## The Project Gutenberg eBook of The complete works of John Gower, volume 3

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: The complete works of John Gower, volume 3

The English works

Author: John Gower

Editor: G. C. Macaulay

Release date: August 18, 2023 [eBook #71433]

Language: English

Credits: Ted Garvin, Stephen Rowland, Krista Zaleski and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN GOWER, VOLUME 3 ***

Transcriber’s Notes

Obvious typographical errors in punctuation have been silently corrected.

Corrections noted in “CORRIGENDA ET ADDENDA” before page 1 have been corrected in place.

Page 548 - corrected “inital” to “initial”

Footnote 847 (original page 208) - Corrected 2513 to 1513

# THE COMPLETE WORKS
OF
JOHN GOWER

G. C. MACAULAY

* * *
THE ENGLISH WORKS

HENRY FROWDE, M.A.

PUBLISHER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK

THE COMPLETE WORKS

OF

JOHN GOWER

EDITED FROM THE MANUSCRIPTS
WITH INTRODUCTIONS, NOTES, AND GLOSSARIES

BY

G. C. MACAULAY, M.A.
FORMERLY FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

* * *
THE ENGLISH WORKS

(Confessio Amantis, Lib. V. 1971—Lib. VIII; and In Praise of Peace)

O gentile Engleterre, a toi j’escrits.

Oxford
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
1901

Oxford
PRINTED AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
BY HORACE HART, M.A.
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

## CONTENTS

Confessio Amantis:— | PAGE
Liber V (l. 1971) | 1
Liber VI | 167
Liber VII | 233
Liber VIII | 386
In Praise of Peace | 481
Notes | 495
Glossary and Index of Proper Names | 555
Index to the Notes | 651

## CORRIGENDA ET ADDENDA

- p. 1, l. 1981, for one read on
- p. 11, l. 2349, for well read wel
- p. 25, note on l. 2872, for B, read SB,
- p. 35, l. 3222, for well read wel
- p. 57, l. 4068, for both read bothe
- p. 96, l. 5504, for ware read war
- p. 97, l. 5540, for luste read lust
- p. 104, l. 5771, for letres read lettres
- p. 111, notes on ll. 6020, 6046, for AdΔ, read SAdΔ,
- p. 113, l. 6114, for parte read part
- p. 116, l. 6215, for escaped read ascaped
- p. 119, note on l. 6313, for AdBTΔ read SAdBTΔ
- p. 122, l. 6422* read Forthi [for For thi] l. 6431* read daies [for dayes]
- p. 123, l. 6408 (margin), for obtinu- read optinu-
- p. 127, l. 6541, for crafte read craft
- p. 143, l. 7169*, for don read do
- p. 144, l. 7181* read poverte [for povert] 7182* read underfing [for underfeng]
- p. 145, l. 7208* read Sacrilegge [for Sacrilege]
- p. 170, l. 116, for verraliche read verrailiche
- p. 178, l. 415, for Distruid read Destruid
- p. 180, note on l. 497 (margin), for BΔ read SBΔ
- p. 218, l. 1880, for schall read schal
- p. 240, note on l. 262, for Nomans, F read Noman S, F
- p. 245, note on l. 451 read J, SB, F [for J, S, B, F]
- p. 259, l. 983 (margin), for adesse read ad esse
- p. 270, note on l. 1393, for ellef þe read ellefþe
- p. 272, l. 1445, for whiche read which
- p. 283, l. 1871, for Well read Wel

[Pg 1]

## CONFESSIO AMANTIS

(Liber Quintus).

