepe theyr degre. 400. no maistrye, no difficult matter. 403. if, F4 and Pepys it. 404. dredeful, Gg (390) sorwefuL 405. It was thus that, as late as 1429, Alexander, Lord of the Isles, presented himself to James I. 596 THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 414-480 ' Al be hit that he kan nat wel endite, Yet hath he made lewde folke delyte To serve you, in preysinge of your name. He made the book that hight the Hous of Fame, And eke the Deeth of. Blaunche the Duchesse, And the Parlement of Foules, as I gesse, 419 And al the Love of Palamoun and Arcite Of Thebes, thogh the storye ys knowen lyte ; And many an ympne for your halydayes. That highten balades, roundels, virelayes. ' And for to speke of other holynesse, He hath in prose translated Boece, And made the Lyfe also of Seynt Cecile. He made also, gon ys a grate while, Origenes upon the-Maudeleyne. Ilym oughte now to have the lesse peyne. He hath made many a lay, and many a thynge. i 430 ' Now as ye be a god, and eke a kynge, I youre Alceste, whilom quene of Trace, I aske yow this man, ryght of youre grace. That ye him never hurte in al his ly ve, And he shal sweren to yow, and tiat as blyve. He shal no more agilten in this wyse, But he shal maken, as ye wol devyse. Of wommen trewe in lovyng al hire lyf, Wher so ye wol, of mayden or of wyf, Andforthrenyowasmuche as hemysseyde. Or in the Rose, or elles in Creseyde.' 441 The god of Love answerede hire thus anoon, ' Madame,' quod he, ' it is so long agoon 414. it'el^G^omi/s. Gg(40o-4O3)addstwo lines and presents the next couplet in a different form : ' Wkilhe tuas yong he kepte y^,'so Trin.2 and Th. ; rest he. The gayler cometh, and with hym Theseus ; Whan these thynges ben acorded thus, Adoun sytte Theseus upon his knee, 2028 ' The ryghte lady of my l3rfe,' quod he, ' I sorwful man, y-dampned to the deth, Froyow, whiles thatme lastethl)rf orbreth, I wol not twynne aftir this aventure. But in youre servise thus I wol endure ; That asawrecche unknowe I wol yow serve For evermore, til that myn herte sterve. Forsake I wol at home myn herytage. And, as I sayde, ben of youre courte a page. If that ye vouchesafe that in this place. Ye graunte me to have so gret a grace. That I may have not but my mete and drinke ; 2040 And for my sustenaunce yet wol I swynke,; Ryght as yow lyste ; that Mynos, ne no wyght, Syn that he sawe me never with eyensyght, Ne no man elles shal me konne espye, So slyly and so wel I shal me gye. And me so wel disfigure, and so lowe. That in this worlde ther shal no man me knowe. To han my lyfe, and to have the presence Of yow, that doon to me this excellence. And to my fader shal I sende here 2050 This worthy man that is now your gaylerej And him to-guerdone that he shal wel bee Oon of the gretest men of my contree. And if I durste sayne, my lady biyght, I am a kynges sone and eke a knyght. As wolde God, if that hyt myght j bee, Ye weren in my contree alle three. And I with yow, to here yow companye. Than shulde ye seen if that I therof lye. ' And if I profre yow in lowe manere To ben youre page and serven yow ryght here, 2061 But I yow serve as lowly in that place, I prey to Mars to yeve me suche grace, That shames deth on me ther mote falle. And dethe and poverte to my frendes alle, And that my spirite be nyghte mote go After my dethe, and walke to and fro, 2048. to have the, so Add.2 ; F* to have ; Gg* for to have, 2051.' now, only Gg. 618 THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN 2068-2154 That I mote of traytoure have a name, For which my spirite goth to do me shame ! And if I ever clayme other degre, 2070 But of ye vouchesafe to yeve hyt me. As I have seyde, of shames deth I deye ! And mercy, lady ! I lean nat elles seye.' A semely knyght was Theseus to see. And yonge, but of twenty yere and three. But whoso hadde y-seen his contenaunce. He wolde have wepte for routhe of his penaunce ; For which this Adriane in this manere Answerdehymtohisprofireandtohischere. 'A kynges sone, and eke a knyght,' quod she, 2080 ' To ben my servant in so lowe degre, God shelde hit, for the shame of wymmen alle, And lene me never suche a case befalle ! But sende yow grace and sleyght of herte also Yow to defende and knyghtlysleenyour fo! And lene hereaftir that I may yow fynde To me and to my suster here so kynde. That I repente not to yeve yow lyfe ! ' Yet wer hyt better that I were your wife, Syn that ye ben as gentil borne as I, 2090 And have a realme nat but faste by, Then that I suffrede yow giltles to starve, Or that I lete you as a page serve ; Hyt is no profre, as unto youre kynrede. But what is that man wol not do for drede ? And to my suster, syn that hyt is so. That she mote goon with me, if that I goo. Or elles suffre deth as wel as I, That ye unto your sone, as trewely, 2099 Doon hir be wedded at your home comy nge. This is the final ende of al this thynge ; Ye, swere hit here, upon al that may be sworne ! ' ' Yee, lady myn,' quod he, ' or elles tome Mote I be with the Minotawre to morowe ! And have here-of myn herte-bloode to borowe. If that ye wol ! If I hadde knyfe or spere, I wolde hit laten out, and theron swere, For then at erst I wote ye wol me leve. 2092, yow giltles, Y^ your gentilesse, _ . 2094. no pro/re, etc., i.e. no proffer suitable to your birth; Y^notprofeU By Mars, that is the chefe of my beleve, So that I myghte lyven, and nat fayle To morowe for to acheve my batayle, 2ni I nolde never fro this place flee, Til that ye shulde the verray prefe see. For now, if that the sothe I shal yow saye, I have y-loved yow ful many a daye, Thogh ye ne wiste it nat, in my contree. And aldermoste desired yow to see Of any erthely lyvynge creature. Upon my trouthe I swere, and yow assure. These seven yere I have your servant bee. Now have I yow, and also have ye mee, My dere herte, of Athenes duchesse ! ' This lady smyleth at his stedfastnesse, And at his hertely wordys, and his chere. And to hir suster sayde in this manere : ' Al softely now, suster myn,' quod she, ' Now be we duchesses, both I and ye, And sykered to the regals of Athenes, And both heraftir lykly to be queenes. And saved fro his deth a kynges sone. As ever of gentil wymen is the wone 2131 To save a gentilman, enforthe hir myght. In honest cause, and namely in his ryght. Me thinketh no wyght ought us here-of blame, Ne beren us .therfore an evel name. ' And shortly of this matere for to make. This Theseus of hir hath leve y-take. And every poynt was performed in dede, As ye have in this covenant herde me rede ; His wepne, his clew, his thing that I have sayde, • 2140 Was by the gayler in the house y-layde, Ther as this Mynatour hath his dwellyng, Ryght faste by the dorre at his entrynge ; And Theseus is ladde unto his deth ; And forthe unto this Mynataure he geth, And by the techynge of thys Adriane, He overcome thys beste and was his bane. And oute he cometh by the clewe agayne Ful prively, when he thys beste hath slayne ; And by the gayler gotten hath a barge, 2150 And of his wives tresure gan it charge. And tok his wif, and eke hir suster free. And eke the gayler, and wyth hem alle three Is stole away out of the londe by nighte, 619 2ISS-222S THE LEGENDS OF GOOD WOMEN And to the contree of Ennopye hym dyghte, There as he had a frende of his knowjmge. There festen they, there dauncen they and sjmge. And in his armes hath thys Adriane, That of the baste hath kepte him from his bane, 2159 And gate him there a newe barge anoon, And of his countre-folke a ful grete woon, And taketh his leve, and homewarde sayleth hee ; And in an yle, amydde the wilde see, There as ther dwelleth creature noon Save wilde bestes, and that ful many oon, He made his shippe a-londe for to sette. And in that ile halfe a day he lette, And sayde that on the londe he moste him reste. His maryners han don ryght as hym leste ; And, for to telle shortly in thys cas, 2170 Whanne Adriane his wyfe aslepe was, For that hir suster filirer was than she, He taketh hir in his honde, and forth gboth he To shyppe, and as a traytour stale his way, While that thys Adriane aslepe lay, And to his contree -wards he sayleth blyve, — A twenty devel way the wynde him dryve ! — And fonde his fader drenched in the see. Me lyste no more to speke of hymj/ardee / These false lovers, poyson be her bane ! But I wol turne ageyne to Adryane, That is with slepe for werynesse y-take ; Ful sorwiiiUy hir herte may awake. 2183 Alias, for the myn herte hath pitee ! Ryght in the dawenynge awaketh she. And gropeth in the bed, and fonde ryght noght. 'Alias,' quod she, 'that ever I was wroght : I am betrayed,' and hir heer to-rente. And to the stronde barefote faste she wente. And cryede, ' Theseus ! myn herte swete ! 2155. Ennopye, ' ^nopia, another name for ^gina* (Skeae); Oilman suggests Enope in Messenia. 2184. pi'fee, G% now pitee; Txm.'^ grei pitee. 2188. hir heer, Gg al hire her. Where be ye, that I may not wyth yow mete ? 2191 And myghte thus with bestes beny-slayne.' The holowerochesanswerde hiragayne. No man she sawe, and yet shynede the mone. And hye upon a rokke she wente sone. And saw his barge saylynge in the see. Colde waxe hir herte, and ryght thus sayde she : 'Meker than ye fynde I the bestes wilde ! '— Hadde he not synne that hir thus be- gylde!— She cried, ' O turne agayne for routhe and synne, 2200 Thy barge hath not al his meyny ynne.' Hir kerchefe on a pole up stykede she, Ascaunce that he shulde hyt wel y-see, And hym remembre that she was behynde, And turne agayne, and on the stronde hir fynde. But al for noght ; his wey he is i-goon. And doun she felle a-swowneuponastoon; And up she ryste, and kyssed in al hir care The steppes of his fete, there he hath fare, And to hir bedde ryght thus she speketh tho ; 2210 'Thow bedd,' quoth she, 'that hast receyved two, Thow shalt answere of two and not of oon, Where is thy gretter parte away i-goon ? Alias, where shal I wreched wyght become? For though so be that shyp or boot here come. Home to my contree dar I not for drede ; I kan my-selfe in this case not rede.' What shulde I telle more hir compleyn- ynge ? Hyt is so longe hyt were an hevy thynge. In hyr Epistil Naso telleth alle ; 2220 But shortly to the ende tel I shalle. The goddys have hir holpen for pitee. And in the sygne of Taurus men may see The stones of hir corowne shyne clere ; I wol no more speke of thys matere. 2215. ship or toot, Trin. ; Arch. Seld. and Add. 2. any tote; Gg boot here Tie; F^ bote noon here. Ovid ; Finge, dari comitesque mihi, ventosque, ratemque. 620 TMn legende of good women- 2226-2303 But thus this false lover kan begyle His trewe love, the devel quyte hym his while ! Explicit Legenda Adriane de Athenes Incipit Legenda Philomene Thow yiver of the formes, that hast wroght The faire worlde, and bare hit in thy thoght Eternally or thow thy werke beganne, 2230 Why madest thow unto the sklaunder of manne, Or — al be that hyt was not thy doynge. As for that fyne to make suche a thynge, — Why suifrest thow that Tereus was bore. That is in love so fals and so forswore. That firo thys worlde up to the firste hevene Corrumpeth, whan that folke his name nevene ? And as to me, so grisly was his dede. That whan that I this foule story rede, Myn eyen wexen foule and sore also ; 2240 Yet laste the venym of so longe ago. That it infecteth hym that wolde beholde The story of Tereus, of which I tolde. Of Trase was he lorde, and kynne to Marte, The cruelle god that stante with blody darte, And wedded haddehe, with a blisfulchere. King Pandyones faire doghter dere, That hyghte Proygne, floure of hircontree ; Thogh Juno lyst nat at the ftste bee, NeYmeneus, thatgod of weddyngis. 2250 But at the feste redy ben, y-wys. The Furies thre, withal hiremortelbronde, Theowle al nyght about the balkeswonde, That prophete is of wo and of myschaunce. This revel, ful of songe, and ful of daunce, Lasteth a fourtenyght or lytel lasse. But shortly of this story for to passe, — ■ For I am wery of hym for to telle, — Fyve yere his W5rfe and he togedir dwelle ; Til on a day she gan so sore longe 2260 Toseen hirsuster, thatshesaugh not longe., 2228. yiver of the formes^ ' Deus dator for- marum, Bodley gloss. 2256. Lastetht Arch. Seld. Lisiith; rest Las/e. That for desire she nyste what to seye. But to hir husbonde gan she for to preye For Goddys love, that she moste ones gon Hir suster for to seen, and come anon. Or elles, but she moste to hyr wende, She preyde hym that he wolde aftir hir sende. And thys was day be day al hir prayere, With al humblesse of wyfehode, worde and chere. 2269 This Tereus let make his shippes yare, And into Grece h5'niselfe is forthe y-fare, Unto his fader in lawe, and gan hym preye, To vouchesafe that for a moneth or tweye. That Philomene, his wyfes suster, myghte On Proigne his wyfe but ones have a syghte ; ' And she shal come to yow agayne anon, Myselfe with hyr, I wil bothe come and gon. And as myn hertes lyfe I wol hir kepe.' Thys olde Pandeon, thys kynge, gan wepe For tendernesse of herte for to leve 2280 His doghtre gon, and for to yive hir leve ; Of al thys worlde he lovede nothinge so ; But at the laste leve hath she to go. For Philomene with salte teres eke Gan of hir fader grace to beseke, To seen hir sustre that she loveth so, And hym embraceth with hir armes two. And ther-with-alle so yonge and faire was she, 2288 That whan that Tereus saugh hir beaute, And of array that ther nas noon hir lyche (And yet of beaute was she two so ryche), He caste his fiery hert upon hir so, That he wol have hir, how-so that hyt go, And with his wiles kneled and so preyde. Til at the laste Pandeon thus seyde : ' Now, sone,' quod he, • that arte to me so dere, I the betake my yonge doghtre here. That bereth the key of al myn hertes lyfe. And grete wel my doghter and thy wyfe. And yeve hir leve sometyme for to pleye, That she may seen me ones or I deye.' And sothely he hath made him ryche feste, And to his folke, the moste and eke the leste, 2286. sk£ loveth^ F** hir longetk^ 2291. beaute^ F2 hownte* 6zi 2304-2379 ran legsnds op good womei^ That with him come ; and yaf him yeftes grete, And him conveyeth thurgh the maistir strete Of Athenes, and to the see him broghte, And turneth home ; no malyce he ne thoghte. The ores pulleth forthe the vessel faste, And into Trace arryveth at the laste ; And up into a forest he hir ledde, 2310 And to a cave pryvely hym spedde, And in this derke cave, yif hir leste, Or leste noght, he bad hir for to reste ; Of which hir hert agrose, and seyde thus : ' Where is my suster, brother Tereus ? ' And therewithal she wepte tendirly, And quoke for fere, pale and pitously, Ryghte as the lambe that of the wolfe is byten. Or as the colver that of the egle is smyten. And is out of his clawes forthe escaped. Yet hyt is aferded and awhaped 2321 Lest hit be hent eftsones : so sate she. But utterly hyt may none other be. By force hath this traytour done a dede, That he hath refte hir of hir maydenhede Maugree hir hede, by strengthe and by his myght. Lo, here a dede of men, and that aryght ! She crieth ' Suster ! ' with ful loude stevene, And ' Fader dere ! ' and ' Helpe me, God in hevene ! ' Al helpeth nat. And yet this false thefe Hath doon thys lady yet a more myschefe. For ferde lest she sholde his shame crye, And done hym openly a vilanye, 2333 And with his swerde hire tonge of ker- veth he, And in a castel made hir for to be Ful prively in prison evermore. And kept hir to his usage and to his store. So that shemyghte hym nevermore asterte. O sely Philomene, wo is in thyn herte ! God wreke the, and sende the thy bone ! Now is hyt tyme I make an ende sone. This Tereus is to his wyfe y-come, Arid in his armes hath his wyfe y-nome, 2339. aM£/(z), om, F^. 2332. Forjerde Gg3 For fire, Z338. F3 om. and insert the spurious line Huge hen iky sorwes and wonder stnerte after 2339. And pitously he wepe, and shoke his hede, And swore hire that he fonde hii suster dede ; For whiche the sely Proigne hathsuche wo, Thatnyghe hire sorwful herte brake a-two. And thus in teres lat I Proigne dwelle. And of hir suster forthe I wol yow telle. This woful lady y-lerned had in yowthe, So that she werken and enbrowden kowthe, 2351 And weven in hire stole the radevore. As hyt of wymmenhath ben y-woved yore. And, shortly for to seyn, she hath hir fiUe Of mete and diynke, and clothyng at hire wille, Andkoutheekeredeand wel jmogh endyte. But with a penne kouthe she nat write ; But letteres kan she weve to and fro. So that by that the yere was al ago. She hadde woven in a stames large, 2360 How she was broght &om Athenes in a barge. And in a cave how that she was broght. And al the thinge that Tereus hath wroght. She wave hyt wel, and wrote the story above. How she was served for hir suster love. And to a knave a rynge she yaf anoon. And prayed hym by signes for to goon Unto the quene, and beren hir that clothe; And by signes swor hym many an othe. She shulde hym yeve what she geten myghte. 2370 Thys knave anon unto the queene hym dyghte. And toke hit hir, and al the maner tolde. And whanne that Proigne hath this thing beholde, No worde she spake, for sorwe and eke- for rage. But feyned hyr to goon on pilgrymage To B^chus temple. And in a ly tel stounde Hire dombe suster syttjmg hath she founde Wepynge in the castel, hir-self allone. Alias, the wo, the compleynt, and the mone 2352. hire, F5 om. 2353. beny^wmed, so Arch. Seld. ; xesXbewoved, he woned. 2369. signes, F4 signe. 2369. Aj/m, Ggonly ;. Trin. j/zr 1-6 A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE You hath wel chose in trewepers^veraunce Never to chaunge for no maner distresse. And sith [that] I shal do this observaunce Al my lif [long] withouten displesaunce, You for to serve with al my besynesse, And have me somwhat in your souvenaunce, 13 My woful herte suffreth greet duresse, And [hoveth humblely] with al sym- plesse ; My wyl I conforme to your ordynaunce As you best list, my peynes for touedresse ; Considryng eek how I hange in balaunce, In your service, swich lo ! is my chaunce, Abidyng grace whan that your gentilnesse, Of my grate wo listeth don alleggeaunce, 8. MS. trieve. 10. MS. om. that, 11. MS. -om. lonff. 15. MS. ^ff^ how humbly. And wyth yourpiteemesomwyseavaunce, In ful rebatyng of myn hevynesse,. 23 And thynketh by resoun that womanly noblesse Shulde nat desire for til do the entrance Ther as she fyndeth non unbuxomnesse. Lenvoye Auctour of norture ! Lady of plesaunce ! Soveraigne of beautee ! flour of woman- hede, Take ye non hede unto my ignoraunce. But this recey veth of your goodlihede, Thenkyng that I have caught in remembraunce. Your beautee hool, your stedfast governaunce. 24. Perhaps And should be Me, otherwise the construction of this stanza, like that of the pre- ceding one, is very loose. 29. Take ye should probably be Taketh; cp. receyveth in next line. A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE Lyte Lowys my sone, I aperceyve wel by certeyne evydences thyn abilite to lerne sciences touching nombres and proporciouns ; and as wel considre I thy bisy praier in special to lerne the Tretys of the Astrelabie. Than for as mochel as a philosofre saith, 'he wrappith him in his frende, that condescendith to the rightfiill praiers of his frende,' therefore have I yeven the a suffisant Astrolabie as for oure orizonte compowned after the latitude of Oxenforde ; upon which, by mediacioun of this litel tretys, I propose to teche the a certein nombre of conclusions perteynyng to the same instrument. I seie a certein of conclusions for thre causes. Bi Ml B2 have title Brede and milke for children. 2. Ri Al add the werkynge 0/ before a suffi- sant. The first cause is this : truste wel that alle the conclusions that han be founde, or ellys possibly might be founde in so noble an instrument as is an Astrelabie ben unknowe parfitly to eny mortal man in this regioun, as I suppose. Another cause is this, that sothly in any tretis of the Astrelabie that I have seyn there besomme conclusions that wol not in alle thinges parformenher bihestes; andsommeofhem ben to harde to thy tendir age of x yere to conceyve. [5] This tretis, divided in S parties, wol I shewe the under fiill light reules and naked wordes in Englisshe, for Latyn canst thou 5. and soinrne of hem, etc*, i.e. the third cause. S. to thy, etc., Ri to understonde and to con- ceyve to the tender age ^\e. _ 5. naked, simple; cp, |hak., Tigq Qoi. IL 638 A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE 7-26 yit but small, my litel sone. But natheles suffise to the these trewe conclusions in Englisshe as wel as suflficith to these noble clerkes Grekes these same conclusions in Greke ; and to Arabiens in Arabike, and to lewes in Ebrewe, and to the Latyn folk in Latyn ; whiche Latyn folke had hem first oute of othere dyverse langages, and writen hem in her owne tunge, that is to seyn in Latyn. And god woot that in alle these langages and in many moo han these conclusions ben suffisantly lemedand taught, and yit by diverse reules ; right as diverse pathes leden diverse folke the right way to Rome. Now wol I preie mekely every discret persone that redith or herith this litel tretys to have my rude endityng for excused, and my superfluite of wordes, for two causes. The first cause is for that curiouse endit)mg and harde sentence is ful hevy at onys for such a childe to lerne. And the secunde cause is this, that sothly me semith better to writen un-to a childe twyes a gode sentence, than he forgete it onys. [n] And Lowys, yf so be that I shewe the In my light Englisshe as trewe conclusions touching this mater, and not oonly as trewe but as many and as subtile conolusiouns, as ben shewid in Latyn in eny commune tretys of the Astrelabie, konne me the more thanke. And preie god save the king, that is lorde of this language, and alle that him feithe berith and .obeieth, everiche in his degre, the more and the lasse. But considre wel that I ne usurpe not to have founden this werke of my labour or of myn engyn. I nam but a lewde compilator of the labour of olde astrologiens, and have it translatid in myn Englisshe oonly for thy doctrine. And with this swerde shal I sleen en vie. [15] Prima fars. — The firste partie of this tretys shal reherse the figures and the membres of thyn Astrelabie by cause that thou Shalt have the gretter knowing of thyn owne instrument. Secundapars. — The secunde partie shal techen the worken the verrey practik of 7. sufficiih. We should expect suffice, cp. 13. the forseide conclusiouns as ferforth and as narwe as may be shewed in so small an instrument portatif aboute. For wel woot every astrologien that smallist fraccions ne wol not be shewid in so small an instrument as in subtile tables calculed for a cause. Tertia pars. — The thirde partie shal contene diverse tables of longitudes and latitudes of sterres fixe for the Astrelabie, and tables of the declinacions of the sonne, and tables of longitudes of citees and townes ; and tables as well for the gover- naunce of a clokke, as forto fynde the altitude meridian; and many a-nothir notable conclusioun after the kalenders of the reverent clerkes, frere I. Somer and frere N. Lenne. [20] Quarta pars. — The fourthe partie shal ben a Theorike to declare the moevyng of the celestiall bodies with the causes. The whiche fourthe partie in speciall shal shewen a table of the verrey moeving of the mone from houre to houre every day and in every signe after thyn almenak. Upon whiche table ther foleweth a canoun suffisant to teche as wel the manere of the worchynge of the same conclusioun as to knowe in oure orizonte with whiche degre of the zodiak that the mone ariseth in any latitude, and the arisyng of any planete after his latitude fro the ecliptik lyne. Quinta pars. — The fifthe partie shal be an Introductorie, after the statutes of oure doctours, in whiche thou maist lerne a gret parte of the generall rewles of theorik in astrologie. In whiche fifthe partie shalt thou fynden tables of equaciouns of houses after the latitude of Oxenforde ; and tables of dignitees of planetes, and othere notefuU thinges, yf God wol vouche saaf and his Moder the Maide moo then I behete. [25] Part I Here begynneth the descripcioun of the Astralabie I. Annulus. — Thyn Astrolabie hath a ringe to putten on the thombe of thi right 18. smallist, Bi Bj the smale ; Aj Ra smale. 25. Chaucer abandoned his task before he had finished Part II. 639 27-49 A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE PART I hondeintakingtheheigKtofthihges. And take kepe, for from henes forthward I wol elepen the heighte of any thinge that is taken by the rewle ' the altitude ' withoute moo wordes. 2. Ansa. — ^This rynge renneth in a maner toret fast to the moder of thyn Astrelabie in so rowme a space that it distourbith not the instrument to hangen after his right centre. 3. Mater. — The Moder of thin Astre- labye is thikkest plate perced with a large hool, that resceiveth in hir wombe the thynne plates compowned for diverse clymates and thy reet shapen in manere of a nett or of a webbe of a loppe. ■ 4. This moder is divided on the bakhalf with a lyne that cometh descending fro the ringe doun to the netherist bordure. The whiche lyne, fro the forseide ringe unto the centre of the large hool amidde, is clepid the Southe Lyne, or ellis the Lyne Meridional. And the remenaunt of this lyne doun to the bordure is clepid the North Lyne, or ellis the Lyne of Midnyght. [32] 5. Overthwart this forseide longe lyne ther crossith him a-nother lyne of the same lengthe from est to west. Of the whiche lyne, from a litel cros ( + ) in the bordure unto the centre of the large hool, is clepid the Est Lyne, or ellis the Lyne Orientale. And the remenaunt of this lyne, fro the forseide centre unto the bordure, is clepid the West Lyne, or ellis the Lyne Occi- dentale. Now hast thou here the foure quarters of thin Astrolabie divided afler the foure principales plages or quarters of the firmament. 6. The est syde of thyn Astrolabie is clepid the right syde, and the west syde is clepid the lefte syde. Forgete not thys, litel Lowys. Putte the rynge of thyn Astrolabie upon the thombe of thi right honde, and than wol his right side 30. Ip early editions and Ag § 3 is preceded by a gloss on mater. _ 30. thickest plate (late MSS. the thikkest, etc.), like smcUUst Jraccions, 18, seems to be a Latinism, and to mean ' very thick plate.' 35. centre is seading of Ri R2 ; Bi hool, Ai B2 Br. Edd. oriental. Mi Ddi have +. be toward thi lifte side, and his lefte side wol be toward thy right side. Take this rewle generall, as wel on the bak as on the wombe syde. Upon the ende of this est lyne, as I first seide, is marked a litel cros ( + ) where as evere moo generaly is considerid the entring of the first degre in whiche the Sonne ariseth. [40] 7. Fro this litel cros ( + ) up to the ende of the Lyne Meridionall, under the rynge, shall thou fynden the bordure divided wit 90 degrees ; and by that same proporcioun is every quarter of thin Astrolabie divided. Over the whiche degrees there ben noumbres of Augrym that dividen thilke same degres fro 5 to 5, as shewith by longe strikes bitwene. Of whiche longe strikes the space bitwene contenith a myle wey, and every degre of the bordure conteneth 4 minutes, this to seien mjmutes of an houre. 8. Under the oompas of thilke degrees ben writen the names of the Twelve Signes : as Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricomus, Aquarius, Pisces. And the nombre of the degrees of thoo signes be writen in augrym above, and with longe divisiouns fro 5 to 5, dyvidid fro tyme that thesigneentrithuntothelastende. [45] But understonde wel that these degres of signes ben everiche of hem considred of 60 mynutes, and every mynute of 60 secundes, and so furthe into smale fraccions infinite, as saith Alkabucius. And therfore knowe wel that a degre of the bordure contenith 4 minutes, andadegre of a signe conteneth 60 minutes, and have this in mynde. 9. Next this folewith the Cercle of the Dales, that ben figured in manere of degres that contenen in nombre 365, dividid also with longe strikes fro S to 5, and the nombre in augrym writen under that cercle. 10. Next the cercle of the daiesfolewith the Cercle of the Names of the Monthes, that is to sayn lanuarius, Febrnarius, Marcius, Aprilis, Mains, lunius, lulius, Augustus, September, October, November, December. The names of these monthes 43. myle way, 20 minutes ; cp. TaUs, A 3637, for temporal use oi/urlong. 640 PART 1 A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE 50-70 were clepid somme for her propirtees and somme by statutes of lordes Arabiens, somme by othre lordes of Rome. [50] Eke of these monthes as hked to lulius Cesar and to Cesar Augustus somme were compouned of diverse nombres of daies, as lulie and August. Than hath lanuarie 31 daies, Februarie 28, Marche 31, Aprill 30, May 3 1 , lunius 30, lulius 3 1 , Augustus 31, September 30, October 31, November 30, December 31. Ifatheles all though that lulius Cesar toke 2 daies oute of Feverer and putte hem in his monthe of luyll, and Augustus Cesar clepid the monthe of August after his name and ordeined it of 3 1 daies, yit truste wel that the Sonne dwellith therfore nevere the morenelasse inoon signe than in a-nother. 11. Thanfolewen the names of theHoly Daies in the Kalender, and next hem the lettres of the A B C on whiche thei fallen. 1 2. Nextthe forseide cercle of the ABC, under the crosse l)me, is marked the Skale in manere of 2 squyres, or ellis in manere of laddres, that serveth by his 12 pointes and his dyvisiouns of fill many a subtile conclusioun. Of this forseide skale fro the crosse lyne unto the verrey angle is clepid Umbra Recta, or ellis Umbra Extensa, and the nethir partie is clepid Umbra Versa. 13. Regula. — Than hast thou a brode Reule, that hath on either ende a square plate perced wit certein holes, somme more and somme lasse, to receyve the stremes of the Sonne by day, and eke by mediacioun of thin eye to knowe the altitude of sterres by night. [57] 14. Axis. — Than is there a large Pyn in manere of an extre, that goth thorUgh the hole that halt thetables of the clymates and the riet in the worabe of the moder. Equus. — Thorugh whiche pyn ther goth 50. were clepid, Bi were clepid thus ; A.\ R2 ben consideryd ; Ri were yeven ; Br. Edd. taken ther names. 50. lordes A ralfienSf Rg Ax (var.) clerkys ; B2 A2 Arabiens I Ri Br. Edd. Emperours, 53. The scribe of Bj inserts Latin note showing incorrectness of Chaucer's statements 56. Chaucer or first copyist has made mistake here, the name of the lower part being the Umbra Recta, that of the upright one Umbra Versa. a litel wegge, whiche that is elepid the Hors, that streynith all these parties to hepe. Thys forseide grete pyn in manere of an extre is ymagyned to be the Pool Artik in thyn Aslralabie. [60] 15. Secunda pars astrolabli : Venter.— The wombe syde of thyn Astrelabie is also divided with a longe croys in 4 quarters from est to west, fro southe to northe, fro right syde to lefte side, as is the bak- side. 16. The bordure of whiche wombe side is divided fro the point of the est lyne unto the point of the southe lyneunder the ringe in 90 degrees ; and by that same propor- cioun is every quarter divided, as is the bak side. That amountith 360 degrees. And understonde wel that degres of this bordure ben auriswering and consentrike to the degrees of the Equinoxiall, that is dividid in the same nombre as every othir cercle is in the high hevene. This same bordure is dividid also with 23 lettres capitals and a small crosse ( + ) above the south lyne, that shewith the 24 houres equals of the clokke. And, as I have seid, 5 of these degres maken a myle wey, and 3 mileweiemakenanhoure. And every degre of thys bordure contenith 4 minutes, and every minute 60 secundes. Now have I tolde the twyes, [65] 17. The plate under the riet is, dis- crived with 3 cercles, of whiche the leest is clepid the Cercle of Cancre by cause that the heved of Cancre turnith evermo consentrik upon the same cercle. In this heved of Cancer is the grettist de- clinacioun northward of the sonne, and therfore is he clepid Solsticium of Somer ; whiche declinacioun after Ptholome is 23 degrees and 50 minutes as wel in Cancer as in , Capricorn. This signe of Cancer is clepid the Tropik of Somer of Tropqs, that is to seien 'ageynward.' For than beginneth the sohne to passen from usward. [70] 67. 3 cercles^ Ex tropik cercles; Mx Ddx 3 tropical cercles ; Rx 3 principal cercles. 67. Chaucer begins here to expand Messahala's Descriptio, with extracts from John de Saqro. bosco's Traqtatus de Sphcera. 641 71-94 A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE The tnyddel cercle in wydnesse of these 3 is clepid the Cercle Equinoxiall, upon whiche turnith evermo the hevedes of Aries and Libra. And understonde wel . that evermo thys Cercle Equinoxiall turnith iustly from verrey est to verrey west as I have shewed the in the speer solide. This same cercle is clepid also the Weyer of the day ; for whan the Sonne is in the hevedes of Aries and Libra, than ben the dayes and the nightes ylike of lengthe in all the worlde. And therfore ben these 2 signes called the Equinoxiis. And alle that moeveth withinne the hevedes of these Aries and Libra, his moevyng is clepid Northward ; and alle that moevith withoute these hevedes, his moevyng is clepid Southward, as fro the equinoxiall. Take kepe of these latitudes North and South, and forgete it nat. [ys] BytMscercle equinoxiall ben considred the 24 houres of the clokke, for evermo the arisyng of 15 degrees of the equinoxiall makith an houre equal of the clokke. This equi- noxiall is clepid the gurdel of the first moev- ing, or ellis of the first moevable. And note that the first moevyng is clepid moevyng of the first moevable of the 8 speer, whiche moeving is from est in-to west, and efte agejm in-to est. Also it is clepid girdel of the first moeving for it departith the first moevable, that is to seyn the spere, in two ilike partyes evene distantes fro the poles of this world. The widest of these 3 principal cercles is clepid the Cercle' of Capricorne by cause that the heved of Capricorne turnith evermo consentrik upon the same cercle. In the heved of this forseide Capricorne is the grettist declinacioun southward of the Sonne, and therfore it is clepid the Solsticium of Wynter. This signe of Capricorne is also clepid the Tropic of 73. Weyer^ * equator ' ; euemr ? 77._ Cp. Sacrobosco : * et dicitur cingulus primi motus unde sciendum quod primus tnotus dicitur motus primi mobilis, hoc est nonse spherae coeli ultimi,' etc. So *8' must be error for 'g.' Likewise 9 seems to be omitted before spere, below; cp. Sacrobosco :' Dicitur ergo cingulus primi motus quia cingit sive dividit prlmum mobile, scilicet sphxram nonam,' etc. Wynter, for than begynneth the Sonne to come ageyn to usward. [82] 18. Upon this forseide plate beii compassed certeyn cercles that highten Almycanteras, of whiche somme of hem semen parfit cercles and somme semen inparfit. The centre that stondith amyddes the narwest cercle is clepid the Cenyth. And the netherist cercle, or the first cercle, is clepid the Orizonte, that is to seyn the cercle that divideth the two eiuysperies, that is the partie of the hevene above the erthe and the partie by-nethe. These almykanteras ben com- powned by 2 and z, all be it so that on diverse Astrelabies somme almykanteras ben divided by oon, and some by two, and some by thre, after the quantite of the Astrelabie. This forseide Cenyth is ymagined to ben the verrey point over the crowne of thin heved. And also this Cenyth is the verray pool of the orizonte in every regioun. [88] 19. From this cenyth, as it semeth, there comen a maner croked strikes like to the clawes of a loppe, or elles like the werke of a wommans calle, in kervyng overtwart the almykanteras. And these same strikes or divisions ben clepid Azimutes, and thei dividen the orisounte of thin Astrelabie in 24 divisiouns. And these azymutes serven to knowe the costes of the firmament, and to othre conclu- siouns, as forto knowe the cenyth of the ~ Sonne and of every sterre. 20. Next these azymutes under thecercle of Cancer ben there 1 2 divisiouns embelif, muche like to the shap of the azimutes, that shewen the spaces of the houres of planetes. [92] 21. Aranea.—'Va^ riet of thin Astre- labie with thy zodiak, shapen in manere of a net or of a lopwebbe after the olde descripcioun, whiche thou maist tumen up and doun as thiself liketh, contenith certein nombre of sterres fixes, with her longitudes and latitudes determinat, yf so be that the maker have not erred. The names of the sterres ben writen in the margyn of the riet there as thei sitte, of 642 A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE 95-114 whiche sterres the smale point is clepid the centre. And understonde also that alle the sterres sitting with-in the Zodiakof thin Astrelabie ben clepid Sterres of the North, for thei arise by northe the est lyne. And all the remenaunt fixed oute of the zodiak ben clepid Sterres of the South. But I seie not that thei arisen alle by southe the est lyne ; witnesse on Alde- beran and Algomeyse. [97] Generaly un- derstonde this rewle, that thilke sterres that ben clepid Sterres of the North arisen rather than the degre of her longitude, and alle the Sterres of the South arisen after the degre of her lot^tude — this is to seyn sterres fixed in thyn Astrelabie. The mesure of the longitude of sterres is taken in tl)e Lyne Ecliptik of hevene, under whiche lyne whan that the Sonne and the mone be lyne-right, or ellis in the super- ficie of this lyne, than is the eclipse of the Sonne or of the mone, as I shal declare and eke the cause why. But sothely the ecliptik Ijme of thy zodiak is the utterist bordure of thy zodiak there the degrees be marked. [100] Thy Zodiak of thin Astrelabie is shapen as a compas whiche that contenith a large brede as after the quantite of thyn Astre- labie, in ensaumple that the zodiak in hevene is ymagyned to ben a superfice contenyng a latitude of 12 degrees, where- as alle the remenaunt of cercles in the hevene ben ymagyned verrey lynes with- oute eny latitude. Amiddes this celestial zodiak is ymagined a lyne whiche that is clepid the Ecliptik Lyne, under whiche lyne is evermo the weye of the sonne. Thus ben there 6 degres of the zodiak on that 00 syde of the lyne and' 6 degrees on that othir. This zodiak is divided in 12 principale divisiouns that departen the 12 signes, and, for the streitnesse of thin Astrolabie, than is every smal divisioun in 97. Bj inserts Menkar Algeme cor^ J^conis after Aldeberan with marginalnote saying that they are found on the Merton College Astrolabe. 100, Since only the north half of the Zodiac- band is represented on the Astrolabe. 105. Chaucer omits to say that each sign con- tains 30% a signe departed by two degrees and two, I mene degrees contenyng 60 mynutes. And this forseide . hevenysshe zodiak is clepid the Cercle of the Signes, or the Cercleof the Bestes, for 'zodia' in language of Greke sowneth ' bestes ' in Latyn tunge. And in the zodiak ben the 12 signes that han names of bestes, or ellis for whan the Sonne entrith into eny of tho signes he takith the propirte ofsuche bestes, or ellis for that the sterres that ben ther fixed ben disposid in signes of bestes or shape like bestes, or elles whan the planetes ben under thilke signes thei causen us by her influence operaciouns and effectes like to the operaciouns of bestes. [108] And understonde also that whan an bote planete cometh into an bote signe, than encresith his hete ; and yf a planete be colde, than amenusith his coldenesse by cause of the hoot sygne. And by thys cdriclusioun maist thou take en- sauTiple in alle the signes, be thei moist or irie, or moeble or fixe, reknyng the qualite of the planete as I first seide. And everiche of these 1 2 signes hath respecte to a certeyn parcel of the body of a man, and hath it in governaunce, as Aries hath thin heved, and Taurus thy nekke and thy throte, Gemini thin armeholes and thin armes, and so furthe as shal be shewid more pleyn in the 5 partie of this tretis. This zodiak, whiche that is parte of the 8 speer, overkervith the equinoxial, and he overkervith him ageyn in evene parties ; and that 00 half declineth southward; and that othir northward, as pleinly declarith the Tretys of the Speer. 22. Labellum. — Than hast thou a Label that is shapen like a reule, save that it is streight and hath no plates on either ende with holes. But with the smale point of the forseide label shall thou calcule thin 113. 8 sieer^ again a mistake for. 'g speer'; cp. 7^. The nine spheresare those of the moon, of the six planets, of the fixed stars, and of the zodiac and primuni mobile. Chaucer places the zodiac in the oth in Tales, F 1283. 113. /. and sette there a prik ; turne up than thy riet, and sette the he ved of Aries or Libra in the same meridional lyne, and sette there a nother prik. And whan that this is done, considre the altitudes of hem bothe ; for sothely the difference of thilke altitudes is the declinacioun of thilke degre fro the equinoxial. And yf it so be that thilke degre be northward fro the equinoxial, than is his declinacyoun north ; yif it be southward, than is it south. 21. Conclusio. To knowe fro what lati- ^ tude in eny regioun the almykanteras of eny table ben compowned Rekne how many degrees of almykan- teras in the meridional lyne ben fro the cercle equinoxial unto the cenyth, or elles from the pool artykunto the north orisonte; and for so gret a latitude, or for so smal a latitude, is the table compowned. [245] 245. Rubric, eny, A2 Rg Th. my; Br. thy. 659 PART II A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE 246-263 22. Conclusio. To know in special the latitude of ottre countre, I mene after the latitude of Oxenford, and the height of oure pool Understonde wel that as fer is the heved of Aries or Libra in the equinoxial fro oure orisonte as is the cenyth fro the pool artik ; and as high is the pool artik fro the orisonte as the equinoxial is fer fro the cenyth. I prove it thus by the latitude of Oxenford : understonde wel that the height of oure pool artik fro oure north orisonte is 51 degreesandsomynutes ; thanisthecenyth fro oure pool artik 38 degrees and 10 mynutes ; than is the equinoxial from oure cenyth 51 degrees and 50 mynutes; thaij is oure south orisonte from oure equinoxial 38 degres and 10 mynutes. Understonde wel this rekenyng. Also forgete not that the cenyth is 90 degrees of height from oure orisonte, and oure equinoxiall is 90 degres from oure pool artik. Also this shorte rule is soth, that the latitude of any place in a regioun is the distaunce fro the cenyth unto the equinoxial. [251] 23. Conclusio. To prove evidently the latittide of eny plcue in a regioun by the prove of the height of the pool artik in that same place In some wynters nyght whan the firma- ment is clere and thikke sterred, wayte a tyme til that eny sterre fixe sitte lyne right perpendiculer over the pool artik, and clepe that sterre A ; and wayte another sterre that sitte lyne right under A, and under the pool, and clepe that sterre F. And under- stonde wel that Fisnot considrid but oonly to declare that A sitte evene over the pool. Take than anoon right the altitude of A from the orisonte, and forgete it not ; lete A and F goo fare wel tyl ageynst the dawenyng a gret while, and come than ageyn, and abide til that A is evene under the pool, and under F ; for sothly than wol 246. Rubric, oure countre, Mj the countre; 2 Br. Th. oure centur; Mf Camb. (Skeat) nosiri centri. R2 Br. Th. oure centur; MS. in St. John's ColL 251. jilace, Mx Ag Bg Ri Rg Edd. planete. F sitte over the pool, and A wol sitte under the pool. Take than efte sonys the alti- tude of A from the orisonte, and note as wel his secunde altitude as hys first altitude. And whan that this is doon, rekene how many degrees that the first altitude of A excedith hissecunde altitude, and take half thilke porcioun that is excedid and adde it to his secunde altitude, and take there the elevacioun of thy pool, and eke the latitude of thy regioun ; for these two ben of 00 nombre, this is to seyn as many degres as thy pool is elevate, so muche is the latitude of the regioun. [258] Ensample as thus : — peraventure the altitude of A in the evenyng is 56 degrees of height ; than wol his secunde altitude or the dawenyng be48degres, that is 8 degrees lasse than 56 that was his first altitude att even. Take than the half of 8 and adde it to 48 that was is secunde altitude, and than hast thou 52. Now hast thou the height of thy pool-and the latitude of the regioun. But understonde wel that to prove thiscon- clusioun and many a nother faire conclu- sioun, thou must have a plomet hangyng on a lyne, heygher than thin heved, on a perche ; and thilke lyne must hange evene perpen- diculer bytwixe the pool and thin eye ; and than shalt thou seen yf A sitte evene over the pool, and over F atte evene ; and also t yi F sitte evene over the pool and over A or day. [262] 24. Conclusio. Another conclusioun to prove the height of the pool artik fro the orisonte Take eny sterre fixe that never discendith under the orisonte in thilke regioun, and considre his heighist altitudeand his lowist altitude fro the orisonte, and make a nombre of bothe these altitudes ; take than and abate half that nombre, and take 259. In this example MSS. of group /3 have a different set of observations, viz. 62 for the evening altitude, and 21 for that taken in the morning, giving as a result a latitude about that of Rome. 260. 52 degrees^ roughly the latitude of Oxford ; cp. 270. 263. make a nomlrre, i.e. add them together. 651 264-280 A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE there the elevacioun of the pool artik in that same regioun. 25. Conclusio. Another conclusioun to prove the latitude of the regioun Understonde wel that the latitude of any place in a regioun is verrely the space by- twexe thecenyth of hem that dwellen there and the equinoxial cercle north or south, takyng the mesure in the meridional lyne, as shewith in the almykanteras of thin Astrelabye. And thilke space is as much as the pool artike is high in that same place fro the orisonte. And than is the depressioun of the pool antartik, that is to seyn than is the pool antartike, bynethe the orisonte the same quantite of space neither more ne lasse. [266] Than if thou desire to knowe this latitude of the regioun, takethealtitudeof the sonne in the myddel of the day, whan the sonne is in the hevedes of Aries or of Libra ; for than moeveth the sonne in the lyne equin- oxial ; and abate the nombre of that same sonnes altitude oute of 90 degrees, and than is the remenaunt of the nombre that leveth the latitude of that regioun. As thus : — I suppose that the sonne is thilke day at noon 38 degrees of height ; abate than 38 oute of 90 ; so leveth there 52 ; than is 52 degrees the latitude. I say not this but for ensample ; for wel I wot the latitude of Oxenford is certeyn minutes lasse as thow might preve. [270] Now yf so be that the semeth to longe atarieng to abide til that the sonne be in the hevedes of Aries or of Libra, than wayte whan the Sonne is in eny othir degre of the zodiak and considre the degre of his declinacioun fro the equinoxial lyne ; and if it so be that the sonnes declinacioun be northward fro the equinoxial, abate than fro the sonnes altitude at none the nombre 269. Bi A2 B2 add and 23 minutes after ^1?- grees, and read so leveth there ST degrees and^o minutes (B2 is, A2 51), that is (A2 B2 omit) the latitude, an evident attempt to make the problem yield the latitude of Oxford exactly. 