The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales General Prologue [1] Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote [2] The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, [3] And bathed every veyne in swich licour [4] Of which vertu engendred is the flour; [5] Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth [6] Inspired hath in every holt and heeth [7] The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne [8] Hath in the Ram his half cours yronne, [9] And smale foweles maken melodye, [10] That slepen al the nyght with open ye [11] (So priketh hem Nature in hir corages), [12] Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages, [13] And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes, [14] To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; [15] And specially from every shires ende [16] Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende, [17] The hooly blisful martir for to seke, [18] That hem hath holpen whan that they were seeke. [19] Bifil that in that seson on a day, [20] In Southwerk at the Tabard as I lay [21] Redy to wenden on my pilgrymage [22] To Caunterbury with ful devout corage, [23] At nyght was come into that hostelrye [24] Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye [25] Of sondry folk, by aventure yfalle [26] In felaweshipe, and pilgrimes were they alle, [27] That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde. [28] The chambres and the stables weren wyde, [29] And wel we weren esed atte beste. [30] And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste, [31] So hadde I spoken with hem everichon [32] That I was of hir felaweshipe anon, [33] And made forward erly for to ryse, [34] To take oure wey ther as I yow devyse. [35] But nathelees, whil I have tyme and space, [36] Er that I ferther in this tale pace, [37] Me thynketh it acordaunt to resoun [38] To telle yow al the condicioun [39] Of ech of hem, so as it semed me, [40] And whiche they weren, and of what degree, [41] And eek in what array that they were inne; [42] And at a knyght than wol I first bigynne. [43] A KNYGHT ther was, and that a worthy man, [44] That fro the tyme that he first bigan [45] To riden out, he loved chivalrie, [46] Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie. [47] Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre, [48] And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre, [49] As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse, [50] And evere honoured for his worthynesse; [51] At Alisaundre he was whan it was wonne. [52] Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne [53] Aboven alle nacions in Pruce; [54] In Lettow hadde he reysed and in Ruce, [55] No Cristen man so ofte of his degree. [56] In Gernade at the seege eek hadde he be [57] Of Algezir, and riden in Belmarye. [58] At Lyeys was he and at Satalye, [59] Whan they were wonne, and in the Grete See [60] At many a noble armee hadde he be. [61] At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene, [62] And foughten for oure feith at Tramyssene [63] In lystes thries, and ay slayn his foo. [64] This ilke worthy knyght hadde been also [65] Somtyme with the lord of Palatye [66] Agayn another hethen in Turkye; [67] And everemoore he hadde a sovereyn prys. [68] And though that he were worthy, he was wys, [69] And of his port as meeke as is a mayde. [70] He nevere yet no vileynye ne sayde [71] In al his lyf unto no maner wight. [72] He was a verray, parfit gentil knyght. [73] But for to tellen yow of his array, [74] His hors were goode, but he was nat gay. [75] Of fustian he wered a gypon [76] Al bismotered with his habergeon, [77] For he was late ycome from his viage, [78] And wente for to doon his pilgrymage. [79] With hym ther was his sone, a yong SQUIER, [80] A lovyere and a lusty bacheler, [81] With lokkes crulle as they were leyd in presse. [82] Of twenty yeer of age he was, I gesse. [83] Of his stature he was of evene lengthe, [84] And wonderly delyvere, and of greet strengthe. [85] And he hadde been somtyme in chyvachie [86] In Flaundres, in Artoys, and Pycardie, [87] And born hym weel, as of so litel space, [88] In hope to stonden in his lady grace. [89] Embrouded was he, as it were a meede [90] Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and reede. [91] Syngynge he was, or floytynge, al the day; [92] He was as fressh as is the month of May. [93] Short was his gowne, with sleves longe and wyde. [94] Wel koude he sitte on hors and faire ryde. [95] He koude songes make and wel endite, [96] Juste and eek daunce, and weel purtreye and write. [97] So hoote he lovede that by nyghtertale [98] He sleep namoore than dooth a nyghtyngale. [99] Curteis he was, lowely, and servysable, [100] And carf biforn his fader at the table. [101] A YEMAN hadde he and servantz namo [102] At that tyme, for hym liste ride so, [103] And he was clad in cote and hood of grene. [104] A sheef of pecok arwes, bright and kene, [105] Under his belt he bar ful thriftily [106] (Wel koude he dresse his takel yemanly; [107] His arwes drouped noght with fetheres lowe), [108] And in his hand he baar a myghty bowe. [109] A not heed hadde he, with a broun visage. [110] Of wodecraft wel koude he al the usage. [111] Upon his arm he baar a gay bracer, [112] And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler, [113] And on that oother syde a gay daggere [114] Harneised wel and sharp as point of spere; [115] A Cristopher on his brest of silver sheene. [116] An horn he bar, the bawdryk was of grene; [117] A forster was he, soothly, as I gesse. [118] Ther was also a Nonne, a PRIORESSE, [119] That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy; [120] Hire gretteste ooth was but by Seinte Loy; [121] And she was cleped madame Eglentyne. [122] Ful weel she soong the service dyvyne, [123] Entuned in hir nose ful semely; [124] And Frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly, [125] After the scole of Stratford atte Bowe, [126] For Frenssh of Parys was to hire unknowe. [127] At mete wel ytaught was she with alle; [128] She leet no morsel from hir lippes falle, [129] Ne wette hir fyngres in hir sauce depe; [130] Wel koude she carie a morsel and wel kepe [131] That no drope ne fille upon hire brest. [132] In curteisie was set ful muchel hir lest. [133] Hir over-lippe wyped she so clene [134] That in hir coppe ther was no ferthyng sene [135] Of grece, whan she dronken hadde hir draughte. [136] Ful semely after hir mete she raughte. [137] And sikerly she was of greet desport, [138] And ful plesaunt, and amyable of port, [139] And peyned hire to countrefete cheere [140] Of court, and to been estatlich of manere, [141] And to ben holden digne of reverence. [142] But for to speken of hire conscience, [143] She was so charitable and so pitous [144] She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mous [145] Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde. [146] Of smale houndes hadde she that she fedde [147] With rosted flessh, or milk and wastel-breed. [148] But soore wepte she if oon of hem were deed, [149] Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte; [150] And al was conscience and tendre herte. [151] Ful semyly hir wympul pynched was, [152] Hir nose tretys, hir eyen greye as glas, [153] Hir mouth ful smal, and therto softe and reed. [154] But sikerly she hadde a fair forheed; [155] It was almoost a spanne brood, I trowe; [156] For, hardily, she was nat undergrowe. [157] Ful fetys was hir cloke, as I was war. [158] Of smal coral aboute hire arm she bar [159] A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene, [160] And theron heng a brooch of gold ful sheene, [161] On which ther was first write a crowned A, [162] And after Amor vincit omnia. [163] Another NONNE with hire hadde she, [164] That was hir chapeleyne, and preestes thre. [165] A MONK ther was, a fair for the maistrie, [166] An outridere, that lovede venerie, [167] A manly man, to been an abbot able. [168] Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable, [169] And whan he rood, men myghte his brydel heere [170] Gynglen in a whistlynge wynd als cleere [171] And eek as loude as dooth the chapel belle [172] Ther as this lord was kepere of the celle. [173] The reule of Seint Maure or of Seint Beneit -- [174] By cause that it was old and somdel streit [175] This ilke Monk leet olde thynges pace, [176] And heeld after the newe world the space. [177] He yaf nat of that text a pulled hen, [178] That seith that hunters ben nat hooly men, [179] Ne that a monk, whan he is recchelees, [180] Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees -- [181] This is to seyn, a monk out of his cloystre. [182] But thilke text heeld he nat worth an oystre; [183] And I seyde his opinion was good. [184] What sholde he studie and make hymselven wood, [185] Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure, [186] Or swynken with his handes, and laboure, [187] As Austyn bit? How shal the world be served? [188] Lat Austyn have his swynk to hym reserved! [189] Therfore he was a prikasour aright: [190] Grehoundes he hadde as swift as fowel in flight; [191] Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare [192] Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare. [193] I seigh his sleves purfiled at the hond [194] With grys, and that the fyneste of a lond; [195] And for to festne his hood under his chyn, [196] He hadde of gold ywroght a ful curious pyn; [197] A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was. [198] His heed was balled, that shoon as any glas, [199] And eek his face, as he hadde been enoynt. [200] He was a lord ful fat and in good poynt; [201] His eyen stepe, and rollynge in his heed, [202] That stemed as a forneys of a leed; [203] His bootes souple, his hors in greet estaat. [204] Now certeinly he was a fair prelaat; [205] He was nat pale as a forpyned goost. [206] A fat swan loved he best of any roost. [207] His palfrey was as broun as is a berye. [208] A FRERE ther was, a wantowne and a merye, [209] A lymytour, a ful solempne man. [210] In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan [211] So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage. [212] He hadde maad ful many a mariage [213] Of yonge wommen at his owene cost. [214] Unto his ordre he was a noble post. [215] Ful wel biloved and famulier was he [216] With frankeleyns over al in his contree, [217] And eek with worthy wommen of the toun; [218] For he hadde power of confessioun, [219] As seyde hymself, moore than a curat, [220] For of his ordre he was licenciat. [221] Ful swetely herde he confessioun, [222] And plesaunt was his absolucioun: [223] He was an esy man to yeve penaunce, [224] Ther as he wiste to have a good pitaunce. [225] For unto a povre ordre for to yive [226] Is signe that a man is wel yshryve; [227] For if he yaf, he dorste make avaunt, [228] He wiste that a man was repentaunt; [229] For many a man so hard is of his herte, [230] He may nat wepe, althogh hym soore smerte. [231] Therfore in stede of wepynge and preyeres [232] Men moote yeve silver to the povre freres. [233] His typet was ay farsed ful of knyves [234] And pynnes, for to yeven faire wyves. [235] And certeinly he hadde a murye note: [236] Wel koude he synge and pleyen on a rote; [237] Of yeddynges he baar outrely the pris. [238] His nekke whit was as the flour-de-lys; [239] Therto he strong was as a champioun. [240] He knew the tavernes wel in every toun [241] And everich hostiler and tappestere [242] Bet than a lazar or a beggestere, [243] For unto swich a worthy man as he [244] Acorded nat, as by his facultee, [245] To have with sike lazars aqueyntaunce. [246] It is nat honest; it may nat avaunce, [247] For to deelen with no swich poraille, [248] But al with riche and selleres of vitaille. [249] And over al, ther as profit sholde arise, [250] Curteis he was and lowely of servyse; [251] Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous. [252] He was the beste beggere in his hous; [252a] [And yaf a certeyn ferme for the graunt; [252b] Noon of his bretheren cam ther in his haunt;] [253] For thogh a wydwe hadde noght a sho, [254] So plesaunt was his "In principio," [255] Yet wolde he have a ferthyng, er he wente. [256] His purchas was wel bettre than his rente. [257] And rage he koude, as it were right a whelp. [258] In love-dayes ther koude he muchel help, [259] For ther he was nat lyk a cloysterer [260] With a thredbare cope, as is a povre scoler, [261] But he was lyk a maister or a pope. [262] Of double worstede was his semycope, [263] That rounded as a belle out of the presse. [264] Somwhat he lipsed, for his wantownesse, [265] To make his Englissh sweete upon his tonge; [266] And in his harpyng, whan that he hadde songe, [267] His eyen twynkled in his heed aryght [268] As doon the sterres in the frosty nyght. [269] This worthy lymytour was cleped Huberd. [270] A MARCHANT was ther with a forked berd, [271] In mottelee, and hye on horse he sat; [272] Upon his heed a Flaundryssh bever hat, [273] His bootes clasped faire and fetisly. [274] His resons he spak ful solempnely, [275] Sownynge alwey th' encrees of his wynnyng. [276] He wolde the see were kept for any thyng [277] Bitwixe Middelburgh and Orewelle. [278] Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle. [279] This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette: [280] Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette, [281] So estatly was he of his governaunce [282] With his bargaynes and with his chevyssaunce. [283] For sothe he was a worthy man with alle, [284] But, sooth to seyn, I noot how men hym calle. [285] A CLERK ther was of Oxenford also, [286] That unto logyk hadde longe ygo. [287] As leene was his hors as is a rake, [288] And he nas nat right fat, I undertake, [289] But looked holwe, and therto sobrely. [290] Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy, [291] For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice, [292] Ne was so worldly for to have office. [293] For hym was levere have at his beddes heed [294] Twenty bookes, clad in blak or reed, [295] Of Aristotle and his philosophie [296] Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie. [297] But al be that he was a philosophre, [298] Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre; [299] But al that he myghte of his freendes hente, [300] On bookes and on lernynge he it spente, [301] And bisily gan for the soules preye [302] Of hem that yaf hym wherwith to scoleye. [303] Of studie took he moost cure and moost heede. [304] Noght o word spak he moore than was neede, [305] And that was seyd in forme and reverence, [306] And short and quyk and ful of hy sentence; [307] Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche, [308] And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche. [309] A SERGEANT OF THE LAWE, war and wys, [310] That often hadde been at the Parvys, [311] Ther was also, ful riche of excellence. [312] Discreet he was and of greet reverence -- [313] He semed swich, his wordes weren so wise. [314] Justice he was ful often in assise, [315] By patente and by pleyn commissioun. [316] For his science and for his heigh renoun, [317] Of fees and robes hadde he many oon. [318] So greet a purchasour was nowher noon: [319] Al was fee symple to hym in effect; [320] His purchasyng myghte nat been infect. [321] Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas, [322] And yet he semed bisier than he was. [323] In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle [324] That from the tyme of kyng William were falle. [325] Therto he koude endite and make a thyng, [326] Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng; [327] And every statut koude he pleyn by rote. [328] He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote, [329] Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale; [330] Of his array telle I no lenger tale. [331] A FRANKELEYN was in his compaignye. [332] Whit was his berd as is the dayesye; [333] Of his complexioun he was sangwyn. [334] Wel loved he by the morwe a sop in wyn; [335] To lyven in delit was evere his wone, [336] For he was Epicurus owene sone, [337] That heeld opinioun that pleyn delit [338] Was verray felicitee parfit. [339] An housholdere, and that a greet, was he; [340] Seint Julian he was in his contree. [341] His breed, his ale, was alweys after oon; [342] A bettre envyned man was nowher noon. [343] Withoute bake mete was nevere his hous, [344] Of fissh and flessh, and that so plentevous [345] It snewed in his hous of mete and drynke; [346] Of alle deyntees that men koude thynke, [347] After the sondry sesons of the yeer, [348] So chaunged he his mete and his soper. [349] Ful many a fat partrich hadde he in muwe, [350] And many a breem and many a luce in stuwe. [351] Wo was his cook but if his sauce were [352] Poynaunt and sharp, and redy al his geere. [353] His table dormant in his halle alway [354] Stood redy covered al the longe day. [355] At sessiouns ther was he lord and sire; [356] Ful ofte tyme he was knyght of the shire. [357] An anlaas and a gipser al of silk [358] Heeng at his girdel, whit as morne milk. [359] A shirreve hadde he been, and a contour. [360] Was nowher swich a worthy vavasour. [361] AN HABERDASSHERE and a CARPENTER, [362] A WEBBE, a DYERE, and a TAPYCER -- [363] And they were clothed alle in o lyveree [364] Of a solempne and a greet fraternitee. [365] Ful fressh and newe hir geere apiked was; [366] Hir knyves were chaped noght with bras [367] But al with silver, wroght ful clene and weel, [368] Hire girdles and hir pouches everydeel. [369] Wel semed ech of hem a fair burgeys [370] To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys. [371] Everich, for the wisdom that he kan, [372] Was shaply for to been an alderman. [373] For catel hadde they ynogh and rente, [374] And eek hir wyves wolde it wel assente; [375] And elles certeyn were they to blame. [376] It is ful fair to been ycleped "madame," [377] And goon to vigilies al bifore, [378] And have a mantel roialliche ybore. [379] A COOK they hadde with hem for the nones [380] To boille the chiknes with the marybones, [381] And poudre-marchant tart and galyngale. [382] Wel koude he knowe a draughte of Londoun ale. [383] He koude rooste, and sethe, and broille, and frye, [384] Maken mortreux, and wel bake a pye. [385] But greet harm was it, as it thoughte me, [386] That on his shyne a mormal hadde he. [387] For blankmanger, that made he with the beste. [388] A SHIPMAN was ther, wonynge fer by weste; [389] For aught I woot, he was of Dertemouthe. [390] He rood upon a rouncy, as he kouthe, [391] In a gowne of faldyng to the knee. [392] A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he [393] Aboute his nekke, under his arm adoun. [394] The hoote somer hadde maad his hewe al broun; [395] And certeinly he was a good felawe. [396] Ful many a draughte of wyn had he ydrawe [397] Fro Burdeux-ward, whil that the chapman sleep. [398] Of nyce conscience took he no keep. [399] If that he faught and hadde the hyer hond, [400] By water he sente hem hoom to every lond. [401] But of his craft to rekene wel his tydes, [402] His stremes, and his daungers hym bisides, [403] His herberwe, and his moone, his lodemenage, [404] Ther nas noon swich from Hulle to Cartage. [405] Hardy he was and wys to undertake; [406] With many a tempest hadde his berd been shake. [407] He knew alle the havenes, as they were, [408] Fro Gootlond to the cape of Fynystere, [409] And every cryke in Britaigne and in Spayne. [410] His barge ycleped was the Maudelayne. [411] With us ther was a DOCTOUR OF PHISIK; [412] In al this world ne was ther noon hym lik, [413] To speke of phisik and of surgerye, [414] For he was grounded in astronomye. [415] He kepte his pacient a ful greet deel [416] In houres by his magyk natureel. [417] Wel koude he fortunen the ascendent [418] Of his ymages for his pacient. [419] He knew the cause of everich maladye, [420] Were it of hoot, or coold, or moyste, or drye, [421] And where they engendred, and of what humour. [422] He was a verray, parfit praktisour: [423] The cause yknowe, and of his harm the roote, [424] Anon he yaf the sike man his boote. [425] Ful redy hadde he his apothecaries [426] To sende hym drogges and his letuaries, [427] For ech of hem made oother for to wynne -- [428] Hir frendshipe nas nat newe to bigynne. [429] Wel knew he the olde Esculapius, [430] And Deyscorides, and eek Rufus, [431] Olde Ypocras, Haly, and Galyen, [432] Serapion, Razis, and Avycen, [433] Averrois, Damascien, and Constantyn, [434] Bernard, and Gatesden, and Gilbertyn. [435] Of his diete mesurable was he, [436] For it was of no superfluitee, [437] But of greet norissyng and digestible. [438] His studie was but litel on the Bible. [439] In sangwyn and in pers he clad was al, [440] Lyned with taffata and with sendal. [441] And yet he was but esy of dispence; [442] He kepte that he wan in pestilence. [443] For gold in phisik is a cordial, [444] Therefore he lovede gold in special. [445] A good WIF was ther OF biside BATHE, [446] But she was somdel deef, and that was scathe. [447] Of clooth-makyng she hadde swich an haunt [448] She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt. [449] In al the parisshe wif ne was ther noon [450] That to the offrynge bifore hire sholde goon; [451] And if ther dide, certeyn so wrooth was she [452] That she was out of alle charitee. [453] Hir coverchiefs ful fyne weren of ground; [454] I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound [455] That on a Sonday weren upon hir heed. [456] Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed, [457] Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moyste and newe. [458] Boold was hir face, and fair, and reed of hewe. [459] She was a worthy womman al hir lyve: [460] Housbondes at chirche dore she hadde fyve, [461] Withouten oother compaignye in youthe -- [462] But thereof nedeth nat to speke as nowthe. [463] And thries hadde she been at Jerusalem; [464] She hadde passed many a straunge strem; [465] At Rome she hadde been, and at Boloigne, [466] In Galice at Seint-Jame, and at Coloigne. [467] She koude muchel of wandrynge by the weye. [468] Gat-tothed was she, soothly for to seye. [469] Upon an amblere esily she sat, [470] Ywympled wel, and on hir heed an hat [471] As brood as is a bokeler or a targe; [472] A foot-mantel aboute hir hipes large, [473] And on hir feet a paire of spores sharpe. [474] In felaweshipe wel koude she laughe and carpe. [475] Of remedies of love she knew per chaunce, [476] For she koude of that art the olde daunce. [477] A good man was ther of religioun, [478] And was a povre PERSOUN OF A TOUN, [479] But riche he was of hooly thoght and werk. [480] He was also a lerned man, a clerk, [481] That Cristes gospel trewely wolde preche; [482] His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche. [483] Benygne he was, and wonder diligent, [484] And in adversitee ful pacient, [485] And swich he was ypreved ofte sithes. [486] Ful looth were hym to cursen for his tithes, [487] But rather wolde he yeven, out of doute, [488] Unto his povre parisshens aboute [489] Of his offryng and eek of his substaunce. [490] He koude in litel thyng have suffisaunce. [491] Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer asonder, [492] But he ne lefte nat, for reyn ne thonder, [493] In siknesse nor in meschief to visite [494] The ferreste in his parisshe, muche and lite, [495] Upon his feet, and in his hand a staf. [496] This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf, [497] That first he wroghte, and afterward he taughte. [498] Out of the gospel he tho wordes caughte, [499] And this figure he added eek therto, [500] That if gold ruste, what shal iren do? [501] For if a preest be foul, on whom we truste, [502] No wonder is a lewed man to ruste; [503] And shame it is, if a prest take keep, [504] A shiten shepherde and a clene sheep. [505] Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yive, [506] By his clennesse, how that his sheep sholde lyve. [507] He sette nat his benefice to hyre [508] And leet his sheep encombred in the myre [509] And ran to Londoun unto Seinte Poules [510] To seken hym a chaunterie for soules, [511] Or with a bretherhed to been withholde; [512] But dwelte at hoom, and kepte wel his folde, [513] So that the wolf ne made it nat myscarie; [514] He was a shepherde and noght a mercenarie. [515] And though he hooly were and vertuous, [516] He was to synful men nat despitous, [517] Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne, [518] But in his techyng discreet and benygne. [519] To drawen folk to hevene by fairnesse, [520] By good ensample, this was his bisynesse. [521] But it were any persone obstinat, [522] What so he were, of heigh or lough estat, [523] Hym wolde he snybben sharply for the nonys. [524] A bettre preest I trowe that nowher noon ys. [525] He waited after no pompe and reverence, [526] Ne maked him a spiced conscience, [527] But Cristes loore and his apostles twelve [528] He taughte; but first he folwed it hymselve. [529] With hym ther was a PLOWMAN, was his brother, [530] That hadde ylad of dong ful many a fother; [531] A trewe swynkere and a good was he, [532] Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee. [533] God loved he best with al his hoole herte [534] At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte, [535] And thanne his neighebor right as hymselve. [536] He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve, [537] For Cristes sake, for every povre wight, [538] Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght. [539] His tithes payde he ful faire and wel, [540] Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel. [541] In a tabard he rood upon a mere. [542] Ther was also a REVE, and a MILLERE, [543] A SOMNOUR, and a PARDONER also, [544] A MAUNCIPLE, and myself -- ther were namo. [545] The MILLERE was a stout carl for the nones; [546] Ful byg he was of brawn, and eek of bones. [547] That proved wel, for over al ther he cam, [548] At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram. [549] He was short-sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre; [550] Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre, [551] Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed. [552] His berd as any sowe or fox was reed, [553] And therto brood, as though it were a spade. [554] Upon the cop right of his nose he hade [555] A werte, and theron stood a toft of herys, [556] Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys; [557] His nosethirles blake were and wyde. [558] A swerd and a bokeler bar he by his syde. [559] His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys. [560] He was a janglere and a goliardeys, [561] And that was moost of synne and harlotries. [562] Wel koude he stelen corn and tollen thries; [563] And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee. [564] A whit cote and a blew hood wered he. [565] A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne, [566] And therwithal he broghte us out of towne. [567] A gentil MAUNCIPLE was ther of a temple, [568] Of which achatours myghte take exemple [569] For to be wise in byynge of vitaille; [570] For wheither that he payde or took by taille, [571] Algate he wayted so in his achaat [572] That he was ay biforn and in good staat. [573] Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace [574] That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace [575] The wisdom of an heep of lerned men? [576] Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten, [577] That weren of lawe expert and curious, [578] Of which ther were a duszeyne in that hous [579] Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond [580] Of any lord that is in Engelond, [581] To make hym lyve by his propre good [582] In honour dettelees (but if he were wood), [583] Or lyve as scarsly as hym list desire; [584] And able for to helpen al a shire [585] In any caas that myghte falle or happe. [586] And yet this Manciple sette hir aller cappe. [587] The REVE was a sclendre colerik man. [588] His berd was shave as ny as ever he kan; [589] His heer was by his erys ful round yshorn; [590] His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn. [591] Ful longe were his legges and ful lene, [592] Ylyk a staf; ther was no calf ysene. [593] Wel koude he kepe a gerner and a bynne; [594] Ther was noon auditour koude on him wynne. [595] Wel wiste he by the droghte and by the reyn [596] The yeldynge of his seed and of his greyn. [597] His lordes sheep, his neet, his dayerye, [598] His swyn, his hors, his stoor, and his pultrye [599] Was hoolly in this Reves governynge, [600] And by his covenant yaf the rekenynge, [601] Syn that his lord was twenty yeer of age. [602] Ther koude no man brynge hym in arrerage. [603] Ther nas baillif, ne hierde, nor oother hyne, [604] That he ne knew his sleighte and his covyne; [605] They were adrad of hym as of the deeth. [606] His wonyng was ful faire upon an heeth; [607] With grene trees yshadwed was his place. [608] He koude bettre than his lord purchace. [609] Ful riche he was astored pryvely. [610] His lord wel koude he plesen subtilly, [611] To yeve and lene hym of his owene good, [612] And have a thank, and yet a cote and hood. [613] In youthe he hadde lerned a good myster: [614] He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter. [615] This Reve sat upon a ful good stot [616] That was al pomely grey and highte Scot. [617] A long surcote of pers upon he hade, [618] And by his syde he baar a rusty blade. [619] Of Northfolk was this Reve of which I telle, [620] Biside a toun men clepen Baldeswelle. [621] Tukked he was as is a frere aboute, [622] And evere he rood the hyndreste of oure route. [623] A SOMONOUR was ther with us in that place, [624] That hadde a fyr-reed cherubynnes face, [625] For saucefleem he was, with eyen narwe. [626] As hoot he was and lecherous as a sparwe, [627] With scalled browes blake and piled berd. [628] Of his visage children were aferd. [629] Ther nas quyk-silver, lytarge, ne brymstoon, [630] Boras, ceruce, ne oille of tartre noon, [631] Ne oynement that wolde clense and byte, [632] That hym myghte helpen of his whelkes white, [633] Nor of the knobbes sittynge on his chekes. [634] Wel loved he garleek, oynons, and eek lekes, [635] And for to drynken strong wyn, reed as blood; [636] Thanne wolde he speke and crie as he were wood. [637] And whan that he wel dronken hadde the wyn, [638] Thanne wolde he speke no word but Latyn. [639] A fewe termes hadde he, two or thre, [640] That he had lerned out of som decree -- [641] No wonder is, he herde it al the day; [642] And eek ye knowen wel how that a jay [643] Kan clepen "Watte" as wel as kan the pope. [644] But whoso koude in oother thyng hym grope, [645] Thanne hadde he spent al his philosophie; [646] Ay "Questio quid iuris" wolde he crie. [647] He was a gentil harlot and a kynde; [648] A bettre felawe sholde men noght fynde. [649] He wolde suffre for a quart of wyn [650] A good felawe to have his concubyn [651] A twelf month, and excuse hym atte fulle; [652] Ful prively a fynch eek koude he pulle. [653] And if he foond owher a good felawe, [654] He wolde techen him to have noon awe [655] In swich caas of the ercedekenes curs, [656] But if a mannes soule were in his purs; [657] For in his purs he sholde ypunysshed be. [658] "Purs is the ercedekenes helle," seyde he. [659] But wel I woot he lyed right in dede; [660] Of cursyng oghte ech gilty man him drede, [661] For curs wol slee right as assoillyng savith, [662] And also war hym of a Significavit. [663] In daunger hadde he at his owene gise [664] The yonge girles of the diocise, [665] And knew hir conseil, and was al hir reed. [666] A gerland hadde he set upon his heed, [667] As greet as it were for an ale-stake. [668] A bokeleer hadde he maad hym of a cake. [669] With hym ther rood a gentil PARDONER [670] Of Rouncivale, his freend and his compeer, [671] That streight was comen fro the court of Rome. [672] Ful loude he soong "Com hider, love, to me!" [673] This Somonour bar to hym a stif burdoun; [674] Was nevere trompe of half so greet a soun. [675] This Pardoner hadde heer as yelow as wex, [676] But smothe it heeng as dooth a strike of flex; [677] By ounces henge his lokkes that he hadde, [678] And therwith he his shuldres overspradde; [679] But thynne it lay, by colpons oon and oon. [680] But hood, for jolitee, wered he noon, [681] For it was trussed up in his walet. [682] Hym thoughte he rood al of the newe jet; [683] Dischevelee, save his cappe, he rood al bare. [684] Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an hare. [685] A vernycle hadde he sowed upon his cappe. [686] His walet, biforn hym in his lappe, [687] Bretful of pardoun comen from Rome al hoot. [688] A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot. [689] No berd hadde he, ne nevere sholde have; [690] As smothe it was as it were late shave. [691] I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare. [692] But of his craft, fro Berwyk into Ware [693] Ne was ther swich another pardoner. [694] For in his male he hadde a pilwe-beer, [695] Which that he seyde was Oure Lady veyl; [696] He seyde he hadde a gobet of the seyl [697] That Seint Peter hadde, whan that he wente [698] Upon the see, til Jhesu Crist hym hente. [699] He hadde a croys of latoun ful of stones, [700] And in a glas he hadde pigges bones. [701] But with thise relikes, whan that he fond [702] A povre person dwellynge upon lond, [703] Upon a day he gat hym moore moneye [704] Than that the person gat in monthes tweye; [705] And thus, with feyned flaterye and japes, [706] He made the person and the peple his apes. [707] But trewely to tellen atte laste, [708] He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste. [709] Wel koude he rede a lessoun or a storie, [710] But alderbest he song an offertorie; [711] For wel he wiste, whan that song was songe, [712] He moste preche and wel affile his tonge [713] To wynne silver, as he ful wel koude; [714] Therefore he song the murierly and loude. [715] Now have I toold you soothly, in a clause, [716] Th' estaat, th' array, the nombre, and eek the cause [717] Why that assembled was this compaignye [718] In Southwerk at this gentil hostelrye [719] That highte the Tabard, faste by the Belle. [720] But now is tyme to yow for to telle [721] How that we baren us that ilke nyght, [722] Whan we were in that hostelrie alyght; [723] And after wol I telle of our viage [724] And al the remenaunt of oure pilgrimage. [725] But first I pray yow, of youre curteisye, [726] That ye n' arette it nat my vileynye, [727] Thogh that I pleynly speke in this mateere, [728] To telle yow hir wordes and hir cheere, [729] Ne thogh I speke hir wordes proprely. [730] For this ye knowen al so wel as I: [731] Whoso shal telle a tale after a man, [732] He moot reherce as ny as evere he kan [733] Everich a word, if it be in his charge, [734] Al speke he never so rudeliche and large, [735] Or ellis he moot telle his tale untrewe, [736] Or feyne thyng, or fynde wordes newe. [737] He may nat spare, althogh he were his brother; [738] He moot as wel seye o word as another. [739] Crist spak hymself ful brode in hooly writ, [740] And wel ye woot no vileynye is it. [741] Eek Plato seith, whoso kan hym rede, [742] The wordes moote be cosyn to the dede. [743] Also I prey yow to foryeve it me, [744] Al have I nat set folk in hir degree [745] Heere in this tale, as that they sholde stonde. [746] My wit is short, ye may wel understonde. [747] Greet chiere made oure Hoost us everichon, [748] And to the soper sette he us anon. [749] He served us with vitaille at the beste; [750] Strong was the wyn, and wel to drynke us leste. [751] A semely man OURE HOOSTE was withalle [752] For to been a marchal in an halle. [753] A large man he was with eyen stepe -- [754] A fairer burgeys was ther noon in Chepe -- [755] Boold of his speche, and wys, and wel ytaught, [756] And of manhod hym lakkede right naught. [757] Eek therto he was right a myrie man; [758] And after soper pleyen he bigan, [759] And spak of myrthe amonges othere thynges, [760] Whan that we hadde maad oure rekenynges, [761] And seyde thus: "Now, lordynges, trewely, [762] Ye been to me right welcome, hertely; [763] For by my trouthe, if that I shal nat lye, [764] I saugh nat this yeer so myrie a compaignye [765] Atones in this herberwe as is now. [766] Fayn wolde I doon yow myrthe, wiste I how. [767] And of a myrthe I am right now bythoght, [768] To doon yow ese, and it shal coste noght. [769] "Ye goon to Caunterbury -- God yow speede, [770] The blisful martir quite yow youre meede! [771] And wel I woot, as ye goon by the weye, [772] Ye shapen yow to talen and to pleye; [773] For trewely, confort ne myrthe is noon [774] To ride by the weye doumb as a stoon; [775] And therfore wol I maken yow disport, [776] As I seyde erst, and doon yow som confort. [777] And if yow liketh alle by oon assent [778] For to stonden at my juggement, [779] And for to werken as I shal yow seye, [780] Tomorwe, whan ye riden by the weye, [781] Now, by my fader soule that is deed, [782] But ye be myrie, I wol yeve yow myn heed! [783] Hoold up youre hondes, withouten moore speche." [784] Oure conseil was nat longe for to seche. [785] Us thoughte it was noght worth to make it wys, [786] And graunted hym withouten moore avys, [787] And bad him seye his voirdit as hym leste. [788] "Lordynges," quod he, "now herkneth for the beste; [789] But taak it nought, I prey yow, in desdeyn. [790] This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn, [791] That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye, [792] In this viage shal telle tales tweye [793] To Caunterbury-ward, I mene it so, [794] And homward he shal tellen othere two, [795] Of aventures that whilom han bifalle. [796] And which of yow that bereth hym best of alle -- [797] That is to seyn, that telleth in this caas [798] Tales of best sentence and moost solaas -- [799] Shal have a soper at oure aller cost [800] Heere in this place, sittynge by this post, [801] Whan that we come agayn fro Caunterbury. [802] And for to make yow the moore mury, [803] I wol myselven goodly with yow ryde, [804] Right at myn owene cost, and be youre gyde; [805] And whoso wole my juggement withseye [806] Shal paye al that we spenden by the weye. [807] And if ye vouche sauf that it be so, [808] Tel me anon, withouten wordes mo, [809] And I wol erly shape me therfore." [810] This thyng was graunted, and oure othes swore [811] With ful glad herte, and preyden hym also [812] That he wolde vouche sauf for to do so, [813] And that he wolde been oure governour, [814] And of oure tales juge and reportour, [815] And sette a soper at a certeyn pris, [816] And we wol reuled been at his devys [817] In heigh and lough; and thus by oon assent [818] We been acorded to his juggement. [819] And therupon the wyn was fet anon; [820] We dronken, and to reste wente echon, [821] Withouten any lenger taryynge. [822] Amorwe, whan that day bigan to sprynge, [823] Up roos oure Hoost, and was oure aller cok, [824] And gadrede us togidre alle in a flok, [825] And forth we riden a litel moore than paas [826] Unto the Wateryng of Seint Thomas; [827] And there oure Hoost bigan his hors areste [828] And seyde, "Lordynges, herkneth, if yow leste. [829] Ye woot youre foreward, and I it yow recorde. [830] If even-song and morwe-song accorde, [831] Lat se now who shal telle the firste tale. [832] As evere mote I drynke wyn or ale, [833] Whoso be rebel to my juggement [834] Shal paye for al that by the wey is spent. [835] Now draweth cut, er that we ferrer twynne; [836] He which that hath the shorteste shal bigynne. [837] Sire Knyght," quod he, "my mayster and my lord, [838] Now draweth cut, for that is myn accord. [839] Cometh neer," quod he, "my lady Prioresse. [840] And ye, sire Clerk, lat be youre shamefastnesse, [841] Ne studieth noght; ley hond to, every man!" [842] Anon to drawen every wight bigan, [843] And shortly for to tellen as it was, [844] Were it by aventure, or sort, or cas, [845] The sothe is this: the cut fil to the Knyght, [846] Of which ful blithe and glad was every wyght, [847] And telle he moste his tale, as was resoun, [848] By foreward and by composicioun, [849] As ye han herd; what nedeth wordes mo? [850] And whan this goode man saugh that it was so, [851] As he that wys was and obedient [852] To kepe his foreward by his free assent, [853] He seyde, "Syn I shal bigynne the game, [854] What, welcome be the cut, a Goddes name! [855] Now lat us ryde, and herkneth what I seye." [856] And with that word we ryden forth oure weye, [857] And he bigan with right a myrie cheere [858] His tale anon, and seyde as ye may heere. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Knight's Tale [859] Whilom, as olde stories tellen us, [860] Ther was a duc that highte Theseus; [861] Of Atthenes he was lord and governour, [862] And in his tyme swich a conquerour [863] That gretter was ther noon under the sonne. [864] Ful many a riche contree hadde he wonne; [865] What with his wysdom and his chivalrie, [866] He conquered al the regne of Femenye, [867] That whilom was ycleped Scithia, [868] And weddede the queene Ypolita, [869] And broghte hire hoom with hym in his contree [870] With muchel glorie and greet solempnytee, [871] And eek hir yonge suster Emelye. [872] And thus with victorie and with melodye [873] Lete I this noble duc to Atthenes ryde, [874] And al his hoost in armes hym bisyde. [875] And certes, if it nere to long to heere, [876] I wolde have toold yow fully the manere [877] How wonnen was the regne of Femenye [878] By Theseus and by his chivalrye; [879] And of the grete bataille for the nones [880] Bitwixen Atthenes and Amazones; [881] And how asseged was Ypolita, [882] The faire, hardy queene of Scithia; [883] And of the feste that was at hir weddynge, [884] And of the tempest at hir hoom-comynge; [885] But al that thyng I moot as now forbere. [886] I have, God woot, a large feeld to ere, [887] And wayke been the oxen in my plough. [888] The remenant of the tale is long ynough. [889] I wol nat letten eek noon of this route; [890] Lat every felawe telle his tale aboute, [891] And lat se now who shal the soper wynne; [892] And ther I lefte, I wol ayeyn bigynne. [893] This duc, of whom I make mencioun, [894] Whan he was come almoost unto the toun, [895] In al his wele and in his mooste pride, [896] He was war, as he caste his eye aside, [897] Where that ther kneled in the heighe weye [898] A compaignye of ladyes, tweye and tweye, [899] Ech after oother clad in clothes blake; [900] But swich a cry and swich a wo they make [901] That in this world nys creature lyvynge [902] That herde swich another waymentynge; [903] And of this cry they nolde nevere stenten [904] Til they the reynes of his brydel henten. [905] "What folk been ye, that at myn hom-comynge [906] Perturben so my feste with criynge?" [907] Quod Theseus. "Have ye so greet envye [908] Of myn honour, that thus compleyne and crye? [909] Or who hath yow mysboden or offended? [910] And telleth me if it may been amended, [911] And why that ye been clothed thus in blak." [912] The eldeste lady of hem alle spak, [913] Whan she hadde swowned with a deedly cheere, [914] That it was routhe for to seen and heere; [915] She seyde, "Lord, to whom Fortune hath yiven [916] Victorie, and as a conqueror to lyven, [917] Nat greveth us youre glorie and youre honour, [918] But we biseken mercy and socour. [919] Have mercy on oure wo and oure distresse! [920] Som drope of pitee, thurgh thy gentillesse, [921] Upon us wrecched wommen lat thou falle, [922] For, certes, lord, ther is noon of us alle [923] That she ne hath been a duchesse or a queene. [924] Now be we caytyves, as it is wel seene, [925] Thanked be Fortune and hire false wheel, [926] That noon estaat assureth to be weel. [927] And certes, lord, to abyden youre presence, [928] Heere in this temple of the goddesse Clemence [929] We han ben waitynge al this fourtenyght. [930] Now help us, lord, sith it is in thy myght. [931] "I, wrecche, which that wepe and wayle thus, [932] Was whilom wyf to kyng Cappaneus, [933] That starf at Thebes -- cursed be that day! -- [934] And alle we that been in this array [935] And maken al this lamentacioun, [936] We losten alle oure housbondes at that toun, [937] Whil that the seege theraboute lay. [938] And yet now the olde Creon -- weylaway! -- [939] That lord is now of Thebes the citee, [940] Fulfild of ire and of iniquitee, [941] He, for despit and for his tirannye, [942] To do the dede bodyes vileynye [943] Of alle oure lordes whiche that been yslawe, [944] Hath alle the bodyes on an heep ydrawe, [945] And wol nat suffren hem, by noon assent, [946] Neither to been yburyed nor ybrent, [947] But maketh houndes ete hem in despit." [948] And with that word, withouten moore respit, [949] They fillen gruf and criden pitously, [950] "Have on us wrecched wommen som mercy, [951] And lat oure sorwe synken in thyn herte." [952] This gentil duc doun from his courser sterte [953] With herte pitous, whan he herde hem speke. [954] Hym thoughte that his herte wolde breke, [955] Whan he saugh hem so pitous and so maat, [956] That whilom weren of so greet estaat; [957] And in his armes he hem alle up hente, [958] And hem conforteth in ful good entente, [959] And swoor his ooth, as he was trewe knyght, [960] He wolde doon so ferforthly his myght [961] Upon the tiraunt Creon hem to wreke [962] That al the peple of Grece sholde speke [963] How Creon was of Theseus yserved [964] As he that hadde his deeth ful wel deserved. [965] And right anoon, withouten moore abood, [966] His baner he desplayeth, and forth rood [967] To Thebes-ward, and al his hoost biside. [968] No neer Atthenes wolde he go ne ride, [969] Ne take his ese fully half a day, [970] But onward on his wey that nyght he lay, [971] And sente anon Ypolita the queene, [972] And Emelye, hir yonge suster sheene, [973] Unto the toun of Atthenes to dwelle, [974] And forth he rit; ther is namoore to telle. [975] The rede statue of Mars, with spere and targe, [976] So shyneth in his white baner large [977] That alle the feeldes glyteren up and doun; [978] And by his baner born is his penoun [979] Of gold ful riche, in which ther was ybete [980] The Mynotaur, which that he wan in Crete. [981] Thus rit this duc, thus rit this conquerour, [982] And in his hoost of chivalrie the flour, [983] Til that he cam to Thebes and alighte [984] Faire in a feeld, ther as he thoughte to fighte. [985] But shortly for to speken of this thyng, [986] With Creon, which that was of Thebes kyng, [987] He faught, and slough hym manly as a knyght [988] In pleyn bataille, and putte the folk to flyght; [989] And by assaut he wan the citee after, [990] And rente adoun bothe wall and sparre and rafter; [991] And to the ladyes he restored agayn [992] The bones of hir freendes that were slayn, [993] To doon obsequies, as was tho the gyse. [994] But it were al to longe for to devyse [995] The grete clamour and the waymentynge [996] That the ladyes made at the brennynge [997] Of the bodies, and the grete honour [998] That Theseus, the noble conquerour, [999] Dooth to the ladyes, whan they from hym wente; [1000] But shortly for to telle is myn entente. [1001] Whan that this worthy duc, this Theseus, [1002] Hath Creon slayn and wonne Thebes thus, [1003] Stille in that feeld he took al nyght his reste, [1004] And dide with al the contree as hym leste. [1005] To ransake in the taas of bodyes dede, [1006] Hem for to strepe of harneys and of wede, [1007] The pilours diden bisynesse and cure [1008] After the bataille and disconfiture. [1009] And so bifel that in the taas they founde, [1010] Thurgh-girt with many a grevous blody wounde, [1011] Two yonge knyghtes liggynge by and by, [1012] Bothe in oon armes, wroght ful richely, [1013] Of whiche two Arcita highte that oon, [1014] And that oother knyght highte Palamon. [1015] Nat fully quyke, ne fully dede they were, [1016] But by hir cote-armures and by hir gere [1017] The heraudes knewe hem best in special [1018] As they that weren of the blood roial [1019] Of Thebes, and of sustren two yborn. [1020] Out of the taas the pilours han hem torn, [1021] And han hem caried softe unto the tente [1022] Of Theseus; and he ful soone hem sente [1023] To Atthenes, to dwellen in prisoun [1024] Perpetuelly -- he nolde no raunsoun. [1025] And whan this worthy duc hath thus ydon, [1026] He took his hoost, and hoom he rit anon [1027] With laurer crowned as a conquerour; [1028] And ther he lyveth in joye and in honour [1029] Terme of his lyf; what nedeth wordes mo? [1030] And in a tour, in angwissh and in wo, [1031] This Palamon and his felawe Arcite [1032] For everemoore; ther may no gold hem quite. [1033] This passeth yeer by yeer and day by day, [1034] Till it fil ones, in a morwe of May, [1035] That Emelye, that fairer was to sene [1036] Than is the lylie upon his stalke grene, [1037] And fressher than the May with floures newe -- [1038] For with the rose colour stroof hire hewe, [1039] I noot which was the fyner of hem two -- [1040] Er it were day, as was hir wone to do, [1041] She was arisen and al redy dight, [1042] For May wole have no slogardie anyght. [1043] The sesoun priketh every gentil herte, [1044] And maketh it out of his slep to sterte, [1045] And seith "Arys, and do thyn observaunce." [1046] This maked Emelye have remembraunce [1047] To doon honour to May, and for to ryse. [1048] Yclothed was she fressh, for to devyse: [1049] Hir yelow heer was broyded in a tresse [1050] Bihynde hir bak, a yerde long, I gesse. [1051] And in the gardyn, at the sonne upriste, [1052] She walketh up and doun, and as hire liste [1053] She gadereth floures, party white and rede, [1054] To make a subtil gerland for hire hede; [1055] And as an aungel hevenysshly she soong. [1056] The grete tour, that was so thikke and stroong, [1057] Which of the castel was the chief dongeoun [1058] (Ther as the knyghtes weren in prisoun [1059] Of which I tolde yow and tellen shal), [1060] Was evene joynant to the gardyn wal [1061] Ther as this Emelye hadde hir pleyynge. [1062] Bright was the sonne and cleer that morwenynge, [1063] And Palamoun, this woful prisoner, [1064] As was his wone, by leve of his gayler, [1065] Was risen and romed in a chambre an heigh, [1066] In which he al the noble citee seigh, [1067] And eek the gardyn, ful of braunches grene, [1068] Ther as this fresshe Emelye the shene [1069] Was in hire walk, and romed up and doun. [1070] This sorweful prisoner, this Palamoun, [1071] Goth in the chambre romynge to and fro [1072] And to hymself compleynynge of his wo. [1073] That he was born, ful ofte he seyde, "allas!" [1074] And so bifel, by aventure or cas, [1075] That thurgh a wyndow, thikke of many a barre [1076] Of iren greet and square as any sparre, [1077] He cast his eye upon Emelya, [1078] And therwithal he bleynte and cride, "A!" [1079] As though he stongen were unto the herte. [1080] And with that cry Arcite anon up sterte [1081] And seyde, "Cosyn myn, what eyleth thee, [1082] That art so pale and deedly on to see? [1083] Why cridestow? Who hath thee doon offence? [1084] For Goddes love, taak al in pacience [1085] Oure prisoun, for it may noon oother be. [1086] Fortune hath yeven us this adversitee. [1087] Som wikke aspect or disposicioun [1088] Of Saturne, by som constellacioun, [1089] Hath yeven us this, although we hadde it sworn; [1090] So stood the hevene whan that we were born. [1091] We moste endure it; this is the short and playn." [1092] This Palamon answerde and seyde agayn, [1093] "Cosyn, for sothe, of this opinioun [1094] Thow hast a veyn ymaginacioun. [1095] This prison caused me nat for to crye, [1096] But I was hurt right now thurghout myn ye [1097] Into myn herte, that wol my bane be. [1098] The fairnesse of that lady that I see [1099] Yond in the gardyn romen to and fro [1100] Is cause of al my criyng and my wo. [1101] I noot wher she be womman or goddesse, [1102] But Venus is it soothly, as I gesse." [1103] And therwithal on knees doun he fil, [1104] And seyde, "Venus, if it be thy wil [1105] Yow in this gardyn thus to transfigure [1106] Bifore me, sorweful, wrecched creature, [1107] Out of this prisoun help that we may scapen. [1108] And if so be my destynee be shapen [1109] By eterne word to dyen in prisoun, [1110] Of oure lynage have som compassioun, [1111] That is so lowe ybroght by tirannye." [1112] And with that word Arcite gan espye [1113] Wher as this lady romed to and fro, [1114] And with that sighte hir beautee hurte hym so, [1115] That, if that Palamon was wounded sore, [1116] Arcite is hurt as muche as he, or moore. [1117] And with a sigh he seyde pitously, [1118] "The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly [1119] Of hire that rometh in the yonder place; [1120] And but I have hir mercy and hir grace, [1121] That I may seen hire atte leeste weye, [1122] I nam but deed; ther nis namoore to seye." [1123] This Palamon, whan he tho wordes herde, [1124] Dispitously he looked and answerde, [1125] "Wheither seistow this in ernest or in pley?" [1126] "Nay," quod Arcite, "in ernest, by my fey! [1127] God helpe me so, me list ful yvele pleye." [1128] This Palamon gan knytte his browes tweye. [1129] "It nere," quod he, "to thee no greet honour [1130] For to be fals, ne for to be traitour [1131] To me, that am thy cosyn and thy brother [1132] Ysworn ful depe, and ech of us til oother, [1133] That nevere, for to dyen in the peyne, [1134] Til that the deeth departe shal us tweyne, [1135] Neither of us in love to hyndre oother, [1136] Ne in noon oother cas, my leeve brother, [1137] But that thou sholdest trewely forthren me [1138] In every cas, as I shal forthren thee -- [1139] This was thyn ooth, and myn also, certeyn; [1140] I woot right wel, thou darst it nat withseyn. [1141] Thus artow of my conseil, out of doute, [1142] And now thow woldest falsly been aboute [1143] To love my lady, whom I love and serve, [1144] And evere shal til that myn herte sterve. [1145] Nay, certes, false Arcite, thow shalt nat so. [1146] I loved hire first, and tolde thee my wo [1147] As to my conseil and my brother sworn [1148] To forthre me, as I have toold biforn. [1149] For which thou art ybounden as a knyght [1150] To helpen me, if it lay in thy myght, [1151] Or elles artow fals, I dar wel seyn." [1152] This Arcite ful proudly spak ageyn: [1153] "Thow shalt," quod he, "be rather fals than I; [1154] And thou art fals, I telle thee outrely, [1155] For paramour I loved hire first er thow. [1156] What wiltow seyen? Thou woost nat yet now [1157] Wheither she be a womman or goddesse! [1158] Thyn is affeccioun of hoolynesse, [1159] And myn is love as to a creature; [1160] For which I tolde thee myn aventure [1161] As to my cosyn and my brother sworn. [1162] I pose that thow lovedest hire biforn; [1163] Wostow nat wel the olde clerkes sawe, [1164] That `who shal yeve a lovere any lawe?' [1165] Love is a gretter lawe, by my pan, [1166] Than may be yeve to any erthely man; [1167] And therfore positif lawe and swich decree [1168] Is broken al day for love in ech degree. [1169] A man moot nedes love, maugree his heed; [1170] He may nat fleen it, thogh he sholde be deed, [1171] Al be she mayde, or wydwe, or elles wyf. [1172] And eek it is nat likly al thy lyf [1173] To stonden in hir grace; namoore shal I; [1174] For wel thou woost thyselven, verraily, [1175] That thou and I be dampned to prisoun [1176] Perpetuelly; us gayneth no raunsoun. [1177] We stryve as dide the houndes for the boon; [1178] They foughte al day, and yet hir part was noon. [1179] Ther cam a kyte, whil that they were so wrothe, [1180] And baar awey the boon bitwixe hem bothe. [1181] And therfore, at the kynges court, my brother, [1182] Ech man for hymself, ther is noon oother. [1183] Love, if thee list, for I love and ay shal; [1184] And soothly, leeve brother, this is al. [1185] Heere in this prisoun moote we endure, [1186] And everich of us take his aventure." [1187] Greet was the strif and long bitwix hem tweye, [1188] If that I hadde leyser for to seye; [1189] But to th' effect. It happed on a day, [1190] To telle it yow as shortly as I may, [1191] A worthy duc that highte Perotheus, [1192] That felawe was unto duc Theseus [1193] Syn thilke day that they were children lite, [1194] Was come to Atthenes his felawe to visite, [1195] And for to pleye as he was wont to do; [1196] For in this world he loved no man so, [1197] And he loved hym als tendrely agayn. [1198] So wel they lovede, as olde bookes sayn, [1199] That whan that oon was deed, soothly to telle, [1200] His felawe wente and soughte hym doun in helle -- [1201] But of that storie list me nat to write. [1202] Duc Perotheus loved wel Arcite, [1203] And hadde hym knowe at Thebes yeer by yere, [1204] And finally at requeste and preyere [1205] Of Perotheus, withouten any raunsoun, [1206] Duc Theseus hym leet out of prisoun [1207] Frely to goon wher that hym liste over al, [1208] In swich a gyse as I you tellen shal. [1209] This was the forward, pleynly for t' endite, [1210] Bitwixen Theseus and hym Arcite: [1211] That if so were that Arcite were yfounde [1212] Evere in his lif, by day or nyght, oo stounde [1213] In any contree of this Theseus, [1214] And he were caught, it was acorded thus, [1215] That with a swerd he sholde lese his heed. [1216] Ther nas noon oother remedie ne reed; [1217] But taketh his leve, and homward he him spedde. [1218] Lat hym be war! His nekke lith to wedde. [1219] How greet a sorwe suffreth now Arcite! [1220] The deeth he feeleth thurgh his herte smyte; [1221] He wepeth, wayleth, crieth pitously; [1222] To sleen hymself he waiteth prively. [1223] He seyde, "Allas that day that I was born! [1224] Now is my prisoun worse than biforn; [1225] Now is me shape eternally to dwelle [1226] Noght in purgatorie, but in helle. [1227] Allas, that evere knew I Perotheus! [1228] For elles hadde I dwelled with Theseus, [1229] Yfetered in his prisoun everemo. [1230] Thanne hadde I been in blisse and nat in wo. [1231] Oonly the sighte of hire whom that I serve, [1232] Though that I nevere hir grace may deserve, [1233] Wolde han suffised right ynough for me. [1234] O deere cosyn Palamon," quod he, [1235] "Thyn is the victorie of this aventure. [1236] Ful blisfully in prison maistow dure -- [1237] In prison? Certes nay, but in paradys! [1238] Wel hath Fortune yturned thee the dys, [1239] That hast the sighte of hire, and I th' absence. [1240] For possible is, syn thou hast hire presence, [1241] And art a knyght, a worthy and an able, [1242] That by som cas, syn Fortune is chaungeable, [1243] Thow maist to thy desir somtyme atteyne. [1244] But I, that am exiled and bareyne [1245] Of alle grace, and in so greet dispeir [1246] That ther nys erthe, water, fir, ne eir, [1247] Ne creature that of hem maked is, [1248] That may me helpe or doon confort in this, [1249] Wel oughte I sterve in wanhope and distresse. [1250] Farwel my lif, my lust, and my gladnesse! [1251] "Allas, why pleynen folk so in commune [1252] On purveiaunce of God, or of Fortune, [1253] That yeveth hem ful ofte in many a gyse [1254] Wel bettre than they kan hemself devyse? [1255] Som man desireth for to han richesse, [1256] That cause is of his mordre or greet siknesse; [1257] And som man wolde out of his prisoun fayn, [1258] That in his hous is of his meynee slayn. [1259] Infinite harmes been in this mateere. [1260] We witen nat what thing we preyen heere; [1261] We faren as he that dronke is as a mous. [1262] A dronke man woot wel he hath an hous, [1263] But he noot which the righte wey is thider, [1264] And to a dronke man the wey is slider. [1265] And certes, in this world so faren we; [1266] We seken faste after felicitee, [1267] But we goon wrong ful often, trewely. [1268] Thus may we seyen alle, and namely I, [1269] That wende and hadde a greet opinioun [1270] That if I myghte escapen from prisoun, [1271] Thanne hadde I been in joye and parfit heele, [1272] Ther now I am exiled fro my wele. [1273] Syn that I may nat seen you, Emelye, [1274] I nam but deed; ther nys no remedye." [1275] Upon that oother syde Palamon, [1276] Whan that he wiste Arcite was agon, [1277] Swich sorwe he maketh that the grete tour [1278] Resouneth of his youlyng and clamour. [1279] The pure fettres on his shynes grete [1280] Weren of his bittre, salte teeres wete. [1281] "Allas," quod he, "Arcita, cosyn myn, [1282] Of al oure strif, God woot, the fruyt is thyn. [1283] Thow walkest now in Thebes at thy large, [1284] And of my wo thow yevest litel charge. [1285] Thou mayst, syn thou hast wisdom and manhede, [1286] Assemblen alle the folk of oure kynrede, [1287] And make a werre so sharp on this citee [1288] That by som aventure or some tretee [1289] Thow mayst have hire to lady and to wyf [1290] For whom that I moste nedes lese my lyf. [1291] For, as by wey of possibilitee, [1292] Sith thou art at thy large, of prisoun free, [1293] And art a lord, greet is thyn avauntage [1294] Moore than is myn, that sterve here in a cage. [1295] For I moot wepe and wayle, whil I lyve, [1296] With al the wo that prison may me yive, [1297] And eek with peyne that love me yeveth also, [1298] That doubleth al my torment and my wo." [1299] Therwith the fyr of jalousie up sterte [1300] Withinne his brest, and hente him by the herte [1301] So woodly that he lyk was to biholde [1302] The boxtree or the asshen dede and colde. [1303] Thanne seyde he, "O crueel goddes that governe [1304] This world with byndyng of youre word eterne, [1305] And writen in the table of atthamaunt [1306] Youre parlement and youre eterne graunt, [1307] What is mankynde moore unto you holde [1308] Than is the sheep that rouketh in the folde? [1309] For slayn is man right as another beest, [1310] And dwelleth eek in prison and arreest, [1311] And hath siknesse and greet adversitee, [1312] And ofte tymes giltelees, pardee. [1313] "What governance is in this prescience, [1314] That giltelees tormenteth innocence? [1315] And yet encresseth this al my penaunce, [1316] That man is bounden to his observaunce, [1317] For Goddes sake, to letten of his wille, [1318] Ther as a beest may al his lust fulfille. [1319] And whan a beest is deed he hath no peyne; [1320] But man after his deeth moot wepe and pleyne, [1321] Though in this world he have care and wo. [1322] Withouten doute it may stonden so. [1323] The answere of this lete I to dyvynys, [1324] But wel I woot that in this world greet pyne ys. [1325] Allas, I se a serpent or a theef, [1326] That many a trewe man hath doon mescheef, [1327] Goon at his large, and where hym list may turne. [1328] But I moot been in prisoun thurgh Saturne, [1329] And eek thurgh Juno, jalous and eek wood, [1330] That hath destroyed wel ny al the blood [1331] Of Thebes with his waste walles wyde; [1332] And Venus sleeth me on that oother syde [1333] For jalousie and fere of hym Arcite." [1334] Now wol I stynte of Palamon a lite, [1335] And lete hym in his prisoun stille dwelle, [1336] And of Arcita forth I wol yow telle. [1337] The somer passeth, and the nyghtes longe [1338] Encressen double wise the peynes stronge [1339] Bothe of the lovere and the prisoner. [1340] I noot which hath the wofuller mester. [1341] For, shortly for to seyn, this Palamoun [1342] Perpetuelly is dampned to prisoun, [1343] In cheynes and in fettres to been deed; [1344] And Arcite is exiled upon his heed [1345] For everemo, as out of that contree, [1346] Ne nevere mo ne shal his lady see. [1347] Yow loveres axe I now this questioun: [1348] Who hath the worse, Arcite or Palamoun? [1349] That oon may seen his lady day by day, [1350] But in prison he moot dwelle alway; [1351] That oother wher hym list may ride or go, [1352] But seen his lady shal he nevere mo. [1353] Now demeth as yow liste, ye that kan, [1354] For I wol telle forth as I bigan. [1355] Whan that Arcite to Thebes comen was, [1356] Ful ofte a day he swelte and seyde "Allas!" [1357] For seen his lady shal he nevere mo. [1358] And shortly to concluden al his wo, [1359] So muche sorwe hadde nevere creature [1360] That is, or shal, whil that the world may dure. [1361] His slep, his mete, his drynke, is hym biraft, [1362] That lene he wex and drye as is a shaft; [1363] His eyen holwe and grisly to biholde, [1364] His hewe falow and pale as asshen colde, [1365] And solitarie he was and evere allone, [1366] And waillynge al the nyght, makynge his mone; [1367] And if he herde song or instrument, [1368] Thanne wolde he wepe, he myghte nat be stent. [1369] So feble eek were his spiritz, and so lowe, [1370] And chaunged so, that no man koude knowe [1371] His speche nor his voys, though men it herde. [1372] And in his geere for al the world he ferde [1373] Nat oonly lik the loveris maladye [1374] Of Hereos, but rather lyk manye, [1375] Engendred of humour malencolik [1376] Biforen, in his celle fantastik. [1377] And shortly, turned was al up so doun [1378] Bothe habit and eek disposicioun [1379] Of hym, this woful lovere daun Arcite. [1380] What sholde I al day of his wo endite? [1381] Whan he endured hadde a yeer or two [1382] This crueel torment and this peyne and wo, [1383] At Thebes, in his contree, as I seyde, [1384] Upon a nyght in sleep as he hym leyde, [1385] Hym thoughte how that the wynged god Mercurie [1386] Biforn hym stood and bad hym to be murie. [1387] His slepy yerde in hond he bar uprighte; [1388] An hat he werede upon his heris brighte. [1389] Arrayed was this god, as he took keep, [1390] As he was whan that Argus took his sleep; [1391] And seyde hym thus: "To Atthenes shaltou wende, [1392] Ther is thee shapen of thy wo an ende." [1393] And with that word Arcite wook and sterte. [1394] "Now trewely, hou soore that me smerte," [1395] Quod he, "to Atthenes right now wol I fare, [1396] Ne for the drede of deeth shal I nat spare [1397] To se my lady, that I love and serve. [1398] In hire presence I recche nat to sterve." [1399] And with that word he caughte a greet mirour, [1400] And saugh that chaunged was al his colour, [1401] And saugh his visage al in another kynde. [1402] And right anon it ran hym in his mynde, [1403] That, sith his face was so disfigured [1404] Of maladye the which he hadde endured, [1405] He myghte wel, if that he bar hym lowe, [1406] Lyve in Atthenes everemoore unknowe, [1407] And seen his lady wel ny day by day. [1408] And right anon he chaunged his array, [1409] And cladde hym as a povre laborer, [1410] And al allone, save oonly a squier [1411] That knew his privetee and al his cas, [1412] Which was disgised povrely as he was, [1413] To Atthenes is he goon the nexte way. [1414] And to the court he wente upon a day, [1415] And at the gate he profreth his servyse [1416] To drugge and drawe, what so men wol devyse. [1417] And shortly of this matere for to seyn, [1418] He fil in office with a chamberleyn [1419] The which that dwellynge was with Emelye, [1420] For he was wys and koude soone espye, [1421] Of every servaunt, which that serveth here. [1422] Wel koude he hewen wode, and water bere, [1423] For he was yong and myghty for the nones, [1424] And therto he was long and big of bones [1425] To doon that any wight kan hym devyse. [1426] A yeer or two he was in this servyse, [1427] Page of the chambre of Emelye the brighte, [1428] And Philostrate he seyde that he highte. [1429] But half so wel biloved a man as he [1430] Ne was ther nevere in court of his degree; [1431] He was so gentil of condicioun [1432] That thurghout al the court was his renoun. [1433] They seyden that it were a charitee [1434] That Theseus wolde enhauncen his degree, [1435] And putten hym in worshipful servyse, [1436] Ther as he myghte his vertu excercise. [1437] And thus withinne a while his name is spronge, [1438] Bothe of his dedes and his goode tonge, [1439] That Theseus hath taken hym so neer [1440] That of his chambre he made hym a squier, [1441] And gaf hym gold to mayntene his degree. [1442] And eek men broghte hym out of his contree, [1443] From yeer to yeer, ful pryvely his rente; [1444] But honestly and slyly he it spente, [1445] That no man wondred how that he it hadde. [1446] And thre yeer in this wise his lif he ladde, [1447] And bar hym so, in pees and eek in werre, [1448] Ther was no man that Theseus hath derre. [1449] And in this blisse lete I now Arcite, [1450] And speke I wole of Palamon a lite. [1451] In derknesse and horrible and strong prisoun [1452] Thise seven yeer hath seten Palamoun [1453] Forpyned, what for wo and for distresse. [1454] Who feeleth double soor and hevynesse [1455] But Palamon, that love destreyneth so [1456] That wood out of his wit he goth for wo? [1457] And eek therto he is a prisoner [1458] Perpetuelly, noght oonly for a yer. [1459] Who koude ryme in Englyssh proprely [1460] His martirdom? For sothe it am nat I; [1461] Therfore I passe as lightly as I may. [1462] It fel that in the seventhe yer, of May [1463] The thridde nyght (as olde bookes seyn, [1464] That al this storie tellen moore pleyn), [1465] Were it by aventure or destynee -- [1466] As, whan a thyng is shapen, it shal be -- [1467] That soone after the mydnyght Palamoun, [1468] By helpyng of a freend, brak his prisoun [1469] And fleeth the citee faste as he may go. [1470] For he hadde yeve his gayler drynke so [1471] Of a clarree maad of a certeyn wyn, [1472] With nercotikes and opie of Thebes fyn, [1473] That al that nyght, thogh that men wolde him shake, [1474] The gayler sleep; he myghte nat awake. [1475] And thus he fleeth as faste as evere he may. [1476] The nyght was short and faste by the day [1477] That nedes cost he moot hymselven hyde, [1478] And til a grove faste ther bisyde [1479] With dredeful foot thanne stalketh Palamon. [1480] For, shortly, this was his opinion: [1481] That in that grove he wolde hym hyde al day, [1482] And in the nyght thanne wolde he take his way [1483] To Thebes-ward, his freendes for to preye [1484] On Theseus to helpe him to werreye; [1485] And shortly, outher he wolde lese his lif [1486] Or wynnen Emelye unto his wyf. [1487] This is th' effect and his entente pleyn. [1488] Now wol I turne to Arcite ageyn, [1489] That litel wiste how ny that was his care, [1490] Til that Fortune had broght him in the snare. [1491] The bisy larke, messager of day, [1492] Salueth in hir song the morwe gray, [1493] And firy Phebus riseth up so bright [1494] That al the orient laugheth of the light, [1495] And with his stremes dryeth in the greves [1496] The silver dropes hangynge on the leves. [1497] And Arcita, that in the court roial [1498] With Theseus is squier principal, [1499] Is risen and looketh on the myrie day. [1500] And for to doon his observaunce to May, [1501] Remembrynge on the poynt of his desir, [1502] He on a courser, startlynge as the fir, [1503] Is riden into the feeldes hym to pleye, [1504] Out of the court, were it a myle or tweye. [1505] And to the grove of which that I yow tolde [1506] By aventure his wey he gan to holde [1507] To maken hym a gerland of the greves, [1508] Were it of wodebynde or hawethorn leves, [1509] And loude he song ayeyn the sonne shene: [1510] "May, with alle thy floures and thy grene, [1511] Welcome be thou, faire, fresshe May, [1512] In hope that I som grene gete may." [1513] And from his courser, with a lusty herte, [1514] Into the grove ful hastily he sterte, [1515] And in a path he rometh up and doun, [1516] Ther as by aventure this Palamoun [1517] Was in a bussh, that no man myghte hym se, [1518] For soore afered of his deeth was he. [1519] No thyng ne knew he that it was Arcite; [1520] God woot he wolde have trowed it ful lite. [1521] But sooth is seyd, go sithen many yeres, [1522] That "feeld hath eyen and the wode hath eres." [1523] It is ful fair a man to bere hym evene, [1524] For al day meeteth men at unset stevene. [1525] Ful litel woot Arcite of his felawe, [1526] That was so ny to herknen al his sawe, [1527] For in the bussh he sitteth now ful stille. [1528] Whan that Arcite hadde romed al his fille, [1529] And songen al the roundel lustily, [1530] Into a studie he fil sodeynly, [1531] As doon thise loveres in hir queynte geres, [1532] Now in the crope, now doun in the breres, [1533] Now up, now doun, as boket in a welle. [1534] Right as the Friday, soothly for to telle, [1535] Now it shyneth, now it reyneth faste, [1536] Right so kan geery Venus overcaste [1537] The hertes of hir folk; right as hir day [1538] Is gereful, right so chaungeth she array. [1539] Selde is the Friday al the wowke ylike. [1540] Whan that Arcite had songe, he gan to sike [1541] And sette hym doun withouten any moore. [1542] "Allas," quod he, "that day that I was bore! [1543] How longe, Juno, thurgh thy crueltee, [1544] Woltow werreyen Thebes the citee? [1545] Allas, ybroght is to confusioun [1546] The blood roial of Cadme and Amphioun -- [1547] Of Cadmus, which that was the firste man [1548] That Thebes bulte, or first the toun bigan, [1549] And of the citee first was crouned kyng. [1550] Of his lynage am I and his ofspryng [1551] By verray ligne, as of the stok roial, [1552] And now I am so caytyf and so thral, [1553] That he that is my mortal enemy, [1554] I serve hym as his squier povrely. [1555] And yet dooth Juno me wel moore shame, [1556] For I dar noght biknowe myn owene name; [1557] But ther as I was wont to highte Arcite, [1558] Now highte I Philostrate, noght worth a myte. [1559] Allas, thou felle Mars! Allas, Juno! [1560] Thus hath youre ire oure lynage al fordo, [1561] Save oonly me and wrecched Palamoun, [1562] That Theseus martireth in prisoun. [1563] And over al this, to sleen me outrely [1564] Love hath his firy dart so brennyngly [1565] Ystiked thurgh my trewe, careful herte [1566] That shapen was my deeth erst than my sherte. [1567] Ye sleen me with youre eyen, Emelye! [1568] Ye been the cause wherfore that I dye. [1569] Of al the remenant of myn oother care [1570] Ne sette I nat the montance of a tare, [1571] So that I koude doon aught to youre plesaunce." [1572] And with that word he fil doun in a traunce [1573] A longe tyme, and after he up sterte. [1574] This Palamoun, that thoughte that thurgh his herte [1575] He felte a coold swerd sodeynliche glyde, [1576] For ire he quook; no lenger wolde he byde. [1577] And whan that he had herd Arcites tale, [1578] As he were wood, with face deed and pale, [1579] He stirte hym up out of the buskes thikke [1580] And seide: "Arcite, false traytour wikke, [1581] Now artow hent, that lovest my lady so, [1582] For whom that I have al this peyne and wo, [1583] And art my blood, and to my conseil sworn, [1584] As I ful ofte have told thee heerbiforn, [1585] And hast byjaped heere duc Theseus, [1586] And falsly chaunged hast thy name thus! [1587] I wol be deed, or elles thou shalt dye. [1588] Thou shalt nat love my lady Emelye, [1589] But I wol love hire oonly and namo; [1590] For I am Palamon, thy mortal foo. [1591] And though that I no wepene have in this place, [1592] But out of prison am astert by grace, [1593] I drede noght that outher thow shalt dye, [1594] Or thow ne shalt nat loven Emelye. [1595] Chees which thou wolt, or thou shalt nat asterte!" [1596] This Arcite, with ful despitous herte, [1597] Whan he hym knew, and hadde his tale herd, [1598] As fiers as leon pulled out his swerd, [1599] And seyde thus: "By God that sit above, [1600] Nere it that thou art sik and wood for love, [1601] And eek that thow no wepne hast in this place, [1602] Thou sholdest nevere out of this grove pace, [1603] That thou ne sholdest dyen of myn hond. [1604] For I defye the seurete and the bond [1605] Which that thou seist that I have maad to thee. [1606] What! Verray fool, thynk wel that love is free, [1607] And I wol love hire maugree al thy myght! [1608] But for as muche thou art a worthy knyght [1609] And wilnest to darreyne hire by bataille, [1610] Have heer my trouthe; tomorwe I wol nat faille, [1611] Withoute wityng of any oother wight, [1612] That heere I wol be founden as a knyght, [1613] And bryngen harneys right ynough for thee; [1614] And ches the beste, and leef the worste for me. [1615] And mete and drynke this nyght wol I brynge [1616] Ynough for thee, and clothes for thy beddynge. [1617] And if so be that thou my lady wynne, [1618] And sle me in this wode ther I am inne, [1619] Thow mayst wel have thy lady as for me." [1620] This Palamon answerde, "I graunte it thee." [1621] And thus they been departed til amorwe, [1622] Whan ech of hem had leyd his feith to borwe. [1623] O Cupide, out of alle charitee! [1624] O regne, that wolt no felawe have with thee! [1625] Ful sooth is seyd that love ne lordshipe [1626] Wol noght, his thankes, have no felaweshipe. [1627] Wel fynden that Arcite and Palamoun. [1628] Arcite is riden anon unto the toun, [1629] And on the morwe, er it were dayes light, [1630] Ful prively two harneys hath he dight, [1631] Bothe suffisaunt and mete to darreyne [1632] The bataille in the feeld bitwix hem tweyne; [1633] And on his hors, allone as he was born, [1634] He carieth al the harneys hym biforn. [1635] And in the grove, at tyme and place yset, [1636] This Arcite and this Palamon ben met. [1637] To chaungen gan the colour in hir face; [1638] Right as the hunters in the regne of Trace, [1639] That stondeth at the gappe with a spere, [1640] Whan hunted is the leon or the bere, [1641] And hereth hym come russhyng in the greves, [1642] And breketh bothe bowes and the leves, [1643] And thynketh, "Heere cometh my mortal enemy! [1644] Withoute faille, he moot be deed, or I, [1645] For outher I moot sleen hym at the gappe, [1646] Or he moot sleen me, if that me myshappe." [1647] So ferden they in chaungyng of hir hewe, [1648] As fer as everich of hem oother knewe. [1649] Ther nas no good day, ne no saluyng, [1650] But streight, withouten word or rehersyng, [1651] Everich of hem heelp for to armen oother [1652] As freendly as he were his owene brother; [1653] And after that, with sharpe speres stronge [1654] They foynen ech at oother wonder longe. [1655] Thou myghtest wene that this Palamon [1656] In his fightyng were a wood leon, [1657] And as a crueel tigre was Arcite; [1658] As wilde bores gonne they to smyte, [1659] That frothen whit as foom for ire wood. [1660] Up to the ancle foghte they in hir blood. [1661] And in this wise I lete hem fightyng dwelle, [1662] And forth I wole of Theseus yow telle. [1663] The destinee, ministre general, [1664] That executeth in the world over al [1665] The purveiaunce that God hath seyn biforn, [1666] So strong it is that, though the world had sworn [1667] The contrarie of a thyng by ye or nay, [1668] Yet somtyme it shal fallen on a day [1669] That falleth nat eft withinne a thousand yeer. [1670] For certeinly, oure appetites heer, [1671] Be it of werre, or pees, or hate, or love, [1672] Al is this reuled by the sighte above. [1673] This mene I now by myghty Theseus, [1674] That for to hunten is so desirus, [1675] And namely at the grete hert in May, [1676] That in his bed ther daweth hym no day [1677] That he nys clad, and redy for to ryde [1678] With hunte and horn and houndes hym bisyde. [1679] For in his huntyng hath he swich delit [1680] That it is al his joye and appetit [1681] To been hymself the grete hertes bane, [1682] For after Mars he serveth now Dyane. [1683] Cleer was the day, as I have toold er this, [1684] And Theseus with alle joye and blis, [1685] With his Ypolita, the faire queene, [1686] And Emelye, clothed al in grene, [1687] On huntyng be they riden roially. [1688] And to the grove that stood ful faste by, [1689] In which ther was an hert, as men hym tolde, [1690] Duc Theseus the streighte wey hath holde. [1691] And to the launde he rideth hym ful right, [1692] For thider was the hert wont have his flight, [1693] And over a brook, and so forth on his weye. [1694] This duc wol han a cours at hym or tweye [1695] With houndes swiche as that hym list comaunde. [1696] And whan this duc was come unto the launde, [1697] Under the sonne he looketh, and anon [1698] He was war of Arcite and Palamon, [1699] That foughten breme as it were bores two. [1700] The brighte swerdes wenten to and fro [1701] So hidously that with the leeste strook [1702] It semed as it wolde felle an ook. [1703] But what they were, no thyng he ne woot. [1704] This duc his courser with his spores smoot, [1705] And at a stert he was bitwix hem two, [1706] And pulled out a swerd and cride, "Hoo! [1707] Namoore, up peyne of lesynge of youre heed! [1708] By myghty Mars, he shal anon be deed [1709] That smyteth any strook that I may seen. [1710] But telleth me what myster men ye been, [1711] That been so hardy for to fighten heere [1712] Withouten juge or oother officere, [1713] As it were in a lystes roially." [1714] This Palamon answerde hastily [1715] And seyde, "Sire, what nedeth wordes mo? [1716] We have the deeth disserved bothe two. [1717] Two woful wrecches been we, two caytyves, [1718] That been encombred of oure owene lyves; [1719] And as thou art a rightful lord and juge, [1720] Ne yif us neither mercy ne refuge, [1721] But sle me first, for seinte charitee! [1722] But sle my felawe eek as wel as me; [1723] Or sle hym first, for though thow knowest it lite, [1724] This is thy mortal foo, this is Arcite, [1725] That fro thy lond is banysshed on his heed, [1726] For which he hath deserved to be deed. [1727] For this is he that cam unto thy gate [1728] And seyde that he highte Philostrate. [1729] Thus hath he japed thee ful many a yer, [1730] And thou hast maked hym thy chief squier; [1731] And this is he that loveth Emelye. [1732] For sith the day is come that I shal dye, [1733] I make pleynly my confessioun [1734] That I am thilke woful Palamoun [1735] That hath thy prisoun broken wikkedly. [1736] I am thy mortal foo, and it am I [1737] That loveth so hoote Emelye the brighte [1738] That I wol dye present in hir sighte. [1739] Wherfore I axe deeth and my juwise; [1740] But sle my felawe in the same wise, [1741] For bothe han we deserved to be slayn." [1742] This worthy duc answerde anon agayn, [1743] And seyde, "This is a short conclusioun. [1744] Youre owene mouth, by youre confessioun, [1745] Hath dampned yow, and I wol it recorde; [1746] It nedeth noght to pyne yow with the corde. [1747] Ye shal be deed, by myghty Mars the rede!" [1748] The queene anon, for verray wommanhede, [1749] Gan for to wepe, and so dide Emelye, [1750] And alle the ladyes in the compaignye. [1751] Greet pitee was it, as it thoughte hem alle, [1752] That evere swich a chaunce sholde falle, [1753] For gentil men they were of greet estaat, [1754] And no thyng but for love was this debaat; [1755] And saugh hir blody woundes wyde and soore, [1756] And alle crieden, bothe lasse and moore, [1757] "Have mercy, Lord, upon us wommen alle!" [1758] And on hir bare knees adoun they falle [1759] And wolde have kist his feet ther as he stood; [1760] Til at the laste aslaked was his mood, [1761] For pitee renneth soone in gentil herte. [1762] And though he first for ire quook and sterte, [1763] He hath considered shortly, in a clause, [1764] The trespas of hem bothe, and eek the cause, [1765] And although that his ire hir gilt accused, [1766] Yet in his resoun he hem bothe excused, [1767] As thus: he thoghte wel that every man [1768] Wol helpe hymself in love, if that he kan, [1769] And eek delivere hymself out of prisoun. [1770] And eek his herte hadde compassioun [1771] Of wommen, for they wepen evere in oon, [1772] And in his gentil herte he thoughte anon, [1773] And softe unto hymself he seyde, "Fy [1774] Upon a lord that wol have no mercy, [1775] But been a leon, bothe in word and dede, [1776] To hem that been in repentaunce and drede, [1777] As wel as to a proud despitous man [1778] That wol mayntene that he first bigan. [1779] That lord hath litel of discrecioun, [1780] That in swich cas kan no divisioun [1781] But weyeth pride and humblesse after oon." [1782] And shortly, whan his ire is thus agoon, [1783] He gan to looken up with eyen lighte [1784] And spak thise same wordes al on highte: [1785] "The god of love, a benedicite! [1786] How myghty and how greet a lord is he! [1787] Ayeyns his myght ther gayneth none obstacles. [1788] He may be cleped a god for his myracles, [1789] For he kan maken, at his owene gyse, [1790] Of everich herte as that hym list divyse. [1791] Lo heere this Arcite and this Palamoun, [1792] That quitly weren out of my prisoun, [1793] And myghte han lyved in Thebes roially, [1794] And witen I am hir mortal enemy, [1795] And that hir deth lith in my myght also, [1796] And yet hath love, maugree hir eyen two, [1797] Broght hem hyder bothe for to dye. [1798] Now looketh, is nat that an heigh folye? [1799] Who may been a fool but if he love? [1800] Bihoold, for Goddes sake that sit above, [1801] Se how they blede! Be they noght wel arrayed? [1802] Thus hath hir lord, the god of love, ypayed [1803] Hir wages and hir fees for hir servyse! [1804] And yet they wenen for to been ful wyse [1805] That serven love, for aught that may bifalle. [1806] But this is yet the beste game of alle, [1807] That she for whom they han this jolitee [1808] Kan hem therfore as muche thank as me. [1809] She woot namoore of al this hoote fare, [1810] By God, than woot a cokkow or an hare! [1811] But all moot ben assayed, hoot and coold; [1812] A man moot ben a fool, or yong or oold -- [1813] I woot it by myself ful yore agon, [1814] For in my tyme a servant was I oon. [1815] And therfore, syn I knowe of loves peyne [1816] And woot hou soore it kan a man distreyne, [1817] As he that hath ben caught ofte in his laas, [1818] I yow foryeve al hoolly this trespaas, [1819] At requeste of the queene, that kneleth heere, [1820] And eek of Emelye, my suster deere. [1821] And ye shul bothe anon unto me swere [1822] That nevere mo ye shal my contree dere, [1823] Ne make werre upon me nyght ne day, [1824] But been my freendes in all that ye may. [1825] I yow foryeve this trespas every deel." [1826] And they hym sworen his axyng faire and weel, [1827] And hym of lordshipe and of mercy preyde, [1828] And he hem graunteth grace, and thus he seyde: [1829] "To speke of roial lynage and richesse, [1830] Though that she were a queene or a princesse, [1831] Ech of you bothe is worthy, doutelees, [1832] To wedden whan tyme is; but nathelees -- [1833] I speke as for my suster Emelye, [1834] For whom ye have this strif and jalousye -- [1835] Ye woot yourself she may nat wedden two [1836] Atones, though ye fighten everemo, [1837] That oon of you, al be hym looth or lief, [1838] He moot go pipen in an yvy leef; [1839] This is to seyn, she may nat now han bothe, [1840] Al be ye never so jalouse ne so wrothe. [1841] And forthy I yow putte in this degree, [1842] That ech of yow shal have his destynee [1843] As hym is shape, and herkneth in what wyse; [1844] Lo, heere youre ende of that I shal devyse. [1845] My wyl is this, for plat conclusioun, [1846] Withouten any repplicacioun -- [1847] If that you liketh, take it for the beste: [1848] That everich of you shal goon where hym leste [1849] Frely, withouten raunson or daunger, [1850] And this day fifty wykes, fer ne ner, [1851] Everich of you shal brynge an hundred knyghtes [1852] Armed for lystes up at alle rightes, [1853] Al redy to darreyne hire by bataille. [1854] And this bihote I yow withouten faille, [1855] Upon my trouthe, and as I am a knyght, [1856] That wheither of yow bothe that hath myght -- [1857] This is to seyn, that wheither he or thow [1858] May with his hundred, as I spak of now, [1859] Sleen his contrarie, or out of lystes dryve, [1860] Thanne shal I yeve Emelya to wyve [1861] To whom that Fortune yeveth so fair a grace. [1862] The lystes shal I maken in this place, [1863] And God so wisly on my soule rewe [1864] As I shal evene juge been and trewe. [1865] Ye shul noon oother ende with me maken, [1866] That oon of yow ne shal be deed or taken. [1867] And if yow thynketh this is weel ysayd, [1868] Seyeth youre avys, and holdeth you apayd. [1869] This is youre ende and youre conclusioun." [1870] Who looketh lightly now but Palamoun? [1871] Who spryngeth up for joye but Arcite? [1872] Who kouthe telle, or who kouthe it endite, [1873] The joye that is maked in the place [1874] Whan Theseus hath doon so fair a grace? [1875] But doun on knees wente every maner wight, [1876] And thonked hym with al hir herte and myght, [1877] And namely the Thebans often sithe. [1878] And thus with good hope and with herte blithe [1879] They taken hir leve, and homward gonne they ride [1880] To Thebes with his olde walles wyde. [1881] I trowe men wolde deme it necligence [1882] If I foryete to tellen the dispence [1883] Of Theseus, that gooth so bisily [1884] To maken up the lystes roially, [1885] That swich a noble theatre as it was [1886] I dar wel seyen in this world ther nas. [1887] The circuit a myle was aboute, [1888] Walled of stoon, and dyched al withoute. [1889] Round was the shap, in manere of compas, [1890] Ful of degrees, the heighte of sixty pas, [1891] That whan a man was set on o degree, [1892] He letted nat his felawe for to see. [1893] Estward ther stood a gate of marbul whit, [1894] Westward right swich another in the opposit. [1895] And shortly to concluden, swich a place [1896] Was noon in erthe, as in so litel space; [1897] For in the lond ther was no crafty man [1898] That geometrie or ars-metrike kan, [1899] Ne portreyour, ne kervere of ymages, [1900] That Theseus ne yaf him mete and wages [1901] The theatre for to maken and devyse. [1902] And for to doon his ryte and sacrifise, [1903] He estward hath, upon the gate above, [1904] In worshipe of Venus, goddesse of love, [1905] Doon make an auter and an oratorie; [1906] And on the gate westward, in memorie [1907] Of Mars, he maked hath right swich another, [1908] That coste largely of gold a fother. [1909] And northward, in a touret on the wal, [1910] Of alabastre whit and reed coral, [1911] An oratorie, riche for to see, [1912] In worshipe of Dyane of chastitee, [1913] Hath Theseus doon wroght in noble wyse. [1914] But yet hadde I foryeten to devyse [1915] The noble kervyng and the portreitures, [1916] The shap, the contenaunce, and the figures [1917] That weren in thise oratories thre. [1918] First in the temple of Venus maystow se [1919] Wroght on the wal, ful pitous to biholde, [1920] The broken slepes, and the sikes colde, [1921] The sacred teeris, and the waymentynge, [1922] The firy strokes of the desirynge [1923] That loves servantz in this lyf enduren; [1924] The othes that hir covenantz assuren; [1925] Plesaunce and Hope, Desir, Foolhardynesse, [1926] Beautee and Youthe, Bauderie, Richesse, [1927] Charmes and Force, Lesynges, Flaterye, [1928] Despense, Bisynesse, and Jalousye, [1929] That wered of yelewe gooldes a gerland, [1930] And a cokkow sittynge on hir hand; [1931] Festes, instrumentz, caroles, daunces, [1932] Lust and array, and alle the circumstaunces [1933] Of love, which that I rekned and rekne shal, [1934] By ordre weren peynted on the wal, [1935] And mo than I kan make of mencioun. [1936] For soothly al the mount of Citheroun, [1937] Ther Venus hath hir principal dwellynge, [1938] Was shewed on the wal in portreyynge, [1939] With al the gardyn and the lustynesse. [1940] Nat was foryeten the porter, Ydelnesse, [1941] Ne Narcisus the faire of yore agon, [1942] Ne yet the folye of kyng Salomon, [1943] Ne yet the grete strengthe of Ercules -- [1944] Th' enchauntementz of Medea and Circes -- [1945] Ne of Turnus, with the hardy fiers corage, [1946] The riche Cresus, kaytyf in servage. [1947] Thus may ye seen that wysdom ne richesse, [1948] Beautee ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardynesse, [1949] Ne may with Venus holde champartie, [1950] For as hir list the world than may she gye. [1951] Lo, alle thise folk so caught were in hir las, [1952] Til they for wo ful ofte seyde "allas!" [1953] Suffiseth heere ensamples oon or two, [1954] And though I koude rekene a thousand mo. [1955] The statue of Venus, glorious for to se, [1956] Was naked, fletynge in the large see, [1957] And fro the navele doun al covered was [1958] With wawes grene, and brighte as any glas. [1959] A citole in hir right hand hadde she, [1960] And on hir heed, ful semely for to se, [1961] A rose gerland, fressh and wel smellynge; [1962] Above hir heed hir dowves flikerynge. [1963] Biforn hire stood hir sone Cupido; [1964] Upon his shuldres wynges hadde he two, [1965] And blynd he was, as it is often seene; [1966] A bowe he bar and arwes brighte and kene. [1967] Why sholde I noght as wel eek telle yow al [1968] The portreiture that was upon the wal [1969] Withinne the temple of myghty Mars the rede? [1970] Al peynted was the wal, in lengthe and brede, [1971] Lyk to the estres of the grisly place [1972] That highte the grete temple of Mars in Trace, [1973] In thilke colde, frosty regioun [1974] Ther as Mars hath his sovereyn mansioun. [1975] First on the wal was peynted a forest, [1976] In which ther dwelleth neither man ne best, [1977] With knotty, knarry, bareyne trees olde, [1978] Of stubbes sharpe and hidouse to biholde, [1979] In which ther ran a rumbel in a swough, [1980] As though a storm sholde bresten every bough. [1981] And dounward from an hille, under a bente, [1982] Ther stood the temple of Mars armypotente, [1983] Wroght al of burned steel, of which the entree [1984] Was long and streit, and gastly for to see. [1985] And therout came a rage and swich a veze [1986] That it made al the gate for to rese. [1987] The northren lyght in at the dores shoon, [1988] For wyndowe on the wal ne was ther noon, [1989] Thurgh which men myghten any light discerne. [1990] The dore was al of adamant eterne, [1991] Yclenched overthwart and endelong [1992] With iren tough; and for to make it strong, [1993] Every pyler, the temple to sustene, [1994] Was tonne-greet, of iren bright and shene. [1995] Ther saugh I first the derke ymaginyng [1996] Of Felonye, and al the compassyng; [1997] The crueel Ire, reed as any gleede; [1998] The pykepurs, and eek the pale Drede; [1999] The smylere with the knyf under the cloke; [2000] The shepne brennynge with the blake smoke; [2001] The tresoun of the mordrynge in the bedde; [2002] The open werre, with woundes al bibledde; [2003] Contek, with blody knyf and sharp manace. [2004] Al ful of chirkyng was that sory place. [2005] The sleere of hymself yet saugh I ther -- [2006] His herte-blood hath bathed al his heer -- [2007] The nayl ydryven in the shode anyght; [2008] The colde deeth, with mouth gapyng upright. [2009] Amyddes of the temple sat Meschaunce, [2010] With disconfort and sory contenaunce. [2011] Yet saugh I Woodnesse, laughynge in his rage, [2012] Armed Compleint, Outhees, and fiers Outrage; [2013] The careyne in the busk, with throte ycorve; [2014] A thousand slayn, and nat of qualm ystorve; [2015] The tiraunt, with the pray by force yraft; [2016] The toun destroyed, ther was no thyng laft. [2017] Yet saugh I brent the shippes hoppesteres; [2018] The hunte strangled with the wilde beres; [2019] The sowe freten the child right in the cradel; [2020] The cook yscalded, for al his longe ladel. [2021] Noght was foryeten by the infortune of Marte. [2022] The cartere overryden with his carte -- [2023] Under the wheel ful lowe he lay adoun. [2024] Ther were also, of Martes divisioun, [2025] The barbour, and the bocher, and the smyth, [2026] That forgeth sharpe swerdes on his styth. [2027] And al above, depeynted in a tour, [2028] Saugh I Conquest, sittynge in greet honour, [2029] With the sharpe swerd over his heed [2030] Hangynge by a soutil twynes threed. [2031] Depeynted was the slaughtre of Julius, [2032] Of grete Nero, and of Antonius; [2033] Al be that thilke tyme they were unborn, [2034] Yet was hir deth depeynted ther-biforn [2035] By manasynge of Mars, right by figure; [2036] So was it shewed in that portreiture, [2037] As is depeynted in the sterres above [2038] Who shal be slayn or elles deed for love. [2039] Suffiseth oon ensample in stories olde; [2040] I may nat rekene hem alle though I wolde. [2041] The statue of Mars upon a carte stood [2042] Armed, and looked grym as he were wood; [2043] And over his heed ther shynen two figures [2044] Of sterres, that been cleped in scriptures, [2045] That oon Puella, that oother Rubeus -- [2046] This god of armes was arrayed thus. [2047] A wolf ther stood biforn hym at his feet [2048] With eyen rede, and of a man he eet; [2049] With soutil pencel was depeynted this storie [2050] In redoutynge of Mars and of his glorie. [2051] Now to the temple of Dyane the chaste, [2052] As shortly as I kan, I wol me haste, [2053] To telle yow al the descripsioun. [2054] Depeynted been the walles up and doun [2055] Of huntyng and of shamefast chastitee. [2056] Ther saugh I how woful Calistopee, [2057] Whan that Diane agreved was with here, [2058] Was turned from a womman til a bere, [2059] And after was she maad the loode-sterre. [2060] Thus was it peynted; I kan sey yow no ferre. [2061] Hir sone is eek a sterre, as men may see. [2062] Ther saugh I Dane, yturned til a tree -- [2063] I mene nat the goddesse Diane, [2064] But Penneus doghter, which that highte Dane. [2065] Ther saugh I Attheon an hert ymaked, [2066] For vengeaunce that he saugh Diane al naked; [2067] I saugh how that his houndes have hym caught [2068] And freeten hym, for that they knewe hym naught. [2069] Yet peynted was a litel forther moor [2070] How Atthalante hunted the wilde boor, [2071] And Meleagre, and many another mo, [2072] For which Dyane wroghte hym care and wo. [2073] Ther saugh I many another wonder storie, [2074] The which me list nat drawen to memorie. [2075] This goddesse on an hert ful hye seet, [2076] With smale houndes al aboute hir feet, [2077] And undernethe hir feet she hadde a moone -- [2078] Wexynge it was and sholde wanye soone. [2079] In gaude grene hir statue clothed was, [2080] With bowe in honde and arwes in a cas. [2081] Hir eyen caste she ful lowe adoun [2082] Ther Pluto hath his derke regioun. [2083] A womman travaillynge was hire biforn; [2084] But for hir child so longe was unborn, [2085] Ful pitously Lucyna gan she calle [2086] And seyde, "Help, for thou mayst best of alle!" [2087] Wel koude he peynten lifly that it wroghte; [2088] With many a floryn he the hewes boghte. [2089] Now been thise lystes maad, and Theseus, [2090] That at his grete cost arrayed thus [2091] The temples and the theatre every deel, [2092] Whan it was doon, hym lyked wonder weel. [2093] But stynte I wole of Theseus a lite, [2094] And speke of Palamon and of Arcite. [2095] The day approcheth of hir retournynge, [2096] That everich sholde an hundred knyghtes brynge [2097] The bataille to darreyne, as I yow tolde. [2098] And til Atthenes, hir covenant for to holde, [2099] Hath everich of hem broght an hundred knyghtes, [2100] Wel armed for the werre at alle rightes. [2101] And sikerly ther trowed many a man [2102] That nevere, sithen that the world bigan, [2103] As for to speke of knyghthod of hir hond, [2104] As fer as God hath maked see or lond, [2105] Nas of so fewe so noble a compaignye. [2106] For every wight that lovede chivalrye [2107] And wolde, his thankes, han a passant name, [2108] Hath preyed that he myghte been of that game; [2109] And wel was hym that therto chosen was, [2110] For if ther fille tomorwe swich a cas, [2111] Ye knowen wel that every lusty knyght [2112] That loveth paramours and hath his myght, [2113] Were it in Engelond or elleswhere, [2114] They wolde, hir thankes, wilnen to be there -- [2115] To fighte for a lady, benedicitee! [2116] It were a lusty sighte for to see. [2117] And right so ferden they with Palamon. [2118] With hym ther wenten knyghtes many on; [2119] Som wol ben armed in an haubergeoun, [2120] And in a brestplate and a light gypoun; [2121] And som wol have a paire plates large; [2122] And som wol have a Pruce sheeld or a targe; [2123] Som wol ben armed on his legges weel, [2124] And have an ax, and som a mace of steel -- [2125] Ther is no newe gyse that it nas old. [2126] Armed were they, as I have yow told, [2127] Everych after his opinioun. [2128] Ther maistow seen, comynge with Palamoun, [2129] Lygurge hymself, the grete kyng of Trace. [2130] Blak was his berd, and manly was his face; [2131] The cercles of his eyen in his heed, [2132] They gloweden bitwixen yelow and reed, [2133] And lik a grifphon looked he aboute, [2134] With kempe heeris on his browes stoute; [2135] His lymes grete, his brawnes harde and stronge, [2136] His shuldres brode, his armes rounde and longe; [2137] And as the gyse was in his contree, [2138] Ful hye upon a chaar of gold stood he, [2139] With foure white boles in the trays. [2140] In stede of cote-armure over his harnays, [2141] With nayles yelewe and brighte as any gold, [2142] He hadde a beres skyn, col-blak for old. [2143] His longe heer was kembd bihynde his bak; [2144] As any ravenes fethere it shoon for blak; [2145] A wrethe of gold, arm-greet, of huge wighte, [2146] Upon his heed, set ful of stones brighte, [2147] Of fyne rubyes and of dyamauntz. [2148] Aboute his chaar ther wenten white alauntz, [2149] Twenty and mo, as grete as any steer, [2150] To hunten at the leoun or the deer, [2151] And folwed hym with mosel faste ybounde, [2152] Colered of gold, and tourettes fyled rounde. [2153] An hundred lordes hadde he in his route, [2154] Armed ful wel, with hertes stierne and stoute. [2155] With Arcita, in stories as men fynde, [2156] The grete Emetreus, the kyng of Inde, [2157] Upon a steede bay trapped in steel, [2158] Covered in clooth of gold, dyapred weel, [2159] Cam ridynge lyk the god of armes, Mars. [2160] His cote-armure was of clooth of Tars [2161] Couched with perles white and rounde and grete; [2162] His sadel was of brend gold newe ybete; [2163] A mantelet upon his shulder hangynge, [2164] Bret-ful of rubyes rede as fyr sparklynge; [2165] His crispe heer lyk rynges was yronne, [2166] And that was yelow, and glytered as the sonne. [2167] His nose was heigh, his eyen bright citryn, [2168] His lippes rounde, his colour was sangwyn; [2169] A fewe frakenes in his face yspreynd, [2170] Bitwixen yelow and somdel blak ymeynd; [2171] And as a leon he his lookyng caste. [2172] Of fyve and twenty yeer his age I caste. [2173] His berd was wel bigonne for to sprynge; [2174] His voys was as a trompe thonderynge. [2175] Upon his heed he wered of laurer grene [2176] A gerland, fressh and lusty for to sene. [2177] Upon his hand he bar for his deduyt [2178] An egle tame, as any lilye whyt. [2179] An hundred lordes hadde he with hym there, [2180] Al armed, save hir heddes, in al hir gere, [2181] Ful richely in alle maner thynges. [2182] For trusteth wel that dukes, erles, kynges [2183] Were gadered in this noble compaignye, [2184] For love and for encrees of chivalrye. [2185] Aboute this kyng ther ran on every part [2186] Ful many a tame leon and leopart. [2187] And in this wise thise lordes, alle and some, [2188] Been on the Sonday to the citee come [2189] Aboute pryme, and in the toun alight. [2190] This Theseus, this duc, this worthy knyght, [2191] Whan he had broght hem into his citee, [2192] And inned hem, everich at his degree, [2193] He festeth hem, and dooth so greet labour [2194] To esen hem and doon hem al honour [2195] That yet men wenen that no mannes wit [2196] Of noon estaat ne koude amenden it. [2197] The mynstralcye, the service at the feeste, [2198] The grete yiftes to the meeste and leeste, [2199] The riche array of Theseus paleys, [2200] Ne who sat first ne last upon the deys, [2201] What ladyes fairest been or best daunsynge, [2202] Or which of hem kan dauncen best and synge, [2203] Ne who moost felyngly speketh of love; [2204] What haukes sitten on the perche above, [2205] What houndes liggen on the floor adoun -- [2206] Of al this make I now no mencioun, [2207] But al th' effect; that thynketh me the beste. [2208] Now cometh the point, and herkneth if yow leste. [2209] The Sonday nyght, er day bigan to sprynge, [2210] Whan Palamon the larke herde synge [2211] (Although it nere nat day by houres two, [2212] Yet song the larke) and Palamon right tho [2213] With hooly herte and with an heigh corage, [2214] He roos to wenden on his pilgrymage [2215] Unto the blisful Citherea benigne -- [2216] I mene Venus, honurable and digne. [2217] And in hir houre he walketh forth a pas [2218] Unto the lystes ther hire temple was, [2219] And doun he kneleth, and with humble cheere [2220] And herte soor he seyde as ye shal heere: [2221] "Faireste of faire, O lady myn, Venus, [2222] Doughter to Jove and spouse of Vulcanus, [2223] Thow gladere of the mount of Citheron, [2224] For thilke love thow haddest to Adoon, [2225] Have pitee of my bittre teeris smerte, [2226] And taak myn humble preyere at thyn herte. [2227] Allas! I ne have no langage to telle [2228] Th' effectes ne the tormentz of myn helle; [2229] Myn herte may myne harmes nat biwreye; [2230] I am so confus that I kan noght seye [2231] But `Mercy, lady bright, that knowest weele [2232] My thought and seest what harmes that I feele!' [2233] Considere al this and rewe upon my soore, [2234] As wisly as I shal for everemoore, [2235] Emforth my myght, thy trewe servant be, [2236] And holden werre alwey with chastitee. [2237] That make I myn avow, so ye me helpe! [2238] I kepe noght of armes for to yelpe, [2239] Ne I ne axe nat tomorwe to have victorie, [2240] Ne renoun in this cas, ne veyne glorie [2241] Of pris of armes blowen up and doun; [2242] But I wolde have fully possessioun [2243] Of Emelye, and dye in thy servyse. [2244] Fynd thow the manere hou and in what wyse: [2245] I recche nat but it may bettre be [2246] To have victorie of hem, or they of me, [2247] So that I have my lady in myne armes. [2248] For though so be that Mars is god of armes, [2249] Youre vertu is so greet in hevene above [2250] That if yow list, I shal wel have my love. [2251] Thy temple wol I worshipe everemo, [2252] And on thyn auter, where I ride or go, [2253] I wol doon sacrifice and fires beete. [2254] And if ye wol nat so, my lady sweete, [2255] Thanne preye I thee, tomorwe with a spere [2256] That Arcita me thurgh the herte bere. [2257] Thanne rekke I noght, whan I have lost my lyf, [2258] Though that Arcita wynne hire to his wyf. [2259] This is th' effect and ende of my preyere: [2260] Yif me my love, thow blisful lady deere." [2261] Whan the orison was doon of Palamon, [2262] His sacrifice he dide, and that anon, [2263] Ful pitously, with alle circumstaunces, [2264] Al telle I noght as now his observaunces; [2265] But atte laste the statue of Venus shook, [2266] And made a signe, wherby that he took [2267] That his preyere accepted was that day. [2268] For thogh the signe shewed a delay, [2269] Yet wiste he wel that graunted was his boone, [2270] And with glad herte he wente hym hoom ful soone. [2271] The thridde houre inequal that Palamon [2272] Bigan to Venus temple for to gon, [2273] Up roos the sonne, and up roos Emelye [2274] And to the temple of Dyane gan hye. [2275] Hir maydens, that she thider with hire ladde, [2276] Ful redily with hem the fyr they hadde, [2277] Th' encens, the clothes, and the remenant al [2278] That to the sacrifice longen shal; [2279] The hornes fulle of meeth, as was the gyse -- [2280] Ther lakked noght to doon hir sacrifise. [2281] Smokynge the temple, ful of clothes faire, [2282] This Emelye, with herte debonaire, [2283] Hir body wessh with water of a welle. [2284] But hou she dide hir ryte I dar nat telle, [2285] But it be any thing in general; [2286] And yet it were a game to heeren al. [2287] To hym that meneth wel it were no charge; [2288] But it is good a man been at his large. [2289] Hir brighte heer was kembd, untressed al; [2290] A coroune of a grene ook cerial [2291] Upon hir heed was set ful fair and meete. [2292] Two fyres on the auter gan she beete, [2293] And dide hir thynges, as men may biholde [2294] In Stace of Thebes and thise bookes olde. [2295] Whan kyndled was the fyr, with pitous cheere [2296] Unto Dyane she spak as ye may heere: [2297] "O chaste goddesse of the wodes grene, [2298] To whom bothe hevene and erthe and see is sene, [2299] Queene of the regne of Pluto derk and lowe, [2300] Goddesse of maydens, that myn herte hast knowe [2301] Ful many a yeer, and woost what I desire, [2302] As keepe me fro thy vengeaunce and thyn ire, [2303] That Attheon aboughte cruelly. [2304] Chaste goddesse, wel wostow that I [2305] Desire to ben a mayden al my lyf, [2306] Ne nevere wol I be no love ne wyf. [2307] I am, thow woost, yet of thy compaignye, [2308] A mayde, and love huntynge and venerye, [2309] And for to walken in the wodes wilde, [2310] And noght to ben a wyf and be with childe. [2311] Noght wol I knowe compaignye of man. [2312] Now help me, lady, sith ye may and kan, [2313] For tho thre formes that thou hast in thee. [2314] And Palamon, that hath swich love to me, [2315] And eek Arcite, that loveth me so soore, [2316] This grace I preye thee withoute moore, [2317] As sende love and pees bitwixe hem two, [2318] And fro me turne awey hir hertes so [2319] That al hire hoote love and hir desir, [2320] And al hir bisy torment, and hir fir [2321] Be queynt, or turned in another place. [2322] And if so be thou wolt nat do me grace, [2323] Or if my destynee be shapen so [2324] That I shal nedes have oon of hem two, [2325] As sende me hym that moost desireth me. [2326] Bihoold, goddesse of clene chastitee, [2327] The bittre teeris that on my chekes falle. [2328] Syn thou art mayde and kepere of us alle, [2329] My maydenhede thou kepe and wel conserve, [2330] And whil I lyve, a mayde I wol thee serve." [2331] The fires brenne upon the auter cleere, [2332] Whil Emelye was thus in hir preyere. [2333] But sodeynly she saugh a sighte queynte, [2334] For right anon oon of the fyres queynte [2335] And quyked agayn, and after that anon [2336] That oother fyr was queynt and al agon; [2337] And as it queynte it made a whistelynge, [2338] As doon thise wete brondes in hir brennynge, [2339] And at the brondes ende out ran anon [2340] As it were blody dropes many oon; [2341] For which so soore agast was Emelye [2342] That she was wel ny mad and gan to crye, [2343] For she ne wiste what it signyfied, [2344] But oonly for the feere thus hath she cried, [2345] And weep that it was pitee for to heere. [2346] And therwithal Dyane gan appeere, [2347] With bowe in honde, right as an hunteresse, [2348] And seyde, "Doghter, stynt thyn hevynesse. [2349] Among the goddes hye it is affermed, [2350] And by eterne word writen and confermed, [2351] Thou shalt ben wedded unto oon of tho [2352] That han for thee so muchel care and wo, [2353] But unto which of hem I may nat telle. [2354] Farwel, for I ne may no lenger dwelle. [2355] The fires which that on myn auter brenne [2356] Shulle thee declaren, er that thou go henne, [2357] Thyn aventure of love, as in this cas." [2358] And with that word, the arwes in the caas [2359] Of the goddesse clateren faste and rynge, [2360] And forth she wente and made a vanysshynge; [2361] For which this Emelye astoned was, [2362] And seyde, "What amounteth this, allas? [2363] I putte me in thy proteccioun, [2364] Dyane, and in thy disposicioun." [2365] And hoom she goth anon the nexte weye. [2366] This is th' effect; ther is namoore to seye. [2367] The nexte houre of Mars folwynge this, [2368] Arcite unto the temple walked is [2369] Of fierse Mars to doon his sacrifise, [2370] With alle the rytes of his payen wyse. [2371] With pitous herte and heigh devocioun, [2372] Right thus to Mars he seyde his orisoun: [2373] "O stronge god, that in the regnes colde [2374] Of Trace honoured art and lord yholde, [2375] And hast in every regne and every lond [2376] Of armes al the brydel in thyn hond, [2377] And hem fortunest as thee lyst devyse, [2378] Accepte of me my pitous sacrifise. [2379] If so be that my youthe may deserve, [2380] And that my myght be worthy for to serve [2381] Thy godhede, that I may been oon of thyne, [2382] Thanne preye I thee to rewe upon my pyne. [2383] For thilke peyne and thilke hoote fir [2384] In which thow whilom brendest for desir, [2385] Whan that thow usedest the beautee [2386] Of faire, yonge, fresshe Venus free, [2387] And haddest hire in armes at thy wille -- [2388] Although thee ones on a tyme mysfille, [2389] Whan Vulcanus hadde caught thee in his las [2390] And foond thee liggynge by his wyf, allas! -- [2391] For thilke sorwe that was in thyn herte, [2392] Have routhe as wel upon my peynes smerte. [2393] I am yong and unkonnynge, as thow woost, [2394] And, as I trowe, with love offended moost [2395] That evere was any lyves creature, [2396] For she that dooth me al this wo endure [2397] Ne reccheth nevere wher I synke or fleete. [2398] And wel I woot, er she me mercy heete, [2399] I moot with strengthe wynne hire in the place, [2400] And wel I woot, withouten help or grace [2401] Of thee ne may my strengthe noght availle. [2402] Thanne help me, lord, tomorwe in my bataille, [2403] For thilke fyr that whilom brente thee, [2404] As wel as thilke fyr now brenneth me, [2405] And do that I tomorwe have victorie. [2406] Myn be the travaille, and thyn be the glorie! [2407] Thy sovereyn temple wol I moost honouren [2408] Of any place, and alwey moost labouren [2409] In thy plesaunce and in thy craftes stronge, [2410] And in thy temple I wol my baner honge [2411] And alle the armes of my compaignye, [2412] And everemo, unto that day I dye, [2413] Eterne fir I wol bifore thee fynde. [2414] And eek to this avow I wol me bynde: [2415] My beerd, myn heer, that hongeth long adoun, [2416] That nevere yet ne felte offensioun [2417] Of rasour nor of shere, I wol thee yive, [2418] And ben thy trewe servant whil I lyve. [2419] Now, lord, have routhe upon my sorwes soore; [2420] Yif me [victorie]; I aske thee namoore." [2421] The preyere stynt of Arcita the stronge, [2422] The rynges on the temple dore that honge, [2423] And eek the dores, clatereden ful faste, [2424] Of which Arcita somwhat hym agaste. [2425] The fyres brenden upon the auter brighte [2426] That it gan al the temple for to lighte; [2427] A sweete smel the ground anon up yaf, [2428] And Arcita anon his hand up haf, [2429] And moore encens into the fyr he caste, [2430] With othere rytes mo; and atte laste [2431] The statue of Mars bigan his hauberk rynge, [2432] And with that soun he herde a murmurynge [2433] Ful lowe and dym, and seyde thus, "Victorie!" [2434] For which he yaf to Mars honour and glorie. [2435] And thus with joye and hope wel to fare [2436] Arcite anon unto his in is fare, [2437] As fayn as fowel is of the brighte sonne. [2438] And right anon swich strif ther is bigonne, [2439] For thilke grauntyng, in the hevene above, [2440] Bitwixe Venus, the goddesse of love, [2441] And Mars, the stierne god armypotente, [2442] That Juppiter was bisy it to stente, [2443] Til that the pale Saturnus the colde, [2444] That knew so manye of aventures olde, [2445] Foond in his olde experience an art [2446] That he ful soone hath plesed every part. [2447] As sooth is seyd, elde hath greet avantage; [2448] In elde is bothe wysdom and usage; [2449] Men may the olde atrenne and noght atrede. [2450] Saturne anon, to stynten strif and drede, [2451] Al be it that it is agayn his kynde, [2452] Of al this strif he gan remedie fynde. [2453] "My deere doghter Venus," quod Saturne, [2454] "My cours, that hath so wyde for to turne, [2455] Hath moore power than woot any man. [2456] Myn is the drenchyng in the see so wan; [2457] Myn is the prison in the derke cote; [2458] Myn is the stranglyng and hangyng by the throte, [2459] The murmure and the cherles rebellyng, [2460] The groynynge, and the pryvee empoysonyng; [2461] I do vengeance and pleyn correccioun, [2462] Whil I dwelle in the signe of the leoun. [2463] Myn is the ruyne of the hye halles, [2464] The fallynge of the toures and of the walles [2465] Upon the mynour or the carpenter. [2466] I slow Sampsoun, shakynge the piler; [2467] And myne be the maladyes colde, [2468] The derke tresons, and the castes olde; [2469] My lookyng is the fader of pestilence. [2470] Now weep namoore; I shal doon diligence [2471] That Palamon, that is thyn owene knyght, [2472] Shal have his lady, as thou hast him hight. [2473] Though Mars shal helpe his knyght, yet nathelees [2474] Bitwixe yow ther moot be som tyme pees, [2475] Al be ye noght of o compleccioun, [2476] That causeth al day swich divisioun. [2477] I am thyn aiel, redy at thy wille; [2478] Weep now namoore; I wol thy lust fulfille." [2479] Now wol I stynten of the goddes above, [2480] Of Mars, and of Venus, goddesse of love, [2481] And telle yow as pleynly as I kan [2482] The grete effect, for which that I bygan. [2483] Greet was the feeste in Atthenes that day, [2484] And eek the lusty seson of that May [2485] Made every wight to been in swich plesaunce [2486] That al that Monday justen they and daunce, [2487] And spenden it in Venus heigh servyse. [2488] But by the cause that they sholde ryse [2489] Eerly, for to seen the grete fight, [2490] Unto hir reste wenten they at nyght. [2491] And on the morwe, whan that day gan sprynge, [2492] Of hors and harneys noyse and claterynge [2493] Ther was in hostelryes al aboute, [2494] And to the paleys rood ther many a route [2495] Of lordes upon steedes and palfreys. [2496] Ther maystow seen devisynge of harneys [2497] So unkouth and so riche, and wroght so weel [2498] Of goldsmythrye, of browdynge, and of steel; [2499] The sheeldes brighte, testeres, and trappures, [2500] Gold-hewen helmes, hauberkes, cote-armures; [2501] Lordes in parementz on hir courseres, [2502] Knyghtes of retenue, and eek squieres [2503] Nailynge the speres, and helmes bokelynge; [2504] Giggynge of sheeldes, with layneres lacynge -- [2505] There as nede is they weren no thyng ydel; [2506] The fomy steedes on the golden brydel [2507] Gnawynge, and faste the armurers also [2508] With fyle and hamer prikynge to and fro; [2509] Yemen on foote, and communes many oon [2510] With shorte staves, thikke as they may goon; [2511] Pypes, trompes, nakers, clariounes, [2512] That in the bataille blowen blody sounes; [2513] The paleys ful of peple up and doun, [2514] Heere thre, ther ten, holdynge hir questioun, [2515] Dyvynynge of thise Thebane knyghtes two. [2516] Somme seyden thus, somme seyde "it shal be so"; [2517] Somme helden with hym with the blake berd, [2518] Somme with the balled, somme with the thikke herd; [2519] Somme seyde he looked grymme, and he wolde fighte: [2520] "He hath a sparth of twenty pound of wighte." [2521] Thus was the halle ful of divynynge, [2522] Longe after that the sonne gan to sprynge. [2523] The grete Theseus, that of his sleep awaked [2524] With mynstralcie and noyse that was maked, [2525] Heeld yet the chambre of his paleys riche [2526] Til that the Thebane knyghtes, bothe yliche [2527] Honured, were into the paleys fet. [2528] Duc Theseus was at a wyndow set, [2529] Arrayed right as he were a god in trone. [2530] The peple preesseth thiderward ful soone [2531] Hym for to seen, and doon heigh reverence, [2532] And eek to herkne his heste and his sentence. [2533] An heraud on a scaffold made an "Oo!" [2534] Til al the noyse of peple was ydo, [2535] And whan he saugh the peple of noyse al stille, [2536] Tho shewed he the myghty dukes wille: [2537] "The lord hath of his heigh discrecioun [2538] Considered that it were destruccioun [2539] To gentil blood to fighten in the gyse [2540] Of mortal bataille now in this emprise. [2541] Wherfore, to shapen that they shal nat dye, [2542] He wol his firste purpos modifye. [2543] No man therfore, up peyne of los of lyf, [2544] No maner shot, ne polax, ne short knyf [2545] Into the lystes sende or thider brynge; [2546] Ne short swerd, for to stoke with poynt bitynge, [2547] No man ne drawe, ne bere it by his syde. [2548] Ne no man shal unto his felawe ryde [2549] But o cours with a sharpe ygrounde spere; [2550] Foyne, if hym list, on foote, hymself to were. [2551] And he that is at meschief shal be take [2552] And noght slayn, but be broght unto the stake [2553] That shal ben ordeyned on either syde; [2554] But thider he shal by force, and there abyde. [2555] And if so falle the chieftayn be take [2556] On outher syde, or elles sleen his make, [2557] No lenger shal the turneiynge laste. [2558] God spede you! Gooth forth and ley on faste! [2559] With long swerd and with mace fighteth youre fille. [2560] Gooth now youre wey; this is the lordes wille." [2561] The voys of peple touchede the hevene, [2562] So loude cride they with murie stevene, [2563] "God save swich a lord, that is so good [2564] He wilneth no destruccion of blood!" [2565] Up goon the trompes and the melodye, [2566] And to the lystes rit the compaignye, [2567] By ordinance, thurghout the citee large, [2568] Hanged with clooth of gold, and nat with sarge. [2569] Ful lik a lord this noble duc gan ryde, [2570] Thise two Thebans upon either syde, [2571] And after rood the queene and Emelye, [2572] And after that another compaignye [2573] Of oon and oother, after hir degree. [2574] And thus they passen thurghout the citee, [2575] And to the lystes come they by tyme. [2576] It nas nat of the day yet fully pryme [2577] Whan set was Theseus ful riche and hye, [2578] Ypolita the queene, and Emelye, [2579] And othere ladys in degrees aboute. [2580] Unto the seetes preesseth al the route. [2581] And westward, thurgh the gates under Marte, [2582] Arcite, and eek the hondred of his parte, [2583] With baner reed is entred right anon; [2584] And in that selve moment Palamon [2585] Is under Venus, estward in the place, [2586] With baner whyt and hardy chiere and face. [2587] In al the world, to seken up and doun, [2588] So evene, withouten variacioun, [2589] Ther nere swiche compaignyes tweye, [2590] For ther was noon so wys that koude seye [2591] That any hadde of oother avauntage [2592] Of worthynesse, ne of estaat, ne age, [2593] So evene were they chosen, for to gesse. [2594] And in two renges faire they hem dresse. [2595] Whan that hir names rad were everichon, [2596] That in hir nombre gyle were ther noon, [2597] Tho were the gates shet, and cried was loude: [2598] "Do now youre devoir, yonge knyghtes proude!" [2599] The heraudes lefte hir prikyng up and doun; [2600] Now ryngen trompes loude and clarioun. [2601] Ther is namoore to seyn, but west and est [2602] In goon the speres ful sadly in arrest; [2603] In gooth the sharpe spore into the syde. [2604] Ther seen men who kan juste and who kan ryde; [2605] Ther shyveren shaftes upon sheeldes thikke; [2606] He feeleth thurgh the herte-spoon the prikke. [2607] Up spryngen speres twenty foot on highte; [2608] Out goon the swerdes as the silver brighte; [2609] The helmes they tohewen and toshrede; [2610] Out brest the blood with stierne stremes rede; [2611] With myghty maces the bones they tobreste. [2612] He thurgh the thikkeste of the throng gan threste; [2613] Ther stomblen steedes stronge, and doun gooth al, [2614] He rolleth under foot as dooth a bal; [2615] He foyneth on his feet with his tronchoun, [2616] And he hym hurtleth with his hors adoun; [2617] He thurgh the body is hurt and sithen ytake, [2618] Maugree his heed, and broght unto the stake; [2619] As forward was, right there he moste abyde. [2620] Another lad is on that oother syde. [2621] And some tyme dooth hem Theseus to reste, [2622] Hem to refresshe and drynken, if hem leste. [2623] Ful ofte a day han thise Thebanes two [2624] Togydre ymet, and wroght his felawe wo; [2625] Unhorsed hath ech oother of hem tweye. [2626] Ther nas no tygre in the vale of Galgopheye, [2627] Whan that hir whelp is stole whan it is lite, [2628] So crueel on the hunte as is Arcite [2629] For jelous herte upon this Palamon. [2630] Ne in Belmarye ther nys so fel leon, [2631] That hunted is, or for his hunger wood, [2632] Ne of his praye desireth so the blood, [2633] As Palamon to sleen his foo Arcite. [2634] The jelous strokes on hir helmes byte; [2635] Out renneth blood on bothe hir sydes rede. [2636] Som tyme an ende ther is of every dede. [2637] For er the sonne unto the reste wente, [2638] The stronge kyng Emetreus gan hente [2639] This Palamon, as he faught with Arcite, [2640] And made his swerd depe in his flessh to byte, [2641] And by the force of twenty is he take [2642] Unyolden, and ydrawen to the stake. [2643] And in the rescus of this Palamoun [2644] The stronge kyng Lygurge is born adoun, [2645] And kyng Emetreus, for al his strengthe, [2646] Is born out of his sadel a swerdes lengthe, [2647] So hitte him Palamoun er he were take. [2648] But al for noght; he was broght to the stake. [2649] His hardy herte myghte hym helpe naught: [2650] He moste abyde, whan that he was caught, [2651] By force and eek by composicioun. [2652] Who sorweth now but woful Palamoun, [2653] That moot namoore goon agayn to fighte? [2654] And whan that Theseus hadde seyn this sighte, [2655] Unto the folk that foghten thus echon [2656] He cryde, "Hoo! namoore, for it is doon! [2657] I wol be trewe juge, and no partie. [2658] Arcite of Thebes shal have Emelie, [2659] That by his fortune hath hire faire ywonne." [2660] Anon ther is a noyse of peple bigonne [2661] For joye of this, so loude and heighe withalle [2662] It semed that the lystes sholde falle. [2663] What kan now faire Venus doon above? [2664] What seith she now? What dooth this queene of love, [2665] But wepeth so, for wantynge of hir wille, [2666] Til that hir teeres in the lystes fille? [2667] She seyde, "I am ashamed, doutelees." [2668] Saturnus seyde, "Doghter, hoold thy pees! [2669] Mars hath his wille, his knyght hath al his boone, [2670] And, by myn heed, thow shalt been esed soone." [2671] The trompours, with the loude mynstralcie, [2672] The heraudes, that ful loude yelle and crie, [2673] Been in hire wele for joye of daun Arcite. [2674] But herkneth me, and stynteth noyse a lite, [2675] Which a myracle ther bifel anon. [2676] This fierse Arcite hath of his helm ydon, [2677] And on a courser, for to shewe his face, [2678] He priketh endelong the large place [2679] Lokynge upward upon this Emelye; [2680] And she agayn hym caste a freendlich ye [2681] (For wommen, as to speken in comune, [2682] Thei folwen alle the favour of Fortune) [2683] And was al his chiere, as in his herte. [2684] Out of the ground a furie infernal sterte, [2685] From Pluto sent at requeste of Saturne, [2686] For which his hors for fere gan to turne, [2687] And leep aside, and foundred as he leep; [2688] And er that Arcite may taken keep, [2689] He pighte hym on the pomel of his heed, [2690] That in the place he lay as he were deed, [2691] His brest tobrosten with his sadel-bowe. [2692] As blak he lay as any cole or crowe, [2693] So was the blood yronnen in his face. [2694] Anon he was yborn out of the place, [2695] With herte soor, to Theseus paleys. [2696] Tho was he korven out of his harneys [2697] And in a bed ybrought ful faire and blyve, [2698] For he was yet in memorie and alyve, [2699] And alwey criynge after Emelye. [2700] Duc Theseus, with al his compaignye, [2701] Is comen hoom to Atthenes his citee, [2702] With alle blisse and greet solempnitee. [2703] Al be it that this aventure was falle, [2704] He nolde noght disconforten hem alle. [2705] Men seyde eek that Arcite shal nat dye; [2706] He shal been heeled of his maladye. [2707] And of another thyng they weren as fayn, [2708] That of hem alle was ther noon yslayn, [2709] Al were they soore yhurt, and namely oon, [2710] That with a spere was thirled his brest boon. [2711] To othere woundes and to broken armes [2712] Somme hadden salves, and somme hadden charmes; [2713] Fermacies of herbes, and eek save [2714] They dronken, for they wolde hir lymes have. [2715] For which this noble duc, as he wel kan, [2716] Conforteth and honoureth every man, [2717] And made revel al the longe nyght [2718] Unto the straunge lordes, as was right. [2719] Ne ther was holden no disconfitynge [2720] But as a justes or a tourneiynge; [2721] For soothly ther was no disconfiture. [2722] For fallyng nys nat but an aventure, [2723] Ne to be lad by force unto the stake [2724] Unyolden, and with twenty knyghtes take, [2725] O persone allone, withouten mo, [2726] And haryed forth by arme, foot, and too, [2727] And eke his steede dryven forth with staves [2728] With footmen, bothe yemen and eek knaves -- [2729] It nas arretted hym no vileynye; [2730] Ther may no man clepen it cowardye. [2731] For which anon duc Theseus leet crye, [2732] To stynten alle rancour and envye, [2733] The gree as wel of o syde as of oother, [2734] And eyther syde ylik as ootheres brother; [2735] And yaf hem yiftes after hir degree, [2736] And fully heeld a feeste dayes three, [2737] And conveyed the kynges worthily [2738] Out of his toun a journee largely. [2739] And hoom wente every man the righte way. [2740] Ther was namoore but "Fare wel, have good day!" [2741] Of this bataille I wol namoore endite, [2742] But speke of Palamon and of Arcite. [2743] Swelleth the brest of Arcite, and the soore [2744] Encreesseth at his herte moore and moore. [2745] The clothered blood, for any lechecraft, [2746] Corrupteth, and is in his bouk ylaft, [2747] That neither veyne-blood, ne ventusynge, [2748] Ne drynke of herbes may ben his helpynge. [2749] The vertu expulsif, or animal, [2750] Fro thilke vertu cleped natural [2751] Ne may the venym voyden ne expelle. [2752] The pipes of his longes gonne to swelle, [2753] And every lacerte in his brest adoun [2754] Is shent with venym and corrupcioun. [2755] Hym gayneth neither, for to gete his lif, [2756] Vomyt upward, ne dounward laxatif. [2757] Al is tobrosten thilke regioun; [2758] Nature hath now no dominacioun. [2759] And certeinly, ther Nature wol nat wirche, [2760] Fare wel phisik! Go ber the man to chirche! [2761] This al and som, that Arcita moot dye; [2762] For which he sendeth after Emelye, [2763] And Palamon, that was his cosyn deere. [2764] Thanne seyde he thus, as ye shal after heere: [2765] "Naught may the woful spirit in myn herte [2766] Declare o point of alle my sorwes smerte [2767] To yow, my lady, that I love moost, [2768] But I biquethe the servyce of my goost [2769] To yow aboven every creature, [2770] Syn that my lyf may no lenger dure. [2771] Allas, the wo! Allas, the peynes stronge, [2772] That I for yow have suffred, and so longe! [2773] Allas, the deeth! Allas, myn Emelye! [2774] Allas, departynge of oure compaignye! [2775] Allas, myn hertes queene! Allas, my wyf, [2776] Myn hertes lady, endere of my lyf! [2777] What is this world? What asketh men to have? [2778] Now with his love, now in his colde grave [2779] Allone, withouten any compaignye. [2780] Fare wel, my sweete foo, myn Emelye! [2781] And softe taak me in youre armes tweye, [2782] For love of God, and herkneth what I seye. [2783] "I have heer with my cosyn Palamon [2784] Had strif and rancour many a day agon [2785] For love of yow, and for my jalousye. [2786] And Juppiter so wys my soule gye, [2787] To speken of a servaunt proprely, [2788] With alle circumstances trewely -- [2789] That is to seyen, trouthe, honour, knyghthede, [2790] Wysdom, humblesse, estaat, and heigh kynrede, [2791] Fredom, and al that longeth to that art -- [2792] So Juppiter have of my soule part, [2793] As in this world right now ne knowe I non [2794] So worthy to ben loved as Palamon, [2795] That serveth yow, and wol doon al his lyf. [2796] And if that evere ye shul ben a wyf, [2797] Foryet nat Palamon, the gentil man." [2798] And with that word his speche faille gan, [2799] For from his feet up to his brest was come [2800] The coold of deeth, that hadde hym overcome, [2801] And yet mooreover, for in his armes two [2802] The vital strengthe is lost and al ago. [2803] Oonly the intellect, withouten moore, [2804] That dwelled in his herte syk and soore, [2805] Gan faillen whan the herte felte deeth. [2806] Dusked his eyen two, and failled breeth, [2807] But on his lady yet caste he his ye; [2808] His laste word was, "Mercy, Emelye!" [2809] His spirit chaunged hous and wente ther, [2810] As I cam nevere, I kan nat tellen wher. [2811] Therfore I stynte; I nam no divinistre; [2812] Of soules fynde I nat in this registre, [2813] Ne me ne list thilke opinions to telle [2814] Of hem, though that they writen wher they dwelle. [2815] Arcite is coold, ther Mars his soule gye! [2816] Now wol I speken forth of Emelye. [2817] Shrighte Emelye, and howleth Palamon, [2818] And Theseus his suster took anon [2819] Swownynge, and baar hire fro the corps away. [2820] What helpeth it to tarien forth the day [2821] To tellen how she weep bothe eve and morwe? [2822] For in swich cas wommen have swich sorwe, [2823] Whan that hir housbondes ben from hem ago, [2824] That for the moore part they sorwen so, [2825] Or ellis fallen in swich maladye [2826] That at the laste certeinly they dye. [2827] Infinite been the sorwes and the teeres [2828] Of olde folk and folk of tendre yeeres [2829] In al the toun for deeth of this Theban. [2830] For hym ther wepeth bothe child and man; [2831] So greet wepyng was ther noon, certayn, [2832] Whan Ector was ybroght, al fressh yslayn, [2833] To Troye. Allas, the pitee that was ther, [2834] Cracchynge of chekes, rentynge eek of heer. [2835] "Why woldestow be deed," thise wommen crye, [2836] "And haddest gold ynough, and Emelye?" [2837] No man myghte gladen Theseus, [2838] Savynge his olde fader Egeus, [2839] That knew this worldes transmutacioun, [2840] As he hadde seyn it chaunge bothe up and doun, [2841] Joye after wo, and wo after gladnesse, [2842] And shewed hem ensamples and liknesse. [2843] "Right as ther dyed nevere man," quod he, [2844] "That he ne lyvede in erthe in some degree, [2845] Right so ther lyvede never man," he seyde, [2846] "In al this world, that som tyme he ne deyde. [2847] This world nys but a thurghfare ful of wo, [2848] And we been pilgrymes, passynge to and fro. [2849] Deeth is an ende of every worldly soore." [2850] And over al this yet seyde he muchel moore [2851] To this effect, ful wisely to enhorte [2852] The peple that they sholde hem reconforte. [2853] Duc Theseus, with al his bisy cure, [2854] Caste now wher that the sepulture [2855] Of goode Arcite may best ymaked be, [2856] And eek moost honurable in his degree. [2857] And at the laste he took conclusioun [2858] That ther as first Arcite and Palamoun [2859] Hadden for love the bataille hem bitwene, [2860] That in that selve grove, swoote and grene, [2861] Ther as he hadde his amorouse desires, [2862] His compleynte, and for love his hoote fires, [2863] He wolde make a fyr in which the office [2864] Funeral he myghte al accomplice. [2865] And leet comande anon to hakke and hewe [2866] The okes olde, and leye hem on a rewe [2867] In colpons wel arrayed for to brenne. [2868] His officers with swifte feet they renne [2869] And ryde anon at his comandement. [2870] And after this, Theseus hath ysent [2871] After a beere, and it al overspradde [2872] With clooth of gold, the richeste that he hadde. [2873] And of the same suyte he cladde Arcite; [2874] Upon his hondes hadde he gloves white, [2875] Eek on his heed a coroune of laurer grene, [2876] And in his hond a swerd ful bright and kene. [2877] He leyde hym, bare the visage, on the beere; [2878] Therwith he weep that pitee was to heere. [2879] And for the peple sholde seen hym alle, [2880] Whan it was day, he broghte hym to the halle, [2881] That roreth of the criyng and the soun. [2882] Tho cam this woful Theban Palamoun, [2883] With flotery berd and ruggy, asshy heeres, [2884] In clothes blake, ydropped al with teeres; [2885] And, passynge othere of wepynge, Emelye, [2886] The rewefulleste of al the compaignye. [2887] In as muche as the servyce sholde be [2888] The moore noble and riche in his degree, [2889] Duc Theseus leet forth thre steedes brynge, [2890] That trapped were in steel al gliterynge, [2891] And covered with the armes of daun Arcite. [2892] Upon thise steedes, that weren grete and white, [2893] Ther seten folk, of whiche oon baar his sheeld, [2894] Another his spere up on his hondes heeld, [2895] The thridde baar with hym his bowe Turkeys [2896] (Of brend gold was the caas and eek the harneys); [2897] And riden forth a paas with sorweful cheere [2898] Toward the grove, as ye shul after heere. [2899] The nobleste of the Grekes that ther were [2900] Upon hir shuldres caryeden the beere, [2901] With slakke paas and eyen rede and wete, [2902] Thurghout the citee by the maister strete, [2903] That sprad was al with blak, and wonder hye [2904] Right of the same is the strete ywrye. [2905] Upon the right hond wente olde Egeus, [2906] And on that oother syde duc Theseus, [2907] With vessels in hir hand of gold ful fyn, [2908] Al ful of hony, milk, and blood, and wyn; [2909] Eek Palamon, with ful greet compaignye; [2910] And after that cam woful Emelye, [2911] With fyr in honde, as was that tyme the gyse, [2912] To do the office of funeral servyse. [2913] Heigh labour and ful greet apparaillynge [2914] Was at the service and the fyr-makynge, [2915] That with his grene top the hevene raughte; [2916] And twenty fadme of brede the armes straughte -- [2917] This is to seyn, the bowes weren so brode. [2918] Of stree first ther was leyd ful many a lode. [2919] But how the fyr was maked upon highte, [2920] Ne eek the names that the trees highte, [2921] As ook, firre, birch, aspe, alder, holm, popler, [2922] Wylugh, elm, plane, assh, box, chasteyn, lynde, laurer, [2923] Mapul, thorn, bech, hasel, ew, whippeltree -- [2924] How they weren feld shal nat be toold for me; [2925] Ne hou the goddes ronnen up and doun, [2926] Disherited of hire habitacioun, [2927] In which they woneden in reste and pees, [2928] Nymphes, fawnes and amadrides; [2929] Ne hou the beestes and the briddes alle [2930] Fledden for fere, whan the wode was falle; [2931] Ne how the ground agast was of the light, [2932] That was nat wont to seen the sonne bright; [2933] Ne how the fyr was couched first with stree, [2934] And thanne with drye stikkes cloven a thre, [2935] And thanne with grene wode and spicerye, [2936] And thanne with clooth of gold and with perrye, [2937] And gerlandes, hangynge with ful many a flour; [2938] The mirre, th' encens, with al so greet odour; [2939] Ne how Arcite lay among al this, [2940] Ne what richesse aboute his body is; [2941] Ne how that Emelye, as was the gyse, [2942] Putte in the fyr of funeral servyse; [2943] Ne how she swowned whan men made the fyr, [2944] Ne what she spak, ne what was hir desir; [2945] Ne what jeweles men in the fyre caste, [2946] Whan that the fyr was greet and brente faste; [2947] Ne how somme caste hir sheeld, and somme hir spere, [2948] And of hire vestimentz, whiche that they were, [2949] And coppes fulle of wyn, and milk, and blood, [2950] Into the fyr, that brente as it were wood; [2951] Ne how the Grekes, with an huge route, [2952] Thries riden al the fyr aboute [2953] Upon the left hand, with a loud shoutynge, [2954] And thries with hir speres claterynge; [2955] And thries how the ladyes gonne crye; [2956] And how that lad was homward Emelye; [2957] Ne how Arcite is brent to asshen colde; [2958] Ne how that lyche-wake was yholde [2959] Al thilke nyght; ne how the Grekes pleye [2960] The wake-pleyes; ne kepe I nat to seye [2961] Who wrastleth best naked with oille enoynt, [2962] Ne who that baar hym best, in no disjoynt. [2963] I wol nat tellen eek how that they goon [2964] Hoom til Atthenes, whan the pley is doon; [2965] But shortly to the point thanne wol I wende [2966] And maken of my longe tale an ende. [2967] By processe and by lengthe of certeyn yeres, [2968] Al stynted is the moornynge and the teres [2969] Of Grekes, by oon general assent. [2970] Thanne semed me ther was a parlement [2971] At Atthenes, upon certein pointz and caas; [2972] Among the whiche pointz yspoken was, [2973] To have with certein contrees alliaunce, [2974] And have fully of Thebans obeisaunce. [2975] For which this noble Theseus anon [2976] Leet senden after gentil Palamon, [2977] Unwist of hym what was the cause and why, [2978] But in his blake clothes sorwefully [2979] He cam at his comandement in hye. [2980] Tho sente Theseus for Emelye. [2981] Whan they were set, and hust was al the place, [2982] And Theseus abiden hadde a space [2983] Er any word cam fram his wise brest, [2984] His eyen sette he ther as was his lest. [2985] And with a sad visage he siked stille, [2986] And after that right thus he seyde his wille: [2987] "The Firste Moevere of the cause above, [2988] Whan he first made the faire cheyne of love, [2989] Greet was th' effect, and heigh was his entente. [2990] Wel wiste he why, and what thereof he mente, [2991] For with that faire cheyne of love he bond [2992] The fyr, the eyr, the water, and the lond [2993] In certeyn boundes, that they may nat flee. [2994] That same Prince and that Moevere," quod he, [2995] "Hath stablissed in this wrecched world adoun [2996] Certeyne dayes and duracioun [2997] To al that is engendred in this place, [2998] Over the whiche day they may nat pace, [2999] Al mowe they yet tho dayes wel abregge. [3000] Ther nedeth noght noon auctoritee t' allegge, [3001] For it is preeved by experience, [3002] But that me list declaren my sentence. [3003] Thanne may men by this ordre wel discerne [3004] That thilke Moevere stable is and eterne. [3005] Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool, [3006] That every part dirryveth from his hool, [3007] For nature hath nat taken his bigynnyng [3008] Of no partie or cantel of a thyng, [3009] But of a thyng that parfit is and stable, [3010] Descendynge so til it be corrumpable. [3011] And therfore, of his wise purveiaunce, [3012] He hath so wel biset his ordinaunce [3013] That speces of thynges and progressiouns [3014] Shullen enduren by successiouns, [3015] And nat eterne, withouten any lye. [3016] This maystow understonde and seen at ye. [3017] "Loo the ook, that hath so long a norisshynge [3018] From tyme that it first bigynneth to sprynge, [3019] And hath so long a lif, as we may see, [3020] Yet at the laste wasted is the tree. [3021] "Considereth eek how that the harde stoon [3022] Under oure feet, on which we trede and goon, [3023] Yet wasteth it as it lyth by the weye. [3024] The brode ryver somtyme wexeth dreye; [3025] The grete tounes se we wane and wende. [3026] Thanne may ye se that al this thyng hath ende. [3027] "Of man and womman seen we wel also [3028] That nedes, in oon of thise termes two -- [3029] This is to seyn, in youthe or elles age -- [3030] He moot be deed, the kyng as shal a page; [3031] Som in his bed, som in the depe see, [3032] Som in the large feeld, as men may see; [3033] Ther helpeth noght; al goth that ilke weye. [3034] Thanne may I seyn that al this thyng moot deye. [3035] "What maketh this but Juppiter, the kyng, [3036] That is prince and cause of alle thyng, [3037] Convertynge al unto his propre welle [3038] From which it is dirryved, sooth to telle? [3039] And heer-agayns no creature on lyve, [3040] Of no degree, availleth for to stryve. [3041] "Thanne is it wysdom, as it thynketh me, [3042] To maken vertu of necessitee, [3043] And take it weel that we may nat eschue, [3044] And namely that to us alle is due. [3045] And whoso gruccheth ought, he dooth folye, [3046] And rebel is to hym that al may gye. [3047] And certeinly a man hath moost honour [3048] To dyen in his excellence and flour, [3049] Whan he is siker of his goode name; [3050] Thanne hath he doon his freend, ne hym, no shame. [3051] And gladder oghte his freend been of his deeth, [3052] Whan with honour up yolden is his breeth, [3053] Than whan his name apalled is for age, [3054] For al forgeten is his vassellage. [3055] Thanne is it best, as for a worthy fame, [3056] To dyen whan that he is best of name. [3057] "The contrarie of al this is wilfulnesse. [3058] Why grucchen we, why have we hevynesse, [3059] That goode Arcite, of chivalrie flour, [3060] Departed is with duetee and honour [3061] Out of this foule prisoun of this lyf? [3062] Why grucchen heere his cosyn and his wyf [3063] Of his welfare, that loved hem so weel? [3064] Kan he hem thank? Nay, God woot, never a deel, [3065] That both his soule and eek hemself offende, [3066] And yet they mowe hir lustes nat amende. [3067] "What may I conclude of this longe serye, [3068] But after wo I rede us to be merye [3069] And thanken Juppiter of al his grace? [3070] And er that we departen from this place [3071] I rede that we make of sorwes two [3072] O parfit joye, lastynge everemo. [3073] And looketh now, wher moost sorwe is herinne, [3074] Ther wol we first amenden and bigynne. [3075] "Suster," quod he, "this is my fulle assent, [3076] With al th' avys heere of my parlement, [3077] That gentil Palamon, youre owene knyght, [3078] That serveth yow with wille, herte, and myght, [3079] And ever hath doon syn ye first hym knewe, [3080] That ye shul of youre grace upon hym rewe, [3081] And taken hym for housbonde and for lord. [3082] Lene me youre hond, for this is oure accord. [3083] Lat se now of youre wommanly pitee. [3084] He is a kynges brother sone, pardee; [3085] And though he were a povre bacheler, [3086] Syn he hath served yow so many a yeer, [3087] And had for yow so greet adversitee, [3088] It moste been considered, leeveth me, [3089] For gentil mercy oghte to passen right." [3090] Thanne seyde he thus to Palamon the knight: [3091] "I trowe ther nedeth litel sermonyng [3092] To make yow assente to this thyng. [3093] Com neer, and taak youre lady by the hond." [3094] Bitwixen hem was maad anon the bond [3095] That highte matrimoigne or mariage, [3096] By al the conseil and the baronage. [3097] And thus with alle blisse and melodye [3098] Hath Palamon ywedded Emelye. [3099] And God, that al this wyde world hath wroght, [3100] Sende hym his love that hath it deere aboght; [3101] For now is Palamon in alle wele, [3102] Lyvynge in blisse, in richesse, and in heele, [3103] And Emelye hym loveth so tendrely, [3104] And he hire serveth so gentilly, [3105] That nevere was ther no word hem bitwene [3106] Of jalousie or any oother teene. [3107] Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye; [3108] And God save al this faire compaignye! Amen. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Miller's Prologue [3109] Whan that the Knyght had thus his tale ytoold, [3110] In al the route nas ther yong ne oold [3111] That he ne seyde it was a noble storie [3112] And worthy for to drawen to memorie, [3113] And namely the gentils everichon. [3114] Oure Hooste lough and swoor, "So moot I gon, [3115] This gooth aright; unbokeled is the male. [3116] Lat se now who shal telle another tale; [3117] For trewely the game is wel bigonne. [3118] Now telleth ye, sir Monk, if that ye konne, [3119] Somwhat to quite with the Knyghtes tale." [3120] The Millere, that for dronken was al pale, [3121] So that unnethe upon his hors he sat, [3122] He nolde avalen neither hood ne hat, [3123] Ne abyde no man for his curteisie, [3124] But in Pilates voys he gan to crie, [3125] And swoor, "By armes, and by blood and bones, [3126] I kan a noble tale for the nones, [3127] With which I wol now quite the Knyghtes tale." [3128] Oure Hooste saugh that he was dronke of ale, [3129] And seyde, "Abyd, Robyn, my leeve brother; [3130] Som bettre man shal telle us first another. [3131] Abyd, and lat us werken thriftily." [3132] "By Goddes soule," quod he, "that wol nat I; [3133] For I wol speke or elles go my wey." [3134] Oure Hoost answerde, "Tel on, a devel wey! [3135] Thou art a fool; thy wit is overcome." [3136] "Now herkneth," quod the Millere, "alle and some! [3137] But first I make a protestacioun [3138] That I am dronke; I knowe it by my soun. [3139] And therfore if that I mysspeke or seye, [3140] Wyte it the ale of Southwerk, I you preye. [3141] For I wol telle a legende and a lyf [3142] Bothe of a carpenter and of his wyf, [3143] How that a clerk hath set the wrightes cappe." [3144] The Reve answerde and seyde, "Stynt thy clappe! [3145] Lat be thy lewed dronken harlotrye. [3146] It is a synne and eek a greet folye [3147] To apeyren any man, or hym defame, [3148] And eek to bryngen wyves in swich fame. [3149] Thou mayst ynogh of othere thynges seyn." [3150] This dronke Millere spak ful soone ageyn [3151] And seyde, "Leve brother Osewold, [3152] Who hath no wyf, he is no cokewold. [3153] But I sey nat therfore that thou art oon; [3154] Ther been ful goode wyves many oon, [3155] And evere a thousand goode ayeyns oon badde. [3156] That knowestow wel thyself, but if thou madde. [3157] Why artow angry with my tale now? [3158] I have a wyf, pardee, as wel as thow; [3159] Yet nolde I, for the oxen in my plogh, [3160] Take upon me moore than ynogh, [3161] As demen of myself that I were oon; [3162] I wol bileve wel that I am noon. [3163] An housbonde shal nat been inquisityf [3164] Of Goddes pryvetee, nor of his wyf. [3165] So he may fynde Goddes foyson there, [3166] Of the remenant nedeth nat enquere." [3167] What sholde I moore seyn, but this Millere [3168] He nolde his wordes for no man forbere, [3169] But tolde his cherles tale in his manere. [3170] M' athynketh that I shal reherce it heere. [3171] And therfore every gentil wight I preye, [3172] For Goddes love, demeth nat that I seye [3173] Of yvel entente, but for I moot reherce [3174] Hir tales alle, be they bettre or werse, [3175] Or elles falsen som of my mateere. [3176] And therfore, whoso list it nat yheere, [3177] Turne over the leef and chese another tale; [3178] For he shal fynde ynowe, grete and smale, [3179] Of storial thyng that toucheth gentillesse, [3180] And eek moralitee and hoolynesse. [3181] Blameth nat me if that ye chese amys. [3182] The Millere is a cherl; ye knowe wel this. [3183] So was the Reve eek and othere mo, [3184] And harlotrie they tolden bothe two. [3185] Avyseth yow, and put me out of blame; [3186] And eek men shal nat maken ernest of game. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Miller's Tale [3187] Whilom ther was dwellynge at Oxenford [3188] A riche gnof, that gestes heeld to bord, [3189] And of his craft he was a carpenter. [3190] With hym ther was dwellynge a poure scoler, [3191] Hadde lerned art, but al his fantasye [3192] Was turned for to lerne astrologye, [3193] And koude a certeyn of conclusiouns, [3194] To demen by interrogaciouns, [3195] If that men asked hym, in certein houres [3196] Whan that men sholde have droghte or elles shoures, [3197] Or if men asked hym what sholde bifalle [3198] Of every thyng; I may nat rekene hem alle. [3199] This clerk was cleped hende Nicholas. [3200] Of deerne love he koude and of solas; [3201] And therto he was sleigh and ful privee, [3202] And lyk a mayden meke for to see. [3203] A chambre hadde he in that hostelrye [3204] Allone, withouten any compaignye, [3205] Ful fetisly ydight with herbes swoote; [3206] And he hymself as sweete as is the roote [3207] Of lycorys or any cetewale. [3208] His Almageste, and bookes grete and smale, [3209] His astrelabie, longynge for his art, [3210] His augrym stones layen faire apart, [3211] On shelves couched at his beddes heed; [3212] His presse ycovered with a faldyng reed; [3213] And al above ther lay a gay sautrie, [3214] On which he made a-nyghtes melodie [3215] So swetely that all the chambre rong; [3216] And Angelus ad virginem he song; [3217] And after that he song the Kynges Noote. [3218] Ful often blessed was his myrie throte. [3219] And thus this sweete clerk his tyme spente [3220] After his freendes fyndyng and his rente. [3221] This carpenter hadde wedded newe a wyf, [3222] Which that he lovede moore than his lyf; [3223] Of eighteteene yeer she was of age. [3224] Jalous he was, and heeld hire narwe in cage, [3225] For she was wylde and yong, and he was old [3226] And demed hymself been lik a cokewold. [3227] He knew nat Catoun, for his wit was rude, [3228] That bad man sholde wedde his simylitude. [3229] Men sholde wedden after hire estaat, [3230] For youthe and elde is often at debaat. [3231] But sith that he was fallen in the snare, [3232] He moste endure, as oother folk, his care. [3233] Fair was this yonge wyf, and therwithal [3234] As any wezele hir body gent and smal. [3235] A ceynt she werede, barred al of silk, [3236] A barmclooth as whit as morne milk [3237] Upon hir lendes, ful of many a goore. [3238] Whit was hir smok, and broyden al bifoore [3239] And eek bihynde, on hir coler aboute, [3240] Of col-blak silk, withinne and eek withoute. [3241] The tapes of hir white voluper [3242] Were of the same suyte of hir coler; [3243] Hir filet brood of silk, and set ful hye. [3244] And sikerly she hadde a likerous ye; [3245] Ful smale ypulled were hire browes two, [3246] And tho were bent and blake as any sloo. [3247] She was ful moore blisful on to see [3248] Than is the newe pere-jonette tree, [3249] And softer than the wolle is of a wether. [3250] And by hir girdel heeng a purs of lether, [3251] Tasseled with silk and perled with latoun. [3252] In al this world, to seken up and doun, [3253] There nys no man so wys that koude thenche [3254] So gay a popelote or swich a wenche. [3255] Ful brighter was the shynyng of hir hewe [3256] Than in the Tour the noble yforged newe. [3257] But of hir song, it was as loude and yerne [3258] As any swalwe sittynge on a berne. [3259] Therto she koude skippe and make game, [3260] As any kyde or calf folwynge his dame. [3261] Hir mouth was sweete as bragot or the meeth, [3262] Or hoord of apples leyd in hey or heeth. [3263] Wynsynge she was, as is a joly colt, [3264] Long as a mast, and upright as a bolt. [3265] A brooch she baar upon hir lowe coler, [3266] As brood as is the boos of a bokeler. [3267] Hir shoes were laced on hir legges hye. [3268] She was a prymerole, a piggesnye, [3269] For any lord to leggen in his bedde, [3270] Or yet for any good yeman to wedde. [3271] Now, sire, and eft, sire, so bifel the cas [3272] That on a day this hende Nicholas [3273] Fil with this yonge wyf to rage and pleye, [3274] Whil that hir housbonde was at Oseneye, [3275] As clerkes ben ful subtile and ful queynte; [3276] And prively he caughte hire by the queynte, [3277] And seyde, "Ywis, but if ich have my wille, [3278] For deerne love of thee, lemman, I spille." [3279] And heeld hire harde by the haunchebones, [3280] And seyde, "Lemman, love me al atones, [3281] Or I wol dyen, also God me save!" [3282] And she sproong as a colt dooth in the trave, [3283] And with hir heed she wryed faste awey, [3284] And seyde, "I wol nat kisse thee, by my fey! [3285] Why, lat be!" quod she. "Lat be, Nicholas, [3286] Or I wol crie `out, harrow' and `allas'! [3287] Do wey youre handes, for youre curteisye!" [3288] This Nicholas gan mercy for to crye, [3289] And spak so faire, and profred him so faste, [3290] That she hir love hym graunted atte laste, [3291] And swoor hir ooth, by Seint Thomas of Kent, [3292] That she wol been at his comandement, [3293] Whan that she may hir leyser wel espie. [3294] "Myn housbonde is so ful of jalousie [3295] That but ye wayte wel and been privee, [3296] I woot right wel I nam but deed," quod she. [3297] "Ye moste been ful deerne, as in this cas." [3298] "Nay, therof care thee noght," quod Nicholas. [3299] "A clerk hadde litherly biset his whyle, [3300] But if he koude a carpenter bigyle." [3301] And thus they been accorded and ysworn [3302] To wayte a tyme, as I have told biforn. [3303] Whan Nicholas had doon thus everideel [3304] And thakked hire aboute the lendes weel, [3305] He kiste hire sweete and taketh his sawtrie, [3306] And pleyeth faste, and maketh melodie. [3307] Thanne fil it thus, that to the paryssh chirche, [3308] Cristes owene werkes for to wirche, [3309] This goode wyf went on an haliday. [3310] Hir forheed shoon as bright as any day, [3311] So was it wasshen whan she leet hir werk. [3312] Now was ther of that chirche a parissh clerk, [3313] The which that was ycleped Absolon. [3314] Crul was his heer, and as the gold it shoon, [3315] And strouted as a fanne large and brode; [3316] Ful streight and evene lay his joly shode. [3317] His rode was reed, his eyen greye as goos. [3318] With Poules wyndow corven on his shoos, [3319] In hoses rede he wente fetisly. [3320] Yclad he was ful smal and proprely [3321] Al in a kirtel of a lyght waget; [3322] Ful faire and thikke been the poyntes set. [3323] And therupon he hadde a gay surplys [3324] As whit as is the blosme upon the rys. [3325] A myrie child he was, so God me save. [3326] Wel koude he laten blood, and clippe and shave, [3327] And maken a chartre of lond or acquitaunce. [3328] In twenty manere koude he trippe and daunce [3329] After the scole of Oxenforde tho, [3330] And with his legges casten to and fro, [3331] And pleyen songes on a smal rubible; [3332] Therto he song som tyme a loud quynyble; [3333] And as wel koude he pleye on a giterne. [3334] In al the toun nas brewhous ne taverne [3335] That he ne visited with his solas, [3336] Ther any gaylard tappestere was. [3337] But sooth to seyn, he was somdeel squaymous [3338] Of fartyng, and of speche daungerous. [3339] This Absolon, that jolif was and gay, [3340] Gooth with a sencer on the haliday, [3341] Sensynge the wyves of the parisshe faste; [3342] And many a lovely look on hem he caste, [3343] And namely on this carpenteris wyf. [3344] To looke on hire hym thoughte a myrie lyf, [3345] She was so propre and sweete and likerous. [3346] I dar wel seyn, if she hadde been a mous, [3347] And he a cat, he wolde hire hente anon. [3348] This parissh clerk, this joly Absolon, [3349] Hath in his herte swich a love-longynge [3350] That of no wyf took he noon offrynge; [3351] For curteisie, he seyde, he wolde noon. [3352] The moone, whan it was nyght, ful brighte shoon, [3353] And Absolon his gyterne hath ytake; [3354] For paramours he thoghte for to wake. [3355] And forth he gooth, jolif and amorous, [3356] Til he cam to the carpenteres hous [3357] A litel after cokkes hadde ycrowe, [3358] And dressed hym up by a shot-wyndowe [3359] That was upon the carpenteris wal. [3360] He syngeth in his voys gentil and smal, [3361] "Now, deere lady, if thy wille be, [3362] I praye yow that ye wole rewe on me," [3363] Ful wel acordaunt to his gyternynge. [3364] This carpenter awook, and herde him synge, [3365] And spak unto his wyf, and seyde anon, [3366] "What! Alison! Herestow nat Absolon, [3367] That chaunteth thus under oure boures wal?" [3368] And she answerde hir housbonde therwithal, [3369] "Yis, God woot, John, I heere it every deel." [3370] This passeth forth; what wol ye bet than weel? [3371] Fro day to day this joly Absolon [3372] So woweth hire that hym is wo bigon. [3373] He waketh al the nyght and al the day; [3374] He kembeth his lokkes brode, and made hym gay; [3375] He woweth hire by meenes and brocage, [3376] And swoor he wolde been hir owene page; [3377] He syngeth, brokkynge as a nyghtyngale; [3378] He sente hire pyment, meeth, and spiced ale, [3379] And wafres, pipyng hoot out of the gleede; [3380] And, for she was of town, he profred meede; [3381] For som folk wol ben wonnen for richesse, [3382] And somme for strokes, and somme for gentillesse. [3383] Somtyme, to shewe his lightnesse and maistrye, [3384] He pleyeth Herodes upon a scaffold hye. [3385] But what availleth hym as in this cas? [3386] She loveth so this hende Nicholas [3387] That Absolon may blowe the bukkes horn; [3388] He ne hadde for his labour but a scorn. [3389] And thus she maketh Absolon hire ape, [3390] And al his ernest turneth til a jape. [3391] Ful sooth is this proverbe, it is no lye, [3392] Men seyn right thus: "Alwey the nye slye [3393] Maketh the ferre leeve to be looth." [3394] For though that Absolon be wood or wrooth, [3395] By cause that he fer was from hire sight, [3396] This nye Nicholas stood in his light. [3397] Now ber thee wel, thou hende Nicholas, [3398] For Absolon may waille and synge "allas." [3399] And so bifel it on a Saterday, [3400] This carpenter was goon til Osenay; [3401] And hende Nicholas and Alisoun [3402] Acorded been to this conclusioun, [3403] That Nicholas shal shapen hym a wyle [3404] This sely jalous housbonde to bigyle; [3405] And if so be the game wente aright, [3406] She sholde slepen in his arm al nyght, [3407] For this was his desir and hire also. [3408] And right anon, withouten wordes mo, [3409] This Nicholas no lenger wolde tarie, [3410] But dooth ful softe unto his chambre carie [3411] Bothe mete and drynke for a day or tweye, [3412] And to hire housbonde bad hire for to seye, [3413] If that he axed after Nicholas, [3414] She sholde seye she nyste where he was; [3415] Of al that day she saugh hym nat with ye; [3416] She trowed that he was in maladye, [3417] For, for no cry hir mayde koude hym calle, [3418] He nolde answere for thyng that myghte falle. [3419] This passeth forth al thilke Saterday, [3420] That Nicholas stille in his chambre lay, [3421] And eet and sleep, or dide what hym leste, [3422] Til Sonday, that the sonne gooth to reste. [3423] This sely carpenter hath greet merveyle [3424] Of Nicholas, or what thyng myghte hym eyle, [3425] And seyde, "I am adrad, by Seint Thomas, [3426] It stondeth nat aright with Nicholas. [3427] God shilde that he deyde sodeynly! [3428] This world is now ful tikel, sikerly. [3429] I saugh today a cors yborn to chirche [3430] That now, on Monday last, I saugh hym wirche. [3431] "Go up," quod he unto his knave anoon, [3432] "Clepe at his dore, or knokke with a stoon. [3433] Looke how it is, and tel me boldely." [3434] This knave gooth hym up ful sturdily, [3435] And at the chambre dore whil that he stood, [3436] He cride and knokked as that he were wood, [3437] "What, how! What do ye, maister Nicholay? [3438] How may ye slepen al the longe day?" [3439] But al for noght; he herde nat a word. [3440] An hole he foond, ful lowe upon a bord, [3441] Ther as the cat was wont in for to crepe, [3442] And at that hole he looked in ful depe, [3443] And at the laste he hadde of hym a sight. [3444] This Nicholas sat evere capyng upright, [3445] As he had kiked on the newe moone. [3446] Adoun he gooth, and tolde his maister soone [3447] In what array he saugh this ilke man. [3448] This carpenter to blessen hym bigan, [3449] And seyde, "Help us, Seinte Frydeswyde! [3450] A man woot litel what hym shal bityde. [3451] This man is falle, with his astromye, [3452] In some woodnesse or in som agonye. [3453] I thoghte ay wel how that it sholde be! [3454] Men sholde nat knowe of Goddes pryvetee. [3455] Ye, blessed be alwey a lewed man [3456] That noght but oonly his bileve kan! [3457] So ferde another clerk with astromye; [3458] He walked in the feeldes for to prye [3459] Upon the sterres, what ther sholde bifalle, [3460] Til he was in a marle-pit yfalle; [3461] He saugh nat that. But yet, by Seint Thomas, [3462] Me reweth soore of hende Nicholas. [3463] He shal be rated of his studiyng, [3464] If that I may, by Jhesus, hevene kyng! [3465] Get me a staf, that I may underspore, [3466] Whil that thou, Robyn, hevest up the dore. [3467] He shal out of his studiyng, as I gesse." [3468] And to the chambre dore he gan hym dresse. [3469] His knave was a strong carl for the nones, [3470] And by the haspe he haaf it of atones; [3471] Into the floor the dore fil anon. [3472] This Nicholas sat ay as stille as stoon, [3473] And evere caped upward into the eir. [3474] This carpenter wende he were in despeir, [3475] And hente hym by the sholdres myghtily, [3476] And shook hym harde, and cride spitously, [3477] "What! Nicholay! What, how! What, looke adoun! [3478] Awak, and thenk on Cristes passioun! [3479] I crouche thee from elves and fro wightes." [3480] Therwith the nyght-spel seyde he anon-rightes [3481] On foure halves of the hous aboute, [3482] And on the thresshfold of the dore withoute: [3483] "Jhesu Crist and Seinte Benedight, [3484] Blesse this hous from every wikked wight, [3485] For nyghtes verye, the white pater-noster! [3486] Where wentestow, Seinte Petres soster?" [3487] And atte laste this hende Nicholas [3488] Gan for to sik soore, and seyde, "Allas! [3489] Shal al the world be lost eftsoones now?" [3490] This carpenter answerde, "What seystow? [3491] What! Thynk on God, as we doon, men that swynke." [3492] This Nicholas answerde, "Fecche me drynke, [3493] And after wol I speke in pryvetee [3494] Of certeyn thyng that toucheth me and thee. [3495] I wol telle it noon oother man, certeyn." [3496] This carpenter goth doun, and comth ageyn, [3497] And broghte of myghty ale a large quart; [3498] And whan that ech of hem had dronke his part, [3499] This Nicholas his dore faste shette, [3500] And doun the carpenter by hym he sette. [3501] He seyde, "John, myn hooste, lief and deere, [3502] Thou shalt upon thy trouthe swere me heere [3503] That to no wight thou shalt this conseil wreye, [3504] For it is Cristes conseil that I seye, [3505] And if thou telle it man, thou art forlore; [3506] For this vengeaunce thou shalt han therfore, [3507] That if thou wreye me, thou shalt be wood." [3508] "Nay, Crist forbede it, for his hooly blood!" [3509] Quod tho this sely man, "I nam no labbe, [3510] Ne, though I seye, I nam nat lief to gabbe. [3511] Sey what thou wolt, I shal it nevere telle [3512] To child ne wyf, by hym that harwed helle!" [3513] "Now John," quod Nicholas, "I wol nat lye; [3514] I have yfounde in myn astrologye, [3515] As I have looked in the moone bright, [3516] That now a Monday next, at quarter nyght, [3517] Shal falle a reyn, and that so wilde and wood [3518] That half so greet was nevere Noes flood. [3519] This world," he seyde, "in lasse than an hour [3520] Shal al be dreynt, so hidous is the shour. [3521] Thus shal mankynde drenche, and lese hir lyf." [3522] This carpenter answerde, "Allas, my wyf! [3523] And shal she drenche? Allas, myn Alisoun!" [3524] For sorwe of this he fil almoost adoun, [3525] And seyde, "Is ther no remedie in this cas?" [3526] "Why, yis, for Gode," quod hende Nicholas, [3527] "If thou wolt werken after loore and reed. [3528] Thou mayst nat werken after thyn owene heed; [3529] For thus seith Salomon, that was ful trewe: [3530] `Werk al by conseil, and thou shalt nat rewe.' [3531] And if thou werken wolt by good conseil, [3532] I undertake, withouten mast and seyl, [3533] Yet shal I saven hire and thee and me. [3534] Hastow nat herd hou saved was Noe, [3535] Whan that oure Lord hadde warned hym biforn [3536] That al the world with water sholde be lorn?" [3537] "Yis," quod this Carpenter, "ful yoore ago." [3538] "Hastou nat herd," quod Nicholas, "also [3539] The sorwe of Noe with his felaweshipe, [3540] Er that he myghte gete his wyf to shipe? [3541] Hym hadde be levere, I dar wel undertake, [3542] At thilke tyme, than alle his wetheres blake [3543] That she hadde had a ship hirself allone. [3544] And therfore, woostou what is best to doone? [3545] This asketh haste, and of an hastif thyng [3546] Men may nat preche or maken tariyng. [3547] "Anon go gete us faste into this in [3548] A knedyng trogh, or ellis a kymelyn, [3549] For ech of us, but looke that they be large, [3550] In which we mowe swymme as in a barge, [3551] And han therinne vitaille suffisant [3552] But for a day -- fy on the remenant! [3553] The water shal aslake and goon away [3554] Aboute pryme upon the nexte day. [3555] But Robyn may nat wite of this, thy knave, [3556] Ne eek thy mayde Gille I may nat save; [3557] Axe nat why, for though thou aske me, [3558] I wol nat tellen Goddes pryvetee. [3559] Suffiseth thee, but if thy wittes madde, [3560] To han as greet a grace as Noe hadde. [3561] Thy wyf shal I wel saven, out of doute. [3562] Go now thy wey, and speed thee heer-aboute. [3563] "But whan thou hast, for hire and thee and me, [3564] Ygeten us thise knedyng tubbes thre, [3565] Thanne shaltow hange hem in the roof ful hye, [3566] That no man of oure purveiaunce espye. [3567] And whan thou thus hast doon as I have seyd, [3568] And hast oure vitaille faire in hem yleyd, [3569] And eek an ax to smyte the corde atwo, [3570] Whan that the water comth, that we may go [3571] And breke an hole an heigh, upon the gable, [3572] Unto the gardyn-ward, over the stable, [3573] That we may frely passen forth oure way, [3574] Whan that the grete shour is goon away. [3575] Thanne shaltou swymme as myrie, I undertake, [3576] As dooth the white doke after hire drake. [3577] Thanne wol I clepe, `How, Alison! How, John! [3578] Be myrie, for the flood wol passe anon.' [3579] And thou wolt seyn, `Hayl, maister Nicholay! [3580] Good morwe, I se thee wel, for it is day.' [3581] And thanne shul we be lordes al oure lyf [3582] Of al the world, as Noe and his wyf. [3583] "But of o thyng I warne thee ful right: [3584] Be wel avysed on that ilke nyght [3585] That we ben entred into shippes bord, [3586] That noon of us ne speke nat a word, [3587] Ne clepe, ne crie, but be in his preyere; [3588] For it is Goddes owene heeste deere. [3589] "Thy wyf and thou moote hange fer atwynne, [3590] For that bitwixe yow shal be no synne, [3591] Namoore in lookyng than ther shal in deede. [3592] This ordinance is seyd. Go, God thee speede! [3593] Tomorwe at nyght, whan men ben alle aslepe, [3594] Into oure knedyng-tubbes wol we crepe, [3595] And sitten there, abidyng Goddes grace. [3596] Go now thy wey; I have no lenger space [3597] To make of this no lenger sermonyng. [3598] Men seyn thus, `sende the wise, and sey no thyng.' [3599] Thou art so wys, it needeth thee nat teche. [3600] Go, save oure lyf, and that I the biseche." [3601] This sely carpenter goth forth his wey. [3602] Ful ofte he seide "Allas and weylawey," [3603] And to his wyf he tolde his pryvetee, [3604] And she was war, and knew it bet than he, [3605] What al this queynte cast was for to seye. [3606] But nathelees she ferde as she wolde deye, [3607] And seyde, "Allas! go forth thy wey anon, [3608] Help us to scape, or we been dede echon! [3609] I am thy trewe, verray wedded wyf; [3610] Go, deere spouse, and help to save oure lyf." [3611] Lo, which a greet thyng is affeccioun! [3612] Men may dyen of ymaginacioun, [3613] So depe may impressioun be take. [3614] This sely carpenter bigynneth quake; [3615] Hym thynketh verraily that he may see [3616] Noees flood come walwynge as the see [3617] To drenchen Alisoun, his hony deere. [3618] He wepeth, weyleth, maketh sory cheere; [3619] He siketh with ful many a sory swogh; [3620] He gooth and geteth hym a knedyng trogh, [3621] And after that a tubbe and a kymelyn, [3622] And pryvely he sente hem to his in, [3623] And heng hem in the roof in pryvetee. [3624] His owene hand he made laddres thre, [3625] To clymben by the ronges and the stalkes [3626] Unto the tubbes hangynge in the balkes, [3627] And hem vitailled, bothe trogh and tubbe, [3628] With breed, and chese, and good ale in a jubbe, [3629] Suffisynge right ynogh as for a day. [3630] But er that he hadde maad al this array, [3631] He sente his knave, and eek his wenche also, [3632] Upon his nede to London for to go. [3633] And on the Monday, whan it drow to nyght, [3634] He shette his dore withoute candel-lyght, [3635] And dressed alle thyng as it sholde be. [3636] And shortly, up they clomben alle thre; [3637] They seten stille wel a furlong way. [3638] "Now, Pater-noster, clom!" seyde Nicholay, [3639] And "Clom!" quod John, and "Clom!" seyde Alisoun. [3640] This carpenter seyde his devocioun, [3641] And stille he sit, and biddeth his preyere, [3642] Awaitynge on the reyn, if he it heere. [3643] The dede sleep, for wery bisynesse, [3644] Fil on this carpenter right, as I gesse, [3645] Aboute corfew-tyme, or litel moore; [3646] For travaille of his goost he groneth soore, [3647] And eft he routeth, for his heed myslay. [3648] Doun of the laddre stalketh Nicholay, [3649] And Alisoun ful softe adoun she spedde; [3650] Withouten wordes mo they goon to bedde, [3651] Ther as the carpenter is wont to lye. [3652] Ther was the revel and the melodye; [3653] And thus lith Alison and Nicholas, [3654] In bisynesse of myrthe and of solas, [3655] Til that the belle of laudes gan to rynge, [3656] And freres in the chauncel gonne synge. [3657] This parissh clerk, this amorous Absolon, [3658] That is for love alwey so wo bigon, [3659] Upon the Monday was at Oseneye [3660] With compaignye, hym to disporte and pleye, [3661] And axed upon cas a cloisterer [3662] Ful prively after John the carpenter; [3663] And he drough hym apart out of the chirche, [3664] And seyde, "I noot; I saugh hym heere nat wirche [3665] Syn Saterday; I trowe that he be went [3666] For tymber, ther oure abbot hath hym sent; [3667] For he is wont for tymber for to go [3668] And dwellen at the grange a day or two; [3669] Or elles he is at his hous, certeyn. [3670] Where that he be, I kan nat soothly seyn." [3671] This Absolon ful joly was and light, [3672] And thoghte, "Now is tyme to wake al nyght, [3673] For sikirly I saugh hym nat stirynge [3674] Aboute his dore, syn day bigan to sprynge. [3675] "So moot I thryve, I shal, at cokkes crowe, [3676] Ful pryvely knokken at his wyndowe [3677] That stant ful lowe upon his boures wal. [3678] To Alison now wol I tellen al [3679] My love-longynge, for yet I shal nat mysse [3680] That at the leeste wey I shal hire kisse. [3681] Som maner confort shal I have, parfay. [3682] My mouth hath icched al this longe day; [3683] That is a signe of kissyng atte leeste. [3684] Al nyght me mette eek I was at a feeste. [3685] Therfore I wol go slepe an houre or tweye, [3686] And al the nyght thanne wol I wake and pleye." [3687] Whan that the firste cok hath crowe, anon [3688] Up rist this joly lovere Absolon, [3689] And hym arraieth gay, at poynt-devys. [3690] But first he cheweth greyn and lycorys, [3691] To smellen sweete, er he hadde kembd his heer. [3692] Under his tonge a trewe-love he beer, [3693] For therby wende he to ben gracious. [3694] He rometh to the carpenteres hous, [3695] And stille he stant under the shot-wyndowe -- [3696] Unto his brest it raughte, it was so lowe -- [3697] And softe he cougheth with a semy soun: [3698] "What do ye, hony-comb, sweete Alisoun, [3699] My faire bryd, my sweete cynamome? [3700] Awaketh, lemman myn, and speketh to me! [3701] Wel litel thynken ye upon my wo, [3702] That for youre love I swete ther I go. [3703] No wonder is thogh that I swelte and swete; [3704] I moorne as dooth a lamb after the tete. [3705] Ywis, lemman, I have swich love-longynge [3706] That lik a turtel trewe is my moornynge. [3707] I may nat ete na moore than a mayde." [3708] "Go fro the wyndow, Jakke fool," she sayde; [3709] "As help me God, it wol nat be `com pa me.' [3710] I love another -- and elles I were to blame -- [3711] Wel bet than thee, by Jhesu, Absolon. [3712] Go forth thy wey, or I wol caste a ston, [3713] And lat me slepe, a twenty devel wey!" [3714] "Allas," quod Absolon, "and weylawey, [3715] That trewe love was evere so yvel biset! [3716] Thanne kysse me, syn it may be no bet, [3717] For Jhesus love, and for the love of me." [3718] "Wiltow thanne go thy wey therwith?" quod she. [3719] "Ye, certes, lemman," quod this Absolon. [3720] "Thanne make thee redy," quod she, "I come anon." [3721] And unto Nicholas she seyde stille, [3722] "Now hust, and thou shalt laughen al thy fille." [3723] This Absolon doun sette hym on his knees [3724] And seyde, "I am a lord at alle degrees; [3725] For after this I hope ther cometh moore. [3726] Lemman, thy grace, and sweete bryd, thyn oore!" [3727] The wyndow she undoth, and that in haste. [3728] "Have do," quod she, "com of, and speed the faste, [3729] Lest that oure neighebores thee espie." [3730] This Absolon gan wype his mouth ful drie. [3731] Derk was the nyght as pich, or as the cole, [3732] And at the wyndow out she putte hir hole, [3733] And Absolon, hym fil no bet ne wers, [3734] But with his mouth he kiste hir naked ers [3735] Ful savourly, er he were war of this. [3736] Abak he stirte, and thoughte it was amys, [3737] For wel he wiste a womman hath no berd. [3738] He felte a thyng al rough and long yherd, [3739] And seyde, "Fy! allas! what have I do?" [3740] "Tehee!" quod she, and clapte the wyndow to, [3741] And Absolon gooth forth a sory pas. [3742] "A berd! A berd!" quod hende Nicholas, [3743] "By Goddes corpus, this goth faire and weel." [3744] This sely Absolon herde every deel, [3745] And on his lippe he gan for anger byte, [3746] And to hymself he seyde, "I shal thee quyte." [3747] Who rubbeth now, who froteth now his lippes [3748] With dust, with sond, with straw, with clooth, with chippes, [3749] But Absolon, that seith ful ofte, "Allas!" [3750] "My soule bitake I unto Sathanas, [3751] But me were levere than al this toun," quod he, [3752] "Of this despit awroken for to be. [3753] Allas," quod he, "allas, I ne hadde ybleynt!" [3754] His hoote love was coold and al yqueynt; [3755] For fro that tyme that he hadde kist hir ers, [3756] Of paramours he sette nat a kers, [3757] For he was heeled of his maladie. [3758] Ful ofte paramours he gan deffie, [3759] And weep as dooth a child that is ybete. [3760] A softe paas he wente over the strete [3761] Until a smyth men cleped daun Gerveys, [3762] That in his forge smythed plough harneys; [3763] He sharpeth shaar and kultour bisily. [3764] This Absolon knokketh al esily, [3765] And seyde, "Undo, Gerveys, and that anon." [3766] "What, who artow?" "It am I, Absolon." [3767] "What, Absolon! for Cristes sweete tree, [3768] Why rise ye so rathe? Ey, benedicitee! [3769] What eyleth yow? Som gay gerl, God it woot, [3770] Hath broght yow thus upon the viritoot. [3771] By Seinte Note, ye woot wel what I mene." [3772] This Absolon ne roghte nat a bene [3773] Of al his pley; no word agayn he yaf; [3774] He hadde moore tow on his distaf [3775] Than Gerveys knew, and seyde, "Freend so deere, [3776] That hoote kultour in the chymenee heere, [3777] As lene it me; I have therwith to doone, [3778] And I wol brynge it thee agayn ful soone." [3779] Gerveys answerde, "Certes, were it gold, [3780] Or in a poke nobles alle untold, [3781] Thou sholdest have, as I am trewe smyth. [3782] Ey, Cristes foo! What wol ye do therwith?" [3783] "Therof," quod Absolon, "be as be may. [3784] I shal wel telle it thee to-morwe day" -- [3785] And caughte the kultour by the colde stele. [3786] Ful softe out at the dore he gan to stele, [3787] And wente unto the carpenteris wal. [3788] He cogheth first, and knokketh therwithal [3789] Upon the wyndowe, right as he dide er. [3790] This Alison answerde, "Who is ther [3791] That knokketh so? I warante it a theef." [3792] "Why, nay," quod he, "God woot, my sweete leef, [3793] I am thyn Absolon, my deerelyng. [3794] Of gold," quod he, "I have thee broght a ryng. [3795] My mooder yaf it me, so God me save; [3796] Ful fyn it is, and therto wel ygrave. [3797] This wol I yeve thee, if thou me kisse." [3798] This Nicholas was risen for to pisse, [3799] And thoughte he wolde amenden al the jape; [3800] He sholde kisse his ers er that he scape. [3801] And up the wyndowe dide he hastily, [3802] And out his ers he putteth pryvely [3803] Over the buttok, to the haunche-bon; [3804] And therwith spak this clerk, this Absolon, [3805] "Spek, sweete bryd, I noot nat where thou art." [3806] This Nicholas anon leet fle a fart [3807] As greet as it had been a thonder-dent, [3808] That with the strook he was almoost yblent; [3809] And he was redy with his iren hoot, [3810] And Nicholas amydde the ers he smoot. [3811] Of gooth the skyn an hande-brede aboute, [3812] The hoote kultour brende so his toute, [3813] And for the smert he wende for to dye. [3814] As he were wood, for wo he gan to crye, [3815] "Help! Water! Water! Help, for Goddes herte!" [3816] This carpenter out of his slomber sterte, [3817] And herde oon crien "water!" as he were wood, [3818] And thoughte, "Allas, now comth Nowelis flood!" [3819] He sit hym up withouten wordes mo, [3820] And with his ax he smoot the corde atwo, [3821] And doun gooth al; he foond neither to selle, [3822] Ne breed ne ale, til he cam to the celle [3823] Upon the floor, and ther aswowne he lay. [3824] Up stirte hire Alison and Nicholay, [3825] And criden "Out" and "Harrow" in the strete. [3826] The neighebores, bothe smale and grete, [3827] In ronnen for to gauren on this man, [3828] That yet aswowne lay, bothe pale and wan, [3829] For with the fal he brosten hadde his arm. [3830] But stonde he moste unto his owene harm; [3831] For whan he spak, he was anon bore doun [3832] With hende Nicholas and Alisoun. [3833] They tolden every man that he was wood; [3834] He was agast so of Nowelis flood [3835] Thurgh fantasie that of his vanytee [3836] He hadde yboght hym knedyng tubbes thre, [3837] And hadde hem hanged in the roof above; [3838] And that he preyed hem, for Goddes love, [3839] To sitten in the roof, par compaignye. [3840] The folk gan laughen at his fantasye; [3841] Into the roof they kiken and they cape, [3842] And turned al his harm unto a jape. [3843] For what so that this carpenter answerde, [3844] It was for noght; no man his reson herde. [3845] With othes grete he was so sworn adoun [3846] That he was holde wood in al the toun; [3847] For every clerk anonright heeld with oother. [3848] They seyde, "The man is wood, my leeve brother"; [3849] And every wight gan laughen at this stryf. [3850] Thus swyved was this carpenteris wyf, [3851] For al his kepyng and his jalousye, [3852] And Absolon hath kist hir nether ye, [3853] And Nicholas is scalded in the towte. [3854] This tale is doon, and God save al the rowte! The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Reeve's Prologue [3855] Whan folk hadde laughen at this nyce cas [3856] Of Absolon and hende Nicholas, [3857] Diverse folk diversely they seyde, [3858] But for the moore part they loughe and pleyde. [3859] Ne at this tale I saugh no man hym greve, [3860] But it were oonly Osewold the Reve. [3861] By cause he was of carpenteris craft, [3862] A litel ire is in his herte ylaft; [3863] He gan to grucche, and blamed it a lite. [3864] "So theek," quod he, "ful wel koude I thee quite [3865] With bleryng of a proud milleres ye, [3866] If that me liste speke of ribaudye. [3867] But ik am oold; me list not pley for age; [3868] Gras tyme is doon; my fodder is now forage; [3869] This white top writeth myne olde yeris; [3870] Myn herte is also mowled as myne heris, [3871] But if I fare as dooth an open-ers -- [3872] That ilke fruyt is ever lenger the wers, [3873] Til it be roten in mullok or in stree. [3874] We olde men, I drede, so fare we: [3875] Til we be roten, kan we nat be rype; [3876] We hoppen alwey whil that the world wol pype. [3877] For in oure wyl ther stiketh evere a nayl, [3878] To have an hoor heed and a grene tayl, [3879] As hath a leek; for thogh oure myght be goon, [3880] Oure wyl desireth folie evere in oon. [3881] For whan we may nat doon, than wol we speke; [3882] Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke. [3883] "Foure gleedes han we, which I shal devyse -- [3884] Avauntyng, liyng, anger, coveitise; [3885] Thise foure sparkles longen unto eelde. [3886] Oure olde lemes mowe wel been unweelde, [3887] But wyl ne shal nat faillen, that is sooth. [3888] And yet ik have alwey a coltes tooth, [3889] As many a yeer as it is passed henne [3890] Syn that my tappe of lif bigan to renne. [3891] For sikerly, whan I was bore, anon [3892] Deeth drough the tappe of lyf and leet it gon, [3893] And ever sithe hath so the tappe yronne [3894] Til that almoost al empty is the tonne. [3895] The streem of lyf now droppeth on the chymbe. [3896] The sely tonge may wel rynge and chymbe [3897] Of wrecchednesse that passed is ful yoore; [3898] With olde folk, save dotage, is namoore!" [3899] Whan that oure Hoost hadde herd this sermonyng, [3900] He gan to speke as lordly as a kyng. [3901] He seide, "What amounteth al this wit? [3902] What shul we speke alday of hooly writ? [3903] The devel made a reve for to preche, [3904] Or of a soutere a shipman or a leche. [3905] Sey forth thy tale, and tarie nat the tyme. [3906] Lo Depeford, and it is half-wey pryme! [3907] Lo Grenewych, ther many a shrewe is inne! [3908] It were al tyme thy tale to bigynne." [3909] "Now, sires," quod this Osewold the Reve, [3910] "I pray yow alle that ye nat yow greve, [3911] Thogh I answere, and somdeel sette his howve; [3912] For leveful is with force force of-showve. [3913] "This dronke Millere hath ytoold us heer [3914] How that bigyled was a carpenteer, [3915] Peraventure in scorn, for I am oon. [3916] And, by youre leve, I shal hym quite anoon; [3917] Right in his cherles termes wol I speke. [3918] I pray to God his nekke mote to-breke; [3919] He kan wel in myn eye seen a stalke, [3920] But in his owene he kan nat seen a balke." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Reeve's Tale [3921] At Trumpyngtoun, nat fer fro Cantebrigge, [3922] Ther gooth a brook, and over that a brigge, [3923] Upon the whiche brook ther stant a melle; [3924] And this is verray sooth that I yow telle: [3925] A millere was ther dwellynge many a day. [3926] As any pecok he was proud and gay. [3927] Pipen he koude and fisshe, and nettes beete, [3928] And turne coppes, and wel wrastle and sheete; [3929] Ay by his belt he baar a long panade, [3930] And of a swerd ful trenchant was the blade. [3931] A joly poppere baar he in his pouche; [3932] Ther was no man, for peril, dorste hym touche. [3933] A Sheffeld thwitel baar he in his hose. [3934] Round was his face, and camus was his nose; [3935] As piled as an ape was his skulle. [3936] He was a market-betere atte fulle. [3937] Ther dorste no wight hand upon hym legge, [3938] That he ne swoor he sholde anon abegge. [3939] A theef he was for sothe of corn and mele, [3940] And that a sly, and usaunt for to stele. [3941] His name was hoote deynous Symkyn. [3942] A wyf he hadde, ycomen of noble kyn; [3943] The person of the toun hir fader was. [3944] With hire he yaf ful many a panne of bras, [3945] For that Symkyn sholde in his blood allye. [3946] She was yfostred in a nonnerye; [3947] For Symkyn wolde no wyf, as he sayde, [3948] But she were wel ynorissed and a mayde, [3949] To saven his estaat of yomanrye. [3950] And she was proud, and peert as is a pye. [3951] A ful fair sighte was it upon hem two; [3952] On halydayes biforn hire wolde he go [3953] With his typet wounde aboute his heed, [3954] And she cam after in a gyte of reed; [3955] And Symkyn hadde hosen of the same. [3956] Ther dorste no wight clepen hire but "dame"; [3957] Was noon so hardy that wente by the weye [3958] That with hire dorste rage or ones pleye, [3959] But if he wolde be slayn of Symkyn [3960] With panade, or with knyf, or boidekyn. [3961] For jalous folk ben perilous everemo -- [3962] Algate they wolde hire wyves wenden so. [3963] And eek, for she was somdel smoterlich, [3964] She was as digne as water in a dich, [3965] And ful of hoker and of bisemare. [3966] Hir thoughte that a lady sholde hire spare, [3967] What for hire kynrede and hir nortelrie [3968] That she hadde lerned in the nonnerie. [3969] A doghter hadde they bitwixe hem two [3970] Of twenty yeer, withouten any mo, [3971] Savynge a child that was of half yeer age; [3972] In cradel it lay and was a propre page. [3973] This wenche thikke and wel ygrowen was, [3974] With kamus nose and eyen greye as glas, [3975] With buttokes brode and brestes rounde and hye. [3976] But right fair was hire heer; I wol nat lye. [3977] This person of the toun, for she was feir, [3978] In purpos was to maken hire his heir, [3979] Bothe of his catel and his mesuage, [3980] And straunge he made it of hir mariage. [3981] His purpos was for to bistowe hire hye [3982] Into som worthy blood of auncetrye; [3983] For hooly chirches good moot been despended [3984] On hooly chirches blood, that is descended. [3985] Therfore he wolde his hooly blood honoure, [3986] Though that he hooly chirche sholde devoure. [3987] Greet sokene hath this millere, out of doute, [3988] With whete and malt of al the land aboute; [3989] And nameliche ther was a greet collegge [3990] Men clepen the Soler Halle at Cantebregge; [3991] Ther was hir whete and eek hir malt ygrounde. [3992] And on a day it happed, in a stounde, [3993] Sik lay the maunciple on a maladye; [3994] Men wenden wisly that he sholde dye. [3995] For which this millere stal bothe mele and corn [3996] An hundred tyme moore than biforn; [3997] For therbiforn he stal but curteisly, [3998] But now he was a theef outrageously, [3999] For which the wardeyn chidde and made fare. [4000] But therof sette the millere nat a tare; [4001] He craketh boost, and swoor it was nat so. [4002] Thanne were ther yonge povre scolers two, [4003] That dwelten in this halle, of which I seye. [4004] Testif they were, and lusty for to pleye, [4005] And, oonly for hire myrthe and revelrye, [4006] Upon the wardeyn bisily they crye [4007] To yeve hem leve, but a litel stounde, [4008] To goon to mille and seen hir corn ygrounde; [4009] And hardily they dorste leye hir nekke [4010] The millere sholde not stele hem half a pekke [4011] Of corn by sleighte, ne by force hem reve; [4012] And at the laste the wardeyn yaf hem leve. [4013] John highte that oon, and Aleyn highte that oother; [4014] Of o toun were they born, that highte Strother, [4015] Fer in the north; I kan nat telle where. [4016] This Aleyn maketh redy al his gere, [4017] And on an hors the sak he caste anon. [4018] Forth goth Aleyn the clerk, and also John, [4019] With good swerd and with bokeler by hir syde. [4020] John knew the wey -- hem nedede no gyde -- [4021] And at the mille the sak adoun he layth. [4022] Aleyn spak first: "Al hayl, Symond, y-fayth! [4023] Hou fares thy faire doghter and thy wyf?" [4024] "Aleyn, welcome," quod Symkyn, "by my lyf! [4025] And John also, how now, what do ye heer?" [4026] "Symond," quod John, "by God, nede has na peer. [4027] Hym boes serve hymself that has na swayn, [4028] Or elles he is a fool, as clerkes sayn. [4029] Oure manciple, I hope he wil be deed, [4030] Swa werkes ay the wanges in his heed; [4031] And forthy is I come, and eek Alayn, [4032] To grynde oure corn and carie it ham agayn; [4033] I pray yow spede us heythen that ye may." [4034] "It shal be doon," quod Symkyn, "by my fay! [4035] What wol ye doon whil that it is in hande?" [4036] "By God, right by the hopur wil I stande," [4037] Quod John, "and se howgates the corn gas in. [4038] Yet saugh I nevere, by my fader kyn, [4039] How that the hopur wagges til and fra." [4040] Aleyn answerde, "John, and wiltow swa? [4041] Thanne wil I be bynethe, by my croun, [4042] And se how that the mele falles doun [4043] Into the trough; that sal be my disport. [4044] For John, y-faith, I may been of youre sort; [4045] I is as ille a millere as ar ye." [4046] This millere smyled of hir nycetee, [4047] And thoghte, "Al this nys doon but for a wyle. [4048] They wene that no man may hem bigyle, [4049] But by my thrift, yet shal I blere hir ye, [4050] For al the sleighte in hir philosophye. [4051] The moore queynte crekes that they make, [4052] The moore wol I stele whan I take. [4053] In stide of flour yet wol I yeve hem bren. [4054] `The gretteste clerkes been noght wisest men,' [4055] As whilom to the wolf thus spak the mare. [4056] Of al hir art counte I noght a tare." [4057] Out at the dore he gooth ful pryvely, [4058] Whan that he saugh his tyme, softely. [4059] He looketh up and doun til he hath founde [4060] The clerkes hors, ther as it stood ybounde [4061] Bihynde the mille, under a levesel; [4062] And to the hors he goth hym faire and wel; [4063] He strepeth of the brydel right anon. [4064] And whan the hors was laus, he gynneth gon [4065] Toward the fen, ther wilde mares renne, [4066] And forth with "wehee," thurgh thikke and thurgh thenne. [4067] This millere gooth agayn, no word he seyde, [4068] But dooth his note, and with the clerkes pleyde [4069] Til that hir corn was faire and weel ygrounde. [4070] And whan the mele is sakked and ybounde, [4071] This John goth out and fynt his hors away, [4072] And gan to crie "Harrow!" and "Weylaway! [4073] Oure hors is lorn, Alayn, for Goddes banes, [4074] Step on thy feet! Com of, man, al atanes! [4075] Allas, our wardeyn has his palfrey lorn." [4076] This Aleyn al forgat, bothe mele and corn; [4077] Al was out of his mynde his housbondrie. [4078] "What, whilk way is he geen?" he gan to crie. [4079] The wyf cam lepynge inward with a ren. [4080] She seyde, "Allas! youre hors goth to the fen [4081] With wilde mares, as faste as he may go. [4082] Unthank come on his hand that boond hym so, [4083] And he that bettre sholde han knyt the reyne!" [4084] "Allas," quod John, "Aleyn, for Cristes peyne [4085] Lay doun thy swerd, and I wil myn alswa. [4086] I is ful wight, God waat, as is a raa; [4087] By Goddes herte, he sal nat scape us bathe! [4088] Why ne had thow pit the capul in the lathe? [4089] Ilhayl! By God, Alayn, thou is a fonne!" [4090] Thise sely clerkes han ful faste yronne [4091] Toward the fen, bothe Aleyn and eek John. [4092] And whan the millere saugh that they were gon, [4093] He half a busshel of hir flour hath take, [4094] And bad his wyf go knede it in a cake. [4095] He seyde, "I trowe the clerkes were aferd. [4096] Yet kan a millere make a clerkes berd, [4097] For al his art; now lat hem goon hir weye! [4098] Lo, wher he gooth! Ye, lat the children pleye. [4099] They gete hym nat so lightly, by my croun." [4100] Thise sely clerkes rennen up and doun [4101] With "Keep! Keep! Stand! Stand! Jossa, warderere, [4102] Ga whistle thou, and I shal kepe hym heere!" [4103] But shortly, til that it was verray nyght, [4104] They koude nat, though they dide al hir myght, [4105] Hir capul cacche, he ran alwey so faste, [4106] Til in a dych they caughte hym atte laste. [4107] Wery and weet, as beest is in the reyn, [4108] Comth sely John, and with him comth Aleyn. [4109] "Allas," quod John, "the day that I was born! [4110] Now are we dryve til hethyng and til scorn. [4111] Oure corn is stoln; men wil us fooles calle, [4112] Bathe the wardeyn and oure felawes alle, [4113] And namely the millere, weylaway!" [4114] Thus pleyneth John as he gooth by the way [4115] Toward the mille, and Bayard in his hond. [4116] The millere sittynge by the fyr he fond, [4117] For it was nyght, and forther myghte they noght; [4118] But for the love of God they hym bisoght [4119] Of herberwe and of ese, as for hir peny. [4120] The millere seyde agayn, "If ther be eny, [4121] Swich as it is, yet shal ye have youre part. [4122] Myn hous is streit, but ye han lerned art; [4123] Ye konne by argumentes make a place [4124] A myle brood of twenty foot of space. [4125] Lat se now if this place may suffise, [4126] Or make it rowm with speche, as is youre gise." [4127] "Now, Symond," seyde John, "by Seint Cutberd, [4128] Ay is thou myrie, and this is faire answerd. [4129] I have herd seyd, `Man sal taa of twa thynges: [4130] Slyk as he fyndes, or taa slyk as he brynges.' [4131] But specially I pray thee, hooste deere, [4132] Get us som mete and drynke, and make us cheere, [4133] And we wil payen trewely atte fulle. [4134] With empty hand men may na haukes tulle; [4135] Loo, heere oure silver, redy for to spende." [4136] This millere into toun his doghter sende [4137] For ale and breed, and rosted hem a goos, [4138] And boond hire hors, it sholde namoore go loos, [4139] And in his owene chambre hem made a bed, [4140] With sheetes and with chalons faire yspred [4141] Noght from his owene bed ten foot or twelve. [4142] His doghter hadde a bed, al by hirselve, [4143] Right in the same chambre by and by. [4144] It myghte be no bet, and cause why? [4145] Ther was no roumer herberwe in the place. [4146] They soupen and they speke, hem to solace, [4147] And drynken evere strong ale atte beste. [4148] Aboute mydnyght wente they to reste. [4149] Wel hath this millere vernysshed his heed; [4150] Ful pale he was for dronken, and nat reed. [4151] He yexeth, and he speketh thurgh the nose [4152] As he were on the quakke, or on the pose. [4153] To bedde he goth, and with hym goth his wyf. [4154] As any jay she light was and jolyf, [4155] So was hir joly whistle wel ywet. [4156] The cradel at hir beddes feet is set, [4157] To rokken, and to yeve the child to sowke. [4158] And whan that dronken al was in the crowke, [4159] To bedde wente the doghter right anon; [4160] To bedde goth Aleyn and also John; [4161] Ther nas na moore -- hem nedede no dwale. [4162] This millere hath so wisely bibbed ale [4163] That as an hors he fnorteth in his sleep, [4164] Ne of his tayl bihynde he took no keep. [4165] His wyf bar hym a burdon, a ful strong; [4166] Men myghte hir rowtyng heere two furlong; [4167] The wenche rowteth eek, par compaignye. [4168] Aleyn the clerk, that herde this melodye, [4169] He poked John, and seyde, "Slepestow? [4170] Herdestow evere slyk a sang er now? [4171] Lo, swilk a complyn is ymel hem alle; [4172] A wilde fyr upon thair bodyes falle! [4173] Wha herkned evere slyk a ferly thyng? [4174] Ye, they sal have the flour of il endyng. [4175] This lange nyght ther tydes me na reste; [4176] But yet, na fors, al sal be for the beste. [4177] For, John," seyde he, "als evere moot I thryve, [4178] If that I may, yon wenche wil I swyve. [4179] Som esement has lawe yshapen us, [4180] For, John, ther is a lawe that says thus: [4181] That gif a man in a point be agreved, [4182] That in another he sal be releved. [4183] Oure corn is stoln, sothly, it is na nay, [4184] And we han had an il fit al this day; [4185] And syn I sal have neen amendement [4186] Agayn my los, I will have esement. [4187] By Goddes sale, it sal neen other bee!" [4188] This John answerde, "Alayn, avyse thee! [4189] The millere is a perilous man," he seyde, [4190] "And gif that he out of his sleep abreyde, [4191] He myghte doon us bathe a vileynye." [4192] Aleyn answerde, "I counte hym nat a flye." [4193] And up he rist, and by the wenche he crepte. [4194] This wenche lay uprighte and faste slepte, [4195] Til he so ny was, er she myghte espie, [4196] That it had been to late for to crie, [4197] And shortly for to seyn, they were aton. [4198] Now pley, Aleyn, for I wol speke of John. [4199] This John lith stille a furlong wey or two, [4200] And to hymself he maketh routhe and wo. [4201] "Allas!" quod he, "this is a wikked jape; [4202] Now may I seyn that I is but an ape. [4203] Yet has my felawe somwhat for his harm; [4204] He has the milleris doghter in his arm. [4205] He auntred hym, and has his nedes sped, [4206] And I lye as a draf-sak in my bed; [4207] And when this jape is tald another day, [4208] I sal been halde a daf, a cokenay! [4209] I wil arise and auntre it, by my fayth! [4210] `Unhardy is unseely,' thus men sayth." [4211] And up he roos, and softely he wente [4212] Unto the cradel, and in his hand it hente, [4213] And baar it softe unto his beddes feet. [4214] Soone after this the wyf hir rowtyng leet, [4215] And gan awake, and wente hire out to pisse, [4216] And cam agayn, and gan hir cradel mysse, [4217] And groped heer and ther, but she foond noon. [4218] "Allas!" quod she, "I hadde almoost mysgoon; [4219] I hadde almoost goon to the clerkes bed. [4220] Ey, benedicite! Thanne hadde I foule ysped!" [4221] And forth she gooth til she the cradel fond. [4222] She gropeth alwey forther with hir hond, [4223] And foond the bed, and thoghte noght but good, [4224] By cause that the cradel by it stood, [4225] And nyste wher she was, for it was derk; [4226] But faire and wel she creep in to the clerk, [4227] And lith ful stille, and wolde han caught a sleep. [4228] Withinne a while this John the clerk up leep, [4229] And on this goode wyf he leith on soore. [4230] So myrie a fit ne hadde she nat ful yoore; [4231] He priketh harde and depe as he were mad. [4232] This joly lyf han thise two clerkes lad [4233] Til that the thridde cok bigan to synge. [4234] Aleyn wax wery in the dawenynge, [4235] For he had swonken al the longe nyght, [4236] And seyde, "Fare weel, Malyne, sweete wight! [4237] The day is come; I may no lenger byde; [4238] But everemo, wher so I go or ryde, [4239] I is thyn awen clerk, swa have I seel!" [4240] "Now, deere lemman," quod she, "go, far weel! [4241] But er thow go, o thyng I wol thee telle: [4242] Whan that thou wendest homward by the melle, [4243] Right at the entree of the dore bihynde [4244] Thou shalt a cake of half a busshel fynde [4245] That was ymaked of thyn owene mele, [4246] Which that I heelp my sire for to stele. [4247] And, goode lemman, God thee save and kepe!" [4248] And with that word almoost she gan to wepe. [4249] Aleyn up rist, and thoughte, "Er that it dawe, [4250] I wol go crepen in by my felawe," [4251] And fond the cradel with his hand anon. [4252] "By God," thoughte he, "al wrang I have mysgon. [4253] Myn heed is toty of my swynk to-nyght, [4254] That makes me that I ga nat aright. [4255] I woot wel by the cradel I have mysgo; [4256] Heere lith the millere and his wyf also." [4257] And forth he goth, a twenty devel way, [4258] Unto the bed ther as the millere lay. [4259] He wende have cropen by his felawe John, [4260] And by the millere in he creep anon, [4261] And caughte hym by the nekke, and softe he spak. [4262] He seyde, "Thou John, thou swynes-heed, awak, [4263] For Cristes saule, and heer a noble game. [4264] For by that lord that called is Seint Jame, [4265] As I have thries in this shorte nyght [4266] Swyved the milleres doghter bolt upright, [4267] Whil thow hast, as a coward, been agast." [4268] "Ye, false harlot," quod the millere, "hast? [4269] A, false traitour! False clerk!" quod he, [4270] "Thow shalt be deed, by Goddes dignitee! [4271] Who dorste be so boold to disparage [4272] My doghter, that is come of swich lynage?" [4273] And by the throte-bolle he caughte Alayn, [4274] And he hente hym despitously agayn, [4275] And on the nose he smoot hym with his fest. [4276] Doun ran the blody streem upon his brest; [4277] And in the floor, with nose and mouth tobroke, [4278] They walwe as doon two pigges in a poke; [4279] And up they goon, and doun agayn anon, [4280] Til that the millere sporned at a stoon, [4281] And doun he fil bakward upon his wyf, [4282] That wiste no thyng of this nyce stryf; [4283] For she was falle aslepe a lite wight [4284] With John the clerk, that waked hadde al nyght, [4285] And with the fal out of hir sleep she breyde. [4286] "Help! hooly croys of Bromeholm," she seyde, [4287] "In manus tuas! Lord, to thee I calle! [4288] Awak, Symond! The feend is on me falle. [4289] Myn herte is broken; help! I nam but deed! [4290] Ther lyth oon upon my wombe and on myn heed. [4291] Help, Symkyn, for the false clerkes fighte!" [4292] This John stirte up as faste as ever he myghte, [4293] And graspeth by the walles to and fro, [4294] To fynde a staf; and she stirte up also, [4295] And knew the estres bet than dide this John, [4296] And by the wal a staf she foond anon, [4297] And saugh a litel shymeryng of a light, [4298] For at an hole in shoon the moone bright, [4299] And by that light she saugh hem bothe two, [4300] But sikerly she nyste who was who, [4301] But as she saugh a whit thyng in hir ye. [4302] And whan she gan this white thyng espye, [4303] She wende the clerk hadde wered a volupeer, [4304] And with the staf she drow ay neer and neer, [4305] And wende han hit this Aleyn at the fulle, [4306] And smoot the millere on the pyled skulle, [4307] That doun he gooth, and cride, "Harrow! I dye!" [4308] Thise clerkes beete hym weel and lete hym lye, [4309] And greythen hem, and tooke hir hors anon, [4310] And eek hire mele, and on hir wey they gon. [4311] And at the mille yet they tooke hir cake [4312] Of half a busshel flour, ful wel ybake. [4313] Thus is the proude millere wel ybete, [4314] And hath ylost the gryndynge of the whete, [4315] And payed for the soper everideel [4316] Of Aleyn and of John, that bette hym weel. [4317] His wyf is swyved, and his doghter als. [4318] Lo, swich it is a millere to be fals! [4319] And therfore this proverbe is seyd ful sooth, [4320] "Hym thar nat wene wel that yvele dooth." [4321] A gylour shal hymself bigyled be. [4322] And God, that sitteth heighe in magestee, [4323] Save al this compaignye, grete and smale! [4324] Thus have I quyt the Millere in my tale. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Cook's Prologue [4325] The Cook of Londoun, whil the Reve spak, [4326] For joye him thoughte he clawed him on the bak. [4327] "Ha! ha!" quod he, "For Cristes passion, [4328] This millere hadde a sharp conclusion [4329] Upon his argument of herbergage! [4330] Wel seyde Salomon in his langage, [4331] `Ne bryng nat every man into thyn hous,' [4332] For herberwynge by nyghte is perilous. [4333] Wel oghte a man avysed for to be [4334] Whom that he broghte into his pryvetee. [4335] I pray to God, so yeve me sorwe and care [4336] If evere, sitthe I highte Hogge of Ware, [4337] Herde I a millere bettre yset a-werk. [4338] He hadde a jape of malice in the derk. [4339] But God forbede that we stynte heere; [4340] And therfore, if ye vouche-sauf to heere [4341] A tale of me, that am a povre man, [4342] I wol yow telle, as wel as evere I kan, [4343] A litel jape that fil in oure citee." [4344] Oure Hoost answerde and seide, "I graunte it thee. [4345] Now telle on, Roger; looke that it be good, [4346] For many a pastee hastow laten blood, [4347] And many a Jakke of Dovere hastow soold [4348] That hath been twies hoot and twies coold. [4349] Of many a pilgrym hastow Cristes curs, [4350] For of thy percely yet they fare the wors, [4351] That they han eten with thy stubbel goos, [4352] For in thy shoppe is many a flye loos. [4353] Now telle on, gentil Roger by thy name. [4354] But yet I pray thee, be nat wroth for game; [4355] A man may seye ful sooth in game and pley." [4356] "Thou seist ful sooth," quod Roger, "by my fey! [4357] But `sooth pley, quaad pley,' as the Flemyng seith. [4358] And therfore, Herry Bailly, by thy feith, [4359] Be thou nat wrooth, er we departen heer, [4360] Though that my tale be of an hostileer. [4361] But nathelees I wol nat telle it yit; [4362] But er we parte, ywis, thou shalt be quit." [4363] And therwithal he lough and made cheere, [4364] And seyde his tale, as ye shul after heere. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Cook's Tale [4365] A prentys whilom dwelled in oure citee, [4366] And of a craft of vitailliers was hee. [4367] Gaillard he was as goldfynch in the shawe, [4368] Broun as a berye, a propre short felawe, [4369] With lokkes blake, ykembd ful fetisly. [4370] Dauncen he koude so wel and jolily [4371] That he was cleped Perkyn Revelour. [4372] He was as ful of love and paramour [4373] As is the hyve ful of hony sweete; [4374] Wel was the wenche with hym myghte meete. [4375] At every bridale wolde he synge and hoppe; [4376] He loved bet the taverne than the shoppe. [4377] For whan ther any ridyng was in Chepe, [4378] Out of the shoppe thider wolde he lepe -- [4379] Til that he hadde al the sighte yseyn, [4380] And daunced wel, he wolde nat come ayeyn -- [4381] And gadered hym a meynee of his sort [4382] To hoppe and synge and maken swich disport; [4383] And ther they setten stevene for to meete, [4384] To pleyen at the dys in swich a streete. [4385] For in the toune nas ther no prentys [4386] That fairer koude caste a paire of dys [4387] Than Perkyn koude, and therto he was free [4388] Of his dispense, in place of pryvetee. [4389] That fond his maister wel in his chaffare, [4390] For often tyme he foond his box ful bare. [4391] For sikerly a prentys revelour [4392] That haunteth dys, riot, or paramour, [4393] His maister shal it in his shoppe abye, [4394] Al have he no part of the mynstralcye. [4395] For thefte and riot, they been convertible, [4396] Al konne he pleye on gyterne or ribible. [4397] Revel and trouthe, as in a lowe degree, [4398] They been ful wrothe al day, as men may see. [4399] This joly prentys with his maister bood, [4400] Til he were ny out of his prentishood, [4401] Al were he snybbed bothe erly and late, [4402] And somtyme lad with revel to Newegate. [4403] But atte laste his maister hym bithoghte, [4404] Upon a day, whan he his papir soghte, [4405] Of a proverbe that seith this same word: [4406] "Wel bet is roten appul out of hoord [4407] Than that it rotie al the remenaunt." [4408] So fareth it by a riotous servaunt; [4409] It is ful lasse harm to lete hym pace, [4410] Than he shende alle the servantz in the place. [4411] Therfore his maister yaf hym acquitance, [4412] And bad hym go, with sorwe and with meschance! [4413] And thus this joly prentys hadde his leve. [4414] Now lat hym riote al the nyght or leve. [4415] And for ther is no theef withoute a lowke, [4416] That helpeth hym to wasten and to sowke [4417] Of that he brybe kan or borwe may, [4418] Anon he sente his bed and his array [4419] Unto a compeer of his owene sort, [4420] That lovede dys, and revel, and disport, [4421] And hadde a wyf that heeld for contenance [4422] A shoppe, and swyved for hir sustenance. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Man of Law's Introduction and Prologue [1] Oure Hooste saugh wel that the brighte sonne [2] The ark of his artificial day hath ronne [3] The ferthe part, and half an houre and moore, [4] And though he were not depe ystert in loore, [5] He wiste it was the eightetethe day [6] Of Aprill, that is messager to May; [7] And saugh wel that the shadwe of every tree [8] Was in lengthe the same quantitee [9] That was the body erect that caused it. [10] And therefore by the shadwe he took his wit [11] That Phebus, which that shoon so clere and brighte, [12] Degrees was fyve and fourty clombe on highte, [13] And for that day, as in that latitude, [14] It was ten of the clokke, he gan conclude, [15] And sodeynly he plighte his horse aboute. [16] "Lordynges," quod he, "I warne yow, al this route, [17] The fourthe party of this day is gon. [18] Now for the love of God and of Seint John, [19] Leseth no tyme, as ferforth as ye may. [20] Lordynges, the tyme wasteth nyght and day, [21] And steleth from us, what pryvely slepynge, [22] And what thurgh necligence in oure wakynge, [23] As dooth the streem that turneth nevere agayn, [24] Descendynge from the mountaigne into playn. [25] Wel kan Senec and many a philosophre [26] Biwaillen tyme moore than gold in cofre; [27] For `Los of catel may recovered be, [28] But los of tyme shendeth us,' quod he. [29] It wol nat come agayn, withouten drede, [30] Nomoore than wole Malkynes maydenhede, [31] Whan she hath lost it in hir wantownesse. [32] Lat us nat mowlen thus in ydelnesse. [33] "Sire Man of Lawe," quod he, "so have ye blis, [34] Telle us a tale anon, as forward is. [35] Ye been submytted, thurgh youre free assent, [36] To stonden in this cas at my juggement. [37] Acquiteth yow now of youre biheeste; [38] Thanne have ye do youre devoir atte leeste." [39] "Hooste," quod he, "depardieux, ich assente; [40] To breke forward is nat myn entente. [41] Biheste is dette, and I wole holde fayn [42] Al my biheste, I kan no bettre sayn. [43] For swich lawe as a man yeveth another wight, [44] He sholde hymselven usen it, by right; [45] Thus wole oure text. But nathelees, certeyn, [46] I kan right now no thrifty tale seyn [47] That Chaucer, thogh he kan but lewedly [48] On metres and on rymyng craftily, [49] Hath seyd hem in swich Englissh as he kan [50] Of olde tyme, as knoweth many a man; [51] And if he have noght seyd hem, leve brother, [52] In o book, he hath seyd hem in another. [53] For he hath toold of loveris up and doun [54] Mo than Ovide made of mencioun [55] In his Episteles, that been ful olde. [56] What sholde I tellen hem, syn they been tolde? [57] "In youthe he made of Ceys and Alcione, [58] And sitthen hath he spoken of everichone, [59] Thise noble wyves and thise loveris eke. [60] Whoso that wole his large volume seke, [61] Cleped the Seintes Legende of Cupide, [62] Ther may he seen the large woundes wyde [63] Of Lucresse, and of Babilan Tesbee; [64] The swerd of Dido for the false Enee; [65] The tree of Phillis for hire Demophon; [66] The pleinte of Dianire and of Hermyon, [67] Of Adriane, and of Isiphilee -- [68] The bareyne yle stondynge in the see -- [69] The dreynte Leandre for his Erro; [70] The teeris of Eleyne, and eek the wo [71] Of Brixseyde, and of the, Ladomya; [72] The crueltee of the, queene Medea, [73] Thy litel children hangynge by the hals, [74] For thy Jason, that was of love so fals! [75] O Ypermystra, Penelopee, Alceste, [76] Youre wifhod he comendeth with the beste! [77] "But certeinly no word ne writeth he [78] Of thilke wikke ensample of Canacee, [79] That loved hir owene brother synfully -- [80] Of swiche cursed stories I sey fy! -- [81] Or ellis of Tyro Appollonius, [82] How that the cursed kyng Antiochus [83] Birafte his doghter of hir maydenhede, [84] That is so horrible a tale for to rede, [85] Whan he hir threw upon the pavement. [86] And therfore he, of ful avysement, [87] Nolde nevere write in none of his sermons [88] Of swiche unkynde abhomynacions, [89] Ne I wol noon reherce, if that I may. [90] "But of my tale how shal I doon this day? [91] Me were looth be likned, doutelees, [92] To Muses that men clepe Pierides -- [93] Methamorphosios woot what I mene; [94] But nathelees, I recche noght a bene [95] Though I come after hym with hawebake. [96] I speke in prose, and lat him rymes make." [97] And with that word he, with a sobre cheere, [98] Bigan his tale, as ye shal after heere. [99] O hateful harm, condicion of poverte! [100] With thurst, with coold, with hunger so confoundid! [101] To asken help thee shameth in thyn herte; [102] If thou noon aske, with nede artow so woundid [103] That verray nede unwrappeth al thy wounde hid! [104] Maugree thyn heed, thou most for indigence [105] Or stele, or begge, or borwe thy despence! [106] Thow blamest Crist and seist ful bitterly [107] He mysdeparteth richesse temporal; [108] Thy neighebor thou wytest synfully, [109] And seist thou hast to lite and he hath al. [110] "Parfay," seistow, "somtyme he rekene shal, [111] Whan that his tayl shal brennen in the gleede, [112] For he noght helpeth needfulle in hir neede." [113] Herkne what is the sentence of the wise: [114] "Bet is to dyen than have indigence"; [115] "Thy selve neighebor wol thee despise." [116] If thou be povre, farwel thy reverence! [117] Yet of the wise man take this sentence: [118] "Alle the dayes of povre men been wikke." [119] Be war, therfore, er thou come to that prikke! [120] If thou be povre, thy brother hateth thee, [121] And alle thy freendes fleen from thee, allas! [122] O riche marchauntz, ful of wele been yee, [123] O noble, o prudent folk, as in this cas! [124] Youre bagges been nat fild with ambes as, [125] But with sys cynk, that renneth for youre chaunce; [126] At Cristemasse myrie may ye daunce! [127] Ye seken lond and see for yowre wynnynges; [128] As wise folk ye knowen al th' estaat [129] Of regnes; ye been fadres of tidynges [130] And tales, bothe of pees and of debaat. [131] I were right now of tales desolaat, [132] Nere that a marchant, goon is many a yeere, [133] Me taughte a tale, which that ye shal heere. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Man of Law's Tale [134] In Surrye whilom dwelte a compaignye [135] Of chapmen riche, and therto sadde and trewe, [136] That wyde-where senten hir spicerye, [137] Clothes of gold, and satyns riche of hewe. [138] Hir chaffare was so thrifty and so newe [139] That every wight hath deyntee to chaffare [140] With hem, and eek to sellen hem hire ware. [141] Now fil it that the maistres of that sort [142] Han shapen hem to Rome for to wende; [143] Were it for chapmanhod or for disport, [144] Noon oother message wolde they thider sende, [145] But comen hemself to Rome; this is the ende. [146] And in swich place as thoughte hem avantage [147] For hire entente, they take hir herbergage. [148] Sojourned han thise merchantz in that toun [149] A certein tyme, as fil to hire plesance. [150] And so bifel that th' excellent renoun [151] Of the Emperoures doghter, dame Custance, [152] Reported was, with every circumstance, [153] Unto thise Surryen marchantz in swich wyse, [154] Fro day to day, as I shal yow devyse. [155] This was the commune voys of every man: [156] "Oure Emperour of Rome -- God hym see! -- [157] A doghter hath that, syn the world bigan, [158] To rekene as wel hir goodnesse as beautee, [159] Nas nevere swich another as is shee. [160] I prey to God in honour hire susteene, [161] And wolde she were of al Europe the queene. [162] "In hire is heigh beautee, withoute pride, [163] Yowthe, withoute grenehede or folye; [164] To alle hire werkes vertu is hir gyde; [165] Humblesse hath slayn in hire al tirannye. [166] She is mirour of alle curteisye; [167] Hir herte is verray chambre of hoolynesse, [168] Hir hand, ministre of fredam for almesse." [169] And al this voys was sooth, as God is trewe. [170] But now to purpos lat us turne agayn. [171] Thise marchantz han doon fraught hir shippes newe, [172] And whan they han this blisful mayden sayn, [173] Hoom to Surrye been they went ful fayn, [174] And doon hir nedes as they han doon yoore, [175] And lyven in wele; I kan sey yow namoore. [176] Now fil it that thise marchantz stode in grace [177] Of hym that was the Sowdan of Surrye; [178] For whan they cam from any strange place, [179] He wolde, of his benigne curteisye, [180] Make hem good chiere, and bisily espye [181] Tidynges of sondry regnes, for to leere [182] The wondres that they myghte seen or heere. [183] Amonges othere thynges, specially, [184] Thise marchantz han hym toold of dame Custance [185] So greet noblesse in ernest, ceriously, [186] That this Sowdan hath caught so greet plesance [187] To han hir figure in his remembrance, [188] That al his lust and al his bisy cure [189] Was for to love hire while his lyf may dure. [190] Paraventure in thilke large book [191] Which that men clepe the hevene ywriten was [192] With sterres, whan that he his birthe took, [193] That he for love sholde han his deeth, allas! [194] For in the sterres, clerer than is glas, [195] Is writen, God woot, whoso koude it rede, [196] The deeth of every man, withouten drede. [197] In sterres, many a wynter therbiforn, [198] Was writen the deeth of Ector, Achilles, [199] Of Pompei, Julius, er they were born; [200] The strif of Thebes; and of Ercules, [201] Of Sampson, Turnus, and of Socrates [202] The deeth; but mennes wittes ben so dulle [203] That no wight kan wel rede it atte fulle. [204] This Sowdan for his privee conseil sente, [205] And, shortly of this matiere for to pace, [206] He hath to hem declared his entente, [207] And seyde hem, certein, but he myghte have grace [208] To han Custance withinne a litel space, [209] He nas but deed; and charged hem in hye [210] To shapen for his lyf som remedye. [211] Diverse men diverse thynges seyden; [212] They argumenten, casten up and doun; [213] Many a subtil resoun forth they leyden; [214] They speken of magyk and abusioun. [215] But finally, as in conclusioun, [216] They kan nat seen in that noon avantage, [217] Ne in noon oother wey, save mariage. [218] Thanne sawe they therinne swich difficultee [219] By wey of reson, for to speke al playn, [220] By cause that ther was swich diversitee [221] Bitwene hir bothe lawes, that they sayn [222] They trowe that no "Cristen prince wolde fayn [223] Wedden his child under oure lawe sweete [224] That us was taught by Mahoun, oure prophete." [225] And he answerde, "Rather than I lese [226] Custance, I wol be cristned, doutelees. [227] I moot been hires; I may noon oother chese. [228] I prey yow hoold youre argumentz in pees; [229] Saveth my lyf, and beth noght recchelees [230] To geten hire that hath my lyf in cure, [231] For in this wo I may nat longe endure." [232] What nedeth gretter dilatacioun? [233] I seye, by tretys and embassadrie, [234] And by the popes mediacioun, [235] And al the chirche, and al the chivalrie, [236] That in destruccioun of mawmettrie, [237] And in encrees of Cristes lawe deere, [238] They been acorded, so as ye shal heere: [239] How that the Sowdan and his baronage [240] And alle his liges sholde ycristned be, [241] And he shal han Custance in mariage, [242] And certein gold, I noot what quantitee; [243] And heer-to founden sufficient suretee. [244] This same accord was sworn on eyther syde; [245] Now, faire Custance, almyghty God thee gyde! [246] Now wolde som men waiten, as I gesse, [247] That I sholde tellen al the purveiance [248] That th' Emperour, of his grete noblesse, [249] Hath shapen for his doghter, dame Custance. [250] Wel may men knowen that so greet ordinance [251] May no man tellen in a litel clause [252] As was arrayed for so heigh a cause. [253] Bisshopes been shapen with hire for to wende, [254] Lordes, ladies, knyghtes of renoun, [255] And oother folk ynowe; this is th' ende; [256] And notified is thurghout the toun [257] That every wight, with greet devocioun, [258] Sholde preyen Crist that he this mariage [259] Receyve in gree and spede this viage. [260] The day is comen of hir departynge; [261] I seye, the woful day fatal is come, [262] That ther may be no lenger tariynge, [263] But forthward they hem dressen, alle and some. [264] Custance, that was with sorwe al overcome, [265] Ful pale arist, and dresseth hire to wende; [266] For wel she seeth ther is noon oother ende. [267] Allas, what wonder is it thogh she wepte, [268] That shal be sent to strange nacioun [269] Fro freendes that so tendrely hire kepte, [270] And to be bounden under subjeccioun [271] Of oon, she knoweth nat his condicioun? [272] Housbondes been alle goode, and han ben yoore; [273] That knowen wyves; I dar sey yow na moore. [274] "Fader," she seyde, "thy wrecched child Custance, [275] Thy yonge doghter fostred up so softe, [276] And ye, my mooder, my soverayn plesance [277] Over alle thyng, out-taken Crist on-lofte, [278] Custance youre child hire recomandeth ofte [279] Unto youre grace, for I shal to Surrye, [280] Ne shal I nevere seen yow moore with ye. [281] "Allas, unto the Barbre nacioun [282] I moste anoon, syn that it is youre wille; [283] But Crist, that starf for our redempcioun [284] So yeve me grace his heestes to fulfille! [285] I, wrecche womman, no fors though I spille! [286] Wommen are born to thraldom and penance, [287] And to been under mannes governance." [288] I trowe at Troye, whan Pirrus brak the wal [289] Or Ilion brende, at Thebes the citee, [290] N' at Rome, for the harm thurgh Hanybal [291] That Romayns hath venquysshed tymes thre, [292] Nas herd swich tendre wepyng for pitee [293] As in the chambre was for hire departynge; [294] But forth she moot, wher-so she wepe or synge. [295] O firste moevyng! Crueel firmament, [296] With thy diurnal sweigh that crowdest ay [297] And hurlest al from est til occident [298] That naturelly wolde holde another way, [299] Thy crowdyng set the hevene in swich array [300] At the bigynnyng of this fiers viage, [301] That crueel Mars hath slayn this mariage. [302] Infortunat ascendent tortuous, [303] Of which the lord is helplees falle, allas, [304] Out of his angle into the derkeste hous! [305] O Mars, o atazir, as in this cas! [306] O fieble moone, unhappy been thy paas! [307] Thou knyttest thee ther thou art nat receyved; [308] Ther thou were weel, fro thennes artow weyved. [309] Imprudent Emperour of Rome, allas! [310] Was ther no philosophre in al thy toun? [311] Is no tyme bet than oother in swich cas? [312] Of viage is ther noon eleccioun, [313] Namely to folk of heigh condicioun? [314] Noght whan a roote is of a burthe yknowe? [315] Allas, we been to lewed or to slowe! [316] To shippe is brought this woful faire mayde [317] Solempnely, with every circumstance. [318] "Now Jhesu Crist be with yow alle!" she sayde; [319] Ther nys namoore, but "Farewel, faire Custance!" [320] She peyneth hire to make good contenance; [321] And forth I lete hire saille in this manere, [322] And turne I wole agayn to my matere. [323] The mooder of the Sowdan, welle of vices, [324] Espied hath hir sones pleyn entente, [325] How he wol lete his olde sacrifices; [326] And right anon she for hir conseil sente, [327] And they been come to knowe what she mente. [328] And whan assembled was this folk in-feere, [329] She sette hire doun, and seyde as ye shal heere. [330] "Lordes," quod she, "ye knowen everichon, [331] How that my sone in point is for to lete [332] The hooly lawes of our Alkaron, [333] Yeven by Goddes message Makomete. [334] But oon avow to grete God I heete, [335] The lyf shal rather out of my body sterte [336] Or Makometes lawe out of myn herte! [337] "What sholde us tyden of this newe lawe [338] But thraldom to oure bodies and penance, [339] And afterward in helle to be drawe, [340] For we reneyed Mahoun oure creance? [341] But, lordes, wol ye maken assurance, [342] As I shal seyn, assentynge to my loore, [343] And I shal make us sauf for everemoore?" [344] They sworen and assenten, every man, [345] To lyve with hire and dye, and by hire stonde, [346] And everich, in the beste wise he kan, [347] To strengthen hire shal alle his frendes fonde; [348] And she hath this emprise ytake on honde, [349] Which ye shal heren that I shal devyse, [350] And to hem alle she spak right in this wyse: [351] "We shul first feyne us cristendom to take -- [352] Coold water shal nat greve us but a lite! -- [353] And I shal swich a feeste and revel make [354] That, as I trowe, I shal the Sowdan quite. [355] For thogh his wyf be cristned never so white, [356] She shal have nede to wasshe awey the rede, [357] Thogh she a font-ful water with hire lede." [358] O Sowdanesse, roote of iniquitee! [359] Virago, thou Semyrame the secounde! [360] O serpent under femynynytee, [361] Lik to the serpent depe in helle ybounde! [362] O feyned womman, al that may confounde [363] Vertu and innocence, thurgh thy malice, [364] Is bred in thee, as nest of every vice! [365] O Sathan, envious syn thilke day [366] That thou were chaced from oure heritage, [367] Wel knowestow to wommen the olde way! [368] Thou madest Eva brynge us in servage; [369] Thou wolt fordoon this Cristen mariage. [370] Thyn instrument so -- weylawey the while! -- [371] Makestow of wommen, whan thou wolt bigile. [372] This Sowdanesse, whom I thus blame and warye, [373] Leet prively hire conseil goon hire way. [374] What sholde I in this tale lenger tarye? [375] She rydeth to the Sowdan on a day, [376] And seyde hym that she wolde reneye hir lay, [377] And cristendom of preestes handes fonge, [378] Repentynge hire she hethen was so longe, [379] Bisechynge hym to doon hire that honour, [380] That she moste han the Cristen folk to feeste -- [381] "To plesen hem I wol do my labour." [382] The Sowdan seith, "I wol doon at youre heeste," [383] And knelynge thanketh hire of that requeste. [384] So glad he was, he nyste what to seye. [385] She kiste hir sone, and hoom she gooth hir weye. [386] Arryved been this Cristen folk to londe [387] In Surrye, with a greet solempne route, [388] And hastifliche this Sowdan sente his sonde [389] First to his mooder, and al the regne aboute, [390] And seyde his wyf was comen, out of doute, [391] And preyde hire for to ryde agayn the queene, [392] The honour of his regne to susteene. [393] Greet was the prees, and riche was th' array [394] Of Surryens and Romayns met yfeere; [395] The mooder of the Sowdan, riche and gay, [396] Receyveth hire with also glad a cheere [397] As any mooder myghte hir doghter deere, [398] And to the nexte citee ther bisyde [399] A softe paas solempnely they ryde. [400] Noght trowe I the triumphe of Julius, [401] Of which that Lucan maketh swich a boost, [402] Was roialler ne moore curius [403] Than was th' assemblee of this blisful hoost. [404] But this scorpioun, this wikked goost, [405] The Sowdanesse, for al hire flaterynge, [406] Caste under this ful mortally to stynge. [407] The Sowdan comth hymself soone after this [408] So roially that wonder is to telle, [409] And welcometh hire with alle joye and blis. [410] And thus in murthe and joye I lete hem dwelle; [411] The fruyt of this matiere is that I telle. [412] Whan tyme cam, men thoughte it for the beste [413] That revel stynte, and men goon to hir reste. [414] The tyme cam, this olde Sowdanesse [415] Ordeyned hath this feeste of which I tolde, [416] And to the feeste Cristen folk hem dresse [417] In general, ye, bothe yonge and olde. [418] Heere may men feeste and roialtee biholde, [419] And deyntees mo than I kan yow devyse; [420] But al to deere they boghte it er they ryse. [421] O sodeyn wo, that evere art successour [422] To worldly blisse, spreynd with bitternesse, [423] The ende of the joye of oure worldly labour! [424] Wo occupieth the fyn of oure gladnesse. [425] Herke this conseil for thy sikernesse: [426] Upon thy glade day have in thy mynde [427] The unwar wo or harm that comth bihynde. [428] For shortly for to tellen, at o word, [429] The Sowdan and the Cristen everichone [430] Been al tohewe and stiked at the bord, [431] But it were oonly dame Custance allone. [432] This olde Sowdanesse, cursed krone, [433] Hath with hir freendes doon this cursed dede, [434] For she hirself wolde al the contree lede. [435] Ne ther was Surryen noon that was converted, [436] That of the conseil of the Sowdan woot, [437] That he nas al tohewe er he asterted. [438] And Custance han they take anon, foot-hoot, [439] And in a ship al steerelees, God woot, [440] They han hir set, and bidde hire lerne saille [441] Out of Surrye agaynward to Ytaille. [442] A certein tresor that she thider ladde, [443] And, sooth to seyn, vitaille greet plentee [444] They han hire yeven, and clothes eek she hadde, [445] And forth she sailleth in the salte see. [446] O my Custance, ful of benignytee, [447] O Emperoures yonge doghter deere, [448] He that is lord of Fortune be thy steere! [449] She blesseth hire, and with ful pitous voys [450] Unto the croys of Crist thus seyde she: [451] "O cleere, o welful auter, hooly croys, [452] Reed of the Lambes blood ful of pitee, [453] That wessh the world fro the olde iniquitee, [454] Me fro the feend and fro his clawes kepe, [455] That day that I shal drenchen in the depe. [456] "Victorious tree, proteccioun of trewe, [457] That oonly worthy were for to bere [458] The Kyng of Hevene with his woundes newe, [459] The white Lamb, that hurt was with a spere, [460] Flemere of feendes out of hym and here [461] On which thy lymes feithfully extenden, [462] Me kepe, and yif me myght my lyf t' amenden." [463] Yeres and dayes fleet this creature [464] Thurghout the See of Grece unto the Strayte [465] Of Marrok, as it was hire aventure. [466] On many a sory meel now may she bayte; [467] After hir deeth ful often may she wayte, [468] Er that the wilde wawes wol hire dryve [469] Unto the place ther she shal arryve. [470] Men myghten asken why she was nat slayn [471] Eek at the feeste? Who myghte hir body save? [472] And I answere to that demande agayn, [473] Who saved Danyel in the horrible cave [474] Ther every wight save he, maister and knave, [475] Was with the leon frete er he asterte? [476] No wight but God that he bar in his herte. [477] God liste to shewe his wonderful myracle [478] In hire, for we sholde seen his myghty werkis; [479] Crist, which that is to every harm triacle, [480] By certeine meenes ofte, as knowen clerkis, [481] Dooth thyng for certein ende that ful derk is [482] To mannes wit, that for oure ignorance [483] Ne konne noght knowe his prudent purveiance. [484] Now sith she was nat at the feeste yslawe, [485] Who kepte hire fro the drenchyng in the see? [486] Who kepte Jonas in the fisshes mawe [487] Til he was spouted up at Nynyvee? [488] Wel may men knowe it was no wight but he [489] That kepte peple Ebrayk from hir drenchynge, [490] With drye feet thurghout the see passynge. [491] Who bad the foure spirites of tempest [492] That power han t' anoyen lond and see, [493] Bothe north and south, and also west and est, [494] "Anoyeth neither see, ne land, ne tree"? [495] Soothly, the comandour of that was he [496] That fro the tempest ay this womman kepte [497] As wel whan she wook as whan she slepte. [498] Where myghte this womman mete and drynke have [499] Thre yeer and moore? How lasteth hire vitaille? [500] Who fedde the Egipcien Marie in the cave, [501] Or in desert? No wight but Crist, sanz faille. [502] Fyve thousand folk it was as greet mervaille [503] With loves fyve and fisshes two to feede. [504] God sente his foyson at hir grete neede. [505] She dryveth forth into oure occian [506] Thurghout oure wilde see, til atte laste [507] Under an hoold that nempnen I ne kan, [508] Fer in Northhumberlond the wawe hire caste, [509] And in the sond hir ship stiked so faste [510] That thennes wolde it noght of al a tyde; [511] The wyl of Crist was that she sholde abyde. [512] The constable of the castel doun is fare [513] To seen this wrak, and al the ship he soghte, [514] And foond this wery womman ful of care; [515] He foond also the tresor that she broghte. [516] In hir langage mercy she bisoghte, [517] The lyf out of hir body for to twynne, [518] Hire to delivere of wo that she was inne. [519] A maner Latyn corrupt was hir speche, [520] But algates therby was she understonde. [521] The constable, whan hym lyst no longer seche, [522] This woful womman broghte he to the londe. [523] She kneleth doun and thanketh Goddes sonde; [524] But what she was she wolde no man seye, [525] For foul ne fair, thogh that she sholde deye. [526] She seyde she was so mazed in the see [527] That she forgat hir mynde, by hir trouthe. [528] The constable hath of hire so greet pitee, [529] And eek his wyf, that they wepen for routhe. [530] She was so diligent, withouten slouthe, [531] To serve and plesen everich in that place [532] That alle hir loven that looken in hir face. [533] This constable and dame Hermengyld, his wyf, [534] Were payens, and that contree everywhere; [535] But Hermengyld loved hire right as hir lyf, [536] And Custance hath so longe sojourned there, [537] In orisons, with many a bitter teere, [538] Til Jhesu hath converted thurgh his grace [539] Dame Hermengyld, constablesse of that place. [540] In al that lond no Cristen dorste route; [541] Alle Cristen folk been fled fro that contree [542] Thurgh payens, that conquereden al aboute [543] The plages of the north, by land and see. [544] To Walys fledde the Cristyanytee [545] Of olde Britons dwellynge in this ile; [546] Ther was hir refut for the meene while. [547] But yet nere Cristene Britons so exiled [548] That ther nere somme that in hir privetee [549] Honoured Crist and hethen folk bigiled, [550] And ny the castel swiche ther dwelten three. [551] That oon of hem was blynd and myghte nat see, [552] But it were with thilke eyen of his mynde [553] With whiche men seen, after that they ben blynde. [554] Bright was the sonne as in that someres day, [555] For which the constable and his wyf also [556] And Custance han ytake the righte way [557] Toward the see a furlong wey or two, [558] To pleyen and to romen to and fro, [559] And in hir walk this blynde man they mette, [560] Croked and oold, with eyen faste yshette. [561] "In name of Crist," cride this blinde Britoun, [562] "Dame Hermengyld, yif me my sighte agayn!" [563] This lady weex affrayed of the soun, [564] Lest that hir housbonde, shortly for to sayn, [565] Wolde hire for Jhesu Cristes love han slayn, [566] Til Custance made hire boold, and bad hire wirche [567] The wyl of Crist, as doghter of his chirche. [568] The constable weex abasshed of that sight, [569] And seyde, "What amounteth al this fare?" [570] Custance answerde, "Sire, it is Cristes myght, [571] That helpeth folk out of the feendes snare." [572] And so ferforth she gan oure lay declare [573] That she the constable, er that it was eve [574] Converteth, and on Crist made hym bileve. [575] This constable was nothyng lord of this place [576] Of which I speke, ther he Custance fond, [577] But kepte it strongly many a wyntres space [578] Under Alla, kyng of al Northhumbrelond, [579] That was ful wys, and worthy of his hond [580] Agayn the Scottes, as men may wel heere; [581] But turne I wole agayn to my mateere. [582] Sathan, that evere us waiteth to bigile, [583] Saugh of Custance al hire perfeccioun, [584] And caste anon how he myghte quite hir while, [585] And made a yong knyght that dwelte in that toun [586] Love hire so hoote, of foul affeccioun, [587] That verraily hym thoughte he sholde spille, [588] But he of hire myghte ones have his wille. [589] He woweth hire, but it availleth noght; [590] She wolde do no synne, by no weye. [591] And for despit he compassed in his thoght [592] To maken hire on shameful deeth to deye. [593] He wayteth whan the constable was aweye, [594] And pryvely upon a nyght he crepte [595] In Hermengyldes chambre, whil she slepte. [596] Wery, forwaked in hire orisouns, [597] Slepeth Custance, and Hermengyld also. [598] This knyght, thurgh Sathanas temptaciouns, [599] Al softely is to the bed ygo, [600] And kitte the throte of Hermengyld atwo, [601] And leyde the blody knyf by dame Custance, [602] And wente his wey, ther God yeve hym meschance! [603] Soone after cometh this constable hoom agayn, [604] And eek Alla, that kyng was of that lond, [605] And saugh his wyf despitously yslayn, [606] For which ful ofte he weep and wroong his hond, [607] And in the bed the blody knyf he fond [608] By Dame Custance. Allas, what myghte she seye? [609] For verray wo hir wit was al aweye. [610] To kyng Alla was toold al this meschance, [611] And eek the tyme, and where, and in what wise [612] That in a ship was founden this Custance, [613] As heer-biforn that ye han herd devyse. [614] The kynges herte of pitee gan agryse, [615] Whan he saugh so benigne a creature [616] Falle in disese and in mysaventure. [617] For as the lomb toward his deeth is broght, [618] So stant this innocent bifore the kyng. [619] This false knyght, that hath this tresoun wroght, [620] Berth hire on hond that she hath doon thys thyng. [621] But nathelees, ther was greet moornyng [622] Among the peple, and seyn they kan nat gesse [623] That she had doon so greet a wikkednesse, [624] For they han seyn hire evere so vertuous, [625] And lovynge Hermengyld right as hir lyf. [626] Of this baar witnesse everich in that hous, [627] Save he that Hermengyld slow with his knyf. [628] This gentil kyng hath caught a greet motyf [629] Of this witnesse, and thoghte he wolde enquere [630] Depper in this, a trouthe for to lere. [631] Allas! Custance, thou hast no champioun, [632] Ne fighte kanstow noght, so weylaway! [633] But he that starf for our redempcioun, [634] And boond Sathan (and yet lith ther he lay), [635] So be thy stronge champion this day! [636] For, but if Crist open myracle kithe, [637] Withouten gilt thou shalt be slayn as swithe. [638] She sette hire doun on knees, and thus she sayde: [639] "Immortal God, that savedest Susanne [640] Fro false blame, and thou, merciful mayde, [641] Marie I meene, doghter to Seint Anne, [642] Bifore whos child angeles synge Osanne, [643] If I be giltlees of this felonye, [644] My socour be, for ellis shal I dye!" [645] Have ye nat seyn somtyme a pale face, [646] Among a prees, of hym that hath be lad [647] Toward his deeth, wher as hym gat no grace, [648] And swich a colour in his face hath had [649] Men myghte knowe his face that was bistad [650] Amonges alle the faces in that route? [651] So stant Custance, and looketh hire aboute. [652] O queenes, lyvynge in prosperitee, [653] Duchesses, and ye ladyes everichone, [654] Haveth som routhe on hire adversitee! [655] An Emperoures doghter stant allone; [656] She hath no wight to whom to make hir mone. [657] O blood roial, that stondest in this drede, [658] Fer been thy freendes at thy grete nede! [659] This Alla kyng hath swich compassioun, [660] As gentil herte is fulfild of pitee, [661] That from his eyen ran the water doun. [662] "Now hastily do fecche a book," quod he, [663] "And if this knyght wol sweren how that she [664] This womman slow, yet wol we us avyse [665] Whom that we wole that shal been oure justise." [666] A Britoun book, written with Evaungiles, [667] Was fet, and on this book he swoor anoon [668] She gilty was, and in the meene whiles [669] An hand hym smoot upon the nekke-boon, [670] That doun he fil atones as a stoon, [671] And bothe his eyen broste out of his face [672] In sighte of every body in that place. [673] A voys was herd in general audience, [674] And seyde, "Thou hast desclaundred, giltelees, [675] The doghter of hooly chirche in heigh presence; [676] Thus hastou doon, and yet holde I my pees!" [677] Of this mervaille agast was al the prees; [678] As mazed folk they stoden everichone, [679] For drede of wreche, save Custance allone. [680] Greet was the drede and eek the repentance [681] Of hem that hadden wrong suspecioun [682] Upon this sely innocent, Custance; [683] And for this miracle, in conclusioun, [684] And by Custances mediacioun, [685] The kyng -- and many another in that place -- [686] Converted was, thanked be Cristes grace! [687] This false knyght was slayn for his untrouthe [688] By juggement of Alla hastifly; [689] And yet Custance hadde of his deeth greet routhe. [690] And after this Jhesus, of his mercy, [691] Made Alla wedden ful solempnely [692] This hooly mayden, that is so bright and sheene; [693] And thus hath Crist ymaad Custance a queene. [694] But who was woful, if I shal nat lye, [695] Of this weddyng but Donegild, and namo, [696] The kynges mooder, ful of tirannye? [697] Hir thoughte hir cursed herte brast atwo. [698] She wolde noght hir sone had do so; [699] Hir thoughte a despit that he sholde take [700] So strange a creature unto his make. [701] Me list nat of the chaf, ne of the stree, [702] Maken so long a tale as of the corn. [703] What sholde I tellen of the roialtee [704] At mariage, or which cours goth biforn; [705] Who bloweth in a trumpe or in an horn? [706] The fruyt of every tale is for to seye: [707] They ete, and drynke, and daunce, and synge, and pleye. [708] They goon to bedde, as it was skile and right; [709] For thogh that wyves be ful hooly thynges, [710] They moste take in pacience at nyght [711] Swiche manere necessaries as been plesynges [712] To folk that han ywedded hem with rynges, [713] And leye a lite hir hoolynesse aside, [714] As for the tyme -- it may no bet bitide. [715] On hire he gat a knave child anon, [716] And to a bisshop, and his constable eke, [717] He took his wyf to kepe, whan he is gon [718] To Scotlond-ward, his foomen for to seke. [719] Now faire Custance, that is so humble and meke, [720] So longe is goon with childe, til that stille [721] She halt hire chambre, abidyng Cristes wille. [722] The tyme is come a knave child she beer; [723] Mauricius at the fontstoon they hym calle. [724] This constable dooth forth come a messageer, [725] And wroot unto his kyng, that cleped was Alle, [726] How that this blisful tidyng is bifalle, [727] And othere tidynges spedeful for to seye. [728] He taketh the lettre, and forth he gooth his weye. [729] This messager, to doon his avantage, [730] Unto the kynges mooder rideth swithe, [731] And salueth hire ful faire in his langage: [732] "Madame," quod he, "ye may be glad and blithe, [733] And thanketh God an hundred thousand sithe! [734] My lady queene hath child, withouten doute, [735] To joye and blisse to al this regne aboute. [736] "Lo, heere the lettres seled of this thyng, [737] That I moot bere with al the haste I may. [738] If ye wol aught unto youre sone the kyng, [739] I am youre servant, bothe nyght and day." [740] Donegild answerde, "As now at this tyme, nay; [741] But heere al nyght I wol thou take thy reste. [742] To-morwe wol I seye thee what me leste." [743] This messager drank sadly ale and wyn, [744] And stolen were his lettres pryvely [745] Out of his box, whil he sleep as a swyn; [746] And countrefeted was ful subtilly [747] Another lettre, wroght ful synfully, [748] Unto the kyng direct of this mateere [749] Fro his constable, as ye shal after heere. [750] The lettre spak the queene delivered was [751] Of so horrible a feendly creature [752] That in the castel noon so hardy was [753] That any while dorste ther endure. [754] The mooder was an elf, by aventure [755] Ycomen, by charmes or by sorcerie, [756] And every wight hateth hir compaignye. [757] Wo was this kyng whan he this lettre had sayn, [758] But to no wight he tolde his sorwes soore, [759] But of his owene hand he wroot agayn, [760] "Welcome the sonde of Crist for everemoore [761] To me that am now lerned in his loore! [762] Lord, welcome be thy lust and thy plesaunce; [763] My lust I putte al in thyn ordinaunce. [764] "Kepeth this child, al be it foul or feir, [765] And eek my wyf, unto myn hoom-comynge. [766] Crist, whan hym list, may sende me an heir [767] Moore agreable than this to my likynge." [768] This lettre he seleth, pryvely wepynge, [769] Which to the messager was take soone, [770] And forth he gooth; ther is na moore to doone. [771] O messager, fulfild of dronkenesse, [772] Strong is thy breeth, thy lymes faltren ay, [773] And thou biwreyest alle secreenesse. [774] Thy mynde is lorn, thou janglest as a jay, [775] Thy face is turned in a newe array. [776] Ther dronkenesse regneth in any route, [777] Ther is no conseil hyd, withouten doute. [778] O Donegild, I ne have noon Englissh digne [779] Unto thy malice and thy tirannye! [780] And therfore to the feend I thee resigne; [781] Lat hym enditen of thy traitorie! [782] Fy, mannysh, fy! -- o nay, by God, I lye -- [783] Fy, feendlych spirit, for I dar wel telle, [784] Thogh thou heere walke, thy spirit is in helle! [785] This messager comth fro the kyng agayn, [786] And at the kynges moodres court he lighte, [787] And she was of this messager ful fayn, [788] And plesed hym in al that ever she myghte. [789] He drank, and wel his girdel underpighte; [790] He slepeth, and he fnorteth in his gyse [791] Al nyght, til the sonne gan aryse. [792] Eft were his lettres stolen everychon, [793] And countrefeted lettres in this wyse: [794] "The king comandeth his constable anon, [795] Up peyne of hangyng, and on heigh juyse, [796] That he ne sholde suffren in no wyse [797] Custance in-with his reawme for t' abyde [798] Thre dayes and o quarter of a tyde; [799] "But in the same ship as he hire fond, [800] Hire, and hir yonge sone, and al hir geere, [801] He sholde putte, and croude hire fro the lond, [802] And charge hire that she never eft coome theere." [803] O my Custance, wel may thy goost have feere, [804] And, slepynge, in thy dreem been in penance, [805] Whan Donegild cast al this ordinance. [806] This messager on morwe, whan he wook, [807] Unto the castel halt the nexte way, [808] And to the constable he the lettre took; [809] And whan that he this pitous lettre say, [810] Ful ofte he seyde, "Allas and weylaway!" [811] "Lord Crist," quod he, "how may this world endure, [812] So ful of synne is many a creature? [813] "O myghty God, if that it be thy wille, [814] Sith thou art rightful juge, how may it be [815] That thou wolt suffren innocentz to spille, [816] And wikked folk regne in prosperitee? [817] O goode Custance, allas, so wo is me [818] That I moot be thy tormentour, or deye [819] On shames deeth; ther is noon oother weye." [820] Wepen bothe yonge and olde in al that place [821] Whan that the kyng this cursed lettre sente, [822] And Custance, with a deedly pale face, [823] The ferthe day toward hir ship she wente. [824] But nathelees she taketh in good entente [825] The wyl of Crist, and knelynge on the stronde, [826] She seyde, "Lord, ay welcome be thy sonde! [827] "He that me kepte fro the false blame [828] While I was on the lond amonges yow, [829] He kan me kepe from harm and eek fro shame [830] In salte see, althogh I se noght how. [831] As strong as evere he was, he is yet now. [832] In hym triste I, and in his mooder deere, [833] That is to me my seyl and eek my steere." [834] Hir litel child lay wepyng in hir arm, [835] And knelynge, pitously to hym she seyde, [836] "Pees, litel sone, I wol do thee noon harm." [837] With that hir coverchief of hir heed she breyde, [838] And over his litel eyen she it leyde, [839] And in hir arm she lulleth it ful faste, [840] And into hevene hire eyen up she caste. [841] "Mooder," quod she, "and mayde bright, Marie, [842] Sooth is that thurgh wommanes eggement [843] Mankynde was lorn, and damned ay to dye, [844] For which thy child was on a croys yrent. [845] Thy blisful eyen sawe al his torment; [846] Thanne is ther no comparison bitwene [847] Thy wo and any wo man may sustene. [848] "Thow sawe thy child yslayn bifore thyne yen, [849] And yet now lyveth my litel child, parfay! [850] Now, lady bright, to whom alle woful cryen, [851] Thow glorie of wommanhede, thow faire may, [852] Thow haven of refut, brighte sterre of day, [853] Rewe on my child, that of thy gentillesse [854] Rewest on every reweful in distresse. [855] "O litel child, allas! What is thy gilt, [856] That nevere wroghtest synne as yet, pardee? [857] Why wil thyn harde fader han thee spilt? [858] O mercy, deere constable," quod she, [859] "As lat my litel child dwelle heer with thee; [860] And if thou darst nat saven hym, for blame, [861] So kys hym ones in his fadres name!" [862] Therwith she looked bakward to the londe, [863] And seyde, "Farewel, housbonde routhelees!" [864] And up she rist, and walketh doun the stronde [865] Toward the ship -- hir folweth al the prees -- [866] And evere she preyeth hire child to holde his pees; [867] And taketh hir leve, and with an hooly entente [868] She blisseth hire, and into ship she wente. [869] Vitailled was the ship, it is no drede, [870] Habundantly for hire ful longe space, [871] And othere necessaries that sholde nede [872] She hadde ynogh -- heryed be Goddes grace! [873] For wynd and weder almyghty God purchace, [874] And brynge hire hoom! I kan no bettre seye, [875] But in the see she dryveth forth hir weye. [876] Alla the kyng comth hoom soone after this [877] Unto his castel, of the which I tolde, [878] And asketh where his wyf and his child is. [879] The constable gan aboute his herte colde, [880] And pleynly al the manere he hym tolde [881] As ye han herd -- I kan telle it no bettre -- [882] And sheweth the kyng his seel and eek his lettre, [883] And seyde, "Lord, as ye comanded me [884] Up peyne of deeth, so have I doon, certein." [885] This messager tormented was til he [886] Moste biknowe and tellen, plat and pleyn, [887] Fro nyght to nyght, in what place he had leyn; [888] And thus, by wit and sotil enquerynge, [889] Ymagined was by whom this harm gan sprynge. [890] The hand was knowe that the lettre wroot, [891] And al the venym of this cursed dede, [892] But in what wise, certeinly, I noot. [893] Th' effect is this: that Alla, out of drede, [894] His mooder slow -- that may men pleynly rede -- [895] For that she traitour was to hire ligeance. [896] Thus endeth olde Donegild, with meschance! [897] The sorwe that this Alla nyght and day [898] Maketh for his wyf, and for his child also, [899] Ther is no tonge that it telle may. [900] But now wol I unto Custance go, [901] That fleteth in the see, in peyne and wo, [902] Fyve yeer and moore, as liked Cristes sonde, [903] Er that hir ship approched unto londe. [904] Under an hethen castel, atte laste, [905] Of which the name in my text noght I fynde, [906] Custance, and eek hir child, the see up caste. [907] Almyghty God, that saveth al mankynde, [908] Have on Custance and on hir child som mynde, [909] That fallen is in hethen hand eft soone, [910] In point to spille, as I shal telle yow soone. [911] Doun fro the castel comth ther many a wight [912] To gauren on this ship and on Custance. [913] But shortly, from the castel, on a nyght, [914] The lordes styward -- God yeve hym meschance! -- [915] A theef, that hadde reneyed oure creance, [916] Cam into ship allone, and seyde he sholde [917] Hir lemman be, wher-so she wolde or nolde. [918] Wo was this wrecched womman tho bigon; [919] Hir child cride, and she cride pitously. [920] But blisful Marie heelp hire right anon; [921] For with hir struglyng wel and myghtily [922] The theef fil over bord al sodeynly, [923] And in the see he dreynte for vengeance; [924] And thus hath Crist unwemmed kept Custance. [925] O foule lust of luxurie, lo, thyn ende! [926] Nat oonly that thou feyntest mannes mynde, [927] But verraily thou wolt his body shende. [928] Th' ende of thy werk, or of thy lustes blynde, [929] Is compleynyng. Hou many oon may men fynde [930] That noght for werk somtyme, but for th' entente [931] To doon this synne, been outher slayn or shente! [932] How may this wayke womman han this strengthe [933] Hire to defende agayn this renegat? [934] O Golias, unmesurable of lengthe, [935] Hou myghte David make thee so maat, [936] So yong and of armure so desolaat? [937] Hou dorste he looke upon thy dredful face? [938] Wel may men seen, it nas but Goddes grace. [939] Who yaf Judith corage or hardynesse [940] To sleen hym Olofernus in his tente, [941] And to deliveren out of wrecchednesse [942] The peple of God? I seye, for this entente, [943] That right as God spirit of vigour sente [944] To hem and saved hem out of meschance, [945] So sente he myght and vigour to Custance. [946] Forth gooth hir ship thurghout the narwe mouth [947] Of Jubaltare and Septe, dryvynge ay [948] Somtyme west, and somtyme north and south, [949] And somtyme est, ful many a wery day, [950] Til Cristes mooder -- blessed be she ay! -- [951] Hath shapen, thurgh hir endelees goodnesse, [952] To make an ende of al hir hevynesse. [953] Now lat us stynte of Custance but a throwe, [954] And speke we of the Romayn Emperour, [955] That out of Surrye hath by lettres knowe [956] The slaughtre of cristen folk, and dishonour [957] Doon to his doghter by a fals traytour, [958] I mene the cursed wikked Sowdanesse [959] That at the feeste leet sleen bothe moore and lesse. [960] For which this Emperour hath sent anon [961] His senatour, with roial ordinance, [962] And othere lordes, God woot, many oon, [963] On Surryens to taken heigh vengeance. [964] They brennen, sleen, and brynge hem to meschance [965] Ful many a day; but shortly -- this is th' ende -- [966] Homward to Rome they shapen hem to wende. [967] This senatour repaireth with victorie [968] To Rome-ward, saillynge ful roially, [969] And mette the ship dryvynge, as seith the storie, [970] In which Custance sit ful pitously. [971] Nothyng ne knew he what she was, ne why [972] She was in swich array, ne she nyl seye [973] Of hire estaat, althogh she sholde deye. [974] He bryngeth hire to Rome, and to his wyf [975] He yaf hire, and hir yonge sone also; [976] And with the senatour she ladde hir lyf. [977] Thus kan Oure Lady bryngen out of wo [978] Woful Custance, and many another mo. [979] And longe tyme dwelled she in that place, [980] In hooly werkes evere, as was hir grace. [981] The senatoures wyf hir aunte was, [982] But for al that she knew hire never the moore. [983] I wol no lenger tarien in this cas, [984] But to kyng Alla, which I spak of yoore, [985] That for his wyf wepeth and siketh soore, [986] I wol retourne, and lete I wol Custance [987] Under the senatoures governance. [988] Kyng Alla, which that hadde his mooder slayn, [989] Upon a day fil in swich repentance [990] That, if I shortly tellen shal and playn, [991] To Rome he comth to receyven his penance; [992] And putte hym in the Popes ordinance [993] In heigh and logh, and Jhesu Crist bisoghte [994] Foryeve his wikked werkes that he wroghte. [995] The fame anon thurgh Rome toun is born, [996] How Alla kyng shal comen in pilgrymage, [997] By herbergeours that wenten hym biforn; [998] For which the senatour, as was usage, [999] Rood hym agayns, and many of his lynage, [1000] As wel to shewen his heighe magnificence [1001] As to doon any kyng a reverence. [1002] Greet cheere dooth this noble senatour [1003] To kyng Alla, and he to hym also; [1004] Everich of hem dooth oother greet honour. [1005] And so bifel that in a day or two [1006] This senatour is to kyng Alla go [1007] To feste, and shortly, if I shal nat lye, [1008] Custances sone wente in his compaignye. [1009] Som men wolde seyn at requeste of Custance [1010] This senatour hath lad this child to feeste; [1011] I may nat tellen every circumstance -- [1012] Be as be may, ther was he at the leeste. [1013] But sooth is this, that at his moodres heeste [1014] Biforn Alla, durynge the metes space, [1015] The child stood, lookynge in the kynges face. [1016] This Alla kyng hath of this child greet wonder, [1017] And to the senatour he seyde anon, [1018] "Whos is that faire child that stondeth yonder?" [1019] "I noot," quod he, "by God, and by Seint John! [1020] A mooder he hath, but fader hath he noon [1021] That I of woot" -- and shortly, in a stounde, [1022] He tolde Alla how that this child was founde. [1023] "But God woot," quod this senatour also, [1024] "So vertuous a lyvere in my lyf [1025] Ne saugh I nevere as she, ne herde of mo, [1026] Of worldly wommen, mayde, ne of wyf. [1027] I dar wel seyn hir hadde levere a knyf [1028] Thurghout hir brest, than ben a womman wikke; [1029] There is no man koude brynge hire to that prikke." [1030] Now was this child as lyk unto Custance [1031] As possible is a creature to be. [1032] This Alla hath the face in remembrance [1033] Of dame Custance, and ther on mused he [1034] If that the childes mooder were aught she [1035] That is his wyf, and pryvely he sighte, [1036] And spedde hym fro the table that he myghte. [1037] "Parfay," thoghte he, "fantome is in myn heed! [1038] I oghte deme, of skilful juggement, [1039] That in the salte see my wyf is deed." [1040] And afterward he made his argument: [1041] "What woot I if that Crist have hyder ysent [1042] My wyf by see, as wel as he hire sente [1043] To my contree fro thennes that she wente?" [1044] And after noon, hoom with the senatour [1045] Goth Alla, for to seen this wonder chaunce. [1046] This senatour dooth Alla greet honour, [1047] And hastifly he sente after Custaunce. [1048] But trusteth weel, hire liste nat to daunce [1049] Whan that she wiste wherfore was that sonde; [1050] Unnethe upon hir feet she myghte stonde. [1051] Whan Alla saugh his wyf, faire he hire grette, [1052] And weep that it was routhe for to see; [1053] For at the firste look he on hire sette [1054] He knew wel verraily that it was she. [1055] And she, for sorwe, as doumb stant as a tree, [1056] So was hir herte shet in hir distresse, [1057] Whan she remembred his unkyndenesse. [1058] Twyes she swowned in his owene sighte; [1059] He weep, and hym excuseth pitously. [1060] "Now God," quod he, "and his halwes brighte [1061] So wisly on my soule as have mercy, [1062] That of youre harm as giltelees am I [1063] As is Maurice my sone, so lyk youre face; [1064] Elles the feend me fecche out of this place!" [1065] Long was the sobbyng and the bitter peyne, [1066] Er that hir woful hertes myghte cesse; [1067] Greet was the pitee for to heere hem pleyne, [1068] Thurgh whiche pleintes gan hir wo encresse. [1069] I pray yow alle my labour to relesse; [1070] I may nat telle hir wo until to-morwe, [1071] I am so wery for to speke of sorwe. [1072] But finally, whan that the sothe is wist [1073] That Alla giltelees was of hir wo, [1074] I trowe an hundred tymes been they kist, [1075] And swich a blisse is ther bitwix hem two [1076] That, save the joye that lasteth everemo, [1077] Ther is noon lyk that any creature [1078] Hath seyn or shal, whil that the world may dure. [1079] Tho preyde she hir housbonde mekely, [1080] In relief of hir longe, pitous pyne, [1081] That he wolde preye hir fader specially [1082] That of his magestee he wolde enclyne [1083] To vouche sauf som day with hym to dyne. [1084] She preyde hym eek he sholde by no weye [1085] Unto hir fader no word of hire seye. [1086] Som men wolde seyn how that the child Maurice [1087] Dooth this message unto this Emperour; [1088] But, as I gesse, Alla was nat so nyce [1089] To hym that was of so sovereyn honour [1090] As he that is of Cristen folk the flour, [1091] Sente any child, but it is bet to deeme [1092] He wente hymself, and so it may wel seeme. [1093] This Emperour hath graunted gentilly [1094] To come to dyner, as he hym bisoughte; [1095] And wel rede I he looked bisily [1096] Upon this child, and on his doghter thoghte. [1097] Alla goth to his in, and as hym oghte, [1098] Arrayed for this feste in every wise [1099] As ferforth as his konnyng may suffise. [1100] The morwe cam, and Alla gan hym dresse, [1101] And eek his wyf, this Emperour to meete; [1102] And forth they ryde in joye and in gladnesse. [1103] And whan she saugh hir fader in the strete, [1104] She lighte doun, and falleth hym to feete. [1105] "Fader," quod she, "youre yonge child Custance [1106] Is now ful clene out of youre remembrance. [1107] "I am youre doghter Custance," quod she, [1108] "That whilom ye han sent unto Surrye. [1109] It am I, fader, that in the salte see [1110] Was put allone and dampned for to dye. [1111] Now, goode fader, mercy I yow crye! [1112] Sende me namoore unto noon hethenesse, [1113] But thonketh my lord heere of his kyndenesse." [1114] Who kan the pitous joye tellen al [1115] Bitwixe hem thre, syn they been thus ymette? [1116] But of my tale make an ende I shal; [1117] The day goth faste, I wol no lenger lette. [1118] This glade folk to dyner they hem sette; [1119] In joye and blisse at mete I lete hem dwelle [1120] A thousand foold wel moore than I kan telle. [1121] This child Maurice was sithen Emperour [1122] Maad by the Pope, and lyved cristenly; [1123] To Cristes chirche he dide greet honour. [1124] But I lete al his storie passen by; [1125] Of Custance is my tale specially. [1126] In the olde Romayn geestes may men fynde [1127] Maurices lyf; I bere it noght in mynde. [1128] This kyng Alla, whan he his tyme say, [1129] With his Custance, his hooly wyf so sweete, [1130] To Engelond been they come the righte way, [1131] Wher as they lyve in joye and in quiete. [1132] But litel while it lasteth, I yow heete, [1133] Joye of this world, for tyme wol nat abyde; [1134] Fro day to nyght it changeth as the tyde. [1135] Who lyved euere in swich delit o day [1136] That hym ne moeved outher conscience, [1137] Or ire, or talent, or som kynnes affray, [1138] Envye, or pride, or passion, or offence? [1139] I ne seye but for this ende this sentence, [1140] That litel while in joye or in plesance [1141] Lasteth the blisse of Alla with Custance. [1142] For Deeth, that taketh of heigh and logh his rente, [1143] Whan passed was a yeer, evene as I gesse, [1144] Out of this world this kyng Alla he hente, [1145] For whom Custance hath ful greet hevynesse. [1146] Now lat us prayen God his soule blesse! [1147] And dame Custance, finally to seye, [1148] Toward the toun of Rome goth hir weye. [1149] To Rome is come this hooly creature, [1150] And fyndeth hire freendes hoole and sounde; [1151] Now is she scaped al hire aventure. [1152] And whan that she hir fader hath yfounde, [1153] Doun on hir knees falleth she to grounde; [1154] Wepynge for tendrenesse in herte blithe, [1155] She heryeth God an hundred thousand sithe. [1156] In vertu and in hooly almus-dede [1157] They lyven alle, and nevere asonder wende; [1158] Til deeth departeth hem, this lyf they lede. [1159] And fareth now weel! my tale is at an ende. [1160] Now Jhesu Crist, that of his myght may sende [1161] Joye after wo, governe us in his grace, [1162] And kepe us alle that been in this place! Amen The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Man of Law's Epilogue [1163] [Owre Hoost upon his stiropes stood anon, [1164] And seyde, "Goode men, herkeneth everych on! [1165] This was a thrifty tale for the nones! [1166] Sir Parisshe Prest," quod he, "for Goddes bones, [1167] Telle us a tale, as was thi forward yore. [1168] I se wel that ye lerned men in lore [1169] Can moche good, by Goddes dignitee!" [1170] The Parson him answerde, "Benedicite! [1171] What eyleth the man, so synfully to swere?" [1172] Oure Host answerde, "O Jankin, be ye there? [1173] I smelle a Lollere in the wynd," quod he. [1174] "Now! goode men," quod oure Hoste, "herkeneth me; [1175] Abydeth, for Goddes digne passioun, [1176] For we schal han a predicacioun; [1177] This Lollere heer wil prechen us somwhat." [1178] "Nay, by my fader soule, that schal he nat!" [1179] Seyde the Shipman, "Heer schal he nat preche; [1180] He schal no gospel glosen here ne teche. [1181] We leven alle in the grete God," quod he; [1182] "He wolde sowen som difficulte, [1183] Or springen cokkel in our clene corn. [1184] And therfore, Hoost, I warne thee biforn, [1185] My joly body schal a tale telle, [1186] And I schal clynken you so mery a belle, [1187] That I schal waken al this compaignie. [1188] But it schal not ben of philosophie, [1189] Ne phislyas, ne termes queinte of lawe. [1190] Ther is but litel Latyn in my mawe!"] The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath's Prologue [1] "Experience, though noon auctoritee [2] Were in this world, is right ynogh for me [3] To speke of wo that is in mariage; [4] For, lordynges, sith I twelve yeer was of age, [5] Thonked be God that is eterne on lyve, [6] Housbondes at chirche dore I have had fyve -- [7] If I so ofte myghte have ywedded bee -- [8] And alle were worthy men in hir degree. [9] But me was toold, certeyn, nat longe agoon is, [10] That sith that Crist ne wente nevere but onis [11] To weddyng, in the Cane of Galilee, [12] That by the same ensample taughte he me [13] That I ne sholde wedded be but ones. [14] Herkne eek, lo, which a sharp word for the nones, [15] Biside a welle, Jhesus, God and man, [16] Spak in repreeve of the Samaritan: [17] `Thou hast yhad fyve housbondes,' quod he, [18] `And that ilke man that now hath thee [19] Is noght thyn housbonde,' thus seyde he certeyn. [20] What that he mente therby, I kan nat seyn; [21] But that I axe, why that the fifthe man [22] Was noon housbonde to the Samaritan? [23] How manye myghte she have in mariage? [24] Yet herde I nevere tellen in myn age [25] Upon this nombre diffinicioun. [26] Men may devyne and glosen, up and doun, [27] But wel I woot, expres, withoute lye, [28] God bad us for to wexe and multiplye; [29] That gentil text kan I wel understonde. [30] Eek wel I woot, he seyde myn housbonde [31] Sholde lete fader and mooder and take to me. [32] But of no nombre mencion made he, [33] Of bigamye, or of octogamye; [34] Why sholde men thanne speke of it vileynye? [35] Lo, heere the wise kyng, daun Salomon; [36] I trowe he hadde wyves mo than oon. [37] As wolde God it leveful were unto me [38] To be refresshed half so ofte as he! [39] Which yifte of God hadde he for alle his wyvys! [40] No man hath swich that in this world alyve is. [41] God woot, this noble kyng, as to my wit, [42] The firste nyght had many a myrie fit [43] With ech of hem, so wel was hym on lyve. [44] Yblessed be God that I have wedded fyve! [44a] [Of whiche I have pyked out the beste, [44b] Bothe of here nether purs and of here cheste. [44c] Diverse scoles maken parfyt clerkes, [44d] And diverse practyk in many sondry werkes [44e] Maketh the werkman parfyt sekirly; [44f] Of fyve husbondes scoleiyng am I.] [45] Welcome the sixte, whan that evere he shal. [46] For sothe, I wol nat kepe me chaast in al. [47] Whan myn housbonde is fro the world ygon, [48] Som Cristen man shal wedde me anon, [49] For thanne th' apostle seith that I am free [50] To wedde, a Goddes half, where it liketh me. [51] He seith that to be wedded is no synne; [52] Bet is to be wedded than to brynne. [53] What rekketh me, thogh folk seye vileynye [54] Of shrewed Lameth and his bigamye? [55] I woot wel Abraham was an hooly man, [56] And Jacob eek, as ferforth as I kan; [57] And ech of hem hadde wyves mo than two, [58] And many another holy man also. [59] Wher can ye seye, in any manere age, [60] That hye God defended mariage [61] By expres word? I pray yow, telleth me. [62] Or where comanded he virginitee? [63] I woot as wel as ye, it is no drede, [64] Th' apostel, whan he speketh of maydenhede, [65] He seyde that precept therof hadde he noon. [66] Men may conseille a womman to been oon, [67] But conseillyng is no comandement. [68] He putte it in oure owene juggement; [69] For hadde God comanded maydenhede, [70] Thanne hadde he dampned weddyng with the dede. [71] And certes, if ther were no seed ysowe, [72] Virginitee, thanne wherof sholde it growe? [73] Poul dorste nat comanden, atte leeste, [74] A thyng of which his maister yaf noon heeste. [75] The dart is set up for virginitee; [76] Cacche whoso may, who renneth best lat see. [77] But this word is nat taken of every wight, [78] But ther as God lust gyve it of his myght. [79] I woot wel that th' apostel was a mayde; [80] But nathelees, thogh that he wroot and sayde [81] He wolde that every wight were swich as he, [82] Al nys but conseil to virginitee. [83] And for to been a wyf he yaf me leve [84] Of indulgence; so nys it no repreve [85] To wedde me, if that my make dye, [86] Withouten excepcion of bigamye. [87] Al were it good no womman for to touche -- [88] He mente as in his bed or in his couche, [89] For peril is bothe fyr and tow t' assemble; [90] Ye knowe what this ensample may resemble. [91] This is al and som: he heeld virginitee [92] Moore parfit than weddyng in freletee. [93] Freletee clepe I, but if that he and she [94] Wolde leden al hir lyf in chastitee. [95] I graunte it wel; I have noon envie, [96] Thogh maydenhede preferre bigamye. [97] It liketh hem to be clene, body and goost; [98] Of myn estaat I nyl nat make no boost, [99] For wel ye knowe, a lord in his houshold, [100] He nath nat every vessel al of gold; [101] Somme been of tree, and doon hir lord servyse. [102] God clepeth folk to hym in sondry wyse, [103] And everich hath of God a propre yifte -- [104] Som this, som that, as hym liketh shifte. [105] Virginitee is greet perfeccion, [106] And continence eek with devocion, [107] But Crist, that of perfeccion is welle, [108] Bad nat every wight he sholde go selle [109] Al that he hadde, and gyve it to the poore, [110] And in swich wise folwe hym and his foore. [111] He spak to hem that wolde lyve parfitly; [112] And lordynges, by youre leve, that am nat I. [113] I wol bistowe the flour of al myn age [114] In the actes and in fruyt of mariage. [115] Telle me also, to what conclusion [116] Were membres maad of generacion, [117] And of so parfit wys a [wright] ywroght? [118] Trusteth right wel, they were nat maad for noght. [119] Glose whoso wole, and seye bothe up and doun [120] That they were maked for purgacioun [121] Of uryne, and oure bothe thynges smale [122] Were eek to knowe a femele from a male, [123] And for noon oother cause -- say ye no? [124] The experience woot wel it is noght so. [125] So that the clerkes be nat with me wrothe, [126] I sey this: that they maked ben for bothe; [127] That is to seye, for office and for ese [128] Of engendrure, ther we nat God displese. [129] Why sholde men elles in hir bookes sette [130] That man shal yelde to his wyf hire dette? [131] Now wherwith sholde he make his paiement, [132] If he ne used his sely instrument? [133] Thanne were they maad upon a creature [134] To purge uryne, and eek for engendrure. [135] But I seye noght that every wight is holde, [136] That hath swich harneys as I to yow tolde, [137] To goon and usen hem in engendrure. [138] Thanne sholde men take of chastitee no cure. [139] Crist was a mayde and shapen as a man, [140] And many a seint, sith that the world bigan; [141] Yet lyved they evere in parfit chastitee. [142] I nyl envye no virginitee. [143] Lat hem be breed of pured whete-seed, [144] And lat us wyves hoten barly-breed; [145] And yet with barly-breed, Mark telle kan, [146] Oure Lord Jhesu refresshed many a man. [147] In swich estaat as God hath cleped us [148] I wol persevere; I nam nat precius. [149] In wyfhod I wol use myn instrument [150] As frely as my Makere hath it sent. [151] If I be daungerous, God yeve me sorwe! [152] Myn housbonde shal it have bothe eve and morwe, [153] Whan that hym list come forth and paye his dette. [154] An housbonde I wol have -- I wol nat lette -- [155] Which shal be bothe my dettour and my thral, [156] And have his tribulacion withal [157] Upon his flessh, whil that I am his wyf. [158] I have the power durynge al my lyf [159] Upon his propre body, and noght he. [160] Right thus the Apostel tolde it unto me, [161] And bad oure housbondes for to love us weel. [162] Al this sentence me liketh every deel" -- [163] Up stirte the Pardoner, and that anon; [164] "Now, dame," quod he, "by God and by Seint John! [165] Ye been a noble prechour in this cas. [166] I was aboute to wedde a wyf; allas! [167] What sholde I bye it on my flessh so deere? [168] Yet hadde I levere wedde no wyf to-yeere!" [169] "Abyde!" quod she, "my tale is nat bigonne. [170] Nay, thou shalt drynken of another tonne, [171] Er that I go, shal savoure wors than ale. [172] And whan that I have toold thee forth my tale [173] Of tribulacion in mariage, [174] Of which I am expert in al myn age -- [175] This is to seyn, myself have been the whippe -- [176] Than maystow chese wheither thou wolt sippe [177] Of thilke tonne that I shal abroche. [178] Be war of it, er thou to ny approche; [179] For I shal telle ensamples mo than ten. [180] `Whoso that nyl be war by othere men, [181] By hym shul othere men corrected be.' [182] The same wordes writeth Ptholomee; [183] Rede in his Almageste, and take it there." [184] "Dame, I wolde praye yow, if youre wyl it were," [185] Seyde this Pardoner, "as ye bigan, [186] Telle forth youre tale, spareth for no man, [187] And teche us yonge men of youre praktike." [188] "Gladly," quod she, "sith it may yow like; [189] But yet I praye to al this compaignye, [190] If that I speke after my fantasye, [191] As taketh not agrief of that I seye, [192] For myn entente nys but for to pleye. [193] Now, sire, now wol I telle forth my tale. [194] As evere moote I drynken wyn or ale, [195] I shal seye sooth; tho housbondes that I hadde, [196] As thre of hem were goode, and two were badde. [197] The thre were goode men, and riche, and olde; [198] Unnethe myghte they the statut holde [199] In which that they were bounden unto me. [200] Ye woot wel what I meene of this, pardee! [201] As help me God, I laughe whan I thynke [202] How pitously a-nyght I made hem swynke! [203] And, by my fey, I tolde of it no stoor. [204] They had me yeven hir lond and hir tresoor; [205] Me neded nat do lenger diligence [206] To wynne hir love, or doon hem reverence. [207] They loved me so wel, by God above, [208] That I ne tolde no deyntee of hir love! [209] A wys womman wol bisye hire evere in oon [210] To gete hire love, ye, ther as she hath noon. [211] But sith I hadde hem hoolly in myn hond, [212] And sith they hadde me yeven al hir lond, [213] What sholde I taken keep hem for to plese, [214] But it were for my profit and myn ese? [215] I sette hem so a-werke, by my fey, [216] That many a nyght they songen `Weilawey!' [217] The bacon was nat fet for hem, I trowe, [218] That som men han in Essex at Dunmowe. [219] I governed hem so wel, after my lawe, [220] That ech of hem ful blisful was and fawe [221] To brynge me gaye thynges fro the fayre. [222] They were ful glad whan I spak to hem faire, [223] For, God it woot, I chidde hem spitously. [224] Now herkneth hou I baar me proprely, [225] Ye wise wyves, that kan understonde. [226] Thus shulde ye speke and bere hem wrong on honde, [227] For half so boldely kan ther no man [228] Swere and lyen, as a womman kan. [229] I sey nat this by wyves that been wyse, [230] But if it be whan they hem mysavyse. [231] A wys wyf, if that she kan hir good, [232] Shal beren hym on honde the cow is wood, [233] And take witnesse of hir owene mayde [234] Of hir assent. But herkneth how I sayde: [235] `Sire olde kaynard, is this thyn array? [236] Why is my neighebores wyf so gay? [237] She is honoured overal ther she gooth; [238] I sitte at hoom; I have no thrifty clooth. [239] What dostow at my neighebores hous? [240] Is she so fair? Artow so amorous? [241] What rowne ye with oure mayde? Benedicite! [242] Sire olde lecchour, lat thy japes be! [243] And if I have a gossib or a freend, [244] Withouten gilt, thou chidest as a feend, [245] If that I walke or pleye unto his hous! [246] Thou comest hoom as dronken as a mous, [247] And prechest on thy bench, with yvel preef! [248] Thou seist to me it is a greet meschief [249] To wedde a povre womman, for costage; [250] And if that she be riche, of heigh parage, [251] Thanne seistow that it is a tormentrie [252] To soffre hire pride and hire malencolie. [253] And if that she be fair, thou verray knave, [254] Thou seyst that every holour wol hire have; [255] She may no while in chastitee abyde, [256] That is assailled upon ech a syde. [257] Thou seyst som folk desiren us for richesse, [258] Somme for oure shap, and somme for oure fairnesse, [259] And som for she kan outher synge or daunce, [260] And som for gentillesse and daliaunce; [261] Som for hir handes and hir armes smale; [262] Thus goth al to the devel, by thy tale. [263] Thou seyst men may nat kepe a castel wal, [264] It may so longe assailled been overal. [265] And if that she be foul, thou seist that she [266] Coveiteth every man that she may se, [267] For as a spanyel she wol on hym lepe, [268] Til that she fynde som man hire to chepe. [269] Ne noon so grey goos gooth ther in the lake [270] As, seistow, wol been withoute make. [271] And seyst it is an hard thyng for to welde [272] A thyng that no man wole, his thankes, helde. [273] Thus seistow, lorel, whan thow goost to bedde, [274] And that no wys man nedeth for to wedde, [275] Ne no man that entendeth unto hevene. [276] With wilde thonder-dynt and firy levene [277] Moote thy welked nekke be tobroke! [278] Thow seyst that droppyng houses, and eek smoke, [279] And chidyng wyves maken men to flee [280] Out of hir owene houses; a, benedicitee! [281] What eyleth swich an old man for to chide? [282] Thow seyst we wyves wol oure vices hide [283] Til we be fast, and thanne we wol hem shewe -- [284] Wel may that be a proverbe of a shrewe! [285] Thou seist that oxen, asses, hors, and houndes, [286] They been assayed at diverse stoundes; [287] Bacyns, lavours, er that men hem bye, [288] Spoones and stooles, and al swich housbondrye, [289] And so been pottes, clothes, and array; [290] But folk of wyves maken noon assay, [291] Til they be wedded -- olde dotard shrewe! -- [292] And thanne, seistow, we wol oure vices shewe. [293] Thou seist also that it displeseth me [294] But if that thou wolt preyse my beautee, [295] And but thou poure alwey upon my face, [296] And clepe me "faire dame" in every place. [297] And but thou make a feeste on thilke day [298] That I was born, and make me fressh and gay; [299] And but thou do to my norice honour, [300] And to my chamberere withinne my bour, [301] And to my fadres folk and his allyes -- [302] Thus seistow, olde barel-ful of lyes! [303] And yet of oure apprentice Janekyn, [304] For his crispe heer, shynynge as gold so fyn, [305] And for he squiereth me bothe up and doun, [306] Yet hastow caught a fals suspecioun. [307] I wol hym noght, thogh thou were deed tomorwe! [308] But tel me this: why hydestow, with sorwe, [309] The keyes of thy cheste awey fro me? [310] It is my good as wel as thyn, pardee! [311] What, wenestow make an ydiot of oure dame? [312] Now by that lord that called is Seint Jame, [313] Thou shalt nat bothe, thogh that thou were wood, [314] Be maister of my body and of my good; [315] That oon thou shalt forgo, maugree thyne yen. [316] What helpith it of me to enquere or spyen? [317] I trowe thou woldest loke me in thy chiste! [318] Thou sholdest seye, "Wyf, go wher thee liste; [319] Taak youre disport; I wol nat leve no talys. [320] I knowe yow for a trewe wyf, dame Alys." [321] We love no man that taketh kep or charge [322] Wher that we goon; we wol ben at oure large. [323] Of alle men yblessed moot he be, [324] The wise astrologien, Daun Ptholome, [325] That seith this proverbe in his Almageste: [326] "Of alle men his wysdom is the hyeste [327] That rekketh nevere who hath the world in honde." [328] By this proverbe thou shalt understonde, [329] Have thou ynogh, what thar thee recche or care [330] How myrily that othere folkes fare? [331] For, certeyn, olde dotard, by youre leve, [332] Ye shul have queynte right ynogh at eve. [333] He is to greet a nygard that wolde werne [334] A man to lighte a candle at his lanterne; [335] He shal have never the lasse light, pardee. [336] Have thou ynogh, thee thar nat pleyne thee. [337] Thou seyst also, that if we make us gay [338] With clothyng, and with precious array, [339] That it is peril of oure chastitee; [340] And yet -- with sorwe! -- thou most enforce thee, [341] And seye thise wordes in the Apostles name: [342] "In habit maad with chastitee and shame [343] Ye wommen shul apparaille yow," quod he, [344] "And noght in tressed heer and gay perree, [345] As perles, ne with gold, ne clothes riche." [346] After thy text, ne after thy rubriche, [347] I wol nat wirche as muchel as a gnat. [348] Thou seydest this, that I was lyk a cat; [349] For whoso wolde senge a cattes skyn, [350] Thanne wolde the cat wel dwellen in his in; [351] And if the cattes skyn be slyk and gay, [352] She wol nat dwelle in house half a day, [353] But forth she wole, er any day be dawed, [354] To shewe hir skyn and goon a-caterwawed. [355] This is to seye, if I be gay, sire shrewe, [356] I wol renne out my borel for to shewe. [357] Sire olde fool, what helpeth thee to spyen? [358] Thogh thou preye Argus with his hundred yen [359] To be my warde-cors, as he kan best, [360] In feith, he shal nat kepe me but me lest; [361] Yet koude I make his berd, so moot I thee! [362] Thou seydest eek that ther been thynges thre, [363] The whiche thynges troublen al this erthe, [364] And that no wight may endure the ferthe. [365] O leeve sire shrewe, Jhesu shorte thy lyf! [366] Yet prechestow and seyst an hateful wyf [367] Yrekened is for oon of thise meschances. [368] Been ther none othere maner resemblances [369] That ye may likne youre parables to, [370] But if a sely wyf be oon of tho? [371] Thou liknest eek wommenes love to helle, [372] To bareyne lond, ther water may nat dwelle. [373] Thou liknest it also to wilde fyr; [374] The moore it brenneth, the moore it hath desir [375] To consume every thyng that brent wole be. [376] Thou seyest, right as wormes shende a tree, [377] Right so a wyf destroyeth hire housbonde; [378] This knowe they that been to wyves bonde.' [379] Lordynges, right thus, as ye have understonde, [380] Baar I stifly myne olde housbondes on honde [381] That thus they seyden in hir dronkenesse; [382] And al was fals, but that I took witnesse [383] On Janekyn, and on my nece also. [384] O Lord! The peyne I dide hem and the wo, [385] Ful giltelees, by Goddes sweete pyne! [386] For as an hors I koude byte and whyne. [387] I koude pleyne, and yit was in the gilt, [388] Or elles often tyme hadde I been spilt. [389] Whoso that first to mille comth, first grynt; [390] I pleyned first, so was oure werre ystynt. [391] They were ful glade to excuse hem blyve [392] Of thyng of which they nevere agilte hir lyve. [393] Of wenches wolde I beren hem on honde, [394] Whan that for syk unnethes myghte they stonde. [395] Yet tikled I his herte, for that he [396] Wende that I hadde of hym so greet chiertee! [397] I swoor that al my walkynge out by nyghte [398] Was for t' espye wenches that he dighte; [399] Under that colour hadde I many a myrthe. [400] For al swich wit is yeven us in oure byrthe; [401] Deceite, wepyng, spynnyng God hath yive [402] To wommen kyndely, whil that they may lyve. [403] And thus of o thyng I avaunte me: [404] Atte ende I hadde the bettre in ech degree, [405] By sleighte, or force, or by som maner thyng, [406] As by continueel murmur or grucchyng. [407] Namely abedde hadden they meschaunce: [408] Ther wolde I chide and do hem no plesaunce; [409] I wolde no lenger in the bed abyde, [410] If that I felte his arm over my syde, [411] Til he had maad his raunson unto me; [412] Thanne wolde I suffre hym do his nycetee. [413] And therfore every man this tale I telle, [414] Wynne whoso may, for al is for to selle; [415] With empty hand men may none haukes lure. [416] For wynnyng wolde I al his lust endure, [417] And make me a feyned appetit; [418] And yet in bacon hadde I nevere delit. [419] That made me that evere I wolde hem chide, [420] For thogh the pope hadde seten hem biside, [421] I wolde nat spare hem at hir owene bord, [422] For, by my trouthe, I quitte hem word for word. [423] As helpe me verray God omnipotent, [424] Though I right now sholde make my testament, [425] I ne owe hem nat a word that it nys quit. [426] I broghte it so aboute by my wit [427] That they moste yeve it up, as for the beste, [428] Or elles hadde we nevere been in reste; [429] For thogh he looked as a wood leon, [430] Yet sholde he faille of his conclusion. [431] Thanne wolde I seye, `Goode lief, taak keep [432] How mekely looketh Wilkyn, oure sheep! [433] Com neer, my spouse, lat me ba thy cheke! [434] Ye sholde been al pacient and meke, [435] And han a sweete spiced conscience, [436] Sith ye so preche of Jobes pacience. [437] Suffreth alwey, syn ye so wel kan preche; [438] And but ye do, certein we shal yow teche [439] That it is fair to have a wyf in pees. [440] Oon of us two moste bowen, doutelees, [441] And sith a man is moore resonable [442] Than womman is, ye moste been suffrable. [443] What eyleth yow to grucche thus and grone? [444] Is it for ye wolde have my queynte allone? [445] Wy, taak it al! Lo, have it every deel! [446] Peter! I shrewe yow, but ye love it weel; [447] For if I wolde selle my bele chose, [448] I koude walke as fressh as is a rose; [449] But I wol kepe it for youre owene tooth. [450] Ye be to blame, by God! I sey yow sooth.' [451] Swiche manere wordes hadde we on honde. [452] Now wol I speken of my fourthe housbonde. [453] My fourthe housbonde was a revelour -- [454] This is to seyn, he hadde a paramour -- [455] And I was yong and ful of ragerye, [456] Stibourn and strong, and joly as a pye. [457] How koude I daunce to an harpe smale, [458] And synge, ywis, as any nyghtyngale, [459] Whan I had dronke a draughte of sweete wyn! [460] Metellius, the foule cherl, the swyn, [461] That with a staf birafte his wyf hir lyf, [462] For she drank wyn, thogh I hadde been his wyf, [463] He sholde nat han daunted me fro drynke! [464] And after wyn on Venus moste I thynke, [465] For al so siker as cold engendreth hayl, [466] A likerous mouth moste han a likerous tayl. [467] In wommen vinolent is no defence -- [468] This knowen lecchours by experience. [469] But -- Lord Crist! -- whan that it remembreth me [470] Upon my yowthe, and on my jolitee, [471] It tikleth me aboute myn herte roote. [472] Unto this day it dooth myn herte boote [473] That I have had my world as in my tyme. [474] But age, allas, that al wole envenyme, [475] Hath me biraft my beautee and my pith. [476] Lat go. Farewel! The devel go therwith! [477] The flour is goon; ther is namoore to telle; [478] The bren, as I best kan, now moste I selle; [479] But yet to be right myrie wol I fonde. [480] Now wol I tellen of my fourthe housbonde. [481] I seye, I hadde in herte greet despit [482] That he of any oother had delit. [483] But he was quit, by God and by Seint Joce! [484] I made hym of the same wode a croce; [485] Nat of my body, in no foul manere, [486] But certeinly, I made folk swich cheere [487] That in his owene grece I made hym frye [488] For angre, and for verray jalousye. [489] By God, in erthe I was his purgatorie, [490] For which I hope his soule be in glorie. [491] For, God it woot, he sat ful ofte and song, [492] Whan that his shoo ful bitterly hym wrong. [493] Ther was no wight, save God and he, that wiste, [494] In many wise, how soore I hym twiste. [495] He deyde whan I cam fro Jerusalem, [496] And lith ygrave under the roode beem, [497] Al is his tombe noght so curyus [498] As was the sepulcre of hym Daryus, [499] Which that Appelles wroghte subtilly; [500] It nys but wast to burye hym preciously. [501] Lat hym fare wel; God yeve his soule reste! [502] He is now in his grave and in his cheste. [503] Now of my fifthe housbonde wol I telle. [504] God lete his soule nevere come in helle! [505] And yet was he to me the mooste shrewe; [506] That feele I on my ribbes al by rewe, [507] And evere shal unto myn endyng day. [508] But in oure bed he was so fressh and gay, [509] And therwithal so wel koude he me glose, [510] Whan that he wolde han my bele chose; [511] That thogh he hadde me bete on every bon, [512] He koude wynne agayn my love anon. [513] I trowe I loved hym best, for that he [514] Was of his love daungerous to me. [515] We wommen han, if that I shal nat lye, [516] In this matere a queynte fantasye: [517] Wayte what thyng we may nat lightly have, [518] Therafter wol we crie al day and crave. [519] Forbede us thyng, and that desiren we; [520] Preesse on us faste, and thanne wol we fle. [521] With daunger oute we al oure chaffare; [522] Greet prees at market maketh deere ware, [523] And to greet cheep is holde at litel prys: [524] This knoweth every womman that is wys. [525] My fifthe housbonde -- God his soule blesse! -- [526] Which that I took for love, and no richesse, [527] He som tyme was a clerk of Oxenford, [528] And hadde left scole, and wente at hom to bord [529] With my gossib, dwellynge in oure toun; [530] God have hir soule! Hir name was Alisoun. [531] She knew myn herte, and eek my privetee, [532] Bet than oure parisshe preest, so moot I thee! [533] To hire biwreyed I my conseil al. [534] For hadde myn housbonde pissed on a wal, [535] Or doon a thyng that sholde han cost his lyf, [536] To hire, and to another worthy wyf, [537] And to my nece, which that I loved weel, [538] I wolde han toold his conseil every deel. [539] And so I dide ful often, God it woot, [540] That made his face often reed and hoot [541] For verray shame, and blamed hymself for he [542] Had toold to me so greet a pryvetee. [543] And so bifel that ones in a Lente -- [544] So often tymes I to my gossyb wente, [545] For evere yet I loved to be gay, [546] And for to walke in March, Averill, and May, [547] Fro hous to hous, to heere sondry talys -- [548] That Jankyn clerk, and my gossyb dame Alys, [549] And I myself, into the feeldes wente. [550] Myn housbonde was at Londoun al that Lente; [551] I hadde the bettre leyser for to pleye, [552] And for to se, and eek for to be seye [553] Of lusty folk. What wiste I wher my grace [554] Was shapen for to be, or in what place? [555] Therfore I made my visitaciouns [556] To vigilies and to processiouns, [557] To prechyng eek, and to thise pilgrimages, [558] To pleyes of myracles, and to mariages, [559] And wered upon my gaye scarlet gytes. [560] Thise wormes, ne thise motthes, ne thise mytes, [561] Upon my peril, frete hem never a deel; [562] And wostow why? For they were used weel. [563] Now wol I tellen forth what happed me. [564] I seye that in the feeldes walked we, [565] Til trewely we hadde swich daliance, [566] This clerk and I, that of my purveiance [567] I spak to hym and seyde hym how that he, [568] If I were wydwe, sholde wedde me. [569] For certeinly -- I sey for no bobance -- [570] Yet was I nevere withouten purveiance [571] Of mariage, n' of othere thynges eek. [572] I holde a mouses herte nat worth a leek [573] That hath but oon hole for to sterte to, [574] And if that faille, thanne is al ydo. [575] I bar hym on honde he hadde enchanted me -- [576] My dame taughte me that soutiltee -- [577] And eek I seyde I mette of hym al nyght, [578] He wolde han slayn me as I lay upright, [579] And al my bed was ful of verray blood; [580] `But yet I hope that ye shal do me good, [581] For blood bitokeneth gold, as me was taught.' [582] And al was fals; I dremed of it right naught, [583] But as I folwed ay my dames loore, [584] As wel of this as of othere thynges moore. [585] But now, sire, lat me se what I shal seyn. [586] A ha! By God, I have my tale ageyn. [587] Whan that my fourthe housbonde was on beere, [588] I weep algate, and made sory cheere, [589] As wyves mooten, for it is usage, [590] And with my coverchief covered my visage, [591] But for that I was purveyed of a make, [592] I wepte but smal, and that I undertake. [593] To chirche was myn housbonde born a-morwe [594] With neighebores, that for hym maden sorwe; [595] And Jankyn, oure clerk, was oon of tho. [596] As help me God, whan that I saugh hym go [597] After the beere, me thoughte he hadde a paire [598] Of legges and of feet so clene and faire [599] That al myn herte I yaf unto his hoold. [600] He was, I trowe, twenty wynter oold, [601] And I was fourty, if I shal seye sooth; [602] But yet I hadde alwey a coltes tooth. [603] Gat-tothed I was, and that bicam me weel; [604] I hadde the prente of seinte Venus seel. [605] As help me God, I was a lusty oon, [606] And faire, and riche, and yong, and wel bigon, [607] And trewely, as myne housbondes tolde me, [608] I hadde the beste quoniam myghte be. [609] For certes, I am al Venerien [610] In feelynge, and myn herte is Marcien. [611] Venus me yaf my lust, my likerousnesse, [612] And Mars yaf me my sturdy hardynesse; [613] Myn ascendent was Taur, and Mars therinne. [614] Allas, allas! That evere love was synne! [615] I folwed ay myn inclinacioun [616] By vertu of my constellacioun; [617] That made me I koude noght withdrawe [618] My chambre of Venus from a good felawe. [619] Yet have I Martes mark upon my face, [620] And also in another privee place. [621] For God so wys be my savacioun, [622] I ne loved nevere by no discrecioun, [623] But evere folwede myn appetit, [624] Al were he short, or long, or blak, or whit; [625] I took no kep, so that he liked me, [626] How poore he was, ne eek of what degree. [627] What sholde I seye but, at the monthes ende, [628] This joly clerk, Jankyn, that was so hende, [629] Hath wedded me with greet solempnytee, [630] And to hym yaf I al the lond and fee [631] That evere was me yeven therbifoore. [632] But afterward repented me ful soore; [633] He nolde suffre nothyng of my list. [634] By God, he smoot me ones on the lyst, [635] For that I rente out of his book a leef, [636] That of the strook myn ere wax al deef. [637] Stibourn I was as is a leonesse, [638] And of my tonge a verray jangleresse, [639] And walke I wolde, as I had doon biforn, [640] From hous to hous, although he had it sworn; [641] For which he often tymes wolde preche, [642] And me of olde Romayn geestes teche; [643] How he Symplicius Gallus lefte his wyf, [644] And hire forsook for terme of al his lyf, [645] Noght but for open-heveded he hir say [646] Lookynge out at his dore upon a day. [647] Another Romayn tolde he me by name, [648] That, for his wyf was at a someres game [649] Withouten his wityng, he forsook hire eke. [650] And thanne wolde he upon his Bible seke [651] That ilke proverbe of Ecclesiaste [652] Where he comandeth and forbedeth faste [653] Man shal nat suffre his wyf go roule aboute. [654] Thanne wolde he seye right thus, withouten doute: [655] `Whoso that buyldeth his hous al of salwes, [656] And priketh his blynde hors over the falwes, [657] And suffreth his wyf to go seken halwes, [658] Is worthy to been hanged on the galwes!' [659] But al for noght, I sette noght an hawe [660] Of his proverbes n' of his olde sawe, [661] Ne I wolde nat of hym corrected be. [662] I hate hym that my vices telleth me, [663] And so doo mo, God woot, of us than I. [664] This made hym with me wood al outrely; [665] I nolde noght forbere hym in no cas. [666] Now wol I seye yow sooth, by Seint Thomas, [667] Why that I rente out of his book a leef, [668] For which he smoot me so that I was deef. [669] He hadde a book that gladly, nyght and day, [670] For his desport he wolde rede alway; [671] He cleped it Valerie and Theofraste, [672] At which book he lough alwey ful faste. [673] And eek ther was somtyme a clerk at Rome, [674] A cardinal, that highte Seint Jerome, [675] That made a book agayn Jovinian; [676] In which book eek ther was Tertulan, [677] Crisippus, Trotula, and Helowys, [678] That was abbesse nat fer fro Parys, [679] And eek the Parables of Salomon, [680] Ovides Art, and bookes many on, [681] And alle thise were bounden in o volume. [682] And every nyght and day was his custume, [683] Whan he hadde leyser and vacacioun [684] From oother worldly occupacioun, [685] To reden on this book of wikked wyves. [686] He knew of hem mo legendes and lyves [687] Than been of goode wyves in the Bible. [688] For trusteth wel, it is an impossible [689] That any clerk wol speke good of wyves, [690] But if it be of hooly seintes lyves, [691] Ne of noon oother womman never the mo. [692] Who peyntede the leon, tel me who? [693] By God, if wommen hadde writen stories, [694] As clerkes han withinne hire oratories, [695] They wolde han writen of men moore wikkednesse [696] Than al the mark of Adam may redresse. [697] The children of Mercurie and of Venus [698] Been in hir wirkyng ful contrarius; [699] Mercurie loveth wysdam and science, [700] And Venus loveth ryot and dispence. [701] And, for hire diverse disposicioun, [702] Ech falleth in otheres exaltacioun. [703] And thus, God woot, Mercurie is desolat [704] In Pisces, wher Venus is exaltat, [705] And Venus falleth ther Mercurie is reysed. [706] Therfore no womman of no clerk is preysed. [707] The clerk, whan he is oold, and may noght do [708] Of Venus werkes worth his olde sho, [709] Thanne sit he doun, and writ in his dotage [710] That wommen kan nat kepe hir mariage! [711] But now to purpos, why I tolde thee [712] That I was beten for a book, pardee! [713] Upon a nyght Jankyn, that was oure sire, [714] Redde on his book, as he sat by the fire, [715] Of Eva first, that for hir wikkednesse [716] Was al mankynde broght to wrecchednesse, [717] For which that Jhesu Crist hymself was slayn, [718] That boghte us with his herte blood agayn. [719] Lo, heere expres of womman may ye fynde [720] That womman was the los of al mankynde. [721] Tho redde he me how Sampson loste his heres: [722] Slepynge, his lemman kitte it with hir sheres; [723] Thurgh which treson loste he bothe his yen. [724] Tho redde he me, if that I shal nat lyen, [725] Of Hercules and of his Dianyre, [726] That caused hym to sette hymself afyre. [727] No thyng forgat he the care and the wo [728] That Socrates hadde with his wyves two, [729] How Xantippa caste pisse upon his heed. [730] This sely man sat stille as he were deed; [731] He wiped his heed, namoore dorste he seyn, [732] But `Er that thonder stynte, comth a reyn!' [733] Of Phasipha, that was the queene of Crete, [734] For shrewednesse, hym thoughte the tale swete; [735] Fy! Spek namoore -- it is a grisly thyng -- [736] Of hire horrible lust and hir likyng. [737] Of Clitermystra, for hire lecherye, [738] That falsly made hire housbonde for to dye, [739] He redde it with ful good devocioun. [740] He tolde me eek for what occasioun [741] Amphiorax at Thebes loste his lyf. [742] Myn housbonde hadde a legende of his wyf, [743] Eriphilem, that for an ouche of gold [744] Hath prively unto the Grekes told [745] Wher that hir housbonde hidde hym in a place, [746] For which he hadde at Thebes sory grace. [747] Of Lyvia tolde he me, and of Lucye: [748] They bothe made hir housbondes for to dye, [749] That oon for love, that oother was for hate. [750] Lyvia hir housbonde, on an even late, [751] Empoysoned hath, for that she was his fo; [752] Lucia, likerous, loved hire housbonde so [753] That, for he sholde alwey upon hire thynke, [754] She yaf hym swich a manere love-drynke [755] That he was deed er it were by the morwe; [756] And thus algates housbondes han sorwe. [757] Thanne tolde he me how oon Latumyus [758] Compleyned unto his felawe Arrius [759] That in his gardyn growed swich a tree [760] On which he seyde how that his wyves thre [761] Hanged hemself for herte despitus. [762] `O leeve brother,' quod this Arrius, [763] `Yif me a plante of thilke blissed tree, [764] And in my gardyn planted shal it bee.' [765] Of latter date, of wyves hath he red [766] That somme han slayn hir housbondes in hir bed, [767] And lete hir lecchour dighte hire al the nyght, [768] Whan that the corps lay in the floor upright. [769] And somme han dryve nayles in hir brayn, [770] Whil that they slepte, and thus they had hem slayn. [771] Somme han hem yeve poysoun in hire drynke. [772] He spak moore harm than herte may bithynke, [773] And therwithal he knew of mo proverbes [774] Than in this world ther growen gras or herbes. [775] `Bet is,' quod he, `thyn habitacioun [776] Be with a leon or a foul dragoun, [777] Than with a womman usynge for to chyde. [778] Bet is,' quod he, `hye in the roof abyde, [779] Than with an angry wyf doun in the hous; [780] They been so wikked and contrarious, [781] They haten that hir housbondes loven ay.' [782] He seyde, `A womman cast hir shame away, [783] Whan she cast of hir smok'; and forthermo, [784] `A fair womman, but she be chaast also, [785] Is lyk a gold ryng in a sowes nose.' [786] Who wolde wene, or who wolde suppose, [787] The wo that in myn herte was, and pyne? [788] And whan I saugh he wolde nevere fyne [789] To reden on this cursed book al nyght, [790] Al sodeynly thre leves have I plyght [791] Out of his book, right as he radde, and eke [792] I with my fest so took hym on the cheke [793] That in oure fyr he fil bakward adoun. [794] And he up stirte as dooth a wood leoun, [795] And with his fest he smoot me on the heed [796] That in the floor I lay as I were deed. [797] And whan he saugh how stille that I lay, [798] He was agast and wolde han fled his way, [799] Til atte laste out of my swogh I breyde. [800] `O! hastow slayn me, false theef?' I seyde, [801] `And for my land thus hastow mordred me? [802] Er I be deed, yet wol I kisse thee.' [803] And neer he cam, and kneled faire adoun, [804] And seyde, `Deere suster Alisoun, [805] As help me God, I shal thee nevere smyte! [806] That I have doon, it is thyself to wyte. [807] Foryeve it me, and that I thee biseke!' [808] And yet eftsoones I hitte hym on the cheke, [809] And seyde, `Theef, thus muchel am I wreke; [810] Now wol I dye, I may no lenger speke.' [811] But atte laste, with muchel care and wo, [812] We fille acorded by us selven two. [813] He yaf me al the bridel in myn hond, [814] To han the governance of hous and lond, [815] And of his tonge, and of his hond also; [816] And made hym brenne his book anon right tho. [817] And whan that I hadde geten unto me, [818] By maistrie, al the soveraynetee, [819] And that he seyde, `Myn owene trewe wyf, [820] Do as thee lust the terme of al thy lyf; [821] Keep thyn honour, and keep eek myn estaat' -- [822] After that day we hadden never debaat. [823] God helpe me so, I was to hym as kynde [824] As any wyf from Denmark unto Ynde, [825] And also trewe, and so was he to me. [826] I prey to God, that sit in magestee, [827] So blesse his soule for his mercy deere. [828] Now wol I seye my tale, if ye wol heere." [829] The Frere lough, whan he hadde herd al this; [830] "Now dame," quod he, "so have I joye or blis, [831] This is a long preamble of a tale!" [832] And whan the Somonour herde the Frere gale, [833] "Lo," quod the Somonour, "Goddes armes two! [834] A frere wol entremette hym everemo. [835] Lo, goode men, a flye and eek a frere [836] Wol falle in every dyssh and eek mateere. [837] What spekestow of preambulacioun? [838] What! amble, or trotte, or pees, or go sit doun! [839] Thou lettest oure disport in this manere." [840] "Ye, woltow so, sire Somonour?" quod the Frere; [841] "Now, by my feith I shal, er that I go, [842] Telle of a somonour swich a tale or two [843] That alle the folk shal laughen in this place." [844] "Now elles, Frere, I bishrewe thy face," [845] Quod this Somonour, "and I bishrewe me, [846] But if I telle tales two or thre [847] Of freres er I come to Sidyngborne [848] That I shal make thyn herte for to morne, [849] For wel I woot thy pacience is gon." [850] Oure Hooste cride "Pees! And that anon!" [851] And seyde, "Lat the womman telle hire tale. [852] Ye fare as folk that dronken ben of ale. [853] Do, dame, telle forth youre tale, and that is best." [854] "Al redy, sire," quod she, "right as yow lest, [855] If I have licence of this worthy Frere." [856] "Yis, dame," quod he, "tel forth, and I wol heere." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath's Tale [857] In th' olde dayes of the Kyng Arthour, [858] Of which that Britons speken greet honour, [859] Al was this land fulfild of fayerye. [860] The elf-queene, with hir joly compaignye, [861] Daunced ful ofte in many a grene mede. [862] This was the olde opinion, as I rede; [863] I speke of manye hundred yeres ago. [864] But now kan no man se none elves mo, [865] For now the grete charitee and prayeres [866] Of lymytours and othere hooly freres, [867] That serchen every lond and every streem, [868] As thikke as motes in the sonne-beem, [869] Blessynge halles, chambres, kichenes, boures, [870] Citees, burghes, castels, hye toures, [871] Thropes, bernes, shipnes, dayeryes -- [872] This maketh that ther ben no fayeryes. [873] For ther as wont to walken was an elf [874] Ther walketh now the lymytour hymself [875] In undermeles and in morwenynges, [876] And seyth his matyns and his hooly thynges [877] As he gooth in his lymytacioun. [878] Wommen may go saufly up and doun. [879] In every bussh or under every tree [880] Ther is noon oother incubus but he, [881] And he ne wol doon hem but dishonour. [882] And so bifel that this kyng Arthour [883] Hadde in his hous a lusty bacheler, [884] That on a day cam ridynge fro ryver, [885] And happed that, allone as he was born, [886] He saugh a mayde walkynge hym biforn, [887] Of which mayde anon, maugree hir heed, [888] By verray force, he rafte hire maydenhed; [889] For which oppressioun was swich clamour [890] And swich pursute unto the kyng Arthour [891] That dampned was this knyght for to be deed, [892] By cours of lawe, and sholde han lost his heed -- [893] Paraventure swich was the statut tho -- [894] But that the queene and other ladyes mo [895] So longe preyeden the kyng of grace [896] Til he his lyf hym graunted in the place, [897] And yaf hym to the queene, al at hir wille, [898] To chese wheither she wolde hym save or spille. [899] The queene thanketh the kyng with al hir myght, [900] And after this thus spak she to the knyght, [901] Whan that she saugh hir tyme, upon a day: [902] "Thou standest yet," quod she, "in swich array [903] That of thy lyf yet hastow no suretee. [904] I grante thee lyf, if thou kanst tellen me [905] What thyng is it that wommen moost desiren. [906] Be war, and keep thy nekke-boon from iren! [907] And if thou kanst nat tellen it anon, [908] Yet wol I yeve thee leve for to gon [909] A twelf-month and a day, to seche and leere [910] An answere suffisant in this mateere; [911] And suretee wol I han, er that thou pace, [912] Thy body for to yelden in this place." [913] Wo was this knyght, and sorwefully he siketh; [914] But what! He may nat do al as hym liketh. [915] And at the laste he chees hym for to wende [916] And come agayn, right at the yeres ende, [917] With swich answere as God wolde hym purveye; [918] And taketh his leve, and wendeth forth his weye. [919] He seketh every hous and every place [920] Where as he hopeth for to fynde grace [921] To lerne what thyng wommen loven moost, [922] But he ne koude arryven in no coost [923] Wher as he myghte fynde in this mateere [924] Two creatures accordynge in-feere. [925] Somme seyde wommen loven best richesse, [926] Somme seyde honour, somme seyde jolynesse, [927] Somme riche array, somme seyden lust abedde, [928] And oftetyme to be wydwe and wedde. [929] Somme seyde that oure hertes been moost esed [930] Whan that we been yflatered and yplesed. [931] He gooth ful ny the sothe, I wol nat lye. [932] A man shal wynne us best with flaterye, [933] And with attendance and with bisynesse [934] Been we ylymed, bothe moore and lesse. [935] And somme seyen that we loven best [936] For to be free and do right as us lest, [937] And that no man repreve us of oure vice, [938] But seye that we be wise and no thyng nyce. [939] For trewely ther is noon of us alle, [940] If any wight wol clawe us on the galle, [941] That we nel kike, for he seith us sooth. [942] Assay, and he shal fynde it that so dooth; [943] For, be we never so vicious withinne, [944] We wol been holden wise and clene of synne. [945] And somme seyn that greet delit han we [946] For to been holden stable, and eek secree, [947] And in o purpos stedefastly to dwelle, [948] And nat biwreye thyng that men us telle. [949] But that tale is nat worth a rake-stele. [950] Pardee, we wommen konne no thyng hele; [951] Witnesse on Myda -- wol ye heere the tale? [952] Ovyde, amonges othere thynges smale, [953] Seyde Myda hadde, under his longe heres, [954] Growynge upon his heed two asses eres, [955] The whiche vice he hydde as he best myghte [956] Ful subtilly from every mannes sighte, [957] That, save his wyf, ther wiste of it namo. [958] He loved hire moost, and trusted hire also; [959] He preyede hire that to no creature [960] She sholde tellen of his disfigure. [961] She swoor him, "Nay"; for al this world to wynne, [962] She nolde do that vileynye or synne, [963] To make hir housbonde han so foul a name. [964] She nolde nat telle it for hir owene shame. [965] But nathelees, hir thoughte that she dyde [966] That she so longe sholde a conseil hyde; [967] Hir thoughte it swal so soore aboute hir herte [968] That nedely som word hire moste asterte; [969] And sith she dorste telle it to no man, [970] Doun to a mareys faste by she ran -- [971] Til she cam there hir herte was afyre -- [972] And as a bitore bombleth in the myre, [973] She leyde hir mouth unto the water doun: [974] "Biwreye me nat, thou water, with thy soun," [975] Quod she; "to thee I telle it and namo; [976] Myn housbonde hath longe asses erys two! [977] Now is myn herte al hool; now is it oute. [978] I myghte no lenger kepe it, out of doute." [979] Heere may ye se, thogh we a tyme abyde, [980] Yet out it moot; we kan no conseil hyde. [981] The remenant of the tale if ye wol heere, [982] Redeth Ovyde, and ther ye may it leere. [983] This knyght, of which my tale is specially, [984] Whan that he saugh he myghte nat come therby -- [985] This is to seye, what wommen love moost -- [986] Withinne his brest ful sorweful was the goost. [987] But hoom he gooth; he myghte nat sojourne; [988] The day was come that homward moste he tourne. [989] And in his wey it happed hym to ryde, [990] In al this care, under a forest syde, [991] Wher as he saugh upon a daunce go [992] Of ladyes foure and twenty, and yet mo; [993] Toward the whiche daunce he drow ful yerne, [994] In hope that som wysdom sholde he lerne. [995] But certeinly, er he cam fully there, [996] Vanysshed was this daunce, he nyste where. [997] No creature saugh he that bar lyf, [998] Save on the grene he saugh sittynge a wyf -- [999] A fouler wight ther may no man devyse. [1000] Agayn the knyght this olde wyf gan ryse, [1001] And seyde, "Sire knyght, heer forth ne lith no wey. [1002] Tel me what that ye seken, by youre fey! [1003] Paraventure it may the bettre be; [1004] Thise olde folk kan muchel thyng," quod she. [1005] "My leeve mooder," quod this knyght, "certeyn [1006] I nam but deed but if that I kan seyn [1007] What thyng it is that wommen moost desire. [1008] Koude ye me wisse, I wolde wel quite youre hire." [1009] "Plight me thy trouthe heere in myn hand," quod she, [1010] "The nexte thyng that I requere thee, [1011] Thou shalt it do, if it lye in thy myght, [1012] And I wol telle it yow er it be nyght." [1013] "Have heer my trouthe," quod the knyght, "I grante." [1014] "Thanne," quod she, "I dar me wel avante [1015] Thy lyf is sauf, for I wol stonde therby; [1016] Upon my lyf, the queene wol seye as I. [1017] Lat se which is the proudeste of hem alle [1018] That wereth on a coverchief or a calle [1019] That dar seye nay of that I shal thee teche. [1020] Lat us go forth withouten lenger speche." [1021] Tho rowned she a pistel in his ere, [1022] And bad hym to be glad and have no fere. [1023] Whan they be comen to the court, this knyght [1024] Seyde he had holde his day, as he hadde hight, [1025] And redy was his answere, as he sayde. [1026] Ful many a noble wyf, and many a mayde, [1027] And many a wydwe, for that they been wise, [1028] The queene hirself sittynge as a justise, [1029] Assembled been, his answere for to heere; [1030] And afterward this knyght was bode appeere. [1031] To every wight comanded was silence, [1032] And that the knyght sholde telle in audience [1033] What thyng that worldly wommen loven best. [1034] This knyght ne stood nat stille as doth a best, [1035] But to his questioun anon answerde [1036] With manly voys, that al the court it herde: [1037] "My lige lady, generally," quod he, [1038] "Wommen desiren to have sovereynetee [1039] As wel over hir housbond as hir love, [1040] And for to been in maistrie hym above. [1041] This is youre mooste desir, thogh ye me kille. [1042] Dooth as yow list; I am heer at youre wille." [1043] In al the court ne was ther wyf, ne mayde, [1044] Ne wydwe that contraried that he sayde, [1045] But seyden he was worthy han his lyf. [1046] And with that word up stirte the olde wyf, [1047] Which that the knyght saugh sittynge on the grene: [1048] "Mercy," quod she, "my sovereyn lady queene! [1049] Er that youre court departe, do me right. [1050] I taughte this answere unto the knyght; [1051] For which he plighte me his trouthe there, [1052] The firste thyng that I wolde hym requere [1053] He wolde it do, if it lay in his myghte. [1054] Bifore the court thanne preye I thee, sir knyght," [1055] Quod she, "that thou me take unto thy wyf, [1056] For wel thou woost that I have kept thy lyf. [1057] If I seye fals, sey nay, upon thy fey!" [1058] This knyght answerde, "Allas and weylawey! [1059] I woot right wel that swich was my biheste. [1060] For Goddes love, as chees a newe requeste! [1061] Taak al my good and lat my body go." [1062] "Nay, thanne," quod she, "I shrewe us bothe two! [1063] For thogh that I be foul, and oold, and poore [1064] I nolde for al the metal, ne for oore [1065] That under erthe is grave or lith above, [1066] But if thy wyf I were, and eek thy love." [1067] "My love?" quod he, "nay, my dampnacioun! [1068] Allas, that any of my nacioun [1069] Sholde evere so foule disparaged be!" [1070] But al for noght; the ende is this, that he [1071] Constreyned was; he nedes moste hire wedde, [1072] And taketh his olde wyf, and gooth to bedde. [1073] Now wolden som men seye, paraventure, [1074] That for my necligence I do no cure [1075] To tellen yow the joye and al th' array [1076] That at the feeste was that ilke day. [1077] To which thyng shortly answeren I shal: [1078] I seye ther nas no joye ne feeste at al; [1079] Ther nas but hevynesse and muche sorwe. [1080] For prively he wedded hire on morwe, [1081] And al day after hidde hym as an owle, [1082] So wo was hym, his wyf looked so foule. [1083] Greet was the wo the knyght hadde in his thoght, [1084] Whan he was with his wyf abedde ybroght; [1085] He walweth and he turneth to and fro. [1086] His olde wyf lay smylynge everemo, [1087] And seyde, "O deere housbonde, benedicitee! [1088] Fareth every knyght thus with his wyf as ye? [1089] Is this the lawe of kyng Arthures hous? [1090] Is every knyght of his so dangerous? [1091] I am youre owene love and youre wyf; [1092] I am she which that saved hath youre lyf, [1093] And, certes, yet ne dide I yow nevere unright; [1094] Why fare ye thus with me this firste nyght? [1095] Ye faren lyk a man had lost his wit. [1096] What is my gilt? For Goddes love, tel it, [1097] And it shal been amended, if I may." [1098] "Amended?" quod this knyght, "Allas, nay, nay! [1099] It wol nat been amended nevere mo. [1100] Thou art so loothly, and so oold also, [1101] And therto comen of so lough a kynde, [1102] That litel wonder is thogh I walwe and wynde. [1103] So wolde God myn herte wolde breste!" [1104] "Is this," quod she, "the cause of youre unreste?" [1105] "Ye, certeinly," quod he, "no wonder is." [1106] "Now, sire," quod she, "I koude amende al this, [1107] If that me liste, er it were dayes thre, [1108] So wel ye myghte bere yow unto me. [1109] "But, for ye speken of swich gentillesse [1110] As is descended out of old richesse, [1111] That therfore sholden ye be gentil men, [1112] Swich arrogance is nat worth an hen. [1113] Looke who that is moost vertuous alway, [1114] Pryvee and apert, and moost entendeth ay [1115] To do the gentil dedes that he kan; [1116] Taak hym for the grettest gentil man. [1117] Crist wole we clayme of hym oure gentillesse, [1118] Nat of oure eldres for hire old richesse. [1119] For thogh they yeve us al hir heritage, [1120] For which we clayme to been of heigh parage, [1121] Yet may they nat biquethe for no thyng [1122] To noon of us hir vertuous lyvyng, [1123] That made hem gentil men ycalled be, [1124] And bad us folwen hem in swich degree. [1125] "Wel kan the wise poete of Florence, [1126] That highte Dant, speken in this sentence. [1127] Lo, in swich maner rym is Dantes tale: [1128] `Ful selde up riseth by his branches smale [1129] Prowesse of man, for God, of his goodnesse, [1130] Wole that of hym we clayme oure gentillesse'; [1131] For of oure eldres may we no thyng clayme [1132] But temporel thyng, that man may hurte and mayme. [1133] "Eek every wight woot this as wel as I, [1134] If gentillesse were planted natureelly [1135] Unto a certeyn lynage doun the lyne, [1136] Pryvee and apert thanne wolde they nevere fyne [1137] To doon of gentillesse the faire office; [1138] They myghte do no vileynye or vice. [1139] "Taak fyr and ber it in the derkeste hous [1140] Bitwix this and the mount of Kaukasous, [1141] And lat men shette the dores and go thenne; [1142] Yet wole the fyr as faire lye and brenne [1143] As twenty thousand men myghte it biholde; [1144] His office natureel ay wol it holde, [1145] Up peril of my lyf, til that it dye. [1146] "Heere may ye se wel how that genterye [1147] Is nat annexed to possessioun, [1148] Sith folk ne doon hir operacioun [1149] Alwey, as dooth the fyr, lo, in his kynde. [1150] For, God it woot, men may wel often fynde [1151] A lordes sone do shame and vileynye; [1152] And he that wole han pris of his gentrye, [1153] For he was boren of a gentil hous [1154] And hadde his eldres noble and vertuous, [1155] And nel hymselven do no gentil dedis [1156] Ne folwen his gentil auncestre that deed is, [1157] He nys nat gentil, be he duc or erl, [1158] For vileyns synful dedes make a cherl. [1159] For gentillesse nys but renomee [1160] Of thyne auncestres, for hire heigh bountee, [1161] Which is a strange thyng to thy persone. [1162] Thy gentillesse cometh fro God allone. [1163] Thanne comth oure verray gentillesse of grace; [1164] It was no thyng biquethe us with oure place. [1165] "Thenketh hou noble, as seith Valerius, [1166] Was thilke Tullius Hostillius, [1167] That out of poverte roos to heigh noblesse. [1168] Reedeth Senek, and redeth eek Boece; [1169] Ther shul ye seen expres that it no drede is [1170] That he is gentil that dooth gentil dedis. [1171] And therfore, leeve housbonde, I thus conclude: [1172] Al were it that myne auncestres were rude, [1173] Yet may the hye God, and so hope I, [1174] Grante me grace to lyven vertuously. [1175] Thanne am I gentil, whan that I bigynne [1176] To lyven vertuously and weyve synne. [1177] "And ther as ye of poverte me repreeve, [1178] The hye God, on whom that we bileeve, [1179] In wilful poverte chees to lyve his lyf. [1180] And certes every man, mayden, or wyf [1181] May understonde that Jhesus, hevene kyng, [1182] Ne wolde nat chese a vicious lyvyng. [1183] Glad poverte is an honest thyng, certeyn; [1184] This wole Senec and othere clerkes seyn. [1185] Whoso that halt hym payd of his poverte, [1186] I holde hym riche, al hadde he nat a sherte. [1187] He that coveiteth is a povre wight, [1188] For he wolde han that is nat in his myght; [1189] But he that noght hath, ne coveiteth have, [1190] Is riche, although ye holde hym but a knave. [1191] Verray poverte, it syngeth proprely; [1192] Juvenal seith of poverte myrily: [1193] `The povre man, whan he goth by the weye, [1194] Bifore the theves he may synge and pleye.' [1195] Poverte is hateful good and, as I gesse, [1196] A ful greet bryngere out of bisynesse; [1197] A greet amendere eek of sapience [1198] To hym that taketh it in pacience. [1199] Poverte is this, although it seme alenge: [1200] Possessioun that no wight wol chalenge. [1201] Poverte ful ofte, whan a man is lowe, [1202] Maketh his God and eek hymself to knowe. [1203] Poverte a spectacle is, as thynketh me, [1204] Thurgh which he may his verray freendes see. [1205] And therfore, sire, syn that I noght yow greve, [1206] Of my poverte namoore ye me repreve. [1207] "Now, sire, of elde ye repreve me; [1208] And certes, sire, thogh noon auctoritee [1209] Were in no book, ye gentils of honour [1210] Seyn that men sholde an oold wight doon favour [1211] And clepe hym fader, for youre gentillesse; [1212] And auctours shal I fynden, as I gesse. [1213] "Now ther ye seye that I am foul and old, [1214] Than drede you noght to been a cokewold; [1215] For filthe and eelde, also moot I thee, [1216] Been grete wardeyns upon chastitee. [1217] But nathelees, syn I knowe youre delit, [1218] I shal fulfille youre worldly appetit. [1219] "Chese now," quod she, "oon of thise thynges tweye: [1220] To han me foul and old til that I deye, [1221] And be to yow a trewe, humble wyf, [1222] And nevere yow displese in al my lyf, [1223] Or elles ye wol han me yong and fair, [1224] And take youre aventure of the repair [1225] That shal be to youre hous by cause of me, [1226] Or in som oother place, may wel be. [1227] Now chese yourselven, wheither that yow liketh." [1228] This knyght avyseth hym and sore siketh, [1229] But atte laste he seyde in this manere: [1230] "My lady and my love, and wyf so deere, [1231] I put me in youre wise governance; [1232] Cheseth youreself which may be moost plesance [1233] And moost honour to yow and me also. [1234] I do no fors the wheither of the two, [1235] For as yow liketh, it suffiseth me." [1236] "Thanne have I gete of yow maistrie," quod she, [1237] "Syn I may chese and governe as me lest?" [1238] "Ye, certes, wyf," quod he, "I holde it best." [1239] "Kys me," quod she, "we be no lenger wrothe, [1240] For, by my trouthe, I wol be to yow bothe -- [1241] This is to seyn, ye, bothe fair and good. [1242] I prey to God that I moote sterven wood, [1243] But I to yow be also good and trewe [1244] As evere was wyf, syn that the world was newe. [1245] And but I be to-morn as fair to seene [1246] As any lady, emperice, or queene, [1247] That is bitwixe the est and eke the west, [1248] Dooth with my lyf and deth right as yow lest. [1249] Cast up the curtyn, looke how that it is." [1250] And whan the knyght saugh verraily al this, [1251] That she so fair was, and so yong therto, [1252] For joye he hente hire in his armes two. [1253] His herte bathed in a bath of blisse. [1254] A thousand tyme a-rewe he gan hire kisse, [1255] And she obeyed hym in every thyng [1256] That myghte doon hym plesance or likyng. [1257] And thus they lyve unto hir lyves ende [1258] In parfit joye; and Jhesu Crist us sende [1259] Housbondes meeke, yonge, and fressh abedde, [1260] And grace t' overbyde hem that we wedde; [1261] And eek I praye Jhesu shorte hir lyves [1262] That noght wol be governed by hir wyves; [1263] And olde and angry nygardes of dispence, [1264] God sende hem soone verray pestilence! The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Friar's Prologue [1265] This worthy lymytour, this noble Frere, [1266] He made alwey a maner louryng chiere [1267] Upon the Somonour, but for honestee [1268] No vileyns word as yet to hym spak he. [1269] But atte laste he seyde unto the wyf, [1270] "Dame," quod he, "God yeve yow right good lyf! [1271] Ye han heer touched, also moot I thee, [1272] In scole-matere greet difficultee. [1273] Ye han seyd muche thyng right wel, I seye; [1274] But, dame, heere as we ryde by the weye, [1275] Us nedeth nat to speken but of game, [1276] And lete auctoritees, on Goddes name, [1277] To prechyng and to scoles of clergye. [1278] But if it lyke to this compaignye, [1279] I wol yow of a somonour telle a game. [1280] Pardee, ye may wel knowe by the name [1281] That of a somonour may no good be sayd; [1282] I praye that noon of you be yvele apayd. [1283] A somonour is a rennere up and doun [1284] With mandementz for fornicacioun, [1285] And is ybet at every townes ende." [1286] Oure Hoost tho spak, "A, sire, ye sholde be hende [1287] And curteys, as a man of youre estaat; [1288] In compaignye we wol have no debaat. [1289] Telleth youre tale, and lat the Somonour be." [1290] "Nay," quod the Somonour, "lat hym seye to me [1291] What so hym list; whan it comth to my lot, [1292] By God, I shal hym quiten every grot. [1293] I shal hym tellen which a greet honour [1294] It is to be a flaterynge lymytour, [1295] And of many another manere cryme [1296] Which nedeth nat rehercen at this tyme; [1297] And his office I shal hym telle, ywis." [1298] Oure Hoost answerde, "Pees, namoore of this!" [1299] And after this he seyde unto the Frere, [1300] "Tel forth youre tale, leeve maister deere." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Friar's Tale [1301] Whilom ther was dwellynge in my contree [1302] An erchedeken, a man of heigh degree, [1303] That boldely dide execucioun [1304] In punysshynge of fornicacioun, [1305] Of wicchecraft, and eek of bawderye, [1306] Of diffamacioun, and avowtrye, [1307] Of chirche reves, and of testamentz, [1308] Of contractes and of lakke of sacramentz, [1309] Of usure, and of symonye also. [1310] But certes, lecchours dide he grettest wo; [1311] They sholde syngen if that they were hent; [1312] And smale tytheres weren foule yshent, [1313] If any persoun wolde upon hem pleyne. [1314] Ther myghte asterte hym no pecunyal peyne. [1315] For smale tithes and for smal offrynge [1316] He made the peple pitously to synge, [1317] For er the bisshop caughte hem with his hook, [1318] They weren in the erchedeknes book. [1319] Thanne hadde he, thurgh his jurisdiccioun, [1320] Power to doon on hem correccioun. [1321] He hadde a somonour redy to his hond; [1322] A slyer boye nas noon in Engelond; [1323] For subtilly he hadde his espiaille, [1324] That taughte hym wel wher that hym myghte availle. [1325] He koude spare of lecchours oon or two, [1326] To techen hym to foure and twenty mo. [1327] For thogh this Somonour wood were as an hare, [1328] To telle his harlotrye I wol nat spare; [1329] For we been out of his correccioun. [1330] They han of us no jurisdiccioun, [1331] Ne nevere shullen, terme of alle hir lyves. [1332] "Peter! so been wommen of the styves," [1333] Quod the Somonour, "yput out of oure cure!" [1334] "Pees! with myschance and with mysaventure!" [1335] Thus seyde oure Hoost, "and lat hym telle his tale. [1336] Now telleth forth, thogh that the Somonour gale; [1337] Ne spareth nat, myn owene maister deere." [1338] This false theef, this somonour, quod the Frere, [1339] Hadde alwey bawdes redy to his hond, [1340] As any hauk to lure in Engelond, [1341] That tolde hym al the secree that they knewe, [1342] For hire acqueyntance was nat come of newe. [1343] They weren his approwours prively. [1344] He took hymself a greet profit therby; [1345] His maister knew nat alwey what he wan. [1346] Withouten mandement a lewed man [1347] He koude somne, on peyne of Cristes curs, [1348] And they were glade for to fille his purs [1349] And make hym grete feestes atte nale. [1350] And right as Judas hadde purses smale, [1351] And was a theef, right swich a theef was he; [1352] His maister hadde but half his duetee. [1353] He was, if I shal yeven hym his laude, [1354] A theef, and eek a somnour, and a baude. [1355] He hadde eek wenches at his retenue, [1356] That, wheither that sir Robert or sir Huwe, [1357] Or Jakke, or Rauf, or whoso that it were [1358] That lay by hem, they tolde it in his ere. [1359] Thus was the wenche and he of oon assent, [1360] And he wolde fecche a feyned mandement, [1361] And somne hem to chapitre bothe two, [1362] And pile the man, and lete the wenche go. [1363] Thanne wolde he seye, "Freend, I shal for thy sake [1364] Do striken hire out of oure lettres blake; [1365] Thee thar namoore as in this cas travaille. [1366] I am thy freend, ther I thee may availle." [1367] Certeyn he knew of briberyes mo [1368] Than possible is to telle in yeres two. [1369] For in this world nys dogge for the bowe [1370] That kan an hurt deer from an hool yknowe [1371] Bet than this somnour knew a sly lecchour, [1372] Or an avowtier, or a paramour. [1373] And for that was the fruyt of al his rente, [1374] Therfore on it he sette al his entente. [1375] And so bifel that ones on a day [1376] This somnour, evere waityng on his pray, [1377] Rood for to somne an old wydwe, a ribibe, [1378] Feynynge a cause, for he wolde brybe. [1379] And happed that he saugh bifore hym ryde [1380] A gay yeman, under a forest syde. [1381] A bowe he bar, and arwes brighte and kene; [1382] He hadde upon a courtepy of grene, [1383] An hat upon his heed with frenges blake. [1384] "Sire," quod this somnour, "hayl, and wel atake!" [1385] "Welcome," quod he, "and every good felawe! [1386] Wher rydestow, under this grene-wode shawe?" [1387] Seyde this yeman, "Wiltow fer to day?" [1388] This somnour hym answerde and seyde, "Nay; [1389] Heere faste by," quod he, "is myn entente [1390] To ryden, for to reysen up a rente [1391] That longeth to my lordes duetee." [1392] "Artow thanne a bailly?" "Ye," quod he. [1393] He dorste nat, for verray filthe and shame [1394] Seye that he was a somonour, for the name. [1395] "Depardieux," quod this yeman, "deere broother, [1396] Thou art a bailly, and I am another. [1397] I am unknowen as in this contree; [1398] Of thyn aqueyntance I wolde praye thee, [1399] And eek of bretherhede, if that yow leste. [1400] I have gold and silver in my cheste; [1401] If that thee happe to comen in oure shire, [1402] Al shal be thyn, right as thou wolt desire." [1403] "Grant mercy," quod this somonour, "by my feith!" [1404] Everych in ootheres hand his trouthe leith, [1405] For to be sworne bretheren til they deye. [1406] In daliance they ryden forth and pleye. [1407] This somonour, which that was as ful of jangles [1408] As ful of venym been thise waryangles [1409] And evere enqueryng upon every thyng, [1410] "Brother," quod he, "where is now youre dwellyng [1411] Another day if that I sholde yow seche?" [1412] This yeman hym answerde in softe speche, [1413] "Brother," quod he, "fer in the north contree, [1414] Whereas I hope som tyme I shal thee see. [1415] Er we departe, I shal thee so wel wisse [1416] That of myn hous ne shaltow nevere mysse." [1417] "Now, brother," quod this somonour, "I yow preye, [1418] Teche me, whil that we ryden by the weye, [1419] Syn that ye been a baillif as am I, [1420] Som subtiltee, and tel me feithfully [1421] In myn office how that I may moost wynne; [1422] And spareth nat for conscience ne synne, [1423] But as my brother tel me, how do ye." [1424] "Now, by my trouthe, brother deere," seyde he, [1425] "As I shal tellen thee a feithful tale, [1426] My wages been ful streite and ful smale. [1427] My lord is hard to me and daungerous, [1428] And myn office is ful laborous, [1429] And therfore by extorcions I lyve. [1430] For sothe, I take al that men wol me yive. [1431] Algate, by sleyghte or by violence, [1432] Fro yeer to yeer I wynne al my dispence. [1433] I kan no bettre telle, feithfully." [1434] "Now certes," quod this Somonour, "so fare I. [1435] I spare nat to taken, God it woot, [1436] But if it be to hevy or to hoot. [1437] What I may gete in conseil prively, [1438] No maner conscience of that have I. [1439] Nere myn extorcioun, I myghte nat lyven, [1440] Ne of swiche japes wol I nat be shryven. [1441] Stomak ne conscience ne knowe I noon; [1442] I shrewe thise shrifte-fadres everychoon. [1443] Wel be we met, by God and by Seint Jame! [1444] But, leeve brother, tel me thanne thy name," [1445] Quod this somonour. In this meene while [1446] This yeman gan a litel for to smyle. [1447] "Brother," quod he, "wiltow that I thee telle? [1448] I am a feend; my dwellyng is in helle, [1449] And heere I ryde aboute my purchasyng, [1450] To wite wher men wol yeve me any thyng. [1451] My purchas is th' effect of al my rente. [1452] Looke how thou rydest for the same entente, [1453] To wynne good, thou rekkest nevere how; [1454] Right so fare I, for ryde wolde I now [1455] Unto the worldes ende for a preye." [1456] "A!" quod this somonour, "benedicite! What sey ye? [1457] I wende ye were a yeman trewely. [1458] Ye han a mannes shap as wel as I; [1459] Han ye a figure thanne determinat [1460] In helle, ther ye been in youre estat?" [1461] "Nay, certeinly," quod he, "ther have we noon; [1462] But whan us liketh we kan take us oon, [1463] Or elles make yow seme we been shape; [1464] Somtyme lyk a man, or lyk an ape, [1465] Or lyk an angel kan I ryde or go. [1466] It is no wonder thyng thogh it be so; [1467] A lowsy jogelour kan deceyve thee, [1468] And pardee, yet kan I moore craft than he." [1469] "Why," quod this somonour, "ryde ye thanne or goon [1470] In sondry shap, and nat alwey in oon?" [1471] "For we," quod he, "wol us swiche formes make [1472] As moost able is oure preyes for to take." [1473] "What maketh yow to han al this labour?" [1474] "Ful many a cause, leeve sire somonour," [1475] Seyde this feend, "but alle thyng hath tyme. [1476] The day is short, and it is passed pryme, [1477] And yet ne wan I nothyng in this day. [1478] I wol entende to wynnyng, if I may, [1479] And nat entende oure wittes to declare. [1480] For, brother myn, thy wit is al to bare [1481] To understonde, althogh I tolde hem thee. [1482] But, for thou axest why labouren we -- [1483] For somtyme we been Goddes instrumentz [1484] And meenes to doon his comandementz, [1485] Whan that hym list, upon his creatures, [1486] In divers art and in diverse figures. [1487] Withouten hym we have no myght, certayn, [1488] If that hym list to stonden ther-agayn. [1489] And somtyme, at oure prayere, han we leve [1490] Oonly the body and nat the soule greve; [1491] Witnesse on Job, whom that we diden wo. [1492] And somtyme han we myght of bothe two -- [1493] This is to seyn, of soule and body eke. [1494] And somtyme be we suffred for to seke [1495] Upon a man and doon his soule unreste [1496] And nat his body, and al is for the beste. [1497] Whan he withstandeth oure temptacioun, [1498] It is a cause of his savacioun, [1499] Al be it that it was nat oure entente [1500] He sholde be sauf, but that we wolde hym hente. [1501] And somtyme be we servant unto man, [1502] As to the erchebisshop Seint Dunstan, [1503] And to the apostles servant eek was I." [1504] "Yet tel me," quod the somonour, "feithfully, [1505] Make ye yow newe bodies thus alway [1506] Of elementz?" The feend answerde, "Nay. [1507] Somtyme we feyne, and somtyme we aryse [1508] With dede bodyes, in ful sondry wyse, [1509] And speke as renably and faire and wel [1510] As to the Phitonissa dide Samuel. [1511] (And yet wol som men seye it was nat he; [1512] I do no fors of youre dyvynytee.) [1513] But o thyng warne I thee, I wol nat jape: [1514] Thou wolt algates wite how we been shape; [1515] Thou shalt herafterward, my brother deere, [1516] Come there thee nedeth nat of me to leere, [1517] For thou shalt, by thyn owene experience, [1518] Konne in a chayer rede of this sentence [1519] Bet than Virgile, while he was on lyve, [1520] Or Dant also. Now lat us ryde blyve, [1521] For I wole holde compaignye with thee [1522] Til it be so that thou forsake me." [1523] "Nay," quod this somonour, "that shal nat bityde! [1524] I am a yeman, knowen is ful wyde; [1525] My trouthe wol I holde, as in this cas. [1526] For though thou were the devel Sathanas, [1527] My trouthe wol I holde to my brother, [1528] As I am sworn, and ech of us til oother, [1529] For to be trewe brother in this cas; [1530] And bothe we goon abouten oure purchas. [1531] Taak thou thy part, what that men wol thee yive, [1532] And I shal myn; thus may we bothe lyve. [1533] And if that any of us have moore than oother, [1534] Lat hym be trewe and parte it with his brother." [1535] "I graunte," quod the devel, "by my fey." [1536] And with that word they ryden forth hir wey. [1537] And right at the entryng of the townes ende, [1538] To which this somonour shoop hym for to wende, [1539] They saugh a cart that charged was with hey, [1540] Which that a cartere droof forth in his wey. [1541] Deep was the wey, for which the carte stood. [1542] The cartere smoot and cryde as he were wood, [1543] "Hayt, Brok! Hayt, Scot! What spare ye for the stones? [1544] The feend," quod he, "yow fecche, body and bones, [1545] As ferforthly as evere were ye foled, [1546] So muche wo as I have with yow tholed! [1547] The devel have al, bothe hors and cart and hey!" [1548] This somonour seyde, "Heere shal we have a pley." [1549] And neer the feend he drough, as noght ne were, [1550] Ful prively, and rowned in his ere: [1551] "Herkne, my brother, herkne, by thy feith! [1552] Herestow nat how that the cartere seith? [1553] Hent it anon, for he hath yeve it thee, [1554] Bothe hey and cart, and eek his caples thre." [1555] "Nay," quod the devel, "God woot, never a deel! [1556] It is nat his entente, trust me weel. [1557] Axe hym thyself, if thou nat trowest me; [1558] Or elles stynt a while, and thou shalt see." [1559] This cartere thakketh his hors upon the croupe, [1560] And they bigonne to drawen and to stoupe. [1561] "Heyt! Now," quod he, "ther Jhesu Crist yow blesse, [1562] And al his handwerk, bothe moore and lesse! [1563] That was wel twight, myn owene lyard boy. [1564] I pray God save thee, and Seinte Loy! [1565] Now is my cart out of the slow, pardee!" [1566] "Lo, brother," quod the feend, "what tolde I thee? [1567] Heere may ye se, myn owene deere brother, [1568] The carl spak oo thing, but he thoghte another. [1569] Lat us go forth abouten oure viage; [1570] Heere wynne I nothyng upon cariage." [1571] Whan that they coomen somwhat out of towne, [1572] This somonour to his brother gan to rowne: [1573] "Brother," quod he, "heere woneth an old rebekke [1574] That hadde almoost as lief to lese hire nekke [1575] As for to yeve a peny of hir good. [1576] I wole han twelf pens, though that she be wood, [1577] Or I wol sompne hire unto oure office; [1578] And yet, God woot, of hire knowe I no vice. [1579] But for thou kanst nat, as in this contree, [1580] Wynne thy cost, taak heer ensample of me." [1581] This somonour clappeth at the wydwes gate. [1582] "Com out," quod he, "thou olde virytrate! [1583] I trowe thou hast som frere or preest with thee." [1584] "Who clappeth?" seyde this wyf, "benedicitee! [1585] God save you, sire, what is youre sweete wille?" [1586] "I have," quod he, "of somonce here a bille; [1587] Up peyne of cursyng, looke that thou be [1588] Tomorn bifore the erchedeknes knee [1589] T' answere to the court of certeyn thynges." [1590] "Now, Lord," quod she, "Crist Jhesu, kyng of kynges, [1591] So wisly helpe me, as I ne may. [1592] I have been syk, and that ful many a day. [1593] I may nat go so fer," quod she, "ne ryde, [1594] But I be deed, so priketh it in my syde. [1595] May I nat axe a libel, sire somonour, [1596] And answere there by my procuratour [1597] To swich thyng as men wole opposen me?" [1598] "Yis," quod this somonour, "pay anon -- lat se -- [1599] Twelf pens to me, and I wol thee acquite. [1600] I shal no profit han therby but lite; [1601] My maister hath the profit and nat I. [1602] Com of, and lat me ryden hastily; [1603] Yif me twelf pens, I may no lenger tarye." [1604] "Twelf pens!" quod she, "Now, lady Seinte Marie [1605] So wisly help me out of care and synne, [1606] This wyde world thogh that I sholde wynne, [1607] Ne have I nat twelf pens withinne myn hoold. [1608] Ye knowen wel that I am povre and oold; [1609] Kithe youre almesse on me, povre wrecche." [1610] "Nay thanne," quod he, "the foule feend me fecche [1611] If I th' excuse, though thou shul be spilt!" [1612] "Allas!" quod she, "God woot, I have no gilt." [1613] "Pay me," quod he, "or by the sweete Seinte Anne, [1614] As I wol bere awey thy newe panne [1615] For dette which thou owest me of old. [1616] Whan that thou madest thyn housbonde cokewold, [1617] I payde at hoom for thy correccioun." [1618] "Thou lixt!" quod she, "by my savacioun, [1619] Ne was I nevere er now, wydwe ne wyf, [1620] Somoned unto youre court in al my lyf; [1621] Ne nevere I nas but of my body trewe! [1622] Unto the devel blak and rough of hewe [1623] Yeve I thy body and my panne also!" [1624] And whan the devel herde hire cursen so [1625] Upon hir knees, he seyde in this manere, [1626] "Now, Mabely, myn owene mooder deere, [1627] Is this youre wyl in ernest that ye seye?" [1628] "The devel," quod she, "so fecche hym er he deye, [1629] And panne and al, but he wol hym repente!" [1630] "Nay, olde stot, that is nat myn entente," [1631] Quod this somonour, "for to repente me [1632] For any thyng that I have had of thee. [1633] I wolde I hadde thy smok and every clooth!" [1634] "Now, brother," quod the devel, "be nat wrooth; [1635] Thy body and this panne been myne by right. [1636] Thou shalt with me to helle yet tonyght, [1637] Where thou shalt knowen of oure privetee [1638] Moore than a maister of dyvynytee." [1639] And with that word this foule feend hym hente; [1640] Body and soule he with the devel wente [1641] Where as that somonours han hir heritage. [1642] And God, that maked after his ymage [1643] Mankynde, save and gyde us, alle and some, [1644] And leve thise somonours goode men bicome! [1645] Lordynges, I koude han toold yow, quod this Frere, [1646] Hadde I had leyser for this Somnour heere, [1647] After the text of Crist, Poul, and John, [1648] And of oure othere doctours many oon, [1649] Swiche peynes that youre hertes myghte agryse, [1650] Al be it so no tonge may it devyse, [1651] Thogh that I myghte a thousand wynter telle [1652] The peynes of thilke cursed hous of helle. [1653] But for to kepe us fro that cursed place, [1654] Waketh and preyeth Jhesu for his grace [1655] So kepe us fro the temptour Sathanas. [1656] Herketh this word! Beth war, as in this cas: [1657] "The leoun sit in his awayt alway [1658] To sle the innocent, if that he may." [1659] Disposeth ay youre hertes to withstonde [1660] The feend, that yow wolde make thral and bonde. [1661] He may nat tempte yow over youre myght, [1662] For Crist wol be youre champion and knyght. [1663] And prayeth that thise somonours hem repente [1664] Of hir mysdedes, er that the feend hem hente! The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Summoner's Prologue [1665] This Somonour in his styropes hye stood; [1666] Upon this Frere his herte was so wood [1667] That lyk an aspen leef he quook for ire. [1668] "Lordynges," quod he, "but o thyng I desire; [1669] I yow biseke that, of youre curteisye, [1670] Syn ye han herd this false Frere lye, [1671] As suffreth me I may my tale telle. [1672] This Frere bosteth that he knoweth helle, [1673] And God it woot, that it is litel wonder; [1674] Freres and feendes been but lyte asonder. [1675] For, pardee, ye han ofte tyme herd telle [1676] How that a frere ravysshed was to helle [1677] In spirit ones by a visioun; [1678] And as an angel ladde hym up and doun, [1679] To shewen hym the peynes that ther were, [1680] In al the place saugh he nat a frere; [1681] Of oother folk he saugh ynowe in wo. [1682] Unto this angel spak the frere tho: [1683] `Now, sire,' quod he, `han freres swich a grace [1684] That noon of hem shal come to this place?' [1685] `Yis' quod this angel, `many a millioun!' [1686] And unto Sathanas he ladde hym doun. [1687] `And now hath Sathanas,' seith he, `a tayl [1688] Brodder than of a carryk is the sayl. [1689] Hold up thy tayl, thou Sathanas!' quod he; [1690] `Shewe forth thyn ers, and lat the frere se [1691] Where is the nest of freres in this place!' [1692] And er that half a furlong wey of space, [1693] Right so as bees out swarmen from an hyve, [1694] Out of the develes ers ther gonne dryve [1695] Twenty thousand freres on a route, [1696] And thurghout helle swarmed al aboute, [1697] And comen agayn as faste as they may gon, [1698] And in his ers they crepten everychon. [1699] He clapte his tayl agayn and lay ful stille. [1700] This frere, whan he looked hadde his fille [1701] Upon the tormentz of this sory place, [1702] His spirit God restored, of his grace, [1703] Unto his body agayn, and he awook. [1704] But natheles, for fere yet he quook, [1705] So was the develes ers ay in his mynde, [1706] That is his heritage of verray kynde. [1707] God save yow alle, save this cursed Frere! [1708] My prologe wol I ende in this manere." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Summoner's Tale [1709] Lordynges, ther is in Yorkshire, as I gesse, [1710] A mersshy contree called Holdernesse, [1711] In which ther wente a lymytour aboute [1712] To preche, and eek to begge, it is no doute. [1713] And so bifel that on a day this frere [1714] Hadde preched at a chirche in his manere, [1715] And specially, aboven every thyng, [1716] Excited he the peple in his prechyng [1717] To trentals, and to yeve, for Goddes sake, [1718] Wherwith men myghte hooly houses make, [1719] Ther as divine servyce is honoured, [1720] Nat ther as it is wasted and devoured, [1721] Ne ther it nedeth nat for to be yive, [1722] As to possessioners, that mowen lyve, [1723] Thanked be God, in wele and habundaunce. [1724] "Trentals," seyde he, "deliveren fro penaunce [1725] Hir freendes soules, as wel olde as yonge -- [1726] Ye, whan that they been hastily ysonge, [1727] Nat for to holde a preest joly and gay -- [1728] He syngeth nat but o masse in a day. [1729] Delivereth out," quod he, "anon the soules! [1730] Ful hard it is with flesshhook or with oules [1731] To been yclawed, or to brenne or bake. [1732] Now spede yow hastily, for Cristes sake!" [1733] And whan this frere had seyd al his entente, [1734] With qui cum patre forth his wey he wente. [1735] Whan folk in chirche had yeve him what hem leste, [1736] He wente his wey; no lenger wolde he reste. [1737] With scrippe and tipped staf, ytukked hye, [1738] In every hous he gan to poure and prye, [1739] And beggeth mele and chese, or elles corn. [1740] His felawe hadde a staf tipped with horn, [1741] A peyre of tables al of yvory, [1742] And a poyntel polysshed fetisly, [1743] And wroot the names alwey, as he stood, [1744] Of alle folk that yaf hym any good, [1745] Ascaunces that he wolde for hem preye. [1746] "Yif us a busshel whete, malt, or reye, [1747] A Goddes kechyl, or a trype of chese, [1748] Or elles what yow lyst, we may nat cheese; [1749] A Goddes halfpeny, or a masse peny, [1750] Or yif us of youre brawn, if ye have eny; [1751] A dagon of youre blanket, leeve dame, [1752] Oure suster deere -- lo! Heere I write youre name -- [1753] Bacon or beef, or swich thyng as ye fynde." [1754] A sturdy harlot wente ay hem bihynde, [1755] That was hir hostes man, and bar a sak, [1756] And what men yaf hem, leyde it on his bak. [1757] And whan that he was out at dore, anon [1758] He planed awey the names everichon [1759] That he biforn had writen in his tables; [1760] He served hem with nyfles and with fables. [1761] "Nay, ther thou lixt, thou Somonour!" quod the Frere. [1762] "Pees," quod oure Hoost, "for Cristes mooder deere! [1763] Tel forth thy tale, and spare it nat at al." [1764] "So thryve I," quod this Somonour, "so I shal!" [1765] So longe he wente, hous by hous, til he [1766] Cam til an hous ther he was wont to be [1767] Refresshed moore than in an hundred placis. [1768] Syk lay the goode man whos that the place is; [1769] Bedrede upon a couche lowe he lay. [1770] "Deus hic!" quod he, "O Thomas, freend, good day!" [1771] Seyde this frere, curteisly and softe. [1772] "Thomas," quod he, "God yelde yow! Ful ofte [1773] Have I upon this bench faren ful weel; [1774] Heere have I eten many a myrie meel." [1775] And fro the bench he droof awey the cat, [1776] And leyde adoun his potente and his hat, [1777] And eek his scrippe, and sette hym softe adoun. [1778] His felawe was go walked into toun [1779] Forth with his knave, into that hostelrye [1780] Where as he shoop hym thilke nyght to lye. [1781] "O deere maister," quod this sike man, [1782] "How han ye fare sith that March bigan? [1783] I saugh yow noght this fourtenyght or moore." [1784] "God woot," quod he, "laboured I have ful soore, [1785] And specially for thy savacion [1786] Have I seyd many a precious orison, [1787] And for oure othere freendes, God hem blesse! [1788] I have to day been at youre chirche at messe, [1789] And seyd a sermon after my symple wit -- [1790] Nat al after the text of hooly writ, [1791] For it is hard to yow, as I suppose, [1792] And therfore wol I teche yow al the glose. [1793] Glosynge is a glorious thyng, certeyn, [1794] For lettre sleeth, so as we clerkes seyn -- [1795] There have I taught hem to be charitable, [1796] And spende hir good ther it is resonable; [1797] And there I saugh oure dame -- A! Where is she?" [1798] "Yond in the yerd I trowe that she be," [1799] Seyde this man, "and she wol come anon." [1800] "Ey, maister, welcome be ye, by Seint John!" [1801] Seyde this wyf, "How fare ye, hertely?" [1802] The frere ariseth up ful curteisly, [1803] And hire embraceth in his armes narwe, [1804] And kiste hire sweete, and chirketh as a sparwe [1805] With his lyppes: "Dame," quod he, "right weel, [1806] As he that is youre servant every deel, [1807] Thanked be God, that yow yaf soule and lyf! [1808] Yet saugh I nat this day so fair a wyf [1809] In al the chirche, God so save me!" [1810] "Ye, God amende defautes, sire," quod she. [1811] "Algates, welcome be ye, by my fey!" [1812] "Graunt mercy, dame, this have I founde alwey. [1813] But of youre grete goodnesse, by youre leve, [1814] I wolde prey yow that ye nat yow greve, [1815] I wole with Thomas speke a litel throwe. [1816] Thise curatz been ful necligent and slowe [1817] To grope tendrely a conscience [1818] In shrift; in prechyng is my diligence, [1819] And studie in Petres wordes and in Poules. [1820] I walke and fisshe Cristen mennes soules [1821] To yelden Jhesu Crist his propre rente; [1822] To sprede his word is set al myn entente." [1823] "Now, by youre leve, o deere sire," quod she, [1824] "Chideth him weel, for seinte Trinitee! [1825] He is as angry as a pissemyre, [1826] Though that he have al that he kan desire; [1827] Though I hym wrye a-nyght and make hym warm, [1828] And over hym leye my leg outher myn arm, [1829] He groneth lyk oure boor, lith in oure sty. [1830] Oother desport right noon of hym have I; [1831] I may nat plese hym in no maner cas." [1832] "O Thomas, je vous dy, Thomas! Thomas! [1833] This maketh the feend; this moste ben amended. [1834] Ire is a thyng that hye God defended, [1835] And therof wol I speke a word or two." [1836] "Now, maister," quod the wyf, "er that I go, [1837] What wol ye dyne? I wol go theraboute." [1838] "Now, dame," quod he, "now je vous dy sanz doute, [1839] Have I nat of a capon but the lyvere, [1840] And of youre softe breed nat but a shyvere, [1841] And after that a rosted pigges heed -- [1842] But that I nolde no beest for me were deed -- [1843] Thanne hadde I with yow hoomly suffisaunce. [1844] I am a man of litel sustenaunce; [1845] My spirit hath his fostryng in the Bible. [1846] The body is ay so redy and penyble [1847] To wake, that my stomak is destroyed. [1848] I prey yow, dame, ye be nat anoyed, [1849] Though I so freendly yow my conseil shewe. [1850] By God! I wolde nat telle it but a fewe." [1851] "Now, sire," quod she, "but o word er I go. [1852] My child is deed withinne thise wykes two, [1853] Soone after that ye wente out of this toun." [1854] "His deeth saugh I by revelacioun," [1855] Seide this frere, "at hoom in oure dortour. [1856] I dar wel seyn that, er that half an hour [1857] After his deeth, I saugh hym born to blisse [1858] In myn avision, so God me wisse! [1859] So dide oure sexteyn and oure fermerer, [1860] That han been trewe freres fifty yeer; [1861] They may now -- God be thanked of his loone! -- [1862] Maken hir jubilee and walke allone. [1863] And up I roos, and al oure covent eke, [1864] With many a teere trillyng on my cheke, [1865] Withouten noyse or claterynge of belles; [1866] Te Deum was oure song, and nothyng elles, [1867] Save that to Crist I seyde an orison, [1868] Thankynge hym of his revelacion. [1869] For, sire and dame, trusteth me right weel, [1870] Oure orisons been moore effectueel, [1871] And moore we seen of Cristes secree thynges, [1872] Than burel folk, although they weren kynges. [1873] We lyve in poverte and in abstinence, [1874] And burell folk in richesse and despence [1875] Of mete and drynke, and in hir foul delit. [1876] We han this worldes lust al in despit. [1877] Lazar and Dives lyveden diversly, [1878] And divers gerdon hadden they therby. [1879] Whoso wol preye, he moot faste and be clene, [1880] And fatte his soule, and make his body lene. [1881] We fare as seith th' apostle; clooth and foode [1882] Suffisen us, though they be nat ful goode. [1883] The clennesse and the fastynge of us freres [1884] Maketh that Crist accepteth oure preyeres. [1885] "Lo, Moyses fourty dayes and fourty nyght [1886] Fasted, er that the heighe God of myght [1887] Spak with hym in the mountayne of Synay. [1888] With empty wombe, fastynge many a day, [1889] Receyved he the lawe that was writen [1890] With Goddes fynger; and Elye, wel ye witen, [1891] In mount Oreb, er he hadde any speche [1892] With hye God, that is oure lyves leche, [1893] He fasted longe and was in contemplaunce. [1894] "Aaron, that hadde the temple in governaunce, [1895] And eek the othere preestes everichon, [1896] Into the temple whan they sholde gon [1897] To preye for the peple and do servyse, [1898] They nolden drynken in no maner wyse [1899] No drynke which that myghte hem dronke make, [1900] But there in abstinence preye and wake, [1901] Lest that they deyden. Taak heede what I seye! [1902] But they be sobre that for the peple preye, [1903] War that -- I seye namoore, for it suffiseth. [1904] "Oure Lord Jhesu, as hooly writ devyseth, [1905] Yaf us ensample of fastynge and preyeres. [1906] Therfore we mendynantz, we sely freres, [1907] Been wedded to poverte and continence, [1908] To charite, humblesse, and abstinence, [1909] To persecucioun for rightwisnesse, [1910] To wepynge, misericorde, and clennesse. [1911] And therfore may ye se that oure preyeres -- [1912] I speke of us, we mendynantz, we freres -- [1913] Been to the hye God moore acceptable [1914] Than youres, with youre feestes at the table. [1915] Fro Paradys first, if I shal nat lye, [1916] Was man out chaced for his glotonye; [1917] And chaast was man in Paradys, certeyn. [1918] "But herkne now, Thomas, what I shal seyn. [1919] I ne have no text of it, as I suppose, [1920] But I shal fynde it in a maner glose, [1921] That specially oure sweete Lord Jhesus [1922] Spak this by freres, whan he seyde thus: [1923] `Blessed be they that povere in spirit been.' [1924] And so forth al the gospel may ye seen, [1925] Wher it be likker oure professioun, [1926] Or hirs that swymmen in possessioun. [1927] Fy on hire pompe and on hire glotonye! [1928] And for hir lewednesse I hem diffye. [1929] "Me thynketh they been lyk Jovinyan, [1930] Fat as a whale, and walkynge as a swan, [1931] Al vinolent as botel in the spence. [1932] Hir preyere is of ful greet reverence, [1933] Whan they for soules seye the psalm of Davit: [1934] Lo, `buf!' they seye, `cor meum eructavit!' [1935] Who folweth Cristes gospel and his foore, [1936] But we that humble been, and chaast, and poore, [1937] Werkeris of Goddes word, nat auditours? [1938] Therfore, right as an hauk up at a sours [1939] Up springeth into th' eir, right so prayeres [1940] Of charitable and chaste bisy freres [1941] Maken hir sours to Goddes eres two. [1942] Thomas, Thomas! So moote I ryde or go, [1943] And by that lord that clepid is Seint Yve, [1944] Nere thou oure brother, sholdestou nat thryve. [1945] In our chapitre praye we day and nyght [1946] To Crist, that he thee sende heele and myght [1947] Thy body for to weelden hastily." [1948] "God woot," quod he, "no thyng therof feele I! [1949] As help me Crist, as I in fewe yeres, [1950] Have spent upon diverse manere freres [1951] Ful many a pound; yet fare I never the bet. [1952] Certeyn, my good have I almoost biset. [1953] Farwel, my gold, for it is al ago!" [1954] The frere answerde, "O Thomas, dostow so? [1955] What nedeth yow diverse freres seche? [1956] What nedeth hym that hath a parfit leche [1957] To sechen othere leches in the toun? [1958] Youre inconstance is youre confusioun. [1959] Holde ye thanne me, or elles oure covent, [1960] To praye for yow been insufficient? [1961] Thomas, that jape nys nat worth a myte. [1962] Youre maladye is for we han to lyte. [1963] A, yif that covent half a quarter otes! [1964] A, yif that covent foure and twenty grotes! [1965] A, yif that frere a peny, and lat hym go! [1966] Nay, nay, Thomas, it may no thyng be so! [1967] What is a ferthyng worth parted in twelve? [1968] Lo, ech thyng that is oned in himselve [1969] Is moore strong than whan it is toscatered. [1970] Thomas, of me thou shalt nat been yflatered; [1971] Thou woldest han oure labour al for noght. [1972] The hye God, that al this world hath wroght, [1973] Seith that the werkman worthy is his hyre. [1974] Thomas, noght of youre tresor I desire [1975] As for myself, but that al oure covent [1976] To preye for yow is ay so diligent, [1977] And for to buylden Cristes owene chirche. [1978] Thomas, if ye wol lernen for to wirche, [1979] Of buyldynge up of chirches may ye fynde [1980] If it be good in Thomas lyf of Inde. [1981] Ye lye heere ful of anger and of ire, [1982] With which the devel set youre herte afyre, [1983] And chiden heere the sely innocent, [1984] Youre wyf, that is so meke and pacient. [1985] And therfore, Thomas, trowe me if thee leste, [1986] Ne stryve nat with thy wyf, as for thy beste; [1987] And ber this word awey now, by thy feith; [1988] Touchynge swich thyng, lo, what the wise seith: [1989] `Withinne thyn hous ne be thou no leon; [1990] To thy subgitz do noon oppression, [1991] Ne make thyne aqueyntances nat to flee.' [1992] And, Thomas, yet eft-soones I charge thee, [1993] Be war from Ire that in thy bosom slepeth; [1994] War fro the serpent that so slily crepeth [1995] Under the gras and styngeth subtilly. [1996] Be war, my sone, and herkne paciently [1997] That twenty thousand men han lost hir lyves [1998] For stryvyng with hir lemmans and hir wyves. [1999] Now sith ye han so hooly meke a wyf, [2000] What nedeth yow, Thomas, to maken stryf? [2001] Ther nys, ywys, no serpent so cruel, [2002] Whan man tret on his tayl, ne half so fel, [2003] As womman is, whan she hath caught an ire; [2004] Vengeance is thanne al that they desire. [2005] Ire is a synne, oon of the grete of sevene, [2006] Abhomynable unto the God of hevene; [2007] And to hymself it is destruccion. [2008] This every lewed viker or person [2009] Kan seye, how ire engendreth homycide. [2010] Ire is, in sooth, executour of pryde. [2011] I koude of ire seye so muche sorwe, [2012] My tale sholde laste til to-morwe. [2013] And therfore preye I God bothe day and nyght [2014] An irous man, God sende hym litel myght! [2015] It is greet harm and certes greet pitee [2016] To sette an irous man in heigh degree. [2017] "Whilom ther was an irous potestat, [2018] As seith Senek, that, durynge his estaat, [2019] Upon a day out ryden knyghtes two, [2020] And as Fortune wolde that it were so, [2021] That oon of hem cam hoom, that oother noght. [2022] Anon the knyght bifore the juge is broght, [2023] That seyde thus, `Thou hast thy felawe slayn, [2024] For which I deme thee to the deeth, certayn.' [2025] And to another knyght comanded he, [2026] `Go lede hym to the deeth, I charge thee.' [2027] And happed, as they wente by the weye [2028] Toward the place ther he sholde deye, [2029] The knyght cam which men wenden had be deed. [2030] Thanne thoughte they it were the beste reed [2031] To lede hem bothe to the juge agayn. [2032] They seiden, `Lord, the knyght ne hath nat slayn [2033] His felawe; heere he standeth hool alyve.' [2034] `Ye shul be deed,' quod he, `so moot I thryve! [2035] That is to seyn, bothe oon, and two, and thre!' [2036] And to the firste knyght right thus spak he, [2037] `I dampned thee; thou most algate be deed. [2038] And thou also most nedes lese thyn heed, [2039] For thou art cause why thy felawe deyth.' [2040] And to the thridde knyght right thus he seith, [2041] `Thou hast nat doon that I comanded thee.' [2042] And thus he dide doon sleen hem alle thre. [2043] "Irous Cambises was eek dronkelewe, [2044] And ay delited hym to been a shrewe. [2045] And so bifel, a lord of his meynee [2046] That loved vertuous moralitee [2047] Seyde on a day bitwix hem two right thus: [2048] "`A lord is lost, if he be vicius; [2049] And dronkenesse is eek a foul record [2050] Of any man, and namely in a lord. [2051] Ther is ful many an eye and many an ere [2052] Awaityng on a lord, and he noot where. [2053] For Goddes love, drynk moore attemprely! [2054] Wyn maketh man to lesen wrecchedly [2055] His mynde and eek his lymes everichon.' [2056] "`The revers shaltou se,' quod he, `anon, [2057] And preve it by thyn owene experience, [2058] That wyn ne dooth to folk no swich offence. [2059] Ther is no wyn bireveth me my myght [2060] Of hand ne foot, ne of myne eyen sight.' [2061] And for despit he drank ful muchel moore, [2062] An hondred part, than he hadde don bifoore; [2063] And right anon this irous, cursed wrecche [2064] Leet this knyghtes sone bifore hym fecche, [2065] Comandynge hym he sholde bifore hym stonde. [2066] And sodeynly he took his bowe in honde, [2067] And up the streng he pulled to his ere, [2068] And with an arwe he slow the child right there. [2069] `Now wheither have I a siker hand or noon?' [2070] Quod he; `Is al my myght and mynde agon? [2071] Hath wyn bireved me myn eyen sight?' [2072] What sholde I telle th' answere of the knyght? [2073] His sone was slayn; ther is namoore to seye. [2074] Beth war, therfore, with lordes how ye pleye. [2075] Syngeth Placebo and `I shal, if I kan,' [2076] But if it be unto a povre man. [2077] To a povre man men sholde his vices telle, [2078] But nat to a lord, thogh he sholde go to helle. [2079] "Lo irous Cirus, thilke Percien, [2080] How he destroyed the ryver of Gysen, [2081] For that an hors of his was dreynt therinne, [2082] Whan that he wente Babiloigne to wynne. [2083] He made that the ryver was so smal [2084] That wommen myghte wade it over al. [2085] Lo, what seyde he that so wel teche kan? [2086] `Ne be no felawe to an irous man, [2087] Ne with no wood man walke by the weye, [2088] Lest thee repente;' I wol no ferther seye. [2089] "Now, Thomas, leeve brother, lef thyn ire; [2090] Thou shalt me fynde as just as is a squyre. [2091] Hoold nat the develes knyf ay at thyn herte -- [2092] Thyn angre dooth thee al to soore smerte -- [2093] But shewe to me al thy confessioun." [2094] "Nay," quod the sike man, "by Seint Symoun! [2095] I have be shryven this day at my curat. [2096] I have hym toold hoolly al myn estat; [2097] Nedeth namoore to speken of it," seith he, [2098] "But if me list, of myn humylitee." [2099] "Yif me thanne of thy gold, to make oure cloystre," [2100] Quod he, "for many a muscle and many an oystre, [2101] Whan othere men han ben ful wel at eyse, [2102] Hath been oure foode, our cloystre for to reyse. [2103] And yet, God woot, unnethe the fundement [2104] Parfourned is, ne of our pavement [2105] Nys nat a tyle yet withinne oure wones. [2106] By God, we owen fourty pound for stones. [2107] "Now help, Thomas, for hym that harwed helle! [2108] For elles moste we oure bookes selle. [2109] And if yow lakke oure predicacioun, [2110] Thanne goth the world al to destruccioun. [2111] For whoso wolde us fro this world bireve, [2112] So God me save, Thomas, by youre leve, [2113] He wolde bireve out of this world the sonne. [2114] For who kan teche and werchen as we konne? [2115] And that is nat of litel tyme," quod he, [2116] "But syn Elye was, or Elise, [2117] Han freres been -- that fynde I of record -- [2118] In charitee, ythanked be oure Lord! [2119] Now Thomas, help, for seinte charitee!" [2120] And doun anon he sette hym on his knee. [2121] This sike man wax wel ny wood for ire; [2122] He wolde that the frere had been on-fire [2123] With his false dissymulacioun. [2124] "Swich thyng as is in my possessioun," [2125] Quod he, "that may I yeve, and noon oother. [2126] Ye sey me thus, how that I am youre brother?" [2127] "Ye, certes," quod the frere, "trusteth weel. [2128] I took oure dame oure lettre with oure seel." [2129] "Now wel," quod he, "and somwhat shal I yive [2130] Unto youre hooly covent whil I lyve; [2131] And in thyn hand thou shalt it have anon, [2132] On this condicion, and oother noon, [2133] That thou departe it so, my deere brother, [2134] That every frere have also muche as oother. [2135] This shaltou swere on thy professioun, [2136] Withouten fraude or cavillacioun." [2137] "I swere it," quod this frere, "by my feith!" [2138] And therwithal his hand in his he leith, [2139] "Lo, heer my feith; in me shal be no lak." [2140] "Now thanne, put in thyn hand doun by my bak," [2141] Seyde this man, "and grope wel bihynde. [2142] Bynethe my buttok there shaltow fynde [2143] A thyng that I have hyd in pryvetee." [2144] "A!" thoghte this frere, "That shal go with me!" [2145] And doun his hand he launcheth to the clifte [2146] In hope for to fynde there a yifte. [2147] And whan this sike man felte this frere [2148] Aboute his tuwel grope there and heere, [2149] Amydde his hand he leet the frere a fart; [2150] Ther nys no capul, drawynge in a cart, [2151] That myghte have lete a fart of swich a soun. [2152] The frere up stirte as dooth a wood leoun -- [2153] "A, false cherl," quod he, "for Goddes bones! [2154] This hastow for despit doon for the nones. [2155] Thou shalt abye this fart, if that I may!" [2156] His meynee, whiche that herden this affray, [2157] Cam lepynge in and chaced out the frere; [2158] And forth he gooth, with a ful angry cheere, [2159] And fette his felawe, ther as lay his stoor. [2160] He looked as it were a wilde boor; [2161] He grynte with his teeth, so was he wrooth. [2162] A sturdy paas doun to the court he gooth, [2163] Wher as ther woned a man of greet honour, [2164] To whom that he was alwey confessour. [2165] This worthy man was lord of that village. [2166] This frere cam as he were in a rage, [2167] Where as this lord sat etyng at his bord; [2168] Unnethes myghte the frere speke a word, [2169] Til atte laste he seyde, "God yow see!" [2170] This lord gan looke, and seide, "Benedicitee! [2171] What, frere John, what maner world is this? [2172] I se wel that som thyng ther is amys; [2173] Ye looken as the wode were ful of thevys. [2174] Sit doun anon, and tel me what youre grief is, [2175] And it shal been amended, if I may." [2176] "I have," quod he, "had a despit this day, [2177] God yelde yow, adoun in youre village, [2178] That in this world is noon so povre a page [2179] That he nolde have abhomynacioun [2180] Of that I have receyved in youre toun. [2181] And yet ne greveth me nothyng so soore, [2182] As that this olde cherl with lokkes hoore [2183] Blasphemed hath oure hooly covent eke." [2184] "Now, maister," quod this lord, "I yow biseke --" [2185] "No maister, sire," quod he, "but servitour, [2186] Thogh I have had in scole that honour. [2187] God liketh nat that `Raby' men us calle, [2188] Neither in market ne in youre large halle." [2189] "No fors," quod he, "but tel me al youre grief." [2190] "Sire," quod this frere, "an odious meschief [2191] This day bityd is to myn ordre and me, [2192] And so, per consequens, to ech degree [2193] Of hooly chirche -- God amende it soone!" [2194] "Sire," quod the lord, "ye woot what is to doone. [2195] Distempre yow noght; ye be my confessour; [2196] Ye been the salt of the erthe and the savour. [2197] For Goddes love, youre pacience ye holde! [2198] Tel me youre grief." And he anon hym tolde, [2199] As ye han herd biforn -- ye woot wel what. [2200] The lady of the hous ay stille sat [2201] Til she had herd what the frere sayde. [2202] "Ey, Goddes mooder," quod she, "Blisful mayde! [2203] Is ther oght elles? Telle me feithfully." [2204] "Madame," quod he, "how thynke ye herby?" [2205] "How that me thynketh?" quod she. "So God me speede, [2206] I seye a cherl hath doon a cherles dede. [2207] What shold I seye? God lat hym nevere thee! [2208] His sike heed is ful of vanytee; [2209] I holde hym in a manere frenesye." [2210] "Madame," quod he, "by God, I shal nat lye, [2211] But I on oother wyse may be wreke, [2212] I shal disclaundre hym over al ther I speke, [2213] This false blasphemour that charged me [2214] To parte that wol nat departed be [2215] To every man yliche, with meschaunce!" [2216] The lord sat stille as he were in a traunce, [2217] And in his herte he rolled up and doun, [2218] "How hadde this cherl ymaginacioun [2219] To shewe swich a probleme to the frere? [2220] Nevere erst er now herde I of swich mateere. [2221] I trowe the devel putte it in his mynde. [2222] In ars-metrike shal ther no man fynde, [2223] Biforn this day, of swich a question. [2224] Who sholde make a demonstracion [2225] That every man sholde have yliche his part [2226] As of the soun or savour of a fart? [2227] O nyce, proude cherl, I shrewe his face! [2228] Lo, sires," quod the lord, "with harde grace! [2229] Who evere herde of swich a thyng er now? [2230] To every man ylike? Tel me how. [2231] It is an inpossible; it may nat be. [2232] Ey, nyce cherl, God lete him nevere thee! [2233] The rumblynge of a fart, and every soun, [2234] Nis but of eir reverberacioun, [2235] And evere it wasteth litel and litel awey. [2236] Ther is no man kan deemen, by my fey, [2237] If that it were departed equally. [2238] What, lo, my cherl, lo, yet how shrewedly [2239] Unto my confessour to-day he spak! [2240] I holde hym certeyn a demonyak! [2241] Now ete youre mete, and lat the cherl go pleye; [2242] Lat hym go honge hymself a devel weye!" [2243] Now stood the lordes squier at the bord, [2244] That karf his mete, and herde word by word [2245] Of alle thynges whiche I have yow sayd. [2246] "My lord," quod he, "be ye nat yvele apayd, [2247] I koude telle, for a gowne-clooth, [2248] To yow, sire frere, so ye be nat wrooth, [2249] How that this fart sholde evene deled be [2250] Among youre covent, if it lyked me." [2251] "Tel," quod the lord, "and thou shalt have anon [2252] A gowne-clooth, by God and by Seint John!" [2253] "My lord," quod he, "whan that the weder is fair, [2254] Withouten wynd or perturbynge of air, [2255] Lat brynge a cartwheel heere into this halle; [2256] But looke that it have his spokes alle -- [2257] Twelve spokes hath a cartwheel comunly. [2258] And bryng me thanne twelve freres. Woot ye why? [2259] For thrittene is a covent, as I gesse. [2260] Youre confessour heere, for his worthynesse, [2261] Shal parfourne up the nombre of his covent. [2262] Thanne shal they knele doun, by oon assent, [2263] And to every spokes ende, in this manere, [2264] Ful sadly leye his nose shal a frere. [2265] Youre noble confessour -- there God hym save! -- [2266] Shal holde his nose upright under the nave. [2267] Thanne shal this cherl, with bely stif and toght [2268] As any tabour, hyder been ybroght; [2269] And sette hym on the wheel right of this cart, [2270] Upon the nave, and make hym lete a fart. [2271] And ye shul seen, up peril of my lyf, [2272] By preeve which that is demonstratif, [2273] That equally the soun of it wol wende, [2274] And eke the stynk, unto the spokes ende, [2275] Save that this worthy man, youre confessour, [2276] By cause he is a man of greet honour, [2277] Shal have the firste fruyt, as resoun is. [2278] The noble usage of freres yet is this, [2279] The worthy men of hem shul first be served; [2280] And certeinly he hath it weel disserved. [2281] He hath to-day taught us so muche good [2282] With prechyng in the pulpit ther he stood, [2283] That I may vouche sauf, I sey for me, [2284] He hadde the firste smel of fartes thre; [2285] And so wolde al his covent hardily, [2286] He bereth hym so faire and hoolily." [2287] The lord, the lady, and ech man, save the frere, [2288] Seyde that Jankyn spak, in this matere, [2289] As wel as Euclide [dide] or Ptholomee. [2290] Touchynge the cherl, they seyde, subtiltee [2291] And heigh wit made hym speken as he spak; [2292] He nys no fool, ne no demonyak. [2293] And Jankyn hath ywonne a newe gowne -- [2294] My tale is doon; we been almoost at towne. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Clerk's Prologue [1] "Sire Clerk of Oxenford," oure Hooste sayde, [2] "Ye ryde as coy and stille as dooth a mayde [3] Were newe spoused, sittynge at the bord; [4] This day ne herde I of youre tonge a word. [5] I trowe ye studie aboute som sophyme; [6] But Salomon seith `every thyng hath tyme.' [7] "For Goddes sake, as beth of bettre cheere! [8] It is no tyme for to studien heere. [9] Telle us som myrie tale, by youre fey! [10] For what man that is entred in a pley, [11] He nedes moot unto the pley assente. [12] But precheth nat, as freres doon in Lente, [13] To make us for oure olde synnes wepe, [14] Ne that thy tale make us nat to slepe. [15] "Telle us som murie thyng of aventures. [16] Youre termes, youre colours, and youre figures, [17] Keepe hem in stoor til so be ye endite [18] Heigh style, as whan that men to kynges write. [19] Speketh so pleyn at this tyme, we yow preye, [20] That we may understonde what ye seye." [21] This worthy clerk benignely answerde: [22] "Hooste," quod he, "I am under youre yerde; [23] Ye han of us as now the governance, [24] And therfore wol I do yow obeisance, [25] As fer as resoun axeth, hardily. [26] I wol yow telle a tale which that I [27] Lerned at Padowe of a worthy clerk, [28] As preved by his wordes and his werk. [29] He is now deed and nayled in his cheste; [30] I prey to God so yeve his soule reste! [31] "Fraunceys Petrak, the lauriat poete, [32] Highte this clerk, whos rethorike sweete [33] Enlumyned al Ytaille of poetrie, [34] As Lynyan dide of philosophie, [35] Or lawe, or oother art particuler; [36] But Deeth, that wol nat suffre us dwellen heer, [37] But as it were a twynklyng of an ye, [38] Hem bothe hath slayn, and alle shul we dye. [39] "But forth to tellen of this worthy man [40] That taughte me this tale, as I bigan, [41] I seye that first with heigh stile he enditeth, [42] Er he the body of his tale writeth, [43] A prohemye, in the which discryveth he [44] Pemond and of Saluces the contree, [45] And speketh of Apennyn, the hilles hye, [46] That been the boundes of West Lumbardye, [47] And of Mount Vesulus in special, [48] Where as the Poo out of a welle smal [49] Taketh his firste spryngyng and his sours, [50] That estward ay encresseth in his cours [51] To Emele-ward, to Ferrare, and Venyse, [52] The which a long thyng were to devyse. [53] And trewely, as to my juggement, [54] Me thynketh it a thyng impertinent, [55] Save that he wole conveyen his mateere; [56] But this his tale, which that ye may heere." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Clerk's Tale [57] Ther is, at the west syde of Ytaille, [58] Doun at the roote of Vesulus the colde, [59] A lusty playn, habundant of vitaille, [60] Where many a tour and toun thou mayst biholde, [61] That founded were in tyme of fadres olde, [62] And many another delitable sighte, [63] And Saluces this noble contree highte. [64] A markys whilom lord was of that lond, [65] As were his worthy eldres hym bifore; [66] And obeisant, ay redy to his hond, [67] Were alle his liges, bothe lasse and moore. [68] Thus in delit he lyveth, and hath doon yoore, [69] Biloved and drad, thurgh favour of Fortune, [70] Bothe of his lordes and of his commune. [71] Therwith he was, to speke as of lynage, [72] The gentilleste yborn of Lumbardye, [73] A fair persone, and strong, and yong of age, [74] And ful of honour and of curteisye; [75] Discreet ynogh his contree for to gye, [76] Save in somme thynges that he was to blame; [77] And Walter was this yonge lordes name. [78] I blame hym thus: that he considered noght [79] In tyme comynge what myghte hym bityde, [80] But on his lust present was al his thoght, [81] As for to hauke and hunte on every syde. [82] Wel ny alle othere cures leet he slyde, [83] And eek he nolde -- and that was worst of alle -- [84] Wedde no wyf, for noght that may bifalle. [85] Oonly that point his peple bar so soore [86] That flokmeele on a day they to hym wente, [87] And oon of hem, that wisest was of loore -- [88] Or elles that the lord best wolde assente [89] That he sholde telle hym what his peple mente, [90] Or elles koude he shewe wel swich mateere -- [91] He to the markys seyde as ye shul heere: [92] "O noble markys, youre humanitee [93] Asseureth us and yeveth us hardinesse, [94] As ofte as tyme is of necessitee, [95] That we to yow mowe telle oure hevynesse. [96] Accepteth, lord, now of youre gentillesse [97] That we with pitous herte unto yow pleyne, [98] And lat youre eres nat my voys desdeyne. [99] "Al have I noght to doone in this mateere [100] Moore than another man hath in this place, [101] Yet for as muche as ye, my lord so deere, [102] Han alwey shewed me favour and grace [103] I dar the bettre aske of yow a space [104] Of audience to shewen oure requeste, [105] And ye, my lord, to doon right as yow leste. [106] "For certes, lord, so wel us liketh yow [107] And al youre werk, and evere han doon, that we [108] Ne koude nat us self devysen how [109] We myghte lyven in moore felicitee, [110] Save o thyng, lord, if it youre wille be, [111] That for to been a wedded man yow leste; [112] Thanne were youre peple in sovereyn hertes reste. [113] "Boweth youre nekke under that blisful yok [114] Of soveraynetee, noght of servyse, [115] Which that men clepe spousaille or wedlok; [116] And thenketh, lord, among youre thoghtes wyse [117] How that oure dayes passe in sondry wyse, [118] For thogh we slepe, or wake, or rome, or ryde, [119] Ay fleeth the tyme; it nyl no man abyde. [120] "And thogh youre grene youthe floure as yit, [121] In crepeth age alwey, as stille as stoon, [122] And deeth manaceth every age, and smyt [123] In ech estaat, for ther escapeth noon; [124] And al so certein as we knowe echoon [125] That we shul deye, as uncerteyn we alle [126] Been of that day whan deeth shal on us falle. [127] "Accepteth thanne of us the trewe entente, [128] That nevere yet refuseden youre heeste, [129] And we wol, lord, if that ye wole assente, [130] Chese yow a wyf, in short tyme atte leeste, [131] Born of the gentilleste and of the meeste [132] Of al this land, so that it oghte seme [133] Honour to God and yow, as we kan deeme. [134] "Delivere us out of al this bisy drede, [135] And taak a wyf, for hye Goddes sake! [136] For if it so bifelle, as God forbede, [137] That thurgh youre deeth youre lyne sholde slake, [138] And that a straunge successour sholde take [139] Youre heritage, O wo were us alyve! [140] Wherfore we pray you hastily to wyve." [141] Hir meeke preyere and hir pitous cheere [142] Made the markys herte han pitee. [143] "Ye wol," quod he, "myn owene peple deere, [144] To that I nevere erst thoughte streyne me. [145] I me rejoysed of my liberte, [146] That seelde tyme is founde in mariage; [147] Ther I was free, I moot been in servage. [148] "But nathelees I se youre trewe entente, [149] And truste upon youre wit, and have doon ay; [150] Wherfore of my free wyl I wole assente [151] To wedde me, as soone as evere I may. [152] But ther as ye han profred me to-day [153] To chese me a wyf, I yow relesse [154] That choys and prey yow of that profre cesse. [155] "For God it woot, that children ofte been [156] Unlyk hir worthy eldres hem bifore; [157] Bountee comth al of God, nat of the streen [158] Of which they been engendred and ybore. [159] I truste in Goddes bountee, and therfore [160] My mariage and myn estaat and reste [161] I hym bitake; he may doon as hym leste. [162] "Lat me allone in chesynge of my wyf -- [163] That charge upon my bak I wole endure. [164] But I yow preye, and charge upon youre lyf, [165] What wyf that I take, ye me assure [166] To worshipe hire, whil that hir lyf may dure, [167] In word and werk, bothe heere and everywheere, [168] As she an emperoures doghter weere. [169] "And forthermoore, this shal ye swere: that ye [170] Agayn my choys shul neither grucche ne stryve; [171] For sith I shal forgoon my libertee [172] At youre requeste, as evere moot I thryve, [173] Ther as myn herte is set, ther wol I wyve; [174] And but ye wole assente in swich manere, [175] I prey yow, speketh namoore of this matere." [176] With hertely wyl they sworen and assenten [177] To al this thyng -- ther seyde no wight nay -- [178] Bisekynge hym of grace, er that they wenten, [179] That he wolde graunten hem a certein day [180] Of his spousaille, as soone as evere he may; [181] For yet alwey the peple somwhat dredde, [182] Lest that the markys no wyf wolde wedde. [183] He graunted hem a day, swich as hym leste, [184] On which he wolde be wedded sikerly, [185] And seyde he dide al this at hir requeste. [186] And they, with humble entente, buxomly, [187] Knelynge upon hir knees ful reverently, [188] Hym thonken alle; and thus they han an ende [189] Of hire entente, and hoom agayn they wende. [190] And heerupon he to his officeres [191] Comaundeth for the feste to purveye, [192] And to his privee knyghtes and squieres [193] Swich charge yaf as hym liste on hem leye; [194] And they to his comandement obeye, [195] And ech of hem dooth al his diligence [196] To doon unto the feeste reverence. [197] Noght fer fro thilke paleys honurable, [198] Wher as this markys shoop his mariage, [199] There stood a throop, of site delitable, [200] In which that povre folk of that village [201] Hadden hir beestes and hir herbergage, [202] And of hire labour tooke hir sustenance, [203] After that the erthe yaf hem habundance. [204] Amonges thise povre folk ther dwelte a man [205] Which that was holden povrest of hem alle; [206] But hye God somtyme senden kan [207] His grace into a litel oxes stalle; [208] Janicula men of that throop hym calle. [209] A doghter hadde he, fair ynogh to sighte, [210] And Grisildis this yonge mayden highte. [211] But for to speke of vertuous beautee, [212] Thanne was she oon the faireste under sonne; [213] For povreliche yfostred up was she, [214] No likerous lust was thurgh hire herte yronne. [215] Wel ofter of the welle than of the tonne [216] She drank, and for she wolde vertu plese, [217] She knew wel labour but noon ydel ese. [218] But thogh this mayde tendre were of age, [219] Yet in the brest of hire virginitee [220] Ther was enclosed rype and sad corage; [221] And in greet reverence and charitee [222] Hir olde povre fader fostred shee. [223] A fewe sheep, spynnynge, on feeld she kepte; [224] She wolde noght been ydel til she slepte. [225] And whan she homward cam, she wolde brynge [226] Wortes or othere herbes tymes ofte, [227] The whiche she shredde and seeth for hir lyvynge, [228] And made hir bed ful hard and nothyng softe; [229] And ay she kepte hir fadres lyf on-lofte [230] With everich obeisaunce and diligence [231] That child may doon to fadres reverence. [232] Upon Grisilde, this povre creature, [233] Ful ofte sithe this markys sette his ye [234] As he on huntyng rood paraventure; [235] And whan it fil that he myghte hire espye, [236] He noght with wantown lookyng of folye [237] His eyen caste on hire, but in sad wyse [238] Upon hir chiere he wolde hym ofte avyse, [239] Commendynge in his herte hir wommanhede, [240] And eek hir vertu, passynge any wight [241] Of so yong age, as wel in chiere as dede. [242] For thogh the peple have no greet insight [243] In vertu, he considered ful right [244] Hir bountee, and disposed that he wolde [245] Wedde hire oonly, if evere he wedde sholde. [246] The day of weddyng cam, but no wight kan [247] Telle what womman that it sholde be; [248] For which merveille wondred many a man, [249] And seyden, whan they were in privetee, [250] "Wol nat oure lord yet leve his vanytee? [251] Wol he nat wedde? Allas! Allas, the while! [252] Why wole he thus hymself and us bigile?" [253] But nathelees this markys hath doon make [254] Of gemmes, set in gold and in asure, [255] Brooches and rynges, for Grisildis sake; [256] And of hir clothyng took he the mesure [257] By a mayde lyk to hire stature, [258] And eek of othere aornementes alle [259] That unto swich a weddyng sholde falle. [260] The time of undren of the same day [261] Approcheth, that this weddyng sholde be, [262] And al the paleys put was in array, [263] Bothe halle and chambres, ech in his degree; [264] Houses of office stuffed with plentee [265] Ther maystow seen, of deyntevous vitaille [266] That may be founde as fer as last Ytaille. [267] This roial markys, richely arrayed, [268] Lordes and ladyes in his compaignye, [269] The whiche that to the feeste weren yprayed, [270] And of his retenue the bachelrye, [271] With many a soun of sondry melodye, [272] Unto the village of the which I tolde [273] In this array the righte wey han holde. [274] Grisilde of this, God woot, ful innocent, [275] That for hire shapen was al this array, [276] To fecchen water at a welle is went, [277] And cometh hoom as soone as ever she may; [278] For wel she hadde herd seyd that thilke day [279] The markys sholde wedde, and if she myghte, [280] She wolde fayn han seyn som of that sighte. [281] She thoghte, "I wole with othere maydens stonde, [282] That been my felawes, in oure dore and se [283] The markysesse, and therfore wol I fonde [284] To doon at hoom, as soone as it may be, [285] The labour which that longeth unto me, [286] And thanne I may at leyser hire biholde, [287] If she this wey unto the castel holde." [288] And as she wolde over hir thresshfold gon, [289] The markys cam and gan hire for to calle; [290] And she set doun hir water pot anon, [291] Biside the thresshfold, in an oxes stalle, [292] And doun upon hir knes she gan to falle, [293] And with sad contenance kneleth stille, [294] Til she had herd what was the lordes wille. [295] This thoghtful markys spak unto this mayde [296] Ful sobrely, and seyde in this manere: [297] "Where is youre fader, O Grisildis?" he sayde. [298] And she with reverence, in humble cheere, [299] Answerde, "Lord, he is al redy heere." [300] And in she gooth withouten lenger lette, [301] And to the markys she hir fader fette. [302] He by the hand thanne took this olde man, [303] And seyde thus, whan he hym hadde asyde: [304] "Janicula, I neither may ne kan [305] Lenger the plesance of myn herte hyde. [306] If that thou vouche sauf, what so bityde, [307] Thy doghter wol I take, er that I wende, [308] As for my wyf, unto hir lyves ende. [309] "Thou lovest me, I woot it wel certeyn, [310] And art my feithful lige man ybore, [311] And al that liketh me, I dar wel seyn [312] It liketh thee, and specially therfore [313] Tel me that poynt that I have seyd bifore, [314] If that thou wolt unto that purpos drawe, [315] To take me as for thy sone-in-lawe." [316] This sodeyn cas this man astonyed so [317] That reed he wax; abayst and al quakynge [318] He stood; unnethes seyde he wordes mo, [319] But oonly thus: "Lord," quod he, "my willynge [320] Is as ye wole, ne ayeynes youre likynge [321] I wol no thyng, ye be my lord so deere; [322] Right as yow lust, governeth this mateere." [323] "Yet wol I," quod this markys softely, [324] "That in thy chambre I and thou and she [325] Have a collacioun, and wostow why? [326] For I wol axe if it hire wille be [327] To be my wyf and reule hire after me. [328] And al this shal be doon in thy presence; [329] I wol noght speke out of thyn audience." [330] And in the chambre, whil they were aboute [331] Hir tretys, which as ye shal after heere, [332] The peple cam unto the hous withoute, [333] And wondred hem in how honest manere [334] And tentifly she kepte hir fader deere. [335] But outrely Grisildis wondre myghte, [336] For nevere erst ne saugh she swich a sighte. [337] No wonder is thogh that she were astoned [338] To seen so greet a gest come in that place; [339] She nevere was to swiche gestes woned, [340] For which she looked with ful pale face. [341] But shortly forth this matere for to chace, [342] Thise arn the wordes that the markys sayde [343] To this benigne, verray, feithful mayde: [344] "Grisilde," he seyde, "ye shal wel understonde [345] It liketh to youre fader and to me [346] That I yow wedde, and eek it may so stonde, [347] As I suppose, ye wol that it so be. [348] But thise demandes axe I first," quod he, [349] "That, sith it shal be doon in hastif wyse, [350] Wol ye assente, or elles yow avyse? [351] "I seye this: be ye redy with good herte [352] To al my lust, and that I frely may, [353] As me best thynketh, do yow laughe or smerte, [354] And nevere ye to grucche it, nyght ne day? [355] And eek whan I sey `ye,' ne sey nat `nay,' [356] Neither by word ne frownyng contenance? [357] Swere this, and heere I swere oure alliance." [358] Wondrynge upon this word, quakynge for drede, [359] She seyde, "Lord, undigne and unworthy [360] Am I to thilke honour that ye me beede, [361] But as ye wole youreself, right so wol I. [362] And heere I swere that nevere willyngly, [363] In werk ne thoght, I nyl yow disobeye, [364] For to be deed, though me were looth to deye." [365] "This is ynogh, Grisilde myn," quod he. [366] And forth he gooth with a ful sobre cheere [367] Out at the dore, and after that cam she, [368] And to the peple he seyde in this manere: [369] "This is my wyf," quod he, "that standeth heere. [370] Honoureth hire and loveth hire, I preye, [371] Whoso me loveth; ther is namoore to seye." [372] And for that no thyng of hir olde geere [373] She sholde brynge into his hous, he bad [374] That wommen sholde dispoillen hire right theere; [375] Of which thise ladyes were nat right glad [376] To handle hir clothes, wherinne she was clad. [377] But nathelees, this mayde bright of hewe [378] Fro foot to heed they clothed han al newe. [379] Hir heris han they kembd, that lay untressed [380] Ful rudely, and with hir fyngres smale [381] A corone on hire heed they han ydressed, [382] And sette hire ful of nowches grete and smale. [383] Of hire array what sholde I make a tale? [384] Unnethe the peple hir knew for hire fairnesse [385] Whan she translated was in swich richesse. [386] This markys hath hire spoused with a ryng [387] Broght for the same cause, and thanne hire sette [388] Upon an hors, snow-whit and wel amblyng, [389] And to his paleys, er he lenger lette, [390] With joyful peple that hire ladde and mette, [391] Conveyed hire; and thus the day they spende [392] In revel, til the sonne gan descende. [393] And shortly forth this tale for to chace, [394] I seye that to this newe markysesse [395] God hath swich favour sent hire of his grace [396] That it ne semed nat by liklynesse [397] That she was born and fed in rudenesse, [398] As in a cote or in an oxe-stalle, [399] But norissed in an emperoures halle. [400] To every wight she woxen is so deere [401] And worshipful that folk ther she was bore, [402] And from hire birthe knewe hire yeer by yeere, [403] Unnethe trowed they -- but dorste han swore -- [404] That to Janicle, of which I spak bifore, [405] She doghter were, for, as by conjecture, [406] Hem thoughte she was another creature. [407] For though that evere vertuous was she, [408] She was encressed in swich excellence [409] Of thewes goode, yset in heigh bountee, [410] And so discreet and fair of eloquence, [411] So benigne and so digne of reverence, [412] And koude so the peples herte embrace, [413] That ech hire lovede that looked on hir face. [414] Noght oonly of Saluces in the toun [415] Publiced was the bountee of hir name, [416] But eek biside in many a regioun, [417] If oon seide wel, another seyde the same; [418] So spradde of hire heighe bountee the fame [419] That men and wommen, as wel yonge as olde, [420] Goon to Saluce upon hire to biholde. [421] Thus Walter lowely -- nay, but roially -- [422] Wedded with fortunat honestetee, [423] In Goddes pees lyveth ful esily [424] At hoom, and outward grace ynogh had he; [425] And for he saugh that under low degree [426] Was ofte vertu hid, the peple hym heelde [427] A prudent man, and that is seyn ful seelde. [428] Nat oonly this Grisildis thurgh hir wit [429] Koude al the feet of wyfly hoomlinesse, [430] But eek, whan that the cas required it, [431] The commune profit koude she redresse. [432] Ther nas discord, rancour, ne hevynesse [433] In al that land that she ne koude apese, [434] And wisely brynge hem alle in reste and ese. [435] Though that hire housbonde absent were anon, [436] If gentil men or othere of hire contree [437] Were wrothe, she wolde bryngen hem aton; [438] So wise and rype wordes hadde she, [439] And juggementz of so greet equitee, [440] That she from hevene sent was, as men wende, [441] Peple to save and every wrong t' amende. [442] Nat longe tyme after that this Grisild [443] Was wedded, she a doghter hath ybore, [444] Al had hire levere have born a knave child; [445] Glad was this markys and the folk therfore, [446] For though a mayde child coome al bifore, [447] She may unto a knave child atteyne [448] By liklihede, syn she nys nat bareyne. [449] Ther fil, as it bifalleth tymes mo, [450] Whan that this child had souked but a throwe, [451] This markys in his herte longeth so [452] To tempte his wyf, hir sadnesse for to knowe, [453] That he ne myghte out of his herte throwe [454] This merveillous desir his wyf t' assaye; [455] Nedelees, God woot, he thoghte hire for t' affraye. [456] He hadde assayed hire ynogh bifore, [457] And foond hire evere good; what neded it [458] Hire for to tempte, and alwey moore and moore, [459] Though som men preise it for a subtil wit? [460] But as for me, I seye that yvele it sit [461] To assaye a wyf whan that it is no nede, [462] And putten hire in angwyssh and in drede. [463] For which this markys wroghte in this manere: [464] He cam allone a-nyght, ther as she lay, [465] With stierne face and with ful trouble cheere, [466] And seyde thus: "Grisilde," quod he, "that day [467] That I yow took out of youre povere array, [468] And putte yow in estaat of heigh noblesse -- [469] Ye have nat that forgeten, as I gesse? [470] "I seye, Grisilde, this present dignitee, [471] In which that I have put yow, as I trowe, [472] Maketh yow nat foryetful for to be [473] That I yow took in povre estaat ful lowe, [474] For any wele ye moot youreselven knowe. [475] Taak heede of every word that y yow seye; [476] Ther is no wight that hereth it but we tweye. [477] "Ye woot youreself wel how that ye cam heere [478] Into this hous, it is nat longe ago; [479] And though to me that ye be lief and deere, [480] Unto my gentils ye be no thyng so. [481] They seyn, to hem it is greet shame and wo [482] For to be subgetz and been in servage [483] To thee, that born art of a smal village. [484] "And namely sith thy doghter was ybore [485] Thise wordes han they spoken, doutelees. [486] But I desire, as I have doon bifore, [487] To lyve my lyf with hem in reste and pees. [488] I may nat in this caas be recchelees; [489] I moot doon with thy doghter for the beste, [490] Nat as I wolde, but as my peple leste. [491] "And yet, God woot, this is ful looth to me; [492] But nathelees withoute youre wityng [493] I wol nat doon; but this wol I," quod he, [494] "That ye to me assente as in this thyng. [495] Shewe now youre pacience in youre werkyng, [496] That ye me highte and swore in youre village [497] That day that maked was oure mariage." [498] Whan she had herd al this, she noght ameved [499] Neither in word, or chiere, or contenaunce, [500] For, as it semed, she was nat agreved. [501] She seyde, "Lord, al lyth in youre plesaunce. [502] My child and I, with hertely obeisaunce, [503] Been youres al, and ye mowe save or spille [504] Youre owene thyng; werketh after youre wille. [505] "Ther may no thyng, God so my soule save, [506] Liken to yow that may displese me; [507] Ne I desire no thyng for to have, [508] Ne drede for to leese, save oonly yee. [509] This wyl is in myn herte, and ay shal be; [510] No lengthe of tyme or deeth may this deface, [511] Ne chaunge my corage to another place." [512] Glad was this markys of hire answeryng, [513] But yet he feyned as he were nat so; [514] Al drery was his cheere and his lookyng, [515] Whan that he sholde out of the chambre go. [516] Soone after this, a furlong wey or two, [517] He prively hath toold al his entente [518] Unto a man, and to his wyf hym sente. [519] A maner sergeant was this privee man, [520] The which that feithful ofte he founden hadde [521] In thynges grete, and eek swich folk wel kan [522] Doon execucioun in thynges badde. [523] The lord knew wel that he hym loved and dradde; [524] And whan this sergeant wiste his lordes wille, [525] Into the chambre he stalked hym ful stille. [526] "Madame," he seyde, "ye moote foryeve it me, [527] Though I do thyng to which I am constreyned. [528] Ye been so wys that ful wel knowe ye [529] That lordes heestes mowe nat been yfeyned; [530] They mowe wel been biwailled or compleyned, [531] But men moote nede unto hire lust obeye, [532] And so wol I; ther is namoore to seye. [533] "This child I am comanded for to take" -- [534] And spak namoore, but out the child he hente [535] Despitously, and gan a cheere make [536] As though he wolde han slayn it er he wente. [537] Grisildis moot al suffre and al consente, [538] And as a lamb she sitteth meke and stille, [539] And leet this crueel sergeant doon his wille. [540] Suspecious was the diffame of this man, [541] Suspect his face, suspect his word also; [542] Suspect the tyme in which he this bigan. [543] Allas! Hir doghter that she loved so, [544] She wende he wolde han slawen it right tho. [545] But nathelees she neither weep ne syked, [546] Conformynge hire to that the markys lyked. [547] But atte laste to speken she bigan, [548] And mekely she to the sergeant preyde, [549] So as he was a worthy gentil man, [550] That she moste kisse hire child er that it deyde. [551] And in hir barm this litel child she leyde [552] With ful sad face, and gan the child to blisse, [553] And lulled it, and after gan it kisse. [554] And thus she seyde in hire benigne voys, [555] "Fareweel my child! I shal thee nevere see. [556] But sith I thee have marked with the croys [557] Of thilke Fader -- blessed moote he be! -- [558] That for us deyde upon a croys of tree, [559] Thy soule, litel child, I hym bitake, [560] For this nyght shaltow dyen for my sake." [561] I trowe that to a norice in this cas [562] It had been hard this reuthe for to se; [563] Wel myghte a mooder thanne han cryd "allas!" [564] But nathelees so sad stidefast was she [565] That she endured al adversitee, [566] And to the sergeant mekely she sayde, [567] "Have heer agayn youre litel yonge mayde. [568] "Gooth now," quod she, "and dooth my lordes heeste; [569] But o thyng wol I prey yow of youre grace, [570] That, but my lord forbad yow, atte leeste [571] Burieth this litel body in som place [572] That beestes ne no briddes it torace." [573] But he no word wol to that purpos seye, [574] But took the child and wente upon his weye. [575] This sergeant cam unto his lord ageyn, [576] And of Grisildis wordes and hire cheere [577] He tolde hym point for point, in short and pleyn, [578] And hym presenteth with his doghter deere. [579] Somwhat this lord hadde routhe in his manere, [580] But nathelees his purpos heeld he stille, [581] As lordes doon, whan they wol han hir wille; [582] And bad this sergeant that he pryvely [583] Sholde this child softe wynde and wrappe, [584] With alle circumstances tendrely, [585] And carie it in a cofre or in a lappe; [586] But, upon peyne his heed of for to swappe, [587] That no man sholde knowe of his entente, [588] Ne whenne he cam, ne whider that he wente; [589] But at Boloigne to his suster deere, [590] That thilke tyme of Panik was countesse, [591] He sholde it take and shewe hire this mateere, [592] Bisekynge hire to doon hire bisynesse [593] This child to fostre in alle gentillesse; [594] And whos child that it was he bad hire hyde [595] From every wight, for oght that may bityde. [596] The sergeant gooth, and hath fulfild this thyng; [597] But to this markys now retourne we. [598] For now gooth he ful faste ymaginyng [599] If by his wyves cheere he myghte se, [600] Or by hire word aperceyve, that she [601] Were chaunged; but he nevere hire koude fynde [602] But evere in oon ylike sad and kynde. [603] As glad, as humble, as bisy in servyse, [604] And eek in love, as she was wont to be, [605] Was she to hym in every maner wyse; [606] Ne of hir doghter noght a word spak she. [607] Noon accident, for noon adversitee, [608] Was seyn in hire, ne nevere hir doghter name [609] Ne nempned she, in ernest nor in game. [610] In this estaat ther passed been foure yeer [611] Er she with childe was, but, as God wolde, [612] A knave child she bar by this Walter, [613] Ful gracious and fair for to biholde. [614] And whan that folk it to his fader tolde, [615] Nat oonly he but al his contree merye [616] Was for this child, and God they thanke and herye. [617] Whan it was two yeer old, and fro the brest [618] Departed of his norice, on a day [619] This markys caughte yet another lest [620] To tempte his wyf yet ofter, if he may. [621] O nedelees was she tempted in assay! [622] But wedded men ne knowe no mesure, [623] Whan that they fynde a pacient creature. [624] "Wyf," quod this markys, "ye han herd er this [625] My peple sikly berth oure mariage; [626] And namely sith my sone yboren is, [627] Now is it worse than evere in al oure age. [628] The murmur sleeth myn herte and my corage, [629] For to myne eres comth the voys so smerte [630] That it wel ny destroyed hath myn herte. [631] "Now sey they thus: `Whan Walter is agon, [632] Thanne shal the blood of Janicle succede [633] And been oure lord, for oother have we noon.' [634] Swiche wordes seith my peple, out of drede. [635] Wel oughte I of swich murmur taken heede, [636] For certeinly I drede swich sentence, [637] Though they nat pleyn speke in myn audience. [638] "I wolde lyve in pees, if that I myghte; [639] Wherfore I am disposed outrely, [640] As I his suster servede by nyghte, [641] Right so thenke I to serve hym pryvely. [642] This warne I yow, that ye nat sodeynly [643] Out of youreself for no wo sholde outreye; [644] Beth pacient, and therof I yow preye." [645] "I have," quod she, "seyd thus, and evere shal: [646] I wol no thyng, ne nyl no thyng, certayn, [647] But as yow list. Naught greveth me at al, [648] Though that my doughter and my sone be slayn -- [649] At youre comandement, this is to sayn. [650] I have noght had no part of children tweyne [651] But first siknesse, and after, wo and peyne. [652] "Ye been oure lord; dooth with youre owene thyng [653] Right as yow list; axeth no reed at me. [654] For as I lefte at hoom al my clothyng, [655] Whan I first cam to yow, right so," quod she, [656] "Lefte I my wyl and al my libertee, [657] And took youre clothyng; wherfore I yow preye, [658] Dooth youre plesaunce; I wol youre lust obeye. [659] "And certes, if I hadde prescience [660] Youre wyl to knowe, er ye youre lust me tolde, [661] I wolde it doon withouten necligence; [662] But now I woot youre lust, and what ye wolde, [663] Al youre plesance ferme and stable I holde; [664] For wiste I that my deeth wolde do yow ese, [665] Right gladly wolde I dyen, yow to plese. [666] "Deth may noght make no comparisoun [667] Unto youre love." And whan this markys say [668] The constance of his wyf, he caste adoun [669] His eyen two, and wondreth that she may [670] In pacience suffre al this array; [671] And forth he goth with drery contenance, [672] But to his herte it was ful greet plesance. [673] This ugly sergeant, in the same wyse [674] That he hire doghter caughte, right so he -- [675] Or worse, if men worse kan devyse -- [676] Hath hent hire sone, that ful was of beautee. [677] And evere in oon so pacient was she [678] That she no chiere maade of hevynesse, [679] But kiste hir sone, and after gan it blesse; [680] Save this, she preyede hym that, if he myghte, [681] Hir litel sone he wolde in erthe grave [682] His tendre lymes, delicaat to sighte, [683] Fro foweles and fro beestes for to save. [684] But she noon answere of hym myghte have. [685] He wente his wey, as hym no thyng ne roghte, [686] But to Boloigne he tendrely it broghte. [687] This markys wondred, evere lenger the moore, [688] Upon hir pacience, and if that he [689] Ne hadde soothly knowen therbifoore [690] That parfitly hir children loved she, [691] He wolde have wend that of som subtiltee, [692] And of malice, or for crueel corage, [693] That she hadde suffred this with sad visage. [694] But wel he knew that next hymself, certayn, [695] She loved hir children best in every wyse. [696] But now of wommen wolde I axen fayn [697] If thise assayes myghte nat suffise? [698] What koude a sturdy housbonde moore devyse [699] To preeve hir wyfhod and hir stedefastnesse, [700] And he continuynge evere in sturdinesse? [701] But ther been folk of swich condicion [702] That whan they have a certein purpos take, [703] They kan nat stynte of hire entencion, [704] But, right as they were bounden to that stake, [705] They wol nat of that firste purpos slake. [706] Right so this markys fulliche hath purposed [707] To tempte his wyf as he was first disposed. [708] He waiteth if by word or contenance [709] That she to hym was changed of corage, [710] But nevere koude he fynde variance. [711] She was ay oon in herte and in visage, [712] And ay the forther that she was in age, [713] The moore trewe, if that it were possible, [714] She was to hym in love, and moore penyble. [715] For which it semed thus: that of hem two [716] Ther nas but o wyl, for as Walter leste, [717] The same lust was hire plesance also. [718] And, God be thanked, al fil for the beste. [719] She shewed wel, for no worldly unreste [720] A wyf, as of hirself, nothing ne sholde [721] Wille in effect, but as hir housbonde wolde. [722] The sclaundre of Walter ofte and wyde spradde, [723] That of a crueel herte he wikkedly, [724] For he a povre womman wedded hadde, [725] Hath mordred bothe his children prively. [726] Swich murmur was among hem comunly. [727] No wonder is, for to the peples ere [728] Ther cam no word but that they mordred were. [729] For which, where as his peple therbifore [730] Hadde loved hym wel, the sclaundre of his diffame [731] Made hem that they hym hatede therfore. [732] To been a mordrere is an hateful name; [733] But nathelees, for ernest ne for game, [734] He of his crueel purpos nolde stente; [735] To tempte his wyf was set al his entente. [736] Whan that his doghter twelve yeer was of age, [737] He to the court of Rome, in subtil wyse [738] Enformed of his wyl, sente his message, [739] Comaundynge hem swiche bulles to devyse [740] As to his crueel purpos may suffyse -- [741] How that the pope, as for his peples reste, [742] Bad hym to wedde another, if hym leste. [743] I seye, he bad they sholde countrefete [744] The popes bulles, makynge mencion [745] That he hath leve his firste wyf to lete, [746] As by the popes dispensacion, [747] To stynte rancour and dissencion [748] Bitwixe his peple and hym; thus seyde the bulle, [749] The which they han publiced atte fulle. [750] The rude peple, as it no wonder is, [751] Wenden ful wel that it hadde be right so; [752] But whan thise tidynges came to Grisildis, [753] I deeme that hire herte was ful wo. [754] But she, ylike sad for everemo, [755] Disposed was, this humble creature, [756] The adversitee of Fortune al t' endure, [757] Abidynge evere his lust and his plesance, [758] To whom that she was yeven herte and al, [759] As to hire verray worldly suffisance. [760] But shortly if this storie I tellen shal, [761] This markys writen hath in special [762] A lettre, in which he sheweth his entente, [763] And secreely he to Boloigne it sente. [764] To the Erl of Panyk, which that hadde tho [765] Wedded his suster, preyde he specially [766] To bryngen hoom agayn his children two [767] In honurable estaat al openly. [768] But o thyng he hym preyede outrely, [769] That he to no wight, though men wolde enquere, [770] Sholde nat telle whos children that they were, [771] But seye the mayden sholde ywedded be [772] Unto the Markys of Saluce anon. [773] And as this erl was preyed, so dide he; [774] For at day set he on his wey is goon [775] Toward Saluce, and lordes many oon [776] In riche array, this mayden for to gyde, [777] Hir yonge brother ridynge hire bisyde. [778] Arrayed was toward hir mariage [779] This fresshe mayde, ful of gemmes cleere; [780] Hir brother, which that seven yeer was of age, [781] Arrayed eek ful fressh in his manere. [782] And thus in greet noblesse and with glad cheere, [783] Toward Saluces shapynge hir journey, [784] Fro day to day they ryden in hir wey. [785] Among al this, after his wikke usage, [786] This markys, yet his wyf to tempte moore [787] To the outtreste preeve of hir corage, [788] Fully to han experience and loore [789] If that she were as stidefast as bifoore, [790] He on a day in open audience [791] Ful boistously hath seyd hire this sentence: [792] "Certes, Grisilde, I hadde ynogh plesance [793] To han yow to my wyf for youre goodnesse, [794] As for youre trouthe and for youre obeisance, [795] Noght for youre lynage, ne for youre richesse; [796] But now knowe I in verray soothfastnesse [797] That in greet lordshipe, if I wel avyse, [798] Ther is greet servitute in sondry wyse. [799] "I may nat doon as every plowman may. [800] My peple me constreyneth for to take [801] Another wyf, and crien day by day; [802] And eek the pope, rancour for to slake, [803] Consenteth it -- that dar I undertake -- [804] And trewely thus muche I wol yow seye: [805] My newe wyf is comynge by the weye. [806] "Be strong of herte, and voyde anon hir place; [807] And thilke dowere that ye broghten me, [808] Taak it agayn; I graunte it of my grace. [809] Retourneth to youre fadres hous," quod he; [810] "No man may alwey han prosperitee. [811] With evene herte I rede yow t' endure [812] The strook of Fortune or of aventure." [813] And she agayn answerde in pacience: [814] "My lord," quod she, "I woot, and wiste alway, [815] How that bitwixen youre magnificence [816] And my poverte no wight kan ne may [817] Maken comparison; it is no nay. [818] I ne heeld me nevere digne in no manere [819] To be youre wyf, no, ne youre chamberere. [820] "And in this hous, ther ye me lady maade -- [821] The heighe God take I for my witnesse, [822] And also wysly he my soule glaade -- [823] I nevere heeld me lady ne mistresse, [824] But humble servant to youre worthynesse, [825] And evere shal, whil that my lyf may dure, [826] Aboven every worldly creature. [827] "That ye so longe of youre benignitee [828] Han holden me in honour and nobleye, [829] Where as I was noght worthy for to bee, [830] That thonke I God and yow, to whom I preye [831] Foryelde it yow; ther is namoore to seye. [832] Unto my fader gladly wol I wende, [833] And with hym dwelle unto my lyves ende. [834] "Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal, [835] Til I be deed my lyf ther wol I lede, [836] A wydwe clene in body, herte, and al. [837] For sith I yaf to yow my maydenhede, [838] And am youre trewe wyf, it is no drede, [839] God shilde swich a lordes wyf to take [840] Another man to housbonde or to make! [841] "And of youre newe wyf God of his grace [842] So graunte yow wele and prosperitee! [843] For I wol gladly yelden hire my place, [844] In which that I was blisful wont to bee. [845] For sith it liketh yow, my lord," quod shee, [846] "That whilom weren al myn hertes reste, [847] That I shal goon, I wol goon whan yow leste. [848] "But ther as ye me profre swich dowaire [849] As I first broghte, it is wel in my mynde [850] It were my wrecched clothes, nothyng faire, [851] The whiche to me were hard now for to fynde. [852] O goode God! How gentil and how kynde [853] Ye semed by youre speche and youre visage [854] The day that maked was oure mariage! [855] "But sooth is seyd -- algate I fynde it trewe, [856] For in effect it preeved is on me -- [857] Love is noght oold as whan that it is newe. [858] But certes, lord, for noon adversitee, [859] To dyen in the cas, it shal nat bee [860] That evere in word or werk I shal repente [861] That I yow yaf myn herte in hool entente. [862] "My lord, ye woot that in my fadres place [863] Ye dide me streepe out of my povre weede, [864] And richely me cladden, of youre grace. [865] To yow broghte I noght elles, out of drede, [866] But feith, and nakednesse, and maydenhede; [867] And heere agayn your clothyng I restoore, [868] And eek your weddyng ryng, for everemore. [869] "The remenant of youre jueles redy be [870] Inwith youre chambre, dar I saufly sayn. [871] Naked out of my fadres hous," quod she, [872] "I cam, and naked moot I turne agayn. [873] Al youre plesance wol I folwen fayn; [874] But yet I hope it be nat youre entente [875] That I smoklees out of youre paleys wente. [876] "Ye koude nat doon so dishonest a thyng, [877] That thilke wombe in which youre children leye [878] Sholde biforn the peple, in my walkyng, [879] Be seyn al bare; wherfore I yow preye, [880] Lat me nat lyk a worm go by the weye. [881] Remembre yow, myn owene lord so deere, [882] I was youre wyf, though I unworthy weere. [883] "Wherfore, in gerdon of my maydenhede, [884] Which that I broghte, and noght agayn I bere, [885] As voucheth sauf to yeve me, to my meede, [886] But swich a smok as I was wont to were, [887] That I therwith may wrye the wombe of here [888] That was youre wyf. And heer take I my leeve [889] Of yow, myn owene lord, lest I yow greve." [890] "The smok," quod he, "that thou hast on thy bak, [891] Lat it be stille, and bere it forth with thee." [892] But wel unnethes thilke word he spak, [893] But wente his wey, for routhe and for pitee. [894] Biforn the folk hirselven strepeth she, [895] And in hir smok, with heed and foot al bare, [896] Toward hir fadre hous forth is she fare. [897] The folk hire folwe, wepynge in hir weye, [898] And Fortune ay they cursen as they goon; [899] But she fro wepyng kepte hire eyen dreye, [900] Ne in this tyme word ne spak she noon. [901] Hir fader, that this tidynge herde anoon, [902] Curseth the day and tyme that Nature [903] Shoop hym to been a lyves creature. [904] For out of doute this olde poure man [905] Was evere in suspect of hir mariage; [906] For evere he demed, sith that it bigan, [907] That whan the lord fulfild hadde his corage, [908] Hym wolde thynke it were a disparage [909] To his estaat so lowe for t' alighte, [910] And voyden hire as soone as ever he myghte. [911] Agayns his doghter hastily goth he, [912] For he by noyse of folk knew hire comynge, [913] And with hire olde coote, as it myghte be [914] He covered hire, ful sorwefully wepynge. [915] But on hire body myghte he it nat brynge, [916] For rude was the clooth, and moore of age [917] By dayes fele than at hire mariage. [918] Thus with hire fader for a certeyn space [919] Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pacience, [920] That neither by hire wordes ne hire face, [921] Biforn the folk, ne eek in hire absence, [922] Ne shewed she that hire was doon offence; [923] Ne of hire heighe estaat no remembraunce [924] Ne hadde she, as by hire contenaunce. [925] No wonder is, for in hire grete estaat [926] Hire goost was evere in pleyn humylitee; [927] No tendre mouth, noon herte delicaat, [928] No pompe, no semblant of roialtee, [929] But ful of pacient benyngnytee, [930] Discreet and pridelees, ay honurable, [931] And to hire housbonde evere meke and stable. [932] Men speke of Job, and moost for his humblesse, [933] As clerkes, whan hem list, konne wel endite, [934] Namely of men, but as in soothfastnesse, [935] Though clerkes preise wommen but a lite, [936] Ther kan no man in humblesse hym acquite [937] As womman kan, ne kan been half so trewe [938] As wommen been, but it be falle of newe. [939] Fro Boloigne is this Erl of Panyk come, [940] Of which the fame up sprang to moore and lesse, [941] And to the peples eres, alle and some, [942] Was kouth eek that a newe markysesse [943] He with hym broghte, in swich pompe and richesse [944] That nevere was ther seyn with mannes ye [945] So noble array in al West Lumbardye. [946] The markys, which that shoop and knew al this, [947] Er that this erl was come, sente his message [948] For thilke sely povre Grisildis; [949] And she with humble herte and glad visage, [950] Nat with no swollen thoght in hire corage, [951] Cam at his heste, and on hire knees hire sette, [952] And reverently and wisely she hym grette. [953] "Grisilde," quod he, "my wyl is outrely [954] This mayden, that shal wedded been to me, [955] Received be to-morwe as roially [956] As it possible is in myn hous to be, [957] And eek that every wight in his degree [958] Have his estaat, in sittyng and servyse [959] And heigh plesaunce, as I kan best devyse. [960] "I have no wommen suffisaunt, certayn, [961] The chambres for t' arraye in ordinaunce [962] After my lust, and therfore wolde I fayn [963] That thyn were al swich manere governaunce. [964] Thou knowest eek of old al my plesaunce; [965] Thogh thyn array be badde and yvel biseye, [966] Do thou thy devoir at the leeste weye." [967] "Nat oonly, lord, that I am glad," quod she, [968] "To doon youre lust, but I desire also [969] Yow for to serve and plese in my degree [970] Withouten feyntyng, and shal everemo; [971] Ne nevere, for no wele ne no wo, [972] Ne shal the goost withinne myn herte stente [973] To love yow best with al my trewe entente." [974] And with that word she gan the hous to dighte, [975] And tables for to sette, and beddes make; [976] And peyned hire to doon al that she myghte, [977] Preyynge the chambereres, for Goddes sake, [978] To hasten hem, and faste swepe and shake; [979] And she, the mooste servysable of alle, [980] Hath every chambre arrayed and his halle. [981] Abouten undren gan this erl alighte, [982] That with hym broghte thise noble children tweye, [983] For which the peple ran to seen the sighte [984] Of hire array, so richely biseye; [985] And thanne at erst amonges hem they seye [986] That Walter was no fool, thogh that hym leste [987] To chaunge his wyf, for it was for the beste. [988] For she is fairer, as they deemen alle, [989] Than is Grisilde, and moore tendre of age, [990] And fairer fruyt bitwene hem sholde falle, [991] And moore plesant, for hire heigh lynage. [992] Hir brother eek so fair was of visage [993] That hem to seen the peple hath caught plesaunce, [994] Commendynge now the markys governaunce. [995] "O stormy peple! Unsad and evere untrewe! [996] Ay undiscreet and chaungynge as a fane! [997] Delitynge evere in rumbul that is newe, [998] For lyk the moone ay wexe ye and wane! [999] Ay ful of clappyng, deere ynogh a jane! [1000] Youre doom is fals, youre constance yvele preeveth; [1001] A ful greet fool is he that on yow leeveth." [1002] Thus seyden sadde folk in that citee, [1003] Whan that the peple gazed up and doun, [1004] For they were glad, right for the noveltee, [1005] To han a newe lady of hir toun. [1006] Namoore of this make I now mencioun, [1007] But to Grisilde agayn wol I me dresse, [1008] And telle hir constance and hir bisynesse. [1009] Ful bisy was Grisilde in every thyng [1010] That to the feeste was apertinent. [1011] Right noght was she abayst of hire clothyng, [1012] Thogh it were rude and somdeel eek torent; [1013] But with glad cheere to the yate is went [1014] With oother folk to greete the markysesse, [1015] And after that dooth forth hire bisynesse. [1016] With so glad chiere his gestes she receyveth, [1017] And so konnyngly, everich in his degree, [1018] That no defaute no man aperceyveth, [1019] But ay they wondren what she myghte bee [1020] That in so povre array was for to see, [1021] And koude swich honour and reverence, [1022] And worthily they preisen hire prudence. [1023] In al this meene while she ne stente [1024] This mayde and eek hir brother to commende [1025] With al hir herte, in ful benyngne entente, [1026] So wel that no man koude hir pris amende. [1027] But atte laste, whan that thise lordes wende [1028] To sitten doun to mete, he gan to calle [1029] Grisilde, as she was bisy in his halle. [1030] "Grisilde," quod he, as it were in his pley, [1031] "How liketh thee my wyf and hire beautee?" [1032] "Right wel," quod she, "my lord; for, in good fey, [1033] A fairer saugh I nevere noon than she. [1034] I prey to God yeve hire prosperitee; [1035] And so hope I that he wol to yow sende [1036] Plesance ynogh unto youre lyves ende. [1037] "O thyng biseke I yow, and warne also, [1038] That ye ne prikke with no tormentynge [1039] This tendre mayden, as ye han doon mo; [1040] For she is fostred in hire norissynge [1041] Moore tendrely, and, to my supposynge, [1042] She koude nat adversitee endure [1043] As koude a povre fostred creature." [1044] And whan this Walter saugh hire pacience, [1045] Hir glade chiere, and no malice at al, [1046] And he so ofte had doon to hire offence, [1047] And she ay sad and constant as a wal, [1048] Continuynge evere hire innocence overal, [1049] This sturdy markys gan his herte dresse [1050] To rewen upon hire wyfly stedfastnesse. [1051] "This is ynogh, Grisilde myn," quod he; [1052] "Be now namoore agast ne yvele apayed. [1053] I have thy feith and thy benyngnytee, [1054] As wel as evere womman was, assayed, [1055] In greet estaat and povreliche arrayed. [1056] Now knowe I, dere wyf, thy stedfastnesse" -- [1057] And hire in armes took and gan hire kesse. [1058] And she for wonder took of it no keep; [1059] She herde nat what thyng he to hire seyde; [1060] She ferde as she had stert out of a sleep, [1061] Til she out of hire mazednesse abreyde. [1062] "Grisilde," quod he, "by God, that for us deyde, [1063] Thou art my wyf, ne noon oother I have, [1064] Ne nevere hadde, as God my soule save! [1065] "This is thy doghter, which thou hast supposed [1066] To be my wyf; that oother feithfully [1067] Shal be myn heir, as I have ay disposed; [1068] Thou bare hym in thy body trewely. [1069] At Boloigne have I kept hem prively; [1070] Taak hem agayn, for now maystow nat seye [1071] That thou hast lorn noon of thy children tweye. [1072] "And folk that ootherweys han seyd of me, [1073] I warne hem wel that I have doon this deede [1074] For no malice, ne for no crueltee, [1075] But for t' assaye in thee thy wommanheede, [1076] And nat to sleen my children -- God forbeede! -- [1077] But for to kepe hem pryvely and stille, [1078] Til I thy purpos knewe and al thy wille." [1079] Whan she this herde, aswowne doun she falleth [1080] For pitous joye, and after hire swownynge [1081] She bothe hire yonge children to hire calleth, [1082] And in hire armes, pitously wepynge, [1083] Embraceth hem, and tendrely kissynge [1084] Ful lyk a mooder, with hire salte teeres [1085] She bathed bothe hire visage and hire heeres. [1086] O which a pitous thyng it was to se [1087] Hir swownyng, and hire humble voys to heere! [1088] "Grauntmercy, lord, God thanke it yow," quod she, [1089] "That ye han saved me my children deere! [1090] Now rekke I nevere to been deed right heere; [1091] Sith I stonde in youre love and in youre grace, [1092] No fors of deeth, ne whan my spirit pace! [1093] "O tendre, o deere, o yonge children myne! [1094] Youre woful mooder wende stedfastly [1095] That crueel houndes or som foul vermyne [1096] Hadde eten yow; but God of his mercy [1097] And youre benyngne fader tendrely [1098] Hath doon yow kept" -- and in that same stounde [1099] Al sodeynly she swapte adoun to grounde. [1100] And in hire swough so sadly holdeth she [1101] Hire children two, whan she gan hem t' embrace, [1102] That with greet sleighte and greet difficultee [1103] The children from hire arm they gonne arace. [1104] O many a teere on many a pitous face [1105] Doun ran of hem that stooden hire bisyde; [1106] Unnethe abouten hire myghte they abyde. [1107] Walter hire gladeth and hire sorwe slaketh; [1108] She riseth up, abaysed, from hire traunce, [1109] And every wight hire joye and feeste maketh [1110] Til she hath caught agayn hire contenaunce. [1111] Walter hire dooth so feithfully plesaunce [1112] That it was deyntee for to seen the cheere [1113] Bitwixe hem two, now they been met yfeere. [1114] Thise ladyes, whan that they hir tyme say, [1115] Han taken hire and into chambre gon, [1116] And strepen hire out of hire rude array, [1117] And in a clooth of gold that brighte shoon, [1118] With a coroune of many a riche stoon [1119] Upon hire heed, they into halle hire broghte, [1120] And ther she was honured as hire oghte. [1121] Thus hath this pitous day a blisful ende, [1122] For every man and womman dooth his myght [1123] This day in murthe and revel to dispende [1124] Til on the welkne shoon the sterres lyght. [1125] For moore solempne in every mannes syght [1126] This feste was, and gretter of costage, [1127] Than was the revel of hire mariage. [1128] Ful many a yeer in heigh prosperitee [1129] Lyven thise two in concord and in reste, [1130] And richely his doghter maryed he [1131] Unto a lord, oon of the worthieste [1132] Of al Ytaille; and thanne in pees and reste [1133] His wyves fader in his court he kepeth, [1134] Til that the soule out of his body crepeth. [1135] His sone succedeth in his heritage [1136] In reste and pees, after his fader day, [1137] And fortunat was eek in mariage, [1138] Al putte he nat his wyf in greet assay. [1139] This world is nat so strong, it is no nay, [1140] As it hath been in olde tymes yoore, [1141] And herkneth what this auctour seith therfoore. [1142] This storie is seyd nat for that wyves sholde [1143] Folwen Grisilde as in humylitee, [1144] For it were inportable, though they wolde, [1145] But for that every wight, in his degree, [1146] Sholde be constant in adversitee [1147] As was Grisilde; therfore Petrak writeth [1148] This storie, which with heigh stile he enditeth. [1149] For sith a womman was so pacient [1150] Unto a mortal man, wel moore us oghte [1151] Receyven al in gree that God us sent; [1152] For greet skile is he preeve that he wroghte. [1153] But he ne tempteth no man that he boghte, [1154] As seith Seint Jame, if ye his pistel rede; [1155] He preeveth folk al day, it is no drede, [1156] And suffreth us, as for oure excercise, [1157] With sharpe scourges of adversitee [1158] Ful ofte to be bete in sondry wise; [1159] Nat for to knowe oure wyl, for certes he, [1160] Er we were born, knew al oure freletee; [1161] And for oure beste is al his governaunce. [1162] Lat us thanne lyve in vertuous suffraunce. [1163] But o word, lordynges, herkneth er I go: [1164] It were ful hard to fynde now-a-dayes [1165] In al a toun Grisildis thre or two; [1166] For if that they were put to swiche assayes, [1167] The gold of hem hath now so badde alayes [1168] With bras, that thogh the coyne be fair at ye, [1169] It wolde rather breste a-two than plye. [1170] For which heere, for the Wyves love of Bathe -- [1171] Whos lyf and al hire secte God mayntene [1172] In heigh maistrie, and elles were it scathe -- [1173] I wol with lusty herte, fressh and grene, [1174] Seyn yow a song to glade yow, I wene; [1175] And lat us stynte of ernestful matere. [1176] Herkneth my song that seith in this manere: [1177] Grisilde is deed, and eek hire pacience, [1178] And bothe atones buryed in Ytaille; [1179] For which I crie in open audience [1180] No wedded man so hardy be t' assaille [1181] His wyves pacience in trust to fynde [1182] Grisildis, for in certein he shal faille. [1183] O noble wyves, ful of heigh prudence, [1184] Lat noon humylitee youre tonge naille, [1185] Ne lat no clerk have cause or diligence [1186] To write of yow a storie of swich mervaille [1187] As of Grisildis pacient and kynde, [1188] Lest Chichevache yow swelwe in hire entraille! [1189] Folweth Ekko, that holdeth no silence, [1190] But evere answereth at the countretaille. [1191] Beth nat bidaffed for youre innocence, [1192] But sharply taak on yow the governaille. [1193] Emprenteth wel this lessoun in youre mynde, [1194] For commune profit sith it may availle. [1195] Ye archewyves, stondeth at defense, [1196] Syn ye be strong as is a greet camaille; [1197] Ne suffreth nat that men yow doon offense. [1198] And sklendre wyves, fieble as in bataille, [1199] Beth egre as is a tygre yond in Ynde; [1200] Ay clappeth as a mille, I yow consaille. [1201] Ne dreed hem nat; doth hem no reverence, [1202] For though thyn housbonde armed be in maille, [1203] The arwes of thy crabbed eloquence [1204] Shal perce his brest and eek his aventaille. [1205] In jalousie I rede eek thou hym bynde, [1206] And thou shalt make hym couche as doth a quaille. [1207] If thou be fair, ther folk been in presence, [1208] Shewe thou thy visage and thyn apparaille; [1209] If thou be foul, be fre of thy dispence; [1210] To gete thee freendes ay do thy travaille; [1211] Be ay of chiere as light as leef on lynde, [1212] And lat hym care, and wepe, and wrynge, and waille! [1212a] [This worthy Clerk, whan ended was his tale, [1212b] Oure Hooste seyde, and swoor, "By Goddes bones, [1212c] Me were levere than a barel ale [1212d] My wyf at hoom had herd this legende ones! [1212e] This is a gentil tale for the nones, [1212f] As to my purpos, wiste ye my wille; [1212g] But thyng that wol nat be, lat it be stille."] The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Merchant's Prologue [1213] "Wepyng and waylyng, care and oother sorwe [1214] I knowe ynogh, on even and a-morwe," [1215] Quod the Marchant, "and so doon other mo [1216] That wedded been. I trowe that it be so, [1217] For wel I woot it fareth so with me. [1218] I have a wyf, the worste that may be; [1219] For thogh the feend to hire ycoupled were, [1220] She wolde hym overmacche, I dar wel swere. [1221] What sholde I yow reherce in special [1222] Hir hye malice? She is a shrewe at al. [1223] Ther is a long and large difference [1224] Bitwix Grisildis grete pacience [1225] And of my wyf the passyng crueltee. [1226] Were I unbounden, also moot I thee, [1227] I wolde nevere eft comen in the snare. [1228] We wedded men lyven in sorwe and care. [1229] Assaye whoso wole, and he shal fynde [1230] That I seye sooth, by Seint Thomas of Ynde, [1231] As for the moore part -- I sey nat alle. [1232] God shilde that it sholde so bifalle! [1233] "A, goode sire Hoost, I have ywedded bee [1234] Thise monthes two, and moore nat, pardee; [1235] And yet, I trowe, he that al his lyve [1236] Wyflees hath been, though that men wolde him ryve [1237] Unto the herte, ne koude in no manere [1238] Tellen so muchel sorwe as I now heere [1239] Koude tellen of my wyves cursednesse!" [1240] "Now," quod oure Hoost, "Marchaunt, so God yow blesse, [1241] Syn ye so muchel knowen of that art [1242] Ful hertely I pray yow telle us part." [1243] "Gladly," quod he, "but of myn owene soore, [1244] For soory herte, I telle may namoore." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Merchant's Tale [1245] Whilom ther was dwellynge in Lumbardye [1246] A worthy knyght, that born was of Pavye, [1247] In which he lyved in greet prosperitee; [1248] And sixty yeer a wyflees man was hee, [1249] And folwed ay his bodily delyt [1250] On wommen, ther as was his appetyt, [1251] As doon thise fooles that been seculeer. [1252] And whan that he was passed sixty yeer, [1253] Were it for hoolynesse or for dotage [1254] I kan nat seye, but swich a greet corage [1255] Hadde this knyght to been a wedded man [1256] That day and nyght he dooth al that he kan [1257] T' espien where he myghte wedded be, [1258] Preyinge oure Lord to graunten him that he [1259] Mighte ones knowe of thilke blisful lyf [1260] That is bitwixe an housbonde and his wyf, [1261] And for to lyve under that hooly boond [1262] With which that first God man and womman bond. [1263] "Noon oother lyf," seyde he, "is worth a bene, [1264] For wedlok is so esy and so clene, [1265] That in this world it is a paradys." [1266] Thus seyde this olde knyght, that was so wys. [1267] And certeinly, as sooth as God is kyng, [1268] To take a wyf it is a glorious thyng, [1269] And namely whan a man is oold and hoor; [1270] Thanne is a wyf the fruyt of his tresor. [1271] Thanne sholde he take a yong wyf and a feir, [1272] On which he myghte engendren hym an heir, [1273] And lede his lyf in joye and in solas, [1274] Where as thise bacheleris synge "allas," [1275] Whan that they fynden any adversitee [1276] In love, which nys but childyssh vanytee. [1277] And trewely it sit wel to be so, [1278] That bacheleris have often peyne and wo; [1279] On brotel ground they buylde, and brotelnesse [1280] They fynde whan they wene sikernesse. [1281] They lyve but as a bryd or as a beest, [1282] In libertee and under noon arreest, [1283] Ther as a wedded man in his estaat [1284] Lyveth a lyf blisful and ordinaat [1285] Under this yok of mariage ybounde. [1286] Wel may his herte in joy and blisse habounde, [1287] For who kan be so buxom as a wyf? [1288] Who is so trewe, and eek so ententyf [1289] To kepe hym, syk and hool, as is his make? [1290] For wele or wo she wole hym nat forsake; [1291] She nys nat wery hym to love and serve, [1292] Though that he lye bedrede til he sterve. [1293] And yet somme clerkes seyn it nys nat so, [1294] Of whiche he Theofraste is oon of tho. [1295] What force though Theofraste liste lye? [1296] "Ne take no wyf," quod he, "for housbondrye, [1297] As for to spare in houshold thy dispence. [1298] A trewe servant dooth moore diligence [1299] Thy good to kepe than thyn owene wyf, [1300] For she wol clayme half part al hir lyf. [1301] And if thou be syk, so God me save, [1302] Thy verray freendes, or a trewe knave, [1303] Wol kepe thee bet than she that waiteth ay [1304] After thy good and hath doon many a day. [1305] And if thou take a wyf unto thyn hoold [1306] Ful lightly maystow been a cokewold." [1307] This sentence, and an hundred thynges worse, [1308] Writeth this man, ther God his bones corse! [1309] But take no kep of al swich vanytee; [1310] Deffie Theofraste, and herke me. [1311] A wyf is Goddes yifte verraily; [1312] Alle othere manere yiftes hardily, [1313] As londes, rentes, pasture, or commune, [1314] Or moebles -- alle been yiftes of Fortune [1315] That passen as a shadwe upon a wal. [1316] But drede nat, if pleynly speke I shal: [1317] A wyf wol laste, and in thyn hous endure, [1318] Wel lenger than thee list, paraventure. [1319] Mariage is a ful greet sacrement. [1320] He which that hath no wyf, I holde hym shent; [1321] He lyveth helplees and al desolat -- [1322] I speke of folk in seculer estaat. [1323] And herke why -- I sey nat this for noght -- [1324] That womman is for mannes helpe ywroght. [1325] The hye God, whan he hadde Adam maked, [1326] And saugh him al allone, bely-naked, [1327] God of his grete goodnesse seyde than, [1328] "Lat us now make an helpe unto this man [1329] Lyk to hymself"; and thanne he made him Eve. [1330] Heere may ye se, and heerby may ye preve, [1331] That wyf is mannes helpe and his confort, [1332] His paradys terrestre, and his disport. [1333] So buxom and so vertuous is she, [1334] They moste nedes lyve in unitee. [1335] O flessh they been, and o fleesh, as I gesse, [1336] Hath but oon herte, in wele and in distresse. [1337] A wyf! a, Seinte Marie, benedicite! [1338] How myghte a man han any adversitee [1339] That hath a wyf? Certes, I kan nat seye. [1340] The blisse which that is bitwixe hem tweye [1341] Ther may no tonge telle, or herte thynke. [1342] If he be povre, she helpeth hym to swynke; [1343] She kepeth his good, and wasteth never a deel; [1344] Al that hire housbonde lust, hire liketh weel; [1345] She seith nat ones "nay," whan he seith "ye." [1346] "Do this," seith he; "Al redy, sire," seith she. [1347] O blisful ordre of wedlok precious, [1348] Thou art so murye, and eek so vertuous, [1349] And so commended and appreved eek [1350] That every man that halt hym worth a leek [1351] Upon his bare knees oughte al his lyf [1352] Thanken his God that hym hath sent a wyf, [1353] Or elles preye to God hym for to sende [1354] A wyf to laste unto his lyves ende. [1355] For thanne his lyf is set in sikernesse; [1356] He may nat be deceyved, as I gesse, [1357] So that he werke after his wyves reed. [1358] Thanne may he boldely beren up his heed, [1359] They been so trewe and therwithal so wyse; [1360] For which, if thou wolt werken as the wyse, [1361] Do alwey so as wommen wol thee rede. [1362] Lo, how that Jacob, as thise clerkes rede, [1363] By good conseil of his mooder Rebekke, [1364] Boond the kydes skyn aboute his nekke, [1365] For which his fadres benyson he wan. [1366] Lo Judith, as the storie eek telle kan, [1367] By wys conseil she Goddes peple kepte, [1368] And slow hym Olofernus, whil he slepte. [1369] Lo Abigayl, by good conseil how she [1370] Saved hir housbonde Nabal whan that he [1371] Sholde han be slayn; and looke, Ester also [1372] By good conseil delyvered out of wo [1373] The peple of God, and made hym Mardochee [1374] Of Assuere enhaunced for to be. [1375] Ther nys no thyng in gree superlatyf, [1376] As seith Senek, above an humble wyf. [1377] Suffre thy wyves tonge, as Catoun bit; [1378] She shal comande, and thou shalt suffren it, [1379] And yet she wole obeye of curteisye. [1380] A wyf is kepere of thyn housbondrye; [1381] Wel may the sike man biwaille and wepe, [1382] Ther as ther nys no wyf the hous to kepe. [1383] I warne thee, if wisely thou wolt wirche, [1384] Love wel thy wyf, as Crist loved his chirche. [1385] If thou lovest thyself, thou lovest thy wyf; [1386] No man hateth his flessh, but in his lyf [1387] He fostreth it, and therfore bidde I thee [1388] Cherisse thy wyf, or thou shalt nevere thee. [1389] Housbonde and wyf, what so men jape or pleye, [1390] Of worldly folk holden the siker weye; [1391] They been so knyt ther may noon harm bityde, [1392] And namely upon the wyves syde. [1393] For which this Januarie, of whom I tolde, [1394] Considered hath, inwith his dayes olde, [1395] The lusty lyf, the vertuous quyete, [1396] That is in mariage hony-sweete, [1397] And for his freendes on a day he sente, [1398] To tellen hem th' effect of his entente. [1399] With face sad his tale he hath hem toold. [1400] He seyde, "Freendes, I am hoor and oold, [1401] And almoost, God woot, on my pittes brynke; [1402] Upon my soule somwhat moste I thynke. [1403] I have my body folily despended; [1404] Blessed be God that it shal been amended! [1405] For I wol be, certeyn, a wedded man, [1406] And that anoon in al the haste I kan. [1407] Unto som mayde fair and tendre of age, [1408] I prey yow, shapeth for my mariage [1409] Al sodeynly, for I wol nat abyde; [1410] And I wol fonde t' espien, on my syde, [1411] To whom I may be wedded hastily. [1412] But forasmuche as ye been mo than I, [1413] Ye shullen rather swich a thyng espyen [1414] Than I, and where me best were to allyen. [1415] "But o thyng warne I yow, my freendes deere, [1416] I wol noon oold wyf han in no manere. [1417] She shal nat passe twenty yeer, certayn; [1418] Oold fissh and yong flessh wolde I have fayn. [1419] Bet is," quod he, "a pyk than a pykerel, [1420] And bet than old boef is the tendre veel. [1421] I wol no womman thritty yeer of age; [1422] It is but bene-straw and greet forage. [1423] And eek thise olde wydwes, God it woot, [1424] They konne so muchel craft on Wades boot, [1425] So muchel broken harm, whan that hem leste, [1426] That with hem sholde I nevere lyve in reste. [1427] For sondry scoles maken sotile clerkis; [1428] Womman of manye scoles half a clerk is. [1429] But certeynly, a yong thyng may men gye, [1430] Right as men may warm wex with handes plye. [1431] Wherfore I sey yow pleynly, in a clause, [1432] I wol noon oold wyf han right for this cause. [1433] For if so were I hadde swich myschaunce [1434] That I in hire ne koude han no plesaunce, [1435] Thanne sholde I lede my lyf in avoutrye [1436] And go streight to the devel whan I dye. [1437] Ne children sholde I none upon hire geten; [1438] Yet were me levere houndes had me eten [1439] Than that myn heritage sholde falle [1440] In straunge hand, and this I telle yow alle. [1441] I dote nat; I woot the cause why [1442] Men sholde wedde, and forthermoore woot I [1443] Ther speketh many a man of mariage [1444] That woot namoore of it than woot my page [1445] For whiche causes man sholde take a wyf. [1446] If he ne may nat lyven chaast his lyf, [1447] Take hym a wyf with greet devocioun, [1448] By cause of leveful procreacioun [1449] Of children to th' onour of God above, [1450] And nat oonly for paramour or love; [1451] And for they sholde leccherye eschue, [1452] And yelde hir dette whan that it is due; [1453] Or for that ech of hem sholde helpen oother [1454] In meschief, as a suster shal the brother, [1455] And lyve in chastitee ful holily. [1456] But sires, by youre leve, that am nat I. [1457] For -- God be thanked! -- I dar make avaunt [1458] I feele my lymes stark and suffisaunt [1459] To do al that a man bilongeth to; [1460] I woot myselven best what I may do. [1461] Though I be hoor, I fare as dooth a tree [1462] That blosmeth er that fruyt ywoxen bee; [1463] And blosmy tree nys neither drye ne deed. [1464] I feele me nowhere hoor but on myn heed; [1465] Myn herte and alle my lymes been as grene [1466] As laurer thurgh the yeer is for to sene. [1467] And syn that ye han herd al myn entente, [1468] I prey yow to my wyl ye wole assente." [1469] Diverse men diversely hym tolde [1470] Of mariage manye ensamples olde. [1471] Somme blamed it, somme preysed it, certeyn, [1472] But atte laste, shortly for to seyn, [1473] As al day falleth altercacioun [1474] Bitwixen freendes in disputisoun, [1475] Ther fil a stryf bitwixe his bretheren two, [1476] Of whiche that oon was cleped Placebo; [1477] Justinus soothly called was that oother. [1478] Placebo seyde, "O Januarie, brother, [1479] Ful litel nede hadde ye, my lord so deere, [1480] Conseil to axe of any that is heere, [1481] But that ye been so ful of sapience [1482] That yow ne liketh, for youre heighe prudence, [1483] To weyven fro the word of Salomon. [1484] This word seyde he unto us everychon: [1485] `Wirk alle thyng by conseil,' thus seyde he, [1486] `And thanne shaltow nat repente thee.' [1487] But though that Salomon spak swich a word, [1488] Myn owene deere brother and my lord, [1489] So wysly God my soule brynge at reste, [1490] I holde youre owene conseil is the beste. [1491] For, brother myn, of me taak this motyf: [1492] I have now been a court-man al my lyf, [1493] And God it woot, though I unworthy be, [1494] I have stonden in ful greet degree [1495] Abouten lordes of ful heigh estaat; [1496] Yet hadde I nevere with noon of hem debaat. [1497] I nevere hem contraried, trewely; [1498] I woot wel that my lord kan moore than I. [1499] What that he seith, I holde it ferme and stable; [1500] I seye the same, or elles thyng semblable. [1501] A ful greet fool is any conseillour [1502] That serveth any lord of heigh honour, [1503] That dar presume, or elles thenken it, [1504] That his conseil sholde passe his lordes wit. [1505] Nay, lordes been no fooles, by my fay! [1506] Ye han youreselven shewed heer to-day [1507] So heigh sentence, so holily and weel, [1508] That I consente and conferme everydeel [1509] Youre wordes alle and youre opinioun. [1510] By God, ther nys no man in al this toun, [1511] Ne in Ytaille, that koude bet han sayd! [1512] Crist halt hym of this conseil ful wel apayd. [1513] And trewely, it is an heigh corage [1514] Of any man that stapen is in age [1515] To take a yong wyf; by my fader kyn, [1516] Youre herte hangeth on a joly pyn! [1517] Dooth now in this matiere right as yow leste, [1518] For finally I holde it for the beste." [1519] Justinus, that ay stille sat and herde, [1520] Right in this wise he to Placebo answerde: [1521] "Now, brother myn, be pacient, I preye, [1522] Syn ye han seyd, and herkneth what I seye. [1523] Senek, amonges othere wordes wyse, [1524] Seith that a man oghte hym right wel avyse [1525] To whom he yeveth his lond or his catel. [1526] And syn I oghte avyse me right wel [1527] To whom I yeve my good awey fro me, [1528] Wel muchel moore I oghte avysed be [1529] To whom I yeve my body for alwey. [1530] I warne yow wel, it is no childes pley [1531] To take a wyf withouten avysement. [1532] Men moste enquere -- this is myn assent -- [1533] Wher she be wys, or sobre, or dronkelewe, [1534] Or proud, or elles ootherweys a shrewe, [1535] A chidestere, or wastour of thy good, [1536] Or riche, or poore, or elles mannyssh wood. [1537] Al be it so that no man fynden shal [1538] Noon in this world that trotteth hool in al, [1539] Ne man, ne beest, swich as men koude devyse; [1540] But nathelees it oghte ynough suffise [1541] With any wyf, if so were that she hadde [1542] Mo goode thewes than hire vices badde; [1543] And al this axeth leyser for t' enquere. [1544] For, God it woot, I have wept many a teere [1545] Ful pryvely, syn I have had a wyf. [1546] Preyse whoso wole a wedded mannes lyf, [1547] Certein I fynde in it but cost and care [1548] And observances, of alle blisses bare. [1549] And yet, God woot, my neighebores aboute, [1550] And namely of wommen many a route, [1551] Seyn that I have the mooste stedefast wyf, [1552] And eek the mekeste oon that bereth lyf; [1553] But I woot best where wryngeth me my sho. [1554] Ye mowe, for me, right as yow liketh do; [1555] Avyseth yow -- ye been a man of age -- [1556] How that ye entren into mariage, [1557] And namely with a yong wyf and a fair. [1558] By hym that made water, erthe, and air, [1559] The yongeste man that is in al this route [1560] Is bisy ynough to bryngen it aboute [1561] To han his wyf allone. Trusteth me, [1562] Ye shul nat plesen hire fully yeres thre -- [1563] This is to seyn, to doon hire ful plesaunce. [1564] A wyf axeth ful many an observaunce. [1565] I prey yow that ye be nat yvele apayd." [1566] "Wel," quod this Januarie, "and hastow ysayd? [1567] Straw for thy Senek, and for thy proverbes! [1568] I counte nat a panyer ful of herbes [1569] Of scole-termes. Wyser men than thow, [1570] As thou hast herd, assenteden right now [1571] To my purpos. Placebo, what sey ye?" [1572] "I seye it is a cursed man," quod he, [1573] "That letteth matrimoigne, sikerly." [1574] And with that word they rysen sodeynly, [1575] And been assented fully that he sholde [1576] Be wedded whanne hym liste and where he wolde. [1577] Heigh fantasye and curious bisynesse [1578] Fro day to day gan in the soule impresse [1579] Of Januarie aboute his mariage. [1580] Many fair shap and many a fair visage [1581] Ther passeth thurgh his herte nyght by nyght, [1582] As whoso tooke a mirour, polisshed bryght, [1583] And sette it in a commune market-place, [1584] Thanne sholde he se ful many a figure pace [1585] By his mirour; and in the same wyse [1586] Gan Januarie inwith his thoght devyse [1587] Of maydens whiche that dwelten hym bisyde. [1588] He wiste nat wher that he myghte abyde. [1589] For if that oon have beaute in hir face, [1590] Another stant so in the peples grace [1591] For hire sadnesse and hire benyngnytee [1592] That of the peple grettest voys hath she; [1593] And somme were riche and hadden badde name. [1594] But nathelees, bitwixe ernest and game, [1595] He atte laste apoynted hym on oon, [1596] And leet alle othere from his herte goon, [1597] And chees hire of his owene auctoritee; [1598] For love is blynd alday, and may nat see. [1599] And whan that he was in his bed ybroght, [1600] He purtreyed in his herte and in his thoght [1601] Hir fresshe beautee and hir age tendre, [1602] Hir myddel smal, hire armes longe and sklendre, [1603] Hir wise governaunce, hir gentillesse, [1604] Hir wommanly berynge, and hire sadnesse. [1605] And whan that he on hire was condescended, [1606] Hym thoughte his choys myghte nat ben amended. [1607] For whan that he hymself concluded hadde, [1608] Hym thoughte ech oother mannes wit so badde [1609] That inpossible it were to repplye [1610] Agayn his choys; this was his fantasye. [1611] His freendes sente he to, at his instaunce, [1612] And preyed hem to doon hym that plesaunce, [1613] That hastily they wolden to hym come; [1614] He wolde abregge hir labour, alle and some. [1615] Nedeth namoore for hym to go ne ryde; [1616] He was apoynted ther he wolde abyde. [1617] Placebo cam, and eek his freendes soone, [1618] And alderfirst he bad hem alle a boone, [1619] That noon of hem none argumentes make [1620] Agayn the purpos which that he hath take, [1621] Which purpos was plesant to God, seyde he, [1622] And verray ground of his prosperitee. [1623] He seyde ther was a mayden in the toun, [1624] Which that of beautee hadde greet renoun, [1625] Al were it so she were of smal degree; [1626] Suffiseth hym hir yowthe and hir beautee. [1627] Which mayde, he seyde, he wolde han to his wyf, [1628] To lede in ese and hoolynesse his lyf; [1629] And thanked God that he myghte han hire al, [1630] That no wight his blisse parten shal. [1631] And preyed hem to laboure in this nede, [1632] And shapen that he faille nat to spede; [1633] For thanne, he seyde, his spirit was at ese. [1634] "Thanne is," quod he, "no thyng may me displese, [1635] Save o thyng priketh in my conscience, [1636] The which I wol reherce in youre presence. [1637] "I have," quod he, "herd seyd, ful yoore ago, [1638] Ther may no man han parfite blisses two -- [1639] This is to seye, in erthe and eek in hevene. [1640] For though he kepe hym fro the synnes sevene, [1641] And eek from every branche of thilke tree, [1642] Yet is ther so parfit felicitee [1643] And so greet ese and lust in mariage [1644] That evere I am agast now in myn age [1645] That I shal lede now so myrie a lyf, [1646] So delicat, withouten wo and stryf, [1647] That I shal have myn hevene in erthe heere. [1648] For sith that verray hevene is boght so deere [1649] With tribulacion and greet penaunce, [1650] How sholde I thanne, that lyve in swich plesaunce [1651] As alle wedded men doon with hire wyvys, [1652] Come to the blisse ther Crist eterne on lyve ys? [1653] This is my drede, and ye, my bretheren tweye, [1654] Assoilleth me this question, I preye." [1655] Justinus, which that hated his folye, [1656] Answerde anon right in his japerye; [1657] And for he wolde his longe tale abregge, [1658] He wolde noon auctoritee allegge, [1659] But seyde, "Sire, so ther be noon obstacle [1660] Oother than this, God of his hygh myracle [1661] And of his mercy may so for yow wirche [1662] That, er ye have youre right of hooly chirche, [1663] Ye may repente of wedded mannes lyf, [1664] In which ye seyn ther is no wo ne stryf. [1665] And elles, God forbede but he sente [1666] A wedded man hym grace to repente [1667] Wel ofte rather than a sengle man! [1668] And therfore, sire -- the beste reed I kan -- [1669] Dispeire yow noght, but have in youre memorie, [1670] Paraunter she may be youre purgatorie! [1671] She may be Goddes meene and Goddes whippe; [1672] Thanne shal youre soule up to hevene skippe [1673] Swifter than dooth an arwe out of a bowe. [1674] I hope to God, herafter shul ye knowe [1675] That ther nys no so greet felicitee [1676] In mariage, ne nevere mo shal bee, [1677] That yow shal lette of youre savacion, [1678] So that ye use, as skile is and reson, [1679] The lustes of youre wyf attemprely, [1680] And that ye plese hire nat to amorously, [1681] And that ye kepe yow eek from oother synne. [1682] My tale is doon, for my wit is thynne. [1683] Beth nat agast herof, my brother deere, [1684] But lat us waden out of this mateere. [1685] The Wyf of Bathe, if ye han understonde, [1686] Of mariage, which we have on honde, [1687] Declared hath ful wel in litel space. [1688] Fareth now wel. God have yow in his grace." [1689] And with this word this Justyn and his brother [1690] Han take hir leve, and ech of hem of oother. [1691] For whan they saughe that it moste nedes be, [1692] They wroghten so, by sly and wys tretee, [1693] That she, this mayden which that Mayus highte, [1694] As hastily as evere that she myghte [1695] Shal wedded be unto this Januarie. [1696] I trowe it were to longe yow to tarie, [1697] If I yow tolde of every scrit and bond [1698] By which that she was feffed in his lond, [1699] Or for to herknen of hir riche array. [1700] But finally ycomen is the day [1701] That to the chirche bothe be they went [1702] For to receyve the hooly sacrement. [1703] Forth comth the preest, with stole aboute his nekke, [1704] And bad hire be lyk Sarra and Rebekke [1705] In wysdom and in trouthe of mariage; [1706] And seyde his orisons, as is usage, [1707] And croucheth hem, and bad God sholde hem blesse, [1708] And made al siker ynogh with hoolynesse. [1709] Thus been they wedded with solempnitee, [1710] And at the feeste sitteth he and she [1711] With othere worthy folk upon the deys. [1712] Al ful of joye and blisse is the paleys, [1713] And ful of instrumentz and of vitaille, [1714] The mooste deyntevous of al Ytaille. [1715] Biforn hem stoode instrumentz of swich soun [1716] That Orpheus, ne of Thebes Amphioun, [1717] Ne maden nevere swich a melodye. [1718] At every cours thanne cam loud mynstralcye [1719] That nevere tromped Joab for to heere, [1720] Nor he Theodomas, yet half so cleere [1721] At Thebes whan the citee was in doute. [1722] Bacus the wyn hem shynketh al aboute, [1723] And Venus laugheth upon every wight, [1724] For Januarie was bicome hir knyght [1725] And wolde bothe assayen his corage [1726] In libertee, and eek in mariage; [1727] And with hire fyrbrond in hire hand aboute [1728] Daunceth biforn the bryde and al the route. [1729] And certeinly, I dar right wel seyn this, [1730] Ymeneus, that god of weddyng is, [1731] Saugh nevere his lyf so myrie a wedded man. [1732] Hoold thou thy pees, thou poete Marcian, [1733] That writest us that ilke weddyng murie [1734] Of hire Philologie and hym Mercurie, [1735] And of the songes that the Muses songe! [1736] To smal is bothe thy penne, and eek thy tonge, [1737] For to descryven of this mariage. [1738] Whan tendre youthe hath wedded stoupyng age, [1739] Ther is swich myrthe that it may nat be writen. [1740] Assayeth it youreself; thanne may ye witen [1741] If that I lye or noon in this matiere. [1742] Mayus, that sit with so benyngne a chiere, [1743] Hire to biholde it semed fayerye. [1744] Queene Ester looked nevere with swich an ye [1745] On Assuer, so meke a look hath she. [1746] I may yow nat devyse al hir beautee. [1747] But thus muche of hire beautee telle I may, [1748] That she was lyk the brighte morwe of May, [1749] Fulfild of alle beautee and plesaunce. [1750] This Januarie is ravysshed in a traunce [1751] At every tyme he looked on hir face; [1752] But in his herte he gan hire to manace [1753] That he that nyght in armes wolde hire streyne [1754] Harder than evere Parys dide Eleyne. [1755] But nathelees yet hadde he greet pitee [1756] That thilke nyght offenden hire moste he, [1757] And thoughte, "Allas! O tendre creature, [1758] Now wolde God ye myghte wel endure [1759] Al my corage, it is so sharp and keene! [1760] I am agast ye shul it nat susteene. [1761] But God forbede that I dide al my myght! [1762] Now wolde God that it were woxen nyght, [1763] And that the nyght wolde lasten everemo. [1764] I wolde that al this peple were ago." [1765] And finally he dooth al his labour, [1766] As he best myghte, savynge his honour, [1767] To haste hem fro the mete in subtil wyse. [1768] The tyme cam that resoun was to ryse; [1769] And after that men daunce and drynken faste, [1770] And spices al aboute the hous they caste, [1771] And ful of joye and blisse is every man -- [1772] Al but a squyer, highte Damyan, [1773] Which carf biforn the knyght ful many a day. [1774] He was so ravysshed on his lady May [1775] That for the verray peyne he was ny wood. [1776] Almoost he swelte and swowned ther he stood, [1777] So soore hath Venus hurt hym with hire brond, [1778] As that she bar it daunsynge in hire hond; [1779] And to his bed he wente hym hastily. [1780] Namoore of hym at this tyme speke I, [1781] But there I lete hym wepe ynogh and pleyne [1782] Til fresshe May wol rewen on his peyne. [1783] O perilous fyr, that in the bedstraw bredeth! [1784] O famulier foo, that his servyce bedeth! [1785] O servant traytour, false hoomly hewe, [1786] Lyk to the naddre in bosom sly untrewe, [1787] God shilde us alle from youre aqueyntaunce! [1788] O Januarie, dronken in plesaunce [1789] In mariage, se how thy Damyan, [1790] Thyn owene squier and thy borne man, [1791] Entendeth for to do thee vileynye. [1792] God graunte thee thyn hoomly fo t' espye! [1793] For in this world nys worse pestilence [1794] Than hoomly foo al day in thy presence. [1795] Parfourned hath the sonne his ark diurne; [1796] No lenger may the body of hym sojurne [1797] On th' orisonte, as in that latitude. [1798] Night with his mantel, that is derk and rude, [1799] Gan oversprede the hemysperie aboute; [1800] For which departed is this lusty route [1801] Fro Januarie, with thank on every syde. [1802] Hoom to hir houses lustily they ryde, [1803] Where as they doon hir thynges as hem leste, [1804] And whan they sye hir tyme, goon to reste. [1805] Soone after that, this hastif Januarie [1806] Wolde go to bedde; he wolde no lenger tarye. [1807] He drynketh ypocras, clarree, and vernage [1808] Of spices hoote t' encreessen his corage; [1809] And many a letuarie hath he ful fyn, [1810] Swiche as the cursed monk, daun Constantyn, [1811] Hath writen in his book De Coitu; [1812] To eten hem alle he nas no thyng eschu. [1813] And to his privee freendes thus seyde he: [1814] "For Goddes love, as soone as it may be, [1815] Lat voyden al this hous in curteys wyse." [1816] And they han doon right as he wol devyse. [1817] Men drynken and the travers drawe anon. [1818] The bryde was broght abedde as stille as stoon; [1819] And whan the bed was with the preest yblessed, [1820] Out of the chambre hath every wight hym dressed, [1821] And Januarie hath faste in armes take [1822] His fresshe May, his paradys, his make. [1823] He lulleth hire; he kisseth hire ful ofte; [1824] With thikke brustles of his berd unsofte, [1825] Lyk to the skyn of houndfyssh, sharp as brere -- [1826] For he was shave al newe in his manere -- [1827] He rubbeth hire aboute hir tendre face, [1828] And seyde thus, "Allas! I moot trespace [1829] To yow, my spouse, and yow greetly offende [1830] Er tyme come that I wil doun descende. [1831] But nathelees, considereth this," quod he, [1832] "Ther nys no werkman, whatsoevere he be, [1833] That may bothe werke wel and hastily; [1834] This wol be doon at leyser parfitly. [1835] It is no fors how longe that we pleye; [1836] In trewe wedlok coupled be we tweye, [1837] And blessed be the yok that we been inne, [1838] For in oure actes we mowe do no synne. [1839] A man may do no synne with his wyf, [1840] Ne hurte hymselven with his owene knyf, [1841] For we han leve to pleye us by the lawe." [1842] Thus laboureth he til that the day gan dawe; [1843] And thanne he taketh a sop in fyn clarree, [1844] And upright in his bed thanne sitteth he, [1845] And after that he sang ful loude and cleere, [1846] And kiste his wyf, and made wantown cheere. [1847] He was al coltissh, ful of ragerye, [1848] And ful of jargon as a flekked pye. [1849] The slakke skyn aboute his nekke shaketh [1850] Whil that he sang, so chaunteth he and craketh. [1851] But God woot what that May thoughte in hir herte, [1852] Whan she hym saugh up sittynge in his sherte, [1853] In his nyght-cappe, and with his nekke lene; [1854] She preyseth nat his pleyyng worth a bene. [1855] Thanne seide he thus, "My reste wol I take; [1856] Now day is come, I may no lenger wake." [1857] And doun he leyde his heed and sleep til pryme. [1858] And afterward, whan that he saugh his tyme, [1859] Up ryseth Januarie; but fresshe May [1860] Heeld hire chambre unto the fourthe day, [1861] As usage is of wyves for the beste. [1862] For every labour somtyme moot han reste, [1863] Or elles longe may he nat endure; [1864] This is to seyn, no lyves creature, [1865] Be it of fyssh, or bryd, or beest, or man. [1866] Now wol I speke of woful Damyan, [1867] That langwissheth for love, as ye shul heere; [1868] Therfore I speke to hym in this manere: [1869] I seye, "O sely Damyan, allas! [1870] Andswere to my demaunde, as in this cas. [1871] How shaltow to thy lady, fresshe May, [1872] Telle thy wo? She wole alwey seye nay. [1873] Eek if thou speke, she wol thy wo biwreye. [1874] God be thyn helpe! I kan no bettre seye." [1875] This sike Damyan in Venus fyr [1876] So brenneth that he dyeth for desyr, [1877] For which he putte his lyf in aventure. [1878] No lenger myghte he in this wise endure, [1879] But prively a penner gan he borwe, [1880] And in a lettre wroot he al his sorwe, [1881] In manere of a compleynt or a lay, [1882] Unto his faire, fresshe lady May; [1883] And in a purs of sylk heng on his sherte [1884] He hath it put, and leyde it at his herte. [1885] The moone, that at noon was thilke day [1886] That Januarie hath wedded fresshe May [1887] In two of Tawr, was into Cancre glyden; [1888] So longe hath Mayus in hir chambre abyden, [1889] As custume is unto thise nobles alle. [1890] A bryde shal nat eten in the halle [1891] Til dayes foure, or thre dayes atte leeste, [1892] Ypassed been; thanne lat hire go to feeste. [1893] The fourthe day compleet fro noon to noon, [1894] Whan that the heighe masse was ydoon, [1895] In halle sit this Januarie and May, [1896] As fressh as is the brighte someres day. [1897] And so bifel how that this goode man [1898] Remembred hym upon this Damyan, [1899] And seyde, "Seynte Marie! how may this be, [1900] That Damyan entendeth nat to me? [1901] Is he ay syk, or how may this bityde?" [1902] His squieres, whiche that stooden ther bisyde, [1903] Excused hym by cause of his siknesse, [1904] Which letted hym to doon his bisynesse; [1905] Noon oother cause myghte make hym tarye. [1906] "That me forthynketh," quod this Januarie, [1907] "He is a gentil squier, by my trouthe! [1908] If that he deyde, it were harm and routhe. [1909] He is as wys, discreet, and as secree [1910] As any man I woot of his degree, [1911] And therto manly, and eek servysable, [1912] And for to been a thrifty man right able. [1913] But after mete, as soone as evere I may, [1914] I wol myself visite hym, and eek May, [1915] To doon hym al the confort that I kan." [1916] And for that word hym blessed every man, [1917] That of his bountee and his gentillesse [1918] He wolde so conforten in siknesse [1919] His squier, for it was a gentil dede. [1920] "Dame," quod this Januarie, "taak good hede, [1921] At after-mete ye with youre wommen alle, [1922] Whan ye han been in chambre out of this halle, [1923] That alle ye go se this Damyan. [1924] Dooth hym disport -- he is a gentil man; [1925] And telleth hym that I wol hym visite, [1926] Have I no thyng but rested me a lite; [1927] And spede yow faste, for I wole abyde [1928] Til that ye slepe faste by my syde." [1929] And with that word he gan to hym to calle [1930] A squier, that was marchal of his halle, [1931] And tolde hym certeyn thynges, what he wolde. [1932] This fresshe May hath streight hir wey yholde [1933] With alle hir wommen unto Damyan. [1934] Doun by his beddes syde sit she than, [1935] Confortynge hym as goodly as she may. [1936] This Damyan, whan that his tyme he say, [1937] In secree wise his purs and eek his bille, [1938] In which that he ywriten hadde his wille, [1939] Hath put into hire hand, withouten moore, [1940] Save that he siketh wonder depe and soore, [1941] And softely to hire right thus seyde he: [1942] "Mercy! And that ye nat discovere me, [1943] For I am deed if that this thyng be kyd." [1944] This purs hath she inwith hir bosom hyd [1945] And wente hire wey; ye gete namoore of me. [1946] But unto Januarie ycomen is she, [1947] That on his beddes syde sit ful softe. [1948] He taketh hire, and kisseth hire ful ofte, [1949] And leyde hym doun to slepe, and that anon. [1950] She feyned hire as that she moste gon [1951] Ther as ye woot that every wight moot neede; [1952] And whan she of this bille hath taken heede, [1953] She rente it al to cloutes atte laste, [1954] And in the pryvee softely it caste. [1955] Who studieth now but faire fresshe May? [1956] Adoun by olde Januarie she lay, [1957] That sleep til that the coughe hath hym awaked. [1958] Anon he preyde hire strepen hire al naked; [1959] He wolde of hire, he seyde, han som plesaunce; [1960] He seyde hir clothes dide hym encombraunce, [1961] And she obeyeth, be hire lief or looth. [1962] But lest that precious folk be with me wrooth, [1963] How that he wroghte, I dar nat to yow telle, [1964] Or wheither hire thoughte it paradys or helle. [1965] But heere I lete hem werken in hir wyse [1966] Til evensong rong and that they moste aryse. [1967] Were it by destynee or by aventure, [1968] Were it by influence or by nature, [1969] Or constellacion, that in swich estaat [1970] The hevene stood that tyme fortunaat [1971] Was for to putte a bille of Venus werkes -- [1972] For alle thyng hath tyme, as seyn thise clerkes -- [1973] To any womman for to gete hire love, [1974] I kan nat seye; but grete God above, [1975] That knoweth that noon act is causelees, [1976] He deme of al, for I wole holde my pees. [1977] But sooth is this, how that this fresshe May [1978] Hath take swich impression that day [1979] Of pitee of this sike Damyan [1980] That from hire herte she ne dryve kan [1981] The remembrance for to doon hym ese. [1982] "Certeyn," thoghte she, "whom that this thyng displese [1983] I rekke noght, for heere I hym assure [1984] To love hym best of any creature, [1985] Though he namoore hadde than his sherte." [1986] Lo, pitee renneth soone in gentil herte! [1987] Heere may ye se how excellent franchise [1988] In wommen is, whan they hem narwe avyse. [1989] Som tyrant is, as ther be many oon [1990] That hath an herte as hard as any stoon, [1991] Which wolde han lat hym sterven in the place [1992] Wel rather than han graunted hym hire grace, [1993] And hem rejoysen in hire crueel pryde, [1994] And rekke nat to been an homycide. [1995] This gentil May, fulfilled of pitee, [1996] Right of hire hand a lettre made she, [1997] In which she graunteth hym hire verray grace. [1998] Ther lakketh noght oonly but day and place [1999] Wher that she myghte unto his lust suffise, [2000] For it shal be right as he wole devyse. [2001] And whan she saugh hir tyme, upon a day [2002] To visite this Damyan gooth May, [2003] And sotilly this lettre doun she threste [2004] Under his pilwe; rede it if hym leste. [2005] She taketh hym by the hand and harde hym twiste [2006] So secrely that no wight of it wiste, [2007] And bad hym been al hool, and forth she wente [2008] To Januarie, whan that he for hire sente. [2009] Up riseth Damyan the nexte morwe; [2010] Al passed was his siknesse and his sorwe. [2011] He kembeth hym, he preyneth hym and pyketh, [2012] He dooth al that his lady lust and lyketh, [2013] And eek to Januarie he gooth as lowe [2014] As evere dide a dogge for the bowe. [2015] He is so plesant unto every man [2016] (For craft is al, whoso that do it kan) [2017] That every wight is fayn to speke hym good, [2018] And fully in his lady grace he stood. [2019] Thus lete I Damyan aboute his nede, [2020] And in my tale forth I wol procede. [2021] Somme clerkes holden that felicitee [2022] Stant in delit, and therfore certeyn he, [2023] This noble Januarie, with al his myght, [2024] In honest wyse, as longeth to a knyght, [2025] Shoop hym to lyve ful deliciously. [2026] His housynge, his array, as honestly [2027] To his degree was maked as a kynges. [2028] Amonges othere of his honeste thynges, [2029] He made a gardyn, walled al with stoon; [2030] So fair a gardyn woot I nowher noon. [2031] For, out of doute, I verraily suppose [2032] That he that wroot the Romance of the Rose [2033] Ne koude of it the beautee wel devyse; [2034] Ne Priapus ne myghte nat suffise, [2035] Though he be god of gardyns, for to telle [2036] The beautee of the gardyn and the welle [2037] That stood under a laurer alwey grene. [2038] Ful ofte tyme he Pluto and his queene, [2039] Proserpina, and al hire fayerye, [2040] Disporten hem and maken melodye [2041] Aboute that welle, and daunced, as men tolde. [2042] This noble knyght, this Januarie the olde, [2043] Swich deyntee hath in it to walke and pleye, [2044] That he wol no wight suffren bere the keye [2045] Save he hymself; for of the smale wyket [2046] He baar alwey of silver a clyket, [2047] With which, whan that hym leste, he it unshette. [2048] And whan he wolde paye his wyf hir dette [2049] In somer seson, thider wolde he go, [2050] And May his wyf, and no wight but they two; [2051] And thynges whiche that were nat doon abedde, [2052] He in the gardyn parfourned hem and spedde. [2053] And in this wyse, many a murye day, [2054] Lyved this Januarie and fresshe May. [2055] But worldly joye may nat alwey dure [2056] To Januarie, ne to no creature. [2057] O sodeyn hap! O thou Fortune unstable! [2058] Lyk to the scorpion so deceyvable, [2059] That flaterest with thyn heed whan thou wolt stynge; [2060] Thy tayl is deeth, thurgh thyn envenymynge. [2061] O brotil joye! O sweete venym queynte! [2062] O monstre, that so subtilly kanst peynte [2063] Thy yiftes under hewe of stidefastnesse, [2064] That thou deceyvest bothe moore and lesse! [2065] Why hastow Januarie thus deceyved, [2066] That haddest hym for thy fulle freend receyved? [2067] And now thou hast biraft hym bothe his yen, [2068] For sorwe of which desireth he to dyen. [2069] Allas, this noble Januarie free, [2070] Amydde his lust and his prosperitee, [2071] Is woxen blynd, and that al sodeynly. [2072] He wepeth and he wayleth pitously; [2073] And therwithal the fyr of jalousie, [2074] Lest that his wyf sholde falle in som folye, [2075] So brente his herte that he wolde fayn [2076] That som man bothe hire and hym had slayn. [2077] For neither after his deeth nor in his lyf [2078] Ne wolde he that she were love ne wyf, [2079] But evere lyve as wydwe in clothes blake, [2080] Soul as the turtle that lost hath hire make. [2081] But atte laste, after a month or tweye, [2082] His sorwe gan aswage, sooth to seye; [2083] For whan he wiste it may noon oother be, [2084] He paciently took his adversitee, [2085] Save, out of doute, he may nat forgoon [2086] That he nas jalous everemoore in oon; [2087] Which jalousye it was so outrageous [2088] That neither in halle, n' yn noon oother hous, [2089] Ne in noon oother place, neverthemo, [2090] He nolde suffre hire for to ryde or go, [2091] But if that he had hond on hire alway; [2092] For which ful ofte wepeth fresshe May, [2093] That loveth Damyan so benyngnely [2094] That she moot outher dyen sodeynly [2095] Or elles she moot han hym as hir leste. [2096] She wayteth whan hir herte wolde breste. [2097] Upon that oother syde Damyan [2098] Bicomen is the sorwefulleste man [2099] That evere was, for neither nyght ne day [2100] Ne myghte he speke a word to fresshe May, [2101] As to his purpos, of no swich mateere, [2102] But if that Januarie moste it heere, [2103] That hadde an hand upon hire everemo. [2104] But nathelees, by writyng to and fro [2105] And privee signes wiste he what she mente, [2106] And she knew eek the fyn of his entente. [2107] O Januarie, what myghte it thee availle, [2108] Thogh thou myghtest se as fer as shippes saille? [2109] For as good is blynd deceyved be [2110] As to be deceyved whan a man may se. [2111] Lo, Argus, which that hadde an hondred yen, [2112] For al that evere he koude poure or pryen, [2113] Yet was he blent, and, God woot, so been mo [2114] That wenen wisly that it be nat so. [2115] Passe over is an ese, I sey namoore. [2116] This fresshe May, that I spak of so yoore, [2117] In warm wex hath emprented the clyket [2118] That Januarie bar of the smale wyket, [2119] By which into his gardyn ofte he wente; [2120] And Damyan, that knew al hire entente, [2121] The cliket countrefeted pryvely. [2122] Ther nys namoore to seye, but hastily [2123] Som wonder by this clyket shal bityde, [2124] Which ye shul heeren, if ye wole abyde. [2125] O noble Ovyde, ful sooth seystou, God woot, [2126] What sleighte is it, thogh it be long and hoot, [2127] That Love nyl fynde it out in som manere? [2128] By Piramus and Tesbee may men leere; [2129] Thogh they were kept ful longe streite overal, [2130] They been accorded, rownynge thurgh a wal, [2131] Ther no wight koude han founde out swich a sleighte. [2132] But now to purpos: er that dayes eighte [2133] Were passed [of] the month of [Juyn], bifil [2134] That Januarie hath caught so greet a wil, [2135] Thurgh eggyng of his wyf, hym for to pleye [2136] In his gardyn, and no wight but they tweye, [2137] That in a morwe unto his May seith he: [2138] "Rys up, my wyf, my love, my lady free! [2139] The turtles voys is herd, my dowve sweete; [2140] The wynter is goon with alle his reynes weete. [2141] Com forth now, with thyne eyen columbyn! [2142] How fairer been thy brestes than is wyn! [2143] The gardyn is enclosed al aboute; [2144] Com forth, my white spouse! Out of doute [2145] Thou hast me wounded in myn herte, O wyf! [2146] No spot of thee ne knew I al my lyf. [2147] Com forth, and lat us taken oure disport; [2148] I chees thee for my wyf and my confort." [2149] Swiche olde lewed wordes used he. [2150] On Damyan a signe made she, [2151] That he sholde go biforn with his cliket. [2152] This Damyan thanne hath opened the wyket, [2153] And in he stirte, and that in swich manere [2154] That no wight myghte it se neither yheere, [2155] And stille he sit under a bussh anon. [2156] This Januarie, as blynd as is a stoon, [2157] With Mayus in his hand, and no wight mo, [2158] Into his fresshe gardyn is ago, [2159] And clapte to the wyket sodeynly. [2160] "Now wyf," quod he, "heere nys but thou and I, [2161] That art the creature that I best love. [2162] For by that Lord that sit in hevene above, [2163] Levere ich hadde to dyen on a knyf [2164] Than thee offende, trewe deere wyf! [2165] For Goddes sake, thenk how I thee chees, [2166] Noght for no coveitise, doutelees, [2167] But oonly for the love I had to thee. [2168] And though that I be oold and may nat see, [2169] Beth to me trewe, and I wol telle yow why. [2170] Thre thynges, certes, shal ye wynne therby: [2171] First, love of Crist, and to youreself honour, [2172] And al myn heritage, toun and tour; [2173] I yeve it yow, maketh chartres as yow leste; [2174] This shal be doon to-morwe er sonne reste, [2175] So wisly God my soule brynge in blisse. [2176] I prey yow first, in covenant ye me kisse; [2177] And though that I be jalous, wyte me noght. [2178] Ye been so depe enprented in my thoght [2179] That, whan that I considere youre beautee [2180] And therwithal the unlikly elde of me, [2181] I may nat, certes, though I sholde dye, [2182] Forbere to been out of youre compaignye [2183] For verray love; this is withouten doute. [2184] Now kys me, wyf, and lat us rome aboute." [2185] This fresshe May, whan she thise wordes herde, [2186] Benyngnely to Januarie answerde, [2187] But first and forward she bigan to wepe. [2188] "I have," quod she, "a soule for to kepe [2189] As wel as ye, and also myn honour, [2190] And of my wyfhod thilke tendre flour, [2191] Which that I have assured in youre hond, [2192] Whan that the preest to yow my body bond; [2193] Wherfore I wole answere in this manere, [2194] By the leve of yow, my lord so deere: [2195] I prey to God that nevere dawe the day [2196] That I ne sterve, as foule as womman may, [2197] If evere I do unto my kyn that shame, [2198] Or elles I empeyre so my name, [2199] That I be fals; and if I do that lak, [2200] Do strepe me and put me in a sak, [2201] And in the nexte ryver do me drenche. [2202] I am a gentil womman and no wenche. [2203] Why speke ye thus? But men been evere untrewe, [2204] And wommen have repreve of yow ay newe. [2205] Ye han noon oother contenance, I leeve, [2206] But speke to us of untrust and repreeve." [2207] And with that word she saugh wher Damyan [2208] Sat in the bussh, and coughen she bigan, [2209] And with hir fynger signes made she [2210] That Damyan sholde clymbe upon a tree [2211] That charged was with fruyt, and up he wente. [2212] For verraily he knew al hire entente, [2213] And every signe that she koude make, [2214] Wel bet than Januarie, hir owene make, [2215] For in a lettre she hadde toold hym al [2216] Of this matere, how he werchen shal. [2217] And thus I lete hym sitte upon the pyrie, [2218] And Januarie and May romynge myrie. [2219] Bright was the day, and blew the firmament; [2220] Phebus hath of gold his stremes doun ysent [2221] To gladen every flour with his warmnesse. [2222] He was that tyme in Geminis, as I gesse, [2223] But litel fro his declynacion [2224] Of Cancer, Jovis exaltacion. [2225] And so bifel, that brighte morwe-tyde [2226] That in that gardyn, in the ferther syde, [2227] Pluto, that is kyng of Fayerye, [2228] And many a lady in his compaignye, [2229] Folwynge his wyf, the queene Proserpyna, [2230] Which that he ravysshed out of [Ethna] [2231] Whil that she gadered floures in the mede -- [2232] In Claudyan ye may the stories rede, [2233] How in his grisely carte he hire fette -- [2234] This kyng of Fairye thanne adoun hym sette [2235] Upon a bench of turves, fressh and grene, [2236] And right anon thus seyde he to his queene: [2237] "My wyf," quod he, "ther may no wight seye nay; [2238] Th' experience so preveth every day [2239] The tresons whiche that wommen doon to man. [2240] Ten hondred thousand [tales] tellen I kan [2241] Notable of youre untrouthe and brotilnesse. [2242] O Salomon, wys, and richest of richesse, [2243] Fulfild of sapience and of worldly glorie, [2244] Ful worthy been thy wordes to memorie [2245] To every wight that wit and reson kan. [2246] Thus preiseth he yet the bountee of man: [2247] `Amonges a thousand men yet foond I oon, [2248] But of wommen alle foond I noon.' [2249] "Thus seith the kyng that knoweth youre wikkednesse. [2250] And Jhesus, filius Syrak, as I gesse, [2251] Ne speketh of yow but seelde reverence. [2252] A wylde fyr and corrupt pestilence [2253] So falle upon youre bodyes yet to-nyght! [2254] Ne se ye nat this honurable knyght, [2255] By cause, allas, that he is blynd and old, [2256] His owene man shal make hym cokewold. [2257] Lo, where he sit, the lechour, in the tree! [2258] Now wol I graunten, of my magestee, [2259] Unto this olde, blynde, worthy knyght [2260] That he shal have ayen his eyen syght, [2261] Whan that his wyf wold doon hym vileynye. [2262] Thanne shal he knowen al hire harlotrye, [2263] Bothe in repreve of hire and othere mo." [2264] "Ye shal?" quod Proserpyne, "wol ye so? [2265] Now by my moodres sires soule I swere [2266] That I shal yeven hire suffisant answere, [2267] And alle wommen after, for hir sake, [2268] That, though they be in any gilt ytake, [2269] With face boold they shulle hemself excuse, [2270] And bere hem doun that wolden hem accuse. [2271] For lak of answere noon of hem shal dyen. [2272] Al hadde man seyn a thyng with bothe his yen, [2273] Yit shul we wommen visage it hardily, [2274] And wepe, and swere, and chyde subtilly, [2275] So that ye men shul been as lewed as gees. [2276] "What rekketh me of youre auctoritees? [2277] I woot wel that this Jew, this Salomon, [2278] Foond of us wommen fooles many oon. [2279] But though that he ne foond no good womman, [2280] Yet hath ther founde many another man [2281] Wommen ful trewe, ful goode, and vertuous. [2282] Witnesse on hem that dwelle in Cristes hous; [2283] With martirdom they preved hire constance. [2284] The Romayn geestes eek make remembrance [2285] Of many a verray, trewe wyf also. [2286] But, sire, ne be nat wrooth, al be it so, [2287] Though that he seyde he foond no good womman, [2288] I prey yow take the sentence of the man; [2289] He mente thus, that in sovereyn bontee [2290] Nis noon but God, but neither he ne she. [2291] "Ey! for verray God that nys but oon, [2292] What make ye so muche of Salomon? [2293] What though he made a temple, Goddes hous? [2294] What though he were riche and glorious? [2295] So made he eek a temple of false goddis. [2296] How myghte he do a thyng that moore forbode is? [2297] Pardee, as faire as ye his name emplastre, [2298] He was a lecchour and an ydolastre, [2299] And in his elde he verray God forsook; [2300] And if God ne hadde, as seith the book, [2301] Yspared him for his fadres sake, he sholde [2302] Have lost his regne rather than he wolde. [2303] I sette right noght, of al the vileynye [2304] That ye of wommen write, a boterflye! [2305] I am a womman, nedes moot I speke, [2306] Or elles swelle til myn herte breke. [2307] For sithen he seyde that we been jangleresses, [2308] As evere hool I moote brouke my tresses, [2309] I shal nat spare, for no curteisye, [2310] To speke hym harm that wolde us vileynye." [2311] "Dame," quod this Pluto, "be no lenger wrooth; [2312] I yeve it up! But sith I swoor myn ooth [2313] That I wolde graunten hym his sighte ageyn, [2314] My word shal stonde, I warne yow certeyn. [2315] I am a kyng; it sit me noght to lye." [2316] "And I," quod she, "a queene of Fayerye! [2317] Hir answere shal she have, I undertake. [2318] Lat us namoore wordes heerof make; [2319] For sothe, I wol no lenger yow contrarie." [2320] Now lat us turne agayn to Januarie, [2321] That in the gardyn with his faire May [2322] Syngeth ful murier than the papejay, [2323] "Yow love I best, and shal, and oother noon." [2324] So longe aboute the aleyes is he goon, [2325] Til he was come agaynes thilke pyrie [2326] Where as this Damyan sitteth ful myrie [2327] An heigh among the fresshe leves grene. [2328] This fresshe May, that is so bright and sheene, [2329] Gan for to syke, and seyde, "Allas, my syde! [2330] Now sire," quod she, "for aught that may bityde, [2331] I moste han of the peres that I see, [2332] Or I moot dye, so soore longeth me [2333] To eten of the smale peres grene. [2334] Help, for hir love that is of hevene queene! [2335] I telle yow wel, a womman in my plit [2336] May han to fruyt so greet an appetit [2337] That she may dyen but she of it have." [2338] "Allas," quod he, "that I ne had heer a knave [2339] That koude clymbe! Allas, allas," quod he, [2340] "For I am blynd!" "Ye, sire, no fors," quod she; [2341] "But wolde ye vouche sauf, for Goddes sake, [2342] The pyrie inwith youre armes for to take, [2343] For wel I woot that ye mystruste me, [2344] Thanne sholde I clymbe wel ynogh," quod she, [2345] "So I my foot myghte sette upon youre bak." [2346] "Certes," quod he, "theron shal be no lak, [2347] Mighte I yow helpen with myn herte blood." [2348] He stoupeth doun, and on his bak she stood, [2349] And caughte hire by a twiste, and up she gooth -- [2350] Ladyes, I prey yow that ye be nat wrooth; [2351] I kan nat glose, I am a rude man -- [2352] And sodeynly anon this Damyan [2353] Gan pullen up the smok, and in he throng. [2354] And whan that Pluto saugh this grete wrong, [2355] To Januarie he gaf agayn his sighte, [2356] And made hym se as wel as evere he myghte. [2357] And whan that he hadde caught his sighte agayn, [2358] Ne was ther nevere man of thyng so fayn, [2359] But on his wyf his thoght was everemo. [2360] Up to the tree he caste his eyen two, [2361] And saugh that Damyan his wyf had dressed [2362] In swich manere it may nat been expressed, [2363] But if I wolde speke uncurteisly; [2364] And up he yaf a roryng and a cry, [2365] As dooth the mooder whan the child shal dye: [2366] "Out! Help! Allas! Harrow!" he gan to crye, [2367] "O stronge lady stoore, what dostow?" [2368] And she answerde, "Sire, what eyleth yow? [2369] Have pacience and resoun in youre mynde. [2370] I have yow holpe on bothe youre eyen blynde. [2371] Up peril of my soule, I shal nat lyen, [2372] As me was taught, to heele with youre eyen, [2373] Was no thyng bet, to make yow to see, [2374] Than strugle with a man upon a tree. [2375] God woot, I dide it in ful good entente." [2376] "Strugle?" quod he, "Ye, algate in it wente! [2377] God yeve yow bothe on shames deth to dyen! [2378] He swyved thee; I saugh it with myne yen, [2379] And elles be I hanged by the hals!" [2380] "Thanne is," quod she, "my medicyne fals; [2381] For certeinly, if that ye myghte se, [2382] Ye wolde nat seyn thise wordes unto me. [2383] Ye han som glymsyng, and no parfit sighte." [2384] "I se," quod he, "as wel as evere I myghte, [2385] Thonked be God! With bothe myne eyen two, [2386] And by my trouthe, me thoughte he dide thee so." [2387] "Ye maze, maze, goode sire," quod she; [2388] "This thank have I for I have maad yow see. [2389] Allas," quod she, "that evere I was so kynde!" [2390] "Now, dame," quod he, "lat al passe out of mynde. [2391] Com doun, my lief, and if I have myssayd, [2392] God helpe me so, as I am yvele apayd. [2393] But, by my fader soule, I wende han seyn [2394] How that this Damyan hadde by thee leyn, [2395] And that thy smok hadde leyn upon his brest." [2396] "Ye, sire," quod she, "ye may wene as yow lest. [2397] But, sire, a man that waketh out of his sleep, [2398] He may nat sodeynly wel taken keep [2399] Upon a thyng, ne seen it parfitly, [2400] Til that he be adawed verraily. [2401] Right so a man that longe hath blynd ybe, [2402] Ne may nat sodeynly so wel yse, [2403] First whan his sighte is newe come ageyn, [2404] As he that hath a day or two yseyn. [2405] Til that youre sighte ysatled be a while [2406] Ther may ful many a sighte yow bigile. [2407] Beth war, I prey yow, for by hevene kyng, [2408] Ful many a man weneth to seen a thyng, [2409] And it is al another than it semeth. [2410] He that mysconceyveth, he mysdemeth." [2411] And with that word she leep doun fro the tree. [2412] This Januarie, who is glad but he? [2413] He kisseth hire and clippeth hire ful ofte, [2414] And on hire wombe he stroketh hire ful softe, [2415] And to his palays hoom he hath hire lad. [2416] Now, goode men, I pray yow to be glad. [2417] Thus endeth heere my tale of Januarie; [2418] God blesse us, and his mooder Seinte Marie! The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Merchant's Epilogue [2419] "Ey! Goddes mercy!" seyde oure Hooste tho, [2420] "Now swich a wyf I pray God kepe me fro! [2421] Lo, whiche sleightes and subtilitees [2422] In wommen been! For ay as bisy as bees [2423] Been they, us sely men for to deceyve, [2424] And from the soothe evere wol they weyve; [2425] By this Marchauntes tale it preveth weel. [2426] But doutelees, as trewe as any steel [2427] I have a wyf, though that she povre be, [2428] But of hir tonge, a labbyng shrewe is she, [2429] And yet she hath an heep of vices mo; [2430] Therof no fors! Lat alle swiche thynges go. [2431] But wyte ye what? In conseil be it seyd, [2432] Me reweth soore I am unto hire teyd. [2433] For and I sholde rekenen every vice [2434] Which that she hath, ywis I were to nyce. [2435] And cause why? It sholde reported be [2436] And toold to hire of somme of this meynee -- [2437] Of whom, it nedeth nat for to declare, [2438] Syn wommen konnen outen swich chaffare; [2439] And eek my wit suffiseth nat therto [2440] To tellen al; wherfore my tale is do." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Squire's Introduction [1] "Squier, com neer, if it youre wille be, [2] And sey somwhat of love, for certes ye [3] Konnen theron as muche as any man." [4] "Nay, sire," quod he, "but I wol seye as I kan [5] With hertly wyl, for I wol nat rebelle [6] Agayn youre lust; a tale wol I telle. [7] Have me excused if I speke amys; [8] My wyl is good, and lo, my tale is this." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Squire's Tale [9] At Sarray, in the land of Tartarye, [10] Ther dwelte a kyng that werreyed Russye, [11] Thurgh which ther dyde many a doughty man. [12] This noble kyng was cleped Cambyuskan, [13] Which in his tyme was of so greet renoun [14] That ther was nowher in no regioun [15] So excellent a lord in alle thyng: [16] Hym lakked noght that longeth to a kyng. [17] As of the secte of which that he was born [18] He kepte his lay, to which that he was sworn; [19] And therto he was hardy, wys, and riche, [20] And pitous and just, alwey yliche; [21] Sooth of his word, benigne, and honurable; [22] Of his corage as any centre stable; [23] Yong, fressh, and strong, in armes desirous [24] As any bacheler of al his hous. [25] A fair persone he was and fortunat, [26] And kept alwey so wel roial estat [27] That ther was nowher swich another man. [28] This noble kyng, this Tartre Cambyuskan, [29] Hadde two sones on Elpheta his wyf, [30] Of whiche the eldeste highte Algarsyf; [31] That oother sone was cleped Cambalo. [32] A doghter hadde this worthy kyng also, [33] That yongest was, and highte Canacee. [34] But for to telle yow al hir beautee, [35] It lyth nat in my tonge, n' yn my konnyng; [36] I dar nat undertake so heigh a thyng. [37] Myn Englissh eek is insufficient. [38] It moste been a rethor excellent [39] That koude his colours longynge for that art, [40] If he sholde hire discryven every part. [41] I am noon swich, I moot speke as I kan. [42] And so bifel that whan this Cambyuskan [43] Hath twenty wynter born his diademe, [44] As he was wont fro yeer to yeer, I deme, [45] He leet the feeste of his nativitee [46] Doon cryen thurghout Sarray his citee, [47] The laste Idus of March, after the yeer. [48] Phebus the sonne ful joly was and cleer, [49] For he was neigh his exaltacioun [50] In Martes face and in his mansioun [51] In Aries, the colerik hoote signe. [52] Ful lusty was the weder and benigne, [53] For which the foweles, agayn the sonne sheene, [54] What for the sesoun and the yonge grene, [55] Ful loude songen hire affecciouns. [56] Hem semed han geten hem protecciouns [57] Agayn the swerd of wynter, keene and coold. [58] This Cambyuskan, of which I have yow toold, [59] In roial vestiment sit on his deys, [60] With diademe, ful heighe in his paleys, [61] And halt his feeste so solempne and so ryche [62] That in this world ne was ther noon it lyche; [63] Of which if I shal tellen al th' array, [64] Thanne wolde it occupie a someres day, [65] And eek it nedeth nat for to devyse [66] At every cours the ordre of hire servyse. [67] I wol nat tellen of hir strange sewes, [68] Ne of hir swannes, ne of hire heronsewes. [69] Eek in that lond, as tellen knyghtes olde, [70] Ther is som mete that is ful deynte holde [71] That in this lond men recche of it but smal; [72] Ther nys no man that may reporten al. [73] I wol nat taryen yow, for it is pryme [74] And for it is no fruyt but los of tyme; [75] Unto my firste I wole have my recours. [76] And so bifel that after the thridde cours, [77] Whil that this kyng sit thus in his nobleye, [78] Herknynge his mynstralles hir thynges pleye [79] Biforn hym at the bord deliciously, [80] In at the halle dore al sodeynly [81] Ther cam a knyght upon a steede of bras, [82] And in his hand a brood mirour of glas. [83] Upon his thombe he hadde of gold a ryng, [84] And by his syde a naked swerd hangyng; [85] And up he rideth to the heighe bord. [86] In al the halle ne was ther spoken a word [87] For merveille of this knyght; hym to biholde [88] Ful bisily they wayten, yonge and olde. [89] This strange knyght, that cam thus sodeynly, [90] Al armed, save his heed, ful richely, [91] Saleweth kyng and queene and lordes alle, [92] By ordre, as they seten in the halle, [93] With so heigh reverence and obeisaunce, [94] As wel in speche as in contenaunce, [95] That Gawayn, with his olde curteisye, [96] Though he were comen ayeyn out of Fairye, [97] Ne koude hym nat amende with a word. [98] And after this, biforn the heighe bord, [99] He with a manly voys seide his message, [100] After the forme used in his langage, [101] Withouten vice of silable or of lettre; [102] And for his tale sholde seme the bettre, [103] Accordant to his wordes was his cheere, [104] As techeth art of speche hem that it leere. [105] Al be that I kan nat sowne his stile, [106] Ne kan nat clymben over so heigh a style, [107] Yet seye I this, as to commune entente: [108] Thus muche amounteth al that evere he mente, [109] If it so be that I have it in mynde. [110] He seyde, "The kyng of Arabe and of Inde, [111] My lige lord, on this solempne day [112] Saleweth yow, as he best kan and may, [113] And sendeth yow, in honour of youre feeste, [114] By me, that am al redy at youre heeste, [115] This steede of bras, that esily and weel [116] Kan in the space of o day natureel -- [117] This is to seyn, in foure and twenty houres -- [118] Wher-so yow lyst, in droghte or elles shoures, [119] Beren youre body into every place [120] To which youre herte wilneth for to pace, [121] Withouten wem of yow, thurgh foul or fair; [122] Or, if yow lyst to fleen as hye in the air [123] As dooth an egle whan hym list to soore, [124] This same steede shal bere yow evere moore, [125] Withouten harm, til ye be ther yow leste, [126] Though that ye slepen on his bak or reste, [127] And turne ayeyn with writhyng of a pyn. [128] He that it wroghte koude ful many a gyn. [129] He wayted many a constellacion [130] Er he had doon this operacion, [131] And knew ful many a seel and many a bond. [132] "This mirour eek, that I have in myn hond, [133] Hath swich a myght that men may in it see [134] Whan ther shal fallen any adversitee [135] Unto youre regne or to youreself also, [136] And openly who is youre freend or foo. [137] "And over al this, if any lady bright [138] Hath set hire herte on any maner wight, [139] If he be fals, she shal his tresoun see, [140] His newe love, and al his subtiltee, [141] So openly that ther shal no thyng hyde. [142] Wherfore, ageyn this lusty someres tyde, [143] This mirour and this ryng, that ye may see, [144] He hath sent to my lady Canacee, [145] Youre excellente doghter that is heere. [146] "The vertu of the ryng, if ye wol heere, [147] Is this: that if hire lust it for to were [148] Upon hir thombe or in hir purs it bere, [149] Ther is no fowel that fleeth under the hevene [150] That she ne shal wel understonde his stevene, [151] And knowe his menyng openly and pleyn, [152] And answere hym in his langage ageyn; [153] And every gras that groweth upon roote [154] She shal eek knowe, and whom it wol do boote, [155] Al be his woundes never so depe and wyde. [156] "This naked swerd, that hangeth by my syde, [157] Swich vertu hath that what man so ye smyte [158] Thurghout his armure it wole kerve and byte, [159] Were it as thikke as is a branched ook; [160] And what man that is wounded with the strook [161] Shal never be hool til that yow list, of grace, [162] To stroke hym with the plat in thilke place [163] Ther he is hurt; this is as muche to seyn, [164] Ye moote with the platte swerd ageyn [165] Stroke hym in the wounde, and it wol close. [166] This is a verray sooth, withouten glose; [167] It failleth nat whils it is in youre hoold." [168] And whan this knyght hath thus his tale toold, [169] He rideth out of halle and doun he lighte. [170] His steede, which that shoon as sonne brighte, [171] Stant in the court, stille as any stoon. [172] This knyght is to his chambre lad anoon, [173] And is unarmed, and to mete yset. [174] The presentes been ful roially yfet -- [175] This is to seyn, the swerd and the mirour -- [176] And born anon into the heighe tour [177] With certeine officers ordeyned therfore; [178] And unto Canacee this ryng is bore [179] Solempnely, ther she sit at the table. [180] But sikerly, withouten any fable, [181] The hors of bras, that may nat be remewed, [182] It stant as it were to the ground yglewed. [183] Ther may no man out of the place it dryve [184] For noon engyn of wyndas or polyve; [185] And cause why? For they kan nat the craft. [186] And therfore in the place they han it laft [187] Til that the knyght hath taught hem the manere [188] To voyden hym, as ye shal after heere. [189] Greet was the prees that swarmeth to and fro [190] To gauren on this hors that stondeth so, [191] For it so heigh was, and so brood and long, [192] So wel proporcioned for to been strong, [193] Right as it were a steede of Lumbardye; [194] Therwith so horsly, and so quyk of ye, [195] As it a gentil Poilleys courser were. [196] For certes, fro his tayl unto his ere [197] Nature ne art ne koude hym nat amende [198] In no degree, as al the people wende. [199] But everemoore hir mooste wonder was [200] How that it koude gon, and was of bras; [201] It was a fairye, as the peple semed. [202] Diverse folk diversely they demed; [203] As many heddes, as manye wittes ther been. [204] They murmureden as dooth a swarm of been, [205] And maden skiles after hir fantasies, [206] Rehersynge of thise olde poetries, [207] And seyden it was lyk the Pegasee, [208] The hors that hadde wynges for to flee; [209] Or elles it was the Grekes hors Synon, [210] That broghte Troie to destruccion, [211] As men in thise olde geestes rede. [212] "Myn herte," quod oon, "is everemoore in drede; [213] I trowe som men of armes been therinne, [214] That shapen hem this citee for to wynne. [215] It were right good that al swich thyng were knowe." [216] Another rowned to his felawe lowe, [217] And seyde, "He lyeth, for it is rather lyk [218] An apparence ymaad by som magyk, [219] As jogelours pleyen at thise feestes grete." [220] Of sondry doutes thus they jangle and trete, [221] As lewed peple demeth comunly [222] Of thynges that been maad moore subtilly [223] Than they kan in hir lewednesse comprehende; [224] They demen gladly to the badder ende. [225] And somme of hem wondred on the mirour, [226] That born was up into the maister-tour, [227] Hou men myghte in it swiche thynges se. [228] Another answerde and seyde it myghte wel be [229] Naturelly, by composiciouns [230] Of anglis and of slye reflexiouns, [231] And seyde that in Rome was swich oon. [232] They speken of Alocen, and Vitulon, [233] And Aristotle, that writen in hir lyves [234] Of queynte mirours and of perspectives, [235] As knowen they that han hir bookes herd. [236] And oother folk han wondred on the swerd [237] That wolde percen thurghout every thyng, [238] And fille in speche of Thelophus the kyng, [239] And of Achilles with his queynte spere, [240] For he koude with it bothe heele and dere, [241] Right in swich wise as men may with the swerd [242] Of which right now ye han youreselven herd. [243] They speken of sondry hardyng of metal, [244] And speke of medicynes therwithal, [245] And how and whanne it sholde yharded be, [246] Which is unknowe, algates unto me. [247] Tho speeke they of Canacees ryng, [248] And seyden alle that swich a wonder thyng [249] Of craft of rynges herde they nevere noon, [250] Save that he Moyses and kyng Salomon [251] Hadde a name of konnyng in swich art. [252] Thus seyn the peple and drawen hem apart. [253] But nathelees somme seiden that it was [254] Wonder to maken of fern-asshen glas, [255] And yet nys glas nat lyk asshen of fern; [256] But, for they han yknowen it so fern, [257] Therfore cesseth hir janglyng and hir wonder. [258] As soore wondren somme on cause of thonder, [259] On ebbe, on flood, on gossomer, and on myst, [260] And alle thyng, til that the cause is wyst. [261] Thus jangle they, and demen, and devyse [262] Til that the kyng gan fro the bord aryse. [263] Phebus hath laft the angle meridional, [264] And yet ascendynge was the beest roial, [265] The gentil Leon, with his Aldiran, [266] Whan that this Tartre kyng, Cambyuskan, [267] Roos fro his bord, ther as he sat ful hye. [268] Toforn hym gooth the loude mynstralcye [269] Til he cam to his chambre of parementz, [270] Ther as they sownen diverse instrumentz [271] That it is lyk an hevene for to heere. [272] Now dauncen lusty Venus children deere, [273] For in the Fyssh hir lady sat ful hye, [274] And looketh on hem with a freendly ye. [275] This noble kyng is set upon his trone. [276] This strange knyght is fet to hym ful soone, [277] And on the daunce he gooth with Canacee. [278] Heere is the revel and the jolitee [279] That is nat able a dul man to devyse. [280] He moste han knowen love and his servyse [281] And been a feestlych man as fressh as May, [282] That sholde yow devysen swich array. [283] Who koude telle yow the forme of daunces [284] So unkouthe, and swiche fresshe contenaunces, [285] Swich subtil lookyng and dissymulynges [286] For drede of jalouse mennes aperceyvynges? [287] No man but Launcelot, and he is deed. [288] Therfore I passe of al this lustiheed; [289] I sey namoore, but in this jolynesse [290] I lete hem til men to the soper dresse. [291] The styward bit the spices for to hye, [292] And eek the wyn, in al this melodye. [293] The usshers and the squiers been ygoon, [294] The spices and the wyn is come anoon. [295] They ete and drynke, and whan this hadde an ende, [296] Unto the temple, as reson was, they wende. [297] The service doon, they soupen al by day. [298] What nedeth yow rehercen hire array? [299] Ech man woot wel that a kynges feeste [300] Hath plentee to the meeste and to the leeste, [301] And deyntees mo than been in my knowyng. [302] At after-soper gooth this noble kyng [303] To seen this hors of bras, with al a route [304] Of lordes and of ladyes hym aboute. [305] Swich wondryng was ther on this hors of bras [306] That syn the grete sege of Troie was, [307] Theras men wondreden on an hors also, [308] Ne was ther swich a wondryng as was tho. [309] But fynally the kyng axeth this knyght [310] The vertu of this courser and the myght, [311] And preyde hym to telle his governaunce. [312] This hors anoon bigan to trippe and daunce, [313] Whan that this knyght leyde hand upon his reyne, [314] And seyde, "Sire, ther is namoore to seyne, [315] But, whan yow list to ryden anywhere, [316] Ye mooten trille a pyn, stant in his ere, [317] Which I shal yow telle bitwix us two. [318] Ye moote nempne hym to what place also, [319] Or to what contree, that yow list to ryde. [320] And whan ye come ther as yow list abyde, [321] Bidde hym descende, and trille another pyn, [322] For therin lith th' effect of al the gyn, [323] And he wol doun descende and doon youre wille, [324] And in that place he wol abyde stille. [325] Though al the world the contrarie hadde yswore, [326] He shal nat thennes been ydrawe ne ybore. [327] Or, if yow liste bidde hym thennes goon, [328] Trille this pyn, and he wol vanysshe anoon [329] Out of the sighte of every maner wight, [330] And come agayn, be it by day or nyght, [331] Whan that yow list to clepen hym ageyn [332] In swich a gyse as I shal to yow seyn [333] Bitwixe yow and me, and that ful soone. [334] Ride whan yow list; ther is namoore to doone." [335] Enformed whan the kyng was of that knyght, [336] And hath conceyved in his wit aright [337] The manere and the forme of al this thyng, [338] Ful glad and blithe, this noble doughty kyng [339] Repeireth to his revel as biforn. [340] The brydel is unto the tour yborn [341] And kept among his jueles leeve and deere. [342] The hors vanysshed, I noot in what manere, [343] Out of hir sighte; ye gete namoore of me. [344] But thus I lete in lust and jolitee [345] This Cambyuskan his lordes festeiynge [346] Til wel ny the day bigan to sprynge. [347] The norice of digestioun, the sleep, [348] Gan on hem wynke and bad hem taken keep [349] That muchel drynke and labour wolde han reste; [350] And with a galpyng mouth hem alle he keste, [351] And seyde that it was tyme to lye adoun, [352] For blood was in his domynacioun. [353] "Cherisseth blood, natures freend," quod he. [354] They thanken hym galpynge, by two, by thre, [355] And every wight gan drawe hym to his reste, [356] As sleep hem bad; they tooke it for the beste. [357] Hire dremes shul nat now been toold for me; [358] Ful were hire heddes of fumositee, [359] That causeth dreem of which ther nys no charge. [360] They slepen til that it was pryme large, [361] The mooste part, but it were Canacee. [362] She was ful mesurable, as wommen be; [363] For of hir fader hadde she take leve [364] To goon to reste soone after it was eve. [365] Hir liste nat appalled for to be, [366] Ne on the morwe unfeestlich for to se, [367] And slepte hire firste sleep, and thanne awook. [368] For swich a joye she in hir herte took [369] Bothe of hir queynte ryng and hire mirour, [370] That twenty tyme she changed hir colour; [371] And in hire sleep, right for impressioun [372] Of hire mirour, she hadde a visioun. [373] Wherfore, er that the sonne gan up glyde, [374] She cleped on hir maistresse hire bisyde, [375] And seyde that hire liste for to ryse. [376] Thise olde wommen that been gladly wyse, [377] As is hire maistresse, answerde hire anon, [378] And seyde, "Madame, whider wil ye goon [379] Thus erly, for the folk been alle on reste?" [380] "I wol," quod she, "arise, for me leste [381] Ne lenger for to slepe, and walke aboute." [382] Hire maistresse clepeth wommen a greet route, [383] And up they rysen, wel a ten or twelve; [384] Up riseth fresshe Canacee hireselve, [385] As rody and bright as dooth the yonge sonne, [386] That in the Ram is foure degrees up ronne -- [387] Noon hyer was he whan she redy was -- [388] And forth she walketh esily a pas, [389] Arrayed after the lusty seson soote [390] Lightly, for to pleye and walke on foote, [391] Nat but with fyve or sixe of hir meynee; [392] And in a trench forth in the park gooth she. [393] The vapour which that fro the erthe glood [394] Made the sonne to seme rody and brood; [395] But nathelees it was so fair a sighte [396] That it made alle hire hertes for to lighte, [397] What for the seson and the morwenynge, [398] And for the foweles that she herde synge. [399] For right anon she wiste what they mente [400] Right by hir song, and knew al hire entente. [401] The knotte why that every tale is toold, [402] If it be taried til that lust be coold [403] Of hem that han it after herkned yoore, [404] The savour passeth ever lenger the moore, [405] For fulsomnesse of his prolixitee; [406] And by the same resoun, thynketh me, [407] I sholde to the knotte condescende, [408] And maken of hir walkyng soone an ende. [409] Amydde a tree, for drye as whit as chalk, [410] As Canacee was pleyyng in hir walk, [411] Ther sat a faucon over hire heed ful hye, [412] That with a pitous voys so gan to crye [413] That all the wode resouned of hire cry. [414] Ybeten hadde she hirself so pitously [415] With bothe hir wynges til the rede blood [416] Ran endelong the tree ther-as she stood. [417] And evere in oon she cryde alwey and shrighte, [418] And with hir beek hirselven so she prighte [419] That ther nys tygre, ne noon so crueel beest [420] That dwelleth outher in wode or in forest, [421] That nolde han wept, if that he wepe koude, [422] For sorwe of hire, she shrighte alwey so loude. [423] For ther nas nevere yet no man on lyve, [424] If that I koude a faucon wel discryve, [425] That herde of swich another of fairnesse, [426] As wel of plumage as of gentillesse [427] Of shap, of al that myghte yrekened be. [428] A faucon peregryn thanne semed she [429] Of fremde land; and everemoore, as she stood, [430] She swowneth now and now for lak of blood, [431] Til wel neigh is she fallen fro the tree. [432] This faire kynges doghter, Canacee, [433] That on hir fynger baar the queynte ryng, [434] Thurgh which she understood wel every thyng [435] That any fowel may in his leden seyn, [436] And koude answeren hym in his ledene ageyn, [437] Hath understonde what this faucon seyde, [438] And wel neigh for the routhe almoost she deyde. [439] And to the tree she gooth ful hastily, [440] And on this faukon looketh pitously, [441] And heeld hir lappe abrood, for wel she wiste [442] The faukon moste fallen fro the twiste, [443] Whan that it swowned next, for lak of blood. [444] A longe whil to wayten hire she stood [445] Til atte laste she spak in this manere [446] Unto the hauk, as ye shal after heere: [447] "What is the cause, if it be for to telle, [448] That ye be in this furial pyne of helle?" [449] Quod Canacee unto this hauk above. [450] "Is this for sorwe of deeth or los of love? [451] For, as I trowe, thise been causes two [452] That causen moost a gentil herte wo; [453] Of oother harm it nedeth nat to speke. [454] For ye youreself upon yourself yow wreke, [455] Which proveth wel that outher ire or drede [456] Moot been enchesoun of youre cruel dede, [457] Syn that I see noon oother wight yow chace. [458] For love of God, as dooth youreselven grace, [459] Or what may been youre help? For west nor est [460] Ne saugh I nevere er now no bryd ne beest [461] That ferde with hymself so pitously. [462] Ye sle me with youre sorwe verraily, [463] I have of yow so greet compassioun. [464] For Goddes love, com fro the tree adoun; [465] And as I am a kynges doghter trewe, [466] If that I verraily the cause knewe [467] Of youre disese, if it lay in my myght, [468] I wolde amenden it er that it were nyght, [469] As wisly helpe me grete God of kynde! [470] And herbes shal I right ynowe yfynde [471] To heel with youre hurtes hastily." [472] Tho shrighte this faucon yet moore pitously [473] Than ever she dide, and fil to grounde anon, [474] And lith aswowne, deed and lyk a stoon, [475] Til Canacee hath in hire lappe hire take [476] Unto the tyme she gan of swough awake. [477] And after that she of hir swough gan breyde, [478] Right in hir haukes ledene thus she seyde: [479] "That pitee renneth soone in gentil herte, [480] Feelynge his similitude in peynes smerte, [481] Is preved alday, as men may it see, [482] As wel by werk as by auctoritee; [483] For gentil herte kitheth gentillesse. [484] I se wel that ye han of my distresse [485] Compassion, my faire Canacee, [486] Of verray wommanly benignytee [487] That Nature in youre principles hath set. [488] But for noon hope for to fare the bet, [489] But for to obeye unto youre herte free, [490] And for to maken othere be war by me, [491] As by the whelp chasted is the leon, [492] Right for that cause and that conclusion, [493] Whil that I have a leyser and a space, [494] Myn harm I wol confessen er I pace." [495] And evere, whil that oon hir sorwe tolde, [496] That oother weep as she to water wolde [497] Til that the faucon bad hire to be stille, [498] And, with a syk, right thus she seyde hir wille: [499] "Ther I was bred -- allas, that ilke day! -- [500] And fostred in a roche of marbul gray [501] So tendrely that no thyng eyled me, [502] I nyste nat what was adversitee [503] Til I koude flee ful hye under the sky. [504] Tho dwelte a tercelet me faste by, [505] That semed welle of alle gentillesse; [506] Al were he ful of treson and falsnesse, [507] It was so wrapped under humble cheere, [508] And under hewe of trouthe in swich manere, [509] Under plesance, and under bisy peyne, [510] That no wight koude han wend he koude feyne, [511] So depe in greyn he dyed his coloures. [512] Right as a serpent hit hym under floures [513] Til he may seen his tyme for to byte, [514] Right so this god of loves ypocryte [515] Dooth so his cerymonyes and obeisaunces, [516] And kepeth in semblaunt alle his observaunces [517] That sownen into gentillesse of love. [518] As in a toumbe is al the faire above, [519] And under is the corps, swich as ye woot, [520] Swich was this ypocrite, bothe coold and hoot. [521] And in this wise he served his entente [522] That, save the feend, noon wiste what he mente, [523] Til he so longe hadde wopen and compleyned, [524] And many a yeer his service to me feyned, [525] Til that myn herte, to pitous and to nyce, [526] Al innocent of his crouned malice, [527] Forfered of his deeth, as thoughte me, [528] Upon his othes and his seuretee, [529] Graunted hym love, upon this condicioun, [530] That everemoore myn honour and renoun [531] Were saved, bothe privee and apert; [532] This is to seyn, that after his desert, [533] I yaf hym al myn herte and al my thoght -- [534] God woot and he, that ootherwise noght -- [535] And took his herte in chaunge of myn for ay. [536] But sooth is seyd, goon sithen many a day, [537] `A trewe wight and a theef thenken nat oon.' [538] And whan he saugh the thyng so fer ygoon [539] That I hadde graunted hym fully my love [540] In swich a gyse as I have seyd above, [541] And yeven hym my trewe herte as free [542] As he swoor he yaf his herte to me, [543] Anon this tigre, ful of doublenesse, [544] Fil on his knees with so devout humblesse, [545] With so heigh reverence, and, as by his cheere, [546] So lyk a gentil lovere of manere, [547] So ravysshed, as it semed, for the joye [548] That nevere Jason ne Parys of Troye -- [549] Jason? certes, ne noon oother man [550] Syn Lameth was, that alderfirst bigan [551] To loven two, as writen folk biforn -- [552] Ne nevere, syn the firste man was born, [553] Ne koude man, by twenty thousand part, [554] Countrefete the sophymes of his art, [555] Ne were worthy unbokelen his galoche, [556] Ther doublenesse or feynyng sholde approche, [557] Ne so koude thonke a wight as he dide me! [558] His manere was an hevene for to see [559] Til any womman, were she never so wys, [560] So peynted he and kembde at point-devys [561] As wel his wordes as his contenaunce. [562] And I so loved hym for his obeisaunce, [563] And for the trouthe I demed in his herte, [564] That if so were that any thyng hym smerte, [565] Al were it never so lite, and I it wiste, [566] Me thoughte I felte deeth myn herte twiste. [567] And shortly, so ferforth this thyng is went [568] That my wyl was his willes instrument; [569] This is to seyn, my wyl obeyed his wyl [570] In alle thyng, as fer as reson fil, [571] Kepynge the boundes of my worshipe evere. [572] Ne nevere hadde I thyng so lief, ne levere, [573] As hym, God woot, ne nevere shal namo. [574] "This laste lenger than a yeer or two, [575] That I supposed of hym noght but good. [576] But finally, thus atte laste it stood, [577] That Fortune wolde that he moste twynne [578] Out of that place which that I was inne. [579] Wher me was wo, that is no questioun; [580] I kan nat make of it discripsioun. [581] For o thyng dar I tellen boldely: [582] I knowe what is the peyne of deeth therby; [583] Swich harm I felte for he ne myghte bileve. [584] So on a day of me he took his leve, [585] So sorwefully eek that I wende verraily [586] That he had felt as muche harm as I, [587] Whan that I herde hym speke and saugh his hewe. [588] But nathelees, I thoughte he was so trewe, [589] And eek that he repaire sholde ageyn [590] Withinne a litel while, sooth to seyn; [591] And resoun wolde eek that he moste go [592] For his honour, as ofte it happeth so, [593] That I made vertu of necessitee, [594] And took it wel, syn that it moste be. [595] As I best myghte, I hidde fro hym my sorwe, [596] And took hym by the hond, Seint John to borwe, [597] And seyde hym thus: `Lo, I am youres al; [598] Beth swich as I to yow have been and shal.' [599] What he answerde, it nedeth noght reherce; [600] Who kan sey bet than he, who kan do werse? [601] Whan he hath al wel seyd, thanne hath he doon. [602] `Therfore bihoveth hire a ful long spoon [603] That shal ete with a feend,' thus herde I seye. [604] So atte laste he moste forth his weye, [605] And forth he fleeth til he cam ther hym leste. [606] Whan it cam hym to purpos for to reste, [607] I trowe he hadde thilke text in mynde, [608] That `alle thyng, repeirynge to his kynde, [609] Gladeth hymself;' thus seyn men, as I gesse. [610] Men loven of propre kynde newefangelnesse, [611] As briddes doon that men in cages fede. [612] For though thou nyght and day take of hem hede, [613] And strawe hir cage faire and softe as silk, [614] And yeve hem sugre, hony, breed and milk, [615] Yet right anon as that his dore is uppe [616] He with his feet wol spurne adoun his cuppe, [617] And to the wode he wole and wormes ete; [618] So newefangel been they of hire mete, [619] And loven novelries of propre kynde, [620] No gentillesse of blood ne may hem bynde. [621] "So ferde this tercelet, allas the day! [622] Though he were gentil born, and fressh and gay, [623] And goodlich for to seen, and humble and free, [624] He saugh upon a tyme a kyte flee, [625] And sodeynly he loved this kyte so [626] That al his love is clene fro me ago, [627] And hath his trouthe falsed in this wyse. [628] Thus hath the kyte my love in hire servyse, [629] And I am lorn withouten remedie!" [630] And with that word this faucon gan to crie [631] And swowned eft in Canacees barm. [632] Greet was the sorwe for the haukes harm [633] That Canacee and alle hir wommen made; [634] They nyste hou they myghte the faucon glade. [635] But Canacee hom bereth hire in hir lappe, [636] And softely in plastres gan hire wrappe, [637] Ther as she with hire beek hadde hurt hirselve. [638] Now kan nat Canacee but herbes delve [639] Out of the ground, and make salves newe [640] Of herbes preciouse and fyne of hewe [641] To heelen with this hauk. Fro day to nyght [642] She dooth hire bisynesse and al hire myght, [643] And by hire beddes heed she made a mewe [644] And covered it with veluettes blewe, [645] In signe of trouthe that is in wommen sene. [646] And al withoute, the mewe is peynted grene, [647] In which were peynted alle thise false fowles, [648] As ben thise tidyves, tercelettes, and owles; [649] Right for despit were peynted hem bisyde, [650] Pyes, on hem for to crie and chyde. [651] Thus lete I Canacee hir hauk kepyng; [652] I wol namoore as now speke of hir ryng [653] Til it come eft to purpos for to seyn [654] How that this faucon gat hire love ageyn [655] Repentant, as the storie telleth us, [656] By mediacion of Cambalus, [657] The kynges sone, of which I yow tolde. [658] But hennesforth I wol my proces holde [659] To speken of aventures and of batailles [660] That nevere yet was herd so grete mervailles. [661] First wol I telle yow of Cambyuskan, [662] That in his tyme many a citee wan; [663] And after wol I speke of Algarsif, [664] How that he wan Theodora to his wif, [665] For whom ful ofte in greet peril he was, [666] Ne hadde he ben holpen by the steede of bras; [667] And after wol I speke of Cambalo, [668] That faught in lystes with the bretheren two [669] For Canacee er that he myghte hire wynne. [670] And ther I lefte I wol ayeyn bigynne. [671] Appollo whirleth up his chaar so hye [672] Til that the god Mercurius hous, the slye -- [673] "In feith, Squier, thow hast thee wel yquit [674] And gentilly. I preise wel thy wit," [675] Quod the Frankeleyn, "considerynge thy yowthe, [676] So feelyngly thou spekest, sire, I allow the! [677] As to my doom, ther is noon that is heere [678] Of eloquence that shal be thy peere, [679] If that thou lyve; God yeve thee good chaunce, [680] And in vertu sende thee continuaunce, [681] For of thy speche I have greet deyntee. [682] I have a sone, and by the Trinitee, [683] I hadde levere than twenty pound worth lond, [684] Though it right now were fallen in myn hond, [685] He were a man of swich discrecioun [686] As that ye been! Fy on possessioun, [687] But if a man be vertuous withal! [688] I have my sone snybbed, and yet shal, [689] For he to vertu listeth nat entende; [690] But for to pleye at dees, and to despende [691] And lese al that he hath is his usage. [692] And he hath levere talken with a page [693] Than to comune with any gentil wight [694] Where he myghte lerne gentillesse aright." [695] "Straw for youre gentillesse!" quod oure Hoost. [696] "What, Frankeleyn! Pardee, sire, wel thou woost [697] That ech of yow moot tellen atte leste [698] A tale or two, or breken his biheste." [699] "That knowe I wel, sire," quod the Frankeleyn. [700] "I prey yow, haveth me nat in desdeyn, [701] Though to this man I speke a word or two." [702] "Telle on thy tale withouten wordes mo." [703] "Gladly, sire Hoost," quod he, "I wole obeye [704] Unto your wyl; now herkneth what I seye. [705] I wol yow nat contrarien in no wyse [706] As fer as that my wittes wol suffyse. [707] I prey to God that it may plesen yow; [708] Thanne woot I wel that it is good ynow." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Franklin's Prologue [709] Thise olde gentil Britouns in hir dayes [710] Of diverse aventures maden layes, [711] Rymeyed in hir firste Briton tonge, [712] Whiche layes with hir instrumentz they songe [713] Or elles redden hem for hir plesaunce; [714] And oon of hem have I in remembraunce, [715] Which I shal seyn with good wyl as I kan. [716] But, sires, by cause I am a burel man, [717] At my bigynnyng first I yow biseche, [718] Have me excused of my rude speche. [719] I lerned nevere rethorik, certeyn; [720] Thyng that I speke, it moot be bare and pleyn. [721] I sleep nevere on the Mount of Pernaso, [722] Ne lerned Marcus Tullius Scithero. [723] Colours ne knowe I none, withouten drede, [724] But swiche colours as growen in the mede, [725] Or elles swiche as men dye or peynte. [726] Colours of rethoryk been to me queynte; [727] My spirit feeleth noght of swich mateere. [728] But if yow list, my tale shul ye heere. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Franklin's Tale [729] In Armorik, that called is Britayne, [730] Ther was a knyght that loved and dide his payne [731] To serve a lady in his beste wise; [732] And many a labour, many a greet emprise, [733] He for his lady wroghte er she were wonne. [734] For she was oon the faireste under sonne, [735] And eek therto comen of so heigh kynrede [736] That wel unnethes dorste this knyght, for drede, [737] Telle hire his wo, his peyne, and his distresse. [738] But atte laste she, for his worthynesse, [739] And namely for his meke obeysaunce, [740] Hath swich a pitee caught of his penaunce [741] That pryvely she fil of his accord [742] To take hym for hir housbonde and hir lord, [743] Of swich lordshipe as men han over hir wyves. [744] And for to lede the moore in blisse hir lyves, [745] Of his free wyl he swoor hire as a knyght [746] That nevere in al his lyf he, day ne nyght, [747] Ne sholde upon hym take no maistrie [748] Agayn hir wyl, ne kithe hire jalousie, [749] But hire obeye, and folwe hir wyl in al, [750] As any lovere to his lady shal, [751] Save that the name of soveraynetee, [752] That wolde he have for shame of his degree. [753] She thanked hym, and with ful greet humblesse [754] She seyde, "Sire, sith of youre gentillesse [755] Ye profre me to have so large a reyne, [756] Ne wolde nevere God bitwixe us tweyne, [757] As in my gilt, were outher werre or stryf. [758] Sire, I wol be youre humble trewe wyf -- [759] Have heer my trouthe -- til that myn herte breste." [760] Thus been they bothe in quiete and in reste. [761] For o thyng, sires, saufly dar I seye, [762] That freendes everych oother moot obeye, [763] If they wol longe holden compaignye. [764] Love wol nat been constreyned by maistrye. [765] Whan maistrie comth, the God of Love anon [766] Beteth his wynges, and farewel, he is gon! [767] Love is a thyng as any spirit free. [768] Wommen, of kynde, desiren libertee, [769] And nat to been constreyned as a thral; [770] And so doon men, if I sooth seyen shal. [771] Looke who that is moost pacient in love, [772] He is at his avantage al above. [773] Pacience is an heigh vertu, certeyn, [774] For it venquysseth, as thise clerkes seyn, [775] Thynges that rigour sholde nevere atteyne. [776] For every word men may nat chide or pleyne. [777] Lerneth to suffre, or elles, so moot I goon, [778] Ye shul it lerne, wher so ye wole or noon; [779] For in this world, certein, ther no wight is [780] That he ne dooth or seith somtyme amys. [781] Ire, siknesse, or constellacioun, [782] Wyn, wo, or chaungynge of complexioun [783] Causeth ful ofte to doon amys or speken. [784] On every wrong a man may nat be wreken. [785] After the tyme moste be temperaunce [786] To every wight that kan on governaunce. [787] And therfore hath this wise, worthy knyght, [788] To lyve in ese, suffrance hire bihight, [789] And she to hym ful wisly gan to swere [790] That nevere sholde ther be defaute in here. [791] Heere may men seen an humble, wys accord; [792] Thus hath she take hir servant and hir lord -- [793] Servant in love, and lord in mariage. [794] Thanne was he bothe in lordshipe and servage. [795] Servage? Nay, but in lordshipe above, [796] Sith he hath bothe his lady and his love; [797] His lady, certes, and his wyf also, [798] The which that lawe of love acordeth to. [799] And whan he was in this prosperitee, [800] Hoom with his wyf he gooth to his contree, [801] Nat fer fro Pedmark, ther his dwellyng was, [802] Where as he lyveth in blisse and in solas. [803] Who koude telle, but he hadde wedded be, [804] The joye, the ese, and the prosperitee [805] That is bitwixe an housbonde and his wyf? [806] A yeer and moore lasted this blisful lyf, [807] Til that the knyght of which I speke of thus, [808] That of Kayrrud was cleped Arveragus, [809] Shoop hym to goon and dwelle a yeer or tweyne [810] In Engelond, that cleped was eek Briteyne, [811] To seke in armes worshipe and honour -- [812] For al his lust he sette in swich labour -- [813] And dwelled there two yeer; the book seith thus. [814] Now wol I stynten of this Arveragus, [815] And speken I wole of Dorigen his wyf, [816] That loveth hire housbonde as hire hertes lyf. [817] For his absence wepeth she and siketh, [818] As doon thise noble wyves whan hem liketh. [819] She moorneth, waketh, wayleth, fasteth, pleyneth; [820] Desir of his presence hire so destreyneth [821] That al this wyde world she sette at noght. [822] Hire freendes, whiche that knewe hir hevy thoght, [823] Conforten hire in al that ever they may. [824] They prechen hire, they telle hire nyght and day [825] That causelees she sleeth hirself, allas! [826] And every confort possible in this cas [827] They doon to hire with al hire bisynesse, [828] Al for to make hire leve hire hevynesse. [829] By proces, as ye knowen everichoon, [830] Men may so longe graven in a stoon [831] Til som figure therinne emprented be. [832] So longe han they conforted hire til she [833] Receyved hath, by hope and by resoun, [834] The emprentyng of hire consolacioun, [835] Thurgh which hir grete sorwe gan aswage; [836] She may nat alwey duren in swich rage. [837] And eek Arveragus, in al this care, [838] Hath sent hire lettres hoom of his welfare, [839] And that he wol come hastily agayn; [840] Or elles hadde this sorwe hir herte slayn. [841] Hire freendes sawe hir sorwe gan to slake [842] And preyde hire on knees, for Goddes sake, [843] To come and romen hire in compaignye, [844] Awey to dryve hire derke fantasye. [845] And finally she graunted that requeste, [846] For wel she saugh that it was for the beste. [847] Now stood hire castel faste by the see, [848] And often with hire freendes walketh shee [849] Hire to disporte upon the bank an heigh, [850] Where as she many a ship and barge seigh [851] Seillynge hir cours, where as hem liste go. [852] But thanne was that a parcel of hire wo, [853] For to hirself ful ofte, "Allas!" seith she, [854] "Is ther no ship, of so manye as I se, [855] Wol bryngen hom my lord? Thanne were myn herte [856] Al warisshed of his bittre peynes smerte." [857] Another tyme ther wolde she sitte and thynke, [858] And caste hir eyen dounward fro the brynke. [859] But whan she saugh the grisly rokkes blake, [860] For verray feere so wolde hir herte quake [861] That on hire feet she myghte hire noght sustene. [862] Thanne wolde she sitte adoun upon the grene, [863] And pitously into the see biholde, [864] And seyn right thus, with sorweful sikes colde: [865] "Eterne God, that thurgh thy purveiaunce [866] Ledest the world by certein governaunce, [867] In ydel, as men seyn, ye no thyng make. [868] But, Lord, thise grisly feendly rokkes blake, [869] That semen rather a foul confusion [870] Of werk than any fair creacion [871] Of swich a parfit wys God and a stable, [872] Why han ye wroght this werk unresonable? [873] For by this werk, south, north, ne west, ne eest, [874] Ther nys yfostred man, ne bryd, ne beest; [875] It dooth no good, to my wit, but anoyeth. [876] Se ye nat, Lord, how mankynde it destroyeth? [877] An hundred thousand bodyes of mankynde [878] Han rokkes slayn, al be they nat in mynde, [879] Which mankynde is so fair part of thy werk [880] That thou it madest lyk to thyn owene merk. [881] Thanne semed it ye hadde a greet chiertee [882] Toward mankynde; but how thanne may it bee [883] That ye swiche meenes make it to destroyen, [884] Whiche meenes do no good, but evere anoyen? [885] I woot wel clerkes wol seyn as hem leste, [886] By argumentz, that al is for the beste, [887] Though I ne kan the causes nat yknowe. [888] But thilke God that made wynd to blowe [889] As kepe my lord! This my conclusion. [890] To clerkes lete I al disputison. [891] But wolde God that alle thise rokkes blake [892] Were sonken into helle for his sake! [893] Thise rokkes sleen myn herte for the feere." [894] Thus wolde she seyn, with many a pitous teere. [895] Hire freendes sawe that it was no disport [896] To romen by the see, but disconfort, [897] And shopen for to pleyen somwher elles. [898] They leden hire by ryveres and by welles, [899] And eek in othere places delitables; [900] They dauncen and they pleyen at ches and tables. [901] So on a day, right in the morwe-tyde, [902] Unto a gardyn that was ther bisyde, [903] In which that they hadde maad hir ordinaunce [904] Of vitaille and of oother purveiaunce, [905] They goon and pleye hem al the longe day. [906] And this was on the sixte morwe of May, [907] Which May hadde peynted with his softe shoures [908] This gardyn ful of leves and of floures; [909] And craft of mannes hand so curiously [910] Arrayed hadde this gardyn, trewely, [911] That nevere was ther gardyn of swich prys [912] But if it were the verray paradys. [913] The odour of floures and the fresshe sighte [914] Wolde han maked any herte lighte [915] That evere was born, but if to greet siknesse [916] Or to greet sorwe helde it in distresse, [917] So ful it was of beautee with plesaunce. [918] At after-dyner gonne they to daunce, [919] And synge also, save Dorigen allone, [920] Which made alwey hir compleint and hir moone, [921] For she ne saugh hym on the daunce go [922] That was hir housbonde and hir love also. [923] But nathelees she moste a tyme abyde [924] And with good hope lete hir sorwe slyde. [925] Upon this daunce, amonges othere men, [926] Daunced a squier biforn Dorigen, [927] That fressher was and jolyer of array, [928] As to my doom, than is the month of May. [929] He syngeth, daunceth, passynge any man [930] That is, or was, sith that the world bigan. [931] Therwith he was, if men sholde hym discryve, [932] Oon of the beste farynge man on lyve; [933] Yong, strong, right vertuous, and riche, and wys, [934] And wel biloved, and holden in greet prys. [935] And shortly, if the sothe I tellen shal, [936] Unwityng of this Dorigen at al, [937] This lusty squier, servant to Venus, [938] Which that ycleped was Aurelius, [939] Hadde loved hire best of any creature [940] Two yeer and moore, as was his aventure, [941] But nevere dorste he tellen hire his grevaunce. [942] Withouten coppe he drank al his penaunce. [943] He was despeyred; no thyng dorste he seye, [944] Save in his songes somwhat wolde he wreye [945] His wo, as in a general compleynyng; [946] He seyde he lovede and was biloved no thyng. [947] Of swich matere made he manye layes, [948] Songes, compleintes, roundels, virelayes, [949] How that he dorste nat his sorwe telle, [950] But langwissheth as a furye dooth in helle; [951] And dye he moste, he seyde, as dide Ekko [952] For Narcisus, that dorste nat telle hir wo. [953] In oother manere than ye heere me seye, [954] Ne dorste he nat to hire his wo biwreye, [955] Save that, paraventure, somtyme at daunces, [956] Ther yonge folk kepen hir observaunces, [957] It may wel be he looked on hir face [958] In swich a wise as man that asketh grace; [959] But nothyng wiste she of his entente. [960] Nathelees it happed, er they thennes wente, [961] By cause that he was hire neighebour, [962] And was a man of worshipe and honour, [963] And hadde yknowen hym of tyme yoore, [964] They fille in speche; and forth, moore and moore, [965] Unto his purpos drough Aurelius, [966] And whan he saugh his tyme, he seyde thus: [967] "Madame," quod he, "by God that this world made, [968] So that I wiste it myghte youre herte glade, [969] I wolde that day that youre Arveragus [970] Wente over the see, that I, Aurelius, [971] Hadde went ther nevere I sholde have come agayn. [972] For wel I woot my servyce is in vayn; [973] My gerdon is but brestyng of myn herte. [974] Madame, reweth upon my peynes smerte; [975] For with a word ye may me sleen or save. [976] Heere at youre feet God wolde that I were grave! [977] I ne have as now no leyser moore to seye; [978] Have mercy, sweete, or ye wol do me deye!" [979] She gan to looke upon Aurelius; [980] "Is this youre wyl," quod she, "and sey ye thus? [981] Nevere erst," quod she, "ne wiste I what ye mente. [982] But now, Aurelie, I knowe youre entente, [983] By thilke God that yaf me soule and lyf, [984] Ne shal I nevere been untrewe wyf [985] In word ne werk, as fer as I have wit; [986] I wol been his to whom that I am knyt. [987] Taak this for fynal answere as of me." [988] But after that in pley thus seyde she: [989] "Aurelie," quod she, "by heighe God above, [990] Yet wolde I graunte yow to been youre love, [991] Syn I yow se so pitously complayne. [992] Looke what day that endelong Britayne [993] Ye remoeve alle the rokkes, stoon by stoon, [994] That they ne lette ship ne boot to goon -- [995] I seye, whan ye han maad the coost so clene [996] Of rokkes that ther nys no stoon ysene, [997] Thanne wol I love yow best of any man; [998] Have heer my trouthe, in al that evere I kan." [999] "Is ther noon oother grace in yow?" quod he. [1000] "No, by that Lord," quod she, "that maked me! [1001] For wel I woot that it shal never bityde. [1002] Lat swiche folies out of youre herte slyde. [1003] What deyntee sholde a man han in his lyf [1004] For to go love another mannes wyf, [1005] That hath hir body whan so that hym liketh?" [1006] Aurelius ful ofte soore siketh; [1007] Wo was Aurelie whan that he this herde, [1008] And with a sorweful herte he thus answerde: [1009] "Madame," quod he, "this were an inpossible! [1010] Thanne moot I dye of sodeyn deth horrible." [1011] And with that word he turned hym anon. [1012] Tho coome hir othere freendes many oon, [1013] And in the aleyes romeden up and doun, [1014] And nothyng wiste of this conclusioun, [1015] But sodeynly bigonne revel newe [1016] Til that the brighte sonne loste his hewe; [1017] For th' orisonte hath reft the sonne his lyght -- [1018] This is as muche to seye as it was nyght -- [1019] And hoom they goon in joye and in solas, [1020] Save oonly wrecche Aurelius, allas! [1021] He to his hous is goon with sorweful herte. [1022] He seeth he may nat fro his deeth asterte; [1023] Hym semed that he felte his herte colde. [1024] Up to the hevene his handes he gan holde, [1025] And on his knowes bare he sette hym doun, [1026] And in his ravyng seyde his orisoun. [1027] For verray wo out of his wit he breyde. [1028] He nyste what he spak, but thus he seyde; [1029] With pitous herte his pleynt hath he bigonne [1030] Unto the goddes, and first unto the sonne: [1031] He seyde, "Appollo, god and governour [1032] Of every plaunte, herbe, tree, and flour, [1033] That yevest, after thy declinacion, [1034] To ech of hem his tyme and his seson, [1035] As thyn herberwe chaungeth lowe or heighe, [1036] Lord Phebus, cast thy merciable eighe [1037] On wrecche Aurelie, which that am but lorn. [1038] Lo, lord! My lady hath my deeth ysworn [1039] Withoute gilt, but thy benignytee [1040] Upon my dedly herte have som pitee. [1041] For wel I woot, lord Phebus, if yow lest, [1042] Ye may me helpen, save my lady, best. [1043] Now voucheth sauf that I may yow devyse [1044] How that I may been holpen and in what wyse. [1045] "Youre blisful suster, Lucina the sheene, [1046] That of the see is chief goddesse and queene [1047] (Though Neptunus have deitee in the see, [1048] Yet emperisse aboven hym is she), [1049] Ye knowen wel, lord, that right as hir desir [1050] Is to be quyked and lighted of youre fir, [1051] For which she folweth yow ful bisily, [1052] Right so the see desireth naturelly [1053] To folwen hire, as she that is goddesse [1054] Bothe in the see and ryveres moore and lesse. [1055] Wherfore, lord Phebus, this is my requeste -- [1056] Do this miracle, or do myn herte breste -- [1057] That now next at this opposicion [1058] Which in the signe shal be of the Leon, [1059] As preieth hire so greet a flood to brynge [1060] That fyve fadme at the leeste it oversprynge [1061] The hyeste rokke in Armorik Briteyne; [1062] And lat this flood endure yeres tweyne. [1063] Thanne certes to my lady may I seye, [1064] `Holdeth youre heste, the rokkes been aweye.' [1065] "Lord Phebus, dooth this miracle for me. [1066] Preye hire she go no faster cours than ye; [1067] I seye, preyeth your suster that she go [1068] No faster cours than ye thise yeres two. [1069] Thanne shal she been evene atte fulle alway, [1070] And spryng flood laste bothe nyght and day. [1071] And but she vouche sauf in swich manere [1072] To graunte me my sovereyn lady deere, [1073] Prey hire to synken every rok adoun [1074] Into hir owene dirke regioun [1075] Under the ground, ther Pluto dwelleth inne, [1076] Or nevere mo shal I my lady wynne. [1077] Thy temple in Delphos wol I barefoot seke. [1078] Lord Phebus, se the teeris on my cheke, [1079] And of my peyne have som compassioun." [1080] And with that word in swowne he fil adoun, [1081] And longe tyme he lay forth in a traunce. [1082] His brother, which that knew of his penaunce, [1083] Up caughte hym and to bedde he hath hym broght. [1084] Dispeyred in this torment and this thoght [1085] Lete I this woful creature lye; [1086] Chese he, for me, wheither he wol lyve or dye. [1087] Arveragus, with heele and greet honour, [1088] As he that was of chivalrie the flour, [1089] Is comen hoom, and othere worthy men. [1090] O blisful artow now, thou Dorigen, [1091] That hast thy lusty housbonde in thyne armes, [1092] The fresshe knyght, the worthy man of armes, [1093] That loveth thee as his owene hertes lyf. [1094] No thyng list hym to been ymaginatyf, [1095] If any wight hadde spoke, whil he was oute, [1096] To hire of love; he hadde of it no doute. [1097] He noght entendeth to no swich mateere, [1098] But daunceth, justeth, maketh hire good cheere; [1099] And thus in joye and blisse I lete hem dwelle, [1100] And of the sike Aurelius wol I telle. [1101] In langour and in torment furyus [1102] Two yeer and moore lay wrecche Aurelyus, [1103] Er any foot he myghte on erthe gon; [1104] Ne confort in this tyme hadde he noon, [1105] Save of his brother, which that was a clerk. [1106] He knew of al this wo and al this werk, [1107] For to noon oother creature, certeyn, [1108] Of this matere he dorste no word seyn. [1109] Under his brest he baar it moore secree [1110] Than evere dide Pamphilus for Galathee. [1111] His brest was hool, withoute for to sene, [1112] But in his herte ay was the arwe kene. [1113] And wel ye knowe that of a sursanure [1114] In surgerye is perilous the cure, [1115] But men myghte touche the arwe or come therby. [1116] His brother weep and wayled pryvely, [1117] Til atte laste hym fil in remembraunce, [1118] That whiles he was at Orliens in Fraunce -- [1119] As yonge clerkes that been lykerous [1120] To reden artes that been curious [1121] Seken in every halke and every herne [1122] Particuler sciences for to lerne -- [1123] He hym remembred that, upon a day, [1124] At Orliens in studie a book he say [1125] Of magyk natureel, which his felawe, [1126] That was that tyme a bacheler of lawe, [1127] Al were he ther to lerne another craft, [1128] Hadde prively upon his desk ylaft; [1129] Which book spak muchel of the operaciouns [1130] Touchynge the eighte and twenty mansiouns [1131] That longen to the moone, and swich folye [1132] As in oure dayes is nat worth a flye -- [1133] For hooly chirches feith in oure bileve [1134] Ne suffreth noon illusioun us to greve. [1135] And whan this book was in his remembraunce, [1136] Anon for joye his herte gan to daunce, [1137] And to hymself he seyde pryvely: [1138] "My brother shal be warisshed hastily; [1139] For I am siker that ther be sciences [1140] By whiche men make diverse apparences, [1141] Swiche as thise subtile tregetoures pleye. [1142] For ofte at feestes have I wel herd seye [1143] That tregetours withinne an halle large [1144] Have maad come in a water and a barge, [1145] And in the halle rowen up and doun. [1146] Somtyme hath semed come a grym leoun; [1147] And somtyme floures sprynge as in a mede; [1148] Somtyme a vyne, and grapes white and rede; [1149] Somtyme a castel, al of lym and stoon; [1150] And whan hem lyked, voyded it anon. [1151] Thus semed it to every mannes sighte. [1152] "Now thanne conclude I thus: that if I myghte [1153] At Orliens som oold felawe yfynde [1154] That hadde thise moones mansions in mynde, [1155] Or oother magyk natureel above, [1156] He sholde wel make my brother han his love. [1157] For with an apparence a clerk may make, [1158] To mannes sighte, that alle the rokkes blake [1159] Of Britaigne weren yvoyded everichon, [1160] And shippes by the brynke comen and gon, [1161] And in swich forme enduren a wowke or two. [1162] Thanne were my brother warisshed of his wo; [1163] Thanne moste she nedes holden hire biheste, [1164] Or elles he shal shame hire atte leeste." [1165] What sholde I make a lenger tale of this? [1166] Unto his brotheres bed he comen is, [1167] And swich confort he yaf hym for to gon [1168] To Orliens that he up stirte anon, [1169] And on his wey forthward thanne is he fare [1170] In hope for to been lissed of his care. [1171] Whan they were come almoost to that citee, [1172] But if it were a two furlong or thre, [1173] A yong clerk romynge by hymself they mette, [1174] Which that in Latyn thriftily hem grette, [1175] And after that he seyde a wonder thyng: [1176] "I knowe," quod he, "the cause of youre comyng." [1177] And er they ferther any foote wente, [1178] He tolde hem al that was in hire entente. [1179] This Briton clerk hym asked of felawes [1180] The whiche that he had knowe in olde dawes, [1181] And he answerde hym that they dede were, [1182] For which he weep ful ofte many a teere. [1183] Doun of his hors Aurelius lighte anon, [1184] And with this magicien forth is he gon [1185] Hoom to his hous, and maden hem wel at ese. [1186] Hem lakked no vitaille that myghte hem plese. [1187] So wel arrayed hous as ther was oon [1188] Aurelius in his lyf saugh nevere noon. [1189] He shewed hym, er he wente to sopeer, [1190] Forestes, parkes ful of wilde deer; [1191] Ther saugh he hertes with hir hornes hye, [1192] The gretteste that evere were seyn with ye. [1193] He saugh of hem an hondred slayn with houndes, [1194] And somme with arwes blede of bittre woundes. [1195] He saugh, whan voyded were thise wilde deer, [1196] Thise fauconers upon a fair ryver, [1197] That with hir haukes han the heron slayn. [1198] Tho saugh he knyghtes justyng in a playn; [1199] And after this he dide hym swich plesaunce [1200] That he hym shewed his lady on a daunce, [1201] On which hymself he daunced, as hym thoughte. [1202] And whan this maister that this magyk wroughte [1203] Saugh it was tyme, he clapte his handes two, [1204] And farewel! Al oure revel was ago. [1205] And yet remoeved they nevere out of the hous, [1206] Whil they saugh al this sighte merveillous, [1207] But in his studie, ther as his bookes be, [1208] They seten stille, and no wight but they thre. [1209] To hym this maister called his squier, [1210] And seyde hym thus: "Is redy oure soper? [1211] Almoost an houre it is, I undertake, [1212] Sith I yow bad oure soper for to make, [1213] Whan that thise worthy men wenten with me [1214] Into my studie, ther as my bookes be." [1215] "Sire," quod this squier, "whan it liketh yow, [1216] It is al redy, though ye wol right now." [1217] "Go we thanne soupe," quod he, "as for the beste. [1218] Thise amorous folk somtyme moote han hir reste." [1219] At after-soper fille they in tretee [1220] What somme sholde this maistres gerdon be [1221] To remoeven alle the rokkes of Britayne, [1222] And eek from Gerounde to the mouth of Sayne. [1223] He made it straunge, and swoor, so God hym save, [1224] Lasse than a thousand pound he wolde nat have, [1225] Ne gladly for that somme he wolde nat goon. [1226] Aurelius, with blisful herte anoon, [1227] Answerde thus: "Fy on a thousand pound! [1228] This wyde world, which that men seye is round, [1229] I wolde it yeve, if I were lord of it. [1230] This bargayn is ful dryve, for we been knyt. [1231] Ye shal be payed trewely, by my trouthe! [1232] But looketh now, for no necligence or slouthe [1233] Ye tarie us heere no lenger than to-morwe." [1234] "Nay," quod this clerk, "have heer my feith to borwe." [1235] To bedde is goon Aurelius whan hym leste, [1236] And wel ny al that nyght he hadde his reste. [1237] What for his labour and his hope of blisse, [1238] His woful herte of penaunce hadde a lisse. [1239] Upon the morwe, whan that it was day, [1240] To Britaigne tooke they the righte way, [1241] Aurelius and this magicien bisyde, [1242] And been descended ther they wolde abyde. [1243] And this was, as thise bookes me remembre, [1244] The colde, frosty seson of Decembre. [1245] Phebus wax old, and hewed lyk laton, [1246] That in his hoote declynacion [1247] Shoon as the burned gold with stremes brighte; [1248] But now in Capricorn adoun he lighte, [1249] Where as he shoon ful pale, I dar wel seyn. [1250] The bittre frostes, with the sleet and reyn, [1251] Destroyed hath the grene in every yerd. [1252] Janus sit by the fyr, with double berd, [1253] And drynketh of his bugle horn the wyn; [1254] Biforn hym stant brawen of the tusked swyn, [1255] And "Nowel" crieth every lusty man. [1256] Aurelius in al that evere he kan [1257] Dooth to this maister chiere and reverence, [1258] And preyeth hym to doon his diligence [1259] To bryngen hym out of his peynes smerte, [1260] Or with a swerd that he wolde slitte his herte. [1261] This subtil clerk swich routhe had of this man [1262] That nyght and day he spedde hym that he kan [1263] To wayten a tyme of his conclusioun; [1264] This is to seye, to maken illusioun, [1265] By swich an apparence or jogelrye -- [1266] I ne kan no termes of astrologye -- [1267] That she and every wight sholde wene and seye [1268] That of Britaigne the rokkes were aweye, [1269] Or ellis they were sonken under grounde. [1270] So atte laste he hath his tyme yfounde [1271] To maken his japes and his wrecchednesse [1272] Of swich a supersticious cursednesse. [1273] His tables Tolletanes forth he brought, [1274] Ful wel corrected, ne ther lakked nought, [1275] Neither his collect ne his expans yeeris, [1276] Ne his rootes, ne his othere geeris, [1277] As been his centris and his argumentz [1278] And his proporcioneles convenientz [1279] For his equacions in every thyng. [1280] And by his eighte speere in his wirkyng [1281] He knew ful wel how fer Alnath was shove [1282] Fro the heed of thilke fixe Aries above, [1283] That in the ninthe speere considered is; [1284] Ful subtilly he kalkuled al this. [1285] Whan he hadde founde his firste mansioun, [1286] He knew the remenaunt by proporcioun, [1287] And knew the arisyng of his moone weel, [1288] And in whos face, and terme, and everydeel; [1289] And knew ful weel the moones mansioun [1290] Acordaunt to his operacioun, [1291] And knew also his othere observaunces [1292] For swiche illusiouns and swiche meschaunces [1293] As hethen folk useden in thilke dayes. [1294] For which no lenger maked he delayes, [1295] But thurgh his magik, for a wyke or tweye, [1296] It semed that alle the rokkes were aweye. [1297] Aurelius, which that yet despeired is [1298] Wher he shal han his love or fare amys, [1299] Awaiteth nyght and day on this myracle; [1300] And whan he knew that ther was noon obstacle, [1301] That voyded were thise rokkes everychon, [1302] Doun to his maistres feet he fil anon, [1303] And seyde, "I woful wrecche, Aurelius, [1304] Thanke yow, lord, and lady myn Venus, [1305] That me han holpen fro my cares colde." [1306] And to the temple his wey forth hath he holde, [1307] Where as he knew he sholde his lady see. [1308] And whan he saugh his tyme, anon-right hee, [1309] With dredful herte and with ful humble cheere, [1310] Salewed hath his sovereyn lady deere: [1311] "My righte lady," quod this woful man, [1312] "Whom I moost drede and love as I best kan, [1313] And lothest were of al this world displese, [1314] Nere it that I for yow have swich disese [1315] That I moste dyen heere at youre foot anon, [1316] Noght wolde I telle how me is wo bigon. [1317] But certes outher moste I dye or pleyne; [1318] Ye sle me giltelees for verray peyne. [1319] But of my deeth thogh that ye have no routhe, [1320] Avyseth yow er that ye breke youre trouthe. [1321] Repenteth yow, for thilke God above, [1322] Er ye me sleen by cause that I yow love. [1323] For, madame, wel ye woot what ye han hight -- [1324] Nat that I chalange any thyng of right [1325] Of yow, my sovereyn lady, but youre grace -- [1326] But in a gardyn yond, at swich a place, [1327] Ye woot right wel what ye bihighten me; [1328] And in myn hand youre trouthe plighten ye [1329] To love me best -- God woot, ye seyde so, [1330] Al be that I unworthy am therto. [1331] Madame, I speke it for the honour of yow [1332] Moore than to save myn hertes lyf right now -- [1333] I have do so as ye comanded me; [1334] And if ye vouche sauf, ye may go see. [1335] Dooth as yow list; have youre biheste in mynde, [1336] For, quyk or deed, right there ye shal me fynde. [1337] In yow lith al to do me lyve or deye -- [1338] But wel I woot the rokkes been aweye." [1339] He taketh his leve, and she astoned stood; [1340] In al hir face nas a drope of blood. [1341] She wende nevere han come in swich a trappe. [1342] "Allas," quod she, "that evere this sholde happe! [1343] For wende I nevere by possibilitee [1344] That swich a monstre or merveille myghte be! [1345] It is agayns the proces of nature." [1346] And hoom she goth a sorweful creature; [1347] For verray feere unnethe may she go. [1348] She wepeth, wailleth, al a day or two, [1349] And swowneth, that it routhe was to see. [1350] But why it was to no wight tolde shee, [1351] For out of towne was goon Arveragus. [1352] But to hirself she spak, and seyde thus, [1353] With face pale and with ful sorweful cheere, [1354] In hire compleynt, as ye shal after heere: [1355] "Allas," quod she, "on thee, Fortune, I pleyne, [1356] That unwar wrapped hast me in thy cheyne, [1357] Fro which t' escape woot I no socour, [1358] Save oonly deeth or elles dishonour; [1359] Oon of thise two bihoveth me to chese. [1360] But nathelees, yet have I levere to lese [1361] My lif than of my body to have a shame, [1362] Or knowe myselven fals, or lese my name; [1363] And with my deth I may be quyt, ywis. [1364] Hath ther nat many a noble wyf er this, [1365] And many a mayde, yslayn hirself, allas, [1366] Rather than with hir body doon trespas? [1367] "Yis, certes, lo, thise stories beren witnesse: [1368] Whan thritty tirauntz, ful of cursednesse, [1369] Hadde slayn Phidon in Atthenes atte feste, [1370] They comanded his doghtres for t' areste [1371] And bryngen hem biforn hem in despit, [1372] Al naked, to fulfille hir foul delit, [1373] And in hir fadres blood they made hem daunce [1374] Upon the pavement, God yeve hem meschaunce! [1375] For which thise woful maydens, ful of drede, [1376] Rather than they wolde lese hir maydenhede, [1377] They prively been stirt into a welle [1378] And dreynte hemselven, as the bookes telle. [1379] "They of Mecene leete enquere and seke [1380] Of Lacedomye fifty maydens eke, [1381] On whiche they wolden doon hir lecherye. [1382] But was ther noon of al that compaignye [1383] That she nas slayn, and with a good entente [1384] Chees rather for to dye than assente [1385] To been oppressed of hir maydenhede. [1386] Why sholde I thanne to dye been in drede? [1387] Lo, eek, the tiraunt Aristoclides, [1388] That loved a mayden, heet Stymphalides, [1389] Whan that hir fader slayn was on a nyght, [1390] Unto Dianes temple goth she right, [1391] And hente the ymage in hir handes two, [1392] Fro which ymage wolde she nevere go. [1393] No wight ne myghte hir handes of it arace [1394] Til she was slayn, right in the selve place. [1395] "Now sith that maydens hadden swich despit [1396] To been defouled with mannes foul delit, [1397] Wel oghte a wyf rather hirselven slee [1398] Than be defouled, as it thynketh me. [1399] What shal I seyn of Hasdrubales wyf, [1400] That at Cartage birafte hirself hir lyf? [1401] For whan she saugh that Romayns wan the toun, [1402] She took hir children alle, and skipte adoun [1403] Into the fyr, and chees rather to dye [1404] Than any Romayn dide hire vileynye. [1405] Hath nat Lucresse yslayn hirself, allas, [1406] At Rome, whan that she oppressed was [1407] Of Tarquyn, for hire thoughte it was a shame [1408] To lyven whan she hadde lost hir name? [1409] The sevene maydens of Milesie also [1410] Han slayn hemself, for verrey drede and wo, [1411] Rather than folk of Gawle hem sholde oppresse. [1412] Mo than a thousand stories, as I gesse, [1413] Koude I now telle as touchynge this mateere. [1414] Whan Habradate was slayn, his wyf so deere [1415] Hirselven slow, and leet hir blood to glyde [1416] In Habradates woundes depe and wyde, [1417] And seyde, `My body, at the leeste way, [1418] Ther shal no wight defoulen, if I may." [1419] "What sholde I mo ensamples heerof sayn, [1420] Sith that so manye han hemselven slayn [1421] Wel rather than they wolde defouled be? [1422] I wol conclude that it is bet for me [1423] To sleen myself than been defouled thus. [1424] I wol be trewe unto Arveragus, [1425] Or rather sleen myself in som manere, [1426] As dide Demociones doghter deere [1427] By cause that she wolde nat defouled be. [1428] O Cedasus, it is ful greet pitee [1429] To reden how thy doghtren deyde, allas, [1430] That slowe hemself for swich manere cas. [1431] As greet a pitee was it, or wel moore, [1432] The Theban mayden that for Nichanore [1433] Hirselven slow, right for swich manere wo. [1434] Another Theban mayden dide right so; [1435] For oon of Macidonye hadde hire oppressed, [1436] She with hire deeth hir maydenhede redressed. [1437] What shal I seye of Nicerates wyf, [1438] That for swich cas birafte hirself hir lyf? [1439] How trewe eek was to Alcebiades [1440] His love, that rather for to dyen chees [1441] Than for to suffre his body unburyed be. [1442] Lo, which a wyf was Alceste," quod she. [1443] "What seith Omer of goode Penalopee? [1444] Al Grece knoweth of hire chastitee. [1445] Pardee, of Laodomya is writen thus, [1446] That whan at Troie was slayn Protheselaus, [1447] Ne lenger wolde she lyve after his day. [1448] The same of noble Porcia telle I may; [1449] Withoute Brutus koude she nat lyve, [1450] To whom she hadde al hool hir herte yive. [1451] The parfit wyfhod of Arthemesie [1452] Honured is thurgh al the Barbarie. [1453] O Teuta, queene, thy wyfly chastitee [1454] To alle wyves may a mirour bee. [1455] The same thyng I seye of Bilyea, [1456] Of Rodogone, and eek Valeria." [1457] Thus pleyned Dorigen a day or tweye, [1458] Purposynge evere that she wolde deye. [1459] But nathelees, upon the thridde nyght, [1460] Hoom cam Arveragus, this worthy knyght, [1461] And asked hire why that she weep so soore; [1462] And she gan wepen ever lenger the moore. [1463] "Allas," quod she, "that evere was I born! [1464] Thus have I seyd," quod she, "thus have I sworn" -- [1465] And toold hym al as ye han herd bifore; [1466] It nedeth nat reherce it yow namoore. [1467] This housbonde, with glad chiere, in freendly wyse [1468] Answerde and seyde as I shal yow devyse: [1469] "Is ther oght elles, Dorigen, but this?" [1470] "Nay, nay," quod she, "God helpe me so as wys! [1471] This is to muche, and it were Goddes wille." [1472] "Ye, wyf," quod he, "lat slepen that is stille. [1473] It may be wel, paraventure, yet to day. [1474] Ye shul youre trouthe holden, by my fay! [1475] For God so wisly have mercy upon me, [1476] I hadde wel levere ystiked for to be [1477] For verray love which that I to yow have, [1478] But if ye sholde youre trouthe kepe and save. [1479] Trouthe is the hyeste thyng that man may kepe" -- [1480] But with that word he brast anon to wepe, [1481] And seyde, "I yow forbede, up peyne of deeth, [1482] That nevere, whil thee lasteth lyf ne breeth, [1483] To no wight telle thou of this aventure -- [1484] As I may best, I wol my wo endure -- [1485] Ne make no contenance of hevynesse, [1486] That folk of yow may demen harm or gesse." [1487] And forth he cleped a squier and a mayde: [1488] "Gooth forth anon with Dorigen," he sayde, [1489] "And bryngeth hire to swich a place anon." [1490] They take hir leve, and on hir wey they gon, [1491] But they ne wiste why she thider wente. [1492] He nolde no wight tellen his entente. [1493] Paraventure an heep of yow, ywis, [1494] Wol holden hym a lewed man in this [1495] That he wol putte his wyf in jupartie. [1496] Herkneth the tale er ye upon hire crie. [1497] She may have bettre fortune than yow semeth; [1498] And whan that ye han herd the tale, demeth. [1499] This squier, which that highte Aurelius, [1500] On Dorigen that was so amorus, [1501] Of aventure happed hire to meete [1502] Amydde the toun, right in the quykkest strete, [1503] As she was bown to goon the wey forth right [1504] Toward the gardyn ther as she had hight. [1505] And he was to the gardyn-ward also; [1506] For wel he spyed whan she wolde go [1507] Out of hir hous to any maner place. [1508] But thus they mette, of aventure or grace, [1509] And he saleweth hire with glad entente, [1510] And asked of hire whiderward she wente; [1511] And she answerde, half as she were mad, [1512] "Unto the gardyn, as myn housbonde bad, [1513] My trouthe for to holde -- allas, allas!" [1514] Aurelius gan wondren on this cas, [1515] And in his herte hadde greet compassioun [1516] Of hire and of hire lamentacioun, [1517] And of Arveragus, the worthy knyght, [1518] That bad hire holden al that she had hight, [1519] So looth hym was his wyf sholde breke hir trouthe; [1520] And in his herte he caughte of this greet routhe, [1521] Considerynge the beste on every syde, [1522] That fro his lust yet were hym levere abyde [1523] Than doon so heigh a cherlyssh wrecchednesse [1524] Agayns franchise and alle gentillesse; [1525] For which in fewe wordes seyde he thus: [1526] "Madame, seyth to youre lord Arveragus [1527] That sith I se his grete gentillesse [1528] To yow, and eek I se wel youre distresse, [1529] That him were levere han shame (and that were routhe) [1530] Than ye to me sholde breke thus youre trouthe, [1531] I have wel levere evere to suffre wo [1532] Than I departe the love bitwix yow two. [1533] I yow relesse, madame, into youre hond [1534] Quyt every serement and every bond [1535] That ye han maad to me as heerbiforn, [1536] Sith thilke tyme which that ye were born. [1537] My trouthe I plighte, I shal yow never repreve [1538] Of no biheste, and heere I take my leve, [1539] As of the treweste and the beste wyf [1540] That evere yet I knew in al my lyf. [1541] But every wyf be war of hire biheeste! [1542] On Dorigen remembreth, atte leeste. [1543] Thus kan a squier doon a gentil dede [1544] As wel as kan a knyght, withouten drede." [1545] She thonketh hym upon hir knees al bare, [1546] And hoom unto hir housbonde is she fare, [1547] And tolde hym al, as ye han herd me sayd; [1548] And be ye siker, he was so weel apayd [1549] That it were impossible me to wryte. [1550] What sholde I lenger of this cas endyte? [1551] Arveragus and Dorigen his wyf [1552] In sovereyn blisse leden forth hir lyf. [1553] Nevere eft ne was ther angre hem bitwene. [1554] He cherisseth hire as though she were a queene, [1555] And she was to hym trewe for everemoore. [1556] Of thise two folk ye gete of me namoore. [1557] Aurelius, that his cost hath al forlorn, [1558] Curseth the tyme that evere he was born: [1559] "Allas!" quod he. "Allas, that I bihighte [1560] Of pured gold a thousand pound of wighte [1561] Unto this philosophre! How shal I do? [1562] I se namoore but that I am fordo. [1563] Myn heritage moot I nedes selle, [1564] And been a beggere; heere may I nat dwelle [1565] And shamen al my kynrede in this place, [1566] But I of hym may gete bettre grace. [1567] But nathelees, I wole of hym assaye, [1568] At certeyn dayes, yeer by yeer, to paye, [1569] And thanke hym of his grete curteisye. [1570] My trouthe wol I kepe, I wol nat lye." [1571] With herte soor he gooth unto his cofre, [1572] And broghte gold unto this philosophre, [1573] The value of fyve hundred pound, I gesse, [1574] And hym bisecheth, of his gentillesse, [1575] To graunte hym dayes of the remenaunt; [1576] And seyde, "Maister, I dar wel make avaunt, [1577] I failled nevere of my trouthe as yit. [1578] For sikerly my dette shal be quyt [1579] Towardes yow, howevere that I fare [1580] To goon a-begged in my kirtle bare. [1581] But wolde ye vouche sauf, upon seuretee, [1582] Two yeer or thre for to respiten me, [1583] Thanne were I wel; for elles moot I selle [1584] Myn heritage; ther is namoore to telle." [1585] This philosophre sobrely answerde, [1586] And seyde thus, whan he thise wordes herde: [1587] "Have I nat holden covenant unto thee?" [1588] "Yes, certes, wel and trewely," quod he. [1589] "Hastow nat had thy lady as thee liketh?" [1590] "No, no," quod he, and sorwefully he siketh. [1591] "What was the cause? Tel me if thou kan." [1592] Aurelius his tale anon bigan, [1593] And tolde hym al, as ye han herd bifoore; [1594] It nedeth nat to yow reherce it moore. [1595] He seide, "Arveragus, of gentillesse, [1596] Hadde levere dye in sorwe and in distresse [1597] Than that his wyf were of hir trouthe fals." [1598] The sorwe of Dorigen he tolde hym als; [1599] How looth hire was to been a wikked wyf, [1600] And that she levere had lost that day hir lyf, [1601] And that hir trouthe she swoor thurgh innocence, [1602] She nevere erst hadde herde speke of apparence. [1603] "That made me han of hire so greet pitee; [1604] And right as frely as he sente hire me, [1605] As frely sente I hire to hym ageyn. [1606] This al and som; ther is namoore to seyn." [1607] This philosophre answerde, "Leeve brother, [1608] Everich of yow dide gentilly til oother. [1609] Thou art a squier, and he is a knyght; [1610] But God forbede, for his blisful myght, [1611] But if a clerk koude doon a gentil dede [1612] As wel as any of yow, it is no drede! [1613] Sire, I releesse thee thy thousand pound, [1614] As thou right now were cropen out of the ground, [1615] Ne nevere er now ne haddest knowen me. [1616] For, sire, I wol nat taken a peny of thee [1617] For al my craft, ne noght for my travaille. [1618] Thou hast ypayed wel for my vitaille. [1619] It is ynogh, and farewel, have good day!" [1620] And took his hors, and forth he goth his way. [1621] Lordynges, this question, thanne, wol I aske now, [1622] Which was the mooste fre, as thynketh yow? [1623] Now telleth me, er that ye ferther wende. [1624] I kan namoore; my tale is at an ende. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Physician's Tale [1] Ther was, as telleth Titus Livius, [2] A knyght that called was Virginius, [3] Fulfild of honour and of worthynesse, [4] And strong of freendes, and of greet richesse. [5] This knyght a doghter hadde by his wyf; [6] No children hadde he mo in al his lyf. [7] Fair was this mayde in excellent beautee [8] Aboven every wight that man may see; [9] For Nature hath with sovereyn diligence [10] Yformed hire in so greet excellence, [11] As though she wolde seyn, "Lo! I, Nature, [12] Thus kan I forme and peynte a creature, [13] Whan that me list; who kan me countrefete? [14] Pigmalion noght, though he ay forge and bete, [15] Or grave, or peynte; for I dar wel seyn [16] Apelles, Zanzis, sholde werche in veyn [17] Outher to grave, or peynte, or forge, or bete, [18] If they presumed me to countrefete. [19] For He that is the formere principal [20] Hath maked me his vicaire general, [21] To forme and peynten erthely creaturis [22] Right as me list, and ech thyng in my cure is [23] Under the moone, that may wane and waxe, [24] And for my werk right no thyng wol I axe; [25] My lord and I been ful of oon accord. [26] I made hire to the worshipe of my lord; [27] So do I alle myne othere creatures, [28] What colour that they han or what figures." [29] Thus semeth me that Nature wolde seye. [30] This mayde of age twelve yeer was and tweye, [31] In which that Nature hadde swich delit. [32] For right as she kan peynte a lilie whit, [33] And reed a rose, right with swich peynture [34] She peynted hath this noble creature, [35] Er she were born, upon hir lymes fre, [36] Where as by right swiche colours sholde be; [37] And Phebus dyed hath hire tresses grete [38] Lyk to the stremes of his burned heete. [39] And if that excellent was hire beautee, [40] A thousand foold moore vertuous was she. [41] In hire ne lakked no condicioun [42] That is to preyse, as by discrecioun. [43] As wel in goost as body chast was she, [44] For which she floured in virginitee [45] With alle humylitee and abstinence, [46] With alle attemperaunce and pacience, [47] With mesure eek of beryng and array. [48] Discreet she was in answeryng alway; [49] Though she were wis as Pallas, dar I seyn, [50] Hir facound eek ful wommanly and pleyn, [51] No countrefeted termes hadde she [52] To seme wys, but after hir degree [53] She spak, and alle hire wordes, moore and lesse, [54] Sownynge in vertu and in gentillesse. [55] Shamefast she was in maydens shamefastnesse, [56] Constant in herte, and evere in bisynesse [57] To dryve hire out of ydel slogardye. [58] Bacus hadde of hir mouth right no maistrie; [59] For wyn and youthe dooth Venus encresse, [60] As men in fyr wol casten oille or greesse. [61] And of hir owene vertu, unconstreyned, [62] She hath ful ofte tyme syk hire feyned, [63] For that she wolde fleen the compaignye [64] Where likly was to treten of folye, [65] As is at feestes, revels, and at daunces, [66] That been occasions of daliaunces. [67] Swich thynges maken children for to be [68] To soone rype and boold, as men may se, [69] Which is ful perilous and hath been yoore. [70] For al to soone may she lerne loore [71] Of booldnesse, whan she woxen is a wyf. [72] And ye maistresses, in youre olde lyf, [73] That lordes doghtres han in governaunce, [74] Ne taketh of my wordes no displesaunce. [75] Thenketh that ye been set in governynges [76] Of lordes doghtres oonly for two thynges: [77] Outher for ye han kept youre honestee, [78] Or elles ye han falle in freletee, [79] And knowen wel ynough the olde daunce, [80] And han forsaken fully swich meschaunce [81] For everemo; therfore, for Cristes sake, [82] To teche hem vertu looke that ye ne slake. [83] A theef of venysoun, that hath forlaft [84] His likerousnesse and al his olde craft, [85] Kan kepe a forest best of any man. [86] Now kepeth wel, for if ye wole, ye kan. [87] Looke wel that ye unto no vice assente, [88] Lest ye be dampned for youre wikke entente; [89] For whoso dooth, a traitour is, certeyn. [90] And taketh kep of that that I shal seyn: [91] Of alle tresons sovereyn pestilence [92] Is whan a wight bitrayseth innocence. [93] Ye fadres and ye moodres eek also, [94] Though ye han children, be it oon or mo, [95] Youre is the charge of al hir surveiaunce, [96] Whil that they been under youre governaunce. [97] Beth war, if by ensample of youre lyvynge, [98] Or by youre necligence in chastisynge, [99] That they ne perisse; for I dar wel seye [100] If that they doon, ye shul it deere abeye. [101] Under a shepherde softe and necligent [102] The wolf hath many a sheep and lamb torent. [103] Suffiseth oon ensample now as heere, [104] For I moot turne agayn to my matere. [105] This mayde, of which I wol this tale expresse, [106] So kepte hirself hir neded no maistresse, [107] For in hir lyvyng maydens myghten rede, [108] As in a book, every good word or dede [109] That longeth to a mayden vertuous, [110] She was so prudent and so bountevous. [111] For which the fame out sprong on every syde, [112] Bothe of hir beautee and hir bountee wyde, [113] That thurgh that land they preised hire echone [114] That loved vertu, save Envye allone, [115] That sory is of oother mennes wele [116] And glad is of his sorwe and his unheele. [117] (The Doctour maketh this descripcioun.) [118] This mayde upon a day wente in the toun [119] Toward a temple, with hire mooder deere, [120] As is of yonge maydens the manere. [121] Now was ther thanne a justice in that toun, [122] That governour was of that regioun. [123] And so bifel this juge his eyen caste [124] Upon this mayde, avysynge hym ful faste, [125] As she cam forby ther as this juge stood. [126] Anon his herte chaunged and his mood, [127] So was he caught with beautee of this mayde, [128] And to hymself ful pryvely he sayde, [129] "This mayde shal be myn, for any man!" [130] Anon the feend into his herte ran, [131] And taughte hym sodeynly that he by slyghte [132] The mayden to his purpos wynne myghte. [133] For certes, by no force ne by no meede, [134] Hym thoughte, he was nat able for to speede; [135] For she was strong of freendes, and eek she [136] Confermed was in swich soverayn bountee [137] That wel he wiste he myghte hire nevere wynne [138] As for to make hire with hir body synne. [139] For which, by greet deliberacioun, [140] He sente after a cherl, was in the toun, [141] Which that he knew for subtil and for boold. [142] This juge unto this cherl his tale hath toold [143] In secree wise, and made hym to ensure [144] He sholde telle it to no creature, [145] And if he dide, he sholde lese his heed. [146] Whan that assented was this cursed reed, [147] Glad was this juge, and maked him greet cheere, [148] And yaf hym yiftes preciouse and deere. [149] Whan shapen was al hire conspiracie [150] Fro point to point, how that his lecherie [151] Parfourned sholde been ful subtilly, [152] As ye shul heere it after openly, [153] Hoom gooth the cherl, that highte Claudius. [154] This false juge, that highte Apius, [155] (So was his name, for this is no fable, [156] But knowen for historial thyng notable; [157] The sentence of it sooth is, out of doute), [158] This false juge gooth now faste aboute [159] To hasten his delit al that he may. [160] And so bifel soone after, on a day, [161] This false juge, as telleth us the storie, [162] As he was wont, sat in his consistorie, [163] And yaf his doomes upon sondry cas. [164] This false cherl cam forth a ful greet pas, [165] And seyde, "Lord, if that it be youre wille, [166] As dooth me right upon this pitous bille, [167] In which I pleyne upon Virginius; [168] And if that he wol seyn it is nat thus, [169] I wol it preeve, and fynde good witnesse, [170] That sooth is that my bille wol expresse." [171] The juge answerde, "Of this, in his absence, [172] I may nat yeve diffynytyf sentence. [173] Lat do hym calle, and I wol gladly heere; [174] Thou shalt have al right, and no wrong heere." [175] Virginius cam to wite the juges wille, [176] And right anon was rad this cursed bille; [177] The sentence of it was as ye shul heere: [178] "To yow, my lord, sire Apius so deere, [179] Sheweth youre povre servant Claudius [180] How that a knyght, called Virginius, [181] Agayns the lawe, agayn al equitee, [182] Holdeth, expres agayn the wyl of me, [183] My servant, which that is my thral by right, [184] Which fro myn hous was stole upon a nyght, [185] Whil that she was ful yong; this wol I preeve [186] By witnesse, lord, so that it nat yow greeve. [187] She nys his doghter nat, what so he seye. [188] Wherfore to yow, my lord the juge, I preye, [189] Yeld me my thral, if that it be youre wille." [190] Lo, this was al the sentence of his bille. [191] Virginius gan upon the cherl biholde, [192] But hastily, er he his tale tolde, [193] And wolde have preeved it as sholde a knyght, [194] And eek by witnessyng of many a wight, [195] That al was fals that seyde his adversarie, [196] This cursed juge wolde no thyng tarie, [197] Ne heere a word moore of Virginius, [198] But yaf his juggement, and seyde thus: [199] "I deeme anon this cherl his servant have; [200] Thou shalt no lenger in thyn hous hir save. [201] Go bryng hire forth, and put hire in oure warde. [202] The cherl shal have his thral, this I awarde." [203] And whan this worthy knyght Virginius [204] Thurgh sentence of this justice Apius [205] Moste by force his deere doghter yiven [206] Unto the juge, in lecherie to lyven, [207] He gooth hym hoom, and sette him in his halle, [208] And leet anon his deere doghter calle, [209] And with a face deed as asshen colde [210] Upon hir humble face he gan biholde, [211] With fadres pitee stikynge thurgh his herte, [212] Al wolde he from his purpos nat converte. [213] "Doghter," quod he, "Virginia, by thy name, [214] Ther been two weyes, outher deeth or shame, [215] That thou most suffre; allas, that I was bore! [216] For nevere thou deservedest wherfore [217] To dyen with a swerd or with a knyf. [218] O deere doghter, endere of my lyf, [219] Which I have fostred up with swich plesaunce [220] That thou were nevere out of my remembraunce! [221] O doghter, which that art my laste wo, [222] And in my lyf my laste joye also, [223] O gemme of chastitee, in pacience [224] Take thou thy deeth, for this is my sentence. [225] For love, and nat for hate, thou most be deed; [226] My pitous hand moot smyten of thyn heed. [227] Allas, that evere Apius the say! [228] Thus hath he falsly jugged the to-day" -- [229] And tolde hire al the cas, as ye bifore [230] Han herd; nat nedeth for to telle it moore. [231] "O mercy, deere fader!" quod this mayde, [232] And with that word she bothe hir armes layde [233] Aboute his nekke, as she was wont to do. [234] The teeris bruste out of hir eyen two, [235] And seyde, "Goode fader, shal I dye? [236] Is ther no grace, is ther no remedye?" [237] "No, certes, deere doghter myn," quod he. [238] "Thanne yif me leyser, fader myn," quod she, [239] "My deeth for to compleyne a litel space; [240] For, pardee, Jepte yaf his doghter grace [241] For to compleyne, er he hir slow, allas! [242] And, God it woot, no thyng was hir trespas, [243] But for she ran hir fader first to see, [244] To welcome hym with greet solempnitee." [245] And with that word she fil aswowne anon, [246] And after, whan hir swownyng is agon, [247] She riseth up, and to hir fader sayde, [248] "Blissed be God that I shal dye a mayde! [249] Yif me my deeth, er that I have a shame; [250] Dooth with youre child youre wyl, a Goddes name!" [251] And with that word she preyed hym ful ofte [252] That with his swerd he wolde smyte softe; [253] And with that word aswowne doun she fil. [254] Hir fader, with ful sorweful herte and wil, [255] Hir heed of smoot, and by the top it hente, [256] And to the juge he gan it to presente, [257] As he sat yet in doom in consistorie. [258] And whan the juge it saugh, as seith the storie, [259] He bad to take hym and anhange hym faste; [260] But right anon a thousand peple in thraste, [261] To save the knyght, for routhe and for pitee, [262] For knowen was the false iniquitee. [263] The peple anon had suspect in this thyng, [264] By manere of the cherles chalangyng, [265] That it was by the assent of Apius; [266] They wisten wel that he was lecherus. [267] For which unto this Apius they gon [268] And caste hym in a prisoun right anon, [269] Ther as he slow hymself; and Claudius, [270] That servant was unto this Apius, [271] Was demed for to hange upon a tree, [272] But that Virginius, of his pitee, [273] So preyde for hym that he was exiled; [274] And elles, certes, he had been bigyled. [275] The remenant were anhanged, moore and lesse, [276] That were consentant of this cursednesse. [277] Heere may men seen how synne hath his merite. [278] Beth war, for no man woot whom God wol smyte [279] In no degree, ne in which manere wyse; [280] The worm of conscience may agryse [281] Of wikked lyf, though it so pryvee be [282] That no man woot therof but God and he. [283] For be he lewed man, or ellis lered, [284] He noot how soone that he shal been afered. [285] Therfore I rede yow this conseil take: [286] Forsaketh synne, er synne yow forsake. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner's Introduction and Prologue [287] Oure Hooste gan to swere as he were wood; [288] "Harrow!" quod he, "by nayles and by blood! [289] This was a fals cherl and a fals justise. [290] As shameful deeth as herte may devyse [291] Come to thise juges and hire advocatz! [292] Algate this sely mayde is slayn, allas! [293] Allas, to deere boughte she beautee! [294] Wherfore I seye al day that men may see [295] That yiftes of Fortune and of Nature [296] Been cause of deeth to many a creature. [297] Hire beautee was hire deth, I dar wel sayn. [298] Allas, so pitously as she was slayn! [299] Of bothe yiftes that I speke of now [300] Men han ful ofte moore for harm than prow. [301] But trewely, myn owene maister deere, [302] This is a pitous tale for to heere. [303] But nathelees, passe over; is no fors. [304] I pray to God so save thy gentil cors, [305] And eek thyne urynals and thy jurdones, [306] Thyn ypocras, and eek thy galiones, [307] And every boyste ful of thy letuarie; [308] God blesse hem, and oure lady Seinte Marie! [309] So moot I theen, thou art a propre man, [310] And lyk a prelat, by Seint Ronyan! [311] Seyde I nat wel? I kan nat speke in terme; [312] But wel I woot thou doost myn herte to erme, [313] That I almoost have caught a cardynacle. [314] By corpus bones! but I have triacle, [315] Or elles a draughte of moyste and corny ale, [316] Or but I heere anon a myrie tale, [317] Myn herte is lost for pitee of this mayde. [318] Thou beel amy, thou Pardoner," he sayde, [319] "Telle us som myrthe or japes right anon." [320] "It shal be doon," quod he, "by Seint Ronyon! [321] But first," quod he, "heere at this alestake [322] I wol bothe drynke and eten of a cake." [323] But right anon thise gentils gonne to crye, [324] "Nay, lat hym telle us of no ribaudye! [325] Telle us som moral thyng, that we may leere [326] Som wit, and thanne wol we gladly heere." [327] "I graunte, ywis," quod he, "but I moot thynke [328] Upon som honest thyng while that I drynke." [329] "Lordynges," quod he, "in chirches whan I preche, [330] I peyne me to han an hauteyn speche, [331] And rynge it out as round as gooth a belle, [332] For I kan al by rote that I telle. [333] My theme is alwey oon, and evere was -- [334] Radix malorum est Cupiditas. [335] "First I pronounce whennes that I come, [336] And thanne my bulles shewe I, alle and some. [337] Oure lige lordes seel on my patente, [338] That shewe I first, my body to warente, [339] That no man be so boold, ne preest ne clerk, [340] Me to destourbe of Cristes hooly werk. [341] And after that thanne telle I forth my tales; [342] Bulles of popes and of cardynales, [343] Of patriarkes and bishopes I shewe, [344] And in Latyn I speke a wordes fewe, [345] To saffron with my predicacioun, [346] And for to stire hem to devocioun. [347] Thanne shewe I forth my longe cristal stones, [348] Ycrammed ful of cloutes and of bones -- [349] Relikes been they, as wenen they echoon. [350] Thanne have I in latoun a sholder-boon [351] Which that was of an hooly Jewes sheep. [352] `Goode men,' I seye, `taak of my wordes keep; [353] If that this boon be wasshe in any welle, [354] If cow, or calf, or sheep, or oxe swelle [355] That any worm hath ete, or worm ystonge, [356] Taak water of that welle and wassh his tonge, [357] And it is hool anon; and forthermoore, [358] Of pokkes and of scabbe, and every soore [359] Shal every sheep be hool that of this welle [360] Drynketh a draughte. Taak kep eek what I telle: [361] If that the good-man that the beestes oweth [362] Wol every wyke, er that the cok hym croweth, [363] Fastynge, drynken of this welle a draughte, [364] As thilke hooly Jew oure eldres taughte, [365] His beestes and his stoor shal multiplie. [366] `And, sires, also it heeleth jalousie; [367] For though a man be falle in jalous rage, [368] Lat maken with this water his potage, [369] And nevere shal he moore his wyf mystriste, [370] Though he the soothe of hir defaute wiste, [371] Al had she taken prestes two or thre. [372] `Heere is a miteyn eek, that ye may se. [373] He that his hand wol putte in this mitayn, [374] He shal have multipliyng of his grayn, [375] Whan he hath sowen, be it whete or otes, [376] So that he offre pens, or elles grotes. [377] `Goode men and wommen, o thyng warne I yow: [378] If any wight be in this chirche now [379] That hath doon synne horrible, that he [380] Dar nat, for shame, of it yshryven be, [381] Or any womman, be she yong or old, [382] That hath ymaked hir housbonde cokewold, [383] Swich folk shal have no power ne no grace [384] To offren to my relikes in this place. [385] And whoso fyndeth hym out of swich blame, [386] He wol come up and offre a Goddes name, [387] And I assoille him by the auctoritee [388] Which that by bulle ygraunted was to me.' [389] "By this gaude have I wonne, yeer by yeer, [390] An hundred mark sith I was pardoner. [391] I stonde lyk a clerk in my pulpet, [392] And whan the lewed peple is doun yset, [393] I preche so as ye han herd bifoore [394] And telle an hundred false japes moore. [395] Thanne peyne I me to strecche forth the nekke, [396] And est and west upon the peple I bekke, [397] As dooth a dowve sittynge on a berne. [398] Myne handes and my tonge goon so yerne [399] That it is joye to se my bisynesse. [400] Of avarice and of swich cursednesse [401] Is al my prechyng, for to make hem free [402] To yeven hir pens, and namely unto me. [403] For myn entente is nat but for to wynne, [404] And nothyng for correccioun of synne. [405] I rekke nevere, whan that they been beryed, [406] Though that hir soules goon a-blakeberyed! [407] For certes, many a predicacioun [408] Comth ofte tyme of yvel entencioun; [409] Som for plesance of folk and flaterye, [410] To been avaunced by ypocrisye, [411] And som for veyne glorie, and som for hate. [412] For whan I dar noon oother weyes debate, [413] Thanne wol I stynge hym with my tonge smerte [414] In prechyng, so that he shal nat asterte [415] To been defamed falsly, if that he [416] Hath trespased to my bretheren or to me. [417] For though I telle noght his propre name, [418] Men shal wel knowe that it is the same, [419] By signes, and by othere circumstances. [420] Thus quyte I folk that doon us displesances; [421] Thus spitte I out my venym under hewe [422] Of hoolynesse, to semen hooly and trewe. [423] "But shortly myn entente I wol devyse: [424] I preche of no thyng but for coveityse. [425] Therfore my theme is yet, and evere was, [426] Radix malorum est Cupiditas. [427] Thus kan I preche agayn that same vice [428] Which that I use, and that is avarice. [429] But though myself be gilty in that synne, [430] Yet kan I maken oother folk to twynne [431] From avarice and soore to repente. [432] But that is nat my principal entente; [433] I preche nothyng but for coveitise. [434] Of this mateere it oghte ynogh suffise. [435] "Thanne telle I hem ensamples many oon [436] Of olde stories longe tyme agoon. [437] For lewed peple loven tales olde; [438] Swiche thynges kan they wel reporte and holde. [439] What, trowe ye, that whiles I may preche, [440] And wynne gold and silver for I teche, [441] That I wol lyve in poverte wilfully? [442] Nay, nay, I thoghte it nevere, trewely! [443] For I wol preche and begge in sondry landes; [444] I wol nat do no labour with myne handes, [445] Ne make baskettes and lyve therby, [446] By cause I wol nat beggen ydelly. [447] I wol noon of the apostles countrefete; [448] I wol have moneie, wolle, chese, and whete, [449] Al were it yeven of the povereste page, [450] Or of the povereste wydwe in a village, [451] Al sholde hir children sterve for famyne. [452] Nay, I wol drynke licour of the vyne [453] And have a joly wenche in every toun. [454] But herkneth, lordynges, in conclusioun: [455] Youre likyng is that I shal telle a tale. [456] Now have I dronke a draughte of corny ale, [457] By God, I hope I shal yow telle a thyng [458] That shal by reson been at youre likyng. [459] For though myself be a ful vicious man, [460] A moral tale yet I yow telle kan, [461] Which I am wont to preche for to wynne. [462] Now hoold youre pees! My tale I wol bigynne." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Pardoner's Tale [463] In Flaundres whilom was a compaignye [464] Of yonge folk that haunteden folye, [465] As riot, hasard, stywes, and tavernes, [466] Where as with harpes, lutes, and gyternes, [467] They daunce and pleyen at dees bothe day and nyght, [468] And eten also and drynken over hir myght, [469] Thurgh which they doon the devel sacrifise [470] Withinne that develes temple in cursed wise [471] By superfluytee abhomynable. [472] Hir othes been so grete and so dampnable [473] That it is grisly for to heere hem swere. [474] Oure blissed Lordes body they totere -- [475] Hem thoughte that Jewes rente hym noght ynough -- [476] And ech of hem at otheres synne lough. [477] And right anon thanne comen tombesteres [478] Fetys and smale, and yonge frutesteres, [479] Syngeres with harpes, baudes, wafereres, [480] Whiche been the verray develes officeres [481] To kyndle and blowe the fyr of lecherye, [482] That is annexed unto glotonye. [483] The hooly writ take I to my witnesse [484] That luxurie is in wyn and dronkenesse. [485] Lo, how that dronken Looth, unkyndely, [486] Lay by his doghtres two, unwityngly; [487] So dronke he was, he nyste what he wroghte. [488] Herodes, whoso wel the stories soghte, [489] Whan he of wyn was repleet at his feeste, [490] Right at his owene table he yaf his heeste [491] To sleen the Baptist John, ful giltelees. [492] Senec seith a good word doutelees; [493] He seith he kan no difference fynde [494] Bitwix a man that is out of his mynde [495] And a man which that is dronkelewe, [496] But that woodnesse, yfallen in a shrewe, [497] Persevereth lenger than doth dronkenesse. [498] O glotonye, ful of cursednesse! [499] O cause first of oure confusioun! [500] O original of oure dampnacioun, [501] Til Crist hadde boght us with his blood agayn! [502] Lo, how deere, shortly for to sayn, [503] Aboght was thilke cursed vileynye! [504] Corrupt was al this world for glotonye. [505] Adam oure fader, and his wyf also, [506] Fro Paradys to labour and to wo [507] Were dryven for that vice, it is no drede. [508] For whil that Adam fasted, as I rede, [509] He was in Paradys; and whan that he [510] Eet of the fruyt deffended on the tree, [511] Anon he was out cast to wo and peyne. [512] O glotonye, on thee wel oghte us pleyne! [513] O, wiste a man how manye maladyes [514] Folwen of excesse and of glotonyes, [515] He wolde been the moore mesurable [516] Of his diete, sittynge at his table. [517] Allas, the shorte throte, the tendre mouth, [518] Maketh that est and west and north and south, [519] In erthe, in eir, in water, men to swynke [520] To gete a glotoun deyntee mete and drynke! [521] Of this matiere, O Paul, wel kanstow trete: [522] "Mete unto wombe, and wombe eek unto mete, [523] Shal God destroyen bothe," as Paulus seith. [524] Allas, a foul thyng is it, by my feith, [525] To seye this word, and fouler is the dede, [526] Whan man so drynketh of the white and rede [527] That of his throte he maketh his pryvee [528] Thurgh thilke cursed superfluitee. [529] The apostel wepyng seith ful pitously, [530] "Ther walken manye of whiche yow toold have I -- [531] I seye it now wepyng, with pitous voys -- [532] They been enemys of Cristes croys, [533] Of whiche the ende is deeth; wombe is hir god!" [534] O wombe! O bely! O stynkyng cod, [535] Fulfilled of dong and of corrupcioun! [536] At either ende of thee foul is the soun. [537] How greet labour and cost is thee to fynde! [538] Thise cookes, how they stampe, and streyne, and grynde, [539] And turnen substaunce into accident [540] To fulfille al thy likerous talent! [541] Out of the harde bones knokke they [542] The mary, for they caste noght awey [543] That may go thurgh the golet softe and swoote. [544] Of spicerie of leef, and bark, and roote [545] Shal been his sauce ymaked by delit, [546] To make hym yet a newer appetit. [547] But, certes, he that haunteth swiche delices [548] Is deed, whil that he lyveth in tho vices. [549] A lecherous thyng is wyn, and dronkenesse [550] Is ful of stryvyng and of wrecchednesse. [551] O dronke man, disfigured is thy face, [552] Sour is thy breeth, foul artow to embrace, [553] And thurgh thy dronke nose semeth the soun [554] As though thou seydest ay "Sampsoun, Sampsoun!" [555] And yet, God woot, Sampsoun drank nevere no wyn. [556] Thou fallest as it were a styked swyn; [557] Thy tonge is lost, and al thyn honeste cure, [558] For dronkenesse is verray sepulture [559] Of mannes wit and his discrecioun. [560] In whom that drynke hath dominacioun [561] He kan no conseil kepe; it is no drede. [562] Now kepe yow fro the white and fro the rede, [563] And namely fro the white wyn of Lepe [564] That is to selle in Fysshstrete or in Chepe. [565] This wyn of Spaigne crepeth subtilly [566] In othere wynes, growynge faste by, [567] Of which ther ryseth swich fumositee [568] That whan a man hath dronken draughtes thre, [569] And weneth that he be at hoom in Chepe, [570] He is in Spaigne, right at the toune of Lepe -- [571] Nat at the Rochele, ne at Burdeux toun -- [572] And thanne wol he seye "Sampsoun, Sampsoun!" [573] But herkneth, lordynges, o word, I yow preye, [574] That alle the sovereyn actes, dar I seye, [575] Of victories in the Olde Testament, [576] Thurgh verray God, that is omnipotent, [577] Were doon in abstinence and in preyere. [578] Looketh the Bible, and ther ye may it leere. [579] Looke, Attilla, the grete conquerour, [580] Deyde in his sleep, with shame and dishonour, [581] Bledynge ay at his nose in dronkenesse. [582] A capitayn sholde lyve in sobrenesse. [583] And over al this, avyseth yow right wel [584] What was comaunded unto Lamuel -- [585] Nat Samuel, but Lamuel, seye I; [586] Redeth the Bible, and fynde it expresly [587] Of wyn-yevyng to hem that han justise. [588] Namoore of this, for it may wel suffise. [589] And now that I have spoken of glotonye, [590] Now wol I yow deffenden hasardrye. [591] Hasard is verray mooder of lesynges, [592] And of deceite, and cursed forswerynges, [593] Blaspheme of Crist, manslaughtre, and wast also [594] Of catel and of tyme; and forthermo, [595] It is repreeve and contrarie of honour [596] For to ben holde a commune hasardour. [597] And ever the hyer he is of estaat, [598] The moore is he yholden desolaat. [599] If that a prynce useth hasardrye, [600] In alle governaunce and policye [601] He is, as by commune opinioun, [602] Yholde the lasse in reputacioun. [603] Stilboun, that was a wys embassadour, [604] Was sent to Corynthe in ful greet honour [605] Fro Lacidomye to make hire alliaunce. [606] And whan he cam, hym happede, par chaunce, [607] That alle the gretteste that were of that lond, [608] Pleyynge atte hasard he hem fond. [609] For which, as soone as it myghte be, [610] He stal hym hoom agayn to his contree, [611] And seyde, "Ther wol I nat lese my name, [612] Ne I wol nat take on me so greet defame, [613] Yow for to allie unto none hasardours. [614] Sendeth othere wise embassadours; [615] For, by my trouthe, me were levere dye [616] Than I yow sholde to hasardours allye. [617] For ye, that been so glorious in honours, [618] Shul nat allyen yow with hasardours [619] As by my wyl, ne as by my tretee." [620] This wise philosophre, thus seyde hee. [621] Looke eek that to the kyng Demetrius [622] The kyng of Parthes, as the book seith us, [623] Sente him a paire of dees of gold in scorn, [624] For he hadde used hasard ther-biforn; [625] For which he heeld his glorie or his renoun [626] At no value or reputacioun. [627] Lordes may fynden oother maner pley [628] Honest ynough to dryve the day awey. [629] Now wol I speke of othes false and grete [630] A word or two, as olde bookes trete. [631] Gret sweryng is a thyng abhominable, [632] And fals sweryng is yet moore reprevable. [633] The heighe God forbad sweryng at al, [634] Witnesse on Mathew; but in special [635] Of sweryng seith the hooly Jeremye, [636] "Thou shalt swere sooth thyne othes, and nat lye, [637] And swere in doom and eek in rightwisnesse"; [638] But ydel sweryng is a cursednesse. [639] Bihoold and se that in the firste table [640] Of heighe Goddes heestes honurable, [641] Hou that the seconde heeste of hym is this: [642] "Take nat my name in ydel or amys." [643] Lo, rather he forbedeth swich sweryng [644] Than homycide or many a cursed thyng; [645] I seye that, as by ordre, thus it stondeth; [646] This knoweth, that his heestes understondeth, [647] How that the seconde heeste of God is that. [648] And forther over, I wol thee telle al plat [649] That vengeance shal nat parten from his hous [650] That of his othes is to outrageous. [651] "By Goddes precious herte," and "By his nayles," [652] And "By the blood of Crist that is in Hayles, [653] Sevene is my chaunce, and thyn is cynk and treye!" [654] "By Goddes armes, if thou falsly pleye, [655] This daggere shal thurghout thyn herte go!" -- [656] This fruyt cometh of the bicched bones two, [657] Forsweryng, ire, falsnesse, homycide. [658] Now, for the love of Crist, that for us dyde, [659] Lete youre othes, bothe grete and smale. [660] But, sires, now wol I telle forth my tale. [661] Thise riotoures thre of whiche I telle, [662] Longe erst er prime rong of any belle, [663] Were set hem in a taverne to drynke, [664] And as they sat, they herde a belle clynke [665] Biforn a cors, was caried to his grave. [666] That oon of hem gan callen to his knave: [667] "Go bet," quod he, "and axe redily [668] What cors is this that passeth heer forby; [669] And looke that thou reporte his name weel." [670] "Sire," quod this boy, "it nedeth never-a-deel; [671] It was me toold er ye cam heer two houres. [672] He was, pardee, an old felawe of youres, [673] And sodeynly he was yslayn to-nyght, [674] Fordronke, as he sat on his bench upright. [675] Ther cam a privee theef men clepeth Deeth, [676] That in this contree al the peple sleeth, [677] And with his spere he smoot his herte atwo, [678] And wente his wey withouten wordes mo. [679] He hath a thousand slayn this pestilence. [680] And, maister, er ye come in his presence, [681] Me thynketh that it were necessarie [682] For to be war of swich an adversarie. [683] Beth redy for to meete hym everemoore; [684] Thus taughte me my dame; I sey namoore." [685] "By Seinte Marie!" seyde this taverner, [686] "The child seith sooth, for he hath slayn this yeer, [687] Henne over a mile, withinne a greet village, [688] Bothe man and womman, child, and hyne, and page; [689] I trowe his habitacioun be there. [690] To been avysed greet wysdom it were, [691] Er that he dide a man a dishonour." [692] "Ye, Goddes armes!" quod this riotour, [693] "Is it swich peril with hym for to meete? [694] I shal hym seke by wey and eek by strete, [695] I make avow to Goddes digne bones! [696] Herkneth, felawes, we thre been al ones; [697] Lat ech of us holde up his hand til oother, [698] And ech of us bicomen otheres brother, [699] And we wol sleen this false traytour Deeth. [700] He shal be slayn, he that so manye sleeth, [701] By Goddes dignitee, er it be nyght!" [702] Togidres han thise thre hir trouthes plight [703] To lyve and dyen ech of hem for oother, [704] As though he were his owene ybore brother. [705] And up they stirte, al dronken in this rage, [706] And forth they goon towardes that village [707] Of which the taverner hadde spoke biforn. [708] And many a grisly ooth thanne han they sworn, [709] And Cristes blessed body they torente -- [710] Deeth shal be deed, if that they may hym hente! [711] Whan they han goon nat fully half a mile, [712] Right as they wolde han troden over a stile, [713] An oold man and a povre with hem mette. [714] This olde man ful mekely hem grette, [715] And seyde thus, "Now, lordes, God yow see!" [716] The proudeste of thise riotoures three [717] Answerde agayn, "What, carl, with sory grace! [718] Why artow al forwrapped save thy face? [719] Why lyvestow so longe in so greet age?" [720] This olde man gan looke in his visage, [721] And seyde thus: "For I ne kan nat fynde [722] A man, though that I walked into Ynde, [723] Neither in citee ne in no village, [724] That wolde chaunge his youthe for myn age; [725] And therfore moot I han myn age stille, [726] As longe tyme as it is Goddes wille. [727] Ne Deeth, allas, ne wol nat han my lyf. [728] Thus walke I, lyk a restelees kaityf, [729] And on the ground, which is my moodres gate, [730] I knokke with my staf, bothe erly and late, [731] And seye `Leeve mooder, leet me in! [732] Lo how I vanysshe, flessh, and blood, and skyn! [733] Allas, whan shul my bones been at reste? [734] Mooder, with yow wolde I chaunge my cheste [735] That in my chambre longe tyme hath be, [736] Ye, for an heyre clowt to wrappe me!' [737] But yet to me she wol nat do that grace, [738] For which ful pale and welked is my face. [739] "But, sires, to yow it is no curteisye [740] To speken to an old man vileynye, [741] But he trespasse in word or elles in dede. [742] In Hooly Writ ye may yourself wel rede: [743] `Agayns an oold man, hoor upon his heed, [744] Ye sholde arise;' wherfore I yeve yow reed, [745] Ne dooth unto an oold man noon harm now, [746] Namoore than that ye wolde men did to yow [747] In age, if that ye so longe abyde. [748] And God be with yow, where ye go or ryde! [749] I moot go thider as I have to go." [750] "Nay, olde cherl, by God, thou shalt nat so," [751] Seyde this oother hasardour anon; [752] "Thou partest nat so lightly, by Seint John! [753] Thou spak right now of thilke traytour Deeth. [754] That in this contree alle oure freendes sleeth. [755] Have heer my trouthe, as thou art his espye, [756] Telle where he is or thou shalt it abye, [757] By God and by the hooly sacrement! [758] For soothly thou art oon of his assent [759] To sleen us yonge folk, thou false theef!" [760] "Now, sires," quod he, "if that yow be so leef [761] To fynde Deeth, turne up this croked wey, [762] For in that grove I lafte hym, by my fey, [763] Under a tree, and there he wole abyde; [764] Noght for youre boost he wole him no thyng hyde. [765] Se ye that ook? Right there ye shal hym fynde. [766] God save yow, that boghte agayn mankynde, [767] And yow amende!" Thus seyde this olde man; [768] And everich of thise riotoures ran [769] Til he cam to that tree, and ther they founde [770] Of floryns fyne of gold ycoyned rounde [771] Wel ny an eighte busshels, as hem thoughte. [772] No lenger thanne after Deeth they soughte, [773] But ech of hem so glad was of that sighte, [774] For that the floryns been so faire and brighte, [775] That doun they sette hem by this precious hoord. [776] The worste of hem, he spak the firste word. [777] "Bretheren," quod he, "taak kep what that I seye; [778] My wit is greet, though that I bourde and pleye. [779] This tresor hath Fortune unto us yiven [780] In myrthe and joliftee oure lyf to lyven, [781] And lightly as it comth, so wol we spende. [782] Ey, Goddes precious dignitee! Who wende [783] To-day that we sholde han so fair a grace? [784] But myghte this gold be caried fro this place [785] Hoom to myn hous, or elles unto youres -- [786] For wel ye woot that al this gold is oures -- [787] Thanne were we in heigh felicitee. [788] But trewely, by daye it may nat bee. [789] Men wolde seyn that we were theves stronge, [790] And for oure owene tresor doon us honge. [791] This tresor moste ycaried be by nyghte [792] As wisely and as slyly as it myghte. [793] Wherfore I rede that cut among us alle [794] Be drawe, and lat se wher the cut wol falle; [795] And he that hath the cut with herte blithe [796] Shal renne to the town, and that ful swithe, [797] And brynge us breed and wyn ful prively. [798] And two of us shul kepen subtilly [799] This tresor wel; and if he wol nat tarie, [800] Whan it is nyght, we wol this tresor carie, [801] By oon assent, where as us thynketh best." [802] That oon of hem the cut broghte in his fest, [803] And bad hem drawe and looke where it wol falle; [804] And it fil on the yongeste of hem alle, [805] And forth toward the toun he wente anon. [806] And also soone as that he was gon, [807] That oon of hem spak thus unto that oother: [808] "Thow knowest wel thou art my sworen brother; [809] Thy profit wol I telle thee anon. [810] Thou woost wel that oure felawe is agon. [811] And heere is gold, and that ful greet plentee, [812] That shal departed been among us thre. [813] But nathelees, if I kan shape it so [814] That it departed were among us two, [815] Hadde I nat doon a freendes torn to thee?" [816] That oother answerde, "I noot hou that may be. [817] He woot that the gold is with us tweye; [818] What shal we doon? What shal we to hym seye?" [819] "Shal it be conseil?" seyde the firste shrewe, [820] "And I shal tellen in a wordes fewe [821] What we shal doon, and brynge it wel aboute." [822] "I graunte," quod that oother, "out of doute, [823] That, by my trouthe, I wol thee nat biwreye." [824] "Now," quod the firste, "thou woost wel we be tweye, [825] And two of us shul strenger be than oon. [826] Looke whan that he is set, that right anoon [827] Arys as though thou woldest with hym pleye, [828] And I shal ryve hym thurgh the sydes tweye [829] Whil that thou strogelest with hym as in game, [830] And with thy daggere looke thou do the same; [831] And thanne shal al this gold departed be, [832] My deere freend, bitwixen me and thee. [833] Thanne may we bothe oure lustes all fulfille, [834] And pleye at dees right at oure owene wille." [835] And thus acorded been thise shrewes tweye [836] To sleen the thridde, as ye han herd me seye. [837] This yongeste, which that wente to the toun, [838] Ful ofte in herte he rolleth up and doun [839] The beautee of thise floryns newe and brighte. [840] "O Lord!" quod he, "if so were that I myghte [841] Have al this tresor to myself allone, [842] Ther is no man that lyveth under the trone [843] Of God that sholde lyve so murye as I!" [844] And atte laste the feend, oure enemy, [845] Putte in his thought that he sholde poyson beye, [846] With which he myghte sleen his felawes tweye; [847] For-why the feend foond hym in swich lyvynge [848] That he hadde leve him to sorwe brynge. [849] For this was outrely his fulle entente, [850] To sleen hem bothe and nevere to repente. [851] And forth he gooth, no lenger wolde he tarie, [852] Into the toun, unto a pothecarie, [853] And preyde hym that he hym wolde selle [854] Som poyson, that he myghte his rattes quelle; [855] And eek ther was a polcat in his hawe, [856] That, as he seyde, his capouns hadde yslawe, [857] And fayn he wolde wreke hym, if he myghte, [858] On vermyn that destroyed hym by nyghte. [859] The pothecarie answerde, "And thou shalt have [860] A thyng that, also God my soule save, [861] In al this world ther is no creature [862] That eten or dronken hath of this confiture [863] Noght but the montance of a corn of whete, [864] That he ne shal his lif anon forlete; [865] Ye, sterve he shal, and that in lasse while [866] Than thou wolt goon a paas nat but a mile, [867] This poysoun is so strong and violent." [868] This cursed man hath in his hond yhent [869] This poysoun in a box, and sith he ran [870] Into the nexte strete unto a man, [871] And borwed [of] hym large botelles thre, [872] And in the two his poyson poured he; [873] The thridde he kepte clene for his drynke. [874] For al the nyght he shoop hym for to swynke [875] In cariynge of the gold out of that place. [876] And whan this riotour, with sory grace, [877] Hadde filled with wyn his grete botels thre, [878] To his felawes agayn repaireth he. [879] What nedeth it to sermone of it moore? [880] For right as they hadde cast his deeth bifoore, [881] Right so they han hym slayn, and that anon. [882] And whan that this was doon, thus spak that oon: [883] "Now lat us sitte and drynke, and make us merie, [884] And afterward we wol his body berie." [885] And with that word it happed hym, par cas, [886] To take the botel ther the poyson was, [887] And drank, and yaf his felawe drynke also, [888] For which anon they storven bothe two. [889] But certes, I suppose that Avycen [890] Wroot nevere in no canon, ne in no fen, [891] Mo wonder signes of empoisonyng [892] Than hadde thise wrecches two, er hir endyng. [893] Thus ended been thise homycides two, [894] And eek the false empoysonere also. [895] O cursed synne of alle cursednesse! [896] O traytours homycide, O wikkednesse! [897] O glotonye, luxurie, and hasardrye! [898] Thou blasphemour of Crist with vileynye [899] And othes grete, of usage and of pride! [900] Allas, mankynde, how may it bitide [901] That to thy creatour, which that the wroghte [902] And with his precious herte-blood thee boghte, [903] Thou art so fals and so unkynde, allas? [904] Now, goode men, God foryeve yow youre trespas, [905] And ware yow fro the synne of avarice! [906] Myn hooly pardoun may yow alle warice, [907] So that ye offre nobles or sterlynges, [908] Or elles silver broches, spoones, rynges. [909] Boweth youre heed under this hooly bulle! [910] Cometh up, ye wyves, offreth of youre wolle! [911] Youre names I entre heer in my rolle anon; [912] Into the blisse of hevene shul ye gon. [913] I yow assoille, by myn heigh power, [914] Yow that wol offre, as clene and eek as cleer [915] As ye were born. -- And lo, sires, thus I preche. [916] And Jhesu Crist, that is oure soules leche, [917] So graunte yow his pardoun to receyve, [918] For that is best; I wol yow nat deceyve. [919] But, sires, o word forgat I in my tale: [920] I have relikes and pardoun in my male, [921] As faire as any man in Engelond, [922] Whiche were me yeven by the popes hond. [923] If any of yow wole, of devocion, [924] Offren and han myn absolucion, [925] Com forth anon, and kneleth heere adoun, [926] And mekely receyveth my pardoun; [927] Or elles taketh pardoun as ye wende, [928] Al newe and fressh at every miles ende, [929] So that ye offren, alwey newe and newe, [930] Nobles or pens, whiche that be goode and trewe. [931] It is an honour to everich that is heer [932] That ye mowe have a suffisant pardoneer [933] T' assoille yow in contree as ye ryde, [934] For aventures whiche that may bityde. [935] Paraventure ther may fallen oon or two [936] Doun of his hors and breke his nekke atwo. [937] Looke which a seuretee is it to yow alle [938] That I am in youre felaweshipe yfalle, [939] That may assoille yow, bothe moore and lasse, [940] Whan that the soule shal fro the body passe. [941] I rede that oure Hoost heere shal bigynne, [942] For he is moost envoluped in synne. [943] Com forth, sire Hoost, and offre first anon, [944] And thou shalt kisse the relikes everychon, [945] Ye, for a grote! Unbokele anon thy purs." [946] "Nay, nay!" quod he, "thanne have I Cristes curs! [947] Lat be," quod he, "it shal nat be, so theech! [948] Thou woldest make me kisse thyn olde breech, [949] And swere it were a relyk of a seint, [950] Though it were with thy fundement depeint! [951] But, by the croys which that Seint Eleyne fond, [952] I wolde I hadde thy coillons in myn hond [953] In stide of relikes or of seintuarie. [954] Lat kutte hem of, I wol thee helpe hem carie; [955] They shul be shryned in an hogges toord!" [956] This Pardoner answerde nat a word; [957] So wrooth he was, no word ne wolde he seye. [958] "Now," quod oure Hoost, "I wol no lenger pleye [959] With thee, ne with noon oother angry man." [960] But right anon the worthy Knyght bigan, [961] Whan that he saugh that al the peple lough, [962] "Namoore of this, for it is right ynough! [963] Sire Pardoner, be glad and myrie of cheere; [964] And ye, sire Hoost, that been to me so deere, [965] I prey yow that ye kisse the Pardoner. [966] And Pardoner, I prey thee, drawe thee neer, [967] And, as we diden, lat us laughe and pleye." [968] Anon they kiste, and ryden forth hir weye. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Shipman's Tale [1] A marchant whilom dwelled at Seint-Denys, [2] That riche was, for which men helde hym wys. [3] A wyf he hadde of excellent beautee; [4] And compaignable and revelous was she, [5] Which is a thyng that causeth more dispence [6] Than worth is al the chiere and reverence [7] That men hem doon at festes and at daunces. [8] Swiche salutaciouns and contenaunces [9] Passen as dooth a shadwe upon the wal; [10] But wo is hym that payen moot for al! [11] The sely housbonde, algate he moot paye, [12] He moot us clothe, and he moot us arraye, [13] Al for his owene worshipe richely, [14] In which array we daunce jolily. [15] And if that he noght may, par aventure, [16] Or ellis list no swich dispence endure, [17] But thynketh it is wasted and ylost, [18] Thanne moot another payen for oure cost, [19] Or lene us gold, and that is perilous. [20] This noble marchaunt heeld a worthy hous, [21] For which he hadde alday so greet repair [22] For his largesse, and for his wyf was fair, [23] That wonder is; but herkneth to my tale. [24] Amonges alle his gestes, grete and smale, [25] Ther was a monk, a fair man and a boold -- [26] I trowe a thritty wynter he was oold -- [27] That evere in oon was drawynge to that place. [28] This yonge monk, that was so fair of face, [29] Aqueynted was so with the goode man, [30] Sith that hir firste knoweliche bigan, [31] That in his hous as famulier was he [32] As it is possible any freend to be. [33] And for as muchel as this goode man, [34] And eek this monk of which that I bigan, [35] Were bothe two yborn in o village, [36] The monk hym claymeth as for cosynage, [37] And he agayn; he seith nat ones nay, [38] But was as glad therof as fowel of day, [39] For to his herte it was a greet plesaunce. [40] Thus been they knyt with eterne alliaunce, [41] And ech of hem gan oother for t' assure [42] Of bretherhede whil that hir lyf may dure. [43] Free was daun John, and manly of dispence, [44] As in that hous, and ful of diligence [45] To doon plesaunce, and also greet costage. [46] He noght forgat to yeve the leeste page [47] In al that hous; but after hir degree, [48] He yaf the lord, and sitthe al his meynee, [49] Whan that he cam, som manere honest thyng, [50] For which they were as glad of his comyng [51] As fowel is fayn whan that the sonne up riseth. [52] Na moore of this as now, for it suffiseth. [53] But so bifel, this marchant on a day [54] Shoop hym to make redy his array [55] Toward the toun of Brugges for to fare, [56] To byen there a porcioun of ware; [57] For which he hath to Parys sent anon [58] A messager, and preyed hath daun John [59] That he sholde come to Seint-Denys to pleye [60] With hym and with his wyf a day or tweye, [61] Er he to Brugges wente, in alle wise. [62] This noble monk, of which I yow devyse, [63] Hath of his abbot, as hym list, licence, [64] By cause he was a man of heigh prudence [65] And eek an officer, out for to ryde, [66] To seen hir graunges and hire bernes wyde, [67] And unto Seint-Denys he comth anon. [68] Who was so welcome as my lord daun John, [69] Oure deere cosyn, ful of curteisye? [70] With hym broghte he a jubbe of malvesye, [71] And eek another ful of fyn vernage, [72] And volatyl, as ay was his usage. [73] And thus I lete hem ete and drynke and pleye, [74] This marchant and this monk, a day or tweye. [75] The thridde day, this marchant up ariseth, [76] And on his nedes sadly hym avyseth, [77] And up into his countour-hous gooth he [78] To rekene with hymself, wel may be, [79] Of thilke yeer how that it with hym stood, [80] And how that he despended hadde his good, [81] And if that he encressed were or noon. [82] His bookes and his bagges many oon [83] He leith biforn hym on his countyng-bord. [84] Ful riche was his tresor and his hord, [85] For which ful faste his countour-dore he shette; [86] And eek he nolde that no man sholde hym lette [87] Of his acountes, for the meene tyme; [88] And thus he sit til it was passed pryme. [89] Daun John was rysen in the morwe also, [90] And in the gardyn walketh to and fro, [91] And hath his thynges seyd ful curteisly. [92] This goode wyf cam walkynge pryvely [93] Into the gardyn, there he walketh softe, [94] And hym saleweth, as she hath doon ofte. [95] A mayde child cam in hire compaignye, [96] Which as hir list she may governe and gye, [97] For yet under the yerde was the mayde. [98] "O deere cosyn myn, daun John," she sayde, [99] "What eyleth yow so rathe for to ryse?" [100] "Nece," quod he, "it oghte ynough suffise [101] Fyve houres for to slepe upon a nyght, [102] But it were for an old appalled wight, [103] As been thise wedded men, that lye and dare [104] As in a fourme sit a wery hare, [105] Were al forstraught with houndes grete and smale. [106] But deere nece, why be ye so pale? [107] I trowe, certes, that oure goode man [108] Hath yow laboured sith the nyght bigan [109] That yow were nede to resten hastily." [110] And with that word he lough ful murily, [111] And of his owene thought he wax al reed. [112] This faire wyf gan for to shake hir heed [113] And seyde thus, "Ye, God woot al," quod she. [114] "Nay, cosyn myn, it stant nat so with me; [115] For, by that God that yaf me soule and lyf, [116] In al the reawme of France is ther no wyf [117] That lasse lust hath to that sory pley. [118] For I may synge `allas and weylawey [119] That I was born,' but to no wight," quod she, [120] "Dar I nat telle how that it stant with me. [121] Wherfore I thynke out of this land to wende, [122] Or elles of myself to make an ende, [123] So ful am I of drede and eek of care." [124] This monk bigan upon this wyf to stare, [125] And seyde, "Allas, my nece, God forbede [126] That ye, for any sorwe or any drede, [127] Fordo youreself; but telleth me youre grief. [128] Paraventure I may, in youre meschief, [129] Conseille or helpe; and therfore telleth me [130] Al youre anoy, for it shal been secree. [131] For on my portehors I make an ooth [132] That nevere in my lyf, for lief ne looth, [133] Ne shal I of no conseil yow biwreye." [134] "The same agayn to yow," quod she, "I seye. [135] By God and by this portehors I swere, [136] Though men me wolde al into pieces tere, [137] Ne shal I nevere, for to goon to helle, [138] Biwreye a word of thyng that ye me telle, [139] Nat for no cosynage ne alliance, [140] But verraily for love and affiance." [141] Thus been they sworn, and heerupon they kiste, [142] And ech of hem tolde oother what hem liste. [143] "Cosyn," quod she, "if that I hadde a space, [144] As I have noon, and namely in this place, [145] Thanne wolde I telle a legende of my lyf, [146] What I have suffred sith I was a wyf [147] With myn housbonde, al be he youre cosyn." [148] "Nay," quod this monk, "by God and Seint Martyn, [149] He is na moore cosyn unto me [150] Than is this leef that hangeth on the tree! [151] I clepe hym so, by Seint Denys of Fraunce, [152] To have the moore cause of aqueyntaunce [153] Of yow, which I have loved specially [154] Aboven alle wommen, sikerly. [155] This swere I yow on my professioun. [156] Telleth youre grief, lest that he come adoun; [157] And hasteth yow, and gooth youre wey anon." [158] "My deere love," quod she, "O my daun John, [159] Ful lief were me this conseil for to hyde, [160] But out it moot; I may namoore abyde. [161] Myn housbonde is to me the worste man [162] That evere was sith that the world bigan. [163] But sith I am a wyf, it sit nat me [164] To tellen no wight of oure privetee, [165] Neither abedde ne in noon oother place; [166] God shilde I sholde it tellen, for his grace! [167] A wyf ne shal nat seyn of hir housbonde [168] But al honour, as I kan understonde; [169] Save unto yow thus muche I tellen shal: [170] As helpe me God, he is noght worth at al [171] In no degree the value of a flye. [172] But yet me greveth moost his nygardye. [173] And wel ye woot that wommen naturelly [174] Desiren thynges sixe as wel as I: [175] They wolde that hir housbondes sholde be [176] Hardy and wise, and riche, and therto free, [177] And buxom unto his wyf and fressh abedde. [178] But by that ilke Lord that for us bledde, [179] For his honour, myself for to arraye, [180] A Sonday next I moste nedes paye [181] An hundred frankes, or ellis I am lorn. [182] Yet were me levere that I were unborn [183] Than me were doon a sclaundre or vileynye; [184] And if myn housbonde eek it myghte espye, [185] I nere but lost; and therfore I yow preye, [186] Lene me this somme, or ellis moot I deye. [187] Daun John, I seye, lene me thise hundred frankes. [188] Pardee, I wol nat faille yow my thankes, [189] If that yow list to doon that I yow praye. [190] For at a certeyn day I wol yow paye, [191] And doon to yow what plesance and service [192] That I may doon, right as yow list devise. [193] And but I do, God take on me vengeance [194] As foul as evere hadde Genylon of France." [195] This gentil monk answerde in this manere: [196] "Now trewely, myn owene lady deere, [197] I have," quod he, "on yow so greet a routhe [198] That I yow swere, and plighte yow my trouthe, [199] That whan youre housbonde is to Flaundres fare, [200] I wol delyvere yow out of this care; [201] For I wol brynge yow an hundred frankes." [202] And with that word he caughte hire by the flankes, [203] And hire embraceth harde, and kiste hire ofte. [204] "Gooth now youre wey," quod he, "al stille and softe, [205] And lat us dyne as soone as that ye may; [206] For by my chilyndre it is pryme of day. [207] Gooth now, and beeth as trewe as I shal be." [208] "Now elles God forbede, sire," quod she; [209] And forth she gooth as jolif as a pye, [210] And bad the cookes that they sholde hem hye, [211] So that men myghte dyne, and that anon. [212] Up to hir housbonde is this wyf ygon, [213] And knokketh at his countour boldely. [214] "Quy la?" quod he. "Peter! it am I," [215] Quod she; "What, sire, how longe wol ye faste? [216] How longe tyme wol ye rekene and caste [217] Youre sommes, and youre bookes, and youre thynges? [218] The devel have part on alle swiche rekenynges! [219] Ye have ynough, pardee, of Goddes sonde; [220] Com doun to-day, and lat youre bagges stonde. [221] Ne be ye nat ashamed that daun John [222] Shal fasting al this day alenge goon? [223] What, lat us heere a messe, and go we dyne." [224] "Wyf," quod this man, "litel kanstow devyne [225] The curious bisynesse that we have. [226] For of us chapmen, also God me save, [227] And by that lord that clepid is Seint Yve, [228] Scarsly amonges twelve tweye shul thryve [229] Continuelly, lastynge unto oure age. [230] We may wel make chiere and good visage, [231] And dryve forth the world as it may be, [232] And kepen oure estaat in pryvetee, [233] Til we be deed, or elles that we pleye [234] A pilgrymage, or goon out of the weye. [235] And therfore have I greet necessitee [236] Upon this queynte world t' avyse me, [237] For everemoore we moote stonde in drede [238] Of hap and fortune in oure chapmanhede. [239] "To Flaundres wol I go to-morwe at day, [240] And come agayn, as soone as evere I may. [241] For which, my deere wyf, I thee biseke, [242] As be to every wight buxom and meke, [243] And for to kepe oure good be curious, [244] And honestly governe wel oure hous. [245] Thou hast ynough, in every maner wise, [246] That to a thrifty houshold may suffise. [247] Thee lakketh noon array ne no vitaille; [248] Of silver in thy purs shaltow nat faille." [249] And with that word his countour-dore he shette, [250] And doun he gooth, no lenger wolde he lette. [251] But hastily a messe was ther seyd, [252] And spedily the tables were yleyd, [253] And to the dyner faste they hem spedde, [254] And richely this monk the chapman fedde. [255] At after-dyner daun John sobrely [256] This chapman took apart, and prively [257] He seyde hym thus: "Cosyn, it standeth so, [258] That wel I se to Brugges wol ye go. [259] God and Seint Austyn spede yow and gyde! [260] I prey yow, cosyn, wisely that ye ryde. [261] Governeth yow also of youre diete [262] Atemprely, and namely in this hete. [263] Bitwix us two nedeth no strange fare; [264] Farewel, cosyn; God shilde yow fro care! [265] And if that any thyng by day or nyght, [266] If it lye in my power and my myght, [267] That ye me wol comande in any wyse, [268] It shal be doon right as ye wol devyse. [269] "O thyng, er that ye goon, if it may be, [270] I wolde prey yow: for to lene me [271] An hundred frankes, for a wyke or tweye, [272] For certein beestes that I moste beye, [273] To stoore with a place that is oures. [274] God helpe me so, I wolde it were youres! [275] I shal nat faille surely of my day, [276] Nat for a thousand frankes, a mile way. [277] But lat this thyng be secree, I yow preye, [278] For yet to-nyght thise beestes moot I beye. [279] And fare now wel, myn owene cosyn deere; [280] Graunt mercy of youre cost and of youre cheere." [281] This noble marchant gentilly anon [282] Answerde and seyde, "O cosyn myn, daun John, [283] Now sikerly this is a smal requeste. [284] My gold is youres, whan that it yow leste, [285] And nat oonly my gold, but my chaffare. [286] Take what yow list; God shilde that ye spare. [287] "But o thyng is, ye knowe it wel ynogh [288] Of chapmen, that hir moneie is hir plogh. [289] We may creaunce whil we have a name, [290] But goldlees for to be, it is no game. [291] Paye it agayn whan it lith in youre ese; [292] After my myght ful fayn wolde I yow plese." [293] Thise hundred frankes he fette forth anon, [294] And prively he took hem to daun John. [295] No wight in al this world wiste of this loone [296] Savynge this marchant and daun John allone. [297] They drynke, and speke, and rome a while and pleye, [298] Til that daun John rideth to his abbeye. [299] The morwe cam, and forth this marchant rideth [300] To Flaundres-ward; his prentys wel hym gydeth [301] Til he came into Brugges murily. [302] Now gooth this marchant faste and bisily [303] Aboute his nede, and byeth and creaunceth. [304] He neither pleyeth at the dees ne daunceth, [305] But as a marchaunt, shortly for to telle, [306] He let his lyf, and there I lete hym dwelle. [307] The Sonday next the marchant was agon, [308] To Seint-Denys ycomen is daun John, [309] With crowne and berd al fressh and newe yshave. [310] In al the hous ther nas so litel a knave, [311] Ne no wight elles, that he nas ful fayn [312] That my lord daun John was come agayn. [313] And shortly to the point right for to gon, [314] This faire wyf acorded with daun John [315] That for thise hundred frankes he sholde al nyght [316] Have hire in his armes bolt upright; [317] And this acord parfourned was in dede. [318] In myrthe al nyght a bisy lyf they lede [319] Til it was day, that daun John wente his way, [320] And bad the meynee "Farewel, have good day!" [321] For noon of hem, ne no wight in the toun, [322] Hath of daun John right no suspecioun. [323] And forth he rydeth hoom to his abbeye, [324] Or where hym list; namoore of hym I seye. [325] This marchant, whan that ended was the faire, [326] To Seint-Denys he gan for to repaire, [327] And with his wyf he maketh feeste and cheere, [328] And telleth hire that chaffare is so deere [329] That nedes moste he make a chevyssaunce, [330] For he was bounden in a reconyssaunce [331] To paye twenty thousand sheeld anon. [332] For which this marchant is to Parys gon [333] To borwe of certeine freendes that he hadde [334] A certeyn frankes; and somme with him he ladde. [335] And whan that he was come into the toun, [336] For greet chiertee and greet affeccioun, [337] Unto daun John he first gooth hym to pleye; [338] Nat for to axe or borwe of hym moneye, [339] But for to wite and seen of his welfare, [340] And for to tellen hym of his chaffare, [341] As freendes doon whan they been met yfeere. [342] Daun John hym maketh feeste and murye cheere, [343] And he hym tolde agayn, ful specially, [344] How he hadde wel yboght and graciously, [345] Thanked be God, al hool his marchandise, [346] Save that he moste, in alle maner wise, [347] Maken a chevyssaunce, as for his beste, [348] And thanne he sholde been in joye and reste. [349] Daun John answerde, "Certes, I am fayn [350] That ye in heele ar comen hom agayn. [351] And if that I were riche, as have I blisse, [352] Of twenty thousand sheeld sholde ye nat mysse, [353] For ye so kyndely this oother day [354] Lente me gold; and as I kan and may, [355] I thanke yow, by God and by Seint Jame! [356] But nathelees, I took unto oure dame, [357] Youre wyf, at hom, the same gold ageyn [358] Upon youre bench; she woot it wel, certeyn, [359] By certeyn tokenes that I kan hire telle. [360] Now, by youre leve, I may no lenger dwelle; [361] Oure abbot wole out of this toun anon, [362] And in his compaignye moot I goon. [363] Grete wel oure dame, myn owene nece sweete, [364] And fare wel, deere cosyn, til we meete!" [365] This marchant, which that was ful war and wys, [366] Creanced hath, and payd eek in Parys [367] To certeyn Lumbardes, redy in hir hond, [368] The somme of gold, and gat of hem his bond; [369] And hoom he gooth, murie as a papejay, [370] For wel he knew he stood in swich array [371] That nedes moste he wynne in that viage [372] A thousand frankes aboven al his costage. [373] His wyf ful redy mette hym atte gate, [374] As she was wont of oold usage algate, [375] And al that nyght in myrthe they bisette; [376] For he was riche and cleerly out of dette. [377] Whan it was day, this marchant gan embrace [378] His wyf al newe, and kiste hire on hir face, [379] And up he gooth and maketh it ful tough. [380] "Namoore," quod she, "by God, ye have ynough!" [381] And wantownly agayn with hym she pleyde [382] Til atte laste thus this marchant seyde: [383] "By God," quod he, "I am a litel wrooth [384] With yow, my wyf, although it be me looth. [385] And woot ye why? By God, as that I gesse [386] That ye han maad a manere straungenesse [387] Bitwixen me and my cosyn daun John. [388] Ye sholde han warned me, er I had gon, [389] That he yow hadde an hundred frankes payed [390] By redy token; and heeld hym yvele apayed, [391] For that I to hym spak of chevyssaunce; [392] Me semed so, as by his contenaunce. [393] But nathelees, by God, oure hevene kyng, [394] I thoughte nat to axen hym no thyng. [395] I prey thee, wyf, ne do namoore so; [396] Telle me alwey, er that I fro thee go, [397] If any dettour hath in myn absence [398] Ypayed thee, lest thurgh thy necligence [399] I myghte hym axe a thing that he hath payed." [400] This wyf was nat afered nor affrayed, [401] But boldely she seyde, and that anon, [402] "Marie, I deffie the false monk, daun John! [403] I kepe nat of his tokenes never a deel; [404] He took me certeyn gold, that woot I weel -- [405] What! Yvel thedam on his monkes snowte! [406] For, God it woot, I wende, withouten doute, [407] That he hadde yeve it me bycause of yow [408] To doon therwith myn honour and my prow, [409] For cosynage, and eek for beele cheere [410] That he hath had ful ofte tymes heere. [411] But sith I se I stonde in this disjoynt, [412] I wol answere yow shortly to the poynt. [413] Ye han mo slakkere dettours than am I! [414] For I wol paye yow wel and redily [415] Fro day to day, and if so be I faille, [416] I am youre wyf; score it upon my taille, [417] And I shal paye as soone as ever I may. [418] For by my trouthe, I have on myn array, [419] And nat on wast, bistowed every deel; [420] And for I have bistowed it so weel [421] For youre honour, for Goddes sake, I seye, [422] As be nat wrooth, but lat us laughe and pleye. [423] Ye shal my joly body have to wedde; [424] By God, I wol nat paye yow but abedde! [425] Forgyve it me, myn owene spouse deere; [426] Turne hiderward, and maketh bettre cheere." [427] This marchant saugh ther was no remedie, [428] And for to chide it nere but folie, [429] Sith that the thyng may nat amended be. [430] "Now wyf," he seyde, "and I foryeve it thee; [431] But, by thy lyf, ne be namoore so large. [432] Keep bet thy good, this yeve I thee in charge." [433] Thus endeth my tale, and God us sende [434] Taillynge ynough unto oure lyves ende. Amen [435] "Wel seyd, by corpus dominus," quod oure Hoost, [436] "Now longe moote thou saille by the cost, [437] Sire gentil maister, gentil maryneer! [438] God yeve the monk a thousand last quade yeer! [439] A ha! Felawes, beth ware of swich a jape! [440] The monk putte in the mannes hood an ape, [441] And in his wyves eek, by Seint Austyn! [442] Draweth no monkes moore unto youre in. [443] "But now passe over, and lat us seke aboute, [444] Who shal now telle first of al this route [445] Another tale;" and with that word he sayde, [446] As curteisly as it had been a mayde, [447] "My lady Prioresse, by youre leve, [448] So that I wiste I sholde yow nat greve, [449] I wolde demen that ye tellen sholde [450] A tale next, if so were that ye wolde. [451] Now wol ye vouche sauf, my lady deere?" [452] "Gladly," quod she, and seyde as ye shal heere. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Prioress' Prologue [453] O Lord, oure Lord, thy name how merveillous [454] Is in this large world ysprad -- quod she -- [455] For noght oonly thy laude precious [456] Parfourned is by men of dignitee, [457] But by the mouth of children thy bountee [458] Parfourned is, for on the brest soukynge [459] Somtyme shewen they thyn heriynge. [460] Wherfore in laude, as I best kan or may, [461] Of thee and of the white lylye flour [462] Which that the bar, and is a mayde alway, [463] To telle a storie I wol do my labour; [464] Nat that I may encressen hir honour, [465] For she hirself is honour and the roote [466] Of bountee, next hir Sone, and soules boote. [467] O mooder Mayde, O mayde Mooder free! [468] O bussh unbrent, brennynge in Moyses sighte, [469] That ravyshedest doun fro the Deitee, [470] Thurgh thyn humblesse, the Goost that in th' alighte, [471] Of whos vertu, whan he thyn herte lighte, [472] Conceyved was the Fadres sapience, [473] Help me to telle it in thy reverence! [474] Lady, thy bountee, thy magnificence, [475] Thy vertu and thy grete humylitee [476] Ther may no tonge expresse in no science; [477] For somtyme, Lady, er men praye to thee, [478] Thou goost biforn of thy benyngnytee, [479] And getest us the lyght, of thy preyere, [480] To gyden us unto thy Sone so deere. [481] My konnyng is so wayk, O blisful Queene, [482] For to declare thy grete worthynesse [483] That I ne may the weighte nat susteene; [484] But as a child of twelf month oold, or lesse, [485] That kan unnethes any word expresse, [486] Right so fare I, and therfore I yow preye, [487] Gydeth my song that I shal of yow seye. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Prioress' Tale [488] Ther was in Asye, in a greet citee, [489] Amonges Cristene folk a Jewerye, [490] Sustened by a lord of that contree [491] For foule usure and lucre of vileynye, [492] Hateful to Crist and to his compaignye; [493] And thurgh the strete men myghte ride or wende, [494] For it was free and open at eyther ende. [495] A litel scole of Cristen folk ther stood [496] Doun at the ferther ende, in which ther were [497] Children an heep, ycomen of Cristen blood, [498] That lerned in that scole yeer by yere [499] Swich manere doctrine as men used there, [500] This is to seyn, to syngen and to rede, [501] As smale children doon in hire childhede. [502] Among thise children was a wydwes sone, [503] A litel clergeon, seven yeer of age, [504] That day by day to scole was his wone, [505] And eek also, where as he saugh th' ymage [506] Of Cristes mooder, hadde he in usage, [507] As hym was taught, to knele adoun and seye [508] His Ave Marie, as he goth by the weye. [509] Thus hath this wydwe hir litel sone ytaught [510] Oure blisful Lady, Cristes mooder deere, [511] To worshipe ay, and he forgat it naught, [512] For sely child wol alday soone leere. [513] But ay, whan I remembre on this mateere, [514] Seint Nicholas stant evere in my presence, [515] For he so yong to Crist dide reverence. [516] This litel child, his litel book lernynge, [517] As he sat in the scole at his prymer, [518] He Alma redemptoris herde synge, [519] As children lerned hire antiphoner; [520] And as he dorste, he drough hym ner and ner, [521] And herkned ay the wordes and the noote, [522] Til he the firste vers koude al by rote. [523] Noght wiste he what this Latyn was to seye, [524] For he so yong and tendre was of age. [525] But on a day his felawe gan he preye [526] T' expounden hym this song in his langage, [527] Or telle hym why this song was in usage; [528] This preyde he hym to construe and declare [529] Ful often tyme upon his knowes bare. [530] His felawe, which that elder was than he, [531] Answerde hym thus: "This song, I have herd seye, [532] Was maked of our blisful Lady free, [533] Hire to salue, and eek hire for to preye [534] To been oure help and socour whan we deye. [535] I kan namoore expounde in this mateere. [536] I lerne song; I kan but smal grammeere." [537] "And is this song maked in reverence [538] Of Cristes mooder?" seyde this innocent. [539] "Now, certes, I wol do my diligence [540] To konne it al er Cristemasse be went. [541] Though that I for my prymer shal be shent [542] And shal be beten thries in an houre, [543] I wol it konne Oure Lady for to honoure!" [544] His felawe taughte hym homward prively, [545] Fro day to day, til he koude it by rote, [546] And thanne he song it wel and boldely, [547] Fro word to word, acordynge with the note. [548] Twies a day it passed thurgh his throte, [549] To scoleward and homward whan he wente; [550] On Cristes mooder set was his entente. [551] As I have seyd, thurghout the Juerie [552] This litel child, as he cam to and fro, [553] Ful murily than wolde he synge and crie [554] O Alma redemptoris everemo. [555] The swetnesse his herte perced so [556] Of Cristes mooder that, to hire to preye, [557] He kan nat stynte of syngyng by the weye. [558] Oure firste foo, the serpent Sathanas, [559] That hath in Jues herte his waspes nest, [560] Up swal, and seide, "O Hebrayk peple, allas! [561] Is this to yow a thyng that is honest, [562] That swich a boy shal walken as hym lest [563] In youre despit, and synge of swich sentence, [564] Which is agayn youre lawes reverence?" [565] Fro thennes forth the Jues han conspired [566] This innocent out of this world to chace. [567] An homycide therto han they hyred, [568] That in an aleye hadde a privee place; [569] And as the child gan forby for to pace, [570] This cursed Jew hym hente, and heeld hym faste, [571] And kitte his throte, and in a pit hym caste. [572] I seye that in a wardrobe they hym threwe [573] Where as thise Jewes purgen hire entraille. [574] O cursed folk of Herodes al newe, [575] What may youre yvel entente yow availle? [576] Mordre wol out, certeyn, it wol nat faille, [577] And namely ther th' onour of God shal sprede; [578] The blood out crieth on youre cursed dede. [579] O martir, sowded to virginitee, [580] Now maystow syngen, folwynge evere in oon [581] The white Lamb celestial -- quod she -- [582] Of which the grete evaungelist, Seint John, [583] In Pathmos wroot, which seith that they that goon [584] Biforn this Lamb and synge a song al newe, [585] That nevere, flesshly, wommen they ne knewe. [586] This poure wydwe awaiteth al that nyght [587] After hir litel child, but he cam noght; [588] For which, as soone as it was dayes lyght, [589] With face pale of drede and bisy thoght, [590] She hath at scole and elleswhere hym soght, [591] Til finally she gan so fer espie [592] That he last seyn was in the Juerie. [593] With moodres pitee in hir brest enclosed, [594] She gooth, as she were half out of hir mynde, [595] To every place where she hath supposed [596] By liklihede hir litel child to fynde; [597] And evere on Cristes mooder meeke and kynde [598] She cride, and atte laste thus she wroghte: [599] Among the cursed Jues she hym soghte. [600] She frayneth and she preyeth pitously [601] To every Jew that dwelte in thilke place, [602] To telle hire if hir child wente oght forby. [603] They seyde "nay"; but Jhesu of his grace [604] Yaf in hir thoght inwith a litel space [605] That in that place after hir sone she cryde, [606] Where he was casten in a pit bisyde. [607] O grete God, that parfournest thy laude [608] By mouth of innocentz, lo, heere thy myght! [609] This gemme of chastite, this emeraude, [610] And eek of martirdom the ruby bright, [611] Ther he with throte ykorven lay upright, [612] He Alma redemptoris gan to synge [613] So loude that al the place gan to rynge. [614] The Cristene folk that thurgh the strete wente [615] In coomen for to wondre upon this thyng, [616] And hastily they for the provost sente; [617] He cam anon withouten tariyng, [618] And herieth Crist that is of hevene kyng, [619] And eek his mooder, honour of mankynde, [620] And after that the Jewes leet he bynde. [621] This child with pitous lamentacioun [622] Up taken was, syngynge his song alway, [623] And with honour of greet processioun [624] They carien hym unto the nexte abbay. [625] His mooder swownynge by his beere lay; [626] Unnethe myghte the peple that was theere [627] This newe Rachel brynge fro his beere. [628] With torment and with shameful deeth echon, [629] This provost dooth thise Jewes for to sterve [630] That of this mordre wiste, and that anon. [631] He nolde no swich cursednesse observe. [632] "Yvele shal have that yvele wol deserve"; [633] Therfore with wilde hors he dide hem drawe, [634] And after that he heng hem by the lawe. [635] Upon this beere ay lith this innocent [636] Biforn the chief auter, whil the masse laste; [637] And after that, the abbot with his covent [638] Han sped hem for to burien hym ful faste; [639] And whan they hooly water on hym caste, [640] Yet spak this child, whan spreynd was hooly water, [641] And song O Alma redemptoris mater! [642] This abbot, which that was an hooly man, [643] As monkes been -- or elles oghte be -- [644] This yonge child to conjure he bigan, [645] And seyde, "O deere child, I halse thee, [646] In vertu of the hooly Trinitee, [647] Tel me what is thy cause for to synge, [648] Sith that thy throte is kut to my semynge?" [649] "My throte is kut unto my nekke boon," [650] Seyde this child, "and as by wey of kynde [651] I sholde have dyed, ye, longe tyme agon. [652] But Jesu Crist, as ye in bookes fynde, [653] Wil that his glorie laste and be in mynde, [654] And for the worship of his Mooder deere [655] Yet may I synge O Alma loude and cleere. [656] "This welle of mercy, Cristes mooder sweete, [657] I loved alwey, as after my konnynge; [658] And whan that I my lyf sholde forlete, [659] To me she cam, and bad me for to synge [660] This anthem verraily in my deyynge, [661] As ye han herd, and whan that I hadde songe, [662] Me thoughte she leyde a greyn upon my tonge. [663] "Wherfore I synge, and synge moot certeyn, [664] In honour of that blisful Mayden free [665] Til fro my tonge of taken is the greyn; [666] And after that thus seyde she to me: [667] `My litel child, now wol I fecche thee, [668] Whan that the greyn is fro thy tonge ytake. [669] Be nat agast; I wol thee nat forsake.'" [670] This hooly monk, this abbot, hym meene I, [671] His tonge out caughte, and took awey the greyn, [672] And he yaf up the goost ful softely. [673] And whan this abbot hadde this wonder seyn, [674] His salte teeris trikled doun as reyn, [675] And gruf he fil al plat upon the grounde, [676] And stille he lay as he had ben ybounde. [677] The covent eek lay on the pavement [678] Wepynge, and herying Cristes mooder deere, [679] And after that they ryse, and forth been went, [680] And tooken awey this martir from his beere; [681] And in a tombe of marbul stones cleere [682] Enclosen they his litel body sweete. [683] Ther he is now, God leve us for to meete! [684] O yonge Hugh of Lyncoln, slayn also [685] With cursed Jewes, as it is notable, [686] For it is but a litel while ago, [687] Preye eek for us, we synful folk unstable, [688] That of his mercy God so merciable [689] On us his grete mercy multiplie, [690] For reverence of his mooder Marie. Amen. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Prologue to the Tale of Sir Thopas [691] Whan seyd was al this miracle, every man [692] As sobre was that wonder was to se, [693] Til that oure Hooste japen tho bigan, [694] And thanne at erst he looked upon me, [695] And seyde thus: "What man artow?" quod he; [696] "Thou lookest as thou woldest fynde an hare, [697] For evere upon the ground I se thee stare. [698] "Approche neer, and looke up murily. [699] Now war yow, sires, and lat this man have place! [700] He in the waast is shape as wel as I; [701] This were a popet in an arm t' enbrace [702] For any womman, smal and fair of face. [703] He semeth elvyssh by his contenaunce, [704] For unto no wight dooth he daliaunce. [705] "Sey now somwhat, syn oother folk han sayd; [706] Telle us a tale of myrthe, and that anon." [707] "Hooste," quod I, "ne beth nat yvele apayd, [708] For oother tale certes kan I noon, [709] But of a rym I lerned longe agoon." [710] "Ye, that is good," quod he; "now shul we heere [711] Som deyntee thyng, me thynketh by his cheere." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Tale of Sir Thopas [712] Listeth, lordes, in good entent, [713] And I wol telle verrayment [714] Of myrthe and of solas, [715] Al of a knyght was fair and gent [716] In bataille and in tourneyment; [717] His name was sire Thopas. [718] Yborn he was in fer contree, [719] In Flaundres, al biyonde the see, [720] At Poperyng, in the place. [721] His fader was a man ful free, [722] And lord he was of that contree, [723] As it was Goddes grace. [724] Sire Thopas wax a doghty swayn; [725] Whit was his face as payndemayn, [726] His lippes rede as rose; [727] His rode is lyk scarlet in grayn, [728] And I yow telle in good certayn [729] He hadde a semely nose. [730] His heer, his berd was lyk saffroun, [731] That to his girdel raughte adoun; [732] His shoon of cordewane. [733] Of Brugges were his hosen broun, [734] His robe was of syklatoun, [735] That coste many a jane. [736] He koude hunte at wilde deer, [737] And ride an haukyng for river [738] With grey goshauk on honde; [739] Therto he was a good archeer; [740] Of wrastlyng was ther noon his peer, [741] Ther any ram shal stonde. [742] Ful many a mayde, bright in bour, [743] They moorne for hym paramour, [744] Whan hem were bet to slepe; [745] But he was chaast and no lechour, [746] And sweete as is the brembul flour [747] That bereth the rede hepe. [748] And so bifel upon a day, [749] For sothe, as I yow telle may, [750] Sire Thopas wolde out ride. [751] He worth upon his steede gray, [752] And in his hand a launcegay, [753] A long swerd by his side. [754] He priketh thurgh a fair forest, [755] Therinne is many a wilde best, [756] Ye, bothe bukke and hare; [757] And as he priketh north and est, [758] I telle it yow, hym hadde almest [759] Bitid a sory care. [760] Ther spryngen herbes grete and smale, [761] The lycorys and the cetewale, [762] And many a clowe-gylofre; [763] And notemuge to putte in ale, [764] Wheither it be moyste or stale, [765] Or for to leye in cofre. [766] The briddes synge, it is no nay, [767] The sparhauk and the papejay, [768] That joye it was to heere; [769] The thrustelcok made eek hir lay, [770] The wodedowve upon the spray [771] She sang ful loude and cleere. [772] Sire Thopas fil in love-longynge, [773] Al whan he herde the thrustel synge, [774] And pryked as he were wood. [775] His faire steede in his prikynge [776] So swatte that men myghte him wrynge; [777] His sydes were al blood. [778] Sire Thopas eek so wery was [779] For prikyng on the softe gras, [780] So fiers was his corage, [781] That doun he leyde him in that plas [782] To make his steede som solas, [783] And yaf hym good forage. [784] "O Seinte Marie, benedicite! [785] What eyleth this love at me [786] To bynde me so soore? [787] Me dremed al this nyght, pardee, [788] An elf-queene shal my lemman be [789] And slepe under my goore. [790] "An elf-queene wol I love, ywis, [791] For in this world no womman is [792] Worthy to be my make [793] In towne; [794] Alle othere wommen I forsake, [795] And to an elf-queene I me take [796] By dale and eek by downe!" [797] Into his sadel he clamb anon, [798] And priketh over stile and stoon [799] An elf-queene for t' espye, [800] Til he so longe hath riden and goon [801] That he foond, in a pryve woon, [802] The contree of Fairye [803] So wilde; [804] For in that contree was ther noon [805] That to him durste ride or goon, [806] Neither wyf ne childe; [807] Til that ther cam a greet geaunt, [808] His name was sire Olifaunt, [809] A perilous man of dede. [810] He seyde, "Child, by Termagaunt, [811] But if thou prike out of myn haunt, [812] Anon I sle thy steede [813] With mace. [814] Heere is the queene of Fayerye, [815] With harpe and pipe and symphonye, [816] Dwellynge in this place." [817] The child seyde, "Also moote I thee, [818] Tomorwe wol I meete with thee, [819] Whan I have myn armoure; [820] And yet I hope, par ma fay, [821] That thou shalt with this launcegay [822] Abyen it ful sowre. [823] Thy mawe [824] Shal I percen, if I may, [825] Er it be fully pryme of day, [826] For heere thow shalt be slawe." [827] Sire Thopas drow abak ful faste; [828] This geant at hym stones caste [829] Out of a fel staf-slynge. [830] But faire escapeth child Thopas, [831] And al it was thurgh Goddes gras, [832] And thurgh his fair berynge. [833] Yet listeth, lordes, to my tale [834] Murier than the nightyngale, [835] For now I wol yow rowne [836] How sir Thopas, with sydes smale, [837] Prikyng over hill and dale, [838] Is comen agayn to towne. [839] His myrie men comanded he [840] To make hym bothe game and glee, [841] For nedes moste he fighte [842] With a geaunt with hevedes three, [843] For paramour and jolitee [844] Of oon that shoon ful brighte. [845] "Do come," he seyde, "my mynstrales, [846] And geestours for to tellen tales, [847] Anon in myn armynge, [848] Of romances that been roiales, [849] Of popes and of cardinales, [850] And eek of love-likynge." [851] They fette hym first the sweete wyn, [852] And mede eek in a mazelyn, [853] And roial spicerye [854] Of gyngebreed that was ful fyn, [855] And lycorys, and eek comyn, [856] With sugre that is trye. [857] He dide next his white leere [858] Of cloth of lake fyn and cleere, [859] A breech and eek a sherte; [860] And next his sherte an aketoun, [861] And over that an haubergeoun [862] For percynge of his herte; [863] And over that a fyn hawberk, [864] Was al ywroght of Jewes werk, [865] Ful strong it was of plate; [866] And over that his cote-armour [867] As whit as is a lilye flour, [868] In which he wol debate. [869] His sheeld was al of gold so reed, [870] And therinne was a bores heed, [871] A charbocle bisyde; [872] And there he swoor on ale and breed [873] How that the geaunt shal be deed, [874] Bityde what bityde! [875] His jambeux were of quyrboilly, [876] His swerdes shethe of yvory, [877] His helm of latoun bright; [878] His sadel was of rewel boon, [879] His brydel as the sonne shoon, [880] Or as the moone light. [881] His spere was of fyn ciprees, [882] That bodeth werre, and nothyng pees, [883] The heed ful sharpe ygrounde; [884] His steede was al dappull gray, [885] It gooth an ambil in the way [886] Ful softely and rounde [887] In londe. [888] Loo, lordes myne, heere is a fit! [889] If ye wol any moore of it, [890] To telle it wol I fonde. [891] Now holde youre mouth, par charitee, [892] Bothe knyght and lady free, [893] And herkneth to my spelle; [894] Of bataille and of chivalry, [895] And of ladyes love-drury [896] Anon I wol yow telle. [897] Men speken of romances of prys, [898] Of Horn child and of Ypotys, [899] Of Beves and sir Gy, [900] Of sir Lybeux and Pleyndamour -- [901] But sir Thopas, he bereth the flour [902] Of roial chivalry! [903] His goode steede al he bistrood, [904] And forth upon his wey he glood [905] As sparcle out of the bronde; [906] Upon his creest he bar a tour, [907] And therinne stiked a lilie flour -- [908] God shilde his cors fro shonde! [909] And for he was a knyght auntrous, [910] He nolde slepen in noon hous, [911] But liggen in his hoode; [912] His brighte helm was his wonger, [913] And by hym baiteth his dextrer [914] Of herbes fyne and goode. [915] Hymself drank water of the well, [916] As dide the knyght sire Percyvell [917] So worly under wede, [918] Til on a day -- [919] "Namoore of this, for Goddes dignitee," [920] Quod oure Hooste, "for thou makest me [921] So wery of thy verray lewednesse [922] That, also wisly God my soule blesse, [923] Myne eres aken of thy drasty speche. [924] Now swich a rym the devel I biteche! [925] This may wel be rym dogerel," quod he. [926] "Why so?" quod I, "why wiltow lette me [927] Moore of my tale than another man, [928] Syn that it is the beste rym I kan?" [929] "By God," quod he, "for pleynly, at a word, [930] Thy drasty rymyng is nat worth a toord! [931] Thou doost noght elles but despendest tyme. [932] Sire, at o word, thou shalt no lenger ryme. [933] Lat se wher thou kanst tellen aught in geeste, [934] Or telle in prose somwhat, at the leeste, [935] In which ther be som murthe or som doctryne." [936] "Gladly," quod I, "by Goddes sweete pyne! [937] I wol yow telle a litel thyng in prose [938] That oghte liken yow, as I suppose, [939] Or elles, certes, ye been to daungerous. [940] It is a moral tale vertuous, [941] Al be it told somtyme in sondry wyse [942] Of sondry folk, as I shal yow devyse. [943] "As thus: ye woot that every Evaungelist [944] That telleth us the peyne of Jhesu Crist [945] Ne seith nat alle thyng as his felawe dooth; [946] But nathelees hir sentence is al sooth, [947] And alle acorden as in hire sentence, [948] Al be ther in hir tellyng difference. [949] For somme of hem seyn moore, and somme seyn lesse, [950] Whan they his pitous passioun expresse -- [951] I meene of Mark, Mathew, Luc, and John -- [952] But doutelees hir sentence is al oon. [953] Therfore, lordynges alle, I yow biseche, [954] If that yow thynke I varie as in my speche, [955] As thus, though that I telle somwhat moore [956] Of proverbes than ye han herd bifoore [957] Comprehended in this litel tretys heere, [958] To enforce with th' effect of my mateere; [959] And though I nat the same wordes seye [960] As ye han herd, yet to yow alle I preye [961] Blameth me nat; for, as in my sentence, [962] Shul ye nowher fynden difference [963] Fro the sentence of this tretys lyte [964] After the which this murye tale I write. [965] And therfore herkneth what that I shal seye, [966] And lat me tellen al my tale, I preye." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Tale of Melibee [967] A yong man called Melibeus, myghty and riche, bigat upon his wyf, that called was Prudence, [967A] a doghter which that called was Sophie. [968] Upon a day bifel that he for his desport is went into the feeldes hym to pleye. [969] His wyf and eek his doghter hath he left inwith his hous, of which the dores weren faste yshette. [970] Thre of his olde foes han it espyed, and setten laddres to the walles of his hous, [970A] and by wyndowes been entred, [971] and betten his wyf, and wounded his doghter with fyve mortal woundes in fyve sondry places -- [972] this is to seyn, in hir feet, in hire handes, in hir erys, in hir nose, [972A] and in hire mouth -- and leften hire for deed, and wenten awey. [973] Whan Melibeus retourned was into his hous, and saugh al this meschief, he, [973A] lyk a mad man rentynge his clothes, gan to wepe and crie. [974] Prudence, his wyf, as ferforth as she dorste, bisoghte hym of his wepyng for to stynte, [975] but nat forthy he gan to crie and wepen evere lenger the moore. [976] This noble wyf Prudence remembred hire upon the sentence of Ovide, in his book [976A] that cleped is the Remedie of Love, where as he seith, [977] "He is a fool that destourbeth the mooder to wepen in the deeth of hire child [977A] til she have wept hir fille as for a certein tyme, [978] and thanne shal man doon his diligence with amyable wordes hire to reconforte, [978A] and preyen hire of hir wepyng for to stynte." [979] For which resoun this noble wyf Prudence suffred hir housbonde [979A] for to wepe and crie as for a certein space, [980] and whan she saugh hir tyme, she seyde hym in this wise: [980A] "Allas, my lord," quod she, "why make ye youreself for to be lyk a fool? [981] For sothe it aperteneth nat to a wys man to maken swich a sorwe. [982] Youre doghter, with the grace of God, shal warisshe and escape. [983] And, al were it so that she right now were deed, [983A] ye ne oughte nat, as for hir deeth, youreself to destroye. [984] Senek seith: `The wise man shal nat take to greet disconfort for the deeth of his children, [985] but, certes, he sholde suffren it in pacience [985A] as wel as he abideth the deeth of his owene propre persone.'" [986] This Melibeus answerde anon and seyde, "What man," quod he, "sholde of his wepyng stente [986A] that hath so greet a cause for to wepe? [987] Jhesu Crist, oure Lord, hymself wepte for the deeth of Lazarus hys freend." [988] Prudence answerde: "Certes, wel I woot attempree wepyng is no thyng deffended to hym that sorweful is, [988A] amonges folk in sorwe, but it is rather graunted hym to wepe. [989] The Apostle Paul unto the Romayns writeth, `Man shal rejoyse [989A] with hem that maken joye and wepen with swich folk as wepen.' [990] But though attempree wepyng be ygraunted, outrageous wepyng certes is deffended. [991] Mesure of wepyng sholde be considered after the loore that techeth us Senek: [992] `Whan that thy frend is deed,' quod he, `lat nat thyne eyen to moyste been of teeris, [992A] ne to muche drye; although the teeris come to thyne eyen, lat hem nat falle; [993] and whan thou hast forgoon thy freend, do diligence to gete another freend; [993A] and this is moore wysdom than for to wepe for thy freend [993B] which that thou hast lorn, for therinne is no boote.' [994] And therfore, if ye governe yow by sapience, put awey sorwe out of youre herte. [995] Remembre yow that Jhesus Syrak seith, `A man that is joyous and glad in herte, [995A] it hym conserveth florissynge in his age; but soothly sorweful herte maketh his bones drye.' [996] He seith eek thus, that sorwe in herte sleeth ful many a man. [997] Salomon seith that right as motthes in the shepes flees anoyeth to the clothes, [997A] and the smale wormes to the tree, right so anoyeth sorwe to the herte. [998] Wherfore us oghte, as wel in the deeth of oure children [998A] as in the los of oure othere goodes temporels, have pacience. [999] Remembre yow upon the pacient Job. Whan he hadde lost his children and his temporeel substance, [999A] and in his body endured and receyved ful many a grevous tribulacion, yet seyde he thus: [1000] `Oure Lord hath yeve it me; oure Lord hath biraft it me; right as oure Lord hath wold, [1000A] right so it is doon; blessed be the name of oure Lord!'" [1001] To thise forseide thynges answerde Melibeus unto his wyf Prudence: "Alle thy wordes," quod he, [1001A] "been sothe and therto profitable, but trewely myn herte is troubled with this sorwe [1001B] so grevously that I noot what to doone." [1002] "Lat calle," quod Prudence, "thy trewe freendes alle and thy lynage whiche that been wise. Telleth youre cas, [1002A] and herkneth what they seye in conseillyng, and yow governe after hire sentence. [1003] Salomon seith, `Werk alle thy thynges by conseil, and thou shalt never repente.'" [1004] Thanne, by the conseil of his wyf Prudence, this Melibeus leet callen a greet congregacion of folk, [1005] as surgiens, phisiciens, olde folk and yonge, and somme of his olde enemys reconsiled [1005A] as by hir semblaunt to his love and into his grace; [1006] and therwithal ther coomen somme of his neighebores that diden hym reverence [1006A] moore for drede than for love, as it happeth ofte. [1007] Ther coomen also ful many subtille flatereres and wise advocatz lerned in the lawe. [1008] And whan this folk togidre assembled weren, this Melibeus in sorweful wise shewed hem his cas. [1009] And by the manere of his speche it semed that in herte he baar a crueel ire, [1009A] redy to doon vengeaunce upon his foes, and sodeynly desired that the werre sholde bigynne; [1010] but nathelees, yet axed he hire conseil upon this matiere. [1011] A surgien, by licence and assent of swiche as weren wise, up roos [1011A] and to Melibeus seyde as ye may heere: [1012] "Sire," quod he, "as to us surgiens aperteneth that we do to every wight the beste that we kan, [1012A] where as we been withholde, and to oure pacientz that we do no damage, [1013] wherfore it happeth many tyme and ofte that whan twey men han everich wounded oother, [1013A] oon same surgien heeleth hem bothe; [1014] wherfore unto oure art it is nat pertinent to norice werre ne parties to supporte. [1015] But certes, as to the warisshynge of youre doghter, al be it so that she perilously be wounded, [1015A] we shullen do so ententif bisynesse fro day to nyght that with the grace of God [1015B] she shal be hool and sound as soone as is possible." [1016] Almoost right in the same wise the phisiciens answerden, save that they seyden a fewe woordes moore: [1017] that right as maladies been cured by hir contraries, right so shul men warisshe werre by vengeaunce. [1018] His neighebores ful of envye, his feyned freendes that semeden reconsiled, and his flatereres [1019] maden semblant of wepyng, and empeireden and agreggeden muchel of this matiere [1019A] in preisynge greetly Melibee of myght, of power, of richesse, and of freendes, despisynge the power of his adversaries, [1020] and seiden outrely that he anon sholde wreken hym on his foes and bigynne werre. [1021] Up roos thanne an advocat that was wys, [1021A] by leve and by conseil of othere that were wise, and seide: [1022] "Lordynges, the nede for which we been assembled in this place [1022A] is a ful hevy thyng and an heigh matiere, [1023] by cause of the wrong and of the wikkednesse that hath be doon, [1023A] and eek by resoun of the grete damages that in tyme comynge [1023B] been possible to fallen for this same cause, [1024] and eek by resoun of the grete richesse and power of the parties bothe, [1025] for the whiche resouns it were a ful greet peril to erren in this matiere. [1026] Wherfore, Melibeus, this is oure sentence: we conseille yow aboven alle thyng that right anon thou do thy diligence [1026A] in kepynge of thy propre persone in swich a wise [1026B] that thou ne wante noon espie ne wacche thy persone for to save. [1027] And after that, we conseille that in thyn hous thou sette sufficeant garnisoun [1027A] so that they may as wel thy body as thyn hous defende. [1028] But certes, for to moeve werre, ne sodeynly for to doon vengeaunce, we may nat demen [1028A] in so litel tyme that it were profitable. [1029] Wherfore we axen leyser and espace to have deliberacion in this cas to deme. [1030] For the commune proverbe seith thus: `He that soone deemeth, soone shal repente.' [1031] And eek men seyn that thilke juge is wys that soone understondeth a matiere and juggeth by leyser; [1032] for al be it so that alle tariyng be anoyful, [1032A] algates it is nat to repreve in yevynge of juggement ne in vengeance takyng, [1032B] whan it is sufficeant and resonable. [1033] And that shewed oure Lord Jhesu Crist by ensample, for whan that the womman that was taken in avowtrie [1033A] was broght in his presence to knowen what sholde be doon with hire persone, al be it so that he wiste wel hymself what [1033B] that he wolde answere, yet ne wolde he nat answere sodeynly, [1033C] but he wolde have deliberacion, and in the ground he wroot twies. [1034] And by thise causes we axen deliberacioun, and we shal thanne, by the grace of God, conseille thee [1034A] thyng that shal be profitable." [1035] Up stirten thanne the yonge folk atones, and the mooste partie of that compaignye han scorned this olde wise [1035A] man, and bigonnen to make noyse, and seyden that [1036] right so as whil that iren is hoot men sholden smyte, [1036A] right so men sholde wreken hir wronges whil that they been fresshe and newe; [1036B] and with loud voys they criden "Werre! Werre!" [1037] Up roos tho oon of thise olde wise, and with his hand made contenaunce that [1037A] men sholde holden hem stille and yeven hym audience. [1038] "Lordynges," quod he, "ther is ful many a man that crieth `Werre, werre!' [1038A] that woot ful litel what werre amounteth. [1039] Werre at his bigynnyng hath so greet an entryng and so large that every wight may entre [1039A] whan hym liketh and lightly fynde werre; [1040] but certes what ende that shal therof bifalle, it is nat light to knowe. [1041] For soothly, whan that werre is ones bigonne, ther is ful many a child unborn of his mooder [1041A] that shal sterve yong by cause of thilke werre, or elles lyve in sorwe and dye in wrecchednesse. [1042] And therfore, er that any werre bigynne, men moste have greet conseil and greet deliberacion." [1043] And whan this olde man wende to enforcen his tale by resons, wel ny alle atones bigonne they [1043A] to rise for to breken his tale, and beden hym ful ofte his wordes for to abregge. [1044] For soothly, he that precheth to hem that listen nat heeren his wordes, his sermon hem anoieth. [1045] For Jhesus Syrak seith that "musik in wepynge is a noyous thyng"; this is to seyn: [1045A] as muche availleth to speken bifore folk to which his speche anoyeth [1045B] as it is to synge biforn hym that wepeth. [1046] And whan this wise man saugh that hym wanted audience, al shamefast he sette hym doun agayn. [1047] For Salomon seith: "Ther as thou ne mayst have noon audience, enforce thee nat to speke." [1048] "I see wel," quod this wise man, "that the commune proverbe is sooth, that [1048A] `good conseil wanteth whan it is moost nede.'" [1049] Yet hadde this Melibeus in his conseil many folk that prively in his eere conseilled hym certeyn thyng, [1049A] and conseilled hym the contrarie in general audience. [1050] Whan Melibeus hadde herd that the gretteste partie of his conseil weren accorded that he sholde maken werre, [1050A] anoon he consented to hir conseillyng and fully affermed hire sentence. [1051] Thanne dame Prudence, whan that she saugh how that hir housbonde shoop hym for to wreken hym on his [1051A] foes and to bigynne werre, she in ful humble wise, whan she saugh hir tyme, seide to hym thise wordes: [1052] "My lord," quod she, "I yow biseche, as hertely as I dar and kan, [1052A] ne haste yow nat to faste and, for alle gerdons, as yeveth me audience. [1053] For Piers Alfonce seith, `Whoso that dooth to thee oother good or harm, haste thee nat to quiten it, [1053A] for in this wise thy freend wole abyde and thyn enemy shal the lenger lyve in drede.' [1054] The proverbe seith, `He hasteth wel that wisely kan abyde,' and `in wikked haste is no profit.'" [1055] This Melibee answerde unto his wyf Prudence: "I purpose nat," quod he, "to werke by thy conseil, [1055A] for many causes and resouns. For certes, every wight wolde holde me thanne a fool; [1056] this is to seyn, if I, for thy conseillyng, wolde chaungen [1056A] thynges that been ordeyned and affermed by so manye wyse. [1057] Secoundely, I seye that alle wommen been wikke, and noon good of hem alle. [1057A] For `of a thousand men,' seith Salomon, `I foond o good man, but certes, [1057B] of alle wommen, good womman foond I nevere.' [1058] And also, certes, if I governed me by thy conseil, [1058A] it sholde seme that I hadde yeve to thee over me the maistrie, [1058B] and God forbede that it so weere! [1059] For Jhesus Syrak seith that `if the wyf have maistrie, she is contrarious to hir housbonde.' [1060] And Salomon seith: `Nevere in thy lyf to thy wyf, ne to thy child, ne to thy freend [1060A] ne yeve no power over thyself, for bettre it were that thy children [1060B] aske of thy persone thynges that hem nedeth than thou see thyself [1060C] in the handes of thy children.' [1061] And also if I wolde werke by thy conseillyng, certes, my conseil moste som tyme be secree, [1061A] til it were tyme that it moste be knowe, and this ne may noght be. [1064] Whanne dame Prudence, ful debonairly and with greet pacience, hadde herd al that hir housbonde liked for to seye, [1064A] thanne axed she of hym licence for to speke, and seyde in this wise: [1065] "My lord," quod she, "as to youre firste resoun, certes it may lightly been answered. For I seye that [1065A] it is no folie to chaunge conseil whan the thyng is chaunged, [1065B] or elles whan the thyng semeth ootherweyes than it was biforn. [1066] And mooreover, I seye that though ye han sworn and bihight to perfourne youre emprise, and nathelees ye weyve [1066A] to perfourne thilke same emprise by juste cause, men sholde nat seyn therfore that ye were a liere ne forsworn. [1067] For the book seith that `the wise man maketh no lesyng whan he turneth his corage to the bettre.' [1068] And al be it so that youre emprise be establissed and ordeyned by greet multitude of folk, [1068A] yet thar ye nat accomplice thilke ordinaunce but yow like. [1069] For the trouthe of thynges and the profit been rather founden in fewe folk that been wise and [1069A] ful of resoun than by greet multitude of folk ther every man crieth and clatereth what that hym liketh. [1069B] Soothly swich multitude is nat honest. [1070] And as to the seconde resoun, where as ye seyn that alle wommen been wikke; [1070A] save youre grace, certes ye despisen alle wommen in this wyse, and [1070B] `he that al despiseth, al displeseth,' as seith the book. [1071] And Senec seith that `whoso wole have sapience shal no man dispreyse, [1071A] but he shal gladly techen the science that he kan withouten presumpcion or pride; [1072] and swiche thynges as he noght ne kan, he shal nat been ashamed to lerne hem, [1072A] and enquere of lasse folk than hymself.' [1073] And, sire, that ther hath been many a good womman may lightly be preved. [1074] For certes, sire, oure Lord Jhesu Crist wolde nevere have descended to be born of a womman, [1074A] if alle wommen hadden been wikke. [1075] And after that, for the grete bountee that is in wommen, [1075A] oure Lord Jhesu Crist, whan he was risen fro deeth to lyve, [1075B] appeered rather to a womman than to his Apostles. [1076] And though that Salomon seith that he ne foond nevere womman good, [1076A] it folweth nat therfore that alle wommen ben wikke. [1077] For though that he ne foond no good womman, certes, [1077A] many another man hath founden many a womman ful good and trewe. [1078] Or elles, per aventure, the entente of Salomon was this: [1078A] that, as in sovereyn bounte, he foond no womman -- [1079] this is to seyn, that ther is no wight that hath sovereyn bountee save God allone, [1079A] as he hymself recordeth in hys Evaungelie. [1080] For ther nys no creature so good that hym ne wanteth [1080A] somwhat of the perfeccioun of God, that is his makere. [1081] Youre thridde reson is this: ye seyn that if ye governe yow by my conseil, [1081A] it sholde seme that ye hadde yeve me the maistrie and the lordshipe over youre persone. [1082] Sire, save youre grace, it is nat so. For if it so were that no man sholde be conseilled [1082A] but oonly of hem that hadden lordshipe and maistrie of his persone, men wolden nat be conseilled so ofte. [1083] For soothly thilke man that asketh conseil of a purpos, yet hath he free choys [1083A] wheither he wole werke by that conseil or noon. [1084] And as to youre fourthe resoun, ther ye seyn that the janglerie of wommen kan hyde thynges that they [1084A] wot noght, as who seith that a womman kan nat hyde that she woot; [1085] sire, thise wordes been understonde of wommen that been jangleresses and wikked; [1086] of whiche wommen men seyn that thre thynges dryven a man out of his hous -- [1086A] that is to seyn, smoke, droppyng of reyn, and wikked wyves; [1087] and of swiche wommen seith Salomon that [1087A] `it were bettre dwelle in desert than with a womman that is riotous.' [1088] And sire, by youre leve, that am nat I, [1089] for ye han ful ofte assayed my grete silence and my grete pacience, and eek how wel that [1089A] I kan hyde and hele thynges that men oghte secreely to hyde. [1090] And soothly, as to youre fifthe resoun, where as ye seyn that in wikked conseil wommen venquisshe men, [1090A] God woot, thilke resoun stant heere in no stede. [1091] For understoond now, ye asken conseil to do wikkednesse; [1092] and if ye wole werken wikkednesse, and youre wif restreyneth thilke wikked purpos, [1092A] and overcometh yow by reson and by good conseil, [1093] certes youre wyf oghte rather to be preised than yblamed. [1094] Thus sholde ye understonde the philosophre that seith, `In wikked conseil wommen venquisshen hir housbondes.' [1095] And ther as ye blamen alle wommen and hir resouns, I shal shewe yow by manye ensamples that [1095A] many a womman hath ben ful good, and yet been, and hir conseils ful hoolsome and profitable. [1096] Eek som men han seyd that the conseillynge of wommen [1096A] is outher to deere or elles to litel of pris. [1097] But al be it so that ful many a womman is badde and hir conseil vile and noght worth, [1097A] yet han men founde ful many a good womman, and ful discret and wis in conseillynge. [1098] Loo, Jacob by good conseil of his mooder Rebekka wan the benysoun of Ysaak his fader [1098A] and the lordshipe over alle his bretheren. [1099] Judith by hire good conseil delivered the citee of Bethulie, in which she dwelled, [1099A] out of the handes of Olofernus, that hadde it biseged and wolde have al destroyed it. [1100] Abygail delivered Nabal hir housbonde fro David the kyng, that wolde have slayn hym, [1100A] and apaysed the ire of the kyng by hir wit and by hir good conseillyng. [1101] Hester by hir good conseil enhaunced greetly the peple of God in the regne of Assuerus the kyng. [1102] And the same bountee in good conseillyng of many a good womman may men telle. [1103] And mooreover, whan oure Lord hadde creat Adam, oure forme fader, he seyde in this wise: [1104] `It is nat good to been a man alloone; make we to hym an helpe semblable to hymself.' [1105] Heere may ye se that if that wommen were nat goode, and hir conseils goode and profitable, [1106] oure Lord God of hevene wolde nevere han wroght hem, [1106A] ne called hem help of man, but rather confusioun of man. [1107] And ther seyde oones a clerk in two vers, `What is bettre than gold? Jaspre. [1107A] What is bettre than jaspre? Wisedoom. [1108] And what is better than wisedoom? Womman. And what is bettre than a good womman? Nothyng.' [1109] And, sire, by manye of othre resons may ye seen that [1109A] manye wommen been goode, and hir conseils goode and profitable. [1110] And therfore, sire, if ye wol triste to my conseil, I shal restoore yow youre doghter hool and sound. [1111] And eek I wol do to yow so muche that ye shul have honour in this cause." [1112] Whan Melibee hadde herd the wordes of his wyf Prudence, he seyde thus: [1113] "I se wel that the word of Salomon is sooth. [1113A] He seith that `wordes that been spoken discreetly by ordinaunce been honycombes, [1113B] for they yeven swetnesse to the soule and hoolsomnesse to the body.' [1114] And, wyf, by cause of thy sweete wordes, and eek for I have assayed and preved thy grete sapience [1114A] and thy grete trouthe, I wol governe me by thy conseil in alle thyng." [1115] "Now, sire," quod dame Prudence, "and syn ye vouche sauf to been governed by my conseil, [1115A] I wol enforme yow how ye shul governe yourself in chesynge of youre conseillours. [1116] Ye shul first in alle youre werkes mekely biseken to the heighe God that he wol be youre conseillour; [1117] and shapeth yow to swich entente that he yeve yow conseil and confort, as taughte Thobie his sone: [1118] `At alle tymes thou shalt blesse God, and praye hym to dresse thy weyes, [1118A] and looke that alle thy conseils been in hym for everemoore.' [1119] Seint Jame eek seith: `If any of yow have nede of sapience, axe it of God.' [1120] And afterward thanne shul ye taken conseil in youreself, [1120A] and examyne wel youre thoghtes of swich thyng as yow thynketh that is best for youre profit. [1121] And thanne shul ye dryve fro youre herte thre thynges that been contrariouse to good conseil; [1122] that is to seyn, ire, coveitise, and hastifnesse. [1123] "First, he that axeth conseil of hymself, certes he moste been withouten ire, for manye causes. [1124] The firste is this: he that hath greet ire and wratthe in hymself, he weneth alwey that [1124A] he may do thyng that he may nat do. [1125] And secoundely, he that is irous and wrooth, he ne may nat wel deme; [1126] and he that may nat wel deme, may nat wel conseille. [1127] The thridde is this, that he that is irous and wrooth, as seith Senec, [1127A] ne may nat speke but blameful thynges, [1128] and with his viciouse wordes he stireth oother folk to angre and to ire. [1129] And eek, sire, ye moste dryve coveitise out of youre herte. [1130] For the Apostle seith that coveitise is roote of alle harmes. [1131] And trust wel that a coveitous man ne kan noght deme ne thynke, [1131A] but oonly to fulfille the ende of his coveitise; [1132] and certes, that ne may nevere been accompliced, [1132A] for evere the moore habundaunce that he hath of richesse, the moore he desireth. [1133] And, sire, ye moste also dryve out of youre herte hastifnesse; for certes, [1134] ye ne may nat deeme for the beste by a sodeyn thought that falleth in youre herte, [1134A] but ye moste avyse yow on it ful ofte. [1135] For, as ye herde her biforn, the commune proverbe is this, that `he that soone deemeth, soone repenteth.' [1136] Sire, ye ne be nat alwey in lyk disposicioun; [1137] for certes, somthyng that somtyme semeth to yow that it is good for to do, [1137A] another tyme it semeth to yow the contrarie. [1138] "Whan ye han taken conseil in youreself and han deemed by good deliberacion swich thyng as you semeth best, [1139] thanne rede I yow that ye kepe it secree. [1140] Biwrey nat youre conseil to no persone, but if so be that ye wenen sikerly that [1140A] thurgh youre biwreyyng youre condicioun shal be to yow the moore profitable. [1141] For Jhesus Syrak seith, `Neither to thy foo ne to thy frend discovere nat thy secree ne thy folie, [1142] for they wol yeve yow audience and lookynge and supportacioun in thy presence and scorne thee in thyn absence.' [1143] Another clerk seith that `scarsly shaltou fynden any persone that may kepe conseil secrely.' [1144] The book seith, `Whil that thou kepest thy conseil in thyn herte, thou kepest it in thy prisoun, [1145] and whan thou biwreyest thy conseil to any wight, he holdeth thee in his snare.' [1146] And therfore yow is bettre to hyde youre conseil in youre herte than praye him [1146A] to whom ye han biwreyed youre conseil that he wole kepen it cloos and stille. [1147] For Seneca seith: `If so be that thou ne mayst nat thyn owene conseil hyde, [1147A] how darstou prayen any oother wight thy conseil secrely to kepe?' [1148] But nathelees, if thou wene sikerly that the biwreiyng of thy conseil to a persone wol make [1148A] thy condicion to stonden in the bettre plyt, thanne shaltou tellen hym thy conseil in this wise. [1149] First thou shalt make no semblant wheither thee were levere pees or werre, or this or that, [1149A] ne shewe hym nat thy wille and thyn entente. [1150] For trust wel that comunli thise conseillours been flatereres, [1151] namely the conseillours of grete lordes, [1152] for they enforcen hem alwey rather to speken plesante wordes, enclynynge to the lordes lust, [1152A] than wordes that been trewe or profitable. [1153] And therfore men seyn that the riche man hath seeld good conseil, but if he have it of hymself. [1154] And after that thou shalt considere thy freendes and thyne enemys. [1155] And as touchynge thy freendes, thou shalt considere which of hem been [1155A] moost feithful and moost wise and eldest and most approved in conseillyng; [1156] and of hem shalt thou aske thy conseil, as the caas requireth. [1157] I seye that first ye shul clepe to youre conseil youre freendes that been trewe. [1158] For Salomon seith that `right as the herte of a man deliteth in savour that is soote, [1158A] right so the conseil of trewe freendes yeveth swetnesse to the soule.' [1159] He seith also, `Ther may no thyng be likned to the trewe freend, [1160] for certes gold ne silver ben nat so muche worth as the goode wyl of a trewe freend.' [1161] And eek he seith that `a trewe freend is a strong deffense; who so that it fyndeth, [1161A] certes he fyndeth a greet tresour.' [1162] Thanne shul ye eek considere if that youre trewe freendes been discrete and wise. [1162A] For the book seith, `Axe alwey thy conseil of hem that been wise.' [1163] And by this same resoun shul ye clepen to youre conseil of youre freendes that been of age, [1163A] swiche as han seyn and been expert in manye thynges and been approved in conseillynges. [1164] For the book seith that `in olde men is the sapience, and in longe tyme the prudence.' [1165] And Tullius seith that `grete thynges ne been nat ay accompliced by strengthe, ne by delivernesse of body, but [1165A] by good conseil, by auctoritee of persones, and by science; the whiche thre thynges ne been nat fieble by age, [1165B] but certes they enforcen and encreescen day by day.' [1166] And thanne shul ye kepe this for a general reule: First shul ye clepen to youre conseil [1166A] a fewe of youre freendes that been especiale; [1167] for Salomon seith, `Manye freendes have thou, but among a thousand chese thee oon to be thy conseillour.' [1168] For al be it so that thou first ne telle thy conseil but to a fewe, [1168A] thou mayst afterward telle it to mo folk if it be nede. [1169] But looke alwey that thy conseillours have thilke thre condiciouns that I have seyd bifore -- [1169A] that is to seyn, that they be trewe, wise, and of oold experience. [1170] And werke nat alwey in every nede by oon counseillour allone; [1170A] for somtyme bihooveth it to been conseilled by manye. [1171] For Salomon seith, `Salvacion of thynges is where as ther been manye conseillours.' [1172] "Now, sith that I have toold yow of which folk ye sholde been counseilled, now [1172A] wol I teche yow which conseil ye oghte to eschewe. [1173] First, ye shul eschue the conseillyng of fooles; for Salomon seith, `Taak no conseil of a fool, [1173A] for he ne kan noght conseille but after his owene lust and his affeccioun.' [1174] The book seith that `the propretee of a fool is this: he troweth lightly harm of every wight, [1174A] and lightly troweth alle bountee in hymself.' [1175] Thou shalt eek eschue the conseillyng of alle flatereres, swiche as enforcen hem rather to preise youre persone [1175A] by flaterye than for to telle yow the soothfastnesse of thynges. [1176] Wherfore Tullius seith, `Amonges alle the pestilences that been in freendshipe the gretteste is flaterie.' [1176A] And therfore is it moore nede that thou eschue and drede flatereres than any oother peple. [1177] The book seith, `Thou shalt rather drede and flee fro the sweete wordes of flaterynge preiseres [1177A] than fro the egre wordes of thy freend that seith thee thy sothes.' [1178] Salomon seith that `the wordes of a flaterere is a snare to cacche with innocentz.' [1179] He seith also that `he that speketh to his freend wordes of swetnesse and of plesaunce [1179A] setteth a net biforn his feet to cacche hym.' [1180] And therfore seith Tullius, `Enclyne nat thyne eres to flatereres, ne taak no conseil of the wordes of flaterye.' [1181] And Caton seith, `Avyse thee wel, and eschue the wordes of swetnesse and of plesaunce.' [1182] And eek thou shalt eschue the conseillyng of thyne olde enemys that been reconsiled. [1183] The book seith that `no wight retourneth saufly into the grace of his olde enemy.' [1184] And Isope seith, `Ne trust nat to hem to whiche thou hast had som tyme werre or enemytee, [1184A] ne telle hem nat thy conseil.' [1185] And Seneca telleth the cause why: `It may nat be,' seith he, `that where greet [1185A] fyr hath longe tyme endured, that ther ne dwelleth som vapour of warmnesse.' [1186] And therfore seith Salomon, `In thyn olde foo trust nevere.' [1187] For sikerly, though thyn enemy be reconsiled, and maketh thee chiere of humylitee, [1187A] and lowteth to thee with his heed, ne trust hym nevere. [1188] For certes he maketh thilke feyned humilitee moore for his profit than for any love of thy persone, [1188A] by cause that he deemeth to have victorie over thy persone by swich feyned contenance, [1188B] the which victorie he myghte nat have by strif or werre. [1189] And Peter Alfonce seith, `Make no felawshipe with thyne olde enemys, for if thou do hem bountee, [1189A] they wol perverten it into wikkednesse.' [1190] And eek thou most eschue the conseillyng of hem that been thy servantz and beren thee greet reverence, [1190A] for peraventure they seyn it moore for drede than for love. [1191] And therfore seith a philosophre in this wise: [1191A] `Ther is no wight parfitly trewe to hym that he to soore dredeth.' [1192] And Tullius seith, `Ther nys no myght so greet of any emperour that longe may endure, [1192A] but if he have moore love of the peple than drede.' [1193] Thou shalt also eschue the conseiling of folk that been dronkelewe, for they ne kan no conseil hyde. [1194] For Salomon seith, `Ther is no privetee ther as regneth dronkenesse.' [1195] Ye shul also han in suspect the conseillyng of swich folk as [1195A] conseille yow o thyng prively and conseille yow the contrarie openly. [1196] For Cassidorie seith that `it is a manere sleighte to hyndre, [1196A] whan he sheweth to doon o thyng openly and werketh prively the contrarie.' [1197] Thou shalt also have in suspect the conseillyng of wikked folk. For the book seith, [1197A] `The conseillyng of wikked folk is alwey ful of fraude.' [1198] And David seith, `Blisful is that man that hath nat folwed the conseilyng of shrewes.' [1199] Thou shalt also eschue the conseillyng of yong folk, for hir conseil is nat rype. [1200] "Now, sire, sith I have shewed yow of which folk ye shul take youre conseil [1200A] and of which folk ye shul folwe the conseil, [1201] now wol I teche yow how ye shal examyne youre conseil, after the doctrine of Tullius. [1202] In the examynynge thanne of youre conseillour ye shul considere manye thynges. [1203] Alderfirst thou shalt considere that in thilke thyng that thou purposest, and upon what thyng thou wolt have conseil, [1203A] that verray trouthe be seyd and conserved; this is to seyn, telle trewely thy tale. [1204] For he that seith fals may nat wel be conseilled in that cas of which he lieth. [1205] And after this thou shalt considere the thynges that acorden to that thou purposest [1205A] for to do by thy conseillours, if resoun accorde therto, [1206] and eek if thy myght may atteine therto, and if the moore part [1206A] and the bettre part of thy conseillours acorde therto, or noon. [1207] Thanne shaltou considere what thyng shal folwe of that conseillyng, [1207A] as hate, pees, werre, grace, profit, or damage, and manye othere thynges. [1208] And in alle thise thynges thou shalt chese the beste and weyve alle othere thynges. [1209] Thanne shaltow considere of what roote is engendred the matiere of thy conseil [1209A] and what fruyt it may conceyve and engendre. [1210] Thou shalt eek considere alle thise causes, fro whennes they been sprongen. [1211] And whan ye han examyned youre conseil, as I have seyd, and which partie is the bettre [1211A] and moore profitable, and han approved it by manye wise folk and olde, [1212] thanne shaltou considere if thou mayst parfourne it and maken of it a good ende. [1213] For certes resoun wol nat that any man sholde bigynne a thyng [1213A] but if he myghte parfourne it as hym oghte; [1214] ne no wight sholde take upon hym so hevy a charge that he myghte nat bere it. [1215] For the proverbe seith, `He that to muche embraceth, distreyneth litel.' [1216] And Catoun seith, `Assay to do swich thyng as thou hast power to doon, [1216A] lest that the charge oppresse thee so soore that [1216B] thee bihoveth to weyve thyng that thou hast bigonne.' [1217] And if so be that thou be in doute wheither thou mayst parfourne a thing or noon, [1217A] chese rather to suffre than bigynne. [1218] And Piers Alphonce seith, `If thou hast myght to doon a thyng of which thou most repente, [1218A] it is bettre "nay" than "ye."' [1219] This is to seyn, that thee is bettre holde thy tonge stille than for to speke. [1220] Thanne may ye understonde by strenger resons that if thou hast power to parfourne a werk [1220A] of which thou shalt repente, thanne is it bettre that thou suffre than bigynne. [1221] Wel seyn they that defenden every wight to assaye a thyng of which he is in doute [1221A] wheither he may parfourne it or noon. [1222] And after, whan ye han examyned youre conseil, as I have seyd biforn, and knowen wel that [1222A] ye may parfourne youre emprise, conferme it thanne sadly til it be at an ende. [1223] "Now is it resoun and tyme that I shewe yow whanne and wherfore that [1223A] ye may chaunge youre counseil withouten youre repreve. [1224] Soothly, a man may chaungen his purpos and his conseil if the cause cesseth, [1224A] or whan a newe caas bitydeth. [1225] For the lawe seith that `upon thynges that newely bityden bihoveth newe conseil.' [1226] And Senec seith, `If thy conseil is comen to the eeris of thyn enemy, chaunge thy conseil.' [1227] Thou mayst also chaunge thy conseil if so be that thou fynde that by errour, [1227A] or by oother cause, harm or damage may bityde. [1228] Also if thy conseil be dishonest, or ellis cometh of dishonest cause, chaunge thy conseil. [1229] For the lawes seyn that `alle bihestes that been dishoneste been of no value'; [1230] and eek if so be that it be inpossible, or may nat goodly be parfourned or kept. [1231] "And take this for a general reule, that every conseil that is affermed so strongly that it may nat [1231A] be chaunged for no condicioun that may bityde, I seye that thilke conseil is wikked." [1232] This Melibeus, whanne he hadde herd the doctrine of his wyf dame Prudence, answerde in this wyse: [1233] "Dame," quod he, "as yet into this tyme ye han wel and covenably taught me as in general how [1233A] I shal governe me in the chesynge and in the withholdynge of my conseillours. [1234] But now wolde I fayn that ye wolde condescende in especial [1235] and telle me how liketh yow, or what semeth yow, by oure conseillours [1235A] that we han chosen in oure present nede." [1236] "My lord," quod she, "I biseke yow in al humblesse that ye wol nat wilfully replie agayn my resouns, [1236A] ne distempre youre herte, thogh I speke thyng that yow displese. [1237] For God woot that, as in myn entente, I speke it for youre beste, [1237A] for youre honour, and for youre profite eke. [1238] And soothly, I hope that youre benyngnytee wol taken it in pacience. [1239] Trusteth me wel," quod she, "that youre conseil as in this caas ne sholde nat, as to speke properly, [1239A] be called a conseillyng, but a mocioun or a moevyng of folye, [1240] in which conseil ye han erred in many a sondry wise. [1241] "First and forward, ye han erred in th' assemblynge of youre conseillours. [1242] For ye sholde first have cleped a fewe folk to youre conseil, and after ye myghte han shewed it [1242A] to mo folk, if it hadde been nede. [1243] But certes, ye han sodeynly cleped to youre conseil a greet multitude of peple, [1243A] ful chargeant and ful anoyous for to heere. [1244] Also ye han erred, for theras ye sholden oonly have cleped to youre conseil [1244A] youre trewe frendes olde and wise, [1245] ye han ycleped straunge folk, yonge folk, false flatereres, and enemys reconsiled, [1245A] and folk that doon yow reverence withouten love. [1246] And eek also ye have erred, for ye han broght with yow to youre conseil ire, coveitise, and hastifnesse, [1247] the whiche thre thinges been contrariouse to every conseil honest and profitable; [1248] the whiche thre thinges ye han nat anientissed or destroyed hem, [1248A] neither in youreself, ne in youre conseillours, as yow oghte. [1249] Ye han erred also, for ye han shewed to youre conseillours [1249A] youre talent and youre affeccioun to make werre anon and for to do vengeance. [1250] They han espied by youre wordes to what thyng ye been enclyned; [1251] and therfore han they rather conseilled yow to youre talent than to youre profit. [1252] Ye han erred also, for it semeth that yow suffiseth [1252A] to han been conseilled by thise conseillours oonly, and with litel avys, [1253] whereas in so greet and so heigh a nede it hadde been necessarie mo conseillours [1253A] and moore deliberacion to parfourne youre emprise. [1254] Ye han erred also, for ye ne han nat examyned youre conseil in the forseyde manere, [1254A] ne in due manere, as the caas requireth. [1255] Ye han erred also, for ye han maked no division bitwixe youre conseillours -- this is to seyn, [1255A] bitwixen youre trewe freendes and youre feyned conseillours -- [1256] ne ye han nat knowe the wil of youre trewe freendes olde and wise, [1257] but ye han cast alle hire wordes in an hochepot, and enclyned youre herte to the moore part [1257A] and to the gretter nombre, and there been ye condescended. [1258] And sith ye woot wel that men shal alwey fynde a gretter nombre of fooles than of wise men, [1259] and therfore the conseils that been at congregaciouns and multitudes of folk, there as men take moore reward [1259A] to the nombre than to the sapience of persones, [1260] ye se wel that in swiche conseillynges fooles han the maistrie." [1261] Melibeus answerde agayn, and seyde, "I graunte wel that I have erred; [1262] but there as thou hast toold me heerbiforn [1262A] that he nys nat to blame that chaungeth his conseillours in certein caas and for certeine juste causes, [1263] I am al redy to chaunge my conseillours right as thow wolt devyse. [1264] The proverbe seith that `for to do synne is mannyssh, [1264A] but certes for to persevere longe in synne is werk of the devel.'" [1265] To this sentence answered anon dame Prudence, and seyde, [1266] "Examineth," quod she, "youre conseil, and lat us see [1266A] the whiche of hem han spoken most resonably and taught yow best conseil. [1267] And for as muche as that the examynacion is necessarie, lat us bigynne at the surgiens [1267A] and at the phisiciens, that first speeken in this matiere. [1268] I sey yow that the surgiens and phisiciens han seyd yow in youre conseil discreetly, as hem oughte, [1269] and in hir speche seyden ful wisely that to the office of hem aperteneth to doon to every wight [1269A] honour and profit, and no wight for to anoye, [1270] and after hir craft to doon greet diligence [1270A] unto the cure of hem which that they han in hir governaunce. [1271] And, sire, right as they han answered wisely and discreetly, [1272] right so rede I that they been heighly and sovereynly gerdoned for hir noble speche, [1273] and eek for they sholde do the moore ententif bisynesse in the curacion of youre doghter deere. [1274] For al be it so that they been youre freendes, therfore shal ye nat suffren [1274A] that they serve yow for noght, [1275] but ye oghte the rather gerdone hem and shewe hem youre largesse. [1276] And as touchynge the proposicioun which that the phisiciens encreesceden in this caas -- this is to seyn, [1277] that in maladies that oon contrarie is warisshed by another contrarie -- [1278] I wolde fayn knowe hou ye understonde thilke text, and what is youre sentence." [1279] "Certes," quod Melibeus, "I understonde it in this wise: [1280] that right as they han doon me a contrarie, right so sholde I doon hem another. [1281] For right as they han venged hem on me and doon me wrong, [1281A] right so shal I venge me upon hem and doon hem wrong; [1282] and thanne have I cured oon contrarie by another." [1283] "Lo, lo," quod dame Prudence, "how lightly is every man enclined to his owene desir [1283A] and to his owene plesaunce! [1284] Certes," quod she, "the wordes of the phisiciens ne sholde nat han been understonden in thys wise. [1285] For certes, wikkednesse is nat contrarie to wikkednesse, ne vengeance to vengeaunce, [1285A] ne wrong to wrong, but they been semblable. [1286] And therfore o vengeaunce is nat warisshed by another vengeaunce, ne o wroong by another wroong, [1287] but everich of hem encreesceth and aggreggeth oother. [1288] But certes, the wordes of the phisiciens sholde been understonden in this wise: [1289] for good and wikkednesse been two contraries, and pees and werre, vengeaunce [1289A] and suffraunce, discord and accord, and manye othere thynges; [1290] but certes, wikkednesse shal be warisshed by goodnesse, discord by accord, werre by pees, [1290A] and so forth of othere thynges. [1291] And heerto accordeth Seint Paul the Apostle in manye places. [1292] He seith, `Ne yeldeth nat harm for harm, ne wikked speche for wikked speche, [1293] but do wel to hym that dooth thee harm and blesse hym that seith to thee harm.' [1294] And in manye othere places he amonesteth pees and accord. [1295] But now wol I speke to yow of the conseil which that was yeven to yow [1295A] by the men of lawe and the wise folk, [1296] that seyden alle by oon accord, as ye han herd bifore, [1297] that over alle thynges ye shal doon youre diligence to kepen youre persone and to warnestoore youre hous; [1298] and seyden also that in this caas yow oghten for to werken ful avysely and with greet deliberacioun. [1299] And, sire, as to the firste point, that toucheth to the kepyng of youre persone, [1300] ye shul understonde that he that hath werre shal everemoore mekely and devoutly preyen, biforn alle thynges, [1301] that Jhesus Crist of his mercy wol han hym in his proteccion [1301A] and been his sovereyn helpyng at his nede. [1302] For certes, in this world ther is no wight that may be conseilled ne kept sufficeantly [1302A] withouten the kepyng of oure Lord Jhesu Crist. [1303] To this sentence accordeth the prophete David, that seith, [1304] `If God ne kepe the citee, in ydel waketh he that it kepeth.' [1305] Now, sire, thanne shul ye committe the kepyng of youre persone [1305A] to youre trewe freendes that been approved and yknowe, [1306] and of hem shul ye axen help youre persone for to kepe. For Catoun seith, [1306A] `If thou hast nede of help, axe it of thy freendes, [1307] for ther nys noon so good a phisicien as thy trewe freend.' [1308] And after this thanne shul ye kepe yow fro alle straunge folk, and fro lyeres, [1308A] and have alwey in suspect hire compaignye. [1309] For Piers Alfonce seith, `Ne taak no compaignye by the weye of a straunge man, [1309A] but if so be that thou have knowe hym of a lenger tyme. [1310] And if so be that he falle into thy compaignye paraventure, withouten thyn assent, [1311] enquere thanne as subtilly as thou mayst of his conversacion, and of his lyf bifore, and feyne thy wey; [1311A] seye that [thou] wolt thider as thou wolt nat go; [1312] and if he bereth a spere, hoold thee on the right syde, [1312A] and if he bere a swerd, hoold thee on the lift syde.' [1313] And after this thanne shul ye kepe yow wisely from all swich manere peple as I have seyd bifore, [1313A] and hem and hir conseil eschewe. [1314] And after this thanne shul ye kepe yow in swich manere [1315] that, for any presumpcion of youre strengthe, that ye ne dispise nat, ne accompte nat the myght [1315A] of youre adversarie so litel that ye lete the kepyng of youre persone for youre presumpcioun, [1316] for every wys man dredeth his enemy. [1317] And Salomon seith, `Weleful is he that of alle hath drede, [1318] for certes, he that thurgh the hardynesse of his herte and thurgh the hardynesse of hymself hath [1318A] to greet presumpcioun, hym shal yvel bityde.' [1319] Thanne shul ye everemoore contrewayte embusshementz and alle espiaille. [1320] For Senec seith that `the wise man that dredeth harmes, eschueth harmes, [1321] ne he ne falleth into perils that perils eschueth.' [1322] And al be it so that it seme that thou art in siker place, [1322A] yet shaltow alwey do thy diligence in kepynge of thy persone; [1323] this is to seyn, ne be nat necligent to kepe thy persone [1323A] nat oonly fro thy gretteste enemys but fro thy leeste enemy. [1324] Senek seith, `A man that is well avysed, he dredeth his leste enemy.' [1325] Ovyde seith that `the litel wesele wol slee the grete bole and the wilde hert.' [1326] And the book seith, `A litel thorn may prikke a kyng ful soore, [1326A] and an hound wol holde the wilde boor.' [1327] But nathelees, I sey nat thou shalt be so coward that thou doute ther wher as is no drede. [1328] The book seith that `somme folk han greet lust to deceyve, but yet they dreden hem to be deceyved.' [1329] Yet shaltou drede to been empoisoned and kepe the from the compaignye of scorneres. [1330] For the book seith, `With scorneres make no compaignye, but flee hire wordes as venym.' [1331] "Now, as to the seconde point, [1331A] where as youre wise conseillours conseilled yow to warnestoore youre hous with gret diligence, [1332] I wolde fayn knowe how that ye understonde thilke wordes and what is youre sentence." [1333] Melibeus answerde and seyde, "Certes, I understande it in this wise: That I shal warnestoore myn hous with toures, [1333A] swiche as han castelles and othere manere edifices, and armure, and artelries, [1334] by whiche thynges I may my persone and myn hous so kepen and deffenden [1334A] that myne enemys shul been in drede myn hous for to approche." [1335] To this sentence answerde anon Prudence: "Warnestooryng," quod she, [1335A] "of heighe toures and of grete edifices apperteyneth somtyme to pryde. [1336] And eek men make heighe toures, [and grete edifices] with grete costages and with greet travaille, [1336A] and whan that they been accompliced, yet be they nat worth a stree, [1336B] but if they be defended by trewe freendes that been olde and wise. [1337] And understoond wel that the gretteste and strongeste garnysoun that a riche man may have, [1337A] as wel to kepen his persone as his goodes, is [1338] that he be biloved with hys subgetz and with his neighebores. [1339] For thus seith Tullius, that `ther is a manere garnysoun [1339A] that no man may venquysse ne disconfite, and that is [1340] a lord to be biloved of his citezeins and of his peple.' [1341] Now, sire, as to the thridde point, where as youre olde [1341A] and wise conseillours seyden that yow ne oghte nat sodeynly ne hastily proceden in this nede, [1342] but that yow oghte purveyen and apparaillen yow in this caas with greet diligence and greet deliberacioun; [1343] trewely, I trowe that they seyden right wisely and right sooth. [1344] For Tullius seith, `In every nede, er thou bigynne it, apparaille thee with greet diligence.' [1345] Thanne seye I that in vengeance-takyng, in werre, in bataille, and in warnestooryng, [1346] er thow bigynne, I rede that thou apparaille thee therto, and do it with greet deliberacion. [1347] For Tullius seith that `longe apparaillyng biforn the bataille maketh short victorie.' [1348] And Cassidorus seith, `The garnysoun is stronger whan it is longe tyme avysed.' [1349] But now lat us speken of the conseil that was accorded by youre neighebores, [1349A] swiche as doon yow reverence withouten love, [1350] youre olde enemys reconsiled, youre flatereres, [1351] that conseilled yow certeyne thynges prively, and openly conseilleden yow the contrarie; [1352] the yonge folk also, that conseilleden yow to venge yow and make werre anon. [1353] And certes, sire, as I have seyd biforn, ye han greetly erred [1353A] to han cleped swich manere folk to youre conseil, [1354] which conseillours been ynogh repreved by the resouns aforeseyd. [1355] But nathelees, lat us now descende to the special. Ye shuln first procede after the doctrine of Tullius. [1356] Certes, the trouthe of this matiere, or of this conseil, nedeth nat diligently enquere, [1357] for it is wel wist whiche they been that han doon to yow this trespas and vileynye, [1358] and how manye trespassours, and in what manere [1358A] they han to yow doon al this wrong and al this vileynye. [1359] And after this, thanne shul ye examyne the seconde condicion which that the same Tullius addeth in this matiere. [1360] For Tullius put a thyng which that he clepeth `consentynge'; this is to seyn, [1361] who been they, and whiche been they and how manye that consenten to thy conseil [1361A] in thy wilfulnesse to doon hastif vengeance. [1362] And lat us considere also who been they, and how manye been they, [1362A] and whiche been they that consenteden to youre adversaries. [1363] And certes, as to the firste poynt, it is wel knowen whiche folk been [1363A] they that consenteden to youre hastif wilfulnesse, [1364] for trewely, alle tho that conseilleden yow to maken sodeyn werre ne been nat youre freendes. [1365] Lat us now considere whiche been they that ye holde so greetly youre freendes as to youre persone. [1366] For al be it so that ye be myghty and riche, certes ye ne been but allone, [1367] for certes ye ne han no child but a doghter, [1368] ne ye ne han bretheren, ne cosyns germayns, ne noon oother neigh kynrede, [1369] wherfore that youre enemys for drede sholde stinte to plede with yow or to destroye youre persone. [1370] Ye knowen also that youre richesses mooten been dispended in diverse parties, [1371] and whan that every wight hath his part, they ne wollen taken but litel reward to venge thy deeth. [1372] But thyne enemys been thre, and they han manie children, bretheren, cosyns, and oother ny kynrede. [1373] And though so were that thou haddest slayn of hem two or three, yet dwellen ther ynowe [1373A] to wreken hir deeth and to sle thy persone. [1374] And though so be that youre kynrede be moore siker and stedefast than the kyn of youre adversarie, [1375] yet nathelees youre kynrede nys but a fer kynrede; they been but litel syb to yow, [1376] and the kyn of youre enemys been ny syb to hem. [1376A] And certes, as in that, hir condicioun is bet than youres. [1377] Thanne lat us considere also if the conseillyng of hem that conseilleden yow to taken sodeyn vengeaunce, [1377A] wheither it accorde to resoun. [1378] And certes, ye knowe wel `nay.' [1379] For, as by right and resoun, ther may no man taken vengeance on no wight [1379A] but the juge that hath the jurisdiccioun of it, [1380] whan it is graunted hym to take thilke vengeance hastily or attemprely, as the lawe requireth. [1381] And yet mooreover of thilke word that Tullius clepeth `consentynge,' [1382] thou shalt considere if thy myght and thy power may consenten [1382A] and suffise to thy wilfulnesse and to thy conseillours. [1383] And certes thou mayst wel seyn that `nay.' [1384] For sikerly, as for to speke proprely, we may do no thyng [1384A] but oonly swich thyng as we may doon rightfully. [1385] And certes rightfully ne mowe ye take no vengeance, as of youre propre auctoritee. [1386] Thanne mowe ye seen that youre power ne consenteth nat, ne accordeth nat, with youre wilfulnesse. [1387] "Lat us now examyne the thridde point, that Tullius clepeth `consequent.' [1388] Thou shalt understonde that the vengeance that thou purposest for to take is the consequent; [1389] and therof folweth another vengeaunce, peril, and werre, and othere damages withoute nombre, [1389A] of whiche we be nat war, as at this tyme. [1390] And as touchynge the fourthe point, that Tullius clepeth `engendrynge,' [1391] thou shalt considere that this wrong which that is doon to thee [1391A] is engendred of the hate of thyne enemys, [1392] and of the vengeance-takynge upon that wolde engendre another vengeance, [1392A] and muchel sorwe and wastynge of richesses, as I seyde. [1393] "Now, sire, as to the point that Tullius clepeth `causes,' which that is the laste point, [1394] thou shalt understonde that the wrong that thou hast receyved hath certeine causes, [1395] whiche that clerkes clepen Oriens and Efficiens, and Causa longinqua and Causa propinqua; [1395A] this is to seyn, the fer cause and the ny cause. [1396] The fer cause is almyghty God, that is cause of alle thynges. [1397] The neer cause is thy thre enemys. [1398] The cause accidental was hate. [1399] The cause material been the fyve woundes of thy doghter. [1400] The cause formal is the manere of hir werkynge that broghten laddres and cloumben in at thy wyndowes. [1401] The cause final was for to sle thy doghter. It letted nat in as muche as in hem was. [1402] But for to speken of the fer cause, as to what ende they shul come, or what shal finally [1402A] bityde of hem in this caas, ne kan I nat deeme but by conjectynge and by supposynge. [1403] For we shul suppose that they shul come to a wikked ende, [1404] by cause that the Book of Decrees seith, `Seelden, or with greet peyne, been causes ybroght to good ende [1404A] whanne they been baddely bigonne.' [1405] "Now, sire, if men wolde axe me why that God suffred men to do yow this vileynye, [1405A] certes, I kan nat wel answere, as for no soothfastnesse. [1406] For th' apostle seith that `the sciences and the juggementz of oure Lord God almyghty been ful depe; [1407] ther may no man comprehende ne serchen hem suffisantly.' [1408] Nathelees, by certeyne presumpciouns and conjectynges, I holde and bileeve [1409] that God, which that is ful of justice and of rightwisnesse, hath suffred this bityde by juste cause resonable. [1410] "Thy name is Melibee; this is to seyn, `a man that drynketh hony.' [1411] Thou hast ydronke so muchel hony of sweete temporeel richesses, and delices and honours of this world [1412] that thou art dronken and hast forgeten Jhesu Crist thy creatour. [1413] Thou ne hast nat doon to hym swich honour and reverence as thee oughte, [1414] ne thou ne hast nat wel ytaken kep to the wordes of Ovide, that seith, [1415] `Under the hony of the goodes of the body is hyd the venym that sleeth the soule.' [1416] And Salomon seith, `If thou hast founden hony, ete of it that suffiseth, [1417] for if thou ete of it out of mesure, thou shalt spewe' and be nedy and povre. [1418] And peraventure Crist hath thee in despit, and [1418A] hath turned awey fro thee his face and his eeris of misericorde, [1419] and also he hath suffred that thou hast been punysshed in the manere that thow hast ytrespassed. [1420] Thou hast doon synne agayn oure Lord Crist, [1421] for certes, the three enemys of mankynde [1421A] -- that is to seyn, the flessh, the feend, and the world -- [1422] thou hast suffred hem entre in to thyn herte wilfully by the wyndowes of thy body, [1423] and hast nat defended thyself suffisantly agayns hire assautes and hire temptaciouns, [1423A] so that they han wounded thy soule in fyve places; [1424] this is to seyn, the deedly synnes that been entred into thyn herte by thy fyve wittes. [1425] And in the same manere oure Lord Crist hath woold and suffred [1425A] that thy three enemys been entred into thyn house by the wyndowes [1426] and han ywounded thy doghter in the forseyde manere." [1427] "Certes," quod Melibee, "I se wel that ye enforce yow muchel by wordes to overcome me in swich manere [1427A] that I shal nat venge me of myne enemys, [1428] shewynge me the perils and the yveles that myghten falle of this vengeance. [1429] But whoso wolde considere in alle vengeances the perils and yveles that myghte sewe of vengeance-takynge, [1430] a man wolde nevere take vengeance, and that were harm; [1431] for by the vengeance-takynge been the wikked men dissevered fro the goode men, [1432] and they that han wyl to do wikkednesse restreyne hir wikked purpos, [1432A] whan they seen the punyssynge and chastisynge of the trespassours." [1435] And yet seye I moore, that right as a singuler persone synneth in takynge vengeance of another man, [1436] right so synneth the juge if he do no vengeance of hem that it han disserved. [1437] For Senec seith thus: `That maister,' he seith, `is good that proveth shrewes.' [1438] And as Cassidore seith, `A man dredeth to do outrages whan he woot and knoweth [1438A] that it displeseth to the juges and the sovereyns.' [1439] And another seith, `The juge that dredeth to do right maketh men shrewes.' [1440] And Seint Paul the Apostle seith in his Epistle, whan he writeth unto the Romayns, that [1440A] `the juges beren nat the spere withouten cause, [1441] but they beren it to punysse the shrewes and mysdoers and for to defende the goode men.' [1442] If ye wol thanne take vengeance of youre enemys, ye shul retourne or have youre recours to the juge [1442A] that hath the jurisdiccion upon hem, [1443] and he shal punysse hem as the lawe axeth and requireth." [1444] "A," quod Melibee, "this vengeance liketh me no thyng. [1445] I bithenke me now and take heede how Fortune hath norissed me fro my childhede [1445A] and hath holpen me to passe many a stroong paas. [1446] Now wol I assayen hire, trowynge, with Goddes help, that she shal helpe me my shame for to venge." [1447] "Certes," quod Prudence, "if ye wol werke by my conseil, ye shul nat assaye Fortune by no wey, [1448] ne ye shul nat lene or bowe unto hire, after the word of Senec, [1449] for `thynges that been folily doon, and that been in hope of Fortune, shullen nevere come to good ende.' [1450] And, as the same Senec seith, `The moore cleer and the moore shynyng that Fortune is, [1450A] the moore brotil and the sonner broken she is.' [1451] Trusteth nat in hire, for she nys nat stidefast ne stable, [1452] for whan thow trowest to be moost seur or siker of hire help, [1452A] she wol faille thee and deceyve thee. [1453] And where as ye seyn that Fortune hath norissed yow fro youre childhede, [1454] I seye that in so muchel shul ye the lasse truste in hire and in hir wit. [1455] For Senec seith, `What man that is norissed by Fortune, she maketh hym a greet fool.' [1456] Now thanne, syn ye desire and axe vengeance, and the vengeance that is doon after the lawe [1456A] and bifore the juge ne liketh yow nat, [1457] and the vengeance that is doon in hope of Fortune is perilous and uncertein, [1458] thanne have ye noon oother remedie but for to have youre recours [1458A] unto the sovereyn Juge that vengeth alle vileynyes and wronges. [1459] And he shal venge yow after that hymself witnesseth, where as he seith, [1460] `Leveth the vengeance to me, and I shal do it.'" [1461] Melibee answerde, "If I ne venge me nat of the vileynye that men han doon to me, [1462] I sompne or warne hem that han doon to me that vileynye, [1462A] and alle othere, to do me another vileynye. [1463] For it is writen, `If thou take no vengeance of an oold vileynye, [1463A] thou sompnest thyne adversaries to do thee a newe vileynye.' [1464] And also for my suffrance men wolden do me so muchel vileynye that [1464A] I myghte neither bere it ne susteene, [1465] and so sholde I been put and holden overlowe. [1466] For men seyn, `In muchel suffrynge shul manye thynges falle unto thee whiche thou shalt nat mowe suffre.'" [1467] "Certes," quod Prudence, "I graunte yow that over-muchel suffraunce is nat good. [1468] But yet ne folweth it nat therof that every persone to whom men doon vileynye take of it vengeance, [1469] for that aperteneth and longeth al oonly to the juges, for they shul venge the vileynyes and injuries. [1470] And therfore tho two auctoritees that ye han seyd above been oonly understonden in the juges, [1471] for whan they suffren over-muchel the wronges and the vileynyes to be doon withouten punysshynge, [1472] they sompne nat a man al oonly for to do newe wronges, but they comanden it. [1473] Also a wys man seith that `the juge that correcteth nat the synnere comandeth and biddeth hym do synne.' [1474] And the juges and sovereyns myghten in hir land so muchel suffre of the shrewes and mysdoeres [1475] that they sholden, by swich suffrance, by proces of tyme wexen of swich power and myght [1475A] that they sholden putte out the juges and the sovereyns from hir places, [1476] and atte laste maken hem lesen hire lordshipes. [1477] "But lat us now putte that ye have leve to venge yow. [1478] I seye ye been nat of myght and power as now to venge yow, [1479] for if ye wole maken comparisoun unto the myght of youre adversaries, ye shul fynde in manye thynges that [1479A] I have shewed yow er this that hire condicion is bettre than youres. [1480] And therfore seye I that it is good as now that ye suffre and be pacient. [1481] "Forthermoore, ye knowen wel that after the comune sawe, `it is a woodnesse a man to stryve [1481A] with a strenger or a moore myghty man than he is hymself, [1482] and for to stryve with a man of evene strengthe -- that is to seyn, [1482A] with as strong a man as he is -- it is peril, [1483] and for to stryve with a weyker man, it is folie.' [1484] And therfore sholde a man flee stryvynge as muchel as he myghte. [1485] For Salomon seith, `It is a greet worshipe to a man to kepen hym fro noyse and stryf.' [1486] And if it so bifalle or happe that a man of gretter myght and strengthe [1486A] than thou art do thee grevaunce, [1487] studie and bisye thee rather to stille the same grevaunce than for to venge thee. [1488] For Senec seith that `he putteth hym in greet peril [1488A] that stryveth with a gretter man than he is hymself.' [1489] And Catoun seith, `If a man of hyer estaat or degree, or moore myghty than thou, [1489A] do thee anoy or grevaunce, suffre hym, [1490] for he that oones hath greved thee, may another tyme releeve thee and helpe.' [1491] Yet sette I caas ye have bothe myght and licence for to venge yow, [1492] I seye that ther be ful manye thynges that shul restreyne yow of vengeance-takynge [1493] and make yow for to enclyne to suffre, and for to han pacience [1493A] in the wronges that han been doon to yow. [1494] First and foreward, if ye wole considere the defautes that been in youre owene persone, [1495] for whiche defautes God hath suffred yow have this tribulacioun, as I have seyd yow heer-biforn. [1496] For the poete seith that `we oghte paciently taken the tribulacions [1496A] that comen to us, whan we thynken and consideren that we han disserved to have hem.' [1497] And Seint Gregorie seith that `whan a man considereth wel the nombre of his defautes and of his synnes, [1498] the peynes and the tribulaciouns that he suffreth semen the lesse unto hym; [1499] and in as muche as hym thynketh his synnes moore hevy and grevous, [1500] in so muche semeth his peyne the lighter and the esier unto hym.' [1501] Also ye owen to enclyne and bowe youre herte [1501A] to take the pacience of oure Lord Jhesu Crist, as seith Seint Peter in his Epistles. [1502] `Jhesu Crist,' he seith, `hath suffred for us and yeven ensample to every man to folwe and sewe hym, [1503] for he dide nevere synne, ne nevere cam ther a vileyns word out of his mouth. [1504] Whan men cursed hym, he cursed hem noght, and whan men betten hym, he manaced hem noght.' [1505] Also the grete pacience which the seintes that been in Paradys han had in tribulaciouns [1505A] that they han ysuffred, withouten hir desert or gilt, [1506] oghte muchel stiren yow to pacience. [1507] Forthermoore ye sholde enforce yow to have pacience, [1508] considerynge that the tribulaciouns of this world but litel while endure and soone passed been and goon, [1509] and the joye that a man seketh to have by pacience in tribulaciouns is perdurable, [1509A] after that the Apostle seith in his epistle. [1510] `The joye of God,' he seith, `is perdurable' -- that is to seyn, everelastynge. [1511] Also troweth and bileveth stedefastly that he nys nat wel ynorissed, ne wel ytaught, [1511A] that kan nat have pacience or wol nat receyve pacience. [1512] For Salomon seith that `the doctrine and the wit of a man is knowen by pacience.' [1513] And in another place he seith that `he that is pacient governeth hym by greet prudence.' [1514] And the same Salomon seith, `The angry and wrathful man maketh noyses, [1514A] and the pacient man atempreth hem and stilleth.' [1515] He seith also, `It is moore worth to be pacient than for to be right strong; [1516] and he that may have the lordshipe of his owene herte is moore to preyse than he that [1516A] by his force or strengthe taketh grete citees.' [1517] And therfore seith Seint Jame in his Epistle that `pacience is a greet vertu of perfeccioun.'" [1518] "Certes," quod Melibee, "I graunte yow, dame Prudence, that pacience is a greet vertu of perfeccioun; [1519] but every man may nat have the perfeccioun that ye seken; [1520] ne I nam nat of the nombre of right parfite men, [1521] for myn herte may nevere been in pees unto the tyme it be venged. [1522] And al be it so that it was greet peril to myne enemys [1522A] to do me a vileynye in takynge vengeance upon me, [1523] yet tooken they noon heede of the peril, but fulfilleden hir wikked wyl and hir corage. [1524] And therfore me thynketh men oghten nat repreve me, [1524A] though I putte me in a litel peril for to venge me, [1525] and though I do a greet excesse; that is to seyn, that I venge oon outrage by another." [1526] "A," quod dame Prudence, "ye seyn youre wyl and as yow liketh, [1527] but in no caas of the world a man sholde nat doon outrage ne excesse for to vengen hym. [1528] For Cassidore seith that `as yvele dooth he that vengeth hym by outrage as he that dooth the outrage.' [1529] And therfore ye shul venge yow after the ordre of right; that is to seyn, by the lawe [1529A] and noght by excesse ne by outrage. [1530] And also, if ye wol venge yow of the outrage of youre adversaries [1530A] in oother manere than right comandeth, ye synnen. [1531] And therfore seith Senec that `a man shal nevere vengen shrewednesse by shrewednesse.' [1532] And if ye seye that right axeth a man to defenden violence by violence and fightyng by fightyng, [1533] certes ye seye sooth, whan the defense is doon anon withouten intervalle or withouten tariyng or delay, [1534] for to deffenden hym and nat for to vengen hym. [1535] And it bihoveth that a man putte swich attemperance in his deffense [1536] that men have no cause ne matiere to repreven hym that deffendeth hym of excesse and outrage, [1536A] for ellis were it agayn resoun. [1537] Pardee, ye knowen wel that ye maken no deffense [1537A] as now for to deffende yow, but for to venge yow; [1538] and so seweth it that ye han no wyl to do youre dede attemprely. [1539] And therfore me thynketh that pacience is good. For Salomon seith that [1539A] `he that is nat pacient shal have greet harm.'" [1540] "Certes," quod Melibee, "I graunte yow that whan a man is inpacient and wrooth of that [1540A] that toucheth hym noght and that aperteneth nat unto hym, though it harme hym, it is no wonder. [1541] For the lawe seith that `he is coupable that entremetteth hym [1541A] or medleth with swych thyng as aperteneth nat unto hym.' [1542] And Salomon seith that `he that entremetteth hym of the noyse or strif of another man [1542A] is lyk to hym that taketh an hound by the eris.' [1543] For right as he that taketh a straunge hound by the eris is outherwhile biten with the hound, [1544] right in the same wise is it resoun that he have harm that by his inpacience medleth hym [1544A] of the noyse of another man, wheras it aperteneth nat unto hym. [1545] But ye knowen wel that this dede -- that is to seyn, [1545A] my grief and my disese -- toucheth me right ny. [1546] And therfore, though I be wrooth and inpacient, it is no merveille. [1547] And, savynge youre grace, I kan nat seen that it myghte greetly harme me though I tooke vengeaunce. [1548] For I am richer and moore myghty than myne enemys been; [1549] and wel knowen ye that by moneye and by havynge grete possessions [1549A] been alle the thynges of this world governed. [1550] And Salomon seith that `alle thynges obeyen to moneye.'" [1551] Whan Prudence hadde herd hir housbonde avanten hym of his richesse [1551A] and of his moneye, dispreisynge the power of his adversaries, [1551B] she spak and seyde in this wise: [1552] "Certes, deere sire, I graunte yow that ye been riche and myghty [1553] and that the richesses been goode to hem that han wel ygeten hem and wel konne usen hem. [1554] For right as the body of a man may nat lyven withoute the soule, [1554A] namoore may it lyve withouten temporeel goodes. [1555] And by richesses may a man gete hym grete freendes. [1556] And therfore seith Pamphilles: `If a net-herdes doghter,' seith he, `be riche, [1556A] she may chesen of a thousand men which she wol take to hir housbonde, [1557] for, of a thousand men, oon wol nat forsaken hire ne refusen hire.' [1558] And this Pamphilles seith also, `If thow be right happy -- that is to seyn, [1558A] if thou be right riche -- thou shalt fynde a greet nombre of felawes and freendes. [1559] And if thy fortune change that thou wexe povre, farewel freendshipe and felaweshipe, [1560] for thou shalt be alloone withouten any compaignye, but if it be the compaignye of povre folk.' [1561] And yet seith this Pamphilles moreover that `they that been thralle and bonde of lynage [1561A] shullen been maad worthy and noble by the richesses.' [1562] And right so as by richesses ther comen manye goodes, [1562A] right so by poverte come ther manye harmes and yveles, [1563] for greet poverte constreyneth a man to do manye yveles. [1564] And therfore clepeth Cassidore poverte the mooder of ruyne; [1565] that is to seyn, the mooder of overthrowynge or fallynge doun. [1566] And therfore seith Piers Alfonce, `Oon of the gretteste adversitees of this world is [1567] whan a free man by kynde or of burthe is constreyned by poverte [1567A] to eten the almesse of his enemy,' [1568] and the same seith Innocent in oon of his bookes. He seith that [1568A] `sorweful and myshappy is the condicioun of a povre beggere; [1569] for if he axe nat his mete, he dyeth for hunger; [1570] and if he axe, he dyeth for shame; and algates necessitee constreyneth hym to axe.' [1571] And seith Salomon that `bet it is to dye than for to have swich poverte.' [1572] And as the same Salomon seith, `Bettre it is to dye of bitter deeth [1572A] than for to lyven in swich wise.' [1573] By thise resons that I have seid unto yow and by manye othere resons that I koude seye, [1574] I graunte yow that richesses been goode to hem that geten hem wel [1574A] and to hem that wel usen tho richesses. [1575] And therfore wol I shewe yow hou ye shul have yow, and how ye shul bere yow [1575A] in gaderynge of richesses, and in what manere ye shul usen hem. [1576] "First, ye shul geten hem withouten greet desir, by good leyser, sokyngly and nat over-hastily. [1577] For a man that is to desirynge to gete richesses abaundoneth hym [1577A] first to thefte, and to alle othere yveles; [1578] and therfore seith Salomon, `He that hasteth hym to bisily to wexe riche shal be noon innocent.' [1579] He seith also that `the richesse that hastily cometh to a man soone [1579A] and lightly gooth and passeth fro a man, [1580] but that richesse that cometh litel and litel wexeth alwey and multiplieth.' [1581] And, sire, ye shul geten richesses by youre wit and by youre travaille unto youre profit, [1582] and that withouten wrong or harm doynge to any oother persone. [1583] For the lawe seith that `ther maketh no man himselven riche, if he do harm to another wight.' [1584] This is to seyn, that nature deffendeth and forbedeth by right that [1584A] no man make hymself riche unto the harm of another persone. [1585] And Tullius seith that `no sorwe, ne no drede of deeth, ne no thyng [1585A] that may falle unto a man, is so muchel agayns [1586] nature as a man to encressen his owene profit to the harm of another man. [1587] And though the grete men and the myghty men geten richesses moore lightly than thou, [1588] yet shaltou nat been ydel ne slow to do thy profit, for thou shalt in alle wise flee ydelnesse.' [1589] For Salomon seith that `ydelnesse techeth a man to do manye yveles.' [1590] And the same Salomon seith that `he that travailleth and bisieth hym to tilien his land shal eten breed, [1591] but he that is ydel and casteth hym to no bisynesse [1591A] ne occupacioun shal falle into poverte and dye for hunger.' [1592] And he that is ydel and slow kan nevere fynde covenable tyme for to doon his profit. [1593] For ther is a versifiour seith that `the ydel man excuseth hym in wynter by cause [1593A] of the grete coold, and in somer by enchesoun of the greete heete.' [1594] For thise causes seith Caton, `Waketh and enclyneth nat yow over-muchel for to slepe, [1594A] for over-muchel reste norisseth and causeth manye vices.' [1595] And therfore seith Seint Jerome, `Dooth somme goode dedes that the devel, [1595A] which is oure enemy, ne fynde yow nat unocupied.' [1596] For the devel ne taketh nat lightly unto his werkynge swiche as he fyndeth occupied in goode werkes. [1597] "Thanne thus in getynge richesses ye mosten flee ydelnesse. [1598] And afterward, ye shul use the richesses which ye have geten by youre wit and by youre travaille [1599] in swich a manere that men holde yow nat to scars, ne to sparynge, ne to fool-large [1599A] -- that is to seyen, over-large a spendere. [1600] For right as men blamen an avaricious man by cause of his scarsetee and chyncherie, [1601] in the same wise is he to blame that spendeth over-largely. [1602] And therfore seith Caton: `Use,' he seith, `thy richesses that thou hast geten [1603] in swich a manere that men have no matiere ne cause to calle thee neither wrecche ne chynche, [1604] for it is a greet shame to a man to have a povere herte and a riche purs.' [1605] He seith also, `The goodes that thou hast ygeten, use hem by mesure;' [1605A] that is to seyn, spende hem mesurably, [1606] for they that folily wasten and despenden the goodes that they han, [1607] whan they han namoore propre of hir owene, they shapen hem to take the goodes of another man. [1608] I seye thanne that ye shul fleen avarice, [1609] usynge youre richesses in swich manere that men seye nat that youre richesses been yburyed [1610] but that ye have hem in youre myght and in youre weeldynge. [1611] For a wys man repreveth the avaricious man, and seith thus in two vers: [1612] `Wherto and why burieth a man his goodes by his grete avarice, [1612A] and knoweth wel that nedes moste he dye? [1613] For deeth is the ende of every man as in this present lyf.' [1614] And for what cause or enchesoun joyneth he hym or knytteth he hym so faste unto his goodes [1615] that alle hise wittes mowen nat disseveren hym or departen hym from his goodes, [1616] and knoweth wel, or oghte knowe, that whan he is deed [1616A] he shal no thyng bere with hym out of this world? [1617] And therfore seith Seint Austyn that `the avaricious man is likned unto helle, [1618] that the moore it swelweth the moore desir it hath to swelwe and devoure.' [1619] And as wel as ye wolde eschewe to be called an avaricious man or chynche, [1620] as wel sholde ye kepe yow and governe yow in swich a wise that men calle yow nat fool-large. [1621] Therfore seith Tullius: `The goodes,' he seith, `of thyn hous ne sholde nat been hyd ne kept so cloos, [1621A] but that they myghte been opened by pitee and debonairetee' [1622] (that is to seyn, to yeven part to hem that han greet nede), [1623] `ne thy goodes shullen nat been so opene to been every mannes goodes.' [1624] Afterward, in getynge of youre richesses and in usynge hem ye shul alwey have thre thynges in youre herte [1625] (that is to seyn, oure Lord God, conscience, and good name). [1626] First, ye shul have God in youre herte, [1627] and for no richesse ye shullen do no thyng which may in any manere displese God, [1627A] that is youre creatour and makere. [1628] For after the word of Salomon, `It is bettre to have a litel good with the love of God [1629] than to have muchel good and tresour and lese the love of his Lord God.' [1630] And the prophete seith that `bettre it is to been a good man and have litel good and tresour [1631] than to been holden a shrewe and have grete richesses.' [1632] And yet seye I ferthermoore, that ye sholde alwey doon youre bisynesse to gete yow richesses, [1633] so that ye gete hem with good conscience. [1634] And th' Apostle seith that `ther nys thyng in this world of which [1634A] we sholden have so greet joye as whan oure conscience bereth us good witnesse.' [1635] And the wise man seith, `The substance of a man is ful good, [1635A] whan synne is nat in mannes conscience.' [1636] Afterward, in getynge of youre richesses and in usynge of hem, [1637] yow moste have greet bisynesse and greet diligence that youre goode name be alwey kept and conserved. [1638] For Salomon seith that `bettre it is and moore it availleth a man to have a good name [1638A] than for to have grete richesses.' [1639] And therfore he seith in another place, `Do greet diligence,' seith Salomon, [1639A] `in kepyng of thy freend and of thy goode name; [1640] for it shal lenger abide with thee than any tresour, be it never so precious.' [1641] And certes he sholde nat be called a gentil man that after God and good conscience, alle thynges left, [1641A] ne dooth his diligence and bisynesse to kepen his goode name. [1642] And Cassidore seith that `it is signe of a gentil herte [1642A] whan a man loveth and desireth to han a good name.' [1643] And therfore seith Seint Austyn that `ther been two thynges that arn necessarie and nedefulle, [1644] and that is good conscience and good loos; [1645] that is to seyn, good conscience to thyn owene persone inward and good loos for thy neighebor outward.' [1646] And he that trusteth hym so muchel in his goode conscience [1647] that he displeseth, and setteth at noght his goode name or loos, [1647A] and rekketh noght though he kepe nat his goode name, nys but a crueel cherl. [1648] "Sire, now have I shewed yow how ye shul do in getynge richesses, and how ye shullen usen hem, [1649] and I se wel that for the trust that ye han in youre richesses [1649A] ye wole moeve werre and bataille. [1650] I conseille yow that ye bigynne no werre in trust of youre richesses, [1650A] for they ne suffisen noght werres to mayntene. [1651] And therfore seith a philosophre, `That man that desireth and wole algates han werre, shal nevere have suffisaunce, [1652] for the richer that he is, the gretter despenses moste he make, if he wole have worshipe and victorie.' [1653] And Salomon seith that `the gretter richesses that a man hath, the mo despendours he hath.' [1654] And, deere sire, al be it so that for youre richesses ye mowe have muchel folk, [1655] yet bihoveth it nat, ne it is nat good, to bigynne werre whereas ye mowe [1655A] in oother manere have pees unto youre worshipe and profit. [1656] For the victorie of batailles that been in this world lyth nat in greet nombre or multitude [1656A] of the peple, ne in the vertu of man, [1657] but it lith in the wyl and in the hand of oure Lord God Almyghty. [1658] And therfore Judas Machabeus, which was Goddes knyght, [1659] whan he sholde fighte agayn his adversarie that hadde a gretter nombre [1659A] and a gretter multitude of folk and strenger than was this peple of Machabee, [1660] yet he reconforted his litel compaignye, and seyde right in this wise: [1661] `Als lightly,' quod he, `may oure Lord God Almyghty yeve victorie to a fewe folk as to many folk, [1662] for the victorie of a bataile comth nat by the grete nombre of peple, [1663] but it cometh from oure Lord God of hevene.' [1664] And, deere sire, for as muchel as ther is no man certein if he be worthy that [1664A] God yeve hym victorie . . . or naught, after that Salomon seith, [1665] therfore every man sholde greetly drede werres to bigynne. [1666] And by cause that in batailles fallen manye perils, [1667] and happeth outher while that as soone is the grete man slayn as the litel man; [1668] and as it is writen in the seconde Book of Kynges, [1668A] `The dedes of batailles been aventurouse and nothyng certeyne, [1669] for as lightly is oon hurt with a spere as another'; [1670] and for ther is gret peril in werre, therfore sholde a man flee and eschue werre, [1670A] in as muchel as a man may goodly. [1671] For Salomon seith, `He that loveth peril shal falle in peril.'" [1672] After that Dame Prudence hadde spoken in this manere, Melibee answerde and seyde, [1673] "I see wel, dame Prudence, that by youre faire wordes and by youre resouns [1673A] that ye han shewed me, that the werre liketh yow no thyng; [1674] but I have nat yet herd youre conseil, how I shal do in this nede." [1675] "Certes," quod she, "I conseille yow that ye accorde with youre adversaries and that ye have pees with hem. [1676] For Seint Jame seith in his Epistles that `by concord and pees the smale richesses wexen grete, [1677] and by debaat and discord the grete richesses fallen doun.' [1678] And ye knowen wel that oon of the gretteste and moost sovereyn thyng [1678A] that is in this world is unytee and pees. [1679] And therfore seyde oure Lord Jhesu Crist to his apostles in this wise: [1680] `Wel happy and blessed been they that loven and purchacen pees, for they been called children of God.'" [1681] "A," quod Melibee, "now se I wel that ye loven nat myn honour ne my worshipe. [1682] Ye knowen wel that myne adversaries han bigonnen this debaat and bryge by hire outrage, [1683] and ye se wel that they ne requeren ne preyen me nat of pees, [1683A] ne they asken nat to be reconsiled. [1684] Wol ye thanne that I go and meke me, and obeye me to hem, and crie hem mercy? [1685] For sothe, that were nat my worshipe. [1686] For right as men seyn that `over-greet hoomlynesse engendreth dispreisynge,' so fareth it by to greet humylitee or mekenesse." [1687] Thanne bigan dame Prudence to maken semblant of wratthe and seyde: [1688] "Certes, sire, sauf youre grace, I love youre honour and youre profit [1688A] as I do myn owene, and evere have doon; [1689] ne ye, ne noon oother, seyn nevere the contrarie. [1690] And yit if I hadde seyd that ye sholde han purchaced the pees [1690A] and the reconsiliacioun, I ne hadde nat muchel mystaken me ne seyd amys. [1691] For the wise man seith, `The dissensioun bigynneth by another man, and the reconsilyng bygynneth by thyself.' [1692] And the prophete seith, `Flee shrewednesse and do goodnesse; [1693] seke pees and folwe it, as muchel as in thee is.' [1694] Yet seye I nat that ye shul rather pursue to youre adversaries for pees than they shuln to yow. [1695] For I knowe wel that ye been so hard-herted that ye wol do no thyng for me. [1696] And Salomon seith, `He that hath over-hard an herte, atte laste he shal myshappe and mystyde.'" [1697] Whanne Melibee hadde herd dame Prudence maken semblant of wratthe, he seyde in this wise: [1698] "Dame, I prey yow that ye be nat displesed of thynges that I seye, [1699] for ye knowe wel that I am angry and wrooth, and that is no wonder; [1700] and they that been wrothe witen nat wel what they don ne what they seyn. [1701] Therfore the prophete seith that `troubled eyen han no cleer sighte.' [1702] But seyeth and conseileth me as yow liketh, for I am redy to do right as ye wol desire; [1703] and if ye repreve me of my folye, [1703A] I am the moore holden to love yow and to preyse yow. [1704] For Salomon seith that `he that repreveth hym that dooth folye, [1705] he shal fynde gretter grace than he that deceyveth hym by sweete wordes.'" [1706] Thanne seide dame Prudence, "I make no semblant of wratthe ne anger, but for youre grete profit. [1707] For Salomon seith, `He is moore worth that repreveth or chideth a fool for his folye, [1707A] shewynge hym semblant of wratthe, [1708] than he that supporteth hym and preyseth hym in his mysdoynge and laugheth at his folye.' [1709] And this same Salomon seith afterward that [1709A] `by the sorweful visage of a man' [1709B] (that is to seyn by the sory and hevy contenaunce of a man) [1710] `the fool correcteth and amendeth hymself.'" [1711] Thanne seyde Melibee, "I shal nat konne answere to [1711A] so manye faire resouns as ye putten to me and shewen. [1712] Seyeth shortly youre wyl and youre conseil, and I am al redy to fulfille and parfourne it." [1713] Thanne dame Prudence discovered al hir wyl to hym and seyde, [1714] "I conseille yow," quod she, "aboven alle thynges, that ye make pees bitwene God and yow, [1715] and beth reconsiled unto hym and to his grace. [1716] For, as I have seyd yow heer biforn, God hath suffred yow [1716A] to have this tribulacioun and disese for youre synnes. [1717] And if ye do as I sey yow, God wol sende youre adversaries unto yow [1718] and maken hem fallen at youre feet, redy to do youre wyl and youre comandementz. [1719] For Salomon seith, `Whan the condicioun of man is plesaunt and likynge to God, [1720] he chaungeth the hertes of the mannes adversaries and constreyneth hem to biseken hym of pees and of grace.' [1721] And I prey yow lat me speke with youre adversaries in privee place, [1722] for they shul nat knowe that it be of youre wyl or of youre assent. [1723] And thanne, whan I knowe hir wil and hire entente, I may conseille yow the moore seurely." [1724] "Dame," quod Melibee, "dooth youre wil and youre likynge; [1725] for I putte me hoolly in youre disposicioun and ordinaunce." [1726] Thanne dame Prudence, whan she saugh the goode wyl of hir housbonde, delibered and took avys in hirself, [1727] thinkinge how she myghte brynge this nede unto a good conclusioun and to a good ende. [1728] And whan she saugh hir tyme, she sente for thise adversaries to come unto hire into a pryvee place [1729] and shewed wisely unto hem the grete goodes that comen of pees [1730] and the grete harmes and perils that been in werre, [1731] and seyde to hem in a goodly manere hou that hem oughten have greet repentaunce [1732] of the injurie and wrong that they hadden doon to Melibee hir lord, [1732A] and unto hire, and to hire doghter. [1733] And whan they herden the goodliche wordes of dame Prudence, [1734] they weren so supprised and ravysshed and hadden so greet joye of hire that wonder was to telle. [1735] "A, lady," quod they, "ye han shewed unto us the blessynge of swetnesse, [1735A] after the sawe of David the prophete, [1736] for the reconsilynge which we been nat worthy to have in no manere, [1737] but we oghte requeren it with greet contricioun and humylitee, [1738] ye of youre grete goodnesse have presented unto us. [1739] Now se we wel that the science and the konnynge of Salomon is ful trewe. [1740] For he seith that `sweete wordes multiplien and encreescen freendes and maken shrewes to be debonaire and meeke.' [1741] "Certes," quod they, "we putten oure dede and al oure matere and cause al hoolly in youre goode wyl [1742] and been redy to obeye to the speche and comandement of my lord Melibee. [1743] And therfore, deere and benygne lady, we preien yow and biseke yow as mekely as we konne and mowen [1744] that it lyke unto youre grete goodnesse to fulfillen in dede youre goodliche wordes, [1745] for we consideren and knowelichen that we han offended and greved my lord Melibee out of mesure, [1746] so ferforth that we be nat of power to maken his amendes. [1747] And therfore we oblige and bynden us and oure freendes for to doon al his wyl and his comandementz. [1748] But peraventure he hath swich hevynesse and swich wratthe to us-ward by cause of oure offense [1749] that he wole enjoyne us swich a peyne as we mowe nat bere ne susteene. [1750] And therfore, noble lady, we biseke to youre wommanly pitee [1751] to taken swich avysement in this nede that [1751A] we ne oure freendes be nat desherited ne destroyed thurgh oure folye." [1752] "Certes," quod Prudence, "it is an hard thyng and right perilous [1753] that a man putte hym al outrely in the arbitracioun and juggement, [1753A] and in the myght and power of his enemys. [1754] For Salomon seith, `Leeveth me, and yeveth credence to that I shal seyn: I seye,' quod he, [1754A] `ye peple, folk and governours of hooly chirche, [1755] to thy sone, to thy wyf, to thy freend, ne to thy broother [1756] ne yeve thou nevere myght ne maistrie of thy body whil thou lyvest.' [1757] Now sithen he deffendeth that man sholde nat yeven to his broother [1757A] ne to his freend the myght of his body, [1758] by a strenger resoun he deffendeth and forbedeth a man to yeven hymself to his enemy. [1759] And nathelees I conseille you that ye mystruste nat my lord, [1760] for I woot wel and knowe verraily that he is debonaire and meeke, large, curteys, [1761] and nothyng desirous ne coveitous of good ne richesse. [1762] For ther nys nothyng in this world that he desireth, save oonly worshipe and honour. [1763] Forthermoore I knowe wel and am right seur that he shal nothyng doon in this nede withouten my conseil, [1764] and I shal so werken in this cause that by the grace of oure Lord God [1764A] ye shul been reconsiled unto us." [1765] Thanne seyden they with o voys, "Worshipful lady, we putten us [1765A] and oure goodes al fully in youre wil and disposicioun, [1766] and been redy to comen, what day that it like unto youre noblesse to lymyte us or assigne us, [1767] for to maken oure obligacioun and boond as strong as it liketh unto youre goodnesse, [1768] that we mowe fulfille the wille of yow and of my lord Melibee." [1769] Whan dame Prudence hadde herd the answeres of thise men, she bad hem goon agayn prively; [1770] and she retourned to hir lord Melibee, and tolde hym how she foond his adversaries ful repentant, [1771] knowelechynge ful lowely hir synnes and trespas, and how they were redy to suffren all peyne, [1772] requirynge and preiynge hym of mercy and pitee. [1773] Thanne seyde Melibee: "He is wel worthy to have pardoun [1773A] and foryifnesse of his synne, that excuseth nat his synne [1774] but knowelecheth it and repenteth hym, axinge indulgence. [1775] For Senec seith, `Ther is the remissioun and foryifnesse, where as the confessioun is,' [1776] for confessioun is neighebor to innocence. [1777] And he seith in another place that `he that hath shame of his synne and knowlecheth [1777A] [it is worthy remissioun].' And therfore I assente and conferme me to have pees; [1778] but it is good that we do it nat withouten the assent and wyl of oure freendes." [1779] Thanne was Prudence right glad and joyeful and seyde: [1780] "Certes, sire," quod she, "ye han wel and goodly answered, [1781] for right as by the conseil, assent, and help of youre freendes [1781A] ye han been stired to venge yow and maken werre, [1782] right so withouten hire conseil shul ye nat accorden yow ne have pees with youre adversaries. [1783] For the lawe seith, `Ther nys no thyng so good by wey of kynde as a thyng [1783A] to be unbounde by hym that it was ybounde.'" [1784] And thanne dame Prudence withouten delay or tariynge sente anon hire messages for hire kyn [1784A] and for hire olde freendes which that were trewe and wyse, [1785] and tolde hem by ordre in the presence of Melibee al this mateere [1785A] as it is aboven expressed and declared, [1786] and preyden hem that they wolde yeven hire avys and conseil what best were to doon in this nede. [1787] And whan Melibees freendes hadde taken hire avys and deliberacioun of the forseide mateere, [1788] and hadden examyned it by greet bisynesse and greet diligence, [1789] they yave ful conseil for to have pees and reste, [1790] and that Melibee sholde receyve with good herte his adversaries to foryifnesse and mercy. [1791] And whan dame Prudence hadde herd the assent of hir lord Melibee, and the conseil of his freendes [1792] accorde with hire wille and hire entencioun, [1793] she was wonderly glad in hire herte and seyde: [1794] "Ther is an old proverbe," quod she, "seith that `the goodnesse that thou mayst do this day, do it, [1795] and abide nat ne delaye it nat til tomorwe.' [1796] And therfore I conseille that ye sende youre messages, swiche as been discrete and wise, [1797] unto youre adversaries, tellynge hem on youre bihalve [1798] that if they wole trete of pees and of accord, [1799] that they shape hem withouten delay or tariyng to comen unto us." [1800] Which thyng parfourned was in dede. [1801] And whanne thise trespassours and repentynge folk of hire folies [1801A] -- that is to seyn, the adversaries of Melibee -- [1802] hadden herd what thise messagers seyden unto hem, [1803] they weren right glad and joyeful, and answereden ful mekely and benignely, [1804] yeldynge graces and thankynges to hir lord Melibee and to al his compaignye, [1805] and shopen hem withouten delay to go with the messagers and obeye to the comandement of hir lord Melibee. [1806] And right anon they tooken hire wey to the court of Melibee, [1807] and tooken with hem somme of hire trewe freendes [1807A] to maken feith for hem and for to been hire borwes. [1808] And whan they were comen to the presence of Melibee, he seyde hem thise wordes: [1809] "It standeth thus," quod Melibee, "and sooth it is, that ye, [1810] causelees and withouten skile and resoun, [1811] han doon grete injuries and wronges to me and to my wyf Prudence and to my doghter also. [1812] For ye han entred into myn hous by violence, [1813] and have doon swich outrage that alle men knowen wel that ye have disserved the deeth. [1814] And therfore wol I knowe and wite of yow [1815] wheither ye wol putte the punyssement and the chastisynge and the vengeance of this outrage in the wyl [1815A] of me and of my wyf Prudence, or ye wol nat?" [1816] Thanne the wiseste of hem thre answerde for hem alle and seyde, [1817] "Sire," quod he, "we knowen wel that we been unworthy to comen unto the court [1817A] of so greet a lord and so worthy as ye been. [1818] For we han so greetly mystaken us, and han offended [1818A] and agilt in swich a wise agayn youre heigh lordshipe [1819] that trewely we han disserved the deeth. [1820] But yet, for the grete goodnesse and debonairetee that al the world witnesseth of youre persone, [1821] we submytten us to the excellence and benignitee of youre gracious lordshipe, [1822] and been redy to obeie to alle youre comandementz, [1823] bisekynge yow that of youre merciable pitee ye wol considere oure grete repentaunce and lowe submyssioun [1824] and graunten us foryevenesse of oure outrageous trespas and offense. [1825] For wel we knowe that youre liberal grace and mercy [1825A] strecchen hem ferther into goodnesse than doon oure outrageouse giltes and trespas into wikkednesse, [1826] al be it that cursedly and dampnablely we han agilt agayn youre heigh lordshipe." [1827] Thanne Melibee took hem up fro the ground ful benignely, [1828] and receyved hire obligaciouns and hir boondes by hire othes upon hire plegges and borwes, [1829] and assigned hem a certeyn day to retourne unto his court [1830] for to accepte and receyve the sentence and juggement that Melibee wolde comande [1830A] to be doon on hem by the causes aforeseyd. [1831] Whiche thynges ordeyned, every man retourned to his hous. [1832] And whan that dame Prudence saugh hir tyme, she freyned and axed hir lord Melibee [1833] what vengeance he thoughte to taken of his adversaries. [1834] To which Melibee answerde and seyde, "Certes," quod he, "I thynke and purpose me fully [1835] to desherite hem of al that evere they han and for to putte hem in exil for evere." [1836] "Certes," quod dame Prudence, "this were a crueel sentence and muchel agayn resoun. [1837] For ye been riche ynough and han no nede of oother mennes good, [1838] and ye myghte lightly in this wise gete yow a coveitous name, [1839] which is a vicious thyng, and oghte been eschued of every good man. [1840] For after the sawe of the word of the Apostle, `Coveitise is roote of alle harmes.' [1841] And therfore it were bettre for yow to lese so muchel good of youre owene [1841A] than for to taken of hir good in this manere, [1842] for bettre it is to lesen good with worshipe than it is to wynne good with vileynye and shame. [1843] And everi man oghte to doon his diligence and his bisynesse to geten hym a good name. [1844] And yet shal he nat oonly bisie hym in kepynge of his good name, [1845] but he shal also enforcen hym alwey to do somthyng by which he may renovelle his good name. [1846] For it is writen that `the olde good loos or good name of a man is soone goon [1846A] and passed, whan it is nat newed ne renovelled.' [1847] And as touchynge that ye seyn ye wole exile youre adversaries, [1848] that thynketh me muchel agayn resoun and out of mesure, [1849] considered the power that they han yeve yow upon hemself. [1850] And it is writen that `he is worthy to lesen his privilege that mysuseth [1850A] the myght and the power that is yeven hym.' [1851] And I sette cas ye myghte enjoyne hem that peyne by right and by lawe, [1852] which I trowe ye mowe nat do; [1853] I seye ye mighte nat putten it to execucioun peraventure, [1854] and thanne were it likly to retourne to the werre as it was biforn. [1855] And therfore, if ye wole that men do yow obeisance, ye moste deemen moore curteisly; [1856] this is to seyn, ye moste yeven moore esy sentences and juggementz. [1857] For it is writen that `he that moost curteisly comandeth, to hym men moost obeyen.' [1858] And therfore I prey yow that in this necessitee and in this nede [1858A] ye caste yow to overcome youre herte. [1859] For Senec seith that `he that overcometh his herte overcometh twies.' [1860] And Tullius seith, `Ther is no thyng so comendable in a greet lord [1861] as whan he is debonaire and meeke, and appeseth him lightly.' [1862] And I prey yow that ye wole forbere now to do vengeance, [1863] in swich a manere that youre goode name may be kept and conserved, [1864] and that men mowe have cause and mateere to preyse yow of pitee and of mercy, [1865] and that ye have no cause to repente yow of thyng that ye doon. [1866] For Senec seith, `He overcometh in an yvel manere that repenteth hym of his victorie.' [1867] Wherfore I pray yow, lat mercy been in youre herte, [1868] to th' effect and entente that God Almighty have mercy on yow in his laste juggement. [1869] For Seint Jame seith in his Epistle: `Juggement withouten mercy shal be doon [1869A] to hym that hath no mercy of another wight.'" [1870] Whanne Melibee hadde herd the grete skiles and resouns of dame Prudence, and hire wise informaciouns and techynges, [1871] his herte gan enclyne to the wil of his wif, considerynge hir trewe entente, [1872] and conformed hym anon and assented fully to werken after hir conseil, [1873] and thonked God, of whom procedeth al vertu and alle goodnesse, [1873A] that hym sente a wyf of so greet discrecioun. [1874] And whan the day cam that his adversaries sholde appieren in his presence, [1875] he spak unto hem ful goodly, and seyde in this wyse: [1876] "Al be it so that of youre pride and heigh presumpcioun and folie, and of youre necligence and unkonnynge, [1877] ye have mysborn yow and trespassed unto me, [1878] yet for as muche as I see and biholde youre grete humylitee [1879] and that ye been sory and repentant of youre giltes, [1880] it constreyneth me to doon yow grace and mercy. [1881] Wherfore I receyve yow to my grace [1882] and foryeve yow outrely alle the offenses, injuries, and wronges that ye have doon agayn me and myne, [1883] to this effect and to this ende, that God of his endelees mercy [1884] wole at the tyme of oure diynge foryeven us oure giltes [1884A] that we han trespassed to hym in this wrecched world. [1885] For doutelees, if we be sory and repentant of the synnes and giltes which we han trespassed [1885A] in the sighte of oure Lord God, [1886] he is so free and so merciable [1887] that he wole foryeven us oure giltes [1888] and bryngen us to the blisse that nevere hath ende." Amen. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Monk's Prologue [1889] Whan ended was my tale of Melibee, [1890] And of Prudence and hire benignytee, [1891] Oure Hooste seyde, "As I am feithful man, [1892] And by that precious corpus Madrian, [1893] I hadde levere than a barel ale [1894] That Goodelief, my wyf, hadde herd this tale! [1895] For she nys no thyng of swich pacience [1896] As was this Melibeus wyf Prudence. [1897] By Goddes bones, whan I bete my knaves, [1898] She bryngeth me forth the grete clobbed staves, [1899] And crieth, `Slee the dogges everichoon, [1900] And brek hem, bothe bak and every boon!' [1901] "And if that any neighebor of myne [1902] Wol nat in chirche to my wyf enclyne, [1903] Or be so hardy to hire to trespace, [1904] Whan she comth hoom she rampeth in my face, [1905] And crieth, `False coward, wrek thy wyf! [1906] By corpus bones, I wol have thy knyf, [1907] And thou shalt have my distaf and go spynne!' [1908] Fro day to nyght right thus she wol bigynne. [1909] `Allas,' she seith, `that evere I was shape [1910] To wedden a milksop, or a coward ape, [1911] That wol been overlad with every wight! [1912] Thou darst nat stonden by thy wyves right!' [1913] "This is my lif, but if that I wol fighte; [1914] And out at dore anon I moot me dighte, [1915] Or elles I am but lost, but if that I [1916] Be lik a wilde leoun, fool-hardy. [1917] I woot wel she wol do me slee som day [1918] Som neighebor, and thanne go my way; [1919] For I am perilous with knyf in honde, [1920] Al be it that I dar nat hire withstonde, [1921] For she is byg in armes, by my feith: [1922] That shal he fynde that hire mysdooth or seith -- [1923] But lat us passe awey fro this mateere. [1924] "My lord, the Monk," quod he, "be myrie of cheere, [1925] For ye shul telle a tale trewely. [1926] Loo, Rouchestre stant heer faste by! [1927] Ryde forth, myn owene lord, brek nat oure game. [1928] But, by my trouthe, I knowe nat youre name. [1929] Wher shal I calle yow my lord daun John, [1930] Or daun Thomas, or elles daun Albon? [1931] Of what hous be ye, by youre fader kyn? [1932] I vowe to God, thou hast a ful fair skyn; [1933] It is a gentil pasture ther thow goost. [1934] Thou art nat lyk a penant or a goost: [1935] Upon my feith, thou art som officer, [1936] Som worthy sexteyn, or som celerer, [1937] For by my fader soule, as to my doom, [1938] Thou art a maister whan thou art at hoom; [1939] No povre cloysterer, ne no novys, [1940] But a governour, wily and wys, [1941] And therwithal of brawnes and of bones [1942] A wel farynge persone for the nones. [1943] I pray to God, yeve hym confusioun [1944] That first thee broghte unto religioun! [1945] Thou woldest han been a tredefowel aright. [1946] Haddestow as greet a leeve as thou hast myght [1947] To parfourne al thy lust in engendrure, [1948] Thou haddest bigeten ful many a creature. [1949] Allas, why werestow so wyd a cope? [1950] God yeve me sorwe, but, and I were a pope, [1951] Nat oonly thou, but every myghty man, [1952] Though he were shorn ful hye upon his pan, [1953] Sholde have a wyf; for al the world is lorn! [1954] Religioun hath take up al the corn [1955] Of tredyng, and we borel men been shrympes. [1956] Of fieble trees ther comen wrecched ympes. [1957] This maketh that oure heires been so sklendre [1958] And feble that they may nat wel engendre. [1959] This maketh that oure wyves wole assaye [1960] Religious folk, for ye mowe bettre paye [1961] Of Venus paiementz than mowe we; [1962] God woot, no lussheburghes payen ye! [1963] But be nat wrooth, my lord, though that I pleye. [1964] Ful ofte in game a sooth I have herd seye!" [1965] This worthy Monk took al in pacience, [1966] And seyde, "I wol doon al my diligence, [1967] As fer as sowneth into honestee, [1968] To telle yow a tale, or two, or three. [1969] And if yow list to herkne hyderward, [1970] I wol yow seyn the lyf of Seint Edward; [1971] Or ellis, first, tragedies wol I telle, [1972] Of whiche I have an hundred in my celle. [1973] Tragedie is to seyn a certeyn storie, [1974] As olde bookes maken us memorie, [1975] Of hym that stood in greet prosperitee, [1976] And is yfallen out of heigh degree [1977] Into myserie, and endeth wrecchedly. [1978] And they ben versified communely [1979] Of six feet, which men clepen exametron. [1980] In prose eek been endited many oon, [1981] And eek in meetre in many a sondry wyse. [1982] Lo, this declaryng oghte ynogh suffise. [1983] "Now herkneth, if yow liketh for to heere. [1984] But first I yow biseeke in this mateere, [1985] Though I by ordre telle nat thise thynges, [1986] Be it of popes, emperours, or kynges, [1987] After hir ages, as men writen fynde, [1988] But tellen hem som bifore and som bihynde, [1989] As it now comth unto my remembraunce, [1990] Have me excused of myn ignoraunce." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Monk's Tale [1991] I wol biwaille in manere of tragedie [1992] The harm of hem that stoode in heigh degree, [1993] And fillen so that ther nas no remedie [1994] To brynge hem out of hir adversitee. [1995] For certein, whan that Fortune list to flee, [1996] Ther may no man the cours of hire withholde. [1997] Lat no man truste on blynd prosperitee; [1998] Be war by thise ensamples trewe and olde. [1999] At Lucifer, though he an angel were [2000] And nat a man, at hym wol I bigynne. [2001] For though Fortune may noon angel dere, [2002] From heigh degree yet fel he for his synne [2003] Doun into helle, where he yet is inne. [2004] O Lucifer, brightest of angels alle, [2005] Now artow Sathanas, that mayst nat twynne [2006] Out of miserie, in which that thou art falle. [2007] Loo Adam, in the feeld of Damyssene [2008] With Goddes owene fynger wroght was he, [2009] And nat bigeten of mannes sperme unclene, [2010] And welte al paradys savynge o tree. [2011] Hadde nevere worldly man so heigh degree [2012] As Adam, til he for mysgovernaunce [2013] Was dryven out of hys hye prosperitee [2014] To labour, and to helle, and to meschaunce. [2015] Loo Sampsoun, which that was annunciat [2016] By th' angel longe er his nativitee, [2017] And was to God Almyghty consecrat, [2018] And stood in noblesse whil he myghte see. [2019] Was nevere swich another as was hee, [2020] To speke of strengthe, and therwith hardynesse; [2021] But to his wyves toolde he his secree, [2022] Thurgh which he slow hymself for wrecchednesse. [2023] Sampsoun, this noble almyghty champioun, [2024] Withouten wepen save his handes tweye, [2025] He slow and al torente the leoun, [2026] Toward his weddyng walkynge by the weye. [2027] His false wyf koude hym so plese and preye [2028] Til she his conseil knew; and she, untrewe, [2029] Unto his foos his conseil gan biwreye, [2030] And hym forsook, and took another newe. [2031] Thre hundred foxes took Sampson for ire, [2032] And alle hir tayles he togydre bond, [2033] And sette the foxes tayles alle on fire, [2034] For he on every tayl had knyt a brond; [2035] And they brende alle the cornes in that lond, [2036] And alle hire olyveres, and vynes eke. [2037] A thousand men he slow eek with his hond, [2038] And hadde no wepen but an asses cheke. [2039] Whan they were slayn, so thursted hym that he [2040] Was wel ny lorn, for which he gan to preye [2041] That God wolde on his peyne han some pitee [2042] And sende hym drynke, or elles moste he deye; [2043] And of this asses cheke, that was dreye, [2044] Out of a wang-tooth sprang anon a welle, [2045] Of which he drank ynogh, shortly to seye; [2046] Thus heelp hym God, as Judicum can telle. [2047] By verray force at Gazan on a nyght, [2048] Maugree Philistiens of that citee, [2049] The gates of the toun he hath up plyght, [2050] And on his bak ycaryed hem hath hee [2051] Hye on an hill whereas men myghte hem see. [2052] O noble, almyghty Sampsoun, lief and deere, [2053] Had thou nat toold to wommen thy secree, [2054] In al this world ne hadde been thy peere! [2055] This Sampson nevere ciser drank ne wyn, [2056] Ne on his heed cam rasour noon ne sheere, [2057] By precept of the messager divyn, [2058] For alle his strengthes in his heeres weere. [2059] And fully twenty wynter, yeer by yeere, [2060] He hadde of Israel the governaunce. [2061] But soone shal he wepe many a teere, [2062] For wommen shal hym bryngen to meschaunce! [2063] Unto his lemman Dalida he tolde [2064] That in his heeris al his strengthe lay, [2065] And falsly to his foomen she hym solde. [2066] And slepynge in hir barm upon a day, [2067] She made to clippe or shere his heres away, [2068] And made his foomen al his craft espyen; [2069] And whan that they hym foond in this array, [2070] They bounde hym faste and putten out his yen. [2071] But er his heer were clipped or yshave, [2072] Ther was no boond with which men myghte him bynde; [2073] But now is he in prison in a cave, [2074] Where-as they made hym at the queerne grynde. [2075] O noble Sampsoun, strongest of mankynde, [2076] O whilom juge, in glorie and in richesse! [2077] Now maystow wepen with thyne eyen blynde, [2078] Sith thou fro wele art falle in wrecchednesse. [2079] The ende of this caytyf was as I shal seye. [2080] His foomen made a feeste upon a day, [2081] And made hym as hire fool biforn hem pleye; [2082] And this was in a temple of greet array. [2083] But atte laste he made a foul affray, [2084] For he two pilers shook and made hem falle, [2085] And doun fil temple and al, and ther it lay -- [2086] And slow hymself, and eek his foomen alle. [2087] This is to seyn, the prynces everichoon, [2088] And eek thre thousand bodyes, were ther slayn [2089] With fallynge of the grete temple of stoon. [2090] Of Sampson now wol I namoore sayn. [2091] Beth war by this ensample oold and playn [2092] That no men telle hir conseil til hir wyves [2093] Of swich thyng as they wolde han secree fayn, [2094] If that it touche hir lymes or hir lyves. [2095] Of Hercules, the sovereyn conquerour, [2096] Syngen his werkes laude and heigh renoun; [2097] For in his tyme of strengthe he was the flour. [2098] He slow and rafte the skyn of the leoun; [2099] He of Centauros leyde the boost adoun; [2100] He Arpies slow, the crueel bryddes felle; [2101] He golden apples rafte of the dragoun; [2102] He drow out Cerberus, the hound of helle; [2103] He slow the crueel tyrant Busirus [2104] And made his hors to frete hym, flessh and boon; [2105] He slow the firy serpent venymus; [2106] Of Acheloys two hornes he brak oon; [2107] And he slow Cacus in a cave of stoon; [2108] He slow the geant Antheus the stronge; [2109] He slow the grisly boor, and that anon; [2110] And bar the hevene on his nekke longe. [2111] Was nevere wight, sith that this world bigan, [2112] That slow so manye monstres as dide he. [2113] Thurghout this wyde world his name ran, [2114] What for his strengthe and for his heigh bountee, [2115] And every reawme wente he for to see. [2116] He was so stroong that no man myghte hym lette. [2117] At bothe the worldes endes, seith Trophee, [2118] In stide of boundes he a pileer sette. [2119] A lemman hadde this noble champioun, [2120] That highte Dianira, fressh as May; [2121] And as thise clerkes maken mencioun, [2122] She hath hym sent a sherte, fressh and gay. [2123] Allas, this sherte -- allas and weylaway! -- [2124] Envenymed was so subtilly withalle [2125] That er that he had wered it half a day [2126] It made his flessh al from his bones falle. [2127] But nathelees somme clerkes hire excusen [2128] By oon that highte Nessus, that it maked. [2129] Be as be may, I wol hire noght accusen; [2130] But on his bak this sherte he wered al naked [2131] Til that his flessh was for the venym blaked. [2132] And whan he saugh noon oother remedye, [2133] In hoote coles he hath hymselven raked, [2134] For with no venym deigned hym to dye. [2135] Thus starf this worthy, myghty Hercules. [2136] Lo, who may truste on Fortune any throwe? [2137] For hym that folweth al this world of prees [2138] Er he be war is ofte yleyd ful lowe. [2139] Ful wys is he that kan hymselven knowe! [2140] Beth war, for whan that Fortune list to glose, [2141] Thanne wayteth she her man to overthrowe [2142] By swich a wey as he wolde leest suppose. [2143] The myghty trone, the precious tresor, [2144] The glorious ceptre, and roial magestee [2145] That hadde the kyng Nabugodonosor [2146] With tonge unnethe may discryved bee. [2147] He twyes wan Jerusalem the citee; [2148] The vessel of the temple he with hym ladde. [2149] At Babiloigne was his sovereyn see, [2150] In which his glorie and his delit he hadde. [2151] The faireste children of the blood roial [2152] Of Israel he leet do gelde anoon, [2153] And maked ech of hem to been his thral. [2154] Amonges othere Daniel was oon, [2155] That was the wiseste child of everychon, [2156] For he the dremes of the kyng expowned, [2157] Whereas in Chaldeye clerk ne was ther noon [2158] That wiste to what fyn his dremes sowned. [2159] This proude kyng leet maken a statue of gold, [2160] Sixty cubites long and sevene in brede, [2161] To which ymage bothe yong and oold [2162] Comanded he to loute, and have in drede, [2163] Or in a fourneys, ful of flambes rede, [2164] He shal be brent that wolde noght obeye. [2165] But nevere wolde assente to that dede [2166] Daniel ne his yonge felawes tweye. [2167] This kyng of kynges proud was and elaat; [2168] He wende that God, that sit in magestee, [2169] Ne myghte hym nat bireve of his estaat. [2170] But sodeynly he loste his dignytee, [2171] And lyk a beest hym semed for to bee, [2172] And eet hey as an oxe, and lay theroute [2173] In reyn; with wilde beestes walked hee [2174] Til certein tyme was ycome aboute. [2175] And lik an egles fetheres wax his heres; [2176] His nayles lyk a briddes clawes weere; [2177] Til God relessed hym a certeyn yeres, [2178] And yaf hym wit, and thanne with many a teere [2179] He thanked God, and evere his lyf in feere [2180] Was he to doon amys or moore trespace; [2181] And til that tyme he leyd was on his beere [2182] He knew that God was ful of myght and grace. [2183] His sone, which that highte Balthasar, [2184] That heeld the regne after his fader day, [2185] He by his fader koude noght be war, [2186] For proud he was of herte and of array, [2187] And eek an ydolastre was he ay. [2188] His hye estaat assured hym in pryde; [2189] But Fortune caste hym doun, and ther he lay, [2190] And sodeynly his regne gan divide. [2191] A feeste he made unto his lordes alle [2192] Upon a tyme and bad hem blithe bee; [2193] And thanne his officeres gan he calle: [2194] "Gooth, bryngeth forth the vesseles," quod he, [2195] "Whiche that my fader in his prosperitee [2196] Out of the temple of Jerusalem birafte; [2197] And to oure hye goddes thanke we [2198] Of honour that oure eldres with us lafte." [2199] Hys wyf, his lordes, and his concubynes [2200] Ay dronken, whil hire appetites laste, [2201] Out of thise noble vessels sondry wynes. [2202] And on a wal this kyng his eyen caste [2203] And saugh an hand, armlees, that wroot ful faste, [2204] For feere of which he quook and siked soore. [2205] This hand that Balthasar so soore agaste [2206] Wroot Mane, techel, phares, and namoore. [2207] In all that land magicien was noon [2208] That koude expoune what this lettre mente; [2209] But Daniel expowned it anoon, [2210] And seyde, "Kyng, God to thy fader lente [2211] Glorie and honour, regne, tresour, rente; [2212] And he was proud and nothyng God ne dradde, [2213] And therfore God greet wreche upon hym sente, [2214] And hym birafte the regne that he hadde. [2215] "He was out cast of mannes compaignye; [2216] With asses was his habitacioun, [2217] And eet hey as a beest in weet and drye [2218] Til that he knew, by grace and by resoun, [2219] That God of hevene hath domynacioun [2220] Over every regne and every creature; [2221] And thanne hadde God of hym compassioun, [2222] And hym restored his regne and his figure. [2223] "Eek thou, that art his sone, art proud also, [2224] And knowest alle thise thynges verraily, [2225] And art rebel to God, and art his foo. [2226] Thou drank eek of his vessels boldely; [2227] Thy wyf eek, and thy wenches, synfully [2228] Dronke of the same vessels sondry wynys; [2229] And heryest false goddes cursedly; [2230] Therefore to thee yshapen ful greet pyne ys. [2231] "This hand was sent from God that on the wal [2232] Wroot Mane, techel, phares, truste me; [2233] Thy regne is doon; thou weyest noght at al. [2234] Dyvyded is thy regne, and it shal be [2235] To Medes and to Perses yeven," quod he. [2236] And thilke same nyght this kyng was slawe, [2237] And Darius occupieth his degree, [2238] Thogh he therto hadde neither right ne lawe. [2239] Lordynges, ensample heerby may ye take [2240] How that in lordshipe is no sikernesse, [2241] For whan Fortune wole a man forsake, [2242] She bereth awey his regne and his richesse, [2243] And eek his freendes, bothe moore and lesse. [2244] For what man that hath freendes thurgh Fortune, [2245] Mishap wol maken hem enemys, I gesse; [2246] This proverbe is ful sooth and ful commune. [2247] Cenobia, of Palymerie queene, [2248] As writen Persiens of hir noblesse, [2249] So worthy was in armes and so keene [2250] That no wight passed hire in hardynesse, [2251] Ne in lynage, ne in oother gentillesse. [2252] Of kynges blood of Perce is she descended. [2253] I seye nat that she hadde moost fairnesse, [2254] But of hir shap she myghte nat been amended. [2255] From hire childhede I fynde that she fledde [2256] Office of wommen, and to wode she wente, [2257] And many a wilde hertes blood she shedde [2258] With arwes brode that she to hem sente. [2259] She was so swift that she anon hem hente; [2260] And whan that she was elder, she wolde kille [2261] Leouns, leopardes, and beres al torente, [2262] And in hir armes weelde hem at hir wille. [2263] She dorste wilde beestes dennes seke, [2264] And rennen in the montaignes al the nyght, [2265] And slepen under a bussh, and she koude eke [2266] Wrastlen, by verray force and verray myght, [2267] With any yong man, were he never so wight. [2268] Ther myghte no thyng in hir armes stonde. [2269] She kepte hir maydenhod from every wight; [2270] To no man deigned hire for to be bonde. [2271] But atte laste hir freendes han hire maried [2272] To Odenake, a prynce of that contree, [2273] Al were it so that she hem longe taried. [2274] And ye shul understonde how that he [2275] Hadde swiche fantasies as hadde she. [2276] But natheless, whan they were knyt in-feere, [2277] They lyved in joye and in felicitee, [2278] For ech of hem hadde oother lief and deere, [2279] Save o thyng: that she wolde nevere assente, [2280] By no wey, that he sholde by hire lye [2281] But ones, for it was hir pleyn entente [2282] To have a child, the world to multiplye; [2283] And also soone as that she myghte espye [2284] That she was nat with childe with that dede, [2285] Thanne wolde she suffre hym doon his fantasye [2286] Eft-soone, and nat but oones, out of drede. [2287] And if she were with childe at thilke cast, [2288] Namoore sholde he pleyen thilke game [2289] Til fully fourty [wikes] weren past; [2290] Thanne wolde she ones suffre hym do the same. [2291] Al were this Odenake wilde or tame, [2292] He gat namoore of hire, for thus she seyde: [2293] It was to wyves lecherie and shame, [2294] In oother caas, if that men with hem pleyde. [2295] Two sones by this Odenake hadde she, [2296] The whiche she kepte in vertu and lettrure. [2297] But now unto oure tale turne we. [2298] I seye, so worshipful a creature, [2299] And wys therwith, and large with mesure, [2300] So penyble in the werre, and curteis eke, [2301] Ne moore labour myghte in werre endure, [2302] Was noon, though al this world men sholde seke. [2303] Hir riche array ne myghte nat be told, [2304] As wel in vessel as in hire clothyng. [2305] She was al clad in perree and in gold, [2306] And eek she lafte noght, for noon huntyng, [2307] To have of sondry tonges ful knowyng, [2308] Whan that she leyser hadde; and for to entende [2309] To lerne bookes was al hire likyng, [2310] How she in vertu myghte hir lyf dispende. [2311] And shortly of this storie for to trete, [2312] So doghty was hir housbonde and eek she, [2313] That they conquered manye regnes grete [2314] In the orient, with many a fair citee [2315] Apertenaunt unto the magestee [2316] Of Rome, and with strong hond held hem ful faste, [2317] Ne nevere myghte hir foomen doon hem flee, [2318] Ay whil that Odenakes dayes laste. [2319] Hir batailles, whoso list hem for to rede, [2320] Agayn Sapor the kyng and othere mo, [2321] And how that al this proces fil in dede, [2322] Why she conquered and what title had therto, [2323] And after, of hir meschief and hire wo, [2324] How that she was biseged and ytake -- [2325] Lat hym unto my maister Petrak go, [2326] That writ ynough of this, I undertake. [2327] Whan Odenake was deed, she myghtily [2328] The regnes heeld, and with hire propre hond [2329] Agayn hir foos she faught so cruelly [2330] That ther nas kyng ne prynce in al that lond [2331] That he nas glad, if he that grace fond, [2332] That she ne wolde upon his lond werreye. [2333] With hire they maden alliance by bond [2334] To been in pees, and lete hire ride and pleye. [2335] The Emperour of Rome, Claudius [2336] Ne hym bifore, the Romayn Galien, [2337] Ne dorste nevere been so corageus, [2338] Ne noon Ermyn, ne noon Egipcien, [2339] Ne Surrien, ne noon Arabyen, [2340] Withinne the feeld that dorste with hire fighte, [2341] Lest that she wolde hem with hir handes slen, [2342] Or with hir meignee putten hem to flighte. [2343] In kynges habit wente hir sones two, [2344] As heires of hir fadres regnes alle, [2345] And Hermanno and Thymalao [2346] Hir names were, as Persiens hem calle. [2347] But ay Fortune hath in hire hony galle; [2348] This myghty queene may no while endure. [2349] Fortune out of hir regne made hire falle [2350] To wrecchednesse and to mysaventure. [2351] Aurelian, whan that the governaunce [2352] Of Rome cam into his handes tweye, [2353] He shoop upon this queene to doon vengeaunce. [2354] And with his legions he took his weye [2355] Toward Cenobie, and shortly for to seye, [2356] He made hire flee, and atte laste hire hente, [2357] And fettred hire, and eek hire children tweye, [2358] And wan the land, and hoom to Rome he wente. [2359] Amonges othere thynges that he wan, [2360] Hir chaar, that was with gold wroght and perree, [2361] This grete Romayn, this Aurelian, [2362] Hath with hym lad, for that men sholde it see. [2363] Biforen his triumphe walketh shee, [2364] With gilte cheynes on hire nekke hangynge. [2365] Coroned was she, as after hir degree, [2366] And ful of perree charged hire clothynge. [2367] Allas, Fortune! She that whilom was [2368] Dredeful to kynges and to emperoures, [2369] Now gaureth al the peple on hire, allas! [2370] And she that helmed was in starke stoures [2371] And wan by force townes stronge and toures, [2372] Shal on hir heed now were a vitremyte; [2373] And she that bar the ceptre ful of floures [2374] Shal bere a distaf, hire cost for to quyte. [2375] O noble, O worthy Petro, glorie of Spayne, [2376] Whom Fortune heeld so hye in magestee, [2377] Wel oghten men thy pitous deeth complayne! [2378] Out of thy land thy brother made thee flee, [2379] And after, at a seege, by subtiltee, [2380] Thou were bitraysed and lad unto his tente, [2381] Where as he with his owene hand slow thee, [2382] Succedynge in thy regne and in thy rente. [2383] The feeld of snow, with th' egle of blak therinne, [2384] Caught with the lymrod coloured as the gleede, [2385] He brew this cursednesse and al this synne. [2386] The wikked nest was werker of this nede. [2387] Noght Charles Olyver, that took ay heede [2388] Of trouthe and honour, but of Armorike [2389] Genylon-Olyver, corrupt for meede, [2390] Broghte this worthy kyng in swich a brike. [2391] O worthy Petro, kyng of Cipre, also, [2392] That Alisandre wan by heigh maistrie, [2393] Ful many an hethen wroghtestow ful wo, [2394] Of which thyne owene liges hadde envie, [2395] And for no thyng but for thy chivalrie [2396] They in thy bed han slayn thee by the morwe. [2397] Thus kan Fortune hir wheel governe and gye, [2398] And out of joye brynge men to sorwe. [2399] Off Melan grete Barnabo Viscounte, [2400] God of delit and scourge of Lumbardye, [2401] Why sholde I nat thyn infortune acounte, [2402] Sith in estaat thow cloumbe were so hye? [2403] Thy brother sone, that was thy double allye, [2404] For he thy nevew was and sone-in-lawe, [2405] Withinne his prisoun made thee to dye -- [2406] But why ne how noot I that thou were slawe. [2407] Off the Erl Hugelyn of Pyze the langour [2408] Ther may no tonge telle for pitee. [2409] But litel out of Pize stant a tour, [2410] In which tour in prisoun put was he, [2411] And with hym been his litel children thre; [2412] The eldest scarsly fyf yeer was of age. [2413] Allas, Fortune, it was greet crueltee [2414] Swiche briddes for to putte in swich a cage! [2415] Dampned was he to dyen in that prisoun, [2416] For Roger, which that bisshop was of Pize, [2417] Hadde on hym maad a fals suggestioun, [2418] Thurgh which the peple gan upon hym rise [2419] And putten hym to prisoun in swich wise [2420] As ye han herd, and mete and drynke he hadde [2421] So smal that wel unnethe it may suffise, [2422] And therwithal it was ful povre and badde. [2423] And on a day bifil that in that hour [2424] Whan that his mete wont was to be broght, [2425] The gayler shette the dores of the tour. [2426] He herde it wel, but he spak right noght, [2427] And in his herte anon ther fil a thoght [2428] That they for hunger wolde doon hym dyen. [2429] "Allas!" quod he, "Allas, that I was wroght!" [2430] Therwith the teeris fillen from his yen. [2431] His yonge sone, that thre yeer was of age, [2432] Unto hym seyde, "Fader, why do ye wepe? [2433] Whanne wol the gayler bryngen oure potage? [2434] Is ther no morsel breed that ye do kepe? [2435] I am so hungry that I may nat slepe. [2436] Now wolde God that I myghte slepen evere! [2437] Thanne sholde nat hunger in my wombe crepe; [2438] Ther is no thyng, but breed, that me were levere." [2439] Thus day by day this child bigan to crye, [2440] Til in his fadres barm adoun it lay, [2441] And seyde, "Farewel, fader, I moot dye!" [2442] And kiste his fader, and dyde the same day. [2443] And whan the woful fader deed it say, [2444] For wo his armes two he gan to byte, [2445] And seyde, "Allas, Fortune, and weylaway! [2446] Thy false wheel my wo al may I wyte." [2447] His children wende that it for hunger was [2448] That he his armes gnow, and nat for wo, [2449] And seyde, "Fader, do nat so, allas! [2450] But rather ete the flessh upon us two. [2451] Oure flessh thou yaf us, take oure flessh us fro, [2452] And ete ynogh" -- right thus they to hym seyde, [2453] And after that, withinne a day or two, [2454] They leyde hem in his lappe adoun and deyde. [2455] Hymself, despeired, eek for hunger starf; [2456] Thus ended is this myghty Erl of Pize. [2457] From heigh estaat Fortune awey hym carf. [2458] Of this tragedie it oghte ynough suffise; [2459] Whoso wol here it in a lenger wise, [2460] Redeth the grete poete of Ytaille [2461] That highte Dant, for he kan al devyse [2462] Fro point to point; nat o word wol he faille. [2463] Although that Nero were as vicius [2464] As any feend that lith ful lowe adoun, [2465] Yet he, as telleth us Swetonius, [2466] This wyde world hadde in subjeccioun, [2467] Bothe est and west, [south], and septemtrioun. [2468] Of rubies, saphires, and of peerles white [2469] Were alle his clothes brouded up and doun, [2470] For he in gemmes greetly gan delite. [2471] Moore delicaat, moore pompous of array, [2472] Moore proud was nevere emperour than he; [2473] That ilke clooth that he hadde wered o day, [2474] After that tyme he nolde it nevere see. [2475] Nettes of gold threed hadde he greet plentee [2476] To fisshe in Tybre, whan hym liste pleye. [2477] His lustes were al lawe in his decree, [2478] For Fortune as his freend hym wolde obeye. [2479] He Rome brende for his delicasie; [2480] The senatours he slow upon a day [2481] To heere how that men wolde wepe and crie; [2482] And slow his brother, and by his suster lay. [2483] His mooder made he in pitous array, [2484] For he hire wombe slitte to biholde [2485] Where he conceyved was -- so weilaway [2486] That he so litel of his mooder tolde! [2487] No teere out of his eyen for that sighte [2488] Ne cam, but seyde, "A fair womman was she!" [2489] Greet wonder is how that he koude or myghte [2490] Be domesman of hire dede beautee. [2491] The wyn to bryngen hym comanded he, [2492] And drank anon -- noon oother wo he made. [2493] Whan myght is joyned unto crueltee, [2494] Allas, to depe wol the venym wade! [2495] In yowthe a maister hadde this emperour [2496] To teche hym letterure and curteisye, [2497] For of moralitee he was the flour, [2498] As in his tyme, but if bookes lye; [2499] And whil this maister hadde of hym maistrye, [2500] He maked hym so konnyng and so sowple [2501] That longe tyme it was er tirannye [2502] Or any vice dorste on hym uncowple. [2503] This Seneca, of which that I devyse, [2504] By cause Nero hadde of hym swich drede, [2505] For he fro vices wolde hym ay chastise [2506] Discreetly, as by word and nat by dede -- [2507] "Sire," wolde he seyn, "an emperour moot nede [2508] Be vertuous and hate tirannye --" [2509] For which he in a bath made hym to blede [2510] On bothe his armes, til he moste dye. [2511] This Nero hadde eek of acustumaunce [2512] In youthe agayns his maister for to ryse, [2513] Which afterward hym thoughte a greet grevaunce; [2514] Therefore he made hym dyen in this wise. [2515] But natheless this Seneca the wise [2516] Chees in a bath to dye in this manere [2517] Rather than han another tormentise; [2518] And thus hath Nero slayn his maister deere. [2519] Now fil it so that Fortune liste no lenger [2520] The hye pryde of Nero to cherice, [2521] For though that he were strong, yet was she strenger. [2522] She thoughte thus: "By God! I am to nyce [2523] To sette a man that is fulfild of vice [2524] In heigh degree, and emperour hym calle. [2525] By God, out of his sete I wol hym trice; [2526] Whan he leest weneth, sonnest shal he falle." [2527] The peple roos upon hym on a nyght [2528] For his defaute, and whan he it espied, [2529] Out of his dores anon he hath hym dight [2530] Allone, and ther he wende han been allied [2531] He knokked faste, and ay the moore he cried [2532] The fastere shette they the dores alle. [2533] Tho wiste he wel, he hadde himself mysgyed, [2534] And wente his wey; no lenger dorste he calle. [2535] The peple cried and rombled up and doun, [2536] That with his erys herde he how they seyde, [2537] "Where is this false tiraunt, this Neroun?" [2538] For fere almoost out of his wit he breyde, [2539] And to his goddes pitously he preyde [2540] For socour, but it myghte nat bityde. [2541] For drede of this hym thoughte that he deyde, [2542] And ran into a gardyn hym to hyde. [2543] And in this gardyn foond he cherles tweye [2544] That seten by a fyr, greet and reed. [2545] And to thise cherles two he gan to preye [2546] To sleen hym and to girden of his heed, [2547] That to his body, whan that he were deed, [2548] Were no despit ydoon for his defame. [2549] Hymself he slow, he koude no bettre reed, [2550] Of which Fortune lough, and hadde a game. [2551] Was nevere capitayn under a kyng [2552] That regnes mo putte in subjeccioun, [2553] Ne strenger was in feeld of alle thyng, [2554] As in his tyme, ne gretter of renoun, [2555] Ne moore pompous in heigh presumpcioun [2556] Than Oloferne, which Fortune ay kiste [2557] So likerously, and ladde hym up and doun [2558] Til that his heed was of, er that he wiste. [2559] Nat oonly that this world hadde hym in awe [2560] For lesynge of richesse or libertee, [2561] But he made every man reneyen his lawe. [2562] "Nabugodonosor was god," seyde hee; [2563] "Noon oother god sholde adoured bee." [2564] Agayns his heeste no wight dorst trespace, [2565] Save in Bethulia, a strong citee, [2566] Where Eliachim a preest was of that place. [2567] But taak kep of the deth of Oloferne: [2568] Amydde his hoost he dronke lay a-nyght, [2569] Withinne his tente, large as is a berne, [2570] And yet, for al his pompe and al his myght, [2571] Judith, a womman, as he lay upright [2572] Slepynge, his heed of smoot, and from his tente [2573] Ful pryvely she stal from every wight, [2574] And with his heed unto hir toun she wente. [2575] What nedeth it of kyng Anthiochus [2576] To telle his hye roial magestee, [2577] His hye pride, his werkes venymus? [2578] For swich another was ther noon as he. [2579] Rede which that he was in Machabee, [2580] And rede the proude wordes that he seyde, [2581] And why he fil fro heigh prosperitee, [2582] And in an hill how wrecchedly he deyde. [2583] Fortune hym hadde enhaunced so in pride [2584] That verraily he wende he myghte attayne [2585] Unto the sterres upon every syde, [2586] And in balance weyen ech montayne, [2587] And alle the floodes of the see restrayne. [2588] And Goddes peple hadde he moost in hate; [2589] Hem wolde he sleen in torment and in payne, [2590] Wenynge that God ne myghte his pride abate. [2591] And for that Nichanore and Thymothee [2592] Of Jewes weren venquysshed myghtily, [2593] Unto the Jewes swich an hate hadde he [2594] That he bad greithen his chaar ful hastily, [2595] And swoor, and seyde ful despitously [2596] Unto Jerusalem he wolde eftsoone [2597] To wreken his ire on it ful cruelly; [2598] But of his purpos he was let ful soone. [2599] God for his manace hym so soore smoot [2600] With invisible wounde, ay incurable, [2601] That in his guttes carf it so and boot [2602] That his peynes weren importable. [2603] And certeinly the wreche was resonable, [2604] For many a mannes guttes dide he peyne. [2605] But from his purpos cursed and dampnable, [2606] For al his smert, he wolde hym nat restreyne, [2607] But bad anon apparaillen his hoost; [2608] And sodeynly, er he was of it war, [2609] God daunted al his pride and al his boost. [2610] For he so soore fil out of his char [2611] That it his limes and his skyn totar, [2612] So that he neyther myghte go ne ryde, [2613] But in a chayer men aboute hym bar, [2614] Al forbrused, bothe bak and syde. [2615] The wreche of God hym smoot so cruelly [2616] That thurgh his body wikked wormes crepte, [2617] And therwithal he stank so horribly [2618] That noon of al his meynee that hym kepte, [2619] Wheither so he wook or ellis slepte, [2620] Ne myghte noght the stynk of hym endure. [2621] In this meschief he wayled and eek wepte, [2622] And knew God lord of every creature. [2623] To al his hoost and to hymself also [2624] Ful wlatsom was the stynk of his careyne; [2625] No man ne myghte hym bere to ne fro. [2626] And in this stynk and this horrible peyne, [2627] He starf ful wrecchedly in a monteyne. [2628] Thus hath this robbour and this homycide, [2629] That many a man made to wepe and pleyne, [2630] Swich gerdoun as bilongeth unto pryde. [2631] The storie of Alisaundre is so commune [2632] That every wight that hath discrecioun [2633] Hath herd somwhat or al of his fortune. [2634] This wyde world, as in conclusioun, [2635] He wan by strengthe, or for his hye renoun [2636] They weren glad for pees unto hym sende. [2637] The pride of man and beest he leyde adoun, [2638] Wherso he cam, unto the worldes ende. [2639] Comparisoun myghte nevere yet been maked [2640] Bitwixe hym and another conquerour; [2641] For al this world for drede of hym hath quaked. [2642] He was of knyghthod and of fredom flour; [2643] Fortune hym made the heir of hire honour. [2644] Save wyn and wommen, no thing myghte aswage [2645] His hye entente in armes and labour, [2646] So was he ful of leonyn corage. [2647] What pris were it to hym, though I yow tolde [2648] Of Darius, and an hundred thousand mo [2649] Of kynges, princes, dukes, erles bolde [2650] Whiche he conquered, and broghte hem into wo? [2651] I seye, as fer as man may ryde or go, [2652] The world was his -- what sholde I moore devyse? [2653] For though I write or tolde yow everemo [2654] Of his knyghthod, it myghte nat suffise. [2655] Twelf yeer he regned, as seith Machabee. [2656] Philippes sone of Macidoyne he was, [2657] That first was kyng in Grece the contree. [2658] O worthy, gentil Alisandre, allas, [2659] That evere sholde fallen swich a cas! [2660] Empoysoned of thyn owene folk thou weere; [2661] Thy sys Fortune hath turned into aas, [2662] And for thee ne weep she never a teere. [2663] Who shal me yeven teeris to compleyne [2664] The deeth of gentillesse and of franchise, [2665] That al the world weelded in his demeyne, [2666] And yet hym thoughte it myghte nat suffise? [2667] So ful was his corage of heigh emprise. [2668] Allas, who shal me helpe to endite [2669] False Fortune, and poyson to despise, [2670] The whiche two of al this wo I wyte? [2671] By wisedom, manhede, and by greet labour, [2672] From humble bed to roial magestee [2673] Up roos he Julius, the conquerour, [2674] That wan al th' occident by land and see, [2675] By strengthe of hand, or elles by tretee, [2676] And unto Rome made hem tributarie; [2677] And sitthe of Rome the emperour was he [2678] Til that Fortune weex his adversarie. [2679] O myghty Cesar, that in Thessalie [2680] Agayn Pompeus, fader thyn in lawe, [2681] That of the orient hadde al the chivalrie [2682] As fer as that the day bigynneth dawe, [2683] Thou thurgh thy knyghthod hast hem take and slawe, [2684] Save fewe folk that with Pompeus fledde, [2685] Thurgh which thou puttest al th' orient in awe. [2686] Thanke Fortune, that so wel thee spedde! [2687] But now a litel while I wol biwaille [2688] This Pompeus, this noble governour [2689] Of Rome, which that fleigh at this bataille. [2690] I seye, oon of his men, a fals traitour, [2691] His heed of smoot, to wynnen hym favour [2692] Of Julius, and hym the heed he broghte. [2693] Allas, Pompeye, of th' orient conquerour, [2694] That Fortune unto swich a fyn thee broghte! [2695] To Rome agayn repaireth Julius [2696] With his triumphe, lauriat ful hye; [2697] But on a tyme Brutus Cassius, [2698] That evere hadde of his hye estaat envye, [2699] Ful prively hath maad conspiracye [2700] Agayns this Julius in subtil wise, [2701] And caste the place in which he sholde dye [2702] With boydekyns, as I shal yow devyse. [2703] This Julius to the Capitolie wente [2704] Upon a day, as he was wont to goon, [2705] And in the Capitolie anon hym hente [2706] This false Brutus and his othere foon, [2707] And stiked hym with boydekyns anoon [2708] With many a wounde, and thus they lete hym lye; [2709] But nevere gronte he at no strook but oon, [2710] Or elles at two, but if his storie lye. [2711] So manly was this Julius of herte, [2712] And so wel lovede estaatly honestee, [2713] That though his deedly woundes soore smerte, [2714] His mantel over his hypes caste he, [2715] For no man sholde seen his privetee; [2716] And as he lay of diyng in a traunce, [2717] And wiste verraily that deed was hee, [2718] Of honestee yet hadde he remembraunce. [2719] Lucan, to thee this storie I recomende, [2720] And to Swetoun, and to Valerius also, [2721] That of this storie writen word and ende, [2722] How that to thise grete conqueroures two [2723] Fortune was first freend, and sitthe foo. [2724] No man ne truste upon hire favour longe, [2725] But have hire in awayt for everemoo; [2726] Witnesse on alle thise conqueroures stronge. [2727] This riche Cresus, whilom kyng of Lyde, [2728] Of which Cresus Cirus soore hym dradde, [2729] Yet was he caught amyddes al his pryde, [2730] And to be brent men to the fyr hym ladde. [2731] But swich a reyn doun fro the welkne shadde [2732] That slow the fyr, and made hym to escape; [2733] But to be war no grace yet he hadde, [2734] Til Fortune on the galwes made hym gape. [2735] Whanne he escaped was, he kan nat stente [2736] For to bigynne a newe werre agayn. [2737] He wende wel, for that Fortune hym sente [2738] Swich hap that he escaped thurgh the rayn, [2739] That of his foos he myghte nat be slayn; [2740] And eek a sweven upon a nyght he mette, [2741] Of which he was so proud and eek so fayn [2742] That in vengeance he al his herte sette. [2743] Upon a tree he was, as that hym thoughte, [2744] Ther Juppiter hym wessh, bothe bak and syde, [2745] And Phebus eek a fair towaille hym broughte [2746] To dryen hym with; and therfore wax his pryde, [2747] And to his doghter, that stood hym bisyde, [2748] Which that he knew in heigh sentence habounde, [2749] He bad hire telle hym what it signyfyde, [2750] And she his dreem bigan right thus expounde: [2751] "The tree," quod she, "the galwes is to meene, [2752] And Juppiter bitokneth snow and reyn, [2753] And Phebus, with his towaille so clene, [2754] Tho been the sonne stremes for to seyn. [2755] Thou shalt anhanged be, fader, certeyn; [2756] Reyn shal thee wasshe, and sonne shal thee drye." [2757] Thus warned hym ful plat and ek ful pleyn [2758] His doghter, which that called was Phanye. [2759] Anhanged was Cresus, the proude kyng; [2760] His roial trone myghte hym nat availle. [2761] Tragedies noon oother maner thyng [2762] Ne kan in syngyng crie ne biwaille [2763] But that Fortune alwey wole assaille [2764] With unwar strook the regnes that been proude; [2765] For whan men trusteth hire, thanne wol she faille, [2766] And covere hire brighte face with a clowde. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Nun's Priest's Prologue [2767] "Hoo!" quod the Knyght, "good sire, namoore of this! [2768] That ye han seyd is right ynough, ywis, [2769] And muchel moore; for litel hevynesse [2770] Is right ynough to muche folk, I gesse. [2771] I seye for me, it is a greet disese, [2772] Whereas men han been in greet welthe and ese, [2773] To heeren of hire sodeyn fal, allas! [2774] And the contrarie is joye and greet solas, [2775] As whan a man hath been in povre estaat, [2776] And clymbeth up and wexeth fortunat, [2777] And there abideth in prosperitee. [2778] Swich thyng is gladsom, as it thynketh me, [2779] And of swich thyng were goodly for to telle." [2780] "Ye," quod oure Hooste, "by Seint Poules belle! [2781] Ye seye right sooth; this Monk he clappeth lowde. [2782] He spak how Fortune covered with a clowde [2783] I noot nevere what; and als of a tragedie [2784] Right now ye herde, and pardee, no remedie [2785] It is for to biwaille ne compleyne [2786] That that is doon, and als it is a peyne, [2787] As ye han seyd, to heere of hevynesse. [2788] "Sire Monk, namoore of this, so God yow blesse! [2789] Youre tale anoyeth al this compaignye. [2790] Swich talkyng is nat worth a boterflye, [2791] For therinne is ther no desport ne game. [2792] Wherfore, sire Monk, daun Piers by youre name, [2793] I pray yow hertely telle us somwhat elles; [2794] For sikerly, nere clynkyng of youre belles [2795] That on youre bridel hange on every syde, [2796] By hevene kyng that for us alle dyde, [2797] I sholde er this han fallen doun for sleep, [2798] Althogh the slough had never been so deep; [2799] Thanne hadde your tale al be toold in veyn. [2800] For certeinly, as that thise clerkes seyn, [2801] Whereas a man may have noon audience, [2802] Noght helpeth it to tellen his sentence. [2803] "And wel I woot the substance is in me, [2804] If any thyng shal wel reported be. [2805] Sir, sey somwhat of huntyng, I yow preye." [2806] "Nay," quod this Monk, "I have no lust to pleye. [2807] Now lat another telle, as I have toold." [2808] Thanne spak oure Hoost with rude speche and boold, [2809] And seyde unto the Nonnes Preest anon, [2810] "Com neer, thou preest, com hyder, thou sir John! [2811] Telle us swich thyng as may oure hertes glade. [2812] Be blithe, though thou ryde upon a jade. [2813] What thogh thyn hors be bothe foul and lene? [2814] If he wol serve thee, rekke nat a bene. [2815] Looke that thyn herte be murie everemo." [2816] "Yis, sir," quod he, "yis, Hoost, so moot I go, [2817] But I be myrie, ywis I wol be blamed." [2818] And right anon his tale he hath attamed, [2819] And thus he seyde unto us everichon, [2820] This sweete preest, this goodly man sir John. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Nun's Priest's Tale [2821] A povre wydwe, somdeel stape in age, [2822] Was whilom dwellyng in a narwe cotage, [2823] Biside a grove, stondynge in a dale. [2824] This wydwe, of which I telle yow my tale, [2825] Syn thilke day that she was last a wyf [2826] In pacience ladde a ful symple lyf, [2827] For litel was hir catel and hir rente. [2828] By housbondrie of swich as God hire sente [2829] She foond hirself and eek hir doghtren two. [2830] Thre large sowes hadde she, and namo, [2831] Three keen, and eek a sheep that highte Malle. [2832] Ful sooty was hire bour and eek hir halle, [2833] In which she eet ful many a sklendre meel. [2834] Of poynaunt sauce hir neded never a deel. [2835] No deyntee morsel passed thurgh hir throte; [2836] Hir diete was accordant to hir cote. [2837] Repleccioun ne made hire nevere sik; [2838] Attempree diete was al hir phisik, [2839] And exercise, and hertes suffisaunce. [2840] The goute lette hire nothyng for to daunce, [2841] N' apoplexie shente nat hir heed. [2842] No wyn ne drank she, neither whit ne reed; [2843] Hir bord was served moost with whit and blak -- [2844] Milk and broun breed, in which she foond no lak, [2845] Seynd bacoun, and somtyme an ey or tweye, [2846] For she was, as it were, a maner deye. [2847] A yeerd she hadde, enclosed al aboute [2848] With stikkes, and a drye dych withoute, [2849] In which she hadde a cok, hight Chauntecleer. [2850] In al the land, of crowyng nas his peer. [2851] His voys was murier than the murie orgon [2852] On messe-dayes that in the chirche gon. [2853] Wel sikerer was his crowyng in his logge [2854] Than is a clokke or an abbey orlogge. [2855] By nature he knew ech ascencioun [2856] Of the equynoxial in thilke toun; [2857] For whan degrees fiftene weren ascended, [2858] Thanne crew he that it myghte nat been amended. [2859] His coomb was redder than the fyn coral, [2860] And batailled as it were a castel wal; [2861] His byle was blak, and as the jeet it shoon; [2862] Lyk asure were his legges and his toon; [2863] His nayles whitter than the lylye flour, [2864] And lyk the burned gold was his colour. [2865] This gentil cok hadde in his governaunce [2866] Sevene hennes for to doon al his plesaunce, [2867] Whiche were his sustres and his paramours, [2868] And wonder lyk to hym, as of colours; [2869] Of whiche the faireste hewed on hir throte [2870] Was cleped faire damoysele Pertelote. [2871] Curteys she was, discreet, and debonaire, [2872] And compaignable, and bar hyrself so faire [2873] Syn thilke day that she was seven nyght oold [2874] That trewely she hath the herte in hoold [2875] Of Chauntecleer, loken in every lith; [2876] He loved hire so that wel was hym therwith. [2877] But swich a joye was it to here hem synge, [2878] Whan that the brighte sonne gan to sprynge, [2879] In sweete accord, "My lief is faren in londe!" -- [2880] For thilke tyme, as I have understonde, [2881] Beestes and briddes koude speke and synge. [2882] And so bifel that in a dawenynge, [2883] As Chauntecleer among his wyves alle [2884] Sat on his perche, that was in the halle, [2885] And next hym sat this faire Pertelote, [2886] This Chauntecleer gan gronen in his throte, [2887] As man that in his dreem is drecched soore. [2888] And whan that Pertelote thus herde hym roore, [2889] She was agast and seyde, "Herte deere, [2890] What eyleth yow, to grone in this manere? [2891] Ye been a verray sleper; fy, for shame!" [2892] And he answerde, and seyde thus: "Madame, [2893] I pray yow that ye take it nat agrief. [2894] By God, me mette I was in swich meschief [2895] Right now that yet myn herte is soore afright. [2896] Now God," quod he, "my swevene recche aright, [2897] And kepe my body out of foul prisoun! [2898] Me mette how that I romed up and doun [2899] Withinne our yeerd, wheer as I saugh a beest [2900] Was lyk an hound, and wolde han maad areest [2901] Upon my body, and wolde han had me deed. [2902] His colour was bitwixe yelow and reed, [2903] And tipped was his tayl and bothe his eeris [2904] With blak, unlyk the remenant of his heeris; [2905] His snowte smal, with glowynge eyen tweye. [2906] Yet of his look for feere almoost I deye; [2907] This caused me my gronyng, doutelees." [2908] "Avoy!" quod she, "fy on yow, hertelees! [2909] Allas," quod she, "for, by that God above, [2910] Now han ye lost myn herte and al my love! [2911] I kan nat love a coward, by my feith! [2912] For certes, what so any womman seith, [2913] We alle desiren, if it myghte bee, [2914] To han housbondes hardy, wise, and free, [2915] And secree -- and no nygard, ne no fool, [2916] Ne hym that is agast of every tool, [2917] Ne noon avauntour, by that God above! [2918] How dorste ye seyn, for shame, unto youre love [2919] That any thyng myghte make yow aferd? [2920] Have ye no mannes herte, and han a berd? [2921] Allas! And konne ye been agast of swevenys? [2922] Nothyng, God woot, but vanitee in sweven is. [2923] Swevenes engendren of replecciouns, [2924] And ofte of fume and of complecciouns, [2925] Whan humours been to habundant in a wight. [2926] Certes this dreem, which ye han met to-nyght, [2927] Cometh of the greete superfluytee [2928] Of youre rede colera, pardee, [2929] Which causeth folk to dreden in hir dremes [2930] Of arwes, and of fyr with rede lemes, [2931] Of rede beestes, that they wol hem byte, [2932] Of contek, and of whelpes, grete and lyte; [2933] Right as the humour of malencolie [2934] Causeth ful many a man in sleep to crie [2935] For feere of blake beres, or boles blake, [2936] Or elles blake develes wole hem take. [2937] Of othere humours koude I telle also [2938] That werken many a man sleep ful wo; [2939] But I wol passe as lightly as I kan. [2940] "Lo Catoun, which that was so wys a man, [2941] Seyde he nat thus, `Ne do no fors of dremes'? [2942] "Now sire," quod she, "whan we flee fro the bemes, [2943] For Goddes love, as taak som laxatyf. [2944] Up peril of my soule and of my lyf, [2945] I conseille yow the beste -- I wol nat lye -- [2946] That bothe of colere and of malencolye [2947] Ye purge yow; and for ye shal nat tarie, [2948] Though in this toun is noon apothecarie, [2949] I shal myself to herbes techen yow [2950] That shul been for youre hele and for youre prow; [2951] And in oure yeerd tho herbes shal I fynde [2952] The whiche han of hire propretee by kynde [2953] To purge yow bynethe and eek above. [2954] Foryet nat this, for Goddes owene love! [2955] Ye been ful coleryk of compleccioun; [2956] Ware the sonne in his ascencioun [2957] Ne fynde yow nat repleet of humours hoote. [2958] And if it do, I dar wel leye a grote, [2959] That ye shul have a fevere terciane, [2960] Or an agu that may be youre bane. [2961] A day or two ye shul have digestyves [2962] Of wormes, er ye take youre laxatyves [2963] Of lawriol, centaure, and fumetere, [2964] Or elles of ellebor, that groweth there, [2965] Of katapuce, or of gaitrys beryis, [2966] Of herbe yve, growyng in oure yeerd, ther mery is; [2967] Pekke hem up right as they growe and ete hem yn. [2968] Be myrie, housbonde, for youre fader kyn! [2969] Dredeth no dreem; I kan sey yow namoore." [2970] "Madame," quod he, "graunt mercy of youre loore. [2971] But nathelees, as touchyng daun Catoun, [2972] That hath of wysdom swich a greet renoun, [2973] Though that he bad no dremes for to drede, [2974] By God, men may in olde bookes rede [2975] Of many a man moore of auctorite [2976] Than evere Caton was, so moot I thee, [2977] That al the revers seyn of this sentence, [2978] And han wel founden by experience [2979] That dremes been significaciouns [2980] As wel of joye as of tribulaciouns [2981] That folk enduren in this lif present. [2982] Ther nedeth make of this noon argument; [2983] The verray preeve sheweth it in dede. [2984] "Oon of the gretteste auctour that men rede [2985] Seith thus: that whilom two felawes wente [2986] On pilgrimage, in a ful good entente, [2987] And happed so, they coomen in a toun [2988] Wher as ther was swich congregacioun [2989] Of peple, and eek so streit of herbergage, [2990] That they ne founde as muche as o cotage [2991] In which they bothe myghte ylogged bee. [2992] Wherfore they mosten of necessitee, [2993] As for that nyght, departen compaignye; [2994] And ech of hem gooth to his hostelrye, [2995] And took his loggyng as it wolde falle. [2996] That oon of hem was logged in a stalle, [2997] Fer in a yeerd, with oxen of the plough; [2998] That oother man was logged wel ynough, [2999] As was his aventure or his fortune, [3000] That us governeth alle as in commune. [3001] "And so bifel that, longe er it were day, [3002] This man mette in his bed, ther as he lay, [3003] How that his felawe gan upon hym calle, [3004] And seyde, `Allas, for in an oxes stalle [3005] This nyght I shal be mordred ther I lye! [3006] Now help me, deere brother, or I dye. [3007] In alle haste com to me!' he sayde. [3008] This man out of his sleep for feere abrayde; [3009] But whan that he was wakened of his sleep, [3010] He turned hym and took of this no keep. [3011] Hym thoughte his dreem nas but a vanitee. [3012] Thus twies in his slepyng dremed hee; [3013] And atte thridde tyme yet his felawe [3014] Cam, as hym thoughte, and seide, `I am now slawe. [3015] Bihoold my bloody woundes depe and wyde! [3016] Arys up erly in the morwe tyde, [3017] And at the west gate of the toun,' quod he, [3018] `A carte ful of dong ther shaltow se, [3019] In which my body is hid ful prively; [3020] Do thilke carte arresten boldely. [3021] My gold caused my mordre, sooth to sayn,' [3022] And tolde hym every point how he was slayn, [3023] With a ful pitous face, pale of hewe. [3024] And truste wel, his dreem he foond ful trewe, [3025] For on the morwe, as soone as it was day, [3026] To his felawes in he took the way; [3027] And whan that he cam to this oxes stalle, [3028] After his felawe he bigan to calle. [3029] "The hostiler answerede hym anon, [3030] And seyde, `Sire, your felawe is agon. [3031] As soone as day he wente out of the toun.' [3032] "This man gan fallen in suspecioun, [3033] Remembrynge on his dremes that he mette, [3034] And forth he gooth -- no lenger wolde he lette -- [3035] Unto the west gate of the toun, and fond [3036] A dong-carte, wente as it were to donge lond, [3037] That was arrayed in that same wise [3038] As ye han herd the dede man devyse. [3039] And with an hardy herte he gan to crye [3040] Vengeance and justice of this felonye: [3041] `My felawe mordred is this same nyght, [3042] And in this carte he lith gapyng upright. [3043] I crye out on the ministres,' quod he, [3044] `That sholden kepe and reulen this citee. [3045] Harrow! Allas! Heere lith my felawe slayn!' [3046] What sholde I moore unto this tale sayn? [3047] The peple out sterte and caste the cart to grounde, [3048] And in the myddel of the dong they founde [3049] The dede man, that mordred was al newe. [3050] "O blisful God, that art so just and trewe, [3051] Lo, how that thou biwreyest mordre alway! [3052] Mordre wol out; that se we day by day. [3053] Mordre is so wlatsom and abhomynable [3054] To God, that is so just and resonable, [3055] That he ne wol nat suffre it heled be, [3056] Though it abyde a yeer, or two, or thre. [3057] Mordre wol out, this my conclusioun. [3058] And right anon, ministres of that toun [3059] Han hent the carter and so soore hym pyned, [3060] And eek the hostiler so soore engyned, [3061] That they biknewe hire wikkednesse anon, [3062] And were anhanged by the nekke-bon. [3063] "Heere may men seen that dremes been to drede. [3064] And certes in the same book I rede, [3065] Right in the nexte chapitre after this -- [3066] I gabbe nat, so have I joye or blis -- [3067] Two men that wolde han passed over see, [3068] For certeyn cause, into a fer contree, [3069] If that the wynd ne hadde been contrarie, [3070] That made hem in a citee for to tarie [3071] That stood ful myrie upon an haven-syde; [3072] But on a day, agayn the even-tyde, [3073] The wynd gan chaunge, and blew right as hem leste. [3074] Jolif and glad they wente unto hir reste, [3075] And casten hem ful erly for to saille. [3076] But herkneth! To that o man fil a greet mervaille: [3077] That oon of hem, in slepyng as he lay, [3078] Hym mette a wonder dreem agayn the day. [3079] Hym thoughte a man stood by his beddes syde, [3080] And hym comanded that he sholde abyde, [3081] And seyde hym thus: `If thou tomorwe wende, [3082] Thow shalt be dreynt; my tale is at an ende.' [3083] He wook, and tolde his felawe what he mette, [3084] And preyde hym his viage for to lette; [3085] As for that day, he preyde hym to byde. [3086] His felawe, that lay by his beddes syde, [3087] Gan for to laughe, and scorned him ful faste. [3088] `No dreem,' quod he, `may so myn herte agaste [3089] That I wol lette for to do my thynges. [3090] I sette nat a straw by thy dremynges, [3091] For swevenes been but vanytees and japes. [3092] Men dreme alday of owles and of apes, [3093] And of many a maze therwithal; [3094] Men dreme of thyng that nevere was ne shal. [3095] But sith I see that thou wolt heere abyde, [3096] And thus forslewthen wilfully thy tyde, [3097] God woot, it reweth me; and have good day!' [3098] And thus he took his leve, and wente his way. [3099] But er that he hadde half his cours yseyled, [3100] Noot I nat why, ne what myschaunce it eyled, [3101] But casuelly the shippes botme rente, [3102] And ship and man under the water wente [3103] In sighte of othere shippes it bisyde, [3104] That with hem seyled at the same tyde. [3105] And therfore, faire Pertelote so deere, [3106] By swiche ensamples olde maistow leere [3107] That no man sholde been to recchelees [3108] Of dremes; for I seye thee, doutelees, [3109] That many a dreem ful soore is for to drede. [3110] "Lo, in the lyf of Seint Kenelm I rede, [3111] That was Kenulphus sone, the noble kyng [3112] Of Mercenrike, how Kenelm mette a thyng. [3113] A lite er he was mordred, on a day, [3114] His mordre in his avysioun he say. [3115] His norice hym expowned every deel [3116] His sweven, and bad hym for to kepe hym weel [3117] For traisoun; but he nas but seven yeer oold, [3118] And therfore litel tale hath he toold [3119] Of any dreem, so hooly was his herte. [3120] By God! I hadde levere than my sherte [3121] That ye hadde rad his legende, as have I. [3122] "Dame Pertelote, I sey yow trewely, [3123] Macrobeus, that writ the avisioun [3124] In Affrike of the worthy Cipioun, [3125] Affermeth dremes, and seith that they been [3126] Warnynge of thynges that men after seen. [3127] And forthermoore, I pray yow, looketh wel [3128] In the olde testament, of Daniel, [3129] If he heeld dremes any vanitee. [3130] Reed eek of Joseph, and ther shul ye see [3131] Wher dremes be somtyme -- I sey nat alle -- [3132] Warnynge of thynges that shul after falle. [3133] Looke of Egipte the kyng, daun Pharao, [3134] His bakere and his butiller also, [3135] Wher they ne felte noon effect in dremes. [3136] Whoso wol seken actes of sondry remes [3137] May rede of dremes many a wonder thyng. [3138] Lo Cresus, which that was of Lyde kyng, [3139] Mette he nat that he sat upon a tree, [3140] Which signified he sholde anhanged bee? [3141] Lo heere Andromacha, Ectores wyf, [3142] That day that Ector sholde lese his lyf, [3143] She dremed on the same nyght biforn [3144] How that the lyf of Ector sholde be lorn, [3145] If thilke day he wente into bataille. [3146] She warned hym, but it myghte nat availle; [3147] He wente for to fighte natheles, [3148] But he was slayn anon of Achilles. [3149] But thilke tale is al to longe to telle, [3150] And eek it is ny day; I may nat dwelle. [3151] Shortly I seye, as for conclusioun, [3152] That I shal han of this avisioun [3153] Adversitee; and I seye forthermoor [3154] That I ne telle of laxatyves no stoor, [3155] For they been venymes, I woot it weel; [3156] I hem diffye, I love hem never a deel! [3157] "Now let us speke of myrthe, and stynte al this. [3158] Madame Pertelote, so have I blis, [3159] Of o thyng God hath sent me large grace; [3160] For whan I se the beautee of youre face, [3161] Ye been so scarlet reed aboute youre yen, [3162] It maketh al my drede for to dyen; [3163] For al so siker as In principio, [3164] Mulier est hominis confusio -- [3165] Madame, the sentence of this Latyn is, [3166] `Womman is mannes joye and al his blis.' [3167] For whan I feele a-nyght your softe syde -- [3168] Al be it that I may nat on yow ryde, [3169] For that oure perche is maad so narwe, allas -- [3170] I am so ful of joye and of solas, [3171] That I diffye bothe sweven and dreem." [3172] And with that word he fley doun fro the beem, [3173] For it was day, and eke his hennes alle, [3174] And with a chuk he gan hem for to calle, [3175] For he hadde founde a corn, lay in the yerd. [3176] Real he was, he was namoore aferd. [3177] He fethered Pertelote twenty tyme, [3178] And trad hire eke as ofte, er it was pryme. [3179] He looketh as it were a grym leoun, [3180] And on his toos he rometh up and doun; [3181] Hym deigned nat to sette his foot to grounde. [3182] He chukketh whan he hath a corn yfounde, [3183] And to hym rennen thanne his wyves alle. [3184] Thus roial, as a prince is in his halle, [3185] Leve I this Chauntecleer in his pasture, [3186] And after wol I telle his aventure. [3187] Whan that the month in which the world bigan, [3188] That highte March, whan God first maked man, [3189] Was compleet, and passed were also, [3190] Syn March [was gon], thritty dayes and two, [3191] Bifel that Chauntecleer in al his pryde, [3192] His sevene wyves walkynge by his syde, [3193] Caste up his eyen to the brighte sonne, [3194] That in the signe of Taurus hadde yronne [3195] Twenty degrees and oon, and somwhat moore, [3196] And knew by kynde, and by noon oother loore, [3197] That it was pryme, and crew with blisful stevene. [3198] "The sonne," he seyde, "is clomben up on hevene [3199] Fourty degrees and oon, and moore ywis. [3200] Madame Pertelote, my worldes blis, [3201] Herkneth thise blisful briddes how they synge, [3202] And se the fresshe floures how they sprynge; [3203] Ful is myn herte of revel and solas!" [3204] But sodeynly hym fil a sorweful cas, [3205] For evere the latter ende of joye is wo. [3206] God woot that worldly joye is soone ago; [3207] And if a rethor koude faire endite, [3208] He in a cronycle saufly myghte it write [3209] As for a sovereyn notabilitee. [3210] Now every wys man, lat him herkne me; [3211] This storie is also trewe, I undertake, [3212] As is the book of Launcelot de Lake, [3213] That wommen holde in ful greet reverence. [3214] Now wol I torne agayn to my sentence. [3215] A col-fox, ful of sly iniquitee, [3216] That in the grove hadde woned yeres three, [3217] By heigh ymaginacioun forncast, [3218] The same nyght thurghout the hegges brast [3219] Into the yerd ther Chauntecleer the faire [3220] Was wont, and eek his wyves, to repaire; [3221] And in a bed of wortes stille he lay [3222] Til it was passed undren of the day, [3223] Waitynge his tyme on Chauntecleer to falle, [3224] As gladly doon thise homycides alle [3225] That in await liggen to mordre men. [3226] O false mordrour, lurkynge in thy den! [3227] O newe Scariot, newe Genylon, [3228] False dissymulour, o Greek Synon, [3229] That broghtest Troye al outrely to sorwe! [3230] O Chauntecleer, acursed be that morwe [3231] That thou into that yerd flaugh fro the bemes! [3232] Thou were ful wel ywarned by thy dremes [3233] That thilke day was perilous to thee; [3234] But what that God forwoot moot nedes bee, [3235] After the opinioun of certein clerkis. [3236] Witnesse on hym that any parfit clerk is, [3237] That in scole is greet altercacioun [3238] In this mateere, and greet disputisoun, [3239] And hath been of an hundred thousand men. [3240] But I ne kan nat bulte it to the bren [3241] As kan the hooly doctour Augustyn, [3242] Or Boece, or the Bisshop Bradwardyn, [3243] Wheither that Goddes worthy forwityng [3244] Streyneth me nedely for to doon a thyng -- [3245] "Nedely" clepe I symple necessitee -- [3246] Or elles, if free choys be graunted me [3247] To do that same thyng, or do it noght, [3248] Though God forwoot it er that I was wroght; [3249] Or if his wityng streyneth never a deel [3250] But by necessitee condicioneel. [3251] I wol nat han to do of swich mateere; [3252] My tale is of a cok, as ye may heere, [3253] That tok his conseil of his wyf, with sorwe, [3254] To walken in the yerd upon that morwe [3255] That he hadde met that dreem that I yow tolde. [3256] Wommennes conseils been ful ofte colde; [3257] Wommannes conseil broghte us first to wo [3258] And made Adam fro Paradys to go, [3259] Ther as he was ful myrie and wel at ese. [3260] But for I noot to whom it myght displese, [3261] If I conseil of wommen wolde blame, [3262] Passe over, for I seyde it in my game. [3263] Rede auctours, where they trete of swich mateere, [3264] And what they seyn of wommen ye may heere. [3265] Thise been the cokkes wordes, and nat myne; [3266] I kan noon harm of no womman divyne. [3267] Faire in the soond, to bathe hire myrily, [3268] Lith Pertelote, and alle hire sustres by, [3269] Agayn the sonne, and Chauntecleer so free [3270] Soong murier than the mermayde in the see [3271] (For Phisiologus seith sikerly [3272] How that they syngen wel and myrily). [3273] And so bifel that, as he caste his ye [3274] Among the wortes on a boterflye, [3275] He was war of this fox, that lay ful lowe. [3276] Nothyng ne liste hym thanne for to crowe, [3277] But cride anon, "Cok! cok!" and up he sterte [3278] As man that was affrayed in his herte. [3279] For natureelly a beest desireth flee [3280] Fro his contrarie, if he may it see, [3281] Though he never erst hadde seyn it with his ye. [3282] This Chauntecleer, whan he gan hym espye, [3283] He wolde han fled, but that the fox anon [3284] Seyde, "Gentil sire, allas, wher wol ye gon? [3285] Be ye affrayed of me that am youre freend? [3286] Now, certes, I were worse than a feend, [3287] If I to yow wolde harm or vileynye! [3288] I am nat come youre conseil for t' espye, [3289] But trewely, the cause of my comynge [3290] Was oonly for to herkne how that ye synge. [3291] For trewely, ye have as myrie a stevene [3292] As any aungel hath that is in hevene. [3293] Therwith ye han in musyk moore feelynge [3294] Than hadde Boece, or any that kan synge. [3295] My lord youre fader -- God his soule blesse! -- [3296] And eek youre mooder, of hire gentillesse, [3297] Han in myn hous ybeen to my greet ese; [3298] And certes, sire, ful fayn wolde I yow plese. [3299] But, for men speke of syngyng, I wol seye -- [3300] So moote I brouke wel myne eyen tweye -- [3301] Save yow, I herde nevere man so synge [3302] As dide youre fader in the morwenynge. [3303] Certes, it was of herte, al that he song. [3304] And for to make his voys the moore strong, [3305] He wolde so peyne hym that with bothe his yen [3306] He moste wynke, so loude he wolde cryen, [3307] And stonden on his tiptoon therwithal, [3308] And strecche forth his nekke long and smal. [3309] And eek he was of swich discrecioun [3310] That ther nas no man in no regioun [3311] That hym in song or wisedom myghte passe. [3312] I have wel rad in `Daun Burnel the Asse,' [3313] Among his vers, how that ther was a cok, [3314] For that a preestes sone yaf hym a knok [3315] Upon his leg whil he was yong and nyce, [3316] He made hym for to lese his benefice. [3317] But certeyn, ther nys no comparisoun [3318] Bitwixe the wisedom and discrecioun [3319] Of youre fader and of his subtiltee. [3320] Now syngeth, sire, for seinte charitee; [3321] Lat se; konne ye youre fader countrefete?" [3322] This Chauntecleer his wynges gan to bete, [3323] As man that koude his traysoun nat espie, [3324] So was he ravysshed with his flaterie. [3325] Allas, ye lordes, many a fals flatour [3326] Is in youre courtes, and many a losengeour, [3327] That plesen yow wel moore, by my feith, [3328] Than he that soothfastnesse unto yow seith. [3329] Redeth Ecclesiaste of flaterye; [3330] Beth war, ye lordes, of hir trecherye. [3331] This Chauntecleer stood hye upon his toos, [3332] Strecchynge his nekke, and heeld his eyen cloos, [3333] And gan to crowe loude for the nones. [3334] And daun Russell the fox stirte up atones, [3335] And by the gargat hente Chauntecleer, [3336] And on his bak toward the wode hym beer, [3337] For yet ne was ther no man that hym sewed. [3338] O destinee, that mayst nat been eschewed! [3339] Allas, that Chauntecleer fleigh fro the bemes! [3340] Allas, his wyf ne roghte nat of dremes! [3341] And on a Friday fil al this meschaunce. [3342] O Venus, that art goddesse of plesaunce, [3343] Syn that thy servant was this Chauntecleer, [3344] And in thy servyce dide al his poweer, [3345] Moore for delit than world to multiplye, [3346] Why woldestow suffre hym on thy day to dye? [3347] O Gaufred, deere maister soverayn, [3348] That whan thy worthy kyng Richard was slayn [3349] With shot, compleynedest his deeth so soore, [3350] Why ne hadde I now thy sentence and thy loore, [3351] The Friday for to chide, as diden ye? [3352] For on a Friday, soothly, slayn was he. [3353] Thanne wolde I shewe yow how that I koude pleyne [3354] For Chauntecleres drede and for his peyne. [3355] Certes, swich cry ne lamentacion [3356] Was nevere of ladyes maad whan Ylion [3357] Was wonne, and Pirrus with his streite swerd, [3358] Whan he hadde hent kyng Priam by the berd, [3359] And slayn hym, as seith us Eneydos, [3360] As maden alle the hennes in the clos, [3361] Whan they had seyn of Chauntecleer the sighte. [3362] But sovereynly dame Pertelote shrighte [3363] Ful louder than dide Hasdrubales wyf, [3364] Whan that hir housbonde hadde lost his lyf [3365] And that the Romayns hadde brend Cartage. [3366] She was so ful of torment and of rage [3367] That wilfully into the fyr she sterte [3368] And brende hirselven with a stedefast herte. [3369] O woful hennes, right so criden ye [3370] As whan that Nero brende the citee [3371] Of Rome cryden senatoures wyves [3372] For that hir husbondes losten alle hir lyves -- [3373] Withouten gilt this Nero hath hem slayn. [3374] Now wole I turne to my tale agayn. [3375] This sely wydwe and eek hir doghtres two [3376] Herden thise hennes crie and maken wo, [3377] And out at dores stirten they anon, [3378] And syen the fox toward the grove gon, [3379] And bar upon his bak the cok away, [3380] And cryden, "Out! Harrow and weylaway! [3381] Ha, ha! The fox!" and after hym they ran, [3382] And eek with staves many another man. [3383] Ran Colle oure dogge, and Talbot and Gerland, [3384] And Malkyn, with a dystaf in hir hand; [3385] Ran cow and calf, and eek the verray hogges, [3386] So fered for the berkyng of the dogges [3387] And shoutyng of the men and wommen eeke [3388] They ronne so hem thoughte hir herte breeke. [3389] They yolleden as feendes doon in helle; [3390] The dokes cryden as men wolde hem quelle; [3391] The gees for feere flowen over the trees; [3392] Out of the hyve cam the swarm of bees. [3393] So hydous was the noyse -- a, benedicitee! -- [3394] Certes, he Jakke Straw and his meynee [3395] Ne made nevere shoutes half so shrille [3396] Whan that they wolden any Flemyng kille, [3397] As thilke day was maad upon the fox. [3398] Of bras they broghten bemes, and of box, [3399] Of horn, of boon, in whiche they blewe and powped, [3400] And therwithal they skriked and they howped. [3401] It semed as that hevene sholde falle. [3402] Now, goode men, I prey yow herkneth alle: [3403] Lo, how Fortune turneth sodeynly [3404] The hope and pryde eek of hir enemy! [3405] This cok, that lay upon the foxes bak, [3406] In al his drede unto the fox he spak, [3407] And seyde, "Sire, if that I were as ye, [3408] Yet sholde I seyn, as wys God helpe me, [3409] `Turneth agayn, ye proude cherles alle! [3410] A verray pestilence upon yow falle! [3411] Now I am come unto the wodes syde; [3412] Maugree youre heed, the cok shal heere abyde. [3413] I wol hym ete, in feith, and that anon!'" [3414] The fox answerde, "In feith, it shal be don." [3415] And as he spak that word, al sodeynly [3416] This cok brak from his mouth delyverly, [3417] And heighe upon a tree he fleigh anon. [3418] And whan the fox saugh that the cok was gon, [3419] "Allas!" quod he, "O Chauntecleer, allas! [3420] I have to yow," quod he, "ydoon trespas, [3421] In as muche as I maked yow aferd [3422] Whan I yow hente and broghte out of the yerd. [3423] But, sire, I dide it in no wikke entente. [3424] Com doun, and I shal telle yow what I mente; [3425] I shal seye sooth to yow, God help me so!" [3426] "Nay thanne," quod he, "I shrewe us bothe two. [3427] And first I shrewe myself, bothe blood and bones, [3428] If thou bigyle me ofter than ones. [3429] Thou shalt namoore thurgh thy flaterye [3430] Do me to synge and wynke with myn ye; [3431] For he that wynketh, whan he sholde see, [3432] Al wilfully, God lat him nevere thee!" [3433] "Nay," quod the fox, "but God yeve hym meschaunce, [3434] That is so undiscreet of governaunce [3435] That jangleth whan he sholde holde his pees." [3436] Lo, swich it is for to be recchelees [3437] And necligent, and truste on flaterye. [3438] But ye that holden this tale a folye, [3439] As of a fox, or of a cok and hen, [3440] Taketh the moralite, goode men. [3441] For Seint Paul seith that al that writen is, [3442] To oure doctrine it is ywrite, ywis; [3443] Taketh the fruyt, and lat the chaf be stille. [3444] Now, goode God, if that it be thy wille, [3445] As seith my lord, so make us alle goode men, [3446] And brynge us to his heighe blisse! Amen. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Nun's Priest's Epilogue [3447] ["Sire Nonnes Preest," oure Hooste seide anoon, [3448] "I-blessed be thy breche, and every stoon! [3449] This was a murie tale of Chauntecleer. [3450] But by my trouthe, if thou were seculer, [3451] Thou woldest ben a trede-foul aright. [3452] For if thou have corage as thou hast myght, [3453] Thee were nede of hennes, as I wene, [3454] Ya, moo than seven tymes seventene. [3455] See, whiche braunes hath this gentil preest, [3456] So gret a nekke, and swich a large breest! [3457] He loketh as a sperhauk with his yen; [3458] Him nedeth nat his colour for to dyen [3459] With brasile ne with greyn of Portyngale. [3460] Now, sire, faire falle yow for youre tale!" [3461] And after that he, with ful merie chere, [3462] Seide unto another, as ye shuln heere.] The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Second Nun's Prologue [1] The ministre and the norice unto vices, [2] Which that men clepe in Englissh Ydelnesse, [3] That porter of the gate is of delices, [4] To eschue, and by hire contrarie hire oppresse -- [5] That is to seyn, by leveful bisynesse -- [6] Wel oghten we to doon al oure entente, [7] Lest that the feend thurgh ydelnesse us hente. [8] For he that with his thousand cordes slye [9] Continuelly us waiteth to biclappe, [10] Whan he may man in ydelnesse espye, [11] He kan so lightly cache hym in his trappe, [12] Til that a man be hent right by the lappe, [13] He nys nat war the feend hath hym in honde. [14] Wel oghte us werche and ydelnesse withstonde. [15] And though men dradden nevere for to dye, [16] Yet seen men wel by resoun, doutelees, [17] That ydelnesse is roten slogardye, [18] Of which ther nevere comth no good n' encrees; [19] And syn that slouthe hire holdeth in a lees [20] Oonly to slepe, and for to ete and drynke, [21] And to devouren al that othere swynke, [22] And for to putte us fro swich ydelnesse, [23] That cause is of so greet confusioun, [24] I have heer doon my feithful bisynesse [25] After the legende in translacioun [26] Right of thy glorious lif and passioun, [27] Thou with thy gerland wroght with rose and lilie -- [28] Thee meene I, mayde and martyr, Seint Cecilie. [29] And thow that flour of virgines art alle, [30] Of whom that Bernard list so wel to write, [31] To thee at my bigynnyng first I calle; [32] Thou confort of us wrecches, do me endite [33] Thy maydens deeth, that wan thurgh hire merite [34] The eterneel lyf and of the feend victorie, [35] As man may after reden in hire storie. [36] Thow Mayde and Mooder, doghter of thy Sone, [37] Thow welle of mercy, synful soules cure, [38] In whom that God for bountee chees to wone, [39] Thow humble, and heigh over every creature, [40] Thow nobledest so ferforth oure nature, [41] That no desdeyn the Makere hadde of kynde [42] His Sone in blood and flessh to clothe and wynde. [43] Withinne the cloistre blisful of thy sydis [44] Took mannes shap the eterneel love and pees, [45] That of the tryne compas lord and gyde is, [46] Whom erthe and see and hevene out of relees [47] Ay heryen; and thou, Virgine wemmelees, [48] Baar of thy body -- and dweltest mayden pure -- [49] The Creatour of every creature. [50] Assembled is in thee magnificence [51] With mercy, goodnesse, and with swich pitee [52] That thou, that art the sonne of excellence [53] Nat oonly helpest hem that preyen thee, [54] But often tyme of thy benygnytee [55] Ful frely, er that men thyn help biseche, [56] Thou goost biforn and art hir lyves leche. [57] Now help, thow meeke and blisful faire mayde, [58] Me, flemed wrecche, in this desert of galle; [59] Thynk on the womman Cananee, that sayde [60] That whelpes eten somme of the crommes alle [61] That from hir lordes table been yfalle; [62] And though that I, unworthy sone of Eve, [63] Be synful, yet accepte my bileve. [64] And, for that feith is deed withouten werkis, [65] So for to werken yif me wit and space, [66] That I be quit fro thennes that most derk is! [67] O thou, that art so fair and ful of grace, [68] Be myn advocat in that heighe place [69] Theras withouten ende is songe "Osanne," [70] Thow Cristes mooder, doghter deere of Anne! [71] And of thy light my soule in prison lighte, [72] That troubled is by the contagioun [73] Of my body, and also by the wighte [74] Of erthely lust and fals affeccioun; [75] O havene of refut, O salvacioun [76] Of hem that been in sorwe and in distresse, [77] Now help, for to my werk I wol me dresse. [78] Yet preye I yow that reden that I write, [79] Foryeve me that I do no diligence [80] This ilke storie subtilly to endite, [81] For bothe have I the wordes and sentence [82] Of hym that at the seintes reverence [83] The storie wroot, and folwen hire legende, [84] And pray yow that ye wole my werk amende. [85] First wolde I yow the name of Seint Cecilie [86] Expowne, as men may in hir storie see. [87] It is to seye in Englissh "hevenes lilie," [88] For pure chaastnesse of virginitee; [89] Or, for she whitnesse hadde of honestee, [90] And grene of conscience, and of good fame [91] The soote savour, "lilie" was hir name. [92] Or Cecilie is to seye "the wey to blynde," [93] For she ensample was by good techynge; [94] Or elles Cecile, as I writen fynde, [95] Is joyned, by a manere conjoynynge [96] Of "hevene" and "Lia"; and heere, in figurynge, [97] The "hevene" is set for thoght of hoolynesse, [98] And "Lia" for hire lastynge bisynesse. [99] Cecile may eek be seyd in this manere, [100] "Wantynge of blyndnesse," for hir grete light [101] Of sapience and for hire thewes cleere; [102] Or elles, loo, this maydens name bright [103] Of "hevene" and "leos" comth, for which by right [104] Men myghte hire wel "the hevene of peple" calle, [105] Ensample of goode and wise werkes alle. [106] For "leos" "peple" in Englissh is to seye, [107] And right as men may in the hevene see [108] The sonne and moone and sterres every weye, [109] Right so men goostly in this mayden free [110] Seyen of feith the magnanymytee, [111] And eek the cleernesse hool of sapience, [112] And sondry werkes, brighte of excellence. [113] And right so as thise philosophres write [114] That hevene is swift and round and eek brennynge, [115] Right so was faire Cecilie the white [116] Ful swift and bisy evere in good werkynge, [117] And round and hool in good perseverynge, [118] And brennynge evere in charite ful brighte. [119] Now have I yow declared what she highte. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Second Nun's Tale [120] This mayden bright Cecilie, as hir lif seith, [121] Was comen of Romayns and of noble kynde, [122] And from hir cradel up fostred in the feith [123] Of Crist, and bar his gospel in hir mynde. [124] She nevere cessed, as I writen fynde, [125] Of hir preyere and God to love and drede, [126] Bisekynge hym to kepe hir maydenhede. [127] And whan this mayden sholde unto a man [128] Ywedded be, that was ful yong of age, [129] Which that ycleped was Valerian, [130] And day was comen of hir marriage, [131] She, ful devout and humble in hir corage, [132] Under hir robe of gold, that sat ful faire, [133] Hadde next hire flessh yclad hire in an haire. [134] And whil the organs maden melodie, [135] To God allone in herte thus sang she: [136] "O Lord, my soule and eek my body gye [137] Unwemmed, lest that I confounded be." [138] And for his love that dyde upon a tree [139] Every seconde and thridde day she faste, [140] Ay biddynge in hire orisons ful faste. [141] The nyght cam, and to bedde moste she gon [142] With hire housbonde, as ofte is the manere, [143] And pryvely to hym she seyde anon, [144] "O sweete and wel biloved spouse deere, [145] Ther is a conseil, and ye wolde it heere, [146] Which that right fayn I wolde unto yow seye, [147] So that ye swere ye shul it nat biwreye." [148] Valerian gan faste unto hire swere [149] That for no cas ne thyng that myghte be, [150] He sholde nevere mo biwreyen here; [151] And thanne at erst to hym thus seyde she: [152] "I have an aungel which that loveth me, [153] That with greet love, wher so I wake or sleepe, [154] Is redy ay my body for to kepe. [155] "And if that he may feelen, out of drede, [156] That ye me touche, or love in vileynye, [157] He right anon wol sle yow with the dede, [158] And in youre yowthe thus ye shullen dye; [159] And if that ye in clene love me gye, [160] He wol yow loven as me, for youre clennesse, [161] And shewen yow his joye and his brightnesse." [162] Valerian, corrected as God wolde, [163] Answerde agayn, "If I shal trusten thee, [164] Lat me that aungel se and hym biholde; [165] And if that it a verray angel bee, [166] Thanne wol I doon as thou hast prayed me; [167] And if thou love another man, for sothe [168] Right with this swerd thanne wol I sle yow bothe." [169] Cecile answerde anon-right in this wise: [170] "If that yow list, the angel shul ye see, [171] So that ye trowe on Crist and yow baptize. [172] Gooth forth to Via Apia," quod shee, [173] "That fro this toun ne stant but miles three, [174] And to the povre folkes that ther dwelle, [175] Sey hem right thus, as that I shal yow telle. [176] "Telle hem that I, Cecile, yow to hem sente [177] To shewen yow the goode Urban the olde, [178] For secree nedes and for good entente. [179] And whan that ye Seint Urban han biholde, [180] Telle hym the wordes whiche I to yow tolde; [181] And whan that he hath purged yow fro synne, [182] Thanne shul ye se that angel, er ye twynne." [183] Valerian is to the place ygon, [184] And right as hym was taught by his lernynge, [185] He foond this hooly olde Urban anon [186] Among the seintes buryeles lotynge. [187] And he anon withouten tariynge [188] Dide his message; and whan that he it tolde, [189] Urban for joye his handes gan up holde. [190] The teeris from his eyen leet he falle. [191] "Almyghty Lord, O Jhesu Crist," quod he, [192] "Sower of chaast conseil, hierde of us alle, [193] The fruyt of thilke seed of chastitee [194] That thou hast sowe in Cecile, taak to thee! [195] Lo, lyk a bisy bee, withouten gile, [196] Thee serveth ay thyn owene thral Cecile. [197] "For thilke spouse that she took but now [198] Ful lyk a fiers leoun, she sendeth heere, [199] As meke as evere was any lomb, to yow!" [200] And with that word anon ther gan appeere [201] An oold man, clad in white clothes cleere, [202] That hadde a book with lettre of gold in honde, [203] And gan bifore Valerian to stonde. [204] Valerian as deed fil doun for drede [205] Whan he hym saugh, and he up hente hym tho, [206] And on his book right thus he gan to rede: [207] "O Lord, o feith, o God, withouten mo, [208] O Cristendom, and Fader of alle also, [209] Aboven alle and over alle everywhere." [210] Thise wordes al with gold ywriten were. [211] Whan this was rad, thanne seyde this olde man, [212] "Leevestow this thyng or no? Sey ye or nay." [213] "I leeve al this thyng," quod Valerian, [214] "For sother thyng than this, I dar wel say, [215] Under the hevene no wight thynke may." [216] Tho vanysshed this olde man, he nyste where, [217] And Pope Urban hym cristned right there. [218] Valerian gooth hoom and fynt Cecilie [219] Withinne his chambre with an angel stonde. [220] This angel hadde of roses and of lilie [221] Corones two, the which he bar in honde; [222] And first to Cecile, as I understonde, [223] He yaf that oon, and after gan he take [224] That oother to Valerian, hir make. [225] "With body clene and with unwemmed thoght [226] Kepeth ay wel thise corones," quod he; [227] "Fro paradys to yow have I hem broght, [228] Ne nevere mo ne shal they roten bee, [229] Ne lese hir soote savour, trusteth me; [230] Ne nevere wight shal seen hem with his ye, [231] But he be chaast and hate vileynye. [232] "And thow, Valerian, for thow so soone [233] Assentedest to good conseil also, [234] Sey what thee list, and thou shalt han thy boone." [235] "I have a brother," quod Valerian tho, [236] "That in this world I love no man so. [237] I pray yow that my brother may han grace [238] To knowe the trouthe, as I do in this place." [239] The angel seyde, "God liketh thy requeste, [240] And bothe with the palm of martirdom [241] Ye shullen come unto his blisful feste." [242] And with that word Tiburce his brother coom. [243] And whan that he the savour undernoom, [244] Which that the roses and the lilies caste, [245] Withinne his herte he gan to wondre faste, [246] And seyde, "I wondre, this tyme of the yeer, [247] Whennes that soote savour cometh so [248] Of rose and lilies that I smelle heer. [249] For though I hadde hem in myne handes two, [250] The savour myghte in me no depper go. [251] The sweete smel that in myn herte I fynde [252] Hath chaunged me al in another kynde." [253] Valerian seyde: "Two corones han we, [254] Snow white and rose reed, that shynen cleere, [255] Whiche that thyne eyen han no myght to see; [256] And as thou smellest hem thurgh my preyere, [257] So shaltow seen hem, leeve brother deere, [258] If it so be thou wolt, withouten slouthe, [259] Bileve aright and knowen verray trouthe." [260] Tiburce answerde, "Seistow this to me [261] In soothnesse, or in dreem I herkne this?" [262] "In dremes," quod Valerian, "han we be [263] Unto this tyme, brother myn, ywis. [264] But now at erst in trouthe oure dwellyng is." [265] "How woostow this?" quod Tiburce, "and in what wyse?" [266] Quod Valerian, "That shal I thee devyse. [267] "The aungel of God hath me the trouthe ytaught [268] Which thou shalt seen, if that thou wolt reneye [269] The ydoles and be clene, and elles naught." [270] And of the myracle of thise corones tweye [271] Seint Ambrose in his preface list to seye; [272] Solempnely this noble doctour deere [273] Commendeth it, and seith in this manere: [274] "The palm of martirdom for to receyve, [275] Seinte Cecile, fulfild of Goddes yifte, [276] The world and eek hire chambre gan she weyve; [277] Witnesse Tyburces and [Valerians] shrifte, [278] To whiche God of his bountee wolde shifte [279] Corones two of floures wel smellynge, [280] And made his angel hem the corones brynge. [281] "The mayde hath broght thise men to blisse above; [282] The world hath wist what it is worth, certeyn, [283] Devocioun of chastitee to love." [284] Tho shewed hym Cecile al open and pleyn [285] That alle ydoles nys but a thyng in veyn, [286] For they been dombe, and therto they been deve, [287] And charged hym his ydoles for to leve. [288] "Whoso that troweth nat this, a beest he is," [289] Quod tho Tiburce, "if that I shal nat lye." [290] And she gan kisse his brest, that herde this, [291] And was ful glad he koude trouthe espye. [292] "This day I take thee for myn allye," [293] Seyde this blisful faire mayde deere, [294] And after that she seyde as ye may heere: [295] "Lo, right so as the love of Crist," quod she, [296] "Made me thy brotheres wyf, right in that wise [297] Anon for myn allye heer take I thee, [298] Syn that thou wolt thyne ydoles despise. [299] Go with thy brother now, and thee baptise, [300] And make thee clene, so that thou mowe biholde [301] The angels face of which thy brother tolde." [302] Tiburce answerde and seyde, "Brother deere, [303] First tel me whider I shal, and to what man?" [304] "To whom?" quod he, "com forth with right good cheere, [305] I wol thee lede unto the Pope Urban." [306] "Til Urban? Brother myn Valerian," [307] Quod tho Tiburce, "woltow me thider lede? [308] Me thynketh that it were a wonder dede. [309] "Ne menestow nat Urban," quod he tho, [310] "That is so ofte dampned to be deed, [311] And woneth in halkes alwey to and fro, [312] And dar nat ones putte forth his heed? [313] Men sholde hym brennen in a fyr so reed [314] If he were founde, or that men myghte hym spye, [315] And we also, to bere hym compaignye; [316] "And whil we seken thilke divinitee [317] That is yhid in hevene pryvely, [318] Algate ybrend in this world shul we be!" [319] To whom Cecile answerde boldely, [320] "Men myghten dreden wel and skilfully [321] This lyf to lese, myn owene deere brother, [322] If this were lyvynge oonly and noon oother. [323] "But ther is bettre lif in oother place, [324] That nevere shal be lost, ne drede thee noght, [325] Which Goddes Sone us tolde thurgh his grace. [326] That Fadres Sone hath alle thyng ywroght, [327] And al that wroght is with a skilful thoght; [328] The Goost, that fro the Fader gan procede, [329] Hath sowled hem, withouten any drede. [330] "By word and by myracle heigh Goddes Sone, [331] Whan he was in this world, declared heere [332] That ther was oother lyf ther men may wone." [333] To whom answerde Tiburce, "O suster deere, [334] Ne seydestow right now in this manere, [335] Ther nys but o God, lord in soothfastnesse? [336] And now of three how maystow bere witnesse?" [337] "That shal I telle," quod she, "er I go. [338] Right as a man hath sapiences three -- [339] Memorie, engyn, and intellect also -- [340] So in o beynge of divinitee, [341] Thre persones may ther right wel bee." [342] Tho gan she hym ful bisily to preche [343] Of Cristes come, and of his peynes teche, [344] And manye pointes of his passioun; [345] How Goddes Sone in this world was withholde [346] To doon mankynde pleyn remissioun, [347] That was ybounde in synne and cares colde; [348] Al this thyng she unto Tiburce tolde. [349] And after this Tiburce in good entente [350] With Valerian to Pope Urban he wente, [351] That thanked God, and with glad herte and light [352] He cristned hym and made hym in that place [353] Parfit in his lernynge, Goddes knyght. [354] And after this Tiburce gat swich grace [355] That every day he saugh in tyme and space [356] The aungel of God; and every maner boone [357] That he God axed, it was sped ful soone. [358] It were ful hard by ordre for to seyn [359] How manye wondres Jhesus for hem wroghte; [360] But atte laste, to tellen short and pleyn, [361] The sergeantz of the toun of Rome hem soghte, [362] And hem biforn Almache, the prefect, broghte, [363] Which hem apposed, and knew al hire entente, [364] And to the ymage of Juppiter hem sente, [365] And seyde, "Whoso wol nat sacrifise, [366] Swape of his heed; this my sentence heer." [367] Anon thise martirs that I yow devyse, [368] Oon Maximus, that was an officer [369] Of the prefectes, and his corniculer, [370] Hem hente, and whan he forth the seintes ladde, [371] Hymself he weep for pitee that he hadde. [372] Whan Maximus had herd the seintes loore, [373] He gat hym of the tormentoures leve, [374] And ladde hem to his hous withoute moore, [375] And with hir prechyng, er that it were eve, [376] They gonnen fro the tormentours to reve, [377] And fro Maxime, and fro his folk echone, [378] The false feith, to trowe in God allone. [379] Cecile cam, whan it was woxen nyght, [380] With preestes that hem cristned alle yfeere; [381] And afterward, whan day was woxen light, [382] Cecile hem seyde with a ful stedefast cheere, [383] "Now, Cristes owene knyghtes leeve and deere, [384] Cast alle awey the werkes of derknesse, [385] And armeth yow in armure of brightnesse. [386] "Ye han for sothe ydoon a greet bataille, [387] Youre cours is doon, youre feith han ye conserved. [388] Gooth to the corone of lif that may nat faille; [389] The rightful Juge, which that ye han served, [390] Shal yeve it yow, as ye han it deserved." [391] And whan this thyng was seyd as I devyse, [392] Men ledde hem forth to doon the sacrefise. [393] But whan they weren to the place broght [394] To tellen shortly the conclusioun, [395] They nolde encense ne sacrifise right noght, [396] But on hir knees they setten hem adoun [397] With humble herte and sad devocioun, [398] And losten bothe hir hevedes in the place. [399] Hir soules wenten to the Kyng of grace. [400] This Maximus, that saugh this thyng bityde, [401] With pitous teeris tolde it anonright, [402] That he hir soules saugh to hevene glyde [403] With aungels ful of cleernesse and of light, [404] And with his word converted many a wight; [405] For which Almachius dide hym so bete [406] With whippe of leed til he his lif gan lete. [407] Cecile hym took and buryed hym anon [408] By Tiburce and Valerian softely [409] Withinne hire buriyng place, under the stoon; [410] And after this, Almachius hastily [411] Bad his ministres fecchen openly [412] Cecile, so that she myghte in his presence [413] Doon sacrifice and Juppiter encense. [414] But they, converted at hir wise loore, [415] Wepten ful soore, and yaven ful credence [416] Unto hire word, and cryden moore and moore, [417] "Crist, Goddes Sone, withouten difference, [418] Is verray God -- this is al oure sentence -- [419] That hath so good a servant hym to serve. [420] This with o voys we trowen, thogh we sterve!" [421] Almachius, that herde of this doynge, [422] Bad fecchen Cecile, that he myghte hire see, [423] And alderfirst, lo, this was his axynge. [424] "What maner womman artow?" tho quod he. [425] "I am a gentil womman born," quod she. [426] "I axe thee," quod he, "though it thee greeve, [427] Of thy religioun and of thy bileeve." [428] "Ye han bigonne youre questioun folily," [429] Quod she, "that wolden two answeres conclude [430] In o demande; ye axed lewedly." [431] Almache answerde unto that similitude, [432] "Of whennes comth thyn answeryng so rude?" [433] "Of whennes?" quod she, whan that she was freyned, [434] "Of conscience and of good feith unfeyned." [435] Almachius seyde, "Ne takestow noon heede [436] Of my power?" And she answerde hym this: [437] "Youre myght," quod she, "ful litel is to dreede, [438] For every mortal mannes power nys [439] But lyk a bladdre ful of wynd, ywys. [440] For with a nedles poynt, whan it is blowe, [441] May al the boost of it be leyd ful lowe." [442] "Ful wrongfully bigonne thow," quod he, [443] "And yet in wrong is thy perseveraunce. [444] Wostow nat how oure myghty princes free [445] Han thus comanded and maad ordinaunce [446] That every Cristen wight shal han penaunce [447] But if that he his Cristendom withseye, [448] And goon al quit, if he wole it reneye?" [449] "Yowre princes erren, as youre nobleye dooth," [450] Quod tho Cecile, "and with a wood sentence [451] Ye make us gilty, and it is nat sooth. [452] For ye, that knowen wel oure innocence, [453] For as muche as we doon a reverence [454] To Crist, and for we bere a Cristen name, [455] Ye putte on us a cryme and eek a blame. [456] "But we that knowen thilke name so [457] For vertuous, we may it nat withseye." [458] Almache answerde, "Chees oon of thise two: [459] Do sacrifice, or Cristendom reneye, [460] That thou mowe now escapen by that weye." [461] At which the hooly blisful faire mayde [462] Gan for to laughe, and to the juge sayde: [463] "O juge, confus in thy nycetee, [464] Woltow that I reneye innocence, [465] To make me a wikked wight?" quod shee. [466] "Lo, he dissymuleth heere in audience; [467] He stareth, and woodeth in his advertence!" [468] To whom Almachius, "Unsely wrecche, [469] Ne woostow nat how fer my myght may strecche? [470] "Han noght oure myghty princes to me yiven, [471] Ye, bothe power and auctoritee [472] To maken folk to dyen or to lyven? [473] Why spekestow so proudly thanne to me?" [474] "I speke noght but stedfastly," quod she; [475] "Nat proudly, for I seye, as for my syde, [476] We haten deedly thilke vice of pryde. [477] "And if thou drede nat a sooth to heere, [478] Thanne wol I shewe al openly, by right, [479] That thou hast maad a ful gret lesyng heere. [480] Thou seyst thy princes han thee yeven myght [481] Bothe for to sleen and for to quyken a wight; [482] Thou, that ne mayst but oonly lyf bireve, [483] Thou hast noon oother power ne no leve. [484] "But thou mayst seyn thy princes han thee maked [485] Ministre of deeth; for if thou speke of mo, [486] Thou lyest, for thy power is ful naked." [487] "Do wey thy booldnesse," seyde Almachius tho, [488] "And sacrifice to oure goddes er thou go! [489] I recche nat what wrong that thou me profre, [490] For I kan suffre it as a philosophre; [491] "But thilke wronges may I nat endure [492] That thou spekest of oure goddes heere," quod he. [493] Cecile answerde, "O nyce creature! [494] Thou seydest no word syn thou spak to me [495] That I ne knew therwith thy nycetee [496] And that thou were in every maner wise [497] A lewed officer and a veyn justise. [498] "Ther lakketh no thyng to thyne outter yen [499] That thou n' art blynd; for thyng that we seen alle [500] That it is stoon -- that men may wel espyen -- [501] That ilke stoon a god thow wolt it calle. [502] I rede thee, lat thyn hand upon it falle [503] And taste it wel, and stoon thou shalt it fynde, [504] Syn that thou seest nat with thyne eyen blynde. [505] "It is a shame that the peple shal [506] So scorne thee and laughe at thy folye, [507] For communly men woot it wel overal [508] That myghty God is in his hevenes hye; [509] And thise ymages, wel thou mayst espye, [510] To thee ne to hemself mowen noght profite, [511] For in effect they been nat worth a myte." [512] Thise wordes and swiche othere seyde she, [513] And he weex wroth, and bad men sholde hir lede [514] Hom til hir hous, and "In hire hous," quod he, [515] "Brenne hire right in a bath of flambes rede." [516] And as he bad, right so was doon the dede; [517] For in a bath they gonne hire faste shetten, [518] And nyght and day greet fyr they under betten. [519] The longe nyght, and eek a day also, [520] For al the fyr and eek the bathes heete [521] She sat al coold and feelede no wo. [522] It made hire nat a drope for to sweete. [523] But in that bath hir lyf she moste lete, [524] For he Almachius, with ful wikke entente, [525] To sleen hire in the bath his sonde sente. [526] Thre strokes in the nekke he smoot hire tho, [527] The tormentour, but for no maner chaunce [528] He myghte noght smyte al hir nekke atwo; [529] And for ther was that tyme an ordinaunce [530] That no man sholde doon man swich penaunce [531] The ferthe strook to smyten, softe or soore, [532] This tormentour ne dorste do namoore, [533] But half deed, with hir nekke ycorven there, [534] He lefte hir lye, and on his wey he went. [535] The Cristen folk, which that aboute hire were, [536] With sheetes han the blood ful faire yhent. [537] Thre dayes lyved she in this torment, [538] And nevere cessed hem the feith to teche [539] That she hadde fostred; hem she gan to preche, [540] And hem she yaf hir moebles and hir thyng, [541] And to the Pope Urban bitook hem tho, [542] And seyde, "I axed this of hevene kyng, [543] To han respit thre dayes and namo [544] To recomende to yow, er that I go, [545] Thise soules, lo, and that I myghte do werche [546] Heere of myn hous perpetuelly a cherche." [547] Seint Urban with his deknes prively [548] The body fette and buryed it by nyghte [549] Among his othere seintes honestly. [550] Hir hous the chirche of Seint Cecilie highte; [551] Seint Urban halwed it, as he wel myghte; [552] In which, into this day, in noble wyse, [553] Men doon to Crist and to his seint servyse. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Canon's Yeoman's Prologue [554] Whan ended was the lyf of Seinte Cecile, [555] Er we hadde riden fully fyve mile, [556] At Boghtoun under Blee us gan atake [557] A man that clothed was in clothes blake, [558] And undernethe he hadde a whyt surplys. [559] His hakeney, that was al pomely grys, [560] So swatte that it wonder was to see; [561] It semed as he had priked miles three. [562] The hors eek that his yeman rood upon [563] So swatte that unnethe myghte it gon. [564] Aboute the peytrel stood the foom ful hye; [565] He was of foom al flekked as a pye. [566] A male tweyfoold on his croper lay; [567] It semed that he caried lite array. [568] Al light for somer rood this worthy man, [569] And in myn herte wondren I bigan [570] What that he was til that I understood [571] How that his cloke was sowed to his hood, [572] For which, whan I hadde longe avysed me, [573] I demed hym som chanoun for to be. [574] His hat heeng at his bak doun by a laas, [575] For he hadde riden moore than trot or paas; [576] He hadde ay priked lik as he were wood. [577] A clote-leef he hadde under his hood [578] For swoot and for to keep his heed from heete. [579] But it was joye for to seen hym swete! [580] His forheed dropped as a stillatorie [581] Were ful of plantayne and of paritorie. [582] And whan that he was come, he gan to crye, [583] "God save," quod he, "this joly compaignye! [584] Faste have I priked," quod he, "for youre sake, [585] By cause that I wolde yow atake, [586] To riden in this myrie compaignye." [587] His yeman eek was ful of curteisye, [588] And seyde, "Sires, now in the morwe-tyde [589] Out of youre hostelrie I saugh yow ryde, [590] And warned heer my lord and my soverayn, [591] Which that to ryden with yow is ful fayn [592] For his desport; he loveth daliaunce." [593] "Freend, for thy warnyng God yeve thee good chaunce," [594] Thanne seyde oure Hoost, "for certein it wolde seme [595] Thy lord were wys, and so I may wel deme. [596] He is ful jocunde also, dar I leye! [597] Can he oght telle a myrie tale or tweye, [598] With which he glade may this compaignye?" [599] "Who, sire? My lord? Ye, ye, withouten lye, [600] He kan of murthe and eek of jolitee [601] Nat but ynough; also, sire, trusteth me, [602] And ye hym knewe as wel as do I, [603] Ye wolde wondre how wel and craftily [604] He koude werke, and that in sondry wise. [605] He hath take on hym many a greet emprise, [606] Which were ful hard for any that is heere [607] To brynge aboute, but they of hym it leere. [608] As hoomly as he rit amonges yow, [609] If ye hym knewe, it wolde be for youre prow. [610] Ye wolde nat forgoon his aqueyntaunce [611] For muchel good, I dar leye in balaunce [612] Al that I have in my possessioun. [613] He is a man of heigh discrecioun; [614] I warne yow wel, he is a passyng man." [615] "Wel," quod oure Hoost, "I pray thee, tel me than, [616] Is he a clerk, or noon? Telle what he is." [617] "Nay, he is gretter than a clerk, ywis," [618] Seyde this Yeman, "and in wordes fewe, [619] Hoost, of his craft somwhat I wol yow shewe. [620] "I seye, my lord kan swich subtilitee -- [621] But al his craft ye may nat wite at me, [622] And somwhat helpe I yet to his wirkyng -- [623] That al this ground on which we been ridyng, [624] Til that we come to Caunterbury toun, [625] He koude al clene turnen up-so-doun, [626] And pave it al of silver and of gold." [627] And whan this Yeman hadde this tale ytold [628] Unto oure Hoost, he seyde, "Benedicitee! [629] This thyng is wonder merveillous to me, [630] Syn that thy lord is of so heigh prudence, [631] By cause of which men sholde hym reverence, [632] That of his worshipe rekketh he so lite. [633] His overslope nys nat worth a myte, [634] As in effect, to hym, so moot I go, [635] It is al baudy and totore also. [636] Why is thy lord so sluttissh, I the preye, [637] And is of power bettre clooth to beye, [638] If that his dede accorde with thy speche? [639] Telle me that, and that I thee biseche." [640] "Why?" quod this Yeman, "wherto axe ye me? [641] God help me so, for he shal nevere thee! [642] (But I wol nat avowe that I seye, [643] And therfore keepe it secree, I yow preye.) [644] He is to wys, in feith, as I bileeve. [645] That that is overdoon, it wol nat preeve [646] Aright, as clerkes seyn; it is a vice. [647] Wherfore in that I holde hym lewed and nyce. [648] For whan a man hath over-greet a wit, [649] Ful oft hym happeth to mysusen it. [650] So dooth my lord, and that me greveth soore; [651] God it amende! I kan sey yow namoore." [652] "Ther-of no fors, good Yeman," quod oure Hoost; [653] "Syn of the konnyng of thy lord thow woost, [654] Telle how he dooth, I pray thee hertely, [655] Syn that he is so crafty and so sly. [656] Where dwelle ye, if it to telle be?" [657] "In the suburbes of a toun," quod he, [658] "Lurkynge in hernes and in lanes blynde, [659] Whereas thise robbours and thise theves by kynde [660] Holden hir pryvee fereful residence, [661] As they that dar nat shewen hir presence; [662] So faren we, if I shal seye the sothe." [663] "Now," quod oure Hoost, "yit lat me talke to the. [664] Why artow so discoloured of thy face?" [665] "Peter!" quod he, "God yeve it harde grace, [666] I am so used in the fyr to blowe [667] That it hath chaunged my colour, I trowe. [668] I am nat wont in no mirour to prie, [669] But swynke soore and lerne multiplie. [670] We blondren evere and pouren in the fir, [671] And for al that we faille of oure desir, [672] For evere we lakken oure conclusioun. [673] To muchel folk we doon illusioun, [674] And borwe gold, be it a pound or two, [675] Or ten, or twelve, or manye sommes mo, [676] And make hem wenen, at the leeste weye, [677] That of a pound we koude make tweye. [678] Yet is it fals, but ay we han good hope [679] It for to doon, and after it we grope. [680] But that science is so fer us biforn, [681] We mowen nat, although we hadden it sworn, [682] It overtake, it slit awey so faste. [683] It wole us maken beggers atte laste." [684] Whil this Yeman was thus in his talkyng, [685] This Chanoun drough hym neer and herde al thyng [686] Which this Yeman spak, for suspecioun [687] Of mennes speche evere hadde this Chanoun. [688] For Catoun seith that he that gilty is [689] Demeth alle thyng be spoke of hym, ywis. [690] That was the cause he gan so ny hym drawe [691] To his Yeman, to herknen al his sawe. [692] And thus he seyde unto his Yeman tho: [693] "Hoold thou thy pees and spek no wordes mo, [694] For if thou do, thou shalt it deere abye. [695] Thou sclaundrest me heere in this compaignye, [696] And eek discoverest that thou sholdest hyde." [697] "Ye," quod oure Hoost, "telle on, what so bityde. [698] Of al his thretyng rekke nat a myte!" [699] "In feith," quod he, "namoore I do but lyte." [700] And whan this Chanon saugh it wolde nat bee, [701] But his Yeman wolde telle his pryvetee, [702] He fledde awey for verray sorwe and shame. [703] "A!" quod the Yeman, "heere shal arise game; [704] Al that I kan anon now wol I telle. [705] Syn he is goon, the foule feend hym quelle! [706] For nevere heerafter wol I with hym meete [707] For peny ne for pound, I yow biheete. [708] He that me broghte first unto that game, [709] Er that he dye, sorwe have he and shame! [710] For it is ernest to me, by my feith; [711] That feele I wel, what so any man seith. [712] And yet, for al my smert and al my grief, [713] For al my sorwe, labour, and meschief, [714] I koude nevere leve it in no wise. [715] Now wolde God my wit myghte suffise [716] To tellen al that longeth to that art! [717] But nathelees yow wol I tellen part. [718] Syn that my lord is goon, I wol nat spare; [719] Swich thyng as that I knowe, I wol declare. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Canon's Yeoman's Tale [720] With this Chanoun I dwelt have seven yeer, [721] And of his science am I never the neer. [722] Al that I hadde I have lost therby, [723] And, God woot, so hath many mo than I. [724] Ther I was wont to be right fressh and gay [725] Of clothyng and of oother good array, [726] Now may I were an hose upon myn heed; [727] And wher my colour was bothe fressh and reed, [728] Now is it wan and of a leden hewe -- [729] Whoso it useth, soore shal he rewe! -- [730] And of my swynk yet blered is myn ye. [731] Lo, which avantage is to multiplie! [732] That slidynge science hath me maad so bare [733] That I have no good, wher that evere I fare; [734] And yet I am endetted so therby [735] Of gold that I have borwed, trewely, [736] That whil I lyve I shal it quite nevere. [737] Lat every man be war by me for evere! [738] What maner man that casteth hym therto, [739] If he continue, I holde his thrift ydo. [740] For so helpe me God, therby shal he nat wynne, [741] But empte his purs and make his wittes thynne. [742] And whan he thurgh his madnesse and folye [743] Hath lost his owene good thurgh jupartye, [744] Thanne he exciteth oother folk therto, [745] To lesen hir good as he hymself hath do. [746] For unto shrewes joye it is and ese [747] To have hir felawes in peyne and disese. [748] Thus was I ones lerned of a clerk. [749] Of that no charge; I wol speke of oure werk. [750] Whan we been there as we shul exercise [751] Oure elvysshe craft, we semen wonder wise, [752] Oure termes been so clergial and so queynte. [753] I blowe the fir til that myn herte feynte. [754] What sholde I tellen ech proporcion [755] Of thynges whiche that we werche upon -- [756] As on fyve or sixe ounces, may wel be, [757] Of silver, or som oother quantitee -- [758] And bisye me to telle yow the names [759] Of orpyment, brent bones, iren squames, [760] That into poudre grounden been ful smal; [761] And in an erthen pot how put is al, [762] And salt yput in, and also papeer, [763] Biforn thise poudres that I speke of heer; [764] And wel ycovered with a lampe of glas; [765] And of muche oother thyng which that ther was; [766] And of the pot and glasses enlutyng [767] That of the eyr myghte passe out nothyng; [768] And of the esy fir, and smart also, [769] Which that was maad, and of the care and wo [770] That we hadde in oure matires sublymyng, [771] And in amalgamyng and calcenyng [772] Of quyksilver, yclept mercurie crude? [773] For alle oure sleightes we kan nat conclude. [774] Oure orpyment and sublymed mercurie, [775] Oure grounden litarge eek on the porfurie, [776] Of ech of thise of ounces a certeyn -- [777] Noght helpeth us; oure labour is in veyn. [778] Ne eek oure spirites ascencioun, [779] Ne oure materes that lyen al fix adoun, [780] Mowe in oure werkyng no thyng us availle, [781] For lost is al oure labour and travaille; [782] And al the cost, a twenty devel waye, [783] Is lost also, which we upon it laye. [784] Ther is also ful many another thyng [785] That is unto oure craft apertenyng. [786] Though I by ordre hem nat reherce kan, [787] By cause that I am a lewed man, [788] Yet wol I telle hem as they come to mynde, [789] Thogh I ne kan nat sette hem in hir kynde: [790] As boole armonyak, verdegrees, boras, [791] And sondry vessels maad of erthe and glas, [792] Oure urynales and oure descensories, [793] Violes, crosletz, and sublymatories, [794] Cucurbites and alambikes eek, [795] And othere swiche, deere ynough a leek -- [796] Nat nedeth it for to reherce hem alle -- [797] Watres rubifiyng, and boles galle, [798] Arsenyk, sal armonyak, and brymstoon; [799] And herbes koude I telle eek many oon, [800] As egremoyne, valerian, and lunarie, [801] And othere swiche, if that me liste tarie; [802] Oure lampes brennyng bothe nyght and day, [803] To brynge aboute oure purpos, if we may; [804] Oure fourneys eek of calcinacioun, [805] And of watres albificacioun; [806] Unslekked lym, chalk, and gleyre of an ey, [807] Poudres diverse, asshes, donge, pisse, and cley, [808] Cered pokkets, sal peter, vitriole, [809] And diverse fires maad of wode and cole; [810] Sal tartre, alkaly, and sal preparat, [811] And combust materes and coagulat; [812] Cley maad with hors or mannes heer, and oille [813] Of tartre, alum glas, berme, wort, and argoille, [814] Resalgar, and oure materes enbibyng, [815] And eek of oure materes encorporyng, [816] And of oure silver citrinacioun, [817] Oure cementyng and fermentacioun, [818] Oure yngottes, testes, and many mo. [819] I wol yow telle, as was me taught also, [820] The foure spirites and the bodies sevene, [821] By ordre, as ofte I herde my lord hem nevene. [822] The firste spirit quyksilver called is, [823] The seconde orpyment, the thridde, ywis, [824] Sal armonyak, and the ferthe brymstoon. [825] The bodyes sevene eek, lo, hem heere anoon: [826] Sol gold is, and Luna silver we threpe, [827] Mars iren, Mercurie quyksilver we clepe, [828] Saturnus leed, and Juppiter is tyn, [829] And Venus coper, by my fader kyn! [830] This cursed craft whoso wole excercise, [831] He shal no good han that hym may suffise, [832] For al the good he spendeth theraboute [833] He lese shal; therof have I no doute. [834] Whoso that listeth outen his folie, [835] Lat hym come forth and lerne multiplie; [836] And every man that oght hath in his cofre, [837] Lat hym appiere and wexe a philosophre. [838] Ascaunce that craft is so light to leere? [839] Nay, nay, God woot, al be he monk or frere, [840] Preest or chanoun, or any oother wyght, [841] Though he sitte at his book bothe day and nyght [842] In lernyng of this elvysshe nyce loore, [843] Al is in veyn, and parde, muchel moore. [844] To lerne a lewed man this subtiltee -- [845] Fy! Spek nat therof, for it wol nat bee. [846] And konne he letterure or konne he noon, [847] As in effect, he shal fynde it al oon. [848] For bothe two, by my savacioun, [849] Concluden in multiplicacioun [850] Ylike wel, whan they han al ydo; [851] This is to seyn, they faillen bothe two. [852] Yet forgat I to maken rehersaille [853] Of watres corosif, and of lymaille, [854] And of bodies mollificacioun, [855] And also of hire induracioun; [856] Oilles, ablucions, and metal fusible -- [857] To tellen al wolde passen any bible [858] That owher is; wherfore, as for the beste, [859] Of alle thise names now wol I me reste, [860] For, as I trowe, I have yow toold ynowe [861] To reyse a feend, al looke he never so rowe. [862] A! Nay! Lat be; the philosophres stoon, [863] Elixer clept, we sechen faste echoon; [864] For hadde we hym, thanne were we siker ynow. [865] But unto God of hevene I make avow, [866] For al oure craft, whan we han al ydo, [867] And al oure sleighte, he wol nat come us to. [868] He hath ymaad us spenden muchel good, [869] For sorwe of which almoost we wexen wood, [870] But that good hope crepeth in oure herte, [871] Supposynge evere, though we sore smerte, [872] To be releeved by hym afterward. [873] Swich supposyng and hope is sharp and hard; [874] I warne yow wel, it is to seken evere. [875] That futur temps hath maad men to dissevere, [876] In trust therof, from al that evere they hadde. [877] Yet of that art they kan nat wexen sadde, [878] For unto hem it is a bitter sweete -- [879] So semeth it -- for nadde they but a sheete [880] Which that they myghte wrappe hem inne a-nyght, [881] And a brat to walken inne by daylyght, [882] They wolde hem selle and spenden on this craft. [883] They kan nat stynte til no thyng be laft. [884] And everemoore, where that evere they goon, [885] Men may hem knowe by smel of brymstoon. [886] For al the world they stynken as a goot; [887] Hir savour is so rammyssh and so hoot [888] That though a man from hem a mile be, [889] The savour wole infecte hym, trusteth me. [890] Lo, thus by smellyng and threedbare array, [891] If that men liste, this folk they knowe may. [892] And if a man wole aske hem pryvely [893] Why they been clothed so unthriftily, [894] They right anon wol rownen in his ere, [895] And seyn that if that they espied were, [896] Men wolde hem slee by cause of hir science. [897] Lo, thus this folk bitrayen innocence! [898] Passe over this; I go my tale unto. [899] Er that the pot be on the fir ydo, [900] Of metals with a certeyn quantitee, [901] My lord hem tempreth, and no man but he -- [902] Now he is goon, I dar seyn boldely -- [903] For, as men seyn, he kan doon craftily. [904] Algate I woot wel he hath swich a name; [905] And yet ful ofte he renneth in a blame. [906] And wite ye how? Ful ofte it happeth so [907] The pot tobreketh, and farewel, al is go! [908] Thise metals been of so greet violence [909] Oure walles mowe nat make hem resistence, [910] But if they weren wroght of lym and stoon; [911] They percen so, and thurgh the wal they goon. [912] And somme of hem synken into the ground -- [913] Thus han we lost by tymes many a pound -- [914] And somme are scatered al the floor aboute; [915] Somme lepe into the roof. Withouten doute, [916] Though that the feend noght in oure sighte hym shewe, [917] I trowe he with us be, that ilke shrewe! [918] In helle, where that he is lord and sire, [919] Nis ther moore wo, ne moore rancour ne ire. [920] Whan that oure pot is broke, as I have sayd, [921] Every man chit and halt hym yvele apayd. [922] Somme seyde it was long on the fir makyng; [923] Somme seyde nay, it was on the blowyng -- [924] Thanne was I fered, for that was myn office. [925] "Straw!" quod the thridde, "ye been lewed and nyce. [926] It was nat tempred as it oghte be." [927] "Nay," quod the fourthe, "stynt and herkne me. [928] By cause oure fir ne was nat maad of beech, [929] That is the cause and oother noon, so thee 'ch!" [930] I kan nat telle wheron it was long, [931] But wel I woot greet strif is us among. [932] "What," quod my lord, "ther is namoore to doone; [933] Of thise perils I wol be war eftsoone. [934] I am right siker that the pot was crased. [935] Be as be may, be ye no thyng amased; [936] As usage is, lat swepe the floor as swithe, [937] Plukke up youre hertes and beeth glad and blithe." [938] The mullok on an heep ysweped was, [939] And on the floor ycast a canevas, [940] And al this mullok in a syve ythrowe, [941] And sifted, and ypiked many a throwe. [942] "Pardee," quod oon, "somwhat of oure metal [943] Yet is ther heere, though that we han nat al. [944] And though this thyng myshapped have as now, [945] Another tyme it may be well ynow. [946] Us moste putte oure good in aventure. [947] A marchant, pardee, may nat ay endure, [948] Trusteth me wel, in his prosperitee. [949] Somtyme his good is drowned in the see, [950] And somtyme comth it sauf unto the londe." [951] "Pees!" quod my lord, "the nexte tyme I wol fonde [952] To bryngen oure craft al in another plite, [953] And but I do, sires, lat me han the wite. [954] Ther was defaute in somwhat, wel I woot." [955] Another seyde the fir was over-hoot -- [956] But, be it hoot or coold, I dar seye this, [957] That we concluden everemoore amys. [958] We faille of that which that we wolden have, [959] And in oure madnesse everemoore we rave. [960] And whan we been togidres everichoon, [961] Every man semeth a Salomon. [962] But al thyng which that shineth as the gold [963] Nis nat gold, as that I have herd told; [964] Ne every appul that is fair at eye [965] Ne is nat good, what so men clappe or crye. [966] Right so, lo, fareth it amonges us: [967] He that semeth the wiseste, by Jhesus, [968] Is moost fool, whan it cometh to the preef; [969] And he that semeth trewest is a theef. [970] That shul ye knowe, er that I fro yow wende, [971] By that I of my tale have maad an ende. [972] Ther is a chanoun of religioun [973] Amonges us, wolde infecte al a toun, [974] Thogh it as greet were as was Nynyvee, [975] Rome, Alisaundre, Troye, and othere three. [976] His sleightes and his infinite falsnesse [977] Ther koude no man writen, as I gesse, [978] Though that he myghte lyve a thousand yeer. [979] In al this world of falshede nis his peer, [980] For in his termes he wol hym so wynde, [981] And speke his wordes in so sly a kynde, [982] Whanne he commune shal with any wight, [983] That he wol make hym doten anonright, [984] But it a feend be, as hymselven is. [985] Ful many a man hath he bigiled er this, [986] And wole, if that he lyve may a while; [987] And yet men ride and goon ful many a mile [988] Hym for to seke and have his aqueyntaunce, [989] Noght knowynge of his false governaunce. [990] And if yow list to yeve me audience, [991] I wol it tellen heere in youre presence. [992] But worshipful chanons religious, [993] Ne demeth nat that I sclaundre youre hous, [994] Although that my tale of a chanoun bee. [995] Of every ordre som shrewe is, pardee, [996] And God forbede that al a compaignye [997] Sholde rewe o singuleer mannes folye. [998] To sclaundre yow is no thyng myn entente, [999] But to correcten that is mys I mente. [1000] This tale was nat oonly toold for yow, [1001] But eek for othere mo; ye woot wel how [1002] That among Cristes apostelles twelve [1003] Ther nas no traytour but Judas hymselve. [1004] Thanne why sholde al the remenant have a blame [1005] That giltlees were? By yow I seye the same, [1006] Save oonly this, if ye wol herkne me: [1007] If any Judas in youre covent be, [1008] Remoeveth hym bitymes, I yow rede, [1009] If shame or los may causen any drede. [1010] And beeth no thyng displesed, I yow preye, [1011] But in this cas herkneth what I shal seye. [1012] In Londoun was a preest, an annueleer, [1013] That therinne dwelled hadde many a yeer, [1014] Which was so plesaunt and so servysable [1015] Unto the wyf, where as he was at table, [1016] That she wolde suffre hym no thyng for to paye [1017] For bord ne clothyng, wente he never so gaye, [1018] And spendyng silver hadde he right ynow. [1019] Therof no fors; I wol procede as now, [1020] And telle forth my tale of the chanoun [1021] That broghte this preest to confusioun. [1022] This false chanon cam upon a day [1023] Unto this preestes chambre, wher he lay, [1024] Bisechynge hym to lene hym a certeyn [1025] Of gold, and he wolde quite it hym ageyn. [1026] "Leene me a marc," quod he, "but dayes three, [1027] And at my day I wol it quiten thee. [1028] And if so be that thow me fynde fals, [1029] Another day do hange me by the hals!" [1030] This preest hym took a marc, and that as swithe, [1031] And this chanoun hym thanked ofte sithe, [1032] And took his leve, and wente forth his weye, [1033] And at the thridde day broghte his moneye, [1034] And to the preest he took his gold agayn, [1035] Wherof this preest was wonder glad and fayn. [1036] "Certes," quod he, "no thyng anoyeth me [1037] To lene a man a noble, or two, or thre, [1038] Or what thyng were in my possessioun, [1039] Whan he so trewe is of condicioun [1040] That in no wise he breke wole his day; [1041] To swich a man I kan never seye nay." [1042] "What!" quod this chanoun, "sholde I be untrewe? [1043] Nay, that were thyng yfallen al of newe. [1044] Trouthe is a thyng that I wol evere kepe [1045] Unto that day in which that I shal crepe [1046] Into my grave, and ellis God forbede. [1047] Bileveth this as siker as your Crede. [1048] God thanke I, and in good tyme be it sayd, [1049] That ther was nevere man yet yvele apayd [1050] For gold ne silver that he to me lente, [1051] Ne nevere falshede in myn herte I mente. [1052] And sire," quod he, "now of my pryvetee, [1053] Syn ye so goodlich han been unto me, [1054] And kithed to me so greet gentillesse, [1055] Somwhat to quyte with youre kyndenesse [1056] I wol yow shewe, and if yow list to leere, [1057] I wol yow teche pleynly the manere [1058] How I kan werken in philosophie. [1059] Taketh good heede; ye shul wel seen at ye [1060] That I wol doon a maistrie er I go." [1061] "Ye," quod the preest, "ye, sire, and wol ye so? [1062] Marie, therof I pray yow hertely." [1063] "At youre comandement, sire, trewely," [1064] Quod the chanoun, "and ellis God forbeede!" [1065] Loo, how this theef koude his service beede! [1066] Ful sooth it is that swich profred servyse [1067] Stynketh, as witnessen thise olde wyse, [1068] And that ful soone I wol it verifie [1069] In this chanoun, roote of al trecherie, [1070] That everemoore delit hath and gladnesse -- [1071] Swiche feendly thoghtes in his herte impresse -- [1072] How Cristes peple he may to meschief brynge. [1073] God kepe us from his false dissymulynge! [1074] Noght wiste this preest with whom that he delte, [1075] Ne of his harm comynge he no thyng felte. [1076] O sely preest! O sely innocent! [1077] With coveitise anon thou shalt be blent! [1078] O gracelees, ful blynd is thy conceite, [1079] No thyng ne artow war of the deceite [1080] Which that this fox yshapen hath to thee! [1081] His wily wrenches thou ne mayst nat flee. [1082] Wherfore, to go to the conclusion, [1083] That refereth to thy confusion, [1084] Unhappy man, anon I wol me hye [1085] To tellen thyn unwit and thy folye, [1086] And eek the falsnesse of that oother wrecche, [1087] As ferforth as that my konnyng wol strecche. [1088] This chanon was my lord, ye wolden weene? [1089] Sire hoost, in feith, and by the hevenes queene, [1090] It was another chanoun, and nat hee, [1091] That kan an hundred foold moore subtiltee. [1092] He hath bitrayed folkes many tyme; [1093] Of his falsnesse it dulleth me to ryme. [1094] Evere whan that I speke of his falshede, [1095] For shame of hym my chekes wexen rede. [1096] Algates they bigynnen for to glowe, [1097] For reednesse have I noon, right wel I knowe, [1098] In my visage; for fumes diverse [1099] Of metals, whiche ye han herd me reherce, [1100] Consumed and wasted han my reednesse. [1101] Now taak heede of this chanons cursednesse! [1102] "Sire," quod he to the preest, "lat youre man gon [1103] For quyksilver, that we it hadde anon; [1104] And lat hym bryngen ounces two or three; [1105] And whan he comth, as faste shal ye see [1106] A wonder thyng, which ye saugh nevere er this." [1107] "Sire," quod the preest, "it shal be doon, ywis." [1108] He bad his servant fecchen hym this thyng, [1109] And he al redy was at his biddyng, [1110] And wente hym forth, and cam anon agayn [1111] With this quyksilver, shortly for to sayn, [1112] And took thise ounces thre to the chanoun; [1113] And he hem leyde faire and wel adoun, [1114] And bad the servant coles for to brynge, [1115] That he anon myghte go to his werkynge. [1116] The coles right anon weren yfet, [1117] And this chanoun took out a crosselet [1118] Of his bosom, and shewed it to the preest. [1119] "This instrument," quod he, "which that thou seest, [1120] Taak in thyn hand, and put thyself therinne [1121] Of this quyksilver an ounce, and heer bigynne, [1122] In name of Crist, to wexe a philosofre. [1123] Ther been ful fewe to whiche I wolde profre [1124] To shewen hem thus muche of my science. [1125] For ye shul seen heer, by experience, [1126] That this quyksilver I wol mortifye [1127] Right in youre sighte anon, withouten lye, [1128] And make it as good silver and as fyn [1129] As ther is any in youre purs or myn, [1130] Or elleswhere, and make it malliable; [1131] And elles holdeth me fals and unable [1132] Amonges folk for evere to appeere. [1133] I have a poudre heer, that coste me deere, [1134] Shal make al good, for it is cause of al [1135] My konnyng, which that I yow shewen shal. [1136] Voyde youre man, and lat hym be theroute, [1137] And shette the dore, whils we been aboute [1138] Oure pryvetee, that no man us espie, [1139] Whils that we werke in this philosophie." [1140] Al as he bad fulfilled was in dede. [1141] This ilke servant anonright out yede, [1142] And his maister shette the dore anon, [1143] And to hire labour spedily they gon. [1144] This preest, at this cursed chanons biddyng, [1145] Upon the fir anon sette this thyng, [1146] And blew the fir, and bisyed hym ful faste. [1147] And this chanoun into the crosselet caste [1148] A poudre, noot I wherof that it was [1149] Ymaad, outher of chalk, outher of glas, [1150] Or somwhat elles, was nat worth a flye, [1151] To blynde with this preest; and bad hym hye [1152] The coles for to couchen al above [1153] The crosselet. "For in tokenyng I thee love," [1154] Quod this chanoun, "thyne owene handes two [1155] Shul werche al thyng which that shal heer be do." [1156] "Graunt mercy," quod the preest, and was ful glad, [1157] And couched coles as the chanoun bad. [1158] And while he bisy was, this feendly wrecche, [1159] This false chanoun -- the foule feend hym fecche! -- [1160] Out of his bosom took a bechen cole, [1161] In which ful subtilly was maad an hole, [1162] And therinne put was of silver lemaille [1163] An ounce, and stopped was, withouten faille, [1164] This hole with wex, to kepe the lemaille in. [1165] And understondeth that this false gyn [1166] Was nat maad ther, but it was maad bifore; [1167] And othere thynges I shal tellen moore [1168] Herafterward, whiche that he with hym broghte. [1169] Er he cam there, hym to bigile he thoghte, [1170] And so he dide, er that they wente atwynne; [1171] Til he had terved hym, koude he nat blynne. [1172] It dulleth me whan that I of hym speke. [1173] On his falshede fayn wolde I me wreke, [1174] If I wiste how, but he is heere and there; [1175] He is so variaunt, he abit nowhere. [1176] But taketh heede now, sires, for Goddes love! [1177] He took his cole of which I spak above, [1178] And in his hand he baar it pryvely. [1179] And whiles the preest couched bisily [1180] The coles, as I tolde yow er this, [1181] This chanoun seyde, "Freend, ye doon amys. [1182] This is nat couched as it oghte be; [1183] But soone I shal amenden it," quod he. [1184] "Now lat me medle therwith but a while, [1185] For of yow have I pitee, by Seint Gile! [1186] Ye been right hoot; I se wel how ye swete. [1187] Have heere a clooth, and wipe awey the wete." [1188] And whiles that the preest wiped his face, [1189] This chanoun took his cole -- with sory grace! -- [1190] And leyde it above upon the myddeward [1191] Of the crosselet, and blew wel afterward [1192] Til that the coles gonne faste brenne. [1193] "Now yeve us drynke," quod the chanoun thenne; [1194] "As swithe al shal be wel, I undertake. [1195] Sitte we doun, and lat us myrie make." [1196] And whan that this chanounes bechen cole [1197] Was brent, al the lemaille out of the hole [1198] Into the crosselet fil anon adoun; [1199] And so it moste nedes, by resoun, [1200] Syn it so evene above couched was. [1201] But therof wiste the preest nothyng, alas! [1202] He demed alle the coles yliche good, [1203] For of that sleighte he nothyng understood. [1204] And whan this alkamystre saugh his tyme, [1205] "Ris up," quod he, "sire preest, and stondeth by me; [1206] And for I woot wel ingot have ye noon, [1207] Gooth, walketh forth, and bryngeth a chalk stoon; [1208] For I wol make it of the same shap [1209] That is an ingot, if I may han hap. [1210] And bryngeth eek with yow a bolle or a panne [1211] Ful of water, and ye shul se wel thanne [1212] How that oure bisynesse shal thryve and preeve. [1213] And yet, for ye shul han no mysbileeve [1214] Ne wrong conceite of me in youre absence, [1215] I ne wol nat been out of youre presence, [1216] But go with yow and come with yow ageyn." [1217] The chambre dore, shortly for to seyn, [1218] They opened and shette, and wente hir weye. [1219] And forth with hem they carieden the keye, [1220] And coome agayn withouten any delay. [1221] What sholde I tarien al the longe day? [1222] He took the chalk and shoop it in the wise [1223] Of an ingot, as I shal yow devyse. [1224] I seye, he took out of his owene sleeve [1225] A teyne of silver -- yvele moot he cheeve! -- [1226] Which that ne was nat but an ounce of weighte. [1227] And taaketh heede now of his cursed sleighte! [1228] He shoop his ingot in lengthe and in breede [1229] Of this teyne, withouten any drede, [1230] So slyly that the preest it nat espide, [1231] And in his sleve agayn he gan it hide, [1232] And fro the fir he took up his mateere, [1233] And in th' yngot putte it with myrie cheere, [1234] And in the water-vessel he it caste, [1235] Whan that hym luste, and bad the preest as faste, [1236] "Loke what ther is; put in thyn hand and grope. [1237] Thow fynde shalt ther silver, as I hope." [1238] What, devel of helle, sholde it elles be? [1239] Shaving of silver silver is, pardee! [1240] He putte his hand in and took up a teyne [1241] Of silver fyn, and glad in every veyne [1242] Was this preest, whan he saugh it was so. [1243] "Goddes blessyng, and his moodres also, [1244] And alle halwes, have ye, sire chanoun," [1245] Seyde the preest, "and I hir malisoun, [1246] But, and ye vouche-sauf to techen me [1247] This noble craft and this subtilitee, [1248] I wol be youre in al that evere I may." [1249] Quod the chanoun, "Yet wol I make assay [1250] The seconde tyme, that ye may taken heede [1251] And been expert of this, and in youre neede [1252] Another day assaye in myn absence [1253] This disciplyne and this crafty science. [1254] Lat take another ounce," quod he tho, [1255] "Of quyksilver, withouten wordes mo, [1256] And do therwith as ye han doon er this [1257] With that oother, which that now silver is." [1258] This preest hym bisieth in al that he kan [1259] To doon as this chanoun, this cursed man, [1260] Comanded hym, and faste blew the fir, [1261] For to come to th' effect of his desir. [1262] And this chanon, right in the meene while, [1263] Al redy was this preest eft to bigile, [1264] And for a contenaunce in his hand he bar [1265] An holwe stikke -- taak kep and be war! -- [1266] In the ende of which an ounce, and namoore, [1267] Of silver lemaille put was, as bifore [1268] Was in his cole, and stopped with wex weel [1269] For to kepe in his lemaille every deel. [1270] And whil this preest was in his bisynesse, [1271] This chanoun with his stikke gan hym dresse [1272] To hym anon, and his poudre caste in [1273] As he dide er -- the devel out of his skyn [1274] Hym terve, I pray to God, for his falshede! [1275] For he was evere fals in thoght and dede -- [1276] And with this stikke, above the crosselet, [1277] That was ordeyned with that false jet, [1278] He stired the coles til relente gan [1279] The wex agayn the fir, as every man, [1280] But it a fool be, woot wel it moot nede, [1281] And al that in the stikke was out yede, [1282] And in the crosselet hastily it fel. [1283] Now, good sires, what wol ye bet than wel? [1284] Whan that this preest thus was bigiled ageyn, [1285] Supposynge noght but treuthe, sooth to seyn, [1286] He was so glad that I kan nat expresse [1287] In no manere his myrthe and his gladnesse; [1288] And to the chanoun he profred eftsoone [1289] Body and good. "Ye," quod the chanoun soone, [1290] "Though poure I be, crafty thou shalt me fynde. [1291] I warne thee, yet is ther moore bihynde. [1292] Is ther any coper herinne?" seyde he. [1293] "Ye," quod the preest, "sire, I trowe wel ther be." [1294] "Elles go bye us som, and that as swithe; [1295] Now, goode sire, go forth thy wey and hy the." [1296] He wente his wey, and with the coper cam, [1297] And this chanon it in his handes nam, [1298] And of that coper weyed out but an ounce. [1299] Al to symple is my tonge to pronounce, [1300] As ministre of my wit, the doublenesse [1301] Of this chanoun, roote of alle cursednesse! [1302] He semed freendly to hem that knewe hym noght, [1303] But he was feendly bothe in werk and thoght. [1304] It weerieth me to telle of his falsnesse, [1305] And nathelees yet wol I it expresse, [1306] To th' entente that men may be war therby, [1307] And for noon oother cause, trewely. [1308] He putte this ounce of coper in the crosselet, [1309] And on the fir as swithe he hath it set, [1310] And caste in poudre, and made the preest to blowe, [1311] And in his werkyng for to stoupe lowe, [1312] As he dide er -- and al nas but a jape; [1313] Right as hym liste, the preest he made his ape! [1314] And afterward in the ingot he it caste, [1315] And in the panne putte it at the laste [1316] Of water, and in he putte his owene hand, [1317] And in his sleve (as ye biforen-hand [1318] Herde me telle) he hadde a silver teyne. [1319] He slyly took it out, this cursed heyne, [1320] Unwityng this preest of his false craft, [1321] And in the pannes botme he hath it laft; [1322] And in the water rombled to and fro, [1323] And wonder pryvely took up also [1324] The coper teyne, noght knowynge this preest, [1325] And hidde it, and hym hente by the breest, [1326] And to hym spak, and thus seyde in his game: [1327] "Stoupeth adoun. By God, ye be to blame! [1328] Helpeth me now, as I dide yow whileer; [1329] Putte in youre hand, and looketh what is theer." [1330] This preest took up this silver teyne anon, [1331] And thanne seyde the chanoun, "Lat us gon [1332] With thise thre teynes, whiche that we han wroght, [1333] To som goldsmyth and wite if they been oght, [1334] For, by my feith, I nolde, for myn hood, [1335] But if that they were silver fyn and good, [1336] And that as swithe preeved it shal bee." [1337] Unto the goldsmyth with thise teynes three [1338] They wente and putte thise teynes in assay [1339] To fir and hamer; myghte no man seye nay, [1340] But that they weren as hem oghte be. [1341] This sotted preest, who was gladder than he? [1342] Was nevere brid gladder agayn the day, [1343] Ne nyghtyngale, in the sesoun of May, [1344] Was nevere noon that luste bet to synge; [1345] Ne lady lustier in carolynge, [1346] Or for to speke of love and wommanhede, [1347] Ne knyght in armes to doon an hardy dede, [1348] To stonden in grace of his lady deere, [1349] Than hadde this preest this soory craft to leere. [1350] And to the chanoun thus he spak and seyde: [1351] "For love of God, that for us alle deyde, [1352] And as I may deserve it unto yow, [1353] What shal this receite coste? Telleth now!" [1354] "By oure Lady," quod this chanon, "it is deere, [1355] I warne yow wel; for save I and a frere, [1356] In Engelond ther kan no man it make." [1357] "No fors," quod he, "now, sire, for Goddes sake, [1358] What shal I paye? Telleth me, I preye." [1359] "Ywis," quod he, "it is ful deere, I seye. [1360] Sire, at o word, if that thee list it have, [1361] Ye shul paye fourty pound, so God me save! [1362] And nere the freendshipe that ye dide er this [1363] To me, ye sholde paye moore, ywis." [1364] This preest the somme of fourty pound anon [1365] Of nobles fette, and took hem everichon [1366] To this chanoun for this ilke receite. [1367] Al his werkyng nas but fraude and deceite. [1368] "Sire preest," he seyde, "I kepe han no loos [1369] Of my craft, for I wolde it kept were cloos; [1370] And, as ye love me, kepeth it secree. [1371] For, and men knewen al my soutiltee, [1372] By God, they wolden han so greet envye [1373] To me by cause of my philosophye [1374] I sholde be deed; ther were noon oother weye." [1375] "God it forbeede," quod the preest, "what sey ye? [1376] Yet hadde I levere spenden al the good [1377] Which that I have, and elles wexe I wood, [1378] Than that ye sholden falle in swich mescheef." [1379] "For youre good wyl, sire, have ye right good preef," [1380] Quod the chanoun, "and farwel, grant mercy!" [1381] He wente his wey, and never the preest hym sy [1382] After that day; and whan that this preest shoolde [1383] Maken assay, at swich tyme as he wolde, [1384] Of this receit, farwel! It wolde nat be. [1385] Lo, thus byjaped and bigiled was he! [1386] Thus maketh he his introduccioun, [1387] To brynge folk to hir destruccioun. [1388] Considereth, sires, how that, in ech estaat, [1389] Bitwixe men and gold ther is debaat [1390] So ferforth that unnethes is ther noon. [1391] This multiplying blent so many oon [1392] That in good feith I trowe that it bee [1393] The cause grettest of swich scarsetee. [1394] Philosophres speken so mystily [1395] In this craft that men kan nat come therby, [1396] For any wit that men han now-a-dayes. [1397] They mowe wel chiteren as doon jayes, [1398] And in hir termes sette hir lust and peyne, [1399] But to hir purpos shul they nevere atteyne. [1400] A man may lightly lerne, if he have aught, [1401] To multiplie, and brynge his good to naught! [1402] Lo! swich a lucre is in this lusty game, [1403] A mannes myrthe it wol turne unto grame, [1404] And empten also grete and hevye purses, [1405] And maken folk for to purchacen curses [1406] Of hem that han hir good therto ylent. [1407] O, fy, for shame! They that han been brent, [1408] Allas, kan they nat flee the fires heete? [1409] Ye that it use, I rede ye it leete, [1410] Lest ye lese al; for bet than nevere is late. [1411] Nevere to thryve were to long a date. [1412] Though ye prolle ay, ye shul it nevere fynde. [1413] Ye been as boold as is Bayard the blynde, [1414] That blondreth forth and peril casteth noon. [1415] He is as boold to renne agayn a stoon [1416] As for to goon bisides in the weye. [1417] So faren ye that multiplie, I seye. [1418] If that youre eyen kan nat seen aright, [1419] Looke that youre mynde lakke noght his sight. [1420] For though ye looken never so brode and stare, [1421] Ye shul nothyng wynne on that chaffare, [1422] But wasten al that ye may rape and renne. [1423] Withdraweth the fir, lest it to faste brenne; [1424] Medleth namoore with that art, I mene, [1425] For if ye doon, youre thrift is goon ful clene. [1426] And right as swithe I wol yow tellen heere [1427] What philosophres seyn in this mateere. [1428] Lo, thus seith Arnold of the Newe Toun, [1429] As his Rosarie maketh mencioun; [1430] He seith right thus, withouten any lye: [1431] "Ther may no man mercurie mortifie [1432] But it be with his brother knowlechyng"; [1433] How [be] that he which that first seyde this thyng [1434] Of philosophres fader was, Hermes; [1435] He seith how that the dragon, doutelees, [1436] Ne dyeth nat but if that he be slayn [1437] With his brother; and that is for to sayn, [1438] By the dragon, Mercurie, and noon oother [1439] He understood, and brymstoon by his brother, [1440] That out of Sol and Luna were ydrawe. [1441] "And therfore," seyde he -- taak heede to my sawe -- [1442] "Lat no man bisye hym this art for to seche, [1443] But if that he th' entencioun and speche [1444] Of philosophres understonde kan; [1445] And if he do, he is a lewed man. [1446] For this science and this konnyng," quod he, [1447] "Is of the secree of the secretes, pardee." [1448] Also ther was a disciple of Plato, [1449] That on a tyme seyde his maister to, [1450] As his book Senior wol bere witnesse, [1451] And this was his demande in soothfastnesse: [1452] "Telle me the name of the privee stoon." [1453] And Plato answerde unto hym anoon, [1454] "Take the stoon that Titanos men name." [1455] "Which is that?" quod he. "Magnasia is the same," [1456] Seyde Plato. "Ye, sire, and is it thus? [1457] This is ignotum per ignocius. [1458] What is Magnasia, good sire, I yow preye?" [1459] "It is a water that is maad, I seye, [1460] Of elementes foure," quod Plato. [1461] "Telle me the roote, good sire," quod he tho, [1462] "Of that water, if it be youre wil." [1463] "Nay, nay," quod Plato, "certein, that I nyl. [1464] The philosophres sworn were everychoon [1465] That they sholden discovere it unto noon, [1466] Ne in no book it write in no manere. [1467] For unto Crist it is so lief and deere [1468] That he wol nat that it discovered bee, [1469] But where it liketh to his deitee [1470] Men for t' enspire, and eek for to deffende [1471] Whom that hym liketh; lo, this is the ende." [1472] Thanne conclude I thus, sith that God of hevene [1473] Ne wil nat that the philosophres nevene [1474] How that a man shal come unto this stoon, [1475] I rede, as for the beste, lete it goon. [1476] For whoso maketh God his adversarie, [1477] As for to werken any thyng in contrarie [1478] Of his wil, certes, never shal he thryve, [1479] Thogh that he multiplie terme of his lyve. [1480] And there a poynt, for ended is my tale. [1481] God sende every trewe man boote of his bale! The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Manciple's Prologue [1] Woot ye nat where ther stant a litel toun [2] Which that ycleped is Bobbe-up-and-doun, [3] Under the Blee, in Caunterbury Weye? [4] Ther gan oure Hooste for to jape and pleye, [5] And seyde, "Sires, what! Dun is in the myre! [6] Is ther no man, for preyere ne for hyre, [7] That wole awake oure felawe al bihynde? [8] A theef myghte hym ful lightly robbe and bynde. [9] See how he nappeth! See how, for cokkes bones, [10] That he wol falle fro his hors atones! [11] Is that a cook of Londoun, with meschaunce? [12] Do hym come forth, he knoweth his penaunce; [13] For he shal telle a tale, by my fey, [14] Although it be nat worth a botel hey. [15] Awake, thou Cook," quod he, "God yeve thee sorwe! [16] What eyleth thee to slepe by the morwe? [17] Hastow had fleen al nyght, or artow dronke? [18] Or hastow with som quene al nyght yswonke, [19] So that thow mayst nat holden up thyn heed?" [20] This Cook, that was ful pale and no thyng reed, [21] Seyde to oure Hoost, "So God my soule blesse, [22] As ther is falle on me swich hevynesse, [23] Noot I nat why, that me were levere slepe [24] Than the beste galon wyn in Chepe." [25] "Wel," quod the Maunciple, "if it may doon ese [26] To thee, sire Cook, and to no wight displese, [27] Which that heere rideth in this compaignye, [28] And that oure Hoost wole, of his curteisye, [29] I wol as now excuse thee of thy tale. [30] For, in good feith, thy visage is ful pale, [31] Thyne eyen daswen eek, as that me thynketh, [32] And, wel I woot, thy breeth ful soure stynketh: [33] That sheweth wel thou art nat wel disposed. [34] Of me, certeyn, thou shalt nat been yglosed. [35] See how he ganeth, lo, this dronken wight, [36] As though he wolde swolwe us anonright. [37] Hoold cloos thy mouth, man, by thy fader kyn! [38] The devel of helle sette his foot therin! [39] Thy cursed breeth infecte wole us alle. [40] Fy, stynkyng swyn! Fy, foule moote thee falle! [41] A, taketh heede, sires, of this lusty man. [42] Now, sweete sire, wol ye justen atte fan? [43] Therto me thynketh ye been wel yshape! [44] I trowe that ye dronken han wyn ape, [45] And that is whan men pleyen with a straw." [46] And with this speche the Cook wax wrooth and wraw, [47] And on the Manciple he gan nodde faste [48] For lakke of speche, and doun the hors hym caste, [49] Where as he lay, til that men hym up took. [50] This was a fair chyvachee of a cook! [51] Allas, he nadde holde hym by his ladel! [52] And er that he agayn were in his sadel, [53] Ther was greet showvyng bothe to and fro [54] To lifte hym up, and muchel care and wo, [55] So unweeldy was this sory palled goost. [56] And to the Manciple thanne spak oure Hoost: [57] "By cause drynke hath dominacioun [58] Upon this man, by my savacioun, [59] I trowe he lewedly wolde telle his tale. [60] For, were it wyn or oold or moysty ale [61] That he hath dronke, he speketh in his nose, [62] And fneseth faste, and eek he hath the pose. [63] "He hath also to do moore than ynough [64] To kepen hym and his capul out of the slough; [65] And if he falle from his capul eftsoone, [66] Thanne shal we alle have ynogh to doone [67] In liftyng up his hevy dronken cors. [68] Telle on thy tale; of hym make I no fors. [69] "But yet, Manciple, in feith thou art to nyce, [70] Thus openly repreve hym of his vice. [71] Another day he wole, peraventure, [72] Reclayme thee and brynge thee to lure; [73] I meene, he speke wole of smale thynges, [74] As for to pynchen at thy rekenynges, [75] That were nat honest, if it cam to preef." [76] "No," quod the Manciple, "that were a greet mescheef! [77] So myghte he lightly brynge me in the snare. [78] Yet hadde I levere payen for the mare [79] Which he rit on, than he sholde with me stryve. [80] I wol nat wratthen hym, also moot I thryve! [81] That that I spak, I seyde it in my bourde. [82] And wite ye what? I have heer in a gourde [83] A draghte of wyn, ye, of a ripe grape, [84] And right anon ye shul seen a good jape. [85] This Cook shal drynke therof, if I may. [86] Up peyne of deeth, he wol nat seye me nay." [87] And certeynly, to tellen as it was, [88] Of this vessel the Cook drank faste, allas! [89] What neded hym? He drank ynough biforn. [90] And whan he hadde pouped in this horn, [91] To the Manciple he took the gourde agayn; [92] And of that drynke the Cook was wonder fayn, [93] And thanked hym in swich wise as he koude. [94] Thanne gan oure Hoost to laughen wonder loude, [95] And seyde, "I se wel it is necessarie, [96] Where that we goon, good drynke with us carie; [97] For that wol turne rancour and disese [98] T' acord and love, and many a wrong apese. [99] "O Bacus, yblessed be thy name, [100] That so kanst turnen ernest into game! [101] Worshipe and thank be to thy deitee! [102] Of that mateere ye gete namoore of me. [103] Telle on thy tale, Manciple, I thee preye." [104] "Wel, sire," quod he, "now herkneth what I seye. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Manciple's Tale [105] Whan Phebus dwelled heere in this erthe adoun, [106] As olde bookes maken mencioun, [107] He was the mooste lusty bachiler [108] In al this world, and eek the beste archer. [109] He slow Phitoun, the serpent, as he lay [110] Slepynge agayn the sonne upon a day; [111] And many another noble worthy dede [112] He with his bowe wroghte, as men may rede. [113] Pleyen he koude on every mynstralcie, [114] And syngen that it was a melodie [115] To heeren of his cleere voys the soun. [116] Certes the kyng of Thebes, Amphioun, [117] That with his syngyng walled that citee, [118] Koude nevere syngen half so wel as hee. [119] Therto he was the semelieste man [120] That is or was sith that the world bigan. [121] What nedeth it his fetures to discryve? [122] For in this world was noon so faire on-lyve. [123] He was therwith fulfild of gentillesse, [124] Of honour, and of parfit worthynesse. [125] This Phebus, that was flour of bachilrie, [126] As wel in fredom as in chivalrie, [127] For his desport, in signe eek of victorie [128] Of Phitoun, so as telleth us the storie, [129] Was wont to beren in his hand a bowe. [130] Now hadde this Phebus in his hous a crowe [131] Which in a cage he fostred many a day, [132] And taughte it speken, as men teche a jay. [133] Whit was this crowe as is a snow-whit swan, [134] And countrefete the speche of every man [135] He koude, whan he sholde telle a tale. [136] Therwith in al this world no nyghtyngale [137] Ne koude, by an hondred thousand deel, [138] Syngen so wonder myrily and weel. [139] Now hadde this Phebus in his hous a wyf [140] Which that he lovede moore than his lyf, [141] And nyght and day dide evere his diligence [142] Hir for to plese and doon hire reverence, [143] Save oonly, if the sothe that I shal sayn, [144] Jalous he was, and wolde have kept hire fayn. [145] For hym were looth byjaped for to be, [146] And so is every wight in swich degree; [147] But al in ydel, for it availleth noght. [148] A good wyf, that is clene of werk and thoght, [149] Sholde nat been kept in noon awayt, certayn; [150] And trewely the labour is in vayn [151] To kepe a shrewe, for it wol nat bee. [152] This holde I for a verray nycetee, [153] To spille labour for to kepe wyves: [154] Thus writen olde clerkes in hir lyves. [155] But now to purpos, as I first bigan: [156] This worthy Phebus dooth al that he kan [157] To plesen hire, wenynge for swich plesaunce, [158] And for his manhede and his governaunce, [159] That no man sholde han put hym from hir grace. [160] But God it woot, ther may no man embrace [161] As to destreyne a thyng which that nature [162] Hath natureelly set in a creature. [163] Taak any bryd, and put it in a cage, [164] And do al thyn entente and thy corage [165] To fostre it tendrely with mete and drynke [166] Of alle deyntees that thou kanst bithynke, [167] And keep it al so clenly as thou may, [168] Although his cage of gold be never so gay, [169] Yet hath this brid, by twenty thousand foold, [170] Levere in a forest that is rude and coold [171] Goon ete wormes and swich wrecchednesse. [172] For evere this brid wol doon his bisynesse [173] To escape out of his cage, yif he may. [174] His libertee this brid desireth ay. [175] Lat take a cat, and fostre hym wel with milk [176] And tendre flessh, and make his couche of silk, [177] And lat hym seen a mous go by the wal, [178] Anon he weyveth milk and flessh and al, [179] And every deyntee that is in that hous, [180] Swich appetit hath he to ete a mous. [181] Lo, heere hath lust his dominacioun, [182] And appetit fleemeth discrecioun. [183] A she-wolf hath also a vileyns kynde. [184] The lewedeste wolf that she may fynde, [185] Or leest of reputacioun, wol she take, [186] In tyme whan hir lust to han a make. [187] Alle thise ensamples speke I by thise men [188] That been untrewe, and nothyng by wommen. [189] For men han evere a likerous appetit [190] On lower thyng to parfourne hire delit [191] Than on hire wyves, be they never so faire, [192] Ne never so trewe, ne so debonaire. [193] Flessh is so newefangel, with meschaunce, [194] That we ne konne in nothyng han plesaunce [195] That sowneth into vertu any while. [196] This Phebus, which that thoghte upon no gile, [197] Deceyved was, for al his jolitee. [198] For under hym another hadde shee, [199] A man of litel reputacioun, [200] Nat worth to Phebus in comparisoun. [201] The moore harm is, it happeth ofte so, [202] Of which ther cometh muchel harm and wo. [203] And so bifel, whan Phebus was absent, [204] His wyf anon hath for hir lemman sent. [205] Hir lemman? Certes, this is a knavyssh speche! [206] Foryeveth it me, and that I yow biseche. [207] The wise Plato seith, as ye may rede, [208] The word moot nede accorde with the dede. [209] If men shal telle proprely a thyng, [210] The word moot cosyn be to the werkyng. [211] I am a boystous man, right thus seye I: [212] Ther nys no difference, trewely, [213] Bitwixe a wyf that is of heigh degree, [214] If of hir body dishonest she bee, [215] And a povre wenche, oother than this -- [216] If it so be they werke bothe amys -- [217] But that the gentile, in estaat above, [218] She shal be cleped his lady, as in love; [219] And for that oother is a povre womman, [220] She shal be cleped his wenche or his lemman. [221] And, God it woot, myn owene deere brother, [222] Men leyn that oon as lowe as lith that oother. [223] Right so bitwixe a titlelees tiraunt [224] And an outlawe or a theef erraunt, [225] The same I seye: ther is no difference. [226] To Alisaundre was toold this sentence, [227] That, for the tirant is of gretter myght [228] By force of meynee for to sleen dounright, [229] And brennen hous and hoom, and make al playn, [230] Lo, therfore is he cleped a capitayn; [231] And for the outlawe hath but smal meynee, [232] And may nat doon so greet an harm as he, [233] Ne brynge a contree to so greet mescheef, [234] Men clepen hym an outlawe or a theef. [235] But for I am a man noght textueel, [236] I wol noght telle of textes never a deel; [237] I wol go to my tale, as I bigan. [238] Whan Phebus wyf had sent for hir lemman, [239] Anon they wroghten al hire lust volage. [240] The white crowe, that heeng ay in the cage, [241] Biheeld hire werk, and seyde never a word. [242] And whan that hoom was come Phebus, the lord, [243] This crowe sang "Cokkow! Cokkow! Cokkow!" [244] "What, bryd?" quod Phebus. "What song syngestow? [245] Ne were thow wont so myrily to synge [246] That to myn herte it was a rejoysynge [247] To heere thy voys? Allas, what song is this?" [248] "By God," quod he, "I synge nat amys. [249] Phebus," quod he, "for al thy worthynesse, [250] For al thy beautee and thy gentilesse, [251] For al thy song and al thy mynstralcye, [252] For al thy waityng, blered is thyn ye [253] With oon of litel reputacioun, [254] Noght worth to thee, as in comparisoun, [255] The montance of a gnat, so moote I thryve! [256] For on thy bed thy wyf I saugh hym swyve." [257] What wol ye moore? The crowe anon hym tolde, [258] By sadde tokenes and by wordes bolde, [259] How that his wyf had doon hire lecherye, [260] Hym to greet shame and to greet vileynye, [261] And tolde hym ofte he saugh it with his yen. [262] This Phebus gan aweyward for to wryen, [263] And thoughte his sorweful herte brast atwo. [264] His bowe he bente, and sette therinne a flo, [265] And in his ire his wyf thanne hath he slayn. [266] This is th' effect; ther is namoore to sayn; [267] For sorwe of which he brak his mynstralcie, [268] Bothe harpe, and lute, and gyterne, and sautrie; [269] And eek he brak his arwes and his bowe, [270] And after that thus spak he to the crowe: [271] "Traitour," quod he, "with tonge of scorpioun, [272] Thou hast me broght to my confusioun; [273] Allas, that I was wroght! Why nere I deed? [274] O deere wyf! O gemme of lustiheed! [275] That were to me so sad and eek so trewe, [276] Now listow deed, with face pale of hewe, [277] Ful giltelees, that dorste I swere, ywys! [278] O rakel hand, to doon so foule amys! [279] O trouble wit, O ire recchelees, [280] That unavysed smyteth gilteles! [281] O wantrust, ful of fals suspecion, [282] Where was thy wit and thy discrecion? [283] O every man, be war of rakelnesse! [284] Ne trowe no thyng withouten strong witnesse. [285] Smyt nat to soone, er that ye witen why, [286] And beeth avysed wel and sobrely [287] Er ye doon any execucion [288] Upon youre ire for suspecion. [289] Allas, a thousand folk hath rakel ire [290] Fully fordoon, and broght hem in the mire. [291] Allas! For sorwe I wol myselven slee!" [292] And to the crowe, "O false theef!" seyde he, [293] "I wol thee quite anon thy false tale. [294] Thou songe whilom lyk a nyghtyngale; [295] Now shaltow, false theef, thy song forgon, [296] And eek thy white fetheres everichon, [297] Ne nevere in al thy lif ne shaltou speke. [298] Thus shal men on a traytour been awreke; [299] Thou and thyn ofspryng evere shul be blake, [300] Ne nevere sweete noyse shul ye make, [301] But evere crie agayn tempest and rayn, [302] In tokenynge that thurgh thee my wyf is slayn." [303] And to the crowe he stirte, and that anon, [304] And pulled his white fetheres everychon, [305] And made hym blak, and refte hym al his song, [306] And eek his speche, and out at dore hym slong [307] Unto the devel, which I hym bitake; [308] And for this caas been alle crowes blake. [309] Lordynges, by this ensample I yow preye, [310] Beth war, and taketh kep what that ye seye: [311] Ne telleth nevere no man in youre lyf [312] How that another man hath dight his wyf; [313] He wol yow haten mortally, certeyn. [314] Daun Salomon, as wise clerkes seyn, [315] Techeth a man to kepen his tonge weel. [316] But, as I seyde, I am noght textueel. [317] But nathelees, thus taughte me my dame: [318] "My sone, thenk on the crowe, a Goddes name! [319] My sone, keep wel thy tonge, and keep thy freend. [320] A wikked tonge is worse than a feend; [321] My sone, from a feend men may hem blesse. [322] My sone, God of his endelees goodnesse [323] Walled a tonge with teeth and lippes eke, [324] For man sholde hym avyse what he speeke. [325] My sone, ful ofte, for to muche speche [326] Hath many a man been spilt, as clerkes teche, [327] But for litel speche avysely [328] Is no man shent, to speke generally. [329] My sone, thy tonge sholdestow restreyne [330] At alle tymes, but whan thou doost thy peyne [331] To speke of God, in honour and preyere. [332] The firste vertu, sone, if thou wolt leere, [333] Is to restreyne and kepe wel thy tonge; [334] Thus lerne children whan that they been yonge. [335] My sone, of muchel spekyng yvele avysed, [336] Ther lasse spekyng hadde ynough suffised, [337] Comth muchel harm; thus was me toold and taught. [338] In muchel speche synne wanteth naught. [339] Wostow wherof a rakel tonge serveth? [340] Right as a swerd forkutteth and forkerveth [341] An arm a-two, my deere sone, right so [342] A tonge kutteth freendshipe al a-two. [343] A jangler is to God abhomynable. [344] Reed Salomon, so wys and honurable; [345] Reed David in his psalmes; reed Senekke. [346] My sone, spek nat, but with thyn heed thou bekke. [347] Dissimule as thou were deef, if that thou heere [348] A janglere speke of perilous mateere. [349] The Flemyng seith, and lerne it if thee leste, [350] That litel janglyng causeth muchel reste. [351] My sone, if thou no wikked word hast seyd, [352] Thee thar nat drede for to be biwreyd; [353] But he that hath mysseyd, I dar wel sayn, [354] He may by no wey clepe his word agayn. [355] Thyng that is seyd is seyd, and forth it gooth, [356] Though hym repente, or be hym nevere so looth. [357] He is his thral to whom that he hath sayd [358] A tale of which he is now yvele apayd. [359] My sone, be war, and be noon auctour newe [360] Of tidynges, wheither they been false or trewe. [361] Whereso thou come, amonges hye or lowe, [362] Kepe wel thy tonge and thenk upon the crowe." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Parson's Prologue [1] By that the Maunciple hadde his tale al ended, [2] The sonne fro the south lyne was descended [3] So lowe that he nas nat, to my sighte, [4] Degrees nyne and twenty as in highte. [5] Foure of the clokke it was tho, as I gesse, [6] For ellevene foot, or litel moore or lesse, [7] My shadwe was at thilke tyme, as there [8] Of swiche feet as my lengthe parted were [9] In sixe feet equal of proporcioun. [10] Therwith the moones exaltacioun -- [11] I meene Libra -- alwey gan ascende [12] As we were entryng at a thropes ende; [13] For which oure Hoost, as he was wont to gye, [14] As in this caas, oure joly compaignye, [15] Seyde in this wise: "Lordynges everichoon, [16] Now lakketh us no tales mo than oon. [17] Fulfilled is my sentence and my decree; [18] I trowe that we han herd of ech degree; [19] Almoost fulfild is al myn ordinaunce. [20] I pray to God, so yeve hym right good chaunce, [21] That telleth this tale to us lustily. [22] "Sire preest," quod he, "artow a vicary? [23] Or arte a person? Sey sooth, by thy fey! [24] Be what thou be, ne breke thou nat oure pley; [25] For every man, save thou, hath toold his tale. [26] Unbokele and shewe us what is in thy male; [27] For trewely, me thynketh by thy cheere [28] Thou sholdest knytte up wel a greet mateere. [29] Telle us a fable anon, for cokkes bones!" [30] This Persoun answerde, al atones, [31] "Thou getest fable noon ytoold for me, [32] For Paul, that writeth unto Thymothee, [33] Repreveth hem that weyven soothfastnesse [34] And tellen fables and swich wrecchednesse. [35] Why sholde I sowen draf out of my fest, [36] Whan I may sowen whete, if that me lest? [37] For which I seye, if that yow list to heere [38] Moralitee and vertuous mateere, [39] And thanne that ye wol yeve me audience, [40] I wol ful fayn, at Cristes reverence, [41] Do yow plesaunce leefful, as I kan. [42] But trusteth wel, I am a Southren man; [43] I kan nat geeste `rum, ram, ruf,' by lettre, [44] Ne, God woot, rym holde I but litel bettre; [45] And therfore, if yow list -- I wol nat glose -- [46] I wol yow telle a myrie tale in prose [47] To knytte up al this feeste and make an ende. [48] And Jhesu, for his grace, wit me sende [49] To shewe yow the wey, in this viage, [50] Of thilke parfit glorious pilgrymage [51] That highte Jerusalem celestial. [52] And if ye vouche sauf, anon I shal [53] Bigynne upon my tale, for which I preye [54] Telle youre avys; I kan no bettre seye. [55] "But nathelees, this meditacioun [56] I putte it ay under correccioun [57] Of clerkes, for I am nat textueel; [58] I take but the sentence, trusteth weel. [59] Therfore I make protestacioun [60] That I wol stonde to correccioun." [61] Upon this word we han assented soone, [62] For, as it seemed, it was for to doone -- [63] To enden in som vertuous sentence, [64] And for to yeve hym space and audience, [65] And bade oure Hoost he sholde to hym seye [66] That alle we to telle his tale hym preye. [67] Oure Hoost hadde the wordes for us alle; [68] "Sire preest," quod he, "now faire yow bifalle! [69] Telleth," quod he, "youre meditacioun. [70] But hasteth yow; the sonne wole adoun; [71] Beth fructuous, and that in litel space, [72] And to do wel God sende yow his grace! [73] Sey what yow list, and we wol gladly heere." [74] And with that word he seyde in this manere. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales The Parson's Tale [75] Oure sweete Lord God of hevene, that no man wole perisse but wole that [75A] we comen alle to the knoweleche of hym and to the blisful lif that is perdurable, [76] amonesteth us by the prophete Jeremie, that seith in thys wyse: [77] "Stondeth upon the weyes, and seeth and axeth of olde pathes (that is to seyn, of olde sentences) which is the goode wey, [78] and walketh in that wey, and ye shal fynde refresshynge for youre soules, etc." [79] Manye been the weyes espirituels that leden folk to oure Lord Jhesu Crist and to the regne of glorie. [80] Of whiche weyes ther is a ful noble wey and a ful covenable, which may nat fayle to man ne to womman [80A] that thurgh synne hath mysgoon fro the righte wey of Jerusalem celestial; [81] and this wey is cleped Penitence, of which man sholde gladly herknen and enquere with al his herte [82] to wyten what is Penitence, and whennes it is cleped Penitence, and in how manye maneres been the acciouns or werkynges of Penitence, [83] and how manye speces ther been of Penitence, and whiche thynges apertenen and bihoven to Penitence, and whiche thynges destourben Penitence. [84] Seint Ambrose seith that Penitence is the pleynynge of man for the gilt that he hath doon, [84A] and namoore to do any thyng for which hym oghte to pleyne. [85] And som doctour seith, "Penitence is the waymentynge of man that sorweth for his synne and pyneth hymself for he hath mysdoon." [86] Penitence, with certeyne circumstances, is verray repentance of a man that halt hymself in sorwe and oother peyne for his giltes. [87] And for he shal be verray penitent, he shal first biwaylen the synnes that he hath doon, [87A] and stidefastly purposen in his herte to have shrift of mouthe, and to doon satisfaccioun, [88] and nevere to doon thyng for which hym oghte moore to biwayle [88A] or to compleyne, and to continue in goode werkes, or elles his repentance may nat availle. [89] For, as seith Seint Ysidre, [89A] "He is a japere and a gabbere and no verray repentant that eftsoone dooth thyng for which hym oghte repente." [90] Wepynge, and nat for to stynte to do synne, may nat avayle. [91] But nathelees, men shal hope that every tyme that man falleth, be it never so ofte, [91A] that he may arise thurgh Penitence, if he have grace; but certeinly it is greet doute. [92] For, as seith Seint Gregorie, "Unnethe ariseth he out of his synne, that is charged with the charge of yvel usage." [93] And therfore repentant folk, that stynte for to synne and forlete synne er that synne forlete hem, [93A] hooly chirche holdeth hem siker of hire savacioun. [94] And he that synneth and verraily repenteth hym in his laste, hooly chirche yet hopeth his savacioun, [94A] by the grete mercy of oure Lord Jhesu Crist, for his repentaunce; but taak the siker wey. [95] And now, sith I have declared yow what thyng is Penitence, now shul ye understonde that ther been three acciouns of Penitence. [96] The firste is that if a man be baptized after that he hath synned. [97] Seint Augustyn seith, "But he be penytent for his olde synful lyf, he may nat bigynne the newe clene lif." [98] For, certes, if he be baptized withouten penitence of his olde gilt, he receyveth the mark of baptesme [98A] but nat the grace ne the remission of his synnes, til he have repentance verray. [99] 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. [101] Therof seith Seint Augustyn that penitence of goode and humble folk is the penitence of every day. [102] The speces of Penitence been three. That oon of hem is solempne, another is commune, and the thridde is privee. [103] Thilke penance that is solempne is in two maneres; [103A] as to be put out of hooly chirche in Lente for slaughtre of children, and swich maner thyng. [104] Another is, whan a man hath synned openly, of which synne the fame is openly spoken in the contree, [104A] and thanne hooly chirche by juggement destreyneth hym for to do open penaunce. [105] Commune penaunce is that preestes enjoynen men communly in certeyn caas, as for to goon peraventure naked in pilgrimages, or barefoot. [106] Pryvee penaunce is thilke that men doon alday for privee synnes, of whiche we shryve us prively and receyve privee penaunce. [107] Now shaltow understande what is bihovely and necessarie to verray parfit Penitence. And this stant on three thynges: [108] Contricioun of Herte, Confessioun of Mouth, and Satisfaccioun. [109] For which seith Seint John Crisostom, "Penitence destreyneth a man to accepte benygnely every peyne that hym is enjoyned, [109A] with contricioun of herte, and shrift of mouth, with satisfaccioun, and in werkynge of alle manere humylitee." [110] And this is fruytful penitence agayn three thynges in which we wratthe oure Lord Jhesu Crist; [111] this is to seyn, by delit in thynkynge, by reccheleesnesse in spekynge, and by wikked synful werkynge. [112] And agayns thise wikkede giltes is Penitence, that may be likned unto a tree. [113] The roote of this tree is Contricioun, that hideth hym in the herte of hym that is verray repentaunt, [113A] right as the roote of a tree hydeth hym in the erthe. [114] 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 knowe this tree, [115A] and nat by the roote that is hyd in the herte of man, ne by the braunches, ne by the leves of Confessioun. [116] And therfore oure Lord Jhesu Crist seith thus: "By the fruyt of hem shul ye knowen hem." [117] Of this roote eek spryngeth a seed of grace, the which seed is mooder of sikernesse, and this seed is egre and hoot. [118] The grace of this seed spryngeth of God thurgh remembrance of the day of doom and on the peynes of helle. [119] 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. [121] This heete draweth the herte of a man to God and dooth hym haten his synne. [122] For soothly ther is nothyng that savoureth so wel to a child as the milk of his norice, [122A] ne nothyng is to hym moore abhomynable than thilke milk whan it is medled with oother mete. [123] Right so the synful man that loveth his synne, hym semeth that it is to him moost sweete of any thyng; [124] but fro that tyme that he loveth sadly oure Lord Jhesu Crist, [124A] 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. [125A] "I have loved thy lawe and hated wikkednesse and hate"; he that loveth God kepeth his lawe and his word. [126] This tree saugh the prophete Daniel in spirit, upon the avysioun of the kyng Nabugodonosor, whan he conseiled hym to do penitence. [127] Penaunce is the tree of lyf to hem that it receyven, [127A] and he that holdeth hym in verray penitence is blessed, after the sentence of Salomon. [128] In this Penitence or Contricioun man shal understonde foure thynges; that is to seyn, what is Contricioun, [128A] and whiche been the causes that moeven a man to Contricioun, and how he sholde be contrit, and what Contricioun availleth to the soule. [129] Thanne is it thus: that Contricioun is the verray sorwe that a man receyveth in his herte for his synnes, [129A] with sad purpos to shryve hym, and to do penaunce, and neveremoore to do synne. [130] And this sorwe shal been in this manere, as seith Seint Bernard: [130A] "It shal been hevy and grevous, and ful sharp and poynaunt in herte." [131] First, for man hath agilt his Lord and his Creatour; and moore sharp and poynaunt for he hath agilt hys Fader celestial; [132] and yet moore sharp and poynaunt for he hath wrathed and agilt hym that boghte hym, that with his precious blood hath delivered us [132A] fro the bondes of synne, and fro the crueltee of the devel, and fro the peynes of helle. [133] The causes that oghte moeve a man to Contricioun been sixe. First a man shal remembre hym of his synnes; [134] but looke he that thilke remembraunce ne be to hym no delit by no wey, but greet shame and sorwe for his gilt. [134A] For Job seith, "Synful men doon werkes worthy of confusioun." [135] And therfore seith Ezechie, "I wol remembre me alle the yeres of my lyf in bitternesse of myn herte." [136] And God seith in the Apocalipse, "Remembreth yow fro whennes that ye been falle"; [136A] for biforn that tyme that ye synned, ye were the children of God and lymes of the regne of God; [137] but for youre synne ye been woxen thral, and foul, and membres of the feend, hate of aungels, sclaundre of hooly chirche, [137A] and foode of the false serpent, perpetueel matere of the fir of helle; [138] and yet moore foul and abhomynable, for ye trespassen so ofte tyme as dooth the hound that retourneth to eten his spewyng. [139] And yet be ye fouler for youre longe continuyng in synne and youre synful usage, [139A] 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, [141] "Ye shal remembre yow of youre weyes, and they shuln displese yow." Soothly synnes been the weyes that leden folk to helle. [142] The seconde cause that oghte make a man to have desdeyn of synne is this: [142A] that, as seith Seint Peter, "whoso that dooth synne is thral of synne"; and synne put a man in greet thraldom. [143] And therfore seith the prophete Ezechiel: "I wente sorweful in desdayn of myself." [143A] Certes, wel oghte a man have desdayn of synne and withdrawe hym from that thraldom and vileynye. [144] And lo, what seith Seneca in this matere? He seith thus: "Though I wiste that neither God ne man ne sholde nevere knowe it, [144A] 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, [145A] or than for to maken of my body a thral." [146] Ne a fouler thral may no man ne womman maken of his body than for to yeven his body to synne. [147] Al were it the fouleste cherl or the fouleste womman that lyveth, and leest of value, [147A] yet is he thanne moore foul and moore in servitute. [148] Evere fro the hyer degree that man falleth, the moore is he thral, and moore to God and to the world vile and abhomynable. [149] 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, [150A] if he agilte or synne, have thou thanne desdayn that thou thyself sholdest do synne." [151] Tak reward of thy value, that thou ne be to foul to thyself. [152] Allas, wel oghten they thanne have desdayn to been servauntz and thralles to synne, and soore been ashamed of hemself [153] that God of his endelees goodnesse hath set hem in heigh estaat, or yeven hem wit, strengthe of body, heele, beautee, prosperitee, [154] and boghte hem fro the deeth with his herte-blood, [154A] that they so unkyndely, 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, [156] "Likneth a fair womman that is a fool of hire body [156A] lyk to a ryng of gold that were in the groyn of a soughe." [157] For right as a soughe wroteth in everich ordure, so wroteth she hire beautee in the stynkynge ordure of synne. [158] The thridde cause that oghte moeve a man to Contricioun is drede of the day of doom and of the horrible peynes of helle. [159] For as Seint Jerome seith, "At every tyme that me remembreth of the day of doom I quake; [160] for whan I ete or drynke, or what so that I do, evere semeth me that the trompe sowneth in myn ere: [161] `Riseth up, ye that been dede, and cometh to the juggement.'" [162] O goode God, muchel oghte a man to drede swich a juggement, "ther as we shullen been alle," [162A] as Seint Poul seith, "biforn the seete of oure Lord Jhesu Crist"; [163] whereas he shal make a general congregacioun, whereas no man may been absent. [164] For certes there availleth noon essoyne ne excusacioun. [165] And nat oonly that oure defautes shullen be jugged, but eek that alle oure werkes shullen openly be knowe. [166] And, as seith Seint Bernard, "Ther ne shal no pledynge availle, ne no sleighte; we shullen yeven rekenynge of everich ydel word." [167] Ther shul we han a juge that may nat been deceyved ne corrupt. And why? [167A] For, certes, alle oure thoghtes been discovered as to hym, ne for preyere ne for meede he shal nat been corrupt. [168] And therfore seith Salomon, "The wratthe of God ne wol nat spare no wight, for preyere ne for yifte"; [168A] and therfore, at the day of doom ther nys noon hope to escape. [169] 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 pit of helle open to destroyen hym [170A] that moot biknowen his synnes, whiche synnes openly been shewed biforn God and biforn every creature; [171] and in the left syde mo develes than herte may bithynke, for to harye and drawe the synful soules to the peyne of helle; [172] and withinne the hertes of folk shal be the bitynge conscience, and withouteforth shal be the world al brennynge. [173] Whider shal thanne the wrecched synful man flee to hiden hym? Certes, he may nat hyden hym; he moste come forth and shewen hym." [174] For certes, as seith Seint Jerome, "the erthe shal casten hym out of hym, and the see also, [174A] and the eyr also, that shal be ful of thonder-clappes and lightnynges." [175] Now soothly, whoso wel remembreth hym of thise thynges, I gesse that his synne shal nat turne hym into delit, [175A] but to greet sorwe for drede of the peyne of helle. [176] And therfore seith Job to God, "Suffre, Lord, that I may a while biwaille and wepe, [176A] er I go withoute returnyng to the derke lond, covered with the derknesse of deeth, [177] to the lond of mysese and of derknesse, whereas is the shadwe of deeth, [177A] whereas ther is noon ordre or ordinaunce but grisly drede that evere shal laste." [178] Loo, heere may ye seen that Job preyde respit a while to biwepe and waille his trespas, [178A] for soothly oo day of respit is bettre than al the tresor of this world. [179] And forasmuche as a man may acquiten hymself biforn God by penitence in this world, and nat by tresor, [179A] 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 [180A] nys but a litel thyng at regard of the sorwe of helle. [181] The cause why that Job clepeth helle the "lond of derkness.": [182] understondeth that he clepeth it "lond" or erthe, for it is stable and nevere shal faille; "derk," [182A] for he that is in helle hath defaute of light material. [183] For certes, the derke light that shal come out of the fyr that evere shal brenne [183A] shal turne hym al to peyne that is in helle for it sheweth him to the horrible develes that hym tormenten. [184] "Covered with the derknesse of deeth" -- that is to seyn, that [184A] he that is in helle shal 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, [185A] right as dooth a derk clowde bitwixe us and the sonne. [186] "Lond of misese," by cause that ther been three maneres of defautes, [186A] agayn three thynges that folk of this world han in this present lyf; that is to seyn, honours, delices, and richesses. [187] Agayns honour, have they in helle shame and confusioun. [188] For wel ye woot that men clepen honour the reverence that man doth to man, but in helle is noon honour ne reverence. [188A] For certes, namoore reverence shal be doon there to a kyng than to a knave. [189] For which God seith by the prophete Jeremye, "Thilke folk that me despisen shul been in despit." [190] Honour is eek cleped greet lordshipe; ther shal no wight serven other, but of harm [190A] and torment. Honour is eek cleped greet dignytee and heighnesse, but in helle shul they been al fortroden of develes. [191] And God seith, "The horrible develes shulle goon and comen upon the hevedes of the dampned folk." And this is for as muche as [191A] the hyer that they were in this present lyf, the moore shulle they been abated and defouled in helle. [192] Agayns the richesse of this world shul they han mysese of poverte, and this poverte shal been in foure thynges: [193] In defaute of tresor, of which that David seith, "The riche folk, that embraceden and oneden al hire herte to tresor of this world, [193A] shul slepe in the slepynge of deeth; and nothyng ne shal they fynden in hir handes of al hir tresor." [194] And mooreover the myseyse 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 shul devouren hem with bitter deeth, [195A] and the galle of the dragon shal been hire drynke, and the venym of the dragon hire morsels." [196] And forther over, hire myseyse shal been in defaute of clothyng, for they shulle be naked in body as of clothyng, [196A] save the fyr in which they brenne, and othere filthes; [197] and naked shul they been of soule, as of alle manere vertues, which that is the clothyng of the soule. [197A] Where been thanne the gaye robes, and the softe shetes, and the smale shertes? [198] Loo, what seith God of hem by the prophete Ysaye: that [198A] "under hem shul been strawed motthes, and hire covertures shulle been of wormes of helle." [199] And forther over, hir myseyse shal been in defaute of freendes. [199A] For he nys nat povre 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. [201] "The sones and the doghtren shullen rebellen agayns fader and mooder, and kynrede agayns kynrede, and chiden [201A] and despisen everich of hem oother bothe day and nyght," as God seith by the prophete Michias. [202] And the lovynge children, that whilom loveden so flesshly everich oother, wolden everich of hem eten oother if they myghte. [203] For how sholden they love hem togidre in the peyne of helle, [203A] whan they hated everich of hem oother in the prosperitee of this lyf? [204] For truste wel, hir flesshly love was deedly hate, as seith the prophete David: "Whoso that loveth wikkednesse, he hateth his soule." [205] And whoso hateth his owene soule, certes, he may love noon oother wight in no manere. [206] And therfore, in helle is no solas ne no freendshipe, but evere the moore flesshly kynredes that been in helle, [206A] the moore cursynges, the more chidynges, and the moore deedly hate ther is among hem. [207] And forther over, they shul have defaute of alle manere delices. [207A] For certes, delices been after the appetites of the fyve wittes, as sighte, herynge, smellynge, savorynge, and touchynge. [208] But in helle hir sighte shal be ful of derknesse and of smoke, [208A] and therfore ful of teeres; and hir herynge ful of waymentynge and of gryntynge of teeth, as seith Jhesu Crist. [209] Hir nose-thirles shullen be ful of stynkynge stynk; and, as seith Ysaye the prophete, "hir savoryng shal be ful of bitter galle"; [210] and touchynge of al hir body ycovered with "fir [210A] that nevere shal quenche and with wormes that nevere shul dyen," [210B] as God seith by the mouth of Ysaye. [211] And for as muche as they shul nat wene that they may dyen for peyne, and by hir deeth flee fro peyne, [211A] that may they understonden by the word of Job, that seith, "ther as is the shadwe of deeth." [212] Certes, a shadwe hath the liknesse of the thyng of which it is shadwe, [212A] but shadwe is nat the same thyng of which it is shadwe. [213] Right so fareth the peyne of helle; it is lyk deeth for the horrible angwissh, and why? [213A] For it peyneth hem evere, as though they sholde dye anon; but certes, they shal nat dye. [214] For, as seith Seint Gregorie, "To wrecche caytyves shal be deeth withoute deeth, and ende withouten ende, and defaute withoute failynge. [215] For hir deeth shal alwey lyven, and hir ende shal everemo bigynne, and hir defaute shal nat faille." [216] And therfore seith Seint John the Evaungelist, "They shullen folwe deeth, [216A] and they shul nat fynde hym; and they shul desiren to dye, and deeth shal flee fro hem." [217] And eek Job seith that in helle is noon ordre of rule. [218] And al be it so that God hath creat alle thynges in right ordre, and no thyng withouten ordre, [218A] but alle thynges been ordeyned and nombred; yet, nathelees, they that been dampned been nothyng in ordre, ne holden noon ordre, [219] for the erthe ne shal bere hem no fruyt. [220] For, as the prophete David seith, "God shal destroie the fruyt of the erthe as fro hem; [220A] ne water ne shal yeve hem no moisture, ne the eyr no refresshyng, ne fyr no light." [221] For, as seith Seint Basilie, "The brennynge of the fyr of this world shal God yeven in helle to hem that been dampned, [222] but the light and the cleernesse shal be yeven in hevene to his children," [222A] right as the goode man yeveth flessh to his children and bones to his houndes. [223] And for they shullen have noon hope to escape, seith Seint Job atte laste that "ther shal horrour and grisly drede dwellen withouten ende." [224] Horrour is alwey drede of harm that is to come, and this drede shal evere dwelle in the hertes of hem that been dampned. [224A] 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; [225A] ne they ne may yeve no thyng for hir raunsoun; [226] ne they have no voys to speke to hym; ne they may nat fle fro peyne; [226A] ne they have no goodnesse in hem, that they mowe shewe to delivere hem fro peyne. [227] And therfore seith Salomon: "The wikked man dyeth, and whan he is deed, he shal have noon hope to escape fro peyne." [228] Whoso thanne wolde wel understande thise peynes and bithynke hym weel that he hath deserved thilke peynes for his synnes, [228A] certes, he sholde have moore talent to siken and to wepe than for to syngen and to pleye. [229] For, as that seith Salomon, "Whoso that hadde the science to knowe the peynes [229A] that been establissed and ordeyned for synne, he wolde make sorwe." [230] "Thilke science," as seith Seint Augustyn, "maketh a man to waymenten in his herte." [231] The fourthe point that oghte maken a man to have contricion is the sorweful remembraunce of the good [231A] that he hath left to doon heere in erthe, and eek the good that he hath lorn. [232] Soothly, the goode werkes that he hath lost, outher they been the goode werkes that he wroghte er he fel into deedly synne [232A] or elles the goode werkes that he wroghte while he lay in synne. [233] Soothly, the goode werkes that he dide biforn that he fil in synne been al mortefied and astoned and dulled by the ofte synnyng. [234] The othere goode werkes, that he wroghte whil he lay in deedly synne, [234A] thei been outrely dede, as to the lyf perdurable in hevene. [235] Thanne thilke goode werkes that been mortefied by ofte synnyng, [235A] whiche goode werkes he dide whil he was in charitee, ne mowe nevere quyken agayn withouten verray penitence. [236] And therof seith God by the mouth of Ezechiel, that [236A] "if the rightful man returne agayn from his rightwisnesse and werke wikkednesse, shal he lyve?" [237] Nay, for alle the goode werkes that he hath wroght ne shul nevere been in remembraunce, for he shal dyen in his synne. [238] And upon thilke chapitre seith Seint Gregorie thus: that "we shulle understonde this principally; [239] that whan we doon deedly synne, [239A] 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; [240A] that is to seyn, as for to have therby the lyf perdurable in hevene. [241] But nathelees, the goode werkes quyken agayn, and comen agayn, and helpen, [241A] and availlen to have the lyf perdurable in hevene, whan we han contricioun. [242] But soothly, the goode werkes that men doon whil they been in deedly synne, [242A] for as muche as they were doon in deedly synne, they may nevere quyke agayn. [243] For certes, thyng that nevere hadde lyf may nevere quykene; and nathelees, al be it that they ne availle noght to han the lyf perdurable, [243A] yet availlen they to abregge of the peyne of helle, or elles to geten temporal richesse, [244] or elles that God wole the rather enlumyne and lightne the herte of the synful 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. [246] And thus the curteis Lord Jhesu Crist ne wole that no good werk be lost, for in somwhat it shal availle. [247] But, for as muche as the goode werkes that men doon whil they been in good lyf been al mortefied by synne folwynge, [247A] and eek sith that alle the goode werkes that men doon whil they been in deedly synne been outrely dede [247B] as for to have the lyf perdurable, [248] wel may that man that no good werk ne dooth synge thilke newe Frenshe song, "Jay tout perdu mon temps et mon labour." [249] 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; [250A] for fyr fayleth anoon as it forleteth his wirkynge, and right so grace fayleth anoon as it forleteth his werkynge. [251] Then leseth the synful man the goodnesse of glorie, that oonly is bihight to goode men that labouren and werken. [252] Wel may he be sory thanne, that oweth al his lif to God as longe as he hath lyved, and eek as longe [252A] as he shal lyve, that no goodnesse ne hath to paye with his dette to God to whom he oweth al his lyf. [253] For trust wel, "He shal yeven acountes," as seith Seint Bernard, [253A] "of alle the goodes that han be yeven hym in this present lyf, and how he hath hem despended, [254] [in] so muche that ther shal nat perisse an heer of his heed, ne a moment of an houre [254A] ne shal nat perisse of his tyme, that he ne shal yeve of it a rekenyng." [255] The fifthe thyng that oghte moeve a man to contricioun [255A] is remembrance of the passioun that oure Lord Jhesu Crist suffred for oure synnes. [256] For, as seith Seint Bernard, "Whil that I lyve I shal have remembrance of the travailles that oure Lord Crist suffred in prechyng: [257] his werynesse in travaillyng, his temptaciouns whan he fasted, his longe wakynges [257A] whan he preyde, hise teeres whan that he weep for pitee of good peple, [258] the wo and the shame and the filthe that men seyden to hym, of the foule spittyng that men spitte in his face, [258A] of the buffettes that men yaven hym, of the foule mowes, and of the repreves that men to hym seyden, [259] of the nayles with whiche he was nayled to the croys, [259A] and of al the remenant 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. [261] For it is sooth that God, and resoun, and sensualitee, and the body of man been so ordeyned [261A] that everich of thise foure thynges sholde have lordshipe over that oother, [262] as thus: God sholde have lordshipe over resoun, and resoun over sensualitee, and sensualitee over the body of man. [263] But soothly, whan man synneth, al this ordre or ordinaunce is turned up-so-doun. [264] And therfore thanne, for as muche as the resoun of man ne wol nat be subget ne obeisant to God, that is [264A] his lord by right, therfore leseth it the lordshipe 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. [266] For right as resoun is rebel to God, right so is bothe sensualitee rebel to resoun and the body also. [267] And certes this disordinaunce and this rebellioun oure Lord Jhesu Crist aboghte upon his precious body ful deere, and herkneth in which wise. [268] For as muche thanne as resoun is rebel to God, therfore is man worthy to have sorwe and to be deed. [269] This suffred oure Lord Jhesu Crist for man, after that he hadde be bitraysed of his disciple, and distreyned and bounde [269A] so that his blood brast out at every nayl of his handes, as seith Seint Augustyn. [270] And forther over, for as muchel as resoun of man ne wol nat daunte sensualitee whan it may, [270A] therfore is man worthy to have shame; and this suffred oure Lord Jhesu Crist for man, whan they spetten in his visage. [271] And forther over, for as muchel thanne as the caytyf body of man is rebel bothe to resoun and to sensualitee, [271A] therfore is it worthy the deeth. [272] And this suffred oure Lord Jhesu Crist for man upon the croys, [272A] where as ther was no part of his body free withouten greet peyne and bitter passioun. [273] And al this suffred Jhesu Crist, that nevere forfeted. And therfore resonably may be seyd of Jhesu in this manere: [273A] "To muchel am I peyned for the thynges that I nevere deserved, and to muche defouled for shendshipe that man is worthy to have." [274] And therfore may the synful man wel seye, as seith Seint Bernard, [274A] "Acursed be the bitternesse of my synne, for which ther moste be suffred so muchel bitternesse." [275] For certes, after the diverse [disordinaunces] of oure wikkednesses was the passioun of Jhesu Crist ordeyned in diverse thynges. [276] As thus: Certes, synful mannes soule is bitraysed of the devel by coveitise of temporeel prosperitee, and scorned by deceite [276A] whan he cheseth flesshly delices; and yet is it tormented by inpacience of adversitee and bispet by servage and subjeccioun of synne; [276B] and atte laste it is slayn fynally. [277] For this disordinaunce of synful man was Jhesu Crist first bitraysed, [277A] and after that was he bounde, that cam for to unbynden us of synne and peyne. [278] Thanne was he byscorned, that oonly sholde han been honoured in alle thynges and of alle thynges. [279] 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 was he crucified and slayn. [281] Thanne was acompliced the word of Ysaye, "He was wounded for oure mysdedes and defouled for oure felonies." [282] Now sith that Jhesu Crist took upon hymself the peyne of alle oure wikkednesses, muchel oghte synful man wepen and biwayle, [282A] that for his synnes Goddes sone of hevene sholde al this peyne endure. [283] The sixte thyng that oghte moeve a man to contricioun is the hope of three thynges; that is to seyn, foryifnesse of synne, [283A] and the yifte of grace wel for to do, and the glorie of hevene, with which God shal gerdone man for his goode dedes. [284] And for as muche as Jhesu Crist yeveth us thise yiftes of his largesse and of his sovereyn bountee, [284A] therfore is he cleped Jhesus Nazarenus rex Judeorum. [285] Jhesus is to seyn "saveour" or "salvacioun," on whom men shul hope to have foryifnesse of synnes, which that is proprely salvacioun of synnes. [286] And therfore seyde the aungel to Joseph, "Thou shalt clepen his name Jhesus, that shal saven his peple of hir synnes." [287] And heerof seith Seint Peter: "Ther is noon oother name under hevene [287A] that is yeve to any man, by which a man may be saved, but oonly Jhesus." [288] Nazarenus is as muche for to seye as "florisshynge," in which a man shal hope that [288A] he that yeveth hym remissioun of synnes shal yeve hym eek grace wel for to do. [288B] For in the flour is hope of fruyt in tyme comynge, and in foryifnesse of synnes hope of grace wel for to do. [289] "I was atte dore of thyn herte," seith Jhesus, "and cleped for to entre. He that openeth to me shal have foryifnesse of synne. [290] I wol entre into hym by my grace and soupe with hym," by the goode werkes that he shal doon, [290A] whiche werkes been the foode of God; "and he shal soupe with me" by the grete joye that I shal yeven hym. [291] Thus shal man hope, for his werkes of penaunce that God shal yeven hym his regne, as he bihooteth hym in the gospel. [292] Now shal a man understonde in which manere shal been his contricioun. I seye that it shal been universal and total. [292A] This is to seyn, a man shal be verray repentaunt for alle his synnes that he hath doon [292B] in delit of his thoght, for delit is ful perilous. [293] For ther been two manere of consentynges: that oon of hem is cleped consentynge of affeccioun, [293A] whan a man is moeved to do synne, and deliteth hym longe for to thynke on that synne; [294] and his reson aperceyveth it wel that it is synne agayns the lawe of God, [294A] and yet his resoun refreyneth nat his foul delit or talent, though he se wel apertly that it is agayns the reverence of God. [294B] Although his resoun ne consente noght to doon that synne in dede, [295] yet seyn somme doctours that swich delit that dwelleth longe, it is ful perilous, al be it nevere so lite. [296] And also a man sholde sorwe namely for al that evere he hath desired agayn the lawe of God [296A] with parfit consentynge of his resoun, for therof is no doute, that it is deedly synne in consentynge. [297] For certes, ther is no deedly synne that it nas first in mannes thought [297A] and after that in his delit, and so forth into consentynge and into dede. [298] Wherfore I seye that many men ne repenten hem nevere of swiche thoghtes and delites, [298A] ne nevere shryven hem of it, but oonly of the dede of grete synnes outward. [299] Wherfore I seye that swiche wikked delites and wikked thoghtes been subtile bigileres of hem that shullen be dampned. [300] Mooreover, man oghte to sorwe for his wikkede wordes as wel as for his wikkede dedes. [300A] For certes, the repentaunce of a synguler synne, and nat repente of alle his othere synnes, [300B] or elles repenten hym of alle his othere synnes and nat of a synguler synne, may nat availle. [301] For certes, God almyghty is al good, and therfore he foryeveth al or elles right noght. [302] And heerof seith Seint Augustyn, [303] "I wot certeynly that God is enemy to everich synnere." And how thanne? [303A] He that observeth o synne, shal he have foryifnesse of the remenaunt of his othere synnes? Nay. [304] And forther over, contricioun sholde be wonder sorweful and angwissous; and therfore yeveth hym God pleynly his mercy; [304A] and therfore, whan my soule was angwissous withinne me, I hadde remembrance of God that my preyere myghte come to hym. [305] Forther over, contricioun moste be continueel, and that man have stedefast purpos to shriven hym, and for to amenden hym of his lyf. [306] For soothly, whil contricioun lasteth, man may evere have hope of foryifnesse; [306A] and of this comth hate of synne, that destroyeth synne, bothe in himself and eek in oother folk at his power. [307] For which seith David: "Ye that loven God, hateth wikkednesse." [307A] For trusteth wel, to love God is for to love that he loveth, and hate that he hateth. [308] The laste thyng that men shal understonde in contricioun is this: [308A] wherof avayleth contricioun. I seye that somtyme contricioun delivereth a man fro synne; [309] of which that David seith, "I seye," quod David (that is to seyn, [309A] I purposed fermely) "to shryve me, and thow, Lord, relessedest my synne." [310] And right so as contricion availleth noght withouten sad purpos of shrifte, [310A] if man have oportunitee, right so litel worth is shrifte or satisfaccioun withouten contricioun. [311] And mooreover contricion destroyeth the prisoun of helle, and maketh wayk and fieble alle the strengthes of the develes, [311A] and restoreth the yiftes of the Hooly Goost and of alle goode vertues; [312] and it clenseth the soule of synne, and delivereth the soule fro the peyne of helle, and fro the compaignye of the devel, [312A] and fro the servage of synne, and restoreth it to alle goodes espirituels, and to the compaignye and communyoun of hooly chirche. [313] And forther over, it maketh hym that whilom was sone of ire to be sone of grace; [313A] and alle thise thynges been preved by hooly writ. [314] And therfore, he that wolde sette his entente to thise thynges, he were ful wys; [314A] for soothly he ne sholde nat thanne in al his lyf have corage to synne, [314B] but yeven his body and al his herte to the service of Jhesu Crist, and therof doon hym hommage. [315] For soothly oure sweete Lord Jhesu Crist hath spared us so debonairly in oure folies that [315A] if he ne hadde pitee of mannes soule, a sory song we myghten alle synge. [316] The seconde partie of Penitence is Confessioun, that is signe of contricioun. [317] Now shul ye understonde what is Confessioun, [317A] and wheither it oghte nedes be doon or noon, and whiche thynges been covenable to verray Confessioun. [318] First shaltow understonde that Confessioun is verray shewynge of synnes to the preest. [319] 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 forwrapped, and noght avaunte thee of thy goode werkes. [321] And forther over, it is necessarie to understonde whennes that synnes spryngen, and how they encreessen, and whiche they been. [322] Of the spryngynge of synnes seith Seint Paul in this wise: that "Right as by a man synne entred first into this world, [322A] and thurgh that synne deeth, right so thilke deeth entred into alle men that synneden." [323] And this man was Adam, by whom synne entred into this world, whan he brak the comaundementz of God. [324] And therfore, he that first was so myghty that he sholde nat have dyed, bicam swich oon that he moste nedes dye, [324A] wheither he wolde or noon, and al his progenye in this world, that in thilke man synneden. [325] Looke that in th' estaat of innocence, whan Adam and Eve naked weren in Paradys, and nothyng ne hadden shame of hir nakednesse, [326] how that the serpent, that was moost wily of alle othere beestes that God hadde maked, seyde to the womman, [326A] "Why comaunded God to yow ye sholde nat eten of every tree in Paradys?" [327] The womman answerde: "Of the fruyt," quod she, "of the trees in Paradys we feden us, [327A] but soothly, of the fruyt of the tree that is in the myddel of Paradys, God forbad us for to ete, [327B] ne nat touchen it, lest per aventure we sholde dyen." [328] The serpent seyde to the womman, "Nay, nay, ye shul nat dyen of deeth; for sothe, God woot that [328A] what day that ye eten therof, youre eyen shul opene and ye shul been as goddes, knowynge good and harm." [329] The womman thanne saugh that the tree was good to feedyng, and fair to the eyen, and delitable to the sighte. [329A] She took of the fruyt of the tree, and eet it, and yaf to hire housbonde, [329B] and he eet, and anoon the eyen of hem bothe openeden. [330] And whan that they knewe that they were naked, they sowed of fige leves a maner of breches to hiden hire membres. [331] There may ye seen that deedly synne hath, first, suggestion of the feend, as sheweth heere by the naddre; [331A] and afterward, the delit of the flessh, as sheweth heere by Eve; and after that, the consentynge of resoun, as sheweth heere by Adam. [332] For trust wel, though so were that the feend tempted Eve -- that is to seyn, the flessh -- [332A] and the flessh hadde delit in the beautee of the fruyt defended, yet certes, til that resoun -- that is to seyn, Adam -- [332B] consented to the etynge of the fruyt, yet stood he in th' estaat of innocence. [333] Of thilke Adam tooke we thilke synne original, [333A] for of hym flesshly descended be we alle, and engendred of vile and corrupt mateere. [334] And whan the soule is put in oure body, right anon is contract original synne; [334A] and that that was erst but oonly peyne of concupiscence is afterward bothe peyne and synne. [335] And therfore be we alle born sones of wratthe and of dampnacioun perdurable, if it nere baptesme that we receyven, [335A] which bynymeth us the culpe. But for sothe, the peyne dwelleth with us, as to temptacioun, which peyne highte concupiscence. [336] And this concupiscence, whan it is wrongfully disposed or ordeyned in man, it maketh hym coveite, by coveitise of flessh, [336A] flesshly synne, by sighte of his eyen as to erthely thynges, and eek coveitise of hynesse by pride of herte. [337] Now, as for to speken of the firste coveitise, that is concupiscence, after the lawe of oure membres [337A] that weren lawefulliche ymaked and by rightful juggement of God, [338] I seye, forasmuche as man is nat obeisaunt to God, that is his lord, [338A] therfore is the flessh to hym disobeisaunt thurgh concupiscence, which yet is cleped norrissynge of synne and occasioun of synne. [339] Therfore, al the while that a man hath in hym the peyne of concupiscence, [339A] 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. [340A] it may wel wexe fieble and faille by vertu of baptesme and by the grace of God thurgh penitence, [341] but fully ne shal it nevere quenche, that he ne shal som tyme be moeved in hymself, [341A] but if he were al refreyded by siknesse, or by malefice of sorcerie, or colde drynkes. [342] For lo, what seith Seint Paul: "The flessh coveiteth agayn the spirit, and the spirit agayn the flessh; [342A] they been so contrarie and so stryven that a man may nat alway doon as he wolde." [343] The same Seint Paul, after his grete penaunce in water and in lond -- [343B] in water by nyght and by day in greet peril and in greet peyne; [343C] in lond, in famyne and thurst, in coold and cloothlees, and ones stoned almoost to the deeth [344] -- yet seyde he, "Allas, I caytyf man! Who shal delivere me fro the prisoun of my caytyf body?" [345] And Seint Jerome, whan he longe tyme hadde woned in desert, where as he hadde no compaignye but of wilde beestes, [345A] where as he ne hadde no mete but herbes, and water to his drynke, ne no bed but the naked erthe, [345B] for which his flessh was blak as an Ethiopeen for heete, and ny destroyed for coold, [346] yet seyde he that "the brennynge of lecherie boyled in al his body." [347] Wherfore I woot wel sykerly that they been deceyved that seyn that they ne be nat tempted in hir body. [348] Witnesse on Seint Jame the Apostel, that seith that "every wight is tempted in his owene concupiscence"; that is to seyn, [348A] that everich of us hath matere and occasioun to be tempted of the norissynge of synne that is in his body. [349] And therfore seith Seint John the Evaungelist, "If that we seyn that we be withoute synne, [349A] we deceyve us selve, and trouthe is nat in us." [350] Now shal ye understonde in what manere that synne wexeth or encreesseth in man. [350A] The firste thyng is thilke norissynge of synne of which I spak biforn, thilke flesshly concupiscence. [351] And after that comth the subjeccioun of the devel -- [351A] this is to seyn, the develes bely, with which he bloweth in man the fir of flesshly concupiscence. [352] And after that, a man bithynketh hym wheither he wol doon or no thilke thing to which he is tempted. [353] And thanne, if that a man withstonde and weyve the firste entisynge of his flessh and of the feend, [353A] thanne is it no synne; and if it so be that he do nat so, thanne feeleth he anoon a flambe of delit. [354] And thanne is it good to be war and kepen hym wel, [354A] 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, [355A] `I wole chace and pursue the man by wikked suggestioun, and I wole hente hym by moevynge or stirynge of synne. [355B] And I wol departe my prise or my praye by deliberacioun, and my lust shal been acompliced in delit. [355C] I wol drawe my swerd in consentyng.'" -- [356] for certes, right as a swerd departeth a thyng in two peces, right so consentynge departeth God fro man -- [356A] "`and thanne wol I sleen hym with myn hand in dede of synne'; thus seith the feend." [357] For certes, thanne is a man al deed in soule. [357A] And thus is synne acompliced by temptacioun, by delit, and by consentynge; and thanne is the synne cleped actueel. [358] For sothe, synne is in two maneres; outher it is venial or deedly synne. [358A] Soothly, whan man loveth any creature moore than Jhesu Crist oure Creatour, thanne is it deedly synne. [358B] And venial synne is it, if man love Jhesu Crist lasse than hym oghte. [359] For sothe, the dede of this venial synne is ful perilous, [359A] 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, [360A] certes, but if so be that he somtyme descharge hym of hem by shrifte, [360B] they mowe ful lightly amenuse in hym al the love that he hath to Jhesu Crist; [361] and in this wise skippeth venial into deedly synne. For certes, the moore that a man chargeth his soule with venial synnes, [361A] the moore is he enclyned to fallen into deedly synne. [362] And therfore lat us nat be necligent to deschargen us of venial synnes. For the proverbe seith that "Manye smale maken a greet." [363] And herkne this ensample. A greet wawe of the see comth som tyme with so greet a violence that it drencheth the ship. [363A] And the same harm doon som tyme the smale dropes of water, that entren thurgh a litel crevace into the thurrok, [363B] and in the botme of the ship, if men be so necligent that they ne descharge hem nat by tyme. [364] And therfore, although ther be a difference bitwixe thise two causes of drenchynge, algates the ship is dreynt. [365] Right so fareth it somtyme of deedly synne, and of anoyouse veniale synnes, [365A] whan they multiplie in a man so greetly that [the love of] thilke worldly thynges that he loveth, [365B] thurgh whiche he synneth venyally, is as greet in his herte as the love of God, or moore. [366] And therfore, the love of every thyng that is nat biset in God, ne doon principally for Goddes sake, [366A] although that a man love it lasse than God, yet is it venial synne; [367] and deedly synne whan the love of any thyng weyeth in the herte of man as muchel as the love of God, or moore. [368] "Deedly synne," as seith Seint Augustyn, "is whan a man turneth his herte fro God, [368A] which that is verray sovereyn bountee, that may nat chaunge, and yeveth his herte to thyng that may chaunge and flitte." [369] And certes, that is every thyng save God of hevene. [369A] 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, [369B] certes, as muche of his love as he yeveth 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; [370A] that is to seyn, al the love of his herte. [371] Now sith man understondeth generally which is venial synne, thanne is it covenable to tellen specially of synnes whiche that many [371A] a man peraventure ne demeth hem nat synnes, and ne shryveth him nat of the same thynges, and yet natheless they been synnes [372] soothly, as thise clerkes writen; this is to seyn, that at every tyme that a man eteth or drynketh [372A] moore than suffiseth to the sustenaunce of his body, in certein he dooth synne. [373] And eek whan he speketh moore than it nedeth, it is synne. Eke whan he herkneth nat benignely the compleint of the povre; [374] eke whan he is in heele of body and wol nat faste whan other folk faste, withouten cause resonable; [374A] eke whan he slepeth 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 [375A] or for the entente to yelde to his wyf the dette of his body; [376] eke whan he wol nat visite the sike and the prisoner, if he may; [376A] eke if he love wyf or child, or oother worldly thyng, moore than resoun requireth. [376B] eke if he flatere or blandise moore than hym oghte for any necessitee; [377] eke if he amenuse or withdrawe the almesse of the povre; [377A] eke if he apparailleth his mete moore deliciously than nede is, or ete it to hastily by likerousnesse; [378] eke if he tale vanytees at chirche or at Goddes service, or that he be a talker [378A] of ydel wordes of folye or of vileynye, for he shal yelden acountes of it at the day of doom; [379] eke whan he biheteth or assureth to do thynges that he may nat parfourne; [379A] eke whan that he by lightnesse or folie mysseyeth or scorneth his neighebor; [380] eke whan he hath any wikked suspecioun of thyng ther he ne woot of it no soothfastnesse: [381] thise thynges, and mo withoute nombre, been synnes, as seith Seint Augustyn. [382] Now shal men understonde that, al be it so that noon erthely man may eschue alle venial synnes, [382A] yet may he refreyne hym by the brennynge love that he hath to oure Lord Jhesu Crist, [382B] and by preyeres and confessioun and othere goode werkes, so that it shal but litel greve. [383] For, as seith Seint Augustyn, "If a man love God in swich manere that al that evere he dooth [383B] is in the love of God and for the love of God verraily, for he brenneth in the love of God, [384] looke how muche that a drope of water that falleth in a fourneys ful of fyr anoyeth [384A] or greveth, so muche anoyeth a venial synne unto a man that is parfit in the love of Jhesu Crist." [385] Men may also refreyne venial synne by receyvynge worthily of the precious body of Jhesu Crist; [386] by receyvynge eek of hooly water, by almesdede, by general confessioun of Confiteor at masse and at complyn, [386A] and by blessynge of bisshopes and of preestes, and by oothere goode werkes. [387] Now is it bihovely thyng to telle whiche been the sevene deedly synnes, [387A] this is to seyn, chieftaynes of synnes. Alle they renne in o lees, but in diverse manneres. [387B] Now been they cleped chieftaynes, for as muche as they been chief and spryng of alle othere synnes. [388] Of the roote of thise sevene synnes, thanne, is Pride the general roote of alle harmes. [388B] For of this roote spryngen certein braunches, as Ire, Envye, Accidie or Slewthe, Avarice or Coveitise (to commune understondynge), Glotonye, and Lecherye. [389] And everich of thise chief synnes hath his braunches and his twigges, as shal be declared in hire chapitres folwynge. [390] And thogh so be that no man kan outrely telle the nombre of the twigges and of the harmes that cometh of Pride, [390A] yet wol I shewe a partie of hem, as ye shul understonde. [391] Ther is inobedience, avauntynge, ypocrisie, despit, arrogance, inpudence, swellynge of herte, insolence, elacioun, inpacience, strif, contumacie, presumpcioun, irreverence, pertinacie, veyneglorie, [391A] and many another twig that I kan nat declare. [392] Inobedient is he that disobeyeth for despit to the comandementz of God, and to his sovereyns, and to his goostly fader. [393] Avauntour is he that bosteth of the harm or of the bountee that he hath doon. [394] Ypocrite is he that hideth to shewe hym swich as he is and sheweth hym swich as he noght is. [395] Despitous is he that hath desdeyn of his neighebor -- [395A] that is to seyn, of his evene-Cristene -- or hath despit to doon that hym oghte to do. [396] Arrogant is he that thynketh that he hath thilke bountees in hym that he hath noght, [396A] or weneth that he sholde have hem by his desertes, or elles he demeth that he be that he nys nat. [397] Inpudent is he that for his pride hath no shame of his synnes. [398] Swellynge of herte is whan a man rejoyseth hym of harm that he hath doon. [399] Insolent is he that despiseth in his juggement alle othere folk, [399A] 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. [401] Inpacient is he that wol nat been ytaught ne undernome of his vice, and by strif werreieth trouthe wityngly, and deffendeth his folye. [402] Contumax is he that thurgh his indignacioun is agayns everich auctoritee or power of hem that been his sovereyns. [403] Presumpcioun is whan a man undertaketh an emprise that hym oghte nat do, or elles that he may nat do; [403A] and this is called surquidrie. Irreverence is whan men do nat honour there as hem oghte to doon, and waiten to be reverenced. [404] Pertinacie is whan man deffendeth his folie and trusteth to muchel to his owene wit. [405] Veyneglorie is for to have pompe and delit in his temporeel hynesse, and glorifie hym in this worldly estaat. [406] Janglynge is whan a man speketh to muche biforn folk, and clappeth as a mille, and taketh no keep what he seith. [407] And yet is ther a privee spece of Pride that waiteth first to be salewed [407A] er he wole salewe, al be he lasse worth than that oother is, peraventure; [407B] and eek he waiteth or desireth to sitte, or elles to goon above hym in the wey, [407C] or kisse pax, or been encensed, or goon to offryng biforn his neighebor, [408] and swiche semblable thynges, agayns his duetee, peraventure, but that he hath his herte [408A] and his entente in swich a proud desir to be magnified and honoured biforn the peple. [409] 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; [410A] and that othere speces of Pride been withoute. [411] But natheles that oon of thise speces of Pride is signe of that oother, [411A] right as the gaye leefsel atte taverne is signe of the wyn that is in the celer. [412] And this is in manye thynges: as in speche and contenaunce, and in outrageous array of clothyng. [413] For certes, if ther ne hadde be no synne in clothyng, [413A] Crist wolde nat so soone have noted and spoken of the clothyng of thilke riche man in the gospel. [414] And, as seith Seint Gregorie, that "precious clothyng is cowpable for the derthe of it, and for his softenesse, [414A] and for his strangenesse and degisynesse, and for the superfluitee, or for the inordinat scantnesse of it." [415] Allas, may man nat seen, as in oure dayes, the synful costlewe array of clothynge, [415A] and namely in to muche superfluite, or elles in to desordinat scantnesse? [416] As to the first synne, that is in superfluitee of clothynge, which that maketh it so deere, to harm of the peple; [417] nat oonly the cost of embrowdynge, the degise endentynge or barrynge, owndynge, palynge, wyndynge or bendynge, and semblable wast of clooth in vanitee, [418] but ther is also costlewe furrynge in hir gownes, so muche pownsonynge of chisels to maken holes, so muche daggynge of sheres; [419] forth-with the superfluitee in lengthe of the forseide gownes, trailynge in the dong and in the mire, on horse and eek on foote, [419A] as wel of man as of womman, that al thilke trailyng is verraily as in effect wasted, consumed, thredbare, and roten with donge, [419B] rather than it is yeven to the povre, to greet damage of the forseyde povre folk. [420] And that in sondry wise; this is to seyn that the moore that clooth is wasted, [420A] the moore moot it coste to the peple for the scarsnesse. [421] And forther over, if so be that they wolde yeven swich pownsoned and dagged clothyng to the povre folk, [421A] it is nat convenient to were for hire estaat, ne suffisant to beete hire necessitee, to kepe hem fro the distemperance of the firmament. [422] Upon that oother side, to speken of the horrible disordinat scantnesse of clothyng, as been thise kutted sloppes, or haynselyns, [422A] that thurgh hire shortnesse ne covere nat the shameful membres of man, to wikked entente. [423] Allas, somme of hem shewen the boce of hir shap, and the horrible swollen membres, [423A] that semeth lik the maladie of hirnia, in the wrappynge of hir hoses; [424] and eek the buttokes of hem faren as it were the hyndre part of a she-ape in the fulle of the moone. [425] And mooreover, the wrecched swollen membres that they shewe thurgh disgisynge, [425A] in departynge of hire hoses in whit and reed, semeth that half hir shameful privee membres weren flayne. [426] And if so be that they departen hire hoses in othere colours, [426A] as is whit and blak, or whit and blew, or blak and reed, and so forth, [427] thanne semeth it, as by variaunce of colour, that half the partie of hire privee membres were corrupt [427A] by the fir of Seint Antony, or by cancre, or by oother swich meschaunce. [428] Of the hyndre part of hir buttokes, it is ful horrible for to see. [428A] For certes, in that partie of hir body ther as they purgen hir stynkynge ordure, [429] that foule partie shewe they to the peple prowdly in despit of honestitee, [429A] which honestitee that Jhesu Crist and his freendes observede to shewen in hir lyve. [430] Now, as of the outrageous array of wommen, God woot that though the visages of somme of hem seme ful chaast and debonaire, [430A] yet notifie they in hire array of atyr likerousnesse and pride. [431] I sey nat that honestitee in clothynge of man or womman is uncovenable, but certes the superfluitee or disordinat scantitee of clothynge is reprevable. [432] Also the synne of aornement or of apparaille is in thynges that apertenen to ridynge, [432A] as in to manye delicat horses that been hoolden for delit, that been so faire, fatte, and costlewe; [433] and also in many a vicious knave that is sustened by cause of hem; and in to curious harneys, [433A] as in sadeles, in crouperes, peytrels, and bridles covered with precious clothyng, and riche barres and plates of gold and of silver. [434] For which God seith by Zakarie the prophete, "I wol confounde the rideres of swiche horses." [435] This folk taken litel reward of the ridynge of Goddes sone of hevene, and of his harneys whan he rood upon the asse, [435A] and ne hadde noon oother harneys but the povre clothes of his disciples; [435B] ne we ne rede nat that evere he rood on oother beest. [436] I speke this for the synne of superfluitee, and nat for resonable honestitee, whan reson it requireth. [437] And forther over, certes, pride is greetly notified in holdynge of greet meynee, whan they be of litel profit or of right no profit, [438] and namely whan that meynee is felonous and damageous to the peple by hardynesse of heigh lordshipe or by wey of offices. [439] 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, [440A] and that is in many manere of deceites. [441] Thilke manere of folk been the flyes that folwen the hony, [441A] or elles the houndes that folwen the careyne. Swich forseyde folk stranglen spiritually hir lordshipes; [442] for which thus seith David the prophete: [442A] "Wikked deeth moote come upon thilke lordshipes, and God yeve that they moote descenden into helle al doun, [442B] for in hire houses been iniquitees and shrewednesses and nat God of hevene." [443] And certes, but if they doon amendement, right as God yaf his benysoun to [Laban] by the service of Jacob, [443A] and to [Pharao] by the service of Joseph, right so God wol yeve his malisoun [443B] to swiche lordshipes as sustenen the wikkednesse of hir servauntz, but they come to amendement. [444] Pride of the table appeereth eek ful ofte; for certes, riche men been cleped to festes, and povre folk been put awey and rebuked. [445] Also in excesse of diverse metes and drynkes, and namely swich manere bake-metes and dissh-metes, brennynge of wilde fir [445A] and peynted and castelled with papir, and semblable wast, so that it is abusioun for to thynke. [446] And eek in to greet preciousnesse of vessel and curiositee of mynstralcie, by whiche a man is stired the moore to delices of luxurie, [447] if so be that he sette his herte the lasse upon oure Lord Jhesu Crist, certeyn it is a synne; [447A] and certeinly the delices myghte been so grete in this caas that man myghte lightly falle by hem into deedly synne. [448] The especes that sourden of Pride, soothly whan they sourden of malice ymagined, avised, and forncast, [448A] or elles of usage, been deedly synnes, it is no doute. [449] And whan they sourden by freletee unavysed, and sodeynly withdrawen [449A] ayeyn, al been they grevouse synnes, I gesse that they ne been nat deedly. [450] Now myghte men axe wherof that Pride sourdeth and spryngeth, and I seye, [450A] somtyme it spryngeth of the goodes of nature, and somtyme of the goodes of fortune, and somtyme of the goodes of grace. [451] Certes, the goodes of nature stonden outher in goodes of body or in goodes of soule. [452] Certes, goodes of body been heele of body, strengthe, delivernesse, beautee, gentrice, franchise. [453] Goodes of nature of the soule been good wit, sharp understondynge, subtil engyn, vertu natureel, good memorie. [454] Goodes of fortune been richesse, hyghe degrees of lordshipes, preisynges of the peple. [455] Goodes of grace been science, power to suffre spiritueel travaille, benignitee, vertuous contemplacioun, withstondynge of temptacioun, and semblable thynges. [456] Of whiche forseyde goodes, certes it is a ful greet folye a man to priden hym in any of hem alle. [457] Now as for to speken of goodes of nature, [457A] God woot that somtyme we han hem in nature as muche to oure damage as to oure profit. [458] As for to speken of heele of body, certes it passeth ful lightly, [458A] and eek it is ful ofte enchesoun of the siknesse of oure soule. [458B] For, God woot, the flessh is a ful greet enemy to the soule, [458C] and therfore, the moore that the body is hool, the moore be we in peril to falle. [459] Eke for to pride hym in his strengthe of body, it is an heigh folye. [459A] For certes, the flessh 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. [461] Eek for to pride hym of his gentrie is ful greet folie; for [461A] ofte tyme the gentrie of the body binymeth the gentrie of the soule; [461B] and eek we ben alle of o fader and of o mooder; [461C] and alle we been of o nature, roten and corrupt, bothe riche and povre. [462] For sothe, o manere gentrie is for to preise, that apparailleth mannes corage with vertues and moralitees, and maketh hym Cristes child. [463] For truste wel that over what man that synne hath maistrie, he is a verray cherl to synne. [464] 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 -- [465A] that is to seyn, large by mesure, for thilke that passeth mesure is folie and synne. [466] Another is to remembre hym of bountee that he of oother folk hath receyved. [467] Another is to be benigne to his goode subgetis; wherfore seith Senek, [467A] "Ther is no thing moore covenable to a man of heigh estaat than debonairetee and pitee. [468] And therfore thise flyes that men clepen bees, whan they maken hir kyng, [468A] they chesen oon that hath no prikke wherwith he may stynge." [469] Another is, a man to have a noble herte and a diligent to attayne to heighe vertuouse thynges. [470] Now certes, a man to pride hym in the goodes of grace is eek an outrageous folie, for thilke [470A] yifte of grace that sholde have turned hym to goodnesse and to medicine, turneth hym to venym and to confusioun, as seith Seint Gregorie. [471] Certes also, whoso prideth hym in the goodes of fortune, he is a ful greet fool; [471A] for somtyme is a man a greet lord by the morwe, that is a caytyf and a wrecche er it be nyght; [472] and somtyme the richesse of a man is cause of his deth; [472A] somtyme the delices of a man ben cause of the grevous maladye thurgh which he dyeth. [473] Certes, the commendacioun of the peple is somtyme ful fals and ful brotel for to triste; this day they preyse, tomorwe they blame. [474] God woot, desir to have commendacioun eek of the peple hath caused deeth to many a bisy man. [475] Now sith that so is that ye han understonde what is Pride, [475A] and whiche been the speces of it, and whennes Pride sourdeth and spryngeth, [476] now shul ye understonde which is the remedie agayns the synne of Pride; and that is humylitee, or mekenesse. [477] That is a vertu thurgh which a man hath verray knoweleche of hymself, and holdeth of hymself no pris ne deyntee, [477A] as in regard of his desertes, considerynge evere his freletee. [478] Now been ther three maneres of humylitee: as humylitee in herte; another humylitee is in his mouth; the thridde in his werkes. [479] The humilitee in herte is in foure maneres. That oon is whan a man holdeth hymself as noght worth biforn God of hevene. [479A] Another is whan he ne despiseth noon oother man. [480] The thridde is whan he rekketh nat, though men holde hym noght worth. The ferthe is whan he nys nat sory of his humiliacioun. [481] Also the humilitee of mouth is in foure thynges: [481A] in attempree speche, and in humblesse of speche, and whan he biknoweth with his owene mouth [481B] that he is swich as hym thynketh that he is in his herte. [481C] Another is whan he preiseth the bountee of another man, and nothyng therof amenuseth. [482] Humilitee eek in werkes is in foure maneres. The firste is whan he putteth othere men biforn hym. [482A] The seconde is to chese the loweste place over al. The thridde is gladly to assente to good conseil. [483] The ferthe is to stonde gladly to the award of his sovereyns, [483A] or of hym that is in hyer degree. Certein, this is a greet werk of humylitee. [484] After Pride wol I speken of the foule synne of Envye, which that is, as by the word of the Philosophre, [484A] "sorwe of oother mannes prosperitee"; and after the word of Seint Augustyn, it is "Sorwe [484B] of oother mennes wele, and joye of othere mennes harm." [485] This foule synne is platly agayns the Hooly Goost. Al be it so that every synne is agayns the Hooly Goost, [485A] yet nathelees, for as muche as bountee aperteneth proprely to the Hooly Goost, and Envye comth proprely of malice, [485B] therfore it is proprely agayn the bountee of the Hooly Goost. [486] Now hath malice two speces; that is to seyn, hardnesse of herte in wikkednesse, [486A] or elles the flessh of man is so blynd that he considereth nat that he is in synne [486B] or rekketh nat that he is in synne, which is the hardnesse of the devel. [487] That oother spece of malice is whan a man werreyeth trouthe, whan he woot that it is trouthe; [487A] and eek whan he werreyeth the grace that God hath yeve to his neighebor; and al this is by Envye. [488] Certes, thanne is Envye the worste synne that is. For soothly, alle othere synnes been somtyme oonly agayns o special vertu, [489] but certes Envye is agayns alle vertues and agayns alle goodnesses. [489A] For it is sory of alle the bountees of his neighebor, and in this manere it is divers from alle othere synnes. [490] For wel unnethe is ther any synne that it ne hath som delit in itself, [490A] save oonly Envye, that evere hath in itself angwissh and sorwe. [491] The speces of Envye been thise. Ther is first, sorwe of oother mannes goodnesse and of his prosperitee; [491A] and prosperitee is kyndely matere of joye; thanne is Envye a synne agayns kynde. [492] The seconde spece of Envye is joye of oother mannes harm, [492A] and that is proprely lyk to the devel, that evere rejoyseth hym of mannes harm. [493] Of thise two speces comth bakbityng; and this synne of bakbityng or detraccion hath certeine speces, as thus: [493A] Som man preiseth his neighebor by a wikked entente, [494] for he maketh alwey a wikked knotte atte laste ende. Alwey he maketh a "but" atte laste ende, [494A] that is digne of moore blame than worth is al the preisynge. [495] The seconde spece is that if a man be good and dooth or seith a thing to good entente, [495A] the bakbitere wol turne al thilke goodnesse up-so-doun to his shrewed entente. [496] The thridde is to amenuse the bountee of his neighebor. [497] The fourthe spece of bakbityng is this: that if men speke goodnesse of a man, thanne wol the bakbitere seyn, [497A] "Parfey, swich a man is yet bet than he," in dispreisynge of hym that men preise. [498] The fifte spece is this: for to consente gladly and herkne gladly to the harm that men speke of oother folk. [498A] This synne is ful greet and ay encreesseth after the wikked entente of the bakbitere. [499] After bakbityng cometh gruchchyng or murmuracioun; and somtyme it spryngeth of inpacience agayns God, and somtyme agayns man. [500] Agayn God it is whan a man gruccheth agayn the peyne of helle, or agayns poverte, or los of catel, [500A] or agayn reyn or tempest; or elles gruccheth that shrewes han prosperitee, or elles for that goode men han adversitee. [501] And alle thise thynges sholde man suffre paciently, for they comen by the rightful juggement and ordinaunce of God. [502] Somtyme comth grucching of avarice; [502A] as Judas grucched agayns the Magdaleyne whan she enoynted the heved of oure Lord Jhesu Crist with hir precious oynement. [503] This manere murmure is swich as whan man gruccheth of goodnesse that hymself dooth, or that oother folk doon of hir owene catel. [504] Somtyme comth murmure of Pride, as whan Simon the Pharisee gruchched agayn the Magdaleyne [504A] whan she approched to Jhesu Crist and weep at his feet for hire synnes. [505] And somtyme grucchyng sourdeth of Envye, whan men discovereth a mannes harm that was pryvee or [505A] bereth hym on hond thyng that is fals. [506] Murmure eek is ofte amonges servauntz that grucchen whan hir sovereyns bidden hem doon leveful thynges; [507] and forasmuche as they dar nat openly withseye the comaundementz of hir sovereyns, [507A] yet wol they seyn harm, and grucche, and murmure prively for verray despit; [508] whiche wordes men clepen the develes Pater noster, though so be that the devel ne hadde nevere Pater noster, [508A] but that lewed folk yeven it swich a name. [509] Somtyme it comth of Ire or prive hate that norisseth rancour in herte, as afterward I shal declare. [510] Thanne cometh eek bitternesse of herte, thurgh which bitternesse every good dede of his neighebor semeth to hym bitter and unsavory. [511] Thanne cometh discord that unbyndeth alle manere of freendshipe. Thanne comth scornynge of his neighebor, al do he never so weel. [512] Thanne comth accusynge, as whan man seketh occasioun to anoyen his neighebor, [512A] which that is lyk the craft of the devel, that waiteth bothe nyght and day to accusen us alle. [513] Thanne comth malignitee, thurgh which a man anoyeth his neighebor prively, if he may; [514] and if he noght may, algate his wikked wil ne shal nat wante, [514A] as for to brennen his hous pryvely, or empoysone or sleen his beestes, and semblable thynges. [515] Now wol I speke of remedie agayns this foule synne of Envye. First is the love of God principal [515A] and lovyng of his neighebor as hymself, for soothly that oon ne may nat been withoute that oother. [516] And truste wel that in the name of thy neighebor thou shalt understonde the name of thy brother; [516A] for certes alle we have o fader flesshly and o mooder -- that is to seyn, Adam and Eve -- [516B] and eek o fader espiritueel, and that is God of hevene. [517] Thy neighebor artow holden for to love and wilne hym alle goodnesse; and therfore seith God, [517A] "Love thy neighebor as thyselve" -- that is to seyn, to salvacioun bothe of lyf and of soule. [518] And mooreover thou shalt love hym in word, and in benigne amonestynge and chastisynge, [518A] and conforten hym in his anoyes, and preye for hym with al thyn herte. [519] And in dede thou shalt love hym in swich wise that thou shalt doon to hym in charitee [519A] as thou woldest that it were doon to thyn owene persone. [520] And therfore thou ne shalt doon hym no damage in wikked word, ne harm in his body, [520A] ne in his catel, ne in his soule, by entissyng of wikked ensample. [521] Thou shalt nat desiren his wyf ne none of his thynges. Understoond eek that in the name of neighebor is comprehended his enemy. [522] Certes, man shal loven his enemy, by the comandement of God; and soothly thy freend shaltow love in God. [523] I seye, thyn enemy shaltow love for Goddes sake, by his commandement. [523A] For if it were reson that man sholde haten his enemy, [523B] for sothe God nolde nat receyven us to his love that been his enemys. [524] Agayns three manere of wronges that his enemy dooth to hym, he shal doon three thynges, as thus: [525] Agayns hate and rancour of herte, he shal love hym in herte. [525A] Agayns chidyng and wikkede wordes, he shal preye for his enemy. Agayns the wikked dede of his enemy, he shal doon hym bountee. [526] For Crist seith, "Loveth youre enemys, and preyeth for hem that speke yow harm, and eek for hem that yow chacen and pursewen, [526A] and dooth bountee to hem that yow haten." Loo, thus comaundeth us oure Lord Jhesu Crist to do to oure enemys. [527] For soothly, nature dryveth us to loven oure freendes, and parfey, oure enemys han moore nede to love than oure freendes; [527A] and they that moore nede have, certes to hem shal men doon goodnesse; [528] and certes, in thilke dede have we remembraunce of the love of Jhesu Crist that deyde for his enemys. [529] And in as muche as thilke love is the moore grevous to parfourne, so muche is the moore gret the merite; [529A] and therfore the lovynge of oure enemy hath confounded the venym of the devel. [530] For right as the devel is disconfited by humylitee, right so is he wounded to the deeth by love of oure enemy. [531] Certes, thanne is love the medicine that casteth out the venym of Envye fro mannes herte. [532] The speces of this paas shullen be moore largely declared in hir chapitres folwynge. [533] After Envye wol I discryven the synne of Ire. For soothly, whoso hath envye upon his neighebor, [533A] anon he wole comunly fynde hym a matere of wratthe, in word or in dede, agayns hym to whom he hath envye. [534] And as wel comth Ire of Pride as of Envye, for soothly he that is proud or envyous is lightly wrooth. [535] This synne of Ire, after the discryvyng of Seint Augustyn, is wikked wil to been avenged by word or by dede. [536] Ire, after the Philosophre, is the fervent blood of man yquyked in his herte, [536A] thurgh which he wole harm to hym that he hateth. [537] For certes, the herte of man, by eschawfynge and moevynge of his blood, wexeth [537A] so trouble that he is out of alle juggement of resoun. [538] But ye shal understonde that Ire is in two maneres; that oon of hem is good, and that oother is wikked. [539] The goode Ire is by jalousie of goodnesse, [539A] thurgh which a man is wrooth with wikkednesse and agayns wikkednesse; and therfore seith a wys man that Ire is bet than pley. [540] This Ire is with debonairetee, and it is wrooth withouten bitternesse; nat wrooth agayns the man, [540A] but wrooth with the mysdede of the man, as seith the prophete David, "Irascimini et nolite peccare." [541] Now understondeth that wikked Ire is in two maneres; [541A] that is to seyn, sodeyn Ire or hastif Ire, withouten avisement and consentynge of resoun. [542] The menyng and the sens of this is that the resoun of a man ne consente nat to thilke sodeyn Ire, [542A] and thanne is it venial. [543] Another Ire is ful wikked, that comth of felonie of herte avysed and cast biforn, with wikked wil to do vengeance, [543A] and therto his resoun consenteth. and soothly this is deedly synne. [544] This Ire is so displesant to God that it troubleth his hous and chaceth the Hooly Goost out of mannes soule, [544A] and wasteth and destroyeth the liknesse of God -- that is to seyn, the vertu that is in mannes soule -- [545] and put in hym the liknesse of the devel, and bynymeth the man fro God, that is his rightful lord. [546] This Ire is a ful greet plesaunce to the devel, [546A] for it is the develes fourneys, that is eschawfed with the fir of helle. [547] For certes, right so as fir is moore mighty to destroyen erthely thynges than any oother element, [547A] right so Ire is myghty to destroyen alle spiritueel thynges. [548] Looke how that fir of smale gleedes that been almost dede under asshen wollen quike agayn whan they been touched with brymstoon; [548A] right so Ire wol everemo quyken agayn whan it is touched by the pride that is covered in mannes herte. [549] For certes, fir ne may nat comen out of no thyng, but if it were first in the same thyng natureelly, [549A] as fir is drawen out of flyntes with steel. [550] And right so as pride is ofte tyme matere of Ire, right so is rancour norice and kepere of Ire. [551] Ther is a maner tree, as seith Seint Ysidre, that whan men maken fir of thilke tree [551A] and covere the coles of it with asshen, soothly the fir of it wol lasten al a yeer or moore. [552] And right so fareth it of rancour; whan it is ones conceyved in the hertes of som men, [552A] certein, it wol lasten peraventure from oon Estre day unto another Estre day, and moore. [553] But certes, thilke man is ful fer fro the mercy of God al thilke while. [554] In this forseyde develes fourneys ther forgen three 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 longe toonges of long rancour; [556] and thanne stant the synne of Contumelie, or strif and cheeste, and batereth and forgeth by vileyns reprevynges. [557] Certes, this cursed synne anoyeth bothe to the man hymself and eek to his neighebor. [557A] For soothly, almoost al the harm that any man dooth to his neighebor comth of wratthe. [558] For certes, outrageous wratthe dooth al that evere the devel hym comaundeth, for he ne spareth neither Crist ne his sweete Mooder. [559] And in his outrageous anger and ire -- allas, allas! -- [559A] ful many oon at that tyme feeleth in his herte ful wikkedly, bothe of Crist and eek of alle his halwes. [560] Is nat this a cursed vice? Yis, certes. Allas! It bynymeth from man his wit and his resoun, [560A] and al his debonaire lif espiritueel that sholde kepen his soule. [561] Certes, it bynymeth eek Goddes due lordshipe, and that is mannes soule and the love of his neighebores. [561A] It stryveth eek alday agayn trouthe. It reveth hym the quiete of his herte and subverteth his soule. [562] Of Ire comen thise stynkynge engendrures: First, hate, that is oold wratthe; [562A] discord, thurgh which a man forsaketh his olde freend that he hath loved ful longe; [563] and thanne cometh werre and every manere of wrong that man dooth to his neighebor, in body or in catel. [564] Of this cursed synne of Ire cometh eek manslaughtre. And understonde wel that homycide, that is manslaughtre, is in diverse wise. [564A] Som manere of homycide is spiritueel, and som is bodily. [565] Spiritueel manslaughtre is in sixe thynges. First by hate, as seith Seint John: "He that hateth his brother is an homycide." [566] Homycide is eek by bakbitynge, of whiche bakbiteres seith Salomon that "they han two swerdes with whiche they sleen hire neighebores." [566A] For soothly, as wikke is to bynyme his good name as his lyf. [567] Homycide is eek in yevynge of wikked conseil by fraude, as for to yeven conseil to areysen wrongful custumes and taillages. [568] Of whiche seith Salomon, "Leon rorynge and bere hongry been like to the cruel lordshipes" in withholdynge or abreggynge of the shepe [568A] (or the hyre), or of the wages of servauntz, or elles in usure, or in withdrawynge of the almesse of povre folk. [569] For which the wise man seith, "Fedeth hym that almoost dyeth for honger"; for soothly, but if thow feede hym, thou sleest hym; [569A] and alle thise been deedly synnes. [570] Bodily manslaughtre is, whan thow sleest him with thy tonge in oother manere, [570A] as whan thou comandest to sleen a man or elles yevest hym conseil to sleen a man. [571] Manslaughtre in dede is in foure maneres. [571A] That oon is by lawe, right as a justice dampneth hym that is coupable to the deeth. [571B] But lat the justice be war that he do it rightfully, and [571C] that he do it nat for delit to spille blood but for kepynge of rightwisnesse. [572] Another homycide is that is doon for necessitee, as whan o man sleeth another in his defendaunt [572A] and that he ne may noon ootherwise escape from his owene deeth. [573] But certeinly if he may escape withouten slaughtre of his adversarie, and sleeth hym, [573A] he dooth synne and he shal bere penance as for deedly synne. [574] Eek if a man, by caas or aventure, shete an arwe, [574A] or caste a stoon with which he sleeth a man, he is homycide. [575] Eek if a womman by necligence overlyeth hire child in hir slepyng, it is homycide and deedly synne. [576] Eek whan man destourbeth concepcioun of a child, and maketh a womman outher bareyne [576A] by drynkynge venenouse herbes thurgh which she may nat conceyve, [576B] or sleeth a child by drynkes wilfully, or elles putteth certeine material thynges in hire secree places to slee the child, [577] or elles dooth unkyndely synne, by which man or womman shedeth hire nature in manere or in place [577A] ther as a child may nat be conceived, or elles if a woman have conceyved, [577B] and hurt hirself and sleeth the child, yet is it homycide. [578] What seye we eek of wommen that mordren hir children for drede of worldly shame? Certes, an horrible homicide. [579] Homycide is eek if a man approcheth to a womman by desir of lecherie, thurgh which the child is perissed, [579A] 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; [580A] as he that arretteth upon God, or blameth God of thyng of which he is hymself gilty, [580B] or despiseth God and alle his halwes, as doon thise cursede hasardours in diverse contrees. [581] This cursed synne doon they, whan they feelen in hir herte ful wikkedly of God and of his halwes. [582] Also whan they treten unreverently the sacrement of the auter, thilke synne is so greet that unnethe may it been releessed, [582A] but that the mercy of God passeth alle his werkes; it is so greet, and he so benigne. [583] Thanne comth of Ire attry angre. Whan a man is sharply amonested in his shrifte to forleten his synne, [584] thanne wole he be angry, and answeren hokerly and angrily, and deffenden or excusen his synne by unstedefastnesse of his flessh; [584A] or elles he dide it for to holde compaignye with his felawes; or elles, he seith, the feend enticed hym; [585] or elles he dide it for his youthe; or elles his compleccioun is so corageous that he may nat forbere; [585A] or elles it is his destinee, as he seith, unto a certein [585B] age; or elles, he seith, it cometh hym of gentillesse of his auncestres; and semblable thynges. [586] Alle thise manere of folk so wrappen hem in hir synnes that they ne wol nat delivere hemself. [586A] For soothly, no wight that excuseth hym wilfully of his synne [586B] may nat been delivered of his synne til that he mekely biknoweth his synne. [587] After this, thanne cometh sweryng, that is expres agayn the comandement of God; and this bifalleth ofte of anger and of Ire. [588] God seith, "Thow shalt nat take the name of thy Lord God in veyn or in ydel." [588A] Also oure Lord Jhesu Crist seith, by the word of Seint Mathew, [589] "Ne wol ye nat swere in alle manere; neither by hevene, for it is Goddes trone; [589A] ne by erthe, for it is the bench of his feet; ne by Jerusalem, for it is the citee of a greet kyng; [589B] ne by thyn heed, for thou mayst nat make an heer whit ne blak. [590] But seyeth by youre word `ye, ye,' and `nay, nay'; and what that is moore, it is of yvel" -- thus seith Crist. [591] For Cristes sake, ne swereth nat so synfully in dismembrynge of Crist by soule, herte, bones, and body. [591A] For certes, it semeth that ye thynke that the cursede Jewes ne dismembred nat ynough the preciouse persone of Crist, [591B] but ye dismembre hym moore. [592] And if so be that the lawe compelle yow to swere, thanne rule yow after the lawe of God in youre swerying, [592A] as seith Jeremye, quarto capitulo: Thou shalt kepe three condicions: thou shalt swere "in trouthe, in doom, and in rightwisnesse." [593] This is to seyn, thou shalt swere sooth, for every lesynge is agayns Crist; [593A] for Crist is verray trouthe. And thynk wel this: that "every greet swerere, nat compelled lawefully to [593B] swere, the wounde shal nat departe from his hous" whil he useth swich unleveful swerying. [594] 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 meede, but for rightwisnesse, for declaracioun of it, [595A] to the worshipe of God and helpyng of thyne evene-Cristene. [596] And therfore every man that taketh Goddes name in ydel, or falsly swereth with his mouth, [596A] or elles taketh on hym the name of Crist, to be called a Cristen man [596B] and lyveth agayns Cristes lyvynge and his techynge, alle they taken Goddes name in ydel. [597] Looke eek what Seint Peter seith, Actuum quarto, Non est aliud nomen sub celo, etc., "Ther nys noon oother name," seith Seint Peter, [597A] "under hevene yeven to men, in which they mowe be saved"; that is to seyn, but the name of Jhesu Crist. [598] Take kep eek how precious is the name of Crist, as seith Seint Paul, ad Philipenses secundo, In nomine Jhesu, etc., [598A] "That in the name of Jhesu every knee of hevenely creatures, or erthely, or of helle sholde [598B] bowe," for it is so heigh and so worshipful that the cursede feend in helle sholde tremblen to heeren it ynempned. [599] Thanne semeth it that men that sweren so horribly by his blessed name, [599A] that they despise it moore booldely than dide the cursede Jewes or elles the devel, that trembleth whan he heereth his name. [600] Now certes, sith that sweryng, but if it be lawefully doon, is so heighly deffended, muche worse is forsweryng falsly, and yet nedelees. [601] What seye we eek of hem that deliten hem in sweryng, [601A] and holden it a gentrie or a manly dede to swere grete othes? [601B] And what of hem that of verray usage ne cesse nat to swere grete othes, al be the cause nat worth a straw? [601C] Certes, this is horrible synne. [602] Swerynge sodeynly withoute avysement is eek a synne. [603] But lat us go now to thilke horrible sweryng of adjuracioun and conjuracioun, [603A] as doon thise false enchauntours or nigromanciens in bacyns ful of water, [603B] or in a bright swerd, in a cercle, or in a fir, or in a shulder-boon of a sheep. [604] I kan nat seye but that they doon cursedly and dampnably agayns Crist and al the feith of hooly chirche. [605] What seye we of hem that bileeven on divynailes, as by flight or by noyse of briddes, or of beestes, [605A] or by sort, by nigromancie, by dremes, by chirkynge of dores or crakkynge of houses, by gnawynge of rattes, and swich manere wrecchednesse? [606] Certes, al this thyng is deffended by God and by hooly chirche. [606A] For which they been acursed, til they come to amendement, that on swich filthe setten hire bileeve. [607] Charmes for woundes or maladie of men or of beestes, if they taken any effect, [607A] it may be peraventure that God suffreth it, for folk sholden yeve the moore feith and reverence to his name. [608] Now wol I speken of lesynges, which generally is fals signyficaunce of word, in entente to deceyven his evene-Cristene. [609] Som lesynge is of which ther comth noon avantage to no wight; [609A] and som lesynge turneth to the ese and profit of o man, and to disese and damage of another man. [610] Another lesynge is for to saven his lyf or his catel. Another [610A] lesynge comth of delit for to lye, in which delit they wol forge a long tale [610B] and peynten it with alle circumstaunces, where al the ground of the tale is fals. [611] Som lesynge comth for he wole sustene his word; and som lesynge comth of reccheleesnesse withouten avisement; and semblable thynges. [612] Lat us now touche the vice of flaterynge, which ne comth nat gladly but for drede or for coveitise. [613] Flaterye is generally wrongful preisynge. Flatereres been the develes norices, that norissen his children with milk of losengerie. [614] For sothe, Salomon seith that "Flaterie is wors than detraccioun." For somtyme detraccion maketh an hauteyn man be the moore humble, [614A] for he dredeth detraccion; but certes flaterye, that maketh a man to enhauncen his herte and his contenaunce. [615] Flatereres been the develes enchauntours; for they make a man to wene of hymself be lyk that he nys nat lyk. [616] They been lyk to Judas that bitraysen a man to sellen hym to his enemy; that is to the devel. [617] Flatereres been the develes chapelleyns, that syngen evere Placebo. [618] I rekene flaterie in the vices of Ire, [618A] for ofte tyme if o man be wrooth with another, thanne wole he flatere som wight to sustene hym in his querele. [619] Speke we now of swich cursynge as comth of irous herte. Malisoun generally may be seyd every maner power of harm. [619A] Swich cursynge bireveth man fro the regne of God, as seith Seint Paul. [620] And ofte tyme swich cursynge wrongfully retorneth agayn to hym that curseth, as a bryd that retorneth agayn to his owene nest. [621] And over alle thyng men oghten eschewe to cursen hire children, and yeven to the devel hire engendrure, [621A] as ferforth as in hem is. Certes, it is greet peril and greet synne. [622] Lat us thanne speken of chidynge and reproche, whiche been ful grete woundes in mannes herte, [622A] for they unsowen the semes of freendshipe in mannes herte. [623] For certes, unnethes may a man pleynly been accorded with hym that hath hym openly revyled and repreved and disclaundred. [623A] This is a ful grisly synne, as Crist seith in the gospel. [624] And taak kep now, that he that repreveth his neighebor, outher he repreveth hym by som harm of peyne [624A] 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, thanne turneth the repreve to Jhesu Crist, [625A] for peyne is sent by the rightwys sonde of God, and by his suffrance, be it meselrie, or maheym, or maladie. [626] And if he repreve hym uncharitably of synne, as "thou holour," "thou dronkelewe harlot," and so forth, [626A] thanne aperteneth that to the rejoysynge of the devel, that evere hath joye that men doon synne. [627] And certes, chidynge may nat come but out of a vileyns herte. [627A] For after the habundance of the herte speketh the mouth ful ofte. [628] And ye shul understonde that looke, by any wey, [628A] whan any man shal chastise another, that he be war from chidynge or reprevynge. [628B] For trewely, but he be war, he may ful lightly quyken the fir of angre and of wratthe, [628C] which that he sholde quenche, and peraventure sleeth hym which that he myghte chastise with benignitee. [629] For as seith Salomon, "The amyable tonge is the tree of lyf" -- that is to seyn, of lyf espiritueel -- [629A] and soothly, a deslavee tonge sleeth the spirites of hym that repreveth and eek of hym that is repreved. [630] Loo, what seith Seint Augustyn: "Ther is nothyng so lyk the develes child as he that ofte chideth." [630A] Seint Paul seith eek, "The servant of God bihoveth nat to chide." [631] And how that chidynge be a vileyns thyng bitwixe alle manere folk, [631A] yet is it certes moost uncovenable bitwixe a man and his wyf, [631B] for there is nevere reste. And therfore seith Salomon, "An [631C] hous that is uncovered and droppynge and a chidynge wyf been lyke." [632] A man that is in a droppynge hous in manye places, [632A] though he eschewe the droppynge in o place, it droppeth on hym in another place. [632B] So fareth it by a chydynge wyf; but she chide hym in o place, she wol chide hym in another. [633] And therfore, "Bettre is a morsel of breed with joye than an hous ful of delices with chidynge," seith Salomon. [634] Seint Paul seith, "O ye wommen, be ye subgetes to youre housbondes as bihoveth in God, [634A] and ye men loveth youre wyves." Ad Colossenses tertio. [635] Afterward speke we of scornynge, which is a wikked synne, and namely whan he scorneth a man for his goode werkes. [636] For certes, swiche scorneres faren lyk the foule [636A] tode, that may nat endure to smelle the soote savour of the vyne whanne it florissheth. [637] Thise scorneres been partyng felawes with the devel; for they han joye whan the devel wynneth and sorwe whan he leseth. [638] They been adversaries of Jhesu Crist, for they haten that he loveth -- that is to seyn, salvacioun of soule. [639] Speke we now of wikked conseil, for he that wikked conseil yeveth is a traytour. [639A] For 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 this propertee in hymself, that [640A] he that wole anoye another man, he anoyeth first hymself." [641] And men shul understonde that man shal nat taken his conseil of fals folk, ne of angry folk, or grevous folk, [641A] ne of folk that loven specially to muchel hir owene profit, ne to muche worldly folk, namely in conseilynge of soules. [642] Now comth the synne of hem that sowen and maken discord amonges folk, which is a synne that Crist hateth outrely. [642A] And no wonder is, for he deyde for to make concord. [643] And moore shame do they to Crist than dide they that hym crucifiede, [643A] for God loveth bettre that freendshipe be amonges folk, than he dide his owene body, [643B] the which that he yaf for unitee. Therfore been they likned to the devel, that evere is aboute to maken discord. [644] Now comth the synne of double tonge, swiche as speken faire byforn folk and wikkedly bihynde, or elles they maken semblant [644A] 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. [646] Now comth manace, that is an open folye, for he that ofte manaceth, he threteth moore than he may parfourne ful ofte tyme. [647] Now cometh ydel wordes, that is withouten profit of hym that speketh tho wordes, [647A] and eek of hym that herkneth tho wordes. Or elles ydel wordes been tho that been nedelees or withouten entente of natureel profit. [648] And al be it that ydel wordes been somtyme venial synne, [648A] yet sholde men douten hem, for we shul yeve rekenynge of hem bifore God. [649] Now comth janglynge, that may nat been withoute synne. And, as seith Salomon, "It is a sygne of apert folye." [650] And therfore a philosophre seyde, whan men axed hym how that men sholde plese the peple, [650A] and he answerde, "Do manye goode werkes, and spek fewe jangles." [651] After this comth the synne of japeres, that been the develes apes, [651A] for they maken folk to laughe at hire japerie as folk doon at the gawdes of an ape. [651B] Swiche japeres deffendeth Seint Paul. [652] Looke how that vertuouse wordes and hooly conforten hem that travaillen in the service of Crist, [652A] right so conforten the vileyns wordes and knakkes of japeris hem that travaillen in the service of the devel. [653] Thise been the synnes that comen of the tonge, that comen of Ire and of othere synnes mo. [654] The remedie agayns Ire is a vertu that men clepen mansuetude, that is debonairetee; [654A] and eek another vertu, that men callen pacience or suffrance. [655] Debonairetee withdraweth and refreyneth the stirynges and the moevynges of mannes corage in his herte, [655A] in swich manere that they ne skippe nat out by angre ne by ire. [656] Suffrance suffreth swetely alle the anoyaunces and the wronges that men doon to man outward. [657] Seint Jerome seith thus of debonairetee, that "it dooth noon harm to no wight ne seith. [657A] ne for noon harm that men doon or seyn, he ne eschawfeth nat agayns his resoun." [658] This vertu somtyme comth of nature, for, as seith the Philosophre, [658A] "A man is a quyk thyng, by nature debonaire and tretable to goodnesse; [658B] but whan debonairetee is enformed of grace, thanne is it the moore worth." [659] Pacience, that is another remedie agayns Ire, is a vertu that suffreth swetely every mannes goodnesse, [659A] 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 adversitee and every wikked word. [661] This vertu maketh a man lyk to God, and maketh hym Goddes owene deere child, as seith Crist. [661A] This vertu disconfiteth thyn enemy. And therfore seith the wise man, "If thow wolt venquysse thyn enemy, lerne to suffre." [662] And thou shalt understonde that man suffreth foure manere of grevances in outward thynges, [662A] agayns the whiche foure he moot have foure manere of paciences. [663] The firste grevance is of wikkede wordes. Thilke suffrede Jhesu Crist withouten grucchyng, ful paciently, [663A] whan the Jewes despised and repreved hym ful ofte. [664] Suffre thou therfore paciently; for the wise man seith, "If thou stryve with a fool, [664A] though the fool be wrooth or though he laughe, algate thou shalt have no reste." [665] That oother grevance outward is to have damage of thy catel. Theragayns suffred Crist ful paciently, whan [665A] he was despoyled of al that he hadde in this lyf, and that nas but his clothes. [666] The thridde grevance is a man to have harm in his body. That suffred Crist ful paciently in al his passioun. [667] The fourthe grevance is in outrageous labour in werkes. [667A] Wherfore I seye that folk that maken hir servantz to travaillen to grevously or out of tyme, as on haly dayes, [667B] soothly they do greet synne. [668] Heer-agayns suffred Crist ful paciently and taughte us pacience, whan he baar upon his blissed shulder [668A] the croys upon which he sholde suffren despitous deeth. [669] Heere may men lerne to be pacient, for certes noght oonly Cristen men been pacient for love of Jhesu Crist [669A] and for gerdoun of the blisful lyf that is perdurable, but [669B] certes, the olde payens that nevere were Cristene commendeden and useden the vertu of pacience. [670] A philosophre upon a tyme, that wolde have beten his disciple for his grete trespas, [670A] for which he was greetly amoeved, and broghte a yerde to scoure with the child; [671] and whan this child saugh the yerde, he seyde to his maister, [671A] "What thenke ye do?" "I wol bete thee," quod the maister, "for thy correccioun." [672] "For sothe," quod the child, "ye oghten first correcte youreself, [672A] that han lost al youre pacience for the gilt of a child." [673] "For sothe," quod the maister al wepynge, "thow seyst sooth. Have thow the yerde, my deere sone, and correcte me for myn inpacience." [674] Of pacience comth obedience, thurgh which a man is obedient to Crist and to alle hem [674A] to whiche he oghte to been obedient in Crist. [675] And understond wel that obedience is parfit [675A] whan that a man dooth gladly and hastily, with good herte entierly, al that he sholde do. [676] Obedience generally is to parfourne the doctrine of God and of his sovereyns, to whiche hym oghte to ben obeisaunt in alle rightwisnesse. [677] After the synne of Envye and of Ire, now wol I speken of the synne of Accidie. [677A] For Envye blyndeth the herte of a man, and Ire troubleth a man, and Accidie maketh hym hevy, thoghtful, and wraw. [678] Envye and Ire maken bitternesse in herte, which bitternesse is mooder of Accidie, and bynymeth hym the love of alle goodnesse. [678A] Thanne is Accidie the angwissh of troubled herte; and Seint Augustyn seith, "It is anoy of goodnesse and joye of harm." [679] Certes, this is a dampnable synne, for it dooth wrong to Jhesu Crist, [679B] in as muche as it bynymeth the service that men oghte doon to Crist with alle diligence, as seith Salomon. [680] But Accidie dooth no swich diligence. He dooth alle thyng with anoy, and with wrawnesse, slaknesse, and excusacioun, and with ydelnesse, and unlust; [680A] for which the book seith, "Acursed be he that dooth the service of God necligently." [681] Thanne is Accidie enemy to everich estaat of man, for certes the estaat of man is in three maneres. [682] Outher it is th' estaat of innocence, as was th' estaat of Adam biforn that he fil into synne, [682A] in which estaat he was holden to wirche as in heriynge and adowrynge of God. [683] Another estaat is the estaat of synful men, in which estaat men been holden to laboure in preiynge to God [683A] for amendement of hire synnes, and that he wole graunte hem to arysen out of hir synnes. [684] Another estaat is th' estaat of grace, in which estaat he is holden to werkes of penitence. [684A] And certes, to alle thise thynges is Accidie enemy and contrarie, for he loveth no bisynesse at al. [685] Now certes this foule synne Accidie is eek a ful greet enemy to the liflode of the body, [685A] for it ne hath no purveaunce agayn temporeel necessitee, for it forsleweth and forsluggeth and destroyeth alle goodes temporeles by reccheleesnesse. [686] The fourthe thyng is that Accidie is lyk hem that been in the peyne of helle, by cause of hir slouthe [686A] and of hire hevynesse, for they that been dampned been so bounde that they ne may neither wel do ne wel thynke. [687] Of Accidie comth first that a man is anoyed and encombred for to doon any goodnesse, [687A] and maketh that God hath abhomynacion of swich Accidie, as seith Seint John. [688] Now comth Slouthe, that wol nat suffre noon hardnesse ne no penaunce. For soothly, Slouthe is so tendre and so delicaat, [688A] as seith Salomon, that he wol nat suffre noon hardnesse ne penaunce, and therfore he shendeth al that he dooth. [689] Agayns this roten-herted synne of Accidie and Slouthe sholde men exercise hemself to doon goode werkes, and manly [689A] and vertuously cacchen corage wel to doon, 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; [690A] and slouthe maketh hem feble and tendre. [691] Thanne comth drede to bigynne to werke anye goode werkes. For certes, he that is enclyned to synne, [691A] hym thynketh it is so greet an emprise for to undertake to doon werkes of goodnesse, [692] and casteth in his herte that the circumstaunces of goodnesse been so grevouse [692A] and so chargeaunt for to suffre, that he dar nat undertake to do werkes of goodnesse, as seith Seint Gregorie. [693] Now comth wanhope, that is despeir of the mercy of God, that comth somtyme of to muche outrageous sorwe, [693A] and somtyme of to muche drede, ymaginynge that he hath doon so muche synne that it wol nat availlen hym, [693B] though he wolde repenten hym and forsake synne, [694] 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. [696] This horrible synne is so perilous that he that is despeired, [696A] ther nys no felonye ne no synne that he douteth for to do, as shewed wel by Judas. [697] Certes, aboven alle synnes thanne is this synne moost displesant to Crist, and moost adversarie. [698] Soothly, he that despeireth hym is lyk the coward champioun recreant, that seith "creant" withoute nede. [698A] Allas, allas, nedeles is he recreant and nedelees despeired. [699] Certes, the mercy of God is evere redy to the penitent, and is aboven alle his werkes. [700] Allas, kan a man nat bithynke hym on the gospel of Seint Luc, 15, [700A] where as Crist seith that "as wel shal ther be joye in hevene upon a synful man that dooth penitence, [700B] as upon nynty and nyne rightful men that neden no penitence." [701] Looke forther, in the same gospel, the joye and the feeste of the goode man that hadde lost his sone, [701A] whan his sone with repentaunce was retourned to his fader. [702] Kan they nat remembren hem eek that, as seith Seint Luc, 23, how that the theef that was hanged bisyde Jhesu Crist seyde, [702A] "Lord, remembre of me, whan thow comest into thy regn."