[Coveitise.]
iii. Agros iungit agris cupidus domibusque domosque,
Possideat totam sic quasi solus humum.
Solus et innumeros mulierum spirat amores,
Vt sacra millenis sit sibi culta Venus.1
Dame Avarice is noght soleine,
Which is of gold the Capiteine;
Bot of hir Court in sondri wise2
After the Scole of hire aprise
Hic tractat confessor super illa specie Auaricie, que Cupiditas3 dicitur, quam in amoris causa pertractans Amanti super hoc opponit.
Sche hath of Servantz manyon,
Wherof that Covoitise is on;
Which goth the large world aboute,
To seche thavantages oute,4
Wher that he mai the profit winne5
To Avarice, and bringth it inne. 1980
That on hald and that other draweth,6
Ther is no day which hem bedaweth,
No mor the Sonne than the Mone,
Whan ther is eny thing to done,
And namely with Covoitise;
For he stant out of al assisse
P. ii. 194
Of resonable mannes fare.
Wher he pourposeth him to fare7
[Pg 2]
Upon his lucre and his beyete,
The smale path, the large Strete, 1990
The furlong and the longe Mile,
Al is bot on for thilke while:8
And for that he is such on holde,
Dame Avarice him hath withholde,
As he which is the principal
Outward, for he is overal
A pourveour and an aspie.
For riht as of an hungri Pie
The storve bestes ben awaited,
Riht so is Covoitise afaited 2000
To loke where he mai pourchace,
For be his wille he wolde embrace9
Al that this wyde world beclippeth;
Bot evere he somwhat overhippeth,
That he ne mai noght al fulfille
The lustes of his gredi wille.
Bot where it falleth in a lond,
That Covoitise in myhti hond
Is set, it is ful hard to fiede;
For thanne he takth non other hiede, 2010
Bot that he mai pourchace and gete,
His conscience hath al foryete,
And not what thing it mai amonte
That he schal afterward acompte.
Bote as the Luce in his degre
Of tho that lasse ben than he
P. ii. 195
The fisshes griedeli devoureth,
So that no water hem socoureth,
Riht so no lawe mai rescowe
Fro him that wol no riht allowe;10 2020
For wher that such on is of myht,
His will schal stonde in stede of riht.
Thus be the men destruid fulofte,
Til that the grete god alofte
Ayein so gret a covoitise
Redresce it in his oghne wise:
[Pg 3]
And in ensample of alle tho
I finde a tale write so,
The which, for it is good to liere,
Hierafterward thou schalt it hiere.11 2030
[Tale of Virgil’s Mirror.]
Whan Rome stod in noble plit,
Virgile, which was tho parfit,
Hic ponit exemplum contra magnates cupidos. Et narrat de Crasso Romanorum Imperatore, qui turrim, in qua speculum Virgilii Rome fixum extiterat, dolosa circumuentus cupiditate euertit; vnde non solum sui ipsius perdicionem, set tocius Ciuitatis intollerabile dampnum contingere causauit.
A Mirour made of his clergie
And sette it in the tounes ÿe
Of marbre on a piler withoute;
That thei be thritty Mile aboute
Be daie and ek also be nyhte
In that Mirour beholde myhte
Here enemys, if eny were,
With al here ordinance there, 2040
Which thei ayein the Cite caste:
So that, whil thilke Mirour laste,
Ther was no lond which mihte achieve
With werre Rome forto grieve;
Wherof was gret envie tho.
And fell that ilke time so,
P. ii. 196
That Rome hadde werres stronge
Ayein Cartage, and stoden longe
The tuo Cites upon debat.
Cartage sih the stronge astat12 2050
Of Rome in thilke Mirour stonde,
And thoghte al prively to fonde
To overthrowe it be som wyle.
And Hanybal was thilke while
The Prince and ledere of Cartage,
Which hadde set al his corage
Upon knihthod in such a wise,13
That he be worthi and be wise
And be non othre was conseiled,14
Wherof the world is yit merveiled 2060
Of the maistries that he wroghte
Upon the marches whiche he soghte.
[Pg 4]
And fell in thilke time also,
The king of Puile, which was tho,
Thoghte ayein Rome to rebelle,
And thus was take the querele,
Hou to destruie this Mirour.
Of Rome tho was Emperour15
Crassus, which was so coveitous,
That he was evere desirous 2070
Of gold to gete the pilage;
Wherof that Puile and ek Cartage
With Philosophres wise and grete
Begunne of this matiere trete,16
And ate laste in this degre
Ther weren Philosophres thre,
P. ii. 197
To do this thing whiche undertoke,
And therupon thei with hem toke
A gret tresor of gold in cophres,17
To Rome and thus these philisophres 2080
Togedre in compainie wente,
Bot noman wiste what thei mente.
Whan thei to Rome come were,
So prively thei duelte there,
As thei that thoghten to deceive:
Was non that mihte of hem perceive,
Til thei in sondri stedes have
Here gold under the ground begrave
In tuo tresors, that to beholde
Thei scholden seme as thei were olde. 2090
And so forth thanne upon a day
Al openly in good arai
To themperour thei hem presente,
And tolden it was here entente
To duellen under his servise.
And he hem axeth in what wise;
And thei him tolde in such a plit,
That ech of hem hadde a spirit,18
The which slepende a nyht appiereth
[Pg 5]
And hem be sondri dremes lereth 2100
After the world that hath betid.
Under the ground if oght be hid
Of old tresor at eny throwe,
They schull it in here swevenes knowe;
And upon this condicioun,
Thei sein, what gold under the toun
P. ii. 198
Of Rome is hid, thei wole it finde,
Ther scholde noght be left behinde,19
Be so that he the halvendel
Hem grante, and he assenteth wel; 2110
And thus cam sleighte forto duelle
With Covoitise, as I thee telle.
This Emperour bad redily
That thei be logged faste by20
Where he his oghne body lay;
And whan it was amorwe day,
That on of hem seith that he mette
Wher he a goldhord scholde fette:
Wherof this Emperour was glad,
And therupon anon he bad 2120
His Mynours forto go and myne,
And he himself of that covine
Goth forth withal, and at his hond
The tresor redi there he fond,
Where as thei seide it scholde be;
And who was thanne glad bot he?
Upon that other dai secounde
Thei have an other goldhord founde,
Which the seconde maister tok
Upon his swevene and undertok. 2130
And thus the sothe experience
To themperour yaf such credence,
That al his trist and al his feith
So sikerliche on hem he leith,
Of that he fond him so relieved,
That thei ben parfitli believed,
P. ii. 199
As thogh thei were goddes thre.
Nou herkne the soutilete.
[Pg 6]
The thridde maister scholde mete,
Which, as thei seiden, was unmete 2140
Above hem alle, and couthe most;
And he withoute noise or bost
Al priveli, so as he wolde,
Upon the morwe his swevene tolde
To themperour riht in his Ere,
And seide him that he wiste where
A tresor was so plentivous
Of gold and ek so precious
Of jeueals and of riche stones,
That unto alle hise hors at ones21 2150
It were a charge sufficant.
This lord upon this covenant
Was glad, and axeth where it was.
The maister seide, under the glas,
And tolde him eke, as for the Myn
He wolde ordeigne such engin,
That thei the werk schull undersette22
With Tymber, that withoute lette
Men mai the tresor saufli delve,
So that the Mirour be himselve 2160
Withoute empeirement schal stonde:
And this the maister upon honde23
Hath undertake in alle weie.
This lord, which hadde his wit aweie
And was with Covoitise blent,
Anon therto yaf his assent;
P. ii. 200
And thus they myne forth withal,
The timber set up overal,
Wherof the Piler stod upriht;
Til it befell upon a nyht 2170
These clerkes, whan thei were war
Hou that the timber only bar
The Piler, wher the Mirour stod,—
Here sleihte noman understod,—
Thei go be nyhte unto the Myne
[Pg 7]
With pich, with soulphre and with rosine,
And whan the Cite was a slepe,24
A wylde fyr into the depe
They caste among the timberwerk,
And so forth, whil the nyht was derk, 2180
Desguised in a povere arai
Thei passeden the toun er dai.
And whan thei come upon an hell,
Thei sihen how the Mirour fell,
Wherof thei maden joie ynowh,
And ech of hem with other lowh,
And seiden, ‘Lo, what coveitise
Mai do with hem that be noght wise!’
And that was proved afterward,
For every lond, to Romeward 2190
Which hadde be soubgit tofore,
Whan this Mirour was so forlore
And thei the wonder herde seie,
Anon begunne desobeie
With werres upon every side;
And thus hath Rome lost his pride
P. ii. 201
And was defouled overal.
For this I finde of Hanybal,
That he of Romeins in a dai,
Whan he hem fond out of arai, 2200
So gret a multitude slowh,
That of goldringes, whiche he drowh25
Of gentil handes that ben dede,
Buisshelles fulle thre, I rede,
He felde, and made a bregge also,
That he mihte over Tibre go
Upon the corps that dede were
Of the Romeins, whiche he slowh there.26
Bot now to speke of the juise,
The which after the covoitise 2210
Was take upon this Emperour,
For he destruide the Mirour;
[Pg 8]
It is a wonder forto hiere.
The Romeins maden a chaiere
And sette here Emperour therinne,
And seiden, for he wolde winne
Of gold the superfluite,
Of gold he scholde such plente
Receive, til he seide Ho:
And with gold, which thei hadden tho 2220
Buillende hot withinne a panne,
Into his Mouth thei poure thanne.
And thus the thurst of gold was queynt,
[Coveitise.]
With gold which hadde ben atteignt.
Confessor.
Wherof, mi Sone, thou miht hiere,
Whan Covoitise hath lost the stiere27
P. ii. 202
Of resonable governance,
Ther falleth ofte gret vengance.
For ther mai be no worse thing
Than Covoitise aboute a king: 2230
If it in his persone be,
It doth the more adversite;
And if it in his conseil stonde,
It bringth alday meschief to honde
Of commun harm; and if it growe
Withinne his court, it wol be knowe,
For thanne schal the king be piled.
The man which hath hise londes tiled,
Awaiteth noght more redily
The Hervest, than thei gredily 2240
Ne maken thanne warde and wacche,
Wher thei the profit mihten cacche:
And yit fulofte it falleth so,
As men mai sen among hem tho,
That he which most coveiteth faste
Hath lest avantage ate laste.
For whan fortune is therayein,
Thogh he coveite, it is in vein;
The happes be noght alle liche,
On is mad povere, an other riche, 2250
The court to some doth profit,
[Pg 9]
And some ben evere in o plit;
And yit thei bothe aliche sore
Coveite, bot fortune is more
Unto that o part favorable.
And thogh it be noght resonable,
P. ii. 203
This thing a man mai sen alday,
Wherof that I thee telle may
A fair ensample in remembrance,
Hou every man mot take his chance 2260
Or of richesse or of poverte.
Hou so it stonde of the decerte,
Hier is noght every thing aquit,
For ofte a man mai se this yit,
That who best doth, lest thonk schal have;
It helpeth noght the world to crave,
Which out of reule and of mesure
Hath evere stonde in aventure
Als wel in Court as elles where:
And hou in olde daies there 2270
It stod, so as the thinges felle,
I thenke a tale forto telle.
[Tale of the two Coffers.]
In a Cronique this I rede.
Aboute a king, as moste nede,
Hic ponit Confessor exemplum contra illos, qui in domibus Regum seruientes, pro eo quod ipsi secundum eorum cupiditatem promoti non existunt, de regio seruicio quamuis in eorum28 defectu indiscrete murmurant.
Ther was of knyhtes and squiers
Gret route, and ek of Officers:
Some of long time him hadden served,
And thoghten that thei have deserved
Avancement, and gon withoute;
And some also ben of the route 2280
That comen bat a while agon,
And thei avanced were anon.
These olde men upon this thing,
So as thei dorste, ayein the king
Among hemself compleignen ofte:
Bot ther is nothing seid so softe,
P. ii. 204
That it ne comth out ate laste;
The king it wiste, and als so faste,29
[Pg 10]
As he which was of hih Prudence,
He schop therfore an evidence 2290
Of hem that pleignen in that cas,30
To knowe in whos defalte it was.
And al withinne his oghne entente,
That noman wiste what it mente,
Anon he let tuo cofres make
Of o semblance and of o make,
So lich that no lif thilke throwe31
That on mai fro that other knowe:
Thei were into his chambre broght,
Bot noman wot why thei be wroght, 2300
And natheles the king hath bede
That thei be set in prive stede.
As he that was of wisdom slih,
Whan he therto his time sih,
Al prively, that non it wiste,
Hise oghne hondes that o kiste
Of fin gold and of fin perrie,
The which out of his tresorie
Was take, anon he felde full;
That other cofre of straw and mull 2310
With Stones meind he felde also.
Thus be thei fulle bothe tuo,
So that erliche upon a day
He bad withinne, ther he lay,
Ther scholde be tofore his bed
A bord upset and faire spred;
P. ii. 205
And thanne he let the cofres fette,
Upon the bord and dede hem sette.
He knew the names wel of tho,
The whiche ayein him grucche so, 2320
Bothe of his chambre and of his halle,
Anon and sende for hem alle,
And seide to hem in this wise:
‘Ther schal noman his happ despise;
I wot wel ye have longe served,
And god wot what ye have deserved:
Bot if it is along on me
[Pg 11]
Of that ye unavanced be,32
Or elles it be long on you,
The sothe schal be proved nou, 2330
To stoppe with youre evele word.
Lo hier tuo cofres on the bord:
Ches which you list of bothe tuo;
And witeth wel that on of tho
Is with tresor so full begon,
That if ye happe therupon,
Ye schull be riche men for evere.
Now ches and tak which you is levere:
Bot be wel war, er that ye take;
For of that on I undertake 2340
Ther is no maner good therinne,
Wherof ye mihten profit winne.
Now goth togedre of on assent
And taketh youre avisement,
For bot I you this dai avance,
It stant upon youre oghne chance
P. ii. 206
Al only in defalte of grace:
So schal be schewed in this place
Upon you alle wel afyn,
That no defalte schal be myn.’33 2350
Thei knelen alle and with o vois
The king thei thonken of this chois:34
And after that thei up arise,
And gon aside and hem avise,
And ate laste thei acorde;
Wherof her tale to recorde,
To what issue thei be falle,35
A kniht schal speke for hem alle.
He kneleth doun unto the king,
And seith that thei upon this thing, 2360
Or forto winne or forto lese,
Ben alle avised forto chese.
Tho tok this kniht a yerde on honde,
And goth there as the cofres stonde,
And with assent of everichon
[Pg 12]
He leith his yerde upon that on,
And seith the king hou thilke same
Thei chese in reguerdoun be name,
And preith him that thei mote it have.
The king, which wolde his honour save, 2370
Whan he hath herd the commun vois,
Hath granted hem here oghne chois
And tok hem therupon the keie.
Bot for he wolde it were seie
What good thei have, as thei suppose,
He bad anon the cofre unclose,
P. ii. 207
Which was fulfild with straw and stones:
Thus be thei served al at ones.
This king thanne in the same stede
Anon that other cofre undede, 2380
Where as thei sihen gret richesse,
Wei more than thei couthen gesse.
‘Lo,’ seith the king, ‘nou mai ye se
That ther is no defalte in me;
Forthi miself I wole aquyte,
And bereth ye youre oghne wyte
Of that fortune hath you refused.’
Thus was this wise king excused,
And thei lefte of here evele speche
And mercy of here king beseche. 2390
[Tale of the Beggars and the Pasties.]
Somdiel to this matiere lik
I finde a tale, hou Frederik,
Nota hic de diuiciarum Accidencia: vbi narrat qualiter Fredericus Romanorum Imperator duos pauperes audiuit litigantes, quorum vnus dixit, ‘Bene potest ditari, quem Rex vult ditare.’ Et alius dixit, ‘Quem deus vult ditare, diues erit.’ Que res cum ad experimentum postea probata fuisset, ille qui deum inuocabat pastellum auro plenum sortitus est, alius vero caponis pastellum sorte36 preelegit.
Of Rome that time Emperour,
Herde, as he wente, a gret clamour
Of tuo beggers upon the weie.
That on of hem began to seie,
‘Ha lord, wel mai the man be riche
Whom that a king list forto riche.’
That other saide nothing so,
Bot, ‘He is riche and wel bego, 2400
To whom that god wole sende wele.’
And thus thei maden wordes fele,
Wherof this lord hath hiede nome,
And dede hem bothe forto come
[Pg 13]
To the Paleis, wher he schal ete,
And bad ordeine for here mete
P. ii. 208
Tuo Pastes, whiche he let do make.
A capoun in that on was bake,
And in that other forto winne
Of florins al that mai withinne 2410
He let do pute a gret richesse;37
And evene aliche, as man mai gesse,38
Outward thei were bothe tuo.
This begger was comanded tho,
He that which hield him to the king,
That he ferst chese upon this thing:
He sih hem, bot he felte hem noght,39
So that upon his oghne thoght
He ches the Capoun and forsok
That other, which his fela tok. 2420
Bot whanne he wiste hou that it ferde,
He seide alowd, that men it herde,
‘Nou have I certeinly conceived
That he mai lihtly be deceived,
That tristeth unto mannes helpe;
Bot wel is him whom god wol helpe,
For he stant on the siker side,
Which elles scholde go beside:
I se my fela wel recovere,
And I mot duelle stille povere.’ 2430
Thus spak this begger his entente,
And povere he cam and povere he wente;
Of that he hath richesse soght,40
His infortune it wolde noght.
So mai it schewe in sondri wise,
Betwen fortune and covoitise
P. ii. 209
The chance is cast upon a Dee;
Bot yit fulofte a man mai se
Ynowe of suche natheles,
Whiche evere pute hemself in press 2440
To gete hem good, and yit thei faile.
[Pg 14]
[Coveitise of Lovers.]
And forto speke of this entaile
Touchende of love in thi matiere,
Mi goode Sone, as thou miht hiere,
That riht as it with tho men stod
Of infortune of worldes good,
As thou hast herd me telle above,
Riht so fulofte it stant be love:
Thogh thou coveite it everemore,
Thou schalt noght have o diel the more, 2450
Bot only that which thee is schape,
The remenant is bot a jape.
And natheles ynowe of tho41
Ther ben, that nou coveiten so,
That where as thei a womman se,
Ye ten or tuelve thogh ther be,
The love is nou so unavised,
That wher the beaute stant assised,
The mannes herte anon is there,
And rouneth tales in hire Ere, 2460
And seith hou that he loveth streite,
And thus he set him to coveite,
An hundred thogh he sihe aday.
So wolde he more thanne he may;
Bot for the grete covoitise42
Of sotie and of fol emprise
P. ii. 210
In ech of hem he fint somwhat
That pleseth him, or this or that;
Som on, for sche is whit of skin,
Som on, for sche is noble of kin, 2470
Som on, for sche hath rodi chieke,
Som on, for that sche semeth mieke,
Som on, for sche hath yhen greie,
Som on, for sche can lawhe and pleie,
Som on, for sche is long and smal,
Som on, for sche is lyte and tall,
Som on, for sche is pale and bleche,43
Som on, for sche is softe of speche,
Som on, for that sche is camused,
Som on, for sche hath noght ben used, 2480
Som on, for sche can daunce and singe;[Pg 15]
So that som thing to his likinge44
He fint, and thogh nomore he fiele,
Bot that sche hath a litel hiele,
It is ynow that he therfore
Hire love, and thus an hundred score,
Whil thei be newe, he wolde he hadde;
Whom he forsakth, sche schal be badde.45
Cecus non iudicat de coloribus.
The blinde man no colour demeth,
But al is on, riht as him semeth; 2490
So hath his lust no juggement,
Whom covoitise of love blent.
Him thenkth that to his covoitise
Hou al the world ne mai suffise,
For be his wille he wolde have alle,
If that it mihte so befalle:
P. ii. 211
Thus is he commun as the Strete,
I sette noght of his beyete.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, hast thou such covoitise?
Amans.
Nai, fader, such love I despise,46 2500
And whil I live schal don evere,
For in good feith yit hadde I levere,
Than to coveite in such a weie,
To ben for evere til I deie
As povere as Job, and loveles,
Outaken on, for haveles
His thonkes is noman alyve.
For that a man scholde al unthryve47
Ther oghte no wisman coveite,
The lawe was noght set so streite: 2510
Forthi miself withal to save,
Such on ther is I wolde have,
And non of al these othre mo.48
Confessor.
Mi Sone, of that thou woldest so,
I am noght wroth, bot over this
I wol thee tellen hou it is.
For ther be men, whiche otherwise,
[Pg 16]
Riht only for the covoitise
Of that thei sen a womman riche,
Ther wol thei al here love affiche; 2520
Noght for the beaute of hire face,
Ne yit for vertu ne for grace,
Which sche hath elles riht ynowh,
Bot for the Park and for the plowh,
And other thing which therto longeth:
For in non other wise hem longeth49
P. ii. 212
To love, bot thei profit finde;
And if the profit be behinde,
Here love is evere lesse and lesse,
For after that sche hath richesse, 2530
Her love is of proporcion.
If thou hast such condicion,
Mi Sone, tell riht as it is.
Confessio Amantis.
Min holi fader, nay ywiss,
Condicion such have I non.
For trewli, fader, I love oon
So wel with al myn hertes thoght,
That certes, thogh sche hadde noght,
And were as povere as Medea,
Which was exiled for Creusa,50 2540
I wolde hir noght the lasse love;
Ne thogh sche were at hire above,
As was the riche qwen Candace,
Which to deserve love and grace
To Alisandre, that was king,
Yaf many a worthi riche thing,51
Or elles as Pantasilee,
Which was the quen of Feminee,
And gret richesse with hir nam,
Whan sche for love of Hector cam52 2550
To Troie in rescousse of the toun,—53
I am of such condicion,
That thogh mi ladi of hirselve
Were also riche as suche tuelve,54
[Pg 17]
I couthe noght, thogh it wer so,
No betre love hir than I do.
P. ii. 213
For I love in so plein a wise,
That forto speke of coveitise,
As for poverte or for richesse
Mi love is nouther mor ne lesse. 2560
For in good feith I trowe this,
So coveitous noman ther is,
Forwhy and he mi ladi sihe,55
That he thurgh lokinge of his yhe56
Ne scholde have such a strok withinne,
That for no gold he mihte winne
He scholde noght hire love asterte,
Bot if he lefte there his herte;
Be so it were such a man,
That couthe Skile of a womman. 2570
For ther be men so ruide some,57
Whan thei among the wommen come,
Thei gon under proteccioun,58
That love and his affeccioun59
Ne schal noght take hem be the slieve;
For thei ben out of that believe,
Hem lusteth of no ladi chiere,
Bot evere thenken there and hiere
Wher that here gold is in the cofre,60
And wol non other love profre: 2580
Bot who so wot what love amounteth
And be resoun trewliche acompteth,
Than mai he knowe and taken hiede
That al the lust of wommanhiede,
Which mai ben in a ladi face,
Mi ladi hath, and ek of grace
P. ii. 214
If men schull yiven hire a pris,61
Thei mai wel seie hou sche is wys
And sobre and simple of contenance,
[Pg 18]
And al that to good governance 2590
Belongeth of a worthi wiht62
Sche hath pleinli: for thilke nyht
That sche was bore, as for the nones
Nature sette in hire at ones
Beaute with bounte so besein,
That I mai wel afferme and sein,
I sawh yit nevere creature
Of comlihied and of feture
In eny kinges regioun
Be lich hire in comparisoun: 2600
And therto, as I have you told,
Yit hath sche more a thousendfold
Of bounte, and schortli to telle,
Sche is the pure hed and welle
And Mirour and ensample of goode.
Who so hir vertus understode,
Me thenkth it oughte ynow suffise
Withouten other covoitise
To love such on and to serve,
Which with hire chiere can deserve 2610
To be beloved betre ywiss
Than sche per cas that richest is
And hath of gold a Milion.
Such hath be myn opinion
And evere schal: bot natheles
I seie noght sche is haveles,
P. ii. 215
That sche nys riche and wel at ese,
And hath ynow wherwith to plese
Of worldes good whom that hire liste;
Bot o thing wolde I wel ye wiste, 2620
That nevere for no worldes good
Min herte untoward hire stod,
Bot only riht for pure love;
That wot the hihe god above.
Nou, fader, what seie ye therto?
Confessor.
Mi Sone, I seie it is wel do.
For tak of this riht good believe,63
[Pg 19]
What man that wole himself relieve
To love in eny other wise,
He schal wel finde his coveitise 2630
Schal sore grieve him ate laste,
For such a love mai noght laste.
Bot nou, men sein, in oure daies
Men maken bot a fewe assaies,
Bot if the cause be richesse;
Forthi the love is wel the lesse.
And who that wolde ensamples telle,64
Be olde daies as thei felle,
Than mihte a man wel understonde
Such love mai noght longe stonde. 2640
Now herkne, Sone, and thou schalt hiere
A gret ensample of this matiere.
[Tale of the King and his Steward’s Wife.]
To trete upon the cas of love,
So as we tolden hiere above,
Hic ponit exemplum contra istos qui non propter amorem sed propter diuicias sponsalia sumunt. Et narrat de quodam Regis Apulie Seneschallo, qui non solum propter pecuniam vxorem duxit, set eciam pecunie commercio vxorem sibi desponsatam vendidit.
I finde write a wonder thing.
Of Puile whilom was a king,
P. ii. 216
A man of hih complexioun
And yong, bot his affeccioun
After the nature of his age
Was yit noght falle in his corage 2650
The lust of wommen forto knowe.
So it betidde upon a throwe
This lord fell into gret seknesse:
Phisique hath don the besinesse
Of sondri cures manyon
To make him hol; and therupon
A worthi maister which ther was
Yaf him conseil upon this cas,65
That if he wolde have parfit hele,
He scholde with a womman dele, 2660
A freissh, a yong, a lusti wiht,
To don him compaignie a nyht;
For thanne he seide him redily,
That he schal be al hol therby,
[Pg 20]
And otherwise he kneu no cure.
This king, which stod in aventure66
Of lif and deth, for medicine
Assented was, and of covine
His Steward, whom he tristeth wel,
He tok, and tolde him everydel, 2670
Hou that this maister hadde seid:67
And therupon he hath him preid
And charged upon his ligance,
That he do make porveance
Of such on as be covenable
For his plesance and delitable;
P. ii. 217
And bad him, hou that evere it stod,
That he schal spare for no good,
For his will is riht wel to paie.
The Steward seide he wolde assaie: 2680
Bot nou hierafter thou schalt wite,
As I finde in the bokes write,68
What coveitise in love doth.
This Steward, forto telle soth,
Amonges al the men alyve69
A lusti ladi hath to wyve,
Which natheles for gold he tok
And noght for love, as seith the bok.
A riche Marchant of the lond
Hir fader was, and hire fond70 2690
So worthily, and such richesse
Of worldes good and such largesse
With hire he yaf in mariage,
That only for thilke avantage71
Of good this Steward hath hire take,
For lucre and noght for loves sake,72
And that was afterward wel seene;
Nou herkne what it wolde meene.
This Steward in his oghne herte
[Pg 21]
Sih that his lord mai noght asterte 2700
His maladie, bot he have
A lusti womman him to save,
And thoghte he wolde yive ynowh
Of his tresor; wherof he drowh
Gret coveitise into his mynde,
And sette his honour fer behynde.
P. ii. 218
Thus he, whom gold hath overset,
Was trapped in his oghne net;
The gold hath mad hise wittes lame,
So that sechende his oghne schame 2710
He rouneth in the kinges Ere,
And seide him that he wiste where
A gentile and a lusti on
Tho was, and thider wolde he gon:73
Bot he mot yive yiftes grete;
For bot it be thurgh gret beyete
Of gold, he seith, he schal noght spede.
The king him bad upon the nede
That take an hundred pound he scholde,
And yive it where that he wolde, 2720
Be so it were in worthi place:
And thus to stonde in loves grace
This king his gold hath abandouned.
And whan this tale was full rouned,
The Steward tok the gold and wente,
Withinne his herte and many a wente
Of coveitise thanne he caste,
Wherof a pourpos ate laste
Ayein love and ayein his riht
He tok, and seide hou thilke nyht 2730
His wif schal ligge be the king;
And goth thenkende upon this thing
Toward his In, til he cam hom
Into the chambre, and thanne he nom
His wif, and tolde hire al the cas.74
And sche, which red for schame was,
P. ii. 219
With bothe hire handes hath him preid75
[Pg 22]
Knelende and in this wise seid,76
That sche to reson and to skile
In what thing that he bidde wile77 2740
Is redy forto don his heste,
Bot this thing were noght honeste,
That he for gold hire scholde selle.
And he tho with hise wordes felle
Forth with his gastly contienance
Seith that sche schal don obeissance
And folwe his will in every place;
And thus thurgh strengthe of his manace
Hir innocence is overlad,
Wherof sche was so sore adrad 2750
That sche his will mot nede obeie.
And therupon was schape a weie,78
That he his oghne wif be nyhte
Hath out of alle mennes sihte
So prively that non it wiste
Broght to the king, which as him liste
Mai do with hire what he wolde.
For whan sche was ther as sche scholde,
With him abedde under the cloth,
The Steward tok his leve and goth 2760
Into a chambre faste by;79
Bot hou he slep, that wot noght I,
For he sih cause of jelousie.
Bot he, which hath the compainie
Of such a lusti on as sche,
Him thoghte that of his degre
P. ii. 220
Ther was noman so wel at ese:
Sche doth al that sche mai to plese,
So that his herte al hol sche hadde;
And thus this king his joie ladde, 2770
Til it was nyh upon the day.80
The Steward thanne wher sche lay
Cam to the bedd, and in his wise81
Hath bede that sche scholde arise.
[Pg 23]
The king seith, ‘Nay, sche schal noght go.’
His Steward seide ayein, ‘Noght so;82
For sche mot gon er it be knowe,
And so I swor at thilke throwe,
Whan I hire fette to you hiere.’83
The king his tale wol noght hiere,84 2780
And seith hou that he hath hire boght,
Forthi sche schal departe noght,
Til he the brighte dai beholde.
And cawhte hire in hise armes folde,
As he which liste forto pleie,
And bad his Steward gon his weie,
And so he dede ayein his wille.
And thus his wif abedde stille
Lay with the king the longe nyht,
Til that it was hih Sonne lyht; 2790
Bot who sche was he knew nothing.
Tho cam the Steward to the king
And preide him that withoute schame85
In savinge of hire goode name
He myhte leden hom ayein
This lady, and hath told him plein
P. ii. 221
Hou that it was his oghne wif.
The king his Ere unto this strif
Hath leid, and whan that he it herde,
Welnyh out of his wit he ferde, 2800
And seide, ‘Ha, caitif most of alle,
Wher was it evere er this befalle,
That eny cokard in this wise
Betok his wif for coveitise?
Thou hast bothe hire and me beguiled
And ek thin oghne astat reviled,
Wherof that buxom unto thee
Hierafter schal sche nevere be.
For this avou to god I make,
After this day if I thee take, 2810
Thou schalt ben honged and todrawe.
[Pg 24]
Nou loke anon thou be withdrawe,
So that I se thee neveremore.’
This Steward thanne dradde him sore,
With al the haste that he mai
And fledde awei that same dai,86
And was exiled out of londe.
Lo, there a nyce housebonde,
Which thus hath lost his wif for evere!
Bot natheles sche hadde a levere; 2820
The king hire weddeth and honoureth,
Wherof hire name sche socoureth,
Which erst was lost thurgh coveitise
Of him, that ladde hire other wise,
And hath himself also forlore.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, be thou war therfore,
P. ii. 222
Wher thou schalt love in eny place,
That thou no covoitise embrace,
The which is noght of loves kinde.
Bot for al that a man mai finde 2830
Nou in this time of thilke rage
Ful gret desese in mariage,
Whan venym melleth with the Sucre
And mariage is mad for lucre,
Or for the lust or for the hele:
What man that schal with outher dele,87
He mai noght faile to repente.
Amans.
Mi fader, such is myn entente:
Bot natheles good is to have,
For good mai ofte time save 2840
The love which scholde elles spille.
Bot god, which wot myn hertes wille,
I dar wel take to witnesse,
Yit was I nevere for richesse
Beset with mariage non;
For al myn herte is upon on
So frely, that in the persone
Stant al my worldes joie al one:
I axe nouther Park ne Plowh,
[Pg 25]
If I hire hadde, it were ynowh, 2850
Hir love scholde me suffise
Withouten other coveitise.
Lo now, mi fader, as of this,
Touchende of me riht as it is,
Mi schrifte I am beknowe plein;
And if ye wole oght elles sein,88
P. ii. 223
Of covoitise if ther be more
In love, agropeth out the sore.
[False Witness and Perjury.]
iv. Fallere cum nequeat propria vir fraude, subornat
Testes, sit quod eis vera retorta fides.89
Sicut agros cupidus dum querit amans mulieres,
Vult testes falsos falsus habere suos.90
Non sine vindicta periurus abibit in eius
Visu, qui cordis intima cuncta videt.
Fallere periuro non est laudanda puellam 91
Gloria, set false condicionis opus.
Mi Sone, thou schalt understonde
Hou Coveitise hath yit on honde 2860
In special tuo conseilours,
That ben also hise procurours.
Hic tractat super illis92 Auaricie speciebus, que falsum Testimonium et Periurium nuncupantur; quorum fraudulenta circumuencio tam in cupiditatis95 quam in amoris causa sui desiderii propositum quamsepe fallaciter attingit.
The ferst of hem is Falswitnesse,93
Which evere is redi to witnesse
What thing his maister wol him hote:
Perjurie is the secounde hote,94
Which spareth noght to swere an oth,
Thogh it be fals and god be wroth.96
That on schal falswitnesse bere,
That other schal the thing forswere, 2870
Whan he is charged on the bok.
So what with hepe and what with crok97
Thei make here maister ofte winne
And wol noght knowe what is sinne
[Pg 26]
For coveitise, and thus, men sain,
Thei maken many a fals bargain.
Ther mai no trewe querele arise
In thilke queste and thilke assise,98
Where as thei tuo the poeple enforme;
For thei kepe evere o maner forme, 2880
P. ii. 224
That upon gold here conscience
Thei founde, and take here evidence;
And thus with falswitnesse and othes
Thei winne hem mete and drinke and clothes.
Riht so ther be, who that hem knewe,
Of thes lovers ful many untrewe:
Nou mai a womman finde ynowe,
That ech of hem, whan he schal wowe,
Anon he wole his hand doun lein
Upon a bok, and swere and sein 2890
That he wole feith and trouthe bere;
And thus he profreth him to swere
To serven evere til he die,
And al is verai tricherie.
For whan the sothe himselven trieth,
The more he swerth, the more he lieth;
Whan he his feith makth althermest,
Than mai a womman truste him lest;
For til he mai his will achieve,
He is no lengere forto lieve.99 2900
Thus is the trouthe of love exiled,
[False Witness.]
And many a good womman beguiled.
Confessor.
And ek to speke of Falswitnesse,
There be nou many suche, I gesse,100
That lich unto the provisours
Thei make here prive procurours,101
To telle hou ther is such a man,
Which is worthi to love and can
Al that a good man scholde kunne;
So that with lesinge is begunne 2910
P. ii. 225
The cause in which thei wole procede,
And also siker as the crede
[Pg 27]
Thei make of that thei knowen fals.
And thus fulofte aboute the hals
Love is of false men embraced;
Bot love which is so pourchaced
Comth afterward to litel pris.
Forthi, mi Sone, if thou be wis,
Nou thou hast herd this evidence,
Thou miht thin oghne conscience 2920
Oppose, if thou hast ben such on.
Amans.
Nai, god wot, fader, I am non,
Ne nevere was; for as men seith,
Whan that a man schal make his feith,
His herte and tunge moste acorde;
For if so be that thei discorde,
Thanne is he fals and elles noght:
And I dar seie, as of my thoght,
In love it is noght descordable
Unto mi word, bot acordable. 2930
And in this wise, fader, I
Mai riht wel swere and salvely,102
That I mi ladi love wel,
For that acordeth everydel.
It nedeth noght to mi sothsawe
That I witnesse scholde drawe,
Into this dai for nevere yit103
Ne mihte it sinke into mi wit,
That I my conseil scholde seie
To eny wiht, or me bewreie104 2940
P. ii. 226
To sechen help in such manere,
Bot only of mi ladi diere.105
And thogh a thousend men it wiste,
That I hire love, and thanne hem liste
With me to swere and to witnesse,
Yit were that no falswitnesse;
For I dar on this trouthe duelle,
I love hire mor than I can telle.
Thus am I, fader, gulteles,
[Pg 28]
As ye have herd, and natheles 2950
In youre dom I put it al.106
Confessor.
Mi Sone, wite in special,
It schal noght comunliche faile,
Al thogh it for a time availe
That Falswitnesse his cause spede,
Upon the point of his falshiede
It schal wel afterward be kid;
Wherof, so as it is betid,
Ensample of suche thinges blinde
In a Cronique write I finde. 2960
[Tale of Achilles and Deidamia.]
The Goddesse of the See Thetis,
Sche hadde a Sone, and his name is
Achilles, whom to kepe and warde,
Hic ponit exemplum de illis, qui falsum testificantes amoris innocenciam circumueniunt. Et narrat qualiter Thetis Achillem filium suum adolescentem, muliebri vestitum apparatu, asserens esse puellam inter Regis Lichomedis filias ad educandum produxit. Et sic Achilles decepto Rege filie sue Deidamie socia et cubicularia effectus super ipsam Pirrum genuit; qui postea mire probitatis miliciam assecutus mortem patris sui apud Troiam in Polixenen tirannice vindicauit.
Whil he was yong, as into warde107
Sche thoghte him salfly to betake,
As sche which dradde for his sake108
Of that was seid in prophecie,109
That he at Troie scholde die,
Whan that the Cite was belein.
Forthi, so as the bokes sein, 2970
P. ii. 227
Sche caste hire wit in sondri wise,
Hou sche him mihte so desguise
That noman scholde his bodi knowe:
And so befell that ilke throwe,
Whil that sche thoghte upon this dede,110
Ther was a king, which Lichomede
Was hote, and he was wel begon
With faire dowhtres manyon,
And duelte fer out in an yle.
Nou schalt thou hiere a wonder wyle: 2980
This queene, which the moder was
Of Achilles, upon this cas
Hire Sone, as he a Maiden were,
Let clothen in the same gere
Which longeth unto wommanhiede:
And he was yong and tok non hiede,
[Pg 29]
Bot soffreth al that sche him dede.
Wherof sche hath hire wommen bede
And charged be here othes alle,
Hou so it afterward befalle, 2990
That thei discovere noght this thing,
Bot feigne and make a knowleching,
Upon the conseil which was nome,
In every place wher thei come
To telle and to witnesse this,
Hou he here ladi dowhter is.111
And riht in such a maner wise
Sche bad thei scholde hire don servise,
So that Achilles underfongeth
As to a yong ladi belongeth 3000
P. ii. 228
Honour, servise and reverence.
For Thetis with gret diligence
Him hath so tawht and so afaited,
That, hou so that it were awaited,112
With sobre and goodli contenance
He scholde his wommanhiede avance,
That non the sothe knowe myhte,
Bot that in every mannes syhte
He scholde seme a pure Maide.
And in such wise as sche him saide, 3010
Achilles, which that ilke while
Was yong, upon himself to smyle
Began, whan he was so besein.
And thus, after the bokes sein,
With frette of Perle upon his hed,
Al freissh betwen the whyt and red,
As he which tho was tendre of Age,
Stod the colour in his visage,
That forto loke upon his cheke
And sen his childly manere eke, 3020
He was a womman to beholde.
And thanne his moder to him tolde,
That sche him hadde so begon
Be cause that sche thoghte gon
To Lichomede at thilke tyde,
[Pg 30]
Wher that sche seide he scholde abyde113
Among hise dowhtres forto duelle.
Achilles herde his moder telle,
And wiste noght the cause why;
And natheles ful buxomly 3030
P. ii. 229
He was redy to that sche bad,
Wherof his moder was riht glad,114
To Lichomede and forth thei wente.
And whan the king knew hire entente,
And sih this yonge dowhter there,
And that it cam unto his Ere
Of such record, of such witnesse,
He hadde riht a gret gladnesse
Of that he bothe syh and herde,
As he that wot noght hou it ferde 3040
Upon the conseil of the nede.
Bot for al that king Lichomede
Hath toward him this dowhter take,
And for Thetis his moder sake
He put hire into compainie115
To duelle with Deïdamie,116
His oghne dowhter, the eldeste,
The faireste and the comelieste
Of alle hise doghtres whiche he hadde.
Lo, thus Thetis the cause ladde, 3050
And lefte there Achilles feigned,
As he which hath himself restreigned
In al that evere he mai and can
Out of the manere of a man,117
And tok his wommannysshe chiere,
Wherof unto his beddefere
Deïdamie he hath be nyhte.
Wher kinde wole himselve rihte,118
After the Philosophres sein,
Ther mai no wiht be therayein: 3060
P. ii. 230
And that was thilke time seene.
[Pg 31]
The longe nyhtes hem betuene
Nature, which mai noght forbere,
Hath mad hem bothe forto stere
Thei kessen ferst, and overmore
The hihe weie of loves lore
Thei gon, and al was don in dede,
Wherof lost is the maydenhede;
And that was afterward wel knowe.
For it befell that ilke throwe 3070
At Troie, wher the Siege lay
Upon the cause of Menelay
And of his queene dame Heleine,
The Gregois hadden mochel peine
Alday to fihte and to assaile.
Bot for thei mihten noght availe
So noble a Cite forto winne,
A prive conseil thei beginne,
In sondri wise wher thei trete;
And ate laste among the grete 3080
Thei fellen unto this acord,
That Protheüs, of his record
Which was an Astronomien
And ek a gret Magicien,
Scholde of his calculacion
Seche after constellacion,
Hou thei the Cite mihten gete:
And he, which hadde noght foryete
Of that belongeth to a clerk,
His studie sette upon this werk.119 3090
P. ii. 231
So longe his wit aboute he caste,
Til that he fond out ate laste,
Bot if they hadden Achilles
Here werre schal ben endeles.
And over that he tolde hem plein
In what manere he was besein,
And in what place he schal be founde;
So that withinne a litel stounde
Ulixes forth with Diomede
Upon this point to Lichomede 3100
Agamenon togedre sente.[Pg 32]
Bot Ulixes, er he forth wente,
Which was on of the moste wise,
Ordeigned hath in such a wise,
That he the moste riche aray,
Wherof a womman mai be gay,
With him hath take manyfold,
And overmore, as it is told,
An harneis for a lusti kniht,
Which burned was as Selver bryht,120 3110
Of swerd, of plate and ek of maile,
As thogh he scholde to bataille,
He tok also with him be Schipe.
And thus togedre in felaschipe
Forth gon this Diomede and he
In hope til thei mihten se
The place where Achilles is.
The wynd stod thanne noght amis,
Bot evene topseilcole it blew,121
Til Ulixes the Marche knew, 3120
P. ii. 232
Wher Lichomede his Regne hadde.
The Stieresman so wel hem ladde,
That thei ben comen sauf to londe,
Wher thei gon out upon the stronde
Into the Burgh, wher that thei founde
The king, and he which hath facounde,
Ulixes, dede the message.
Bot the conseil of his corage,
Why that he cam, he tolde noght,
Bot undernethe he was bethoght 3130
In what manere he mihte aspie
Achilles fro Deïdamie
And fro these othre that ther were,
Full many a lusti ladi there.
Thei pleide hem there a day or tuo,
And as it was fortuned so,
[Pg 33]
It fell that time in such a wise,
To Bachus that a sacrifise
Thes yonge ladys scholden make;
And for the strange mennes sake, 3140
That comen fro the Siege of Troie,
Thei maden wel the more joie.
Ther was Revel, ther was daunsinge,
And every lif which coude singe
Of lusti wommen in the route122
A freissh carole hath sunge aboute;
Bot for al this yit natheles
The Greks unknowe of Achilles
So weren, that in no degre
Thei couden wite which was he, 3150
P. ii. 233
Ne be his vois, ne be his pas.
Ulixes thanne upon this cas123
A thing of hih Prudence hath wroght:
For thilke aray, which he hath broght
To yive among the wommen there,
He let do fetten al the gere
Forth with a knihtes harneis eke,—
In al a contre forto seke124
Men scholden noght a fairer se,—
And every thing in his degre 3160
Endlong upon a bord he leide.
To Lichomede and thanne he preide
That every ladi chese scholde
What thing of alle that sche wolde,
And take it as be weie of yifte;
For thei hemself it scholde schifte,
He seide, after here oghne wille.
Achilles thanne stod noght stille:
Whan he the bryhte helm behield,125
The swerd, the hauberk and the Schield, 3170
His herte fell therto anon;
Of all that othre wolde he non,
The knihtes gere he underfongeth,
[Pg 34]
And thilke aray which that belongeth
Unto the wommen he forsok.
And in this wise, as seith the bok,
Thei knowen thanne which he was:
For he goth forth the grete pas
Into the chambre where he lay;
Anon, and made no delay, 3180
P. ii. 234
He armeth him in knyhtli wise,
That bettre can noman devise,
And as fortune scholde falle,
He cam so forth tofore hem alle,
As he which tho was glad ynowh.
But Lichomede nothing lowh,
Whan that he syh hou that it ferde,
For thanne he wiste wel and herde,
His dowhter hadde be forlein;
Bot that he was so oversein, 3190
The wonder overgoth his wit.
For in Cronique is write yit126
Thing which schal nevere be foryete,
Hou that Achilles hath begete
Pirrus upon Deïdamie,
Wherof cam out the tricherie
Of Falswitnesse, whan thei saide127
Hou that Achilles was a Maide.
Bot that was nothing sene tho,
For he is to the Siege go 3200
Forth with Ulixe and Diomede.
Confessor.
Lo, thus was proved in the dede
And fulli spoke at thilke while:
If o womman an other guile,
Wher is ther eny sikernesse?
Whan Thetis, which was the goddesse,
Deïdamie hath so bejaped,
I not hou it schal ben ascaped
With tho wommen whos innocence128
Is nou alday thurgh such credence129 3210
P. ii. 235
Deceived ofte, as it is seene,
[Pg 35]
With men that such untrouthe meene.
For thei ben slyhe in such a wise,
That thei be sleihte and be queintise
Of Falswitnesse bringen inne
That doth hem ofte forto winne,
Wher thei ben noght worthi therto.130
[Perjury.]
Forthi, my Sone, do noght so.
Amans
Mi fader, as of Falswitnesse
The trouthe and the matiere expresse, 3220
Touchende of love hou it hath ferd,
As ye have told, I have wel herd.
Bot for ye seiden otherwise,
Hou thilke vice of Covoitise
Hath yit Perjurie of his acord,131
If that you list of som record
To telle an other tale also
In loves cause of time ago,
What thing it is to be forswore,
I wolde preie you therfore, 3230
Wherof I mihte ensample take.
Confessor.
Mi goode Sone, and for thi sake
Touchende of this I schal fulfille
Thin axinge at thin oghne wille,
And the matiere I schal declare,
Hou the wommen deceived are,
Whan thei so tendre herte bere,132
Of that thei hieren men so swere;
Bot whan it comth unto thassay,
Thei finde it fals an other day: 3240
P. ii. 236
As Jason dede to Medee,133
Which stant yet of Auctorite
In tokne and in memorial;
Wherof the tale in special
Is in the bok of Troie write,
Which I schal do thee forto wite.134
In Grece whilom was a king,
Of whom the fame and knowleching
[Pg 36]
[Tale of Jason and Medea.]
Beleveth yit, and Peleüs
He hihte; bot it fell him thus, 3250
Hic in amoris causa ponit exemplum contra periuros. Et narrat qualiter Iason, priusquam ad insulam Colchos pro aureo vellere ibidem conquestando transmearet, in amorem et coniugium Medee Regis Othonis filie iuramento firmius se astrinxit; set suo postea completo negocio, cum ipsam secum nauigio in Greciam perduxisset, vbi illa senectam135 patris sui Esonis in floridam iuuentutem mirabili sciencia reformauit, ipse Iason fidei sue ligamento aliisque beneficiis postpositis, dictam Medeam pro quadam Creusa Regis Creontis filia periurus dereliquit.
That his fortune hir whiel so ladde
That he no child his oghne hadde
To regnen after his decess.
He hadde a brother natheles,
Whos rihte name was Eson,
And he the worthi kniht Jason
Begat, the which in every lond
Alle othre passede of his hond
In Armes, so that he the beste
Was named and the worthieste, 3260
He soghte worschipe overal.
Nou herkne, and I thee telle schal
An aventure that he soghte,
Which afterward ful dere he boghte.
Ther was an yle, which Colchos
Was cleped, and therof aros
Gret speche in every lond aboute,
That such merveile was non oute
In al the wyde world nawhere,
As tho was in that yle there. 3270
P. ii. 237
Ther was a Schiep, as it was told,
The which his flees bar al of gold,
And so the goddes hadde it set,
That it ne mihte awei be fet
Be pouer of no worldes wiht:
And yit ful many a worthi kniht
It hadde assaied, as thei dorste,
And evere it fell hem to the worste.
Bot he, that wolde it noght forsake,
Bot of his knyhthod undertake 3280
To do what thing therto belongeth,136
This worthi Jason, sore alongeth
To se the strange regiouns
And knowe the condiciouns
Of othre Marches, where he wente;
And for that cause his hole entente
[Pg 37]
He sette Colchos forto seche,
And therupon he made a speche
To Peleüs his Em the king.
And he wel paid was of that thing;137 3290
And schop anon for his passage,
And suche as were of his lignage,
With othre knihtes whiche he ches,
With him he tok, and Hercules,
Which full was of chivalerie,138
With Jason wente in compaignie;
And that was in the Monthe of Maii,
Whan colde stormes were away.
The wynd was good, the Schip was yare,
Thei tok here leve, and forth thei fare139 3300
P. ii. 238
Toward Colchos: bot on the weie
What hem befell is long to seie;
Hou Lamedon the king of Troie,
Which oghte wel have mad hem joie,140
Whan thei to reste a while him preide,
Out of his lond he hem congeide;141
And so fell the dissencion,
Which after was destruccion
Of that Cite, as men mai hiere:
Bot that is noght to mi matiere. 3310
Bot thus this142 worthi folk Gregeis143
Fro that king, which was noght curteis,
And fro his lond with Sail updrawe
Thei wente hem forth, and many a sawe
Thei made and many a gret manace,
Til ate laste into that place
Which as thei soghte thei aryve,
And striken Sail, and forth as blyve
Thei sente unto the king and tolden
Who weren ther and what thei wolden. 3320
Oëtes, which was thanne king,144
[Pg 38]
Whan that he herde this tyding
Of Jason, which was comen there,
And of these othre, what thei were,
He thoghte don hem gret worschipe:
For thei anon come out of Schipe,
And strawht unto the king thei wente,
And be the hond Jason he hente,
And that was ate paleis gate,
So fer the king cam on his gate 3330
P. ii. 239
Toward Jason to don him chiere;
And he, whom lacketh no manere,
Whan he the king sih in presence,
Yaf him ayein such reverence
As to a kinges stat belongeth.
And thus the king him underfongeth,
And Jason in his arm he cawhte,
And forth into the halle he strawhte,
And ther they siete and spieke of thinges,
And Jason tolde him tho tidinges,145 3340
Why he was come, and faire him preide
To haste his time, and the kyng seide,
‘Jason, thou art a worthi kniht,
Bot it lith in no mannes myht
To don that thou art come fore:
Ther hath be many a kniht forlore
Of that thei wolden it assaie.’
Bot Jason wolde him noght esmaie,
And seide, ‘Of every worldes cure
Fortune stant in aventure, 3350
Per aunter wel, per aunter wo:
Bot hou as evere that it go,
It schal be with myn hond assaied.’
The king tho hield him noght wel paied,
For he the Grekes sore dredde,
In aunter, if Jason ne spedde,
He mihte therof bere a blame;
For tho was al the worldes fame
In Grece, as forto speke of Armes.
Forthi he dredde him of his harmes, 3360
P. ii. 240
And gan to preche him and to preie;[Pg 39]
Bot Jason wolde noght obeie,
Bot seide he wolde his porpos holde
For ought that eny man him tolde.
The king, whan he thes wordes herde,146
And sih hou that this kniht ansuerde,
Yit for he wolde make him glad,
After Medea gon he bad,
Which was his dowhter, and sche cam.
And Jason, which good hiede nam, 3370
Whan he hire sih, ayein hire goth;
And sche, which was him nothing loth,
Welcomede him into that lond,
And softe tok him be the hond,
And doun thei seten bothe same.
Sche hadde herd spoke of his name147
And of his grete worthinesse;
Forthi sche gan hir yhe impresse
Upon his face and his stature,
And thoghte hou nevere creature 3380
Was so wel farende as was he.
And Jason riht in such degre
Ne mihte noght withholde his lok,
Bot so good hiede on hire he tok,
That him ne thoghte under the hevene
Of beaute sawh he nevere hir evene,
With al that fell to wommanhiede.
Thus ech of other token hiede,
Thogh ther no word was of record;
Here hertes bothe of on acord 3390
P. ii. 241
Ben set to love, bot as tho
Ther mihten be no wordes mo.
The king made him gret joie and feste,148
To alle his men he yaf an heste,
So as thei wolde his thonk deserve,
That thei scholde alle Jason serve,
Whil that he wolde there duelle.
And thus the dai, schortly to telle,
[Pg 40]
With manye merthes thei despente,
Til nyht was come, and tho thei wente, 3400
Echon of other tok his leve,
Whan thei no lengere myhten leve.
I not hou Jason that nyht slep,
Bot wel I wot that of the Schep,
For which he cam into that yle,
He thoghte bot a litel whyle;
Al was Medea that he thoghte,
So that in many a wise he soghte
His witt wakende er it was day,
Som time yee, som time nay, 3410
Som time thus, som time so,
As he was stered to and fro
Of love, and ek of his conqueste
As he was holde of his beheste.
And thus he ros up be the morwe
And tok himself seint John to borwe,
And seide he wolde ferst beginne
At love, and after forto winne
The flees of gold, for which he com,
And thus to him good herte he nom. 3420
P. ii. 242
Medea riht the same wise,
Til dai cam that sche moste arise,149
Lay and bethoughte hire al the nyht,
Hou sche that noble worthi kniht
Be eny weie mihte wedde:
And wel sche wiste, if he ne spedde
Of thing which he hadde undertake,
Sche mihte hirself no porpos take;
For if he deide of his bataile,
Sche moste thanne algate faile 3430
To geten him, whan he were ded.
Thus sche began to sette red
And torne aboute hir wittes alle,
To loke hou that it mihte falle
That sche with him hadde a leisir
To speke and telle of hir desir.
And so it fell that same day150
[Pg 41]
That Jason with that suete may
Togedre sete and hadden space
To speke, and he besoughte hir grace.151 3440
And sche his tale goodli herde,
And afterward sche him ansuerde
And seide, ‘Jason, as thou wilt,
Thou miht be sauf, thou miht be spilt;
For wite wel that nevere man,
Bot if he couthe that I can,
Ne mihte that fortune achieve
For which thou comst: bot as I lieve,
If thou wolt holde covenant
To love, of al the remenant 3450
P. ii. 243
I schal thi lif and honour save,
That thou the flees of gold schalt have.’
He seide, ‘Al at youre oghne wille,
Ma dame, I schal treuly fulfille
Youre heste, whil mi lif mai laste.’
Thus longe he preide, and ate laste
Sche granteth, and behihte him this,
That whan nyht comth and it time is,
Sche wolde him sende certeinly