270. as thow fnieht preve. A], A2 Rx R2 Dd2 Br. Th. omit ; Mj Bi omit as; Mj adds the; Bi adds the same. of his declinacioun, and than hastow the height of the hevedes of Aries and Libra. [272] As thus : — My sonne is peraventur in the first degre of Leoun, $8 degrees and 10 minutes of height at none, and his declinacioun is almost 20 degrees north- ward fro the equinoxial ; abate than thilke 20 degrees of declinacioun oute of the al- titude at none ; than leveth there 3 8 degrees and odde minutes. Lo there the heved of Aries or Libra and thin equinoxial in that regioun. Also if so be that the sonnes declinacioun be southward fro the equin- oxial, adde than thilke declinacioun to the altitude of the sonne at noon, and take there the hevedes of Aries and Libra and thin equinoxial ; abate than the height of the equinoxial oute of 90 degrees ; than leveth there the distance of the pool of that regioun fro the equinoxial. Or elles, if the list, take the highest altitude fro the equinoxial of eny sterre fixe that thou knowist, and take the netherest elonga- cioun (lengthing) firo the same equinoxial lyne, and worke in the manere forseid. [277] 26. Conclusio. Declaracioun of the Ascensioun of signes The excellence of the Spere Solide, amonges othir noble conclusiouns, shewith manyfest the diverse ascenciouns of signes in diverse places, as wel in the right cercle as in the embelif cercle. These auctours writen that thilke signe is clepid of right ascensioun with whiche more parte of the cercle equinoxial and lasse part of the zodiak ascendith ; and thilke signe as- cendith embelif with whiche lasse part of the equinoxiall and more part of the zodiak ascendith. Ferther-over, they seyn that 273. There are two sets of readings for this problem, viz. that of the text found in Bi (except that it reads 77 for 10) Mi Ddi, and 10 degrees of Leo almost s6 of height at noon , . . declina- cioun ..'./(?...; ahate . . . 18 than leveth 38, found in MSS. of group (3 (A2 and B2 shomng contamination with Bi). 278. Spere Solide, i.e. the chapter 'De ascen- cionibus et descensionibus signorum rectis et obliquis * of John de Sacra Bosco's he Spkiera, which Chaucer draws on for this conclusion. 652 PART II A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE 281-299 in thilke cuntrey where as the senithof hem that dwellen there is in theequinoxial lyne, and her orisonte passyng by the two poles of this world, thilke folke han this right cercle and the right orisonte; and evermore the arch of the day and the arch of the night is there ilike longe ; and the sonne twies everyyere passing thorugh the cenith of her heed, and two someres and two wynlers in a yere han these forseide peple. And the almykanteras in her Astrelabyes ben streight as a lyne, so as it shewith in the figure. [284] The utilite to knowe the ascensions of signes in the right cercle is this : — Truste wel that by mediacioun of thilke ascensions these astrologiens,. by her tables and her instrumentes, knowen verreily the ascen- sioun of every degre and minute in all the zodiak in the embelif cercle as shal be shewed. And TWia that this forseide right orisonte, that is clepid Orison Rectum, dividith the equinoxial in to right angles ; and the embelif orisonte, where as the pool is enhaunced up on the orisonte, overkervith the equinoxial in embilif angles as shewith in the figure. [286] 27. Condusio. This is the conclusioun to knowe the ascensions of signes in the right cercle, that is circulus directus Sette the heved of what signe the lyst to knowe his ascendyng in the right cercle upon the lyne meridional, and wayte where thyn almury touchith the bordure, and sette there a prikke ; tume than thy riet westward til that the ende of the forseide signe sitte upon the meridional lyne and eftesonys wayte where thin almury touchith the bordure, and sette there another pricke. Rekene than the nombre of degres in the bordure bitwixe both prikkes, and take the ascensioun of the signe in the right 286. overkervith, A2 Bg (var.) ffverkevereih ; Edd. overcomith. 287. his ascendyng, Ax Ag B2 Rg Br. the ascendyng. 287. and sette tker a prikke. Followingthis to end of conclusion Bi has a different version, no traces of which are found in other MSS. cercle. And thus maist thou werke with every porcioun of thy zodiak. [289] .28. Condusio. To knowe the ascen- sions of signes in the embelif cercle in every regioun, I mene, in circulo obliquo Sette the heved of the signe whiche as the list to knowe his ascensioun upon the est orisonte, and wayte where thin almury touchith the bordure, and there sette a prikke. Turne> than thy riet upward til that the ende of the same signe sitte upon the est orisonte, and wayte efte sonys where as thin almury touchith the bordure, and sette there a nother prikke. Rekene than the nombre of degrees in the bordur bitwyxe bothe prikkes and take there the ascensioun of the signe in the embelif cercle. And understonde wel that alle the signes in thy zodiak, fro the heved of Aries unto the ende of Virgo, ben clepid Signes of the North fro the equinoxial. And these signes arisen bitwyxe the verrey est and the verrey northe in oure orisonte generaly for evere. [294] And alle the signes fro the heved of Libra unto the ende of Pisces ben clepid Signes of the South fro the equinoxial ; and these signes arisen ever- more bitwexe the verrey est and the verrey south in oure orisonte. Also every signe bitwixe the heved of Capricorne unto the ende of Geminis arisith on oure orisonte in lasse than 2 houres equales. And these same signes fro the heved of Capricorne unto the ende of Geminis ben cleped Tortuose Signes, or Croked Signes, for thei arise embelyf on oure orisonte. And these croked signes ben obedient to the signes that ben of right ascensioun. The signes of right ascencioun ben fro the heved of Cancer unto the [end] of Sagittarie; and these signes arisen more upright, and thei ben called eke Sovereyn Signes and everiche of hem arisith in more space than in 2 houres. Of whiche signes Gemini obeieth to Cancer, and Taurus to 299. unto the etid of Sagittarie. B2 is the only MSS. that has reading in text. Others keued for end. 653 300-317 A TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE PART II Leo, Aries to Virgo, Pisces to Libra, Aquarius to Scorpioun, and Capricorne to Sagittarie. And thus evermore 2 signes that ben ihke fer fro the heved of Capricorne obeyen everiche of hem til othir. [301] 29. ConcluHo. To knowe iustly the 4 quarters of the worlde, as Est, West, North, and South Take the altitude of thy sonne whan the list, and note wel the quarter of the worlde in which the sonne is for the tyme by the azymutes. Turne than thin Astrelabie, and sette the degre of the sonne in the almykanterasof his altitudeon thilke syde that the Sonne stant, as is the manere in takyng of houres, and ley thy label on the degre of the sonne ; and rekene how many degrees of the bordure ben bitwexe the lyne meridional and the point of thy label, and note wel that nombre ; turne than ageyn thin Astrelabie, and sette the point of thy gret rule there thou takist thin altitudes upon as many degrees in his bordure fro his meridional as was the point of thy label fro the lyne meridional on the wombe side. Take than thin Astrelabie with bothe hondes sadly and slyly, and lat the sonne shyne thorugh bothe holes of thy rule, and slyly in thilke shynyng lat thin Astrelabie kouche adoun evene upon a smothe grounde, and than wol the verrey lyne meridional of thin Astrelabie lye evene south, and the est lyne wol lye est, and the west lyne west, and the northe lyne north, so that thou wirke softly and avysely in the kouching. And thus hast thou the 4 quarters of the firmament. [308] 30. Conclusio. To kruywe the altitude of planetes fro the weye of the sonne •whethir so they be north or south fro the forseide weye Loke whan that a planete is in the lyne meridional, yf that hir altitude be of the 301. tit other, Bi A2 Bg Rg Edd. to other. same height that is the degre of the Sonne for that day, and than is the planete in the verrey wey of the sonne and hath no latitude. And if the altitude of the planete be heigher than the degre of the sonne, than is the planete north fro the wey of the Sonne suche a quantite of latitude as shewith by thin almykanteras. And if the altitude of the planete be lasse than the degre of the sonne, than is the planete south fro the wey of the Sonne suche a quantite -of latitude as shewith by thin almykanteras. This is to seyn fro the wey where as the sonne went thilke day, but not fro the wey of the sonne in every place of the zodiak. [312] ^1. Conclusio. To knowe the Cenyth of the arising of the sonne, this is to seyn the fartie of the orisonte in whiche that the sonne arisith Thou must first considere that the sonne arisith not alwey verrey est, but somtyme by northe the est and somtyme by south the est. Sothly the sonne arisith nevere moo verrey est in oure orisonte, but he be in the heved of Aries or Libra. Now is thin orisonte departed in 24 parties by thin azimutes in significacioun of 24 parties of the world ; al be it so that slupmen rekene thilke parties in 3 2. Than is there no more but wayte in whiche azimutz that thy Sonne entrith at his arisyng, and take there the cenith of the arisyng. of the Sonne. [316] The manere of the divisioun of thin Astrelabie is this, I mene as in this cas : — First it is divided in 4 plages principal!? with the lyne that goth from est to west| and than with a nother Ijme that goth fro south to north ; than is it divided in smale parties of azymutz, as est, and est bysouth, 309. Chaucer in 312 explains w^j/ ijw^. 66. hath, MSS. had. . 71. MS., which is imperfect in w. 69-72, . . . en. 72. Th. han suffred. 6S9 74-159 THE ROMAVNT OF TBE ROSE Ben in May, for the sonne bright, So glade that they shewe in syngyng. That in her hertis is sich lykyng. That they mote syngen and be light. Than doth the nyghtyngale hir myght To make noyse and syngen blythe ; Than is blisful many sithe So The chelaundre and [the] papyngay. Than yange folk entenden ay Forto ben gay and amorous. The tyme is than so saverous. Hard is the hert that loveth nought In May, whan al this mirth is wrought ; Whan he may on these braunches here The smale briddes syngen clere Her blesful swete song pitous. And in this sesoun delytous, 9° Whan love affraieth alle thing, Me thoughte a-nyght, in my sleping Right in my bed, ful redily That it was by the morowe eriy. And up I roos, and gan me clothe. Anoon I wisshe mjm hondis bothe. A sylvre nedle forth y droughe Out of an aguler queynt'ynoughe, And gan this nedle threde anon ; For out of toun me list to gqn loo The song of briddes forto here, That in thise buskes syngen clere. And in the swete seson that lefe is, With a threde bastyng my slevis, Alone I wente in my plaiyng. The smale foules song harknyng, That peyned hem fill many peyre To synge on bowes blosmed feyre. loljrf and gay, ful of gladnesse, Toward a ryver gan I me dresse, no That I herd renne faste by. For fairer plaiyng non saugh I Than playen me by that ryvere. For from an hill that stood ther nere. Cam doun the streme ful stif and bold ; Cleer was the water and as cold 76. Th. herie. 81. chelaundre, a kind of lark. 84. saverous, Fr. ' saverous,' G faverous. gi. affraieth, arouses ; cp. B. ofD. 296. 103. As in Thynne; MS. And in [erasure] s^uete seson tha[t swete over erasure] is. The Fr. is 'En icele saison novele,' which makes one suspect ihaXAndin ^kat sesoun that newe is was the original form of the line. As any welle is, soth to seyne. And somdele lasse it was than Seyne, But it was strayghter, wel away ; And never saugh I, er that day, 120 The watir that so wel lyked me, And wondir glad was I to se That lusty place and that ryvere. And with that watir that ran so clere My face I wysshe, ■ Tho saugh I well The botme paved everydell With gravel ful of stones shene. The medewe sofle, swote, and grene, B^et right on the watir syde. Ful clere was than the morowtyde, 130 And fill attempre, out of drede, Tho gan I walke thorough the mede, Doun ward ay in my pleiyng The ryver syde costeiyng. And whan I had a while goon, I saugh a gardyn right anoon, Ful long and brood, and euerydell Enclosed was, and walled well With highe walles enbatailled, Portraied without and wel entailled 140 With many riche portraitures. And bothe the ymages and peyntures Gan I biholde bysyly ; And I wole telle you redyly Of thilk ymages the semblaunce. As fer as I have remembraunce. Amydde saugh I HatE stonde. That for hir wrathe, yre, and onde Semede to ben a meveresse. An angry wight, a chideresse ; 150 And ful of gyle and felle corage By semblaunt was that ilk ymage. And she was no thyng wel arraied. But lyk a wode womman afraied. Y-frounced foule was hir visage And grennyng for dispitous rage ; Hjr nose snorted up for tene. Ful hidous was she forto sene, Ful foule and rusty was she this ; 119. strayghter, *espandue.' 142. G the.peyntures. 146. G in remembraunce. 149. meveresse, MSS. mynoresse; Fr. 'mover- resse,* fern, of mouveur, ' a troulDlesome fellow' (Cotgr.).- - 159. A similar repetition of subject in v 880. 660 THE ROMAVNT OF THE ROSE 160-247 Hir heed y-writhen was, y-wis, 160 Ful grymly with a greet towayle. An ytnage of another entayle A lyft half was hir faste by ; Hir name above hir heed saugh I, And she was called Felonye. Another ymage, that Vilanye Y-clepid was, saugh I and fonde Upon the wal on hir right honde. Vilany was lyk somdel That other ymage, and, trustith wel, 170 She semede a wikked creature. By countenaunce in portrayture She semed be ful dispitous. And eek fill proude and outragious. Wel coude he peynte, I undirtake, That sich ymage coude make. Ful foule and cherlysshe semed she. And eek vylayneus forto be, And litel coude of norriture To worshipe any creature. 180 And next was peynted COVEITISE, That eggith folk in many gise To take and yeve right nought ageyne, And gret tresouris up to leyne. And that is she that for usure Leneth to many a creature. The lasse for the more wynnyng, So coveteise is her brennyng. And that is she for penyes fele, That techith forto robbe and stele 190 These theves and these smale harlotes ; And that is routh, for by her throtes Ful many oon hangith at the laste. She makith folk compasse and caste To taken other folkis thyng Through robberie or myscounting. And that is she that makith trechoures And she makith false pleadoures. That, with hir termes and hir domes, Doon maydens, children, and eek gromes Her heritage to forgo. 201 Ful croked were hir hondis two, For coveitise is evere wode To gripen other folkis gode ; 166. Aiwther ymage^ etc, ; cp. 162, 170, 207. 179, MSS. noriure. 185. G omits she. 188. coTeteise, Th. covetous. T96. tii^scountin^t ' mesconter,' Kaluga's emendation for myscoueiting of MSS. Coveityse for hir wynnyng Ful leef hath other mennes thing. Another ymage set saugh I Next Coveitise faste by. And she was clepid Avarice. Ful foule in peyntyng was that vice, 210 Ful fade and caytif was she eek. And also grene as ony leek. So yvel hewed was hir colour Hir semed to have lyved in langour ; She was lyk thyng for hungre deed. That ladde hir lyf oonly by breed Kneden with eisel strong and egre ; And therto she was lene and megre. And she was clad ful porely Al in an old torn courtepy, 220 As she were al with doggis tome ; And both bihynde and eke biforne CI6uted was she beggarly. A mantyl henge hir faste by. Upon a perche weike and small ; A bumet cote henge therwith-all. Furred with no menyvere But with a furre rough of here. Of lambe skynnes hevy and blake ; It was fill old I undirtake, 23c For Avarice to clothe hir well Ne hastith hir neveradell. For certeynly it were hir loth To weren ofte that iike cloth ; And if it were forwered she Wolde have fill gret necessite Of clothyng, er she bought hir newe, Al were it bad of woll and hewe. This Avarice hilde in hir hande A purs that henge [doun] by a bande, 240 And that she hidde and bonde so strong. Men must abyde wondir long, Out of that purs er ther come ought ; For that ne cometh not in hir thought. It was not, certein, hir entent That fro that purs a peny went. And by that ymage nygh ynough 208. MSS. /aste hy, also in 224, and fre- quently. 211. MSS. Jther)c^n beusedwilh plural nouns ; cp. 991. 673. than (Th. whan, G. thai), whan. 680. Chaucer calls them tfiermaids m Boat 32, where the French version has seraines.. 666 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 698-788 Hir freend wel ought I forto be Sith she the dore of that gardyne Hadde opened, and me leten inne. 700 From hennes forth how that I wroughte, I shal you tellen as me thoughte. First wherof Mjorthe served there, And eke what folk there with hym were, Withoute fable I wole discryve ; And of that gardyne eke as blyve I wole you tellen aftir this The faire fasoun all y-wys, That wel y-wrought was for the nones. I may not telle you all at ones, 710 But as I may and can, I shall By ordre tellen you it all. Ful faire servise, and eke ful swete. These briddis maden, as they sete ; Layes of love fill wel sownyng. They songen in their jargonyng ; Summe high and summe eke lowe songe Upon the braunches grene y-spronge. The swetnesse of her melodye Made al myn herte in reverye. 720 And whan that I hadde herde, I trowe. These briddis sjragyng on a rowe. Than myght I not withholde me That I ne wente inne forto see Sir Myrthe ; for my desiryng Was hym to seen, over alle thyng ; His countenaunce and his manere, That sighte was to me ful dere. The wente I forth on my right honde Doun by a lytel path I fonde, 730 Of mentes fiiU and fenell grene. And faste by, withoute wene. Sir Myrthe I fonde, and right anoon Unto sir M3rrthe gan I goon, There as he was, hym to solace. And with hym in that lusty place So faire folk and so fresh had he. That whan I sawe I wondred me Fro whennes siche folk myght come, So faire they weren all and some, 740 For they were lyk, as to my sighte, To angels that ben fethered brighte. This folk, of which I telle you soo, Upon a karole wenten thoo. 742. fethered brighte, with bright wings. 744. karole, a ring-daiice to song."* A lady karolede hem, that hyght Gladnesse, [the] blisftiU and the light. Wel coude she synge and lustyly ; Noon half so wel and semely, . Couthe make in song sich refreynynge. It sat hir wondir wel to synge ; 750 Hir voice ful clere was and ful swete, She was nought rude ne unmete. But couthe ynow of sich doyng As longeth unto karolyng. For she was wont in every place To syngen first, folk to solace. For syngyng moost she gaf hir to, No craft had she so leef to do. Tho myghtist thou karoles sene. And folk daunce and mery bene, 760 And make many a faire tournyng Upon the grene gras springyng. There myghtist thou see these fiowtours, Mynstrales, and eke jogelours, That wel to synge dide her peyne ; Somme songe songes of Loreyne, For in Loreyn her notes bee Full swetter than in this contre. TKere was many a tymbester. And saillouris that I dar wel swere, 770 Couthe her craft ful parfitly ; The tymbres up ful sotilly. They caste and hente full ofte, Upon a fynger faire and softe. That they [ne] failide never mo. Ful fetys damyselles two, Ryght yonge and full of semelyhede, In kirtles and noon other wede And faire tressed every tresse, Hadde Myrthe doon, for his noblesse, 780 Amydde the karole forto daunce. But herof lieth no remembraunce How that they daunced queyntely ; That oon wolde come all pryvyly Agayn that other, and whan they were To-gidre almost, they Ihrewe yfere Her mouthis so that through her play It semed as they kiste alway. 749. MSS. And couthe, 768. this contre, Orleans. 770. saillouris, dancers. 771. that possibly belongs before couthe in next verse ; Fr. ' Qui moult savoient.' 773. They castcn and [he7n] hente Ad o/te ', but perhaps a 3-beat line, cp. 480, 801, 667 ^89-880 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE To dauncen well koude they the gise, What shulde I more to you devyse ; 790 Ne bode I never thennes go, Wliiles that I sawe hem daunce so. Upon the karoU wonder faste I gan biholde, til atte laste A lady gan me forto espie ; And she was cleped Curtesie The worshipfiiU, the debonaire, I pray to god evere falle hir faire. Ful curteisly she callede me, ' What do ye there, Beau ser ? ' quod she, ' Come [here], and if it lyke yow 801 To dauncen, dauncith with us now. ' And I withoute tariyng Wente into the karolyng. I was abasshed never a dell, But it to me liked right well That Curtesie me cleped so, And bad me on the daunce go. For if I hadde durst, certeyn I wolde have karoled right fayn, 810 As man that was to daunce blithe. Thanne gan I loken ofte sithe The shape, the bodies, and the cheres. The countenaunce, and the maneres Of all the folk that daunced tliere ; And I shal tell [you] what they were. Ful faire was Myrthe, ful longeand high, A fairer man I nevere sigh ; As rounde as appille was his face, Ful rody and white in every place. 820 Fetys he was and wel beseye. With metely mouth and yen greye. His nose by mesure wrought fill right. Crispe was his heer, and eek ful bright, Hise shuldris of a large brede. And smalish in the girdilstede. He semed lyke a portreiture. So noble he was of his stature, So faire, so joly and so fetys, With lymes wrought at poynt devys, 830 Delyver, smert, and of grete myght ; Ne sawe thou nevere man so lyght. Of berde unnethe hadde he no thyng, For it was in the firste spryng. 791. hode^ mistake for bede^ or bad: cp. 808. The same Fr. is differently rendered at 1854. 801. ^^^, MSS. omit; Fr. '^avenez.' 806. Sk. it me likede. 811. MSS. right blithe. Ful yonge he was, and mery of thought ; And in samette with briddis wrought. And with gold beten ful fetysly, His body was clad fill richely. Wrought was his robe in straunge gise And al to-slytered for queyntise 840 In many a place lowe and hie ; And shode he was with grete maistrie. With shoon decoped and with laas. By druery and by solas. His leef a rosyri chapelet Hadde made and on his heed it set And wite ye who was his leef? Dame Gladnesse there was hym so leef. That syngith so wel with glad courage. That firom she was .XII. yeer of age, 850 She of hir love graunt hym made. Sir Mirthe hir by the fynger hadde Daunsyng, and she hym also ; Grete love was atwixe hem two. Bothe were they faire and bright of hewej She semede lyke a rose newe Of colour, and hir flesh so tendre That with a brere smale and slendre Men myght it cleve, I dar wel seyn ; Hir forheed frounceles, al pleyn ; 860 Bent were hir [browne] browis two, Hir yen greye and glad also, That laugheden ay in hir semblaunt First or the mouth, by covenaunt. I not what of hir nose descryve, So feire hath no womman alyve. Hir heer was yelowe, and clere shynyng, I wot no lady so likyng. Of orfrays fresh was hir gerland ; I, which seyen have a thousand, 870 Saugh never y-wys no gerlond yitt. So wel y- wrought of silk as it. . And in an overgilt samit Cladde she was, by grete delit. Of which hir leef a robe werede ; The myrier she in hir herte ferede. And next hir wente, in hir other side, The God of Love, that can devyde Love, and as hym likith it be, But he can cherles daunten, he, 880 861. browne, supplied from Fr. 865. MSS. insert wot before not and / shal before descryve. 873. samit, robe of.samite. 668 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 881-968 And maken folkis pride fallen, And he can wel these lordis thrallen. And ladyes putt at lowe degre, Whan he may hem to proude see. This. God of Love of his fasoun Was lyke no knave, ne quystroun. His beaute gretly was to preyse. But of his robe to devise I drede encombred forto be ; For nought y-clad in silk was he, 890 But all in floures and in flourettes, I-paynted all with amorettes. And with losenges, and scochouns. With briddes, lybardes, and lyouns. And other beestis wrought ful well. His gamement was everydell Y-portreied, and wrought with floures. By d)rvers medlyng of coloures. Floures there were of many gise, Y-sett by compas in assise ; 900 Ther lakkide no flour to my dome, Ne nought so mych as flour of brome, Ne violete, ne eke pervynke, Ne flour noon that man can on thynke ; And many a rose-leef fill longe, Was entermelled ther amonge, And also on his heed was sette Of roses reed a chapelett. But nyghtyngales, a fiill grete route That flyen over his heed aboute, 910 The leeves felden as they flyen ; And he was all with briddes wryen, With popynjay, with nyghtyngale. With chalaundre, and with wodewale, With fynche, with lark, and with arch- aungell. He semede as he were an aungell, That doun were comen fro hevene clere. Love hadde with hym a bachelere, That he made alleweyes with hym be ; SwETE LOKYNG cleped was he. 920 This bachelere stode biholdyng The daunce ; and in his honde holdyng 886. (ntystroun (O.F. coistron), scullion. 892. Found only in Th. 892. vjith amorettes, * by amorous gjrls'j qJ. 4755. ' With ' in this sense is common in Middle English ; cp. Troilus, iv. 80. ■ 915. arcfiaungeU; Fr. 'mesanges,' which Cotgrave defines as titmouse. Turke bowes two had he. That oon of hem was of a tree That bereth a fruyt of savour vi^kke, Ful crokid was that foule stikke ; And knotty here and there also. And blak as bery, or ony slo. That other bowe was of a plante Withouten wem, I dar warante, 930 Ful evene, and by proporcioun Treitys and long,. of good fasoun ; And it was peynted wel and thwyten. And over al diapred and writen With ladyes and with bacheleris. Full lyghtsom and glad of cheris. These bowes two helde Swete-lokyng, That semede lyk no gadelyng, And ten brode arowis hilde he there. Of which .V. in his righthond were ; 940 But they were shaven well "and dight, Nokked and fethered aright. And all they were with gold bygoon, And stronge poynted everychoon, And sharpe forto kerven well. But iren was ther noon, ne steell, For al was golde, men myght it see, Out-take the fetheres and the tree. The swiftest of these arowis fyve Out of a bowe forto dryve, 950 And beste fethered for to flee. And fairest eke, was clepid Beaute ; That other arowe that hurteth lesse Was clepid, as I trowe, Symplesse ; The thridde cleped was Fraunchise That fethred was in noble wise, With valour and with curtesye ; The fourthe was cleped Compaignye, That hevy forto shoten ys ; But who so shetith right y-wys, 960 May therwith doon grete harme and wo. The fifte of these, and laste also, Faire-Semblaunt men that arowe calle. The leeste grevous of hem alle, Yit can it make a fill grete wounde. But he may hope his soris sounde, That hurt is with that arowe y-wys ; His wo the bette bistowed is, 923. Turke bowes, etc. MSS. add /ull ivel devysed {not in Fr.)after two. Cp. Tales, A 2895, where 'Turkeis.' 932. M?&. /ul good ; Fr. 'de bone fa^on.* 669 96g-io53 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE For he may sonner have gladnesse ; His langour oughte be the lesse. 970 Five arowis were of other gise, That ben fill foule to devyse, For shaft and ende, soth forto telle, Were also blak as fende in helle. The first of hem is called Pride, That other arowe next hym biside. It was [y-]cleped Vylanye. That arowe was al with felonye Envenymed, and with spitous blame. The thridde of hem was cleped Shame, The fourthe Wanhope cleped is, 981 The fifte Newe-thought, y-wys. These arowis that I speke of heere Were alle fyve on oon maneere, And alle were they resemblable. To hem was wel sittyi^ and able. The foule crofeed bowe hidous That knotty was, and al roynous ; That bowe semede wel to shete These arowis fyve, that ben unmete 990 And contrarye to that other fyve. But though I telle not as blyve Of her power, ne of her myght, Herafter shal I tellen right The soothe, and eke signyfiaunce ; As fer as I have remembraunce All shal be said, I undirtake, Er of this book an ende I make. Now come I to my tale ageyn. But aldirfirst I wole you seyn 1000 The fasoun and the countenaunces Of all the folk that on the daunce is. The God of Love, jolyf and lyght, Ladde on his honde a lady bright. Of high prys and of grete degre ; This lady called was Beaute, As an arowe of which I tolde, Ful wel [y-]thewed was she holde ; Ne she was derk, ne broun, but bright. And clere as [is] the mone lyght, 1010 Ageyn whom all the sterres semen But smale candels, as we demen. Hir flesh was tendre as dewe of flour, Hir chere was symple as byrde in bour, As whyte as lylye or rose in rys ; 978. MSS. read tts for al, ' toute,' 991. Perhaps read contraire ; cp. 348. 1014. byrde, bride. Hir face gentyl and tretys, -■ '■■ Fetys she was, and smale to se ; No wyntred browis hadde she, Ne popped hir, for it neded nought J019 To wyndre hir, or to peynte hir ought. Hir tresses yelowe, and longe straughten, Unto hir helys doun they raughten j Hir nose, hir mouth, and eyhe, and cheke Wel wrought, and all the remenaunt d|q A fill grete savour and a swote .j Me toucheth in myn herte rote, As helpe me god, whan I remembre Of the fasoun of every membre. In world is noon so faire a wight ; For yonge she was, and hewed bright, Sore plesaunt, and fetys with all, 1031 Gente, and in hir myddill small. Biside Beaute yede richesse, An high lady of gret noblesse, And gret of prys in every place ; But who so durste to hir trespaoe, ; i' Or til hir folk, in word or dede. He were full hardy, out of drede. For bothe she helpe and hyndre may ; And that is nought of yisterday, 1040 That riche folk have full gret myght To helpe, and eke to greve a wyght. The leste and grettest of valour Diden Rychesse ful gret honour. And besy weren hir to serve, r For that they wolde hir love deserve. They cleped hir ' Lady,' grete and small'; This wide world hir dredith all. This world is all in hir daungere. Hir court hath many a losengere, 1050 And many a traytour envyous, That ben ful besy and curyous Forto dispreisen and to blame 1018. •wyntred, * guignie,' not elsewhere found , in £n|^lish unless in ^winrede bru-wes,' O.E; Homihes (Morris) ii. 213, where the mc-ming seems to be 'ogling glances' as here. Sk. changes to "wyndyed as in 1020. 1019. popped, defined by Coles (1713) 'drest fine.' V. Dyce's. Skelton ii. 239, yi\\tx^ fopte foU is quoted. 1020. wyndre, to ti-im (the hair), .Coles, cp. 1018. 1026. /0WCi%f^^,Kaluza'semendationfor^/«n^A/ of the MSS. 1037. MSS. werh, ' par fais ou par di?.' 1043. MSS. iestt for leste, ' Ii grcignor et u 670 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE 1054-1138 That best deserven love and name. Bifore the folk, hem to bigilen, These losengeris hem preyse, and smylen, And thus the world with word anoynten ; And aitirward they prille, and poynten The folk right to the bare boon, Bihynde her bak whan they ben goon, And foule abate the folkis prys. 1061 Ful many a worthy man, y-wys An hundrid, have do to dye These losengers thorough flaterye ; -And make folk ful straunge be There hem oughte be pryve. Wei yvel mote they thryve and thee. And yvel arryved mote they be, These losengers fill of envye ; No good man loveth her companye. 1070 Richesse a robe of purpur on hadde, Ne trowe not that I lye or madde. For in this world is noon hir lyche, Ne by a thousand deel so riche, Ne noon so faire ; for it fill well With orfrays leyd was eveiydeell And portraied in the ribanynges Of dukes storyes, and of kynges. And with a bend of gold tasseled, And knoppis fyne of gold ameled. jo8o Aboute hir nekke of gentyl entayle Was shete the riche chevesaile, In which ther was full gret plente Of stones clere and bright to see. Rychesse a girdell hadde upon. The bokele of it was of a stoon, Of vertu gret and mochel of myght ; For who so bare the stoon so bright. Of venym durst hym no thing doute, While he the stoon hadde hym aboute. That stoon was gretly forto love, 1091 And, tyl a riche mannys byhove, Worth all the gold in Rome and Frise. The mourdaunt wrought in noble wise 1058. priUe(^\i. jtrill^G. pril^t Fr. 'poignent,' may be right (cp. sb. Jirill^ a top), and mean ' pirouette. But probably the scribe's mistake for thrill, pierce ; cp. 5556, where depe for dothe. 1065. And make, Th. And maketh; G have mood', ' car il tout,' etc. J06S. arryved, G achyved. loSo. durst, need. The forms of durren and tharf-wa^ confused in Middle English ; cp. 1324, 1360. 1094. mourdaunt, the pendant of the girdle. Was of a stoon fiiU precious, That was so fyne and vertuous That hole a man it koude make Of palasie, and [of] tothe ake. And yit.the stoon hadde such a grace That he was siker in every place, noo All thilke day not blynde to bene. That fastyng myght that stoon [have] scene. The barres were of gold ful fyne Upon a tyssu of satyne. Full hevy, gret, and no thyng lyght. In everiche was a besaunt-wight. Upon the tresses of Richesse Was sette a cercle, for noblesse, Of brend gold that full lyghte shoon. So faire trowe I was never noon. mo But she were kunnyng for the nonys, That koude devyse alle the stonys, That in that cercle shewen clere. It is a wondir thing to here, For no man koude preyse or gesse Of hem the valewe or richesse. Rubyes. there were, sapbires, jagounces. And emeraudes more than two ounces. But all byfore fill sotilly A fyn charboncle sette saugh I ; - 1120 The stoon so clere was and so bright, That also scone as it was nyght. Men myght[e] seen to go for nede A myle or two in lengthe and brede. Sfch lyght sprang oute of the stone, That Richesse wondir brighte shone, Bothe hir heed and all hir face. And eke aboute hir al the place. Dame Richesse on hir honde gan lede A yong man full of semelyhede, 1130 That she best loved of ony thing. His lust was mych in housholding. In clothyng was he ful fetys, And loved to have well hors of prys ; He wende to have reproved be Of theft or moordre, if that he Hadde in his stable ony hakeney. And therfore he desired ay 1102. have, supplied from Fr., M'avoit veue.' 1 106. besaunt, a gold coin worth about a half- sovereign. 1 1 17. jagounces, cp. 'There is a stone whiche' called is jagounce. . . . Cytryne of colour, lyke gamettes of entayle.' LydgAte's Minor Poems, p. 188. 671 1 139-1230 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE To be aqueynted with Richesse, For all his purpos, as I gesse, 1140 Was forto make gret dispense Withoute wernyng or diifense ; And Richesse myght it wel sustene And hir dispence well mayntene, And hym alwey sich plente sende Of gold and silver forto spende Withoute lakking or daunger, As it were poured in a garner. And after on the daunce wente Largesse, that sette al hir entente 1130 Forto be honourable and free. Of Alexandres kyn was she ; Hir moste joye was y-wys Whan that she yaf, and seide, ' Have this.' Not Avarice, the foule caytyf, Was half to gripe so ententyf. As Largesse is to yeve and spende ; And god ynough alwey hir sende, So that the more she yaf awey The more y-wys she hadde alwey. 1160 Gret loos hath Largesse and gret pris, For bothe wyse folk and unwys Were hooly to hir baundon brought. So wel with yiftes hath she wrought. And if she hadde an enemy, I trowe that she coude tristely Make hym full soone hir freend to be, So large of yift and free was she. Therfore she stode in love and grace Of riche and pover in every place. 1170 A full gret fool is he y-wys That bothe riche and nygart is ; A lord may have no maner vice That greveth more than avarice ; For nygart never with strengthe of honde May Wynne gret lordship or londe ; For freendis all to fewe hath he To doon his will perfourmed be. And who so wole have freendis heere, He may not holde his tresour deere. 1180 For by ensample I telle this, Right as an adamaund y-vvys Can drawen to hym sotylly The yren that is leid therby, 1158. sendei sent, n66. tristely, Th. craftely. So drawith folkes hertis y-wis Silver and gold that yeven is. Largesse hadde on a robe fresh Of riche purpur Sarsynesh. Wel fourmed was hir face and cleere, And opened hadde she hir colere ; ngi For she right there hadde in present Unto a lady maad present Of a gold broche, ful wel wrought. .1 And certys it myssatte hir nought, - For thorough hir smokke wrought with silk The flesh was seen as white as mylk. Largesse, that worthy was and wys, Hilde by the honde a knyght of prys, Was sibbe to Artour of Britaigne, And that was he that bare the ensaigne ' Of worship, and the gounfanoun. laoi And yit he is of sich renoun That men of \tfa\ seye faire thynges Byfore barouns, erles, and kynges. This knyght was comen all newly Fro [a] tourneijTig faste by. Ther hadde he don gret chyvalrie Through his vertu and his maistrie, And for the love of his lemman He caste doun many a doughty man. ijio Andnexthjon daunceddameFRAUNCHlSE, Arayed in fiiU noble gyse. She was not broune ne dunne of hewe, But white as snowe y-fallen newe. Hir nose was wrought at poynt devys. For it was gentyl and tretys, With eyen gladde and browes bente, Hir here doun to hir helis wente ; And she was symple as dowve on tree. Ful deboriaire ofherte was she; 1220 SKe durst neither seyn ne do Biit that .that hir longed to. And if a man were in distresse. And for hir love in hevynesse Hir herte wolde have full gret pite. She was so amiable and free. For were a man for hir bistadde, She wolde ben right sore adradde That she dide over gret outrage ; But she hym holpe his harme to aswage, 1185. hertis, as in v. 76, is to be read as one syllable. ii88. MSS. Sarlynysh. 1199. i.e. Who was sib, etc. 1206. MSS. omit a; Fr. ' d'un tornoiement. 672 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 1231-1320 Hir thought it ell a vylanye. 1231 And she hadde on a sukkenye That not of hempe ne heerdis was ; So fair was noon in all Arras. Lord, it was ridled fetysly ! Ther nas nat a poynt trewely That it nas in his right assise. Full wel y-clothed was Fraunchise, For ther is no cloth sittith.bet On damysell than doth roket ; 1240 A womman wel more fetys is In roket than in cote y-wis. The whyte roket, rydled faire, Bitokeneth that full debonaire And swete was she that it here. Bi hir daunced a bachelere ; I can not telle you what he hight. But faire he was and of good hight. All hadde he be, I sey no more. The lordis sone of Wyndesore. 125° And next that daunced C0RTESYE, That preised was of lowe and hye, For neither proude ne foole was she. She forto daunce called me, I pray god yeve hir right good grace ! Whanne I come first into the place. She was not nyce ne outrageous, But wys and ware and vertuous ; Of faire speche and of faire answere. Was never wight mysseid of here, 1260 Ne she bar rancour to no wight. Clere broune she was and therto bright Of face, of body avenaunt ; I wot no lady so plesaunt. She were worthy forto bene An emperesse or crowned quene. And by hir wente a knyght dauncyng. That worthy was and wel spekyng, And ful wel koude he don honour. The knyght was faire and styf in stour, And in armure a semely man, 1271 And welbiloved of his lemman. Faire Idilnesse thanne saugh I, That alwey was me faste by ; Of hir have I withoute fayle 1232.' sukkenye, 'sorquanie,' a canvas jacket, frock, or gaberdine (Cotgr.). 1236. a poynt^ one point. 1250. i.e. Edward I. tlie son of Henry III. of England. 1265. were (G omits) ; Kaluza reads wel was. Told yow the shap and apparayle. For, as I seide, loo that was she That dide to me so gret bounte. That she the gate of the gardyn Undide and lete me passen in. 1280 And after daunced, as I gesse, YouTHE fulfilled of lustynesse, That nas not yit XII yeer of age. With herte wylde and thought volage. Nyce she was, but she ne mente Noon harme ne slight in hir entente. But oonly lust and jolyte ; For yonge folk wele witen ye Have lytel thought but on her play. Hir lemman was biside alway 1290 In sich a gise that he hir kyste At alle tymes that hym lyste ; That all the daunce myght it see. They make no force of pryvete ; For who spake of hem yvel or well. They were ashamed neveradell. But men myght seen hem kisse there. As it two yonge dowves were. For yong was thilke bachelere. Of beaute, wot I noon his pere, 1300 And he was right of sich an age As Youthe his leef, and sich corage. The lusty folk that daunced there. And also other that with hem were. That weren all of her meyne, Ful hende folk and wys and free And folk of faire port trewely They weren alle comunly. Whanne I hadde seen the countenaunces Of hem that ladden thus these daunces, Thanne hadde I will to gon and see 1311 The gardyne that so lyked me. And loken on these faire loreres. On pyntrees, cedres, and olmeris. The daunces thanne y-ended were. For many of hem that daunced there Were with her loves went awey, Undir the trees to have her pley. ■ A lord, they lyved lustyly ! A gret fool were he sikirly 1320 1282. Vouthc (MSS. And she), proposed by Ten Brink. 1308. Tkey, MSS. There. 1314. olmeris (G otiueris ?), elms. 'Moriers' was perhaps read as ormiers ; but olyveris in V. 1381 translates 'oliviers.' 673 I32I-I4I2 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE That nolde his thankes such lyf lede. For this dar I seyn oute of drede, That who so myghte so wel fare, For better lyf durst hym not care ; For ther nys so good paradys As to have a love at his devys. Oute of that plac^ wente I thoo, And in that gardyn gan I goo, Pleyyng alonge full meryly. The God of Love full hastely 1330 Unto hym Swete-Lokyng clepte. No lenger vifolde he that he kepte His bowe of gold, that shoon so bright ; He bad hym bend it anoon ryght. And he full soone sette an-ende, And at a braid he gan it bende ; And toke hym of his arowes fyve. Full sharp and redy forto dryve. Now god that sittith in raageste. Fro deedly woundes he kepe me, 1340 If so be that he hadde me shette ! For if I with his arowe mette, It hadde me greved sore y-wys. But I, that no thyng wist of this, Wente up and doun full many awey. And he me folwed faste alwey ; But no where wolde I reste me, Till I hadde in alt the gardyn be. The gardyn was by mesuryng Right evene and square ; in compassing It was as long as it was large. 1351 Of fruyt hadde every tree his charge, But it were any hidous tree. Of which ther were two or three. There were, and that wote I full well. Of pome garnettys a full gret dell. That is a fruyt full well to lyke, Namely to folk whanne they ben sike. And trees there were of gret foisoun That baren nottes in her sesoun 1360 Such as men note mygges calle. That swote of savour ben withalle ; And almanderes gret plente. 1321. kis thankes, willingly. 1326. his is often indefinite in Middle English. 1336. at a braid, immediately. 1341. Skeat reads vjol for hadde; Fr. 'Se il fait tant que a moi traie.' Perhaps join with the next line by reading Or for For in 1342. 1363. almanderes, MSS. almandres, Fr. 'alemandiers.' Fyges, and many a date tree. There wexen, if men hadde nede. Thorough the gardyn in length and brede. Ther was eke wexjmg many a spice. As clowe-gelofre, and lycorice, Gyngevre, and greyn de Paradys, Canell, and setewale of prys, 1370 And many a spice delitable To eten whan .men rise fro table. And many homly trees ther were That peches, coynes, and apples beere, ; Midlers, plowmes, perys chesteynis, CKerys, of which many oon fayne is, 1 N6tes, aleys, and bolas. That forto seen it was solas ; With many high lorer and pyn Was ranged clene all that gardyn, 1380 With cipres and with olyveris. Of which that nygh no plente heere is. There were elmes grete and stronge. Maples, asshe, oke, aspe, planes longe, Fyne ew, popler, and lyndes faire. Arid othere frees full many a payre— r What shulde I tel you more of it ? There were so many trees yit. That I shulde al encombred be Er I had rekened every tree. 1390 These trees were sette, that I devyse, One from another in assyse Fyve fadome or sixe, I trowe so ; But they were hye and great also. And for to kepe out wel the sonne, The croppes were so thicke y-ronne. And every braunche in other knette, And ful of grene leves sette, That Sonne myght there none discende, Lest [it] the tender grasses shende. 1400 There myght men does and roes y-se, And of squyrels ful great plente From bowe to bowe alwaye lepynge ; Connes there were also plaiynge. That comyn out of her clapers. Of sondrie colours and maners, And maden many a tourneiyng Upon the fresshe grasse spryngyng. In places sawe I welles there In whiche there no frogges were, 14'" And fayre in shadowe was every welle. But I ne can the nombre telle 14T1. shadffwe, perhaps read shade. 674 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 1413-1504 Of stremys smal, that by devyse Myrthe had done come through condyse ; Of whiche the water in rennyng Gan make a noyse fill lykyng. About the brinkes of these welles And by the stremes over al elles Sprange up the grasse, as thicke y-set And softe as any veluet, 1420 On whiche men myght his lemman ley As on a fetherbed to pley, For the erthe was ful softe and swete. Through moisture of the welle wete Spronge up the sote grene gras As fayre, as thicke, as myster was. But moche amended it the place That therthe was of suche a grace That it of floures hath plente, That bothe in somer and wynter be. 1430 There sprange the vyolet al newe, And fresshe pervynke riche of hewe, And floures yelowe, white, and rede, Suche plente grewe there never in mede. Ful gaye was al the grounde, and queynt And poudred, as men had it peynt With many a fresshe and sondrie floure. That casten up ful good savour. I wol nat longe holde you in fable Of al this garden delectable, 1440 I mote my tonge stynten nede ; For I ne maye withouten drede Naught tellen you the beaute al, Ne halfe the bounte there with al. I went on right honde and on lefte About the place ; it was nat lefte Tyl I had al the garden [in] bene. In the esters that men myghte sene. And thus while I wente in my playe The God of Love me folowed aye, 1450 Right as an hunter can abyde The beest, tyl he seeth his tyde To shoten at good messe to the dere. Whan that hym nedeth go no nere. And so befyl I* rested me Besydes a wel under a tree, Whiche tree in Fraunce men cal a pyne ; 1420. veluei, trisyllabic, 1426. myster, need ; cp. vv. 6^19, 6581, 7324. 1429. hath; cp. 1652 for a similar change of tense. 1436. poudred, 'piolee, ' 1447. Cp. V. 134S. But sithe the tyme of kyng Pepyne, Ne grewe there tree in mannes syght So fayre, ne so wel woxe in- hight, 1460 In al that yarde so high was none. And springyng in a marble stone Had nature set, the sothe to telle, Under that pyne tree a welle ; And on the border al withoute Was written in the stone aboute Letters smal, that sayden thus : 'Here starfe the fayre Narcisus.' Narcisus was a bachelere 1469 That Love had caught in his daungere, And in his nette gan hym so strayne. And dyd him so to wepe and playne. That nede him must his lyfe forgo. For a fayre lady that hight Echo Him loved over any creature. And gan for hym suche payne endure. That on a tyme she him tolde Thdt, if he her loven nolde, That her behoved nedes dye. There laye none other remedye. 1480 But nathelesse for his beaute So feirs and daungerous was he That he nolde graunte hir askyng, For wepyng ne for faire praiyng. And whanne she herd hym werne soo. She hadde in herte so gret woo, And took it in so gret dispite. That she withoute more respite Was deed anoon. But er she deied Full pitously to god she preied, 1490 That proude-hertid Narcisus, That was in love so daungerous, Myght on a day be hampred so For love, and ben so hoot for woo. That never he myght to joye atteyne, Than he shulde feele in every veyne What sorowe trewe lovers maken That ben so velaynesly forsaken. This prayer was but resonable, Therfore god helde it ferme and stable. For Narcisus, shortly to telle, 1501 By aventure come to that welle. To resten hym in that shadowing A day whanne he come fro huntyng. 1470. daungere, dominion. 1473. nede, adverbial. 1496. Than, when. 675 1SOS-IS93' THE ROMA XJNT OF THE ROSE This Narcisus hadde suflfred paynes For rennyng alday in the playnes,' And was for thurst in grete distresse Of heet, and of his werynesse That hadde his breth almost bynomen. Whanne he was to that welle y-comen, That shadowid was with braunches grene, He thoughte of thilke water shene 1512 To drynke, and fresshe hym wel withalle ; And doun on knees he gan to falle. And forth his heed and necke out-straught To drynken of that welle a draught. And in the water anoon was sane His nose, his mouth, his yen shene, And he therof was all abasshed ; His owne shadowe had hym bytrasshed, For well wende he the forme see 1521 Of a child of gret beaute. Well koiithe Love hym wreke thoo Of daunger and of pride also. That Narcisus somtyme hym beere. . He quytte hym well his guerdoun there ; For he musede so in the welle That, shortly' all the sothe to telle. He lovede his owne shadowe soo, That atte laste he starf for woo. 1536 For whanne he saugh that he his wille Myght in no maner way fulfiUe, And that he was so faste caught That he hym kouthe comforte nought. He loste his witte right in that place, And deyde withynne a lytel space. And thus his warisoun he took Fro the lady that he forsook. Ladyes I preye ensample takith, Ye that ageyns youre love mistakith ; 1540 For if her deth be yow to wite, God kan fill well youre while quyte. Whanne that this lettre of which I telle Hadde taught me that it was the welle Of Narcisiis in his beaute, I gan anoon withdrawe me, Whanne it felle in my remembraunce That hym bitidde such myschaunce. 1337. warisoun^ 'guerredon* (confused with guerison ?), reward. 1538, Fro, MSS. For, 'de la meschine.' 