? [703] "For sothe," seyde Crist, "I seye to thee, to-day shaltow been with me in paradys." [704] Certes, ther is noon so horrible synne of man [704A] that it ne may in his lyf be destroyed by penitence, thurgh vertu of the passion and of the deeth of Crist. [705] Allas, what nedeth man thanne to been despeired, sith that his mercy so redy is and large? Axe and have. [706] Thanne cometh sompnolence, that is sloggy slombrynge, which maketh a man be hevy and dul in body and in soule, [706A] and this synne comth of Slouthe. [707] And certes, the tyme that, by wey of resoun, men sholde nat slepe, that is by the morwe, [707A] but if ther were cause resonable. [708] For soothly, the morwe tyde is moost covenable a man to seye his preyeres, and for to thynken on God, [708A] and for to honoure God, and to yeven almesse to the povre that first cometh in the name of Crist. [709] Lo, what seith Salomon: "Whoso wolde by the morwe awaken and seke me, he shal fynde." [710] Thanne cometh necligence, or reccheleesnesse, that rekketh of no thyng. [710A] And how that ignoraunce be mooder of alle harm, certes, necligence is the norice. [711] Necligence ne dooth no fors, whan he shal doon a thyng, wheither he do it weel or baddely. [712] Of the remedie of thise two synnes, as seith the wise man, [712A] that "He that dredeth God, he spareth nat to doon that him oghte doon." [713] And he that loveth God, he wol doon diligence to plese God by his werkes [713A] and abaundone hymself, with al his myght, wel for to doon. [714] Thanne comth ydelnesse, that is the yate of alle harmes. An ydel man is lyk to a place that hath no walles; [714A] the develes may entre on every syde, or sheten at hym at discovert, by temptacion on every syde. [715] This ydelnesse is the thurrok of alle wikked and vileyns thoghtes, and of alle jangles, trufles, and of alle ordure. [716] Certes, the hevene is yeven to hem that wol labouren, and nat to ydel folk. Eek David seith that [716A] "they ne been nat in the labour of men, ne they shul nat been whipped with men" [716B] -- that is to seyn, in purgatorie. [717] Certes, thanne semeth it they shul be tormented with the devel in helle, but if they doon penitence. [718] Thanne comth the synne that men clepen tarditas, as whan a man is to laterede or tariynge er he wole turne to God, [718A] and certes that is a greet folie. He is lyk to hym that falleth in the dych and wol nat arise. [719] And this vice comth of a fals hope, that he thynketh that he shal lyve longe; but that hope faileth ful ofte. [720] Thanne comth lachesse; that is he that whan he biginneth any good werk [720A] anon he shal forleten it and stynten, as doon they that han any wight to governe [720B] and ne taken of hym namoore kep anon as they fynden any contrarie or any anoy. [721] Thise been the newe sheepherdes that leten hir sheep wityngly go renne [721A] to the wolf that is in the breres, or do no fors of hir owene governaunce. [722] Of this comth poverte and destruccioun, bothe of spiritueel and temporeel thynges. [722A] Thanne comth a manere cooldnesse, that freseth al the herte of a man. [723] Thanne comth undevocioun, thurgh which a man is so blent, as seith Seint Bernard, [723A] and hath swich langour in soule that he may neither rede ne singe in hooly chirche, ne heere ne thynke of no devocioun, [723B] ne travaille with his handes in no good werk, that it nys hym unsavory and al apalled. [724] Thanne wexeth he slough and slombry, and soone wol be wrooth, and soone is enclyned to hate and to envye. [725] Thanne comth the synne of worldly sorwe, swich as is cleped tristicia, that sleeth man, as seith Seint Paul. [726] For certes, swich sorwe werketh to the deeth of the soule and of the body also; [726A] for therof comth that a man is anoyed of his owene lif. [727] Wherfore swich sorwe shorteth ful ofte the lif of man, er that his tyme be come by wey of kynde. [728] Agayns this horrible synne of Accidie, and the branches of the same, ther is a vertu that is called fortitudo or strengthe, [728A] that is an affeccioun thurgh which a man despiseth anoyouse thinges. [729] This vertu is so myghty and so vigerous that it dar withstonde myghtily and wisely kepen hymself fro perils that been wikked, [729A] 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. [730A] For this fortitudo may endure by long suffraunce the travailles that been covenable. [731] This vertu hath manye speces; and the firste is cleped magnanimitee, that is to seyn, greet corage. [731A] For certes, ther bihoveth greet corage agains Accidie, [731B] lest that it ne swolwe the soule by the synne of sorwe, or destroye it by wanhope. [732] This vertu maketh folk to undertake harde thynges and grevouse thynges, by hir owene wil, wisely and resonably. [733] And for as muchel as the devel fighteth agayns a man moore by queyntise and by sleighte than by strengthe, [733A] therfore men shal withstonden hym by wit and by resoun and by discrecioun. [734] Thanne arn ther the vertues of feith and hope in God and in his seintes [734A] to acheve and acomplice the goode werkes in the whiche he purposeth fermely to continue. [735] Thanne comth seuretee or sikernesse, and that is [735A] whan a man ne douteth no travaille in tyme comynge of the goode werkes that a man hath bigonne. [736] Thanne comth magnificence; that is to seyn, whan a man dooth and parfourneth grete werkes of goodnesse; and that is the ende [736A] why that men sholde do goode werkes, for in the acomplissynge of grete goode werkes lith the grete gerdoun. [737] Thanne is ther constaunce, that is stablenesse of corage, and this sholde been in herte by stedefast feith, [737A] and in mouth, and in berynge, and in chiere, and in dede. [738] Eke ther been mo speciale remedies against Accidie in diverse werkes, and [738A] in consideracioun of the peynes of helle and of the joyes of hevene, [738B] and in the trust of the grace of the Holy Goost, that wole yeve hym myght to parfourne his goode entente. [739] After Accidie wol I speke of Avarice and of Coveitise, of which synne seith [739A] Seint Paul that "the roote of alle harmes is Coveitise." Ad Thimotheum Sexto. [740] For soothly, whan the herte of a man is confounded in itself and troubled, and that [740A] the soule hath lost the confort of God, thanne seketh he an ydel solas of worldly thynges. [741] Avarice, after the descripcioun of Seint Augustyn, is a likerousnesse in herte to have erthely thynges. [742] Som oother folk seyn that Avarice is for to purchacen manye erthely thynges and no thyng yeve to hem that han nede. [743] And understoond that Avarice ne stant nat oonly in lond ne catel, [743A] but somtyme in science and in glorie, and in every manere of outrageous thyng is Avarice and Coveitise. [744] And the difference bitwixe Avarice and Coveitise is this: Coveitise is for to coveite swiche thynges as thou hast nat; [744A] and Avarice is for to withholde and kepe swiche thynges as thou hast, withoute rightful nede. [745] Soothly, this Avarice is a synne that is ful dampnable, for al hooly writ curseth it and speketh agayns that vice, [745A] for it dooth wrong to Jhesu Crist. [746] For it bireveth hym the love that men to hym owen, and turneth it bakward agayns alle resoun, [747] and maketh that the avaricious man hath moore hope in his catel than in Jhesu Crist, [747A] and dooth moore observance in kepynge of his tresor than he dooth to the service of Jhesu Crist. [748] And therfore seith Seint Paul Ad Ephesios quinto, that an avaricious man is the thraldom of ydolatrie. [749] What difference is bitwixe an ydolastre and an avaricious man, but that an ydolastre, per aventure, ne hath but o mawmet or two, [749A] and the avaricious man hath manye? For certes, every floryn in his cofre is his mawmet. [750] And certes, the synne of mawmettrie is the firste thyng [750A] that God deffended in the ten comaundementz, as bereth witnesse in Exodi capitulo vicesimo: [751] "Thou shalt have no false goddes bifore me, ne thou shalt make to thee no grave thyng." [751A] Thus is an avaricious man, that loveth his tresor biforn God, an ydolastre, [752] thurgh this cursed synne of avarice. Of Coveitise comen thise harde lordshipes, [752A] thurgh whiche men been distreyned by taylages, custumes, and cariages, moore than hire duetee or resoun is. [752B] And eek taken they of hire bonde-men amercimentz, whiche myghten moore resonably ben cleped extorcions than amercimentz. [753] Of whiche amercimentz and raunsonynge of boonde-men somme lordes stywardes seyn that it is rightful, [753A] for as muche as a cherl hath no temporeel thyng that it ne is his lordes, as they seyn. [754] But certes, thise lord-shipes doon wrong [754A] that bireven hire bonde-folk thynges that they nevere yave hem. Augustinus, De Civitate libro nono. [755] "Sooth is that the condicioun of thraldom and the firste cause of thraldom is for synne. Genesis nono. [756] Thus may ye seen that the gilt disserveth thraldom, but nat nature." [757] Wherfore thise lordes ne sholde nat muche glorifien hem in hir lordshipes, [757A] sith that by natureel condicion they been nat lordes over thralles, but that thraldom comth first by the desert of synne. [758] And forther over, ther as the lawe seith that temporeel goodes of boonde-folk been the goodes of hir lordshipes, ye, [758A] that is for to understonde, the goodes of the emperour, to deffenden hem in hir right, [758B] but nat for to robben hem ne reven hem. [759] 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. [761] Thynk eek that of swich seed as cherles spryngen, of swich seed spryngen lordes. [761A] As wel may the cherl be saved as the lord. [762] The same deeth that taketh the cherl, swich deeth taketh the lord. [762A] Wherfore I rede, do right so with thy cherl, as thou woldest that thy lord dide with thee, [762B] if thou were in his plit. [763] Every synful man is a cherl to synne. I rede thee, certes, that thou, lord, [763A] werke in swich wise with thy cherles that they rather love thee than drede. [764] I woot wel ther is degree above degree, as reson is, [764A] and skile is that men do hir devoir ther as it is due, [764B] but certes, extorcions and despit of youre underlynges is dampnable. [765] And forther over, understoond wel that thise conquerours or tirauntz maken ful ofte thralles [765A] of hem that been born of as roial blood as been they that hem conqueren. [766] This name of thraldom was nevere erst kowth til [766A] that Noe seyde that his sone Canaan sholde be thral to his bretheren for his synne. [767] What seye we thanne of hem that pilen and doon extorcions to hooly chirche? [767A] Certes, the swerd that men yeven first to a knyght, whan he is newe dubbed, signifieth that he sholde deffenden hooly chirche, [767B] and nat robben it ne pilen it; and whoso dooth is traitour to Crist. [768] And, as seith Seint Augustyn, "They been the develes wolves that stranglen the sheep of Jhesu Crist," and doon worse than wolves. [769] For soothly, whan the wolf hath ful his wombe, he stynteth to strangle sheep. [769A] But soothly, the pilours and destroyours of the godes of hooly chirche ne do nat so, for they ne stynte nevere to pile. [770] Now as I have seyd, sith so is that synne was first cause of thraldom, thanne is it thus: [770A] that thilke tyme that al this world was in synne, thanne was al this world in thraldom and subjeccioun. [771] But certes, sith the time of grace cam, God ordeyned that som folk sholde be moore heigh in estaat and in degree, [771A] and som folk moore lough, and that everich sholde be served in his estaat and in his degree. [772] And therfore in somme contrees, ther they byen thralles, whan they han turned hem to the feith, [772A] they maken hire thralles free out of thraldom. And therfore, [772B] certes, the lord oweth to his man that the man oweth to his lord. [773] The Pope calleth hymself servant of the servantz of God; but [773A] for as muche as the estaat of hooly chirche ne myghte nat han be, ne the commune profit myghte nat han be kept, [773B] ne pees and rest in erthe, but if God hadde ordeyned that som men hadde hyer degree and som men lower, [774] therfore was sovereyntee ordeyned, to kepe and mayntene and deffenden hire underlynges or hire subgetz in resoun, [774A] 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, [775A] that devouren the possessiouns or the catel of povre folk wrongfully, withouten mercy or mesure, [776] they shul receyven by the same mesure that they han mesured to povre folk the [776A] mercy of Jhesu Crist, but if it be amended. [777] Now comth deceite bitwixe marchaunt and marchant. And thow shalt understonde that marchandise is in manye maneres; [777A] that oon is bodily, and that oother is goostly; that oon is honest and leveful, and that oother is deshonest and unleveful. [778] Of thilke bodily marchandise that is leveful and honest is this: [778A] that, there as God hath ordeyned that a regne or a contree is suffisaunt to hymself, [778B] thanne is it honest and leveful that of habundaunce of this contree, that men helpe another contree that is moore nedy. [779] And therfore ther moote been marchantz 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. [781] Espiritueel marchandise is proprely symonye, that is ententif desir to byen thyng espiritueel; [781A] that is, thyng that aperteneth to the seintuarie of God and to cure of the soule. [782] This desir, if so be that a man do his diligence to parfournen it, [782A] al be it that his desir ne take noon effect, yet is it to hym a deedly synne; [782B] and if he be ordred, he is irreguleer. [783] Certes symonye is cleped of Simon Magus, that wolde han boght for temporeel catel [783A] the yifte that God hadde yeven by the Hooly Goost to Seint Peter and to the apostles. [784] And therfore understoond that bothe he that selleth and he that beyeth thynges espirituels been cleped symonyals, [784A] be it by catel, be it by procurynge, 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, [785A] it is symonye, if he take the benefice; and if he be worthy and able, ther nys noon. [786] That oother manere is whan men or wommen preyen for folk to avauncen hem, [786A] oonly for wikked flesshly affeccioun that they han unto the persone, and that is foul symonye. [787] But certes, in service, for which men yeven thynges espirituels unto hir servantz, it moot been understonde that [787A] the service moot been honest and elles nat; and eek that it be withouten bargaynynge, and that the persone be able. [788] For, as seith Seint Damasie, "Alle the synnes of the world, at regard of this synne, arn as thyng of noght." [788A] For it is the gretteste synne that may be, after the synne of Lucifer and Antecrist. [789] For by this synne God forleseth the chirche and the soule that he boghte with his precious blood, [789A] 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. [791] By swiche undigne preestes and curates han lewed men the lasse reverence of the sacramentz of hooly chirche, [791A] and swiche yeveres of chirches putten out the children of Crist and putten into the chirche the develes owene sone. [792] They sellen the soules that lambes sholde kepen to the wolf that strangleth hem. [792A] And therfore shul they nevere han part of the pasture of lambes, that is the blisse of hevene. [793] Now comth hasardrie with his apurtenaunces, as tables and rafles, of which comth deceite, false othes, chidynges, and alle ravynes, [793A] blasphemynge and reneiynge of God, and hate of his neighebores, wast of goodes, mysspendynge of tyme, and somtyme manslaughtre. [794] Certes, hasardours ne mowe nat been withouten greet synne whiles they haunte that craft. [795] Of Avarice comen eek lesynges, thefte, fals witnesse, and false othes. [795A] And ye shul understonde that thise been grete synnes and expres agayn the comaundementz of God, as I have seyd. [796] Fals witnesse is in word and eek in dede. In word, as for to bireve thy neighebores goode name by thy fals witnessyng, [796A] or bireven hym his catel or his heritage by thy fals witnessyng, whan thou for ire, or for meede, [796B] or for envye, berest fals witnesse, or accusest hym or excusest hym by thy fals witnesse, or elles excusest thyself falsly. [797] Ware yow, questemongeres and notaries! Certes, for fals witnessyng was Susanna in ful gret sorwe and peyne, and many another mo. [798] The synne of thefte is eek expres agayns Goddes heeste, and that in two maneres, corporeel or spiritueel. [799] Corporeel, as for to take thy neighebores catel agayn his wyl, [799A] 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, [800A] in entente nevere to payen it agayn, and semblable thynges. [801] Espiritueel thefte is sacrilege; that is to seyn, hurtynge of hooly thynges, or of thynges sacred to Crist, in two maneres: [801A] by reson of the hooly place, as chirches or chirche-hawes, [802] for which every vileyns synne that men doon in swiche places may be cleped sacrilege, or every violence in the semblable places; [802A] also, they that withdrawen falsly the rightes that longen to hooly chirche. [803] And pleynly and generally, sacrilege is to reven hooly thyng fro hooly place, [803A] or unhooly thyng out of hooly place, or hooly thing out of unhooly place. [804] Now shul ye understonde that the releevynge of Avarice is misericorde, and pitee largely taken. [804A] And men myghten axe why that misericorde and pitee is releevynge of Avarice. [805] Certes, the avricious man sheweth no pitee ne misericorde to the nedeful man, for he deliteth hym [805A] in the kepynge of his tresor, and nat in the rescowynge ne releevynge of his evene-Cristen. And therfore speke I first of misericorde. [806] Thanne is misericorde, as seith the Philosophre, a vertu [806A] by which the corage of a man is stired by the mysese of hym that is mysesed. [807] Upon which misericorde folweth pitee in parfournynge of charitable werkes of misericorde. [808] And certes, thise thynges moeven a man to the misericorde of Jhesu Crist, [808A] that he yaf hymself for oure gilt, and suffred deeth for misericorde, and forgaf us oure originale synnes, [809] and therby relessed us fro the peynes of helle, and amenused the peynes of purgatorie by penitence, [809A] 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, [810A] and for to han pitee in herte and compassioun of the meschief of his evene-Cristene, and eek to chastise, there as nede is. [811] Another manere of remedie agayns avarice is resonable largesse; but soothly, heere bihoveth the consideracioun of the grace of Jhesu Crist, [811A] and of his temporeel goodes, and eek of the goodes perdurables that Crist yaf to us; [812] and to han remembrance of the deeth that he shal receyve, he noot whanne, where, ne how; [812A] and eek that he shal forgon al that he hath, save oonly that he hath despended in goode werkes. [813] But for as muche as som folk been unmesurable, men oghten eschue fool-largesse, that men clepen wast. [814] Certes, he that is fool-large ne yeveth nat his catel, but he leseth his catel. [814A] Soothly, what thyng that he yeveth for veyne glorie, as to mynstrals and to folk for to beren his renoun [814B] in the world, he hath synne therof and noon almesse. [815] Certes, he leseth foule his good that ne seketh with the yifte of his good nothyng but synne. [816] He is lyk to an hors that seketh [816A] rather to drynken drovy or trouble water than for to drynken water of the clere welle. [817] And for as muchel as they yeven ther as they sholde nat yeven, to hem aperteneth [817A] thilke malisoun that Crist shal yeven at the day of doom to hem that shullen been dampned. [818] After Avarice comth Glotonye, which is expres eek agayn the comandement of God. Glotonye is unmesurable appetit to ete or to drynke, [818A] or elles to doon ynogh to the unmesurable appetit and desordeynee coveitise to eten or to drynke. [819] This synne corrumped al this world, as is wel shewed in the synne of Adam and of Eve. [819A] Looke eek what seith Seint Paul of Glotonye: [820] "Manye," seith Saint Paul, "goon, of whiche I have ofte seyd to yow, [820A] and now I seye it wepynge, that been the enemys of the croys of Crist; of whiche the ende is deeth, [820B] and of whiche hire wombe is hire god, and hire glorie in confusioun of hem that so savouren erthely thynges." [821] He that is usaunt to this synne of glotonye, he ne may no synne withstonde. [821A] He moot been in servage of alle vices, for it is the develes hoord ther he hideth hym and resteth. [822] This synne hath manye speces. The firste is dronkenesse, that is the horrible sepulture of mannes resoun; [822A] and therfore, whan a man is dronken, he hath lost his resoun; and this is deedly synne. [823] But soothly, whan that a man is nat wont to strong drynke, and peraventure ne knoweth nat the strengthe of the drynke, [823A] or hath feblesse in his heed, or hath travailed, thurgh which he drynketh the moore, al be he sodeynly caught with drynke, [823B] it is no deedly synne, but venyal. [824] The seconde spece of glotonye is that the spirit of a man wexeth al trouble, [824A] for dronkenesse bireveth hym the discrecioun of his wit. [825] The thridde spece of glotonye is whan a man devoureth his mete and hath no rightful manere of etynge. [826] The fourthe is whan, thurgh the grete habundaunce of his mete, the humours in his body been distempred. [827] The fifthe is foryetelnesse by to muchel drynkynge, for which somtyme [827A] a man foryeteth er the morwe what he dide at even, or on the nyght biforn. [828] In oother manere been distinct the speces of Glotonye, after Seint Gregorie. The firste is for to ete biforn tyme to ete. [828A] The seconde is whan a man get hym to delicaat mete or drynke. [829] The thridde is whan men taken to muche over mesure. The fourthe is curiositee, with greet entente to maken and apparaillen his mete. [829A] The fifthe is for to eten to gredily. [830] Thise been the fyve fyngres of the develes hand, by whiche he draweth folk to synne. [831] Agayns Glotonye is the remedie abstinence, as seith Galien; but that holde I nat meritorie, [831A] if he do it oonly for the heele of his body. Seint Augustyn wole that abstinence be doon for vertu and with pacience. [832] "Abstinence," he seith, "is litel worth but if a man have good wil therto, [832A] and but it be enforced by pacience and by charitee, and that men doon it for Godes sake, [832B] and in hope to have the blisse of hevene." [833] The felawes of abstinence been attemperaunce, that holdeth the meene in alle thynges; eek shame, that eschueth alle deshonestee; [833A] suffisance, that seketh no riche metes ne drynkes, ne dooth no fors of to outrageous apparailynge of mete; [834] mesure also, that restreyneth by resoun the deslavee appetit of etynge; sobrenesse also, that restreyneth the outrage of drynke; [835] sparynge also, that restreyneth the delicaat ese to sitte longe at his mete and softely, [835A] wherfore some folk stonden of hir owene wyl to eten at the lasse leyser. [836] After Glotonye thanne comth Lecherie, for thise two synnes been so ny cosyns that ofte tyme they wol nat departe. [837] God woot, this synne is ful displesaunt thyng to God, for he seyde hymself, [837A] "Do no lecherie." And therfore he putte grete peynes agayns this synne in the olde lawe. [838] If womman thral were taken in this synne, she sholde be beten with staves to the deeth; [838A] and if she were a gentil womman, she sholde be slayn with [838B] stones; and if she were a bisshoppes doghter, she sholde been brent, by Goddes comandement. [839] Forther over, by the synne of lecherie God dreynte al the world at the diluge. [839A] And after that he brente fyve citees with thonder-leyt, and sank hem into helle. [840] Now lat us speke thanne of thilke stynkynge synne of Lecherie that men clepe avowtrie of wedded folk; [840A] that is to seyn, if that oon of hem be wedded, or elles bothe. [841] Seint John seith that avowtiers shullen been in helle, in a stank brennynge of fyr and of brymston [841A] -- in fyr for hire lecherye, in brymston for the stynk of hire ordure. [842] Certes, the brekynge of this sacrement is an horrible thyng. [842A] It was maked of God hymself in paradys, and confermed by Jhesu Crist, as witnesseth Seint Mathew in the gospel: [842B] "A man shal lete fader and mooder and taken hym to his wif, and they shullen be two in o flessh." [843] This sacrement bitokneth the knyttynge togidre of Crist and of hooly chirche. [844] And nat oonly that God forbad avowtrie in dede, but eek he comanded that thou sholdest nat coveite thy neighebores wyf. [845] "In this heeste," seith Seint Augustyn, "is forboden alle manere coveitise to doon lecherie." Lo, what seith Seint Mathew in the gospel, that [845A] "whoso seeth a womman to coveitise of his lust, he hath doon lecherie with hire in his herte." [846] Heere may ye seen that nat oonly the dede of this synne is forboden, but eek the desir to doon that synne. [847] This cursed synne anoyeth grevousliche hem that it haunten. And first to hire soule, [847A] for he obligeth it to synne and to peyne of deeth that is perdurable. [848] Unto the body anoyeth it grevously also, for it dreyeth hym, and wasteth him, and shent hym, and of his blood [848A] he maketh sacrifice to the feend of helle. It wasteth eek his catel and his substaunce. [849] And certes, if it be a foul thyng a man to waste his catel on wommen, [849A] 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 hir goode fame and al hire honour, [850A] and it is ful plesaunt to the devel, for therby wynneth he the mooste partie of this world. [851] And right as a marchant deliteth hym moost in chaffare that he hath moost avantage of, [851A] right so deliteth the fend in this ordure. [852] This is that oother hand of the devel with fyve fyngres to cacche the peple to his vileynye. [853] The firste fynger is the fool lookynge of the fool womman and of the fool man; that sleeth, right [853A] as the basilicok sleeth folk by the venym of his sighte, for the coveitise of eyen folweth the coveitise of the herte. [854] The seconde fynger is the vileyns touchynge in wikkede manere. [854A] And therfore seith Salomon that "whoso toucheth and handleth a womman, he fareth lyk [854B] hym that handleth the scorpioun that styngeth and sodeynly sleeth thurgh his envenymynge"; as whoso toucheth warm pych, it shent his fyngres. [855] The thridde is foule wordes, that fareth lyk fyr, that right anon brenneth the herte. [856] The fourthe fynger is the kissynge; and trewely he were a greet fool [856A] that wolde kisse the mouth of a brennynge oven or of a fourneys. [857] And moore fooles been they that kissen in vileynye, for that mouth is the mouth of helle; [857A] and namely thise olde dotardes holours, yet wol they kisse, though they may nat do, and smatre hem. [858] Certes, they been lyk to houndes; for an hound, whan he comth by the roser or by othere [bushes], [858A] though he may nat pisse, yet wole he heve up his leg and make a contenaunce to pisse. [859] And for that many man weneth that he may nat synne for no likerousnesse that he dooth with his wyf, [859A] certes, that opinion is fals. God woot, a man may sleen hymself with his owene knyf, [859B] and make hymselve dronken of his owene tonne. [860] Certes, be it wyf, be it child, [860A] or any worldly thyng that he loveth biforn God, it is his mawmet, and he is an ydolastre. [861] Man sholde loven hys wyf by discrecioun, paciently and atemprely, and thanne is she as though it were his suster. [862] The fifthe fynger of the develes hand is the stynkynge dede of Leccherie. [863] Certes, the fyve fyngres of Glotonie the feend put in the wombe of a man, [863A] and with his fyve fingres of Lecherie he gripeth hym by the reynes for to throwen hym into the fourneys of helle, [864] ther as they shul han the fyr and the wormes that evere shul lasten, and wepynge and wailynge, sharp hunger and thurst, [864A] [and] grymnesse of develes, that shullen al totrede hem withouten respit and withouten ende. [865] Of Leccherie, as I seyde, sourden diverse speces, as fornicacioun, that is bitwixe man and womman that been nat maried, [865A] and this is deedly synne and agayns nature. [866] Al that is enemy and destruccioun to nature is agayns nature. [867] Parfay, the resoun of a man telleth eek hym wel that it is deedly synne, for as muche as God forbad leccherie. [867A] And Seint Paul yeveth hem the regne that nys dewe to no wight but to hem that doon deedly synne. [868] Another synne of Leccherie is to bireve a mayden of hir maydenhede, for he that so dooth, [868A] certes, he casteth a mayden out of the hyeste degree that is in this present lif [869] and bireveth hire thilke precious fruyt that the book clepeth the hundred fruyt. [869A] I ne kan seye it noon ootherweyes in Englissh, but in Latyn it highte Centesimus fructus. [870] Certes, he that so dooth is cause of manye damages and vileynyes, mo than any man kan rekene; [870A] right as he somtyme is cause of alle damages that beestes don in the feeld, that breketh the hegge or the closure, [870B] thurgh which he destroyeth that may nat been restoored. [871] For certes, namoore may maydenhede be restoored than an arm that is smyten fro the body may retourne agayn to wexe. [872] She may have mercy, this woot I wel, if she do penitence; but nevere shal it be that she nas corrupt. [873] And al be it so that I have spoken somwhat of avowtrie, [873A] it is good to shewen mo perils that longen to avowtrie, for to eschue that foule synne. [874] Avowtrie in Latyn is for to seyn approchynge of oother mannes bed, [874A] thurgh which tho that whilom weren o flessh abawndone hir bodyes to othere persones. [875] Of this synne, as seith the wise man, folwen manye harmes. [875A] First, brekynge of feith, and certes in feith is the keye of Cristendom. [876] And whan that feith is broken and lorn, soothly Cristendom stant veyn and withouten fruyt. [877] This synne is eek a thefte, for thefte generally is for to reve a wight his thyng agayns his wille. [878] Certes, this is the fouleste thefte that may be, whan a womman steleth hir body from hir housbonde [878A] and yeveth it to hire holour to defoulen hire, and steleth hir soule fro Crist and yeveth it to the devel. [879] This is a fouler thefte than for to breke a chirche and stele the chalice, [879A] for thise avowtiers breken the temple of God spiritually, and stelen the vessel of grace, that is the body and the soule, [879B] for which Crist shal destroyen hem, as seith Seint Paul. [880] Soothly, of this thefte douted gretly Joseph, whan that his lordes wyf preyed hym of vileynye, whan he seyde, [880A] "Lo, my lady, how my lord hath take to me under my warde al that he hath in this world, [880B] ne no thyng of his thynges is out of my power, but oonly ye, that been his wyf. [881] And how sholde I thanne do this wikkednesse, and synne so horribly agayns God and agayns my lord? [881A] God it forbeede!" Allas, al to litel is swich trouthe now yfounde. [882] The thridde harm is the filthe thurgh which they breken the comandement of God, and defoulen the auctour of matrimoyne, that is Crist. [883] For certes, in so muche as the sacrement of mariage is so noble and so digne, so muche is it gretter synne [883A] for to breken it, for God made mariage in paradys, in the estaat of innocence, to multiplye mankynde to the service of God. [884] And therfore is the brekynge therof the moore grevous; of which brekynge comen false heires ofte tyme, that wrongfully ocupien folkes heritages. [884A] 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 harlotes that haunten [885A] bordels of thise fool wommen, that mowe be likned to a commune gong, where as men purgen hire ordure. [886] What seye we eek of putours that lyven by the horrible synne of putrie, and constreyne wommen to yelden hem a certeyn rente [886A] of hire bodily puterie, ye, somtyme of his owene wyf or his child, as doon thise bawdes? Certes, thise been cursede synnes. [887] Understoond eek that Avowtrie is set gladly in the ten comandementz bitwixe thefte and manslaughtre; [887A] for it is the gretteste thefte that may be, for it is thefte of body and of soule. [888] And it is lyk to homycide, for it kerveth atwo and breketh atwo hem that first were maked o flessh. [888A] And therfore, by the olde lawe of God, they sholde be slayn. [889] But nathelees, by the lawe of Jhesu Crist, that is lawe of pitee, whan he seyde to the womman [889A] that was founden in avowtrie, and sholde han been slayn with stones, after the wyl of the Jewes, as was hir lawe, [889B] "Go," quod Jhesu Crist, "and have namoore wyl to synne," or, "wille namoore to do synne." [890] Soothly the vengeaunce of Avowtrie is awarded to the peynes of helle, but if so be that it be destourbed by penitence. [891] Yet been ther mo speces of this cursed synne; as whan that oon of hem is religious, or elles bothe; [891A] or of folk that been entred into ordre, as subdekne, or dekne, or preest, or hospitaliers. [891B] And evere the hyer that he is in ordre, the gretter is the synne. [892] The thynges that gretly agreggen hire synne is the brekynge of hire avow of chastitee, whan they receyved the ordre. [893] And forther over, sooth is that hooly ordre is chief of al the tresorie of God [893A] and his especial signe and mark of chastitee to shewe that they been joyned to chastitee, [893B] which that is the moost precious lyf that is. [894] And thise ordred folk been specially titled to God, and of the special meignee of God, [894A] for which, whan they doon deedly synne, they been the special traytours of God and of his peple; [894B] for they lyven of the peple, to preye for the peple, [894C] and while they ben suche traitours, here preyer avayleth nat to the peple. [895] Preestes been aungels, as by the dignitee of hir mysterye; [895A] but for sothe, Seint Paul seith that Sathanas transformeth hym in an aungel of light. [896] Soothly, the preest that haunteth deedly synne, he may be likned to the aungel of derknesse transformed in the aungel of light. [896A] He semeth aungel of light, but for sothe he is aungel of derknesse. [897] Swiche preestes been the sones of Helie, [897A] as sheweth in the Book of Kynges, that they weren the sones of Belial -- that is, the devel. [898] Belial is to seyn, "withouten juge." And so faren they; hem thynketh they been free and han no juge, [898A] namoore than hath a free bole that taketh which cow that hym liketh in the town. [899] So faren they by wommen. For right as a free bole is ynough for al a toun, [899A] right so is a wikked preest corrupcioun ynough for al a parisshe, or for al a contree. [900] Thise preestes, as seith the book, ne konne nat the mysterie of preesthod to the peple, ne God ne knowe they nat. [900A] They ne helde hem nat apayd, as seith the book, of soden flessh that was to hem offred, [900B] but they tooke by force the flessh that is rawe. [901] Certes, so thise shrewes ne holden hem nat apayed of roosted flessh and sode flessh, [901A] with which the peple feden hem in greet reverence, but they wole have raw flessh of folkes wyves and hir doghtres. [902] And certes, thise wommen that consenten to hire harlotrie doon greet wrong to Crist, [902A] and to hooly chirche, and alle halwes, and to alle soules; [902B] for they bireven alle thise hym that sholde worshipe Crist and hooly chirche and preye for Cristene soules. [903] And therfore han swiche preestes, and hire lemmanes eek that consenten to hir leccherie, [903A] the malisoun of al the court Cristien, til they come to amendement. [904] The thridde spece of avowtrie is somtyme bitwixe a man and his wyf, and that is [904A] whan they take no reward in hire assemblynge but oonly to hire flesshly delit, as seith Seint Jerome, [905] and ne rekken of nothyng but that they been assembled; [905A] by cause that they been maried, al is good ynough, as thynketh to hem. [906] But in swich folk hath the devel power, as seyde the aungel Raphael to Thobie, [906A] for in hire assemblynge they putten Jhesu Crist out of hire herte and yeven hemself to alle ordure. [907] The fourthe spece is the assemblee of hem that been of hire kynrede, or of hem that been of oon affynytee, [907A] or elles with hem with whiche hir fadres or hir kynrede han deled in the synne of lecherie. [907B] This synne maketh hem lyk to houndes, that taken no kep to kynrede. [908] And certes, parentele is in two maneres, outher goostly or flesshly; goostly, as for to deelen with his godsibbes. [909] For right so as he that engendreth a child is his flesshly fader, right so is his godfader his fader espiritueel. [909A] For which a womman may in no lasse synne assemblen with hire godsib than with hire owene flesshly brother. [910] The fifthe spece is thilke abhomynable synne, of which that no man unnethe oghte speke ne write; [910A] nathelees it is openly reherced in holy writ. [911] This cursednesse doon men and wommen in diverse entente and in diverse manere; but though that hooly writ speke of horrible synne, [911A] certes hooly writ may nat been defouled, namoore than the sonne that shyneth on the mixne. [912] Another synne aperteneth to leccherie, that comth in slepynge, and this synne cometh ofte to hem that been maydenes, [912A] and eek to hem that been corrupt; and this synne men clepen polucioun, that comth in foure maneres. [913] Somtyme of langwissynge of body, for the humours been to ranke and to habundaunt in the body of man; [913A] somtyme of infermetee, for the fieblesse of the vertu retentif, as phisik maketh mencion; somtyme for surfeet of mete and drynke; [914] and somtyme of vileyns thoghtes that been enclosed in mannes mynde whan he gooth to slepe, which may nat been withoute synne; [914A] for which men moste kepen hem wisely, or elles may men synnen ful grevously. [915] Now comth the remedie agayns Leccherie, and that is generally chastitee and continence, [915A] that restreyneth alle the desordeynee moevynges that comen of flesshly talentes. [916] And evere the gretter merite shal he han that moost restreyneth the wikkede eschawfynges of the [ardour] of this synne. [916A] And this is in two maneres -- that is to seyn, chastitee in mariage, and chastitee of widwehod. [917] Now shaltow understonde that matrimoyne is leefful assemblynge of man and of womman that receyven by vertu of the sacrement the boond [917A] thurgh which they may nat be departed in al hir lyf -- that is to seyn, whil that they lyven bothe. [918] This, as seith the book, is a ful greet sacrement. [918A] God maked it, as I have seyd, in paradys, and wolde hymself be born in mariage. [919] And for to halwen mariage he was at a weddynge, where as he turned water into wyn, [919A] which was the firste miracle that he wroghte in erthe biforn his disciples. [920] Trewe effect of mariage clenseth fornicacioun and replenysseth hooly chirche of good lynage, for that is the ende of mariage; [920A] and it chaungeth deedly synne into venial synne bitwixe hem that been ywedded, [920B] and maketh the hertes al oon of hem that been ywedded, as wel as the bodies. [921] This is verray mariage, that was establissed by God, er that synne bigan, whan natureel lawe was in his right poynt in paradys; [921A] and it was ordeyned that o man sholde have but o womman, and o womman but o man, [921B] as seith Seint Augustyn, by manye resouns. [922] First, for mariage is figured bitwixe Crist and holy chirche. And that oother is for a man is heved of a womman; [922A] algate, by ordinaunce it sholde be so. [923] For if a womman hadde mo men than oon, thanne sholde she have moo hevedes than oon, and [923A] that were an horrible thyng biforn God; and eek a womman ne myghte nat plese to many folk at oones. [923B] And also ther ne sholde nevere be pees ne reste amonges hem, for everich wolde axen his owene thyng. [924] And forther over, no man ne sholde knowe his owene engendrure, ne who sholde have his heritage; [924A] and the womman sholde been the lasse biloved fro the tyme that she were conjoynt to many men. [925] Now comth how that a man sholde bere hym with his wif, and namely in two thynges; [925A] that is to seyn, in suffraunce and reverence, as shewed Crist whan he made first womman. [926] For he ne made hire nat of the heved of Adam, for she sholde nat clayme to greet lordshipe. [927] For ther as the womman hath the maistrie, she maketh to muche desray. [927A] Ther neden none ensamples of this; the experience of day by day oghte suffise. [928] Also, certes, God ne made nat womman of the foot of Adam, for she ne sholde nat been holden to lowe; [928A] for she kan nat paciently suffre. But God made womman of the ryb of Adam, for womman sholde be felawe unto man. [929] Man sholde bere hym to his wyf in feith, in trouthe, and in love, [929A] as seith Seint Paul, that a man sholde loven his wyf as Crist loved hooly chirche, [929B] that loved it so wel that he deyde for it. So sholde a man for his wyf, if it were nede. [930] Now how that a womman sholde be subget to hire housbonde, that telleth Seint Peter. First, in obedience. [931] And eek, as seith the decree, a womman that is wyf, as longe as she is a wyf, [931A] she hath noon auctoritee to swere ne to bere witnesse withoute leve of hir housbonde, [931B] that is hire lord; algate, he sholde be so by resoun. [932] She sholde eek serven hym in alle honestee, and been attempree of hire array. [932A] I woot wel that they sholde setten hire entente to plesen hir housbondes, but nat by hire queyntise of array. [933] Seint Jerome seith that "wyves that been apparailled in silk and in precious purpre ne mowe nat clothen hem in Jhesu Crist." [933A] Loke what seith Seint John eek in thys matere? [934] Seint Gregorie eek seith that "No wight seketh precious array but oonly for veyne glorie, to been honoured the moore biforn the peple." [935] It is a greet folye, a womman to have a fair array outward and in hirself be foul inward. [936] A wyf sholde eek be mesurable in lookynge and in berynge and in lawghynge, and discreet in alle hire wordes and hire dedes. [937] And aboven alle worldly thyng she sholde loven hire housbonde with al hire herte, and to hym be trewe of hir body. [938] So sholde an housbonde eek be to his wyf. For sith that al the body is the housbondes, [938A] so sholde hire herte been, or elles ther is bitwixe hem two, as in that, no parfit mariage. [939] Thanne shal men understonde that for thre thynges a man and his wyf flesshly mowen assemble. [939A] 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, [940A] for neither of hem hath power of his owene body. The thridde is for to eschewe leccherye and vileynye. [940B] The ferthe is for sothe deedly synne. [941] As to the firste, it is meritorie; the seconde also, for, as seith the decree, that [941A] she hath merite of chastitee that yeldeth to hire housbonde the dette of hir body, [941B] ye, though it be agayn hir likynge and the lust of hire herte. [942] The thridde manere is venyal synne; and, trewely, scarsly may ther any of thise be withoute venial synne, [942A] for the corrupcion and for the delit. [943] The fourthe manere is for to understonde, as if they assemble oonly for amorous love and for noon of the foreseyde causes, [943A] but for to accomplice thilke brennynge delit, they rekke nevere how ofte. [943B] Soothly it is deedly synne; and yet, with sorwe, somme folk wol peynen hem moore to doon than to hire appetit suffiseth. [944] The seconde manere of chastitee is for to been a clene wydewe, [944A] 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, [945A] and eek wommen that han doon leccherie and been releeved by penitence. [946] And certes, if that a wyf koude kepen hire al chaast by licence of hir housbonde, [946A] so that she yeve nevere noon occasion that he agilte, it were to hire a greet merite. [947] Thise manere wommen that observen chastitee moste be clene in herte as wel as in body and in thought, [947A] and mesurable in clothynge and in contenaunce, and been abstinent in etynge and drynkynge, in spekynge, and in dede. [947B] They been the vessel or the boyste of the blissed Magdelene, that fulfilleth hooly chirche of good odour. [948] The thridde manere of chastitee is virginitee, and it bihoveth that she be hooly in herte and clene of body. [948A] Thanne is she spouse to Jhesu Crist, and she is the lyf of angeles. [949] She is the preisynge of this world, and she is as thise martirs in egalitee; [949A] she hath in hire that tonge may nat telle ne herte thynke. [950] Virginitee baar oure Lord Jhesu Crist, and virgine was hymselve. [951] Another remedie agayns Leccherie is specially to withdrawen swiche thynges as yeve occasion to thilke vileynye, as ese, etynge, and drynkynge. [951A] For certes, whan the pot boyleth strongly, the beste remedie is to withdrawe the fyr. [952] Slepynge longe in greet quiete is eek a greet norice to Leccherie. [953] Another remedie agayns Leccherie is that a man or a womman eschue the compaignye of hem [953A] by whiche he douteth to be tempted, for al be it so that the dede be withstonden, yet is ther greet temptacioun. [954] Soothly, a whit wal, although it ne brenne noght fully by stikynge of a candele, yet is the wal blak of the leyt. [955] Ful ofte tyme I rede that no man truste in his owene perfeccioun, [955A] but he be stronger than Sampson, and hoolier than David, and wiser than Salomon. [956] Now after that I have declared yow, as I kan, the sevene deedly synnes, [956A] and somme of hire braunches and hire remedies, soothly, if I koude, I wolde telle yow the ten comandementz. [957] But so heigh a doctrine I lete to divines. Nathelees, I hope to God, [957A] they been touched in this tretice, everich of hem alle. [958] Now for as muche as the seconde partie of Penitence stant in confessioun of mouth, [958A] as I bigan in the firste chapitre, I seye, Seint Augustyn seith, [959] "Synne is every word and every dede, and al that men coveiten, agayn the lawe of Jhesu Crist; [959A] and this is for to synne in herte, in mouth, and in dede, by thy fyve wittes, [959B] that been sighte, herynge, smellynge, tastynge or savourynge, and feelynge." [960] Now is it good to understonde the circumstances that agreggen muchel every synne. [961] Thou shalt considere what thow art that doost the synne, [961A] wheither thou be male or femele, yong or oold, gentil or thral, [961B] free or servant, hool or syk, wedded or sengle, ordred or unordred, wys or fool, clerk or seculeer; [962] if she be of thy kynrede, bodily or goostly, or noon; [962A] if any of thy kynrede have synned with hire, or noon; and manye mo thinges. [963] Another circumstaunce is this: wheither it be doon in fornicacioun or in avowtrie or noon, incest or noon, mayden or noon, [963A] in manere of homicide or noon, horrible grete synnes or smale, and how longe thou hast continued in synne. [964] The thridde circumstaunce is the place ther thou hast do synne, wheither in oother mennes hous or in thyn owene, [964A] in feeld or in chirche or in chirchehawe, in chirche dedicaat or noon. [965] For if the chirche be halwed, and man or womman [965A] spille his kynde inwith that place by wey of synne or by wikked temptacioun, [965B] the chirche is entredited til it be reconsiled by the bysshop. [966] And the preest sholde be enterdited that dide swich a vileynye; to terme of al his lif he sholde namoore synge masse, [966A] and if he dide, he sholde doon deedly synne at every time that he so songe masse. [967] The fourthe circumstaunce is by whiche mediatours, or by whiche messagers, as for enticement, or for consentement to bere compaignye with felaweshipe; [967A] for many a wrecche, for to bere compaignye, wol go to the devel of helle. [968] Wherfore they that eggen or consenten to the synne been parteners of the synne, and of the dampnacioun of the synnere. [969] The fifthe circumstaunce is how manye tymes that he hath synned, [969A] if it be in his mynde, and how ofte that he hath falle. [970] For he that ofte falleth in synne, he despiseth the mercy of God, and encreesseth hys synne, and is unkynde to Crist; [970A] and he wexeth the moore fieble to withstonde synne, and synneth the moore lightly, [971] and the latter ariseth, and is the moore eschew for to shryven hym, and namely, to hym that is his confessour. [972] For which that folk, whan they falle agayn in hir olde folies, outher they forleten hir olde confessours al outrely [972A] or elles they departen hir shrift in diverse places; but soothly, swich departed shrift deserveth no mercy of God of his synnes. [973] The sixte circumstaunce is why that a man synneth, as by which temptacioun, and if hymself procure thilke temptacioun, [973A] or by the excitynge of oother folk; or if he synne with a womman by force, or by hire owene assent; [974] or if the womman, maugree hir hed, hath been afforced, or noon. This shal she telle: [974A] for coveitise, or for poverte, and if it was hire procurynge, or noon; and swich manere harneys. [975] The seventhe circumstaunce is in what manere he hath doon his synne, [975A] or how that she hath suffred that folk han doon to hire. [976] And the same shal the man telle pleynly with alle circumstaunces; and wheither he hath synned with comune bordel wommen or noon, [977] or doon his synne in hooly tymes or noon, in fastyng tymes or noon, or biforn his shrifte, or after his latter shrifte, [978] and hath peraventure broken therfore his penance enjoyned, by whos help and whos conseil, by sorcerie or craft; al moste be toold. [979] Alle thise thynges, after that they been grete or smale, engreggen the conscience of man. [979A] And eek the preest, that is thy juge, may the bettre been avysed of his juggement [979B] in yevynge of thy penaunce, and that is after thy contricioun. [980] For understond wel that after tyme that a man hath defouled his baptesme by synne, [980A] if he wole come to salvacioun, ther is noon other wey but by penitence and shrifte and satisfaccioun, [981] and namely by the two, if ther be a confessour to which he may shriven hym, [981A] and the thridde, if he have lyf to parfournen it. [982] Thanne shal man looke and considere that if he wole maken a trewe and a profitable confessioun, ther moste be foure condiciouns. [983] First, it moot been in sorweful bitternesse of herte, as seyde the kyng Ezechias to God, [983A] "I wol remembre me alle the yeres of my lif in bitternesse of myn herte." [984] This condicioun of bitternesse hath fyve signes. The firste is that confessioun moste be shamefast, nat for to covere ne hyden his synne, [984A] for he hath agilt his God and defouled his soule. [985] And herof seith Seint Augustyn, "The herte travailleth for shame of his synne"; [985A] and for he hath greet shamefastnesse, he is digne to have greet mercy of God. [986] Swich was the confessioun of the publican that wolde nat heven up his eyen to hevene, [986A] for he hadde offended God of hevene; for which shamefastnesse he hadde anon the mercy of God. [987] And therof seith Seint Augustyn that swich shamefast folk been next foryevenesse and remissioun. [988] Another signe is humylitee in confessioun, of which seith Seint Peter, [988A] "Humbleth yow under the myght of God." The hond of God is myghty in confessioun, for [988B] therby God foryeveth thee thy synnes, for he allone hath the power. [989] And this humylitee shal been in herte and in signe outward, for right as he hath humylitee to God in his herte, [989A] right so sholde he humble his body outward to the preest, that sit in Goddes place. [990] For which in no manere, sith that Crist is sovereyn, and the preest meene and mediatour bitwixe Crist and the synnere, [990A] and the synnere is the laste by wey of resoun, [991] thanne sholde nat the synnere sitte as heighe as his confessour, but knele biforn hym or at his feet, [991A] but if maladie destourbe it. For he shal nat taken kep who sit there, but in whos place that he sitteth. [992] A man that hath trespased to a lord, and comth for to axe mercy and maken his accord, [992A] and set him doun anon by the lord, [992B] men wolde holden hym outrageous, and nat worthy so soone for to have remissioun ne mercy. [993] The thridde signe is how that thy shrift sholde be ful of teeris, if man may, [993A] and if man may nat wepe with his bodily eyen, lat hym wepe in herte. [994] Swich was the confession of Seint Peter, for after that he hadde forsake Jhesu Crist, he wente out and weep ful bitterly. [995] The fourthe signe is that he ne lette nat for shame to shewen his confessioun. [996] Swich was the confessioun of the Magdalene, that ne spared for no shame of hem [996A] that weren atte feeste, for to go to oure Lord Jhesu Crist and biknowe to hym hire synne. [997] The fifthe signe is that a man or a womman be obeisant to receyven the penaunce that hym is enjoyned for his synnes, [997A] for certes, Jhesu Crist, for the giltes of o man, was obedient to the deeth. [998] The seconde condicion of verray confession is that it be hastily doon. [998A] For certes, if a man hadde a deedly wounde, evere the lenger that he taried to warisshe hymself, [998B] the moore wolde it corrupte and haste hym to his deeth, and eek the wounde wolde be the wors for to heele. [999] And right so fareth synne that longe tyme is in a man unshewed. [1000] Certes, a man oghte hastily shewen his synnes for manye causes; as for drede of deeth, that cometh ofte sodeynly, [1000A] and no certeyn what tyme it shal be, ne in what place; and eek the drecchynge of o synne draweth in another; [1001] and eek the lenger that he tarieth, the ferther he is fro Crist. And if he abide to his laste day, scarsly [1001A] may he shryven hym or remembre hym of his synnes or repenten hym, for the grevous maladie of his deeth. [1002] And for as muche as he ne hath nat in his lyf herkned Jhesu Crist [1002A] whanne he hath spoken, he shal crie to Jhesu Crist at his laste day, and scarsly wol he herkne hym. [1003] And understond that this condicioun moste han foure thynges. Thi shrift moste be purveyed bifore and avysed; [1003A] for wikked haste dooth no profit; and that a man konne shryve hym of his synnes, [1003B] be it of pride, or of envye, and so forth with the speces and circumstances; [1004] and that he have comprehended in hys mynde the nombre and the greetnesse of his synnes, [1004A] and how longe that he hath leyn in synne; [1005] and eek that he be contrit of his synnes, and in stidefast purpos, [1005A] by the grace of God, nevere eft to falle in synne; [1005B] and eek that he drede and countrewaite hymself, that he fle the occasiouns of synne to whiche he is enclyned. [1006] Also thou shalt shryve thee of alle thy synnes to o man, and nat a parcel to o man and a parcel to another; [1006A] that is to understonde, in entente to departe thy confessioun, as for shame or drede, for it nys but stranglynge of thy soule. [1007] For certes Jhesu Crist is entierly al good; in hym nys noon imperfeccioun, [1007A] and therfore outher he foryeveth al parfitly or elles never a deel. [1008] I seye nat that if thow be assigned to the penitauncer for certein synne, [1008A] that thow art bounde to shewen hym al the remenaunt of thy synnes, of whiche thow hast be shryven of thy curaat, [1008B] but if it like to thee of thyn humylitee; this is no departynge of shrifte. [1009] Ne I seye nat, ther as I speke of divisioun of confessioun, that if thou have licence [1009A] for to shryve thee to a discreet and an honest preest, where thee liketh, and by licence of thy curaat, [1009B] that thow ne mayst wel shryve thee to him of alle thy synnes. [1010] But lat no blotte be bihynde; lat no synne been untoold, as fer as thow hast remembraunce. [1011] And whan thou shalt be shryven to thy curaat, telle hym eek alle the synnes that thow hast doon [1011A] syn thou were last yshryven; this is no wikked entente of divisioun of shrifte. [1012] Also the verray shrifte axeth certeine condiciouns. First, that thow shryve thee by thy free wil, [1012A] noght constreyned, ne for shame of folk, ne for maladie, ne swiche thynges. [1012B] For it is resoun that he that trespaseth by his free wyl, that by his free wyl he confesse his trespas, [1013] and that noon oother man telle his synne but he hymself; [1013A] ne he shal nat nayte ne denye his synne, ne wratthe hym agayn the preest for his amonestynge to lete synne. [1014] The seconde condicioun is that thy shrift be laweful; that is to seyn, that [1014A] thow that shryvest thee and eek the preest that hereth thy confessioun been verraily in the feith of hooly chirche, [1015] and that a man ne be nat despeired of the mercy of Jhesu Crist, as Caym or Judas. [1016] And eek a man moot accusen hymself of his owene trespas, and nat another; [1016A] but he shal blame and wyten hymself and his owene malice of his synne, and noon oother. [1017] But nathelees, if that another man be occasioun or enticere of his synne, [1017A] or the estaat of a persone be swich thurgh which his synne is agregged, or elles that he may nat pleynly shryven [1017B] hym but he telle the persone with which he hath synned, thanne may he telle it, [1018] so that his entente ne be nat to bakbite the persone, but oonly to declaren his confessioun. [1019] Thou ne shalt nat eek make no lesynges in thy confessioun, for humylitee, [1019A] peraventure, to seyn that thou hast doon synnes of whiche thow were nevere gilty. [1020] For Seint Augustyn seith, "If thou, by cause of thyn humylitee, makest lesynges on thyself, [1020A] though thow ne were nat in synne biforn, yet artow thanne in synne thurgh thy lesynges." [1021] Thou most eek shewe thy synne by thyn owene propre mouth, but thow be woxe dowmb, and nat by no lettre; [1021A] for thow that hast doon the synne, thou shalt have the shame therfore. [1022] Thow shalt nat eek peynte thy confessioun by faire subtile wordes, to covere the moore thy synne; [1022A] for thanne bigilestow thyself, and nat the preest. Thow most tellen it platly, be it nevere so foul ne so horrible. [1023] Thow shalt eek shryve thee to a preest that is discreet to conseille [1023A] thee; and eek thou shalt nat shryve thee for veyne glorie, ne for ypocrisye, ne for no cause [1023B] but oonly for the doute of Jhesu Crist and the heele of thy soule. [1024] Thow shalt nat eek renne to the preest sodeynly to tellen hym lightly thy synne, [1024A] as whoso telleth a jape or a tale, but avysely and with greet devocioun. [1025] And generally, shryve thee ofte. If thou ofte falle, ofte thou arise by confessioun. [1026] And though thou shryve thee ofter than ones of synne of which thou hast be shryven, it is the moore merite. [1026A] And, as seith Seint Augustyn, thow shalt have the moore lightly relessyng and grace of God, bothe of synne and of peyne. [1027] And certes, oones a yeere atte leeste wey it is laweful for to been housled, for certes, oones a yeere alle thynges renovellen. [1028] Now have I toold yow of verray Confessioun, that is the seconde partie of Penitence. [1029] The thridde partie of Penitence is Satisfaccioun, and that stant moost generally in almesse and in bodily peyne. [1030] Now been ther thre manere of almesse: contricion of herte, where a man offreth hymself to God; [1030A] another is to han pitee of defaute of his neighebores; and the thridde is [1030B] in yevynge of good conseil and comfort, goostly and bodily, where men han nede, and namely in sustenaunce of mannes foode. [1031] And tak kep that a man hath nede of thise thinges generally: he hath nede of foode, he hath nede of clothyng and herberwe, [1031A] he hath nede of charitable conseil and visitynge in prisone and in maladie, and sepulture of his dede body. [1032] And if thow mayst nat visite the nedeful with thy persone, visite hym by thy message and by thy yiftes. [1033] Thise been general almesses or werkes of charitee [1033A] of hem that han temporeel richesses or discrecioun in conseilynge. Of thise werkes shaltow heren at the day of doom. [1034] Thise almesses shaltow doon of thyne owene propre thynges, and hastily and prively, if thow mayst. [1035] But nathelees, if thow mayst nat doon it prively, thow shalt nat forbere to doon almesse though men seen it, [1035A] so that it be nat doon for thank of the world, but oonly for thank of Jhesu Crist. [1036] For, as witnesseth Seint Mathew, capitulo quinto, "A citee may nat been hyd that is set on a montayne, [1036A] ne men lighte nat a lanterne and put it under a busshel, [1036B] but men sette it on a candle-stikke to yeve light to the men in the hous. [1037] Right so shal youre light lighten bifore men, that they may seen youre goode werkes, and glorifie youre fader that is in hevene." [1038] Now as to speken of bodily peyne, it stant in preyeres, in wakynges, in fastynges, in vertuouse techynges of orisouns. [1039] And ye shul understonde that orisouns or preyeres is for to seyn a pitous wyl of herte, [1039A] that redresseth it in God and expresseth it by word outward, to remoeven harmes and to han thynges espiritueel and durable, [1039B] and somtyme temporele thynges; of whiche orisouns, certes, in the orison of the Pater noster hath Jhesu Crist enclosed moost thynges. [1040] Certes, it is privyleged of thre thynges in his dignytee, [1040A] for which it is moore digne than any oother preyere, for that Jhesu Crist hymself maked it; [1041] and it is short, for it sholde be koud the moore lightly, and [1041A] for to withholden it the moore esily in herte, and helpen hymself the ofter with the orisoun, [1042] and for a man sholde be the lasse wery to seyen it, and for a man may nat excusen hym to lerne it, [1042A] it is so short and so esy, and for it comprehendeth in it self alle goode preyeres. [1043] The exposicioun of this hooly preyere, that is so excellent and digne, I bitake to thise maistres of theologie, [1043A] save thus muchel wol I seyn; that whan thow prayest that God sholde foryeve thee thy giltes as [1043B] thou foryevest hem that agilten to thee, be ful wel war that thow ne be nat out of charitee. [1044] This hooly orison amenuseth eek venyal synne, and therfore it aperteneth specially to penitence. [1045] This preyere moste be trewely seyd, and in verray feith, and that men preye to God ordinatly and discreetly and devoutly; [1045A] and alwey a man shal putten his wyl to be subget to the wille of God. [1046] This orisoun moste eek been seyd with greet humblesse and ful pure, honestly and nat to the anoyaunce of any man or womman. [1046A] It moste eek been continued with the werkes of charitee. [1047] It avayleth eek agayn the vices of the soule, for, as seith Seint Jerome, [1047A] "By fastynge been saved the vices of the flessh, and by preyere the vices of the soule." [1048] After this, thou shalt understonde that bodily peyne stant in wakynge, for Jhesu Crist seith, [1048A] "Waketh and preyeth, that ye ne entre in wikked temptacioun." [1049] Ye shul understanden also that fastynge stant in thre thynges: in forberynge of bodily mete and drynke, and in forberynge of worldly jolitee, [1049A] and in forberynge of deedly synne; this is to seyn, that a man shal kepen hym fro deedly synne with al his myght. [1050] And thou shalt understanden eek that God ordeyned fastynge, and to fastynge appertenen foure thinges: [1051] largenesse to povre folk, gladnesse of herte espiritueel, nat to been angry ne anoyed, ne grucche for he fasteth, [1051A] and also resonable houre for to ete; ete by mesure; that is for to seyn, [1051B] a man shal nat ete in untyme, ne sitte the lenger at his table to ete for he fasteth. [1052] Thanne shaltow understonde that bodily peyne stant in disciplyne or techynge, by word, or by writynge, or in ensample; [1052A] also in werynge of heyres, or of stamyn, or of haubergeons on hire naked flessh, for Cristes sake, and swiche manere penances. [1053] But war thee wel that swiche manere penaunces on thy flessh ne make nat thyn herte bitter or angry or anoyed of thyself, [1053A] for bettre is to caste awey thyn heyre, than for to caste awey the swetenesse of Jhesu Crist. [1054] And therfore seith Seint Paul, "Clothe yow, as they that been chosen of God, in herte of misericorde, debonairetee, suffraunce, [1054A] and swich manere of clothynge," of whiche Jhesu Crist is moore apayed than of heyres, or haubergeouns, or hauberkes. [1055] Thanne is discipline eek in knokkynge of thy brest, in scourgynge with yerdes, in knelynges, in tribulacions, [1056] in suffrynge paciently wronges that been doon to thee, [1056A] and eek in pacient suffraunce of maladies, or lesynge of worldly catel, or of wyf, or of child, or othere freendes. [1057] Thanne shaltow understonde whiche thynges destourben penaunce; and this is in foure maneres: [1057A] that is, drede, shame, hope, and wanhope, that is desperacion. [1058] And for to speke first of drede, for which he weneth that he may suffre no penaunce; [1059] ther-agayns is remedie for to thynke that bodily penaunce is but short and litel at regard of the peyne of helle, [1059A] that is so crueel and so long that it lasteth withouten ende. [1060] Now again the shame that a man hath to shryven hym, [1060A] and namely thise ypocrites that wolden been holden so parfite that they han no nede to shryven hem; [1061] agayns that shame sholde a man thynke that, by wey of resoun, that he that hath nat been shamed to doon foule thinges, [1061A] certes hym oghte nat been ashamed to do faire thynges, and that is confessiouns. [1062] A man sholde eek thynke that God seeth and woot alle his thoghtes and alle his werkes, [1062A] to hym may no thyng been hyd ne covered. [1063] Men sholden eek remembren hem of the shame that is to come at the day of doom [1063A] to hem that been nat penitent and shryven in this present lyf. [1064] For alle the creatures in hevene, in erthe, and in helle shullen seen apertly al that they hyden in this world. [1065] Now for to speken of the hope of hem that been necligent and slowe to shryven hem, that stant in two maneres. [1066] That oon is that he hopeth for to lyve longe and for to purchacen muche richesse for his delit, [1066A] and thanne he wol shryven hym; and, as he seith, hym semeth thanne tymely ynough to come to shrifte. [1067] Another is of surquidrie that he hath in Cristes mercy. [1068] Agayns the firste vice, he shal thynke that oure lif is in no sikernesse, [1068A] and eek that alle the richesses in this world ben in aventure and passen as a shadwe on the wal; [1069] and, as seith Seint Gregorie, that it aperteneth to the grete rightwisnesse of God that [1069A] nevere shal the peyne stynte of hem that nevere wolde withdrawen hem fro synne, hir thankes, [1069B] but ay continue in synne; for thilke perpetueel wil to do synne shul they han perpetueel peyne. [1070] Wanhope is in two maneres: the firste wanhope is in the mercy of Crist; [1070A] that oother is that they thynken that they ne myghte nat longe persevere in goodnesse. [1071] The firste wanhope comth of that he demeth that he hath synned so greetly and so ofte, [1071A] and so longe leyn in synne, that he shal nat be saved. [1072] Certes, agayns that cursed wanhope sholde he thynke that [1072A] the passion of Jhesu Crist is moore strong for to unbynde than synne is strong for to bynde. [1073] Agayns the seconde wanhope he shal thynke that as ofte as he falleth he may arise agayn by penitence. [1073A] And though he never so longe have leyn in synne, the mercy of Crist is alwey redy to receiven hym to mercy. [1074] Agayns the wanhope that he demeth that he sholde nat longe persevere in goodnesse, [1074A] he shal thynke that the feblesse of the devel may nothyng doon, but if men wol suffren hym; [1075] and eek he shal han strengthe of the help of God, [1075A] and of al hooly chirche, and of the proteccioun of aungels, if hym list. [1076] Thanne shal men understonde what is the fruyt of penaunce; and, after the word of Jhesu Crist, [1076A] it is the endelees blisse of hevene, [1077] ther joye hath no contrarioustee of wo ne grevaunce; ther alle harmes been passed of this present lyf; [1077A] ther as is the sikernesse fro the peyne of helle; ther as is the blisful compaignye [1077B] that rejoysen hem everemo, everich of otheres joye; [1078] ther as the body of man, that whilom was foul and derk, is moore cleer than the sonne; [1078A] ther as the body, that whilom was syk, freele, and fieble, and mortal, is inmortal, [1078B] and so strong and so hool that ther may no thyng apeyren it; [1079] ther as ne is neither hunger, thurst, ne coold, but every soule replenyssed with the sighte of the parfit knowynge of God. [1080] This blisful regne may men purchace by poverte espiritueel, and the glorie by lowenesse, the plentee of joye [1080A] by hunger and thurst, and the reste by travaille, and the lyf by deeth and mortificacion of synne. [1081] Now preye I to hem alle that herkne this litel tretys or rede, [1081A] that if ther be any thyng in it that liketh hem, [1081B] that therof they thanken oure Lord Jhesu Crist, of whom procedeth al wit and al goodnesse. [1082] And if ther be any thyng that displese hem, I preye hem also that they arrette it to the defaute [1082A] of myn unkonnynge and nat to my wyl, that wolde ful fayn have seyd bettre if I hadde had konnynge. [1083] For oure book seith, "Al that is writen is writen for oure doctrine," [1083A] and that is myn entente. [1084] Wherfore I biseke yow mekely, for the mercy of God, [1084A] that ye preye for me that Crist have mercy on me and foryeve me my giltes; [1085] and namely of my translacions and enditynges of worldly vanitees, the whiche I revoke in my retracciouns: [1086] as is the book of Troilus; the book also of Fame; [1086A] the book of the XXV. Ladies; the book of the Duchesse; [1086B] the book of Seint Valentynes day of the Parlement of Briddes; the tales of Caunterbury, thilke that sownen into synne; [1087] the book of the Leoun; and many another book, if they were in my remembrance, and many a song [1087A] and many a leccherous lay, that Crist for his grete mercy foryeve me the synne. [1088] But of the translacion of Boece de Consolacione, and othere bookes of legendes of seintes, and omelies, and moralitee, and devocioun, [1089] that thanke I oure Lord Jhesu Crist and his blisful Mooder, and alle the seintes of hevene, [1090] bisekynge hem that they from hennes forth unto my lyves ende sende me grace to biwayle my giltes and to studie [1090A] to the salvacioun of my soule, and graunte me grace of verray penitence, confessioun and satisfaccioun to doon in this present lyf, [1091] thurgh the benigne grace of hym that is kyng of kynges and preest over alle preestes, [1091A] that boghte us with the precious blood of his herte, [1092] so that I may been oon of hem at the day of doom that shulle be saved. [1092A] Qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivit et regnat Deus per omnia secula. Amen. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Canterbury Tales Chaucer's Retraction [1081] Now preye I to hem alle that herkne this litel tretys or rede, [1081A] that if ther be any thyng in it that liketh hem, [1081B] that therof they thanken oure Lord Jhesu Crist, of whom al wit and al goodnesse. [1082] And if ther be any thyng that displese hem, I preye hem that they arrette it to the defaute [1082A] of myn unkonnynge and nat to my wyl, that wolde ful fayn seyd bettre if I hadde had konnynge. [1083] For oure book seith, "Al that is writen is writen for doctrine," [1083A] and that is myn entente. [1084] Wherfore I biseke yow mekely, for the mercy of God, [1084A] that ye preye for me that Crist have mercy on me and me my giltes; [1085] and namely of my translacions and enditynges of worldly vanitees, the whiche I revoke in my retracciouns: [1086] as is the book of Troilus; the book also of Fame; [1086A] the book of the XXV. Ladies; the book of the Duchesse; [1086B] the book of Seint Valentynes day of the Parlement of Briddes; the tales of Caunterbury, thilke that sownen into synne; [1087] the book of the Leoun; and many another book, if they were in my remembrance, and many a song [1087A] and many a leccherous lay, that Crist for his grete mercy foryeve me the synne. [1088] But of the translacion of Boece de Consolacione, and othere bookes of legendes of seintes, and omelies, and moralitee, and devocioun, [1089] that thanke I oure Lord Jhesu Crist and his blisful Mooder, and alle the seintes of hevene, [1090] bisekynge hem that they from hennes forth unto my lyves ende sende me grace to biwayle my giltes and to studie [1090A] to the salvacioun of my soule, and graunte me grace of verray penitence, confessioun and satisfaccioun to doon in this present lyf, [1091] thurgh the benigne grace of hym that is kyng of kynges and preest over alle preestes, [1091A] that boghte us with the precious blood of his herte, [1092] so that I may been oon of hem at the day of doom that shulle be saved. [1092A] Qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivit et regnat Deus per omnia secula. Amen. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Other Works The Book of the Duchess [1] I have gret wonder, be this lyght, [2] How that I lyve, for day ne nyght [3] I may nat slepe wel nygh noght; [4] I have so many an ydel thoght [5] Purely for defaute of slep [6] That, by my trouthe, I take no kep [7] Of nothing, how hyt cometh or gooth, [8] Ne me nys nothyng leef nor looth. [9] Al is ylyche good to me -- [10] Joye or sorowe, wherso hyt be -- [11] For I have felynge in nothyng, [12] But as yt were a mased thyng, [13] Alway in poynt to falle a-doun; [14] For sorwful ymagynacioun [15] Ys alway hooly in my mynde. [16] And wel ye woot, agaynes kynde [17] Hyt were to lyven in thys wyse, [18] For nature wolde nat suffyse [19] To noon erthly creature [20] Nat longe tyme to endure [21] Withoute slep and be in sorwe. [22] And I ne may, ne nyght ne morwe, [23] Slepe; and [thus] melancolye [24] And drede I have for to dye. [25] Defaute of slep and hevynesse [26] Hath sleyn my spirit of quyknesse [27] That I have lost al lustyhede. [28] Suche fantasies ben in myn hede [29] So I not what is best to doo. [30] But men myght axe me why soo [31] I may not slepe and what me is. [32] But natheles, who aske this [33] Leseth his asking trewely. [34] Myselven can not telle why [35] The sothe; but trewly, as I gesse, [36] I holde hit be a sicknesse [37] That I have suffred this eight yeer; [38] And yet my boote is never the ner, [39] For there is phisicien but oon [40] That may me hele; but that is don. [41] Passe we over untill eft; [42] That wil not be mot nede be left; [43] Our first mater is good to kepe. [44] So whan I saw I might not slepe [45] Til now late this other night, [46] Upon my bed I sat upright [47] And bad oon reche me a book, [48] A romaunce, and he it me tok [49] To rede and drive the night away; [50] For me thoughte it better play [51] Then playe either at ches or tables. [52] And in this bok were written fables [53] That clerkes had in olde tyme, [54] And other poetes, put in rime [55] To rede and for to be in minde, [56] While men loved the lawe of kinde. [57] This bok ne spak but of such thinges, [58] Of quenes lives, and of kinges, [59] And many other thinges smale. [60] Amonge al this I fond a tale [61] That me thoughte a wonder thing. [62] This was the tale: There was a king [63] That highte Seys, and had a wif, [64] The beste that mighte bere lyf, [65] And this quene highte Alcyone. [66] So it befil thereafter soone [67] This king wol wenden over see. [68] To tellen shortly, whan that he [69] Was in the see thus in this wise, [70] Such a tempest gan to rise [71] That brak her mast and made it falle, [72] And clefte her ship, and dreinte hem alle, [73] That never was founde, as it telles, [74] Bord ne man, ne nothing elles. [75] Right thus this king Seys loste his lif. [76] Now for to speke of Alcyone, his wif: [77] This lady, that was left at hom, [78] Hath wonder that the king ne com [79] Hom, for it was a longe terme. [80] Anon her herte began to [erme]; [81] And for that her thoughte evermo [82] It was not wele [he dwelte] so, [83] She longed so after the king [84] That certes it were a pitous thing [85] To telle her hertely sorowful lif [86] That she had, this noble wif, [87] For him, alas, she loved alderbest. [88] Anon she sent bothe eest and west [89] To seke him, but they founde nought. [90] "Alas!" quod she, "that I was wrought! [91] And wher my lord, my love, be deed? [92] Certes, I nil never ete breed, [93] I make avow to my god here, [94] But I mowe of my lord here!" [95] Such sorowe this lady to her tok [96] That trewly I, that made this book, [97] Had such pittee and such rowthe [98] To rede hir sorwe that, by my trowthe, [99] I ferde the worse al the morwe [100] Aftir to thenken on hir sorwe. [101] So whan this lady koude here noo word [102] That no man myghte fynde hir lord, [103] Ful ofte she swouned, and sayed "Alas!" [104] For sorwe ful nygh wood she was, [105] Ne she koude no reed but oon; [106] But doun on knees she sat anoon [107] And wepte that pittee was to here. [108] "A, mercy, swete lady dere!" [109] Quod she to Juno, hir goddesse, [110] "Helpe me out of thys distresse, [111] And yeve me grace my lord to se [112] Soone or wite wher-so he be, [113] Or how he fareth, or in what wise, [114] And I shal make yow sacrifise, [115] And hooly youres become I shal [116] With good wille, body, herte, and al; [117] And but thow wolt this, lady swete, [118] Send me grace to slepe and mete [119] In my slep som certeyn sweven [120] Wherthourgh that I may knowen even [121] Whether my lord be quyk or ded." [122] With that word she heng doun the hed [123] And fel a-swowne as cold as ston. [124] Hyr women kaught hir up anoon [125] And broghten hir in bed al naked, [126] And she, forweped and forwaked, [127] Was wery; and thus the dede slep [128] Fil on hir or she tooke kep, [129] Throgh Juno, that had herd hir bone, [130] That made hir to slepe sone. [131] For as she prayede, ryght so was don [132] In dede; for Juno ryght anon [133] Called thus hir messager [134] To doo hir erande, and he com ner. [135] Whan he was come, she bad hym thus: [136] "Go bet," quod Juno, "to Morpheus -- [137] Thou knowest hym wel, the god of slep. [138] Now understond wel and tak kep! [139] Sey thus on my half: that he [140] Go faste into the Grete Se, [141] And byd hym that, on alle thyng, [142] He take up Seys body the kyng, [143] That lyeth ful pale and nothyng rody. [144] Bid hym crepe into the body [145] And doo hit goon to Alcione [146] The quene, ther she lyeth allone, [147] And shewe hir shortly, hit ys no nay, [148] How hit was dreynt thys other day; [149] And do the body speke ryght soo, [150] Ryght as hyt was woned to doo [151] The whiles that hit was alyve. [152] Goo now faste, and hye the blyve!" [153] This messager tok leve and wente [154] Upon hys wey, and never ne stente [155] Til he com to the derke valeye [156] That stant betwixe roches tweye [157] Ther never yet grew corn ne gras, [158] Ne tre, ne noght that ought was, [159] Beste, ne man, ne noght elles, [160] Save ther were a fewe welles [161] Came rennynge fro the clyves adoun, [162] That made a dedly slepynge soun, [163] And ronnen doun ryght by a cave [164] That was under a rokke ygrave [165] Amydde the valey, wonder depe. [166] There these goddes lay and slepe, [167] Morpheus and Eclympasteyr, [168] That was the god of slepes heyr, [169] That slep and dide noon other werk. [170] This cave was also as derk [171] As helle-pit overal aboute. [172] They had good leyser for to route, [173] To envye who myghte slepe best. [174] Somme henge her chyn upon hir brest [175] And slept upryght, hir hed yhed, [176] And somme lay naked in her bed [177] And slepe whiles the dayes laste. [178] This messager com fleynge faste [179] And cried, "O, how! Awake anoon!" [180] Hit was for noght; there herde hym non. [181] "Awake!" quod he, "whoo ys lyth there?" [182] And blew his horn ryght in here eere, [183] And cried "Awaketh!" wonder hye. [184] This god of slep with hys oon ye [185] Cast up, and axed, "Who clepeth ther?" [186] "Hyt am I," quod this messager. [187] "Juno bad thow shuldest goon" -- [188] And tolde hym what he shulde doon [189] (As I have told yow here-to-fore; [190] Hyt ys no nede reherse hyt more) [191] And went hys wey whan he had sayd. [192] Anoon this god of slep abrayd [193] Out of hys slep, and gan to goon, [194] And dyde as he had bede hym doon: [195] Took up the dreynte body sone [196] And bar hyt forth to Alcione, [197] Hys wif the quene, ther as she lay [198] Ryght even a quarter before day, [199] And stood ryght at hyr beddes fet, [200] And called hir ryght as she het [201] By name, and sayde, "My swete wyf, [202] Awake! Let be your sorwful lyf, [203] For in your sorwe there lyth no red; [204] For, certes, swete, I am but ded. [205] Ye shul me never on lyve yse. [206] But, goode swete herte, that ye [207] Bury my body, for such a tyde [208] Ye mowe hyt fynde the see besyde; [209] And farewel, swete, my worldes blysse! [210] I praye God youre sorwe lysse. [211] To lytel while oure blysse lasteth!" [212] With that hir eyen up she casteth [213] And saw noght. "Allas!" quod she for sorwe, [214] And deyede within the thridde morwe. [215] But what she sayede more in that swow [216] I may not telle yow as now; [217] Hyt were to longe for to dwelle. [218] My first matere I wil yow telle, [219] Wherfore I have told this thyng [220] Of Alcione and Seys the kyng, [221] For thus moche dar I saye wel: [222] I had be dolven everydel [223] And ded, ryght thurgh defaute of slep, [224] Yif I ne had red and take kep [225] Of this tale next before. [226] And I wol telle yow wherfore: [227] For I ne myghte, for bote ne bale, [228] Slepe or I had red thys tale [229] Of this dreynte Seys the kyng [230] And of the goddes of slepyng. [231] Whan I had red thys tale wel [232] And overloked hyt everydel, [233] Me thoghte wonder yf hit were so, [234] For I had never herd speke or tho [235] Of noo goddes that koude make [236] Men to slepe, ne for to wake, [237] For I ne knew never god but oon. [238] And in my game I sayde anoon [239] (And yet me lyst ryght evel to pleye) [240] Rather then that y shulde deye [241] Thorgh defaute of slepynge thus, [242] I wolde yive thilke Morpheus, [243] Or hys goddesse, dame Juno, [244] Or som wight elles, I ne roghte who -- [245] "To make me slepe and have som reste [246] I wil yive hym the alderbeste [247] Yifte that ever he abod hys lyve. [248] And here on warde, ryght now as blyve, [249] Yif he wol make me slepe a lyte, [250] Of down of pure dowves white [251] I wil yive hym a fether-bed, [252] Rayed with gold and ryght wel cled [253] In fyn blak satyn doutremer, [254] And many a pilowe, and every ber [255] Of cloth of Reynes, to slepe softe -- [256] Hym thar not nede to turnen ofte -- [257] And I wol yive hym al that falles [258] To a chambre, and al hys halles [259] I wol do peynte with pure gold [260] And tapite hem ful many fold [261] Of oo sute; this shal he have [262] (Yf I wiste where were hys cave), [263] Yf he kan make me slepe sone, [264] As did the goddesse quene Alcione. [265] And thus this ylke god, Morpheus, [266] May wynne of me moo fees thus [267] Than ever he wan; and to Juno, [268] That ys hys goddesse, I shal soo do, [269] I trow, that she shal holde hir payd." [270] I hadde unneth that word ysayd [271] Ryght thus as I have told hyt yow, [272] That sodeynly, I nyste how, [273] Such a lust anoon me took [274] To slepe that ryght upon my book [275] Y fil aslepe, and therwith even [276] Me mette so ynly swete a sweven, [277] So wonderful that never yit [278] Y trowe no man had the wyt [279] To konne wel my sweven rede; [280] No, not Joseph, withoute drede, [281] Of Egipte, he that redde so [282] The kynges metynge Pharao, [283] No more than koude the lest of us; [284] Ne nat skarsly Macrobeus [285] (He that wrot al th' avysyoun [286] That he mette, kyng Scipioun, [287] The noble man, the Affrikan -- [288] Suche marvayles fortuned than), [289] I trowe, arede my dremes even. [290] Loo, thus hyt was; thys was my sweven. [291] Me thoghte thus: that hyt was May, [292] And in the dawenynge I lay [293] (Me mette thus) in my bed al naked [294] And loked forth, for I was waked [295] With smale foules a gret hep [296] That had affrayed me out of my slep [297] Thorgh noyse and swetnesse of her song. [298] And, as me mette, they sate among [299] Upon my chambre roof wythoute, [300] Upon the tyles, overal aboute, [301] And songe, everych in hys wyse, [302] The moste solempne servise [303] By noote that ever man, y trowe, [304] Had herd, for som of hem song lowe, [305] Som high, and al of oon acord. [306] To telle shortly, att oo word, [307] Was never herd so swete a steven [308] But hyt had be a thyng of heven -- [309] So mery a soun, so swete entewnes, [310] That certes, for the toun of Tewnes [311] I nolde but I had herd hem synge; [312] For al my chambre gan to rynge [313] Thurgh syngynge of her armonye; [314] For instrument nor melodye [315] Was nowhere herd yet half so swete, [316] Nor of acord half so mete; [317] For ther was noon of hem that feyned [318] To synge, for ech of hem hym peyned [319] To fynde out mery crafty notes. [320] They ne spared not her throtes. [321] And sooth to seyn, my chambre was [322] Ful wel depeynted, and with glas [323] Were al the wyndowes wel yglased [324] Ful clere, and nat an hoole ycrased, [325] That to beholde hyt was gret joye. [326] For hooly al the story of Troye [327] Was in the glasynge ywroght thus, [328] Of Ector and of kyng Priamus, [329] Of Achilles and of kyng Lamedon, [330] And eke of Medea and of Jason, [331] Of Paris, Eleyne, and of Lavyne. [332] And alle the walles with colours fyne [333] Were peynted, bothe text and glose, [334] [Of] al the Romaunce of the Rose. [335] My wyndowes were shette echon, [336] And throgh the glas the sonne shon [337] Upon my bed with bryghte bemes, [338] With many glade gilde stremes; [339] And eke the welken was so fair -- [340] Blew, bryght, clere was the ayr, [341] And ful attempre for sothe hyt was; [342] For nother to cold nor hoot yt nas, [343] Ne in al the welken was a clowde. [344] And as I lay thus, wonder lowde [345] Me thoght I herde an hunte blowe [346] T' assay hys horn and for to knowe [347] Whether hyt were clere or hors of soun. [348] And I herde goynge bothe up and doun [349] Men, hors, houndes, and other thyng; [350] And al men speken of huntyng, [351] How they wolde slee the hert with strengthe, [352] And how the hert had upon lengthe [353] So moche embosed -- y not now what. [354] Anoon ryght whan I herde that, [355] How that they wolde on-huntynge goon, [356] I was ryght glad, and up anoon [357] Took my hors, and forth I wente [358] Out of my chambre; I never stente [359] Til I com to the feld withoute. [360] Ther overtok y a gret route [361] Of huntes and eke of foresteres, [362] With many relayes and lymeres, [363] And hyed hem to the forest faste [364] And I with hem. So at the laste [365] I asked oon, ladde a lymere: [366] "Say, felowe, who shal hunte here?" [367] Quod I, and he answered ageyn, [368] "Syr, th' emperour Octovyen," [369] Quod he, "and ys here faste by." [370] "A Goddes half, in good tyme!" quod I, [371] "Go we faste!" and gan to ryde. [372] Whan we came to the forest syde, [373] Every man dide ryght anoon [374] As to huntynge fil to doon. [375] The mayster-hunte anoon, fot-hot, [376] With a gret horn blew thre mot [377] At the uncouplynge of hys houndes. [378] Withynne a while the hert yfounde ys, [379] Yhalowed, and rechased faste [380] Longe tyme; and so at the laste [381] This hert rused and staal away [382] Fro alle the houndes a privy way. [383] The houndes had overshote hym alle [384] And were on a defaute yfalle. [385] Therwyth the hunte wonder faste [386] Blew a forloyn at the laste. [387] I was go walked fro my tree, [388] And as I wente, ther cam by mee [389] A whelp, that fauned me as I stood, [390] That hadde yfolowed and koude no good. [391] Hyt com and crepte to me as lowe [392] Ryght as hyt hadde me yknowe, [393] Helde doun hys hed and joyned hys eres, [394] And leyde al smothe doun hys heres. [395] I wolde have kaught hyt, and anoon [396] Hyt fledde and was fro me goon; [397] And I hym folwed, and hyt forth wente [398] Doun by a floury grene wente [399] Ful thikke of gras, ful softe and swete. [400] With floures fele, faire under fete, [401] And litel used; hyt semed thus, [402] For both Flora and Zephirus, [403] They two that make floures growe, [404] Had mad her dwellynge ther, I trowe; [405] For hit was, on to beholde, [406] As thogh the erthe envye wolde [407] To be gayer than the heven, [408] To have moo floures, swiche seven, [409] As in the welken sterres bee. [410] Hyt had forgete the povertee [411] That wynter, thorgh hys colde morwes, [412] Had mad hyt suffre, and his sorwes; [413] All was forgeten, and that was sene, [414] For al the woode was waxen grene; [415] Swetnesse of dew had mad hyt waxe. [416] Hyt ys no nede eke for to axe [417] Wher there were many grene greves, [418] Or thikke of trees, so ful of leves; [419] And every tree stood by hymselve [420] Fro other wel ten foot or twelve -- [421] So grete trees, so huge of strengthe, [422] Of fourty or fifty fadme lengthe, [423] Clene withoute bowgh or stikke, [424] With croppes brode, and eke as thikke -- [425] They were nat an ynche asonder -- [426] That hit was shadewe overal under. [427] And many an hert and many an hynde [428] Was both before me and behynde. [429] Of founes, sowres, bukkes, does [430] Was ful the woode, and many roes, [431] And many sqwirelles that sete [432] Ful high upon the trees and ete, [433] And in hir maner made festes. [434] Shortly, hyt was so ful of bestes [435] That thogh Argus, the noble countour, [436] Sete to rekene in hys countour, [437] And rekene with his figures ten -- [438] For by tho figures mowe al ken, [439] Yf they be crafty, rekene and noumbre, [440] And telle of every thing the noumbre -- [441] Yet shoulde he fayle to rekene even [442] The wondres me mette in my sweven. [443] But forth they romed ryght wonder faste [444] Doun the woode; so at the laste [445] I was war of a man in blak, [446] That sat and had yturned his bak [447] To an ook, an huge tree. [448] "Lord," thoght I, "who may that be? [449] What ayleth hym to sitten her?" [450] Anoon-ryght I wente ner; [451] Than found I sitte even upryght [452] A wonder wel-farynge knyght -- [453] By the maner me thoghte so -- [454] Of good mochel, and ryght yong therto, [455] Of the age of foure and twenty yer, [456] Upon hys berd but lytel her, [457] And he was clothed al in blak. [458] I stalked even unto hys bak, [459] And there I stood as stille as ought, [460] That, soth to saye, he saw me nought; [461] For-why he heng hys hed adoun, [462] And with a dedly sorwful soun [463] He made of rym ten vers or twelve [464] Of a compleynte to hymselve -- [465] The moste pitee, the moste rowthe, [466] That ever I herde; for, by my trowthe, [11-ch] 467 Hit was gret wonder that Nature [468] Myght suffre any creature [469] To have such sorwe and be not ded. [470] Ful pitous pale and nothyng red, [471] He sayd a lay, a maner song, [472] Withoute noote, withoute song; [473] And was thys, for ful wel I kan [474] Reherse hyt; ryght thus hyt began: [475] "I have of sorwe so gret won [476] That joye gete I never non, [477] Now that I see my lady bryght, [478] Which I have loved with al my myght, [479] Is fro me ded and ys agoon. [481] "Allas, deth, what ayleth the, [482] That thou noldest have taken me, [483] Whan thou toke my lady swete, [484] That was so fair, so fresh, so fre, [485] So good that men may wel se [486] Of al goodnesse she had no mete!" [487] Whan he had mad thus his complaynte, [488] Hys sorwful hert gan faste faynte [489] And his spirites wexen dede; [490] The blood was fled for pure drede [491] Doun to hys herte, to make hym warm -- [492] For wel hyt feled the herte had harm -- [493] To wite eke why hyt was adrad [494] By kynde, and for to make hyt glad, [495] For hit ys membre principal [496] Of the body; and that made al [497] Hys hewe chaunge and wexe grene [498] And pale, for ther noo blood ys sene [499] In no maner lym of hys. [500] Anoon therwith whan y sawgh this -- [501] He ferde thus evel there he set -- [502] I went and stood ryght at his fet, [503] And grette hym; but he spak noght, [504] But argued with his owne thoght, [505] And in hys wyt disputed faste [506] Why and how hys lyf myght laste; [507] Hym thoughte hys sorwes were so smerte [508] And lay so colde upon hys herte. [509] So, throgh hys sorwe and hevy thoght, [510] Made hym that he herde me noght; [511] For he had wel nygh lost hys mynde, [512] Thogh Pan, that men clepeth god of kynde, [513] Were for hys sorwes never so wroth. [514] But at the last, to sayn ryght soth, [515] He was war of me, how y stood [516] Before hym and did of myn hood, [517] And had ygret hym as I best koude, [518] Debonayrly, and nothyng lowde. [519] He sayde, "I prey the, be not wroth. [520] I herde the not, to seyn the soth, [521] Ne I sawgh the not, syr, trewely." [522] "A, goode sir, no fors," quod y, [523] "I am ryght sory yif I have ought [524] Destroubled yow out of your thought. [525] Foryive me, yif I have mystake." [526] "Yis, th' amendes is lyght to make," [527] Quod he, "for ther lyeth noon therto; [528] There ys nothyng myssayd nor do." [529] Loo, how goodly spak thys knyght, [530] As hit had be another wyght; [531] He made hyt nouther towgh ne queynte. [532] And I saw that, and gan me aqueynte [533] With hym, and fond hym so tretable, [534] Ryght wonder skylful and resonable, [535] As me thoghte, for al hys bale. [536] Anoon ryght I gan fynde a tale [537] To hym, to loke wher I myght ought [538] Have more knowynge of hys thought. [539] "Sir," quod I, "this game is doon. [540] I holde that this hert be goon; [541] These huntes konne hym nowher see." [542] "Y do no fors therof," quod he; [543] "My thought ys theron never a del." [544] "By oure Lord," quod I, "y trow yow wel; [545] Ryght so me thinketh by youre chere. [546] But, sir, oo thyng wol ye here? [547] Me thynketh in gret sorowe I yow see; [548] But certes, sire, yif that yee [549] Wolde ought discure me youre woo, [550] I wolde, as wys God helpe me soo, [551] Amende hyt, yif I kan or may. [552] Ye mowe preve hyt be assay; [553] For, by my trouthe, to make yow hool [554] I wol do al my power hool. [555] And telleth me of your sorwes smerte; [556] Paraunter hyt may ese youre herte, [557] That semeth ful sek under your syde." [558] With that he loked on me asyde, [559] As who sayth, "Nay, that wol not be." [560] "Graunt mercy, goode frend," quod he, [561] "I thanke the that thow woldest soo, [562] But hyt may never the rather be doo. [563] No man may my sorwe glade, [564] That maketh my hewe to falle and fade, [565] And hath myn understondynge lorn [566] That me ys wo that I was born! [567] May noght make my sorwes slyde, [568] Nought al the remedyes of Ovyde, [569] Ne Orpheus, god of melodye, [570] Ne Dedalus with his playes slye; [571] Ne hele me may no phisicien, [572] Noght Ypocras ne Galyen; [573] Me ys wo that I lyve houres twelve. [574] But whooso wol assay hymselve [575] Whether his hert kan have pitee [576] Of any sorwe, lat hym see me. [577] Y wrecche, that deth hath mad al naked [578] Of al the blysse that ever was maked, [579] Yworthe worste of alle wyghtes, [580] That hate my dayes and my nyghtes! [581] My lyf, my lustes, be me loothe, [582] For al welfare and I be wroothe. [583] The pure deth ys so ful my foo [584] That I wolde deye, hyt wolde not soo; [585] For whan I folwe hyt, hit wol flee; [586] I wolde have hym, hyt nyl nat me. [587] This ys my peyne wythoute red, [588] Alway deynge and be not ded, [589] That Cesiphus, that lyeth in helle, [590] May not of more sorwe telle. [591] And whoso wiste al, by my trouthe, [592] My sorwe, but he hadde rowthe [593] And pitee of my sorwes smerte, [594] That man hath a fendly herte; [595] For whoso seeth me first on morwe [596] May seyn he hath met with sorwe, [597] For y am sorwe, and sorwe ys y. [598] "Allas! and I wol tel the why: [599] My [song] ys turned to pleynynge, [600] And al my laughtre to wepynge, [601] My glade thoghtes to hevynesse; [602] In travayle ys myn ydelnesse [603] And eke my reste; my wele is woo, [604] My good ys harm, and evermoo [605] In wrathe ys turned my pleynge [606] And my delyt into sorwynge. [607] Myn hele ys turned into seknesse, [608] In drede ys al my sykernesse; [609] To derke ys turned al my lyght, [610] My wyt ys foly, my day ys nyght, [611] My love ys hate, my slep wakynge, [612] My myrthe and meles ys fastynge, [613] My countenaunce ys nycete [614] And al abaved, where so I be; [615] My pees in pledynge and in werre. [616] Allas, how myghte I fare werre? [617] My boldnesse ys turned to shame, [618] For fals Fortune hath pleyd a game [619] Atte ches with me, allas the while! [620] The trayteresse fals and ful of gyle, [621] That al behoteth and nothyng halt, [622] She goth upryght and yet she halt, [623] That baggeth foule and loketh faire, [624] The dispitouse debonaire [625] That skorneth many a creature! [626] An ydole of fals portrayture [627] Ys she, for she wol sone wrien; [628] She is the monstres hed ywrien, [629] As fylthe over-ystrawed with floures. [630] Hir moste worshippe and hir flour ys [631] To lyen, for that ys hyr nature; [632] Withoute feyth, lawe, or mesure [633] She ys fals, and ever laughynge [634] With oon eye, and that other wepynge. [635] That ys broght up she set al doun. [636] I lykne hyr to the scorpioun, [637] That ys a fals, flaterynge beste, [638] For with his hed he maketh feste, [639] But al amydde hys flaterynge [640] With hys tayle he wol stynge [641] And envenyme; and so wol she. [642] She ys th' envyouse charite [643] That ys ay fals and semeth wel; [644] So turneth she hyr false whel [645] Aboute, for hyt ys nothyng stable -- [646] Now by the fire, now at table; [647] For many oon hath she thus yblent. [648] She ys pley of enchauntement, [649] That semeth oon and ys not soo. [650] The false thef! What hath she doo, [651] Trowest thou? By oure Lord I wol the seye: [652] "At the ches with me she gan to pleye; [653] With hir false draughtes dyvers [654] She staal on me and tok my fers. [655] And whan I sawgh my fers awaye, [656] Allas, I kouthe no lenger playe, [657] But seyde, `Farewel, swete, ywys, [658] And farewel al that ever ther ys!' [659] "Therwith Fortune seyde `Chek her! [660] And mat in the myd poynt of the chekker, [661] With a poun errant!' Allas, [662] Ful craftier to pley she was [663] Than Athalus, that made the game [664] First of the ches, so was hys name. [665] But God wolde I had oones or twyes [666] Ykoud and knowe the jeupardyes [667] That kowde the Grek Pictagores! [668] I shulde have pleyd the bet at ches [669] And kept my fers the bet therby. [670] And thogh wherto? For trewely [671] I holde that wyssh nat worth a stree! [672] Hyt had be never the bet for me, [673] For Fortune kan so many a wyle [674] Ther be but fewe kan hir begile; [675] And eke she ys the lasse to blame; [676] Myself I wolde have do the same, [677] Before God, hadde I ben as she; [678] She oghte the more excused be. [679] For this I say yet more therto: [680] Had I be God and myghte have do [681] My wille whan she my fers kaughte, [682] I wolde have drawe the same draughte. [683] For, also wys God yive me reste, [684] I dar wel swere she took the beste. [685] But through that draughte I have lorn [686] My blysse; allas, that I was born! [687] For evermore, y trowe trewly, [688] For al my wille, my lust holly [689] Ys turned; but yet, what to doone? [690] Be oure Lord, hyt ys to deye soone. [691] For nothyng I leve hyt noght, [692] But lyve and deye ryght in this thoght; [693] For there nys planete in firmament, [694] Ne in ayr ne in erthe noon element, [695] That they ne yive me a yifte echone [696] Of wepynge whan I am allone. [697] For whan that I avise me wel [698] And bethenke me every del [699] How that ther lyeth in rekenyng, [700] In my sorwe, for nothyng, [701] And how ther leveth no gladnesse [702] May glade me of my distresse, [703] And how I have lost suffisance, [704] And therto I have no plesance, [705] Than may I say I have ryght noght. [706] And whan al this falleth in my thoght, [707] Allas, than am I overcome! [708] For that ys doon ys not to come. [709] I have more sorowe than Tantale." [710] And whan I herde hym tel thys tale [711] Thus pitously, as I yow telle, [712] Unnethe myght y lenger dwelle, [713] Hyt dyde myn herte so moche woo. [714] "A, goode sir," quod I, "say not soo! [715] Have som pitee on your nature [716] That formed yow to creature. [717] Remembre yow of Socrates, [718] For he ne counted nat thre strees [719] Of noght that Fortune koude doo." [720] "No," quod he, "I kan not soo." [721] "Why so, good syr? Yis parde!" quod y; [722] "Ne say noght soo, for trewely, [723] Thogh ye had lost the ferses twelve, [724] And ye for sorwe mordred yourselve, [725] Ye sholde be dampned in this cas [726] By as good ryght as Medea was, [727] That slough hir children for Jasoun; [728] And Phyllis also for Demophoun [729] Heng hirself -- so weylaway! -- [730] For he had broke his terme-day [11-ch] 731 To come to hir. Another rage [732] Had Dydo, the quene eke of Cartage, [733] That slough hirself for Eneas [734] Was fals -- which a fool she was! [735] And Ecquo died for Narcisus [736] Nolde nat love hir, and ryght thus [737] Hath many another foly doon; [738] And for Dalida died Sampson, [739] That slough hymself with a piler. [740] But ther is no man alyve her [741] Wolde for a fers make this woo!" [742] "Why so?" quod he, "hyt ys nat soo. [743] Thou wost ful lytel what thou menest; [744] I have lost more than thow wenest." [745] "Loo, [sey] how that may be?" quod y; [746] "Good sir, telle me al hooly [747] In what wyse, how, why, and wherfore [748] That ye have thus youre blysse lore." [749] "Blythely," quod he; "com sytte adoun! [750] I telle the upon a condicioun [751] That thou shalt hooly, with al thy wyt, [752] Doo thyn entent to herkene hit." [753] "Yis, syr." "Swere thy trouthe therto." [754] "Gladly." "Do thanne holde hereto!" [755] "I shal ryght blythely, so God me save, [756] Hooly, with al the wit I have, [757] Here yow as wel as I kan." [758] "A Goddes half!" quod he, and began: [759] "Syr," quod he, "sith first I kouthe [760] Have any maner wyt fro youthe, [761] Or kyndely understondyng [762] To comprehende in any thyng [763] What love was, in myn owne wyt, [764] Dredeles, I have ever yit [765] Be tributarye and yive rente [766] To Love, hooly with good entente, [767] And throgh plesaunce become his thral [768] With good wille, body, hert, and al. [769] Al this I putte in his servage, [770] As to my lord, and dide homage; [771] And ful devoutly I prayed hym to [772] He shulde besette myn herte so [773] That hyt plesance to hym were [774] And worship to my lady dere. [775] "And this was longe, and many a yer [776] Or that myn herte was set owher, [777] That I dide thus, and nyste why; [778] I trowe hit cam me kyndely. [779] Paraunter I was therto most able, [780] As a whit wal or a table, [781] For hit ys redy to cacche and take [782] Al that men wil theryn make, [783] Whethir so men wil portreye or peynte, [784] Be the werkes never so queynte. [785] "And thilke tyme I ferde ryght so, [786] I was able to have lerned tho, [787] And to have kend as wel or better, [788] Paraunter, other art or letre; [789] But for love cam first in my thoght, [790] Therfore I forgat hyt noght. [791] I ches love to my firste craft; [792] Therfore hit ys with me laft, [793] For-why I tok hyt of so yong age [794] That malyce hadde my corage [795] Nat that tyme turned to nothyng [796] Thorgh to mochel knowlechyng. [797] For that tyme Yowthe, my maistresse, [798] Governed me in ydelnesse; [799] For hyt was in my firste youthe, [800] And thoo ful lytel good y couthe, [801] For al my werkes were flyttynge [802] That tyme, and al my thoght varyinge. [803] Al were to me ylyche good [804] That I knew thoo; but thus hit stood: [805] "Hit happed that I cam on a day [806] Into a place ther that I say [807] Trewly the fayrest companye [808] Of ladyes that evere man with ye [809] Had seen togedres in oo place. [810] Shal I clepe hyt hap other grace [811] That broght me there? Nay, but Fortune, [812] That ys to lyen ful comune, [11-ch] 813 The false trayteresse pervers! [814] God wolde I koude clepe hir wers, [815] For now she worcheth me ful woo, [816] And I wol telle sone why soo. [817] "Among these ladyes thus echon, [818] Soth to seyen, y sawgh oon [819] That was lyk noon of the route; [820] For I dar swere, withoute doute, [821] That as the someres sonne bryght [822] Ys fairer, clerer, and hath more lyght [823] Than any other planete in heven, [824] The moone or the sterres seven, [825] For al the world so hadde she [826] Surmounted hem alle of beaute, [827] Of maner, and of comlynesse, [828] Of stature, and of wel set gladnesse, [829] Of goodlyhede so wel beseye -- [830] Shortly, what shal y more seye? [831] By God and by his halwes twelve, [832] Hyt was my swete, ryght as hirselve. [833] She had so stedfast countenaunce, [834] So noble port and meyntenaunce, [835] And Love, that had wel herd my boone, [836] Had espyed me thus soone, [837] That she ful sone in my thoght, [838] As helpe me God, so was ykaught [839] So sodenly that I ne tok [840] No maner counseyl but at hir lok [841] And at myn herte; for-why hir eyen [842] So gladly, I trow, myn herte seyen [843] That purely tho myn owne thoght [844] Seyde hit were beter serve hir for noght [845] Than with another to be wel. [846] And hyt was soth, for everydel [847] I wil anoon ryght telle thee why. [848] "I sawgh hyr daunce so comlily, [849] Carole and synge so swetely, [850] Laughe and pleye so womanly, [851] And loke so debonairly, [852] So goodly speke and so frendly, [853] That certes y trowe that evermor [854] Nas seyn so blysful a tresor. [855] For every heer on hir hed, [856] Soth to seyne, hyt was not red, [857] Ne nouther yelowe ne broun hyt nas; [858] Me thoghte most lyk gold hyt was. [859] "And whiche eyen my lady hadde! [860] Debonaire, goode, glade, and sadde, [861] Symple, of good mochel, noght to wyde. [862] Therto hir look nas not asyde [863] Ne overthwert, but beset so wel [864] Hyt drew and took up everydel [865] Al that on hir gan beholde. [866] Hir eyen semed anoon she wolde [867] Have mercy -- fooles wenden soo -- [868] But hyt was never the rather doo. [869] Hyt nas no countrefeted thyng; [870] Hyt was hir owne pure lokyng [871] That the goddesse, dame Nature, [872] Had mad hem opene by mesure [873] And close; for were she never so glad, [874] Hyr lokynge was not foly sprad, [875] Ne wildely, thogh that she pleyde; [876] But ever, me thoght, hir eyen seyde, [877] `Be God, my wrathe ys al foryive!' [878] "Therwith hir lyste so wel to lyve, [879] That dulnesse was of hir adrad. [880] She nas to sobre ne to glad; [881] In alle thynges more mesure [882] Had never, I trowe, creature. [883] But many oon with hire lok she herte, [884] And that sat hyr ful lyte at herte, [885] For she knew nothyng of her thoght; [886] But whether she knew or knew it nowght [887] Algate she ne roughte of hem a stree! -- [888] To gete her love no ner nas he [889] That woned at hom than he in Ynde; [890] The formest was alway behynde. [891] But goode folk, over al other, [892] She loved as man may do hys brother; [893] Of which love she was wonder large, [894] In skilful places that bere charge. [895] "But which a visage had she thertoo! [896] Allas, myn herte ys wonder woo [897] That I ne kan discryven hyt! [898] Me lakketh both Englyssh and wit [899] For to undo hyt at the fulle; [900] And eke my spirites be so dulle [901] So gret a thyng for to devyse. [902] I have no wit that kan suffise [903] To comprehende hir beaute. [904] But thus moche dar I sayn, that she [905] Was whit, rody, fressh, and lyvely hewed, [906] And every day hir beaute newed. [907] And negh hir face was alderbest, [908] For certes Nature had swich lest [909] To make that fair that trewly she [910] Was hir chef patron of beaute, [911] And chef ensample of al hir werk, [912] And moustre; for be hyt never so derk, [913] Me thynketh I se hir ever moo. [914] And yet moreover, thogh alle thoo [915] That ever livede were now alyve, [916] Ne sholde have founde to discryve [917] Yn al hir face a wikked sygne, [918] For hit was sad, symple, and benygne. [919] "And which a goodly, softe speche [920] Had that swete, my lyves leche! [921] So frendly, and so wel ygrounded, [922] Up al resoun so wel yfounded, [923] And so tretable to alle goode [924] That I dar swere wel, by the roode, [925] Of eloquence was never founde [926] So swete a sownynge facounde, [927] Ne trewer tonged, ne skorned lasse, [928] Ne bet koude hele -- that, by the masse [929] I durste swere, thogh the pope hit songe, [930] That ther was never yet throgh hir tonge [931] Man ne woman gretly harmed; [932] As for her, was al harm hyd -- [933] Ne lasse flaterynge in hir word, [934] That purely hir symple record [935] Was founde as trewe as any bond [936] Or trouthe of any mannes hond; [937] Ne chyde she koude never a del; [938] That knoweth al the world ful wel. [939] "But swich a fairnesse of a nekke [940] Had that swete that boon nor brekke [941] Nas ther non sene that myssat. [942] Hyt was whit, smothe, streght, and pure flat, [943] Wythouten hole or canel-boon, [944] As be semynge had she noon. [945] Hyr throte, as I have now memoyre, [946] Semed a round tour of yvoyre, [947] Of good gretnesse, and noght to gret. [948] "And goode faire White she het; [949] That was my lady name ryght. [950] She was bothe fair and bryght; [951] She hadde not hir name wrong. [952] Ryght faire shuldres and body long [953] She had, and armes, every lyth [954] Fattyssh, flesshy, not gret therwith; [955] Ryght white handes, and nayles rede; [956] Rounde brestes; and of good brede [957] Hyr hippes were; a streight flat bak. [958] I knew on hir noon other lak [959] That al hir lymmes nere pure sewynge [960] In as fer as I had knowynge. [961] "Therto she koude so wel pleye, [962] Whan that hir lyste, that I dar seye [963] That she was lyk to torche bryght [964] That every man may take of lyght [965] Ynogh, and hyt hath never the lesse. [966] Of maner and of comlynesse [967] Ryght so ferde my lady dere, [968] For every wight of hir manere [969] Myght cacche ynogh, yif that he wolde, [970] Yif he had eyen hir to beholde; [971] For I dar swere wel, yif that she [972] Had among ten thousand be, [973] She wolde have be, at the leste, [974] A chef myrour of al the feste, [975] Thogh they had stonden in a rowe, [976] To mennes eyen that koude have knowe; [977] For wher-so men had pleyd or waked, [978] Me thoghte the felawsshyppe as naked [979] Withouten hir that sawgh I oones [980] As a corowne withoute stones. [11-ch] 981 Trewly she was, to myn ye [982] The soleyn fenix of Arabye, [983] For ther livyth never but oon, [984] Ne swich as she ne knowe I noon. [985] "To speke of godnesse, trewly she [986] Had as moche debonairte [987] As ever had Hester in the Bible, [988] And more, yif more were possyble. [989] And soth to seyne, therwythal [990] She had a wyt so general, [991] So hool enclyned to alle goode, [992] That al hir wyt was set, by the rode, [993] Withoute malyce, upon gladnesse; [994] And therto I saugh never yet a lesse [995] Harmful than she was in doynge. [996] I sey nat that she ne had knowynge [997] What harm was, or elles she [998] Had koud no good, so thinketh me. [999] "And trewly for to speke of trouthe, [1000] But she had had, hyt hadde be routhe. [1001] Therof she had so moche hyr del -- [1002] And I dar seyn and swere hyt wel -- [1003] That Trouthe hymself over al and al [1004] Had chose hys maner principal [1005] In hir that was his restyng place. [1006] Therto she hadde the moste grace [1007] To have stedefast perseveraunce [1008] And esy, atempre governaunce [1009] That ever I knew or wyste yit, [1010] So pure suffraunt was hir wyt; [1011] And reson gladly she understood; [1012] Hyt folowed wel she koude good. [1013] She used gladly to do wel; [1014] These were hir maners everydel. [1015] "Therwith she loved so wel ryght [1016] She wrong do wolde to no wyght. [1017] No wyght myghte do hir noo shame, [1018] She loved so wel hir owne name. [1019] Hyr lust to holde no wyght in honde, [1020] Ne, be thou siker, she wolde not fonde [1021] To holde no wyght in balaunce [1022] By half word ne by countenaunce -- [1023] But if men wolde upon hir lye -- [1024] Ne sende men into Walakye, [1025] To Pruyse, and into Tartarye, [1026] To Alysaundre, ne into Turkye, [1027] And byd hym faste anoon that he [1028] Goo hoodles into the Drye Se [1029] And come hom by the Carrenar, [1030] And seye, `Sir, be now ryght war [1031] That I may of yow here seyn [1032] Worshyp or that ye come ageyn!' [1033] She ne used no suche knakkes smale. [1034] "But wherfore that y telle my tale? [1035] Ryght on thys same, as I have seyd, [1036] Was hooly al my love leyd; [1037] For certes she was, that swete wif, [11-ch] 1038 My suffisaunce, my lust, my lyf, [1039] Myn hap, myn hele, and al my blesse, [1040] My worldes welfare, and my goddesse, [1041] And I hooly hires and everydel." [1042] "By oure Lord," quod I, "y trowe yow wel! [1043] Hardely, your love was wel beset; [1044] I not how ye myghte have do bet." [1045] "Bet? Ne no wyght so wel," quod he. [1046] "Y trowe hyt wel, sir," quod I, "parde!" [1047] "Nay, leve hyt wel!" "Sire, so do I; [1048] I leve yow wel, that trewely [1049] Yow thoghte that she was the beste [1050] And to beholde the alderfayreste, [1051] Whoso had loked hir with your eyen." [1052] "With myn? Nay, alle that hir seyen [1053] Seyde and sworen hyt was soo. [1054] And thogh they ne hadde, I wolde thoo [1055] Have loved best my lady free, [1056] Thogh I had had al the beaute [1057] That ever had Alcipyades, [1058] And al the strengthe of Ercules, [1059] And therto had the worthynesse [1060] Of Alysaunder, and al the rychesse [1061] That ever was in Babyloyne, [1062] In Cartage, or in Macedoyne, [11-ch] 1063 Or in Rome, or in Nynyve; [1064] And therto also hardy be [1065] As was Ector, so have I joye, [1066] That Achilles slough at Troye -- [1067] And therfore was he slayn alsoo [1068] In a temple, for bothe twoo [1069] Were slayne, he and Antylegyus [1070] (And so seyth Dares Frygius), [1071] For love of Polixena -- [1072] Or ben as wis as Mynerva, [1073] I wolde ever, withoute drede, [1074] Have loved hir, for I moste nede. [1075] `Nede?' Nay, trewly, I gabbe now; [1076] Noght `nede,' and I wol tellen how: [1077] For of good wille myn herte hyt wolde, [1078] And eke to love hir I was holde [1079] As for the fairest and the beste. [1080] She was as good, so have I reste, [1081] As ever was Penelopee of Grece, [1082] Or as the noble wif Lucrece, [1083] That was the beste -- he telleth thus, [1084] The Romayn, Tytus Lyvyus -- [1085] She was as good, and nothyng lyk [1086] (Thogh hir stories be autentyk), [1087] Algate she was as trewe as she. [1088] "But wherfore that I telle thee [1089] Whan I first my lady say? [1090] I was ryght yong, soth to say, [1091] And ful gret nede I hadde to lerne; [1092] Whan my herte wolde yerne [1093] To love, hyt was a gret empryse. [1094] But as my wyt koude best suffise, [1095] After my yonge childly wyt, [1096] Withoute drede, I besette hyt [1097] To love hir in my beste wyse, [1098] To do hir worship and the servise [1099] That I koude thoo, be my trouthe, [1100] Withoute feynynge outher slouthe, [1101] For wonder feyn I wolde hir se. [1102] So mochel hyt amended me [1103] That whan I saugh hir first a-morwe [1104] I was warished of al my sorwe [1105] Of al day after; til hyt were eve [1106] Me thoghte nothyng myghte me greve, [1107] Were my sorwes never so smerte. [1108] And yet she syt so in myn herte [1109] That, by my trouthe, y nolde noght [1110] For al thys world out of my thoght [1111] Leve my lady; noo, trewely!" [1112] "Now, by my trouthe, sir," quod I, [1113] "Me thynketh ye have such a chaunce [1114] As shryfte wythoute repentaunce." [1115] "Repentaunce? Nay, fy!" quod he, [1116] "Shulde y now repente me [1117] To love? Nay, certes, than were I wel [1118] Wers than was Achitofel, [1119] Or Anthenor, so have I joye, [1120] The traytor that betraysed Troye, [1121] Or the false Genelloun, [1122] He that purchased the tresoun [1123] Of Rowland and of Olyver. [1124] Nay, while I am alyve her, [1125] I nyl foryete hir never moo." [1126] "Now, goode syre," quod I thoo, [1127] "Ye han wel told me herebefore; [1128] Hyt ys no nede to reherse it more, [1129] How ye sawe hir first, and where. [1130] But wolde ye tel me the manere [1131] To hire which was your firste speche -- [1132] Therof I wolde yow beseche -- [1133] And how she knewe first your thoght, [1134] Whether ye loved hir or noght? [1135] And telleth me eke what ye have lore, [1136] I herde yow telle herebefore." [1137] "Yee!" seyde he, "thow nost what thow menest; [1138] I have lost more than thou wenest." [1139] "What los ys that?" quod I thoo; [1140] "Nyl she not love yow? Ys hyt soo? [1141] Or have ye oght doon amys, [1142] That she hath left yow? Ys hyt this? [1143] For Goddes love, telle me al." [1144] "Before God," quod he, "and I shal. [1145] I saye ryght as I have seyd, [1146] On hir was al my love leyd, [1147] And yet she nyste hyt nat, never a del [1148] Noght longe tyme, leve hyt wel! [1149] For be ryght siker, I durste noght [1150] For al this world telle hir my thoght, [1151] Ne I wolde have wraththed hir, trewely. [1152] For wostow why? She was lady [1153] Of the body; she had the herte, [1154] And who hath that may not asterte. [1155] But for to kepe me fro ydelnesse, [1156] Trewly I dide my besynesse [1157] To make songes, as I best koude, [1158] And ofte tyme I song hem loude; [1159] And made songes thus a gret del, [1160] Althogh I koude not make so wel [1161] Songes, ne knewe the art al, [1162] As koude Lamekes sone Tubal, [1163] That found out first the art of songe; [1164] For as hys brothres hamers ronge [1165] Upon hys anvelt up and doun, [1166] Therof he took the firste soun -- [1167] But Grekes seyn Pictagoras, [1168] That he the firste fynder was [1169] Of the art (Aurora telleth so); [1170] But therof no fors of hem two. [1171] Algates songes thus I made [1172] Of my felynge, myn herte to glade; [1173] And, lo, this was [the] altherferste -- [1174] I not wher hyt were the werste. [1175] `Lord, hyt maketh myn herte lyght [1176] Whan I thenke on that swete wyght [1177] That is so semely on to see; [1178] And wisshe to God hit myghte so bee [1179] That she wolde holde me for hir knyght, [1180] My lady, that is so fair and bryght!' [1181] "Now have I told thee, soth to say, [1182] My firste song. Upon a day [1183] I bethoghte me what woo [1184] And sorwe that I suffred thoo [1185] For hir, and yet she wyste hyt noght, [1186] Ne telle hir durste I nat my thoght. [1187] `Allas,' thoghte I, `y kan no red; [1188] And but I telle hir, I [nam] but ded; [1189] And yif I telle hyr, to seye ryght soth, [1190] I am adred she wol be wroth. [1191] Allas, what shal I thanne do?' [1192] "In this debat I was so wo [1193] Me thoghte myn herte braste atweyne! [1194] So at the laste, soth to sayne, [1195] I bethoghte me that Nature [1196] Ne formed never in creature [1197] So moche beaute, trewely, [1198] And bounte, wythoute mercy. [1199] In hope of that, my tale I tolde [1200] With sorwe, as that I never sholde, [1201] For nedes, and mawgree my hed, [1202] I most have told hir or be ded. [1203] I not wel how that I began; [1204] Ful evel rehersen hyt I kan; [1205] And eke, as helpe me God withal, [1206] I trowe hyt was in the dismal, [1207] That was the ten woundes of Egipte -- [1208] For many a word I over-skipte [1209] In my tale, for pure fere [1210] Lest my wordes mysset were. [1211] With sorweful herte and woundes dede, [1212] Softe and quakynge for pure drede [1213] And shame, and styntynge in my tale [1214] For ferde, and myn hewe al pale -- [1215] Ful ofte I wex bothe pale and red -- [1216] Bowynge to hir, I heng the hed; [1217] I durste nat ones loke hir on, [1218] For wit, maner, and al was goon. [1219] I seyde `Mercy!' and no more. [1220] Hyt nas no game; hyt sat me sore. [1221] "So at the laste, soth to seyn, [1222] Whan that myn hert was come ageyn, [1223] To telle shortly al my speche, [1224] With hool herte I gan hir beseche [1225] That she wolde be my lady swete; [1226] And swor, and gan hir hertely hete [1227] Ever to be stedfast and trewe, [1228] And love hir alwey fresshly newe, [1229] And never other lady have, [1230] And al hir worship for to save [1231] As I best koude. I swor hir this: [1232] `For youres is alle that ever ther ys [1233] For evermore, myn herte swete! [1234] And never to false yow, but I mete, [1235] I nyl, as wys God helpe me soo!' [1236] "And whan I had my tale y-doo, [1237] God wot, she acounted nat a stree [1238] Of al my tale, so thoghte me. [1239] To telle shortly ryght as hyt ys, [1240] Trewly hir answere hyt was this -- [1241] I kan not now wel counterfete [1242] Hir wordes, but this was the grete [1243] Of hir answere: she sayde `Nay' [1244] Al outerly. Allas, that day [1245] The sorowe I suffred and the woo [1246] That trewly Cassandra, that soo [1247] Bewayled the destruccioun [1248] Of Troye and of Ilyoun, [1249] Had never swich sorwe as I thoo. [1250] I durste no more say thertoo [1251] For pure fere, but stal away; [11-ch] 1252 And thus I lyved ful many a day, [1253] That trewely I hadde no ned [1254] Ferther than my beddes hed [1255] Never a day to seche sorwe; [1256] I fond hyt redy every morwe, [1257] For-why I loved hyr in no gere. [1258] "So hit befel, another yere [1259] I thoughte ones I wolde fonde [1260] To do hir knowe and understonde [1261] My woo; and she wel understod [1262] That I ne wilned thyng but god, [1263] And worship, and to kepe hir name [1264] Over alle thynges, and drede hir shame, [1265] And was so besy hyr to serve, [1266] And pitee were I shulde sterve, [1267] Syth that I wilned noon harm, ywis. [1268] So whan my lady knew al this, [1269] My lady yaf me al hooly [1270] The noble yifte of hir mercy, [1271] Savynge hir worship by al weyes -- [1272] Dredles, I mene noon other weyes. [1273] And therwith she yaf me a ryng; [1274] I trowe hyt was the firste thyng; [1275] But if myn herte was ywaxe [1276] Glad, that is no nede to axe! [1277] As helpe me God, I was as blyve [1278] Reysed as fro deth to lyve -- [1279] Of al happes the alderbeste, [1280] The gladdest, and the moste at reste. [1281] For trewely that swete wyght, [1282] Whan I had wrong and she the ryght, [11-ch] 1283 She wolde alway so goodly [1284] Foryeve me so debonairly. [1285] In al my yowthe, in al chaunce, [1286] She took me in hir governaunce. [1287] Therwyth she was alway so trewe [1288] Our joye was ever ylyche newe; [1289] Oure hertes wern so evene a payre [1290] That never nas that oon contrayre [1291] To that other for no woo. [1292] For sothe, ylyche they suffred thoo [1293] Oo blysse and eke oo sorwe bothe; [1294] Ylyche they were bothe glad and wrothe; [1295] Al was us oon, withoute were. [1296] And thus we lyved ful many a yere [1297] So wel I kan nat telle how." [1298] "Sir," quod I, "where is she now?" [1299] "Now?" quod he, and stynte anoon. [1300] Therwith he wax as ded as stoon [1301] And seyde, "Allas, that I was bore! [1302] That was the los that here-before [1303] I tolde the that I hadde lorn. [1304] Bethenke how I seyde here-beforn, [1305] `Thow wost ful lytel what thow menest; [1306] I have lost more than thow wenest.' [1307] God wot, allas! Ryght that was she!" [1308] "Allas, sir, how? What may that be?" [1309] "She ys ded!" "Nay!" "Yis, be my trouthe!" [1310] "Is that youre los? Be God, hyt ys routhe!" [1311] And with that word ryght anoon [1312] They gan to strake forth; al was doon, [1313] For that tyme, the hert-huntyng. [1314] With that me thoghte that this kyng [1315] Gan homwarde for to ryde [1316] Unto a place, was there besyde, [1317] Which was from us but a lyte -- [1318] A long castel with walles white, [1319] Be Seynt Johan, on a ryche hil, [1320] As me mette; but thus hyt fil. [1321] Ryght thus me mette, as I yow telle, [1322] That in the castell ther was a belle, [1323] As hyt hadde smyten houres twelve. [1324] Therwyth I awook myselve [1325] And fond me lyinge in my bed; [1326] And the book that I hadde red, [1327] Of Alcione and Seys the kyng, [1328] And of the goddes of slepyng, [1329] I fond hyt in myn hond ful even. [1330] Thoghte I, "Thys ys so queynt a sweven [1331] That I wol, be processe of tyme, [1332] Fonde to put this sweven in ryme [1333] As I kan best, and that anoon." [1334] This was my sweven; now hit ys doon. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Other Works The House of Fame [1] God turne us every drem to goode! [2] For hyt is wonder, be the roode, [3] To my wyt, what causeth swevenes [4] Eyther on morwes or on evenes, [5] And why th' effect folweth of somme, [6] And of somme hit shal never come; [7] Why that is an avision [8] And why this a revelacion, [9] Why this a drem, why that a sweven, [10] And noght to every man lyche even; [11] Why this a fantome, why these oracles, [12] I not; but whoso of these miracles [13] The causes knoweth bet then I, [14] Devyne he, for I certeinly [15] Ne kan hem noght, ne never thinke [16] To besily my wyt to swinke [17] To knowe of hir signifiaunce [18] The gendres, neyther the distaunce [19] Of tymes of hem, ne the causes, [20] Or why this more then that cause is -- [21] As yf folkys complexions [22] Make hem dreme of reflexions, [23] Or ellys thus, as other sayn, [24] For to gret feblenesse of her brayn, [25] By abstinence or by seknesse, [26] Prison-stewe or gret distresse, [27] Or ellys by dysordynaunce [28] Of naturel acustumaunce, [29] That som man is to curious [30] In studye, or melancolyous, [31] Or thus so inly ful of drede [32] That no man may hym bote bede; [33] Or elles that devocion [34] Of somme, and contemplacion [35] Causeth suche dremes ofte; [36] Or that the cruel lyf unsofte [37] Which these ilke lovers leden [38] That hopen over-muche or dreden, [39] That purely her impressions [40] Causeth hem avisions; [41] Or yf that spirites have the myght [42] To make folk to dreme a-nyght; [43] Or yf the soule of propre kynde [44] Be so parfit, as men fynde, [45] That yt forwot that ys to come, [46] And that hyt warneth alle and some [47] Of everych of her aventures [48] Be avisions or be figures, [49] But that oure flessh ne hath no myght [50] To understonde hyt aryght, [51] For hyt is warned to derkly -- [52] But why the cause is, noght wot I. [53] Wel worth of this thyng grete clerkys [54] That trete of this and other werkes, [55] For I of noon opinion [56] Nyl as now make mensyon, [57] But oonly that the holy roode [58] Turne us every drem to goode! [59] For never sith that I was born, [60] Ne no man elles me beforn, [61] Mette, I trowe stedfastly, [62] So wonderful a drem as I [63] The tenthe day now of Decembre, [64] The which, as I kan now remembre, [65] I wol yow tellen everydel. [66] But at my gynnynge, trusteth wel, [67] I wol make invocacion, [68] With special devocion, [69] Unto the god of slep anoon, [70] That duelleth in a cave of stoon [71] Upon a strem that cometh fro Lete, [72] That is a flood of helle unswete, [73] Besyde a folk men clepeth Cymerie -- [74] There slepeth ay this god unmerie [75] With his slepy thousand sones, [76] That alwey for to slepe hir wone is. [77] And to this god that I of rede [78] Prey I that he wol me spede [79] My sweven for to telle aryght, [80] Yf every drem stonde in his myght. [81] And he that mover ys of al, [82] That is and was and ever shal, [83] So yive hem joye that hyt here [84] Of alle that they dreme to-yere, [85] And for to stonden alle in grace [86] Of her loves, or in what place [87] That hem were levest for to stonde, [88] And shelde hem fro poverte and shonde, [89] And from unhap and ech disese, [90] And sende hem al that may hem plese, [91] That take hit wel and skorne hyt noght, [92] Ne hyt mysdemen in her thoght [93] Thorgh malicious entencion. [94] And whoso thorgh presumpcion, [95] Or hate, or skorn, or thorgh envye, [96] Dispit, or jape, or vilanye, [97] Mysdeme hyt, pray I Jesus God [98] That (dreme he barefot, dreme he shod), [99] That every harm that any man [100] Hath had syth the world began [101] Befalle hym therof or he sterve, [102] And graunte he mote hit ful deserve, [103] Lo, with such a conclusion [104] As had of his avision [105] Cresus, that was kyng of Lyde, [106] That high upon a gebet dyde. [107] This prayer shal he have of me; [108] I am no bet in charyte! [109] Now herkeneth, as I have yow seyd, [110] What that I mette or I abreyd. [111] Of Decembre the tenthe day, [112] Whan hit was nyght to slepe I lay [113] Ryght ther as I was wont to done, [114] And fil on slepe wonder sone, [115] As he that wery was forgo [116] On pilgrymage myles two [117] To the corseynt Leonard, [118] To make lythe of that was hard. [119] But as I slepte, me mette I was [120] Withyn a temple ymad of glas, [121] In which ther were moo ymages [122] Of gold, stondynge in sondry stages, [123] And moo ryche tabernacles, [124] And with perre moo pynacles, [125] And moo curiouse portreytures, [126] And queynte maner of figures [127] Of olde werk, then I saugh ever. [128] For certeynly, I nyste never [129] Wher that I was, but wel wyste I [130] Hyt was of Venus redely, [131] The temple; for in portreyture [132] I sawgh anoon-ryght hir figure [133] Naked fletynge in a see, [134] And also on hir hed, pardee, [135] Hir rose garlond whit and red, [136] And hir comb to kembe hyr hed, [137] Hir dowves, and daun Cupido [138] Hir blynde sone, and Vulcano, [139] That in his face was ful broun. [140] But as I romed up and doun, [141] I fond that on a wall ther was [142] Thus writen on a table of bras: [143] "I wol now synge, yif I kan, [144] The armes and also the man [145] That first cam, thurgh his destinee, [146] Fugityf of Troy contree, [147] In Itayle, with ful moche pyne [148] Unto the strondes of Lavyne." [149] And tho began the story anoon, [150] As I shal telle yow echon. [151] First sawgh I the destruction [152] Of Troye thurgh the Grek Synon, [153] [That] with his false forswerynge, [154] And his chere and his lesynge, [155] Made the hors broght into Troye, [156] Thorgh which Troyens loste al her joye. [157] And aftir this was grave, allas, [158] How Ilyon assayled was [159] And wonne, and kyng Priam yslayn [160] And Polytes his sone, certayn, [161] Dispitously, of daun Pirrus. [162] And next that sawgh I how Venus, [163] Whan that she sawgh the castel brende, [164] Doun fro the heven gan descende, [165] And bad hir sone Eneas flee; [166] And how he fledde, and how that he [167] Escaped was from al the pres, [168] And took his fader Anchises, [169] And bar hym on hys bak away, [170] Cryinge, "Allas, and welaway!" [171] The whiche Anchises in hys hond [172] Bar the goddes of the lond, [173] Thilke that unbrende were. [174] And I saugh next, in al thys fere, [175] How Creusa, daun Eneas wif, [176] Which that he lovede as hys lyf, [177] And hir yonge sone Iulo, [178] And eke Askanius also, [179] Fledden eke with drery chere, [180] That hyt was pitee for to here; [181] And in a forest as they wente, [182] At a turnynge of a wente, [183] How Creusa was ylost, allas, [184] That ded, not I how, she was; [185] How he hir soughte, and how hir gost [186] Bad hym to flee the Grekes host, [187] And seyde he moste unto Itayle, [188] As was hys destinee, sauns faille; [189] That hyt was pitee for to here, [190] When hir spirit gan appere, [191] The wordes that she to hym seyde, [192] And for to kepe hir sone hym preyde. [193] Ther sawgh I graven eke how he, [194] Hys fader eke, and his meynee, [195] With hys shippes gan to saylle [196] Towardes the contree of Itaylle [197] As streight as that they myghte goo. [198] Ther saugh I thee, cruel Juno, [199] That art daun Jupiteres wif, [200] That hast yhated al thy lyf [201] Al the Troianysshe blood, [202] Renne and crye as thou were wood [203] On Eolus, the god of wyndes, [204] To blowen oute, of alle kyndes, [205] So lowde that he shulde drenche [206] Lord and lady, grom and wenche, [207] Of al the Troian nacion, [208] Withoute any savacion. [209] Ther saugh I such tempeste aryse [210] That every herte myght agryse [211] To see hyt peynted on the wal. [212] Ther saugh I graven eke withal, [213] Venus, how ye, my lady dere, [214] Wepynge with ful woful chere, [215] Prayen Jupiter on hye [216] To save and kepe that navye [217] Of the Troian Eneas, [218] Syth that he hir sone was. [219] Ther saugh I Joves Venus kysse, [220] And graunted of the tempest lysse. [221] Ther saugh I how the tempest stente, [222] And how with alle pyne he wente, [223] And prively tok arryvage [224] In the contree of Cartage; [225] And on the morwe, how that he [226] And a knyght highte Achate [227] Mette with Venus that day, [228] Goynge in a queynt array [229] As she had ben an hunteresse, [230] With wynd blowynge upon hir tresse; [231] How Eneas gan hym to pleyne, [232] When that he knew hir, of his peyne; [233] And how his shippes dreynte were, [234] Or elles lost, he nyste where; [235] How she gan hym comforte thoo, [236] And bad hym to Cartage goo, [237] And ther he shulde his folk fynde, [238] That in the see were left behynde. [239] And, shortly of this thyng to pace, [240] She made Eneas so in grace [241] Of Dido, quene of that contree, [242] That, shortly for to tellen, she [243] Becam hys love and let him doo [244] Al that weddynge longeth too. [245] What shulde I speke more queynte, [246] Or peyne me my wordes peynte [247] To speke of love? Hyt wol not be; [248] I kan not of that faculte. [249] And eke to telle the manere [250] How they aqueynteden in fere, [251] Hyt were a long proces to telle, [252] And over-long for yow to dwelle. [253] Ther sawgh I grave how Eneas [254] Tolde Dido every caas [255] That hym was tyd upon the see. [256] And after grave was how shee [257] Made of hym shortly at oo word [258] Hyr lyf, hir love, hir lust, hir lord, [259] And dide hym al the reverence [260] And leyde on hym al the dispence [261] That any woman myghte do, [262] Wenynge hyt had al be so [263] As he hir swor; and herby demed [264] That he was good, for he such semed. [265] Allas! what harm doth apparence, [266] Whan hit is fals in existence! [267] For he to hir a traytour was; [268] Wherfore she slow hirself, allas! [269] Loo, how a woman doth amys [270] To love hym that unknowen ys. [271] For, be Cryste, lo, thus yt fareth. [272] "Hyt is not al gold that glareth." [273] For also browke I wel myn hed, [274] Ther may be under godlyhed [275] Kevered many a shrewed vice. [276] Therfore be no wyght so nyce [277] To take a love oonly for chere, [278] Or speche, or for frendly manere, [279] For this shal every woman fynde, [280] That som man, of his pure kynde, [281] Wol shewen outward the fayreste, [282] Tyl he have caught that what him leste; [283] And thanne wol he causes fynde [284] And swere how that she ys unkynde, [285] Or fals, or privy, or double was. [286] Al this seye I be Eneas [287] And Dido, and hir nyce lest, [288] That loved al to sone a gest; [289] Therfore I wol seye a proverbe, [290] That "he that fully knoweth th' erbe [291] May saufly leye hyt to his ye" -- [292] Withoute drede, this ys no lye. [293] But let us speke of Eneas, [294] How he betrayed hir, allas, [295] And lefte hir ful unkyndely. [296] So when she saw al utterly [297] That he wolde hir of trouthe fayle, [298] And wende fro hir to Itayle, [299] She gan to wringe hir hondes two. [300] "Allas," quod she, "what me ys woo! [301] Allas, is every man thus trewe, [302] That every yer wolde have a newe, [303] Yf hit so longe tyme dure, [304] Or elles three, peraventure? [305] As thus: of oon he wolde have fame [306] In magnyfyinge of hys name; [307] Another for frendshippe, seyth he; [308] And yet ther shal the thridde be [309] That shal be take for delyt, [310] Loo, or for synguler profit"" [311] In suche wordes gan to pleyne [312] Dydo of hir grete peyne, [313] As me mette redely -- [314] Non other auctour alegge I. [315] "Allas!" quod she, "my swete herte, [316] Have pitee on my sorwes smerte, [317] And slee mee not! Goo noght awey! [318] O woful Dido, wel-away!" [319] Quod she to hirselve thoo. [320] "O Eneas, what wol ye doo? [321] O that your love, ne your bond [322] That ye have sworn with your ryght hond, [323] Ne my crewel deth," quod she, [324] "May holde yow stille here with me! [325] O haveth of my deth pitee! [326] Iwys, my dere herte, ye [327] Knowen ful wel that never yit, [328] As ferforth as I hadde wyt, [329] Agylte [I] yow in thoght ne dede. [330] O, have ye men such godlyhede [331] In speche, and never a del of trouthe? [332] Allas, that ever hadde routhe [333] Any woman on any man! [334] Now see I wel, and telle kan, [335] We wrechched wymmen konne noon art; [336] For certeyn, for the more part, [337] Thus we be served everychone. [338] How sore that ye men konne groone, [339] Anoon as we have yow receyved, [340] Certaynly we ben deceyvyd! [341] For, though your love laste a seson, [342] Wayte upon the conclusyon, [343] And eke how that ye determynen, [344] And for the more part diffynen. [345] "O wel-awey that I was born! [346] For thorgh yow is my name lorn, [347] And alle myn actes red and songe [348] Over al thys lond, on every tonge. [349] O wikke Fame! -- for ther nys [350] Nothing so swift, lo, as she is. [351] O, soth ys, every thing ys wyst, [352] Though hit be kevered with the myst. [353] Eke, though I myghte duren ever, [354] That I have don rekever I never, [355] That I ne shal be seyd, allas, [356] Yshamed be thourgh Eneas, [357] And that I shal thus juged be: [358] `Loo, ryght as she hath don, now she [359] Wol doo eft-sones, hardely' -- [360] Thus seyth the peple prively." [361] But that is don, is not to done; [362] Al hir compleynt ne al hir moone, [363] Certeyn, avayleth hir not a stre. [364] And when she wiste sothly he [365] Was forth unto his shippes goon, [366] She into hir chambre wente anoon, [367] And called on hir suster Anne, [368] And gan hir to compleyne thanne, [369] And seyde that she cause was [370] That she first loved him, allas, [371] And thus counseylled hir thertoo. [372] But what! When this was seyd and doo, [373] She rof hirselve to the herte [374] And deyde thorgh the wounde smerte. [375] And al the maner how she deyde, [376] And alle the wordes that she seyde, [377] Whoso to knowe hit hath purpos, [378] Rede Virgile in Eneydos [379] Or the Epistle of Ovyde, [380] What that she wrot or that she dyde; [381] And nere hyt to long to endyte, [382] Be God, I wolde hyt here write. [383] But wel-away, the harm, the routhe, [384] That hath betyd for such untrouthe, [385] As men may ofte in bokes rede, [386] And al day sen hyt yet in dede, [387] That for to thynken hyt, a tene is. [388] Loo Demophon, duk of Athenys, [389] How he forswor hym ful falsly, [390] And traysed Phillis wikkidly, [391] That kynges doghtre was of Trace, [392] And falsly gan hys terme pace; [393] And when she wiste that he was fals, [394] She heng hirself ryght be the hals, [395] For he had doon hir such untrouthe. [396] Loo, was not this a woo and routhe? [397] Eke lo how fals and reccheles [398] Was to Breseyda Achilles, [399] And Paris to Oenone, [400] And Jason to Isiphile, [401] And eft Jason to Medea, [402] And Ercules to Dyanira, [403] For he left hir for Yole, [404] That made hym cache his deth, parde. [405] How fals eke was he Theseus, [406] That, as the story telleth us, [407] How he betrayed Adriane -- [408] The devel be hys soules bane! [409] For had he lawghed, had he loured, [410] He moste have ben al devoured, [411] Yf Adriane ne had ybe. [412] And for she had of hym pite, [413] She made hym fro the deth escape, [414] And he made hir a ful fals jape; [415] For aftir this, withyn a while, [416] He lefte hir slepynge in an ile [417] Desert allone, ryght in the se, [418] And stal away and let hir be, [419] And took hir suster Phedra thoo [420] With him, and gan to shippe goo. [421] And yet he had yswore to here [422] On al that ever he myghte swere [423] That, so she saved hym hys lyf, [424] He wolde have take hir to hys wif; [425] For she desired nothing ellis, [426] In certeyn, as the book us tellis. [427] But to excusen Eneas [428] Fullyche of al his grete trespas, [429] The book seyth Mercurie, sauns fayle, [430] Bad hym goo into Itayle, [431] And leve Auffrikes regioun, [432] And Dido and hir faire toun. [433] Thoo sawgh I grave how to Itayle [434] Daun Eneas is goo to sayle; [435] And how the tempest al began, [436] And how he loste hys sterisman, [437] Which that the stere, or he tok kep, [438] Smot over bord, loo, as he slep. [439] And also sawgh I how Sybile [440] And Eneas, besyde an yle, [441] To helle wente for to see [442] His fader, Anchyses the free; [443] How he ther fond Palinurus, [444] And Dido, and eke Deiphebus; [445] And every turment eke in helle [446] Saugh he, which is longe to telle; [447] Which whoso willeth for to knowe, [448] He moste rede many a rowe [449] On Virgile or on Claudian, [450] Or Daunte, that hit telle kan. [451] Tho saugh I grave al the aryvayle [452] That Eneas had in Itayle; [453] And with kyng Latyne hys tretee [454] And alle the batayles that hee [455] Was at hymself, and eke hys knyghtis, [456] Or he had al ywonne his ryghtis; [457] And how he Turnus reft his lyf, [458] And wan Lavina to his wif; [459] And alle the mervelous signals [460] Of the goddys celestials; [461] How, mawgree Juno, Eneas, [462] For al hir sleight and hir compas, [463] Acheved al his aventure, [464] For Jupiter took of hym cure [465] At the prayer of Venus -- [466] The whiche I preye alwey save us, [467] And us ay of oure sorwes lyghte! [468] When I had seen al this syghte [469] In this noble temple thus, [470] "A, Lord," thoughte I, "that madest us, [471] Yet sawgh I never such noblesse [472] Of ymages, ne such richesse, [473] As I saugh graven in this chirche; [474] But not wot I whoo did hem wirche, [475] Ne where I am, ne in what contree. [476] But now wol I goo out and see, [477] Ryght at the wiket, yf y kan [478] See owhere any stiryng man [479] That may me telle where I am." [480] When I out at the dores cam, [481] I faste aboute me beheld. [482] Then sawgh I but a large feld, [483] As fer as that I myghte see, [484] Withouten toun, or hous, or tree, [485] Or bush, or grass, or eryd lond; [486] For al the feld nas but of sond [487] As smal as man may se yet lye [488] In the desert of Lybye. [489] Ne no maner creature [490] That ys yformed be Nature [491] Ne sawgh I, me to rede or wisse. [492] "O Crist," thoughte I, "that art in blysse, [493] Fro fantome and illusion [494] Me save!" And with devocion [495] Myn eyen to the hevene I caste. [496] Thoo was I war, lo, at the laste, [497] That faste be the sonne, as hye [498] As kenne myghte I with myn ye, [499] Me thoughte I sawgh an egle sore, [500] But that hit semed moche more [501] Then I had any egle seyn. [502] But this as sooth as deth, certeyn, [503] Hyt was of gold, and shon so bryghte [504] That never sawe men such a syghte, [505] But yf the heven had ywonne [506] Al newe of gold another sonne; [507] So shone the egles fethers bryghte, [508] And somwhat dounward gan hyt lyghte. [509] Now herkeneth every maner man [510] That Englissh understonde kan [511] And [listeth. of my drem to lere, [512] For now at erste shul ye here [513] So sely an avisyon, [514] That Isaye, ne Scipion, [515] Ne kyng Nabugodonosor, [516] Pharoo, Turnus, ne Elcanor, [517] Ne mette such a drem as this. [518] Now faire blisfull, O Cipris, [519] So be my favour at this tyme! [520] And ye, me to endite and ryme [521] Helpeth, that on Parnaso duelle, [522] Be Elicon, the clere welle. [523] O Thought, that wrot al that I mette, [524] And in the tresorye hyt shette [525] Of my brayn, now shal men se [526] Yf any vertu in the be [527] To tellen al my drem aryght. [528] Now kythe thyn engyn and myght! [529] This egle, of which I have yow told, [530] That shon with fethres as of gold, [531] Which that so hye gan to sore, [532] I gan beholde more and more [533] To se the beaute and the wonder; [534] But never was ther dynt of thonder, [535] Ne that thyng that men calle fouder, [536] That smot somtyme a tour to powder [537] And in his swifte comynge brende, [538] That so swithe gan descende [539] As this foul, when hyt beheld [540] That I a-roume was in the feld. [541] And with hys grymme pawes stronge, [542] Withyn hys sharpe nayles longe, [543] Me, fleynge, in a swap he hente, [544] And with hys sours ayen up wente, [545] Me caryinge in his clawes starke [546] As lyghtly as I were a larke, [547] How high, I can not telle yow, [548] For I cam up, y nyste how. [549] For so astonyed and asweved [550] Was every vertu in my heved, [551] What with his sours and with my drede, [552] That al my felynge gan to dede, [553] For-whi hit was to gret affray. [554] Thus I longe in hys clawes lay, [555] Til at the laste he to me spak [556] In mannes vois, and seyde, "Awak! [557] And be not agast so, for shame!" [558] And called me tho by my name, [559] And for I shulde the bet abreyde, [560] Me mette "Awak," to me he seyde [561] Ryght in the same vois and stevene [562] That useth oon I koude nevene; [563] And with that vois, soth for to seyn, [564] My mynde cam to me ageyn, [565] For hyt was goodly seyd to me, [566] So nas hyt never wont to be. [567] And here-withal I gan to stere, [568] And he me in his fet to bere, [569] Til that he felte that I had hete, [570] And felte eke tho myn herte bete. [571] And thoo gan he me to disporte, [572] And with wordes to comforte, [573] And sayde twyes, "Seynte Marye, [574] Thou art noyous for to carye! [575] And nothyng nedeth it, pardee, [576] For also wis God helpe me, [577] As thou noon harm shalt have of this; [578] And this caas that betyd the is, [579] Is for thy lore and for thy prow. [580] Let see! Darst thou yet loke now? [581] Be ful assured, boldely, [582] I am thy frend." And therwith I [583] Gan for to wondren in my mynde. [584] "O God," thoughte I, "that madest kynde, [585] Shal I noon other weyes dye? [586] Wher Joves wol me stellyfye, [587] Or what thing may this sygnifye? [588] I neyther am Ennok, ne Elye, [589] Ne Romulus, ne Ganymede, [590] That was ybore up, as men rede, [591] To hevene with daun Jupiter, [592] And mad the goddys botiller." [593] Loo, this was thoo my fantasye. [594] But he that bar me gan espye [595] That I so thoughte, and seyde this: [596] "Thow demest of thyself amys, [597] For Joves ys not theraboute -- [598] I dar wel putte the out of doute -- [599] To make of the as yet a sterre; [600] But er I bere the moche ferre, [601] I wol the telle what I am, [602] And whider thou shalt, and why I cam [603] To do thys, so that thou take [604] Good herte, and not for fere quake." [605] "Gladly," quod I. "Now wel," quod he, [606] "First, I, that in my fet have the, [607] Of which thou hast a fere and wonder, [608] Am dwellynge with the god of thonder, [609] Which that men callen Jupiter, [610] That dooth me flee ful ofte fer [611] To do al hys comaundement. [612] And for this cause he hath me sent [613] To the. Now herke, be thy trouthe: [614] Certeyn, he hath of the routhe [615] That thou so longe trewely [616] Hast served so ententyfly [617] Hys blynde nevew Cupido, [618] And faire Venus also, [619] Withoute guerdon ever yit, [620] And never-the-lesse hast set thy wit -- [621] Although that in thy hed ful lyte is -- [622] To make bookys, songes, dytees, [623] In ryme or elles in cadence, [624] As thou best canst, in reverence [625] Of Love and of hys servantes eke, [626] That have hys servyse soght, and seke; [627] And peynest the to preyse hys art, [628] Although thou haddest never part. [629] Wherfore, also God me blesse, [630] Joves halt hyt gret humblesse [631] And vertu eke, that thou wolt make [632] A-nyght ful ofte thyn hed to ake [633] In thy studye, so thou writest, [634] And ever mo of love enditest, [635] In honour of hym and in preysynges, [636] And in his folkes furtherynges, [637] And in hir matere al devisest, [638] And noght hym nor his folk dispisest, [639] Although thou maist goo in the daunce [640] Of hem that hym lyst not avaunce. [641] "Wherfore, as I seyde, ywys, [642] Jupiter considereth this, [643] And also, beau sir, other thynges: [644] That is, that thou hast no tydynges [645] Of Loves folk yf they be glade, [646] Ne of noght elles that God made; [647] And noght oonly fro fer contree [648] That ther no tydynge cometh to thee, [649] But of thy verray neyghebores, [650] That duellen almost at thy dores, [651] Thou herist neyther that ne this; [652] For when thy labour doon al ys, [653] And hast mad alle thy rekenynges, [654] In stede of reste and newe thynges [655] Thou goost hom to thy hous anoon, [656] And, also domb as any stoon, [657] Thou sittest at another book [658] Tyl fully daswed ys thy look; [659] And lyvest thus as an heremyte, [660] Although thyn abstynence ys lyte. [661] "And therfore Joves, thorgh hys grace, [662] Wol that I bere the to a place [663] Which that hight the Hous of Fame, [664] To do the som disport and game, [665] In som recompensacion [666] Of labour and devocion [667] That thou hast had, loo causeles, [668] To Cupido the rechcheles. [669] And thus this god, thorgh his merite, [670] Wol with som maner thing the quyte, [671] So that thou wolt be of good chere. [672] For truste wel that thou shalt here, [673] When we be come there I seye, [674] Mo wonder thynges, dar I leye, [675] And of Loves folk moo tydynges, [676] Both sothe sawes and lesinges, [677] And moo loves newe begonne, [678] And longe yserved loves wonne, [679] And moo loves casuelly [680] That ben betyd, no man wot why, [681] But as a blynd man stert an hare; [682] And more jolytee and fare [683] While that they fynde love of stel, [684] As thinketh hem, and over-al wel; [685] Mo discordes, moo jelousies, [686] Mo murmures and moo novelries, [687] And moo dissymulacions, [688] And feyned reparacions, [689] And moo berdys in two houres [690] Withoute rasour or sisoures [691] Ymad then greynes be of sondes; [692] And eke moo holdynge in hondes, [693] And also moo renovelaunces [694] Of olde forleten aqueyntaunces; [695] Mo love-dayes and acordes [696] Then on instrumentes be cordes; [697] And eke of loves moo eschaunges [698] Then ever cornes were in graunges -- [699] Unnethe maistow trowen this?" [700] Quod he. "Noo, helpe me God so wys," [701] Quod I. "Noo? why?" quod he. "For hyt [702] Were impossible, to my wit, [703] Though that Fame had alle the pies [704] In al a realme, and alle the spies, [705] How that yet she shulde here al this, [706] Or they espie hyt." "O yis, yis!" [707] Quod he to me, "that kan I preve [708] Be reson worthy for to leve, [709] So that thou yeve thyn advertence [710] To understonde my sentence. [711] "First shalt thou here where she duelleth, [712] And so thyn oune bok hyt tellith. [713] Hir paleys stant, as I shal seye, [714] Ryght even in myddes of the weye [715] Betwixen hevene and erthe and see, [716] That what so ever in al these three [717] Is spoken, either privy or apert, [718] The way therto ys so overt, [719] And stant eke in so juste a place [720] That every soun mot to hyt pace; [721] Or what so cometh from any tonge, [722] Be hyt rouned, red, or songe, [723] Or spoke in suerte or in drede, [724] Certeyn, hyt moste thider nede. [725] "Now herkene wel, for-why I wille [726] Tellen the a propre skille [727] And a worthy demonstracion [728] In myn ymagynacion. [729] "Geffrey, thou wost ryght wel this, [730] That every kyndely thyng that is [731] Hath a kyndely stede ther he [732] May best in hyt conserved be; [733] Unto which place every thyng [734] Thorgh his kyndely enclynyng [735] Moveth for to come to [736] Whan that hyt is awey therfro; [737] As thus: loo, thou maist alday se [738] That any thing that hevy be, [739] As stoon, or led, or thyng of wighte, [740] And bere hyt never so hye on highte, [741] Lat goo thyn hand, hit falleth doun. [742] Ryght so seye I be fyr or soun, [743] Or smoke or other thynges lyghte; [744] Alwey they seke upward on highte, [745] While ech of hem is at his large: [746] Lyght thing upward, and dounward charge. [747] And for this cause mayst thou see [748] That every ryver to the see [749] Enclyned ys to goo by kynde, [750] And by these skilles, as I fynde, [751] Hath fyssh duellynge in flood and see, [752] And trees eke in erthe bee. [753] Thus every thing, by thys reson, [754] Hath his propre mansyon [755] To which hit seketh to repaire, [756] Ther-as hit shulde not apaire. [757] Loo, this sentence ys knowen kouth [758] Of every philosophres mouth, [759] As Aristotle and daun Platon, [760] And other clerkys many oon; [761] And to confirme my resoun, [762] Thou wost wel this, that spech is soun, [763] Or elles no man myghte hyt here; [764] Now herke what y wol the lere. [765] "Soun ys noght but eyr ybroken; [766] And every speche that ys spoken, [767] Lowd or pryvee, foul or fair, [768] In his substaunce ys but air; [769] For as flaumbe ys but lyghted smoke, [770] Ryght soo soun ys air ybroke. [771] But this may be in many wyse, [772] Of which I wil the twoo devyse, [773] As soun that cometh of pipe or harpe. [774] For whan a pipe is blowen sharpe [775] The air ys twyst with violence [776] And rent -- loo, thys ys my sentence. [777] Eke whan men harpe-strynges smyte, [778] Whether hyt be moche or lyte, [779] Loo, with the strok the ayr tobreketh. [780] And ryght so breketh it when men speketh. [781] Thus wost thou wel what thing is speche. [782] "Now hennesforth y wol the teche [783] How every speche, or noyse, or soun, [784] Thurgh hys multiplicacioun, [785] Thogh hyt were piped of a mous, [786] Mot nede come to Fames Hous. [787] I preve hyt thus -- take hede now -- [788] Be experience; for yf that thow [789] Throwe on water now a stoon, [790] Wel wost thou hyt wol make anoon [791] A litel roundell as a sercle, [792] Paraunter brod as a covercle; [793] And ryght anoon thow shalt see wel [794] That whel wol cause another whel, [795] And that the thridde, and so forth, brother, [796] Every sercle causynge other [797] Wydder than hymselve was; [798] And thus fro roundel to compas, [799] Ech aboute other goynge [800] Causeth of othres sterynge [801] And multiplyinge ever moo, [802] Til that hyt be so fer ygoo [803] That hyt at bothe brynkes bee. [804] Although thou mowe hyt not ysee [805] Above, hyt gooth yet alway under, [806] Although thou thenke hyt a gret wonder. [807] And whoso seyth of trouthe I varye, [808] Bid hym proven the contrarye. [809] And ryght thus every word, ywys, [810] That lowd or pryvee spoken ys, [811] Moveth first an ayr aboute, [812] And of thys movynge, out of doute, [813] Another ayr anoon ys meved; [814] As I have of the watir preved, [815] That every cercle causeth other, [816] Ryght so of ayr, my leve brother: [817] Everych ayr another stereth [818] More and more, and speche up bereth, [819] Or voys, or noyse, or word, or soun, [820] Ay through multiplicacioun, [821] Til hyt be atte Hous of Fame -- [822] Take yt in ernest or in game. [823] "Now have I told, yf thou have mynde, [824] How speche or soun, of pure kynde, [825] Enclyned ys upward to meve -- [826] This mayst thou fele wel I preve -- [827] And that same place, ywys, [828] That every thyng enclyned to ys [829] Hath his kyndelyche stede: [830] That sheweth hyt, withouten drede, [831] That kyndely the mansioun [832] Of every speche, of every soun, [833] Be hyt eyther foul or fair, [834] Hath hys kynde place in ayr. [835] And syn that every thyng that is [836] Out of hys kynde place, ywys, [837] Moveth thidder for to goo, [838] Yif hyt aweye be therfroo -- [839] As I have before preved the -- [840] Hyt seweth, every soun, parde, [841] Moveth kyndely to pace [842] Al up into his kyndely place. [843] And this place of which I telle, [844] Ther as Fame lyst to duelle, [845] Ys set amyddys of these three, [846] Heven, erthe, and eke the see, [847] As most conservatyf the soun. [848] Than ys this the conclusyoun: [849] That every speche of every man, [850] As y the telle first began, [851] Moveth up on high to pace [852] Kyndely to Fames place. [853] "Telle me this now feythfully, [854] Have y not preved thus symply, [855] Withoute any subtilite [856] Of speche, or gret prolixite [857] Of termes of philosophie, [858] Of figures of poetrie, [859] Or colours of rethorike? [860] Pardee, hit oughte the to lyke, [861] For hard langage and hard matere [862] Ys encombrous for to here [863] Attones; wost thou not wel this?" [864] And y answered and seyde, "Yis." [865] "A ha," quod he, "lo, so I can [866] Lewedly to a lewed man [867] Speke, and shewe hym swyche skiles [868] That he may shake hem be the biles, [869] So palpable they shulden be. [870] But telle me this, now praye y the, [871] How thinketh the my conclusyon?" [872] [Quod he]. "A good persuasion," [873] Quod I, "hyt is, and lyk to be [874] Ryght so as thou hast preved me." [875] "Be God," quod he, "and as I leve, [876] Thou shalt have yet, or hit be eve, [877] Of every word of thys sentence [878] A preve by experience, [879] And with thyne eres heren wel, [880] Top and tayl and everydel, [881] That every word that spoken ys [882] Cometh into Fames Hous, ywys, [883] As I have seyd; what wilt thou more?" [884] And with this word upper to sore [885] He gan, and seyde, "Be Seynt Jame, [886] Now wil we speken al of game!" [887] "How farest thou?" quod he to me. [888] "Wel," quod I. "Now see," quod he, [889] "By thy trouthe, yond adoun, [890] Wher that thou knowest any toun, [891] Or hous, or any other thing. [892] And whan thou hast of ought knowyng, [893] Looke that thou warne me, [894] And y anoon shal telle the [895] How fer that thou art now therfro." [896] And y adoun gan loken thoo, [897] And beheld feldes and playnes, [898] And now hilles, and now mountaynes, [899] Now valeyes, now forestes, [900] And now unnethes grete bestes, [901] Now ryveres, now citees, [902] Now tounes, and now grete trees, [903] Now shippes seyllynge in the see. [904] But thus sone in a while he [905] Was flowen fro the ground so hye [906] That al the world, as to myn ye, [907] No more semed than a prikke; [908] Or elles was the air so thikke [909] That y ne myghte not discerne. [910] With that he spak to me as yerne, [911] And seyde, "Seest thou any [toun] [912] Or ought thou knowest yonder doun?" [913] I sayde, "Nay." "No wonder nys," [914] Quod he, "for half so high as this [915] Nas Alixandre Macedo; [916] Ne the kyng, Daun Scipio, [917] That saw in drem, at poynt devys, [918] Helle and erthe and paradys; [919] Ne eke the wrechche Dedalus, [920] Ne his child, nyce Ykarus, [921] That fleigh so highe that the hete [922] Hys wynges malt, and he fel wete [923] In myd the see, and ther he dreynte, [924] For whom was maked moch compleynte. [925] "Now turn upward," quod he, "thy face, [926] And behold this large space, [927] This eyr, but loke thou ne be [928] Adrad of hem that thou shalt se, [929] For in this region, certeyn, [930] Duelleth many a citezeyn, [931] Of which that speketh Daun Plato; [932] These ben the eyryssh bestes, lo!" [933] And so saw y all that meynee [934] Boothe goon and also flee. [935] "Now," quod he thoo, "cast up thyn ye. [936] Se yonder, loo, the Galaxie, [937] Which men clepeth the Milky Wey [938] For hit ys whit (and somme, parfey, [939] Kallen hyt Watlynge Strete), [940] That ones was ybrent with hete, [941] Whan the sonnes sone the rede, [942] That highte Pheton, wolde lede [943] Algate hys fader carte, and gye. [944] The carte-hors gonne wel espye [945] That he koude no governaunce, [946] And gonne for to lepe and launce, [947] And beren hym now up, now doun, [948] Til that he sey the Scorpioun, [949] Which that in heven a sygne is yit. [950] And he for ferde loste hys wyt [951] Of that, and let the reynes gon [952] Of his hors; and they anoon [953] Gonne up to mounte and doun descende, [954] Til bothe the eyr and erthe brende, [955] Til Jupiter, loo, atte laste, [956] Hym slow, and fro the carte caste. [957] Loo, ys it not a gret myschaunce [958] To lete a fool han governaunce [959] Of thing that he can not demeyne?" [960] And with this word, soth for to seyne, [961] He gan alway upper to sore, [962] And gladded me ay more and more, [963] So feythfully to me spak he. [964] Tho gan y loken under me [965] And beheld the ayerissh bestes, [966] Cloudes, mystes, and tempestes, [967] Snowes, hayles, reynes, wyndes, [968] And th' engendrynge in hir kyndes, [969] All the wey thrugh which I cam. [970] "O God," quod y, "that made Adam, [971] Moche ys thy myght and thy noblesse!" [972] And thoo thoughte y upon Boece, [973] That writ, "A thought may flee so hye [974] Wyth fetheres of Philosophye, [975] To passen everych element, [976] And whan he hath so fer ywent, [977] Than may be seen behynde hys bak [978] Cloude" -- and al that y of spak. [979] Thoo gan y wexen in a were, [980] And seyde, "Y wot wel y am here, [981] But wher in body or in gost [982] I not, ywys, but God, thou wost," [983] For more clere entendement [984] Nas me never yit ysent. [985] And than thoughte y on Marcian, [986] And eke on Anteclaudian, [987] That sooth was her descripsion [988] Of alle the hevenes region, [989] As fer as that y sey the preve; [990] Therfore y kan hem now beleve. [991] With that this egle gan to crye, [992] "Lat be," quod he, "thy fantasye! [993] Wilt thou lere of sterres aught?" [994] "Nay, certeynly," quod y, "ryght naught." [995] "And why?" "For y am now to old." [996] "Elles I wolde the have told," [997] Quod he, "the sterres names, lo, [998] And al the hevenes sygnes therto, [999] And which they ben." "No fors," quod y. [1000] "Yis, pardee," quod he; "wostow why? [1001] For when thou redest poetrie, [1002] How goddes gonne stellifye [1003] Bridd, fissh, best, or him or here, [1004] As the Raven or eyther Bere, [1005] Or Arionis harpe fyn, [1006] Castor, Pollux, or Delphyn, [1007] Or Athalantes doughtres sevene, [1008] How alle these arn set in hevene; [1009] For though thou have hem ofte on honde, [1010] Yet nostow not wher that they stonde." [1011] "No fors," quod y, "hyt is no nede. [1012] I leve as wel, so God me spede, [1013] Hem that write of this matere, [1014] As though I knew her places here; [1015] And eke they shynen here so bryghte, [1016] Hyt shulde shenden al my syghte [1017] To loke on hem." "That may wel be," [1018] Quod he. And so forth bar he me [1019] A while, and than he gan to crye, [1020] That never herde I thing so hye, [1021] "Now up the hed, for al ys wel; [1022] Seynt Julyan, loo, bon hostel! [1023] Se here the Hous of Fame, lo! [1024] Maistow not heren that I do?" [1025] "What?" quod I. "The grete soun," [1026] Quod he, "that rumbleth up and doun [1027] In Fames Hous, full of tydynges, [1028] Bothe of feir speche and chidynges, [1029] And of fals and soth compouned. [1030] Herke wel; hyt is not rouned. [1031] Herestow not the grete swogh?" [1032] "Yis, parde," quod y, "wel ynogh." [1033] "And what soun is it lyk?" quod hee. [1034] "Peter, lyk betynge of the see," [1035] Quod y, "ayen the roches holowe, [1036] Whan tempest doth the shippes swalowe, [1037] And lat a man stonde, out of doute, [1038] A myle thens, and here hyt route; [1039] Or elles lyk the last humblynge [1040] After the clappe of a thundringe, [1041] Whan Joves hath the air ybete. [1042] But yt doth me for fere swete." [1043] "Nay, dred the not therof," quod he; [1044] "Hyt is nothing will byten the; [1045] Thou shalt non harm have trewely." [1046] And with this word both he and y [1047] As nygh the place arryved were [1048] As men may casten with a spere. [1049] Y nyste how, but in a strete [1050] He sette me fair on my fete, [1051] And seyde, "Walke forth a pas, [1052] And tak thyn aventure or cas [1053] That thou shalt fynde in Fames place." [1054] "Now," quod I, "while we han space [1055] To speke, or that I goo fro the, [1056] For the love of God, telle me -- [1057] In sooth, that wil I of the lere -- [1058] Yf thys noyse that I here [1059] Be, as I have herd the tellen, [1060] Of folk that doun in erthe duellen, [1061] And cometh here in the same wyse [1062] As I the herde or this devyse; [1063] And that there lives body nys [1064] In al that hous that yonder ys, [1065] That maketh al this loude fare." [1066] "Noo," quod he, "by Seynte Clare, [1067] And also wis God rede me; [1068] But o thing y will warne the, [1069] Of the whiche thou wolt have wonder. [1070] Loo, to the Hous of Fame yonder, [1071] Thou wost now how, cometh every speche -- [1072] Hyt nedeth noght eft the to teche. [1073] But understond now ryght wel this: [1074] Whan any speche ycomen ys [1075] Up to the paleys, anon-ryght [1076] Hyt wexeth lyk the same wight [1077] Which that the word in erthe spak, [1078] Be hyt clothed red or blak; [1079] And hath so verray hys lyknesse [1080] That spak the word, that thou wilt gesse [1081] That it the same body be, [1082] Man or woman, he or she. [1083] And ys not this a wonder thyng?" [1084] "Yis," quod I tho, "by heven kyng!" [1085] And with this word, "Farewel," quod he, [1086] "And here I wol abyden the; [1087] And God of heven sende the grace [1088] Some good to lernen in this place." [1089] And I of him tok leve anon, [1090] And gan forth to the paleys gon. [1091] O God of science and of lyght, [1092] Appollo, thurgh thy grete myght, [1093] This lytel laste bok thou gye! [1094] Nat that I wilne, for maistrye, [1095] Here art poetical be shewed, [1096] But for the rym ys lyght and lewed, [1097] Yit make hyt sumwhat agreable, [1098] Though som vers fayle in a sillable; [1099] And that I do no diligence [1100] To shewe craft, but o sentence. [1101] And yif, devyne vertu, thow [1102] Wilt helpe me to shewe now [1103] That in myn hed ymarked ys -- [1104] Loo, that is for to menen this, [1105] The Hous of Fame for to descryve -- [1106] Thou shalt se me go as blyve [1107] Unto the nexte laure y see, [1108] And kysse yt, for hyt is thy tree. [1109] Now entre in my brest anoon! [1110] Whan I was fro thys egle goon, [1111] I gan beholde upon this place. [1112] And certein, or I ferther pace, [1113] I wol yow al the shap devyse [1114] Of hous and [site], and al the wyse [1115] How I gan to thys place aproche [1116] That stood upon so hygh a roche, [1117] Hier stant ther non in Spayne. [1118] But up I clomb with alle payne, [1119] And though to clymbe it greved me, [1120] Yit I ententyf was to see, [1121] And for to powren wonder lowe, [1122] Yf I koude any weyes knowe [1123] What maner stoon this roche was. [1124] For hyt was lyk alum de glas, [1125] But that hyt shoon ful more clere; [1126] But of what congeled matere [1127] Hyt was, I nyste redely. [1128] But at the laste aspied I, [1129] And found that hit was every del [1130] A roche of yse, and not of stel. [1131] Thoughte I, "By Seynt Thomas of Kent, [1132] This were a feble fundament [1133] To bilden on a place hye. [1134] He ought him lytel glorifye [1135] That hereon bilt, God so me save!" [1136] Tho sawgh I al the half ygrave [1137] With famous folkes names fele, [1138] That had iben in mochel wele, [1139] And her fames wide yblowe. [1140] But wel unnethes koude I knowe [1141] Any lettres for to rede [1142] Hir names by; for, out of drede, [1143] They were almost ofthowed so [1144] That of the lettres oon or two [1145] Was molte away of every name, [1146] So unfamous was woxe hir fame. [1147] But men seyn, "What may ever laste?" [1148] Thoo gan I in myn herte caste [1149] That they were molte awey with hete, [1150] And not awey with stormes bete. [1151] For on that other syde I say [1152] Of this hil, that northward lay, [1153] How hit was writen ful of names [1154] Of folkes that hadden grete fames [1155] Of olde tyme, and yet they were [1156] As fressh as men had writen hem here [1157] The selve day ryght, or that houre [1158] That I upon hem gan to poure. [1159] But wel I wiste what yt made; [1160] Hyt was conserved with the shade [1161] Of a castel that stood on high -- [1162] Al this writynge that I sigh -- [1163] And stood eke on so cold a place [1164] That hete myghte hit not deface. [1165] Thoo gan I up the hil to goon, [1166] And fond upon the cop a woon, [1167] That al the men that ben on lyve [1168] Ne han the kunnynge to descrive [1169] The beaute of that ylke place, [1170] Ne coude casten no compace [1171] Swich another for to make, [1172] That myght of beaute ben hys make, [1173] Ne so wonderlych ywrought; [1174] That hit astonyeth yit my thought, [1175] And maketh al my wyt to swynke, [1176] On this castel to bethynke, [1177] So that the grete craft, beaute, [1178] The cast, the curiosite [1179] Ne kan I not to yow devyse; [1180] My wit ne may me not suffise. [1181] But natheles al the substance [1182] I have yit in my remembrance; [1183] For whi me thoughte, be Seynt Gyle, [1184] Al was of ston of beryle, [1185] Bothe the castel and the tour, [1186] And eke the halle and every bour, [1187] Wythouten peces or joynynges. [1188] But many subtil compassinges, [1189] [Babewynnes] and pynacles, [1190] Ymageries and tabernacles [1191] I say; and ful eke of wyndowes [1192] As flakes falle in grete snowes. [1193] And eke in ech of the pynacles [1194] Weren sondry habitacles, [1195] In which stoden, al withoute -- [1196] Ful the castel, al aboute -- [1197] Of alle maner of mynstralles [1198] And gestiours that tellen tales [1199] Both of wepinge and of game, [1200] Of al that longeth unto Fame. [1201] Ther herde I pleyen on an harpe, [1202] That sowned bothe wel and sharpe, [1203] Orpheus ful craftely, [1204] And on his syde, faste by, [1205] Sat the harper Orion, [1206] And Eacides Chiron, [1207] And other harpers many oon, [1208] And the Bret Glascurion; [1209] And smale harpers with her glees [1210] Sate under hem in dyvers sees, [1211] And gunne on hem upward to gape, [1212] And countrefete hem as an ape, [1213] Or as craft countrefeteth kynde. [1214] Tho saugh I stonden hem behynde, [1215] Afer fro hem, al be hemselve, [1216] Many thousand tymes twelve, [1217] That maden lowde mynstralcies [1218] In cornemuse and shalemyes, [1219] And many other maner pipe, [1220] That craftely begunne to pipe, [1221] Bothe in doucet and in rede, [1222] That ben at festes with the brede; [1223] And many flowte and liltyng horn, [1224] And pipes made of grene corn, [1225] As han thise lytel herde-gromes [1226] That kepen bestis in the bromes. [1227] Ther saugh I than Atiteris, [1228] And of Athenes daun Pseustis, [1229] And Marcia that loste her skyn, [1230] Bothe in face, body, and chyn, [1231] For that she wolde envien, loo, [1232] To pipen bet than Appolloo. [1233] Ther saugh I famous, olde and yonge, [1234] Pipers of the Duche tonge, [1235] To lerne love-daunces, sprynges, [1236] Reyes, and these straunge thynges. [1237] Tho saugh I in an other place [1238] Stonden in a large space, [1239] Of hem that maken blody soun [1240] In trumpe, beme, and claryoun; [1241] For in fight and blod-shedynge [1242] Ys used gladly clarionynge. [1243] Ther herde I trumpen Messenus, [1244] Of whom that speketh Virgilius. [1245] There herde I trumpe Joab also, [1246] Theodomas, and other mo; [1247] And alle that used clarion [1248] In Cataloigne and Aragon, [1249] That in her tyme famous were [1250] To lerne, saugh I trumpe there. [1251] There saugh I sitte in other sees, [1252] Pleyinge upon sondry glees, [1253] Whiche that I kan not nevene, [1254] Moo than sterres ben in hevene, [1255] Of whiche I nyl as now not ryme, [1256] For ese of yow and los of tyme. [1257] For tyme ylost, this knowen ye, [1258] Be no way may recovered be. [1259] Ther saugh I pleye jugelours, [1260] Magiciens, and tregetours, [1261] And Phitonesses, charmeresses, [1262] Olde wicches, sorceresses, [1263] That use exorsisacions, [1264] And eke these fumygacions; [1265] And clerkes eke, which konne wel [1266] Al this magik naturel, [1267] That craftely doon her ententes [1268] To make, in certeyn ascendentes, [1269] Ymages, lo, thrugh which magik [1270] To make a man ben hool or syk. [1271] Ther saugh I the, quene Medea, [1272] And Circes eke, and Calipsa; [1273] Ther saugh I Hermes Ballenus, [1274] Limote, and eke Symon Magus. [1275] There saugh I, and knew hem by name, [1276] That by such art don men han fame. [1277] Ther saugh I Colle tregetour [1278] Upon a table of sycamour [1279] Pleye an uncouth thyng to telle -- [1280] Y saugh him carien a wynd-melle [1281] Under a walsh-note shale. [1282] What shuld I make lenger tale [1283] Of alle the pepil y ther say, [1284] Fro hennes into domes day? [1285] Whan I had al this folk beholde, [1286] And fond me lous and nought yholde, [1287] And eft imused longe while [1288] Upon these walles of berile, [1289] That shoone ful lyghter than a glas [1290] And made wel more than hit was [1291] To semen every thing, ywis, [1292] As kynde thyng of Fames is, [1293] I gan forth romen til I fond [1294] The castel-yate on my ryght hond, [1295] Which that so wel corven was [1296] That never such another nas; [1297] And yit it was be aventure [1298] Iwrought, as often as be cure. [1299] Hyt nedeth noght yow more to tellen, [1300] To make yow to longe duellen, [1301] Of this yates florisshinges, [1302] Ne of compasses, ne of kervynges, [1303] Ne how they hatte in masoneries, [1304] As corbetz, ful of ymageries. [1305] But Lord, so fair yt was to shewe, [1306] For hit was al with gold behewe. [1307] But in I wente, and that anoon. [1308] Ther mette I cryinge many oon, [1309] "A larges, larges, hold up wel! [1310] God save the lady of thys pel, [1311] Our oune gentil lady Fame, [1312] And hem that wilnen to have name [1313] Of us!" Thus herde y crien alle, [1314] And faste comen out of halle [1315] And shoken nobles and sterlynges. [1316] And somme corouned were as kynges, [1317] With corounes wroght ful of losenges; [1318] And many ryban and many frenges [1319] Were on her clothes trewely. [1320] Thoo atte last aspyed y [1321] That pursevantes and heraudes, [1322] That crien ryche folkes laudes, [1323] Hyt weren alle; and every man [1324] Of hem, as y yow tellen can, [1325] Had on him throwen a vesture [1326] Which that men clepe a cote-armure, [1327] Enbrowded wonderliche ryche, [1328] Although they nere nought ylyche. [1329] But noght nyl I, so mote y thryve, [1330] Ben aboute to dyscryve [1331] Alle these armes that ther weren, [1332] That they thus on her cotes beren, [1333] For hyt to me were impossible; [1334] Men myghte make of hem a bible [1335] Twenty foot thykke, as y trowe. [1336] For certeyn, whoso koude iknowe [1337] Myghte ther alle the armes seen [1338] Of famous folk that han ybeen [1339] In Auffrike, Europe, and Asye, [1340] Syth first began the chevalrie. [1341] Loo, how shulde I now telle al thys? [1342] Ne of the halle eke what nede is [1343] To tellen yow that every wal [1344] Of hit, and flor, and roof, and al [1345] Was plated half a foote thikke [1346] Of gold, and that nas nothyng wikke, [1347] But for to prove in alle wyse, [1348] As fyn as ducat in Venyse, [1349] Of which to lite al in my pouche is. [1350] And they were set as thik of nouchis [1351] Ful of the fynest stones faire [1352] That men rede in the Lapidaire, [1353] As grasses growen in a mede. [1354] But hit were al to longe to rede [1355] The names, and therfore I pace. [1356] But in this lusty and ryche place [1357] That Fames halle called was, [1358] Ful moche prees of folk ther nas, [1359] Ne crowdyng for to mochil prees. [1360] But al on hye, above a dees, [1361] Sitte in a see imperiall, [1362] That mad was of a rubee all, [1363] Which that a carbuncle ys ycalled, [1364] Y saugh, perpetually ystalled, [1365] A femynyne creature, [1366] That never formed by Nature [1367] Nas such another thing yseye. [1368] For alther-first, soth for to seye, [1369] Me thoughte that she was so lyte [1370] That the lengthe of a cubite [1371] Was lengere than she semed be. [1372] But thus sone in a whyle she [1373] Hir tho so wonderliche streighte [1374] That with hir fet she erthe reighte, [1375] And with hir hed she touched hevene, [1376] Ther as shynen sterres sevene, [1377] And therto eke, as to my wit, [1378] I saugh a gretter wonder yit, [1379] Upon her eyen to beholde; [1380] But certeyn y hem never tolde, [1381] For as feele eyen hadde she [1382] As fetheres upon foules be, [1383] Or weren on the bestes foure [1384] That Goddis trone gunne honoure, [1385] As John writ in th' Apocalips. [1386] Hir heer, that oundy was and crips, [1387] As burned gold hyt shoon to see; [1388] And soth to tellen, also she [1389] Had also fele upstondyng eres [1390] And tonges, as on bestes heres; [1391] And on hir fet woxen saugh Y [1392] Partriches wynges redely. [1393] But Lord, the perry and the richesse [1394] I saugh sittyng on this godesse! [1395] And Lord, the hevenyssh melodye [1396] Of songes ful of armonye [1397] I herde aboute her trone ysonge, [1398] That al the paleys-walles ronge. [1399] So song the myghty Muse, she [1400] That cleped ys Caliope, [1401] And hir eighte sustren eke, [1402] That in her face semen meke; [1403] And ever mo, eternally, [1404] They songe of Fame, as thoo herd y: [1405] "Heryed be thou and thy name, [1406] Goddesse of Renoun or of Fame!" [1407] Tho was I war, loo, atte laste, [1408] As I myne eyen gan up caste, [1409] That thys ylke noble quene [1410] On her shuldres gan sustene [1411] Bothe th' armes and the name [1412] Of thoo that hadde large fame: [1413] Alexander and Hercules, [1414] That with a sherte hys lyf les. [1415] And thus fond y syttynge this goddesse [1416] In nobley, honour, and rychesse; [1417] Of which I stynte a while now, [1418] Other thing to tellen yow. [1419] Tho saugh I stonde on eyther syde, [1420] Streight doun to the dores wide, [1421] Fro the dees, many a peler [1422] Of metal that shoon not ful cler; [1423] But though they nere of no rychesse, [1424] Yet they were mad for gret noblesse, [1425] And in hem hy and gret sentence; [1426] And folk of digne reverence, [1427] Of which I wil yow telle fonde, [1428] Upon the piler saugh I stonde. [1429] Alderfirst, loo, ther I sigh [1430] Upon a piler stonde on high, [1431] That was of led and yren fyn, [1432] Hym of secte saturnyn, [1433] The Ebrayk Josephus the olde, [1434] That of Jewes gestes tolde; [1435] And he bar on hys shuldres hye [1436] The fame up of the Jewerye. [1437] And by hym stoden other sevene, [1438] Wise and worthy for to nevene, [1439] To helpen him bere up the charge, [1440] Hyt was so hevy and so large. [1441] And for they writen of batayles, [1442] As wel as other olde mervayles, [1443] Therfor was, loo, thys piler [1444] Of which that I yow telle her, [1445] Of led and yren bothe, ywys, [1446] For yren Martes metal ys, [1447] Which that god is of bataylle; [1448] And the led, withouten faille, [1449] Ys, loo, the metal of Saturne, [1450] That hath a ful large whel to turne. [1451] Thoo stoden forth on every rowe [1452] Of hem which that I koude knowe, [1453] Though I hem noght be ordre telle, [1454] To make yow to longe to duelle, [1455] These of whiche I gynne rede. [1456] There saugh I stonden, out of drede, [1457] Upon an yren piler strong [1458] That peynted was al endelong [1459] With tigres blod in every place, [1460] The Tholosan that highte Stace, [1461] That bar of Thebes up the fame [1462] Upon his shuldres, and the name [1463] Also of cruel Achilles. [1464] And by him stood, withouten les, [1465] Ful wonder hy on a piler [1466] Of yren, he, the gret Omer; [1467] And with him Dares and Tytus [1468] Before, and eke he Lollius, [1469] And Guydo eke de Columpnis, [1470] And Englyssh Gaufride eke, ywis; [1471] And ech of these, as have I joye, [1472] Was besy for to bere up Troye. [1473] So hevy therof was the fame [1474] That for to bere hyt was no game. [1475] But yet I gan ful wel espie, [1476] Betwex hem was a litil envye. [1477] Oon seyde that Omer made lyes, [1478] Feynynge in hys poetries, [1479] And was to Grekes favorable; [1480] Therfor held he hyt but fable. [1481] Tho saugh I stonde on a piler, [1482] That was of tynned yren cler, [1483] The Latyn poete Virgile, [1484] That bore hath up a longe while [1485] The fame of Pius Eneas. [1486] And next hym on a piler was, [1487] Of coper, Venus clerk Ovide, [1488] That hath ysowen wonder wide [1489] The grete god of Loves name. [1490] And ther he bar up wel hys fame [1491] Upon this piler, also hye [1492] As I myghte see hyt with myn ye; [1493] For-why this halle, of which I rede, [1494] Was woxen on highte, length, and brede, [1495] Wel more be a thousand del [1496] Than hyt was erst, that saugh I wel. [1497] Thoo saugh I on a piler by, [1498] Of yren wroght ful sternely, [1499] The grete poete daun Lucan, [1500] And on hys shuldres bar up than, [1501] As high as that y myghte see, [1502] The fame of Julius and Pompe. [1503] And by him stoden alle these clerkes [1504] That writen of Romes myghty werkes, [1505] That yf y wolde her names telle, [1506] Al to longe most I dwelle. [1507] And next him on a piler stood [1508] Of soulfre, lyk as he were wood, [1509] Daun Claudian, the sothe to telle, [1510] That bar up al the fame of helle, [1511] Of Pluto, and of Proserpyne, [1512] That quene ys of the derke pyne. [1513] What shulde y more telle of this? [1514] The halle was al ful, ywys, [1515] Of hem that writen olde gestes [1516] As ben on trees rokes nestes; [1517] But hit a ful confus matere [1518] Were alle the gestes for to here [1519] That they of write, or how they highte. [1520] But while that y beheld thys syghte, [1521] I herde a noyse aprochen blyve, [1522] That ferde as been don in an hive [1523] Ayen her tyme of out-fleynge; [1524] Ryght such a maner murmurynge, [1525] For al the world, hyt semed me. [1526] Tho gan I loke aboute and see [1527] That ther come entryng into the halle [1528] A ryght gret companye withalle, [1529] And that of sondry regiouns, [1530] Of alleskynnes condiciouns [1531] That dwelle in erthe under the mone, [1532] Pore and ryche. And also sone [1533] As they were come in to the halle, [1534] They gonne doun on knees falle [1535] Before this ilke noble quene, [1536] And seyde, "Graunte us, lady shene, [1537] Ech of us of thy grace a bone!" [1538] And somme of hem she graunted sone, [1539] And somme she werned wel and faire, [1540] And some she graunted the contraire [1541] Of her axyng outterly. [1542] But thus I seye yow, trewely, [1543] What her cause was, y nyste. [1544] For of this folk ful wel y wiste [1545] They hadde good fame ech deserved, [1546] Although they were dyversly served; [1547] Ryght as her suster, dame Fortune, [1548] Ys wont to serven in comune. [1549] Now herke how she gan to paye [1550] That gonne her of her grace praye; [1551] And yit, lo, al this companye [1552] Seyden sooth, and noght a lye. [1553] "Madame," seyde they, "we be [1554] Folk that here besechen the [1555] That thou graunte us now good fame, [1556] And let our werkes han that name. [1557] In ful recompensacioun [1558] Of good werkes, yive us good renoun." [1559] "I werne yow hit," quod she anon; [1560] "Ye gete of me good fame non, [1561] Be God, and therfore goo your wey." [1562] "Allas," quod they, "and welaway! [1563] Telle us what may your cause be." [1564] "For me lyst hyt noght," quod she; [1565] "No wyght shal speke of yow, ywis, [1566] Good ne harm, ne that ne this." [1567] And with that word she gan to calle [1568] Her messager, that was in halle, [1569] And bad that he shulde faste goon, [1570] Upon peyne to be blynd anon, [1571] For Eolus the god of wynde -- [1572] "In Trace, ther ye shal him fynde, [1573] And bid him bringe his clarioun, [1574] That is ful dyvers of his soun, [1575] And hyt is cleped Clere Laude, [1576] With which he wont is to heraude [1577] Hem that me list ypreised be. [1578] And also bid him how that he [1579] Brynge his other clarioun, [1580] That highte Sklaundre in every toun, [1581] With which he wont is to diffame [1582] Hem that me liste, and do hem shame." [1583] This messager gan faste goon, [1584] And found where in a cave of ston, [1585] In a contree that highte Trace, [1586] This Eolus, with harde grace, [1587] Held the wyndes in distresse, [1588] And gan hem under him to presse, [1589] That they gonne as beres rore, [1590] He bond and pressed hem so sore. [1591] This messager gan faste crie, [1592] "Rys up," quod he, "and faste hye, [1593] Til thou at my lady be; [1594] And tak thy clariouns eke with the, [1595] And sped the forth." And he anon [1596] Tok to a man that highte Triton [1597] Hys clarions to bere thoo, [1598] And let a certeyn wynd to goo, [1599] That blew so hydously and hye [1600] That hyt ne lefte not a skye [1601] In alle the welken long and brod. [1602] This Eolus nowhere abod [1603] Til he was come to Fames fet, [1604] And eke the man that Triton het; [1605] And ther he stod, as stille as stoon. [1606] And her-withal ther come anoon [1607] Another huge companye [1608] Of goode folk, and gunne crie, [1609] "Lady, graunte us now good fame, [1610] And lat oure werkes han that name [1611] Now in honour of gentilesse, [1612] And also God your soule blesse! [1613] For we han wel deserved hyt, [1614] Therfore is ryght that we ben quyt." [1615] "As thryve I," quod she, "ye shal faylle! [1616] Good werkes shal yow noght availle [1617] To have of me good fame as now. [1618] But wite ye what? Y graunte yow [1619] That ye shal have a shrewed fame, [1620] And wikkyd loos, and worse name, [1621] Though ye good loos have wel deserved. [1622] Now goo your wey, for ye be served. [1623] And thou, dan Eolus, let see, [1624] Tak forth thy trumpe anon," quod she, [1625] "That is ycleped Sklaundre lyght, [1626] And blow her loos, that every wight [1627] Speke of hem harm and shrewednesse [1628] In stede of good and worthynesse. [1629] For thou shalt trumpe alle the contrayre [1630] Of that they han don wel or fayre." [1631] "Allas," thoughte I, "what aventures [1632] Han these sory creatures! [1633] For they, amonges al the pres, [1634] Shul thus be shamed gilteles. [1635] But what, hyt moste nedes be." [1636] What dide this Eolus, but he [1637] Tok out hys blake trumpe of bras, [1638] That fouler than the devel was, [1639] And gan this trumpe for to blowe, [1640] As al the world shulde overthrowe, [1641] That thrughout every regioun [1642] Wente this foule trumpes soun, [1643] As swifte as pelet out of gonne [1644] Whan fyr is in the poudre ronne. [1645] And such a smoke gan out wende [1646] Out of his foule trumpes ende, [1647] Blak, bloo, grenyssh, swartish red, [1648] As doth where that men melte led, [1649] Loo, al on high fro the tuel. [1650] And therto oo thing saugh I wel, [1651] That the ferther that hit ran, [1652] The gretter wexen hit began, [1653] As dooth the ryver from a welle, [1654] And hyt stank as the pit of helle. [1655] Allas, thus was her shame yronge, [1656] And gilteles, on every tonge! [1657] Tho come the thridde companye, [1658] And gunne up to the dees to hye, [1659] And doun on knes they fille anon, [1660] And seyde, "We ben everychon [1661] Folk that han ful trewely [1662] Deserved fame ryghtfully, [1663] And praye yow, hit mote be knowe [1664] Ryght as hit is, and forth yblowe." [1665] "I graunte," quod she, "for me list [1666] That now your goode werkes be wist, [1667] And yet ye shul han better loos, [1668] Right in dispit of alle your foos, [1669] Than worthy is, and that anoon. [1670] Lat now," quod she, "thy trumpe goon, [1671] Thou Eolus, that is so blak; [1672] And out thyn other trumpe tak [1673] That highte Laude, and blow yt soo [1674] That thrugh the world her fame goo [1675] Al esely, and not to faste, [1676] That hyt be knowen atte laste." [1677] "Ful gladly, lady myn," he seyde; [1678] And out hys trumpe of gold he brayde [1679] Anon, and sette hyt to his mouth, [1680] And blew it est, and west, and south, [1681] And north, as lowde as any thunder, [1682] That every wight hath of hit wonder, [1683] So brode hyt ran or than hit stente. [1684] And, certes, al the breth that wente [1685] Out of his trumpes mouth it smelde [1686] As men a pot of bawme helde [1687] Among a basket ful of roses. [1688] This favour dide he til her loses. [1689] And ryght with this y gan aspye, [1690] Ther come the ferthe companye -- [1691] But certeyn they were wonder fewe -- [1692] And gunne stonden in a rewe, [1693] And seyden, "Certes, lady bryght, [1694] We han don wel with al our myght, [1695] But we ne kepen have no fame. [1696] Hyde our werkes and our name, [1697] For Goddys love; for certes we [1698] Han certeyn doon hyt for bounte, [1699] And for no maner other thing." [1700] "I graunte yow alle your askyng," [1701] Quod she; "let your werkes be ded." [1702] With that aboute y clew myn hed, [1703] And saugh anoon the fifte route [1704] That to this lady gunne loute, [1705] And doun on knes anoon to falle; [1706] And to hir thoo besoughten alle [1707] To hide her goode werkes ek, [1708] And seyden they yeven noght a lek [1709] For fame ne for such renoun; [1710] For they for contemplacioun [1711] And Goddes love hadde ywrought, [1712] Ne of fame wolde they nought. [1713] "What?" quod she, "and be ye wood? [1714] And wene ye for to doo good, [1715] And for to have of that no fame? [1716] Have ye dispit to have my name? [1717] Nay, ye shul lyven everychon! [1718] Blow thy trumpes, and that anon," [1719] Quod she, "thou Eolus, y hote, [1720] And ryng this folkes werk be note, [1721] That al the world may of hyt here." [1722] And he gan blowe her loos so clere [1723] In his golden clarioun [1724] That thrugh the world wente the soun [1725] Also kenely and eke so softe; [1726] But atte last hyt was on-lofte. [1727] Thoo come the sexte companye, [1728] And gunne faste on Fame crie. [1729] Ryght verraily in this manere [1730] They seyden: "Mercy, lady dere! [1731] To tellen certeyn as hyt is, [1732] We han don neither that ne this, [1733] But ydel al oure lyf ybe. [1734] But natheles yet preye we [1735] That we mowe han as good a fame, [1736] And gret renoun and knowen name, [1737] As they that han doon noble gestes, [1738] And acheved alle her lestes, [1739] As wel of love as other thyng. [1740] Al was us never broche ne ryng, [1741] Ne elles noght, from wymmen sent, [1742] Ne ones in her herte yment [1743] To make us oonly frendly chere, [1744] But myghten temen us upon bere; [1745] Yet lat us to the peple seme [1746] Suche as the world may of us deme [1747] That wommen loven us for wod. [1748] Hyt shal doon us as moche good, [1749] And to oure herte as moche avaylle [1750] To countrepese ese and travaylle, [1751] As we had wonne hyt with labour; [1752] For that is dere boght honour [1753] At regard of oure grete ese. [1754] And yet thou most us more plese: [1755] Let us be holden eke therto [1756] Worthy, wise, and goode also, [1757] And riche, and happy unto love. [1758] For Goddes love, that sit above, [1759] Thogh we may not the body have [1760] Of wymmen, yet, so God yow save, [1761] Leet men gliwe on us the name -- [1762] Sufficeth that we han the fame." [1763] "I graunte," quod she, "be my trouthe! [1764] Now, Eolus, withouten slouthe, [1765] Tak out thy trumpe of gold, let se, [1766] And blow as they han axed me, [1767] That every man wene hem at ese, [1768] Though they goon in ful badde lese." [1769] This Eolus gan hit so blowe [1770] That thrugh the world hyt was yknowe. [1771] Thoo come the seventh route anoon, [1772] And fel on knees everychoon, [1773] And seyde, "Lady, graunte us sone [1774] The same thing, the same bone, [1775] That [ye] this nexte folk han doon." [1776] "Fy on yow," quod she, "everychon! [1777] Ye masty swyn, ye ydel wrechches, [1778] Ful of roten, slowe techches! [1779] What? False theves! Wher ye wolde [1780] Be famous good, and nothing nolde [1781] Deserve why, ne never ye roughte? [1782] Men rather yow to hangen oughte! [1783] For ye be lyke the sweynte cat [1784] That wolde have fissh; but wostow what? [1785] He wolde nothing wete his clowes. [1786] Yvel thrift come to your jowes, [1787] And eke to myn, if I hit graunte, [1788] Or do yow favour, yow to avaunte! [1789] Thou Eolus, thou kyng of Trace, [1790] Goo blowe this folk a sory grace," [1791] Quod she, "anon; and wostow how? [1792] As I shal telle thee ryght now. [1793] Sey: `These ben they that wolde honour [1794] Have, and do noskynnes labour, [1795] Ne doo no good, and yet han lawde; [1796] And that men wende that bele Isawde [1797] Ne coude hem noght of love werne, [1798] And yet she that grynt at a querne [1799] Ys al to good to ese her herte.'" [1800] This Eolus anon up sterte, [1801] And with his blake clarioun [1802] He gan to blasen out a soun [1803] As lowde as beloweth wynd in helle; [1804] And eke therwith, soth to telle, [1805] This soun was so ful of japes, [1806] As ever mowes were in apes. [1807] And that wente al the world aboute, [1808] That every wight gan on hem shoute [1809] And for to lawghe as they were wod, [1810] Such game fonde they in her hod. [1811] Tho come another companye, [1812] That had ydoon the trayterye, [1813] The harm, the grettest wikkednesse [1814] That any herte kouth. gesse; [1815] And prayed her to han good fame, [1816] And that she nolde doon hem no shame, [1817] But yeve hem loos and good renoun, [1818] And do hyt blowe in a clarioun. [1819] "Nay, wis," quod she, "hyt were a vice. [1820] Al be ther in me no justice, [1821] Me lyste not to doo hyt now, [1822] Ne this nyl I not graunte yow." [1823] Tho come ther lepynge in a route, [1824] And gunne choppen al aboute [1825] Every man upon the crowne, [1826] That al the halle gan to sowne, [1827] And seyden: "Lady, leef and dere, [1828] We ben suche folk as ye mowe here. [1829] To tellen al the tale aryght, [1830] We ben shrewes, every wyght, [1831] And han delyt in wikkednesse, [1832] As goode folk han in godnesse; [1833] And joye to be knowen shrewes, [1834] And ful of vice and wikked thewes; [1835] Wherefore we praye yow, a-rowe, [1836] That oure fame such be knowe [1837] In alle thing ryght as hit ys." [1838] "Y graunte hyt yow," quod she, "ywis. [1839] But what art thow that seyst this tale, [1840] That werest on thy hose a pale, [1841] And on thy tipet such a belle?" [1842] "Madame," quod he, "soth to telle, [1843] I am that ylke shrewe, ywis, [1844] That brende the temple of Ysidis [1845] In Athenes, loo, that citee." [1846] "And wherfor didest thou so?" quod she. [1847] "By my thrift," quod he, "madame, [1848] I wolde fayn han had a fame, [1849] As other folk hadde in the toun, [1850] Although they were of gret renoun [1851] For her vertu and for her thewes. [1852] Thoughte y, as gret a fame han shrewes, [1853] Though hit be for shrewednesse, [1854] As goode folk han for godnesse; [1855] And sith y may not have that oon, [1856] That other nyl y noght forgoon. [1857] And for to gette of Fames hire, [1858] The temple sette y al afire. [1859] Now do our loos be blowen swithe, [1860] As wisly be thou ever blythe!" [1861] "Gladly," quod she; "thow Eolus, [1862] Herestow not what they prayen us?" [1863] "Madame, yis, ful wel," quod he, [1864] "And I wil trumpen it, parde!" [1865] And tok his blake trumpe faste, [1866] And gan to puffen and to blaste, [1867] Til hyt was at the worldes ende. [1868] With that y gan aboute wende, [1869] For oon that stood ryght at my bak, [1870] Me thoughte, goodly to me spak, [1871] And seyde, "Frend, what is thy name? [1872] Artow come hider to han fame?" [1873] "Nay, for sothe, frend," quod y; [1874] "I cam noght hyder, graunt mercy, [1875] For no such cause, by my hed! [1876] Sufficeth me, as I were ded, [1877] That no wight have my name in honde. [1878] I wot myself best how y stonde; [1879] For what I drye, or what I thynke, [1880] I wil myselven al hyt drynke, [1881] Certeyn, for the more part, [1882] As fer forth as I kan myn art." [1883] "But what doost thou here than?" quod he. [1884] Quod y, "That wyl y tellen the, [1885] The cause why y stonde here: [1886] Somme newe tydynges for to lere, [1887] Somme newe thinges, y not what, [1888] Tydynges, other this or that, [1889] Of love or suche thynges glade. [1890] For certeynly, he that me made [1891] To comen hyder, seyde me, [1892] Y shulde bothe here and se [1893] In this place wonder thynges; [1894] But these be no suche tydynges [1895] As I mene of." "Noo?" quod he. [1896] And I answered, "Noo, parde! [1897] For wel y wiste ever yit, [1898] Sith that first y hadde wit, [1899] That somme folk han desired fame [1900] Diversly, and loos, and name. [1901] But certeynly, y nyste how [1902] Ne where that Fame duelled, er now, [1903] And eke of her descripcioun, [1904] Ne also her condicioun, [1905] Ne the ordre of her dom, [1906] Unto the tyme y hidder com." [1907] "[Whych] than be, loo, these tydynges, [1908] That thou now [thus] hider brynges, [1909] That thou hast herd?" quod he to me; [1910] "But now no fors, for wel y se [1911] What thou desirest for to here. [1912] Com forth and stond no lenger here, [1913] And y wil thee, withouten drede, [1914] In such another place lede [1915] Ther thou shalt here many oon." [1916] Tho gan I forth with hym to goon [1917] Out of the castel, soth to seye. [1918] Tho saugh y stonde in a valeye, [1919] Under the castel, faste by, [1920] An hous, that Domus Dedaly, [1921] That Laboryntus cleped ys, [1922] Nas mad so wonderlych, ywis, [1923] Ne half so queyntelych ywrought. [1924] And ever mo, as swyft as thought, [1925] This queynte hous aboute wente, [1926] That never mo hyt stille stente. [1927] And therout com so gret a noyse [1928] That, had hyt stonden upon Oyse, [1929] Men myghte hyt han herd esely [1930] To Rome, y trowe sikerly. [1931] And the noyse which that I herde, [1932] For al the world ryght so hyt ferde [1933] As dooth the rowtynge of the ston [1934] That from th' engyn ys leten gon. [1935] And al thys hous of which y rede [1936] Was mad of twigges, falwe, rede, [1937] And grene eke, and somme weren white, [1938] Swiche as men to these cages thwite, [1939] Or maken of these panyers, [1940] Or elles [hottes] or dossers; [1941] That, for the swough and for the twygges, [1942] This hous was also ful of gygges, [1943] And also ful eke of chirkynges, [1944] And of many other werkynges; [1945] And eke this hous hath of entrees [1946] As fele as of leves ben in trees [1947] In somer, whan they grene been; [1948] And on the roof men may yet seen [1949] A thousand holes, and wel moo, [1950] To leten wel the soun out goo. [1951] And be day, in every tyde, [1952] Been al the dores opened wide, [1953] And be nyght echon unshette; [1954] Ne porter ther is noon to lette [1955] No maner tydynges in to pace. [1956] Ne never rest is in that place [1957] That hit nys fild ful of tydynges, [1958] Other loude or of whisprynges; [1959] And over alle the houses angles [1960] Ys ful of rounynges and of jangles [1961] Of werres, of pes, of mariages, [1962] Of reste, of labour, of viages, [1963] Of abood, of deeth, of lyf, [1964] Of love, of hate, acord, of stryf, [1965] Of loos, of lore, and of wynnynges, [1966] Of hele, of seknesse, of bildynges, [1967] Of faire wyndes, and of tempestes, [1968] Of qwalm of folk, and eke of bestes; [1969] Of dyvers transmutacions [1970] Of estats, and eke of regions; [1971] Of trust, of drede, of jelousye, [1972] Of wit, of wynnynge, of folye; [1973] Of plente, and of gret famyne, [1974] Of chepe, of derthe, and of ruyne; [1975] Of good or mys governement, [1976] Of fyr, and of dyvers accident. [1977] And loo, thys hous, of which I write, [1978] Syker be ye, hit nas not lyte, [1979] For hyt was sixty myle of lengthe. [1980] Al was the tymber of no strengthe, [1981] Yet hit is founded to endure [1982] While that hit lyst to Aventure, [1983] That is the moder of tydynges, [1984] As the see of welles and of sprynges; [1985] And hyt was shapen lyk a cage. [1986] "Certys," quod y, "in al myn age, [1987] Ne saugh y such an hous as this." [1988] And as y wondred me, ywys, [1989] Upon this hous, tho war was y [1990] How that myn egle faste by [1991] Was perched hye upon a stoon; [1992] And I gan streghte to hym gon, [1993] And seyde thus: "Y preye the [1994] That thou a while abide me, [1995] For Goddis love, and lete me seen [1996] What wondres in this place been; [1997] For yit, paraunter, y may lere [1998] Som good theron, or sumwhat here [1999] That leef me were, or that y wente." [2000] "Petre, that is myn entente," [2001] Quod he to me; "therfore y duelle. [2002] But certeyn, oon thyng I the telle, [2003] That but I bringe the therinne, [2004] Ne shalt thou never kunne gynne [2005] To come into hyt, out of doute, [2006] So faste hit whirleth, lo, aboute. [2007] But sith that Joves, of his grace, [2008] As I have seyd, wol the solace [2009] Fynally with these thinges, [2010] Unkouthe syghtes and tydynges, [2011] To passe with thyn hevynesse, [2012] Such routhe hath he of thy distresse, [2013] That thou suffrest debonairly -- [2014] And wost thyselven outtirly [2015] Disesperat of alle blys, [2016] Syth that Fortune hath mad amys [2017] The [fruit] of al thyn hertys reste [2018] Languisshe and eke in poynt to breste -- [2019] That he, thrugh hys myghty merite, [2020] Wol do the an ese, al be hyt lyte, [2021] And yaf in expres commaundement, [2022] To which I am obedient, [2023] To further the with al my myght, [2024] And wisse and teche the aryght [2025] Where thou maist most tidynges here. [2026] Shaltow here anoon many oon lere." [2027] With this word he ryght anoon [2028] Hente me up bytweene hys toon, [2029] And at a wyndowe yn me broghte, [2030] That in this hous was, as me thoghte -- [2031] And therwithalle, me thoughte hit stente, [2032] And nothing hyt aboute wente -- [2033] And me sette in the flor adoun. [2034] But which a congregacioun [2035] Of folk, as I saugh rome aboute, [2036] Some wythin and some wythoute, [2037] Nas never seen, ne shal ben eft; [2038] That, certys, in the world nys left [2039] So many formed be Nature, [2040] Ne ded so many a creature; [2041] That wel unnethe in that place [2042] Hadde y a fote-brede of space. [2043] And every wight that I saugh there [2044] Rouned everych in others ere [2045] A newe tydynge prively, [2046] Or elles tolde al openly [2047] Ryght thus, and seyde: "Nost not thou [2048] That ys betyd, lo, late or now?" [2049] "No," quod he, "telle me what." [2050] And than he tolde hym this and that, [2051] And swor therto that hit was soth -- [2052] "Thus hath he sayd," and "Thus he doth," [2053] "Thus shal hit be," "Thus herde y seye," [2054] "That shal be founde," "That dar I leye" -- [2055] That al the folk that ys alyve [2056] Ne han the kunnynge to discryve [2057] The thinges that I herde there, [2058] What aloude, and what in ere. [2059] But al the wondermost was this: [2060] Whan oon had herd a thing, ywis, [2061] He com forth ryght to another wight, [2062] And gan him tellen anon-ryght [2063] The same that to him was told, [2064] Or hyt a forlong way was old, [2065] But gan somwhat for to eche [2066] To this tydynge in this speche [2067] More than hit ever was. [2068] And nat so sone departed nas [2069] Tho fro him, that he ne mette [2070] With the thridde; and or he lette [2071] Any stounde, he told him als; [2072] Were the tydynge soth or fals, [2073] Yit wolde he telle hyt natheles, [2074] And evermo with more encres [2075] Than yt was erst. Thus north and south [2076] Wente every tydyng fro mouth to mouth, [2077] And that encresing ever moo, [2078] As fyr ys wont to quyke and goo [2079] From a sparke spronge amys, [2080] Til al a citee brent up ys. [2081] And whan that was ful yspronge, [2082] And woxen more on every tonge [2083] Than ever hit was, [hit] wente anoon [2084] Up to a wyndowe out to goon; [2085] Or, but hit myghte out there pace, [2086] Hyt gan out crepe at som crevace, [2087] And flygh forth faste for the nones. [2088] And somtyme saugh I thoo at ones [2089] A lesyng and a sad soth sawe, [2090] That gonne of aventure drawe [2091] Out at a wyndowe for to pace; [2092] And, when they metten in that place, [2093] They were achekked bothe two, [2094] And neyther of hem moste out goo [2095] For other, so they gonne crowde, [2096] Til ech of hem gan crien lowde, [2097] "Lat me go first!" "Nay, but let me! [2098] And here I wol ensuren the, [2099] Wyth the nones that thou wolt do so, [2100] That I shal never fro the go, [2101] But be thyn owne sworen brother! [2102] We wil medle us ech with other, [2103] That no man, be they never so wrothe, [2104] Shal han on [of us] two, but bothe [2105] At ones, al besyde his leve, [2106] Come we a-morwe or on eve, [2107] Be we cried or stille yrouned." [2108] Thus saugh I fals and soth compouned [2109] Togeder fle for oo tydynge. [2110] Thus out at holes gunne wringe [2111] Every tydynge streght to Fame, [2112] And she gan yeven ech hys name, [2113] After hir disposicioun, [2114] And yaf hem eke duracioun, [2115] Somme to wexe and wane sone, [2116] As doth the faire white mone, [2117] And let hem goon. Ther myghte y seen [2118] Wynged wondres faste fleen, [2119] Twenty thousand in a route, [2120] As Eolus hem blew aboute. [2121] And, Lord, this hous in alle tymes [2122] Was ful of shipmen and pilgrimes, [2123] With scrippes bret-ful of lesinges, [2124] Entremedled with tydynges, [2125] And eek allone be hemselve. [2126] O, many a thousand tymes twelve [2127] Saugh I eke of these pardoners, [2128] Currours, and eke messagers, [2129] With boystes crammed ful of lyes [2130] As ever vessel was with lyes. [2131] And as I alther-fastest wente [2132] About, and dide al myn entente [2133] Me for to pleyen and for to lere, [2134] And eke a tydynge for to here, [2135] That I had herd of som contre [2136] That shal not now be told for me -- [2137] For hit no nede is, redely; [2138] Folk kan synge hit bet than I; [2139] For al mot out, other late or rathe, [2140] Alle the sheves in the lathe -- [2141] I herde a gret noyse withalle [2142] In a corner of the halle, [2143] Ther men of love-tydynges tolde, [2144] And I gan thiderward beholde; [2145] For I saugh rennynge every wight [2146] As faste as that they hadden myght, [2147] And everych cried, "What thing is that?" [2148] And somme sayde, "I not never what." [2149] And whan they were alle on an hepe, [2150] Tho behynde begunne up lepe, [2151] And clamben up on other faste, [2152] And up the nose and yen kaste, [2153] And troden fast on others heles, [2154] And stampen, as men doon aftir eles. [2155] Atte laste y saugh a man, [2156] Which that y [nevene] nat ne kan; [2157] But he semed for to be [2158] A man of gret auctorite. . . . The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Other Works Anelida and Arcite [1] Thou ferse god of armes, Mars the rede, [2] That in the frosty contre called Trace, [3] Within thy grisly temple ful of drede [4] Honoured art as patroun of that place; [5] With thy Bellona, Pallas, ful of grace, [6] Be present and my song contynue and guye; [7] At my begynnyng thus to the I crye. [8] For hit ful depe is sonken in my mynde, [9] With pitous hert in Englyssh to endyte [10] This olde storie, in Latyn which I fynde, [11] Of quene Anelida and fals Arcite, [12] That elde, which that al can frete and bite, [13] As hit hath freten mony a noble storie, [14] Hath nygh devoured out of oure memorie. [15] Be favorable eke, thou Polymya, [16] On Parnaso that with thy sustres glade, [17] By Elycon, not fer from Cirrea, [18] Singest with vois memorial in the shade, [19] Under the laurer which that may not fade, [20] And do that I my ship to haven wynne. [21] First folowe I Stace, and after him Corynne. [22] When Theseus with werres longe and grete [23] The aspre folk of Cithe had overcome, [24] With laurer corouned, in his char gold-bete, [25] Hom to his contre-houses is he come, [26] For which the peple, blisful al and somme, [27] So cryeden that to the sterres hit wente, [28] And him to honouren dide al her entente. [29] Beforn this duk, in signe of victorie, [30] The trompes come, and in his baner large [31] The ymage of Mars, and in tokenyng of glorie [32] Men myghte sen of tresour many a charge, [33] Many a bright helm, and many a spere and targe, [34] Many a fresh knyght, and many a blysful route, [35] On hors, on fote, in al the feld aboute. [36] Ipolita his wif, the hardy quene [37] Of Cithia, that he conquered hadde, [38] With Emelye her yonge suster shene, [39] Faire in a char of gold he with him ladde, [40] That al the ground about her char she spradde [41] With brightnesse of the beaute in her face, [42] Fulfilled of largesse and of alle grace. [43] With his tryumphe and laurer-corouned thus, [44] In al the flour of Fortunes yevynge, [45] Let I this noble prince Theseus [46] Toward Athenes in his wey rydinge, [47] And founde I wol in shortly for to bringe [48] The slye wey of that I gan to write, [49] Of quene Anelida and fals Arcite. [50] Mars, which that through his furious cours of ire, [51] The olde wrathe of Juno to fulfille, [52] Hath set the peples hertes bothe on fire [53] Of Thebes and Grece, everich other to kille [54] With blody speres, ne rested never stille, [55] But throng now her, now ther, among hem bothe, [56] That everych other slough, so were they wrothe. [57] For when Amphiorax and Tydeus, [58] Ipomedon, Parthonope also [59] Were ded, and slayn proude Campaneus, [60] And when the wrecched Thebans, bretheren two, [61] Were slayn, and kyng Adrastus hom ago, [62] So desolat stod Thebes and so bare [63] That no wight coude remedie of his fare. [64] And when the olde Creon gan espye [65] How that the blood roial was broght a-doun, [66] He held the cite by his tyrannye [67] And dyde the gentils of that regioun [68] To ben his frendes and wonnen in the toun. [69] So, what for love of him and what for awe, [70] The noble folk were to the toun idrawe. [71] Among al these Anelida, the quene [72] Of Ermony, was in that toun dwellynge, [73] That fairer was then is the sonne shene. [74] Thurghout the world so gan her name springe [75] That her to seen had every wyght likynge, [76] For, as of trouthe, is ther noon her lyche [77] Of al the women in this worlde riche. [78] Yong was this quene, of twenty yer of elde, [79] Of mydel stature, and of such fairenesse [80] That Nature had a joye her to behelde; [81] And for to speken of her stidfastnesse, [82] She passed hath Penelope and Lucresse; [83] And shortly, yf she shal be comprehended, [84] In her ne myghte no thing been amended. [85] This Theban knyght Arcite eke, soth to seyn, [86] Was yong and therwithal a lusty knyght, [87] But he was double in love and no thing pleyn, [88] And subtil in that craft over any wyght, [89] And with his kunnyng wan this lady bryght; [90] For so ferforth he gan her trouthe assure [91] That she him trusted over any creature. [92] What shuld I seyn? She loved Arcite so [93] That when that he was absent any throwe, [94] Anon her thoghte her herte brast a-two; [95] For in her sight to her he bar hym lowe, [96] So that she wende have al his hert yknowe; [97] But he was fals; hit nas but feyned chere -- [98] As nedeth not to men such craft to lere. [99] But nevertheles ful mykel besynesse [100] Had he er that he myghte his lady wynne, [101] And swor he wolde dyen for distresse [102] Or from his wit he seyde he wolde twynne. [103] Alas, the while! For hit was routhe and synne [104] That she upon his sorowes wolde rewe; [105] But nothing thinketh the fals as doth the trewe. [106] Her fredom fond Arcite in such manere [107] That al was his that she hath, moche or lyte; [108] Ne to no creature made she chere [109] Ferther then that hit lyked to Arcite. [110] Ther nas no lak with which he myghte her wite; [111] She was so ferforth yeven hym to plese [112] That al that lyked hym hit dyde her ese. [113] Ther nas to her no maner lettre sent [114] That touched love, from any maner wyght, [115] That she ne shewed hit him er hit was brent; [116] So pleyn she was and dide her fulle myght [117] That she nyl hiden nothing from her knyght, [118] Lest he of any untrouthe her upbreyde. [119] Withoute bode his heste she obeyde. [120] And eke he made him jelous over here, [121] That what that any man had to her seyd [122] Anoon he wolde preyen her to swere [123] What was that word or make him evel apaid. [124] Then wende she out of her wyt have breyd; [125] But al this nas but sleght and flaterie; [126] Withoute love he feyned jelousye. [127] And al this tok she so debonerly [128] That al his wil her thoghte hit skilful thing, [129] And ever the lenger she loved him tendirly [130] And dide him honour as he were a kyng. [131] Her herte was to him wedded with a ring; [132] So ferforth upon trouthe is her entente [133] That wher he gooth her herte with him wente. [134] When she shal ete, on him is so her thoght [135] That wel unnethe of mete tok she kep; [136] And when that she was to her reste broght, [137] On him she thoghte alwey til that she slep; [138] When he was absent, prevely she wep: [139] Thus lyveth feire Anelida the quene [140] For fals Arcite, that dide her al this tene. [141] This fals Arcite, of his newfanglenesse, [142] For she to him so lowly was and trewe, [143] Tok lesse deynte of her stidfastnesse [144] And saw another lady, proud and newe, [145] And ryght anon he cladde him in her hewe -- [146] Wot I not whethir in white, rede, or grene -- [147] And falsed fair Anelida the quene. [148] But neverthelesse, gret wonder was hit noon [149] Thogh he were fals, for hit is kynde of man [150] Sith Lamek was, that is so longe agoon, [151] To ben in love as fals as evere he can; [152] He was the firste fader that began [153] To loven two, and was in bigamye, [154] And he found tentes first, but yf men lye. [155] This fals Arcite, sumwhat moste he feyne, [156] When he wex fals, to covere his traitorie, [157] Ryght as an hors that can both bite and pleyne, [158] For he bar her on honde of trecherie, [159] And swor he coude her doublenesse espie, [160] And al was falsnes that she to him mente. [161] Thus swor this thef, and forth his way he wente. [162] Alas, what herte myght enduren hit, [163] For routhe and wo, her sorwe for to telle? [164] Or what man hath the cunnyng or the wit? [165] Or what man mighte within the chambre dwelle, [166] Yf I to him rehersen sholde the helle [167] That suffreth fair Anelida the quene [168] For fals Arcite, that dide her al this tene. [169] She wepith, waileth, swowneth pitously; [170] To grounde ded she falleth as a ston; [171] Craumpyssheth her lymes crokedly; [172] She speketh as her wit were al agon; [173] Other colour then asshen hath she noon; [174] Non other word speketh she, moche or lyte, [175] But `Merci, cruel herte myn, Arcite!' [176] And thus endureth til that she was so mat [177] That she ne hath foot on which she may sustene, [178] But forth languisshing evere in this estat, [179] Of which Arcite hath nouther routhe ne tene. [180] His herte was elleswhere, newe and grene, [181] That on her wo ne deyneth him not to thinke; [182] Him rekketh never wher she flete or synke. [183] His newe lady holdeth him so narowe [184] Up by the bridil, at the staves ende, [185] That every word he dredeth as an arowe; [186] Her daunger made him bothe bowe and bende, [187] And as her liste, made him turne or wende, [188] For she ne graunted him in her lyvynge [189] No grace whi that he hath lust to singe, [190] But drof hym forth. Unnethe liste her knowe [191] That he was servaunt unto her ladishippe; [192] But lest that he were proud, she held him lowe. [193] Thus serveth he withoute fee or shipe; [194] She sent him now to londe, now to shippe; [195] And for she yaf him daunger al his fille, [196] Therfor she hadde him at her owne wille. [197] Ensample of this, ye thrifty wymmen alle, [198] Take her of Anelida and Arcite, [199] That for her liste him `dere herte' calle [200] And was so meke, therfor he loved her lyte. [201] The kynde of mannes herte is to delyte [202] In thing that straunge is, also God me save! [203] For what he may not gete, that wolde he have. [204] Now turne we to Anelida ageyn, [205] That pyneth day be day in langwisshinge, [206] But when she saw that her ne gat no geyn, [207] Upon a day, ful sorowfully wepinge, [208] She caste her for to make a compleynynge, [209] And of her owne hond she gan hit write, [210] And sente hit to her Theban knyght, Arcite. [211] So thirleth with the poynt of remembraunce [212] The swerd of sorowe, ywhet with fals plesaunce, [213] Myn herte, bare of blis and blak of hewe, [214] That turned is in quakyng al my daunce, [215] My surete in awhaped countenaunce, [216] Sith hit availeth not for to ben trewe; [217] For whoso trewest is, hit shal hir rewe [218] That serveth love and doth her observaunce [219] Alwey til oon, and chaungeth for no newe. [220] I wot myself as wel as any wight, [221] For I loved oon with al myn herte and myght, [222] More then myself an hundred thousand sithe, [223] And called him myn hertes lif, my knyght, [224] And was al his, as fer as hit was ryght; [225] And when that he was glad, then was I blithe, [226] And his disese was my deth as swithe; [227] And he ayein his trouthe hath me plyght [228] For evermore, his lady me to kythe. [229] Now is he fals, alas, and causeles, [230] And of my wo he is so routheles [231] That with a word him list not ones deyne [232] To bringe ayen my sorowful herte in pes, [233] For he is caught up in another les. [234] Ryght as him list, he laugheth at my peyne, [235] And I ne can myn herte not restreyne [236] For to love him alwey neveretheles; [237] And of al this I not to whom me pleyne. [238] And shal I pleyne -- alas, the harde stounde! -- [239] Unto my foo that yaf myn herte a wounde [240] And yet desireth that myn harm be more? [241] Nay, certis, ferther wol I never founde [242] Non other helpe, my sores for to sounde. [243] My destinee hath shapen hit so ful yore; [244] I wil non other medecyne ne lore; [245] I wil ben ay ther I was ones bounde. [246] That I have seid, be seid for evermore! [247] Alas! Wher is become your gentilesse, [248] Youre wordes ful of plesaunce and humblesse, [249] Youre observaunces in so low manere, [250] And your awayting and your besynesse [251] Upon me, that ye calden your maistresse, [252] Your sovereyne lady in this world here? [253] Alas! Is ther now nother word ne chere [254] Ye vouchen sauf upon myn hevynesse? [255] Alas! Youre love, I bye hit al to dere. [256] Now, certis, swete, thogh that ye [257] Thus causeles the cause be [258] Of my dedly adversyte, [259] Your manly resoun oghte hit to respite [260] To slen your frend, and namely me, [261] That never yet in no degre [262] Offended yow, as wisly He [263] That al wot, out of wo my soule quyte! [264] But for I shewed yow, Arcite, [265] Al that men wolde to me write, [266] And was so besy yow to delyte -- [267] Myn honor save -- meke, kynde, and fre, [268] Therfor ye put on me this wite, [269] And of me rekke not a myte, [270] Thogh that the swerd of sorwe byte [271] My woful herte through your cruelte. [272] My swete foo, why do ye so, for shame? [273] And thenke ye that furthered be your name [274] To love a newe, and ben untrewe? Nay! [275] And putte yow in sclaunder now and blame, [276] And do to me adversite and grame, [277] That love yow most -- God, wel thou wost -- alway? [278] Yet come ayein, and yet be pleyn som day, [279] And than shal this, that now is mys, be game, [280] And al foryive, while that I lyve may. [281] Lo, herte myn, al this is for to seyne [282] As whether shal I preye or elles pleyne? [283] Which is the wey to doon yow to be trewe? [284] For either mot I have yow in my cheyne [285] Or with the deth ye mote departe us tweyne; [286] Ther ben non other mene weyes newe. [287] For God so wisly upon my soule rewe, [288] As verrayly ye sleen me with the peyne; [289] That may ye se unfeyned of myn hewe. [290] For thus ferforth have I my deth y-soght? [291] Myself I mordre with my privy thoght; [292] For sorowe and routhe of your unkyndenesse [293] I wepe, I wake, I faste; al helpeth noght; [294] I weyve joye that is to speke of oght, [295] I voyde companye, I fle gladnesse. [296] Who may avaunte her beter of hevynesse [297] Then I? And to this plyte have ye me broght, [298] Withoute gilt -- me nedeth no witnesse. [299] And shal I preye, and weyve womanhede? -- [300] Nay! Rather deth then do so foul a dede! -- [301] And axe merci, gilteles -- what nede? [302] And yf I pleyne what lyf that I lede, [303] Yow rekketh not; that knowe I, out of drede; [304] And if that I to yow myne othes bede [305] For myn excuse, a skorn shal be my mede. [306] Your chere floureth, but it wol not sede; [307] Ful longe agoon I oghte have taken hede. [308] For thogh I hadde yow to-morowe ageyn, [309] I myghte as wel holde Aperill fro reyn [310] As holde yow, to make yow be stidfast. [311] Almyghty God, of trouthe sovereyn, [312] Wher is the trouthe of man? Who hath hit slayn? [313] Who that hem loveth, she shal hem fynde as fast [314] As in a tempest is a roten mast. [315] Is that a tame best that is ay feyn [316] To fleen away when he is lest agast? [317] Now merci, swete, yf I mysseye! [318] Have I seyd oght amys, I preye? [319] I noot; my wit is al aweye. [320] I fare as doth the song of Chaunte-pleure; [321] For now I pleyne, and now I pleye; [322] I am so mased that I deye; [323] Arcite hath born awey the keye [324] Of al my world, and my good aventure. [325] For in this world nis creature [326] Wakynge in more discomfiture [327] Then I, ne more sorowe endure. [328] And yf I slepe a furlong wey or tweye, [329] Then thynketh me that your figure [330] Before me stont, clad in asure, [331] To profren eft and newe assure [332] For to be trewe, and merci me to preye. [333] The longe nyght this wonder sight I drye, [334] And on the day for thilke afray I dye, [335] And of al this ryght noght, iwis, ye reche. [336] Ne nevere mo myn yen two be drie, [337] And to your routhe, and to your trouthe, I crie. [338] But welawey! To fer be they to feche; [339] Thus holdeth me my destinee a wreche. [340] But me to rede out of this drede, or guye, [341] Ne may my wit, so weyk is hit, not streche. [342] Then ende I thus, sith I may do no more. [343] I yeve hit up for now and evermore, [344] For I shal never eft putten in balaunce [345] My sekernes, ne lerne of love the lore. [346] But as the swan, I have herd seyd ful yore, [347] Ayeins his deth shal singen his penaunce, [348] So singe I here my destinee or chaunce, [349] How that Arcite Anelida so sore [350] Hath thirled with the poynt of remembraunce. [351] When that Anelida, this woful quene, [352] Hath of her hand ywriten in this wise, [353] With face ded, betwixe pale and grene, [354] She fel a-swowe; and sith she gan to rise, [355] And unto Mars avoweth sacrifise [356] Withinne the temple, with a sorowful chere, [357] That shapen was as ye shal after here....?? The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Other Works The Parliament of Fowls [1] The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne, [2] Th' assay so hard, so sharp the conquerynge, [3] The dredful joye alwey that slit so yerne: [4] Al this mene I by Love, that my felynge [5] Astonyeth with his wonderful werkynge [6] So sore, iwis, that whan I on hym thynke [7] Nat wot I wel wher that I flete or synke. [8] For al be that I knowe nat Love in dede, [9] Ne wot how that he quiteth folk here hyre, [10] Yit happeth me ful ofte in bokes reede [11] Of his myrakles and his crewel yre. [12] There rede I wel he wol be lord and syre; [13] I dar nat seyn, his strokes been so sore, [14] But "God save swich a lord!" -- I can na moore. [15] Of usage -- what for lust and what for lore -- [16] On bokes rede I ofte, as I yow tolde. [17] But wherfore that I speke al this? Nat yoore [18] Agon it happede me for to beholde [19] Upon a bok, was write with lettres olde, [20] And therupon, a certeyn thing to lerne, [21] The longe day ful faste I redde and yerne. [22] For out of olde feldes, as men seyth, [23] Cometh al this newe corn from yer to yere, [24] And out of olde bokes, in good feyth, [25] Cometh al this newe science that men lere. [26] But now to purpos as of this matere: [27] To rede forth hit gan me so delite [28] That al that day me thoughte but a lyte. [29] This bok of which I make mencioun [30] Entitled was al ther, as I shal telle: [31] "Tullyus of the Drem of Scipioun." [32] Chapitres sevene it hadde, of hevene and helle [33] And erthe, and soules that therinne dwelle, [34] Of whiche, as shortly as I can it trete, [35] Of his sentence I wol yow seyn the greete. [36] Fyrst telleth it, whan Scipion was come [37] In Affrike, how he meteth Massynisse, [38] That hym for joie in armes hath inome; [39] Thanne telleth [it] here speche and al the blysse [40] That was betwix hem til the day gan mysse, [41] And how his auncestre, Affrycan so deere, [42] Gan in his slep that nyght to hym apere. [43] Thanne telleth it that, from a sterry place, [44] How Affrycan hath hym Cartage shewed, [45] And warnede hym beforn of al his grace, [46] And seyde hym what man, lered other lewed, [47] That lovede commune profyt, wel ithewed, [48] He shulde into a blysful place wende [49] There as joye is that last withouten ende. [50] Thanne axede he if folk that here been dede [51] Han lyf and dwellynge in another place. [52] And Affrican seyde, "Ye, withouten drede," [53] And that oure present worldes lyves space [54] Nis but a maner deth, what wey we trace; [55] And rightful folk shul gon, after they dye, [56] To hevene; and shewede hym the Galaxye. [57] Thanne shewede he hym the lytel erthe that here is, [58] At regard of the hevenes quantite; [59] And after shewede he hym the nyne speres; [60] And after that the melodye herde he [61] That cometh of thilke speres thryes thre, [62] That welle is of musik and melodye [63] In this world here, and cause of armonye. [64] Than bad he hym, syn erthe was so lyte, [65] And dissevable and ful of harde grace, [66] That he ne shulde hym in the world delyte. [67] Thanne tolde he hym, in certeyn yeres space [68] That every sterre shulde come into his place [69] Ther it was first, and al shulde out of mynde [70] That in this world is don of al mankynde. [71] Thanne preyede hym Scipion to telle hym al [72] The wey to come into that hevene blisse. [73] And he seyde, "Know thyself first immortal, [74] And loke ay besyly thow werche and wysse [75] To commune profit, and thow shalt not mysse [76] To comen swiftly to that place deere [77] That ful of blysse is and of soules cleere. [78] "But brekers of the lawe, soth to seyne, [79] And likerous folk, after that they ben dede, [80] Shul whirle aboute th' erthe alwey in peyne, [81] Tyl many a world be passed, out of drede, [82] And than, foryeven al hir wikked dede, [83] Than shul they come into that blysful place, [84] To which to comen God the sende his grace." [85] The day gan faylen, and the derke nyght, [86] That reveth bestes from here besynesse, [87] Berafte me my bok for lak of lyght, [88] And to my bed I gan me for to dresse, [89] Fulfyld of thought and busy hevynesse; [90] For bothe I hadde thyng which that I nolde, [91] And ek I ne hadde that thyng that I wolde. [92] But fynally my spirit at the laste, [93] For wery of my labour al the day, [94] Tok reste, that made me to slepe faste; [95] And in my slep I mette, as that I lay, [96] How Affrican, ryght in the selve aray [97] That Scipion hym say byfore that tyde, [98] Was come and stod right at my beddes syde. [99] The wery huntere, slepynge in his bed, [100] To wode ayeyn his mynde goth anon; [101] The juge dremeth how his plees been sped; [102] The cartere dremeth how his cart is gon; [103] The riche, of gold; the knyght fyght with his fon; [104] The syke met he drynketh of the tonne; [105] The lovere met he hath his lady wonne. [106] Can I not seyn if that the cause were [107] For I hadde red of Affrican byforn [108] That made me to mete that he stod there; [109] But thus seyde he: "Thow hast the so wel born [110] In lokynge of myn olde bok totorn, [111] Of which Macrobye roughte nat a lyte, [112] That sumdel of thy labour wolde I quyte." [113] Cytherea, thow blysful lady swete, [114] That with thy fyrbrond dauntest whom the lest [115] And madest me this sweven for to mete, [116] Be thow myn helpe in this, for thow mayst best! [117] As wisly as I sey the north-north-west, [118] Whan I began my sweven for to write, [119] So yif me myght to ryme, and endyte! [120] This forseyde Affrican me hente anon [121] And forth with hym unto a gate broughte, [122] Ryght of a park walled with grene ston; [123] And over the gate, with lettres large iwroughte, [124] There were vers iwriten, as me thoughte, [125] On eyther half, of ful gret difference, [126] Of which I shal yow seyn the pleyn sentence: [127] "Thorgh me men gon into that blysful place [128] Of hertes hele and dedly woundes cure; [129] Thorgh me men gon unto the welle of grace, [130] There grene and lusty May shal evere endure. [131] This is the wey to al good aventure. [132] Be glad, thow redere, and thy sorwe of-caste; [133] Al open am I -- passe in, and sped thee faste!" [134] "Thorgh me men gon," than spak that other side, [135] "Unto the mortal strokes of the spere [136] Of which Disdayn and Daunger is the gyde, [137] Ther nevere tre shal fruyt ne leves bere. [138] This strem yow ledeth to the sorweful were [139] There as the fish in prysoun is al drye; [140] Th' eschewing is only the remedye!" [141] These vers of gold and blak iwriten were, [142] Of whiche I gan astoned to beholde. [143] For with that oon encresede ay my fere [144] And with that other gan myn herte bolde; [145] That oon me hette, that other dide me colde; [146] No wit hadde I, for errour, for to chese [147] To entre or flen, or me to save or lese. [148] Right as betwixen adamauntes two [149] Of evene myght, a pece of yren set [150] Ne hath no myght to meve to ne fro -- [151] For what that oon may hale, that other let -- [152] Ferde I, that nyste whether me was bet [153] To entre or leve, til Affrycan, my gide, [154] Me hente and shof in at the gates wide, [155] And seyde, "It stondeth writen in thy face, [156] Thyn errour, though thow telle it not to me; [157] But dred the not to come into this place, [158] For this writyng nys nothyng ment bi the, [159] Ne by non but he Loves servaunt be: [160] For thow of love hast lost thy tast, I gesse, [161] As sek man hath of swete and bytternesse. [162] "But natheles, although that thow be dul, [163] Yit that thow canst not do, yit mayst thow se. [164] For many a man that may nat stonde a pul [165] Yet liketh hym at wrastlyng for to be, [166] And demen yit wher he do bet or he. [167] And if thow haddest connyng for t' endite, [168] I shal the shewe mater of to wryte." [169] With that myn hand in his he tok anon, [170] Of which I confort caughte, and wente in faste. [171] But, Lord, so I was glad and wel begoon! [172] For overal where that I myne eyen caste [173] Were trees clad with leves that ay shal laste, [174] Ech in his kynde, of colour fresh and greene [175] As emeraude, that joye was to seene. [176] The byldere ok, and ek the hardy asshe; [177] The piler elm, the cofre unto carayne; [178] The boxtre pipere, holm to whippes lashe; [179] The saylynge fyr; the cipresse, deth to playne; [180] The shetere ew; the asp for shaftes pleyne; [181] The olyve of pes, and eke the dronke vyne; [182] The victor palm, the laurer to devyne. [183] A gardyn saw I ful of blosmy bowes [184] Upon a ryver, in a grene mede, [185] There as swetnesse everemore inow is, [186] With floures white, blewe, yelwe, and rede, [187] And colde welle-stremes, nothyng dede, [188] That swymmen ful of smale fishes lighte, [189] With fynnes rede and skales sylver bryghte. [190] On every bow the bryddes herde I synge, [191] With voys of aungel in here armonye; [192] Some besyede hem here bryddes forth to brynge; [193] The litel conyes to here pley gonne hye; [194] And ferther al aboute I gan aspye [195] The dredful ro, the buk, the hert and hynde, [196] Squyrels, and bestes smale of gentil kynde. [197] Of instruments of strenges in acord [198] Herde I so pleye a ravyshyng swetnesse, [199] That God, that makere is of al and lord, [200] Ne herde nevere beter, as I gesse. [201] Therwith a wynd, unnethe it myghte be lesse, [202] Made in the leves grene a noyse softe [203] Acordaunt to the foules song alofte. [204] Th' air of that place so attempre was [205] That nevere was grevaunce of hot ne cold. [206] There wex ek every holsom spice and gras; [207] No man may there waxe sek ne old; [208] Yit was there joye more a thousandfold [209] Than man can telle; ne nevere wolde it nyghte, [210] But ay cler day to any mannes syghte. [211] Under a tre, besyde a welle, I say [212] Cupide, oure lord, his arwes forge and file; [213] And at his fet his bowe al redy lay; [214] And Wille, his doughter, temprede al this while [215] The hevedes in the welle, and with hire wile [216] She couchede hem, after they shulde serve [217] Some for to sle, and some to wounde and kerve. [218] Tho was I war of Plesaunce anon-ryght, [219] And of Aray, and Lust, and Curteysie, [220] And of the Craft that can and hath the myght [221] To don by force a wyght to don folye -- [222] Disfigurat was she, I nyl nat lye; [223] And by hymself, under an ok, I gesse, [224] Saw I Delyt, that stod with Gentilesse. [225] I saw Beute withouten any atyr, [226] And Youthe, ful of game and jolyte; [227] Foolhardynesse, Flaterye, and Desyr, [228] Messagerye, and Meede, and other thre -- [229] Here names shul not here be told for me -- [230] And upon pilers greete of jasper longe [231] I saw a temple of bras ifounded stronge. [232] Aboute the temple daunsedyn alwey [233] Women inowe, of whiche some ther weere [234] Fayre of hemself, and some of hem were gay; [235] In kertels, al dishevele, wente they there: [236] That was here offyce alwey, yer by yeere. [237] And on the temple, of dowves white and fayre [238] Saw I syttynge many an hundred peyre. [239] Byfore the temple-dore ful soberly [240] Dame Pees sat, with a curtyn in hire hond, [241] And by hire syde, wonder discretly, [242] Dame Pacience syttynge there I fond, [243] With face pale, upon an hil of sond; [244] And aldernext, withinne and ek withoute, [245] Byheste and Art, and of here folk a route. [246] Withinne the temple, of sykes hoote as fyr [247] I herde a swogh that gan aboute renne, [248] Whiche sikes were engendered with desyr, [249] That maden every auter for to brenne [250] Of newe flaume; and wel espyed I thenne [251] That al the cause of sorwes that they drye [252] Cam of the bittere goddesse Jelosye. [253] The god Priapus saw I, as I wente, [254] Withinne the temple in sovereyn place stonde, [255] In swich aray as whan the asse hym shente [256] With cri by nighte, and with hys sceptre in honde. [257] Ful besyly men gonne assaye and fonde [258] Upon his hed to sette, of sondry hewe, [259] Garlondes ful of freshe floures newe. [260] And in a prive corner in disport [261] Fond I Venus and hire porter Richesse, [262] That was ful noble and hautayn of hyre port -- [263] Derk was that place, but afterward lightnesse [264] I saw a lyte, unnethe it myghte be lesse -- [265] And on a bed of gold she lay to reste, [266] Til that the hote sonne gan to weste. [267] Hyre gilte heres with a golden thred [268] Ibounden were, untressed as she lay, [269] And naked from the brest unto the hed [270] Men myghte hire sen; and, sothly for to say, [271] The remenaunt was wel kevered to my pay, [272] Ryght with a subtyl coverchef of Valence -- [273] Ther was no thikkere cloth of no defense. [274] The place yaf a thousand savours sote, [275] And Bachus, god of wyn, sat hire besyde, [276] And Ceres next, that doth of hunger boote, [277] And, as I seyde, amyddes lay Cypride, [278] To whom on knees two yonge folk ther cryde [279] To ben here helpe. But thus I let hire lye, [280] And ferther in the temple I gan espie [281] That, in dispit of Dyane the chaste, [282] Ful many a bowe ibroke heng on the wal [283] Of maydenes swiche as gonne here tymes waste [284] In hyre servyse; and peynted overal [285] Ful many a story, of which I touche shal [286] A fewe, as of Calyxte and Athalante, [287] And many a mayde of which the name I wante. [288] Semyramis, Candace, and Hercules, [289] Biblis, Dido, Thisbe, and Piramus, [290] Tristram, Isaude, Paris, and Achilles, [291] Eleyne, Cleopatre, and Troylus, [292] Silla, and ek the moder of Romulus: [293] Alle these were peynted on that other syde, [294] And al here love, and in what plyt they dyde. [295] Whan I was come ayeyn into the place [296] That I of spak, that was so sote and grene, [297] Forth welk I tho myselven to solace. [298] Tho was I war wher that ther sat a queene [299] That, as of lyght the somer sonne shene [300] Passeth the sterre, right so over mesure [301] She fayrer was than any creature. [302] And in a launde, upon an hil of floures, [303] Was set this noble goddesse Nature. [304] Of braunches were here halles and here boures [305] Iwrought after here cast and here mesure; [306] Ne there nas foul that cometh of engendrure [307] That they ne were prest in here presence [308] To take hire dom and yeve hire audyence. [309] For this was on Seynt Valentynes day, [310] Whan every foul cometh there to chese his make, [311] Of every kynde that men thynke may, [312] And that so huge a noyse gan they make [313] That erthe, and eyr, and tre, and every lake [314] So ful was that unethe was there space [315] For me to stonde, so ful was al the place. [316] And right as Aleyn, in the Pleynt of Kynde, [317] Devyseth Nature of aray and face, [318] In swich aray men myghte hire there fynde. [319] This noble emperesse, ful of grace, [320] Bad every foul to take his owne place, [321] As they were woned alwey fro yer to yeere, [322] Seynt Valentynes day, to stonden theere. [323] That is to seyn, the foules of ravyne [324] Weere hyest set, and thanne the foules smale [325] That eten, as hem Nature wolde enclyne, [326] As worm or thyng of which I telle no tale; [327] And water-foul sat lowest in the dale; [328] But foul that lyveth by sed sat on the grene, [329] And that so fele that wonder was to sene. [330] There myghte men the royal egle fynde, [331] That with his sharpe lok perseth the sonne, [332] And othere egles of a lowere kynde, [333] Of whiche that clerkes wel devyse conne. [334] Ther was the tiraunt with his fetheres donne [335] And grey -- I mene the goshauk that doth pyne [336] To bryddes for his outrageous ravyne. [337] The gentyl faucoun, that with his feet distrayneth [338] The kynges hand; the hardy sperhauk eke, [339] The quayles foo; the merlioun, that payneth [340] Hymself ful ofte the larke for to seke; [341] There was the douve with hire yen meke; [342] The jelous swan, ayens his deth that syngeth. [343] The oule ek, that of deth the bode bryngeth. [344] The crane, the geaunt, with his trompes soun; [345] The thef, the chough; and ek the janglynge pye; [346] The skornynge jay; the eles fo, heroun; [347] The false lapwynge, ful of trecherye; [348] The stare, that the conseyl can bewrye; [349] The tame ruddok, and the coward kyte; [350] The kok, that orloge is of thorpes lyte; [351] The sparwe, Venus sone; the nyghtyngale, [352] That clepeth forth the grene leves newe; [353] The swalwe, mortherere of the foules smale [354] That maken hony of floures freshe of hewe; [355] The wedded turtil, with hire herte trewe; [356] The pekok, with his aungels fetheres bryghte; [357] The fesaunt, skornere of the cok by nyghte; [358] The waker goos; the cukkow ever unkynde; [359] The popynjay, ful of delicasye; [360] The drake, stroyere of his owene kynde; [361] The stork, the wrekere of avouterye; [362] The hote cormeraunt of glotenye; [363] The raven wys; the crowe with vois of care; [364] The throstil old; the frosty feldefare. [365] What shulde I seyn? Of foules every kynde [366] That in this world han fetheres and stature [367] Men myghten in that place assembled fynde [368] Byfore the noble goddesse Nature, [369] And ech of hem dide his besy cure [370] Benygnely to chese or for to take, [371] By hire acord, his formel or his make. [372] But to the poynt: Nature held on hire hond [373] A formel egle, of shap the gentilleste [374] That evere she among hire werkes fond, [375] The moste benygne and the goodlieste. [376] In hire was everi vertu at his reste, [377] So ferforth that Nature hireself hadde blysse [378] To loke on hire, and ofte hire bek to kysse. [379] Nature, the vicaire of the almyghty Lord, [380] That hot, cold, hevy, lyght, moyst, and dreye [381] Hath knyt by evene noumbres of acord, [382] In esy voys began to speke and seye, [383] "Foules, tak hed of my sentence, I preye, [384] And for youre ese, in fortheryng of youre nede, [385] As faste as I may speke, I wol yow speede. [386] "Ye knowe wel how, Seynt Valentynes day, [387] By my statut and thorgh my governaunce, [388] Ye come for to cheese -- and fle youre wey -- [389] Youre makes, as I prike yow with plesaunce; [390] But natheles, my ryghtful ordenaunce [391] May I nat lete for al this world to wynne, [392] That he that most is worthi shal begynne. [393] "The tersel egle, as that ye knowe wel, [394] The foul royal, above yow in degre, [395] The wyse and worthi, secre, trewe as stel, [396] Which I have formed, as ye may wel se, [397] In every part as it best liketh me -- [398] It nedeth not his shap yow to devyse -- [399] He shal first chese and speken in his gyse. [400] "And after hym by ordre shul ye chese, [401] After youre kynde, everich as yow lyketh, [402] And, as youre hap is, shul ye wynne or lese. [403] But which of yow that love most entriketh, [404] God sende hym hire that sorest for hym syketh!" [405] And therwithal the tersel gan she calle, [406] And seyde, "My sone, the choys is to the falle. [407] "But natheles, in this condicioun [408] Mot be the choys of everich that is heere, [409] That she agre to his eleccioun, [410] Whoso he be that shulde be hire feere. [411] This is oure usage alwey, fro yer to yeere, [412] And whoso may at this tyme have his grace [413] In blisful tyme he cam into this place!" [414] With hed enclyned and with humble cheere [415] This royal tersel spak, and tariede noght: [416] "Unto my soverayn lady, and not my fere, [417] I chese, and chese with wil, and herte, and thought, [418] The formel on youre hond, so wel iwrought, [419] Whos I am al, and evere wol hire serve, [420] Do what hire lest, to do me lyve or sterve; [421] "Besekynge hire of merci and of grace, [422] As she that is my lady sovereyne; [423] Or let me deye present in this place. [424] For certes, longe may I nat lyve in payne, [425] For in myn herte is korven every veyne. [426] Havynge reward only to my trouthe, [427] My deere herte, have on my wo som routhe. [428] "And if that I be founde to hyre untrewe, [429] Disobeysaunt, or wilful necligent, [430] Avauntour, or in proces love a newe, [431] I preye to yow this be my jugement: [432] That with these foules I be al torent, [433] That ilke day that evere she me fynde [434] To hir untrewe, or in my gilt unkynde. [435] "And syn that non loveth hire so wel as I, [436] Al be she nevere of love me behette, [437] Thanne oughte she be myn thourgh hire mercy, [438] For other bond can I non on hire knette. [439] Ne nevere for no wo ne shal I lette [440] To serven hire, how fer so that she wende; [441] Say what yow list, my tale is at an ende." [442] Ryght as the freshe, rede rose newe [443] Ayeyn the somer sonne coloured is, [444] Ryght so for shame al wexen gan the hewe [445] Of this formel, whan she herde al this; [446] She neyther answerde wel, ne seyde amys, [447] So sore abasht was she, tyl that Nature [448] Seyde, "Doughter, drede yow nought, I yow assure." [449] Another tersel egle spak anon, [450] Of lower kynde, and seyde, "That shal nat be! [451] I love hire bet than ye don, by Seint John, [452] Or at the leste I love hire as wel as ye, [453] And lenger have served hire in my degre; [454] And if she shulde have loved for long lovynge, [455] To me allone hadde be the guerdonynge. [456] "I dar ek seyn, if she me fynde fals, [457] Unkynde, janglere, or rebel any wyse, [458] Or jelous, do me hangen by the hals! [459] And, but I bere me in hire servyse [460] As wel as that my wit can me suffyse, [461] From poynt in poynt, hyre honour for to save, [462] Take she my lif and al the good I have!" [463] The thridde tercel egle answerde tho, [464] "Now, sires, ye seen the lytel leyser heere; [465] For every foul cryeth out to ben ago [466] Forth with his make, or with his lady deere; [467] And ek Nature hireself ne wol not heere, [468] For taryinge here, not half that I wolde seye; [469] And but I speke, I mot for sorwe deye. [470] "Of long servyse avaunte I me nothing; [471] But as possible is me to deye to-day [472] For wo as he that hath ben languysshyng [473] This twenty wynter, and wel happen may; [474] A man may serven bet and more to pay [475] In half a yer, although it were no moore, [476] Than som man doth that hath served ful yoore. [477] "I seye not this by me, for I ne can [478] Don no servyse that may my lady plese; [479] But I dar seyn, I am hire treweste man [480] As to my dom, and faynest wolde hire ese. [481] At shorte wordes, til that deth me sese [482] I wol ben heres, whether I wake or wynke, [483] And trewe in al that herte may bethynke." [484] Of al my lyf, syn that day I was born, [485] So gentil ple in love or other thyng [486] Ne herde nevere no man me beforn -- [487] Who that hadde leyser and connyng [488] For to reherse hire chere and hire spekyng; [489] And from the morwe gan this speche laste [490] Tyl dounward went the sonne wonder faste. [491] The noyse of foules for to ben delyvered [492] So loude rong, "Have don, and lat us wende!" [493] That wel wende I the wode hadde al to-shyvered. [494] "Com of!" they criede, "allas, ye wol us shende! [495] Whan shal youre cursede pletynge have an ende? [496] How sholde a juge eyther parti leve [497] For ye or nay withouten any preve?" [498] The goos, the cokkow, and the doke also [499] So cryede, "Kek kek! kokkow! quek quek!" hye, [500] That thourgh myne eres the noyse wente tho. [501] The goos seyde, "Al this nys not worth a flye! [502] But I can shape herof a remedie, [503] And I wol seye my verdit fayre and swythe [504] For water-foul, whoso be wroth or blythe!" [505] "And I for worm-foul," seyde the fol kokkow, [506] "For I wol of myn owene autorite, [507] For comune spede, take on the charge now, [508] For to delyvere us is gret charite." [509] "Ye may abyde a while yit, parde!" [510] Quod the turtel, "If it be youre wille [511] A wight may speke, hym were as fayr be stylle. [512] "I am a sed-foul, oon the unworthieste, [513] That wot I wel, and litel of connynge. [514] But bet is that a wyghtes tonge reste [515] Than entermeten hym of such doinge, [516] Of which he neyther rede can ne synge; [517] And whoso hit doth ful foule hymself acloyeth, [518] For office uncommytted ofte anoyeth." [519] Nature, which that alwey hadde an ere [520] To murmur of the lewednesse behynde, [521] With facound voys seyde, "Hold youre tonges there! [522] And I shal sone, I hope, a conseyl fynde [523] Yow to delyvere, and fro this noyse unbynde: [524] I juge, of every folk men shul oon calle [525] To seyn the verdit for yow foules alle." [526] Assented were to this conclusioun [527] The briddes alle; and foules of ravyne [528] Han chosen fyrst, by pleyn eleccioun, [529] The tercelet of the faucoun to diffyne [530] Al here sentence, and as him lest, termyne; [531] And to Nature hym gonne to presente, [532] And she accepteth hym with glad entente. [533] The terslet seyde thanne in this manere: [534] "Ful hard were it to preve by resoun [535] Who loveth best this gentil formel heere; [536] For everych hath swich replicacioun [537] That non by skilles may be brought adoun. [538] I can not se that argumentes avayle: [539] Thanne semeth it there moste be batayle." [540] "Al redy!" quod these egles tercels tho. [541] "Nay, sires," quod he, "if that I durste it seye, [542] Ye don me wrong, my tale is not ido! [543] For, sires -- ne taketh not agref I preye -- [544] It may not gon as ye wolde in this weye; [545] Oure is the voys that han the charge in honde, [546] And to the juges dom ye moten stonde. [547] "And therfore pes! I seye, as to my wit, [548] Me wolde thynke how that the worthieste [549] Of knyghthod, and lengest had used it, [550] Most of estat, of blod the gentilleste, [551] Were sittyngest for hire, if that hir leste; [552] And of these thre she wot hireself, I trowe, [553] Which that he be, for it is light to knowe." [554] The water-foules han here hedes leid [555] Togedere, and of a short avysement, [556] Whan everych hadde his large golee seyd, [557] They seyden sothly, al by oon assent, [558] How that the goos, with here facounde gent, [559] "That so desyreth to pronounce oure nede, [560] Shal telle oure tale," and preyede "God hire spede!" [561] And for these water-foules tho began [562] The goos to speke, and in hire kakelynge [563] She seyde, "Pes! Now tak kep every man, [564] And herkeneth which a resoun I shal forth brynge! [565] My wit is sharp; I love no taryinge; [566] I seye I rede hym, though he were my brother, [567] But she wol love hym, lat hym love another!" [568] "Lo, here a parfit resoun of a goos!" [569] Quod the sperhauk; "Nevere mot she thee! [570] Lo, swich it is to have a tonge loos! [571] Now parde, fol, yit were it bet for the [572] Han holde thy pes than shewed thy nycete. [573] It lyth nat in his wit, ne in his wille, [574] But soth is seyd, `a fol can not be stille.'" [575] The laughter aros of gentil foules alle, [576] And right anon the sed-foul chosen hadde [577] The turtle trewe, and gonne hire to hem calle, [578] And preyeden hire to seyn the sothe sadde [579] Of this matere, and axede what she radde. [580] And she answerde that pleynly hire entente [581] She wolde shewe, and sothly what she mente. [582] "Nay, God forbede a lovere shulde chaunge!" [583] The turtle seyde, and wex for shame al red, [584] "Though that his lady everemore be straunge, [585] Yit lat hym serve hire ever, til he be ded. [586] Forsothe, I preyse nat the goses red; [587] `For, though she deyede, I wolde non other make; [588] I wol ben hires, til that the deth me take.'" [589] "Wel bourded," quod the doke, "by myn hat! [590] That men shulde loven alwey causeles! [591] Who can a resoun fynde or wit in that? [592] Daunseth he murye that is myrtheles? [593] Who shulde recche of that is recheles?" [594] "Ye queke," seyde the goos, "ful wel and fayre! [595] There been mo sterres, God wot, than a payre!" [596] "Now fy, cherl!" quod the gentil tercelet, [597] "Out of the donghil cam that word ful right! [598] Thow canst nat seen which thyng is wel beset! [599] Thow farst by love as oules don by lyght: [600] The day hem blent, ful wel they se by nyght. [601] Thy kynde is of so low a wrechednesse [602] That what love is, thow canst nouther seen ne gesse." [603] Tho gan the kokkow putte hym forth in pres [604] For foul that eteth worm, and seyde blyve: -- [605] "So I," quod he, "may have my make in pes, [606] I reche nat how longe that ye stryve. [607] Lat ech of hem be soleyn al here lyve! [608] This is my red, syn they may nat acorde; [609] This shorte lessoun nedeth nat recorde." [610] "Ye, have the glotoun fild inow his paunche, [611] Thanne are we wel!" seyde the merlioun; [612] "Thow mortherere of the heysoge on the braunche [613] That broughte the forth, thow reufullest glotoun! [614] Lyve thow soleyn, wormes corupcioun, [615] For no fors is of lak of thy nature! [616] Go, lewed be thow whil the world may dure!" [617] "Now pes," quod Nature, "I comaunde heer! [618] For I have herd al youre opynyoun, [619] And in effect yit be we nevere the neer. [620] But fynally, this is my conclusioun, [621] That she hireself shal han hir eleccioun [622] Of whom hire lest; whoso be wroth or blythe, [623] Hym that she cheest, he shal hire han as swithe. [624] "For sith it may not here discussed be [625] Who loveth hire best, as seyde the tercelet, [626] Thanne wol I don hire this favour, that she [627] Shal han right hym on whom hire herte is set, [628] And he hire that his herte hath on hire knet: [629] Thus juge I, Nature, for I may not lye; [630] To non estat I have non other ye. [631] "But as for counseyl for to chese a make, [632] If I were Resoun, thanne wolde I [633] Conseyle yow the royal tercel take, [634] As seyde the tercelet ful skylfully, [635] As for the gentilleste and most worthi, [636] Which I have wrought so wel to my plesaunce [637] That to yow hit oughte to been a suffisaunce." [638] With dredful vois the formel hire answerde, [639] "My rightful lady, goddesse of Nature! [640] Soth is that I am evere under youre yerde, [641] As is everich other creature, [642] And mot be youres whil my lyf may dure; [643] And therfore graunteth me my firste bone, [644] And myn entente I wol yow sey right sone." [645] "I graunte it yow," quod she; and right anon [646] This formel egle spak in this degre: [647] "Almyghty queen, unto this yer be don, [648] I axe respit for to avise me, [649] And after that to have my choys al fre. [650] This al and som that I wol speke and seye; [651] Ye gete no more, although ye do me deye! [652] "I wol nat serve Venus ne Cupide, [653] Forsothe as yit, by no manere weye." [654] "Now, syn it may non otherwise betyde," [655] Quod Nature, "heere is no more to seye. [656] Thanne wolde I that these foules were aweye, [657] Ech with his make, for taryinge lengere heere!" [658] And seyde hem thus, as ye shul after here. [659] "To yow speke I, ye tercelets," quod Nature, [660] "Beth of good herte, and serveth alle thre. [661] A yer is nat so longe to endure, [662] And ech of yow peyne him in his degre [663] For to do wel, for, God wot, quyt is she [664] Fro yow this yer; what after so befalle, [665] This entremes is dressed for yow alle." [666] And whan this werk al brought was to an ende, [667] To every foul Nature yaf his make [668] By evene acord, and on here way they wende. [669] And, Lord, the blisse and joye that they make! [670] For ech of hem gan other in wynges take, [671] And with here nekkes ech gan other wynde, [672] Thankynge alwey the noble goddesse of kynde. [673] But fyrst were chosen foules for to synge, [674] As yer by yer was alwey hir usaunce [675] To synge a roundel at here departynge, [676] To don Nature honour and plesaunce. [677] The note, I trowe, imaked was in Fraunce, [678] The wordes were swiche as ye may heer fynde, [679] The nexte vers, as I now have in mynde. [680] "Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe, [681] That hast thes wintres wedres overshake, [682] And driven away the longe nyghtes blake! [683] "Saynt Valentyn, that art ful hy on-lofte, [684] Thus syngen smale foules for thy sake: [685] Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe, [686] That hast thes wintres wedres overshake. [687] "Wel han they cause for to gladen ofte, [688] Sith ech of hem recovered hath hys make, [689] Ful blissful mowe they synge when they wake: [690] Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe, [691] That hast thes wintres wedres overshake, [692] And driven away the longe nyghtes blake!" [693] And with the shoutyng, whan the song was do [694] That foules maden at here flyght awey, [695] I wok, and othere bokes tok me to, [696] To reede upon, and yit I rede alwey. [697] I hope, ywis, to rede so som day [698] That I shal mete som thyng for to fare [699] The bet, and thus to rede I nyl nat spare. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Boece Book 1 [1] Allas! I wepynge, am constreyned to bygynnen [2] vers of sorwful matere, that whilom in florysschyng [3] studie made delitable ditees. For [4] lo, rendynge muses of poetes enditen to me [5] thynges to ben writen, and drery vers of wretchidnesse [6] weten my face with verray teres. At [7] the leeste, no drede ne myghte overcomen [8] tho muses, that thei ne were felawes, and folwyden [9] my wey (that is to seyn, whan [10] I was exiled). They that weren glorie of [11] my youthe, whilom weleful and grene, [12] conforten nowe the sorwful wyerdes of me, olde [13] man. For eelde is comyn unwarly uppon me, [14] hasted by the harmes that Y have, and sorwe [15] hath comandid his age to ben in me. Heeris hore [16] arn schad overtymeliche upon myn heved, and [17] the slakke skyn trembleth of myn emptid body. [18] Thilke deth of men is weleful that ne comyth [19] noght in yeeris that ben swete, but [20] cometh to wrecches often yclepid. Allas, [21] allas! With how deef an ere deth, cruwel, [22] turneth awey fro wrecches and nayteth to [23] closen wepynge eien. Whil Fortune, unfeithful, [24] favourede me with lyghte goodes, the sorwful [25] houre (that is to seyn, the deth) hadde almoost [26] dreynt myn heved. But now, for Fortune [27] cloudy hath chaunged hir deceyvable [28] chere to meward, myn unpietous lif draweth [29] along unagreable duellynges in me. O ye, [30] my frendes, what or wherto avaunted ye [31] me to be weleful? For he that hath fallen stood [32] noght in stedefast degre. [1] In the mene while that I, stille, recordede [2] these thynges with myself and merkid my weply [3] compleynte with office of poyntel, I saw, [4] stondynge aboven the heghte of myn heved, a [5] womman of ful greet reverence by semblaunt, [6] hir eien brennynge and cleer-seynge over the [7] comune myghte of men; with a lifly colour [8] and with swich vigour and strengthe that it ne [9] myghte nat ben emptid, al were it so [10] that sche was ful of so greet age that men [11] ne wolden nat trowen in no manere that [12] sche were of our elde. The stature of hire was [13] of a doutous jugement, for somtyme sche constreyned [14] and schronk hirselven lik to the comune [15] mesure of men, and somtyme it semede [16] that sche touchede the hevene with the heghte [17] of here heved. And whan sche hef hir heved [18] heyere, sche percede the selve hevene so that [19] the sighte of men lokynge was in ydel. [20] Hir clothes weren makid of right delye [21] thredes and subtil craft of perdurable matere; [22] the whiche clothes sche hadde woven with [23] hir owene handes, as I knew wel aftir by hirselve [24] declarynge and schewynge to me. The [25] beaute [of] the whiche clothes a derknesse of a [26] forleten and despised elde hadde duskid and [27] dirked, as it is wont to dirken besmokede [28] ymages. In the nethereste hem or bordure of [29] thise clothes, men redden ywoven in a [30] Grekissch P (that signifieth the lif actif); [31] and aboven that lettre, in the heieste [32] bordure, a Grekyssh T (that signifieth the lif [33] contemplatif). And bytwixen thise two lettres [34] ther were seyn degrees nobly ywrought in [35] manere of laddres, by whiche degrees men [36] myghten clymben fro the nethereste lettre to the [37] uppereste. Natheles handes of some men hadden [38] korve that cloth by violence and by [39] strengthe, and everich man of hem hadde [40] boren awey swiche peces as he myghte [41] geten. And forsothe this forseide womman bar [42] smale bokis in hir right hand, and in hir left hand [43] sche bar a ceptre. [44] And whan she saughe thise poetical muses [45] aprochen aboute my bed and enditynge wordes [46] to my wepynges, sche was a litil amoeved, and [47] glowede with cruel eighen. "Who," quat sche, [48] "hath suffred aprochen to this sike man thise [49] comune strompettis of swich a place that [50] men clepen the theatre? The whiche nat [51] oonly ne asswagen noght his sorwes with [52] none remedies, but thei wolden fedyn and [53] noryssen hym with sweete venym. Forsothe [54] thise ben tho that with thornes and prikkynges [55] of talentz or affeccions, whiche that ne bien [56] nothyng fructifyenge nor profitable, destroyen [57] the corn plentyvous of fruytes of resoun. For [58] thei holden hertes of men in usage, but thei [59] delyvre noght folk fro maladye. But yif ye [60] muses hadden withdrawen fro me with [61] youre flateries any unkunnynge and unprofitable [62] man, as men ben wont to fynde [63] comonly among the peple, I wolde wene suffre [64] the lasse grevosly; forwhi, in swych an unprofitable [65] man, myne ententes weren nothyng [66] endamaged. But ye withdrawen me this man, [67] that hath ben noryssed in the studies or scoles of [68] Eliaticis and Achademycis in Grece. But goth [69] now rather awey, ye mermaydenes, whiche [70] that ben swete til it be at the laste, and [71] suffreth this man to ben cured and heeled [72] by myne muses (that is to seyn, by noteful [73] sciences)." [74] And thus this companye of muses, iblamed, [75] casten wrothly the chere dounward to the erthe, [76] and, schewynge by rednesse hir schame, thei [77] passeden sorwfully the thresschefold. And I, of [78] whom the sighte, ploungid in teeres, was dirked [79] so that Y ne myghte noght knowen what [80] that womman was of so imperial auctorite, [81] I wax al abayssched and astoned, and caste [82] my syghte doun to the erthe, and bygan stille for [83] to abide what sche woolde doon aftirward. Tho [84] com sche ner and sette her doun uppon the [85] uttereste corner of my bed; and sche, byholdynge [86] my chere that was cast to the erthe [87] hevy and grevous of wepynge, compleynede [88] with thise wordis that I schal seyn the perturbacion thought. [1] "Allas! How the thought of this man, dreynt [2] in overthrowynge depnesse, dulleth and forleteth [3] his propre clernesse, myntynge to gon into [4] foreyne dirknesses as ofte as his anoyos [5] bysynes waxeth withoute mesure, that is [6] dryven with werldly wyndes. This man, that [7] whilom was fre, to whom the hevene was [8] opyn and knowen, and was wont to gon in [9] hevenliche pathes, and saughe the lyghtnesse [10] of the rede sonne, and saughe the [11] sterres of the coolde mone, and whiche [12] sterre in hevene useth wandrynge recourses [13] iflyt by diverse speeris -- this man, overcomere, [14] hadde comprehendid al this by nombre (of [15] acontynge in astronomye). And, over this, he [16] was wont to seken the causes whennes the sounynge [17] wyndes moeven and bysien the smothe [18] watir of the see; and what spirit turneth the [19] stable hevene; and why the sterre ariseth [20] out of the rede est, to fallen in the westrene [21] wawes; and what attemprith the lusty [22] houres of the firste somer sesoun, that highteth [23] and apparaileth the erthe with rosene [24] floures; and who maketh that plentyvous [25] autumpne in fulle [yere] fletith with hevy [26] grapes. And eek this man was wont to tellen [27] the diverse causes of nature that weren yhidd. [28] Allas! Now lyth he emptid of lyght of his [29] thoght, and his nekke is pressyd with hevy [30] cheynes, and bereth his chere enclyned [31] adoun for the grete weyghte, and is constreyned [32] to loken on the fool erthe!" [1] "But tyme is now," quod sche, "of medicyne [2] more than of compleynte." Forsothe thanne [3] sche, entendynge to meward with al the lookynge [4] of hir eien, seyde: "Art nat thou he," [5] quod sche, "that whilom, norissched with my [6] melk and fostred with myne metes, were escaped [7] and comyn to corage of a parfit man? [8] Certes I yaf the swiche armures that, yif thou [9] thiselve ne haddest first cast hem awey, [10] they schulden han defended the in sekernesse [11] that mai nat ben overcomyn. Knowestow [12] me nat? Why arttow stille? Is it for [13] schame or for astonynge? It were me levere [14] that it were for schame, but it semeth me that [15] astonynge hath oppresside the." And whan sche [16] say me nat oonly stille but withouten office [17] of tunge and al dowmbe, sche leyde hir hand [18] sooftly uppon my breest and seide: "Here nys [19] no peril," quod sche; "he is fallen into a [20] litargye, whiche that is a comune seknesse [21] to hertes that been desceyved. He hath a [22] litil foryeten hymselve, but certes he schal [23] lightly remembren hymself yif so be that he [24] hath knowen me or now; and that he may so [25] doon, I will wipe a litil his eien that ben [26] dirked by the cloude of mortel thynges." Thise [27] woordes seide sche, and with the lappe of hir [28] garnement yplited in a frownce sche dryede [29] myn eien, that weren fulle of the wawes of wepynges. [1] Thus, whan that nyght was discussed and [2] chased awey, dirknesses forleten me, and to [3] myn eien repeyred ayen hir firste strengthe. [4] And ryght by ensaumple as the sonne is hydd [5] whan the sterres ben clustred (that is to seyn, [6] whan sterres ben covered with cloudes) by [7] a swyft wynd that hyghte Chorus, and that [8] the firmament stant dirked with wete plowngy [9] cloudes; and that the sterres nat apeeren [10] upon hevene, so that the nyght semeth [11] sprad upon erthe: yif thanne the wynde that [12] hyghte Boreas, isent out of the kaves of the [13] cuntre of Trace, betith this nyght (that is to [14] seyn, chaseth it awey) and discovereth the [15] closed day, thanne schyneth Phebus ischaken [16] with sodeyn light and smyteth with his beemes [17] in merveylynge eien. [1] Ryght so, and noon other wise, the cloudes [2] of sorwe dissolved and doon awey, I took hevene, [3] and resceyved mynde to knowe the face [4] of my fisycien; so that [whan] [that] I sette myne [5] eien on hir and fastned my lookynge, I byholde [6] my noryce, Philosophie, in whoos houses I [7] hadde conversed and hauntyd fro my youthe; [8] and I seide thus: "O thou maystresse of alle [9] vertues, descended from the sovereyne [10] sete, whi arttow comen into this solitarie [11] place of myn exil? Artow comen for thou [12] art maad coupable with me of false blames?" [13] "O," quod sche, "my nory, schulde I forsake [14] the now, and schulde I nat parten with the by [15] comune travaile the charge that thow hast [16] suffred for envye of my name? Certes it nere nat [17] leveful ne syttynge thyng to Philosophie to leten [18] withouten companye the weye of hym that is [19] innocent. Schulde I thanne redowte my [20] blame and agrysen as though ther were [21] byfallen a newe thyng? For trowestow that [22] Philosophie be now alderferst assailed in periles [23] by folk of wykkide maneris? Have I noght [24] stryven with ful greet strif in old tyme, byfor the [25] age of my Plato, ayens the foolhardynesse [26] of folye? And eek, the same Plato lyvynge, his [27] mayster Socrates desserved victorie of unryghtful [28] deth in my presence. The heritage of [29] the whiche Socrates (the heritage is to [30] seyn the doctryne of the whiche Socrates [31] in his opinyoun of felicite, that I clepe [32] welefulnesse) whan that the peple of Epycuriens [33] and Stoyciens and manye othere enforceden [34] hem to gon ravyssche everyche man for his part [35] (that is to seyn, that everych of hem wolde [36] drawen to the deffense of his opinyoun the [37] wordes of Socrates), they as in partye of hir [38] preye todrowen me, cryinge and debatyng [39] ther-ayens, and korven and torente my [40] clothes that I hadde woven with myn [41] handes; and with tho cloutes that thei [42] hadden arased out of my clothes thei wenten [43] awey wenynge that I hadde gon with hem every [44] del. In whiche Epycuriens and Stoyciens for as [45] myche as ther semede some traces or steppes of [46] myn abyte, the folie of men wenynge tho [47] Epycuryens and Stoyciens my familiers pervertede [48] some thurw the errour of the wikkide [49] or unkunnynge multitude of hem. [50] (This is to seyn, that for they semeden [51] philosophres thei weren pursuyed to the [52] deth and slayn.) [53] "So yif thou ne hast noght knowen the [54] exilynge of Anaxogore, ne the empoisonynge of [55] Socrates, ne the turmentz of Zeno, for they [56] weren straungiers, yit myghtestow han knowen [57] the Senecciens and the Canyos and the Soranas, [58] of whiche folk the renoun is neyther over-oold [59] ne unsollempne. The whiche men nothyng [60] elles ne broght hem to the deeth but oonly [61] for thei weren enformyd of myne maneris, [62] and semyde moost unlyk to the studies of [63] wykkid folk. And forthi thou oughtest noght to [64] wondren thoughe that I, in the byttere see of this [65] lif, be fordryven with tempestes blowynge [66] aboute, in the whiche this is my moste purpoos, [67] that is to seyn to displesen to wikkide men. Of [68] whiche schrewes al be the oost nevere so greet, [69] it es to despise; for it nys nat governyd with [70] no ledere (of resoun), but it es ravyssched [71] oonly by fleetynge errour folyly and [72] lyghtly; and yif they somtyme, makynge an oost [73] ayens us, assayle us as strengere, our ledere [74] draweth togidre his richesses into his tour, and [75] they ben ententyf aboute sarpleris or sachelis, [76] unprofitable for to taken. But we that ben heghe [77] above, syker fro alle tumolte and wood noyse, [78] warnstoryd and enclosed in swiche a palys [79] whider as that chaterynge or anoyinge [80] folye ne may nat atayne, we scorne swyche [81] ravyneres and henteres of fouleste thynges. [1] "Whoso it be that is cleer of vertue, sad and [2] wel ordynat of lyvynge, that hath put under [3] fote the proude wierdes, and loketh upryght [4] upon either fortune, he may holden his chere [5] undesconfited. The rage ne the manaces of the [6] see, commoevynge or chasynge upward hete [7] fro the botme, ne schal nat moeve that man. [8] Ne the unstable mowntaigne that highte Visevus, [9] that writhith out thurw his brokene [10] chemeneyes smokynge fieres, ne the wey of [11] thonderleit, that is wont to smyten hye [12] toures, ne schal nat moeve that man. Wharto [13] thanne, o wrecches, drede ye tirauntz that ben [14] wode and felenous withouten ony strengthe? [15] Hope aftir no thyng, ne drede nat; and so [16] schaltow desarmen the ire of thilke unmyghty [17] tiraunt. But whoso that, qwakynge, dredeth [18] or desireth thyng that nys noght stable of his [19] ryght, that man that so dooth hath cast [20] awey his scheeld, and is remoeved from [21] his place, and enlaceth hym in the cheyne [22] with whiche he mai ben drawen. [1] "Felistow," quod sche, "thise thynges, and [2] entren thei aughte in thy corage? Artow like [3] an asse to the harpe? Why wepistow, why [4] spillestow teeris? Yif thou abidest after helpe [5] of thi leche, the byhoveth discovre thy [6] wownde." [7] Tho I, that hadde gaderyd strengthe in my [8] corage, answeride and seide: "And nedeth it [9] yit," quod I, "of rehersynge or of ammonicioun? [10] And scheweth it nat ynoghe by [11] hymselve the scharpnesse of Fortune, that [12] waxeth wood ayens me? Ne moeveth it nat [13] the to seen the face or the manere of this place? [14] Is this the librarye which that thou haddest [15] chosen for a ryght certein sege to the in myn [16] hous, there as thow disputedest ofte with me [17] of the sciences of thynges touchynge dyvinyte [18] and mankynde? Was thanne myn habit [19] swiche as it is now? Was my face or my [20] chere swyche as now whan I soghte with [21] the the secretis of nature, whan thow enformedest [22] my maneris and the resoun of al my [23] lif to the ensaumple of the ordre of hevene? Is [24] noght this the gerdouns that I referre to the, to [25] whom I have ben obeisaunt? [26] "Certes thou confermedest by the mouth of [27] Plato this sentence, that is to seyn that comune [28] thynges or comunalites weren blisful yif they [29] that hadden studied al fully to wysdom [30] governeden thilke thynges; or elles yif it so [31] befille that the governours of comunalites [32] studieden to geten wysdom. Thou seidest eek by [33] the mouth of the same Plato that it was a [34] necessarie cause wise men to taken and desire [35] the governance of comune thynges, for that the [36] governementz of cites, ilefte in the handes of [37] felonous turmentours citezeens, ne schulde [38] noght bryngen in pestilence ande destruccioun [39] to good folk. And therfore I, folwynge [40] thilke auctorite, desired to putten forth in [41] execucion and in acte of comune administracioun [42] thilk thynges that I hadde lernyd [43] of the among my secre restyng-whiles. [44] "Thow and God, that putte the in the [45] thoughtes of wise folk, ben knowynge with me [46] that nothyng ne brought me to maistrie or [47] dignyte but the comune studie of alle goodnesse. [48] And therof cometh it that bytwixen [49] wikkid folk and me han ben grevous [50] discordes, that ne myghte nat ben relessed [51] by preyeris; for this liberte hath the fredom [52] of conscience, that the wraththe of more myghty [53] folk hath alwey ben despised of me for savacioun [54] of right. How ofte have I resisted and withstonden [55] thilke man that highte Connigaste, that [56] made alwey assawtes ayens the propre fortunes [57] of pore feble folk! How ofte eek have I put of [58] or cast out hym Trygwille, provoste of the [59] kyngis hous, bothe of the wronges that he [60] hadde bygunne to doon, and ek fully [61] performed! How ofte have I covered and [62] defended by the auctorite of me put ayens perils [63] (that is to seyn, put myn auctorite in peril for) [64] the wrecche pore folk, that the covetise of [65] straungiers unpunyschid tormentyde alwey with [66] myseses and grevances out of nombre! Nevere [67] man ne drow me yit fro right to wrong. Whan [68] I say the fortunes and the richesses of the peple [69] of the provinces ben harmed or amenuced [70] outher be pryve ravynes or by comune [71] tributz or cariages, as sory was I as they [72] that suffriden the harm. (Glosa. Whan that [73] Theodoric, the kyng of Gothes, in a dere yeer, [74] hadde his gerneeris ful of corn, and comaundede [75] that no man schulde byen no coorn til [76] his corn were soold, and that at a grevous dere [77] prys, Boece withstood that ordenaunce and [78] overcome it, knowynge al this the kyng hymselve. [79] Coempcioun is to seyn comune [80] achat or beyinge togidre, that were establissed [81] upon the peple by swich a [82] manere imposicioun, as whoso boughte a [83] busschel corn, he most yyve the kyng the fyfte [84] part.) Textus. Whan it was in the sowre hungry [85] tyme, ther was establissed or cryed grevous and [86] unplitable coempcioun, that men sayen wel it [87] schulde gretly tormenten and endamagen al the [88] provynce of Campayne, I took stryf ayens the [89] provost of the pretorie for comune profit; [90] and, the kyng knowynge of it, Y overcom [91] it, so that the coempcioun ne was nat axid [92] ne took effect. Paulyn, a conseiller of Rome, the [93] richesses of the whiche Paulyn the howndes of [94] the paleys (that is to seyn, the officeres) wolden [95] han devoured by hope and covetyse, yit drowe [96] I hym out of the jowes of hem that gapeden. And [97] for as moche as the peyne of the accusacioun [98] ajugid byforn ne schulde noght sodeynli henten [99] ne punyssche wrongfully Albyn, a [100] conseiller of Rome, I putte me ayens the [101] hates and indignacions of the accusour [102] Cyprian. Is it nat thanne inoghe isene that I have [103] purchaced grete discordes ayens myself? But I [104] oughte be the more asseured ayens alle othere [105] folk, that for the love of rightwisnesse I ne [106] reservede nevere nothyng to myselve to hemward [107] of the kyngis halle, by whiche I were the [108] more syker. But thurw tho same accusours accusynge [109] I am condempned. [110] "Of the nombre of whiche accusours, [111] oon Basilius, that whilom was chased out of [112] the kyngis servyse, is now compelled in accusynge [113] of my name for nede of foreyne moneye. [114] Also Opilion and Gaudencius han accused me, [115] al be it so that the justise regal hadde whilom [116] demed hem bothe to gon into exil for hir trecheries [117] and frawdes withouten nombre, to whiche [118] juggement they nolden nat obeye, but defendeden [119] hem by the sikernesse of holi [120] houses (that is to seyn, fledden into [121] seyntewarie); and whan this was aperceyved [122] to the kyng, he comandide that, but they [123] voydide the cite of Ravenne by certeyn day [124] assigned, that men scholde marken hem on the [125] forheved with an hoot iren and chasen hem out [126] of towne. Now what thyng semyth myghte ben [127] likned to this cruelte? For certes thilke same day [128] was resceyved the accusynge of myn name by [129] thilke same accusours. What may ben seyd [130] herto? Hath my studie and my kunnynge [131] disserved thus? Or elles the forseyde [132] dampnacioun of me -- made that hem ryghtfulle [133] accusours or no? Was noght Fortune [134] aschamed of this? Certes, al hadde noght [135] Fortune ben aschamed that innocence was [136] accused, yit oughte sche han hadde schame of [137] the fylthe of myn accusours. [138] "But axestow in somme of what gylt I am [139] accused? Men seyn that I wolde saven [140] the companye of the senatours. And [141] desirestow to heren in what manere? I am [142] accused that I schulde han disturbed the [143] accusour to beren lettres, by whiche he scholde [144] han maked the senatours gylty ayens the kynges [145] real majeste. O Maystresse, what demestow of [146] this? Schal I forsake this blame, that Y ne be no [147] schame to the? Certes I have wolde it (that is to [148] seyn, the savacioun of the senat), ne I schal [149] nevere letten to wilne it. And that I [150] confesse and am aknowe; but the entente of [151] the accusour to ben distorbed schal cese. [152] For schal I clepe it thanne a felonye or a synne [153] that I have desired the savacioun of the ordre of [154] the senat? And certes yit hadde thilke same senat [155] don by me thurw hir decretz and hir jugementz [156] as thoughe it were a synne and a felonye (that [157] is to seyn, to wilne the savacioun of hem). But [158] folye, that lyeth alwey to hymselve, may noght [159] chaunge the merite of thynges, ne I trowe [160] nat by the jugement of Socrates that it were [161] leveful to me to hide the sothe ne assente [162] to lesynges. [163] "But certes, how so evere it be of this, I putte [164] it to gessen or prisen to the jugement of the and [165] of wys folk. Of whiche thyng al the ordenaunce [166] and the sothe, for as moche as folk that been to [167] comen aftir our dayes schullen knowen it, I have [168] put it in scripture and in remembraunce. For [169] touchynge the lettres falsly maked, by [170] whiche lettres I am accused to han hoped [171] the fredom of Rome, what aperteneth me [172] to speken therof? Of whiche lettres the fraude [173] hadde ben schewed apertely, yif I hadde had [174] liberte for to han used and ben at the confessioun [175] of myn accusours, the whiche thyng in [176] alle nedes hath greet strengthe. For what other [177] fredom mai men hopen? Certes I wolde that som [178] other fredom myghte ben hoped; I wolde [179] thanne han answeryd by the wordys of a [180] man that hyghte Canyus. For whan he was [181] accused by Gaius Cesar, Germaynes sone, [182] that he was knowynge and consentynge of a [183] conjuracioun ymaked ayens hym, this Canyus [184] answeride thus: `Yif I hadde wyst it, thou [185] haddest noght wyst it.' [186] "In whiche thyng sorwe hath noght so dullid [187] my wyt that I pleyne oonly that schrewed folk [188] apparailen felonyes ayens vertu; but I wondre [189] gretly how that thei may performe thynges [190] that thei han hoped for to doon. Forwhy to [191] wylne schrewydnesse -- that cometh peraventure [192] of our defaute; but it is lyk a monstre [193] and a merveyle how that, in the presente [194] sight of God, may ben acheved and performed [195] swiche thynges as every felonous man [196] hath conceyved in his thoght ayens innocentz. [197] For whiche thynge oon of thy familiers [198] noght unskilfully axed thus: `Yif God [199] is, whennes comen wikkide thyngis? And [200] yif God ne is, whennes comen gode [201] thynges?' But al hadde it ben leveful that [202] felonous folk, that now desiren the blood and [203] the deeth of alle gode men and ek of al the senat, [204] han wilned to gon destroyen me, whom they han [205] seyn alwey bataylen and defenden gode men [206] and eek al the senat, yit hadde I nought [207] disservyd of the faderes (that is to seyn, of [208] the senatours) that they schulden wilne my [209] destruccioun. [210] "Thow remembrest wel, as I gesse, that [211] whan I wolde doon or seyn any thyng, [212] thow thiselve alwey present reuledest me. [And] [213] [wel] [thow] [remembrest] at the cite of Verone, [214] whan that the kyng, gredy of comune slaughtre, [215] caste hym to transporten upon al the ordre of the [216] senat the gilt of his real majeste, of the whiche [217] gilt that Albyn was accused, with how gret [218] sykernesse of peril to me defended I al the senat! [219] Thow woost wel that I sey sooth, ne [220] I n' avawntede me nevere in preysynge [221] of myselve. For alwey whan any wyght [222] resceyveth precious renoun in avauntynge [223] hymselve of his werkes, he amenuseth the secre [224] of his conscience. But now thow mayst wel seen [225] to what eende I am comen for myn innocence; [226] I resceyve peyne of fals felonye for guerdoun of [227] verrai vertue. And what opene confessioun of [228] felonye hadde evere juges so accordaunt in [229] cruelte (that is to seyn, as myn accusynge [230] hath. that either errour of mannys wit, or [231] elles condicion of fortune, that is uncerteyn [232] to alle mortel folk, ne submyttede some of hem [233] (that is to seyn, that it ne enclynede som juge [234] to have pite or compassioun)? For althoughe I [235] hadde ben accused that I wolde brenne holi [236] houses and straungle preestis with wykkid [237] sweerd, or that I hadde greythed deth to alle [238] gode men, algates the sentence scholde han [239] punysshed me present, confessed or convict. [240] But now I am remuwed fro the cite of [241] Rome almest fyve hundred thowsand paas, [242] I am withoute deffense dampnyd to proscripcion [243] and to the deth for the studie and [244] bountes that I have doon to the senat. But, O, [245] wel ben thei wurthy of meryte (as who seith, [246] nay), ther myghte nevere yit noon of hem ben [247] convicte of swiche a blame as myn is. Of whiche [248] trespas myne accusours sayen ful wel the [249] dignete; the whiche dignyte, for thei [250] wolden derken it with medlynge of some [251] felonye, they bare me on hande and lieden [252] that I hadde pollut and defouled my conscience [253] with sacrilegie for covetise of dignyte. And [254] certes thou thiselve, that art plaunted in me, [255] chacedest out of the sege of my corage alle [256] covetise of mortel thynges, ne sacrilege ne [257] hadde no leve to han a place in me byforn [258] thyne eien. For thow droppiddest every day [259] in myn eris and in my thought thilke [260] comaundement of Pictagoras, that is to [261] seyn, men schal serven to God and noght [262] to goddes. Ne it was noght convenient ne no [263] nede to taken help of the fouleste spiritz -- I, [264] that thow hast ordeyned and set in swiche [265] excellence, that thou makedest me lyk to God. [266] And over this, the right clene secre chaumbre of [267] myn hous (that is to seyn, my wif), and the [268] companye of myne honeste freendes, and [269] my wyves fadir, as wel holi as worthy to [270] ben reverenced thurw his owene dedes, [271] defenden me fro alle suspecioun of swiche [272] blame. But O malice! For they that accusen me [273] taken of the, Philosophie, feith of so greet [274] blame, for they trowen that I have had affinyte [275] to malefice or enchauntement, bycause that I am [276] replenysshid and fulfild with thy techynges, and [277] enformed of thi maneris. And thus it suffiseth nat [278] oonly that thi reverence ne avayle me nat, but yif [279] that thow of thy free wil rather be [280] blemessched with myne offencioun. [281] "But certes, to the harmes that I have, [282] ther bytideth yit this encrees of harm, that the [283] gessynge and the jugement of moche folk ne [284] loken nothyng to the desertes of thynges, but [285] oonly to the aventure of fortune; and jugen [286] that oonly swiche thynges ben purveied of [287] God, whiche that temporel welefulnesse [288] commendeth. (Glose. As thus: that yif a [289] wyght have prosperite, he is a good man [290] and worthy to han that prosperite; and [291] whoso hath adversite, he is a wikkid [292] man, and God hath forsake hym, and he is [293] worthy to han that adversite. This is the [294] opinyoun of some folk.) Textus. And therof [295] cometh that good gessynge, first of alle thynge, [296] forsaketh wrecches. Certes it greveth me to [297] thynke ryght now the diverse sentences that the [298] peple seith of me. And thus moche I seie, that [299] the laste charge of contrarious fortune is [300] this: that whan eny blame is leid upon a [301] caytif, men wenen that he hath desservyd [302] that he suffreth. And I, that am put awey fro [303] gode men, and despoyled of dignytes, and [304] defouled of myn name by gessynge, have [305] suffride torment for my gode dedes. Certes me [306] semyth that I se the felonous covynes of wykkid [307] men habounden in joye and in gladnesse; and I [308] se that every lorel schapeth hym to fynde out [309] newe fraudes for to accuse good folk; and [310] I se that goode men [lien] overthrowen for [311] drede of my peril, and every luxurious [312] turmentour dar doon alle felonye unpunysschyd, [313] and ben excited therto by yiftes; and [314] innocentz ne ben noght oonly despoiled of [315] sikernesse, but of defense; and therfore me lyst manere: [1] "O thow makere of the wheel that bereth [2] the sterres, whiche that art festnyd to thi perdurable [3] chayer, and turnest the hevene with a [4] ravysschynge sweighe, and constreynest the [5] sterres to suffren thi lawe; so that the moone [6] somtyme, schynynge with hir fulle hornes metynge [7] with alle the beemes of the sonne hir [8] brothir, hideth the sterres that ben lasse; and [9] somtyme, whan the moone pale with hir [10] derke hornes aprocheth the sonne, leeseth [11] hir lyghtes; and that the eve sterre, Hesperus, [12] whiche that in the first tyme of the nyght [13] bryngeth forth hir colde arysynges, cometh eft [14] ayen hir used cours, and is pale by the morwe [15] at rysynge of the sonne, and is thanne clepid [16] Lucyfer! Thow restreynest the day by schortere [17] duellynge in the tyme of coold wynter that [18] maketh the leeves falle. Thow devydest the [19] swyfte tydes of the nyght, whan the hote [20] somer is comen. Thy myghte attempreth [21] the variauntz sesouns of the yer, so that [22] Zephirus, the debonere wynd, bryngeth ayen [23] in the first somer sesoun the leeves that the [24] wynd that hyghte Boreas hath reft awey in [25] autumpne (that is to seie, in the laste ende of [26] somer); and the seedes that the sterre that [27] highte Arcturus saugh ben waxen heye cornes [28] whan the sterre Syrius eschaufeth hem. Ther [29] nys no thyng unbounde from his olde lawe, [30] ne forleteth the werk of his propre estat. [31] "O thou governour, governynge alle [32] thynges by certein ende, whi refusestow oonly [33] to governe the werkes of men by duwe manere? [34] Why suffrestow that slydynge Fortune turneth [35] so grete enterchaungynges of thynges? So [36] that anoyous peyne, that scholde duweliche [37] punysche felons, punysscheth innocentz; and [38] folk of wikkide maneres sitten in heie chayeres; [39] and anoyinge folk treden, and that unrightfully, [40] on the nekkes of holi men; and [41] vertu, cleer and schynynge naturely, is [42] hidde in derke derknesses; and the rightful man [43] bereth the blame and the peyne of the feloun; ne [44] the forswerynge ne the fraude covered and [45] kembd with a false colour, ne anoieth nat to [46] schrewes? The whiche schrewes, whan hem list [47] to usen hir strengthe, they rejoyssen hem to [48] putten undir hem the sovereyne kynges, whiche [49] that peple withouten nombre dreden. O [50] thou, what so evere thou be that knyttest [51] alle boondes of thynges, loke on thise [52] wrecchide erthes. We men, that ben noght a foul [53] partie, but a fair partie of so greet a werk, we [54] ben turmented in this see of fortune. Thow [55] governour, withdraughe and restreyne the [56] ravysschynge flodes, and fastne and ferme thise [57] erthes stable with thilke boond by whiche thou [58] governest the hevene that is so large." [1] Whan I hadde with a contynuel sorwe [2] sobbyd or borken out thise thynges, sche, with [3] hir cheere pesible and nothyng amoeved with [4] my compleyntes, seide thus: "Whan I saugh [5] the," quod sche, "sorwful and wepynge, I [6] wiste anoon that thow were a wrecche and [7] exiled; but I wyste nevere how fer thyn exil [8] was yif thy tale ne hadde schewid it me. But [9] certes, al be thow fer fro thy cuntre, thou [10] n' art nat put out of it, but thow hast fayled [11] of thi weye and gon amys. And yif thou [12] hast levere for to wene that thow be put out [13] of thy cuntre, thanne hastow put out thyselve [14] rather than ony other wyght hath. For no [15] wyght but thyselve ne myghte nevere han doon [16] that to the. For yif thow remembre of what [17] cuntre thow art born, it nys nat governed by [18] emperoures, ne by governement of multitude, [19] as weren the cuntrees of hem of Atthenes; [20] but o lord and o kyng, and that is God, that [21] is lord of thi cuntre, whiche that rejoisseth [22] hym of the duellynge of his citezeens, and nat [23] for to putten hem in exil; of the whiche lord [24] it is a sovereyn fredom to ben governed by the [25] brydel of hym and obeye to his justice. Hastow [26] foryeten thilke ryghte oolde lawe of thi citee, in [27] the whiche cite it es ordeyned and establysschid [28] that what wyght that hath levere [29] founden therin his sete or his hous than [30] elleswhere, he may nat ben exiled by no [31] ryght fro that place? For whoso that is [32] contened inwith the palys and the clos of [33] thilke cite, ther nys no drede that he mai deserve [34] to ben exiled; but who that leteth the [35] wil for to enhabyten there, he forleteth also [36] to deserve to ben citezen of thilke cite. So that [37] I seie that the face of this place ne moeveth [38] me noght so mochel as thyn owene face, ne [39] I ne axe nat rather the walles of thy librarye, [40] apparayled and wrought with yvory [41] and with glas, than after the sete of thi [42] thought, in whiche I put noght whilom bookes, [43] but I putte that that maketh bokes wurthy [44] of prys or precyous, that is to seyn the sentence [45] of my bookes. [46] "And certeynly of thy dessertes bystowed in [47] comune good thow hast seyd soth, but after the [48] multitude of thy gode dedes thou hast seyd [49] fewe. And of the honestete or of the falsnesse [50] of thynges that ben opposed ayens [51] the, thow hast remembred thynges that ben [52] knowen to alle folk. And of the felonyes and [53] fraudes of thyn accusours, it semeth the have [54] touched it for sothe ryghtfully and schortly, al [55] myghten tho same thynges betere and more [56] plentevously ben couth in the mouth of the [57] peple that knoweth al this. Thow hast eek [58] blamed gretly and compleyned of the wrongdede [59] of the senat, and thow hast sorwyd [60] for my blame, and thow hast wepen for [61] the damage of thi renoun that is apayred; [62] and thi laste sorwe eschaufede ayens Fortune, [63] and compleyndest that guerdouns ne ben nat [64] eveneliche yolden to the dessertes of folk. And [65] in the lattre eende of thy wode muse, thow [66] preydest that thilke pees that governeth the [67] hevene schulde governe the erthe. [68] "But for that many [turbacions] of affeccions [69] han assailed the, and sorwe and ire and [70] wepynge todrawen the diversely, as thou [71] art now feble of thought, myghtyere remedies [72] ne schullen noght yit touchen the. For [73] wyche we wol usen somdel lyghtere medicynes, [74] so that thilke passiouns that ben waxen hard in [75] swellynge by perturbacions flowynge into thy [76] thought, mowen waxen esy and softe to resceyven [77] the strengthe of a more myghty and [78] more egre medicyne, by an esyere touchynge. [1] "Whan that the hevy sterre of the Cancre [2] eschaufeth by the bemes of Phebus (that is to [3] seyn, whan that Phebus the sonne is in the [4] sygne of the Cancre), whoso yeveth thanne [5] largely his seedes to the feeldes that refusen [6] to resceyven hem, lat hym gon, begiled of trust [7] that he hadde to his corn, to accornes of okes. [8] Yif thow wolt gadere vyolettes, ne go thow [9] nat to the purpre wode whan the feeld, [10] chirkynge, agryseth of cold by the felnesse [11] of the wynd that hyghte Aquilon. Yif thou [12] desirest or wolt usen grapes, ne seek thou nat [13] with a glotonos hand to streyne and presse the [14] stalkes of the vyne in the first somer sesoun; [15] for Bachus, the god of wyn, hath rather yyven [16] his yiftes to autumpne (the lattere ende of [17] somer). God tokneth and assigneth the tymes, [18] ablynge hem to hir propre offices, ne he ne suffreth [19] nat the stowndes whiche that hymself [20] hath devyded and constreyned to ben [21] imedled togidre. And forthy he that forleteth [22] certein ordenaunce of doynge by overthrowynge [23] wey, he hath no glad issue or ende of his [24] werkes. [1] "First wiltow suffre me to touche and assaye [2] th' estaat of thi thought by a fewe demaundes, [3] so that I may understande what be the manere [4] of thi curacioun?" [5] "Axe me," quod I, "at thi wille what thou [6] wolt, and I schal answere." Tho seyde sche [7] thus: "Whethir wenestow," quod sche, "that [8] this world be governed by foolyssche happes [9] and fortunows, or elles wenestow that ther [10] be inne it ony governement of resoun?" [11] "Certes," quod I, "I ne trowe nat in no [12] manere that so certeyn thynges schulden be [13] moeved by fortunows [folie]; but I woot wel [14] that God, makere and maister, is governour of [15] his werk, ne nevere nas yit day that myghte [16] putte me out of the sothnesse of that sentence." [17] "So it is," quod sche, "for the same thyng [18] songe thow a litil herebyforn, and bywayledest [19] and byweptest, that oonly men weren [20] put out of the cure of God; for of alle othere [21] thynges thou ne doutedest the nat that they [22] nere governed by resoun. But owgh! I wondre [23] gretly, certes, whi that thou art sik, syn that [24] thow art put in so holsome a sentence. But lat [25] us seken deppere; I conjecte that ther lakketh [26] Y not what. But sey me this: syn that thow [27] ne doutest noght that this world be governed [28] by God, with whiche governayles takestow [29] heede that it is governed?" [30] "Unnethes," quod I, "knowe I the sentence [31] of thy questioun, so that I ne may [32] nat yit answeren to thy demandes." [33] "I nas nat desseyved," quod sche, "that ther [34] ne faileth somwhat, by whiche the maladye of [35] perturbacion is crept into thi thought, so as [36] [by] the strengthe of the palys chynynge [37] [and] open. But sey me this: remembrestow [38] what is the ende of thynges, and whider that [39] the entencion of alle kende tendeth?" [40] "I have herd tolde it somtyme," quod I, [41] "but drerynesse hath dulled my memorie." [42] "Certes," quod sche, "thou wost wel whennes [43] that alle thynges bien comen and proceded?" [44] "I woot wel," quod I, and answerede that [45] God is bygynnynge of al. [46] "And how may this be," quod sche, "that, [47] syn thow knowest the bygynnynge of thynges, [48] that thow ne knowest nat what is the eende [49] of thynges? But swiche ben the customes [50] of perturbaciouns, and this power they han, [51] that they mai moeve a man from his place [52] (that is to seyn, fro the stabelnesse and perfeccion [53] of his knowynge); but certes, thei mai nat [54] al arrace hym, ne aliene hym in al. But I wolde [55] that thou woldest answere to this: Remembrestow [56] that thow art a man?" [57] Boece. "Whi schulde I nat remembren that?" [58] quod I. [59] Philosophie. "Maystow noght telle me [60] thanne," quod sche, "what thyng is a man?" [61] "Axestow me nat," quod I, "whethir [62] that I [woot wel that I] be a resonable mortel [63] beste? I woot wel, and I confesse wel that I am [64] it." [65] "Wystestow nevere yit that thow were ony [66] othir thyng?" quod sche. [67] "No," quod I. [68] "Now woot I," quod sche, "other cause of thi [69] maladye, and that ryght greet: thow hast [70] left for to knowen thyselve what thou art. [71] Thurw whiche I have pleynly fownde the [72] cause of thi maladye, or elles the entree of [73] recoverynge of thyn hele. For-why, for thow art [74] confunded with foryetynge of thiself, forthi [75] sorwestow that thow art exiled [and] [despoyled] [76] of thy propre goodes; and for thow ne woost [77] what is the eende of thynges, forthy demestow [78] that felonus and wikkide men ben myghty and [79] weleful; and for thow hast foryeten by [80] whiche governementz the werld is governed, [81] forthy weenestow that thise mutacions [82] of fortunes fleten withouten governour. [83] Thise ben grete causes, noght oonly to [84] maladye, but certes gret causes to deth. But I [85] thanke the auctour and the makere of hele, that [86] nature hath nat al forleten the. I have gret [87] noryssynges of thyn hele, and that is, the sothe [88] sentence of governance of the werld, that thou [89] bylevest that the governynge of it nis nat [90] subgit ne underput to the folye of thise [91] happes aventurous, but to the resoun of [92] God. And therfore doute the nothing, for of this [93] litel spark thine heet of liif schal shine. [94] "But for as moche as it is nat tyme yet of [95] fastere remedies, and the nature of thoughtes [96] desceyved is this, that, as ofte as they casten awey [97] sothe opynyouns, they clothen hem in false [98] opynyouns, of the whiche false opynyouns the [99] derknesse of perturbacion waxeth up, that [100] confowndeth the verray insyghte -- [that] [101] derknesse schal I assaie somwhat to maken [102] thynne and wayk by lyghte and meneliche [103] remedies; so that, aftir that the derknesse of [104] desceyvynge desyrynges is doon away, thow [105] mowe knowe the schynynge of verraye light. [1] "The sterres, covred with blake cloudes, ne [2] owen yeten adoun no lyght. Yif the truble [3] wynd that hyghte Auster, turnynge and walwynge [4] the see, edleth the heete (that is to [5] seyn, the boylynge up fro the bote), the [6] wawes, that whilo weren clere as glas and [7] lyk to the fayre bryghte dayes, withstande [8] anon the syghtes of en by the filthe and [9] ordure that is resolved. And the fleetynge [10] stree, that royleth doun diversely fro heye [11] ontaygnes, is areestid and resisted ofte [12] tye by the encountrynge of a stoon that is [13] departed and fallen fro soe roche. And forthy, [14] yif thou wolt loken and deen soth with cleer [15] lyght, and hoolden the weye with a ryght path, [16] weyve thow joie, dryf fro the drede, flee thow [17] hope, ne lat no sorwe aproche (that is to seyn, [18] lat non of thise foure passiouns overcoen the [19] or blenden the). For cloudy and derk is [20] thilke thoght, and bownde with bridelis, [21] where as thise thynges reignen." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Boece Book 2 [1] Aftir this sche stynte a lytel; and after that [2] sche hadde ygadrede by atempre stillenesse myn [3] attencioun, she seyde thus (as who so myghte [4] seyn thus: after thise thynges sche stynte a [5] litil, and whan sche aperceyved by atempre [6] stillenesse that I was ententyf to herkne hire, [7] sche bygan to speke in this wyse): "If I," quod [8] sche, "have undirstonden and knowen outrely [9] the causes and the habyt of thy maladye, [10] thow languyssest and art desfeted for desir [11] and talent of thi rather fortune. Sche (that [12] ilke Fortune) oonly, that is chaunged, as [13] thow feynest, to the-ward, hath perverted the [14] cleernesse and the estat of thi corage. I [15] undirstonde the felefolde colours and desceytes [16] of thilke merveylous monstre Fortune and how [17] sche useth ful flaterynge famylarite with hem [18] that sche enforceth to bygyle, so longe, til that [19] sche confounde with unsuffrable sorwe [20] hem that sche hath left in despeer unpurveied. [21] And yif thou remembrest wel the [22] kende, the maneris, and the desserte of thilke [23] Fortune, thou shalt wel knowe that, as in hir, [24] thow nevere ne haddest ne hast ylost any fair [25] thyng. But, as I trowe, I schal nat greetly [26] travailen to don the remembren on thise [27] thynges. For thow were wont to hurtlen and [28] despysen hir with manly woordes whan sche [29] was blaundyssching and present, and [30] pursuydest hir with sentences that weren [31] drawen out of myn entre (that is to seyn, [32] of myn enformacioun). But no sodeyn mutacioun [33] ne bytideth noght withouten a manere [34] chaungynge of corages; and so is it byfallen [35] that thou art a litil departed fro the pees of thi [36] thought. [37] "But now is tyme that thou drynke and ataste [38] some softe and delitable thynges, so that whanne [39] thei ben entred withynne the, it mowe [40] maken wey to strengere drynkes of medycines. [41] Com now forth, therfore, the [42] suasyoun of swetnesse rethorien, whiche that [43] goth oonly the righte wey while sche forsaketh [44] nat myn estatutz. And with Rethorice com forth [45] Musice, a damoysele of our hous, that syngeth [46] now lightere moedes or prolacions, now [47] hevyere. What eyleth the, man? What is it that [48] hath cast the into moornynge and into wepynge? [49] I trow that thou hast seyn some newe thyng [50] and unkouth. Thou wenest that Fortune be [51] chaunged ayens the; but thow wenest [52] wrong (yif thou that wene): alway tho ben hir [53] maneres. Sche hath rather kept, as to the-ward, [54] hir propre stablenesse in the chaungynge of [55] hirself. Ryght swiche was sche whan sche [56] flateryd the and desseyved the with unleful [57] lykynges of false welefulnesse. Thou hast now [58] knowen and ateynt the doutous or double visage [59] of thilke blynde goddesse Fortune. Sche, [60] that yit covereth and wympleth hir to other [61] folk, hath schewyd hir every del to the. Yif [62] thou approvest here (and thynkest that sche is [63] good), use hir maneris and pleyne the nat; and [64] yif thou agrisest hir false trecherie, despise and [65] cast awey hir that pleyeth so harmfully. For sche, [66] that is now cause of so mochel sorwe to the, [67] sholde ben cause to the of pees and of joye. Sche [68] hath forsaken the, forsothe, the whiche that [69] nevere man mai ben siker that sche ne schal [70] forsaken hym. (Glose. But natheles some [71] bookes han the texte thus: forsothe sche [72] hath forsaken the, ne ther nys no man siker [73] that sche ne hath nat forsake.) Holdestow [74] thanne thilke welefulnesse precious to the, that [75] schal passen? And is present Fortune dereworth [76] to the, whiche that nys nat feithful for to duelle, [77] and whan sche goth awey that sche bryngeth a [78] wyght in sorwe? For syn she may nat ben [79] withholden at a mannys wille, [and] sche [80] maketh hym a wrecche whan sche departeth [81] fro hym, what other thyng is [82] flyttynge Fortune but a maner schewynge of [83] wrecchidnesse that is to comen? Ne it suffiseth [84] nat oonly to loken on thyng that is present [85] byforn the eien of a man; but wisdom loketh and [86] mesureth the ende of thynges. And the same [87] chaungynge from oon into another (that is to [88] seyn, fro adversite into prosperite) maketh that [89] the manaces of Fortune ne ben nat for to [90] dreden, ne the flaterynges of hir to ben [91] desired. Thus, at the laste, it byhoveth the [92] to suffren wyth evene wil in pacience al that is [93] doon inwith the floor of Fortune (that is to seyn, [94] in this world), syn thou hast oonys put thy nekke [95] undir the yok of hir. For yif thow wilt writen a [96] lawe of wendynge and of duellynge to Fortune, [97] whiche that thow hast chosen frely to ben thi [98] lady, artow nat wrongful in that, and makest [99] Fortune wroth and aspre by thyn [100] inpacience? And yit thow mayst nat [101] chaungen hir. Yif thou committest and [102] betakest thi seyles to the wynd, thow schalt ben [103] shoven, nat thider that thow woldest, but whider [104] that the wynd schouveth the. Yif thow castest thi [105] seedes in the feeldes, thou sholdest han in [106] mynde that the yeres ben amonges, outherwhile [107] plentevous and outherwhile bareyne. Thow hast [108] bytaken thiself to the governaunce of Fortune [109] and forthi it byhoveth the to ben obeisaunt [110] to the maneris of thi lady. Enforcestow the [111] to aresten or withholden the swyftnesse [112] and the sweighe of hir turnynge wheel? O thow [113] fool of alle mortel foolis! Yif Fortune bygan to [114] duelle stable, she cessede thanne to ben Fortune. [1] "Whan Fortune with a proud ryght hand hath [2] turned hir chaungynge stowndes, sche fareth [3] lyke the maneres of the boylynge Eurippe. [4] (Glosa. Eurippe is an arm of the see that ebbeth [5] and floweth, and somtyme the streem is on [6] o side, and somtyme on the tothir.) Textus. [7] She, cruel Fortune, casteth adoun kynges that [8] whilom weren ydradd; and sche, desceyvable, [9] enhaunceth up the humble chere of hym [10] that is discounfited. Ne sche neither heereth [11] ne rekketh of wrecchide wepynges; and [12] she is so hard that sche leygheth and scorneth [13] the wepynges of hem, the whiche sche hath [14] maked wepe with hir free wille. Thus sche [15] pleyeth, and thus sche prooeveth hir strengthes, [16] and scheweth a greet wonder to alle hir servauntz [17] yif that a wyght is seyn weleful and [18] overthrowe in an houre. [1] "Certes I wolde pleten with the a fewe [2] thynges, usynge the woordes of Fortune. Tak [3] hede now thyselve, yif that sche asketh ryght: [4] `O thow man, wherfore makestow me gyltyf by [5] thyne every dayes pleynynges? What wrong [6] have I don the? What godes have I byreft the [7] that weren thyne? Stryf or pleet with me byforn [8] what juge that thow wolt of the possessioun [9] of rychesses or of dignytees; and yif [10] thou maist schewen me that ever any mortel [11] man hath resceyved ony of tho thynges [12] to ben hise in propre, thanne wil I graunte freely [13] that thilke thynges weren thyne whiche that [14] thow axest. [15] "Whan that nature brought the foorth out of [16] thi modir wombe, I resceyved the nakid and [17] nedy of alle thynges, and I norissched the with [18] my richesses, and was redy and ententyf thurwe [19] my favour to sustene the -- and that maketh [20] the now inpacient ayens me; and I [21] envyrounde the with al the habundaunce [22] and schynynge of alle goodes that ben in my [23] ryght. Now it liketh me to withdrawe myn [24] hand. Thow hast had grace as he that hath [25] used of foreyne goodes; thow hast no ryght to [26] pleyne the, as though thou haddest outrely [27] forlorn alle thy thynges. Why pleynestow [28] thanne? I have doon the no wrong. Richesses, [29] honours, and swiche othere thinges ben of [30] my right. My servauntz knowen me for [31] hir lady; they comen with me, and departen [32] whan I wende. I dar wel affermen hardely [33] that, yif tho thynges of whiche thow pleynest [34] that thou hast forlorn [hem] hadden ben [35] thyne, thow ne haddest nat lorn hem. Schal [36] I thanne, oonly, be defended to usen my ryght? [37] "Certes it is leveful to the hevene to maken [38] clere dayes, and after that to coveren tho same [39] dayes with dirke nyghtes. The yeer hath [40] eek leve to apparaylen the visage of the [41] erthe, now with floures, and now with [42] fruyt, and to confownden hem somtyme with [43] reynes and with coldes. The see hath eek his [44] ryght to ben somtyme calm and blaundysschyng [45] with smothe watir, and somtyme to ben [46] horrible with wawes and with tempestes. But [47] the covetise of men, that mai nat be stawnched [48] -- schal it bynde me to ben stedfast, syn that [49] stidfastnesse is uncouth to my maneris? [50] Swiche is my strengthe, and this pley [51] I pleye continuely. I torne the whirlynge [52] wheel with the turnynge sercle; I am glad to [53] chaungen the loweste to the heyeste, and the [54] heyeste to the loweste. Worth up yif thow [55] wolt, so it be by this lawe, that thow ne holde [56] nat that I do the wroong, though thow descende [57] adown whan the resoun of my pley axeth it. [58] Wystestow nat how Cresus, kyng of Lydyens, [59] of whiche kyng Cirus was ful sore agast a [60] lytil byforn -- that this rewliche Cresus [61] was caught of Cirus and lad to the fyer to [62] ben brend; but that a rayn descendede down [63] fro hevene that rescowyde hym? And is it out [64] of thy mynde how that Paulus, consul of Rome, [65] whan he had taken the kyng of Percyens, weep [66] pitously for the captivyte of the selve kyng? [67] What other thynge bywaylen the cryinges of [68] tragedyes but oonly the dedes of Fortune, that [69] with an unwar strook overturneth the [70] realmes of greet nobleye? (Glose. Tragedye [71] is to seyn a dite of a prosperite for a [72] tyme, that endeth in wrecchidnesse.) Lernedest [73] nat thow in Greek whan thow were yong, that [74] in the entre or in the seler of Juppiter ther ben [75] cowched two tonnes, the toon is ful of good, [76] and the tother is ful of harm? What ryght [77] hastow to pleyne, yif thou hast taken more [78] plentevously of the gode side (that is to seyn, [79] of my richesses and prosperites)? And [80] what ek yif Y ne be nat al departed fro [81] the? What eek yif my mutabilite yeveth [82] the ryghtful cause of hope to han yit bettere [83] thynges? Natheles dismaye the nat in thi [84] thought; and thow that art put in the comune [85] realme of alle, desire nat to lyven by thyn oonly [86] propre ryght. [1] "Though Plente that is goddesse of rychesses [2] hielde adoun with ful horn, and withdraweth [3] nat hir hand, as many richesses as the [4] see torneth upward sandes whan it is moeved [5] with ravysshynge blastes, or elles as manye [6] rychesses as ther schynen bryghte sterres in [7] hevene on the sterry nyghtes; yit, for al that, [8] mankende nolde nat cese to wepe wrecchide [9] pleyntes. And al be it so that God resceyveth [10] gladly hir preiers, and yyveth hem, as [11] fool-large, moche gold, and apparayleth [12] coveytous folk with noble or cleer honours; [13] yit semeth hem haven igeten nothyng, but [14] alwey hir cruel ravyne, devourynge al that [15] they han geten, scheweth othere gapynges (that [16] is to seyn, gapyn and desiren yit after mo rychesses). [17] What brydles myghte withholden to [18] any certeyn ende the disordene covetise of [19] men, whan evere the rather that it fletith [20] in large yiftes, the more ay brenneth in [21] hem the thurst of havynge? Certes he that [22] qwakynge and dredful weneth hymselven [23] nedy, he ne lyveth nevermo ryche. [1] "Therfore, yif that Fortune spake with the [2] for hirself in this manere, forsothe thow ne [3] haddest noght what thou myghtest answere. [4] And yif thow hast any thyng wherwith thow [5] mayst rightfully defenden thi compleynte, it [6] behoveth the to schewen it, and I wol yyve [7] the space to tellen it." [8] "Serteynly," quod I thanne, "thise ben faire [9] thynges and enoynted with hony swetnesse [10] of Rethorik and Musike; and oonly [11] whil thei ben herd thei ben delycious, but [12] to wrecches is a deppere felyng of harm [13] (this is to seyn, that wrecches felen the harmes [14] that thei suffren more grevously than the remedies [15] or the delites of thise wordes mowen gladen [16] or conforten hem). So that, whanne thise [17] thynges stynten for to soune in eris, the sorwe [18] that es inset greveth the thought." [19] "Right so is it," quod sche. "For thise ne [20] ben yit none remedies of thy maladye, but [21] they ben a maner norisschynges of thi [22] sorwe, yit rebel ayen thi curacioun. For whan [23] that tyme is, I schal moeve and ajuste swiche [24] thynges that percen hemselve depe. But natheles [25] that thow schalt noght wilne to leten thiself [26] a wrecche, hastow foryeten the nowmbre [27] and the maner of thi welefulnesse? I holde [28] me stille how that the sovereyn men of the [29] cite token the in cure and in kepynge, [30] whan thow were orphelyn of fadir and of [31] modir, and were chose in affynite of [32] prynces of the cite; and thow bygonne rather [33] to ben leef and deere than for to been a [34] neyghebour, the whiche thyng is the moste [35] precyous kende of any propinquyte or alliaunce [36] that mai ben. Who is it that ne seide tho that [37] thow neere right weleful, with so gret a nobleye [38] of thi fadres-in-lawe, and with the chastete [39] of thy wyf, and with the oportunyte [40] and noblesse of thyne masculyn children [41] (that is to seyn, thy sones)? And over al this [42] me list to passen of comune thynges, how [43] thow haddest in thy youthe dignytees that [44] weren wernd to oolde men; but it deliteth [45] me to comen now to the synguler uphepynge [46] of thi welefulnesse. Yif any fruyt of mortel [47] thynges mai han any weyghte or pris of welefulnesse, [48] myghtestow evere forgeten, for any [49] charge of harm that myghte byfalle the, remembraunce [50] of thilke day that thow seye [51] thi two sones maked conseileris and iladde [52] togidre fro thyn hous under so greet assemble [53] of senatours and under the blithnesse of peple, [54] and whan thow saye hem set in the court in [55] hir chayeres of dignytes? Thow, rethorien or [56] pronouncere of kynges preysynges, desservedest [57] glorie of wit and of eloquence whan thow, syttynge [58] bytwixen thi two sones conseylers, in the [59] place that highte Circo, fulfildest the abydynge [60] of the multitude of peple that was [61] sprad abouten the with so large preysynge [62] and laude as men syngen in victories. Tho [63] yave thow woordes to Fortune, as I trowe, (that [64] is to seyn, tho feffedestow Fortune with glosynge [65] wordes and desceyvedest hir) whan sche [66] accoyede the and norysside the as hir owne [67] delices. Thow bare awey of Fortune a yifte [68] (that is to seye, swich guerdoun) that sche [69] nevere yaf to prive man. Wiltow therfore [70] leye a reknynge with Fortune? Sche hath [71] now twynkled first upon the with a wikkid [72] eye. If thow considere the nowmbre and the [73] maner of thy blisses and of thy sorwes, thow [74] mayst noght forsaken that thow nart yit blisful. [75] For yif thou therfore wenest thiself nat [76] weleful, for thynges that tho semeden joyeful [77] ben passed, ther nys nat why thow sholdest [78] wene thiself a wrecche; for thynges that semen [79] now sory passen also. Artow now comen [80] first, a sodeyn gest, into the schadowe or [81] tabernacle of this lif? Or trowestow that [82] any stedfastnesse be in mannes thynges, whan [83] ofte a swyft hour dissolveth the same man (that [84] is to seyn, whan the soule departeth fro the [85] body)? For although that zelde is ther any [86] feith that fortunous thynges wollen dwellen, [87] yet natheles the laste day of a mannes lif is [88] a maner deth to Fortune, and also to thilke [89] that hath dwelt. And therfore what wenestow [90] dar rekke, yif thow forleete hir in [91] deyinge, or elles that sche, Fortune, forleete awey? [1] "Whan Phebus, the sonne, bygynneth to [2] spreden his clernesse with rosene chariettes, [3] thanne the sterre, ydymmed, paleth hir white [4] cheeres by the flambes of the sonne that overcometh [5] the sterre lyght. (This to seyn, whan [6] the sonne is rysen, the day-sterre waxeth pale, [7] and leeseth hir lyght for the grete bryghtnesse [8] of the sonne.) Whan the wode waxeth rody [9] of rosene floures in the fyrst somer sesoun [10] thurw the breeth of the wynd Zephirus that [11] waxeth warm, yif the cloudy wynd Auster [12] blowe felliche, than goth awey the fairnesse [13] of thornes. Ofte the see is cleer and calm [14] without moevynge flodes, and ofte the horrible [15] wynd Aquylon moeveth boylynge tempestes, [16] and overwhelveth the see. Yif the forme [17] of this world is so zeeld stable, and yif it torneth [18] by so manye entrechaungynges, wiltow [19] thanne trusten in the tumblenge fortunes of [20] men? Wiltow trowen on flyttynge goodes? [21] It is certeyn and establissched by lawe perdurable, [22] that nothyng that is engendred nys [23] stedfast ne stable." [1] Thanne seide I thus: "O norysshe of alle vertues, [2] thou seist ful sooth; ne I mai noght forsake [3] the ryght swyfte cours of my prosperite [4] (that is to seyn, that prosperite ne be comen [5] to me wonder swyftli and sone); but this is a [6] thyng that greetly smerteth me whan it remembreth [7] me. For in alle adversites of fortune [8] the moost unzeely kynde of contrarious [9] fortune is to han ben weleful." [10] "But that thow," quod sche, "abyest thus [11] the torment of thi false opynioun, that [12] maistow nat ryghtfully blamen ne aretten to [13] thynges. (As who seith, for thow hast yit [14] manye habundances of thynges.) Textus. For [15] al be it so that the ydel name of aventuros [16] welefulnesse moeveth the now, it is leveful that [17] thow rekne with me of how many grete thynges [18] thow hast yit plente. And therfore yif that [19] thilke thyng that thow haddest for moost [20] precyous in al thy rychesse of fortune be [21] kept to the yit by the grace of God unwemmed [22] and undefouled, maistow thanne [23] pleyne ryghtfully upon the mescheef of Fortune, [24] syn thow hast yit thi beste thynges? [25] Certes yit lyveth in good poynt thilke precyous [26] honour of mankynde, Symacus, thi wyves fader, [27] whiche that is a man maked al of sapience and [28] of vertu, the whiche man thow woldest byen [29] redyly with the pris of thyn owene lif. He [30] bywayleth the wronges that men don to [31] the, and nat for hymself; for he lyveth in [32] sikernesse of anye sentences put ayens hym. [33] And yit lyveth thi wyf, that is atempre of wyt [34] and passynge othere wommen in clennesse of [35] chastete; and, for I wol closen schortly hir [36] bountes, sche is lyk to hir fadir. I telle the wel [37] that sche lyveth, loth of this lyf, and kepeth [38] to the oonly hir goost, and is al maat and overcomen [39] by wepynge and sorwe for desir of [40] the; in the whiche thyng oonly I moot [41] graunten that thi welefulnesse is amenused. [42] What schal I seyn eek of thi two sones conseylours, [43] of whiche, as of children of hir age, [44] ther shyneth the liknesse of the wit of hir fadir [45] or of hir eldefader! And syn the sovereyne [46] cure of al mortel folk is to saven hir owene [47] lyves, O how weleful artow, if thow knowe [48] thy goodes! For yit ben ther thynges dwelled [49] to the-ward that no man douteth that they [50] ne be more derworthe to the than thyn [51] owene lif. And forthy drye thi teeris, for [52] yit nys nat every fortune al hateful to theward, [53] ne overgreet tempest hath nat yit fallen [54] upon the, whan that thyne ancres clyven faste, [55] that neither wolen suffren the counfort of this [56] tyme present ne the hope of tyme comyng to [57] passen ne to faylen." [58] "And I preie," quod I, "that faste mote thei [59] halden; for, whiles that thei halden, how so [60] evere that thynges been, I shal wel fleetyn [61] forth and escapyn: but thou mayst wel seen [62] how grete apparailes and array that me lakketh, [63] that ben passed awey fro me." [64] "I have somwhat avaunced and forthred [65] the," quod sche, "yif that thow anoye nat, or [66] forthynke nat of al thy fortune. (As who seith, [67] I have somwhat conforted the, so that thou [68] tempeste the nat thus with al thy fortune, syn [69] thow hast yit thy beste thynges.) But I mai [70] nat suffren thi delices, that pleynest the so [71] wepynge and angwysschous for that ther [72] lakketh somwhat to thy welefulnesse. For what [73] man is so sad or of so parfite welefulnesse, that [74] he ne stryveth and pleyneth on some halfe [75] ayen the qualite of his estat? Forwhy ful anguysschous [76] thing is the condicioun of mannes [77] goodes; for eyther it cometh nat altogidre to [78] a wyght, or elles it ne last nat perpetuel. For [79] som man hath gret rychesse, but he is [80] aschamed of his ungentil lynage; and som [81] man is renomyd of noblesse of kynrede, but [82] he is enclosed in so greet angwyssche of nede [83] of thynges that hym were levere that he were [84] unknowe; and som man haboundeth bothe in [85] rychesse and noblesse, but yit he bewayleth his [86] chaste lyf, for he ne hath no wyf; and som man [87] is wel and zelily ymaried, but he hath no children, [88] and norissheth his rychesses to the eyres [89] of straunge folk; and som man is gladed [90] with children, but he wepeth ful sory for [91] the trespas of his sone or of his doughter. [92] And for this ther ne accordeth no wyght lyghtly [93] to the condicioun of his fortune; for alwey to [94] every man ther is in somwhat that, unassayed, [95] he ne woot nat, or elles he dredeth that he hath [96] assaied. And adde this also, that every weleful [97] man hath a ful delicaat feelynge; so that, but [98] yif alle thynges byfalle at his owene wil, for [99] he is inpacient or is nat used to have noon [100] adversite, anoon he is throwen adoun for [101] every litil thyng. And ful litel thynges ben [102] tho that withdrawen the somme or the perfeccioun [103] of blisfulnesse fro hem that been most [104] fortunat. How manye men trowestow wolde [105] demen hemself to ben almoste in hevene, yif [106] thei myghten atayne to the leste partye of the [107] remenaunt of thi fortune? This same place [108] that thow clepest exil is contre to hem that [109] enhabiten here, and forthi nothyng [is. [110] wrecchide but whan thou wenest it. (As [111] who seith, thow thiself ne no wyght elles [112] nis a wrecche but whanne he weneth hymself [113] a wrechche by reputacion of his corage.) And [114] ayenward, alle fortune is blisful to a man by [115] the aggreablete or by the egalyte of hym that [116] suffreth it. What man is that that is so weleful [117] that nolde chaunge his estat whan he hath lost [118] pacience? The swetnesse of mannes welefulnesse [119] is spraynd with many bitternesses; [120] the whiche welefulnesse although it seme [121] swete and joieful to hym that useth it, yit [122] mai it nat ben withholden that it ne goth awey [123] whan it wole. Thanne is it wele seene how [124] wrecchid is the blisfulnesse of mortel thynges, [125] that neyther it dureth perpetuel with hem that [126] every fortune resceyven agreablely or egaly, ne [127] it deliteth nat in al to hem that ben angwyssous. [128] "O ye mortel folk, what seeke ye thanne blisfulnesse [129] out of yourself whiche that is put [130] in yowrself? Errour and folie confoundeth [131] yow. I schal schewe the schortly the [132] poynt of soverayn blisfulnesse. Is there anythyng [133] more precyous to the than thiself? Thow [134] wolt answere, `nay.' Thanne, yif it so be that [135] thow art myghty over thyself (that is to seyn, [136] by tranquillite of thi soule), than hastow thyng [137] in thi powere that thow noldest nevere leesen, [138] ne Fortune may nat bynymen it the. And that [139] thow mayst knowe that blisfulnesse ne mai [140] nat standen in thynges that ben fortunous [141] and temporel, now undirstond and gadere [142] it togidre thus: yif blisfulnesse be the soverayn [143] good of nature that lyveth by resoun, [144] ne thilke thyng nys nat soverayn good that [145] may ben taken awey in any wise (for more [146] worthy thyng and more dygne is thilke thyng [147] that mai nat ben take awey); than scheweth [148] it wel that the unstablenesse of fortune may [149] nat atayne to resceyven verray blisfulnesse. [150] And yit more over, what man that this [151] towmblynge welefulnesse ledeth, eyther [152] he woot that it is chaungeable, or elles he woot [153] it nat. And yif he woot it nat, what blisful [154] fortune may ther ben in the blyndnesse of ignoraunce? [155] And yif he woot that it is chaungeable, [156] he mot alwey ben adrad that he ne lese [157] that thyng that he ne douteth nat but that he [158] may leesen it (as who seith he mot bien alwey [159] agast lest he lese that he woot wel he may [160] lese it); for whiche the contynuel drede that [161] he hath ne suffreth hym nat to ben weleful -- [162] or elles yif he lese it he weneth to ben [163] despised and forleten. Certes eek that is a [164] ful litel good that is born with evene herte [165] whan it es lost (that is to seyn, that men do no [166] more force of the lost than of the havynge). [167] And for as moche as thow thiself art he to [168] whom it hath be [sewed] and proved by ful [169] many demonstracyons, as I woot wele that [170] the soules of men ne mowen nat deyen in [171] no wyse; and ek syn it es cleer and certeyn [172] that fortunous welefulnesse endeth by the deth [173] of the body; it mai nat be douted that, yif that [174] deth may take awey blisfulnesse, that al the [175] kynde of mortel thyng ne descendeth into [176] wrecchidnesse by the ende of the deth. And [177] syn we knowe wel that many a man hath [178] sought the fruyt of blysfulnesse, nat oonly with [179] suffrynge of deeth, but eek with suffrynge [180] of peynes and tormentz, how myghte [181] thanne this present lif make men blisful, [182] syn that whanne thilke selve lif es ended it [183] ne maketh folk no wrechches? [1] "What maner man stable and war, that wol [2] fownden hym a perdurable seete, and ne wol [3] noght ben cast doun with the lowde blastes of [4] the wynd Eurus, and wole despise the see [5] manasynge with flodes; lat hym eschuwen to [6] bilde on the cop of the mountaigne, or in the [7] moyste sandes; for the felle wynd Auster tormenteth [8] the cop of the mountaigne with alle [9] hise strengthes, and the lause sandes refusen [10] to beren the hevy weyghte. And [11] forthi, yif thow wolt fleen the perilous [12] aventure (that is to seyn, of the werld) have [13] mynde certeynly to fycchen thin hous of a [14] myrie sete in a low stoon. For although the [15] wynd troublynge the see thondre with overthrowynges, [16] thou, that art put in quiete and [17] weleful by strengthe of thi palys, schalt leden [18] a cler age, scornynge the woodnesses and the [19] ires of the eyr. [1] "But for as mochel as the norisschynges of [2] my resouns descenden now into the, I trowe it [3] were tyme to usen a litel strengere medicynes. [4] Now undirstand heere; al were it so that the [5] yiftes of Fortune ne were noght brutel ne transitorie, [6] what is ther in hem that mai be thyn [7] in any tyme, or elles that it nys fowl, yif that [8] it be considered and lookyd parfitely? Richesses [9] ben they preciouse by the nature of hemself, [10] or elles by the nature of the? What is [11] most worth of rychesses? Is it nat gold or [12] myght of moneye assembled? Certes thilke [13] gold and thilke moneye schyneth and yeveth [14] bettre renoun to hem that dispenden it than [15] to thilke folk that mokeren it; for avaryce maketh [16] alwey mokereres to ben hated, and largesse [17] maketh folk cleer of renoun. For, syn that [18] swiche thyng as is transferred fro o man to an [19] othir ne may nat duellen with no man, [20] certes thanne is thilke moneye precyous [21] whan it is translated into other folk and [22] stynteth to ben had by usage of large yyvynge [23] of hym that hath yeven it. And also yif al the [24] moneye that is overal in the world were gadryd [25] toward o man, it scholde make alle othere men [26] to be nedy as of that. And certes a voys al hool [27] (that is to seyn, withouten amenusynge) fulfilleth [28] togydre the herynge of moche folk. But [29] certes your rychesses ne mowen noght [30] passen unto moche folk withouten amenusynge; [31] and whan they ben apassed, nedes [32] they maken hem pore that forgoon tho rychesses. [33] O streyte and nedy clepe I this richesse, [34] syn that many folk ne mai nat han it al, ne al [35] mai it nat comen to o man withoute povert [36] of alle othere folk. And the schynynge of [37] gemmes (that I clepe precyous stones) draweth [38] it nat the eighen of folk to hem-ward (that [39] is to seyn, for the beautes)? But certes, yif [40] ther were beaute or bountee in the schynynge [41] of stones, thilke clernesse is of the [42] stones hemselve, and nat of men; for whiche I [43] wondre gretly that men merveylen on swiche [44] thynges. Forwhi what thyng is it that, yif it [45] wanteth moevynge and joynture of soule and [46] body, that by right myghte semen a fair creature [47] to hym that hath a soule of resoun? For [48] al be it so that gemmes drawen to hemself a [49] litel of the laste beaute of the world thurw [50] the entente of hir creatour and thurw the [51] distinccioun of hemself, yit, for as mochel [52] as thei ben put under yowr excellence, thei ne [53] han nat desserved by no way that ye schulde [54] merveylen on hem. And the beaute of feeldes, [55] deliteth it nat mochel unto yow?" [56] Boece. "Why schulde it nat deliten us, syn [57] that it is a [fayr] porcioun of the ryght fair [58] werk (that is to seyn, of this worlde)? And [59] right so ben we gladed somtyme of the [60] face of the see whan it es cleer; and also [61] merveylen we on the hevene, and on the [62] sterres, and on the sonne, and on the moone." [63] Philosophie. "Aperteneth," quod sche, "any [64] of thilke thynges to the? Why darstow glorifye [65] the in the shynynge of any swiche thynges? [66] Artow distyngwed and embelysed by the [67] spryngynge floures of the first somer sesoun, [68] or swelleth thi plente in fruites of somer? Whi [69] artow ravyssched with idel joies? Why enbracest [70] thow straunge goodes as they weren [71] thyne? Fortune ne schal nevere maken that [72] swiche thynges ben thyne that nature of thynges [73] hath maked foreyne fro the. Soth is that, withouten [74] doute, the fruites of the erthe owen to [75] be to the noryssynge of beestis; and yif thow [76] wilt fulfille thyn nede after that it suffiseth to [77] nature, thanne is it no nede that thow seke [78] aftir the superfluyte of fortune. For [with] [79] fewe thynges and with ful litel thynges nature [80] halt hir apayed; and yif thow wolt [81] achoken the fulfillynge of nature with superfluytees, [82] certes thilke thynges that thow [83] wolt thresten or powren into nature schulle [84] ben unjoyeful to the, or elles anoyous. Wenestow [85] eek that it be a fair thyng to schyne with [86] diverse clothynge? Of whiche clothynge yif the [87] beaute be aggreable to loken uppon, I wol [88] merveylen on the nature of the matiere of [89] thilke clothes, or elles on the werkman that [90] wroughte hem. But also a long route of [91] meyne, maketh that a blisful man? The [92] whiche servantz yif thei ben vicyous of condyciouns, [93] it is a gret charge and a destruccioun [94] to the hous, and a gret enemy to the lord hymself; [95] and yif they ben gode men, how schal [96] straunge or foreyne goodnesse ben put in the [97] nowmbre of thi richesse? So that by alle thise [98] forseide thynges it es cleerly schewed, that nevere [99] oon of thilke thynges that thou acountedest [100] for thyne goodes nas nat thi good. [101] "In the whiche thynges yif ther be no [102] beaute to ben desired, why scholdestow ben sory [103] yif thou leese hem, or whi scholdestow rejoysen [104] the for to holden hem? For yif thei ben faire [105] of hir owene kynde, what aperteneth that to [106] the? For al so wel scholde they han ben fayre [107] by hemselve, though thei were departed fro [108] alle thyne rychesses. Forwhy fair ne precyous [109] were thei nat for that thei comen among [110] thi rychesses; but for they semeden fair [111] and precyous, therfore thou haddest levere [112] rekne hem among thi rychesses. But what [113] desirestow of Fortune with so greet a noyse [114] and with so greet [affraie]? I trowe thou seeke [115] to dryve awey nede with habundaunce of [116] thynges, but certes it turneth to you al in the [117] contrarie. Forwhy certes it nedeth of ful manye [118] helpynges to kepyn the diversite of precious [119] ostelementz; and sooth it es that of many [120] thynges han they nede, that many thynges [121] han; and ayenward of litel nedeth hem [122] that mesuren hir fille after the nede of kynde, [123] and nat after the oultrage of covetyse. [124] "Is it thanne so, that ye men ne han no propre [125] good iset in yow, for whiche ye mooten seke [126] outward your goodes in foreyne and subgit [127] thynges? So is thanne the condicion of thynges [128] turned up-so-doun, that a man, that is a devyne [129] beest be meryte of his resoun, thynketh [130] that hymself nys neyther fair ne noble but [131] yif it be thurw possessioun of ostelementz [132] that ne han no soules. And certes alle othere [133] thynges ben apayed of hir owene beautes, but ye [134] men that ben semlable to God by yowr [135] resonable thought, desiren to apparailen your [136] excellent kynde of the loweste thynges; ne ye [137] undirstanden nat how greet a wrong ye don to [138] your creatour. For he wolde that mankynde [139] were moost wurthy and noble of any [140] othere erthly thynges, and ye thresten [141] adoun yowre dignytes bynethen the loweste [142] thynges. For yif that al the good of every [143] thyng be more precyous than is thilke thyng [144] whos that the good es, syn ye demen that the [145] fowleste thynges ben your goodes, thanne [146] submitten ye and putten yourselven undir the [147] fouleste thynges by your estimacioun; and certes [148] this betydeth nat withouten your desert. For [149] certes swiche is the condicioun of alle mankynde, [150] that oonly whan it hath knowynge [151] of itself, thanne passeth it in noblesse alle [152] othere thynges; and whan it forletith the [153] knowynge of itself, thanne is it brought [154] bynethen alle beestes. Forwhi alle othere lyvynge [155] beestes han of kynde to knowe nat hemself; [156] but whan that men leeten the knowynge [157] of hemself, it cometh hem of vice. But [158] how broode scheweth the errour and the folie of [159] yow men, that wenen that anythyng mai [160] ben apparailed with straunge apparailementz! [161] But forsothe that mai nat be done. [162] For yif a wyght schyneth with thynges that [163] ben put to hym (as thus, yif thilke thynges [164] schynen with whiche a man is aparayled), [165] certes thilke thynges ben comended and preysed [166] with whiche he is apparayled; but natheles, the [167] thyng that is covered and wrapped under that [168] duelleth in his felthe. [169] "And I denye that thilke thyng be good [170] that anoyeth hym that hath it. Gabbe I of [171] this? Thow wolt sey `nay.' Sertes rychesses [172] han anoyed ful ofte hem that han tho rychesses, [173] syn that every wikkide schrewe -- and for his [174] wikkidnesse the more gredy aftir othir folkes [175] rychesses, wher so evere it be in ony place, be [176] it gold or precyous stones -- [weneth. hym [177] oonly most worthy that hath hem. Thow thanne, [178] that so bysy dredest now the swerd and the [179] spere, yif thou haddest entred in the path [180] of this lif a voyde weyfarynge man, thanne [181] woldestow syngen byfor the theef. (As [182] who seith, a pore man that bereth no rychesse [183] on hym by the weie may boldely synge byforn [184] theves, for he hath nat whereof to be robbed.) [185] O precyous and ryght cleer is the blisfulnesse of [186] mortel rychesses, that, whan thow hast geten it, [187] thanne hastow lorn thi sekernesse! [1] "Blisful was the firste age of men. They [2] heelden hem apayed with the metes that the [3] trewe feeldes broughten forth. They ne destroyeden [4] ne desseyvede nat hemself with outrage. [5] They weren wont lyghtly to slaken hir [6] hungir at even with accornes of ookes. They [7] ne coude nat medle the yift of Bachus to the [8] cleer hony (that is to seyn, they coude make [9] no pyement or clarree), ne they coude nat [10] medle the bryghte fleezes of the contre of [11] Seryens with the venym of Tyrie (this [12] to seyn, thei coude nat deyen white fleezes [13] of Syrien contre with the blood of a maner [14] schellefyssche that men fynden in Tirie, with [15] whiche blood men deyen purpre). They [16] slepen holsome slepes uppon the gras, and [17] dronken of the rennynge watres, and layen [18] undir the schadwes of the heye pyn-trees. Ne [19] no gest ne straunger ne karf yit the heye [20] see with oores or with schipes; ne thei ne [21] hadden seyn yit none newe stroondes to [22] leden marchandise into diverse contrees. Tho [23] weren the cruele claryouns ful hust and ful [24] stille. Ne blood ischad by egre hate ne hadde [25] nat deyed yit armures. For wherto or which [26] woodnesse of enemys wolde first moeven [27] armes whan thei seyen cruele wowndes, ne [28] none medes be of blood ischad? I wolde that [29] our tymes sholde torne ayen to the oolde [30] maneris! But the anguysschous love of [31] havynge brenneth in folk more cruely than [32] the fyer of the mountaigne of Ethna that ay [33] brenneth. Allas! What was he that first dalf [34] up the gobbettes or the weyghtes of gold covered [35] undir erthe and the precyous stones that [36] wolden han be hydd? He dalf up precious [37] periles. (That is to seyn, that he that hem [38] firsst up dalf, he dalf up a precious peril; [39] for-why, for the preciousnesse of swich [40] thyng hath many man ben in peril.) [1] "But what schal I seye of dignytes and of [2] powers, the whiche ye men, that neither [3] knowen verray dignyte ne verray powere, [4] areysen hem as heyghe as the hevene? The [5] whiche dignytees and poweres yif thei comen [6] to any wikkid man, thei doon as greet damages [7] and destrucciouns as dooth. the flaumbe [8] of the mountaigne Ethna whan the flaumbe [9] walweth up, ne no deluge ne doth so cruele [10] harmes. Certes the remembreth wel, as I [11] trowe, that thilke dignyte that men clepyn [12] the imperie of consulers, the whiche that [13] whilom was begynnynge of fredom, yowr eldres [14] coveyteden to han don awey that dignyte for [15] the pride of the consulers. And ryght for the [16] same pride yowr eldres byforn that tyme hadden [17] doon awey out of the cite of Rome the [18] kynges name (that is to seyn, thei nolden han [19] no lengere no kyng). [20] "But now, if so be that dignytees and poweris [21] ben yyven to gode men, the whiche [22] thyng is ful zelde, what aggreable thynges is [23] ther in tho dignytees or powers but oonly the [24] goodnesse of folk that usen hem? And therfore [25] it is thus that honour ne cometh nat to [26] vertu for cause of dygnite, but, ayenward, honour [27] cometh to dignyte for cause of vertu. But [28] whiche is thilke your derworthe power that is [29] so cleer and so requerable? O, ye erthliche [30] bestes, considere ye nat over whiche thyng [31] that it semeth that ye han power? Now yif [32] thou saye a mows among othere mysz that chalanged [33] to hymself-ward ryght and power over [34] alle othere mysz, how gret scorn woldestow han [35] of it! (Glosa. So fareth it by men [that the [36] wikkid men have power over the wikkid men; [37] that is to seye], the body hath power over the [38] body.) For yif thou looke wel upon the body of [39] a wyght, what thyng schaltow fynde more [40] freele than is mankynde; the whiche men [41] ful ofte ben slayn with bytynge of smale [42] flyes, or elles with the entrynge of crepynge [43] wormes into the pryvetees of mannes body? [44] But wher schal men fynden any man that mai [45] exercen or haunten any ryght upon another [46] man, but oonly on his body, or elles upon [47] thynges that ben lowere than the body, the [48] whiche I clepe fortunous possessiouns? Maystow [49] evere have any comaundement over a free [50] corage? Maystowe remuwen fro the estat [51] of his propre reste a thought that is [52] clyvynge togidre in hymself by stedfast resoun? [53] As whilom a tyraunt wende to confownde a fre [54] man of corage, and wende to constreyne hym by [55] torment to maken hym discoveren and accusen [56] folk that wisten of a conjuracioun (which I clepe [57] a confederacye) that was cast ayens this tyraunt; [58] but this fre man boot of his owene tonge, and [59] caste it in the visage of thilk wode tyraunt. [60] So that the tormentz that this tyraunt [61] wende to han maked matere of cruelte, this [62] wise man maked it matere of vertu. But what [63] thing is it that a man may doon to an other man, [64] that he ne may resceyven the same thyng of [65] other folk in hymself? (Or thus: what may a [66] man don to folk, that folk ne may don hym [67] the same?) I have herd told of Busyrides, that [68] was wont to sleen his gestes that herberweden [69] in his hous, and he was slayn hymself of [70] Ercules that was his gest. Regulus hadde [71] taken in bataile manye men of Affryke [72] and cast hem into feteres, but sone after he [73] most yyve hise handes to ben bownde with [74] the cheynes of hem that he hadde whilom [75] overcomen. Wenestow thanne that he be [76] myghty that hath no power to doon a thyng that [77] othere ne mai doon in hym that he doth in [78] othere? [79] "And yit moreover, yif it so were that [80] thise dygnytes or poweris hadden any [81] propre or naturel goodnesse in hemself, [82] nevere nolde they comen to schrewes. For [83] contrarious thynges ne ben nat wont to ben [84] ifelaschiped togydre. Nature refuseth that contrarious [85] thynges ben ijoygned. And so, as I am [86] in certeyn that ryght wykkyd folk han [87] dignytees ofte tyme, thanne scheweth it wel that [88] dignytees and poweres ne ben nat gode of [89] hir owene kynde, syn that they suffren [90] hemselve to cleven or joynen hem to [91] schrewes. And certes the same thyng mai I [92] most digneliche juggen and seyn of alle the [93] yiftes of Fortune that most plentevously comen [94] to schrewes. Of the whiche yiftes I trowe that it [95] oughte ben considered, that no man douteth that [96] he ne is strong in whom he seeth strengthe; and [97] in whom that swyftnesse is, sooth it is that he [98] is swyft; also musyke maketh mucisyens, and [99] phisyk maketh phisicyeens, and rethoryke, [100] rethoriens. Forwhy the nature of every [101] thyng maketh his proprete, ne it is nat [102] entremedlyd with the effectz of contrarious [103] thynges, and as of wil it chaseth out thynges that [104] to it ben contrarie. But certes rychesse mai nat [105] restreyne avarice unstaunched; ne power ne [106] maketh nat a man myghty over hymselve, [107] whiche that vicyous lustes holden destreyned [108] with cheynes that ne mowen nat ben [109] unbownden. And dignytees that ben yyven [110] to schrewide folk nat oonly ne maketh hem [111] nat digne, but it scheweth rather al opynly [112] that they been unworthy and undigne. And whi [113] is it thus? Certes for ye han joie to clepen [114] thynges with false names, that beren hem al in [115] the contrarie; the whiche names ben ful [ethe] [116] reproved by the effect of the same thynges; so [117] that thise ilke rychesses ne oughten nat by ryghte [118] to ben cleped rychesses, ne swyche power ne [119] aughte nat ben clepyd power, ne swiche [120] dignyte ne aughte nat ben clepyd dignyte. [121] And at the laste, I may conclude the same [122] thyng of alle the yyftes of Fortune, in whiche [123] ther nys nothyng to ben desired, ne that hath in [124] hymselve naturel bownte, as it es ful wel yseene. [125] For neither thei ne joygnen hem nat alwey to [126] gode men, ne maken hem alwey gode to whom [127] they been ijoyned. [1] "We han wel knowen how many grete harmes [2] and destrucciouns weren idoon by the emperour [3] Nero. He leet brennen the cite of Rome, [4] and made sleen the senatours; and he cruel [5] whilom sloughe his brothir, and he was maked [6] moyst with the blood of his modir (that is to [7] seyn, he leet sleen and slitten the body of his [8] modir to seen wher he was conceyved); and he [9] lookede on every halve uppon hir cold [10] deed body, ne no teer ne wette his face, [11] but he was so hardherted that he myghte [12] ben domesman or juge of hir dede beaute. And [13] natheles yit governed this Nero by septre alle [14] the peples that Phebus, the sonne, may seen, [15] comynge fro his uttreste arysynge til he hide [16] his bemes undir the wawes. (That is to seyn [17] he governede al the peples by ceptre imperial [18] that the sonne goth aboute from est to west.) [19] And ek this Nero governyde by ceptre alle [20] the peples that ben undir the colde sterres [21] that highten the septemtryones. (This is [22] to seyn he governede alle the peples that ben [23] under the partye of the north.) And eek Nero [24] governede alle the peples that the vyolent [25] wynd Nothus scorklith, and baketh the brennynge [26] sandes by his drye heete (that is to seyn, [27] al the peples in the south). But yit ne myghte [28] nat al his heie power torne the woodnesse of [29] this wikkid Nero? Allas! It is grevous fortune [30] as ofte as wikkid sweerd is joyned to [31] cruel venym (that is to seyn, venymows [32] cruelte to lordschipe)." [1] Thanne seyde I thus: "Thow woost wel thiselve [2] that the covetise of mortel thynges ne [3] hadde nevere lordschipe of me, but I have wel [4] desired matere of thynges to done (as who [5] seith, I desirede to have matiere of governaunce [6] over comunalites), for vertue stille sholde nat [7] elden (that is to seyn, that list that or he [8] waxe oold, his vertu, that lay now ful stille, ne [9] schulde nat perysshe unexercised in [10] governaunce of comune, for whiche men [11] myghten speken or wryten of his gode [12] governement)." [13] Philosophie. "For sothe," quod sche, "and [14] that is [o] thyng that mai drawen to governaunce [15] swiche hertes as ben worthy and noble of hir [16] nature, but natheles it may nat drawen or tollen [17] swiche hertes as ben ibrought to the ful perfeccioun [18] of vertue; that is to seyn, covetise of [19] glorie and renoun to han wel adminystred [20] the comune thynges, or doon gode desertes [21] to profyt of the comune. For see now [22] and considere how litel and how voyde of alle [23] prys is thylk glorye. Certeyn thyng es, as thou [24] hast leerned by the demonstracioun of astronomye, [25] that al the envyrounynge of the erthe [26] aboute ne halt but the resoun of a prykke at [27] regard of the gretnesse of hevene; that is to [28] seyn that, yif ther were maked comparysoun of [29] the erthe to the gretnesse of hevene, men [30] wolde juggen in al that the erthe ne heelde [31] no space. Of the whiche litel regioun of [32] this world, the ferthe partye is enhabited with [33] lyvynge beestes that we knowen, as thou hast [34] thyselve leerned by Tholome that proveth it. [35] And yif thow haddest withdrawen and abated [36] in thy thought fro thilke ferthe partie as moche [37] space as the see and the mareys contene and [38] overgoon, and as moche space as the regioun [39] of drowghte overstreccheth (that is to [40] seyn, sandes and desertes), wel unnethe [41] sholde ther duellen a ryght streyte place to the [42] habitacioun of men. And ye thanne, that ben [43] envyrouned and closed withynne the leeste [44] prykke of thilke prykke, thynken ye to manyfesten [45] or publisschen your renoun and doon [46] yowr name for to be born forth? But yowr [47] glorye that is so narwe and so streyt ithrungen [48] into so litel bowndes, how mochel conteneth it [49] in largesse and in greet doynge? And also [50] set this therto: that manye a nacioun, diverse [51] of tonge and of maneris and ek of resoun [52] of hir lyvynge, ben enhabited in the cloos [53] of thilke lytel habitacle; to the whiche nacyons, [54] what for difficulte of weyes, and what for diversite [55] of langages, and what for defaute of [56] unusage [of] entrecomunynge of marchandise, [57] nat oonly the names of synguler men ne may [58] nat strecchen, but eek the fame of citees ne [59] may nat strecchen. At the laste, certes, in [60] the tyme of Marcus Tulyus, as hymselve [61] writ in his book, that the renoun of the [62] comune of Rome ne hadde nat yit passid ne [63] clomben over the montaigne that highte Caucasus; [64] and yit was thilke tyme Rome wel waxen, [65] and greetly redouted of the Parthes and eek of [66] the othere folk enhabitynge aboute. Seestow [67] nat thanne how streyte and how compressid is [68] thilke glorie that ye travailen aboute to schewe [69] and to multeplye? May thanne the glorie [70] of a synguler Romeyn strecchen thider [71] as the fame of the name of Rome may nat [72] clymben ne passen? And ek seestow nat that the [73] maneris of diverse folk and ek hir lawes ben [74] discordaunt among hemselve, so that thilke [75] thyng that som men juggen worthy of preysynge, [76] other folk juggen that it is worthy of torment? [77] And therof comyth it that, though a [78] man delyte hym in preysynge of his renoun, he [79] ne mai nat in no wyse bryngen forthe ne [80] spreden his name to many manere peples. [81] And therfore every maner man aughte to [82] ben apayed of his glorie that is publysschid among [83] his owene neyghebours; and thilke noble renoun [84] schal ben restreyned withynne the boundes of [85] o manere folk. [86] "But how many a man, that was ful noble in [87] his tyme, hath the wrecchid and nedy foryetynge [88] of writeris put out of mynde and doon awey; al [89] be it so that, certes, thilke wrytynges [90] profiten litel, the whiche writynges long [91] and dirk eelde doth awey, bothe hem and [92] ek hir auctours! But yow men semeth to geten [93] yow a perdurablete, whan ye thynken that in [94] tyme comynge your fame schal lasten. But [95] natheles yif thow wolt maken comparysoun to [96] the endles spaces of eternyte, what thyng hastow [97] by whiche thow mayst rejoisen the of long [98] lastynge of thi name? For yif ther were makyd [99] comparysoun of the abydynge of a moment [100] to ten thowsand wynter, for as mochel as [101] bothe tho spaces ben endyd, [yit] hath the [102] moment som porcioun of it, although it litel be. [103] But natheles thilke selve nowmbre of yeeris, and [104] eek as many yeris as therto mai be multiplyed, ne [105] mai nat certes be comparysoned to the [106] perdurablete that is endlees; for of thinges that [107] han ende may ben maked comparysoun, but of [108] thynges that ben withouten ende to thynges that [109] han ende may be makid no comparysoun. [110] And forthi is it that, although renome, of as [111] longe tyme as evere the list to thynken, [112] were thought to the regard of eternyte, that is [113] unstaunchable and infynyt, it ne sholde nat only [114] semen litel, but pleynliche ryght noght. [115] "But ye men, certes, ne konne doon no thyng [116] aryght, but yif it be for the audience of peple and [117] for idel rumours; and ye forsaken the grete [118] worthynesse of conscience and of vertu, and ye [119] seeken yowr gerdouns of the smale wordes [120] of straunge folk. Have now here and [121] undirstand, in the lyghtnesse of swiche [122] pryde and veyne glorye, how a man scornede [123] festyvaly and myriely swich vanyte. Whilom ther [124] was a man that hadde [assaillede] with stryvynge [125] wordes another man, the whiche, nat for usage [126] of verray vertu but for proud veyn glorie, had [127] taken upon hym falsly the name of a philosophre. [128] This rather man that I spak of thoughte [129] he wolde assaie where he, thilke, were a [130] philosophre or no; that is to seyn, yif that [131] he wolde han suffride lyghtly in pacience [132] the wronges that weren doon unto hym. This [133] feynede philosophre took pacience a litel while; [134] and whan he hadde resceyved wordes of [135] outrage, he, as in stryvynge ayen and rejoysynge [136] of hymself, seide at the laste ryght thus: `undirstondistow [137] nat that I am a philosophre?' The [138] tother man answerede ayen ful bytyngely and [139] seyde: `I hadde wel undirstonden it yif thou [140] haddest holde thi tonge stille.' [141] "But what is it to thise noble worthy men [142] (for, certes, of swych folk speke I) that seken [143] glorie with vertue? What is it?" quod sche. [144] "What atteyneth fame to swiche folk, whan the [145] body is resolved by the deeth at the laste? For if [146] it so be that men dyen in all (that is to seyen, [147] body and soule), the whiche thing our reson [148] defendeth us to byleeven, thanne is ther no [149] glorie in no wyse; for what schulde thilke [150] glorie ben, whan he, of whom thilke glorie [151] is seyd to be, nys ryght naught in no wise? [152] And yif the soule, whiche that hath in itself [153] science of gode werkes, unbownden fro the [154] prysone of the erthe, weendeth frely to the [155] hevene, despiseth it nat thanne al erthly [156] ocupacioun; and [usynge] hevene rejoyseth that [157] it is exempt fro alle erthly thynges? (As who [158] seith, thanne rekketh the soule of no glorye of [159] renoun of this world.) [1] "Whoso that with overthrowynge thought [2] oonly seketh glorie of fame, and weneth that [3] it be sovereyn good, lat hym looke upon the [4] brode schewynge contrees of the hevene, and [5] upon the streyte sete of this erthe; and he schal [6] be asschamed of the encres of his name, that [7] mai nat fulfille the litel compas of the erthe. [8] O, what coveyten proude folk to lyften up hir [9] nekkes on idel in the dedly yok of this [10] world? For although that renoun ysprad, [11] passynge to ferne peples, goth by diverse [12] tonges; and although that greet houses or [13] kynredes shynen with cleer titles of honours; [14] yit natheles deth despiseth al heye glorie of [15] fame, and deth wrappeth togidre the heyghe [16] heved and the lowe, and maketh egal and [17] evene the heygheste to the loweste. Where [18] wonen now the bones of trewe Fabricius? [19] What is now Brutus or stierne Catoun? The [20] thynne fame yit lastynge of here idel names [21] is marked with a fewe lettres. But althoughe [22] that we han knowen the fayre wordes [23] of the fames of hem, it is nat yyven to knowen [24] hem that ben dede and consumpt. Liggeth [25] thanne stille, al outrely unknowable, ne fame [26] ne maketh yow nat knowe. And yif ye wene to [27] lyve the lengere for wynd of yowr mortel name [28] whan o cruel day schal ravyssche yow, than is [29] the seconde deth duellynge unto yow." [30] (Glose. The first deeth he clepeth here departynge [31] of the body and the soule, and [32] the seconde deth he clepeth as here the styntynge [33] of the renoun of fame.) [1] "But for as mochel as thow schalt nat [2] wenen," quod sche, "that I bere an untretable [3] batayle ayens Fortune, yit somtyme it byfalleth [4] that sche desceyvable desserveth to han ryght [5] good thank of men. And that is whan sche hirself [6] opneth, and whan sche discovereth hir [7] frownt and scheweth hir maneris. Peraventure [8] yit undirstandestow nat that I schal seie. It is [9] a wonder that I desire to telle, and forthi [10] unnethe may I unplyten my sentence with [11] wordes. For I deme that contrarious Fortune [12] profiteth more to men than Fortune debonayre. [13] For alwey, whan Fortune semeth debonayre, [14] thanne sche lieth, falsly byhetynge the [15] hope of welefulnesse; but forsothe contraryous [16] Fortune is alwey sothfast, whan sche scheweth [17] hirself unstable thurw hir chaungynge. The [18] amyable Fortune desceyveth folk; the contrarie [19] Fortune techeth. The amyable Fortune [20] byndeth with the beaute of false goodes [21] the hertes of folk that usen hem: the contrarye [22] Fortune unbyndeth hem by the knowynge [23] of freel welefulnesse. The amyable Fortune [24] maystow seen alwey wyndy and flowynge, [25] and evere mysknowynge of hirself; the contrarie [26] Fortune is atempre and restreyned and [27] wys thurw exercise of hir adversite. At the [28] laste, amyable Fortune with hir flaterynges [29] draweth myswandrynge men fro the sovereyne [30] good; the contrarious Fortune ledeth [31] ofte folk ayen to sothfast goodes, and [32] haleth hem ayen as with an hook. Wenestow [33] thanne that thow augghtest to leeten this a litel [34] thyng, that this aspre and horrible Fortune [35] hath discovered to the the thoughtes of thi [36] trewe freendes? Forwhy this ilke Fortune hath [37] departed and uncovered to the bothe the certein [38] visages and eek the doutous visages of thi [39] felawes. Whan she departed awey fro the, [40] she took awey hir freendes and lefte the [41] thyne freendes. Now whanne thow were [42] ryche and weleful, as the semede, with how [43] mochel woldestow han bought the fulle knowynge [44] of thys (that is to seyn, the knowynge of [45] thyne verray freendes)? Now pleyne the nat [46] thanne of rychesse ylorn, syn thow hast [47] fownden the moste precyous kynde of rychesses, [48] that is to seyn, thi verray freendes. [1] "That the world with stable feyth varieth [2] accordable chaungynges; that the contrarious [3] qualites of elementz holden among hemself [4] allyaunce perdurable; that Phebus, the sonne, [5] with his goldene chariet bryngeth forth the [6] rosene day; that the moone hath comaundement [7] over the nyghtes, whiche nyghtes Esperus, [8] the eve-sterre, hath brought; that the [9] see, gredy to flowen, constreyneth with a [10] certein eende his floodes, so that it is nat [11] leveful to strecche his brode termes or [12] bowndes uppon the erthes (that is to seyn, to [13] coveren al the erthe) -- al this accordaunce [14] [and] ordenaunce of thynges is bounde with [15] love, that governeth erthe and see, and hath also [16] comandement to the hevene. And yif this love [17] slakede the bridelis, alle thynges that now loven [18] hem togidres wolden make batayle contynuely, [19] and stryven to fordo the fassoun of this [20] world, the which they now leden in [21] accordable feith by fayre moevynges. This [22] love halt togidres peples joyned with an holy [23] boond, and knytteth sacrement of mariages of [24] chaste loves; and love enditeth lawes to trewe [25] felawes. O weleful were mankynde, yif thilke [26] love that governeth hevene governede yowr [27] corages." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Boece Book 3 [1] By this sche hadde ended hir song, whan the [2] swetnesse of here dite hadde thurw-perced me, [3] that was desyrous of herknynge, and I astoned [4] hadde yit streyghte myn eres (that is to seyn, to [5] herkne the bet what sche wolde seye). So that [6] a litel herafter I seide thus: "O thow that art [7] sovereyne confort of angwyssous corages, so [8] thow hast remounted and norysshed me with [9] the weyghte of thi sentences and with delyt [10] of thy syngynge; so that I trowe nat [11] nowe that I be unparygal to the strokes of [12] Fortune (as who seith, I dar wel now suffren [13] alle the assautes of Fortune and wel defende [14] me fro hir). And tho remedies whiche that [15] thou seydest herbyforn that weren ryght [16] scharpe, nat oonly that I ne am nat agrisen of [17] hem now, but I, desiros of herynge, axe gretly [18] to heren tho remedies." [19] Thanne seyde sche thus: "That feeled I [20] ful wel," quod sche, "whan that thow ententyf [21] and stille ravysschedest my wordes, [22] and I abood til that thou haddest swich habite [23] of thi thought as thou hast now, or elles til that [24] I myself hadde maked to the the same habite, [25] whiche that is a more verray thyng. And certes [26] the remenant of thynges that ben yet to seie [27] ben swiche that first whan men tasten hem they [28] ben bytynge; but whan they ben resceyved [29] withynne a wyght, thanne ben thei swete. [30] But for thou seyst that thow art so desyrous [31] to herkne hem, with how greet brennynge [32] woldestow glowen, yif thow wistest whider I [33] wol leden the!" [34] "Whider is that?" quod I. [35] "To thilke verraye welefulnesse," quod sche, [36] "of whiche thyn herte dremeth. but forasmoche [37] as thi syghte is ocupyed and destourbed by [38] imagynacioun of erthly thynges, thow mayst [39] nat yit seen thilke selve welefulnesse." [40] "Do," quod I, "and schewe me what is [41] thilke verray welefulnesse, I preie the, [42] withoute taryinge." [43] "That wol I gladly do," quod sche, "for the [44] cause of the. But I wol first marken the by [45] woordes, and I wol enforcen me to enforme the, [46] thilke false cause of blisfulnesse that thou more [47] knowest; so that whanne thow hast fully byhoolden [48] thilke false goodes and torned thin [49] eighen to the tother syde, thow mowe [50] knowe the cleernesse of verray blisfulnesse. [1] "Whoso wole sowe a feld plentevous, let hym [2] first delyvren it of thornes, and kerve asondir [3] with his hook the bussches and the feern, so [4] that the corn may comen hevy of erys and of [5] greynes. Hony is the more swete, if mouthes [6] han first tasted savours that ben wykke. The [7] sterres schynen more aggreablely whan the [8] wynd Nothus leteth his plowngy blastes; and [9] aftir that Lucifer, the day-sterre, hath [10] chased awey the dirke nyght, the day the [11] fairere ledeth the rosene hors (of the [12] sonne). And ryght so thow, byhooldyng ferst the [13] false goodes, bygyn to withdrawe thy nekke [14] fro the yok (of erthely affeccions); and [15] afterward the verray goodes schullen entren into [16] thy corage." [1] Tho fastnede sche a litel the syghte of hir [2] eyen, and withdrowghe hir ryght as it were into [3] the streyte seete of here thought, and bygan to [4] speke ryght thus: "Alle the cures," quod sche, [5] "of mortel folk, whiche that travailen hem in [6] many manere studies, gon certes by diverse [7] weyes; but natheles thei enforcen hem alle to [8] comyn oonly to oon ende of blisfulnesse. And [9] blisfulnesse is swiche a good, that whoso [10] that hath geten it, he ne may over that [11] nothyng more desire. And this thyng forsothe [12] is the soverayn good that conteneth in [13] hymself alle maner goodes; to the whiche goode [14] if ther fayled any thyng, it myghte nat ben [15] sovereyn good, for thanne wer ther som good [16] out of thilke sovereyn good, that myghte ben [17] desired. Now is it cleer and certeyne thanne, [18] that blisfulnesse is a parfyt estat by the congregacioun [19] of alle goodes; the whiche blisfulnesse, [20] as I have seyd, alle mortel folk enforcen [21] hem to geten by diverse weyes. [22] Forwhy the covetise of verray good is naturely [23] iplauntyd in the hertes of men, but the myswandrynge [24] errour mysledeth hem into false [25] goodes. Of the whiche men, some of hem [26] wenen that sovereyn good be to lyven withoute [27] nede of any thyng, and travaylen hem to ben [28] habundaunt of rychesses. And some othere [29] men demen that sovereyn good be for to be [30] ryght digne of reverence, and enforcen [31] hem to ben reverenced among hir neyghbours [32] by the honours that thei han igeten. And [33] some folk ther ben that holden that ryght heye [34] power be sovereyn good, and enforcen hem for [35] to reignen or elles to joygnen hem to hem that [36] reignen. And it semeth to some other folk, that [37] noblesse of renoun be the sovereyn good, and [38] hasten hem to geten hem gloryouse name by the [39] artz of werre or of pees. And many folk [40] mesuren and gessen that the sovereyne [41] good be joye and gladnesse, and wenen [42] that it be ryght blisful thyng to plowngen hem [43] in voluptuous delyt. And ther ben folk that [44] entrechaungen the causes and the endes of [45] thyse forseyde goodes, as they that desiren [46] rychesses to han power and delitz, or elles they [47] desiren power for to have moneye or for cause [48] of renoun. In thise thynges and in swiche other [49] thynges is torned al the entencioun of desyrynges [50] and werkes of men; as thus: [51] noblesse and favour of peple, whiche that [52] yyveth to men, as it semeth hem, a maner [53] cleernesse of renoun; and wyf and children, [54] that men desiren for cause of delyt and myrynesse. [55] But forsothe freendes ne schulde nat ben [56] rekned among the goodes of fortune, but of [57] vertu, for it is a ful hooly maner thyng; alle [58] thise othere thinges forsothe ben taken for [59] cause of power or elles for cause of delyt. [60] Certes now am I redy to referren the [61] goodes of the body to thise forseide thynges [62] aboven; for it semeth that strengthe and gretnesse [63] of body yyven power and worthynesse, [64] and that beaute and swyftnesse yyven noblesse [65] and glorie of renoun; and heele of body semeth [66] yyven delyt. In alle thise thynges it semeth [67] oonly that blisfulnesse is desyred; forwhy thilk [68] thing that every man desireth moost over alle [69] thynges he demeth that it be the sovereyn [70] good; but I have diffyned that blisfulnesse [71] is the sovereyn good; for whiche every [72] wyght demeth that thilke estat that he desireth [73] over alle thynges, that it be blisfulnesse. [74] "Now hastow thanne byforn thyne eien almest [75] al the purposede forme of the welefulnesse [76] of mankynde: that is to seyn rychesses, [77] honours, power, glorie, and delitz. The whiche [78] delit oonly considered Epicurus, and juggid [79] and establissyde that delyt is the soverayn [80] good, for as moche as alle othere thynges, [81] as hym thoughte, byrefte awey joye and [82] myrthe from the herte. But I retorne ayen to [83] the studies of men, of whiche men the corage [84] alwey reherceth and seketh the sovereyne good, [85] al be it so that it be with a dyrkyd memorie; [86] but he not by whiche path, ryght as a dronke [87] man not nat by whiche path he may retourne [88] hom to his hous. Semeth it thanne that folk [89] foleyen and erren, that enforcen hem to [90] have nede of nothyng? Certes ther nys [91] noon other thyng that mai so wel performe [92] blisfulnesse, as an estat plentevous of alle godes, [93] that ne hath nede of noon other thyng, but [94] that it is suffisant of hymself unto hymself. [95] And foleyen swiche folk, thanne, that wenen [96] that thilk thyng that is ryght good, that it be [97] eek ryght worthy of honour and of reverence? [98] Certes, nay. For that thyng nis neither foul ne [99] worthy to ben despysed that wel neyghe al [100] the entencioun of mortel folk [travayleth. [101] for to geten it. And power, aughte nat that [102] ek to ben rekned amonge goodes? What elles? [103] For it nys nat to wene that thilke thyng that is [104] most worthy of alle thynges be feble and [105] withoute strengthe. And cleernesse of renoun, [106] aughte that to ben despysed? Certes ther may no [107] man forsake, that alle thyng that is right [108] excellent and noble, that it ne semeth to ben [109] ryght cleer and renomed. For certes it [110] nedeth nat to saie that blisfulnesse be [111] [n'] [angwyssous] ne drery, ne subgit to [112] grevaunces ne to sorwes; syn that in ryght litele [113] thynges folk seken to haven and to usen that may [114] delyten hem. Certes thise ben the thinges that [115] men wolen and desiren to geten, and for this [116] cause desiren they rychesses, dignytes, reignes, [117] glorie, and delices; for therby wenen they to [118] han suffysaunce, honour, power, renoun, and [119] gladnesse. Thanne is it good that men [120] seken thus, by so manye diverse studies; in [121] whiche desir it mai lyghtly be schewyd how [122] greet is the strengthe of nature. For how so that [123] men han diverse sentences and discordynge, [124] algates men accorden alle in lovynge the eende [125] of good. [1] "It liketh me to schewe by subtil soong, with [2] slakke and delytable sown of strenges, how [3] that Nature, myghty, enclyneth and flytteth the [4] governementz of thynges, and by whiche lawes [5] sche, purveiable, kepith the grete world; and [6] how sche, byndynge, restreyneth alle thynges [7] by a boond that may nat be unbownde. Al be [8] it so that the lyouns of the contre of Pene beren [9] the fayre chaynes, and taken metes of the [10] handes of folk that yeven it hem, and [11] dreden hir stourdy [maistre] of whiche thei [12] ben wont to suffre betynges; yif that hir horrible [13] mouthes ben bybled (that is to seyn, of [14] beestes devoured), hir corage of tyme passed, [15] that hath ben idel and rested, repeireth ayen, [16] and thei roren grevously, and remembren on [17] hir nature, and slaken hir nekkes from hir [18] cheynes unbownde; and hir mayster fyrst, [19] totorn with blody tooth, assaieth the wode [20] wratthes of hem (this to seyn, thei freten [21] hir maister). And the janglynge brid that [22] syngeth on the heghe braunches (that is to [23] seyn, in the wode), and after is enclosed in a [24] streyte cage, althoughe that the pleyinge bysynes [25] of men yeveth [hym] honyed drynkes and large [26] metes with swete studye, yit natheles yif thilke [27] bryd skippynge out of hir streyte cage seith the [28] agreables schadwes of the wodes, sche defouleth [29] with hir feet hir metes ischad, and seketh [30] mornynge oonly the wode, and twytereth [31] desyrynge the wode with hir swete voys. [32] The yerde of a tree, that is haled adoun by [33] myghty strengthe, boweth redily the crop [34] adown; but yif that the hand of hym that it bente [35] leet it goon ageyn, anoon the crop loketh upryght [36] to hevene. The sonne, Phebus, that falleth [37] at even in the westrene wawes, retorneth [38] ayen eftsones his cart, by a pryve path, there [39] as it is wont t' aryse. Alle thynges seken [40] ayen to hir propre cours, and alle thynges [41] rejoysen hem of hir retornynge ayen to [42] hir nature. Ne noon ordenaunce is bytaken to [43] thynges, but that that hath joyned the endynge [44] to the bygynnynge, and hath maked the cours [45] of itself stable (that it chaunge nat from his [46] propre kynde). [1] "Certes also ye men, that ben erthliche [2] beestes, dremen alwey your bygynnynge, althoughe [3] it be with a thynne ymaginacioun; and [4] by a maner thought, al be it nat clerly ne parfitely, [5] ye loken from afer to thilke verray fyn of [6] blisfulnesse. And therfore naturel entencioun [7] ledeth yow to thilke verray good, but many [8] maner errours mystorneth yow therfro. Considere [9] now yif that by thilke thynges by [10] whiche a man weneth to geten hym blisfulnesse, [11] yif that he mai comen to thilk ende [12] that he weneth to come by nature. For yif that [13] moneye, or honours, or thise othere forseyde [14] thynges, brynge to men swiche a thyng that no [15] good ne fayle hem ne semeth faile, certes [16] thanne wol I graunte that they ben maked blisful [17] by thilke thynges that thei han geten. But [18] yif so be that thilke thynges ne mowen nat performen [19] that they byheten, and that there [20] be defaute of manye goodis, scheweth it [21] nat thanne clerly that false beute of blysfulnesse [22] is knowen and ataynt in thilke thynges? [23] First and forward thow thiself, that haddest [24] haboundances of rychesses nat longe agoon, I [25] aske the yif that, in the habowndance of alle [26] thilke rychesses, thow were nevere angwysous [27] ne sory in thy corage of any wrong or grevance [28] that bytydde the on any side?" [29] "Certes," quod I, "it ne remembreth me [30] nat that evere I was so fre of my thought [31] that I ne was alwey in angwyse of somwhat." [33] "And was nat that," quod sche, "for that the [34] lakkide somwhat that thow noldest nat han [35] lakkid, or elles thou haddest that thow noldest [36] nat han had?" [37] "Ryght so is it," quod I. [38] "Than desiredest thow the presence of the [39] toon and the absence of the tothir?" [40] "I graunte wel," quod I. [41] "Forsothe," quod sche, "thanne nedeth [42] ther somwhat that every man desireth?" [43] "Yee, ther nedeth," quod I. [44] "Certes," quod sche, "and he that hath lak or [45] nede of aught nys nat in every wey suffisant to [46] hymself?" [47] "No," quod I. [48] "And thow," quod sche, "in al the plente of [49] thy richesses haddest thilke lakke of suffisaunce?" [51] "What elles?" quod I. [52] "Thanne mai nat richesses maken that a man [53] nys nedy, ne that he be suffisaunt to hymself; [54] and yit that was it that thei byhighten, as it [55] semeth. And eek certes I trow that this be [56] gretly to considere, that moneye ne hath nat in [57] his owene kynde that it ne mai ben bynomen [58] of hem that han it, maugre hem." [59] "I byknowe it wel," quod I. [60] "Whi sholdestow nat byknowen it," [61] quod sche, "whan every day the strengere [62] folk bynymen it fro the feblere maugre hem? [63] For whennes comen elles alle thise [forense] [64] compleyntes or quereles of pledynges but [65] for that men axen ayen hir moneye that hath [66] ben bynomen hem by force or by gyle, and [67] alwey maugre hem?" [68] "Right so is it," quod I. [69] "Than," quod sche, "hath a man nede to [70] seken hym foreyne help by whiche he may [71] defenden his moneye?" [72] "Who mai seie nay?" quod I. [73] "Certes," quod sche, "and hym nedide noon [74] help yif he ne hadde no moneye that he myghte [75] leese." [76] "That is douteles," quod I. [77] "Than is this thyng torned into the contrarie," [78] quod sche; "for rychesses, that men [79] wenen scholde maken suffisaunce, they [80] maken a man rather have nede of foreyne [81] help. Whiche is the maner or the gyse," [82] quod sche, "that rychesse mai dryve awey [83] nede? Riche folk, mai they neyther han hungir [84] ne thurst? Thise riche men, may they fele no [85] cold on hir lymes in wynter? But thow wolt [86] answeren that ryche men han inoghe wherwith [87] thei mai staunchen hir hungir, and slaken hir [88] thurst, and don awey cold. In this wise mai [89] nede be conforted by richesses, but certes [90] nede ne mai nat al outrely be doon awey; [91] for thoughe this nede that is alwey gapynge [92] and gredy, be fulfild with richesses, and axe any [93] thyng, yit duelleth thanne a nede that myghte be [94] fulfild. I holde me stille and telle nat how that [95] litel thyng suffiseth to nature; but certes to [96] avarice inowghe ne suffiseth nothyng. For syn [97] that rychesse ne mai nat al doon awey nede, but [98] richesses maken nede, what mai it thanne be that [99] ye wenen that richesses mowen yyven yow [100] suffisaunce? [1] "Al weere it so that a riche coveytous man [2] hadde a ryver or a goter fletynge al of gold, yit [3] sholde it nevere staunchen his covetise; and [4] thoughe he hadde his nekke charged with precyous [5] stones of the Rede See, and thoughe he [6] do ere his feeldes plentevous with an hundred [7] oxen, nevere ne schal his bytynge bysynesse [8] forleeten hym whil he lyveth, ne the lyghte [9] richesses ne schal nat beren hym companye [10] whan he is deed. [1] "But dignytees, to whom thei ben comen, [2] make they hym honourable and reverent? Han [3] thei nat so gret strengthe that thei mai putten [4] vertus in the hertes of folk that usen the lordschipes [5] of hem, or elles may they don awey the [6] vices? Certes thei ben nat wont to don awey [7] wikkidnesse, but thei ben wont rather to [8] schewen wykkydnesse. And therof cometh it [9] that Y have right gret disdayn that dignytes [10] ben yyven ofte to wikkide men. For [11] which thyng Catullus clepid a consul of [12] Rome that hyghte Nonyus `postum' or `boch' [13] (as who seith, he clepid hym a congregacioun [14] of vices in his brest, as a postum is ful of corrupcioun), [15] al were this Nonyus set in chayere [16] of dygnite. Sestow nat thanne how grete [17] vylenye dignytes don to wikkide men? Certes [18] unworthynesse of wikkide men schulde ben the [19] lesse isene if thei neere renomed of none [20] honours. Certes thou thiself ne myghtest [21] nat ben broght, with as many perils as [22] thow myghtest suffren, that thow woldest beren [23] the magistrat with Decorat (that is to seyn, [24] that for no peril that myghte byfallen the by [25] offence of the kyng Theodorik, thou noldest nat [26] be felawe in governaunce with Decorat), whan [27] thow seye that he hadde wikkide corage of a [28] likerous schrewe and of an accusour. Ne I ne [29] mai nat for swiche honours juggen hem [30] worthy of reverence that I deme and holde [31] unworthy to han thilke same honours. [32] Now yif thow seie a man that were fulfild of [33] wysdom, certes thou ne myghtest nat deme [34] that he were unworthy to the honour or elles [35] to the wisdom of whiche he is fulfild?" [36] "No," quod I. [37] "Certes dignytees," quod sche, "aperteignen [38] properly to vertu, and vertu transporteth dignyte [39] anoon to thilke man to whiche sche [40] hirself is conjoigned. And for as moche as [41] honours of peple ne mai nat maken folk [42] digne of honour, it is wel seyn cleerly that thei [43] ne han no propre beaute of dignyte. And yet [44] men aughten taken more heede in this. For yif [45] a wykkyd wyght be in so mochel the fowlere [46] and the more outcast that he is despysed of [47] moost folk, so as dignyte ne mai nat maken [48] schrewes worthy of no reverence, the whiche [49] schrewes dignyte scheweth to moche folk; [50] than maketh dignyte schrewes rather so [51] much more despised than preysed, and [52] forsothe nat unpunyssched (that is for to seyn [53] that schrewes revengen hem ayenward uppon [54] dignytes), for thei yelden ayen to dignytees [55] as greet gerdoun, whan they byspotten and [56] defoulen dignytes with hir vylenye. And for as [57] mochel as thou now knowe that thilke verray [58] reverence ne mai nat comen by thise schadwy [59] transitorie dignytes, undirstond now thus: [60] yif that a man hadde used and had manye [61] maner dignytees of consules, and weere [62] comen peraventure among straunge nacions, [63] scholde thilke honour maken hym worschipful [64] and redouted of straunge folk? Certes yif [65] that honour of peple were a natureel yifte to [66] dignytes, it ne myghte nevere cesen nowhere [67] amonges no maner folk to don his office; right [68] as fyer in every contre ne stynteth nat to [69] eschaufen and to ben hoot. But for as [70] mochel as for to be holden honurable or [71] reverent ne cometh nat to folk of hir [72] propre strengthe of nature, but oonly of the false [73] opynyoun of folk (that is to seyn, that weenen [74] that dignytees maken folk digne of honour), [75] anoon therfore, whan that thei comen there as [76] folk ne knowen nat thilke dignytees, hir honours [77] vanysschen away, and that anoon. But that is [78] amonges straunge folk, maystow seyn. Ne [79] amonges hem ther thei weren born, ne [80] duren nat thilke dignytes alwey? Certes the [81] dignyte of the provostrye of Rome was [82] whilom a greet power; now nys it no thyng but [83] an idel name, and the rente of the senatorie a [84] greet charge; and yif a wyght whilom hadde the [85] office to taken heede to the vitayles of the peple, [86] as of corn and othere thynges, he was holden [87] amonges grete; but what thyng is now more [88] outcast than thilke provostrye? And, as I have [89] seyd a litel herebyforn, that thilke thyng [90] that hath no propre beute of hymself [91] resceyveth somtyme prys and schynynge, [92] and somtyme leeseth it, by the opinyoun of [93] usaunces. Now yif that dignytes thanne ne [94] mowen nat make folk digne of reverence, and if [95] that dignytees waxen foule of hir wil by the [96] filthe of schrewes, and yif dignytees leesen hir [97] schynynge by chaungynge of tymes, and yif thei [98] waxen fowle by estimacion of peple, what is it [99] that they han in hemself of beaute that [100] oughte ben desired? (As who seith noon; [101] thanne ne mowen they yeven no beute of [102] dignyte to noone othere.) [1] "Al be it so that the proude Nero, with al his [2] wode luxure, kembde hym and apparayled [3] hym with faire purpres of Tyrie and with white [4] peerles, algates yit throf he haatful to alle folk [5] (this is to seyn that, al was he byhated of alle [6] folk, yit this wikkide Nero hadde gret lordschipe), [7] and yaf whilom to the reverentz senatours [8] the unworschipful seetis of dignytees. [9] (Unworschipful seetes he clepeth here, for that [10] Nero, that was so wikkide, yaf tho dignytees.) [11] Who wolde thanne resonably [12] wenen that blisfulnesse were in swiche honours [13] as ben yyven by vycious schrewes? [1] "But regnes, and familiarites of kynges, mai [2] thei maken a man to ben myghti? How elles, [3] whan hir blisfulnesse dureth perpetuely? But [4] certes the olde age of tyme passed, and ek the [5] present tyme now, is ful of ensaumples how [6] that kynges han chaungyd into wrecchidnesse [7] out of hir welefulnesse. O, a noble thyng and [8] a cleer thyng is power, that is nat fownden [9] myghty to kepe itself! And yif that power [10] of remes be auctour and makere of blisfulnesse, [11] yif thilke power lakketh on any syde, [12] amenuseth it nat thilke blisfulnesse and bryngeth [13] in wrecchidnesse? But yit, al be it so that [14] the remes of mankynde strecchen broode, yit [15] moot ther nede ben moche folk over whiche [16] that every kyng ne hath no lordschipe ne [17] comaundement. And certes uppon thilke syde [18] that power fayleth, whiche that maketh folk blisful, [19] ryght on that same syde noun-power [20] entreth undirnethe, that maketh hem [21] wrecches. In this manere thanne moten [22] kynges han more porcioun of wrecchidnesse [23] than of welefulnesse. A tyraunt, that was kyng [24] of Sysile, that hadde assayed the peril of his [25] estat, schewede by simylitude the dredes of [26] remes by gastnesse of a swerd that heng over [27] the heved of his familyer. What thyng is [28] thanne this power, that mai nat done awey the [29] bytynges of bysynesse, ne eschewe the [30] prykkes of drede? And certes yit wolde [31] thei lyven in sykernesse, but thei may nat, [32] and yit they glorifien hem in hir power. Holdestow [33] thanne that thilke man be mighty, that [34] thow seest that he wolde doon that he may nat [35] done? And holdestow thanne hym a myghti [36] man, that hath envyrowned his sydes with men [37] of armes or sergeantz, and dredeth more hem [38] that he maketh agast thanne thei dreden hym, [39] and that is put in the handes of hise servauntz [40] for he scholde seme myghty? But of [41] familiers or servantz of kynges, what [42] scholde I telle the any thyng, syn that I myself [43] have schewyd the that rewmes hemself ben [44] ful of greet feblesse? The whiche famylieres, [45] certes, the real power of kynges, in hool estat [46] and in estaat abated, ful ofte throweth adoun. [47] Nero constreynede Senek, his familyer and his [48] mayster, to chesen on what deeth he wolde [49] deye. Antonyus comaundede that knyghtes [50] slowen with here swerdes Papynian (his [51] famylier) [whiche] that had ben long [52] tyme ful myghty amonges hem of the court. [53] And yet certes thei wolden bothe han renounced [54] hir power; of whiche two Senek enforcede [55] hym to yeven to Nero his richesses, and [56] also to han gon into solitarie exil. But whan the [57] grete weyghte (that is to seyn, of lordes power [58] or of fortune) draweth hem that schullen falle, [59] neither of hem ne myghte don that he [60] wolde. What thyng is thanne thilke powere, [61] that though men han it, yit thei ben agast; [62] and whanne thow woldest han it, thou nart nat [63] siker; and yif thou woldest forleeten it, thow [64] mayst nat eschuen it? But whethir swiche men [65] ben freendes at nede, as ben [consyled] by fortune [66] and nat be vertu? Certes swiche folk as [67] weleful fortune maketh frendes, contraryous [68] fortune maketh hem enemys. And what pestilence [69] is more myghty for to anoye a wyght [70] than a famylier enemy? [1] "Whoso wol ben myghti he moot daunten his [2] cruel corages, ne putte nat his nekke, overcomen, [3] undir the foule reynes of leccherie. For [4] al be it so that thi lordschipe strecche so fer [5] that the contre of Ynde quaketh at thy comaundementz [6] or at thi lawes, and that the laste [7] ile in the see that highte Tyle be thral to the, [8] yit yif thou maist nat putten awey thi foule [9] dirke desires, and dryven out fro the [10] wrecchide compleyntes, certes it nys no [11] power that thow hast. [1] "But glorie, how deceyvable and how foul is [2] it ofte! For which thyng nat unskilfully a tragedien [3] (that is to seyn, a makere of dytees that [4] highten tragedies) cride and seide: `O glorie, [5] glorie,' quod he, `thow nart nothyng elles to [6] thousandes of folk but a greet swellere of eres!' [7] For manye han had ful greet renoun by the [8] false opinyoun of the peple, and what thyng [9] mai ben thought foulere than swiche preysynge? [10] For thilke folk that ben preysed [11] falsly, they mote nedes han schame of hire [12] preysynges. And yif that folk han geten hem [13] thonk or preysynge by here dissertes, what [14] thyng hath thilke pris echid or encresed to the [15] conscience of wise folk, that mesuren hir good, [16] nat by the rumour of the peple, but by the [17] sothfastnesse of conscience? And yif it seme a [18] fair thyng a man to han encreced and sprad his [19] name, thanne folweth it that it is demed to [20] ben a foul thyng yif it ne be yspradde and [21] encreced. But, as I seide a litil herebyforn, [22] that syn ther moot nedes ben many folk to [23] whiche folk the renoun of [o] man ne mai nat [24] comen, it byfalleth that he that thow wenest be [25] glorious and renomed semeth in the nexte [26] partie of the erthes to ben withouten glorie and [27] withouten renoun. And certes amonges thise [28] thynges I ne trowe nat that the pris and the [29] grace of the peple nys neyther worthi to [30] ben remembred, ne cometh of wys jugement, [31] ne is ferme perdurably. [32] "But now of this name of gentilesse, what [33] man is it that ne may wele seen how veyn and [34] how flyttynge a thyng it es? For yif the name [35] of gentilesse be referred to renoun and cleernesse [36] of lynage, thanne is gentil name but a [37] foreyne thyng (that is to seyn, to hem that gloryfien [38] hem of hir lynage.) For it semeth that [39] gentilesse be a maner preisynge that cometh [40] of the dessertes of auncestres; and yif [41] preisynge make gentilesse, thanne mote [42] they nedes ben gentil that been preysed. For [43] whiche thing it folweth that yif thou ne have no [44] gentilesse of thiself (that is to seyn, prys that [45] cometh of thy deserte), foreyne gentilesse ne [46] maketh the nat gentil. But certes yif ther be [47] ony good in gentilesse, I trowe it be al only [48] this, that it semeth as that a maner necessite [49] be imposed to gentil men for that thei ne [50] schulde nat owtrayen or forlynen fro the [51] vertus of hir noble kynrede. [1] "Alle the lynage of men that ben in erthe ben [2] of semblable byrthe. On allone is fadir of [3] thynges; on allone mynystreth alle thynges. [4] He yaf to the sonne his bemes, he yaf to the [5] moone hir hornes, he yaf the men to the erthe, [6] he yaf the sterres to the hevene. He encloseth [7] with membres the soules that comen from his [8] heye sete. Thanne comen alle mortel folk of [9] noble seed. Why noysen ye or bosten of [10] your eldres? For yif thow loke youre bygynnyng, [11] and God your auctour and yowr [12] makere, thanne nis ther none forlyned wyght or [13] ongentil, but if he noryssche his corage unto [14] vices and forlete his propre byrthe. [1] "But what schal I seye of delyces of body, of [2] whiche delices the desirynges ben ful of anguyssch, [3] and the fulfillynges of hem ben ful of [4] penance? How grete seknesses and how grete [5] sorwes unsuffrable, ryght as a maner fruyt [6] of wykkidnesse, ben thilke delices wont to [7] bryngen to the bodyes of folk that usen hem! [8] Of whiche delices I not what joie mai ben had [9] of here moevynge, but this woot I wel, that [10] whosoevere wol remembren hym of hise [11] luxures, he schal wel undirstonden that the [12] issues of delices ben sorweful and sorye. And [13] yif thilke delices mowen maken folk blisful, [14] thanne by the same cause moten thise beestis [15] ben clepid blisful, of whiche beestis al the entencioun [16] hasteth to fulfille here bodily jolyte. [17] And the gladnesse of wyf and children were an [18] honest thyng, but it hath ben seyd that it is [19] overmochel ayens kynde that children han [20] ben fownden tormentours to here fadris, I [21] not how manye; of whiche children how [22] bytynge is every condicioun, it nedeth nat to [23] tellen it the that hast er this tyme assayed it, [24] and art yit now angwysshous. In this approve [25] I the sentence of my disciple Euripidis, that [26] seide that he that hath no children is weleful [27] by infortune. [1] "Every delit hath this, that it angwisscheth [2] hem with prykkes that usen it. It resembleth [3] to thise flyenge flyes that we clepen ben; that, [4] aftir that the be hath sched hise agreable honyes, [5] he fleeth awey, and styngeth the hertes of hem [6] that ben ysmyte, with bytynge overlonge holdynge. [1] "Now is it no doute thanne that thise weyes [2] ne ben a maner mysledynges to blisfulnesse, ne [3] that they ne mowen nat leden folk thider as [4] thei byheeten to leden hem. But with how grete [5] harmes thise forseide weyes ben enlaced, I [6] schal schewe the shortly. Forwhy yif thou enforcest [7] the to assemble moneye, thow must byreven [8] hym his moneye that hath it; and yif [9] thow wolt schynen with dignytees, thow [10] must bysechen and supplyen hem that [11] yyven tho dignytees; and yif thow coveytest [12] be honour to gon byfore othere folk, thow [13] schalt defoule thiself thurw humblesse of axynge. [14] Yif thou desirest power, thow schalt, be [15] awaytes of thy subgetis, anoyously ben cast undir [16] by manye periles. Axestow glorye? Thow [17] schalt so bien distract by aspere thynges that [18] thow schalt forgon sykernesse. And yif thow [19] wolt leden thi lif in delyces, every wyght [20] schal despysen the and forleeten the, as [21] thow that art thral to thyng that is right [22] foul and brutyl (that is to seyn, servaunt to thi [23] body). Now is it thanne wel yseyn how litil [24] and how brotel possessioun thei coveyten that [25] putten the goodes of the body aboven hir [26] owene resoun. For maystow surmounten thise [27] olifauntes in gretnesse or weighte of body? Or [28] maistow ben strengere than the bole? Maystow [29] ben swyftere than the tigre? Byhoold the [30] spaces and the stablenesse and the swyft [31] cours of the hevene, and stynt somtyme to [32] wondren on foule thynges. The whiche hevene [33] certes nys nat rathere for thise thynges to ben [34] wondryd upon, than for the resoun by whiche it [35] is governed. But the schynynge of thi forme [36] (that is to seyn, the beute of thi body), how [37] swyftly passynge is it, and how transitorie! [38] "Certes it es more flyttynge than the mutabilite [39] of floures of the somer sesoun. For so as [40] Aristotle telleth, that if that men hadden [41] eyghen of a beeste that highte lynx, so that [42] the lokynge of folk myghte percen thurw the [43] thynges that withstonden it, whoso lokide [44] thanne in the entrayles of the body of Alcibiades, [45] that was ful fair in the superfice withoute, [46] it schulde seme ryght foul. And forthi yif [47] thow semest fair, thy nature ne maketh nat [48] that, but the deceyvaunce or the feblesse of the [49] eighen that loken. But preise the goodes of [50] the body as mochil as evere the lyst, so that [51] thow knowe algatis that, whatso it be (that [52] is to seyn, of the godes of the body) whiche that [53] thou wondrist uppon, mai ben destroied or dissolvid [54] by the heete of a fevere of thre dayes. [55] Of alle whiche forseide thynges Y mai reducen [56] this schortly in a somme: that thise worldly [57] goodes, whiche that ne mowen nat yeven that [58] they byheeten, ne ben nat parfite by the congregacioun [59] of alle goodis, that they ne ben [60] nat weyes ne pathes that bryngen men to [61] blisfulnesse, ne maken men to ben blisful. [1] "Allas! Whiche folie and whiche ignorance [2] mysledeth wandrynge wrecchis fro the path of [3] verray good! Certes ye ne seke no gold in [4] grene trees, ne ye gadere nat precyous stones in [5] the vynes, ne ye ne hiden nat yowre gynnes in [6] heye mountaignes to kacchen fyssche of whiche [7] ye mai maken riche festes. And if yow liketh [8] to hunte to roos, ye ne gon nat to the foordes [9] of the watir that highte Tyrene. And over [10] this, men knowen wel the krikes and the [11] cavernes of the see yhidde in the flodes, [12] and knowen ek whiche watir is moost plentevous [13] of white peerlis, and knowen whiche watir [14] haboundeth moost of reed purpre (that is to [15] seyn, of a maner schellefyssche with whiche men [16] deien purpre), and knowen whiche strondes [17] habounden most of tendre fysches, or of scharpe [18] fyssches that hyghten echynnys. But folk suffren [19] hemselve to ben so blynde, that hem [20] ne reccheth nat to knowe where thilke [21] goodes ben yhud whiche that thei coveyten, [22] but ploungen hem in erthe, and seken [23] there thilke good that surmounteth the hevene [24] that bereth the sterris. What preyere mai I [25] make, that be digne to the nyce thoughtes of [26] men? But I preie that thei coveyten rychesses [27] and honours, so that, whanne thei han geten [28] tho false goodes with greet travaile, that therby [29] they mowen knowen the verray goodes. [1] "It suffiseth that I have schewyd hiderto the [2] forme of fals welefulnesse, so that yif thou loke [3] now cleerly, the ordre of myn entencioun requireth [4] from hennes forth to schewe the verray [5] welefulnesse." [6] "Forsothe," quod I, "I se wel now that suffisaunce [7] may nat comen by rychesse, ne power [8] by remes, ne reverence by dignites, ne gentilesse [9] by glorie, ne joie be delices." [10] "And hastow wel knowen the causes," [11] quod sche, "whi it es?" [12] "Certes me semeth," quod I, "that Y see hem [13] ryght as thoughe it were thurw a litil clyfte, but [14] me were levere knowen hem more opynly of [15] the." [16] "Certes," quod sche, "the resoun is al redy. [17] For thilke thyng that symply is o thyng withouten [18] ony devysioun, the errour and folie of [19] mankynde departeth and divideth it, and [20] mysledeth it and transporteth from verray [21] and parfit good to godes that ben false and [22] inparfit. But seye me this. Wenestow that he [23] that hath nede of power, that hym ne lakketh [24] nothyng?" [25] "Nay," quod I. [26] "Certes," quod sche, "thou seyst aryght; for [27] if so be that ther is a thyng that in ony partie [28] be feblere of power, certes, as in that, it moot [29] nedes be nedy of foreyne help." [30] "Ryght so is it," quod I. [31] "Suffisaunce and power ben thanne of [32] o kynde?" [33] "So semeth it," quod I. [34] "And demestow," quod sche, "that a thyng [35] that is of this manere (that is to seyn, suffisaunt [36] and myghty) oughte ben despised, or ellis that [37] it be right digne of reverence aboven alle [38] thynges?" [39] "Certes," quod I, "it nys no doute that it [40] nys right worthy to ben reverenced." [41] "Lat us," quod sche, "adden thanne reverence [42] to suffisaunce and to power, so that we [43] demen that thise thre thynges be al o thyng." [44] "Certes," quod I, "lat us adden it, yif we [45] wiln graunten the sothe." [46] "What demestow thanne," quod sche, "is [47] that a dirk thyng and nat noble that is suffisaunt, [48] reverent, and myghty; or elles that it is [49] ryght noble and ryght cleer by celebrete of [50] renoun? Considere thanne," quod sche, "as [51] we han grauntide hirbyfore that he that ne [52] hath nede of no thyng and is moost myghty [53] and moost digne of honour, if hym nedeth ony [54] cleernesse of renoun, whiche clernesse he myght [55] nat graunten of hymself; so that for lak of [56] thilke cleernesse he myghte seme the feblere [57] on any side, or the more outcast." (Glose. This [58] to seyn, nay; for whoso that is suffisaunt, [59] myghty, and reverent, clernesse of renoun [60] folweth of the forseyde thynges; he hath it [61] al redy of his suffysaunce.) [62] Boece. "I mai nat," quod I, "denye it, but I [63] moot granten, as it is, that this thyng be ryght [64] celebrable by clernesse of renoun and noblesse." [65] "Thanne folweth it," quod sche, "that we [66] adden clernesse of renoun to the thre forseyde [67] thynges, so that there ne be amonges hem no [68] difference." [69] "This a consequence," quod I. [70] "This thyng thanne," quod sche, "that ne [71] hath nede of no foreyne thyng, and that [72] may don alle thynges by hise strengthis, and [73] that is noble and honourable, nys nat that a [74] myry thyng and a joyful?" [75] Boece. "But whennes," quod I, "that any sorwe [76] myghte comen to this thyng that is swiche, [77] certes I mai nat thynke." [78] Philosophie. "Thanne mote we graunten," [79] quod sche, "that this thing be ful of gladnesse, [80] if the forseide thynges ben sothe; [81] and certes also mote we graunten that suffisaunce, [82] power, noblesse, reverence, and gladnesse [83] be oonly diverse by names, but hir substaunce [84] hath no diversite." [85] Boece. "It moot nedly ben so," quod I. [86] Philosophie. "Thilke thyng thanne," quod [87] sche, "that is oon and symple in his nature, the [88] wikkidnesse of men departeth it and divideth [89] it; and whanne thei enforcen hem to gete [90] partie of a thyng that ne hath no part, thei [91] ne geten hem neyther thilke partie that nis [92] noon, ne the thyng al hool that thei ne desire [93] nat." [94] Boece. "In whiche manere?" quod I. [95] Philosophie. "Thilke man," quod sche, "that [96] seketh richesse to fleen poverte, he ne travaileth [97] hym nat for to geten power, for he hath [98] lever ben dirk and vyl; and eek withdraweth [99] from hymself manye naturel delites, for he [100] nolde leese the moneie that he hath assembled. [101] But certes in this manere he ne [102] geteth hym nat suffisance, that power forleteth, [103] and that moleste prikketh, and that filthe maketh [104] outcaste, and that dirknesse hideth. And [105] certes he that desireth oonly power, he wasteth [106] and scatereth rychesse, and despyseth delices [107] and eek honour that is withoute power, ne he [108] ne preiseth glorie nothyng. Certes thus seestow [109] wel that manye thynges failen to hym, for [110] he hath som tyme defaute of manye necessites, [111] and manye anguysshes byten hym; [112] and whan he ne mai nat do tho defautes awey, [113] he forletith to ben myghty, and that is the [114] thyng that he moost desireth. And ryght thus [115] mai I make semblable resouns of honours, and [116] of glorie, and of delyces; for so as every of [117] thise forseide thinges is the same that thise [118] othere thynges ben (that is to seyn, al oon [119] thyng), whoso that evere seketh to geten [120] the toon of thise, and nat the tothir, he ne [121] geteth nat that he desireth." [122] Boece. "What seystow thanne, yif that a [123] man coveyte to geten alle thise thynges togidre?" [125] Philosophie. "Certes," quod sche, "I wolde [126] seye that he wolde geten hym sovereyn blisfulnesse; [127] but that schal he nat fynde in tho [128] thynges that I have schewed that ne mowen [129] nat yeven that thei byheeten?" [130] Boece. "Certes no," quod I. [131] "Thanne," quod sche, "ne sholde men [132] nat by no weye seken blisfulnesse in siche [133] thynges as men wenen that they ne mowen [134] yeven but o thyng sengly of al that men [135] seken." [136] Boece. "I graunte wel," quod I, "ne no [137] sothere thyng ne may be seyd." [138] Philosophie. "Now hastow thanne," quod [139] sche, "the forme and the causes of fals [140] welefulnesse. Now torne and flytte the [141] eighen of thi thought, for ther shaltow [142] seen anoon thilke verray blisfulnesse that I [143] have behyght the." [144] Boece. "Certes," quod I, "it is cler and opene, [145] theyghe it were to a blynd man; and that [146] schewedestow me ful wel a litel herbyforn, [147] whan thow enforcedest the to schewe me the [148] causes of the fals blisfulnesse. For, but if I be [149] begiled, thanne is thilke the verray parfit [150] blisfulnesse that parfitly maketh a man suffisaunt, [151] myghty, honourable, noble, and [152] ful of gladnesse. And for thow schalt wel [153] knowe that I have wel undirstonden thise [154] thinges withynne myn herte, I knowe wel that [155] thilke blisfulnesse that may verrayly yeven on [156] of the forseyde thynges, syn thei ben alle oon [157] -- I knowe dowtelees that thilke thyng is the [158] ful blysfulnesse." [159] Philosophie. "O my nory," quod sche, [160] "by this opynyoun I seie that thow art [161] blisful, yif thow putte this therto that I [162] schal seyn." [163] "What is that?" quod I. [164] "Trowestow that ther be any thyng in this [165] erthly, mortel, toumblynge thynges that may [166] brynge this estat?" [167] "Certes," quod I, "Y trowe it nought; and [168] thow hast schewyd me wel that over thilke good [169] ther nys no thyng more to ben desired." [170] Philosophie. "Thise thynges thanne," [171] quod sche (that is to seyn, erthly [172] suffysaunce and power and swiche thynges), [173] "outher thei semen lyknesses of verray good, or [174] elles it semeth that thei yeve to mortel folk a [175] maner of goodes that ne be nat parfyt. But thilke [176] good that is verray and parfyt, that mai thei nat [177] yeven." [178] Boece. "I accorde me wel," quod I. [179] Philosophie. "Thanne," quod sche, "for as [180] moche as thou hast knowen whiche is thilke [181] verray blisfulnesse, and eek whiche thilke [182] thynges ben that lyen falsly blisfulnesse (that is [183] to seyn, that be deceyte semen verray goodes), [184] now byhoveth the to knowe, whennes and [185] where thow mowe seke thilke verrai blisfulnesse." [187] "Certes," quod I "that desire I gretly and [188] have abyden longe tyme to herkne it." [189] "But for as moche," quod sche, "as it [190] liketh to my disciple Plato, in his book of [191] In Thymeo, that in ryght litel thynges men [192] schulde byseche the help of God, what juggestow [193] that be now to done, so that we may [194] desserve to fynde the seete of thilk sovereyn [195] good?" [196] Boece. "Certes," quod I, "Y deme that we [197] schul clepe to the Fadir of alle [thyng], for [198] withouten hym nis ther no [begynnyng] founded [199] aryght." [200] "Thow seyst aryght," quod sche, and [201] bygan anoon to syngen right thus: [1] "O thow Fadir, soowere and creatour of [2] hevene and of erthes, that governest this world [3] by perdurable resoun, that comaundest the [4] tymes to gon from syn that age hadde bygynnynge; [5] thow that duellest thiselve ay stedefast [6] and stable, and yevest alle othere thynges to [7] ben meved, ne foreyne causes necesseden the [8] nevere to compoune werk of floterynge matere, [9] but oonly the forme of sovereyn good iset [10] within the withoute envye, that moevede [11] the frely. Thow, that art althir-fayrest, [12] berynge the faire world in thy thought, formedest [13] this world to the lyknesse semblable of [14] that faire world in thy thought. Thou drawest [15] alle thyng of thy sovereyn ensaumpler and [16] comaundest that this world, parfytely ymakid, [17] have frely and absolut hise parfyte parties. [18] Thow byndest the elementis by nombres proporcionables, [19] that the coolde thinges [20] mowen accorde with the hote thinges, and [21] the drye thinges with the moyste; that the [22] fuyer, that is purest, ne fle nat over-heye, ne that [23] the hevynesse ne drawe nat adoun over-lowe the [24] erthes that ben ploungid in the watris. Thow [25] knyttest togidere the mene soule of treble [26] kynde moevynge alle thingis, and divydest it [27] by membrys accordynge; and whan it es thus [28] divyded [and] hath assembled a moevynge [29] into two rowndes, it gooth to torne ayen [30] to hymself, and envyrouneth a ful deep [31] thought and turneth the hevene by semblable [32] ymage. Thow by evene-lyke causes enhauncest [33] the soules and the lasse lyves; and, [34] ablynge hem heye by lyghte waynes or cartes, [35] thow sowest hem into hevene and into erthe. [36] And whan thei ben convertyd to the by thi [37] benygne lawe, thow makest hem retourne ayen [38] to the by ayen-ledynge fyer. O Fadir, yyve [39] thou to the thought to steyen up into the [40] streyte seete; and graunte hym to enviroune [41] the welle of good; and, the lyght [42] ifounde, graunte hym to fycchen the clere [43] syghtes of his corage in the; and skatere thou [44] and tobreke the weyghtes and the cloudes of [45] erthly hevynesse; and schyn thou by thi bryghtnesse, [46] for thou art cleernesse, thow art pesible [47] reste to debonayre folk; thow thiself art bygynnynge, [48] berere, ledere, path, and terme; to looke [49] on the, that is our ende. [1] "For as moche thanne as thow hast seyn [2] whiche is the fourme of good that nys nat parfit, [3] and whiche is the forme of good that is parfit, [4] now trowe I that it were good to schewe in [5] what this perfeccioun of blisfulnesse is set. [6] And in this thing I trowe that we schulde first [7] enquere for to witen, yf that any swich maner [8] good as thilke good that thow hast dyffinysshed [9] a litel herebyforn (that is to seyn, sovereyn [10] good) may be founde in the nature of [11] thinges, for that veyn ymagynacioun of [12] thought ne desceyve us nat, and put us out of [13] the sothfastnesse of thilke thing that is summytted [14] to us. But it may nat be denyed that [15] thilke good ne is, and that it nys ryght as a [16] welle of alle goodes. For alle thing that is [17] cleped inparfyt is proevid inparfit be the [18] amenusynge of perfeccioun or of thing that is [19] parfit. And herof cometh it that in every [20] thing general, yif that men seen any thing [21] that is inparfit, certes in thilke general ther [22] moot ben som thing that is parfit. For yif so be [23] that perfeccioun is don awey, men may nat [24] thinke ne say fro whennes thilke thing is that [25] is cleped inparfyt. For the nature of thinges ne [26] took nat hir begynnynge of thinges amenused [27] and inparfit, but it procedith of thinges that [28] ben alle hole and absolut, and descendith so [29] doun into uttereste thinges and into thinges [30] empty and withouten fruyt. But, as I have [31] schewid a litel herebyforn that yif ther be [32] a blisfulnesse that be freel and veyn and inparfyt, [33] ther may no man doute that ther nys [34] som blisfulnesse that is sad, stedefast, and [35] parfyt." [36] Boece. "This is concluded," quod I, "feermely [37] and soothfastly." [38] Philosophie. "But considere also," quod sche, [39] "in whom this blissefulnes enhabiteth. The [40] comune accordaunce and conceyt of the [41] corages of men proveth and graunteth that [42] God, prince of alle thinges, is good. For, so as [43] nothyng mai ben thought betere than God, it [44] mai nat ben douted thanne that he that no [45] thinge nys betere, that he nys good. Certes resoun [46] scheweth that God is so good that it [47] proeveth by verray force that parfyt good is in [48] hym. For yif God nys swyche, he ne mai nat be [49] prince of alle thinges; for certes somthing [50] possessyng in itself parfyt good schulde be [51] more worthy than God, and it scholde [52] semen that thilke thing were first and eldere than [53] God. For we han schewyd apertely that alle [54] thinges that ben parfyt ben first er thynges that [55] ben inparfit; and forthy, for as moche as that [56] my resoun or my proces ne go nat awey withouten [57] an ende, we owe to graunte that the [58] sovereyn God is ryght ful of sovereyn parfit [59] good. And we han establissched that the [60] sovereyne good is verray blisfulnesse. [61] Thanne moot it nedis be that verray blisfulnesse [62] is set in sovereyn God." [63] Boece. "This take I wel," quod I, "ne this [64] ne mai nat be withseid in no manere." [65] "But I preye the," quod sche, "see now how [66] thou mayst proeven holily and withoute corrupcioun [67] this that I have seid, that the sovereyn [68] God is ryght ful of sovereyne good." [69] "In whiche manere?" quod I. [70] "Wenestow aught," quod sche, "that this [71] prince of alle thynges have itake thilke sovereyne [72] good anywher out of hymself, of whiche [73] sovereyne good men proeveth that he is ful; [74] ryght as thou myghtest thenken that God, that [75] hath blisfulnesse in hymself, and thilke blisfulnesse [76] that is in hym, were divers in substaunce? [77] For yif thow wene that God have resseyved [78] thilke good out of hymself, thow mayst wene [79] that he that yaf thilke good to God be more [80] worth than is God. But I am beknowe and [81] confesse, and that ryght dignely, that God [82] is ryght worthy aboven alle thinges. And yif [83] so be that this good be in hym by nature, but [84] that it is dyvers from hym by wenynge resoun, [85] syn we speke of God prynce of alle thynges, [86] feyne who so feyne mai who was he that [87] hath conjoyned thise divers thynges togidre. [88] And eek at the laste se wel that a thing that is [89] divers from any thing, that thilke thing nys [90] nat that same thing fro whiche it es undirstonden [91] to be diverse. Thanne folweth it [92] that thilke thing that be his nature is divers [93] from sovereyn good, that that thyng nys nat [94] sovereyn good; but certes it were a felenous [95] cursydnesse to thinken that of hym that no [96] thing nys more worth. For alwey, of alle [97] thinges, the nature of hem ne may nat ben betere [98] thanne hir begynnynge. For whiche I mai concluden [99] by ryght verray resoun that thilke [100] that is begynnynge of alle thinges, thilke [101] same thing is sovereyn good in his substaunce." [103] Boece. "Thow hast seyd ryghtfully," quod I. [104] Philosophie. "But we han graunted," quod [105] sche, "that the sovereyn good is blisfulnesse." [106] "That is sooth," quod I. [107] "Thanne," quod sche, "moten we nedes [108] granten and confessen that thilke same sovereyn [109] good be God." [110] "Certes," quod I, "Y ne may nat denye [111] ne withstonde the resouns purposed; and [112] I se wel that it folweth by strengthe of the [113] premisses." [114] "Loke now," quod sche, "yif this be proevid [115] yet more fermely thus, that there ne mowen not [116] ben two sovereyn goodis that ben divers among [117] hemself. For certes the goodis that ben divers [118] among hemself, the toon is nat that that the [119] tothir is. thanne ne mowen neither of hem [120] ben parfit, so as eyther of hem lakketh to [121] othir. But that that nys nat parfit, men [122] mai seen apertely that it nys not sovereyn. The [123] thinges thanne that ben sovereynly gode ne [124] mowe by no weie be divers. But I have wel [125] concluded that blisfulnesse and God ben the [126] sovereyn good; for whiche it mote nedes be that [127] sovereyne blisfulnesse is sovereyn devynite." [128] "No thing," quod I, "nys more sothfaste than [129] this, ne more ferme by resoun, ne a more [130] worthy thing than God mai not ben concluded." [132] Philosophie. "Upon thise thynges thanne," quod [133] sche, "ryght as thise geometriens whan thei han [134] schewed her proposicions ben wont to bryngen [135] yn thinges that thei clepen porismes or declaracions [136] of forseide thinges, right so wol I yeve [137] the here as a corolarie or a meede of coroune. [138] Forwhy, for as moche as by the getynge of blisfulnesse [139] men ben makid blisful, and blisfulnesse [140] is dyvinite, than is it manifest and [141] opene that by the getynge of dyvinite men [142] ben makid blisful. Right as by the getynge of [143] justise [men ben maked just], and be the getynge [144] of sapience thei ben maked wise, ryght so [145] nedes by the semblable resoun, whan they han [146] geten dyvinite thei ben maked goddes. Thanne [147] is every blisful man God. But certes by nature [148] ther nys but o God; but by the participacioun [149] of dyvinite ther ne let ne distourbeth nothyng [150] that ther ne ben many goddis." [151] "This ys," quod I, "a fair thing and a [152] precious, clepe it as thou wilt, be it corolarie, or [153] porisme, or mede of coroune, or declarynges." [154] "Certes," quod sche, "nothing nys fairere [155] than is the thing that by resoun schulde ben [156] addide to thise forseide thinges." [157] "What thing?" quod I. [158] "So," quod sche, "as it semeth that blisfulnesse [159] conteneth many thinges, it weere for [160] to witen whether that alle thise thinges [161] maken or conjoynen as a maner body of [162] blisfulnesse by diversite of parties or membres, [163] or elles yif ony of alle thilke thinges be swich [164] that it acomplise by hymself the substaunce of [165] blisfulnesse, so that alle thise othere thynges [166] ben referrid and brought to blisfulnesse (that [167] is to seyn, as to the cheef of hem)." [168] "I wolde," quod I, "that thow madest me [169] clerly to undirstonde what thou seist, and [170] that thou recordidest me the forseide [171] thinges." [172] "Have I not jugged," quod sche, "that blisfulnesse [173] is good?" [174] "Yys for sothe," quod I, "and that sovereyn [175] good." [176] "Adde thanne," quod sche, "thilke good that [177] is maked blisfulnesse to alle the forseide [178] thinges. For thilke same blisfulnesse [is. [179] demed to ben sovereyn suffisaunce, thilke [180] selve is sovereyn power, sovereyn reverence, [181] sovereyn clernesse or noblesse, and [182] sovereyn delyt. What seistow thanne of alle [183] thise thinges, that is to seyn, suffisaunce, power, [184] and thise othere thinges, -- ben thei thanne as [185] membris of blisfulnesse, or ben they reffered [186] and brought to sovereyne good ryght as alle [187] thinges [ben] brought to the cheef of hem?" [188] Boece. "I undirstonde wel," quod I, "what [189] thou purposest to seke, but I desire for [190] to herkne that thow schew it me." [191] Philosophie. "Tak now thus the discrecioun [192] of this questioun," quod sche; "yif alle thise [193] thinges," quod sche, "weren membris to felicite, [194] thanne weren thei dyverse that on fro that [195] othir. And swich is the nature of parties or of [196] membres, that diverse membris compounen a [197] body." [198] "Certes," quod I, "it hath wel ben schewyd [199] herebyforn that alle thise thinges ben [200] al o thyng." [201] "Thanne ben thei none membres," quod [202] sche, "for elles it schulde seme that blisfulnesse [203] were conjoyned al of o membre allone; [204] but that is a thing that mai not ben don." [205] "This thing," quod I, "nys not doutous; but [206] I abide to herknen the remenaunt of the question." [208] "This is opene and cler," quod sche, "that [209] alle othere thinges ben referrid and [210] brought to good. For therfore is suffisaunce [211] requerid, for it is demyd to ben [212] good; and forthy is power requirid, for men [213] trowen also that it be good; and this same thing [214] mowen we thinken and conjecten of reverence, [215] and of noblesse, and of delyt. Thanne is sovereyn [216] good the somme and the cause of al that [217] oughte ben desired; forwhy thilke thing that [218] withholdeth no good in itselve, ne semblance [219] of good, it ne mai not wel in no [220] manere be desired ne requerid. And the [221] contrarie; for thoughe that thinges by here [222] nature ne ben not gode, algates yif men wene [223] that thei ben gode, yet ben thei desired as [224] theigh that thei were verrayliche gode; and [225] therefore is it that men oughte to wene by ryghte [226] that bounte be the sovereyn fyn and the cause [227] of alle the thinges that ben to requiren. But [228] certes thilke that is cause for whiche men [229] requiren any thing, it semeth that thilke [230] same thing be moost desired. As thus: yf [231] that a wyght wolde ryden for cause of hele, [232] he ne desireth not so mochel the moevyng to [233] ryden, as the effect of his hele. Now thanne, [234] syn that alle thynges ben required for the grace [235] of good, thei ne ben not desired of alle folk [236] more than the same good. But we han grauntide [237] that blisfulnesse is that thing for whiche that [238] alle thise othere thinges ben desired; thanne [239] is it thus that certes oonly blysfulnesse is [240] requered and desired. By whiche thing it [241] scheweth cleerly that of good and of blisfulnesse [242] is al on and the same substaunce." [243] "I se nat," quod I, "wherfore that men [244] myghten discorden in this." [245] "And we han schewed that God and verray [246] blisfulnesse is al o thing." [247] "That is sooth," quod I. [248] "Thanne mowen we concluden sykerly, that [249] the substaunce of God is set in thilke same [250] good, and in noon other place. [1] "Cometh alle to-gidre now, ye that ben [2] ykaught and ybounde with wikkide cheynes by [3] the desceyvable delyt of erthly thynges enhabitynge [4] in yowr thought! Her schal ben the [5] reste of your labours, her is the havene stable [6] in pesible quiete; this allone is the open refut [7] to wreches. (Glose. This to seyn, that ye that [8] ben combryd and disseyvid with worldly [9] affeccions, cometh now to this sovereyn [10] good, that is God, that is refut to hem [11] that wolen come to hym.) Textus. Alle the [12] thinges that the ryver Tagus yyveth yow with [13] his goldene gravelis, or elles alle the thinges [14] that the ryver Hermus yeveth with his rede [15] brinke, or that Indus yyveth, that is next the [16] hote partie of the world, that medleth the grene [17] stones with the white, ne scholden not cleren [18] the lookynge of your thought, but hiden rather [19] your blynde corages withynne here derknesse. [20] Al that liketh yow here, and exciteth [21] and moeveth your thoughtes, the [22] erthe hath norysschid it in his lowe caves. But [23] the schynynge by whiche the hevene is governed [24] and whennes that it hath his strengthe, that [25] eschueth the derke overthrowynge of the soule; [26] and whosoevere may knowen thilke light (of [27] blisfulnesse), he schal wel seyn that the white [28] beemes of the sonne ne ben nat cleer." [1] Boece. "I assente me," quod I, "for alle thise [2] thinges ben strongly bounden with ryght ferme [3] resouns." [4] "How mychel wiltow preysen it," quod sche, [5] "yif that thow knowe what thilke good is?" [6] "I wol preyse it," quod I, "be pris withouten [7] ende, yif it schal betyde me to knowe also togidre [8] God that is good." [9] "Certes," quod sche, "that schal I [undo] [10] the be verray resoun, yif that tho [11] thinges that I have concluded a litel herebyforn [12] duellen only in hir first grauntynge." [13] Boece. "Thei dwellen graunted to the," quod [14] I. (This to seyn as who seith, "I graunte thi [15] forseide conclusyouns.") [16] "Have I nat schewed the," quod sche, "that [17] the thinges that ben required of many folk ne [18] ben not verray goodis ne parfite, for thei ben [19] divers that on fro that othir; and so as iche [20] of hem is lakkynge to othir, thei ne han no [21] power to bryngen a good that is ful and [22] absolut; but thanne at erste ben thei verraye [23] good, whan thei ben gadred togidre [als] into o [24] forme and into oon werkynge, so that thilke [25] thing that is suffisaunce, thilke same be power, [26] and reverence, and noblesse, and myrthe; and [27] for sothe, but yif alle thise thinges ben alle o [28] same thing, thei ne han not wherby that thei [29] mowen be put in the nombre of thinges [30] that oughten ben required or desired?" [31] Boece. "It is schewyd," quod I, "ne herof [32] mai ther no man douten." [33] Philosophie. "The thinges thanne," quod sche, [34] "that ne ben none goodis whan thei ben diverse, [35] and whanne thei bygynnen to ben al o thing, [36] thanne ben thei goodes -- ne cometh it hem nat [37] thanne be the getynge of unyte that thei ben [38] maked goodes?" [39] Boece. "So it semeth," quod I. [40] "But alle thing that is good," quod sche, [41] "grauntestow that it be good by the participacioun [42] of good, or no?" [43] "I graunte it," quod I. [44] "Thanne mustow graunten," quod sche, "by [45] semblable resoun that oon and good be o same [46] thing; for of thinges of whiche that the effect nys [47] nat naturely divers, nedes the substaunce moot [48] be oo same thing." [49] "I ne may nat denye it," quod I. [50] "Hastow nat knowen wel," quod sche, [51] "that alle thing that is hath so longe his [52] duellynge and his substaunce as longe as it es [53] oon, but whanne it forletith to be oon, it moot [54] nedys deien and corrumpen togidres?" [55] "In whiche manere?" quod I. [56] "Ryght as in beestes," quod sche, "whanne [57] the soule and the body ben conjoyned in oon [58] and dwellen togidre, it es cleped a beeste; and [59] whanne her unyte is destroyed be the [60] disseveraunce the toon fro the tothir, [61] thanne scheweth it wel that it is a deed [62] thing, and that it nys no lengere no beeste. And [63] the body of a wyght, while it duelleth in oo [64] fourme be conjunccion of membris, it is wel [65] seyn that it is a figure of mankynde; and yif [66] the parties of the body ben so devyded and [67] disseverid the ton fro the tother that thei destroyen [68] unite, the body forletith to ben that it was [69] beforn. And whoso wolde renne in the [70] same manere be alle thinges, he scholde [71] seen that withouten doute every thing is in [72] his substaunce as longe as it is oon; and whanne [73] it forletith to ben oon, it dyeth and peryssheth." [74] Boece. "Whanne I considere," quod I, "manye [75] thinges, I se noon other." [76] "Is ther any thing thanne," quod sche, "that, [77] in as moche as it lyveth naturely, that forletith [78] the talent or the appetyt of his beynge and [79] desireth to come to deth and to corrupcioun?" [81] "Yif I considere," quod I, "the beestes [82] that han any maner nature of wyllynge and of [83] nyllynge, I ne fynde no beeste, but if it be [84] constreyned fro withoute-forth, that forletith or [85] despiseth the entencion to lyven and to duren; [86] or that wole, his thankes, hasten hym to dyen. [87] For every beest travaileth hym to defende and [88] kepe the savacion of his lif, and eschueth deeth [89] and destruccioun. But certes I doute me of [90] herbes and of trees [and] I am in a doute [91] of swiche thinges [as] ne han no felyng [92] soules (ne no naturel werkynges servynge to [93] appetites as beestes han, whether thei han [94] appetyt to duellen and to duren). [95] "Certes," quod sche, "ne therof thar the nat [96] doute. Now looke upon thise herbes and thise [97] trees. They wexen first in suche places as ben [98] covenable to hem, in whiche places thei mowen [99] nat sone deye ne dryen, as longe as hir [100] nature mai defenden hem. For some of [101] hem waxen in feeldis, and some in mountaynes, [102] and othere waxen in mareys, and [103] othre cleven on roches, and some wexen [104] plentyvous in soondes; and yif any wyght [105] enforce hym to bere hem into other places, thei [106] wexen drye. For nature yeveth to every thing [107] that that is convenient to hym, and travailleth [108] that they ne deie nat, as longe as thei han power [109] to duellen and to lyven. What wiltow seyn [110] of this, that thei drawen alle here [111] norysschynges by here rootes, ryght as thei [112] hadden here mouthes yplounged withynne the [113] erthes, and sheden be hir maryes hir wode and [114] hir bark? And what wyltow seyn of this, that [115] thilke thing that is ryght softe, as the marie is, [116] that it is alwey hyd in the seete al withinne, and [117] that it is defended fro withoute by the [118] stedfastnesse of wode, and that the outreste bark [119] is put ayens the distemperaunce of the [120] hevene as a deffendour myghty to suffren [121] harm? And thus certes maistow wel seen [122] how greet is the diligence of nature; for alle [123] thinges renovelen and publysschen hem with [124] seed ymultiplied, ne ther nys no man that ne [125] woot wel that they ne ben ryght as a foundement [126] and edifice for to duren, noght oonly for a tyme, [127] but ryght as for to dure perdurably by [128] generacion. [129] "And the thinges eek that men wenen ne [130] haven none soules, ne desire thei nat, iche [131] of hem, by semblable resoun to kepyn that [132] that is hirs (that is to seyn, that is accordynge [133] to hir nature in conservacioun of hir beynge [134] and endurynge)? For wherfore ellis bereth [135] lightnesse the flaumbes up, and the weyghte [136] presseth the erthe adoun, but for as moche as [137] thilke places and thilke moevynges ben covenable [138] to everyche of hem? And forsothe every [139] thing kepeth thilke that is accordynge [140] and propre to hym, ryght as thinges that [141] ben contrarious and enemys corrumpen [142] hem. And yet the harde thinges, as stones, [143] clyven and holden here parties togidere ryght [144] faste and harde, and defenden hem in [145] withstondynge that thei ne departe nat lyghtly [146] atwynne. And the thinges that ben softe and [147] fletynge, as is watir and eyr, thei departen [148] lyghtly and yeven place to hem that breken or [149] divyden hem; but natheles they retorne [150] sone ageyn into the same thinges fro [151] whennes thei ben arraced; but fyer fleeth [152] and refuseth alle dyvisioun. [153] "Ne I ne trete not here now of willeful [154] moevynges of the soule that is knowyng, but of [155] the naturel entencioun of thinges, as thus: ryght [156] as we swolwen the mete that we resseyven and [157] ne thinke nat on it, and as we drawen our breeth [158] in slepynge that we witen it nat while we slepyn. [159] For certes in the beestis the love of hire [160] lyvynges ne of hire beynges ne cometh [161] not of the wilnynges of the soule, but of [162] the bygynnynges of nature. For certes, thurw [163] constreynynge causes, wil desireth and embraceth [164] ful ofte tyme the deeth that nature [165] dredeth. (That is to seyn as thus: that a man [166] may be constreyned so, by som cause, that his [167] wille desireth and taketh the deeth whiche [168] that nature hateth and dredeth ful sore.) And [169] somtyme we seen the contrarye, as thus: [170] that the wil of a wyght distourbeth and [171] constreyneth that that nature desireth and [172] requirith alwey, that is to seyn the werk of [173] generacioun, by whiche generacioun only [174] duelleth and is susteyned the longe durablete of [175] mortel thinges. And thus this charite and this [176] love, that every thing hath to hymself, ne [177] cometh not of the moevynge of the soule, but of [178] the entencioun of nature. For the purveaunce of [179] God hath yeven to thinges that ben creat of [180] hym this, that is a ful grete cause to lyven [181] and to duren, for whiche they desiren [182] naturely here lif as longe as evere thei mowen. [183] For which thou mayst not drede be no manere [184] that alle the thinges that ben anywhere, that thei [185] ne requiren naturely the ferme stablenesse of [186] perdurable duellynge, and eek the eschuynge of [187] destruccioun." [188] Boece. "Now confesse I wel," quod I, "that Y [189] see wel now certeynly withouten doutes [190] the thinges that whilom semeden uncerteyn [191] to me." [192] Philosophie. "But," quod sche, "thilke thing [193] that desireth to be and to duelle perdurably, he [194] desireth to ben oon. For yif that oon were [195] destroyed, certes, beynge schulde ther noon [196] duellen to no wyght." [197] "That is sooth," quod I. [198] "Thanne," quod sche, "desiren alle thinges [199] oon." [200] "I assente," quod I. [201] "And I have schewed," quod sche, "that [202] thilke same oon is thilke that is good." [203] Boece. "Ye, forsothe," quod I. [204] "Alle thinges thanne," quod sche, "requiren [205] good; and thilke good thow mayst descryven [206] ryght thus: good is thilk thing that every wyght [207] desireth." [208] "Ther ne may be thought," quod I, "no more [209] verraye thing. For eyther alle thinges ben [210] referrid and brought to noght, and floteren [211] withouten governour, despoyled of oon as [212] of hire propre heved; or elles, yif ther be any [213] thing to whiche that alle thinges tenden and [214] hyen to, that thing muste ben the sovereyn good [215] of alle goodes." [216] Philosophie. Thanne seide sche thus: "O my [217] nory," quod sche, "I have greet gladnesse of [218] the, for thow hast fycched in thyn herte the [219] [marke] [of] [the] myddel sothfastnesse, (that [220] is to seyn, the prykke). But [in] this thing [221] hath ben discoveryd to the [that] thow [222] seydest that thow wistest not a litel herbyforn." [223] "What was that?" quod I. [224] "That thou ne wistest noght," quod sche, [225] "whiche was the ende of thinges. And certes that [226] is the thyng that every wyght desireth. and for [227] as mochel as we han gadrid and comprehendid [228] that good is thilke thing that is desired of alle, [229] thanne mote we nedys confessen that good [230] is the fyn of alle thinges. [1] "Whoso that seketh sooth by a deep thought, [2] and coveyteth not to ben disseyvid by no mysweyes, [3] lat hym rollen and trenden withynne [4] hymself the lyght of his ynwarde sighte; and [5] let hym gaderyn ayein, enclynynge into a compas, [6] the longe moevynges of his thoughtes; and [7] let hym techyn his corage that he hath enclosid [8] and hid in his tresors al that he compasseth or [9] secheth fro withoute. And thanne thilke [10] thing that the blake cloude of errour [11] whilom hadde ycovered schal lighte more [12] clerly than Phebus hymself ne schyneth. [13] (Glosa. Whoso wol seke the depe ground of [14] soth in his thought, and wil nat ben disseyvid [15] by false proposiciouns that goon amys fro the [16] trouthe, lat hym wel examine and rolle withynne [17] hymself the nature and the propretes of [18] the thing; and let hym yet eftsones examinen [19] and rollen his thoughtes by good deliberacioun [20] or that he deme, and lat hym techyn [21] his soule that it hath, by naturel principles [22] kyndeliche yhud withynne itself, al the trouthe [23] the whiche he ymagineth to ben in thinges [24] withoute. And thanne al the derknesse of his [25] mysknowynge shall [schewen] more evydently [26] to the sighte of his undirstondynge then the [27] sonne ne semeth to the sighte withoute-forth.) [28] For certes the body, bryngynge the weighte of [29] foryetynge, ne hath nat chased out of your [30] thought al the cleernesse of your knowyng; [31] for certeynli the seed of soth haldeth and [32] clyveth within yowr corage, and it is awaked [33] and excited by the wynde and by the blastes [34] of doctrine. For wherfore elles demen ye of [35] your owene wil the ryghtes, whan ye ben axid, [36] but if so were that the norysschynges of resoun [37] ne lyvede yplounged in the depe of your herte? [38] (This to seyn, how schulde men deme the sothe [39] of any thing that were axid, yif ther nere a [40] rote of sothfastnesse that were yploungid [41] and hyd in the naturel principles, the [42] whiche sothfastnesse lyvede within the depnesse [43] of the thought?) And if so be that the [44] Muse and the doctrine of Plato syngeth soth, [45] al that every wyght leerneth, he ne doth no [46] thing elles thanne but recordeth, as men recorden [47] thinges that ben foryeten." [1] Thanne seide I thus: "I accorde me gretly to [2] Plato, for thou recordist and remembrist me [3] thise thinges yet the seconde tyme; that is to [4] seye, first whan I loste my memorie be the contagious [5] conjunccioun of the body with the [6] soule, and eftsones aftirward, whan Y lost it [7] confounded by the charge and be the burdene [8] of my sorwe." [9] And thanne seide sche thus: "Yif thow [10] loke," quod sche, "first the thynges that [11] thou hast graunted, it ne schal nat ben [12] ryght fer that thow ne schalt remembren thilke [13] thing that thou seidest that thou nystist nat." [14] "What thing?" quod I. [15] "By whiche governement," quod sche, "that [16] this world is governed." [17] "Me remembreth it wel," quod I; "and I confesse [18] wel that I ne wyste it nat. But al be it so [19] that I see now from afer what thou purposist, [20] algates I desire yit to herknen it of [21] the more pleynly." [22] "Thou ne wendest nat," quod sche, "a litel [23] herebyforn, that men schulde doute that this [24] world nys governed by God." [25] "Certes," quod I, "ne yet ne doute I it [26] naught, ne I nyl nevere wene that it were to [27] doute" (as who seith, "but I woot wel that God [28] governeth this world"); "and I schal schortly [29] answeren the be what resouns I [30] am brought to this. This world," quod I, [31] "of so manye diverse and contraryous [32] parties, ne myghte nevere han ben assembled [33] in o forme, but yif ther ne were oon that conjoyned [34] so manye diverse thinges; and the same [35] diversite of here natures, that so discorden the [36] ton fro that other, most departen and unjoynen [37] the thinges that ben conjoynid, yif ther ne were [38] oon that contenyde that he hath conjoynid and [39] ybounden. Ne the certein ordre of nature ne [40] schulde not brynge forth so ordene moevynges [41] by places, by tymes, by doynges, by [42] spaces, by qualites, yif ther ne were on, that [43] were ay stedfaste duellynge, that ordeynide and [44] disponyde thise diversites of moevynges. And [45] thilke thing, whatsoevere it be, by whiche that [46] alle things ben ymaked and ilad, Y clepe hym [47] `God,' that is a word that is used to alle folk." [48] Thanne seide sche: "Syn thou feelist thus [49] thise thinges," quod sche, "I trowe that I [50] have litel more to done that thou, myghty [51] of welefulnesse, hool and sound, ne see [52] eftsones thi contre. But let us loken the thinges [53] that we han purposed herebyforn. Have I nat [54] nombrid and seid," quod sche, "that suffisaunce [55] is in blisfulnesse, and we han accorded that [56] God is thilke same blisfulnesse?" [57] "Yis, forsothe," quod I. [58] "And that to governen this world," quod [59] sche, "ne schal he nevere han nede of noon [60] help fro withoute? For elles, yif he hadde [61] nede of any help, he ne schulde nat have [62] no ful suffisaunce?" [63] "Yys, thus it moot nedes be," quod I. [64] "Thanne ordeyneth he be hymself alone alle [65] thinges?" quod sche. [66] "That may noght ben denyed," quod I. [67] "And I have schewyd that God is the same [68] good?" [69] "It remembreth me wel," quod I. [70] "Thanne ordeigneth he alle thinges by [71] thilke good," quod sche, "syn he, whiche [72] that we han accordid to ben good, governeth [73] alle thinges by hymself; and he is as a keye and [74] a styere, by whiche that the edifice of this world [75] is kept stable and withouten corrumpynge." [76] "I accorde me greetly," quod I. "And I [77] aperceyvede a litil herebyforn that thow woldest [78] seyn thus, al be it so that it were by a [79] thynne suspecioun." [80] "I trowe it wel," quod sche; "for, as I [81] trowe, thou ledist now more ententyfliche [82] thyn eyen to loken the verray goodes. But natheles [83] the thing that I schal telle the yet ne [84] scheweth not lesse to loken." [85] "What is that?" quod I. [86] "So as men trowen," quod sche, "and that [87] ryghtfully, that God governeth alle thinges by [88] the keye of his goodnesse, and alle thise same [89] thinges, as I have taught the, hasten hem [90] by naturel entencioun to come to good, [91] ther may no man douten that thei ne [92] ben governed voluntariely, and that they ne [93] converten hem of here owene wil to the wil of [94] here ordeynour, as thei that ben accordynge [95] and enclynynge to here governour and here [96] kyng." [97] "It moot nedes be so," quod I, "for the reume [98] ne schulde nat seme blisful yif ther were a yok [99] of mysdrawynges in diverse parties, ne the [100] savynge of obedient thynges ne scholde [101] nat be." [102] "Thanne is ther nothyng," quod sche, "that [103] kepith his nature, that enforceth hym to gon [104] ayen God." [105] "No," quod I. [106] "And yif that any thing enforcede hym to [107] withstonde God, myghte it avayle at the laste [108] ayens hym that we han graunted to ben almyghty [109] by the ryght of blisfulnesse?" [110] "Certes," quod I, "al outrely it ne [111] myghte nat avaylen hym." [112] "Thanne is ther nothing," quod she, "that [113] either mai or wole withstonden to this sovereyn [114] good." [115] "I trowe nat," quod I. [116] "Thanne is thilke the sovereyn good," quod [117] sche, "that alle thinges governeth strongly [118] and ordeyneth hem softly?" [119] Thanne seide I thus: "I delite me," [120] quod I, "nat oonly in the eendes or in the [121] somme of the resouns that thou hast concluded [122] and proved, but thilke woordes that [123] thou usest deliten me moche more. So that, at [124] the laste, foolis that somtyme reenden grete [125] thinges oughten ben asschamid of hemself [126] (that is to seyn, that we foolis that reprehenden [127] wikkidly the thinges that touchen Godis [128] governaunce, we aughten ben asschamid of [129] ourself), as I, that seide that God refuseth [130] oonly the werkis of men and ne entremettith [131] nat of it." [132] Philosophie. "Thow hast wel herd," quod [133] sche, "the fables of the poetis, how the geauntis [134] assaileden hevene with the goddis, but forsothe [135] the debonayre force of God disposide hem as it [136] was worthy (that is to sey, destroyed the [137] geauntes, as it was worthy). But wiltow that [138] we joynen togidres thilke same resouns, for [139] paraventure of swiche conjunccioun may [140] sterten up som fair sparcle of soth?" [141] "Do," quod I, "as the list." [142] "Wenestow," quod sche, "that God ne be [143] almyghty? No man is in doute of it." [144] "Certes," quod I, "no wyght ne douteth it, [145] yif he be in his mynde." [146] "But he," quod sche, "that is almyghti, ther [147] nys no thyng that he ne may?" [148] "That is sooth," quod I. [149] "May God don evel?" quod sche. [150] "Nay, forsothe," quod I. [151] "Thanne is evel nothing," quod sche, [152] "syn that he ne may not don evel, that mai [153] doon alle thinges." [154] "Scornestow me," quod I, "or elles, pleyestow [155] or disseyvistow me, that hast so woven [156] me with thi resouns the hous of Didalus, [157] so entrelaced that it is unable to ben unlaced, [158] thow that otherwhile entrist ther thow issist, [159] and other while issist ther thow entrest? [160] Ne fooldist thou nat togidre by replicacioun [161] of wordes a manere wondirful sercle [162] or envirounynge of the simplicite devyne? [163] For certes a litel herebyforne, whanne thou bygunne [164] at blisfulnesse, thou seidest that it is [165] sovereyn good, and seidest that it is set in sovereyn [166] God; and seidest that God hymself is [167] sovereyn good, and that God is the ful blisfulnesse; [168] for whiche thou yave me as a covenable [169] yifte, that is to seyn, that no wyght nis [170] blisful, but yif he be God also therwith. [171] And seidest eke that the forme of good is [172] the substaunce of God and of blisfulnesse; and [173] seidest that thilke same oon is thilke same good [174] that is required and desired of al the kynde of [175] thinges. And thou provedest in disputynge that [176] God governeth alle the thinges of the world by [177] the governementis of bounte, and seidest that [178] alle thinges wolen obeyen to hym, and seidest [179] that the nature of yvel nys no thing. And [180] thise thinges ne schewedest thou naught [181] with noone resouns ytaken fro withouten, [182] but by proeves in cercles and homliche knowen, [183] the whiche proeves drawen to hemself heer [184] feyth and here accord everiche of hem of othir." [185] Thanne seide sche thus: "I ne scorne the nat, [186] ne pleie, ne disceyve the; but I have schewed [187] the the thing that is grettest over alle thinges, [188] by the yifte of God that we whelome prayeden. [189] For this is the forme of the devyne substaunce, [190] that is swiche that it ne slideth nat [191] into uttreste foreyne thinges, ne ne resceyveth [192] noone straunge thinges in hym; but [193] ryght as Parmanydes seide in Grees of thilke [194] devyne substaunce -- he seide thus: that thilke [195] devyne substaunce tornith the world and the [196] moevable sercle of thinges, while thilke devyne [197] substaunce kepith itself withouten moevynge [198] (that is to seyn, that it ne moeveth nevere mo, [199] and yet it moeveth alle othere thinges). [200] But natheles, yif I have styred resouns [201] that ne ben nat taken from withouten the compas [202] of the thing of whiche we treten, but resouns [203] that ben bystowyd withinne that compas, [204] ther nys nat why that thou schuldest merveillen, [205] sith thow hast lernyd by the sentence [206] of Plato that nedes the wordis moot be cosynes [207] to the thinges of whiche thei speken. [1] "Blisful is that man that may seen the clere [2] welle of good! Blisful is he that mai unbynden [3] hym fro the boondes of the hevy erthe! The [4] poete of Trace, Orpheus, that whilome hadde [5] ryght greet sorwe for the deth of his wyf, aftir [6] that he hadde makid by his weeply songes the [7] wodes moevable to renne, and hadde makid [8] the ryveris to stonden stille, and hadde maked [9] the hertes and the hyndes to joynen dreedles [10] here sydes to cruel lyouns for to herknen [11] his song, and hadde maked that the [12] hare was nat agast of the hound, whiche was [13] plesed by his song; so, whanne the moste ardaunt [14] love of his wif brende the entrayles of his [15] breest, ne the songes that hadden overcomen [16] alle thinges ne mighten nat asswagen hir lord [17] Orpheus, he pleynid hym of the hevene [18] goddis that weren cruel to hym. [19] "He wente hym to the houses of helle, [20] and ther he tempride his blaundysschinge [21] songes by resounynge strenges, and spak [22] and song in wepynge al that evere he hadde [23] resceyved and lavyd out of the noble welles of [24] his modir Callyope the goddesse. And he sang [25] with as mochel as he myghte of wepynge, and [26] with as moche as love that doublide his sorwe [27] myghte yeve hym and teche hym, and he [28] commoevde the helle, and requyred and bysoughte [29] by swete preyere the lordes of [30] soules in helle of relessynge, that is to seyn, [31] to yelden hym his wyf. Cerberus, the porter [32] of helle, with hise thre hevedes, was caught and [33] al abasschid of the newe song. And the thre [34] goddesses, furiis and vengeresses of felonyes, [35] that tormenten and agasten the soules by anoy, [36] woxen sorweful and sory, and wepyn teeris for [37] pite. Tho was nat the heved of Yxion ytormented [38] by the overthrowynge wheel. And Tantalus, that [39] was destroied by the woodnesse of long [40] thurst, despyseth the floodes to drynken. [41] The foul that highte voltor, that etith the [42] stomak or the gyser of Tycius, is so fulfild of [43] his song that it nil eten ne tiren no more. At the [44] laste the lord and juge of soules was moevid to [45] misericordes, and cryede: `We ben overcomen,' [46] quod he; `yyve we to Orpheus his wif to beren [47] hym compaignye; he hath wel ybought hire by [48] his faire song and his ditee. But we wolen putten [49] a lawe in this and covenaunt in the yifte; [50] that is to seyn that, til he be out of helle, yif [51] he loke byhynde hym, that his wyf schal [52] comen ageyn unto us.' But what is he that may [53] yeven a lawe to loverys? Love is a grettere lawe [54] and a strengere to hymself thanne any lawe that [55] men mai yyven. Allas! Whanne Orpheus and his [56] wif weren almest at the termes of the nyght [57] (that is to seyn, at the laste boundes of helle), [58] Orpheus lokede abakward on Erudyce his wif, [59] and lost hire, and was deed. [60] "This fable apertenith to yow alle, whosoevere [61] desireth or seketh to lede his [62] thought into the sovereyn day, that is to seyn, to [63] cleernesse of sovereyn good. For whoso that [64] evere be so overcomen that he ficche his eien [65] into the put of helle, that is to seyn, whoso sette [66] his thoughtes in erthly thinges, al that evere he [67] hath drawen of the noble good celestial he lesith [68] it, whanne he looketh the helles, that is to seyn, [69] into lowe thinges of the erthe. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Boece Book 4 [1] Whanne Philosophie hadde songen softly [2] and delitably the forseide thinges, kepynge the [3] dignyte of hir cheere and the weyghte of hir [4] wordes, I, thanne, that ne hadde nat al outrely [5] foryeten the wepynge and the moornynge that [6] was set in myn herte, forbrak the entencioun of [7] hir that entendede yit to seyn some othere [8] thinges. "O," quod I, "thou that art gyderesse [9] of verray light, the thinges that thou hast [10] seid me hidirto ben to me so cleer and so [11] schewynge by the devyne lookynge of hem, [12] and by thy resouns, that they ne mowen nat [13] ben overcomen. And thilke thinges that thou [14] toldest me, al be it so that I hadde whilom foryeten [15] hem for the sorwe of the wrong that hath [16] ben don to me, yet nathales thei ne weren not [17] al outrely unknowen to me. But this same is [18] namely a ryght gret cause of my sorwe: that so [19] as the governour of thinges is good, yif [20] that eveles mowen ben by any weyes, [21] or elles yif that evelis passen withouten [22] punysschynge. The whiche thing oonly, how [23] worthy it es to ben wondrid uppon, thou considerest [24] it wel thiselve certeynly. But yit to this [25] thing ther is yit another thing ijoyned more to [26] ben wondrid uppon: for felonye is emperisse, [27] and floureth ful of richesses, and vertu nis nat al [28] oonly withouten meedes, but it is cast undir [29] and fortroden undir the feet of felenous [30] folk, and it abyeth the tormentz in stede of [31] wikkide felouns. Of alle whiche thinges [32] ther nys no wyght that may merveillen ynowghe [33] ne compleyne that swiche thinges ben don in [34] the reigne of God, that alle things woot and [35] alle thinges may and ne wole nat but only [36] gode thinges." [37] Thanne seide sche thus: "Certes," quod sche, [38] "that were a greet merveille and an abaysschinge [39] withouten ende, and wel more horrible than [40] alle monstres, yif it were as thou wenest; [41] that is to seyn, that in the ryght ordene [42] hous of so mochel a fadir and an ordeynour of [43] meyne, that the vesselis that ben foule and vyl [44] schulden ben honoured and heryed, and the [45] precious vesselis schulden ben defouled and [46] vyl. But it nys nat so. For yif the thinges that [47] I have concluded a litel herebyforn ben kept [48] hoole and unaraced, thou schalt wel knowe by [49] the auctorite of God, of the whos reigne I [50] speke, that certes the gode folk ben alwey [51] myghty and schrewes ben alwey outcast [52] and feble; ne the vices ben neveremo withouten [53] peyne, ne the vertus ne ben nat withouten [54] mede; and that blisfulnesses comen alwey [55] to good folk, and infortune comith alwey to [56] wykkide folk. And thou schalt wel knowe [57] manye thinges of this kynde, that schullen [58] cesen thi pleyntis and strengthen the with stedfaste [59] sadnesse. And for thou hast seyn the [60] forme of the verray blisfulnesse by me that [61] have whilom yschewid it the, and thow [62] hast knowen in whom blisfulnesse is yset, alle [63] thingis ytreted that I trowe ben necessarie to [64] putten forth, I schal schewe the the weye that [65] schal bryngen the ayen unto thyn hous; and I [66] schal fycchen fetheris in thi thought, by whiche [67] it mai arisen in heighte; so that, alle tribulacioun [68] idon awey, thow, by my gyding and by [69] my path and by my sledys, shalt mowen [70] retourne hool and sownd into thi contree. [1] "I have, forthi, swifte fetheris that surmounten [2] the heighte of the hevene. Whanne [3] the swift thoght hath clothid itself in tho [4] fetheris, it despiseth the hateful erthes, and surmounteth [5] the rowndenesse of the gret ayr; and [6] it seth the clowdes byhynde his bak, and passeth [7] the heighte of the regioun of the fir, that [8] eschaufeth by the swifte moevynge of the firmament, [9] til that he areyseth hym into the [10] houses that beren the sterres, and joyneth [11] his weies with the sonne, Phebus, and [12] felawschipeth the weie of the olde colde Saturnus; [13] and he, imaked a knyght of the clere [14] sterre (that is to seyn, whan the thought is [15] makid Godis knyght by the sekynge of [16] trouthe to comen to the verray knowleche of [17] God) -- and thilke soule renneth by the cercle [18] of the sterres in alle the places there as the [19] schynynge nyght is ypainted (that is to [20] sey, the nyght that is cloudeles; for on [21] nyghtes that ben cloudeles it semeth as [22] the hevene were peynted with diverse ymages [23] of sterres). And whan [that] he hath gon there [24] inoghe, he schal forleten the laste point of the [25] hevene, and he schal pressen and wenden on [26] the bak of the swifte firmament, and he schal [27] be makid parfit of the worschipful lyght [or] [28] dredefulle clerenesse of God. There halt the [29] lord of kynges the septre of his myght and [30] atemprith the governementz of the world, [31] and the schynynge juge of thinges, stable in [32] hymself, governeth the swifte cart or wayn (that [33] is to seyn, the circuler moevynge of the sonne). [34] And yif thi wey ledeth the ayein so that thou be [35] brought thider, thanne wiltow seye now that [36] that is the contre that thou requerist, of whiche [37] thow ne haddest no mynde -- `but now it [38] remembreth me wel, here was I born, her wol [39] I fastne my degree, here wol I duelle.' But [40] yif the liketh thanne to looken on the [41] derknesse of the erthe that thou hast [42] forleten, thanne shaltow seen that these felonus [43] tirantz, that the wrecchide peple dredeth now, [44] schullen ben exiled fro thilke faire contre." [1] Thanne seide I thus: "Owh! I wondre me [2] that thow byhetist me so grete thinges. Ne I [3] ne doute nat that thou ne maist wel parforme [4] that thow behetist; but I preie the oonly this, [5] that thow ne tarie nat to telle me thilke thinges [6] that thou hast moevid." [7] "First," quod sche, "thow most nedes knowen [8] that good folk ben alwey strong and myghti, [9] and the schrewes ben feble and desert and [10] naked of alle strengthes. And of thise [11] thinges, certes, everiche of hem is declared [12] and schewed by other. For so as good and [13] yvel ben two contraries, yif so be that good be [14] stedfast, thanne scheweth the feblesse of yvel [15] al opynly; and yif thow knowe clerly the freelnesse [70-ch] 16 of yvel, the stedfastnesse of good is [17] knowen. But for as moche as the fey of my [18] sentence schal ben the more ferme and haboundant, [19] I wil gon by the to weye and by the [20] tothir, and I wil conferme the thinges that [21] ben purposed, now on this side and now on [22] that side. [23] "Two thinges ther ben in whiche the effect of [24] alle the dedes of mankynde standeth (that is to [25] seyn, wil and power); and yif that oon of thise [26] two faileth, ther nys nothing that may be doon. [27] For yif that wille lakketh, ther nys no wyght that [28] undirtaketh to done that he wol nat doon; and [29] yif power faileth, the wil nys but in idel and [30] stant for naught. And therof cometh it that [31] yif thou see a wyght that wolde geten that [32] he mai not geten, thow maist nat douten that [33] power ne faileth hym to have that he wolde." [34] "This is open and cler," quod I, "ne it ne mai [70-ch] 35 nat be denyed in no manere." [36] "And yif thou se a wyght," quod sche, "that [37] hath doon that he wolde doon, thow nilt nat [38] douten that he ne hath had power to doon it?" [39] "No," quod I. [40] "And in that that every wyght may, in [41] that men may holden hym myghti. (As [42] who seith, in so moche as a man is myghty to [43] doon a thing, in so mochel men halt hym [44] myghti.) And in that that he ne mai, in that men [45] demen hym to ben feble." [46] "I confesse it wel," quod I. [47] "Remembreth the," quod sche, "that I have [70-ch] 48 gaderid and ischewid by forseide resouns that al [49] the entencioun of the wil of mankynde, [50] whiche that is lad by diverse studies, [51] hasteth to comen to blisfulnesse." [70-ch] 52 "It remembreth me wel," quod I, "that it hath [53] ben schewed." [54] "And recordeth the nat thanne," quod sche, [55] "that blisfulnesse is thilke same good that men [56] requiren, so that whanne that blisfulnesse is [57] required of alle, that good also is required and [58] desired of alle?" [70-ch] 59 "It ne recordeth me noght," quod I, "for [60] I have it gretly alwey ficched in my memorie." [62] "Alle folk thanne," quod sche, "goode and [63] eek badde, enforcen hem withoute difference of [64] entencioun to comen to good." [65] "This is a verray consequence," quod I. [66] "And certein is," quod sche, "that by the [70-ch] 67 getynge of good ben men ymakid gode." [68] "This is certein," quod I. [69] "Thanne geten gode men that thei desiren?" [71] "So semeth it," quod I. [72] "But wikkide folk," quod sche, "yif thei geten [73] the good that thei desiren, thei ne mowe nat [74] ben wikkid." [75] "So is it," quod I. [76] "Than so as the ton and the tothir," quod [77] sche, "desiren good, and the gode folk geten [78] good and not the wikkide folk, than is it no [79] doute that the gode folk ne ben myghty [80] and wikkid folk ben feble." [81] "Whoso that evere," quod I, "douteth [82] of this, he ne mai nat considere the nature of [83] thinges ne the consequence of resouns." [84] "And over this," quod sche, "if that ther ben [85] two thinges that han o same purpos by kynde, [86] and that oon of hem pursuweth and performeth [87] thilke same thing by naturel office, and the [88] tother mai nat doon thilke naturel office, but [89] folweth, by other manere than is covenable [90] to nature, hym that acomplisseth his purpos [70-ch] 91 kyndely, and yit he ne acomplisseth [92] nat his owene purpos -- whethir of thise two [93] demestow for more myghti?" [94] "Yif that I conjecte," quod I, "that thou wilt [95] seie, algates yit I desire to herkne it more [96] pleynly of the." [97] "Thou nilt nat thanne denye," quod sche, [98] "that the moevement of goynge nys in men by [99] kynde?" [100] "No, forsothe," quod I. [101] "Ne thou ne doutest nat," quod sche, [102] "that thilke naturel office of goinge ne be the [103] office of feet?" [104] "I ne doute it nat," quod I. [105] "Thanne," quod sche, "yif that a wight be [106] myghti to moeve, and goth uppon hise feet, and [107] another, to whom thilke naturel office of feet [108] lakketh, enforceth hym to gone crepinge uppon [70-ch] 109 his handes, whiche of thise two oughte to [110] ben holden the more myghty by right?" [111] "Knyt forth the remenaunt," quod I, [112] "for no wight ne douteth that he that mai gon [70-ch] 113 by naturel office of feet ne be more myghti than [114] he that ne may nat." [115] "But the soverein good," quod sche, "that is [116] eveneliche purposed to the good folk and to [117] badde, the gode folk seken it by naturel office of [118] vertus, and the schrewes enforcen hem to getin [119] it by diverse coveytise of erthly thinges, [70-ch] 120 whiche that nys noon naturel office to gete [121] thilke same soverein good. Trowestow that [122] it be any other wise?" [123] "Nai," quod I, "for the consequence is opene [124] and schewynge of thinges that I have graunted, [70-ch] 125 that nedes good folk moten be myghty, and [126] schrewes feble and unmyghti." [127] "Thou rennist aryght byforn me," quod sche, [128] "and this is the jugement (that is to sein, I juge [70-ch] 129 of the), ryght as thise leches ben wont to [130] hopin of sike folk, whan thei aperceyven [131] that nature is redressed and withstondeth [132] to the maladye. But for I se the now al redy to [133] the undirstondynge, I schal schewe the more [134] thikke and contynuel resouns. For loke now, [135] how greetly scheweth the feblesse and infirmite [136] of wikkid folk, that ne mowen nat comen to that [137] hir naturel entencioun ledeth hem; and yit [138] almest thilke naturel entencioun constreyneth [139] hem. And what were to demen thanne of [140] schrewes, yif thilk naturel help hadde [141] forleten hem, the whiche naturel help of [70-ch] 142 entencioun goth alwey byforn hem and is so gret [143] that unnethe it mai ben overcome? Considere [144] thanne how gret defaute of power and how gret [145] feblesse ther is in wikkide felonous folke. (As [146] who seith, the grettere thing that is coveyted [147] and the desir nat acomplissed, of the lasse [148] myght is he that coveyteth it and mai nat [149] acomplisse; and forthi Philosophie seith [150] thus be sovereyn good.) Ne schrewes ne [151] requeren not lighte meedes ne veyne [152] games, whiche thei ne mai nat folwen ne holden; [153] but thei failen of thilke somme and of the [154] heighte of thinges (that is to seyn, soverein [155] good). Ne these wrecches ne comen nat to the [156] effect of sovereyn good, the whiche thei enforcen [157] hem oonly to geten by nyghtes and by [70-ch] 158 dayes. In the getyng of whiche good the [159] strengthe of good folk is ful wel yseene. [160] For ryght so as thou myghtest demen hym [161] myghty of goinge that goth on his feet til [70-ch] 162 he myghte comen to thilke place fro the whiche [163] place ther ne laye no weie forthere to be gon, [164] ryght so mostow nedes demen hym for ryght [165] myghty, that geteth and atteyneth to the ende of [166] alle thinges that ben to desire, byyonde the [167] whiche ende ther nys no thing to desire. Of the [168] whiche power of good folk men mai conclude [70-ch] 169 that the wikkide men semen to be bareyne [170] and naked of alle strengthe. [171] "For whi forleten thei vertus and folwen [172] vices? Nys it nat for that thei ne knowen nat the [173] godes? But what thing is more feble and more [174] caytif than is the blyndnesse of ignorance? Or [175] elles thei knowen ful wel whiche thinges that [176] thei oughten folwe, but lecherie and covetise [177] overthroweth hem mystorned. And certes so [178] doth distempraunce to feble men, that ne [179] mowen nat wrastlen ayen the vices. Ne [180] knowen thei nat thanne wel that thei [181] forleten the good wilfully, and turnen hem [182] wilfully to vices? [183] "And in this wise thei ne forleten nat oonly to [184] ben myghti, but thei forleten al outrely in any [185] wise for to been. For thei that forleten the [186] comune fyn of alle thinges that ben, thei forleten [187] also therwithal for to been. And peraventure [70-ch] 188 it scholde seme to som folk that this were [189] a merveile to seien, that schrewes, whiche [190] that contenen the more partie of men, ne [191] ben nat ne han no beynge; but natheles it [70-ch] 192 is so, and thus stant this thing. For thei that Bo4 p2 ben [193] schrewes I denye nat that they ben schrewes, but [194] I denye and seie simply and pleynly that thei ne [195] ben nat, ne han no beynge. For right as thou [196] myghtest seyn of the careyne of a man, that it [197] were a deed man, but thou ne myghtest nat [198] symply callen it a man; so graunte I wel forsothe [70-ch] 199 that vicyous folk ben wikkid, but I ne may [200] nat graunten absolutly and symply that thei [201] ben. For thilke thing that withholdeth [202] ordre and kepeth nature, thilke thing es, and [203] hath beinge; but what thing that faileth of [204] that (that is to seyn, he that forleteth naturel [205] ordre), he forleteth thilke beinge that is set in his [70-ch] 206 nature. [207] "But thow wolt seyn that schrewes mowen. [208] Certes, that ne denye I nat; but certes hir [209] power ne desscendeth nat of strengthe, [210] but of feblesse. For thei mowen don [211] wikkydnesses, the whiche thei ne myghten [212] nat don yif thei myghten duellen in the forme [213] and in the doynge of good folk. And thilke [214] power scheweth ful evidently that they ne [70-ch] 215 mowen ryght nat. For so as I have gadrid [216] and proevid a litil herebyforn that evel is [217] nawght, and so as schrewes mowen oonly but [218] schrewednesses, this conclusion is al cler, that [219] schrewes ne mowen ryght nat, ne han no [220] power. [221] "And for as moche as thou undirstonde [222] which is the strengthe of this power of schrewes, [223] I have diffinysched a litil herbyforn that no thing [224] is so myghti as sovereyn good." [225] "That is soth," quod I. [226] "And thilke same sovereyn good may don [227] noon yvel?" [228] "Certes, no," quod I. [229] "Is ther any wyght thanne," quod sche, [230] "that weneth that men mowen don alle [231] thinges?" [232] "No man," quod I, "but yif he be out of his [233] wyt." [234] "But certes schrewes mowen don evel?" quod [235] sche. [236] "Ye. Wolde God," quod I, "that thei ne [237] myghten don noon!" [238] "Thanne," quod sche, "so as he that is myghty [239] to doon oonly but goode thinges mai doon [240] alle thinges, and thei that ben myghti to [241] doon yvele thinges ne mowen nat alle [242] thinges, thanne is it open thing and manyfest [243] that thei that mowen doon yvele ben of lasse [244] power. [245] "And yit to proeve this conclusioun ther [246] helpeth me this, that I have schewed herebyforn, [247] that alle power is to be noumbred among [248] thinges that men oughten requere; and I have [249] schewed that alle thinges that oughten ben [250] desired ben referred to good, ryght as to a [251] maner heighte of hir nature. But for to [252] mowen don yvel and felonye ne mai nat ben [253] referrid to good; thanne nys nat yvel of the [254] nombre of thinges that oughten ben desired. [255] But alle power aughte ben desired and requerid; [256] thanne is it open and cler that the power ne the [257] mowynge of schrewes nis no power. [258] "And of alle thise thinges it scheweth wel that [259] the gode folk ben certeinli myghty, and the [260] schrewes doutelees ben unmyghty. And [261] it is cler and opene that thilke sentence [262] of Plato is verray and soth, that seith that [263] oonly wise men may doon that thei desiren, [264] and schrewes mowen haunten that hem liketh, [265] but that thei desiren (that is to seyn, to come [266] to sovereyn good), thei ne han no power to [267] acomplissen that. For schrewes don that hem lyst [268] whan, by tho thinges in whiche thei deliten, thei [269] wenen to ateynen to thilke good that thei [270] desiren; but thei ne geten ne ateyne nat [271] therto, for vices ne comen nat to blisfulnesse. [1] "Whoso that the coverturis of hir veyn apparailes [2] myghte strepen of thise proude kynges, [3] that thow seest sitten an hye in here chayeres, [4] gliterynge in schynynge purpre, envyrowned [5] with sorwful armures, manasyng with cruel [6] mowth, blowynge by woodnesse of herte, he [7] schulde seen thanne that thilke lordis berin [8] withynne hir corages ful streyte cheynes. For [9] lecherye tormenteth hem on that o side [10] with gredy venymes; and trowblable ire, [11] that areyseth in hem the floodes of trowblynges, [12] tormenteth upon that othir side hir [13] thought; or sorwe halt hem wery and icawght, [14] or slidynge and desceyvynge hope turmenteth [15] hem. And therfore, syn thow seest on heved [16] (that is to seyn, o tiraunt) beren so manye [17] tyranyes, than ne doth thilke tyraunt nat that he [18] desireth, syn he is cast doun with so manye [19] wikkide lordes (that is to seyn, with so [20] manye vices that han so wikkidly lordschipes [21] over hym). [1] "Seestow nat thanne in how greet filthe thise [2] schrewes been iwrapped, and with which clernesse [3] thise gode folk schynen? In this scheweth [4] it wel that to good folk ne lakketh neveremo [5] hir meedes, ne schrewes ne lakken neveremo [6] turmentes. For of alle thinges that ben idoon, [7] thilke thing for which any thing is doon, it [8] semeth as by ryght that thilke thing be the [9] mede of that; as thus, yif a man renneth in [10] the stadye or in the forlonge for the [11] corone, thanne lith the mede in the coroune [12] for whiche he renneth. And I have schewed [13] that blisfulnesse is thilke same good for whiche [14] that alle thinges ben doon; thanne is thilke [15] same good purposed to the werkes of mankynde [16] right as a comune mede, which mede ne [17] may nat ben disseveryd fro good folk. For no [18] wight as by ryght, fro thennesforth that hym [19] lakketh goodnesse, ne schal ben cleped [20] good. For whiche thing folk of gode maneres, [21] hir medes ne forsaken hem neveremo. [22] For al be it so that schrewes waxen as wode [23] as hem lyst ayein good folk, yit natheles the [24] coroune of wise men ne schal nat fallen ne [25] faden; for foreyne schrewednesse ne bynemeth [26] nat fro the corages of good folk hir propre [27] honour. But yif that any wyght rejoysede hym [28] of goodnesse that he hadde taken fro withoute [29] (as who seith, yif any man hadde his goodnesse [30] of any other man than of hymself), [31] certes he that yaf hym thilke goodnesse, or [32] elles som other wyght, myghte benymen it [33] hym. But for as moche as to every wyght his [34] owene propre bounte yeveth hym his mede, [35] thanne at erste schal he failen of mede whan [36] he forletith to ben good. And at the laste, so [37] as alle medes ben requerid for men wenen that [38] thei ben gode, who is he that nolde deme that [39] he that is ryght myghti of good were partlees [40] of the mede? And of what mede schal [41] he ben gerdoned? Certes of ryght fair [42] mede and ryght greet aboven alle medes. Remembre [43] the of thilke noble corrolarie that I [44] yaf the a litel herebyforn, and gadre it togidre [45] in this manere: so as good [hytself] is blisfulnesse, [46] thanne is it cler and certein that alle [47] gode folk ben imaked blisful for thei ben gode; [48] and thilke folk that ben blisful it accordeth and [49] is covenable to ben goddes. Thanne is the [50] mede of good folk swych that no day ne [51] schal empeiren it, ne no wikkidnesse schal [52] derkne it, ne power of no wyght ne schal nat [53] amenusen it; that is to seyn, to ben maked [54] goddes. And syn it is thus (that gode men ne [55] failen neveremo of hir mede), certes no wise man [56] ne may doute of the undepartable peyne of [57] schrewes (that is to seyn, that the peyne of [58] schrewes ne departeth nat from hemself neveremo). [59] For so as good and yvel, and peyne and [60] medes, ben contrarie, it moot nedes ben [61] that, ryght as we seen betyden in guerdoun [62] of gode, that also moot the peyne of yvel answere [63] by the contrarie partie to schrewes. Now [64] thanne, so as bounte and pruesse ben the mede [65] to good folk, also is schrewidnesse itself torment [66] to schrewes. Thanne whoso that evere is [67] entecchid or defouled with peyne, he ne douteth [68] nat that he nys entecchid and defouled [69] with yvel. Yif schrewes thanne wol preysen [70] hemself, may it semen to hem that thei ben [71] withouten parti of torment, syn thei ben [72] swiche that the uttreste wikkidnesse (that is to [73] seyn, wikkide thewes, which that is the uttereste [74] and the worst kynde of schrewednesse) [75] ne defouleth ne enteccheth nat hem oonly, but [76] enfecteth and envenymeth hem greetly? And [77] also loke on schrewes, that ben the contrarie [78] partie of gode men, how gret peyne felawschipith [79] and folweth hem! For thou hast [80] lerned a litil herebyforn that alle thing that [81] is and hath beynge is oon, and thilke same [82] oon is good: than is this the consequence, that [83] it semeth wel that al that is and hath beynge [84] is good. (This is to seyn, as who seith that [85] beinge and unite and goodnesse is al oon.) [86] And in this manere it folweth thanne that alle [87] thing that fayleth to ben good, it stynteth for [88] to be and for to han any beynge. Wherfore it [89] es that schrewes stynten for to ben that [90] thei weeren. But thilke othir forme [of] [the] [91] [body] of mankynde (that is to seyn, the [92] [forme] withowte) scheweth yit that thise [93] schrewes weren whilom men. Wherfore, whan [94] thei ben perverted and turned into malice, [95] certes, thanne have thei forlorn the nature of [96] mankynde. But so as oonly bownte and prowesse [97] may enhawnsen every man over othere [98] men, than moot it nedes be that schrewes, [99] whiche that schrewednesse hath cast out of [100] the condicion of mankynde, ben put undir [101] the merit and the dissert of men. Than [102] betidith it that, yif thou seest a wyght that be [103] transformed into vices, thow ne mayst nat wene [104] that he be a man. For if he be ardaunt in avaryce, [105] and that he be a ravynour by violence of foreyne [106] richesse, thou schalt seyn that he is lik to the [107] wolf; and if he be felonows and withoute reste, [108] and exercise his tonge to chidynges, thow schalt [109] likne hym to the hownd; and if he be a [110] pryve awaytour yhid, and rejoiseth hym to [111] ravyssche be wiles, thow schalt seyn hym [112] lik to the fox whelpes; and yif he be distempre, [113] and quakith for ire, men schal wene that he [114] bereth the corage of a lyoun; and yif he be [115] dredful and fleynge, and dredith thinges that ne [116] aughte nat to ben dredd, men schal holden hym [117] lik to the hert; and yf he be slow, and astonyd, [118] and lache, he lyveth as an asse; yif he be lyght [119] and unstedfast of corage and chaungith ay [120] his studies, he is likned to briddes; and if he [121] be ploungid in fowle and unclene luxuris, [122] he is withholden in the foule delices of the fowle [123] sowe. Than folweth it that he that forleteth [124] bounte and prowesse, he forletith to ben a man; [125] syn he ne may nat passe into the condicion of [126] God, he is torned into a beeste. [1] "Eurus, the wynd, aryved the sayles of Ulixes, [2] duc of the cuntre of Narice, and his wandrynge [3] shippes by the see, into the ile theras [4] Cerces, the faire goddesse, dowhter of the [5] sonne, duelleth, that medleth to hir newe [6] gestes drynkes that ben touchid and makid [7] with enchauntementz. And aftir that hir hand, [8] myghti over the erbes, hadde chaunged hir [9] gestes into diverse maneres, that oon of [10] hem is coverid his face with forme of a [11] boor; the tother is chaungid into a lyoun [12] of the contre of Marmoryke, and his nayles and [13] his teth waxen; that oother of hem is newliche [14] chaunged into a wolf, and howleth whan he [15] wolde wepe; that other goth debonayrely in [16] the hows as a tigre of Inde. But al be it so [17] that the godhede of Mercurie, that is cleped [18] the bridde of Arcadye, hath had merci of the [19] duc Ulixes, bysegid with diverse yveles, [20] and hath unbownden hym fro the pestilence [21] of his oostesse, algates the rowerys [22] and the maryneres hadden by this idrawen into [23] hir mouthes and dronken the wikkide drynkes. [24] Thei that weren woxen swyn hadden by this [25] ichaunged hir mete of breed for to eten akkornes [26] of ookes. Noon of hir lymes ne duelleth [27] with hem hool, but thei han lost the voys [28] and the body; oonly hir thought duelleth with [29] hem stable, that wepeth and bywayleth the [30] monstruous chaungynge that thei suffren. [31] O overlyght hand! (As who seith. O [32] feble and light is the hand of Circes the enchaunteresse, [33] that chaungith the bodyes of [34] folk into beestes, to regard and to comparysoun [35] of mutacioun that is makid by vices!) [36] Ne the herbes of Circes ne ben nat myghty. [37] For al be it so that thei mai chaungen the [38] lymes of the body, algates yit thei may nat [39] chaungen the hertes. For withinne is ihidd [40] the strengthe and the vygour of men, in the [41] secre tour of hir hertes, (that is to seyn, the [42] strengthe of resoun); but thilke venyms of vices [43] todrawen a man to hem more myghtely than [44] the venym of Circes. For vices ben so cruel [45] that they percen and thurw-passen the corage [46] withinne; and, thoughe thei ne anoye nat the [47] body, yit vices woden to destroyen men by [48] wounde of thought." [1] Thanne seide I thus: "I confesse and am [2] aknowe it," quod I, "ne I ne se nat that men [3] may seyn as by ryght that schrewes ne ben [4] chaunged into beestes by the qualite of hir [5] soules, al be it so that thei kepin yit the forme [6] of the body of mankynde. But I nolde nat of [7] schrewes, of whiche the thought crwel woodeth [8] alwey into destruccion of gode men, that [9] it were leveful to hem to don that." [10] "Certes," quod sche, "ne it is nat leveful [11] to hem, as I schal wel schewen the in covenable [12] place. But natheles, yif so were that [13] thilke that men wenen ben leveful to schrewes [14] were bynomyn hem, so that they ne myghte [15] nat anoyen or doon harm to gode men, certes [16] a gret partie of the peyne to schrewes scholde [17] ben alegged and releved. For al be it so that [18] this ne seme nat credible thing peraventure to [19] some folk, yit moot it nedes be that [20] schrewes ben more wrecches and unsely [21] whan thei mai doon and parforme that [22] thei coveyten, than yif thei ne myghte nat [23] acomplissen that thei coveiten. For yif so [24] be that it be wrecchidnesse to wilne to doon [25] yvel, thanne is it more wrecchidnesse to mowe [26] don yvel, withoute whiche mowynge the wrecchid [27] wil scholde langwisse withouten effect. [28] Thanne syn that everiche of thise thinges hath his [29] wrecchidnesse (that is to seyn, wil to don [30] ivel and mowynge to don yvel), it moot [31] nedes be that schrewes ben constreyned by [32] thre unselynesses, that wolen, and mowen, and [33] parformen felonyes and schrewednesses." [34] "I acorde me," quod I; "but I desire gretly [35] that schrewes losten sone thilke unselynesses, [36] that is to seyn, that schrewes weren despoyled [37] of mowynge to don yvel." [38] "So schollen thei," quod sche, "sonnere peraventure [39] than thou woldest, or sonnere [40] than they hemselve wene. For ther nis [41] nothing so late, in so schorte bowndes of [42] this lif, that is long to abyde, nameliche to a corage [43] immortel. Of whiche schrewes the grete [44] hope and the heye compassynges of schrewednesses [45] is ofte destroyed by a sodeyn ende, or [46] thei ben war; and that thing establisseth to [47] schrewes the ende of hir schrewednesse. For [48] yf that schrewednesse makith wrecches, than [49] mot he nedes ben moost wrecchide that [50] lengest is a schrewe. The whiche wikkide [51] schrewes wolde I demen althermost unsely [52] and kaytifs, yif that hir schrewednesse ne were [53] fynissched at the leste weye by the owtreste [54] deth; for yif I have concluded soth of the unselynesse [55] of schrewednesse, thanne schewith it [56] clerly that thilke wrecchidnesse is withouten [57] ende the whiche is certein to ben perdurable." [58] "Certes," quod I, "this conclusioun is hard and [59] wondirful to graunte; but I knowe wel [60] that it accordeth moche to the thinges that [61] I have grauntid herebiforn." [62] "Thou hast," quod sche, "the ryght estimacion [63] of this. But whosoevere wene that it be [64] an hard thing to accorde hym to a conclusioun, [65] it is ryght that he schewe that some [66] of the premysses ben false, or elles he mot [67] schewe that the collacioun of proposicions [68] nis nat spedful to a necessarie conclusioun; [69] and yif it ne be nat so, but that the premisses [70] ben ygraunted, ther nys nat why he [71] scholde blame the argument. For this thing [72] that I schal telle the now ne schal nat seme [73] lesse wondirful, but of the thingis that ben [74] taken also it is necessarie." (As who seith, it [75] folweth of that which that is purposed byforn.) [77] "What is that?" quod I. [78] "Certes," quod sche, "that is that thise wikkid [79] schrewes ben more blisful, or elles [80] lasse wrecches, that abyen the tormentz [81] that thei han desservid, than if no peyne of [82] justise ne chastisede hem. Ne this ne seie I [83] nat now for that any man myghte thinke that [84] the maneris of schrewes ben coriged and chastised [85] by vengeaunce and that thei ben brought [86] to the ryghte weye by the drede of the torment, [87] ne for that they yeven to other folk ensaumple [88] to fleen fro vices; but I undirstonde yit in another [89] manere that schrewes ben more unsely [90] whan thei ne ben nat punyssched, al [91] be it so that ther ne be hadde no resoun or [92] lawe of correccioun, ne noon ensample of [93] lokynge." [94] "And what manere schal that be," quod I, [95] "other than hath ben told herbyforn?" [96] "Have we nat thanne graunted," quod sche, [97] "that good folk ben blisful and schrewes ben [98] wrecches?" [99] "Yis," quod I. [100] "Thanne," quod sche, "yif that any good [101] were added to the wrecchidnesse of any [102] wyght, nis he nat more blisful than he that [103] ne hath no medlynge of good in his solitarie [104] wrecchidnesse?" [105] "So semeth it," quod I. [106] "And what seistow thanne," quod sche, "of [107] thilke wrecche that lakketh alle goodes so that [108] no good nys medlyd in his wrecchidnesse, [109] and yit over al his wikkidnesse, for which [110] he is a wrecche, that ther be yit another [111] yvel anexed and knyt to hym -- schal nat [112] men demen hym more unsely thanne thilke [113] wrecche of whiche the unselynesse is relevid by [114] the participacioun of som good?" [115] "Why sholde he nat?" quod I. [116] "Thanne certes," quod sche, "han schrewes, [117] whan thei ben punyschid, somwhat of good [118] anexid to hir wrecchidnesse (that is to seyn, the [119] same peyne that thei suffren, which that is [120] good by the resoun of justice); and whanne [121] thilke same schrewes ascapen withouten [122] torment, than han they somwhat more of yvel [123] yit over the wikkidnesse that thei han don, that [124] is to seyn, defaute of peyne, whiche defaute of [125] peyne thou hast grauntid is yvel for the disserte [126] of felonye?" [127] "I ne may nat denye it," quod I. [128] "Moche more thanne," quod sche, "ben [129] schrewes unsely whan thei ben wrongfully [130] delivred fro peyne, thanne whan thei [131] ben punyschid by ryghtful vengeaunce. [132] But this is opene thing and cleer, that it is ryght [133] that schrewes ben punyschid, and it is wikkidnesse [134] and wrong that thei escapen unpunyschid." [136] "Who myghte denye that?" quod I. [137] "But," quod sche, "may any man denye that [138] al that is ryght nis good, and also the contrarie, [139] that al that is wrong is wikke?" [140] "Certes," quod I, "thise thinges ben [141] clere ynowe, and [folwen that] that we han [142] concluded a lytel herebyforn. But I preye the [143] that thow telle me, yif thow accordest to leten [144] no torment to the soules aftir that the body is [145] ended by the deeth?" (This to seyn, "Undirstondestow [146] aught that soules han any [147] torment aftir the deeth of the body?") [148] "Certes," quod sche, "ye, and that ryght [149] greet. Of whiche soules," quod sche, "I [150] trowe that some ben tormented by asprenesse [151] of peyne, and some soules I trowe [152] ben excercised by a purgynge mekenesse; but [153] my conseil nys nat to determyne of thise peynes. [154] "But I have travailed and told yit hiderto for [155] thou scholdest knowe that the mowynge of [156] schrewes, whiche mowynge the semeth to ben [157] unworthy, nis no mowynge; and ek of schrewes, [158] of whiche thou pleynedest that they ne were nat [159] punysschid, that thow woldest seen that [160] thei ne were neveremo withouten the [161] tormentz of hir wikkidnesse; and of the [162] licence of mowynge to don yvel that thou [163] preyedest that it myghte sone ben ended, and [164] that thou woldest fayn lernen that it ne sholde [165] nat longe endure, and that schrewes ben more [166] unsely yif thei were of lengere durynge, and [167] most unsely yif thei weren perdurable. And aftir [168] this I have schewyd the that more unsely ben [169] schrewes whan thei escapen withouten hir [170] ryghtful peyne thanne whan thei ben [171] punyschid by ryghtful venjaunce; and of [172] this sentence folweth it that thanne ben schrewes [173] constreyned at the laste with most grevous [174] torment, whan men wene that thei ne ben nat [175] punyssched." [176] "Whan I considere thi resouns," quod I, "I ne [177] trowe nat that men seyn any thing more [178] verrayly. And yif I turne ayein to the studies of [179] men, who is he to whom it sholde seme that [180] he ne scholde nat oonly leven thise thinges, [181] but ek gladly herkne hem?" [182] "Certes," quod sche, "so it es -- but men may [183] nat. For they have hir eien so wont to the [184] derknesse of erthly thinges that they ne may nat [185] lyften hem up to the light of cler sothfastnesse, [186] but thei ben lyk to briddes of whiche the nyght [187] lightneth hir lokynge and the day blendith hem. [188] For whan men loke nat the ordre of thinges, but [189] hir lustes and talentz, they wene that either [190] the leve or the mowynge to don wikkidnesse, [191] or elles the scapynge withouten [192] peyne be weleful. [193] "But considere the jugement of the perdurable [194] lawe. For yif thou conferme thi corage to the [195] beste thinges, thow ne hast noon nede of no juge [196] to yeven the prys or mede; for thow hast joyned [197] thiself to the most excellent thing. And yif thow [198] have enclyned thi studies to the wikkide thinges, [199] ne seek no foreyne wrekere out of thiself; [200] for thow thiself hast thrist thiself into wikke [201] thinges, ryght as thow myghtest loken by [202] diverse tymes the fowle erthe and the hevene, [203] and that alle othere thinges stynten fro withoute, [204] so that thow nere neyther in [hevene] ne in [205] erthe, ne saye no thyng more; thanne scholde it [206] semen to the as by oonly resoun of lokynge that [207] thow were now in the sterres, and now in the [208] erthe. But the peple ne loketh nat on these [209] thinges. What thanne? Schal we thanne [210] approchen us to hem that I have schewed [211] that thei ben lyke to beestes? And what [212] wyltow seyn of this: yif that a man hadde al [213] forlorn his syghte, and hadde foryeten that he [214] evere sawhe, and wende that no thing ne faylede [215] hym of perfeccioun of mankynde; now we that [216] myghten sen the same thinges -- wolde we nat [217] wene that he were blynd? Ne also ne accordeth [218] nat the peple to that I schal seyn, the whiche [219] thing is sustenyd by as stronge foundementz [220] of resouns, that is to seyn, that [221] more unsely ben they that doon wrong to [222] othere folk, than they that the wrong suffren." [223] "I wolde here thilke same resouns," quod I. [224] "Denyestow," quod sche, "that alle schrewes [225] ne ben worthy to han torment?" [226] "Nay," quod I. [227] "But," quod sche, "I am certein by many [228] resouns that schrewes ben unsely." [229] "It accordeth," quod I. [230] "Thanne ne dowtestow nat," quod sche, [231] "that thilke folk that ben worthy of [232] torment, that they ne ben wrecches?" [233] "It accordeth wel," quod I. [234] "Yif thou were thanne iset a juge or a [235] knowere of thinges, whethir trowestow that men [236] scholden tormenten, hym that hath don the [237] wrong or elles hym that hath suffred the [238] wrong?" [239] "I ne doute nat," quod I, "that I nolde [240] doon suffisaunt satisfaccioun to hym that [241] hadde suffrid the wrong, by the sorwe of [242] hym that hadde doon the wrong." [243] "Thanne semeth it," quod sche, "that the [244] doere of wrong is more wrecche than he that [245] hath suffride wrong?" [246] "That folweth wel," quod I. [247] "Than," quod sche, "by thise causes and by [248] othere causes that ben enforced by the same [249] roote, that filthe [of] synne be the propre [250] nature of it maketh men wrecches, [it] [251] scheweth wel that the wrong that men [252] doon nis nat the wrecchidnesse of hym that [253] resceyveth the wrong, but the wrecchidnesse of [254] hym that dooth the wrong. But certes," quod [255] sche, "thise oratours or advocattes don al the [256] contrarie; for thei enforcen hem to commoeve [257] the juges to han pite of hem that han suffrid [258] and resceyved the thinges that ben grevous [259] and aspre, and yit men scholden more [260] ryghtfully han pite of hem that doon the [261] grevances and the wronges: the whiche [262] schrewes it were a more covenable thing that the [263] accusours or advocattes, nat wrooth but pytous [264] and debonayre, ledden tho schrewes that han [265] don wrong to the jugement ryght as men leden [266] syke folk to the leche, for that thei sholden seken [267] out the maladyes of synne by torment. And [268] by this covenant, eyther the entent of the [269] deffendours or advocatz sholde fayle and [270] cesen in al, or elles, yif the office of [271] advocatz wolde betre profiten to men, it [272] sholde be torned into the habyte of accusacioun. [273] (That is to seyn, thei scholden accuse [274] schrewes, and nat excusen hem.) And eek the [275] schrewes hemself, yif it were leveful to hem to [276] seen at any clifte the vertu that thei han forleten, [277] and sawen that they scholden putten adoun the [278] filthes of hir vices by the tormentz of peynes, [279] they ne aughten nat, ryght for the [280] recompensacioun for to geten hem bounte [281] and prowesse whiche that thei han lost, [282] demen ne holden that thilke peynes weren [283] tormentz to hem; and eek thei wolden refuse the [284] attendaunce of hir advocattz, and taken hemself [285] to hir juges and to hir accusours. For whiche it [286] betydeth that, as to the wise folk, ther nis no [287] place yleten to hate (that is to seyn, that hate [288] ne hath no place among wise men); for no [289] wyght nil haten gode men, but yif he were [290] overmochel a fool, and for to haten [291] schrewes it nis no resoun. For ryght so as [292] langwissynge is maladye of body, ryght so ben [293] vices and synne maladye of corage; and so as we [294] ne deme nat that they that ben sike of hir body [295] ben worthy to ben hated, but rather worthy of [296] pite; wel more worthy nat to ben hated, but [297] for to ben had in pite, ben thei of whiche [298] the thoughtes ben constreyned by felonous [299] wikkidnesse, that is more crwel than any [300] langwissynge of body. [1] "What deliteth yow to exciten so grete moevynges [2] of hatredes, and to hasten and bysien [3] the fatal disposicioun of your deth with your [4] propre handes (that is to seyn, by batayles or [5] contek)? For yif ye axen the deth, it hasteth [6] hym of his owene wil, ne deth ne taryeth nat [7] his swifte hors. And the men that the serpent, [8] and the lyoun, and the tigre, and the [9] bere, and the boor, seken to sleen with hir [10] teeth, yit thilke same men seken to sleen [11] everiche of hem oothir with swerd. Lo, for [12] hir maneres ben diverse and discordaunt, thei [13] moeven unryghtful oostes and cruel batayles, [14] and wilnen to perise by entrechaungynge of [15] dartes! But the resoun of cruelte nis nat inowhe [16] ryghtful. Wiltow thanne yelden a covenable [17] gerdoun to the dissertes of men? Love ryghtfully [18] good folk, and have pite on schrewes." [1] "Thus se I wel," quod I, "eyther what blisfulnesse [2] or elles what unselynesse is establisshid [3] in the dissertes of gode men and of [4] schrewes. But in this ilke fortune of peple I [5] se somwhat of good and somwhat of yvel. For [6] no wise man hath nat levere ben exiled, pore [7] and nedy and nameles, thanne for to duellen [8] in his cyte, and flouren of rychesses, and be [9] redowtable by honour and strong of power. [10] For in this wise more clerly and more witnesfully [11] is the office of wise men ytreted, [12] whanne the blisfulnesse and the pouste of [13] gouvernours is, as it ware, ischadde among peples [14] that ben neyghbors and subgitz; syn that [15] namely prisown, lawe, and thise othere tormentz [16] of laweful peynes ben rather owed to [17] felonus citezeins, for the whiche felonus citezeens [18] tho peynes ben establisschid than for [19] good folk. [20] "Thanne I merveile me gretly," quod I, [21] "why that the thinges ben so mysentrechaunged [22] that tormentz of felonyes pressen and [23] confounden good folk, and schrewes ravysschen [24] medes of vertu and ben in honours [25] and in grete estatz; and I desire eek for to [26] witen of the what semeth the to be the resoun [27] of this so wrongful a confusioun; for I wolde [28] wondre wel the lasse, yif I trowede that alle [29] thise thinges weren medled by fortunows [30] hap. But now hepith and encreseth myn [31] astonyenge God, governour of thinges, [32] that, so as God yyveth ofte tymes to gode men [33] godes and myrthes, and to schrewes yvelis and [34] aspre thinges, and yeveth ayeinward to good [35] folk hardnesses, and to schrewes he graunteth [36] hem hir wil and that they desiren -- what difference [37] thanne may ther be bytwixen that that [38] God doth and the hap of fortune, yif men ne [39] knowe nat the cause why that it is?" [40] "Ne it nis no merveile," quod sche, [41] "thowh that men wenen that ther be somwhat [42] foolisshe and confus, whan the resoun of [43] the ordre is unknowe. But although that thou [44] ne knowe nat the cause of so gret a disposicioun, [45] natheles for as moche as God, the gode [46] governour, atempreth and governeth the world, [47] ne doute the nat that alle thinges ne ben don [48] aryght. [1] "Whoso that ne knowe nat the sterres of [2] Arctour, ytorned neyghe to the sovereyne centre [3] or poynt (that is to seyn, ytorned neyghe to [4] the sovereyne pool of the firmament), and wot [5] nat why the sterre Boetes passeth or gadreth [6] his waynes and drencheth his late flaumbes in [7] the see; and whi that Boetes, the sterre, unfooldeth [8] hise overswifte arysynges, thanne schal [9] he wondryn of the lawe of the heie eyr. [10] And eek yif that he ne knowe nat why that [11] the hornes of the fulle mone waxen pale [12] and infect by bowndes of the derk nyght, and [13] how the mone derk and confus discovereth the [14] sterres that sche hadde covered by hir clere [15] vysage. The comune errour moeveth folk, and [16] [the Coribantes maken hir tabours sounen and [17] maken] weery hir basyns of bras by thikke [18] strokes. (That is to seyn, that ther is a maner [19] peple that hyghte Coribantes, that wenen [20] that whan the mone is in the eclips that [21] it be enchaunted, and therfore for to [22] rescowe the mone thei betyn hir basyns with [23] thikke strokes.) Ne no man ne wondreth [24] whanne the blastes of the wynd Chorus beten [25] the strondes of the see by quakynge floodes; ne [26] no man ne wondrith whan the weighte of the [27] snowh, ihardid by the cold, is resolvyd by the [28] brennynge hete of Phebus, the sonne; for her [29] seen men redily the causes. But [ther] the [30] causes yhidd (that is to seyn, in hevene) [31] trowblen the brestes of men. The [32] moevable peple is astoned of alle thinges that [33] comen seelde and sodeynly in our age; but yif [34] the trubly errour of our ignoraunce departed fro [35] us, so that we wisten the causes why that swiche [36] thinges bytyden, certes thei scholde cesen to [37] seme wondres." [1] "Thus is it," quod I. "But so as thou hast [2] yeven or byhyght me to unwrappen the hidde [3] causes of thinges, and to discovere me the [4] resouns covered with derknes, I preie the that [5] thou devyse and juge me of this matere, and [6] that thou do me to undirstonden it. For this [7] miracle or this wonder trowbleth me ryght [8] gretly." [9] And thanne sche, a litelwhat smylinge, [10] seide: "Thou clepist me," quod sche, "to [11] telle thing that is gretteste of alle thingis [12] that mowen ben axed, and to the whiche questioun [13] unethes is ther aught inowh to laven [14] it. (As who seith, unnethes is ther suffisauntly [15] any thing to answeren parfitly to thy questioun.) [16] For the matere of it is swich, that [17] whan o doute is determined and kut awey, ther [18] waxen othere doutes withoute nombre, ryght [19] as the hevedes wexen of Idre, the serpent [20] that Hercules slowh. Ne ther ne were no [21] manere ne noon ende, but if that a wyght [22] constreynede tho doutes by a ryght lifly and [23] quyk fir of thought (that is to seyn, by vigour [24] and strengthe of wit). For in this matere [25] men weren wont to maken questiouns of the [26] symplicite of the purveaunce of God, and of [27] the ordre of destyne, and of sodeyn hap, and [28] of the knowynge and predestinacioun devyne, [29] and of the liberte of fre wil; the whiche [30] thinges thou thiself aperceyvest wel of [31] what weighte thei ben. But for as moche [32] as the knowynge of thise thinges is a maner [33] porcioun of the medycyne to the, al be it so [34] that I have litil tyme to doon it, yit natheles [35] Y wol enforcen me to schewe somwhat of it. [36] But although the noryssynges of dite of musyk [37] deliteth the, thou most suffren and forberen a [38] litel of thilke delit, whil that I weve to the resouns [39] yknyt by ordre." [40] "As it liketh to the," quod I, "so do." [41] Tho spak sche ryght as by another bygynnynge, [42] and seide thus: "The engendrynge [43] of alle thinges," quod sche, "and alle the progressiouns [44] of muable nature, and al that moeveth [45] in any manere, taketh hise causes, his ordre, [46] and his formes, of the stablenesse of the devyne [47] thought. And thilke devyne thought that [48] is iset and put in the tour (that is to seyn, in [49] the heighte) of the simplicite of God, stablissith [50] many maner gises to thinges that ben [51] to done; the whiche manere whan that [52] men looken it in thilke pure clennesse of the [53] devyne intelligence, it is ycleped purveaunce; [54] but whanne thilke manere is referred by men [55] to thinges that it moeveth and disponyth, than [56] of olde men it was clepyd destyne. The whiche [57] thinges yif that any wyght loketh wel in his [58] thought the strengthe of that oon and of that [59] oothir, he schal lyghtly mowen seen that [60] thise two thinges ben dyvers. For purveaunce [61] is thilke devyne resoun that is establissed [62] in the sovereyn prince of thinges, the [63] whiche purveaunce disponith alle thinges; but, [64] certes, destyne is the disposicioun and ordenance [65] clyvynge to moevable thinges, by the [66] whiche disposicion the purveaunce knytteth [67] alle thingis in hir ordres; for purveaunce enbraceth [68] alle thinges to-hepe, althoghe that thei [69] ben diverse and although thei ben infinit. [70] But destyne, certes, departeth and ordeyneth [71] alle thinges singulerly and devyded in [72] moevynges in places, in formes, in tymes, as [73] thus: lat the unfoldynge of temporel ordenaunce, [74] assembled and oonyd in the lokynge [75] of the devyne thought, be cleped purveaunce, [76] and thilke same assemblynge and oonynge, devyded [77] and unfolden by tymes, lat that ben [78] called destyne. [79] "And al be it so that thise thinges ben [80] diverse, yit natheles hangeth that oon of [81] that oother; forwhi the ordre destynal [82] procedith of the simplicite of purveaunce. For [83] ryght as a werkman that aperceyveth in his [84] thought the forme of the thing that he wol make, [85] and moeveth the effect of the werk, and ledith [86] that he hadde lookid byforn in his thought [87] symplely and presently by temporel ordenaunce; [88] certes, ryght so God disponith in his [89] purveaunce singulerly and stablely the [90] thinges that ben to doone; but he [91] amynistreth in many maneris and in diverse [92] tymes by destyne thilke same thinges that he [93] hath disponyd. Thanne, whethir that destyne be [94] exercised outhir by some devyne spiritz, [95] servantz to the devyne purveaunce, or elles by [96] some soule, or elles by alle nature servynge to [97] God, or elles by the celestial moevynges of [98] sterres, or ellis by vertu of aungelis, or elles by [99] divers subtilite of develis, or elles by any of [100] hem, or elles by hem alle the destinal [101] ordenaunce is ywoven and acomplissid, [102] certes, it es opene thing that the purveaunce is [103] an unmoevable and symple forme of thinges [104] to doone, and the moevable bond and the [105] temporel ordenaunce of thinges whiche that the [106] devyne symplicite of purveaunce hath ordeyned [107] to doone, that is destyne. [108] "For whiche it is that alle thinges that ben [109] put undir destyne ben certes subgitz to [110] purveaunce, to whiche purveaunce destyne [111] itself is subgit and under. But some thinges [112] ben put undir purveaunce, that sourmounten [113] the ordenance of destyne; and tho ben thilke [114] that stablely ben ifycchid neyghe to the first [115] godhede. They surmounten the ordre of [116] destynal moevablete. For ryght as of cerklis that [117] tornen aboute a same centre or aboute a poynt, [118] thilke cerkle that is innerest or most withinne [119] joyneth to the symplesse of the myddle, [120] and is, as it were, a centre or a poynt to the [121] tothere cerklis that tornen abouten hym; [122] and thilke that is utterest, compased by a largere [123] envyrownynge, is unfolden by largere spaces in [124] so moche as it is ferthest fro the myddel [125] symplicite of the poynt; and yif ther be any thing [126] that knytteth and felawschipeth hymself to thilke [127] myddel poynt, it is constreyned into simplicite [128] (that is to seyn, into unmoevablete), and it [129] ceseth to ben schad and to fleten diversely; [130] ryght so, by semblable reson, thilke thing [131] that departeth ferrest fro the firste thought [132] of God, it is unfolden and summittid to grettere [133] bondes of destyne; and in so moche is the thing [134] more fre and laus fro destyne, as it axeth and [135] hooldeth hym neer to thilke centre of thinges [136] (that is to seyn, to God); and yif the thing [137] clyveth to the stedfastnesse of the thought of [138] God and be withoute moevynge, certes it [139] surmounteth the necessite of destyne. [140] Thanne ryght swich comparysoun as is of [141] skillynge to undirstondyng, and of thing [142] that ys engendrid to thing that is, and of tyme to [143] eternite, and of the cercle to the centre; ryght so [144] is the ordre of moevable destyne to the stable [145] symplicite of purveaunce. [146] "Thilke ordenaunce moveth the hevene and [147] the sterres, and atemprith the elementz togidre [148] amonges hemself, and transformeth hem by [149] entrechaungeable mutacioun. And thilke [150] same ordre neweth ayein alle thinges [151] growynge and fallynge adoun, by semblable [152] progressions of sedes and of sexes (that [153] is to seyn, male and femele). And this ilke [154] ordre constreyneth the fortunes and the dedes of [155] men by a bond of causes nat able to ben [156] unbownde; the whiche destynal causes, whan [157] thei passen out fro the bygynnynges of the [158] unmoevable purveaunce, it moot nedes be that [159] thei ne be nat mutable. And thus ben the [160] thinges ful wel igoverned yif that the [161] symplicite duellynge in the devyne thoght [162] scheweth forth the ordre of causes unable to ben [163] ibowed. And this ordre constreyneth by his [164] propre stablete the moevable thingis, or elles [165] thei scholden fleten folyly. [166] "For whiche it es that alle thingis semen to [167] ben confus and trouble to us men, for we ne [168] mowen nat considere thilke ordenaunce. [169] Natheles the propre maner of every thing, [170] dressynge hem to gode, disponith hem alle, [171] for ther nys no thing doon for cause of yvel, [172] ne thilk thing that is doon by wikkid folk nys nat [173] doon for yvel, the whiche schrewes, as I have [174] schewed ful plentyvously, seken good, but [175] wikkid errour mystorneth hem; ne the ordre [176] comynge fro the poynt of sovereyn good ne [177] declyneth nat fro his bygynnynge. [178] "But thou mayst seyn, `What unreste may ben [179] a worse confusioun than that gode men [180] han somtyme adversite and somtyme [181] prosperite, and schrewes also han now [182] thingis that they desiren and now thinges that [183] thei haten?' Whethir men lyven now in swich [184] holnesse of thought (as who seith, ben men now [185] so wyse) that swiche folk as thei demen to ben [186] gode folk or schrewes, that it moste nedes ben [187] that folk ben swiche as thei wenen? But in this [188] manere the domes of men discorden, that thilke [189] men that som folk demen worthy of mede, [190] other folk demen hem worthy of torment. [191] But lat us graunten, I pose, that som man [192] may wel demen or knowen the good folk and [193] the badde; may he thanne knowen and seen [194] thilke innereste atempraunce of corages as it [195] hath ben wont to ben seyd of bodyes? (As who [196] seith, may a man speken and determinen of [197] atempraunce in corages, as men were wont to [198] demen or speken of complexions and atempraunces [199] of bodies?) Ne it ne is nat an [200] unlike miracle to hem that ne knowen it nat [201] (as who seith, but it is lik a mervayle or [202] miracle to hem that ne knowen it nat) whi [203] that swete thinges ben covenable to some bodies [204] that ben hole, and to some bodies byttere [205] thinges ben covenable; and also why that some [206] syk folk ben holpen with lyghte medicynes, and [207] some folk ben holpen with sharpe medicynes. [208] But natheles the leche, that knoweth the manere [209] and the atempraunce of hele and of [210] maladye, ne merveyleth of it nothyng. But [211] what othir thing semeth hele of corages but [212] bounte and prowesse? And what othir thing [213] semeth maladye of corages but vices? Who is [214] elles kepere of good or dryvere awey of yvel but [215] God, governour and lechere of thoughtes? The [216] whiche God, whan he hath byholden from the [217] hye tour of his purveaunce, he knoweth what is [218] covenable to every wight, and lenyth hem that [219] he woot that is covenable to hem. Lo, herof [220] comyth and herof is don this noble miracle [221] of the ordre destynal, whan God, that al [222] knoweth, dooth swiche thing, of whiche thing [223] unknowynge folk ben astonyd. [224] "But for to constreyne (as who seith, but for [225] to comprehende and to telle) a fewe thingis of [226] the devyne depnesse the whiche that mannys [227] resoun may undirstonde, thilke man that thow [228] wenest to ben ryght just and ryght kepynge of [229] equite, the contrarie of that semeth to the [230] devyne purveaunce, that al woot. And [231] Lucan, my famylier, telleth that the [232] victorious cause likide to the goddes, and the [233] cause overcomen likide to Catoun. Thanne [234] whatsoevere thou mayst seen that is doon in this [235] world unhopid or unwened, certes it es the [236] ryghte ordre of thinges, but as to thi wikkid [237] opynioun it is a confusioun. But I suppose that [238] som man be so wel ithewed that the devyne [239] jugement and the jugement of mankynde [240] accorden hem togidre of hym; but he is so [241] unstidfast of corage that, yif any adversite [242] come to hym, he wol forleten peraventure to [243] continue innocence by the whiche he ne may [244] nat withholden fortune. Thanne the wise [245] dispensacion of God sparith hym, the whiche [246] man adversite myghte enpeyren; for that God [247] wol nat suffren hym to travaile to whom that [248] travaile nis nat covenable. Anothir man is parfit [249] in alle vertus, and is an holi man and neigh [250] to God, so that the purveaunce of God [251] wolde deme that it were a felonie that he [252] were touched with any adversites; so that he wol [253] nat suffre that swich a man be moeved with any [254] bodily maladye. But so as seyde a philosophre, [255] the more excellent by me -- he seyde in Grec [256] that `vertues han edified the body of the holi [257] man.' [258] "And ofte tyme it betydeth that the somme of [259] thingis that ben to done is taken to governe [260] to good folk, for that the malice [261] haboundaunt of schrewes scholde ben [262] abated. And God yeveth and departeth to other [263] folk prosperites and adversites imedled to-hepe [264] aftir the qualite of hir corages, and remordith [265] some folk by adversite, for thei ne scholden nat [266] waxen proude by long welefulnesse; and other [267] folk he suffreth to ben travailed with harde [268] thinges for that thei scholden confermen the [269] vertues of corage by the usage and the [270] exercitacioun of pacience. And other folk [271] dreden more than thei oughten the whiche [272] thei myghte wel beren, and thilke folk God [273] ledeth into experience of hemself by aspre and [274] sorweful thingis. And many other folk han [275] bought honourable renoun of this world by the [276] prys of glorious deth; and som men, that ne [277] mowen nat ben overcomen by torment, han [278] yeven ensample to other folk that vertu mai nat [279] ben overcomyn by adversites. And of alle [280] thise thinges ther nis no doute that thei ne [281] ben doon ryghtfully and ordeynly, to the [282] profit of hem to whom we seen thise thingis [283] betyde. [284] "For certes, that adversite cometh somtyme to [285] schrewes and somtyme that that they desiren, it [286] comith of thise forseyde causes. And of sorweful [287] thinges that betyden to schrewes, certes, no man [288] ne wondreth. for alle men wenen that thei han [289] wel desservid it, and that thei ben of wykkid [290] meryt. Of whiche schrewes the torment [291] somtyme agasteth othere to don felonyes, [292] and somtyme it amendeth hem that suffren the [293] tormentz; and the prosperite that is yeven to [294] schrewes scheweth a gret argument to good [295] folk what thing thei scholde demen of thilke [296] welefulnesse, the whiche prosperite men seen [297] ofte serven to schrewes. In the whiche thing I [298] trowe that God dispenseth. For peraventure the [299] nature of som man is so overthrowynge to [300] yvel, and so uncovenable, that the nedy [301] poverte of his houshold myghte rather [302] egren hym to don felonyes; and to the maladye [303] of hym God putteth remedye to yeven hym [304] rychesses. And som othir man byholdeth his [305] conscience defouled with synnes, and makith [306] comparysoun of his fortune and of hymself, and [307] dredith peraventure that his blisfulnesse, of [308] whiche the usage is joyeful to hym, that the [309] lesynge of thilke blisfulnesse ne be nat [310] sorwful to hym; and therfore he wol [311] chaunge his maneris, and, for he dredith to [312] lesen his fortune, he forletith his wikkidnesse. [313] To other folke is welefulnesse iyeven unworthely, [314] the whiche overthroweth hem into [315] destruccioun, that thei han disservid; and to som [316] othir folk is yeven power to punysshen, for [317] that it schal be cause of contynuacioun and [318] exercisynge to good folk, and cause of torment [319] to schrewes. For so as ther nis noon [320] alliaunce bytwixe good folk and schrewes, [321] ne schrewes ne mowen nat acorden among [322] hemself. And whi nat? For schrewes discorden [323] of hemself by hir vices, the whiche vices al [324] toreenden her consciences, and doon ofte time [325] thinges the whiche thingis, whan thei han doon [326] hem, they demen that tho thinges ne scholden [327] nat han ben doon. [328] "For whiche thing thilke sovereyne purveaunce [329] hath makid ofte tyme fair [330] myracle, so that schrewes han makid [331] schrewes to ben gode men. For whan that [332] some schrewes seen that they suffren wrongfully [333] felonyes of othere schrewes, they wexen [334] eschaufed into hate of hem that anoyed hem, [335] and retornen to the fruyt of vertu, whan thei [336] studien to ben unlyke to hem that thei han hated. [337] Certis oonly this is the devyne myght to the [338] whiche myghte yvelis ben thanne gode whan it [339] useth the yvelis covenably and draweth out [340] the effect of any good. (As who seith that [341] yvel is good only to the myghte of God, for [342] the myght of God ordeyneth thilke yvel to [343] good.) [344] "For oon ordre enbraseth alle thinges, so that [345] what wyght that departeth fro the resoun of [346] thilke ordre whiche that is assigned to hym, [347] algatis yit he slideth into an othir ordre; so that [348] no thing nis leveful to folye in the reaume of the [349] devyne purveaunce (as who seith, no [350] thing nis withouten ordenaunce in the [351] reame of the devyne purveaunce), syn that [352] the ryght strong God governeth alle thinges in [353] this world. For it nis nat leveful to man to [354] comprehenden by wit, ne unfolden by word, [355] alle the subtil ordenaunces and disposiciounis of [356] the devyne entente. For oonly it owghte suffise [357] to han lokid that God hymself, makere of alle [358] natures, ordeineth and dresseth alle thingis to [359] gode; whil that he hasteth to withholden [360] the thingis that he hath makid into his [361] semblaunce (that is to seyn, for to withholden [362] thingis into gode, for he hymself is [363] good), he chasith out alle yvel fro the boundes [364] of his comynalite by the ordre of necessite [365] destinable. For whiche it folweth that, yif thou [366] loke the purveaunce ordeynynge the thinges [367] that men wenen ben outraious or haboundaunt [368] in erthis, thou ne schalt nat seen in no place no [369] thing of yvel. [370] "But I se now that thou art charged with [371] the weyghte of the questioun, and wery [372] with the lengthe of my resoun, and that thou [373] abydest som swetnesse of songe. Tak thanne this [374] drawght, and, whanne thou art wel reffressched [375] and refect, thou schalt be more stedfast to stye [376] into heyere questions or thinges. [1] "Yif thou, wys, wilt demen in thi pure thought [2] the ryghtes or the lawes of the heye thondrere [3] (that is to seyn, of God), loke thou and byhoold [4] the heightes of the sovereyn hevene. [5] Ther kepin the sterres, be ryghtful alliaunce of [6] thinges, hir oolde pees. The sonne, imoevid by [7] his rody fyr, ne distorbeth nat the colde cercle [8] of the mone. Ne the sterre yclepid the Bere, [9] that enclyneth his ravysschynge coursis [10] abowte the sovereyn heighte of the world [11] -- ne the same sterre Ursa nis nevere mo [12] wasschen in the depe westrene see, ne coveyteth [13] nat to deeyen his flaumbes in the see [14] of the Occian, although it see othere sterres [15] iplowngid in the see. And Hesperus the sterre [16] bodith and telleth alwey the late nyghtes, and [17] Lucyfer the sterre bryngeth ayein the clere [18] day. [19] "And thus maketh Love entrechaungeable [20] the perdurable courses; and thus is discordable [21] bataile yput out of the contre of [22] the sterres. This accordaunce atempryth by evenelyke [23] maneres the elementz, that the moiste [24] thingis, stryvynge with the drye thingis, yeven [25] place by stoundes; and that the colde thingis [26] joynen hem by feyth to the hote thingis; and [27] that the lyghte fyr ariseth into heighte, and [28] the hevy erthes avalen by her weyghtes. By [29] thise same causes the floury yer yeldeth [30] swote smelles in the first somer sesoun [31] warmynge; and the hote somer dryeth the [32] cornes; and autumpne comith ayein hevy of [33] apples; and the fletyng reyn bydeweth the [34] wynter. This atempraunce norysscheth and [35] bryngeth forth alle thinges that brethith lif [36] in this world; and thilke same attempraunce, [37] ravysschynge, hideth and bynymeth, and [38] drencheth undir the laste deth, alle thinges [39] iborn. [40] "Among thise thinges sitteth the heye [41] makere, kyng and lord, welle and bygynnynge, [42] lawe and wys juge to don equite, and [43] governeth and enclyneth the brydles of thinges. [44] And tho thinges that he stireth to gon by [45] moevynge, he withdraweth and aresteth, and [46] affermeth the moevable or wandrynge thinges. [47] For yif that he ne clepide nat ayein the ryght [48] goynge of thinges, and yif that he ne constreynede [49] hem nat eftsones into roundnesses [50] enclyned, the thinges that ben now [51] contynued by stable ordenaunce, thei scholden [52] departen from hir welle (that is to seyn, [53] from hir bygynnynge), and failen (that is to [54] seyn, tornen into noght). This is the comune [55] love to alle thingis, and alle thinges axen to ben [56] holden by the fyn of good. For elles ne [57] myghten they nat lasten yif thei ne comen nat [58] eftsones ayein, by love retorned, to the cause [59] that hath yeven hem beinge (that is to [60] seyn, to God). [1] "Sestow nat thanne what thing folweth alle [2] the thingis that I have seyd?" [3] "What thing?" quod I. [4] "Certes," quod sche, "al outrely that alle fortune [5] is good." [6] "And how may that be?" quod I. [7] "Now undirstand," quod sche. "So as al fortune, [8] whethir so it be joyeful fortune or aspre [9] fortune, is yeven eyther by cause of gerdonynge [10] or elles of exercisynge of good [11] folk or elles by cause to punysschen or elles [12] chastisen schrewes; thanne is alle fortune good, [13] the whiche fortune is certeyn that it be either [14] ryghtful or elles profitable." [15] "Forsothe this is a ful verray resoun," quod [16] I; "and yif I considere the purveaunce and the [17] destyne that thou taughtest me a litel herebyforn [18] this sentence is sustenyd by stedfast [19] resouns. But yif it like unto the, lat us [20] nombren [hyt] amonges thilke thingis, of [21] whiche thow seydest a litel herebyforn that [22] thei ne were nat able to ben wened to the [23] peple." [24] "Why so?" quod sche. [25] "For that the comune word of men," quod I, [26] "mysuseth this manere speche of fortune, and [27] seyn ofte tymes that the fortune of som wyght [28] is wikkid." [29] "Woltow thanne," quod sche, "that I approche [30] a litil to the wordis of the peple, [31] so that it seme nat to hem that I be overmoche [32] departed as fro the usage of mankynde?" [33] "As thou wilt," quod I. [34] "Demestow nat," quod sche, "that alle thing [35] that profiteth is good?" [36] "Yis," quod I. [37] "And certes thilke thing that exerciseth or [38] corrigith profitith?" [39] "I confesse it wel," quod I. [40] "Thanne is it good," quod sche. [41] "Why nat?" quod I. [42] "But this is the fortune," quod sche, "of hem [43] that eyther ben put in vertu and batayllen [44] ayein aspre thingis, or elles of hem that eschuen [45] and declynen fro vices and taken the [46] weye of vertu." [47] "This ne mai I nat denye," quod I. [48] "But what seistow of the merye fortune that [49] is yeven to good folk in gerdoun -- demeth [50] aught the peple that it is wikkid?" [51] "Nay forsothe," quod I; "but thei [52] demen, as it soth is, that it is ryght good." [53] "And what seistow of that othir fortune," [54] quod sche, "that, although it be aspre and [55] restreyneth the schrewes by ryghtful torment, [56] weneth aught the peple that it be good?" [57] "Nay," quod I, "but the peple demeth that [58] it is moost wrecchid of alle thingis that mai [59] ben thought." [60] "War now and loke wel," quod sche, [61] "lest that we, in folwynge the opynioun of [62] the peple, have confessid and concluded thing [63] that is unable to be wened to the peple." [64] "What is that?" quod I. [65] "Certis," quod sche, "it folweth or comith of [66] thingis that ben grauntid that alle fortune, what [67] so evere it be, of hem that ben eyther in possessioun [68] of vertu, or in the encres of vertu, or [69] elles in the purchasynge of vertu, that thilke [70] fortune is good; and that alle fortune is [71] ryght wikkid to hem that duellen in [72] schrewidnesse." (As who seith. "And thus [73] weneth nat the peple.") [74] "That is soth," quod I, "al be it so that no [75] man dar confessen it ne byknowen it." [76] "Whi so?" quod sche; "for ryght as the [77] stronge man ne semeth nat to abaissen or disdaignen [78] as ofte tyme as he herith the noyse [79] of the bataile, ne also it ne semeth nat to [80] the wise man to beren it grevously as ofte [81] as he is lad into the stryf of fortune. For, [82] bothe to the to man and eek to the tothir thilke [83] difficulte is the matere, to the to man of encres [84] of his glorious renoun, and to the tothir man [85] to confermen his sapience (that is to seyn, to the [86] asprenesse of his estat). For therfore it is [87] called `vertu,' for that it sustenith and enforceth [88] by hise strengthes that it nis nat overcomen by [89] adversites. Ne certes thou, that art put in [90] the encres or in the heyghte of vertu, ne [91] hast nat comen to fleten with delices, and [92] for to welken in bodily lust; thou sowest or [93] plawntest a ful egre bataile in thy corage ayeins [94] every fortune, for that the sorwful fortune ne [95] confownde the nat, ne that the myrie fortune [96] ne corrumpe the nat. Ocupye the mene by stidefast [97] strengthes; for al that evere is undir the [98] mene, or elles al that overpasseth the mene, [99] despyseth welefulnesse (as who seith, it [100] is vycious), and ne hath no mede of his [101] travaile. For it is set in your hand (as who [102] seith, it lyth in your power) what fortune yow [103] is levest (that is to seyn, good or yvel). For [104] alle fortune that semeth scharp or aspre, yif it [105] ne exercise nat the good folk ne chastiseth the [106] wikkide folk, it punysseth. [1] "The wrekere Attrides (that is to seyn, Agamenon), [2] that wrought and contynued the batailes [3] by ten yer, recovered and purgide in [4] wrekynge, by the destruccioun of Troye, the [5] loste chaumbris of mariage of his brothir. [6] (That is to seyn, that he, Agamenon, wan ayein [7] Eleyne that was Menelaus wif his brothir.) [8] In the mene while that thilke Agamenon desirede [9] to yeven sayles to the Grykkyssche [10] naveye, and boughte ayein the wyndes by [11] blood, he unclothide hym of pite of fadir; [12] and the sory preest yeveth in sacrifyenge the [13] wrecchide kuttynge of throte of the doughter. [14] (That is to seyn that Agamenon leet kutten the [15] throte of his doughter by the preest, to maken [16] alliaunce with his goddes and for to han wynd [17] with whiche he myghte wenden to Troye.) [18] "Ytakus (that is to seyn, Ulixes) bywepte his [19] felawes ilorne, the whiche felawes the [20] fyerse Poliphemus, ligginge in his grete cave, [21] had fretyn and dreynt in his empty wombe. [22] But natheles Poliphemus, wood for his blynde [23] visage, yald to Ulixes joye by his sorwful [24] teres. (This to seyn, that Ulixes smoot out the [25] eye of Poliphemus, that stood in his forheed, [26] for whiche Ulixes hadde joye whan he say Poliphemus [27] wepynge and blynd). [28] "Hercules is celebrable for his harde travailes. [29] He dawntide the proude Centauris (half [30] hors, half man), and he byrafte the dispoilynge [31] fro the cruel lyoun (that is to seyn, he [32] slouhe the lyoun and rafte hym his skyn); he [33] smot the briddes that hyghten Arpiis with certein [34] arwes; he ravysschide applis fro the wakynge [35] dragoun, and his hand was the more hevy [36] for the goldene metal; he drowh Cerberus, the [37] hound of helle, by his treble cheyne; he, overcomer, [38] as it is seyd, hath put an unmeke lord [39] foddre to his crwel hors (this to seyn, that [40] Hercules slowh Diomedes, and made his [41] hors to freten hym); and he, Hercules, [42] slowh Idra the serpent, and brende the venym; [43] and Acheleous the flod, defowled in his forheed, [44] dreynte his schamefast visage in his [45] strondes (that is to seyn, that Achaleous coude [46] transfiguren hymself into diverse liknesse, and, [47] as he faughte with Hercules, at the laste he [48] torned hym into a bole, and Hercules brak of [49] oon of his hornes, and he for schame hidde [50] hym in his ryver); and he, Hercules, caste [51] adoun Antheus the geaunt in the [sondes] [52] of Libye; and Kacus apaysede the wratthes of [53] Evander (this to seyn, that Hercules slouh the [54] monstre Kacus, and apaysed with that deth the [55] wratthe of Evander); and the bristilede boor [56] markide with scomes the scholdres of Hercules, [57] the whiche scholdres the heye cercle of [58] hevene sholde thriste; and the laste of his labours [59] was that he susteynede the hevene [60] uppon his nekke unbowed; and he disservide [61] eftsones the hevene to ben the pris [62] of his laste travaile. [63] "Goth now thanne, ye stronge men, ther as [64] the heye wey of the greet ensaumple ledith [65] yow. O nyce men! why nake ye your bakkes? [66] (As who seith, "O ye slowe and delicat men! [67] whi flee ye adversites, and ne fyghte nat ayeins [68] hem by vertu, to wynnen the mede of the hevene?") [69] For the erthe overcomen yeveth the [70] sterres." (This to seyn, that whan that [71] erthly lust is overcomyn, a man is makid [72] worthy to the hevene.) The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Boece Book 5 [1] Sche hadde seyd, and torned the cours of [2] hir resoun to some othere thingis to ben treted [3] and to ben ispedd. Thanne seide I, "Certes [4] ryghtful is thin amonestynge and ful digne by [5] auctorite. But that thou seydest whilom that [6] the questioun of the devyne purveaunce is enlaced [7] with many othere questiouns, I undirstande [8] wel and prove it by the same thing. [9] But I axe yif that thou wenest that hap be [10] anything in any weys; and yif thou wenest [11] that hap be anything, what is it?" [12] Thanne quod sche, "I haste me to yelden [13] and assoilen to the the dette of my byheste, and [14] to schewen and openen the the [15] wey, by whiche wey thou maist comen ayein to thi contre. But [16] al be it so that the thingis whiche that thou axest [17] ben ryght profitable to knowe, yit ben thei [18] divers somwhat fro the path of my purpos; and [19] it is to douten that thou ne be makid weery [20] by mysweyes, so that thou ne maist nat [21] suffise to mesuren the ryghte weie." [22] "Ne doute the therof nothing," quod I; "for [23] for to knowen thilke thingis togidre, in the [24] whiche thinges I delite me gretly -- that schal [25] ben to me in stede of reste, syn it nis nat to [26] douten of the thingis folwynge, whan every syde [27] of thi disputesoun schal han ben stedfast to me [28] by undoutous feyth." [29] "Thanne," seide sche, "that manere wol [30] I don the," and bygan to speken ryght thus: [31] "Certes," quod sche, "yif any wyght [32] diffynisse hap in this manere, that is to seyn that [33] `hap is bytydynge ibrought forth by foolisshe [34] moevynge and by no knyttynge of causes,' I [35] conferme that hap nis ryght naught in no wise; [36] and I deme al outrely that hap nis but an idel [37] voys (as who seith, but an idel word), withouten [38] any significacioun of thing summitted [39] to that voys. For what place myght ben [40] left or duellynge to folie and to disordenaunce, [41] syn that God ledeth and [42] constreyneth alle thingis by ordre? For this [43] sentence is verray and soth, that `no thing hath [44] his beynge of naught,' to the whiche sentence [45] noon of thise oolde folk ne withseide nevere; al [46] be it so that they ne undirstoden ne meneden it [47] nat by God, prince and bygynnere of wirkynge, [48] but thei casten as a maner foundement of subject [49] material (that is to seyn, of the nature of [50] alle resouns). And yif that any thing is [51] woxen or comen of no causes, thanne schal [52] it seme that thilke thing is comen or woxen of [53] nawght; but yif this ne mai nat ben don, thanne [54] is it nat possible that hap be any swich thing as [55] I have diffynysschid a litil herebyforn." [56] "How schal it thanne be?" quod I. "Nys ther [57] thanne nothing that by right may ben clepid [58] other hap or elles aventure of fortune; or is ther [59] awght, al be it so that it is hidd fro the [60] peple, to whiche thing thise wordes ben [61] covenable?" [62] "Myn Aristotle," quod sche, "in the book of [63] his Phisic diffynysseth this thing by schort [64] resoun, and nyghe to the sothe." [65] "In whiche manere?" quod I. [66] "As ofte, quod sche, "as men don any thing [67] for grace of any other thing, and another thing [68] than thilke thing that men entenden to don [69] bytideth by some causes, it is clepid hap. [70] Ryght as a man dalf the erthe bycause of [71] tylyinge of the feld, and founde ther a [72] gobet of gold bydolven; thanne wenen folk [73] that it is byfalle by fortunous bytydynge. But [74] forsothe it nis nat of naught, for it hath his [75] propre causes, of whiche causes the cours unforseyn [76] and unwar semeth to han makid hap. [77] For yif the tiliere of the feeld ne dulve nat in the [78] erthe, and yif the hidere of the gold ne hadde [79] hyd the gold in thilke place, the gold ne [80] hadde nat ben founde. Thise ben thanne [81] the causes of the abregginge of fortuit hap, [82] the whiche abreggynge of fortuit hap cometh of [83] causes encontrynge and flowynge togidere to [84] hemself, and nat by the entencioun of the doere. [85] For neither the hidere of the gold ne the delvere [86] of the feeld ne undirstoden nat that the gold [87] sholde han ben founde; but, as I seide, it bytidde [88] and ran togidre that he dalf thare as that oothir [89] had hid the gold. Now mai I thus diffinysshen [90] hap: hap is an unwar betydinge [91] of causes assembled in thingis that ben [92] doon for som oothir thing; but thilke ordre, [93] procedinge by an uneschuable byndinge togidre, [94] whiche that descendeth fro the welle of [95] purveaunce that ordeyneth alle thingis in hir [96] places and in hir tymes, makith that the causes [97] rennen and assemblen togidre. [1] "Tigrys and Eufrates resolven and springen [2] of o welle in the cragges of the roche of the [3] contre of Achemenye, ther as the fleinge bataile [4] ficcheth hir dartes retorned in the breestis [5] of hem that folwen hem. And sone aftir the [6] same ryverys, Tigris and Eufrates, unjoignen [7] and departen hir watres. And if thei comen togidre [8] and ben assemblid and clepid togidre [9] into o cours, thanne moten thilke thingis [10] fleten togidre whiche that the watir of [11] the entrechaungynge flood bryngeth. The [12] schippes and the stokkes araced with the flood [13] moten assemblen; and the watris imedled [14] wrappeth or emplieth many fortunel happes [15] or maneris; the whiche wandrynge happes [16] natheles thilke enclynynge lowenesse of the [17] erthe and the flowinge ordre of the slydinge [18] watir governeth. Right so fortune, that semeth [19] as it fletith with slakid or ungoverned [20] bridles, it suffreth bridelis (that is to seyn, [21] to ben governed), and passeth by thilke [22] lawe (that is to seyn, by the devyne ordenaunce)." [1] "This undirstonde I wel," quod I, "and I accorde [2] me that it is ryght as thou seist. But I [3] axe yif ther be any liberte of fre wille in this [4] ordre of causes that clyven thus togidre in [5] hemself, or elles I wolde witen yif that the [6] destinal cheyne constrenith the moevynges of [7] the corages of men." [8] "Yis," quod sche, "ther is liberte of fre wil, [9] ne ther ne was nevere no nature of resoun [10] that it ne hadde liberte of fre wil. For every [11] thing that may naturely usen resoun, [12] it hath doom by whiche it discernith and demeth [13] every thing; thanne knoweth it by itself [14] thinges that ben to fleen and thinges that ben [15] to desiren. And thilke thing that any wight [16] demeth to ben desired, that axeth or desireth [17] he; and fleeth thilke thing that he troweth be [18] to fleen. Wherfore in alle thingis that resoun [19] is, in hem also is liberte of willynge and of [20] nillynge. But I ne ordeyne nat (as who [21] seith, I ne graunte nat) that this liberte be [22] evenelyk in alle thinges. Forwhy in the sovereynes [23] devynes substaunces (that is to seyn, [24] in spiritz) jugement is more cleer, and wil nat [25] icorrumped, and myght redy to speden thinges [26] that ben desired. But the soules of men moten [27] nedes be more fre whan thei loken hem in the [28] speculacioun or lokynge of the devyne thought; [29] and lasse fre whan thei slyden into the bodyes; [30] and yit lasse fre whan thei ben gadrid [31] togidre and comprehended in erthli [32] membres; but the laste servage is whan that [33] thei ben yeven to vices and han ifalle fro the [34] possessioun of hir propre resoun. For aftir that [35] thei han cast awey hir eyghen fro the lyght [36] of the sovereyn sothfastnesse to lowe thingis [37] and derke, anon thei derken by the cloude of [38] ignoraunce and ben troubled by felonous talentz; [39] to the whiche talentz whan thei approchen [40] and assenten, thei helpen and [41] encrecen the servage whiche thei han [42] joyned to hemself; and in this manere thei ben [43] caytifs fro hir propre liberte. The whiche thingis [44] natheles the lokynge of the devyne purveaunce [45] seth, that alle thingis byholdeth and seeth fro [46] eterne, and ordeyneth hem everiche in here [47] merites as thei ben predestinat; and it is seid in [48] Greke that `alle thinges he seeth and alle thinges [49] he herith.' [1] "Homer with the hony mouth (that is to seyn, [2] Homer with the swete ditees) singeth that the [3] sonne is cler by pure light; natheles yit ne [4] mai it nat, by the infirme light of his bemes, [5] breken or percen the inward entrayles of the [6] erthe or elles of the see. So ne seth nat God, [7] makere of the grete werld. To hym, that loketh [8] alle thinges from an hey, ne withstondeth [9] no thinges by hevynesse of erthe, ne the [10] nyght ne withstondeth nat to hym by the [11] blake cloudes. Thilke God seeth in o strok [12] of thought alle thinges that ben, or weren, or [13] schollen comen; and thilke God, for he loketh [14] and seeth alle thingis alone, thou maist seyn [15] that he is the verrai sonne." [1] Thanne seide I, "Now am I confowndide by [2] a more hard doute than I was." [3] "What doute is that?" quod sche, "for certes I [4] conjecte now by whiche thingis thou art trubled." [5] "It semeth," quod I, "to repugnen and to [6] contrarien gretly, that God knoweth byforn alle [7] thinges and that ther is any fredom of liberte. [8] For yif so be that God loketh alle thinges [9] byforn, ne God ne mai nat ben desceyved [10] in no manere, thanne moot it nedes ben that [11] alle thinges betyden the whiche that the [12] purveaunce of God hath seyn byforn to comen. [13] For whiche, yif that God knoweth byforn nat [14] oonly the werkes of men, but also hir conseilles [15] and hir willes, thanne ne schal ther be no liberte [16] of arbitrie; ne certes ther ne may be noon [17] othir dede, ne no wil, but thilke whiche that the [18] devyne purveaunce, that ne mai nat ben disseyved, [19] hath felid byforn. For yif that thei [20] myghten writhen awey in othere manere [21] than thei ben purveyed, thanne ne sholde [22] ther be no stedefast prescience of thing to [23] comen, but rather an uncerteyn opynioun; the [24] whiche thing to trowen of God, I deme it felonye [25] and unleveful. [26] "Ne I ne proeve nat thilke same resoun (as who [27] seith, I ne allowe nat, or I ne preyse nat, thilke [28] same resoun) by whiche that som men wenen [29] that thei mowe assoilen and unknytten the [30] knotte of this questioun. For certes thei [31] seyn that thing nis nat to comen for that the [32] purveaunce of God hath seyn byforn that it is to [33] comen, but rathir the contrarie; and that is this: [34] that, for that the thing is to comen, that therfore [35] ne mai it nat ben hidd fro the purveaunce of [36] God; and in this manere this necessite slideth [37] ayein into the contrarie partie: ne it ne byhoveth [38] nat nedes that thinges betiden that ben [39] ipurveied, but it byhoveth nedes that thinges [40] that ben to comen ben ipurveied -- but as [41] it were Y travailed (as who seith, that [42] thilke answere procedith ryght as though men [43] travaileden or weren besy) to enqueren the [44] whiche thing is cause of the whiche thing, as [45] whethir the prescience is cause of the necessite [46] of thinges to comen, or elles that the necessite of [47] thinges to comen is cause of the purveaunce. But [48] I ne enforce me nat now to schewen it, that [49] the bytidynge of thingis iwyst byforn is [50] necessarie, how so or in what manere that [51] the ordre of causes hath itself; although [52] that it ne seme naught that the prescience bringe [53] in necessite of bytydinge to thinges to comen. [54] "For certes yif that any wyght sitteth, it byhoveth [55] by necessite that the opynioun be soth of [56] hym that conjecteth that he sitteth. and [57] ayeinward also is it of the contrarie: yif the [58] opinioun be soth of any wyght for that he sitteth, [59] it byhoveth by necessite that he sitte. [60] Thanne is here necessite in the toon and in [61] the tothir; for in the toon is necessite of [62] syttynge, and certes in the tothir is necessite of [63] soth. But therfore ne sitteth nat a wyght for that [64] the opynioun of the sittynge is soth, but the [65] opinioun is rather soth for that a wyght sitteth [66] byforn. And thus, althoughe that the cause of the [67] soth cometh of that other side (as who seith, [68] that althoughe the cause of soth cometh of the [69] sittynge, and nat of the trewe opinioun), [70] algatis yit is ther comune necessite in that [71] oon and in that othir. Thus scheweth it that [72] Y may make semblable skiles of the purveaunce [73] of God and of thingis to comen. For althoughe [74] that for that thingis ben to comen therfore ben [75] thei purveied, and nat certes for thei be purveied [76] therfore ne bytide thei nat; yit natheles byhoveth [77] it by necessite that eyther the thinges to comen [78] ben ipurveied of God, or elles that the thinges [79] that ben ipurveyed of God betyden. And [80] this thing oonly suffiseth inow to destroien [81] the fredom of oure arbitre (that is to seyn, [82] of our fre wil). [83] "But certes now schewith it wel how fer fro [84] the sothe and how up-so-doun is this thing that [85] we seyn, that the betydynge of temporel thingis [86] is cause of the eterne prescience. But for to [87] wenen that God purveieth the thinges to comen [88] for thei ben to comen -- what oothir thing is it [89] but for to wene that thilke thinges that [90] bytidden whilom ben cause of thilke [91] soverein purveaunce that is in God? And [92] herto I adde yit this thing: that ryght as whanne [93] that I woot that a thing is, it byhoveth by [94] necessite that thilke selve thing be; and eek [95] whan I have knowen that any thing schal [96] betyden; so byhovith it by necessite that thilke [97] same thing betide; so folweth it thanne that the [98] betydynge of the thing iwyste byforn ne may nat [99] ben eschued. And at the laste, yif that any [100] wyght wene a thing to ben oothir weyes [101] than it is, it nis nat oonly unscience, but it [102] is desceyvable opynioun ful divers and fer fro [103] the sothe of science. Wherfore, yif any thing be [104] so to comen that the betidynge of it ne be nat [105] certein ne necessarie, who mai witen byforn that [106] thilke thing is to comen? For ryght as science ne [107] may nat ben medled with falsnesse (as who [108] seith, that yif I woot a thing, it ne mai nat [109] ben fals that I ne woot it), ryght so thilke [110] thing that is conceyved by science ne may [111] nat ben noon other weies than as it is [112] conceyved. For that is the cause why that science [113] wanteth lesynge (as who seith, why that [114] wytynge ne resceyveth nat lesynge of that it [115] woot); for it byhoveth by necessite that every [116] thing be ryght as science comprehendeth it [117] to be. [118] "What schal I thanne seyn? In whiche manere [119] knoweth God byforn the thinges to comen, [120] yif thei ne ben nat certein? For yif that he [121] deme that thei ben to comen uneschewably, [122] and so may be that it is possible that thei [123] ne schollen nat comen, God is disseyved. But [124] not oonly to trowe that God is disseyved, but for [125] to speke it with mouthe, it is a felonous synne. [126] But yif that God woot that ryght so as thinges [127] ben to comen, so schollen they comen, so that he [128] wite egaly (as who seith, indifferently) that [129] thingis mowen ben doon or elles nat [130] idoon, what is thilke prescience that ne [131] comprehendeth no certein thing ne stable? [132] Or elles what difference is ther bytwixe the [133] prescience and thilke japeworthi devynynge of [134] Tyresie the divynour, that seide, `Al that I seie,' [135] quod he, `either it schal be or elles it ne schal nat [136] be?' Or elles how mochel is worth the devyne [137] prescience more than the opinioun of mankynde, [138] yif so be that it demeth the thinges [139] uncertayn, as men doon, of the whiche [140] domes of men the betydinge nis nat [141] certein? But yif so be that noon uncertein [142] thing ne mai ben in hym that is right certeyn [143] welle of alle thingis, than is the betydinge [144] certein of thilke thingis whiche he hath wist [145] byforn fermely to comen. For whiche it folweth [146] that the fredom of the conseiles and of the [147] werkis of mankynde nis noon, syn that the [148] thought of God, that seeth alle thinges withouten [149] errour of falsnesse, byndeth and [150] constreyneth hem to o bytidynge by [151] necessite. [152] "And yif this thing be oonys igrauntid and [153] resceyved (that is to seyn, that ther nis no fre [154] wil), thanne scheweth it wel how gret destruccioun [155] and how gret damages ther folwen of [156] thingis of mankynde. For in idel ben ther thanne [157] purposed and byhyght medes to good folk, and [158] peynes to badde folk, syn that no moevynge of [159] fre corage and voluntarie ne hath nat [160] disservid hem (that is to seyn, neither [161] mede ne peyne). And it scholde seme [162] thanne that thilke thing is alther-worst whiche [163] that is now demed for alther-moost just [164] and moost ryghtful, that is to seyn that schrewes ben [165] punysschid or elles that good folk ben [166] igerdoned, the whiche folk syn that hir propre [167] wil ne sent hem nat to the toon ne to that othir [168] (that is to seyn, neither to good ne to harm), but [169] constreyneth hem certein necessite of [170] thingis to comen. Thanne ne schulle ther [171] nevere be, ne nevere were, vice ne vertu, [172] but it scholde rather ben confusion of alle [173] dissertes medlid withouten discrecioun. And yit [174] ther folweth anothir inconvenient, of the whiche [175] ther ne mai be thought no more felonous ne [176] more wikke, and that is this: that, so as the ordre [177] of thingis is iled and cometh of the purveaunce [178] of God, ne that nothing is leveful to the [179] conseiles of mankynde (as who seith that [180] men han no power to don nothing ne wilne [181] nothing), thanne folweth it that oure vices [182] ben referrid to the makere of alle good [183] (as who seith, thanne folweth it that God [184] oughte han the blame of our vices), syn he [185] constreyneth us by necessite to doon vices. [186] "Than nis ther no resoun to han hope in God, [187] ne for to preien to God. For what scholde any [188] wyght hopen to God, or why scholde he preien [189] to God, syn that the ordenance of destyne [190] whiche that mai nat ben enclyned knytteth [191] and streyneth alle thingis that men mai [192] desiren? Thanne scholde ther be don awey [193] thilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen God and men [194] (that is to seyn, to hopen and to preien). But [195] by the pris of ryghtwisnesse and of verray [196] mekenesse we disserven the gerdon of the [197] devyne grace whiche that is inestimable (that is [198] to seyn, that it is so greet that it ne mai nat ben [199] ful ipreysed). And this is oonly the manere [200] (that is to seyn, hope and preieris) for [201] whiche it semeth that men mowen spekyn [202] with God, and by resoun of supplicacion be [203] conjoyned to thilke cleernesse that nis nat [204] aprochid no rather or that men byseken it and [205] impetren it. And yif men ne wene nat that hope [206] ne preieris ne han no strengthis by the necessite [207] of thingis to comen iresceyved, what thing [208] is ther thanne by whiche we mowen ben [209] conjoyned and clyven to thilke sovereyne [210] prince of thingis? For whiche it byhoveth [211] by necessite that the lynage of mankynde, [212] as thou songe a litil herebyforn, be departed and [213] unjoyned from his welle, and failen of his [214] bygynnynge (that is to seyn, God). [1] "What discordable cause hath torent and unjoyned [2] the byndynge or the alliaunce of thingis [3] (that is to seyn, the conjunccions of God and [4] of man)? Whiche god hath establisschid so [5] gret bataile bytwixen these two sothfast or [6] verreie thinges (that is to seyn, bytwyxen the [7] purveaunce of God and fre wil) that thei ben [8] singuler and dyvided, ne that they ne wole [9] nat ben medled ne couplid togidre? But [10] ther nis no discord to the verray thinges, [11] but thei clyven alwey certein to hemself; [12] but the thought of man, confownded and over-throwen [13] by the derke membres of the body, [14] ne mai nat be fyr of his derked lookynge (that [15] is to seyn, by the vigour of his insyghte while [16] the soule is in the body) knowen the thynne [17] sutile knyttynges of thinges. But wherfore [18] eschaufeth it so by so gret love to fynden [19] thilke notes of soth icovered? (That is to [20] seyn, wherfore eschaufeth the thought of [21] man by so gret desir to knowen thilke notificaciouns [22] that ben ihid undir the covertures of [23] soth?) Woot it aught thilke thing that it angwisshous [24] desireth to knowe? (As who seith, [25] nay; for no man ne travaileth for to witen [26] thingis that he wot. And therfore the texte [27] seith thus:) But who travaileth to wite thingis [28] iknowe? And yif that he ne knoweth hem nat, [29] what sekith thilke blynde thoght? What is [30] he that desireth any thyng of which he wot [31] right naught? (As who seith, whoso desireth [32] any thing, nedes somwhat he knoweth of it, [33] or elles he ne coude nat desiren it.) Or who may [34] folwen thinges that ne ben nat iwist? And [35] thoughe that he seke tho thingis, wher schal [36] he fynde hem? What wyght that is al unkunnynge [37] and ignoraunt may knowe the forme [38] that is ifounde? But whanne the soule byholdeth [39] and seeth the heye thought (that is to [40] seyn, God), thanne knoweth it togidre the [41] somme and the singularites (that is to seyn, [42] the principles and everyche by hymself)? But [43] now, while the soule is hidd in the cloude and [44] in the derknesse of the membres of the body, [45] it ne hath nat al foryeten itself, but it withholdeth [46] the somme of thinges and lesith the [47] singularites. Thanne who so that sekith sothnesse, [48] he nis in neyther nother habite, for he [49] not nat al, ne he ne hath nat al foryeten; [50] but yit hym remembreth the somme of [51] thinges that he withholdeth, and axeth conseile, [52] and retretith deepliche thinges iseyn byforne [53] (that is to seyn, the grete somme in his [54] mynde) so that he mowe adden the parties [55] that he hath foryeten to thilke that he hath [56] withholden." [1] Than seide sche, "This is," quod sche, "the [2] olde questioun of the purveaunce of God. And [3] Marcus Tullius, whan he devyded the divynaciouns [4] (that is to seyn, in his book that he wrot [5] of dyvynaciouns), he moevede gretly this questioun; [6] and thou thiself hast ysought it mochel [7] and outrely and longe. But yit ne hath it nat [8] ben determined ne isped fermely and diligently [9] of any of yow. And the cause of this dirknesse [10] and of this difficulte is, for that the [11] moevynge of the resoun of mankynde ne [12] may nat moeven to (that is to seyn, applien [13] or joignen to) the simplicite of the devyne prescience; [14] the whiche symplicite of the devyne [15] prescience, yif that men myghte thinken it [16] in any manere (that is to seyn, that yif [17] men myghten thinken and comprehenden the [18] thinges as God seeth hem), thanne ne scholde [19] ther duelle outrely no doute. The whiche [20] resoun and cause of difficulte I schal assaye [21] at the laste to schewe and to speden, whan [22] I have first ispendid and answerd to the resouns [23] by whiche thou art ymoeved. [24] "For I axe whi thou wenest that thilke resoun [25] of hem that assoilen this questioun ne be [26] nat speedful inow ne sufficient; the whiche solucioun, [27] or the whiche resoun, for that it demeth [28] that the prescience nis nat cause of necessite [29] to thinges to comen, than ne weneth it [30] nat that fredom of wil be distorbed or [31] ylet be prescience. For ne drawestow nat [32] argumentz fro elleswhere of the necessite of [33] thingis to comen (as who seith, any oothir wey [34] than thus) but that thilke thinges that the [35] prescience woot byforn ne mowen nat unbetyde [36] (that is to seyn, that thei moten betide)? [37] But thanne, yif that prescience ne putteth [38] no necessite to thingis to comen, as thou thiself [39] hast confessed it and byknowen a litel [40] herebyforn, what cause or what is it (as [41] who seith, ther may no cause be) by [42] whiche that the endes voluntarie of thinges [43] myghten be constreyned to certein bytydynge? [44] For by grace of posicioun, so that thou mowe the [45] betere undirstonde this that folweth, I pose that [46] ther ne be no prescience. Thanne axe I," quod [47] sche, "in as moche as aperteneth to that, [48] scholden thanne thingis that comen of fre wil [49] ben constreyned to bytiden by necessite?" [50] Boecius. "Nay," quod I. [51] "Thanne ayeinward," quod sche, "I [52] suppose that ther be prescience, but that it ne [53] putteth no necessite to thingis; thanne trowe I [54] that thilke selve fredom of wil schal duellen al [55] hool and absolut and unbounden. But thou wolt [56] seyn that, al be it so that prescience nis nat cause [57] of the necessite of bytydynge to thingis to [58] comen, algatis yit it is a signe that the thingis ben [59] to bytyden by necessite. By this manere [60] thanne, althoughe the prescience ne hadde [61] nevere iben, yit algate, or at the leste wey, [62] it is certein thing that the endes and bytydinges [63] of thingis to comen scholden ben necessarie. For [64] every signe scheweth and signifieth oonly what [65] the thing is, but it ne makith nat the thing that [66] it signifieth. For whiche it byhoveth first to [67] schewen that nothing ne bytideth that it ne [68] betideth by necessite, so that it mai apiere that [69] the prescience is signe of this necessite; or [70] elles, yif ther nere no necessite, certes [71] thilke prescience ne myghte nat ben signe [72] of thing that nis nat. But certes, it is now certein [73] that the proeve of this, isusteyned by stedfast [74] resoun, ne schal nat ben lad ne proeved by [75] signes, ne by argumentz itaken fro withoute, but [76] by causes covenable and necessarie. [77] "But thou mayst seyn, `How may it be that the [78] thingis ne betyden nat that ben ipurveied to [79] comen? But certes, ryght as we troweden [80] that tho thingis whiche that the purveaunce [81] woot byforn to comen, ne ben nat to [82] bytiden!' But that ne scholde we nat demen; but [83] rathir, althoughe that thei schal betyden, yit ne [84] have thei no necessite of hir kynde to betyden. [85] And this maystow lyghtly aperceyven by this [86] that I schal seyn. For we seen many thingis whan [87] thei ben done byforn oure eyen, ryght as men [88] seen the cartere worken in the tornynge and in [89] atemprynge or adressynge of hise cartes or [90] chariottes, and by this manere (as who [91] seith, maistow undirstonden) of alle othere [92] werkmen. Is ther thanne any necessite (as who [93] seith, in our lookynge) that constreynith or [94] compelleth any of thilke thingis to ben don so?" [95] Boece. "Nay," quod I, "for in idel and in veyn [96] were al the effect of craft, yif that alle thingis [97] weren moeved by constreynynge (that is to seyn, [98] by constreinynge of our eyen or of our sighte)." [99] Philosophie. "The thingis thanne," quod [100] she, "that, whan men doon hem, ne han no [101] necessite that men doon hem, eek tho same [102] thingis, first or thei ben don, thei ben to comen [103] withoute necessite. Forwhy ther ben some [104] thingis to betyden, of whiche the eendes and the [105] bytydynges of hem ben absolut and quit of alle [106] necessite. For certes I ne trowe nat that any man [107] wolde seyn this: that tho thingis that men don [108] now, that thei ne weren to bytiden first or thei [109] weren idoon; and thilke same thinges, [110] althoughe that men hadden iwyst hem [111] byforn, yit thei han fre bytydynges. For [112] ryght as science of thingis present ne bryngith in [113] no necessite to thingis that men doon, right so [114] the prescience of thinges to comen ne bryngith [115] in no necessite to thinges to bytiden. [116] "But thou maist seyn that of thilke same it is [117] idouted, as whethir that of thilke thingis that ne [118] han noon issues and bytidynges necessaries, yif [119] therof mai ben any prescience. For certes [120] thei semen to discorden, for thou wenest [121] that yif that thingis ben iseyn byfore, that [122] necessite folwith hem; and yif necessite faileth [123] hem, thei ne myghten nat ben wist byforn; and [124] that nothing may be comprehended by science [125] but certein. And yif tho thinges that ne han no [126] certein bytydingis ben ipurveied as certein, it [127] scholde ben dirknesse of opinioun, nat sothfastnesse [128] of science. And thou wenest that it be [129] dyvers fro the holnesse of science that any [130] man scholde deme a thing to ben otherwyse [131] than it is itself. [132] "And the cause of this errour is that of alle the [133] thingis that every wyght hath iknowe, [134] thei wenen that tho thingis ben iknowe al only by the [135] strengthe and by the nature of the thinges that [136] ben iwyst or iknowe. And it is al the contrarye; [137] for al that evere is iknowe, it is rather [138] comprehendid and knowen, nat aftir his [139] strengthe and his nature, but aftir the [140] faculte (that is to seyn, the power and the [141] nature) of hem that knowen. And, for [142] that this schal mowen schewen by a schort [143] ensaumple, the same rowndnesse of a body, [144] otherweys the sighte of the eighe knoweth it, [145] and otherweys the touchynge. The lookynge, by [146] castynge of his bemys, waiteth and seeth fro afer [147] al the body togidre, withoute moevynge of [148] itself; but the touchynge clyveth and conjoyneth [149] to the rounde body, and moeveth aboute [150] the envyrounynge, and comprehendeth by [151] parties the roundnesse. And the man [152] hymself, ootherweys wit byholdeth hym, and [153] ootherweys ymaginacioun, and otherweyes [154] resoun, and ootherweies intelligence. For the [155] wit comprehendith withoute-forth the figure of [156] the body of the man that is establisschid in the [157] matere subgett; but the ymaginacioun comprehendith [158] oonly the figure withoute the [159] matere; resoun surmountith ymaginacioun [160] and comprehendith by an universel lokynge [161] the comune spece that is in the [162] singuler peces. But the eighe of intelligence is [163] heyere, for it surmountith the envyrounynge of [164] the universite, and loketh over that bi pure [165] subtilte of thought thilke same symple forme of [166] man that is perdurablely in the devyne thought. [167] In whiche this oughte gretly to ben considered, [168] that the heyeste strengthe to comprehenden [169] thinges enbraseth and contienith the [170] lowere strengthe; but the lower strengthe [171] ne ariseth nat in no manere to the heyere [172] strengthe. For wit ne mai no thing comprehende [173] out of matere ne the ymaginacioun ne loketh nat [174] the universel speces, ne resoun ne taketh nat the [175] symple forme so as intelligence takith it; but [176] intelligence, that lookith as aboven, whanne it [177] hath comprehended the forme, it knowith and [178] demyth alle the thinges that ben undir that [179] foorme; but sche knoweth hem in thilke [180] manere in the whiche it comprehendith [181] thilke same symple forme that ne may [182] nevere ben knowen to noon of that othere (that [183] is to seyn, to none of tho thre forseyde strengthis [184] of the soule). For it knoweth the universite of [185] resoun, and the figure of ymaginacioun, and the [186] sensible material conceyved by wit; ne it ne [187] useth nat nor of resoun ne of ymaginacioun ne [188] of wit withoute-forth; but it byholdeth alle [189] thingis, so as I schal seie, by o strook of [190] thought formely (withoute discours or [191] collacioun). Certes resoun, whan it lokith [192] any thing universel, it ne useth nat of [193] ymaginacioun, nor of wit; and algatis yit it [194] comprehendith the thingis ymaginable and [195] sensible. For reson is she that diffynyscheth the [196] universel of here conceyte ryght thus: man is a [197] resonable two-foted beest. And how so that this [198] knowynge is universel, yit nis ther no wyght that [199] ne wot wel that a man is a thing ymaginable [200] and sensible; and this same considereth wel [201] resoun; but that nis nat by ymaginacioun [202] nor by wit, but it lookith it by resonable [203] concepcioun. Also ymaginacioun, albeit so that [204] it takith of wit the bygynnynges to seen and to [205] formen the figures, algates althoughe that wit ne [206] were nat present, yit it envyrowneth and [207] comprehendith alle thingis sensible, nat by [208] resoun sensible of demynge, but by resoun [209] ymaginatyf. Seestow nat thanne that alle [210] the thingis in knowynge usen more of hir [211] faculte or of hir power than thei don of the [212] faculte or power of thingis that ben iknowe? Ne [213] that nis nat wrong; for so as every jugement is [214] the dede or the doyng of hym that demeth, it [215] byhoveth that every wyght performe the werk [216] and his entencioun, nat of foreyne power, but of [217] his propre power. [1] "The porche (that is to seyn, a gate of the [2] toun of Athenis there as philosophris hadden [3] hir congregacioun to desputen) -- thilke porche [4] broughte somtyme olde men, ful dirke in hir [5] sentences (that is to seyn, philosophris that [6] hyghten Stoycienis), that wenden that ymages [7] and sensibilities (that is to seyn, sensible ymaginaciouns [8] or ellis ymaginaciouns of sensible [9] thingis) weren enprientid into soules fro [10] bodyes withoute-forth (as who seith that [11] thilke Stoycienis wenden that the sowle [12] had ben nakid of itself, as a mirour or a clene [13] parchemyn, so that alle figures most first [14] comen fro thinges fro withoute into soules, [15] and ben emprientid into soules); (Textus) [16] ryght as we ben wont somtyme by a swift [17] poyntel to fycchen lettres emprientid in the [18] smothnesse or in the pleynesse of the table of [19] wex or in parchemyn that ne hath no figure [20] ne note in it. (Glose. But now argueth [21] Boece ayens that opynioun and seith [22] thus:) But yif the thryvynge soule ne unpliteth [23] nothing (that is to seyn, ne doth nothing) by his [24] propre moevynges, but suffrith and lith subgit [25] to the figures and to the notes of bodies [26] withoute-forth, and yeldith ymages ydel and [27] vein in the manere of a mirour, whennes [28] thryveth thanne or whennes comith thilke [29] knowynge in our soule, that discernith and [30] byholdith alle thinges? And whennes is [31] thilke strengthe that byholdeth the singuler [32] thinges? Or whennes is the strengthe that [33] devydeth thinges iknowe; and thilke strengthe [34] that gadreth togidre the thingis devyded; and [35] the strengthe that chesith his entrechaunged [36] wey? For somtyme it hevyth up the heved (that [37] is to seyn, that it hevyth up the entencioun) to [38] ryght heye thinges, and somtyme it descendith [39] into ryght lowe thinges; and whan [40] it retorneth into hymself it reproveth and [41] destroyeth the false thingis by the trewe [42] thinges. Certes this strengthe is cause more [43] efficient, and mochel more myghty to seen and [44] to knowe thinges, than thilke cause that suffrith [45] and resceyveth the notes and the figures [46] empressid in manere of matere. Algatis the [47] passion (that is to seyn, the suffraunce or the wit) [48] in the quyke body goth byforn, excitynge and [49] moevynge the strengthes of the thought, [50] ryght so as whan that cleernesse smyteth [51] the eyen and moeveth hem to seen, or [52] ryght so as voys or soun hurteleth to the eres [53] and commoeveth hem to herkne; than is the [54] strengthe of the thought imoevid and excited, [55] and clepith forth to semblable moevyngis the [56] speces that it halt withynne itself, and addith [57] tho speces to the notes and to the thinges [58] withoute-forth, and medleth the ymagis of [59] thinges withoute-forth to the foormes ihidd [60] withynne hymself. [1] "But what yif that in bodyes to ben feled [2] (that is to seyn, in the takynge of knowlechynge [3] of bodily thinges), and albeit so that the [4] qualites of bodies that ben object fro withoute-forth [5] moeven and entalenten the instrumentz [6] of the wittes, and albeit so that the passioun [7] of the body (that is to seyn, the wit or the suffraunce) [8] goth toforn the strengthe of the wirkynge [9] corage, the whiche passioun or [10] sufraunce clepith forth the dede of the [11] thought in hymself and moeveth and exciteth [12] in this menewhile the formes that resten [13] within-forth, and yif that in sensible bodies, [14] as I have seid, our corage nis nat ytaught or [15] empriented by passioun to knowe thise thinges, [16] but demeth and knoweth of his owne strengthe [17] the passioun or suffrance subject to the body -- [18] moche more than tho thingis that ben absolut [19] and quit fro alle talentz or affecciouns of [20] bodyes (as God or his aungelis) ne folwen [21] nat in discernynge thinges object fro withoute-forth, [22] but thei acomplissen and speden [23] the dede of hir thought. By this resoun, [24] thanne, ther comen many maner knowynges to [25] dyverse and differynge substaunces. For the [26] wit of the body, the whiche wit is naked and [27] despoiled of alle oothre knowynges -- thilke [28] wit cometh to beestis that ne mowen nat [29] moeven hemself her and ther, as oistres [30] and muscles and oothir swich schellefyssche [31] of the see that clyven and ben norisschid [32] to roches. But the ymaginacioun cometh [33] to remuable bestis, that semen to han talent to [34] fleen or to desiren any thing. But resoun is al [35] oonly to the lynage of mankynde, ryght as [36] intelligence is oonly the devyne nature. Of [37] whiche it folweth that thilke knowynge is more [38] worth than thise oothre, syn it knoweth by his [39] propre nature nat oonly his subget (as who [40] seith, it ne knoweth nat al oonly that apertenith [41] properly to his knowinge) but it knoweth [42] the subjectz of alle othre knowynges. [43] "But how schal it thanne be, yif that wit and [44] ymaginacioun stryven ayein resonynge and seyn [45] that, of thilke universel thingis that resoun [46] weneth to seen, that it nis ryght naught? For wit [47] and ymaginacioun seyn that that that is sensible [48] or ymaginable, it ne mai nat ben universel; [49] thanne is either the jugement of resoun [50] soth, ne that ther nis no thing sensible; or [51] elles, for that resoun woot wel that many [52] thinges ben subject to wit and to ymaginacioun, [53] thanne is the concepcioun of resoun veyn and [54] fals, whiche that lokith and comprehendith that [55] that is sensible and singuler as universel. And yif [56] that resoun wolde answere ayein to thise two [57] (that is to seyn, to wit and to ymaginacioun), [58] and seyn that sothly sche hirselve (that is to [59] seyn, resoun) lokith and comprehendith, [60] by resoun of universalite, bothe that that is [61] sensible and that that is ymaginable; [62] and that thilke two (that is to seyn, wit and [63] ymaginacioun) ne mowen nat strecchen ne [64] enhaunsen hemself to knowynge of universalite, [65] for that the knowynge of hem ne mai exceden ne [66] surmounten the bodily figures: certes of the [67] knowynge of thinges, men oughten rather yeven [68] credence to the more stidfast and to the mor [69] parfit jugement; in this manere stryvynge, [70] thanne, we that han strengthe of resonynge [71] and of ymagynynge and of wit (that is to [72] seyn, by resoun and by imagynacioun and by [73] wit), we scholde rathir preise the cause of resoun [74] (as who seith, than the cause of wit and of [75] ymaginacioun). [76] "Semblable thing is it, that the resoun of [77] mankynde ne weneth nat that the devyne [78] intelligence byholdeth or knoweth thingis to [79] comen, but ryght as the resoun of [80] mankynde knoweth hem. For thou arguist [81] and seist thus: that if it ne seme nat to men [82] that some thingis han certeyn and necessarie [83] bytydynges, thei ne mowen nat ben wist byforn [84] certeinly to betyden, and thanne nis ther no [85] prescience of thilke thinges; and yif we trowe [86] that prescience be in thise thingis, thanne is ther [87] nothing that it ne bytydeth by necessite. But [88] certes yif we myghten han the jugement of [89] the devyne thoght, as we ben parsoners of [90] resoun, ryght so as we han demyd that it [91] byhovith that ymaginacioun and wit ben [92] bynethe resoun, ryght so wolde we demen that [93] it were ryghtfull thing that mannys resoun [94] oughte to summytten itself and to ben bynethe [95] the devyne thought. For whiche yif that we [96] mowen (as who seith that, if that we mowen, [97] I conseile that) we enhaunse us into the heighte [98] of thilke soverein intelligence; for ther schal [99] resoun wel seen that that it ne mai nat [100] byholden in itself, and certes that is this: [101] in what manere the prescience of God [102] seeth alle thinges certeins and diffinyssched, [103] althoughe thei ne han no certein issues or [104] bytydyngis; ne this nis noon opinioun, but it is [105] rather the simplicite of the soverein science, [106] that nis nat enclosed nor ischet withinne none [107] boundes. [1] "The beestes passen by the erthes be ful [2] diverse figures. For some of hem han hir bodyes [3] straught, and crepyn in the dust, and drawen [4] aftir hem a traas or a furwe icontynued (that [5] is to sein, as naddres or snakes); and oothre [6] beestis by the wandrynge lyghtnesse of hir [7] wynges beten the wyndes, and overswymmen [8] the spaces of the longe eir by moyst fleynge; [9] and oothere beestes gladen hemself to diggen [10] hir traas or hir steppys in the erthe [11] with hir goinges or with hir feet, and to [12] gon either by the grene feeldes or elles to [13] walken undir the wodes. And al be it so that [14] thou seest that thei alle discorden by diverse [15] foormes, algatis hir faces enclyned hevyeth hir [16] dulle wittes. Only the lynage of man heveth [17] heyest his heie heved, and stondith light with [18] his upryght body, and byholdeth the erthes [19] undir hym. And, but yif thou, erthly man, [20] waxest yvel out of thi wit, this figure [21] amonesteth the, that axest the hevene with [22] thi ryghte visage and hast areised thi forheved, [23] to beren up an hye thi corage, so that thi thought [24] ne be nat ihevyed ne put lowe undir fote, syn [25] that thi body is so heyghe areysed. [1] "Therfore thanne, as I have schewed a litel [2] herebyforne that alle thing that is iwist nis nat [3] knowen by his nature propre, but by the nature [4] of hem that comprehenden it, lat us loke [5] now, in as mochil as it is leveful to us (as who [6] seith, lat us loke now as we mowen) whiche that [7] the estat is of the devyne substaunce; so that [8] we mowe eek knowen what his science is. The [9] comune jugement of alle creatures resonables [10] thanne is this: that God is eterne. [11] Lat us considere thanne what is eternite; [12] for certes that schal schewen us togidre the [13] devyne nature and the devyne science. Eternite, [14] thanne, is parfit possessioun and al togidre [15] of lif interminable; and that scheweth. more [16] cleerly by the comparysoun or collacioun of [17] temporel thinges. For alle thing that lyveth in [18] tyme, it is present and procedith fro preteritz [19] into futures (that is to seyn, fro tyme passed [20] into tyme comynge), ne ther nis nothing [21] establisshed in tyme that mai enbrasen togidre [22] al the space of his lif. For certis yit ne [23] hath it nat taken the tyme of tomorwe, and it [24] hath lost that of yusterday, and certes in the [25] lif of this dai ye ne lyve namore but right [26] as in this moevable and transitorie moment. [27] Thanne thilke thing that suffreth temporel condicioun, [28] althoughe that it nevere bygan to [29] be, ne thoughe it nevere ne cese for to be, [30] as Aristotile deemed of the world, and [31] althoughe that the lif of it be strecchid with [32] infinite of tyme; yit algatis nis it no swich thing [33] that men mighten trowen by ryght that it is [34] eterne. For althouhe that it comprehende and [35] embrase the space of lif infinit, yit algatis ne [36] enbraseth it nat the space of the lif al togidre; for [37] it ne hath nat the futuris (that ne ben nat yit), [38] ne it ne hath no lengere the preteritz (that [39] ben idoon or ipassed). But thilke thing, [40] thanne, that hath and comprehendith [41] togidre al the plente of the lif interminable, [42] to whom ther ne faileth naught of the future, and [43] to whom ther nis noght of the preteryt escaped [44] nor ipassed, thilke same is iwitnessed and [45] iproevid by right to ben eterne; and it byhovith [46] by necessite that thilke thing be alwey present to [47] hymself and compotent (as who seith, alwey [48] present to hymselve and so myghty that al be [49] right at his plesaunce), and that he have al [50] present the infinit of the moevable tyme. [51] "Wherfore som men trowen wrongfully [52] that, whan thei heren that it semede to Plato that [53] this world ne hadde nevere bygynnynge of [54] tyme, ne that it nevere schal han failynge, thei [55] wenen in this manere that this world be makid [56] coeterne with his makere. (As who seith, thei [57] wene that this world and God ben makid [58] togidre eterne, and that is a wrongful wenynge.) [59] For other thing is it to ben ilad [60] by lif interminable, as Plato grauntide to [61] the world, and oothir is it to enbrace [62] togidre al the presence of the lif intermynable, [63] the whiche thing it is cleer and manyfest that it [64] is propre to the devyne thought. Ne it ne [65] scholde nat semen to us that God is eldere than [66] thinges that ben imaked by quantite of tyme, but [67] rathir by the proprete of his simple nature. For [68] this ilke infinit moevyng of temporel thinges [69] folweth this presentarie estat of the lif [70] inmoevable; and, so as it ne mai nat [71] contrefetin it ne feynen it, ne be evene lik [72] to it, [fro] the immoevablete (that is to sein, that [73] is in the eternite of God) it faileth and fallith into [74] moevynge, [and] fro the simplicite of the [75] presence of [God] disencresith into the infinit [76] quantite of future and of preterit; and so as it ne [77] mai nat han togidre al the plente of the lif, [78] algates yit, for as moche as it ne ceseth nevere for [79] to ben in som manere, it semyth somdel to [80] us that it folwith and resembleth thilke [81] thing that it ne mai nat atayne to ne [82] fulfillen, and byndeth itself to som maner [83] presence of this litle and swift moment, the [84] whiche presence of this litle and swifte moment, [85] for that it bereth a maner ymage or liknesse of [86] the ai duellynge presence of God, it grauntith to [87] swich manere thinges as it betydith to that it [88] semeth hem that thise thinges han iben and ben. [89] And for that the presence of swiche litil [90] moment ne mai nat duelle, therfore it [91] ravysschide and took the infynit wey of [92] tyme (that is to seyn, by successioun). And by [93] this manere is it idoon for that it sholde contynue [94] the lif in goinge, of the whiche lif it ne myght nat [95] enbrace the plente in duellinge. And forthi yif [96] we wollen putten worthi names to thinges and [97] folwen Plato, lat us seyen thanne sothly that God [98] is `eterne,' and that the world is `perpetuel.' [99] "Thanne, syn that every jugement knoweth [100] and comprehendith by his owne nature [101] thinges that ben subgect unto hym, [102] ther is sothly to God alweys an eterne [103] and presentarie estat; and the science of hym, that [104] overpasseth alle temporel moevement, duelleth [105] in the simplicite of his presence, and embraceth [106] and considereth alle the infynit spaces of tymes [107] preteritz and futures, and lokith in his simple [108] knowynge alle thinges of preterit ryght as thei [109] weren idoon presently ryght now. Yif [110] thou wolt thanne thinken and avise the [111] prescience by whiche it knoweth alle [112] thinges, thou ne schalt naught demen it as [113] prescience of thinges to comen, but thou schalt [114] demen more ryghtfully that it is science of [115] presence or of instaunce that nevere ne faileth. [116] For whiche it nis nat ycleped `previdence,' but it [117] sholde rathir ben clepid `purveaunce,' that is [118] establisshed ful fer fro ryght lowe thinges, and [119] byholdeth fro afer alle thingis, right as it [120] were fro the heye heighte of thinges. [121] "Why axestow thanne, or whi desputestow [122] thanne, that thilke thingis ben doon [123] by necessite whiche that ben yseyn and knowen [124] by the devyne sighte, syn that forsothe men ne [125] maken nat thilke thinges necessarie whiche that [126] thei seen ben idoon in hir sighte? For addith thi [127] byholdynge any necessite to thilke thinges that [128] thou byholdest present?" [129] "Nay," quod I. [130] Philosophie. "Certes, thanne, yif men [131] myghte maken any digne comparysoun or [132] collacioun of the presence devyne and of the [133] presence of mankynde, ryght so as ye seen some [134] thinges in this temporel present, ryght so seeth [135] God alle thinges by his eterne present. [136] "Wherfore this devyne prescience ne chaungeth [137] nat the nature ne the proprete of thinges, [138] but byholdeth swiche thingis present to hym-ward [139] as thei shollen betyde to yow-ward [140] in tyme to comen. Ne it ne confowndeth [141] nat the jugementz of thingis; but by o [142] sight of his thought he knoweth the thinges [143] to comen, as wel necessarie as nat necessarie. [144] Ryght so as whan ye seen togidre a man walke [145] on the erthe and the sonne arisen in the [146] hevene, albeit so that ye seen and byholden the [147] ton and the tothir togidre, yit natheles ye demen [148] and discerne that the toon is voluntarie [149] and the tothir is necessarie. Ryght so [150] thanne the devyne lookynge, byholdynge [151] alle thinges undir hym, ne trowbleth nat [152] the qualite of thinges that ben certeinly present [153] to hym-ward but, as to the condicioun of tyme, [154] forsothe thei ben futur. For which it folwith that [155] this nis noon opynioun, but rathir a stidfast [156] knowynge istrengthid by soothnesse that, whan [157] that God knoweth any thing to be, he ne unwot [158] not that thilke thing wantith necessite to be. [159] (This is to sein that whan that God knoweth [160] any thing to betide, he wot wel that it ne [161] hath no necessite to betyde.) [162] "And yif thou seist here that thilke thing that [163] God seeth to betide, it ne may nat unbytide (as [164] who seith, it moot bytide), and thilke thing that [165] ne mai nat unbytide, it mot bytiden by necessite, [166] and that thou streyne me to this name of [167] necessite, certes I wol wel confessen and [168] byknowen a thing of ful sad trouthe. But [169] unnethe schal ther any wight mowe seen it [170] or come therto, but yif that he be [171] byholdere of the devyne thought. For I wol [172] answeren the thus: that thilke thing that is futur, [173] whan it is referred to the devyne knowynge, [174] than is it necessarie; but certis whan it is [175] undirstonden in his owene kynde, men seen it [176] outrely fre and absolut fro alle necessite. [177] "For certes ther ben two maneris of [178] necessites: that oon necessite is symple, as thus: [179] that it byhovith by necessite that alle men [180] ben mortal or dedly; anothir necessite is [181] condicionel, as thus: yif thow wost that a [182] man walketh, it byhovith by necessite that he [183] walke. Thilke thing, thanne, that any wight hath [184] iknowe to be, it ne mai ben noon oothir weys [185] thanne he knowith it to be. But this condicion ne [186] draweth nat with hir thilke necessite simple; for [187] certes this necessite condicionel -- the propre [188] nature of it ne makith it nat, but the adjeccioun [189] of the condicioun makith it. For no necessite [190] ne constreyneth a man to gon that [191] goth by his propre wil, al be it so that whan [192] he goth that it is necessarie that he goth. Ryght [193] on this same manere thanne, yf that the [194] purveaunce of God seeth any thyng present, [195] than moot thilke thing ben by necessite, [196] althoghe that it ne have no necessite of his owne [197] nature. But certes the futures that bytiden by [198] fredom of arbitrie, God seth hem alle togidre [199] presentz. Thise thinges thanne, yif thei ben [200] referrid to the devyne sighte, than ben they [201] maked necessarie by the condicioun of the [202] devyne knowynge. But certes yif thilke thingis [203] ben considered by hemself, thei ben absolut of [204] necessite, and ne forleten nat ne cesen nat of [205] the liberte of hir owne nature. Thanne certes [206] withoute doute alle the thinges shollen ben [207] doon whiche that God woot byforn that thei ben [208] to comen. But some of hem comen and bytiden [209] of fre arbitrie or of fre wil, that, al be it so [210] that thei bytiden, yit algates ne lese thei nat [211] hir propre nature in beinge, by the whiche, [212] first or that thei weren idon, thei hadden power [213] noght to han bytyd." [214] Boece. "What is this to seyn thanne," quod I, [215] "that thinges ne ben nat necessarie by hir propre [216] nature, so as thei comen in alle maneris in the [217] liknesse of necessite by the condicioun of the [218] devyne science?" [219] Philosophie. "This is the difference," [220] quod sche, "that tho thinges that I purposide [221] the a litil herbyforn -- that is to seyn, [222] the sonne arysynge and the man walkynge -- [223] that ther-whiles that thilke thinges ben idoon, [224] they ne myghte nat ben undoon; natheles that [225] oon of hem, or it was idoon, it byhovide by [226] necessite that it was idoon, but nat that oothir. [227] Ryght so is it here, that the thinges that God [228] hath present, withoute doute thei shollen ben. [229] But some of hem descendith of the nature [230] of thinges (as the sonne arysynge); and [231] some descendith of the power of the doeris [232] (as the man walkynge). Thanne seide I no wrong [233] that, yif that thise thinges ben referred to the [234] devyne knowynge, thanne ben thei necessarie; [235] and yif thei ben considered by hemself, than ben [236] thei absolut fro the boond of necessite. Right so [237] as alle thingis that apiereth or scheweth to the [238] wittes, yif thou referre it to resoun, it is [239] universel; and yif thou loke it or referre it [240] to itself, than is it singuler. [241] "But now yif thou seist thus: that, `If it be [242] in my power to chaunge my purpos, than schal [243] I voiden the purveaunce of God, whan paraventure [244] I schal han chaungid the thingis that [245] he knoweth byforn,' thanne schal I answeren [246] the thus: `Certes thou maist wel chaungen thi [247] purpos; but for as mochil as the present [248] sothnesse of the devyne purveaunce byholdeth [249] that thou maist chaunge thi purpos, and [250] whethir thou wolt chaunge it or no, and [251] whider-ward that thou torne it, thou ne [252] maist nat eschuen the devyne prescience, ryght [253] as thou ne maist nat fleen the sighte of the [254] present eye, althoghe that thou torne thiself by [255] thi fre wil into diverse acciouns.' But thou maist [256] sein ayein: `How schal it thanne be -- schal nat [257] the devyne science ben chaunged by my [258] disposicioun whan that I wol o thing now and [259] now anothir? And thilke prescience -- ne [260] semeth it nat to entrechaunge stoundis of [261] knowynge?'" (As who seith, ne schal it nat [262] seme to us that the devyne prescience entrechaungith [263] hise diverse stoundes of knowynge, [264] so that it knowe somtyme o thing, and somtyme [265] the contrarie?) [266] "No, forsothe," quod she, "for the devyne [267] sighte renneth toforn and seeth alle futures, and [268] clepith hem ayen and retorneth hem to the [269] presence of his propre knowynge; ne he ne [270] entrechaungith nat, so as thou wenest, the [271] stoundes of foreknowynge, as now this, [272] now that; but he ay duellynge cometh byforn, [273] and enbraseth at o strook alle thi mutaciouns. [274] And this presence to comprehenden and to seen [275] alle thingis -- God ne hath nat taken it of the [276] bytidynge of thinges to come, but of his propre [277] symplicite. And herby is assoiled thilke thing [278] that thou puttest a litel herebyforn; that is to [279] seyn, that it is unworthy thing to seyn that [280] our futures yeven cause of the science of [281] God. For certis this strengthe of the devyne [282] science, whiche that embraseth alle thinges by [283] his presentarie knowynge, establissheth manere [284] to alle thinges, and it ne oweth nawht to lattere [285] thinges. [286] "And syn that thise thinges ben thus (that is [287] to seyn, syn that necessite nis nat in thinges by [288] the devyne prescience), thanne is ther fredom of [289] arbitrie, that duelleth hool and unwemmed [290] to mortal men; ne the lawes ne purposen [291] nat wikkidly medes and peynes to the [292] willynges of men that ben unbownden and quyt [293] of alle necessite; and God, byholdere and [294] forwytere of alle thingis, duelleth above, and the [295] present eternite of his sighte renneth alwey with [296] the diverse qualite of our dedes, dispensynge [297] and ordeynynge medes to gode men and [298] tormentz to wikkide men. Ne in ydel ne in veyn [299] ne ben ther put in God hope and preyeris [300] that ne mowen nat ben unspedful ne [301] withouten effect whan they been ryghtful. [302] "Withstond thanne and eschue thou vices; [303] worschipe and love thou vertues; areise thi [304] corage to ryghtful hopes; yilde thou humble [305] preieres an heyhe. Gret necessite of prowesse [306] and vertu is encharged and comaunded to yow, [307] yif ye nil nat dissimulen; syn that ye worken and [308] don (that is to seyn, your dedes or your werkes) [309] byforn the eyen of the juge that seeth and [310] demeth alle thinges." The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Troilus and Criseyde Book 1 [1] The double sorwe of Troilus to tellen, [2] That was the kyng Priamus sone of Troye, [3] In lovynge, how his aventures fellen [4] Fro wo to wele, and after out of joie, [5] My purpos is, er that I parte fro ye. [6] Thesiphone, thow help me for t' endite [7] Thise woful vers, that wepen as I write. [8] To the clepe I, thow goddesse of torment, [9] Thow cruwel Furie, sorwynge evere in peyne, [10] Help me, that am the sorwful instrument, [11] That helpeth loveres, as I kan, to pleyne; [12] For wel sit it, the sothe for to seyne, [13] A woful wight to han a drery feere, [14] And to a sorwful tale, a sory chere. [15] For I, that God of Loves servantz serve, [16] Ne dar to Love, for myn unliklynesse, [17] Preyen for speed, al sholde I therfore sterve, [18] So fer am I from his help in derknesse. [19] But natheles, if this may don gladnesse [20] Unto any lovere, and his cause availle, [21] Have he my thonk, and myn be this travaille! [22] But ye loveres, that bathen in gladnesse, [23] If any drope of pyte in yow be, [24] Remembreth yow on passed hevynesse [25] That ye han felt, and on the adversite [26] Of othere folk, and thynketh how that ye [27] Han felt that Love dorste yow displese, [28] Or ye han wonne hym with to gret an ese. [29] And preieth for hem that ben in the cas [30] Of Troilus, as ye may after here, [31] That Love hem brynge in hevene to solas; [32] And ek for me preieth to God so dere [33] That I have myght to shewe, in som manere, [34] Swich peyne and wo as Loves folk endure, [35] In Troilus unsely aventure. [36] And biddeth ek for hem that ben despeired [37] In love, that nevere nyl recovered be, [38] And ek for hem that falsly ben apeired [39] Thorugh wikked tonges, be it he or she; [40] Thus biddeth God, for his benignite, [41] So graunte hem soone owt of this world to pace, [42] That ben despeired out of Loves grace. [43] And biddeth ek for hem that ben at ese, [44] That God hem graunte ay good perseveraunce, [45] And sende hem myght hire ladies so to plese [46] That it to Love be worship and plesaunce. [47] For so hope I my sowle best avaunce, [48] To prey for hem that Loves servauntz be, [49] And write hire wo, and lyve in charite, [50] And for to have of hem compassioun, [51] As though I were hire owne brother dere. [52] Now herkneth with a good entencioun, [53] For now wil I gon streght to my matere, [54] In which ye may the double sorwes here [55] Of Troilus in lovynge of Criseyde, [56] And how that she forsook hym er she deyde. [57] Yt is wel wist how that the Grekes stronge [58] In armes with a thousand shippes wente [59] To Troiewardes, and the cite longe [60] Assegeden, neigh ten yer er they stente, [61] And in diverse wise and oon entente, [62] The ravysshyng to wreken of Eleyne, [63] By Paris don, they wroughten al hir peyne. [64] Now fel it so that in the town ther was [65] Dwellynge a lord of gret auctorite, [66] A gret devyn, that clepid was Calkas, [67] That in science so expert was that he [68] Knew wel that Troie sholde destroied be, [69] By answere of his god, that highte thus: [70] Daun Phebus or Appollo Delphicus. [71] So whan this Calkas knew by calkulynge, [72] And ek by answer of this Appollo, [73] That Grekes sholden swich a peple brynge, [74] Thorugh which that Troie moste ben fordo, [75] He caste anon out of the town to go; [76] For wel wiste he by sort that Troye sholde [77] Destroyed ben, ye, wolde whoso nolde. [78] For which for to departen softely [79] Took purpos ful this forknowynge wise, [80] And to the Grekes oost ful pryvely [81] He stal anon; and they, in curteys wise, [82] Hym diden bothe worship and servyce, [83] In trust that he hath konnynge hem to rede [84] In every peril which that is to drede. [85] Gret rumour gan, whan it was first aspied [86] Thorugh al the town, and generaly was spoken, [87] That Calkas traitour fled was and allied [88] With hem of Grece, and casten to be wroken [89] On hym that falsly hadde his feith so broken, [90] And seyden he and al his kyn at-ones [91] Ben worthi for to brennen, fel and bones. [92] Now hadde Calkas left in this meschaunce, [93] Al unwist of this false and wikked dede, [94] His doughter, which that was in gret penaunce, [95] For of hire lif she was ful sore in drede, [96] As she that nyste what was best to rede; [97] For bothe a widewe was she and allone [98] Of any frend to whom she dorste hir mone. [99] Criseyde was this lady name al right. [100] As to my doom, in al Troies cite [101] Nas non so fair, forpassynge every wight, [102] So aungelik was hir natif beaute, [103] That lik a thing inmortal semed she, [104] As doth an hevenyssh perfit creature, [105] That down were sent in scornynge of nature. [106] This lady, which that alday herd at ere [107] Hire fadres shame, his falsnesse and tresoun, [108] Wel neigh out of hir wit for sorwe and fere, [109] In widewes habit large of samyt broun, [110] On knees she fil biforn Ector adown [111] With pitous vois, and tendrely wepynge, [112] His mercy bad, hirselven excusynge. [113] Now was this Ector pitous of nature, [114] And saugh that she was sorwfully bigon, [115] And that she was so fair a creature; [116] Of his goodnesse he gladede hire anon, [117] And seyde, "Lat youre fadres treson gon [118] Forth with meschaunce, and ye youreself in joie [119] Dwelleth with us, whil yow good list, in Troie. [120] "And al th' onour that men may don yow have, [121] As ferforth as youre fader dwelled here, [122] Ye shul have, and youre body shal men save, [123] As fer as I may ought enquere or here." [124] And she hym thonked with ful humble chere, [125] And ofter wolde, and it hadde ben his wille, [126] And took hire leve, and hom, and held hir stille. [127] And in hire hous she abood with swich meyne [128] As til hire honour nede was to holde; [129] And whil she was dwellynge in that cite, [130] Kepte hir estat, and both of yonge and olde [131] Ful wel biloved, and wel men of hir tolde. [132] But wheither that she children hadde or noon, [133] I rede it naught, therfore I late it goon. [134] The thynges fellen, as they don of werre, [135] Bitwixen hem of Troie and Grekes ofte; [136] For som day boughten they of Troie it derre, [137] And eft the Grekes founden nothing softe [138] The folk of Troie; and thus Fortune on lofte [139] And under eft gan hem to whielen bothe [140] Aftir hir course, ay whil that thei were wrothe. [141] But how this town com to destruccion [142] Ne falleth naught to purpos me to telle, [143] For it were a long digression [144] Fro my matere, and yow to long to dwelle. [145] But the Troian gestes, as they felle, [146] In Omer, or in Dares, or in Dite, [147] Whoso that kan may rede hem as they write. [148] But though that Grekes hem of Troie shetten, [149] And hir cite biseged al aboute, [150] Hire olde usage nolde they nat letten, [151] As for to honoure hir goddes ful devoute; [152] But aldirmost in honour, out of doute, [153] Thei hadde a relik, heet Palladion, [154] That was hire trist aboven everichon. [155] And so bifel, whan comen was the tyme [156] Of Aperil, whan clothed is the mede [157] With newe grene, of lusty Veer the pryme, [158] And swote smellen floures white and rede, [159] In sondry wises shewed, as I rede, [160] The folk of Troie hire observaunces olde, [161] Palladiones feste for to holde. [162] And to the temple, in al hir beste wise, [163] In general ther wente many a wight, [164] To herknen of Palladions servyce; [165] And namely, so many a lusty knyght, [166] So many a lady fressh and mayden bright, [167] Ful wel arayed, both meeste, mene, and leste, [168] Ye, bothe for the seson and the feste. [169] Among thise othere folk was Criseyda, [170] In widewes habit blak; but natheles, [171] Right as oure firste lettre is now an A, [172] In beaute first so stood she, makeles. [173] Hire goodly lokyng gladed al the prees. [174] Nas nevere yet seyn thyng to ben preysed derre, [175] Nor under cloude blak so bright a sterre [176] As was Criseyde, as folk seyde everichone [177] That hir behelden in hir blake wede. [178] And yet she stood ful lowe and stille allone, [179] Byhynden other folk, in litel brede, [180] And neigh the dore, ay undre shames drede, [181] Simple of atir and debonaire of chere, [182] With ful assured lokyng and manere. [183] This Troilus, as he was wont to gide [184] His yonge knyghtes, lad hem up and down [185] In thilke large temple on every side, [186] Byholding ay the ladies of the town, [187] Now here, now there; for no devocioun [188] Hadde he to non, to reven hym his reste, [189] But gan to preise and lakken whom hym leste. [190] And in his walk ful faste he gan to wayten [191] If knyght or squyer of his compaignie [192] Gan for to syke, or lete his eighen baiten [193] On any womman that he koude espye. [194] He wolde smyle and holden it folye, [195] And seye hym thus, "God woot, she slepeth softe [196] For love of the, whan thow turnest ful ofte! [197] "I have herd told, pardieux, of youre lyvynge, [198] Ye loveres, and youre lewed observaunces, [199] And which a labour folk han in wynnynge [200] Of love, and in the kepyng which doutaunces; [201] And whan youre prey is lost, woo and penaunces. [202] O veray fooles, nyce and blynde be ye! [203] Ther nys nat oon kan war by other be." [204] And with that word he gan caste up the browe, [205] Ascaunces, "Loo! is this naught wisely spoken?" [206] At which the God of Love gan loken rowe [207] Right for despit, and shop for to ben wroken. [208] He kidde anon his bowe nas naught broken; [209] For sodeynly he hitte hym atte fulle -- [210] And yet as proud a pekok kan he pulle. [211] O blynde world, O blynde entencioun! [212] How often falleth al the effect contraire [213] Of surquidrie and foul presumpcioun; [214] For kaught is proud, and kaught is debonaire. [215] This Troilus is clomben on the staire, [216] And litel weneth that he moot descenden; [217] But alday faileth thing that fooles wenden. [218] As proude Bayard gynneth for to skippe [219] Out of the weye, so pryketh hym his corn, [220] Til he a lasshe have of the longe whippe -- [221] Than thynketh he, "Though I praunce al byforn [222] First in the trays, ful fat and newe shorn, [223] Yet am I but an hors, and horses lawe [224] I moot endure, and with my feres drawe" -- [225] So ferde it by this fierse and proude knyght: [226] Though he a worthy kynges sone were, [227] And wende nothing hadde had swich myght [228] Ayeyns his wille that shuld his herte stere, [229] Yet with a look his herte wex a-fere, [230] That he that now was moost in pride above, [231] Wax sodeynly moost subgit unto love. [232] Forthy ensample taketh of this man, [233] Ye wise, proude, and worthi folkes alle, [234] To scornen Love, which that so soone kan [235] The fredom of youre hertes to hym thralle; [236] For evere it was, and evere it shal byfalle, [237] That Love is he that alle thing may bynde, [238] For may no man fordon the lawe of kynde. [239] That this be soth, hath preved and doth yit. [240] For this trowe I ye knowen alle or some, [241] Men reden nat that folk han gretter wit [242] Than they that han be most with love ynome; [243] And strengest folk ben therwith overcome, [244] The worthiest and grettest of degree: [245] This was, and is, and yet men shall it see. [246] And trewelich it sit wel to be so, [247] For alderwisest han therwith ben plesed; [248] And they that han ben aldermost in wo, [249] With love han ben comforted moost and esed; [250] And ofte it hath the cruel herte apesed, [251] And worthi folk maad worthier of name, [252] And causeth moost to dreden vice and shame. [253] Now sith it may nat goodly ben withstonde, [254] And is a thing so vertuous in kynde, [255] Refuseth nat to Love for to ben bonde, [256] Syn, as hymselven liste, he may yow bynde; [257] The yerde is bet that bowen wole and wynde [258] Than that that brest, and therfore I yow rede [259] To folowen hym that so wel kan yow lede. [260] But for to tellen forth in special [261] Of this kynges sone of which I tolde, [262] And leten other thing collateral, [263] Of hym thenke I my tale forth to holde, [264] Both of his joie and of his cares colde; [265] And al his werk, as touching this matere, [266] For I it gan, I wol therto refere. [267] Withinne the temple he wente hym forth pleyinge, [268] This Troilus, of every wight aboute, [269] On this lady, and now on that, lokynge, [270] Wher so she were of town or of withoute; [271] And upon cas bifel that thorugh a route [272] His eye percede, and so depe it wente, [273] Til on Criseyde it smot, and ther it stente. [274] And sodeynly he wax therwith astoned, [275] And gan hir bet biholde in thrifty wise. [276] "O mercy, God," thoughte he, "wher hastow woned, [277] That art so feyr and goodly to devise?" [278] Therwith his herte gan to sprede and rise, [279] And softe sighed, lest men myghte hym here, [280] And caught ayeyn his firste pleyinge chere. [281] She nas nat with the leste of hire stature, [282] But alle hire lymes so wel answerynge [283] Weren to wommanhod, that creature [284] Was nevere lasse mannyssh in semynge; [285] And ek the pure wise of hire mevynge [286] Shewed wel that men myght in hire gesse [287] Honour, estat, and wommanly noblesse. [288] To Troilus right wonder wel with alle [289] Gan for to like hire mevynge and hire chere, [290] Which somdel deignous was, for she let falle [291] Hire look a lite aside in swich manere, [292] Ascaunces, "What, may I nat stonden here?" [293] And after that hir lokynge gan she lighte, [294] That nevere thoughte hym seen so good a syghte. [295] And of hire look in him ther gan to quyken [296] So gret desir and such affeccioun, [297] That in his herte botme gan to stiken [298] Of hir his fixe and depe impressioun. [299] And though he erst hadde poured up and down, [300] He was tho glad his hornes in to shrinke: [301] Unnethes wiste he how to loke or wynke. [302] Lo, he that leet hymselven so konnynge, [303] And scorned hem that Loves peynes dryen, [304] Was ful unwar that Love hadde his dwellynge [305] Withinne the subtile stremes of hire yen; [306] That sodeynly hym thoughte he felte dyen, [307] Right with hire look, the spirit in his herte: [308] Blissed be Love, that kan thus folk converte! [309] She, this in blak, likynge to Troilus [310] Over alle thing, he stood for to biholde; [311] Ne his desir, ne wherfore he stood thus, [312] He neither chere made, ne word tolde; [313] But from afer, his manere for to holde, [314] On other thing his look som tyme he caste, [315] And eft on hire, whil that servyse laste. [316] And after this, nat fullich al awhaped, [317] Out of the temple al esilich he wente, [318] Repentynge hym that he hadde evere ijaped [319] Of Loves folk, lest fully the descente [320] Of scorn fille on hymself; but what he mente, [321] Lest it were wist on any manere syde, [322] His woo he gan dissimilen and hide. [323] Whan he was fro the temple thus departed, [324] He streght anon unto his paleys torneth. [325] Right with hire look thorugh-shoten and thorugh-darted, [326] Al feyneth he in lust that he sojorneth, [327] And al his chere and speche also he borneth, [328] And ay of Loves servantz every while, [329] Hymself to wrye, at hem he gan to smyle, [330] And seyde, "Lord, so ye lyve al in lest, [331] Ye loveres! For the konnyngeste of yow, [332] That serveth most ententiflich and best, [333] Hym tit as often harm therof as prow. [334] Youre hire is quyt ayeyn, ye, God woot how! [335] Nought wel for wel, but scorn for good servyse. [336] In feith, youre ordre is ruled in good wise! [337] "In nouncerteyn ben alle youre observaunces, [338] But it a sely fewe pointes be; [339] Ne no thing asketh so gret attendaunces [340] As doth youre lay, and that knowe alle ye; [341] But that is nat the worste, as mote I the! [342] But, tolde I yow the worste point, I leve, [343] Al seyde I soth, ye wolden at me greve. [344] "But take this: that ye loveres ofte eschuwe, [345] Or elles doon, of good entencioun, [346] Ful ofte thi lady wol it mysconstruwe, [347] And deme it harm in hire oppynyoun; [348] And yet if she, for other enchesoun, [349] Be wroth, than shaltow have a groyn anon. [350] Lord, wel is hym that may ben of yow oon!" [351] But for al this, whan that he say his tyme, [352] He held his pees -- non other boote hym gayned -- [353] For love bigan his fetheres so to lyme [354] That wel unnethe until his folk he fayned [355] That other besy nedes hym destrayned; [356] For wo was hym, that what to doon he nyste, [357] But bad his folk to gon wher that hem liste. [358] And whan that he in chambre was allone, [359] He doun upon his beddes feet hym sette, [360] And first he gan to sike, and eft to grone, [361] And thought ay on hire so, withouten lette, [362] That, as he sat and wook, his spirit mette [363] That he hire saugh a-temple, and al the wise [364] Right of hire look, and gan it newe avise. [365] Thus gan he make a mirour of his mynde [366] In which he saugh al holly hire figure, [367] And that he wel koude in his herte fynde. [368] It was to hym a right good aventure [369] To love swich oon, and if he dede his cure [370] To serven hir, yet myghte he falle in grace, [371] Or ellis for oon of hire servantz pace. [372] Imagenynge that travaille nor grame [373] Ne myghte for so goodly oon be lorn [374] As she, ne hym for his desir no shame, [375] Al were it wist, but in pris and up-born [376] Of alle lovers wel more than biforn, [377] Thus argumented he in his gynnynge, [378] Ful unavysed of his woo comynge. [379] Thus took he purpos loves craft to suwe, [380] And thoughte he wolde werken pryvely, [381] First to hiden his desir in muwe [382] From every wight yborn, al outrely, [383] But he myghte ought recovered be therby, [384] Remembryng hym that love to wide yblowe [385] Yelt bittre fruyt, though swete seed be sowe. [386] And over al this, yet muchel more he thoughte [387] What for to speke, and what to holden inne; [388] And what to arten hire to love he soughte, [389] And on a song anon-right to bygynne, [390] And gan loude on his sorwe for to wynne; [391] For with good hope he gan fully assente [392] Criseyde for to love, and nought repente. [393] And of his song naught only the sentence, [394] As writ myn auctour called Lollius, [395] But pleinly, save oure tonges difference, [396] I dar wel seyn, in al, that Troilus [397] Seyde in his song, loo, every word right thus [398] As I shal seyn; and whoso list it here, [399] Loo, next this vers he may it fynden here. [400] "If no love is, O God, what fele I so? [401] And if love is, what thing and which is he? [402] If love be good, from whennes cometh my woo? [403] If it be wikke, a wonder thynketh me, [404] When every torment and adversite [405] That cometh of hym may to me savory thinke, [406] For ay thurst I, the more that ich it drynke. [407] "And if that at myn owen lust I brenne, [408] From whennes cometh my waillynge and my pleynte? [409] If harm agree me, wherto pleyne I thenne? [410] I noot, ne whi unwery that I feynte. [411] O quike deth, O swete harm so queynte, [412] How may of the in me swich quantite, [413] But if that I consente that it be? [414] "And if that I consente, I wrongfully [415] Compleyne, iwis. Thus possed to and fro, [416] Al sterelees withinne a boot am I [417] Amydde the see, bitwixen wyndes two, [418] That in contrarie stonden evere mo. [419] Allas, what is this wondre maladie? [420] For hote of cold, for cold of hote, I dye." [421] And to the God of Love thus seyde he [422] With pitous vois, "O lord, now youres is [423] My spirit, which that oughte youres be. [424] Yow thanke I, lord, that han me brought to this. [425] But wheither goddesse or womman, iwis, [426] She be, I not, which that ye do me serve; [427] But as hire man I wol ay lyve and sterve. [428] "Ye stonden in hir eighen myghtily, [429] As in a place unto youre vertu digne; [430] Wherfore, lord, if my service or I [431] May liken yow, so beth to me benigne; [432] For myn estat roial I here resigne [433] Into hire hond, and with ful humble chere [434] Bicome hir man, as to my lady dere." [435] In hym ne deyned spare blood roial [436] The fyr of love -- wherfro God me blesse -- [437] Ne him forbar in no degree, for al [438] His vertu or his excellent prowesse, [439] But held hym as his thral lowe in destresse, [440] And brende hym so in soundry wise ay newe, [441] That sexti tyme a day he loste his hewe. [442] So muche, day by day, his owene thought, [443] For lust to hire, gan quiken and encresse, [444] That every other charge he sette at nought. [445] Forthi ful ofte, his hote fir to cesse, [446] To sen hire goodly lok he gan to presse; [447] For therby to ben esed wel he wende, [448] And ay the ner he was, the more he brende. [449] For ay the ner the fir, the hotter is -- [450] This, trowe I, knoweth al this compaignye; [451] But were he fer or ner, I dar sey this: [452] By nyght or day, for wisdom or folye, [453] His herte, which that is his brestez ye, [454] Was ay on hire, that fairer was to sene [455] Than evere were Eleyne or Polixene. [456] Ek of the day ther passed nought an houre [457] That to hymself a thousand tyme he seyde, [458] "Good goodly, to whom serve I and laboure [459] As I best kan, now wolde God, Criseyde, [460] Ye wolden on me rewe, er that I deyde! [461] My dere herte, allas, myn hele and hewe [462] And lif is lost, but ye wol on me rewe!" [463] Alle other dredes weren from him fledde, [464] Both of th' assege and his savacioun; [465] N' yn him desir noon other fownes bredde, [466] But argumentes to his conclusioun: [467] That she of him wolde han compassioun, [468] And he to ben hire man while he may dure. [469] Lo, here his lif, and from the deth his cure! [470] The sharpe shoures felle of armes preve [471] That Ector or his othere brethren diden [472] Ne made hym only therfore ones meve; [473] And yet was he, where so men wente or riden, [474] Founde oon the beste, and longest tyme abiden [475] Ther peril was, and dide ek swich travaille [476] In armes, that to thenke it was merveille. [477] But for non hate he to the Grekes hadde, [478] Ne also for the rescous of the town, [479] Ne made hym thus in armes for to madde, [480] But only, lo, for this conclusioun: [481] To liken hire the bet for his renoun. [482] Fro day to day in armes so he spedde [483] That the Grekes as the deth him dredde. [484] And fro this forth tho refte hym love his slep, [485] And made his mete his foo, and ek his sorwe [486] Gan multiplie, that, whoso tok kep, [487] It shewed in his hewe both eve and morwe. [488] Therfor a title he gan him for to borwe [489] Of other siknesse, lest men of hym wende [490] That the hote fir of love hym brende, [491] And seyde he hadde a fevere and ferde amys. [492] But how it was, certeyn, kan I nat seye, [493] If that his lady understood nat this, [494] Or feynede hire she nyste, oon of the tweye; [495] But wel I rede that, by no manere weye, [496] Ne semed it that she of hym roughte, [497] Or of his peyne, or whatsoevere he thoughte. [498] But thanne felte this Troilus swich wo [499] That he was wel neigh wood; for ay his drede [500] Was this, that she som wight hadde loved so, [501] That nevere of hym she wolde han taken hede, [502] For which hym thoughte he felte his herte blede; [503] Ne of his wo ne dorste he nat bygynne [504] To tellen hir, for al this world to wynne. [505] But whan he hadde a space from his care, [506] Thus to hymself ful ofte he gan to pleyne; [507] He seyde, "O fool, now artow in the snare, [508] That whilom japedest at loves peyne. [509] Now artow hent, now gnaw thin owen cheyne! [510] Thow were ay wont ech lovere reprehende [511] Of thing fro which thou kanst the nat defende. [512] "What wol now every lovere seyn of the, [513] If this be wist, but evere in thin absence [514] Laughen in scorn, and seyn, `Loo, ther goth he [515] That is the man of so gret sapience, [516] That held us loveres leest in reverence. [517] Now, thanked God, he may gon in the daunce [518] Of hem that Love list febly for to avaunce.' [519] "But, O thow woful Troilus, God wolde, [520] Sith thow most loven thorugh thi destine, [521] That thow beset were on swich oon that sholde [522] Know al thi wo, al lakked hir pitee! [523] But also cold in love towardes the [524] Thi lady is as frost in wynter moone, [525] And thow fordon as snow in fire is soone. [526] "God wold I were aryved in the port [527] Of deth, to which my sorwe wol me lede! [528] A, Lord, to me it were a gret comfort; [529] Than were I quyt of languisshyng in drede; [530] For, be myn hidde sorwe iblowe on brede, [531] I shal byjaped ben a thousand tyme [532] More than that fol of whos folie men ryme. [533] "But now help, God, and ye, swete, for whom [534] I pleyne, ikaught, ye, nevere wight so faste! [535] O mercy, dere herte, and help me from [536] The deth, for I, whil that my lyf may laste, [537] More than myself wol love yow to my laste; [538] And with som frendly lok gladeth me, swete, [539] Though nevere more thing ye me byheete." [540] Thise wordes, and ful many an other to, [541] He spak, and called evere in his compleynte [542] Hire name, for to tellen hire his wo, [543] Til neigh that he in salte teres dreynte. [544] Al was for nought: she herde nat his pleynte; [545] And whan that he bythought on that folie, [546] A thousand fold his wo gan multiplie. [547] Bywayling in his chambre thus allone, [548] A frend of his that called was Pandare [549] Com oones in unwar, and herde hym groone, [550] And say his frend in swich destresse and care: [551] "Allas," quod he, "who causeth al this fare? [552] O mercy, God! What unhap may this meene? [553] Han now thus soone Grekes maad yow leene? [554] "Or hastow som remors of conscience, [555] And art now falle in som devocioun, [556] And wailest for thi synne and thin offence, [557] And hast for ferde caught attricioun? [558] God save hem that biseged han oure town, [559] That so kan leye oure jolite on presse, [560] And bringe oure lusty folk to holynesse!" [561] Thise wordes seyde he for the nones alle, [562] That with swich thing he myght hym angry maken, [563] And with angre don his wo to falle, [564] As for the tyme, and his corage awaken. [565] But wel he wist, as fer as tonges spaken, [566] Ther nas a man of gretter hardinesse [567] Thanne he, ne more desired worthinesse. [568] "What cas," quod Troilus, "or what aventure [569] Hath gided the to sen me langwisshinge, [570] That am refus of every creature? [571] But for the love of God, at my preyinge, [572] Go hennes awey; for certes my deyinge [573] Wol the disese, and I mot nedes deye; [574] Therfore go wey, ther is na more to seye. [575] "But if thow wene I be thus sik for drede, [576] It is naught so, and therfore scorne nought. [577] Ther is another thing I take of hede [578] Wel more than aught the Grekes han yet wrought, [579] Which cause is of my deth, for sorowe and thought; [580] But though that I now telle it the ne leste, [581] Be thow naught wroth; I hide it for the beste." [582] This Pandare, that neigh malt for wo and routhe, [583] Ful ofte seyde, "Allas, what may this be? [584] Now frend," quod he, "if evere love or trouthe [585] Hath ben, or is, bitwixen the and me, [586] Ne do thow nevere swich a crueltee [587] To hiden fro thi frend so gret a care! [588] Wostow naught wel that it am I, Pandare? [589] "I wol parten with the al thi peyne, [590] If it be so I do the no comfort, [591] As it is frendes right, soth for to seyne, [592] To entreparten wo as glad desport. [593] I have, and shal, for trewe or fals report, [594] In wrong and right iloved the al my lyve: [595] Hid nat thi wo fro me, but telle it blyve." [596] Than gan this sorwful Troylus to syke, [597] And seide hym thus: "God leve it be my beste [598] To telle it the; for sith it may the like, [599] Yet wol I telle it, though myn herte breste. [600] And wel woot I thow mayst do me no reste; [601] But lest thow deme I truste nat to the, [602] Now herke, frend, for thus it stant with me. [603] "Love, ayeins the which whoso defendeth [604] Hymselven most, hym alderlest avaylleth, [605] With disespeyr so sorwfulli me offendeth, [606] That streight unto the deth myn herte sailleth. [607] Therto desir so brennyngly me assailleth, [608] That to ben slayn it were a gretter joie [609] To me than kyng of Grece ben and Troye. [610] "Suffiseth this, my fulle frend Pandare, [611] That I have seyd, for now wostow my wo; [612] And for the love of God, my colde care, [613] So hide it wel -- I tolde it nevere to mo, [614] For harmes myghten folwen mo than two [615] If it were wist -- but be thow in gladnesse, [616] And lat me sterve, unknowe, of my destresse." [617] "How hastow thus unkyndely and longe [618] Hid this fro me, thow fol?" quod Pandarus. [619] "Paraunter thow myghte after swich oon longe, [620] That myn avys anoon may helpen us." [621] "This were a wonder thing," quod Troilus; [622] "Thow koudest nevere in love thiselven wisse. [623] How devel maistow brynge me to blisse?" [624] "Ye, Troilus, now herke," quod Pandare; [625] "Though I be nyce, it happeth often so, [626] That oon that excesse doth ful yvele fare [627] By good counseil kan kepe his frend therfro. [628] I have myself ek seyn a blynd man goo [629] Ther as he fel that couth. loken wide; [630] A fool may ek a wis-man ofte gide. [631] "A wheston is no kervyng instrument, [632] But yet it maketh sharppe kervyng tolis; [633] And there thow woost that I have aught myswent, [634] Eschuw thow that, for swich thing to the scole is. [635] Thus often wise men ben war by foolys. [636] If thow do so, thi wit is wel bewared; [637] By his contrarie is every thyng declared. [638] "For how myghte evere swetnesse han ben knowe [639] To him that nevere tasted bitternesse? [640] Ne no man may ben inly glad, I trowe, [641] That nevere was in sorwe or som destresse. [642] Eke whit by blak, by shame ek worthinesse, [643] Ech set by other, more for other semeth, [644] As men may se, and so the wyse it demeth. [645] "Sith thus of two contraries is o lore, [646] I, that have in love so ofte assayed [647] Grevances, oughte konne, and wel the more, [648] Counseillen the of that thow art amayed. [649] Ek the ne aughte nat ben yvel appayed, [650] Though I desyre with the for to bere [651] Thyn hevy charge; it shal the lasse dere. [652] "I woot wel that it fareth thus be me [653] As to thi brother, Paris, an herdesse [654] Which that icleped was Oenone [655] Wrot in a compleynte of hir hevynesse. [656] Yee say the lettre that she wrot, I gesse?" [657] "Nay, nevere yet, ywys," quod Troilus. [658] "Now," quod Pandare, "herkne, it was thus: [659] "`Phebus, that first fond art of medicyne,' [660] Quod she, `and couth. in every wightes care [661] Remedye and reed, by herbes he knew fyne, [662] Yet to hymself his konnyng was ful bare, [663] For love hadde hym so bounden in a snare, [664] Al for the doughter of the kyng Amete, [665] That al his craft ne koude his sorwes bete.' [666] "Right so fare I, unhappyly for me. [667] I love oon best, and that me smerteth sore; [668] And yet, peraunter, kan I reden the [669] And nat myself; repreve me na more. [670] I have no cause, I woot wel, for to sore [671] As doth an hauk that listeth for to pleye; [672] But to thin help yet somwhat kan I seye. [673] "And of o thing right siker maistow be, [674] That certein, for to dyen in the peyne, [675] That I shal nevere mo discoveren the; [676] Ne, by my trouthe, I kepe nat restreyne [677] The fro thi love, theigh that it were Eleyne [678] That is thi brother wif, if ich it wiste: [679] Be what she be, and love hire as the liste! [680] "Therfore, as frend, fullich in me assure, [681] And tel me plat what is th' enchesoun [682] And final cause of wo that ye endure; [683] For douteth nothyng, myn entencioun [684] Nis nat to yow of reprehencioun, [685] To speke as now, for no wight may byreve [686] A man to love, tyl that hym list to leve. [687] "And witteth wel that bothe two ben vices: [688] Mistrusten alle, or elles alle leve. [689] But wel I woot, the mene of it no vice is, [690] For to trusten som wight is a preve [691] Of trouth; and forthi wolde I fayn remeve [692] Thi wrong conseyte, and do the som wyght triste [693] Thi wo to telle; and tel me, if the liste. [694] "The wise seith, `Wo hym that is allone, [695] For, and he falle, he hath non helpe to ryse'; [696] And sith thow hast a felawe, tel thi mone; [697] For this nys naught, certein, the nexte wyse [698] To wynnen love -- as techen us the wyse -- [699] To walwe and wepe as Nyobe the queene, [700] Whos teres yet in marble ben yseene. [701] "Lat be thy wepyng and thi drerynesse, [702] And lat us lissen wo with oother speche; [703] So may thy woful tyme seme lesse. [704] Delyte nat in wo thi wo to seche, [705] As don thise foles that hire sorwes eche [706] With sorwe, whan thei han mysaventure, [707] And listen naught to seche hem other cure. [708] "Men seyn, `to wrecche is consolacioun [709] To have another felawe in hys peyne.' [710] That owghte wel ben oure opynyoun, [711] For bothe thow and I of love we pleyne. [712] So ful of sorwe am I, soth for to seyne, [713] That certeinly namore harde grace [714] May sitte on me, for-why ther is no space. [715] "If God wol, thow art nat agast of me, [716] Lest I wolde of thi lady the bygyle! [717] Thow woost thyself whom that I love, parde, [718] As I best kan, gon sithen longe while. [719] And sith thow woost I do it for no wyle, [720] And sith I am he that thow trustest moost, [721] Tel me somwhat, syn al my wo thow woost." [722] Yet Troilus for al this no word seyde, [723] But longe he ley as stylle as he ded were; [724] And after this with sikynge he abreyde, [725] And to Pandarus vois he lente his ere, [726] And up his eighen caste he, that in feere [727] Was Pandarus, lest that in frenesie [728] He sholde falle, or elles soone dye; [729] And cryde "Awake!" ful wonderlich and sharpe; [730] "What! Slombrestow as in a litargie? [731] Or artow lik an asse to the harpe, [732] That hereth sown whan men the strynges plye, [733] But in his mynde of that no melodie [734] May sinken hym to gladen, for that he [735] So dul ys of his bestialite?" [736] And with that, Pandare of his wordes stente; [737] And Troilus yet hym nothyng answerde, [738] For-why to tellen nas nat his entente [739] To nevere no man, for whom that he so ferde; [740] For it is seyd, "Men maketh ofte a yerde [741] With which the maker is hymself ybeten [742] In sondry manere," as thise wyse treten, [743] And namelich in his counseil tellynge [744] That toucheth love that oughte ben secree; [745] For of himself it wol ynough out sprynge, [746] But if that it the bet governed be. [747] Ek som tyme it is a craft to seme fle [748] Fro thyng whych in effect men hunte faste; [749] Al this gan Troilus in his herte caste. [750] But natheles, whan he hadde herd hym crye [751] "Awake!" he gan to syken wonder soore, [752] And seyde, "Frend, though that I stylle lye, [753] I am nat deef. Now pees, and crye namore, [754] For I have herd thi wordes and thi lore; [755] But suffre me my meschief to bywaille, [756] For thy proverbes may me naught availle. [757] "Nor other cure kanstow non for me; [758] Ek I nyl nat ben cured; I wol deye. [759] What knowe I of the queene Nyobe? [760] Lat be thyne olde ensaumples, I the preye." [761] "No," quod Pandarus, "therfore I seye, [762] Swych is delit of foles to bywepe [763] Hire wo, but seken bote they ne kepe. [764] "Now knowe I that ther reson in the failleth. [765] But tel me, if I wiste what she were [766] For whom that the al this mysaunter ailleth, [767] Dorstestow that I tolde in hire ere [768] Thi wo, sith thow darst naught thiself for feere, [769] And hire bysoughte on the to han som routhe?" [770] "Why, nay," quod he, "by God and by my trouthe!" [771] "What, nat as bisyly," quod Pandarus, [772] "As though myn owene lyf lay on this nede?" [773] "No, certes, brother," quod this Troilus, [774] "And whi? For that thow scholdest nevere spede." [775] "Wostow that wel?" -- "Ye, that is out of drede," [776] Quod Troilus; "for al that evere ye konne, [777] She nyl to noon swich wrecche as I ben wonne." [778] Quod Pandarus, "Allas! What may this be, [779] That thow dispeired art thus causeles? [780] What! lyveth nat thi lady, bendiste? [781] How wostow so that thow art graceles? [782] Swich yvel is nat alwey booteles. [783] Why, put nat impossible thus thi cure, [784] Syn thyng to come is oft in aventure. [785] "I graunte wel that thow endurest wo [786] As sharp as doth he Ticius in helle, [787] Whos stomak foughles tiren evere moo [788] That hightyn volturis, as bokes telle; [789] But I may nat endure that thow dwelle [790] In so unskilful an oppynyoun [791] That of thi wo is no curacioun. [792] "But oones nyltow, for thy coward herte, [793] And for thyn ire and folissh wilfulnesse, [794] For wantrust, tellen of thy sorwes smerte, [795] Ne to thyn owen help don bysynesse [796] As muche as speke a resoun moore or lesse, [797] But list as he that lest of nothyng recche. [798] What womman koude loven swich a wrecche? [799] "What may she demen oother of thy deeth, [800] If thow thus deye, and she not why it is, [801] But that for feere is yolden up thy breth, [802] For Grekes han biseged us, iwys? [803] Lord, which a thonk than shaltow han of this! [804] Thus wol she seyn, and al the town attones, [805] `The wrecche is ded, the devel have his bones!' [806] "Thow mayst allone here wepe and crye and knele -- [807] But love a womman that she woot it nought, [808] And she wol quyte it that thow shalt nat fele; [809] Unknowe, unkist, and lost that is unsought. [810] What, many a man hath love ful deere ybought [811] Twenty wynter that his lady wiste, [812] That nevere yet his lady mouth he kiste. [813] "What sholde he therfore fallen in dispayr, [814] Or be recreant for his owne tene, [815] Or slen hymself, al be his lady fair? [816] Nay, nay, but evere in oon be fressh and grene [817] To serve and love his deere hertes queene, [818] And thynk it is a guerdon hire to serve, [819] A thousand fold moore than he kan deserve." [820] Of that word took hede Troilus, [821] And thoughte anon what folie he was inne, [822] And how that soth hym seyde Pandarus, [823] That for to slen hymself myght he nat wynne, [824] But bothe don unmanhod and a synne, [825] And of his deth his lady naught to wite; [826] For of his wo, God woot, she knew ful lite. [827] And with that thought he gan ful sore syke, [828] And seyde, "Allas! What is me best to do?" [829] To whom Pandare answered, "If the like, [830] The beste is that thow telle me al thi wo; [831] And have my trouthe, but thow it fynde so [832] I be thi boote, er that it be ful longe, [833] To pieces do me drawe and sithen honge!" [834] "Ye, so thow seyst," quod Troilus tho, "allas! [835] But, God woot, it is naught the rather so. [836] Ful hard were it to helpen in this cas, [837] For wel fynde I that Fortune is my fo; [838] Ne al the men that riden konne or go [839] May of hire cruel whiel the harm withstonde; [840] For as hire list she pleyeth with free and bonde." [841] Quod Pandarus, "Than blamestow Fortune [842] For thow art wroth; ye, now at erst I see. [843] Woost thow nat wel that Fortune is comune [844] To everi manere wight in som degree? [845] And yet thow hast this comfort, lo, parde, [846] That, as hire joies moten overgon, [847] So mote hire sorwes passen everechon. [848] "For if hire whiel stynte any thyng to torne, [849] Than cessed she Fortune anon to be. [850] Now, sith hire whiel by no way may sojourne, [851] What woostow if hire mutabilite [852] Right as thyselven list wol don by the, [853] Or that she be naught fer fro thyn helpynge? [854] Paraunter thow hast cause for to synge. [855] "And therfore wostow what I the biseche? [856] Lat be thy wo and tornyng to the grounde; [857] For whoso list have helyng of his leche, [858] To hym byhoveth first unwre his wownde. [859] To Cerberus yn helle ay be I bounde, [860] Were it for my suster, al thy sorwe, [861] By my wil she sholde al be thyn to-morwe. [862] "Look up, I seye, and telle me what she is [863] Anon, that I may gon about thy nede. [864] Knowe ich hire aught? For my love, telle me this. [865] Thanne wolde I hopen rather for to spede." [866] Tho gan the veyne of Troilus to blede, [867] For he was hit, and wax al reed for shame. [868] "A ha!" quod Pandare; "Here bygynneth game." [869] And with that word he gan hym for to shake, [870] And seyde, "Thef, thow shalt hyre name telle." [871] But tho gan sely Troilus for to quake [872] As though men sholde han led hym into helle, [873] And seyde, "Allas, of al my wo the welle, [874] Thanne is my swete fo called Criseyde!" [875] And wel neigh with the word for feere he deide. [876] And whan that Pandare herde hire name nevene, [877] Lord, he was glad, and seyde, "Frend so deere, [878] Now far aright, for Joves name in hevene. [879] Love hath byset the wel; be of good cheere! [880] For of good name and wisdom and manere [881] She hath ynough, and ek of gentilesse. [882] If she be fayr, thow woost thyself, I gesse, [883] "Ne nevere saugh a more bountevous [884] Of hire estat, n' a gladder, ne of speche [885] A frendlyer, n' a more gracious [886] For to do wel, ne lasse hadde nede to seche [887] What for to don; and al this bet to eche, [888] In honour, to as fer as she may strecche, [889] A kynges herte semeth by hyrs a wrecche. [890] "And forthi loke of good comfort thow be; [891] For certeinly, the ferste poynt is this [892] Of noble corage and wel ordeyne, [893] A man to have pees with hymself, ywis. [894] So oghtist thow, for noht but good it is [895] To love wel, and in a worthy place; [896] The oghte not to clepe it hap, but grace. [897] "And also thynk, and therwith glade the, [898] That sith thy lady vertuous is al, [899] So foloweth it that there is some pitee [900] Amonges alle thise other in general; [901] And forthi se that thow, in special, [902] Requere naught that is ayeyns hyre name; [903] For vertu streccheth naught hymself to shame. [904] "But wel is me that evere that I was born, [905] That thow biset art in so good a place; [906] For by my trouthe, in love I dorste have sworn [907] The sholde nevere han tid thus fayr a grace. [908] And wostow why? For thow were wont to chace [909] At Love in scorn, and for despit him calle [910] `Seynt Idiot, lord of thise foles alle.' [911] "How often hastow maad thi nyce japes, [912] And seyd that Loves servantz everichone [913] Of nycete ben verray Goddes apes; [914] And some wolde mucche hire mete allone, [915] Liggyng abedde, and make hem for to grone; [916] And som, thow seydest, hadde a blaunche fevere, [917] And preydest God he sholde nevere kevere. [918] "And som of hem took on hym, for the cold, [919] More than ynough, so seydestow ful ofte. [920] And som han feyned ofte tyme, and told [921] How that they waken, whan thei slepen softe; [922] And thus they wolde han brought hemself alofte, [923] And natheles were under at the laste. [924] Thus seydestow, and japedest ful faste. [925] "Yet seydestow that for the moore part [926] Thise loveres wolden speke in general, [927] And thoughten that it was a siker art, [928] For faylyng, for t' assaien overal. [929] Now may I jape of the, if that I shal; [930] But natheles, though that I sholde deye, [931] That thow art non of tho, I dorste saye. [932] "Now bet thi brest, and sey to God of Love, [933] `Thy grace, lord, for now I me repente, [934] If I mysspak, for now myself I love.' [935] Thus sey with al thyn herte in good entente." [936] Quod Troilus, "A, lord! I me consente, [937] And preye to the my japes thow foryive, [938] And I shal nevere more whyle I live." [939] "Thow seist wel," quod Pandare, "and now I hope [940] That thow the goddes wrathe hast al apesed; [941] And sithen thow hast wopen many a drope, [942] And seyd swych thyng wherwith thi god is plesed, [943] Now wolde nevere god but thow were esed! [944] And thynk wel, she of whom rist al thi wo [945] Hereafter may thy comfort be also. [946] "For thilke grownd that bereth the wedes wikke [947] Bereth ek thise holsom herbes, as ful ofte [948] Next the foule netle, rough and thikke, [949] The rose waxeth swoote and smothe and softe; [950] And next the valeye is the hil o-lofte; [951] And next the derke nyght the glade morwe; [952] And also joie is next the fyn of sorwe. [953] "Now loke that atempre be thi bridel, [954] And for the beste ay suffre to the tyde, [955] Or elles al oure labour is on ydel: [956] He hasteth wel that wisely kan abyde. [957] Be diligent and trewe, and ay wel hide; [958] Be lusty, fre; persevere in thy servyse, [959] And al is wel, if thow werke in this wyse. [960] "But he that departed is in everi place [961] Is nowher hol, as writen clerkes wyse. [962] What wonder is, though swich oon have no grace? [963] Ek wostow how it fareth of som servise, [964] As plaunte a tree or herbe, in sondry wyse, [965] And on the morwe pulle it up as blyve! [966] No wonder is, though it may nevere thryve. [967] "And sith that God of Love hath the bistowed [968] In place digne unto thi worthinesse, [969] Stond faste, for to good port hastow rowed; [970] And of thiself, for any hevynesse, [971] Hope alwey wel; for, but if drerinesse [972] Or over-haste oure bothe labour shende, [973] I hope of this to maken a good ende. [974] "And wostow why I am the lasse afered [975] Of this matere with my nece trete? [976] For this have I herd seyd of wyse lered, [977] Was nevere man or womman yet bigete [978] That was unapt to suffren loves hete, [979] Celestial, or elles love of kynde; [980] Forthy som grace I hope in hire to fynde. [981] "And for to speke of hire in specyal, [982] Hire beaute to bithynken and hire youthe, [983] It sit hire naught to ben celestial [984] As yet, though that hire liste bothe and kowthe; [985] But trewely, it sate hire wel right nowthe [986] A worthi knyght to loven and cherice, [987] And but she do, I holde it for a vice. [988] "Wherfore I am, and wol ben, ay redy [989] To peyne me to do yow this servyse; [990] For bothe yow to plese thus hope I [991] Herafterward; for ye ben bothe wyse, [992] And konne it counseil kepe in swych a wyse [993] That no man shal the wiser of it be; [994] And so we may ben gladed alle thre. [995] "And, by my trouthe, I have right now of the [996] A good conceyte in my wit, as I gesse, [997] And what it is, I wol now that thow se. [998] I thenke, sith that Love, of his goodnesse, [999] Hath the converted out of wikkednesse, [1000] That thow shalt ben the beste post, I leve, [1001] Of al his lay, and moost his foos to greve. [1002] "Ensample why, se now thise wise clerkes, [1003] That erren aldermost ayeyn a lawe, [1004] And ben converted from hire wikked werkes [1005] Thorugh grace of God that list hem to hym drawe, [1006] Thanne arn thise folk that han moost God in awe, [1007] And strengest feythed ben, I undirstonde, [1008] And konne an errowr alderbest withstonde." [1009] Whan Troilus hadde herd Pandare assented [1010] To ben his help in lovyng of Cryseyde, [1011] Weex of his wo, as who seith, untormented, [1012] But hotter weex his love, and thus he seyde, [1013] With sobre chere, although his herte pleyde: [1014] "Now blisful Venus helpe, er that I sterve, [1015] Of the, Pandare, I mowe som thank deserve. [1016] "But, deere frend, how shal my wo be lesse [1017] Til this be doon? And good, ek telle me this: [1018] How wiltow seyn of me and my destresse, [1019] Lest she be wroth -- this drede I moost, ywys -- [1020] Or nyl nat here or trowen how it is. [1021] Al this drede I, and ek for the manere [1022] Of the, hire em, she nyl no swich thyng here." [1023] Quod Pandarus, "Thow hast a ful gret care [1024] Lest that the cherl may falle out of the moone! [1025] Whi, Lord! I hate of the thi nyce fare! [1026] Whi, entremete of that thow hast to doone! [1027] For Goddes love, I bidde the a boone: [1028] So lat m' alone, and it shal be thi beste." [1029] "Whi, frend," quod he, "now do right as the leste. [1030] "But herke, Pandare, o word, for I nolde [1031] That thow in me wendest so gret folie, [1032] That to my lady I desiren sholde [1033] That toucheth harm or any vilenye; [1034] For dredeles me were levere dye [1035] Than she of me aught elles understode [1036] But that that myghte sownen into goode." [1037] Tho lough this Pandare, and anon answerde, [1038] "And I thi borugh? Fy! No wight doth but so. [1039] I roughte naught though that she stood and herde [1040] How that thow seist! but farewel, I wol go. [1041] Adieu! Be glad! God spede us bothe two! [1042] Yef me this labour and this bisynesse, [1043] And of my spede be thyn al that swetnesse." [1044] Tho Troilus gan doun on knees to falle, [1045] And Pandare in his armes hente faste, [1046] And seyde, "Now, fy on the Grekes alle! [1047] Yet, parde, God shal helpe us atte laste. [1048] And dredelees, if that my lyf may laste, [1049] And God toforn, lo, som of hem shal smerte; [1050] And yet m' athenketh that this avant m' asterte! [1051] "Now, Pandare, I kan na more seye, [1052] But, thow wis, thow woost, thow maist, thow art al! [1053] My lif, my deth, hol in thyn hond I leye. [1054] Help now!" Quod he, "Yis, by mi trowthe, I shal." [1055] "God yelde the, frend, and this in special," [1056] Quod Troilus, "that thow me recomande [1057] To hire that to the deth me may comande." [1058] This Pandarus, tho desirous to serve [1059] His fulle frend, than seyde in this manere: [1060] "Farwell, and thenk I wol thi thank deserve! [1061] Have here my trowthe, and that thow shalt wel here." [1062] And went his wey, thenkyng on this matere, [1063] And how he best myghte hire biseche of grace, [1064] And fynde a tyme therto, and a place. [1065] For everi wight that hath an hous to founde [1066] Ne renneth naught the werk for to bygynne [1067] With rakel hond, but he wol bide a stounde, [1068] And sende his hertes line out fro withinne [1069] Aldirfirst his purpos for to wynne. [1070] Al this Pandare in his herte thoughte, [1071] And caste his werk ful wisely or he wroughte. [1072] But Troilus lay tho no lenger down, [1073] But up anon upon his stede bay, [1074] And in the feld he pleyde tho leoun; [1075] Wo was that Grek that with hym mette a-day! [1076] And in the town his manere tho forth ay [1077] So goodly was, and gat hym so in grace, [1078] That ecch hym loved that loked on his face. [1079] For he bicom the frendlieste wight, [1080] The gentilest, and ek the mooste fre, [1081] The thriftiest, and oon the beste knyght [1082] That in his tyme was or myghte be; [1083] Dede were his japes and his cruelte, [1084] His heighe port and his manere estraunge, [1085] And ecch of tho gan for a vertu chaunge. [1086] Now lat us stynte of Troilus a stounde, [1087] That fareth lik a man that hurt is soore, [1088] And is somdeel of akyngge of his wownde [1089] Ylissed wel, but heeled no deel moore, [1090] And, as an esy pacyent, the loore [1091] Abit of hym that gooth aboute his cure; [1092] And thus he dryeth forth his aventure. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Troilus and Criseyde Book 2 [1] Owt of thise blake wawes for to saylle, [2] O wynd, o wynd, the weder gynneth clere; [3] For in this see the boot hath swych travaylle, [4] Of my connyng, that unneth I it steere. [5] This see clepe I the tempestous matere [6] Of disespeir that Troilus was inne; [7] But now of hope the kalendes bygynne. [8] O lady myn, that called art Cleo, [9] Thow be my speed fro this forth, and my Muse, [10] To ryme wel this book til I have do; [11] Me nedeth here noon other art to use. [12] Forwhi to every lovere I me excuse, [13] That of no sentement I this endite, [14] But out of Latyn in my tonge it write. [15] Wherfore I nyl have neither thank ne blame [16] Of al this werk, but prey yow mekely, [17] Disblameth me if any word be lame, [18] For as myn auctour seyde, so sey I. [19] Ek though I speeke of love unfelyngly, [20] No wondre is, for it nothyng of newe is. [21] A blynd man kan nat juggen wel in hewis. [22] Ye knowe ek that in forme of speche is chaunge [23] Withinne a thousand yeer, and wordes tho [24] That hadden pris, now wonder nyce and straunge [25] Us thinketh hem, and yet thei spake hem so, [26] And spedde as wel in love as men now do; [27] Ek for to wynnen love in sondry ages, [28] In sondry londes, sondry ben usages. [29] And forthi if it happe in any wyse, [30] That here be any lovere in this place [31] That herkneth, as the storie wol devise, [32] How Troilus com to his lady grace, [33] And thenketh, "So nold I nat love purchace," [34] Or wondreth on his speche or his doynge, [35] I noot; but it is me no wonderynge. [36] For every wight which that to Rome went [37] Halt nat o path, or alwey o manere; [38] Ek in som lond were al the game shent, [39] If that they ferde in love as men don here, [40] As thus, in opyn doyng or in chere, [41] In visityng in forme, or seyde hire sawes; [42] Forthi men seyn, "Ecch contree hath his lawes." [43] Ek scarsly ben ther in this place thre [44] That have in love seid lik, and don, in al; [45] For to thi purpos this may liken the, [46] And the right nought; yet al is seid or schal; [47] Ek som men grave in tree, some in ston wal, [48] As it bitit. But syn I have bigonne, [49] Myn auctour shal I folwen, if I konne. [50] In May, that moder is of monthes glade, [51] That fresshe floures, blew and white and rede, [52] Ben quike agayn, that wynter dede made, [53] And ful of bawme is fletyng every mede, [54] Whan Phebus doth his bryghte bemes sprede [55] Right in the white Bole, it so bitidde, [56] As I shal synge, on Mayes day the thrydde, [57] That Pandarus, for al his wise speche, [58] Felt ek his part of loves shotes keene, [59] That, koude he nevere so wel of lovyng preche, [60] It made his hewe a-day ful ofte greene. [61] So shop it that hym fil that day a teene [62] In love, for which in wo to bedde he wente, [63] And made, er it was day, ful many a wente. [64] The swalowe Proigne, with a sorowful lay, [65] Whan morwen com, gan make hire waymentynge [66] Whi she forshapen was; and evere lay [67] Pandare abedde, half in a slomberynge, [68] Til she so neigh hym made hire cheterynge [69] How Tereus gan forth hire suster take, [70] That with the noyse of hire he gan awake, [71] And gan to calle, and dresse hym up to ryse, [72] Remembryng hym his erand was to doone [73] From Troilus, and ek his grete emprise; [74] And caste and knew in good plit was the moone [75] To doon viage, and took his way ful soone [76] Unto his neces palays ther biside. [77] Now Janus, god of entree, thow hym gyde! [78] Whan he was come unto his neces place, [79] "Wher is my lady?" to hire folk quod he; [80] And they hym tolde, and he forth in gan pace, [81] And fond two othere ladys sete and she, [82] Withinne a paved parlour, and they thre [83] Herden a mayden reden hem the geste [84] Of the siege of Thebes, while hem leste. [85] Quod Pandarus, "Madame, God yow see, [86] With youre book and all the compaignie!" [87] "Ey, uncle myn, welcome iwys," quod she; [88] And up she roos, and by the hond in hye [89] She took hym faste, and seyde, "This nyght thrie, [90] To goode mot it turne, of yow I mette." [91] And with that word she doun on bench hym sette. [92] "Ye, nece, yee shal faren wel the bet, [93] If God wol, al this yeer," quod Pandarus; [94] "But I am sory that I have yow let [95] To herken of youre book ye preysen thus. [96] For Goddes love, what seith it? telle it us! [97] Is it of love? O, som good ye me leere!" [98] "Uncle," quod she, "youre maistresse is nat here." [99] With that thei gonnen laughe, and tho she seyde, [100] "This romaunce is of Thebes that we rede; [101] And we han herd how that kyng Layus deyde [102] Thorugh Edippus his sone, and al that dede; [103] And here we stynten at thise lettres rede -- [104] How the bisshop, as the book kan telle, [105] Amphiorax, fil thorugh the ground to helle." [106] Quod Pandarus, "Al this knowe I myselve, [107] And al th' assege of Thebes and the care; [108] For herof ben ther maked bookes twelve. [109] But lat be this, and telle me how ye fare. [110] Do wey youre barbe, and shew youre face bare; [111] Do wey youre book, rys up, and lat us daunce, [112] And lat us don to May som observaunce." [113] "I! God forbede!" quod she. "Be ye mad? [114] Is that a widewes lif, so God yow save? [115] By God, ye maken me ryght soore adrad! [116] Ye ben so wylde, it semeth as ye rave. [117] It satte me wel bet ay in a cave [118] To bidde and rede on holy seyntes lyves; [119] Lat maydens gon to daunce, and yonge wyves." [120] "As evere thrive I," quod this Pandarus, [121] "Yet koude I telle a thyng to doon yow pleye." [122] "Now, uncle deere," quod she, "telle it us [123] For Goddes love; is than th' assege aweye? [124] I am of Grekes so fered that I deye." [125] "Nay, nay," quod he, "as evere mote I thryve, [126] It is a thing wel bet than swyche fyve." [127] "Ye, holy God," quod she, "what thyng is that? [128] What! Bet than swyche fyve? I! Nay, ywys! [129] For al this world ne kan I reden what [130] It sholde ben; some jape I trowe is this; [131] And but youreselven telle us what it is, [132] My wit is for t' arede it al to leene. [133] As help me God, I not nat what ye meene." [134] "And I youre borugh, ne nevere shal, for me, [135] This thyng be told to yow, as mote I thryve!" [136] "And whi so, uncle myn? Whi so?" quod she. [137] "By God," quod he, "that wol I telle as blyve! [138] For proudder womman is ther noon on lyve, [139] And ye it wiste, in al the town of Troye. [140] I jape nought, as evere have I joye!" [141] Tho gan she wondren moore than biforn [142] A thousand fold, and down hire eyghen caste; [143] For nevere, sith the tyme that she was born, [144] To knowe thyng desired she so faste; [145] And with a syk she seyde hym atte laste, [146] "Now, uncle myn, I nyl yow nought displese, [147] Nor axen more that may do yow disese." [148] So after this, with many wordes glade, [149] And frendly tales, and with merie chiere, [150] Of this and that they pleide, and gonnen wade [151] In many an unkouth, glad, and dep matere, [152] As frendes doon whan thei ben mette yfere, [153] Tyl she gan axen hym how Ector ferde, [154] That was the townes wal and Grekes yerde. [155] "Ful wel, I thonk it God," quod Pandarus, [156] "Save in his arm he hath a litel wownde; [157] And ek his fresshe brother Troilus, [158] The wise, worthi Ector the secounde, [159] In whom that alle vertu list habounde, [160] As alle trouthe and alle gentilesse, [161] Wisdom, honour, fredom, and worthinesse." [162] "In good feith, em," quod she, "that liketh me [163] Thei faren wel; God save hem bothe two! [164] For trewelich I holde it gret deynte [165] A kynges sone in armes wel to do, [166] And ben of goode condiciouns therto; [167] For gret power and moral vertu here [168] Is selde yseyn in o persone yfeere." [169] "In good faith, that is soth," quod Pandarus. [170] "But, by my trouthe, the kyng hath sones tweye -- [171] That is to mene, Ector and Troilus -- [172] That certeynly, though that I sholde deye, [173] Thei ben as voide of vices, dar I seye, [174] As any men that lyven under the sonne: [175] Hire myght is wyde yknowe, and what they konne. [176] "Of Ector nedeth it namore for to telle: [177] In al this world ther nys a bettre knyght [178] Than he, that is of worthynesse welle; [179] And he wel moore vertu hath than myght; [180] This knoweth many a wis and worthi wight. [181] The same pris of Troilus I seye; [182] God help me so, I knowe nat swiche tweye." [183] "By God," quod she, "of Ector that is sooth. [184] Of Troilus the same thyng trowe I; [185] For, dredeles, men tellen that he doth [186] In armes day by day so worthily, [187] And bereth hym here at hom so gentily [188] To everi wight, that alle pris hath he [189] Of hem that me were levest preysed be." [190] "Ye sey right sooth, ywys," quod Pandarus; [191] "For yesterday, whoso had with hym ben, [192] He myghte han wondred upon Troilus; [193] For nevere yet so thikke a swarm of been [194] Ne fleigh, as Grekes for hym gonne fleen, [195] And thorugh the feld, in everi wightes eere, [196] Ther nas no cry but `Troilus is there!' [197] "Now here, now ther, he hunted hem so faste, [198] Ther nas but Grekes blood -- and Troilus. [199] Now hem he hurte, and hem al down he caste; [200] Ay wher he wente, it was arayed thus: [201] He was hire deth, and sheld and lif for us, [202] That, as that day, ther dorste non withstonde [203] Whil that he held his blody swerd in honde. [204] "Therto he is the frendlieste man [205] Of gret estat that evere I saugh my lyve; [206] And wher hym lest, best felawshipe kan [207] To swich as hym thynketh able for to thryve." [208] And with that word tho Pandarus, as blyve, [209] He took his leve, and seyde, "I wol gon henne." [210] "Nay, blame have I, myn uncle," quod she thenne. [211] "What aileth yow to be thus wery soone, [212] And namelich of wommen? Wol ye so? [213] Nay, sitteth down; by God, I have to doone [214] With yow, to speke of wisdom er ye go." [215] And everi wight that was aboute hem tho, [216] That herde that, gan fer awey to stonde, [217] Whil they two hadde al that hem liste in honde. [218] Whan that hire tale al brought was to an ende, [219] Of hire estat and of hire governaunce, [220] Quod Pandarus, "Now tyme is that I wende. [221] But yet, I say, ariseth, lat us daunce, [222] And cast youre widewes habit to mischaunce! [223] What list yow thus youreself to disfigure, [224] Sith yow is tid thus fair an aventure?" [225] "A, wel bithought! For love of God," quod she, [226] "Shal I nat witen what ye meene of this?" [227] "No, this thing axeth leyser," tho quod he, [228] "And eke me wolde muche greve, iwis, [229] If I it tolde and ye it toke amys. [230] Yet were it bet my tonge for to stille [231] Than seye a soth that were ayeyns youre wille. [232] "For, nece, by the goddesse Mynerve, [233] And Jupiter, that maketh the thondre rynge, [234] And by the blisful Venus that I serve, [235] Ye ben the womman in this world lyvynge -- [236] Withouten paramours, to my wyttynge -- [237] That I best love, and lothest am to greve; [238] And that ye weten wel youreself, I leve." [239] "Iwis, myn uncle," quod she, "grant mercy! [240] Youre frendshipe have I founden evere yit. [241] I am to no man holden, trewely, [242] So muche as yow, and have so litel quyt; [243] And with the grace of God, emforth my wit, [244] As in my gylt I shal yow nevere offende; [245] And if I have er this, I wol amende. [246] "But for the love of God I yow biseche, [247] As ye ben he that I love moost and triste, [248] Lat be to me youre fremde manere speche, [249] And sey to me, youre nece, what yow liste." [250] And with that word hire uncle anoon hire kiste, [251] And seyde, "Gladly, leve nece dere! [252] Tak it for good, that I shal sey yow here." [253] With that she gan hire eighen down to caste, [254] And Pandarus to coghe gan a lite, [255] And seyde, "Nece, alwey -- lo! -- to the laste, [256] How so it be that som men hem delite [257] With subtyl art hire tales for to endite, [258] Yet for al that, in hire entencioun [259] Hire tale is al for som conclusioun. [260] "And sithe th' ende is every tales strengthe, [261] And this matere is so bihovely, [262] What sholde I peynte or drawen it on lengthe [263] To yow, that ben my frend so feythfully?" [264] And with that word he gan right inwardly [265] Byholden hire and loken on hire face, [266] And seyde, "On swich a mirour goode grace!" [267] Than thought he thus: "If I my tale endite [268] Aught harde, or make a proces any whyle, [269] She shal no savour have therin but lite, [270] And trowe I wolde hire in my wil bigyle; [271] For tendre wittes wenen al be wyle [272] Theras thei kan nought pleynly understonde; [273] Forthi hire wit to serven wol I fonde" -- [274] And loked on hire in a bysi wyse, [275] And she was war that he byheld hire so, [276] And seyde, "Lord! so faste ye m' avise! [277] Sey ye me nevere er now? What sey ye, no?" [278] "Yis, yys," quod he, "and bet wol er I go! [279] But be my trouthe, I thoughte now if ye [280] Be fortunat, for now men shal it se. [281] "For to every wight som goodly aventure [282] Som tyme is shape, if he it kan receyven; [283] But if he wol take of it no cure, [284] Whan that it commeth, but wilfully it weyven, [285] Lo, neyther cas ne fortune hym deceyven, [286] But ryght his verray slouthe and wrecchednesse; [287] And swich a wight is for to blame, I gesse. [288] "Good aventure, O beele nece, have ye [289] Ful lightly founden, and ye konne it take; [290] And for the love of God, and ek of me, [291] Cache it anon, lest aventure slake! [292] What sholde I lenger proces of it make? [293] Yif me youre hond, for in this world is noon -- [294] If that yow list -- a wight so wel bygon. [295] "And sith I speke of good entencioun, [296] As I to yow have told wel herebyforn, [297] And love as wel youre honour and renoun [298] As creature in al this world yborn, [299] By alle the othes that I have yow sworn, [300] And ye be wrooth therfore, or wene I lye, [301] Ne shal I nevere sen yow eft with ye. [302] "Beth naught agast, ne quaketh naught! Wherto? [303] Ne chaungeth naught for fere so youre hewe! [304] For hardely the werst of this is do; [305] And though my tale as now be to yow newe, [306] Yet trist alwey ye shal me fynde trewe; [307] And were it thyng that me thoughte unsittynge, [308] To yow wolde I no swiche tales brynge." [309] "Now, good em, for Goddes love, I preye," [310] Quod she, "come of, and telle me what it is. [311] For both I am agast what ye wol seye, [312] And ek me longeth it to wite, ywis; [313] For whethir it be wel or be amys, [314] Say on, lat me nat in this feere dwelle." [315] "So wol I doon; now herkeneth! I shall telle: [316] "Now, nece myn, the kynges deere sone, [317] The goode, wise, worthi, fresshe, and free, [318] Which alwey for to don wel is his wone, [319] The noble Troilus, so loveth the, [320] That, but ye helpe, it wol his bane be. [321] Lo, here is al! What sholde I moore seye? [322] Doth what yow lest to make hym lyve or deye. [323] "But if ye late hym deyen, I wol sterve -- [324] Have here my trouthe, nece, I nyl nat lyen -- [325] Al sholde I with this knyf my throte kerve." [326] With that the teris breste out of his yen, [327] And seide, "If that ye don us bothe dyen [328] Thus gilteles, than have ye fisshed fayre! [329] What mende ye, though that we booth appaire? [330] "Allas, he which that is my lord so deere, [331] That trewe man, that noble gentil knyght, [332] That naught desireth but youre frendly cheere, [333] I se hym dyen, ther he goth upryght, [334] And hasteth hym with al his fulle myght [335] For to ben slayn, if his fortune assente. [336] Allas, that God yow swich a beaute sente! [337] "If it be so that ye so cruel be [338] That of his deth yow liste nought to recche, [339] That is so trewe and worthi, as ye se, [340] Namoore than of a japer or a wrecche -- [341] If ye be swich, youre beaute may nat strecche [342] To make amendes of so cruel a dede; [343] Avysement is good byfore the nede. [344] "Wo worth the faire gemme vertulees! [345] Wo worth that herbe also that dooth no boote! [346] Wo worth that beaute that is routheles! [347] Wo worth that wight that tret ech undir foote! [348] And ye, that ben of beaute crop and roote, [349] If therwithal in yow ther be no routhe, [350] Than is it harm ye lyven, by my trouthe! [351] "And also think wel that this is no gaude; [352] For me were levere thow and I and he [353] Were hanged, than I sholde ben his baude, [354] As heigh as men myghte on us alle ysee! [355] I am thyn em; the shame were to me, [356] As wel as the, if that I sholde assente [357] Thorugh myn abet that he thyn honour shente. [358] "Now understond, for I yow nought requere [359] To bynde yow to hym thorugh no byheste, [360] But only that ye make hym bettre chiere [361] Than ye han doon er this, and moore feste, [362] So that his lif be saved atte leeste; [363] This al and som, and pleynly, oure entente. [364] God help me so, I nevere other mente! [365] "Lo, this requeste is naught but skylle, ywys, [366] Ne doute of resoun, pardee, is ther noon. [367] I sette the worste, that ye dreden this: [368] Men wolde wondren sen hym come or goon. [369] Ther-ayeins answere I thus anoon, [370] That every wight, but he be fool of kynde, [371] Wol deme it love of frendshipe in his mynde. [372] "What, who wol demen, though he se a man [373] To temple go, that he th' ymages eteth. [374] Thenk ek how wel and wisely that he kan [375] Governe hymself, that he no thyng foryeteth, [376] That where he cometh he pris and thank hym geteth. [377] And ek therto, he shal come here so selde, [378] What fors were it though al the town byhelde? [379] "Swych love of frendes regneth al this town; [380] And wre yow in that mantel evere moo, [381] And God so wys be my savacioun, [382] As I have seyd, youre beste is to do soo. [383] But alwey, goode nece, to stynte his woo, [384] So lat youre daunger sucred ben a lite, [385] That of his deth ye be naught for to wite." [386] Criseyde, which that herde hym in this wise, [387] Thoughte, "I shal felen what he meneth, ywis." [388] "Now em," quod she, "what wolde ye devise? [389] What is youre reed I sholde don of this?" [390] "That is wel seyd," quod he. "Certein, best is [391] That ye hym love ayeyn for his lovynge, [392] As love for love is skilful guerdonynge. [393] "Thenk ek how elde wasteth every houre [394] In ech of yow a partie of beautee; [395] And therfore er that age the devoure, [396] Go love; for old, ther wol no wight of the. [397] Lat this proverbe a loore unto yow be: [398] To late ywar, quod Beaute, whan it paste; [399] And Elde daunteth Daunger at the laste. [400] "The kynges fool is wont to crien loude, [401] Whan that hym thinketh a womman berth hire hye, [402] `So longe mote ye lyve, and alle proude, [403] Til crowes feet be growe under youre ye, [404] And sende yow than a myrour in to prye, [405] In which that ye may se youre face a morwe!' [406] I bidde wisshe yow namore sorwe." [407] With this he stynte, and caste adown the heed, [408] And she began to breste a-wepe anoon, [409] And seyde, "Allas, for wo! Why nere I deed? [410] For of this world the feyth is al agoon. [411] Allas, what sholden straunge to me doon, [412] Whan he that for my beste frend I wende [413] Ret me to love, and sholde it me defende? [414] "Allas! I wolde han trusted, douteles, [415] That if that I, thorugh my dysaventure, [416] Hadde loved outher hym or Achilles, [417] Ector, or any mannes creature, [418] Ye nolde han had no mercy ne mesure [419] On me, but alwey had me in repreve. [420] This false world -- allas! -- who may it leve? [421] "What, is this al the joye and al the feste? [422] Is this youre reed? Is this my blisful cas? [423] Is this the verray mede of youre byheeste? [424] Is al this paynted proces seyd -- allas! -- [425] Right for this fyn? O lady myn, Pallas! [426] Thow in this dredful cas for me purveye, [427] For so astoned am I that I deye." [428] Wyth that she gan ful sorwfully to syke. [429] "A, may it be no bet?" quod Pandarus; [430] "By God, I shal namore come here this wyke, [431] And God toforn, that am mystrusted thus! [432] I se wel that ye sette lite of us, [433] Or of oure deth! Allas, I woful wrecche! [434] Might he yet lyve, of me is nought to recche. [435] "O cruel god, O dispitouse Marte, [436] O Furies thre of helle, on yow I crye! [437] So lat me nevere out of this hous departe, [438] If I mente harm or vilenye! [439] But sith I se my lord mot nedes dye, [440] And I with hym, here I me shryve, and seye [441] That wikkedly ye don us bothe deye. [442] "But sith it liketh yow that I be ded, [443] By Neptunus, that god is of the see, [444] Fro this forth shal I nevere eten bred [445] Til I myn owen herte blood may see; [446] For certeyn I wol deye as soone as he." [447] And up he sterte, and on his wey he raughte, [448] Tyl she agayn hym by the lappe kaughte. [449] Criseyde, which that wel neigh starf for feere, [450] So as she was the ferfulleste wight [451] That myghte be, and herde ek with hire ere [452] And saugh the sorwful ernest of the knyght, [453] And in his preier ek saugh noon unryght, [454] And for the harm that myghte ek fallen moore, [455] She gan to rewe and dredde hire wonder soore, [456] And thoughte thus: "Unhappes fallen thikke [457] Alday for love, and in swych manere cas [458] As men ben cruel in hemself and wikke; [459] And if this man sle here hymself -- allas! -- [460] In my presence, it wol be no solas. [461] What men wolde of hit deme I kan nat seye; [462] It nedeth me ful sleighly for to pleie." [463] And with a sorowful sik she sayde thrie, [464] "A, Lord! What me is tid a sory chaunce! [465] For myn estat lith in a jupartie, [466] And ek myn emes lif is in balaunce; [467] But natheles, with Goddes governaunce, [468] I shal so doon, myn honour shal I kepe, [469] And ek his lif" -- and stynte for to wepe. [470] "Of harmes two, the lesse is for to chese; [471] Yet have I levere maken hym good chere [472] In honour, than myn emes lyf to lese. [473] Ye seyn, ye nothyng elles me requere?" [474] "No, wis," quod he, "myn owen nece dere." [475] "Now wel," quod she, "and I wol doon my peyne; [476] I shal myn herte ayeins my lust constreyne. [477] "But that I nyl nat holden hym in honde, [478] Ne love a man ne kan I naught ne may [479] Ayeins my wyl, but elles wol I fonde, [480] Myn honour sauf, plese hym fro day to day. [481] Therto nolde I nat ones han seyd nay, [482] But that I drede, as in my fantasye; [483] But cesse cause, ay cesseth maladie. [484] "And here I make a protestacioun [485] That in this proces if ye depper go, [486] That certeynly, for no salvacioun [487] Of yow, though that ye sterven bothe two, [488] Though al the world on o day be my fo, [489] Ne shal I nevere of hym han other routhe." [490] "I graunte wel," quod Pandare, "by my trowthe. [491] "But may I truste wel to yow," quod he, [492] "That of this thyng that ye han hight me here, [493] Ye wole it holden trewely unto me?" [494] "Ye, doutelees," quod she, "myn uncle deere." [495] "Ne that I shal han cause in this matere," [496] Quod he, "to pleyne, or ofter yow to preche?" [497] "Why, no, parde; what nedeth moore speche?" [498] Tho fellen they in other tales glade, [499] Tyl at the laste, "O good em," quod she tho, [500] "For his love, that us bothe made, [501] Tel me how first ye wisten of his wo. [502] Woot noon of it but ye?" He seyde, "No." [503] "Kan he wel speke of love?" quod she; "I preye [504] Tel me, for I the bet me shal purveye." [505] Tho Pandarus a litel gan to smyle, [506] And seyde, "By my trouthe, I shal yow telle. [507] This other day, naught gon ful longe while, [508] In-with the paleis gardyn, by a welle, [509] Gan he and I wel half a day to dwelle, [510] Right for to speken of an ordinaunce, [511] How we the Grekes myghten disavaunce. [512] "Soon after that bigonne we to lepe, [513] And casten with oure dartes to and fro, [514] Tyl at the laste he seyde he wolde slepe, [515] And on the gres adoun he leyde hym tho; [516] And I afer gan romen to and fro, [517] Til that I herde, as that I welk alone, [518] How he bigan ful wofully to grone. [519] "Tho gan I stalke hym softely byhynde, [520] And sikirly, the soothe for to seyne, [521] As I kan clepe ayein now to my mynde, [522] Right thus to Love he gan hym for to pleyne: [523] He seyde, `Lord, have routhe upon my peyne, [524] Al have I ben rebell in myn entente; [525] Now, mea culpa, lord, I me repente! [526] "`O god, that at thi disposicioun [527] Ledest the fyn by juste purveiaunce [528] Of every wight, my lowe confessioun [529] Accepte in gree, and sende me swich penaunce [530] As liketh the, but from disesperaunce, [531] That may my goost departe awey fro the, [532] Thow be my sheld, for thi benignite. [533] "`For certes, lord, so soore hath she me wounded, [534] That stood in blak, with lokyng of hire eyen, [535] That to myn hertes botme it is ysounded, [536] Thorugh which I woot that I moot nedes deyen. [537] This is the werste, I dar me nat bywreyen; [538] And wel the hotter ben the gledes rede, [539] That men hem wrien with asshen pale and dede.' [540] "Wyth that he smot his hed adown anon, [541] And gan to motre, I noot what, trewely. [542] And I with that gan stille awey to goon, [543] And leet therof as nothing wist had I, [544] And com ayein anon, and stood hym by, [545] And seyde, `Awake, ye slepen al to longe! [546] It semeth nat that love doth yow longe, [547] "`That slepen so that no man may yow wake. [548] Who sey evere or this so dul a man?' [549] `Ye, frend,' quod he, `do ye youre hedes ake [550] For love, and lat me lyven as I kan.' [551] But though that he for wo was pale and wan, [552] Yet made he tho as fresshe a countenaunce [553] As though he sholde have led the newe daunce. [554] "This passed forth til now, this other day, [555] It fel that I com romyng al allone [556] Into his chaumbre, and fond how that he lay [557] Upon his bed; but man so soore grone [558] Ne herde I nevere, and what that was his mone [559] Ne wist I nought; for, as I was comynge, [560] Al sodeynly he lefte his complaynynge. [561] "Of which I took somwat suspecioun, [562] And ner I com, and fond he wepte soore; [563] And God so wys be my savacioun, [564] As nevere of thyng hadde I no routhe moore; [565] For neither with engyn, ne with no loore, [566] Unnethes myghte I fro the deth hym kepe, [567] That yet fele I myn herte for hym wepe. [568] "And God woot, nevere sith that I was born [569] Was I so besy no man for to preche, [570] Ne nevere was to wight so depe isworn, [571] Or he me told who myghte ben his leche. [572] But now to yow rehercen al his speche, [573] Or alle his woful wordes for to sowne, [574] Ne bid me naught, but ye wol se me swowne. [575] "But for to save his lif, and elles nought, [576] And to noon harm of yow, thus am I dryven; [577] And for the love of God, that us hath wrought, [578] Swich cheer hym dooth that he and I may lyven! [579] Now have I plat to yow myn herte shryven, [580] And sith ye woot that myn entent is cleene, [581] Take heede therof, for I non yvel meene. [582] "And right good thrift, I prey to God, have ye, [583] That han swich oon ykaught withouten net! [584] And be ye wis as ye be fair to see, [585] Wel in the ryng than is the ruby set. [586] Ther were nevere two so wel ymet, [587] Whan ye ben his al hool as he is youre; [588] Ther myghty God graunte us see that houre!" [589] "Nay, therof spak I nought, ha, ha!" quod she; [590] "As helpe me God, ye shenden every deel!" [591] "O, mercy, dere nece," anon quod he, [592] "What so I spak, I mente naught but wel, [593] By Mars, the god that helmed is of steel! [594] Now beth naught wroth, my blood, my nece dere." [595] "Now wel," quod she, "foryeven be it here!" [596] With this he took his leve, and hom he wente; [597] And, Lord, he was glad and wel bygon! [598] Criseyde aros, no lenger she ne stente, [599] But streght into hire closet wente anon, [600] And set hire doun as stylle as any ston, [601] And every word gan up and down to wynde [602] That he had seyd, as it com hire to mynde, [603] And wex somdel astoned in hire thought [604] Right for the newe cas; but whan that she [605] Was ful avysed, tho fond she right nought [606] Of peril why she ought afered be. [607] For man may love, of possibilite, [608] A womman so, his herte may tobreste, [609] And she naught love ayein, but if hire leste. [610] But as she sat allone and thoughte thus, [611] Ascry aros at scarmuch al withoute, [612] And men criden in the strete, "Se, Troilus [613] Hath right now put to flighte the Grekes route!" [614] With that gan al hire meyne for to shoute, [615] "A, go we se! Cast up the yates wyde! [616] For thorwgh this strete he moot to paleys ride; [617] "For other wey is to the yate noon [618] Of Dardanus, there opyn is the cheyne." [619] With that com he and al his folk anoon [620] An esy pas rydyng, in routes tweyne, [621] Right as his happy day was, sooth to seyne, [622] For which, men seyn, may nought destourbed be [623] That shal bityden of necessitee. [624] This Troilus sat on his baye steede [625] Al armed, save his hed, ful richely; [626] And wownded was his hors, and gan to blede, [627] On which he rood a pas ful softely. [628] But swich a knyghtly sighte trewely [629] As was on hym, was nought, withouten faille, [630] To loke on Mars, that god is of bataille. [631] So lik a man of armes and a knyght [632] He was to seen, fulfilled of heigh prowesse, [633] For bothe he hadde a body and a myght [634] To don that thing, as wel as hardynesse; [635] And ek to seen hym in his gere hym dresse, [636] So fressh, so yong, so weldy semed he, [637] It was an heven upon hym for to see. [638] His helm tohewen was in twenty places, [639] That by a tyssew heng his bak byhynde; [640] His sheeld todasshed was with swerdes and maces, [641] In which men myghte many an arwe fynde [642] That thirled hadde horn and nerf and rynde; [643] And ay the peple cryde, "Here cometh oure joye, [644] And, next his brother, holder up of Troye!" [645] For which he wex a litel reed for shame [646] When he the peple upon hym herde cryen, [647] That to byholde it was a noble game [648] How sobrelich he caste down his yen. [649] Criseyda gan al his chere aspien, [650] And leet it so softe in hire herte synke, [651] That to hireself she seyde, "Who yaf me drynke?" [652] For of hire owen thought she wex al reed, [653] Remembryng hire right thus, "Lo, this is he [654] Which that myn uncle swerith he moot be deed, [655] But I on hym have mercy and pitee." [656] And with that thought, for pure ashamed, she [657] Gan in hire hed to pulle, and that as faste, [658] Whil he and alle the peple forby paste, [659] And gan to caste and rollen up and down [660] Withinne hire thought his excellent prowesse, [661] And his estat, and also his renown, [662] His wit, his shap, and ek his gentilesse; [663] But moost hire favour was, for his distresse [664] Was al for hire, and thoughte it was a routhe [665] To sleen swich oon, if that he mente trouthe. [666] Now myghte som envious jangle thus: [667] "This was a sodeyn love; how myght it be [668] That she so lightly loved Troilus [669] Right for the firste syghte, ye, parde?" [670] Now whoso seith so, mote he nevere ythe! [671] For every thing a gynnyng hath it nede [672] Er al be wrought, withowten any drede. [673] For I sey nought that she so sodeynly [674] Yaf hym hire love, but that she gan enclyne [675] To like hym first, and I have told yow whi; [676] And after that, his manhod and his pyne [677] Made love withinne hire for to myne, [678] For which by proces and by good servyse [679] He gat hire love, and in no sodeyn wyse. [680] And also blisful Venus, wel arrayed, [681] Sat in hire seventhe hous of hevene tho, [682] Disposed wel, and with aspectes payed, [683] To helpe sely Troilus of his woo. [684] And soth to seyne, she nas not al a foo [685] To Troilus in his nativitee; [686] God woot that wel the sonner spedde he. [687] Now lat us stynte of Troilus a throwe, [688] That rideth forth, and lat us torne faste [689] Unto Criseyde, that heng hire hed ful lowe [690] Ther as she sat allone, and gan to caste [691] Where on she wolde apoynte hire atte laste, [692] If it so were hire em ne wolde cesse [693] For Troilus upon hire for to presse. [694] And, Lord! So she gan in hire thought argue [695] In this matere of which I have yow told, [696] And what to doone best were, and what eschue, [697] That plited she ful ofte in many fold. [698] Now was hire herte warm, now was it cold; [699] And what she thoughte somwhat shal I write, [700] As to myn auctour listeth for t' endite. [701] She thoughte wel that Troilus persone [702] She knew by syghte, and ek his gentilesse, [703] And thus she seyde, "Al were it nat to doone [704] To graunte hym love, yet for his worthynesse [705] It were honour with pley and with gladnesse [706] In honestee with swich a lord to deele, [707] For myn estat, and also for his heele. [708] "Ek wel woot I my kynges sone is he, [709] And sith he hath to se me swich delit, [710] If I wolde outreliche his sighte flee, [711] Peraunter he myghte have me in dispit, [712] Thorugh whicch I myghte stonde in worse plit. [713] Now were I wis, me hate to purchace, [714] Withouten need, ther I may stonde in grace? [715] "In every thyng, I woot, ther lith mesure; [716] For though a man forbede dronkenesse, [717] He naught forbet that every creature [718] Be drynkeles for alwey, as I gesse. [719] Ek sith I woot for me is his destresse, [720] I ne aughte nat for that thing hym despise, [721] Sith it is so he meneth in good wyse. [722] "And ek I knowe of longe tyme agon [723] His thewes goode, and that he is nat nyce; [724] N' avantour, seith men, certein, he is noon; [725] To wis is he to doon so gret a vice; [726] Ne als I nyl hym nevere so cherice [727] That he may make avaunt, by juste cause, [728] He shal me nevere bynde in swich a clause. [729] "Now sette a caas: the hardest is, ywys, [730] Men myghten demen that he loveth me. [731] What dishonour were it unto me, this? [732] May ich hym lette of that? Why, nay, parde! [733] I knowe also, and alday heere and se, [734] Men loven wommen al biside hire leve, [735] And whan hem leste namore, lat hem byleve! [736] "I thenke ek how he able is for to have [737] Of al this noble town the thriftieste [738] To ben his love, so she hire honour save. [739] For out and out he is the worthieste, [740] Save only Ector, which that is the beste; [741] And yet his lif al lith now in my cure. [742] But swich is love, and ek myn aventure. [743] "Ne me to love, a wonder is it nought; [744] For wel woot I myself, so God me spede -- [745] Al wolde I that noon wiste of this thought -- [746] I am oon the faireste, out of drede, [747] And goodlieste, who that taketh hede, [748] And so men seyn, in al the town of Troie. [749] What wonder is though he of me have joye? [750] "I am myn owene womman, wel at ese -- [751] I thank it God -- as after myn estat, [752] Right yong, and stonde unteyd in lusty leese, [753] Withouten jalousie or swich debat: [754] Shal noon housbonde seyn to me `Chek mat!' [755] For either they ben ful of jalousie, [756] Or maisterfull, or loven novelrie. [757] "What shal I doon? To what fyn lyve I thus? [758] Shal I nat love, in cas if that me leste? [759] What, pardieux! I am naught religious. [760] And though that I myn herte sette at reste [761] Upon this knyght, that is the worthieste, [762] And kepe alwey myn honour and my name, [763] By alle right, it may do me no shame." [764] But right as when the sonne shyneth brighte [765] In March, that chaungeth ofte tyme his face, [766] And that a cloude is put with wynd to flighte, [767] Which oversprat the sonne as for a space, [768] A cloudy thought gan thorugh hire soule pace, [769] That overspradde hire brighte thoughtes alle, [770] So that for feere almost she gan to falle. [771] That thought was this: "Allas! Syn I am free, [772] Sholde I now love, and put in jupartie [773] My sikernesse, and thrallen libertee? [774] Allas, how dorst I thenken that folie? [775] May I naught wel in other folk aspie [776] Hire dredfull joye, hire constreinte, and hire peyne? [777] Ther loveth noon, that she nath why to pleyne. [778] "For love is yet the mooste stormy lyf, [779] Right of hymself, that evere was bigonne; [780] For evere som mystrust or nice strif [781] Ther is in love, som cloude is over that sonne. [782] Therto we wrecched wommen nothing konne, [783] Whan us is wo, but wepe and sitte and thinke; [784] Oure wrecche is this, oure owen wo to drynke. [785] "Also thise wikked tonges ben so prest [786] To speke us harm; ek men ben so untrewe, [787] That right anon as cessed is hire lest, [788] So cesseth love, and forth to love a newe. [789] But harm ydoon is doon, whoso it rewe: [790] For though thise men for love hem first torende, [791] Ful sharp bygynnyng breketh ofte at ende. [792] "How ofte tyme hath it yknowen be [793] The tresoun that to wommen hath ben do! [794] To what fyn is swich love I kan nat see, [795] Or wher bycometh it, whan that it is ago. [796] Ther is no wight that woot, I trowe so, [797] Where it bycometh. Lo, no wight on it sporneth. [798] That erst was nothing, into nought it torneth. [799] "How bisy, if I love, ek most I be [800] To plesen hem that jangle of love, and dremen, [801] And coye hem, that they seye noon harm of me! [802] For though ther be no cause, yet hem semen [803] Al be for harm that folk hire frendes quemen; [804] And who may stoppen every wikked tonge, [805] Or sown of belles whil that thei ben ronge?" [806] And after that, hire thought gan for to clere, [807] And seide, "He which that nothing undertaketh, [808] Nothyng n' acheveth, be hym looth or deere." [809] And with an other thought hire herte quaketh. [810] Than slepeth hope, and after drede awaketh. [811] Now hoot, now cold; but thus, bitwixen tweye, [812] She rist hire up, and went hire for to pleye. [813] Adown the steyre anonright tho she wente [814] Into the gardyn with hire neces thre, [815] And up and down ther made many a wente -- [816] Flexippe, she, Tharbe, and Antigone -- [817] To pleyen that it joye was to see; [818] And other of hire wommen, a gret route, [819] Hire folowede in the gardyn al aboute. [820] This yerd was large, and rayled alle th' aleyes, [821] And shadewed wel with blosmy bowes grene, [822] And benched newe, and sonded alle the weyes, [823] In which she walketh arm in arm bitwene, [824] Til at the laste Antigone the shene [825] Gan on a Troian song to singen cleere, [826] That it an heven was hire vois to here. [827] She seyde, "O Love, to whom I have and shal [828] Ben humble subgit, trewe in myn entente, [829] As I best kan, to yow, lord, yeve ich al [830] For everemo myn hertes lust to rente; [831] For nevere yet thi grace no wight sente [832] So blisful cause as me, my lif to lede [833] In alle joie and seurte out of drede. [834] "Ye, blisful god, han me so wel byset [835] In love, iwys, that al that bereth lif [836] Ymagynen ne kouth. how to be bet; [837] For, lord, withouten jalousie or strif, [838] I love oon which is moost ententif [839] To serven wel, unweri or unfeyned, [840] That evere was, and leest with harm desteyned. [841] "As he that is the welle of worthynesse, [842] Of trouthe grownd, mirour of goodlihed, [843] Of wit Apollo, stoon of sikernesse, [844] Of vertu roote, of lust fynder and hed, [845] Thorugh which is alle sorwe fro me ded -- [846] Iwis, I love hym best, so doth he me; [847] Now good thrift have he, wherso that he be! [848] "Whom shulde I thanken but yow, god of Love, [849] Of al this blisse, in which to bathe I gynne? [850] And thanked be ye, lord, for that I love! [851] This is the righte lif that I am inne, [852] To flemen alle manere vice and synne: [853] This dooth me so to vertu for t' entende, [854] That day by day I in my wille amende. [855] "And whoso seith that for to love is vice, [856] Or thraldom, though he feele in it destresse, [857] He outher is envyous, or right nyce, [858] Or is unmyghty, for his shrewednesse, [859] To loven; for swich manere folk, I gesse, [860] Defamen Love, as nothing of hym knowe. [861] Thei speken, but thei benten nevere his bowe! [862] "What is the sonne wers, of kynde right, [863] Though that a man, for fieblesse of his yen, [864] May nought endure on it to see for bright? [865] Or love the wers, though wrecches on it crien? [866] No wele is worth, that may no sorwe dryen. [867] And forthi, who that hath an hed of verre, [868] Fro cast of stones war hym in the werre! [869] "But I with al myn herte and al my myght, [870] As I have seyd, wol love unto my laste [871] My deere herte and al myn owen knyght, [872] In which myn herte growen is so faste, [873] And his in me, that it shal evere laste. [874] Al dredde I first to love hym to bigynne, [875] Now woot I wel, ther is no peril inne." [876] And of hir song right with that word she stente, [877] And therwithal, "Now nece," quod Cryseyde, [878] "Who made this song now with so good entente?" [879] Antygone answerde anoon and seyde, [880] "Madame, ywys, the goodlieste mayde [881] Of gret estat in al the town of Troye, [882] And let hire lif in moste honour and joye." [883] "Forsothe, so it semeth by hire song," [884] Quod tho Criseyde, and gan therwith to sike, [885] And seyde, "Lord, is ther swych blisse among [886] Thise loveres, as they konne faire endite?" [887] "Ye, wis," quod fresshe Antigone the white, [888] "For alle the folk that han or ben on lyve [889] Ne konne wel the blisse of love discryve. [890] "But wene ye that every wrecche woot [891] The parfit blisse of love? Why, nay, iwys! [892] They wenen all be love, if oon be hoot. [893] Do wey, do wey, they woot no thyng of this! [894] Men moste axe at seyntes if it is [895] Aught fair in hevene (Why? For they kan telle), [896] And axen fendes is it foul in helle." [897] Criseyde unto that purpos naught answerde, [898] But seyde, "Ywys, it wol be nyght as faste." [899] But every word which that she of hire herde, [900] She gan to prenten in hire herte faste, [901] And ay gan love hire lasse for t' agaste [902] Than it dide erst, and synken in hire herte, [903] That she wex somwhat able to converte. [904] The dayes honour, and the hevenes ye, [905] The nyghtes foo -- al this clepe I the sonne -- [906] Gan westren faste, and downward for to wrye, [907] As he that hadde his dayes cours yronne, [908] And white thynges wexen dymme and donne [909] For lak of lyght, and sterres for t' apere, [910] That she and alle hire folk in went yfeere. [911] So whan it liked hire to go to reste, [912] And voided weren thei that voiden oughte, [913] She seyde that to slepen wel hire leste. [914] Hire wommen soone til hire bed hire broughte. [915] Whan al was hust, than lay she stille and thoughte [916] Of al this thing; the manere and the wise [917] Reherce it nedeth nought, for ye ben wise. [918] A nyghtyngale, upon a cedre grene, [919] Under the chambre wal ther as she ley, [920] Ful loude song ayein the moone shene, [921] Peraunter in his briddes wise a lay [922] Of love, that made hire herte fressh and gay. [923] That herkned she so longe in good entente, [924] Til at the laste the dede slep hire hente. [925] And as she slep, anonright tho hire mette [926] How that an egle, fethered whit as bon, [927] Under hire brest his longe clawes sette, [928] And out hire herte he rente, and that anon, [929] And dide his herte into hire brest to gon -- [930] Of which she nought agroos, ne nothyng smerte -- [931] And forth he fleigh, with herte left for herte. [932] Now lat hire slepe, and we oure tales holde [933] Of Troilus, that is to paleis riden [934] Fro the scarmuch of the which I tolde, [935] And in his chaumbre sit and hath abiden [936] Til two or thre of his messages yeden [937] For Pandarus, and soughten hym ful faste, [938] Til they him founde and broughte him at the laste. [939] This Pandarus com lepyng in atones, [940] And seyde thus: "Who hath ben wel ibete [941] To-day with swerdes and with slynge-stones, [942] But Troilus, that hath caught hym an hete?" [943] And gan to jape, and seyde, "Lord, so ye swete! [944] But ris and lat us soupe and go to reste." [945] And he answerde hym, "Do we as the leste." [946] With al the haste goodly that they myghte [947] They spedde hem fro the soper unto bedde; [948] And every wight out at the dore hym dyghte, [949] And where hym liste upon his wey him spedde. [950] But Troilus, that thoughte his herte bledde [951] For wo, til that he herde som tydynge, [952] He seyde, "Frend, shal I now wepe or synge?" [953] Quod Pandarus, "Ly stylle and lat me slepe, [954] And don thyn hood; thy nedes spedde be! [955] And ches if thow wolt synge or daunce or lepe! [956] At shorte wordes, thow shal trowen me: [957] Sire, my nece wol do wel by the, [958] And love the best, by God and by my trouthe, [959] But lak of pursuyt make it in thi slouthe. [960] "For thus ferforth I have thi werk bigonne [961] Fro day to day, til this day by the morwe [962] Hire love of frendshipe have I to the wonne, [963] And therto hath she leyd hire feyth to borwe. [964] Algate a foot is hameled of thi sorwe!" [965] What sholde I lenger sermoun of it holde? [966] As ye han herd byfore, al he hym tolde. [967] But right as floures, thorugh the cold of nyght [968] Iclosed, stoupen on hire stalke lowe, [969] Redressen hem ayein the sonne bright, [970] And spreden on hire kynde cours by rowe, [971] Right so gan tho his eighen up to throwe [972] This Troilus, and seyde, "O Venus deere, [973] Thi myght, thi grace, yheried be it here!" [974] And to Pandare he held up bothe his hondes, [975] And seyde, "Lord, al thyn be that I have! [976] For I am hool, al brosten ben my bondes. [977] A thousand Troyes whoso that me yave, [978] Ech after other, God so wys me save, [979] Ne myghte me so gladen; lo, myn herte, [980] It spredeth so for joie it wol tosterte! [981] "But, Lord, how shal I doon? How shal I lyven? [982] Whan shal I next my deere herte see? [983] How shal this longe tyme awey be dryven [984] Til that thow be ayein at hire fro me? [985] Thow maist answer, `Abid, abid,' but he [986] That hangeth by the nekke, soth to seyne [987] In gret disese abideth for the peyne." [988] "Al esily, now, for the love of Marte," [989] Quod Pandarus, "for every thing hath tyme. [990] So longe abid til that the nyght departe, [991] For also siker as thow list here by me, [992] And God toforn, I wol be ther at pryme; [993] And forthi, werk somwhat as I shal seye, [994] Or on som other wight this charge leye. [995] "For, pardee, God woot I have evere yit [996] Ben redy the to serve, and to this nyght [997] Have I naught feyned, but emforth my wit [998] Don al thi lust, and shal with al my myght. [999] Do now as I shal seyn, and far aright; [1000] And if thow nylt, wite al thiself thi care! [1001] On me is nought along thyn yvel fare. [1002] "I woot wel that thow wiser art than I [1003] A thousand fold, but if I were as thow, [1004] God help me so, as I wolde outrely [1005] Of myn owen hond write hire right now [1006] A lettre, in which I wolde hire tellen how [1007] I ferde amys, and hire biseche of routhe. [1008] Now help thiself, and leve it nought for slouthe! [1009] "And I myself wol therwith to hire gon; [1010] And whan thow woost that I am with hire there, [1011] Worth thow upon a courser right anon -- [1012] Ye, hardily, right in thi beste gere -- [1013] And ryd forth by the place, as nought ne were, [1014] And thow shalt fynde us, if I may, sittynge [1015] At som wyndow, into the strete lokynge. [1016] "And if the list, than maystow us salue; [1017] And upon me make thow thi countenaunce; [1018] But by thi lif, be war and faste eschue [1019] To tarien ought -- God shilde us fro meschaunce! [1020] Rid forth thi wey, and hold thi governaunce; [1021] And we shal speek of the somwhat, I trowe, [1022] Whan thow art gon, to don thyn eris glowe! [1023] "Towchyng thi lettre, thou art wys ynough. [1024] I woot thow nylt it dygneliche endite, [1025] As make it with thise argumentes tough; [1026] Ne scryvenyssh or craftyly thow it write; [1027] Biblotte it with thi teris ek a lite; [1028] And if thow write a goodly word al softe, [1029] Though it be good, reherce it nought to ofte. [1030] "For though the beste harpour upon lyve [1031] Wolde on the beste sowned joly harpe [1032] That evere was, with alle his fyngres fyve [1033] Touche ay o stryng, or ay o werbul harpe, [1034] Were his nayles poynted nevere so sharpe, [1035] It sholde maken every wight to dulle, [1036] To here his glee, and of his strokes fulle. [1037] "Ne jompre ek no discordant thyng yfeere, [1038] As thus, to usen termes of phisik [1039] In loves termes; hold of thi matere [1040] The forme alwey, and do that it be lik; [1041] For if a peyntour wolde peynte a pyk [1042] With asses feet, and hedde it as an ape, [1043] It cordeth naught, so were it but a jape." [1044] This counseil liked wel to Troilus, [1045] But, as a dredful lovere, he seyde this: [1046] "Allas, my deere brother Pandarus, [1047] I am ashamed for to write, ywys, [1048] Lest of myn innocence I seyde amys, [1049] Or that she nolde it for despit receyve; [1050] Than were I ded: ther myght it nothyng weyve." [1051] To that Pandare answered, "If the lest, [1052] Do that I seye, and lat me therwith gon; [1053] For by that Lord that formede est and west, [1054] I hope of it to brynge answere anon [1055] Of hire hond; and if that thow nylt noon, [1056] Lat be, and sory mote he ben his lyve [1057] Ayeins thi lust that helpeth the to thryve." [1058] Quod Troilus, "Depardieux, ich assente! [1059] Sith that the list, I wil arise and write; [1060] And blisful God prey ich with good entente, [1061] The viage, and the lettre I shal endite, [1062] So spede it; and thow, Minerva, the white, [1063] Yif thow me wit my lettre to devyse." [1064] And sette hym down, and wrot right in this wyse: [1065] First he gan hire his righte lady calle, [1066] His hertes lif, his lust, his sorwes leche, [1067] His blisse, and ek thise other termes alle [1068] That in swich cas thise loveres alle seche; [1069] And in ful humble wise, as in his speche, [1070] He gan hym recomaunde unto hire grace; [1071] To telle al how, it axeth muchel space. [1072] And after this ful lowely he hire preyde [1073] To be nought wroth, thogh he, of his folie, [1074] So hardy was to hire to write, and seyde [1075] That love it made, or elles most he die, [1076] And pitousli gan mercy for to crye; [1077] And after that he seyde -- and leigh ful loude -- [1078] Hymself was litel worth, and lasse he koude; [1079] And that she sholde han his konnyng excused, [1080] That litel was, and ek he dredde hire soo; [1081] And his unworthynesse he ay acused; [1082] And after that than gan he telle his woo -- [1083] But that was endeles, withouten hoo -- [1084] And seyde he wolde in trouthe alwey hym holde; [1085] And radde it over, and gan the lettre folde. [1086] And with his salte teris gan he bathe [1087] The ruby in his signet, and it sette [1088] Upon the wex deliverliche and rathe. [1089] Therwith a thousand tymes er he lette [1090] He kiste tho the lettre that he shette, [1091] And seyde, "Lettre, a blisful destine [1092] The shapyn is. my lady shal the see!" [1093] This Pandare tok the lettre, and that bytyme [1094] A-morwe, and to his neces paleis sterte, [1095] And faste he swor that it was passed prime, [1096] And gan to jape, and seyde, "Ywys, myn herte, [1097] So fressh it is, although it sore smerte, [1098] I may naught slepe nevere a Mayes morwe; [1099] I have a joly wo, a lusty sorwe." [1100] Criseyde, whan that she hire uncle herde, [1101] With dredful herte, and desirous to here [1102] The cause of his comynge, thus answerde: [1103] "Now, by youre fey, myn uncle," quod she, "dere, [1104] What manere wyndes gydeth yow now here? [1105] Tel us youre joly wo and youre penaunce. [1106] How ferforth be ye put in loves daunce?" [1107] "By God," quod he, "I hoppe alwey byhynde!" [1108] And she to laughe, it thoughte hire herte brest. [1109] Quod Pandarus, "Loke alwey that ye fynde [1110] Game in myn hood; but herkneth, if yow lest! [1111] Ther is right now come into town a gest, [1112] A Greek espie, and telleth newe thinges, [1113] For which I come to telle yow tydynges. [1114] "Into the gardyn go we, and ye shal here, [1115] Al pryvely, of this a long sermoun." [1116] With that they wenten arm in arm yfeere [1117] Into the gardyn from the chaumbre down; [1118] And whan that he so fer was that the sown [1119] Of that he spak no man heren myghte, [1120] He seyde hire thus, and out the lettre plighte: [1121] "Lo, he that is al holy youres free [1122] Hym recomaundeth lowely to youre grace, [1123] And sente yow this lettre here by me. [1124] Avyseth yow on it, whan ye han space, [1125] And of som goodly answere yow purchace, [1126] Or, helpe me God, so pleynly for to seyne, [1127] He may nat longe lyven for his peyne." [1128] Ful dredfully tho gan she stonden stylle, [1129] And took it naught, but al hire humble chere [1130] Gan for to chaunge, and seyde, "Scrit ne bille, [1131] For love of God, that toucheth swich matere, [1132] Ne bryng me noon; and also, uncle deere, [1133] To myn estat have more reward, I preye, [1134] Than to his lust! What sholde I more seye? [1135] "And loketh now if this be resonable, [1136] And letteth nought, for favour ne for slouthe, [1137] To seyn a sooth; now were it covenable [1138] To myn estat, by God and by youre trouthe, [1139] To taken it, or to han of hym routhe, [1140] In harmyng of myself, or in repreve? [1141] Ber it ayein, for hym that ye on leve!" [1142] This Pandarus gan on hire for to stare, [1143] And seyde, "Now is this the grettest wondre [1144] That evere I seigh! Lat be this nyce fare! [1145] To dethe mot I smyten be with thondre, [1146] If for the citee which that stondeth yondre, [1147] Wolde I a lettre unto yow brynge or take [1148] To harm of yow! What list yow thus it make? [1149] "But thus ye faren, wel neigh alle and some, [1150] That he that most desireth yow to serve, [1151] Of hym ye recche leest wher he bycome, [1152] And whethir that he lyve or elles sterve. [1153] But for al that that ever I may deserve, [1154] Refuse it naught," quod he, and hente hire faste, [1155] And in hire bosom the lettre down he thraste, [1156] And seyde hire, "Now cast it awey anon, [1157] That folk may seen and gauren on us tweye." [1158] Quod she, "I kan abyde til they be gon"; [1159] And gan to smyle, and seyde hym, "Em, I preye, [1160] Swich answere as yow list, youreself purveye, [1161] For trewely I nyl no lettre write." [1162] "No? than wol I," quod he, "so ye endite." [1163] Therwith she lough, and seyde, "Go we dyne." [1164] And he gan at hymself to jape faste, [1165] And seyde, "Nece, I have so gret a pyne [1166] For love, that everich other day I faste --" [1167] And gan his beste japes forth to caste, [1168] And made hire so to laughe at his folye, [1169] That she for laughter wende for to dye. [1170] And whan that she was comen into halle, [1171] "Now, em," quod she, "we wol go dyne anon." [1172] And gan some of hire wommen to hire calle, [1173] And streght into hire chambre gan she gon; [1174] But of hire besynesses this was on -- [1175] Amonges othere thynges, out of drede -- [1176] Ful pryvely this lettre for to rede; [1177] Avysed word by word in every lyne, [1178] And fond no lak, she thoughte he koude good, [1179] And up it putte, and wente hire in to dyne. [1180] But Pandarus, that in a studye stood, [1181] Er he was war, she took hym by the hood, [1182] And seyde, "Ye were caught er that ye wiste." [1183] "I vouche sauf," quod he. "Do what you liste." [1184] Tho wesshen they, and sette hem down, and ete; [1185] And after noon ful sleighly Pandarus [1186] Gan drawe hym to the wyndowe next the strete, [1187] And seyde, "Nece, who hath araied thus [1188] The yonder hous, that stant aforyeyn us?" [1189] "Which hous?" quod she, and gan for to byholde, [1190] And knew it wel, and whos it was hym tolde; [1191] And fillen forth in speche of thynges smale, [1192] And seten in the windowe bothe tweye. [1193] Whan Pandarus saugh tyme unto his tale, [1194] And saugh wel that hire folk were alle aweye, [1195] "Now, nece myn, tel on," quod he; "I seye, [1196] How liketh yow the lettre that ye woot? [1197] Kan he theron? For, by my trouthe, I noot." [1198] Therwith al rosy hewed tho wex she, [1199] And gan to homme, and seyde, "So I trowe." [1200] "Aquite hym wel, for Goddes love," quod he; [1201] "Myself to medes wol the lettre sowe." [1202] And held his hondes up, and sat on knowe; [1203] "Now, goode nece, be it nevere so lite, [1204] Yif me the labour it to sowe and plite." [1205] "Ye, for I kan so writen," quod she tho; [1206] "And ek I noot what I sholde to hym seye." [1207] "Nay, nece," quod Pandare, "sey nat so. [1208] Yet at the leeste thonketh hym, I preye, [1209] Of his good wille, and doth hym nat to deye. [1210] Now, for the love of me, my nece deere, [1211] Refuseth nat at this tid my prayere!" [1212] "Depardieux," quod she, "God leve al be wel! [1213] God help me so, this is the firste lettre [1214] That evere I wroot, ye, al or any del." [1215] And into a closet, for t' avise hire bettre, [1216] She wente allone, and gan hire herte unfettre [1217] Out of desdaynes prisoun but a lite, [1218] And sette hire down, and gan a lettre write, [1219] Of which to telle in short is myn entente [1220] Th' effect, as fer as I kan understonde. [1221] She thanked hym of al that he wel mente [1222] Towardes hire, but holden hym in honde [1223] She nolde nought, ne make hireselven bonde [1224] In love; but as his suster, hym to plese, [1225] She wolde fayn to doon his herte an ese. [1226] She shette it, and to Pandare in gan goon, [1227] Ther as he sat and loked into the strete, [1228] And down she sette hire by hym on a stoon [1229] Of jaspre, upon a quysshyn gold-ybete, [1230] And seyde, "As wisly help me God the grete, [1231] I nevere dide thing with more peyne [1232] Than writen this, to which ye me constreyne," [1233] And took it hym. He thonked hire and seyde, [1234] "God woot, of thyng ful often looth bygonne [1235] Comth ende good; and nece myn, Criseyde, [1236] That ye to hym of hard now ben ywonne [1237] Oughte he be glad, by God and yonder sonne; [1238] For-whi men seith, `Impressiounes lighte [1239] Ful lightly ben ay redy to the flighte.' [1240] "But ye han played tirant neigh to longe, [1241] And hard was it youre herte for to grave. [1242] Now stynte, that ye no lenger on it honge, [1243] Al wolde ye the forme of daunger save, [1244] But hasteth you to doon hym joye have; [1245] For trusteth wel, to long ydoon hardnesse [1246] Causeth despit ful often for destresse." [1247] And right as they declamed this matere, [1248] Lo, Troilus, right at the stretes ende, [1249] Com rydyng with his tenthe som yfere, [1250] Al softely, and thiderward gan bende [1251] Ther as they sete, as was his way to wende [1252] To paleis-ward; and Pandare hym aspide, [1253] And seyde, "Nece, ysee who comth here ride! [1254] "O fle naught in (he seeth us, I suppose), [1255] Lest he may thynken that ye hym eschuwe." [1256] "Nay, nay," quod she, and wex as red as rose. [1257] With that he gan hire humbly to saluwe [1258] With dredful chere, and oft his hewes muwe; [1259] And up his look debonairly he caste, [1260] And bekked on Pandare, and forth he paste. [1261] God woot if he sat on his hors aright, [1262] Or goodly was biseyn, that ilke day! [1263] God woot wher he was lik a manly knyght! [1264] What sholde I drecche, or telle of his aray? [1265] Criseyde, which that alle thise thynges say, [1266] To telle in short, hire liked al in-fere, [1267] His persoun, his aray, his look, his chere, [1268] His goodly manere, and his gentilesse, [1269] So wel that nevere, sith that she was born, [1270] Ne hadde she swych routh of his destresse; [1271] And how so she hath hard ben here-byforn, [1272] To God hope I, she hath now kaught a thorn, [1273] She shal nat pulle it out this nexte wyke. [1274] God sende mo swich thornes on to pike! [1275] Pandare, which that stood hire faste by, [1276] Felte iren hoot, and he bygan to smyte, [1277] And seyde, "Nece, I pray yow hertely, [1278] Tel me that I shal axen yow a lite: [1279] A womman that were of his deth to wite, [1280] Withouten his gilt, but for hire lakked routhe, [1281] Were it wel doon?" Quod she, "Nay, by my trouthe!" [1282] "God help me so," quod he, "ye sey me soth. [1283] Ye felen wel youreself that I nought lye. [1284] Lo, yond he rit!" Quod she, "Ye, so he doth!" [1285] "Wel," quod Pandare, "as I have told yow thrie, [1286] Lat be youre nyce shame and youre folie, [1287] And spek with hym in esyng of his herte; [1288] Lat nycete nat do yow bothe smerte." [1289] But theron was to heven and to doone. [1290] Considered al thing it may nat be; [1291] And whi? For speche; and it were ek to soone [1292] To graunten hym so gret a libertee. [1293] For pleynly hire entente, as seyde she, [1294] Was for to love hym unwist, if she myghte, [1295] And guerdoun hym with nothing but with sighte. [1296] But Pandarus thought, "It shal nought be so, [1297] Yif that I may; this nyce opynyoun [1298] Shal nought be holden fully yeres two." [1299] What sholde I make of this a long sermoun? [1300] He moste assente on that conclusioun, [1301] As for the tyme; and whan that it was eve, [1302] And al was wel, he roos and tok his leve. [1303] And on his wey ful faste homward he spedde, [1304] And right for joye he felte his herte daunce; [1305] And Troilus he fond allone abedde, [1306] That lay, as do thise lovers, in a traunce [1307] Bitwixen hope and derk disesperaunce. [1308] But Pandarus, right at his in-comynge, [1309] He song, as who seyth, "Somwhat I brynge," [1310] And seyde, "Who is in his bed so soone [1311] Iburied thus?" "It am I, frend," quod he. [1312] "Who, Troilus? Nay, help me so the moone," [1313] Quod Pandarus, "thow shalt arise and see [1314] A charme that was sent right now to the, [1315] The which kan helen the of thyn accesse, [1316] If thow do forthwith al thi bisynesse." [1317] "Ye, thorugh the myght of God," quod Troilus, [1318] And Pandarus gan hym the lettre take, [1319] And seyde, "Parde, God hath holpen us! [1320] Have here a light, and loke on al this blake." [1321] But ofte gan the herte glade and quake [1322] Of Troilus, whil that he gan it rede, [1323] So as the wordes yave hym hope or drede. [1324] But finaly, he took al for the beste [1325] That she hym wroot, for somwhat he byheld [1326] On which hym thoughte he myghte his herte reste, [1327] Al covered she tho wordes under sheld. [1328] Thus to the more worthi part he held, [1329] That what for hope and Pandarus byheste, [1330] His grete wo foryede he at the leste. [1331] But as we may alday oureselven see, [1332] Thorugh more wode or col, the more fir, [1333] Right so encreese hope, of what it be, [1334] Therwith ful ofte encresseth ek desir; [1335] Or as an ook comth of a litil spir, [1336] So thorugh this lettre which that she hym sente [1337] Encrescen gan desir, of which he brente. [1338] Wherfore I seye alwey, that day and nyght [1339] This Troilus gan to desiren moore [1340] Thanne he did erst, thorugh hope, and did his myght [1341] To preessen on, as by Pandarus loore, [1342] And writen to hire of his sorwes soore. [1343] Fro day to day he leet it nought refreyde, [1344] That by Pandare he wroot somwhat or seyde; [1345] And dide also his other observaunces [1346] That til a lovere longeth in this cas; [1347] And after that thise dees torned on chaunces, [1348] So was he outher glad or seyde "Allas!" [1349] And held after his gistes ay his pas; [1350] And after swiche answeres as he hadde, [1351] So were his dayes sory outher gladde. [1352] But to Pandare alwey was his recours, [1353] And pitously gan ay tyl hym to pleyne, [1354] And hym bisoughte of reed and som socours. [1355] And Pandarus, that sey his woode peyne, [1356] Wex wel neigh ded for routhe, sooth to seyne, [1357] And bisily with al his herte caste [1358] Som of his wo to slen, and that as faste; [1359] And seyde, "Lord, and frend, and brother dere, [1360] God woot that thi disese doth me wo. [1361] But wiltow stynten al this woful cheere, [1362] And, by my trouthe, er it be dayes two, [1363] And God toforn, yet shal I shape it so, [1364] That thow shalt come into a certeyn place, [1365] There as thow mayst thiself hire preye of grace. [1366] "And certeynly -- I noot if thow it woost, [1367] But tho that ben expert in love it seye -- [1368] It is oon of the thynges forthereth most, [1369] A man to han a layser for to preye, [1370] And siker place his wo for to bywreye; [1371] For in good herte it mot som routhe impresse, [1372] To here and see the giltlees in distresse. [1373] "Peraunter thynkestow: though it be so, [1374] That Kynde wolde don hire to bygynne [1375] To have a manere routhe upon my woo, [1376] Seyth Daunger, `Nay, thow shalt me nevere wynne!' [1377] So reulith hire hir hertes gost withinne, [1378] That though she bende, yeet she stant on roote; [1379] What in effect is this unto my boote? [1380] "Thenk here-ayeins: whan that the stordy ook, [1381] On which men hakketh ofte, for the nones, [1382] Receyved hath the happy fallyng strook, [1383] The greete sweigh doth it come al at ones, [1384] As don thise rokkes or thise milnestones; [1385] For swifter cours comth thyng that is of wighte, [1386] Whan it descendeth, than don thynges lighte. [1387] "And reed that boweth down for every blast, [1388] Ful lightly, cesse wynd, it wol aryse; [1389] But so nyl nought an ook, whan it is cast; [1390] It nedeth me nought the longe to forbise. [1391] Men shal rejoissen of a gret empryse [1392] Acheved wel, and stant withouten doute, [1393] Al han men ben the lenger theraboute. [1394] "But, Troilus, yet telle me, if the lest, [1395] A thing now which that I shal axen the: [1396] Which is thi brother that thow lovest best, [1397] As in thi verray hertes privetee?" [1398] "Iwis, my brother Deiphebus," quod he. [1399] "Now," quod Pandare, "er houres twyes twelve, [1400] He shal the ese, unwist of it hymselve. [1401] "Now lat m' alone, and werken as I may," [1402] Quod he; and to Deiphebus wente he tho, [1403] Which hadde his lord and grete frend ben ay; [1404] Save Troilus, no man he loved so. [1405] To telle in short, withouten wordes mo, [1406] Quod Pandarus, "I pray yow that ye be [1407] Frend to a cause which that toucheth me." [1408] "Yis, parde," quod Deiphebus, "wel thow woost, [1409] In al that evere I may, and God tofore, [1410] Al nere it but for man I love moost, [1411] My brother Troilus; but sey wherfore [1412] It is. for sith that day that I was bore, [1413] I nas, ne nevere mo to ben I thynke, [1414] Ayeins a thing that myghte the forthynke." [1415] Pandare gan hym thanke, and to hym seyde, [1416] "Lo, sire, I have a lady in this town, [1417] That is my nece, and called is Criseyde, [1418] Which some men wolden don oppressioun, [1419] And wrongfully han hire possessioun; [1420] Wherfore I of youre lordship yow biseche [1421] To ben oure frend, withouten more speche." [1422] Deiphebus hym answerde, "O, is nat this, [1423] That thow spekest of to me thus straungely, [1424] Criseda, my frend?" He seyde, "Yis." [1425] "Than nedeth," quod Deiphebus, "hardyly, [1426] Namore to speke, for trusteth wel that I [1427] Wol be hire champioun with spore and yerde; [1428] I roughte nought though alle hire foos it herde. [1429] "But tel me how -- thow woost of this matere -- [1430] It myghte best avaylen." "Now lat se," [1431] Quod Pandarus; "if ye, my lord so dere, [1432] Wolden as now do this honour to me, [1433] To preyen hire to-morwe, lo, that she [1434] Come unto yow, hire pleyntes to devise, [1435] Hire adversaries wolde of it agrise. [1436] "And yif I more dorste preye as now, [1437] And chargen yow to han so gret travaille, [1438] To han some of youre bretheren here with yow, [1439] That myghten to hire cause bet availle, [1440] Than wot I wel she myghte nevere faille [1441] For to ben holpen, what at youre instaunce, [1442] What with hire other frendes governaunce." [1443] Deiphebus, which that comen was of kynde [1444] To alle honour and bounte to consente, [1445] Answerd, "It shal be don; and I kan fynde [1446] Yet grettere help to this in myn entente. [1447] What wiltow seyn if I for Eleyne sente [1448] To speke of this? I trowe it be the beste, [1449] For she may leden Paris as hire leste. [1450] "Of Ector, which that is my lord, my brother, [1451] It nedeth naught to preye hym frend to be; [1452] For I have herd hym, o tyme and ek oother, [1453] Speke of Cryseyde swich honour that he [1454] May seyn no bet, swich hap to hym hath she. [1455] It nedeth naught his helpes for to crave; [1456] He shal be swich, right as we wol hym have. [1457] "Spek thow thiself also to Troilus [1458] On my byhalve, and prey hym with us dyne." [1459] "Syre, al this shal be don," quod Pandarus, [1460] And took his leve, and nevere gan to fyne, [1461] But to his neces hous, as streyght as lyne, [1462] He com; and fond hire fro the mete arise, [1463] And sette hym down, and spak right in this wise: [1464] He seide, "O verray God, so have I ronne! [1465] Lo, nece myn, se ye nought how I swete? [1466] I not wheither ye the more thank me konne. [1467] Be ye naught war how false Poliphete [1468] Is now aboute eftsones for to plete, [1469] And brynge on yow advocacies newe?" [1470] "I, no!" quod she, and chaunged al hire hewe. [1471] "What is he more aboute, me to drecche [1472] And don me wrong? What shal I doon, allas? [1473] Yet of hymself nothing ne wolde I recche, [1474] Nere it for Antenor and Eneas, [1475] That ben his frendes in swich manere cas. [1476] But, for the love of God, myn uncle deere, [1477] No fors of that; lat hym han al yfeere, [1478] "Withouten that I have ynough for us." [1479] "Nay," quod Pandare, "it shal nothing be so. [1480] For I have ben right now at Deiphebus, [1481] At Ector, and myn oother lordes moo, [1482] And shortly maked ech of hem his foo, [1483] That, by my thrift, he shal it nevere wynne, [1484] For aught he kan, whan that so he bygynne." [1485] And as thei casten what was best to doone, [1486] Deiphebus, of his owen curteisie, [1487] Com hire to preye, in his propre persone, [1488] To holde hym on the morwe compaignie [1489] At dyner, which she nolde nought denye, [1490] But goodly gan to his preier obeye. [1491] He thonked hire, and went upon his weye. [1492] Whan this was don, this Pandare up anon, [1493] To telle in short, and forth gan for to wende [1494] To Troilus, as stille as any ston; [1495] And al this thyng he tolde hym, word and ende, [1496] And how that he Deiphebus gan to blende, [1497] And seyde hym, "Now is tyme, if that thow konne, [1498] To bere the wel tomorwe, and al is wonne. [1499] "Now spek, now prey, now pitously compleyne; [1500] Lat nought for nyce shame, or drede, or slouthe! [1501] Somtyme a man mot telle his owen peyne. [1502] Bileve it, and she shal han on the routhe: [1503] Thow shalt be saved by thi feyth, in trouthe. [1504] But wel woot I thow art now in drede, [1505] And what it is, I leye, I kan arede. [1506] "Thow thynkest now, `How sholde I don al this? [1507] For by my cheres mosten folk aspie [1508] That for hire love is that I fare amys; [1509] Yet hadde I levere unwist for sorwe dye.' [1510] Now thynk nat so, for thow dost gret folie; [1511] For I right now have founden o manere [1512] Of sleyghte, for to coveren al thi cheere. [1513] "Thow shalt gon over nyght, and that bylyve, [1514] Unto Deiphebus hous as the to pleye, [1515] Thi maladie awey the bet to dryve -- [1516] For-whi thow semest sik, soth for to seye. [1517] Sone after that, down in thi bed the leye, [1518] And sey thow mayst no lenger up endure, [1519] And ly right there, and byd thyn aventure. [1520] "Sey that thi fevre is wont the for to take [1521] The same tyme, and lasten til a-morwe; [1522] And lat se now how wel thow kanst it make, [1523] For, parde, sik is he that is in sorwe. [1524] Go now, farwel! And Venus here to borwe, [1525] I hope, and thow this purpos holde ferme, [1526] Thi grace she shal fully ther conferme." [1527] Quod Troilus, "Iwis, thow nedeles [1528] Conseilest me that siklich I me feyne, [1529] For I am sik in ernest, douteles, [1530] So that wel neigh I sterve for the peyne." [1531] Quod Pandarus, "Thow shalt the bettre pleyne, [1532] And hast the lasse need to countrefete, [1533] For hym men demen hoot that men seen swete. [1534] "Lo, hold the at thi triste cloos, and I [1535] Shal wel the deer unto thi bowe dryve." [1536] Therwith he took his leve al softely, [1537] And Troilus to paleis wente blyve. [1538] So glad ne was he nevere in al his lyve, [1539] And to Pandarus reed gan al assente, [1540] And to Deiphebus hous at nyght he wente. [1541] What nedeth yow to tellen al the cheere [1542] That Deiphebus unto his brother made, [1543] Or his accesse, or his sikliche manere, [1544] How men gan hym with clothes for to lade [1545] Whan he was leyd, and how men wolde hym glade? [1546] But al for nought; he held forth ay the wyse [1547] That ye han herd Pandare er this devyse. [1548] But certayn is, er Troilus hym leyde, [1549] Deiphebus had hym preied over-nyght [1550] To ben a frend and helpyng to Criseyde. [1551] God woot that he it graunted anon-right, [1552] To ben hire fulle frend with al his myght. [1553] But swich a nede was to preye hym thenne, [1554] As for to bidde a wood man for to renne! [1555] The morwen com, and neighen gan the tyme [1556] Of meeltid, that the faire queene Eleyne [1557] Shoop hire to ben, an houre after the prime, [1558] With Deiphebus, to whom she nolde feyne; [1559] But as his suster, homly, soth to seyne, [1560] She com to dyner in hire pleyne entente. [1561] But God and Pandare wist al what this mente. [1562] Com ek Criseyde, al innocent of this, [1563] Antigone, hire suster Tarbe also. [1564] But fle we now prolixitee best is, [1565] For love of God, and lat us faste go [1566] Right to th' effect, withouten tales mo, [1567] Whi al this folk assembled in this place; [1568] And lat us of hire saluynges pace. [1569] Gret honour did hem Deiphebus, certeyn, [1570] And fedde hem wel with al that myghte like; [1571] But evere mo "Allas!" was his refreyn, [1572] "My goode brother Troilus, the syke, [1573] Lith yet" -- and therwithal he gan to sike; [1574] And after that, he peyned hym to glade [1575] Hem as he myghte, and cheere good he made. [1576] Compleyned ek Eleyne of his siknesse [1577] So feythfully that pite was to here, [1578] And every wight gan waxen for accesse [1579] A leche anon, and seyde, "In this manere [1580] Men curen folk." -- "This charme I wol yow leere." [1581] But ther sat oon, al list hire nought to teche, [1582] That thoughte, "Best koud I yet ben his leche." [1583] After compleynte, hym gonnen they to preyse, [1584] As folk don yet whan som wight hath bygonne [1585] To preise a man, and up with pris hym reise [1586] A thousand fold yet heigher than the sonne: [1587] "He is, he kan, that fewe lordes konne." [1588] And Pandarus, of that they wolde afferme, [1589] He naught forgat hire preisynge to conferme. [1590] Herde al this thyng Criseyde wel inough, [1591] And every word gan for to notifie; [1592] For which with sobre cheere hire herte lough. [1593] For who is that ne wolde hire glorifie, [1594] To mowen swich a knyght don lyve or dye? [1595] But al passe I, lest ye to longe dwelle; [1596] For for o fyn is al that evere I telle. [1597] The tyme com fro dyner for to ryse, [1598] And as hem aughte, arisen everichon. [1599] And gonne a while of this and that devise. [1600] But Pandarus brak al that speche anon, [1601] And seide to Deiphebus, "Wol ye gon, [1602] If it youre wille be, as I yow preyde, [1603] To speke here of the nedes of Criseyde?" [1604] Eleyne, which that by the hond hire held, [1605] Took first the tale, and seyde, "Go we blyve"; [1606] And goodly on Criseyde she biheld, [1607] And seyde, "Joves lat hym nevere thryve [1608] That doth yow harm, and brynge hym soone of lyve, [1609] And yeve me sorwe, but he shal it rewe, [1610] If that I may, and alle folk be trewe!" [1611] "Tel thow thi neces cas," quod Deiphebus [1612] To Pandarus, "for thow kanst best it telle." [1613] "My lordes and my ladys, it stant thus: [1614] What sholde I lenger," quod he, "do yow dwelle?" [1615] He rong hem out a proces lik a belle [1616] Upon hire foo that highte Poliphete, [1617] So heynous that men myghten on it spete. [1618] Answerde of this ech werse of hem than other, [1619] And Poliphete they gonnen thus to warien: [1620] "Anhonged be swich oon, were he my brother! [1621] And so he shal, for it ne may nought varien!" [1622] What shold I lenger in this tale tarien? [1623] Pleynliche, alle at ones, they hire highten [1624] To ben hire help in al that evere they myghten. [1625] Spak than Eleyne, and seyde, "Pandarus, [1626] Woot ought my lord, my brother, this matere -- [1627] I meene Ector -- or woot it Troilus?" [1628] He seyde, "Ye, but wole ye now me here? [1629] Me thynketh this, sith that Troilus is here, [1630] It were good, if that ye wolde assente, [1631] She tolde hireself hym al this er she wente. [1632] "For he wol have the more hir grief at herte, [1633] By cause, lo, that she a lady is. [1634] And, by youre leve, I wol but in right sterte [1635] And do yow wyte, and that anon, iwys, [1636] If that he slepe, or wol ought here of this." [1637] And in he lepte, and seyde hym in his ere, [1638] "God have thi soule, ibrought have I thi beere!" [1639] To smylen of this gan tho Troilus, [1640] And Pandarus, withouten rekenynge, [1641] Out wente anon to Eleyne and Deiphebus, [1642] And seyde hem, "So ther be no taryinge, [1643] Ne moore prees, he wol wel that ye brynge [1644] Criseda, my lady, that is here; [1645] And as he may enduren, he wol here. [1646] "But wel ye woot, the chaumbre is but lite, [1647] And fewe folk may lightly make it warm; [1648] Now loketh ye (for I wol have no wite [1649] To brynge in prees that myghte don hym harm, [1650] Or hym disesen, for my bettre arm) [1651] Wher it be bet she bide til eft-sonys; [1652] Now loketh ye that knowen what to doon is. [1653] "I sey for me, best is, as I kan knowe, [1654] That no wight in ne wente but ye tweye, [1655] But it were I, for I kan in a throwe [1656] Reherce hire cas unlik that she kan seye; [1657] And after this she may hym ones preye [1658] To ben good lord, in short, and take hire leve. [1659] This may nought muchel of his ese hym reve. [1660] "And ek, for she is straunge, he wol forbere [1661] His ese, which that hym thar nought for yow; [1662] Ek oother thing that toucheth nought to here [1663] He wol yow telle -- I woot it wel right now -- [1664] That secret is, and for the townes prow." [1665] And they, that nothyng knewe of his entente, [1666] Withouten more, to Troilus in they wente. [1667] Eleyne, in al hire goodly softe wyse, [1668] Gan hym salue, and wommanly to pleye, [1669] And seyde, "Iwys, ye moste alweies arise! [1670] Now faire brother, beth al hool, I preye!" [1671] And gan hire arm right over his shulder leye, [1672] And hym with al hire wit to reconforte; [1673] As she best koude, she gan hym to disporte. [1674] So after this quod she, "We yow biseke, [1675] My deere brother Deiphebus and I, [1676] For love of God -- and so doth Pandare eke -- [1677] To ben good lord and frend, right hertely, [1678] Unto Criseyde, which that certeynly [1679] Receyveth wrong, as woot weel here Pandare, [1680] That kan hire cas wel bet than I declare." [1681] This Pandarus gan newe his tong affile, [1682] And al hire cas reherce, and that anon. [1683] Whan it was seyd, soone after in a while, [1684] Quod Troilus, "As sone as I may gon, [1685] I wol right fayn with al my myght ben oon -- [1686] Have God my trouthe -- hire cause to sustene." [1687] "Good thrift have ye!" quod Eleyne the queene. [1688] Quod Pandarus, "And it youre wille be [1689] That she may take hire leve, er that she go?" [1690] "O, elles God forbede it," tho quod he, [1691] "If that she vouche sauf for to do so." [1692] And with that word quod Troilus, "Ye two, [1693] Deiphebus and my suster lief and deere, [1694] To yow have I to speke of o matere, [1695] "To ben avysed by youre reed the bettre --" [1696] And fond, as hap was, at his beddes hed [1697] The copie of a tretys and a lettre [1698] That Ector hadde hym sent to axen red [1699] If swych a man was worthi to ben ded, [1700] Woot I nought who; but in a grisly wise [1701] He preyede hem anon on it avyse. [1702] Deiphebus gan this lettre for t' onfolde [1703] In ernest greet; so did Eleyne the queene; [1704] And romyng outward, faste it gonne byholde, [1705] Downward a steire, into an herber greene. [1706] This ilke thing they redden hem bitwene, [1707] And largely, the mountance of an houre, [1708] Thei gonne on it to reden and to poure. [1709] Now lat hem rede, and torne we anon [1710] To Pandarus, that gan ful faste prye [1711] That al was wel, and out he gan to gon [1712] Into the grete chaumbre, and that in hye, [1713] And seyde, "God save al this compaynye! [1714] Com, nece myn; my lady queene Eleyne [1715] Abideth yow, and ek my lordes tweyne. [1716] "Rys, take with yow youre nece Antigone, [1717] Or whom yow list; or no fors; hardyly [1718] The lesse prees, the bet; com forth with me, [1719] And loke that ye thonken humblely [1720] Hem alle thre, and whan ye may goodly [1721] Youre tyme se, taketh of hem youre leeve, [1722] Lest we to longe his restes hym byreeve." [1723] Al innocent of Pandarus entente, [1724] Quod tho Criseyde, "Go we, uncle deere"; [1725] And arm in arm inward with hym she wente, [1726] Avysed wel hire wordes and hire cheere; [1727] And Pandarus, in ernestful manere, [1728] Seyde, "Alle folk, for Goddes love, I preye, [1729] Stynteth right here, and softely yow pleye. [1730] "Avyseth yow what folk ben hire withinne, [1731] And in what plit oon is, God hym amende!" [1732] And inward thus, "Ful softely bygynne, [1733] Nece, I conjure and heighly yow defende, [1734] On his half which that soule us alle sende, [1735] And in the vertu of corones tweyne, [1736] Sle naught this man, that hath for yow this peyne! [1737] "Fy on the devel! Thynk which oon he is, [1738] And in what plit he lith. com of anon! [1739] Thynk al swich taried tyde, but lost it nys. [1740] That wol ye bothe seyn, whan ye ben oon. [1741] Secoundely, ther yet devyneth noon [1742] Upon yow two; come of now, if ye konne! [1743] While folk is blent, lo, al the tyme is wonne. [1744] "In titeryng, and pursuyte, and delayes, [1745] The folk devyne at waggyng of a stree; [1746] And though ye wolde han after mirye dayes, [1747] Than dar ye naught. And whi? For she, and she [1748] Spak swych a word; thus loked he, and he! [1749] Las, tyme ilost! I dar nought with yow dele. [1750] Com of, therfore, and bryngeth hym to hele!" [1751] But now to yow, ye loveres that ben here, [1752] Was Troilus nought in a kankedort, [1753] That lay, and myghte whisprynge of hem here, [1754] And thoughte, "O Lord, right now renneth my sort [1755] Fully to deye, or han anon comfort!" [1756] And was the firste tyme he shulde hire preye [1757] Of love; O myghty God, what shal he seye? The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Troilus and Criseyde Book 3 [1] O blisful light of which the bemes clere [2] Adorneth al the thridde heven faire! [3] O sonnes lief, O Joves doughter deere, [4] Plesance of love, O goodly debonaire, [5] In gentil hertes ay redy to repaire! [6] O veray cause of heele and of gladnesse, [7] Iheryed be thy myght and thi goodnesse! [8] In hevene and helle, in erthe and salte see [9] Is felt thi myght, if that I wel descerne, [10] As man, brid, best, fissh, herbe, and grene tree [11] Thee fele in tymes with vapour eterne. [12] God loveth, and to love wol nought werne, [13] And in this world no lyves creature [14] Withouten love is worth, or may endure. [15] Ye Joves first to thilke effectes glade, [16] Thorugh which that thynges lyven alle and be, [17] Comeveden, and amorous him made [18] On mortal thyng, and as yow list, ay ye [19] Yeve hym in love ese or adversitee, [20] And in a thousand formes down hym sente [21] For love in erthe, and whom yow liste he hente. [22] Ye fierse Mars apaisen of his ire, [23] And as yow list, ye maken hertes digne; [24] Algates hem that ye wol sette a-fyre, [25] They dreden shame, and vices they resygne; [26] Ye do hem corteys be, fresshe and benigne; [27] And heighe or lowe, after a wight entendeth, [28] The joies that he hath, youre myght it sendeth. [29] Ye holden regne and hous in unitee; [30] Ye sothfast cause of frendship ben also; [31] Ye knowe al thilke covered qualitee [32] Of thynges, which that folk on wondren so, [33] Whan they kan nought construe how it may jo [34] She loveth hym, or whi he loveth here, [35] As whi this fissh, and naught that, comth to were. [36] Ye folk a lawe han set in universe, [37] And this knowe I by hem that lovers be, [38] That whoso stryveth with yow hath the werse. [39] Now, lady bryght, for thi benignite, [40] At reverence of hem that serven the, [41] Whos clerc I am, so techeth me devyse [42] Som joye of that is felt in thi servyse. [43] Ye in my naked herte sentement [44] Inhielde, and do me shewe of thy swetnesse. [45] Caliope, thi vois be now present, [46] For now is nede: sestow nought my destresse, [47] How I mot telle anonright the gladnesse [48] Of Troilus, to Venus heryinge? [49] To which gladnesse, who nede hath, God hym brynge! [50] Lay al this mene while Troilus, [51] Recordyng his lesson in this manere: [52] "Mafay," thoughte he, "thus wol I sey, and thus; [53] Thus wol I pleyne unto my lady dere; [54] That word is good, and this shal be my cheere; [55] This nyl I nought foryeten in no wise." [56] God leve hym werken as he kan devyse! [57] And, Lord, so that his herte gan to quappe, [58] Heryng hire come, and shorte for to sike! [59] And Pandarus, that ledde hire by the lappe, [60] Com ner, and gan in at the curtyn pike, [61] And seyde, "God do boot on alle syke! [62] Se who is here yow comen to visite: [63] Lo, here is she that is youre deth to wite." [64] Therwith it semed as he wepte almost. [65] "Ha, a," quod Troilus so reufully, [66] "Wher me be wo, O myghty God, thow woost! [67] Who is al ther? I se nought trewely." [68] "Sire," quod Criseyde, "it is Pandare and I." [69] "Ye, swete herte? Allas, I may nought rise, [70] To knele and do yow honour in som wyse." [71] And dressed hym upward, and she right tho [72] Gan bothe hire hondes softe upon hym leye. [73] "O, for the love of God, do ye nought so [74] To me," quod she, "I! What is this to seye? [75] Sire, comen am I to yow for causes tweye: [76] First, yow to thonke, and of youre lordshipe eke [77] Continuance I wolde yow biseke." [78] This Troilus, that herde his lady preye [79] Of lordshipe hym, wax neither quyk ne ded, [80] Ne myghte o word for shame to it seye, [81] Although men sholde smyten of his hed. [82] But Lord, so he wex sodeynliche red, [83] And sire, his lessoun, that he wende konne [84] To preyen hire, is thorugh his wit ironne. [85] Criseyde al this aspied wel ynough, [86] For she was wis, and loved hym nevere the lasse, [87] Al nere he malapert, or made it tough, [88] Or was to bold, to synge a fool a masse. [89] But whan his shame gan somwhat to passe, [90] His resons, as I may my rymes holde, [91] I yow wol telle, as techen bokes olde. [92] In chaunged vois, right for his verray drede, [93] Which vois ek quook, and therto his manere [94] Goodly abaist, and now his hewes rede, [95] Now pale, unto Criseyde, his lady dere, [96] With look down cast and humble iyolden chere, [97] Lo, the alderfirste word that hym asterte [98] Was, twyes, "Mercy, mercy, swete herte!" [99] And stynte a while, and whan he myghte out brynge, [100] The nexte word was, "God woot, for I have, [101] As ferforthly as I have had konnynge, [102] Ben youres al, God so my soule save, [103] And shal til that I, woful wight, be grave! [104] And though I dar, ne kan, unto yow pleyne, [105] Iwis, I suffre nought the lasse peyne. [106] "Thus muche as now, O wommanliche wif, [107] I may out brynge, and if this yow displese, [108] That shal I wreke upon myn owen lif [109] Right soone, I trowe, and do youre herte an ese, [110] If with my deth youre wreththe may apese. [111] But syn that ye han herd me somwhat seye, [112] Now recche I nevere how soone that I deye." [113] Therwith his manly sorwe to biholde [114] It myghte han mad an herte of stoon to rewe; [115] And Pandare wep as he to water wolde, [116] And poked evere his nece new and newe, [117] And seyde, "Wo bygon ben hertes trewe! [118] For love of God, make of this thing an ende, [119] Or sle us both at ones er ye wende." [120] "I, what?" quod she, "by God and by my trouthe, [121] I not nat what ye wilne that I seye." [122] "I, what?" quod he, "That ye han on hym routhe, [123] For Goddes love, and doth hym nought to deye!" [124] "Now than thus," quod she, "I wolde hym preye [125] To telle me the fyn of his entente. [126] Yet wist I nevere wel what that he mente." [127] "What that I mene, O swete herte deere?" [128] Quod Troilus, "O goodly, fresshe free, [129] That with the stremes of youre eyen cleere [130] Ye wolde somtyme frendly on me see, [131] And thanne agreen that I may ben he, [132] Withouten braunche of vice on any wise, [133] In trouthe alwey to don yow my servise, [134] "As to my lady right and chief resort, [135] With al my wit and al my diligence; [136] And I to han, right as yow list, comfort, [137] Under yowre yerde, egal to myn offence, [138] As deth, if that I breke youre defence; [139] And that ye deigne me so muchel honoure [140] Me to comanden aught in any houre; [141] "And I to ben youre -- verray, humble, trewe, [142] Secret, and in my paynes pacient, [143] And evere mo desiren fresshly newe [144] To serve, and ben ylike diligent, [145] And with good herte al holly youre talent [146] Receyven wel, how sore that me smerte; [147] Lo, this mene I, myn owen swete herte." [148] Quod Pandarus, "Lo, here an hard requeste, [149] And resonable, a lady for to werne! [150] Now, nece myn, by natal Joves feste, [151] Were I a god, ye sholden sterve as yerne, [152] That heren wel this man wol nothing yerne [153] But youre honour, and sen hym almost sterve, [154] And ben so loth to suffren hym yow serve." [155] With that she gan hire eyen on hym caste [156] Ful esily and ful debonairly, [157] Avysyng hire, and hied nought to faste [158] With nevere a word, but seyde hym softely, [159] "Myn honour sauf, I wol wel trewely, [160] And in swich forme as he gan now devyse, [161] Receyven hym fully to my servyse, [162] "Bysechyng hym, for Goddes love, that he [163] Wolde, in honour of trouthe and gentilesse, [164] As I wel mene, ek menen wel to me, [165] And myn honour with wit and bisynesse [166] Ay kepe; and if I may don hym gladnesse, [167] From hennesforth, iwys, I nyl nought feyne. [168] Now beth al hool; no lenger ye ne pleyne. [169] "But natheles, this warne I yow," quod she, [170] "A kynges sone although ye be, ywys, [171] Ye shal namore han sovereignete [172] Of me in love, than right in that cas is. [173] N' y nyl forbere, if that ye don amys, [174] To wratthe yow; and whil that ye me serve, [175] Chericen yow right after ye disserve. [176] "And shortly, deere herte and al my knyght, [177] Beth glad, and draweth yow to lustinesse, [178] And I shal trewely, with al my myght, [179] Youre bittre tornen al into swetenesse. [180] If I be she that may yow do gladnesse, [181] For every wo ye shal recovere a blisse" -- [182] And hym in armes took, and gan hym kisse. [183] Fil Pandarus on knees, and up his eyen [184] To heven threw, and held his hondes highe: [185] "Immortal god," quod he, "that mayst nought deyen, [186] Cupide I mene, of this mayst glorifie; [187] And Venus, thow mayst maken melodie! [188] Withouten hond, me semeth that in the towne, [189] For this merveille ich here ech belle sowne. [190] "But ho! namore as now of this matere; [191] For-whi this folk wol comen up anon, [192] That han the lettre red; lo, I hem here. [193] But I conjure the, Criseyde, anon, [194] And to, thow Troilus, whan thow mayst goon, [195] That at myn hous ye ben at my warnynge, [196] For I ful well shal shape youre comynge; [197] "And eseth there youre hertes right ynough; [198] And lat se which of yow shal bere the belle [199] To speke of love aright!" -- therwith he lough -- [200] "For ther have ye a leiser for to telle." [201] Quod Troilus, "How longe shal I dwelle, [202] Er this be don?" Quod he, "Whan thow mayst ryse, [203] This thyng shal be right as I yow devyse." [204] With that Eleyne and also Deiphebus [205] Tho comen upward, right at the steires ende; [206] And Lord, so thanne gan gronen Troilus, [207] His brother and his suster for to blende. [208] Quod Pandarus, "It tyme is that we wende. [209] Tak, nece myn, youre leve at alle thre, [210] And lat hem speke, and cometh forth with me." [211] She took hire leve at hem ful thriftily, [212] As she wel koude, and they hire reverence [213] Unto the fulle diden, hardyly, [214] And wonder wel speken, in hire absence, [215] Of hire in preysing of hire excellence -- [216] Hire governaunce, hire wit, and hire manere [217] Comendeden, it joie was to here. [218] Now lat hire wende unto hire owen place, [219] And torne we to Troilus ayein, [220] That gan ful lightly of the lettre pace [221] That Deiphebus hadde in the gardyn seyn; [222] And of Eleyne and hym he wolde feyn [223] Delivered ben, and seyde that hym leste [224] To slepe, and after tales have reste. [225] Eleyne hym kiste, and took hire leve blyve, [226] Deiphebus ek, and hom wente every wight; [227] And Pandarus, as faste as he may dryve, [228] To Troilus tho com, as lyne right, [229] And on a paillet al that glade nyght [230] By Troilus he lay, with mery chere, [231] To tale; and wel was hem they were yfeere. [232] Whan every wight was voided but they two, [233] And alle the dores weren faste yshette, [234] To telle in short, withouten wordes mo, [235] This Pandarus, withouten any lette, [236] Up roos, and on his beddes syde hym sette, [237] And gan to speken in a sobre wyse [238] To Troilus, as I shal yow devyse: [239] "Myn alderlevest lord, and brother deere, [240] God woot, and thow, that it sat me so soore, [241] Whan I the saugh so langwisshyng to-yere [242] For love, of which thi wo wax alwey moore, [243] That I, with al my myght and al my loore, [244] Have evere sithen don my bisynesse [245] To brynge the to joye out of distresse, [246] "And have it brought to swich plit as thow woost, [247] So that thorugh me thow stondest now in weye [248] To faren wel; I sey it for no bost, [249] And wostow whi? For shame it is to seye: [250] For the have I bigonne a gamen pleye [251] Which that I nevere do shal eft for other, [252] Although he were a thousand fold my brother. [253] "That is to seye, for the am I bicomen, [254] Bitwixen game and ernest, swich a meene [255] As maken wommen unto men to comen; [256] Al sey I nought, thow wost wel what I meene. [257] For the have I my nece, of vices cleene, [258] So fully maad thi gentilesse triste, [259] That al shal ben right as thiselven liste. [260] "But God, that al woot, take I to witnesse, [261] That nevere I this for coveitise wroughte, [262] But oonly for t' abregge that distresse [263] For which wel neigh thow deidest, as me thoughte. [264] But, goode brother, do now as the oughte, [265] For Goddes love, and kep hire out of blame, [266] Syn thow art wys, and save alwey hire name. [267] "For wel thow woost, the name as yet of here [268] Among the peeple, as who seyth, halwed is. [269] For that man is unbore, I dar wel swere, [270] That evere wiste that she dide amys. [271] But wo is me, that I, that cause al this, [272] May thynken that she is my nece deere, [273] And I hire em, and traitour ek yfeere! [274] "And were it wist that I, thorugh myn engyn, [275] Hadde in my nece yput this fantasie, [276] To doon thi lust and holly to ben thyn, [277] Whi, al the world upon it wolde crie, [278] And seyn that I the werste trecherie [279] Dide in this cas, that evere was bigonne, [280] And she forlost, and thow right nought ywonne. [281] "Wherfore, er I wol ferther gon a pas, [282] The preie ich eft, althogh thow shuldest deye, [283] That privete go with us in this cas; [284] That is to seyn, that thow us nevere wreye; [285] And be nought wroth, though I the ofte preye [286] To holden secree swich an heigh matere, [287] For skilfull is, thow woost wel, my praiere. [288] "And thynk what wo ther hath bitid er this, [289] For makyng of avantes, as men rede; [290] And what meschaunce in this world yet ther is, [291] Fro day to day, right for that wikked dede; [292] For which thise wise clerkes that ben dede [293] Han evere yet proverbed to us yonge, [294] That `firste vertu is to kepe tonge.' [295] "And nere it that I wilne as now t' abregge [296] Diffusioun of speche, I koude almoost [297] A thousand olde stories the allegge [298] Of wommen lost through fals and foles bost. [299] Proverbes kanst thiself ynowe and woost [300] Ayeins that vice, for to ben a labbe, [301] Al seyde men soth as often as thei gabbe. [302] "O tonge, allas, so often here-byforn [303] Hath mad ful many a lady bright of hewe [304] Seyd `Weilaway, the day that I was born!' [305] And many a maydes sorwe for to newe; [306] And for the more part, al is untrewe [307] That men of yelpe, and it were brought to preve. [308] Of kynde non avauntour is to leve. [309] "Avauntour and a lyere, al is on; [310] As thus: I pose, a womman grante me [311] Hire love, and seith that other wol she non, [312] And I am sworn to holden it secree, [313] And after I go telle it two or thre -- [314] Iwis, I am avauntour at the leeste, [315] And lyere, for I breke my biheste. [316] "Now loke thanne, if they be nought to blame, [317] Swich manere folk -- what shal I clepe hem, what? -- [318] That hem avaunte of wommen, and by name, [319] That nevere yet bihyghte hem this ne that, [320] Ne knewe hem more than myn olde hat! [321] No wonder is, so God me sende hele, [322] Though wommen dreden with us men to dele. [323] "I sey nought this for no mistrust of yow, [324] Ne for no wis-man, but for foles nyce, [325] And for the harm that in the werld is now, [326] As wel for folie ofte as for malice; [327] For wel woot I, in wise folk that vice [328] No womman drat, if she be wel avised; [329] For wyse ben by foles harm chastised. [330] "But now to purpos; leve brother deere, [331] Have al this thyng that I have seyd in mynde, [332] And kep the clos, and be now of good cheere, [333] For at thi day thow shalt me trewe fynde. [334] I shal thi proces set in swych a kynde, [335] And God toforn, that it shal the suffise, [336] For it shal be right as thow wolt devyse. [337] "For wel I woot, thow menest wel, parde; [338] Therfore I dar this fully undertake. [339] Thow woost ek what thi lady graunted the, [340] And day is set the chartres up to make. [341] Have now good nyght, I may no lenger wake; [342] And bid for me, syn thow art now in blysse, [343] That God me sende deth or soone lisse." [344] Who myghte tellen half the joie or feste [345] Which that the soule of Troilus tho felte, [346] Heryng th' effect of Pandarus byheste? [347] His olde wo, that made his herte swelte, [348] Gan tho for joie wasten and tomelte, [349] And al the richesse of his sikes sore [350] At ones fledde; he felte of hem namore. [351] But right so as thise holtes and thise hayis, [352] That han in wynter dede ben and dreye, [353] Revesten hem in grene whan that May is, [354] Whan every lusty liketh best to pleye; [355] Right in that selve wise, soth to seye, [356] Wax sodeynliche his herte ful of joie, [357] That gladder was ther nevere man in Troie. [358] And gan his look on Pandarus up caste [359] Ful sobrely, and frendly for to se, [360] And seyde, "Frend, in Aperil the laste -- [361] As wel thow woost, if it remembre the -- [362] How neigh the deth for wo thow fownde me, [363] And how thow dedest al thi bisynesse [364] To knowe of me the cause of my destresse. [365] "Thow woost how longe ich it forbar to seye [366] To the, that art the man that I best triste; [367] And peril non was it to the bywreye, [368] That wist I wel; but telle me, if the liste, [369] Sith I so loth was that thiself it wiste, [370] How dorst I mo tellen of this matere, [371] That quake now, and no wight may us here? [372] "But natheles, by that God I the swere, [373] That, as hym list, may al this world governe -- [374] And, if I lye, Achilles with his spere [375] Myn herte cleve, al were my lif eterne, [376] As I am mortal, if I late or yerne [377] Wolde it bewreye, or dorst, or sholde konne, [378] For al the good that God made under sonne -- [379] "That rather deye I wolde, and determyne, [380] As thynketh me, now stokked in prisoun, [381] In wrecchidnesse, in filthe, and in vermyne, [382] Caytif to cruel kyng Agamenoun; [383] And this in all the temples of this town [384] Upon the goddes alle, I wol the swere [385] To-morwe day, if that it liketh here. [386] "And that thow hast so muche ido for me [387] That I ne may it nevere more disserve, [388] This know I wel, al myghte I now for the [389] A thousand tymes on a morwe sterve. [390] I kan namore, but that I wol the serve [391] Right as thi sclave, whider so thow wende, [392] For evere more, unto my lyves ende. [393] "But here, with al myn herte, I the biseche [394] That nevere in me thow deme swich folie [395] As I shal seyn: me thoughte by thi speche [396] That this which thow me dost for compaignie, [397] I sholde wene it were a bauderye. [398] I am nought wood, al if I lewed be! [399] It is nought so, that woot I wel, parde! [400] "But he that gooth for gold or for ricchesse [401] On swich message, calle hym what the list; [402] And this that thow doost, calle it gentilesse, [403] Compassioun, and felawship, and trist. [404] Departe it so, for wyde-wher is wist [405] How that ther is diversite requered [406] Bytwixen thynges like, as I have lered. [407] "And that thow knowe I thynke nought ne wene [408] That this servise a shame be or jape, [409] I have my faire suster Polixene, [410] Cassandre, Eleyne, or any of the frape -- [411] Be she nevere so fair or wel yshape, [412] Tel me which thow wilt of everychone, [413] To han for thyn, and lat me thanne allone. [414] "But, sith thow hast don me this servyse [415] My lif to save and for non hope of mede, [416] So for the love of God, this grete emprise [417] Perfourme it out, for now is moste nede; [418] For heigh and lough, withowten any drede, [419] I wol alwey thyn hestes alle kepe. [420] Have now good nyght, and lat us bothe slepe." [421] Thus held hym ech of other wel apayed, [422] That al the world ne myghte it bet amende; [423] And on the morwe, whan they were arayed, [424] Ech to his owen nedes gan entende. [425] But Troilus, though as the fir he brende [426] For sharp desir of hope and of plesaunce, [427] He nought forgat his goode governaunce, [428] But in hymself with manhod gan restreyne [429] Ech racle dede and ech unbridled cheere, [430] That alle tho that lyven, soth to seyne, [431] Ne sholde han wist, by word or by manere, [432] What that he mente, as touchyng this matere. [433] From every wight as fer as is the cloude [434] He was, so wel dissimilen he koude. [435] And al the while which that I yow devyse, [436] This was his lif: with all his fulle myght, [437] By day, he was in Martes heigh servyse -- [438] This is to seyn, in armes as a knyght; [439] And for the more part, the longe nyght [440] He lay and thoughte how that he myghte serve [441] His lady best, hire thonk for to deserve. [442] Nil I naught swere, although he lay ful softe, [443] That in his thought he nas somwhat disesed, [444] Ne that he torned on his pilwes ofte, [445] And wold of that hym missed han ben sesed. [446] But in swich cas men is nought alwey plesed, [447] For aught I woot, namore than was he; [448] That kan I deme of possibilitee. [449] But certeyn is, to purpos for to go, [450] That in this while, as writen is in geeste, [451] He say his lady somtyme, and also [452] She with hym spak, whan that she dorst or leste; [453] And by hire bothe avys, as was the beste, [454] Apoynteden full warly in this nede, [455] So as they durste, how they wolde procede. [456] But it was spoken in so short a wise, [457] In swich await alwey, and in swich feere, [458] Lest any wight devynen or devyse [459] Wolde of hem two, or to it laye an ere, [460] That al this world so leef to hem ne were [461] As that Cupide wolde hem grace sende [462] To maken of hire speche aright an ende. [463] But thilke litel that they spake or wroughte, [464] His wise goost took ay of al swych heede, [465] It semed hire he wiste what she thoughte [466] Withouten word, so that it was no nede [467] To bidde hym ought to doon, or ought forbeede; [468] For which she thought that love, al come it late, [469] Of alle joie hadde opned hire the yate. [470] And shortly of this proces for to pace, [471] So wel his werk and wordes he bisette, [472] That he so ful stood in his lady grace, [473] That twenty thousand tymes, er she lette, [474] She thonked God that evere she with hym mette. [475] So koude he hym governe in swich servyse, [476] That al the world ne myght it bet devyse. [477] For whi she fond hym so discret in al, [478] So secret, and of swich obeisaunce, [479] That wel she felte he was to hire a wal [480] Of stiel, and sheld from every displesaunce; [481] That to ben in his goode governaunce, [482] So wis he was, she was namore afered -- [483] I mene, as fer as oughte ben requered. [484] And Pandarus, to quike alwey the fir, [485] Was evere ylike prest and diligent; [486] To ese his frend was set al his desir. [487] He shof ay on, he to and fro was sent; [488] He lettres bar whan Troilus was absent; [489] That nevere man, as in his frendes nede, [490] Ne bar hym bet than he, withouten drede. [491] But now, paraunter, som man wayten wolde [492] That every word, or soonde, or look, or cheere [493] Of Troilus that I rehercen sholde, [494] In al this while unto his lady deere -- [495] I trowe it were a long thyng for to here -- [496] Or of what wight that stant in swich disjoynte, [497] His wordes alle, or every look, to poynte. [498] For sothe, I have naught herd it don er this [499] In story non, ne no man here, I wene; [500] And though I wolde, I koude nought, ywys; [501] For ther was som epistel hem bitwene, [502] That wolde, as seyth myn autour, wel contene [503] Neigh half this book, of which hym liste nought write. [504] How sholde I thanne a lyne of it endite? [505] But to the grete effect: than sey I thus, [506] That stondyng in concord and in quiete, [507] Thise ilke two, Criseyde and Troilus, [508] As I have told, and in this tyme swete -- [509] Save only often myghte they nought mete, [510] Ne leiser have hire speches to fulfelle -- [511] That it bifel right as I shal yow telle: [512] That Pandarus, that evere dide his myght [513] Right for the fyn that I shal speke of here, [514] As for to bryngen to his hows som nyght [515] His faire nece and Troilus yfere, [516] Wheras at leiser al this heighe matere, [517] Touchyng here love, were at the fulle upbounde, [518] Hadde out of doute a tyme to it founde. [519] For he with gret deliberacioun [520] Hadde every thyng that herto myght availle [521] Forncast and put in execucioun, [522] And neither left for cost ne for travaille. [523] Come if hem list, hem sholde no thyng faille; [524] And for to ben in ought aspied there, [525] That, wiste he wel, an impossible were. [526] Dredeles, it cler was in the wynd [527] Of every pie and every lette-game; [528] Now al is wel, for al the world is blynd [529] In this matere, bothe fremde and tame. [530] This tymbur is al redy up to frame; [531] Us lakketh nought but that we witen wolde [532] A certeyn houre, in which she comen sholde. [533] And Troilus, that al this purveiaunce [534] Knew at the fulle, and waited on it ay, [535] Hadde hereupon ek mad gret ordinaunce, [536] And found his cause, and therto his aray, [537] If that he were missed, nyght or day, [538] Ther-while he was aboute this servyse, [539] That he was gon to don his sacrifise, [540] And moste at swich a temple allone wake, [541] Answered of Apollo for to be; [542] And first to sen the holy laurer quake, [543] Er that Apollo spak out of the tree, [544] To telle hym next whan Grekes sholde flee -- [545] And forthy lette hym no man, God forbede, [546] But prey Apollo helpen in this nede. [547] Now is ther litel more for to doone, [548] But Pandare up and, shortly for to seyne, [549] Right sone upon the chaungynge of the moone, [550] Whan lightles is the world a nyght or tweyne, [551] And that the wolken shop hym for to reyne, [552] He streght o morwe unto his nece wente -- [553] Ye han wel herd the fyn of his entente. [554] Whan he was com, he gan anon to pleye [555] As he was wont, and of hymself to jape; [556] And finaly he swor and gan hire seye, [557] By this and that, she sholde hym nought escape, [558] Ne lenger don hym after hire to cape; [559] But certeynly she moste, by hire leve, [560] Come soupen in his hous with hym at eve. [561] At which she lough, and gan hire faste excuse, [562] And seyde, "It reyneth. lo, how sholde I gon?" [563] "Lat be," quod he, "ne stant nought thus to muse. [564] This moot be don! Ye shal be ther anon." [565] So at the laste herof they fille aton, [566] Or elles, softe he swor hire in hire ere, [567] He nolde nevere comen ther she were. [568] Soone after this, she to hym gan to rowne, [569] And axed hym if Troilus were there. [570] He swor hire nay, for he was out of towne, [571] And seyde, "Nece, I pose that he were; [572] Yow thurste nevere han the more fere; [573] For rather than men myghte hym ther aspie, [574] Me were levere a thousand fold to dye." [575] Nought list myn auctour fully to declare [576] What that she thoughte whan he seyde so, [577] That Troilus was out of towne yfare, [578] As if he seyde therof soth or no; [579] But that, withowten await, with hym to go, [580] She graunted hym, sith he hire that bisoughte, [581] And, as his nece, obeyed as hire oughte. [582] But natheles, yet gan she hym biseche, [583] Although with hym to gon it was no fere, [584] For to ben war of goosissh poeples speche, [585] That dremen thynges whiche as nevere were, [586] And wel avyse hym whom he broughte there; [587] And seyde hym, "Em, syn I moste on yow triste, [588] Loke al be wel, and do now as yow liste." [589] He swor hire yis, by stokkes and by stones, [590] And by the goddes that in hevene dwelle, [591] Or elles were hym levere, soule and bones, [592] With Pluto kyng as depe ben in helle [593] As Tantalus -- what sholde I more telle? [594] Whan al was wel, he roos and took his leve, [595] And she to soper com, whan it was eve, [596] With a certein of hire owen men, [597] And with hire faire nece Antigone, [598] And other of hire wommen nyne or ten. [599] But who was glad now, who, as trowe ye, [600] But Troilus, that stood and myght it se [601] Thorughout a litel wyndow in a stewe, [602] Ther he bishet syn mydnyght was in mewe, [603] Unwist of every wight but of Pandare? [604] But to the point: now whan that she was come, [605] With alle joie and alle frendes fare [606] Hire em anon in armes hath hire nome, [607] And after to the soper, alle and some, [608] Whan tyme was, ful softe they hem sette. [609] God woot, ther was no deynte for to fette! [610] And after soper gonnen they to rise, [611] At ese wel, with herte fresshe and glade; [612] And wel was hym that koude best devyse [613] To liken hire, or that hire laughen made: [614] He song; she pleyde; he tolde tale of Wade. [615] But at the laste, as every thyng hath ende, [616] She took hire leve, and nedes wolde wende. [617] But O Fortune, executrice of wierdes, [618] O influences of thise hevenes hye! [619] Soth is, that under God ye ben oure hierdes, [620] Though to us bestes ben the causez wrie. [621] This mene I now: for she gan homward hye, [622] But execut was al bisyde hire leve [623] The goddes wil, for which she moste bleve. [624] The bente moone with hire hornes pale, [625] Saturne, and Jove, in Cancro joyned were, [626] That swych a reyn from heven gan avale [627] That every maner womman that was there [628] Hadde of that smoky reyn a verray feere; [629] At which Pandare tho lough, and seyde thenne, [630] "Now were it tyme a lady to gon henne! [631] "But goode nece, if I myghte evere plese [632] Yow any thyng, than prey ich yow," quod he, [633] "To don myn herte as now so gret an ese [634] As for to dwelle here al this nyght with me, [635] For-whi this is youre owen hous, parde. [636] For by my trouthe, I sey it nought a-game, [637] To wende as now, it were to me a shame." [638] Criseyde, which that koude as muche good [639] As half a world, took hede of his preiere; [640] And syn it ron, and al was on a flod, [641] She thoughte, "As good chep may I dwellen here, [642] And graunte it gladly with a frendes chere, [643] And have a thonk, as grucche and thanne abide; [644] For hom to gon, it may nought wel bitide." [645] "I wol," quod she, "myn uncle lief and deere; [646] Syn that yow list, it skile is to be so. [647] I am right glad with yow to dwellen here; [648] I seyde but a-game I wolde go." [649] "Iwys, graunt mercy, nece," quod he tho, [650] "Were it a game or no, soth for to telle, [651] Now am I glad, syn that yow list to dwelle." [652] Thus al is wel; but tho bigan aright [653] The newe joie and al the feste agayn. [654] But Pandarus, if goodly hadde he myght, [655] He wolde han hyed hire to bedde fayn, [656] And seyde, "Lord, this is an huge rayn! [657] This were a weder for to slepen inne -- [658] And that I rede us soone to bygynne. [659] "And nece, woot ye wher I wol yow leye, [660] For that we shul nat liggen far asonder, [661] And for ye neither shullen, dar I seye, [662] Heren noyse of reynes nor of thonder? [663] By God, right in my litel closet yonder. [664] And I wol in that outer hous allone [665] Be wardein of youre wommen everichone. [666] "And in this myddel chambre that ye se [667] Shal youre wommen slepen, wel and softe; [668] And there I seyde shal youreselven be; [669] And if ye liggen wel to-nyght, com ofte, [670] And careth nought what weder is alofte. [671] The wyn anon, and whan so that yow leste, [672] So go we slepe: I trowe it be the beste." [673] Ther nys no more, but hereafter soone, [674] The voide dronke, and travers drawe anon, [675] Gan every wight that hadde nought to done [676] More in the place out of the chaumbre gon. [677] And evere mo so sterneliche it ron, [678] And blew therwith so wondirliche loude, [679] That wel neigh no man heren other koude. [680] Tho Pandarus, hire em, right as hym oughte, [681] With wommen swiche as were hire most aboute, [682] Ful glad unto hire beddes syde hire broughte, [683] And took his leve, and gan ful lowe loute, [684] And seyde, "Here at this closet dore withoute, [685] Right overthwart, youre wommen liggen alle, [686] That whom yow list of hem ye may here calle." [687] So whan that she was in the closet leyd, [688] And alle hire wommen forth by ordinaunce [689] Abedde weren, ther as I have seyd, [690] Ther was nomore to skippen nor to traunce, [691] But boden go to bedde, with meschaunce, [692] If any wight was steryng anywhere, [693] And lat hem slepen that abedde were. [694] But Pandarus, that wel koude ech a deel [695] Th' olde daunce, and every point therinne, [696] Whan that he sey that alle thyng was wel, [697] He thought he wolde upon his werk bigynne, [698] And gan the stuwe doore al softe unpynne; [699] And stille as stoon, withouten lenger lette, [700] By Troilus adown right he hym sette, [701] And shortly to the point right for to gon, [702] Of al this werk he tolde hym word and ende, [703] And seyde, "Make the redy right anon, [704] For thow shalt into hevene blisse wende." [705] "Now, blisful Venus, thow me grace sende!" [706] Quod Troilus, "For nevere yet no nede [707] Hadde ich er now, ne halvendel the drede." [708] Quod Pandarus, "Ne drede the nevere a deel, [709] For it shal be right as thow wolt desire; [710] So thryve I, this nyght shal I make it weel, [711] Or casten al the gruwel in the fire." [712] "Yet, blisful Venus, this nyght thow me enspire," [713] Quod Troilus, "As wys as I the serve, [714] And evere bet and bet shal, til I sterve. [715] "And if ich hadde, O Venus ful of myrthe, [716] Aspectes badde of Mars or of Saturne, [717] Or thow combust or let were in my birthe, [718] Thy fader prey al thilke harm disturne [719] Of grace, and that I glad ayein may turne, [720] For love of hym thow lovedest in the shawe -- [721] I meene Adoun, that with the boor was slawe. [722] "O Jove ek, for the love of faire Europe, [723] The which in forme of bole awey thow fette, [724] Now help! O Mars, thow with thi blody cope, [725] For love of Cipris, thow me nought ne lette! [726] O Phebus, thynk whan Dane hireselven shette [727] Under the bark, and laurer wax for drede; [728] Yet for hire love, O help now at this nede! [729] "Mercurie, for the love of Hierse eke, [730] For which Pallas was with Aglawros wroth, [731] Now help! And ek Diane, I the biseke [732] That this viage be nought to the looth! [733] O fatal sustren which, er any cloth [734] Me shapen was, my destine me sponne, [735] So helpeth to this werk that is bygonne!" [736] Quod Pandarus, "Thow wrecched mouses herte, [737] Artow agast so that she wol the bite? [738] Wy! Don this furred cloke upon thy sherte, [739] And folwe me, for I wol have the wite. [740] But bid, and lat me gon biforn a lite." [741] And with that word he gan undon a trappe, [742] And Troilus he brought in by the lappe. [743] The sterne wynd so loude gan to route [744] That no wight oother noise myghte heere; [745] And they that layen at the dore withoute, [746] Ful sikerly they slepten alle yfere; [747] And Pandarus, with a ful sobre cheere, [748] Goth to the dore anon, withouten lette, [749] Ther as they laye, and softely it shette. [750] And as he com ayeynward pryvely, [751] His nece awook, and axed, "Who goth there?" [752] "My dere nece," quod he, "it am I. [753] Ne wondreth nought, ne have of it no fere." [754] And ner he com and seyde hire in hire ere, [755] "No word, for love of God, I yow biseche! [756] Lat no wight risen and heren of oure speche." [757] "What, which wey be ye comen, benedicite?" [758] Quod she; "And how, unwist of hem alle?" [759] "Here at this secre trappe-dore," quod he. [760] Quod tho Criseyde, "Lat me som wight calle!" [761] "I! God forbede that it sholde falle," [762] Quod Pandarus, "that ye swich folye wroughte! [763] They myghte demen thyng they nevere er thoughte. [764] "It is nought good a slepyng hound to wake, [765] Ne yeve a wight a cause to devyne: [766] Youre wommen slepen alle, I undertake, [767] So that, for hem, the hous men myghte myne, [768] And slepen wollen til the sonne shyne. [769] And whan my tale brought is to an ende, [770] Unwist, right as I com, so wol I wende. [771] "Now, nece myn, ye shul wel understonde," [772] Quod he, "so as ye wommen demen alle, [773] That for to holde in love a man in honde, [774] And hym hire lief and deere herte calle, [775] And maken hym an howve above a calle -- [776] I meene, as love another in this while -- [777] She doth hireself a shame and hym a gyle. [778] "Now, wherby that I telle yow al this: [779] Ye woot youreself, as wel as any wight, [780] How that youre love al fully graunted is [781] To Troilus, the worthieste knyght, [782] Oon of this world, and therto trouthe yplight, [783] That, but it were on hym along, ye nolde [784] Hym nevere falsen while ye lyven sholde. [785] "Now stant it thus, that sith I fro yow wente, [786] This Troilus, right platly for to seyn, [787] Is thorugh a goter, by a pryve wente, [788] Into my chaumbre come in al this reyn, [789] Unwist of every manere wight, certeyn, [790] Save of myself, as wisly have I joye, [791] And by that feith I shal Priam of Troie. [792] "And he is come in swich peyne and distresse [793] That, but he be al fully wood by this, [794] He sodeynly mot falle into wodnesse, [795] But if God helpe; and cause whi this is. [796] He seith hym told is of a frend of his, [797] How that ye sholden love oon hatte Horaste; [798] For sorwe of which this nyght shal ben his laste." [799] Criseyde, which that al this wonder herde, [800] Gan sodeynly aboute hire herte colde, [801] And with a sik she sorwfully answerde, [802] "Allas! I wende, whoso tales tolde, [803] My deere herte wolde me nought holde [804] So lightly fals! Allas, conceytes wronge, [805] What harm they don! For now lyve I to longe! [806] "Horaste! Allas, and falsen Troilus? [807] I knowe hym nought, God helpe me so!" quod she. [808] "Allas, what wikked spirit tolde hym thus? [809] Now certes, em, tomorwe and I hym se, [810] I shal therof as ful excusen me, [811] As evere dide womman, if hym like." [812] And with that word she gan ful soore sike. [813] "O God," quod she, "so worldly selynesse, [814] Which clerkes callen fals felicitee, [815] Imedled is with many a bitternesse! [816] Ful angwissous than is, God woot," quod she, [817] "Condicioun of veyn prosperitee: [818] For either joies comen nought yfeere, [819] Or elles no wight hath hem alwey here. [820] "O brotel wele of mannes joie unstable! [821] With what wight so thow be, or how thow pleye, [822] Either he woot that thow, joie, art muable, [823] Or woot it nought; it mot ben oon of tweye. [824] Now if he woot it nought, how may he seye [825] That he hath verray joie and selynesse, [826] That is of ignoraunce ay in derknesse? [827] "Now if he woot that joie is transitorie, [828] As every joye of worldly thyng mot flee, [829] Than every tyme he that hath in memorie, [830] The drede of lesyng maketh hym that he [831] May in no perfit selynesse be; [832] And if to lese his joie he sette a myte, [833] Than semeth it that joie is worth ful lite. [834] "Wherfore I wol diffyne in this matere, [835] That trewely, for aught I kan espie, [836] Ther is no verray weele in this world heere. [837] But O thow wikked serpent, jalousie, [838] Thow mysbyleved envyous folie, [839] Why hastow Troilus mad to me untriste, [840] That nevere yet agylte hym, that I wiste?" [841] Quod Pandarus, "Thus fallen is this cas --" [842] "Wy! Uncle myn," quod she, "who tolde hym this? [843] Why doth my deere herte thus, allas?" [844] "Ye woot, ye, nece myn," quod he, "what is. [845] I hope al shal be wel that is amys, [846] For ye may quenche al this, if that yow leste -- [847] And doth right so, for I holde it the beste." [848] "So shal I do to-morwe, ywys," quod she, [849] "And God toforn, so that it shal suffise." [850] "To-morwe? Allas, that were a fair!" quod he; [851] "Nay, nay, it may nat stonden in this wise, [852] For, nece myn, thus writen clerkes wise, [853] That peril is with drecchyng in ydrawe; [854] Nay, swiche abodes ben nought worth an hawe. [855] "Nece, alle thyng hath tyme, I dar avowe; [856] For whan a chaumbre afire is or an halle, [857] Wel more nede is, it sodeynly rescowe [858] Than to dispute and axe amonges alle [859] How this candel in the strawe is falle. [860] A, benedicite! For al among that fare [861] The harm is don, and fare-wel feldefare! [862] "And nece myn -- ne take it naught agrief -- [863] If that ye suffre hym al nyght in this wo, [864] God help me so, ye hadde hym nevere lief! [865] That dar I seyn, now ther is but we two. [866] But wel I woot that ye wol nat do so; [867] Ye ben to wys to doon so gret folie, [868] To putte his lif al nyght in jupertie." [869] "Hadde I hym nevere lief? by God, I weene [870] Ye hadde nevere thyng so lief!" quod she. [871] "Now by my thrift," quod he, "that shal be seene! [872] For syn ye make this ensaumple of me, [873] If ich al nyght wolde hym in sorwe se, [874] For al the tresour in the town of Troie, [875] I bidde God I nevere mote have joie. [876] "Now loke thanne, if ye that ben his love [877] Shul putte his lif al night in jupertie [878] For thyng of nought, now by that God above, [879] Naught oonly this delay comth of folie, [880] But of malice, if that I shal naught lie. [881] What! Platly, and ye suffre hym in destresse, [882] Ye neyther bounte don ne gentilesse." [883] Quod tho Criseyde, "Wol ye don o thyng [884] And ye therwith shal stynte al his disese? [885] Have heere, and bereth hym this blewe ryng, [886] For ther is nothyng myghte hym bettre plese, [887] Save I myself, ne more hys herte apese; [888] And sey my deere herte that his sorwe [889] Is causeles; that shal be sene to-morwe." [890] "A ryng?" quod he, "Ye haselwodes shaken! [891] Ye, nece myn, that ryng moste han a stoon [892] That myghte dede men alyve maken; [893] And swich a ryng trowe I that ye have non. [894] Discrecioun out of youre hed is gon; [895] That fele I now," quod he, "and that is routhe. [896] O tyme ilost, wel maistow corsen slouthe! [897] "Woot ye not wel that noble and heigh corage [898] Ne sorweth nought, ne stynteth ek, for lite? [899] But if a fool were in a jalous rage, [900] I nolde setten at his sorwe a myte, [901] But feffe hym with a fewe wordes white [902] Anothir day, whan that I myghte hym fynde; [903] But this thyng stant al in another kynde. [904] "This is so gentil and so tendre of herte [905] That with his deth he wol his sorwes wreke; [906] For trusteth wel, how sore that hym smerte, [907] He wol to yow no jalous wordes speke. [908] And forthi, nece, er that his herte breke, [909] So speke youreself to hym of this matere, [910] For with o word ye may his herte stere. [911] "Now have I told what peril he is inne, [912] And his comynge unwist is to every wight; [913] Ne, parde, harm may ther be non, ne synne: [914] I wol myself be with yow al this nyght. [915] Ye knowe ek how it is youre owen knyght, [916] And that bi right ye moste upon hym triste, [917] And I al prest to fecche hym whan yow liste." [918] This accident so pitous was to here, [919] And ek so like a sooth at prime face, [920] And Troilus hire knyght to hir so deere, [921] His prive comyng, and the siker place, [922] That though that she did hym as thanne a grace, [923] Considered alle thynges as they stoode, [924] No wonder is, syn she did al for goode. [925] Criseyde answerde, "As wisly God at reste [926] My soule brynge, as me is for hym wo! [927] And em, iwis, fayn wolde I don the beste, [928] If that ich hadde grace to do so; [929] But whether that ye dwelle or for hym go, [930] I am, til God me bettre mynde sende, [931] At dulcarnoun, right at my wittes ende." [932] Quod Pandarus, "Yee, nece, wol ye here? [933] Dulcarnoun called is `flemyng of wrecches': [934] It semeth hard, for wrecches wol nought lere, [935] For verray slouthe or other wilfull tecches; [936] This seyd by hem that ben nought worth two fecches; [937] But ye ben wis, and that we han on honde [938] Nis neither hard, ne skilful to withstonde." [939] "Than, em," quod she, "doth herof as yow list. [940] But er he com, I wil up first arise, [941] And for the love of God, syn al my trist [942] Is on yow two, and ye ben bothe wise, [943] So werketh now in so discret a wise [944] That I honour may have, and he plesaunce: [945] For I am here al in youre governaunce." [946] "That is wel seyd," quod he, "my nece deere. [947] Ther good thrift on that wise gentil herte! [948] But liggeth stille, and taketh hym right here -- [949] It nedeth nought no ferther for hym sterte. [950] And ech of yow ese otheres sorwes smerte, [951] For love of God! And Venus, I the herye; [952] For soone hope I we shul ben alle merye." [953] This Troilus ful soone on knees hym sette [954] Ful sobrely, right be hyre beddes hed, [955] And in his beste wyse his lady grette. [956] But Lord, so she wex sodeynliche red! [957] Ne though men sholde smyten of hire hed, [958] She kouth. nought a word aright out brynge [959] So sodeynly, for his sodeyn comynge. [960] But Pandarus, that so wel koude feele [961] In every thyng, to pleye anon bigan, [962] And seyde, "Nece, se how this lord kan knele! [963] Now for youre trouthe, se this gentil man!" [964] And with that word he for a quysshen ran, [965] And seyde, "Kneleth now, while that yow leste; [966] There God youre hertes brynge soone at reste!" [967] Kan I naught seyn, for she bad hym nought rise, [968] If sorwe it putte out of hire remembraunce, [969] Or elles that she took it in the wise [970] Of dewete, as for his observaunce; [971] But wel fynde I she dede hym this plesaunce, [972] That she hym kiste, although she siked sore, [973] And bad hym sitte adown withouten more. [974] Quod Pandarus, "Now wol ye wel bigynne. [975] Now doth hym sitte, goode nece deere, [976] Upon youre beddes syde al ther withinne, [977] That ech of yow the bet may other heere." [978] And with that word he drow hym to the feere, [979] And took a light, and fond his contenaunce, [980] As for to looke upon an old romaunce. [981] Criseyde, that was Troilus lady right, [982] And cler stood on a ground of sikernesse, [983] Al thoughte she hire servant and hire knyght [984] Ne sholde of right non untrouthe in hire gesse, [985] Yet natheles, considered his distresse, [986] And that love is in cause of swich folie, [987] Thus to hym spak she of his jalousie: [988] "Lo, herte myn, as wolde the excellence [989] Of love, ayeins the which that no man may -- [990] Ne oughte ek -- goodly make resistence, [991] And ek bycause I felte wel and say [992] Youre grete trouthe and servise every day, [993] And that youre herte al myn was, soth to seyne, [994] This drof me for to rewe upon youre peyne. [995] "And youre goodnesse have I founde alwey yit, [996] Of which, my deere herte and al my knyght, [997] I thonke it yow, as fer as I have wit, [998] Al kan I nought as muche as it were right; [999] And I, emforth my connyng and my might, [1000] Have and ay shal, how sore that me smerte, [1001] Ben to yow trewe and hool with al myn herte, [1002] "And dredeles, that shal be founde at preve. [1003] But, herte myn, what al this is to seyne [1004] Shal wel be told, so that ye nought yow greve, [1005] Though I to yow right on youreself compleyne, [1006] For therwith mene I fynaly the peyne [1007] That halt youre herte and myn in hevynesse [1008] Fully to slen, and every wrong redresse. [1009] "My goode myn, noot I for-why ne how [1010] That jalousie, allas, that wikked wyvere, [1011] Thus causeles is cropen into yow, [1012] The harm of which I wolde fayn delyvere. [1013] Allas, that he, al hool or of hym slyvere, [1014] Shuld han his refut in so digne a place; [1015] Ther Jove hym sone out of youre herte arace! [1016] "But O, thow Jove, O auctour of nature, [1017] Is this an honour to thi deyte, [1018] That folk ungiltif suffren hire injure, [1019] And who that giltif is, al quyt goth he? [1020] O, were it lefull for to pleyn on the, [1021] That undeserved suffrest jalousie, [1022] Of that I wolde upon the pleyne and crie! [1023] "Ek al my wo is this, that folk now usen [1024] To seyn right thus, `Ye, jalousie is love!' [1025] And wolde a busshel venym al excusen, [1026] For that o greyn of love is on it shove. [1027] But that woot heighe God that sit above, [1028] If it be likkere love, or hate, or grame; [1029] And after that, it oughte bere his name. [1030] "But certeyn is, som manere jalousie [1031] Is excusable more than som, iwys; [1032] As whan cause is, and som swich fantasie [1033] With piete so wel repressed is [1034] That it unnethe doth or seyth amys, [1035] But goodly drynketh up al his distresse -- [1036] And that excuse I, for the gentilesse; [1037] "And som so ful of furie is and despit [1038] That it sourmounteth his repressioun. [1039] But herte myn, ye be nat in that plit, [1040] That thonke I God; for which youre passioun [1041] I wol nought calle it but illusioun [1042] Of habundaunce of love and besy cure, [1043] That doth youre herte this disese endure. [1044] "Of which I am right sory but nought wroth; [1045] But, for my devoir and youre hertes reste, [1046] Wherso yow list, by ordal or by oth, [1047] By sort, or in what wise so yow leste, [1048] For love of God, lat preve it for the beste; [1049] And if that I be giltif, do me deye! [1050] Allas, what myght I more don or seye?" [1051] With that a fewe brighte teris newe [1052] Owt of hire eighen fille, and thus she seyde, [1053] "Now God, thow woost, in thought ne dede untrewe [1054] To Troilus was nevere yet Criseyde." [1055] With that here heed down in the bed she leyde, [1056] And with the sheete it wreigh, and sighte soore, [1057] And held hire pees; nought o word spak she more. [1058] But now help God to quenchen al this sorwe! [1059] So hope I that he shal, for he best may. [1060] For I have seyn of a ful misty morwe [1061] Folowen ful ofte a myrie someris day; [1062] And after wynter foloweth grene May; [1063] Men sen alday, and reden ek in stories, [1064] That after sharpe shoures ben victories. [1065] This Troilus, whan he hire wordes herde, [1066] Have ye no care, hym liste nought to slepe; [1067] For it thoughte hym no strokes of a yerde [1068] To heere or seen Criseyde, his lady, wepe; [1069] But wel he felt aboute his herte crepe, [1070] For everi tere which that Criseyde asterte, [1071] The crampe of deth to streyne hym by the herte. [1072] And in his mynde he gan the tyme acorse [1073] That he com there, and that, that he was born; [1074] For now is wikke torned into worse, [1075] And al that labour he hath don byforn, [1076] He wende it lost; he thoughte he nas but lorn. [1077] "O Pandarus," thoughte he, "allas, thi wile [1078] Serveth of nought, so weylaway the while!" [1079] And therwithal he heng adown the heed, [1080] And fil on knees, and sorwfully he sighte. [1081] What myghte he seyn? He felte he nas but deed, [1082] For wroth was she that sholde his sorwes lighte. [1083] But natheles, whan that he speken myghte, [1084] Than seyde he thus, "God woot that of this game, [1085] Whan al is wist, than am I nought to blame." [1086] Therwith the sorwe so his herte shette [1087] That from his eyen fil there nought a tere, [1088] And every spirit his vigour in knette, [1089] So they astoned or oppressed were. [1090] The felyng of his sorwe, or of his fere, [1091] Or of aught elles, fled was out of towne; [1092] And down he fel al sodeynly a-swowne. [1093] This was no litel sorwe for to se; [1094] But al was hust, and Pandare up as faste; [1095] "O nece, pes, or we be lost!" quod he, [1096] "Beth naught agast!" But certeyn, at the laste, [1097] For this or that, he into bed hym caste, [1098] And seyde, "O thef, is this a mannes herte?" [1099] And of he rente al to his bare sherte, [1100] And seyde, "Nece, but ye helpe us now, [1101] Allas, youre owen Troilus is lorn!" [1102] "Iwis, so wolde I, and I wiste how, [1103] Ful fayn," quod she. "Allas, that I was born"! [1104] "Yee, nece, wol ye pullen out the thorn [1105] That stiketh in his herte?" quod Pandare. [1106] "Sey `Al foryeve,' and stynt is al this fare!" [1107] "Ye, that to me," quod she, "ful levere were [1108] Than al the good the sonne aboute gooth." [1109] And therwithal she swor hym in his ere, [1110] "Iwys, my deere herte, I am nought wroth, [1111] Have here my trouthe!" -- and many an other oth. [1112] "Now speke to me, for it am I, Criseyde!" [1113] But al for nought; yit myght he nought abreyde. [1114] Therwith his pous and paumes of his hondes [1115] They gan to frote, and wete his temples tweyne; [1116] And to deliveren hym fro bittre bondes [1117] She ofte hym kiste; and shortly for to seyne, [1118] Hym to revoken she did al hire peyne; [1119] And at the laste, he gan his breth to drawe, [1120] And of his swough sone after that adawe, [1121] And gan bet mynde and reson to hym take, [1122] But wonder soore he was abayst, iwis; [1123] And with a sik, whan he gan bet awake, [1124] He seyde, "O mercy, God, what thyng is this?" [1125] "Why do ye with youreselven thus amys?" [1126] Quod tho Criseyde, "Is this a mannes game? [1127] What, Troilus, wol ye do thus for shame?" [1128] And therwithal hire arm over hym she leyde, [1129] And al foryaf, and ofte tyme hym keste. [1130] He thonked hire, and to hire spak, and seyde [1131] As fil to purpos for his herte reste; [1132] And she to that answerde hym as hire leste, [1133] And with hire goodly wordes hym disporte [1134] She gan, and ofte his sorwes to comforte. [1135] Quod Pandarus, "For aught I kan aspien, [1136] This light, nor I, ne serven here of nought. [1137] Light is nought good for sike folkes yen! [1138] But, for the love of God, syn ye ben brought [1139] In thus good plit, lat now no hevy thought [1140] Ben hangyng in the hertes of yow tweye" -- [1141] And bar the candel to the chymeneye. [1142] Soone after this, though it no nede were, [1143] Whan she swiche othes as hire leste devyse [1144] Hadde of hym take, hire thoughte tho no fere, [1145] Ne cause ek non to bidde hym thennes rise. [1146] Yet lasse thyng than othes may suffise [1147] In many a cas, for every wyght, I gesse, [1148] That loveth wel, meneth but gentilesse. [1149] But in effect she wolde wite anon [1150] Of what man, and ek wheer, and also why [1151] He jalous was, syn ther was cause non; [1152] And ek the sygne that he took it by, [1153] She badde hym that to telle hire bisily, [1154] Or elles, certeyn, she bar hym on honde [1155] That this was don of malice, hire to fonde. [1156] Withouten more, shortly for to seyne, [1157] He most obeye unto his lady heste; [1158] And for the lasse harm, he moste feyne. [1159] He seyde hire, whan she was at swich a feste, [1160] She myght on hym han loked at the leste -- [1161] Noot I nought what, al deere ynough a rysshe, [1162] As he that nedes most a cause fisshe. [1163] And she answerde, "Swete, al were it so, [1164] What harm was that, syn I non yvel mene? [1165] For, by that God that bought us bothe two, [1166] In alle thyng is myn entente cleene. [1167] Swiche argumentes ne ben naught worth a beene. [1168] Wol ye the childissh jalous contrefete? [1169] Now were it worthi that ye were ybete." [1170] Tho Troilus gan sorwfully to sike -- [1171] Lest she be wroth, hym thoughte his herte deyde -- [1172] And seyde, "Allas, upon my sorwes sike [1173] Have mercy, swete herte myn, Criseyde! [1174] And if that in tho wordes that I seyde [1175] Be any wrong, I wol no more trespace. [1176] Doth what yow list; I am al in youre grace." [1177] And she answerde, "Of gilt misericorde! [1178] That is to seyn, that I foryeve al this; [1179] And evere more on this nyght yow recorde, [1180] And beth wel war ye do namore amys." [1181] "Nay, dere herte myn," quod he, "iwys!" [1182] "And now," quod she, "that I have don yow smerte, [1183] Foryeve it me, myn owene swete herte." [1184] This Troilus, with blisse of that supprised, [1185] Putte al in Goddes hand, as he that mente [1186] Nothing but wel; and sodeynly avysed, [1187] He hire in armes faste to hym hente. [1188] And Pandarus with a ful good entente [1189] Leyde hym to slepe, and seyde, "If ye be wise, [1190] Swouneth nought now, lest more folk arise!" [1191] What myghte or may the sely larke seye, [1192] Whan that the sperhauk hath it in his foot? [1193] I kan namore; but of thise ilke tweye -- [1194] To whom this tale sucre be or soot -- [1195] Though that I tarie a yer, somtyme I moot, [1196] After myn auctour, tellen hire gladnesse, [1197] As wel as I have told hire hevynesse. [1198] Criseyde, which that felte hire thus itake, [1199] As writen clerkes in hire bokes olde, [1200] Right as an aspes leef she gan to quake, [1201] Whan she hym felte hire in his armes folde. [1202] But Troilus, al hool of cares colde, [1203] Gan thanken tho the bryghte goddes sevene; [1204] Thus sondry peynes bryngen folk in hevene. [1205] This Troilus in armes gan hire streyne, [1206] And seyde, "O swete, as evere mot I gon, [1207] Now be ye kaught; now is ther but we tweyne! [1208] Now yeldeth yow, for other bote is non!" [1209] To that Criseyde answerde thus anon, [1210] "Ne hadde I er now, my swete herte deere, [1211] Ben yolde, ywis, I were now nought heere!" [1212] O, sooth is seyd, that heled for to be [1213] As of a fevre or other gret siknesse, [1214] Men moste drynke, as men may ofte se, [1215] Ful bittre drynke; and for to han gladnesse [1216] Men drynken ofte peyne and gret distresse -- [1217] I mene it here, as for this aventure, [1218] That thorugh a peyne hath founden al his cure. [1219] And now swetnesse semeth more swete, [1220] That bitternesse assaied was byforn; [1221] For out of wo in blisse now they flete; [1222] Non swich they felten sithen they were born. [1223] Now is this bet than bothe two be lorn. [1224] For love of God, take every womman heede [1225] To werken thus, if it comth to the neede. [1226] Criseyde, al quyt from every drede and tene, [1227] As she that juste cause hadde hym to triste, [1228] Made hym swych feste it joye was to sene, [1229] Whan she his trouthe and clene entente wiste; [1230] And as aboute a tree, with many a twiste, [1231] Bytrent and writh the swote wodebynde, [1232] Gan ech of hem in armes other wynde. [1233] And as the newe abaysed nyghtyngale, [1234] That stynteth first whan she bygynneth to synge, [1235] Whan that she hereth any herde tale, [1236] Or in the hegges any wyght stirynge, [1237] And after siker doth hire vois out rynge, [1238] Right so Criseyde, whan hire drede stente, [1239] Opned hire herte and tolde hym hire entente. [1240] And right as he that seth his deth yshapen, [1241] And dyen mot, in ought that he may gesse, [1242] And sodeynly rescous doth hym escapen, [1243] And from his deth is brought in sykernesse, [1244] For al this world, in swych present gladnesse [1245] Was Troilus, and hath his lady swete. [1246] With worse hap God lat us nevere mete! [1247] Hire armes smale, hire streghte bak and softe, [1248] Hire sydes longe, flesshly, smothe, and white [1249] He gan to stroke, and good thrift bad ful ofte [1250] Hire snowissh throte, hire brestes rounde and lite. [1251] Thus in this hevene he gan hym to delite, [1252] And therwithal a thousand tyme hire kiste, [1253] That what to don, for joie unnethe he wiste. [1254] Than seyde he thus: "O Love, O Charite! [1255] Thi moder ek, Citheria the swete, [1256] After thiself next heried be she -- [1257] Venus mene I, the wel-willy planete! -- [1258] And next that, Imeneus, I the grete, [1259] For nevere man was to yow goddes holde [1260] As I, which ye han brought fro cares colde. [1261] "Benigne Love, thow holy bond of thynges, [1262] Whoso wol grace and list the nought honouren, [1263] Lo, his desir wol fle withouten wynges; [1264] For noldestow of bownte hem socouren [1265] That serven best and most alwey labouren, [1266] Yet were al lost, that dar I wel seyn, certes, [1267] But if thi grace passed oure desertes. [1268] "And for thow me, that koude leest disserve [1269] Of hem that noumbred ben unto thi grace, [1270] Hast holpen, ther I likly was to sterve, [1271] And me bistowed in so heigh a place [1272] That thilke boundes may no blisse pace, [1273] I kan namore; but laude and reverence [1274] Be to thy bounte and thyn excellence!" [1275] And therwithal Criseyde anon he kiste, [1276] Of which certein she felte no disese, [1277] And thus seyde he: "Now wolde God I wiste, [1278] Myn herte swete, how I yow myght plese! [1279] What man," quod he, "was evere thus at ese [1280] As I, on which the faireste and the beste [1281] That evere I say deyneth hire herte reste? [1282] "Here may men seen that mercy passeth right; [1283] Th' experience of that is felt in me, [1284] That am unworthi to so swete a wight. [1285] But herte myn, of youre benignite, [1286] So thynketh, though that I unworthi be, [1287] Yet mot I nede amenden in som wyse, [1288] Right thorugh the vertu of youre heigh servyse. [1289] "And for the love of God, my lady deere, [1290] Syn God hath wrought me for I shall yow serve -- [1291] As thus I mene: he wol ye be my steere, [1292] To do me lyve, if that yow liste, or sterve -- [1293] So techeth me how that I may disserve [1294] Youre thonk, so that I thorugh myn ignoraunce [1295] Ne do no thyng that yow be displesaunce. [1296] "For certes, fresshe wommanliche wif, [1297] This dar I seye, that trouth and diligence, [1298] That shal ye fynden in me al my lif; [1299] N' y wol nat, certein, breken youre defence; [1300] And if I do, present or in absence, [1301] For love of God, lat sle me with the dede, [1302] If that it like unto youre wommanhede." [1303] "Iwys," quod she, "myn owen hertes list, [1304] My ground of ese, and al myn herte deere, [1305] Gramercy, for on that is al my trist! [1306] But lat us falle awey fro this matere, [1307] For it suffiseth, this that seyd is heere, [1308] And at o word, withouten repentaunce, [1309] Welcome, my knyght, my pees, my suffisaunce!" [1310] Of hire delit or joies oon the leeste [1311] Were impossible to my wit to seye; [1312] But juggeth ye that han ben at the feste [1313] Of swich gladnesse, if that hem liste pleye! [1314] I kan namore, but thus thise ilke tweye [1315] That nyght, bitwixen drede and sikernesse, [1316] Felten in love the grete worthynesse. [1317] O blisful nyght, of hem so longe isought, [1318] How blithe unto hem bothe two thow weere! [1319] Why nad I swich oon with my soule ybought, [1320] Ye, or the leeste joie that was theere? [1321] Awey, thow foule daunger and thow feere, [1322] And lat hem in this hevene blisse dwelle, [1323] That is so heigh that al ne kan I telle! [1324] But sooth is, though I kan nat tellen al, [1325] As kan myn auctour, of his excellence, [1326] Yet have I seyd, and God toforn, and shal [1327] In every thyng, al holly his sentence; [1328] And if that ich, at Loves reverence, [1329] Have any word in eched for the beste, [1330] Doth therwithal right as youreselven leste. [1331] For myne wordes, heere and every part, [1332] I speke hem alle under correccioun [1333] Of yow that felyng han in loves art, [1334] And putte it al in youre discrecioun [1335] To encresse or maken dymynucioun [1336] Of my langage, and that I yow biseche. [1337] But now to purpos of my rather speche. [1338] Thise ilke two, that ben in armes laft, [1339] So loth to hem asonder gon it were, [1340] That ech from other wenden ben biraft, [1341] Or elles -- lo, this was hir mooste feere -- [1342] That al this thyng but nyce dremes were; [1343] For which ful ofte ech of hem seyde, "O swete, [1344] Clippe ich yow thus, or elles I it meete?" [1345] And Lord! So he gan goodly on hire se [1346] That nevere his look ne bleynte from hire face, [1347] And seyde, "O deere herte, may it be [1348] That it be soth, that ye ben in this place?" [1349] "Yee, herte myn, God thank I of his grace," [1350] Quod tho Criseyde, and therwithal hym kiste, [1351] That where his spirit was, for joie he nyste. [1352] This Troilus ful ofte hire eyen two [1353] Gan for to kisse, and seyde, "O eyen clere, [1354] It weren ye that wroughte me swich wo, [1355] Ye humble nettes of my lady deere! [1356] Though ther be mercy writen in youre cheere, [1357] God woot, the text ful hard is, soth, to fynde! [1358] How koude ye withouten bond me bynde?" [1359] Therwith he gan hire faste in armes take, [1360] And wel a thousand tymes gan he syke -- [1361] Naught swiche sorwfull sikes as men make [1362] For wo, or elles when that folk ben sike, [1363] But esy sykes, swiche as ben to like, [1364] That shewed his affeccioun withinne; [1365] Of swiche sikes koude he nought bilynne. [1366] Soone after this they spake of sondry thynges, [1367] As fel to purpos of this aventure, [1368] And pleyinge entrechaungeden hire rynges, [1369] Of whiche I kan nought tellen no scripture; [1370] But wel I woot, a broche, gold and asure, [1371] In which a ruby set was lik an herte, [1372] Criseyde hym yaf, and stak it on his sherte. [1373] Lord, trowe ye a coveytous or a wrecche, [1374] That blameth love and halt of it despit, [1375] That of tho pens that he kan mokre and kecche [1376] Was evere yit yyeven hym swich delit [1377] As is in love, in o poynt, in som plit? [1378] Nay, douteles, for also God me save, [1379] So perfit joie may no nygard have. [1380] They wol seyn "Yis," but Lord, so they lye, [1381] Tho besy wrecches, ful of wo and drede! [1382] Thei callen love a woodnesse or folie, [1383] But it shall falle hem as I shal yow rede: [1384] They shal forgon the white and ek the rede, [1385] And lyve in wo, ther God yeve hem meschaunce, [1386] And every lovere in his trouthe avaunce! [1387] As wolde God tho wrecches that dispise [1388] Servise of love hadde erys also longe [1389] As hadde Mida, ful of coveytise, [1390] And therto dronken hadde as hoot and stronge [1391] As Crassus did for his affectis wronge, [1392] To techen hem that they ben in the vice, [1393] And loveres nought, although they holde hem nyce. [1394] Thise ilke two of whom that I yow seye, [1395] Whan that hire hertes wel assured were, [1396] Tho gonne they to speken and to pleye, [1397] And ek rehercen how, and whan, and where [1398] Thei knewe hem first, and every wo and feere [1399] That passed was; but al swich hevynesse -- [1400] I thank it God -- was torned to gladnesse. [1401] And evere mo, when that hem fel to speke [1402] Of any wo of swich a tyme agoon, [1403] With kissyng al that tale sholde breke [1404] And fallen in a newe joye anoon; [1405] And diden al hire myght, syn they were oon, [1406] For to recoveren blisse and ben at eise, [1407] And passed wo with joie contrepeise. [1408] Resoun wol nought that I speke of slep, [1409] For it acordeth nought to my matere. [1410] God woot, they took of that ful litel kep! [1411] But lest this nyght, that was to hem so deere, [1412] Ne sholde in veyn escape in no manere, [1413] It was byset in joie and bisynesse [1414] Of al that souneth into gentilesse. [1415] But whan the cok, comune astrologer, [1416] Gan on his brest to bete and after crowe, [1417] And Lucyfer, the dayes messager, [1418] Gan for to rise and out hire bemes throwe, [1419] And estward roos -- to hym that koude it knowe -- [1420] Fortuna Major, that anoon Criseyde, [1421] With herte soor, to Troilus thus seyde: [1422] "Myn hertes lif, my trist, al my plesaunce, [1423] That I was born, allas, what me is wo, [1424] That day of us moot make disseveraunce! [1425] For tyme it is to ryse and hennes go, [1426] Or ellis I am lost for evere mo! [1427] O nyght, allas, why nyltow over us hove [1428] As longe as whan Almena lay by Jove? [1429] "O blake nyght, as folk in bokes rede, [1430] That shapen art by God this world to hide [1431] At certeyn tymes wyth thi derke wede, [1432] That under that men myghte in reste abide, [1433] Wel oughten bestes pleyne and folk the chide, [1434] That there as day wyth labour wolde us breste, [1435] That thow thus fleest, and deynest us nought reste. [1436] "Thow doost, allas, to shortly thyn office, [1437] Thow rakle nyght! Ther God, maker of kynde, [1438] The, for thyn haste and thyn unkynde vice, [1439] So faste ay to oure hemysperie bynde [1440] That nevere more under the ground thow wynde! [1441] For now, for thow so hiest out of Troie, [1442] Have I forgon thus hastili my joie!" [1443] This Troilus, that with tho wordes felte, [1444] As thoughte hym tho, for pietous distresse [1445] The blody teris from his herte melte, [1446] As he that nevere yet swich hevynesse [1447] Assayed hadde, out of so gret gladnesse, [1448] Gan therwithal Criseyde, his lady deere, [1449] In armes streyne, and seyde in this manere: [1450] "O cruel day, accusour of the joie [1451] That nyght and love han stole and faste iwryen, [1452] Acorsed be thi comyng into Troye, [1453] For every bore hath oon of thi bryghte yen! [1454] Envyous day, what list the so to spien? [1455] What hastow lost? Why sekestow this place? [1456] Ther God thi light so quenche, for his grace! [1457] "Allas, what have thise loveris the agylt, [1458] Dispitous day? Thyn be the peyne of helle! [1459] For many a lovere hastow slayn, and wilt; [1460] Thy pourynge in wol nowher lat hem dwelle. [1461] What profrestow thi light here for to selle? [1462] Go selle it hem that smale selys grave; [1463] We wol the nought; us nedeth no day have." [1464] And ek the sonne, Titan, gan he chide, [1465] And seyde, "O fool, wel may men the dispise, [1466] That hast the dawyng al nyght by thi syde, [1467] And suffrest hire so soone up fro the rise [1468] For to disese loveris in this wyse. [1469] What, holde youre bed ther, thow, and ek thi Morwe! [1470] I bidde God, so yeve yow bothe sorwe!" [1471] Therwith ful soore he syghte, and thus he seyde: [1472] "My lady right, and of my wele or wo [1473] The welle and roote, O goodly myn Criseyde, [1474] And shal I rise, allas, and shal I so? [1475] Now fele I that myn herte moot a-two, [1476] For how sholde I my lif an houre save, [1477] Syn that with yow is al the lif ich have? [1478] "What shal I don? For, certes, I not how, [1479] Ne whan, allas, I shal the tyme see [1480] That in this plit I may ben eft with yow; [1481] And of my lif, God woot how that shal be, [1482] Syn that desir right now so streyneth me [1483] That I am ded anon, but I retourne. [1484] How sholde I longe, allas, fro yow sojourne? [1485] "But natheles, myn owen lady bright, [1486] Were it so that I wiste outrely [1487] That I, youre humble servant and youre knyght, [1488] Were in youre herte iset so fermely [1489] As ye in myn -- the which thyng, trewely, [1490] Me levere were than thise worldes tweyne -- [1491] Yet sholde I bet enduren al my peyne." [1492] To that Criseyde answerde right anon, [1493] And with a sik she seyde, "O herte deere, [1494] The game, ywys, so ferforth now is gon [1495] That first shal Phebus fallen fro his speere, [1496] And everich egle ben the dowves feere, [1497] And everich roche out of his place sterte, [1498] Er Troilus oute of Criseydes herte. [1499] "Ye ben so depe in-with myn herte grave, [1500] That, though I wolde it torne out of my thought, [1501] As wisly verray God my soule save, [1502] To dyen in the peyne, I koude nought. [1503] And, for the love of God that us hath wrought, [1504] Lat in youre brayn non other fantasie [1505] So crepe that it cause me to dye! [1506] "And that ye me wolde han as faste in mynde [1507] As I have yow, that wolde I yow biseche; [1508] And if I wiste sothly that to fynde, [1509] God myghte nought a poynt my joies eche. [1510] But herte myn, withouten more speche, [1511] Beth to me trewe, or ellis were it routhe, [1512] For I am thyn, by God and by my trouthe! [1513] "Beth glad, forthy, and lyve in sikernesse! [1514] Thus seyde I nevere er this, ne shal to mo; [1515] And if to yow it were a gret gladnesse [1516] To torne ayeyn soone after that ye go, [1517] As fayn wolde I as ye that it were so, [1518] As wisly God myn herte brynge at reste!" [1519] And hym in armes tok, and ofte keste. [1520] Agayns his wil, sith it mot nedes be, [1521] This Troilus up ros, and faste hym cledde, [1522] And in his armes took his lady free [1523] An hondred tyme, and on his wey hym spedde; [1524] And with swich voys as though his herte bledde, [1525] He seyde, "Farwel, dere herte swete; [1526] Ther God us graunte sownde and soone to mete!" [1527] To which no word for sorwe she answerde, [1528] So soore gan his partyng hire distreyne; [1529] And Troilus unto his paleys ferde, [1530] As wo-bygon as she was, soth to seyne. [1531] So harde hym wrong of sharp desir the peyne [1532] For to ben eft there he was in plesaunce, [1533] That it may nevere out of his remembraunce. [1534] Retorned to his real paleys soone, [1535] He softe into his bed gan for to slynke, [1536] To slepe longe, as he was wont to doone. [1537] But al for nought; he may wel ligge and wynke, [1538] But slep ne may ther in his herte synke, [1539] Thynkyng how she for whom desir hym brende [1540] A thousand fold was worth more than he wende. [1541] And in his thought gan up and down to wynde [1542] Hire wordes alle, and every countenaunce, [1543] And fermely impressen in his mynde [1544] The leeste point that to him was plesaunce; [1545] And verraylich of thilke remembraunce [1546] Desir al newe hym brende, and lust to brede [1547] Gan more than erst, and yet took he non hede. [1548] Criseyde also, right in the same wyse, [1549] Of Troilus gan in hire herte shette [1550] His worthynesse, his lust, his dedes wise, [1551] His gentilesse, and how she with hym mette, [1552] Thonkyng Love he so wel hire bisette, [1553] Desiryng eft to han hire herte deere [1554] In swich a plit, she dorste make hym cheere. [1555] Pandare, o-morwe, which that comen was [1556] Unto his nece and gan hire faire grete, [1557] Seyde, "Al this nyght so reyned it, allas, [1558] That al my drede is that ye, nece swete, [1559] Han litel laiser had to slepe and mete. [1560] Al nyght," quod he, "hath reyn so do me wake, [1561] That som of us, I trowe, hire hedes ake." [1562] And ner he com, and seyde, "How stant it now [1563] This mury morwe? Nece, how kan ye fare?" [1564] Criseyde answerde, "Nevere the bet for yow, [1565] Fox that ye ben! God yeve youre herte kare! [1566] God help me so, ye caused al this fare, [1567] Trowe I," quod she, "for al youre wordes white. [1568] O, whoso seeth yow knoweth yow ful lite." [1569] With that she gan hire face for to wrye [1570] With the shete, and wax for shame al reed; [1571] And Pandarus gan under for to prie, [1572] And seyde, "Nece, if that I shal be ded, [1573] Have here a swerd and smyteth of myn hed!" [1574] With that his arm al sodeynly he thriste [1575] Under hire nekke, and at the laste hire kyste. [1576] I passe al that which chargeth nought to seye. [1577] What! God foryaf his deth, and she al so [1578] Foryaf, and with here uncle gan to pleye, [1579] For other cause was ther noon than so. [1580] But of this thing right to the effect to go: [1581] Whan tyme was, hom til here hous she wente, [1582] And Pandarus hath fully his entente. [1583] Now torne we ayeyn to Troilus, [1584] That resteles ful longe abedde lay, [1585] And pryvely sente after Pandarus, [1586] To hym to com in al the haste he may. [1587] He com anon -- nought ones seyde he nay -- [1588] And Troilus ful sobrely he grette, [1589] And down upon his beddes syde hym sette. [1590] This Troilus, with al th' affeccioun [1591] Of frendes love that herte may devyse, [1592] To Pandarus on knowes fil adown, [1593] And er that he wolde of the place arise [1594] He gan hym thonken in his beste wise [1595] An hondred sythe, and gan the tyme blesse [1596] That he was born, to brynge hym fro destresse. [1597] He seyde, "O frend of frendes the alderbeste [1598] That evere was, the sothe for to telle, [1599] Thow hast in hevene ybrought my soule at reste [1600] Fro Flegitoun, the fery flood of helle, [1601] That, though I myght a thousand tymes selle [1602] Upon a day my lif in thi servise, [1603] It myghte naught a moote in that suffise. [1604] "The sonne, which that al the world may se, [1605] Saugh nevere yet my lif, that dar I leye, [1606] So inly fair and goodly as is she [1607] Whos I am al, and shal, tyl that I deye. [1608] And that I thus am hires, dar I seye, [1609] That thanked be the heighe worthynesse [1610] Of Love, and ek thi kynde bysynesse. [1611] "Thus hastow me no litel thing yyive, [1612] For which to the obliged be for ay [1613] My lif. And whi? For thorugh thyn help I lyve, [1614] Or elles ded hadde I ben many a day." [1615] And with that word down in his bed he lay, [1616] And Pandarus ful sobrely hym herde [1617] Tyl al was seyd, and than he thus answerde: [1618] "My deere frend, if I have don for the [1619] In any cas, God wot, it is me lief, [1620] And am as glad as man may of it be, [1621] God help me so; but tak now nat a-grief [1622] That I shal seyn: be war of this meschief, [1623] That, there as thow now brought art in thy blisse, [1624] That thow thiself ne cause it nat to misse. [1625] "For of fortunes sharpe adversitee [1626] The worste kynde of infortune is this, [1627] A man to han ben in prosperitee, [1628] And it remembren whan it passed is. [1629] Th' art wis ynough; forthi do nat amys: [1630] Be naught to rakel, theigh thow sitte warme, [1631] For if thow be, certeyn it wol the harme. [1632] "Thow art at ese, and hold the wel therinne; [1633] For also seur as reed is every fir, [1634] As gret a craft is kepe wel as wynne. [1635] Bridle alwey wel thi speche and thi desir, [1636] For worldly joie halt nought but by a wir. [1637] That preveth wel, it brest al day so ofte; [1638] Forthi nede is to werken with it softe." [1639] Quod Troilus, "I hope, and God toforn, [1640] My deere frend, that I shal so me beere [1641] That in my gylt ther shal nothyng be lorn, [1642] N' y nyl nought rakle as for to greven heere. [1643] It nedeth naught this matere ofte stere; [1644] For wystestow myn herte wel, Pandare, [1645] God woot, of this thow woldest litel care." [1646] Tho gan he telle hym of his glade nyght, [1647] And wherof first his herte dred, and how, [1648] And seyde, "Frend, as I am trewe knyght, [1649] And by that feyth I shal to God and yow, [1650] I hadde it nevere half so hote as now; [1651] And ay the more that desir me biteth [1652] To love hire best, the more it me deliteth. [1653] "I not myself naught wisly what it is, [1654] But now I feele a newe qualitee -- [1655] Yee, al another than I dide er this." [1656] Pandare answerd, and seyde thus, that "he [1657] That ones may in hevene blisse be, [1658] He feleth other weyes, dar I leye, [1659] Than thilke tyme he first herde of it seye." [1660] This is o word for al: this Troilus [1661] Was nevere ful to speke of this matere, [1662] And for to preisen unto Pandarus [1663] The bounte of his righte lady deere, [1664] And Pandarus to thanke and maken cheere. [1665] This tale ay was span-newe to bygynne, [1666] Til that the nyght departed hem atwynne. [1667] Soon after this, for that Fortune it wolde, [1668] Icomen was the blisful tyme swete [1669] That Troilus was warned that he sholde, [1670] There he was erst, Criseyde his lady mete, [1671] For which he felte his herte in joie flete [1672] And feithfully gan alle the goddes herie. [1673] And lat se now if that he kan be merie! [1674] And holden was the forme and al the wise [1675] Of hire commyng, and of his also, [1676] As it was erst, which nedeth nought devyse. [1677] But pleynly to th' effect right for to go: [1678] In joie and suerte Pandarus hem two [1679] Abedde brought, whan that hem bothe leste, [1680] And thus they ben in quyete and in reste. [1681] Nought nedeth it to yow, syn they ben met, [1682] To axe at me if that they blithe were; [1683] For if it erst was wel, tho was it bet [1684] A thousand fold; this nedeth nought enquere. [1685] Ago was every sorwe and every feere; [1686] And bothe, ywys, they hadde, and so they wende, [1687] As muche joie as herte may comprende. [1688] This is no litel thyng of for to seye; [1689] This passeth every wit for to devyse; [1690] For ech of hem gan otheres lust obeye. [1691] Felicite, which that thise clerkes wise [1692] Comenden so, ne may nought here suffise; [1693] This joie may nought writen be with inke; [1694] This passeth al that herte may bythynke. [1695] But cruel day -- so wailaway the stounde! -- [1696] Gan for t' aproche, as they by sygnes knewe, [1697] For which hem thoughte feelen dethis wownde. [1698] So wo was hem that chaungen gan hire hewe, [1699] And day they gonnen to despise al newe, [1700] Callyng it traitour, envyous, and worse, [1701] And bitterly the dayes light thei corse. [1702] Quod Troilus, "Allas, now am I war [1703] That Piros and tho swifte steedes thre, [1704] Which that drawen forth the sonnes char, [1705] Han gon som bi-path in dispit of me; [1706] That maketh it so soone day to be; [1707] And for the sonne hym hasteth thus to rise, [1708] Ne shal I nevere don hire sacrifise." [1709] But nedes day departe hem moste soone, [1710] And whan hire speche don was and hire cheere, [1711] They twynne anon, as they were wont to doone, [1712] And setten tyme of metyng eft yfeere; [1713] And many a nyght they wroughte in this manere, [1714] And thus Fortune a tyme ledde in joie [1715] Criseyde and ek this kynges sone of Troie. [1716] In suffisaunce, in blisse, and in singynges, [1717] This Troilus gan al his lif to lede. [1718] He spendeth, jousteth, maketh festeynges; [1719] He yeveth frely ofte, and chaungeth wede, [1720] And held aboute hym alwey, out of drede, [1721] A world of folk, as com hym wel of kynde, [1722] The fresshest and the beste he koude fynde; [1723] That swich a vois was of hym and a stevene, [1724] Thorughout the world, of honour and largesse, [1725] That it up rong unto the yate of hevene; [1726] And, as in love, he was in swich gladnesse [1727] That in his herte he demed, as I gesse, [1728] That ther nys lovere in this world at ese [1729] So wel as he; and thus gan love hym plese. [1730] The goodlihede or beaute which that kynde [1731] In any other lady hadde yset [1732] Kan nought the montance of a knotte unbynde [1733] Aboute his herte of al Criseydes net. [1734] He was so narwe ymasked and yknet, [1735] That it undon on any manere syde, [1736] That nyl naught ben, for aught that may bitide. [1737] And by the hond ful ofte he wolde take [1738] This Pandarus, and into gardyn lede, [1739] And swich a feste and swich a proces make [1740] Hym of Criseyde, and of hire wommanhede, [1741] And of hire beaute, that withouten drede [1742] It was an hevene his wordes for to here; [1743] And thanne he wolde synge in this manere: [1744] "Love, that of erthe and se hath governaunce, [1745] Love, that his hestes hath in hevene hye, [1746] Love, that with an holsom alliaunce [1747] Halt peples joyned, as hym lest hem gye, [1748] Love, that knetteth lawe of compaignie, [1749] And couples doth in vertu for to dwelle, [1750] Bynd this acord, that I have told and telle. [1751] "That, that the world with feith which that is stable [1752] Diverseth so his stowndes concordynge, [1753] That elementz that ben so discordable [1754] Holden a bond perpetuely durynge, [1755] That Phebus mote his rosy day forth brynge, [1756] And that the mone hath lordshipe over the nyghtes: [1757] Al this doth Love, ay heried be his myghtes! -- [1758] "That, that the se, that gredy is to flowen, [1759] Constreyneth to a certeyn ende so [1760] His flodes that so fiersly they ne growen [1761] To drenchen erthe and al for evere mo; [1762] And if that Love aught lete his bridel go, [1763] Al that now loveth asondre sholde lepe, [1764] And lost were al that Love halt now to-hepe. [1765] "So wolde God, that auctour is of kynde, [1766] That with his bond Love of his vertu liste [1767] To cerclen hertes alle and faste bynde, [1768] That from his bond no wight the wey out wiste; [1769] And hertes colde, hem wolde I that he twiste [1770] To make hem love, and that hem liste ay rewe [1771] On hertes sore, and kepe hem that ben trewe!" [1772] In alle nedes for the townes werre [1773] He was, and ay, the first in armes dyght, [1774] And certeynly, but if that bokes erre, [1775] Save Ector most ydred of any wight; [1776] And this encrees of hardynesse and myght [1777] Com hym of love, his ladies thank to wynne, [1778] That altered his spirit so withinne. [1779] In tyme of trewe, on haukyng wolde he ride, [1780] Or elles honte boor, beer, or lyoun; [1781] The smale bestes leet he gon biside. [1782] And whan that he com ridyng into town, [1783] Ful ofte his lady from hire wyndow down, [1784] As fressh as faukoun comen out of muwe, [1785] Ful redy was hym goodly to saluwe. [1786] And moost of love and vertu was his speche, [1787] And in despit hadde alle wrecchednesse; [1788] And douteles, no nede was hym biseche [1789] To honouren hem that hadde worthynesse, [1790] And esen hem that weren in destresse; [1791] And glad was he if any wyght wel ferde, [1792] That lovere was, whan he it wiste or herde. [1793] For soth to seyne, he lost held every wyght, [1794] But if he were in Loves heigh servise -- [1795] I mene folk that oughte it ben of right. [1796] And over al this, so wel koude he devyse [1797] Of sentement and in so unkouth wise [1798] Al his array, that every lovere thoughte [1799] That al was wel, what so he seyde or wroughte. [1800] And though that he be come of blood roial, [1801] Hym liste of pride at no wight for to chace; [1802] Benigne he was to ech in general, [1803] For which he gat hym thank in every place. [1804] Thus wolde Love -- yheried be his grace! -- [1805] That Pride, Envye, Ire, and Avarice [1806] He gan to fle, and everich other vice. [1807] Thow lady bryght, the doughter to Dyone, [1808] Thy blynde and wynged sone ek, daun Cupide, [1809] Yee sustren nyne ek, that by Elicone [1810] In hil Pernaso listen for t' abide, [1811] That ye thus fer han deyned me to gyde -- [1812] I kan namore, but syn that ye wol wende, [1813] Ye heried ben for ay withouten ende! [1814] Thorugh yow have I seyd fully in my song [1815] Th' effect and joie of Troilus servise, [1816] Al be that ther was som disese among, [1817] As to myn auctour listeth to devise. [1818] My thridde bok now ende ich in this wyse, [1819] And Troilus in lust and in quiete [1820] Is with Criseyde, his owen herte swete. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Troilus and Criseyde Book 4 [1] But al to litel, weylaway the whyle, [2] Lasteth swich joie, ythonked be Fortune, [3] That semeth trewest whan she wol bygyle [4] And kan to fooles so hire song entune [5] That she hem hent and blent, traitour comune! [6] And whan a wight is from hire whiel ythrowe, [7] Than laugheth she, and maketh hym the mowe. [8] From Troilus she gan hire brighte face [9] Awey to writhe, and tok of hym non heede, [10] But caste hym clene out of his lady grace, [11] And on hire whiel she sette up Diomede; [12] For which myn herte right now gynneth blede, [13] And now my penne, allas, with which I write, [14] Quaketh for drede of that I moste endite. [15] For how Criseyde Troilus forsook -- [16] Or at the leeste, how that she was unkynde -- [17] Moot hennesforth ben matere of my book, [18] As writen folk thorugh which it is in mynde. [19] Allas, that they sholde evere cause fynde [20] To speke hire harm! And if they on hire lye, [21] Iwis, hemself sholde han the vilanye. [22] O ye Herynes, Nyghtes doughtren thre, [23] That endeles compleignen evere in pyne, [24] Megera, Alete, and ek Thesiphone, [25] Thow cruel Mars ek, fader to Quyryne, [26] This ilke ferthe book me helpeth fyne, [27] So that the losse of lyf and love yfeere [28] Of Troilus be fully shewed heere. [29] Liggyng in oost, as I have seyd er this, [30] The Grekys stronge aboute Troie town, [31] Byfel that, whan that Phebus shynyng is [32] Upon the brest of Hercules lyoun, [33] That Ector, with ful many a bold baroun, [34] Caste on a day with Grekis for to fighte, [35] As he was wont, to greve hem what he myghte. [36] Not I how longe or short it was bitwene [37] This purpos and that day they issen mente, [38] But on a day, wel armed, brighte, and shene, [39] Ector and many a worthi wight out wente, [40] With spere in honde and bigge bowes bente; [41] And in the berd, withouten lenger lette, [42] Hire fomen in the feld hem faste mette. [43] The longe day, with speres sharpe igrounde, [44] With arwes, dartes, swerdes, maces felle, [45] They fighte and bringen hors and man to grounde, [46] And with hire axes out the braynes quelle. [47] But in the laste shour, soth for to telle, [48] The folk of Troie hemselven so mysledden [49] That with the worse at nyght homward they fledden. [50] At which day was taken Antenore, [51] Maugre Polydamas or Monesteo, [52] Santippe, Sarpedoun, Polynestore, [53] Polite, or ek the Trojan daun Rupheo, [54] And other lasse folk as Phebuseo; [55] So that, for harm, that day the folk of Troie [56] Dredden to lese a gret part of hire joie. [57] Of Priamus was yeve, at Grek requeste, [58] A tyme of trewe, and tho they gonnen trete [59] Hire prisoners to chaungen, meste and leste, [60] And for the surplus yeven sommes grete. [61] This thing anon was couth in every strete, [62] Bothe in th' assege, in town, and everywhere, [63] And with the firste it com to Calkas ere. [64] Whan Calkas knew this tretis sholde holde, [65] In consistorie among the Grekes soone [66] He gan in thringe forth with lordes olde, [67] And sette hym there as he was wont to doone; [68] And with a chaunged face hem bad a boone, [69] For love of God, to don that reverence, [70] To stynte noyse and yeve hym audience. [71] Than seyde he thus: "Lo, lordes myn, ich was [72] Troian, as it is knowen out of drede; [73] And, if that yow remembre, I am Calkas, [74] That alderfirst yaf comfort to youre nede, [75] And tolde wel how that ye shulden spede. [76] For dredeles, thorugh yow shal in a stownde [77] Ben Troie ybrend and beten down to grownde. [78] "And in what forme, or in what manere wise, [79] This town to shende, and al youre lust t' acheve, [80] Ye han er this wel herd me yow devyse; [81] This knowe ye, my lordes, as I leve. [82] And for the Grekis weren me so leeve, [83] I com myself, in my propre persone, [84] To teche in this how yow was best to doone. [85] "Havyng unto my tresor ne my rente [86] Right no resport, to respect of youre ese, [87] Thus al my good I lefte and to yow wente, [88] Wenyng in this yow lordes for to plese. [89] But al that los ne doth me no disese. [90] I vouchesauf, as wisly have I joie, [91] For yow to lese al that I have in Troie, [92] "Save of a doughter that I lefte, allas, [93] Slepyng at hom, whanne out of Troie I sterte. [94] O sterne, O cruel fader that I was! [95] How myghte I have in that so hard an herte? [96] Allas, I ne hadde ibrought hire in hire sherte! [97] For sorwe of which I wol nought lyve to-morwe, [98] But if ye lordes rewe upon my sorwe. [99] "For by that cause I say no tyme er now [100] Hire to delivere, ich holden have my pees; [101] But now or nevere, if that it like yow, [102] I may hire have right soone, douteles. [103] O help and grace amonges al this prees! [104] Rewe on this olde caytyf in destresse, [105] Syn I thorugh yow have al this hevynesse. [106] "Ye have now kaught and fetered in prisoun [107] Troians ynowe, and if youre willes be, [108] My child with oon may han redempcioun; [109] Now for the love of God and of bounte, [110] Oon of so fele, allas, so yive hym me! [111] What nede were it this preiere for to werne, [112] Syn ye shul bothe han folk and town as yerne? [113] "On peril of my lif, I shal nat lye; [114] Appollo hath me told it feithfully; [115] I have ek founde it be astronomye, [116] By sort, and by augurye ek, trewely, [117] And dar wel say, the tyme is faste by [118] That fire and flaumbe on al the town shal sprede, [119] And thus shal Troie torne to asshen dede. [120] "For certein, Phebus and Neptunus bothe, [121] That makeden the walles of the town, [122] Ben with the folk of Troie alwey so wrothe [123] That they wol brynge it to confusioun, [124] Right in despit of kyng Lameadoun; [125] Bycause he nolde payen hem here hire, [126] The town of Troie shal ben set on-fire." [127] Tellyng his tale alwey, this olde greye, [128] Humble in his speche and in his lokyng eke, [129] The salte teris from his eyen tweye [130] Ful faste ronnen down by either cheke. [131] So longe he gan of socour hem biseke [132] That, for to hele hym of his sorwes soore, [133] They yave hym Antenor, withouten moore. [134] But who was glad ynough but Calkas tho? [135] And of this thyng ful soone his nedes leyde [136] On hem that sholden for the tretis go, [137] And hem for Antenor ful ofte preyde [138] To bryngen hom kyng Toas and Criseyde. [139] And whan Priam his save-garde sente, [140] Th' embassadours to Troie streight they wente. [141] The cause itold of hire comyng, the olde [142] Priam, the kyng, ful soone in general [143] Let her-upon his parlement to holde, [144] Of which th' effect rehercen yow I shal. [145] Th' embassadours ben answerd for fynal; [146] Th' eschaunge of prisoners and al this nede [147] Hem liketh wel, and forth in they procede. [148] This Troilus was present in the place [149] Whan axed was for Antenor Criseyde, [150] For which ful soone chaungen gan his face, [151] As he that with tho wordes wel neigh deyde. [152] But natheles he no word to it seyde, [153] Lest men sholde his affeccioun espye; [154] With mannes herte he gan his sorwes drye, [155] And ful of angwissh and of grisly drede [156] Abod what lordes wolde unto it seye; [157] And if they wolde graunte -- as God forbede -- [158] Th' eschaunge of hire, than thoughte he thynges tweye: [159] First, how to save hire honour, and what weye [160] He myghte best th' eschaunge of hire withstonde. [161] Ful faste he caste how al this myghte stonde. [162] Love hym made al prest to don hire byde, [163] And rather dyen than she sholde go; [164] But Resoun seyde hym, on that other syde, [165] "Withouten assent of hire ne do nat so, [166] Lest for thi werk she wolde be thy fo, [167] And seyn that thorugh thy medlynge is iblowe [168] Youre bother love, ther it was erst unknowe." [169] For which he gan deliberen, for the beste, [170] That though the lordes wolde that she wente, [171] He wolde lat hem graunte what hem leste, [172] And telle his lady first what that they mente; [173] And whan that she hadde seyd hym hire entente, [174] Therafter wolde he werken also blyve, [175] Theigh al the world ayeyn it wolde stryve. [176] Ector, which that wel the Grekis herde, [177] For Antenor how they wolde han Criseyde, [178] Gan it withstonde, and sobrely answerde: [179] "Syres, she nys no prisonere," he seyde; [180] "I not on yow who that this charge leyde, [181] But, on my part, ye may eftsone hem telle, [182] We usen here no wommen for to selle." [183] The noyse of peple up stirte thanne at ones, [184] As breme as blase of straw iset on-fire; [185] For infortune it wolde, for the nones, [186] They sholden hire confusioun desire. [187] "Ector," quod they, "what goost may yow enspyre [188] This womman thus to shilde and don us leese [189] Daun Antenor -- a wrong wey now ye chese -- [190] "That is so wys and ek so bold baroun? [191] And we han nede to folk, as men may se. [192] He is ek oon the grettest of this town. [193] O Ector, lat tho fantasies be! [194] O kyng Priam," quod they, "thus sygge we, [195] That al oure vois is to forgon Criseyde." [196] And to deliveren Antenor they preyde. [197] O Juvenal, lord, trewe is thy sentence, [198] That litel wyten folk what is to yerne, [199] That they ne fynde in hire desir offence; [200] For cloude of errour let hem to discerne [201] What best is. And lo, here ensample as yerne: [202] This folk desiren now deliveraunce [203] Of Antenor, that brought hem to meschaunce, [204] For he was after traitour to the town [205] Of Troye. Allas, they quytte hym out to rathe! [206] O nyce world, lo, thy discrecioun! [207] Criseyde, which that nevere dide hem scathe, [208] Shal now no lenger in hire blisse bathe; [209] But Antenor, he shal com hom to towne, [210] And she shal out; thus seyden here and howne. [211] For which delibered was by parlement [212] For Antenor to yelden out Criseyde, [213] And it pronounced by the president, [214] Altheigh that Ector "nay" ful ofte preyde. [215] And fynaly, what wight that it withseyde, [216] It was for nought; it moste ben and sholde, [217] For substaunce of the parlement it wolde. [218] Departed out of parlement echone, [219] This Troilus, withouten wordes mo, [220] Unto his chambre spedde hym faste allone, [221] But if it were a man of his or two [222] The which he bad out faste for to go [223] Bycause he wolde slepen, as he seyde, [224] And hastily upon his bed hym leyde. [225] And as in wynter leves ben biraft, [226] Ech after other, til the tree be bare, [227] So that ther nys but bark and braunche ilaft, [228] Lith Troilus, byraft of ech welfare, [229] Ibounden in the blake bark of care, [230] Disposed wood out of his wit to breyde, [231] So sore hym sat the chaungynge of Criseyde. [232] He rist hym up, and every dore he shette, [233] And wyndow ek, and tho this sorwful man [234] Upon his beddes syde adown hym sette, [235] Ful lik a ded ymage, pale and wan; [236] And in his brest the heped wo bygan [237] Out breste, and he to werken in this wise [238] In his woodnesse, as I shal yow devyse. [239] Right as the wylde bole bygynneth sprynge, [240] Now her, now ther, idarted to the herte, [241] And of his deth roreth in compleynynge, [242] Right so gan he aboute the chaumbre sterte, [243] Smytyng his brest ay with his fistes smerte; [244] His hed to the wal, his body to the grounde [245] Ful ofte he swapte, hymselven to confounde. [246] His eyen two, for piete of herte, [247] Out stremeden as swifte welles tweye; [248] The heighe sobbes of his sorwes smerte [249] His speche hym refte; unnethes myghte he seye, [250] "O deth, allas, why nyltow do me deye? [251] Acorsed be that day which that Nature [252] Shop me to ben a lyves creature!" [253] But after, whan the furie and al the rage, [254] Which that his herte twiste and faste threste, [255] By lengthe of tyme somwhat gan aswage, [256] Upon his bed he leyde hym down to reste. [257] But tho bygonne his teeris more out breste, [258] That wonder is the body may suffise [259] To half this wo which that I yow devyse. [260] Than seyde he thus: "Fortune, allas the while! [261] What have I don? What have I thus agylt? [262] How myghtestow for rowthe me bygile? [263] Is ther no grace, and shal I thus be spilt? [264] Shal thus Creiseyde awey, for that thow wilt? [265] Allas, how maistow in thyn herte fynde [266] To ben to me thus cruwel and unkynde? [267] "Have I the nought honoured al my lyve, [268] As thow wel woost, above the goddes alle? [269] Whi wiltow me fro joie thus deprive? [270] O Troilus, what may men now the calle [271] But wrecche of wrecches, out of honour falle [272] Into miserie, in which I wol bewaille [273] Criseyde -- allas! -- til that the breth me faille? [274] "Allas, Fortune, if that my lif in joie [275] Displesed hadde unto thi foule envye, [276] Why ne haddestow my fader, kyng of Troye, [277] Byraft the lif, or don my bretheren dye, [278] Or slayn myself, that thus compleyne and crye -- [279] I, combre-world, that may of nothyng serve, [280] But evere dye and nevere fulli sterve. [281] "If that Criseyde allone were me laft, [282] Nought roughte I whiderward thow woldest me steere; [283] And hire, allas, than hastow me biraft. [284] But everemore, lo, this is thi manere, [285] To reve a wight that most is to hym deere, [286] To preve in that thi gerful violence. [287] Thus am I lost; ther helpeth no diffence. [288] "O verrey lord, O Love! O god, allas! [289] That knowest best myn herte and al my thought, [290] What shal my sorwful lif don in this cas, [291] If I forgo that I so deere have bought? [292] Syn ye Criseyde and me han fully brought [293] Into youre grace, and bothe oure hertes seled, [294] How may ye suffre, allas, it be repeled? [295] "What shal I don? I shal, while I may dure [296] On lyve in torment and in cruwel peyne [297] This infortune or this disaventure, [298] Allone as I was born, iwys, compleyne; [299] Ne nevere wol I seen it shyne or reyne, [300] But ende I wol, as Edippe, in derknesse [301] My sorwful lif, and dyen in distresse. [302] "O wery goost, that errest to and fro, [303] Why nyltow fleen out of the wofulleste [304] Body that evere myghte on grounde go? [305] O soule, lurkynge in this wo, unneste, [306] Fle forth out of myn herte, and lat it breste, [307] And folowe alwey Criseyde, thi lady dere. [308] Thi righte place is now no lenger here. [309] "O woful eyen two, syn youre disport [310] Was al to sen Criseydes eyen brighte, [311] What shal ye don but, for my discomfort, [312] Stonden for naught, and wepen out youre sighte, [313] Syn she is queynt that wont was yow to lighte? [314] In vayn fro this forth have ich eyen tweye [315] Ifourmed, syn youre vertu is aweye. [316] "O my Criseyde, O lady sovereigne [317] Of thilke woful soule that thus crieth, [318] Who shal now yeven comfort to my peyne? [319] Allas, no wight. But whan myn herte dieth, [320] My spirit, which that so unto yow hieth, [321] Receyve in gree, for that shal ay yow serve; [322] Forthi no fors is, though the body sterve. [323] "O ye loveris, that heigh upon the whiel [324] Ben set of Fortune, in good aventure, [325] God leve that ye fynde ay love of stiel, [326] And longe mote youre lif in joie endure! [327] But whan ye comen by my sepulture, [328] Remembreth that youre felawe resteth there; [329] For I loved ek, though ich unworthi were. [330] "O oold, unholsom, and myslyved man -- [331] Calkas I mene -- allas, what eiled the [332] To ben a Grek, syn thow art born Troian? [333] O Calkas, which that wolt my bane be, [334] In corsed tyme was thow born for me! [335] As wolde blisful Jove, for his joie, [336] That I the hadde wher I wolde, in Troie!" [337] A thousand sikes, hotter than the gleede, [338] Out of his brest ech after other wente, [339] Medled with pleyntes new, his wo to feede, [340] For which his woful teris nevere stente; [341] And shortly, so his peynes hym torente, [342] And wex so mat, that joie nor penaunce [343] He feleth non, but lith forth in a traunce. [344] Pandare, which that in the parlement [345] Hadde herd what every lord and burgeys seyde, [346] And how ful graunted was by oon assent [347] For Antenor to yelden so Criseyde, [348] Gan wel neigh wood out of his wit to breyde, [349] So that for wo he nyste what he mente, [350] But in a rees to Troilus he wente. [351] A certeyn knyght that for the tyme kepte [352] The chambre door undide it hym anon; [353] And Pandare, that ful tendreliche wepte, [354] Into the derke chambre, as stille as ston, [355] Toward the bed gan softely to gon, [356] So confus that he nyste what to seye; [357] For verray wo his wit was neigh aweye. [358] And with his chiere and lokyng al totorn [359] For sorwe of this, and with his armes folden, [360] He stood this woful Troilus byforn, [361] And on his pitous face he gan byholden. [362] But Lord, so ofte gan his herte colden, [363] Seyng his frend in wo, whos hevynesse [364] His herte slough, as thoughte hym, for destresse. [365] This woful wight, this Troilus, that felte [366] His frend Pandare ycomen hym to se, [367] Gan as the snow ayeyn the sonne melte; [368] For which this sorwful Pandare, of pitee, [369] Gan for to wepe as tendreliche as he; [370] And specheles thus ben thise ilke tweye, [371] That neither myghte o word for sorwe seye. [372] But at the laste this woful Troilus, [373] Neigh ded for smert, gan bresten out to rore, [374] And with a sorwful noise he seyde thus, [375] Among hise sobbes and his sikes sore: [376] "Lo, Pandare, I am ded, withouten more. [377] Hastow nat herd at parlement," he seyde, [378] "For Antenor how lost is my Criseyde?" [379] This Pandarus, ful ded and pale of hewe, [380] Ful pitously answerde and seyde, "Yis! [381] As wisly were it fals as it is trewe, [382] That I have herd, and woot al how it is. [383] O mercy, God, who wolde have trowed this? [384] Who wolde have wend that in so litel a throwe [385] Fortune oure joie wold han overthrowe? [386] "For in this world ther is no creature, [387] As to my dom, that ever saugh ruyne [388] Straunger than this, thorugh cas or aventure. [389] But who may al eschue, or al devyne? [390] Swich is this world! Forthi I thus diffyne: [391] Ne trust no wight to fynden in Fortune [392] Ay propretee; hire yiftes ben comune. [393] "But telle me this: whi thow art now so mad [394] To sorwen thus? Whi listow in this wise, [395] Syn thi desir al holly hastow had, [396] So that, by right, it oughte ynough suffise? [397] But I, that nevere felte in my servyse [398] A frendly cheere or lokyng of an eye, [399] Lat me thus wepe and wailen til I deye. [400] "And over al this, as thow wel woost thiselve, [401] This town is ful of ladys al aboute; [402] And, to my doom, fairer than swiche twelve [403] As evere she was, shal I fynde in som route -- [404] Yee, on or two, withouten any doute. [405] Forthi be glad, myn owen deere brother! [406] If she be lost, we shal recovere an other. [407] "What! God forbede alwey that ech plesaunce [408] In o thyng were and in non other wight! [409] If oon kan synge, an other kan wel daunce; [410] If this be goodly, she is glad and light; [411] And this is fair, and that kan good aright. [412] Ech for his vertu holden is for deere, [413] Both heroner and faucoun for ryvere. [414] "And ek, as writ Zanzis, that was ful wys, [415] `The newe love out chaceth ofte the olde'; [416] And upon newe cas lith newe avys. [417] Thenk ek, thi lif to saven artow holde. [418] Swich fir, by proces, shal of kynde colde, [419] For syn it is but casuel plesaunce, [420] Som cas shal putte it out of remembraunce; [421] "For also seur as day comth after nyght, [422] The newe love, labour, or oother wo, [423] Or elles selde seynge of a wight, [424] Don olde affecciouns alle over-go. [425] And, for thi part, thow shalt have oon of tho [426] T' abregge with thi bittre peynes smerte; [427] Absence of hire shal dryve hire out of herte." [428] Thise wordes seyde he for the nones alle, [429] To help his frend, lest he for sorwe deyde; [430] For douteles, to don his wo to falle, [431] He roughte nought what unthrift that he seyde. [432] But Troilus, that neigh for sorwe deyde, [433] Took litel heede of al that evere he mente -- [434] Oon ere it herde, at tother out it wente -- [435] But at the laste answerde, and seyde, "Frend, [436] This lechecraft, or heeled thus to be, [437] Were wel sittyng, if that I were a fend -- [438] To traysen a wight that trewe is unto me! [439] I pray God lat this conseil nevere ythe; [440] But do me rather sterve anon-right here, [441] Er I thus do as thow me woldest leere! [442] "She that I serve, iwis, what so thow seye, [443] To whom myn herte enhabit is by right, [444] Shal han me holly hires til that I deye. [445] For Pandarus, syn I have trouthe hire hight, [446] I wol nat ben untrewe for no wight, [447] But as hire man I wol ay lyve and sterve, [448] And nevere other creature serve. [449] "And ther thow seist thow shalt as faire fynde [450] As she, lat be; make no comparisoun [451] To creature yformed here by kynde! [452] O leve Pandare, in conclusioun, [453] I wol nat ben of thyn opynyoun [454] Touchyng al this. For which I the biseche, [455] So hold thi pees; thow sleest me with thi speche! [456] "Thow biddest me I shulde love another [457] Al fresshly newe, and lat Criseyde go! [458] It lith nat in my power, leeve brother; [459] And though I myght, I wolde nat do so. [460] But kanstow playen raket, to and fro, [461] Nettle in, dok out, now this, now that, Pandare? [462] Now foule falle hire for thi wo that care! [463] "Thow farest ek by me, thow Pandarus, [464] As he that, whan a wight is wo bygon, [465] He cometh to hym a paas and seith right thus: [466] `Thynk nat on smert, and thow shalt fele non.' [467] Thow moost me first transmewen in a ston, [468] And reve me my passiones alle, [469] Er thow so lightly do my wo to falle. [470] "The deth may wel out of my brest departe [471] The lif, so longe may this sorwe myne, [472] But fro my soule shal Criseydes darte [473] Out nevere mo; but down with Proserpyne, [474] Whan I am ded, I wol go wone in pyne, [475] And ther I wol eternaly compleyne [476] My wo, and how that twynned be we tweyne. [477] "Thow hast here made an argument for fyn, [478] How that it sholde a lasse peyne be [479] Criseyde to forgon, for she was myn [480] And lyved in ese and in felicite. [481] Whi gabbestow, that seydest unto me [482] That `hym is wors that is fro wele ythrowe, [483] Than he hadde erst noon of that wele yknowe'? [484] "But tel me now, syn that the thynketh so light [485] To changen so in love ay to and fro, [486] Whi hastow nat don bisily thi myght [487] To chaungen hire that doth the al thi wo? [488] Why nyltow lete hire fro thyn herte go? [489] Whi nyltow love an other lady swete, [490] That may thyn herte setten in quiete? [491] "If thou hast had in love ay yet myschaunce [492] And kanst it not out of thyn herte dryve, [493] I, that levede yn lust and in plesaunce [494] With here, as muche as creature on lyve, [495] How sholde I that foryete, and that so blyve? [496] O, where hastow ben hid so longe in muwe, [497] That kanst so wel and formely arguwe? [498] "Nay, God wot, nought worth is al thi red, [499] For which, for what that evere may byfalle, [500] Withouten wordes mo, I wol be ded. [501] O deth, that endere art of sorwes alle, [502] Com now, syn I so ofte after the calle; [503] For sely is that deth, soth for to seyne, [504] That, ofte ycleped, cometh and endeth peyne. [505] "Wel wot I, whil my lyf was in quyete, [506] Er thow me slowe, I wolde have yeven hire; [507] But now thi comynge is to me so swete [508] That in this world I nothing so desire. [509] O deth, syn with this sorwe I am a-fyre, [510] Thou other do me anoon yn teris drenche, [511] Or with thi colde strok myn hete quenche. [512] "Syn that thou sleest so fele in sondry wyse [513] Ayens hire wil, unpreyed, day and nyght, [514] Do me at my requeste this service: [515] Delyvere now the world -- so dostow right -- [516] Of me, that am the wofulleste wyght [517] That evere was; for tyme is that I sterve, [518] Syn in this world of right nought may I serve." [519] This Troylus in teris gan distille, [520] As licour out of a lambyc ful faste; [521] And Pandarus gan holde his tunge stille, [522] And to the ground his eyen doun he caste. [523] But natheles, thus thought he at the laste: [524] "What! Parde, rather than my felawe deye, [525] Yet shal I somwhat more unto hym seye." [526] And seyde, "Frend, syn thow hast swych distresse, [527] And syn the list myn argumentz to blame, [528] Why nylt thiselven helpen don redresse [529] And with thy manhod letten al this grame? [530] Go ravysshe here! Ne kanstow nat, for shame? [531] And other lat here out of towne fare, [532] Or hold here stille, and leve thi nyce fare. [533] "Artow in Troie, and hast non hardyment [534] To take a womman which that loveth the [535] And wolde hireselven ben of thyn assent? [536] Now is nat this a nyce vanitee? [537] Ris up anon, and lat this wepyng be, [538] And kith thow art a man; for in this houre [539] I wol ben ded, or she shal bleven oure." [540] To this answerde hym Troilus ful softe, [541] And seyde, "Parde, leve brother deere, [542] Al this have I myself yet thought ful ofte, [543] And more thyng than thow devysest here. [544] But whi this thyng is laft, thow shalt wel here; [545] And whan thow me hast yeve an audience, [546] Therafter maystow telle al thi sentence. [547] "First, syn thow woost this town hath al this werre [548] For ravysshyng of wommen so by myght, [549] It sholde nought be suffred me to erre, [550] As it stant now, ne don so gret unright. [551] I sholde han also blame of every wight, [552] My fadres graunt if that I so withstoode, [553] Syn she is chaunged for the townes goode. [554] "I have ek thought, so it were hire assent, [555] To axe hire at my fader, of his grace; [556] Than thynke I this were hire accusement, [557] Syn wel I woot I may hire nought purchace; [558] For syn my fader, in so heigh a place [559] As parlement hath hire eschaunge enseled, [560] He nyl for me his lettre be repeled. [561] "Yet drede I moost hire herte to perturbe [562] With violence, if I do swich a game; [563] For if I wolde it openly desturbe, [564] It mooste be disclaundre to hire name. [565] And me were levere ded than hire diffame -- [566] As nolde God but if I sholde have [567] Hire honour levere than my lif to save! [568] "Thus am I lost, for aught that I kan see. [569] For certeyn is, syn that I am hire knyght, [570] I moste hire honour levere han than me [571] In every cas, as lovere ought of right. [572] Thus am I with desir and reson twight: [573] Desir for to destourben hire me redeth, [574] And reson nyl nat; so myn herte dredeth." [575] Thus wepyng that he koude nevere cesse, [576] He seyde, "Allas, how shal I, wrecche, fare? [577] For wel fele I alwey my love encresse, [578] And hope is lasse and lasse alway, Pandare. [579] Encressen ek the causes of my care. [580] So weilaway, whi nyl myn herte breste? [581] For, as in love, ther is but litel reste." [582] Pandare answerde, "Frend, thow maist, for me, [583] Don as the list; but hadde ich it so hoote, [584] And thyn estat, she sholde go with me, [585] Though al this town cride on this thyng by note. [586] I nolde sette at al that noys a grote! [587] For whan men han wel cryd, than wol they rowne; [588] Ek wonder last but nyne nyght nevere in towne. [589] "Devyne not in resoun ay so depe [590] Ne preciously, but help thiself anon. [591] Bet is that othere than thiselven wepe, [592] And namely, syn ye two ben al on, [593] Ris up, for by myn hed, she shal not goon! [594] And rather be in blame a lite ifounde [595] Than sterve here as a gnat, withouten wounde. [596] "It is no rape, in my dom, ne no vice, [597] Hire to witholden that ye love moost; [598] Peraunter she myghte holde the for nyce [599] To late hire go thus unto the Grekis oost. [600] Thenk ek Fortune, as wel thiselven woost, [601] Helpeth hardy man unto his enprise, [602] And weyveth wrecches for hire cowardise. [603] "And though thy lady wolde a lite hire greve, [604] Thow shalt thiself thi pees hereafter make; [605] But as for me, certeyn, I kan nat leve [606] That she wolde it as now for yvel take. [607] Whi sholde thanne of ferd thyn herte quake? [608] Thenk ek how Paris hath, that is thi brother, [609] A love; and whi shaltow nat have another? [610] "And Troilus, o thyng I dar the swere: [611] That if Criseyde, which that is thi lief, [612] Now loveth the as wel as thow dost here, [613] God help me so, she nyl nat take a-grief, [614] Theigh thow do boote anon in this meschief; [615] And if she wilneth fro the for to passe, [616] Thanne is she fals; so love hire wel the lasse. [617] "Forthi tak herte, and thynk right as a knyght: [618] Thorugh love is broken al day every lawe. [619] Kith now somwhat thi corage and thi myght; [620] Have mercy on thiself for any awe. [621] Lat nat this wrecched wo thyn herte gnawe, [622] But manly sette the world on six and sevene; [623] And if thow deye a martyr, go to hevene! [624] "I wol myself ben with the at this dede, [625] Theigh ich and al my kyn upon a stownde [626] Shulle in a strete as dogges liggen dede, [627] Thorugh-girt with many a wid and blody wownde; [628] In every cas I wol a frend be founde. [629] And if the list here sterven as a wrecche, [630] Adieu, the devel spede hym that it recche!" [631] This Troilus gan with tho wordes quyken, [632] And seyde, "Frend, graunt mercy, ich assente. [633] But certeynly thow maist nat so me priken, [634] Ne peyne non ne may me so tormente, [635] That, for no cas, it is nat myn entente, [636] At shorte wordes, though I deyen sholde, [637] To ravysshe hire, but if hireself it wolde." [638] "Whi, so mene I," quod Pandare, "al this day. [639] But telle me thanne, hastow hire wil assayed, [640] That sorwest thus?" And he answerde hym, "Nay." [641] "Wherof artow," quod Pandare, "thanne amayed, [642] That nost nat that she wol ben yvele appayed [643] To ravysshe hire, syn thow hast nought ben there, [644] But if that Jove told it in thyn ere? [645] "Forthi ris up, as nought ne were, anon, [646] And wassh thi face, and to the kyng thow wende, [647] Or he may wondren whider thow art goon. [648] Thow most with wisdom hym and othere blende, [649] Or, upon cas, he may after the sende [650] Er thow be war; and shortly, brother deere, [651] Be glad, and lat me werke in this matere, [652] "For I shal shape it so, that sikerly [653] Thow shalt this nyght som tyme, in som manere, [654] Come speken with thi lady pryvely, [655] And by hire wordes ek, and by hire cheere, [656] Thow shalt ful sone aperceyve and wel here [657] Al hire entente, and in this cas the beste. [658] And far now wel, for in this point I reste." [659] The swifte Fame, which that false thynges [660] Egal reporteth lik the thynges trewe, [661] Was thorughout Troie yfled with preste wynges [662] Fro man to man, and made this tale al newe, [663] How Calkas doughter, with hire brighte hewe, [664] At parlement, withouten wordes more, [665] Ygraunted was in chaunge of Antenore. [666] The whiche tale anon-right as Criseyde [667] Hadde herd, she, which that of hire fader roughte, [668] As in this cas, right nought, ne whan he deyde, [669] Ful bisily to Jupiter bisoughte [670] Yeve hem meschaunce that this tretis broughte; [671] But shortly, lest thise tales sothe were, [672] She dorst at no wight asken it, for fere. [673] As she that hadde hire herte and al hire mynde [674] On Troilus iset so wonder faste [675] That al this world ne myghte hire love unbynde, [676] Ne Troilus out of hire herte caste, [677] She wol ben his, while that hire lif may laste. [678] And thus she brenneth both in love and drede, [679] So that she nyste what was best to reede. [680] But as men seen in towne and al aboute [681] That wommen usen frendes to visite, [682] So to Criseyde of wommen com a route, [683] For pitous joie, and wenden hire delite; [684] And with hire tales, deere ynough a myte, [685] Thise wommen, which that in the cite dwelle, [686] They sette hem down and seyde as I shall telle. [687] Quod first that oon, "I am glad, trewely, [688] Bycause of yow, that shal youre fader see." [689] Another seyde, "Ywis, so nam nat I, [690] For al to litel hath she with us be." [691] Quod tho the thridde, "I hope, ywis, that she [692] Shal bryngen us the pees on every syde, [693] That, whan she goth, almyghty God hire gide!" [694] Tho wordes and tho wommanysshe thynges, [695] She herde hem right as though she thennes were; [696] For God it woot, hire herte on othir thyng is. [697] Although the body sat among hem there, [698] Hire advertence is alwey elleswhere, [699] For Troilus ful faste hire soule soughte; [700] Withouten word, on hym alwey she thoughte. [701] Thise wommen, that thus wenden hire to plese, [702] Aboute naught gonne alle hire tales spende. [703] Swich vanyte ne kan don hire non ese, [704] As she that al this mene while brende [705] Of other passioun than that they wende, [706] So that she felte almost hire herte dye [707] For wo and wery of that compaignie. [708] For which no lenger myghte she restreyne [709] Hir teeris, so they gonnen up to welle, [710] That yaven signes of the bittre peyne [711] In which hir spirit was, and moste dwelle, [712] Remembryng hir, fro heven into which helle [713] She fallen was, syn she forgoth the syghte [714] Of Troilus, and sorwfully she sighte. [715] And thilke fooles sittynge hire aboute [716] Wenden that she wepte and siked sore [717] Bycause that she sholde out of that route [718] Departe, and nevere pleye with hem more. [719] And they that hadde yknowen hire of yore [720] Seigh hire so wepe and thoughte it kyndenesse, [721] And ech of hem wepte ek for hire destresse. [722] And bisyly they gonnen hire comforten [723] Of thyng, God woot, on which she litel thoughte; [724] And with hire tales wenden hire disporten, [725] And to be glad they often hire bysoughte; [726] But swich an ese therwith they hire wroughte, [727] Right as a man is esed for to feele [728] For ache of hed to clawen hym on his heele! [729] But after al this nyce vanyte [730] They toke hire leve, and hom they wenten alle. [731] Criseyde, ful of sorwful piete, [732] Into hire chambre up went out of the halle, [733] And on hire bed she gan for ded to falle, [734] In purpos nevere thennes for to rise; [735] And thus she wroughte, as I shal yow devyse. [736] Hire ownded heer, that sonnyssh was of hewe, [737] She rente, and ek hire fyngeres longe and smale [738] She wrong ful ofte, and bad God on hire rewe, [739] And with the deth to doon boote on hire bale. [740] Hire hewe, whilom bright, that tho was pale, [741] Bar witnesse of hire wo and hire constreynte; [742] And thus she spak, sobbyng in hire compleynte: [743] "Allas," quod she, "out of this regioun [744] I, woful wrecche and infortuned wight, [745] And born in corsed constellacioun, [746] Moot goon and thus departen fro my knyght! [747] Wo worth, allas, that ilke dayes light [748] On which I saugh hym first with eyen tweyne, [749] That causeth me, and ich hym, al this peyne!" [750] Therwith the teris from hire eyen two [751] Down fille, as shour in Aperil ful swithe; [752] Hire white brest she bet, and for the wo [753] After the deth she cryed a thousand sithe, [754] Syn he that wont hire wo was for to lithe [755] She moot forgon; for which disaventure [756] She held hireself a forlost creature. [757] She seyde, "How shal he don, and ich also? [758] How sholde I lyve if that I from hym twynne? [759] O deere herte eke, that I love so, [760] Who shal that sorwe slen that ye ben inne? [761] O Calkas, fader, thyn be al this synne! [762] O moder myn, that cleped were Argyve, [763] Wo worth that day that thow me bere on lyve! [764] "To what fyn sholde I lyve and sorwen thus? [765] How sholde a fissh withouten water dure? [766] What is Criseyde worth, from Troilus? [767] How sholde a plaunte or lyves creature [768] Lyve withouten his kynde noriture? [769] For which ful ofte a by-word here I seye, [770] That `rooteles moot grene soone deye.' [771] "I shal doon thus -- syn neither swerd ne darte [772] Dar I noon handle, for the crueltee -- [773] That ilke day that I from yow departe, [774] If sorwe of that nyl nat my bane be: [775] Thanne shal no mete or drynke come in me [776] Til I my soule out of my breste unshethe, [777] And thus myselven wol I don to dethe. [778] "And, Troilus, my clothes everychon [779] Shul blake ben in tokenyng, herte swete, [780] That I am as out of this world agon, [781] That wont was yow to setten in quiete; [782] And of myn ordre, ay til deth me mete, [783] The observance evere, in youre absence, [784] Shal sorwe ben, compleynt, and abstinence. [785] "Myn herte and ek the woful goost therinne [786] Byqueth. I with youre spirit to compleyne [787] Eternaly, for they shal nevere twynne; [788] For though in erthe ytwynned be we tweyne, [789] Yet in the feld of pite, out of peyne, [790] That highte Elisos, shal we ben yfeere, [791] As Orpheus and Erudice, his fere. [792] "Thus, herte myn, for Antenor, allas, [793] I soone shal be chaunged, as I wene. [794] But how shul ye don in this sorwful cas? [795] How shal youre tendre herte this sustene? [796] But, herte myn, foryete this sorwe and tene, [797] And me also; for sothly for to seye, [798] So ye wel fare, I recche naught to deye." [799] How myghte it evere yred ben or ysonge, [800] The pleynte that she made in hire destresse? [801] I not; but, as for me, my litel tonge, [802] If I discryven wolde hire hevynesse, [803] It sholde make hire sorwe seme lesse [804] Than that it was, and childisshly deface [805] Hire heigh compleynte, and therfore ich it pace. [806] Pandare, which that sent from Troilus [807] Was to Criseyde -- as ye han herd devyse [808] That for the beste it was acorded thus, [809] And he ful glad to doon hym that servyse -- [810] Unto Criseyde, in a ful secree wise, [811] Ther as she lay in torment and in rage, [812] Com hire to telle al hoolly his message, [813] And fond that she hireselven gan to trete [814] Ful pitously, for with hire salte teris [815] Hire brest, hire face, ybathed was ful wete; [816] The myghty tresses of hire sonnysshe heeris [817] Unbroiden hangen al aboute hire eeris, [818] Which yaf hym verray signal of martire [819] Of deth, which that hire herte gan desire. [820] Whan she hym saugh, she gan for shame anon [821] Hire tery face atwixe hire armes hide; [822] For which this Pandare is so wo-bygon [823] That in the hous he myghte unnethe abyde, [824] As he that pite felt on every syde; [825] For if Criseyde hadde erst compleyned soore, [826] Tho gan she pleyne a thousand tymes more. [827] And in hire aspre pleynte thus she seyde: [828] "Pandare first of joies mo than two [829] Was cause causyng unto me, Criseyde, [830] That now transmewed ben in cruel wo. [831] Wher shal I seye to yow welcom or no, [832] That alderfirst me broughte unto servyse [833] Of love -- allas! -- that endeth in swich wise? [834] "Endeth than love in wo? Ye, or men lieth, [835] And alle worldly blisse, as thynketh me. [836] The ende of blisse ay sorwe it occupieth. [837] And whoso troweth nat that it so be, [838] Lat hym upon me, woful wrecche, ysee, [839] That myself hate and ay my burthe acorse, [840] Felyng alwey fro wikke I go to worse. [841] "Whoso me seeth, he seeth sorwe al atonys -- [842] Peyne, torment, pleynte, wo, distresse! [843] Out of my woful body harm ther noon is, [844] As angwissh, langour, cruel bitternesse, [845] Anoy, smert, drede, fury, and ek siknesse. [846] I trowe, ywys, from hevene teeris reyne [847] For pite of myn aspre and cruel peyne." [848] "And thow, my suster, ful of discomfort," [849] Quod Pandarus, "what thynkestow to do? [850] Whi ne hastow to thyselven som resport? [851] Whi wiltow thus thiself, allas, fordo? [852] Leef al this werk, and tak now heede to [853] That I shal seyn; and herkne of good entente [854] This which by me thi Troilus the sente." [855] Tornede hire tho Criseyde, a wo makynge [856] So gret that it a deth was for to see. [857] "Allas," quod she, "what wordes may ye brynge? [858] What wol my deere herte seyn to me, [859] Which that I drede nevere mo to see? [860] Wol he han pleynte or teris er I wende? [861] I have ynough, if he therafter sende!" [862] She was right swich to seen in hire visage [863] As is that wight that men on beere bynde; [864] Hire face, lik of Paradys the ymage, [865] Was al ychaunged in another kynde. [866] The pleye, the laughter, men was wont to fynde [867] On hire, and ek hire joies everichone, [868] Ben fled; and thus lith now Criseyde allone. [869] Aboute hire eyen two a purpre ryng [870] Bytrent, in sothfast tokenyng of hire peyne, [871] That to biholde it was a dedly thyng; [872] For which Pandare myghte nat restreyne [873] The teeris from his eighen for to reyne; [874] But natheles, as he best myghte, he seyde [875] From Troilus thise wordes to Criseyde: [876] "Lo, nece, I trowe ye han herd al how [877] The kyng with othere lordes, for the beste, [878] Hath mad eschaunge of Antenor and yow, [879] That cause is of this sorwe and this unreste. [880] But how this cas dooth Troilus moleste, [881] That may non erthly mannes tonge seye -- [882] As he that shortly shapith hym to deye. [883] "For which we han so sorwed, he and I, [884] That into litel bothe it hadde us slawe; [885] But thorugh my conseyl this day finaly [886] He somwhat is fro wepynge now withdrawe, [887] And semeth me that he desireth fawe [888] With yow to ben al nyght, for to devyse [889] Remedie in this, if ther were any wyse. [890] "This, short and pleyn, th' effect of my message, [891] As ferforth as my wit kan comprehende, [892] For ye that ben of torment in swich rage [893] May to no long prologe as now entende. [894] And hereupon ye may answere hym sende; [895] And for the love of God, my nece deere, [896] So lef this wo er Troilus be here!" [897] "Gret is my wo," quod she, and sighte soore [898] As she that feleth dedly sharp distresse; [899] "But yit to me his sorwe is muchel more, [900] That love hym bet than he hymself, I gesse. [901] Allas, for me hath he swich hevynesse? [902] Kan he for me so pitously compleyne? [903] Iwis, his sorwe doubleth al my peyne. [904] "Grevous to me, God woot, is for to twynne," [905] Quod she, "but yet it harder is to me [906] To sen that sorwe which that he is inne; [907] For wel I woot it wol my bane be, [908] And deye I wol in certeyn," tho quod she; [909] "But bid hym come, er deth, that thus me threteth, [910] Dryve out that goost which in myn herte beteth." [911] Thise wordes seyd, she on hire armes two [912] Fil gruf, and gan to wepen pitously. [913] Quod Pandarus, "Allas, whi do ye so, [914] Syn wel ye woot the tyme is faste by [915] That he shal come? Aris up hastily, [916] That he yow nat bywopen thus ne fynde, [917] But ye wole have hym wood out of his mynde. [918] "For wiste he that ye ferde in this manere, [919] He wolde hymselven sle; and if I wende [920] To han this fare, he sholde nat come here [921] For al the good that Priam may dispende. [922] For to what fyn he wolde anon pretende, [923] That knowe ich wel; and forthi yet I seye: [924] So lef this sorwe, or platly he wol deye. [925] "And shapeth yow his sorwe for t' abregge, [926] And nought encresse, leeve nece swete! [927] Beth rather to hym cause of flat than egge, [928] And with som wisdom ye his sorwe bete. [929] What helpeth it to wepen ful a strete, [930] Or though ye bothe in salte teeris dreynte? [931] Bet is a tyme of cure ay than of pleynte. [932] "I mene thus: whan ich hym hider brynge, [933] Syn ye be wise and bothe of oon assent, [934] So shapeth how destourbe youre goynge, [935] Or come ayeyn soon after ye be went. [936] Women ben wise in short avysement; [937] And lat sen how youre wit shal now availle, [938] And that that I may helpe, it shal nat faille." [939] "Go," quod Criseyde, "and uncle, trewely, [940] I shal don al my myght me to restreyne [941] From wepyng in his sighte, and bisily [942] Hym for to glade I shal don al my peyne, [943] And in myn herte seken every veyne. [944] If to his sore ther may be fonden salve, [945] It shal nat lakke, certeyn, on my halve." [946] Goth Pandarus, and Troilus he soughte [947] Til in a temple he fond hym al allone, [948] As he that of his lif no lenger roughte; [949] But to the pitouse goddes everichone [950] Ful tendrely he preyde and made his mone, [951] To doon hym sone out of this world to pace, [952] For wel he thoughte ther was non other grace. [953] And shortly, al the sothe for to seye, [954] He was so fallen in despeir that day, [955] That outrely he shop hym for to deye. [956] For right thus was his argument alway: [957] He seyde he nas but lorn, weylaway! [958] "For al that comth, comth by necessitee: [959] Thus to ben lorn, it is my destinee. [960] "For certeynly, this wot I wel," he seyde, [961] "That forsight of divine purveyaunce [962] Hath seyn alwey me to forgon Criseyde, [963] Syn God seeth every thyng, out of doutaunce, [964] And hem disponyth, thorugh his ordinaunce, [965] In hire merites sothly for to be, [966] As they shul comen by predestyne. [967] "But natheles, allas, whom shal I leeve? [968] For ther ben grete clerkes many oon [969] That destyne thorugh argumentes preve; [970] And som men seyn that nedely ther is noon, [971] But that fre chois is yeven us everychon. [972] O, welaway! So sleighe arn clerkes olde [973] That I not whos opynyoun I may holde. [974] "For som men seyn, if God seth al biforn -- [975] Ne God may nat deceyved ben, parde -- [976] Than moot it fallen, theigh men hadde it sworn, [977] That purveiance hath seyn before to be. [978] Wherfore I sey, that from eterne if he [979] Hath wist byforn oure thought ek as oure dede, [980] We han no fre chois, as thise clerkes rede. [981] "For other thought, nor other dede also, [982] Myghte nevere ben, but swich as purveyaunce, [983] Which may nat ben deceyved nevere mo, [984] Hath feled byforn, withouten ignoraunce. [985] For yf ther myghte ben a variaunce [986] To writhen out fro Goddis purveyinge, [987] Ther nere no prescience of thyng comynge, [988] "But it were rather an opynyoun [989] Uncerteyn, and no stedfast forseynge; [990] And certes, that were an abusioun, [991] That God sholde han no parfit cler wytynge [992] More than we men that han doutous wenynge. [993] But swich an errour upon God to gesse [994] Were fals and foul, and wikked corsednesse. [995] "Ek this is an opynyoun of some [996] That han hire top ful heighe and smothe yshore: [997] They seyn right thus, that thyng is nat to come [998] For that the prescience hath seyn byfore [999] That it shal come; but they seyn that therfore [1000] That it shal come, therfore the purveyaunce [1001] Woot it byforn, withouten ignoraunce; [1002] "And in this manere this necessite [1003] Retorneth in his part contrarie agayn. [1004] For nedfully byhoveth it nat to bee [1005] That thilke thynges fallen in certayn [1006] That ben purveyed; but nedly, as they sayn, [1007] Byhoveth it that thynges whiche that falle, [1008] That they in certayn ben purveyed alle. [1009] "I mene as though I laboured me in this [1010] To enqueren which thyng cause of which thyng be: [1011] As wheither that the prescience of God is [1012] The certeyn cause of the necessite [1013] Of thynges that to comen ben, parde, [1014] Or if necessite of thyng comynge [1015] Be cause certeyn of the purveyinge. [1016] "But now n' enforce I me nat in shewynge [1017] How the ordre of causes stant; but wel woot I [1018] That it byhoveth that the byfallynge [1019] Of thynges wist byfore certeynly [1020] Be necessarie, al seme it nat therby [1021] That prescience put fallynge necessaire [1022] To thyng to come, al falle it foule or faire. [1023] "For if ther sitte a man yond on a see, [1024] Than by necessite bihoveth it [1025] That, certes, thyn opynyoun sooth be [1026] That wenest or conjectest that he sit. [1027] And further over now ayeynward yit, [1028] Lo, right so is it of the part contrarie, [1029] As thus -- now herkne, for I wol nat tarie: [1030] "I sey that if the opynyoun of the [1031] Be soth, for that he sitte, than sey I this: [1032] That he mot sitten by necessite; [1033] And thus necessite in eyther is. [1034] For in hym, nede of sittynge is, ywys, [1035] And in the, nede of soth; and thus, forsothe, [1036] There mot necessite ben in yow bothe. [1037] "But thow mayst seyn, the man sit nat therfore [1038] That thyn opynyoun of his sittynge soth is, [1039] But rather, for the man sit ther byfore, [1040] Therfore is thyn opynyoun soth, ywis. [1041] And I seye, though the cause of soth of this [1042] Comth of his sittyng, yet necessite [1043] Is entrechaunged, both in hym and the. [1044] "Thus in this same wise, out of doutaunce, [1045] I may wel maken, as it semeth me, [1046] My resonyng of Goddes purveyaunce [1047] And of the thynges that to comen be; [1048] By which resoun men may wel yse [1049] That thilke thynges that in erthe falle, [1050] That by necessite they comen alle. [1051] "For although that for thyng shal come, ywys, [1052] Therfore is it purveyed, certeynly -- [1053] Nat that it comth for it purveyed is -- [1054] Yet natheles, bihoveth it nedfully [1055] That thing to come be purveyd, trewely, [1056] Or elles, thynges that purveyed be, [1057] That they bitiden by necessite. [1058] "And this suffiseth right ynough, certeyn, [1059] For to destruye oure fre chois every del. [1060] But now is this abusioun, to seyn [1061] That fallyng of the thynges temporel [1062] Is cause of Goddes prescience eternel. [1063] Now trewely, that is a fals sentence, [1064] That thyng to come sholde cause his prescience. [1065] "What myght I wene, and I hadde swich a thought, [1066] But that God purveyeth thyng that is to come [1067] For that it is to come, and ellis nought? [1068] So myghte I wene that thynges alle and some [1069] That whilom ben byfalle and overcome [1070] Ben cause of thilke sovereyne purveyaunce [1071] That forwoot al withouten ignoraunce. [1072] "And over al this, yet sey I more herto: [1073] That right as whan I wot ther is a thyng, [1074] Iwys, that thyng moot nedfully be so; [1075] Ek right so, whan I woot a thyng comyng, [1076] So mot it come; and thus the bifallyng [1077] Of thynges that ben wist bifore the tyde, [1078] They mowe nat ben eschued on no syde." [1079] Thanne seyde he thus: "Almyghty Jove in trone, [1080] That woost of al thys thyng the sothfastnesse, [1081] Rewe on my sorwe: or do me deyen sone, [1082] Or bryng Criseyde and me fro this destresse!" [1083] And whil he was in al this hevynesse, [1084] Disputyng with hymself in this matere, [1085] Com Pandare in, and seyde as ye may here: [1086] "O myghty God," quod Pandarus, "in trone, [1087] I! Who say evere a wis man faren so? [1088] Whi, Troilus, what thinkestow to doone? [1089] Hastow swich lust to ben thyn owen fo? [1090] What, parde, yet is nat Criseyde ago! [1091] Whi list the so thiself fordoon for drede [1092] That in thyn hed thyne eyen semen dede? [1093] "Hastow nat lyved many a yer byforn [1094] Withouten hire, and ferd ful wel at ese? [1095] Artow for hire and for noon other born? [1096] Hath Kynde the wrought al only hire to plese? [1097] Lat be, and thynk right thus in thi disese: [1098] That, in the dees right as ther fallen chaunces, [1099] Right so in love ther come and gon plesaunces. [1100] "And yet this is a wonder most of alle, [1101] Whi thow thus sorwest, syn thow nost nat yit, [1102] Touchyng hire goyng, how that it shal falle, [1103] Ne yif she kan hireself destourben it. [1104] Thow hast nat yet assayed al hire wit. [1105] A man may al bytyme his nekke beede [1106] Whan it shal of, and sorwen at the nede. [1107] "Forthi tak hede of that that I shal seye: [1108] I have with hire yspoke and longe ybe, [1109] So as acorded was bitwixe us tweye; [1110] And evere mor me thynketh thus, that she [1111] Hath somwhat in hire hertes privete [1112] Wherwith she kan, if I shal right arede, [1113] Destourbe al this of which thow art in drede. [1114] "For which my counseil is, whan it is nyght [1115] Thow to hire go and make of this an ende; [1116] And blisful Juno thorugh hire grete myght [1117] Shal, as I hope, hire grace unto us sende. [1118] Myn herte seyth, `Certeyn, she shal nat wende.' [1119] And forthi put thyn herte a while in reste, [1120] And hold this purpos, for it is the beste." [1121] This Troilus answerd, and sighte soore: [1122] "Thow seist right wel, and I wol don right so." [1123] And what hym liste, he seyde unto it more. [1124] And whan that it was tyme for to go, [1125] Ful pryvely hymself, withouten mo, [1126] Unto hire com, as he was wont to doone; [1127] And how they wroughte, I shal yow tellen soone. [1128] Soth is, that whan they gonnen first to mete, [1129] So gan the peyne hire hertes for to twiste [1130] That neyther of hem other myghte grete, [1131] But hem in armes toke, and after kiste. [1132] The lasse woful of hem bothe nyste [1133] Wher that he was, ne myghte o word out brynge, [1134] As I seyde erst, for wo and for sobbynge. [1135] The woful teeris that they leten falle [1136] As bittre weren, out of teris kynde, [1137] For peyne, as is ligne aloes or galle -- [1138] So bittre teeris weep nought, as I fynde, [1139] The woful Mirra thorugh the bark and rynde -- [1140] That in this world ther nys so hard an herte [1141] That nolde han rewed on hire peynes smerte. [1142] But whan hire woful weri goostes tweyne [1143] Retourned ben ther as hem oughte dwelle, [1144] And that somwhat to wayken gan the peyne [1145] By lengthe of pleynte, and ebben gan the welle [1146] Of hire teeris, and the herte unswelle, [1147] With broken vois, al hoors forshright, Criseyde [1148] To Troilus thise ilke wordes seyde: [1149] "O Jove, I deye, and mercy I beseche! [1150] Help, Troilus!" And therwithal hire face [1151] Upon his brest she leyde and loste speche -- [1152] Hire woful spirit from his propre place, [1153] Right with the word, alwey o poynt to pace. [1154] And thus she lith with hewes pale and grene, [1155] That whilom fressh and fairest was to sene. [1156] This Troilus, that on hire gan biholde, [1157] Clepyng hire name -- and she lay as for ded -- [1158] Without answere, and felte hire lymes colde, [1159] Hire eyen throwen upward to hire hed, [1160] This sorwful man kan now noon other red, [1161] But ofte tyme hire colde mowth he kiste. [1162] Wher hym was wo, God and hymself it wiste! [1163] He rist hym up, and long streght he hire leyde; [1164] For signe of lif, for aught he kan or may, [1165] Kan he non fynde in nothyng on Criseyde, [1166] For which his song ful ofte is "weylaway!" [1167] But whan he saugh that specheles she lay, [1168] With sorweful vois and herte of blisse al bare, [1169] He seyde how she was fro this world yfare. [1170] So after that he longe hadde hire compleyned, [1171] His hondes wrong, and seyd that was to seye, [1172] And with his teeris salt hire brest byreyned, [1173] He gan tho teeris wypen of ful dreye, [1174] And pitously gan for the soule preye, [1175] And seyde, "O Lord, that set art in thi trone, [1176] Rewe ek on me, for I shal folwe hire sone!" [1177] She cold was, and withouten sentement [1178] For aught he woot, for breth ne felte he non, [1179] And this was hym a pregnant argument [1180] That she was forth out of this world agon. [1181] And whan he say ther was non other woon, [1182] He gan hire lymes dresse in swich manere [1183] As men don hem that shal ben layd on beere. [1184] And after this, with sterne and cruel herte, [1185] His swerd anon out of his shethe he twighte [1186] Hymself to slen, how sore that hym smerte, [1187] So that his soule hire soule folwen myghte [1188] Ther as the doom of Mynos wolde it dighte, [1189] Syn Love and cruel Fortune it ne wolde [1190] That in this world he lenger lyven sholde. [1191] Than seyde he thus, fulfild of heigh desdayn: [1192] "O cruel Jove, and thow, Fortune adverse, [1193] This al and som: that falsly have ye slayn [1194] Criseyde, and syn ye may do me no werse, [1195] Fy on youre myght and werkes so dyverse! [1196] Thus cowardly ye shul me nevere wynne; [1197] Ther shal no deth me fro my lady twynne. [1198] "For I this world, syn ye have slayn hire thus, [1199] Wol lete and folwe hire spirit low or hye. [1200] Shal nevere lovere seyn that Troilus [1201] Dar nat for fere with his lady dye; [1202] For certeyn I wol beere hire compaignie. [1203] But syn ye wol nat suffre us lyven here, [1204] Yet suffreth that oure soules ben yfere. [1205] "And thow, cite, which that I leve in wo, [1206] And thow, Priam, and bretheren alle yfeere, [1207] And thow, my moder, farwel, for I go; [1208] And Atropos, make redy thow my beere; [1209] And thow, Criseyde, o swete herte deere, [1210] Receyve now my spirit!" wolde he seye, [1211] With swerd at herte, al redy for to deye. [1212] But as God wolde, of swough therwith sh' abreyde, [1213] And gan to sike, and "Troilus" she cride; [1214] And he answerde, "Lady myn, Criseyde, [1215] Lyve ye yet?" and leet his swerd down glide. [1216] "Ye, herte myn, that thonked be Cipride!" [1217] Quod she; and therwithal she soore syghte, [1218] And he bigan conforte hire as he myghte, [1219] Took hire in armes two, and kiste hire ofte, [1220] And hire to glade he did al his entente; [1221] For which hire goost, that flikered ay o-lofte, [1222] Into hire woful herte ayeyn it wente. [1223] But at the laste, as that hire eye glente [1224] Asyde, anon she gan his swerd espie, [1225] As it lay bare, and gan for fere crye, [1226] And asked hym, whi he it hadde out drawe. [1227] And Troilus anon the cause hire tolde, [1228] And how hymself therwith he wolde han slawe; [1229] For which Criseyde upon hym gan biholde, [1230] And gan hym in hire armes faste folde, [1231] And seyde, "O mercy, God! Lo, which a dede! [1232] Allas, how neigh we weren bothe dede! [1233] "Than if I nadde spoken, as grace was, [1234] Ye wolde han slayn youreself anon?" quod she. [1235] "Yee, douteles"; and she answerde, "Allas, [1236] For by that ilke Lord that made me, [1237] I nolde a forlong wey on lyve have be [1238] After youre deth, to han ben crowned queene [1239] Of al that lond the sonne on shyneth sheene. [1240] "But with this selve swerd, which that here is, [1241] Myselve I wolde han slawe," quod she tho. [1242] "But hoo, for we han right ynough of this, [1243] And lat us rise, and streght to bedde go, [1244] And there lat us speken of oure wo; [1245] For, by the morter which that I se brenne, [1246] Knowe I ful wel that day is nat far henne." [1247] Whan they were in hire bed, in armes folde, [1248] Naught was it lik tho nyghtes here-byforn. [1249] For pitously ech other gan byholde, [1250] As they that hadden al hire blisse ylorn, [1251] Bywaylinge ay the day that they were born; [1252] Til at the laste this sorwful wight, Criseyde, [1253] To Troilus thise ilke wordes seyde: [1254] "Lo, herte myn, wel woot ye this," quod she, [1255] "That if a wight alwey his wo compleyne [1256] And seketh nought how holpen for to be, [1257] It nys but folie and encrees of peyne; [1258] And syn that here assembled be we tweyne [1259] To fynde boote of wo that we ben inne, [1260] It were al tyme soone to bygynne. [1261] "I am a womman, as ful wel ye woot, [1262] And as I am avysed sodeynly, [1263] So wol I telle yow, whil it is hoot. [1264] Me thynketh thus: that nouther ye nor I [1265] Ought half this wo to maken, skilfully; [1266] For ther is art ynough for to redresse [1267] That yet is mys, and slen this hevynesse. [1268] "Soth is, the wo, the which that we ben inne, [1269] For aught I woot, for nothyng ellis is [1270] But for the cause that we sholden twynne. [1271] Considered al, ther nys namore amys. [1272] But what is thanne a remede unto this, [1273] But that we shape us soone for to meete? [1274] This al and som, my deere herte sweete. [1275] "Now, that I shal wel bryngen it aboute [1276] To come ayeyn, soone after that I go, [1277] Therof am I no manere thyng in doute; [1278] For, dredeles, withinne a wowke or two [1279] I shal ben here; and that it may be so [1280] By alle right and in a wordes fewe, [1281] I shal yow wel an heep of weyes shewe. [1282] "For which I wol nat make long sermoun -- [1283] For tyme ylost may nought recovered be -- [1284] But I wol gon to my conclusioun, [1285] And to the beste, in aught that I kan see. [1286] And for the love of God, foryeve it me [1287] If I speke aught ayeyns youre hertes reste; [1288] For trewely, I speke it for the beste, [1289] "Makyng alwey a protestacioun [1290] That now thise wordes which that I shal seye [1291] Nis but to shewen yow my mocioun [1292] To fynde unto oure help the beste weye; [1293] And taketh it non other wise, I preye, [1294] For in effect, what so ye me comaunde, [1295] That wol I don, for that is no demaunde. [1296] "Now herkneth this: ye han wel understonde [1297] My goyng graunted is by parlement [1298] So ferforth that it may nat be withstonde [1299] For al this world, as by my jugement. [1300] And syn ther helpeth non avisement [1301] To letten it, lat it passe out of mynde, [1302] And lat us shape a bettre wey to fynde. [1303] "The soth is this: the twynnyng of us tweyne [1304] Wol us disese and cruelich anoye, [1305] But hym byhoveth somtyme han a peyne [1306] That serveth Love, if that he wol have joye. [1307] And syn I shal no ferther out of Troie [1308] Than I may ride ayeyn on half a morwe, [1309] It oughte lesse causen us to sorwe; [1310] "So as I shal not so ben hid in muwe, [1311] That day by day, myn owne herte deere -- [1312] Syn wel ye woot that it is now a trewe -- [1313] Ye shal ful wel al myn estat yheere. [1314] And er that trewe is doon, I shal ben heere; [1315] And thanne have ye both Antenore ywonne [1316] And me also. Beth glad now, if ye konne, [1317] "And thenk right thus: `Criseyde is now agon. [1318] But what, she shal come hastiliche ayeyn!' [1319] And whanne, allas? By God, lo, right anon, [1320] Er dayes ten, this dar I saufly seyn. [1321] And than at erste shal we be so feyn, [1322] So as we shal togideres evere dwelle, [1323] That al this world ne myghte oure blisse telle. [1324] "I se that oft-tyme, there as we ben now, [1325] That for the beste, oure counseyl for to hide, [1326] Ye speke nat with me, nor I with yow [1327] In fourtenyght, ne se yow go ne ride. [1328] May ye naught ten dayes thanne abide, [1329] For myn honour, in swich an aventure? [1330] Iwys, ye mowen ellis lite endure! [1331] "Ye knowe ek how that al my kyn is heere, [1332] But if that onliche it my fader be, [1333] And ek myn othere thynges alle yfeere, [1334] And nameliche, my deere herte, ye, [1335] Whom that I nolde leven for to se [1336] For al this world, as wyd as it hath space, [1337] Or ellis se ich nevere Joves face! [1338] "Whi trowe ye my fader in this wise [1339] Coveyteth so to se me, but for drede [1340] Lest in this town that folkes me despise [1341] Because of hym, for his unhappy dede? [1342] What woot my fader what lif that I lede? [1343] For if he wiste in Troie how wel I fare, [1344] Us neded for my wendyng nought to care. [1345] "Ye sen that every day ek, more and more, [1346] Men trete of pees, and it supposid is [1347] That men the queene Eleyne shal restore, [1348] And Grekis us restoren that is mys; [1349] So, though ther nere comfort non but this, [1350] That men purposen pees on every syde, [1351] Ye may the bettre at ese of herte abyde. [1352] "For if that it be pees, myn herte deere, [1353] The nature of the pees moot nedes dryve [1354] That men moost entrecomunen yfeere, [1355] And to and fro ek ride and gon as blyve [1356] Alday as thikke as been fleen from an hyve, [1357] And every wight han liberte to bleve [1358] Whereas hym liste the bet, withouten leve. [1359] "And though so be that pees ther may be non, [1360] Yet hider, though ther nevere pees ne were, [1361] I moste come; for whider sholde I gon, [1362] Or how, meschaunce, sholde I dwelle there [1363] Among tho men of armes evere in feere? [1364] For which, as wisly God my soule rede, [1365] I kan nat sen wherof ye sholden drede. [1366] "Have here another wey, if it so be [1367] That al this thyng ne may yow nat suffise: [1368] My fader, as ye knowen wel, parde, [1369] Is old, and elde is ful of coveytise, [1370] And I right now have founden al the gise, [1371] Withouten net, wherwith I shal hym hente. [1372] And herkeneth how, if that ye wol assente: [1373] "Lo, Troilus, men seyn that hard it is [1374] The wolf ful and the wether hool to have; [1375] This is to seyn, that men ful ofte, iwys, [1376] Mote spenden part the remenant for to save; [1377] For ay with gold men may the herte grave [1378] Of hym that set is upon coveytise; [1379] And how I mene, I shal it yow devyse: [1380] "The moeble which that I have in this town [1381] Unto my fader shal I take, and seye [1382] That right for trust and for savacioun [1383] It sent is from a frend of his or tweye, [1384] The whiche frendes ferventliche hym preye [1385] To senden after more, and that in hie, [1386] Whil that this town stant thus in jupartie. [1387] "And that shal ben an huge quantite -- [1388] Thus shal I seyn -- but lest it folk espide, [1389] This may be sent by no wyght but by me. [1390] I shal ek shewen hym, yf pees bytyde, [1391] What frendes that ich have on every syde [1392] Toward the court, to don the wrathe pace [1393] Of Priamus and don hym stonde in grace. [1394] "So what for o thyng and for other, swete, [1395] I shal hym so enchaunten with my sawes [1396] That right in hevene his sowle is, shal he mete; [1397] For al Appollo, or his clerkes lawes, [1398] Or calkullynge, avayleth nought thre hawes; [1399] Desir of gold shal so his soule blende [1400] That, as me lyst, I shal wel make an ende. [1401] "And yf he wolde ought by hys sort it preve [1402] If that I lye, in certayn I shal fonde [1403] Distorben hym and plukke hym by the sleve, [1404] Makynge his sort, and beren hym on honde [1405] He hath not wel the goddes understonde; [1406] For goddes speken in amphibologies, [1407] And for o soth they tellen twenty lyes. [1408] "Ek, `Drede fond first goddes, I suppose' -- [1409] Thus shal I seyn -- and that his coward herte [1410] Made hym amys the goddes text to glose, [1411] Whan he for fered out of Delphos sterte. [1412] And but I make hym soone to converte [1413] And don my red withinne a day or tweye, [1414] I wol to yow oblige me to deye." [1415] And treweliche, as writen wel I fynde [1416] That al this thyng was seyd of good entente, [1417] And that hire herte trewe was and kynde [1418] Towardes hym, and spak right as she mente, [1419] And that she starf for wo neigh whan she wente, [1420] And was in purpos evere to be trewe: [1421] Thus writen they that of hire werkes knewe. [1422] This Troilus, with herte and erys spradde, [1423] Herde al this thyng devysen to and fro, [1424] And verrayliche him semed that he hadde [1425] The selve wit; but yet to late hire go [1426] His herte mysforyaf hym evere mo; [1427] But fynaly, he gan his herte wreste [1428] To trusten hire, and took it for the beste. [1429] For which the grete furie of his penaunce [1430] Was queynt with hope, and therwith hem bitwene [1431] Bigan for joie th' amorouse daunce; [1432] And as the briddes, whanne the sonne is shene, [1433] Deliten in hire song in leves grene, [1434] Right so the wordes that they spake yfeere [1435] Delited hem, and made hire hertes clere. [1436] But natheles, the wendyng of Criseyde, [1437] For al this world, may nat out of his mynde, [1438] For which ful ofte he pitously hire preyde [1439] That of hire heste he myghte hire trewe fynde, [1440] And seyde hire, "Certes, if ye be unkynde, [1441] And but ye come at day set into Troye, [1442] Ne shal I nevere have hele, honour, ne joye. [1443] "For also soth as sonne uprist o-morwe -- [1444] And God so wisly thow me, woful wrecche, [1445] To reste brynge out of this cruel sorwe! -- [1446] I wol myselven sle if that ye drecche. [1447] But of my deeth though litel be to recche, [1448] Yet, er that ye me causen so to smerte, [1449] Dwelle rather here, myn owen swete herte. [1450] "For trewely, myn owne lady deere, [1451] Tho sleghtes yet that I have herd yow stere [1452] Ful shaply ben to faylen alle yfeere. [1453] For thus men seyth `That on thenketh the beere, [1454] But al another thenketh his ledere.' [1455] Youre syre is wys; and seyd is, out of drede, [1456] `Men may the wise atrenne, and naught atrede.' [1457] "It is ful hard to halten unespied [1458] Byfore a crepel, for he kan the craft; [1459] Youre fader is in sleght as Argus eyed; [1460] For al be that his moeble is hym biraft, [1461] His olde sleighte is yet so with hym laft [1462] Ye shal nat blende hym for youre wommanhede, [1463] Ne feyne aright; and that is al my drede. [1464] "I not if pees shal evere mo bitide; [1465] But pees or no, for ernest ne for game, [1466] I woot, syn Calkas on the Grekis syde [1467] Hath ones ben and lost so foule his name, [1468] He dar nomore come here ayeyn for shame; [1469] For which that wey, for aught I kan espie, [1470] To trusten on nys but a fantasie. [1471] "Ye shal ek sen, youre fader shal yow glose [1472] To ben a wif; and as he kan wel preche, [1473] He shal som Grek so preyse and wel alose [1474] That ravysshen he shal yow with his speche, [1475] Or do yow don by force as he shal teche; [1476] And Troilus, of whom ye nyl han routhe, [1477] Shal causeles so sterven in his trouthe! [1478] "And over al this, youre fader shal despise [1479] Us alle, and seyn this cite nys but lorn, [1480] And that th' assege nevere shal aryse, [1481] For-whi the Grekis han it alle sworn, [1482] Til we be slayn and down oure walles torn. [1483] And thus he shal yow with his wordes fere, [1484] That ay drede I that ye wol bleven there. [1485] "Ye shal ek seen so many a lusty knyght [1486] Among the Grekis, ful of worthynesse, [1487] And ech of hem with herte, wit, and myght [1488] To plesen yow don al his bisynesse, [1489] That ye shul dullen of the rudenesse [1490] Of us sely Troians, but if routhe [1491] Remorde yow, or vertu of youre trouthe. [1492] "And this to me so grevous is to thynke [1493] That fro my brest it wol my soule rende; [1494] Ne dredeles, in me ther may nat synke [1495] A good opynyoun, if that ye wende, [1496] For whi youre fadres sleghte wol us shende. [1497] And if ye gon, as I have told yow yore, [1498] So thenk I n' am but ded, withoute more. [1499] "For which, with humble, trewe, and pitous herte, [1500] A thousand tymes mercy I yow preye; [1501] So rueth on myn aspre peynes smerte, [1502] And doth somwhat as that I shal yow seye, [1503] And lat us stele awey bitwixe us tweye; [1504] And thynk that folie is, whan man may chese, [1505] For accident his substaunce ay to lese. [1506] "I mene thus: that syn we mowe er day [1507] Wel stele awey and ben togidere so, [1508] What wit were it to putten in assay, [1509] In cas ye sholden to youre fader go, [1510] If that ye myghten come ayeyn or no? [1511] Thus mene I: that it were a gret folie [1512] To putte that sikernesse in jupertie. [1513] "And vulgarly to speken of substaunce [1514] Of tresour, may we bothe with us lede [1515] Inough to lyve in honour and plesaunce [1516] Til into tyme that we shal ben dede; [1517] And thus we may eschuen al this drede. [1518] For everich other wey ye kan recorde, [1519] Myn herte, ywys, may therwith naught acorde. [1520] "And hardily, ne dredeth no poverte, [1521] For I have kyn and frendes elleswhere [1522] That, though we comen in oure bare sherte, [1523] Us sholde neyther lakken gold ne gere, [1524] But ben honured while we dwelten there. [1525] And go we anon; for as in myn entente, [1526] This is the beste, if that ye wole assente." [1527] Criseyde, with a sik, right in this wise [1528] Answerde, "Ywys, my deere herte trewe, [1529] We may wel stele awey, as ye devyse, [1530] And fynden swich unthrifty weyes newe, [1531] But afterward ful soore it wol us rewe. [1532] And helpe me God so at my mooste nede, [1533] As causeles ye suffren al this drede! [1534] "For thilke day that I for cherisynge [1535] Or drede of fader, or for other wight, [1536] Or for estat, delit, or for weddynge, [1537] Be fals to yow, my Troilus, my knyght, [1538] Saturnes doughter, Juno, thorugh hire myght, [1539] As wood as Athamante do me dwelle [1540] Eternalich in Stix, the put of helle! [1541] "And this on every god celestial [1542] I swere it yow, and ek on ech goddesse, [1543] On every nymphe and deite infernal, [1544] On satiry and fawny more and lesse, [1545] That halve goddes ben of wildernesse; [1546] And Attropos my thred of lif tobreste [1547] If I be fals! Now trowe me if yow leste! [1548] "And thow, Symois, that as an arwe clere [1549] Thorugh Troie rennest downward to the se, [1550] Ber witnesse of this word that seyd is here: [1551] That thilke day that ich untrewe be [1552] To Troilus, myn owene herte fre, [1553] That thow retourne bakward to thi welle, [1554] And I with body and soule synke in helle! [1555] "But that ye speke, awey thus for to go [1556] And leten alle youre frendes, God forbede [1557] For any womman that ye sholden so, [1558] And namely syn Troie hath now swich nede [1559] Of help. And ek of o thyng taketh hede: [1560] If this were wist, my lif lay in balaunce, [1561] And youre honour; God shilde us fro meschaunce! [1562] "And if so be that pees heere-after take, [1563] As alday happeth after anger game, [1564] Whi, Lord, the sorwe and wo ye wolden make, [1565] That ye ne dorste come ayeyn for shame! [1566] And er that ye juparten so youre name, [1567] Beth naught to hastif in this hoote fare, [1568] For hastif man ne wanteth nevere care. [1569] "What trowe ye the peple ek al aboute [1570] Wolde of it seye? It is ful light t' arede. [1571] They wolden seye, and swere it out of doute, [1572] That love ne drof yow naught to don this dede, [1573] But lust voluptuous and coward drede. [1574] Thus were al lost, ywys, myn herte deere, [1575] Youre honour, which that now shyneth so clere. [1576] "And also thynketh on myn honeste, [1577] That floureth yet, how foule I sholde it shende, [1578] And with what filthe it spotted sholde be, [1579] If in this forme I sholde with yow wende. [1580] Ne though I lyved unto the werldes ende, [1581] My name sholde I nevere ayeynward wynne; [1582] Thus were I lost, and that were routhe and synne. [1583] "And forthi sle with resoun al this hete! [1584] Men seyn, `The suffrant overcomith,' parde; [1585] Ek `Whoso wol han lief, he lief moot lete.' [1586] Thus maketh vertu of necessite [1587] By pacience, and thynk that lord is he [1588] Of Fortune ay that naught wole of hire recche, [1589] And she ne daunteth no wight but a wrecche. [1590] "And trusteth this: that certes, herte swete, [1591] Er Phebus suster, Lucina the sheene, [1592] The Leoun passe out of this Ariete, [1593] I wol ben here, withouten any wene. [1594] I mene, as helpe me Juno, hevenes quene, [1595] The tenthe day, but if that deth m' assaile, [1596] I wol yow sen withouten any faille." [1597] "And now, so this be soth," quod Troilus, [1598] "I shal wel suffre unto the tenthe day, [1599] Syn that I se that nede it mot be thus. [1600] But for the love of God, if it be may, [1601] So late us stelen priveliche away; [1602] For evere in oon, as for to lyve in reste, [1603] Myn herte seyth that it wol be the beste." [1604] "O mercy, God, what lif is this?" quod she. [1605] "Allas, ye sle me thus for verray tene! [1606] I se wel now that ye mystrusten me, [1607] For by youre wordes it is wel yseene. [1608] Now for the love of Cinthia the sheene, [1609] Mistrust me nought thus causeles, for routhe, [1610] Syn to be trewe I have yow plight my trouthe. [1611] "And thynketh wel that somtyme it is wit [1612] To spende a tyme, a tyme for to wynne; [1613] Ne, parde, lorn am I naught fro yow yit, [1614] Though that we ben a day or two atwynne. [1615] Drif out the fantasies yow withinne, [1616] And trusteth me, and leveth ek youre sorwe, [1617] Or here my trouthe: I wol naught lyve tyl morwe. [1618] "For if ye wiste how soore it doth me smerte, [1619] Ye wolde cesse of this; for, God, thow wost, [1620] The pure spirit wepeth in myn herte [1621] To se yow wepen that I love most, [1622] And that I mot gon to the Grekis oost. [1623] Ye, nere it that I wiste remedie [1624] To come ayeyn, right here I wolde dye! [1625] "But certes, I am naught so nyce a wight [1626] That I ne kan ymaginen a wey [1627] To come ayeyn that day that I have hight. [1628] For who may holde a thing that wol awey? [1629] My fader naught, for al his queynte pley! [1630] And by my thrift, my wendyng out of Troie [1631] Another day shal torne us alle to joie. [1632] "Forthi with al myn herte I yow biseke, [1633] If that yow list don ought for my preyere, [1634] And for that love which that I love yow eke, [1635] That er that I departe fro yow here, [1636] That of so good a confort and a cheere [1637] I may yow sen that ye may brynge at reste [1638] Myn herte, which that is o poynt to breste. [1639] "And over al this I prey yow," quod she tho, [1640] "Myn owene hertes sothfast suffisaunce, [1641] Syn I am thyn al hol, withouten mo, [1642] That whil that I am absent, no plesaunce [1643] Of oother do me fro youre remembraunce; [1644] For I am evere agast, forwhy men rede [1645] That love is thyng ay ful of bisy drede. [1646] "For in this world ther lyveth lady non, [1647] If that ye were untrewe -- as God defende! -- [1648] That so bitraised were or wo-bigon [1649] As I, that alle trouthe in yow entende. [1650] And douteles, if that ich other wende, [1651] I ner but ded; and er ye cause fynde, [1652] For Goddes love, so beth me naught unkynde!" [1653] To this answerde Troilus and seyde, [1654] "Now God, to whom ther nys no cause ywrye, [1655] Me glade, as wys I nevere unto Criseyde, [1656] Syn thilke day I saugh hire first with ye, [1657] Was fals, ne nevere shal til that I dye. [1658] At shorte wordes, wel ye may me leve. [1659] I kan na more; it shal be founde at preve." [1660] "Grant mercy, goode myn, iwys!" quod she, [1661] "And blisful Venus lat me nevere sterve [1662] Er I may stonde of plesaunce in degree [1663] To quyte hym wel that so wel kan deserve; [1664] And while that God my wit wol me conserve, [1665] I shal so don, so trewe I have yow founde, [1666] That ay honour to me-ward shal rebounde. [1667] "For trusteth wel that youre estat roial, [1668] Ne veyn delit, nor only worthinesse [1669] Of yow in werre or torney marcial, [1670] Ne pompe, array, nobleye, or ek richesse [1671] Ne made me to rewe on youre destresse, [1672] But moral vertu, grounded upon trouthe -- [1673] That was the cause I first hadde on yow routhe! [1674] "Eke gentil herte and manhod that ye hadde, [1675] And that ye hadde, as me thoughte, in despit [1676] Every thyng that souned into badde, [1677] As rudenesse and poeplissh appetit, [1678] And that youre resoun bridlede youre delit, [1679] This made, aboven every creature, [1680] That I was youre, and shal while I may dure. [1681] "And this may lengthe of yeres naught fordo, [1682] Ne remuable Fortune deface. [1683] But Juppiter, that of his myght may do [1684] The sorwful to be glad, so yeve us grace [1685] Or nyghtes ten to meten in this place, [1686] So that it may youre herte and myn suffise! [1687] And fareth now wel, for tyme is that ye rise." [1688] And after that they longe ypleyned hadde, [1689] And ofte ykist, and streite in armes folde, [1690] The day gan rise, and Troilus hym cladde, [1691] And rewfullich his lady gan byholde, [1692] As he that felte dethes cares colde, [1693] And to hire grace he gan hym recomaunde. [1694] Wher hym was wo, this holde I no demaunde. [1695] For mannes hed ymagynen ne kan, [1696] N' entendement considere, ne tonge telle [1697] The cruele peynes of this sorwful man, [1698] That passen every torment down in helle. [1699] For whan he saugh that she ne myghte dwelle, [1700] Which that his soule out of his herte rente, [1701] Withouten more out of the chaumbre he wente. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com Troilus and Criseyde Book 5 [1] Aprochen gan the fatal destyne [2] That Joves hath in disposicioun, [3] And to yow, angry Parcas, sustren thre, [4] Committeth to don execucioun; [5] For which Criseyde moste out of the town, [6] And Troilus shal dwellen forth in pyne [7] Til Lachesis his thred no lenger twyne. [8] The gold-tressed Phebus heighe on-lofte [9] Thries hadde alle with his bemes cleene [10] The snowes molte, and Zepherus as ofte [11] Ibrought ayeyn the tendre leves grene, [12] Syn that the sone of Ecuba the queene [13] Bigan to love hire first for whom his sorwe [14] Was al, that she departe sholde a-morwe. [15] Ful redy was at prime Diomede [16] Criseyde unto the Grekis oost to lede, [17] For sorwe of which she felt hire herte blede, [18] As she that nyste what was best to rede. [19] And trewely, as men in bokes rede, [20] Men wiste nevere womman han the care, [21] Ne was so loth out of a town to fare. [22] This Troilus, withouten reed or loore, [23] As man that hath his joies ek forlore, [24] Was waytyng on his lady evere more [25] As she that was the sothfast crop and more [26] Of al his lust or joies heretofore. [27] But Troilus, now far-wel al thi joie, [28] For shaltow nevere sen hire eft in Troie! [29] Soth is that while he bood in this manere, [30] He gan his wo ful manly for to hide, [31] That wel unnethe it sene was in his chere; [32] But at the yate ther she sholde out ride, [33] With certeyn folk he hoved hire t' abide, [34] So wo-bigon, al wolde he naught hym pleyne, [35] That on his hors unnethe he sat for peyne. [36] For ire he quook, so gan his herte gnawe, [37] Whan Diomede on horse gan hym dresse, [38] And seyde to hymself this ilke sawe: [39] "Allas," quod he, "thus foul a wrecchednesse, [40] Whi suffre ich it? Whi nyl ich it redresse? [41] Were it nat bet atones for to dye [42] Than evere more in langour thus to drye? [43] "Whi nyl I make atones riche and pore [44] To have inough to doone er that she go? [45] Why nyl I brynge al Troie upon a roore? [46] Whi nyl I slen this Diomede also? [47] Why nyl I rather with a man or two [48] Stele hire away? Whi wol I this endure? [49] Whi nyl I helpen to myn owen cure?" [50] But why he nolde don so fel a dede, [51] That shal I seyn, and whi hym liste it spare: [52] He hadde in herte alweyes a manere drede [53] Lest that Criseyde, in rumour of this fare, [54] Sholde han ben slayn; lo, this was al his care. [55] And ellis, certeyn, as I seyde yore, [56] He hadde it don, withouten wordes more. [57] Criseyde, whan she redy was to ride, [58] Ful sorwfully she sighte, and seyde "Allas!" [59] But forth she moot, for aught that may bitide; [60] Ther is non other remedie in this cas. [61] And forth she rit ful sorwfully a pas. [62] What wonder is, though that hire sore smerte, [63] Whan she forgoth hire owen swete herte? [64] This Troilus, in wise of curteysie, [65] With hauk on honde and with an huge route [66] Of knyghtes, rood and did hire companye, [67] Passyng al the valeye fer withoute, [68] And ferther wolde han riden, out of doute, [69] Ful fayn, and wo was hym to gon so sone; [70] But torne he moste, and it was ek to done. [71] And right with that was Antenor ycome [72] Out of the Grekis oost, and every wight [73] Was of it glad, and seyde he was welcome. [74] And Troilus, al nere his herte light, [75] He peyned hym with al his fulle myght [76] Hym to withholde of wepyng atte leeste, [77] And Antenor he kiste and made feste. [78] And therwithal he moste his leve take, [79] And caste his eye upon hire pitously, [80] And neer he rood, his cause for to make, [81] To take hire by the honde al sobrely. [82] And Lord, so she gan wepen tendrely! [83] And he ful softe and sleighly gan hire seye, [84] "Now holde youre day, and do me nat to deye." [85] With that his courser torned he aboute [86] With face pale, and unto Diomede [87] No word he spak, ne non of al his route; [88] Of which the sone of Tideus took hede, [89] As he that koude more than the crede [90] In swich a craft, and by the reyne hire hente; [91] And Troilus to Troie homward he wente. [92] This Diomede, that ledde hire by the bridel, [93] Whan that he saugh the folk of Troie aweye, [94] Thoughte, "Al my labour shal nat ben on ydel, [95] If that I may, for somwhat shal I seye, [96] For at the werste it may yet shorte oure weye. [97] I have herd seyd ek tymes twyes twelve, [98] `He is a fool that wol foryete hymselve.'" [99] But natheles, this thoughte he wel ynough, [100] That "Certeynlich I am aboute nought, [101] If that I speke of love or make it tough; [102] For douteles, if she have in hire thought [103] Hym that I gesse, he may nat ben ybrought [104] So soon awey; but I shal fynde a meene [105] That she naught wite as yet shal what I mene." [106] This Diomede, as he that koude his good, [107] Whan tyme was, gan fallen forth in speche [108] Of this and that, and axed whi she stood [109] In swich disese, and gan hire ek biseche [110] That if that he encresse myghte or eche [111] With any thyng hire ese, that she sholde [112] Comaunde it hym, and seyde he don it wolde. [113] For treweliche he swor hire as a knyght [114] That ther nas thyng with which he myghte hire plese, [115] That he nolde don his peyne and al his myght [116] To don it, for to don hire herte an ese; [117] And preyede hire she wolde hire sorwe apese, [118] And seyde, "Iwis, we Grekis kan have joie [119] To honouren yow as wel as folk of Troie." [120] He seyde ek thus: "I woot yow thynketh straunge -- [121] Ne wonder is, for it is to yow newe -- [122] Th' aquayntaunce of thise Troianis to chaunge [123] For folk of Grece, that ye nevere knewe. [124] But wolde nevere God but if as trewe [125] A Grek ye sholde among us alle fynde [126] As any Troian is, and ek as kynde. [127] "And by the cause I swor yow right, lo, now, [128] To ben youre frend, and helply, to my myght, [129] And for that more aquayntaunce ek of yow [130] Have ich had than another straunger wight, [131] So fro this forth, I pray yow, day and nyght [132] Comaundeth me, how soore that me smerte, [133] To don al that may like unto youre herte; [134] "And that ye me wolde as youre brother trete, [135] And taketh naught my frendshipe in despit; [136] And though youre sorwes be for thynges grete -- [137] Not I nat whi -- but out of more respit [138] Myn herte hath for t' amende it gret delit; [139] And if I may youre harmes nat redresse, [140] I am right sory for youre hevynesse, [141] "For though ye Troians with us Grekes wrothe [142] Han many a day ben, alwey yet, parde, [143] O god of Love in soth we serven bothe. [144] And for the love of God, my lady fre, [145] Whomso ye hate, as beth nat wroth with me, [146] For trewely, ther kan no wyght yow serve [147] That half so loth youre wratthe wold disserve. [148] "And nere it that we ben so neigh the tente [149] Of Calcas, which that sen us bothe may, [150] I wolde of this yow telle al myn entente -- [151] But this enseled til anothir day. [152] Yeve me youre hond; I am, and shal ben ay, [153] God helpe me so, while that my lyf may dure, [154] Youre owene aboven every creature. [155] "Thus seyde I nevere er now to womman born, [156] For God myn herte as wisly glade so, [157] I loved never womman here-biforn [158] As paramours, ne nevere shal no mo. [159] And for the love of God, beth nat my fo, [160] Al kan I naught to yow, my lady deere, [161] Compleyne aright, for I am yet to leere. [162] "And wondreth nought, myn owen lady bright, [163] Though that I speke of love to yow thus blyve; [164] For I have herd er this of many a wight, [165] Hath loved thyng he nevere saigh his lyve. [166] Ek I am nat of power for to stryve [167] Ayeyns the god of Love, but hym obeye [168] I wole alwey; and mercy I yow preye. [169] "Ther ben so worthi knyghtes in this place, [170] And ye so fayr, that everich of hem alle [171] Wol peynen hym to stonden in youre grace. [172] But myghte me so faire a grace falle, [173] That ye me for youre servant wolde calle, [174] So lowely ne so trewely yow serve [175] Nil non of hem as I shal til I sterve." [176] Criseyde unto that purpos lite answerde, [177] As she that was with sorwe oppressed so [178] That, in effect, she naught his tales herde [179] But here and ther, now here a word or two. [180] Hire thoughte hire sorwful herte brast a-two, [181] For whan she gan hire fader fer espie [182] Wel neigh down of hire hors she gan to sye. [183] But natheles she thonketh Diomede [184] Of al his travaile and his goode cheere, [185] And that hym list his frendshipe hire to bede; [186] And she accepteth it in good manere, [187] And wol do fayn that is hym lief and dere, [188] And tristen hym she wolde, and wel she myghte, [189] As seyde she; and from hire hors sh' alighte. [190] Hire fader hath hire in his armes nome, [191] And twenty tyme he kiste his doughter sweete, [192] And seyde, "O deere doughter myn, welcome!" [193] She seyde ek she was fayn with hym to mete, [194] And stood forth muwet, milde, and mansuete. [195] But here I leve hire with hire fader dwelle, [196] And forth I wol of Troilus yow telle. [197] To Troie is come this woful Troilus, [198] In sorwe aboven alle sorwes smerte, [199] With feloun look and face dispitous. [200] Tho sodeynly doun from his hors he sterte, [201] And thorugh his paleis, with a swollen herte, [202] To chaumbre he wente; of nothyng took he hede, [203] Ne non to hym dar speke a word for drede. [204] And ther his sorwes that he spared hadde [205] He yaf an issue large, and "Deth!" he criede; [206] And in his throwes frenetik and madde [207] He corseth Jove, Appollo, and ek Cupide; [208] He corseth Ceres, Bacus, and Cipride, [209] His burthe, hymself, his fate, and ek nature, [210] And, save his lady, every creature. [211] To bedde he goth, and walwith ther and torneth [212] In furie, as doth he Ixion in helle, [213] And in this wise he neigh til day sojorneth. [214] But tho bigan his herte a lite unswelle [215] Thorugh teris, which that gonnen up to welle, [216] And pitously he cryde upon Criseyde, [217] And to hymself right thus he spak, and seyde, [218] "Wher is myn owene lady, lief and deere? [219] Wher is hire white brest? Wher is it, where? [220] Wher ben hire armes and hire eyen cleere [221] That yesternyght this tyme with me were? [222] Now may I wepe allone many a teere, [223] And graspe aboute I may, but in this place, [224] Save a pilowe, I fynde naught t' enbrace. [225] "How shal I do? Whan shal she come ayeyn? [226] I not, allas, whi lete ich hire to go; [227] As wolde God ich hadde as tho ben sleyn! [228] O herte myn, Criseyde, O swete fo! [229] O lady myn, that I love and na mo, [230] To whom for evermo myn herte I dowe, [231] Se how I dey, ye nyl me nat rescowe! [232] "Who seth yow now, my righte lode-sterre? [233] Who sit right now or stant in youre presence? [234] Who kan conforten now youre hertes werre? [235] Now I am gon, whom yeve ye audience? [236] Who speketh for me right now in myn absence? [237] Allas, no wight; and that is al my care, [238] For wel woot I, as yvele as I ye fare. [239] "How sholde I thus ten dayes ful endure, [240] Whan I the firste nyght have al this tene? [241] How shal she don ek, sorwful creature? [242] For tendernesse, how shal she sustene [243] Swich wo for me? O pitous, pale, grene [244] Shal ben youre fresshe, wommanliche face [245] For langour, er ye torne unto this place." [246] And whan he fil in any slomberynges, [247] Anon bygynne he sholde for to grone [248] And dremen of the dredefulleste thynges [249] That myghte ben; as mete he were allone [250] In place horrible makyng ay his mone, [251] Or meten that he was amonges alle [252] His enemys, and in hire hondes falle. [253] And therwithal his body sholde sterte, [254] And with the stert al sodeynliche awake, [255] And swich a tremour fele aboute his herte [256] That of the fere his body sholde quake; [257] And therwithal he sholde a noyse make, [258] And seme as though he sholde falle depe [259] From heighe o-lofte; and thanne he wolde wepe, [260] And rewen on hymself so pitously [261] That wonder was to here his fantasie. [262] Another tyme he sholde myghtyly [263] Conforte hymself, and sein it was folie [264] So causeles swich drede for to drye; [265] And eft bygynne his aspre sorwes newe, [266] That every man myght on his sorwes rewe. [267] Who koude telle aright or ful discryve [268] His wo, his pleynt, his langour, and his pyne? [269] Naught alle the men that han or ben on lyve. [270] Thow, redere, maist thiself ful wel devyne [271] That swich a wo my wit kan nat diffyne; [272] On ydel for to write it sholde I swynke, [273] Whan that my wit is wery it to thynke. [274] On hevene yet the sterres weren seene, [275] Although ful pale ywoxen was the moone, [276] And whiten gan the orisonte shene [277] Al estward, as it wont is for to doone; [278] And Phebus with his rosy carte soone [279] Gan after that to dresse hym up to fare [280] Whan Troilus hath sent after Pandare. [281] This Pandare, that of al the day biforn [282] Ne myghte han comen Troilus to se, [283] Although he on his hed it hadde sworn -- [284] For with the kyng Priam al day was he, [285] So that it lay nought in his libertee [286] Nowher to gon -- but on the morwe he wente [287] To Troilus, whan that he for hym sente. [288] For in his herte he koude wel devyne [289] That Troilus al nyght for sorwe wook; [290] And that he wolde telle hym of his pyne, [291] This knew he wel ynough, withoute book. [292] For which to chaumbre streght the wey he took, [293] And Troilus tho sobrelich he grette, [294] And on the bed ful sone he gan hym sette. [295] "My Pandarus," quod Troilus, "the sorwe [296] Which that I drye I may nat longe endure. [297] I trowe I shal nat lyven til to-morwe. [298] For which I wolde alweys, on aventure, [299] To the devysen of my sepulture [300] The forme; and of my moeble thow dispone [301] Right as the semeth best is for to done. [302] "But of the fir and flaumbe funeral [303] In which my body brennen shal to glede, [304] And of the feste and pleyes palestral [305] At my vigile, I prey the, tak good hede [306] That that be wel; and offre Mars my steede, [307] My swerd, myn helm; and, leve brother deere, [308] My sheld to Pallas yef, that shyneth cleere. [309] "The poudre in which myn herte ybrend shal torne, [310] That preye I the thow take and it conserve [311] In a vessell that men clepeth an urne, [312] Of gold, and to my lady that I serve, [313] For love of whom thus pitouslich I sterve, [314] So yeve it hire, and do me this plesaunce, [315] To preyen hire kepe it for a remembraunce. [316] "For wele I fele, by my maladie [317] And by my dremes now and yore ago, [318] Al certeynly that I mot nedes dye. [319] The owle ek, which that hette Escaphilo, [320] Hath after me shright al thise nyghtes two. [321] And god Mercurye, of me now, woful wrecche, [322] The soule gyde, and whan the liste, it fecche!" [323] Pandare answerde and seyde, "Troilus, [324] My deere frend, as I have told the yore, [325] That it is folye for to sorwen thus, [326] And causeles, for which I kan namore. [327] But whoso wil nought trowen reed ne loore, [328] I kan nat sen in hym no remedie, [329] But lat hym worthen with his fantasie. [330] "But, Troilus, I prey the, tel me now [331] If that thow trowe er this that any wight [332] Hath loved paramours as wel as thow? [333] Ye, God woot, and fro many a worthi knyght [334] Hath his lady gon a fourtenyght, [335] And he nat yet made halvendel the fare. [336] What nede is the to maken al this care? [337] "Syn day by day thow maist thiselven se [338] That from his love, or ellis from his wif, [339] A man mot twynnen of necessite -- [340] Ye, though he love hire as his owene lif -- [341] Yet nyl he with hymself thus maken strif. [342] For wel thou woost, my leve brother deere, [343] That alwey frendes may nat ben yfeere. [344] "How don this folk that seen hire loves wedded [345] By frendes myght, as it bitit ful ofte, [346] And sen hem in hire spouses bed ybedded? [347] God woot, they take it wisly, faire, and softe, [348] Forwhi good hope halt up hire herte o-lofte. [349] And for they kan a tyme of sorwe endure, [350] As tyme hem hurt, a tyme doth hem cure. [351] "So shuldestow endure, and laten slide [352] The tyme, and fonde to ben glad and light. [353] Ten dayes nys so longe nought t' abide. [354] And syn she the to comen hath bihyght, [355] She nyl hire heste breken for no wight. [356] For dred the nat that she nyl fynden weye [357] To come ayein; my lif that dorste I leye. [358] "Thi swevnes ek and al swich fantasie [359] Drif out and lat hem faren to meschaunce, [360] For they procede of thi malencolie [361] That doth the fele in slep al this penaunce. [362] A straw for alle swevenes signifiaunce! [363] God helpe me so, I counte hem nought a bene! [364] Ther woot no man aright what dremes mene. [365] "For prestes of the temple tellen this, [366] That dremes ben the revelaciouns [367] Of goddes, and as wel they telle, ywis, [368] That they ben infernals illusiouns; [369] And leches seyn that of complexiouns [370] Proceden they, or fast, or glotonye. [371] Who woot in soth thus what thei signifie? [372] "Ek oother seyn that thorugh impressiouns, [373] As if a wight hath faste a thyng in mynde, [374] That therof cometh swiche avysiouns; [375] And other seyn, as they in bokes fynde, [376] That after tymes of the yer, by kynde, [377] Men dreme, and that th' effect goth by the moone. [378] But leve no drem, for it is nought to doone. [379] "Wel worth. of dremes ay thise olde wives, [380] And treweliche ek augurye of thise fowles, [381] For fere of which men wenen lese here lyves, [382] As revenes qualm, or shrichyng of thise owles. [383] To trowen on it bothe fals and foul is. [384] Allas, allas, so noble a creature [385] As is a man shal dreden swich ordure! [386] "For which with al myn herte I the biseche, [387] Unto thiself that al this thow foryyve; [388] And ris now up withowten more speche, [389] And lat us caste how forth may best be dryve [390] This tyme, and ek how fresshly we may lyve [391] Whan that she comth, the which shal be right soone. [392] God helpe me so, the beste is thus to doone. [393] "Ris, lat us speke of lusty lif in Troie [394] That we han led, and forth the tyme dryve; [395] And ek of tyme comyng us rejoie, [396] That bryngen shal oure blisse now so blyve; [397] And langour of thise twyes dayes fyve [398] We shal therwith so foryete or oppresse [399] That wel unneth it don shal us duresse. [400] "This town is ful of lordes al aboute, [401] And trewes lasten al this mene while. [402] Go we pleye us in som lusty route [403] To Sarpedoun, nat hennes but a myle; [404] And thus thow shalt the tyme wel bygile, [405] And dryve it forth unto that blisful morwe [406] That thow hire se, that cause is of thi sorwe. [407] "Now ris, my deere brother Troilus, [408] For certes it non honour is to the [409] To wepe and in thi bedde to jouken thus; [410] For trewelich, of o thyng trust to me: [411] If thow thus ligge a day, or two, or thre, [412] The folk wol seyn that thow for cowardise [413] The feynest sik, and that thow darst nat rise!" [414] This Troilus answerde, "O brother deere, [415] This knowen folk that han ysuffred peyne, [416] That though he wepe and make sorwful cheere [417] That feleth harm and smert in every veyne, [418] No wonder is. and though ich evere pleyne, [419] Or alwey wepe, I am no thyng to blame, [420] Syn I have lost the cause of al my game. [421] "But syn of fyne force I mot arise, [422] I shal arise as soone as evere I may; [423] And God, to whom myn herte I sacrifice, [424] So sende us hastely the tenthe day! [425] For was ther nevere fowel so fayn of May [426] As I shal ben whan that she comth in Troie [427] That cause is of my torment and my joie. [428] "But whider is thi reed," quod Troilus, [429] "That we may pleye us best in al this town?" [430] "By God, my conseil is," quod Pandarus, [431] "To ride and pleye us with kyng Sarpedoun." [432] So longe of this they speken up and down [433] Til Troilus gan at the laste assente [434] To rise, and forth to Sarpedoun they wente. [435] This Sarpedoun, as he that honourable [436] Was evere his lyve, and ful of heigh largesse, [437] With al that myghte yserved ben on table [438] That deynte was, al coste it gret richesse, [439] He fedde hem day by day, that swich noblesse, [440] As seyden bothe the mooste and ek the leeste, [441] Was nevere er that day wist at any feste. [442] Nor in this world ther is non instrument [443] Delicious, thorugh wynd or touche of corde, [444] As fer as any wight hath evere ywent, [445] That tonge telle or herte may recorde, [446] That at that feste it nas wel herd acorde; [447] Ne of ladys ek so fair a compaignie [448] On daunce, er tho, was nevere iseye with ie. [449] But what availeth this to Troilus, [450] That for his sorwe nothyng of it roughte? [451] For evere in oon his herte pietous [452] Ful bisyly Criseyde, his lady, soughte. [453] On hire was evere al that his herte thoughte, [454] Now this, now that, so faste ymagenynge [455] That glade, iwis, kan hym no festeyinge. [456] Thise ladies ek that at this feste ben, [457] Syn that he saugh his lady was aweye, [458] It was his sorwe upon hem for to sen, [459] Or for to here on instrumentes pleye. [460] For she that of his herte berth the keye [461] Was absent, lo, this was his fantasie -- [462] That no wight sholde maken melodie. [463] Nor ther nas houre in al the day or nyght, [464] Whan he was there as no wight myghte hym heere, [465] That he ne seyde, "O lufsom lady bryght, [466] How have ye faren syn that ye were here? [467] Welcome, ywis, myn owne lady deere!" [468] But weylaway, al this nat but a maze. [469] Fortune his howve entended bet to glaze! [470] The lettres ek that she of olde tyme [471] Hadde hym ysent, he wolde allone rede [472] An hondred sithe atwixen noon and prime, [473] Refiguryng hire shap, hire wommanhede, [474] Withinne his herte, and every word or dede [475] That passed was; and thus he drof t' an ende [476] The ferthe day, and seyde he wolde wende. [477] And seyde, "Leve brother Pandarus, [478] Intendestow that we shal here bleve [479] Til Sarpedoun wol forth congeyen us? [480] Yet were it fairer that we toke oure leve. [481] For Goddes love, lat us now soone at eve [482] Oure leve take, and homward lat us torne, [483] For treweliche, I nyl nat thus sojourne." [484] Pandare answerde, "Be we comen hider [485] To fecchen fir and rennen hom ayein? [486] God help me so, I kan nat tellen whider [487] We myghte gon, if I shal sothly seyn, [488] Ther any wight is of us more feyn [489] Than Sarpedoun; and if we hennes hye [490] Thus sodeynly, I holde it vilanye. [491] "Syn that we seyden that we wolde bleve [492] With hym a wowke, and now, thus sodeynly, [493] The ferthe day to take of hym owre leve -- [494] He wolde wondren on it, trewely! [495] Lat us holden forth oure purpos fermely; [496] And syn that ye bihighten hym to bide, [497] Holde forward now, and after lat us ride." [498] Thus Pandarus, with alle peyne and wo, [499] Made hym to dwelle; and at the wikes ende [500] Of Sarpedoun they toke hire leve tho, [501] And on hire wey they spedden hem to wende. [502] Quod Troilus, "Now Lord me grace sende, [503] That I may fynden at myn hom-comynge [504] Criseyde comen!" And therwith gan he synge. [505] "Ye, haselwode!" thoughte this Pandare, [506] And to hymself ful softeliche he seyde, [507] "God woot, refreyden may this hote fare, [508] Er Calkas sende Troilus Criseyde!" [509] But natheles, he japed thus, and pleyde, [510] And swor, ywys, his herte hym wel bihighte [511] She wolde come as soone as evere she myghte. [512] Whan they unto the paleys were ycomen [513] Of Troilus, they doun of hors alighte, [514] And to the chambre hire wey than han they nomen; [515] And into tyme that it gan to nyghte [516] They spaken of Criseyde the brighte; [517] And after this, whan that hem bothe leste, [518] They spedde hem fro the soper unto reste. [519] On morwe, as soone as day bygan to clere, [520] This Troilus gan of his slep t' abrayde, [521] And to Pandare, his owen brother deere, [522] "For love of God," ful pitously he sayde, [523] "As go we sen the palais of Criseyde; [524] For syn we yet may have namore feste, [525] So lat us sen hire paleys atte leeste." [526] And therwithal, his meyne for to blende, [527] A cause he fond in towne for to go, [528] And to Criseydes hous they gonnen wende. [529] But Lord, this sely Troilus was wo! [530] Hym thoughte his sorwful herte braste a-two. [531] For whan he saugh hire dores spered alle, [532] Wel neigh for sorwe adoun he gan to falle. [533] Therwith, whan he was war and gan biholde [534] How shet was every wyndow of the place, [535] As frost, hym thoughte, his herte gan to colde; [536] For which with chaunged dedlich pale face, [537] Withouten word, he forthby gan to pace, [538] And as God wolde, he gan so faste ride [539] That no wight of his contenance espide. [540] Than seide he thus: "O paleys desolat, [541] O hous of houses whilom best ihight, [542] O paleys empty and disconsolat, [543] O thow lanterne of which queynt is the light, [544] O paleys, whilom day, that now art nyght, [545] Wel oughtestow to falle, and I to dye, [546] Syn she is went that wont was us to gye! [547] "O paleis, whilom crowne of houses alle, [548] Enlumyned with sonne of alle blisse! [549] O ryng, fro which the ruby is out falle, [550] O cause of wo, that cause hast ben of lisse! [551] Yet, syn I may no bet, fayn wolde I kisse [552] Thy colde dores, dorste I for this route; [553] And farwel shryne, of which the seynt is oute!" [554] Therwith he caste on Pandarus his ye, [555] With chaunged face, and pitous to biholde; [556] And whan he myghte his tyme aright aspie, [557] Ay as he rood to Pandarus he tolde [558] His newe sorwe and ek his joies olde, [559] So pitously and with so ded an hewe [560] That every wight myghte on his sorwe rewe. [561] Fro thennesforth he rideth up and down, [562] And every thyng com hym to remembraunce [563] As he rood forby places of the town [564] In which he whilom hadde al his plesaunce. [565] "Lo, yonder saugh ich last my lady daunce; [566] And in that temple, with hire eyen cleere, [567] Me kaughte first my righte lady dere. [568] "And yonder have I herd ful lustyly [569] My dere herte laugh; and yonder pleye [570] Saugh ich hire ones ek ful blisfully; [571] And yonder ones to me gan she seye, [572] `Now goode swete, love me wel, I preye'; [573] And yond so goodly gan she me biholde [574] That to the deth myn herte is to hire holde. [575] "And at that corner, in the yonder hous, [576] Herde I myn alderlevest lady deere [577] So wommanly, with vois melodious, [578] Syngen so wel, so goodly, and so cleere [579] That in my soule yet me thynketh ich here [580] The blisful sown; and in that yonder place [581] My lady first me took unto hire grace." [582] Thanne thoughte he thus: "O blisful lord Cupide, [583] Whan I the proces have in my memorie [584] How thow me hast wereyed on every syde, [585] Men myght a book make of it, lik a storie. [586] What nede is the to seke on me victorie, [587] Syn I am thyn and holly at thi wille? [588] What joie hastow thyn owen folk to spille? [589] "Wel hastow, lord, ywroke on me thyn ire, [590] Thow myghty god, and dredefull for to greve! [591] Now mercy, lord! Thow woost wel I desire [592] Thi grace moost of alle lustes leeve, [593] And lyve and dye I wol in thy byleve; [594] For which I n' axe in guerdoun but o bone -- [595] That thow Criseyde ayein me sende sone. [596] "Destreyne hire herte as faste to retorne [597] As thow doost myn to longen hire to see; [598] Than woot I wel that she nyl naught sojorne. [599] Now blisful lord, so cruel thow ne be [600] Unto the blood of Troie, I preye the, [601] As Juno was unto the blood Thebane, [602] For which the folk of Thebes caughte hire bane." [603] And after this he to the yates wente [604] Ther as Criseyde out rood a ful good paas, [605] And up and down ther made he many a wente, [606] And to hymself ful ofte he seyde, "Allas, [607] Fro hennes rood my blisse and my solas! [608] As wolde blisful God now, for his joie, [609] I myghte hire sen ayein come into Troie! [610] "And to the yonder hille I gan hire gyde, [611] Allas, and ther I took of hire my leve! [612] And yond I saugh hire to hire fader ride, [613] For sorwe of which myn herte shal tocleve; [614] And hider hom I com whan it was eve, [615] And here I dwelle out cast from alle joie, [616] And shal, til I may sen hire eft in Troie." [617] And of hymself ymagened he ofte [618] To ben defet, and pale, and waxen lesse [619] Than he was wont, and that men seyden softe, [620] "What may it be? Who kan the sothe gesse [621] Whi Troilus hath al this hevynesse?" [622] And al this nas but his malencolie, [623] That he hadde of hymself swich fantasie. [624] Another tyme ymaginen he wolde [625] That every wight that wente by the weye [626] Hadde of hym routhe, and that they seyen sholde, [627] "I am right sory Troilus wol deye." [628] And thus he drof a day yet forth or tweye, [629] As ye have herd; swich lif right gan he lede [630] As he that stood bitwixen hope and drede. [631] For which hym likede in his songes shewe [632] Th' enchesoun of his wo, as he best myghte; [633] And made a song of wordes but a fewe, [634] Somwhat his woful herte for to lighte; [635] And whan he was from every mannes syghte, [636] With softe vois he of his lady deere, [637] That absent was, gan synge as ye may heere: [638] "O sterre, of which I lost have al the light, [639] With herte soor wel oughte I to biwaille [640] That evere derk in torment, nyght by nyght, [641] Toward my deth with wynd in steere I saille; [642] For which the tenthe nyght, if that I faille [643] The gydyng of thi bemes bright an houre, [644] My ship and me Caribdis wol devoure." [645] This song whan he thus songen hadde, soone [646] He fil ayeyn into his sikes olde; [647] And every nyght, as was his wone to doone, [648] He stood the brighte moone to byholde, [649] And al his sorwe he to the moone tolde, [650] And seyde, "Ywis, whan thow art horned newe, [651] I shal be glad, if al the world be trewe! [652] "I saugh thyn hornes olde ek by the morwe [653] Whan hennes rood my righte lady dere [654] That cause is of my torment and my sorwe; [655] For which, O brighte Latona the clere, [656] For love of God, ren faste aboute thy spere! [657] For whan thyne hornes newe gynnen sprynge, [658] Than shal she come that may my blisse brynge." [659] The dayes moore and lenger every nyght [660] Than they ben wont to be, hym thoughte tho, [661] And that the sonne went his cours unright [662] By lenger weye than it was wont to do; [663] And seyde, "Ywis, me dredeth evere mo [664] The sonnes sone, Pheton, be on lyve, [665] And that his fader carte amys he dryve." [666] Upon the walles faste ek wolde he walke, [667] And on the Grekis oost he wolde se; [668] And to hymself right thus he wolde talke: [669] "Lo, yonder is myn owene lady free, [670] Or ellis yonder, ther tho tentes be; [671] And thennes comth this eyr, that is so soote [672] That in my soule I fele it doth me boote. [673] "And hardily, this wynd that more and moore [674] Thus stoundemele encresseth in my face [675] Is of my ladys depe sikes soore. [676] I preve it thus: for in noon other place [677] Of al this town, save onliche in this space, [678] Fele I no wynd that sowneth so lik peyne; [679] It seyth, `Allas! Whi twynned be we tweyne?'" [680] This longe tyme he dryveth forth right thus [681] Til fully passed was the nynthe nyght; [682] And ay bisyde hym was this Pandarus, [683] That bisily did al his fulle myght [684] Hym to conforte and make his herte light, [685] Yevyng hym hope alwey the tenthe morwe [686] That she shal come and stynten al his sorwe. [687] Upon that other syde ek was Criseyde, [688] With wommen fewe, among the Grekis stronge, [689] For which ful ofte a day "Allas," she seyde, [690] "That I was born! Wel may myn herte longe [691] After my deth, for now lyve I to longe. [692] Allas, and I ne may it nat amende, [693] For now is wors than evere yet I wende! [694] "My fader nyl for nothyng do me grace [695] To gon ayeyn, for naught I kan hym queme; [696] And if so be that I my terme pace, [697] My Troilus shal in his herte deme [698] That I am fals, and so it may wel seme: [699] Thus shal ich have unthonk on every side -- [700] That I was born so weilaway the tide! [701] "And if that I me putte in jupartie [702] To stele awey by nyght, and it bifalle [703] That I be kaught, I shal be holde a spie; [704] Or elles -- lo, this drede I moost of alle -- [705] If in the hondes of som wrecche I falle, [706] I nam but lost, al be myn herte trewe. [707] Now, myghty God, thow on my sorwe rewe!" [708] Ful pale ywoxen was hire brighte face, [709] Hire lymes lene, as she that al the day [710] Stood, whan she dorste, and loked on the place [711] Ther she was born, and ther she dwelt hadde ay; [712] And al the nyght wepyng, allas, she lay. [713] And thus despeired, out of alle cure, [714] She ladde hire lif, this woful creature. [715] Ful ofte a day she sighte ek for destresse, [716] And in hireself she wente ay purtraynge [717] Of Troilus the grete worthynesse, [718] And al his goodly wordes recordynge [719] Syn first that day hire love bigan to springe. [720] And thus she sette hire woful herte afire [721] Thorugh remembraunce of that she gan desire. [722] In al this world ther nys so cruel herte [723] That hire hadde herd compleynen in hire sorwe [724] That nolde han wepen for hire peynes smerte, [725] So tendrely she weep, bothe eve and morwe. [726] Hire nedede no teris for to borwe! [727] And this was yet the werste of al hire peyne: [728] Ther was no wight to whom she dorste hire pleyne. [729] Ful rewfully she loked upon Troie, [730] Biheld the toures heigh and ek the halles; [731] "Allas," quod she, "the plesance and the joie, [732] The which that now al torned into galle is, [733] Have ich had ofte withinne yonder walles! [734] O Troilus, what dostow now?" she seyde. [735] "Lord, wheyther thow yet thenke upon Criseyde? [736] "Allas, I ne hadde trowed on youre loore [737] And went with yow, as ye me redde er this! [738] Than hadde I now nat siked half so soore. [739] Who myghte han seyd that I hadde don amys [740] To stele awey with swich oon as he ys. [741] But al to late comth the letuarie [742] Whan men the cors unto the grave carie. [743] "To late is now to speke of that matere. [744] Prudence, allas, oon of thyne eyen thre [745] Me lakked alwey, er that I come here! [746] On tyme ypassed wel remembred me, [747] And present tyme ek koud ich wel ise, [748] But future tyme, er I was in the snare, [749] Koude I nat sen; that causeth now my care. [750] "But natheles, bityde what bityde, [751] I shal to-morwe at nyght, by est or west, [752] Out of this oost stele in som manere syde, [753] And gon with Troilus where as hym lest. [754] This purpos wol ich holde, and this is best. [755] No fors of wikked tonges janglerie, [756] For evere on love han wrecches had envye. [757] "For whoso wol of every word take hede, [758] Or reulen hym by every wightes wit, [759] Ne shal he nevere thryven, out of drede; [760] For that that som men blamen evere yit, [761] Lo, other manere folk comenden it. [762] And as for me, for al swich variaunce, [763] Felicite clepe I my suffisaunce. [764] "For which, withouten any wordes mo, [765] To Troie I wole, as for conclusioun." [766] But God it wot, er fully monthes two, [767] She was ful fer fro that entencioun! [768] For bothe Troilus and Troie town [769] Shal knotteles thorughout hire herte slide; [770] For she wol take a purpos for t' abide. [771] This Diomede, of whom yow telle I gan, [772] Goth now withinne hymself ay arguynge, [773] With al the sleghte and al that evere he kan, [774] How he may best, with shortest taryinge, [775] Into his net Criseydes herte brynge. [776] To this entent he koude nevere fyne; [777] To fisshen hire he leyde out hook and lyne. [778] But natheles, wel in his herte he thoughte [779] That she nas nat withoute a love in Troie, [780] For nevere sythen he hire thennes broughte [781] Ne koude he sen hire laughe or maken joie. [782] He nyst how best hire herte for t' acoye; [783] "But for t' asay," he seyde, "it naught n' agreveth, [784] For he that naught n' asaieth naught n' acheveth." [785] Yet seyde he to hymself upon a nyght, [786] "Now am I nat a fool, that woot wel how [787] Hire wo for love is of another wight, [788] And hereupon to gon assaye hire now? [789] I may wel wite it nyl nat ben my prow, [790] For wise folk in bookes it expresse, [791] `Men shal nat wowe a wight in hevynesse.' [792] "But whoso myghte wynnen swich a flour [793] From hym for whom she morneth nyght and day, [794] He myghte seyn he were a conquerour." [795] And right anon, as he that bold was ay, [796] Thoughte in his herte, "Happe how happe may, [797] Al sholde I dye, I wol hire herte seche! [798] I shal namore lesen but my speche." [799] This Diomede, as bokes us declare, [800] Was in his nedes prest and corageous, [801] With sterne vois and myghty lymes square, [802] Hardy, testif, strong, and chivalrous [803] Of dedes, lik his fader Tideus. [804] And som men seyn he was of tonge large; [805] And heir he was of Calydoigne and Arge. [806] Criseyde mene was of hire stature; [807] Therto of shap, of face, and ek of cheere, [808] Ther myghte ben no fairer creature. [809] And ofte tymes this was hire manere: [810] To gon ytressed with hire heres clere [811] Doun by hire coler at hire bak byhynde, [812] Which with a thred of gold she wolde bynde; [813] And, save hire browes joyneden yfeere, [814] Ther nas no lak, in aught I kan espien. [815] But for to speken of hire eyen cleere, [816] Lo, trewely, they writen that hire syen [817] That Paradis stood formed in hire yen. [818] And with hire riche beaute evere more [819] Strof love in hire ay, which of hem was more. [820] She sobre was, ek symple, and wys withal, [821] The best ynorisshed ek that myghte be, [822] And goodly of hire speche in general, [823] Charitable, estatlich, lusty, fre; [824] Ne nevere mo ne lakked hire pite; [825] Tendre-herted, slydynge of corage; [826] But trewely, I kan nat telle hire age. [827] And Troilus wel woxen was in highte, [828] And complet formed by proporcioun [829] So wel that kynde it nought amenden myghte; [830] Yong, fressh, strong, and hardy as lyoun; [831] Trewe as stiel in ech condicioun; [832] Oon of the beste entecched creature [833] That is or shal whil that the world may dure. [834] And certeynly in storye it is yfounde [835] That Troilus was nevere unto no wight, [836] As in his tyme, in no degree secounde [837] In durryng don that longeth to a knyght. [838] Al myghte a geant passen hym of myght, [839] His herte ay with the first and with the beste [840] Stood paregal, to durre don that hym leste. [841] But for to tellen forth of Diomede: [842] It fel that after, on the tenthe day [843] Syn that Criseyde out of the citee yede, [844] This Diomede, as fressh as braunche in May, [845] Com to the tente ther as Calkas lay, [846] And feyned hym with Calkas han to doone; [847] But what he mente, I shal yow tellen soone. [848] Criseyde, at shorte wordes for to telle, [849] Welcomed hym and down hym by hire sette -- [850] And he was ethe ynough to maken dwelle! [851] And after this, withouten longe lette, [852] The spices and the wyn men forth hem fette; [853] And forth they speke of this and that yfeere, [854] As frendes don, of which som shal ye heere. [855] He gan first fallen of the werre in speche [856] Bitwixe hem and the folk of Troie town; [857] And of th' assege he gan hire ek biseche [858] To telle hym what was hire opynyoun; [859] Fro that demaunde he so descendeth down [860] To axen hire if that hire straunge thoughte [861] The Grekis gise and werkes that they wroughte; [862] And whi hire fader tarieth so longe [863] To wedden hire unto som worthy wight. [864] Criseyde, that was in hire peynes stronge [865] For love of Troilus, hire owen knyght, [866] As ferforth as she konnyng hadde or myght [867] Answerde hym tho; but as of his entente, [868] It semed nat she wiste what he mente. [869] But natheles, this ilke Diomede [870] Gan in hymself assure, and thus he seyde: [871] "If ich aright have taken of yow hede, [872] Me thynketh thus, O lady myn, Criseyde, [873] That syn I first hond on youre bridel leyde, [874] Whan ye out come of Troie by the morwe, [875] Ne koude I nevere sen yow but in sorwe. [876] "Kan I nat seyn what may the cause be, [877] But if for love of som Troian it were, [878] The which right sore wolde athynken me [879] That ye for any wight that dwelleth there [880] Sholden spille a quarter of a tere [881] Or pitously youreselven so bigile -- [882] For dredeles, it is nought worth the while. [883] "The folk of Troie, as who seyth, alle and some [884] In prisoun ben, as ye youreselven se; [885] Nor thennes shal nat oon on-lyve come [886] For al the gold atwixen sonne and se. [887] Trusteth wel, and understondeth me, [888] Ther shal nat oon to mercy gon on-lyve, [889] Al were he lord of worldes twies fyve! [890] "Swich wreche on hem for fecchynge of Eleyne [891] Ther shal ben take, er that we hennes wende, [892] That Manes, which that goddes ben of peyne, [893] Shal ben agast that Grekes wol hem shende, [894] And men shul drede, unto the worldes ende, [895] From hennesforth to ravysshen any queene, [896] So cruel shal oure wreche on hem be seene. [897] "And but if Calkas lede us with ambages -- [898] That is to seyn, with double wordes slye, [899] Swiche as men clepen a word with two visages -- [900] Ye shal wel knowen that I naught ne lie, [901] And al this thyng right sen it with youre ye, [902] And that anon, ye nyl nat trowe how sone; [903] Now taketh hede, for it is for to doone. [904] "What! Wene ye youre wise fader wolde [905] Han yeven Antenor for yow anon, [906] If he ne wiste that the cite sholde [907] Destroied ben? Whi, nay, so mote I gon! [908] He knew ful wel ther shal nat scapen oon [909] That Troian is. and for the grete feere [910] He dorste nat ye dwelte lenger there. [911] "What wol ye more, lufsom lady deere? [912] Lat Troie and Troian fro youre herte pace! [913] Drif out that bittre hope, and make good cheere, [914] And clepe ayeyn the beaute of youre face [915] That ye with salte teris so deface, [916] For Troie is brought in swich a jupartie [917] That it to save is now no remedie. [918] "And thenketh wel, ye shal in Grekis fynde [919] A moore parfit love, er it be nyght, [920] Than any Troian is, and more kynde, [921] And bet to serven yow wol don his myght. [922] And if ye vouchesauf, my lady bright, [923] I wol ben he to serven yow myselve, [924] Yee, levere than be kyng of Greces twelve!" [925] And with that word he gan to waxen red, [926] And in his speche a litel wight he quok, [927] And caste asyde a litel wight his hed, [928] And stynte a while; and afterward he wok, [929] And sobreliche on hire he threw his lok, [930] And seyde, "I am, al be it yow no joie, [931] As gentil man as any wight in Troie. [932] "For if my fader Tideus," he seyde, [933] "Ilyved hadde, ich hadde ben er this [934] Of Calydoyne and Arge a kyng, Criseyde! [935] And so hope I that I shal yet, iwis. [936] But he was slayn -- allas, the more harm is. -- [937] Unhappily at Thebes al to rathe, [938] Polymyte and many a man to scathe. [939] "But herte myn, syn that I am youre man -- [940] And ben the first of whom I seche grace -- [941] To serve yow as hertely as I kan, [942] And evere shal whil I to lyve have space, [943] So, er that I departe out of this place, [944] Ye wol me graunte that I may to-morwe, [945] At bettre leyser, telle yow my sorwe." [946] What sholde I telle his wordes that he seyde? [947] He spak inough for o day at the meeste. [948] It preveth wel; he spak so that Criseyde [949] Graunted on the morwe, at his requeste, [950] For to speken with hym at the leeste -- [951] So that he nolde speke of swich matere. [952] And thus to hym she seyde, as ye may here, [953] As she that hadde hire herte on Troilus [954] So faste that ther may it non arace; [955] And strangely she spak, and seyde thus: [956] "O Diomede, I love that ilke place [957] Ther I was born; and Joves, for his grace, [958] Delyvere it soone of al that doth it care! [959] God, for thy myght, so leve it wel to fare! [960] "That Grekis wolde hire wrath on Troie wreke, [961] If that they myght, I knowe it wel, iwis; [962] But it shal naught byfallen as ye speke, [963] And God toforn! And forther over this, [964] I woot my fader wys and redy is, [965] And that he me hath bought, as ye me tolde, [966] So deere, I am the more unto hym holde. [967] "That Grekis ben of heigh condicioun [968] I woot ek wel; but certeyn, men shal fynde [969] As worthi folk withinne Troie town, [970] As konnyng, and as parfit, and as kynde, [971] As ben bitwixen Orkades and Inde; [972] And that ye koude wel yowre lady serve, [973] I trowe ek wel, hire thank for to deserve. [974] "But as to speke of love, ywis," she seyde, [975] "I hadde a lord, to whom I wedded was, [976] The whos myn herte al was, til that he deyde; [977] And other love, as help me now Pallas, [978] Ther in myn herte nys, ne nevere was. [979] And that ye ben of noble and heigh kynrede, [980] I have wel herd it tellen, out of drede. [981] "And that doth me to han so gret a wonder [982] That ye wol scornen any womman so. [983] Ek, God woot, love and I ben fer ysonder! [984] I am disposed bet, so mot I go, [985] Unto my deth, to pleyne and maken wo. [986] What I shal after don I kan nat seye; [987] But trewelich, as yet me list nat pleye. [988] "Myn herte is now in tribulacioun, [989] And ye in armes bisy day by day. [990] Herafter, whan ye wonnen han the town, [991] Peraventure so it happen may [992] That whan I se that nevere yit I say [993] Than wol I werke that I nevere wroughte! [994] This word to yow ynough suffisen oughte. [995] "To-morwe ek wol I speken with yow fayn, [996] So that ye touchen naught of this matere. [997] And whan yow list, ye may come here ayayn; [998] And er ye gon, thus muche I sey yow here: [999] As help me Pallas with hire heres clere, [1000] If that I sholde of any Grek han routhe, [1001] It sholde be youreselven, by my trouthe! [1002] "I say nat therfore that I wol yow love, [1003] N' y say nat nay; but in conclusioun, [1004] I mene wel, by God that sit above!" [1005] And therwithal she caste hire eyen down, [1006] And gan to sike, and seyde, "O Troie town, [1007] Yet bidde I God in quiete and in reste [1008] I may yow sen, or do myn herte breste." [1009] But in effect, and shortly for to seye, [1010] This Diomede al fresshly newe ayeyn [1011] Gan pressen on, and faste hire mercy preye; [1012] And after this, the sothe for to seyn, [1013] Hire glove he took, of which he was ful feyn; [1014] And finaly, whan it was woxen eve [1015] And al was wel, he roos and tok his leve. [1016] The brighte Venus folwede and ay taughte [1017] The wey ther brode Phebus down alighte; [1018] And Cynthea hire char-hors overraughte [1019] To whirle out of the Leoun, if she myghte; [1020] And Signifer his candels sheweth brighte [1021] Whan that Criseyde unto hire bedde wente [1022] Inwith hire fadres faire brighte tente, [1023] Retornyng in hire soule ay up and down [1024] The wordes of this sodeyn Diomede, [1025] His grete estat, and perel of the town, [1026] And that she was allone and hadde nede [1027] Of frendes help; and thus bygan to brede [1028] The cause whi, the sothe for to telle, [1029] That she took fully purpos for to dwelle. [1030] The morwen com, and gostly for to speke, [1031] This Diomede is come unto Criseyde; [1032] And shortly, lest that ye my tale breke, [1033] So wel he for hymselven spak and seyde [1034] That alle hire sikes soore adown he leyde; [1035] And finaly, the sothe for to seyne, [1036] He refte hire of the grete of al hire peyne. [1037] And after this the storie telleth us [1038] That she hym yaf the faire baye stede [1039] The which he ones wan of Troilus; [1040] And ek a broche -- and that was litel nede -- [1041] That Troilus was, she yaf this Diomede. [1042] And ek, the bet from sorwe hym to releve, [1043] She made hym were a pencel of hire sleve. [1044] I fynde ek in stories elleswhere, [1045] Whan thorugh the body hurt was Diomede [1046] Of Troilus, tho wep she many a teere [1047] Whan that she saugh his wyde wowndes blede, [1048] And that she took, to kepen hym, good hede; [1049] And for to helen hym of his sorwes smerte, [1050] Men seyn -- I not -- that she yaf hym hire herte. [1051] But trewely, the storie telleth us, [1052] Ther made nevere womman moore wo [1053] Than she, whan that she falsed Troilus. [1054] She seyde, "Allas, for now is clene ago [1055] My name of trouthe in love, for everemo! [1056] For I have falsed oon the gentileste [1057] That evere was, and oon the worthieste! [1058] "Allas, of me, unto the worldes ende, [1059] Shal neyther ben ywriten nor ysonge [1060] No good word, for thise bokes wol me shende. [1061] O, rolled shal I ben on many a tonge! [1062] Thorughout the world my belle shal be ronge! [1063] And wommen moost wol haten me of alle. [1064] Allas, that swich a cas me sholde falle! [1065] "Thei wol seyn, in as muche as in me is, [1066] I have hem don dishonour, weylaway! [1067] Al be I nat the first that dide amys, [1068] What helpeth that to don my blame awey? [1069] But syn I se ther is no bettre way, [1070] And that to late is now for me to rewe, [1071] To Diomede algate I wol be trewe. [1072] "But, Troilus, syn I no bettre may, [1073] And syn that thus departen ye and I, [1074] Yet prey I God, so yeve yow right good day, [1075] As for the gentileste, trewely, [1076] That evere I say, to serven feythfully, [1077] And best kan ay his lady honour kepe." [1078] And with that word she brast anon to wepe. [1079] "And certes yow ne haten shal I nevere; [1080] And frendes love, that shal ye han of me, [1081] And my good word, al sholde I lyven evere. [1082] And trewely I wolde sory be [1083] For to seen yow in adversitee; [1084] And gilteles, I woot wel, I yow leve. [1085] But al shal passe; and thus take I my leve." [1086] But trewely, how longe it was bytwene [1087] That she forsok hym for this Diomede, [1088] Ther is non auctour telleth it, I wene. [1089] Take every man now to his bokes heede, [1090] He shal no terme fynden, out of drede. [1091] For though that he bigan to wowe hire soone, [1092] Er he hire wan, yet was ther more to doone. [1093] Ne me ne list this sely womman chyde [1094] Forther than the storye wol devyse. [1095] Hire name, allas, is publysshed so wide [1096] That for hire gilt it oughte ynough suffise. [1097] And if I myghte excuse hire any wise, [1098] For she so sory was for hire untrouthe, [1099] Iwis, I wolde excuse hire yet for routhe. [1100] This Troilus, as I byfore have told, [1101] Thus driveth forth, as wel as he hath myght; [1102] But often was his herte hoot and cold, [1103] And namely that ilke nynthe nyght, [1104] Which on the morwe she hadde hym bihight [1105] To com ayeyn. God woot, ful litel reste [1106] Hadde he that nyght -- nothyng to slepe hym leste. [1107] The laurer-crowned Phebus with his heete [1108] Gan, in his cours ay upward as he wente, [1109] To warmen of the est se the wawes weete, [1110] And Nysus doughter song with fressh entente, [1111] Whan Troilus his Pandare after sente; [1112] And on the walles of the town they pleyde, [1113] To loke if they kan sen aught of Criseyde. [1114] Tyl it was noon they stoden for to se [1115] Who that ther come, and every maner wight [1116] That com fro fer, they seyden it was she -- [1117] Til that thei koude knowen hym aright. [1118] Now was his herte dul, now was it light. [1119] And thus byjaped stonden for to stare [1120] Aboute naught this Troilus and Pandare. [1121] To Pandarus this Troilus tho seyde, [1122] "For aught I woot, byfor noon, sikirly, [1123] Into this town ne comth nat here Criseyde. [1124] She hath ynough to doone, hardyly, [1125] To wynnen from hire fader, so trowe I. [1126] Hire olde fader wol yet make hire dyne [1127] Er that she go -- God yeve hys herte pyne!" [1128] Pandare answerede, "It may wel be, certeyn. [1129] And forthi lat us dyne, I the byseche, [1130] And after noon than maystow come ayeyn." [1131] And hom they go, withoute more speche, [1132] And comen ayeyn -- but longe may they seche [1133] Er that they fynde that they after cape. [1134] Fortune hem bothe thenketh for to jape! [1135] Quod Troilus, "I se wel now that she [1136] Is taried with hire olde fader so, [1137] That er she come, it wol neigh even be. [1138] Com forth; I wol unto the yate go. [1139] Thise porters ben unkonnyng evere mo, [1140] And I wol don hem holden up the yate [1141] As naught ne were, although she come late." [1142] The day goth faste, and after that com eve, [1143] And yet com nought to Troilus Criseyde. [1144] He loketh forth by hegge, by tre, by greve, [1145] And fer his hed over the wal he leyde; [1146] And at the laste he torned hym and seyde, [1147] "By God, I woot hire menyng now, Pandare! [1148] Almoost, ywys, al newe was my care. [1149] "Now douteles, this lady kan hire good; [1150] I woot she meneth riden pryvely. [1151] I comende hire wisdom, by myn hood! [1152] She wol nat maken peple nycely [1153] Gaure on hire whan she comth, but softely [1154] By nyghte into the town she thenketh ride. [1155] And, deere brother, thynk nat longe t' abide. [1156] "We han naught elles for to don, ywis. [1157] And Pandarus, now woltow trowen me? [1158] Have here my trouthe, I se hire! Yond she is. [1159] Heve up thyn eyen, man! Maistow nat se?" [1160] Pandare answerede, "Nay, so mote I the! [1161] Al wrong, by God! What saistow, man? Where arte? [1162] That I se yond nys but a fare-carte." [1163] "Allas, thow seyst right soth," quod Troilus. [1164] "But, hardily, it is naught al for nought [1165] That in myn herte I now rejoysse thus; [1166] It is ayeyns som good I have a thought. [1167] Not I nat how, but syn that I was wrought [1168] Ne felte I swich a comfort, dar I seye; [1169] She comth to-nyght, my lif that dorste I leye!" [1170] Pandare answerde, "It may be, wel ynough," [1171] And held with hym of al that evere he seyde. [1172] But in his herte he thoughte, and softe lough, [1173] And to hymself ful sobreliche he seyde, [1174] "From haselwode, there joly Robyn pleyde, [1175] Shal come al that that thow abidest heere. [1176] Ye, fare wel al the snow of ferne yere!" [1177] The warden of the yates gan to calle [1178] The folk which that withoute the yates were, [1179] And bad hem dryven in hire bestes alle, [1180] Or all the nyght they moste bleven there. [1181] And fer withinne the nyght, with many a teere, [1182] This Troilus gan homward for to ride, [1183] For wel he seth it helpeth naught t' abide. [1184] But natheles, he gladed hym in this: [1185] He thought he misacounted hadde his day, [1186] And seyde, "I understonde have al amys. [1187] For thilke nyght I last Criseyde say, [1188] She seyde, `I shal ben here, if that I may, [1189] Er that the moone, O deere herte swete, [1190] The Leoun passe, out of this Ariete.' [1191] "For which she may yet holde al hire byheste." [1192] And on the morwe unto the yate he wente, [1193] And up and down, by west and ek by este, [1194] Upon the walles made he many a wente. [1195] But al for nought; his hope alwey hym blente. [1196] For which at nyght, in sorwe and sikes sore, [1197] He wente hym hom, withouten any more. [1198] His hope al clene out of his herte fledde; [1199] He nath wheron now lenger for to honge; [1200] But for the peyne hym thoughte his herte bledde, [1201] So were his throwes sharpe and wonder stronge; [1202] For whan he saugh that she abood so longe, [1203] He nyste what he juggen of it myghte, [1204] Syn she hath broken that she hym bihighte. [1205] The thridde, ferthe, fifte, sexte day [1206] After tho dayes ten of which I tolde, [1207] Bitwixen hope and drede his herte lay, [1208] Yet somwhat trustyng on hire hestes olde. [1209] But whan he saugh she nolde hire terme holde, [1210] He kan now sen non other remedie [1211] But for to shape hym soone for to dye. [1212] Therwith the wikked spirit, God us blesse, [1213] Which that men clepeth woode jalousie, [1214] Gan in hym crepe, in al this hevynesse; [1215] For which, by cause he wolde soone dye, [1216] He ne et ne drank, for his malencolye, [1217] And ek from every compaignye he fledde: [1218] This was the lif that al the tyme he ledde. [1219] He so defet was, that no manere man [1220] Unneth hym myghte knowen ther he wente; [1221] So was he lene, and therto pale and wan, [1222] And feble, that he walketh by potente; [1223] And with his ire he thus hymselve shente. [1224] But whoso axed hym wherof hym smerte, [1225] He seyde his harm was al aboute his herte. [1226] Priam ful ofte, and ek his moder deere, [1227] His bretheren and his sustren gonne hym freyne [1228] Whi he so sorwful was in al his cheere, [1229] And what thyng was the cause of al his peyne; [1230] But al for naught. He nolde his cause pleyne, [1231] But seyde he felte a grevous maladie [1232] Aboute his herte, and fayn he wolde dye. [1233] So on a day he leyde hym doun to slepe, [1234] And so byfel that yn his slep hym thoughte [1235] That in a forest faste he welk to wepe [1236] For love of here that hym these peynes wroughte; [1237] And up and doun as he the forest soughte, [1238] He mette he saugh a bor with tuskes grete, [1239] That slepte ayeyn the bryghte sonnes hete. [1240] And by this bor, faste in his armes folde, [1241] Lay, kyssyng ay, his lady bryght, Criseyde. [1242] For sorwe of which, whan he it gan byholde, [1243] And for despit, out of his slep he breyde, [1244] And loude he cride on Pandarus, and seyde: [1245] "O Pandarus, now know I crop and roote. [1246] I n' am but ded; ther nys noon other bote. [1247] "My lady bryght, Criseyde, hath me bytrayed, [1248] In whom I trusted most of ony wight. [1249] She elliswhere hath now here herte apayed. [1250] The blysful goddes thorugh here grete myght [1251] Han in my drem yshewed it ful right. [1252] Thus yn my drem Criseyde have I byholde" -- [1253] And al this thing to Pandarus he tolde. [1254] "O my Criseyde, allas, what subtilte, [1255] What newe lust, what beaute, what science, [1256] What wratthe of juste cause have ye to me? [1257] What gilt of me, what fel experience [1258] Hath fro me raft, allas, thyn advertence? [1259] O trust, O feyth, O depe asseuraunce! [1260] Who hath me reft Criseyde, al my plesaunce? [1261] "Allas, whi leet I you from hennes go, [1262] For which wel neigh out of my wit I breyde? [1263] Who shal now trowe on any othes mo? [1264] God wot, I wende, O lady bright, Criseyde, [1265] That every word was gospel that ye seyde! [1266] But who may bet bigile, yf hym lyste, [1267] Than he on whom men weneth best to triste? [1268] "What shal I don, my Pandarus, allas? [1269] I fele now so sharp a newe peyne, [1270] Syn that ther lith no remedye in this cas, [1271] That bet were it I with myn hondes tweyne [1272] Myselven slowh alwey than thus to pleyne; [1273] For thorugh the deth my wo sholde han an ende, [1274] Ther every day with lyf myself I shende." [1275] Pandare answerde and seyde, "Allas the while [1276] That I was born! Have I nat seyd er this, [1277] That dremes many a maner man bigile? [1278] And whi? For folk expounden hem amys. [1279] How darstow seyn that fals thy lady ys [1280] For any drem, right for thyn owene drede? [1281] Lat be this thought; thow kanst no dremes rede. [1282] "Peraunter, ther thow dremest of this boor, [1283] It may so be that it may signifie [1284] Hire fader, which that old is and ek hoor, [1285] Ayeyn the sonne lith o poynt to dye, [1286] And she for sorwe gynneth wepe and crie, [1287] And kisseth hym, ther he lith on the grounde: [1288] Thus sholdestow thi drem aright expounde!" [1289] "How myghte I than don," quod Troilus, [1290] "To knowe of this, yee, were it nevere so lite?" [1291] "Now seystow wisly," quod this Pandarus; [1292] "My red is this: syn thow kanst wel endite, [1293] That hastily a lettre thow hire write, [1294] Thorugh which thow shalt wel bryngyn it aboute [1295] To know a soth of that thow art in doute. [1296] "And se now whi: for this I dar wel seyn, [1297] That if so is that she untrewe be, [1298] I kan nat trowen that she wol write ayeyn. [1299] And if she write, thow shalt ful sone yse [1300] As wheither she hath any liberte [1301] To come ayeyn; or ellis in som clause, [1302] If she be let, she wol assigne a cause. [1303] "Thow hast nat writen hire syn that she wente, [1304] Nor she to the; and this I dorste laye, [1305] Ther may swich cause ben in hire entente [1306] That hardily thow wolt thiselven saye [1307] That hire abod the best is for yow twaye. [1308] Now writ hire thanne, and thow shalt feele sone [1309] A soth of al. Ther is namore to done." [1310] Acorded ben to this conclusioun, [1311] And that anon, thise ilke lordes two; [1312] And hastily sit Troilus adown, [1313] And rolleth in his herte to and fro [1314] How he may best discryven hire his wo. [1315] And to Criseyde, his owen lady deere, [1316] He wrot right thus, and seyde as ye may here: [1317] "Right fresshe flour, whos I ben have and shal, [1318] Withouten part of elleswhere servyse, [1319] With herte, body, lif, lust, thought, and al, [1320] I, woful wyght, in everich humble wise [1321] That tonge telle or herte may devyse, [1322] As ofte as matere occupieth place, [1323] Me recomaunde unto youre noble grace. [1324] "Liketh yow to witen, swete herte, [1325] As ye wel knowe, how longe tyme agon [1326] That ye me lefte in aspre peynes smerte, [1327] Whan that ye wente, of which yet boote non [1328] Have I non had, but evere wors bigon [1329] Fro day to day am I, and so mot dwelle, [1330] While it yow list, of wele and wo my welle. [1331] "For which to yow, with dredful herte trewe, [1332] I write, as he that sorwe drifth to write, [1333] My wo, that everich houre encresseth newe, [1334] Compleynyng, as I dar or kan endite. [1335] And that defaced is, that may ye wite [1336] The teris which that fro myn eyen reyne, [1337] That wolden speke, if that they koude, and pleyne. [1338] "Yow first biseche I, that youre eyen clere [1339] To loke on this defouled ye nat holde; [1340] And over al this, that ye, my lady deere, [1341] Wol vouchesauf this lettre to byholde; [1342] And by the cause ek of my cares colde [1343] That sleth my wit, if aught amys m' asterte, [1344] Foryeve it me, myn owen swete herte! [1345] "If any servant dorste or oughte of right [1346] Upon his lady pitously compleyne, [1347] Thanne wene I that ich oughte be that wight, [1348] Considered this, that ye thise monthes tweyne [1349] Han taried, ther ye seyden, soth to seyne, [1350] But dayes ten ye nolde in oost sojourne -- [1351] But in two monthes yet ye nat retourne. [1352] "But for as muche as me moot nedes like [1353] Al that yow liste, I dar nat pleyne moore, [1354] But humblely, with sorwful sikes sike, [1355] Yow write ich myn unresty sorwes soore, [1356] Fro day to day desiryng evere moore [1357] To knowen fully, if youre wille it weere, [1358] How ye han ferd and don whil ye be theere; [1359] "The whos welfare and hele ek God encresse [1360] In honour swich that upward in degree [1361] It growe alwey, so that it nevere cesse. [1362] Right as youre herte ay kan, my lady free, [1363] Devyse, I prey to God so moot it be, [1364] And graunte it that ye soone upon me rewe, [1365] As wisly as in al I am yow trewe. [1366] "And if yow liketh knowen of the fare [1367] Of me, whos wo ther may no wit discryve, [1368] I kan namore but, chiste of every care, [1369] At wrytyng of this lettre I was on-lyve, [1370] Al redy out my woful gost to dryve, [1371] Which I delaye, and holde hym yet in honde, [1372] Upon the sighte of matere of youre sonde. [1373] "Myn eyen two, in veyn with which I se, [1374] Of sorwful teris salte arn waxen welles; [1375] My song, in pleynte of myn adversitee; [1376] My good, in harm; myn ese ek woxen helle is. [1377] My joie, in wo; I kan sey yow naught ellis, [1378] But torned is -- for which my lif I warie -- [1379] Everich joie or ese in his contrarie; [1380] "Which with youre comyng hom ayeyn to Troie [1381] Ye may redresse, and more a thousand sithe [1382] Than evere ich hadde encressen in me joie. [1383] For was ther nevere herte yet so blithe [1384] To han his lif as I shal ben as swithe [1385] As I yow se; and though no manere routhe [1386] Commeve yow, yet thynketh on youre trouthe. [1387] "And if so be my gilt hath deth deserved, [1388] Or if yow list namore upon me se, [1389] In guerdoun yet of that I have yow served, [1390] Byseche I yow, myn owen lady free, [1391] That hereupon ye wolden write me, [1392] For love of God, my righte lode-sterre, [1393] That deth may make an ende of al my werre; [1394] "If other cause aught doth yow for to dwelle, [1395] That with youre lettre ye me recomforte; [1396] For though to me youre absence is an helle, [1397] With pacience I wol my wo comporte, [1398] And with youre lettre of hope I wol desporte. [1399] Now writeth, swete, and lat me thus nat pleyne; [1400] With hope, or deth, delivereth me fro peyne. [1401] "Iwis, myne owene deere herte trewe, [1402] I woot that whan ye next upon me se, [1403] So lost have I myn hele and ek myn hewe, [1404] Criseyde shal nought konne knowen me. [1405] Iwys, myn hertes day, my lady free, [1406] So thursteth ay myn herte to byholde [1407] Youre beute, that my lif unnethe I holde. [1408] "I say namore, al have I for to seye [1409] To yow wel more than I telle may; [1410] But wheither that ye do me lyve or deye, [1411] Yet praye I God, so yeve yow right good day! [1412] And fareth wel, goodly, faire, fresshe may, [1413] As she that lif or deth may me comande! [1414] And to youre trouthe ay I me recomande, [1415] "With hele swich that, but ye yeven me [1416] The same hele, I shal non hele have. [1417] In yow lith, whan yow liste that it so be, [1418] The day in which me clothen shal my grave; [1419] In yow my lif, in yow myght for to save [1420] Me fro disese of alle peynes smerte; [1421] And far now wel, myn owen swete herte! Le vostre T." [1422] This lettre forth was sent unto Criseyde, [1423] Of which hire answere in effect was this: [1424] Ful pitously she wroot ayeyn, and seyde, [1425] That also sone as that she myghte, ywys, [1426] She wolde come, and mende al that was mys. [1427] And fynaly she wroot and seyde hym thenne, [1428] She wolde come, ye, but she nyste whenne. [1429] But in hire lettre made she swich festes [1430] That wonder was, and swerth she loveth hym best, [1431] Of which he fond but botmeles bihestes. [1432] But Troilus, thow maist now, est or west, [1433] Pipe in an ivy lef, if that the lest! [1434] Thus goth the world. God shilde us fro meschaunce, [1435] And every wight that meneth trouthe avaunce! [1436] Encressen gan the wo fro day to nyght [1437] Of Troilus, for tarying of Criseyde; [1438] And lessen gan his hope and ek his myght, [1439] For which al down he in his bed hym leyde. [1440] He ne eet, ne dronk, ne slep, ne word seyde, [1441] Ymagynyng ay that she was unkynde, [1442] For which wel neigh he wex out of his mynde. [1443] This drem, of which I told have ek byforn, [1444] May nevere outen of his remembraunce. [1445] He thought ay wel he hadde his lady lorn, [1446] And that Joves of his purveyaunce [1447] Hym shewed hadde in slep the signifiaunce [1448] Of hire untrouthe and his disaventure, [1449] And that the boor was shewed hym in figure. [1450] For which he for Sibille his suster sente, [1451] That called was Cassandre ek al aboute, [1452] And al his drem he tolde hire er he stente, [1453] And hire bisoughte assoilen hym the doute [1454] Of the stronge boor with tuskes stoute; [1455] And fynaly, withinne a litel stounde, [1456] Cassandre hym gan right thus his drem expounde: [1457] She gan first smyle, and seyde, "O brother deere, [1458] If thow a soth of this desirest knowe, [1459] Thow most a fewe of olde stories heere, [1460] To purpos how that Fortune overthrowe [1461] Hath lordes olde, thorugh which, withinne a throwe, [1462] Thow wel this boor shalt knowe, and of what kynde [1463] He comen is, as men in bokes fynde. [1464] "Diane, which that wroth was and in ire [1465] For Grekis nolde don hire sacrifice, [1466] Ne encens upon hire auter sette afire, [1467] She, for that Grekis gonne hire so despise, [1468] Wrak hire in a wonder cruel wise; [1469] For with a boor as gret as ox in stalle [1470] She made up frete hire corn and vynes alle. [1471] "To sle this boor was al the contre raysed, [1472] Amonges which ther com, this boor to se, [1473] A mayde, oon of this world the beste ypreysed; [1474] And Meleagre, lord of that contree, [1475] He loved so this fresshe mayden free [1476] That with his manhod, er he wolde stente, [1477] This boor he slough, and hire the hed he sente; [1478] "Of which, as olde bokes tellen us, [1479] Ther ros a contek and a gret envye; [1480] And of this lord descended Tideus [1481] By ligne, or ellis olde bookes lye. [1482] But how this Meleagre gan to dye [1483] Thorugh his moder, wol I yow naught telle, [1484] For al to longe it were for to dwelle." [1485] She tolde ek how Tideus, er she stente, [1486] Unto the stronge citee of Thebes, [1487] To cleymen kyngdom of the citee, wente, [1488] For his felawe, daun Polymytes, [1489] Of which the brother, daun Ethiocles, [1490] Ful wrongfully of Thebes held the strengthe; [1491] This tolde she by proces, al by lengthe. [1492] She tolde ek how Hemonydes asterte, [1493] Whan Tideus slough fifty knyghtes stoute. [1494] She tolde ek alle the prophecyes by herte, [1495] And how that seven kynges with hire route [1496] Bysegeden the citee al aboute; [1497] And of the holy serpent, and the welle, [1498] And of the furies, al she gan hym telle; [1499] Of Archymoris brennynge and the pleyes, [1500] And how Amphiorax fil thorugh the grounde, [1501] How Tideus was sleyn, lord of Argeyes, [1502] And how Ypomedoun in litel stounde [1503] Was dreynt, and ded Parthonope of wownde; [1504] And also how Capaneus the proude [1505] With thonder-dynt was slayn, that cride loude. [1506] She gan ek telle hym how that eyther brother, [1507] Ethiocles and Polymyte also, [1508] At a scarmuche ech of hem slough other, [1509] And of Argyves wepynge and hire wo; [1510] And how the town was brent, she tolde ek tho; [1511] And so descendeth down from gestes olde [1512] To Diomede, and thus she spak and tolde: [1513] "This ilke boor bitokneth Diomede, [1514] Tideus sone, that down descended is [1515] Fro Meleagre, that made the boor to blede; [1516] And thy lady, wherso she be, ywis, [1517] This Diomede hire herte hath, and she his. [1518] Wep if thow wolt, or lef, for out of doute, [1519] This Diomede is inne, and thow art oute." [1520] "Thow seyst nat soth," quod he, "thow sorceresse, [1521] With al thy false goost of prophecye! [1522] Thow wenest ben a gret devyneresse! [1523] Now sestow nat this fool of fantasie [1524] Peyneth hire on ladys for to lye? [1525] Awey!" quod he. "Ther Joves yeve the sorwe! [1526] Thow shalt be fals, peraunter, yet tomorwe! [1527] "As wel thow myghtest lien on Alceste, [1528] That was of creatures, but men lye, [1529] That evere weren, kyndest and the beste! [1530] For whan hire housbonde was in jupertye [1531] To dye hymself but if she wolde dye, [1532] She ches for hym to dye and gon to helle, [1533] And starf anon, as us the bokes telle." [1534] Cassandre goth, and he with cruel herte [1535] Foryat his wo, for angre of hire speche; [1536] And from his bed al sodeynly he sterte, [1537] As though al hool hym hadde ymad a leche. [1538] And day by day he gan enquere and seche [1539] A sooth of this with al his fulle cure; [1540] And thus he drieth forth his aventure. [1541] Fortune, which that permutacioun [1542] Of thynges hath, as it is hire comitted [1543] Thorugh purveyaunce and disposicioun [1544] Of heighe Jove, as regnes shal be flitted [1545] Fro folk in folk, or when they shal be smytted, [1546] Gan pulle awey the fetheres brighte of Troie [1547] Fro day to day, til they ben bare of joie. [1548] Among al this, the fyn of the parodie [1549] Of Ector gan aprochen wonder blyve. [1550] The fate wolde his soule sholde unbodye, [1551] And shapen hadde a mene it out to dryve, [1552] Ayeyns which fate hym helpeth nat to stryve; [1553] But on a day to fighten gan he wende, [1554] At which -- allas! -- he caughte his lyves ende. [1555] For which me thynketh every manere wight [1556] That haunteth armes oughte to biwaille [1557] The deth of hym that was so noble a knyght; [1558] For as he drough a kyng by th' aventaille, [1559] Unwar of this, Achilles thorugh the maille [1560] And thorugh the body gan hym for to ryve; [1561] And thus this worthi knyght was brought of lyve. [1562] For whom, as olde bokes tellen us, [1563] Was mad swich wo that tonge it may nat telle, [1564] And namely, the sorwe of Troilus, [1565] That next hym was of worthynesse welle; [1566] And in this wo gan Troilus to dwelle [1567] That, what for sorwe, and love, and for unreste, [1568] Ful ofte a day he bad his herte breste. [1569] But natheles, though he gan hym dispaire, [1570] And dradde ay that his lady was untrewe, [1571] Yet ay on hire his herte gan repaire. [1572] And as thise lovers don, he soughte ay newe [1573] To gete ayeyn Criseyde, brighte of hewe; [1574] And in his herte he wente hire excusynge, [1575] That Calkas caused al hire tariynge. [1576] And ofte tyme he was in purpos grete [1577] Hymselven lik a pilgrym to desgise [1578] To seen hire; but he may nat contrefete [1579] To ben unknowen of folk that weren wise, [1580] Ne fynde excuse aright that may suffise [1581] If he among the Grekis knowen were; [1582] For which he wep ful ofte and many a tere. [1583] To hire he wroot yet ofte tyme al newe [1584] Ful pitously -- he lefte it nought for slouthe -- [1585] Bisechyng hire that sithen he was trewe, [1586] That she wol come ayeyn and holde hire trouthe. [1587] For which Criseyde upon a day, for routhe -- [1588] I take it so -- touchyng al this matere, [1589] Wrot hym ayeyn, and seyde as ye may here: [1590] "Cupides sone, ensample of goodlyheede, [1591] O swerd of knyghthod, sours of gentilesse, [1592] How myght a wight in torment and in drede [1593] And heleles, yow sende as yet gladnesse? [1594] I herteles, I sik, I in destresse! [1595] Syn ye with me, nor I with yow, may dele, [1596] Yow neyther sende ich herte may nor hele. [1597] "Youre lettres ful, the papir al ypleynted, [1598] Conceyved hath myn hertes pietee. [1599] I have ek seyn with teris al depeynted [1600] Youre lettre, and how that ye requeren me [1601] To come ayeyn, which yet ne may nat be; [1602] But whi, lest that this lettre founden were, [1603] No mencioun ne make I now, for feere. [1604] "Grevous to me, God woot, is youre unreste, [1605] Youre haste, and that the goddes ordinaunce [1606] It semeth nat ye take it for the beste. [1607] Nor other thyng nys in youre remembraunce, [1608] As thynketh me, but only youre plesaunce. [1609] But beth nat wroth, and that I yow biseche; [1610] For that I tarie is al for wikked speche. [1611] "For I have herd wel moore than I wende, [1612] Touchyng us two, how thynges han ystonde, [1613] Which I shal with dissymelyng amende. [1614] And beth nat wroth, I have ek understonde [1615] How ye ne do but holden me in honde. [1616] But now no force. I kan nat in yow gesse [1617] But alle trouthe and alle gentilesse. [1618] "Come I wole; but yet in swich disjoynte [1619] I stonde as now that what yer or what day [1620] That this shal be, that kan I naught apoynte. [1621] But in effect I pray yow, as I may, [1622] Of youre good word and of youre frendship ay; [1623] For trewely, while that my lif may dure, [1624] As for a frend ye may in me assure. [1625] "Yet preye ich yow, on yvel ye ne take [1626] That it is short which that I to yow write; [1627] I dar nat, ther I am, wel lettres make, [1628] Ne nevere yet ne koude I wel endite. [1629] Ek gret effect men write in place lite; [1630] Th' entente is al, and nat the lettres space. [1631] And fareth now wel. God have yow in his grace! La vostre Tr 5 C." [1632] This Troilus this lettre thoughte al straunge [1633] Whan he it saugh, and sorwfullich he sighte; [1634] Hym thoughte it lik a kalendes of chaunge. [1635] But fynaly, he ful ne trowen myghte [1636] That she ne wolde hym holden that she hyghte; [1637] For with ful yvel wille list hym to leve [1638] That loveth wel, in swich cas, though hym greve. [1639] But natheles men seyen that at the laste, [1640] For any thyng, men shal the soothe se; [1641] And swich a cas bitidde, and that as faste, [1642] That Troilus wel understod that she [1643] Nas nought so kynde as that hire oughte be. [1644] And fynaly, he woot now out of doute [1645] That al is lost that he hath ben aboute. [1646] Stood on a day in his malencolie [1647] This Troilus, and in suspecioun [1648] Of hire for whom he wende for to dye. [1649] And so bifel that thorughout Troye town, [1650] As was the gise, iborn was up and down [1651] A manere cote-armure, as seith the storie, [1652] Byforn Deiphebe, in signe of his victorie; [1653] The whiche cote, as telleth Lollius, [1654] Deiphebe it hadde rent fro Diomede [1655] The same day. And whan this Troilus [1656] It saugh, he gan to taken of it hede, [1657] Avysyng of the lengthe and of the brede, [1658] And al the werk; but as he gan byholde, [1659] Ful sodeynly his herte gan to colde, [1660] As he that on the coler fond withinne [1661] A broch that he Criseyde yaf that morwe [1662] That she from Troie moste nedes twynne, [1663] In remembraunce of hym and of his sorwe. [1664] And she hym leyde ayeyn hire feith to borwe [1665] To kepe it ay! But now ful wel he wiste, [1666] His lady nas no lenger on to triste. [1667] He goth hym hom and gan ful soone sende [1668] For Pandarus, and al this newe chaunce, [1669] And of this broche, he tolde hym word and ende, [1670] Compleynyng of hire hertes variaunce, [1671] His longe love, his trouthe, and his penaunce. [1672] And after deth, withouten wordes moore, [1673] Ful faste he cride, his reste hym to restore. [1674] Than spak he thus, "O lady myn, Criseyde, [1675] Where is youre feith, and where is youre biheste? [1676] Where is youre love? Where is youre trouthe?" he seyde. [1677] "Of Diomede have ye now al this feeste! [1678] Allas, I wolde han trowed atte leeste [1679] That syn ye nolde in trouthe to me stonde, [1680] That ye thus nolde han holden me in honde! [1681] "Who shal now trowe on any othes mo? [1682] Allas, I nevere wolde han wend, er this, [1683] That ye, Criseyde, koude han chaunged so; [1684] Ne, but I hadde agilt and don amys, [1685] So cruel wende I nought youre herte, ywis, [1686] To sle me thus! Allas, youre name of trouthe [1687] Is now fordon, and that is al my routhe. [1688] "Was ther non other broch yow liste lete [1689] To feffe with youre newe love," quod he, [1690] "But thilke broch that I, with teris wete, [1691] Yow yaf as for a remembraunce of me? [1692] Non other cause, allas, ne hadde ye [1693] But for despit, and ek for that ye mente [1694] Al outrely to shewen youre entente. [1695] "Thorugh which I se that clene out of youre mynde [1696] Ye han me cast -- and I ne kan nor may, [1697] For al this world, withinne myn herte fynde [1698] To unloven yow a quarter of a day! [1699] In corsed tyme I born was, weilaway, [1700] That yow, that doon me al this wo endure, [1701] Yet love I best of any creature! [1702] "Now God," quod he, "me sende yet the grace [1703] That I may meten with this Diomede! [1704] And trewely, if I have myght and space, [1705] Yet shal I make, I hope, his sydes blede. [1706] O God," quod he, "that oughtest taken heede [1707] To fortheren trouthe, and wronges to punyce, [1708] Whi nyltow don a vengeaunce of this vice? [1709] "O Pandarus, that in dremes for to triste [1710] Me blamed hast, and wont art oft upbreyde, [1711] Now maistow sen thiself, if that the liste, [1712] How trewe is now thi nece, bright Criseyde! [1713] In sondry formes, God it woot," he seyde, [1714] "The goddes shewen bothe joie and tene [1715] In slep, and by my drem it is now sene. [1716] "And certeynly, withouten moore speche, [1717] From hennesforth, as ferforth as I may, [1718] Myn owen deth in armes wol I seche; [1719] I recche nat how soone be the day! [1720] But trewely, Criseyde, swete may, [1721] Whom I have ay with al my myght yserved, [1722] That ye thus doon, I have it nat deserved." [1723] This Pandarus, that al thise thynges herde, [1724] And wiste wel he seyde a soth of this, [1725] He nought a word ayeyn to hym answerde; [1726] For sory of his frendes sorwe he is, [1727] And shamed for his nece hath don amys, [1728] And stant, astoned of thise causes tweye, [1729] As stille as ston; a word ne kowde he seye. [1730] But at the laste thus he spak, and seyde: [1731] "My brother deer, I may do the namore. [1732] What sholde I seyen? I hate, ywys, Cryseyde; [1733] And, God woot, I wol hate hire evermore! [1734] And that thow me bisoughtest don of yoore, [1735] Havyng unto myn honour ne my reste [1736] Right no reward, I dide al that the leste. [1737] "If I dide aught that myghte liken the, [1738] It is me lief; and of this tresoun now, [1739] God woot that it a sorwe is unto me! [1740] And dredeles, for hertes ese of yow, [1741] Right fayn I wolde amende it, wiste I how. [1742] And fro this world, almyghty God I preye [1743] Delivere hire soon! I kan namore seye." [1744] Gret was the sorwe and pleynte of Troilus, [1745] But forth hire cours Fortune ay gan to holde. [1746] Criseyde loveth the sone of Tideus, [1747] And Troilus moot wepe in cares colde. [1748] Swich is this world, whoso it kan byholde; [1749] In ech estat is litel hertes reste. [1750] God leve us for to take it for the beste! [1751] In many cruel bataille, out of drede, [1752] Of Troilus, this ilke noble knyght, [1753] As men may in thise olde bokes rede, [1754] Was seen his knyghthod and his grete myght; [1755] And dredeles, his ire, day and nyght, [1756] Ful cruwely the Grekis ay aboughte; [1757] And alwey moost this Diomede he soughte. [1758] And ofte tyme, I fynde that they mette [1759] With blody strokes and with wordes grete, [1760] Assayinge how hire speres weren whette; [1761] And, God it woot, with many a cruel hete [1762] Gan Troilus upon his helm to bete! [1763] But natheles, Fortune it naught ne wolde [1764] Of oothers hond that eyther deyen sholde. [1765] And if I hadde ytaken for to write [1766] The armes of this ilke worthi man, [1767] Than wolde ich of his batailles endite; [1768] But for that I to writen first bigan [1769] Of his love, I have seyd as I kan -- [1770] His worthi dedes, whoso list hem heere, [1771] Rede Dares, he kan telle hem alle ifeere -- [1772] Bysechyng every lady bright of hewe, [1773] And every gentil womman, what she be, [1774] That al be that Criseyde was untrewe, [1775] That for that gilt she be nat wroth with me. [1776] Ye may hire gilt in other bokes se; [1777] And gladlier I wol write, yif yow leste, [1778] Penolopees trouthe and good Alceste. [1779] N' y sey nat this al oonly for thise men, [1780] But moost for wommen that bitraised be [1781] Thorugh false folk -- God yeve hem sorwe, amen! -- [1782] That with hire grete wit and subtilte [1783] Bytraise yow. And this commeveth me [1784] To speke, and in effect yow alle I preye, [1785] Beth war of men, and herkneth what I seye! [1786] Go, litel bok, go, litel myn tragedye, [1787] Ther God thi makere yet, er that he dye, [1788] So sende myght to make in som comedye! [1789] But litel book, no makyng thow n' envie, [1790] But subgit be to alle poesye; [1791] And kis the steppes where as thow seest pace [1792] Virgile, Ovide, Omer, Lucan, and Stace. [1793] And for ther is so gret diversite [1794] In Englissh and in writyng of oure tonge, [1795] So prey I God that non myswrite the, [1796] Ne the mysmetre for defaute of tonge; [1797] And red wherso thow be, or elles songe, [1798] That thow be understonde, God I biseche! [1799] But yet to purpos of my rather speche: [1800] The wrath, as I bigan yow for to seye, [1801] Of Troilus the Grekis boughten deere, [1802] For thousandes his hondes maden deye, [1803] As he that was withouten any peere, [1804] Save Ector, in his tyme, as I kan heere. [1805] But -- weilawey, save only Goddes wille, [1806] Despitously hym slough the fierse Achille. [1807] And whan that he was slayn in this manere, [1808] His lighte goost ful blisfully is went [1809] Up to the holughnesse of the eighthe spere, [1810] In convers letyng everich element; [1811] And ther he saugh with ful avysement [1812] The erratik sterres, herkenyng armonye [1813] With sownes ful of hevenyssh melodie. [1814] And down from thennes faste he gan avyse [1815] This litel spot of erthe that with the se [1816] Embraced is, and fully gan despise [1817] This wrecched world, and held al vanite [1818] To respect of the pleyn felicite [1819] That is in hevene above; and at the laste, [1820] Ther he was slayn his lokyng down he caste, [1821] And in hymself he lough right at the wo [1822] Of hem that wepten for his deth so faste, [1823] And dampned al oure werk that foloweth so [1824] The blynde lust, the which that may nat laste, [1825] And sholden al oure herte on heven caste; [1826] And forth he wente, shortly for to telle, [97-ch] 1827 Ther as Mercurye sorted hym to dwelle. [1828] Swich fyn hath, lo, this Troilus for love! [1829] Swich fyn hath al his grete worthynesse! [1830] Swich fyn hath his estat real above! [1831] Swich fyn his lust, swich fyn hath his noblesse! [1832] Swych fyn hath false worldes brotelnesse! [1833] And thus bigan his lovyng of Criseyde, [1834] As I have told, and in this wise he deyde. [1835] O yonge, fresshe folkes, he or she, [1836] In which that love up groweth with youre age, [1837] Repeyreth hom fro worldly vanyte, [1838] And of youre herte up casteth the visage [1839] To thilke God that after his ymage [1840] Yow made, and thynketh al nys but a faire, [1841] This world that passeth soone as floures faire. [1842] And loveth hym the which that right for love [1843] Upon a crois, oure soules for to beye, [97-ch] 1844 First starf, and roos, and sit in hevene above; [1845] For he nyl falsen no wight, dar I seye, [1846] That wol his herte al holly on hym leye. [1847] And syn he best to love is, and most meke, [1848] What nedeth feynede loves for to seke? [1849] Lo here, of payens corsed olde rites! [1850] Lo here, what alle hire goddes may availle! [1851] Lo here, thise wrecched worldes appetites! [1852] Lo here, the fyn and guerdoun for travaille [1853] Of Jove, Appollo, of Mars, of swich rascaille! [1854] Lo here, the forme of olde clerkis speche [1855] In poetrie, if ye hire bokes seche. [1856] O moral Gower, this book I directe [1857] To the and to the, philosophical Strode, [1858] To vouchen sauf, ther nede is, to correcte, [1859] Of youre benignites and zeles goode. [1860] And to that sothfast Crist, that starf on rode, [1861] With al myn herte of mercy evere I preye, [1862] And to the Lord right thus I speke and seye: [1863] Thow oon, and two, and thre, eterne on lyve, [1864] That regnest ay in thre, and two, and oon, [1865] Uncircumscript, and al maist circumscrive, [1866] Us from visible and invisible foon [1867] Defende, and to thy mercy, everichon, [1868] So make us, Jesus, for thi mercy, digne, [1869] For love of mayde and moder thyn benigne. [1870] Amen. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Legend of Good Women Prologue F [1] A thousand tymes have I herd men telle [2] That ther ys joy in hevene and peyne in helle, [3] And I acorde wel that it ys so; [4] But, natheles, yet wot I wel also [5] That ther nis noon dwellyng in this contree [6] That eyther hath in hevene or helle ybe, [7] Ne may of hit noon other weyes witen [8] But as he hath herd seyd or founde it writen; [9] For by assay ther may no man it preve. [10] But God forbede but men shulde leve [11] Wel more thing than men han seen with ye! [12] Men shal not wenen every thing a lye [13] But yf himself yt seeth or elles dooth. [14] For, God wot, thing is never the lasse sooth, [15] Thogh every wight ne may it nat ysee. [16] Bernard the monk ne saugh nat all, pardee! [17] Than mote we to bokes that we fynde, [18] Thurgh whiche that olde thinges ben in mynde, [19] And to the doctrine of these olde wyse, [20] Yeve credence, in every skylful wise, [21] That tellen of these olde appreved stories [22] Of holynesse, of regnes, of victories, [23] Of love, of hate, of other sondry thynges, [24] Of whiche I may not maken rehersynges. [25] And yf that olde bokes were aweye, [26] Yloren were of remembraunce the keye. [27] Wel ought us thanne honouren and beleve [28] These bokes, there we han noon other preve. [29] And as for me, though that I konne but lyte, [30] On bokes for to rede I me delyte, [31] And to hem yive I feyth and ful credence, [32] And in myn herte have hem in reverence [33] So hertely, that ther is game noon [34] That fro my bokes maketh me to goon, [35] But yt be seldom on the holyday, [36] Save, certeynly, whan that the month of May [37] Is comen, and that I here the foules synge, [38] And that the floures gynnen for to sprynge, [39] Farewel my bok and my devocioun! [40] Now have I thanne eek this condicioun, [41] That, of al the floures in the mede, [42] Thanne love I most thise floures white and rede, [43] Swiche as men callen daysyes in our toun. [44] To hem have I so gret affeccioun, [45] As I seyde erst, whanne comen is the May, [46] That in my bed ther daweth me no day [47] That I nam up and walkyng in the mede [48] To seen this flour ayein the sonne sprede, [49] Whan it upryseth erly by the morwe. [50] That blisful sighte softneth al my sorwe, [51] So glad am I, whan that I have presence [52] Of it, to doon it alle reverence, [53] As she that is of alle floures flour, [54] Fulfilled of al vertu and honour, [55] And evere ilyke faire and fressh of hewe; [56] And I love it, and ever ylike newe, [57] And evere shal, til that myn herte dye. [58] Al swere I nat, of this I wol nat lye; [59] Ther loved no wight hotter in his lyve. [60] And whan that hit ys eve, I renne blyve, [61] As sone as evere the sonne gynneth weste, [62] To seen this flour, how it wol go to reste, [63] For fere of nyght, so hateth she derknesse. [64] Hire chere is pleynly sprad in the brightnesse [65] Of the sonne, for ther yt wol unclose. [66] Allas, that I ne had Englyssh, ryme or prose, [67] Suffisant this flour to preyse aryght! [68] But helpeth, ye that han konnyng and myght, [69] Ye lovers that kan make of sentement; [70] In this cas oghte ye be diligent [71] To forthren me somwhat in my labour, [72] Whethir ye ben with the leef or with the flour. [73] For wel I wot that ye han her-biforn [74] Of makyng ropen, and lad awey the corn, [75] And I come after, glenyng here and there, [76] And am ful glad yf I may fynde an ere [77] Of any goodly word that ye han left. [78] And thogh it happen me rehercen eft [79] That ye han in your fresshe songes sayd, [80] Forbereth me, and beth nat evele apayd, [81] Syn that ye see I do yt in the honour [82] Of love, and eke in service of the flour [83] Whom that I serve as I have wit or myght. [84] She is the clernesse and the verray lyght [85] That in this derke world me wynt and ledeth. [86] The hert in-with my sorwfull brest yow dredeth [87] And loveth so sore that ye ben verrayly [88] The maistresse of my wit, and nothing I. [89] My word, my werk ys knyt so in youre bond [90] That, as an harpe obeieth to the hond [91] And maketh it soune after his fyngerynge, [92] Ryght so mowe ye oute of myn herte bringe [93] Swich vois, ryght as yow lyst, to laughe or pleyne. [94] Be ye my gide and lady sovereyne! [95] As to myn erthly god to yow I calle, [96] Bothe in this werk and in my sorwes alle. [97] But wherfore that I spak, to yive credence [98] To olde stories and doon hem reverence, [99] And that men mosten more thyng beleve [100] Then men may seen at eye, or elles preve -- [101] That shal I seyn, whanne that I see my tyme; [102] I may not al at-ones speke in ryme. [103] My besy gost, that thursteth alwey newe [104] To seen this flour so yong, so fressh of hewe, [105] Constreyned me with so gledy desir [106] That in myn herte I feele yet the fir [107] That made me to ryse er yt were day -- [108] And this was now the firste morwe of May -- [109] With dredful hert and glad devocioun, [110] For to ben at the resureccioun [111] Of this flour, whan that yt shulde unclose [112] Agayn the sonne, that roos as red as rose, [113] That in the brest was of the beste, that day, [114] That Agenores doghtre ladde away. [115] And doun on knes anoon-ryght I me sette, [116] And, as I koude, this fresshe flour I grette, [117] Knelyng alwey, til it unclosed was, [118] Upon the smale, softe, swote gras, [119] That was with floures swote enbrouded al, [120] Of swich swetnesse and swich odour overal, [121] That, for to speke of gomme, or herbe, or tree, [122] Comparisoun may noon ymaked bee; [123] For yt surmounteth pleynly alle odoures, [124] And of riche beaute alle floures. [125] Forgeten hadde the erthe his pore estat [126] Of wynter, that hym naked made and mat, [127] And with his swerd of cold so sore greved; [128] Now hath th' atempre sonne all that releved, [129] That naked was, and clad him new agayn. [130] The smale foules, of the sesoun fayn, [131] That from the panter and the net ben scaped, [132] Upon the foweler, that hem made awhaped [133] In wynter, and distroyed hadde hire brood, [134] In his dispit hem thoghte yt did hem good [135] To synge of hym, and in hir song despise [136] The foule cherl that, for his coveytise, [137] Had hem betrayed with his sophistrye. [138] This was hire song: "The foweler we deffye, [139] And al his craft." And somme songen clere [140] Layes of love, that joye it was to here, [141] In worship and in preysinge of hir make; [142] And for the newe blisful somers sake, [143] Upon the braunches ful of blosmes softe, [144] In hire delyt they turned hem ful ofte, [145] And songen, "Blessed be Seynt Valentyn, [146] For on his day I chees yow to be myn, [147] Withouten repentyng, myn herte swete!" [148] And therwithalle hire bekes gonnen meete, [149] Yeldyng honour and humble obeysaunces [150] To love, and diden hire other observaunces [151] That longeth onto love and to nature; [152] Construeth that as yow lyst, I do no cure. [153] And thoo that hadde doon unkyndenesse -- [154] As dooth the tydif, for newfangelnesse -- [155] Besoghte mercy of hir trespassynge, [156] And humblely songen hire repentynge, [157] And sworen on the blosmes to be trewe [158] So that hire makes wolde upon hem rewe, [159] And at the laste maden hire acord. [160] Al founde they Daunger for a tyme a lord, [161] Yet Pitee, thurgh his stronge gentil myght, [162] Forgaf, and made Mercy passen Ryght, [163] Thurgh innocence and ruled Curtesye. [164] But I ne clepe nat innocence folye, [165] Ne fals pitee, for vertu is the mene, [166] As Etik seith. in swich maner I mene. [167] And thus thise foweles, voide of al malice, [168] Acordeden to love, and laften vice [169] Of hate, and songen alle of oon acord, [170] "Welcome, somer, oure governour and lord!" [171] And Zepherus and Flora gentilly [172] Yaf to the floures, softe and tenderly, [173] Hire swoote breth, and made hem for to sprede, [174] As god and goddesse of the floury mede; [175] In which me thoghte I myghte, day by day, [176] Duellen alwey, the joly month of May, [177] Withouten slep, withouten mete or drynke. [178] Adoun ful softely I gan to synke, [179] And, lenynge on myn elbowe and my syde, [180] The longe day I shoop me for t' abide [181] For nothing elles, and I shal nat lye, [182] But for to loke upon the dayesie, [183] That wel by reson men it calle may [184] The "dayesye," or elles the "ye of day," [185] The emperice and flour of floures alle. [186] I pray to God that faire mote she falle, [187] And alle that loven floures, for hire sake! [188] But natheles, ne wene nat that I make [189] In preysing of the flour agayn the leef, [190] No more than of the corn agayn the sheef; [191] For, as to me, nys lever noon ne lother. [192] I nam withholden yit with never nother; [193] Ne I not who serveth leef ne who the flour. [194] Wel browken they her service or labour; [195] For this thing is al of another tonne, [196] Of olde storye, er swich stryf was begonne. [197] Whan that the sonne out of the south gan weste, [198] And that this flour gan close and goon to reste [199] For derknesse of the nyght, the which she dredde, [200] Hom to myn hous ful swiftly I me spedde [201] To goon to reste, and erly for to ryse, [202] To seen this flour to sprede, as I devyse. [203] And in a litel herber that I have, [204] That benched was on turves fressh ygrave, [205] I bad men sholde me my couche make; [206] For deyntee of the newe someres sake, [207] I bad hem strawen floures on my bed. [208] Whan I was leyd and had myn eyen hed, [209] I fel on slepe within an houre or twoo. [210] Me mette how I lay in the medewe thoo, [211] To seen this flour that I so love and drede; [212] And from afer com walkyng in the mede [213] The god of Love, and in his hand a quene, [214] And she was clad in real habit grene. [215] A fret of gold she hadde next her heer, [216] And upon that a whit corowne she beer [217] With flourouns smale, and I shal nat lye; [218] For al the world, ryght as a dayesye [219] Ycorouned ys with white leves lyte, [220] So were the flowrouns of hire coroune white. [221] For of o perle fyn, oriental, [222] Hire white coroune was ymaked al; [223] For which the white coroune above the grene [224] Made hire lyk a daysie for to sene, [225] Considered eke hir fret of gold above. [226] Yclothed was this myghty god of Love [227] In silk, enbrouded ful of grene greves, [228] In-with a fret of rede rose-leves, [229] The fresshest syn the world was first bygonne. [230] His gilte heer was corowned with a sonne [231] Instede of gold, for hevynesse and wyghte. [232] Therwith me thoghte his face shoon so bryghte [233] That wel unnethes myghte I him beholde; [234] And in his hand me thoghte I saugh him holde [235] Twoo firy dartes as the gledes rede, [236] And aungelyke hys wynges saugh I sprede. [237] And al be that men seyn that blynd ys he, [238] Algate me thoghte that he myghte se; [239] For sternely on me he gan byholde, [240] So that his loking dooth myn herte colde. [241] And by the hand he held this noble quene [242] Corowned with whit and clothed al in grene, [243] So womanly, so benigne, and so meke, [244] That in this world, thogh that men wolde seke, [245] Half hire beaute shulde men nat fynde [246] In creature that formed ys by kynde. [247] And therfore may I seyn, as thynketh me, [248] This song in preysyng of this lady fre: [249] Hyd, Absolon, thy gilte tresses clere; [250] Ester, ley thou thy meknesse al adown; [251] Hyd, Jonathas, al thy frendly manere; [252] Penalopee and Marcia Catoun, [253] Make of youre wifhod no comparysoun; [254] Hyde ye youre beautes, Ysoude and Eleyne: [255] My lady cometh, that al this may disteyne. [256] Thy faire body, lat yt nat appere, [257] Lavyne; and thou, Lucresse of Rome toun, [258] And Polixene, that boghten love so dere, [259] And Cleopatre, with al thy passyoun, [260] Hyde ye your trouthe of love and your renoun; [261] And thou, Tisbe, that hast for love swich peyne: [262] My lady cometh, that al this may disteyne. [263] Herro, Dido, Laudomia, alle yfere, [264] And Phillis, hangyng for thy Demophoun, [265] And Canace, espied by thy chere, [266] Ysiphile, betrayed with Jasoun, [267] Maketh of your trouthe neythir boost ne soun; [268] Nor Ypermystre or Adriane, ye tweyne: [269] My lady cometh, that al this may dysteyne. [270] This balade may ful wel ysongen be, [271] As I have seyd erst, by my lady free; [272] For certeynly al thise mowe nat suffise [273] To apperen wyth my lady in no wyse. [274] For as the sonne wole the fyr disteyne, [275] So passeth al my lady sovereyne, [276] That ys so good, so faire, so debonayre, [277] I prey to God that ever falle hire faire! [278] For, nadde comfort ben of hire presence, [279] I hadde ben ded, withouten any defence, [280] For drede of Loves wordes and his chere, [281] As, when tyme ys, herafter ye shal here. [282] Behynde this god of Love, upon the grene, [283] I saugh comyng of ladyes nyntene, [284] In real habit, a ful esy paas, [285] And after hem coome of wymen swich a traas [286] That, syn that God Adam hadde mad of erthe, [287] The thridde part, of mankynde, or the ferthe, [288] Ne wende I not by possibilitee [289] Had ever in this wide world ybee; [290] And trewe of love thise women were echon. [291] Now wheither was that a wonder thing or non, [292] That ryght anoon as that they gonne espye [293] Thys flour which that I clepe the dayesie, [294] Ful sodeynly they stynten al attones, [295] And kneled doun, as it were for the nones, [296] And songen with o vois, "Heel and honour [297] To trouthe of womanhede, and to this flour [298] That bereth our alder pris in figurynge! [299] Hire white corowne bereth the witnessynge." [300] And with that word, a-compas enviroun, [301] They setten hem ful softely adoun. [302] First sat the god of Love, and syth his quene [303] With the white corowne, clad in grene, [304] And sithen al the remenaunt by and by, [305] As they were of estaat, ful curteysly; [306] Ne nat a word was spoken in the place [307] The mountaunce of a furlong wey of space. [308] I, knelying by this flour, in good entente, [309] Abood to knowen what this peple mente, [310] As stille as any ston; til at the laste [311] This god of Love on me hys eyen caste, [312] And seyde, "Who kneleth there?" And I answerde [313] Unto his askynge, whan that I it herde, [314] And seyde, "Sir, it am I," and com him ner, [315] And salwed him. Quod he, "What dostow her [316] So nygh myn oune floure, so boldely? [317] Yt were better worthy, trewely, [318] A worm to neghen ner my flour than thow." [319] "And why, sire," quod I, "and yt lyke yow?" [320] "For thow," quod he, "art therto nothing able. [321] Yt is my relyke, digne and delytable, [322] And thow my foo, and al my folk werreyest, [323] And of myn olde servauntes thow mysseyest, [324] And hynderest hem with thy translacioun, [325] And lettest folk from hire devocioun [326] To serve me, and holdest it folye [327] To serve Love. Thou maist yt nat denye, [328] For in pleyn text, withouten nede of glose, [329] Thou hast translated the Romaunce of the Rose, [330] That is an heresye ayeins my lawe, [331] And makest wise folk fro me withdrawe; [332] And of Creseyde thou hast seyd as the lyste, [333] That maketh men to wommen lasse triste, [334] That ben as trewe as ever was any steel. [335] Of thyn answere avise the ryght weel; [336] For thogh thou reneyed hast my lay, [337] As other wrecches han doon many a day, [338] By Seynt Venus that my moder ys, [339] If that thou lyve, thou shalt repenten this [340] So cruelly that it shal wel be sene!" [341] Thoo spak this lady, clothed al in grene, [342] And seyde, "God, ryght of youre curtesye, [343] Ye moten herken yf he can replye [344] Agayns al this that ye have to him meved. [345] A god ne sholde nat thus be agreved, [346] But of hys deitee he shal be stable, [347] And therto gracious and merciable. [348] And yf ye nere a god, that knowen al, [349] Thanne myght yt be as I yow tellen shal: [350] This man to yow may falsly ben accused [351] That as by right him oughte ben excused. [352] For in youre court ys many a losengeour, [353] And many a queynte totelere accusour, [354] That tabouren in youre eres many a sown, [355] Ryght after hire ymagynacioun, [356] To have youre daliance, and for envie. [357] Thise ben the causes, and I shal not lye. [358] Envie ys lavendere of the court alway, [359] For she ne parteth, neither nyght ne day, [360] Out of the hous of Cesar; thus seith Dante; [361] Whoso that gooth, algate she wol nat wante. [362] And eke, peraunter, for this man ys nyce, [363] He myghte doon yt, gessyng no malice, [364] But for he useth thynges for to make; [365] Hym rekketh noght of what matere he take. [366] Or him was boden maken thilke tweye [367] Of som persone, and durste yt nat withseye; [368] Or him repenteth outrely of this. [369] He ne hath nat doon so grevously amys [370] To translaten that olde clerkes writen, [371] As thogh that he of malice wolde enditen [372] Despit of love, and had himself yt wroght. [373] This shoolde a ryghtwis lord have in his thoght, [374] And nat be lyk tirauntz of Lumbardye, [375] That han no reward but at tyrannye. [376] For he that kynge or lord ys naturel, [377] Hym oghte nat be tiraunt ne crewel [378] As is a fermour, to doon the harm he kan. [379] He moste thinke yt is his lige man, [380] And is his tresour and his gold in cofre. [381] This is the sentence of the Philosophre, [382] A kyng to kepe his liges in justice; [383] Withouten doute, that is his office. [384] Al wol he kepe his lordes hire degree, [385] As it ys ryght and skilful that they bee [386] Enhaunced and honoured, and most dere -- [387] For they ben half-goddes in this world here -- [388] Yit mot he doon bothe ryght, to poore and ryche, [389] Al be that hire estaat be nat yliche, [390] And han of poore folk compassyoun. [391] For loo, the gentil kynde of the lyoun: [392] For whan a flye offendeth him or biteth, [393] He with his tayl awey the flye smyteth [394] Al esely; for, of hys genterye, [395] Hym deyneth not to wreke hym on a flye, [396] As dooth a curre, or elles another best. [397] In noble corage ought ben arest, [398] And weyen every thing by equytee, [399] And ever have reward to his owen degree. [400] For, syr, yt is no maistrye for a lord [401] To dampne a man without answere of word, [402] And for a lord that is ful foul to use. [403] And if so be he may hym nat excuse, [404] But asketh mercy with a dredeful herte, [405] And profereth him, ryght in his bare sherte, [406] To ben ryght at your owen jugement, [407] Than oght a god by short avysement [408] Consydre his owne honour and hys trespas. [409] For, syth no cause of deth lyeth in this caas, [410] Yow oghte to ben the lyghter merciable; [411] Leteth youre ire, and beth sumwhat tretable. [412] The man hath served yow of his kunnynge, [413] And furthred wel youre lawe in his makynge. [414] Al be hit that he kan nat wel endite, [415] Yet hath he maked lewed folk delyte [416] To serve yow, in preysinge of your name. [417] He made the book that hight the Hous of Fame, [418] And eke the Deeth of Blaunche the Duchesse, [419] And the Parlement of Foules, as I gesse, [420] And al the love of Palamon and Arcite [421] Of Thebes, thogh the storye ys knowen lyte; [422] And many an ympne for your halydayes, [423] That highten balades, roundels, virelayes; [424] And, for to speke of other holynesse, [425] He hath in prose translated Boece, [426] And maad the lyf also of Seynt Cecile. [427] He made also, goon ys a gret while, [428] Origenes upon the Maudeleyne. [429] Hym oughte now to have the lesse peyne; [430] He hath maad many a lay and many a thing. [431] Now as ye be a god and eke a kyng, [432] I, your Alceste, whilom quene of Trace, [433] Y aske yow this man, ryght of your grace, [434] That ye him never hurte in al his lyve; [435] And he shal swere to yow, and that as blyve, [436] He shal no more agilten in this wyse, [437] But he shal maken, as ye wol devyse, [438] Of wommen trewe in lovyng al hire lyve, [439] Wherso ye wol, of mayden or of wyve, [440] And forthren yow as muche as he mysseyde [441] Or in the Rose or elles in Creseyde." [442] The god of Love answerede hire thus anoon: [443] "Madame," quod he, "it is so long agoon [444] That I yow knew so charitable and trewe, [445] That never yit syn that the world was newe [446] To me ne fond y better noon than yee. [447] If that I wol save my degree, [448] I may, ne wol, nat werne your requeste. [449] Al lyeth in yow, dooth wyth hym what yow leste. [450] I al foryeve, withouten lenger space; [451] For whoso yeveth a yifte or dooth a grace, [452] Do it by tyme, his thank ys wel the more. [453] And demeth ye what he shal doo therfore. [454] Goo thanke now my lady here," quod he. [455] I roos, and doun I sette me on my knee, [456] And seyde thus: "Madame, the God above [457] Foryelde yow that ye the god of Love [458] Han maked me his wrathe to foryive, [459] And yeve me grace so longe for to lyve [460] That I may knowe soothly what ye bee [461] That han me holpe and put in this degree. [462] But trewly I wende, as in this cas, [463] Naught have agilt, ne doon to love trespas. [464] For-why a trewe man, withouten drede, [465] Hath nat to parten with a theves dede; [466] Ne a trewe lover oght me not to blame [467] Thogh that I speke a fals lovere som shame. [468] They oghte rather with me for to holde [469] For that I of Creseyde wroot or tolde, [470] Or of the Rose; what so myn auctour mente, [471] Algate, God woot, yt was myn entente [472] To forthren trouthe in love and yt cheryce, [473] And to ben war fro falsnesse and fro vice [474] By swich ensample; this was my menynge." [475] And she answerde, "Lat be thyn arguynge, [476] For Love ne wol nat countrepleted be [477] In ryght ne wrong; and lerne that at me! [478] Thow hast thy grace, and hold the ryght therto. [479] Now wol I seyn what penance thou shalt do [480] For thy trespas. Understonde yt here: [481] Thow shalt, while that thou lyvest, yer by yere, [482] The moste partye of thy tyme spende [483] In makyng of a glorious legende [484] Of goode wymmen, maydenes and wyves, [485] That weren trewe in lovyng al hire lyves; [486] And telle of false men that hem bytraien, [487] That al hir lyf ne don nat but assayen [488] How many women they may doon a shame; [489] For in youre world that is now holde a game. [490] And thogh the lyke nat a lovere bee, [491] Speke wel of love; this penance yive I thee. [492] And to the god of Love I shal so preye [493] That he shal charge his servantz by any weye [494] To forthren thee, and wel thy labour quyte. [495] Goo now thy wey, this penaunce ys but lyte. [496] And whan this book ys maad, yive it the quene, [497] On my byhalf, at Eltham or at Sheene." [498] The god of Love gan smyle, and than he sayde: [499] "Wostow," quod he, "wher this be wyf or mayde, [500] Or queene, or countesse, or of what degre, [501] That hath so lytel penance yiven thee, [502] That hast deserved sorer for to smerte? [503] But pite renneth soone in gentil herte; [504] That maistow seen; she kytheth what she ys." [505] And I answered, "Nay, sire, so have I blys, [506] No moore but that I see wel she is good." [507] "That is a trewe tale, by myn hood!" [508] Quod Love; "And that thou knowest wel, pardee, [509] If yt be so that thou avise the. [510] Hastow nat in a book, lyth in thy cheste, [511] The grete goodnesse of the quene Alceste, [512] That turned was into a dayesye; [513] She that for hire housbonde chees to dye, [514] And eke to goon to helle, rather than he, [515] And Ercules rescowed hire, parde, [516] And broght hir out of helle agayn to blys?" [517] And I answerd ageyn, and sayde, "Yis, [518] Now knowe I hire. And is this good Alceste, [519] The dayesie, and myn owene hertes reste? [520] Now fele I weel the goodnesse of this wyf, [521] That both aftir hir deth and in hir lyf [522] Hir grete bounte doubleth hire renoun. [523] Wel hath she quyt me myn affeccioun [524] That I have to hire flour, the dayesye. [525] No wonder ys thogh Jove hire stellyfye, [526] As telleth Agaton, for hire goodnesse! [527] Hire white corowne berith of hyt witnesse; [528] For also many vertues hadde shee [529] As smale florouns in hire corowne bee. [530] In remembraunce of hire and in honour [531] Cibella maade the daysye and the flour [532] Ycrowned al with whit, as men may see; [533] And Mars yaf to hire corowne reed, pardee, [534] In stede of rubyes, sette among the white." [535] Therwith this queene wex reed for shame a lyte [536] Whan she was preysed so in hire presence. [537] Thanne seyde Love, "A ful gret necligence [538] Was yt to the, that ylke tyme thou made [539] `Hyd, Absolon, thy tresses,' in balade, [540] That thou forgate hire in thi song to sette, [541] Syn that thou art so gretly in hire dette, [542] And wost so wel that kalender ys shee [543] To any woman that wol lover bee. [544] For she taught al the craft of fyn lovynge, [545] And namely of wyfhod the lyvynge, [546] And al the boundes that she oghte kepe. [547] Thy litel wit was thilke tyme aslepe. [548] But now I charge the upon thy lyf [549] That in thy legende thou make of thys wyf [550] Whan thou hast other smale ymaad before; [551] And far now wel, I charge the namore. [552] But er I goo, thus muche I wol the telle: [553] Ne shal no trewe lover come in helle. [554] Thise other ladies sittynge here arowe [555] Ben in thy balade, yf thou kanst hem knowe, [556] And in thy bookes alle thou shalt hem fynde. [557] Have hem now in thy legende al in mynde; [558] I mene of hem that ben in thy knowynge. [559] For here ben twenty thousand moo sittynge [560] Than thou knowest, goode wommen alle, [561] And trewe of love for oght that may byfalle. [562] Make the metres of hem as the lest -- [563] I mot goon hom (the sonne draweth west) [564] To paradys, with al this companye -- [565] And serve alwey the fresshe dayesye. [566] At Cleopatre I wol that thou begynne, [567] And so forth, and my love so shal thou wynne. [568] For lat see now what man that lover be, [569] Wol doon so strong a peyne for love as she. [570] I wot wel that thou maist nat al yt ryme [571] That swiche lovers diden in hire tyme; [572] It were to long to reden and to here. [573] Suffiseth me thou make in this manere: [574] That thou reherce of al hir lyf the grete, [575] After thise olde auctours lysten for to trete. [576] For whoso shal so many a storye telle, [577] Sey shortly, or he shal to longe dwelle." [578] And with that word my bokes gan I take, [579] And ryght thus on my Legende gan I make. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Legend of Good Women Prologue G [1] A thousand sythes have I herd men telle [2] That there is joye in hevene and peyne in helle, [3] And I acorde wel that it be so; [4] But natheles, this wot I wel also, [5] That there ne is non that dwelleth in this contre [6] That eyther hath in helle or hevene ybe, [7] Ne may of it non other weyes witen [8] But as he hath herd seyd or founde it writen; [9] For by assay there may no man it preve. [10] But Goddes forbode but men shulde leve [11] Wel more thyng than men han seyn with ye! [12] Men shal nat wenen every thyng a lye [13] For that he say it nat of yore ago. [14] God wot a thyng is nevere the lesse so [15] Thow every wyght ne may it nat yse. [16] Bernard the monk ne say nat al, parde! [17] Thanne mote we to bokes that we fynde, [18] Thourgh whiche that olde thynges ben in mynde, [19] And to the doctryne of these olde wyse [20] Yeven credence, in every skylful wyse, [21] And trowen on these olde aproved storyes [22] Of holynesse, of regnes, of victoryes, [23] Of love, of hate, of othere sondry thynges, [24] Of which I may nat make rehersynges. [25] And if that olde bokes weren aweye, [26] Yloren were of remembrance the keye. [27] Wel oughte us thanne on olde bokes leve, [28] There as there is non other assay by preve. [29] And as for me, though that my wit be lite, [30] On bokes for to rede I me delyte, [31] And in myn herte have hem in reverence, [32] And to hem yeve swich lust and swich credence [33] That there is wel unethe game non [34] That fro my bokes make me to gon, [35] But it be other upon the halyday, [36] Or ellis in the joly tyme of May, [37] Whan that I here the smale foules synge, [38] And that the floures gynne for to sprynge. [39] Farwel my stodye, as lastynge that sesoun! [40] Now have I therto this condicioun, [41] That, of alle the floures in the mede, [42] Thanne love I most these floures white and rede, [43] Swyche as men calle dayesyes in oure toun. [44] To hem have I so gret affeccioun, [45] As I seyde erst, whan comen is the May, [46] That in my bed there daweth me no day [47] That I n' am up and walkynge in the mede [48] To sen these floures agen the sonne sprede [49] Whan it up ryseth by the morwe shene, [50] The longe day thus walkynge in the grene. [51] And whan the sonne gynneth for to weste, [52] Thanne closeth it, and draweth it to reste, [53] So sore it is afered of the nyght, [54] Til on the morwe that it is dayes lyght. [55] This dayesye, of alle floures flour, [56] Fulfyld of vertu and of alle honour, [57] And evere ylike fayr and fresh of hewe, [58] As wel in wynter as in somer newe, [59] Fayn wolde I preysen, if I coude aryght; [60] But wo is me, it lyth nat in my myght. [61] For wel I wot that folk han here-beforn [62] Of makyng ropen, and lad awey the corn; [63] [And] I come after, glenynge here and there, [64] And am ful glad if I may fynde an ere [65] Of any goodly word that they han left. [66] And if it happe me rehersen eft [67] That they han in here freshe songes said, [68] I hope that they wole nat ben evele apayd, [69] Sith it is seyd in fortheryng and honour [70] Of hem that eyther serven lef or flour. [71] For trusteth wel, I ne have nat undertake [72] As of the lef agayn the flour to make, [73] Ne of the flour to make ageyn the lef, [74] No more than of the corn agen the shef; [75] For, as to me, is lefer non, ne lother. [76] I am witholde yit with never nother; [77] I not who serveth lef ne who the flour. [78] That nys nothyng the entent of my labour. [79] For this werk is al of another tonne, [80] Of olde story, er swich strif was begonne. [81] But wherfore that I spak, to yeve credence [82] To bokes olde and don hem reverence, [83] Is for men shulde autoritees beleve, [84] There as there lyth non other assay by preve. [85] For myn entent is, or I fro yow fare, [86] The naked text in English to declare [87] Of many a story, or elles of many a geste, [88] As autours seyn; leveth hem if yow leste. [89] Whan passed was almost the month of May, [90] And I hadde romed, al the someres day, [91] The grene medewe, of which that I yow tolde, [92] Upon the freshe dayseie to beholde, [93] And that the sonne out of the south gan weste, [94] And closed was the flour and gon to reste, [95] For derknesse of the nyght, of which she dredde, [96] Hom to myn hous ful swiftly I me spedde, [97] And in a lytel herber that I have, [98] Ybenched newe with turves fresshe ygrave, [99] I bad men shulde me my couche make; [100] For deynte of the newe someres sake, [101] I bad hem strowe floures on my bed. [102] Whan I was layd, and hadde myn eyen hed, [103] I fel aslepe withinne an hour or two. [104] Me mette how I was in the medewe tho, [105] And that I romede in that same gyse, [106] To sen that flour, as ye han herd devyse. [107] Fayr was this medewe, as thoughte me, overal; [108] With floures sote enbrouded was it al. [109] As for to speke of gomme, or herbe, or tre, [110] Comparisoun may non ymaked be; [111] For it surmountede pleynly alle odoures, [112] And of ryche beaute alle floures. [113] Forgeten hadde the erthe his pore estat [114] Of wynter, that hym naked made and mat, [115] And with his swerd of cold so sore hadde greved. [116] Now hadde th' atempre sonne al that releved, [117] And clothed hym in grene al newe ageyn. [118] The smale foules, of the seson fayn, [119] That from the panter and the net ben skaped, [120] Upon the foulere, that hem made awhaped [121] In wynter, and distroyed hadde hire brod, [122] In his dispit hem thoughte it dide hem good [123] To synge of hym, and in here song despise [124] The foule cherl that for his coveytyse [125] Hadde hem betrayed with his sophistrye. [126] This was here song, "The foulere we defye, [127] [And] [al] [his] [craft]." [And] [some] [songen] [clere] [128] [Layes] of love that joye it was to here, [129] In worshipe and in preysyng of hire make; [130] And [for] the newe blysful somers sake, [131] [They] sungen, "Blyssed be Seynt Valentyn! [132] [For] [on] his day I ches yow to be myn, [133] Withoute repentynge, myn herte swete!" [134] And therwithal here bekes gonne mete, [135] [Yelding] honour and humble obeysaunces; [136] And after diden othere observaunces [137] Ryht [longing] onto love and to nature; [138] So ech of hem [doth] [wel] to creature. [139] This song to herkenen I dide al myn entente, [140] For-why I mette I wiste what they mente, [141] Tyl at the laste a larke son above: [142] "I se," quod she, "the myghty god of Love. [143] Lo! yond he cometh! I se his wynges sprede." [144] Tho gan I loken endelong the mede [145] And saw hym come, and in his hond a quene [146] Clothed in real habyt al of grene. [147] A fret of goold she hadde next hyre her [148] And upon that a whit corone she ber [149] With many floures, and I shal nat lye; [150] For al the world, ryght as the dayesye [151] Ycorouned is with white leves lite, [152] Swiche were the floures of hire coroune white. [153] For of o perle fyn and oryental [154] Hyre white coroun was ymaked al; [155] For which the white coroun above the grene [156] Made hire lyk a dayesye for to sene, [157] Considered ek the fret of gold above. [158] Yclothed was this myghty god of Love [159] Of silk, ybrouded ful of grene greves, [160] A garlond on his hed of rose-leves [161] Stiked al with lylye floures newe. [162] But of his face I can not seyn the hewe, [163] For sikerly his face shon so bryghte [164] That with the glem astoned was the syghte; [165] A furlong-wey I myhte hym not beholde. [166] But at the laste in hande I saw hym holde [167] Two firy dartes as the gleedes rede, [168] And aungellych hys winges gan he sprede. [169] And al be that men seyn that blynd is he, [170] Algate me thoughte he myghte wel yse; [171] For sternely on me he gan beholde, [172] So that his lokynge doth myn herte colde. [173] And by the hond he held the noble quene [174] Corouned with whit and clothed al in grene, [175] So womanly, so benygne, and so meke, [176] That in this world, thogh that men wolde seke, [177] Half hire beaute shulde men nat fynde [178] In creature that formed is by kynde. [179] Hire name was Alceste the debonayre. [180] I preye to God that evere falle she fayre, [181] For ne hadde confort been of hire presence, [182] I hadde be ded, withouten any defence, [183] For dred of Loves wordes and his chere, [184] As, whan tyme is, hereafter ye shal here. [185] Byhynde this god of Love, upon this grene, [186] I saw comynge of ladyes nyntene [187] In real habyt, a ful esy pas, [188] And after hem come of wemen swich a tras [189] That, syn that God Adam [had] mad of erthe, [190] The thridde part of wemen, ne the ferthe, [191] Ne wende I not by possibilite [192] Hadden evere in this [wyde] world ybe; [193] And trewe of love these wemen were echon. [194] Now whether was that a wonder thyng or non, [195] That ryght anon as that they gonne espye [196] This flour, which that I clepe the dayesye, [197] Ful sodeynly they stynten alle atones, [198] And knelede adoun, as it were for the nones. [199] And after that they wenten in compas, [200] Daunsynge aboute this flour an esy pas, [201] And songen, as it were in carole-wyse, [202] This balade, which that I shal yow devyse. [203] Hyd, Absalon, thy gilte tresses clere; [204] Ester, ley thow thy meknesse al adoun; [205] Hyd, Jonathas, al thyn frendly manere; [206] Penelope and Marcia Catoun, [207] Mak of youre wyfhod no comparisoun; [208] Hyde ye youre beautes, Ysoude and Eleyne: [209] Alceste is here, that al that may desteyne. [210] Thy fayre body, lat it nat apeere, [211] Laveyne; and thow, Lucresse of Rome toun, [212] And Polixene, that boughte love so dere, [213] Ek Cleopatre, with al thy passioun, [214] Hide ye youre trouth in love and youre renoun; [215] And thow, Tysbe, that hast for love swich peyne: [216] Alceste is here, that al that may desteyne. [217] Herro, Dido, Laodomya, alle in-fere, [218] Ek Phillis, hangynge for thy Demophoun, [219] And Canace, espied by thy chere, [220] Ysiphile, betrayed with Jasoun, [221] Mak of youre trouthe in love no bost ne soun; [222] Nor Ypermystre or Adriane, ne pleyne [223] Alceste is here, that al that may disteyne. [224] Whan that this balade al ysongen was, [225] Upon the softe and sote grene gras [226] They setten hem ful softely adoun, [227] By order alle in compas, enveroun. [228] Fyrst sat the god of Love, and thanne this queene [229] With the white corone, clad in grene, [230] And sithen al the remenant by and by, [231] As they were of degre, ful curteysly; [232] Ne nat a word was spoken in that place [233] The mountaunce of a furlong-wey of space. [234] I, lenynge faste by under a bente, [235] Abod to knowe what this peple mente, [236] As stille as any ston, til at the laste [237] The god of Love on me his eye caste [238] And seyde, "Who restith there?" And I answerde [239] Unto his axynge, whan that I hym herde, [240] And seyde, "Sire, it am I," and cam hym ner, [241] And salewede hym. Quod he, "What dost thow her [242] In my presence, and that so boldely? [243] For it were better worthi, trewely, [244] A worm to comen in my syght than thow." [245] "And why, sire," quod I, "and it lyke yow?" [246] "For thow," quod he, "art therto nothyng able. [247] My servaunts ben alle wyse and honourable. [248] Thow art my mortal fo and me werreyest, [249] And of myne olde servauntes thow mysseyest, [250] And hynderest hem with thy translacyoun, [251] And lettest folk to han devocyoun [252] To serven me, and holdest it folye [253] To truste on me. Thow mayst it nat denye, [254] For in pleyn text, it nedeth nat to glose, [255] Thow hast translated the Romauns of the Rose, [256] That is an heresye ageyns my lawe, [257] And makest wise folk fro me withdrawe; [258] And thynkest in thy wit, that is ful col, [259] That he nys but a verray propre fol [260] That loveth paramours to harde and hote. [261] Wel wot I therby thow begynnyst dote, [262] As olde foles whan here spiryt fayleth; [263] Thanne blame they folk, and wite nat what hem ayleth. [264] Hast thow nat mad in Englysh ek the bok [265] How that Crisseyde Troylus forsok, [266] In shewynge how that wemen han don mis? [267] But natheles, answere me now to this; [268] Why noldest thow as wel [han] seyd goodnesse [269] Of wemen, as thow hast seyd wikednesse? [270] Was there no good matere in thy mynde, [271] Ne in alle thy bokes ne coudest thow nat fynde [272] Som story of wemen that were goode and trewe? [273] Yis, God wot, sixty bokes olde and newe [274] Hast thow thyself, alle ful of storyes grete, [275] That bothe Romayns and ek Grekes trete [276] Of sundry wemen, which lyf that they ladde, [277] And evere an hundred goode ageyn oon badde. [278] This knoweth God, and alle clerkes eke [279] That usen swiche materes for to seke. [280] What seith Valerye, Titus, or Claudyan? [281] What seith Jerome agayns Jovynyan? [282] How clene maydenes and how trewe wyves, [283] How stedefaste widewes durynge alle here lyves, [284] Telleth Jerome, and that nat of a fewe, [285] But, I dar seyn, an hundred on a rewe, [286] That it is pite for to rede, and routhe, [287] The wo that they endure for here trouthe [288] For to hyre love were they so trewe [289] That, rathere than they wolde take a newe, [290] They chose to be ded in sondry wyse, [291] And deiden, as the story wol devyse; [292] And some were brend, and some were cut the hals, [293] And some dreynt for they wolden not be fals; [294] For alle keped they here maydenhede, [295] Or elles wedlok, or here widewehede. [296] And this thing was nat kept for holynesse, [297] But al for verray vertu and clennesse, [298] And for men schulde sette on hem no lak; [299] And yit they were hethene, al the pak, [300] That were so sore adrad of alle shame. [301] These olde wemen kepte so here name [302] That in this world I trowe men shal nat fynde [303] A man that coude be so trewe and kynde [304] As was the leste woman in that tyde. [305] What seyth also the epistel of Ovyde [306] Of trewe wyves and of here labour? [307] What Vincent in his Estoryal Myrour? [308] Ek al the world of autours maystow here, [309] Cristene and hethene, trete of swich matere; [310] It nedeth nat al day thus for to endite. [311] But yit, I seye, what eyleth the to wryte [312] The draf of storyes, and forgete the corn? [313] By Seynt Venus, of whom that I was born, [314] Althogh thow reneyed hast my lay, [315] As othere olde foles many a day, [316] Thow shalt repente it, so that it shal be sene!" [317] Thanne spak Alceste, the worthyeste queene, [318] And seyde, "God, ryght of youre curteysye, [319] Ye moten herkenen if he can replye [320] Ageyns these poynts that ye han to hym meved. [321] A god ne sholde not thus been agreved, [322] But of his deite he shal be stable, [323] And therto ryghtful, and ek mercyable. [324] He shal nat ryghtfully his yre wreke [325] Or he have herd the tother partye speke. [326] Al ne is nat gospel that is to yow pleyned; [327] The god of Love hereth many a tale yfeyned. [328] For in youre court is many a losengeour, [329] And many a queynte totelere accusour, [330] That tabouren in youre eres many a thyng [331] For hate, or for jelous ymagynyng, [332] And for to han with you som dalyaunce. [333] Envye -- I preye to God yeve hire myschaunce! -- [334] Is lavender in the grete court alway, [335] For she ne parteth, neyther nyght ne day, [336] Out of the hous of Cesar; thus seyth Dante; [337] Whoso that goth, alwey she mot [nat] wante. [338] This man to yow may wrongly ben acused, [339] There as by ryght hym oughte ben excusid. [340] Or elles, sire, for that this man is nyce, [341] He may translate a thyng in no malyce, [342] But for he useth bokes for to make, [343] And taketh non hed of what matere he take, [344] Therfore he wrot the Rose and ek Crisseyde [345] Of innocence, and nyste what he seyde. [346] Or hym was boden make thilke tweye [347] Of som persone, and durste it not withseye; [348] For he hath write many a bok er this. [349] He ne hath not don so grevously amys [350] To translate that olde clerkes wryte, [351] As thogh that he of maleys wolde endyte [352] Despit of love, and hadde hymself ywrought. [353] This shulde a ryghtwys lord han in his thought, [354] And not ben lyk tyraunts of Lumbardye, [355] That usen wilfulhed and tyrannye. [356] For he that kyng or lord is naturel, [357] Hym oughte nat be tyraunt and crewel [358] As is a fermour, to don the harm he can. [359] He moste thynke it is his lige man, [360] And that hym oweth, of verray duetee, [361] Shewen his peple pleyn benygnete, [362] And wel to heren here excusacyouns, [363] And here compleyntes and petyciouns, [364] In duewe tyme, whan they shal it profre. [365] This is the sentence of the Philosophre, [366] A kyng to kepe his lyges in justice; [367] Withouten doute, that is his office. [368] And therto is a kyng ful depe ysworn [369] Ful many an hundred wynter herebeforn; [370] And for to kepe his lordes hir degre, [371] As it is ryght and skylful that they be [372] Enhaunsed and honoured, [and] most dere -- [373] For they ben half-goddes in this world here -- [374] This shal he don bothe to pore [and] ryche, [375] Al be that her estat be nat alyche, [376] And han of pore folk compassioun. [377] For lo, the gentyl kynde of the lyoun: [378] For whan a flye offendeth hym or byteth, [379] He with his tayl awey the flye smyteth [380] Al esyly; for, of his genterye, [381] Hym deyneth nat to wreke hym on a flye, [382] As doth a curre, or elles another best. [383] In noble corage oughte ben arest, [384] And weyen every thing by equite, [385] And evere han reward to his owen degre. [386] For, sire, it is no maystrye for a lord [387] To dampne a man withoute answere or word, [388] And, for a lord, that is ful foul to use. [389] And if so be he may hym nat excuse, [390] [But] axeth mercy with a sorweful herte, [391] And profereth hym, ryght in his bare sherte, [392] To been ryght at youre owene jugement, [393] Than ought a god, by short avisement, [394] Considere his owene honour and his trespas. [395] For syth no cause of deth lyth in this cas, [396] Yow oughte to ben the lyghter merciable; [397] Leteth youre yre, and beth somwhat tretable. [398] The man hath served yow of his konnynge, [399] And forthered [wel] youre lawe with his makynge. [400] Whil he was yong, he kepte youre estat; [401] I not wher he be now a renegat. [402] But wel I wot, with that he can endyte [403] He hath maked lewed folk to delyte [404] To serven yow, in preysynge of youre name. [405] He made the bok that highte the Hous of Fame, [406] And ek the Deth of Blaunche the Duchesse, [407] And the Parlement of Foules, as I gesse, [408] And al the love of Palamon and Arcite [409] Of Thebes, thogh the storye is knowen lite; [410] And many an ympne for your halydayes, [411] That highten balades, roundeles, vyrelayes; [412] And, for to speke of other besynesse, [413] He hath in prose translated Boece, [414] And Of the Wreched Engendrynge of Mankynde, [415] As man may in Pope Innocent yfynde; [416] And mad the lyf also of Seynt Cecile. [417] He made also, gon is a gret while, [418] Orygenes upon the Maudeleyne. [419] Hym oughte now to have the lesse peyne; [420] He hath mad many a lay and many a thyng. [421] Now as ye ben a god and ek a kyng, [422] I, youre Alceste, whilom quene of Trace, [423] I axe yow this man, ryght of youre grace, [424] That ye hym nevere hurte in al his lyve; [425] And he shal swere to yow, and that as blyve, [426] He shal no more agilten in this wyse, [427] But he shal maken, as ye wol devyse, [428] Of women trewe in lovynge al here lyve, [429] Wherso ye wol, of mayden or of wyve, [430] And fortheren yow as muche as he mysseyde [431] Or in the Rose or elles in Crisseyde." [432] The god of Love answerede hire thus anon: [433] "Madame," quod he, "it is so longe agon [434] That I yow knew so charytable and trewe, [435] That nevere yit sith that the world was newe [436] To me ne fond I betere non than ye; [437] That, if that I wol save my degre, [438] I may, ne wol, not warne youre requeste. [439] Al lyth in yow, doth with hym what yow leste; [440] And al foryeve, withoute lenger space. [441] For whoso yeveth a yifte or doth a grace, [442] Do it by tyme, his thank is wel the more. [443] And demeth ye what he shal do therfore. [444] Go thanke now my lady here," quod he. [445] I ros, and doun I sette me on my kne, [446] And seyde thus, "Madame, the God above [447] Foryelde yow that ye the god of Love [448] Han maked me his wrathe to foryive, [449] And yeve me grace so longe for to live [450] That I may knowe sothly what ye be [451] That han me holpen and put in swich degre. [452] But trewely I wende, as in this cas, [453] Naught have agilt, ne don to love trespas. [454] For-why a trewe man, withoute drede, [455] Hath nat to parte with a theves dede; [456] Ne a trewe lovere oghte me nat to blame [457] Thogh that I speke a fals lovere som shame. [458] They oughte rathere with me for to holde [459] For that I of Criseyde wrot or tolde, [460] Or of the Rose; what so myn auctour mente, [461] Algate, God wot, it was myn entente [462] To forthere trouthe in love and it cheryce, [463] And to be war fro falsnesse and fro vice [464] By swich ensaumple; this was my menynge." [465] And she answerde, "Lat be thyn arguynge, [466] For Love ne wol nat counterpletyd be [467] In ryght ne wrong; and lerne this at me! [468] Thow hast thy grace, and hold the ryght therto. [469] Now wol I seyn what penaunce thow shalt do [470] For thy trespas, and understond it here: [471] Thow shalt, whil that thow livest, yer by yere, [472] The moste partye of thy tyme spende [473] In makynge of a gloryous legende [474] Of goode women, maydenes and wyves, [475] That were trewe in lovynge al here lyves; [476] And telle of false men that hem betrayen, [477] That al here lyf ne don nat but assayen [478] How manye wemen they may don a shame; [479] For in youre world that is now holden game. [480] And thogh the lesteth nat a lovere be, [481] Spek wel of love; this penaunce yeve I thee. [482] And to the god of Love I shal so preye [483] That he shal charge his servaunts by any weye [484] To fortheren the, and wel thy labour quite. [485] Go now thy wey, thy penaunce is but lyte." [486] The god of Love gan smyle, and thanne he seyde: [487] "Wostow," quod he, "wher this be wif or mayde, [488] Or queen, or countesse, or of what degre, [489] That hath so lytel penaunce yiven the, [490] That hast deserved sorer for to smerte? [491] But pite renneth sone in gentil herte; [492] That mayst thow sen; she kytheth what she is." [493] And I answerde, "Nay, sire, so have I blys, [494] No more but that I se wel she is good." [495] "That is a trewe tale, by myn hood!" [496] Quod Love, "and that thow knowest wel, parde, [497] Yif it be so that thow avise the. [498] Hast thow nat in a bok, lyth in thy cheste, [499] The grete goodnesse of the queene Alceste, [500] That turned was into a dayesye; [501] She that for hire husbonde ches to dye, [502] And ek to gon to helle rather than he, [503] And Ercules rescued hire, parde, [504] And broughte hyre out of helle ageyn to blys?" [505] And I answerde ayen, and seyde, "Yis, [506] Now knowe I hire. And is this goode Alceste, [507] The dayesye, and myn owene hertes reste? [508] Now fele I wel the goodnesse of this wif, [509] That bothe after hire deth and in hire lyf [510] Hire grete bounte doubleth hire renoun. [511] Wel hath she quit me myn affeccioun [512] That I have to hire flour, the dayesye. [513] No wonder is thogh Jove hire stellifye, [514] As telleth Agaton, for hyre goodnesse! [515] Hire white coroun bereth of it witnesse; [516] For also manye vertues hadde she [517] As smale flourys in hyre coroun be. [518] In remembraunce of hire and in honour [519] Cibella made the dayesye and the flour [520] Ycoroned al with whit, as men may se; [521] And Mars yaf to hire corone red, parde, [522] In stede of rubies, set among the white." [523] Therwith this queene wex red for shame a lyte [524] Whan she was preysed so in hire presence. [525] Thanne seyde Love, "A ful gret neglygence [526] Was it to the, to write unstedefastnesse [527] Of women, sith thow knowest here goodnesse [528] By pref, and ek by storyes herebyforn. [529] Let be the chaf, and writ wel of the corn. [530] Why noldest thow han writen of Alceste, [531] And laten Criseide ben aslepe and reste? [532] For of Alceste shulde thy wrytynge be, [533] Syn that thow wost that calandier is she [534] Of goodnesse, for she taughte of fyn lovynge, [535] And namely of wifhod the lyvynge, [536] And alle the boundes that she oughte kepe. [537] Thy litel wit was thilke tyme aslepe. [538] But now I charge the upon thy lyf [539] That in thy legende thow make of this wif [540] Whan thow hast othere smale mad byfore; [541] And far now wel, I charge the no more. [542] At Cleopatre I wol that thow begynne, [543] And so forth, and my love so shalt thow wynne." [544] And with that word, of slep I gan awake, [545] And ryght thus on my Legende gan I make. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Legend of Good Women The Legends [580] After the deth of Tholome the kyng, [581] That al Egipt hadde in his governyng, [582] Regned his queene Cleopataras; [583] Tyl on a tyme befel there swich a cas [584] That out of Rome was sent a senatour [585] For to conqueren regnes and honour [586] Unto the toun of Rome, as was usaunce, [587] To han the world at hire obesaunce, [588] And soth to seyne, Antonius was his name. [589] So fil it, as Fortune hym oughte a shame, [590] Whan he was fallen in prosperite [591] Rebel unto the toun of Rome is he. [592] And over al this, the suster of Cesar, [593] He lafte hire falsly, or that she was war, [594] And wolde algates han another wyf, [595] For which he tok with Rome and Cesar stryf. [596] Natheles, for sothe, this ilke senatour [597] Was a ful worthy gentil werreyour, [598] And of his deth it was ful gret damage. [599] But love hadde brought this man in swich a rage [600] And hym so narwe bounden in his las, [601] Al for the love of Cleopataras, [602] That al the world he sette at no value. [603] Hym thoughte there nas nothyng to hym so due [604] As Cleopatras for to love and serve; [605] Hym roughte nat in armes for to sterve [606] In the defence of hyre and of hire ryght. [607] This noble queene ek lovede so this knyght, [608] Thourgh his desert, and for his chyvalrye; [609] As certeynly, but if that bokes lye, [610] He was, of persone and of gentillesse, [611] And of discrecioun and hardynesse, [612] Worthi to any wyght that liven may; [613] And she was fayr as is the rose in May. [614] And, for to make shortly is the beste, [615] She wax his wif, and hadde hym as hire leste. [616] The weddynge and the feste to devyse, [617] To me, that have ytake swich empryse [618] Of so many a story for to make, [619] It were to longe, lest that I shulde slake [620] Of thyng that bereth more effect and charge; [621] For men may overlade a ship or barge. [622] And forthy to th' effect thanne wol I skyppe, [623] And al the remenaunt, I wol lete it slippe. [624] Octovyan, that wod was of this dede, [625] Shop hym an ost on Antony to lede [626] Al uterly for his destruccioun, [627] With stoute Romeyns, crewel as lyoun; [628] To ship they wente, and thus I lat hem sayle. [629] Antonius was war, and wol nat fayle [630] To meten with these Romeyns, if he may; [631] Tok ek his red, and bothe, upon a day, [632] His wif and he, and al his ost, forth wente [633] To shipe anon, no lengere they ne stente; [634] And in the se it happede hem to mete. [635] Up goth the trompe, and for to shoute and shete, [636] And peynen hem to sette on with the sunne. [637] With grysely soun out goth the grete gonne, [638] And heterly they hurtelen al atones, [639] And from the top doun come the grete stones. [640] In goth the grapenel, so ful of crokes; [641] Among the ropes renne the sherynge-hokes. [642] In with the polax preseth he and he; [643] Byhynde the mast begynnyth he to fle, [644] And out ageyn, and dryveth hym overbord; [645] He styngeth hym upon his speres ord; [646] He rent the seyl with hokes lyke a sithe; [647] He bryngeth the cuppe and biddeth hem be blythe; [648] He poureth pesen upon the haches slidere; [649] With pottes ful of lyme they gon togidere; [650] And thus the longe day in fyght they spende, [651] Tyl at the laste, as every thyng hath ende, [652] Antony is schent and put hym to the flyghte, [653] And al his folk to-go that best go myghte. [654] Fleth ek the queen, with al hire purpre sayl, [655] For strokes, whiche that wente as thikke as hayl; [656] No wonder was she myghte it nat endure. [657] And whan that Antony saw that aventure, [658] "Allas," quod he, "the day that I was born! [659] My worshipe in this day thus have I lorn." [660] And for dispeyr out of his wit he sterte [661] And rof hymself anon thourghout the herte [662] Or that he ferther wente out of the place. [663] His wif, that coude of Cesar have no grace, [664] To Egipt is fled for drede and for destresse. [665] But herkeneth, ye that speken of kyndenesse, [666] Ye men that falsly sweren many an oth [667] That ye wol deye if that youre love be wroth, [668] Here may ye sen of wemen which a trouthe! [669] This woful Cleopatre hath mad swich routhe [670] That ther is tonge non that may it telle. [671] But on the morwe she wolde no lengere dwelle, [672] But made hire subtyl werkmen make a shryne [673] Of alle the rubyes and the stones fyne [674] In al Egypte that she coude espie, [675] And putte ful the shryne of spicerye, [676] And let the cors enbaume, and forth she fette [677] This dede cors, and in the shryne it shette. [678] And next the shryne a pit thanne doth she grave, [679] And alle the serpentes that she myghte have, [680] She putte hem in that grave, and thus she seyde: [681] "Now, love, to whom my sorweful herte obeyde [682] So ferforthly that from that blisful houre [683] That I yow swor to ben al frely youre -- [684] I mene yow, Antonius, my knyght -- [685] That nevere wakynge, in the day or nyght, [686] Ye nere out of myn hertes remembraunce, [687] For wel or wo, for carole or for daunce; [688] And in myself this covenaunt made I tho, [689] That ryght swich as ye felten, wel or wo, [690] As fer forth as it in my power lay, [691] Unreprovable unto my wyfhod ay, [692] The same wolde I fele, lyf or deth -- [693] And thilke covenant whil me lasteth breth [694] I wol fulfille; and that shal ben wel sene, [695] Was nevere unto hire love a trewer quene." [696] And with that word, naked, with ful good herte, [697] Among the serpents in the pit she sterte, [698] And there she ches to have hire buryinge. [699] Anon the nadderes gonne hire for to stynge, [700] And she hire deth receyveth with good cheere [701] For love of Antony that was hire so dere. [702] And this is storyal soth, it is no fable. [703] Now, or I fynde a man thus trewe and stable, [704] And wol for love his deth so frely take, [705] I preye God let oure hedes nevere ake! Amen. [706] At Babiloyne whylom fil it thus, [707] The whyche toun the queen Semyramus [708] Let dychen al aboute and walles make [709] Ful hye, of hard tiles wel ybake: [710] There were dwellyng in this noble toun [711] Two lordes, whiche that were of gret renoun, [712] And woneden so nygh, upon a grene, [713] That there nas but a ston-wal hem betweene, [714] As ofte in grete tounes is the wone. [715] And soth to seyne, that o man hadde a sone, [716] Of al that lond oon of the lustyeste. [717] That other hadde a doughter, the fayreste [718] That estward in the world was tho dwellynge. [719] The name of everych gan to other sprynge [720] By women that were neighebores aboute. [721] For in that contre yit, withouten doute, [722] Maydenes been ykept, for jelosye, [723] Ful streyte, lest they diden som folye. [724] This yonge man was called Piramus, [725] Tysbe hight the maide, Naso seyth thus; [726] And thus by report was hire name yshove [727] That, as they wex in age, wex here love. [728] And certeyn, as by resoun of hire age, [729] There myghte have ben bytwixe hem maryage, [730] But that here fadres nolde it nat assente; [731] And bothe in love ylyke sore they brente, [732] That non of alle hyre frendes myght it lette, [733] But pryvyly som tyme yit they mette [734] By sleyghte, and spoken som of here desyr; [735] As wry the glede and hotter is the fyr, [736] Forbede a love, and it is ten so wod. [737] This wal, which that bitwixe hem bothe stod, [738] Was clove a-two, ryght from the cop adoun, [739] Of olde tyme of his fundacioun; [740] But yit this clyfte was so narw and lyte [741] It nas nat sene, deere ynogh a myte. [742] But what is that that love can nat espye? [743] Ye loveres two, if that I shal nat lye, [744] Ye founden first this litel narwe clifte; [745] And with a soun as softe as any shryfte, [746] They lete here wordes thourgh the clifte pace, [747] And tolden, whil that they stode in the place, [748] Al here compleynt of love and al here wo, [749] At every tyme whan they durste so. [750] Upon that o syde of the wal stod he, [751] And on that other side stod Thesbe, [752] The swote soun of other to receyve. [753] And thus here wardeyns wolde they deceyve, [754] And every day this wal they wolde threte, [755] And wisshe to God that it were doun ybete. [756] Thus wolde they seyn: "Alas, thow wikkede wal! [757] Thorgh thyn envye thow us lettest al. [758] Why nylt thow cleve or fallen al a-two? [759] Or at the leste, but thou woldist so, [760] Yit woldest thow but ones lat us mete, [761] Or ones that we myghte kyssen swete, [762] Thanne were we covered of oure cares colde. [763] But, natheles, yit be we to thee holde, [764] In as muche as thow sufferest for to gon [765] Oure wordes thourgh thy lym and ek thy ston. [766] Yit oughte we with the been wel apayd." [767] And whan these ydele wordes weren sayd, [768] The colde wal they wolden kysse of ston, [769] And take here leve and forth they wolden gon. [770] And this was gladly in the eve-tyde, [771] Or wonder erly, lest men it espyde. [772] And longe tyme they wroughte in this manere, [773] Tyl on a day, whan Phebus gan to cleere -- [774] Aurora with the stremes of hire hete [775] Hadde dreyed up the dew of herbes wete -- [776] Unto this clyft, as it was wont to be, [777] Com Piramus, and after com Thysbe, [778] And plyghten trouthe fully in here fey [779] That ilke same nyght to stele awey, [780] And to begile here wardeyns everichon, [781] And forth out of the cite for to goon; [782] And, for the feldes ben so brode and wide, [783] For to mete in o place at o tyde, [784] They sette mark here metynge sholde be [785] There kyng Nynus was grave under a tre -- [786] For olde payens that idoles heryed [787] Useden tho in feldes to ben beryed -- [788] And faste by this grave was a welle. [789] And shortly of this tale for to telle, [790] This covenaunt was affermed wonder faste; [791] And longe hem thoughte that the sonne laste, [792] That it nere gon under the se adoun. [793] This Tisbe hath so gret affeccioun [794] And so gret lykinge Piramus to se, [795] That whan she say hire tyme myghte be, [796] At nyght she stal awey ful pryvyly, [797] With hire face ywympled subtyly; [798] For alle hire frendes -- for to save hire trouthe -- [799] She hath forsake; allas, and that is routhe [800] That evere woman wolde ben so trewe [801] To truste man, but she the bet hym knewe. [802] And to the tre she goth a ful good pas, [803] For love made hire so hardy in this cas, [804] And by the welle adoun she gan hyre dresse. [805] Allas! Than cometh a wilde lyonesse [806] Out of the wode, withoute more arest, [807] With blody mouth, of strangelynge of a best, [808] To drynken of the welle there as she sat. [809] And whan that Tisbe hadde espyed that, [810] She rist hire up, with a ful drery herte, [811] And in a cave with dredful fot she sterte, [812] For by the mone she say it wel withalle. [813] And as she ran hire wympel let she falle [814] And tok non hed, so sore she was awhaped, [815] And ek so glad that that she was escaped; [816] And thus she sit and darketh wonder stylle. [817] Whan that this lyonesse hath dronke hire fille, [818] Aboute the welle gan she for to wynde, [819] And ryght anon the wympel gan she fynde, [820] And with hire blody mouth it al torente. [821] Whan this was don, no lengere she ne stente, [822] But to the wode hire weye thanne hath she nome. [823] And at the laste this Piramus is come; [824] But al to longe, allas, at hom was he! [825] The mone shon, and he myghte wel yse, [826] And in his wey, as that he com ful faste. [827] His eyen to the ground adoun he caste, [828] And in the sond, as he byheld adoun, [829] He sey the steppes brode of a lyoun, [830] And in his herte he sodeynly agros, [831] And pale he wex; therwith his heer aros, [832] And ner he com, and fond the wimpel torn. [833] "Allas," quod he, "the day that I was born! [834] This o nyght wol us lovers bothe sle! [835] How shulde I axe mercy of Tisbe, [836] Whan I am he that have yow slayn, allas! [837] My biddyng hath yow slayn, as in this cas. [838] Allas, to bidde a woman gon by nyghte [839] In place there as peril falle myghte! [840] And I so slow! Allas, I ne hadde be [841] Here in this place a furlong wey or ye! [842] Now what lyoun that be in this forest, [843] My body mote he renten, or what best [844] That wilde is, gnawe mote he now myn herte!" [845] And with that word he to the wympel sterte, [846] And kiste it ofte, and wep on it ful sore, [847] And seyde, "Wympel, allas! There is no more [848] But thow shalt feele as wel the blod of me [849] As thow hast felt the bledyng of Thisbe!" [850] And with that word he smot hym to the herte. [851] The blod out of the wounde as brode sterte [852] As water whan the condit broken is. [853] Now Tisbe, which that wiste nat of this, [854] But sittynge in hire drede, she thoughte thus: [855] "If it so falle that my Piramus [856] Be comen hider, and may me not yfynde, [857] He may me holde fals and ek unkynde." [858] And out she cometh and after hym gan espien, [859] Bothe with hire herte and with hire yen, [860] And thoughte, "I wol hym tellen of my drede, [861] Bothe of the lyonesse and al my deede." [862] And at the laste hire love thanne hath she founde, [863] Betynge with his heles on the grounde, [864] Al blody, and therwithal a-bak she sterte, [865] And lik the wawes quappe gan hire herte, [866] And pale as box she was, and in a throwe [867] Avisede hire, and gan hym wel to knowe, [868] That it was Piramus, hire herte deere. [869] Who coude wryte which a dedly cheere [870] Hath Thisbe now, and how hire heer she rente, [871] And how she gan hireselve to turmente, [872] And how she lyth and swouneth on the grounde, [873] And how she wep of teres ful his wounde; [874] How medeleth she his blod with hire compleynte; [875] How with his blod hireselve gan she peynte; [876] How clyppeth she the deede cors, allas! [877] How doth this woful Tisbe in this cas! [878] How kysseth she his frosty mouth so cold! [879] "Who hath don this, and who hath been so bold [880] To sle my leef? O spek, my Piramus! [881] I am thy Tisbe, that the calleth thus." [882] And therwithal she lifteth up his hed. [883] This woful man, that was nat fully ded, [884] Whan that he herde the name of Tisbe cryen, [885] On hire he caste his hevy, dedly yen, [886] And doun agayn, and yeldeth up the gost. [887] Tysbe ryst up withouten noyse or bost, [888] And saw hire wympel and his empty shethe, [889] And ek his swerd that hym hath don to dethe. [890] Thanne spak she thus: "My woful hand," quod she, [891] "Is strong ynogh in swich a werk to me; [892] For love shal yeve me strengthe and hardynesse [893] To make my wounde large ynogh, I gesse. [894] I wol thee folwe ded, and I wol be [895] Felawe and cause ek of thy deth," quod she. [896] "And thogh that nothing, save the deth only, [897] Mighte thee fro me departe trewely, [898] Thow shalt no more departe now fro me [899] Than fro the deth, for I wol go with thee. [900] And now, ye wrechede jelos fadres oure, [901] We that whilom were children youre, [902] We preyen yow, withouten more envye, [903] That in o grave yfere we moten lye, [904] Sith love hath brought us to this pitous ende. [905] And ryghtwis God to every lovere sende, [906] That loveth trewely, more prosperite [907] Than evere yit had Piramus and Tisbe! [908] And lat no gentil woman hyre assure [909] To putten hire in swich an aventure. [910] But God forbede but a woman can [911] Ben as trewe in lovynge as a man! [912] And for my part, I shal anon it kythe." [913] And with that word his swerd she tok as swythe, [914] That warm was of hire loves blod, and hot, [915] And to the herte she hireselven smot. [916] And thus are Tisbe and Piramus ygo. [917] Of trewe men I fynde but fewe mo [918] In alle my bokes, save this Piramus, [919] And therfore have I spoken of hym thus. [920] For it is deynte to us men to fynde [921] A man that can in love been trewe and kynde. [922] Here may ye se, what lovere so he be, [923] A woman dar and can as wel as he. [924] Glorye and honour, Virgil Mantoan, [925] Be to thy name! and I shal, as I can, [926] Folwe thy lanterne, as thow gost byforn, [927] How Eneas to Dido was forsworn. [928] In thyn Eneyde and Naso wol I take [929] The tenor, and the grete effectes make. [930] Whan Troye brought was to destruccioun [931] By Grekes sleyghte, and namely by Synoun, [932] Feynynge the hors offered unto Mynerve, [933] Thourgh which that many a Troyan moste sterve; [934] And Ector hadde, after his deth, apeered; [935] And fyr so wod it myghte nat been steered [936] In al the noble tour of Ylioun, [937] That of the cite was the chef dongeoun; [938] And al the contre was so lowe ybrought, [939] And Priamus the kyng fordon and nought; [940] And Enyas was charged by Venus [941] To fleen awey, he tok Ascanius, [942] That was his sone, in his ryght hand and fledde; [943] And on his bak he bar and with hym ledde [944] His olde fader cleped Anchises, [945] And by the weye his wif Creusa he les. [946] And moche sorwe hadde he in his mynde, [947] Or that he coude his felaweshipe fynde. [948] But at the laste, whan he hadde hem founde, [949] He made hym redy in a certeyn stounde, [950] And to the se ful faste he gan him hye, [951] And sayleth forth with al his companye [952] Toward Ytayle, as wolde his destinee. [953] But of his aventures in the se [954] Nis nat to purpos for to speke of here, [955] For it acordeth nat to my matere. [956] But, as I seyde, of hym and of Dido [957] Shal be my tale, til that I have do. [958] So longe he saylede in the salte se [959] Tyl in Libie unnethe aryvede he [960] With shipes sevene and with no more navye; [961] And glad was he to londe for to hye, [962] So was he with the tempest al toshake. [963] And whan that he the haven hadde ytake, [964] He hadde a knyght, was called Achates, [965] And hym of al his felawshipe he ches [966] To gon with hym, the cuntre for t' espie. [967] He tok with hym no more companye, [968] But forth they gon, and lafte his shipes ryde, [969] His fere and he, withouten any gyde. [970] So longe he walketh in this wildernesse, [971] Til at the laste he mette an hunteresse. [972] A bowe in hande and arwes hadde she; [973] Hire clothes cutted were unto the kne. [974] But she was yit the fayreste creature [975] That evere was yformed by Nature; [976] And Eneas and Achates she grette, [977] And thus she to hem spak whan she hem mette: [978] "Saw ye," quod she, "as ye han walked wyde, [979] Any of my sustren walke yow besyde [980] With any wilde bor or other best, [981] That they han hunted to, in this forest, [982] Ytukked up, with arwes in hire cas?" [983] "Nay, sothly, lady," quod this Eneas; [984] "But by thy beaute, as it thynketh me, [985] Thow myghtest nevere erthly woman be, [986] But Phebus syster art thow, as I gesse. [987] And if so be that thow be a goddesse, [988] Have mercy on oure labour and oure wo." [989] "I n' am no goddesse, sothly," quod she tho; [990] "For maydens walken in this contre here, [991] With arwes and with bowe, in this manere. [992] This is the reyne of Libie there ye ben, [993] Of which that Dido lady is and queen" -- [994] And shortly tolde hym al the occasyoun [995] Why Dido cam into that regioun, [996] Of which as now me lesteth nat to ryme; [997] It nedeth nat, it were but los of tyme. [998] For this is al and som, it was Venus, [999] His owene moder, that spak with him thus, [1000] And to Cartage she bad he sholde hym dighte, [1001] And vanyshed anon out of his syghte. [1002] I coude folwe, word for word, Virgile, [1003] But it wolde lasten al to longe while. [1004] This noble queen that cleped was Dido, [1005] That whilom was the wif of Sytheo, [1006] That fayrer was than is the bryghte sonne, [1007] This noble toun of Cartage hath bigonne; [1008] In which she regneth in so gret honour [1009] That she was holden of alle queenes flour [1010] Of gentillesse, of fredom, of beaute, [1011] That wel was hym that myghte hire ones se; [1012] Of kynges and of lordes so desyred [1013] That al the world hire beaute hadde yfyred, [1014] She stod so wel in every wightes grace. [1015] Whan Eneas was come unto that place, [1016] Unto the mayster temple of al the toun [1017] Ther Dido was in hire devocyoun, [1018] Ful pryvyly his weye than hath he nome. [1019] Whan he was in the large temple come, [1020] I can nat seyn if that it be possible, [1021] But Venus hadde hym maked invysible -- [1022] Thus seyth the bok, withouten any les. [1023] And whan this Eneas and Achates [1024] Hadden in this temple ben overal, [1025] Thanne founde they, depeynted on a wal, [1026] How Troye and al the lond destroyed was. [1027] "Allas, that I was born!" quod Eneas; [1028] "Thourghout the world oure shame is kid so wyde, [1029] Now it is peynted upon every syde. [1030] We, that weren in prosperite, [1031] Been now desclandred, and in swich degre, [1032] No lenger for to lyven I ne kepe." [1033] And with that word he brast out for to wepe [1034] So tenderly that routhe it was to sene. [1035] This fresshe lady, of the cite queene, [1036] Stod in the temple in hire estat real, [1037] So rychely and ek so fayr withal, [1038] So yong, so lusty, with hire eyen glade, [1039] That, if that God, that hevene and erthe made, [1040] Wolde han a love, for beaute and goodnesse, [1041] And womanhod, and trouthe, and semelynesse, [1042] Whom shulde he loven but this lady swete? [1043] Ther nys no woman to hym half so mete. [1044] Fortune, that hath the world in governaunce, [1045] Hath sodeynly brought in so newe a chaunce [1046] That nevere was ther yit so fremde a cas. [1047] For al the companye of Eneas, [1048] Which that he wende han loren in the se, [1049] Aryved is nat fer from that cite; [1050] For which the gretteste of his lordes some [1051] By aventure ben to the cite come, [1052] Unto that same temple, for to seke [1053] The queene, and of hire socour to beseke, [1054] Swich renoun was there sprongen of hire goodnesse. [1055] And whan they hadden told al here distresse, [1056] And al here tempest and here harde cas, [1057] Unto the queen apeered Eneas, [1058] And openly biknew that it was he. [1059] Who hadde joye thanne but his meyne, [1060] That hadde founde here lord, here governour? [1061] The queen saugh that they dide hym swych honour, [1062] And hadde herd ofte of Eneas er tho, [1063] And in hire herte she hadde routhe and wo [1064] That evere swich a noble man as he [1065] Shal ben disherited in swich degre; [1066] And saw the man, that he was lyk a knyght, [1067] And suffisaunt of persone and of myght, [1068] And lyk to been a verray gentil man; [1069] And wel his wordes he besette can, [1070] And hadde a noble visage for the nones, [1071] And formed wel of braunes and of bones. [1072] For after Venus hadde he swich fayrnesse [1073] That no man myghte be half so fayr, I gesse; [1074] And wel a lord he semede for to be. [1075] And, for he was a straunger, somwhat she [1076] Likede hym the bet, as, God do bote, [1077] To som folk ofte newe thyng is sote. [1078] Anon hire herte hath pite of his wo, [1079] And with that pite love com in also; [1080] And thus, for pite and for gentillesse, [1081] Refreshed moste he been of his distresse. [1082] She seyde, certes, that she sory was [1083] That he hath had swych peryl and swich cas; [1084] And, in hire frendly speche, in this manere [1085] She to hym spak, and seyde as ye may here: [1086] "Be ye nat Venus sone and Anchises? [1087] In good feyth, al the worshipe and encres [1088] That I may goodly don yow, ye shal have. [1089] Youre shipes and youre meyne shal I save." [1090] And many a gentil word she spak hym to, [1091] And comaunded hire messageres to go [1092] The same day, withouten any fayle, [1093] His shippes for to seke, and hem vitayle. [1094] Ful many a beste she to the shippes sente, [1095] And with the wyn she gan hem to presente, [1096] And to hire royal paleys she hire spedde, [1097] And Eneas alwey with hire she ledde. [1098] What nedeth yow the feste to descrive? [1099] He nevere beter at ese was in his lyve. [1100] Ful was the feste of deyntees and rychesse, [1101] Of instruments, of song, and of gladnesse, [1102] Of many an amorous lokyng and devys. [1103] This Eneas is come to paradys [1104] Out of the swolow of helle, and thus in joye [1105] Remembreth hym of his estat in Troye. [1106] To daunsynge chaumberes ful of paramentes, [1107] Of riche beddes, and of ornementes, [1108] This Eneas is led after the mete. [1109] And with the quene, whan that he hadde sete, [1110] And spices parted, and the wyn agon, [1111] Unto his chambres was he led anon [1112] To take his ese and for to have his reste, [1113] With al his folk, to don what so hem leste. [1114] There nas courser wel ybrydeled non, [1115] Ne stede, for the justing wel to gon, [1116] Ne large palfrey, esy for the nones, [1117] Ne jewel, fretted ful of ryche stones, [1118] Ne sakkes ful of gold, of large wyghte, [1119] Ne ruby non, that shynede by nyghte, [1120] Ne gentil hawtein faucoun heroner, [1121] Ne hound for hert or wilde bor or der, [1122] Ne coupe of gold, with floreyns newe ybete, [1123] That in the land of Libie may be gete, [1124] That Dido ne hath it Eneas ysent; [1125] And al is payed, what that he hath spent. [1126] Thus can this quene honurable hire gestes calle, [1127] As she that can in fredom passen alle. [1128] Eneas sothly ek, withouten les, [1129] Hadde sent unto his ship by Achates [1130] After his sone, and after riche thynges, [1131] Bothe sceptre, clothes, broches, and ek rynges, [1132] Some for to were, and some for to presente [1133] To hire that alle thise noble thynges hym sente; [1134] And bad his sone how that he shulde make [1135] The presenting, and to the queen it take. [1136] Repeyred is this Achates agayn, [1137] And Eneas ful blysful is and fayn [1138] To sen his yonge sone Ascanyus. [1139] But natheles, oure autour telleth us, [1140] That Cupido, that is the god of love, [1141] At preyere of his moder hye above, [1142] Hadde the liknesse of the child ytake, [1143] This noble queen enamored to make [1144] On Eneas; but, as of that scripture, [1145] Be as be may, I take of it no cure. [1146] But soth is this, the queen hath mad swich chere [1147] Unto this child, that wonder is to here; [1148] And of the present that his fader sente [1149] She thanked hym ful ofte, in good entente. [1150] Thus is this queen in plesaunce and in joye, [1151] With alle these newe lusty folk of Troye. [1152] And of the dedes hath she more enquered [1153] Of Eneas, and al the story lered [1154] Of Troye, and al the longe day they tweye [1155] Entendeden to speken and to pleye; [1156] Of which ther gan to breden swich a fyr [1157] That sely Dido hath now swich desyr [1158] With Eneas, hire newe gest, to dele, [1159] That she hath lost hire hewe and ek hire hele. [1160] Now to th' effect, now to the fruyt of al, [1161] Whi I have told this story, and telle shal. [1162] Thus I begynne: it fil upon a nyght, [1163] Whan that the mone up reysed hadde his lyght, [1164] This noble queene unto hire reste wente. [1165] She siketh sore, and gan hyreself turmente; [1166] She waketh, walweth, maketh many a breyd, [1167] As don these lovers, as I have herd seyd. [1168] And at the laste, unto hire syster Anne [1169] She made hire mone, and ryght thus spak she thanne: [1170] "Now, dere sister myn, what may it be [1171] That me agasteth in my drem?" quod she. [1172] "This newe Troyan is so in my thought, [1173] For that me thynketh he is so wel ywrought, [1174] And ek so likly for to ben a man, [1175] And therwithal so moche good he can, [1176] That al my love and lyf lyth in his cure. [1177] Have ye nat herd him telle his aventure? [1178] Now certes, Anne, if that ye rede it me, [1179] I wolde fayn to hym ywedded be; [1180] This is th' effect; what sholde I more seye? [1181] In hym lyth al, to do me live or deye." [1182] Hyre syster Anne, as she that coude hire good, [1183] Seyde as hire thoughte, and somdel it withstod. [1184] But herof was so long a sermounynge [1185] It were to long to make rehersynge. [1186] But finaly, it may nat ben withstonde; [1187] Love wol love, for nothing wol it wonde. [1188] The dawenyng up-rist out of the se. [1189] This amorous queene chargeth hire meyne [1190] The nettes dresse, and speres brode and kene; [1191] An huntyng wol this lusty freshe queene, [1192] So priketh hire this newe joly wo. [1193] To hors is al hir lusty folk ygo; [1194] Into the court the houndes been ybrought; [1195] And upon coursers swift as any thought [1196] Hire yonge knyghtes hoven al aboute, [1197] And of hire women ek an huge route. [1198] Upon a thikke palfrey, paper-whit, [1199] With sadel red, enbrouded with delyt, [1200] Of gold the barres up enbosede hye, [1201] Sit Dido, al in gold and perre wrye; [1202] And she as fair as is the bryghte morwe, [1203] That heleth syke folk of nyghtes sorwe. [1204] Upon a courser stertlynge as the fyr -- [1205] Men myghte turne hym with a litel wyr -- [1206] Sit Eneas, lik Phebus to devyse, [1207] So was he fressh arayed in his wyse. [1208] The fomy brydel with the bit of gold [1209] Governeth he ryght as hymself hath wold. [1210] And forth this noble queen thus lat I ride [1211] On huntynge, with this Troyan by hyre side. [1212] The herde of hertes founden is anon, [1213] With "Hay! Go bet! Pryke thow! Lat gon, lat gon! [1214] Why nyl the leoun comen, or the bere, [1215] That I myghte ones mete hym with this spere?" [1216] Thus seyn these yonge folk, and up they kylle [1217] These bestes wilde, and han hem at here wille. [1218] Among al this to rumbelen gan the hevene; [1219] The thunder rored with a grisely stevene; [1220] Doun cam the reyn with hayl and slet so faste, [1221] With hevenes fyr, that it so sore agaste [1222] This noble queen, and also hire meyne, [1223] That ech of hem was glad awey to fle. [1224] And shortly, from the tempest hire to save, [1225] She fledde hireself into a litel cave, [1226] And with hire wente this Eneas also. [1227] I not, with hem if there wente any mo; [1228] The autour maketh of it no mencioun. [1229] And here began the depe affeccioun [1230] Betwixe hem two; this was the firste morwe [1231] Of hire gladnesse, and gynning of hire sorwe. [1232] For there hath Eneas ykneled so, [1233] And told hire al his herte and al his wo, [1234] And swore so depe to hire to be trewe [1235] For wel or wo and chaunge hire for no newe; [1236] And as a fals lovere so wel can pleyne, [1237] That sely Dido rewede on his peyne, [1238] And tok hym for husbonde and becom his wyf [1239] For everemo, whil that hem laste lyf. [1240] And after this, whan that the tempest stente, [1241] With myrthe out as they comen, hom they wente. [1242] The wikke fame upros, and that anon, [1243] How Eneas hath with the queen ygon [1244] Into the cave; and demede as hem liste. [1245] And whan the kyng that Yarbas highte it wiste, [1246] As he that hadde hir loved evere his lyf, [1247] And wowede hyre, to han hire to his wyf, [1248] Swich sorwe as he hath maked, and swich cheere, [1249] It is a routhe and pite for to here. [1250] But as in love, alday it happeth so [1251] That oon shal laughen at anothers wo. [1252] Now laugheth Eneas and is in joye [1253] And more richesse than evere he was in Troye. [1254] O sely wemen, ful of innocence, [1255] Ful of pite, of trouthe and conscience, [1256] What maketh yow to men to truste so? [1257] Have ye swych routhe upon hyre feyned wo, [1258] And han swich olde ensaumples yow beforn? [1259] Se ye nat alle how they ben forsworn? [1260] Where sen ye oon that he ne hath laft his leef, [1261] Or ben unkynde, or don hire som myscheef, [1262] Or piled hire, or bosted of his dede? [1263] Ye may as wel it sen as ye may rede. [1264] Tak hede now of this grete gentil-man, [1265] This Troyan, that so wel hire plesen can, [1266] That feyneth hym so trewe and obeysynge, [1267] So gentil, and so privy of his doinge, [1268] And can so wel don alle his obeysaunces, [1269] And wayten hire at festes and at daunces, [1270] And whan she goth to temple and hom ageyn, [1271] And fasten til he hath his lady seyn, [1272] And beren in his devyses, for hire sake, [1273] Not I not what; and songes wolde he make, [1274] Justen, and don of armes many thynges, [1275] Sende hire lettres, tokens, broches, rynges -- [1276] Now herkneth how he shal his lady serve! [1277] There as he was in peril for to sterve [1278] For hunger, and for myschef in the se, [1279] And desolat, and fled from his cuntre, [1280] And al his folk with tempest al todryven, [1281] She hath hire body and ek hire reame yiven [1282] Into his hand, there as she myghte have been [1283] Of othere land than of Cartage a queen, [1284] And lyved in joye ynogh; what wole ye more? [1285] This Eneas, that hath so depe yswore, [1286] Is wery of his craft withinne a throwe; [1287] The hote ernest is al overblowe. [1288] And pryvyly he doth his shipes dyghte, [1289] And shapeth hym to stele awey by nyghte. [1290] This Dido hath suspecioun of this, [1291] And thoughte wel that it was al amys. [1292] For in hir bed he lyth a-nyght and syketh. [1293] She axeth hym anon what hym myslyketh -- [1294] "My dere herte, which that I love most?" [1295] "Certes," quod he, "this nyght my faderes gost [1296] Hath in my slep so sore me tormented, [1297] And ek Mercurye his message hath presented, [1298] That nedes to the conquest of Ytayle [1299] My destine is sone for to sayle; [1300] For which, me thynketh, brosten is myn herte!" [1301] Therwith his false teres out they sterte, [1302] And taketh hire withinne his armes two. [1303] "Is that in ernest?" quod she; "Wole ye so? [1304] Have ye nat sworn to wyve me to take? [1305] Allas, what woman wole ye of me make? [1306] I am a gentil woman and a queen. [1307] Ye wole nat from youre wif thus foule fleen? [1308] That I was born, allas! What shal I do?" [1309] To telle in short, this noble quen Dydo, [1310] She seketh halwes and doth sacryfise; [1311] She kneleth, cryeth, that routhe is to devyse; [1312] Conjureth hym, and profereth hym to be [1313] His thral, his servant in the leste degre; [1314] She falleth hym to fote and swouneth ther, [1315] Dischevele, with hire bryghte gilte her, [1316] And seyth, "Have mercy; let me with yow ryde! [1317] These lordes, which that wonen me besyde, [1318] Wole me distroyen only for youre sake. [1319] And, so ye wole me now to wive take, [1320] As ye han sworn, thanne wol I yeve yow leve [1321] To slen me with youre swerd now sone at eve! [1322] For thanne yit shal I deyen as youre wif. [1323] I am with childe, and yeve my child his lyf! [1324] Mercy, lord! Have pite in youre thought!" [1325] But al this thing avayleth hire ryght nought, [1326] For on a nyght, slepynge he let hire lye, [1327] And stal awey unto his companye, [1328] And as a traytour forth he gan to sayle [1329] Toward the large contre of Ytayle. [1330] Thus he hath laft Dido in wo and pyne, [1331] And wedded ther a lady hyghte Lavyne. [1332] A cloth he lafte, and ek his swerd stondynge, [1333] Whan he from Dido stal in hire slepynge, [1334] Ryght at hire beddes hed, so gan he hie, [1335] Whan that he stal awey to his navye; [1336] Which cloth, whan sely Dido gan awake, [1337] She hath it kyst ful ofte for his sake, [1338] And seyde, "O swete cloth, whil Juppiter it leste, [1339] Tak now my soule, unbynd me of this unreste! [1340] I have fulfild of fortune al the cours." [1341] And thus, allas, withouten his socours, [1342] Twenty tyme yswouned hath she thanne. [1343] And whanne that she unto hire syster Anne [1344] Compleyned hadde -- of which I may nat wryte, [1345] So gret a routhe I have it for t' endite -- [1346] And bad hire norice and hire sister gon [1347] To fechen fyr and other thyng anon, [1348] And seyde that she wolde sacryfye -- [1349] And whan she myghte hire tyme wel espie, [1350] Upon the fir of sacryfice she sterte, [1351] And with his swerd she rof hyre to the herte. [1352] But, as myn auctour seith, yit thus she seyde; [1353] Or she was hurt, byforen or she deyde, [1354] She wrot a lettre anon that thus began: [1355] "Ryght so," quod she, "as that the white swan [1356] Ayens his deth begynnyth for to synge, [1357] Right so to yow make I my compleynynge. [1358] Not that I trowe to geten yow ageyn, [1359] For wel I wot that it is al in veyn, [1360] Syn that the goddes been contraire to me. [1361] But syn my name is lost thourgh yow," quod she, [1362] "I may wel lese on yow a word or letter, [1363] Al be it that I shal ben nevere the better; [1364] For thilke wynd that blew youre ship awey, [1365] The same wynd hath blowe awey youre fey." [1366] But who wol al this letter have in mynde, [1367] Rede Ovyde, and in hym he shal it fynde. [1368] Thow rote of false lovers, Duc Jasoun, [1369] Thow sly devourere and confusioun [1370] Of gentil wemen, tendre creatures, [1371] Thow madest thy recleymyng and thy lures [1372] To ladyes of thy statly aparaunce, [1373] And of thy wordes farced with plesaunce, [1374] And of thy feyned trouthe and thy manere, [1375] With thyn obesaunce and humble cheere, [1376] And with thy contrefeted peyne and wo. [1377] There othere falsen oon, thow falsest two! [1378] O, often swore thow that thow woldest dye [1379] For love, whan thow ne feltest maladye [1380] Save foul delyt, which that thow callest love! [1381] Yif that I live, thy name shal be shove [1382] In English that thy sekte shal be knowe! [1383] Have at thee, Jason! Now thyn horn is blowe! [1384] But certes, it is bothe routhe and wo [1385] That love with false loveres werketh so; [1386] For they shal have wel betere love and chere [1387] Than he that hath abought his love ful dere, [1388] Or hadde in armes many a blody box. [1389] For evere as tendre a capoun et the fox, [1390] Thow he be fals and hath the foul betrayed, [1391] As shal the good-man that therfore hath payed. [1392] Al have he to the capoun skille and ryght, [1393] The false fox wol have his part at nyght. [1394] On Jason this ensaumple is wel ysene [1395] By Isiphile and Medea the queene. [1396] In Tessalie, as Guido tellith us, [1397] There was a kyng that highte Pelleus, [1398] That hadde a brother which that highte Eson; [1399] And whan for age he myghte unnethes gon, [1400] He yaf to Pelleus the governyng [1401] Of al his regne and made hym lord and kyng. [1402] Of which Eson this Jason geten was, [1403] That in his tyme in al that land there nas [1404] Nat swich a famous knyght of gentilesse, [1405] Of fredom, and of strengthe and lustynesse. [1406] After his fadres deth he bar hym so [1407] That there nas non that liste ben his fo, [1408] But dide hym al honour and companye. [1409] Of which this Pelleus hadde gret envye, [1410] Imagynynge that Jason myghte be [1411] Enhaunsed so and put in swich degre [1412] With love of lordes of his regioun, [1413] That from his regne he may ben put adoun. [1414] And in his wit a-nyght compassed he [1415] How Jason myghte best distroyed be [1416] Withoute sclaunder of his compassement, [1417] And at the last he tok avysement [1418] To senden hym into som fer contre, [1419] There as this Jason may destroyed be. [1420] This was his wit, al made he to Jasoun [1421] Gret chere of love and of affeccioun, [1422] For drede lest his lordes it espide. [1423] So fyl it, so as fame renneth wide, [1424] There was swich tydyng overal and swich loos, [1425] That in an yle that called was Colcos, [1426] Beyonde Troye, estward in the se, [1427] That therin was a ram that men mighte se [1428] That hadde a fles of gold that shon so bryghte [1429] That nowher was ther swich anothir syghte; [1430] But it was kept alwey with a dragoun, [1431] And many other merveyles, up and doun, [1432] And with two boles maked al of bras, [1433] That spitten fyr, and moche thyng there was. [1434] But this was ek the tale, natheles, [1435] That whoso wolde wynne thylke fles, [1436] He moste bothe, or he it wynne myghte, [1437] With the boles and the dragoun fyghte. [1438] And kyng Oetes lord was of that yle. [1439] This Pelleus bethoughte upon this wile, [1440] That he his neveu Jason wolde enhorte [1441] To saylen to that lond, hym to disporte, [1442] And seyde, "Nevew, if it myghte be [1443] That swich a worshipe myghte fallen the, [1444] That thow this famous tresor myghtest wynne, [1445] And bryngen it my regioun withinne, [1446] It were to me gret plesaunce and honour. [1447] Thanne were I holde to quyte thy labour; [1448] And al the cost I wol myselven make. [1449] And chees what folk that thow wilt with the take; [1450] Lat sen now, darst thow take this viage?" [1451] Jason was yong, and lusty of corage, [1452] And undertok to don this ilke empryse. [1453] Anon Argus his shipes gan devyse; [1454] With Jason wente the stronge Ercules, [1455] And many another that he with hym ches. [1456] But whoso axeth who is with hym gon, [1457] Lat hym go rede Argonautycon, [1458] For he wole telle a tale long ynogh. [1459] Philotetes anon the sayl up drogh, [1460] Whan that the wynd was good, and gan hym hye [1461] Out of his contre called Thessalye. [1462] So longe he seyled in the salte se, [1463] Til in the yle of Lemnon aryvede he -- [1464] Al be this nat rehersed of Guido, [1465] Yit seyth Ovyde in his Epistels so -- [1466] And of this ile lady was and quene [1467] The fayre yonge Ysiphele, the shene, [1468] That whylom Thoas doughter was, the kyng. [1469] Isiphile was gon in hire pleying, [1470] And, romynge on the clyves by the se, [1471] Under a banke anon aspied she [1472] Where that the ship of Jason gan aryve. [1473] Of hire goodnesse adoun she sendeth blyve [1474] To witen if that any straunge wight [1475] With tempest thider were yblowe a-nyght, [1476] To don him socour, as was hire usaunce [1477] To fortheren every wight, and don plesaunce [1478] Of verrey bounte and of curteysye. [1479] This messangeer adoun hym gan to hye, [1480] And fond Jason and Ercules also, [1481] That in a cog to londe were ygo, [1482] Hem to refreshen and to take the eyr. [1483] The morwenynge attempre was and fayr, [1484] And in his weye this messanger hem mette. [1485] Ful cunnyngly these lordes two he grette, [1486] And dide his message, axinge hem anon [1487] If they were broken, or ought wo begon, [1488] Or hadden nede of lodman or vitayle; [1489] For of socour they sholde nothyng fayle, [1490] For it was outrely the quenes wille. [1491] Jason answerde mekely and stylle: [1492] "My lady," quod he, "thanke I hertely [1493] Of hire goodnesse; us nedeth, trewely, [1494] Nothyng as now, but that we wery be, [1495] And come for to pleye out of the se [1496] Tyl that the wynd be better in oure weye." [1497] This lady rometh by the clyf to pleye, [1498] With hire meyne, endelong the stronde, [1499] And fynt this Jason and this other stonde [1500] In spekynge of this thyng, as I yow tolde. [1501] This Ercules and Jason gan beholde [1502] How that the queen it was, and fayre hire grette [1503] Anon-ryght as they with this lady mette; [1504] And she tok hed, and knew by hyre manere, [1505] By hire aray, by wordes, and by chere, [1506] That it were gentil-men of gret degre, [1507] And to the castel with hire ledeth she [1508] These straunge folk and doth hem gret honour, [1509] And axeth hem of travayle and labour [1510] That they han suffered in the salte se; [1511] So that, withinne a day, or two, or thre, [1512] She knew, by folk that in his shipes be, [1513] That it was Jason, ful of renone, [1514] And Ercules, that hadde the grete los, [1515] That soughten the aventures of Colcos; [1516] And dide hem honour more than before, [1517] And with hem deled evere lenger the more, [1518] For they ben worthy folk, withouten les. [1519] And namely, most she spak with Ercules; [1520] To hym hire herte bar, he shulde be [1521] Sad, wys, and trewe, of wordes avyse, [1522] Withouten any other affeccioun [1523] Of love, or evyl ymagynacyoun. [1524] This Ercules hath so this Jason preysed [1525] That to the sonne he hath hym up areysed, [1526] That half so trewe a man there nas of love [1527] Under the cope of heven that is above; [1528] And he was wis, hardy, secre, and ryche. [1529] Of these thre poyntes there nas non hym liche: [1530] Of fredom passede he, and lustyhede, [1531] Alle tho that lyven or been dede; [1532] Therto so gret a gentilman was he, [1533] And of Thessalye likly kyng to be. [1534] There nas no lak, but that he was agast [1535] To love, and for to speke shamefast. [1536] He hadde lever hymself to morder, and dye, [1537] Than that men shulde a lovere hym espye. [1538] "As wolde God that I hadde yive [1539] My blod and flesh, so that I myghte live, [1540] With the nones that he hadde owher a wif [1541] For hys estat; for swich a lusty lyf [1542] She shulde lede with this lusty knyght!" [1543] And al this was compassed on the nyght [1544] Bytwixe hym Jason and this Ercules. [1545] Of these two here was a shrewed lees, [1546] To come to hous upon an innocent! [1547] For to bedote this queen was here assent. [1548] And Jason is as coy as is a mayde; [1549] He loketh pitously, but nought he sayde, [1550] But frely yaf he to hire conseyleres [1551] Yiftes grete, and to hire officeres. [1552] As wolde God I leyser hadde and tyme [1553] By proces al his wowyng for to ryme! [1554] But in this hous if any fals lovere be, [1555] Ryght as hymself now doth, ryght so dide he, [1556] With feynynge, and with every subtil dede. [1557] Ye gete namore of me, but ye wole rede [1558] Th' origynal, that telleth al the cas. [1559] The somme is this: that Jason wedded was [1560] Unto this queen and tok of hir substaunce [1561] What so hym leste unto his purveyaunce; [1562] And upon hire begat he children two, [1563] And drogh his sayl and saw hir nevere mo. [1564] A letter sente she to hym, certeyn, [1565] Which were to longe to wryten and to sen, [1566] And hym reprevith of his grete untrouthe, [1567] And preyeth him on hire to have som routhe. [1568] And of his children two she seyde hym this: [1569] That they ben lyk of alle thyng, ywis, [1570] To Jason, save they coude nat begile; [1571] And preyede God, or it were longe while, [1572] That she that hadde his herte yraft hire fro [1573] Moste fynden hym untrewe to hir also, [1574] And that she moste bothe hire chyldren spylle, [1575] And alle tho that sufferede hym his wille. [1576] And trewe to Jason was she al hire lyf, [1577] And evere kepte hire chast, as for his wif; [1578] Ne nevere hadde she joye at hire herte, [1579] But deyede for his love, of sorwes smerte. [1580] To Colcos comen is this duc Jasoun, [1581] That is of love devourer and dragoun. [1582] As mater apetiteth forme alwey [1583] And from forme into forme it passen may, [1584] Or as a welle that were botomles, [1585] Ryght so can false Jason have no pes. [1586] For to desyren thourgh his apetit [1587] To don with gentil women his delyt, [1588] This is his lust and his felicite. [1589] Jason is romed forth to the cyte [1590] That whilom cleped was Jaconitos, [1591] That was the mayster-toun of al Colcos, [1592] And hath ytold the cause of his comyng [1593] Unto Oetes, of that contre kyng, [1594] Preyinge hym that he moste don his assay [1595] To gete the fles of gold if that he may; [1596] Of which the kyng assenteth to his bone, [1597] And doth hym honour, as it was to done, [1598] So fer forth that his doughter and his eyr, [1599] Medea, which that was so wis and fayr [1600] That fayrer say there nevere man with ye, [1601] He made hire don to Jason companye [1602] At mete, and sitte by hym in the halle. [1603] Now was Jason a semely man withalle, [1604] And lyk a lord, and hadde a gret renoun, [1605] And of his lok as real as a leoun, [1606] And goodly of his speche, and familer, [1607] And coude of love al craft and art pleyner [1608] Withoute bok, with everych observaunce. [1609] And, as Fortune hire oughte a foul myschaunce, [1610] She wex enamoured upon this man. [1611] "Jason," quod she, "for ought I se or can, [1612] As of this thyng the whiche ye ben aboute, [1613] Ye han youreself yput in moche doute. [1614] For whoso wol this aventure acheve, [1615] He may nat wel asterten, as I leve, [1616] Withouten deth, but I his helpe be. [1617] But natheles, it is my wylle," quod she, [1618] "To fortheren yow so that ye shal nat die, [1619] But turnen sound hom to youre Tessalye." [1620] "My ryghte lady," quod this Jason tho, [1621] "That ye han of my deth or of my wo [1622] Any reward, and don me this honour, [1623] I wot wel that my myght ne my labour [1624] May nat disserve it in my lyves day. [1625] God thanke yow there I ne can ne may! [1626] Youre man I am, and lowely yow beseche [1627] To ben my helpe, withoute more speche; [1628] But, certes, for my deth shal I nat spare." [1629] Tho gan this Medea to hym declare [1630] The peril of this cas from poynt to poynt, [1631] And of his batayle, and in what disjoynt [1632] He mote stonde, of which no creature [1633] Save only she ne myghte his lyf assure. [1634] And shortly to the poynt ryght for to go, [1635] They been acorded ful bytwixe hem two [1636] That Jason shal hire wedde, as trewe knyght; [1637] And terme set to come sone at nyght [1638] Unto hire chamber and make there his oth [1639] Upon the goddes, that he for lef or loth [1640] Ne sholde nevere hire false, nyght ne day, [1641] To ben hire husbonde whil he lyve may, [1642] As she that from his deth hym saved here. [1643] And hereupon at nyght they mette in-feere, [1644] And doth his oth, and goth with hire to bedde; [1645] And on the morwe upward he hym spedde, [1646] For she hath taught hym how he shal nat fayle [1647] The fles to wynne and stynten his batayle; [1648] And saved hym his lyf and his honour; [1649] And gat hym a name ryght as a conquerour, [1650] Ryght thourgh the sleyghte of hire enchauntement. [1651] Now hath Jason the fles, and hom is went [1652] With Medea, and tresor ful gret won; [1653] But unwist of hire fader is she gon [1654] To Tessaly with Duk Jason hire lef, [1655] That afterward hath brought hire to myschef. [1656] For as a traytour he is from hire go, [1657] And with hire lafte his yonge children two, [1658] And falsly hath betraysed hire, allas, [1659] As evere in love a chef traytour he was; [1660] And wedded yit the thridde wif anon, [1661] That was the doughter of the kyng Creon. [1662] This is the mede of lovynge and guerdoun [1663] That Medea receyved of Jasoun [1664] Ryght for hire trouthe and for hire kyndenesse, [1665] That lovede hym beter than hireself, I gesse, [1666] And lafte hire fader and hire herytage. [1667] And of Jason this is the vassellage, [1668] That in his dayes nas ther non yfounde [1669] So fals a lovere goinge on the grounde. [1670] And therfore in hire letter thus she seyde [1671] Fyrst, whan she of his falsnesse hym upbreyde: [1672] "Whi lykede me thy yelwe her to se [1673] More than the boundes of myn honeste? [1674] Why lykede me thy youthe and thy fayrnesse, [1675] And of thy tonge, the infynyt graciousnesse? [1676] O, haddest thow in thy conquest ded ybe, [1677] Ful mikel untrouthe hadde ther deyd with the!" [1678] Wel can Ovyde hire letter in vers endyte, [1679] Which were as now to long for me to wryte. [1680] Now mot I seyn the exilynge of kynges [1681] Of Rome, for here horible doinges, [1682] And of the laste kyng Tarquinius, [1683] As seyth Ovyde and Titus Lyvius. [1684] But for that cause telle I nat this storye, [1685] But for to preyse and drawe to memorye [1686] The verray wif, the verray trewe Lucresse, [1687] That for hyre wifhod and hire stedefastnesse [1688] Nat only that these payens hire comende, [1689] But he that cleped is in oure legende [1690] The grete Austyn hath gret compassioun [1691] Of this Lucresse, that starf at Rome toun; [1692] And in what wise, I wol but shortly trete, [1693] And of this thyng I touche but the grete. [1694] Whan Ardea beseged was aboute [1695] With Romeyns, that ful sterne were and stoute, [1696] Ful longe lay the sege and lytel wroughten, [1697] So that they were half idel, as hem thoughten; [1698] And in his pley Tarquinius the yonge [1699] Gan for to jape, for he was lyght of tonge, [1700] And seyde that it was an ydel lyf; [1701] No man dide there no more than his wif. [1702] "And lat us speke of wyves, that is best; [1703] Preyse every man his owene as hym lest, [1704] And with oure speche lat us ese oure herte." [1705] A knyght that highte Colatyn up sterte, [1706] And seyde thus: "Nay, sire, it is no nede [1707] To trowen on the word, but on the dede. [1708] I have a wif," quod he, "that, as I trowe, [1709] Is holden good of alle that evere hire knowe. [1710] Go we to-nyght to Rome, and we shal se." [1711] Tarquinius answerde, "That liketh me." [1712] To Rome be they come, and faste hem dyghte [1713] To Colatynes hous and doun they lyghte, [1714] Tarquinius and ek this Colatyn. [1715] The husbonde knew the estris wel and fyn, [1716] And prively into the hous they gon, [1717] Nor at the yate porter nas there non, [1718] And at the chambre-dore they abyde. [1719] This noble wif sat by hire beddes side [1720] Dischevele, for no malyce she ne thoughte; [1721] And softe wolle oure bok seyth that she wroughte [1722] To kepen hire from slouthe and idelnesse; [1723] And bad hire servaunts don hire besynesse, [1724] And axeth hem, "What tydyngs heren ye? [1725] How seyth men of the sege, how shal it be? [1726] God wolde the walles were falle adoun! [1727] Myn husbonde is to longe out of this toun, [1728] For which the drede doth me so to smerte [1729] That with a swerd it stingeth to myn herte [1730] Whan I thynke on the sege or on that place. [1731] God save my lord, I preye hym for his grace!" [1732] And therwithal ful tenderly she wep, [1733] And of hire werk she tok no more kep, [1734] And mekely she let hyre eyen falle; [1735] And thilke semblaunt sat hire wel withalle. [1736] And eek hire teres, ful of honeste, [1737] Embelished hire wifly chastite; [1738] Hyre contenaunce is to hire herte dygne, [1739] For they acorde bothe in dede and sygne. [1740] And with that word hire husbonde Colatyn, [1741] Or she of him was war, com stertynge in [1742] And seyde, "Drede the nat, for I am here!" [1743] And she anon up ros with blysful chere [1744] And kiste hym, as of wives is the wone. [1745] Tarquinius, this proude kynges sone, [1746] Conceyved hath hire beaute and hyre cheere, [1747] Hire yelwe her, hire shap, and hire manere, [1748] Hire hew, hire wordes, that she hath compleyned [1749] (And by no craft hire beaute nas nat feyned), [1750] And caughte to this lady swich desyr [1751] That in his herte brende as any fyr, [1752] So wodly that his wit was al forgeten. [1753] For wel thoghte he she wolde nat ben geten; [1754] And ay the more that he was in dispayr, [1755] The more he coveyteth and thoughte hire fayr. [1756] His blynde lust was al his coveytynge. [1757] A-morwe, whan the brid began to synge, [1758] Unto the sege he cometh ful privily, [1759] And by hymself he walketh soberly, [1760] Th' ymage of hire recordynge alwey newe: [1761] "Thus lay hire her, and thus fresh was hyre hewe; [1762] Thus sat, thus spak, thus span; this was hire chere; [1763] Thus fayr she was, and this was hire manere." [1764] Al this conseit hys herte hath newe ytake. [1765] And as the se, with tempest al toshake, [1766] That after, whan the storm is al ago, [1767] Yit wol the water quappe a day or two, [1768] Ryght so, thogh that hire forme were absent, [1769] The plesaunce of hire forme was present; [1770] But natheles, nat plesaunce but delit, [1771] Or an unrightful talent, with dispit -- [1772] "For, maugre hyre, she shal my leman be! [1773] Hap helpeth hardy man alday," quod he; [1774] "What ende that I make, it shal be so." [1775] And girte hym with his swerd and gan to go, [1776] And forth he rit til he to Rome is come, [1777] And al alone his wey than hath he nome [1778] Unto the hous of Colatyn ful ryght. [1779] Doun was the sonne and day hath lost his lyght; [1780] And in he cometh into a prive halke, [1781] And in the nyght ful thefly gan he stalke, [1782] Whan every wight was to his reste brought, [1783] Ne no wight hadde of tresoun swich a thought. [1784] Were it by wyndow or by other gyn, [1785] With swerd ydrawe shortly he com in [1786] There as she lay, this noble wif Lucresse. [1787] And as she wok, hire bed she felte presse. [1788] "What beste is that," quod she, "that weyeth thus?" [1789] "I am the kynges sone, Tarquinius," [1790] Quod he, "but, and thow crye or noyse make, [1791] Or if there any creature awake, [1792] By thilke God that formed man alyve, [1793] This swerd thourghout thyn herte shal I ryve." [1794] And therwithal unto hire throte he sterte, [1795] And sette the poynt al sharp upon hire herte. [1796] No word she spak, she hath no myght therto. [1797] What shal she seyn? Hire wit is al ago. [1798] Ryght as a wolf that fynt a lomb alone, [1799] To whom shal she compleyne or make mone? [1800] What, shal she fyghte with an hardy knyght? [1801] Wel wot men that a woman hath no myght. [1802] What, shal she crye, or how shal she asterte [1803] That hath hire by the throte with swerd at herte? [1804] She axeth grace, and seyth al that she can. [1805] "Ne wilt thow nat," quod he, this crewel man, [1806] "As wisly Jupiter my soule save, [1807] As I shal in the stable slen thy knave, [1808] And ley hym in thy bed, and loude crye [1809] That I the fynde in swich avouterye. [1810] And thus thow shalt be ded and also lese [1811] Thy name, for thow shalt non other chese." [1812] These Romeyns wyves lovede so here name [1813] At thilke tyme, and dredde so the shame, [1814] That, what for fer of sclaunder and drede of deth, [1815] She loste bothe at ones wit and breth, [1816] And in a swogh she lay, and wex so ded [1817] Men myghte smyten of hire arm or hed; [1818] She feleth no thyng, neyther foul ne fayr. [1819] Tarquinius, that art a kynges eyr, [1820] And sholdest, as by lynage and by ryght, [1821] Don as a lord and as a verray knyght, [1822] Whi hastow don dispit to chivalrye? [1823] Whi hastow don this lady vilanye? [1824] Allas, of the this was a vileyns dede! [1825] But now to purpos; in the story I rede, [1826] Whan he was gon and this myschaunce is falle, [1827] This lady sente after hire frendes alle, [1828] Fader, moder, husbonde, alle yfeere; [1829] And al dischevele, with hire heres cleere, [1830] In habit swich as women used tho [1831] Unto the buryinge of hire frendes go, [1832] She sit in halle with a sorweful sighte. [1833] Hyre frendes axen what hire eylen myghte, [1834] And who was ded; and she sit ay wepynge; [1835] A word, for shame, forth ne myght she brynge, [1836] Ne upon hem she durste nat beholde. [1837] But atte last of Tarquyny she hem tolde [1838] This rewful cas and al thys thing horryble. [1839] The woo to tellen were an impossible, [1840] That she and al hir frendes made attones. [1841] Al hadde folkes hertes ben of stones, [1842] Hyt myght have maked hem upon hir rewe, [1843] Hir herte was so wyfly and so trewe. [1844] She sayde that, for hir gylt ne for hir blame, [1845] Hir husbonde shulde nat have the foule name, [1846] That wolde she nat suffre by no wey. [1847] And they answerden alle, upon hir fey, [1848] That they forgave yt hyr, for yt was ryght; [1849] It was no gilt, it lay not in hir myght; [1850] And seyden hir ensamples many oon. [1851] But al for noght; for thus she seyde anoon: [1852] "Be as be may," quod she, "of forgyvyng, [1853] I wol not have noo forgyft for nothing." [1854] But pryvely she kaughte forth a knyf, [1855] And therwithal she rafte hirself hir lyf; [1856] And as she fel adoun, she kaste hir lok, [1857] And of hir clothes yet she hede tok. [1858] For in hir fallynge yet she had a care, [1859] Lest that hir fet or suche thyng lay bare; [1860] So wel she loved clennesse and eke trouthe. [1861] Of hir had al the toun of Rome routhe, [1862] And Brutus by hir chaste blood hath swore [1863] That Tarquyn shulde ybanysshed be therfore, [1864] And al hys kyn; and let the peple calle, [1865] And openly the tale he tolde hem alle, [1866] And openly let cary her on a bere [1867] Thurgh al the toun, that men may see and here [1868] The horryble dede of hir oppressyoun, [1869] Ne never was ther kyng in Rome toun [1870] Syn thilke day; and she was holden there [1871] A seynt, and ever hir day yhalwed dere [1872] As in hir lawe; and thus endeth Lucresse, [1873] The noble wyf, as Tytus bereth witnesse. [1874] I telle hyt for she was of love so trewe, [1875] Ne in hir wille she chaunged for no newe; [1876] And for the stable herte, sadde and kynde, [1877] That in these wymmen men may alday fynde. [1878] Ther as they kaste hir herte, there it dwelleth. [1879] For wel I wot that Crist himselve telleth [1880] That in Israel, as wyd as is the lond, [1881] That so gret feyth in al that he ne fond [1882] As in a woman; and this is no lye. [1883] And as of men, loke ye which tirannye [1884] They doon alday; assay hem whoso lyste, [1885] The trewest ys ful brotel for to triste. [1886] Juge infernal, Mynos, of Crete kyng, [1887] Now cometh thy lot, now comestow on the ryng. [1888] Nat for thy sake oonly write I this storye, [1889] But for to clepe ageyn unto memorye [1890] Of Theseus the grete untrouthe of love; [1891] For which the goddes of the heven above [1892] Ben wrothe, and wreche han take for thy synne. [1893] Be red for shame! Now I thy lyf begynne. [1894] Mynos, that was the myghty kyng of Crete, [1895] That hadde an hundred citees stronge and grete, [1896] To scole hath sent hys sone Androgeus, [1897] To Athenes; of the which hyt happed thus, [1898] That he was slayn, lernynge philosophie, [1899] Ryght in that citee, nat but for envye. [1900] The grete Mynos, of the which I speke, [1901] Hys sones deth ys come for to wreke. [1902] Alcathoe he besegeth harde and longe; [1903] But natheles, the walles be so stronge, [1904] And Nysus, that was kyng of that citee, [1905] So chevalrous, that lytel dredeth he; [1906] Of Mynos or hys ost tok he no cure, [1907] Til on a day befel an aventure, [1908] That Nysus doughter stod upon the wal, [1909] And of the sege saw the maner al. [1910] So happed it that at a scarmishyng [1911] She caste hire herte upon Mynos the kyng, [1912] For his beaute and for his chyvalrye, [1913] So sore that she wende for to dye. [1914] And, shortly of this proces for to pace, [1915] She made Mynos wynnen thilke place, [1916] So that the cite was al at his wille, [1917] To saven whom hym leste or elles spille. [1918] But wikkedly he quitte hire kyndenesse, [1919] And let hire drenche in sorwe and distresse, [1920] Nere that the goddes hadde of hire pite; [1921] But that tale were to long as now for me. [1922] Athenes wan thys kyng Mynos also, [1923] As Alcathoe, and other tounes mo. [1924] And this th' effect, that Mynos hath so driven [1925] Hem of Athenes that they mote hym yiven [1926] From yer to yer hire owene children dere [1927] For to be slayne right as ye shal here. [1928] This Mynos hadde a monstre, a wiked best, [1929] That was so crewel that, withoute arest, [1930] Whan that a man was brought in his presence, [1931] He wolde hym ete; ther helpeth no defence. [1932] And every thridde yeer, withouten doute, [1933] They caste lot, and as it com aboute [1934] On riche, on pore, he moste his sone take, [1935] And of his child he moste present make [1936] Unto Minos, to save hym or to spylle, [1937] Or lete his best devoure hym at his wille. [1938] And this hath Mynos don, ryght in dispit; [1939] To wreke his sone was set al his delyt, [1940] And maken hem of Athenes his thral [1941] From yer to yer, whil that he liven shal; [1942] And hom he sayleth whan this toun is wonne. [1943] This wiked custom is so longe yronne, [1944] Til that of Athenes kyng Egeus [1945] Mot senden his owene sone, Theseus, [1946] Sith that the lot is fallen hym upon, [1947] To ben devoured, for grace is there non. [1948] And forth is lad this woful yonge knyght [1949] Unto the court of kyng Mynos ful ryght, [1950] And into a prysoun, fetered, cast is he [1951] Tyl thilke tyme he sholde freten be. [1952] Wel maystow wepe, O woful Theseus, [1953] That art a kynges sone, and dampned thus. [1954] Me thynketh this, that thow were depe yholde [1955] To whom that savede thee from cares colde! [1956] And if now any woman helpe the, [1957] Wel oughtestow hire servaunt for to be, [1958] And ben hire trewe lovere yer be yere! [1959] But now to come ageyn to my matere. [1960] The tour there as this Theseus is throwe [1961] Doun in the botom derk and wonder lowe, [1962] Was joynynge in the wal to a foreyne; [1963] And it was longynge to the doughtren tweyne [1964] Of Mynos, that in hire chaumbers grete [1965] Dwellten above, toward the mayster-strete [1966] Of Athenes, in joye and in solas. [1967] Noot I not how, it happede par cas, [1968] As Theseus compleynede hym by nyghte, [1969] The kynges doughter, Adryane that highte, [1970] And ek hire syster Phedra, herden al [1971] His compleynynge as they stode on the wal [1972] And lokeden upon the bryghte mone. [1973] Hem leste nat to go to bedde so sone; [1974] And of his wo they hadde compassioun. [1975] A kynges sone to ben in swich prysoun, [1976] And ben devoured, thoughte hem gret pite. [1977] This Adryane spak to hire syster fre, [1978] And seyde, "Phedra, leve syster dere, [1979] This woful lordes sone may ye nat here, [1980] How pitously compleyneth he his kyn, [1981] And ek his povre estat that he is in, [1982] And gilteles? Now, certes, it is routhe! [1983] And if ye wol assenten, by my trouthe, [1984] He shal ben holpen, how so that we do." [1985] Phedra answerde, "Ywis, me is as wo [1986] For hym as evere I was for any man; [1987] And, to his help, the beste red I can [1988] Is that we do the gayler prively [1989] To come and speke with us hastily, [1990] And don this woful man with hym to come. [1991] For if he may this monstre overcome, [1992] Thanne were he quyt; ther is non other bote. [1993] Lat us wel taste hym at his herte-rote, [1994] That if so be that he a wepen have, [1995] Wher that he dar, his lyf to kepe and save, [1996] Fyghten with the fend, and hym defende. [1997] For in the prysoun ther he shal descende, [1998] Ye wote wel that the beste is in a place [1999] That nys nat derk, and hath roum eek and space [2000] To welde an ax, or swerd, or staf, or knyf; [2001] So that, me thynketh, he shulde save his lyf. [2002] If that he be a man, he shal do so. [2003] And we shul make hym balles ek also [2004] Of wex and tow, that whan he gapeth faste, [2005] Into the bestes throte he shal hem caste [2006] To slake his hunger and encombre his teth; [2007] And right anon, whan that Theseus seth [2008] The beste achoked, he shal on hym lepe [2009] To slen hym or they comen more to-hepe. [2010] This wepen shal the gayler, or that tyde, [2011] Ful prively withinne the prysoun hyde; [2012] And for the hous is krynkeled to and fro, [2013] And hath so queynte weyes for to go -- [2014] For it is shapen as the mase is wrought -- [2015] Therto have I a remedye in my thought, [2016] That, by a clewe of twyn, as he hath gon, [2017] The same weye he may returne anon, [2018] Folwynge alwey the thred as he hath come. [2019] And whan that he this beste hath overcome, [2020] Thanne may he flen awey out of this drede, [2021] And ek the gayler may he with hym lede, [2022] And hym avaunce at hom in his cuntre, [2023] Syn that so gret a lordes sone is he. [2024] This is my red, if that he dar it take." [2025] What sholde I lenger sarmoun of it make? [2026] This gayler cometh, and with hym Theseus. [2027] Whan these thynges ben acorded thus, [2028] Adoun sit Theseus upon his kne -- [2029] "The ryghte lady of my lyf," quod he, [2030] "I, sorweful man, ydampned to the deth, [2031] Fro yow, whil that me lasteth lyf or breth, [2032] I wol nat twynne, after this aventure, [2033] But in youre servise thus I wol endure, [2034] That, as a wreche unknowe, I wol yow serve [2035] For everemo, til that myn herte sterve. [2036] Forsake I wol at hom myn herytage, [2037] And, as I seyde, ben of youre court a page, [2038] If that ye vouche-sauf that in this place [2039] Ye graunte me to han so gret a grace [2040] That I may han nat but my mete and drynke. [2041] And for my sustenaunce yit wol I swynke, [2042] Ryght as yow leste, that Mynos ne no wight -- [2043] Syn that he saw me nevere with eyen syght -- [2044] Ne no man elles, shal me conne espye; [2045] So slyly and so wel I shal me gye, [2046] And me so wel disfigure and so lowe, [2047] That in this world ther shal no man me knowe, [2048] To han my lyf, and for to han presence [2049] Of yow, that don to me this excellence. [2050] And to my fader shal I sende here [2051] This worthy man that is now youre gaylere, [2052] And hym so gwerdone that he shal wel be [2053] Oon of the gretteste men of my cuntre. [2054] And if I durste seyn, my lady bryght, [2055] I am a kynges sone and ek a knyght. [2056] As wolde God, if that it myghte be [2057] Ye weren in my cuntre, alle thre, [2058] And I with yow to bere yow compaignye, [2059] Thanne shulde ye se if that I therof lye. [2060] And if I profre yow in low manere [2061] To ben youre page and serven yow ryght here, [2062] But I yow serve as lowly in that place, [2063] I preye to Mars to yeve me swich a grace [2064] That shames deth on me ther mote falle, [2065] And deth and poverte to my frendes alle; [2066] And that my spirit by nyghte mote go, [2067] After my deth, and walke to and fro, [2068] That I mote of traytour have a name, [2069] For which my spirit go, to do me shame! [2070] And if I evere cleyme other degre, [2071] But if ye vouche-sauf to yeve it me, [2072] As I have seyd, of shames deth I deye! [2073] And mercy, lady! I can nat elles seye." [2074] A semely knyght was Theseus to se, [2075] And yong, but of a twenty yer and thre. [2076] But whoso hadde seyn his contenaunce, [2077] He wolde have wept for routhe of his penaunce; [2078] For which this Adryane in this manere [2079] Answerde hym to his profre and to his chere: [2080] "A kynges sone, and ek a knyght," quod she, [2081] "To ben my servaunt in so low degre, [2082] God shilde it, for the shame of wemen alle, [2083] And lene me nevere swich a cas befalle! [2084] But sende yow grace of herte and sleyghte also, [2085] Yow to defende and knyghtly slen youre fo, [2086] And leve hereafter that I may yow fynde [2087] To me and to my syster here so kynde, [2088] That I repente nat to yeve yow lyf! [2089] Yit were it betere that I were youre wyf, [2090] Syn that ye ben as gentil born as I, [2091] And have a reaume, nat but faste by, [2092] Than that I suffered, gilteles, yow sterve, [2093] Or that I let yow as a page serve. [2094] It nys no profre as unto youre kynrede; [2095] But what is that that man nyl don for drede? [2096] And to my syster, syn that it is so [2097] That she mot gon with me, if that I go, [2098] Or elles suffre deth as wel as I, [2099] That ye unto youre sone as trewely [2100] Don hire ben wedded at youre hom-comyng. [2101] This is the final ende of al this thyng; [2102] Ye swere it here, upon al that may be sworn." [2103] "Ye, lady myn," quod he, "or ellis torn [2104] Mote I be with the Mynotaur to-morwe! [2105] And haveth hereof myn herte blod to borwe, [2106] If that ye wole; if I hadde knyf or spere, [2107] I wolde it laten out, and theron swere, [2108] For thanne at erst I wot ye wole me leve. [2109] By Mars, that is the chef of my beleve, [2110] So that I myghte liven and nat fayle [2111] To-morwe for t' acheve my batayle, [2112] I wolde nevere from this place fle, [2113] Til that ye shulde the verray preve se. [2114] For now, if that the sothe I shal yow say, [2115] I have yloved yow ful many a day, [2116] Thogh ye ne wiste it nat, in my cuntre, [2117] And aldermost desired yow to se [2118] Of any erthly livynge creature. [2119] Upon my trouthe I swere and yow assure, [2120] This sevene yer I have youre servaunt be. [2121] Now have I yow, and also have ye me, [2122] My dere herte, of Athenes duchesse!" [2123] This lady smyleth at his stedefastnesse, [2124] And at his hertely wordes and his chere, [2125] And to hyre sister seyde in this manere, [2126] Al softely: "Now, syster myn," quod she, [2127] "Now be we duchesses, bothe I and ye, [2128] And sekered to the regals of Athenes, [2129] And bothe hereafter likly to ben quenes; [2130] And saved from his deth a kynges sone, [2131] As evere of gentil women is the wone [2132] To save a gentyl man, emforth hire myght, [2133] In honest cause, and namely in his ryght. [2134] Me thynketh no wight oughte us herof blame, [2135] Ne beren us therfore an evil name." [2136] And shortly of this mater for to make, [2137] This Theseus of hire hath leve take, [2138] And every poynt was performed in dede [2139] As ye han in this covenaunt herd me rede. [2140] His wepne, his clewe, his thyng, that I have sayd, [2141] Was by the gayler in the hous yleyd, [2142] Ther as the Mynotaur hath his dwellynge, [2143] Ryght faste by the dore, at his entrynge. [2144] And Theseus is lad unto his deth, [2145] And forth unto this Mynotaur he geth, [2146] And by the techynge of this Adryane [2147] He overcom this beste and was his bane; [2148] And out he cometh by the clewe agayn [2149] Ful prively, whan he this beste hath slayn; [2150] And by the gayler geten hath a barge, [2151] And of his wyves tresor gan it charge, [2152] And tok his wif, and ek hire sister fre, [2153] And ek the gayler, and with hem alle thre [2154] Is stole awey out of the lond by nyghte, [2155] And to the contre of Ennopye hym dyghte [2156] There as he hadde a frend of his knowynge. [2157] There feste they, there daunce they and synge; [2158] And in his armes hath this Adryane, [2159] That of the beste hath kept hym from his bane; [2160] And gat hym there a newe barge anon, [2161] And of his contre-folk a ful gret won, [2162] And taketh his leve, and homward sayleth he. [2163] And in an yle amyd the wilde se, [2164] Ther as there dwelled creature non [2165] Save wilde bestes, and that ful many oon, [2166] He made his ship a-londe for to sette; [2167] And in that yle half a day he lette, [2168] And seyde that on the lond he moste hym reste. [2169] His maryners han don ryght as hym leste; [2170] And, for to tellen shortly in this cas, [2171] Whan Adryane his wif aslepe was, [2172] For that hire syster fayrer was than she, [2173] He taketh hire in his hond and forth goth he [2174] To shipe, and as a traytour stal his wey, [2175] Whil that this Adryane aslepe lay, [2176] And to his contre-ward he sayleth blyve -- [2177] A twenty devel-wey the wynd hym dryve! -- [2178] And fond his fader drenched in the se. [2179] Me lest no more to speke of hym, parde. [2180] These false lovers, poysoun be here bane! [2181] But I wol turne ageyn to Adryane, [2182] That is with slep for werynesse atake. [2183] Ful sorwefully hire herte may awake. [2184] Allas, for thee myn herte hath now pite! [2185] Ryght in the dawenyng awaketh she, [2186] And gropeth in the bed, and fond ryght nought. [2187] "Allas," quod she, "that evere I was wrought! [2188] I am betrayed!" and hire her torente, [2189] And to the stronde barefot faste she wente, [2190] And cryed, "Theseus, myn herte swete! [2191] Where be ye, that I may nat with yow mete, [2192] And myghte thus with bestes ben yslayn?" [2193] The holwe rokkes answerde hire agayn. [2194] No man she saw, and yit shyned the mone, [2195] And hye upon a rokke she wente sone, [2196] And saw his barge saylynge in the se. [2197] Cold wex hire herte, and ryght thus seyde she: [2198] "Meker than ye fynde I the bestes wilde!" [2199] Hadde he nat synne that hire thus begylde? [2200] She cryed, "O turn ageyn, for routhe and synne! [2201] Thy barge hath nat al his meyne inne!" [2202] Hire coverchef on a pole up steked she, [2203] Ascaunce that he shulde it wel yse, [2204] And hym remembre that she was behynde, [2205] And turne ageyn, and on the stronde hire fynde. [2206] But al for nought; his wey he is ygon. [2207] Adoun she fyl aswoune upon a ston; [2208] And up she rist, and kyssed, in al hire care, [2209] The steppes of his fet ther he hath fare, [2210] And to hire bed ryght thus she speketh tho: [2211] "Thow bed," quod she, "that hast receyved two, [2212] Thow shalt answere of two, and nat of oon! [2213] Where is thy gretter part awey ygon? [2214] Allas! Where shal I, wreche wight, become? [2215] For thogh so be that ship or boot here come, [2216] Hom to my contre dar I nat for drede. [2217] I can myselven in this cas nat rede." [2218] What shulde I more telle hire compleynyng? [2219] It is so long, it were an hevy thyng. [2220] In hire Epistel Naso telleth al; [2221] But shortly to the ende I telle shal. [2222] The goddes han hire holpen for pite, [2223] And in the signe of Taurus men may se [2224] The stones of hire corone shyne clere. [2225] I wol no more speke of this mateere; [2226] But thus this false lovere can begyle [2227] His trewe love, the devel quyte hym his while! [2228] Thow yevere of the formes, that hast wrought [2229] This fayre world and bar it in thy thought [2230] Eternaly er thow thy werk began, [2231] Why madest thow, unto the slaunder of man, [2232] Or, al be that it was nat thy doing, [2233] As for that fyn, to make swich a thyng, [2234] Whi sufferest thow that Tereus was bore, [2235] That is in love so fals and so forswore, [2236] That fro this world up to the firste hevene [2237] Corrumpeth whan that folk his name nevene? [2238] And, as to me, so grisely was his dede [2239] That, whan that I his foule storye rede, [2240] Myne eyen wexe foule and sore also. [2241] Yit last the venym of so longe ago, [2242] That it enfecteth hym that wol beholde [2243] The storye of Tereus, of which I tolde. [2244] Of Trace was he lord, and kyn to Marte, [2245] The crewel god that stant with blody darte; [2246] And wedded hadde he, with a blysful cheere, [2247] Kyng Pandiones fayre doughter dere, [2248] That highte Progne, flour of hire cuntre, [2249] Thogh Juno lyst nat at the feste to be, [2250] Ne Imeneus that god of wedyng is. [2251] But at the feste redy ben, ywis, [2252] The Furies thre with al here mortal brond. [2253] The oule al nyght aboute the balkes wond, [2254] That prophete is of wo and of myschaunce. [2255] This revel, ful of song and ek of daunce, [2256] Laste a fortenyght, or lytel lasse. [2257] But shortly of this story for to passe, [2258] For I am wery of hym for to telle, [2259] Fyve yer his wif and he togeder dwelle, [2260] Til on a day she gan so sore longe [2261] To sen hire sister that she say nat longe, [2262] That for desyr she nyste what to seye. [2263] But to hire husbonde gan she for to preye, [2264] For Godes love, that she moste ones gon [2265] Hyre syster for to sen, and come anon, [2266] Or elles, but she moste to hire wende, [2267] She preyde hym that he wolde after hire sende; [2268] And this was day by day al hire preyere, [2269] With al humblesse of wifhod, word and chere. [2270] This Tereus let make his shipes yare, [2271] And into Grece hymself is forth yfare. [2272] Unto his fadyr-in-lawe gan he preye [2273] To vouche-sauf that for a month or tweye [2274] That Philomene, his wyves syster, myghte [2275] On Progne his wyf but ones han a syghte -- [2276] "And she shal come to yow ageyn anon. [2277] Myself with hyre wol bothe come and gon, [2278] And as myn hertes lyf I wol hire kepe." [2279] This olde Pandion, this kyng, gan wepe [2280] For tendernesse of herte for to leve [2281] His doughter gon, and for to yeve hire leve; [2282] Of al this world he loveth nothyng so; [2283] But at the laste leve hath she to go. [2284] For Philomene with salte teres eke [2285] Gan of hire fader grace to beseke [2286] To sen hire syster that she loveth so, [2287] And hym embraseth with hire armes two. [2288] And therwithal so yong and fayr was she [2289] That, whan that Tereus saw hire beaute, [2290] And of aray that there was non hire lyche, [2291] And yit of beaute was she two so ryche, [2292] He caste his fyry herte upon hyre so [2293] That he wol have hir, how so that it go; [2294] And with his wiles kneled and so preyde, [2295] Tyl at the laste Pandyon thus seyde: [2296] "Now, sone," quod he, "that art to me so dere, [2297] I the betake my yonge doughter here [2298] That bereth the keye of al myn hertes lyf. [2299] And gret me wel my doughter and thy wif, [2300] And yif hire leve somtyme for to pleye, [2301] That she may sen me ones er I deye." [2302] And sothly, he hath mad hym riche feste, [2303] And to his folk, the moste and ek the leste, [2304] That with hym com; and yaf hym yiftes grete, [2305] And hym conveyeth thourgh the mayster-strete [2306] Of Athenes, and to the se hym broughte, [2307] And turneth hom; no malyce he ne thoughte. [2308] The ores pullen forth the vessel faste, [2309] And into Trace aryveth at the laste, [2310] And up into a forest he hire ledde, [2311] And to a cave pryvely hym spedde; [2312] And in this derke cave, yif hir leste, [2313] Or leste nat, he bad hire for to reste; [2314] Of which hire herte agros, and seyde thus: [2315] "Where is my sister, brother Tereus?" [2316] And therwithal she wepte tenderly [2317] And quok for fere, pale and pitously, [2318] Ryght as the lamb that of the wolf is biten; [2319] Or as the culver that of the egle is smiten, [2320] And is out of his clawes forth escaped, [2321] Yit it is afered and awhaped, [2322] Lest it be hent eft-sones; so sat she. [2323] But utterly it may non other be. [2324] By force hath this traytour don a dede, [2325] That he hath reft hire of hire maydenhede, [2326] Maugre hire hed, by strengthe and by his myght. [2327] Lo! here a dede of men, and that a ryght! [2328] She cryeth "Syster!" with ful loud a stevene, [2329] And "Fader dere!" and "Help me, God in hevene!" [2330] Al helpeth nat; and yit this false thef [2331] Hath don this lady yit a more myschef, [2332] For fere lest she shulde his shame crye [2333] And don hym openly a vilenye, [2334] And with his swerd hire tonge of kerveth he, [2335] And in a castel made hire for to be [2336] Ful pryvely in prisoun everemore, [2337] And kepte hire to his usage and his store, [2338] So that she myghte hym neveremore asterte. [2339] O sely Philomene, wo is thyn herte! [2340] God wreke thee, and sende the thy bone! [2341] Now is it tyme I make an ende sone. [2342] This Tereus is to his wif ycome, [2343] And in his armes hath his wif ynome, [2344] And pitously he wep and shok his hed, [2345] And swor hir that he fond hir sister ded; [2346] For which this sely Progne hath swich wo [2347] That nygh hire sorweful herte brak a-two. [2348] And thus in terys lete I Progne dwelle, [2349] And of hire sister forth I wol yow telle. [2350] This woful lady lerned hadde in youthe [2351] So that she werken and enbroude couthe, [2352] And weven in hire stol the radevore [2353] As it of wemen hath be woned yore. [2354] And, sothly for to seyne, she hadde hire fille [2355] Of mete and drynk, and clothyng at hire wille. [2356] She coude eek rede and wel ynow endyte, [2357] But with a penne coude she nat wryte. [2358] But letters can she weve to and fro, [2359] So that, by that the yer was al ago, [2360] She hadde ywoven in a stamyn large [2361] How she was brought from Athenes in a barge, [2362] And in a cave how that she was brought; [2363] And al the thyng that Tereus hath wrought, [2364] She waf it wel, and wrot the storye above, [2365] How she was served for hire systers love. [2366] And to a knave a ryng she yaf anon, [2367] And preyed hym by signes for to gon [2368] Unto the queen, and beren hir that cloth, [2369] And by signes swor hym many an oth [2370] She wolde hym yeven what she geten myghte. [2371] This knave anon unto the quene hym dyghte, [2372] And tok it hire, and al the maner tolde. [2373] And whan that Progne hath this thing beholde, [2374] No word she spak, for sorwe and ek for rage, [2375] But feynede hire to gon on pilgrymage [2376] To Bacus temple; and in a litel stounde [2377] Hire dombe sister sittynge hath she founde, [2378] Wepynge in the castel, here alone. [2379] Allas! The wo, the compleynt, and the mone [2380] That Progne upon hire doumbe syster maketh. [2381] In armes everych of hem other taketh, [2382] And thus I late hem in here sorwe dwelle. [2383] The remenaunt is no charge for to telle, [2384] For this is al and som: thus was she served, [2385] That nevere harm agilte ne deserved [2386] Unto this crewel man, that she of wiste. [2387] Ye may be war of men, if that yow liste. [2388] For al be it that he wol nat, for shame, [2389] Don as Tereus, to lese his name, [2390] Ne serve yow as a morderour or a knave, [2391] Ful lytel while shal ye trewe hym have -- [2392] That wol I seyn, al were he now my brother -- [2393] But it so be that he may have non other. [2394] By preve as wel as by autorite, [2395] That wiked fruit cometh of a wiked tre, [2396] That may ye fynde, if that it like yow. [2397] But for this ende I speke this as now, [2398] To tellen yow of false Demophon. [2399] In love a falser herde I nevere non, [2400] But if it were his fader Theseus. [2401] "God, for his grace, fro swich oon kepe us!" [2402] Thus may these women preyen that it here. [2403] Now to the effect turne I of my matere. [2404] Destroyed is of Troye the cite; [2405] This Demophon com seylynge in the se [2406] Toward Athenes, to his paleys large. [2407] With hym com many a ship and many a barge [2408] Ful of his folk, of whiche ful many oon [2409] Is wounded sore, and sek, and wo begon, [2410] As they han at th' asege longe yleyn. [2411] Byhynde hym com a wynd and ek a reyn [2412] That shof so sore his sayl ne myghte stonde; [2413] Hym were levere than al the world a-londe, [2414] So hunteth hym the tempest to and fro. [2415] So derk it was, he coude nowher go; [2416] And with a wawe brosten was his stere. [2417] His ship was rent so lowe, in swich manere, [2418] That carpenter ne coude it nat amende. [2419] The se, by nyghte, as any torche it brende [2420] For wod, and possith hym now up, now doun, [2421] Til Neptune hath of hym compassioun, [2422] And Thetis, Thorus, Triton, and they alle, [2423] And maden hym upon a lond to falle, [2424] Wherof that Phillis lady was and queene, [2425] Ligurges doughter, fayrer on to sene [2426] Than is the flour ageyn the bryghte sonne. [2427] Unnethe is Demophon to londe ywonne, [2428] Wayk, and ek wery, and his folk forpyned [2429] Of werynesse, and also enfamyned, [2430] That to the deth he almost was ydriven. [2431] His wise folk to conseyl han hym yiven [2432] To seken help and socour of the queen, [2433] And loke what his grace myghte been, [2434] And maken in that lond som chevysaunce, [2435] To kepen hym fro wo and fro myschaunce. [2436] For syk he was, and almost at the deth; [2437] Unnethe myghte he speke or drawe his breth, [2438] And lyth in Rodopeya hym for to reste. [2439] Whan he may walke, hym thoughte it was the beste [2440] Unto the court to seken for socour. [2441] Men knewen hym wel and diden hym honour; [2442] For of Athenes duk and lord was he, [2443] As Theseus his fader hadde be, [2444] That in his tyme was of gret renoun, [2445] No man so gret in al the regyoun, [2446] And lyk his fader of face and of stature, [2447] And fals of love; it com hym of nature. [2448] As doth the fox Renard, the foxes sone, [2449] Of kynde he coude his olde faders wone [2450] Withoute lore, as can a drake swimme [2451] Whan it is caught and caryed to the brymme. [2452] This honurable Phillis doth hym chere; [2453] Hire liketh wel his port and his manere. [2454] But, for I am agroted herebyforn [2455] To wryte of hem that ben in love forsworn, [2456] And ek to haste me in my legende, [2457] (Which to performe God me grace sende) [2458] Therfore I passe shortly in this wyse. [2459] Ye han wel herd of Theseus devyse [2460] In the betraysynge of fayre Adryane [2461] That of hire pite kepte him from his bane. [2462] At shorte wordes, ryght so Demophon [2463] The same wey, the same path hath gon, [2464] That dide his false fader Theseus. [2465] For unto Phillis hath he sworen thus, [2466] To wedden hire, and hire his trouthe plyghte, [2467] And piked of hire al the good he myghte, [2468] Whan he was hol and sound, and hadde his reste; [2469] And doth with Phillis what so that hym leste, [2470] As wel coude I, if that me leste so, [2471] Tellen al his doynge to and fro. [2472] He seyde unto his contre moste he sayle, [2473] For there he wolde hire weddynge aparayle, [2474] As fel to hire honour and his also. [2475] And openly he tok his leve tho, [2476] And hath hire sworn he wolde nat sojorne, [2477] But in a month he wolde ageyn retorne; [2478] And in that lond let make his ordenaunce [2479] As verray lord, and tok the obeysaunce [2480] Wel and homly, and let his shipes dighte, [2481] And hom he goth the nexte wey he myghte. [2482] For unto Phillis yit ne com he nought, [2483] And that hath she so harde and sore abought -- [2484] Allas! -- that, as the storyes us recorde, [2485] She was hire owene deth ryght with a corde, [2486] Whan that she saw that Demophon hire trayed. [2487] But to hym first she wrot, and faste him prayed [2488] He wolde come and hire delyvere of peyne, [2489] As I reherce shal a word or tweyne. [2490] Me lyste nat vouche-sauf on hym to swynke, [2491] Ne spende on hym a penne ful of ynke, [2492] For fals in love was he, ryght as his syre. [2493] The devil sette here soules bothe afyre! [2494] But of the letter of Phillis wol I wryte [2495] A word or two, althogh it be but lyte. [2496] "Thyn hostesse," quod she, "O Demophon, [2497] Thy Phillis, which that is so wo begon, [2498] Of Rodopeye, upon yow mot compleyne [2499] Over the terme set bytwixe us tweyne, [2500] That ye ne holde forward, as ye seyde. [2501] Youre anker, which ye in oure haven leyde, [2502] Hyghte us that ye wolde comen, out of doute, [2503] Or that the mone wente ones aboute. [2504] But tymes foure the mone hath hid hire face, [2505] Syn thilke day ye wente from this place, [2506] And foure tymes lyghte the world ageyn. [2507] But for al that, yif I shal soothly seyn, [2508] Yit hath the strem of Sytho nat ybrought [2509] From Athenes the ship; yit cometh it noght. [2510] And if that ye the terme rekene wolde [2511] As I or as a trewe lovere shulde, [2512] I pleyne nat, God wot, byforn my day." [2513] But al hire letter wryten I ne may [2514] By order, for it were to me a charge; [2515] Hire letter was ryght long and therto large. [2516] But here and ther in rym I have it layd, [2517] There as me thoughte that she wel hath sayd. [2518] She seyde, "Thy sayles come nat agen, [2519] Ne to thy word there is no fey certeyn; [2520] But I wot why ye come nat," quod she, [2521] "For I was of my love to yow to fre. [2522] And of the goddes that ye han forswore, [2523] Yif hire vengeaunce falle on yow therfore, [2524] Ye be nat suffisaunt to bere the peyne. [2525] To moche trusted I, wel may I pleyne, [2526] Upon youre lynage and youre fayre tonge, [2527] And on youre teres falsly out yronge. [2528] How coude ye wepe so by craft?" quod she. [2529] "May there swiche teres feyned be? [2530] Now certes, yif ye wol have in memorye, [2531] It oughte be to yow but lyte glorye [2532] To han a sely mayde thus betrayed! [2533] To God," quod she, "preye I, and ofte have prayed, [2534] That it mot be the grettest prys of alle [2535] And most honour that evere the shal befalle! [2536] And whan thyne olde auncestres peynted be, [2537] In which men may here worthynesse se, [2538] Thanne preye I God thow peynted be also [2539] That folk may rede forby as they go, [2540] `Lo! this is he that with his flaterye [2541] Bytraised hath and don hire vilenye [2542] That was his trewe love in thought and dede!' [2543] But sothly, of oo poynt yit may they rede, [2544] That ye ben lyk youre fader as in this, [2545] For he begiled Adriane, ywis, [2546] With swich an art and with swich subtilte [2547] As thow thyselven hast begyled me. [2548] As in that poynt, althogh it be nat fayr, [2549] Thow folwest hym, certayn, and art his ayr. [2550] But syn thus synfully ye me begile, [2551] My body mote ye se withinne a while, [2552] Ryght in the haven of Athenes fletynge, [2553] Withoute sepulture and buryinge, [2554] Thogh ye ben harder than is any ston." [2555] And whan this letter was forth sent anon, [2556] And knew how brotel and how fals he was, [2557] She for dispeyr fordide hyreself, allas. [2558] Swych sorwe hath she, for she besette hire so. [2559] Be war, ye wemen, of youre subtyl fo, [2560] Syn yit this day men may ensaumple se; [2561] And trusteth, as in love, no man but me. [2562] In Grece whilom weren brethren two, [2563] Of whiche that oon was called Danao, [2564] That many a sone hath of his body wonne, [2565] As swiche false lovers ofte conne. [2566] Among his sones alle there was oon [2567] That aldermost he lovede of everychoon. [2568] And whan this child was born, this Danao [2569] Shop hym a name and callede hym Lyno. [2570] That other brother called was Egiste, [2571] That was of love as fals as evere hym liste, [2572] And many a doughter gat he in his lyf; [2573] Of whiche he gat upon his ryghte wyf [2574] A doughter dere, and dide hire for to calle [2575] Ypermystra, yongeste of hem alle. [2576] The whiche child of hire natyvyte [2577] To alle thewes goode yborn was she, [2578] As likede to the goddes er she was born, [2579] That of the shef she sholde be the corn. [2580] The Wirdes, that we clepen Destine, [2581] Hath shapen hire that she mot nedes be [2582] Pyetous, sad, wis, and trewe as stel, [2583] As to these wemen it acordeth wel. [2584] For thogh that Venus yaf hire gret beaute, [2585] With Jupiter compouned so was she [2586] That conscience, trouthe, and drede of shame, [2587] And of hyre wifhod for to kepe hire name, [2588] This, thoughte hire, was felycite as here. [2589] The rede Mars was that tyme of the yeere [2590] So feble that his malyce is hym raft; [2591] Repressed hath Venus his crewel craft, [2592] That, what with Venus and other oppressioun [2593] Of houses, Mars his venim is adoun, [2594] That Ypermystra dar nat handle a knyf [2595] In malyce, thogh she shulde lese hire lyf. [2596] But natheles, as hevene gan tho turne, [2597] To badde aspectes hath she of Saturne, [2598] That made hire for to deyen in prisoun, [2599] As I shal after make mencioun. [2600] To Danao and Egistes also, [2601] Althogh so be that they were brethren two -- [2602] For thilke tyme was spared no lynage -- [2603] It lykede hem to make a maryage [2604] Bytwixen Ypermystre and hym Lyno, [2605] And casten swich a day it shal be so, [2606] And ful acorded was it utterly; [2607] The aray is wrought, the tyme is faste by. [2608] And thus Lyno hath of his faders brother [2609] The doughter wedded, and ech of hem hath other. [2610] The torches brennen, and the laumpes bryghte; [2611] The sacryfices ben ful redy dighte; [2612] Th' encens out of the fyre reketh sote; [2613] The flour, the lef is rent up by the rote [2614] To maken garlondes and crounes hye. [2615] Ful is the place of soun of minstralsye, [2616] Of songes amorous of maryage, [2617] As thylke tyme was the pleyne usage. [2618] And this was in the paleys of Egiste, [2619] That in his hous was lord, ryght as hym lyste. [2620] And thus the day they dryve to an ende; [2621] The frendes taken leve, and hom they wende; [2622] The nyght is come, the bryd shal go to bedde. [2623] Egistus to his chamber faste hym spedde, [2624] And prively he let his doughter calle. [2625] Whan that the hous was voyded of hem alle, [2626] He loketh on his doughter with glad chere [2627] And to hire spak, as ye shal after here: [2628] "My ryghte doughter, tresor of myn herte, [2629] Syn fyrst that day that shapen was my sherte, [2630] Or by the fatal systren had my dom, [2631] So nygh myn herte nevere thyng ne com [2632] As thow, myn Ypermystre, doughter dere. [2633] Tak hed what I, thy fader, seye the here, [2634] And werk after thy wiser evere mo. [2635] For alderfirst, doughter, I love the so [2636] That al the world to me nis half so lef; [2637] Ne I nolde rede the to thy myschef [2638] For al the good under the colde mone. [2639] And what I mene, it shal be seyd right sone, [2640] With protestacioun, as in this wyse, [2641] That, but thow do as I shal the devyse, [2642] Thow shalt be ded, by hym that al hath wrought! [2643] At shorte wordes, thow ne scapest nought [2644] Out of my paleys or that thow be ded, [2645] But thow consente and werke after my red; [2646] Tak this to thee for ful conclusioun." [2647] This Ypermystre caste hire eyen doun, [2648] And quok as doth the lef of aspe grene. [2649] Ded wex hire hew, and lyk an ash to sene, [2650] And seyde, "Lord and fader, al youre wille, [2651] After my myght, God wot, I shal fulfille, [2652] So it to me be no confusioun." [2653] "I nele," quod he, "have non excepcioun"; [2654] And out he caught a knyf, as rasour kene. [2655] "Hyd this," quod he, "that it be nat ysene; [2656] And whan thyn husbonde is to bedde go, [2657] Whil that he slepeth, kit his throte atwo. [2658] For in my dremes it is warned me [2659] How that my nevew shal my bane be, [2660] But which I noot, wherfore I wol be siker. [2661] If thow sey nay, we two shul have a biker, [2662] As I have seyd, by hym that I have sworn!" [2663] This Ipermystre hath nygh hire wit forlorn; [2664] And, for to passen harmles of that place, [2665] She graunteth hym; ther is non other grace. [2666] And therwithal a costret taketh he, [2667] And seyde, "Herof a draught, or two, or thre, [2668] Yif hym to drynke, whan he goth to reste, [2669] And he shal slepe as longe as evere thee leste, [2670] The narcotyks and opies ben so stronge. [2671] And go thy wey, lest that him thynke longe." [2672] Out cometh the bryd, and with ful sobre cheere, [2673] As is of maydens ofte the manere, [2674] To chaumbre is brought with revel and with song. [2675] And shortly, lest this tale be to long, [2676] This Lyno and she ben brought to bedde, [2677] And every wight out at the dore hym spedde. [2678] The nyght is wasted, and he fyl aslepe. [2679] Ful tenderly begynneth she to wepe; [2680] She rist hire up, and dredfully she quaketh, [2681] As doth the braunche that Zepherus shaketh, [2682] And hust were alle in Argon that cite. [2683] As cold as any frost now waxeth she; [2684] For pite by the herte hire streyneth so, [2685] And drede of deth doth hire so moche wo, [2686] That thryes doun she fyl in swich a were. [2687] She rist yit up, and stakereth her and there, [2688] And on hire hondes faste loketh she. [2689] "Allas! and shal myne hondes blody be? [2690] I am a mayde, and, as by my nature, [2691] And bi my semblaunt and by my vesture, [2692] Myne handes ben nat shapen for a knyf, [2693] As for to reve no man fro his lyf. [2694] What devel have I with the knyf to do? [2695] And shal I have my throte korve a-two? [2696] Thanne shal I blede, allas, and me beshende! [2697] And nedes-cost this thyng moste have an ende; [2698] Or he or I mot nedes lese oure lyf. [2699] Now certes," quod she, "syn I am his wif, [2700] And hath my feyth, yit is it bet for me [2701] For to be ded in wifly honeste [2702] Than ben a traytour lyvynge in my shame. [2703] Be as be may, for ernest or for game, [2704] He shal awake, and ryse, and gon his way, [2705] Out at this goter, or that it be day" -- [2706] And wep ful tenderly upon his face, [2707] And in hyre armes gan hym to enbrace, [2708] And hym she roggeth and awaketh softe. [2709] And at a wyndow lep he fro the lofte, [2710] Whan she hath warned hym, and don hym bote. [2711] This Lyno swift was, and lyght of fote, [2712] And from his wif he ran a ful good pas. [2713] This sely woman is so weik -- Allas! -- [2714] And helples, so that or that she fer wente, [2715] Hire crewel fader dide hire for to hente. [2716] Allas, Lyno, whi art thow so unkynde? [2717] Why ne haddest thow remembred in thy mynde [2718] To taken hire, and lad hire forth with the? [2719] For whan she saw that gon awey was he, [2720] And that she myghte nat so faste go, [2721] Ne folwen hym, she sat hire doun ryght tho, [2722] Til she was caught and fetered in prysoun. [2723] This tale is seyd for this conclusioun -- The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems An ABC [1] Almighty and al merciable queene, [2] To whom that al this world fleeth for socour, [3] To have relees of sinne, of sorwe, and teene, [4] Glorious virgine, of alle floures flour, [5] To thee I flee, confounded in errour. [6] Help and releeve, thou mighti debonayre, [7] Have mercy on my perilous langour. [8] Venquisshed me hath my cruel adversaire. [9] Bountee so fix hath in thin herte his tente [10] That wel I wot thou wolt my socour bee; [11] Thou canst not warne him that with good entente [12] Axeth thin helpe, thin herte is ay so free. [13] Thou art largesse of pleyn felicitee, [14] Haven of refut, of quiete, and of reste. [15] Loo, how that theeves sevene chasen mee. [16] Help, lady bright, er that my ship tobreste. [17] Comfort is noon but in yow, ladi deere; [18] For loo, my sinne and my confusioun, [19] Which oughten not in thi presence appeere, [20] Han take on me a greevous accioun [21] Of verrey right and desperacioun; [22] And as bi right thei mighten wel susteene [23] That I were wurthi my dampnacioun, [24] Nere merci of you, blisful hevene queene. [25] Dowte is ther noon, thou queen of misericorde, [26] That thou n' art cause of grace and merci heere; [27] God vouched sauf thurgh thee with us to accorde. [28] For certes, Crystes blisful mooder deere, [29] Were now the bowe bent in swich maneere [30] As it was first of justice and of ire, [31] The rightful God nolde of no mercy heere; [32] But thurgh thee han we grace as we desire. [33] Evere hath myn hope of refut been in thee, [34] For heer-biforn ful ofte in many a wyse [35] Hast thou to misericorde receyved me. [36] But merci, ladi, at the grete assyse [37] Whan we shule come bifore the hye justyse. [38] So litel fruit shal thanne in me be founde [39] That, but thou er that day correcte [vice], [40] Of verrey right my werk wol me confounde. [41] Fleeinge, I flee for socour to thi tente [42] Me for to hide from tempeste ful of dreede, [43] Biseeching yow that ye you not absente [44] Thouh I be wikke. O, help yit at this neede! [45] Al have I ben a beste in wil and deede, [46] Yit, ladi, thou me cloth. with thi grace. [47] Thin enemy and myn -- ladi, tak heede -- [48] Unto my deth in poynt is me to chace! [49] Glorious mayde and mooder, which that nevere [50] Were bitter, neither in erthe nor in see, [51] But ful of swetnesse and of merci evere, [52] Help that my Fader be not wroth with me. [53] Spek thou, for I ne dar not him ysee, [54] So have I doon in erthe, allas the while, [55] That certes, but if thou my socour bee, [56] To stink eterne he wole my gost exile. [57] He vouched sauf, tel him, as was his wille, [58] Bicome a man, to have oure alliaunce, [59] And with his precious blood he wrot the bille [60] Upon the crois as general acquitaunce [61] To every penitent in ful creaunce; [62] And therfore, ladi bright, thou for us praye. [63] Thanne shalt thou bothe stinte al his grevaunce, [64] And make oure foo to failen of his praye. [65] I wot it wel, thou wolt ben oure socour, [66] Thou art so ful of bowntee, in certeyn, [67] For whan a soule falleth in errour [68] Thi pitee goth and haleth him ayein. [69] Thanne makest thou his pees with his sovereyn [70] And bringest him out of the crooked strete. [71] Whoso thee loveth, he shal not love in veyn, [72] That shal he fynde as he the lyf shal lete. [73] Kalenderes enlumyned ben thei [74] That in this world ben lighted with thi name, [75] And whoso goth to yow the righte wey, [76] Him thar not drede in soule to be lame. [77] Now, queen of comfort, sith thou art that same [78] To whom I seeche for my medicyne, [79] Lat not my foo no more my wounde entame; [80] Myn hele into thin hand al I resygne. [81] Ladi, thi sorwe kan I not portreye [82] Under the cros, ne his greevous penaunce; [83] But for youre bothes peynes I yow preye, [84] Lat not oure alder foo make his bobaunce [85] That he hath in his lystes of mischaunce [86] Convict that ye bothe have bought so deere. [87] As I seide erst, thou ground of oure substaunce, [88] Continue on us thi pitous eyen cleere! [89] Moises, that saugh the bush with flawmes rede [90] Brenninge, of which ther never a stikke brende, [91] Was signe of thin unwemmed maidenhede. [92] Thou art the bush on which ther gan descende [93] The Holi Gost, the which that Moyses wende [94] Had ben a-fyr, and this was in figure. [95] Now, ladi, from the fyr thou us defende [96] Which that in helle eternalli shal dure. [97] Noble princesse, that nevere haddest peere, [98] Certes if any comfort in us bee, [99] That cometh of thee, thou Cristes mooder deere. [100] We han noon oother melodye or glee [101] Us to rejoyse in oure adversitee, [102] Ne advocat noon that wole and dar so preye [103] For us, and that for litel hire as yee [104] That helpen for an Ave-Marie or tweye. [105] O verrey light of eyen that ben blynde, [106] O verrey lust of labour and distresse, [107] O tresoreere of bountee to mankynde, [108] Thee whom God ches to mooder for humblesse! [109] From his ancille he made the maistresse [110] Of hevene and erthe, oure bille up for to beede. [111] This world awaiteth evere on thi goodnesse [112] For thou ne failest nevere wight at neede. [113] Purpos I have sum time for to enquere [114] Wherfore and whi the Holi Gost thee soughte [115] Whan Gabrielles vois cam to thin ere. [116] He not to werre us swich a wonder wroughte, [117] But for to save us that he sithen boughte. [118] Thanne needeth us no wepen us for to save, [119] But oonly ther we dide not, as us oughte, [120] Doo penitence, and merci axe and have. [121] Queen of comfort, yit whan I me bithinke [122] That I agilt have bothe him and thee, [123] And that my soule is worthi for to sinke, [124] Allas, I caityf, whider may I flee? [125] Who shal unto thi Sone my mene bee? [126] Who, but thiself, that art of pitee welle? [127] Thou hast more reuthe on oure adversitee [128] Than in this world might any tonge telle. [129] Redresse me, mooder, and me chastise, [130] For certeynly my Faderes chastisinge, [131] That dar I nouht abiden in no wise, [132] So hidous is his rightful rekenynge. [133] Mooder, of whom oure merci gan to springe, [134] Beth ye my juge and eek my soules leche; [135] For evere in you is pitee haboundinge [136] To ech that wole of pitee you biseeche. [137] Soth is that God ne granteth no pitee [138] Withoute thee; for God of his goodnesse [139] Foryiveth noon, but it like unto thee. [140] He hath thee maked vicaire and maistresse [141] Of al this world, and eek governouresse [142] Of hevene, and he represseth his justise [143] After thi wil; and therfore in witnesse [144] He hath thee corowned in so rial wise. [145] Temple devout, ther God hath his woninge, [146] Fro which these misbileeved deprived been, [147] To you my soule penitent I bringe. [148] Receyve me -- I can no ferther fleen. [149] With thornes venymous, O hevene queen, [150] For which the eerthe acursed was ful yore, [151] I am so wounded, as ye may wel seen, [152] That I am lost almost, it smert so sore. [153] Virgine, that art so noble of apparaile, [154] And ledest us into the hye tour [155] Of Paradys, thou me wisse and counsaile [156] How I may have thi grace and thi socour, [157] All have I ben in filthe and in errour. [158] Ladi, unto that court thou me ajourne [159] That cleped is thi bench, O freshe flour, [160] Ther as that merci evere shal sojourne. [161] Xristus, thi sone, that in this world alighte [162] Upon the cros to suffre his passioun, [163] And eek that Longius his herte pighte [164] And made his herte blood to renne adoun, [165] And al was this for my salvacioun; [166] And I to him am fals and eek unkynde, [167] And yit he wole not my dampnacioun -- [168] This thanke I yow, socour of al mankynde! [169] Ysaac was figure of his deth, certeyn, [170] That so fer forth his fader wolde obeye [171] That him ne roughte nothing to be slayn; [172] Right soo thi Sone list as a lamb to deye. [173] Now, ladi ful of merci, I yow preye, [174] Sith he his merci mesured so large, [175] Be ye not skant, for alle we singe and seye [176] That ye ben from vengeaunce ay oure targe. [177] Zacharie yow clepeth the open welle [178] To wasshe sinful soule out of his gilt. [179] Therfore this lessoun oughte I wel to telle, [180] That, nere thi tender herte, we were spilt. [181] Now, ladi bryghte, sith thou canst and wilt [182] Ben to the seed of Adam merciable, [183] Bring us to that palais that is bilt [184] To penitentes that ben to merci able. Amen. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems The Complaint Unto Pity [1] Pite, that I have sought so yore agoo [2] With herte soore and ful of besy peyne, [3] That in this world was never wight so woo [4] Withoute deth -- and yf I shal not feyne, [5] My purpos was to Pite to compleyne [6] Upon the crueltee and tirannye [7] Of Love, that for my trouthe doth me dye. [8] And when that I, be lengthe of certeyne yeres, [9] Had evere in oon a tyme sought to speke, [10] To Pitee ran I al bespreynt with teres [11] To prayen hir on Cruelte me awreke. [12] But er I myghte with any word outbreke [13] Or tellen any of my peynes smerte, [14] I fond hir ded, and buried in an herte. [15] Adoun I fel when that I saugh the herse, [16] Ded as a ston while that the swogh me laste; [17] But up I roos with colour ful dyverse [18] And pitously on hir myn eyen I caste, [19] And ner the corps I gan to presen faste, [20] And for the soule I shop me for to preye. [21] I was but lorn, ther was no more to seye. [22] Thus am I slayn sith that Pite is ded. [23] Allas, that day, that ever hyt shulde falle. [24] What maner man dar now hold up his hed? [25] To whom shal any sorwful herte calle? [26] Now Cruelte hath cast to slee us alle, [27] In ydel hope, folk redeless of peyne, [28] Syth she is ded, to whom shul we compleyne? [29] But yet encreseth me this wonder newe, [30] That no wight woot that she is ded, but I -- [31] So many men as in her tyme hir knewe -- [32] And yet she dyed not so sodeynly, [33] For I have sought hir ever ful besely [34] Sith first I hadde wit or mannes mynde, [35] But she was ded er that I koude hir fynde. [36] Aboute hir herse there stoden lustely, [37] Withouten any woo as thoughte me, [38] Bounte parfyt, wel armed and richely, [39] And fresshe Beaute, Lust, and Jolyte, [40] Assured Maner, Youthe, and Honeste, [41] Wisdom, Estaat, Drede, and Governaunce, [42] Confedred both by bonde and alliaunce. [43] A compleynt had I, writen in myn hond, [44] For to have put to Pite as a bille; [45] But when I al this companye ther fond, [46] That rather wolden al my cause spille [47] Then do me help, I held my pleynte stille, [48] For to that folk, withouten any fayle, [49] Withoute Pitee ther may no bille availe. [50] Then leve I al these vertues, sauf Pite, [51] Kepynge the corps as ye have herd me seyn, [52] Confedered alle by bond of Cruelte [53] And ben assented when I shal be sleyn. [54] And I have put my complaynt up ageyn, [55] For to my foes my bille I dar not shewe, [56] Th' effect of which seith thus, in wordes fewe: [57] Humblest of herte, highest of reverence, [58] Benygne flour, coroune of vertues alle, [59] Sheweth unto youre rial excellence [60] Youre servaunt, yf I durste me so calle, [61] Hys mortal harm in which he is yfalle, [62] And noght al oonly for his evel fare, [63] But for your renoun, as he shal declare. [64] Hit stondeth thus: your contraire, Crueltee, [65] Allyed is ayenst your regalye [66] Under colour of womanly Beaute -- [67] For men shulde not, lo, knowe hir tirannye -- [68] With Bounte, Gentilesse, and Curtesye, [69] And hath depryved yow now of your place [70] That hyghte "Beaute apertenant to Grace." [71] For kyndely by youre herytage ryght [72] Ye ben annexed ever unto Bounte; [73] And verrayly ye oughte do youre myght [74] To helpe Trouthe in his adversyte. [75] Ye be also the corowne of Beaute, [76] And certes yf ye wanten in these tweyne, [77] The world is lore; ther is no more to seyne. [78] Eke what availeth Maner and Gentilesse [79] Withoute yow, benygne creature? [80] Shal Cruelte be your governeresse? [81] Allas, what herte may hyt longe endure? [82] Wherfore, but ye the rather take cure [83] To breke that perilouse alliaunce, [84] Ye sleen hem that ben in your obeisaunce. [85] And further over yf ye suffre this, [86] Youre renoun ys fordoo than in a throwe; [87] Ther shal no man wite well what Pite is. [88] Allas, that your renoun is falle so lowe! [89] Ye be than fro youre heritage ythrowe [90] By Cruelte that occupieth youre place, [91] And we despeyred that seken to your grace. [92] Have mercy on me, thow Herenus quene, [93] That yow have sought so tendirly and yore; [94] Let som strem of youre lyght on me be sene [95] That love and drede yow ever lenger the more; [96] For sothly for to seyne I bere the soore, [97] And though I be not konnynge for to pleyne, [98] For Goddis love have mercy on my peyne. [99] My peyne is this, that what so I desire [100] That have I not, ne nothing lyk therto; [101] And ever setteth Desir myn hert on fire. [102] Eke on that other syde where so I goo, [103] What maner thing that may encrese my woo, [104] That have I redy, unsoght, everywhere; [105] Me lakketh but my deth and than my bere. [106] What nedeth to shewe parcel of my peyne? [107] Syth every woo that herte may bethynke [108] I suffre and yet I dar not to yow pleyne; [109] For wel I wot although I wake or wynke, [110] Ye rekke not whether I flete or synke. [111] But natheles yet my trouthe I shal sustene [112] Unto my deth, and that shal wel be sene. [113] This is to seyne I wol be youres evere, [114] Though ye me slee by Crueltee your foo, [115] Algate my spirit shal never dissevere [116] Fro youre servise for any peyne or woo. [117] Sith ye be ded -- allas that hyt is soo -- [118] Thus for your deth I may wel wepe and pleyne [119] With herte sore and ful of besy peyne. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems A Complaint to His Lady [1] The longe nightes, whan every creature [2] Shulde have hir rest in somwhat as by kynde, [3] Or elles ne may hir lif nat longe endure, [4] Hit falleth most into my woful mynde [5] How I so fer have broght myself behynde [6] That, sauf the deeth, ther may nothyng me lisse, [7] So desespaired I am from alle blisse. [8] This same thoght me lasteth til the morwe [9] And from the morwe forth til hit be eve; [10] Ther nedeth me no care for to borwe, [11] For bothe I have good leyser and good leve; [12] Ther is no wyght that wol me wo bereve [13] To wepe ynogh and wailen al my fille; [14] The sore spark of peyne now doth me spille. [15] This Love, that hath me set in such a place [16] That my desir [he] nevere wol fulfille, [17] For neither pitee, mercy, neither grace [18] Can I nat fynde, and yit my sorwful herte [19] For to be deed I can hit nought arace. [20] The more I love, the more she doth me smerte, [21] Thourgh which I see withoute remedye [22] That from the deeth I may no wyse asterte. [23] Now sothly what she hight I wol reherse: [24] Hir name is Bountee set in womanhede, [25] Sadnesse in youthe and Beautee prydelees [26] And Plesaunce under governaunce and drede; [27] Hir surname is eek Faire Rewthelees [28] The Wyse, yknit unto Good Aventure, [29] That, for I love hir, she sleeth me giltelees. [30] Hir love I best, and shal, whyl I may dure, [31] Bet than myself an hundred thousand deel, [32] Than al this worldes richesse or creature. [33] Now hath not Love me bestowed weel [34] To love ther I never shal have part? [35] Allas, right thus is turned me the wheel, [36] Thus am I slayn with Loves fyry dart! [37] I can but love hir best, my swete fo; [38] Love hath me taught no more of his art [39] But serve alwey and stinte for no wo. [40] In my trewe [and] careful herte ther is [41] So moche wo and [eek] so litel blis [42] That wo is me that ever I was bore; [43] For al that thyng which I desyre I mis [44] And al that ever I wolde not ywis, [45] That finde I redy to me evermore; [46] And of al this I not to whom me pleyne. [47] For she that mighte me out of this brynge [48] Ne reccheth nought whether I wepe or synge, [49] So litel rewthe hath she upon my peyne. [50] Allas! Whan slepyng-tyme is than I wake, [51] Whan I shulde daunce, for fere, lo, than I quake. [52] This hevy lif I lede, lo, for your sake [53] Thogh ye therof in no wyse hede take, [54] Myn hertes lady and hool my lyves quene. [55] For trewly durste I seye as that I fele, [56] Me semeth that your swete herte of stele [57] Is whetted now ageynes me to kene. [58] My dere herte and best beloved fo, [59] Why lyketh yow to do me al this wo? [60] What have I doon that greveth yow or sayd, [61] But for I serve and love yow and no mo? [62] And while I lyve I wol ever do so, [63] And therfor, swete, ne beth nat yvel apayd. [64] For so good and so fair as ye be [65] Hit were right gret wonder but ye hadde [66] Of alle servantes, bothe of goode and badde; [67] And leest worthy of alle hem, I am he. [68] But nevertheles, my righte lady swete, [69] Thogh that I be unconnyng and unmete [70] To serve, as I coude best, ay your hynesse, [71] Yit is ther noon fayner, that wolde I hete, [72] Than I, to do yow ese, or elles bete [73] What so I wiste that were to youre hevynesse; [74] And hadde I myght as good as I have wille, [75] Than shulde ye fele wher it were so or noon; [76] For in this world livyng than is ther noon [77] That fayner wolde your hertes wil fulfille. [78] For bothe I love and eek drede yow so sore, [79] And algates moot, and have doon yow, ful yore, [80] That bettre loved is noon ne never shal; [81] And yit I wolde beseche yow of no more, [82] But leveth wel and be not wrooth therfore, [83] And lat me serve yow forth; lo, this is al. [84] For I am not so hardy ne so wood, [85] For to desire that ye shulde love me, [86] For wel I wot -- allas -- that wil nat be; [87] I am so litel worthy and ye so good. [88] For ye be oon the worthiest on-lyve [89] And I the most unlykly for to thryve, [90] Yit for al this, witeth ye right wele [91] That ye ne shul me from your servyce dryve [92] That I ne wil ay, with alle my wittes fyve, [93] Serve yow trewly, what wo so that I fele. [94] For I am set on yow in such manere [95] That, thogh ye never wil upon me rewe, [96] I moste yow love and been ever as trewe [97] As any man can, or may, on-lyve [here]. [98] But the more that I love yow, goodly free, [99] The lasse fynde I that ye loven me; [100] Allas, whan shal that harde wit amende? [101] Wher is now al your wommanly pitee, [102] Your gentilesse and your debonairtee? [103] Wil ye nothyng therof upon me spende? [104] And so hool, swete, as I am youres al, [105] And so gret wil as I have yow to serve, [106] Now certes, and ye lete me thus sterve, [107] Yit have ye wonne theron but a smal. [108] For at my knowyng I do nought why, [109] And this I wol beseche yow hertely, [110] That ther ever ye fynde, whyles ye lyve, [111] A trewer servant to yow than am I, [112] Leveth thanne and sleeth me hardely, [113] And I my deeth to yow wol al foryive. [114] And if ye fynde no trewer verrayly, [115] Wil ye suffre than that I thus spille [116] And for no maner gilt but my good wille? [117] As good were thanne untrewe as trewe to be. [118] But I, my lyf and deeth, to yow obeye [119] And with right buxom herte hooly I preye [120] As is your moste plesure, so doth by me; [121] Wel lever is me liken yow and deye [122] Than for to anythyng or thynke or seye [123] That yow myghte offende in any tyme. [124] And therfor, swete, rewe on my peynes smerte, [125] And of your grace graunteth me som drope, [126] For elles may me laste no blis ne hope, [127] Ne dwelle within my trouble careful herte. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems The Complaint of Mars [1] Gladeth, ye foules, of the morowe gray; [2] Lo, Venus, rysen among yon rowes rede. [3] And floures fressh, honoureth ye this day, [4] For when the sunne uprist then wol ye sprede. [5] But ye lovers, that lye in any drede, [6] Fleeth, lest wikked tonges yow espye. [7] Lo, yond the sunne, the candel of jelosye! [8] Wyth teres blewe and with a wounded herte [9] Taketh your leve, and with Seint John to borowe [10] Apeseth sumwhat of your sorowes smerte. [11] Tyme cometh eft that cese shal your sorowe; [12] The glade nyght ys worth an hevy morowe -- [13] Seynt Valentyne, a foul thus herde I synge [14] Upon thy day er sonne gan up-sprynge. [15] Yet sang this foul -- I rede yow al awake, [16] And ye that han not chosen in humble wyse, [17] Without repentynge cheseth yow your make, [18] And ye that han ful chosen as I devise, [19] Yet at the leste renoveleth your servyse. [20] Confermeth hyt perpetuely to dure, [21] And paciently taketh your aventure. [22] And for the worship of this highe feste, [23] Yet wol I, in my briddes wise, synge [24] The sentence of the compleynt, at the leste, [25] That woful Mars made atte departyng [26] Fro fresshe Venus in a morwenynge, [27] Whan Phebus with his firy torches rede [28] Ransaked every lover in hys drede. [29] Whilom the thridde hevenes lord above, [30] As wel by hevenysh revolucioun [31] As by desert, hath wonne Venus his love, [32] And she hath take him in subjeccioun, [33] And as a maistresse taught him his lessoun, [34] Commaundynge him that nevere, in her servise, [35] He nere so bold no lover to dispise. [36] For she forbad him jelosye at al, [37] And cruelte, and bost, and tyrannye. [38] She made him at her lust so humble and tal, [39] That when her deyned to cast on hym her ye, [40] He tok in pacience to lyve or dye. [41] And thus she brydeleth him in her manere, [42] With nothing but with scourging of her chere. [43] Who regneth now in blysse but Venus, [44] That hath thys worthy knyght in governaunce? [45] Who syngeth now but Mars, that serveth thus [46] The faire Venus, causer of plesaunce? [47] He bynt him to perpetuall obeisaunce, [48] And she bynt her to loven him for evere, [49] But so be that his trespas hyt desevere. [50] Thus be they knyt and regnen as in hevene [51] Be lokyng moost; til hyt fil on a tyde [52] That by her bothe assent was set a stevene [53] That Mars shal entre, as fast as he may glyde, [54] Into hir nexte paleys, and ther abyde, [55] Walkynge hys cours, til she had him atake, [56] And he preide her to haste her for his sake. [57] Then seyde he thus, "Myn hertes lady swete, [58] Ye knowe wel my myschef in that place, [59] For sikerly, til that I with yow mete, [60] My lyf stant ther in aventure and grace; [61] But when I se the beaute of your face, [62] Ther ys no drede of deth may do me smerte, [63] For al your lust is ese to myn herte." [64] She hath so gret compassioun of her knyght, [65] That dwelleth in solitude til she come -- [66] For hyt stod so that thilke tyme no wight [67] Counseyled hym ther, ne seyde to hym welcome -- [68] That nygh her wit for wo was overcome; [69] Wherfore she sped her as faste in her weye [70] Almost in oo day as he dyde in tweye. [71] The grete joye that was betwix hem two [72] When they be mette ther may no tunge telle. [73] Ther is no more but unto bed thei go, [74] And thus in joy and blysse I lete hem duelle. [75] This worthi Mars, that is of knyghthod welle, [76] The flour of feyrnesse lappeth in his armes, [77] And Venus kysseth Mars, the god of armes. [78] Sojourned hath this Mars of which I rede [79] In chambre amyd the paleys prively [80] A certeyn tyme, til him fel a drede [81] Throgh Phebus, that was comen hastely [82] Within the paleys yates sturdely, [83] With torche in honde, of which the stremes bryghte [84] On Venus chambre knokkeden ful lyghte. [85] The chambre ther as ley this fresshe quene [86] Depeynted was with white boles grete, [87] And by the lyght she knew, that shon so shene, [88] That Phebus cam to brenne hem with his hete. [89] This sely Venus nygh dreynt in teres wete [90] Enbraceth Mars and seyde, "Alas, I dye! [91] The torche is come that al this world wol wrie." [92] Up sterte Mars; hym liste not to slepe [93] When he his lady herde so compleyne, [94] But, for his nature was not for to wepe, [95] In stede of teres, from his eyen tweyne [96] The firi sparkes brosten out for peyne, [97] And hente his hauberk that ley hym besyde. [98] Fle wolde he not, ne myghte himselven hide. [99] He throweth on his helm of huge wyghte, [100] And girt him with his swerd, and in his hond [101] His myghty spere, as he was wont to fyghte, [102] He shaketh so that almost hit towond. [103] Ful hevy was he to walken over lond; [104] He may not holde with Venus companye [105] But bad her fleen lest Phebus her espye. [106] O woful Mars -- alas -- what maist thou seyn, [107] That in the paleys of thy disturbaunce [108] Art left byhynde in peril to be sleyn? [109] And yet therto ys double thy penaunce, [110] For she that hath thyn herte in governaunce [111] Is passed half the stremes of thin yen; [112] That thou nere swift, wel maist thou wepe and crien. [113] Now fleeth Venus unto Cilenios tour [114] With voide cours for fere of Phebus lyght -- [115] Alas -- and ther ne hath she no socour, [116] For she ne found ne saugh no maner wyght, [117] And eke as ther she hath but litil myght, [118] Wherfor, herselven for to hyde and save, [119] Within the gate she fledde into a cave. [120] Derk was this cave and smokyng as the helle; [121] Not but two pas within the yate hit stod. [122] A naturel day in derk I lete her duelle. [123] Now wol I speke of Mars, furious and wod. [124] For sorow he wolde have sen his herte blod; [125] Sith that he myghte don her no companye, [126] He ne roghte not a myte for to dye. [127] So feble he wex for hete and for his wo [128] That nygh he swelte, he myghte unnethe endure; [129] He passeth but o steyre in dayes two. [130] But nathelesse, for al his hevy armure, [131] He foloweth her that is his lyves cure, [132] For whos departyng he tok gretter ire [133] Then for al his brennyng in the fire. [134] After he walketh softely a paas, [135] Compleynyng, that hyt pite was to here, [136] He seyde, "O lady bryght, Venus, alas, [137] That evere so wyd a compas ys my spere! [138] Alas, when shal I mete yow, herte dere? [139] This twelfte daye of April I endure [140] Throgh jelous Phebus this mysaventure." [141] Now God helpe sely Venus allone. [142] But as God wolde, hyt happed for to be [143] That, while that Venus weping made her mone, [144] Cilenius, rydinge in his chevache, [145] Fro Venus valaunse myghte his paleys se, [146] And Venus he salueth and doth chere, [147] And her receyveth as his frend ful dere. [148] Mars dwelleth forth in his adversyte, [149] Compleynyng ever on her departynge, [150] And what his compleynt was, remembreth me; [151] And therfore, in this lusty morwenynge [152] As I best can, I wol hit seyn and synge; [153] And after that I wol my leve take, [154] And God yeve every wyght joy of his make! [155] The ordre of compleynt requireth skylfully [156] That yf a wight shal pleyne pitously, [157] Ther mot be cause wherfore that men pleyne; [158] Or men may deme he pleyneth folily [159] And causeles; alas, that am not I. [160] Wherfore the ground and cause of al my peyne, [161] So as my troubled wit may hit atteyne, [162] I wol reherse; not for to have redresse, [163] But to declare my ground of hevynesse. [164] The firste tyme, alas, that I was wroght [165] And for certeyn effectes hider broght [166] Be him that lordeth ech intelligence, [167] I yaf my trewe servise and my thoght [168] For evermore -- how dere I have hit boght -- [169] To her that is of so gret excellence [170] That what wight that first sheweth his presence, [171] When she is wroth and taketh of hym no cure, [172] He may not longe in joye of love endure. [173] This is no feyned mater that I telle; [174] My lady is the verrey sours and welle [175] Of beaute, lust, fredom, and gentilnesse, [176] Of riche aray -- how dere men hit selle! -- [177] Of al disport in which men frendly duelle, [178] Of love and pley, and of benigne humblesse, [179] Of soun of instrumentes of al swetnesse; [180] And therto so wel fortuned and thewed [181] That thorogh the world her goodnesse is yshewed. [182] What wonder ys it then, thogh I besette [183] My servise on such on that may me knette [184] To wele or wo sith hit lyth in her myght? [185] Therfore my herte forever I to her hette, [186] Ne truly, for my deth, I shal not lette [187] To ben her truest servaunt and her knyght. [188] I flater noght, that may wete every wyght; [189] For this day in her servise shal I dye. [190] But grace be, I se her never wyth ye. [191] To whom shal I than pleyne of my distresse? [192] Who may me helpe? Who may my harm redresse? [193] Shal I compleyne unto my lady fre? [194] Nay, certes, for she hath such hevynesse, [195] For fere and eke for wo that, as I gesse, [196] In lytil tyme hit wol her bane be. [197] But were she sauf, hit were no fors of me. [198] Alas, that ever lovers mote endure [199] For love so many a perilous aventure! [200] For thogh so be that lovers be as trewe [201] As any metal that is forged newe, [202] In many a cas hem tydeth ofte sorowe. [203] Somtyme her lady wil not on hem rewe; [204] Somtyme yf that jelosie hyt knewe, [205] They myghten lyghtly leye her hed to borowe; [206] Somtyme envyous folk with tunges horowe [207] Depraven hem; alas, whom may they plese? [208] But he be fals, no lover hath non ese. [209] But what availeth such a long sermoun [210] Of aventures of love up and doun? [211] I wol returne and speken of my peyne. [212] The poynt is this of my distruccioun: [213] My righte lady, my savacyoun, [214] Is in affray, and not to whom to pleyne. [215] O herte swete, O lady sovereyne! [216] For your disese wel oughte I swowne and swelte, [217] Though I non other harm ne drede felte. [218] To what fyn made the God, that sit so hye, [219] Benethen him love other companye [220] And streyneth folk to love, malgre her hed? [221] And then her joy, for oght I can espye, [222] Ne lasteth not the twynkelyng of an ye, [223] And somme han never joy til they be ded. [224] What meneth this? What is this mystihed? [225] Wherto constreyneth he his folk so faste [226] Thing to desyre, but hit shulde laste? [227] And thogh he made a lover love a thing [228] And maketh hit seme stedfast and during, [229] Yet putteth he in hyt such mysaventure [230] That reste nys ther non in his yeving. [231] And that is wonder, that so juste a kyng [232] Doth such hardnesse to his creature. [233] Thus, whether love breke or elles dure, [234] Algates he that hath with love to done [235] Hath ofter wo then changed ys the mone. [236] Hit semeth he hath to lovers enmyte, [237] And lyk a fissher, as men alday may se, [238] Baiteth hys angle-hok with som plesaunce [239] Til many a fissh ys wod til that he be [240] Sesed therwith; and then at erst hath he [241] Al his desir, and therwith al myschaunce; [242] And thogh the lyne breke, he hath penaunce; [243] For with the hok he wounded is so sore [244] That he his wages hath for evermore. [245] The broche of Thebes was of such a kynde, [246] So ful of rubies and of stones of Ynde [247] That every wight, that sette on hit an ye, [248] He wende anon to worthe out of his mynde; [249] So sore the beaute wolde his herte bynde. [250] Til he hit had, him thoghte he moste dye; [251] And whan that hit was his, then shulde he drye [252] Such woo for drede, ay while that he hit hadde, [253] That wel nygh for the fere he shulde madde. [254] And whan hit was fro his possessioun, [255] Then had he double wo and passioun [256] For he so feir a tresor had forgo; [257] But yet this broche as in conclusioun [258] Was not the cause of his confusioun, [259] But he that wroghte hit enfortuned hit so [260] That every wight that had hit shulde have wo; [261] And therfore in the worcher was the vice, [262] And in the covetour that was so nyce. [263] So fareth hyt by lovers and by me; [264] For thogh my lady have so gret beaute [265] That I was mad til I had gete her grace, [266] She was not cause of myn adversite, [267] But he that wroghte her, also mot I the, [268] That putte such a beaute in her face, [269] That made me coveyten and purchace [270] Myn oune deth -- him wite I that I dye, [271] And myn unwit that ever I clamb so hye. [272] But to yow, hardy knyghtes of renoun, [273] Syn that ye be of my devisioun, [274] Al be I not worthy to so gret a name, [275] Yet, seyn these clerkes, I am your patroun; [276] Therfore ye oghte have som compassioun [277] Of my disese, and take hit not a-game. [278] The proudest of yow may be mad ful tame; [279] Wherfore I prey yow of your gentilesse [280] That ye compleyne for myn hevynesse. [281] And ye, my ladyes, that ben true and stable, [282] Be wey of kynde, ye oughten to be able [283] To have pite of folk that be in peyne. [284] Now have ye cause to clothe yow in sable, [285] Sith that youre emperise, the honurable, [286] Is desolat; wel oghte ye to pleyne. [287] Now shulde your holy teres falle and reyne. [288] Alas, your honour and your emperise, [289] Negh ded for drede ne can her not chevise! [290] Compleyneth eke, ye lovers, al in-fere, [291] For her that with unfeyned humble chere [292] Was evere redy to do yow socour; [293] Compleyneth her that evere hath had yow dere; [294] Compleyneth Beaute, Fredom, and Manere; [295] Compleyneth her that endeth your labour; [296] Compleyneth thilke ensample of al honour, [297] That never dide but al gentilesse; [298] Kytheth therfore on her sum kyndenesse. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems The Complaint of Venus [1] Ther nys so high comfort to my pleasaunce, [2] When that I am in any hevynesse, [3] As for to have leyser of remembraunce [4] Upon the manhod and the worthynesse, [5] Upon the trouthe and on the stidfastnesse [6] Of him whos I am al, while I may dure. [7] Ther oghte blame me no creature, [8] For every wight preiseth his gentilesse. [9] In him is bounte, wysdom, governaunce, [10] Wel more then any mannes wit can gesse, [11] For grace hath wold so ferforth hym avaunce [12] That of knyghthod he is parfit richesse. [13] Honour honoureth him for his noblesse; [14] Therto so wel hath formed him Nature [15] That I am his for ever, I him assure, [16] For every wight preyseth his gentilesse. [17] And notwithstondyng al his suffisaunce, [18] His gentil herte is of so gret humblesse [19] To me in word, in werk, in contenaunce, [20] And me to serve is al his besynesse, [21] That I am set in verrey sikernesse. [22] Thus oghte I blesse wel myn aventure [23] Sith that him list me serven and honoure, [24] For every wight preiseth his gentilesse. [25] Now certis, Love, hit is right covenable [26] That men ful dere bye thy nobil thing, [27] As wake abedde and fasten at the table, [28] Wepinge to laughe and singe in compleynyng, [29] And doun to caste visage and lokyng, [30] Often to chaunge hewe and contenaunce, [31] Pleyne in slepyng and dremen at the daunce, [32] Al the revers of any glad felyng. [33] Jelosie be hanged by a cable! [34] She wolde al knowe thurgh her espying; [35] Ther doth no wyght nothing so resonable [36] That al nys harm in her ymagenyng. [37] Thus dere abought is Love in yevyng, [38] Which ofte he yiveth withouten ordynaunce, [39] As sorwe ynogh and litil of plesaunce, [40] Al the revers of any glad felyng. [41] A lytel tyme his yift ys agreable, [42] But ful encomberous is the usyng, [43] For subtil Jelosie, the deceyvable, [44] Ful often tyme causeth desturbyng. [45] Thus be we ever in drede and sufferyng; [46] In nouncerteyn we languisshe in penaunce, [47] And han wele ofte many an hard mischaunce, [48] Al the revers of any glad felyng. [49] But certes, Love, I sey not in such wise [50] That for t' escape out of youre las I mente, [51] For I so longe have ben in your servise [52] That for to lete of wil I never assente; [53] No fors thogh Jelosye me turmente. [54] Sufficeth me to sen hym when I may, [55] And therfore certes, to myn endyng day [56] To love hym best ne shal I never repente. [57] And certis, Love, when I me wel avise [58] On any estat that man may represente, [59] Then have ye made me thurgh your fraunchise [60] Chese the best that ever on erthe wente. [61] Now love wel, herte, and lok thou never stente, [62] And let the jelous putte it in assay [63] That for no peyne wol I not sey nay; [64] To love him best ne shal I never repente. [65] Herte, to the hit oughte ynogh suffise [66] That Love so high a grace to the sente [67] To chese the worthieste in alle wise [68] And most agreable unto myn entente. [69] Seche no ferther, neythir wey ne wente, [70] Sith I have suffisaunce unto my pay. [71] Thus wol I ende this compleynt or this lay; [72] To love hym best ne shal I never repente. [73] Princes, receyveth this compleynt in gre, [74] Unto your excelent benignite [75] Direct after my litel suffisaunce. [76] For elde, that in my spirit dulleth me, [77] Hath of endyting al the subtilte [78] Wel nygh bereft out of my remembraunce, [79] And eke to me it ys a gret penaunce, [80] Syth rym in Englissh hath such skarsete, [81] To folowe word by word the curiosite [82] Of Graunson, flour of hem that make in Fraunce. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems To Rosemounde [1] Madame, ye ben of al beaute shryne [2] As fer as cercled is the mapamounde, [3] For as the cristal glorious ye shyne, [4] And lyke ruby ben your chekes rounde. [5] Therwith ye ben so mery and so jocounde [6] That at a revel whan that I see you daunce, [7] It is an oynement unto my wounde, [8] Thogh ye to me ne do no daliaunce. [9] For thogh I wepe of teres ful a tyne, [10] Yet may that wo myn herte nat confounde; [11] Your semy voys that ye so smal out twyne [12] Maketh my thoght in joy and blis habounde. [13] So curtaysly I go with love bounde [14] That to myself I sey in my penaunce, [15] "Suffyseth me to love you, Rosemounde, [16] Thogh ye to me ne do no daliaunce." [17] Nas never pyk walwed in galauntyne [18] As I in love am walwed and ywounde, [19] For which ful ofte I of myself devyne [20] That I am trewe Tristam the secounde. [21] My love may not refreyde nor affounde, [22] I brenne ay in an amorous plesaunce. [23] Do what you lyst, I wyl your thral be founde, [24] Thogh ye to me ne do no daliaunce. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Womanly Noblesse [1] So hath myn herte caught in remembraunce [2] Your beaute hoole and stidefast governaunce, [3] Your vertues al and yowre hie noblesse, [4] That you to serve is set al my plesaunce. [5] So wel me liketh your womanly contenaunce, [6] Your fresshe fetures and your comlynesse, [7] That whiles I live myn hert to his maystresse [8] You hath ful chose in trewe perseveraunce [9] Never to chaunge, for no maner distresse. [10] And sith I shal do [you] this observaunce, [11] Al my lif withouten displesaunce [12] You for to serve with al my besynesse, [13] And have me somwhat in your souvenaunce. [14] My woful herte suffreth greet duresse, [15] And [loke] how humbly with al symplesse [16] My wil I conforme to your ordynaunce, [17] As you best list, my peynes for to redresse. [18] Considryng eke how I hange in balaunce [19] In your service, such, lo, is my chaunce, [20] Abidyng grace, whan that your gentilnesse [21] Of my grete wo liste do alleggeaunce, [22] And with your pite me som wise avaunce [23] In ful rebatyng of myn hevynesse; [24] And thynketh by resoun that wommanly noblesse [25] Shuld nat desire for to do the outrance [26] Ther as she fyndeth non unbuxumnesse. [27] Auctour of norture, lady of plesaunce, [28] Soveraigne of beautee, floure of wommanhede, [29] Take ye non hede unto myn ignoraunce, [30] But this receyveth of your goodlihede, [31] Thynkyng that I have caught in remembraunce, [32] Your beaute hole, your stidefast governaunce. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Chaucers Wordes unto Adam, His Owne Scriveyn [1] Adam scriveyn, if ever it thee bifalle [2] Boece or Troylus for to wryten newe, [3] Under thy long lokkes thou most have the scalle, [4] But after my makyng thow wryte more trewe; [5] So ofte adaye I mot thy werk renewe, [6] It to correcte and eke to rubbe and scrape, [7] And al is thorugh thy negligence and rape. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems The Former Age [1] A blisful lyf, a paisible and a swete, [2] Ledden the peples in the former age. [3] They helde hem payed of the fruites that they ete, [4] Which that the feldes yave hem by usage; [5] They ne were nat forpampred with outrage. [6] Unknowen was the quern and ek the melle; [7] They eten mast, hawes, and swich pounage, [8] And dronken water of the colde welle. [9] Yit nas the ground nat wounded with the plough, [10] But corn up-sprong, unsowe of mannes hond, [11] The which they gnodded and eete nat half ynough. [12] No man yit knew the forwes of his lond, [13] No man the fyr out of the flint yit fond, [14] Unkorven and ungrobbed lay the vyne; [15] No man yit in the morter spyces grond [16] To clarre ne to sause of galantyne. [17] No mader, welde, or wood no litestere [18] Ne knew; the flees was of his former hewe; [19] No flesh ne wiste offence of egge or spere. [20] No coyn ne knew man which was fals or trewe, [21] No ship yit karf the wawes grene and blewe, [22] No marchaunt yit ne fette outlandish ware. [23] No trompes for the werres folk ne knewe, [24] Ne toures heye and walles rounde or square. [25] What sholde it han avayled to werreye? [26] Ther lay no profit, ther was no richesse; [27] But cursed was the tyme, I dare wel seye, [28] That men first dide hir swety bysinesse [29] To grobbe up metal, lurkinge in derknesse, [30] And in the riveres first gemmes soghte. [31] Allas, than sprong up al the cursednesse [32] Of coveytyse, that first our sorwe broghte. [33] Thise tyraunts putte hem gladly nat in pres [34] No wildnesse ne no busshes for to winne, [35] Ther poverte is, as seith Diogenes, [36] Ther as vitaile is ek so skars and thinne [37] That noght but mast or apples is therinne; [38] But, ther as bagges ben and fat vitaile, [39] Ther wol they gon, and spare for no sinne [40] With al hir ost the cite for to asayle. [41] Yit was no paleis-chaumbres ne non halles; [42] In caves and wodes softe and swete [43] Slepten this blissed folk withoute walles [44] On gras or leves in parfit quiete. [45] Ne doun of fetheres ne no bleched shete [46] Was kid to hem, but in seurtee they slepte. [47] Hir hertes were al oon withoute galles; [48] Everich of hem his feith to other kepte. [49] Unforged was the hauberk and the plate; [50] The lambish peple, voyd of alle vyce, [51] Hadden no fantasye to debate, [52] But ech of hem wolde other wel cheryce. [53] No pryde, non envye, non avaryce, [54] No lord, no taylage by no tyrannye; [55] Humblesse and pees, good feith the emperice. [56] Yit was not Jupiter the likerous, [57] That first was fader of delicacye, [58] Come in this world; ne Nembrot, desirous [59] To regne, had nat maad his toures hye. [60] Allas, allas, now may men wepe and crye! [61] For in oure dayes nis but covetyse, [62] Doublenesse, and tresoun, and envye, [63] Poyson, manslawhtre, and mordre in sondry wyse. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Fortune [1] This wrecched worldes transmutacioun, [2] As wele or wo, now povre and now honour, [3] Withouten ordre or wys discrecioun [4] Governed is by Fortunes errour. [5] But natheles, the lak of hir favour [6] Ne may nat don me singen though I dye, [7] Jay tout perdu mon temps et mon labour; [8] For fynally, Fortune, I thee defye. [9] Yit is me left the light of my resoun [10] To knowen frend fro fo in thy mirour. [11] So muchel hath yit thy whirling up and doun [12] Ytaught me for to knowen in an hour. [13] But trewely, no force of thy reddour [14] To him that over himself hath the maystrye. [15] My suffisaunce shal be my socour, [16] For fynally Fortune, I thee defye. [17] O Socrates, thou stidfast champioun, [18] She never mighte be thy tormentour; [19] Thou never dreddest hir oppressioun, [20] Ne in hir chere founde thou no savour. [21] Thou knewe wel the deceit of hir colour, [22] And that hir moste worshipe is to lye. [23] I knowe hir eek a fals dissimulour, [24] For fynally, Fortune, I thee defye! [25] No man is wrecched but himself it wene, [26] And he that hath himself hath suffisaunce. [27] Why seystow thanne I am to thee so kene, [28] That hast thyself out of my governaunce? [29] Sey thus: "Graunt mercy of thyn haboundaunce [30] That thou hast lent or this." Why wolt thou stryve? [31] What wostow yit how I thee wol avaunce? [32] And eek thou hast thy beste frend alyve. [33] I have thee taught divisioun bitwene [34] Frend of effect and frend of countenaunce; [35] Thee nedeth nat the galle of noon hyene, [36] That cureth eyen derked for penaunce; [37] Now seestow cleer that were in ignoraunce. [38] Yit halt thyn ancre and yit thou mayst arryve [39] Ther bountee berth the keye of my substaunce, [40] And eek thou hast thy beste frend alyve. [41] How many have I refused to sustene [42] Sin I thee fostred have in thy plesaunce. [43] Woltow than make a statut on thy quene [44] That I shal been ay at thyn ordinaunce? [45] Thou born art in my regne of variaunce, [46] Aboute the wheel with other most thou dryve. [47] My lore is bet than wikke is thy grevaunce, [48] And eek thou hast thy beste frend alyve. [49] Thy lore I dampne; it is adversitee. [50] My frend maystow nat reven, blind goddesse; [51] That I thy frendes knowe, I thanke it thee. [52] Tak hem agayn, lat hem go lye on presse. [53] The negardye in keping hir richesse [54] Prenostik is thou wolt hir tour assayle; [55] Wikke appetyt comth ay before syknesse. [56] In general, this reule may nat fayle. [57] Thou pinchest at my mutabilitee [58] For I thee lente a drope of my richesse, [59] And now me lyketh to withdrawe me. [60] Why sholdestow my realtee oppresse? [61] The see may ebbe and flowen more or lesse; [62] The welkne hath might to shyne, reyne, or hayle; [63] Right so mot I kythen my brotelnesse. [64] In general, this reule may nat fayle. [65] Lo, th' execucion of the majestee [66] That al purveyeth of his rightwysnesse, [67] That same thing "Fortune" clepen ye, [68] Ye blinde bestes ful of lewednesse. [69] The hevene hath propretee of sikernesse, [70] This world hath ever resteles travayle; [71] Thy laste day is ende of myn intresse. [72] In general, this reule may nat fayle. [73] Princes, I prey you of your gentilesse [74] Lat nat this man on me thus crye and pleyne, [75] And I shal quyte you your bisinesse [76] At my requeste, as three of you or tweyne, [77] And but you list releve him of his peyne, [78] Preyeth his beste frend of his noblesse [79] That to som beter estat he may atteyne. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Truth [1] Flee fro the prees and dwelle with sothfastnesse; [2] Suffyce unto thy thing, though it be smal, [3] For hord hath hate, and climbing tikelnesse, [4] Prees hath envye, and wele blent overal. [5] Savour no more than thee bihove shal, [6] Reule wel thyself that other folk canst rede, [7] And trouthe thee shal delivere, it is no drede. [8] Tempest thee noght al croked to redresse [9] In trust of hir that turneth as a bal; [10] Gret reste stant in litel besinesse. [11] Be war therfore to sporne ayeyns an al, [12] Stryve not, as doth the crokke with the wal. [13] Daunte thyself, that dauntest otheres dede, [14] And trouthe thee shal delivere, it is no drede. [15] That thee is sent, receyve in buxumnesse; [16] The wrastling for this world axeth a fal. [17] Her is non hoom, her nis but wildernesse: [18] Forth, pilgrim, forth! Forth, beste, out of thy stal! [19] Know thy contree, look up, thank God of al; [20] Hold the heye wey and lat thy gost thee lede, [21] And trouthe thee shal delivere, it is no drede. [22] Therfore, thou Vache, leve thyn old wrecchednesse; [23] Unto the world leve now to be thral. [24] Crye him mercy, that of his hy goodnesse [25] Made thee of noght, and in especial [26] Draw unto him, and pray in general [27] For thee, and eek for other, hevenlich mede; [28] And trouthe thee shal delivere, it is no drede. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Gentilesse [1] The firste stok, fader of gentilesse -- [2] What man that desireth gentil for to be [3] Must folowe his trace, and alle his wittes dresse [4] Vertu to love and vyces for to flee. [5] For unto vertu longeth dignitee [6] And noght the revers, saufly dar I deme, [7] Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. [8] This firste stok was ful of rightwisnesse, [9] Trewe of his word, sobre, pitous, and free, [10] Clene of his gost, and loved besinesse, [11] Ayeinst the vyce of slouthe, in honestee; [12] And, but his heir love vertu as dide he, [13] He is noght gentil, thogh he riche seme, [14] Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. [15] Vyce may wel be heir to old richesse, [16] But ther may no man, as men may wel see, [17] Bequethe his heir his vertuous noblesse [18] (That is appropred unto no degree [19] But to the firste fader in magestee, [20] That maketh hem his heyres that him queme), [21] Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Lak of Stedfastnesse [1] Somtyme the world was so stedfast and stable [2] That mannes word was obligacioun, [3] And now it is so fals and deceivable [4] That word and deed, as in conclusioun, [5] Ben nothing lyk, for turned up-so-doun [6] Is al this world for mede and wilfulnesse, [7] That al is lost for lak of stedfastnesse. [8] What maketh this world to be so variable [9] But lust that folk have in dissensioun? [10] For among us now a man is holde unable, [11] But if he can by som collusioun [12] Don his neighbour wrong or oppressioun. [13] What causeth this but wilful wrecchednesse, [14] That al is lost for lak of stedfastnesse? [15] Trouthe is put doun, resoun is holden fable, [16] Vertu hath now no dominacioun; [17] Pitee exyled, no man is merciable. [18] Through covetyse is blent discrecioun. [19] The world hath mad a permutacioun [20] Fro right to wrong, fro trouthe to fikelnesse, [21] That al is lost for lak of stedfastnesse. [22] O prince, desyre to be honourable, [23] Cherish thy folk and hate extorcioun. [24] Suffre nothing that may be reprevable [25] To thyn estat don in thy regioun. [26] Shew forth thy swerd of castigacioun, [27] Dred God, do law, love trouthe and worthinesse, [28] And wed thy folk agein to stedfastnesse. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Lenvoy de Chaucer a Scogan [1] Tobroken been the statutz hye in hevene [2] That creat were eternally to dure, [3] Syth that I see the bryghte goddis sevene [4] Mowe wepe and wayle, and passioun endure, [5] As may in erthe a mortal creature. [6] Allas, fro whennes may thys thing procede, [7] Of which errour I deye almost for drede? [8] By word eterne whilom was it shape [9] That fro the fyfte sercle, in no manere, [10] Ne myght a drope of teeres doun escape. [11] But now so wepith Venus in hir spere [12] That with hir teeres she wol drenche us here. [13] Allas! Scogan, this is for thyn offence; [14] Thow causest this diluge of pestilence. [15] Hastow not seyd, in blaspheme of the goddis, [16] Thurgh pride, or thrugh thy grete rekelnesse, [17] Swich thing as in the lawe of love forbode is, [18] That, for thy lady sawgh nat thy distresse, [19] Therfore thow yave hir up at Michelmesse? [20] Allas! Scogan, of olde folk ne yonge [21] Was never erst Scogan blamed for his tonge. [22] Thow drowe in skorn Cupide eke to record [23] Of thilke rebel word that thow hast spoken, [24] For which he wol no lenger be thy lord. [25] And, Scogan, though his bowe be nat broken, [26] He wol nat with his arwes been ywroken [27] On the, ne me, ne noon of oure figure; [28] We shul of him have neyther hurt ne cure. [29] Now certes, frend, I dreed of thyn unhap, [30] Lest for thy gilt the wreche of Love procede [31] On alle hem that ben hoor and rounde of shap, [32] That ben so lykly folk in love to spede. [33] Than shal we for oure labour have no mede; [34] But wel I wot, thow wolt answere and saye, [35] "Lo, olde Grisel lyst to ryme and playe!" [36] Nay, Scogan, say not so, for I m' excuse -- [37] God helpe me so! -- in no rym, dowteles, [38] Ne thynke I never of slep to wake my muse, [39] That rusteth in my shethe stille in pees. [40] While I was yong, I put hir forth in prees; [41] But al shal passe that men prose or ryme; [42] Take every man hys turn, as for his tyme. [43] Scogan, that knelest at the stremes hed [44] Of grace, of alle honour and worthynesse, [45] In th' ende of which strem I am dul as ded, [46] Forgete in solytarie wildernesse -- [47] Yet, Scogan, thenke on Tullius kyndenesse; [48] Mynne thy frend, there it may fructyfye! [49] Far-wel, and loke thow never eft Love dyffye. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Lenvoy de Chaucer a Bukton [1] My maister Bukton, whan of Crist our kyng [2] Was axed what is trouthe or sothfastnesse, [3] He nat a word answerde to that axing, [4] As who saith, "No man is al trewe," I gesse. [5] And therfore, though I highte to expresse [6] The sorwe and wo that is in mariage, [7] I dar not writen of it no wikkednesse, [8] Lest I myself falle eft in swich dotage. [9] I wol nat seyn how that yt is the cheyne [10] Of Sathanas, on which he gnaweth evere, [11] But I dar seyn, were he out of his peyne, [12] As by his wille he wolde be bounde nevere. [13] But thilke doted fool that eft hath levere [14] Ycheyned be than out of prison crepe, [15] God lete him never fro his wo dissevere, [16] Ne no man him bewayle, though he wepe. [17] But yet, lest thow do worse, take a wyf; [18] Bet ys to wedde than brenne in worse wise. [19] But thow shal have sorwe on thy flessh, thy lyf, [20] And ben thy wives thral, as seyn these wise; [21] And yf that hooly writ may nat suffyse, [22] Experience shal the teche, so may happe, [23] That the were lever to be take in Frise [24] Than eft to falle of weddynge in the trappe. [25] This lytel writ, proverbes, or figure [26] I sende yow; take kepe of yt, I rede; [27] Unwys is he that kan no wele endure. [28] If thow be siker, put the nat in drede. [29] The Wyf of Bathe I pray yow that ye rede [30] Of this matere that we have on honde. [31] God graunte yow your lyf frely to lede [32] In fredam, for ful hard is to be bonde. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems The Complaint of Chaucer to His Purse [1] To yow, my purse, and to noon other wight [2] Complayne I, for ye be my lady dere. [3] I am so sory, now that ye been lyght; [4] For certes but yf ye make me hevy chere, [5] Me were as leef be layd upon my bere; [6] For which unto your mercy thus I crye, [7] Beth hevy ageyn, or elles mot I dye. [8] Now voucheth sauf this day or hyt be nyght [9] That I of yow the blisful soun may here [10] Or see your colour lyk the sonne bryght [11] That of yelownesse hadde never pere. [12] Ye be my lyf, ye be myn hertes stere. [13] Quene of comfort and of good companye, [14] Beth hevy ageyn, or elles moot I dye. [15] Now purse that ben to me my lyves lyght [16] And saveour as doun in this world here, [17] Out of this toune helpe me thurgh your myght, [18] Syn that ye wole nat ben my tresorere; [19] For I am shave as nye as any frere. [20] But yet I pray unto your curtesye, [21] Beth hevy agen, or elles moot I dye. [22] O conquerour of Brutes Albyon, [23] Which that by lyne and free eleccion [24] Been verray kyng, this song to yow I sende, [25] And ye, that mowen alle oure harmes amende, [26] Have mynde upon my supplicacion. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Proverbs [1] What shul these clothes thus manyfold, [2] Lo this hote somers day? [3] After grete hete cometh cold; [4] No man caste his pilche away. [5] Of al this world the large compas [6] Yt wil not in myn armes tweyne; [7] Who so mochel wol embrace, [8] Litel therof he shal distreyne. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Against Women Unconstant [1] Madame, for your newefangelnesse [2] Many a servaunt have ye put out of grace. [3] I take my leve of your unstedfastnesse, [4] For wel I wot, whyl ye have lyves space, [5] Ye can not love ful half yeer in a place, [6] To newe thing your lust is ay so kene. [7] In stede of blew, thus may ye were al grene. [8] Right as a mirour nothing may impresse, [9] But, lightly as it cometh, so mot it pace, [10] So fareth your love, your werkes beren witnesse. [11] Ther is no feith that may your herte enbrace, [12] But as a wedercok, that turneth his face [13] With every wind, ye fare, and that is sene; [14] In stede of blew, thus may ye were al grene. [15] Ye might be shryned for your brotelnesse [16] Bet than Dalyda, Creseyde or Candace, [17] For ever in chaunging stant your sikernesse; [18] That tache may no wight fro your herte arace. [19] If ye lese oon, ye can wel tweyn purchace; [20] Al light for somer (ye woot wel what I mene), [21] In stede of blew, thus may ye were al grene. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Complaynt D'Amours [1] I, which that am the sorwefulleste man [2] That in this world was ever yit livinge, [3] And leest recoverer of himselven can, [4] Beginne right thus my deedly compleininge [5] On hir that may to lyf and deeth me bringe, [6] Which hath on me no mercy ne no rewthe, [7] That love hir best, but sleeth me for my trewthe. [8] Can I noght doon ne seye that may yow lyke? [9] Ne, certes now; allas, allas the whyle! [10] Your plesaunce is to laughen whan I syke, [11] And thus ye me from al my blisse exyle. [12] Ye han me cast in thilke spitous yle [13] Ther never man on lyve mighte asterte; [14] This have I, for I love you, swete herte! [15] Sooth is, that wel I woot, by lyklinesse, [16] If that it were a thing possible to do [17] For to acompte youre beautee and goodnesse, [18] I have no wonder thogh ye do me wo; [19] Sith I, th' unworthiest that may ryde or go, [20] Durste ever thinken in so hy a place. [21] What wonder is, thogh ye do me no grace? [22] Allas, thus is my lyf brought to an ende; [23] My deeth, I see, is my conclusioun. [24] I may wel singe, "In sory tyme I spende [25] My lyf." That song may have confusioun. [26] For mercy, pitee, and deep affeccioun, [27] I sey for me, for al my deedly chere, [28] Alle thise diden, in that, me love yow dere. [29] And in this wyse and in dispayr I live [30] In love -- nay, but in dispayr I dye! [31] But shal I thus yow my deeth foryive, [32] That causeles doth me this sorwe drye? [33] Ye, certes, I! For she of my folye [34] Hath nought to done although she do me sterve, [35] Hit is nat with hir wil that I hir serve. [36] Than sithen I am of my sorwe the cause [37] And sithen I have this withoute hir reed, [38] Than may I seyn right shortly in a clause, [39] It is no blame unto hir womanheed [40] Though swich a wrecche as I be for hir deed. [41] Yet alwey two thinges doon me dye, [42] That is to seyn, hir beautee and myn ye'; [43] So that, algates, she is verray rote [44] Of my disese and of my deth also, [45] For with oon word she mighte be my bote, [46] If that she vouched sauf for to do so. [47] But than is hir gladnesse at my wo? [48] It is hir wone plesaunce for to take [49] To seen hir servaunts dyen for hir sake. [50] But certes, than is al my wonderinge, [51] Sithen she is the fayrest creature, [52] As to my doom, that ever was livinge, [53] The benignest and beste eek that Nature [54] Hath wrought or shal, whyl that the world may dure, [55] Why that she lefte Pite so behinde? [56] It was, ywis, a greet defaute in Kinde. [57] Yit is al this no lak to hir, pardee, [58] But God or Nature sore wolde I blame. [59] For though she shewe no pite unto me, [60] Sithen that she doth othere men the same, [61] I ne oughte to despyse my ladyes game; [62] It is hir pley to laughen whan men syketh, [63] And I assente al that hir list and lyketh. [64] Yet wolde I, as I dar, with sorwful herte [65] Biseche unto your meke womanhede [66] That I now dorste my sharpe sorwes smerte [67] Shewe by word, that ye wolde ones rede [68] The compleynte of me, which ful sore I drede [69] That I have seid here, through myn unkonninge, [70] In any word to your displesinge. [71] Lothest of anything that ever was loth [72] Were me, as wisly God my soule save, [73] To seyn a thing through which ye might be wroth; [74] And, to that day that I be leyd in grave, [75] A trewer servaunt shulle ye never have; [76] And, though that I have pleyned unto you here, [77] Foryiveth it me, myn owne lady dere. [78] Ever have I been, and shal, how-so I wende, [79] Outher to live or dye, your humble trewe. [80] Ye been to me my ginning and myn ende, [81] Sonne of the sterre bright and clere of hewe; [82] Alwey in oon to love yow freshly newe, [83] By God and by my trouthe, is myn entente; [84] To live or dye, I wol it never repente! [85] This compleynte on Seint Valentynes day, [86] Whan every foughel chesen shal his make, [87] To hir, whos I am hool and shal alwey, [88] This woful song and this compleynte I make, [89] That never yit wolde me to mercy take; [90] And yit wol I evermore her serve [91] And love hir best, although she do me sterve. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems Merciles Beaute [1] Your yen two wol slee me sodenly; [2] I may the beautee of hem not sustene, [3] So woundeth hit thourghout my herte kene. [4] And but your word wol helen hastily [5] My hertes wounde while that hit is grene, [6] Your yen [two wol slee me sodenly]; [7] [I may the beautee of hem not sustene]. [8] Upon my trouthe I sey you feithfully [9] That ye ben of my lyf and deeth the quene, [10] For with my deeth the trouthe shal be sene. [11] Your yen [two wol slee me sodenly]; [12] [I may the beautee of hem not sustene], [13] [So woundeth it thourghout my herte kene]. [14] So hath your beautee fro your herte chaced [15] Pitee, that me ne availeth not to pleyne, [16] For Daunger halt your mercy in his cheyne. [17] Giltles my deeth thus han ye me purchaced; [18] I sey you sooth, me nedeth not to feyne; [19] So hath your beautee [fro your herte chaced] [20] [Pitee, that me ne availeth not to pleyne]. [21] Allas, that Nature hath in you compassed [22] So greet beautee, that no man may atteyne [23] To mercy though he sterve for the peyne. [24] So hath your beautee [fro your herte chaced] [25] [Pitee, that me ne availeth not to pleyne], [26] [For Daunger halt your mercy in his cheyne]. [27] Sin I fro Love escaped am so fat, [28] I never thenk to ben in his prison lene; [29] Sin I am free, I counte him not a bene. [30] He may answere and seye this and that; [31] I do no fors, I speke right as I mene. [32] Sin I fro Love [escaped am so fat], [33] [I never thenk to ben in his prison lene]. [34] Love hath my name ystrike out of his sclat, [35] And he is strike out of my bokes clene [36] For evermo; [ther] is non other mene. [37] Sin I fro Love [escaped am so fat], [38] [I never thenk to ben in his prison lene]; [39] [Sin I am free, I counte him not a bene]. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Shorter Poems A Balade of Complaint [1] Compleyne ne koude, ne might myn herte never, [2] My peynes halve, ne what torment I have, [3] Though that I sholde in your presence ben ever, [4] Myn hertes lady, as wisly he me save [5] That Bountee made, and Beautee list to grave [6] In your persone, and bad hem bothe in-fere [7] Ever t' awayte, and ay be wher ye were. [8] As wisly he gye alle my joyes here [9] As I am youres, and to yow sad and trewe, [10] And ye, my lyf and cause of my gode chere, [11] And deeth also, whan ye my peynes newe, [12] My worldes joye, whom I wol serve and sewe, [13] Myn heven hool, and al my suffisaunce, [14] Whom for to serve is set al my plesaunce. [15] Beseching yow in my most humble wyse [16] T' accepte in worth this litel pore dyte, [17] And for my trouthe my servyce not despyse, [18] Myn observaunce eke have not in despyte, [19] Ne yit to longe to suffren in this plyte; [20] I yow beseche, myn hertes lady, here, [21] Sith I yow serve, and so wil yeer by yere. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com A Treatise on the Astrolabe Part 1 [1] Lyte Lowys my sone, I aperceyve wel by certeyne [2] evydences thyn abilite to lerne sciences [3] touching nombres and proporciouns; and as wel [4] considre I thy besy praier in special to lerne the [5] tretys of the Astrelabie. Than for as moche as a [6] philosofre saith, "he wrappith him in his frend, [7] that condescendith to the rightfulle praiers of his [8] frend," therfore have I yeven the a suffisant Astrolabie [9] as for oure orizonte, compowned [10] after the latitude of Oxenforde; upon [11] which, by mediacioun of this litel tretys, I [12] purpose to teche the a certein nombre of conclusions [13] aperteynyng to the same instrument. I [14] seie a certein of conclusions, for thre causes. The [15] first cause is this: truste wel that alle the conclusions [16] that han be founde, or ellys possibly [17] might be founde in so noble an instrument as is [18] an Astrelabie ben unknowe parfitly to eny mortal [19] man in this regioun, as I suppose. Another [20] cause is this, that sothly in any tretis of the [21] Astrelabie that I have seyn, there be somme [22] conclusions that wol not in alle thinges parformen [23] her bihestes; and somme of hem ben to [24] harde to thy tendir age of ten yeer to conceyve. [25] This tretis, divided in 5 parties, wol I shewe [26] the under full light reules and naked wordes in [27] Englissh, for Latyn canst thou yit but small, [28] my litel sone. But natheles suffise to the these [29] trewe conclusions in Englissh as wel as sufficith [30] to these noble clerkes Grekes these [31] same conclusions in Grek; and to Arabiens [32] in Arabik, and to Jewes in Ebrew, and to [33] Latyn folk in Latyn; whiche Latyn folk had [34] hem first out of othere dyverse langages, and [35] writen hem in her owne tunge, that is to seyn, [36] in Latyn. And God woot that in alle these [37] langages and in many moo han these conclusions [38] ben suffisantly lerned and taught, and yit [39] by diverse reules; right as diverse pathes [40] leden diverse folk the righte way to Rome. [41] Now wol I preie mekely every discret persone [42] that redith or herith this litel tretys to have [43] my rude endityng for excusid, and my superfluite [44] of wordes, for two causes. The firste cause [45] is for that curious endityng and hard sentence [46] is ful hevy at onys for such a child to lerne. [47] And the secunde cause is this, that sothly me [48] semith better to writen unto a child twyes a [49] god sentence, than he forgete it onys. [50] And Lowys, yf so be that I shewe the in [51] my lighte Englissh as trewe conclusions [52] touching this mater, and not oonly as trewe [53] but as many and as subtile conclusiouns, as [54] ben shewid in Latyn in eny commune tretys [55] of the Astrelabie, konne me the more thank. [56] And preie God save the king, that is lord of [57] this langage, and alle that him feith berith and [58] obeieth, everich in his degre, the more and [59] the lasse. But considre wel that I ne usurpe [60] not to have founden this werk of my labour [61] or of myn engyn. I n' am but a lewd compilator [62] of the labour of olde astrologiens, and have it [63] translatid in myn Englissh oonly for thy doctrine. [64] And with this swerd shal I sleen envie. [65] Prima pars. -- The firste partie of this tretys [66] shal reherse the figures and the membres of [67] thyn Astrelabie by cause that thou shalt have [68] the gretter knowing of thyn oune instrument. [69] Secunda pars. -- The secunde partie [70] shal techen the worken the verrey practik [71] of the forseide conclusiouns, as ferforth and [72] as narwe as may be shewed in so small an [73] instrument portatif aboute. For wel woot [74] every astrologien that smallist fraccions ne [75] wol not be shewid in so small an instrument as [76] in subtile tables calculed for a cause. [77] Tertia pars. -- The thirde partie shal contene [78] diverse tables of longitudes and latitudes [79] of sterres fixe for the Astrelabie, and tables [80] of the declinacions of the sonne, and tables [81] of longitudes of citees and townes; and [82] tables as well for the governaunce of a clokke, as [83] for to fynde the altitude meridian; and many anothir [84] notable conclusioun after the kalenders [85] of the reverent clerkes, Frere J. Somer and [86] Frere N. Lenne. [87] Quarta pars. -- The fourthe partie shal ben [88] a theorike to declare the moevyng of the celestiall [89] bodies with the causes. The whiche [90] fourthe partie in speciall shal shewen a [91] table of the verrey moeving of the mone [92] from houre to houre every day and in every [93] signe after thyn almenak. Upon which table [94] there folewith a canoun suffisant to teche as [95] wel the manere of the worchynge of the same [96] conclusioun as to knowe in oure orizonte with [97] which degre of the zodiak that the mone arisith [98] in any latitude, and the arisyng of any planete [99] after his latitude fro the ecliptik lyne. [100] Quinta pars. -- The fifthe partie shal [101] be an introductorie, after the statutes of [102] oure doctours, in which thou maist lerne a gret [103] part of the generall rewles of theorik in astrologie. [104] In which fifthe partie shalt thou fynden [105] tables of equaciouns of houses after the latitude of [106] Oxenforde; and tables of dignitees of planetes, [107] and othere notefull thinges, yf God wol vouche [108] saaf and his Moder the Maide, moo then I behete. [1] Thyn Astrolabie hath a ring to putten on [2] the thombe of thi right hond in taking the [3] height of thinges. And tak kep, for from henes [4] forthward I wol clepen the heighte of any thing [5] that is taken by the rewle "the altitude," withoute [6] moo wordes. [1] This ryng renneth in a maner toret fast [2] to the moder of thyn Astrelabie in so rowme a [3] space that it distourbith not the instrument to [4] hangen after his right centre. [1] The moder of thin Astrelabye is thikkest [2] plate, perced with a large hool, that resceiveth [in] hir wombe the thynne plates compowned [4] for diverse clymates, and thy reet shapen in [5] manere of a nett or of a web of a loppe. [1] This moder is dividid on the bakhalf with [2] a lyne that cometh descending fro the ring [3] doun to the netherist bordure. The whiche [4] lyne, fro the forseide ring unto the centre of [5] the large hool amidde, is clepid the south lyne, [6] or ellis the lyne meridional. And the remenaunt [7] of this lyne doun to the bordure is [8] clepid the north lyne, or ellis the lyne of midnyght. [1] Overthwart this forseide longe lyne ther [2] crossith him another lyne of the same lengthe [3] from eest to west. Of the whiche lyne, from [4] a litel cros (+) in the bordure unto the centre [5] of the large hool, is clepid the est lyne, or [6] ellis the lyne orientale. And the remenaunt of [7] this lyne, fro the forseide centre unto the bordure, [8] is clepid the west lyne, or ellis the lyne [9] occidentale. Now hast thou here the foure [10] quarters of thin Astrolabie divided after the [11] foure principales plages or quarters of the firmament. [1] The est syde of thyn Astrolabie is clepid [2] the right syde, and the west syde is clepid the [3] left syde. Forget not thys, litel Lowys. Put [4] the ryng of thyn Astrolabie upon the thombe [5] of thi right hond, and than wol his right side [6] be toward thi lift side, and his left side wol be [7] toward thy right side. Tak this rewle generall, [8] as wel on the bak as on the wombe syde. Upon [9] the ende of this est lyne, as I first seide, is [10] marked a litel cros (+), where as evere [11] moo generaly is considerid the entring of [12] the first degre in which the sonne arisith. [1] Fro this litel cros (+) up to the ende [2] of the lyne meridionall, under the ryng, shalt [3] thou fynden the bordure divided with 90 degrees; [4] and by that same proporcioun is every [5] quarter of thin Astrolabie divided. Over the [6] whiche degrees there ben noumbres of augrym [7] that dividen thilke same degres fro 5 to 5, as [8] shewith by longe strikes bitwene. Of whiche [9] longe strikes the space bitwene contenith [10] a myle wey, and every degre of the bordure [11] conteneth 4 minutes; this is to seien, [12] mynutes of an houre. [1] Under the compas of thilke degrees ben [2] writen the names of the 12 Signes: as [3] Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, [4] Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, [5] Piscis. And the nombres of the degrees of [6] thoo signes be writen in augrym above, and [7] with longe divisiouns fro 5 to 5, dyvidid fro [8] the tyme that the signe entrith unto the last [9] ende. But understond wel that these degres [10] of signes ben everich of hem considred [11] of 60 mynutes, and every mynute of [12] 60 secundes, and so furth into smale fraccions [13] infinite, as saith Alkabucius. And therfore [14] knowe wel that a degre of the bordure contenith [15] 4 minutes, and a degre of a signe conteneth [16] 60 minutes, and have this in mynde. [1] Next this folewith the cercle of the daies, [2] that ben figured in manere of degres, that contenen [3] in nombre 365, dividid also with longe [4] strikes fro 5 to 5, and the nombre in augrym [5] writen under that cercle. [1] Next the cercle of the daies folewith the [2] cercle of the names of the monthes, that is to [3] say, Januarius, Februarius, Marcius, Aprilis, [4] Maius, Junius, Julius, Augustus, September, [5] October, November, December. The names [6] of these monthes were clepid somme for [7] her propirtees and somme by statutes of [8] Arabiens, somme by othre lordes of Rome. [9] Eke of these monthes, as liked to Julius [10] Cesar and to Cesar Augustus, somme were [11] compouned of diverse nombres of daies, as [12] Julie and August. Than hath Januarie 31 daies, [13] Februarie 28, March 31, Aprill 30, May 31, [14] Junius 30, Julius 31, Augustus 31, Septembre [15] 30, Octobre 31, Novembre 30, Decembre 31. [16] Natheles, all though that Julius Cesar toke 2 [17] daies out of Feverer and putte hem in his [18] month of Juyll, and Augustus Cesar clepid the [19] month of August after his name and ordeined [20] it of 31 daies, yit truste wel that the [21] sonne dwellith therfore nevere the more [22] ne lasse in oon signe than in another. [1] Than folewen the names of the holy [2] daies in the Kalender, and next hem the lettres [3] of the A B C on whiche thei fallen. [1] Next the forseide cercle of the A B C, [2] under the cross lyne, is marked the skale in [3] manere of 2 squyres, or ellis in manere of laddres, [4] that serveth by his 12 pointes and his [5] dyvisiouns of ful many a subtil conclusioun. [6] Of this forseide skale fro the cross lyne unto [7] the verrey angle is clepid Umbra Versa, and [8] the nethir partie is clepid Umbra Recta, or [9] ellis Umbra Extensa. [1] Than hast thou a brod reule, that hath [2] on either ende a square plate perced with certein [3] holes, somme more and somme lasse, to [4] resceyve the stremes of the sonne by day, and [5] eke by mediacioun of thin eye to knowe the [6] altitude of sterres by night. [1] Than is there a large pyn in manere of [2] an extre, that goth thorugh the hole that halt [3] the tables of the clymates and the riet in the [4] wombe of the moder; thorugh which pyn ther [5] goth a litel wegge, which that is clepid the [6] hors, that streynith all these parties to-hepe. [7] Thys forseide grete pyn in manere of an extre [8] is ymagyned to be the Pool Artik in thyn [9] Astralabie. [1] The wombe syde of thyn Astrelabie is [2] also divided with a longe cros in 4 quarters [3] from est to west, fro southe to northe, fro [4] right syde to left side, as is the bakside. [1] The bordure of which wombe side is [2] divided fro the point of the est lyne unto the [3] point of the south lyne under the ring, in 90 [4] degrees; and by that same proporcioun is every [5] quarter divided, as is the bakside. That [6] amountith 360 degrees. And understond wel [7] that degres of this bordure ben aunswering and [8] consentrike to the degrees of the equinoxiall, [9] that is dividid in the same nombre as every [10] othir cercle is in the highe hevene. This [11] same bordure is divided also with 23 [12] lettres capitals and a small cross (+) above [13] the south lyne, that shewith the 24 houres [14] equals of the clokke. And, as I have seid, 5 [15] of these degres maken a myle wey, and 3 mile-wei [16] maken an houre. And every degre of thys [17] bordure contenith 4 minutes, and every minute [18] 60 secundes. Now have I told the twyes. [1] The plate under the riet is discrived [2] with 3 cercles, of whiche the leest is [3] clepid the cercle of Cancre by cause that the [4] heved of Cancre turnith evermo consentrik [5] upon the same cercle. In this heved [6] of Cancer is the grettist declinacioun northward [7] of the sonne, and therfore is he clepid [8] solsticium of somer; which declinacioun, after [9] Ptholome, is 23 degrees and 50 minutes as [10] wel in Cancer as in Capricorn. This signe [11] of Cancer is clepid the tropik of somer, of [12] tropos, that is to seien "ageynward." For than [13] beginneth the sonne to passen from us-ward. [14] The myddel cercle in wydnesse, of these 3, [15] is clepid the cercle equinoxiall, upon which [16] turnith evermo the hevedes of Aries and Libra. [17] And understond wel that evermo thys cercle [18] equinoxiall turnith justly from verrey est to verrey [19] west as I have shewed the in the speer [20] solide. This same cercle is clepid also [21] Equator, that is the weyer of the day; for [22] whan the sonne is in the hevedes of Aries and [23] Libra, than ben the dayes and the nightes ylike [24] of lengthe in all the world. And therfore ben [25] these 2 signes called the equinoxiis. And all [26] that moeveth withinne the hevedes of these [27] Aries and Libra, his moevyng is clepid northward; [28] and all that moevith withoute these [29] hevedes, his moevyng is clepid southward, [30] as fro the equinoxiall. Tak kep of these [31] latitudes north and south, and forget it nat. [32] By this cercle equinoxiall ben considred the [33] 24 houres of the clokke; for evermo the arisyng [34] of 15 degrees of the equinoxiall makith an [35] houre equal of the clokke. This equinoxiall is [36] clepid the gurdel of the first moeving, or ellis [37] of the firste moevable. And note that the firste [38] moevyng is clepid moevyng of the firste moevable [39] of the 8 speer, which moeving is from [40] est to west, and eft ageyn into est. Also [41] it is clepid girdel of the firste moeving for it [42] departith the firste moevable, that is to seyn [43] the spere, in two like partyes evene distantz [44] fro the poles of this world. [45] The widest of these 3 principale cercles is [46] clepid the cercle of Capricorne, by cause that [47] the heved of Capricorne turneth evermo consentrik [48] upon the same cercle. In the heved of [49] this forseide Capricorne is the grettist declinacioun [50] southward of the sonne, and therfore [51] it is clepid the solsticium of wynter. [52] This signe of Capricorne is also clepid the [53] tropic of wynter, for than begynneth the sonne [54] to come ageyn to us-ward. [1] Upon this forseide plate ben compassed [2] certeyn cercles that highten almycanteras, of [3] whiche somme of hem semen parfit cercles and [4] somme semen inparfit. The centre that stondith [5] amyddes the narwest cercle is clepid the [6] cenyth. And the netherist cercle, or the firste [7] cercle, is clepid the orizonte, that is to seyn, [8] the cercle that divideth the two emysperies, [9] that is, the partie of the hevene above the [10] erthe and the partie bynethe. These almykanteras [11] ben compowned by 2 and 2, all [12] be it so that on diverse Astrelabies somme [13] almykanteras ben divided by oon, and somme [14] by two, and somme by thre, after the quantite [15] of the Astrelabie. This forseide cenyth is [16] ymagined to ben the verrey point over the [17] crowne of thin heved. And also this cenyth [18] is the verray pool of the orizonte in every regioun. [1] From this cenyth, as it semeth, there [2] comen a maner croked strikes like to the clawes [3] of a loppe, or elles like the werk of a wommans [4] calle, in kervyng overthwart the almykanteras. [5] And these same strikes or divisiouns [6] ben clepid azimutz, and thei dividen the orisounte [7] of thin Astrelabie in 24 divisiouns. And [8] these azymutz serven to knowe the costes of [9] the firmament, and to othre conclusions, as [10] for to knowe the cenyth of the sonne and [11] of every sterre. [1] Next these azymutz, under the cercle [2] of Cancer, ben there 12 divisiouns embelif, [3] muche like to the shap of the azemutz, that [4] shewen the spaces of the houres of planetes. [1] The riet of thin Astrelabie with thy zodiak, [2] shapen in manere of a net or of a lopweb [3] after the olde descripcioun, which thou maist [4] turnen up and doun as thiself liketh, contenith [5] certein nombre of sterres fixes, with her longitudes [6] and latitudes determinat, yf so be that the [7] maker have not errid. The names of the sterres [8] ben writen in the margyn of the riet there as thei [9] sitte, of whiche sterres the smale point is [10] clepid the centre. And understond also that [11] alle the sterres sitting within the zodiak of [12] thin Astrelabie ben clepid sterres of the north, [13] for thei arise by northe the est lyne. And all the [14] remenaunt fixed oute of the zodiak ben clepid [15] sterres of the south. But I seie not that thei arisen [16] alle by southe the est lyne; witnesse on Aldeberan [17] and Algomeysa. Generaly understond this [18] rewle, that thilke sterres that ben clepid sterres [19] of the north arisen rather than the degre of [20] her longitude, and alle the sterres of the [21] south arisen after the degre of her longitude -- [22] this is to seyn, sterres fixed in thyn [23] Astrelabie. The mesure of this longitude of [24] sterres is taken in the lyne ecliptik of hevene, [25] under which lyne, whan that the sonne and the [26] mone be lyne-right, or ellis in the superficie of [27] this lyne, than is the eclipse of the sonne or of [28] the mone, as I shal declare, and eke the cause [29] why. But sothly the ecliptik lyne of thy [30] zodiak is the utterist bordure of thy zodiak [31] there the degrees be marked. [32] Thy zodiak of thin Astrelabie is shapen as [33] a compas which that contenith a large brede [34] as after the quantite of thyn Astrelabie, in ensample [35] that the zodiak in hevene is ymagyned [36] to ben a superfice contenyng a latitude of 12 [37] degrees, whereas alle the remenaunt of cercles [38] in the hevene ben ymagyned verrey lynes withoute [39] eny latitude. Amiddes this celestial [40] zodiak is ymagined a lyne which that is [41] clepid the ecliptik lyne, under which lyne [42] is evermo the wey of the sonne. Thus ben [43] there 6 degres of the zodiak on that oo syde [44] of the lyne and 6 degrees on that othir. This [45] zodiak is dividid in 12 principale divisiouns that [46] departen the 12 signes, and, for the streitnesse [47] of thin Astrolabie, than is every smal divisioun [48] in a signe departed by two degrees and two, I [49] mene degrees contenyng 60 mynutes. And [50] this forseide hevenysshe zodiak is clepid [51] the cercle of the signes, or the cercle of the [52] bestes, for "zodia" in langage of Grek sowneth [53] "bestes" in Latyn tunge. And in the zodiak [54] ben the 12 signes that han names of bestes, [55] or ellis for whan the sonne entrith in eny [56] of tho signes he takith the propirte of suche [57] bestes, or ellis for that the sterres that ben [58] ther fixed ben disposid in signes of bestes or [59] shape like bestes, or elles whan the planetes [60] ben under thilke signes thei causen us by [61] her influence operaciouns and effectes like [62] to the operaciouns of bestes. [63] And understond also that whan an hot planete [64] cometh into an hot signe, than encrescith [65] his hete; and yf a planete be cold, than amenusith [66] his coldnesse by cause of the hoote sygne. [67] And by thys conclusioun maist thou take ensample [68] in alle the signes, be thei moist or drie, [69] or moeble or fixe, reknyng the qualite of the [70] planete as I first seide. And everich of [71] these 12 signes hath respect to a certeyn [72] parcel of the body of a man, and hath it in [73] governaunce; as Aries hath thin heved, and [74] Taurus thy nekke and thy throte, Gemini thin [75] armholes and thin armes, and so furth, as shall [76] be shewid more pleyn in the 5 partie of this [77] tretis. [78] This zodiak, which that is part of the 8 speer, [79] over-kervith the equinoxial, and he over-kervith [80] him ageyn in evene parties; and [81] that oo half declineth southward; and that [82] othir northward, as pleinly declarith the Tretys [83] of the Speer. [84] Than hast thou a label that is shapen like [85] a reule, save that it is streit and hath no plates [86] on either ende with holes. But with the smale [87] point of the forseide label shalt thou calcule [88] thin equaciouns in the bordure of thin Astralabie, [89] as by thin almury. [90] Thin almury is clepid the denticle of [91] Capricorne, or ellis the calculer. This same [92] almury sitt fix in the heved of Capricorne, and [93] it serveth of many a necessarie conclusioun in [94] equacions of thinges as shal be shewid. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com A Treatise on the Astrolabe Part 2 [Rub] To fynde the degre in which the sonne is [RubA] day by day, after his cours aboute. [1] Rekne and knowe which is the day of thy [2] month, and ley thy rewle upon that same day, [3] and than wol the verrey poynt of thy rewle [4] sitten in the bordure upon the degre of thy [5] sonne. [6] Ensample as thus: The yeer of oure Lord [7] 1391, the 12 day of March at midday, I wolde [8] knowe the degre of the sonne. I soughte in [9] the bakhalf of myn Astrelabie and fond the [10] cercle of the daies, the whiche I knowe by [11] the names of the monthes writen under the [12] same cercle. Tho leyde I my reule over this [13] foreseide day, and fond the point of my reule [14] in the bordure upon the firste degre of Aries, [15] a litel within the degre. And thus knowe I this [16] conclusioun. [17] Anothir day I wolde knowen the degre of [18] my sonne, and this was at midday in the 13 [19] day of Decembre. I fond the day of the [20] month in manere as I seide; tho leide I my [21] rewle upon this forseide 13 day, and fond [22] the point of my rewle in the bordure upon [23] the firste degre of Capricorne a lite within the [24] degre. And than had I of this conclusioun the [25] ful experience. [Rub] To knowe the altitude of the sonne or of [RubA] othre celestial bodies. [1] Put the ryng of thyn Astrelabie upon thy [2] right thombe, and turne thi lift syde ageyn [3] the light of the sonne; and remewe thy rewle [4] up and doun til that the stremes of the sonne [5] shine thorugh bothe holes of thi rewle. Loke [6] than how many degrees thy rule is areised fro [7] the litel cros upon thin est lyne, and tak there [8] the altitude of thi sonne. And in this same [9] wise maist thow knowe by night the altitude [10] of the mone or of brighte sterres. [11] This chapitre is so generall evere in oon [12] that there nedith no more declaracioun; but [13] forget it not. [Rub] To knowe every tyme of the day by light [RubA] of the sonne; and every tyme of the nyght by [RubB] the sterres fixe; and eke to knowe by nyght or [RubC] by day the degre of eny signe that ascendith on [RubD] the est orisonte, which that is clepid comounly [RubE] the ascendent, or ellis horoscopum. [1] Tak the altitude of the sonne whan the list, [2] as I have seid, and set the degre of the sonne, [3] in caas that it be beforn the myddel of the day, [4] among thyn almykanteras on the est syde of [5] thin Astrelabie; and if it be after the myddel [6] of the day, set the degre of thy sonne upon the [7] west syde. Tak this manere of settyng for a [8] general rule, ones for evere. And whan thou [9] hast set the degre of thy sonne upon as [10] many almykanteras of height as was the altitude [11] of the sonne taken by thy rule, ley [12] over thi label upon the degre of the sonne; and [13] than wol the point of thi labell sitte in the [14] bordure upon the verrey tyde of the day. [15] Ensample as thus: The yeer of oure lord [16] 1391, the 12 day of March, I wolde knowe the [17] tyde of the day. I tok the altitude of my sonne, [18] and fond that it was 25 degrees and 30 minutes [19] of height in the bordure on the bak [20] side. Tho turned I myn Astrelabye, and by [21] cause that it was before mydday, I turned [22] my riet and sette the degre of the sonne, that [23] is to seyn the firste degre of Aries, on the right [24] side of myn Astrelabye upon 25 degrees and [25] 30 mynutes of height among myn almykanteras. [26] Tho leide I my label upon the degre of my [27] sonne, and fond the point of my label in the [28] bordure upon a capital lettre that is clepid [29] an X. Tho rekned I alle the capitale lettres [30] fro the lyne of mydnight unto this forseide [31] lettre X, and fond that it was 9 of the [32] clokke of the day. Tho loked I doun upon myn [33] est orizonte, and fond there the 20 degre of [34] Geminis ascendyng, which that I tok for myn [35] ascendent. And in this wise had I the experience [36] for evermo in which manere I shulde [37] knowe the tyde of the day and eke myn ascendent. [39] Tho wolde I wite the same nyght folewyng [40] the houre of the nyght, and wroughte [41] in this wise: Among an heep of sterres [42] fixe it liked me for to take the altitude of the [43] faire white sterre that is clepid Alhabor, and [44] fond hir sittyng on the west side of the lyne [45] of midday, 12 degrees of heighte taken by my [46] rewle on the bak side. Tho sette I the centre [47] of this Alhabor upon 12 degrees among myn [48] almykanteras upon the west side, by cause that [49] she was founde on the west side. Tho [50] leyde I my label over the degre of the [51] sonne, that was discendid under the west [52] orisounte, and rekned all the lettres capitals [53] fro the lyne of midday unto the point of my [54] label in the bordure, and fond that it was [55] passed 9 of the clokke the space of 10 degrees. [56] Tho lokid I doun upon myn est orisounte, and [57] fond there 10 degrees of Scorpius ascendyng, [58] whom I tok for myn ascendent. And thus [59] lerned I to knowe onys for ever in which [60] manere I shuld come to the houre of the [61] nyght, and to myn ascendent, as verrely as [62] may be taken by so smal an instrument. [63] But natheles this rule in generall wol I warne [64] the for evere: Ne make the nevere bold to [65] have take a just ascendent by thin Astrelabie, [66] or elles to have set justly a clokke, whan eny [67] celestial body by which that thou wenyst governe [68] thilke thinges be nigh the south lyne. [69] For trust wel, whan the sonne is nygh the [70] meridional lyne, the degre of the sonne [71] renneth so longe consentrik upon the almykanteras [72] that sothly thou shalt erre fro the [73] just ascendent. The same conclusioun sey I by [74] the centre of eny sterre fix by nyght. And [75] more over, by experience I wot wel that in [76] oure orisounte, from xi of the clokke unto oon [77] of the clokke, in taking of a just ascendent in [78] a portatif Astrelabie it is to hard to knowe -- [79] I mene from xi of the clokke before the [80] houre of noon til oon of the clokke next [81] folewyng. [Rub] A special declaracioun of the ascendent. [1] The ascendent sothly, as wel in alle nativites [2] as in questions and eleccions of tymes, is a [3] thing which that these astrologiens gretly observen. [4] Wherfore me semeth convenyent, syth [5] that I speke of the ascendent, to make of it [6] speciall declaracioun. [7] The ascendent sothly, to take it at the largest, [8] is thilke degre that ascendith at eny of [9] these forseide tymes upon the est orisounte. [10] And therfore, yf that eny planete ascende [11] at thatt same tyme in thilke forseide degre, [12] than hath he no latitude fro the ecliptik lyne, [13] but he is than in the degre of the ecliptik [14] which that is the degre of his longitude. Men [15] sayn that thilke planete is in horoscopo. [16] But sothly the hous of the ascendent, that [17] is to seyn, the first hous or the est angle, is a [18] thing more brod and large. For, after the statutes [19] of astrologiens, what celestial body [20] that is 5 degrees above thilke degre that [21] ascendith, or withinne that nombre, that is [22] to seyn neer the degree that ascendith, yit [23] rekne they thilke planete in the ascendent. [24] And what planete that is under thilke degre [25] that ascendith the space of 25 degres, yit seyn [26] thei that thilke planete is "like to him that is [27] the hous of the ascendent." But sothly, if he [28] passe the boundes of these forseide spaces, [29] above or bynethe, thei seyn that the planete [30] is "fallyng fro the ascendent." Yit saien [31] these astrologiens that the ascendent and [32] eke the lord of the ascendent may be shapen [33] for to be fortunat or infortunat, as thus: A [34] "fortunat ascendent" clepen they whan that no [35] wicked planete, as Saturne or Mars or elles [36] the Tayl of the Dragoun, is in the hous of the [37] ascendent, ne that no wicked planete have [38] noon aspect of enemyte upon the ascendent. [39] But thei wol caste that thei have a fortunat [40] planete in hir ascendent, and yit in his felicite; [41] and than sey thei that it is wel. [42] Further over thei seyn that the infortunyng of [43] an ascendent is the contrarie of these forseide [44] thinges. The lord of the ascendent, sey thei [45] that he is fortunat whan he is in god place [46] fro the ascendent, as in an angle, or in a succident [47] where as he is in hys dignite and comfortid [48] with frendly aspectes of planetes and [49] wel resceyved; and eke that he may seen [50] the ascendent; and that he be not retrograd, [51] ne combust, ne joyned with no [52] shrewe in the same signe; ne that he be not [53] in his discencioun, ne joyned with no planete [54] in his descencioun, ne have upon him noon [55] aspect infortunat; and than sey thei that he is [56] well. [57] Natheles these ben observaunces of judicial [58] matere and rytes of payens, in whiche my [59] spirit hath no feith, ne knowing of her [60] horoscopum. For they seyn that every [61] signe is departid in thre evene parties by [62] 10 degrees, and thilke porcioun they clepe a [63] face. And although that a planete have a latitude [64] fro the ecliptik, yit sey somme folk, so [65] that the planete arise in that same signe with [66] eny degre of the forseide face in which his [67] longitude is rekned, that yit is the planete [68] in horoscopo, be it in nativyte or in eleccion, [69] etc. [Rub] To knowe the verrey equacioun of the [RubA] degre of the sonne yf so be that it falle bitwene [RubC] thyn almykanteras. [1] For as muche as the almykanteras in thin [2] Astrelabie ben compowned by two and two, [3] where as somme almykanteras in sondry astrelabies [4] be compowned by 1 and 1, or elles by 2 [5] and 2, it is necessarie to thy lernyng to teche [6] the first to knowe and worke with thin oune [7] instrument. Wherfore whan that the degre of [8] thi sonne fallith bytwixe 2 almykanteras, or [9] ellis yf thin almykanteras ben graven with [10] over-gret a poynt of a compas (for bothe [11] these thinges may causen errour as wel in [12] knowing of the tide of the day, as of the verrey [13] ascendent), thou must worken in this [14] wise: [15] Set the degre of thy sonne upon the hyer [16] almykanteras of bothe, and wayte wel where [17] as thin almury touchith the bordure and set [18] there a prikke of ynke. Sett doun agayn the [19] degre of the sunne upon the nether almykanteras [20] of bothe, and sett there another [21] pricke. Remeve than thin almury in [22] the bordure evene amiddes bothe prickes, and [23] this wol lede justly the degre of thi sonne to [24] sitte bitwene bothe almykanteras in his right [25] place. Ley than thy label over the degre of [26] thi sonne, and fynd in the bordure the verrey [27] tyde of the day, or of the night. And as verraily [28] shalt thou fynde upon thin est orisonte [29] thin ascendent. [Rub] To knowe the spryng of the dawenyng [RubA] and the ende of the evenyng, the whiche ben [RubB] called the two crepuscules. [1] Set the nadir of thy sonne upon 18 degrees [2] of height among thyn almykanteras on the west [3] syde; and ley thy label on the degre of thy [4] sonne, and than shal the point of thy label [5] shewen the spryng of the day. Also set the [6] nader of thy sonne upon 18 degrees of height [7] among thin almykanteras on the est side, and [8] ley over thy label upon the degre of the sonne, [9] and with the point of thy label fynd in the [10] bordure the ende of the evenyng, that is [11] verrey nyght. [12] The nader of the sonne is thilke degre that [13] is opposyt to the degre of the sonne, in the [14] 7 signe, as thus: every degre of Aries by [15] ordir is nadir to every degre of Libra by ordre, [16] and Taurus to Scorpioun, Gemini to Sagittarie, [17] Cancer to Capricorne, Leo to Aquarie, Virgo [18] to Piscis. And if eny degre in thy zodiak be [19] derk, his nadir shal declare hym. [Rub] To knowe the arch of the day, that some [RubA] folk callen the day artificiall, fro sonne arisyng [RubB] tyl it go to reste. [1] Set the degre of thi sonne upon thin est [2] orisonte, and ley thy label on the degre of [3] the sonne, and at the point of thy label in the [4] bordure set a pricke. Turne than thy riet [5] aboute tyl the degre of the sonne sitte upon [6] the west orisonte, and ley thy label upon the [7] same degre of the sonne, and at the poynt of [8] thy label set another pricke. Rekne than [9] the quantite of tyme in the bordure bitwixe [10] bothe prickes, and tak there thyn arch of [11] the day. The remenaunt of the bordure [12] under the orisonte is the arch of the nyght. [13] Thus maist thou rekne bothe arches, or every [14] porcioun, of whether that the liketh. And by [15] this manere of worching maist thou se how [16] longe that eny sterre fix dwelleth above the [17] erthe, fro tyme that he riseth til he go to reste. [18] But the day naturall, that is to seyn 24 hours, [19] is the revolucioun of the equinoxial with as [20] muche partie of the zodiak as the sonne of [21] his propre moeving passith in the mene [22] while. [Rub] To turne the houres inequales in houres [RubA] equales. [1] Know the nombre of the degrees in the [2] houres inequales, and depart hem by 15, and [3] tak there thin houres equales. [Rub] To knowe the quantite of the day vulgar, [RubA] that is to seyn fro spryng of the day unto [RubB] verrey nyght. [1] Know the quantite of thy crepuscles, as I [2] have taught in the 3 chapitre bifore, and adde [3] hem to the arch of thy day artificial, and tak [4] there the space of all the hool day vulgar unto [5] verrey night. The same manere maist thou [6] worche to knowe the quantite of the vulgar [7] nyght. [] [Rub] To knowe the quantite of houres inequales [RubA] by day. [1] Understond wel that these houres inequales [2] ben clepid houres of planetes. And understond [3] wel that som tyme ben thei lenger by [4] day than by night, and som tyme the contrarie. [5] But understond wel that evermo generaly [6] the houre inequal of the day with the [7] houre inequal of the night contenen 30 degrees [8] of the bordure, which bordure is evermo answeryng [9] to the degrees of the equinoxial. [10] Wherfore departe the arch of the day artificial [11] in 12, and tak there the quantite of [12] the houre inequale by day. And if thou abate [13] the quantite of the houre inequale by day out [14] of 30, than shal the remenaunt that levith parforme [15] the houre inequale by night. [Rub] To knowe the quantite of houres [RubA] equales. [1] The quantite of houres equales, that is to [2] seyn the houres of the clokke, ben departid by [3] 15 degrees alredy in the bordure of thin Astrelaby, [4] as wel by night as by day, generaly for [5] evere. What nedith more declaracioun? [6] Wherfore whan the list to knowe hou many [7] houres of the clokke ben passed, or eny part [8] of eny of these houres that ben passed, or ellis [9] how many houres or parties of houres ben [10] to come fro such a tyme to such a tyme by [11] day or by night, know the degre of thy [12] sonne, and ley thy label on it. Turne thy ryet [13] aboute joyntly with thy label, and with the [14] poynt of it rekne in the bordure fro the sonne [15] arise unto that same place there thou desirist, [16] by day as by nyght. This conclusioun wol I declare [17] in the laste chapitre of the 4 partie of this [18] tretys so openly that ther shal lakke no word [19] that nedith to the declaracioun. [Rub] Special declaracioun of the houres of [RubA] planetes. [1] Understond wel that evermo, fro the arisyng [2] of the sonne til it go to reste, the nadir of [3] the sonne shal shewe the houre of the planete; [4] and fro that tyme forward al the night til the [5] sonne arise, than shal the verrey degre of the [6] sonne shewe the houre of the planete. [7] Ensample as thus: The xiij day of March [8] fyl upon a Saturday, peraventure, and atte risyng [9] of the sonne I fond the secunde degre [10] of Aries sittyng upon myn est orisonte, all [11] be it that it was but litel. Than fond I the [12] 2 degre of Libra, nadir of my sonne, discending [13] on my west orisonte, upon which west orisonte [14] every day generaly, atte sonne arist, entrith the [15] houre of eny planete, after which planete the [16] day berith his name, and endith in the next [17] strike of the plate under the forseide west [18] orisonte. And evere as the sonne clymbith upper [19] and upper, so goth his nadir downer [20] and downer, teching by suche strikes the [21] houres of planetes by ordir as they sitten [22] in the hevene. The firste houre inequal of [23] every Saturday is to Saturne, and the secunde [24] to Jupiter, the thirde to Mars, the fourthe [25] to the sonne, the fifte to Venus, the sixte to [26] Mercurius, the seventhe to the mone. And [27] then ageyn the 8 is to Saturne, the 9 to [28] Jupiter, the 10 to Mars, the 11 to the sonne, [29] the 12 to Venus. And now is my sonne gon [30] to reste as for that Saturday. Than shewith [31] the verrey degre of the sonne the houre [32] of Mercurie entring under my west orisonte at [33] eve; and next him succedith the mone, and [34] so furth by ordir, planete after planete in houre [35] after houre, all the nyght longe til the sonne [36] arise. Now risith the sonne that Sonday by [37] the morwe, and the nadir of the sonne upon [38] the west orisonte shewith me the entring of the [39] houre of the forseide sonne. And in this [40] manere succedith planete under planete fro [41] Saturne unto the mone, and fro the mone up [42] ageyn to Saturne, houre after houre generaly. [43] And thus knowe I this conclusyoun. [Rub] To knowe the altitude of the sonne in [RubA] myddes of the day that is clepid the altitude [RubB] meridian. [1] Set the degre of the sonne upon the lyne [2] meridional, and rekne how many degres of [3] almykanteras ben bitwyxe thin est orisonte and [4] the degre of thy sonne; and tak there thin altitude [5] meridian, this to seyn, the highest of the [6] sonne as for that day. So maist thou knowe in [7] the same lyne the heighest cours that eny sterre [8] fix clymbeth by night. This is to seyn that whan [9] eny sterre fix is passid the lyne meridional, [10] than begynneth it to descende; and so doth [11] the sonne. [Rub] To knowe the degre of the sonne by thy [RubA] ryet, for a maner curiosite. [1] Sek besily with thy rule the highest of the [2] sonne in mydde of the day. Turne than thin [3] Astrelabie, and with a pricke of ynke marke [4] the nombre of that same altitude in the lyne [5] meridional; turne than thy ryet aboute tyl thou [6] fynde a degre of thy zodiak according with the [7] pricke, this is to seyn, sitting on the pricke. [8] And in soth thou shalt finde but 2 degrees in [9] all the zodiak of that condicioun; and yit [10] thilke 2 degrees ben in diverse signes. [11] Than maist thou lightly, by the sesoun of [12] the yere, knowe the signe in which that is the [13] sonne. [Rub] To knowe which day is lik to which [RubA] day as of lengthe. [1] Loke whiche degrees ben ylike fer fro the [2] hevedes of Cancer and Capricorne, and loke [3] when the sonne is in eny of thilke degrees; [4] than ben the dayes ylike of lengthe. This is [5] to seyn that as longe is that day in that month, [6] as was such a day in such a month; there varieth [7] but litel. [8] Also, yf thou take 2 dayes naturales in the [9] yere ylike fer fro either point of the equinoxiall [10] in the opposyt parties, than as longe [11] is the day artificiall of that oon day as is the [12] night of that othir, and the contrarie. [Rub] This chapitre is a maner declaracioun [RubA] to conclusiouns that folewen. [1] Understond wel that thy zodiak is departed [2] in two halve circles, as fro the heved of Capricorne [3] unto the heved of Cancer, and ageynward [4] fro the heved of Cancer unto the heved [5] of Capricorne. The heved of Capricorne is [6] the lowest point where as the sonne goth in [7] wynter, and the heved of Cancer is the heighist [8] point in which the sonne goth in somer. And [9] therfore understond wel that eny two degrees [10] that ben ylike fer fro eny of these two [11] hevedes, truste wel that thilke two degrees [12] ben of ilike declinacioun, be it southward or [13] northward, and the daies of hem ben ilike of [14] lengthe and the nyghtes also, and the shadewes [15] ilyke, and the altitudes ylike atte midday [16] for evere. [Rub] To knowe the verrey degre of eny maner [RubA] sterre, straunge or unstraunge, after his longitude; [RubB] though he be indetermynat in thin [RubC] Astralabye, sothly to the trouthe thus he shal [RubD] be knowe. [1] Tak the altitude of this sterre whan he is on [2] the est syde of the lyne meridionall, as nye [3] as thou mayst gesse; and tak an ascendent anon [4] right by som manere sterre fix which that thou [5] knowist; and forget not the altitude of the firste [6] sterre ne thyn ascendent. And whan that this [7] is don, aspye diligently whan this same firste [8] sterre passith eny thyng the south westward; [9] and cacche him anon right in the same [10] nombre of altitude on the west syde of this [11] lyne meridional, as he was kaught on the [12] est syde; and tak a newe ascendent anon-ryght [13] by som maner sterre fix which that thou knowist, [14] and forget not this secunde ascendent. And [15] whan that this is don, rekne than how many [16] degrees ben bitwixe the firste ascendent and [17] the secunde ascendent; and rekne wel the myddel [18] degre bitwene bothe ascendentes, and set [19] thilke myddel degre upon thyn est orizonte; [20] and wayte than what degre that sitte upon [21] the lyne meridional, and tak there the verrey [22] degre of the ecliptik in which the sterre [23] stondith for the tyme. For in the ecliptik is the [24] longitude of a celestiall body rekned, evene [25] fro the heved of Aries unto the ende of Pisces; [26] and his latitude is rekned after the quantite of [27] his declynacioun north or south toward the [28] polys of this world. [29] As thus: Yif it be of the sonne or of [30] eny fix sterre, rekne hys latitude or his [31] declinacioun fro the equinoxiall cercle; and [32] if it be of a planete, rekne than the quantite [33] of his latitude fro the ecliptik lyne, all be it [34] so that fro the equinoxiall may the declinacioun [35] or the latitude of eny body celestiall be rekned [36] after the site north or south and after the quantite [37] of his declinacioun. And right so may the [38] latitude or the declinacioun of eny body celestiall, [39] saaf oonly of the sonne, after hys site [40] north or south and after the quantite of his [41] declinacioun, be rekned fro the ecliptik [42] lyne; fro which lyne alle planetes som tyme [43] declinen north or south saaf oonly the forseide [44] sonne. [Rub] To knowe the degrees of longitudes of [RubA] fixe sterres after that they be determynat in [RubB] thin Astrelabye, yf so be that thei be trewly [RubC] sette. [1] Set the centre of the sterre upon the lyne [2] meridionall, and tak kep of thy zodiak, and [3] loke what degre of eny signe that sitte upon [4] the same lyne meridionall at that same tyme, [5] and tak there the degre in which the sterre [6] stondith. and with that same degre cometh that [7] same sterre unto that same lyne fro the orisonte. [Rub] To knowe with which degre of the zodiak [RubA] eny sterre fix in thin Astrelabie arisith [RubB] upon the est orisonte, all though his dwellyng [RubC] be in another signe. [1] Set the centre of the sterre upon the est [2] orisonte, and loke what degre of eny signe that [3] sitt upon the same orisonte at that same tyme. [4] And understond wel that with that same degre [5] arisith that same sterre. [6] And thys merveylous arisyng with a straunge [7] degre in another signe is by cause that the [8] latitude of the sterre fix is either north or south [9] fro the equinoxiall. But sothly the latitudes [10] of planetes be comounly rekened fro the [11] ecliptyk, by cause that noon of hem declyneth [12] but fewe degrees out fro the brede of the [13] zodiak. And tak god kep of this chapitre of [14] arisyng of celestialle bodies; for truste wel that [15] neyther mone ne sterre, as in our embelif [16] orisonte, arisith with that same degre of his [17] longitude saaf in oo cas, and that is whan they [18] have no latitude fro the ecliptyk lyne. But [19] natheles som tyme is everich of these planetes [20] under the same lyne. [Rub] To knowe the declinacioun of eny degre [RubA] in the zodiak fro the equinoxiall cercle. [1] Set the degre of eny signe upon the lyne [2] meridionall, and rekne hys altitude in the [3] almykanteras fro the est orisonte up to the same [4] degre set in the forseide lyne, and set there a [5] prikke; turne up than thy riet, and set the heved [6] of Aries or Libra in the same meridionall lyne, [7] and set there a nother prikke. And whan that [8] this is don, considre the altitudes of hem bothe; [9] for sothly the difference of thilke altitudes [10] is the declinacioun of thilke degre fro the [11] equinoxiall. And yf it so be that thilke degre [12] be northward fro the equinoxiall, than is [13] his declinacyoun north; yif it be southward, [14] than is it south. [Rub] To knowe for what latitude in eny regioun [RubA] the almykanteras of eny table ben compowned. [1] Rekene how many degrees of almykanteras [2] in the meridionall lyne ben fro the cercle equinoxiall [3] unto the cenyth, or elles from the pool [4] artyk unto the north orisonte; and for so gret [5] a latitude, or for so smal a latitude, is the table [6] compowned. [Rub] To knowe in speciall the latitude of [RubA] oure countre, I mene after the latitude of Oxenford, [RubB] and the height of oure pool. [1] Understond wel that as fer is the heved of [2] Aries or Libra in the equinoxiall fro oure orisonte [3] as is the cenyth fro the pool artik; and [4] as high is the pool artik fro the orisonte as the [5] equinoxiall is fer fro the cenyth. I prove it [6] thus by the latitude of Oxenford: understond [7] wel that the height of oure pool artik fro oure [8] north orisonte is 51 degrees and 50 mynutes; [9] than is the cenyth fro oure pool artik 38 degrees [10] and 10 mynutes; than is the equinoxial [11] from oure cenyth 51 degrees and 50 [12] mynutes; than is oure south orisonte from oure [13] equinoxiall 38 degres and 10 mynutes. Understond [14] wel this rekenyng. Also forget not [15] that the cenyth is 90 degrees of height from [16] the orisonte, and oure equinoxiall is 90 degres [17] from oure pool artik. Also this shorte rule is [18] soth, that the latitude of eny place in a regioun [19] is the distaunce fro the cenyth unto [20] the equinoxiall. [Rub] To prove evidently the latitude of eny [RubA] place in a regioun by the preve of the height [RubB] of the pool artik in that same place. [1] In som wynters nyght whan the firmament [2] is cler and thikke sterred, wayte a tyme til [3] that eny sterre fix sitte lyne-right perpendiculer [4] over the pool artik, and clepe that sterre A; [5] and wayte another sterre that sitte lyne-right [6] under A, and under the pool, and clepe that [7] sterre F. And understond wel that F is not [8] considrid but oonly to declare that A sitte [9] evene over the pool. Tak than anoon-right [10] the altitude of A from the orisonte, and forget [11] it not; let A and F goo fare wel tyl [12] ageynst the dawenyng a gret while, and com [13] than ageyn, and abid til that A is evene under [14] the pool, and under F; for sothly than wol F [15] sitte over the pool, and A wol sitte under the [16] pool. Tak than eftsonys the altitude of A from [17] the orisonte, and note as wel his secunde altitude [18] as hys firste altitude. And whan that this [19] is doon, rekene how many degrees that the [20] firste altitude of A excedith his secunde altitude, [21] and tak half thilke porcioun that is [22] excedid and adde it to his secunde altitude, [23] and tak there the elevacioun of thy pool, and [24] eke the latitude of thy regioun; for these two [25] ben of oo nombre, this is to seyn, as many degres [26] as thy pool is elevat, so muche is the latitude [27] of the regioun. [28] Ensample as thus: Peraventure the altitude of [29] A in the evenyng is 56 degrees of height; [30] than wol his secunde altitude or the dawenyng [31] be 48 degres, that is 8 degrees lasse [32] than 56, that was his first altitude att even. [33] Tak than the half of 8 and adde it to 48 that [34] was his secunde altitude, and than hast thou [35] 52. Now hast thou the height of thy pool and [36] the latitude of the regioun. But understond [37] wel that to prove this conclusioun and many [38] another faire conclusioun, thou must have a [39] plomet hongyng on a lyne, heygher than [40] thin heved, on a perche; and thilke lyne [41] must hange evene perpendiculer bytwixe [42] the pool and thin eye; and than shalt thou [43] seen yf A sitte evene over the pool, and over [44] F atte evene; and also yf F sitte evene over the [45] pool and over A or day. [Rub] Another conclusioun to prove the [RubA] height of the pool artik fro the orisonte. [1] Tak eny sterre fix that never descendith under [2] the orisonte in thilke regioun, and considre [3] his heighist altitude and his lowist altitude [4] fro the orisonte, and make a nombre of [5] bothe these altitudes; tak than and abate half [6] that nombre, and take there the elevacioun of [7] the pool artik in that same regioun. [Rub] Another conclusioun to prove the latitude [RubA] of the regioun. [1] Understond wel that the latitude of eny [2] place in a regioun is verrely the space bytwixe [3] the cenyth of hem that dwellen there and the [4] equinoxiall cercle north or south, takyng the [5] mesure in the meridional lyne, as shewith in [6] the almykanteras of thin Astrelabye. And thilke [7] space is as much as the pool artike is high in [8] that same place fro the orisonte. And than is [9] the depressioun of the pool antartik, that [10] is to seyn, than is the pool antartik, bynethe [11] the orisonte the same quantite of [12] space neither more ne lasse. [13] Than if thou desire to knowe this latitude [14] of the regioun, tak the altitude of the sonne [15] in the myddel of the day, whan the sonne is [16] in the hevedes of Aries or of Libra; for than [17] moeveth the sonne in the lyne equinoxiall; [18] and abate the nombre of that same sonnes altitude [19] out of 90 degrees, and than is the [20] remenaunt of the nombre that leveth [21] the latitude of the regioun. As thus: [22] I suppose that the sonne is thilke day at [23] noon 38 degrees of height; abate than 38 [24] degrees oute of 90; so leveth there 52; than is [25] 52 degrees the latitude. I say not this but for [26] ensample; for wel I wot the latitude of Oxenford [27] is certeyn minutes lasse; thow might [28] preve the same. [29] Now yf so be that the semeth to longe a [30] tarieng to abide til that the sonne be in the [31] hevedes of Aries or of Libra, than wayte [32] whan the sonne is in eny othir degre of the [33] zodiak, and considre the degre of his declinacioun [34] fro the equinoxiall lyne; and if it so be [35] that the sonnes declinacioun be northward fro [36] the equinoxiall, abate than fro the sonnes altitude [37] at non the nombre of his declinacioun, [38] and than hast thou the height of the hevedes [39] of Aries and Libra. As thus: My sonne [40] is peraventure in the 10 degre of Leoun, [41] almost 56 degrees of height at non, [42] and his declinacioun is almost 18 degrees [43] northward fro the equinoxiall; abate than thilke [44] 18 degrees of declinacioun out of the altitude [45] at non; than leveth there 38 degrees and odde [46] minutes. Lo there the heved of Aries or Libra [47] and thin equinoxiall in that regioun. Also if [48] so be that the sonnes declinacioun be southward [49] fro the equinoxiall, adde than thilke [50] declinacioun to the altitude of the sonne at [51] noon, and tak there the hevedes of Aries [52] and Libra and thin equinoxial; abate than the [53] height of the equinoxial out of 90 degrees; [54] than leveth there the distance of the pool of [55] that regioun fro the equinoxiall. Or elles, if [56] the list, tak the highest altitude fro the equinoxial [57] of eny sterre fix that thou knowist, and [58] tak his netherest elongacioun (lengthing) fro [59] the same equinoxial lyne, and work in the [60] manere forseid. [Rub] Declaracioun of the ascensioun of [RubA] signes. [1] The excellence of the spere solide, amonges [2] othir noble conclusiouns, shewith manyfest the [3] diverse ascenciouns of signes in diverse places, [4] as wel in the right cercle as in the embelif [5] cercle. These auctours writen that thilke signe [6] is cleped of right ascensioun with which more [7] part of the cercle equinoxiall and lasse part of [8] the zodiak ascendith. and thilke signe ascendith [9] embelif with which lasse part of the [10] equinoxiall and more part of the zodiak [11] ascendith. Ferther-over, they seyn that in [12] thilke cuntrey where as the senith of hem that [13] dwellen there is in the equinoxial lyne, and [14] her orisonte passyng by the two poles of this [15] world, thilke folk han this right cercle and [16] the right orisonte; and evermore the arch of [17] the day and the arch of the night is there ilike [18] longe; and the sonne twies every yer passing [19] thorugh the cenith of hir heed, and two [20] someres and two wynters in a yer han these [21] forseide peple. And the almycanteras in [22] her Astrelabyes ben streight as a lyne, so as [23] shewith in the figure. [24] The utilite to knowe the ascensions of signes [25] in the right cercle is this: Truste wel that [26] by mediacioun of thilke ascensions these astrologiens, [27] by her tables and her instrumentes, [28] knowen verreily the ascensioun of every degre [29] and minute in all the zodiak in the embelif [30] cercle, as shal be shewed. And nota that [31] this forseide right orisonte, that is clepid [32] Orison Rectum, dividith the equinoxial into [33] right angles; and the embelif orisonte, where [34] as the pool is enhaunced upon the orisonte, [35] overkervith the equinoxiall in embilif angles, [36] as shewith in the figure. [Rub] This is the conclusioun to knowe the [RubA] ascensions of signes in the right cercle, that is [RubB] circulus directus. [1] Set the heved of what signe the lyst to knowe [2] his ascendyng in the right cercle upon the lyne [3] meridionall, and wayte where thyn almury [4] touchith the bordure, and set there a prikke; [5] turne than thy riet westward til that the ende [6] of the forseide signe sitte upon the meridional [7] lyne and eftsonys wayte where thin almury [8] touchith the bordure, and set there another [9] pricke. Rekene than the nombre of degres [10] in the bordure bitwixe bothe prikkes, and [11] tak the ascensioun of the signe in the right [12] cercle. And thus maist thou werke with every [13] porcioun of thy zodiak. [Rub] To knowe the ascensions of signes in the [RubA] embelif cercle in every regioun, I mene, in [RubB] circulo obliquo. [1] Set the heved of the signe which as the list [2] to knowe his ascensioun upon the est orisonte, [3] and wayte where thin almury touchith the bordure, [4] and there set a prikke. Turne than thy [5] riet upward til that the ende of the same signe [6] sitte upon the est orisonte, and wayte eftsonys [7] where as thin almury touchith the bordure, [8] and set there a nother prikke. Rekene than [9] the nombre of degrees in the bordure bitwyxe [10] bothe prikkes and tak there the ascensioun [11] of the signe in the embelif cercle. [12] And understond wel that alle the signes in thy [13] zodiak, fro the heved of Aries unto the ende [14] of Virgo, ben clepid signes of the north fro [15] the equinoxiall. And these signes arisen bitwyxe [16] the verrey est and the verrey north in [17] oure orisonte generaly for evere. And alle the [18] signes fro the heved of Libra unto the ende [19] of Pisces ben clepid signes of the south fro [20] the equinoxial; and these signes arisen [21] evermore bitwixe the verrey est and the [22] verrey south in oure orisonte. Also every signe [23] bitwixe the heved of Capricorne unto the ende [24] of Geminis arisith on oure orisonte in lasse [25] than 2 houres equales. And these same signes [26] fro the heved of Capricorne unto the ende of [27] Geminis ben cleped tortuose signes, or croked [28] signes, for thei arise embelyf on oure orisonte. [29] And these croked signes ben obedient to [30] the signes that ben of right ascensioun. [31] The signes of right ascencioun ben fro the [32] heved of Cancer unto the ende of Sagittarie; [33] and these signes arisen more upright, and thei [34] ben called eke sovereyn signes and everich of [35] hem arisith in more space than 2 houres. Of [36] whiche signes Gemini obeieth to Cancer, and [37] Taurus to Leo, Aries to Virgo, Pisces to Libra, [38] Aquarius to Scorpioun, and Capricorne to Sagittarie. [39] And thus evermore 2 signes that [40] ben ilike fer fro the heved of Capricorne [41] obeyen everich of hem to othir. [Rub] To knowe justly the 4 quarters of the [RubA] world, as Est, West, North, and South. [1] Tak the altitude of thy sonne whan the list, [2] and note wel the quarter of the world in which [3] the sonne is for the tyme by the azymutz. [4] Turne than thin Astrelabie, and set the degre [5] of the sonne in the almykanteras of his altitude [6] on thilke syde that the sonne stant, as is the [7] manere in takyng of houres, and ley thy label [8] on the degre of the sonne; and rekene how [9] many degrees of the bordure ben bitwixe [10] the lyne meridional and the point of thy [11] label, and note wel that nombre. Turne [12] than ageyn thin Astrelabie, and set the point [13] of thy gret rule there thou takist thin altitudes [14] upon as many degrees in his bordure fro his [15] meridional as was the point of thy label fro [16] the lyne meridional on the wombe side. Take [17] than thin Astrelabie with bothe hondes sadly [18] and slighly, and let the sonne shyne thorugh [19] bothe holes of thy rule, and slighly in thilke [20] shynyng lat thin Astrelabie kouche adoun [21] evene upon a smothe ground, and than wol [22] the verrey lyne meridional of thin Astrelabie [23] lye evene south, and the est lyne wol lye est, [24] and the west lyne west, and the north lyne [25] north, so that thou worke softly and avysely [26] in the kouching. And thus hast thou the 4 [27] quarters of the firmament. [Rub] To knowe the latitude of planetes fro [RubA] the wey of the sonne, whethir so they be north [RubB] or south fro the forseide wey. [1] Loke whan that a planete is in the lyne [2] meridional, yf that hir altitude be of the same [3] height that is the degre of the sonne for that [4] day, and than is the planete in the verrey wey [5] of the sonne and hath no latitude. And if the [6] altitude of the planete be heigher than the [7] degre of the sonne, than is the planete north [8] fro the wey of the sonne such a quantite of [9] latitude as shewith by thin almykanteras. [10] And if the altitude of the planete be lasse [11] than the degre of the sonne, than is the [12] planete south fro the wey of the sonne such [13] a quantite of latitude as shewith by thin [14] almykanteras. This is to seyn, fro the wey [15] where as the sonne went thilke day, but not [16] fro the wey of the sonne in every place of the [17] zodiak. [Rub] To knowe the cenyth of the arising of [RubA] the sonne, this is to seyn, the partie of the [RubB] orisonte in which that the sonne arisith. [1] Thou must first considere that the sonne arisith [2] not alwey verrey est, but somtyme by northe [3] the est and somtyme by south the est. Sothly [4] the sonne arisith nevere moo verrey est in oure [5] orisonte, but he be in the heved of Aries or [6] Libra. Now is thin orisonte departed in 24 parties [7] by thin azimutes in significacioun of 24 parties [8] of the world; al be it so that shipmen rekene [9] thilke parties in 32. Than is there no [10] more but wayte in which azimut that thy [11] sonne entrith at his arisyng, and take there [12] the cenith of the arisyng of the sonne. [13] The manere of the divisioun of thin Astrelabie [14] is this, I mene as in this cas: First [15] it is divided in 4 plages principalis with the [16] lyne that goth from est to west; and than with [17] another lyne that goth fro south to north; than [18] is it divided in smale parties of azymutz, as est, [19] and est by south, where as is the first azymut [20] above the est lyne; and so furth fro [21] partie to partie til that thou come ageyn [22] unto the est lyne. Thus maist thou understonde [23] also the cenyth of eny sterre, in which partie [24] he riseth. [Rub] To knowe in which partie of the firmament [RubA] is the conjunccyoun. [1] Considere the tyme of the conjunccyoun by [2] the kalender, as thus: Loke hou many houres [3] thilke conjunccioun is fro the midday of the [4] day precedent, as shewith by the canon of [5] thy kalender. Rekene than thilke nombre of [6] houres in the bordure of thin Astrelabie, as [7] thou art wont to do in knowyng of the houres [8] of the day or of the nyght, and ley thy label [9] over the degre of the sonne, and than wol [10] the point of thy label sitte upon the houre [11] of the conjunccioun. Loke than in which [12] azymut the degre of thy sonne sittith, and in [13] that partie of the firmament is the conjunccioun. [Rub] To knowe the cenyth of the altitude of [RubA] the sonne. [1] This is no more to seyn but eny tyme of [2] the day tak the altitude of the sonne, and by [3] the azymut in which he stondith maist thou [4] seen in which partie of the firmament he is. [5] And the same wise maist thou seen by night, [6] of eny sterre, wheither the sterre sitte est or [7] west, or north or south, or eny partie bitwene, [8] after the name of the azimut in which is the [9] sterre. [Rub] To knowe sothly the degre of the longitude [RubA] of the mone, or of eny planete that hath [RubB] no latitude for the tyme fro the ecliptik lyne. [1] Tak the altitude of the mone, and rekne thy [2] altitude up among thyn almykanteras on [3] which syde that the mone stondith, and set [4] there a prikke. Tak than anon-right upon the [5] mones syde the altitude of eny sterre fix which [6] that thou knowist, and set his centre upon his [7] altitude among thyn almykanteras there the [8] sterre is founde. Wayte than which degre of [9] the zodiak touchith the prykke of the altitude [10] of the mone, and tak there the degre [11] in which the mone stondith. This conclusioun [12] is verrey soth, yf the sterres in thin [13] Astrelabie stonden after the trouthe. Comoun [14] tretes of the Astrelabie ne maken non excepcioun [15] whether the mone have latitude or [16] noon, ne on wheyther syde of the mone the [17] altitude of the sterre fixe be taken. [18] And nota that yf the mone shewe himself [19] by light of day, than maist thou worche [20] this same conclusioun by the sonne, as wel [21] as by the fixe sterre. [Rub] This is the worchinge of the conclusioun [RubA] to knowe yf that eny planete be direct [RubB] or retrograd. [1] Tak the altitude of eny sterre that is clepid [2] a planete, and note it wel; and tak eke anon [3] the altitude of any sterre fix that thou knowist, [4] and note it wel also. Com than ageyn the [5] thridde or the fourthe nyght next folewing, for [6] than shalt thou perceyve wel the moeving of [7] a planete, wheither so he moeve forward or [8] bakward. Awayte wel than whan that thy [9] sterre fixe is in the same altitude that she [10] was whan thou toke hir firste altitude. [11] And tak than eft-sones the altitude of the [12] forseide planete and note it wel; for truste wel [13] yf so be that the planete be on the right syde [14] of the meridional lyne, so that his secunde altitude [15] be lasse than hys first altitude was, than [16] is the planete direct; and yf he be on the west [17] syde in that condicioun, than is he retrograd. [18] And yf so be that this planete be upon the est [19] side whan his altitude is ytaken, so that his [20] secunde altitude be more than his first altitude, [21] than is he retrograd. And if he be on [22] the west syde, than is he direct. But the contrarie [23] of these parties is of the cours of the [24] mone; for certis the mone moeveth the contrarie [25] from othre planetes as in hir epicicle, but [26] in noon othir manere. [Rub] The conclusioun of equaciouns of [RubA] houses after the Astrelabie. [1] Set the begynnyng of the degre that ascendith [2] upon the ende of the 8 houre inequal; than [3] wol the begynnyng of the 2 hous sitte upon [4] the lyne of mydnight. Remeve than the degre [5] that ascendith, and set him on the ende of the [6] 10 houre inequal, and than wol the begynnyng [7] of the 3 hous sitte up on the mydnight lyne. [8] Bring up ageyn the same degre that ascended [9] first, and set him upon the est orisonte, and [10] than wol the begynnyng of the 4 hous sitte [11] upon the lyne of mydnight. Tak than the [12] nader of the degre that first ascendid, and set [13] him on the ende of the 2 houre inequal; and [14] than wol the begynnyng of the 5 hous sitte [15] upon the lyne of mydnight. Set than the nader [16] of the ascendent on the ende of the 4 houre [17] inequal, and than wol the begynnyng of the [18] 6 hous sitte on the mydnight lyne. The begynnyng [19] of the 7 hous is nader of the ascendent, [20] and the begynnyng of the 8 hous [21] is nader of the 2, and the begynnyng [22] of the 9 hous is nader of the 3, and the begynnyng [23] of the 10 hous is nader of the 4, [24] and the begynnyng of the 11 hous is nader [25] of the 5, and the begynnyng of the 12 hous [26] is nader of the 6. [Rub] Another maner of equaciouns of houses [RubA] by the Astrelabye. [1] Tak thin ascendent, and than hast thou thy [2] 4 angles; for wel thou wost that the opposit [3] of thin ascendent, that is to seyn, the begynnyng [4] of the 7 hous, sitt upon the west orisonte, [5] and the begynnyng of the 10 hous sitt upon [6] the lyne meridional, and his opposyt upon the [7] lyne of mydnight. Than ley thy label over the [8] degre that ascendith, and rekne fro the point [9] of thy label alle the degrees in the bordure [10] tyl thou come to the meridional lyne; and [11] departe alle thilke degrees in 3 evene parties, [12] and take there the evene equacions of 3 [13] houses; for ley thy label over everich of these [14] 3 parties, and than maist thou se by thy label, [15] in the zodiak, the begynnyng of everich [16] of these same houses fro the ascendent; that [17] is to seyn, the begynnyng of the 12 hous next [18] above thin ascendent, the begynnyng of the [19] 11 hous, and than the 10 upon the meridional [20] lyne, as I first seide. The same wise [21] worch thou fro the ascendent doun to the [22] lyne of mydnyght, and thus hast thou othre [23] 3 houses; that is to seyn, the begynnyng of [24] the 2, and the 3, and the 4 hous. Than is the [25] nader of these 3 houses the begynnyng of the [26] 3 houses that folewen. [Rub] To fynde the lyne meridional to dwelle [RubA] fix in eny certeyn place. [1] Tak a round plate of metal; for werpyng, [2] the brodder the better; and make there upon [3] a just compas a lite within the bordure. And [4] ley this rounde plate upon an evene ground, [5] or on an evene ston, or on an evene stok fix [6] in the ground; and ley it evene by a level. [7] And in the centre of the compas styke an [8] evene pyn, or a wyr, upright, the smaller the [9] better; set thy pyn by a plom-rule evene [10] upright, and let this pyn be no lenger than [11] a quarter of the dyametre of thy compas, [12] fro the centre amiddes. And wayte bisely [13] aboute 10 or 11 of the clokke, whan the sonne [14] shineth, whan the shadewe of the pyn entrith [15] enythyng within the cercle of thy compas an [16] heer-mele; and marke there a pricke with inke. [17] Abid than stille waityng on the sonne til after [18] 1 of the clokke, til that the shadwe of the wyr, [19] or of the pyn, passe enything out of the [20] cercle of the compas, be it nevere so lyte, [21] and set there another pricke of ynke. Tak [22] than a compas, and mesure evene the myddel [23] bitwixe bothe prickes, and set there a prikke. [24] Tak me than a rule and draw a strike evene [25] a-lyne, fro the pyn unto the middel prikke; and [26] tak there thi lyne meridional for evermore, as [27] in that same place. And yif thou drawe a [28] cross-lyne overthwart the compas justly over [29] the lyne meridional, than hast thou est and [30] west and south, and par consequens, [31] the opposit of the south lyne, i.e. the north. [Rub] Descripcion of the meridional lyne, of [RubA] longitudes and latitudes of citees and townes, [RubB] as wel as of climates. [1] Thys lyne meridional is but a maner descripcioun, [2] or lyne ymagined, that passith upon the [3] poles of this world and by the cenyth of oure [4] heved. And it is cleped the lyne meridional, [5] for in what place that eny man is at any tyme [6] of the yer, whan that the sonne, by mevynge [7] of the firmament, cometh to his verrey meridian [8] place, than is it verrey mydday, that we clepen [9] oure non, as to thilke man. And therfore [10] is it clepid the lyne of midday. And nota [11] that evermore of eny 2 cytes or of 2 townes, [12] of which that oo town approchith ner toward [13] the est than doth that othir town, trust [14] wel that thilke townes han diverse meridians. [15] Nota also that the arch of the equinoxial that [16] is contened or bownded bitwixe the 2 meridians [17] is clepid the longitude of the toun. And [18] yf so be that two townes have ilike meridian [19] or oon meridian, than is the distaunce of [20] hem bothe ilike fer fro the est, and the contrarie; [21] and in this manere thei change not [22] her meridian. But sothly thei chaungen her [23] almykanteras, for the enhaunsyng of the pool [24] and the distance of the sonne. [25] The longitude of a climat is a lyne ymagined [26] fro est to west ilike distant fro the equinoxiall. [27] And the latitude of a climat may be [28] cleped the space of the erthe fro the begynnyng [29] of the first clymat unto the verrey [30] ende of the same clymat evene direct [31] ageyns the pool artyke. Thus sayn somme [32] auctours; and somme of hem sayn that yf men [33] clepe the latitude of a cuntrey the arch meridian [34] that is contened or intercept bitwix the [35] cenyth and the equinoxial, than say they that [36] the distance fro the equinoxial unto the ende [37] of a clymat evene ageynst the pool artik is the [38] latitude of a clymat forsoothe. [Rub] To knowe with which degre of the zodiak [RubA] that eny planete ascendith on the orisonte, [RubB] wheither so that his latitude be north [RubC] or south. [1] Know by thin almenak the degre of the [2] ecliptik of eny signe in which that the planete [3] is rekned for to be, and that is clepid the [4] degre of his longitude. And know also the [5] degre of his latitude fro the ecliptik north or [6] south. And by these ensamples folewynge in [7] speciall maist thou worche in general in every [8] signe of the zodiak: [9] The degree of the longitude peraventure [10] of Venus or of another planete was 1 of [11] Capricorne, and the latitude of him was [12] northward 4 degrees fro the ecliptik lyne. Than [13] tok I a subtil compas, and clepid that oo point [14] of my compas A, and that other point F. Than [15] tok I the point of A and sette it in the ecliptik [16] lyne in my zodiak in the degre of the longitude [17] of Venus, that is to seyn, in the 1 degre [18] of Capricorne; and than sette I the point of [19] F upward in the same signe by cause that [20] latitude was north upon the latitude of [21] Venus, that is to seyn, in the 4 degre fro the [22] heved of Capricorne; and thus have I 4 degrees [23] bitwixe my two prickes. Than leide I down [24] softly my compas, and sette the degre of the [25] longitude upon the orisonte; tho tok I and [26] waxed my label in manere of a peire tables to [27] receyve distinctly the prickes of my compas. [28] Tho tok I thys forseide label, and leyde it fix [29] over the degre of my longitude; tho tok I [30] up my compas and sette the point of A in [31] the wax on my label, as evene as I koude [32] gesse, over the ecliptik lyne in the ende of the [33] longitude, and sette the point of F endelong [34] in my label upon the space of the latitude, [35] inward and over the zodiak, that is to seyn [36] northward fro the ecliptik. Than leide I doun [37] my compas, and loked wel in the wey upon [38] the prickes of A and of F; tho turned I my ryet [39] til that the pricke of F satt upon the orisonte; [40] than saw I wel that the body of [41] Venus in hir latitude of 4 degrees septemtrionals [42] ascendid, in the ende of the 8 degre, [43] fro the heved of Capricorne. [44] And nota that in this manere maist thou [45] worche with any latitude septemtrional in alle [46] signes. But sothly the latitude meridional of [47] a planete in Capricorne ne may not be take by [48] cause of the litel space bitwixe the ecliptyk [49] and the bordure of the Astrelabie; but [50] sothely in all othre signes it may. [51] Also the degre peraventure of Jupiter, or of [52] another planete, was in the first degre of Piscis [53] in longitude, and his latitude was 2 degrees [54] meridional; tho tok I the point of A and sette [55] it in the first degre of Piscis on the ecliptik; [56] and than sette I the point of F dounward in [57] the same signe by cause that the latitude was [58] south 2 degres, that is to seyn, fro the heved [59] of Piscis; and thus have I 2 degres bitwixe [60] bothe prikkes. Than sette I the degre of [61] the longitude upon the orisonte; tho tok I [62] my label, and leide it fix upon the degre of the [63] longitude; tho sette I the point of A on my [64] label evene over the ecliptik lyne in the ende [65] of the degre of the longitude, and sette the [66] point of F endlong in my label the space of [67] 2 degres of the latitude outward fro the zodiak [68] (this is to seyn southward fro the ecliptik toward [69] the bordure), and turned my riet [70] til that the pricke of F saat upon the orisonte. [71] Than say I wel that the body of [72] Jupiter in his latitude of 2 degrees meridional [73] ascendid with 8 degres of Piscis in horoscopo. [74] And in this manere maist thou worche with [75] any latitude meridional, as I first seide, save in [76] Capricorne. And yif thou wilt pleye this craft [77] with the arisyng of the mone, loke thou rekne [78] wel hir cours houre by houre, for she ne dwellith [79] not in a degre of hir longitude but litel [80] while, as thow wel knowist. But natheles [81] yf thou rekne hir verrey moevyng by thy [82] tables houre after houre, [thou shalt do wel [83] ynow]. [Rub] Umbra Recta. [1] Yif it so be that thou wilt werke by umbra [12] recta, and thou may come to the bas of the [13] tour, in this maner shalt thou werke. Tak the [14] altitude of the tour by bothe holes, so that [15] thy rewle ligge even in a poynt. Ensample as [16] thus: I see him thorw at the poynt of 4; than [17] mete I the space betwixe me and the tour, [18] and I finde it 20 foot; than beholde I how 4 [19] is to 12, right so is the space betwixe thee [110] and the tour to the altitude of the tour. [111] For 4 is the thridde part of 12, so is the [112] space between thee and the tour the thridde [113] part of the altitude of the tour; than thryes 20 [114] foot is the heyghte of the tour, with adding of [115] thyn owne persone to thyn eye. And this rewle [116] is general in umbra recta, fro the poynt of [117] oon to 12. And yif thy rewle falle upon 5, than [118] is 5 12-partyes of the heyght the space between [119] thee and the tour; with adding of [120] thyn owne heyghte. [Rub] Umbra Versa. [1] Another maner of the werkinge, by umbra [12] versa. Yif so be that thou may nat come to [13] the bas of the tour, I see him thorw at the nombre [14] of 1; I sette ther a prikke at my fot; than [15] go I neer to the tour, and I see him thorw at [16] the poynt of 2, and there I sette another prikke; [17] and I beholde how 1 hath him to 12, and ther [18] finde I that it hath him twelfe sythes; than [19] beholde I how 2 hath him to 12, and thou [110] shalt finde it sexe sythes; than thou shalt [111] finde that 12 passith 6 by the numbre of [112] 6; right so is the space between thy two prikkes [113] the space of 6 tymes thyn altitude. And note, [114] that at the ferste altitude of 1, thou settest a [115] prikke; and afterward, whan thou seest him at [116] 2, ther thou settest another prikke; than thou [117] findest betwyx thes two prikkys 60 foot; than [118] thou shalt finde that 10 is the 6-party of 60. [119] And then is 10 feet the altitude of the tour. [120] For other poyntis, yif it fille in umbra versa, [121] as thus: I sette caas it fill upon 2, and at [122] the secunde upon 3; than schalt thou finde [123] that 2 is 6 partyes of 12; and 3 is 4 partyes of [124] 12; than passeth 6 4, by nombre of 2; so is the [125] space between two prikkes twyes the heyghte [126] of the tour. And yif the differens were thryes, [127] than shulde it be three tymes; and thus mayst [128] thou werke fro 1 to 12; and yif it be 4, 4 tymes; [129] or 5, 5 tymes; et sic de ceteris. [Rub] Umbra Recta. [1] Another maner of wyrking, by umbra recta: [2] Yif it so be that thou mayst nat come to the [3] baas of the tour, in this maner thou schalt [4] werke. Set thy rewle upon 1 till thou see the [5] altitude, and set at thy foot a prikke. Than [6] set thy rewle upon 2, and behold what is the [7] differense between 1 and 2, and thou shalt [8] finde that it is 1. Than mete the space between [9] two prikkes, and that is the 12 partie [10] of the altitude of the tour. And yif ther [11] were 2, it were the 6 partye; and yif ther [12] were 3, the 4 partye; et sic deinceps. And [13] note, yif it were 5, it were the 5 party of 12; [14] and 7, 7 party of 12; and note, at the altitude [15] of thy conclusion, adde the stature of thyn [16] heyghte to thyn eye. [Rub] Another maner conclusion, to knowe [RubA] the mene mote and the argumentis of any [RubB] planete. To know the mene mote and the argumentis [RubC] of every planete fro yeer to yeer, from [RubD] day to day, from houre to houre, and from [RubE] smale fraccionis infinite. [1] In this maner shalt thou worche; consider [2] thy rote first, the whiche is made the beginning [3] of the tables fro the yer of oure Lord [4] 1397, and enter hit into thy slate for the laste [5] meridie of December; and than consider the [6] yer of oure Lord, what is the date, and behold [7] whether thy date be more or lasse than the [8] yer 1397. And yf hit so be that hit be more, [9] loke how many yeres hit passeth, and with [10] so many enter into thy tables in the first [11] lyne theras is writen anni collecti et expansi. [12] And loke where the same planet is [13] writen in the hed of thy table, and than loke [14] what thou findest in direct of the same yer of [15] oure Lord which is passid, be hit 8, or 9, or [16] 10, or what nombre that evere it be, til the [17] tyme that thou come to 20, or 40, or 60. And [18] that thou findest in direct wryt in thy slate under [19] thy rote, and adde hit togeder, and that is [20] thy mene mote, for the laste meridian of [21] the December, for the same yer which that [22] thou hast purposed. And if hit so be that hit [23] passe 20, consider wel that fro 1 to 20 ben [24] anni expansi, and fro 20 to 3000 ben anni collecti; [25] and if thy nomber passe 20, than tak that [26] thou findest in direct of 20, and if hit be more, [27] as 6 or 18, than tak that thou findest in direct [28] thereof, that is to sayen, signes, degrees, minutes, [29] and secoundes, and adde togedere [30] unto thy rote; and thus to make rotes. And [31] note, that if hit so be that the yer of oure [32] Lord be lasse than the rote, which is the yer [33] of oure Lord 1397, than shalt thou wryte in [34] the same wyse first thy rote in thy slate, and [35] after enter into thy table in the same yer that [36] be lasse, as I taught before; and than consider [37] how many signes, degrees, minutes, and secoundes [38] thyn entringe conteyneth. And so be [39] that ther be 2 entrees, than adde hem togeder, [40] and after withdraw hem from the [41] rote, the yer of oure Lord 1397; and the [42] residue that leveth is thy mene mote for the [43] laste meridie of December, the whiche thou [44] hast purposid; and if hit so be that thou wolt [45] witen thy mene mote for any day, or for any [46] fraccioun of day, in this maner thou shalt [47] worche. Make thy rote fro the laste day of [48] December in the maner as I have taught, [49] and afterward behold how many monethes, [50] dayes, and houres ben passid from the [51] meridie of December, and with that enter [52] with the laste moneth that is ful passed, and [53] take that thou findest in direct of him, and [54] wryt hit in thy slate; and enter with as mony [55] dayes as be more, and wryt that thou findest [56] in direct of the same planete that thou worchest [57] for; and in the same wyse in the table of [58] houres, for houres that ben passed, and adde [59] alle these to thy rote; and the residue is the [60] mene mote for the same day and the same [61] houre. [Rub] Another manere to knowe the mene [RubA] mote. [1] Whan thou wolt make the mene mote of eny [2] planete to be by Arsechieles tables, tak thy [3] rote, the which is for the yer of oure Lord [4] 1397; and if so be that thy yer be passid the [5] date, wryt that date, and than wryt the nomber [6] of the yeres. Than withdraw the yeres [7] out of the yeres that ben passed that rote. [8] Ensampul as thus: the yer of oure Lord 1400, [9] I wolde wyten, precise, my rote; than wrot [10] I first 1400. And under that nomber I [11] wrot a 1397; than withdrow I the laste [12] nomber out of that, and than fond I the residue [13] was 3 yer; I wiste that 3 yer was passed [14] fro the rote, the which was writen in my [15] tables. Than afterward soghte I in my tables [16] the annis collectis et expansis, and among myn [17] expanse yeres fond I 3 yeer. Than tok I alle [18] the signes, degrees, and minutes, that I fond [19] direct under the same planete that I [20] wroghte for, and wrot so many signes, [21] degrees, and minutes in my slate, and afterward [22] added I to signes, degrees, minutes, and [23] secoundes, the whiche I fond in my rote the [24] yer of oure Lord 1397; and kepte the residue; [25] and than had I the mene mote for the laste [26] day of December. And if thou woldest wete [27] the mene mote of any planete in March, April, [28] or May, other in any other tyme or moneth of [29] the yer, loke how many monethes and [30] dayes ben passed from the laste day of December, [31] the yer of oure Lord 1400; and so [32] with monethis and dayes enter into thy table [33] ther thou findest thy mene mote iwriten in [34] monethes and dayes, and tak alle the signes, [35] degrees, minutes, and secoundes that thou findest [36] ywrite in direct of thy monethes, and adde [37] to signes, degrees, minutes, and secoundes that [38] thou findest with thy rote the yer of oure [39] Lord 1400, and the residue that leveth is the [40] mene mote for that same day. And note, [41] if hit so be that thou woldest wite the mene [42] mote in any yer that is lasse than thy rote, [43] withdraw the nomber of so many yeres as hit [44] is lasse than the yer of oure Lord a 1397, and [45] kep the residue; and so many yeres, monethes, [46] and dayes enter into thy tables of thy mene [47] mote. And tak alle the signes, degrees, and [48] minutes, and secoundes, that thou findest in [49] direct of alle the yeres, monethes, and [50] dayes, and wryt hem in thy slate; and [51] above thilke nomber wryt the signes, degrees, [52] minutes, and secoundes, the which thou [53] findest with thy rote the yer of oure Lord a [54] 1397; and withdraw alle the nethere signes [55] and degrees fro the signes and degrees, minutes, [56] and secoundes of other signes with thy [57] rote; and thy residue that leveth is thy mene [58] mote for that day. [Rub] For to knowe at what houre of the day, [RubA] or of the night, shal be flod or ebbe. [1] First wite thou certeinly, hou that haven [2] stondeth, that thou list to werke for; that is [3] to say in which place of the firmament the [4] mone beyng, makith full see. Than awayte [5] thou redily in what degree of the zodiak that [6] the mone at that tyme is ynne. Bring furth [7] than the label, and set the point therof in [8] that same cost that the mone makith flod, and [9] set thou there the degree of the mone according [10] with the egge of the label. Than [11] afterward awayte where is than the degree [12] of the sonne, at that tyme. Remeve thou than [13] the label fro the mone, and bring and set it [14] justly upon the degree of the sonne. And the [15] point of the label shal than declare to thee, at [16] what houre of the day or of the night shal [17] be flod. And there also maist thou wite by the [18] same point of the label, whethir it be, at that [19] same tyme, flod or ebbe, or half flod, or [20] quarter flod, or ebbe, or half or quarter [21] ebbe; or ellis at what houre it was last, or [22] shal be next by night or by day, thou than [23] shalt esely knowe, &c. Furthermore, if it so [24] be that thou happe to worke for this matere [25] aboute the tyme of the conjunccioun, bring [26] furth the degree of the mone with the label [27] to that coste as it is before seyd. But than thou [28] shalt understonde that thou may not bringe [29] furth the label fro the degree of the mone [30] as thou dide before; for-why the sonne is [31] than in the same degree with the mone. [32] And so thou may at that tyme by the point of [33] the label unremevid knowe the houre of the [34] flod or of the ebbe, as it is before seyd, &c. [35] And evermore as thou findest the mone passe [36] fro the sonne, so remeve thou the label than [37] fro the degree of the mone, and bring it to [38] the degree of the sonne. And work thou than [39] as thou dide before, &c. Or ellis know [40] thou what houre it is that thou art inne, [41] by thyn instrument. Than bring thou furth [42] fro thennes the label and ley it upon the degree [43] of the mone, and therby may thou wite [44] also whan it was flod, or whan it wol be next, [45] be it night or day; &c. The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Romaunt of the Rose Fragment A [1] Many men sayn that in sweveninges [2] Ther nys but fables and lesynges; [3] But men may some sweven[es] sen [4] Whiche hardely that false ne ben, [5] But afterward ben apparaunt. [6] This may I drawe to warraunt [7] An authour that hight Macrobes, [8] That halt nat dremes false ne lees, [9] But undoth us the avysioun [10] That whilom mette kyng Cipioun. [11] And whoso saith or weneth it be [12] A jape, or elles nycete, [13] To wene that dremes after falle, [14] Let whoso lyste a fol me calle. [15] For this trowe I, and say for me, [16] That dremes signifiaunce be [17] Of good and harm to many wightes [18] That dremen in her slep a-nyghtes [19] Ful many thynges covertly [20] That fallen after al openly. [21] Within my twenty yer of age, [22] Whan that Love taketh his cariage [23] Of yonge folk, I wente soone [24] To bedde, as I was wont to done, [25] And faste I slepte; and in slepyng [26] Me mette such a swevenyng [27] That lyked me wonders wel. [28] But in that sweven is never a del [29] That it nys afterward befalle, [30] Ryght as this drem wol tel us alle. [31] Now this drem wol I ryme aright [32] To make your hertes gaye and lyght, [33] For Love it prayeth, and also [34] Commaundeth me that it be so. [35] And if there any aske me, [36] Whether that it be he or she, [37] How this book, which is here, [38] Shal hatte, that I rede you here: [39] It is the Romance of the Rose, [40] In which al the art of love I close. [41] The mater fayre is of to make; [42] God graunt me in gree that she it take [43] For whom that it begonnen is. [44] And that is she that hath, ywis, [45] So mochel pris, and therto she [46] So worthy is biloved to be, [47] That she wel ought, of pris and ryght, [48] Be cleped Rose of every wight. [49] That it was May me thoughte tho [50] It is fyve yer or more ago [51] That it was May, thus dremed me, [52] In tyme of love and jolite, [53] That al thing gynneth waxen gay, [54] For ther is neither busk nor hay [55] In May that it nyl shrouded ben [56] And it with newe leves wren. [57] These wodes eek recoveren grene, [58] That drie in wynter ben to sene, [59] And the erthe wexith proud withalle, [60] For swote dewes that on it falle, [61] And the pore estat forget [62] In which that wynter had it set. [63] And than bycometh the ground so proud [64] That it wole have a newe shroud, [65] And makith so queynt his robe and faire [66] That it hath hewes an hundred payre [67] Of gras and flouris, ynde and pers, [68] And many hewes ful dyvers [69] That is the robe I mene, iwys, [70] Through which the ground to preisen is. [71] The briddes that haven left her song, [72] While thei suffride cold so strong, [73] In wedres gryl and derk to sighte, [74] Ben in May for the sonne brighte [75] So glade that they shewe in syngyng [76] That in her hertis is sich lykyng [77] That they mote syngen and be light. [78] Than doth the nyghtyngale hir myght [79] To make noyse and syngen blythe, [80] Than is blisful many sithe [81] The chelaundre and papyngay, [82] Than yonge folk entenden ay [83] Forto ben gay and amorous [84] The tyme is than so saverous. [85] Hard is the hert that loveth nought [86] In May whan al this mirth is wrought, [87] Whan he may on these braunches here [88] The smale briddes syngen clere [89] Her blisful swete song pitous. [90] And in this sesoun delytous, [91] Whan love affraieth alle thing, [92] Me thought a-nyght in my sleping, [93] Right in my bed, ful redily, [94] That it was by the morowe erly, [95] And up I roos and gan me clothe. [96] Anoon I wissh myn hondis bothe. [97] A sylvre nedle forth I drough [98] Out of an aguler queynt ynough, [99] And gan this nedle threde anon, [100] For out of toun me list to gon [101] The song of briddes forto here [102] That in thise buskes syngen clere. [103] And in [the] swete seson that leef is, [104] With a thred bastyng my slevis, [105] Alone I wente in my plaiyng, [106] The smale foules song harknyng. [107] They peyned hem, ful many peyre, [108] To synge on bowes blosmed feyre. [109] Joly and gay, ful of gladnesse, [110] Toward a ryver gan I me dresse [111] That I herd renne faste by, [112] For fairer plaiyng non saugh I [113] Than playen me by that ryver. [114] For from an hill that stood ther ner [115] Cam doun the strem ful stif and bold. [116] Cleer was the water, and as cold [117] As any welle is, soth to seyne, [118] And somdel lasse it was than Seyne, [119] But it was strayghter wel away. [120] And never saugh I, er that day, [121] The watir that so wel lyked me, [122] And wondir glad was I to se [123] That lusty place and that ryver. [124] And with that watir, that ran so cler, [125] My face I wyssh. Tho saugh I well [126] The botme paved everydell [127] With gravel, ful of stones shene. [128] The medewe softe, swote, and grene, [129] Beet right on the watir syde. [130] Ful cler was than the morowtyde, [131] And ful attempre, out of drede. [132] Tho gan I walke thorough the mede, [133] Dounward ay in my pleiyng, [134] The ryver syde costeiyng. [135] And whan I had a while goon, [136] I saugh a gardyn right anoon, [137] Ful long and brood, and everydell [138] Enclosed was, and walled well [139] With highe walles enbatailled, [140] Portraied without and wel entailled [141] With many riche portraitures. [142] And bothe the ymages and the peyntures [143] Gan I biholde bysyly, [144] And I wole telle you redyly [145] Of thilk ymages the semblaunce, [146] As fer as I have in remembraunce. [147] Amydde saugh I Hate stonde, [148] That for hir wrathe, yre, and onde, [149] Semede to ben a mynoresse, [150] An angry wight, a chideresse; [151] And ful of gyle and fel corage, [152] By semblaunt, was that ilk ymage. [153] And she was nothyng wel arraied, [154] But lyk a wod womman afraied. [155] Frounced foule was hir visage, [156] And grennyng for dispitous rage, [157] Hir nose snorted up for tene. [158] Ful hidous was she for to sene, [159] Ful foul and rusty was she, this. [160] Hir heed writhen was, ywis, [161] Ful grymly with a greet towayle. [162] An ymage of another entayle [163] A lyft half was hir faste by. [164] Hir name above hir heed saugh I, [165] And she was called Felonye. [166] Another ymage that Vilanye [167] Clepid was saugh I and fond [168] Upon the wal on hir right hond. [169] Vilany was lyk somdell [170] That other ymage, and, trustith wel, [171] She semede a wikked creature. [172] By countenaunce in portrayture [173] She semed be ful dispitous, [174] And eek ful proud and outragious. [175] Wel coude he peynte, I undirtake, [176] That sich ymage coude make. [177] Ful foul and cherlyssh semed she, [178] And eek vylayneus for to be, [179] And litel coude of norture [180] To worshipe any creature. [181] And next was peynted Coveitise, [182] That eggith folk in many gise [183] To take and yeve right nought ageyn, [184] And gret tresouris up to leyn. [185] And that is she that for usure [186] Leneth to many a creature [187] The lasse for the more wynnyng, [188] So coveitous is her brennyng. [189] And that is she that penyes fele [190] Techith for to robbe and stele [191] These theves and these smale harlotes; [192] And that is routh, for by her throtes [193] Ful many oon hangith at the laste. [194] She makith folk compasse and caste [195] To taken other folkis thyng [196] Thorough robberie or myscounting. [197] And that is she that makith trechoures, [198] And she makith false pleadoures [199] That with hir termes and hir domes [200] Doon maydens, children, and eek gromes [201] Her heritage to forgo. [202] Ful croked were hir hondis two, [203] For Coveitise is evere wod [204] To gripen other folkis god. [205] Coveityse, for hir wynnyng, [206] Ful leef hath other mennes thing. [207] Another ymage set saugh I [208] Next Coveitise faste by, [209] And she was clepid Avarice. [210] Ful foul in peyntyng was that vice; [211] Ful fade and caytif was she eek, [212] And also grene as ony leek. [213] So yvel hewed was hir colour, [214] Hir semed to have lyved in langour. [215] She was lyk thyng for hungre deed, [216] That ladde hir lyf oonly by breed [217] Kneden with eisel strong and egre, [218] And therto she was lene and megre. [219] And she was clad ful porely [220] Al in an old torn courtepy, [221] As she were al with doggis torn; [222] And bothe bihynde and eke biforn [223] Clouted was she beggarly. [224] A mantyl heng hir faste by, [225] Upon a perche, weik and small; [226] A burnet cote heng therwithall [227] Furred with no menyver, [228] But with a furre rough of her, [229] Of lambe-skynnes hevy and blake. [230] It was ful old, I undirtake, [231] For Avarice to clothe hir well [232] Ne hastith hir never a dell. [233] For certeynly it were hir loth [234] To weren ofte that ilke cloth, [235] And if it were forwered, she [236] Wolde have ful gret necessite [237] Of clothyng er she bought hir newe, [238] Al were it bad of woll and hewe. [239] This Avarice hild in hir hand [240] A purs that heng by a band, [241] And that she hidde and bond so stronge, [242] Men must abyde wondir longe [243] Out of that purs er ther come ought. [244] For that ne cometh not in hir thought; [245] It was not, certein, hir entente [246] That fro that purs a peny wente. [247] And by that ymage, nygh ynough, [248] Was peynted Envye, that never lough [249] Nor never wel in hir herte ferde [250] But if she outher saugh or herde [251] Som gret myschaunce or gret disese. [252] Nothyng may so moch hir plese [253] As myschef and mysaventure, [254] Or whan she seeth discomfiture [255] Upon ony worthy man falle, [256] Than likith hir wel withalle. [257] She is ful glad in hir corage, [258] If she se any gret lynage [259] Be brought to nought in shamful wise. [260] And if a man in honour rise, [261] Or by his wit or by his prowesse, [262] Of that hath she gret hevynesse. [263] For, trustith wel, she goth nygh wod [264] Whan any chaunce happith god. [265] Envie is of such crueltee [266] That feith ne trouthe holdith she [267] To freend ne felawe, bad or good. [268] Ne she hath kyn noon of hir blood, [269] That she nys ful her enemy; [270] She nolde, I dar seyn hardely, [271] Hir owne fadir ferde well. [272] And sore abieth she everydell [273] Hir malice and hir maltalent, [274] For she is in so gret turment, [275] And hath such [wo] whan folk doth good [276] That nygh she meltith for pure wood. [277] Hir herte kervyth and so brekith [278] That God the puple wel awrekith. [279] Envie, iwis, shal nevere lette [280] Som blame upon the folk to sette. [281] I trowe that if Envie, iwis, [282] Knewe the beste man that is [283] On this side or biyonde the see, [284] Yit somwhat lakken hym wolde she; [285] And if he were so hende and wis [286] That she ne myght al abate his pris, [287] Yit wolde she blame his worthynesse [288] Or by hir wordis make it lesse. [289] I saugh Envie in that peyntyng [290] Hadde a wondirful lokyng, [291] For she ne lokide but awry [292] Or overthwart, all baggyngly. [293] And she hadde a [foul] usage: [294] She myght loke in no visage [295] Of man or womman forth-right pleyn, [296] But shette hir [oon] eie for disdeyn. [297] So for envie brenned she [298] Whan she myght any man se [299] That fair or worthi were, or wis, [300] Or elles stod in folkis prys. [301] Sorowe was peynted next Envie [302] Upon that wall of masonrye. [303] But wel was seyn in hir colour [304] That she hadde lyved in langour; [305] Hir semede to have the jaunyce. [306] Nought half so pale was Avarice, [307] Nor nothyng lyk of lenesse; [308] For sorowe, thought, and gret distresse, [309] That she hadde suffred day and nyght, [310] Made hir ful yelow and nothyng bright, [311] Ful fade, pale, and megre also. [312] Was never wight yit half so wo [313] As that hir semede for to be, [314] Nor so fulfilled of ire as she. [315] I trowe that no wight myght hir please [316] Nor do that thyng that myght hir ease; [317] Nor she ne wolde hir sorowe slake, [318] Nor comfort noon unto hir take, [319] So depe was hir wo bigonnen, [320] And eek hir hert in angre ronnen. [321] A sorowful thyng wel semed she, [322] Nor she hadde nothyng slowe be [323] For to forcracchen al hir face, [324] And for to rent in many place [325] Hir clothis, and for to tere hir swire, [326] As she that was fulfilled of ire. [327] And al totorn lay eek hir her [328] Aboute hir shuldris here and ther, [329] As she that hadde it al torent [330] For angre and for maltalent. [331] And eek I telle you certeynly [332] How that she wep ful tendirly. [333] In world nys wight so hard of herte [334] That hadde sen her sorowes smerte, [335] That nolde have had of her pyte, [336] So wo-begon a thyng was she. [337] She al todassht herself for woo [338] And smot togyder her hondes two. [339] To sorowe was she ful ententyf, [340] That woful recheles caytyf. [341] Her roughte lytel of playing [342] Or of clypping or kissyng; [343] For whoso sorouful is in herte, [344] Him luste not to play ne sterte, [345] Ne for to dauncen, ne to synge, [346] Ne may his herte in temper bringe [347] To make joye on even or morowe, [348] For joy is contrarie unto sorowe. [349] Elde was paynted after this, [350] That shorter was a foot, iwys, [351] Than she was wont in her yonghede. [352] Unneth herself she mighte fede. [353] So feble and eke so old was she [354] That faded was al her beaute. [355] Ful salowe was waxen her colour; [356] Her heed, for hor, was whyt as flour. [357] Iwys, great qualm ne were it non, [358] Ne synne, although her lyf were gon. [359] Al woxen was her body unwelde, [360] And drie and dwyned al for elde. [361] A foul, forwelked thyng was she, [362] That whylom round and softe had be. [363] Her eeres shoken faste withalle, [364] As from her heed they wolde falle; [365] Her face frounced and forpyned, [366] And bothe her hondes lorne, fordwyned. [367] So old she was that she ne wente [368] A foot, but it were by potente. [369] The tyme that passeth nyght and day, [370] And resteles travayleth ay, [371] And steleth from us so prively [372] That to us semeth sykerly [373] That it in oon poynt dwelleth ever [374] And certes, it ne resteth never, [375] But goth so faste, and passeth ay, [376] That ther nys man that thynke may [377] What tyme that now present is [378] (Asketh at these clerkes this), [379] For [er] men thynke it, redily [380] Thre tymes ben passed by [381] The tyme, that may not sojourne, [382] But goth and may never retourne, [383] As watir that doun renneth ay, [384] But never drope retourne may; [385] Ther may nothing as tyme endure, [386] Metall nor erthely creature, [387] For alle thing it fret and shall; [388] The tyme eke that chaungith all, [389] And all doth waxe and fostred be, [390] And alle thing distroieth he; [391] The tyme that eldith our auncessours, [392] And eldith kynges and emperours, [393] And that us alle shal overcomen, [394] Er that deth us shal have nomen; [395] The tyme that hath al in welde [396] To elden folk had maad hir elde [397] So ynly that, to my witing, [398] She myghte helpe hirsilf nothing, [399] But turned ageyn unto childhede. [400] She had nothing hirsilf to lede, [401] Ne wit ne pithe in hir hold, [402] More than a child of two yeer old. [403] But natheles, I trowe that she [404] Was fair sumtyme, and fresh to se, [405] Whan she was in hir rightful age, [406] But she was past al that passage, [407] And was a doted thing bicomen. [408] A furred cope on had she nomen; [409] Wel had she clad hirsilf and warm, [410] For cold myght elles don hir harm. [411] These olde folk have alwey cold; [412] Her kynde is sich, whan they ben old. [413] Another thing was don there write [414] That semede lyk an ipocrite, [415] And it was clepid Poope-Holy. [416] That ilk is she that pryvely [417] Ne spareth never a wikked dede, [418] Whan men of hir taken noon hede, [419] And maketh hir outward precious, [420] With pale visage and pitous, [421] And semeth a simple creature; [422] But ther nys no mysaventure [423] That she ne thenkith in hir corage. [424] Ful lyk to hir was that ymage, [425] That makid was lyk hir semblaunce. [426] She was ful symple of countenaunce, [427] And she was clothed and eke shod [428] As she were, for the love of God, [429] Yolden to relygioun, [430] Sich semede hir devocioun. [431] A sauter held she fast in honde, [432] And bisily she gan to fonde [433] To make many a feynt praiere [434] To God and to his seyntis dere. [435] Ne she was gay, ne fresh, ne jolyf, [436] But semede to be ful ententyf [437] To gode werkis and to faire, [438] And therto she had on an haire. [439] Ne, certis, she was fatt nothing, [440] But semed wery for fasting; [441] Of colour pale and deed was she. [442] From hir the gate ay werned be [443] Of paradys, that blisful place; [444] For sich folk maketh lene her face, [445] As Crist seith in his evangile, [446] To gete hem prys in toun a while; [447] And for a litel glorie veine [448] They lesen God and his reigne. [449] And alderlast of everychon [450] Was peynted Povert al aloon, [451] That not a peny hadde in wolde, [452] All though she hir clothis solde, [453] And though she shulde anhonged be, [454] For nakid as a worm was she. [455] And if the wedir stormy were, [456] For cold she shulde have deyed there. [457] She nadde on but a streit old sak, [458] And many a clout on it ther stak: [459] This was hir cote and hir mantell. [460] No more was there, never a dell, [461] To clothe hir with, I undirtake; [462] Gret leyser hadde she to quake. [463] And she was putt, that I of talke, [464] Fer fro these other, up in an halke. [465] There lurked and there coured she, [466] For pover thing, whereso it be, [467] Is shamefast and dispised ay. [468] Acursed may wel be that day [469] That povere man conceyved is. [470] For, God wot, al to selde, iwys, [471] Is ony povere man wel fed, [472] Or wel araied or [wel] cled, [473] Or wel biloved, in sich wise [474] In honour that he may arise. [475] Alle these thingis, well avised, [476] As I have you er this devysed, [477] With gold and asure over all [478] Depeynted were upon the wall. [479] Square was the wall, and high sumdell; [480] Enclosed and barred well, [481] In stede of hegge, was that gardyn; [482] Com nevere shepherde theryn. [483] Into that gardyn, wel wrought, [484] Whoso that me coude have brought, [485] By laddre or elles by degre, [486] It wolde wel have liked me. [487] For sich solas, sich joie and play, [488] I trowe that nevere man ne say, [489] As was in that place delytous. [490] The gardeyn was not daungerous [491] To herberwe briddes many oon. [492] So riche a yer[d] was never noon [493] Of briddes song and braunches grene; [494] Therynne were briddes mo, I wene, [495] Than ben in all the rewme of Fraunce. [496] Ful blisful was the accordaunce [497] Of swete and pitous song thei made, [498] For all this world it owghte glade. [499] And I mysilf so mery ferde, [500] Whan I her blisful songes herde, [501] That for an hundred pound nolde I [502] (If that the passage openly [503] Hadde be unto me free) [504] That I nolde entren for to se [505] Th' assemble God kepe it fro care! [506] Of briddis whiche therynne ware, [507] That songen thorugh her mery throtes [508] Daunces of love and mery notes. [509] Whan I thus herde foules synge, [510] I fel fast in a weymentynge [511] By which art or by what engyn [512] I myght come into that gardyn; [513] But way I couth. fynde noon [514] Into that gardyn for to goon. [515] Ne nought wist I if that ther were [516] Eyther hole or place [o-]where [517] By which I myght have entre. [518] Ne ther was noon to teche me, [519] For I was al aloone, iwys, [520] Ful wo and angwishus of this, [521] Til atte last bithought I me [522] That by no weye ne myght it be [523] That ther nas laddre or wey to passe, [524] Or hole, into so faire a place. [525] Tho gan I go a full gret pas [526] Envyronyng evene in compas [527] The closing of the square wall, [528] Tyl that I fond a wiket small [529] So shett that I ne myght in gon, [530] And other entre was ther noon. [531] Uppon this dore I gan to smyte, [532] That was fetys and so lite, [533] For other wey coude I not seke. [534] Ful long I shof, and knokkide eke, [535] And stood ful long and of[t] herknyng, [536] If that I herde ony wight comyng, [537] Til that [the] dore of thilk entre [538] A mayden curteys openyde me. [539] Hir heer was as yelowe of hewe [540] As ony basyn scoured newe, [541] Hir flesh tendre as is a chike, [542] With bente browis smothe and slyke. [543] And by mesure large were [544] The openyng of hir yen clere, [545] Hir nose of good proporcioun, [546] Hir yen grey as is a faucoun, [547] With swete breth and wel savoured, [548] Hir face whit and wel coloured, [549] With litel mouth and round to see. [550] A clove chynne eke hadde she. [551] Hir nekke was of good fasoun [552] In lengthe and gretnesse, by resoun, [553] Withoute bleyne, scabbe, or royne; [554] Fro Jerusalem unto Burgoyne [555] Ther nys a fairer nekke, iwys, [556] To fele how smothe and softe it is. [557] Hir throte, also whit of hewe [558] As snowe on braunche snowed newe. [559] Of body ful wel wrought was she; [560] Men neded not in no cuntre [561] A fairer body for to seke. [562] And of fyn orfrays hadde she eke [563] A chapelet so semly oon [564] Ne werede never mayde upon [565] And faire above that chapelet [566] A rose gerland had she sett. [567] She hadde [in honde] a gay mirrour, [568] And with a riche gold tressour [569] Hir heed was tressed queyntely, [570] Hir sleves sewid fetisly, [571] And for to kepe hir hondis faire [572] Of gloves white she had a paire. [573] And she hadde on a cote of grene [574] Of cloth of Gaunt. Withouten wene, [575] Wel semyde by hir apparayle [576] She was not wont to gret travayle, [577] For whan she kempt was fetisly, [578] And wel arayed and richely, [579] Thanne had she don al hir journe, [580] For merye and wel bigoon was she. [581] She ladde a lusty lyf in May: [582] She hadde no thought, by nyght ne day, [583] Of nothyng, but if it were oonly [584] To graythe hir wel and uncouthly. [585] Whan that this dore hadde opened me [586] This may[de] semely for to see, [587] I thanked hir as I best myghte, [588] And axide hir how that she highte, [589] And what she was I axide eke. [590] And she to me was nought unmeke, [591] Ne of hir answer daungerous, [592] But faire answerde, and seide thus: [593] "Lo, sir, my name is Ydelnesse; [594] So clepe men me, more and lesse. [595] Ful myghty and ful riche am I, [596] And that of oon thyng namely, [597] For I entende to nothyng [598] But to my joye and my pleying, [599] And for to kembe and tresse me. [600] Aqueynted am I and pryve [601] With Myrthe, lord of this gardyn, [602] That fro the land of Alexandryn [603] Made the trees hidre be fet [604] That in this gardyn ben set. [605] And whan the trees were woxen on highte, [606] This wall, that stant heere in thi sighte, [607] Dide Myrthe enclosen al aboute; [608] And these ymages, al withoute, [609] He dide hem bothe entaile and peynte, [610] That neithir ben jolyf ne queynte, [611] But they ben ful of sorowe and woo, [612] As thou hast seen a while agoo. [613] And ofte tyme, hym to solace, [614] Sir Myrthe cometh into this place, [615] And eke with hym cometh his meynee [616] That lyven in lust and jolite. [617] And now is Myrthe therynne to here [618] The briddis how they syngen clere, [619] The mavys and the nyghtyngale, [620] And other joly briddis smale. [621] And thus he walketh to solace [622] Hym and his folk, for swetter place [623] To pleyen ynne he may not fynde, [624] Although he sought oon in-tyl Ynde. [625] The alther-fairest folk to see [626] That in this world may founde be [627] Hath Mirthe with hym in his route, [628] That folowen hym always aboute." [629] Whan Ydelnesse had told al this, [630] And I hadde herkned wel, ywys, [631] Thanne seide I to dame Ydelnesse, [632] "Now, also wisly God me blesse, [633] Sith Myrthe, that is so faire and fre, [634] Is in this yerde with his meyne, [635] Fro thilk assemble, if I may, [636] Shal no man werne me to-day, [637] That I this nyght ne mote it see. [638] For wel wene I there with hym be [639] A fair and joly companye [640] Fulfilled of alle curtesie." [641] And forth, withoute wordis mo, [642] In at the wiket went I tho, [643] That Ydelnesse hadde opened me, [644] Into that gardyn fair to see. [645] And whan I was inne, iwys, [646] Myn herte was ful glad of this, [647] For wel wende I ful sikerly [648] Have ben in paradys erthly. [649] So fair it was that, trusteth wel, [650] It semede a place espirituel, [651] For certys, as at my devys, [652] Ther is no place in paradys [653] So good inne for to dwelle or be [654] As in that gardyn, thoughte me. [655] For there was many a bridd syngyng, [656] Thoroughout the yerd al thringyng; [657] In many places were nyghtyngales, [658] Alpes, fynches, and wodewales, [659] That in her swete song deliten [660] In thilke places as they habiten. [661] There myghte men see many flokkes [662] Of turtles and laverokkes. [663] Chalaundres fele sawe I there, [664] That wery, nygh forsongen were; [665] And thrustles, terins, and mavys, [666] That songen for to wynne hem prys, [667] And eke to sormounte in her song [668] That other briddes hem among. [669] By note made fair servyse [670] These briddes, that I you devise; [671] They songe her song as faire and wel [672] As angels don espirituel. [673] And trusteth wel, whan I hem herde, [674] Ful lustily and wel I ferde, [675] For never yitt sich melodye [676] Was herd of man that myghte dye. [677] Sich swete song was hem among [678] That me thought it no briddis song, [679] But it was wondir lyk to be [680] Song of mermaydens of the see, [681] That, for her syngyng is so clere, [682] Though we mermaydens clepe hem here [683] In English, as is oure usaunce, [684] Men clepe hem sereyns in Fraunce. [685] Ententif weren for to synge [686] These briddis, that nought unkunnynge [687] Were of her craft, and apprentys, [688] But of song sotil and wys. [689] And certis, whan I herde her song, [690] And saw the grene place among, [691] In herte I wex so wondir gay [692] That I was never erst, er that day, [693] So jolyf nor so wel bigoo, [694] Ne merye in herte, as I was thoo. [695] And than wist I and saw ful well [696] That Ydelnesse me served well, [697] That me putte in sich jolite. [698] Hir freend wel ought I for to be, [699] Sith she the dore of that gardyn [700] Hadde opened and me leten in. [701] From hennes forth hou that I wroughte, [702] I shal you tellen, as me thoughte. [703] First, whereof Myrthe served there, [704] And eke what folk there with hym were, [705] Withoute fable I wol discryve. [706] And of that gardyn eke as blyve [707] I wole you tellen aftir this [708] The faire fasoun all, ywys, [709] That wel wrought was for the nones. [710] I may not telle you all at ones, [711] But, as I may and can, I shall [712] By ordre tellen you it all. [713] Ful fair servise and eke ful swete [714] These briddis maden as they sete. [715] Layes of love, ful wel sownyng, [716] They songen in her jargonyng; [717] Summe high and summe eke lowe songe [718] Upon the braunches grene spronge. [719] The swetnesse of her melodye [720] Made al myn herte in reverye. [721] And whan that I hadde herd, I trowe, [722] These briddis syngyng on a rowe, [723] Than myght I not withholde me [724] That I ne wente inne for to see [725] Sir Myrthe, for my desiryng [726] Was hym to seen, over alle thyng, [727] His countenaunce and his manere [728] That sighte was to me ful dere. [729] Tho wente I forth on my right hond [730] Doun by a lytel path I fond [731] Of mentes full, and fenell grene, [732] And faste by, without wene, [733] Sir Myrthe I fond, and right anoon [734] Unto Sir Myrthe gan I goon, [735] There as he was hym to solace. [736] And with hym in that lusty place [737] So fair folk and so fresh had he [738] That whan I saw, I wondred me [739] Fro whennes siche folk myght come, [740] So faire they weren, alle and some; [741] For they were lyk, as to my sighte, [742] To angels that ben fethered brighte. [743] This folk, of which I telle you soo, [744] Upon a karole wenten thoo. [745] A lady karolede hem that hyghte [746] Gladnesse, [the] blissful and the lighte; [747] Wel coude she synge and lustyly, [748] Noon half so wel and semely, [749] And make in song sich refreynynge: [750] It sat hir wondir wel to synge. [751] Hir vois ful clere was and ful swete. [752] She was nought rude ne unmete [753] But couth. ynow of sich doyng [754] As longeth unto karolyng, [755] For she was wont in every place [756] To syngen first, folk to solace. [757] For syngyng moost she gaf hir to; [758] No craft had she so leef to do. [759] Tho myghtist thou karoles sen, [760] And folk daunce and mery ben, [761] And made many a fair tournyng [762] Upon the grene gras springyng. [763] There myghtist thou see these flowtours, [764] Mynstrales, and eke jogelours, [765] That wel to synge dide her peyne. [766] Somme songe songes of Loreyne, [767] For in Loreyn her notes bee [768] Full swetter than in this contre. [769] There was many a tymbestere, [770] And saillouris, that I dar wel swere [771] Couth. her craft ful parfitly. [772] The tymbres up ful sotilly [773] They caste and hente full ofte [774] Upon a fynger fair and softe, [775] That they failide never mo. [776] Ful fetys damyseles two, [777] Ryght yonge and full of semelyhede, [778] In kirtles and noon other wede, [779] And faire tressed every tresse, [780] Hadde Myrthe doon, for his noblesse, [781] Amydde the karole for to daunce; [782] But herof lieth no remembraunce, [783] Hou that they daunced queyntely. [784] That oon wolde come all pryvyly [785] Agayn that other, and whan they were [786] Togidre almost, they threwe yfere [787] Her mouthis so that thorough her play [788] It semed as they kiste alway [789] To dauncen well koude they the gise. [790] What shulde I more to you devyse? [791] Ne bede I never thennes go, [792] Whiles that I saw hem daunce so. [793] Upon the karoll wonder faste [794] I gan biholde, til atte laste [795] A lady gan me for to espie, [796] And she was cleped Curtesie, [797] The worshipfull, the debonaire [798] I pray to God evere falle hir faire! [799] Ful curteisly she called me: [800] "What do ye there, beau ser?" quod she, [801] "Come and, if it lyke you [802] To dauncen, dauncith with us now." [803] And I, withoute tariyng, [804] Wente into the karolyng. [805] I was abasshed never a dell, [806] But it to me liked right well [807] That Curtesie me cleped so [808] And bad me on the daunce go. [809] For if I hadde durst, certeyn [810] I wolde have karoled right fayn, [811] As man that was to daunce right blithe. [812] Thanne gan I loken ofte sithe [813] The shap, the bodies, and the cheres, [814] The countenaunce and the maneres [815] Of all the folk that daunced there, [816] And I shal telle what they were. [817] Ful fair was Myrthe, ful long and high; [818] A fairer man I nevere sigh. [819] As round as appil was his face, [820] Ful rody and whit in every place. [821] Fetys he was and wel beseye, [822] With metely mouth and yen greye; [823] His nose by mesure wrought ful right; [824] Crisp was his heer, and eek ful bright; [825] His shuldris of a large brede, [826] And smalish in the girdilstede. [827] He semed lyk a portreiture, [828] So noble he was of his stature, [829] So fair, so joly, and so fetys, [830] With lymes wrought at poynt devys, [831] Delyver, smert, and of gret myght; [832] Ne sawe thou nevere man so lyght. [833] Of berd unnethe hadde he nothyng, [834] For it was in the firste spryng. [835] Ful yong he was, and mery of thought, [836] And in samet, with briddis wrought, [837] And with gold beten ful fetysly, [838] His body was clad ful richely. [839] Wrought was his robe in straunge gise, [840] And al toslytered for queyntise [841] In many a place, lowe and hie. [842] And shod he was with gret maistrie, [843] With shoon decoped, and with laas. [844] By druery and by solas [845] His leef a rosyn chapelet [846] Hadde mad, and on his heed it set. [847] And wite ye who was his leef? [848] Dame Gladnesse there was hym so leef, [849] That syngith so wel with glad courage, [850] That from she was twelve yeer of age [851] She of hir love graunt hym made. [852] Sir Mirthe hir by the fynger hadde [853] Daunsyng, and she hym also; [854] Gret love was atwixe hem two. [855] Bothe were they faire and bright of hewe. [856] She semed lyk a rose newe [857] Of colour, and hir flesh so tendre [858] That with a brere smale and slendre [859] Men myght it cleve, I dar wel seyn. [860] Hir forheed, frounceles al pleyn; [861] Bente were hir browis two, [862] Hir yen greye and glad also, [863] That laugheden ay in hir semblaunt [864] First or the mouth, by covenaunt. [865] I not what of hir nose descryve, [866] So fair hath no womman alyve. [867] Hir heer was yelowe and clere shynyng; [868] I wot no lady so likyng. [869] Of orfrays fresh was hir gerland; [870] I, which seyen have a thousand, [871] Saugh never, ywys, no gerlond yitt [872] So wel wrought of silk as it. [873] And in an overgilt samit [874] Clad she was, by gret delit, [875] Of which hir leef a robe werde [876] The myrier she in hir herte ferde. [877] And next hir wente, on hir other side, [878] The God of Love that can devyde [879] Love, and as hym likith it be. [880] But he can cherles daunten, he, [881] And maken folkis pride fallen; [882] And he can wel these lordis thrallen, [883] And ladyes putt at lowe degre, [884] Whan he may hem to p[r]oude see. [885] This God of Love of his fasoun [886] Was lyk no knave ne quystroun; [887] His beaute gretly was to pryse. [888] But of his robe to devise [889] I drede encombred for to be; [890] For nought clad in silk was he, [891] But all in floures and in flourettes, [893] And with losenges and scochouns, [894] With briddes, lybardes, and lyouns, [895] And other beestis wrought ful well. [896] His garnement was everydell [897] Portreied and wrought with floures, [898] By dyvers medlyng of coloures. [899] Floures there were of many gise [900] Sett by compas in assise. [901] Ther lakkide no flour, to my dom, [902] Ne nought so mych as flour of brom, [903] Ne violete, ne eke pervynke, [904] Ne flour noon that man can on thynke; [905] And many a rose-leef ful long [906] Was entermedled theramong. [907] And also on his heed was set [908] Of roses reed a chapelett, [909] But nyghtyngales, a ful gret route, [910] That flyen over his heed aboute, [911] The leeves felden as they flyen. [912] And he was all with briddes wryen, [913] With popynjay, with nyghtyngale, [914] With chalaundre, and with wodewale, [915] With fynch, with lark, and with archaungell. [916] He semede as he were an aungell [917] That doun were comen fro hevene cler. [918] Love hadde with hym a bacheler [919] That he made alweyes with hym be; [920] Swete-Lokyng cleped was he. [921] This bacheler stod biholdyng [922] The daunce, and in his hond holdyng [923] Turke bowes two had he. [924] That oon of hem was of a tree [925] That bereth a fruyt of savour wykke; [926] Ful crokid was that foule stikke, [927] And knotty here and there also, [928] And blak as bery or ony slo. [929] That other bowe was of a plante [930] Withoute wem, I dar warante, [931] Ful evene and by proporcioun [932] Treitys and long, of ful good fasoun. [933] And it was peynted wel and thwyten, [934] And overal diapred and writen [935] With ladyes and with bacheleris, [936] Ful lyghtsom and glad of cheris. [937] These bowes two held Swete-Lokyng, [938] That semede lyk no gadelyng. [939] And ten brode arowis hild he there, [940] Of which fyve in his right hond were. [941] But they were shaven wel and dight, [942] Nokked and fethered right, [943] And all they were with gold bygoon, [944] And stronge poynted everychoon, [945] And sharpe for to kerven well. [946] But iren was ther noon ne steell, [947] For al was gold, men myght it see, [948] Out-take the fetheres and the tree. [949] The swiftest of these arowis fyve [950] Out of a bowe for to dryve, [951] And best fethered for to flee, [952] And fairest eke, was clepid Beaute. [953] That other arowe, that hurteth lesse, [954] Was clepid, as I trowe, Symplesse. [955] The thridde cleped was Fraunchise, [956] That fethred was in noble wise [957] With valour and with curtesye. [958] The fourthe was cleped Compaignye, [959] That hevy for to sheten ys. [960] But whoso shetith right, ywys, [961] May therwith doon gret harm and wo. [962] The fifte of these and laste also, [963] Faire-Semblaunt men that arowe calle, [964] The leeste grevous of hem alle, [965] Yit can it make a ful gret wounde. [966] But he may hope his soris sounde, [967] That hurt is with that arowe, ywys. [968] His wo the bet bistowed is, [969] For he may sonner have gladnesse [970] His langour oughte be the lesse. [971] Five arowis were of other gise, [972] That ben ful foule to devyse, [973] For shaft and ende, soth for to telle, [974] Were also blak as fend in helle. [975] The first of hem is called Pride. [976] That other arowe next hym biside, [977] It was cleped Vylanye; [978] That arowe was al with felonye [979] Envenymed, and with spitous blame. [980] The thridde of hem was cleped Shame. [981] The fourthe Wanhope cleped is. [982] The fifte, the Newe-Thought, ywys. [983] These arowis that I speke of heere [984] Were alle fyve on oon maneere, [985] And alle were they resemblable. [986] To hem was wel sittyng and able [987] The foule croked bowe hidous, [988] That knotty was and al roynous. [989] That bowe semede wel to shete [990] These arowis fyve that ben unmete [991] And contrarye to that other fyve. [992] But though I telle not as blyve [993] Of her power ne of her myght, [994] Herafter shal I tellen right [995] The soothe and eke signyfiaunce, [996] As fer as I have remembraunce. [997] All shal be seid, I undirtake, [998] Er of this book an ende I make. [999] Now come I to my tale ageyn. [1000] But aldirfirst I wol you seyn [1001] The fasoun and the countenaunces [1002] Of all the folk that on the daunce is. [1003] The God of Love, jolyf and lyght, [1004] Ladde on his hond a lady bright, [1005] Of high prys and of gret degre. [1006] This lady called was Beaute, [1007] As an arowe, of which I tolde. [1008] Ful wel thewed was she holde, [1009] Ne she was derk ne broun, but bright, [1010] And clere as the mone lyght [1011] Ageyn whom all the sterres semen [1012] But smale candels, as we demen. [1013] Hir flesh was tendre as dew of flour, [1014] Hir chere was symple as byrde in bour, [1015] As whyt as lylye or rose in rys, [1016] Hir face, gentyl and tretys. [1017] Fetys she was, and smal to se; [1018] No wyndred browis hadde she, [1019] Ne popped hir, for it neded nought [1020] To wyndre hir or to peynte hir ought. [1021] Hir tresses yelowe and longe straughten, [1022] Unto hir helys doun they raughten. [1023] Hir nose, hir mouth, and eye, and cheke [1024] Wel wrought, and all the remenaunt eke. [1025] A ful gret savour and a swote [1026] Me toucheth in myn herte rote, [1027] As helpe me God, whan I remembre [1028] Of the fasoun of every membre. [1029] In world is noon so fair a wight, [1030] For yong she was, and hewed bright, [1031] Sore plesaunt, and fetys withall, [1032] Gente, and in hir myddill small. [1033] Biside Beaute yede Richesse, [1034] An high lady of gret noblesse, [1035] And gret of prys in every place. [1036] But whoso durste to hir trespace, [1037] Or til hir folk, in word or dede, [1038] He were full hardy, out of drede, [1039] For bothe she helpe and hyndre may. [1040] And that is nought of yisterday [1041] That riche folk have full gret myght [1042] To helpe and eke to greve a wyght. [1043] The beste and the grettest of valour [1044] Diden Rychesse ful gret honour, [1045] And besy weren hir to serve, [1046] For that they wolde hir love deserve: [1047] They cleped hir lady, gret and small. [1048] This wide world hir dredith all; [1049] This world is all in hir daunger. [1050] Hir court hath many a losenger, [1051] And many a traytour envyous, [1052] That ben ful besy and curyous [1053] For to dispreisen and to blame [1054] That best deserven love and name. [1055] Bifore the folk, hem to bigilen, [1056] These losengeris hem preyse and smylen, [1057] And thus the world with word anoynten; [1058] And aftirward they prikke and poynten [1059] The folk right to the bare boon, [1060] Bihynde her bak whan they ben goon, [1061] And foule abate the folkis prys. [1062] Ful many a worthy man and wys, [1063] An hundred, have [they] do to dye. [1064] These losengers thorough flaterye [1065] Have made folk ful straunge be, [1066] There hem oughte be pryve. [1067] Wel yvel mote they thryve and thee, [1068] And yvel aryved mote they be, [1069] These losengers, ful of envye! [1070] No good man loveth her companye. [1071] Richesse a robe of purpur on hadde [1072] Ne trowe not that I lye or madde, [1073] For in this world is noon it lyche, [1074] Ne by a thousand deell so riche, [1075] Ne noon so fair; for it ful well [1076] With orfrays leyd was everydeell, [1077] And portraied in the ribanynges [1078] Of dukes storyes, and of kynges, [1079] And with a bend of gold tasseled, [1080] And knoppis fyne of gold ameled. [1081] Aboute hir nekke of gentyl entayle [1082] Was shet the riche chevesaile, [1083] In which ther was full gret plente [1084] Of stones clere and bright to see. [1085] Rychesse a girdell hadde upon, [1086] The bokel of it was of a stoon [1087] Of vertu gret and mochel of myght, [1088] For whoso bar the stoon so bright, [1089] Of venym durst hym nothing doute, [1090] While he the stoon hadde hym aboute. [1091] That stoon was gretly for to love, [1092] And tyl a riche mannes byhove [1093] Worth all the gold in Rome and Frise. [1094] The mourdaunt wrought in noble wise [1095] Was of a stoon full precious, [1096] That was so fyn and vertuous [1097] That hol a man it koude make [1098] Of palasie and toth-ake. [1099] And yit the stoon hadde such a grace [1100] That he was siker in every place, [1101] All thilke day, not blynd to ben, [1102] That fastyng myghte that stoon seen. [1103] The barres were of gold ful fyn [1104] Upon a tyssu of satyn, [1105] Full hevy, gret, and nothyng lyght; [1106] In everich was a besaunt-wight. [1107] Upon the tresses of Richesse [1108] Was sette a cercle, for noblesse, [1109] Of brend gold that full lyghte shoon; [1110] So fair, trowe I, was never noon. [1111] But he were kunnyng, for the nonys, [1112] That koude devyse all the stonys [1113] That in that cercle shewen clere. [1114] It is a wondir thing to here, [1115] For no man koude preyse or gesse [1116] Of hem the valewe or richesse. [1117] Rubyes there were, saphires, jagounces, [1118] And emeraudes, more than two ounces, [1119] But all byfore, ful sotilly, [1120] A fyn charboncle set saugh I. [1121] The stoon so clere was and so bright [1122] That, also soone as it was nyght, [1123] Men myghte seen to go, for nede, [1124] A myle or two in lengthe and brede. [1125] Sich lyght sprang out of the ston [1126] That Richesse wondir brighte shon, [1127] Bothe hir heed and all hir face, [1128] And eke aboute hir al the place. [1129] Dame Richesse on hir hond gan lede [1130] A yong man ful of semelyhede, [1131] That she best loved of ony thing. [1132] His lust was mych in housholding. [1133] In clothyng was he ful fetys, [1134] And loved well to have hors of prys. [1135] He wende to have reproved be [1136] Of theft or moordre if that he [1137] Hadde in his stable ony hakeney. [1138] And therfore he desired ay [1139] To be aqueynted with Richesse, [1140] For all his purpos, as I gesse, [1141] Was forto make gret dispense, [1142] Withoute wernyng or diffense. [1143] And Richesse myght it wel sustene, [1144] And hir dispence well mayntene, [1145] And hym alwey sich plente sende [1146] Of gold and silver for to spende [1147] Withoute lakking or daunger, [1148] As it were poured in a garner. [1149] And after on the daunce wente [1150] Largesse, that settith al hir entente [1151] For to be honourable and free. [1152] Of Alexandres kyn was she. [1153] Hir most joye was, ywys, [1154] Whan that she yaf and seide, "Have this." [1155] Not Avarice, the foule caytyf, [1156] Was half to gripe so ententyf, [1157] As Largesse is to yeve and spende; [1158] And God ynough alwey hir sende, [1159] So that the more she yaf awey [1160] The more, ywys, she hadde alwey. [1161] Gret loos hath Largesse and gret pris, [1162] For bothe [wys] folk and unwys [1163] Were hooly to hir baundon brought, [1164] So wel with yiftes hath she wrought. [1165] And if she hadde an enemy, [1166] I trowe that she coude tristily [1167] Make hym full soone hir freend to be, [1168] So large of yift and free was she. [1169] Therfore she stod in love and grace [1170] Of riche and pover in every place. [1171] A full gret fool is he, ywys, [1172] That bothe riche and nygard is. [1173] A lord may have no maner vice [1174] That greveth more than avarice, [1175] For nygart never with strengthe of hond [1176] May wynne gret lordship or lond, [1177] For freendis all to fewe hath he [1178] To doon his will perfourmed be. [1179] And whoso wole have freendis heere, [1180] He may not holde his tresour deere. [1181] For by ensample I telle this: [1182] Right as an adamaunt, iwys, [1183] Can drawen to hym sotylly [1184] The iren that is leid therby, [1185] So drawith folkes hertis, ywis, [1186] Silver and gold that yeven is. [1187] Largesse hadde on a robe fresh [1188] Of riche purpur Sarsynesh. [1189] Wel fourmed was hir face and cleer, [1190] And opened hadde she hir coler, [1191] For she right there hadde in present [1192] Unto a lady maad present [1193] Of a gold broche, ful wel wrought. [1194] And certys, it myssat hir nought, [1195] For thorough hir smokke, wrought with silk, [1196] The flesh was seen as whit as mylk. [1197] Largesse, that worthy was and wys, [1198] Hild by the hond a knyght of prys, [1199] Was sib to Artour of Britaigne, [1200] And that was he that bar the ensaigne [1201] Of worship and the gounfanoun. [1202] And yit he is of sich renoun [1203] That men of hym seye faire thynges [1204] Byfore barouns, erles, and kynges. [1205] This knyght was comen all newely [1206] Fro tourneiynge faste by; [1207] There hadde he don gret chyvalrie [1208] Thorough his vertu and his maistrie; [1209] And for the love of his lemman [1210] He caste doun many a doughty man. [1211] And next hym daunced dame Fraunchise, [1212] Arayed in full noble gyse. [1213] She was not broun ne dun of hewe, [1214] But whit as snow fallen newe. [1215] Hir nose was wrought at poynt devys, [1216] For it was gentyl and tretys, [1217] With eyen gladde, and browes bente. [1218] Hir heer doun to hir helis wente, [1219] And she was symple as dowve on tree. [1220] Ful debonaire of herte was she. [1221] She durst never seyn ne do [1222] But that that hir longed to; [1223] And if a man were in distresse, [1224] And for hir love in hevynesse, [1225] Hir herte wolde have full gret pite, [1226] She was so amiable and free. [1227] For were a man for hir bistad, [1228] She wolde ben right sore adrad [1229] That she dide over-gret outrage, [1230] But she hym holpe his harm to aswage; [1231] Hir thought it elles a vylanye. [1232] And she hadde on a sukkenye, [1233] That not of hempene heerdis was [1234] So fair was noon in all Arras. [1235] Lord, it was ridled fetysly! [1236] Ther nas [nat] a poynt, trewely, [1237] That it nas in his right assise. [1238] Full wel clothed was Fraunchise, [1239] For ther is no cloth sittith bet [1240] On damysell than doth roket. [1241] A womman wel more fetys is [1242] In roket than in cote, ywis. [1243] The whyte roket, rydled faire, [1244] Bitokeneth that full debonaire [1245] And swete was she that it ber. [1246] Bi hir daunced a bacheler. [1247] I can not telle you what he highte, [1248] But faire he was and of good highte, [1249] All hadde he be, I sey no more, [1250] The lordis sone of Wyndesore. [1251] And next that daunced Curtesye, [1252] That preised was of lowe and hye, [1253] For neither proud ne fool was she. [1254] She for to daunce called me [1255] (I pray God yeve hir right good grace!), [1256] Whanne I com first into the place. [1257] She was not nyce ne outrageous, [1258] But wys and war and vertuous, [1259] Of fair speche and of fair answere. [1260] Was never wight mysseid of here; [1261] She bar rancour to no wight. [1262] Clere broun she was, and therto bright [1263] Of face, of body avenaunt [1264] I wot no lady so plesaunt. [1265] She [were] worthy for to bene [1266] An emperesse or crowned quene. [1267] And by hir wente a knyght dauncyng, [1268] That worthy was and wel spekyng, [1269] And ful wel koude he don honour. [1270] The knyght was fair and styf in stour, [1271] And in armure a semely man, [1272] And wel biloved of his lemman. [1273] Faire Idilnesse thanne saugh I, [1274] That alwey was me faste by. [1275] Of hir have I, withoute fayle, [1276] Told yow the shap and apparayle; [1277] For (as I seide) loo, that was she [1278] That dide to me so gret bounte [1279] That she the gate of the gardyn [1280] Undide and let me passen in. [1281] And after daunced, as I gesse, [1282] [Youthe], fulfilled of lustynesse, [1283] That nas not yit twelve yeer of age, [1284] With herte wylde and thought volage. [1285] Nyce she was, but she ne mente [1286] Noon harm ne slight in hir entente, [1287] But oonly lust and jolyte; [1288] For yonge folk, wel witen ye, [1289] Have lytel thought but on her play. [1290] Hir lemman was biside alway [1291] In sich a gise that he hir kyste [1292] At alle tymes that hym lyste, [1293] That all the daunce myght it see. [1294] They make no force of pryvete, [1295] For who spake of hem yvel or well, [1296] They were ashamed never a dell, [1297] But men myght seen hem kisse there [1298] As it two yonge dowves were. [1299] For yong was thilke bacheler; [1300] Of beaute wot I noon his per. [1301] And he was right of sich an age [1302] As Youthe his leef, and sich corage. [1303] The lusty folk thus daunced there, [1304] And also other that with hem were, [1305] That weren alle of her meyne; [1306] Ful hende folk and wys and free, [1307] And folk of faire port, truely, [1308] There weren alle comunly. [1309] Whanne I hadde seen the countenaunces [1310] Of hem that ladden thus these daunces, [1311] Thanne hadde I will to gon and see [1312] The gardyn that so lyked me, [1313] And loken on these faire loreres, [1314] On pyntrees, cedres, and oliveris. [1315] The daunces thanne eended were, [1316] For many of them that daunced there [1317] Were with her loves went awey [1318] Undir the trees to have her pley. [1319] A, Lord, they lyved lustyly! [1320] A gret fool were he, sikirly, [1321] That nolde, his thankes, such lyf lede! [1322] For this dar I seyn, oute of drede, [1323] That whoso myghte so wel fare, [1324] For better lyf durst hym not care; [1325] For ther nys so good paradys [1326] As to have a love at his devys. [1327] Oute of that place wente I thoo, [1328] And in that gardyn gan I goo, [1329] Pleyyng along full meryly. [1330] The God of Love full hastely [1331] Unto hym Swete-Lokyng clepte; [1332] No lenger wolde he that he kepte [1333] His bowe of gold, that shoon so bright. [1334] He bad hym bende [it] anoon ryght, [1335] And he full soone [it] sette an-ende, [1336] And at a braid he gan it bende, [1337] And tok hym of his arowes fyve, [1338] Full sharp and redy for to dryve. [1339] Now God, that sittith in mageste, [1340] Fro deedly woundes he kepe me, [1341] If so be that he hadde me shette! [1342] For if I with his arowe mette, [1343] It hadde me greved sore, iwys. [1344] But I, that nothyng wist of this, [1345] Wente up and doun full many a wey, [1346] And he me folwed fast alwey, [1347] But nowhere wold I reste me, [1348] Till I hadde in all the gardyn be. [1349] The gardyn was, by mesuryng, [1350] Right evene and square in compassing: [1351] It as long was as it was large. [1352] Of fruyt hadde every tree his charge, [1353] But it were any hidous tree, [1354] Of which ther were two or three. [1355] There were, and that wot I full well, [1356] Of pome-garnettys a full gret dell; [1357] That is a fruyt full well to lyke, [1358] Namely to folk whanne they ben sike. [1359] And trees there were, gret foisoun, [1360] That baren notes in her sesoun, [1361] Such as men notemygges calle, [1362] That swote of savour ben withalle. [1363] And alemandres gret plente, [1364] Fyges, and many a date-tree [1365] There wexen, if men hadde nede, [1366] Thorough the gardyn in length and brede. [1367] Ther was eke wexyng many a spice, [1368] As clowe-gelofre and lycorice, [1369] Gyngevre and greyn de parys, [1370] Canell and setewale of prys, [1371] And many a spice delitable [1372] To eten whan men rise fro table. [1373] And many homly trees ther were [1374] That peches, coynes, and apples beere, [1375] Medlers, plowmes, perys, chesteynes, [1376] Cherys, of which many oon fayn is, [1377] Notes, aleys, and bolas, [1378] That for to seen it was solas. [1379] With many high lorer and pyn [1380] Was renged clene all that gardyn, [1381] With cipres and with olyveres, [1382] Of which that nygh no plente heere is. [1383] There were elmes grete and stronge, [1384] Maples, assh, ok, asp, planes longe, [1385] Fyn ew, popler, and lyndes faire, [1386] And othere trees full many a payre. [1387] What shulde I tel you more of it? [1388] There were so many trees yit, [1389] That I shulde al encombred be [1390] Er I had rekened every tree. [1391] These trees were set, that I devyse, [1392] Oon from another, in assyse, [1393] Fyve fadome or sixe, I trowe so; [1394] But they were hye and great also, [1395] And for to kepe out wel the sonne, [1396] The croppes were so thicke ronne, [1397] And every braunche in other knet [1398] And ful of grene leves set, [1399] That sonne myght there non discende, [1400] Lest [it] the tender grasses shende. [1401] There myght men does and roes se, [1402] And of squyrels ful great plente [1403] From bowe to bowe alway lepynge. [1404] Conies there were also playinge, [1405] That comyn out of her clapers, [1406] Of sondrie colours and maners, [1407] And maden many a tourneying [1408] Upon the fresshe grass spryngyng. [1409] In places saw I welles there, [1410] In whiche there no frogges were, [1411] And fayr in shadowe was every welle. [1412] But I ne can the nombre telle [1413] Of stremys smal that by devys [1414] Myrthe had don come through condys, [1415] Of whiche the water in rennyng [1416] Gan make a noyse ful lykyng. [1417] About the brinkes of these welles, [1418] And by the stremes overal elles, [1419] Sprang up the grass, as thicke set [1420] And softe as any veluet, [1421] On which men myght his lemman leye [1422] As on a fetherbed to pleye, [1423] For the erthe was ful softe and swete. [1424] Through moisture of the welle wete [1425] Sprong up the sote grene gras [1426] As fayre, as thicke, as myster was. [1427] But moche amended it the place [1428] That th' erthe was of such a grace [1429] That it of floures hath plente, [1430] That bothe in somer and wynter be. [1431] There sprang the vyolet al newe, [1432] And fressh pervynke, riche of hewe, [1433] And floures yelowe, white, and rede [1434] Such plente grew there never in mede. [1435] Ful gay was al the ground, and queynt, [1436] And poudred, as men had it peynt, [1437] With many a fressh and sondri flour, [1438] That casten up ful good savour. [1439] I wol nat longe holde you in fable [1440] Of al this garden dilectable. [1441] I mot my tonge stynten nede, [1442] For I ne may, withouten drede, [1443] Naught tellen you the beaute al, [1444] Ne half the bounte therewithal. [1445] I went on right hond and on left [1446] About the place; it was nat left, [1447] Tyl I had [in] al the garden ben, [1448] In the estres that men myghte sen. [1449] And thus while I wente in my play, [1450] The God of Love me folowed ay, [1451] Right as an hunter can abyde [1452] The beest, tyl he seeth his tyde [1453] To sheten at good mes to the der, [1454] Whan that hym nedeth go no ner. [1455] And so befyl, I rested me [1456] Besydes a wel, under a tree, [1457] Which tree in Fraunce men cal a pyn. [1458] But sithe the tyme of Kyng Pepyn, [1459] Ne grew there tree in mannes syghte [1460] So fayr, ne so wel woxe in highte [1461] In al that yard so high was non. [1462] And springyng in a marble ston [1463] Had Nature set, the sothe to telle, [1464] Under that pyn-tree a welle. [1465] And on the border, al withoute, [1466] Was written in the ston aboute, [1467] Letters smal that sayden thus, [1468] "Here starf the fayre Narcisus." [1469] Narcisus was a bacheler [1470] That Love had caught in his danger, [1471] And in his net gan hym so strayne, [1472] And dyd him so to wepe and playne, [1473] That nede him must his lyf forgo. [1474] For a fayr lady that hight Echo [1475] Him loved over any creature, [1476] And gan for hym such payne endure [1477] That on a tyme she him tolde [1478] That if he her loven nolde, [1479] That her behoved nedes dye; [1480] There laye non other remedye. [1481] But natheles for his beaute [1482] So feirs and daungerous was he [1483] That he nolde graunten hir askyng, [1484] For wepyng ne for fair praiyng. [1485] And whanne she herde hym werne [her] soo, [1486] She hadde in herte so gret woo, [1487] And took it in so gret dispit, [1488] That she, withoute more respit, [1489] Was deed anoon. But er she deide, [1490] Full pitously to God she preide [1491] That proude-hertid Narcisus, [1492] That was in love so daungerous, [1493] Myght on a day ben hampred so [1494] For love, and ben so hoot for woo, [1495] That never he myght to joye atteyne, [1496] And that he shulde feele in every veyne [1497] What sorowe trewe lovers maken, [1498] That ben so vilaynsly forsaken. [1499] This prayer was but resonable; [1500] Therfore God held it ferme and stable. [1501] For Narcisus, shortly to telle, [1502] By aventure com to that welle [1503] To reste hym in that shadowing [1504] A day whanne he com fro huntyng. [1505] This Narcisus hadde suffred paynes [1506] For rennyng alday in the playnes, [1507] And was for thurst in gret distresse [1508] Of heet and of his werynesse [1509] That hadde his breth almost bynomen. [1510] Whanne he was to that welle comen, [1511] That shadowid was with braunches grene, [1512] He thoughte of thilke water shene [1513] To drynke, and fresshe hym wel withalle. [1514] And doun on knees he gan to falle, [1515] And forth his heed and necke he straughte [1516] To drynken of that welle a draughte. [1517] And in the water anoon was seene [1518] His nose, his mouth, his yen sheene, [1519] And he therof was all abasshed. [1520] His owne shadowe had hym bytrasshed, [1521] For well wende he the forme see [1522] Of a child of gret beaute. [1523] Well kouth. Love hym wreke thoo [1524] Of daunger and of pride also, [1525] That Narcisus somtyme hym beer. [1526] He quytte hym well his guerdoun ther, [1527] For he musede so in the welle [1528] That, shortly all the sothe to telle, [1529] He lovede his owne shadowe soo [1530] That atte laste he starf for woo. [1531] For whanne he saugh that he his wille [1532] Myght in no maner wey fulfille, [1533] And that he was so faste caught [1534] That he hym kouth. comfort nought, [1535] He loste his wit right in that place, [1536] And diede withynne a lytel space. [1537] And thus his warisoun he took [1538] For the lady that he forsook. [1539] Ladyes, I preye ensample takith, [1540] Ye that ageyns youre love mistakith, [1541] For if her deth be yow to wite, [1542] God kan ful well youre while quyte. [1543] Whanne that this lettre of which I telle [1544] Hadde taught me that it was the welle [1545] Of Narcisus in his beaute, [1546] I gan anoon withdrawe me, [1547] Whanne it fel in my remembraunce [1548] That hym bitidde such myschaunce. [1549] But at the laste thanne thought I [1550] That scatheles, full sykerly, [1551] I myght unto the welle goo. [1552] Wherof shulde I abasshen soo? [1554] And doun I loutede for to see [1555] The clere water in the stoon, [1556] And eke the gravell, which that shoon [1557] Down in the botme as silver fyn, [1558] For of the well this is the fyn: [1559] In world is noon so cler of hewe. [1560] The water is evere fresh and newe, [1561] That welmeth up with wawis brighte [1562] The mountance of two fynger highte. [1563] Abouten it is gras spryngyng, [1564] For moiste so thikke and wel likyng [1565] That it ne may in wynter dye [1566] No more than may the see be drye. [1567] Down at the botme set saw I [1568] Two cristall stonys craftely [1569] In thilke freshe and faire welle. [1570] But o thing sothly dar I telle, [1571] That ye wole holde a gret mervayle [1572] Whanne it is told, withouten fayle. [1573] For whanne the sonne, cler in sighte, [1574] Cast in that well his bemys brighte, [1575] And that the heete descendid is, [1576] Thanne taketh the cristall stoon, ywis, [1577] Agayn the sonne an hundrid hewis, [1578] Blew, yelow, and red, that fresh and newe is. [1579] Yitt hath the merveilous cristall [1580] Such strengthe that the place overall, [1581] Bothe flour and tree and leves grene [1582] And all the yerd in it is seene. [1583] And for to don you to undirstonde, [1584] To make ensample wole I fonde. [1585] Ryght as a myrrour openly [1586] Shewith all thing that stondith therby, [1587] As well the colour as the figure, [1588] Withouten ony coverture, [1589] Right so the cristall stoon shynyng [1590] Withouten ony disseyvyng [1591] The estrees of the yerd accusith [1592] To hym that in the water musith. [1593] For evere, in which half that he be, [1594] He may well half the gardyn se, [1595] And if he turne, he may right well [1596] Sen the remenaunt everydell. [1597] For ther is noon so litil thyng [1598] So hid, ne closid with shittyng, [1599] That it ne is sene, as though it were [1600] Peyntid in the cristall there. [1601] This is the mirrour perilous [1602] In which the proude Narcisus [1603] Saw all his face fair and bright, [1604] That made hym sithe to ligge upright. [1605] For whoso loketh in that mirrour, [1606] Ther may nothyng ben his socour [1607] That he ne shall there sen somthyng [1608] That shal hym lede into lovyng. [1609] Full many worthy man hath it [1610] Blent, for folk of grettist wit [1611] Ben soone caught heere and awayted; [1612] Withouten respit ben they baited. [1613] Heere comth to folk of newe rage; [1614] Heere chaungith many wight corage; [1615] Heere lith no red ne wit therto; [1616] For Venus sone, daun Cupido, [1617] Hath sowen there of love the seed, [1618] That help ne lith there noon, ne red, [1619] So cerclith it the welle aboute. [1620] His gynnes hath he sette withoute, [1621] Ryght for to cacche in his panters [1622] These damoysels and bachelers. [1623] Love will noon other bridde[s] cacche, [1624] Though he sette either net or lacche. [1625] And for the seed that heere was sowen, [1626] This welle is clepid, as well is knowen, [1627] The Welle of Love, of verray right, [1628] Of which ther hath ful many a wight [1629] Spoken in bookis dyversely. [1630] But they shull never so verily [1631] Descripcioun of the welle heere, [1632] Ne eke the sothe of this matere, [1633] As ye shull, whanne I have undo [1634] The craft that hir bilongith too. [1635] Allway me liked for to dwelle [1636] To sen the cristall in the welle [1637] That shewide me full openly [1638] A thousand thinges faste by. [1639] But I may say, in sory houre [1640] Stode I to loken or to poure, [1641] For sithen [have] I sore siked. [1642] That mirrour hath me now entriked, [1643] But hadde I first knowen in my wit [1644] The vertu and [the] strengthe of it, [1645] I nolde not have mused there. [1646] Me hadde bet ben elliswhere, [1647] For in the snare I fell anoon [1648] That hath bitrasshed many oon. [1649] In thilke mirrour saw I tho, [1650] Among a thousand thinges mo, [1651] A roser chargid full of rosis, [1652] That with an hegge aboute enclos is. [1653] Tho had I sich lust and envie, [1654] That for Parys ne for Pavie [1655] Nolde I have left to goon and see [1656] There grettist hep of roses be. [1657] Whanne I was with this rage hent, [1658] That caught hath many a man and shent, [1659] Toward the roser gan I go; [1660] And whanne I was not fer therfro, [1661] The savour of the roses swote [1662] Me smot right to the herte-rote, [1663] As I hadde all enbawmed be. [1664] And if I ne hadde endouted me [1665] To have ben hatid or assailed, [1666] My thankis, wolde I not have failed [1667] To pulle a rose of all that route [1668] To beren in myn hond aboute [1669] And smellen to it where I wente; [1670] But ever I dredde me to repente, [1671] And lest it grevede or forthoughte [1672] The lord that thilke gardyn wroughte. [1673] Of roses ther were gret wone, [1674] So faire waxe never in rone. [1675] Of knoppes clos some sawe I there; [1676] And some wel beter woxen were; [1677] And some ther ben of other moysoun [1678] That drowe nygh to her sesoun [1679] And spedde hem faste for to sprede. [1680] I love well sich roses rede, [1681] For brode roses and open also [1682] Ben passed in a day or two, [1683] But knoppes wille [al] freshe be [1684] Two dayes, atte leest, or thre. [1685] The knoppes gretly liked me, [1686] For fairer may ther no man se. [1687] Whoso myght have oon of alle, [1688] It ought hym ben full lief withalle. [1689] Might I [a] gerlond of hem geten, [1690] For no richesse I wolde it leten. [1691] Among the knoppes I ches oon [1692] So fair that of the remenaunt noon [1693] Ne preise I half so well as it, [1694] Whanne I avise it in my wit. [1695] For it so well was enlumyned [1696] With colour reed, [and] as well fyned [1697] As nature couth. it make faire. [1698] And it hath leves wel foure paire, [1699] That Kynde hath sett, thorough his knowyng, [1700] Aboute the rede roses spryngyng. [1701] The stalke was as rishe right, [1702] And theron stod the knoppe upright [1703] That it ne bowide upon no side. [1704] The swote smelle sprong so wide [1705] That it dide all the place aboute The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Romaunt of the Rose Fragment B [1706] Whanne I hadde smelled the savour swote, [1707] No will hadde I fro thens yit goo, [1708] Bot somdell neer it wente I thoo, [1709] To take it, but myn hond, for drede, [1710] Ne dorste I to the Rose bede [1711] For thesteles sharpe, of many maneres, [1712] Netles, thornes, and hokede breres, [1713] For mych they distourbled me, [1714] For sore I dradde to harmed be. [1715] The God of Love, with bowe bent, [1716] That all day set hadde his talent [1717] To pursuen and to spien me, [1718] Was stondyng by a fige-tree. [1719] And whanne he saw hou that I [1720] Hadde chosen so ententifly [1721] The botoun, more unto my pay [1722] Than ony other that I say, [1723] He tok an arowe full sharply whet, [1724] And in his bowe whanne it was set, [1725] He streight up to his ere drough [1726] The stronge bowe that was so tough, [1727] And shet att me so wondir smerte [1728] That thorough myn ye unto myn herte [1729] The takel smot, and depe it wente. [1730] And therwithall such cold me hente [1731] That under clothes warme and softe [1732] Sithen that day I have chevered ofte. [1733] Whanne I was hurt thus, in [a] stounde [1734] I felle doun plat unto the grounde. [1735] Myn herte failed and feynted ay, [1736] And longe tyme a-swoone I lay. [1737] But whanne I come out of swonyng, [1738] And hadde witt and my felyng, [1739] I was all maat, and wende full well [1740] Of blood have loren a full gret dell. [1741] But certes, the arowe that in me stod [1742] Of me ne drew no drope of blod, [1743] For-why I found my wounde all dreie. [1744] Thanne tok I with myn hondis tweie [1745] The arowe, and ful fast out it plighte, [1746] And in the pullyng sore I sighte. [1747] So at the last the shaft of tree [1748] I drough out with the fethers thre. [1749] But yet the hokede heed, ywis, [1750] The which [that] Beaute callid is, [1751] Gan so depe in myn herte passe, [1752] That I it myghte nought arace; [1753] But in myn herte still it stod, [1754] Al bledde I not a drope of blod. [1755] I was bothe anguyssous and trouble [1756] For the perill that I saw double: [1757] I nyste what to seye or do, [1758] Ne gete a leche my woundis to; [1759] For neithir thurgh gras ne rote [1760] Ne hadde I help of hope ne bote. [1761] But to the botoun evermo [1762] Myn herte drew, for all my wo; [1763] My thought was in noon other thing, [1764] For hadde it ben in my kepyng, [1765] It wolde have brought my lyf agayn. [1766] For certis evenly, I dar wel seyn, [1767] The sight oonly and the savour [1768] Alegged mych of my langour. [1769] Thanne gan I for to drawe me [1770] Toward the botoun faire to se; [1771] And Love hadde gete hym, in a throwe, [1772] Another arowe into his bowe, [1773] And for to shete gan hym dresse. [1774] The arowis name was Symplesse, [1775] And whanne that Love gan nygh me nere, [1776] He drow it up, withouten were, [1777] And shet at me with all his myght, [1778] So that this arowe anoon-right [1779] Thourghout [myn] eigh, as it was founde, [1780] Into myn herte hath maad a wounde. [1781] Thanne I anoon dide al my craft [1782] For to drawen out the shaft, [1783] And therwithall I sighed eft. [1784] But in myn herte the heed was left, [1785] Which ay encreside my desir [1786] Unto the botoun drawe ner; [1787] And evermo that me was woo, [1788] The more desir hadde I to goo [1789] Unto the roser, where that grew [1790] The freysshe botoun so bright of hew. [1791] Betir me were to have laten be, [1792] But it bihovede nedes me [1793] To don right as myn herte bad, [1794] For evere the body must be lad [1795] Aftir the herte, in wele and woo; [1796] Of force togidre they must goo. [1797] But never this archer wolde feyne [1798] To shete at me with all his peyne, [1799] And for to make me to hym mete. [1800] The thridde arowe he gan to shete, [1801] Whanne best his tyme he myght espie, [1802] The which was named Curtesie. [1803] Into myn herte it dide avale; [1804] A-swoone I fell bothe deed and pale. [1805] Long tyme I lay and stired nought, [1806] Till I abraide out of my thought, [1807] And faste thanne I avysede me [1808] To drawe out the shaft of tree. [1809] But evere the heed was left bihynde, [1810] For ought I couth. pulle or wynde, [1811] So sore it stikid whanne I was hit, [1812] That by no craft I myght it flit. [1813] But anguyssous and full of thought, [1814] I felte sich woo my wounde ay wrought, [1815] That somonede me alway to goo [1816] Toward the Rose that plesede me soo, [1817] But I ne durste in no maner, [1818] Bicause the archer was so ner. [1819] "For evermore gladly," as I rede, [1820] "Brent child of fir hath myche drede." [1821] And, certis yit, for al my peyne, [1822] Though that I sigh yit arwis reyne, [1823] And grounde quarels sharpe of steell, [1824] Ne for no payne that I myght feell, [1825] Yit myght I not mysilf witholde [1826] The faire roser to biholde, [1827] For Love me yaf sich hardement [1828] For to fulfille his comaundement. [1829] Upon my fete I ros up than, [1830] Feble as a forwoundid man, [1831] And forth to gon [my] myght I sette, [1832] And for the archer nolde I lette. [1833] Toward the roser fast I drow, [1834] But thornes sharpe mo than ynow [1835] Ther were, and also thisteles thikke, [1836] And breres, brymme for to prikke, [1837] That I ne myghte gete grace [1838] The rowe thornes for to passe, [1839] To sen the roses fresshe of hewe. [1840] I must abide, though it me rewe, [1841] The hegge aboute so thikke was, [1842] That closide the roses in compas. [1843] But o thing lyked me right well: [1844] I was so nygh, I myghte fel [1845] Of the botoun the swote odour, [1846] And also se the fresshe colour, [1847] And that right gretly liked me, [1848] That I so neer myghte it se. [1849] Sich joie anoon therof hadde I [1850] That I forgat my malady. [1851] To sen I hadde sich delit, [1852] Of sorwe and angre I was al quyt, [1853] And of my woundes that I hadde thore; [1854] For nothing liken me myght more [1855] Than dwellen by the roser ay, [1856] And thennes never to passe away. [1857] But whanne a while I hadde be thar, [1858] The God of Love, which al toshar [1859] Myn herte with his arwis kene, [1860] Castith hym to yeve me woundis grene. [1861] He shet at me full hastily [1862] An arwe named Company, [1863] The whiche takell is full able [1864] To make these ladies merciable. [1865] Thanne I anoon gan chaungen hewe [1866] For grevaunce of my wounde newe, [1867] That I agayn fell in swonyng [1868] And sighede sore in compleynyng. [1869] Soore I compleyned that my sore [1870] On me gan greven more and more. [1871] I hadde noon hope of allegeaunce; [1872] So nygh I drow to desperaunce, [1873] I roughte of deth ne of lyf, [1874] Wheder that Love wolde me dryf. [1875] Yf me a martir wolde he make, [1876] I myght his power nought forsake. [1877] And while for anger thus I wok, [1878] The God of Love an arowe tok -- [1879] Ful sharp it was and pugnaunt -- [1880] And it was callid Faire-Semblaunt, [1881] The which in no wise wole consente [1882] That ony lover hym repente [1883] To serve his love with herte and alle, [1884] For ony perill that may bifalle. [1885] But though this arwe was kene grounde [1886] As ony rasour that is founde, [1887] To kutte and kerve, at the poynt [1888] The God of Love it hadde anoynt [1889] With a precious oynement, [1890] Somdell to yeve aleggement [1891] Upon the woundes that he had [1893] To helpe her sores, and to cure, [1894] And that they may the bet endure. [1895] But yit this arwe, withoute more, [1896] Made in myn herte a large sore, [1897] That in full gret peyne I abod. [1898] But ay the oynement wente abrod; [1899] Thourghout my woundes large and wide [1900] It spredde aboute in every side, [1901] Thorough whos vertu and whos myght [1902] Myn herte joyfull was and light. [1903] I hadde ben deed and al toshent, [1904] But for the precious oynement. [1905] The shaft I drow out of the arwe, [1906] Rokyng for wo right wondir narwe; [1907] But the heed, which made me smerte, [1908] Lefte bihynde in myn herte [1909] With other foure, I dar wel say, [1910] That never wole be take away. [1911] But the oynement halp me wel, [1912] And yit sich sorwe dide I fel [1913] That al day I chaunged hewe [1914] Of my woundes fresshe and newe, [1915] As men myght se in my visage. [1916] The arwis were so full of rage, [1917] So variaunt of diversitee, [1918] That men in everich myghte se [1919] Bothe gret anoy and eke swetnesse, [1920] And joie meynt with bittirnesse. [1921] Now were they esy, now were they wod; [1922] In hem I felte bothe harm and good; [1923] Now sore without alleggement, [1924] Now softenyng with oynement; [1925] It softnede heere and prikkith there: [1926] Thus ese and anger togidre were. [1927] The God of Love delyverly [1928] Com lepande to me hastily, [1929] And seide to me in gret rape, [1930] "Yeld thee, for thou may not escape! [1931] May no defence availe thee heer; [1932] Therfore I rede make no daunger. [1933] If thou wolt yelde thee hastily, [1934] Thou shalt rather have mercy. [1935] He is a fool in sikernesse, [1936] That with daunger or stoutnesse [1937] Rebellith there that he shulde plese; [1938] In sich folye is litel ese. [1939] Be meke where thou must nedis bow; [1940] To stryve ageyn is nought thi prow. [1941] Com at oones, and have ydoo, [1942] For I wol that it be soo. [1943] Thanne yeld thee heere debonairly." [1944] And I answerid ful hombly, [1945] "Gladly, sir, at youre biddyng, [1946] I wole me yelde in alle thyng. [1947] To youre servyse I wol me take, [1948] For God defende that I shulde make [1949] Ageyn youre biddyng resistence. [1950] I wole not don so gret offence, [1951] For if I dide, it were no skile. [1952] Ye may do with me what ye wile, [1953] Save or spille, and also sloo. [1954] Fro you in no wise may I goo. [1955] My lyf, my deth is in youre hond; [1956] I may not laste out of youre bond. [1957] Pleyn at youre lyst I yelde me, [1958] Hopyng in herte that sumtyme ye [1959] Comfort and ese shull me sende; [1960] Or ellis, shortly, this is the eende, [1961] Withouten helthe I mot ay dure, [1962] But if ye take me to youre cure. [1963] Comfort or helthe how shuld I have, [1964] Sith ye me hurt, but ye me save? [1965] The helthe of love mot be founde [1966] Where as they token first her wounde. [1967] And if ye lyst of me to make [1968] Youre prisoner, I wol it take [1969] Of herte and will, fully at gree. [1970] Hoolly and pleyn Y yelde me, [1971] Withoute feynyng or feyntise, [1972] To be governed by youre emprise. [1973] Of you I here so myche pris, [1974] I wole ben hool at youre devis [1975] For to fulfille youre lykyng [1976] And repente for nothyng, [1977] Hopyng to have yit in som tide [1978] Mercy of that I abide." [1979] And with that covenaunt yelde I me [1980] Anoon, down knelyng upon my kne, [1981] Proferyng for to kisse his feet; [1982] But for nothyng he wolde [me] let, [1983] And seide, "I love thee bothe and preise, [1984] Sen that thyn aunswar doth me ease, [1985] For thou answerid so curteisly. [1986] For now I wot wel uttirly [1987] That thou art gentyll by thi speche. [1988] For though a man fer wolde seche, [1989] He shulde not fynden, in certeyn, [1990] No sich answer of no vileyn; [1991] For sich a word ne myghte nought [1992] Isse out of a vilayns thought. [1993] Thou shalt not lesen of thi speche, [1994] For [to] thy helpyng wole I eche, [1995] And eke encresen that I may. [1996] But first I wole that thou obay [1997] Fully, for thyn avauntage, [1998] Anoon to do me heere homage. [1999] And sithe kisse thou shalt my mouth, [2000] Which to no vilayn was never couth [2001] For to aproche it, ne for to touche; [2002] For sauff of cherlis I ne vouche [2003] That they shull never neigh it nere. [2004] For curteis and of faire manere, [2005] Well taught and ful of gentilnesse [2006] He muste ben that shal me kysse, [2007] And also of full high fraunchise, [2008] That shal atteyne to that emprise. [2009] And first of o thing warne I thee, [2010] That peyne and gret adversite [2011] He mot endure, and eke travaile, [2012] That shal me serve, withouten faile. [2013] But ther-ageyns thee to comforte, [2014] And with thi servise to desporte, [2015] Thou mayst full glad and joyfull be [2016] So good a maister to have as me, [2017] And lord of so high renoun. [2018] I bere of love the gonfanoun, [2019] Of curtesie the banere. [2020] For I am of the silf manere, [2021] Gentil, curteys, meke, and fre, [2022] That whoever ententyf be [2023] Me to honoure, doute, and serve, [2024] And also that he hym observe [2025] Fro trespas and fro vilanye, [2026] And hym governe in curtesie [2027] With will and with entencioun. [2028] For whanne he first in my prisoun [2029] Is caught, thanne must he uttirly [2030] Fro thennes forth full bisily [2031] Caste hym gentyll for to bee, [2032] If he desire help of me." [2033] Anoon withouten more delay, [2034] Withouten daunger or affray, [2035] I bicom his man anoon, [2036] And gaf hym thankes many a oon, [2037] And knelide doun with hondis joynt [2038] And made it in my port full queynt. [2039] The joye wente to myn herte rote, [2040] Whanne I hadde kissed his mouth so swote; [2041] I hadde sich myrthe and sich likyng, [2042] It cured me of langwisshing. [2043] He askide of me thanne hostages: [2044] "I have," he seide, "taken fele homages [2045] Of oon and other, where I have ben [2046] Disceyved ofte, withouten wen. [2047] These felouns, full of falsite, [2048] Have many sithes biguyled me [2049] And thorough falshed her lust achieved, [2050] Wherof I repente and am agreved. [2051] And I hem gete in my daunger, [2052] Her falshede shull they bie full der. [2053] But for I love thee, I seie thee pleyn, [2054] I wol of thee be more certeyn; [2055] For thee so sore I wole now bynde [2056] That thou away ne shalt not wynde [2057] For to denyen the covenaunt, [2058] Or don that is not avenaunt. [2059] That thou were fals it were gret reuthe, [2060] Sith thou semest so full of treuthe." [2061] "Sire, if thee lyst to undirstande, [2062] I merveile the askyng this demande. [2063] For why or wherfore shulde ye [2064] Ostages or borwis aske of me, [2065] Or ony other sikirnesse, [2066] Sith ye wot, in sothfastnesse, [2067] That ye have me susprised so, [2068] And hol myn herte taken me fro, [2069] That it wole do for me nothing, [2070] But if it be at youre biddyng? [2071] Myn herte is youres, and myn right nought, [2072] As it bihoveth, in dede and thought, [2073] Redy in all to worche youre will, [2074] Whether so turne to good or ill, [2075] So sore it lustith you to plese, [2076] No man therof may you disseise. [2077] Ye have theron sette sich justice, [2078] That it is werreid in many wise; [2079] And if ye doute it nolde obeye, [2080] Ye may therof do make a keye, [2081] And holde it with you for ostage." [2082] "Now, certis, this is noon outrage," [2083] Quod Love, "and fully I acord. [2084] For of the body he is full lord [2085] That hath the herte in his tresor; [2086] Outrage it were to asken more." [2087] Thanne of his awmener he drough [2088] A litell keye, fetys ynowgh, [2089] Which was of gold polisshed clere, [2090] And seide to me, "With this keye heere [2091] Thyn herte to me now wole I shette. [2092] For all my jowelles, loke and knette, [2093] I bynde undir this litel keye, [2094] That no wight may carie aweye. [2095] This keye is full of gret poeste." [2096] With which anoon he touchide me [2097] Undir the side full softely, [2098] That he myn herte sodeynly [2099] Without anoy hadde spered, [2100] That yit right nought it hath me dered. [2101] Whanne he hadde don his will al oute, [2102] And I hadde putte hym out of doute, [2103] "Sire," I seide, "I have right gret wille [2104] Youre lust and plesaunce to fulfille. [2105] Loke ye my servise take at gree, [2106] By thilke feith ye owe to me. [2107] I seye nought for recreaundise, [2108] For I nought doute of youre servise, [2109] But the servaunt traveileth in vayne, [2110] That for to serven doth his payne [2111] Unto that lord, which in no wise [2112] Kan hym no thank for his servyse." [2113] Love seide, "Dismaie thee nought. [2114] Syn thou for sokour hast me sought, [2115] In thank thi servise wol I take, [2116] And high of degre I wol thee make, [2117] If wikkidnesse ne hyndre thee. [2118] But, as I hope, it shal nought be; [2119] To worshipe no wight by aventure [2120] May come, but if he peyne endure. [2121] Abid and suffre thy distresse; [2122] That hurtith now, it shal be lesse. [2123] I wot mysilf what may thee save, [2124] What medicyne thou woldist have. [2125] And if thi trouthe to me thou kepe, [2126] I shal unto thy helpyng eke, [2127] To cure thy woundes and make hem clene, [2128] Where so they be olde or grene -- [2129] Thou shalt be holpen, at wordis fewe. [2130] For certeynly thou shalt well shewe [2131] Wher that thou servest with good wille [2132] For to complysshen and fulfille [2133] My comaundementis, day and nyght, [2134] Whiche I to lovers yeve of right." [2135] "A sire, for Goddis love," seide I, [2136] "Er ye passe hens, ententyfly [2137] Youre comaundementis to me ye say, [2138] And I shall kepe hem, if I may; [2139] For hem to kepen is all my thought. [2140] And if so be I wot hem nought, [2141] Thanne may I [erre] unwityngly. [2142] Wherfore I pray you enterely, [2143] With all myn herte, me to lere, [2144] That I trespasse in no manere." [2145] The God of Love thanne chargide me [2146] Anoon, as ye shall here and see, [2147] Word by word, by right emprise, [2148] So as the Romance shall devise. [2149] The maister lesith his tyme to lere, [2150] Whanne that the disciple wol not here; [2151] It is but veyn on hym to swynke [2152] That on his lernyng wol not thinke. [2153] Whoso luste love, lat hym entende, [2154] For now the Romance bigynneth to amende. [2155] Now is good to here, in fay, [2156] If ony be that can it say, [2157] And poynte it as the resoun is [2158] Set; for other-gate, ywys, [2159] It shall nought well in alle thyng [2160] Be brought to good undirstondyng. [2161] For a reder that poyntith ille [2162] A good sentence may ofte spille. [2163] The book is good at the eendyng, [2164] Maad of newe and lusty thyng; [2165] For whoso wol the eendyng here, [2166] The craft of love he shall mowe lere, [2167] If that ye wol so long abide, [2168] Tyl I this Romance may unhide, [2169] And undo the signifiance [2170] Of this drem into Romance. [2171] The sothfastnesse that now is hid, [2172] Without coverture shall be kid [2173] Whanne I undon have this dremyng, [2174] Wherynne no word is of lesyng. [2175] "Vilanye, at the bigynnyng, [2176] I wole," sayde Love, "over alle thyng, [2177] Thou leve if thou wolt [not] be [2178] Fals, and trespasse ageynes me. [2179] I curse and blame generaly [2180] All hem that loven vilany, [2181] For vilanye makith vilayn, [2182] And by his dedis a cherl is seyn. [2183] Thise vilayns arn withouten pitee, [2184] Frendshipe, love, and all bounte. [2185] I nyl resseyve unto my servise [2186] Hem that ben vilayns of emprise. [2187] But undirstonde in thyn entent [2188] That this is not myn entendement, [2189] To clepe no wight in noo ages [2190] Oonly gentill for his lynages. [2191] But whoso is vertuous, [2192] And in his port nought outrageous, [2193] Whanne sich oon thou seest thee biforn, [2194] Though he be not gentill born, [2195] Thou maist well seyn, this is in soth, [2196] That he is gentil by cause he doth [2197] As longeth to a gentilman; [2198] Of hem noon other deme I can. [2199] For certeynly, withouten drede, [2200] A cherl is demed by his dede [2201] Of hie or lowe, as we may see, [2202] Or of what kynrede that he bee. [2203] Ne say nought, for noon yvel wille, [2204] Thyng that is to holden stille; [2205] It is no worshipe to myssey. [2206] Thou maist ensample take of Key, [2207] That was somtyme, for mysseiyng, [2208] Hated bothe of olde and ying. [2209] As fer as Gaweyn, the worthy, [2210] Was preised for his curtesy, [2211] Kay was hated, for he was fell, [2212] Of word dispitous and cruell. [2213] Wherfore be wise and aqueyntable, [2214] Goodly of word, and resonable [2215] Bothe to lesse and eke to mare. [2216] And whanne thou comest there men are, [2217] Loke that thou have in custome ay [2218] First to salue hem, if thou may; [2219] And if it fall that of hem som [2220] Salue thee first, be not domm, [2221] But quyte hem curteisly anoon, [2222] Without abidyng, er they goon. [2223] "For nothyng eke thy tunge applye [2224] To speke wordis of rebaudrye. [2225] To vilayn speche in no degre [2226] Lat never thi lippe unbounden be. [2227] For I nought holde hym, in good feith, [2228] Curteys, that foule wordis seith. [2229] And alle wymmen serve and preise, [2230] And to thy power her honour reise; [2231] And if that ony myssaiere [2232] Dispise wymmen, that thou maist here, [2233] Blame hym, and bidde hym holde hym stille. [2234] And [set] thy myght and all thy wille [2235] Wymmen and ladies for to please, [2236] And to do thyng that may hem ese, [2237] That they ever speke good of thee, [2238] For so thou maist best preised be. [2239] "Loke fro pride thou kepe thee wel; [2240] For thou maist bothe perceyve and fel [2241] That pride is bothe foly and synne, [2242] And he that pride hath hym withynne [2243] Ne may his herte in no wise [2244] Meken ne souplen to servyse. [2245] For pride is founde in every part [2246] Contrarie unto loves art. [2247] And he that loveth, trewely, [2248] Shulde hym contene jolily [2249] Without pride in sondry wise, [2250] And hym disgysen in queyntise. [2251] For queynt array, without drede, [2252] Is nothyng proud, who takith hede; [2253] For fresh array, as men may see, [2254] Withouten pride may ofte be. [2255] "Mayntene thysilf aftir thi rent [2256] Of robe and eke of garnement, [2257] For many sithe fair clothyng [2258] A man amendith in myche thyng. [2259] And loke alwey that they be shape -- [2260] What garnement that thou shalt make -- [2261] Of hym that kan best do, [2262] With all that perteyneth therto. [2263] Poyntis and sleves be well sittand, [2264] Right and streght on the hand. [2265] Of shon and bootes, newe and faire, [2266] Loke at the leest thou have a paire, [2267] And that they sitte so fetisly [2268] That these rude may uttirly [2269] Merveyle, sith that they sitte so pleyn, [2270] How they come on or off ageyn. [2271] Were streite gloves with awmenere [2272] Of silk; and alwey with good chere [2273] Thou yeve, if thou have richesse; [2274] And if thou have nought, spende the lesse. [2275] Alwey be mery, if thou may, [2276] But waste not thi good alway. [2277] Have hat of floures as fresh as May, [2278] Chapelett of roses of Whitsonday, [2279] For sich array ne costeth but lite. [2280] Thyn hondis wassh, thy teeth make white, [2281] And let no filthe upon thee bee. [2282] Thy nailes blak if thou maist see, [2283] Voide it awey delyverly, [2284] And kembe thyn heed right jolily. [2285] Fard not thi visage in no wise, [2286] For that of love is not th' emprise; [2287] For love doth haten, as I fynde, [2288] A beaute that cometh not of kynde. [2289] Alwey in herte I rede thee [2290] Glad and mery for to be, [2291] And be as joyfull as thou can; [2292] Love hath no joye of sorowful man. [2293] That yvell is full of curtesie [2294] That laughith in his maladie; [2295] For ever of love the siknesse [2296] Is meynd with swete and bitternesse. [2297] The sore of love is merveilous; [2298] For now the lover [is. joyous, [2299] Now can he pleyne, now can he grone, [2300] Now can he syngen, now maken mone; [2301] To-day he pleyneth for hevynesse, [2302] To-morowe he pleyeth for jolynesse. [2303] The lyf of love is full contrarie, [2304] Which stoundemele can ofte varie. [2305] But if thou canst mirthis make, [2306] That men in gre wole gladly take, [2307] Do it goodly, I comaunde thee. [2308] For men shulde, wheresoevere they be, [2309] Do thing that hem sittyng is, [2310] For therof cometh good loos and pris. [2311] Whereof that thou be vertuous, [2312] Ne be not straunge ne daungerous; [2313] For if that thou good ridere be, [2314] Prike gladly, that men may se. [2315] In armes also if thou konne, [2316] Pursue til thou a name hast wonne. [2317] And if thi voice be faire and cler, [2318] Thou shalt maken [no] gret daunger [2319] Whanne to synge they goodly preye -- [2320] It is thi worship for t' obeye. [2321] Also to you it longith ay [2322] To harpe and gitterne, daunce and play, [2323] For if he can wel foote and daunce, [2324] It may hym greetly do avaunce. [2325] Among eke, for thy lady sake, [2326] Songes and complayntes that thou make, [2327] For that wole meven in hir herte, [2328] Whanne they reden of thy smerte. [2329] Loke that no man for scarce thee holde, [2330] For that may greve thee many folde. [2331] Resoun wole that a lover be [2332] In his yiftes more large and fre [2333] Than cherles that ben not of lovyng. [2334] For who therof can ony thyng, [2335] He shal be leef ay for to yeve, [2336] In Loves lore whoso wolde leve; [2337] For he that thorough a sodeyn sight, [2338] Or for a kyssyng, anoonright [2339] Yaff hool his herte in will and thought, [2340] And to hymsilf kepith right nought, [2341] Aftir [swich] [gift] it is good resoun [2342] He yeve his good in abandoun. [2343] "Now wol I shortly heere reherce [2344] Of that I have seid in verce [2345] Al the sentence by and by, [2346] In wordis fewe compendiously, [2347] That thou the better mayst on hem thynke, [2348] Whether so it be thou wake or wynke. [2349] For the wordis litel greve [2350] A man to kepe, whanne it is breve. [2351] Whoso with Love wole goon or ride, [2352] He mot be curteis, and voide of pride, [2353] Mery, and full of jolite, [2354] And of largesse alosed be. [2355] "First I joyne thee, heere in penaunce, [2356] That evere, withoute repentaunce, [2357] Thou sette thy thought in thy lovyng [2358] To laste withoute repentyng, [2359] And thenke upon thi myrthis swete, [2360] That shall folowe aftir, whan ye mete. [2361] "And for thou trewe to love shalt be, [2362] I wole, and comaunde thee, [2363] That in oo place thou sette, all hool, [2364] Thyn herte withoute halfen dool [2365] Of trecherie and sikernesse; [2366] For I lovede nevere doublenesse. [2367] To many his herte that wole depart, [2368] Everich shal have but litel part; [2369] But of hym drede I me right nought, [2370] That in oo place settith his thought. [2371] Therfore in oo place it sette, [2372] And lat it nevere thannys flette. [2373] For if thou yevest it in lenyng, [2374] I holde it but a wrecchid thyng; [2375] Therfore yeve it hool and quyt, [2376] And thou shalt have the more merit. [2377] If it be lent, than aftir soon [2378] The bounte and the thank is doon; [2379] But, in love, fre yeven thing [2380] Requyrith a gret guerdonyng. [2381] Yeve it in yift al quyt fully, [2382] And make thi yift debonairly, [2383] For men that yift holde more dere [2384] That yeven [is. with gladsom chere. [2385] That yift nought to preisen is [2386] That man yeveth maugre his. [2387] Whanne thou hast yeven thyn herte, as I [2388] Have seid thee heere openly, [2389] Thanne aventures shull thee falle, [2390] Which harde and hevy ben withalle. [2391] For ofte whan thou bithenkist thee [2392] Of thy lovyng, whereso thou be, [2393] Fro folk thou must departe in hie, [2394] That noon perceyve thi maladie. [2395] But hyde thyne harm thou must alone, [2396] And go forth sool, and make thy mone. [2397] Thou shalt no whyle be in o stat, [2398] But whylom cold and whilom hat, [2399] Now reed as rose, now yelowe and fade. [2400] Such sorowe, I trowe, thou never hade; [2401] Cotidien ne quarteyne, [2402] It is nat so ful of peyne. [2403] For often tymes it shal falle [2404] In love, among thy paynes alle, [2405] That thou thyself al holly [2406] Foryeten shalt so utterly [2407] That many tymes thou shalt be [2408] Styl as an ymage of tree, [2409] Domm as a ston, without steryng [2410] Of fot or hond, without spekyng. [2411] Than, soone after al thy payn, [2412] To memorye shalt thou come agayn, [2413] As man abasshed wonder sore, [2414] And after syghen more and more. [2415] For wyt thou wel, withouten wen, [2416] In such astat ful ofte have ben [2417] That have the yvel of love assayd [2418] Wherthrough thou art so dismayd. [2419] "After, a thought shal take the so, [2420] That thy love is to fer the fro. [2421] Thou shalt saye, `God! what may this be, [2422] That I ne may my lady se? [2423] Myn herte alone is to her go, [2424] And I abyde al sol in wo, [2425] Departed fro myn owne thought, [2426] And with myne eyen se right nought. [2427] Alas, myne eyen sende I ne may [2428] My careful herte to convay! [2429] Myn hertes gyde but they be, [2430] I prayse nothyng, whatever they se. [2431] Shul they abyde thanne? Nay; [2432] But gon and visyten without delay [2433] That myn herte desyreth so. [2434] For certainly, but if they go, [2435] A fool myself I may wel holde, [2436] Whan I ne se what myn herte wolde. [2437] Wherfore I wol gon her to sen, [2438] Or eased shal I never ben, [2439] But I have som tokenyng.' [2440] Than gost thou forth without dwellyng; [2441] But ofte thou faylest of thy desyr, [2442] Er thou mayst come her any ner, [2443] And wastest in vayn thi passage. [2444] Thanne fallest thou in a newe rage; [2445] For want of sight thou gynnest morne, [2446] And homward pensyf thou dost retorne. [2447] In greet myscheef thanne shalt thou bee, [2448] For thanne agayn shall come to thee [2449] Sighes and pleyntes with newe woo, [2450] That no ycchyng prikketh soo. [2451] Who wot it nought, he may go lere [2452] Of hem that bien love so dere. [2453] "Nothyng thyn herte appesen may [2454] That ofte thou wolt goon and assay [2455] If thou maist seen, by aventure, [2456] Thi lyves joy, thin hertis cure; [2457] So that, bi grace, if thou myght [2458] Atteyne of hire to have a sight, [2459] Thanne shalt thou don noon other dede, [2460] But with that sight thyne eyen fede. [2461] That faire fresh whanne thou maist see, [2462] Thyne herte shall so ravysshed be [2463] That nevere thou woldest, thi thankis, lete, [2464] Ne remove for to see that swete. [2465] The more thou seest in sothfastnesse, [2466] The more thou coveytest of that swetnesse; [2467] The more thin herte brenneth in fir, [2468] The more thin herte is in desir. [2469] For who considreth everydeell, [2470] It may be likned wondir well, [2471] The peyne of love, unto a fer; [2472] For evermore thou neighest ner, [2473] Thou, or whooso that it bee, [2474] For verray sothe I tell it thee, [2475] The hatter evere shall thou brenne, [2476] As experience shall thee kenne: [2477] Whereso [thou] comest in ony coost, [2478] Who is next fyr, he brenneth moost. [2479] And yitt forsothe, for all thin hete, [2480] Though thou for love swelte and swete, [2481] Ne for nothyng thou felen may, [2482] Thou shalt not willen to passen away. [2483] And though thou go, yitt must thee nede [2484] Thenke all day on hir fairhede [2485] Whom thou biheelde with so good will, [2486] And holde thisilf biguyled ill [2487] That thou ne haddest noon hardement [2488] To shewe hir ought of thyn entent. [2489] Thyn herte full sore thou wolt dispise, [2490] And eke repreve of cowardise, [2491] That thou, so dul in every thing, [2492] Were domm for drede, withoute spekyng. [2493] Thou shalt eke thenke thou didest folye [2494] That thou were hir so faste bye, [2495] And durst not auntre thee to saye [2496] Somthyng er thou cam awaye; [2497] For thou haddist no more wonne, [2498] To speke of hir whanne thou bigonne. [2499] But yitt she wolde, for thy sake, [2500] In armes goodly thee have take -- [2501] It shulde have be more worth to thee [2502] Than of tresour gret plente. [2503] Thus shalt thou morne and eke compleyn, [2504] And gete enchesoun to goon ageyn [2505] Unto thi walk, or to thi place [2506] Where thou biheelde hir fleshly face. [2507] And never, for fals suspeccioun, [2508] Thou woldest fynde occasioun [2509] For to gon unto hire hous. [2510] So art thou thanne desirous [2511] A sight of hir for to have, [2512] If thou thin honour myghtist save, [2513] Or ony erande myghtist make [2514] Thider for thi loves sake, [2515] Full fayn thou woldist, but for drede [2516] Thou gost not, lest that men take hede. [2517] Wherfore I rede, in thi goyng, [2518] And also in thyn ageyn-comyng, [2519] Thou be well war that men ne wit. [2520] Feyne thee other cause than it [2521] To go that weye, or faste by; [2522] To hele wel is no foly. [2523] And if so be it happe thee [2524] That thou thi love there maist see, [2525] In siker wise thou hir salewe, [2526] Wherewith thi colour wole transmewe, [2527] And eke thy blod shal al toquake, [2528] Thyn hewe eke chaungen for hir sake. [2529] But word and wit, with chere full pale, [2530] Shull wante for to tell thy tale. [2531] And if thou maist so fer forth wynne [2532] That thou resoun durst bigynne, [2533] And woldist seyn thre thingis or mo, [2534] Thou shalt full scarsly seyn the two. [2535] Though thou bithenke thee never so well, [2536] Thou shalt foryete yit somdell, [2537] But if thou dele with trecherie. [2538] For fals lovers mowe all folye [2539] Seyn, what hem lust, withouten drede, [2540] They be so double in her falshede; [2541] For they in herte cunne thenke a thyng, [2542] And seyn another in her spekyng. [2543] And whanne thi speche is eendid all, [2544] Ryght thus to thee it shall byfall: [2545] If ony word thanne come to mynde [2546] That thou to seye hast left bihynde, [2547] Thanne thou shalt brenne in gret martir, [2548] For thou shalt brenne as ony fir. [2549] This is the stryf and eke the affray, [2550] And the batell that lastith ay. [2551] This bargeyn eende may never take, [2552] But if that she thi pees will make. [2553] And whanne the nyght is comen, anoon [2554] A thousand angres shall come uppon. [2555] To bedde as fast thou wolt thee dight, [2556] Where thou shalt have but smal delit. [2557] For whanne thou wenest for to slepe, [2558] So full of peyne shalt thou crepe, [2559] Sterte in thi bed aboute full wide, [2560] And turne full ofte on every side, [2561] Now dounward groff and now upright, [2562] And walowe in woo the longe nyght. [2563] Thine armys shalt thou sprede a-bred, [2564] As man in werre were forwerreyd. [2565] Thanne shall thee come a remembraunce [2566] Of hir shap and hir semblaunce, [2567] Whereto non other may be pere. [2568] And wite thou wel, withoute were, [2569] That thee shal se[me] somtyme that nyght [2570] That thou hast hir that is so bright [2571] Naked bitwene thyne armes there, [2572] All sothfastnesse as though it were. [2573] Thou shalt make castels thanne in Spayne [2574] And dreme of joye, all but in vayne, [2575] And thee deliten of right nought, [2576] While thou so slombrest in that thought [2577] That is so swete and delitable, [2578] The which, in soth, nys but fable, [2579] For it ne shall no while laste. [2580] Thanne shalt thou sighe and wepe faste, [2581] And say, `Dere God, what thing is this? [2582] My drem is turned all amys, [2583] Which was full swete and apparent; [2584] But now I wake, it is al shent! [2585] Now yede this mery thought away! [2586] Twenty tymes upon a day [2587] I wolde this thought wolde come ageyn, [2588] For it aleggith well my peyn. [2589] It makith me full of joyfull thought; [2590] It sleth me, that it lastith noght. [2591] A, Lord! Why nyl ye me socoure [2592] The joye, I trowe, that I langoure? [2593] The deth I wolde me shulde sloo [2594] While I lye in hir armes twoo. [2595] Myn harm is hard, withouten wene; [2596] My gret unese full ofte I meene. [2597] "`But wolde Love do so I myght [2598] Have fully joye of hir so bright, [2599] My peyne were quyt me rychely. [2600] Allas, to gret a thing aske I! [2601] Hit is but foly and wrong wenyng [2602] To aske so outrageous a thyng; [2603] And whoso askith folily, [2604] He mot be warned hastily. [2605] And I ne wot what I may say, [2606] I am so fer out of the way; [2607] For I wolde have full gret likyng [2608] And full gret joye of lasse thing. [2609] For wolde she, of hir gentylnesse, [2610] Without and more, me oonys kysse, [2611] It were to me a gret guerdoun, [2612] Relees of all my passioun. [2613] But it is hard to come therto; [2614] All is but folye that I do, [2615] So high I have myn herte set, [2616] Where I may no comfort get. [2617] I wote not wher I seye well or nought, [2618] But this I wot wel in my thought, [2619] That it were better of hir alloone, [2620] For to stynte my woo and moone, [2621] A lok on hir I caste goodly, [2622] Than for to have al utterly [2623] Of an other all hool the pley. [2624] A, Lord! Wher I shall byde the day [2625] That evere she shall my lady be? [2626] He is full cured that may hir see. [2627] A, God! Whanne shal the dawnyng spring? [2628] To liggen thus is an angry thyng; [2629] I have no joye thus heere to ly, [2630] Whanne that my love is not me by. [2631] A man to lyen hath gret disese, [2632] Which may not slepe ne reste in ese. [2633] I wolde it dawed, and were now day, [2634] And that the nyght were went away; [2635] For were it day, I wolde uprise. [2636] A, slowe sonne, shewe thin enprise! [2637] Sped thee to sprede thy beemys bright, [2638] And chace the derknesse of the nyght, [2639] To putte away the stoundes stronge, [2640] Whiche in me lasten all to longe.' [2641] "The nyght shalt thou contene soo [2642] Withoute rest, in peyne and woo. [2643] If evere thou knewe of love distresse, [2644] Thou shalt mowe lerne in that siknesse, [2645] And thus enduryng shalt thou ly, [2646] And ryse on morwe up erly [2647] Out of thy bedde, and harneyse thee, [2648] Er evere dawnyng thou maist see. [2649] All pryvyly thanne shalt thou goon, [2650] What weder it be, thisilf alloon, [2651] For reyn or hayl, for snow, for slet, [2652] Thider she dwellith that is so swet, [2653] The which may fall a-slepe be, [2654] And thenkith but lytel upon thee. [2655] Thanne shalt thou goon, ful foule afeered, [2656] Loke if the gate be unspered, [2657] And waite without in woo and peyn, [2658] Full yvel a-coold, in wynd and reyn. [2659] Thanne shal thou go the dore bifore, [2660] If thou maist fynde ony score, [2661] Or hool, or reeft, whatevere it were; [2662] Thanne shalt thou stoupe and lay to ere, [2663] If they withynne a-slepe be -- [2664] I mene all save the lady free, [2665] Whom wakyng if thou maist aspie, [2666] Go putte thisilf in jupartie [2667] To aske grace, and thee bimene, [2668] That she may wite, without wene, [2669] That thou [a-]nyght no rest hast had, [2670] So sore for hir thou were bystad. [2671] Wommen wel ought pite to take [2672] Of hem that sorwen for her sake. [2673] And loke, for love of that relyk, [2674] That thou thenke noon other lyk, [2675] For whom thou hast so gret annoy, [2676] Shall kysse thee, er thou go away, [2677] And holde that in full gret deynte. [2678] And for that no man shal thee see [2679] Bifore the hous ne in the way, [2680] Loke thou be goon ageyn er day. [2681] Such comyng and such goyng, [2682] Such hevynesse and such wakyng, [2683] Makith lovers, withouten ony wene, [2684] Under her clothes pale and lene. [2685] For Love leveth colour ne cleernesse; [2686] Who loveth trewe hath no fatnesse. [2687] Thou shalt wel by thysilf see [2688] That thou must nedis assayed be. [2689] For men that shape hem other wey [2690] Falsly her ladyes for to bitray, [2691] It is no wonder though they be fatt; [2692] With false othes her loves they gatt. [2693] For oft I see suche losengours [2694] Fatter than abbatis or priours. [2695] "Yit with o thing I thee charge, [2696] That is to seye, that thou be large [2697] Unto the mayde that hir doth serve, [2698] So best hir thank thou shalt deserve. [2699] Yeve hir yiftes, and get hir grace, [2700] For so thou may thank purchace, [2701] That she thee worthy holde and free, [2702] Thi lady, and all that may thee see. [2703] Also hir servauntes worshipe ay, [2704] And please as mych as thou may; [2705] Gret good thorough hem may come to thee [2706] Bicause with hir they ben pryve. [2707] They shal hir telle hou they thee fand [2708] Curteis, and wys, and well doand, [2709] And she shall preise well the mare. [2710] Loke oute of londe thou be not fare, [2711] And if such cause thou have that thee [2712] Bihoveth to gon out of contree, [2713] Leve hool thin herte in hostage, [2714] Till thou ageyn make thi passage. [2715] Thenk long to see the swete thyng [2716] That hath thin herte in hir kepyng. [2717] "Now have I told thee in what wise [2718] A lovere shall do me servise. [2719] Do it thanne, if thou wolt have [2720] The meede that thou aftir crave." [2721] Whanne Love all this hadde boden me, [2722] I seide hym: "Sire, how may it be [2723] That lovers may in such manere [2724] Endure the peyne ye have seid heere? [2725] I merveyle me wonder faste [2726] How ony man may lyve or laste [2727] In such peyne and such brennyng, [2728] In sorwe and thought and such sighing, [2729] Ay unrelesed woo to make, [2730] Whether so it be they slepe or wake, [2731] In such annoy contynuely -- [2732] As helpe me God, this merveile I [2733] How man, but he were maad of stele, [2734] Myght lyve a month, such peynes to fele." [2735] The God of Love thanne seide me: [2736] "Freend, by the feith I owe to thee, [2737] May no man have good, but he it by. [2738] A man loveth more tendirly [2739] The thyng that he hath bought most dere. [2740] For wite thou well, withouten were, [2741] In thank that thyng is taken more, [2742] For which a man hath suffred sore. [2743] Certis, no wo ne may atteyne [2744] Unto the sore of loves peyne; [2745] Noon yvel therto ne may amounte, [2746] No more than a man [may] counte [2747] The dropes that of the water be. [2748] For drye as well the greete see [2749] Thou myghtist as the harmes telle [2750] Of hem that with love dwelle [2751] In servyse, for peyne hem sleeth. [2752] And yet ech man wolde fle the deeth, [2753] And trowe thei shulde nevere escape, [2754] Nere that hope couth. hem make [2755] Glad, as man in prisoun sett, [2756] And may not geten for to et [2757] But barly breed and watir pure, [2758] And lyeth in vermyn and in ordure; [2759] With all this yitt can he lyve, [2760] Good hope such comfort hath hym yive, [2761] Which maketh wene that he shall be [2762] Delyvered, and come to liberte. [2763] In fortune is [his] fulle trust, [2764] Though he lye in strawe or dust; [2765] In hoope is all his susteynyng. [2766] And so for lovers, in her wenyng, [2767] Whiche Love hath shit in his prisoun, [2768] Good hope is her salvacioun. [2769] Good hope, how sore that they smerte, [2770] Yeveth hem bothe will and herte [2771] To profre her body to martire; [2772] For hope so sore doth hem desire [2773] To suffre ech harm that men devise, [2774] For joye that aftirward shall aryse. [2775] "Hope in desir caccheth victorie; [2776] In hope of love is all the glorie; [2777] For hope is all that love may yive; [2778] Nere hope, ther shulde no lover lyve. [2779] Blessid be hope, which with desir [2780] Avaunceth lovers in such maner! [2781] Good hope is curteis for to please, [2782] To kepe lovers from all disese. [2783] Hope kepith his bond, and wole abide, [2784] For ony perill that may betyde; [2785] For hope to lovers, as most cheef, [2786] Doth hem endure all myscheef; [2787] Hope is her helpe whanne myster is. [2788] "And I shall yeve thee eke, iwys, [2789] Three other thingis that gret solas [2790] Doth to hem that be in my las. [2791] The firste good that may be founde [2792] To hem that in my las be bounde [2793] Is Swete-Thought, for to recorde [2794] Thing wherwith thou canst accorde [2795] Best in thyn herte, where she be -- [2796] Thenkyng in absence is good to thee. [2797] Whanne ony lover doth compleyne, [2798] And lyveth in distresse and in peyne, [2799] Thanne Swete-Thought shal come as blyve [2800] Awey his angre for to dryve: [2801] It makith lovers to have remembraunce [2802] Of comfort and of high plesaunce [2803] That Hope hath hight hym for to wynne. [2804] For Thought anoon thanne shall bygynne, [2805] As fer, God wot, as he can fynde, [2806] To make a mirrour of his mynde; [2807] For to biholde he wole not lette. [2808] Hir persone he shall afore hym sette, [2809] Hir laughing eyen, persaunt and clere, [2810] Hir shape, hir forme, hir goodly chere, [2811] Hir mouth, that is so gracious, [2812] So swete and eke so saverous; [2813] Of all hir fetures he shall take heede, [2814] His eyen with all hir lymes fede. [2815] "Thus Swete-Thenkyng shall aswage [2816] The peyne of lovers and her rage. [2817] Thi joye shall double, withoute gesse, [2818] Whanne thou thenkist on hir semlynesse, [2819] Or of hir laughing, or of hir chere, [2820] That to thee made thi lady dere. [2821] This comfort wole I that thou take; [2822] And if the next thou wolt forsake, [2823] Which is not lesse saverous, [2824] Thou shuldist ben to daungerous. [2825] "The secounde shal be Swete-Speche, [2826] That hath to many oon be leche, [2827] To bringe hem out of woo and wer, [2828] And holpe many a bachiler, [2829] And many a lady sent socour, [2830] That have loved paramour, [2831] Thorough spekyng, whanne they myghte heere [2832] Of her lovers to hem so dere. [2833] To hem it voidith all her smerte, [2834] The which is closed in her herte. [2835] In herte it makith hem glad and light, [2836] Speche, whanne they [ne] mowe have sight. [2837] And therfore now it cometh to mynde, [2838] In olde dawes, as I fynde, [2839] That clerkis writen that hir knewe, [2840] Ther was a lady fresh of hewe, [2841] Which of hir love made a song [2842] On hym for to remembre among, [2843] In which she seyde, `Whanne that I here [2844] Speken of hym that is so dere, [2845] To me it voidith all smert, [2846] Iwys, he sittith so ner myn hert. [2847] To speke of hym, at eve or morwe, [2848] It cureth me of all my sorwe. [2849] To me is noon so high plesaunce [2850] As of his persone dalyaunce.' [2851] She wist full well that Swete-Spekyng [2852] Comfortith in full myche thyng. [2853] Hir love she hadde full well assayed; [2854] Of him she was full well apaied; [2855] To speke of hym hir joye was sett. [2856] Therfore I rede thee that thou gett [2857] A felowe that can well concele, [2858] And kepe thi counsell, and well hele, [2859] To whom go shewe hoolly thine herte, [2860] Bothe wele and woo, joye and smerte. [2861] To gete comfort to hym thou goo, [2862] And pryvyly, bitwene yow twoo, [2863] Yee shall speke of that goodly thyng [2864] That hath thyn herte in hir kepyng, [2865] Of hir beaute and hir semblaunce [2866] And of hir goodly countenaunce. [2867] Of all thi stat thou shalt hym sey, [2868] And aske hym counseill how thou may [2869] Do ony thyng that may hir plese; [2870] For it to thee shall do gret ese [2871] That he may wite thou trust hym soo, [2872] Bothe of thi wele and of thi woo. [2873] And if his herte to love be sett, [2874] His companye is myche the bett, [2875] For resoun wole he shewe to thee [2876] All uttirly his pryvyte; [2877] And what she is he loveth so, [2878] To thee pleynly he shal undo, [2879] Withoute drede of ony shame, [2880] Bothe tell hir renoun and hir name. [2881] Thanne shall he forther, fer and ner, [2882] And namely to thi lady der, [2883] In syker wise; yee, every other [2884] Shall helpen as his owne brother, [2885] In trouthe withoute doublenesse, [2886] And kepen cloos in sikernesse. [2887] For it is noble thing, in fay, [2888] To have a man thou darst say [2889] Thy pryve counsell every deell; [2890] For that wole comforte thee right well, [2891] And thou shalt holde thee well apayed, [2892] Whanne such a freend thou hast assayed. [2893] "The thridde good of gret comfort, [2894] That yeveth to lovers most disport, [2895] Comyth of sight and of biholdyng, [2896] That clepid is Swete-Lokyng, [2897] The whiche may noon ese do [2898] Whanne thou art fer thy lady fro; [2899] Wherfore thou prese alwey to be [2900] In place where thou maist hir see. [2901] For it is thyng most amerous, [2902] Most delytable and saverous, [2903] For to aswage a mannes sorowe, [2904] To sen his lady by the morwe. [2905] For it is a full noble thing, [2906] Whanne thyne eyen have metyng [2907] With that relike precious, [2908] Wherof they be so desirous. [2909] But al day after, soth it is, [2910] They have no drede to faren amys; [2911] They dreden neither wynd ne reyn, [2912] Ne noon other maner peyn. [2913] For whanne thyne eyen were thus in blis, [2914] Yit of hir curtesie, ywys, [2915] Alloone they can not have her joye, [2916] But to the herte they [it] convoye; [2917] Part of her blisse to hym they sende, [2918] Of all this harm to make an ende. [2919] The eye is a good messanger, [2920] Which can to the herte in such maner [2921] Tidyngis sende that [he] hath sen, [2922] To voide hym of his peynes clen. [2923] Wherof the herte rejoiseth soo, [2924] That a gret party of his woo [2925] Is voided and put awey to flight. [2926] Right as the derknesse of the nyght [2927] Is chased with clernesse of the mone, [2928] Right so is al his woo full soone [2929] Devoided clene, whanne that the sight [2930] Biholden may that freshe wight [2931] That the herte desireth soo, [2932] That al his derknesse is agoo. [2933] For thanne the herte is all at ese, [2934] Whanne the eyen sen that may hem plese. [2935] "Now have I declared thee all oute [2936] Of that thou were in drede and doute; [2937] For I have told thee feithfully [2938] What thee may curen utterly, [2939] And alle lovers that wole be [2940] Feithfull and full of stabilite. [2941] Good-Hope alwey kep bi thi side, [2942] And Swete-Thought make eke abide, [2943] Swete-Lokyng and Swete-Speche -- [2944] Of all thyne harmes thei shall be leche, [2945] Of every thou shalt have gret plesaunce. [2946] If thou canst bide in sufferaunce, [2947] And serve wel withoute feyntise, [2948] Thou shalt be quyt of thyn emprise [2949] With more guerdoun, if that thou lyve; [2950] But at this tyme this I thee yive." [2951] The God of Love whanne al the day [2952] Had taught me, as ye have herd say, [2953] And enfourmed compendiously, [2954] He vanyshide awey all sodeynly, [2955] And I alloone lefte, all sool, [2956] So full of compleynt and of dool, [2957] For I saw no man there me by. [2958] My woundes me greved wondirly; [2959] Me for to curen nothyng I knew, [2960] Save the botoun bright of hew, [2961] Wheron was sett hoolly my thought. [2962] Of other comfort knew I nought, [2963] But it were thorugh the God of Love; [2964] I knew not elles to my bihove [2965] That myght me ease or comfort gete, [2966] But if he wolde hym entermete. [2967] The roser was, withoute doute, [2968] Closed with an hegge withoute, [2969] As ye toforn have herd me seyn; [2970] And fast I bisiede, and wolde fayn [2971] Have passed the hay, if I myghte [2972] Have geten ynne by ony slighte [2973] Unto the botoun so faire to see. [2974] But evere I dradde blamed to be, [2975] If men wolde have suspeccioun [2976] That I wolde of entencioun [2977] Have stole the roses that there were; [2978] Therfore to entre I was in fere. [2979] But at the last, as I bithought [2980] Whether I shulde passe or nought, [2981] I saw come with a glad cher [2982] To me, a lusty bacheler, [2983] Of good stature and of good highte, [2984] And Bialacoil forsothe he highte. [2985] Sone he was to Curtesy, [2986] And he me grauntide full gladly [2987] The passage of the outter hay, [2988] And seide: "Sir, how that yee may [2989] Passe, if youre wille be [2990] The freshe roser for to see, [2991] And yee the swete savour fele. [2992] Youre warrant may [I] [be] right wele; [2993] So thou thee kepe fro folye, [2994] Shall no man do thee vylanye. [2995] If I may helpe you in ought, [2996] I shall not feyne, dredeth nought, [2997] For I am bounde to youre servise, [2998] Fully devoide of feyntise." [2999] Thanne unto Bialacoil saide I, [3000] "I thanke you, sir, full hertely, [3001] And youre biheeste take at gre, [3002] That ye so goodly profer me. [3003] To you it cometh of gret fraunchise [3004] That ye me profer youre servise." [3005] Thanne aftir, full delyverly, [3006] Thorough the breres anoon wente I, [3007] Wherof encombred was the hay. [3008] I was wel plesed, the soth to say, [3009] To se the botoun faire and swote [3010] So freshe spronge out of the rote. [3011] And Bialacoil me served well, [3012] Whanne I so nygh me myghte fel [3013] Of the botoun the swete odour, [3014] And so lusty hewed of colour. [3015] But thanne a cherl (foule hym bityde!) [3016] Biside the roses gan hym hyde, [3017] To kepe the roses of that roser, [3018] Of whom the name was Daunger. [3019] This cherl was hid there in the greves, [3020] Kovered with gras and with leves, [3021] To spie and take whom that he fond [3022] Unto that roser putte an hond. [3023] He was not sool, for ther was moo, [3024] For with hym were other twoo [3025] Of wikkid maners and yvel fame. [3026] That oon was clepid, by his name, [3027] Wykked-Tonge -- God yeve hym sorwe! -- [3028] For neither at eve ne at morwe, [3029] He can of no man good speke; [3030] On many a just man doth he wreke. [3031] Ther was a womman eke that hight [3032] Shame, that, who can reken right, [3033] Trespas was hir fadir name, [3034] Hir moder Resoun; and thus was Shame [3035] Brought of these ilke twoo. [3036] And yitt hadde Trespas never adoo [3037] With Resoun, ne never ley hir by, [3038] He was so hidous and so ugly, [3039] I mene this that Trespas highte; [3040] But Resoun conceyveth of a sighte [3041] Shame, of that I spak aforn. [3042] And whanne that Shame was thus born, [3043] It was ordeyned that Chastite [3044] Shulde of the roser lady be, [3045] Which, of the botouns more and las, [3046] With sondry folk assailed was, [3047] That she ne wiste what to doo. [3048] For Venus hir assailith soo, [3049] That nyght and day from hir she stal [3050] Botouns and roses overal. [3051] To Resoun thanne praieth Chastite, [3052] Whom Venus hath flemed over the see, [3053] That she hir doughter wolde hir lene, [3054] To kepe the roser fresh and grene. [3055] Anoon Resoun to Chastite [3056] Is fully assented that it be, [3057] And grauntide hir, at hir request, [3058] That Shame, by cause she [is. honest, [3059] Shall keper of the roser be. [3060] And thus to kepe it ther were three, [3061] That noon shulde hardy be ne bold, [3062] Were he yong or were he old, [3063] Ageyn hir will awey to bere [3064] Botouns ne roses that there were. [3065] I hadde wel sped, hadde I not ben [3066] Awayted with these three and sen. [3067] For Bialacoil, that was so fair, [3068] So gracious and debonair, [3069] Quytt hym to me full curteisly, [3070] And, me to plese, bad that I [3071] Shulde drawe me to the botoun ner; [3072] Prese in, to touche the roser [3073] Which bar the roses, he yaf me leve; [3074] This graunt ne myght but lytel greve. [3075] And for he saw it liked me, [3076] Ryght nygh the botoun pullede he [3077] A leef all grene, and yaff me that, [3078] The whiche ful nygh the botoun sat. [3079] I made [me] of that leef full queynt, [3080] And whanne I felte I was aqueynt [3081] With Bialacoil, and so pryve, [3082] I wende all at my will hadde be. [3083] Thanne wax I hardy for to tel [3084] To Bialacoil hou me bifel [3085] Of Love, that tok and wounded me, [3086] And seide, "Sir, so mote I thee, [3087] I may no joye have in no wise, [3088] Uppon no side, but it rise. [3089] For sithe (if I shall not feyne) [3090] In herte I have had so gret peyne, [3091] So gret annoy and such affray, [3092] That I ne wot what I shall say; [3093] I drede youre wrath to disserve. [3094] Lever me were that knyves kerve [3095] My body shulde in pecys smale, [3096] Than in any wise it shulde falle [3097] That ye wratthed shulde ben with me." [3098] "Sey boldely thi will," quod he, [3099] "I nyl be wroth, if that I may, [3100] For nought that thou shalt to me say." [3101] Thanne seide I, "Ser, not you displease [3102] To knowen of my gret unese, [3103] In which oonly Love hath me brought; [3104] For peynes gret, disese, and thought [3105] Fro day to day he doth me drye; [3106] Supposeth not, sir, that I lye. [3107] In me fyve woundes dide he make, [3108] The soore of whiche shall nevere slake, [3109] But ye the botoun graunte me, [3110] Which is moost passaunt of beaute, [3111] My lyf, my deth, and my martire, [3112] And tresour that I moost desire." [3113] Thanne Bialacoil, affrayed all, [3114] Seyde, "Sir, it may not fall; [3115] That ye desire, it may not arise. [3116] What? Wolde ye shende me in this wise? [3117] A mochel fool thanne I were, [3118] If I suffride you awey to bere [3119] The fresh botoun so faire of sight. [3120] For it were neither skile ne right, [3121] Of the roser ye broke the rynde, [3122] Or take the Rose aforn his kynde. [3123] Ye are not curteys to aske it. [3124] Late it still on the roser sitt [3125] And growe til it amended be, [3126] And parfytly come to beaute. [3127] I nolde not that it pulled were [3128] Fro the roser that it bere, [3129] To me it is so leef and deer." [3130] With that sterte oute anoon Daunger, [3131] Out of the place were he was hid. [3132] His malice in his chere was kid; [3133] Full gret he was and blak of hewe, [3134] Sturdy and hidous, whoso hym knewe; [3135] Like sharp urchouns his her was growe; [3137] His nose frounced, full kirked stood. [3138] He com criand as he were wood, [3139] And seide, "Bialacoil, telle me why [3140] Thou bryngest hider so booldely [3141] Hym that so nygh [is. the roser? [3142] Thou worchist in a wrong maner. [3143] He thenkith to dishonoure thee; [3144] Thou art wel worthy to have maugree [3145] To late hym of the roser wit. [3146] Who serveth a feloun is yvel quit. [3147] Thou woldist have doon gret bounte, [3148] And he with shame wolde quyte thee. [3149] Fle hennes, felowe! I rede thee goo! [3150] It wanteth litel I wole thee sloo. [3151] For Bialacoil ne knew thee nought, [3152] Whanne thee to serve he sette his thought; [3153] For thou wolt shame hym, if thou myght, [3154] Bothe ageyns resoun and right. [3155] I wole no more in thee affye, [3156] That comest so slyghly for t' espye; [3157] For it preveth wonder well, [3158] Thy slight and tresoun, every deell." [3159] I durst no more there make abod [3160] For the cherl, he was so wod, [3161] So gan he threte and manace, [3162] And thurgh the haye he dide me chace. [3163] For feer of hym I tremblyde and quok, [3164] So cherlishly his heed it shok, [3165] And seide, if eft he myght me take, [3166] I shulde not from his hondis scape. [3167] Thanne Bialacoil is fled and mat, [3168] And I, all sool, disconsolat, [3169] Was left aloone in peyne and thought; [3170] For shame to deth I was nygh brought. [3171] Thanne thought I on myn high foly, [3172] How that my body utterly [3173] Was yeve to peyne and to martire; [3174] And therto hadde I so gret ire, [3175] That I ne durst the hayes passe. [3176] There was noon hope; there was no grace. [3177] I trowe nevere man wiste of peyne, [3178] But he were laced in loves cheyne; [3179] Ne no man [wot], and sooth it is, [3180] But if he love, what anger is. [3181] Love holdith his heest to me right wel, [3182] Whanne peyne he seide I shulde fel; [3183] Noon herte may thenke, ne tunge seyn, [3184] A quarter of my woo and peyn. [3185] I myght not with the anger laste; [3186] Myn herte in poynt was for to braste, [3187] Whanne I thought on the Rose, that soo [3188] Was thurgh Daunger cast me froo. [3189] A long while stod I in that stat, [3190] Til that me saugh so mad and mat [3191] The lady of the highe ward, [3192] Which from hir tour lokide thiderward. [3193] Resoun men clepe that lady, [3194] Which from hir tour delyverly [3195] Com doun to me, withouten mor. [3196] But she was neither yong ne hoor, [3197] Ne high ne lowe, ne fat ne lene, [3198] But best as it were in a mene. [3199] Hir eyen twoo were cleer and light [3200] As ony candell that brenneth bright; [3201] And on hir heed she hadde a crowne. [3202] Hir semede wel an high persoune, [3203] For round enviroun, hir crownet [3204] Was full of riche stonys frett. [3205] Hir goodly semblaunt, by devys, [3206] I trowe were maad in paradys, [3207] For Nature hadde nevere such a grace, [3208] To forge a werk of such compace. [3209] For certeyn, but if the letter ly, [3210] God hymsilf, that is so high, [3211] Made hir aftir his ymage, [3212] And yaff hir sith sich avauntage [3213] That she hath myght and seignorie [3214] To kepe men from all folye. [3215] Whoso wole trowe hir lore, [3216] Ne may offenden nevermore. [3217] And while I stod thus derk and pale, [3218] Resoun bigan to me hir tale. [3219] She seide, "Al hayl, my swete freend! [3220] Foly and childhood wol thee sheend, [3221] Which the have putt in gret affray. [3222] Thou hast bought deere the tyme of May, [3223] That made thyn herte mery to be. [3224] In yvell tyme thou wentist to see [3225] The gardyn, whereof Ydilnesse [3226] Bar the keye and was maistresse, [3227] Whanne thou yedest in the daunce [3228] With hir, and haddest aqueyntaunce. [3229] Hir aqueyntaunce is perilous, [3230] First softe, and aftir noious; [3231] She hath [thee] trasshed, withoute wen. [3232] The God of Love hadde the not sen, [3233] Ne hadde Ydilnesse thee conveyed [3234] In the verger where Myrthe hym pleyed. [3235] If foly have supprised thee, [3236] Do so that it recovered be, [3237] And be wel ware to take nomore [3238] Counsel, that greveth aftir sore. [3239] He is wis that wol hymsilf chastise. [3240] And though a yong man in ony wise [3241] Trespace among, and do foly, [3242] Late hym not tarye, but hastily [3243] Late hym amende what so be mys. [3244] And eke I counseile thee, iwys, [3245] The God of Love hoolly foryet, [3246] That hath thee in sich peyne set, [3247] And thee in herte tourmented soo. [3248] I can [nat] sen how thou maist goo [3249] Other weyes to garisoun; [3250] For Daunger, that is so feloun, [3251] Felly purposith thee to werreye, [3252] Which is ful cruel, the soth to seye. [3253] "And yitt of Daunger cometh no blame, [3254] In reward of my doughter Shame, [3255] Which hath the roses in hir ward, [3256] As she that may be no musard. [3257] And Wikked-Tunge is with these two, [3258] That suffrith no man thider goo; [3259] For er a thing be do, he shall, [3260] Where that he cometh, overall, [3261] In fourty places, if it be sought, [3262] Seye thyng that nevere was don ne wrought; [3263] So moche tresoun is in his male [3264] Of falsnesse, for to seyne a tale. [3265] Thou delest with angry folk, ywis; [3266] Wherfore to thee bettir is [3267] From these folk awey to fare, [3268] For they wole make thee lyve in care. [3269] This is the yvell that love they call, [3270] Wherynne ther is but foly al, [3271] For love is foly everydell. [3272] Who loveth in no wise may do well, [3273] Ne sette his thought on no good werk. [3274] His scole he lesith, if he be a clerk. [3275] Of other craft eke if he be, [3276] He shal not thryve therynne, for he [3277] In love shal have more passioun [3278] Than monk, hermyte, or chanoun. [3279] The peyne is hard, out [of] mesure; [3280] The joye may eke no while endure; [3281] And in the possessioun [3282] Is myche tribulacioun. [3283] The joye it is so short lastyng, [3284] And but in hap is the getyng; [3285] For I see there many in travaille, [3286] That atte laste foule fayle. [3287] I was nothyng thi counseler, [3288] Whanne thou were maad the omager [3289] Of God of Love to hastily; [3290] Ther was no wisdom, but foly. [3291] Thyn herte was joly but not sage, [3292] Whanne thou were brought in sich a rage [3293] To yelde thee so redily, [3294] And to leve of is gret maistry. [3295] "I rede thee Love awey to dryve, [3296] That makith thee recche not of thi lyve. [3297] The foly more fro day to day [3298] Shal growe, but thou it putte away. [3299] Tak with thy teeth the bridel faste, [3300] To daunte thyn herte, and eke thee caste, [3301] If that thou maist, to gete thee defence [3302] For to redresse thi first offence. [3303] Whoso his herte alwey wol leve, [3304] Shal fynde among that shal hym greve." [3305] Whanne I hir herd thus me chastise, [3306] I answerd in ful angry wise. [3307] I prayed hir ceessen of hir speche, [3308] Outher to chastise me or teche, [3309] To bidde me my thought refreyne, [3310] Which Love hath caught in his demeyne: [3311] "What? Wene ye Love wol consent, [3312] That me assailith with bowe bent, [3313] To drawe myn herte out of his hond, [3314] Which is so qwikly in his bond? [3315] That ye counseyle may nevere be, [3316] For whanne he first arestide me, [3317] He took myn herte so hool hym till, [3318] That it is nothyng at my wil. [3319] He taught it so hym for to obeye, [3320] That he it sparrede with a keye. [3321] I pray yow, late me be all stille. [3322] For ye may well, if that ye wille, [3323] Youre wordis waste in idilnesse; [3324] For utterly, withouten gesse, [3325] All that ye seyn is but in veyne. [3326] Me were lever dye in the peyne, [3327] Than Love to me-ward shulde arette [3328] Falsheed, or tresoun on me sette. [3329] I wole me gete prys or blame, [3330] And love trewe, to save my name. [3331] Who that me chastisith, I hym hate." [3332] With that word Resoun wente hir gate, [3333] Whanne she saugh for no sermonynge [3334] She myght me fro my foly brynge. [3335] Thanne dismaied, I lefte all sool, [3336] Forwery, forwandred as a fool, [3337] For I ne knew no chevisaunce. [3338] Thanne fell into my remembraunce [3339] How Love bad me to purveye [3340] A felowe to whom I myghte seye [3341] My counsell and my pryvete, [3342] For that shulde moche availe me. [3343] With that bithought I me that I [3344] Hadde a felowe faste by, [3345] Trewe and siker, curteys and hend, [3346] And he was called by name a Freend -- [3347] A trewer felowe was nowher noon. [3348] In haste to hym I wente anoon, [3349] And to hym all my woo I tolde; [3350] Fro hym right nought I wold witholde. [3351] I tolde hym all, withoute wer, [3352] And made my compleynt on Daunger, [3353] How for to see he was hidous, [3354] And to me-ward contrarious, [3355] The whiche thurgh his cruelte [3356] Was in poynt to [have] meygned me. [3357] With Bialacoil whanne he me sey [3358] Withynne the gardeyn walke and pley, [3359] Fro me he made hym for to go. [3360] And I, bilefte aloone in woo, [3361] I durst no lenger with hym speke, [3362] For Daunger seide he wolde be wreke, [3363] Whanne that he saw how I wente [3364] The freshe botoun for to hente, [3365] If I were hardy to come neer [3366] Bitwene the hay and the roser. [3367] This freend, whanne he wiste of my thought, [3368] He discomforted me right nought, [3369] But seide, "Felowe, be not so mad, [3370] Ne so abaysshed nor bystad. [3371] Mysilf I knowe full well Daunger, [3372] And how he is feers of his cheer, [3373] At prime temps, love to manace; [3374] Ful ofte I have ben in his caas. [3375] A feloun first though that he be, [3376] Aftir thou shalt hym souple se. [3377] Of longe passed I knew hym well; [3378] Ungoodly first though men hym feel, [3379] He wol meke aftir in his beryng [3380] Been, for service and obeysshyng. [3381] I shal thee telle what thou shalt doo. [3382] Mekely I rede thou go hym to, [3383] Of herte pray hym specialy [3384] Of thy trespas to have mercy, [3385] And hote hym wel, here to plese, [3386] That thou shalt nevermore hym displese. [3387] Who can best serve of flatery, [3388] Shall please Daunger most uttirly." [3389] Mi freend hath seid to me so wel [3390] That he me esid hath somdell, [3391] And eke allegged of my torment; [3392] For thurgh hym had I hardement [3393] Agayn to Daunger for to go, [3394] To preve if I myght meke hym soo. [3395] To Daunger came I all ashamed, [3396] The which aforn me hadde blamed, [3397] Desiryng for to pese my woo, [3398] But over hegge durst I not goo, [3399] For he forbed me the passage. [3400] I fond hym cruel in his rage, [3401] And in his hond a gret burdoun. [3402] To hym I knelide lowe adoun, [3403] Ful meke of port and symple of chere, [3404] And seide, "Sir, I am comen heere [3405] Oonly to aske of you mercy. [3406] That greveth me full gretly [3407] That evere my lyf I wratthed you; [3408] But for to amenden I am come now, [3409] With all my myght, bothe loude and stille, [3410] To doon right at youre owne wille. [3411] For Love made me for to doo [3412] That I have trespassed hidirto, [3413] Fro whom I ne may withdrawe myn hert. [3414] Yit shall [I] never, for joy ne smert, [3415] What so bifalle, good or ill, [3416] Offende more ageyn youre will. [3417] Lever I have endure disese, [3418] Than do that you shulde displese. [3419] "I you require and pray that ye [3420] Of me have mercy and pitee, [3421] To stynte your ire that greveth soo, [3422] That I wol swere for ever mo [3423] To be redressid at youre likyng, [3424] If I trespasse in ony thyng. [3425] Save that I pray thee graunte me [3426] A thyng that may not warned be, [3427] That I may love, all oonly; [3428] Noon other thyng of you aske I. [3429] I shall doon elles well, iwys, [3430] If of youre grace ye graunte me this. [3431] And ye may not letten me, [3432] For wel wot ye that love is free, [3433] And I shall loven, sithen that I will, [3434] Who ever like it well or ill; [3435] And yit ne wold I, for all Fraunce, [3436] Do thyng to do you displesaunce." [3437] Thanne Daunger fil in his entent [3438] For to foryeve his maltalent; [3439] But all his wratthe yit at laste [3440] He hath relesed, I preyde so faste. [3441] Shortly he seide, "Thy request [3442] Is not to mochel dishonest, [3443] Ne I wole not werne it thee, [3444] For yit nothyng engreveth me. [3445] For though thou love thus evermor, [3446] To me is neither softe ne soor. [3447] Love where that the list -- what recchith me, [3448] So [thou] fer fro my roses be? [3449] Trust not on me, for noon assay, [3450] If ony tyme thou passe the hay." [3451] Thus hath he graunted my praiere. [3452] Thanne wente I forth, withouten were, [3453] Unto my freend, and tolde hym all, [3454] Which was right joyful of my tall. [3455] He seide, "Now goth wel thyn affaire. [3456] He shall to thee be debonaire; [3457] Though he aforn was dispitous, [3458] He shall heere aftir be gracious. [3459] If he were touchid on som good veyne, [3460] He shuld yit rewen on thi peyne. [3461] Suffre, I rede, and no boost make, [3462] Till thou at good mes maist hym take. [3463] By sufferaunce and wordis softe [3464] A man may overcome ofte [3465] Hym that aforn he hadde in drede, [3466] In bookis sothly as I rede." [3467] Thus hath my freend with gret comfort [3468] Avaunced [me] with high disport, [3469] Which wolde me good as mych as I. [3470] And thanne anoon full sodeynly [3471] I tok my leve, and streight I went [3472] Unto the hay, for gret talent [3473] I hadde to sen the fresh botoun [3474] Wherynne lay my salvacioun; [3475] And Daunger tok kep if that I [3476] Kepe hym covenaunt trewely. [3477] So sore I dradde his manasyng, [3478] I durst not breke his biddyng; [3479] For, lest that I were of hym shent, [3480] I brak not his comaundement, [3481] For to purchase his good wil. [3482] It was [nat] for to come ther-til; [3483] His mercy was to fer bihynde. [3484] I wepte for I ne myght it fynde. [3485] I compleyned and sighed sore, [3486] And langwisshed evermore, [3487] For I durst not over goo [3488] Unto the Rose I loved soo. [3489] Thurgh my demenyng outerly [3490] Than he had knowledge certanly [3491] That Love me ladde in sich a wise [3492] That in me ther was no feyntise, [3493] Falsheed, ne no trecherie. [3494] And yit he, full of vylanye, [3495] Of disdeyn, and cruelte, [3496] On me ne wolde have pite, [3497] His cruel will for to refreyne, [3498] Though I wepe alwey, and me compleyne. [3499] And while I was in this torment, [3500] Were come of grace, by God sent, [3501] Fraunchise, and with hir Pite. [3502] Fulfild the bothen of bounte, [3503] They go to Daunger anoon-right [3504] To forther me with all her myght, [3505] And helpe in worde and in dede, [3506] For well they saugh that it was nede. [3507] First, of hir grace, dame Fraunchise [3508] Hath taken [word] of this emprise. [3509] She seide, "Daunger, gret wrong ye do, [3510] To worche this man so myche woo, [3511] Or pynen hym so angerly; [3512] It is to you gret villany. [3513] I can not see why, ne how, [3514] That he hath trespassed ageyn you, [3515] Save that he loveth, wherfore ye shulde [3516] The more in cherete of hym holde. [3517] The force of love makith hym do this; [3518] Who wolde hym blame he dide amys? [3519] He leseth more than ye may do; [3520] His peyne is hard, ye may see, lo! [3521] And Love in no wise wolde consente [3522] That he have power to repente, [3523] For though that quyk ye wolde hym sloo, [3524] Fro love his herte may not goo. [3525] Now, swete sir, is it youre ese [3526] Hym for to angre or disese? [3527] Allas! what may it you avaunce [3528] To don to hym so gret grevaunce? [3529] What worship is it agayn hym take, [3530] Or on youre man a werre make, [3531] Sith he so lowly, every wise, [3532] Is redy, as ye lust devise? [3533] If Love hath caught hym in his las, [3534] You for t' obeye in every caas, [3535] And ben youre suget at youre will, [3536] Shuld ye therfore willen hym ill? [3537] Ye shulde hym spare more, all out, [3538] Than hym that is bothe proud and stout. [3539] Curtesie wol that ye socoure [3540] Hem that ben meke undir youre cure. [3541] His herte is hard that wole not meke, [3542] Whanne men of mekenesse hym biseke." [3543] "That is certeyn," seide Pite; [3544] "We se ofte that humilite [3545] Bothe ire and also felonye [3546] Venquyssheth, and also malencolye. [3547] To stonde forth in such duresse, [3548] This cruelte and wikkidnesse. [3549] Wherfore I pray you, sir Daunger, [3550] For to mayntene no lenger heer [3551] Such cruel werre agayn youre man, [3552] As hoolly youres as ever he can; [3553] Nor that ye worchen no more woo [3554] Upon this caytif, that langwisshith soo, [3555] Which wole no more to you trespasse, [3556] But putte hym hoolly in youre grace. [3557] His offense ne was but lite; [3558] The God of Love it was to wite, [3559] That he youre thrall so gretly is, [3560] And if ye harme hym, ye don amys. [3561] For he hath had full hard penaunce, [3562] Sith that ye refte hym th' aqueyntaunce [3563] Of Bialacoil, his moste joye, [3564] Which alle his peynes myght acoye. [3565] He was biforn anoyed sore, [3566] But thanne ye doubled hym well more; [3567] For he of blis hath ben full bare, [3568] Sith Bialacoil was fro hym fare. [3569] Love hath to hym do gret distresse, [3570] He hath no nede of more duresse. [3571] Voideth from hym youre ire, I rede; [3572] Ye may not wynnen in this dede. [3573] Makith Bialacoil repeire ageyn, [3574] And haveth pite upon his peyn; [3575] For Fraunchise wole, and I, Pite, [3576] That mercyful to hym ye be; [3577] And sith that she and I accorde, [3578] Have upon hym misericorde. [3579] For I you pray and eke moneste [3580] Nought to refusen oure requeste, [3581] For he is hard and fell of thought, [3582] That for us twoo wole do right nought." [3583] Daunger ne myght no more endure; [3584] He mekede hym unto mesure. [3585] "I wole in no wise," seith Daunger, [3586] "Denye that ye have asked heer; [3587] It were to gret uncurtesie. [3588] I wole he have the companye [3589] Of Bialacoil, as ye devise; [3590] I wole hym lette in no wise." [3591] To Bialacoil thanne wente in hy [3592] Fraunchise, and seide full curteisly, [3593] "Ye have to longe be deignous [3594] Unto this lover, and daungerous, [3595] Fro him to withdrawe your presence, [3596] Which hath do to him gret offence, [3597] That ye not wolde upon him se, [3598] Wherfore a sorouful man is he. [3599] Shape ye to paye him, and to please, [3600] Of my love if ye wol have ease. [3601] Fulfyl his wyl, sith that ye knowe [3602] Daunger is daunted and brought lowe [3603] Through help of me and of Pyte. [3604] You dar no more afered be." [3605] "I shal do right as ye wyl," [3606] Saith Bialacoil, "for it is skyl, [3607] Sithe Daunger wol that it so be." [3608] Than Fraunchise hath him sent to me. [3609] Byalacoil at the begynnyng [3610] Salued me in his commyng. [3611] No straungenesse was in him sen, [3612] No more than he ne had wrathed ben. [3613] As fayr semblaunt than shewed he me, [3614] And goodly, as aforn dyd he; [3615] And by the hond, withouten doute, [3616] Within the haye, right al aboute [3617] He ladde me, with right good cher, [3618] Al envyron the verger, [3619] That Daunger hadde me chased fro. [3620] Now have I leave overal to go; [3621] Now am I raysed, at my devys, [3622] Fro helle unto paradys. [3623] Thus Bialacoil, of gentylnesse, [3624] With al his payne and besynesse, [3625] Hath shewed me, only of grace, [3626] The estres of the swote place. [3627] I saw the Rose, whan I was nygh, [3628] Was greatter woxen and more high, [3629] Fressh, roddy, and fayr of hewe, [3630] Of colour ever yliche newe. [3631] And whan I hadde it longe sen, [3632] I saw that through the leves gren [3633] The Rose spredde to spaunysshing; [3634] To sene it was a goodly thyng. [3635] But it ne was so spred on bred [3636] That men within myght knowe the sed; [3637] For it covert was and close, [3638] Bothe with the leves and with the rose. [3639] The stalke was even and grene upright, [3640] It was theron a goodly syght; [3641] And wel the better, withoute wene, [3642] For the seed was nat sene. [3643] Ful fayre it spradde (God it blesse!), [3644] For such another, as I gesse, [3645] Aforn ne was, ne more vermayle. [3646] I was abawed for marveyle, [3647] For ever the fayrer that it was, [3648] The more I am bounden in Loves laas. [3649] Longe I abod there, soth to saye, [3650] Tyl Bialacoil I gan to praye, [3651] Whan that I saw him in no wyse [3652] To me warnen his servyse, [3653] That he me wolde graunt a thyng, [3654] Which to remembre is wel syttyng; [3655] This is to sayn, that of his grace [3656] He wolde me yeve leysar and space, [3657] To me that was so desyrous, [3658] To have a kyssynge precious [3659] Of the goodly fresshe Rose, [3660] That so swetely smelleth in my nose. [3661] "For if it you displeased nought, [3662] I wolde gladly, as I have sought, [3663] Have a cos therof freely, [3664] Of your yefte; for certainly, [3665] I wol non have but by your leve, [3666] So loth me were you for to greve." [3667] He sayde, "Frend, so God me spede, [3668] Of Chastite I have such drede; [3669] Thou shuldest nat warned be for me, [3670] But I dar nat for Chastyte. [3671] Agayn her dar I nat mysdo, [3672] For alway byddeth she me so [3673] To yeve no lover leave to kys, [3674] For who therto may wynnen, ywis, [3675] He of the surplus of the pray [3676] May lyve in hoope to get som day. [3677] For whoso kyssynge may attayne [3678] Of loves payne hath (soth to sayne) [3679] The beste and most avenaunt, [3680] And ernest of the remenaunt." [3681] Of his answere I sighed sore; [3682] I durst assaye him tho no more, [3683] I hadde such drede to greve him ay. [3684] A man shulde nat to moche assay [3685] To chafe hys frend out of measure, [3686] Nor putte his lyf in aventure; [3687] For no man at the firste strok [3688] Ne may nat felle down an ok, [3689] Nor of the reysyns have the wyn, [3690] Tyl grapes be rype, and wel afyn [3691] Be sore empressid, I you ensure, [3692] And drawen out of the pressure. [3693] But I, forpeyned wonder stronge, [3694] Thought that I abood right longe [3695] Aftir the kis, in peyne and woo, [3696] Sith I to kis desired soo; [3697] Till that, rewyng on my distresse, [3698] Ther to me Venus the goddesse, [3699] Which ay werreyeth Chastite, [3700] Cam of hir grace to socoure me, [3701] Whos myght is knowe fer and wide, [3702] For she is modir of Cupide, [3703] The God of Love, blynde as stoon, [3704] That helpith lovers many oon. [3705] This lady brought in hir right hond [3706] Of brennyng fyr a blasyng brond, [3707] Wherof the flawme and hoote fir [3708] Hath many a lady in desir [3709] Of love brought, and sore het, [3710] And in hir servise her hertes set. [3711] This lady was of good entaile, [3712] Right wondirfull of apparayle. [3713] Bi hir atyr so bright and shen [3714] Men myght perceyve well and sen [3715] She was not of religioun. [3716] Nor I nell make mencioun [3717] Nor of robe, nor of tresour, [3718] Of broche, neithir of hir riche attour, [3719] Ne of hir girdill aboute hir side, [3720] For that I nyll not longe abide. [3721] But knowith wel that certeynly [3722] She was araied richely. [3723] Devoyd of pryde certeyn she was. [3724] To Bialacoil she wente apas, [3725] And to hym shortly, in a clause, [3726] She seide, "Sir, what is the cause [3727] Ye ben of port so daungerous [3728] Unto this lover and deynous, [3729] To graunte hym nothyng but a kis? [3730] To werne it hym ye don amys, [3731] Sith well ye wote how that he [3732] Is Loves servaunt, as ye may see, [3733] And hath beaute, wherthrough [he] is [3734] Worthy of love to have the blis. [3735] How he is semely, biholde and see, [3736] How he is fair, how he is free, [3737] How he is swoote and debonair, [3738] Of age yong, lusty, and fair. [3739] Ther is no lady so hawteyn, [3740] Duchesse, ne countesse, ne chasteleyn, [3741] That I nolde holde hir ungoodly [3742] For to refuse hym outterly. [3743] His breth is also good and swete, [3744] And eke his lippis rody, and mete [3745] Oonly to pleyen and to kisse. [3746] Graunte hym a kis, of gentilnysse! [3747] His teth arn also white and clene; [3748] Me thinkith wrong, withouten wene, [3749] If ye now werne hym, trustith me, [3750] To graunte that a kis have he. [3751] The lasse to helpe hym that ye haste, [3752] The more tyme shul ye waste." [3753] Whanne the flawme of the verry brond, [3754] That Venus brought in hir right hond, [3755] Hadde Bialacoil with hete smete, [3756] Anoon he bad, withouten lette, [3757] Graunte to me the Rose kisse. [3758] Thanne of my peyne I gan to lysse, [3759] And to the Rose anoon wente I, [3760] And kisside it full feithfully. [3761] Thar no man aske if I was blithe, [3762] Whanne the savour soft and lythe [3763] Strok to myn herte withoute more, [3764] And me alegged of my sore, [3765] So was I full of joye and blisse. [3766] It is fair sich a flour to kisse, [3767] It was so swoote and saverous. [3768] I myght not be so angwisshous [3769] That I [ne] mote glad and joly be, [3770] Whanne that I remembre me. [3771] Yit ever among, sothly to seyne, [3772] I suffre noy and moche peyne. [3773] The see may never be so stille [3774] That with a litel wynde it nille [3775] Overwhelme and turne also, [3776] As it were wood in wawis goo. [3777] Aftir the calm the trouble sone [3778] Mot folowe and chaunge as the moone. [3779] Right so farith Love, that selde in oon [3780] Holdith his anker, for right anoon [3781] Whanne they in ese wene best to lyve, [3782] They ben with tempest all fordryve. [3783] Who serveth Love can telle of woo; [3784] The stoundemele joie mot overgoo. [3785] Now he hurteth, and now he cureth. [3786] For selde in oo poynt Love endureth. [3787] Now is it right me to procede, [3788] How Shame gan medle and take hede [3789] Thurgh whom fele angres I have had, [3790] And how the stronge wall was maad, [3791] And the castell of brede and lengthe, [3792] That God of Love wan with his strengthe. [3793] All this in romance will I sette, [3794] And for nothyng ne will I lette, [3795] So that it lykyng to hir be, [3796] That is the flour of beaute, [3797] For she may best my labour quyte, [3798] That I for hir love shal endite. [3799] Wikkid-Tunge, that the covyne [3800] Of every lover can devyne [3801] Worst, and addith more somdell [3802] (For Wikkid-Tunge seith never well), [3803] To me-ward bar he right gret hate, [3804] Espiyng me erly and late, [3805] Till he hath sen the grete chere [3806] Of Bialacoil and me ifeere. [3807] He myghte not his tunge withstond [3808] Worse to reporte than he fond, [3809] He was so full of cursed rage. [3810] It sat hym well of his lynage, [3811] For hym an Irish womman bar. [3812] His tunge was fyled sharp and squar, [3813] Poignaunt, and right kervyng, [3814] And wonder bitter in spekyng. [3815] For whanne that he me gan espie, [3816] He swoor, affermyng sikirlye, [3817] Bitwene Bialacoil and me [3818] Was yvel aquayntaunce and pryve. [3819] He spak therof so folily [3820] That he awakide Jelousy, [3821] Which, all afrayed in his risyng, [3822] Whanne that he herde janglyng, [3823] He ran anoon, as he were wood, [3824] To Bialacoil, there that he stod, [3825] Which hadde lever in this caas [3826] Have ben at Reynes or Amyas; [3827] For foot-hoot, in his felonye, [3828] To hym thus seide Jelousie: [3829] "Why hast thou ben so necligent [3830] To kepen, whanne I was absent, [3831] This verger heere left in thi ward? [3832] To me thou haddist no reward, [3833] To truste (to thy confusioun!) [3834] Hym thus, to whom suspeccioun [3835] I have right gret, for it is nede; [3836] It is well shewed by the dede. [3837] Gret faute in thee now have I founde. [3838] By God, anoon thou shalt be bounde, [3839] And faste loken in a tour, [3840] Withoute refuyt or socour. [3841] For Shame to longe hath be thee froo; [3842] Over-soone she was agoo. [3843] Whanne thou hast lost bothe drede and feere, [3844] It semede wel she was not heere. [3845] She was bisy in no wyse [3846] To kepe thee and chastise, [3847] And for to helpen Chastite [3848] To kepe the roser, as thenkith me. [3849] For thanne this boy-knave so booldely [3850] Ne shulde not have be hardy, [3851] [Ne] in this verger hadde such game, [3852] Which now me turneth to gret shame." [3853] Bialacoil nyste what to sey; [3854] Full fayn he wolde have fled awey, [3855] For feere han hid, nere that he [3856] All sodeynly tok hym with me. [3857] And whanne I saugh he hadde soo, [3858] This Jelousie, take us twoo, [3859] I was astoned, and knew no red, [3860] But fledde awey for verrey dred. [3861] Thanne Shame cam forth full symply [3862] (She wende have trespaced full gretly), [3863] Humble of hir port, and made it symple, [3864] Weryng a vayle in stide of wymple, [3865] As nonnys don in her abbey. [3866] By cause hir herte was in affray, [3867] She gan to speke withynne a throwe [3868] To Jelousie right wonder lowe. [3869] First of his grace she bysought, [3870] And seide, "Sire, ne leveth nought [3871] Wikkid-Tunge, that false espie, [3872] Which is so glad to feyne and lye. [3873] He hath you maad, thurgh flateryng, [3874] On Bialacoil a fals lesyng. [3875] His falsnesse is not now a-new; [3876] It is to long that he hym knew. [3877] This is not the firste day, [3878] For Wikkid-Tunge hath custome ay [3879] Yonge folkis to bewreye, [3880] And false lesynges on hem leye. [3881] "Yit nevertheles I see among, [3882] That the loigne it is so long, [3883] Of Bialacoil, hertis to lure, [3884] In Loves servyse for to endure, [3885] Drawyng suche folk hym to, [3886] That he hath nothyng with to doo. [3887] But in sothnesse I trowe nought [3888] That Bialacoil hadde ever in thought [3889] To do trespas or vylonye, [3890] But for his modir Curtesie [3891] Hath taught hym ever to be [3892] Good of aqueyntaunce and pryve. [3893] For he loveth noon hevynesse, [3894] But mirthe and pley and all gladnesse; [3895] He hateth alle trecherous, [3896] Soleyn folk, and envyous; [3897] For ye witen how that he [3898] Wol ever glad and joyfull be [3899] Honestly with folk to pley. [3900] I have be negligent, in good fey, [3901] To chastise hym; therfore now I [3902] Of herte crye you heere mercy, [3903] That I have been so recheles [3904] To tamen hym, withouten lees. [3905] Of my foly I me repente. [3906] Now wole I hool sette myn entente [3907] To kepe, bothe lowde and stille, [3908] Bialacoil to do youre wille." [3909] "Shame, Shame," seyde Jelousy, [3910] "To be bytrasshed gret drede have I. [3911] Leccherie hath clombe so hye [3912] That almoost blered is myn ye; [3913] No wonder is, if that drede have I. [3914] Overall regnyth Lecchery, [3915] Whos myght growith nyght and day [3916] Bothe in cloistre and in abbey. [3917] Chastite is werreyed overall; [3918] Therfore I wole with siker wall [3919] Close bothe roses and roser. [3920] I have to longe in this maner [3921] Left hem unclosid wilfully; [3922] Wherfore I am right inwardly [3923] Sorowfull, and repente me. [3924] But now they shall no lenger be [3925] Unclosid; and yit I drede sore, [3926] I shall repente ferthermore, [3927] For the game goth all amys. [3928] Counsell I must newe, ywys. [3929] I have to longe tristed thee, [3930] But now it shal no lenger be, [3931] For he may best, in every cost, [3932] Disceyve, that men tristen most. [3933] I see wel that I am nygh shent, [3934] But if I sette my full entent [3935] Remedye to purveye. [3936] Therfore close I shall the weye [3937] Fro hem that wole the Rose espie, [3938] And come to wayte me vilonye, [3939] For, in good feith and in trouthe, [3940] I wole not lette for no slouthe [3941] To lyve the more in sikirnesse, [3942] To make anoon a forteresse, [3943] T' enclose the roses of good savour. [3944] In myddis shall I make a tour [3945] To putte Bialacoil in prisoun, [3946] For evere I drede me of tresoun. [3947] I trowe I shal hym kepe soo [3948] That he shal have no myght to goo [3949] Aboute to make companye [3950] To hem that thenke of vylanye; [3951] Ne to no such as hath ben heere [3952] Aforn, and founde in hym good chere, [3953] Which han assailed hym to shende, [3954] And with her trowandyse to blende. [3955] A fool is eythe to bigyle; [3956] But may I lyve a litel while, [3957] He shal forthenke his fair semblaunt." [3958] And with that word came Drede avaunt, [3959] Which was abasshed and in gret fere, [3960] Whanne he wiste Jelousie was there. [3961] He was for drede in sich affray [3962] That not a word durste he say, [3963] But quakyng stod full still aloon, [3964] Til Jelousie his weye was gon, [3965] Save Shame, that him not forsok. [3966] Bothe Drede and she ful sore quok, [3967] That atte laste Drede abreyde, [3968] And to his cosyn Shame seide: [3969] "Shame," he seide, "in sothfastnesse, [3970] To me it is gret hevynesse [3971] That the noyse so fer is go, [3972] And the sclaundre of us twoo. [3973] But sithe that it is byfalle, [3974] We may it not ageyn calle [3975] Whanne onys sprongen is a fame. [3976] For many a yeer withouten blame [3977] We han ben, and many a day; [3978] For many an Aprill and many a May [3979] We han passed, not shamed, [3980] Till Jelousie hath us blamed, [3981] Of mystrust and suspecioun, [3982] Causeles, withoute enchesoun. [3983] Go we to Daunger hastily, [3984] And late us shewe hym openly [3985] That [he] hath not aright wrought, [3986] Whanne that [he] sette nought his thought [3987] To kepe better the purprise; [3988] In his doyng he is not wise. [3989] He hath to us do gret wrong, [3990] That hath suffred now so long [3991] Bialacoil to have his wille, [3992] All his lustes to fulfille. [3993] He must amende it utterly, [3994] Or ellys shall he vilaynesly [3995] Exiled be out of this lond; [3996] For he the werre may not withstond [3997] Of Jelousie, nor the greef, [3998] Sith Bialacoil is at myscheef." [3999] To Daunger, Shame and Drede anoon [4000] The righte weye ben goon. [4001] The cherl thei founden hem aforn, [4002] Liggyng undir an hawethorn; [4003] Undir his heed no pilowe was, [4004] But in the stede a trusse of gras. [4005] He slombred, and a nappe he tok, [4006] Tyll Shame pitously hym shok, [4007] And grete manace on hym gan make. [4008] "Why slepist thou, whanne thou shulde wake?" [4009] Quod Shame; "Thou doist us vylanye! [4010] Who tristith thee, he doth folye, [4011] To kepe roses or botouns, [4012] Whanne thei ben faire in her sesouns. [4013] Thou art woxe to familiere, [4014] Where thou shulde be straunge of chere, [4015] Stout of thi port, redy to greve. [4016] Thou doist gret folye for to leve [4017] Bialacoil hereinne to calle [4018] The yonder man to shenden us alle. [4019] Though that thou slepe, we may here [4020] Of Jelousie gret noyse heere. [4021] Art thou now late? Ris up in hy, [4022] And stop sone and delyverly [4023] All the gappis of the haye. [4024] Do no favour, I thee praye. [4025] It fallith nothyng to thy name [4026] To make faire semblaunt, where thou maist blame. [4027] Yf Bialacoil be sweete and free, [4028] Dogged and fell thou shuldist be, [4029] Froward and outrageous, ywis; [4030] A cherl chaungeth that curteis is. [4031] This have I herd ofte in seiyng, [4032] That man [ne] may, for no dauntyng, [4033] Make a sperhauk of a bosard. [4034] Alle men wole holde thee for musard, [4035] That debonair have founden thee; [4036] It sittith thee nought curteis to be. [4037] To do men plesaunce or servise, [4038] In thee it is recreaundise. [4039] Let thi werkis fer and ner [4040] Be like thi name, which is Daunger." [4041] Thanne, all abawid in shewing, [4042] Anoon spak Drede, right thus seiyng, [4043] And seide, "Daunger, I drede me [4044] That thou ne wolt bisy be [4045] To kepe that thou hast to kepe: [4046] Whanne thou shuldist wake, thou art aslepe. [4047] Thou shalt be greved, certeynly, [4048] If the aspie Jelousy, [4049] Or if he fynde thee in blame. [4050] He hath to-day assailed Shame, [4051] And chased awey with gret manace [4052] Bialacoil out of this place, [4053] And swereth shortly that he shall [4054] Enclose hym in a sturdy wall; [4055] And all is for thi wikkednesse, [4056] For that thee faileth straungenesse. [4057] Thyn herte, I trowe, be failed all; [4058] Thou shalt repente in speciall, [4059] If Jelousie the soothe knewe; [4060] Thou shalt forthenke and sore rewe." [4061] With that the cherl his clubbe gan shake, [4062] Frounyng his eyen gan to make, [4063] And hidous chere; as man in rage [4064] For ire he brente in his visage, [4065] Whanne that [he] herd hym blamed soo. [4066] He seide, "Out of my wit I goo! [4067] To be discomfyt I have gret wrong. [4068] Certis, I have now lyved to long, [4069] Sith I may not this closer kepe. [4070] All quyk I wolde be dolven deepe, [4071] If ony man shal more repeire [4072] Into this gardyn, for foule or faire. [4073] Myn herte for ire goth a-fere, [4074] That I let ony entre heere. [4075] I have do folie, now I see, [4076] But now it shall amended bee. [4077] Who settith foot heere ony more, [4078] Truly he shall repente it sore; [4079] For no man moo into this place [4080] Of me to entre shal have grace. [4081] Lever I hadde with swerdis tweyne [4082] Thurghoute myn herte in every veyne [4083] Perced to be with many a wounde, [4084] Thanne slouthe shulde in me be founde. [4085] From hennes forth, by nyght or day, [4086] I shall defende it, if I may, [4087] Withouten ony excepcioun [4088] Of ech maner condicioun. [4089] And if I it eny man graunt, [4090] Holdeth me for recreaunt." [4091] Thanne Daunger on his feet gan stond, [4092] And hente a burdoun in his hond. [4093] Wroth in his ire, ne lefte he nought, [4094] But thurgh the verger he hath sought. [4095] If he myght fynde hole or trace, [4096] Wherethurgh that me mot forth-by pace, [4097] Or ony gappe, he dide it close, [4098] That no man myghte touche a rose [4099] Of the roser all aboute. [4100] He shitteth every man withoute. [4101] Thus day by day Daunger is wers, [4102] More wondirfull and more dyvers, [4103] And feller eke than evere he was. [4104] For hym full ofte I synge "Allas!" [4105] For I ne may nought, thurgh his ire, [4106] Recovere that I moost desire. [4107] Myn herte, allas, wole brest a-twoo, [4108] For Bialacoil I wratthed soo. [4109] For certeynly, in every membre [4110] I quake, whanne I me remembre [4111] Of the botoun, which I wolde [4112] Full ofte a day sen and biholde. [4113] And whanne I thenke upon the kiss, [4114] And how myche joye and bliss [4115] I hadde thurgh the savour swete, [4116] For want of it I grone and grete. [4117] Me thenkith I fele yit in my nose [4118] The swete savour of the Rose. [4119] And now I woot that I mot goo [4120] So fer the freshe floures froo, [4121] To me full welcome were the deth. [4122] Absens therof, allas, me sleeth. [4123] For whilom with this Rose -- allas! -- [4124] I touched nose, mouth, and face; [4125] But now the deth I must abide. [4126] But Love consente another tyde [4127] That onys I touche may and kisse, [4128] I trowe my peyne shall never lisse; [4129] Theron is all my coveitise, [4130] Which brent myn herte in many wise. [4131] Now shal repaire agayn sighinge, [4132] Long wacche on nyghtis, and no slepinge, [4133] Thought in wisshing, torment and woo, [4134] With many a turnyng to and froo, [4135] That half my peyne I can not telle. [4136] For I am fallen into helle [4137] From paradys, and wel the more [4138] My turment greveth. more and more [4139] Anoieth now the bittirnesse, [4140] That I toforn have felt swetnesse. [4141] And Wikkid-Tunge, thurgh his falshede, [4142] Causeth all my woo and drede. [4143] On me he leieth a pitous charge, [4144] Bicause his tunge was to large. [4145] Now it is tyme, shortly, that I [4146] Telle you som thyng of Jelousy, [4147] That was in gret suspecioun. [4148] Aboute hym lefte he no masoun, [4149] That stoon coude leye, ne querrour; [4150] He hirede hem to make a tour. [4151] And first, the roses for to kep, [4152] Aboute hem made he a diche deep, [4153] Right wondir large, and also brood; [4154] Upon the whiche also stod [4155] Of squared stoon a sturdy wall, [4156] Which on a cragge was founded all; [4157] And right gret thikkenesse eke it bar. [4158] Aboute, it was founded squar, [4159] An hundred fademe on every sid; [4160] It was all liche longe and wid. [4161] Lest ony tyme it were assayled, [4162] Ful wel aboute it was batayled, [4163] And rounde enviroun eke were set [4164] Ful many a riche and fair touret. [4165] At every corner of this wall [4166] Was set a tour full pryncipall; [4167] And everich hadde, withoute fable, [4168] A porte-colys defensable [4169] To kepe of enemyes, and to greve, [4170] That there her force wolde preve. [4171] And eke amydde this purprise [4172] Was maad a tour of gret maistrise; [4173] A fairer saugh no man with sight, [4174] Large and wid, and of gret myght. [4175] They dredde noon assaut [4176] Of gyn, gunne, nor skaffaut. [4177] The temperure of the morter [4178] Was maad of lycour wonder der, [4179] Of quykke lym, persant and egre, [4180] The which was tempred with vynegre. [4181] The stoon was hard, of ademant, [4182] Wherof they made the foundement. [4183] The tour was round, maad in compas; [4184] In all this world no riccher was, [4185] Ne better ordeigned therwithall. [4186] Aboute the tour was maad a wall, [4187] So that bitwixt that and the tour [4188] Rosers were sette of swete savour, [4189] With many roses that thei bere; [4190] And eke withynne the castell were [4191] Spryngoldes, gunnes, bows, and archers; [4192] And eke above, atte corners, [4193] Men seyn over the wall stonde [4194] Grete engynes, who were nygh honde. [4195] And in the kernels, heere and there, [4196] Of arblasters gret plente were; [4197] Noon armure myght her strok withstonde; [4198] It were foly to prece to honde. [4199] Withoute the diche were lystes maad, [4200] With wall batayled large and brad, [4201] For men and hors shulde not atteyne [4202] To neigh the dyche over the pleyne. [4203] Thus Jelousie hath enviroun [4204] Set aboute his garnysoun [4205] With walles rounde and diche dep, [4206] Oonly the roser for to kep. [4207] And Daunger, erly and late, [4208] The keyes [kepte] of the utter gate, [4209] The which openeth toward the eest. [4210] And he hadde with hym atte leest [4211] Thritty servauntes, echon by name. [4212] That other gate kepte Shame, [4213] Which openede, as it was couth, [4214] Toward the partie of the south. [4215] Sergeauntes assigned were hir to [4216] Ful many, hir wille for to doo. [4217] Thanne Drede hadde in hir baillie [4218] The kepyng of the conestablerye [4219] Toward the north, I undirstond, [4220] That openyde upon the lyft hond; [4221] The which for nothyng may be sure, [4222] But if she do bisy cure, [4223] Erly on morowe and also late, [4224] Strongly to shette and barre the gate. [4225] Of every thing that she may see [4226] Drede is aferd, wherso she be; [4227] For with a puff of litell wynd [4228] Drede is astonyed in hir mynd. [4229] Therfore, for stelyng of the Rose, [4230] I rede hir nought the yate unclose. [4231] A foulis flight wol make hir flee, [4232] And eke a shadowe, if she it see. [4233] Thanne Wikked-Tunge, ful of envye, [4234] With soudiours of Normandye, [4235] As he that causeth all the bate, [4236] Was keper of the fourthe gate, [4237] And also to the tother three [4238] He wente full ofte for to see. [4239] Whanne his lot was to wake anyght, [4240] His instrumentis wolde he dight, [4241] For to blowe and make sown [4242] Ofter thanne he hath enchesoun, [4243] And walken oft upon the wall, [4244] Corners and wikettis overall [4245] Full narwe serchen and espie; [4246] Though he nought fond, yit wolde he lye. [4247] Discordaunt ever fro armonye, [4248] And distoned from melodie, [4249] Controve he wolde, and foule fayle, [4250] With hornepipes of Cornewaile. [4251] In floytes made he discordaunce, [4252] And in his musyk -- with myschaunce! -- [4253] He wolde seyn, with notes newe, [4254] That he fond no womman trewe, [4255] Ne that he saugh never in his lyf [4256] Unto hir husbonde a trewe wyf, [4257] Ne noon so ful of honeste [4258] That she nyl laughe and mery be [4259] Whanne that she hereth, or may espie, [4260] A man speken of leccherie. [4261] Everich of hem hath som vice: [4262] Oon is dishonest, another is nyce; [4263] If oon be full of vylanye, [4264] Another hath a likerous ye; [4265] If oon be full of wantonesse, [4266] Another is a chideresse. [4267] Thus Wikked-Tunge -- God yeve him shame! -- [4268] Can putt hem everychon in blame, [4269] Withoute desert and causeles; [4270] He lieth, though they ben giltles. [4271] I have pite to sen the sorwe [4272] That waketh bothe eve and morwe, [4273] To innocentis doith such grevaunce. [4274] I pray God yeve him evel chaunce, [4275] That he ever so bisy is [4276] Of ony womman to seyn amys! [4277] Eke Jelousie God confound, [4278] That hath maad a tour so round, [4279] And made aboute a garisoun, [4280] To sette Bealacoil in prisoun, [4281] The which is shet there in the tour [4282] Ful longe to holde there sojour, [4283] There for to lyve in penaunce. [4284] And for to do hym more grevaunce, [4285] Ther hath ordeyned Jelousie [4286] An olde vekke, for to espye [4287] The maner of his governaunce; [4288] The whiche devel in hir enfaunce [4289] Hadde lerned of loves art, [4290] And of his pleyes tok hir part; [4291] She was expert in his servise. [4292] She knew ech wrench and every gise [4293] Of love, and every wile; [4294] It was [the] harder hir to gile. [4295] Of Bealacoil she tok ay hede, [4296] That evere he lyveth in woo and drede. [4297] He kepte hym koy and eke pryve, [4298] Lest in hym she hadde see [4299] Ony foly countenaunce, [4300] For she knew all the olde daunce. [4301] And aftir this, whanne Jelousie [4302] Hadde Bealacoil in his baillie, [4303] And shette hym up that was so fre, [4304] For seur of hym he wolde be, [4305] He trusteth sore in his castell; [4306] The stronge werk hym liketh well. [4307] He dradde not that no glotouns [4308] Shulde stele his roses or botouns. [4309] The roses weren assured all, [4310] Defenced with the stronge wall. [4311] Now Jelousie full well may be [4312] Of drede devoid in liberte, [4313] Whether that he slepe or wake, [4314] For his roses may noon be take. [4315] But I -- allas! -- now morne shall; [4316] Bicause I was withoute the wall, [4317] Full moche dool and moone I made. [4318] Who hadde wist what woo I hadde, [4319] I trowe he wolde have had pite. [4320] Love to deere hadde soold to me [4321] The good that of his love hadde I. [4322] I wende a bought it all queyntly; [4323] But now, thurgh doublyng of my peyn, [4324] I see he wolde it selle ageyn, [4325] And me a newe bargeyn leere, [4326] The which all-oute the more is deere, [4327] For the solas that I have lorn, [4328] Thanne I hadde it never aforn. [4329] Certayn, I am ful lik in deed [4330] To hym that cast in erthe his seed, [4331] And hath joie of the newe spryng, [4332] Whanne it greneth in the gynnyng, [4333] And is also fair and fresh of flour, [4334] Lusty to seen, swoote of odour; [4335] But er he it in sheves shere, [4336] May falle a weder that shal it dere, [4337] And make it to fade and falle, [4338] The stalke, the greyn, and floures alle, [4339] That to the tylyer is fordon [4340] The hope that he hadde to soon. [4341] I drede, certeyn, that so fare I; [4342] For hope and travaile sikerly [4343] Ben me byraft all with a storm; [4344] The flour nyl seeden of my corn. [4345] For Love hath so avaunced me, [4346] Whanne I bigan my pryvite [4347] To Bialacoil all for to tel, [4348] Whom I ne fond froward ne fel, [4349] But tok a-gree all hool my play. [4350] But Love is of so hard assay, [4351] That al at oonys he reved me, [4352] Whanne I wende best aboven to have be. [4353] It is of Love, as of Fortune, [4354] That chaungeth ofte, and nyl contune, [4355] Which whilom wol on folk smyle, [4356] And glowmbe on hem another while. [4357] Now freend, now foo, [thow] shalt hir feel, [4358] For [in] a twynklyng turneth hir wheel. [4359] She can writhe hir heed awey; [4360] This is the concours of hir pley. [4361] She can areise that doth morne, [4362] And whirle adown, and overturne [4363] Who sittith hyest, but as hir lust. [4364] A fool is he that wole hir trust; [4365] For it is I that am come down [4366] Thurgh change and revolucioun! [4367] Sith Bealacoil mot fro me twynne, [4368] Shet in the prisoun yond withynne, [4369] His absence at myn herte I fele; [4370] For all my joye and all myn hele [4371] Was in hym and in the Rose, [4372] That but yon wal, which hym doth close, [4373] Opene that I may hym see, [4374] Love nyl not that I cured be [4375] Of the peynes that I endure, [4376] Nor of my cruel aventure. [4377] A, Bialacoil, myn owne deer! [4378] Though thou be now a prisoner, [4379] Kep atte leste thyn herte to me [4380] And suffre not that it daunted be; [4381] Ne lat not Jelousie, in his rage, [4382] Putten thin herte in no servage. [4383] Although he chastice thee withoute [4384] And make thy body unto hym loute, [4385] Have herte as hard as dyamaunt, [4386] Stedefast and nought pliaunt. [4387] In prisoun though thi body be, [4388] At large kep thyn herte free; [4389] A trewe herte wole not plie [4390] For no manace that it may drye. [4391] If Jelousie doth thee payn, [4392] Quyte hym his while thus agayn, [4393] To venge thee, atte leest in thought, [4394] If other way thou maist nought; [4395] And in this wise sotilly [4396] Worche, and wynne the maistry. [4397] But yit I am in gret affray [4398] Lest thou do not as I say. [4399] I drede thou canst me gret maugre, [4400] That thou enprisoned art for me; [4401] But that [is. not for my trespas, [4402] For thurgh me never discovred was [4403] Yit thyng that oughte be secree. [4404] Wel more anoy is in me, [4405] Than is in thee, of this myschaunce; [4406] For I endure more hard penaunce, [4407] Than ony can seyn or thynke, [4408] That for the sorwe almost I synke. [4409] Whanne I remembre me of my woo, [4410] Full nygh out of my witt I goo. [4411] Inward myn herte I feele blede, [4412] For comfortles the deth I drede. [4413] Owe I not wel to have distresse, [4414] Whanne false, thurgh hir wikkednesse, [4415] And traitours, that arn envyous, [4416] To noyen me be so corajous? [4417] A, Bialacoil, full wel I see [4418] That they hem shape to disceyve thee, [4419] To make thee buxom to her lawe, [4420] And with her corde thee to drawe [4421] Where so hem lust, right at her will. [4422] I drede they have thee brought thertill. [4423] Withoute comfort, thought me sleeth. [4424] This game wole brynge me to my deeth. [4425] For if youre goode wille I leese, [4426] I mot be deed, I may not chese. [4427] And if that thou foryete me, [4428] Myn herte shal nevere in likyng be, [4429] Nor elleswhere fynde solas, [4430] If I be putt out of youre gras -- [4431] As it shal never been, I hope -- [4432] Thanne shulde I falle in wanhope. [4433] Allas, in wanhope? Nay, pardee! [4434] For I wole never dispeired be. [4435] If hope me faile, thanne am I [4436] Ungracious and unworthy. [4437] In hope I wole comforted be, [4438] For Love, whanne he bitaught hir me, [4439] Seide that Hope, whereso I goo, [4440] Shulde ay be relees to my woo. [4441] But what and she my baalis beete, [4442] And be to me curteis and sweete? [4443] She is in nothyng full certeyn. [4444] Lovers she putt in full gret peyn, [4445] And makith hem with woo to deele. [4446] Hir faire biheeste disceyveth feele, [4447] For she wole byhote, sikirly, [4448] And failen aftir outrely. [4449] A, that is a full noyous thyng! [4450] For many a lover, in lovyng, [4451] Hangeth upon hir, and trusteth faste, [4452] Whiche leese her travel at the laste. [4453] Of thyng to comen she woot right nought; [4454] Therfore, if it be wysely sought, [4455] Hir counseill foly is to take. [4456] For many tymes, whanne she wole make [4457] A full good silogisme, I dreede [4458] That aftirward ther shal in deede [4459] Folwe an evell conclusioun. [4460] This put me in confusioun. [4461] For many tymes I have it seen, [4462] That many have bigyled been [4463] For trust that they have set in Hope, [4464] Which fell hem aftirward a-slope. [4465] But nevertheles, yit gladly she wolde [4466] That he, that wole hym with hir holde, [4467] Hadde alle tymes his purpos cler, [4468] Withoute deceyte or ony wer -- [4469] That she desireth sikirly. [4470] Whanne I hir blamed, I dide foly. [4471] But what avayleth hir good wille, [4472] Whanne she ne may staunche my stounde ille? [4473] That helpith litel that she may doo, [4474] Out-take biheest unto my woo. [4475] And heeste certeyn, in no wise, [4476] Withoute yift, is not to prise. [4477] Whanne heest and deede a-sundry varie, [4478] They doon a gret contrarie. [4479] Thus am I possed up and doun [4480] With dool, thought, and confusioun; [4481] Of my disese ther is no noumbre. [4482] Daunger and Shame me encumbre, [4483] Drede also, and Jelousie, [4484] And Wikked-Tunge, full of envie, [4485] Of whiche the sharpe and cruel ire [4486] Full ofte me putte in gret martire. [4487] They han my joye fully let, [4488] Sith Bialacoil they have bishet [4489] Fro me in prisoun wikkidly, [4490] Whom I love so entierly [4491] That it wole my bane bee [4492] But I the sonner may hym see. [4493] And yit moreover, wurst of alle, [4494] Ther is set to kepe -- foule hir bifalle! -- [4495] A rympled vekke, fer ronne in age, [4496] Frownyng and yelowe in hir visage, [4497] Which in awayt lyth day and nyght, [4498] That noon of him may have a sight. [4499] Now mote my sorwe enforced be. [4500] Full soth it is that Love yaf me [4501] Three wonder yiftes of his grace, [4502] Whiche I have lorn now in this place, [4503] Sith they ne may, withoute drede, [4504] Helpen but lytel, who taketh heede. [4505] For here availeth no Swete-Thought, [4506] And Sweete-Speche helpith right nought. [4507] The thridde was called Swete-Lokyng, [4508] That now is lorn, without lesyng. [4509] Yiftes were faire, but not forthy [4510] They helpe me but symply, [4511] But Bialacoil loosed be, [4512] To gon at large and to be free. [4513] For hym my lyf lyth all in doute, [4514] But if he come the rather oute. [4515] Allas, I trowe it wole not ben! [4516] For how shuld I evermore hym sen? [4517] He may not out, and that is wrong, [4518] By cause the tour is so strong. [4519] How shulde he out? By whos prowesse, [4520] Out of so strong a forteresse? [4521] By me, certeyn, it nyl be doo; [4522] God woot, I have no wit therto! [4523] But, wel I woot, I was in rage, [4524] Whonne I to Love dide homage. [4525] Who was in cause, in sothfastnesse, [4526] But hirsilf, Dame Idelnesse, [4527] Which me conveied, thurgh my praier, [4528] To entre into that faire verger. [4529] She was to blame me to leve, [4530] The which now doth me soore greve. [4531] A foolis word is nought to trowe, [4532] Ne worth an appel for to lowe; [4533] Men shulde hym snybbe bittirly, [4534] At pryme temps of his foly. [4535] I was a fool, and she me leeved, [4536] Thurgh whom I am right nought releeved. [4537] She accomplisshid all my will, [4538] That now me greveth wondir ill. [4539] Resoun me seide what shulde falle. [4540] A fool mysilf I may well calle, [4541] That love asyde I had [nat] leyd, [4542] And trowed that Dame Resoun seid. [4543] Resoun hadde bothe skile and ryght, [4544] Whanne she me blamed, with all hir myght, [4545] To medle of love that hath me shent; [4546] But certeyn, now I wole repent. [4547] And shulde I repente? Nay, parde! [4548] A fals traitour thanne shulde I be. [4549] The develes engynnes wolde me take, [4550] If I my lord wolde forsake, [4551] Or Bialacoil falsly bitraye. [4552] Shulde I at myscheef hate hym? Nay, [4553] Sith he now, for his curtesie, [4554] Is in prisoun of Jelousie. [4555] Curtesie certeyn dide he me, [4556] So mych that may not yolden be, [4557] Whanne he the hay passen me let, [4558] To kisse the Rose, faire and swet. [4559] Shulde I therfore cunne hym mawgre? [4560] Nay, certeynly, it shal not be; [4561] For Love shal nevere, yif God wille, [4562] Here of me, thurgh word or wille, [4563] Offence or complaynt, more or lesse, [4564] Neither of Hope nor Idilnesse. [4565] For certis, it were wrong that I [4566] Hated hem for her curtesy. [4567] Ther is not ellys but suffre and thynke, [4568] And waken whanne I shulde wynke; [4569] Abide in hope, til Love, thurgh chaunce, [4570] Sende me socour or allegeaunce, [4571] Expectant ay till I may mete [4572] To geten mercy of that swete. [4573] Whilom I thenke how Love to me [4574] Seide he wolde take att gree [4575] My servise, if unpacience [4576] [Ne] caused me to don offence. [4577] He seide, "In thank I shal it take, [4578] And high maister eke thee make, [4579] If wikkednesse ne reve it thee; [4580] But sone, I trowe, that shall not be." [4581] These were his wordis, by and by; [4582] It semede he lovede me trewely. [4583] Now is ther not but serve hym wel, [4584] If that I thenke his thank to fel. [4585] My good, myn harm lyth hool in me. [4586] In Love may no defaute be, [4587] For trewe Love ne failide never man. [4588] Sothly the faute mot nedys than -- [4589] As God forbede! -- be founde in me; [4590] And how it cometh, I can not see. [4591] Now late it goon as it may goo; [4592] Whether Love wole socoure me or sloo, [4593] He may do hool on me his will. [4594] I am so sore bounde hym till, [4595] From his servise I may not fleen; [4596] For lyf and deth, withouten wen, [4597] Is in his hand -- I may not chese -- [4598] He may me doo bothe wynne and leese. [4599] And sith so sore he doth me greve, [4600] Yit, if my lust he wolde acheve, [4601] To Bialacoil goodly to be, [4602] I yeve no force what felle on me. [4603] For though I dye, as I mot nede, [4604] I praye Love, of his goodlyhede, [4605] To Bialacoil do gentylnesse, [4606] For whom I lyve in such distresse [4607] That I mot deyen for penaunce. [4608] But first, withoute repentaunce, [4609] I wole me confesse in good entent, [4610] And make in haste my testament, [4611] As lovers doon that feelen smert: [4612] To Bialacoil leve I myn hert [4613] All hool, withoute departyng, [4614] Doublenesse of repentyng. [4615] Thus, as I made my passage [4616] In compleynt and in cruel rage, [4617] And I not where to fynde a leche [4618] That couth. unto myn helpyng eche, [4619] Sodeynly agayn comen doun [4620] Out of hir tour I saugh Resoun, [4621] Discret and wis and full plesaunt, [4622] And of hir port full avenaunt. [4623] The righte weye she took to me, [4624] Which stod in gret perplexite, [4625] That was posshed in every side, [4626] That I nyst where I myght abide, [4627] Till she, demurely sad of cher, [4628] Seide to me, as she com ner, [4629] "Myn owne freend, art thou yit greved? [4630] How is this quarell yit acheved [4631] Of Loves side? Anoon me telle. [4632] Hast thou not yit of love thi fille? [4633] Art thou not wery of thy servise, [4634] That the hath [greved] in sich wise? [4635] What joye hast thou in thy lovyng? [4636] Is it swete or bitter thing? [4637] Canst thou yit chese, lat me see, [4638] What best thi socour myghte be? [4639] "Thou servest a full noble lord, [4640] That maketh thee thrall for thi reward, [4641] Which ay renewith thy turment, [4642] With foly so he hath thee blent. [4643] Thou fell in myscheef thilke day [4644] Whanne thou didist, the sothe to say, [4645] Obeysaunce and eke homage. [4646] Thou wroughtest nothyng as the sage, [4647] Whanne thou bicam his liege man. [4648] Thou didist a gret foly than, [4649] Thou wistest not what fell therto, [4650] With what lord thou haddist to do. [4651] If thou haddist hym wel knowe, [4652] Thou haddist nought be brought so lowe; [4653] For if thou wistest what it wer, [4654] Thou noldist serve hym half a yeer, [4655] Not a weke, nor half a day, [4656] Ne yit an hour, withoute delay, [4657] Ne never han loved paramours, [4658] His lordshipp is so full of shours. [4659] Knowest hym ought?" L'amaunt "Ye, dame, parde!" [4660] Raisoun "Nay, nay." L'amaunt "Yis, I." Raisoun "Wherof? Late se." [191-ap] 4661 L'amaunt "Of that he seide I shulde be [4662] Glad to have sich lord as he, [4663] And maister of sich seignorie." [4664] Raisoun "Knowist hym no more?" L'amaunt "Nay, certis, I, [4665] Save that he yaf me rewles there, [4666] And wente his wey, I nyste where, [4667] And I abood, bounde in balaunce." [4668] Raisoun "Lo, there a noble conisaunce! [4669] But I wille that thou knowe hym now, [4670] Gynnyng and eende, sith that thou [4671] Art so anguisshous and mate, [4672] Disfigured out of astate; [4673] Ther may no wrecche have more of woo, [4674] Ne caytyf noon enduren soo. [4675] It were to every man sittyng [4676] Of his lord have knowleching; [4677] For if thou knewe hym, out of doute, [4678] Lightly thou shulde escapen oute [4679] Of the prisoun that marreth thee." [4680] L'amant "Ye, dame, sith my lord is he, [4681] And I his man, maad with myn hond, [4682] I wolde right fayn undirstond [4683] To knowe of what kynde he be, [4684] If ony wolde enforme me." [4685] Raisoun "I wolde," seide Resoun, "thee ler, [4686] Sith thou to lerne hast sich desir, [4687] And shewe thee, withouten fable, [4688] A thyng that is not demonstrable. [4689] Thou shalt [wite] withouten science, [4690] And knowe withouten experience, [4691] The thyng that may not knowen be, [4692] Ne wist, ne shewid, in no degre. [4693] Thou maist the sothe of it not witen, [4694] Though in thee it were writen. [4695] Thou shalt not knowe therof more, [4696] While thou art reuled by his lore; [4697] But unto hym that love wole flee, [4698] The knotte may unclosed bee, [4699] Which hath to thee, as it is founde, [4700] So long be knet and not unbounde. [4701] Now set wel thyn entencioun, [4702] To here of love discripcioun. [4703] "Love, it is an hatefull pees, [4704] A free acquitaunce, withoute relees, [4705] A trouthe, fret full of falsheede, [4706] A sikernesse all set in drede. [4707] In herte is a dispeiryng hope, [4708] And full of hope, it is wanhope; [4709] Wis woodnesse, and wod resoun; [4710] A swete perell in to droun; [4711] An hevy birthen, lyght to bere; [4712] A wikked wawe, awey to were. [4713] It is Karibdous perilous, [4714] Disagreable and gracious. [4715] It is discordaunce that can accorde, [4716] And accordaunce to discorde. [4717] It is kunnyng withoute science, [4718] Wisdom withoute sapience, [4719] Wit withoute discrecioun, [4720] Havoir withoute possessioun. [4721] It is sike hele and hool seknesse, [4722] A thurst drowned in dronknesse, [4723] And helthe full of maladie, [4724] And charite full of envie, [4725] And hunger full of habundaunce, [4726] And a gredy suffisaunce; [4727] Delit right full of hevynesse, [4728] And drerihed full of gladnesse; [4729] Bitter swetnesse and swete errour, [4730] Right evell savoured good savour; [4731] Sin that pardoun hath withynne, [4732] And pardoun spotted withoute [with] synne. [4733] A peyne also it is, joious, [4734] And felonye right pitous; [4735] Also pley that selde is stable, [4736] And stedefast [stat], right mevable; [4737] A strengthe, weyked to stonde upright, [4738] And feblenesse full of myght; [4739] Wit unavised, sage folie, [4740] And joie full of turmentrie; [4741] A laughter it is, weping ay; [4742] Reste that traveyleth nyght and day; [4743] Also a swete helle it is, [4744] And a soroufull paradys; [4745] A pleasant gayl and esy prisoun, [4746] And, full of froste, somer sesoun; [4747] Pryme temps full of frostes whit, [4748] And May devoide of al delit, [4749] With seer braunches, blossoms ungrene, [4750] And newe fruyt, fillid with wynter tene. [4751] It is a slowe, may not forbere [4752] Ragges, ribaned with gold, to were; [4753] For also wel wol love be set [4754] Under ragges, as riche rochet; [4755] And eke as wel be amourettes [4756] In mournyng blak, as bright burnettes. [4757] For noon is of so mochel pris, [4758] Ne no man founden so wys, [4759] Ne noon so high is of parage, [4760] Ne no man founde of wit so sage, [4761] No man so hardy ne so wight, [4762] Ne no man of so mochel myght, [4763] Noon so fulfilled of bounte, [4764] That he with love [ne] may daunted be. [4765] All the world holdith this wey; [4766] Love makith all to goon myswey, [4767] But it be they of yvel lyf, [4768] Whom Genius cursith, man and wyf, [4769] That wrongly werke ageyn nature. [4770] Noon such I love, ne have no cure [4771] Of sich as Loves servauntes ben, [4772] And wole not by my counsel flen. [4773] For I ne preise that lovyng [4774] Wherthurgh men, at the laste eendyng, [4775] Shall calle hem wrecchis full of woo, [4776] Love greveth hem and shendith soo. [4777] But if thou wolt wel Love eschewe, [4778] For to escape out of his mewe, [4779] And make al hool thi sorwe to slake, [4780] No bettir counsel maist thou take [4781] Than thynke to fleen wel, iwis. [4782] May nought helpe elles, for wite thou this: [4783] If thou fle it, it shal flee thee; [4784] Folowe it, and folowen shal it thee." [4785] L'amant Whanne I hadde herde all Resoun seyn, [4786] Which hadde spilt hir speche in veyn, [4787] "Dame," seide I, "I dar wel sey, [4788] Of this avaunt me wel I may [4789] That from youre scole so devyaunt [4790] I am, that never the more avaunt [4791] Right nought am I thurgh youre doctrine. [4792] I dulle under youre discipline. [4793] I wot no more than [I] wist er, [4794] To me so contrarie and so fer [4795] Is every thing that ye me ler, [4796] And yit I can it all par cuer. [4797] Myn herte foryetith therof right nought, [4798] It is so writen in my thought; [4799] And depe greven it is so tendir [4800] That all by herte I can it rendre, [4801] And rede it over comunely; [4802] But to mysilf lewedist am I. [4803] But sith ye love discreven so, [4804] And lak and preise it, bothe twoo, [4805] Defyneth it into this letter, [4806] That I may thenke on it the better; [4807] For I herde never diffyne it er, [4808] And wilfully I wolde it ler." [4809] Raisoun "If love be serched wel and sought, [4810] It is a syknesse of the thought [4811] Annexed and knet bitwixe tweyne, [4812] Which male and female, with oo cheyne, [4813] So frely byndith that they nyll twynne, [4814] Whether so therof they leese or wynne. [4815] The roote springith thurgh hoot brennyng [4816] Into disordinat desiryng [4817] For to kissen and enbrace, [4818] And at her lust them to solace. [4819] Of other thyng love recchith nought, [4820] But setteth her herte and all her thought [4821] More for delectacioun [4822] Than ony procreacioun [4823] Of other fruyt by engendring, [4824] Which love to God is not plesyng; [4825] For of her body fruyt to get [4826] They yeve no force, they are so set [4827] Upon delit to pley in-feere. [4828] And somme have also this manere, [4829] To feynen hem for love sek; [4830] Sich love I preise not at a lek. [4831] For paramours they do but feyne; [4832] To love truly they disdeyne. [4833] They falsen ladies traitoursly, [4834] And swern hem othes utterly, [4835] With many a lesyng and many a fable, [4836] And all they fynden deceyvable. [4837] And whanne they han her lust geten, [4838] The hoote ernes they al foryeten. [4839] Wymmen, the harm they bien full sore; [4840] But men this thenken evermore, [4841] That lasse harm is, so mote I the, [4842] Deceyve them than deceyved be; [4843] And namely, where they ne may [4844] Fynde non other mene wey. [4845] For I wot wel, in sothfastnesse, [4846] [What man] doth now his bisynesse [4847] With ony womman for to dele, [4848] For ony lust that he may fele, [4849] But if it be for engendrure, [4850] He doth trespas, I you ensure. [4851] For he shulde setten all his wil [4852] To geten a likly thyng hym til, [4853] And to sustene, if he myght, [4854] And kepe forth, by Kyndes right, [4855] His owne lyknesse and semblable; [4857] And faile shulde successioun, [4858] Ne were ther generacioun [4859] Oure sectis strene for to save. [4860] Whanne fader or moder arn in grave, [4861] Her children shulde, whanne they ben deede, [4862] Full diligent ben, in her steede, [4863] To use that werk on such a wise [4864] That oon may thurgh another rise. [4865] Therfore sette Kynde therynne delit, [4866] For men therynne shulde hem delit, [4867] And of that deede be not erk, [4868] But ofte sithes haunt that werk. [4869] For noon wolde drawe therof a draught, [4870] Ne were delit, which hath hym kaught. [4871] Thus hath sotilled dame Nature; [4872] For noon goth right, I thee ensure, [4873] Ne hath entent hool ne parfit; [4874] For her desir is for delyt, [4875] The which fortened crece and eke [4876] The pley of love for-ofte seke, [4877] And thrall hemsilf, they be so nyce, [4878] Unto the prince of every vice. [4879] For of ech synne it is the rote, [4880] Unlefull lust, though it be sote, [4881] And of all yvell the racyne, [4882] As Tulius can determyne, [4883] Which in his tyme was full sage, [4884] In a bok he made `Of Age,' [4885] Where that more he preyseth eelde, [4886] Though he be croked and unweelde, [4887] And more of commendacioun [4888] Than youthe in his discripcioun. [4889] For youthe set bothe man and wyf [4890] In all perell of soule and lyf; [4891] And perell is, but men have grace, [4892] The tyme of youthe for to pace [4893] Withoute ony deth or distresse, [4894] It is so full of wyldenesse, [4895] So ofte it doth shame or damage [4896] To hym or to his lynage. [4897] It ledith man now up, now doun, [4898] In mochel dissolucioun, [4899] And makith hym love yvell company, [4900] And lede his lyf disrewlily, [4901] And halt hym payed with noon estat. [4902] Withynne hymsilf is such debat, [4903] He chaungith purpos and entent, [4904] And yalt [him] into som covent, [4905] To lyven aftir her emprise, [4906] And lesith fredom and fraunchise, [4907] That Nature in hym hadde set, [4908] The which ageyn he may not get, [4909] If he there make his mansioun, [4910] For to abide professioun. [4911] Though for a tyme his herte absente, [4912] It may not fayle, he shal repente, [4913] And eke abide thilke day [4914] To leve his abit, and gon his way, [4915] And lesith his worshipp and his name, [4916] And dar not come ageyn for shame; [4917] But al his lyf he doth so mourne, [4918] By cause he dar not hom retourne. [4919] Fredom of kynde so lost hath he [4920] That never may recured be, [4921] But if that God hym graunte grace [4922] That he may, er he hennes pace, [4923] Conteyne undir obedience [4924] Thurgh the vertu of pacience. [4925] For Youthe sett man in all folye, [4926] In unthrift and in ribaudie, [4927] In leccherie and in outrage, [4928] So ofte it chaungith of corage. [4929] Youthe gynneth ofte sich bargeyn, [4930] That may not eende withouten peyn. [4931] In gret perell is sett youthede, [4932] Delit so doth his bridil leede. [4933] Delit thus hangith, dred thee nought, [4934] Bothe mannys body and his thought, [4935] Oonly thurgh Youthe, his chaumberere, [4936] That to don yvell is customere, [4937] And of nought elles taketh hede [4938] But oonly folkes for to lede [4939] Into disport and wyldenesse, [4940] So is [she] froward from sadnesse. [4941] "But Eelde drawith hem therfro; [4942] Who wot it nought, he may wel goo [4943] Demande of hem that now arn olde, [4944] That whilom Youthe hadde in holde, [4945] Which yit remembre of tendir age, [4946] Hou it hem brought in many a rage, [4947] And many a foly therynne wrought. [4948] But now that Eelde hath hem thourgh-sought, [4949] They repente hem of her folye, [4950] That Youthe hem putte in jupardye, [4951] In perell, and in myche woo, [4952] And made hem ofte amys to do, [4953] And suen yvell companye, [4954] Riot and avouterie. [4955] "But Eelde can ageyn restreyne [4956] From sich foly, and refreyne, [4957] And sette men by her ordinaunce [4958] In good reule and in governaunce. [4959] But yvell she spendith hir servise, [4960] For no man wole hir love neither prise; [4961] She is hated, this wot I wel. [4962] Hir acqueyntaunce wolde no man fel, [4963] Ne han of Elde companye; [4964] Men hate to be of hir alye. [4965] For no man wolde bicomen old, [4966] Ne dye whanne he is yong and bold. [4967] And Eelde merveilith right gretly, [4968] Whanne thei remembre hem inwardly [4969] Of many a perelous emprise, [4970] Which that they wrought in sondry wise, [4971] Houevere they myght, withoute blame, [4972] Escape awey withoute shame, [4973] In youthe, withoute damage [4974] Or repreef of her lynage, [4975] Loss of membre, shedyng of blod, [4976] Perell of deth, or los of good. [4977] Wost thou nought where Youthe abit, [4978] That men so preisen in her wit? [4979] With Delit she halt sojour, [4980] For bothe they dwellen in oo tour. [4981] As longe as Youthe is in sesoun, [4982] They dwellen in oon mansioun. [4983] Delit of Youthe wole have servise [4984] To do what so he wole devise; [4985] And Youthe is redy evermore [4986] For to obey, for smert of sore, [4987] Unto Delit, and hym to yive [4988] Hir servise, while that she may lyve. [4989] "Where Elde abit I wol thee telle [4990] Shortly, and no while dwelle, [4991] For thidir byhoveth thee to goo. [4992] If Deth in youthe thee not sloo, [4993] Of this journey thou maist not faile. [4994] With hir Labour and Travaile [4995] Logged ben, with Sorwe and Woo, [4996] That never out of hir court goo. [4997] Peyne and Distresse, Syknesse and Ire, [4998] And Malencoly, that angry sire, [4999] Ben of hir paleys senatours; [5000] Gronyng and Grucchyng, hir herbejours. [5001] The day and nyght, hir to turmente, [5002] With cruell Deth they hir presente, [5003] And tellen hir, erliche and late, [5004] That Deth stondeth armed at hir gate. [5005] Thanne brynge they to her remembraunce [5006] The foly dedis of hir infaunce, [5007] Whiche causen hir to mourne in woo [5008] That Youthe hath hir bigiled so, [5009] Which sodeynly awey is hasted. [5010] She wepeth the tyme that she hath wasted, [5011] Compleynyng of the preterit, [5012] And the present that not abit, [5013] And of hir olde vanite, [5014] That, but aforn hir she may see [5015] In the future som socour, [5016] To leggen hir of hir dolour, [5017] To graunte hir tyme of repentaunce, [5018] For her synnes to do penaunce, [5019] And at the laste so hir governe [5020] To wynne the joy that is eterne, [5021] Fro which go bakward Youthe hir made, [5022] In vanite to droune and wade. [5023] For present tyme abidith nought; [5024] It is more swift than any thought. [5025] So litel while it doth endure [5026] That ther nys compte ne mesure. [5027] But hou that evere the game go, [5028] Who list to have joie and mirth also [5029] Of love, be it he or she, [5030] High or lowe, who it be, [5031] In fruyt they shulde hem delyte; [5032] Her part they may not elles quyte, [5033] To save hemsilf in honeste. [5034] And yit full many on I se [5035] Of wymmen, sothly for to seyn, [5036] That desire and wolde fayn [5037] The pley of love, they be so wilde, [5038] And not coveite to go with childe. [5039] And if with child they be, perchaunce, [5040] They wole it holde a gret myschaunce; [5041] But whatsomever woo they fele, [5042] They wole not pleyne but concele; [5043] But if it be ony fool or nyce, [5044] In whom that Shame hath no justice. [5045] For to delyt echon they drawe, [5046] That haunte this werk, bothe high and lawe, [5047] Save sich that arn worth right nought, [5048] That for money wole be bought. [5049] Such love I preise in no wise, [5050] Whanne it is goven for coveitise. [5051] I preise no womman, though she be wood, [5052] That yeveth hirsilf for ony good. [5053] For litel shulde a man telle [5054] Of hir, that wole hir body selle, [5055] Be she mayde, be she wyf, [5056] That quyk wole selle hir, bi hir lif. [5057] Hou faire chere that evere she make, [5058] He is a wrecche, I undirtake, [5059] That loveth such on, for swete or sour, [5060] Though she hym calle hir paramour, [5061] And laugheth on hym, and makith hym feeste. [5062] For certeynly no such beeste [5063] To be loved is not worthy, [5064] Or bere the name of druery. [5065] Noon shulde hir please, but he were wood, [5066] That wole dispoile hym of his good. [5067] Yit nevertheles, I wol not sey [5068] That she, for solas and for pley, [5069] [Ne] may a jewel or other thyng [5070] Take of her loves fre yevyng; [5071] But that she aske it in no wise, [5072] For drede of shame of coveitise. [5073] And she of hirs may hym, certeyn, [5074] Withoute sclaundre yeven ageyn, [5075] And joyne her hertes togidre so [5076] In love, and take and yeve also. [5077] Trowe not that I wolde hem twynne, [5078] Whanne in her love ther is no synne; [5079] I wol that they togedre go, [5080] And don al that they han ado, [5081] As curteis shulde and debonaire, [5082] And in her love beren hem faire, [5083] Withoute vice, bothe he and she, [5084] So that alwey, in honeste, [5085] Fro foly love they kepe hem cler, [5086] That brenneth hertis with his fer; [5087] And that her love, in ony wise, [5088] Be devoide of coveitise. [5089] Good love shulde engendrid be [5090] Of trewe herte, just, and secre, [5091] And not of such as sette her thought [5092] To have her lust and ellis nought -- [5093] So are they caught in Loves las, [5094] Truly, for bodily solas. [5095] Fleshly delit is so present [5096] With thee, that sette all thyn entent [5097] Withoute more (what shulde I glose?) [5098] For to gete and have the Rose, [5099] Which makith [thee] so mat and wood [5100] That thou desirest noon other good. [5101] But thou art not an inche the nerre, [5102] But evere abidist in sorwe and werre, [5103] As in thi face it is sene. [5104] It makith thee bothe pale and lene; [5105] Thy myght, thi vertu goth away. [5106] A sory gest, in goode fay, [5107] Thou herberest than in thyn inn, [5108] The God of Love whanne thou let inn! [5109] Wherfore I rede, thou shette hym oute, [5110] Or he shall greve thee, out of doute; [5111] For to thi profit it wol turne, [5112] If he nomore with thee sojourne. [5113] In gret myscheef and sorwe sonken [5114] Ben hertis that of love arn dronken, [5115] As thou peraventure knowen shall, [5116] Whanne thou hast lost thy tyme all, [5117] And spent thy youthe in ydilnesse, [5118] In waste and wofull lustynesse. [5119] If thou maist lyve the tyme to se [5120] Of love for to delyvered be, [5121] Thy tyme thou shalt biwepe sore, [5122] The whiche never thou maist restore; [5123] For tyme lost, as men may see, [5124] For nothyng may recured be. [5125] And if thou scape yit, atte laste, [5126] Fro Love, that hath thee so faste [5127] Knytt and bounden in his las, [5128] Certeyn I holde it but a gras. [5129] For many oon, as it is seyn, [5130] Have lost and spent also in veyn, [5131] In his servise, withoute socour, [5132] Body and soule, good and tresour, [5133] Wit and strengthe, and eke richesse, [5134] Of which they hadde never redresse." [5135] L'amant Thus taught and preched hath [5136] Resoun, but Love spilte hir sermoun, [5137] That was so ymped in my thought, [5138] That hir doctrine I sette at nought. [5139] And yitt ne seide she never a del [5140] That I ne undirstod it wel, [5141] Word by word, the mater all; [5142] But unto Love I was so thrall, [5143] Which callith overall his pray, [5144] He chasith so my thought alway, [5145] And holdith myn herte undir his sel [5146] As trust and trew as ony stel; [5147] So that no devocioun [5148] Ne hadde I in the sermoun [5149] Of dame Resoun, ne of hir red. [5150] It tok no sojour in myn hed, [5151] For all yede out at oon ere [5152] That in that other she dide lere. [5153] Fully on me she lost hir lore; [5154] Hir speche me greved wondir sore. [5155] Than unto hir for ire I seide, [5156] For anger, as I dide abraide: [5157] "Dame, and is it youre wille algate [5158] That I not love, but that I hate [5159] Alle men, as ye me teche? [5160] For if I do aftir youre speche, [5161] Sith that ye seyn love is not good, [5162] Thanne must I nedis ay with mood, [5163] If I it leve, in hatrede ay [5164] Lyven, and voide love away [5165] From me, [and] [ben] a synfull wrecche [5166] Hated of all [that] [love] that tecche. [5167] I may not go noon other gate, [5168] For other must I love or hate. [5169] And if I hate men of-newe [5170] More than love, it wol me rewe, [5171] As by youre preching semeth me, [5172] For Love nothing ne preisith thee. [5173] Ye yeve good counsel, sikirly, [5174] That prechith me alday that I [5175] Shulde not Loves lore alowe. [5176] He were a fool, wolde you not trowe! [5177] In speche also ye han me taught [5178] Another love, that knowen is naught, [5179] Which I have herd you not repreve, [5180] To love ech other. By youre leve, [5181] If ye wolde diffyne it me, [5182] I wolde gladly here, to se, [5183] At the leest, if I may lere [5184] Of sondry loves the manere." [5185] Raisoun "Certis, freend, a fool art thou, [5186] Whan that thou nothyng wolt allow [5187] That I for thi profit say. [5188] Yit wole I sey thee more in fay, [5189] For I am redy, at the leste, [5190] To accomplisshe thi requeste. [5191] But I not where it wole avayle; [5192] In veyn, perauntre, I shal travayle. [5193] Love ther is in sondry wise, [5194] As I shal thee heere devise. [5195] For som love leful is and good -- [5196] I mene not that which makith thee wood, [5197] And bringith thee in many a fit, [5198] And ravysshith fro thee al thi wit, [5199] It is so merveilous and queynt; [5200] With such love be no more aqueynt. [5201] "Love of freendshipp also ther is, [5202] Which makith no man don amys, [5203] Of wille knytt bitwixe two, [5204] That wole not breke for wele ne woo; [5205] Which long is likly to contune, [5206] Whanne wille and goodis ben in comune; [5207] Grounded by Goddis ordinaunce, [5208] Hool, withoute discordaunce; [5209] With hem holdyng comunte [5210] Of all her good in charite, [5211] That ther be noon excepcioun [5212] Thurgh chaungyng of entencioun; [5213] That ech helpe other at her neede, [5214] And wisely hele bothe word and dede; [5215] Trewe of menyng, devoide of slouthe, [5216] For witt is nought withoute trouthe; [5217] So that the ton dar all his thought [5218] Seyn to his freend, and spare nought, [5219] As to hymsilf, without dredyng [5220] To be discovered by wreying. [5221] For glad is that conjunccioun, [5222] Whanne ther is noon susspecioun [5223] [Of] [blame] [in] [hem], whom they wolde prove [5224] That trewe and parfit weren in love. [5225] For no man may be amyable, [5226] But if he be so ferme and stable [5227] That fortune chaunge hym not, ne blynde, [5228] But that his freend allwey hym fynde, [5229] Bothe pore and riche, in oo state. [5230] For if his freend, thurgh ony gate, [5231] Wole compleyne of his poverte, [5232] He shulde not bide so long til he [5233] Of his helpyng hym requere; [5234] For good dede, don thurgh praiere, [5235] Is sold and bought to deere, iwys, [5236] To hert that of gret valour is. [5237] For hert fulfilled of gentilnesse [5238] Can yvel demene his distresse; [5239] And man that worthy is of name [5240] To asken often hath gret shame. [5241] A good man brenneth in his thought [5242] For shame, whanne he axeth ought. [5243] He hath gret thought and dredeth ay [5244] For his disese, whanne he shal pray [5245] His freend, lest that he warned be, [5246] Til that he preve his stabilte. [5247] But whanne that he hath founden oon [5248] That trusty is and trewe as ston, [5249] And assaied hym at all, [5250] And founde hym stedefast as a wall, [5251] And of his freendshipp be certeyn, [5252] He shal hym shewe bothe joye and peyn, [5253] And all that [he] dar thynke or sey, [5254] Withoute shame, as he wel may. [5255] For how shulde he ashamed be [5256] Of sich on as I tolde thee? [5257] For whanne he woot his secre thought, [5258] The thridde shal knowe therof right nought; [5259] For tweyne of noumbre is bet than thre [5260] In every counsell and secre. [5261] Repreve he dredeth never a deel, [5262] Who that bisett his wordis wel; [5263] For every wise man, out of drede, [5264] Can kepe his tunge til he se nede; [5265] And fooles can not holde her tunge; [5266] A fooles belle is soone runge. [5267] Yit shal a trewe freend do more [5268] To helpe his felowe of his sore, [5269] And socoure hym, whanne he hath neede, [5270] In all that he may don in deede, [5271] And gladder [be] that he hym plesith, [5272] Than his felowe that he esith. [5273] And if he do not his requeste, [5274] He shal as mochel hym moleste [5275] As his felow, for that he [5276] May not fulfille his volunte [5277] Fully, as he hath requered. [5278] If bothe the hertis Love hath fered, [5279] Joy and woo they shull depart, [5280] And take evenly ech his part. [5281] Half his anoy he shal have ay, [5282] And comfort [him] what that he may; [5283] And of his blisse parte shal he, [5284] If love wel departed be. [5285] "And whilom of this amyte [5286] Spak Tulius in a ditee: [5287] `Man shulde maken his request [5288] Unto his freend, that is honest; [5289] And he goodly shulde it fulfille, [5290] But it the more were out of skile, [5291] And otherwise not graunte therto, [5292] Except oonly in causes twoo: [5293] If men his freend to deth wolde drive, [5294] Lat hym be bisy to save his lyve; [5295] Also if men wolen hym assayle, [5296] Of his wurshipp to make hym faile, [5297] And hyndren hym of his renoun, [5298] Lat hym, with full entencioun, [5299] His dever don in ech degre [5300] That his freend ne shamed be. [5301] In thise two caas with his myght, [5302] Taking no kep to skile nor right, [5303] As fer as love may hym excuse, [5304] This oughte no man to refuse.' [5305] This love that I have told to thee [5306] Is nothing contrarie to me; [5307] This wole I that thou folowe wel, [5308] And leve the tother everydel. [5309] This love to vertu all entendith, [5310] The tothir fooles blent and shendith. [5311] "Another love also there is [5312] That is contrarie unto this, [5313] Which desir is so constreyned [5314] That [it] is but wille feyned. [5315] Awey fro trouthe it doth so varie [5316] That to good love it is contrarie; [5317] For it maymeth, in many wise, [5318] Sike hertis with coveitise. [5319] All in wynnyng and in profit [5320] Sich love settith his delit. [5321] This love so hangeth in balaunce [5322] That, if it lese his hope, perchaunce, [5323] Of lucre, that he is sett upon, [5324] It wole faile and quenche anoon; [5325] For no man may be amerous, [5326] Ne in his lyvyng vertuous, [5327] But he love more, in mood, [5328] Men for hemsilf than for her good. [5329] For love that profit doth abide [5330] Is fals, and bit not in no tyde. [5331] [This] love cometh of dame Fortune, [5332] That litel while wol contune; [5333] For it shal chaungen wonder soone, [5334] And take eclips, right as the moone, [5335] Whanne she is from us lett [5336] Thurgh erthe, that bitwixe is sett [5337] The sonne and hir, as it may fall, [5338] Be it in partie, or in all. [5339] The shadowe maketh her bemys merke, [5340] And hir hornes to shewe derke, [5341] That part where she hath lost hir lyght [5342] Of Phebus fully, and the sight; [5343] Til, whanne the shadowe is overpast, [5344] She is enlumyned ageyn as fast, [5345] Thurgh the brightnesse of the sonne bemes, [5346] That yeveth to hir ageyn hir lemes. [5347] That lov is right of sich nature; [5348] Now is faire, and now obscure, [5349] Now bright, now clipsi of manere, [5350] And whilom dym, and whilom clere. [5351] As soone as Poverte gynneth take, [5352] With mantel and wedis blake [5353] Hidith of love the light awey, [5354] That into nyght it turneth day, [5355] It may not see Richesse shyne [5356] Till the blak shadowes fyne. [5357] For, whanne Richesse shyneth bright, [5358] Love recovereth ageyn his light; [5359] And whanne it failith he wol flit, [5360] And as she groweth, so groweth it. [5361] Of this love -- here what I sey! -- [5362] The riche men are loved ay, [5363] And namely tho that sparand ben, [5364] That wole not wasshe her hertes clen [5365] Of the filthe nor of the vice [5366] Of gredy brennyng avarice. [5367] The riche man full fonned is, ywys, [5368] That weneth that he loved is. [5369] If that his herte it undirstod, [5370] It is not he, it is his good; [5371] He may wel witen in his thought, [5372] His good is loved, and he right nought. [5373] For if he be a nygard ek, [5374] Men wole not sette by hym a lek, [5375] But haten hym; this is the soth. [5376] Lo, what profit his catell doth. [5377] Of every man that may hym see [5378] It geteth hym nought but enmyte. [5379] But he amende hym of that vice, [5380] And knowe hymsilf, he is not wys. [5381] Certys, he shulde ay freendly be, [5382] To gete hym love also ben free, [5383] Or ellis he is not wise ne sage [5384] Nomore than is a goot ramage. [5385] That he not loveth, his dede proveth, [5386] Whan he his richesse so wel loveth [5387] That he wole hide it ay and spare, [5388] His pore freendis sen forfare, [5389] To kepen ay his purpos, [5390] Til for drede his yen clos, [5391] And til a wikked deth hym take. [5392] Hym hadde lever asondre shake, [5393] And late alle his lymes asondre ryve, [5394] Than leve his richesse in his lyve. [5395] He thenkith parte it with no man; [5396] Certayn, no love is in hym than. [5397] How shulde love withynne hym be, [5398] Whanne in his herte is no pite? [5399] That he trespasseth, wel I wat, [5400] For ech man knowith his estat; [5401] For wel hym ought to be reproved [5402] That loveth nought, ne is not loved. [5403] "But sith we arn to Fortune comen, [5404] And han oure sermoun of hir nomen, [5405] A wondir will Y telle thee now, [5406] Thou herdist never sich oon, I trow. [5407] I not where thou me leven shall, [5408] Though sothfastnesse it be all, [5409] As it is writen, and is soth, [5410] That unto men more profit doth [5411] The froward Fortune and contraire [5412] Than the swote and debonaire. [5413] And if thee thynke it is doutable, [5414] It is thurgh argument provable; [5415] For the debonaire and softe [5416] Falsith and bigilith ofte; [5417] For lyche a moder she can cherish, [5418] And mylken as doth a norys, [5419] And of hir goode to hem deles, [5420] And yeveth hem part of her joweles, [5421] With gret richeses and dignite; [5422] And hem she hoteth stabilite [5423] In a stat that is not stable, [5424] But chaungynge ay and variable; [5425] And fedith hem with glorie veyn, [5426] And worldly blisse noncerteyn. [5427] Whanne she hem settith on hir whel, [5428] Thanne wene they to be right wel, [5429] And in so stable stat withalle, [5430] That never they wene for to falle. [5431] And whanne they sette so highe be, [5432] They wene to have in certeynte [5433] Of hertly freendis so gret noumbre, [5434] That nothyng myght her stat encombre. [5435] They trust hem so on every side, [5436] Wenyng with hem they wolde abide [5437] In every perell and myschaunce, [5438] Withoute chaunge or variaunce, [5439] Bothe of catell and of good; [5440] And also for to spende her blood, [5441] And all her membris for to spille, [5442] Oonly to fulfille her wille. [5443] They maken it hool in many wise, [5444] And hoten hem her full servise, [5445] How sore that it do hem smerte, [5446] Into her naked sherte! [5447] Herte and all so hool they yive, [5448] For the tyme that they may lyve, [5449] So that with her flaterie [5450] They maken foolis glorifie [5451] Of her wordis spekyng, [5452] And han therof a rejoysyng, [5453] And trowe hem as the Evangile; [5454] And it is all falsheede and gile, [5455] As they shal aftirward se, [5456] Whanne they arn falle in poverte [5457] And ben of good and catell bare; [5458] Thanne shulde they sen who freendis ware. [5459] For of an hundred, certeynly, [5460] Nor of a thousand full scarsly, [5461] Ne shal they fynde unnethis oon, [5462] Whanne poverte is comen upon. [5463] For this Fortune that I of telle, [5464] With men whanne hir lust to dwelle, [5465] Makith hem to leese her conisaunce, [5466] And norishith hem in ignoraunce. [5467] "But froward Fortune and pervers, [5468] Whanne high estatis she doth revers, [5469] And maketh hem to tumble doun [5470] Of hir whel, with sodeyn tourn, [5471] And from her richesse doth hem fle, [5472] And plongeth hem in poverte, [5473] As a stepmoder envyous, [5474] And leieth a plastre dolorous [5475] Unto her hertis, wounded egre, [5476] Which is not tempred with vynegre, [5477] But with poverte and indigence, [5478] For to shewe, by experience, [5479] That she is Fortune verely, [5480] In whom no man shulde affy, [5481] Nor in hir yeftis have fiaunce, [5482] She is so full of variaunce -- [5483] Thus kan she maken high and lowe, [5484] Whanne they from richesse arn throwe, [5485] Fully to knowen, without were, [5486] Freend of affect and freend of chere, [5487] And which in love weren trewe and stable, [5488] And whiche also weren variable, [5489] After Fortune, her goddesse, [5490] In poverte outher in richesse. [5491] For all she yeveth here, out of drede, [5492] Unhap bereveth it in dede; [5493] For Infortune lat not oon [5494] Of freendis, whanne Fortune is gon; [5495] I mene tho freendis that wole fle [5496] Anoon as entreth poverte. [5497] And yit they wole not leve hem so, [5498] But in ech place where they go [5499] They calle hem `wrecche,' scorne, and blame, [5500] And of her myshappe hem diffame; [5501] And namely siche as in richesse [5502] Pretendith moost of stablenesse, [5503] Whanne that they sawe hym sett on lofte, [5504] And weren of hym socoured ofte, [5505] And most yholpe in all her neede. [5506] But now they take no maner heede, [5507] But seyn in voice of flaterie, [5508] That now apperith her folye, [5509] Overall where so they fare, [5510] And synge, `Go, farewel, feldefare.' [5511] All suche freendis I beshrewe, [5512] For of trewe ther be to fewe. [5513] But sothfast freendis, what so bitide, [5514] In every fortune wolen abide; [5515] Thei han her hertis in such noblesse [5516] That they nyl love for no richesse, [5517] Nor for that Fortune may hem sende [5518] Thei wolen hem socoure and defende, [5519] And chaunge for softe ne for sore; [5520] For who is freend, loveth evermore. [5521] Though men drawe swerd his freend to slo, [5522] He may not hewe her love a-two. [5523] But, in cas that I shall sey, [5524] For pride and ire lese it he may, [5525] And for reprove by nycete, [5526] And discovering of privite, [5527] With tonge woundyng, as feloun, [5528] Thurgh venemous detraccioun. [5529] Frend in this cas wole gon his way, [5530] For nothyng greve hym more ne may; [5531] And for nought ellis wole he fle, [5532] If that he love in stabilite. [5533] And certeyn, he is wel bigon, [5534] Among a thousand that fyndith oon. [5535] For ther may be no richesse [5536] Ageyns frendshipp, of worthynesse; [5537] For it ne may so high atteigne [5538] As may the valour, soth to seyne, [5539] Of hym that loveth trew and well. [5540] Frendshipp is more than is catell. [5541] For freend in court ay better is [5542] Than peny in purs, certis; [5543] And Fortune myshappyng [5544] Whanne upon men she is fallyng, [5545] Thurgh mysturnyng of hir chaunce, [5546] And casteth hem out of balaunce, [5547] She makith, thurgh hir adversite, [5548] Men full clerly for to se [5549] Hym that is freend in existence [5550] From hym that is by apparence. [5551] For Ynfortune makith anoon [5552] To knowe thy freendis fro thy foon, [5553] By experience, right as it is, [5554] The which is more to preise, ywis, [5555] Than is myche richesse and tresour. [5556] For more doth profit and valour [5557] Poverte and such adversite [5558] Bifore, than doth prosperite; [5559] For the toon yeveth conysaunce, [5560] And the tother ignoraunce. [5561] "And thus in poverte is in dede [5562] Trouthe declared fro falsheede; [5563] For feynte frendis it wole declare, [5564] And trewe also, what wey they fare. [5565] For whanne he was in his richesse, [5566] These freendis, ful of doublenesse, [5567] Offrid hym in many wise [5568] Hert, and body, and servise. [5569] What wolde he thanne ha yove to ha bought [5570] To knowen openly her thought, [5571] That he now hath so clerly seen? [5572] The lasse bigiled he shulde have ben, [5573] And he hadde thanne perceyved it; [5574] But richesse nold not late hym wit. [5575] Wel more avauntage doth hym than, [5576] Sith that it makith hym a wise man, [5577] The gret myscheef that he receyveth, [5578] Than doth richesse that hym deceyveth. [5579] Richesse riche ne makith nought [5580] Hym that on tresour set his thought; [5581] For richesse stont in suffisaunce [5582] And nothyng in habundaunce; [5583] For suffisaunce all oonly [5584] Makith men to lyve richely. [5585] For he that at mycches tweyne [5586] Ne valued [is. in his demeigne, [5587] Lyveth more at ese, and more is riche, [5588] Than doth he that is chiche, [5589] And in his berne hath, soth to seyn, [5590] An hundred mowis of whete greyn, [5591] Though he be chapman or marchaunt, [5592] And have of gold many besaunt. [5593] For in the getyng he hath such woo, [5594] And in the kepyng drede also, [5595] And set evermore his bisynesse [5596] For to encrese, and not to lesse, [5597] For to aument and multiply. [5598] And though on hepis it lye hym by, [5599] Yit never shal make his richesse [5600] Asseth unto his gredynesse. [5601] But the povre that recchith nought, [5602] Save of his lyflode, in his thought, [5603] Which that he getith with his travaile, [5604] He dredith nought that it shall faile, [5605] Though he have lytel worldis good, [5606] Mete, and drynke, and esy food, [5607] Upon his travel and lyvyng, [5608] And also suffisaunt clothyng. [5609] Or if in syknesse that he falle, [5610] And loth. mete and drynke withalle, [5611] Though he have noght his mete to by, [5612] He shal bithynke hym hastily, [5613] To putte hym oute of all daunger, [5614] That he of mete hath no myster; [5615] Or that he may with lytel ek [5616] Be founden, while that he is sek; [5617] Or that men shull hym beren in hast, [5618] To lyve til his syknesse be past, [5619] To som maysondew biside; [5620] He cast nought what shal hym bitide. [5621] He thenkith nought that evere he shall [5622] Into ony syknesse fall. [5623] "And though it falle, as it may be, [5624] That all betyme spare shall he [5625] As mochel as shal to hym suffice, [5626] While he is sik in ony wise, [5627] He doth [it] for that he wole be [5628] Content with his poverte [5629] Withoute nede of ony man. [5630] So myche in litel have he can, [5631] He is apaied with his fortune; [5632] And for he nyl be importune [5633] Unto no wight, ne onerous, [5634] Nor of her goodes coveitous, [5635] Therfore he spareth, it may wel ben, [5636] His pore estat for to susten. [5637] "Or if hym lust not for to spare, [5638] But suffrith forth, as noght ne ware, [5639] Atte last it hapneth, as it may, [5640] Right unto his laste day, [5641] And taketh the world as it wolde be; [5642] For evere in herte thenkith he, [5643] The sonner that deth hym slo, [5644] To paradys the sonner go [5645] He shal, there for to lyve in blisse, [5646] Where that he shal noo good misse. [5647] Thider he hopith God shal hym sende [5648] Aftir his wrecchid lyves ende. [5649] Pictigoras hymsilf reherses [5650] In a book that `The Golden Verses' [5651] Is clepid, for the nobilite [5652] Of the honourable ditee: -- [5653] `Thanne, whanne thou gost thy body fro, [5654] Fre in the eir thou shalt up go, [5655] And leven al humanite, [5656] And purely lyve in deite.' [5657] He is a fool, withouten were, [5658] That trowith have his countre heere. [5659] `In erthe is not oure countre,' [5660] That may these clerkis seyn and see [5661] In Boece of Consolacioun, [5662] Where it is maked mencioun [5663] Of oure contre pleyn at the ye, [5664] By teching of Philosophie, [5665] Where lewid men myght lere wit, [5666] Whoso that wolde translaten it. [5667] If he be sich that can wel lyve [5668] Aftir his rente may hym yive, [5669] And not desireth more to have [5670] Than may fro poverte hym save, [5671] A wise man seide, as we may seen, [5672] Is no man wrecched, but he it wen, [5673] Be he kyng, knyght, or ribaud. [5674] And many a ribaud is mery and baud, [5675] That swynkith, and berith, bothe day and nyght, [5676] Many a burthen of gret myght, [5677] The whiche doth hym lasse offense [5678] For he suffrith in pacience. [5679] They laugh and daunce, trippe and synge, [5680] And ley not up for her lyvynge, [5681] But in the taverne all dispendith [5682] The wynnyng that God hem sendith. [5683] Thanne goth he, fardeles for to ber [5684] With as good chere as he dide er. [5685] To swynke and traveile he not feynith, [5686] For for to robben he disdeynith. [5687] But right anoon aftir his swynk [5688] He goth to taverne for to drynk. [5689] All these ar riche in abundaunce [5690] That can thus have suffisaunce [5691] Wel more than can an usurere, [5692] As God wel knowith, withoute were. [5693] For an usurer, so God me se, [5694] Shal nevere for richesse riche be, [5695] But evermore pore and indigent, [5696] Scarce and gredy in his entent. [5697] "For soth it is, whom it displese, [5698] Ther may no marchaunt lyve at ese; [5699] His herte in sich a were is sett [5700] That it quyk brenneth [more] to get, [5701] Ne never shal ynogh have geten, [5702] Though he have gold in gerners yeten, [5703] For to be nedy he dredith sore. [5704] Wherfore to geten more and more [5705] He set his herte and his desir; [5706] So hote he brennyth in the fir [5707] Of coveitise, that makith hym wood [5708] To purchace other mennes good. [5709] He undirfongith a gret peyne, [5710] That undirtakith to drynke up Seyne; [5711] For the more he drynkith, ay [5712] The more he leveth, the soth to say. [5713] Thus is thurst of fals getyng, [5714] That last ever in coveityng, [5715] And the angwisshe and distresse [5716] With the fir of gredynesse. [5717] She fightith with hym ay, and stryveth, [5718] That his herte asondre ryveth. [5719] Such gredynesse hym assaylith [5720] That whanne he most hath, most he failith. [5721] Phisiciens and advocates [5722] Gon right by the same yates; [5723] They selle her science for wynnyng, [5724] And haunte her craft for gret getyng. [5725] Her wynnyng is of such swetnesse [5726] That if a man falle in siknesse, [5727] They are full glad for her encres; [5728] For by her wille, withoute lees, [5729] Everich man shulde be sek, [5730] And though they die, they sette not a lek. [5731] After, whanne they the gold have take, [5732] Full litel care for hem they make. [5733] They wolde that fourty were seke at onys, [5734] Ye, two hundred, in flesh and bonys, [5735] And yit two thousand, as I gesse, [5736] For to encrecen her richesse. [5737] They wole not worchen, in no wise, [5738] But for lucre and coveitise. [5739] For fysic gynneth first by fy, [5740] The physicien also sothely; [5741] And sithen it goth fro fy to sy: [5742] To truste on hem is foly; [5743] For they nyl, in no maner gre, [5744] Do right nought for charite. [5745] "Eke in the same secte ar sett [5746] All tho that prechen for to get [5747] Worshipes, honour, and richesse. [5748] Her hertis arn in gret distresse [5749] That folk lyve not holily. [5750] But aboven all, specialy, [5751] Sich as prechen [for] veynglorie, [5752] And toward God have no memorie, [5753] But forth as ypocrites trace, [5754] And to her soules deth purchace, [5755] And outward shewen holynesse, [5756] Though they be full of cursidnesse. [5757] Not liche to the apostles twelve, [5758] They deceyve other and hemselve. [5759] Bigiled is the giler than, [5760] For prechyng of a cursed man, [5761] Though [it] to other may profite, [5762] Hymsilf it availeth not a myte; [5763] For ofte good predicacioun [5764] Cometh of evel entencioun. [5765] To hym not vailith his preching, [5766] All helpe he other with his teching; [5767] For where they good ensaumple take, [5768] There is he with veynglorie shake. [5769] "But late us leven these prechoures, [5770] And speke of hem that in her toures [5771] Hepe up hir gold, and faste shette, [5772] And sore theron her herte sette. [5773] They neither love God ne drede; [5774] They kepe more than it is nede, [5775] And in her bagges sore it bynde, [5776] Out of the sonne and of the wynde. [5777] They putte up more than nede ware, [5778] Whanne they seen pore folk forfare, [5779] For hunger die, and for cold quake. [5780] God can wel vengeaunce therof take! [5781] Three gret myscheves hem assailith, [5782] And thus in gadring ay travaylith. [5783] With myche peyne they wynne richesse; [5784] And drede hem holdith in distresse [5785] To kepe that they gadre faste; [5786] With sorwe they leve it at the laste. [5787] With sorwe they bothe dye and lyve, [5788] That unto richesse her hertis yive; [5789] And in defaute of love it is, [5790] As it shewith ful wel, iwys. [5791] For if thise gredy, the sothe to seyn, [5792] Loveden and were loved ageyn, [5793] And good love regned overall, [5794] Such wikkidnesse ne shulde fall; [5795] But he shulde yeve that most good had [5796] To hem that weren in nede bistad, [5797] And lyve withoute false usure, [5798] For charite full clene and pure. [5799] If they hem yeve to goodnesse, [5800] Defendyng hem from ydelnesse, [5801] In all this world thanne pore noon [5802] We shulde fynde, I trowe, not oon. [5803] But chaunged is this world unstable, [5804] For love is overall vendable. [5805] We se that no man loveth now, [5806] But for wynnyng and for prow; [5807] And love is thralled in servage, [5808] Whanne it is sold for avauntage. [5809] Yit wommen wole her bodyes selle; [5810] Suche soules goth to the devel of helle!" The Canterbury Tales and Other Works of Chaucer (Middle English), by Geoffery Chaucer, [14th cent.], at sacred-texts.com The Romaunt of the Rose Fragment C [5811] Whanne Love hadde told hem his entente, [5812] The baronage to councel wente. [5813] In many sentences they fille, [5814] And dyversely they seide hir wille; [5815] But aftir discord they accorded, [5816] And her accord to Love recorded. [5817] "Sir," seiden they, "we ben at on, [5818] Bi evene accord of everichon, [5819] Out-take Richesse al oonly, [5820] That sworen hath ful hauteynly, [5821] That she the castel nyl not assaile, [5822] Ne smyte a strok in this bataile, [5823] With darte, ne mace, spere, ne knyf, [5824] For man that spekith or berith the lyf, [5825] And blameth youre emprise, iwys, [5826] And from oure hoost departed is, [5827] Atte leste wey, as in this plyt, [5828] So hath she this man in dispit. [5829] For she seith he ne loved hir never, [5830] And therfore she wole hate hym evere. [5831] For he wole gadre no tresor, [5832] He hath hir wrath for evermor. [5833] He agylte hir never in other caas, [5834] Lo, heere all hoolly his trespas! [5835] She seith wel that this other day [5836] He axide hir leve to gon the way [5837] That is clepid To-Moche-Yevyng, [5838] And spak full faire in his praiyng; [5839] But whanne he praiede hir, pore was he, [5840] Therfore she warned hym the entre. [5841] Ne yit is he not thryven so [5842] That he hath geten a peny or two [5843] That quytly is his owne in hold. [5844] Thus hath Richesse us alle told, [5845] And whanne Richesse us this recorded, [5846] Withouten hir we ben accorded. [5847] "And we fynde in oure accordaunce [5848] That Fals-Semblant and Abstinaunce, [5849] With all the folk of her bataille, [5850] Shull at the hyndre gate assayle, [5851] That Wikkid-Tunge hath in kepyng, [5852] With his Normans full of janglyng. [5853] And with hem Curtesie and Largesse, [5854] That shull shewe her hardynesse [5855] To the olde wyf that kepte so harde [5856] Fair-Welcomyng withynne her warde. [5857] Thanne shal Delit and Wel-Heelynge [5858] Fonde Shame adown to brynge; [5859] With all her oost, erly and late, [5860] They shull assailen that ilke gate. [5861] Agaynes Drede shall Hardynesse [5862] Assayle, and also Sikernesse, [5863] With all the folk of her ledyng, [5864] That never wist what was fleyng. [5865] "Fraunchise shall fight, and eke Pite, [5866] With Daunger, full of cruelte. [5867] Thus is youre hoost ordeyned wel. [5868] Doun shall the castell every del, [5869] If everich do his entent, [5870] So that Venus be present, [5871] Youre modir, full of vasselage, [5872] That can ynough of such usage. [5873] Withouten hir may no wight spede [5874] This werk, neithir for word ne deede; [5875] Therfore is good ye for hir sende, [5876] For thurgh hir may this werk amende." [5877] "Lordynges, my modir, the goddesse, [5878] That is my lady and my maistresse, [5879] Nis not [at] all at my willyng, [5880] Ne doth not all my desiryng. [5881] Yit can she som tyme don labour, [5882] Whanne that hir lust, in my socour, [5883] Al my nedes for to acheve, [5884] But now I thenke hir not to greve. [5885] My modir is she, and of childhede [5886] I bothe worshipe hir and eke drede; [5887] For who that dredith sire ne dame, [5888] Shal it abye in body or name. [5889] And, natheles, yit kunne we [5890] Sende aftir hir, if nede be; [5891] And were she nygh, she comen wolde; [5892] I trowe that nothyng myght hir holde. [5893] "Mi modir is of gret prowesse; [5894] She hath tan many a forteresse, [5895] That cost hath many a pound, er this, [5896] There I nas not present, ywis. [5897] And yit men seide it was my dede; [5898] But I com never in that stede, [5899] Ne me ne likith, so mote I the, [5900] That such toures ben take withoute me. [5901] For-why me thenkith that, in no wise, [5902] It may ben clepid but marchandise. [5903] "Go bye a courser, blak or whit, [5904] And pay therfore; than art thou quyt. [5905] The marchaunt owith thee right nought, [5906] Ne thou hym, whanne thou it bought. [5907] I wole not sellyng clepe yevyng, [5908] For sellyng axeth no guerdonyng: [5909] Here lith no thank ne no merit; [5910] That oon goth from that other al quyt. [5911] But this sellyng is not semblable; [5912] For whanne his hors is in the stable, [5913] He may it selle ageyn, parde, [5914] And wynnen on it, such hap may be; [5915] All may the man not leese, iwys, [5916] For at the leest the skyn is his. [5917] Or ellis, if it so bitide [5918] That he wole kepe his hors to ride, [5919] Yit is he lord ay of his hors. [5920] But thilke chaffare is wel wors, [5921] There Venus entremetith ought. [5922] For whoso such chaffare hath bought, [5923] He shal not worchen so wisely [5924] That he ne shal leese al outerly [5925] Bothe his money and his chaffare; [5926] But the seller of the ware [5927] The prys and profit have shall. [5928] Certeyn, the bier shal leese all. [5929] For he ne can so dere it bye [5930] To have lordship and full maistrie, [5931] Ne have power to make lettyng, [5932] Neithir for yift ne for prechyng, [5933] That of his chaffare, maugre his, [5934] Another shal have as moche, iwis, [5935] If he wol yeve as myche as he, [5936] Of what contrey so that he be -- [5937] Or for right nought, so happe may, [5938] If he can flater hir to hir pay. [5939] Ben thanne siche marchauntz wise? [5940] No, but fooles in every wise, [5941] Whanne they bye sich thyng wilfully, [5942] There as they leese her good fully. [5943] But natheles, this dar I saye, [5944] My modir is not wont to paye, [5945] For she is neither so fool ne nyce [5946] To entremete hir of sich vice. [5947] But truste wel, he shal pay all, [5948] That repent of his bargeyn shall, [5949] Whanne poverte putte hym in distresse, [5950] All were he scoler to Richesse, [5951] That is for me in gret yernyng, [5952] Whanne she assentith to my willyng. [5953] "But [by] my modir, seint Venus, [5954] And by hir fader Saturnus, [5955] That hir engendride by his lyf -- [5956] But not upon his weddid wyf -- [5957] Yit wole I more unto you swer, [5958] To make this thyng the seurere -- [5959] Now by that feith and that leaute [5960] That I owe to all my britheren fre, [5961] Of which ther nys wight undir heven [5962] That kan her fadris names neven, [5963] So dyverse and so many ther be [5964] That with my modir have be prive! [5965] Yit wolde I swere, for sikirnesse, [5966] The pol of helle to my witnesse -- [5967] Now drynke I not this yeer clarre, [5968] If that I lye or forsworn be! [5969] (For of the goddes the usage is [5970] That whoso hym forswereth amys [5971] Shal that yeer drynke no clarre.) [5972] Now have I sworn ynough, pardee, [5973] If I forswere me, thanne am I lorn, [5974] But I wole never be forsworn. [5975] Syth Richesse hath me failed heere, [5976] She shal abye that trespas ful dere, [5977] Atte leeste wey, but [she] hir arme [5978] With swerd, or sparth, or gysarme. [5979] For certis, sith she loveth not me, [5980] Fro thilke tyme that she may se [5981] The castell and the tour toshake, [5982] In sory tyme she shal awake. [5983] If I may grype a riche man, [5984] I shal so pulle hym, if I can, [5985] That he shal in a fewe stoundes [5986] Lese all his markis and his poundis. [5987] I shal hym make his pens outslynge, [5988] But they in his gerner sprynge. [5989] Oure maydens shal eke pluk hym so [5990] That hym shal neden fetheres mo, [5991] And make hym selle his lond to spende, [5992] But he the bet kunne hym defende. [5993] "Pore men han maad her lord of me; [5994] Although they not so myghty be [5995] That they may fede me in delit, [5996] I wol not have hem in despit. [5997] No good man hateth hem, as I gesse, [5998] For chynche and feloun is Richesse, [5999] That so can chase hem and dispise, [6000] And hem defoule in sondry wise. [6001] They loven full bet, so God me spede, [6002] Than doth the riche, chynchy gnede, [6003] And ben, in good feith, more stable [6004] And trewer and more serviable; [6005] And therfore it suffisith me [6006] Her goode herte and her leaute. [6007] They han on me set all her thought, [6008] And therfore I forgete hem nought. [6009] I wol hem bringe in gret noblesse, [6010] If that I were god of richesse, [6011] As I am god of love sothly, [6012] Sich routhe upon her pleynt have I. [6013] Therfore I must his socour be, [6014] That peyneth hym to serven me, [6015] For if he deide for love of this, [6016] Thanne semeth in me no love ther is." [6017] "Sir," seide they, "soth is every deel [6018] That ye reherce, and we wote wel [6019] Thilk oth to holde is resonable; [6020] For it is good and covenable [6021] That ye on riche men han sworn. [6022] For, sir, this wote we wel biforn: [6023] If riche men don you homage, [6024] That is as fooles don outrage; [6025] But ye shull not forsworn be, [6026] Ne lette therfore to drynke clarre, [6027] Or pyment makid fresh and newe. [6028] Ladies shull hem such pepir brewe, [6029] If that they fall into her laas, [6030] That they for woo mowe seyn `allas!' [6031] Ladyes shullen evere so curteis be [6032] That they shal quyte youre oth all free. [6033] Ne sekith never othir vicaire, [6034] For they shal speke with hem so faire [6035] That ye shal holde you paied full wel, [6036] Though ye you medle never a del. [6037] Late ladies worche with her thyngis, [6038] They shal hem telle so fele tidynges, [6039] And moeve hem eke so many requestis [6040] Bi flateri, that not honest is, [6041] And therto yeve hem such thankynges, [6042] What with kissyng and with talkynges, [6043] That, certis, if they trowed be, [6044] Shal never leve hem lond ne fee [6045] That it nyl as the moeble fare, [6046] Of which they first delyverid are. [6047] Now may ye telle us all youre wille, [6048] And we youre heestes shal fulfille. [6049] "But Fals-Semblant dar not, for drede [6050] Of you, sir, medle hym of this dede, [6051] For he seith that ye ben his foo; [6052] He not if ye wole worche hym woo. [6053] Wherfore we pray you alle, beau sire, [6054] That ye forgyve hym now your ire, [6055] And that he may dwelle, as your man, [6056] With Abstinence, his dere lemman; [6057] This oure accord and oure wille now." [6058] "Parfay," seide Love, "I graunte it yow. [6059] I wole wel holde hym for my man; [6060] Now late hym come" -- and he forth ran. [6061] "Fals-Semblant," quod Love, "in this wise [6062] I take thee heere to my servise, [6063] That thou oure freendis helpe alway, [6064] And hyndre hem neithir nyght ne day, [6065] But do thy myght hem to releve, [6066] And eke oure enemyes that thou greve. [6067] Thyn be this myght, I graunte it thee, [6068] My kyng of harlotes shalt thou be; [6069] We wole that thou have such honour. [6070] Certeyn, thou art a fals traitour, [6071] And eke a theef; sith thou were born, [6072] A thousand tyme thou art forsworn. [6073] But natheles, in oure heryng, [6074] To putte oure folk out of doutyng, [6075] I bidde thee teche hem, wostow how, [6076] Bi som general signe now, [6077] In what place thou shalt founden be, [6078] If that men had myster of thee; [6079] And how men shal thee best espye, [6080] For thee to knowe is gret maistrie. [6081] Telle in what place is thyn hauntyng." [6082] "Sir, I have fele dyvers wonyng, [6083] That I kepe not rehersed be, [6084] So that ye wolde respiten me. [6085] For if that I telle you the sothe, [6086] I may have harm and shame bothe. [6087] If that my felowes wisten it, [6088] My talis shulden me be quytt; [6089] For certeyn, they wolde hate me, [6090] If ever I knewe her cruelte. [6091] For they wolde overall holde hem stille [6092] Of trouthe that is ageyne her wille; [6093] Suche tales kepen they not here. [6094] I myght eftsoone bye it full deere, [6095] If I seide of hem ony thing [6096] That ought displesith to her heryng. [6097] For what word that hem prikke or biteth, [6098] In that word noon of hem deliteth, [6099] Al were it gospel, the evangile, [6100] That wolde reprove hem of her gile, [6101] For they are cruel and hauteyn. [6102] And this thyng wot I well, certeyn, [6103] If I speke ought to peire her loos, [6104] Your court shal not so well be cloos [6105] That they ne shall wite it atte last. [6106] Of good men am I nought agast, [6107] For they wole taken on hem nothyng, [6108] Whanne that they knowe al my menyng; [6109] But he that wole it on hym take, [6110] He wole hymsilf suspecious make, [6111] That he his lyf let covertly [6112] In Gile and in Ipocrisy [6113] That me engendred and yaf fostryng." [6114] "They made a full good engendryng," [6115] Quod Love, "for whoso sothly telle, [6116] They engendred the devel of helle! [6117] But nedely, howsoevere it be," [6118] Quod Love, "I wole and charge thee [6119] To telle anoon thy wonyng places, [6120] Heryng ech wight that in this place is. [6121] And what lyf that thou lyvest also. [6122] Hide it no lenger now; wherto? [6123] Thou most discovere all thi wurchyng, [6124] How thou servest, and of what thyng, [6125] Though that thou shuldist for thi soth-sawe [6126] Ben al tobeten and todrawe -- [6127] And yit art thou not wont, pardee. [6128] But natheles, though thou beten be, [6129] Thou shalt not be the first that so [6130] Hath for sothsawe suffred woo." [6131] "Sir, sith that it may liken you, [6132] Though that I shulde be slayn right now, [6133] I shal don youre comaundement, [6134] For therto have I gret talent." [6135] Withouten wordis mo, right than, [6136] Fals-Semblant his sermon bigan, [6137] And seide hem thus in audience: [6138] "Barouns, take heede of my sentence! [6139] That wight that list to have knowing [6140] Of Fals-Semblant, full of flatering, [6141] He must in worldly folk hym seke, [6142] And, certes, in the cloistres eke. [6143] I wone nowhere but in hem tweye, [6144] But not lyk even, soth to seye. [6145] Shortly, I wole herberwe me [6146] There I hope best to hulstred be, [6147] And certeynly, sikerest hidyng [6148] Is undirnethe humblest clothing. [6149] Religiouse folk ben full covert; [6150] Seculer folk ben more appert. [6151] But natheles, I wole not blame [6152] Religious folk, ne hem diffame, [6153] In what habit that ever they go. [6154] Religioun umble and trewe also, [6155] Wole I not blame ne dispise; [6156] But I nyl love it, in no wise. [6157] I mene of fals religious, [6158] That stoute ben and malicious, [6159] That wolen in an abit goo, [6160] And setten not her herte therto. [6161] "Religious folk ben al pitous; [6162] Thou shalt not seen oon dispitous. [6163] They loven no pride ne no strif, [6164] But humbly they wole lede her lyf. [6165] With swich folk wole I never be, [6166] And if I dwelle, I feyne me. [6167] I may wel in her abit go; [6168] But me were lever my nekke a-two, [6169] Than lete a purpos that I take, [6170] What covenaunt that ever I make. [6171] I dwelle with hem that proude be, [6172] And full of wiles and subtilte, [6173] That worship of this world coveiten, [6174] And grete nedes kunnen espleiten, [6175] And gon and gadren gret pitaunces, [6176] And purchace hem the acqueyntaunces [6177] Of men that myghty lyf may leden; [6178] And feyne hem pore, and hemsilf feden [6179] With gode morcels delicious, [6180] And drinken good wyn precious, [6181] And preche us povert and distresse, [6182] And fisshen hemsilf gret richesse [6183] With wily nettis that they caste. [6184] It wole come foule out at the laste. [6185] They ben fro clene religioun went; [6186] They make the world an argument [6187] That [hath. a foul conclusioun. [6188] `I have a robe of religioun, [6189] Thanne am I all religious.' [6190] This argument is all roignous; [6191] It is not worth a croked brere. [6192] Abit ne makith neithir monk ne frere, [6193] But clene lyf and devocioun [6194] Makith gode men of religioun. [6195] Natheles, ther kan noon answere, [6196] How high that evere his heed he shere, [6197] With resoun whetted never so kene, [6198] That Gile in braunches kut thrittene; [6199] Ther can no wight distincte it so, [6200] That he dar sey a word therto. [6201] "But what herberwe that ever I take, [6202] Or what semblant that evere I make, [6203] I mene but gile, and folowe that; [6204] For right no mo than Gibbe oure cat, [6206] Ne entende I but to bigilyng. [6207] Ne no wight may by my clothing [6208] Wite with what folk is my dwellyng, [6209] Ne by my wordis yit, parde, [6210] So softe and so plesaunt they be. [6211] Bihold the dedis that I do; [6212] But thou be blynd, thou oughtest so; [6213] For, varie her wordis fro her deede, [6214] They thenke on gile, withoute dreede, [6215] What maner clothing that they were, [6216] Or what estat that evere they bere, [6217] Lered or lewde, lord or lady, [6218] Knyght, squyer, burgeis, or bayly." [6219] Right thus while Fals-Semblant sermoneth, [6220] Eftsones Love hym aresoneth, [6221] And brak his tale in his spekyng, [6222] As though he had hym told lesyng, [6223] And seide, "What, devel, is that I here? [6224] What folk hast thou us nempned heere? [6225] May men fynde religioun [6226] In worldly habitacioun?" [6227] "Ye, sir; it folowith not that they [6228] Shulde lede a wikked lyf, parfey, [6229] Ne not therfore her soules leese [6230] That hem to worldly clothes chese; [6231] For, certis, it were gret pitee. [6232] Men may in seculer clothes see [6233] Florishen hooly religioun. [6234] Full many a seynt in feeld and toun, [6235] With many a virgine glorious, [6236] Devout, and full religious, [6237] Han deied, that comun cloth ay beeren, [6238] Yit seyntes nevere the lesse they weren. [6239] I cowde reken you many a ten; [6240] Ye, wel nygh [al] these hooly wymmen [6241] That men in chirchis herie and seke, [6242] Bothe maydens and these wyves eke [6243] That baren full many a fair child heere, [6244] Wered alwey clothis seculere, [6245] And in the same dieden they [6246] That seyntes weren, and ben alwey. [6247] The eleven thousand maydens deere [6248] That beren in heven hir ciergis clere, [6249] Of whiche men rede in chirche and synge, [6250] Were take in seculer clothinge [6251] Whanne they resseyved martirdom, [6252] And wonnen hevene unto her hom. [6253] Good herte makith the goode thought; [6254] The clothing yeveth ne reveth nought. [6255] The goode thought and the worching, [6256] That makith the religioun flowryng, [6257] Ther lyth the good religioun, [6258] Aftir the right entencioun. [6259] "Whoso took a wethers skyn, [6260] And wrapped a gredy wolf theryn, [6261] For he shulde go with lambis whyte, [6262] Wenest thou not he wolde hem bite? [6263] Yis, neverthelasse, as he were wood, [6264] He wolde hem wery and drinke the blood, [6265] And wel the rather hem disceyve; [6266] For, sith they cowde not perceyve [6267] His treget and his cruelte, [6268] They wolde hym folowe, al wolde he fle. [6269] "If ther be wolves of sich hewe [6270] Amonges these apostlis newe, [6271] Thou hooly chirche, thou maist be wailed! [6272] Sith that thy citee is assayled [6273] Thourgh knyghtis of thyn owne table, [6274] God wot thi lordship is doutable! [6275] If thei enforce [hem] it to wynne [6276] That shulde defende it fro withynne, [6277] Who myght defense ayens hem make? [6278] Withoute strok it mot be take [6279] Of trepeget or mangonel, [6280] Without displaiyng of pensel. [6281] And if God nyl don it socour, [6282] But lat [hem] renne in this colour, [6283] Thou most thyn heestis laten be. [6284] Thanne is ther nought but yelde thee, [6285] Or yeve hem tribut, doutelees, [6286] And holde it of hem to have pees, [6287] But gretter harm bitide thee, [6288] That they al maister of it be. [6289] Wel konne they scorne thee withal; [6290] By day stuffen they the wall, [6291] And al the nyght they mynen there. [6292] Nay, thou planten most elleswhere [6293] Thyn ympes, if thou wolt fruyt have; [6294] Abid not there thisilf to save. [6295] "But now pees! Heere I turne ageyn. [6296] I wole nomore of this thing seyn, [6297] If I may passen me herby; [6298] I myghte maken you wery. [6299] But I wole heten you alway [6300] To helpe youre freendis what I may, [6301] So they wollen my company; [6302] For they be shent al outerly, [6303] But if so falle that I be [6304] Ofte with hem, and they with me. [6305] And eke my lemman mote they serve, [6306] Or they shull not my love deserve. [6307] Forsothe, I am a fals traitour; [6308] God jugged me for a theef trichour. [6309] Forsworn I am, but wel nygh non [6310] Wot of my gile, til it be don. [6311] "Thourgh me hath many oon deth resseyved, [6312] That my treget nevere aperceyved; [6313] And yit resseyveth, and shal resseyve, [6314] That my falsnesse shal nevere aperceyve. [6315] But whoso doth, if he wis be, [6316] Hym is right good be war of me, [6317] But so sligh is the deceyvyng [6319] For Protheus, that cowde hym chaunge [6320] In every shap, homly and straunge, [6321] Cowde nevere sich gile ne tresoun [6322] As I; for I com never in toun [6323] There as I myghte knowen be, [6324] Though men me bothe myght here and see. [6325] Full wel I can my clothis chaunge, [6326] Take oon, and make another straunge. [6327] Now am I knyght, now chasteleyn, [6328] Now prelat, and now chapeleyn, [6329] Now prest, now clerk, and now forster; [6330] Now am I maister, now scoler, [6331] Now monk, now chanoun, now baily; [6332] Whatever myster man am I. [6333] Now am I prince, now am I page, [6334] And kan by herte every langage. [6335] Som tyme am I hor and old; [6336] Now am I yong, stout, and bold; [6337] Now am I Robert, now Robyn, [6338] Now Frere Menour, now Jacobyn; [6339] And with me folwith my loteby, [6340] To don me solas and company, [6341] That hight Dame Abstinence-Streyned, [6342] In many a queynte array feyned. [6343] Ryght as it cometh to hir lykyng, [6344] I fulfille al hir desiryng. [6345] Somtyme a wommans cloth take I; [6346] Now am I a mayde, now lady. [6347] Somtyme I am religious; [6348] Now lyk an anker in an hous. [6349] Somtyme am I prioresse, [6350] And now a nonne, and now abbesse; [6351] And go thurgh alle regiouns, [6352] Sekyng alle religiouns. [6353] But to what ordre that I am sworn, [6354] I take the strawe, and lete the corn. [6355] To gyle folk I enhabit; [6356] I axe nomore but her abit. [6357] What wole ye more in every wise? [6358] Right as me lyst, I me disgise. [6359] Wel can I wre me undir wede; [6360] Unlyk is my word to my dede. [6361] [I] make into my trappis falle, [6362] Thurgh my pryveleges, alle [6363] That ben in Cristendom alyve. [6364] I may assoile and I may shryve, [6365] That no prelat may lette me, [6366] All folk, where evere thei founde be. [6367] I not no prelat may don so, [6368] But it the pope be, and no mo, [6369] That made thilk establisshing. [6370] Now is not this a propre thing? [6371] But, were my sleightis aperceyved [6373] As I was wont, and wostow why? [6374] For I dide hem a tregetry. [6375] But therof yeve I lytel tale; [6376] I have the silver and the male. [6377] So have I prechid, and eke shriven, [6378] So have I take, so have me yiven, [6379] Thurgh her foly, husbonde and wyf, [6380] That I lede right a joly lyf, [6381] Thurgh symplesse of the prelacye -- [6382] They knowe not al my tregettrie. [6383] "But forasmoche as man and wyf [6384] Shulde shewe her paroch-prest her lyf, [6385] Onys a yeer, as seith the book, [6386] Er ony wight his housel took, [6387] Thanne have I pryvylegis large, [6388] That may of myche thing discharge. [6389] For he may seie right thus, parde: [6390] `Sir preest, in shrift I telle it thee, [6391] That he to whom that I am shryven [6392] Hath me assoiled, and me yiven [6393] Penaunce, sothly, for my synne, [6394] Which that I fond me gilty ynne; [6395] Ne I ne have nevere entencioun [6396] To make double confessioun, [6397] Ne reherce eft my shrift to thee. [6398] O shrift is right ynough to me. [6399] This oughte thee suffice wel; [6400] Ne be not rebel never a del. [6401] For certis, though thou haddist it sworn, [6402] I wot no prest ne prelat born, [6403] That may to shrift eft me constreyne; [6404] And if they don, I wole me pleyne, [6405] For I wot where to pleyne wel. [6406] Thou shalt not streyne me a del, [6407] Ne enforce me, ne not me trouble, [6408] To make my confessioun double. [6409] Ne I have non affeccioun [6410] To have double absolucioun. [6411] The firste is right ynough to me; [6412] This latter assoilyng quyte I thee. [6413] I am unbounde -- what maist thou fynde [6414] More of my synnes me to unbynde? [6415] For he, that myght hath in his hond, [6416] Of all my synnes me unbond. [6417] And if thou wolt me thus constreyne [6418] That me mot nedis on thee pleyne, [6419] There shall no jugge imperial, [6420] Ne bisshop, ne official, [6421] Don jugement on me; for I [6422] Shal gon and pleyne me openly [6423] Unto my shrifte-fadir newe [6424] (That hight not Frere Wolf untrewe!), [6425] And he shal cheveys hym for me, [6426] For I trowe he can hampre thee. [6427] But, Lord, he wolde be wrooth withalle, [6428] If men hym wolde Frere Wolf calle! [6429] For he wolde have no pacience, [6430] But don al cruel vengeaunce. [6431] He wolde his myght don at the leeste, [6432] Nothing spare for Goddis heeste. [6433] And, God so wys be my socour, [6434] But thou yeve me my Savyour [6435] At Ester, whanne it likith me, [6436] Withoute presyng more on thee, [6437] I wole forth, and to hym gon, [6438] And he shal housel me anoon. [6439] For I am out of thi grucching; [6440] I kepe not dele with thee nothing.' [6441] "Thus may he shryve hym, that forsaketh [6442] His paroch-prest, and to me taketh. [6443] And if the prest wole hym refuse, [6444] I am full redy hym to accuse, [6445] And hym punysshe and hampre so [6446] That he his chirche shal forgo. [6447] "But whoso hath in his felyng [6448] The consequence of such shryvyng, [6449] Shal sen that prest may never have myght [6450] To knowe the conscience aright [6451] Of hym that is undir his cure. [6452] And this ageyns holy scripture, [6453] That biddith every heerde honest [6454] Have verry knowing of his beest. [6455] But pore folk that gone by strete, [6456] That have no gold, ne sommes grete, [6457] Hem wolde I lete to her prelates, [6458] Or lete her prestis knowe her states, [6459] For to me right nought yeve they. [6460] And why? It is for they ne may. [6461] They ben so bare, I take no kep, [6462] But I wole have the fatte sheep; [6463] Lat parish prestis have the lene. [6464] I yeve not of her harm a bene! [6465] And if that prelates grucchen it, [6466] That oughten wroth be in her wit [6467] To leese her fatte beestes so, [6468] I shal yeve hem a strok or two, [6469] That they shal leesen with force, [6470] Ye, bothe her mytre and her croce. [6471] Thus jape I hem, and have do longe, [6472] My pryveleges ben so stronge." [6473] Fals-Semblant wolde have stynted heere, [6474] But Love ne made hym no such cheere [6475] That he was wery of his sawe; [6476] But for to make hym glad and fawe, [6477] He seide, "Telle on more specialy [6478] Hou that thou servest untrewly. [6479] Telle forth, and shame thee never a del; [6480] For, as thyn abit shewith wel, [6481] Thou semest an hooly heremyte." [6482] "Soth is, but I am an ypocrite." [6483] "Thou gost and prechest poverte." [6484] "Ye, sir, but richesse hath pouste." [6485] "Thou prechest abstinence also." [6486] "Sir, I wole fillen, so mote I go, [6487] My paunche of good mete and wyn, [6488] As shulde a maister of dyvyn; [6489] For how that I me pover feyne, [6490] Yit alle pore folk I disdeyne. [6491] "I love bettir th' acqueyntaunce, [6492] Ten tyme, of the kyng of Fraunce [6493] Than of a pore man of mylde mod, [6494] Though that his soule be also god. [6495] For whanne I see beggers quakyng, [6496] Naked on myxnes al stynkyng, [6497] For hungre crie, and eke for care, [6498] I entremete not of her fare. [6499] They ben so pore and ful of pyne, [6500] They myght not oonys yeve me dyne, [6501] For they have nothing but her lyf. [6502] What shulde he yeve that likketh his knyf? [6503] It is but foly to entremete, [6504] To seke in houndes nest fat mete. [6505] Lete bere hem to the spitel anoon, [6506] But, for me, comfort gete they noon. [6507] But a riche sik usurer [6508] Wolde I visite and drawe ner; [6509] Hym wole I comforte and rehete, [6510] For I hope of his gold to gete. [6511] And if that wikkid deth hym have, [6512] I wole go with hym to his grave. [6513] And if ther ony reprove me, [6514] Why that I lete the pore be, [6515] Wostow how I mot ascape? [6516] I sey, and swere hym ful rape, [6517] That riche men han more tecches [6518] Of synne than han pore wrecches, [6519] And han of counsel more mister, [6520] And therfore I wole drawe hem ner. [6521] But as gret hurt, it may so be, [6522] Hath a soule in right gret poverte [6523] As soule in gret richesse, forsothe, [6524] Al be it that they hurten bothe. [6525] For richesse and mendicitees [6526] Ben clepid two extremytees; [6527] The mene is cleped suffisaunce; [6528] Ther lyth of vertu the aboundaunce. [6529] For Salamon, full wel I wot, [6530] In his Parablis us wrot, [6531] As it is knowe to many a wight, [6532] In his thrittene chapitre right, [6533] `God thou me kepe, for thi pouste, [6534] Fro richesse and mendicite; [6535] For if a riche man hym dresse [6536] To thenke to myche on richesse, [6537] His herte on that so fer is set [6538] That he his creatour foryet; [6539] And hym that begging wole ay greve, [6540] How shulde I bi his word hym leve? [6541] Unnethe that he nys a mycher [6542] Forsworn, or ellis God is lyer.' [6543] Thus seith Salamones sawes. [6544] Ne we fynde writen in no lawis, [6545] And namely in oure Cristen lay, [6546] (Whoso seith `ye,' I dar sey `nay') [6547] That Crist, ne his apostlis dere, [6548] While that they walkide in erthe heere, [6549] Were never seen her bred beggyng, [6550] For they nolden beggen for nothing. [6551] And right thus was men wont to teche, [6552] And in this wise wolde it preche [6553] The maistres of divinite [6554] Somtyme in Parys the citee. [6555] "And if men wolde ther-geyn appose [6556] The nakid text, and lete the glose, [6557] It myghte soone assoiled be; [6558] For men may wel the sothe see, [6559] That, parde, they myght aske a thing [6560] Pleynly forth, without begging. [6561] For they weren Goddis herdis deere, [6562] And cure of soules hadden heere, [6563] They nolde nothing begge her fode; [6564] For aftir Crist was don on rode, [6565] With ther propre hondis they wrought, [6566] And with travel, and ellis nought, [6567] They wonnen all her sustenaunce, [6568] And lyveden forth in her penaunce, [6569] And the remenaunt yave awey [6570] To other pore folkis alwey. [6571] They neither bilden tour ne halle, [6572] But ley in houses smale withalle. [6573] A myghty man, that can and may, [6574] Shulde with his hond and body alway [6575] Wynne hym his fode in laboring, [6576] If he ne have rent or sich a thing, [6577] Although he be religious, [6578] And God to serven curious. [6579] Thus mot he don, or do trespas, [6580] But if it be in certeyn cas, [6581] That I can reherce, if myster be, [6582] Right wel, whanne the tyme I se. [6583] "Sek the book of Seynt Austyn, [6584] Be it in papir or perchemyn, [6585] There as he writ of these worchynges, [6586] Thou shalt seen that noon excusynges [6587] A parfit man ne shulde seke [6588] Bi wordis ne bi dedis eke, [6589] Although he be religious, [6590] And God to serven curious, [6591] That he ne shal, so mote I go, [6592] With propre hondis and body also, [6593] Gete his fode in laboryng, [6594] If he ne have proprete of thing. [6595] Yit shulde he selle all his substaunce, [6596] And with his swynk have sustenaunce, [6597] If he be parfit in bounte. [6598] Thus han tho bookes told me. [6599] For he that wole gon ydilly, [6600] And usith it ay besily [6601] To haunten other mennes table, [6602] He is a trechour, ful of fable; [6603] Ne he ne may, by god resoun, [6604] Excuse hym by his orisoun. [6605] For men bihoveth, in som gise, [6606] Somtyme leven Goddis servise [6607] To gon and purchasen her nede. [6608] Men mote eten, that is no drede, [6609] And slepe, and eke do other thing; [6610] So longe may they leve praiyng. [6611] So may they eke her praier blynne, [6612] While that they werke, her mete to wynne. [6613] Seynt Austyn wole therto accorde, [6614] In thilke book that I recorde. [6615] Justinian eke, that made lawes, [6616] Hath thus forboden, by olde dawes: [6617] `No man, up peyne to be ded, [6618] Mighty of body, to begge his bred, [6619] If he may swynke it for to gete; [6620] Men shulde hym rather mayme or bete, [6621] Or don of hym apert justice, [6622] Than suffren hym in such malice.' [6623] They don not wel, so mote I go, [6624] That taken such almesse so, [6625] But if they have som pryvelege, [6626] That of the peyne hem wole allege. [6627] But how that is, can I not see, [6628] But if the prince disseyved be; [6629] Ne I ne wene not, sikerly, [6630] That they may have it rightfully. [6631] But I wole not determine [6632] Of prynces power, ne defyne, [6633] Ne by my word comprende, iwys, [6634] If it so fer may strecche in this. [6635] I wole not entremete a del; [6636] But I trowe that the book seith wel, [6637] Who that takith almessis that be [6638] Dewe to folk that men may se [6639] Lame, feble, wery, and bare, [6640] Pore, or in such maner care -- [6641] That konne wynne hem never mo, [6642] For they have no power therto -- [6643] He etith his owne dampnyng, [6644] But if he lye, that made al thing. [6645] And if ye such a truaunt fynde, [6646] Chastise hym wel, if ye be kynde. [6647] But they wolde hate you, percas, [6648] And, if ye fillen in her laas, [6649] They wolde eftsoonys do you scathe, [6650] If that they myghte, late or rathe; [6651] For they be not full pacient [6652] That han the world thus foule blent. [6653] And witeth wel that [ther] God bad [6654] The good-man selle al that he had, [6655] And folowe hym, and to pore it yive, [6656] He wolde not therfore that he lyve [6657] To serven hym in mendience, [6658] For it was nevere his sentence; [6659] But he bad wirken whanne that neede is, [6660] And folwe hym in goode dedis. [6661] Seynt Poul, that loved al hooly chirche, [6662] He bad th' appostles for to wirche, [6663] And wynnen her lyflode in that wise, [6664] And hem defended truandise, [6665] And seide, `Wirketh with youre honden.' [6666] Thus shulde the thing be undirstonden: [6667] He nolde, iwys, have bidde hem begging, [6668] Ne sellen gospel, ne prechyng, [6669] Lest they berafte, with her askyng, [6670] Folk of her catel or of her thing. [6671] For in this world is many a man [6672] That yeveth his good, for he ne can [6673] Werne it for shame; or ellis he [6674] Wolde of the asker delyvered be, [6675] And, for he hym encombrith so, [6676] He yeveth hym good to late hym go. [6677] But it can hym nothyng profite; [6678] They lese the yift and the meryte. [6679] The goode folk, that Poul to preched, [6680] Profred hym ofte, whan he hem teched, [6681] Som of her good in charite. [6682] But therof right nothing tok he; [6683] But of his hondwerk wolde he gete [6684] Clothes to wryen hym, and his mete." [6685] "Telle me thanne how a man may lyven, [6686] That al his good to pore hath yiven, [6687] And wole but oonly bidde his bedis [6689] May he do so?" "Ye, sir." "And how?" [6690] "Sir, I wole gladly telle yow: [6691] Seynt Austyn seith a man may be [6692] In houses that han proprete, [6693] As Templers and Hospitelers, [6694] And as these Chanouns Regulers, [6695] Or White Monkes, or these Blake -- [6696] I wole no mo ensamplis make -- [6697] And take therof his sustenyng, [6698] For therynne lyth no begging; [6699] But other weyes not, ywys, [6700] Yif Austyn gabbith not of this. [6701] And yit full many a monk laboureth, [6702] That God in hooly chirche honoureth. [6703] For whanne her swynkyng is agon, [6704] They rede and synge in chirche anon. [6705] "And for ther hath ben gret discord, [6706] As many a wight may bere record, [6707] Upon the estat of mendience, [6708] I wole shortly, in youre presence, [6709] Telle how a man may begge at nede, [6710] That hath not wherwith hym to fede, [6711] Maugre his felones jangelyngis, [6712] For sothfastnesse wole none hidyngis. [6713] And yit, percas, I may abeye [6714] That I to yow sothly thus seye. [6715] "Lo, heere the caas especial: [6716] If a man be so bestial [6717] That he of no craft hath science, [6718] And nought desireth ignorence, [6719] Thanne may he go a-begging yerne, [6720] Til he som maner craft kan lerne, [6721] Thurgh which withoute truaundyng, [6722] He may in trouthe have his lyvyng. [6723] Or if he may don no labour, [6724] For elde, or syknesse, or langour, [6725] Or for his tendre age also, [6726] Thanne may he yit a-begging go. [6727] Or if he have, peraventure, [6728] Thurgh usage of his noriture, [6729] Lyved over deliciously, [6730] Thanne oughten good folk comunly [6731] Han of his myscheef som pitee, [6732] And suffren hym also that he [6733] May gon aboute and begge his breed, [6734] That he be not for hungur deed. [6735] Or if he have of craft kunnyng, [6736] And strengthe also, and desiryng [6737] To wirken, as he hadde what, [6738] But he fynde neithir this ne that, [6739] Thanne may he begge til that he [6740] Have geten his necessite. [6741] Or if his wynnyng be so lite [6742] That his labour wole not acquyte [6743] Sufficiantly al his lyvyng, [6744] Yit may he go his breed begging; [6745] Fro dore to dore he may go trace, [6746] Til he the remenaunt may purchace. [6747] Or if a man wolde undirtake [6748] Ony emprise for to make [6749] In the rescous of oure lay, [6750] And it defenden as he may, [6751] Be it with armes or lettrure, [6752] Or other covenable cure, [6753] If it be so he pore be, [6754] Thanne may he begge til that he [6755] May fynde in trouthe for to swynke, [6756] And gete hym clothes, mete, and drynke, [6757] Swynke he with his hondis corporell, [6758] And not with hondis espirituell. [6759] "In al thise caas, and in semblables, [6760] If that ther ben mo resonables, [6761] He may begge, as I telle you heere, [6762] And ellis nought, in no manere, [6763] As William Seynt Amour wolde preche, [6764] And ofte wolde dispute and teche [6765] Of this mater all openly [6766] At Parys full solempnely. [6767] And, also God my soule blesse, [6768] As he had, in this stedfastnesse, [6769] The accord of the universite [6770] And of the puple, as semeth me. [6771] "No good man oughte it to refuse, [6772] Ne ought hym therof to excuse, [6773] Be wroth or blithe whoso be. [6774] For I wole speke, and telle it thee, [6775] Al shulde I dye, and be putt doun, [6776] As was Seynt Poul, in derk prisoun; [6777] Or be exiled in this caas [6778] With wrong, as maister William was, [6779] That my moder, Ypocrysie, [6780] Banysshed for hir gret envye. [6781] "Mi modir flemed hym Seynt Amour; [6782] The noble dide such labour [6783] To susteyne evere the loyalte, [6784] That he to moche agilte me. [6785] He made a book, and lete it write, [6787] And wolde ich reneyed begging, [6788] And lyved by my traveylyng, [6789] If I ne had rent ne other good. [6790] What? Wened he that I were wood? [6791] For labour myght me never plese. [6792] I have more wille to ben at ese, [6793] And have wel lever, soth to seye, [6794] Bifore the puple patre and preye, [6795] And wrie me in my foxerie [6796] Under a cope of papelardie." [6797] Quod Love, "What devel is this that I heere? [6798] What wordis tellest thou me heere?" [6799] "What, sir?" "Falsnesse, that apert is. [6800] Thanne dredist thou not God?" "No, certis; [6801] For selde in gret thing shal he spede [6802] In this world, that God wole drede. [6803] For folk that hem to vertu yiven, [6804] And truly on her owne lyven, [6805] And hem in goodnesse ay contene, [6806] On hem is lytel thrift sene. [6807] Such folk drinken gret mysese; [6808] That lyf may me never plese. [6809] But se what gold han usurers, [6810] And silver eke in garners, [6811] Taylagiers, and these monyours, [6812] Bailifs, bedels, provost, countours; [6813] These lyven wel nygh by ravyne. [6814] The smale puple hem mote enclyne, [6815] And they as wolves wole hem eten. [6816] Upon the pore folk they geten [6817] Full moche of that they spende or kepe. [6818] Nis non of hem that he nyl strepe [6819] And wrien hemsilf wel atte fulle; [6820] Withoute scaldyng they hem pulle. [6821] The stronge the feble overgoth. [6822] But I, that were my symple cloth, [6823] Robbe bothe robbed and robbours [6824] And gile giled and gilours. [6825] By my treget I gadre and threste [6826] The gret tresour into my cheste, [6827] That lyth with me so faste bounde. [6828] Myn highe paleys do I founde, [6829] And my delites I fulfille [6830] With wyn at feestes at my wille, [6831] And tables full of entremees. [6832] I wole no lyf but ese and pees, [6833] And wynne gold to spende also. [6834] For whanne the grete bagge is go, [6835] It cometh right with my japes. [6836] Make I not wel tumble myn apes? [6837] To wynnen is alwey myn entente; [6838] My purchace is bettir than my rente. [6839] For though I shulde beten be, [6840] Overal I entremete me. [6841] Without me may no wight dure; [6842] I walke soules for to cure. [6843] Of al the world cure have I; [6844] In brede and lengthe boldely [6845] I wole bothe preche and eke counceilen. [6846] With hondis wille I not traveilen, [6847] For of the Pope I have the bulle -- [6848] I ne holde not my wittes dulle. [6849] I wole not stynten, in my lyve, [6850] These emperoures for to shryve, [6851] Or kyngis, dukis, lordis grete; [6852] But pore folk al quyte I lete. [6853] I love no such shryvyng, parde, [6854] But it for other cause be. [6855] I rekke not of pore men -- [6856] Her astat is not worth an hen. [6857] Where fyndest thou a swynker of labour [6858] Have me unto his confessour? [6859] But emperesses and duchesses, [6860] Thise queenes, and eke countesses, [6861] Thise abbessis, and eke bygyns, [6862] These grete ladyes palasyns, [6863] These joly knyghtis and baillyves, [6864] Thise nonnes, and thise burgeis wyves, [6865] That riche ben and eke plesyng, [6866] And thise maidens welfaryng, [6867] Wherso they clad or naked be, [6868] Uncounceiled goth ther noon fro me. [6869] And, for her soules savete, [6870] At lord and lady, and her meyne, [6871] I axe, whanne thei hem to me shryve, [6872] The proprete of al her lyve, [6873] And make hem trowe, bothe meest and leest, [6874] Hir paroch-prest nys but a beest [6875] Ayens me and my companye, [6876] That shrewis ben as gret as I; [6877] Fro whiche I wole not hide in hold [6878] No pryvete that me is told, [6879] That I by word or signe, ywis, [6880] [Ne] wole make hem knowe what it is, [6881] And they wolen also tellen me; [6882] They hele fro me no pryvyte. [6883] And for to make yow hem perceyven, [6884] That usen folk thus to disceyven, [6885] I wole you seyn, withouten drede, [6886] What men may in the gospel rede [6887] Of Seynt Mathew, the gospelere, [6888] That seith, as I shal you sey heere: [6889] "`Uppon the chaire of Moyses' -- [6890] Thus is it glosed, douteles, [6891] That is the Olde Testament, [6892] For therby is the chaire ment -- [6893] `Sitte Scribes and Pharisen;' [6894] That is to seyn, the cursid men [6895] Whiche that we ypocritis calle. [6896] `Doth that they preche, I rede you alle, [6897] But doth not as they don a del; [6898] That ben not wery to seye wel, [6899] But to do wel no will have they. [6900] And they wolde bynde on folk alwey, [6901] That ben to be begiled able, [6902] Burdons that ben importable; [6903] On folkes shuldris thinges they couchen, [6904] That they nyl with her fyngris touchen.'" [6905] "And why wole they not touche it?" "Why? [6906] For hem ne lyst not, sikirly; [6907] For sadde burdons that men taken [6908] Make folkes shuldris aken. [6909] And if they do ought that good be, [6910] That is for folk it shulde se. [6911] Her bordurs larger maken they, [6912] And make her hemmes wide alwey, [6913] And loven setes at the table, [6914] The firste and most honourable; [6915] And for to han the first chaieris [6916] In synagogis, to hem full deere is. [6917] And willen that folk hem loute and grete, [6918] Whanne that they passen thurgh the strete, [6919] And wolen be cleped `maister' also. [6920] But they ne shulde not willen so; [6921] The gospel is ther-ageyns, I gesse, [6922] That shewith wel her wikkidnesse. [6923] "Another custome use we: [6924] Of hem that wole ayens us be, [6925] We hate hem deedly everichon, [6926] And we wole werrey hem, as oon. [6927] Hym that oon hatith, hate we alle, [6928] And congecte hou to don hym falle. [6929] And if we seen hym wynne honour, [6930] Richesse, or preis, thurgh his valour, [6931] Provende, rent, or dignyte, [6932] Ful fast, iwys, compassen we [6933] Bi what ladder he is clomben so; [6934] And for to maken hym doun to go, [6935] With traisoun we wole hym defame, [6936] And don hym leese his goode name. [6937] Thus from his ladder we hym take, [6938] And thus his freendis foes we make; [6939] But word ne wite shal he noon, [6940] Till alle his freendis ben his foon. [6941] For if we dide it openly, [6942] We myght have blame redily; [6943] For hadde he wist of oure malice, [6944] He hadde hym kept, but he were nyce. [6945] "Another is this, that if so falle [6946] That ther be oon amonge us alle [6947] That doth a good turn, out of drede, [6948] We seyn it is oure alder deede. [6949] Ye, sikerly, though he it feyned, [6950] Or that hym list, or that hym deyned [6951] A man thurgh hym avaunced be; [6952] Therof all parseners be we, [6953] And tellen folk, whereso we go, [6954] That man thurgh us is sprongen so. [6955] And for to have of men preysyng, [6956] We purchace, thurgh oure flateryng, [6957] Of riche men of gret pouste [6958] Lettres to witnesse oure bounte, [6959] So that man weneth, that may us see, [6960] That alle vertu in us be. [6961] And alwey pore we us feyne; [6962] But how so that we begge or pleyne, [6963] We ben the folk, without lesyng, [6964] That all thing have without havyng. [6965] Thus be we dred of the puple, iwis. [6966] And gladly my purpos is this: [6967] I dele with no wight, but he [6968] Have gold and tresour gret plente. [6969] Her acqueyntaunce wel love I; [6970] This is moche my desir, shortly. [6971] I entremete me of brokages, [6972] I make pees and mariages, [6973] I am gladly executour, [6974] And many tymes procuratour; [6975] I am somtyme messager, [6976] That fallith not to my myster; [6977] And many tymes I make enquestes -- [6978] For me that office not honest is. [6979] To dele with other mennes thing, [6980] That is to me a gret lykyng. [6981] And if that ye have ought to do [6982] In place that I repeire to, [6983] I shal it speden, thurgh my witt, [6984] As soone as ye have told me it. [6985] So that ye serve me to pay, [6986] My servyse shal be youre alway. [6987] But whoso wole chastise me, [6988] Anoon my love lost hath he; [6989] For I love no man, in no gise, [6990] That wole me repreve or chastise. [6991] But I wolde al folk undirtake, [6992] And of no wight no teching take; [6993] For I, that other folk chastie, [6994] Wole not be taught fro my folie. [6995] "I love noon hermitage more. [6996] All desertes and holtes hore, [6997] And grete wodes everichon, [6998] I lete hem to the Baptist John. [6999] I queth hym quyt and hym relesse [7000] Of Egipt all the wildirnesse. [7001] To fer were alle my mansiounes [7002] Fro citees and goode tounes. [7003] My paleis and myn hous make I [7004] There men may renne ynne openly, [7005] And sey that I the world forsake, [7006] But al amydde I bilde and make [7007] My hous, and swimme and pley therynne, [7008] Bet than a fish doth with his fynne. [7009] "Of Antecristes men am I, [7010] Of whiche that Crist seith openly, [7011] They have abit of hoolynesse, [7012] And lyven in such wikkednesse. [7013] Outward, lambren semen we, [7014] Fulle of goodnesse and of pitee, [7015] And inward we, withouten fable, [7016] Ben gredy wolves ravysable. [7017] We enviroune bothe lond and se; [7018] With all the world werreyen we; [7019] We wole ordeyne of alle thing, [7020] Of folkis good, and her lyvyng. [7021] "If ther be castel or citee, [7022] Wherynne that ony bouger be, [7023] Although that they of Milayn were [7024] (For therof ben they blamed there); [7025] Or if a wight out of mesure [7026] Wolde lene his gold, and take usure, [7027] For that he is so coveitous; [7028] Or if he be to leccherous, [7029] Or theef [or] haunte symonye, [7030] Or provost full of trecherie, [7031] Or prelat lyvyng jolily, [7032] Or prest that halt his quene hym by, [7033] Or olde horis hostilers, [7034] Or other bawdes or bordillers, [7035] Or elles blamed of ony vice [7036] Of which men shulden don justice: [7037] Bi all the seyntes that me pray, [7038] But they defende them with lamprey, [7039] With luce, with elys, with samons, [7040] With tendre gees and with capons, [7041] With tartes, or with cheses fat, [7042] With deynte flawnes brode and flat, [7043] With caleweis, or with pullaylle, [7044] With conynges, or with fyn vitaille, [7045] That we, undir our clothes wide, [7046] Maken thourgh oure golet glide; [7047] Or but he wole do come in haste [7048] Roo-venysoun, bake in paste; [7049] Whether so that he loure or groyne, [7050] He shal have of a corde a loigne, [7051] With whiche men shal hym bynde and lede, [7052] To brenne hym for his synful deede, [7053] That men shull here hym crie and rore [7054] A myle-wey aboute, and more; [7055] Or ellis he shal in prisoun dye, [7056] But if he wole oure frendship bye, [7057] Or smerten that that he hath do, [7058] More than his gilt amounteth to. [7059] But, and he couth. thurgh his sleight, [7060] Do maken up a tour of height, [7061] Nought rought I whethir of ston, or tree, [7062] Or erthe, or turves though it be, [7063] Though it were of no vounde ston, [7064] Wrought with squyre and scantilon, [7065] So that the tour were stuffed well [7066] With alle richesse temporell, [7067] And thanne that he wolde updresse [7068] Engyns, bothe more and lesse, [7069] To cast at us by every side, [7070] To bere his goode name wide, [7071] Such sleghtes [as] I shal yow nevene, [7072] Barelles of wyn, by sixe or sevene, [7073] Or gold in sakkis gret plente, [7074] He shulde soone delyvered be. [7075] And if [he have] noon sich pitaunces, [7076] Late hym study in equipolences, [7077] And late lyes and fallaces, [7078] If that he wolde deserve oure graces; [7079] Or we shal bere hym such witnesse [7080] Of synne and of his wrecchidnesse, [7081] And don his loos so wide renne, [7082] That al quyk we shulden hym brenne; [7083] Or ellis yeve hym such penaunce, [7084] That is wel wors than the pitaunce. [7085] "For thou shalt never, for nothing, [7086] Kon knowen aright by her clothing [7087] The traitours fulle of trecherie, [7088] But thou her werkis can aspie. [7089] And ne hadde the goode kepyng be [7090] Whilom of the universite, [7091] That kepith the key of Cristendom, [7093] Suche ben the stynkyng prophetis; [7094] Nys non of hem that good prophete is, [7095] For they thurgh wikked entencioun, [7096] The yeer of the Incarnacioun, [7097] A thousand and two hundred yeer, [7098] Fyve and fifty, ferther ne neer, [7099] Broughten a book, with sory grace, [7100] To yeven ensample in comune place, [7101] That seide thus, though it were fable: [7102] `This is the gospel perdurable, [7103] That fro the Holy Goost is sent.' [7104] Wel were it worth to ben brent! [7105] Entitled was in such manere [7106] This book, of which I telle heere. [7107] Ther nas no wight in all Parys, [7108] Biforne Oure Lady, at parvys, [7110] To copy if hym talent tok. [7111] There myght he se, by gret tresoun, [7112] Full many fals comparisoun: [7113] `As moche as, thurgh his grete myght, [7114] Be it of hete or of lyght, [7115] The sonne sourmounteth the mone, [7116] That troublere is, and chaungith soone, [7117] And the note-kernell the shelle [7118] (I scorne not that I yow telle), [7119] Right so, withouten ony gile, [7120] Sourmounteth this noble evangile [7121] The word of ony evangelist.' [7122] And to her title they token Crist. [7123] And many a such comparisoun, [7124] Of which I make no mencioun, [7125] Mighte men in that book fynde, [7126] Whoso coude of hem have mynde. [7127] "The universite, that tho was aslep, [7128] Gan for to braide and taken kep; [7129] And at the noys the heed upcaste, [7130] Ne never sithen slept it faste, [7131] But up it stert, and armes tok [7132] Ayens this fals horrible bok, [7133] Al redy bateil [for] to make, [7134] And to the juge the book to take. [7135] But they that broughten the bok there [7136] Hent it anoon awey, for fere. [7137] They nolde shewe more a del, [7138] But thenne it kept, and kepen will, [7139] Til such a tyme that they may see [7140] That they so stronge woxen be [7141] That no wyght may hem wel withstonde, [7142] For by that book [they] durst not stonde. [7143] Awey they gonne it for to bere, [7144] For they ne durst not answere [7145] By exposicioun ne glose [7146] To that that clerkis wole appose [7147] Ayens the cursednesse, iwys, [7148] That in that book writen is. [7149] Now wot I not, ne I can not see [7150] What maner eende that there shal be [7151] Of al this [bok] that they hyde; [7152] But yit algate they shal abide [7153] Til that they may it bet defende. [7154] This, trowe I best, wol be her ende. [7155] "Thus, Antecrist abiden we, [7156] For we ben alle of his meyne; [7157] And what man that wole not be so, [7158] Right soone he shal his lyf forgo. [7159] We wole a puple upon hym areyse, [7160] And thurgh oure gile don hym seise, [7161] And hym on sharpe speris ryve, [7162] Or other weyes brynge hym fro lyve, [7163] But if that he wole folowe, iwis, [7164] That in oure book writen is. [7165] "Thus mych wole oure book signifie, [7166] That while Petre hath maistrie, [7167] May never John shewe well his myght. [7168] Now have I you declared right [7169] The menyng of the bark and rynde, [7170] That makith the entenciouns blynde; [7171] But now at erst I wole bigynne [7172] To expowne you the pith withynne: [7173] And the seculers comprehende, [7174] That Cristes lawe wole defende, [7175] And shulde it kepen and mayntenen [7176] Ayenes hem that all sustenen, [7177] And falsly to the puple techen. [7178] And John bitokeneth hem that prechen [7179] That ther nys lawe covenable [7180] But thilke gospel perdurable, [7181] That fro the Holy Gost was sent [7182] To turne folk that ben myswent. [7183] "The strengthe of John they undirstonde [7184] The grace, in which they seie they stonde, [7185] That doth the synfull folk converte, [7186] And hem to Jesus Crist reverte. [7187] Full many another orribilite [7188] May men in that book se, [7189] That ben comaunded, douteles, [7190] Ayens the lawe of Rome expres; [7191] And all with Antecrist they holden, [7192] As men may in the book biholden. [7193] And thanne comaunden they to sleen [7194] Alle tho that with Petre been; [7195] But they shal nevere have that myght, [7196] And, God toforn, for strif to fight, [7197] That they ne shal ynowe fynde [7198] That Petres lawe shal have in mynde, [7199] And evere holde, and so mayntene, [7200] That at the last it shal be sene [7201] That they shal alle come therto, [7202] For ought that they can speke or do. [7203] And thilke lawe shal not stonde, [7204] That they by John have undirstonde, [7205] But, maugre hem, it shal adown, [7206] And ben brought to confusioun. [7207] But I wole stynt of this matere, [7208] For it is wonder longe to here. [7209] But hadde that ilke book endured, [7210] Of better estat I were ensured, [7211] And freendis have I yit, pardee, [7212] That han me sett in gret degre. [7213] "Of all this world is emperour [7214] Gyle my fadir, the trechour, [7215] And emperisse my moder is, [7216] Maugre the Holy Gost, iwis. [7217] Oure myghty lynage and oure rowte [7218] Regneth in every regne aboute; [7219] And well is worthy we maistres be, [7220] For all this world governe we, [7221] And can the folk so wel disceyve [7222] That noon oure gile can perceyve. [7223] And though they don, they dar not seye; [7224] The sothe dar no wight bywreye. [7225] But he in Cristis wrath hym ledith, [7226] That more than Crist my britheren dredith. [7227] He nys no full good champioun, [7228] That dredith such simulacioun, [7229] Nor that for peyne wole refusen [7230] Us to correcte and accusen. [7231] He wole not entremete by right, [7232] Ne have God in his eye-sight, [7233] And therfore God shal hym punyshe. [7234] But me ne rekketh of no vice, [7235] Sithen men us loven comunably, [7236] And holden us for so worthy [7237] That we may folk repreve echoon, [7238] And we nyl have repref of noon. [7239] Whom shulden folk worshipen so [7240] But us, that stynten never mo [7241] To patren while that folk may us see, [7242] Though it not so bihynde be? [7243] "And where is more wod folye [7244] Than to enhaunce chyvalrie, [7245] And love noble men and gay, [7246] That joly clothis weren alway? [7247] If they be sich folk as they semen, [7248] So clene, as men her clothis demen, [7249] And that her wordis folowe her dede, [7250] It is gret pite, out of drede, [7251] For they wole be noon ypocritis! [7252] Of hem, me thynketh, gret spite is. [7253] I can not love hem on no side. [7254] But beggers with these hodes wide, [7255] With sleighe and pale faces lene, [7256] And greye clothis not full clene, [7257] But fretted full of tatarwagges, [7258] And highe shoos, knopped with dagges, [7259] That frouncen lyke a quaile pipe, [7260] Or botis rivelyng as a gype; [7261] To such folk as I you dyvyse [7262] Shulde princes, and these lordis wise, [7263] Take all her londis and her thingis, [7264] Bothe werre and pees, in governyngis; [7265] To such folk shulde a prince hym yive, [7266] That wolde his lyf in honour lyve. [7267] "And if they be not as they seme, [7268] That serven thus the world to queme, [7269] There wolde I dwelle, to disceyve [7270] The folk, for they shal not perceyve. [7271] But I ne speke in no such wise, [7272] That men shulde humble abit dispise, [7273] So that no pride ther-undir be. [7274] No man shulde hate, as thynkith me, [7275] The pore man in sich clothyng. [7276] But God ne preisith hym nothing, [7277] That seith he hath the world forsake, [7278] And hath to worldly glorie hym take, [7279] And wole of siche delices use. [7280] Who may that begger wel excuse, [7281] That papelard, that hym yeldith so, [7282] And wole to worldly ese go, [7283] And seith that he the world hath left, [7284] And gredily it grypeth eft? [7285] He is the hound, shame is to seyn, [7286] That to his castyng goth ageyn. [7287] "But unto you dar I not lye. [7288] But myght I felen or aspie [7289] That ye perceyved it no thyng, [7290] Ye shulde have a stark lesyng [7291] Right in youre honde thus, to bigynne; [7292] I nolde it lette for no synne." [7293] The god lough at the wondir tho, [7294] And every wight gan laugh also, [7295] And seide, "Lo, heere a man aright [7296] For to be trusty to every wight!" [7297] "Fals-Semblant," quod Love, "sey to me, [7298] Sith I thus have avaunced thee, [7299] That in my court is thi dwellyng, [7300] And of ribawdis shalt be my kyng, [7301] Wolt thou wel holden my forwardis?" [7302] "Ye, sir, from hennes forwardis; [7303] Hadde never youre fadir heere-biforn [7304] Servaunt so trewe, sith he was born." [7305] "That is ayenes all nature." [7306] "Sir, putte you in that aventure. [7307] For though ye borowes take of me, [7308] The sikerer shal ye never be [7309] For ostages, ne sikirnesse, [7310] Or chartres, for to bere witnesse. [7311] I take youresilf to recorde heere, [7312] That men ne may in no manere [7313] Teren the wolf out of his hide, [7314] Til he be flayn, bak and side, [7315] Though men hym bete and al defile. [7316] What! Wene ye that I nil bigile [7317] For I am clothed mekely? [7318] Ther-undir is all my trechery; [7319] Myn herte chaungith never the mo [7320] For noon abit in which I go. [7321] Though I have chere of symplenesse, [7322] I am not wery of shrewidnesse. [7323] My lemman, Streyned-Abstinaunce, [7324] Hath myster of my purveaunce; [7325] She hadde ful longe ago be deed, [7326] Nere my councel and my red. [7327] Lete hir allone, and you and me." [7328] And Love answerde, "I truste thee [7329] Withoute borowe, for I wole noon." [7330] And Fals-Semblant, the theef, anoon, [7331] Ryght in that ilke same place, [7332] That hadde of tresoun al his face [7333] Ryght blak withynne and whit withoute, [7334] Thankyth hym, gan on his knees loute. [7335] Thanne was ther nought but, "Every man [7336] Now to assaut, that sailen can," [7337] Quod Love, "and that full hardyly!" [7338] Thanne armed they hem communly [7339] Of sich armour as to hem fel. [7340] Whanne they were armed, fers and fel, [7341] They wente hem forth, alle in a route, [7342] And set the castel al aboute. [7343] They will nought away, for no drede, [7344] Till it so be that they ben dede, [7345] Or til they have the castel take. [7346] And foure batels they gan make, [7347] And parted hem in foure anoon, [7348] And toke her way, and forth they gon, [7349] The foure gates for to assaile, [7350] Of whiche the kepers wole not faile; [7351] For they ben neithir sike ne dede, [7352] But hardy folk, and stronge in dede. [7353] Now wole I seyn the countynaunce [7354] Of Fals-Semblant and Abstynaunce, [7355] That ben to Wikkid-Tonge went. [7356] But first they heelde her parlement, [7357] Whether it to done were [7358] To maken hem be knowen there, [7359] Or elles walken forth disgised. [7360] But at the laste they devysed [7361] That they wolde gon in tapinage, [7362] As it were in a pilgrimage, [7363] Lyke good and hooly folk unfeyned. [7364] And Dame Abstinence-Streyned [7365] Tok on a robe of kamelyne, [7366] And gan hir graithe as a Bygyne. [7367] A large coverechief of thred [7368] She wrapped all aboute hir heed, [7369] But she forgat not hir sawter; [7370] A peire of bedis eke she ber [7371] Upon a las, all of whit thred, [7372] On which that she hir bedes bed. [7373] But she ne bought hem never a del, [7374] For they were geven her, I wot wel, [7375] God wot, of a full hooly frere, [7376] That seide he was hir fadir dere, [7377] To whom she hadde ofter went [7378] Than ony frere of his covent. [7379] And he visited hir also, [7380] And many a sermoun seide hir to; [7381] He nolde lette, for man on lyve, [7382] That he ne wolde hir ofte shryve. [7383] And with so great devocion [7384] They made her confession, [7385] That they had ofte, for the nones, [7386] Two heedes in oon hood at ones. [7387] Of fayre shap I devyse her the, [7388] But pale of face somtyme was she; [7389] That false traytouresse untrewe [7390] Was lyk that salowe hors of hewe, [7391] That in the Apocalips is shewed, [7392] That signifyeth tho folk beshrewed [7393] That ben al ful of trecherye, [7394] And pale through hypocrisye; [7395] For on that hors no colour is, [7396] But only deed and pale, ywis. [7397] Of such a colour enlangoured [7398] Was Abstynence, iwys, coloured; [7399] Of her estat she her repented, [7400] As her visage represented. [7401] She had a burdown al of Thefte, [7402] That Gyle had yeve her of his yefte; [7403] And a skryppe of Faynt Distresse, [7404] That ful was of elengenesse; [7405] And forth she walked sobrely. [7406] And Fals-Semblant saynt, je vous die, [7407] Had, as it were for such mister, [7408] Don on the cope of a frer, [7409] With chere symple and ful pytous. [7410] Hys lokyng was not disdeynous, [7411] Ne proud, but meke and ful pesyble. [7412] About his necke he bar a byble, [7413] And squierly forth gan he gon, [7414] And, for to rest his lymmes upon, [7415] He had of Treason a potente; [7416] As he were feble, his way he wente. [7417] But in his sleve he gan to thringe [7418] A rasour sharp and wel bytynge, [7419] That was forged in a forge, [7420] Which that men clepen Coupe-Gorge. [7421] So longe forth her way they nomen, [7422] Tyl they to Wicked-Tonge comen, [7423] That at his gate was syttyng, [7424] And saw folk in the way passyng. [7425] The pilgrymes saw he faste by, [7426] That beren hem ful mekely, [7427] And humbly they with him mette. [7428] Dame Abstynence first him grette, [7429] And sythe him Fals-Semblant salued, [7430] And he hem; but he not remued, [7431] For he ne dredde hem not a del. [7432] For whan he saw her faces wel, [7433] Alway in herte him thoughte so, [7434] He shulde knowe hem bothe two, [7435] For wel he knew Dame Abstynaunce, [7436] But he ne knew not Constreynaunce. [7437] He knew nat that she was constrayned, [7438] Ne of her theves lyve fayned, [7439] But wende she com of wyl al free, [7440] But she com in another degree, [7441] And if of good wyl she began, [7442] That wyl was fayled her than. [7443] And Fals-Semblant had he sayn als, [7444] But he knew nat that he was fals. [7445] Yet fals was he, but his falsnesse [7446] Ne coude he nat espye nor gesse; [7447] For Semblant was so slye wrought, [7448] That Falsnesse he ne espyed nought. [7449] But haddest thou knowen hym beforn, [7450] Thou woldest on a bok have sworn, [7451] Whan thou him saugh in thylke aray, [7452] That he, that whilom was so gay, [7453] And of the daunce joly Robyn, [7454] Was tho become a Jacobyn. [7455] But sothly, what so men hym calle, [7456] Freres Preachours ben good men alle; [7457] Her order wickedly they beren, [7458] Suche mynstrelles if they weren. [7459] So ben Augustyns and Cordyleres, [7460] And Carmes, and eke Sacked Freeres, [7461] And alle freres, shodde and bare [7462] (Though some of hem ben great and square), [7463] Ful hooly men, as I hem deme; [7464] Everych of hem wolde good man seme. [7465] But shalt thou never of apparence [7466] Sen conclude good consequence [7467] In non argument, ywis, [7468] If existens al fayled is. [7469] For men may fynde alway sophyme [7470] The consequence to envenyme, [7471] Whoso that hath the subtelte [7472] The double sentence for to se. [7473] Whan the pylgrymes commen were [7474] To Wicked-Tonge, that dwelled there, [7475] Her harneys nygh hem was algate; [7476] By Wicked-Tonge adown they sate, [7477] That bad hem ner him for to come, [7478] And of tidynges telle him some, [7479] And sayd hem, "What cas maketh you [7480] To come into this place now?" [7481] "Sir," sayde Strayned-Abstynaunce, [7482] "We, for to drye our penaunce, [7483] With hertes pytous and devoute [7484] Are commen, as pylgrimes gon aboute. [7485] Wel nygh on fote alwey we go; [7486] Ful dusty ben our heeles two; [7487] And thus bothe we ben sent [7488] Throughout this world, that is miswent, [7489] To yeve ensample, and preche also. [7490] To fysshen synful men we go, [7491] For other fysshynge ne fysshe we. [7492] And, sir, for that charyte, [7493] As we be wonte, herborowe we crave, [7494] Your lyf to amende, Christ it save! [7495] And, so it shulde you nat displese, [7496] We wolden, if it were youre ese, [7497] A short sermon unto you sayn." [7498] And Wicked-Tonge answered agayn: [7499] "The hous," quod he, "such as ye see, [7500] Shal nat be warned you for me. [7501] Say what you lyst, and I wol here." [7502] "Graunt mercy, swete sire dere!" [7503] Quod alderfirst Dame Abstynence, [7504] And thus began she her sentence: [7505] "Sir, the firste vertu, certayn, [7506] The greatest and moste soverayn [7507] That may be founde in any man, [7508] For havynge, or for wyt he can, [7509] That is his tonge to refrayne; [7510] Therto ought every wight him payne. [7511] For it is better stylle be [7512] Than for to speken harm, parde! [7513] And he that herkeneth it gladly, [7514] He is no good man, sykerly. [7515] "And, sir, aboven al other synne, [7516] In that art thou most gylty inne. [7517] Thou spake a jape not longe ago, [7518] (And, sir, that was ryght yvel do) [7519] Of a young man that here repayred, [7520] And never yet this place apayred. [7521] Thou saydest he awayted nothyng [7522] But to disceyve Fayr-Welcomyng; [7523] Ye sayde nothyng soth of that. [7524] But, sir, ye lye, I tel you plat. [7525] He ne cometh no more, ne goth, parde! [7526] I trowe ye shal him never se. [7527] Fayr-Welcomyng in prison is, [7528] That ofte hath played with you, er this, [7529] The fayrest games that he coude, [7530] Withoute fylthe, stylle or loude. [7531] Now dar he nat himself solace. [7532] Ye han also the man do chace, [7533] That he dar neyther come ne go. [7534] What meveth you to hate him so, [7535] But properly your wicked thought, [7536] That many a fals leasyng hath thought [7537] That meveth your foole eloquence, [7538] That jangleth ever in audyence, [7539] And on the folk areyseth blame, [7540] And doth hem dishonour and shame, [7541] For thyng that may have no prevyng, [7542] But lyklynesse, and contryvyng? [7543] "For I dar sayn that Reson demeth [7544] It is nat al soth thyng that semeth, [7545] And it is synne to controve [7546] Thyng that is to reprove. [7547] This wote ye wel, and sir, therfore [7548] Ye arn to blame the more. [7549] And nathelesse, he recketh lyte; [7550] He yeveth nat now therof a myte. [7551] For if he thoughte harm, parfay, [7552] He wolde come and gon al day; [7553] He coude himselve nat abstene. [7554] Now cometh he nat, and that is sene, [7555] For he ne taketh of it no cure, [7556] But if it be through aventure, [7557] And lasse than other folk, algate. [7558] And thou her watchest at the gate, [7559] With spere in thyn arest alway; [7560] There muse, musard, al the day. [7561] Thou wakest night and day for thought; [7562] Iwis, thy traveyle is for nought; [7563] And Jelousye, withouten fayle, [7564] Shal never quyte the thy traveyle. [7565] And skathe is that Fayr-Welcomyng, [7566] Withouten any trespassyng, [7567] Shal wrongfully in prison be, [7568] There wepeth and languyssheth he. [7569] And though thou never yet, ywis, [7570] Agyltest man no more but this, [7571] (Take nat a-gref) it were worthy [7572] To putte the out of this bayly, [7573] And afterward in prison lye, [7574] And fettre the tyl that thou dye; [7575] For thou shalt for this synne dwelle [7576] Right in the devels ers of helle, [7577] But if that thou repente thee." [7578] "Ma fay, thou liest falsly!" quod he. [7579] "What? Welcome with myschaunce now! [7580] Have I therfore herbered yow, [7581] To seye me shame, and eke reprove? [7582] With sory hap, to youre bihove, [7583] Am I to day youre herberger! [7584] Go herber yow elleswhere than heer, [7585] That han a lyer called me! [7586] Two tregetours art thou and he, [7587] That in myn hous do me this shame, [7588] And for my soth-sawe ye me blame. [7589] Is this the sermoun that ye make? [7590] To all the develles I me take, [7591] Or elles, God, thou me confounde, [7592] But, er men diden this castel founde, [7593] It passith not ten daies or twelve, [7594] But it was told right to myselve, [7595] And as they seide, right so tolde I, [7596] He kyst the Rose pryvyly! [7597] Thus seide I now, and have seid yore; [7598] I not wher he dide ony more. [7599] Why shulde men sey me such a thyng, [7600] If it hadde ben gabbyng? [7601] Ryght so seide I, and wol seye yit; [7602] I trowe, I lied not of it. [7603] And with my bemes I wole blowe [7604] To alle neighboris a-rowe, [7605] How he hath bothe comen and gon." [7606] Tho spak Fals-Semblant right anon: [7607] "All is not gospel, out of doute, [7608] That men seyn in the town aboute. [7609] Ley no deef ere to my spekyng; [7610] I swere yow, sir, it is gabbyng! [7611] I trowe ye wote wel, certeynly, [7612] That no man loveth hym tenderly [7613] That seith hym harm, if he wot it, [7614] All he be never so pore of wit. [7615] And soth is also, sikerly [7616] (This knowe ye, sir, as wel as I), [7617] That lovers gladly wole visiten [7618] The places there her loves habiten. [7619] This man yow loveth and eke honoureth. [7620] This man to serve you laboureth, [7621] And clepith you his freend so deere: [7622] And this man makith you good chere, [7623] And everywhere that [he] you meteth, [7624] He yow saloweth, and he you greteth. [7625] He preseth not so ofte that ye [7626] Ought of his come encombred be; [7627] Ther presen other folk on yow [7628] Full ofter than he doth now. [7629] And if his herte hym streyned so [7630] Unto the Rose for to go, [7631] Ye shulde hym sen so ofte nede, [7632] That ye shulde take hym with the dede. [7633] He cowde his comyng not forbere, [7634] Though me hym thrilled with a spere; [7635] It nere not thanne as it is now. [7636] But trusteth wel, I swere it yow, [7637] That it is clene out of his thought. [7638] Sir, certis, he ne thenkith it nought; [7639] No more ne doth Fair-Welcomyng, [7640] That sore abieth al this thing. [7641] And if they were of oon assent, [7642] Full soone were the Rose hent; [7643] The maugre youres wolde be. [7644] And sir, of o thing herkeneth me, [7645] Sith ye this man that loveth yow [7646] Han seid such harm and shame now, [7647] Witeth wel, if he gessed it, [7648] Ye may wel demen in youre wit [7649] He nolde nothyng love you so, [7650] Ne callen you his freend also, [7651] But nyght and day he wolde wake [7652] The castell to destroie and take, [7653] If it were soth as ye devise; [7654] Or som man in som maner wise [7655] Might it warne hym everydel, [7656] Or by hymsilf perceyven wel. [7657] For sith he myght not come and gon, [7658] As he was whilom wont to don, [7659] He myght it sone wite and see; [7660] But now all other wise doth he. [7661] Thanne have [ye], sir, al outerly, [7662] Deserved helle, and jolyly [7663] The deth of helle, douteles, [7664] That thrallen folk so gilteles." [7665] Fals-Semblant proveth so this thing [7666] That he can noon answeryng, [7667] And seth alwey such apparaunce [7668] That nygh he fel in repentaunce, [7669] And seide hym, "Sir, it may wel be. [7670] Semblant, a good man semen ye, [7671] And, Abstinence, full wise ye seme. [7672] Of o talent you bothe I deme. [7673] What counceil wole ye to me yiven?" [7674] "Ryght heere anoon thou shalt be shryven, [7675] And sey thy synne withoute more; [7676] Of this shalt thou repente sore. [7677] For I am prest and have pouste [7678] To shryve folk of most dignyte [7679] That ben, as wide as world may dure. [7680] Of all this world I have the cure, [7681] And that hadde never yit persoun, [7682] Ne vicarie of no maner toun. [7683] And, God wot, I have of thee [7684] A thousand tyme more pitee [7685] Than hath thi preest parochial, [7686] Though he thy freend be special. [7687] I have avauntage, in o wise, [7688] That youre prelatis ben not so wise [7689] Ne half so lettred as am I. [7690] I am licenced boldely [7691] To reden in divinite, [7692] And longe have red. . . .