Such on that scholde him prively 3460
Al one into hire chambre bringe.
He thonketh hire of that tidinge,
For of that grace him is begonne
Him thenkth alle othre thinges wonne.
The dai made ende and lost his lyht,152
And comen was the derke nyht,
Which al the daies yhe blente.
Jason tok leve and forth he wente,
And whan he cam out of the pres,
He tok to conseil Hercules, 3470
And tolde him hou it was betid,
And preide it scholde wel ben hid,153
And that he wolde loke aboute,
Therwhiles that he schal ben oute.
Thus as he stod and hiede nam,
[Pg 42]
A Mayden fro Medea cam
And to hir chambre Jason ledde,
Wher that he fond redi to bedde
The faireste and the wiseste eke;
And sche with simple chiere and meke, 3480
P. ii. 244
Whan sche him sih, wax al aschamed.154
Tho was here tale newe entamed;155
For sikernesse of Mariage
Sche fette forth a riche ymage,156
Which was figure of Jupiter,
And Jason swor and seide ther,
That also wiss god scholde him helpe,
That if Medea dede him helpe,
That he his pourpos myhte wtnne,
Thei scholde nevere parte atwinne,157 3490
Bot evere whil him lasteth lif,
He wolde hire holde for his wif.
And with that word thei kisten bothe;
And for thei scholden hem unclothe,
Ther cam a Maide, and in hir wise
Sche dede hem bothe full servise,
Til that thei were in bedde naked:
I wot that nyht was wel bewaked,
Thei hadden bothe what thei wolde.
And thanne of leisir sche him tolde, 3500
And gan fro point to point enforme
Of his bataile and al the forme,
Which as he scholde finde there,
Whan he to thyle come were.
Sche seide, at entre of the pas
Hou Mars, which god of Armes was,
Hath set tuo Oxen sterne and stoute,
That caste fyr and flamme aboute
Bothe at the mouth and ate nase,
So that thei setten al on blase 3510
P. ii. 245
What thing that passeth hem betwene:
And forthermore upon the grene
Ther goth the flees of gold to kepe
[Pg 43]
A Serpent, which mai nevere slepe.
Thus who that evere scholde it winne,
The fyr to stoppe he mot beginne,
Which that the fierce bestes caste,158
And daunte he mot hem ate laste,
So that he mai hem yoke and dryve;
And therupon he mot as blyve 3520
The Serpent with such strengthe assaile,
That he mai slen him be bataile;
Of which he mot the teth outdrawe,
As it belongeth to that lawe,
And thanne he mot tho Oxen yoke,
Til thei have with a plowh tobroke
A furgh of lond, in which arowe
The teth of thaddre he moste sowe,
And therof schule arise knihtes
Wel armed up at alle rihtes. 3530
Of hem is noght to taken hiede,
For ech of hem in hastihiede
Schal other slen with dethes wounde:159
And thus whan thei ben leid to grounde,160
Than mot he to the goddes preie,
And go so forth and take his preie.
Bot if he faile in eny wise
Of that ye hiere me devise,
Ther mai be set non other weie,
That he ne moste algates deie. 3540
P. ii. 246
‘Nou have I told the peril al:
I woll you tellen forth withal,’
Quod Medea to Jason tho,
‘That ye schul knowen er ye go,
Ayein the venym and the fyr161
What schal ben the recoverir.
Bot, Sire, for it is nyh day,
Ariseth up, so that I may
Delivere you what thing I have,
That mai youre lif and honour save.’ 3550
Thei weren bothe loth to rise,
[Pg 44]
Bot for thei weren bothe wise,
Up thei arisen ate laste:
Jason his clothes on him caste
And made him redi riht anon,
And sche hir scherte dede upon
And caste on hire a mantel clos,
Withoute more and thanne aros.
Tho tok sche forth a riche Tye
Mad al of gold and of Perrie, 3560
Out of the which sche nam a Ring,
The Ston was worth al other thing.
Sche seide, whil he wolde it were,
Ther myhte no peril him dere,
In water mai it noght be dreynt,
Wher as it comth the fyr is queynt,
It daunteth ek the cruel beste,
Ther may no qued that man areste,
Wher so he be on See or lond,
Which hath that ring upon his hond: 3570
P. ii. 247
And over that sche gan to sein,
That if a man wol ben unsein,
Withinne his hond hold clos the Ston,
And he mai invisible gon.
The Ring to Jason sche betauhte,
And so forth after sche him tauhte
What sacrifise he scholde make;
And gan out of hire cofre take
Him thoughte an hevenely figure,
Which al be charme and be conjure 3580
Was wroght, and ek it was thurgh write
With names, which be scholde wite,162
As sche him tauhte tho to rede;
And bad him, as he wolde spede,
Withoute reste of eny while,
Whan he were londed in that yle,
He scholde make his sacrifise
And rede his carecte in the wise
As sche him tauhte, on knes doun bent,
Thre sithes toward orient; 3590
For so scholde he the goddes plese[Pg 45]
And winne himselven mochel ese.
And whanne he hadde it thries rad,
To opne a buiste sche him bad,
Which sche ther tok him in present,
And was full of such oignement,
That ther was fyr ne venym non
That scholde fastnen him upon,
Whan that he were enoynt withal.163
Forthi sche tauhte him hou he schal 3600
P. ii. 248
Enoignte his armes al aboute,
And for he scholde nothing doute,
Sche tok him thanne a maner glu,
The which was of so gret vertu,
That where a man it wolde caste,
It scholde binde anon so faste
That noman mihte it don aweie.
And that sche bad be alle weie
He scholde into the mouthes throwen
Of tho tweie Oxen that fyr blowen, 3610
Therof to stoppen the malice;
The glu schal serve of that office.
And over that hir oignement,
Hir Ring and hir enchantement
Ayein the Serpent scholde him were,
Til he him sle with swerd or spere:
And thanne he may saufliche ynowh
His Oxen yoke into the plowh
And the teth sowe in such a wise,164
Til he the knyhtes se arise, 3620
And ech of other doun be leid
In such manere as I have seid.
Lo, thus Medea for Jason
Ordeigneth, and preith therupon
That he nothing foryete scholde,
And ek sche preith him that he wolde,
Whan he hath alle his Armes don,
To grounde knele and thonke anon
[Pg 46]
The goddes, and so forth be ese
The flees of gold he scholde sese. 3630
P. ii. 249
And whanne he hadde it sesed so,
That thanne he were sone ago
Withouten eny tariynge.
Whan this was seid, into wepinge
Sche fell, as sche that was thurgh nome
With love, and so fer overcome,
That al hir world on him sche sette.
Bot whan sche sih ther was no lette,
That he mot nedes parte hire fro,
Sche tok him in hire armes tuo, 3640
An hundred time and gan him kisse,
And seide, ‘O, al mi worldes blisse,
Mi trust, mi lust, mi lif, min hele,
To be thin helpe in this querele
I preie unto the goddes alle.’
And with that word sche gan doun falle
On swoune, and he hire uppe nam,165
And forth with that the Maiden cam,
And thei to bedde anon hir broghte,
And thanne Jason hire besoghte, 3650
And to hire seide in this manere:
‘Mi worthi lusti ladi dere,
Conforteth you, for be my trouthe
It schal noght fallen in mi slouthe
That I ne wol thurghout fulfille
Youre hestes at youre oghne wille.
And yit I hope to you bringe
Withinne a while such tidinge,
The which schal make ous bothe game.’
Bot for he wolde kepe hir name, 3660
P. ii. 250
Whan that he wiste it was nyh dai,
He seide, ‘A dieu, mi swete mai.’
And forth with him he nam his gere,
Which as sche hadde take him there,
And strauht unto his chambre he wente,166
And goth to bedde and slep him hente,
[Pg 47]
And lay, that noman him awok,
For Hercules hiede of him tok,167
Til it was undren hih and more.168
And thanne he gan to sighe sore 3670
And sodeinliche abreide of slep;169
And thei that token of him kep,
His chamberleins, be sone there,
And maden redi al his gere,
And he aros and to the king
He wente, and seide hou to that thing
For which he cam he wolde go.
The king therof was wonder wo,170
And for he wolde him fain withdrawe,
He tolde him many a dredful sawe, 3680
Bot Jason wolde it noght recorde,
And ate laste thei acorde.
Whan that he wolde noght abide,
A Bot was redy ate tyde,
In which this worthi kniht of Grece
Ful armed up at every piece,
To his bataile which belongeth,
Tok ore on honde and sore him longeth,171
Til he the water passed were.
Whan he cam to that yle there, 3690
P. ii. 251
He set him on his knes doun strauht,172
And his carecte, as he was tawht,
He radde, and made his sacrifise,
And siththe enoignte him in that wise,
As Medea him hadde bede;
And thanne aros up fro that stede,
And with the glu the fyr he queynte,
And anon after he atteinte
The grete Serpent and him slowh.
Bot erst he hadde sorwe ynowh, 3700
For that Serpent made him travaile
[Pg 48]
So harde and sore of his bataile,
That nou he stod and nou he fell:
For longe time it so befell,
That with his swerd ne with his spere173
He mihte noght that Serpent dere.174
He was so scherded al aboute,
It hield all eggetol withoute,
He was so ruide and hard of skin,
Ther mihte nothing go therin; 3710
Venym and fyr togedre he caste,
That he Jason so sore ablaste,
That if ne were his oignement,
His Ring and his enchantement,
Which Medea tok him tofore,
He hadde with that worm be lore;
Bot of vertu which therof cam
Jason the Dragon overcam.
And he anon the teth outdrouh,
And sette his Oxen in a plouh,175 3720
P. ii. 252
With which he brak a piece of lond
And sieu hem with his oghne hond.
Tho mihte he gret merveile se:
Of every toth in his degre
Sprong up a kniht with spere and schield,
Of whiche anon riht in the field
Echon slow other; and with that
Jason Medea noght foryat,
On bothe his knes he gan doun falle,
And yaf thonk to the goddes alle. 3730
The Flees he tok and goth to Bote,
The Sonne schyneth bryhte and hote,
The Flees of gold schon forth withal,
The water glistreth overal.
Medea wepte and sigheth ofte,
And stod upon a Tour alofte:
Al prively withinne hirselve,
Ther herde it nouther ten ne tuelve,
Sche preide, and seide, ‘O, god him spede,
[Pg 49]
The kniht which hath mi maidenhiede!’ 3740
And ay sche loketh toward thyle.
Bot whan sche sih withinne a while176
The Flees glistrende ayein the Sonne,
Sche saide, ‘Ha lord, now al is wonne,177
Mi kniht the field hath overcome:
Nou wolde god he were come;
Ha lord, that he ne were alonde!’178
Bot I dar take this on honde,
If that sche hadde wynges tuo,
Sche wolde have flowe unto him tho 3750
P. ii. 253
Strawht ther he was into the Bot.179
The dai was clier, the Sonne hot,
The Gregeis weren in gret doute,
The whyle that here lord was oute:
Thei wisten noght what scholde tyde,
Bot waiten evere upon the tyde,
To se what ende scholde falle.
Ther stoden ek the nobles alle
Forth with the comun of the toun;
And as thei loken up and doun, 3760
Thei weren war withinne a throwe,
Wher cam the bot, which thei wel knowe,
And sihe hou Jason broghte his preie.
And tho thei gonnen alle seie,
And criden alle with o stevene,180
‘Ha, wher was evere under the hevene
So noble a knyht as Jason is?’
And welnyh alle seiden this,
That Jason was a faie kniht,
For it was nevere of marines miht 3770
The Flees of gold so forto winne;
And thus to talen thei beginne.181
With that the king com forth anon,
And sih the Flees, hou that it schon;
[Pg 50]
And whan Jason cam to the lond,
The king himselve tok his hond
And kist him, and gret joie him made.
The Gregeis weren wonder glade,
And of that thing riht merie hem thoghte,
And forth with hem the Flees thei broghte, 3780
P. ii. 254
And ech on other gan to leyhe;
Bot wel was him that mihte neyhe,
To se therof the proprete.
And thus thei passen the cite
And gon unto the Paleis straght.
Medea, which foryat him naght,
Was redy there, and seide anon,
‘Welcome, O worthi kniht Jason.’
Sche wolde have kist him wonder fayn,
Bot schame tornede hire agayn; 3790
It was noght the manere as tho,182
Forthi sche dorste noght do so.
Sche tok hire leve, and Jason wente
Into his chambre, and sche him sente
Hire Maide to sen hou he ferde;
The which whan that sche sih and herde,183
Hou that he hadde faren oute
And that it stod wel al aboute,184
Sche tolde hire ladi what sche wiste,
And sche for joie hire Maide kiste. 3800
The bathes weren thanne araied,
With herbes tempred and assaied,
And Jason was unarmed sone
And dede as it befell to done:
Into his bath he wente anon
And wyssh him clene as eny bon;
He tok a sopp, and oute he cam,
And on his beste aray he nam,
And kempde his hed, whan he was clad,
And goth him forth al merie and glad 3810
P. ii. 255
Riht strawht into the kinges halle.
The king cam with his knihtes alle
[Pg 51]
And maden him glad welcominge;
And he hem tolde the tidinge185
Of this and that, hou it befell,
Whan that he wan the schepes fell.
Medea, whan sche was asent,
Com sone to that parlement,
And whan sche mihte Jason se,
Was non so glad of alle as sche. 3820
Ther was no joie forto seche,
Of him mad every man a speche,186
Som man seide on, som man seide other;187
Bot thogh he were goddes brother
And mihte make fyr and thonder,
Ther mihte be nomore wonder
Than was of him in that cite.
Echon tauhte other, ‘This is he,
Which hath in his pouer withinne
That al the world ne mihte winne: 3830
Lo, hier the beste of alle goode.’
Thus saiden thei that there stode,
And ek that walkede up and doun,
Bothe of the Court and of the toun.
The time of Souper cam anon,
Thei wisshen and therto thei gon,
Medea was with Jason set:
Tho was ther many a deynte fet
And set tofore hem on the bord,
Bot non so likinge as the word 3840
P. ii. 256
Which was ther spoke among hem tuo,
So as thei dorste speke tho.
Bot thogh thei hadden litel space,
Yit thei acorden in that place
Hou Jason scholde come at nyht,
Whan every torche and every liht
Were oute, and thanne of other thinges188
Thei spieke aloud for supposinges
Of hem that stoden there aboute:
[Pg 52]
For love is everemore in doute, 3850
If that it be wisly governed189
Of hem that ben of love lerned.
Whan al was don, that dissh and cuppe
And cloth and bord and al was uppe,
Thei waken whil hem lest to wake,
And after that thei leve take
And gon to bedde forto reste.
And whan him thoghte for the beste,
That every man was faste aslepe,
Jason, that wolde his time kepe, 3860
Goth forth stalkende al prively
Unto the chambre, and redely
Ther was a Maide, which him kepte.
Medea wok and nothing slepte,
Bot natheles sche was abedde,
And he with alle haste him spedde
And made him naked and al warm.
Anon he tok hire in his arm:
What nede is forto speke of ese?
Hem list ech other forto plese, 3870
P. ii. 257
So that thei hadden joie ynow:
And tho thei setten whanne and how
That sche with him awey schal stele.
With wordes suche and othre fele
Whan al was treted to an ende,
Jason tok leve and gan forth wende
Unto his oughne chambre in pes;
Ther wiste it non bot Hercules.
He slepte and ros whan it was time,190
And whanne it fell towardes prime, 3880
He tok to him suche as he triste
In secre, that non other wiste,
And told hem of his conseil there,191
And seide that his wille were
That thei to Schipe hadde alle thinge
So priveliche in thevenynge,
That noman mihte here dede aspie
[Pg 53]
Bot tho that were of compaignie:192
For he woll go withoute leve,
And lengere woll he noght beleve; 3890
Bot he ne wolde at thilke throwe
The king or queene scholde it knowe.
Thei saide, ‘Al this schal wel be do:’
And Jason truste wel therto.
Medea in the mene while,
Which thoghte hir fader to beguile,
The Tresor which hir fader hadde
With hire al priveli sche ladde,
And with Jason at time set
Awey sche stal and fond no let, 3900
P. ii. 258
And straght sche goth hire unto schipe
Of Grece with that felaschipe,
And thei anon drowe up the Seil.
And al that nyht this was conseil,
Bot erly, whan the Sonne schon,
Men syhe hou that thei were agon,
And come unto the king and tolde:
And he the sothe knowe wolde,
And axeth where his dowhter was.
Ther was no word bot Out, Allas! 3910
Sche was ago. The moder wepte,
The fader as a wod man lepte,
And gan the time forto warie,
And swor his oth he wol noght tarie,193
That with Caliphe and with galeie
The same cours, the same weie,
Which Jason tok, he wolde take,
If that he mihte him overtake.
To this thei seiden alle yee:
Anon thei weren ate See, 3920
And alle, as who seith, at a word
Thei gon withinne schipes bord,
The Sail goth up, and forth thei strauhte.
Bot non espleit therof thei cauhte,
And so thei tornen hom ayein,
[Pg 54]
For al that labour was in vein.
Jason to Grece with his preie
Goth thurgh the See the rihte weie:
Whan he ther com and men it tolde,
Thei maden joie yonge and olde. 3930
P. ii. 259
Eson, whan that he wiste of this,
Hou that his Sone comen is,
And hath achieved that he soughte
And hom with him Medea broughte,
In al the wyde world was non
So glad a man as he was on.
Togedre ben these lovers tho,
Til that thei hadden sones tuo,
Wherof thei weren bothe glade,
And olde Eson gret joie made 3940
To sen thencress of his lignage;
For he was of so gret an Age,
That men awaiten every day,
Whan that he scholde gon away.
Jason, which sih his fader old,
Upon Medea made him bold,
Of art magique, which sche couthe,
And preith hire that his fader youthe
Sche wolde make ayeinward newe:
And sche, that was toward him trewe, 3950
Behihte him that sche wolde it do,
Whan that sche time sawh therto.
Bot what sche dede in that matiere
It is a wonder thing to hiere,
Bot yit for the novellerie
I thenke tellen a partie.194
Nota quibus medicamentis Esonem senectute decrepitum ad sue iuuentutis adolescenciam prudens Medea reduxit.
Thus it befell upon a nyht,
Whan ther was noght bot sterreliht,
Sche was vanyssht riht as hir liste,
That no wyht bot hirself it wiste,195 3960
P. ii. 260
And that was ate mydnyht tyde.
The world was stille on every side;196
[Pg 55]
With open hed and fot al bare,
Hir her tosprad sche gan to fare,197
Upon hir clothes gert sche was,
Al specheles and on the gras198
Sche glod forth as an Addre doth:
Non otherwise sche ne goth,
Til sche cam to the freisshe flod,
And there a while sche withstod. 3970
Thries sche torned hire aboute,
And thries ek sche gan doun loute
And in the flod sche wette hir her,
And thries on the water ther
Sche gaspeth with a drecchinge onde,199
And tho sche tok hir speche on honde.
Ferst sche began to clepe and calle
Upward unto the sterres alle,
To Wynd, to Air, to See, to lond
Sche preide, and ek hield up hir hond 3980
To Echates, and gan to crie,
Which is goddesse of Sorcerie.
Sche seide, ‘Helpeth at this nede,
And as ye maden me to spede,
Whan Jason cam the Flees to seche,
So help me nou, I you beseche.’
With that sche loketh and was war,
Doun fro the Sky ther cam a char,
The which Dragouns aboute drowe:
And tho sche gan hir hed doun bowe,200 3990
P. ii. 261
And up sche styh, and faire and wel
Sche drof forth bothe char and whel201
Above in thair among the Skyes.
The lond of Crete and tho parties
Sche soughte, and faste gan hire hye,
And there upon the hulles hyhe
Of Othrin and Olimpe also,
And ek of othre hulles mo,
[Pg 56]
Sche fond and gadreth herbes suote,
Sche pulleth up som be the rote, 4000
And manye with a knyf sche scherth,
And alle into hir char sche berth.
Thus whan sche hath the hulles sought,
The flodes ther foryat sche nought,
Eridian and Amphrisos,
Peneie and ek Spercheïdos,202
To hem sche wente and ther sche nom
Bothe of the water and the fom,203
The sond and ek the smale stones,
Whiche as sche ches out for the nones, 4010
And of the rede See a part,
That was behovelich to hire art,
Sche tok, and after that aboute
Sche soughte sondri sedes oute
In feldes and in many greves,
And ek a part sche tok of leves:
Bot thing which mihte hire most availe
Sche fond in Crete and in Thessaile.
In daies and in nyhtes Nyne,
With gret travaile and with gret pyne,204 4020
P. ii. 262
Sche was pourveid of every piece,
And torneth homward into Grece.
Before the gates of Eson
Hir char sche let awai to gon,205
And tok out ferst that was therinne;
For tho sche thoghte to beginne
Such thing as semeth impossible,
And made hirselven invisible,
As sche that was with Air enclosed206
And mihte of noman be desclosed. 4030
Sche tok up turves of the lond
Withoute helpe of mannes hond,
Al heled with the grene gras,
Of which an Alter mad ther was
[Pg 57]
Unto Echates the goddesse
Of art magique and the maistresse,
And eft an other to Juvente,
As sche which dede hir hole entente.
Tho tok sche fieldwode and verveyne,
Of herbes ben noght betre tueine, 4040
Of which anon withoute let
These alters ben aboute set:
Tuo sondri puttes faste by207
Sche made, and with that hastely
A wether which was blak sche slouh,
And out therof the blod sche drouh
And dede into the pettes tuo;
Warm melk sche putte also therto
With hony meynd: and in such wise208
Sche gan to make hir sacrifice, 4050
P. ii. 263
And cride and preide forth withal
To Pluto the god infernal,
And to the queene Proserpine.
And so sche soghte out al the line
Of hem that longen to that craft,
Behinde was no name laft,
And preide hem alle, as sche wel couthe,
To grante Eson his ferste youthe.
This olde Eson broght forth was tho,
Awei sche bad alle othre go 4060
Upon peril that mihte falle;
And with that word thei wenten alle,
And leften there hem tuo al one.
And tho sche gan to gaspe and gone,
And made signes manyon,
And seide hir wordes therupon;
So that with spellinge of hir charmes209
Sche tok Eson in bothe hire armes,
And made him forto slepe faste,
And him upon hire herbes caste. 4070
The blake wether tho sche tok,
[Pg 58]
And hiewh the fleissh, as doth a cok;210
On either alter part sche leide,211
And with the charmes that sche seide
A fyr doun fro the Sky alyhte
And made it forto brenne lyhte.
Bot whan Medea sawh it brenne,
Anon sche gan to sterte and renne
The fyri aulters al aboute:
Ther was no beste which goth oute 4080
P. ii. 264
More wylde than sche semeth ther:
Aboute hir schuldres hyng hir her,
As thogh sche were oute of hir mynde
And torned in an other kynde.
Tho lay ther certein wode cleft,
Of which the pieces nou and eft
Sche made hem in the pettes wete,
And put hem in the fyri hete,212
And tok the brond with al the blase,
And thries sche began to rase 4090
Aboute Eson, ther as he slepte;
And eft with water, which sche kepte,
Sche made a cercle aboute him thries,
And eft with fyr of sulphre twyes:
Ful many an other thing sche dede,
Which is noght writen in this stede.
Bot tho sche ran so up and doun,
Sche made many a wonder soun,
Somtime lich unto the cock,
Somtime unto the Laverock, 4100
Somtime kacleth as a Hen,
Somtime spekth as don the men:
And riht so as hir jargoun strangeth,
In sondri wise hir forme changeth,
Sche semeth faie and no womman;
For with the craftes that sche can213
Sche was, as who seith, a goddesse,
And what hir liste, more or lesse,
Sche dede, in bokes as we finde,
[Pg 59]
That passeth over manneskinde.214 4110
P. ii. 265
Bot who that wole of wondres hiere,
What thing sche wroghte in this matiere,
To make an ende of that sche gan,215
Such merveile herde nevere man.
Apointed in the newe Mone,
Whan it was time forto done,
Sche sette a caldron on the fyr,
In which was al the hole atir,
Wheron the medicine stod,
Of jus, of water and of blod, 4120
And let it buile in such a plit,
Til that sche sawh the spume whyt;
And tho sche caste in rynde and rote,
And sed and flour that was for bote,
With many an herbe and many a ston,
Wherof sche hath ther many on:
And ek Cimpheius the Serpent
To hire hath alle his scales lent,
Chelidre hire yaf his addres skin,216
And sche to builen caste hem in; 4130
A part ek of the horned Oule,
The which men hiere on nyhtes houle;
And of a Raven, which was told
Of nyne hundred wynter old,
Sche tok the hed with al the bile;
And as the medicine it wile,
Sche tok therafter the bouele217
Of the Seewolf, and for the hele218
Of Eson, with a thousand mo
Of thinges that sche hadde tho,219 4140
P. ii. 266
In that Caldroun togedre as blyve
Sche putte, and tok thanne of Olyve
A drie branche hem with to stere,
The which anon gan floure and bere
And waxe al freissh and grene ayein.
[Pg 60]
Whan sche this vertu hadde sein,
Sche let the leste drope of alle
Upon the bare flor doun falle;
Anon ther sprong up flour and gras,
Where as the drope falle was, 4150
And wox anon al medwe grene,220
So that it mihte wel be sene.221
Medea thanne knew and wiste
Hir medicine is forto triste,
And goth to Eson ther he lay,
And tok a swerd was of assay,
With which a wounde upon his side
Sche made, that therout mai slyde
The blod withinne, which was old
And sek and trouble and fieble and cold.222 4160
And tho sche tok unto his us223
Of herbes al the beste jus,
And poured it into his wounde;
That made his veynes fulle and sounde:
And tho sche made his wounde clos,
And tok his hand, and up he ros;
And tho sche yaf him drinke a drauhte,
Of which his youthe ayein he cauhte,
His hed, his herte and his visage
Lich unto twenty wynter Age; 4170
P. ii. 267
Hise hore heres were away,
And lich unto the freisshe Maii,
Whan passed ben the colde schoures,
Riht so recovereth he his floures.
Lo, what mihte eny man devise,
A womman schewe in eny wise
Mor hertly love in every stede,224
Than Medea to Jason dede?
Ferst sche made him the flees to winne,
And after that fro kiththe and kinne 4180
With gret tresor with him sche stal,
And to his fader forth withal
[Pg 61]
His Elde hath torned into youthe,
Which thing non other womman couthe:
Bot hou it was to hire aquit,
The remembrance duelleth yit.225
King Peleüs his Em was ded,
Jason bar corone on his hed,
Medea hath fulfild his wille:
Bot whanne he scholde of riht fulfille 4190
The trouthe, which to hire afore
He hadde in thyle of Colchos swore,
Tho was Medea most deceived.
For he an other hath received,
Which dowhter was to king Creon,
Creusa sche hihte, and thus Jason,
As he that was to love untrewe,
Medea lefte and tok a newe.
Bot that was after sone aboght:
Medea with hire art hath wroght 4200
P. ii. 268
Of cloth of gold a mantel riche,
Which semeth worth a kingesriche,
And that was unto Creusa sent
In name of yifte and of present,
For Sosterhode hem was betuene;
And whan that yonge freisshe queene
That mantel lappeth hire aboute,
Anon therof the fyr sprong oute
And brente hir bothe fleissh and bon.
Tho cam Medea to Jason 4210
With bothe his Sones on hire hond,
And seide, ‘O thou of every lond
The moste untrewe creature,
Lo, this schal be thi forfeture.’
With that sche bothe his Sones slouh
Before his yhe, and he outdrouh
His swerd and wold have slayn hir tho,226
Bot farewel, sche was ago
Unto Pallas the Court above,
Wher as sche pleigneth upon love, 4220
As sche that was with that goddesse,
[Pg 62]
And he was left in gret destresse.
Confessor.
Thus miht them se what sorwe it doth
To swere an oth which is noght soth,
In loves cause namely.
Mi Sone, be wel war forthi,
And kep that thou be noght forswore:
For this, which I have told tofore,
Ovide telleth everydel.
Amans.
Mi fader, I may lieve it wel, 4230
P. ii. 269
For I have herde it ofte seie227
Hou Jason tok the flees aweie
Fro Colchos, bot yit herde I noght
Be whom it was ferst thider broght.
And for it were good to hiere,
If that you liste at mi preiere
To telle, I wolde you beseche.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, who that wole it seche,
In bokes he mai finde it write;
And natheles, if thou wolt wite, 4240
In the manere as thou hast preid
I schal the telle hou it is seid.
[Tale of Phrixus and Helle.]
The fame of thilke schepes fell,228
Which in Colchos, as it befell,
Nota qualiter aureum vellus in partes insule Colchos primo deuenit. Athemas Rex Philen habuit coniugem, ex qua Frixum et Hellen genuit: mortua autem229 Philen Athemas Ynonem Regis Cadmi filiam postea in vxorem duxit, que more Nouerce dictos infantes in tantum recollegit odium, quod ambos in mare proici penes Regem procurauit. Vnde Iuno compaciens quendam Arietem grandem aureo vestitum vellere ad litus natantem destinauit; super cuius dorsum pueros apponi iussit. Quo facto Aries super vndas regressus cum solo Frixo sibi adherente in Colchos applicuit, vbi Iuno dictum Arietem cum suo vellere,230 prout in aliis canitur231 cronicis, sub arta custodia collocauit.
Was al of gold, schal nevere deie;
Wherof I thenke for to seie
Hou it cam ferst into that yle.
Ther was a king in thilke whyle
Towardes Grece, and Athemas
The Cronique of his name was; 4250
And hadde a wif, which Philen hihte,
Be whom, so as fortune it dihte,
He hadde of children yonge tuo.
Frixus the ferste was of tho,
A knave child, riht fair withalle;
A dowhter ek, the which men calle
Hellen, he hadde be this wif.
Bot for ther mai no mannes lif
[Pg 63]
Endure upon this Erthe hiere,
This worthi queene, as thou miht hiere, 4260
P. ii. 270
Er that the children were of age,
Tok of hire ende the passage,
With gret worschipe and was begrave.
What thing it liketh god to have
It is gret reson to ben his;
Forthi this king, so as it is,
With gret suffrance it underfongeth:
And afterward, as him belongeth,
Whan it was time forto wedde,
A newe wif he tok to bedde, 4270
Which Yno hihte and was a Mayde,
And ek the dowhter, as men saide,
Of Cadme, which a king also
Was holde in thilke daies tho.
Whan Yno was the kinges make,
Sche caste hou that sche mihte make232
These children to here fader lothe,
And schope a wyle ayein hem bothe,233
Which to the king was al unknowe.
A yeer or tuo sche let do sowe 4280
The lond with sode whete aboute,
Wherof no corn mai springen oute;
And thus be sleyhte and be covine
Aros the derthe and the famine
Thurghout the lond in such a wise,
So that the king a sacrifise
Upon the point of this destresse
To Ceres, which is the goddesse
Of corn, hath schape him forto yive,
To loke if it mai be foryive, 4290
P. ii. 271
The meschief which was in his lond.
Bot sche, which knew tofor the hond
The circumstance of al this thing,
Ayein the cominge of the king
Into the temple, hath schape so,
[Pg 64]
Of hire acord that alle tho
Whiche of the temple prestes were
Have seid and full declared there
Unto the king, bot if so be
That he delivere the contre 4300
Of Frixus and of Hellen bothe,
With whom the goddes ben so wrothe,
That whil tho children ben therinne,
Such tilthe schal noman beginne,
Wherof to gete him eny corn.
Thus was it seid, thus was it sworn
Of all the Prestes that ther are;234
And sche which causeth al this fare
Seid ek therto what that sche wolde,235
And every man thanne after tolde 4310
So as the queene hem hadde preid.236
The king, which hath his Ere leid,
And lieveth al that evere he herde,
Unto here tale thus ansuerde,
And seith that levere him is to chese
Hise children bothe forto lese,
Than him and al the remenant
Of hem whiche are aportenant
Unto the lond which he schal kepe:
And bad his wif to take kepe 4320
P. ii. 272
In what manere is best to done,237
That thei delivered weren sone
Out of this world. And sche anon
Tuo men ordeigneth forto gon;
Bot ferst sche made hem forto swere
That thei the children scholden bere
Unto the See, that non it knowe,
And hem therinne bothe throwe.
The children to the See ben lad,
Wher in the wise as Yno bad238 4330
These men be redy forto do.
Bot the goddesse which Juno
[Pg 65]
Is hote, appiereth in the stede,
And hath unto the men forbede239
That thei the children noght ne sle;
Bot bad hem loke into the See
And taken hiede of that thei sihen.
Ther swam a Schep tofore here yhen,
Whos flees of burned gold was al;
And this goddesse forth withal 4340
Comandeth that withoute lette
Thei scholde anon these children sette
Above upon this Schepes bak;240
And al was do, riht as sche spak,
Wherof the men gon hom ayein.
And fell so, as the bokes sein,
Hellen the yonge Mayden tho,
Which of the See was wo bego,
For pure drede hire herte hath lore,241
That fro the Schep, which hath hire bore, 4350
P. ii. 273
As sche that was swounende feint,242
Sche fell, and hath hirselve dreint;243
With Frixus and this Schep forth swam,
Til he to thyle of Colchos cam,
Where Juno the goddesse he fond,
Which tok the Schep unto the lond,
And sette it there in such a wise
As thou tofore hast herd devise,
Wherof cam after al the wo,
Why Jason was forswore so 4360
Unto Medee, as it is spoke.244
Amans.
Mi fader, who that hath tobroke
His trouthe, as ye have told above,
He is noght worthi forto love
Ne be beloved, as me semeth:
Bot every newe love quemeth
To him which newefongel is.245
And natheles nou after this,
[Pg 66]
If that you list to taken hiede246
Upon mi Schrifte to procede, 4370
In loves cause ayein the vice
Of covoitise and Avarice
What ther is more I wolde wite.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, this I finde write,
Ther is yit on of thilke brood,
Which only for the worldes good,
To make a Tresor of Moneie,
Put alle conscience aweie:
Wherof in thi confession
The name and the condicion 4380
P. ii. 274
I schal hierafterward declare,
Which makth on riche, an other bare.
[Usury.]
v. Plus capit vsura sibi quam debetur, et illud
Fraude colorata sepe latenter agit.
Sic amor excessus quamsepe suos vt auarus
Spirat, et vnius tres capit ipse loco.
Upon the bench sittende on hih
With Avarice Usure I sih,
Hic tractat de illa specie Auaricie, que Vsura dicitur, cuius creditor in pecunia tantum numerata plusquam sibi de iure debetur incrementum lucri adauget.
Full clothed of his oghne suite,
Which after gold makth chace and suite
With his brocours, that renne aboute
Lich unto racches in a route.
Such lucre is non above grounde,
Which is noght of tho racches founde; 4390
For wher thei se beyete sterte,247
That schal hem in no wise asterte,
Bot thei it dryve into the net
Of lucre, which Usure hath set.
Usure with the riche duelleth,
To al that evere he beith and selleth248
He hath ordeined of his sleyhte
Mesure double and double weyhte:
Outward he selleth be the lasse,
And with the more he makth his tasse, 4400
Wherof his hous is full withinne.
[Pg 67]
He reccheth noght, be so he winne,249
Though that ther lese ten or tuelve:
His love is al toward himselve
And to non other, bot he se
That he mai winne suche thre;
P. ii. 275
For wher he schal oght yive or lene,
He wol ayeinward take a bene,
Ther he hath lent the smale pese.
And riht so ther ben manye of these 4410
Lovers, that thogh thei love a lyte,250
That scarsly wolde it weie a myte,
Yit wolde thei have a pound again,251
As doth Usure in his bargain.
Bot certes such usure unliche
It falleth more unto the riche,
Als wel of love as of beyete,
Than unto hem that be noght grete,
And, as who seith, ben simple and povere;
For sielden is whan thei recovere, 4420
Bot if it be thurgh gret decerte.
And natheles men se poverte
With porsuite and continuance252
Fulofte make a gret chevance
And take of love his avantage,253
Forth with the help of his brocage,
That maken seme wher is noght.254
And thus fulofte is love boght
For litel what, and mochel take,
With false weyhtes that thei make. 4430
Confessor.
Nou, Sone, of that I seide above
Thou wost what Usure is of love:
Tell me forthi what so thou wilt,
If thou therof hast eny gilt.
Amans.
Mi fader, nay, for ought I hiere.
For of tho pointz ye tolden hiere
P. ii. 276
I wol you be mi trouthe assure,
[Pg 68]
Mi weyhte of love and mi mesure
Hath be mor large and mor certein
Than evere I tok of love ayein: 4440
For so yit couthe I nevere of sleyhte,
To take ayein be double weyhte
Of love mor than I have yive.
For als so wiss mot I be schrive
And have remission of Sinne,
As so yit couthe I nevere winne,
Ne yit so mochel, soth to sein,
That evere I mihte have half ayein
Of so full love as I have lent:
And if myn happ were so wel went, 4450
That for the hole I mihte have half,
Me thenkth I were a goddeshalf.255
For where Usure wole have double,
Mi conscience is noght so trouble,
I biede nevere as to my del
Bot of the hole an halvendel;
That is non excess, as me thenketh.
Bot natheles it me forthenketh;
For wel I wot that wol noght be,
For every day the betre I se 4460
That hou so evere I yive or lene
Mi love in place ther I mene,256
For oght that evere I axe or crave,
I can nothing ayeinward have.
Bot yit for that I wol noght lete,
What so befalle of mi beyete,
P. ii. 277
That I ne schal hire yive and lene
Mi love and al mi thoght so clene,257
That toward me schal noght beleve.
And if sche of hire goode leve 4470
Rewarde wol me noght again,
I wot the laste of my bargain
Schal stonde upon so gret a lost,
That I mai neveremor the cost
Recovere in this world til I die.
[Pg 69]
So that touchende of this partie
I mai me wel excuse and schal;
And forto speke forth withal,
If eny brocour for me wente,
That point cam nevere in myn entente: 4480
So that the more me merveilleth,
What thing it is mi ladi eilleth,
That al myn herte and al my time
Sche hath, and doth no betre bime.
I have herd seid that thoght is fre,258
And natheles in privete
To you, mi fader, that ben hiere
Min hole schrifte forto hiere,
I dar min herte wel desclose.
Touchende usure, as I suppose, 4490
Which as ye telle in love is used,
Mi ladi mai noght ben excused;
That for o lokinge of hire yë
Min hole herte til I dye
With al that evere I may and can
Sche hath me wonne to hire man:
P. ii. 278
Wherof, me thenkth, good reson wolde
That sche somdel rewarde scholde,
And yive a part, ther sche hath al.
I not what falle hierafter schal, 4500
Bot into nou yit dar I sein,
Hire liste nevere yive ayein
A goodli word in such a wise,
Wherof min hope mihte arise,259
Mi grete love to compense.
I not hou sche hire conscience
Excuse wole of this usure;260
Be large weyhte and gret mesure
Sche hath mi love, and I have noght
Of that which I have diere boght, 4510
And with myn herte I have it paid;
Bot al that is asyde laid,261
And I go loveles aboute.
[Pg 70]
Hire oghte stonde in ful gret doute,
Til sche redresce such a sinne,
That sche wole al mi love winne
And yifth me noght to live by:
Noght als so moche as ‘grant mercy’262
Hir list to seie, of which I mihte
Som of mi grete peine allyhte. 4520
Bot of this point, lo, thus I fare
As he that paith for his chaffare,
And beith it diere, and yit hath non,263
So mot he nedes povere gon:
Thus beie I diere and have no love,264
That I ne mai noght come above265
P. ii. 279
To winne of love non encress.
Bot I me wole natheles
Touchende usure of love aquite;
And if mi ladi be to wyte, 4530
I preie to god such grace hir sende
That sche be time it mot amende.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, of that thou hast ansuerd
Touchende Usure I have al herd,
Hou thou of love hast wonne smale:
Bot that thou tellest in thi tale
And thi ladi therof accusest,
Me thenkth tho wordes thou misusest.
For be thin oghne knowlechinge
Thou seist hou sche for o lokinge 4540
Thin hole herte fro the tok:
Sche mai be such, that hire o lok
Is worth thin herte manyfold;
So hast thou wel thin herte sold,
Whan thou hast that is more worth.
And ek of that thou tellest forth,
Hou that hire weyhte of love unevene
Is unto thin, under the hevene
Stod nevere in evene that balance
Which stant in loves governance. 4550
Such is the statut of his lawe,
[Pg 71]
That thogh thi love more drawe
And peise in the balance more,
Thou miht noght axe ayein therfore
Of duete, bot al of grace.
For love is lord in every place,
P. ii. 280
Ther mai no lawe him justefie
Be reddour ne be compaignie,
That he ne wole after his wille
Whom that him liketh spede or spille. 4560
To love a man mai wel beginne,
Bot whether he schal lese or winne,
That wot noman til ate laste:
Forthi coveite noght to faste,
Mi Sone, bot abyd thin ende,266
Per cas al mai to goode wende.
Bot that thou hast me told and said,
Of o thing I am riht wel paid,267
That thou be sleyhte ne be guile
Of no brocour hast otherwhile 4570
Engined love, for such dede268
Is sore venged, as I rede.
[Love-Brokerage. Tale of Echo.]
Brocours of love that deceiven,
No wonder is thogh thei receiven269
After the wrong that thei decerven;
For whom as evere that thei serven270
And do plesance for a whyle,
Yit ate laste here oghne guile
Hic ponit exemplum contra istos maritos qui vltra id quod proprias habent vxores ad noue voluptatis incrementum alias mulieres superflue lucrari non verentur. Et narrat qualiter Iuno vindictam suam in Eccho decreuit, pro eo quod ipsa Eccho272 in huiusmodi mulierum lucris adquirendis de consilio mariti sui Iouis mediatrix extiterat.
Upon here oghne hed descendeth,271
Which god of his vengance sendeth, 4580
As be ensample of time go
A man mai finde it hath be so.
It fell somtime, as it was sene,
The hihe goddesse and the queene
Juno tho hadde in compainie
A Maiden full of tricherie;
P. ii. 281
For sche was evere in on acord273
[Pg 72]
With Jupiter, that was hire lord,
To gete him othre loves newe,
Thurgh such brocage and was untrewe 4590
Al otherwise than him nedeth.
Bot sche, which of no schame dredeth,
With queinte wordes and with slyhe
Blente in such wise hir lady yhe,
As sche to whom that Juno triste,274
So that therof sche nothing wiste.
Bot so prive mai be nothing,
That it ne comth to knowleching;
Thing don upon the derke nyht
Is after knowe on daies liht: 4600
So it befell, that ate laste
Al that this slyhe maiden caste
Was overcast and overthrowe.
For as the sothe mot be knowe,
To Juno was don understonde
In what manere hir housebonde
With fals brocage hath take usure
Of love mor than his mesure,
Whan he tok othre than his wif,
Wherof this mayden was gultif, 4610
Which hadde ben of his assent.
And thus was al the game schent;275
Sche soffreth him, as sche mot nede,
Bot the brocour of his misdede,
Sche which hir conseil yaf therto,
On hire is the vengance do:
P. ii. 282
For Juno with hire wordes hote,
This Maiden, which Eccho was hote,
Reproveth and seith in this wise:
‘O traiteresse, of which servise 4620
Hast thou thin oghne ladi served!
Thou hast gret peine wel deserved,
That thou canst maken it so queinte,
Thi slyhe wordes forto peinte
Towardes me, that am thi queene,
Wherof thou madest me to wene
[Pg 73]
That myn housbonde trewe were,
Whan that he loveth elleswhere,
Al be it so him nedeth noght.
Bot upon thee it schal be boght, 4630
Which art prive to tho doinges,
And me fulofte of thi lesinges
Deceived hast: nou is the day
That I thi while aquite may;276
And for thou hast to me conceled
That my lord hath with othre deled,
I schal thee sette in such a kende,
That evere unto the worldes ende
Al that thou hierest thou schalt telle,
And clappe it out as doth a belle.’ 4640
And with that word sche was forschape,
Ther may no vois hire mouth ascape,277
What man that in the wodes crieth,278
Withoute faile Eccho replieth,
And what word that him list to sein,
The same word sche seith ayein.
P. ii. 283
Thus sche, which whilom hadde leve
To duelle in chambre, mot beleve
In wodes and on helles bothe,
For such brocage as wyves lothe, 4650
Which doth here lordes hertes change279
And love in other place strange.280
Confessor.
Forthi, if evere it so befalle,
That thou, mi Sone, amonges alle
Be wedded man, hold that thou hast,
For thanne al other love is wast.
O wif schal wel to thee suffise,
And thanne, if thou for covoitise
Of love woldest axe more,
Thou scholdest don ayein the lore 4660
Of alle hem that trewe be.
Amans.
Mi fader, as in this degre
My conscience is noght accused;
[Pg 74]
For I no such brocage have used,
Wherof that lust of love is wonne.
Forthi spek forth, as ye begonne,
Of Avarice upon mi schrifte.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, I schal the branches schifte
Be ordre so as thei ben set,
On whom no good is wel beset. 4670
[Parsimony.]
vi. Pro verbis verba, munus pro munere reddi
Convenit, vt pondus equa statera gerat.
Propterea cupido non dat sua dona Cupido,
Nam qui nulla serit, gramina nulla metet.
Blinde Avarice of his lignage281
For conseil and for cousinage,
P. ii. 284
To be withholde ayein largesse,
Hic tractat super illa specie Auaricie que Parcimonia dicitur, cuius natura tenax aliqualem sue substancie porcionem aut deo aut hominibus participare nullatenus consentit.
Hath on, whos name is seid Skarsnesse,
The which is kepere of his hous,
And is so thurghout averous,
That he no good let out of honde;
Thogh god himself it wolde fonde,
Of yifte scholde he nothing have;
And if a man it wolde crave,282 4680
He moste thanne faile nede,
Wher god himselve mai noght spede.283
And thus Skarsnesse in every place
Be reson mai no thonk porchace,
And natheles in his degree
Above alle othre most prive
With Avarice stant he this.
For he governeth that ther is
In ech astat of his office
After the reule of thilke vice; 4690
He takth, he kepth, he halt, he bint,
That lihtere is to fle the flint
Than gete of him in hard or neisshe
Only the value of a reysshe
Of good in helpinge of an other,
Noght thogh it were his oghne brother.
[Pg 75]
For in the cas of yifte and lone
Stant every man for him al one,
Him thenkth of his unkindeschipe
That him nedeth no felaschipe: 4700
Be so the bagge and he acorden,284
Him reccheth noght what men recorden
P. ii. 285
Of him, or it be evel or good.
For al his trust is on his good,
So that al one he falleth ofte,
Whan he best weneth stonde alofte,
Als wel in love as other wise;
For love is evere of som reprise
To him that wole his love holde.
Forthi, mi Sone, as thou art holde, 4710
Touchende of this tell me thi schrifte:
Hast thou be scars or large of yifte
Unto thi love, whom thou servest?
For after that thou wel deservest
Of yifte, thou miht be the bet;
For that good holde I wel beset,
For why thou miht the betre fare;285
Thanne is no wisdom forto spare.
For thus men sein, in every nede
He was wys that ferst made mede; 4720
For where as mede mai noght spede,
I not what helpeth other dede:
Fulofte he faileth of his game
That wol with ydel hand reclame
His hauk, as many a nyce doth.
Forthi, mi Sone, tell me soth
And sei the trouthe, if thou hast be
Unto thy love or skars or fre.
Confessio Amantis.
Mi fader, it hath stonde thus,
That if the tresor of Cresus 4730
And al the gold Octovien,
Forth with the richesse Yndien286
P. ii. 286
Of Perles and of riche stones,
Were al togedre myn at ones,
[Pg 76]
I sette it at nomore acompte
Than wolde a bare straw amonte,
To yive it hire al in a day,
Be so that to that suete may287
I myhte like or more or lesse.288
And thus be cause of my scarsnesse 4740
Ye mai wel understonde and lieve
That I schal noght the worse achieve289
The pourpos which is in my thoght.
Bot yit I yaf hir nevere noght,
Ne therto dorste a profre make;
For wel I wot sche wol noght take,
And yive wol sche noght also,
She is eschu of bothe tuo.
And this I trowe be the skile
Towardes me, for sche ne wile 4750
That I have eny cause of hope,
Noght also mochel as a drope.
Bot toward othre, as I mai se,
Sche takth and yifth in such degre,
That as be weie of frendlihiede
Sche can so kepe hir wommanhiede,
That every man spekth of hir wel.
Bot sche wole take of me no del,
And yit sche wot wel that I wolde
Yive and do bothe what I scholde 4760
To plesen hire in al my myht:
Be reson this wot every wyht,
P. ii. 287
For that mai be no weie asterte,
Ther sche is maister of the herte,
Sche mot be maister of the good.
For god wot wel that al my mod
And al min herte and al mi thoght
And al mi good, whil I have oght,
Als freliche as god hath it yive,
It schal ben hires, while I live,290 4770
Riht as hir list hirself commande.
So that it nedeth no demande,
[Pg 77]
To axe of me if I be scars
To love, for as to tho pars
I wole ansuere and seie no.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, that is riht wel do.
For often times of scarsnesse
It hath be sen, that for the lesse
Is lost the more, as thou schalt hiere
A tale lich to this matiere. 4780
[Tale of Babio and Croceus.]
Skarsnesse and love acorden nevere,
For every thing is wel the levere,
Whan that a man hath boght it diere:
Hic loquitur contra istos, qui Auaricia stricti largitatis beneficium in amoris causa confundunt. Et ponit exemplum, qualiter Croceus largus et hillaris Babionem292 auarum et tenacem de amore Viole, que pulcherrima fuit, donis largissimis circumuenit.
And forto speke in this matiere,
For sparinge of a litel cost
Fulofte time a man hath lost
The large cote for the hod.
What man that scars is of his good291
And wol noght yive, he schal noght take:
With yifte a man mai undertake 4790
The hihe god to plese and queme,
With yifte a man the world mai deme;293
P. ii. 288
For every creature bore,
If thou him yive, is glad therfore,
And every gladschipe, as I finde,
Is confort unto loves kinde
And causeth ofte a man to spede.
So was he wys that ferst yaf mede,
For mede kepeth love in house;
Bot wher the men ben coveitouse 4800
And sparen forto yive a part,
Thei knowe noght Cupides art:
For his fortune and his aprise
Desdeigneth alle coveitise
And hateth alle nygardie.
And forto loke of this partie,
A soth ensample, hou it is so,
I finde write of Babio;294
Which hadde a love at his menage,
[Pg 78]
Ther was non fairere of hire age, 4810
And hihte Viola be name;
Which full of youthe and ful of game
Was of hirself, and large and fre,
Bot such an other chinche as he295
Men wisten noght in al the lond,
And hadde affaited to his hond
His servant, the which Spodius296
Was hote. And in this wise thus297
The worldes good of sufficance
Was had, bot likinge and plesance, 4820
Of that belongeth to richesse
Of love, stod in gret destresse;
P. ii. 289
So that this yonge lusty wyht
Of thing which fell to loves riht
Was evele served overal,
That sche was wo bego withal,
Til that Cupide and Venus eke
A medicine for the seke
Ordeigne wolden in this cas.
So as fortune thanne was, 4830
Of love upon the destine
It fell, riht as it scholde be,
A freissh, a fre, a frendly man
That noght of Avarice can,
Which Croceus be name hihte,
Toward this swete caste his sihte,
And ther sche was cam in presence.
Sche sih him large of his despence,
And amorous and glad of chiere,
So that hir liketh wel to hiere 4840
The goodly wordes whiche he seide;
And therupon of love he preide,
Of love was al that he mente,
To love and for sche scholde assente,
He yaf hire yiftes evere among.
Bot for men sein that mede is strong,
It was wel seene at thilke tyde;
[Pg 79]
For as it scholde of ryht betyde,
This Viola largesce hath take
And the nygard sche hath forsake: 4850
Of Babio sche wol no more,298
For he was grucchende everemore,
P. ii. 290
Ther was with him non other fare
Bot forto prinche and forto spare,
Of worldes muk to gete encress.
So goth the wrecche loveles,299
Bejaped for his Skarcete,
And he that large was and fre
And sette his herte to despende,
This Croceus, the bowe bende, 4860
Which Venus tok him forto holde,
And schotte als ofte as evere he wolde.300
Lo, thus departeth love his lawe,
That what man wol noght be felawe
To yive and spende, as I thee telle,
He is noght worthi forto duelle
In loves court to be relieved.
Forthi, my Sone, if I be lieved,301
Thou schalt be large of thi despence.
Amans.
Mi fader, in mi conscience 4870
If ther be eny thing amis,
I wol amende it after this,302
Toward mi love namely.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, wel and redely
Thou seist, so that wel paid withal
I am, and forthere if I schal
Unto thi schrifte specefie303
Of Avarices progenie
What vice suieth after this,
Thou schalt have wonder hou it is, 4880
Among the folk in eny regne
That such a vice myhte regne,
P. ii. 291
Which is comun at alle assaies,
As men mai finde nou adaies.
[Pg 80]
[Ingratitude.]
vii. Cuncta creatura, deus et qui cuncta creauit,
Dampnant ingrati dicta que facta viri.304
Non dolor alonge stat, quo sibi talis amicam 305
Traxit, et in fine deserit esse suam.
The vice lik unto the fend,
Which nevere yit was mannes frend,
And cleped is Unkindeschipe,
Hic loquitur super illa aborta specie Auaricie, que Ingratitudo, dicta est, cuius condicionem non solum creator, set eciam cuncte creature abhominabilem detestantur.
Of covine and of felaschipe
With Avarice he is withholde.
Him thenkth he scholde noght ben holde 4890
Unto the moder which him bar;
Of him mai nevere man be war,
He wol noght knowe the merite,
For that he wolde it noght aquite;
Which in this world is mochel used,
And fewe ben therof excused.
To telle of him is endeles,
Bot this I seie natheles,
Wher as this vice comth to londe,
Ther takth noman his thonk on honde; 4900
Thogh he with alle his myhtes serve,
He schal of him no thonk deserve.
He takth what eny man wol yive,
Bot whil he hath o day to live,
He wol nothing rewarde ayein;
He gruccheth forto yive o grein,
Wher he hath take a berne full.
That makth a kinde herte dull,
P. ii. 292
To sette his trust in such frendschipe,
Ther as he fint no kindeschipe; 4910
And forto speke wordes pleine,
Thus hiere I many a man compleigne,
That nou on daies thou schalt finde
At nede fewe frendes kinde;
What thou hast don for hem tofore,
It is foryete, as it were lore.
The bokes speken of this vice,
And telle hou god of his justice,
[Pg 81]
Be weie of kinde and ek nature
And every lifissh creature,306 4920
The lawe also, who that it kan,307
Thei dampnen an unkinde man.
It is al on to seie unkinde
As thing which don is ayein kinde,
For it with kinde nevere stod
A man to yelden evel for good.
For who that wolde taken hede,
A beste is glad of a good dede,
And loveth thilke creature
After the lawe of his nature 4930
Which doth him ese. And forto se
Of this matiere Auctorite,
Fulofte time it hath befalle;
Wherof a tale amonges alle,
Which is of olde ensamplerie,308
I thenke forto specefie.
[Tale of Adrian and Bardus.]
To speke of an unkinde man,
I finde hou whilom Adrian,
P. ii. 293
Of Rome which a gret lord was,
Hic dicit qualiter bestie in suis beneficiis hominem ingratum naturaliter precellunt. Et ponit exemplum de Adriano Rome Cenatore, qui in quadam Foresta venacionibus insistens, dum predam persequeretur, in Cisternam profundam nescia familia corruit: vbi superueniens quidam pauper nomine Bardus, immissa cordula, putans hominem extraxisse, primo Simeam extraxit, secundo Serpentem, tercio Adrianum, qui pauperem despiciens aliquid ei pro benefacto reddere recusabat. Set tam Serpens quam Simea gratuita beneuolencia ipsum311 singulis donis sufficienter remunerarent.