1540. ^«, 'amis,' perhaps read loves ; but cp. V. 1965. ageyns here means ' in respect to.' 1541. to wiie, gerundive, i.e. is to be imputed to you. 1543. lettre, writing. But at the laste thanne thought I That scatheles full sykerly 1550 I myght unto the welle goo^ Wherof shulde I abaisshen soo ? Unto the welle than went I me, And doun I loutede forto see The clere water in the stoon, . And eke the gravell which that shoon Down in the botme as silver fyn. For of the well this is the fyn. In world is noon so clere of hewe. ■ ■ The water is evere fresh and newe 1560 That welmeth up with virawis bright • The mountance of two fynger hight. Abouten it is gras spryngyng For moiste so thikke and wel likyng, That it ne may in wynter dye No more than may the see be drye. Downe at the botme sette sawe I Two cristall stonys craflely In thilke fireshe and faire welle. But o thing sothly dar I telle 1570 That ye wole holde a gret mervayle Whanne it is tolde, withouten fayle. For whanne the sonne clere in sight Cast in that welle his bemys bright. And that the heete descendid is, Thanne taketh the cristall stoon y-wis Agayn the sonne an hundrid hewis, Blewe, yelowe, and rede that fresh and newe is. Yitt hath the merveilous cristall Such strengthe, that the place overall; 1380 Bothe flour, and tree, and leves grene, - And all the yerde in it is seene. And forto don you to undirstonde. To make ensample wole I fonde. Ryght as a myrrour openly ' Shewith alle thing that stont therby, As well the colour as the figure, Withouten ony coverture ; Right so the cristall stoon shynyng, Withouten ony disseyvyng^ 1590 The estrees of the yerde accusith. To hym that in the water musith. For evere in which half that ye be 1578. rede thai/resh and newe is, 'vermeiK' 1581. j&Kr, MSS.yS>»&; Fr. 'flors.' 1586. stont, MSS. stondith; tesA Shew tit alle thing, etc. 1391. estrees (^S&. entrees), 'I'estre.' 67.6 THE ROMAUNT OP THE ROSE 1594-1680 Ye may well half the gardyne se ; And if he turne, he may right well Sene the remenaunt everydell. For ther is noon so litil thyng So hidde i>e closid with shittyng, That it ne is sene as though it were Peyntid in the cristall there. 1600 This is the mirrour perilous, In which the proude Narcisus Sawe all his face feire and bright ; That made hym swithe to lie upright. For who so loketh in that mirrour, Ther may no thyng ben his socour, That he- ne shall there sene some thyng That shal hym lede into lovyng. Full many worthy man hath it Y-blent, for folk of grettist wit 1610 Ben soone caught heere and awayted ; Withouten respite ben they baited. Heere comth to folk of newe rage, Heere chaungith many wight corage ; H^ere lith no rede ne witte therto. For Venus sone, daun Cupido, Hath sowen there of love the seed. That help ne lith there noon, ne rede, So cerclith it the welle aboute. His gynnes hath he sett withoute, i6zo Ryght forto cacche in his panters These damoysels and bachelers. Love will noon other bridde cacche Though he sette either nette or lacche. And for the seed that heere was sowen This welle is clepid, as well is knowen. The Welle of Love of verray right, Of which ther hath fill many a wight Spoke in bookis dyversely. But they shuU never so verily 1630 Descripcioun of the welle heere, ,Ne eke the sothe of this matere, As ye shuU, whanne I have undo The craft that hir bilongith to. Allway me liked forto dwelle To sene the cristall in the welle. ' 1595. he is the indefinite pronoun, i.e. ' one ' ; cp. note to V. 1540. 1604., i.e. to He dead ; cp. Tales; D 768. 1608. MSS. laughyng. 1610. Perhaps we should read Y - i>mnr, deceived; Fr. 'mis en rage.' 1613. ofnevje, anew. 1621. fanters, cp. Leg. o/G. W. 131. That shewide me full openly A thousand thinges faste by. But I may say in sory houre Stode I to loken or to poure, ibtp For sithen [have] I sore siked ; That mirrour hath me now entriked. But hadde I first knowen in my wit ■ The vertiie and [the] strengthe. of it, I nolde not have mused there ; Me had bette bene ellis where. For in the snare I fell anoon ■ That hath bitresshed many oon. In thilke mirrour sawe I tho, ; . Among a thousand thinges mo, i6jb A roser chargid full of rosis, That with an hegge aboute enclos is. Tho had I sich lust and envie, That for Parys, ne for Pavie, Nolde I have left to goon and see There grettist hepe of rose? be. Whanne I was with this rage hent, ,■ That caught hath many a man, and shent, Toward the roser gan I go. Arid whanne I was not fer therfro, 1660 The savour of the roses swote Me smote right to the herte rote. As I hadde all enbawmed be. And if I ne hadde endouted me To have ben hatid or assailed. My thankis wolde I not have failed To puUe a rose of all that route To beren in myn honde aboute, And smellen to it where I wente ; But ever I dredde me to repente, 1676 And leste it grevede or forthought The lord that thilke gardyn wrought. Of roses ther were grete wone. So faire waxe never in rone. Of knoppes clos some sawe I there. And some wel beter woxen were ; And some ther ben of other moysoun. That drowe nygh to her sesoun. And spedde hem faste forto sprede. I love well sich roses rede, 1680 1641. MSS. sighide, cp. Pari. o/F. 404. 1666. My thankis (G Me thankis\ for my part. 1666. MSS. wole. 1673. wone, ahundance, seems to he plural ; cp. Zupitza's Guy of IVarwick, 10329. 1674. rone seems to be a northern word mean- ing bush.' Fr. 'sous ciaus.' 677 1681-1765 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE For brode roses and open also Ben passed in a day or two, But knoppes wille [al] freshe be Two dayes atte leest or. thre. The knoppes gretly liked me, For fairer may ther no man se. Wh6-so myght have oon of all, It ought hym ben full lief withall ; Might I gerlond of hem geten, For no richesse I wolde it leten. 1690 AnSong the knoppes I chese oon So faire, that of the remenaunt noon Ne preise I half so well as it, Whanne I avise it in my wit. For it so well was enlum^ned With colour reed, [and] as well fyned As nature couthe it make faire ; And it hath leves wel foure paire, That kynde hath sett thorough his knowyng Aboute the rede roses spryngyng. 1700 The stalke was as rishe right, And theron stode the knoppe upright. That it ne bowide upon no side. The swote smelle spronge so wide, That it dide all the place aboute. Whanne I haddesmelled the savour swote, No will hadde I fro thens yit goo ; Bot somdell neer it wente I thoo To take it, but mjm bond for drede Ne dorste I to the rose bede 1710 For thesteles sharpe of many maneeres, Netles, thornes, and hokede breres ; For myche they distourbled me, That sore I dradde to harmed be. The God of Love with bowe bent, That all day sette hadde his talent To pursuen and to spien me. Was stondyng by a fige tree. And whanne he sawe how that I Hadde chosen so ententifly 1720 The bothoun more unto my paie 1683. MSS. omit al; Fr. ' tuil. frois.' 1705. a^(7»/*, Fr. 'replenist.' Skeat and Kaluza think that the Chaucerian part of the transla- tion ends here ; hut it is possible that the absence of rhyme is due to a later alteration of a rhyme like sweie, vb., with swete, adj.; or reileie with sweie {replete, vb., is given in Levin's rhyme-list). I7I3.' For, Skeat reads Ful, Kaluza Over, but no change is necessary. 1714. Thai(^%%. Fol-\^T. "Que." 1721. From this point ' botoun, hitherto trans- lated by knoppe, is rendered bothoun ( — ' button ') Than ony other that I say, He toke an arowe full sharply whette, And in his bowe whanne it was sette. He straight up to his ere drough The stronge bowe, that was so tough. And shette att me so wondir smerte. That thorough myn ye unto myn herte The takel smote, and depe it wente. And therwith-all suchcoldemehente, 173a That, under clothes warme and softe, Sithen that day I have chevered ofte. Whanne I was hurt thus, in [a] stounde I felle doun platte unto thegrounde ; Myn herte failed and feynted ay, And longe tyme a-swoone I lay. But whanne I come out of swounyng. And hadde witt and my felyng, I was all maate, and wende full well Of bloode have loren a full gret dell. 1740 But certes the arowe that in me stode Of me ne drewe no drope of blode. For why I founde my wounde all dreye. Thanne toke I with myn hondis tweie The arowe, and fill fast out it plight, And in the puUyng sore I sight ; So at the last the shaft of tree I drough out with the fethers thre But yet the hokede heed y-wis. The which that Beaute callid is, 1750 Gan so depe in myn herte pace That I it myghte nought arace ; But in myn herte still it stode. Al bledde I not a drope of blode. I was bothe anguyssous and trouble For the perill that I sawe double. I nyste what to seye or do, Ne gete a leche my woundis to ; For neithir thorough gras ne rote Ne hadde I helpe of hope ne bote. 1760 But to the -bothoun evermo Myn herte drewe, for all my wo ; My thought was in noon other thing, For hadde it ben in my kepyng, It wolde have brought my lyf agayn. in the curious form hothoum. Kaluza Sees in this the evidence of a new translator. If so, the new part probably begins at v. 1715. After tliis the translation becomes more diffuse, the rhymes have a northern colouring, and the verses more frequently begin with an accented syllable. 1733. in a stounde, ' tantost.' 1750. that, MSS. it.. THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 1766-1851 For certis evenly, I dar wel seyn, The sight oonly and the savour Alegged mych of my langour. Thanne gan I forte drawe me Toward the bothon &ire to se. 1770 And Love hadde gete hym in this throwe Another arowe into his bowe, And forto shete gan hym dresse ; The arowis name was Symplesse. And whanne that Love gan nygheme mere, He drowe it up withouten were, And shette at me with all his rayght ; So that this arowe anoon right Thourghout [myn] eigh, as it was founde. Into myn herte hath maad a wounde. 1780 Thanne I anoon dide al my crafte, Forto drawen out the shafte ; And therwith-all I sighede efte. But in myn herte the heed was lefte, Which ay encreside my desire. Unto the bothon drawe nere. And evermo that me was woo. The more desir hadde I to goo Unto the roser, where that grewe The freysshe bothun so bright of hewe. Betir me were to have laten be, 1791 But it bihovede nede me To done right as myn herte badde. For evere the body must be ladde Aftir the herte, in wele and woo ; Of force togidre they must goo. But never this archer wolde feyne To shete at me writh all his peyne. And forto make me to hym mete. The thridde arowe he gan to shete, 1800 Whanne best his tyme he myght espie. The which was named Curtesie. Into myn herte it dide avale. A-swoone I fell bothe deed and pale, Long tyme I lay and stired nought, Till I abraide out of my thought. And faste thanne I avysede me 1766. evenly^ equally ; cp. v. 5280. There is no certes in Fr. 1776. iviikouten were, Fr. *sans menacier/ ? without warning. 1791. laUn, let. 1794-5-6. Seems to be a quotation ; not in Fr. ; cp. w. 2084 ff. 1797, 1798. /eyne, peyne (Thyn. fyne, pyne). Either an assonance ot/yne, pene ; cp. vv. 1785, 1786, desire, 7iere. To drawe out the shafte of tree ; But evere the heed was left bihynde. For ought I couthe pulle or wynde. 1810 So sore it stikid whanne I was hit. That by no craft I myght it flit. But anguyssous and full of thought I felt sich woo my wounde ay wrought, That somonede me alway to goo Toward the rose, that plesede me soo. But I ne durste in no manere, Bicause the archer was so nere ; ' For evermore gladly,' as I rede, ' Brent child of fier hath myche drede.' And certis yit, for al my peyne, 1821 Though that I sigh yit arwis reyne, And grounde quarels sharpe of Steele, Ne for no payne that I myght feele, Yit myght I not my-silf witholde The faire roser to biholde. For Love me yaf sich hardement Forto fulfiUe his comaundement, Upon my fete I rose up thanne, Feble as a forwoundid man, 1830 And forth to gon [my] myght I sette, And for the archer nolde I lette. Toward the roser fast I drowe. But thomes sharpe mo than ynowe Ther were, and also thisteles thikke And breres brymme forto prikke. That I ne myghte gete grace The rowe thomes forto passe. To sene the roses fresshe of hewe. I must abide, though it me rewe, 1840 The hegge'aboute so thikke was. That closide the roses in compas. But o thing lyked me right wele ; I was so nygh I myghte fele Of the bothon the swote odour. And also se the fresshe colour. And that right gretly liked me. That I so neer myght it se. Sich joie anoon therof hadde I, That I forgate my maladie ; 1850 To sene I hadde siche delit, 1814. MSS.le/ie: Skeat proposedyjfte. 1842. closide IS but one syllable. J848. neer, either an adverbial form «£r^, from O.E. neorvfhh adv. -e, or a scribe's mistake for nerwe; Skeat reads // myght. 1851. Skeat's emendation, it hadde I, is perhaps right. 679 18^52-1943 THE ROMAVNT OP THE ROSE Of sorwe and angre I was al quyte, And of my woundes that I hadde thore. For no thing liken me myght more Than dwellen by the roser ay, And thennes never to passe away. But whanne a while I hadde be thare, The god of Love, which alto-share Myn herte with his arwis kene, Cast hym to yeve me woundis grene. He shette at me full hastily 1861 An arwe named Company, The whiche takell is fiill able To make these ladies merciable. Thanne I anoon gan chaungen hewe For grevaunce of my wounde newe. That I agayn fell in swounyng. And sighede sore in compleynyng. Soore I compleyned that my sore On me gan greven more and more. 1870 I hadde noon hope of aHegeaunce ; So nygh I drowe to desperatmce, I roughte [ne] of deth ne lyf. Wheder that Love wolde me dryf, Yf me a martir wolde he make, I myght his power nought forsake. And while for anger thus I woke. The God of Love an arowe toke ; Ful sharpe it was and [ful] pugnaunt. And it was callid Faire Semblaunt, 18B0 The which in no wise wole consente. That ony lover hym repente To serve his love vidth herte and all For ony perill that may bifall. But though this arwe was kerie grounde. As ony rasour that is founde To kutte and kerve, at the poynt The God of Love it hadde anoynt With a precious oynement, Somdell to yeve aleggement ' 1890 Upon the woundes that he hadde Through the body in my herte made. To helpe her sores and to cure, And that they may the bette endure. But yit this arwe, withoute more. Made in myn herte a large sore, 1853, 1854. thore^ vtore^ northern rhyme ; perhaps thare, Tnare; cp. 1857. 1873. MSS. rougkt o/deih ne of lyf, 1874. Wheder, whither. 1892. As" in Thynne. G Thai he hadde the body hole made written later over blank line. That in full grete peyne I abode. But ay the oynement wente abrode, Thourgh-oute my woundes large and wide It spredde aboute in every side. 1900 Through whos vertu and whos myght Myn herte joyfuU was and light ; I hadde ben deed and alto-shent hi. , , But for the precious oynement. The shaft I drowe out of the arwe, Roukyng for wo right wondir narwe. But the heed, which made me smerte, Ltfte bihynde in myn herte With other foure, I dar wel say. That never wole be take away. 1910 But the oynement halpe me wele ; And yit sich sorwe dide I fele That al day I chaunged hewe Of my woundes fresshe and newe. As inen myght se in my visage. The arwis were so fiiU of rage. So variaunt of diversitee. That men in everiche myght se ■ Botha gret anoy, and eke swetnesse And joie meynt with bittimesse. 1920 Now were they esy, now were they wode, In hem I felte bothe harme and goode ; Now sore without aleggement. Now softyng with the oynement ; It softed heere and prikked there, Thus ese and anger to-gidre were. The God of Love delyverly Come lepande to me hastily, And seide to me in gret rape, ' Yelde thee, for thou may not escape, May no defence availe thee heere ; 1931 Therfore I rede make no daungere. If thou wolt yelde thee hastely. Thou shalt [the] rather have mercy. He is a foole in sikernesse, That with daunger or stoutenesse > ; Rebellith there that he shulde plese; - f : In sich folye is litel ese. Be meke where thou must nedis bowe. To stryve ageyn is nought thi prowe ; Come at oones and have y-doo, 194' For I wole that it be soo. Thanne yelde thee heere debonairly.' 1925. MSS. softnede . . . frikkiiJi. Softed, became less violent. 1940. nought thi prowe, not to thy advantage. 680 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE 1944-2030 And I answerid ful hombly : ' Gladly sir at youre biddyng I wole me yelde in alle thyng ; To youre ser\r^se I wole me take, For god defende that I shulde make Ageyn youre biddyng resistence, I wole not don so grete ofiFence. 1950 For if I dide, it were no skile ; Ye may do with me what ye wile, Save or spille and also sloo. Fro you in no wise may I goo, My lyf, my deth is in youre honde, I may not laste out of youre bonde ; Pleyn at youre lyst I yelde me, Hopyng in herte that sumtyme ye Comifort and ese shull me sende. Or ellis shortly, this is the eende, i960 Withouten helthe I mote ay dure, But if ye take me to youre cure. Comfort or helthe how shuld I have, Sith ye me hurt, but ye me save ? The helthe,of love mot be founde Where as they token firste her wounde. And if ye lyst of me to make Youre prisoner, I wole it take Of herte and willfully at grfee ; Hoolly and pleyn y yelde me, 1970 Withoute feynyng or feyntise, To be governed by youre emprise. Of you I here so mych pris, I wole ben hool at youre devis Forto fiilfUle youre lykyng, Add repente for no thyng, Hopyng to have yit in some tide The mercy of that I abide. ' And with that covenaunt yelde I me, Anoon down knelyng upon my kne, 1980 Proferyng forto kisse his feete. But for no thyng he wolde me lete, And seide, ' I love thee bothe and preise, Sens that thyn answer doth me ese. For thou answerid so curteisly. For now I wote wel uttirly 1960. this is, pronounce 'this,' 1965. Cp. note to 1540, 1976. Fr, '"Ge ne m'en puis de riens doloir.' Pcrliaps Me repente. 1978. MSS. Mercy; but Fr. 'la merci que j'entens.' 1983. Fr. ' moult.' So probably inocke instead Qiboihe. That thou art gentyll by thi speche j For, though a man fer wolde seche, He shulde not fynden in certeyn No sich answer of no vileyn, 1990 For sich a word ne myghte nought I&e out of a vilayns thought. Thou shalt not lesen of thi speche. For [to] thy helpyng wole I eche, And eke encresen that I may. But first I wole that thou obaye Fully for thyn avauntage, ' Anoon to do me heere homage ; And sithe kisse thou shalt my mouthe. Which to no vilayn was never couthe Forto aproche it ne forto touche. 2001 For sauff of cherlis I ne vouche That they shull never neigh it nere ; For curteis and of faire manere, Well taught and full of gentilnesse, He muste ben that shal me kysse ; And also of full high fraunchise. That shal atteyne to that emprise. And first of o thing warne I thee, That peyne and gret adversite 2010 He mote endure, and eke travaile, That shal me serve withoute faile. But ther ageyns thee to comforte. And with thi servise to desporte. Thou may St full glad and joyfuU be So good a maister to have as me. And lord of so high renoun. I bere of love the gonfenoun. Of curtesie the banere. For I am of the silf manere, 2020 Gentil, curteys, meke, and fre. That who ever ententyf be Me tp honoure, doute, and serve, Nede is that he hym observe Fro trespasse and fro vilanye. And hym governe in curtesie With will and with entencioun. For whanne he first in my prisoun Is caught, thanne must he uttirly Fro thennes forth full bisily 2030 2016. Read f have. 2024. Nede is, MSS. And also. * Dedans lui ne puet demorer Vilonnie ne mesprison Ne nule mauvese aprison.' ' Aprison,' instruction, seems to have been confused with ' aprisonner,' ' to make prisoner,' hence w. 2028-2032, to which there is nothing corresponding in Fr. Z 2 681 2031-2122 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE C&te hym gentyll forto bee If he desire helpe of me.' Anoon withoute more delay, Withouten daunger or affray, I bicome his man anoon, And gave hym thankes many a oon. And knelide doun with hondis joynt. And made it in my port fall quoint. The joye wente to myn herte rote, 2039 Whanne I hadde kissed his mouth so swote ; I hadde sich myrthe and sich likyng It cured me of langwisshing. He askide of me thanne hostages. ' I have,' he seide, ' taken fele homages Of oon and other, where I have bene Disceyved ofte withouten wene. These felouns full of falsite Have many sithes biguyled me. And through falshede her lust achieved, Wherof I repente and am agreved. 2050 And I hem gete in my daungere. Her falshede shull they bie fall dere ! But for I love thee, I seie thee pleyn, I wole of thee be more certeyn. For thee so sore I wole now bynde. That thou away ne shalt not wynde Forto denyen the covenaunt Or don that is not avenaunt. That thou were fals it were gret reuthe, Sith thou semest so fall of treuthe.' 2060 ' Sire, if thee lyst to undirstande, I merveile the askyng this demande. For why or wherfore shulde ye Ost%es, or borwis aske of me. Or ony other sikirnesse, Sith ye wote in sothfastnesse That ye have me susprised so. And hole myn herte taken me fro, That it wole do for me no thing But if it be at youre biddyng ; 2070 Myn herte is youres and myn right nought As it bihoveth in dede and thought, Redy in-all to worche youre will, Whether so turne to good or ill. So sore it lustith you to plese. No man therof may you desese. 203S. it in, (?) in it, i.e. in doing it. 2051. And, if. 2051. in my daungere ; cp. v. 1470. 2074. Whether, monosyllable * wner' ; cp. 2128. Ye have theron sette sich justice. That it is werreid in many wise. And if ye doute it nolde obeye. Ye may therof do make a keye, 2080 And holde it with you for ostage.' ' Now certis this is noon outrage,' Quod Love, ' and faUy I acorde ; For of the body he is fall lord That hath the herte in his tresour ; Outrage it were to asken more.' Thanne of his awmener he drough A litell keye, fetys ynowgh. Which was of gold polisshed clere ; 2089 And seide to me, ' With this keye heere Thyn herte to me now wole I shette ; For all my jowell, loke and knette, I bynde undir this litel keye, That no wight may carie aweye. This keye is fall of gret poste.' With which anoon he touchide me Under the side full softily. That he myn herte sodeynly Without anoye hadde spered, 2099 That yit right nought it hath me dered. Whanne he hadde don his will al oute. And I hadde putte hym out of doute, ' Sire,' I seide, ' I have right gret wiUe Youre lust and plesaunce to falfille. Loke ye my servise take atte gree By thilke feith ye owe to me. I seye nought for recreaundise. For I nought doute of youre servise. But the servaunt traveileth in vayne, That forto serven doth his payne 2110 Unto that lord which in no wise Kan hym no thank for his servyse.' Love seide, ' Dismaie thee nought, Syn thou for sokour hast me sought ; •- In thank thi servise wole I take And high of gre I wole thee make. If wikkidnesse ne hyndre thee ; But as I hope it shal nought be, To worshipe no wight by aventure May come, but if he peyne endure ; 2120 Abide and suffre thy distresse That hurtith now ; it shal be lesse. 2077. justice, punishment. 2078. werreid, persecuted ; cp. w. 325I1 6264, 6926. 2084, 2085. Cp. w. 1794 ff. Z116. MSS. degre. 682 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE 2123-2211 I wote my silf what may thee save, What medicyne thou woldist have ; And if thi trouthe to me thou kepe, I shal unto thyn helpyng eke. To cure thy woundes and make hem clene, Where so they be olde or grene ; Thou shalt be holpen at wordis fewe. For certeynly thou shalt well shewe 2130 Where that thou servest with good wille Forto accomplysshen and fiilfille My comaundementis day and nyght- Whiche I to lovers yeve of right. ' 'Ah Sire, for goddis love,' seide I, ' Er ye passe hens ententyfly, Youre comaundementis to me ye say, And I shall kepe hem if I may. For hem to kepen is all my thought. And if so be I wote hem nought, 2140 Thanne may I [erre] unwityngly. Wherfore I pray you entierly, With all myn herte me to lere. That I trespasse in no manere.' The God of Love thanne chargide me, Anoon as ye shall here and see, Worde by worde by right emprise, So as the Romance shall devise. The maister lesith his tyme to lere Whanne the disciple wole not here ; 2150 It is but veyn on hym to swynke That on his lemyng wole not thynke. Who so luste love, late hym entende. For now the Romance bigynneth to amende ; Now is good to here in fay If ony be that can it say. And pojmte it as the resoun is. Set forth [an] other gate ywys, It shall nought well in alle thyng Be brought to good undirstondyng. 2160 For a.reder that poyntith ille A good sentence may ofte spille. The book is good at the eendyng Maad of newe and lusty thyng. 2141. erre (MSS. omit), 'issir de la voie ' (Urrys emendation). 214^2152. Should come after 2144 if we follow Fr. original, 2154. bigynneth to amende. If the reading of the text is retained it must be gynnith t' amende. As Fr. is *des or amende,' perhaps we should read vjoU amende. For who so wole the eendyng here. The crafte of love he shall mowe lere. If that ye wole so long abide Tyl I this Romance may unhide. And undo the signifiance Of this dreme into Romance. 2170 The sothfastnesse that now is hidde Without coverture shall be kidde, Whanne I undon have this dremyng, Wherynne no word is of lesyng. ' Vylanye at the bigynnyng I wole,' sayde Love, 'over alle thyng Thou leve, if thou wolt nought be Fals and trespasse ageyns me. I curse and blame generaly All hem that loven vilanye. 2180 For vilanye makith vilayn, And by his dedis a cherle is seyn. Thise vilayns am withouten pitee, Frendshipe, love, and all bounte. I nyl resseyve unto my servise Hem that ben vilayns of emprise. But undirstonde in thyn entent That this is not myn entendement. To clepe no wight in noo ages Oonly gentill for his lynj^es. 2190 But who so [that] is vertuous. And in his port nought outrageous, Whanne sich con thou seest thee biforn. Though he be not gentill bom. Thou maist well seyn this is in soth. That he is gentil by cause he doth As longeth to a gentilman, Of hym noon other deme I can. For certeynly withouten drede A cherle is demed by his dede 2200 Of hie or lowe, as ye may see. Or of what kynrede that he bee. Ne say nought, for noon yvel wille, Thyng that is to holden stille ; It is no worshipe to mysseye. Thou maist ensample take of Keye, That was somtyme, for mysseiyng, H^ted bothe of olde and ying. As fer as Gaweyn the worthy Was preised for his curtesie, 2210 Kay was hated, for he was fell, 2185-2202. Not in Fr. It bears some re- semblance to Cant. Tates, D 1109. 2188. this is, read this. 683 2212-2304 THE R0MA1JNT OF THE ROSE Of word dispitous and cruell. Wherfore be wise and aqueyntable, Goodly of word and resonable, Bothe to lesse and eke to mare. And whanne thou comest there men are, Loke that thou have in custome ay First to sahie hym, if thou may ; And if it fall that of hem somme Salue thee first, be not domme, 2220 Bat quyte hym curteisly anoon. Without abidyng, er they goon. For no thyng eke thy tunge applye To speke wordis of rebaudrye ; To vilayne speche in no degre Late never thi lippe unbounden be. For I nought holde hym, in good feith, Curteys that foule wordis seith. And alle wymmen serve and preise. And to thy power her honour reise ; 2230 And if that ony myssaiere Dispise wymmen, that thou maist here. Blame hym and bidde hym holde hym stille. And set thy myght, and all thy wille, Wymmen and ladies forto please. And to do thjmg that may hem ese, That they ever speke good of thee ; For so thou maist best preised be. Loke fro pride thou kepe thee wele, For thou maist bothe perceyve and fele, That pride is bothe foly and synne. 2241 And he that pride hath hym withynpe, Ne may his herte in no wise Meken ne souplen to servyse. For pride is founde in every part Contrarie unto loves art. And he that loveth trew[e]ly Shulde hym contene jolily Withoute pride in sondry wise. And hym disgysen in queyntise ; 2250 For queynte array withoute drede Is no thyng proude, who takith hede ; , For fresh array, as men may see, Withoute pride may ofte be. Mayntene thy silf aftir thi rent. Of robe and eke of garnemeht ; For many sithe faire clothyng A man amendith in mych thyng. And loke alwey that they be shape, What garnement that thou shalt make, 2230. to thy power, according to .thy power. Of hym that kan [hem] beste do 2261 With all that perteyneth therto. Poyntis and sieves be well sittande. Right and streght on the hande ; Of shone and bootes newe and faire, Loke at the leest thou have a paire, And that they sitte so fetisly, That these ruyde may uttirly Merveyle, sith that they sitte so pleyn. How they come on or off ageyn. 2270 Were streite gloves with awmere Of silk, and alwey with good chere Thou yave, if thou have [gret] richesse ; And if thou have nought, spende the lesse, Alwey be mery, if thou may. But waste not thi good alway. Have hatte of floures as fresh as May, Chapelett of roses of Wissonday ; For sich array ne costneth but lite. Thynhondiswasshe, thy teeth makewhite, And lete no filthe upon thee bee ; 2281 Thy nailes blak if thou maist see, Voide it awey delyverly ; And kembe thyn heed right jolily. Farce not thi visage in no wise. For that of love'is not themprise, For love doth haten, as I fynde, A beaute that cometh not of kynde. Alwey in herte, I rede thee. Glad and mery forto be ; 2290 And be as joyfuU as thou can, Love hath no joye of sorowful man. That yvell is full of curtesie That lowith in his maladie. For ever of love the sikenesse Is meynde with swete and bitternesse. The sore of love is merveilous. For now [is] the lover joyous, Now can he pleyne, now can he grone, Now can he syngen, now maken mone ; To day he pleyneth for hevynesse, 2301 To morowe he pleyeth for jolynesse. The lyf of love is full contrarie. Which stounde-mele can ofte varie. 2271. awmere, same as wwmener, v. 2087 above. 2273. MSS. Q\a\tgret; Fr, ' grant richesse.' 2285. Farce, paint ; variant form oifarde'. 2293. That yvell, that sick man. 2294. MSS. knowith, but Fr. ' L'en en rit (Kal.). Z30Z. pleyeth^ MSS. pleyneth. 684 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE 2305-2389 But if thou canst mirthis make, That men in gre wole gladly take, Do it goodly, I comaunde thee. For men shulde, where so evere they be, Do thing that [to] hem sittyng is ; For therof cometh good loos and pris. Where-of that thou be vertuous 231 1 Ne be not stratinge ne daungerous. For if that thou good ridere be, Prike gladly that men may [the] se. In armes also, if thou konne, Pursue tyl thou a name hast wonne. And if thi voice be faire and clere Thou shalt make [no] gret daungere Whanne to synge they goodly prey, It is thi worship fortobeye. 2320 Also to you it longith ay To harpe and gitterne, daunce and play ; For if he can wel foote and daunce. It may hym greetly do avaunce. Among eke, for thy lady sake. Songes and complayntes [se] that thou make, For that wole meven in her herte, Whanne they reden of thy smerte. Loke that no man for scarce thee holde. For that may greve thee many folde ; Resoun wole that a lover be- 2331 In his yiftes more large and fre Than cherles that kan naught of lovyng. For who therof can ony thyng. He shall be leef ay forto yeve. In loves lore who so wolde leve. For he that through a sodejm sight, Or for a kyssyng, anoon right Yaff hoole his herte in will and thought. And to h3mi silf kepith right nought, Aftir swich gift is good resoun 2341 He yeve his good [al] in abandoun. Now wole I shortly heere reherce 6f that I have seid in verce 2311. vertuous, skilled. 2323. he, indefinite. ^■^■2-^. Jbote. Kal. suggests ^(7«/ because ^(7(7/ (saltare) is a later word. 2325. Among, i.e. from time to time. 2333. MSS. ben not. See next ver.se. 2336. MSS. londes. 2341. swich gift, Kal. for this swifft it of MSS. Perhaps After so riche gift, Fr. ' Apres si riche don.' 2342. MSS. omit al. Fr. ' tout a bandon. ' Al the sentence by and by, In wordis fewe compendiously. That thou the bet mayst on hem thynke, Whether so it be thou wake or wynke. For the wordis litel greve A man to kepe, whanne it is breve. 2350 Who so with love wole goon or ride, He mote be curteis and voide of pride, M^ry, and full of jolite. And of largesse alosed be. Firste I joyne thee heere in penaunce That evere, withoute r^pentaunce, Thou sette thy thought in thy lovyng To laste withoute repentyng, And thenke upon thi myrthis swete, That shall folowe aftir, whan ye mete. And for thou trewe to love shalt be, 2361 I wole, and comaunde thee That in 00 place thou sette all hoole Thyn herte, vfithoute halfen doole Of trecherie and sikernesse ; For I lovede nevere doublenesse. To many his herte that wole departe, Everiche shal have but litel parte ; But of hym drede I me right nought That in 00 place settith his thought. 237c TRerfore in 00 place it sette. And lat it nevere thennys flette. For if thou yevest it in lenyng, I holde it but a wrecchid thyng. Therfore yeve it hoole and quyte, And thou shalt have the more merite ; If it be lent, than aftir soone The bounte and the thank is doone. But in love fre yeven thing Requyrith a gret guerdonyng. 2380 Yeve it in yift al quyte fully. And make thi yifte debonairly. For men that yifte holde more dere That yeven [is] with gladsome chere. TKat yifte nought to preisen is That man yeveth maugre his. Whanne thou hast yeven thyi herte, as I Have seid [to] thee heere openly, Thanne aventures shuU thee fall 2349. wordis, perhaps read wordis, 'la parole.' 2355. joyne, enjoin. MSS. thai heere, but Fr. * t'enjoing en penitence.' 2365. 0/ trecherie, etc. (MSS. For trecherie), i.e. half treacherous, half faithful. 2386. »iaugre his, in spite of himself. 685 2390-2482 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE Which harde and hevy ben with-all. 2390 For ofte, whan thou bithenkist thee Of thy lovyng, where so thou be, Fro folk thou must departe in hie, That noon perceyve thi maladie. But hyde thyne harme thou must alone. And go forthe sole, and make thy mone. Thou shalte no whyle be in o state. But whylom colde and whilom hate, Nowe reed as rose, now yelowe and fade. Suche sorowe I trowe thou never hade ; Cotidien, ne quarteyne, 2401 It is nat so ful of peyne. For often tymes it shal fal In love, among thy paynes al, That thou thy selfe al holy Foryeten shalte so utterly, That many tymes thou shalte be Styl as an ymage of tree, Domme as a stone, without steryng Of fote or honde, without spekyng. 2410 Than, soone after al thy payne, To memorye shalte thou come agayne, A man abasshed wonder sore. And after syghen more and more. For wytte thou wele, withouten wene. In suche astate ful ofte have bene. That have the yvel of love assayde, Wherthrough thou arte so dismayde. After a thought shal take the so. That thy love is to ferre the fro ; 2420 Thou shake saye "God ! What may this be That I ne maye my lady se ? Myne herte alone is to her go. And I abyde al sole in wo. Departed fro myne owne thought, And with myne eyen se right nought. Alas ! myne eyen send I ne may My careful herte to convay ! Myne hertes gyde but they be, I prayse nothyng what ever they se. 2430 Shul they abyde than ? nay. But gone visyte without delay, Th4t myne herte desyreth so. For certainly, but if they go, A foole my selfe I maye wel holde, 2395-2442. Thynne is the only authority here, the MS. lacking a leaf. 2416. Subject omitted as in 2367. 2427. Th. sene for send; Fr. ' enovier,' 2432. Th. gone and visyien. Whan I ne se what myne hert wolde. Wherfore I wol gone her to sene, For eased shal I never bene, Biit I have some tokenyng." Than gost thou forthe without dwellyng. But ofte thou faylest of thy desyre, 2441 Er thou mayst come her any nere. And wastest in vayn thi passage. Thanne fallest thou in. a newe rage ; For want of sight, thou gynnest morne. And homewarde pensyf thou dost retorne. In greet myscheef thanne shalt thou bee, For thanne agayne shall come to thee Slghes and pleyntes with newe woo, Thdt no yecchyng prikketh soo. 2450 Who wote it nought, he may go lere Of hem that bien love so dere. No thyng thyn herte appesen may That ofte thou wole goon and assay, If thou maist seen by aventure Thi lyves joy, thine hertis cure. So that bi grace if thou myght Atteyne of hire to have a sight, Thanne shalt thou done noon other dede, But with that sight thyne eyen fede. 2460 That faire fresh whanne thou maist see, Thyne herte shall so ravysshed be. That nevere-thou woldest, thi thankis, lete Ne remove forto see that swete. The more thou seest, in sothfastnesse, The more thou coveytest of that swetnesse; The more thine herte brenneth in iier, The more thine herte is in desire. For who considreth everydeell. It may be likned wondir well 2470 The peyne of love unto a fere. For evermore thou neighest nere. Thou or whoo so that it bee. For verray sothe I tell it thee. The hatter evere shall thou brenne, As experience shall thee kenne. WKere so comest in ony coost. Who is next fuyre he brenneth moost. And yitt forsothe for all thine hete, Though thou for love swelte and swete, Ne for no thyng thou felen may, 2481 Thou shalt not willen to passen away. 2463. thi thankis^ willingly. 2477. Supply thou, 2473. nextt nearest. 686 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 2483-2575 And though thou go, yitt must thee nede Thenke alle day on hir fairhede, Whom thou biheelde with so good wille, And holde thi silf biguyled ille That thou ne haddest noon hardement To shewe hir ought of thyne entent. Thyn herte full sore thou wolt dispise, And eke repreve of cowardise, 2490 That thou, so dulle in every thing, Were domme for drede withoute spekyng. Thou shall eke thenke thou didest folye. That thou were hir so faste bye. And durst not auntre thee to say Som thyng er thou cam away. For thou haddist nomore wonne. To speke of hir whanne thou bigonne, But yitt she wolde, for thy sake. In armes goodly thee have take, 2500 It shulde have be more worth to thee Than of tresour gret plente. Thus shalt thou momeandeke compleyne. And gete enchesoun to goone ageyne Unto the walke, or to the place Where thou biheelde hir fleshly face. And never, for fals suspeccioun. Thou woldest fynde occasioun Forto gone unto hire hous. So art thou thanne desirous 2510 A sight of hir forto have, If thou thine honour myghtist save, Or ony erande myghtist make, Thider for thi loves sake Full fayn thou woldist, but for drede Thou gost not, lest that men take hede. Wherfore I red [the] in thi goyng And also in thyne ageyn comyng, Thou be well ware that men ne wite ; Feyne thee other cause than itte 2520 To go that weye or faste bye ; To hele wel is no folye. And if so be it happe thee, That thou thi love there maist see, In siker wise thou hir salewe, Wherewith thi colour wole transmewe. And eke thy blode shal alto quake, Thyne hewe eke chaungen for hir sake ; 2497. The French suggests that we should supply though before thou and read thai ior yitt in V, 2499. 2517. Cp. / rede iJie in v. 2856. 2522. hele, conceal. But word and witte with chere full pale ShuU wante [the] forto tell thy tale. 2530 And if thou maist so fer forth wynne. That thou [thi] resoun dorst bigynne, And woldist seyn thre thingis or mo. Thou shalt fiiU scarsly seyn the two. Though thou bithenke thee never so well. Thou shalt foryete yit somdell. But if thou dele with trecherie ; For fals lovers mowe all folye Seyn what hem lust withouten drede. They be so double in her falshede ; 2540^ For they in herte cunne thenke a thyng, And seyn another in her spekyng. And whanne thi speche is eendid all, Ryght thus to thee it shall byfall. If ony word thanne come to mynde That thou to seye hast left bihynde. Thanne thou shalt brenne in gret martire. For thou shalt brenne as ony fiere. This is the stryf and eke the affray. And the batell that lastith ay ; 2550 This bargeyn eende may never take. But if that she thi pees will make. And whanne the nyght is comen anoon, A thousande angres shall come uppon. To bedde as fast thou wolt thee dight. Where thou shalt have but smal delite ; For whanne thou wenest forto slepe So full of peyne shalt thou crepe, Sterte in thi bedde aboute full wide. And tume full ofte on every side, 2560 Now dounward grofif and now upright. And walowe in woo the longe nyght ; Thine arrays shalt thou sprede abrede As man in werre were forwerede. Thanne shall thee come a remembraunce df hir shappe and hir semblaunce. Whereto none other may be pere. And wite thou wel withoute were. That thee shal [seme] somtyme that nyght That thou hast hir, that is so bright, 2570 Naked bitwene thyne armes there. All sothfastnesse as though it were. Thou shalt make castels thanne in Spayne And dreme of joye, all but in vayne, And thee deliten of right nought, 2530. Fr. 'Parole te faudra.' 2551. bargeyn, strife ; Kaluza changes to hataiL 2564. Fr. ' Com fait homs qui a mal a dens.' 687 2576-2662 THE ROMAVNT OF THE ROSE While thou so slomrest in that thought, That is so swete and delitable ; The which in soth[e] nys but fable, For it ne shall no while laste. Thanne shalt thou sighe and wepe faste And say, " Dere god, what thing is this ? 2581 My dreme is turned all amys, Which was full swete and apparent ; But now I wake, it is al shent ! How yede this mery thought away ! -Twenty tymes upon a day I wolde this thought wolde come ageyne. For it aleggith well my peyne ; It makith me full of joyfiill thought. It sleth me that it lastith noght 2590 A lord, why nyl ye me socoure Fro joye ? I trowe that I langoure ; The deth I wolde me shulde sloo While I lye in hir armes twoo. Myne harme is harde, withouten wene, My gret unease full ofte I meene. But wolde love do so I myght Have fully joye of hir so bright, My pejme were quytte me rychely. Alias, to grete a thing aske I ! 2600 Hit is but foly and wrong wenyng To aske so outrageous a thyng ; And who so asldth folily. He mote be warned hastily. And I ne wote what I may say, I am so fer out of the way. For I wolde have fiill gret likyng And full gret joye of lasse thing ; For wolde she of hir gentylnesse Withoute more me oonys kysse, 2610 It were to me a grete guerdoun, Relees of all my passioun. But it is harde to come therto, All is but folye that I do ; So high I have myne herte sette Where I may no comfort gette ; I not where I seye well or nought. But this I wote wel in my thought. That it were better of hir alloone, Forto stynte my woo and moone, 2620 2585. How, MSS. N(m). 2592. Fro joye, MSS. The Joye, which Skeat retains, construing as object of languor; but ' langour ' is not used in this sense. 2617. MSS. ivote not. A loke on me I-caste goodly, ' i| Than forto have al utterly Of an other all hoole the pley. A lord, where I shall byde the day That evere she shall my lady be ? He is full cured that may hir see. A god, whanne shal the dawnyng springe? To lye thus is an angry thjmg ; I have no joye thus heere to lye Whanne that my love is not me bye. 263c A man to lye hath gret disese. Which may not slepe ne reste in ese. I wolde it dawed and were now day. And that the nyght were went away ; For were it day I wolde uprise. A slowe Sonne, shewe thine enprise ! Spede thee to sprede thy beemys bright, And chace the derknesse of the nyght, To putte away the stoundes stronge, Whiche in me lasten all to longfe ! " 264c The nyght shalt thou contene soo Withoute rest, in peyne and woo. If evere thou knewe of love distresse. Thou shalt mowe lerne in that sicknesse And thus enduryng shalt thou lye. And ryse on morwe up erly Out of thy bedde, and harnejrse thee, Er evere dawnyng thou maist see. All pryvyly thanne shall thou goon. What weder it be, thi silf alloon, 2650 For reyne or hayle, for snowe, for slete, Thider she dwellith that is so swete. The which may fall a-slepe be. And thenkith but lytel upon thee. Thanne shalt thou goon ful foule a-feerd Loke if the gate be unspered. And waite without in woo and peyne. Full yvel acoolde, in wynde and reyne. Thanne shal thou go the dore bifore, •-• If tbou maist fynde ony score, 2660 Or hoole, or reeft what evere it were. Thanne shalt thou stoupe, and lay to ere, 2621. M.SS. on hir l-caste. Skeat proposed tlie reading in the text ; ? read of hir. 2624. where, whether ; introducing a direct question. 2628. lye, MSS. liggen, but cp. rhymes in vv. 2629, 2630 ; 2645, 2646. 2631. to lye, i.e. in lying down. , 2641. contene, continue ; but Fr. ' te contendras may have been rendered contende. 2650. weder, MSS. whider, Skeat's correction 688 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 2663-2752 If they withynne a-slepe be — I mene all save the lady free. Whom wakyng if thou maist aspie, Go putte thi-silf in jupartie, To aske grace, and thee bimene, That she may wite withoute wene That thou [a-]nyght no rest hast hadde, So sore for hir thou were bystadde ; 2670 Wommen wel ought pit^ to take Of hem that sorwen for her sake. And loke, for love of that relyke, Thdt thou thenke noon other lyke ; For whanne thou hast so gret annoy, Shall kysse thee er thou go away, And holde that in full gret deynte. And for that noman shal thee see Bifore the hous, ne in the way, Loke thou be goone ageyn er day. 2680 Such comyng and such goyng. Such hevynesse and such wakyng Makith lovers, withouten wene, Under her clothes pale and lene. For love leveth colour ne cleernesse, Who loveth trewe hath no fatnesse ; Thou shalt wel by thy-silf [y-]see That thou must nedis assaied be ; ^For men that shape hem other weye Falsly her ladyes to bitraye, 2690 It is no wonder though they be fatt, With felse othes her loves they gatt. For oft I see suche losengours Fatter than abbatis or priours. Ylt with o thing I thee charge, That is to seye that thou be large Unto the mayde that hir doith serve, So best hir thanke thou shalt deserve. Y^ve hir yiftes, and gete hir grace. For so thou may thank purchace, 2700 That she thee worthy holde and free, Thi lady, and all that may thee see. Also hir servauntes worshipe ay. And please as mych as thou may ; Grete good through hem may come to thee 2669. a-nyght, MSS. nyght, 2673. * PoJ" I'amor du haut seintueire ' ; cp. the similar use of relyk in v. 2907, 2676. The Fr. directs the lover to kiss the door before leaving ; so Kaluza reads wkam for whan in verse above, and suggests Thou kisse the dore er thou m a/way for v. 26^6. S704, Read mychelt or insert ever before niay. Bi-cause with hir they ben pryve ; They shal hir telle hoe they thee fande Curteis, and wys, and well doande. And she shall preise well the mare. Loke oute of londe thou be not fare, 2710 And if such cause thou have that thee Bihoveth to gone out of contree, Leve hoole thin herte in hostage, Till thou ageyn make thi passage. Thenke longe to see the swete thyng. That hath thine herte in hir kepyng. Now have I tolde thee in what wise A lovere shall do me servise ; Do it thanne if thou wolt have The meede that thou aftir crave.' 2720 Whanne Love all this hadde boden me, I seide hym, ' Sire, how may it be That lovers may in such manere Endure the peyne ye have seid heere ? I merveyle me wonder faste How ony man may lyve or laste In such peyne and [in] such brennyng ; In sorwe and thought, and such sighing. Aye unrelesed woo to make. Whether so it be they slepe or wake, 273c In such annoy contynuely, As helpe me god, this merveile I How man, but he were maad of stele, Myght l3^e a monthe such peynes to fele. ' The God of Love thanne seide me, ' Freend, by the feith I owe to thee. May no man have good but he it bye ; A man loveth more tendirly The thyng that he hath bought most dere. For wite thou well, withouten were, 2740 In thanke that thyng is taken more For which a man hath suffred sore. Certis no wo ne may atteyne Unto the sore of loves peyne ; Noon yvel therto ne may amounte, Nomore than a man [may] counte The dropes that of the water be. For drye as well the greete see Thou myghtist, as the harmes telle 6f hem that with love dwelle 2750 In servyse ; for peyne hem sleeth. And yet ech man wolde fle the deeth. 2709. Perhaps insert thee before -welU 2752. yet^ ' toutes voies,' MSS. t/iat. 689 2753-2841 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE And trowe thei shulde nevere escape, Nere that hope couthe hem make Glad, as man in prisoun sett, And may not geten forto ete But barly breed and watir pure. And lyeth in vermyn and in ordure ; With all this yitt can he lyve. Good hope such comfort hath hym yive. Which maketh wene that he shall be 2761 Delyvered and come to liberte. In fortune is [his] full trust. Though he lye in strawe or dust ; In hoope is all his susteynyng. And so for lovers in her wenyng, Whiche Love hath shitte in his prisoun, Good hope is her salvacioun. Good hope how sore that they smerte Yeveth hem bothe will and herte 2770 To profre her body to martire ; For hope so sore doith hem desire To suffre ech harme that men devise For joye that aftirward shall aryse. Hope in desire hathe victorie. In hope of love is all the glorie, For hope is all that love may yive ; Nere hope ther shulde no lover lyve. Blessid be hope, which with desire Avaunceth lovers in such manere ! 2780 Good hope is curteis forto please. To kepe lovers from all disese ; Hope kepith his bonde, and wole abide For ony perill that may betyde ; For hope to lovers, as most cheef. Doth hem endure all myscheef ; Hope is her helpe whanne myster is. And I shall yeve thee eke I-wys Three other thingis, that gret solas Doith to hem that be in my las. 2790 The firste good that may be founde To hem that in my lace be bounde Is SwETB THonoHT, forto recorde TKing wherwith thou canst accorde Best in thyne herte, where she be. 2753. And triywe, i.e. I trowe; cp. w. 2756, 2758. 2775. hath', MSS. cacche ; ' Esperance par sofFnr vaint.' Skeat amends to cacche, taking hope as imperative. ■2783. bonde, MSS. ionde. Iceste te garantira, Ne Ja de toi ne partire. Thenkyng in absence is good to thee. Whanne ony lover doth compleyne, And lyveth in distresse and in peyne, Thanne Swete-Thought shal come as blyve Awey his angre forto dtyve. 2800 It makith lovers to have remembraunce. Of comfort and of high plesaunce, That hope hath hight hym forto Wynne. For Thought anoon thanne shall bygynnft, As ferre, god wote, as he can fynde, To make a mirrour of his mynde ; Forto biholde he wole not lette. Hir persone he shall afore hym sette, Hir laughing eyen, persaunt and clere, Hir shappe, hir fourme, hir goodly chere ; Hir niouth, that is so gracious, 2811 So swete and eke so saverous ; Of all hir fetures he shall take heede. His eyen with all hir lymes fede. Thus Swete-Thenkyng shall aswage The peyne of lovers and her rage. Thi joye shall double withoute gesse Whanne thou thenkist on hir semlynesse, Or of hir laughing, or of hir chere That to thee made thi lady dere. 2820 This comfort wole I that thou take ; And if the next thou wolt forsake, Which is not lesse saverous, Thou shuldist ben to daungerous. The secounde shal be Swete-speche, That hath to many oon be leche To bringe hem out of woo and were. And holpe many a bachilere, And many a lady sent socoure, Thit have loved paramour, 2830 THrough spekyng whanne they myght heere Of hir lovers, to hem so dere. To hem it voidith all her smerte, The which is closed in her herte ; In herte it makith hem glad and l^ht, Speche, whanne theymowehave[no]sight. And therfore now it cometh to mynde In olde dawes, as I fynde. That clerkis writen.that hir knewe ; Ther was a lady, fresh of hewe, 2840 Which of hir love made a songe, 2796. Kal. reads Thought for Thenkyng; but cp. V. 2815. 2808. he shall; cp. notti to v. 2945. 2809. even, one syllable ; cp. vv. 2913, 2814. 2824, MSS. shuidest not, ' seroies.' 690 THE ROMAVNT OF THE ROSE 2842-2934 On hym forto remembre amonge, In which she seyde : ' ' Whanne that I here Speken of hym that is so dere, To me it voidith alle smerte. I-wys, he sittith so nere myne herte To spake of hym at eve or morwe It cureth me of all my sorwe. To me is noon so high plesaunce As of his persone dalyaunce. " 2850 She wist full well that Swete-Spekyng Comfortith in full myche Ihyng. Hit love she hadde full well assaid, Of him she was full well apaid ; To speke of hym hir joye was sett. Therfore I rede thee that thou gett A felowe that can well concele, And kepe thi counsell, and well hele, To whom go shewe hooUy thine herte, Bothe well and woo, joye and smerte ; To gete comfort to hym thou goo, 2861 And prjrvyly bitwene yow twoo Yee shall speke of that goodly thyng. That hath thyne herte in hir kepyng. Of hir beaute, and hir semblaunce, • And of hir goodly countenaunce ; Of all thi state, thou shalt hym seye, And aske hym counseill how thou may Do ony thyng that may hir plese ; For it to thee shall do gret ese, 2870 That he may wite thou trust hym soo, Bothe of thi wele and of thi woo. And if his herte to love be sett, His companye is myche the bett, For resoun wole he shewe to thee All uttirly his pryvyte. And what she is he loveth so. To thee pleynly he shall undo, Withoute drede of ony shame, Bothe tell hir renoun and hir name. 2880 Thanne shall he forther, ferre and nere. And namely to thi lady dere. In syker wise yee every other Shall helpen, as his owne brother. In trouthe withoute doublenesse. And kepen cloos in sikemesse ; For it is noble thing in fay To have a man thou darst say Thy pryve counsell every deell ; 2889 2881. Then shall he go further, etc. 2888. (?) Supply that before thou. For that wole comforte thee right well. And thou shalt holde thee well apayed, Whanne such a freend thou hast assayed. The thridde good of gret comforte, That yeveth to lovers moste disporte, Comyth of sight and of biholdyng, That clepid is Swete-lokyng. The which may [thee] noon ese do Whanne thou art fer thy lady fro. Wherfore thou prese alwey to be In place where thou maist hir see. 2900 For it is thyng most amerous. Most delytable and saverous, Forto a-swage a mannes sorowe. To sene his lady by the morwe. For it is a full noble thing, Whanne thyne eyen have metyng With that relike precious Wherof they be so d&irous. But al day after, soth it is. They have no drede to faren amysse ; 2910 They dreden neither wynde ne reyne, Ne noon other maner peyne. For whanne thyne eyen were thus in blisse, Yit of hir curtesie, y--wysse, AUoone they can not have her joye. But to the herte they [it] convoyc ; Parte of her blisse to hym they sende. Of all this harme to make an ende. The eye is a good messangere. Which can to the herte in such manere Tidyngis sende, that hath sene 2921 To voide hym of his peynes clene. Wherof the herte rejoiseth soo, That a gret partye of his woo Is voided, and putte awey to flight. Right as the derknesse of the nyght Is chased with clerenesse of the mone. Right so is al his woo full soone Devoided clene, whanne that the sight Biholden may that freshe wight 2930 Th^t the herte desireth soo, That al his derknesse is agoo. For thanne the herte is all at ese, Whanne the eyen sene that mayhem plese. 2902. MSS.^7'(7r(7//j, 'savorous.' 2917. they, MSS. thou. iqio. The verse is made smoother by placing can after the first word of the next line. 2925. voided^ (?) void. 2934. the eyen, ' li oel,' MSS. they. 691 293S-3023 THE ROMAVNT OF THE ROSE Now have I declared thee all oute Of that thou were in drede and doute, For I have tolde thee feithfuUy What thee may curen utterly. And alle lovers that wole be Feithfull and full of stabilite, 2940 Good hope alwey kepe bi thi side, And Swete-Thought, make eke abide ; Swete-Lokyng and Swete-Speche. Of all thyne harmes thei shall be leche : Of every thou shalt have gret plesaunce, If thou canst bide in suffraunce, And serve wel withoute feyntise ; Thou shalt be quyte of thyne emprise With more guerdoun, if that thou ly ve, But at this t5mie this I thee yive.' 2950 The God of Love, whanne al the day Had taught me as ye have herd say, And enfourmed compendiously. He vanyshide awey all sodeynly ; And I alloone lefte all soole, So full of compleynt and of doole. For I sawe no man there me by. My woundes me greved wondirly ; Me forto curen no thyng I knewe Sdve the bothon bright of hewe, 2960 Wheron was sett hooUy my thought. Of other comfort knewe I nought. But it were thrugh the God of Love. I knewe not elles to my bihove That myght me ease or comfort gete. But if he wolde hym entermete. The roser was withoute doute Closed with an haye withoute. As ye toforn have herd me seyne. And fast I bisiede, and wolde fayne 2970 Have passed the hay, if [that] I myght Have geten ynne by ony slight Unto the bothon so faire to see. But evere I dradde blamed to be. If men wolde have suspeccioun That I wolde of entencioun Have stole the roses that there were ; 2945. Of every, i.e. from each of them. Kaluza omits gret, but two unaccented syllables, one of ■which is shall, are not uncomuion in the poem ; cp. vv. 2808, 2813. 2950. at, ' des ore,* MSS. all. 2953. enfourmed. Perhaps supply vie before enfourmed. 2954. aivey does not seem to belong to the verse. 2968. haye, MSS. hegge; but cp. v. 3CXJ7, Therfore to entre I was in fere. But at the last, as I bithought, Whether I shulde passe or nought, 2980 i sawe come with a glad chere To me a lusty bachelere, Of good stature and of good hight ; And BlALACOlL forsothe he hight, Sone he was to Curtesie. And he me grauntide full gladly The passage of the outter hay, And seide ' Sir, how that yee may Passe, if [that] youre wille be The fireshe roser forto see, 2990 And yee the swete savour fele. You warrante may [I] right wele. So thou thee kepe fro folye. Shall no man do thee vylanye ; If I may helpe you in ought, I shall not feyne, dredeth nought. For I am bounde to youre servise, Fully devoide of feyntise.' Thanne unto Bialacoil saide I : ' I thanke you, . sir, full hertely 300c And youre biheeste take at gre, That ye so goodly profer me. To you it Cometh of gret fraunchise That ye me profer youre servise.' Thanne aftir, full delyverly. Thorough the breres anoon wente I, Wherof encombred was the hay. I was wel plesed, the soth to say. To se the bothon faire and swote So freshe spronge out of the rote. 3011 And Bialacoil me served well Whanne I so nygh me myghte fele Of the bothon the swete odour And so lusty hewed of colour. But thanne a cherle (foule hym bityde !) Biside the roses gan hym hyde, To kepe the roses of that roser Of whom the name was Daunger.. This cherle was hid there in the greves, Kovered with gras and with leves, 3021 To spie and take whom that he fonde Unto that Roser putte an honde. He was not soole, for ther was moo ; 2988. Jiffiv, (?) now ; cp. v. 2585. 2992. MSS. YoHre'warranie,3.'aAoia\\.l ; 'G< vous i puis bien garantir.' ^^ 2998. Possibly devoided; but cp. v. 3723- 3001. bUteest, with inorganic .e as in Chaucer. 692 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 3024-31 i6 For with hym were other twoo Of wikkid maners and yvel fame. That oon was clepid by his name Wykked-Tonge (god yeve hym sorwe '), For neither at eve ne at morwe He can of no man good [ne] spelce ; On many a just man doth he wreke. 3030 Ther was a womman eke that hight Shamb, that, who can reken right, Trespace was hir fadir name, Hir moder Resoun ; and thus was Shame Brought of these ilke twoo. And yitt hadde Trespasse never adoo With Resoun, ne never ley hir bye He was so hidous and so ugly, I mene this that Trespas hight ; But resoun conceyved of a sight 3040 Shame, of that I spake aforne. And whanne that Shame was thus [y-] borne. It was ordeyned that Chastite Shulde of the Roser lady be, Which of the bothons more and lasse With sondre folk assailed was, That she ne wiste what to doo. For Venus hir assailith soo. That pyght and day from hir she stale Bothons and roses over-all. 305° To Resoun thanne praieth Chastite, Whom Venus hath flemed over the see. That she hir doughter wolde hir lene. To kepe the Roser firesh and grene. Anoon Resoun to Chastite Is fully assented that it be. And grauntide hir at hir request That Shame, by cause she is honest, Shall keper of the roser be. And thus to kepe it ther were three, 3060 That noon shulde hardy be ne bolde, Were he yong or were he olde, Ageyn hit will awey to here Bothons ne roses that there were. I hadde wel spedde, hadde I not bene Awayted with these three and sene. For Bialacoil, that was so faire, So gracious and debonaire, Quytt hym to me full curteislye, 3038. 'Si hidous ct si ley'; it would seem, therefore, as if second so belonged in text, and should not be omitted as Kaluza suggests. And me to please, bade that I 3070 Shulde drawe me to the bothon nere ; Prese in to louche the rosere Which bare the roses, he yaf me leve ; This graunte ne myght but lytel greve. And for he sawe it liked me, Ryght nygh the bothon puUede he A leef all grene and yaif me that ; The whiche full nygh the bothon sat, I made [me] of that leef full queynte. And whanne I felte I was aqueynte 3086 With Bialacoil, and so pryve, I wende all at my will hadde be. Thanne waxe I hardy forto telle To Bialacoil how me bifelle Of love, that toke and wounded me ; And seide : ' Sir, so mote I thee, I may no joye have in no wise Uppon no side, but it rise. For sithens, if I shall not feyne. In herte I have hadde so gret peyne, 309a So gret annoy and such affray, That I ne wote what I shall say, I drede youre wrathe to disserve. Lever me were that knyves kerve My body shulde in pecys small. Than any weyes it shulde fall That ye wratthed shulde ben with me.' ' Sey boldely thi will,' quod he, ' I nyl be wroth, if that I may, 3099 For nought that thou shalt to me say. ' Thanne seide I, ' Ser, not you displease To knowen of myn gret unnese. In which oonly love hath me brought. For peynes gret, disese, and thought, Fro day to day he doth me drye — Supposeth not, sir, that I lye. In me fyve woundes dide he make, The soore of whiche shall nevere slake.; But ye the Bothon graunte me Which is moost passaunt of beaute, 3110 My lyf, my deth, and my martire, And tresour, that I moost desire.' Thanne Bialacoil, affrayed all, Seyde, ' Sir, it may not fall — That ye desire, it may not arise. What ! Wolde ye shende me in this wise ? 3096. any weyes, MSS. in any wise (Kaluza). 3115. a?nse, cp. 3088; perhaps originally ariVf, with assonance. 693 31 17-3208 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE A mochel foole thanne I were, '■ '• If I suffride you away to bare The fresh bothoun so faire of sight. For it were neither skile ne right, 3120 Of the roser ye broke the rynde, Or take the rose aforn his kynda ; Ye are not curteys to aske it. Late it still on the roser sitt. And growe til it amended be And parfytly come to beaute ; I nolde not that it pulled were Fro the roser that it bare. To me it is so leef and deere.' 3129 With that sterte cute anoon Daungere, Out of the place were he was hidde ; Hi? malice in his chere was kidde. Full grete he was and blak of hewe, Sturdy and hidous, who so hym knewe, Like sharp urchouns his here was growa ; His ayes reed as the iyre glowe, His nose firounced, full kirked stoode. He come criande as he were woode. And seide : ' Bialacoil, telle me why Thou bryngest hider so booldely 3140 Hjnn that [is] so nygh the roser ! Thou worchist in a wrong manner ; He thenkith to dishonoure thee. Thou art wel worthy to have maugree, To late hym of the roser wite ; Who servath feloun is yvel quitte. Thou woldist have doon gret bounte, And he with shame wolde quyte thee. Fie hennes, Felowe ! I rede thee goo. It wanteth lital I wole thee sloo ; 3150 For Bialacoil ne knewe thee nought, Whanne thee to serve he sette his thought; For thou wolt shame hym, if thou myght, Bothe ageyns resoun and right. I wole no more in thee affye, That comest so slyghly for tespye ; For it preveth wonder well Thy sleight and tresoun every deell.' I durst no more there make abode 3118. The verse would be smoother without awey ; cp. note to v. 2954. 3136. Only in Thynne, which reads reed sparklingly; *s'ot les iex rouges comme feus.' 3137 kirked^ ' froncie,' translated in v. 7259 'frouncen.' Morris suggested kroked^ which Skeat tliinks likely. 3150. /, Th. he; Gl. it: Fr. 'gp- For the charl, ha Was so wode ; 3160 So gan he thrate and manace, And thurgh the haye he dide me chace. For feer of hym I tremblyde and quoke, So cherlishly his heed it shoke ; And seide, if aft he myght me take I shulde not from his hondis scape. Thanne Bialacoil is fledde and mate, And I, all soole, disconsolate, Was left aloone in peyne and thought. For shame to deth I was nygh brought. Thanne thought I on myn high foly, 3171 How that my body utterly Was yeve to peyne and to martire ; And therto hadda I so gret ire, That I ne durst the haye passe. There was noon hope, there was no grace, I trowa nevere man wiste of peyne. But he were laced in loves cheyne ; Ne no man [not], and sooth it is. But if he love, what anger is. 3180 Love holdith his haast to me right wale, Whanne peyne he seide I shulde fele. Noon herte may thenke, ne tunge seyne A quarter of my woo and peyne ; I myght not vidth the anger laste. Myn herte in poynt was forto brast, Whanne I thought on the rose, that soo Was thurgh Daunger cast me froo. A longe while stode I in that state, 3189 Til that ma saugh so madde and mate The lady of the highe ward. Which from hir tour lokide thiderward. Resoun men clepe that lady. Which from hir tour delyverly, Come doun to ma withoute more. But she was neither yong ne hoore, Ne high ne lowe, ne fat ne lene, But best as it were in a mena. Hir eyen twoo were cleer and light As ony candell that brenneth bright ; 3200 And in hir head she hadde a crowne. Hir semede wel an high persoune ; For rounde enviroun hir crownet Was full of riche stonys fratt. Hir goodly semblaunt by devys I trowe ware maad in Paradys ; For nature hadde nevere such a grace To forge a werk of such compace. 3175. MS5. /iajrf, 'lahaie.' 694 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE 3209-330S For certeyn, but if the letter lye, God hym-silf, that is so high, 3210 Made hir aftir his ymage. And yaff hir sith sich avauntage. That she hath myght and seignorie To kepe men from all folye. Who so wole trowe hir lore, Ne may ofiFenden nevermore. And while I stode thus derk and pale, Resoun bigan to me hir tale. She seide : ' Al hayle, my swete freende ! Foly and childhoode wole thee sheende, Which the have putt in gret affray ; 3221 Thou hast bought deere the tyme of May, That made thyn herte mery to be. In yvell t)mie thou wentist to see The gardyne, wherof Idilnesse Bdre the keye and was maistresse, Whanne thou yedest in the daunce With hir, and haddest aqueyntaunce. Hir aqiieyntaunce is perilous. First softe and aftir noious ; 3230 She hath [thee] trasshed withoute wene. The God of Love hadde the not sene, Ne hadde Idilnesse thee conveyed In the verger, where Myrthe hym pleyed. If foly have supprised thee, Do so that it recovered be. And be wel ware to take nomore, Counsel that greveth aftir sore. He is wise that wole hym-silf chastise ; And though a yong man in ony wise Trespace amonge and do foly, 3241 Late hym not tarye, but hastily Late hym amende what so be mys. ' And eke I counseile thee I-wys The God of Love hooUy foryete, That hath thee in sich peyne sette, And thee in herte tourmented soo. I can not sene how thou maist goo Other weyes to garisoun ; For Daunger that is so feloun 3250 Felly purposith thee to werreye, Which is fffl cruel, the soth to seye. And yitt of Daunger cometh no blame In rewarde of my doughter Shame, Which hath the roses in her warde. As she that may be no musarde. 3228. MSS. Imdde. 3240. MSS. in ony wise ; cp. note to v. 3096. And WlKKED-TuNGE is with these two. That suffrith no man thider goo. For er a thing be, do he shall. Where that he cometh over-all, 3260 In fourty places, if it be sought, Seye thy ng that ne vere was don ne wrought ; So moche tresoun is in his male. Of falsnesse forto seyne a tale. Thou delest with angry folk y-wis ; Wherfore to thee bettir is From these folk awey to fare. For tliey wole make thee lyve in care. This is the yvell that love they calle, Wherynne ther is but foly alle ; 3270 For love is foly everydell. Who loveth in no wise may do well, Ne sette his thought on no good werk. His scole he lesith, if he be clerk ; Of other craft eke if he be, He shal not thryve therynne, for he In love shal have more passioun Than monke, hermyte, or chanoun. The peyne is hard out of mesure. The joye may eke no while endure ; 3280 Alid in the possessioun, I^ mych tribulacioun. The joye it is so short lastyng. And but in happe is the getyng. For I see there many in travaill That atte laste foule fayle. I was no thyng thi counseler Whanne thou were maad the omager Of God of Love to hastily. Ther was no wisdom, but foly ; 3290 Thyne herte was joly but not sage, Whanne thou were brought in sich a ta%t. To yelde thee so redily. And to leve of his gret maistrie, I rede thee Love awey to dryve, That makith thee recche not of thi lyve. The foly more fro day to day Shal growe, but thou it putte away. Take with thy teeth the bridel faste 3299 To daunte thyne herte, and eke thee caste. If that thou maist gete thee defence,' Forto redresse thi first offence. Who so his herte alwey wole leve Shal fynde amonge that shal hym greve.' Whanne I hir herd thus me chastise. 3274. MSS. a clefk; Fr. ' s'il est clers. 695 3306-3397 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE I answerd in ful angry wise ; I prayed hir ceessen of hir speche, Oiither to chastise me or teche, To bidde me my thought refreyne, 3309 Which Love hath caught in his demeyne. ' What ! Wene ye Love wole consente, That me assailith with bowe bente, To drawe myne herte out of his honde, Which is so qwikly in his bonde ? That ye counseyle may nevere be ; For whanne hefirste arestide me, He took myne herte so hoole hym tille, That it is no thyng at my wille. He taught it so hym forto obey, That he it sparrede with a key. 3320 I pray yow late me be all stille. For ye may well, if that ye wille, Youre wordis waste in idilnesse. For utterly, withouten gesse. All that ye seyn is but in veyne. Me were lever dye in the peyne. Than Love to-me-ward shulde arette Falsheed, or tresoun on me sette. I wole me gete prys or blame And Love trewe to save my name ; 3330 Who that me chastith I hym hate.' With that word Resoun wente hir gate, Whanne she saugh for no sermonynge She myght me fro my foly brynge. Thanne dismaied I, lefte all sool, Forwery, forwandred, as a fool. For I ne knewe no chevisaunce. Thanne fell into my remembraunce How Love bade me to purveye A felowe, to whom I myght seye 3340 My counsell and my pryvete, For that shulde moche availe me. With that bithought I me that I Hadde a felowe faste by Trewe and siker, curteys and hende ; And he was called by name a Freende, A trewer felowe was no wher noon. In haste to hym I wente anoon. And to hym all my woo I tolde. Fro hym right nought I wold withplde. I tolde him all withoute were, 3351 And made my compleynt on Daungere, How forto see he was hidous, 3319. taitgkt, MSS. tkougkt- 3331. MSS. chastisetk And to-me-ward contrarious ; The whiche, thurgh bis cruelte Was in poynt to have meygned me. With Bialacoil whanne he me sey Withynne the gardeyn walke and pley, Fro me he made hym forto go ; And I, bilefte aloone in woo, 3360 I durst no lenger with hym speke. For Daunger seide he wolde be wreke, AWhanne that he sawe how I wente The freshe bothon forto hente. If I were hardy to come neer Bitwene the hay and the Roser. This freend, whanne he wiste of my tbpught. He discomforted me right nought, But seide, ' Felowe, be not so madde, Ne so abaysshed, nor bystadde ; 3370 My silf I knowe full well Daungere, And how he is feers of his cheere \ At prime temps love to manace. Ful ofte I have ben in his caas ; A feloun firste though that he be, Aftir thou shalt hym souple se. Of longe passed I knewe hym well ; Ungoodly first though men hym feele, He wole meke aftir in his beryng Been, for service and obeyssjmg. 3380 I shal thee telle what thou shalt doo : Mekely I rede thou go hym to. Of herte pray hym specialy Of thy trespace to have mercy. And hote well, [hym] here to plese. That thou shalt nevermore hym dis- plese. Who can best serve of flaterie. Shall please Daunger most uttirly.' My freend hath seid to me so wel. That he me esid hath somdell, 339a And eke allegged of my torment. For thurgh hym had I hardement Agayn to Daunger forto go, To preve if I myght meke hym soo. To Daunger came I all ashamsd. The which aforn me hadde y-blamed, Desiryng forto pese my woo. 3379. meke^ MSS. ntake, ' amoloier. 3383. Of herte; cp. 3902. 3385. ivell hytn^ Skeat's emendation for hym ■uiecl of MSS. (?) his ire to pese {pese aphetic form oiappese): cp. v. 3397. 696 THE ROM AUNT OF TBE ROSE 3398-34.85 But over hegge durst I not goo. For he forbede me the passage. I fonde hym cruel in his rage 3400 And in his honde a gret burdoun. To hym I knelide lowe a-doun, Ful meke of port and symple of xhere, And seide, ' Sir, I am comen heere Oonly to aske of you mercy ; It greveth me full gretly That evere my lyf I wratthed you. But forto amenden I am come now, With all my myght, bothe loude and stille, To doon right at youre owne wille. 3410 For Love made me forto doo That I have trespassed hidirto. Fro whom I nemay withdrawemyne herte. Yit shall never for joy ne smerte. What so bifalle, good or ille, Offende more ageyn youre wille ; Lever I have endure disese, Than do that you shulde displese. I you require and pray that ye Of me have mercy and pitee 3420 To stynte your ire that greveth soo. That I wole swere for ever mo To be redressid at youre likyng, If I trespasse in ony thyng. Save that I pray thee graunte me A thyng that may not warned be : That I may love all oonly, Noon other thyng of you aske I. I shall doon elles well I-wys, If of youre grace ye graunte me this ; 3430 And ye may not letten me. For wel wot ye that love is free, And I shall loven sithen that I wille. Who evere like it, well or ille. And yit ne wold I for all Fraunce Do thyng to do you displesaunce.' Thanne Daunger fiUe in his entent Forto foryeve his male talent ; But all his wratthe yit atte laste 3398. heggCt probably mistake for haye. 3406. It greveth, MSS. That greveth. 3407. evere jny lyf, read (7) ever in my lyf. 3422. That, Q) And; Fr. 'et.' 3429. elles, Th. all. Bell : / shal don al your vjiliwys, which aptly gives sense of original. 3437. jille in his entent, (?) failed. Moult trovai Dangier dur et lent, De pardonner son maltalent. Skeat interprets 'condescended,' but has fall such a meaning? He hath relesed, I preyde so faste. 3440 Shortly he seide, ' Thy request Is not to mochel dishonest, Ne I wole not werne it thee ; For yit no thyng engreveth me. For though thou love thus evermore. To me is neither softe ne soore. Love where the list, what recchith me. So [thou] fer fro my roses be ? Trust not on me for noon assay. If ony tyme thou passe the hay.' 3450 Thus hath he graunted my praiere. Thanne wente I forth withouten were Unto my freend, and tolde hym all, Which was right joyfuU of my tale. He seide, ' Now goth wel thyn affaire. He shall to thee be debonaire ; Though he aforn was dispitous. He shall heere aftir be gracious. If he were touchid on somme good veyne, He shuld yit rewen on thi peyne. 3460 Suffre I rede, and no boost make. Till thou at good mes maist hym take. By sufferaunce and wordis softe A man may overcome ofte Hym that aforn he hadde in drede, In bookis sothly as I rede.' Thus hath my freend with gret comfort Avaunced me with high disport. Which wolde me good as mych as I. And thanne anoon full sodeynly 3470 I toke my leve, and streight I wente Unto the hay, for gret talent I hadde to sene the fresh bothoun Wherynne lay my salvacioun. And Daunger toke kepe, if that I Kepe hym covenaunt trewely. So sore I dradde his manasyng I durst not breke his biddyng. For lest that I were of hym shent I brake not his comaundement, 348a Forto purchase his good wille. It was [nat] forto come ther-tille. His mercy was to ferre bihynde ; I wepte for I ne myght it fynde. I compleyned and sighed sore. 3450. MSS. 7 ony tyme to passe, 'se tu James passes la haie.' 3482. nat, MSS. omit. Morris, etc. supply hard. 697 3486-3573 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE And langwisshed evermore, For I durst not over goo Unto the rose I loved soo. Thurgh my demenyng outerly [Thanne he had knowlege certanly,] 3490 That Love me ladde in sich a wise That in me ther was no feyntise, Falsheed, ne no trecherie. And yit he full of vylanye, Of disdeyne, and cruelte, Oli me ne wolde have pite His cruel will forto refreyne, Though I wepe alwey and me compleyne. And while I was in this torment, Were come of grace, by god sent, 3500 F/aunchise and with hir Pite. Fulfild the bothen of bounte. They go to Daunger anoon-right. To forther me with all her myght, And helpe in worde and in dede; For well they saugb that it wsis nede. First of hir grace dame Fraunchise Hath taken [word] of this emprise ; She seide, ' Daunger, gret wrong ye do To worche this man so myche woo, 3510 Or pynen hym so angerly ; It is to you gret villanye. I can not see [ne] why ne how That he hath trespassed ageyn you. Save that he loveth ; wherfore ye shulde The more in cherete of hym holde. The force of love makith hym do this ; Who wolde hym blame, he dide amys. He leseth more than ye may do ; His peyne is harde, ye may see lo, 3520 And Love in no wise wolde consente That he have power to repente. For though that quyk ye wolde hym sloo. Fro love his herte may not goo. Now, swete Sir, is it youre ese Hym forto angre or disese ? Alias, what may it you avaunce 3489. MSS. Tkur^h out tkv deinyng outerly That he had . . . (GI. omits) Thafine love ine ladde^ etc. ; Fr. ' Tant fis qu'il a certainemeiit Veil a raon contenement Qu'Amors,' etc. 3502. the hothen, i.e.. both, full of kindness, visit Daunger immediately. MSS. the dothom, which Skeat refers to the rosebud ; Fr. ' car Tune a I'autre me vodroit.' 3505? (?) 0"ii' *"" before dede. 352Z. he, MSS. ye, a common scribal error. To done to hym- so gret grevaunce ? What worship is it agayn hym take, Or on youre man a werre make, 35 Sith he so lowly every wise Is redy, as ye lust devise ? If Love^iath caught hym in his lace You for tobeye in every caas. And ben youre suget at youre will, Shuld ye therfore willen hym ill ? Ye shulde hym spare more all oute Than hym that is bothe proude and stout Curtesie wole that ye socour Hem that ben meke undir youre cure. 35 His herte is hard that wole not meke, Whanne men of mekenesse hym biseke 'Th^t is certeyn,' seide Pite, ' We se ofte that humiUte Bothe ire and also felonye Venquyssheth, and also malencolye. To stonde forth in such duresse. This cruelte and wikkidnesse. Wherfore I pray you. Sir Daungere, Forto mayntene no lenger heere 35 Such cruel werre agayn youre man. As hooUy youres as ever he can ; Nor that ye worchen no more woo On this caytif that langwisshith soo, Which wole no more to you trespasse, But putte hym hooUy in youre grace. His offense ne was but lite ; The god of Love it was to wite, That he youre thrall so gretly is ; And if ye harme hym, ye done amys. 35 For he hath hadde full hard penaunce, Sith that ye refte hym thaque)mtaunce Of Bialacoil, his moste jpye. Which alle hise peynes myght acoye. He was biforn anoyed sore. But thanne ye doubled hem well more. For he of blis hath ben full bare, Sith Bialacoil was fro hym fare. Love hath to hym do gret distresse, He hath no nede of more duresse ; . 3s Voideth from hym youre ire, I rede, Ye may not wynrien in this dede. Makith Bialacoil repeire ageyn, 3546. Venquyssheth, two syllables : cp. 3554. 3548. This, This is. "'^ 3SS4. 0-n, MSS. U^on. 3566. hem, MSS. hym, ' ses anuis.' 698 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 3574-3667 And haveth pile upon his peyne ; For Fraunchise wole and I, Pite, That mercyful to hym ye be. And sith that she and I accorde Have upon hym misericorde, For I you pray and eke moneste Nought to refusen cure requeste. 3580 For he is hard and fell of thought, That for us twoo wole do right nought.' Daunger ne myght no more endure, He mekede hym unto mesure. 'I wole in no wise,' seith Daungere, ' Denye that ye have asked heere, It were to gret uncurtesie ; I wole he have the companye Of Bialacoil, as ye devise ; I wole hym lette in no wise. ' 3590 To Bialacoil thanne wente in hye Fraunchise, and seide full curteislye : ' Ye have to longe be deignous Unto this lover and daungerous. Fro him to withdrawe your presence, Whiche hath do to him great offence. That ye not wolde upon him se ; Wherfore a sorouful man is he. Shape ye to paye him, and to please, Of my love if ye wol have ease ; 3600 Fulfyl his wyl, sithe that ye knowe Daunger is daunted and brought lowe Through helpe of me and of Pyte ; You dare no more aferde be.' ' I shal do right as ye wyl,' Saith Bialacoil, ' for it is skyl, Sithe Daunger wol that it so be.' Than Fraunchise hath him sent to me Biilacoil at the begynnyng, Salued me in his commyng ; 3610 No straungenesse was in him sene. No more than he ne had wrathed bene. As fayre semblaunt than shewed he me, And goodly, as aforne dyd he. And by the honde withoute doute, Within the haye right al aboute He ladde me with right good chere, Al envyron the vergere That Daunger hadde me chased fro. Nowe have I leave over al to go, 3620 3596 - 3690. From Thynne ; two leaves of Glasgow MS. missing. 3604. dare, cp. note to v. 1089. Nowe am I raysed at my devyse Fro helle unto paradyse. Thus Bialacoil of gentylnesse. With al his payne and besynesse. Hath shewed me onely of grace The estres of the swote place. I sawe the Rose whan I was nygh Was greatter woxen and more high, Fresshe, roddy, and fayre of hewe. Of coloure veer yliche newe. 363a And whan I hadde it longe sene, I sawe that through the leves grene The Rose spredde to spaunysshinge. To sene it was a goodly thynge. But it ne was so sprede on brede That men within myght knowe the sede ; For it covert was and close Bothe with the leves and with the rose. The stalke was even and grene upright. It was theron a goodly syght, 3640 And wel the better, withoute wene, F6r the seed was nat [y-]sene. Ful fayre it spradde (God it blesse), For suche another, as I gesse, Aforne ne was, ne more vermayle. I was abawed for marveyle, For ever the fayrer that it was. The more I am bounde in Loves laas. Longe I abode there, sothe to saye, Tyl Bialacoil I ganne to praye, 3650 Whan that I sawe him, in no wyse To me warnen his servyce. That he me wolde graunt a thynge, Whiche to remembre is wel syttynge. This is to sayne, that of his grace He wolde me yeve leysar and space. To me that was so desyrous To have a kyssynge precious Of the goodly fresshe Rose, They yeve no force, they are so sette Upon delite to pley in-feere. And somme have also this manere. To feynen hem for love seke. Sich love I preise not at a leke, 4830 For paramours they do but feyne. To love truly they disdeyne ; They falsen ladies traitoursly, And swerne hem othes utterly. With many a lesyng and many a fable, And all they fynden deceyvable ; And whanne they han her lust [y]geten, The hoote ernes they al foryeten. Wymmen the harme they bien full sore. But men this thenken evermore ; 4S40 That lasse harme is, so mote I the, Deceyve them than deceyved be ; And namely where they ne may Fynde none other mene wey. For I wote wel, in sothfastnesse, What wight doth now his bisynesse With ony womman forto dele For ony lust that he may fele. But if it he for engendrure. He doth trespasse, I you ensure. 4830 4807. MSS. diffyned heere. 4814. Whetlier for ivher. 4824. plesure, WSt"^. jtlesyng. THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 4851-4941 For he shulde setten all his wille To geten a likly thyng hym tille, And to sustene, if he myght, And kepe forth, by kyndes right, His owne lyknesse and semblable. For because all is corumpable. And faile shulde successioun, Ne were ther generacioun Oure sectis strene forte save, 4859 Whanne fader or moder am in grave, Her children shulde, whanne they ben deede. Full diligent ben in her steede To use that werke on such a wise, That oon may thurgh another rise. Therfore sette Kynde therynne delite ; For men therynne shulde hem delite, And of that deede be not erke, But ofte sithes haunt that werke. For noon wolde drawe therof a draught, Ne were delite which hath hym kaught. Thus hath sotilled Dame Nature ; 4871 For noon goth right, I thee ensure, Ne hath entent hool ne parfit. For her desir is for delyte ; The which for tene crece, and eke The pley of love for-ofte seke. And thrall hem silf they be so nyce Unto the prince of every vyce ; For of ech synne it is the rote Unlefull lust, though it be sote, 4880 And of all yvell the racyne. As Tulius can determyne (Which in his tyme was full sage,) In a boke he made OF age, Where that more he preyseth eelde. Though he be croked and unweelde. And more of commendacioun Than youthe in his discripcioun. For youthe sette bothe man and wyf In all perell of soule and lyf, 4890 And perell is, but men have grace, The perell of yougth[e] forto pace Withoute ony deth or distresse, It is so full of wyldenesse. 4871. Thus ha-ih sotilled (MSS. This had sotilled, etc.), 'soutiva,' i.e. thus hath Nature subtly reasoned. 4875. /or tene crece (MSS. /ortened crece) ; crese, i.e. increase. 4892. Skeat and Kaluzaread tyme lor perell. 2 A 2 So ofte it doth shame or damage To hym, or to his lynage. It ledith man now up, now doun, In mochel dissolucioun. And makith hym love yvelV companye, And lede his lyf disrewlilye, 4900 And halt hym payed with noon estate. Withynne hym-silf is such debate. He chaungith purpos and entente And yalte [him] into spmme covente, To lyven aftir her emprise. And lesith fredom and fraunchise, That nature in hym hadde sette. The which ageyne he may not gette. If he there make his mansioun, For to abide professioun. 4910 Though for a tyme his herte absente, It may not fayle, he shal repente. And eke abide thilke day To leve his abite and gone his way ; And lesith his worship and his name. And dar not come ageyn for shame. But al his lyf he doth so morne, By cause he dat not hom retourne. Fredom of kynde so lost hath he. That never may recured be, 492a But that if God hym graunte grace That he may, er he hennes pace, Conteyne undir obedience Thurgh the vertu of pacience. For youthe sett man in all folye, In unthrift and [in] ribaudie, In leccherie and in outrage. So ofte it chaungith of corage. Youthe gynneth ofte sich bargeyne That may not eende withouten peyne. In gret perell is sett youthede, 4931 Delite so doth his bridil leede. Delite thus hangith, drede thee nought, Bothe mannys body and his thought Oonly thurgh youth, [his] chamberere. That to don.e yvell is custommere. And of nought elles taketh hede But oonly folkes forto lede Into disporte and wyldenesse, So [she] is frowarde from sadnesse. 4940 But Eelde drawith hem therfro, 4933. MSS. this for thus^ 'ainsinc' 4933. drede thee nought, i.e. you may be sure. 4940. Omitted subject. 713 4942-5029 THE ROMA UNT OF THE ROSE Who wote it nought, he may wel goo And moo of hem that now am olde, That whilom youthhed hadde in holde. Which yit remembre of tendir age, How it hem brought in many a rage, And many a foly therynne wrought. But now that Eelde hath hem thourgh sought, They repente hem of her folye, That youthe herti putte in jupardye, 4950 In perell, and in myche woo, And made hem ofte amys to do, ' And suen yvell companye, Riot and avouterie. But Eelde can ageyn restreyne From sich foly, and refreyne And sette men by her ordinaunce In good reule and in governaunce. But yvell she spendith hir servise For ho man wole hir love ne preise, 4960 She is hated, this wote I welle, Hir acqueyntaunce wolde noman fele Ne han of Elde companye, Men hate to be of hir aly'e ; For noman wolde bicomen plde Ne dye, whanne he is yong and bolde. And Eelde merveilith right gretlye, Whanne thei remembre hem inwardly, Of many a perelous emprise, 4969 Whiche that they wrought in sondry wise. How evere they myght, withoute blame, Escape awey withoute shame. In youthe withoute damage Or repreef of her lynage, Losse of raembre, shedyng of blode, Perell of deth, or losse of good. Woste thou nought where Youthe abit. That men so preisen in her witt ? With Delite she halt sojour. For bothe they dwellen in 00 tour. 4980 As longe as Youthe is in sesoun They dwellen in oon mansioun. Delite of Youthe wole have servise To do what so he wole devise ; And Youthe is redy evermore Forto obey for smerte of sore 4943. moo^ 'demant,' either verb meaning to asJe or mistake for some such word. Cp. v. 5290 and note. 4944. youthhed^^ MSS. youthe. 4960. MSS. neither; cp. v. 3718. Unto Delite, and hym to yive Hir servise while that she may lyve. Where Elde abit I wole thee telle Shortly, and no while dwelle, 4990 For thidir byhoveth thee to goo. If deth in youthe [hath] thee not sloo. Of this journey thou maist not faile. With hir Labour and Travaile Logged ben, with Sorwe and Woo That never out of hir court goo. ' Peyne and Distresse, Syknesse and Ire And Malencoly, that angry sire, Ben of hir paleys senatours ; 4999 Gronyng and Grucchyng hir herbejours The day and nyght hir to turment. With cruell deth they hir present ; And tellen hir, erliche and late, That Deth stont armed at hir gate. Thanne brynge they to her remembraunce The foly dedis of hir infaunce, Whiche causen hir to mourne in woo That Youthe hath hir bigiled so. Which sodeynly awey is hasted. Shewepeth the tyme that she hath wasted, C9mpleynyng of the preterit son And the present, that not abit, ' And of hir olde vanite ; That, but afom hir she may see fn the future somme socour, To leggen hir of hir dolour, To graunte hir tyme of r^pentaunce, For her synnes to do penaunce. And at the laste so hir goveme To Wynne the joy that is eterne, joaa Fro which go bakward Youthe her- made In vanite to droune and wade, — For present tyme abidith nought. It is more swift than any thought. So litel while it doth endure That ther nys compte ne mesure. But how that evere the game go Who list to have joie and mirth also Of love, be it he or she 5004. MSS. stonditk. 5022. The conclusion seems to have been forgot by the translator ; Fr. ' Et qu'ele a sa vie perdue Se du futur n'est secorue,' etc. So supply after 5022 : Al her lyf sh6 hath forlorn. 5028. have (MSS. love), read t'have. 7H THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 5030-5120 High or lowe, who it be, 5030 In fruyt they shulde hem delyte ; Her part they may not elles quyte, To save hem-silf in honeste. And yit full many one I se Of vymmeni sothly forto seyne, That desire and wolde fayne The pley of love, they be so wilde, And not coveite to go with childe. And if with child they be perchaunce, They wole it holde a gret myschaunce ; But what-som-ever woo they fele, 5041 They wole not pleyne but concele, But if it be ony fool or nyce In whom that Shame hath no justice. For to delyte echone they drawe. That haunte this werke bothe high and lawe, Save sich that am worth right nought That for money wole be bought. Such love I preise in no wise, Whanne it is goven for coveitise. 5050 I preise no womman though she be wood That yeveth hir-silf for ony good. For litel shulde a man telle, Of hir that wole hir body selle. Be she mayde, be she wyf. That quyk wole selle hir, bi hir lif. How faire chere that evere she make He is a wrecche, I undirtake. That loved such one, for swete or soure, Though she hym calle hir paramoure, And laughelh on hym, and makith hym feeste ; 5061 For certeynly no such beeste To be loved is not worthy. Or here the name of druerie. Noon shulde hir please, but he were woode, That wole dispoile hym of his goode. Yit nevertheles I wole pot sey That she for solace and for pley^ Ne may a jewel or other thyng Take of her loves fre yevyng ; 5070 But that she aske it in no wise. For drede of shame of coveitise. And she of hirs may hym certeyn Withoute sclaundre yeven ageyn^ 505T. MSS. though so he wood; (?) read to he good. ' Mes ja certes n'iert fame bone.' And joyne her hertes to-gldre so In love, and take and yeve also. Trowe not that I wolde hem twynne Whanne in her love ther is no synne ; I wole that they to-gedre go, And don al that they han ado, 5o8o As curteis shulde and debonaire, And in her love beren hem faire, Withoute vice, bothe he and she. So that alwey fn honeste Fro foly love they kepe hem clere. That brenneth hertis with his fere, And that her love in ony wise Be devoide of coveitise. Good love shulde engendrid be Of trewe herte, just and secre, 5090 And not of such as sette her thought To have her lust, and ellis nought. So are they caught in loves lace. Truly for bodily solace. Fleshly delite is so present With thee, that sette all thyne entent, Withoute more (what shulde I glose ?) F6rto gete and have the Rose, Which makith [thee] so mate and' woode. That thou desirest noon other goode. 5100 But thou art not an inche the nerre. But evere abidist in sorwe and werre, As in thi face it is sene ; It makith thee bothe pale and lene ; Thy myght, thi vertu goth away. A sory geste, in goode fay, Thou herberest then in thyne inne. The God of Love whanne thou let inne. Wherfore I rede thou shette hym oute. Or he shall greve thee, oute of doute ; For to thi profit it wole turne, 5111 Iff he nomore with thee sojourne. In gret myscheef and sorwe sonken Ben hertis that of love arn dronken, As thou peraunter knowen shall Whanne thou hast lost thi tyme all, And spent thy youth inydilnesse In waste and wofuU lustynesse. If thow maist lyve the tyme to se Of love forto delyvered be, 5120 5085. they, MSS. to. 5107. then^ MS. hent; Th. omits. 5116. thi tyTne. 'ton tens,' MSS. the tynte. 51 17. thy youths 'tajonesce^' MSS. hy thought. 71S 5I2I-52I3 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE Thy tyme thou shalt biwepe sore, The whiche never thou maist restore, For tyme lost, as men may see. For no thyng may recured be. And if thou scape yit atte laste Fro Love that hath thee so faste KreadM^^, referring to the hesauntes. 5599. He shall never make his riches satisfy [assetK) his greed. He diedith nought that it shall faile, Though he have lytel worldis goode, Mete, and drynke, and esy foode, Upon his travel and lyvyng, And also suffisaunt clothyng. Or if in syknesse that he fall, And lothe mete and drynke withall, 5610 Though he have not his mete to bye He shal bithynke hym hastily To putte hym oute of all daunger. That he of mete hath no myster ; Or that he may with lytel eke Be founden, while that he is seke ; Or that men shull hym berne in haste,- To lyve' til his syknesse be paste. To somme maysondewe biside ; 5619 Or he caste nought what shal hym bitide — He thenkith nought that evere he shall Into ony sykenesse fall. And though it falle, as it may be, That all be-tyme spare shall he As mochel, as shal to hym suffice While he is sike in ony wise, He doth [that] for that he wole be Contente with his poverte, Withoute nede of ony man. So myche in litel have he can, 5630 He is apaied with his fortune ; And for he nyl be importune Unto no wight, ne honerous, Nor of her goodes coveitous, Therfore he spareth, it may wel bene. His pore estate forto sustene. Or if hym lust not forto spare, But suffrith forth as not ne ware, Atte last it hapneth as it may Right unto his laste day, 5^4° And taketh the world as it wolde be ; For evere in herte thenkith he. The sonner that [the] deth hym slo, To paradys the sonner go He shal, there forto lyve in blisse, 5617. ieme for beren ; cp. myxfies, v. 6496, 5620. ^r supplied from Fr. *ou.' 5638, 5639. Fr. Ainsi vicngnent li froit et li chaut En la till qui inorir le face ; so perhaps read : But suffrith frost as hot ne ware. He lat it hapne as it m.iy. 5641. MSS, take. 721 5646-5733 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE WMere that he shal noo good misse ; Thider he hopith God shal hym sende, Aftir his wrecchid lyves ende. Pictagoras hym silf reherses In a book, that the Golden Verses 365° Is clepid for the nobilite Of the honourable ditee, That whanne thou goste thy body fro, Fre in the eir thou shalt up go. And leven al humanite, And purely lyve in deite. He is a foole withouten were That trowith have his Countre heere ; In erthe is not oure Countre — S^sg That may these clerkis seyn, and see In Boice of Consolacioun, Where it is maked mencioun Of oure countre pleyn at the ye By teching of Philosophie ; Where lewid men myght lere witte, Who so that wolde translaten it. If he be sich that can wel lyve Aftir his rente may hym yive, And not desireth more to have, Than may fro poverte hym save. 5670 A wise man seide, as vfe may seen, Is no man wrecche but he it wene. Be he kyng, knyght, or ribaude ; And many a ribaude is meiy and baude That swynkith and berith bothe day and nyght Many a burthen of gret myght, The whiche doth hym lasse offense For he sufifrith in pacienoe. They laugh and daunce, trippe and synge, And ley not up for her lyvyng, 5680 But in the taverne all dispendith The wynnyng that God hem sendith. Thanne goth he fardeles forto here, With, as good chere as he dide ere ; To swynke and traveile he not feynith, For for to robben he disdeynith ; But right anoon aftir his swynke 5650. (?) Omit the ; there is no article in the Fr. The book referred to is the A urea Camtina^ ex- tant in the Middle Ages as a work of Pythagoras. 5653. That, MSS. Thanne. 