Upon a day as he per cas 4940
To wode in his huntinge wente,
It hapneth at a soudein wente,309
After his chace as he poursuieth,
Thurgh happ, the which noman eschuieth,310
He fell unwar into a pet,
Wher that it mihte noght be let.
The pet was dep and he fell lowe,
That of his men non myhte knowe
Wher he becam, for non was nyh,
Which of his fall the meschief syh. 4950
And thus al one ther he lay
Clepende and criende al the day
For socour and deliverance,
[Pg 82]
Til ayein Eve it fell per chance,
A while er it began to nyhte,
A povere man, which Bardus hihte,
Cam forth walkende with his asse,
And hadde gadred him a tasse
Of grene stickes and of dreie
To selle, who that wolde hem beie, 4960
As he which hadde no liflode,
Bot whanne he myhte such a lode
To toune with his Asse carie.
And as it fell him forto tarie
That ilke time nyh the pet,
And hath the trusse faste knet,
He herde a vois, which cride dimme,
And he his Ere to the brimme
P. ii. 294
Hath leid, and herde it was a man,
Which seide, ‘Ha, help hier Adrian, 4970
And I wol yiven half mi good.’
The povere man this understod,
As he that wolde gladly winne,
And to this lord which was withinne
He spak and seide, ‘If I thee save,
What sikernesse schal I have
Of covenant, that afterward
Thou wolt me yive such reward
As thou behihtest nou tofore?’
That other hath his othes swore 4980
Be hevene and be the goddes alle,312
If that it myhte so befalle
That he out of the pet him broghte,
Of all the goodes whiche he oghte313
He schal have evene halvendel.
This Bardus seide he wolde wel;
And with this word his Asse anon
He let untrusse, and therupon
Doun goth the corde into the pet,314
To which he hath at ende knet 4990
A staf, wherby, he seide, he wolde[Pg 83]
That Adrian him scholde holde.
Bot it was tho per chance falle,
Into that pet was also falle315
An Ape, which at thilke throwe,
Whan that the corde cam doun lowe,
Al sodeinli therto he skipte
And it in bothe hise armes clipte.
P. ii. 295
And Bardus with his Asse anon
Him hath updrawe, and he is gon. 5000
But whan he sih it was an Ape,
He wende al hadde ben a jape
Of faierie, and sore him dradde:316
And Adrian eftsone gradde
For help, and cride and preide faste,
And he eftsone his corde caste;
Bot whan it cam unto the grounde,
A gret Serpent it hath bewounde,
The which Bardus anon up drouh.
And thanne him thoghte wel ynouh, 5010
It was fantosme, bot yit he herde317
The vois, and he therto ansuerde,
‘What wiht art thou in goddes name?’
‘I am,’ quod Adrian, ‘the same,
Whos good thou schalt have evene half.’
Quod Bardus, ‘Thanne a goddes half
The thridde time assaie I schal’:
And caste his corde forth withal
Into the pet, and whan it cam
To him, this lord of Rome it nam, 5020
And therupon him hath adresced,318
And with his hand fulofte blessed,
And thanne he bad to Bardus hale.
And he, which understod his tale,
Betwen him and his Asse al softe319
Hath drawe and set him up alofte
[Pg 84]
Withouten harm al esely.
He seith noght ones ‘grant merci,’
P. ii. 296
Bot strauhte him forth to the cite,
And let this povere Bardus be. 5030
And natheles this simple man
His covenant, so as he can,
Hath axed; and that other seide,
If so be that he him umbreide320
Of oght that hath be speke or do,321
It schal ben venged on him so,
That him were betre to be ded.
And he can tho non other red,
But on his asse ayein he caste
His trusse, and hieth homward faste: 5040
And whan that he cam hom to bedde,
He tolde his wif hou that he spedde.
Bot finaly to speke oght more
Unto this lord he dradde him sore,
So that a word ne dorste he sein:322
And thus upon the morwe ayein,
In the manere as I recorde,
Forth with his Asse and with his corde
To gadre wode, as he dede er,
He goth; and whan that he cam ner 5050
Unto the place where he wolde,323
He hath his Ape anon beholde,
Which hadde gadred al aboute
Of stickes hiere and there a route,324
And leide hem redy to his hond,
Wherof he made his trosse and bond;
Fro dai to dai and in this wise
This Ape profreth his servise,
P. ii. 297
So that he hadde of wode ynouh.
Upon a time and as he drouh 5060
Toward the wode, he sih besyde
The grete gastli Serpent glyde,
Til that sche cam in his presence,
[Pg 85]
And in hir kinde a reverence325
Sche hath him do, and forth withal
A Ston mor briht than a cristall
Out of hir mouth tofore his weie
Sche let doun falle, and wente aweie,
For that he schal noght ben adrad.
Tho was this povere Bardus glad, 5070
Thonkende god, and to the Ston326
He goth and takth it up anon,
And hath gret wonder in his wit
Hou that the beste him hath aquit,
Wher that the mannes Sone hath failed,
For whom he hadde most travailed.
Bot al he putte in goddes hond,
And torneth hom, and what he fond
Unto his wif he hath it schewed;
And thei, that weren bothe lewed, 5080
Acorden that he scholde it selle.
And he no lengere wolde duelle,
Bot forth anon upon the tale
The Ston he profreth to the sale;
And riht as he himself it sette,
The jueler anon forth fette
The gold and made his paiement,
Therof was no delaiement.
P. ii. 298
Thus whan this Ston was boght and sold,
Homward with joie manyfold 5090
This Bardus goth; and whan he cam
Hom to his hous and that he nam
His gold out of his Purs, withinne
He fond his Ston also therinne,
Wherof for joie his herte pleide,
Unto his wif and thus he seide,
‘Lo, hier my gold, lo, hier mi Ston!’
His wif hath wonder therupon,
And axeth him hou that mai be.
‘Nou be mi trouthe I not,’ quod he, 5100
‘Bot I dar swere upon a bok,
[Pg 86]
That to my Marchant I it tok,327
And he it hadde whan I wente:
So knowe I noght to what entente
It is nou hier, bot it be grace.328
Forthi tomorwe in other place
I wole it fonde forto selle,
And if it wol noght with him duelle,
Bot crepe into mi purs ayein,
Than dar I saufly swere and sein, 5110
It is the vertu of the Ston.’329
The morwe cam, and he is gon
To seche aboute in other stede
His Ston to selle, and he so dede,330
And lefte it with his chapman there.
Bot whan that he cam elleswhere,
In presence of his wif at hom,
Out of his Purs and that he nom
P. ii. 299
His gold, he fond his Ston withal:
And thus it fell him overal, 5120
Where he it solde in sondri place,
Such was the fortune and the grace.
Bot so wel may nothing ben hidd,
That it nys ate laste kidd:
This fame goth aboute Rome331
So ferforth, that the wordes come
To themperour Justinian;
And he let sende for the man,332
And axede him hou that it was.
And Bardus tolde him al the cas,333 5130
Hou that the worm and ek the beste,334
Althogh thei maden no beheste,
His travail hadden wel aquit;
Bot he which hadde a mannes wit,335
And made his covenant be mouthe
And swor therto al that he couthe
To parte and yiven half his good,
[Pg 87]
Hath nou foryete hou that it stod,
As he which wol no trouthe holde.
This Emperour al that he tolde 5140
Hath herd, and thilke unkindenesse
He seide he wolde himself redresse.
And thus in court of juggement
This Adrian was thanne assent,
And the querele in audience336
Declared was in the presence
Of themperour and many mo;
Wherof was mochel speche tho
P. ii. 300
And gret wondringe among the press.
Bot ate laste natheles 5150
For the partie which hath pleigned
The lawe hath diemed and ordeigned
Be hem that were avised wel,
That he schal have the halvendel
Thurghout of Adrianes good.
And thus of thilke unkinde blod
Stant the memoire into this day,337
Wherof that every wysman may338
Ensamplen him, and take in mynde339
[Ingratitude.]
What schame it is to ben unkinde; 5160
Ayein the which reson debateth,
And every creature it hateth.
Confessor.
Forthi, mi Sone, in thin office
I rede fle that ilke vice.
For riht as the Cronique seith
Of Adrian, hou he his feith
Foryat for worldes covoitise,
Fulofte in such a maner wise
Of lovers nou a man mai se
Full manye that unkinde be: 5170
For wel behote and evele laste
That is here lif; for ate laste,
Whan that thei have here wille do,
Here love is after sone ago.
What seist thou, Sone, to this cas?
[Pg 88]
Amans.
Mi fader, I wol seie Helas,
That evere such a man was bore,
Which whan he hath his trouthe suore
P. ii. 301
And hath of love what he wolde,
That he at eny time scholde340 5180
Evere after in his herte finde
To falsen and to ben unkinde.
Bot, fader, as touchende of me,
I mai noght stonde in that degre;
For I tok nevere of love why,
That I ne mai wel go therby
And do my profit elles where,
For eny sped I finde there.
I dar wel thenken al aboute,
Bot I ne dar noght speke it oute; 5190
And if I dorste, I wolde pleigne,
That sche for whom I soffre peine
And love hir evere aliche hote,
That nouther yive ne behote
In rewardinge of mi servise
It list hire in no maner wise.
I wol noght say that sche is kinde,
And forto sai sche is unkinde,
That dar I noght; bot god above,341
Which demeth every herte of love, 5200
He wot that on myn oghne side
Schal non unkindeschipe abide:
If it schal with mi ladi duelle,
Therof dar I nomore telle.342
Nou, goode fader, as it is,
Tell me what thenketh you of this.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, of that unkindeschipe,
The which toward thi ladischipe
P. ii. 302
Thou pleignest, for sche wol thee noght,
Thou art to blamen of that thoght.343 5210
For it mai be that thi desir,
Thogh it brenne evere as doth the fyr,
Per cas to hire honour missit,
[Pg 89]
Or elles time com noght yit,
Which standt upon thi destine:344
Forthi, mi Sone, I rede thee,
Thenk wel, what evere the befalle;
For noman hath his lustes alle.
Bot as thou toldest me before
That thou to love art noght forswore, 5220
And hast don non unkindenesse,
Thou miht therof thi grace blesse:
And lef noght that continuance;
For ther mai be no such grevance
To love, as is unkindeschipe.345
Wherof to kepe thi worschipe,
So as these olde bokes tale,
I schal thee telle a redi tale:
Nou herkne and be wel war therby,
For I wol telle it openly. 5230
[Tale of Theseus and Ariadne.]
Mynos, as telleth the Poete,
The which whilom was king of Crete,
A Sone hadde and Androchee
Hic ponit exemplum contra viros amori ingratos. Et narrat qualiter Theseus Cadmi filius, consilio suffultus347 Adriagne Regis Mynos filie, in domo que laborinthus dicitur Minotaurum vicit:348 vnde Theseus Adriagne sponsalia certissime promittens ipsam vna cum Fedra sorore sua a Creta secum nauigio duxit. Set statim postea oblito gratitudinis beneficio Adriagnam ipsum saluantem in insula Chio spretam post tergum reliquit; et Fedram Athenis sibi sponsatam ingratus coronauit.
He hihte: and so befell that he
Unto Athenes forto lere
Was send, and so he bar him there,346
For that he was of hih lignage,
Such pride he tok in his corage,
P. ii. 303
That he foryeten hath the Scoles,
And in riote among the foles 5240
He dede manye thinges wronge;
And useth thilke lif so longe,349
Til ate laste of that he wroghte
He fond the meschief which he soghte,
Wherof it fell that he was slain.
His fader, which it herde sain,
Was wroth, and al that evere he mihte,
Of men of Armes he him dighte350
A strong pouer, and forth he wente
[Pg 90]
Unto Athenys, where he brente
The pleine contre al aboute: 5250
The Cites stode of him in doute,
As thei that no defence hadde351
Ayein the pouer which he ladde.
Egeüs, which was there king,
His conseil tok upon this thing,
For he was thanne in the Cite:
So that of pes into tretee
Betwen Mynos and Egeüs
Thei felle, and ben acorded thus; 5260
That king Mynos fro yer to yeere
Receive schal, as thou schalt here,
Out of Athenys for truage
Of men that were of myhti Age
Persones nyne, of whiche he schal
His wille don in special
For vengance of his Sones deth.
Non other grace ther ne geth,
P. ii. 304
Bot forto take the juise;
And that was don in such a wise, 5270
Which stod upon a wonder cas.
For thilke time so it was,
Wherof that men yit rede and singe,
King Mynos hadde in his kepinge
A cruel Monstre, as seith the geste:
For he was half man and half beste,
And Minotaurus he was hote,352
Which was begete in a riote
Upon Pasiphe, his oghne wif,
Whil he was oute upon the strif 5280
Of thilke grete Siege at Troie.353
Bot sche, which lost hath alle joie,354
Whan that sche syh this Monstre bore,
Bad men ordeigne anon therfore:
And fell that ilke time thus,
Ther was a Clerk, on Dedalus,
Which hadde ben of hire assent
[Pg 91]
Of that hir world was so miswent;355
And he made of his oghne wit,
Wherof the remembrance is yit, 5290
For Minotaure such an hous,
Which was so strange and merveilous,
That what man that withinne wente,
Ther was so many a sondri wente,
That he ne scholde noght come oute,
But gon amased al aboute.
And in this hous to loke and warde
Was Minotaurus put in warde,
P. ii. 305
That what lif that therinne cam,356
Or man or beste, he overcam 5300
And slow, and fedde him therupon;
And in this wise many on357
Out of Athenys for truage
Devoured weren in that rage.
For every yeer thei schope hem so,
Thei of Athenys, er thei go
Toward that ilke wofull chance,
As it was set in ordinance,358
Upon fortune here lot thei caste;
Til that Theseüs ate laste, 5310
Which was the kinges Sone there,
Amonges othre that ther were
In thilke yeer, as it befell,
The lot upon his chance fell.
He was a worthi kniht withalle;
And whan he sih this chance falle,359
He ferde as thogh he tok non hiede,
Bot al that evere he mihte spiede,
With him and with his felaschipe
Forth into Crete he goth be Schipe; 5320
Wher that the king Mynos he soghte,360
And profreth all that he him oghte
Upon the point of here acord.
[Pg 92]
This sterne king, this cruel lord
Tok every day on of the Nyne,
And put him to the discipline361
Of Minotaure, to be devoured;
Bot Theseüs was so favoured,
P. ii. 306
That he was kept til ate laste.
And in the meene while he caste 5330
What thing him were best to do:
And fell that Adriagne tho,
Which was the dowhter of Mynos,
And hadde herd the worthi los
Of Theseüs and of his myht,
And syh he was a lusti kniht,
Hire hole herte on him sche leide,
And he also of love hir preide,
So ferforth that thei were al on.
And sche ordeigneth thanne anon 5340
In what manere he scholde him save,362
And schop so that sche dede him have
A clue of thred, of which withinne
Ferst ate dore he schal beginne
With him to take that on ende,
That whan he wolde ayeinward wende,363
He mihte go the same weie.
And over this, so as I seie,
Of pich sche tok him a pelote,364
The which he scholde into the throte 5350
Of Minotaure caste rihte:
Such wepne also for him sche dighte,
That he be reson mai noght faile
To make an ende of his bataile;
For sche him tawhte in sondri wise,
Til he was knowe of thilke emprise,
Hou he this beste schulde quelle.365
And thus, schort tale forto telle,
P. ii. 307
So as this Maide him hadde tawht,366
[Pg 93]
Theseüs with this Monstre fawht, 5360
Smot of his hed, the which he nam,
And be the thred, so as he cam,
He goth ayein, til he were oute.
Tho was gret wonder al aboute:367
Mynos the tribut hath relessed,
And so was al the werre cessed
Betwen Athene and hem of Crete.
Bot now to speke of thilke suete,
Whos beaute was withoute wane,
This faire Maiden Adriane, 5370
Whan that sche sih Theseüs sound,
Was nevere yit upon the ground368
A gladder wyht than sche was tho.
Theseüs duelte a dai or tuo
Wher that Mynos gret chiere him dede:
Theseüs in a prive stede
Hath with this Maiden spoke and rouned,
That sche to him was abandouned
In al that evere that sche couthe,
So that of thilke lusty youthe 5380
Al prively betwen hem tweie
The ferste flour he tok aweie.
For he so faire tho behihte
That evere, whil he live mihte,
He scholde hire take for his wif,
And as his oghne hertes lif
He scholde hire love and trouthe bere;369
And sche, which mihte noght forbere,
P. ii. 308
So sore loveth him ayein,
That what as evere he wolde sein 5390
With al hire herte sche believeth.
And thus his pourpos he achieveth,
So that assured of his trouthe
With him sche wente, and that was routhe.
Fedra hire yonger Soster eke,
A lusti Maide, a sobre, a meke,
Fulfild of alle curtesie,
[Pg 94]
For Sosterhode and compainie
Of love, which was hem betuene,
To sen hire Soster mad a queene, 5400
Hire fader lefte and forth sche wente
With him, which al his ferste entente
Foryat withinne a litel throwe,
So that it was al overthrowe,
Whan sche best wende it scholde stonde.
The Schip was blowe fro the londe,
Wherin that thei seilende were;
This Adriagne hath mochel fere
Of that the wynd so loude bleu,
As sche which of the See ne kneu, 5410
And preide forto reste a whyle.370
And so fell that upon an yle,
Which Chyo hihte, thei ben drive,
Where he to hire his leve hath yive
That sche schal londe and take hire reste.
Bot that was nothing for the beste:
For whan sche was to londe broght,
Sche, which that time thoghte noght
P. ii. 309
Bot alle trouthe, and tok no kepe,
Hath leid hire softe forto slepe, 5420
As sche which longe hath ben forwacched;
Bot certes sche was evele macched
And fer from alle loves kinde;
For more than the beste unkinde
Theseüs, which no trouthe kepte,
Whil that this yonge ladi slepte,
Fulfild of his unkindeschipe371
Hath al foryete the goodschipe
Which Adriane him hadde do,
And bad unto the Schipmen tho372 5430
Hale up the seil and noght abyde,
And forth he goth the same tyde
Toward Athene, and hire alonde
He lefte, which lay nyh the stronde
[Pg 95]
Slepende, til that sche awok.
Bot whan that sche cast up hire lok
Toward the stronde and sih no wyht,
Hire herte was so sore aflyht,373
That sche ne wiste what to thinke;
Bot drouh hire to the water brinke, 5440
Wher sche behield the See at large.
Sche sih no Schip, sche sih no barge
Als ferforth as sche mihte kenne:
‘Ha lord,’ sche seide, ‘which a Senne,
As al the world schal after hiere,
Upon this woful womman hiere
This worthi kniht hath don and wroght!
I wende I hadde his love boght,
P. ii. 310
And so deserved ate nede,374
Whan that he stod upon his drede, 5450
And ek the love he me behihte.
It is gret wonder hou he mihte
Towardes me nou ben unkinde,
And so to lete out of his mynde
Thing which he seide his oghne mouth.
Bot after this whan it is couth375
And drawe into the worldes fame,376
It schal ben hindringe of his name:
For wel he wot and so wot I,
He yaf his trouthe bodily, 5460
That he myn honour scholde kepe.’
And with that word sche gan to wepe,
And sorweth more than ynouh:
Hire faire tresces sche todrouh,377
And with hirself tok such a strif,378
That sche betwen the deth and lif379
Swounende lay fulofte among.380
And al was this on him along,
Which was to love unkinde so,
Wherof the wrong schal everemo 5470
Stonde in Cronique of remembrance.[Pg 96]
And ek it asketh a vengance
To ben unkinde in loves cas,
So as Theseüs thanne was,
Al thogh he were a noble kniht;
For he the lawe of loves riht
Forfeted hath in alle weie,
That Adriagne he putte aweie,
P. ii. 311
Which was a gret unkinde dede:
And after this, so as I rede,381 5480
Fedra, the which hir Soster is,
He tok in stede of hire, and this
Fel afterward to mochel teene.
For thilke vice of which I meene,
Unkindeschipe, where it falleth,
The trouthe of mannes herte it palleth,
That he can no good dede aquite:
So mai he stonde of no merite
Towardes god, and ek also
Men clepen him the worldes fo; 5490
For he nomore than the fend
Unto non other man is frend,
Bot al toward himself al one.
Forthi, mi Sone, in thi persone
This vice above alle othre fle.
Mi fader, as ye techen me,
I thenke don in this matiere.
Bot over this nou wolde I hiere,
Wherof I schal me schryve more.
Mi goode Sone, and for thi lore,382 5500
After the reule of coveitise
I schal the proprete devise
Of every vice by and by.
Nou herkne and be wel war therby.
[Ravine.]
viii. Viribus ex clara res tollit luce Rapina,
Floris et inuita virgine mella capit.
In the lignage of Avarice,
Hic tractat super illa specie cupida que Rapina nuncupatur, cuius mater extorcio ipsam ad deseruiendum magnatum curiis specialius commendauit.
Mi Sone, yit ther is a vice,
[Pg 97]
P. ii. 312
His rihte name it is Ravine,383
Which hath a route of his covine.
Ravine among the maistres duelleth,
And with his servantz, as men telleth,384 5510
Extorcion is nou withholde:
Ravine of othre mennes folde
Makth his larder and paieth noght;
For wher as evere it mai be soght,
In his hous ther schal nothing lacke,
And that fulofte abyth the packe
Of povere men that duelle aboute.
Thus stant the comun poeple in doute,
Which can do non amendement;
For whanne him faileth paiement,385 5520
Ravine makth non other skile,
Bot takth be strengthe what he wile.386
So ben ther in the same wise
Lovers, as I thee schal devise,387
That whan noght elles mai availe,
Anon with strengthe thei assaile
And gete of love the sesine,388
Whan thei se time, be Ravine.
Confessor.
Forthi, mi Sone, schrif thee hier,
If thou hast ben a Raviner 5530
Of love.
Amans.
Certes, fader, no:
For I mi ladi love so,389
That thogh I were as was Pompeie,390
That al the world me wolde obeie,
Or elles such as Alisandre,
I wolde noght do such a sklaundre;
P. ii. 313
It is no good man, which so doth.
Confessor.
In good feith, Sone, thou seist soth:
For he that wole of pourveance391
Be such a weie his lust avance, 5540
He schal it after sore abie,[Pg 98]
Bot if these olde ensamples lie.
Amans.
Nou, goode fader, tell me on,
So as ye cunne manyon,
Touchende of love in this matiere.
Confessor.
Nou list, mi Sone, and thou schalt hiere,392
So as it hath befalle er this,
In loves cause hou that it is
A man to take be Ravine
The preie which is femeline. 5550
[Tale of Tereus.]
Ther was a real noble king,
And riche of alle worldes thing,
Which of his propre enheritance
Hic ponit exemplum contra istos in amoris causa raptores. Et narrat qualiter Pandion Rex Athenarum duas filias,393 videlicet Progne et Philomenam, habuit. Progne autem Tereo394 Regi Tracie desponsata, contigit quod cum395 Tereus ad instanciam vxoris396 sue Philomenam de Athenis in Traciam sororie visitacionis causa secum quadam vice perduceret, in concupiscenciam Philomene tanta seueritate in itinere dilapsus est, quod ipse non solum sue violencia rapine virginitatem eius oppressit, set et ipsius linguam, ne factum detegeret, forpice mutulauit. Vnde in perpetue memorie Cronicam tanti raptoris austeritatem miro ordine dii postea vindicarunt.
Athenes hadde in governance,
And who so thenke therupon,
His name was king Pandion.
Tuo douhtres hadde he be his wif,
The whiche he lovede as his lif;
The ferste douhter Progne hihte,
And the secounde, as sche wel mihte,397 5560
Was cleped faire Philomene,
To whom fell after mochel tene.
The fader of his pourveance
His doughter Progne wolde avance,
And yaf hire unto mariage
A worthi king of hih lignage,
P. ii. 314
A noble kniht eke of his hond,
So was he kid in every lond,
Of Trace he hihte Tereüs;
The clerk Ovide telleth thus. 5570
This Tereüs his wif hom ladde,
A lusti lif with hire he hadde;
Til it befell upon a tyde,
This Progne, as sche lay him besyde,
Bethoughte hir hou it mihte be
That sche hir Soster myhte se,
[Pg 99]
And to hir lord hir will sche seide,
With goodly wordes and him preide
That sche to hire mihte go:
And if it liked him noght so, 5580
That thanne he wolde himselve wende,
Or elles be som other sende,
Which mihte hire diere Soster griete,
And schape hou that thei mihten miete.
Hir lord anon to that he herde
Yaf his acord, and thus ansuerde:
‘I wole,’ he seide, ‘for thi sake
The weie after thi Soster take
Miself, and bringe hire, if I may.’
And sche with that, there as he lay,398 5590
Began him in hire armes clippe,
And kist him with hir softe lippe,399
And seide, ‘Sire, grant mercy.’
And he sone after was redy,
And tok his leve forto go;
In sori time dede he so.
P. ii. 315
This Tereüs goth forth to Schipe400
With him and with his felaschipe;
Be See the rihte cours he nam,
Into the contre til he cam,401 5600
Wher Philomene was duellinge,
And of hir Soster the tidinge
He tolde, and tho thei weren glade,
And mochel joie of him thei made.
The fader and the moder bothe
To leve here douhter weren lothe,
Bot if thei weren in presence;
And natheles at reverence
Of him, that wolde himself travaile,
Thei wolden noght he scholde faile402 5610
Of that he preide, and yive hire leve:403
And sche, that wolde noght beleve,
[Pg 100]
In alle haste made hire yare
Toward hir Soster forto fare,
With Tereüs and forth sche wente.
And he with al his hole entente,
Whan sche was fro hir frendes go,
Assoteth of hire love so,
His yhe myhte he noght withholde,
That he ne moste on hir beholde; 5620
And with the sihte he gan desire,404
And sette his oghne herte on fyre;405
And fyr, whan it to tow aprocheth,
To him anon the strengthe acrocheth,
Til with his hete it be devoured,
The tow ne mai noght be socoured.
P. ii. 316
And so that tirant raviner,406
Whan that sche was in his pouer,
And he therto sawh time and place,
As he that lost hath alle grace, 5630
Foryat he was a wedded man,
And in a rage on hire he ran,
Riht as a wolf which takth his preie.407
And sche began to crie and preie,
‘O fader, o mi moder diere,
Nou help!’ Bot thei ne mihte it hiere,
And sche was of to litel myht
Defense ayein so ruide a knyht
To make, whanne he was so wod
That he no reson understod, 5640
Bot hield hire under in such wise,
That sche ne myhte noght arise,
Bot lay oppressed and desesed,
As if a goshauk hadde sesed
A brid, which dorste noght for fere
Remue: and thus this tirant there408
Beraft hire such thing as men sein
Mai neveremor be yolde ayein,
And that was the virginite:
Of such Ravine it was pite. 5650
Bot whan sche to hirselven com,[Pg 101]
And of hir meschief hiede nom,
And knew hou that sche was no maide,
With wofull herte thus sche saide:
‘O thou of alle men the worste,
Wher was ther evere man that dorste
P. ii. 317
Do such a dede as thou hast do?
That dai schal falle, I hope so,
That I schal telle out al mi fille,
And with mi speche I schal fulfille 5660
The wyde world in brede and lengthe.
That thou hast do to me be strengthe,
If I among the poeple duelle,
Unto the poeple I schal it telle;
And if I be withinne wall
Of Stones closed, thanne I schal
Unto the Stones clepe and crie,409
And tellen hem thi felonie;
And if I to the wodes wende,
Ther schal I tellen tale and ende,410 5670
And crie it to the briddes oute,411
That thei schul hiere it al aboute.
For I so loude it schal reherce,
That my vois schal the hevene perce,
That it schal soune in goddes Ere.
Ha, false man, where is thi fere?
O mor cruel than eny beste,
Hou hast thou holden thi beheste412
Which thou unto my Soster madest?
O thou, which alle love ungladest, 5680
And art ensample of alle untrewe,
Nou wolde god mi Soster knewe,
Of thin untrouthe, hou that it stod!’
And he than as a Lyon wod413
With hise unhappi handes stronge
[Pg 102]
Hire cauhte be the tresses longe,
P. ii. 318
With whiche he bond ther bothe hire armes,
That was a fieble dede of armes,
And to the grounde anon hire caste,
And out he clippeth also faste 5690
Hire tunge with a peire scheres.
So what with blod and what with teres
Out of hire yhe and of hir mouth,
He made hire faire face uncouth:
Sche lay swounende unto the deth,
Ther was unethes eny breth;
Bot yit whan he hire tunge refte,
A litel part therof belefte,
Bot sche with al no word mai soune,
Bot chitre and as a brid jargoune. 5700
And natheles that wode hound
Hir bodi hent up fro the ground,
And sente hir there as be his wille
Sche scholde abyde in prison stille
For everemo: bot nou tak hiede
What after fell of this misdede.
Whanne al this meschief was befalle,
This Tereüs, that foule him falle,
Unto his contre hom he tyh;
And whan he com his paleis nyh, 5710
His wif al redi there him kepte.
Whan he hir sih, anon he wepte,
And that he dede for deceite,
For sche began to axe him streite,
‘Wher is mi Soster?’ And he seide
That sche was ded; and Progne abreide,
P. ii. 319
As sche that was a wofull wif,
And stod betuen hire deth and lif,
Of that sche herde such tidinge:414
Bot for sche sih hire lord wepinge, 5720
She wende noght bot alle trouthe,
And hadde wel the more routhe.
The Perles weren tho forsake
To hire, and blake clothes take;
[Pg 103]
As sche that was gentil and kinde,
In worschipe of hir Sostres mynde
Sche made a riche enterement,
For sche fond non amendement
To syghen or to sobbe more:
So was ther guile under the gore. 5730
Nou leve we this king and queene,
And torne ayein to Philomene,
As I began to tellen erst.
Whan sche cam into prison ferst,
It thoghte a kinges douhter strange
To maken so soudein a change
Fro welthe unto so grete a wo;415
And sche began to thenke tho,
Thogh sche be mouthe nothing preide,
Withinne hir herte thus sche seide:416 5740
‘O thou, almyhty Jupiter,
That hihe sist and lokest fer,
Thou soffrest many a wrong doinge,417
And yit it is noght thi willinge.
To thee ther mai nothing ben hid,
Thou wost hou it is me betid:
P. ii. 320
I wolde I hadde noght be bore,
For thanne I hadde noght forlore418
Mi speche and mi virginite.
Bot, goode lord, al is in thee, 5750
Whan thou therof wolt do vengance
And schape mi deliverance.’
And evere among this ladi wepte,
And thoghte that sche nevere kepte
To ben a worldes womman more,
And that sche wissheth everemore.
Bot ofte unto hir Soster diere
Hire herte spekth in this manere,
And seide, ‘Ha, Soster, if ye knewe
Of myn astat, ye wolde rewe, 5760
I trowe, and my deliverance
[Pg 104]
Ye wolde schape, and do vengance
On him that is so fals a man:
And natheles, so as I can,
I wol you sende som tokninge,419
Wherof ye schul have knowlechinge
Of thing I wot, that schal you lothe,
The which you toucheth and me bothe.’
And tho withinne a whyle als tyt420
Sche waf a cloth of Selk al whyt 5770
With lettres and ymagerie,
In which was al the felonie,
Which Tereüs to hire hath do;421
And lappede it togedre tho422
And sette hir signet therupon
And sende it unto Progne anon.
P. ii. 321
The messager which forth it bar,
What it amonteth is noght war;
And natheles to Progne he goth
And prively takth hire the cloth, 5780
And wente ayein riht as he cam,
The court of him non hiede nam.
Whan Progne of Philomene herde,
Sche wolde knowe hou that it ferde,
And opneth that the man hath broght,
And wot therby what hath be wroght
And what meschief ther is befalle.
In swoune tho sche gan doun falle,
And efte aros and gan to stonde,
And eft sche takth the cloth on honde, 5790
Behield the lettres and thymages;
Bot ate laste, ‘Of suche oultrages,’
Sche seith, ‘wepinge is noght the bote:’
And swerth, if that sche live mote,
It schal be venged otherwise.
And with that sche gan hire avise
Hou ferst sche mihte unto hire winne
Hir Soster, that noman withinne,
Bot only thei that were suore,
[Pg 105]
It scholde knowe, and schop therfore 5800
That Tereüs nothing it wiste;
And yit riht as hirselven liste,423
Hir Soster was delivered sone
Out of prison, and be the mone
To Progne sche was broght be nyhte.
Whan ech of other hadde a sihte,
P. ii. 322
In chambre, ther thei were al one,424
Thei maden many a pitous mone;
Bot Progne most of sorwe made,
Which sihe hir Soster pale and fade425 5810
And specheles and deshonoured,
Of that sche hadde be defloured;
And ek upon hir lord sche thoghte,
Of that he so untreuly wroghte
And hadde his espousaile broke.
Sche makth a vou it schal be wroke,426
And with that word sche kneleth doun
Wepinge in gret devocioun:
Unto Cupide and to Venus
Sche preide, and seide thanne thus: 5820
‘O ye, to whom nothing asterte
Of love mai, for every herte
Ye knowe, as ye that ben above
The god and the goddesse of love;
Ye witen wel that evere yit
With al mi will and al my wit,
Sith ferst ye schopen me to wedde,
That I lay with mi lord abedde,
I have be trewe in mi degre,
And evere thoghte forto be, 5830
And nevere love in other place,
Bot al only the king of Trace,
Which is mi lord and I his wif.
Bot nou allas this wofull strif!
That I him thus ayeinward finde
The most untrewe and most unkinde
[Pg 106]
P. ii. 323
That evere in ladi armes lay.427
And wel I wot that he ne may
Amende his wrong, it is so gret;
For he to lytel of me let, 5840
Whan he myn oughne Soster tok,
And me that am his wif forsok.’
Lo, thus to Venus and Cupide
Sche preide, and furthermor sche cride
Unto Appollo the hiheste,
And seide, ‘O myghti god of reste,
Thou do vengance of this debat.
Mi Soster and al hire astat
Thou wost, and hou sche hath forlore
Hir maidenhod, and I therfore 5850
In al the world schal bere a blame
Of that mi Soster hath a schame,
That Tereüs to hire I sente:
And wel thou wost that myn entente
Was al for worschipe and for goode.
O lord, that yifst the lives fode
To every wyht, I prei thee hiere
Thes wofull Sostres that ben hiere,
And let ous noght to the ben lothe;428
We ben thin oghne wommen bothe.’ 5860
Thus pleigneth Progne and axeth wreche,
And thogh hire Soster lacke speche,
To him that alle thinges wot
Hire sorwe is noght the lasse hot:
Bot he that thanne had herd hem tuo,
Him oughte have sorwed everemo
P. ii. 324
For sorwe which was hem betuene.
With signes pleigneth Philomene,
And Progne seith, ‘It schal be wreke,
That al the world therof schal speke.’ 5870
And Progne tho seknesse feigneth,
Wherof unto hir lord sche pleigneth,
And preith sche moste hire chambres kepe,429
And as hir liketh wake and slepe.
[Pg 107]
And he hire granteth to be so;
And thus togedre ben thei tuo,
That wolde him bot a litel good.
Nou herk hierafter hou it stod430
Of wofull auntres that befelle:
Thes Sostres, that ben bothe felle,—431 5880
And that was noght on hem along,
Bot onliche on the grete wrong
Which Tereüs hem hadde do,—
Thei schopen forto venge hem tho.
This Tereüs be Progne his wif
A Sone hath, which as his lif
He loveth, and Ithis he hihte:
His moder wiste wel sche mihte
Do Tereüs no more grief432
Than sle this child, which was so lief.433 5890
Thus sche, that was, as who seith, mad
Of wo, which hath hir overlad,
Withoute insihte of moderhede
Foryat pite and loste drede,
And in hir chambre prively
This child withouten noise or cry
P. ii. 325
Sche slou, and hieu him al to pieces:
And after with diverse spieces
The fleissh, whan it was so toheewe,
Sche takth, and makth therof a sewe, 5900
With which the fader at his mete
Was served, til he hadde him ete;
That he ne wiste hou that it stod,
Bot thus his oughne fleissh and blod
Himself devoureth ayein kinde,
As he that was tofore unkinde.
And thanne, er that he were arise,
For that he scholde ben agrise,
To schewen him the child was ded,
This Philomene tok the hed 5910
Betwen tuo disshes, and al wrothe
[Pg 108]
Tho comen forth the Sostres bothe,
And setten it upon the bord.
And Progne tho began the word,
And seide, ‘O werste of alle wicke,
Of conscience whom no pricke
Mai stere, lo, what thou hast do!
Lo, hier ben nou we Sostres tuo;434
O Raviner, lo hier thi preie,
With whom so falsliche on the weie 5920
Thou hast thi tirannye wroght.
Lo, nou it is somdel aboght,
And bet it schal, for of thi dede
The world schal evere singe and rede
In remembrance of thi defame:435
For thou to love hast do such schame,
P. ii. 326
That it schal nevere be foryete.’
With that he sterte up fro the mete,
And schof the bord unto the flor,436
And cauhte a swerd anon and suor 5930
That thei scholde of his handes dye.
And thei unto the goddes crie
Begunne with so loude a stevene,
That thei were herd unto the hevene;
And in a twinclinge of an yhe
The goddes, that the meschief syhe,437
Here formes changen alle thre.
Echon of hem in his degre
Was torned into briddes kinde;
Diverseliche, as men mai finde, 5940
After thastat that thei were inne,
Here formes were set atwinne.
And as it telleth in the tale,
The ferst into a nyhtingale438
Was schape, and that was Philomene,
Which in the wynter is noght sene,
For thanne ben the leves falle
[Pg 109]
And naked ben the buisshes alle.
For after that sche was a brid,
Hir will was evere to ben hid, 5950
And forto duelle in prive place,
That noman scholde sen hir face
For schame, which mai noght be lassed,
Of thing that was tofore passed,
Whan that sche loste hir maidenhiede:
For evere upon hir wommanhiede,
P. ii. 327
Thogh that the goddes wolde hire change,
Sche thenkth, and is the more strange,439
And halt hir clos the wyntres day.
Bot whan the wynter goth away, 5960
And that Nature the goddesse
Wole of hir oughne fre largesse440
With herbes and with floures bothe
The feldes and the medwes clothe,
And ek the wodes and the greves
Ben heled al with grene leves,441
So that a brid hire hyde mai,
Betwen Averil and March and Maii,
Sche that the wynter hield hir clos,
For pure schame and noght aros, 5970
Whan that sche seth the bowes thikke,442
And that ther is no bare sticke,
Bot al is hid with leves grene,
To wode comth this Philomene443
And makth hir ferste yeres flyht;
Wher as sche singeth day and nyht,
And in hir song al openly444
Sche makth hir pleignte and seith, ‘O why,
O why ne were I yit a maide?’445
For so these olde wise saide, 5980
Which understoden what sche mente,446
Hire notes ben of such entente.
[Pg 110]
And ek thei seide hou in hir song
Sche makth gret joie and merthe among,
And seith, ‘Ha, nou I am a brid,
Ha, nou mi face mai ben hid:
P. ii. 328
Thogh I have lost mi Maidenhede,
Schal noman se my chekes rede.’
Thus medleth sche with joie wo
And with hir sorwe merthe also, 5990
So that of loves maladie
Sche makth diverse melodie,
And seith love is a wofull blisse,
A wisdom which can noman wisse,
A lusti fievere, a wounde softe:
This note sche reherceth ofte
To hem whiche understonde hir tale.
Nou have I of this nyhtingale,
Which erst was cleped Philomene,
Told al that evere I wolde mene, 6000
Bothe of hir forme and of hir note,
Wherof men mai the storie note.
And of hir Soster Progne I finde,
Hou sche was torned out of kinde
Into a Swalwe swift of winge,
Which ek in wynter lith swounynge,
Ther as sche mai nothing be sene:
Bot whan the world is woxe grene447
And comen is the Somertide,
Than fleth sche forth and ginth to chide, 6010
And chitreth out in hir langage448
What falshod is in mariage,449
And telleth in a maner speche
Of Tereüs the Spousebreche.
Sche wol noght in the wodes duelle,
For sche wolde openliche telle;450
P. ii. 329
And ek for that sche was a spouse,
Among the folk sche comth to house,
To do thes wyves understonde451
[Pg 111]
The falshod of hire housebonde,452 6020
That thei of hem be war also,
For ther ben manye untrewe of tho.
Thus ben the Sostres briddes bothe,
And ben toward the men so lothe,
That thei ne wole of pure schame
Unto no mannes hand be tame;453
For evere it duelleth in here mynde
Of that thei founde a man unkinde,
And that was false Tereüs.
If such on be amonges ous 6030
I not, bot his condicion
Men sein in every region
Withinne toune and ek withoute
Nou regneth comunliche aboute.
And natheles in remembrance
I wol declare what vengance
The goddes hadden him ordeined,
Of that the Sostres hadden pleigned:
For anon after he was changed
And from his oghne kinde stranged, 6040
A lappewincke mad he was,
And thus he hoppeth on the gras,454
And on his hed ther stant upriht
A creste in tokne he was a kniht;455
And yit unto this dai men seith,
A lappewincke hath lore his feith456
P. ii. 330
And is the brid falseste of alle.
Confessor.
Bewar, mi Sone, er thee so falle;457
For if thou be of such covine,
To gete of love be Ravine 6050
Thi lust, it mai thee falle thus,
As it befell of Tereüs.458
Amans.
Mi fader, goddes forebode!459
[Pg 112]
Me were levere be fortrode460
With wilde hors and be todrawe,
Er I ayein love and his lawe
Dede eny thing or loude or stille,
Which were noght mi ladi wille.
Men sein that every love hath drede;461
So folweth it that I hire drede, 6060
For I hire love, and who so dredeth,
To plese his love and serve him nedeth.
Thus mai ye knowen be this skile
That no Ravine don I wile
Ayein hir will be such a weie;
Bot while I live, I wol obeie
Abidinge on hire courtesie,
If eny merci wolde hir plie.
Forthi, mi fader, as of this
I wot noght I have don amis: 6070
Bot furthermore I you beseche,
Som other point that ye me teche,
And axeth forth, if ther be auht,
That I mai be the betre tauht.
[Robbery.]
ix. Viuat vt ex spoliis grandi quamsepe tumultu,
Quo graditur populus, latro perurget iter.
P. ii. 331
Sic amor, ex casu poterit quo carpere predam,
Si locus est aptus, cetera nulla timet.
Whan Covoitise in povere astat
Stant with himself upon debat462
Thurgh lacke of his misgovernance,
That he unto his sustienance
Hic loquitur super illa Cupiditatis specie quam furtum vocant, cuius Ministri alicuius legis offensam non metuentes, tam in amoris causa quam aliter, suam quamsepe conscienciam offendunt.
Ne can non other weie finde
To gete him good, thanne as the blinde, 6080
Which seth noght what schal after falle,
That ilke vice which men calle
Of Robberie, he takth on honde;
Wherof be water and be londe463
Of thing which othre men beswinke
[Pg 113]
He get him cloth and mete and drinke.
Him reccheth noght what he beginne,
Thurgh thefte so that he mai winne:
Forthi to maken his pourchas
He lith awaitende on the pas, 6090
And what thing that he seth ther passe,
He takth his part, or more or lasse,
If it be worthi to be take.
He can the packes wel ransake,
So prively berth non aboute
His gold, that he ne fint it oute,
Or other juel, what it be;
He takth it as his proprete.
In wodes and in feldes eke
Thus Robberie goth to seke, 6100
Wher as he mai his pourpos finde.464
And riht so in the same kinde,
P. ii. 332
My goode Sone, as thou miht hiere,465
To speke of love in the matiere
And make a verrai resemblance,
Riht as a thief makth his chevance
And robbeth mennes good aboute
In wode and field, wher he goth oute,
So be ther of these lovers some,
In wylde stedes wher thei come466 6110
And finden there a womman able,
And therto place covenable,
Withoute leve, er that thei fare,
Thei take a part of that chaffare:467
Yee, though sche were a Scheperdesse,
Yit wol the lord of wantounesse
Assaie, althogh sche be unmete,
For other mennes good is swete.
Bot therof wot nothing the wif
At hom, which loveth as hir lif 6120
Hir lord, and sitt alday wisshinge
After hir lordes hom comynge:
Bet whan that he comth hom at eve,
[Pg 114]
Anon he makth his wif beleve,
For sche noght elles scholde knowe:
He telth hire hou his hunte hath blowe,
And hou his houndes have wel runne,
And hou ther schon a merye Sunne,
And hou his haukes flowen wel;
Bot he wol telle her nevere a diel 6130
Hou he to love untrewe was,
Of that he robbede in the pas,
P. ii. 333
And tok his lust under the schawe
Ayein love and ayein his lawe.
Confessor.
Which thing, mi Sone, I thee forbede,
For it is an ungoodly dede.
For who that takth be Robberie
His love, he mai noght justefie
His cause, and so fulofte sithe
For ones that he hath be blithe 6140
He schal ben after sory thries.
Ensample of suche Robberies
I finde write, as thou schalt hiere,
Acordende unto this matiere.
[Neptune and Cornix.]
I rede hou whilom was a Maide,
The faireste, as Ovide saide,
Hic loquitur contra istos in amoris causa predones, qui cum in suam furtiue concupiscenciam aspirant, fortuna in contrarium operatur. Et narrat quod cum468 Neptunus quamdam virginem nomine Cornicem solam iuxta mare deambulantem opprimere suo furto voluisset, superueniens Pallas ipsam e manibus eius virginitate seruata gracius liberauit.
Which was in hire time tho;
And sche was of the chambre also
Of Pallas, which is the goddesse
And wif to Marte, of whom prouesse 6150
Is yove to these worthi knihtes.469
For he is of so grete mihtes,
That he governeth the bataille;
Withouten him may noght availe
The stronge hond, bot he it helpe;
Ther mai no knyht of armes yelpe,
Bot he feihte under his banere.
Bot nou to speke of mi matiere,
This faire, freisshe, lusti mai,
Al one as sche wente on a dai 6160
Upon the stronde forto pleie,
[Pg 115]
Ther cam Neptunus in the weie,470
P. ii. 334
Which hath the See in governance;
And in his herte such plesance
He tok, whan he this Maide sih,
That al his herte aros on hih,
For he so sodeinliche unwar471
Behield the beaute that sche bar.
And caste anon withinne his herte
That sche him schal no weie asterte, 6170
Bot if he take in avantage
Fro thilke maide som pilage,
Noght of the broches ne the Ringes,
Bot of some othre smale thinges
He thoghte parte, er that sche wente;
And hire in bothe hise armes hente,
And putte his hond toward the cofre,
Wher forto robbe he made a profre,472
That lusti tresor forto stele,
Which passeth othre goodes fele 6180
And cleped is the maidenhede,
Which is the flour of wommanhede.
This Maiden, which Cornix be name
Was hote, dredende alle schame,
Sih that sche mihte noght debate,
And wel sche wiste he wolde algate
Fulfille his lust of Robberie,
Anon began to wepe and crie,
And seide, ‘O Pallas, noble queene,
Scheu nou thi myht and let be sene,473 6190
To kepe and save myn honour:
Help, that I lese noght mi flour,
P. ii. 335
Which nou under thi keie is loke.’
That word was noght so sone spoke,
Whan Pallas schop recoverir
After the will and the desir
Of hire, which a Maiden was,
And sodeinliche upon this cas
[Pg 116]
Out of hire wommanisshe kinde
Into a briddes like I finde 6200
Sche was transformed forth withal,
So that Neptunus nothing stal
Of such thing as he wolde have stole.
With fetheres blake as eny cole
Out of hise armes in a throwe
Sche flih before his yhe a Crowe;
Which was to hire a more delit,
To kepe hire maidenhede whit
Under the wede of fethers blake,
In Perles whyte than forsake 6210
That no lif mai restore ayein.
Bot thus Neptune his herte in vein
Hath upon Robberie sett;
The bridd is flowe and he was let,
The faire Maide him hath ascaped,474
Wherof for evere he was bejaped
And scorned of that he hath lore.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, be thou war therfore
That thou no maidenhode stele,
Wherof men sen deseses fele 6220
Aldai befalle in sondri wise;
So as I schal thee yit devise
An other tale therupon,
Which fell be olde daies gon.
P. ii. 336
[Tale of Calistona.]
King Lichaon upon his wif
A dowhter hadde, a goodly lif,
Hic ponit exemplum contra istos in causa virginitatis lese predones. Et narrat quod cum Calistona Lichaontis mire pulcritudinis filia suam virginitatem Diane conseruandam castissima vouisset, et in Siluam que Tegea dicitur inter alias ibidem Nimphas moraturam se transtulisset, Iupiter virginis castitatem subtili furto surripiens, quendam476 filium, qui postea Archas nominatus est, ex ea genuit: vnde Iuno in Calistonam seuiens eius pulcritudinem in vrse turpissime deformitatem subito transfigurauit.
A clene Maide of worthi fame,
Calistona whos rihte name
Was cleped, and of many a lord
Sche was besoght, bot hire acord 6230
To love myhte noman winne,
As sche which hath no lust therinne;
Bot swor withinne hir herte and saide
That sche wolde evere ben a Maide.475
Wherof to kepe hireself in pes,
[Pg 117]
With suche as Amadriades
Were cleped, wodemaydes, tho,
And with the Nimphes ek also
Upon the spring of freisshe welles
Sche schop to duelle and nagher elles. 6240
And thus cam this Calistona
Into the wode of Tegea,
Wher sche virginite behihte
Unto Diane, and therto plihte
Her trouthe upon the bowes grene,
To kepe hir maidenhode clene.
Which afterward upon a day
Was priveliche stole away;
For Jupiter thurgh his queintise
From hire it tok in such a wise, 6250
That sodeinliche forth withal
Hire wombe aros and sche toswal,
So that it mihte noght ben hidd.
And therupon it is betidd,
P. ii. 337
Diane, which it herde telle,
In prive place unto a welle477
With Nimphes al a compainie478
Was come, and in a ragerie
Sche seide that sche bathe wolde,
And bad that every maide scholde 6260
With hire al naked bathe also.
And tho began the prive wo,
Calistona wax red for schame;
Bot thei that knewe noght the game,
To whom no such thing was befalle,
Anon thei made hem naked alle,
As thei that nothing wolden hyde:479
Bot sche withdrouh hire evere asyde,
And natheles into the flod,
Wher that Diane hirselve stod, 6270
Sche thoghte come unaperceived.
Bot therof sche was al deceived;
For whan sche cam a litel nyh,
[Pg 118]
And that Diane hire wombe syh,
Sche seide, ‘Awey, thou foule beste,
For thin astat is noght honeste
This chaste water forto touche;
For thou hast take such a touche,
Which nevere mai ben hol ayein.’
And thus goth sche which was forlein 6280
With schame, and fro the Nimphes fledde,
Til whanne that nature hire spedde,
That of a Sone, which Archas
Was named, sche delivered was.
P. ii. 338
And tho Juno, which was the wif
Of Jupiter, wroth and hastif,
In pourpos forto do vengance
Cam forth upon this ilke chance,
And to Calistona sche spak,480
And sette upon hir many a lak, 6290
And seide, ‘Ha, nou thou art atake,
That thou thi werk myht noght forsake.
Ha, thou ungoodlich ypocrite,481
Hou thou art gretly forto wyte!
Bot nou thou schalt ful sore abie
That ilke stelthe and micherie,482
Which thou hast bothe take and do;
Wherof thi fader Lichao
Schal noght be glad, whan he it wot,
Of that his dowhter was so hot, 6300
That sche hath broke hire chaste avou.
Bot I thee schal chastise nou;483
Thi grete beaute schal be torned,
Thurgh which that thou hast be mistorned,484
Thi large frount, thin yhen greie,
I schal hem change in other weie,
And al the feture of thi face
In such a wise I schal deface,
That every man thee schal forbere.’
With that the liknesse of a bere 6310
Sche tok and was forschape anon.
[Pg 119]
Withinne a time and therupon
Befell that with a bowe on honde,485
To hunte and gamen forto fonde,
P. ii. 339
Into that wode goth to pleie
Hir Sone Archas, and in his weie
It hapneth that this bere cam.486
And whan that sche good hiede nam,487
Wher that he stod under the bowh,488
Sche kneu him wel and to him drouh; 6320
For thogh sche hadde hire forme lore,
The love was noght lost therfore
Which kinde hath set under his lawe.
Whan sche under the wodesschawe489
Hire child behield, sche was so glad,
That sche with bothe hire armes sprad,
As thogh sche were in wommanhiede,
Toward him cam, and tok non hiede
Of that he bar a bowe bent.
And he with that an Arwe hath hent 6330
And gan to teise it in his bowe,
As he that can non other knowe,
Bot that it was a beste wylde.
Bot Jupiter, which wolde schylde
The Moder and the Sone also,
Ordeineth for hem bothe so,490
That thei for evere were save.
Confessor.
Bot thus, mi Sone, thou myht have
Ensample, hou that it is to fle
To robbe the virginite 6340
Of a yong innocent aweie:491
And overthis be other weie,
In olde bokes as I rede,
Such Robberie is forto drede,
P. ii. 340
And nameliche of thilke good
Which every womman that is good
Desireth forto kepe and holde,
[Pg 120]
As whilom was be daies olde.
For if thou se mi tale wel
Of that was tho, thou miht somdiel 6350
Of old ensample taken hiede,492
Hou that the flour of maidenhiede
Was thilke time holde in pris.
And so it was, and so it is,
And so it schal for evere stonde:
And for thou schalt it understonde,
Nou herkne a tale next suiende,
Hou maidenhod is to commende.
[Virginity.]
x. Vt Rosa de spinis spineto preualet orta,493
Et lilii flores cespite plura valent,
Sic sibi virginitas carnis sponsalia vincit,
Eternos fetus que sine labe parit.
Of Rome among the gestes olde
I finde hou that Valerie tolde 6360
Hic loquitur de virginitatis commendacione, vbi dicit quod nuper Imperatores ob tanti status dignitatem virginibus cedebant496 in via.
That what man tho was Emperour494
Of Rome, he scholde don honour
To the virgine, and in the weie,495
Wher he hire mette, he scholde obeie
In worschipe of virginite,
Which tho was of gret dignite.497
Noght onliche of the wommen tho,498
Bot of the chaste men also
It was commended overal:
And forto speke in special 6370
P. ii. 341
Touchende of men, ensample I finde,
Hic loquitur, qualiter Phyrinus, iuuenum Rome pulcherrimus, ut illesam suam conseruaret virginitatem, ambos oculos eruens vultus sui decorem abhominabilem constituit.
Phyryns, which was of mannes kinde499
Above alle othre the faireste
Of Rome and ek the comelieste,
That wel was hire which him mihte
Beholde and have of him a sihte.
Thus was he tempted ofte sore;
[Pg 121]
Bot for he wolde be nomore500
Among the wommen so coveited,
The beaute of his face streited 6380
He hath, and threste out bothe hise yhen,501
That alle wommen whiche him syhen502
Thanne afterward, of him ne roghte:
And thus his maidehiede he boghte.
So mai I prove wel forthi,
Above alle othre under the Sky,
Who that the vertus wolde peise,503
Virginite is forto preise,
Which, as thapocalips recordeth,
To Crist in hevene best acordeth.504 6390
So mai it schewe wel therfore,
As I have told it hier tofore,
In hevene and ek in Erthe also
It is accept to bothe tuo*.
And if I schal more over this
Declare what this vertu is,
I finde write upon this thing
[Chastity of Valentinian.]
Of Valentinian the king
And Emperour be thilke daies,
Hic loquitur qualiter Valentinianus Imperator, cum ipse octogenarius plures prouincias Romano Imperio belliger subiugasset, dixit se super omnia magis gaudere de eo, quod contra sue carnis concupiscenciam victoriam optinuisset; nam et ipse virgo omnibus diebus vite sue castissimus permansit.
A worthi knyht at alle assaies, 6400
Hou he withoute Mariage
Was of an hundred wynter Age,
And hadde ben a worthi kniht
Bothe of his lawe and of his myht.