5661. of Consolacioun, ' de Consolations.' Jehan de Meung refers to I, pr. v. 5663. MSS. eye. 5672. MSS. wecched; cp. Boece, 394, He goth to taverne forto drynke. All these ar riche in abundaunce, That can thus have suffisaunce 569a Wd more than can an usurere. As God wel knowith, withoute were. For an usurer, so God me se, .Shal nevere for richesse riche be, But evermore pore and indigent, Scarce and gredy in his entent. For soth it is, whom it displese, Ther may no marchaunt lyve at ese. His herte in sich a werre is sett, That it quyk brenneth more to gete, 570a Ne never shal enough have geten, Though he have gold in gemers yeten. Forto be nedy he dredith sore, Wherfore to geten more and more He sette his herte and his desire. So hote he brennyth in the fire. Of coveitise, that makith hym woode To purchace other mennes goode. He undirfongith a gret peyne That undirt'akith to drynke up Seyne ; For the more he drynkith ay 5711 The more he leveth, the soth to say. Thus is thurst of fals getyng, Th4t laste ever in coveityng, And the angwisshe and distresse, With the fire of gredynesse. She fightith with hym ay and stryveth, That his herte a-sondre ryveth ; ' Such gredynesse hym assaylith, That whanne he most hath, most he failith. Phisiciens and advocates 5721 Gone right by the same yates ; They selle her science for wynnyng, And haunte her crafte for gret getyng. Her wynnyng is of such swetnesse, That if a man falle in sikenesse, They are full glad for ther encrese ; For by her wille, withoute lees, Everiche man shulde be seke, 5729 And though they die, they sette not a. leke. After, whanne they the gold have take, Full litel care for hem they make ; They wolde that tourty were seke atonys — S70I. enough have, MSS. though he hath (Kaluza). 5706. Cp. Boece, 325. 5713. Kaluza reads This for Thus, 722. THE ROMAVNT OF THE ROSE 5734-5811 Ye ii hundred in flesh and bonys, And yit ii thousand, as I gesse, Forto encrecen her richesse. They wole not worchen in no wise, But for lucre and coveitise. For Fysic gynneth first by ' Fy ' (The Phisicien also sothely) ; 5740 And sithen it goth fro " Fy " to " Sy," To truste on hem [it] is foly, For they nyl, in no maner gre, Do right nought for charite. Eke in the same secte ar sette All the that prechen forto gete W6rshipes, honour, and richesse. Her hertis am in grete distresse, That folk [ne] lyve not holily. But aboven all specialy 5750 Sich as prechen [in] veynglorie, And toward god have no raemorie, But forth as ypocrites trace, And to her soules deth purchace An outward shewiilg holynesse. Though they be full of cursidnesse, Not liche to the apostles twelve. They deceyve other and hem selve ; Bigiled is the giler thanne, For prechyng of a cursed man 5760 Though [it] to other may profite, Hymsilf it vaileth not a myte. For ofte goode predicacioun Cometh of evel entencioun. To hym not vailith his preching. All heipe he other with his teChing. For where they good ensaumple take, There is he with veynglorie shake. But late us leven these prechoures, And speke of hem that in her toures 5770 Hepe up her gold, and faSte shette, And sore theron her herte sette. They neither love God ne drede. They kepe more than it is nede. And in her bagges sore it bynde ; 5739-5742. The key of the pun is found in v. 5742: 'Physyc'goes from 'fying'= trusting, to 'syinE'= signing and groaning. The joke was probably an old one in our author's time, for It depends for its fullest point on the earlier form of * sien^' viz. ' siceti,' still used by Chaucer, and by the translator of the ' A ' part of the Romaunt (cp. v. 1641). 5755. An, MSS. And. 5763. MSS. miaileih; cp. v. 5765. Out of the Sonne, and of the wynde. They putte up more than nede ware. Whanne they seen pore folk forfare. For hunger die, and for cold quake, God can wel vengeaunce therof take. sj8o Thre gret myscheves hem assailith, And thus in gadring ay travaylith : With mychel peyne they wynne richesse. And drede hem holdith in distresse To kepe that they gadre faste, With sorwe they leve it at the laste ; With sorwe they bothe dye and lyve That unto richesse her hertis yive. And in defaute of love it is. As it shewith ful wel I-wys ; 5790 For if this gredy, the sothe to seyn, Loveden and were loved ageyn, And goode Love regned ovei-all. Such wikkidnesse ne shulde fall. But he shulde yeve, that most good hadde, To hem that weren in nede bistadde ; And lyve withoute false usure, For charite, full clene and pure. If they hem yeve to goodnesse, Defendyng hem from ydelnesse, 5800 In all this world thanne pover noon We shulde fynde, I trowe not oon. But chaunged is this world unstable. For love is over-all vendable ; We se that no man loveth nowe, But for wynnyng and for prowe. And love is thralled in servage, Whanne it is sold for avauntage ; Yit wommen wole her bodyes selle — Suche soiiles goth to the devel of helle. Whanne Love hadde told hem his entent, S8ci. pover, MSS. pore; cp. v. 6489. 5811. The translation is here interrupted, 11. 5137-10694 of the French {Michel, i. p. 171, 1. 5876 — p. 355, 1. ii,.;3; Martea-u, ii. p. 70, 1. 5397 — "i- P- 4S» 1. 11060) not haying been trans- lated. The following is a s5[nopsis (abridged from Bell's Chaucei^ of the missing portion : — Reasoli shows the vanity of natural love and the caprice of Fortune, and exhorts I'Aniant to fix his heart on Charity. L'Amant maintains his loyalty to the God of Love, and Reason leaves him. He then consults I'Ami, who advises him to approach Bel- Acueil's prison by a road called Trop-Donner, constructed by Largesse. L'Amj then gives I'Amant directions as to how he is to conduct himself towards his mistress and his wife, and leaves bim to pursue his adventure. L'Amant 723 S8i2-S902 THE ROMAVNT OF THE ROSE The baronage to councel went ; 5B12 In many sentences tbey fille, And dyversly they seide hir wille. But aftir discorde they accorded, And her accord to Love recorded : ' Sir,' seiden they, ' We ben atone Bi evene accorde of everichone, Oiitake Richesse al oonly, That sworne hath ful hauteynly, 5820 That she the castell nyl not assaile, Ne smyte a stroke in this bataile With darte ne mace, spere ne knyf. For man that spekith or berith the lyf, And blameth youre emprise, I-wys, And from oure boost departed is, Atte lest wey as in this plyte, So hath she this man in dispite. For, she sejth, he ne loved hir never, And therfore she wole hate hym evere. For he wole gadre no tresoure, 5831 He hath hir wrath for evermore ; He agylte hir never in other caas, Lo, heere all hoqlly his trespas. She seith wel that this other day He axide hir leve to gone the way That is clepid " To-moche-yevyng," And spak full faire in his praiyng. But whanne he praide hir, pore was he, Therfore she warned hym the entre ; 5840 Ne yit is he not thryven so That he hath geten a peny or two, That quytly is his owne, in holde. Thus hath Richesse us all[e] tolde ; And whanne Richesse us this recorded, Withouten hir we ben accorded. And we fynde in oure accordaunce That False-Semblant and Abstinaunce, With all the folk of her bataille, ShuU at the hyndre gate assayle, ' 585° That Wikkid-Tunge hath in kepyiig With his Normans full of janglyng ; And with hem Curtesie. and Largesse, Thit shuU shewe her hardynesse To the olde wyf, that kepte so harde Fair-Welcomyng withynne her warde ; approaches the castle, hut Richesse hars his entrance. The God of Love comes to his assist- ance, first convoking a council of his harons. Here the English hegins again. 5856. Fair-Welcomyng; hitherto called Bial- acoil. Thanne shal Delite and Wel-Heelynge , Fonde Shame adowne to brynge, . With all her oost early and late , They shull assailen that ilke gate ; 5860 Agaynes Drede shall Hardynesse Assayle, and also Sikernesse With all the folk of her iledyng, That never wist what was fleyng ; Fraunchise shall fight and eke Pite With Daunger, full of Cruelte ; i Thus is youre boost ordeyned wele. , Doune shall the castell every-dele, If everiche do his entent, S6 that Venus be present, 5870 Youre modir full of vesselage That can ynough of such usage. Withouten hir may no wight spede This werk, neithir for word ne deede ; Therfore is good ye for hir sende, For thurgh hir may this werk amende.' ' Lordynges, my modu:, the godd^sse. That is my lady and my maistresse, , Nis not [at] all at my willyng, Ne doth not all my desiryng ; 5880 Yit can she some tyme done labour, Whanne that hir lust, in my socour, As my nede is forto a-cbeve. But how I thenke hir not to geve ; My modir is she, and of childebede, I botbe worshipe hir an<} drede. For who that dredith sire ne dame, Shal it abye in body or name. And netbeles yit kunne we Sende aftir bir if nede be ; 5890 And were she nygb she comen wolde, I trowe that no thyng mygbt bir holde. Mi modir is of gret prowesse. She hath tan many a forteresse. That cost hath many a pounde, er this, There I nas not present y-wis ; And yit men seide it was my dede. But I come never in that stede, Ne me ne likith, so mote I the, 5899 That suche toures ben take withoute me. For why rne thenkith that in no wise It may bene clepid but marcbandise. 5883. As my nede is. Kaluza reads Al my nedisj and perhaps rightly ; ' nies besoignes,.' 'affairs,' read as 'mes besoinges ('needs'). Cp. similar translation in Boece, 147. 5886. MSS. eke drede. 724 THE ROMAVNT OF THE ROSE 5903-5993 Go- bye a courser, blak or white, And pay therfore, than art thou quyte ; The marchaunt owith thee right nought, Ne thou hym, whanne thou it bought. I wole not sellyng clepe "yevyng," For sellyng axeth no guerdonyng, Here lith no thank ne no merite ; That oon goth from that other al quyte. But this sellyng is not semblable ; 5911 For whanne his hors is in the stable, He may it selle ageyn, parde, And wynnen on it, such happe may be ; All may the man not leese I-wys, For at the leest the skynne is his. Or ellis if it so bitide That he wole kepe his hors to ride, Yit is he lord ay of his hors. But thilke chaifare is wel wors, 5920 There Venus entremetith ought. For who-so such chaifare hath bought. He shal not worchen so wisely. That he ne shal leese al outerly Bothe his money and his chaffare. But the seller of the ware The prys and profit have shall, Certeyn the bier shal leese all. For he ne can so dere it bye To have lordship and full maistrie, 5930 Ne have power to make lettyng Neithir for yift ne for prechyng. That of his chafiare, maugre his. Another shal have asmoche, I-wis, If he wole yeve as myche as he, Of what contrey so that he be ; Or for right nought, so happe may. If he can flater hir to hir pay. Ben ihanne siche marchauntz wise ? No but fooles in every wise, 5940 Whanne they bye sich thyng wilfully There as they leese her good fully. But natheles this dar I say. My modir is not wont to pay. For she is neither so fool ne nyce To entremete hir of sich vyce. But trusteth wel he shal pay all. That repent of his bargeyn shall, 59^5. .(4// is object of /^£«. 5931. make lettyng^ i.e, put hindrojice in his way. S942. fully, W&%. folyly, ' ou tant perdent.' 5947. MSS. Irusi, Whanne poverte putte hym in distresse. All were he scoler to Richesse, 5950 That is for me in gret yernyng Whanne she assentith to my willyng. But [by] my modir seint Venus, And by hir fader Saturnus, That hir engendride by his lyf (But not upon his weddid wyf) — Yit wole I more unto you swere To make this thyng the sikerere : — Now by that feith and that leaute That I owe to all my britheren fre, 5960 Of which ther nys wight undir heven That kan her fadris names neven. So dyverse and so many ther be. That with my modir have be prive ; Yit wolde I swere for sikirnesse. The pole of helle to my witnesse. Now drynke I not this yeere clarre, If that I lye or forswome be ! (For of the goddes the usage is. That who so hym forswereth amys 5970 Shal that yeer drynke no clarre. ) Now have I sworne ynough pardee. If I forswere me, thanne am I lorne — But I wole never be forswome. 1 Syth Richesse hath me failed heere. She shal abye that trespas dere, Atte leest wey but hir arme With swerd, or sparth or [with] gysarme. For certis sith she loveth not me Fro thilke tyme that she, may se 5980 The castell and the tour to-shake. In sory tyme she shal awake. If I may grype a riche man, I shal so pulle hym, if I can. That he shal in a fewe stoundes Lese all his markis and his poundis ; I shal hym make his pens outslynge. But they in his gerner sprynge. Oure maydens shal eke pluk hym so. That hym shal neden fetheres mo, 5990 And make hym selle his londe to spende, But he the bet kunne hym defende. Pore men han maad her lord of me ; J958. sikerere, MSS. seuerer, (Kaluza's einend- ation)-bas6d on vv: 6147, 7308. 5959. leaute, MSS. beaute. The same error occurs in v. 6006. 5976. dere, yi%^, ful dere, 'chiers.' 5988. ' S'il ne li sourdent en greniers.' 725 S994-6o84 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE Al though they not so myghty be That they may fede me in delite, I wole not have hem in despite ; No good man hateth hem as I gesse. For chynche and feloun is richesse ; That so can chase hym and dispise, And hem defoule in sondry wise. 6000 They loven full bet, so God me spade, Than doth the riche chynchy gnede ; And ben in goode feith more stable, And trewer and more serviable. And therfore it suffisith me Her goode herte and her leaute. ■ ■ They han on me sette all her thought. And therfore I forgete hem nought • I wolde hem bringe in grate noblesse. If that I were god of richasse, 6010 As I am god of love sothely, Sich routhe upon her pleynt have I. Therfore I must his socour be That peyneth hym to serven me. For if he deide for love of this, Thanne semeth in me no love ther is. ' ' Sir,' seida they, ' soth is every deel That ye raharce, and we wote wel Thilka oth to holde is resonabla. For it is good and covenable 6020 That ye on riche men han sworne ; For, Sir, this wota we wel biforne : If Riche men done you homage. That is, as fooles done, outrage. But ye shuU not forsworen be, Ne letta, therfore, to drynke clarre Or pymant makid fresh and newe. Ladies shuU hem svich pepir brewe. If that they fall into her laas, 6029 That they for woo mowe seyn, " Alias ! " Ladyes shuUen evare so curteis be. That they shal quyte youra oth all free. Ne sekith never othir vicaire, For they shal speke with hem so faire, That ya shal holde you paied full wele, Though ye you media never a dele. Late ladies worche with her thyngis They shal hem telle so fele tidyngas, And moeve ham eke so many requastis, Bi flateri, that not honest is ; 15040 6002. MSS. grede for gytede. And therto yeve hym such thankynges, What with kissyng, and with talkynges, That certis, if they trowed be, Shal never leve hem londa ne fee. That it nyl as the moeble fare Of which they first delyverid are. Now may ye telle us all youre wille, And we youre heestes shal fulfiUe. But Fals-Semblaunt dar not for drede Of you. Sir, media hym of this dade ; For ha saith that ye ben his foo, 6051 Ha note if ye wole worche hym woo. Wherfora wa pray you alia, Beausira, That ya forgjrve hym now your Ire, And that he may dwelle as your man with Abstinence, his dere leinman. This oure accord and oure wille nowe. ' ' Parfay,' seida Love, ' I graunte it yowe ; I wole wel holde hym for my man, 6059 Now late hym come.' And he forth ran. ' Fals-Semblant,' quod Love, ' in this wise I take thee heere to my servisa,' That thou oure fraendis helpe away, And hyndrath hem neithir nyght ne day. But do thy myght hem to releva ; And eke oure enemyes that thoii greve ; Thyne be this myght, I graunte it thee. My Kyng of Harlotes shalt thou be, We wole that thou have such honour. Certeyne thou art a fals traitour, ' 6070 And aka a theef ; sith thou were borne, A thousand tyme thou art forsworne ; But netheles in oure heryng. To putte oure folk out of doutyng I bidda thae teche hem, wostowe howa, Bi somma general signe nowa. In what place thou shalt founden be, If that men had mystar of thee. And how men shal thae best espya ; For thee to knowe is grat maistrie. 6080 Tflle in what place is thyn hauntyng. ' ' Sir, I have fele dyverse wonyng. That I kepe not rehersed be ; So that ye wolda respitan me. 6041, 6o4'2. thankynges, ' colees ' ; Kaluza sug- gests thwakkynges. Similarly talkynges does not seem happy for acolees ' ; (?) reBid ivakynges, cp. vv. 2682, 4272. 6057. This, this is. 6068. Kyng of Harlotes, *rois desribauds,' i.e. provost-marshal. 726 THE ROMA UNT OF THE ROSE 6085-6179 For if that I telle you the sothe, I may have harme and shame bothe ; If that my felowes wisten it, My talis shulden me be quytt, For certeyne they wolde hate me If ever I knewe her cruelte. 6090 For they wolde overall holde hem stille Of trouthe that is ageyne her wille ; Suche tales kepen they not here. I myght eftsoone bye it fijU deere, If I seide of hem ony thing That ought displesith to her heryng. For what word that hem prikketh orbiteth, In that word noon of hem deliteth, Al were it gospel the Evangile, That wolde reprove hem of her gile. 6100 For they are cruel and hautejme, And this thyng wote I well certeyne ; If I speke ought to peire her loos, Your court shal not so well be cloos That they ne shall wite it atte last. Of good men am I nought agast, For. they wole taken on hem no thyng, Whanne that they knowe al my menyng. But he that wole it on hym take, He wole hym-silf suspecious make 6110 That he his lyf let covertly, In gile and in Ipocrisie That me engendred and yaf fostryng. ' ' They made a full good engendryng,' Quod Love, ' for who so sothly telle, They engendred the Devel of Helle. But nedely, how so evere it be,' Quod Love, ' I wole and charge thee To telle anoon thy wonyng places, 6119 Heryng ech wight that in this place is, And what lyf that thou lyvest also ; Hide it no lenger now — Wherto ? Thou most discovere all thi wurchyng, How thou servest, and of what thyng. Though that thou shuldist for thi spthe-sa we Ben alto beten and to-drawe. And yit art thou not wont pardee. But natheles though thoii beten be, Thou shalt not be the first that so Hath for sothsawe suffred woo.' 6130 ' Sir, sith that it may liken you. Though that I shulde be slayne right now, I shal done youre comaundement, 6111. let, leads. For therto havd I gret talent. ' Withouten wordis mo right thanne Fals-Semblant his sermon biganne. And seide hem thus in audience : ' Barouns, take heede of my sentence : That wight that list to have knowing Of Fals-Semblant, full of fiatering, 6140 He must in worldly folk hym seke. And certes in the cloistres eke, I wone no where but in hem twey ; But not lyk even, soth to sey. Shortly, I wole herberwe me There I hope best to holstred be ; And certeynly sikerest hidyng. Is undimethe humblest clothing. Religiouse folk ben &11 covert, Seculer folk ben more appert. 615c But natheles I wole not blame Religious folk, ne hem diifame ; In what habit that ever they go, Religioun umble and trewe also, Wole I not blame, ne dispise, But I nyl love it in no wise — I mene of false religious, That stoute ben and malicious, That wolen in an abit goo. And setten not her herte therto. 6i6c Religious folk ben al pitous. Thou shalt not seen oon dispitous ; • They loven no pride, ne no strif, But humbely they wole lede her lyf. With which folk wole I never be. And if I dwelle, I feyne me. I may wel in her abit go. But me were lever my nekke a^two Than lete a purpose that I take. What covenaunt that ever I make. 617c I dwelle with hem that proude be. And full of wiles and subtilte,. That worship of this world coveiten. And grete nedes kunnen espleiten. And gone and gadren gret pitaunces. And purchace hem the acqueyntaunces Of men that myghty lyf may leden, And feyne hem pore, and hem silf feden With gode morcels delicious, 6146. MSS. kuhtred. 6172. MSS. subtilUe. 6174. MSS. grete nede, Mes grans besoignes ■ cp. note to 5883. 727 6180-6269 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE And drinken good wyne precious, 6180 And preche us povert and distresse, And fisshen hem silf gret richesse With wily nettis that they cast ; It wole come foule out at the last. They ben fro clene religioun went, They make the world an argument, That [hath] a foule conclusioun : '' I have a robe of religioun, Thanne am I ,all religious. " This argument is all roignous, 6190 It is not worth a croked brere ; Abit ne makith neithir monk ne frere, But clene lyf and devocioun Makith gode men of religioun. , Netheles ther kan noon answere. How high that evere his heed he shere With rasour whetted never so kene, That Gile in braunches kut thrittene ; Ther can no wight distincte it so. That he dare sey a word therto. 6200 But what herberwe that ever I take Or what Semblant that evere I make, I mene but gile, and folowe that. For right no mo than Gibbe cure cat, , That awaiteth myce and rattes to kyllen, Ne entende I but to bigilen. Ne no wight may by my clothing Wite with what folk is my dwellyng, Ne by my wbrdis yit, parde. So softe and so plesa^nt they be. 6210 Biholde the dedis that I do. But thou be blynde thou oughtest so. For varie her wordis fro her deede, They .thenke on gile withoute dreede, What maner clothing that they were Or what estate that evere they bere Lered or lewde, lord or lady, . Knyght, squyer, burgeis, or bayly.' Right thus , while Fals - Semblant sermqneth Eftsones Love hym aresoneth, 6220 And brake his tale in his spekyng. As though he had hym tolde lesyng, 6197. '■ MSS. resoun for rasour. 619S. That has Tioon for its antecedent* and the allusion is to the twelve monks and prior who made up a convent. 6204. Gi6ie, i.e. ' Gib,' a common English name for a cat. 6205; Only in Th., but found in Fr. 6206. G bigilyng. And seide, ' What Devel is that I here? What folk hast thou us nempned heere ? May men fynde religioun In worldly habitacioun ? ' ' Ye, Sir, it folowith not that they Shulde lede a wikked lyf, parfey, Ne not therfore her soules leese. That hem to worldly clothes chese ; 6230 For certis it were gret pitee. Men may in secular clothes see Florishen hooly religioun. Full many a seynt in feeld and toune, With many a virgine glorious, Devoute and full religious Han deied, that comyn cloth ay beeren, Yit seyntes nevere the lesse they weren. I cowde reken you many a ten, 6239 Ye wel nygh [al] these hooly wymmen, That men in chirchis herie and seke, Bothe maydens and these wyves eke. That baren full many afaire child heere, Wered alwey clothis seculere. And in the same dieden they. That seyntes weren, and ben alwey. The xi. thousand maydens deere. That beren in haven her ciergis clere. Of whiche men rada in chircha and synge. Were take in seculer clothing, 6250 Whanne they rasseyved martirdome. And wonnen hevene unto her home. Good herte makith the goode thought, The clothing yevath na raveth nought ; The goode thought and the worching That makith the religioun flowryng — Ther lyth the goode religioun, Aftir the right antancioun. Whoso took a wether's skynne, And wrapped a gredy wolf therynne 6260 For ha shulde go with lambis whyte, Wenqst thou not he wolde hern bite ? Yis, neverthelasse, as he were wooda. He wolde hem wary and drinke ther bloode. And wel the rather hem discayve ; For sith thayj:owde not perceyve His treget and his cruelte, They wolde hym folowe al wolde he fle. If ther be wolves of sich hewe 6243. Perhaps omit fulL 6264. MSS. ihe bloode^ ' lor sane. 728 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 6270-6351 Amonges these apostlis newe, 6270 Thou, Hooly Chirche, thou maist be wailed, Sith that thy Citee is assayled Thourgh knyghtis of thyn owne table. God wote thi lordship is doutable, If thei enforce [hem] it to wynne, That shulde defende it fro withynne. Who myght defense ayens hem make ? Withoute stroke it mote be take Of trepeget, or mangonel. Without displaiyng of pensel. 6280 And if God ny) done it socour, But lat [it] renne in this colour, Thou most thyn heestis laten be ; Thanne is ther nought but yelde thee, Or yeve hem tribute doutelees. And holde it of hem to have pees. But gretter harme bitideth thee That they al maister of it be. Wei konne they scome thee withal ; By daye stuffen they the wall, 6290 And al the nyght they mynen there. Nay, thou planten most elles where Thyn ympes, if thou wolt frujrt have ; Abide not there thi-silf to save. But now pees ! Heere I turne ageyne, I wole nomore of this thing seyne. If I may passen me herby. I myghte maken you wery ; But I wole heten you al-way To helpe youre freendis, what I may, 6300 So they woUen my company ; For they be shent al outerly. But if so falle that I be Ofte with hem and they with me. And eke my lemman mote they serve. Or they shull not my love deserve. Forsothe I am a fals traitour, God jugged me for a theef trichour ; Forsworne I am, but wel nygh none Wote of my gile til it be done. 6310 Thurgh me hath many oon deth resseyved, That my treget nevere aperceyved ; And yit resseyveth, and shal resseyve, 6281. ' Et se d'eus (misread as deus) ne la vues rescorre.' 62Q0. MSS. day. Skeat supplies luel before stuffin. That my falsnesse shal nevere aperceyve. But who so doth, if he wise be, Hym is right good be war of me; But so sligh is the deceyvyng That to hard is the aperceyvyng. For Protheus, that cowde hym chaunge. In every shap homely and straunge, 6320 Cowde nevere sich gile ne tresoune As I. For I come never in toune. There as I myght knbwen be ; Thoughmen me bothe myght here and see, Full wel I can my clothis chaunge,' Take oon and make another straunge. Now am I knyght, now chasteleyne, Now prelat, and now chapeleyne. Now prest, now clerk, and now forstere ; Now am I maister, now scolere, 6330 Now monke, now chanoun, now baily ; What ever myster man am I, Now am I prince, now am I page. And kan by herte every langage ; Soifime tyme am I hore and olde, Now am I yonge, [and] stoute, and bolde ; Now am I Robert, now Robyn, Now Frere Menour, now lacobyn. And with me folwith my loteby. To done me solas and company, 6340 That hight Dame Abstinence-Streyned. In many a queynte array feyned, Ryght as it cometh to hir lykyng, I fulfille al hir desiryng ; Somtyme a wommans cloth take I, Now am I mayde, now lady ; Somtyme I am religious. Now lyk an anker in an hous ; Somtyme am I Prioresse, And now a nonne, and now Abbesse ; 6350 And go thurgh alle regiouns. 6314. shal often thus makes an extra unac- cented syllable. 63171 6318. Supplied by Kaluza from Fr. MSS. have aperceyiiytig for deceyvyft^ in 6317, and G leaves blank space for 6318, which appears in Th. as That al to late cometh knowyng. 6337. Robert, i.e. gentleman. 6337. Rohyn, i,e. clown. 6338. Frere Menour, i.e. Franciscan. 6338. lacohyn, i.e. Dominican. 6341. MSS. and reyned for streyned. 6344. To fulfille, with comma after streyned and full stop after desiryng, would better trans- late Fr. 6346. MSS. a mayde. 729 63S2-643S THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE Sekyjog all religiouns. But to what ordre that I am sworne, I take the strawe, and lete the come To joly folk I enhabite ; I axe nomore but her abite. "What wole ye more ? In every wise, Right as me lyst, I me disgise ; Wei can I wre me unAr wede, Unlyk is my word to my dede. 6360 II] make into my trappis falle, Thurgh my pryveleges, alle That ben in Cristendome alyve, I may assoile and I may shryve (That no prelat may lette me) All folk where evere thei founde be ; I note no prelate may done so, But it the pope be, and no mo. That made thilk establisshiiig. Now is not this a propre thing ? 6370 But where my sleight is aperceyved. Of hem I am nomore resceyved. As I was wont ; and wostow why ? For I dide hem a tregetrie. But therof yeve I lytel tale ; I have the silver and the male. So have I prechid, and eke shriven, So have I take, so have me yiven Thurgh her foly husbonde and wyf. That I lede right a joly lyf, 6380 Thurgh symplesse of the prelacye ; They knowe not al my tregettrie. /But for asmoche as man and wyf Shulde shewe her paroch-prest her lyf Onys a yeer, as seith the book, 6354. hie, MSS. heie ; cp. 5544, 5950, 6006. 6355. The Fr. texts vaTy here. The verse should run : To blynde folk ther_ I enhabii, and be taken with v. 6^56. loly is perhaps a mistake for sely, translating 'por gens avugler' misread as ' por gens avugles.' 6359. WW, MSS. -were; Skeat and Kaluza iere; ' Moult sont en moi miii li vers.' 6365. That, 'ce.' 6371. -where, MSS. were. 6371. sleight is, MSS. sleightis. Other editions retain reading; of MSS. See next note. 6372. Missing from MSS. ; here supplied from Fr. : Mes mss trais ont aperceiis Si ji'en sui mes si receus. Bell : I shulde ne lenger ben received. Morris : Ne sliulde I more ben receyved. But the statement in Fr. is not conditional. 6375. MSS. a Hteltale; cp. v. 6346. Er ony wight his housel took, Thanne have I pryvylegis large That may of myche thing discharge. For he may seie right thus, parde : — " Sir Freest, in shrift I telle it thee, 6390 That he to whom that I am shryven Hath me assoiled, and me yiven For penaunce sothly for my synne Which that I fonde me gilty ynne ; Ne I ne have nevere entencioun. To make double confessioun, Ne reherce efte my shrift to thee ; shrift is right ynough to me. This oughte thee suffice wele, Ne be not rebel never a dele, • 6400 For certis, though thou haddist it sworn, 1 wote no prest ne prelat borne That may to shrift efte me constreyne. And if they done, I wole me pleyne. For I wote where to pleyne wele. Thou shalt not streyne me a dele Ne enforce me, ne not me trouble To make my confessioun double. Ne I have none affeccioun. To have double absolucioun. 6410 The firste is right ynough to me, This latter assoilyng quyte I thee. lamunbounde — What! Maistthoufynde More of my synnes me to unbynde ! For he that myght hath in his honde Of all my synnes me unbonde. And if thou wolt me thus constreyne That me mote nedis on thee pleyne, There shall no jugge imperial Ne bisshop, ne official, 642a Done jugement on me ; fdr I Shal gone and pleyne me openly Unto iny shriftefadir newe. That highte not Frere Wolf unfrewe ! And he shal chevys hym for me, For I trowe he can hampre thee. But lord ! he wolde be virrooth withall. If men hym wolde Frere Wolf call ; For he wolde have no pacience. But done al cruel vengeaunce ; 6430 He wolde his myght done at the leest No thing spare, for goddis heest. And god so wys be my socour. But thou yeve me my Savyour At Ester, whanne it likith me, 730 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 6436-6515 Withoute presyng more on thee, I wole forth and to hym gone, And he shal housel me anoon, For I am out of thi grucching ; I kepe not dele with thee no thing. '' 6440 Thus may he shryve hym that forsaketh His paroch prest, and to me takith ; And if the prest wole hym refuse, I am full redy hym to accuse, And hym punysshe and hampre so That he his chirche shal forgo. But who so hath in his felyng The consequence of such shryvyng, Shal sene that prest may never have myght To knowe the conscience a-right 6450 Of hjmi that is undir his cure. And this ageyns Holy Scripture, That biddith every heerde honeste Have verry knowing of his beeste. But pore folk that gone by strete, That have no gold, ne sommes grete, Hem wolde I lete to her prelates ; Or lete her prestis knowe her states. Forto me right nought yeve they.' 'And why?' ' It is for they ne may. They ben so bare I take no kepe, 6461 But I wole have the fatte sheepe ; Lat parish prestis have the lene, I yeve not of her harme a bene, And if that prelates grucche it. That oughten wroth be in her witt To leese her fatte beestes so, I shal yeve hem a stroke or two That they shal leesen with [her] force Ye bothe her mytre and her croce. 6470 Thus jape I hem, and have do longe^^ My pryveleges ben so stronge.',,^"''^ Fals - Semblaunt wolde have stynted heere. But Love ne made hym no such cheere That he was wery of his sawe, But forto make hym glad and fawe 6436. presyngj pressing. 6440. i.e. I don't care to deal with you in any way. 6452. thist tliis is. 6466. MSS. woth, 6469. her, Skeat the, Kaluza suf^gests by seint loce, referring to Tales, D 483. Fr. : aue lever ferai tex boces u'il en perdront mitres et croces. He seide : ' Telle on more specialy, How that thou servest untrewly ; Telle forth, and shame thee never a dele. For as thyn abit shewith wele 6480 Thou semest an hooly heremyte.' ' Sothe is, but I am an ypocrite.' ' Thou goste and prechest poverte. ' ' Ye sir but richesse hath pouste.' ' Thou prechest abstinence also.' ' Sir, I wole fiUen, so mote I go. My paunche of good mete and [good] wyne, As-shulde a maister of dyvyne ; For how that I me pover feyne, Yit all[e] pore folk I disdeyne. 6490 I Love bettir thacqueyntaunce Ten tyme of the Kyng of Fraunce, Than of a pore man of mylde mode, Though that his soule be also gode. For whanne I see beggers quakyng Naked on myxnes al stynkyng For hungre crie, and eke for care, I entremete not of her fare. They ben so pore and ful of pyne, 6499 They myght not oonys yeve me a dyne, For they have no thing but her lyf ; What shulde he yeve that likketh his knyf? It is but foly to entremete. To seke in houndes nest fat mete. Lete here hem to the spitel anoon, But for me comfort gete they noon. But a riche sike usurere Wolde I visite and drawe nere ; Hym wole I comforte and rehete. For I hope of his gold to gete. 6510 And if that wikkid deth hym have, I wole go with hym to his grave ; And if ther ony reprove me Why that I lete the pore be, W&stow how I mot a-scape ? 6481, semest, MSS. seruest, 6482. an, MSS. but an. 6492. Ten tyme, Fr. 'cent mil tans.' 6493. Skeat omits a. Kaluza mylde, which seems better; cp. Fr. 'Que d'unpovre parnostre Dame ' ; pover, too, is more frequent than pore in the poem. 6500. Kaluza and Skeat omit a. 6507. usurere seems to be dissyllabic here, like seculer in v. 6263. 6515. vtot, MSS. not. 731 6516-6602 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE I sey and swere hym ful rape That riche men han more tecches. Of synne than han pore wrecches. And han of counsel more mister. And therfore I wole drawe hem ner. But as grete hurt, it may so be, 6521 Hath soule in right grete poverte As soule in grete richesse, forsothe, Al be it that they hurten bothe ; For richesse and mendicitees Ben clepid ii. extremytees ; The mene is cleped suffisaunce, Ther lyth of vertu the aboundaunce. For Salamon, full wel I wote. In his Parablis us wrote, 6530 As it is knowe to many a wight. In his thrittene chapitre right : " God thou me kepe, for thi pouste. Fro richesse and mendicite ; For if a riche man hym dresse. To thenke to niyche on [his] richesse. His herte on that so fer is sett. That he his creatour foryett ; And hym that begging wole ay greve. How shulde I bi his word hym leve ? Unnethe [is] that he nys a mycher 6541 Forsworne or ellis God is Iyer." Thus seith Salamones sawes. Ne we fynde writen in no lawis And namely in cure Cristen lay (Whoso seith, "Ye," I dar sey, "Nay,") That Crist ne his apostlis dere, While that they -walkide in erthe heere, Were never seen her bred beggyng ; For they nolde'beggen for no thing.. 6550 And right thus was men wont to teche, And in this wise wolde it preche The maistres of divinite Somtyme in Parys the citee. And if men wolde ther-geyn appose The nakid text and lete the glose, It myghte soone assoiled be. 6322. MSS. a soule. 6532. thriHene^\i should be thirtieth (Prov. Kxx. 8, g), ' trentiesne.' -^ 6536. his rickesse, ' sa richesse.' 6539- tegg'^g, MSS. heggith (corrected by Kaluza). 6539. wole grevBt * mendicity euerroie,' 6542. God is, MSS. goddis. Cp. 6541. 6543. Salamones, MSS. Salamon (Kaluza). 6551. men, one. For men may wel the sothe see. That, parde, they myght aske a thing Pleynly forth without begging ; 6%6a For they were Goddis herdis degre. And cure of soules hadden heere. They nolde no thing begge her fode ; For aftir Crist was done on rode With ther propre hondis they wrought. And with travel, and ellis noiight, , They wonnen all her sustenaunce, And lyveden forth in her penaunce. And the remenaunt yaf awey To other pore folkis alwey. 6370 They neither bilden tour ne halle. But ley in houses smale with-alle. A myghty man that can and may, Shulde with his honde and body alway, Wynne hym his fode ip laboring, If he ne have rent or sich a thing, Al though he be religious, And god to serven curious. Thus mote he done, or do trespas, But if it be in certeyn cas, 6580 That I can reherce if myster be Right wel, whanne the tyme I se. Seke the book of seynt Austyne, Be it in papir or perchemyne. There as he writ of these worchynges; Thou shalt seen that noon excusynges A parfit man ne shulde seke Bi wordis, ne bi dedis eke, Al though he be religious And god to serven curious, 6590 That he ne shal, so mote I go, With propre hondis and body also, Gete his fode in laboryng, If he ne have proprete of thing. Yit shulde he selle all his substaunoe And with his swynk have sjistenaunce, If he be parfit in bounte ; Thus han tho bookes tolde me. For he that wole gone ydilly And usith it ay besily 6600 To haunten other mennes table, He is a trechouj fiil of fable, 6568. penaunce, 'en pacience, so perhaps, as Kalu2a suggests, read /aczVnce. 6581. Perhaps omit That. 6392. Kaluza reads honde, citing v. 6374 : but cp. V. 6563. 6600. besily, MSS. desily. 732 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE 6603-6689 Ne he ne may by gode resoun Excuse hym by his orisoun ; For men bihoveth in somme gise Blynne somtyme in Goddis servise To gone and purchasen her nede. Men mote eten, that is no drede, And slepe, and eke do other thing ; So longe may they leve praiyng ; 6610 So may they eke her praier blynne, While that they werke her mete to wynne. Seynt Austyn wole therto accorde In thilke book that I recorde. Justinian eke, that made lawes. Hath thus forboden, by old dawes. No man up peyne to be dede, Mighty of body, to begge his brede, If he may swynke it forto gete ; Men shulde hym rather mayme or bete. Or done of hym aperte justice, 6621 Than sufiren hym in such malice. They done not wel, so mote I go. That taken such almesse so, But if they have somme pryvelege, That of the peyne hem wole allege. But how that is, can I not see, But if the prince dissey ved be. Ne I ne wene not sikerly That they may have it rightfully. 6630 But I wole not determine Of prynces power, ne defyne, Ne by my word comprende, I-wys, If it so ferre may strecche in this ; I wole not entremete a dele. But I trowe that the book seith wele, Who that takith almessis that be Dewe to folk, that men may se Lime, feble, wery and bare. Pore or in such maner care, 6640 That konne wynne hem never mo. For they have no power therto, He etith his owne dampnyng, But if he lye that made al thing. And if ye such a truaunt fynde. Chastise hym wel, if ye be kynde. But they wolde hate you percas. And if ye iillen in her laas, 6606. Blynne, MSS. Ben. Skeat and Kaluza read sowttyme leven. 6615. fusHnian, cod. Justin, xi. 25. De tnendicaniibtts validis (Bell). They wolde eftsoonys do you scathe, If that they myghte, late or rathe. 6650 For they be not ftiU pacient, That han the world thus foule blent. And witeth wel, that [though] God bad The good-man selle al that he had. And folowe hym, and to pore it yive, He wolde not therfore that he lyve To serven hym in mendience. For it was nevere his sentence. But he bad wirken whanne that neede is. And folwe hym in goode< dedis. . 6660 Seynt Poule, that loved al Hooly Chirche, He bade thappostles forto wirche. And wynnen her lyflode in that wise, And hem defended truaundise ; And seide, "Wirketh withy ourehonden" ; Thus shulde the thing be undirstonden. He nolde, I-wys, have bidde hem begging, Ne sellen gospel ne prechyng. Lest they berafte, with her askyng. Folk of her catel or of her thing. 6670 For in this world is many a man That yeveth his good for he ne can Werne it for shame, or ellis he Wolde of the asker delyvered be ; And for he hym encombrith so, i He yeveth hym good to late hym go. But it can hem no thyng profit They lese the yift and the meryte. The goode folk that Poule to preched Profred hym ofte, whan he hem teched, Somme of her good in charite; 66S1 But therfore right no thing toke he, But of his hondwerk wolde he gete Clothes to wryne hym, and his mete.' ' Telle me thanne how aman may ly ven, That al his good- to pore hath yiven. And wole but oonly bidde his bedis. And nevere with hondes labour his nede is. May he do so ? ' 'Ye sir.' ■ 'And how I?' 6653. tJwugh, supplied by Kaluza; but thef (=where) would Come closer to Fr. 'laau Diex comande.' 6654. The good-man, Fr. 'prodons.' 6677. hem, MSS. hj/m, Fr. ' lor prouffite.' 6638. Found only in Thynne, but according nearly enough with Fr. n^de is, Th. nedis; labour in sense of * to labour for ' is not otherwise known in M.E. 7.33 6690-6780 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE Sir, I wole gladly telle yow. fidgo Seynt Austjm seith a man may be In houses that han proprete, As Templers, and Hospitelers, And as these Chanouns Regulers, Or White monkes or these Blake — I wole no mo ensamplis make — And take therof his sustenyng, For therynne lyth no begging ; But other wey[e]s not, y-wys, Yif Austyn gabbith not of this. 6700 And yit full many a monke laboreth, That God in hooly chirche honoureth ; For whanne her swynkyng is agone, They rede and synge in chirche anone. And for ther hath ben gret discorde, As many a wight may bare recorde, Upon the estate of mendience, I wole shortly, in youre presence, Telle how a man may begge at nede. That hath not wherwith hjmi to fede. Maugre this felones jangelyngis, 6711 For sothfastnesse wole none hidyngis ; And yit percas I may abey, That I to yow sothly thus sey. Lo heere the caas especial : ' If a man be so bestial. That he of no craft hath science, And nought desireth ignorence, Thanne may he go a-begging yerne, Til he somme maner crafte kan lerne ; Thurgh which withoute truaundyng 6721 He may in trouthe have his Ijrvyng. Or if he may done no labour For elde, or sykenesse, or langour. Or for his tendre age also, Thanne may he yit a-begging go. Or if he have peraventure, ■ Thurgh u^age of his norriture, liyved over deliciouSly, Thanne oughten good folk comunly 6730 Han of his myscheef somme pitee. And suffreft hym also that he May gone aboute and begge his breed, That he be not for hungur deed. Or if he have of craft kunnyng. tnaa. Yif, MSS. Yit, 'Se.' 6707, MSSt viendicetu^e. (iTLT. MSS. his felones, Fr. ' Maugre les felon- esses jangles,' i.e. these felonous janglings. And strengthe also, and desiryng To wirken as he had what But he iynde neithir this ne that, Thanne may he begge, til that he Have geten his necessite. 674a Or if his wynnyng be so lite That his labour wole not acquyte SufBciantly al his lyvyng, Yit may he go his breed begging ; Fro dore to dore he may go trace, Til he the remenaunt may purchace. Or if a man wolde undirtake Ony emprise forto make In the rescous of oure lay. And it defenden as he may, 6750 Be it with armes or lettrure Or other covenable cure. If it be so he pore be, Thanne may he begge til that he May iynde in trouthe forto swynke. And gete hym clothe, mete and drynke, Swynke he with hondis corporell And not with hondis espirituell. In al this caas and in semblables. If that ther ben mo resonables, 6760 He may begge as I telle you heere, And ellis nought in no manere ; As Williaui Seynt Amour wolde preche. And ofte wolde dispute and teche, Of this mater all openly At Parys full solempnely. And, also god my soule blesse. As he had in this stedfastnesse The accorde of the universite And of the puple, as semeth me, 6770 No good man oughte it to refuse, Ne ought hym therof to excuse. Be wrothe or blithe who-so be, For I wole speke and telle it thee, Al shulde, I dye, and be putt dovm As was seynt Poule in derke prisoun. Or be exiled in this caas With wrong, as maister William was. That my moder, Ypocrysie, Binysshed for hir gret envye. 67S0 6749. i.e. in the defence of our religion. 6759. this, plural. 6763. William Seynt Amour, a doctor of the Sorbonne who wrote a book against friars in the 13th century. 6769. Th'ffC^pr4 fi/ th' universite. 734 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE 6781-6868 My modir flemed hym, Seynt Amour : The noble dide such labour To susteyne evere the loyalte, That he to moche agilte me ; He made a book, and lete it write Wheryn hys lyfe he dyd al write, And wolde ich reneyed begging. And lyved by my traveylyng, If I ne had rent ne other goode. What ! Waned he that I were woode ? 6790 For labour myght me never plese, I have more wille to bene at ese. And have wel lever, soth to sey, Bifore the puple patre and prey ; And wrie me in my foxerie Under a cope of papelardie.' QuodLove, 'Whatdevelisthisthatlheere? What wordis tellest thou me heere ? ' 'What, Sir?' ' Falsnesse th^t apert is ; Thanne dredist thou not god?' ' No certis ; For selde in grete thing shal he spede In this worlde, that god wole drede. 6802 For folk that hem to vertu yyven, And truly on her owne lyven. And hem in goodnesse ay contene. On hem is lytel thrift: y-sene. Such folk drinken gret mysese ; That lyf may me never plese. But se what gold han usurers And silver eke in [her] gamers, 6810 Taylagiers and these monyours, Baili&, bedels, provost countours These lyven wel nygh by ravyne. The smale puple hem mote enclyne. And they as wolves wole hem eten. Upon the pore folk they geten Full moche of that they spende or kepe, Nis none of hem that he nyl strepe, And wrine hem silf wel atte fuUe ; Withoute scaldyng they hem pulle. 6820 The stronge the feble overgoth, But I, that were my symple cloth, 67B6. As in Th. and Fr. ; G in laee hand, Pfthyngis that he beste myghie. 6802. MSS. world, but as in v. 6843 the metre requires two syllables. 6810. MSS. omit her, 'lor greniers.' 6819. wrine, (?) wreen. The scribe frequently confuses / and e. Robbe bothe robbed and robbours, And gile giled and gilours. By my treget, I gadre and threste The gret tresour into my cheste. That lyth with me so faste bounde. Myn highe paleys do I founde. And my delites I fulfille With wyne at feestes at my wille 6830 And tables full of entremees. I wole no lyf but ese and pees. And Wynne gold to spende also. For whanne the grete bagge is go. It Cometh right with my japes. Make I not wel tumble myn apes ? To wynnen is alwey myn entent, My purchace is bettir than my rent ; For though I shulde beten be, Over-al I entremete me ; 6840 Withoute me may no wight dure. I walke soules forto cure. Of al the worlde cure have I In brede and lengthe. Bold[e]ly I wole bothe preche and eke counceilen ; With hondis wille I not traveilen. For of the Pope I have the bull, I ne holde not my wittes dull. I wole not stynten in my lyve These emperouris forto shryve, 6850 Or kyngis, dukis, lordis grete ; But pore folk al quyte I lete, I love no such shryvyng, parde ; But it for other cause be, I rekke not of pore men — Her astate is not worth an hen ; Where fyndest thou a swynker of labour Have me unto his confessour ? But emperesses and duchesses, Thise queenes, and eke countesses, 6860 Thise abbessis, and eke bygyns. These grete ladyes palasyns. These joly knyghtis and baillyves, Thise nonnes, and thise burgeis wyves That riche ben and eke plesyng, And thise maidens welfaryng, Wher so they clad or naked be, Uncounceiled goth ther noon fro me. 6823, 6824. MSS. rohhyng, gilwg, 6838. Cp. Tales, D 14s. 6850. MSS. emperours. 6862. ladyes palasyns, i.e, court ladies. 735 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE And for her soules savete At lord and lady and her meyne 6870 I axe, whanne thei hem to nle shtyve, The proprete of al her ly ve, And make hem trowe, bothe meest and leest, Hir paroch prest nys but a beest Ayens me and my companye, That shrewis ben as gret as I. Fro whiche I wole not hide in holde No pryvete that me is tolde, That I, by word or signe y-wis, [Nyl] make hem knowe what it is. 6880 And they wolen also tellen me, They hele fro me no pryvyte. And forto make yow hem perceyven. That usen folk thus to disceyven, I wole you seyn withouten drede What men may in the gospel rede Of seynt Mathew, the gospelere. That seith as I shal you s6y heere : " Uppon the chaire of Moyses (Thus is it glosed douteles : 6890 That is the Olde Testament, For ther-by is the chaire ment) Sitte Scribes and Pharisen (That is to seyn, the cursid men Whiche that we ypocritis calle). Doth that they preche, I rede you alle. But doth not as they don a dele ; That ben not wery to seye wele, But to do wel no will have they. And they wolde bynde on folk al-wey, 6900 That ben to be giled able, Biirdons that ben importable. On folkes shuldris thinges they couchen. That they nyl with her fyngris touchen. " 'And why wole they not touche it?' ■ 'Why,. For hem ne lyst not sikirly, For sadde burdons that men taken, Make folkes shuldris aken. And if they do ought that good be, That is for folk it shulde se. 6910 Her bordurs larger maken they. And make her hemmes wide alwey^ And loven setes at the table. 6880. Nyl, MSS. Wole. 6887. Matt, xxiii. 1-8. 6911.; MSS. burdons, 'philateres.