*Out of his flessh a man to live505
In carne preter carnem viuere pocius vita angelica quam humana est.506
Gregoire hath this ensample yive,
And seith it schal rather be told
Lich to an Angel manyfold,507
P. ii. 342
Than to the lif of mannes kinde.
Ther is no reson forto finde,6400*
Bot only thurgh the grace above,
In flessh withoute flesshly love
A man to live chaste hiere:
And natheles a man mai hiere
Of suche that have ben er this,
And yit ther ben; bot for it is
A vertu which is sielde wonne,
Now I this matiere have begonne,
[Pg 122]
I thenke tellen overmore,
Which is, mi Sone, for thi lore,6410*
If that the list to taken hiede.
x.508 Vt Rosa de spinis spineto preualet orta,
Et lilii flores cespite plura valent,
Sic sibi virginitas carnis sponsalia vincit,
Eternos fetus que sine labe parit.
To trete upon the maidenhiede,
Milicia est vita hominis super terram.509
The bok seith that a mannes lif
Upon knyhthode in werre and strif510
Is sett among hise enemys:
The frele fleissh, whos nature is
Ai redy forto sporne and falle,
The ferste foman is of alle;
For thilke werre is redi ai,
It werreth nyht, it werreth dai,6420*
So that a man hath nevere reste.
Forthi is thilke knyht the beste,
Thurgh myht and grace of goddes sonde
Which that bataille mai withstonde:
Wherof yit duelleth the memoire
Of hem that whilom the victoire
Of thilke dedly werre hadden;511
The hih prouesse which thei ladden,
P. ii. 343
Wherof the Soule stod amended,512
Upon this erthe is yit commended.513 6430*
Hic loquitur qualiter Valentinianus Imperator, cum ipse octogenarius plures prouincias Romano Imperio belliger subiugasset, dixit se super omnia magis gaudere de eo quod contra514 sue carnis concupiscenciam victoriam optinuisset; nam et ipse virgo omnibus diebus vite sue castissimus515 permansit.
An Emperour be olde daies
Ther was, and he at alle assaies
A worthi knyht was of his hond,
Ther was non such in al the lond;
Bot yit for al his vasselage
He stod unwedded al his age,516
And in Cronique as it is told,
He was an hundred wynter old.
Bot whan men wolde etc. (as 6405 ff.)