* The firste and moste honourable, And forto han the firste chaieris In synagogis to hem full deere is. And willen that folk hem loute and grete, Whanne that they passen thurgh the strete, And wolen be cleped " Maister" also; But they ne shulde not willen so, 6920 The gospel is ther-ageyns, I gesse, That shewith wel her wikkidnesse. Another custome use we Of hem that wole ayens us be ; We hate hym deedly everichone. And we wole werrey hym as con ; Hym that oon hatith hate we alle. And congecte how to done hjrm falle. And if we seen hym wynne honour, Richesse, or preis, thurgh' his valour, 6930 Provende, rent, or dignyte. Full fast y-wys compassen we Bi what ladder he is clomben so ; And forto maken hym doun to go With traisoun we wole hym defame. And done hym leese his goode name. Thus from his ladder we hym take. And thus his freendis foes We make. But word ne wite shal he noon, Till all hise freendis ben his foon. 6940 For if we dide it openly We myght have blame redily ; For hadde he wist of oure malice, He hadde hym kept, but he were nyce. Another is this, that if so falle That ther be oon amonge us alle That doth a good turne out of drede. We seyn it is oure alder deede.. Ye sikerly though he it feyned, Or that hym list, or that hym deyned 69S0 A man thurgh hym avaunced be, Therof all parseners be we. And tellen folk where so we go. That man thurgh us is sprongen so. And forto have of men preysyng, < • We purchace thurgh oure flateryng Of riche men of gret pouste Lettres to witnesse oure bounte. So that man weneth' that may us see That alle vertu in us be. 6960 And al-wey pore we us feyne ; 6926. as oon, ' par accort,! ? at oon. 6950. hym deyned, he vouchsafed. 736 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE 6962-7049 But how so that we be^e or ple^e,' We ben the folk without lesyng That all thing have without havyng. Thus be we dred of the puple y-wis. And gladly my purpos is this : I dele with no wight but he Have gold and tresour gret plente ; Her acqueyntaunce wel love I, This is moche ray desire shortly. 6970 I entremete me of brokages, I make pees and manages, I am gladly executour, And many tymes procuratoxir ; I am somtyme messager (That fallith not to my myster), And many tymes I make enquestes — For me that ofiSce not honest is. To dele with other mennes thijig, That is to me a gret lykyng. 6980 And if that ye have ought to do In place that I repdre to, I shal it speden thurgh my witt. As soone as ye have told me it. So that ye serve me to pay, My servyse shal be youre alway ; But who-so wole chastise me, Anoon my love lost hath he. Por I love no man in no gise That wole me repreve or chastise ; 6990 But I wolde al folk undirtake, And of no wight no teching take ; For I that other folk chastie, Wole not be taught fro my folie. I love noon hermitage more ; All desertes, and holtes hore, And grete wodes everichon, I lete hem to the Baptist lohn. I quethe hym quyte, and hym relese Of Egipt all the wildirnesse. 7000 To ferre were alle my mansiouns Fro al citees and goode tounes ; My paleis and myn hous make I There men may renne ynne openly ; And sey that I the world forsake. But al amydde I bilde and mak 6970. ' Ce sont auques tuit mi desir.* 6974. MSS. a- procuratour. We have seen that the scribe frequently inserts a in such case's. 6998. i.e. the reputed founder of asceticism. 7002. G omits al. My hous, aridswimme and pley therynne. Bet than a fish doth with his fynne. Of Antecristes men am I, Of whiche that Crist seith openly, 7010 They have abit of hoolynesse, And lyventin such wikkednesse. Outward lambren semen we. Full of goodnesse and of pitee. And inward we withouten fable Ben gredy wolves ravysable. We enviroune bothe londe and se. With all the worlde werrien we ; We wole ordeyne of alle thing. Of folkis good and her ly vyng. 7020 If ther be castel or citee Wherynne that ony bourgerbns be, Al though that they of Milayne were (For therof ben they blamed there) ; Or if a wight out of mesure Wolde lene his gold and take usure. For that he is so coveitous ; Or if he be to leccherous. Or these that haunte symonye. Or provost full of tirecherie, 7030 Or prelat lyvyng jolily, . ' Or prest that halt his quene hym by. Or olde horis hostilers. Or other bawdes or bordillers, Or elles blamed of ony vice Of whiche men shulden done justice i Bi all the seyntes that me pray. But they deferide them with lamprey. With luce, with elys, with samons, With tendre gees, and with capons, 7040 With tartes, or with chesis fat, With.deynte flawns brode and flat. With caleweis, or with puUaylle, With conynges, or with fyne vitaille, That we undir our clothes wide Maken thourgh oure golet glide. Or but he wole do come in haste Roo-venysoun bake in paste, Whether so that he loure or grojrae, 7007. swimme, Gswmtne; c^i.' Tales, D 1926. 7021 If. The conclusion to these conditions is found in v. 7049 ff. 7022. bourgerons (G hegger), ' bogre,' sodom. ites. 7029. Skeat reads i/te/e or for these thai^ following ' lerres 'ou ' ; but this may have been misread (?) ' lesses au,' etc. 7041. MSS. r^^f. 737 7050-7131 THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE He shal have of a corde a loigne 7050 With whiche men shal hym bynde and lede To brenne hym for his synful deede, That men shull here hym crie and rore, A myle-wey aboute a.nd more ; Or ellis he shal in prisoun dye, But if he wole his frendship bye, Or smerten that that he hath do More than his gilt amounteth to. But and he couthe thurgh his sleight Do maken up a tour of height, — 7060 Nought rought I whethir of stone, or tree. Or erthe or turves though it be, Though it were of no vounde stone Wrought with squyre and scantilone, So that the tour were stuffed well With alle richesse temporell — And thanne that he wolde updresse Engyns bothe more and lesse. To cast at us by every side To here his goode name wide, 7070 Such flightes [as] I shal yow nevene, Barelles of wyne by sixe or sevene Or gold in sakkis gret plente, He shulde soone delyvered be. And if he have noon sich pitaunces, Late hym study in equipolences, And late lyes and fallaces, If that he wolde deserve oure graces ; Or we shal bere hym such witnesse Of synne and of his wrecchidnesse, 7080 And done his loos so wide renne. That al quyk we shulden hym brenne. Or ellis yeve hym suche penaunce That is wel wors than the pitaunce. For thou shalt never for no thing Kon knowen a-right by her clothing The traitours full of trecherie. But thou her werkis can a-spie. And ne hadde the good kepyng be Whilom of the universite 7090 That kepith the key of Cristendome We had bene turmented, al and some. 7056. kis/rendshif bye, i.e. pay for his relief; Slceat changes his to our. 7057. thai ikdt^ (?)/or that. 7063. vounde^ Skeatreadsy^««(/tf; Fr. 'de quel pierre,' Cole's Dictionary ,glosses vovnd stofu, * free-stone,' with query ' found or foundation.' 7092. As in Th. ; G Qfal thai here axe juste their dotne, in late hand over blank space. Suche ben the stynkyng prophetis ; Nys none of hem that good prophete is. For they thurgh wikked entencioun, The yeer of the Incarnacioun A thousand and two hundred yeer, Fyve and fifty, ferther ne ner, Broughten a book with sory grace To yeven ensample in comune place, 7100 That seide thus though it were fable : " This is the Gospel Perdurable, That fro the Holy Goost is sent." — Wel were it worthi to bene brent ! Entitled was in such manere This book, of which I telle heere Ther nas no wight in all Parys Bifome Oure Lady at parvys That he ne mighte bye the book To copy, if hym talent toke. 7110 There myght he se by gret tresoun Full many fals comparisoun : — " As moche as thurgh his grete myght. Be it of hete or of lyght, The Sonne sourmounteth the mone. That trouble is and chaungith sOone, And the note kernell the shell — (I scorne not, that I yow tell) — Right so, withouten ony gile, Sourmounteth this noble Evangile 7120 The word of ony evangelist." And to her title they token Crist. And many such comparisoun Of which I make no mencioun, Mighte men in that book fynde Who so coude of hem have mynde. The Universite, that tho was a-slepe, Gali forto braide and taken kepe. And at the noys the heed upcast, Ne never sithen slept it fast; 7130 But up it stert, and armes toke 7098. Jerther ne ner (G /erther neuer)^ ' n'est hons vivans qui m'en demente,' i.e. neither earlier nor later. 7099. a book, the Evangelium Etemutn; Skeat refers to Southey's Book of the Churchy ch. xi. 7104. MSS. worth. 7109. G omits : Th. That they ne mighte tJte hooke by. . 7H0. Th. inserts before 7110 The sentence pleased hetn well irewly, and adds after it, Of the Evangelistes book. Fr. contains only G's single line. 7115. G {same for Sonne). 7116. MSS. trottblere, 'treble.' 73S THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE 7132-7223 Ayens this false horrible boke, Al redy bateil for to make. And to the juge the book to take. But they that broughten the boke there Hent it anoon awey for fere ; They nolde shewe more a dele But thenne it kept, and kepen will. Til such a tyme that they may see That they so stronge woxen be, 7140 That no wyght may hem wel withstonde. For by that book they durst not stonde. Awey they gonne it forto bare, For they ne durste not answere By exposicioun ne glose To that that clerkis wole appose Ayens the cursednesse y-wys THat in that booke writen is. Now wote I not, ne I can not see What maner eende that there shal be 7150 Of al this [bokes] that they hyde ; - But yit algate they shal abide Til that they may it bet defende, This trowe I best wole be her ende. Thus Antecrist abiden we, For we ben alle of his meyne ; And what man that wole not be so. Right scone he shal his lyf forgo. We wole a puple upon hym areyse, And thurgh oure gile done hym seise, And hym'on sharpe speris ryve, 7161 Or other weyes brynge hym fro lyve, But if that he wole folowe y-wis That in oure booke writen is. Thus mych wole oure book signifie. That while Petre hath maistrie, May never lohn shewe well his myght. Now have I you declared right The menyng of the bark and rynde. That makith the enteneiouns blynde ; 7170 But now at erst I wole bigynne. To expowne you the pith withynne : — And the seculers comprehende, That Cristes lawe wole defende. And shulde it kepen and mayntenen Ayenes hem that all sustenen, 7151. MSS. omit hokes, ' cis Hvres.* 7172. One or two verses have been lost corre- sponding to • Par Pierre voil le Pape entendre.' 7r73. ffu seculers, (?) read clerkes stcUlers, 'clercs seculiers/ And falsly to the puple techeh. That lohn bitokeneth hem that prechen That ther nys lawe covenable But thilke Gospel Perdurable, 7180 That fro the Holygost was sent To turne folk that ben myswent. The strengthe of lohn, they undirstonde The grace in whiche they seie they stonde. That doth the synfuU folk converte And hem to lesus Crist reverte. Full many another orriblite May men in that booke se, That ben comaunded douteles Ayens the lawe of Rome expres ; 7190 And all with Antecrisfthey holden. As men may in the book biholden. And thanne comaunden they to sleen Alle tho that with Petre been ; But they shal nevere have that myght. And God to-fome for strif to fight, That they ne shal enowe fynde, That Petres lawe shal have in mynde, And evere holde, and so mayntene ; That at the last it shal be sene 7200 That they shal alle come therto For ought that they can speke or do. And thilUe lawe shal not stonde That they by lohn have undirstonde, But, maugre hem, it shal adowne. And bene brought to confusioun. But I wole stynt of this matere, For it is wonder longe to here. But hadde that ilke book endured. Of better estate I were ensured ; 7210 And freendis have I yit pardee That han me sett in gret degre. Of all this world is Emperour Gyle my fadir, the trechour, And Emperis ray moder is, Maugre the Holygost y-wis. Oure myghty lynage and oure rowte Regneth in every regne aboute. And well is worthy we [maystres] be ; For all this world governe we, 7220 And can the folk so wel disceyve. That noon oure gile can perceyve ; And though they done, they dar not sey, 7178. that, MSS. to. 7197. enpwe, MSS. ynougk. 7219. maisires, MSS. myftstres. 739 7224-7319 THE ROMA UNT OF THE JiOSE The sothe. dar no wight bywray. But he in Cristis wrath hym ledith That more than Cristmybritherendredith. H^ nys no -full good champioun That dredith such similacioun, Nor that for peyne wole refiisen Us to correcte and accusen. 7230 jHe wole not entremete by right, Ne have God in his eye-sight; And therfore God shal hym punyce. But me ne rekketh of no vice, Sithen men us loven comunably. And holdeu us for so worthy, That we may folk lepreve echoon, And we riyl'have repref of noon. Whom shulden folk.worshipen so But M%, that stynteri never mo 7240 To patren while that, folk may us see, Though it not so bihynde hem be. And where is more wode folye Than to enhannce ohyvalfie, i And'loverno'ble men and gay, That joly- clothis weren alway ? If they be- sich folk as they semen. So clene as men her clothis demen. And' that hei: wordis folowe her dedei It is gret pite, out of drede, '7250 For. they, wole be noon ypbcritis ! Of hein me fhyhketh [it] gret spiteis ; I can not love hem on no side. But beggers with these hodes vride. With sleigh arid pale faces lene, And greye clothis not full clene, .But fretted full of tatarwagges, And highe shoes knopped with dagges. That frouncen lyke a quaile-pipe. Or botis revelyng as a gype ; :726o To such folk as I you dyvyse Shulde princes and these lordis wise Take all herlondis and her thingis, Bothe werre and pees in governyngis ; To such folk shulde a prince hym yive. That wolde his lyf in honour ly ve. And if they be not as they senie. That serven thus the woild to queme, There' wolde I dwelle to disceyve ,The folk, for they shal not perceyve. 7270 But I ne speke in no such wis^ 7268. serven^ (?) semen; but *emblent.' 72701 G ToiotThet ; That men shulde humble abit dispise, So that no pride ther-undir be. No man shulde hate, as thynkith (ne. The pore man in sich clothyng. But God ne: preisith hym no thing That seithhe hath the world forsake,' And hath to worldly glorie hym take. And wole of siche delices use. Who may that begger wel excuse, 7280 That papelard that hym yeldith so. And wol^ to worldly ese go. And seith that he the world hath lefte. And gredily it grypeth efte ? He is the hounde, shame is to seyn, That to his castyng goth ageyn. But unto you dar I not lye ; But myght I felen or aspie That ye perceyved it no thyng, Ye shulde have a stark lesyng 7290 Right in youre honde thus, to bigynne, I nolde it lette for no synne.' The god lough at the wondir tho. And every wight gan laugh also, And seide : — ' Lo heere a man, a right Forto be trusty to every wight ! ' ' Falssemblant,' quod Love, ^sey to me, Sith I thus have advaunced thee That in my court is thi dwellyng, And of ribawdis shalt be my kyng, 7300 Wolt thou wel holden my forwardis ? ' ' Yhe, sir, from hennes forewardis ; Hadde never youre fadir heere biforne Servaunt so trewe, sith he was borne.' ' That is ageyneS all nature.' . ' Sir, putte you in that aventure ; For though ye borowes take of me. The sikerer shal ye never be For Bstages, ne sikirnsese. Or chartres, forto here witnesse 7310 I take youre silf to recorde heere. That men ne may, .in no manere, Teren the wolf out of his hide. Til he be flayen bak and side, Though men hym bete and al defile. What ! Wene ye that I wole bigile ? For I am clothed mekely, Ther-uridir is all my trechery ; Myn h^rte chaungith never the mo 7314. flayen, MSS. slayn, ' escorchifa.' 746 THE SOMA UNT OF THE ROSE 7320-7413 For noon abit in which I go. 7320 Though I have chere of symplenesse, I am not wery of shrewidnesse. Myn lemman Streyneth-Abstinence, Hath myster of my purveaunce ; She hadde ful longe ago be deede, Nere my councel and my rede ; Lete hir allone and you and me. ' And Love answerde : ' I truste thee Withoute borowe for I wole noon.' And Falssemblant, the theef, anoon Ryght in that ilke same place, 7331 That hadde of tresoun al his face Ryght black withynne and white withoute, Thankyth hym, gan on his knees loute. Thannewas thernought but ' Everyman Now to assaut that sailen can,' Quod Love, ' and that lull hardyly ! ' Thanne armed they hem communly Of sich armour as to hem felle. 7339 Whanne the were armed fers and felle, They wente hem forth all in a route. And set the castel al aboute. They will nought away for no drede,^ Till it so be that they ben dede. Or till they have the castel take. And foure batels they gan make. And parted hem in foure anoon. And toke her way and forth they gone. The foure gates forto assaile. Of whiche the kepers wole not faile. 7350 For they ben neithir sike ne dede, But hardy folk and stronge in dede. Now wole I Seyn the countynaunce Of Falssemblant and Abstyhaunce, That ben to Wikkid-Tonge went. But first they heelde her parlement Whether it to done were To maken hem be knowen there, Or elles walken forth disgised. But at the laste they devysed ^360 That they wolde gone in tapinage. As it were in a pilgrimage, Lyke good and hoolyfolk unfeyned. ' And Dame Abstinence-Streyned Toke on a robe of kamelyne. And gan hir graithe as a Bygynne. A large coverechief of threde She wrapped all aboute hir heede ; But she forgate not hir sawter ; A peire of bedis eke she here- . , 7370 Upon a lace all of white threde, On which that she hir bedes bede. But she ne bought hem never a dele. For they were geven her I wote wele, God wote, of a full hooly frere. That seide he was hir fadir dere To whom she hadde ofter went Than ony frere of his covent. And he visited hir also, And many a sermoun seide hii- to ; 7380 He nolde lette for man on lyve That he nj vifolde hir ofte shryve, And with so great devocion They made her confession, That they had ofte, for the nones, Two heedes in one hoode at ones. Of fay re shappe I.devyse her the. But pale of face somfyme was she ; That false traytouresse untrewe. Was lyke that salbwe horse ofhe'we, 7390 That in the Apocalips is shewed. That signifyeth tho folke beshrewed, That ben al ful of trecherye And pale through hypocrisye. For on that horse no colour is. But onely deed and pale ;y-wis, Of suche a colour enlangoiired Was Abstynence i-wys coloured ; Qf her estate she her repented. As her visage represented. 7400 She had a burdowne al of Thefte, That Gyle had yeve her of his yefte ; And ^ skryppe of Faynte Distresse, That ful was of elengenesse. And forthe she walked sobrely ; And False Semblarit saynty« vousdie. Had, as it were for suche mistere, Done on the cope of a frere. With chere symple aiid ful pytoiis, Hys lokyng was not disdeynous 7410 Ne proude, but meke and ful pesyble. About his neck he bare a byble. And squierly forthe gan he gon ; 7385-7576 are lost from G. 7387. Th. deuysed. 7392. Th. to ; cp. note to 7270. 7406. sayni is .generally taken for ceinty 'girdled' ; but no puch Eng. adj. is known. Fr. is 'qui bien se ratorne.' ' ? read Jhynt, i.e. pale. 7407. ^^S. Arid ior Had, 741 7414-7SIO THE ROM AUNT OF THR ROSE And, .for to rest his lymmes upon, He had of Treson a potent ; As he were feble his way he went. But in his sieve he gan to thring A rasour sharpe, and wel bytyng, That was forged in a forge, 7419 Whiche that men clepen Coupe-gorge. So longe forthe her waye they nomen, Tyl they to .Wicked-Tonge comen. That at his gate was syttyng. And sawe folke in the way passyng. The pilgrymes sawe he faste by, That beren hem ful mekely. And humbly they with him matte. Dame Abstynence first him grette. And sythe him False-Semblant salued. And he hem ; but he not remeued ' 7430 For he ne dredde hem not a dele. For whan he sawe her faces wele, Alway in herte hem thought so, Jle shulde knowe hem bothe two ; For wel. he knewe Dame Abstynaunce, But he ne knewe not Cbnstreynaunce. He knewe nat that she was constrayned, Ne of her theves lyfe [y-]fayned, But wende she come of wyl al free ; But she come in another degree ; 7440 And if of good wyl she beganne That wyl was fayled her [as] thanne. And False-Semblant had he sayne alse. But he knewe nat that he was false. Yet false was he, but his falsnesse Ne coude he nat espye nor gesse ; For Semblant was so slye wrought, ■ That Falsenesse he ne espyed nought. But hadd'est thou knowen hyrii beforne Thou woldest on a bolce have sworne, 7450 Whan thou him saugh in thylke araye, That he that whilome was so gaye. And of the daunce joly Robyn, Was tho become a lacobyn. But sothely what so menne hym calle, Freres Prechours bene good menne alle, Her order wickedly they beren, Suche myn[e]strelles if they weren. So bene Augustyns and Cordyleres And Carmes, and eke Sacked freeres 7460 And aile freres, shodde and bare. 7442. MSS. omit as, 7459. Augusiynsj read Aicsiins. (Though someof hem bengret and square) Ful hooly men, as I hem deme. Everyche of hem wolde good man seme ; But shalte thou never of apparence Sene conclude good consequence In none argument y-wis If existens al fayled is. For menne maye fynde alwaye sophyrae The consequence to envenyme, 7470 Who so that hath hadde the subtelte The double sentence for to se. Whan the pylgrymes commen were To Wicked-Tonge that dwelled there, Her barneys nygh hem was algate ; By Wicked-Tonge adowne they sate, That badde hem nere him for to come And of tidynges telle him some. And sayd hem : ' What case maketh you To come in-to this place nowe ? ' ' 7480 ' Sir,' sayd Strayned-Abstynaunce, ' We, for to drye our penaunce With hertes pytous and devoute Are commen, as pylgrimes gon aboute ; Wel nygh on fote alway we go ; Ful dousty ben our heeles two. And thus bothe we ben sent Throughout this worlde that is miswent, To yeve ensample, and preche also. To fysshen synful menne we go, 7490 For other fysshynge, ne fysshe we. And, sir, for that charyte. As we be wonte, herborowe we crave Your lyfe to amende, Christ it save. And so it shulde you nat displese, We wolden, if it were your ese, A shorte sermon unto you sayne.' And Wicked-Tonge answered agayne : ' The house,' quod he, ' such as ye se Shal nat be warned you for me, 7500 Say what you lyst, and I wol here.' ' Graunt mercy, swete sir, dere,' Quod alderfirst Dame Abstynence, And thus began she her sentence : ' Sir, the firste *ertue certayne, The greatest, and moste soverayne That may be founde in any man For havynge or for wytte he can, That is his tonge to refrayne. Therto ought every wight him payne, 7486. Th. doughty. 742 THE ROM AUNT OF THE ROSE 751 1-7608 For it is better stylle be 7Sit Than for to speken harme, parde ; And he that herkeneth it gladly, He is no good man sykerly. And, sir, aboven al other synne. In that arte thou moste gylty inne. Thou spake a jape not long a-go (And, sir, that was ryght yvel do) Of a yonge man, that here repayred And never yet this place apayred. 7520 Thou saydest he awayted nothyng But to (Usceyve Fayre-Welcomyng. Ye sayde nothyng sothe of that ; But, sir, ye lye, I tel you plat ; He ne cometh no more, ne gothe, parde ! I trowe ye shal him never se. Fayre-Welcomyng in prison is, That ofte hath played with you er this The fayrest games that he coude, Withoute iylthe, styl or loude ; 7530 Nowe dare he nat him selfe solace. Ye han also the manne do chace. That he dare neyther come ne go ; What meveth you to hate him so, But properly your wicked thought. That many a false lesyng hath thought. That meveth your foole eloquence, That jangleth ever in audyence, And on the folke areyseth blame. And doth hem dishonour and shame, 7540 For thynge that maye have no prevyng But lykelynesse, and contryvyng ? For I dare sayne that reason demeth, It is nat al sothe thynge that semeth ; And it is synne to controve Thynge that is to reprove ; This wote ye wele ; and, sir, therfore Ye arne to blame [wel] the more. And nathelesse he recketh lyte He yeveth nat nowe therof a myle, 7550 For if he thoughte harme, parfaye, He wolde come and gone al daye ; He coude himselfe nat abstene. Nowe Cometh he nat, and that is sene. For he ne taketh of it no cure. But if it be through aventure. And lasse than other folke, algate. And thou her watchest at the gate. With speare in thyne arest alwaye ; 7531. Th. she nat her set/e. There muse, musarde, al the daye. 7560 Thou wakest night and day for thought ; I-wis thy traveyle is for nought. And lelousye, withouten fayle, Shal never quyte the thy traveyle. And skathe is that Fayre-Welcomyng Withouten any trespassyng, Shal wrongfully in prison be, There wepeth and languyssheth he. And though thou never yet, y-wis, Agyltest manne no. more but this, — 7570 Take nat a grefe, — it were worthy To putte the out of this bayly, And afterwards in prison lye. And fettre the, tyl that thou dye. For thou shalt for this synne dwelle Right in the devels ers of helle. But if that thou repente thee.' ' Mafay, thou liest falsly ! ' quod he. ' What? welcome with myschaunce nowe ! Have I therfore herberd yowe 7580 To seye me shame, and eke reprove With sory happe, to youre bihove ? Am I to day youre herbegere ? Go herber yow elles-where than heere, That han a Iyer called me ! Two tregetours art thou and he. That in myn hous do me this shame. And for my sothe-saugh ye me blame. Is this the sermoun that ye make ? To all the develles I me take, 7590 Or elles, God, thou me confounde ! But er men diden this castel founde, It passith, not ten dales or twelve But it was tolde right to my selve. And as they seide, right so tolde I : He kyst the Rose pryvyly ! Thus seide I now and have seid yore ; I not where he dide ony more. Why shulde men sey me such a thyng If it hadde bene gabbyng ? 7600 Ryght so seide I and wol seye yit ; I trowe I lied not of it. And with my hemes I wole blowe To alle neighboris a-rowe, How he hath bothe comen and gone.' Tho spake Falssemblant right anone : ' All is not gospel, oute of doute. That men seyn in the towne aboute ; 7603. hettteSf 'besuines,' trumpets. ?43 7609-7696 THE ROMAVNT OF THE ROSE Ley no deef ere to my spekyhg : I swere yow, sir, it is gabbyng ; 7610 I trowe ye wote wel certeynly, That iiQ man loveth hym tenderly That seith hym harme, if he w.ote. it, All be he never so pore of wit. And soth is also sikerly (This knowe ye, sir, as wel as I) That lovers gladly wole visiten ? The places there her loves habiten". ' This man yow loveth .and eke honoureth, This man to serve you laboureth, 7620 And clepith you " his freend so deere," And this man makith you good chere, And everyr.where that [he] you meteth He yow saloweth and he you greteth. He preseth not so ofte that ye Ought of his come encombred be ; Ther presen other folk on yow . TuU ofter than he doth now. iAnd' if his herte hym streyned so,:. Unto the Rose forto go, 7630 Ye shulde hym sene so ofte nede. That ye shulde take hym with the dede. He cowde his comyng not forbere Though he hym thrilled with a spere ; It nere notthanne as it is now. But trustith wel, I swere it yow, That it is clene out of his thought ; Sir, certis he ne thenkith it nought, No more ne doth Faire-Welcomyng, That sore abieth al this thing. ' 7640 And, if they were of oon assent, Full soone were the Rose hent, The maugre youres wolde be. And, sir, of o thing herkeneth ihe : Sith ye this man that loveth yow Han seid such harme and shame now, Witeth wel if he gessed it, Ye may wel demen in youre wit He nolde no thyng love you so, Ne callen you his freende also ; 7650 But nyght and day he wolde wake The castell to destroie and take. If it were soth as ye devise ; Or some man in some maner wise, Might it wame hym everydele, 7612. hym, etc., indefinite pronouns. Or by hymsilf perceyven wele. ' : For sith he myght not come and gone As he was whilom wont to done, He myght it sone wite and see. But now all other wise doth he. 7660 Thanne have, [ye] sir, al outerly Deserved helle, and lolyly The deth of helle douteles. That thrallen folk so gilteles.' Fals. Semblant proveth so this thing, TKat he can noon answeryng. And seth alwey such apparaunce. That nygh he fel in repehtaunce And seide hym : — ' Sir, it may wel be, Semblant, a good man semen ye ; 7670 And, Abstinence, full wise ye seme ; Of o talent you bothe I deme. What counceil wole ye to me yeven ? ' ' Ryght heere anoon thoii shalt be shry ven; And sey thy synne withoute more ; Of this shalt thou repente sore. For I am prest, and have pouste To shryve folk of most dignyte That ben, as wide as world may dure. Of all this world I have the cure, 7680 And that hadde never yit perSoun, Ne viqarie of no maner toun. And, God wote, I have of thee A thousand tyme more pitee Than hath thi preest parochial. Though he thy freend be special. I have avauntage in o wise That youre prelatis ben not so wise, Ne half so lettred as am I. I am licenced boldely 7690 To rede in Divinite And to confessen, out of drede. If ye wol you now confesse, And leve your sinnes more and lesse Withoute abood, knele down anon, And you shal have absolucion.' 7660. MSS. ivote for doth. 7662. lolyly is generally -interpreted to be S strengthening adverb equivalent to * bien ' of Fx. ; but that is translated by douteles. Such a use of ' jollyly ' is difficult to explain. 1 fully. 7691. G ends here with To redenin Divinite And longe have red. The French original goes on 9488 verses further. 744 GLOSSARY Words still in use, with substantially the same meaning, are not included in this Glossary, which is intended for working purposes and not as a concordance. In most cases,^ to help identification, one reference is given to each word, for each of its obsolete meanings ; but in a few words of common occurrence, transferred to this Glossary from that in the £versley Edition of the CanierBury TaleSj these references are omitted. In the references the letters A-I denote the various sections of the Canterbury Tales^ An. Aneltda and Arcitet As. the Treatise on the Astrolahe^ Bl. the Deihe of Blauncke, Bo. the Boece., HF the Hous of Fame, L the Legende of Good Women, PF the Parle- ment ofFouhs, R the Rotnaunt of the Rose, T Troilus and Ctnse^de. In the case of the Hous oj Fame and Troilus, the index figures giv6 the number of the book in which the line quoted occurs, thus T2^57 denotes Troilus, Bk. ii. 1. 357. The letters i and y being often used interchangeably in manuscnpts, most ^forms are arranged in the order of /. A, card. num. one. T^ 1407 A, inter/, ah. A 1078, R 2627 A,j*?r^. on, in. A 3516, A 854 A, V. have. R 4322 Abaysed, Abayssclied, Abayst, ^./. abashed. T8 1233, Bo, 36, E 317 Abayed, Abaved, /./. abashed, confovmded. Bl. 613, R 3646 Abegge, V. atone for. A 3938 Abet, so. instigation. T^ 357 Ablt, abideth. G 1175 Abite, sb. habit, dress. R 4914 Able, adj. fit, apt. A 167 Ablyi^e, p. pres. giving power to. Bo. 220 Abludons, sb. washings. G 856 Abood, sb. abiding, delay, A 965 ; Abodes, pi. TS8S4 Abon^te, >^^. of Abye. A 2303 Aboren, adv. uppermost in luck. R 4352 Abrayde. 5. afraid. A 605 Advertence, sb. attention. G 467 AdTocat^es, sb. pi. pleas. T^ 1469 Aferd, p'p. afraid. A 628 Affecaoun, sb. desire. A 11 58, L 1522 Affectes, sb.pl. desires. T3 1391 Aff^e, V. trust. R 3155 Affile, V. polish. A 712 Afitaye, z/. affright. E 455 . Afyne, adv. finally. R 3690 Afome, mIv. before. R 36x4 Mov-j^in., prep, opposite. T^ 1188 Afoiinde, v. perish. Rosemounde 21 After-tales, adv. afterwards. T3 224 Agayn, Agayns, prep, toward^^ against, in the presence of. B 391, A 1509, C 743 Agaynward, adv. back. B 441 A-game, adv. in sport. T^ 568 Agaste, V. terrify. T2 901 Aggregeden, /./. aggravated. B 2205 Aggreggeth, v. pres. aggravates. B 247s Agilten, v. offend. L 435 Ago, Agon, p.p. departed, E 1764 ; past, C 246 Agree, v. please, Ti 409 A^rlei, adv. sorrowfully. B 4083 A^yse, V. be horrified, shudder at. B 614, D 1649 Agroos, Agrose, >r(r/. of Agryse. L 830, 2314 Agroteyd, p.p. surfeited. L 2454 Aguler, sb. needle-case. R 98 Afel, so. grandfather. A 2477 Aloume, v. adjourn. ABC 158 Aketoun, sb. quilted tunic, B 2030 2 B 2 74S GLOSSARY Aknowe, v, acknowledge. Bo. 140 Al, adj. all, A 2959 ; Al and som, the whole, everybody, A 2761, 3136 Al, adv. wholly, A 2968 ; Al, conj. although, L 1392 Al, sb. awl. Truth 11 Alamliic, sb. alembic. T* 520 AlauntZ, sb, boarhounds. A 2148 Alayes, sb. alloys. E 1167 Al-day, adv. continually. B 1702 Alder-, prefix^ of all ; Oure alder, of us all, R 6948 Alenge, o^'. wretched. B 1412 Alestake, sb, pole bearing alehouse sigt^ A, 667 Aleye, j3. alley. B 1758 Aleys, sb. pi. fruit of the wild service tree. R 1377 Algate, euiv, always, A 571 ; any way, A 3962 Algates, adv. any way. T^ 24 Aliene, zr. alienate. Bo. 237 Alyned, p.p. placed in lines. HF8 34 (^jnend.') Alkamystre, sb. alchemist. G 1204 Alio, dat. sing. (El. 1284) and nam. plur. (Bl io5i)ofAl Allegge, V. (i) allege', E 1658 ; quote (Jres.) HFI314; (2) alleviate (aleggith), R 2588 AUer, gen. plur. of Al. A 823 All-OUte, adv. entirely. R 4326 Allowe, w. pres. approve; F 676 Almanderes, sb. pi. almond-trees. R 1363 Almesse, sb. alms. B z68 Almycanteras, sb. pi. circles or parallels c(f altitude. As. i. § 18 Almiiry, sb. the pointer of an astrolabe. As. i. § 22 Along on, prep, owing to. T2 icwi Alose, V. praise, T^ 1473 ; Alosed, p.p. R 2354 AlpeS, sb. pi, bullfinches. R 638 Als, adv. as. A 170 Alswa, adv. also. A 4085 A\%yi.&r-, prejtx, of all Altitude^ so, the elevation of a star, etc., above the horizon. As. i. §§ i, 13 Alto-^ intensive Prefix y e.g. Alto-Share, /re^. cut in pieces. R 1858 , Alweys, adv. at all events. T^ 298 AmadrladeS, sb. pi. haioadryadsv A ^928. ^ Amalgamyng, sb. the compounding of quick- silver with some other metal. G 771 , Amanuced, p.p. diminished, Bo. 118 .> Amayed, p.p. dismayed. T^ 641 Ambages, sb. pi. duplicities. T^ 897 . Ambes as, both aces, double ace, B 124 Amblere, sh easy-paced horse. A 469 Ameled, p.p. enamelled. .R 1080 Amenuse, v. diminish, I 358 ; depreciate, I 496' Amenusynge, sb. diminution. Bo. 428 Amercimentz, sb. pi. fines. I 752 AmeTed, pret. changed ; Amoeved, p.p. dis- turbed. Bo.'25 Amyddes, prep, in the midst of. A 2009. Amynlstreth, pres. administers. Bo.' 1467 Amoeved. See Atneved Amonesten, v. warn, admonish. I 76 Amorettes, sb. pi. amorous girls. R 892, 4755 Amphi'bolOgyes, sb. pi. equivocations. T* 1406 Ad., Prep, in, on. Bo.-" 1668 * Ancille, sb. handmaid. ABC 109 Anclee, sb. ankle. A 1660 Ancre, sb. anchor. Fortune 38 AntLf'conj. if. L 1790 ■■ - ' ' Angerly, adv. grievously., R 3511 Angres, sb. pi. griefs. R 2554 Angry, adj. grievous. R 2628 Anguysschoufi, Angwyssous, adj'. anxioua Bo. 482, 603 Anlentissed, A>. annihilated. B 2435 Anker, sb. (i) anchor, R 3780 ; (2) anchoress, R6348 Anlaas, sb. dagger. A 357 Annueleer, sb. priest singing anniversary masses. G Z012 I Anon-rlght, adv. forthwith. L 115 Anoyouse, adj'. pi. troublesome. I 728 Antiphoner, sb. book of anthems. B X709 .Anvelt,.j5. anvil. Bl. 1164 Aomem^nt, sb. adornment. I 432 Apayed, p.p. pleased, contented. L 766, T^ 640 Apaisen, pres. pi. appease. T^ 22 ApEilled. See Appalled Aparaunce, sb. appearance. L 1372 Apassed, p.p. passed away. Bo. 429 Apsyren, v. impair, depreciate. I 1078, A 3147 Apert, wdj. open, frank. D 1114 Apertenant, adj. belonging to. Pite 70 Apertenen, z/.'beflohg to. ' I 410 Apertly, adv. openly, clearly. I 294 Apikdd, p.p. trimmed. A 365 A-poynii, adv. exactly. T5 1620 Apo!&te, te/lex'v. make up one's mind. T^ 65(1 Appalled, p.p. made pale or feeble. F 365, B Z292 Apparaille, sb. apparel ABC 153 Apparalllements, sb, pi, garments. Bo. 465 Apparaillen, v. prepare. B 2530 Appetite, sb. desire, lust; A 1680, L 1586 Appetiteth, /r^^. s. seeks. L 1582 , Apposed, /r^A. examined. G 363 Approved, p.p. approved, confirmed. E 1349, L 21 . Appropred, p.p. appropriated, peculiar to. Gen- tilesse 18 ApprOWOIzrS, sb. pi. informers. D 1343 Aqueyntannce, sb. acquaintance. A 245 Aq,neynte,, v. acquaint. Bl. 531 Arace, v. tear away, F 1393 ; Arased, torn, . Bo. 80 A Arlsltre, sb. choice. Bo. 1674 ArblasterS, sb.pl. crossbowmen. R 4196 Arclianngell, sb. titmouse. R 9x5 Ardan^t, adj'. ardent, burning. Eo. 1394 Arede, v. interpret. Bl. 289 Axesoneth, pres, controverts. R 6220 ; Arest, sb. See Arrest Arette, w. account, attribute, A 726, R.3327; Aretied, A 2729 Arewe, adv. in a row. D 1254 Arg;oille, sb. crude tartar made from crust of wine. G 813 Argumentz, sb. pi. angles on which tabulated quantities depend in astronomy. F 1277 Aryglit, adv. exactly. A 267 Anst,/wj. ariseth.. 6265 Arist, sb. arising. As. li. § 12 [200] . . -. Aiyve, sb, disembarkation. A 60 (z/ar.) 1 Aryved,/./. sent to land. Bo. 1312 Al*niee, sh expedition. A 60 (EUesmere) Armypotente, adj. mighty in arms. A 2441 Armonyak, adj. Armenian ; ammoniac G 79a Armonye, sb. harmony. PF 63 Am, pres. pi. are. T* 972 74^ GLOSSARY A-rOUme, adv. at large. HF2 33 A-rowe, adv. in a row. L 554 Arrest, sb. socket of a spear. A 2602 Arrests, sb. restraint, delay. L 307, 896' Arryvage, sb. disembarking. HFl 223 Arsmetnk, sb. arithmetic. A z8g8 Arten, v. constrain. Tl 388 Artyk, adj. arctic. As. 1. § 14 Artow, art thou. A 1141 Arwes, sb. pL arrows. A 107 ASf^'^&Xiy pres. pi. escape. Bo. 1361 Ascaunce, adv. as though, forsooth. G 838 Ascendent, sb. planetary influence. A 417 ; see As. ii. § 4 [151-165] Ascry, sb. shout. T2 611 Ashen^ j^. pi. ashes. A 1364 . Aslake, V. abate, A 3553 ; Aslaked, A 1760 Aslopej adv. aside, crossly. K 4464 Aspe, sb. aSpen tree. A 2921, PF 180 Aspectes, sb. pi. planetary relations. T2 682 Aspyen, v. espy. T2 649 Aspre, adj. roughj bitter. An. 23, Bo. 590 Asprenesse, sb. bitterness. Bo. 1370 Assautes, sb.pi. assaults. I 729 Assay, sb. experiment. L 9 Assaye, v. assay, try. Bl. 346 Asseged, A^. besieged. A 88i Assent, sb, agreement, plot. C 758, L 1547 Asaente, v. agree to. ' A 374 AssetlL, 4dv. enough; Make asseth, satisfy, R5600 Assby, adj. sprinkled with ashes. A 2883 Assise, sb. assize. A 314 AsSOllen, V. absolve, C 939 ; discharge. Bo. 1621 ; resolve. Bo. 1677 AsBOilyng, sb. absolution. A 661 Assure, sb. assurance. An. 331 Astate, sb. estate. R 6856 Asterte, v. start away, escape, A 1595 ; A- stert, Aaterted, p.p. A 1592, B 437 Astonyed, /./. astonished. HF241, A 2361 Astonynge, sb. astonishment. Bo. 55 A-Stored, p.p. stored, provided. A 609 Astromye, sb. astronomy. A 3451 Asure, sb. blue. An. 330 A-8W6Ved, p.p. dazed. HF2 41 At-after, j*r£>. after. E 1921, F 302 Atake, v. overtake. G 556 Atanes, cuiv. at once. A 407^ Atazlr, sb. adverse planetary influence. B 305 Ateyne, v. attain, Mars 161 ; Ateynt, p.p. attained, comprehended, Ba 275 AtempraiULCe, sb. temperament. Bo. 1406 Atempre, adj. temperate. L 128, 1483, B 2177 AtMnken, v. vex. TS 878 Atyr, sb. attire. -I 430, Tl 181 Aton, adv. together. £ 437 Atones, Attbnes, adv. at once. L 102 At-rede, v. outwit, surpass in advice. A 2449 At-renne, v. outrun. A 2449 Attamed, p.p. broached. B 4008 Atte, at the. A 125, R 4192 Attempre. See Atempre Attliamatiut, sb. adamant. A 1305 Attonr, sb. attire. R 3718 AttrlclOUn, sb. contrition. Tl 557 Attry, adj. venomous. I 583 Atwlxe, Atwlxen, adv. between. As. u. § 5 [173], T5 886 Atwynne, adv. apart. A 3589 V Auctoritee, sb. authority, especially of- an es- teemed writer. R 2394 Auctonr, j3.' author. L 470 Augrym, sb. arithmetical notation, As. i. § 8 ; Augrym stones, arithmetical counters, A 3210 Amnent, v. augment. R 5597 Anngelyke, adv. angel-like. L 236 Anntrea, pret. adventured. A 4205 Auntrous, adj. adventurous. A 2099 Autentyke, adj. authentic. Bl. 1085 Auter, sb. altar. A 1905 Avale, V. fall, T3 6s6 ; doff, A 3122 ; descend, Bo. 1558 ATaiince, v. profit. A 246 Ayaunt, adv. forward. R 4790 Avaunt, sb. boast, bold statement. T3 289, A 227 Avauntonr, sb.- boaster. B 4107 ATenaunt, adj. comely, suitable. R 1263, 3679 AventalUe, sb. helmet's front. E 1204 Ayentourons, adj. accidental. Bo. 248 Ayenture, sb. adventure, chance. A zi6o) 844 Ayys, sb. deliberation. A 786, T3 453 , Ayyse, pres. observe, look to. E 1988 Ayysement, sb. deliberation. T* 936 ATisionn, sb. vision. Bl. 285 Ayowtrie, sb. adultery. B 2220 Await, sb. watch, H 149; delay, T3 580; Awaytes, ambushes, strategies, Bo. 778 Awaytour, sb. one who lies in wait. Bo. 1306 Awen, adj. own. A 4239 Awmenere, Awmere, sb. alms -bag. R 2087, 2271 Awreke, v. avenge, Pite 1 1 ; Awroken, p.p. - ^ 3752 ■ Aze, pres. ask. A 1739 Axyng, sb. asking, question. A 1826, Bl. 33 Ay, adv. always. A 63 AyeinSj/m*. against. L 330 Ayeynward, adv. on the other hand. T*,io27 Azimutes, sb. pi. divisions of an astrolabe. As. i. §19 Ba, zmperai. kiss. A 3709 Baar,^rf/. bare. A 1180 Babewynnes, sB.pL (baboons) grotesques. ,HF3 99 Bachelrye, sb. the bachelors. E 270 Baggeth, /?-. battlemented, indented. B 405a Batalllea, sb. fl. battle. A 6t Bate, sb. strife. R 4235 Bathe, adj. both. A 4087 Bauderle, sb. gaiety. A 1926 BaudT, adj. dirty. G 635 Baunaon, sb. control. R 1163 Bawdryk, sb. baldrick, belt. A 116 Bawme, sb. balm. T2 53, HF3 596 Bayard, sb. proverbial name for a norse. G 14x3 Be-. See also 'Bi Be,^»vg».by. Bl. 1330 Beautee, si. beauty. A 1926 Becliezi, adj. made of beech. G 1160 Bede, Beede, ■!/. offer. T^ 185, G 1065 Bedas, sb. pi. beads. A 159 Bedrede, adj. bedridden. E 1292 Beele, adj. good, fine. £'1599 Been, v. to be. A 140 ; pres. pi. B 122 Been, fj.^/. bees. F 205 Beere, sb. bier. B 1815 Beet, ^rtf/. touched. R 129 Beete, v. kindle. A 2253 Beete, v. mend. A 3927 Beggestere, s. (beggar woman) beggar. A 242 Behoteth, pres. promises. Bl. 620 Bekked, pret. nodded. T^ 1260 Beknew, pret, confessed. L 1058 BeW, adj. fair. T2 288 Belweth, .A beseen. Bl. 828 Best, sb, beast. A 1976 Bet, adj. comp. better, B 311 ; adv. A 242 ; 60 bet, go quickly, L Z213 Bete. See Beete Beth, ^T-ff. be, are. A 17S Betten, p.p. kindled. GsiS Beye, v. buy. G 637 Bibbed, >.^. drunk. A 4162 Bl-bledde, p.p. bloodied. A 2003 Bioohed, p.p. cursed. C 656 Bl-clappe, V, clap down, trap. G 9 Bidaffed, p.p. fooled. E 1191 Blddynge, sb. praying. G 140 Bien, pres, pi, buy. R 2452 Bier, sb. buyer. R 5928 Bygyns, sb. pi. biguines. R 6861 BygOon,^.>. begone, clothed. R 943 Blheste, sb. promise. B 41 Blhete, Bihote, v. promise. A 1854 BUUgbt,^,^. promised ByhOTe, sb. profit. R 1092 BlhoTely, adj. advantageous. T^ 261 BUaped, p.p. tricked. A 1585 Blknowe, v, confess. A 1556 Bildere, sb. for adj. builder. FF 176 BUes, sb. pi. beaks. HF^ 360 Blleve, sb. belief, creed. A 3456 Bllle, sb. petition. C 166 Blmene, v. bemoan. R 2667 Bynymetb, pres. takes away from. 1 335 Blseken, pres. pi. beseech. A 918 Bisemare, sb. abusiveness. A 3965 Bisette, pret. employed. A 279 Biseye, p.p. beseen ; Yvele (ilcliely) blseye, of an ill (rich) appearance. £965,984 Bl-shet, p.p. shut up. T8 602 Bismotered, >./. soiled. A 76 Bistad, p.p. bestead. B 649 Bit, biddeth. A 187 Bltake, pres, commend to. A 3750 Bltecbe, ^n?j. commit to. B 2114 Bltymes, adv. betimes, speedily. G 1006 Bltit, betideth. T^ 48 Bltore, sb. bittern. D 972 Bltraysed, Bitresshed, p.p. betrayed. B 3570, Ri6^8 Bltrent, ^r«j. clasps, encircles. T3 1231, T* 870 Biwreye, v. betray. A 2229 Blakebeiyed, ^on a, go blackberrying, go where they will. C 406 Blaked, p.p. blackened. B 3321 Blanche, adj. white. Ti 916 Blankmanger, sb. blanc-mange. A 367 Blasen, -a. blare. HF3 712 Bleyne, sb. blain. R 553 Bleynte, pret. blenched. A 1078 Blemessched, /^. injured. Bo. 170 Blendlth, Pres. blinds. Bo. 1381 Blere, v. blind. A 4049 Bleve, V. remain. T3 623 Blynne, v. cease. G 1171, R 6611 Blyre, adv. quickly. A 2697 Bio, adj. blue. HF3 557 Blosmes, sb. pi. blossoms. L 143 Blow3rnge, p. pres. panting. Bo. 1267 Bobaunce, sb. boast. D 569 Boch, sb. swelling. Bo. 693 BOCher, sb. butcher. A 2025 Bode, sb. delay. An. Z19 Boden, p.p. bidden. L 366 Boes, pres. it behoves. A 4027 Boydekin, sb. bodkin, dagger. B 3892 Boyste, sb. box. C 307 BoyatOOS, adj. rough. H 211 Bokeler, sb. buckler. A 112, 3266 Boket, sb. bucket. A 1533 Bolas, sb. bullace. R 1387 Bolea, sb. pi. bulls. A 2139 Bon, adj. good. HF2 514 Bone, sb. prayer. BL 834 Boole, sb. astringent earth. G 790 Boon, sb, bone. A 1177 Boor, sb. boar. A 2070 Boos, sb. boss. A 3266 Boost, Boste, sb. talk, outcry. A 4001, L 887 748 GLOSSARY Boot, frti. bit. B 3791 Boot, sb. boat. E 1424 Boote, sb, remedy. A 424 BorEhS, sb. bocax. A 630 Bord, sb. (i) a table, A 52 ; (2) ship's side, A 3585 BordelB, sb. fl. brothels. I 883 BOTdlllers, sb. pL keepers of brothels. R 7034 Borel, Bnrel, adj, coarse, common. B 3145, D 1872, F 716 Borken, j»7v<. barked. Bo. 196 BometUi^fVf. burnishes. T^ 327 Borwe, so. pledge, surety. A 1622, B 2995 BoBardB, sb. buzzard. R 4033 BoBte. See Boost Bote, (z) remedy ; (2) boat. See Boot Botel, ^3. bottle. H 141 Boteler, sb. butler. B.V^ 84 Botber, gen. of both. T^ 16S Bothon, sb. bud. R 2960 Botme, i^. bottom. G 1321 Botoun, sb. bud. R 1721 Book, sb. body. A 2746 BOOB. See Bown Bonntee, sb. goodness. B 1656 Bonide, pres. jest, C 778 ; Bourded, p.p. jested, PF589 Bonrde, sb. dot. jest. H 81 ' Boiires, sb. gen. bedchamber. A 3677 Bonigerons, sb. pi. sodomites. R 7022 Boves, sb. pi. boughs. A 1642 Bown, adj. ready. - F 1503 Bracer, sb. arm-guard. A in Brade, adj. broad. R 4200 Biagoi, sb. ale and mead. A 3261 Brayd, p.p. started. An. 124 Brayde, sb. restless turn, L 1166 ; At a braid, immediately, R 1366 Brak, pret^ broke Brast,/77^. burst Brat, sb. cloak. G 811 Bratfnl, adj. See Bretfal Bravn, sb. muscle, A 546 ;pl. A 2135 Brede, sb. roast meat. HF^ 132 Brede, sb. breadth. A 3811 Breyde, v. start, awake. A 42S3 Broke, V. break. A 551 Brekke, sb. flaw. Bl. 939 Breme, adj'. fierce, T^ 184 ; adv. A 1699 Brezi, sb. bran. A 4053 Brennen, v. bum, B m ; p.p. brent, brend, R 1109 Brennynge, sb. burning. A 996 Breres, sb. pi. briars. R 3006 Bresten, v. burst. A 1980 Bretfal, BrattUl, adj. .>. betrayed. R 3910 Caas. See Cas Caytyres, sb: pi. wretches. A 924 Galcening, sb. calcination. G 771 Calcullnge, sb. reckoning. T' 71 Calewels, sb. pi. pears: R 7043 . Calkuler, sb. the pointer of an astrolabe Calle, sb. head-dress. D 1018, T^ 775; cp. Howve Cam, prei, came. A 547 Camaille, sb, camel. E 1196 Camuse, adj. flat. A 3934 Canel-boon, sb. collar-bone. Bl. 942 Ganell, sb, cinnamon. R 1370 Canevas, sb. canvas Canker-dort, sb, state of suffering. T^ 1752 Cantel, sb. portion. A 3008 Cape./rfj. pi. gape. T^ 1133 Gapltayn, sb, captain. B 3741 Capul, sb. palfrey. A 4088 Gardynade, sb, heart-disease. C 313 Gareyne, sb. carcase, B 3814 ; corpse, A 20Z3 Oaxt^prei. carved. A zoo Garlage, sb. toll, tax. R 21, I 732, Bo. 118 Carl, sb. churl. A 545 Garmes, sb. pi Carmelites. R 7460 Garpe, v. chatter. A 104 Ganyk, sb. ship of burden. D z688 Gas, sb. case, quiver. A 2080 Gas, sb. case, fortune, A 141 1 ; chance, A 844; Caas, pi. law-cases, A 323 CsA\a,prei. devisedj B 406 ; reckoned, A 2172 Castes, sb. pi, contrivances. A 2463 Oatel, sb. chattels. A 373 , Gelebrable, adj, famous. 60. 820 Gelle, sb. (i) celiar, A 3S22 ; (2) religious house, A 172 ; (3) brain, B 3162 Genyih, sb. zenith. As. i. § 18 Geptre, sb. sceptre. B 3563 Gered, p.p. sealed. G 80S Gerial ook, sb, holm oak. A 2290 749 GLOSSARY Certeyn, (i) adv. certainly ; (2) sh. a certain quantity, G 776 ; (3) In certeyn, certainly, T4 go8 Geruce, sb. white lead. A 630 Oetewale, sb. valerian. A 3207 Ooynt, sb. girdle. A 3235 Gliaar, sb. car. A 2138 Ohaffare, sb. merchandise, B 1475 ; business, K 2438 Ohalaundre, Ohelaundre, sb. sort of lark. R 914, 81 Chalons, sb. coverlets from Chalons. A 4140 Olianilierere, sb. maid-servant. E 8ig Ghampartle, sb. partnership. A 1949 Chanoiln, sb. canon. G 720 Ghaped, p.p. capped. A 366 Ghapeleyne, sb. nun who said minor offices. A 164 Ghapmanliode, sb. business. B 143 Ghapmen, sb. pi. merchants. B 136 Gharbocle, sb. carbuncle. 6 2061 Oharge, sb. harm, A 2287 ; load, An. 32 Chargeant, adj. burdensome. B 2430 Chartres, sb. pi. agreements. T3 34a Chasted, p.p. chastised. F 491 Gbasteleyne, sb. chatelaine. R 3740. Ohasteyne, sb. chestnut. A 1921 Chaunterle, sb. endowment for singing masses for the dead. A 510 Gheere, sb. manner, A 139 ; countenance, A 913 Gheese, imperat. choose- A 159s Gheeste, sb. strife. I §56 Gbeeye, v. succeed. G 1225 Ohek, inierj. check. Bl. 658 Gbekkere, sb. chess-board. BI. 659 Ghelaundre. See Ghalaundre Ohepa, sb. purchase, bargain, cheapness. HF3 884 Oherete, sb, dearness. R 3516 Gheste, sb. coffin. E 29 Cheyered, p.p. shivered. R 1732 Ghevesaile, sb. collar. R 1082 Glieviae, v. procure. Mars 290, R 6425 Ohevyssaunce, sb. borrowing. B 1519, A 281. Ghlche, adj. parsimonious. R 5588 Glilderesse, Oliideatere, sb. scold. R 4266, E 1535 Ghlertee, sh. affection, F 881 ; dearness, B 1526 Ghlke, sb. chick. R 541 Ghiknes, sb. pi. chickens. A 380 Ghllyndre, sb. pocket sundial. B ,1396 Chymbe, v. chime. A 3896 Gl^Hgerie, sb, parsimony. B 2790 Ghinynge, p. presi splitting. Bo. 231 OMrcIie, sb. church. A 460 GMrcIie-liawes, sb, pl. churchyards. ' I 801 Ghlrketh, pf^s. twitters. D 1804 Ghirkyng, sb. murmuring. A 2004 Ghlt, chideth. G 921 Ghiteren, pres. chatter. G 1397 Glxlvachle, sh. expedition. A 86 Ghoys, sb. choice. B 2273 Giergls, sb. i>l. tapers. R 6248 Giser, sb. cider. B 3245 Gitole, sb. stringed instrument of music. A 1959 Gitrlnacioim, sb. turning citron colour. G 8r6 Glapers, sb. pl. burrows. R 1405 j Olappe, pres. babble. G 965 Clappen, v. (i) beat, HF3 734 ; (2) clatter, babble, . G 965, E 1200 ' Glappyng, sb.^ chatter. E 999 Glaree, sb. spiced wine. A 1471 Glawe, V. rub, scratch- A 4326, D 940 Cleped, p.p. called. A 121 Glergeoun, sb. chorister. B 1693 Glergial, adj. clerkly: G 752 Clerk, sb. scholar. A 2B5 Clew, prei. clawed, rubbed. HF3 612 GUfte, sh. cranny.- Bo. 1406 Glyket, sh. latch-key. E 2046 Glippeth, pres. hugs. E 2413 Clipsl, adj. eclipsed, obscure. R 5349 - : Olyven, pres. pl. cleaves. Bo. 376 Glyves, sb. pl. cliffs. L 1470 Glyvyng, /, Pres. cleaving. Bo. 1460 Gloysterer, sb. monk. A 259 Glom, int. hush. A 3638 GloB, GlOOS, adj. secret. T2.1534, R 6104 GlOS, sb. a pen, enclosure. - B 4550, Bo. 205 Gloser, sb. enclosure. R 4069 Cloteleef, sb. burdock-leaf. G 571 Glotlierea, p.p. clotted. -^^ 2745 Glowes, sb. pl. claws. HF3 696 God, sb. bag. C 534 Gofedred, p.p. confederated. Pile 52 Gogge, sb. small boat. Xt 1481 Gi^ons, sb, pl. testicles. C 952 Ookeuay, j^. milksop. A420B Gokewold, sb. cuckold. A 3152 Ookkow, sb. cuckoo. A 1930 Gol-blak, adj. coal-black. A 2142 Golde, V. grow cold. B 879, L 240 Golered, p.p. collared. A 2152 Gol-fOZ, sb. brant-fox. B 4405 Oollacloun, sb. conference, E 325 ; comparison, Bo. 1862 GoUect, sb. table of planetary motions. F 1275 Golours, sb. pi. ornaments of style. F 39 GolponS, sb. pl. shreds. A 679 Golumbyn, adj. dove-like. E 2141 Golyer, sh. dove. L 2319 Gombre-world, sb. useless creature. T^ 279 Gombust, p.p. burnt up. T3 717, As, ii. § 4 [164] Gone, sb. coming. R 7626 Commoeveden, pret. pl. influenced. TS 17 Gomnmne, sb, the commons. E 70 Gompassement, sb. contrivance. L 1416 Goniposlcioun, sb. agreement. A 2651 Compotent, adj. almighty. Bo. i8jri Gompowned. p.p. composed. As. ii. § 5 Gomprelienaed, p.p. summed up. An. 83 Gomunte, sb. community. R 5209 Oomyn, sb. cummin. B 2045 Goncours, sb. course. R 4360 GondiclOUn, sh, temperament. L 40 Gonestablerys, sb. constable's jurisdiction. R 4218 Gonfedred, p.p. confederated. Piie 4a Gonfas, cuij. confused. A 2230 Gongeyen, ». dismiss. TS 479 Oonyes, sh. pl. rabbits. PF 193 Gonlnges, sb. pl. conies. R 7044 Gonlsaiznce, sh. acquaintance, R 4668 ; know- ledge, R 5465, 5559 Gonjecte, Congecte, -u. conjecture. Bo. 228, R6928 Oonne, v. can be able, know Gonnes, sb. pl. conies, rabbits. R 1404 Oonporte, v. bear. T^ 1397 GonsiStOlle, sb. judgment-seat. C 162 750 GLOSSARY Contek, sh. strife, A 2003 ; Gontekes, pi. dissen- sions, B 4122 Gontrove, v. contrive. R 7545 Contubemyal, sb. fellow-soldier. I 760 Goutmie, v. continue. R 5205 GoXLTenaDly, adv. suitably. B 2420 OonVOyen, v. convey. E 55 Cope, sb. dat. top. A 554 dope, sb. cape. A 260 Goppe, sh. dat. cup. A 134 Gorageous, adj. ardent. I 585 Gorages, sb.pi. hearts. An Gorb6l3,fi.//. architectural ornaments. HF3 2I4 Gornemuse, sb. bagpipe. HF^ 128 Comiculer, sb. adjutant. G 369 Comunpable, adj. corruptible. A 3010 Oomunpen, v. rot. Bo. 987 ; Gorrumped, p.p. corrupted, I 819 ' GOTS, sb. body, corpse. B 2098, A 3429 Gorseint, sb. holy body, relic. HFl 117 Goajmagd, sb. kinship. B 1226 Gosse, sb. kiss. R 3663 Cost, s. coast, place. R 3931 Gostage, sb. expense. B 1235 Oosteiyng, /. >rfj. coasting, skirting. R 134 Gostrel, sh. bottle. L 2666 Cote, sb. dat. dungeon. A 2457 Gouched, p.p. laid, A 2933 ; inlaid, A 2161 Gouchen, v. lay. O 1152, R 6903 - Gouda, ^et. knew. A 327 Gounter:taille, sb. counter-tally. E iigo Countour, sb. auditor, A 359 Oountrepeise, v. balance. HF^ 660 Gountre-pleted, p.p. controverted. L 476 Gonntrewayte, v. watch against. B ^2505? 1 100 Goupable, adj. guilty. Bo. 70 '' Goiired, pret. cowered. R 465 Gourtepy, sh. cape. A 290 Gouth, i*./. plain, evident, R 4213 Gontlie, adv. patently. HF2 249 Govenable, adj. suitable. I 80 COTeut, sb. convent of monks. B 1827 Govercniefs, sb. pi. kerchiefs. A 453 Covercle, sb. lid of a cup. HF^ 284 Covered, p.p. recovered. L 762 Covyne, sh. craft, intriguing. R 3799) A 604 Goye, V. quiet. T2 801 ' Coynes, sb.pl. quinces. R 1374 Gracchynge, sh. scratching. A 2834 Oraketh, i*?rj. sings hoarsely. E 1850 Crampissnetli, />-w, cramps. An. 171 Creaimce, sb. belief, B 340; debt, ABC 61 Creannce, v. get credit, B 1479; creanced,^./. raised on credit, B 1556 Crece, sh. increase. R 4875 Grekes, sb. pi. devices. A 4051 Grepll, sb. cripple. T* 1458 Gryke, sb. creek. A 409 Crips, adj. crisp, curly. HF3 296 Cristophere, sb. image of St. Christopher worn as an amulet. A J15 Croce, sb. cross, crozier. R 6470 Orois, sb. cross. ABC 6q, Pl 699 Crop, sh. top, summit. T5 25,Ai533 Cropen, p.p. crept. A 4259 - , . ^ , Grosaelet, sb. crucible, G 1117; Crosletz, pi. G 793 Grouclie, pres. sign with the cross. A 3479 Growke, sb. crock. A 4158 Grownet, sb. coronet. R 3203 Cmlle, adj. pi. curly. ■ A 81 Cucurbites, sh. pi. flasks for distilling. G 794 Gulpe, sb. guilt. I 336 Cure, sh. care, keei^mg. Bo. 227 Curiositee, sb. fastidiousness. I 629 Currours, sb. pi. runners. HF^ 1038 Custommere, adj. accustomed. R 4936 Cut, sh. lot. A 835 Daf, sh. fool. A 4208 Daggynge, sb. slitting. I 418 Dagoim, sb. fragment. D 1751 Dayerye, sh. dairy. A 597 Dayesle, sh. daisy. L 182 Daliaunce, sb. pleasantry. A 211 Dampned, p.p. condemned. A 1x75 Dan, sh. See Daxrn Dare, v. daze. D 1294 Darketh, pres. hides. L 816 Darreyue, v. contest.- A 1609 Daswed, >.;>. dazed. HF2 151 Daun, sh. lord, sir. A 1379, B 3982 Datmce, sb. dance, game. A 476 Daimger, sb. influence, dominion. A 663, R 1470 Daimgerous, adj. difficult, hard to please. A 517, B 2129 Daunten, v. subdue. Bo. 743 Dawes, sh.pl. days. F 1180, R 2838 Daweth, _^y^j. dawns. A 1676 Dawing, sh. dawn. T* 1466 Debate, v. do battle, oppose. B 2058, T^ 166 DebOnairte, sb. meekness. BI. 985 Debonerly, adv. gently. T2 1259 Decoped, p.p. slit. R 843 Ded, Pip. dead. A 942 Deduyt, sh. delight. A 2177 Deed, p.p. dead. See Ded Deef, adj. deaf. A 446 Deel, sb. part, whit. A 415 Deemen, v. judge. B 3045 Deer, sh. wild animals Deere, adv. dearly. A 3100 Deerelyngi sh. darling. A 3793 Deeme, adj. secret. A 3200 Dees, sh. pi. dice. T2 1347 Defaute, sh. default, defect. Bl. 5, I 182 Defende, v. (i) imper. defend, ABC g^] Cz) Deffendetb, forbids, B 2945 ; p.p. forbidden, B 475 , Defet p.p. enfteblfed. T5 618 DeflFeted, p.p. defeated';- Bo. 261 Defusioun, sb. diffuseness. T^ 296 Degise, adj. fashionable.' I 417 Degree, sb. rank, A 1168 ; pi. steps, A i8go Deydest, prei. did5t die. TS 263 Deye, sh. dairy-woman. B 403.6 Deyned, pfv't. deigned Deynous, ad/, bumptious. A 3941 Deys, sb. dais. A 370 Del, sh. part, whit Delyces, sh. pi. delights. C 547 Dellt, sh. pleasure. A 335 Delyvere, adj. active. A 84 Delyverly, adv. adroitly. B 4606 Delivemesse,' sb. agility. 1 452 Deme, z;. judge, B2ai9; Demetb, imper. A 1353 Demeyne, (i) sb. dominion, B 3855 ; (2) v. govern, HF2 45r 751 GLOSSARY Demene, v. endure. R 5238 Departe, v. distinguish, T^ 404 ; pres. subj. separate, A 1134 ; Departed, p.p. A 1621 Depeynted, p.p. depicted. A 2031 Depper, adv. comp. more deeply. B 630 Dere, v. harm. F 240, A 1822 Derewortli, Dervorth, adj. precious. Bo. 281, 491 Derke, si. dai. darkness. Bl. 608 Derre, a<^. comP. more dearly. A 1448 Descensorles, jv. //. vessels for extracdng oil. G 792 DesclauiLdTe, v. slander. G 993 Descryve, v. describe. See Discryve Desese, 7/. dispossess. R 2076 Desespaired, p.p. despaired. Comp, io his LaUy 7 Deslavee, adj. unbridled. I 629 Sesordeynee, adj. inordinate. I 8x8 Desordlnat, adj. disorderly. I 4x5 DeBpense, sb. expenditure. A 1928 DespitOUS, adj. scornful. A 516 Desray, sb. disarray, confusion. I 927 Destynal, adj. fated. Bo. 1465 Destreyue, Distreyne, z/. vex, constrain, grasp. F 820, A I4S5, 1816, Bo. s^Sj PF 337 Detemdne, v, come to an end. TS 379 Devyaimt, tuij. divergent. R 4789 Devolded, p.p. banished. R 2929 Devoir, sb. duty. I 764 Deztrer, sb, steed. B 2x03 Dyapred, p.p. diapered. A 2158 Dych, sb. ditch. I 718 Dlffense, sb. prohibition.' R 1142 Dlght, p.p. dressed. A X041 Dlgne, ^j. worthy, A 141 ; haughty, repellent, A 517, 3964 ; Dlgnellch, adv. haughtily, T^ 1024 Dllataoloiui, sb. enlargement. B 233 DlBaraunoe, v. hinder. T^ sxx Disaventore, sb. mischance. T^ 74X Disclievelee, adj. with hair loose. A 683 Disclaundxed, p.p. slandered. L 1031 Dlscorden, py-es. pi. disa^ee. Bo. X495 Dlscreven, Dlscryren, Diskryve, v, describe. R 4803, I 533, Bl. 915 DiSGure, v. reveal. Bl. 548 Dlsfigurat, adj. deformed. PF 222 Disjoyzit, sb. dilemma, disadvantage, danger. B 1601, A 2962, L 1631 Dismal, sb. evil day. Bl. 1205 DiSpence, sb. expenditure. R X144 Dlspitoiise, adj. despiteful. Bl. 623 Dispone, imper. dispose. T^ 300 Dlspoi^th, pres. disposes. Bo. 1457 DisrO'nlllye, adv. irregularly. R 4900 Dissert, sb. deserving. Bo. X302 Disserved, p.p: deserved. A 1716 Disteyne, v. stain, obscure. L 255 Distlxicte, V. distinguish. R 6199 Dlstyng^ed, p.p. distinguished. Bo. 439 Distoned, p.p. put out of tune. R 4248 Distreyne. See Destreyue Distume, v. turn aside. T8 718 Dite, sb. song, poem, story.. Bo. X453, 602, 315 Divinlstre, sb. diviner. A 2811 Dlvynailes, sb. pi. divinations. I 605 DiVlSiOUn, sb. difference. A 1780 Doaude, p. pres. doing. R 2708 Doke, sb. duck, A 3576; pi, B,458o Doked, p.p* cropped. A 590 Dolven,/./. buned. BL 222 Dom, sb. judgment. PF 480 Domme, adj. dumb. R 2220 Dozme, adj. dun. T2 908, PF 334 Doole, sb. portion. R 2364 DOOle, sb. dolefulness. R 2956 Doom, sb* judgment. C 257 Dormant, ^j. (of a table) fixed. A 353 Douoet, sb. a kind of flute. HF3 132 Douteles, adv. doubtless Doutes, adj. pi. dubious. Bo. 591 Doutons, adj. deceitful. Bo. 275 Dowe, pres, s. bestow. T^ 230 Dradde./re/. fkared Draf, sb. dregs, refuse. I 35, A 4207 Drasty, adj. worthless. B 2113 Drat, dreadeth. T8 328 Draughte, sb. move at chess. Bl. 68x Drawe, v. move at chess. Bl. 68x Drecched, p.p. harassed. B 4077 Dreccbynge, sb. delaying. I xooo, T^ 853 Dredeles, adv. undoubtedly. Bl. 763 Dredful, Dredeful, adj. (z) timorous, PF 195, A 1479 ; (2) terrible, B 3558 Dreinte, pret. drowned, Bl. 72 ; was drowned, B 923 , Dreynt, p.p. drownqd. A 3520 Drenchen, v. drown, . B 455 Drencl^ng, sb. drowning. A 2456 Drerlhed, sb, -dreariness. R 4728 Dresse, v. make ready. B iioo Drye, v. endure, suffer. Mars 25X, T^ 42, R 3105 Dryve,/./. driven. F 1230 . Drogges, sb. pi. dnlgs. A 426 Dronkelewe, adj. tipsy. C 495 Droppynge, p. pres. dripping. I 633 Drough,/r«/. drew. B X710, F 965, T3978 Drovy, adj. turbid. I 8x6 Dmery, sb, love, affection. R 844, 5063 Dnigge, V. drudge. A 2416 Due, sb. duke. A 860 Duloamon, sb. perplexity. See note,.T3 931 Dnlle, pres. grow dull. R 4792 Dulve, pret. dug. Bo. i6m Dure, V. endure, abide, live. E z66, A 1231!^ Cotnp. to his Lady 31 Durre-don, dare do. T^ 840 Durring-don, sb. daring. TS 837 Duweliche, adv. duly. Bo. X90 Dwale, sb. sleeping draught. A 4z6x Dwyned, p.p. dwindled. R 360 Ech, adj. each. A 39 Eche, V. eke, increase. Tl 705, T5 xio Eched, Echld, p,p* increased. T3 X329, Bo. 749 Echynnys, sb.pl. sea-urchins. Bo. 798 Echon, each one Eek, tuiv. also. A 41 Eem, Em, sb. uncle. T^ X022, T^ 162 Eft, adv. again. A 1669 Eft-Bones, adv. soon ag^n. T^ 1468 Bgal, adj. equal. T8 137, Bo. 575 EgaUtee, Egalyte, sb. equality, equanimity. I 949. Bo. 395 Egaly, adv. equably. Bo. 398 Egge, j^.edge. 1*927, Former Age 19 Eggement, sb. incitement. B 842 Egre, adj. sharp, bitter. Bo. 2x5, I 117, R 5475 752 GLOSSARY G800 G842 Egremoyne, s6. agrimony. Egren, v. excite. Bo. 1530 Eyletn, j^res. s. ails. A 1081 Elr, sd. air. A 1246 Eyre, s6. heir. L 2549 Eyrysh, adj. aerial. HF2 424 Elsel, s6. innegar. R 217 ^the, adf. easy. R 3955 EIl adv. also. T^ 1510 EldeflaiULer, s6. grandfather. Bo. 372 Elden, v. grow old. Bo. 528 Elengouesse, sd. wretchedness. R 7494 Ell, adv. else. R 1231, 2964 Ellebor, s6, hellebore. B 4x54 Elles, adv. else. C 3x5 ElvySBhe, adj. elf-like, abstracted. Em, si. uncle. T2 162 Embawme, v. embalm. L 676 Embellf, adj. oblique. As. i. § 20 Bmbelysed. p.p. embellished. Bo. 439 Embosed, p.p. sheltered in the woods. Bl. 353 Embrouded, p.p. embroidered. A 89 Emeraude, sh emerald. PF 175 lEsalOTth, prep, to die extent of, according to. T2 243^97, A 2235 Emysperles, sh.^l. hemispheres. As. i. § 18 &iipeyTe,/7Vj. impair. £ 2198 Empelreden, pret. pi. made worse. B 2205 Emplastre, pres. pi. plaster over, ' whitewash.' £ 2297 Bmplieth, >roj- pU unfold. Bo. 164B Emprlsd, sb. enterprise. G 605, Bl. 1092 Empte, a^. empty. G 741 Encens, so. incense. A 2938 Encbesomi, sb. occasion. B 2780 Enoombrous, adj. burdensome. HF^ 354 Encrees, sb. increase. A 2184 Encreescedeil, pret. enlarged on. B 2466 Encressezi, pres. pi. increase. A 1338 EndelCOlg, adv. lengthways. A 1991 EzLdentynge, sb. scalloping. I 417 E&^te, V. write, compose. A 95, L 2356 EnlbrceBt tbsd, ^7%'j'. endeavourest. Bo. 775 Engyn, sb. (i) wit, contrivance, G ^y^* T» 274 ; (2) military machine, R 4194 Eng^ned, p.p. racked. B 4250 Engreggen, pres, pi. weigh upon. I 978 EngrerelA, pres. grieves. R 3444 EnlaMte, pres. dwell. R 6355 Enlianncea, p.p. elevated. As. ii. § 26 Enlaceth, ^s. entangles, Bo. 97 ; Enlaced, p.p. Bo. 774 Bnlumyned, p.p. illuminated. ABC 73 Enlutyng, sb, plastering with clay. G 766 Enoynt, p.p. anointed. A 199 Bnaelddtp.p. sealed up, confirmed. T^ 151, T* 559 Entalle, v, carve, R 619, 371X Eutailled, p.p. sb. shape, R X62; cutting, jagging. R140 Entayle, Rxo8i Entame, v. begin. ABC 79 Entecclied, /./. endued with (good) qualities, T6 832 ; infected, Bo- 1292 Entende, i^?*^;. s. perceive. T* 1649 Entenucrte, v. interpose. R 2966 Entre, sb. entry. Bo. 266, 316 Entrec^aungynges, sb. pi. interchanges. Bo. 357 Bntrecomunen, v. conununicate. T^ 1354 Entredlted, ^./. under an interdict. I 905 Entremedled, >./. intermingled. Bo. 512 Entremes, sb. entremet, a between -course. FF 665 Entremete, v. interpose, interfere. D 834, B 2730, Bo. X094, R 2966 Entnketli, j^r^ff. entangles. PF 403 Entuues, so. pi. intonings. Bl. 309 Envenyiae, v. poison. Bl. 640 Enviroun, adv. round about. R 4203 Envyned, p.p. supplied with wine. A 342 Envoluped, p.p. enveloped. C 942 Equlpolences, sb. pi. equivalents. R 7076 Er, adv. conj. Prep, before Ercedeken, so. archdeacon. A 655 Ere, sb. ear ; Erys, pi. A 556 Ere, V. plough, A 886 ; Ered, p.p. HFi 485 Brke, a/^Tirked, weary. R 4867 Erme, v. grieve. BL 80, C 312 Ernes, sb. earnestness. R 4838 Emestful, adj. serious. £ 1x75 Erraunt, adj'. wandering. Bl. 660 Era, sb. arse. A 3734 Escnaufede, pret. chafed. Bo. 211 Eschaizfetll, pres. grows warm. Bo. 2x6 Escliaunges, sb. pi. exchanges. HF2 189 Esche'w, Escliu, adj. unwilling. I 971, E x8i2 Esed,/./. entertained. A 29 Esoyne, sb. excuse for absence. I 164 EBplelten, v. perform. R 6174 Estat, sb. state. A 926 Estatlich, itdj. stately. A X40 Estatlltes, sb.^L statutes. Bo. 269 Estres, sb. pi. inner parts of a house. A 1971, 4295, L 1715 Ethe, adj. easy. T^ 850 Evene, adj. average. A 82 Everich, pron. each. A 371 ETOTycnon, each one. A 3X Everydel, every whit. A 368 Ew, sb, yew-tree. A 2923, PF 180 Ezces, sb. excess, extravagance. T^ 626 EzpanS, adj. separate. F 1275 Extre, sb. axle. As. i. g 14 Ey, sb. egg. B 4035 Facoiind, sb. eloquence. C 50, Bl. 925 Facound, adj. eloquent. FF 520 Fader, sb. igen.) father's. R 781 Fadme, sb. fathom. A 2916, Bl. 422 Fayle, v. make mistakes. R 4249 Fair, adj. ; A fair, a good one, A X65, TS 850 Falre, adv. fairly. A 94 Fairye, sb. fairyland. E gg Faldyng, sb. coarse cloth. A 391 Fallaces, sb. pi. fallacies. R 7077 Faile, V. happen Falaen, v. falsify. A 3x75 Falwe, adj. brown, yellow. HF^ 846 Falwes, sb. pi. fallows. D 656 . Famulier, adj. familiar. A 215 Fan, f^. quintain. H 42 Fantastlk, adj. imaginative. A 1376 Fantome, sb. fantasy. B 1037 Farce, imperat. paint. R 2285 Fardeles, sb. pi. burdens. R 5683 Fare, sb. fuss, disturbance. A 3999, T3 860 Fare, v. go, speed, behave Fare, ;*./, gone. F X546 Fare-carte, sb. cart. TB X162 7S3 GLOSSARY Parsed, p.t. stuffed. A 233 Pasoun, si. fashion. R 708 Pauoon, si. falcon. F 411 Fauooners, j3. //. falconers. F 1196 Fawe, adj. fain, R 6477 ; adv. T^ 887 Fay, sJ. faith. L 778, R 2887 Fecches, sb. pi. vetches. T3 936 Feeld, sb. field. . A 1522 Poenoly, adj. fiendish. Bl. 593 Peffe, V. fee, present. T3 901 Feffed In, p.i. invested with. E 1698 Peirs, adj. fierce. R 1482 Feyne, v. feign. A 735 Peyutise, sb. feigning. R 2947, 2998 Pel, adj. fierce. ' B 2019 Pel, sb. skin. Tl 91 Felaws, sb. fellow. A 1525 Peldefare, sb. field-fare. PF364, TS.861 Pele, adj. many. E 917, Bo. 262, R 189 Pelle, adj.il. cruel. T^ 470 Pelliclie, Felly, adv. cruelly. Bo. 355, R 3251 Felnesse, sb. .fierceness. Bo. 217 Pemenye, J*, womankind. A'S66 Feminixiltee, sb. womanhood, feminine appear- ance.' B 360 Fend, sb. fiend. I S84 Fenix, sb. phcenix. Bl. 981 Per, ddj. and adv. far Ferde, sb, dat. fear. Bl. 981, Tl 557, L 2332 Tevis, pret. fared, behaved. A 1372, 3606 Fere, so. fellow, companion,L 969 ; In fere, 1-fere, together Ferrartli, adv. far forward; So ferforth. So ferforthly, to such an extent. B 372, A.9€o PerfulleSte, adj. sup. most timorous. T8 450 Perly, adj. wonderful. A 4173 Permacles, sb. pi. pharmacies, medicines. .A 2713 Permerer, sb. keeper of the infirmary.. D 1859 FenuoUT, sb. farmer, contractor. L 378 Pern, adv. of long time. F 255 Feme, adj. pi. ancient, A 14 ; Feme yere, past years, T5 1176 Perre, adv. comp. farther. , A 47 Ferreste, adj. super, farthest. A 494 FerS, sb. piece at chess. Bl. 653 Fertne, card. num. fourth. B S23 Fertlier, adv. further. A 36 Perthyng, sb. morsel. - A 134 Fesaunt, sb. pheasant. PF 357 Pest, sb. fist. C 802 Peste, sb. feast, festival. .A 906 Pesteiynge, p. pres. feasting. F 345 Festjrvally, adv. joyously. ' Bo. 560 Festne, v. fasten. A 195 Pet, pret. fetched. . A 819. Fetys, adj. neat, graceful. A 157, C 478 FetlSly, adv. neatly, skilfully. A 273, ■h.i'zi, Flaunce, sb. confidence. R 5481 Fycclien, v. fix. Bo. 419 TO, pret. fell. A 1034, Bl. 275 Fille, V. fell, cut down. A 1702 Fyn, sb. end. B 424, Mars 218 Plnallolie, adv. finally. T3 556 Fine, V. finish, cease, stop. T* 26, TB 776, T2 1460. Fynt, findeth Fir, sb. fire. A 1502, 1246 Fisycien, sb. physician. Bo. 66 Fit, sb. stave, canto. B 2078 Flthele, si. fiddle. A 296 Flayne, p.p. flayed. I 423 Plaumes, .s^. >/: flames. ABCig Pleemeth, pres. chases away. H 182 Fleen, j^. //. fleas. H 17 Pleen, v. flee. ABC 148 Fleete, pres. s. float. A 2397 Flelgli,/(«<. flew. T2 104 Flemed, pt^t. exiled, R 3052; p.p. exiled fugitive, G 58 Piemen, v. put to flight. T8 852 Flemere, si. banisher. B 460' Pleteth, pres. s. floateth. B 901 Plet3rng6,V. presi floating. A 1956 Flex, sb. flkx. A 676 Flo, sb. dart. H 264 Plokmeele, adv. in a crowd. E 86 Floteren, pres. pi.- flutter, are tossed about. Bo. 1037 Plotery, adj. dishevelled. A 2883 FlOUrolins, sb. pi. flower-ornaments. L 217 Floute, sb. flute. HF3 133 Floytynge, p. pres. fluting. A 91 Pneseth, pres. s. snorts. H 62 Foynen, pres. pi. thrust. A 1654 Poysoim, sb. increase. A 3167 Foleyen, v. act foolishly. Bo. 644 Poly, adv. foolishly. Bl. 873 Folye, adj. foolish. L 164 Folj^, adv. foolishly. Mars 158, R 2603 Ponoe, V. try, prove. B 347, T3 1155 Ponge, V. take. B 377 Fonne, sb. fool. A 4089 Penned, p.p. fooled. R 5367 Foore, sb. course. D 1935 Foot-hoot, adv. in baste. B 438 For-, as an intensive prefix. For-blak, A 2r44: Por-dionk, Por-dry, Por-old, A 2142 ; Por- pampered. Former Age 5, etc. ; very black very drunk, very dry, 'very old, very pampered etc. For, conj. because. Tl 802 Tai.prep. in fear of, T' 748, T2 194, 868 ; against. Tl 928 ' ■ For al, notwithstanding. T4 55 note Forbede, Porbode, pres. subj. forbid. L 10 . Forblse, v. exemplify. T2 1390 Por-brak, pret. interrupted. Bo. 1143 Forty, adv. by, past. A 17s PoT-cracchen, v. scratch. R 323 For-do, ». destroy. Tl 238 Por-do, Por-done, p.p. destroyed, ruined. Tl 74, _ R 4339 Por-drede, si. fear. B 2383 Por-dryv6, p.p. driven astray. A 3782 Por-dwynel, p.p. wasted. R 366 Foreyn, sb. outer room. L 1962 Foreyne, adj. foreign, external, public. Bo. 680, 755 Por-fare, v. fare ill. R 5778 Porheed, Porlieved, sb. forehead. G 580, Bo. 132 Forlete, v. resign, fot^o, forsake, B 1848, C. 864, 1 720 ; Porleten, p.p. forsaken, HF2 186 Forloyn, si. note on horn recalling hounds when at fault. Bl. 386 Forlyved, p.p. decrepit. Bo. 763 Porlyven, v. degenerate. Bo. 758 Forme, adj. first. B 2290 Formel, si. any hen-bird of prey. PF 371 Pormest, adj. foremost. BL iSg 7S4 GLOSSARY Forncast, /./. planned. I 448 Forneys, sd. fumace. A 559 For-pyned, p.p. tormented. A 203 Fors, sb. force ; No fors, no matter. B 285 For-shapen, p.p. misshapen. T2 66 ' For-shright, p.p. tired with shrieking. T^ 1147 Por-sleweth, pr^s. is over-slothful. I 685 Forslewthen, v. over-tarry. B 4286 For-sluggeth, pres. is over-sluggish. I 685 For-songen, p.p. exhaustedwith singing. R 664 Forster, sb. forester. A 120 Por-Straught, p.p. exhausted. B 1295 For-thenke, For-thinke, v. repent. R 3957, 1"2 1414 For-tny, aeh. therefore- Bo. 375 Forthren, v. further, help. A 1137 Forth-rlgllt, a^w. -directly. E 1503 Fortunon, v. presage. A 417 » Fortnuou^ adj. fortuitous. Bo. 224 For-waked, p.p. tired with watching. B 596, Bl. 126 Forwandred, p.p. tired with wandering, R 3336 Forward, sb. agreement. A 33 Forwelked, p.p. *vithered. R 361 For-weped, p.p. exhausted with weeping. BI. 126 For-wored, p.p. worn out. R 235 Porwes, sb. pi. furrows. Former Age 12 For-Wliy, conj. because. T^ 12 Forwltyng, sb. foreknowledge. B 4433 Forwot, >r^/. foreknew. .HFI45 Poryaf, pret. forgave, respited. T8 1577 Foiyede, pret. forwent, desisted from. T2 1330 Foryelde, v. repay. E 831 Foryete, -v. forget. Bl. 1124 Foiyive, /rgj. forgive. B 1615 Fother, sb. cartload. A 530 FOTldre, sb. lightning. HFl 335 Ponies, sb. pi. fowls, birds. PF 203 Fotmde. ^^g^Ponde. Poundred, pret, fell. A 2687 Founes, sb. pi. fawns. Bl. 429 Frayneth, pres. s. asks. B 1790 Frakenes, sb. pi. freckles. A 2169 Frape, sb. company. T^ 410 rteel, adj. frail. Bo. 889 Freeten. pres. pi. cat. A 2068 Preynedj pret. prayed, B 3020 Freletee, sb. frailty. I 449 Premde, adj. foreign, F 429 Fret, sb. ornament. L 215 Frete, v. eat, iB 3294: ; p.p. eaten, B 475 Froteth, pres. s. rubs. A 3747 Frounce, sb. wrinkle. Bo. 61 Frounced, p.p. wrinkled.' R 365, 3137 Prounceles, adj. unwrinkled. R 850 Fnitesteres, sb. pi. fruit-women, C 478 Fumetere, sb. the herb fumitory. B 4153 Fumositee, sb. headiness, vapouriness. C 567, F358 Furlal, adj. raging. F 448 Purlong-wey, short space, L 841 Further-over, adv. furthermore. T* 1027 Gabbe, v. talk idly, gossip. A 3510, Bl. 1074, T3 301 Oadelyng, sb. vagabond. R 938 Gadrede, pret. gathered. A 824 Gayl, sb. gaol. R 4745 Gayler, sb. gaoler. A 1064 Galllard, Gaylard, adj. gay, merry. A 4367, 3336 Gayneth, pres. s. availeth. A 1787 Galtrys beryls, sb. pi. berries of the dog-wood tree. B 4155 Galauntyne, Galentyne, sb. a kind of sauce. Rosant. 17, Former Age 16 Galaxye, sb. the Milky Way. PF 56 Gale, V. cry out. D 832 Galyiigale, sb. sweet cypress root. A 381 GalOCbe, sb. patten, high shoe. F 555 Galpyng, adj. gaping. F 350 Galwes, sb. pi. gallows. B 3941 Gan, Pret. began, did, used to. A 301 Ganeth, pres. s. yawns. Gargat, sb. throat. B 4525 Garisoun, v. cure. R 3249 GamlSOiin, sb. garrison. B 2215 Gas, goes. A 4037 Gastnes, sb. terror. Bo. 728 Gat-tothed, adj. goat-toothed, lascivious. A 468 Gauded, p.p. dyed. A 159 Gauren v. gaze. A 3827 Gaioretn., pres. s. stares. B 3559 Gawdes, sb. pi. toys.fineries. I 651 Geaunt, sb. giant. B 1997 Geere, Gere, sb. (i) clothing, accoutrement, A 365, 1016 ; (2) behaviour, manners, A 1372, 1531 Geery, adj. changeable. A 1536 Geeffbes, sb.pl. stories. F 211 Geyn, sb. gain. An. 206 Geldehalle, sb. guild-hall. A 370 Gent, adj. gentle, courteous. B 1905, PF 558 Gentrle, sb. gentle birth_, nobility. I 452 Geomancie, sb. divination by figures made on the earth. I 605 Gerdon, Gerdoun, sb. reward ; For alle ger- dons, at all costs. B 2240 Gerdoned, p.p. rewarded. B 2460 Gere, sb. See Geere Gere, sb. changeableness. Bl. 1256 Gereful, Gerful, adj. changeable. A 1338, T^ 286 Gesse, pres. s. guess. A 82 Geste, sb. guest, stranger. L 1158 Geste, sb. romance, story. B 2123, T^ 450 Gestiours, sb.pl. reciters, HF3 108 Get, sb. contrivance. G 1277 Gye, V. guide. A 1950, E 75, An. 6 GWf, conj. if. Bl. 224 Gigges, sb. pi. fiddles. HF3 852 Giggynge, p. pres. strapping. A 2304 Giltelees, adj. guiltless. B 1062 Gyn, Gynne, sb, engine, contrivance. F 128, R „ 4176 . u-ynne, v. begm Gypon, sb. ^hort vest. A 75 Glpser, sb, pouch. A 357 Glrden, v. strike. B 3736 Glrles, j^.//. youths. A 664 Gysanne, sb. halberd. R 3978 Glse, sb. fashion, A 663 Gyser, sb. gizzard. Bo. 1132 Gyte, sb. some part of a woman's dress, A 3954; GlaiJ- [adere, sh. one who makes glad< A 2223 Glareth, /^«. J. shines. HFi 272 Glaso, V. glaze. T6 469. See Howre 7SS GLOSSARY Gledy, adj. fiery. L 105 Gleyre, jd. white of egg. G 806 Glente, pret. glanced. T* 1223 Glewe, V. glue, fasten. HF3 671 Glymsyng, sb, glimmering. E 2383 Glood, pret glided. F 393 Glose, sh. gloss, comment. L 328, Bl. 333 Glose, v. flatter, B 3330; expound, B 1180 Glowmbe, v. frown, R 4356 Gnodde, /r£^. rubbed, crushed. Former Agt 11 GzLOf, sh. churl. A 3188 Gobet, sb. shred. A 696 Godslbbes, ^3. pi. godparents. I go8 GoldleeB, adj. without gold. B 1480 Golee, sb. mouthful. FF 556 Gollardeys, sb. ribald. A 560 Gonfenoun, GounfanoiUlj sb. pennon, banner, R 20x8, 1 201 Gonge, sb. privy. I 885 Gonne, pret. began, A 1658 ; Goxmen, pi. L 148 Godd, so. goods, property. A 581 Gooldes, sb. pi. mangolds. A 1929 Goore, sh. gusset, A 3237 ; Under my goore, at my side, B 1979 GooslBSh, adj. foohsh. T^ 584 Goost, Goat, sb. spirit. A 2768, T* 187 Groter, sb. gutter. Bo. 689, T3 787, L 2705 GOTemeresse, sh./em. governess. Pite 80 Qrayn, sh. dye. B 1917 GrazUO, sb. harm, anger. G 1403, An. 276, T^ 1028 Grange, sh. farm, granary, A 3668 ; Graunges, //. B 1256, HF2 igo Graspe, v. grope. TS 223 Graunt, sb. decree. A X306 Graven, p.p. buried. L 785 Gre, Chree, (i) pleasure, favour, E 1151 ; (2) superiority, pre-eminence, A 2733 Grenoundes, sh. pi. greyhounds. A 191 Greithen, v. prepare, make ready, A 4309 ; pres. - pl B 3784 Grejrtlied, /./. prepared. Bo. i6i Greneliede, ^3. immaturity. 6 163 Gres, sh. grass, T^ 515 ; GreseS, pl. grasses, HF8 263 Grete, sh. ; The grete, the sum, Bl. 1241 Grete See, sb. the Mediterranean. A 59, R 2748 Greve, sh. grove, B 4013 ; pl. A 1495 Greven, p.p. graven, engraved. K 4799 Griftohon^ sh. griffin. A 2133 Gryi, adj. rough. R 73 GlTUt, grindeth. HF» 708 QTynte,/7v/. gnashed. D 2161 Grys, adj. grey. G 559 Grys, sb. grey fur. A 194 GriBUCh, adj. grisly. T^ 1700 Groff, adv. prone, &ce downwards. R 2561 Groynynge, sb. groaning. A 2460 Q^omea, sh. pl. men. R 200 Grope, w. probe, try. A 644, D 1817 GniGOIien, pres. pi. grumble. A 3058 Gruf, adv. prone, face downwards. A 949, B 1865 Glinne, prei. pl. began. PF 257 Ha, v: have. R 4657 Haaf, pret. heaved. A ^yjp Habergeon, sb. coat of mail. A 76 Habitacle, sb. habitation. Bo. 540 Haoolies, sh. pl. hatches. L 648 Haf, Haai; pret. heaved. A 2428, 3470 Hay, sh. hedge, R 2987 ; Hayls,//. TS 351 Haynaelyna, sh. pl. smocks. I 422 Haire, sb. hair-shirt. G 133, R 438 HaIetn,/7Vf. s. draws. ABC 68 Halfe, sb..; On my balfe, on my part, Bl. 139 Halke, sh. comer. L i7Ek> H^8, sh. neck. B 73 HalBe,/rff. s. conjure. B 1835 Halt, pres. s. (i) holdeth, perforn^, B 721, BL 620 ; (2) halteth, limps, Bl. €21 Halten, v. limp. T* 1457 Halvendel, adv. half. T3 707 Halwed, p.p. accounted holy. T3 268 Halwes, so. pl. saints, shrines. Bl. 830, A 14, D6s7 Halydayes, sh. pl. holidays, festivals. L 422 Hameled, p.p. mutilated, cut off. T^ 964 Hande-brede, sh. hand-breadth. A 3811 Hard, adj. ; Of hard, with difficulty, T2 1236 Hardemenji, sh. hardihood.. R 3392 Hardily, adv. surely. A 156 Harlot, sb. rascal. A 647, D 1754 HamevB, sh. armour. A 1006 Hameised, p.p. equipped. A 114 Harre, sh. hinge. A 550 Harwed, p.p. harrowed, devastated. A 3512, D 2107 Hasardrye, sh. gambling. C 590 Hfuel - wodes, sb. pl. hazel-woods (haselwodes shaken), ' Queen Anne is dead.' T3 890, T^ 1174 Hatte, V. be called. R 38, T3 798 Hatter, adv. more hotly. R 2475 Haubergeon, sb. hauberk. A 2119 Haunt, sb. practice. A ^47 Haunten, pres. pl. practise. I 780 Hauteyn, adj. haughty. C 330 Havoire, v. to have. R 4720 Hawe, sb. hedge. C 855 . Hawebake, so. baked haws, i.e. poor stufT. B95 Hawteyn, adj. haughty, high-flying. R 3739, L ZZ20 Hed, p.p. hidden. L 208 Hede, v. put a head on. T^ 1042 Heele, sb. health. B 1540 B.eeng,pret. hung. A 676 Heer, sh. hair. A 589 Heerde, sh. herdsman. R 6453 Heer-mele, sb. hair's-breadth. As. ii. § 38 Heete, pres. suhj. promise. A 2398 Heete, /r£^. was named. Bl. 200 Hey, sb. hedge. H 14 Heye, v. rise. Bo. 875 Heyly, adv. highly, utgently. T2 1733 Heyne, sh. villain. G 1319 Heyre, sh. heir. Bl. 168 Heyrea, sb.pl hair-shirts. I 105 Heyaugge, sb. hedge-sparrow. PF 612 Heytlien, adv. hence. A 4033 Hele, sb. See Heele Hole, V. hide, conceal. B 2275, D 950 Heled, p.p. hidden. B 4245 Heleles, adj. without health. T^ 1593 Helply, adj. helpful. T5 128 Hende, adj. prompt, polite, gracious. D 128& 628, A 3190 Heng,/^-f^. hung. Bl. 122 Henne, adv. hence. A 2356 Henneaforth, adv. henceforth. T3 167 7"56 GLOSSAI?y Hente, /ret. seized. B 4525 Henteres, s6. pi. seizers. Bo. 91 Hepe, sb, hip. B 1937 Heraudes, sb.pL heralds. A 2672 Herbeiours, so. pL receivers of guests. R 5000 Berber, sb. arbour. L 203 Herbergage, sb. lodging. A 4329, B 147 Herbergeours, sb. pi. harbingers. B 997 Her-btforn, adv. herebefore. L 73 Herd, /./. haired. A 2518 Horde, sb, herdsman, T3 1235 Herde-gromes, sb.pl. hetxlsinen. HF^ 136 Herdesse, j'd..^«z. herdswoman. T^ 653 HerdiS, sb. refuse of flax. R 1233 Here and boime, one and all(?X T^ 210 Herleth, pres. s. praises, B 1S08 ; Heryest, praisest, B 3419 ; Heryed,^ p.p. praised, B - 872 ; Heriynge, /. pres. praising, B 1649 Herys, sb.pl. hairs. A 553 Heme, ^. comer. F 1121 Heroner, sb. heron-killer. T^ 413, L 1120 Heronaewes, sb. pi. young herons. F 68 Hert, sb. hart. A 1689 Herte^/rf/. hurt. Bl. 882 Herte, sb'. heart. A 954 Hertely, adj. heartfelt. Bl. 85 Herte-spon, sb. breast-bone. A 2606 Hete, pret. was called. Bl. 947 Heterly, at^. fiercely. L 63B Hethyug, sh. mockery. A 41 10 Heve, V. heave. A 550 Hevedes, sb. pi. heads. B 2032 Hevenysli, ^j. heavenly. Mars 30 Hevenysshly, adv. celestially. A 1055 Hewe, sb. colour. _ An. 147 Hewe, sb. domestic servant. £ X7S5 Hye, V. hasten, F 291 ; Hy, imperat. Bl. 152 Hyene, j3. hyena. F&rttme 35 ffierde, sb, herdsman, A 603; Hierdes, pL TS619 H^lltj p.p. promised. A 2472 Highte, sb.; On hlghte, aloud. A 1784 Hlgbtetb,, pres. s. adorns. Bo. 45 Hyne, sb. servant. A 603, C 688 Hir, (i) her, pers. pron. B 624 ; (2) her, poss, pron^ B 625 ; (3) their, poss. pron. A 365 ; (4) of them, gen. pers. pron. A 586 mt, pron.it. BL 18 Hit, hideth. F 512 Hoker, sb. mockery. A 3965 Hokerly, adv. scornfully. I 584 Holour, sb. lecher. D 524 Holsom, adj. wholesome. PF 206 » Honerous, adj. onerous, burdensome. R 5633 Honestee^ sb. purity. G 8a Hoodies, adj'. without hood. Bl. 1027 Hool, adj'. whole. G iii, Bl. 552 Hoold, sb. a stronghold. B 507 Hooly, adv. wholly. A 599, Bl. 15 Hoors, ad/, hoarse. T^ 1147 Hoot, adj'. hot. A 420 Hoppesteres, sb.pl. dancers. A 2017 Horo, sb. hoard, plenty, Trutk 3 Hors, Hoors, adf. hoarse. Bl. 347, T* 1147 Horwe, adj'. filthy. Mars 206 Hostller, sb. innke^er. A 241 Hote, V. promise, R 3385; Hoten, be called, D 144 Hottes, sb. pi. baskets. HF8 850 BoundfySBOli, sb, shark. £ iSas Houres, sb. pi. (astrological) hours. A 416 Housel, sb. the Eucharist. R 6386 Housled, p.p. having received the Eucharist I 1027 Hoved, prei, waited, T6 33 ; Hoveth, ptvs. Bala(U that C. made 15 (emend.) How, adv. however. R 6489 Howve, sb. cap, 'sette his howve,' A 39"; ' make him an howve above a calle,' T^775 ; 'glase his howve,' T^ 469, all phrases for * to befool.' See also Gappe Hnjstrecl, p.p. concealed. R 6146 Humblesse, sb. humility. B 1660 Hunte, sb. hunter, A 1678 ; Huntes,>/ Bl. 540 Hiirtlen, v. attack. Bo. 266 Huat, p.p. hushed. A 2981, T3 1094 Hwed, p.p. hued, coloured. R 3014 I-, '^-^ Prefix of Past participles iGh, ptvn. I. T3 282 Iche, adj'. each. Bo. 1812 I-fycchld, p.p. fixed. Bo. 1473 Ik, pron. I. A 3867 n-nayl, ill-luck to you. A 4089 nke, aaj'. same Imperle sb. imperium, official dignity. Bo. 487 Impetrun, pres. pi. obtain. Bo. 1725 Importable, Inportable, adj. unbearable. B 3792, E 1 144 In, sb. inn. B 1632 Infaimce, sb. infancy. R 5006 Infect, p.p. invalidated. A 320 Infortunat, a^j'. unfortunate. B 302 In.-Mel6.e, pres. pi. infuse. TS 44 Injure, sb. injury. T3 1018 ta.-'kn&tte, pret. confined. TS loSa TTinflflj p.p, housed. A 2192 In-set, p.p. implanted. Bo. 33CJ In-tlinnge, v. press in. T^ 66 Intresse, sb. interest. Truth 71 In-Witb., /*iff/. within Irons, adj. passionate. D 2086 I-ahad,^.^. shed. Bo. 481 Isse, V. issue. R 1992 I-thrungen, p.p. pressed. Bo. 538 Jagounces, sb. pi. jacinths. R 1117 Jakke of Dover. See note, A 4347 Jambenx, sb. pi. leggings. B 2065 Jane, sb. small Genoese coin. B 1925, E 999 Jane^ere, sb. prater. A 560 Janglynge^ so. chattering, talking idly. I 649 Jape, sb. tnck, jest. B 1629 Japeres, sb. pi. jestc^. I 651 Jape-worthl, adj. burlesque. Bo. 1707 Jaunyce, sb. jaundice. R 305 Jet, sb. fashion. A 682 Jeupardyes, sb. pi. problems. Bl. 665 Jewerye, sb. }fivi^ quarter. B 1679 Jo, V. come about. T3 33 Jogeloura, sb. pi. jugglers. HF3 169 Joynant, adj, adjoining. A 1060 Joyne, v. enjoin. R 2355 JoUtee, sb. jolliness. A 680 Jompre, imp. s. jumble. T2 1037 Jouken, v. repose. T^ 4M (jtote^ Jonrne, sb. day's work. R 579 Jowes, sb. pi, jaws. HFS 696 Jubbe, sb. jug. A 3628 Juge, sb. judge. A 17x2 757 GLOSS AJ^Y Jupartie, ^sb. jeopai-dy. F 1495, R 2666 Junjones, si. pi. chamber-pots. C 305 Justice, sb. punishment. R 2077 Juwlse, JuySB, sb. judgment. A 1739, B 795 Kaynard, sb' coward. D 235 . Kalenderes, sb. pi. calendars in illuminated . prayer-books. ABC 70 Kalendes, sb. pi. calends, the iirst or beginning. i T5 1634 Kamelyue, sb. camel's hair. R 7365 Kamuse, adj. fiat-nosed. A 3974 Kan, V. know, be able. A 371 Earole, sb. singing dance. K 744 Kecche, -v. catch. T3 1375 Keoliyl, sb. cake." D 1747 Keen, sb. kine. B 4021 Keepe, sb. heed. A 503 Kemps, adj. shaggy. A 2134 Kenned, p.p. known. Bl. 786 Kepe, V. care, reck. A 2238, 1593 Kepte, pret. observed. A 415 Kernels, sb. pi. R 4197 Kers, sb. curse. A 37^6 j Kervere, sb. carver. A 1899 Kesse, z/. kiss^ £1057 Kevere, v. recover. T^ 917 Kevered,/./. covered. PF 271, HFl 275 Kid, p.p. known. L 1028, E 1943 Kidde, pret. showed. Tl 208 Kiked, /r^^. peeplsd. A 3443 Kymelyn, sb. brewing-tub. A 3318 Kynde, sb. nature. A 2451 Kirked, p.p. See note, R 3167 Kithe, V. show, B 636 ; Kytbeth, pres. L 504 Kitte, _^?-(?i. cut., B 600 Knarre, sb. knot. A 549 Knarry, adj. gnarled. A 1977 Knave, sb. boy, servant. A 3431 Knopped,/^. knobbed. R 7258 Knoppes, sb. pi. buds. R 1675 Knotfeles, adj. ■ like an unknotted string. T^ 769 Kaowe, sb. knee, T2 1202 ; Knowes, pU B 1719 Konnyng, sb^ ability. B 1099 Koude, /rf^. knew. A no KOWthe, p.p. renowned. A 14 Laas, sb. cord, snare. A 392, 1817 Labbe, sb. tell-tale, blabber. A 3509, T3 300 Label, sb. a kind of ruler. As. i. § 22 Lacche, sb, snared R 1624 Lace, sb. net. R 2792 Lacerte, sb.^ muscle. A 2753 Lacbe, adj. lazy. _Bo. 1309 Lachesse, sh. negligence. I 720 Lad,^./. led. A 2620 Ladde,/r^^. took. B 1524 Lafte, pret, left, :ceased. A 492 Laghyng, /. pres. laughing. Bl. 632 Lay, sb. creed. F 18 Layiieres, sb. pi. straps. A 2504 Lake, sb. linen cloth. B 2048 . Lakken, v. depreciate. T^ 189 LambisZL, adj. lamblike. Former Age 50 Lambren, sb. pi. lambs. R 7015 Lampe, sb. a thin plate. G 764 Lapidaire, sb. treatise on precious stones. HF^ 262 Lappe, sh. lap, border. . G 12 Large, adj. liberal, extravagant. B 34891 ^^^i Las, adv. comp. less. Bl. 674 Las, Laas, sb. snare. A 1951, 1817 Last, pres. lasteth, reaches. E 266 Last, sb. load. B 1628 Lata, adv. lately. A, 690 Laten, v. let, L 3067 . Laterede, adj. slow. I 718 Latbe, sb. stable, bam. A 4088, HF3 1050 Latls, sb. lattice. T2 615 Latoun, sb. brass. A 699,5 2067 Laudes, sbl pi. (i) the service said between mid night and 6 a.m. ; (2) praises. HF3 232 Lanncegay, sb, kind of lance. B 1942 Laiinde, so. clearing in the wood. A 1691, PF 302 Laurer, sb. laurel. A 1027 LauB, adj. loose, A 4064 ; LanBB,//. Bo. 417 Laven, v. exhaust. Bo. 1446, Lavendere, sb. washerwoman. Lavyd, p.p. poured olit, drawn. Lawe, ffcy'*..low. L358 Bo. ZX27 R 5046 Lazar, sh, leper. A 242 Leche, sb. physician. R 2944 Leden, sb. language. F 435 Leed, sb. leaden vessel. A 202 Leef, adj. dear. Bl. 8 Leef, sh. leaf. E 1211 LeefTul, adj. lawful. I 41. Leefsel, sb. bower. I 411. liQ&pejpret leapt. A 2687 Leere, here, v. leam, teach. B x8i, 630 Leere, sh. skin. B 2047 Lees, sb, net, leash. ' G 19, I 387 Lees, pret. lost, s L 945 Lees, adj. falser^ R 8 Leet, prei. (ijlet, A 175; (2) caused, B 1810; (3) left, A 508 Le6ve,^«j. s. .believe, G 213 Leeye, adj. dear. G 257 Lef, imper. leave. T* 896 ' Lefte, pret,- delayed. R 4093 Legge, V. (i) lay, A 3937 ; (2) relieve, R 5016 Leye, v. wager, assert. T3 ig^g Leygbeth, pres. laughs. Bo.. 294 Leigli,^?r^.,lied.. T2 1077 Leyser, sb. leisure. *B1. 172 Leyt, sh. flame, lightning. I 839, Bo. 94 Leke, sb. leek. R 4830 Lemaille, sb, filing, thin plate. G 1162 Lemes, sb. pi. (i) gleams; flashes, B 4120, R 5346 ; (2) limbs, A 3886 LQznman, sb. sweetheart. A 3278 Lendes, sb. pi. loins. A 3237 Lene, v. lend. A 6iz Longer, ttdv. ccmp. longer Leoun, sb. lion. B 3106 Lepande, p. pres. leaping. R 1928 Lere, Leere, v. teach, learn. B 630, 181 Les, sh. lie. L 1022 Lese, V. lose ; Lesetli, B 19 Lesyng, sb. lie. G 479 Lest, sb. pleasure. A 132, Bl. 907 Leste, p7-ei. it pleased. A 750 Lette, sb. hindrance, delay. T3 235 Letten, v. (i) hinder, AT"" Ai3i7,B4274 Lette-game, sb. spoil-sport. Letterure, Lettrure, sb. B3486 , B 2116 ; (2) forgo, _T3 527 literature. G 846, 758 GLOSSARY Letuarie, s6. electuary, l-emedy, C 307, T^ 741 * Letuaries, ^/. A 426 LeV6, sb. permission. T3 622 Leveful, adj. lawful. A 3912 Leven, v. believe. B 1181 Lovere, adj. comp. pleasanter to. A 293 LeTesel, sb. leafy bower. A 4061 Lowed, (zdj. ignorant. A 502 Lewednesse, sb. stupidity. A 502 Lyard, adj. grey. D 1563 Ijbardes, sb. pi. leopards. R 874 Libel, sb, bill of complaint. D 1595 Lyclie-wake, sb. corpse-watch. A 2958 Lief, sh. darling. B 3084 Liflode, sh. livelihood. I 685, R 5602 Llfly, udif. lively, life-like. A 2087 1A%^Xii Pres. pL lie. A 2205 Lyghter, adv. more lightly. L 410 Ligne-aloes, sb. aloes-wood.. T* 1137 Liken, v. please. Ti 431 Likerous, adj. lustful. C 540 Liltyng, p. pres. playing a lilt. HF3 133 Lymaille, sb. filings, G 853 Lymeres, sb. pi. hounds in leash. Bl. 362 Lymerod, sb. lime-twig. B 3754 Lymytour, sb. licensed beggar. A 209 Lynde, sb. lime-tree. A 2922, E 1211 Lipsed, /riP^. lisped. A 264 Lisse, so. relief, comfort. Bl. 1039, F 123S Lisse, 1). relieve, Bl. 210 ; Lissed, p.p. F 1170 Lyst, sb. edge. D 634 LiStOW, liest thou. H 276 Lytaz^e, sb. white lead. A 629, G 775 Litargye, sb. lethargy. Bo. 57, Ti 730 Lyte, adj. little, B 2153 ; A lite, a little, B 713 Lltestere, sh. dyer. Former Age 17 liXtl, pres. lies. A 1795 Llth, sb. limb. B 4065, Bl. 952 Lythe, adj. smooth, easy. HFi 118, R 3762 iJtlie, V. soften. T4 740 Litherly, adv. badly. A 3299 Lyves, adj. living. A 2395 Llxt, liest. D 1618 Lodemenage, ;^. pilotage. A 403 Lodesmen, sb. pi. pilots. L 1488 Lolgne, sb. tether. R 3882 Longes, sb. pi. lungs. A 2752 Longetb, pres. belongs to. G 716 Loodestezre, sb. loadstar. A 2059 Loone, sh. loan. D 1861 LOOB, sb. report, fame, praise. HF3 530, B 3035 Lootn, oi^'. hateful to. A 486 Loppe, sb. spider. As. i. § 19 Lopwebbe, sb. spider's web. As. i. § 21 " Lore, p.p. lost. Bl. 1134 Lore!, sb. rascal. D 273, Bo. 178 Los, sb. praise, fame. L 1424, 1514 Losengeour, sb. flatterer. B 4516, L 352 Losengerie, sb. flattery, false praise. I 613 Losenges, sh. pi. lozenges. HF3 227 Loteby, sh. paramour. R 6339 hotynge, p. pres. lurking. G 186 LouglL, adj. low. A 817 Lovedayes, sb. pi. days for settling disputes. A 258 Love-drury, sh. courtship. B 2085 Lous, adj. at large. HF3 196 Loute, V. bow, T3 683 ; hoaiede, pre I. R 15^4 Lowke, sb. fellow-rascal. A 4415 Lowtetb, pres, s. bows. ' B 2375 Llifsom, adj. lovable. T^ 465 Lunarie, so. moonwort. G 800 Lust, sb. pleasure. A 192, Tl 326 M', before a verb beginning with a vowel, pers.^ Pron. me. Maad, p.p. made. A 394 Maat, adj. dejected, discomfited. A 955, B 93S Madde, v. go mad. Mars 253 May, j^. maiden. B'Bsi Maydeuhede, sb. virginity. B 30 Mayme, sh. maiming. I 625 Maysoudewe, sb. hospital. R 5619 Maystow, mayst thou. A 1918 Maistre, sb. master ; adj. chief. L 1016 Maystre-, chief; Haystre - strete, Maister- toun. L 1965, 1591 Maistrye, sb. mastery. L 400 Make, sb. husband, mate, match. D 85, B 1982, A 2556 Maked, pret. made. A 1307 Makeles, adj. matchless.' Tl 172 Makynge, sh. poetry. L 74 Malapert, adj. impudent. T^ 87 Male, 3^^. wallet. C 920 Malafice, sb. evil-doing. Bo. 169 Malgre, prep, in spite of. Mars 220 Malt, pret. melted. HF2 414 Mal-talent, sb. ill-will. R 330 Manace, sb. menace. A 2003 ManasyTigej/./^-j. menacing. Bo. 416 Maner, sb. manor. Bl. 1:003 Maner, Manere, sh. manner. Pite 24, L 251 Manye, sb. mania. A 1374 Mansuete, adj. gentle. T^ 194 MappeULOUBde, sb. mappa nvundi^ map of the world. Rosemounde 2 Mate, sh. thirteen shillings and fourpence. G 1026 Marcial, adj. martial. T* 1669 Mare, cidv. comp. more. ' R 2769 Mareys, sh. marsh. D 970, Bo. 536 Mary, sh. marrow., C 542, Bo. 1008 Marybones, sb. pi. marrow-bones. A 380 Market-betere, sb. bully at fairs. A 3936 Markys, sb. marquis, E 786 Markysesse, sh. marchioness. E 283 Martire, sb. torment. T4 818 Mased, p.p. dazed. Bl. 12 Mast, sb^ acorns. Former Age 6 Masty, adj. acorn-eating. HF3 687 Mate, adj* depressed, discomfited- L 126, R 3167 Matere, sh. matter, subject. Bl. 43 Maugree, ^?v/. .despite. A 1169 Maugree, sh. ill-will, R 3144;' Can maugree, owe a grudge, R 4399, 4559 Maumettrie, sh. Mohammedism, idolatry. B 236 Maunclple, sh. purveyor. A 510 Mawmet, sb. idol. I 740 Mazelyn, sb, maple-bowl. B 2042 Made, Meede, (i) reward, bribe, A 3380; (2) mead, a drink, B 2042 ; (3) meadow, A 89 Medlee, adj. of mixed stuff. A 328 Medletll, /rf J-. mingles, mixes. L 874, Bo. 1313 Medlynge, sb, mixture. Bo. 1356 Meede, sh. See Mede Meene, pres. bemoan. R 2596 Meeth, sh. mead, a drink. A 2379 759 GLOSSARY Melgnee, sb. household. I 894 Meygned, /./. maimed. R 3356 Meynee, sh, retinue, household. A 1258 Meynt, p.p. mingled. R 192a Meyntenaiince, sb. demeanour. Bl. 833 Mekede, prei. meekened. R 3584 Mel-tld, sb. meal-time. T^ 1556 Melle, sb. mill. A 3923 Memolre, Memorie, sb. memory, commemora- tion. Bl. 944, A Z906 Mencioun, sb. mention. B 54 Mendlence, sb. mendicant. R 6657 Mendynantz, sb. pi. heggmg friars. D 1906 JiSshq, pres. mean, intend. A 2063, 2216 MeilB, adj. middle, of middle size. T" 806 Meneliche, adj. moderate. Bo. 251 Mentes, sb. pi. mint. R 731 Merciable, adj. merciful. L 348 Mere, sb. mare. A 541 Merke, adj'. dark. R 5339 Merllon, sb. merlin-hawk. PF 339 MervaiUe, sb. marvel. E 1186 Mes, Masse, sb. ; At good mes, at advantage, R 3462, 1453 MescMef, sb. mischief; At meachief, in danger, A 2551 Mesel, sb. leper. I 624 Message, sb. messenger. B X44 MeSSagere, sb. messenger. Bl. 133 Messe, sb. mass. B 1413 Meste, adj'. pi. most ; The meste, the most im- portant, T" 440 Mester, sb. occupation. A 1340 Mesurable, adj. moderate. F 362 Mesure, sb. moderation. K 622 Met, pr£s. dreams. PF 104 Met, sb. measure. I 799 Mete, pres. sub. dream. Bl. 1233 Mette, pTiet. dreamt. B 4084, L 210 Move, V. move Meveresse, sb./em. agitator. R 149 Mewe, sb. cage, coop. F 643, T3 602 Mycches, sb. pi. small loaves. R 5585 Mych, adj. much. R 2704 Mycher, sb. thief. R 6541 Mmtl, adj. mighty. ABC 6 Mile-wey, Milewey, sb. 5 degrees of angular measurement, the third part of an hour. As. i. §16 Mllne-Btoues, sb. pi. mill-stones. T2 1384 Mynour, sb. miner. A 2465 Myntynge, p. pres. meaning. Bo. 38 3mrre, sb. myrrh. A 2938 Mys, sb. pi. mice. Bo. 492 Mlsacounted, p.p. misreckoned. Tt> 1185 Mlsbileved, /.^. as sb. unbelievers. ABC 146 Mysboden, p.p. abused, harmed. A 909 Mysdeparteth, pres. s. divides unfairly. B 107 MlseriCOrde, sb. mercy. ABC 35 Myaese, sb. discomfort. 1 177 MlS-foryaf, Pret. sorely misgave. T* 1426 Myslay, pret. lay awry. A 3647 MiSlived, p.p. ill-behaved. T4 330 Mtsmetre, pres. sub. scan wrongly. T5 1796 Mlasatte,/rf^. suited ill. R 1194 MysaeyeSb, ^rf f . s. speakest ill of. L 323 Myster, sb. (i) craft, A 613; (2) need, R 1426, 6078 ; What mystlers men, what manner of men, A 1710 Mystlhede, sb. mystery. Mars 224 Mystomed, ^./. turned aside. Bo. z 236 ' Muwey, adv. astray. R 4766 Mysweyes, sb. pi. by-paths, wrong roads. Bo^ 1623 MlBWent, />¥/. erred. T^ 633 Myxnes, sb. pi. middens, dungheaps. R 6496 Mo, Moo, adj. more, others. A 1715, E 1039 Moche, Mochel. See Muche, Muchel Moder, sb. mother, ABC 49 ; the large plate in an astrolabe. As. i. § 2 Moeble, adj. moveable. As. i. § zi Moeble, sb. furniture, T4 1380; Moebles, sb.pl. moveables, chattels, E 1314 Moyaotm, sb. crop. R 1677 Mokeren, pres. pi. heap up. Bo. 425 Mokereres, sb. pi. heapers up, hoarders. Ba 42s Mokre, v. heap up. T3 1375 Molte, prei. melted. T^ 10 Mone, sb. moon Moneste, pres. s. admonish. R 3579 MontauncB, sb. value, amount. A 1570, C 863 Monyours, sb.pl. money-changers. R 6811 Mood, sb. anger. R 5162 Moote, pres. must, may. A 735 Mordre, sb. murder. B 4211 More, sb. root T6 25 Mormal, sb. gangrene. A 386 Morter, sb. mght-light. T« 1245 Mortifye, v. transmute. G Z126 Mortrer, sb. murderer. PF 353 Mortreux, sb. a kind of stew. A 384 Morwe, sb. morrow, morning. A 334 Morwenyiige, sb. morning. A 1062 Mosel, sb. muzzle. A 2151 Moste, pres. must Mote, pres. must, may Mote, sb. speck. T3 1603 Motteleye, sb. motley. A 271 Moimtauiice, sb. amount. R 1562 Mourdaunt, sb. pendant of a girdle. R 1094 Moiistre, sb. show-piece. Bl. 911 M0W6S, sb. pi. grimaces. R 5590, HF3 716 Mowynge, sb. ability. Bo. 1372 Mowled, p.p. grown mouldy. A 3870 Movrlen, v. moulder. B 32 ' Muahle, adj. fleeting. T^ 822, Bo. 1455 Muche and lite, great and small. A 494 Muchel, adj. much. A 132 MuUok, sb, refuse. A 3873 Murlerly, adv. comp. more merrily. A 714 Musarde, sb. dreamer. R 3256, 4034, 7560 Muttre, V. mutter. T2 541 Muwe, sb. mew, cage. A 349, T3 1784 Muwe, V. change. T2 1258 Muwet, adj. mute. T5 194 Nj before a vowel, =Ne, not Na, adj. no. A 4026 Nadde, Ne hadde, had not. L 278 Naddre, sb. adder. E 1786 Nadir, sb. the point of the heavens diametrically opposite to the zenith. As. ii. § 5 NadstOW, hadst thou not. A 4088 Na fors, no matter. A 4176 Nayles, sb, pi. nails. A 2141 Nayte, v. say no to, deny. I 1013 Nake, pres, pi. bare. Bo. 1616 Nakers, sb. pi, drums. A 2511 Nale, Atte nale, at the ale-house. D 1349 760 GLOSSARY Nam, Ne am, am not. A 1122 Nam, ^ret. took. G 1297 Namely, adv. especially. B 1233 Na mo, no more. A 1589 Nart, Ne art, art not. ABC 26, G 497 Narwe, adj. narrow, close. E 1988 Nas, Ne was, was not. A 1649, 2105 Nat, adv. not. A ii45', 4087 Nath, Ne hatb, hath not I^thelees, adv. nevertheless. E 377 Natureel, Natuxel, adj. natural, by birth A 4^5. L 375 Ne, adv. not, nftr. A 923, 1649 Neddres, sb. pi. adders. L 699 Nede, sb. need. B 4643 Nedelees, a^. ^e^dlessly, E 621 Nedely, adv. of necessity. B 4435 KedeSGOSt, ctdv. of necessity. A 1477 Neen, adj. none, no. A 4185 Neet, sb. cattle. 'A 597 Negardye, sb. niggardy. Truth 53 Negben, v. draw near. L 318 Neigh, adv. nigh, near. Bl. 104 Nel, Ne wil, will not. R 4344 NampnezL, jtame, B 507 ; Nempned, pret. E 609 Ner, adj. nearer. Bl. 887 Nere, Ne were, were not. B 547 Nevene^ v. name. G 821 Neveradeel, not a whit. C 670 Newe, adv. newly. A 4239 Newed, pret. renewed itself. Bl. 905 Nezte, adj. sup. nearest. B 807 Nyce, adj. foolish. B 1088 NyfleS, sb. pi. trifles. D 1760 NyglLtertale, sb. night-time. A 97 Nigromanciens, sb. pi. magicians. I 603 Nil, Ne will, will not. Ti 1020 NHlynge, sb. refusing. 'Bo. 1656 Nyn, Ne in, nor in. E 2088 Nys, Ne is, is not. A 1677 Nyste, Ne wlste, knew not. B 384 Noble, sb. coin worth 6s. 8d. A 3256 Nobleye, sb, nobility. E 828 No fors, no matter. B 285 Noye, V. harm. R 3772 NoiOUS, adj. harmful. " R 3231 Nolde, Ne wolde,' would not. A 1024 Nome, p.p. taken. L S22 Nou, adi. none Nones, For the nones, for the occasion. A 545 Nonne, sb. nun. A 118 Noon, adj. none. A 773 Noot, pres. Ne woot^ know not. A 1340, El. 29 Noote, sb. note, music. E 1711 Norice, sb. nurse. E 561 Nortelrie, sb. good manners. A 3967 Nory. sb. foster-child. Bo. 850 Noseihlrles, sb. pi. nostrils. A 557 Noskinnes, adj. no kind of, HF3 704 Nost, Ne WOSt, knowest not Note, sh. need, business. A 4068 Noteful, adj. useful. Bo. 33 Notemygges, sb. pi. nutmegs. R 1362 Not-heed, sb. close-cropped head. A 109 Nother, Ne other, nor other Noimcerteyn, sb. uncertainty. Venus 46 Noun-power, sb. impotence. Bo. 726 Nouther, adj. neither, Bl. 530 Novelrie, sb. novelty. F 619 Nowches, j^.