[Pg 123]

Bot whan men wolde his dedes peise
And his knyhthode of Armes preise,
Of that he dede with his hondes,
Whan he the kinges and the londes517
To his subjeccion put under,518
Of al that pris hath he no wonder, 6410
For he it sette of non acompte,
And seide al that may noght amonte
Ayeins o point which he hath nome,
That he his fleissh hath overcome:
P. ii. 344
He was a virgine, as he seide;
On that bataille his pris he leide. (6450*)
[Virginity.]
Lo nou, my Sone, avise thee.
Amans.
Yee, fader, al this wel mai be,519
Bot if alle othre dede so,
The world of men were sone go: 6420
And in the lawe a man mai finde,
Hou god to man be weie of kinde
Hath set the world to multeplie;
And who that wol him justefie,
It is ynouh to do the lawe.
And natheles youre goode sawe
Is good to kepe, who so may,
I wol noght therayein seie nay.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, take it as I seie;520
If maidenhod be take aweie 6430
Withoute lawes ordinance,
[Pg 124]
It mai noght failen of vengance.
And if thou wolt the sothe wite,
Behold a tale which is write,
Hou that the King Agamenon,
Whan he the Cite of Lesbon
Hath wonne, a Maiden ther he fond,
Which was the faireste of the Lond
In thilke time that men wiste.
He tok of hire what him liste 6440
Of thing which was most precious,
Wherof that sche was dangerous.
This faire Maiden cleped is
Criseide, douhter of Crisis,521
P. ii. 345
Which was that time in special
Of thilke temple principal,
Wher Phebus hadde his sacrifice,
So was it wel the more vice.
Agamenon was thanne in weie
To Troieward, and tok aweie 6450
This Maiden, which he with him ladde,
So grete a lust in hire he hadde.522
Bot Phebus, which hath gret desdeign
Of that his Maiden was forlein,
Anon as he to Troie cam,
Vengance upon this dede he nam
And sende a comun pestilence.
Thei soghten thanne here evidence
And maden calculation,
To knowe in what condicion 6460
This deth cam in so sodeinly;523
And ate laste redyly
The cause and ek the man thei founde:524
And forth withal the same stounde
Agamenon opposed was,525
Which hath beknowen al the cas(6500*)
Of the folie which he wroghte.
[Pg 125]
And therupon mercy thei soghte
Toward the god in sondri wise
With preiere and with sacrifise, 6470
The Maide and hom ayein thei sende,526
And yive hire good ynouh to spende527
For evere whil sche scholde live:
And thus the Senne was foryive
P. ii. 346
And al the pestilence cessed.
Confessor.
Lo, what it is to ben encressed
Of love which is evele wonne.
It were betre noght begonne
Than take a thing withoute leve,
Which thou most after nedes leve, 6480
And yit have malgre forth withal.
Forthi to robben overal
In loves cause if thou beginne,
I not what ese thou schalt winne.
Mi Sone, be wel war of this,
For thus of Robberie it is.528
Amans.
Mi fader, youre ensamplerie
In loves cause of Robberie
I have it riht wel understonde.
Bot overthis, hou so it stonde, 6490
Yit wolde I wite of youre aprise
What thing is more of Covoitise.
[Stealth and Michery.]
xi. Insidiando latens tempus rimatur et horam 529
Fur, quibus occulto tempore furta parat.530
Sic amor insidiis vacat, vt sub tegmine ludos 531
Prendere furtiuos nocte fauente queat.
With Covoitise yit I finde
A Servant of the same kinde,
Hic tractat super illa Cupiditatis specie, que secretum latrocinium dicitur, cuius natura custode532 rerum nesciente ea que cupit tam per diem quam per noctem absque strepitu clanculo furatur.
Which Stelthe is hote, and Mecherie
With him is evere in compainie.
[Pg 126]
Of whom if I schal telle soth,
He stalketh as a Pocok doth,
And takth his preie so covert,
That noman wot it in apert. 6500
P. ii. 347
For whan he wot the lord from home,533
Than wol he stalke aboute and rome;
And what thing he fint in his weie,
Whan that he seth the men aweie,
He stelth it and goth forth withal,
That therof noman knowe schal.
And ek fulofte he goth a nyht
Withoute Mone or sterreliht,
And with his craft the dore unpiketh,
And takth therinne what him liketh: 6510
And if the dore be so schet,
That he be of his entre let,
He wole in ate wyndou crepe,
And whil the lord is faste aslepe,
He stelth what thing as him best list,
And goth his weie er it be wist.(6550*)
Fulofte also be lyhte of day
Yit wole he stele and make assay;534
Under the cote his hond he put,
Til he the mannes Purs have cut, 6520
And rifleth that he fint therinne.
And thus he auntreth him to winne,
And berth an horn and noght ne bloweth,
For noman of his conseil knoweth;
What he mai gete of his Michinge,
It is al bile under the winge.
And as an hound that goth to folde
And hath ther taken what he wolde,
His mouth upon the gras he wypeth,
And so with feigned chiere him slypeth, 6530
P. ii. 348
That what as evere of schep he strangle,
Ther is noman therof schal jangle,
As forto knowen who it dede;535
Riht so doth Stelthe in every stede,
[Pg 127]
Where as him list his preie take.
He can so wel his cause make
And so wel feigne and so wel glose,
That ther ne schal noman suppose,
Bot that he were an innocent,
And thus a mannes yhe he blent: 6540
So that this craft I mai remene
Withouten help of eny mene.
[Stealth of Lovers.]
Ther be lovers of that degre,
Which al here lust in privete,
As who seith, geten al be Stelthe,
And ofte atteignen to gret welthe
As for the time that it lasteth.536
For love awaiteth evere and casteth
Hou he mai stele and cacche his preie,
Whan he therto mai finde a weie: 6550
For be it nyht or be it day,
He takth his part, whan that he may,
And if he mai nomore do,
Yit wol he stele a cuss or tuo.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, what seist thou therto?
Tell if thou dedest evere so.
Mi fader, hou?
Mi Sone, thus,—
If thou hast stolen eny cuss
Or other thing which therto longeth,
For noman suche thieves hongeth: 6560
P. ii. 349
Tell on forthi and sei the trouthe.
Confessio Amantis.
Mi fader, nay, and that is routhe,
For be mi will I am a thief;
Bot sche that is to me most lief,
Yit dorste I nevere in privete
Noght ones take hire be the kne,(6600*)
To stele of hire or this or that,
And if I dorste, I wot wel what:
And natheles, bot if I lie,
Be Stelthe ne be Robberie 6570
Of love, which fell in mi thoght,
To hire dede I nevere noght.
[Pg 128]
Bot as men sein, wher herte is failed,
Ther schal no castell ben assailed;
Bot thogh I hadde hertes ten,
And were als strong as alle men,
If I be noght myn oghne man
And dar noght usen that I can,
I mai miselve noght recovere.
Thogh I be nevere man so povere, 6580
I bere an herte and hire it is,
So that me faileth wit in this,
Hou that I scholde of myn acord
The servant lede ayein the lord:
For if mi fot wolde awher go,537
Or that min hand wolde elles do,
Whan that myn herte is therayein,
The remenant is al in vein.
And thus me lacketh alle wele,
And yit ne dar I nothing stele 6590
P. ii. 350
Of thing which longeth unto love:
And ek it is so hyh above,
I mai noght wel therto areche,
Bot if so be at time of speche,
Ful selde if thanne I stele may
A word or tuo and go my way.
Betwen hire hih astat and me538
Comparison ther mai non be,
So that I fiele and wel I wot,
Al is to hevy and to hot 6600
To sette on hond withoute leve:
And thus I mot algate leve
To stele that I mai noght take,
And in this wise I mot forsake
To ben a thief ayein mi wille
Of thing which I mai noght fulfille.
For that Serpent which nevere slepte
The flees of gold so wel ne kepte
In Colchos, as the tale is told,
That mi ladi a thousendfold 6610
Nys betre yemed and bewaked,
[Pg 129]
Wher sche be clothed or be naked.
To kepe hir bodi nyht and day,
Sche hath a wardein redi ay,
Which is so wonderful a wyht,
That him ne mai no mannes myht(6650*)
With swerd ne with no wepne daunte,539
Ne with no sleihte of charme enchaunte,
Wherof he mihte be mad tame,
And Danger is his rihte name; 6620
P. ii. 351
Which under lock and under keie,
That noman mai it stele aweie,
Hath al the Tresor underfonge
That unto love mai belonge.
The leste lokinge of hire yhe
Mai noght be stole, if he it syhe;
And who so gruccheth for so lyte,
He wolde sone sette a wyte
On him that wolde stele more.
And that me grieveth wonder sore, 6630
For this proverbe is evere newe,
That stronge lokes maken trewe
Of hem that wolden stele and pyke:540
For so wel can ther noman slyke541
Be him ne be non other mene,
To whom Danger wol yive or lene
Of that tresor he hath to kepe.
So thogh I wolde stalke and crepe,
And wayte on eve and ek on morwe,
Of Danger schal I nothing borwe, 6640
And stele I wot wel may I noght:542
And thus I am riht wel bethoght,
Whil Danger stant in his office,
Of Stelthe, which ye clepe a vice,
I schal be gultif neveremo.
Therfore I wolde he were ago
So fer that I nevere of him herde,
Hou so that afterward it ferde:
[Pg 130]
For thanne I mihte yit per cas
Of love make som pourchas 6650
P. ii. 352
Be Stelthe or be som other weie,
That nou fro me stant fer aweie.
Bot, fader, as ye tolde above,543
Hou Stelthe goth a nyht for love,
I mai noght wel that point forsake,
That ofte times I ne wake
On nyhtes, whan that othre slepe;
Bot hou, I prei you taketh kepe.
Whan I am loged in such wise544
That I be nyhte mai arise, 6660
At som wyndowe and loken oute
And se the housinge al aboute,
So that I mai the chambre knowe
In which mi ladi, as I trowe,
Lyth in hir bed and slepeth softe,
Thanne is myn herte a thief fulofte:(6700*)
For there I stonde to beholde545
The longe nyhtes that ben colde,
And thenke on hire that lyth there.
And thanne I wisshe that I were 6670
Als wys as was Nectanabus
Or elles as was Protheüs,
That couthen bothe of nigromaunce
In what liknesse, in what semblaunce,
Riht as hem liste, hemself transforme:
For if I were of such a forme,
I seie thanne I wolde fle
Into the chambre forto se546
If eny grace wolde falle,
So that I mihte under the palle 6680
P. ii. 353
Som thing of love pyke and stele.
And thus I thenke thoghtes fele,
And thogh therof nothing be soth,
Yit ese as for a time it doth:
Bot ate laste whanne I finde
That I am falle into my mynde,
[Pg 131]
And se that I have stonde longe
And have no profit underfonge,
Than stalke I to mi bedd withinne.
And this is al that evere I winne 6690
Of love, whanne I walke on nyht:
Mi will is good, bot of mi myht
Me lacketh bothe and of mi grace;
For what so that mi thoght embrace,547
Yit have I noght the betre ferd.
Mi fader, lo, nou have ye herd
What I be Stelthe of love have do,548
And hou mi will hath be therto:
If I be worthi to penance
I put it on your ordinance.549 6700
Confessor.
Mi Sone, of Stelthe I the behiete,
Thogh it be for a time swete,
At ende it doth bot litel good,
As be ensample hou that it stod
Whilom, I mai thee telle nou.
Amans.
I preie you, fader, sei me hou.550
Confessor.
Mi Sone, of him which goth be daie
Be weie of Stelthe to assaie,
In loves cause and takth his preie,
Ovide seide as I schal seie, 6710
P. ii. 354
And in his Methamor he tolde
A tale, which is good to holde.
[Tale of Leucothoe.]
The Poete upon this matiere
Of Stelthe wrot in this manere.
Venus, which hath this lawe in honde551
Hic in amoris causa super isto Latrocinio quod de die552 contigit ponit exemplum. Et narrat quod, cum Leuchotoe Orchami filia in cameris sub arta matris custodia virgo preseruabatur, Phebus eius pulcritudinem concupiscens, in conclave domus clara luce subintrans, virginis pudiciciam matre nescia553 deflorauit: vnde ipsa inpregnata iratus pater filiam suam ad sepeliendum viuam effodit; ex cuius tumulo florem, quem554 Solsequium vocant, dicunt tunc555 consequenter primitus accreuisse.
Of thing which mai noght be withstonde,(6750*)
As sche which the tresor to warde
Of love hath withinne hir warde,
Phebum to love hath so constreigned,556
That he withoute reste is peined 6720
With al his herte to coveite
[Pg 132]
A Maiden, which was warded streyte
Withinne chambre and kept so clos,
That selden was whan sche desclos
Goth with hir moder forto pleie.
Leuchotoe, so as men seie,
This Maiden hihte, and Orchamus
Hir fader was; and befell thus.
This doughter, that was kept so deere,
And hadde be fro yer to yeere 6730
Under hir moder discipline
A clene Maide and a Virgine,
Upon the whos nativite
Of comelihiede and of beaute
Nature hath set al that sche may,
That lich unto the fresshe Maii,
Which othre monthes of the yeer
Surmonteth, so withoute pier
Was of this Maiden the feture.
Wherof Phebus out of mesure 6740
P. ii. 355
Hire loveth, and on every syde
Awaiteth, if so mai betyde,557
That he thurgh eny sleihte myhte
Hire lusti maidenhod unrihte,
The which were al his worldes welthe.
And thus lurkende upon his stelthe558
In his await so longe he lai,
Til it befell upon a dai,
That he thurghout hir chambre wall
Cam in al sodeinliche, and stall 6750
That thing which was to him so lief.559
Bot wo the while, he was a thief!
For Venus, which was enemie
Of thilke loves micherie,
Discovereth al the pleine cas
To Clymene, which thanne was560
[Pg 133]
Toward Phebus his concubine.
And sche to lette the covine
Of thilke love, dedli wroth
To pleigne upon this Maide goth, 6760
And tolde hire fader hou it stod;
Wherof for sorwe welnyh wod
Unto hire moder thus he saide:
‘Lo, what it is to kepe a Maide!
To Phebus dar I nothing speke,
Bot upon hire I schal be wreke,561(6800*)
So that these Maidens after this
Mow take ensample, what it is562
To soffre her maidenhed be stole,563
Wherof that sche the deth schal thole.’ 6770
P. ii. 356
And bad with that do make a pet,564
Wherinne he hath his douhter set,
As he that wol no pite have,
So that sche was al quik begrave
And deide anon in his presence.
Bot Phebus, for the reverence
Of that sche hadde be his love,
Hath wroght thurgh his pouer above,
That sche sprong up out of the molde
Into a flour was named golde, 6780
Which stant governed of the Sonne.
And thus whan love is evele wonne,
Fulofte it comth to repentaile.
Amans.
Mi fader, that is no mervaile,
Whan that the conseil is bewreid.
Bot ofte time love hath pleid
And stole many a prive game,
Which nevere yit cam into blame,
Whan that the thinges weren hidde.
Bot in youre tale, as it betidde, 6790
Venus discoverede al the cas,
And ek also brod dai it was,
Whan Phebus such a Stelthe wroghte,
[Pg 134]
Wherof the Maide in blame he broghte,
That afterward sche was so lore.565
Bot for ye seiden nou tofore
Hou stelthe of love goth be nyhte,
And doth hise thinges out of syhte,
Therof me liste also to hiere
A tale lich to the matiere, 6800
P. ii. 357
Wherof I miyhte ensample take.
Confessor.
Mi goode Sone, and for thi sake,566
So as it fell be daies olde,567
And so as the Poete it tolde,
Upon the nyhtes micherie
Nou herkne a tale of Poesie.
[Tale of Hercules and Faunus.]
The myhtieste of alle men
Whan Hercules with Eolen,
Hic ponit exemplum super eodem quod de nocte contigit. Et narrat qualiter Hercules cum Eole in quadam spelunca nobili, Thophis dicta, sub monte Thymolo, vbi silua Bachi est, hospicio pernoctarunt. Et cum ipsi variis lectis seperatim568 iacentes dormierunt, contigit lectum Herculis vestimentis Eole lectumque Eole pelle leonis, qua Hercules induebatur, operiri. Super quo Faunus a silua descendens speluncam subintrauit, temptans si forte cum Eole sue concupiscencie voluptatem569 nesciente Hercule furari posset. Et cum ad lectum Herculis muliebri palpata veste ex casu peruenisset, putans Eolen fuisse, cubiculum nudo corpore ingreditur; quem senciens Hercules manibus apprehensum ipsum ad terram ita fortiter allisit, ut impotens sui corporis effectus usque mane ibidem requieuit, vbi Saba cum Nimphis siluestribus superueniens ipsum sic illusum deridebat.
Which was the love of his corage,
Togedre upon a Pelrinage 6810
Towardes Rome scholden go,570
It fell hem be the weie so,
That thei upon a dai a Cave
Withinne a roche founden have,
Which was real and glorious
And of Entaile curious,(6850*)
Be name and Thophis it was hote.
The Sonne schon tho wonder hote,
As it was in the Somer tyde;
This Hercules, which be his syde 6820
Hath Eolen his love there,571
Whan thei at thilke cave were,
He seide it thoghte him for the beste
That sche hire for the hete reste
Al thilke day and thilke nyht;
And sche, that was a lusti wyht,
It liketh hire al that he seide:
And thus thei duelle there and pleide
The longe dai. And so befell,
[Pg 135]
This Cave was under the hell 6830
P. ii. 358
Of Tymolus, which was begrowe
With vines, and at thilke throwe
Faunus with Saba the goddesse,
Be whom the large wildernesse
In thilke time stod governed,
Weere in a place, as I am lerned,572
Nyh by, which Bachus wode hihte.
This Faunus tok a gret insihte
Of Eolen, that was so nyh;573
For whan that he hire beaute syh, 6840
Out of his wit he was assoted,
And in his herte it hath so noted,
That he forsok the Nimphes alle,
And seide he wolde, hou so it falle,
Assaie an other forto winne;
So that his hertes thoght withinne574
He sette and caste hou that he myhte
Of love pyke awey be nyhte575
That he be daie in other wise
To stele mihte noght suffise: 6850
And therupon his time he waiteth.
Nou tak good hiede hou love afaiteth
Him which withal is overcome.
Faire Eolen, whan sche was come
With Hercules into the Cave,
Sche seide him that sche wolde have576
Hise clothes of and hires bothe,577
That ech of hem scholde other clothe.578
And al was do riht as sche bad,
He hath hire in hise clothes clad 6860
P. ii. 359
[Pg 136]
And caste on hire his gulion,
Which of the Skyn of a Leoun
Was mad, as he upon the weie
It slouh, and overthis to pleie
Sche tok his grete Mace also
And knet it at hir gerdil tho.(6900*)
So was sche lich the man arraied,579
And Hercules thanne hath assaied
To clothen him in hire array:
And thus thei jape forth the dai, 6870
Til that her Souper redy were.
And whan thei hadden souped there,
Thei schopen hem to gon to reste;
And as it thoghte hem for the beste,
Thei bede, as for that ilke nyht,
Tuo sondri beddes to be dyht,
For thei togedre ligge nolde,
Be cause that thei offre wolde
Upon the morwe here sacrifice.
The servantz deden here office 6880
And sondri beddes made anon,
Wherin that thei to reste gon
Ech be himself in sondri place.580
Faire Eole hath set the Mace
Beside hire beddes hed above,
And with the clothes of hire love
Sche helede al hire bed aboute;
And he, which hadde of nothing doute,
Hire wympel wond aboute his cheke,
Hire kertell and hire mantel eke 6890
P. ii. 360
Abrod upon his bed he spredde.
And thus thei slepen bothe abedde;
And what of travail, what of wyn,
The servantz lich to drunke Swyn
Begunne forto route faste.581
This Faunus, which his Stelthe caste,
Was thanne come to the Cave,
And fond thei weren alle save
[Pg 137]
Withoute noise, and in he wente.
The derke nyht his sihte blente, 6900
And yit it happeth him to go
Where Eolen abedde tho
Was leid al one for to slepe;
Bot for he wolde take kepe
Whos bed it was, he made assai,
And of the Leoun, where it lay,
The Cote he fond, and ek he fieleth
The Mace, and thanne his herte kieleth,
That there dorste he noght abyde,
Bot stalketh upon every side 6910
And soghte aboute with his hond,
That other bedd til that he fond,
Wher lai bewympled a visage.
Tho was he glad in his corage,
For he hir kertell fond also
And ek hir mantell bothe tuo(6950*)
Bespred upon the bed alofte.
He made him naked thanne, and softe
Into the bedd unwar he crepte,
Wher Hercules that time slepte, 6920
P. ii. 361
And wende wel it were sche;
And thus in stede of Eole
Anon he profreth him to love.
But he, which felte a man above,
This Hercules, him threw to grounde582
So sore, that thei have him founde
Liggende there upon the morwe;
And tho was noght a litel sorwe,
That Faunus of himselve made,
Bot elles thei were alle glade 6930
And lowhen him to scorne aboute:
Saba with Nimphis al a route583
Cam doun to loke hou that he ferde,584
And whan that thei the sothe herde,
He was bejaped overal.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, be thou war withal
[Pg 138]
To seche suche mecheries,
Bot if thou have the betre aspies,
In aunter if the so betyde
As Faunus dede thilke tyde, 6940
Wherof thou miht be schamed so.
Amans.
Min holi fader, certes no.
Bot if I hadde riht good leve,
Such mecherie I thenke leve:
Mi feinte herte wol noght serve;
For malgre wolde I noght deserve
In thilke place wher I love.
Bot for ye tolden hier above
Of Covoitise and his pilage,
If ther be more of that lignage, 6950
P. ii. 362
Which toucheth to mi schrifte, I preie
That ye therof me wolde seie,
So that I mai the vice eschuie.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, if I be order suie585
The vices, as thei stonde arowe,586
Of Covoitise thou schalt knowe
Ther is yit on, which is the laste;
In whom ther mai no vertu laste,
For he with god himself debateth,
Wherof that al the hevene him hateth. 6960
[Sacrilege.]
xii. Sacrilegus tantum furto loca sacra prophanat;
Vt sibi sunt agri, sic domus alma dei.
Nec locus est, in quo non temptat amans quod amatur,
Et que posse nequit carpere, velle capit.
Hic tractat super vltima Cupiditatis specie, que Sacrilegium dicta est, cuius furtum ea que altissimo sanctificantur bona depredans ecclesie tantum spoliis insidiatur.
The hihe god, which alle goode
Pourveied hath for mannes fode
Of clothes and of mete and drinke,
Bad Adam that he scholde swinke
To geten him his sustienance;
And ek he sette an ordinance(7000*)
Upon the lawe of Moïses,587
That though a man be haveles,
Yit schal he noght be thefte stele.
Bot nou adaies ther ben fele, 6970
That wol no labour undertake,[Pg 139]
Bot what thei mai be Stelthe take
Thei holde it sikerliche wonne.
And thus the lawe is overronne,
Which god hath set, and namely
With hem that so untrewely
The goodes robbe of holi cherche.
P. ii. 363
The thefte which thei thanne werche
Be name is cleped Sacrilegge,
Ayein the whom I thenke alegge.* 6980
Of his condicion to telle,
Which rifleth bothe bok and belle,