>/.. jewels. E 3S2 Nowthe, adv, now. A 462 O, num. one. A 2725, G 335, R 6398 Obeissauuce, sh. obedience. A 2974 . Observaunce, sb. respect, ceremony. A 1045 Observe, v. respect, countenance. B 1821 OctOgamye, marrymg eight times. D 33 Of, adv. off. A 782 Of-caste imper. cast off. PF 133 Offended, p.p. hurt. A 909 Offensioun, sb. opposition. A 2416 Officl, sb, secular employment. A 292 Of-thowed, p.p. thawed. HF3 53 Oynement, sb. ointment. A 631 Oynons, sb. pi. onions. A 634 Oystre, sb, oyster. A 182 Ollfaimtes sb. pi. elephants. Bo. 782 OlmeriS, sb. pi. elms. R 1314 O-loft, adv. aloft. Tl 950 Omager, sb, one who does homage, vassal. R 3288 ^ ' On, prep, on, in, at Onde, sb. malice. R 148 Ones, adv. once. A 1836 Onloft, adv. aloft. E 229 Oo, num. one Ook, sb. oak. A 1702, 2921 Oon, nUTn. one. A 2069 Ooned, p.p. united. Bo. 1463 Oones, adv. once Oonlng, sb. uniCying. Bo. 1464 Oonly, adv. only. H 143 Oore, sb. compassion. A 3726 Oost, sb. host, army. L 626, Bo. 88 Openers, sb. pi. medlars. A 3871 Open-heveded, p.p. bareheaded. D 645 Opie, sb. opium. A 1472 0-point, at point, ready. T^ 1638 Ordal, sb. ordeal. T3 1046 Orde, sb. dat. point. L 64^ Ordeyne, adj. ordered. T-i 892 Ordeynly, adv. in order. Bo. 1524 Ordred, >.>. ordained. 1782 Or&ays, sb. gold embroidery. R 1076 Orisonte, sb. horizon. TB 276 OrlOge, sb. sundial, clock. PF 530, B 4044 Orpheljni, sb. orphan. Eo. 334 Ost, sb. host, army. Fonner Age 40 Ostelementes, sb.pl. utensils, furniture. Bo. 455 Other, conj. either, or Ouche, sb. jewel. D 743 Oules, sb. pi. awls. D 1730 Oultrage, sb. excess. Bo. 455 Ounces, sb. pi. small pieces. A 677 Oundea, adj. wavy. T4 743 Outen, V. publish, display, E 2438, G 834 Out-heeS, sb. hue and cry, A 2012 Outher, conj. either, or, A 1485, 1593 Outlandissn, adj. foreign, FortnerAge zi Outrage, sb, excess. Fonner Age 5 Outreye, v. pass beyond control. E 643 Outrely, adv, utterly, C 849 Out-taken, prep, except. _ B 277 Over-al, prep, above, besides Over-al, adv. everywhere, generally. A 547, 1664 Overeste, adj. sup. uppermost. A 270 Overkervith, pres. intersects. As. i. § 2x Overlad, p.p. overborne. B 3101 OverslOpe, sb, upper garment. G 633 761 GLOSSARY Oversprat, pres. overspreadeth. T2 767 Overte, adj. open. HF2 210 Overthjowynge, adj. hasty, biassed. Bo. 1530 Overtliwart, adv. across. A 1991, T3 685 Overvrhelveth, J>res. agitates. Bo. 356 Owen, z). ought Owgll, interj. alas. Bo. 228 O-Wher, adv. anywhere. A 653 Owndynge, sb. waving. I 417 Owtrayen, Outreye, v. act outrageously, pass beyond control. Bo. 758, E 643 Paas, sb. pace, especially walking-pace. A 2897, » ^ "5 Face, V. pass. A 175 Paye, v. content. R 3599 Payde, p.p. pleased Payen, adj. pagan. A 2370 Payens, sb, pi. pagans. L 786 Pallet, sb. pallet. T3 229 Palasie, sb. palsy. R 1098 ' Paleys, sb. palace. A 2190 Palestral, adj. athletic. T^ 304 Palynge, sb. the making a perpendicular stripe. 1-417 Palys, sb. pi. pales, palisade. Bo. 231 Pan, sh. brain-^an, skull. A 1165 Panade, sb. knife. A 3929 Pandemayne, sb. fine bread. B 1915 Panyers, sb. pi. panniers. HF3 849 Panter, sb. snare. L 131 Papeer, sb. pepper. G 762 Fapejay, sb. parrot, popinjay. B 1957, B 1559 Papelard, sb. deceiver. R 7281 Fapelardie, sb. deceit. R 6796 Paper, sb, indenture. A 440^ Parage, sb. dignity, high-pnest. D 250, 1120, K.4759 Paramentz, Parementz, sb. pi. nch array. A 2501, F 269 Paramour, sb. sweet-heart D 454 Paramours, adv. passionately. 'U> 158 Paraventure, Paraunter, adv. peradventure. B 190, L 362 Parcel, sb, part. Pite 106 Pardee, /a:?- Dieu^ B 1077 Paregal, adj. equal. T& 840 Farem&utz. See Paramentz Parentele, sb. relationship. I 908 VdHCtdSJj par/oi. B no Parfit, adj. perfect. A 72 FarfouTued. ^.^. consummated. B 1646 ParfouraeS'G, pres. accomplishest. B 1797 Parisshens, sb. pi. parishioners. A 482 Paritory, sb. pellitory. G 581 ParlemeZLt, sh. parliament, deliberation, A 1306 Faroch prest, sb. parish priest. R 6384 Farodle, sb. period. T^ 1548 Parseners, sb. pi. partners. R 6952 Parten, v. take part, share. L 465 Partle, sh. partisan. A 2657 Partyng-felawes, sb. pi. partners. I 637 Parvys, sb. churcn-porch. A 310 Pas, sb. SeeFa.a,B Passant, adj. surpassing. A 2x07 Fassen, v. surpass. L 162 Fatre, Fatren, v. patter, chatter, R 6794, nes, sb.pl. palms. T^ 1114 Pax, sh. a painted tablet kissed during the cele- bration of mass. I ^07 Pecunyal, adj. pecuniary. D 1314 Pees, sb. peace. A 1671 Peyned, prei. pained, troubled. A 139 Peytrei, sb. breast-piece. G 564 Pel, sb. castle. HF3 220 Pelet, sb. shot. HFS 553 Fenant, sh. penitent. B 3124 Pencel, Pensel, sh. small banner. T^ 1043, R 6282 Penyble, ad/, painstaking. B 3490 Fenner, sb. pen-case. E 1879 Fenoun, sb. pennant, banner. A 978 Pens, sb. pi. pence. C 402 Feple, sh. people. A 995 Percas, adv. perchance. R 6647 Percely, sb. parsley. A 4350 Perchemyne, sb. parchment. R 65 84 Perdurable, adj. lasting. I 75 Ferdurablete, sb. immortality. Bo. 552 Peregryn, adj. pilgrim. F 428 Pereionette, sb. pear-tree, A 3248 Perfit, adj. perfect. A 1271 Ferlssed, p.p. destroyed. I 579 Perree, sb. precious stones, jewellery, A 2936, B 3495. D 344 Pers, adj. blue. A 439 Persauut, a«^'. piercing. R 2809 Fersone, Persoun,(i)person,A2725; (2)parson, A 478 Perturben, pres. pi. disturb. A go6 Perrynke, sb. periwinkle. R 903 Fese, V. appease. R 3397 Pesene, sb.pl. peas. L 648 Fesible, oi^. peaceful. Bo. 169 Phllosophre, sb. philosopher, esp. an alchemist. A 297 PMtonesaes, sb. pi. diviners, witches. HFS j^x Pye, sh. magpie, chatterer. T3 527 Piggesnye, sh. pig's eye, a term of endearment. A 3268 Pighte, prvt. pitched. A 2689 Pike, V. (i)peep, T3 60; (2) pick; Pyketh,>r«. picks over,' smartens, E 20x1; (3) Pike 0I1| prick against, T^ 1274 Puced, prei. stole. L 2467 Pykepurs, sb. pick-pocket. A 1998 Pykerel, sb. young pike. E 1419 lalChe, sb. fur coat. Proverbs 4 Filed, adj. plucked, scanty, bald. A 67, 3935, 4306 Filers, sh. pillow. Bl. 738 Pilled, p.p. plundered. L 1262 PilouJS, sb. pi. plunderers. A 1007 Pilwe, sh. pillow._ Bl. 284 Pilv e-beer^ sb. pillow-case. A 694 Fyment, sh. spiced wine. A 3378, Bo, 476, R 6027 Pynoiien, v. cavil at, A 326 ; Pynchest, Fortune 57 Pyne, sb. pain, torture. T2 676, A 1746 Pyn-trees, sh. pi. pine-trees. Bo. 477 Piper, adj. used for pipes or horns. PF 178 Pyrie, sb. pear-tree. E 2217 Fissemyre, sb. ant. D 1S25 Pistel, sb. epistle, story. D 1021 Pitaunce, sb. portion of food. A 224 Place, sb. chief house. B 1910 Plages, sb. pi. coasts, quarters. B 543, As. i. § 5 Playes, sh. pi. devices. Bl. 569 762 OLOSSAl^Y Plat, adj. flat. B 3947 Flatly, adv. flatly. TS 786 Pleye, v. play, jest. A 1127 Pleyn, adj. (i) full, A 315; (2) plain, frank, L 328, An. 278 Pleyn, Playn, adv. (i) fully, A 327 ; (2) plainly, B 219 Ployno, V. complain. D 1313 Pleyng,^. pres. arguing. PF 405 Pleynlich, adv. plainly. T2 272 FlesaunGe, sb. pleasure. L 1446 Plete, Pleten, v. plead. T2 1468, Bo. 296 Plye, V. bend. E 1169, R 4389 P^ht, AA plucked, D 790; Plighte, pret. pulled, B 15 Pllt, sb. plight. T2 712 Plite, 7/. fold. T2 1204 Plowiigy, adj. moist, Bo. 64, 616 Poeplissn, adj'. vulgar. T'* 1677 PoUeys, adj. Apulian. F 195 Poynaunt, adj. pungenL A 352 Poynt, sb. ; In good, poynt, In good condition, A 200; At poynt devys, carefully, A 3689 Foyntdl, sb. pencil, stylus. D ^7^^, Bo. 1810 Poke, sb. pocket, bag. A 3780 Pokettes, sb. pi. bags. G 808 Polyve, sb. pulley. F 184 Fome-garnettys, sb.pl. pomegranates. R 1356 Pomei, sb. crown, top. A 2689 Fomely, adj. dappled. A 616 Pool, sb. pole. >Bo. T435, As. i. § 14 Popelote, sb. puppet. A 3254 Popet, sb. poppet, doll. B 1891 Popped, pret. bedizened. R 1019 Foppere, sb, dagger. A 3931 PoraiUe, sb. poor folk. A 247 Porlsmes, sb. pi. corollaries. Bo. 924 Portatlf, adj. portable. As. [17] Fortecolys, sb. portcullis. R 4168 Forthors, sb. breviary. B 1321 Portre&tour, sb. artist. A 1899 Pose, sb. a. cold. A 4152 Pose, pres. s. put the case, suppose. A 1162, T3 310 FOBSeBSiOXLers, sb. pi. members of endowed orders. D 1772 Fossetn, pres. s. pushes, L 2420 ; Possed, POBBbea, p.p. pushed, dnven, Tl 415, R 4625 Postum, sb. abscess. Bo. 694 Fotento, sb. staff. D 1776, T5 1222, R 36S Po^estat, sb. iwtentate. D 2007 Poudremarcliaiit, sb. flavouring powder. A 381 Poun£^e, sb. food for pigs. Former Age 7 Foune, sb. pawn in chess. Bl. 660 Pouped, pret. blown. H go Pourely, adv. poorly. A 1412 Pons, sb. pulse. T» 1114 Pouste, sb. power. Bo. 1423, R 6484 Pownsonynge, sb, puncturing. I 418 Prece, v. press. R 4198 Predicacioiui, sb. preaching. B 1176 Frees, sb. press, crowd. B 393, 865 Preesi;, sb. priest. B 4010 Preeve, v. stand testing. G 645 Preferre, pres. subj. surpass. I) 96 Preye, pres. s. pray. B 3995 Preyneth, /rw. s. preens. E 2011 Preyse, v. praise. L 67 Prenostik, adj. prophetic. Fortune 54 Preuten, v. imprint. T2 900 . Pres, sb. crowd. T2 1718 Prese, Preaen, v. press, R 2899, Pite 19 ; Pres- y^S» P- P^s. R 6437 Frest, adj. ready. T2 785, T3 485 Pretende, v. intend. T* 922 Preterit, adj. past. R 5011 Prove, sb. proof. Ti 470, 6go Prove, V. prove. L 9 Prydeles, adj. without pride. Compleynte to his Lady 25 Prlghte, pret, pricked. F 418 Frihte, pret. pierced. A BC 163 Prikasour, sb. hard rider. A 189 Priketh, pres. s. spurs. A 1043 Prikyng, sb. spurring. A igi Prlkke, sb. point, centre. Bo. 1030 Frille. See note^ R 1058 Prime, sb. the time between 6 and 9 a.m. B 1278, 4387 Prmie, At prune face, primd facie, at first glance Prynxerole, sb. primrose. A 3268 Prys, sb. value, estimation. A 67, B 2285 , Pryvee, adj. secret. D 1136 Finely, adv. secretly. A 1443 Prolacions, sb.pl. preludes. Bo. 270 Prolle, pres. pi. prowl. G 1412 Fropre, adj. proper, own. T^ 1487 Proprete, sb. property. T^ 392 Prow, sb, profit. B 1598, T2 1664 Pniesse, sb, prowess. Bo. 1201 Pulle, V. pluck, A 652; Pulled,/./. A 177 Furchace, v. obtain. T* 557 Furchas, sb. earnings. A 256 PurchaByng, sb. prosecuting. A 320 PurcliaBOur, sb. prosecutor. A 319 Pure, adj. mere, very, A 1279 Fured,/.>. refined. F 1560 Furpre, adj. purple. L 654 Fursewizig, adj. following, in accordance with. BI. 958 Purtreye, v. draw. A 96 Purvelable, adj. providential. Bo, 655 Furveiaunce, sb. providence, A 1252 Purveye, v. provide. E igi Put, pres. putteth. L 652 Put, sb. pit. I 170 Putours, sb. pi. whoremongers. I 886 Quaad, adj. evil. A 4357 Quakke, sb. hoarseness. A 4152 Qualm, sb. disease, A 2014 ; death-note, T^ 382 Quappe, V. flutter. T^ 57 Queeme, sb. mill. B 3264 Queynte, //. a^^'.'quamt. A 1531 Queynte, sb. pudendum muliebre. A 3276 Queynte, pret. was quenched. A 2534 Queyntlse, sb. elegance, I 932 ; contrivance, I 733 Quelle, V. kill. B 4580 Quemen, v. please. T^ 695 ; pres. pi. T2 803 Queme, sb, mill. HF^ 708 Querrour, sb. quarryman. R 4149 Questemongers, sb. pi, holders of inquests. I 797 Quetlie, pres. s, say, cry. R 6999 Quyke, adj. pi. alive. A 1015 Quyked, pret. revived. A 2335 ^yknesse, sb, liveliness. Bl. 26 Quyuyble, sb, a part sung a fifth above the air. A 3332 763 GLOSSARY QuyrtOilly, sb. leather boiled and hardened. B 3065- QulSBhin, sb. cushion. T2 1229 Quystron, sb, scullion. R 886 QllitO, V. pay, redeem, satisfy. A 770, 1032, B 354 Quitly, adv. freely. A 1792 Quod, pret. said. B 1644 Quolnt, adj. quaint. R 2038 QU00k,/r£^ quaked. A 1576 Raa, sb, roe. A 4086 Racyne, sb. root. R 4881 Rad, ». read, A 2595 ; Radde, pret. PF 21 RadOTOre, sb. tapestry (?). L 2352 Rafte, ^w/. reft. L 1855 Rayed, p.p. striped. BL 252 Rakel, adj. hasty. T3 429, H 278 Rakelnesse, Rekelnesse, sb. hastiness. H 283, Scogan 16 Rake-stele, sb. rake-handle. ~D 949 Rakle, V. be rash. T3 1642 Ramage, adj. wild. R 5384 Ranunysll, adj. ram-like. G 887 Rape, sb. haste, Adam 7 ; tzdv. nastily, R 6516 Rape and renne, rob and plunder. G 1422 Rather, adv. contp. earlier, sooner. Bo. 260, B 2265 Raughte, prei. reached. A 136 Ravyne, sb, rapine. Bo. 323 ; Ravynes, pi. I 793 Ravynera, sb.pl, plunderers, Bo. 91 ; Ravynour, Bo. 1304 Ravysable, adj, ravenous.. R 7006 Real, adj. royal. B 4366 . Realtee, sh. royalty. Fortune 60 Reawme, sb. realm. B 797 Rebekke, sb. abusive term for an old woman. D 1573 Recche, pres. subj. expound. B 4086 Reccbelees, adj, careless. A 179 Recbased, p.p. chased back. BL 379 Recbe, z*. reach. Bl. 47 Recorde, /rf J. s. confirm. A 1745 RecourSBS, sb. pi. retrogressions. Bo. 41 Recreaundlse, sb. cowardice. B 4038 Recured, p.p. recovered. R 4920 Reddour, sb. violence. Fortune 13 Rede, sb. reed-pipe. HFS 131- Rede, Reed, sb. counsel. Bl.' 203 Redelees, adj. deviceless. Pite 27 RedOUtyuge, sb. glorifying. A 2050 RedOWte, v. respect. Bo. 73 Reed, adj, red. B 1301 Reed, Rede, sb. counsel. A i2i6 Reenden, pres. pi. rend, destroy. Bo. 1092 Reea, sb. race ; In a rees, hastily. T4 350 Refect, A^. refreshed. Bo. 1550 Refreyden, v. cool, TS 507 ; Refreyded, Re- freyA, p.p. frozen, cool, I 341, Rosemonnde zx RefUt, s&. refuge. B 852, ABC 14 Regalye, sb. majesty. Pite 65 RegalS, sb.pi. royal privileges. . L 2128 Begne, sb. kingdom. A 1638 Reyes, sb. pi. round dances. HF^ 146 Relgbte, pret. reached. HF3 284 Beysed, p.p. (i) raised, Bl.. 1277 ; (2) raided, A 54 Rekelnesse, sb. hastiness. Scogan 16 Reken, Rekne, v. reckon, recount. B no, A 1933 ,elees, sb. release, ABCy, Out of relees, cease- issly, G 46 Relente, v. melt. G 1278 Remes, sb. pi. realms. B 4326, Bo. 723 Bemewed, p.p. removed. F 181 Bemorde, pres. subj. cause remorse, T* 1491 ; Bemoraith, vexes, Bo. 1519 Bemounted, p.p. caused to rise again. Bo. 603 Remuable, adj. changeable. T^ 16S2 Ben, sb. run. A 4079 Benably, adv. eloquently. D 1509 Beneyen, v. deny, B 3751 ; Beneyed, p.p. B 340 Renges, sb. pi. ranks. .A 2594 Benomee, sb. renown. D 1159, L 1513 BenOTelaunces, sb. pi. renewals. . HF2 185 Benovellen, pres. pi. renew. 1 1027 Rent, rendeth. L 646 Rente, sb. income. B 40x7 Repllcacioun, sb. reply. A 1846, PF 536 Reprende, v. reprehend, blame. T^ 510 Requerable, adj. desirable, fio. 491 Resalgar, sb. rat's-bane. G 814 RescoUB, Rescus, sb. rescue. T^ 478, A 2643 ReSCOwe, -a. rescue. TS 857 Rese, V. shake. A 1986 ResonS, sb, pi. opinions. . A 274 Resport, v. regard. T^ 850 Restelees, adj. restless. C 728 Rethor, sb. rh etoricia n. B 4397 Rethoiien, sS. rnetcftician. Bo. 341 Retorninge, part. pres. turning over. T^ 1023 Retracclouns, sb. pi, recantations. I 1085 RevelOUS, adj. sportive. B 1194 Revers, sb. reverse. B 416 Revesten, pres. pi. clothe anew. T3 353 ReVOken, v. call back, restore. T^ 1118 Reward, sb. regard. B 2445 Rewe, sb. row. A 2866 Rewel boon, sb. smooth bone, ivory (?). B 2068 RewHche, adj. pitiable. . Bo. 312 Rewme, sb. realm. R 495 Rial, adj. royal. Pite 59 Biblbe, sb. old woman. D 1377 Rlbible, Bubible, sb. fiddle. A 4396,. 3331 Blcbesse, sb.. riches. B 107 Bldyng, sb. a jousting or procession. A 4377 RIdled,';*./. pleated. R 1235 Riet, so. the net or perforated plate revolvhig within the * mother ' of an Astrolabe. As. i. § 14 Righte, adj. direct. B 556 'Rightful, adj. righteous. ABC 3r Bihte, adj. right, ABC 75 Rympled, p.p. wrinkled. R 4494 Rys, sb. twig. A 3324 Rishe, Rlssne, sb. rush. R 1701, TS 1161 Riat, riseth. B 864, L 810 Rit, ridetb. A 974 Roche, sb. rock. H;F3 40 . Rochette, sb. rochet, linen vest. R 4754 Rode, sb. ruddiness, B 1917 "Bode, sb. rood, cross. HF^ 57 Boggeth, pres. s. shakes, L 2708 Roghte, pret. recked. E 685 Boignous, adj. rotten. R 6igo Boyleth, >r«j. s. rolls. . Bo. 25^ Boyne, st. itch, R'553 BoynOUS, adj. scabby, rough. R 988 Boket, sb. rochet, linen vest. R 1242 Bombel. See Bnmbel Bommer, adj. comp. roomier. A 4145 Ron, prei. rained. T3 640 Bone. See note, B. 1673 764 GLOSSARY Bonne, pres. pi. ran. B 4578 Rood, prei. rode. A 066 Roof, pret. clave. HFl 373 Bootes, sb. pi. astrological roots. F 1276 Ropen, p.p. reaped. L 74 Rore, sb. uproar, T^ 45 Rosene, adj. rosy. Bo. 353 Bossr, sb, rose-tree. R 1651, 3059 Rosyn, ctdj, made of roses. R 845 Rote, sb. a small harp. A 236 Roughte, pret. recked. Ti 496 Bouken, v. cower, huddle, T^ 409; Ronketli, Pres. s. A 1308 Ronncy, sb. hack. A 390 Roundel, sb. circlet. HF2 283 BonnyngeS, sb. pi. whisperings. HF3 870 Route, sb. assembly. B 776 Route, V. assemble together. B 540 Routeth, pres. s. snores. A 3647 Routhe, sb. pity. A 914 Routyng, sb. rumbling. HF3 843 Rove, sb. roof. A 3837 Rowe, adj.pl, rough. R 1838 Bowe, adu. roughly. G 861, T^ 206 Rowe, sb. row, line, HF^ 448 ; Rowes, pi. rays, beams. Mars z Rowne, pres. pi. whisper. D 241 Rowtyng, sb. snoring. A 4166 Bubible, sb. kind of fiddle. A 3331 Buddok, sb. robin. PF 349 Rnggy, adj. unkempt. A 2883 Ruzubel, sb. moaning wind, A 1979 ; rumsur, E Sachelis, sb. pi. satchels, bags. Bo. 90 Sad, adj. steadfast. E 220 Sadly, adv. firmly, seriously, steadfastly. A 26c^, B 1266, 743 Bay, pret. saw. B 809, Bl. 1088 Say, V. assay. R 5162 S^JlonriS, sb. pi. dancers. R 770 Sale, sb. soul. A 4187 Salue, V. salute, B 1723 ; Salued, pret, R 3610; Salewed, p.p. F 1310 Salwes, sb, pL willows. T> 655 Samyt, sb. samite. Ti 109 Sangwyn, adj. red. A 439 Sarge, sb. serge. A ^568 Sarpleris, sb. pi. sacks. Bo. go Sars^nlsn, adj. made of Saracen cloth, soft silk. R 1188 Sat, pret. fitted, suited, L 1735 ; Sate, subj. would befit, T2 117 Sauf, adj. saie. G 950 Sauter, sb. psalter. R 431 Sautrie, sb. psaltery, small harp, A 296 ■ Savacioun, sb. salvation. E 1677 Save, adj. safe. An. 267 Save, sb. sage. A 2713 Save-garde, sb. safe-conduct. T* 139 Saverous, adj. pleasant, toothsome. R 84, 2812 Savete, sb. safety. R 6869 Sawceneem, adj. pimpled. A 625 Sawe, sb. saying. G 691 Scaled, adj. scabby. A 627 Scalle, sb. scab. Adam 3 ScantUone, sb. mason's rule. R 7064 ScamiUGll, sb. skirmish. T2 6ii Scathe, sb. harm, misfortune. A 446 Sohad, p.p. scattered. Bo. 1478, ScllTewes, sb. pi. rascals. Bo. 1365 Sclat, sb. slate. Merdles Beaute 34 Sclaundre, sb. slander, scandal. E 722 Sclendre, adj. slender. A 587 Scocliouns, sb. pi. escutcheons. R 893 Scole, sb. school. B 16S5 Scoleye, v. attend school. A 302 Scomes, sb. pi, foamings. Bo. i6iz Scorklllh, pres. s. scorches. Bo, 525 Scripture, sb. inscription. T3 1369 Scrlt, sb. writing. T2 1130 Scrivenisshly, adv. like a scribe. T2 ioz6 Seche, V. seek. A 784 Secree, adj. secret. B 4105 See, sb. sea. Bl. 67 See, sb. seat. T^ 1023 Seeke, adj. sick. A 18 Seel, sb. happiness. A 4239 Seeld, adv. seldom. B 2340, Bo. 1442 Seele, sb. seal. B 882 Sege, sb. seat. Bo. 102 Seigh, SeY,pret. saw. A 192, T^ 277 Seyl, sb. sail. A 696 Seyn,/./. seen. B 624 Seyn, pres, pi. say. B 622 Seynd, p.p. singed. B 4033 Seintuarie, Seyntwarie, sb. sanctuary. I 7S1, Bo. 131 Seistow, sayest thou. D 292 Selde, ad-v, seldom. A 1539, T* 423 Sely, adj. innocent, simple, good, A 3404, B 682, 1702 ; strange, HF^ 5 Selyly, adv. happily. Bo. q86 Seltnesse, sb. happiness. T^ 825 Solve, adj. self-same, A 2584 Semmable, adj. like. I 408 Semhlant, sb, appearance, L 1736, R 3205 Semelyhede, sb. goodliness. R 1130 Semycope, sb. short cloak. A 262 Semysoun, sb. low noise. A 3697 Sencer, sb. censer. A 3340 Sendal, sb. fine silk. A 440 Senlth,, sb. zenith. As. ii. § 26 Sent, /r«. sendeth. T^ 1123 Sentence, sb. meaning, purport. A 306, C 157 Septexatnoun, sb. the north. B 3657 SerenOUS, adj. serene. Pite 92 {emend.') Sereyna, sb. pi. sirens. R 684 Servage, sb. servitude. A 1946 Servaunt, sb, lover. A 1814 Sesons, sb, pi. seasons. A 347 Sete, V. were seated. T^ 81 Setewale, sb. valerian. R 137° Sette . J . cappe, befool. A 586 Seur, adv. surely. T3 1633 Seurte, sb. surety. A 1604 Sewed, pursued. B 4527 Sewes, sb. pi, dishes. F 67 Shal, pres. s. owe. T^ 791 Sliale, sb. shell. . HF3 191 Shalmyes, sb. pi. shawms. HF3 128 Shaltow, shalt thou S\^B.'pen., pres. pi, prepare. A 772 Shaply, adv. fikely. T* 1452 Shawe, sb. grove, A 4367, T3 720 Sheeldea, sb, pi. French crowns. A 278 Slieene, adj. beautiful. A 166 Sheete, v. shoot. A 3928 Shende, harm, A 4410; Bhendethj confounds B 28 , . 76s GLOSSARY Shendshlpe, s6. ignominy. I 273 Shejlt, /./. scolded, discomfited, spoilt. B 1731, A 2754, L 652, R 2584 Shepne, sb. pi. sheep-folds. A sooo Sherte, sb. shirt. A 1566 Shet, >.> shut. A 2597 Sheter, sb. as adj. shooter. PF 180 Sliette, prei. shut. T* 1086 ShUde, subj. fires, s. ; God shilde, God forbid, A 3427, B 1356 Shynes, sb. pL shins. A 1279. Shlpbea, sb. fl. stables. D 871. SMten, p.p. befouled. A 504 Shode, sb. parting of the hair. A 2007 ShOf, pret. shoved. T^ 487, R 533 SbOlde, sb. shouldest. D 348 Shonde, sb. harm. B 2058 &\loaf, pret. shoved. PF 1S4 Sboop, pret. shaped, determined. - Pite 20, B 1244 Slxotwyjldowe, sh. window with a bolt. A 3358 Shour, sb. onslaught, T< 47 ; Shoures, pi. '& 1064 Sbrewednesse, sb. rascality. B 2721 Shrewes, sh. pi. rascals. C 835 Shryfto, sb. confession. L 745 SbnglltS, pret. shrieked. A 2S17 Sliuldres, sb. pi. shoulders. A 6787 Sy, pret. saw, HF3 72 ; Sye, pret. pi. E 1804 Syb, adj. related, akin. B 2565, R 1199 Slkerly, ada. certainly. A 137 Sye, w. sink. T^ 182 Syen, Sye, pret. pi. saw. G no, E 1804 Siggen, pres. pi. say. T* 194 Slghte, >f£i;. sighed. E 1035 Sik, sb. sigh. T4 1527 Sike, V. sigh. A 1540 ^ Sike, adj. sick. A 2^5 Slkemesse, sb. security, surety. B 425, R 7309 SlkliOll, adj. sickly. '12 1528 Sjrn, conj. since. A 601 Synguler, adj. particular. I 300 Synwes, sb. pi. sinews. I 685 Sys-aas, six and ace. B 3851 Sisoures, sb. pi. scissors. HF^ 182 Sit, /?-^j. J, sitteth, sits, A 1599, Bl. 1107; fits. B 1353 litb, Sitl Sitli, Sitben, conj. and adv. since. A 930, 1521 Sithe, sb. scythe. L 646 Sitbe, sb. pi. times. B 733 Sittande, pres. part, fitting. R 2263 Sittyagest, adj. sup. most fitting. PF 551 Skaffaut, sb. scaffold. R 4176 Skale, sb. scale, circle under cross-line of Astro- labe. As. i. § 12 Skye, sb. cloud. HF8 510 Skylatoun, sb. fine cloth. B 1924 Sklles, sb. pi. reasons. F 205 Skllfiu, adj. reasonable. Bl. 533 Skilfully, adv. reasonably. G 320 Skryppe^ sh. scrip. R 7493 Slawe, Slawen, p.p. slain. A 943, An. 59 Sle, imper. slay thou. A 1^40 Sledys, sb.pl. sledges, carriages. Bo. 1165 Slee, V. slay. A 661 Sleep, pret. slept. A 98, Bl. 169 Sleere, sb. slayer. A 2005 lleiglie, adj. sly, clever. T^ 972 "der, adj. slippery. A 1264 Slye, fl»i/'.>A clever. Bl. 569 Slyk, adj. sleek. D 351 Slyk, adj. such. A 4130 Slyly, adv. cleverly. A 1444 Slit, pres. s. slideth. G 682, PF 3 SllTere, sb. sliver, part. T* 1013 Slomrest, pres. s. slumberest. R 2S76 Slow, Slaagh, pret. slew. B 984, Bl. 738, A 980, An. 56 Slowe, sb. moth. R 4751 Smerte, adv. smartly. A 149 Smete, p.p. smitten. R 3735 Smyt, pres. s. smiteth. E 122 Smoterlict, adj. smutty. A 3963 Snewed, pret. snowed, abounded. A 345 Snybben, v. reprove, A 523 ; Snybbed, p.p. A 4401 Socour, sh. succour. A 918 Sodeynliche, adv. suddenly. A 1575 Sojour, sb. sojourn. R 5151 Sokene, sb. tolls. A 3987 Sokyngly, adv. suckingly, gently. B 2765 Solaas, sb. solace. A 708 Soleyn, adj. solitary. PF 607, R 3596 Solempiie, adj. solemn, famous. A 209 Somdel, adv. somewhat. A 174 Some, num. pron. one; Tentne some, ten in all, T2 1249 ; Al and som, one and all Somer, sb. summer. A 394 Somne, v. summon. D 1377 Somonour, sb. summoner of offenders to the church co.Urts. A 623 Sond, Soond, sb. sand. PF 243, B 4457 Sonde, sb. sending, message, messenger. B 1409, 760, 388 Sone, adv. soon Sone, j3. son. A 2061 Sonne, sb. sun. A 7 SonHlSh, adj. sunny. T* 743 Soole, adj. solitary, alone. R 2955, 3023 'Soond, sb. sand. B 4457 Soote, adj. pi. sweet. A i Sope, sb. sop. A 334 Soper, sb. supper. A 799 Sophyme, sh. problem, E 5; Sopliymes, pi sophistries, F 554 Sort, sb. lot, fate, oracle. A 844, Tl 76 Sorvre, sb. sorrow. ABC 3 Sorwful, adj. sorrowful. Pite 25 Soiy, adj. sad, luckless. . A 2004 Sotnsawe, SotheBaugh, sb. true tale. HF^ 999, R 6130, 7388 . Sotll, adj. subtle. L 1556 SondJouTS, f^./^. soldiers. R 4234 Soughs, sb. sow. I is6 Soul&e, J*, sulphur. HF3 418 Soiin, j(i. sound. Bl. 1165 Sourden, >?-«J. pi. rise from. I 448 Soures, st. pi. bucks. El. 429 Sours, sh. rising, ascent. D 1938, HF2 36 Soutere, sb. cobbler. A 3904 Soutil, adj. thin, subtle. A 2030, 2049 Sowdan, sb. Sultan. B 177 Sowdanesse, sb. Sultaness. B 358 Sowded, p.p. attached, devoted. B 1769 Sowe, V. sew, fasten. T^ 1201 Sowke, V. suck. A 4157 Sowne, V. sound, play. A 565 Sowned, pret. tended to, B 3348 ; Sownynge, pres. part. A 275 . ' v 76Q GLOSSARY Space, sb. spare time, opportunity. A 35, T2 505 Spak, prei. spoke. A 304 Span-newe, adj. newly spun, fresh. T3 1663 Sparand, part. pres. sparing. R 5363 Sparrede, pret. locked. R 3320 Spaxth, sb. halberd. A 2530, R 5078 Spaimyashinge, sb. blooming. R 3633 Spece, sb. species, kind, class. Bo. 1791, I 407 Speculacloun, sb. contemplation. Bo. 1660 Speere, sb. sphere. F 1280 Spelle, sb. dai. recital. B 2083 Spence, sh. buttery. D 1931 Spered, p.p. shut. R 2098 Speres, sb. pi. spheres. PF 59 Sperhauk, sb. sparrow-hawk. TS 1192, R 4033 Spete, w. spit. T2 1617 3pUle, V. die, perish, destroy, B 285, A 3278, Pite^6; Spilt, /.>. killed, B 857 Spltously, adv. angrily. A 3476 Spores, sb. ft spurs. A 473 Spometh, 'pres. s. tramples, T^ 797; Spomed, prei. stumbled, A 4280 SpousaiUe, sb. marriage. E 1x5 Sprad, p.p. spread, scattered. Bl. 873 Sprayiid, Spreynd, p.p. mingled. Bo. 397, B 422 Spryngoldes, sb.pi. stone-hurlers. R 4191 Squames, sb. pi. scales. G 759 SquaymoUB, adj. squeamish. A 3337 Squyre, sb. measuring-square, R 7064 ; SquyTes, pi. As. i. § 12 Stadye, sb. race-course. Bo. 1275 Stak,^tf/. stuck. T3 1372 Stal,^^^. stole. Bl. 652, 1250 Stamyn, Stames, sb. linsey-woolsey, coarse cloth. I 1052, L 2360 Stank, sb. pool. I 841 Staut, pres. s. standeth. B 1704 Stape, Stapen, ^./. advanced. B 4011, E 1514 Stare, sb. starling. PF 348 Starf, pret. died. A 933 Starke, adj. pi. strong, stiff. B 3560 Steere, sb. steersman. B 448 Steerelees, adj. without rudder. B 439 Steyen, v. ascend. Bo. 877 Steyre, sb. stair. Mars 129, T2 1705 Stel, Stele, sb. steel. T« 593, HF2 175 Stele sb. handle. A 3785 Stellu^e, V. turn into a star. L 525 Stexned, pret. shone. A 202 Stenten, v. cease, A 003 ; SteEte, pret. Bl. 154 Stepe, adj'. bright. A 20T Steppes, sb. pi. tracks. Bo. Bo Stere, sb. steersman, guide, HF^ 437, T3 1291 ; rudder, T5 641 Stere, v. steer, guide. T3 yio Stere, v. stir, HF259; discuss, T4 1451 ; Steryng, ■ Pres. part, moving, HF2 59 Stered, p.p. controlled, L 935 Sterlynges, sb.pl. sterling pennies, C 907, HF3 225 Sterres, sb. pi. stars. A 268 Sterte, pret. started, L 1301 ; alighted, A 952 Sterve, pres. sub. die. A 1144 Stevene, sb. voice, A 2562 ; appointment. Mars 47, A 1524 Stowe, sb. closet. T3 601 Stlbome, adj. stubborn. D 456 Stye, V. climb. Bo. 1550 Styere, sb. rudder. Bo. 1078 Stlked, pret. pierced. B 3897 Stlllatorie, sb. vessel for distilling. G 5B0 Stynt, pres. s. stinteth, ceases. A 2421 Stirte, prei. started. A 1579 Styth, sb. anvil. A 2026 Styres, sb. pi. stews, brothels.' D 1333 Styward, sb. steward. B 914 Stoke, 2/. stab. A 2546 Stokked, p.p. set in the stocks. T3 3B0 Stonde, v. stand. A 745 Stoon, sb. stone. A 774 Stoor, sb. farm-stock. A 598 Stoore, adj. stubborn. E 2367 Storial, adj. historical. L 702 StOt, sb. cob. A 615 Stounde, sb. while, time, B 1021 ; Stoundes, /il Bo. 220 Stoimdemele, adv. momently. TB 674, R 2304 StOTir, sb. conflict. R 1270 *" Strake, v. run. Bl. 1311 Straughte, pret. stretched. A 2916 Strecche, v. stretch. An. 341, Ti 888 Stree, sb. straw. A 2918, Bl. 670 Streen, Strene, sb. race, lineage. E 157, R 4859 Streit, adj. narrow. A 174 Stremes, sb. pi. beams. Bl. 338 Strene, sb. lineage. R 4850 Strenges, sb. pi. strings. PF 98, Tl 732 • Strike, sb. hank, A 676 ; Strikes, pi. strokes, As. i. § 19 Stroof, pret. strove. A 1038 Strouted, pret. spread. A 3315 Stubbes, sb. pi. stumps. A 1978 Studies, sb. pi. desires, purposes. Bo. 659, 1309 Stuwe, sb. stew, fish-pond. A 350 Submiited to, p.p. subsumed under. Bo. 1628 SllCCident, sb. subordinate house in .astrology. As. ii. § 3 Snored, p.p. sugared. T2 384 Suffisaunce, sb. sufficiency. Bl. 1037 Suffraunt, adj. patient. Bl. 1009 Suget, sb. subject. R 3535 Sukkenye, sb. gaberdine. R 1232 Surelnent, sb. surety, pledge. F 1534 Surqnldrie, sb. arrogance, over-confidence. I 405, 1067 Snrsanure, sh. surface -healed wound. F 1113 Sustren, sb.pl. sisters. A 1019 Snwe, V. follow. Ti 379 Swa, adv. so.. A 4040 Swal, pret. swelled. B 1750 Swalwe, sb. swallow. T2 64 Swappe, Swape, v. strike. E 586, G 366 Swappe, sb. stroke. HF2 35 Sweigh, sb. swa^, movement. B 296 Swelte, pret. famted. E 1776, T3 347 Swelwe, pres. sub. swallow, E 1188 ; Swelweth, pres. ind. s. swallows, B 2805 Swerd, sb. sword. A 2546 Swete, V. sweat. G 570 Swevene, sb. dream. B 4086 Swich, adj. such. D 281 Swjmk, sb. toil. A 188 Swynke, v. toil. A 186 Swynkere, sb. labourer. A 531 S wire , sb. throat. R 325 Bwytlie, adv. quickly. €796, An. 226 ?67 GLOSSARY. Swyre, v. have sexual intercourse with. A 4178 Swogh, sb. swoon, Pite 16 ; groan, A 3619 SWOlOWe, si. gullet, gulf. L II04 Swoot, sb. sweat. G 578 Swough, sb. soughing wind. A 1979 T', before a verb beginning with a vowel, to ; a few instances given below Taa, V. take. A 4129 Taas, sb. heap. A 1005 Tabard, sb. short coat for a herald, A 20 ; for a labourer, A 541 Tabyde, to abide. B 797 Tables, sb. pi. backgammon. F 900 Tabouren, pres. pi. drum. L 354 Tache, si. quality. Balade £o Taffata, sb. fine silk. A 440 TafEtaye, to af&ay, frighten. E 45s Taylaglers, sb.pL tax-gatherers. R 68ii TaiUages, sb. pi. taxes. I 567 Tallle, sb. a tally, credit. A 570 Talcel, sb. tackle. A 106 Tale, sb. speech. Bl. 535 Tale, Taleu, v. talk, tell stories. T3 231, A 772 :_ Talent, si. desire. B 1137, Bo. 260 Talygbte, to alight Talynge, sb. story-telling. B .1624 Talle, adj. compliant, seemly, manly. Mars 38, L 1127 (emend, for 'calle') Tallege, to allege . Tamen, v. make trial of. R 3904 Tamende, to amend Tan, p.p. taken.- R 5B94 Tapes, sb. pi. ribands. A 3241 Taplnage, si. hiding ; In lapinage, incognito. R7361 Tapycer, sb. tapestry maker. A 362 Tapite, sb. carpet. Bl. 260 Tappestere, sb. barmaid, tapster. A 241 Targe, sb. shield. ABC 176 Tarraye, to array. E 961 ' Tassaye, to assay. E 454 Tassaue, to assail Tatarwagges, si.pl. tatters. R 7257 Tavyse, to advise. B 1426 Teoohea, sb.pl. ill qualities. T3 93s, HF3 688, R6sr7 Teclie, V. teach. A 308 Teene, sb. sorrow. ABC 3 Teyne, sb. thin plate of metal, G 1225 Tembrace, to embrace.' B 1891 Teme, ». bring forth. HF3 654 Temple, si. inn of court. A 567 Temprure, sb. tempering. R 4177 Temps, sb. tense. G 875 Ten, Ten so woode, ten times as mad. L 733 Tendyte, to endite Tendure, to endure. E 756 Tene, sb. sorrow. Ti 814 TenoLueren, to enquire Tentlfly, adv. attentively. E 334 Tercel, adj. male (of birds of prey). PF 393 Tercelet, si. male falcon. F 504 Tery, adj. tearful. J'^ 821 ■ ^ Tenns, si. tarlns. R 665 Terme, si. ; In terme. In termes, precisely, n^ C 311, A 323 r lermyne, w. determine. . PF 530 t«Hffid, >.>!. stripped.' i G.1171 G818 Tospye, to espy Testeres, sb. pi. headpieces. A 2499 Testes, sb. pi. vessels for testing metals. Testif, adj. headstrong. A 4004 Tezpounden, to expound Texlueel, adj. verbally accurate. I 57 Th', before substantives beginning with a vowel, the ; a- few instances are given below ThaUted,^./. stroked. A 3304 „. ^^ , Thankes, sb. pi. ; Hlr thankes, His tnanJces, willingly, A 1626, 2107 Thanne, conj. and adv. then - Thar, pres. s. it behoves. ■ A 4320 That, conj. when. -• T* 910 Tliat, introducing an optative clause. T» 944 Thayys, the advice. A 3076 the, iron. ace. thee . Tbedam, sb. prosperity ; Yvel tnedam, lU-luck, B 1595 Thee, Tbeen, v. thrive. B 4622, C 309 Theeoll, Theek, subj. pres. thrive I. C 947, A 38S4 Theffeot, the effect Thelgb, con)', though. T* 175 Their, the air. D 1939 1'henche, v. think. A 3253 Tbencrees, the increase. A 275 Tbennes, adv. thence Theorlk, sb. theory- As. ii. pref. Tber, adv. there, where; A 2809, T2 618 Ther, introducing an optsitive clause.' T3 947, lois, 1437 ., ■ . Ther-geyn, there against. R 6555 Therthe, the earth Thestat, the estate, rank . , Thewed, p.p. endowed with virtues. Mars 180 Thewes, sb:pl. good qualities. E 1542 TUder, adv. thither * Thllke, that same. A 182 Thyng, sb. ; Make a thyng, draw up a doca- ment ; Thynges, pi. prayers, .acts of devotion, business, A 2293, B 1281, 4280 Thinke, v. seem. Ti 465 Thirled, p.p. pierced. A 2710 This, These, dem. pi these. Bl. 166 This, this is. T2 363 The, adv. then. Bl. 1053 The, these Tholed, p.p^ suffered. D 1546 ThOO, adv. then. L 787 Thought, d. anxiety. R 308 Thraste, pret. thrust. TS 1155 Threpe, pres. pi. call. G 826 Threste, v. thrust, A 2612 ; Thresten, pres. pi. Bo; 460 Thretyng, sb. threatening. G 698 Thrldde, num. third Thrye, num. adii. thrice'. T" 89 Thtlnge, v. thrust. T* 66 Thrltten, card. num. thirteen. D 2259 Throf, prei. thrived. Bo. 717 Thrope, sb. hamlet. I z2 Throle-bolle, sb. wind-pipe. A 4273 Throwe, si. short space of time. B 953, £ 450, Pile 86 Throwes, j«. j^;. throes. 16206,1201 Thrust, sb. thirst. R 4722 Thurrte, pret. needed. T3 572 Thurgh-glrt, pip. pitrced. A loio Thurrok, sb. hold of a ship, sink. I 363, 715 768 GLOSSARY Thwyte, prcs. whittle, HFS 848 ; Thwyten, p.i. R933 ThwitSl, sli. short knife. A 3933 Tyden, 11. betide. B 337 lydlf, sb. small bird ; Tldyves, il. F 648 Tikel, adj. frail. A 3428 Tikelnesse, sb. instability. Truth 3 Til, prep. to. A 180 lyiyers, s6.pl. tillers. R 4339 l^lylnge, sb. tilling. Bo. 1637 Tymbres, si. pi. timbrels. R 772 T^et, sb. hood. A 233 Tiro, V. feed on. Bo. 1132; Tiren, pres, pi. Tl 787 Tit, pres. s. betides. Ti 333 Titerynge, si. hesitating. T^ 1744 Title, sb. pretext. Tl 488 Titled, p.p. devoted. I 894 Xo, The to, that one. Bo. 1587 To-, intensive prejix; a few instances are given below To-hreste, pres. pi. break in pieces. A 2611 Tode, sb. toad. I 636 To-fom, prep, before. TS 335 Toft, sb. tuft. A 555 Toght, adj. taut. D 2267 To-hepo, adv. together, at close quarters. Bo. 1461, L 2008 To-yoro, adv. this year. T^ 241 Tolde, pret. accounted. B 3676 Toles, sb. pi. tools. Tl 632 Tollen, V. take toll A 562 ToUen, v. allure. Bo. 531 Tolletanes, adj. pi. of Toledo. F 1273 TomhOBteres, sb. pi. female tumblers. C 477 To-medes, as reward. T^ 1201 Ton, The ton, that one. Bo. 1066, R 5217 Tonge, sb. tongue. B 1666 Tonne, sb. tun, cask. E 215 Too, si. toe, A 2726 ; Toon, pi. B 4052 Toord, sb. excrement. C 955 Tope, si. crown of head. A 590 To-point, adv. point by point, exactly. T3 497, T5i62o To-race, subj. pr. tear in pieces. E 572 To-rente, pret. rent in pieces. C 709 Tomey, sb. tournament. T^ 1669 To-slytered, p.p. slashed. R 840 To-tar, pret. lacerated. B 3801 Totelere, sb. tattler. L 353 Toty, adj. dizzy. A 4253 To-tore, p.p. torn. G 635 Tonret, sb. turret. A 1909 Tourettes, sb. pi. round holes. A 2152 Toute, sb. backside; A 3B12 Toverbyde, to outlive. D 1260 Towayle, sb. towel. R 161 To-wonde, pret. went to pieoes. Mars 102 Traas, sb. train. L 285 Trace, si, track. Gentilesse 3 Trad, fret, trod, sens. ob. B 436S Trayed, tret, betrayed. HFi 300 Trays, sb. pi. traces. A 2139, Tl 222 Traltorye, sb, treachery. An. 156 Transmuwen, v. transmute. T^ 467 Trappures, sb. pi. trappings. A 2499 Traitor, si. go-between, pimp. T3 273 Traunce, v. tramp. T3 690 Trave, sb. frame for unruly horses. A 3282 Travers, sb, curtain, screen. E 1817, T8 674 Trechour, si, traitor. R 6602 Tredefowel, sb. treader of fowls, sens. oi. R 3135 Treget, si. deceit. R 6267 Tregetoirr, sb. juggler, HF3 167 ; Tregetoures, pi. F 1 141 Trenden, v, roll. Bo. 1043 Trental, sb, series of masses for the dead. D 1717 Trepeget, sb, engine for casting stones. R 6279 Tresoun, sb, treason. L 1783 Tresour, sb. head-dress. R 568 Tretahle, adj. tractable, communicative. L 411, Bl. 532 Tretee, sb. treaty. A 1288 Tretys, adj. well-made. A 152 TretlS, sb. treatise, document. T2 1697 Trewe, adj. true. A 531 Trewe, i4. truce. T3 1779 Trewe-l0V6, sb. condiment to sweeten breath. A 3692 Triacle, sb. balm, panacea. B 479, C 314 Trice, V, pull. B 3715 Trlchour, sb. traitor. R 6308 Trllle, V. turn, twist. F 316 Trype, sb. morsel. D 1747 Trist, sb. trust. T3 403, I 473 Triste, sb. tryst. T2 1534 Tristed, p.p. trusted. R 3929 Trone, sb. throne. A 2529 Trouble, adj. troubled. Comp. to his Lady 128 Trowandyse, Truandlse, sb, vagrancy. R 3954, 6604 Trowblable, adj, troublesome. Bo. 1268 Tmaundyng, sb. vagrancy. R 6721 Trubly, adj. troublous. Bo. 1443 Truies, sb. pi. trifles. I 715 Trye, adj, choice. B 2046 Tnel, sb, pipe, tube. HF3 559 Tulle, V, lure. A 4134 Turmentrle, sb. torture. R 4740 Tweyfold, adj, folded in two. G 566 Twlght,/.;). twitched, pulled, D 1563 ; Twlghte, pret. T4 1185 Twynne, v, sunder, B 517 ; pi'es. subj. depart, A 835 Twiste, sh. branch. E 2349 Umllle, adj. humble. R 6155 Unaraced, /.>. untom. Bo. 1156 Unconning, adj. stupid. TS 1139 Uncouthe, adj. strange, rare. HF3 189 TTncOTenable, adj. unsuitable. I 431 Undergrowe, p.p. undergrown. A 156 TTndenneleS, sb. pi. morning meal-time. D 875 Undemome, p.p. blamed, I 401 ; Undemoom, pret. perceived, G 243 TJnderpighte, pret. stuffed. .B 789 Underspore, v. lever up. A 3465 Undertake, pres. s. assert. A 289 Undlgne, adj. unworthy. E 359 Undlrfongeth, /«j. s. undertakes. R 5709 Undo, V. unravel. El. 898 Undren, sb. morning, the time between 9 a.m. and noon. B 4412, E 260 Uneschuable, adj. inevitable. Bo. 1643 Unespyed, p.p. undiscovered. T* 1457 Unfeestlich, adj. unfestive, worn. F 366 Ung;iltif, adj. innocent. T3 roi8 Ungrobbed, p.p. undigged. Former Age 14 2 C 769 GLOSSARY UnhappeS, sb. fl mishaps. T2 456 XTnlieefe, sb. misfortune. C 116 ' Unkynde, adj. unnatural. B 88 nukyndeiy, adv. unnaturally. G 485 nzUconnynge, sb. ignorance. I 1082 Unkorven, /./. unpruned. Former Age 14 UnkOUtll, adj. rare. A 2497 UnlefuU, adj. unlawful. Bo. 274, R 4880 Unneste, imper. quit thy nest. T^ 305 Unnethe, unnetnes, adv. hardly. B 1050, 167s Uuparygal, adj. unequal. Bo. 603 UnpUtaBle, adj. perilous. Bo. 122 Unplyten, v. unfold. Bo. 583 Unresty, adj. restless. T5 1355 Unsad, adj. inconstant. E 995 Uuselyt odj. unhappy. A 4210, Bo. 361 Unset, adj. unappointed. A 1524 Unslttlnge, adj. unbefitting. T2 307 TJnspered, p.p. unlocked. R 2656 Unthank, sb. ingratitude, little thank. T^ 699 Unwar, adj. unawares. F 1356 TTnweelde, adj. impotent. A 3886 Unwemmed, adj. undefiled, pure. B 924, ABC 91 Unwist, adj. ignorant. T^ 93 Unwit, sb. folly. Mars 271 Unwiye, v. uncover. Ti 858 Unyolden, adj. without yielding. A 2642 Up, iSre/. upon. Bl. 921 Up-Dounde, p.p. bound up. TS 517 Up-frete, V. eat up. T5 1470 Uprlgbte, adv. full length, whether standing or lying. A 4194 ' Uprlste, sb. rising. A 1051 Up-so-doun, adv. topsy-turvy. Bo. 1695 Up-BWal, ^r^s/. swelled up. B 1730 UrcbOUns, sb. pi. hedgehogs. R 3135 Utter, adj. outer. R 4208 Vaclie, sb. cfya. Trutk 22 Vallitn, Valeth, pres. avails. R 5765, 5762 Valance, sb. failure. Mars 145 {see note) Vane, sh. weather-vane. E 996 Vanyxee, sb. folly. A 3835 Vassalage, Vassellage, sb, prowess, good service. L 1667, A 3054 Vavasour, sb. landholder. A 360 Vekke, sb. old woman. R 4286 Vendable, adj. saleable. R 5804 Venerle, ^3. hunting. A 166, 2308 Venlannce, sb. vengeance. Bo. 1375 Venym, sb. poison. A 2731 Venymous, adj. poisonous. ABC 149 Ventiislnge, sb. cupping. A 2747 Ver, sb. spring. T^ 157 Verdit, sb. verdict. A 787 Verger, sb. orchard. R 3234, 3618 Verye, imper. guard (?). A 3485 Verytrot, sb. quick-trot. A 3770 Vermayle, adj. red. R 3645 Vernage, sb. white wine. B 1261 Vemycle, sb. St. Veronica cloth. A 685 Vemyssted, >r?/. varnished. A 4149 Verray, Verrele, adj. genuine, true. I J012, Bo. 1729 Veixayment, adv. truly. B 1903 Verre, sb. glass. T^ 867 Vertuous, adj. skilled. R 231 1 Vesselage, so, prowess. R 5871 Veze, sh. rush of wind. A 1985 Viage, sb. voyage, journey. A 723 Vi^es, sb. pi. wakes. A 377 Vlleynye, sb, anything unbecoming a gentleman. A 70 Viryxrate, sb. hag.. D 1582 VitalUe, sb. victuals. A 248 Vitremyte, sb. woman's cap. B 3562 Voidd, sb. sleeping cup. T* 674 Voyde, adj. empty, penniless. Bo. 471 Volage, tmj. giddy. H 239 Voltor, sb. vulture. Bo. 1132 Volunte, sb. will. R 5276 Voluper, sb. cap. A 3241 Vounde, adj. See note, R 7063 Waget, sb. blue cloth. A 3321 Wayfereres, sb. pi. confectioners. C 479 Wayke, adj. weak. A 887, B 1671 * Waymentynge, sb. lamentation. A 902, 1921 Wayted, pret. watched. A 571 Walsh-note, sb. walnut. HF3 191 Walwe, V. wallow. Ti 699 "Ws^iw^^e, pres. part, wallowing. A 3616 Wan, pret. won. A 442 Wanges, sb. pi. cheek-teeth, A 4030 ; Wang- tooth, B 3234 Wanhope, sb. despair. A 1249 W3Aye, V. wane. A 2078 Wanten, pres. pi. are lacking. Pile 76 Wantrust, adj. distrustful. H 281 War, adj. wary, aware. A 309, 896 Warde, sb. guardianship. Bl. 248 Wardecors, sb. bodyguard. D 359 Warderere, look out behind ! A 410Z Wardrlght, sb. guardianship. Bo. 492 WardroDe, sb. privy. B 1762 Ware, imp. beware that. B 4146 Waryangles, sb. pi butcher birds. D 1408 Warice, v. heal. C 906 Warlen, Warye, v. curse. T2 1619, B 372 WariSOUn, sb. reward. R 1537 Warissbe, v. recover, B 2170 ; Warlsshedf P'P' cured, F 1138, BL 1103 warisahyng, sb. healing, B 2205 Warly, adv. warily. T* 454 Wame, v. repulse. ABC w Wamestoore, sh. garrison. B 2485 Wast, sh, waste. B 1609 Wastel-breed, sb. cake of fine flour. A 147 Wawes, sb, pL waves. A 1958 Webbe, sb. weaver. A 362 Wedde, sb. dat. pledge. A 1218 Wede, sb. clothing. A 1006 Weder, sb. weather, D 2253 ; Wedres, pi. R 73 Weeply, adj. tearful. Bo. 1120 Weerdes, sb. pi. fates. Bo. 92 Weex, pret. waxed/ B 563 Wegge, j3. wedge. As. i. § 14 Weyetn, pres, s. weighs. A 17B1 Weyked, p.p. weakened. R 4737 Weylawey, inler;'. alas. Bl. 718 Weymentyng, sb. lamentation. R 510 Weyven, v. depart from, E 1483 ; Weyve, imper. abandon, Bo. 257 Welde, sb. a plant. Former Age 17 Welde, V, rule. D 271 Weldy, adj, powerful. T2 636 Wele, sb. well-being. - A 895 Welk, pret, walked. T6 1235 770 GLOSSARY Welken, v. wither. Bo. 1590 Welkne, sb. welkin. Foriu?ie 62 Welmeth, pres. s. wells. R 1561 Welte, pret. ruled. B 3200 Wel-Wllly, adj. benevolent. T^* 1257 Wem, sb. spot, harm. F 121 Wemmeleea, adj. spotless. G 47 Wende,>rif/. subj, thought. T^ 1650 Wene, sb. doubt. R 574 Wonte, sb. turn, passage. T3 815, T3 787 Wepene, "Wepne, sb. weapon. A 1591, 1601 Werble, s&, song. T^ 1033 Were, sb. doubt, L 2686, Bl. 1294 ; danger, R 2827 Were, v. guard. A 2550 Were, sb. weir, pool. T3 35, PF 138 Weme, v. turn away, refuse. L 448, T* iii, HF3469 Werre, adv. worse. BI. 615 Worre, sb. war. A 1671 Werre, v. make war on. ABC 116 Werreye, v. make war on, persecute, A 1484, R 6926 ; Werreieth, pres. s. battles against, I 401 ; Werreid, p.p. persecuted, R 2078 Wert, sb. wart. A 555 Wessb, prei. washed Weste, V. turn westward. L 61 Weteii, V. know. L 1474 Wetlieres, sb. pi. weathers. A 3542 Wex, sb. wax, G 1268 Wex, ptet. waxed, increased, A 1362 ; Wexynge, p res. part. A 2077 What, inter, why. A 184 Whelkes, sb, pi. pimples. A 632 Wlier, (i) where, A 1351 ; (2) whether, A iioi Wheston, sb. whetstone. T^ 631 Wbiclie, pron, of what kind. A 40, 2675 Whiel, sb. wheel. T^ 839 Whielen, v. wheel. Ti 139 Wliyle, sb. time. A 3329 Whippeltre* the comel-tree. A 2923 Wyde-wliere, adv. widely. B 136, TS 404 Wierdes, Wlrdea, sb. pi. fates. T3 617, L 2580 Wight, adj. strong, swift, brave, A 4086, B 3457 Wighte, sb. weight, A 2145, T2 1385 ; A lite wight, a little while, A 4283 Wyke, sb. week. B 1461 Wlkke, adj.pl. evil. B 118 Wllne, V. will, desire, I 517 ; Wilned, pret. willed, Bl. 1261 Wiltow, wilt thou Wylugh, sb. willow. A 2922 Wympul, sb. wimple. A 151 Wyn ape. H ^4. See note Wyndas, sb. windlass. F 184 Wyndre, v. trim. R lozo Wynfljmge, adj. lively. A 3263 Wynt, pres. s. windeth, turns. L 85 Wlrdes, sb. pi. Fates. L 2580 WyB, adv. certainly, surely. A 2786, T2 887 Wise, sb. fashion. A 2370 Wisly, adv. surely. B 1061 Wlsse, V. guide, D 1415, T^ 622 ; imp. ABC 155 WlSShe, pret. washed. R g6 Wyst, p.p. known. HFi 351 Wyte, imper. blame, A 3140 ; Wlte at, impute, G62r Wlten, pres. pi. know. A 1794 Wlthholdec, v. restrain, B 1512 ; Withholdeth, pres. retains. Bo. 1245; Withholds, retained, B Z200 WlthOUteu, prep, besides. A 461 Wlthseye, ji>7-fj. subj. contradict, abjure, G 447 J. WithseyjQ, A 1140 Wityng_i*^. knowledge. A i6ii Wivere, sb. viper. T8 1010 Wlatsom, adj. loathsome. 6 4243 Wodewales, sb. pi. orioles. R 658 Wol, Pres. s. will. A 723 Wolde, prei. would. A 954 WoUe, sb. wool. C 910 Woltow, wilt thou. A 1544 Wombe, sb. belly. I 769 Won, sb. hope. T4 1181 Wonde, V. turn aside, change. L 1187 Wonde, pret. dwelt. L 2253 Wonder, adj. wondrous, B 1045 Wondemiost, adj. sup. most wonderful. HF^ Wone, sb. custom, wont. A 335, B 1694 Wone, sb. plenty. R 1673 Woned, ^.^. accustomed. Bl. 150 Wonger, sb. pillow. B 2102 Wonynge, sb. living, dwelling. A 388, 606 Wonned, pret. dwelt. B 4406 Wood, adj. mad. A 184 Wood, sb. blue dye. Pormer Age 17 Woodeth, pres. s. is distraught, rages. G 467, Bo. 1328 Woodly, adv. madly. A 1301 Woodnesse, sb. madness. C 496 Woon, sb. place, dwelling. B 1991, HF^ 76 Woot, pres. s. know, A 1813 ; pret. knew, A 1525 Wopen, p.p. wept. T^ 941 Word, sb. for Ord, beginning. T3 702 Wortes, sb. pi. vegetables. B 441 1 Worthen, v. fare ; Lete him worthen, let him alone, T^ 320 ; Worth, imperat. Bo. 310 Worthy, adj. brave. B 2107 West, knowest Wowe, v. woo. T5 791 Wowke, sb. week. A 1539 Wraw, adj. indignant. H 46 Wrawful, adj. perverse. I 677 Wre, Wren, Wrene, v. cover. L 735, R 6359, T2 539, R 56 Wreche, sb. vengeance, punishment, B 3403, T2784 Wrelghe,/./. covered, L 1201; pret. T3 rDs6 Wreye, sub. pres. betray. A 3507 Wreying, sb. betrayal. R 5220 Wrekere, sb. avenger. Bo. 1385 Wrenche, sb. deceit, R 4292 ; Wrenches, pi. G 1081 Wreththe, sb. wrath. T3 no Wrye, p^. hidden. T3 620 Wrye.wryen, v. turn, twist, T2 go6, H 262, Bl. 626 ; Wryed, p.p. twisted, A 3283 Wryne, v. cover. R 6683, 68ig Wryth, ^rtf'f . s. winds. T3 1231 Wrlthen, v. turn. Bo. 1676 Wroken, p.p. avenged. Tl 88 Wroteth, pres. digs with the snout. I 157 T-, prefix to Past participles; a few instances are given below Taf, pret. gave. A 227 Yalta, ^7-tf/. yielded ; Yalte him, betook himself, R 4904 771 GLOSSARY "VsaB, adj. ready. L 3270 T-tet, ji.p. beaten. D 1285 T-bete, stamped, illuminated. A 979 .y-blent, /.>. blended. A 3808 Y-blOynt, f.f. blenched, started aside. A 3753 T-bront, p.p. burnt. A 946 T-clencbed, p.p. damped. A 1991 T-corve, p.p. cut. A 2013 T-craaed, p.p. broken. Bl, 32^ Ydel, adj. idle ; In ydel, in vam Ydolastre, sb. idolater. I 749 YS, adv. yea, yes. B 1841 YeccliTiige, sb. itching. R 2450 Yed^./. eyed. T4 1459 Yodl^^ges, sb. pi. proverbial sayings. A 257 Yedo, pret. went, G 1141 ; Yeden, pi. T^ 936 Yelpe, V. boast. A 2238 Yelw, adj. yellow. BI. 856 Yerde, sb. rod, stick. T2 154, A 149, T2 1427, A 1387 Yerne, adv. readily, eagerly, quickly. C 398, D 993, PF 21, T3 376 Yerno, adj. brisk. A 3257 Yeten, v. get. Bo. 253 Yezeth, pres. s. hiccups. A 4151 Y-feere, adv. together. B 394 Y-frounced, p.p. wrinkled. R 155 Y-go, p.p. gone. A 286 Y-grave, p.p. dug. L 204 Y-bede, p.p. hid. BI. 175 Y-bent, p.p. seized. C 868 Y-berd, ptp. haired. A 3737 Yif, conj if. T2 1063 Y-korven, >.>. cut. B 1801 Y-lad, p.p. lead, carted. A 530 Y-liJt, adv. alike. A 592 Ymages, sb. pi. astrological figures Y-meyud, p.p. mingled. A 2170 Ymel, prep, among. A 4172 Ymped, /./. grafted. R 5137 Tmpes, sb. pi. grafts,, shoots, saplings. R 6293, B 3146 Ympne, sb. hymn. X 422 Ynde, sb. indigo. R 67 Ynly, adv. inwardly. Bl. 276 Y-nome, p.p. taken. Ti 242, L 2343 Yolden, p.p. yielded, A 3052, Bo. zii Yolleden, pret. ft. yelled. B 4579 Youlyng, sb. yelling. A 1278 Yoff, you. B 4610 Y-piked, p.p. picked out. G 941 Y-pllted, p.p. pleated. Bo. 61 Y-preved, ji.>. proved. A 483 Y'PUrfiled, p.p. trimmed. A 193 Y-rekO, p.p. spread about. A 3882 Ys, sb. ice. HF3 40 Y.sbete, p.p. shut. B 560 Y-sbore, p.p. shorn, shaven. T-i 996 Y-spreynd, ^./. sprinkled. A 2169 Y-StallOd, p.p. throned. HF'i 274 Y-stikk6d,i>.A stabbed. F 1476 Y-strawed, p.p. strewed. Bl. 628 YTele, adv. ill. B r897 Yvy leef, sb. ; Flpen In an yvy leof , ' go whistle, A 1838 Yvolre, sb. ivory. Bl. 945 Y-wiS, adv. certainly. A 3277 Y-wortb, p.p. become. Bl. 578 Y-wrlen, Y-wrye, p.p. veiled, hid. Bl. 627, A _290^,_T4i654 Y-writben, p.p. wrapped. R 160 THE END Printed in Great Britain by 'R.&'R. CLARK, LIMITED, Edinbiirsh. Macmillan's Globe Library LIST OF THE VOLUMES In Cloth or Leather Bindings. ARNOLD'S (MATTHEW) POETICAL WOBKS. BOSWELL'S LIFE OF JOHNSON. With an Introduction b) Mowbray Morris. BUBNS'S COMPLETE WOBKS. Edited by Alexander Smith. CHAUCEB'S WOBKS. Edited by Alfred W. Pollard, H. Frank Heath, Mark H. LiDDELL,.and Sir W. S. M'Cormick. 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