588*Upon the pointz as we ben taught589
Stant sacrilege, and elles nought.
The firste point is for to seye,
Whan that a thief schal stele aweye
The holy thing from holy place.
The secounde is, if he pourchace7020*
By wey of thefte unholy thing,
Which he upon his knowleching
Fro holy place aweie took.
The thridde point, as seith the book,
Is such as, wher as evere it be,590
In woode, in feld or in Cite,
Schal no man stele by no wise
That halwed is to the servise
Of god which alle thinges wot.
But ther is nouther cold ne hot,7030*
Which he for god or man wol spare,
So that the body may wel fare;
And that he may the world aschape,
The hevene him thenkth is but a jape:591
And thus, the sothe for to telle,
He rifleth bothe book and belle,592
So forth with al, etc. (as 6983 ff.)

[Pg 140]

So forth with al the remenant
To goddes hous appourtenant,
Wher that he scholde bidde his bede,
He doth his thefte in holi stede,
P. ii. 364
And takth what thing he fint therinne:
For whan he seth that he mai winne,
He wondeth for no cursednesse,
That he ne brekth the holinesse 6990
And doth to god no reverence;
For he hath lost his conscience,
That though the Prest therfore curse,
He seith he fareth noght the wurse.593
And forto speke it otherwise,
What man that lasseth the franchise(7050*)
And takth of holi cherche his preie,
I not what bedes he schal preie.
Whan he fro god, which hath yive al,
The Pourpartie in special, 7000
Which unto Crist himself is due,594
Benymth, he mai noght wel eschue
The peine comende afterward;
For he hath mad his foreward
With Sacrilegge forto duelle,
Which hath his heritage in helle.
And if we rede of tholde lawe,595
I finde write, in thilke dawe596
Of Princes hou ther weren thre597
Coupable sore in this degre.598 7010
That on of hem was cleped thus,
The proude king Antiochus;
That other Nabuzardan hihte,
Which of his crualte behyhte
The temple to destruie and waste,
And so he dede in alle haste;
P. ii. 365
The thridde, which was after schamed,
Was Nabugodonosor named,
[Pg 141]
And he Jerusalem putte under,
Of Sacrilegge and many a wonder 7020
There in the holi temple he wroghte,
Which Baltazar his heir aboghte,599
Whan Mane, Techel, Phares write
Was on the wal, as thou miht wite,
So as the bible it hath declared.600
Bot for al that it is noght spared
Yit nou aday, that men ne pile,
And maken argument and skile
To Sacrilegge as it belongeth,
For what man that ther after longeth, 7030
He takth non hiede what he doth.*
And riht so, forto telle soth,

601*And if a man schal telle soth,
Of guile and of soubtilite
Is non so slyh in his degre
To feigne a thing for his beyete,
As is this vice of which I trete.7090*
He can so priveliche pyke,
He can so wel hise wordes slyke
To putte awey suspecioun,
That in his excusacioun,
Ther schal noman defalte finde.
And thus fulofte men be blinde,
That stonden of his word deceived,
Er his queintise be perceived.
P. ii. 366
Bot natheles yit otherwhile,
For al his sleyhte and al his guile,602 7100*
Of that he wolde his werk forsake,
He is atteint and overtake;
Wherof thou schalt a tale rede,
In Rome as it befell in dede.603
[Pg 142]
[Tale of Lucius and the Statue.]
Er Rome cam to the creance
Of Cristes feith, it fell per chance,
Hic loquitur de illis qui laruata consciencia Sacrilegium sibi licere fingunt. Et narrat quod, cum quidam Lucius clericus famosus et Imperatori notus deum suum Apollinem in templo Rome de anulo suo, pallio et barba aurea spoliasset, ipse tandem apprehensus et coram Imperatore accusatus taliter se excusando ait: ‘Anulum a deo recepi, quia ipse digito protenso ex sua largitate anulum hunc graciose michi optulit; pallium ex lamine aureo constructum tuli, quia aurum maxime ponderosum et frigidum naturaliter consistit, vnde nec in estate propter pondus nec in yeme propter frigus ad dei vestes vtile fuit; barbam ab eo605 deposui, quia ipsum patri suo assimilare volui,606 nam et Apollo, qui ante ipsum in templo607 stetit, absque barba iuvenis apparuit. Et sic ea que gessi non ex furto set honestate608 processisse manifeste declaraui.’
Cesar, which tho was Emperour,
Him liste forto don honour
Unto the temple Apollinis,
And made an ymage upon this,7110*
The which was cleped Apollo.
Was non so riche in Rome tho;
Of plate of gold a berd he hadde,
The which his brest al overspradde;
Of gold also withoute faile
His mantell was of large entaile,
Beset with perrie al aboute,
Forthriht he strawhte his finger oute,
Upon the which he hadde a ryng,
To sen it was a riche thing,7120*
A fin Carbuncle for the nones,604
Most precious of alle Stones.
And fell that time in Rome thus:
Ther was a clerk, on Lucius,
A Courteour, a famous man,
Of every witt somwhat he can,
Outake that him lacketh reule
His oghne astat to guide and reule;
P. ii. 367
How so it stod of his spekinge,
He was noght wys in his doinge.7130*
Bot every riot ate laste
Mot nedes falle and mai noght laste:
After the meede of his decerte,
So fell this clerk into poverte
And wiste noght how forto ryse;
Wherof in many a sondri wyse
[Pg 143]
He caste his wittes hier and ther,
He loketh nyh, he loketh fer,
Til on a time that he com
Into the temple, and hiede he nom609 7140*
Wher that the god Apollo stod.
He sih the richesse and the good,
And thoghte he wolde be som weie
The tresor pyke and stele aweie;
And therupon so slyhly wroghte,
That his pourpos aboute he broghte,
And wente awey unaparceived.
Thus hath the man his god deceived,610
His ryng, his mantell and his beerd,
As he which nothing was a feerd,611 7150*
Al prively with him he bar:
And whan the wardeins weren war
Of that here god despuiled was,
Hem thoghte it was a wonder cas,
How that a man for eny wele
Durste in so holy place stele,612
And namely so gret a thing.613
This tale cam unto the king,
P. ii. 368
And was thurgh spoken overal:
Bot forto knowe in special7160*
What maner man hath do the dede,
Thei soghten help upon the nede
And maden calculacioun,
Wherof be demonstracioun
The man was founde with the good.
In juggement and whan he stood,
The king hath axed of him thus:
‘Sey, thou unsely Lucius,
Whi hast thou do this sacrilegge?’
[Pg 144]
‘Mi lord, if I the cause allegge,’7170*
Quod he ayein, ‘me thenketh this,
That I have do nothing amis.
Thre pointz ther ben whiche I have do,
Wherof the ferste point stant so,
That I the ryng have take aweie.
As unto that this wole I seie:614
Whan I the god behield aboute,
I sih how he his hond strawhte oute
And profred me the ryng to yive;
And I, which wolde gladly live7180*
Out of poverte of his largesse,615
It underfing, so that I gesse,
As therof I am noght to wyte.616
And overmore I wol me quite,
Of gold that I the mantell tok:
Gold in his kinde, as seith the bok,
Is hevy bothe and cold also;
And for that it was hevy so,
P. ii. 369
Me thoghte it was no garnement
Unto the god convenient,7190*
To clothen him the somer tide;
I thoghte upon that other side
How gold is cold, and such a cloth
Be resoun oghte to be loth
In wynter time for the chele.
And thus thenkende thoghtes fele,
As I myn yhe aboute caste,
His large beerd thanne ate laste
I syh, and thoghte anon therfore
How that his fader him before,7200*
Which stod upon the same place,
Was beerdles with a yongly face:
And in such wise as ye have herd
I tok awey the Sones berd,617
For that his fader hadde non,
To make hem liche, and hier upon
I axe forto ben excused.’
Lo thus, wher Sacrilegge is used,
A man can feigne his conscience;
And riht upon such evidence7210*
In loves cause, &c. (as 7033 ff.)

[Pg 145]

In loves cause if I schal trete,
[Sacrilege of Lovers.]
Ther ben of suche smale and grete:
If thei no leisir fynden elles,
Thei wol noght wonden for the belles,
Ne thogh thei sen the Prest at masse;
That wol thei leten overpasse.
If that thei finde here love there,
Thei stonde and tellen in hire Ere, 7040
P. ii. 370
And axe of god non other grace,
Whyl thei ben in that holi place;
Bot er thei gon som avantage
Ther wol thei have, and som pilage
Of goodli word or of beheste,
Or elles thei take ate leste
Out of hir hand or ring or glove,
So nyh the weder thei wol love,618
As who seith sche schal noght foryete,
Nou I this tokne of hire have gete: 7050
Thus halwe thei the hihe feste.
Such thefte mai no cherche areste,
For al is leveful that hem liketh,619
To whom that elles it misliketh.
And ek riht in the selve kinde
In grete Cites men mai finde
This lusti folk, that make it gay,
And waite upon the haliday:
In cherches and in Menstres eke
Thei gon the wommen forto seke, 7060
And wher that such on goth aboute,
Tofore the faireste of the route,
Wher as thei sitten alle arewe,
Ther wol he most his bodi schewe,
His croket kembd and theron set
A Nouche with a chapelet,
Or elles on of grene leves,
Which late com out of the greves,
Al for he scholde seme freissh.
And thus he loketh on the fleissh,620 7070
P. ii. 371[Pg 146]
Riht as an hauk which hath a sihte
Upon the foul, ther he schal lihte;(7250*)
And as he were of faierie,
He scheweth him tofore here yhe
In holi place wher thei sitte,
Al forto make here hertes flitte.
His yhe nawher wole abyde,
Bot loke and prie on every syde621
On hire and hire, as him best lyketh:
And otherwhile among he syketh; 7080
Thenkth on of hem, ‘That was for me,’
And so ther thenken tuo or thre,
And yit he loveth non of alle,
Bot wher as evere his chance falle.
And natheles to seie a soth,
The cause why that he so doth
Is forto stele an herte or tuo,
Out of the cherche er that he go:
And as I seide it hier above,
Al is that Sacrilege of love; 7090
For wel mai be he stelth away
That he nevere after yelde may.
Tell me forthi, my Sone, anon,
Hast thou do Sacrilege, or non,622
As I have said in this manere?
Confessio Amantis.
Mi fader, as of this matiere
I wole you tellen redely
What I have do; bot trewely
I mai excuse min entente,
That nevere I yit to cherche wente 7100
P. ii. 372
In such manere as ye me schryve,
For no womman that is on lyve.
The cause why I have it laft
Mai be for I unto that craft
Am nothing able so to stele,
Thogh ther be wommen noght so fele.623
Bot yit wol I noght seie this,
Whan I am ther mi ladi is,
[Pg 147]
In whom lith holly mi querele,
And sche to cherche or to chapele 7110
Wol go to matins or to messe,—
That time I waite wel and gesse,
To cherche I come and there I stonde,
And thogh I take a bok on honde,
Mi contienance is on the bok,
Bot toward hire is al my lok;
And if so falle that I preie
Unto mi god, and somwhat seie
Of Paternoster or of Crede,624
Al is for that I wolde spede, 7120
So that mi bede in holi cherche
Ther mihte som miracle werche(7300*)
Mi ladi herte forto chaunge,
Which evere hath be to me so strange.625
So that al mi devocion
And al mi contemplacion
With al min herte and mi corage
Is only set on hire ymage;
And evere I waite upon the tyde.
If sche loke eny thing asyde, 7130
P. ii. 373
That I me mai of hire avise,626
Anon I am with covoitise
So smite, that me were lief
To ben in holi cherche a thief;
Bot noght to stele a vestement,
For that is nothing mi talent,
Bot I wold stele, if that I mihte,627
A glad word or a goodly syhte;
And evere mi service I profre,
And namly whan sche wol gon offre, 7140
For thanne I lede hire, if I may,
For somwhat wolde I stele away.
Whan I beclippe hire on the wast,
Yit ate leste I stele a tast,
And otherwhile ‘grant mercy’
Sche seith, and so winne I therby
[Pg 148]
A lusti touch, a good word eke,
Bot al the remenant to seke
Is fro mi pourpos wonder ferr.
So mai I seie, as I seide er, 7150
In holy cherche if that I wowe,
My conscience it wolde allowe,628
Be so that up amendement
I mihte gete assignement
Wher forto spede in other place:
Such Sacrilege I holde a grace.
And thus, mi fader, soth to seie,
In cherche riht as in the weie,
If I mihte oght of love take,
Such hansell have I noght forsake.629 7160
P. ii. 374
Bot finali I me confesse,
Ther is in me non holinesse,
whil I hire se in eny stede;630
And yit, for oght that evere I dede,
No Sacrilege of hire I tok,
Bot if it were of word or lok,631
Or elles if that I hir fredde,
Whan I toward offringe hir ledde,
Take therof what I take may,
For elles bere I noght away: 7170
For thogh I wolde oght elles have,
Alle othre thinges ben so save632(7350*)
And kept with such a privilege,
That I mai do no Sacrilege.
God wot mi wille natheles,
Thogh I mot nedes kepe pes
And malgre myn so let it passe,633
Mi will therto is noght the lasse,
If I mihte other wise aweie.
Forthi, mi fader, I you preie, 7180
Tell what you thenketh therupon,634
If I therof have gult or non.
[Pg 149]
Confessor.
Thi will, mi Sone, is forto blame,
The remenant is bot a game,
That I have herd the telle as yit.
Bot tak this lore into thi wit,
That alle thing hath time and stede,
The cherche serveth for the bede,
The chambre is of an other speche.
Bot if thou wistest of the wreche, 7190
P. ii. 375
Hou Sacrilege it hath aboght,
Thou woldest betre ben bethoght;
And for thou schalt the more amende,
A tale I wole on the despende.635
[Tale of Paris and Helen.]
To alle men, as who seith, knowe
It is, and in the world thurgh blowe,
Hic in amoris causa super istius vicii articulo ponit exemplum. Et narrat, pro eo quod Paris Priami Regis filius Helenam Menelai vxorem in quadam Grecie insula a templo Veneris Sacrilegus abduxit, illa Troie famosissima636 obsidio per vniuersi637 orbis climata divulgata precipue causabatur.638 Ita quod huiusmodi Sacrilegium non solum ad ipsius regis Priami omniumque suorum interitum, set eciam ad perpetuam vrbis desolacionem vindicte fomitem ministrabat.
Hou that of Troie Lamedon
To Hercules and to Jasoun,
Whan toward Colchos out of Grece
Be See sailende upon a piece 7200
Of lond of Troie reste preide,—
Bot he hem wrathfulli congeide:
And for thei founde him so vilein,
Whan thei come into Grece ayein,
With pouer that thei gete myhte
Towardes Troie thei hem dyhte,
And ther thei token such vengance,
Wherof stant yit the remembrance;639
For thei destruide king and al,
And leften bot the brente wal. 7210
The Grecs of Troiens many slowe
And prisoners thei toke ynowe,
Among the whiche ther was on,
The kinges doughter Lamedon,
Esiona, that faire thing,640
Which unto Thelamon the king
Be Hercules and be thassent
Of al the hole parlement
[Pg 150]
Was at his wille yove and granted.
And thus hath Grece Troie danted, 7220
P. ii. 376
And hom thei torne in such manere:
Bot after this nou schalt thou hiere(7400*)
The cause why this tale I telle,641
Upon the chances that befelle.
King Lamedon, which deide thus,
He hadde a Sone, on Priamus,
Which was noght thilke time at hom:
Bot whan he herde of this, he com,
And fond hou the Cite was falle,
Which he began anon to walle 7230
And made ther a cite newe,
That thei whiche othre londes knewe
Tho seiden, that of lym and Ston
In al the world so fair was non.
And on that o side of the toun
The king let maken Ylioun,642
That hihe Tour, that stronge place,
Which was adrad of no manace
Of quarel nor of non engin;
And thogh men wolde make a Myn, 7240
No mannes craft it mihte aproche,
For it was sett upon a roche.
The walles of the toun aboute,
Hem stod of al the world no doute,
And after the proporcion
Sex gates weren of the toun
Of such a forme, of such entaile,
That hem to se was gret mervaile:
The diches weren brode and depe,
A fewe men it mihte kepe 7250
P. ii. 377
From al the world, as semeth tho,
Bot if the goddes weren fo.
Gret presse unto that cite drouh,
So that ther was of poeple ynouh,
Of Burgeis that therinne duellen;
Ther mai no mannes tunge tellen
[Pg 151]
Hou that cite was riche of good.643
Whan al was mad and al wel stod,
King Priamus tho him bethoghte
What thei of Grece whilom wroghte, 7260
And what was of her swerd devoured,
And hou his Soster deshonoured
With Thelamon awey was lad:
And so thenkende he wax unglad,644
And sette anon a parlement,
To which the lordes were assent.
In many a wise ther was spoke,
Hou that thei mihten ben awroke,
Bot ate laste natheles
Thei seiden alle, ‘Acord and pes.’ 7270
To setten either part in reste645
It thoghte hem thanne for the beste(7450*)
With resonable amendement;
And thus was Anthenor forth sent646
To axe Esionam ayein647
And witen what thei wolden sein.
So passeth he the See be barge648
To Grece forto seie his charge,
The which he seide redely
Unto the lordes by and by: 7280
P. ii. 378
Bot where he spak in Grece aboute,
He herde noght bot wordes stoute,
And nameliche of Thelamon;
The maiden wolde he noght forgon,
He seide, for no maner thing,
And bad him gon hom to his king,
For there gat he non amende
For oght he couthe do or sende.
This Anthenor ayein goth hom
Unto his king, and whan he com, 7290
He tolde in Grece of that he herde,
And hou that Thelamon ansuerde,
[Pg 152]
And hou thei were at here above,
That thei wol nouther pes ne love,
Bot every man schal don his beste.
Bot for men sein that nyht hath reste,
The king bethoghte him al that nyht,649
And erli, whan the dai was lyht,
He tok conseil of this matiere;
And thei acorde in this manere, 7300
That he withouten eny lette
A certein time scholde sette
Of Parlement to ben avised:650
And in the wise it was devised,
Of parlement he sette a day,
And that was in the Monthe of Maii.
This Priamus hadde in his yhte
A wif, and Hecuba sche hyhte,
Be whom that time ek hadde he
Of Sones fyve, and douhtres thre 7310
P. ii. 379
Besiden hem, and thritty mo,651
And weren knyhtes alle tho,
Bot noght upon his wif begete,
Bot elles where he myhte hem gete
Of wommen whiche he hadde knowe;
Such was the world at thilke throwe:
So that he was of children riche,
As therof was noman his liche.652
Of Parlement the dai was come,
Ther ben the lordes alle and some; 7320
Tho was pronounced and pourposed,
And al the cause hem was desclosed,(7500*)
Hou Anthenor in Grece ferde.
Thei seten alle stille and herde,
And tho spak every man aboute:
Ther was alegged many a doute,
And many a proud word spoke also;653
Bot for the moste part as tho654
[Pg 153]
Thei wisten noght what was the beste,
Or forto werre or forto reste. 7330
Bot he that was withoute fere,
Hector, among the lordes there
His tale tolde in such a wise,
And seide, ‘Lordes, ye ben wise,
Ye knowen this als wel as I,
Above all othre most worthi655
Stant nou in Grece the manhode
Of worthinesse and of knihthode;
For who so wole it wel agrope,
To hem belongeth al Europe, 7340
P. ii. 380
Which is the thridde parti evene
Of al the world under the hevene;
And we be bot of folk a fewe.
So were it reson forto schewe656
The peril, er we falle thrinne:
Betre is to leve, than beginne
Thing which as mai noght ben achieved;
He is noght wys that fint him grieved,
And doth so that his grief be more;
For who that loketh al tofore 7350
And wol noght se what is behinde,
He mai fulofte hise harmes finde:
Wicke is to stryve and have the worse.
We have encheson forto corse,
This wot I wel, and forto hate
The Greks; bot er that we debate
With hem that ben of such a myht,
It is ful good that every wiht
Be of himself riht wel bethoght.
Bot as for me this seie I noght; 7360
For while that mi lif wol stonde,
If that ye taken werre on honde,
Falle it to beste or to the werste,657
I schal miselven be the ferste
To grieven hem, what evere I may.
[Pg 154]
I wol noght ones seie nay
To thing which that youre conseil demeth,
For unto me wel more it quemeth
The werre certes than the pes;
Bot this I seie natheles, 7370
P. ii. 381
As me belongeth forto seie.
Nou schape ye the beste weie.’(7550*)
Whan Hector hath seid his avis,
Next after him tho spak Paris,
Which was his brother, and alleide
What him best thoghte, and thus he seide:
‘Strong thing it is to soffre wrong,
And suffre schame is more strong,
Bot we have suffred bothe tuo;
And for al that yit have we do 7380
What so we mihte to reforme
The pes, whan we in such a forme658
Sente Anthenor, as ye wel knowe.
And thei here grete wordes blowe
Upon her wrongful dedes eke;
And who that wole himself noght meke
To pes, and list no reson take,
Men sein reson him wol forsake:659
For in the multitude of men
Is noght the strengthe, for with ten 7390
It hath be sen in trew querele660
Ayein an hundred false dele,
And had the betre of goddes grace.
This hath befalle in many place;
And if it like unto you alle,
I wole assaie, hou so it falle,
Oure enemis if I mai grieve;
For I have cawht a gret believe
Upon a point I wol declare.
This ender day, as I gan fare661 7400
P. ii. 382
To hunte unto the grete hert,
Which was tofore myn houndes stert,
[Pg 155]
And every man went on his syde662
Him to poursuie, and I to ryde
Began the chace, and soth to seie,663
Withinne a while out of mi weie
I rod, and nyste where I was.
And slep me cauhte, and on the gras
Beside a welle I lay me doun
To slepe, and in a visioun664 7410
To me the god Mercurie cam;
Goddesses thre with him he nam,
Minerve, Venus and Juno,
And in his hond an Appel tho
He hield of gold with lettres write:
And this he dede me to wite,
Hou that thei putt hem upon me,665
That to the faireste of hem thre
Of gold that Appel scholde I yive.666
With ech of hem tho was I schrive, 7420
And echon faire me behihte;
Bot Venus seide, if that sche mihte(7600*)
That Appel of mi yifte gete,
Sche wolde it neveremor foryete,
And seide hou that in Grece lond
Sche wolde bringe unto myn hond
Of al this Erthe the faireste;
So that me thoghte it for the beste,
To hire and yaf that Appel tho.
Thus hope I wel, if that I go, 7430
P. ii. 383
That sche for me wol so ordeine,
That thei matiere forto pleigne
Schul have, er that I come ayein.
Nou have ye herd that I wol sein:
Sey ye what stant in youre avis.’
And every man tho seide his,
And sundri causes thei recorde,
Bot ate laste thei acorde
That Paris schal to Grece wende,
[Pg 156]
And thus the parlement tok ende. 7440
Cassandra, whan sche herde of this,667
The which to Paris Soster is,
Anon sche gan to wepe and weile,
And seide, ‘Allas, what mai ous eile?
Fortune with hire blinde whiel
Ne wol noght lete ous stonde wel:
For this I dar wel undertake,
That if Paris his weie take,
As it is seid that he schal do,
We ben for evere thanne undo.’ 7450
This, which Cassandre thanne hihte,
In al the world as it berth sihte,
In bokes as men finde write,
Is that Sibille of whom ye wite,
That alle men yit clepen sage.
Whan that sche wiste of this viage,
Hou Paris schal to Grece fare,
No womman mihte worse fare
Ne sorwe more than sche dede;
And riht so in the same stede 7460
P. ii. 384
Ferde Helenus, which was hir brother,
Of prophecie and such an other:
And al was holde bot a jape,
So that the pourpos which was schape,
Or were hem lief or were hem loth,668
Was holde, and into Grece goth
This Paris with his retenance.
And as it fell upon his chance,
Of Grece he londeth in an yle,
And him was told the same whyle669 7470
Of folk which he began to freyne,
Tho was in thyle queene Heleyne,(7650*)
And ek of contres there aboute
Of ladis many a lusti route,
With mochel worthi poeple also.
And why thei comen theder tho,
The cause stod in such a wise,—
[Pg 157]
For worschipe and for sacrifise
That thei to Venus wolden make,
As thei tofore hadde undertake, 7480
Some of good will, some of beheste,
For thanne was hire hihe feste
Withinne a temple which was there.
Whan Paris wiste what thei were,
Anon he schop his ordinance
To gon and don his obeissance
To Venus on hire holi day,
And dede upon his beste aray.
With gret richesse he him behongeth,
As it to such a lord belongeth, 7490
P. ii. 385
He was noght armed natheles,
Bot as it were in lond of pes,
And thus he goth forth out of Schipe
And takth with him his felaschipe:
In such manere as I you seie
Unto the temple he hield his weie.
Tydinge, which goth overal
To grete and smale, forth withal
Com to the queenes Ere and tolde
Hou Paris com, and that he wolde 7500
Do sacrifise to Venus:
And whan sche herde telle thus,
She thoghte, hou that it evere be,
That sche wole him abyde and se.670
Forth comth Paris with glad visage
Into the temple on pelrinage,
Wher unto Venus the goddesse
He yifth and offreth gret richesse,
And preith hir that he preie wolde.
And thanne aside he gan beholde,671 7510
And sih wher that this ladi stod;
And he forth in his freisshe mod
Goth ther sche was and made hir chiere,
As he wel couthe in his manere,
That of his wordes such plesance
Sche tok, that al hire aqueintance,
[Pg 158]
Als ferforth as the herte lay,
He stal er that he wente away.
So goth he forth and tok his leve,
And thoghte, anon as it was eve, 7520
P. ii. 386
He wolde don his Sacrilegge,
That many a man it scholde abegge.(7700*)
Whan he to Schipe ayein was come,
To him he hath his conseil nome,
And al devised the matiere
In such a wise as thou schalt hiere.
Withinne nyht al prively
His men he warneth by and by,
That thei be redy armed sone
For certein thing which was to done: 7530
And thei anon ben redi alle,
And ech on other gan to calle,
And went hem out upon the stronde672
And tok a pourpos ther alonde
Of what thing that thei wolden do,673
Toward the temple and forth thei go.
So fell it, of devocion
Heleine in contemplacion
With many an other worthi wiht
Was in the temple and wok al nyht, 7540
To bidde and preie unto thymage674
Of Venus, as was thanne usage;
So that Paris riht as him liste
Into the temple, er thei it wiste,675
Com with his men al sodeinly,
And alle at ones sette ascry
In hem whiche in the temple were,
For tho was mochel poeple there;
Bot of defense was no bote,
So soffren thei that soffre mote. 7550
P. ii. 387
Paris unto the queene wente,
And hire in bothe hise armes hente
With him and with his felaschipe,
And forth thei bere hire unto Schipe.676
[Pg 159]
Up goth the Seil and forth thei wente,
And such a wynd fortune hem sente,
Til thei the havene of Troie cauhte;
Where out of Schipe anon thei strauhte
And gon hem forth toward the toun,
The which cam with processioun 7560
Ayein Paris to sen his preie.
And every man began to seie
To Paris and his felaschipe
Al that thei couthen of worschipe;
Was non so litel man in Troie,
That he ne made merthe and joie
Of that Paris hath wonne Heleine.
Bot al that merthe is sorwe and peine
To Helenus and to Cassaundre;
For thei it token schame and sklaundre677 7570
And lost of al the comun grace,
That Paris out of holi place(7750*)
Be Stelthe hath take a mannes wif,
Wherof that he schal lese his lif
And many a worthi man therto,
And al the Cite be fordo,
Which nevere schal be mad ayein.
And so it fell, riht as thei sein,
The Sacrilege which he wroghte
Was cause why the Gregois soughte 7580
P. ii. 388
Unto the toun and it beleie,
And wolden nevere parte aweie,
Til what be sleihte and what be strengthe
Thei hadde it wonne in brede and lengthe,
And brent and slayn that was withinne.
Now se, mi Sone, which a sinne
Is Sacrilege in holy stede:
Be war therfore and bidd thi bede,
And do nothing in holy cherche,
Bot that thou miht be reson werche. 7590
And ek tak hiede of Achilles,
Whan he unto his love ches
Polixena, that was also
[Pg 160]
In holi temple of Appollo,
Which was the cause why he dyde
And al his lust was leyd asyde.
And Troilus upon Criseide
Also his ferste love leide
In holi place, and hou it ferde,
As who seith, al the world it herde;678 7600
Forsake he was for Diomede,
Such was of love his laste mede.
Confessor.
Forthi, mi Sone, I wolde rede,
Be this ensample as thou myht rede,679
Sech elles, wher thou wolt, thi grace,
And war the wel in holi place
What thou to love do or speke,
In aunter if it so be wreke
As thou hast herd me told before.
[Divisions of Avarice.]
And tak good hiede also therfore 7610
P. ii. 389
Upon what forme, of Avarice680
Mor than of eny other vice,
I have divided in parties
The branches, whiche of compainies
Thurghout the world in general
Ben nou the leders overal,
Of Covoitise and of Perjure,
Of fals brocage and of Usure,
Of Skarsnesse and Unkindeschipe,681
Which nevere drouh to felaschipe, 7620
Of Robberie and privi Stelthe,682
Which don is for the worldes welthe,(7800*)
Of Ravine and of Sacrilegge,
Which makth the conscience agregge;
Althogh it mai richesse atteigne,
It floureth, bot it schal noght greine
Unto the fruit of rihtwisnesse.
Bot who that wolde do largesse
Upon the reule as it is yive,
So myhte a man in trouthe live683 7630
Toward his god, and ek also[Pg 161]
Toward the world, for bothe tuo
Largesse awaiteth as belongeth,
To neither part that he ne wrongeth;684
He kepth himself, he kepth his frendes,
So stant he sauf to bothe hise endes,
That he excedeth no mesure,
So wel he can himself mesure:
Wherof, mi Sone, thou schalt wite,
So as the Philosophre hath write. 7640
[Prodigality and Largess.]
P. ii. 390
xiii. Prodegus et parcus duo sunt extrema, que largus 685
Est horum medius, plebis in ore bonus.
Nota hic de virtute Largitatis, que ad oppositum Auaricie inter duo extrema, videlicet Parcimoniam et Prodegalitatem, specialiter consistit.
Betwen the tuo extremites
Of vice stant the propretes
Of vertu, and to prove it so
Tak Avarice and tak also
The vice of Prodegalite;
Betwen hem Liberalite,
Which is the vertu of Largesse,
Stant and governeth his noblesse.
For tho tuo vices in discord
Stonde evere, as I finde of record; 7650
So that betwen here tuo debat
Largesse reuleth his astat.
For in such wise as Avarice,
As I tofore have told the vice,
Thurgh streit holdinge and thurgh skarsnesse
Stant in contraire to Largesse,
Riht so stant Prodegalite
Revers, bot noght in such degre.
For so as Avarice spareth,
And forto kepe his tresor careth, 7660
That other al his oghne and more
Ayein the wise mannes lore
Yifth and despendeth hiere and there,
So that him reccheth nevere where.
While he mai borwe, he wol despende,
[Pg 162]
Til ate laste he seith, ‘I wende’;
Bot that is spoken al to late,
For thanne is poverte ate gate
P. ii. 391
And takth him evene be the slieve,
For erst wol he no wisdom lieve. 7670
And riht as Avarice is Sinne,
That wolde his tresor kepe and winne,(7850*)
Riht so is Prodegalite:
Bot of Largesse in his degre,
Which evene stant betwen the tuo,
The hihe god and man also
The vertu ech of hem commendeth.
For he himselven ferst amendeth,
That overal his name spredeth,
And to alle othre, where it nedeth, 7680
He yifth his good in such a wise,
That he makth many a man arise,
Which elles scholde falle lowe.
Largesce mai noght ben unknowe;
For what lond that he regneth inne,
It mai noght faile forto winne
Thurgh his decerte love and grace,
Wher it schal faile in other place.
And thus betwen tomoche and lyte686
Largesce, which is noght to wyte, 7690
Halt evere forth the middel weie:
Bot who that torne wole aweie
Fro that to Prodegalite,
Anon he lest the proprete687
Of vertu and goth to the vice;
For in such wise as Avarice
Lest for scarsnesse his goode name,
Riht so that other is to blame,
P. ii. 392
Which thurgh his wast mesure excedeth,
For noman wot what harm that bredeth.688 7700
Bot mochel joie ther betydeth,689
[Pg 163]
Wher that largesse an herte guydeth:
For his mesure is so governed,
That he to bothe partz is lerned,
To god and to the world also,
He doth reson to bothe tuo.
The povere folk of his almesse
Relieved ben in the destresse
Of thurst, of hunger and of cold;
The yifte of him was nevere sold, 7710
Bot frely yive, and natheles
The myhti god of his encress
Rewardeth him of double grace;
The hevene he doth him to pourchace
And yifth him ek the worldes good:
And thus the Cote for the hod
Largesse takth, and yit no Sinne
He doth, hou so that evere he winne.
Lucas. Omni habenti dabitur.
What man hath hors men yive him hors,
And who non hath of him no fors, 7720
For he mai thanne on fote go;
The world hath evere stonde so.
Bot forto loken of the tweie,
A man to go the siker weie,
Beacius est dare quam accipere.690
Betre is to yive than to take:
With yifte a man mai frendes make,
P. ii. 393
Bot who that takth or gret or smal,
He takth a charge forth withal,
And stant noght fre til it be quit.
So forto deme in mannes wit, 7730
It helpeth more a man to have
His oghne good, than forto crave
Of othre men and make him bounde,
Wher elles he mai stonde unbounde.
Seneca. Si res tue tibi non sufficiant, fac vt rebus tuis sufficias.
Senec conseileth in this wise,
And seith, ‘Bot if thi good suffise
Unto the liking of thi wille,
Withdrawh thi lust and hold the stille,
And be to thi good sufficant.’
[Pg 164]
Apostolus.691 Ordinata caritas incipit a seipsa.
For that thing is appourtenant 7740
To trouthe and causeth to be fre
After the reule of charite,
Which ferst beginneth of himselve.
For if thou richest othre tuelve,
Wherof thou schalt thiself be povere,
I not what thonk thou miht recovere.
Whil that a man hath good to yive,
With grete routes he mai live
And hath his frendes overal,
And everich of him telle schal. 7750
Therwhile he hath his fulle packe,692
Thei seie, ‘A good felawe is Jacke’;
Bot whanne it faileth ate laste,
Anon his pris thei overcaste,
For thanne is ther non other lawe
Bot, ‘Jacke was a good felawe.’
P. ii. 394
Whan thei him povere and nedy se,
Thei lete him passe and farwel he;
Al that he wende of compainie
Is thanne torned to folie. 7760
[Prodigality of Lovers.]
Bot nou to speke in other kinde
Of love, a man mai suche finde,
That wher thei come in every route
Thei caste and waste her love aboute,
Til al here time is overgon,
And thanne have thei love non:693
For who that loveth overal,
It is no reson that he schal(7900*)
Of love have eny proprete.
Forthi, mi Sone, avise thee 7770
If thou of love hast be to large,
For such a man is noght to charge:
And if it so be that thou hast
Despended al thi time in wast
And set thi love in sondri place,
Though thou the substance of thi grace
[Pg 165]
Lese ate laste, it is no wonder;
For he that put himselven under,
As who seith, comun overal,
He lest the love special 7780
Of eny on, if sche be wys;
For love schal noght bere his pris
Be reson, whanne it passeth on.
So have I sen ful many on,694
That were of love wel at ese,
Whiche after felle in gret desese
P. ii. 395
Thurgh wast of love, that thei spente
In sondri places wher thei wente.
Confessor.
Riht so, mi Sone, I axe of thee
If thou with Prodegalite 7790
Hast hier and ther thi love wasted.
Amans.
Mi fader, nay; bot I have tasted
In many a place as I have go,
And yit love I nevere on of tho,
Bot forto drive forth the dai.
For lieveth wel, myn herte is ay
Withoute mo for everemore
Al upon on, for I nomore
Desire bot hire love al one:
So make I many a prive mone, 7800
For wel I fiele I have despended
Mi longe love and noght amended
Mi sped, for oght I finde yit.
If this be wast to youre wit695
Of love, and Prodegalite,
Nou, goode fader, demeth ye:
Bot of o thing I wol me schryve,
That I schal for no love thryve,
Bot if hirself me wol relieve.696
Confessor.
Mi Sone, that I mai wel lieve: 7810
And natheles me semeth so,
For oght that thou hast yit misdo
Of time which thou hast despended,
It mai with grace ben amended.
[Pg 166]
For thing which mai be worth the cost
Per chaunce is nouther wast ne lost;
P. ii. 396
For what thing stant on aventure,697
That can no worldes creature(7950*)
Telle in certein hou it schal wende,698
Til he therof mai sen an ende. 7820
So that I not as yit therfore
If thou, mi Sone, hast wonne or lore:
For ofte time, as it is sene,699
Whan Somer hath lost al his grene
And is with Wynter wast and bare,
That him is left nothing to spare,
Al is recovered in a throwe;
The colde wyndes overblowe,
And stille be the scharpe schoures,700
And soudeinliche ayein his floures 7830
The Somer hapneth and is riche:
And so per cas thi graces liche,
Mi Sone, thogh thou be nou povere
Of love, yit thou miht recovere.
Amans.
Mi fader, certes grant merci:
Ye have me tawht so redeli,
That evere whil I live schal
The betre I mai be war withal
Of thing which ye have seid er this.
Bot overmore hou that it is,701 7840
Toward mi schrifte as it belongeth,
To wite of othre pointz me longeth;
Wherof that ye me wolden teche
With al myn herte I you beseche.

Explicit Liber Quintus.

### FOOTNOTES:

1 Latin verses iii. 4 tibi AM ... B₂, AdBT
2 1973 his AM ... B₂
3 1976 margin cupiditatis RCLB₂
4 1978 þauantage (þe auantage) E ... B₂, W þe vantages MH₁XG
5 1979 that om. RCLB₂
6 1981 That on om. B And that oon H₁ hald S, F halt A, B haltd J
7 1988 tofare S, F
8 1992 while] Mile AM
9 2002 he his wille wolde AMH₁E ... B₂
10 2020 ffor him E ... B₂
11 2030 thou schalt it] as þou schalt BT
12 2050 seeþ H₁XG seiþ AM
13 2057 knyhthod S knithod F knyhthode AJ in] on E ... B₂ vp on Δ
14 2059 non oþre AJ, S, F non oþer C, B
15 2068 tho] þat E ... B₂
16 2074 matier(e) to trete H₁L, AdBT, W
17 2079 cophres AC, F cofres (coffres) J, SB
18 2098 ech AJ, B eche F
19 2108 beleft F
20 2114 faste by A, F fasteby J, B
21 2150 unto] it to BT to Δ
22 2157 scholde (schuld &c.) M ... B₂, TΔ, W
23 2162 And þus A ... B₂, W Al þis S ... Δ
24 2177 a slepe B, F aslepe AJ
25 2202 goldringes JE, S, F gold ringes A, B
26 2208 Of þe comuns E ... B₂ (þo EC) Of þe bomeins (?) M Of Romayns W
27 2226 the] his XCB₂, Ad
28 2278 margin eorum om. AMH₁
29 2288 and als so] anon als B and als (as) X, WH₃
30 2291 þe cas S ... Δ
31 2297 lich J, S, F liche A, B
32 2328 vnauanced (vn auanced) ȝe be E ... B₂
33 2350 faute E ... B₂
34 2352 his chois AM ... B₂, BT
35 2357 be falle] byfalle A
36 2405 margin sorte om. A ... B₂
37 2411 He] And BT
38 2412 man] a man AMH₁ men WH₃
39 2417 seeþ B
40 2433 he richesse (om. hath) E ... B₂ richesse he haþ Ad
41 2453 ynowe] I trowe BT
42 2465 Bot] So BT
43 2477 Somon F
44 2482 to] of BT
45 2488 forsakeþ sche is b. BT forsaketh he shal be b. H₃
46 2500 My fader G ... B₂
47 2508 that] þan (þanne) XG, B þough E ... B₂
48 2513 al A, S, F alle J, B
49 2526 hem om. RCB₂ he L
50 2540 for J, FH₃ fro AM ... B₂, S ... Δ, WMagd.
51 2546 Yaf] Of E ... B₂
52 2550 to Hector BT
53 2551 recousse F
54 2554 also] as AM ... B₂, Ad, W
55 2563 he] I (y) BT
56 2564 his] hir X ... B₂, T
57 2571 some] of some A ... B₂, B
58 2573 protectioun (?) F
59 2574 and] of B
60 2579 þe gold is in her cofre AdBT her(e) gold is in her(e) E ... B₂ ther ... her H₁
61 2587 schulde E ... B₂, W hire a pris BTΔ, F hir(e) apris (appris) AJMXERLB₂, W here a pris C her(e) apris H₁, Ad, H₃
62 2591 of] to AJMXG vnto H₁E ... B₂ as Δ
63 2627 To take E ... B₂
64 2637 ensample AM ... B₂, W
65 2658 conseil upon] to conseil in AM ... B₂
66 2666 The B
67 2671 his maister E ... B₂
68 2682 the om. E ... B₂
69 2685 al the] alle (all) XE ... B₂
70 2690 hire] he hir(e) A ... B₂, S ... Δ
71 2694 f.
Whan þat sche was but of ȝong age
ffor good

E ... B₂ (was of L)

72 2696 And lucre E ... B₂
73 2714 Ther was RCLB₂, W Wher was E
74 2735 tolde J, S told A, B, F
75 2737 hath him preid] to him preide B with him p. T
76 2738 seyde BT
77 2740 bidde] didde AM
78 2752 a weie MC, T aweie AJ, B, F
79 2761 faste by AJ, B fasteby F
80 2771 nyh om. E ... B₂
81 2773 þis wise JR, BT, W
82 2776 The stiward BT Theward J seide no þing so B
83 2779 hire fette to] hire fette vnto C ȝou fette vnto B
84 2780 wold(e) H₁E ... B₂, W
85 2793 that om. AdB
86 2816 þe same E ... B₂, S ... Δ, WH₃
87 2836 outher] oþer (oþir) M ... B₂, AdBT, W eiþer Δ
88 2856 wold(e) RCLB₂, W
89 Latin Verses iv. 2 vere A ... CB₂ vero L verba W
90 4-7 om. B
91 7 laudando E ... B₂
92 2863 margin super illis] semper de illis E ... B₂
93 2863 ferst J, S, F ferste A
94 2866 Periurie J, F Periure AC, B
95 2867 margin tam cupiditatis EC causa cup. RLB₂ tam in cupiditate H₁
96 2868 be wroth] wroth AMH₁
97 2872 hepe J, SB, F hipe T hupe C hup A
98 2878 and] of BT in XE, W
99 2900 line om. B
100 2904 suche J, SB such A, F
101 2906 hire AR, F procurous B, F
102 2932 saluely S, F sauely AJ, B
103 2937 euere BT
104 2940 bewreie C, SB be wreie J, F by wreie A
105 2942 of] for BT on W
106 2951 put AJ, S, F (?) putte C, BT
107 2964 as] and BT, H₃
108 2966 And AM ... B₂, W
109 2967 in] of BT
110 2975 this] his AMH₁X
111 2996 hir(e) lady H₁ ... B₂, B, W (here l. G)
112 3004 it] he S ... Δ
113 3026 he] sche E, BT
114 3032 hir B riht] ful E ... B₂
115 3045 put AJ, S, F putte C, B
116 3046 wiþ þat Dedamie RCLB₂
117 3054 the om. AMGRLB₂ alle (maner of man) H₁
118 3058 wolde EL, BT
119 3090 his werk E ... B₂, Δ the werke W
120 3110 burned as þe siluer E ... B₂ b. was with s. W b. was of s. H₃
121 3119 topseilcole ACL, SAd, FH₃ topseil cole (coole) MH₁XGERB₂, BT top seile cole Δ to pseilcole J to Pheilcole W to pleiseil cole Λ
122 3145 Al (Alle) lusti wommen AMH₁ A lusty womman ECLB₂ Of women lusti Ad þat route E ... B₂
123 3152 this] þe BT
124 3158 a contre] þe contre BTΔ
125 3169 the om. B
126 3192 in a Cronique AMH₁RCLB₂, AdΔ, H₃
127 3197 thei] he X, BT
128 3209 whos] which AMH₁XG
129 3210 now a day X, B, WH₃
130 3217 Wher] þer BT
131 3225 Periurie J, B, F Periure AC
132 3237 hertes XL, S ... Δ
133 3241 vnto B of T
134 3246 Who þat wol rede it þer may wite E ... B₂
135 3261 margin illam senectam E ... B₂, BT illa senecta MH₁
136 3281 þerto what þing A ... B₂
137 3290 that] þis B
138 3295 was ful AMH₁XG
139 3300 tok (took) AJ, SB, F toke C, Ad, H₃ (token leue H₁)
140 3304 have mad] to make BT
141 3306 But (Bot) of his lond E ... B₂
142 3311 this] þe B þese X
143 3311 f. gregeis (Gregeis): curteis J, S, F Gregois (gregois): curtois (courtoys) AC, B
144 3321 which þanne (þan) was þe k. E ... B₂ which was the k. H₁, W which was þer k. X
145 3340 tho] þe AM ... B₂
146 3365 thes] þis MXGEC
147 3376 speke(n) AM ... B₂, B, W
148 3393 made AJ, B mad S, F
149 3422 rise RCLB₂, T, W
150 3437 þe same day XE ... B₂, BTΔ
151 3440 he om. E ... B₂
152 3465 lost is l. AYEC, S
153 3472 And nought þer of haþ fro him hid E ... B₂ ben wel MH₁X
154 3481 aschamed A, SB a schamed J, F
155 3482 hire tale AJMXE
156 3484 sette BT
157 3490 departe AMXG
158 3517 the] þo ERC, SBT
159 3533 dethes] hasty E ... B₂
160 3534 leid] brought B
161 3545 and] of BT
162 3582 name RCLB₂, T which AJ, S, F whiche B
163 3599 enoynt J, S, F anoynt AC, B So 3601
164 3619 such(e) wise XGE, B
165 3647 Of swoune RCLB₂, BT Inne swone W uppe nam] vp þo nam E ... B₂ vpon name H₁
166 3665 he om. E ... B₂, BT, W
167 3668 of hem CL on him W
168 3669 vndern ERL, BT, H₃ vndorne X vndur CB₂, W
169 3671 abreide] he breide E ... B₂, BT, H₃
170 3678 was wonder wo] þan was ful wo YE ... B₂, BTΛ
171 3688 ore on] oore in RLB₂, Δ sore in EC, BT (And forþ with all his wey he fongeþ X)
172 3691 set AJ, S, F sette C, B
173 3705 ne] and BT, W
174 3706 þe serpent XB₂, BT, W
175 3720 his plough YE ... B₂, BT the plogh W
176 3742 whan (when) AJC, B whanne F
177 3744 a (ha) lord al is y wonne (al is wonne) YE ... B₂, BTΛ ha lord al now is w. MH₁XG
178 3747 on londe E ... B₂, BTΔ, W
179 3751 he om. AM
180 3765 cried (criede) RCLB₂, Δ
181 3772 to talen] talen B of talen M of tales H₁ to talkan W
182 3791 as tho] also AM ... B₂, BT
183 3796 sche] he H₁, BT
184 3798 al om. AMH₁, H₃W
185 3814 the] þo EC, B
186 3822 mad AJ, S, F made C, B
187 3823 seide ... seide AC, B seid ... seide S, F seid ... seid J
188 3847 of om. E ... B₂, BT
189 3851 ffor if it be E ... B₂, BT, But if hit be W
190 3879 slepte] slep (sleep) YE, B
191 3883 him AH₁XR
192 3888 in compaignie AM ... B₂, BT
193 3914 wolde (wold) M ... B₂, BTΔ, WH₃
194 3956 telle a gret partie B, W tellen it a parti Δ
195 3960 it wiste] wiste CLB₂, BTΔ ne wist(e) MH₁X
196 3962 in euery side E ... B₂, BT
197 3964 Hir heed BT
198 3966 and on] vpon BT
199 3975 dreechinge honde J drenching(e) onde YXGEC, BTΛ drenching(e) hond(e) AH₁RLB₂ dremchinge honde M
200 3990 An F
201 3992 bothe] by þe E, BTΛ but H₃
202 4006 Spertheidos XECB₂, BT
203 4008 and of þe AM ... B₂, BTΔΛ, W
204 4020 To make wiþ þis medicine B line om. TΛ
205 4024 His AMRC, T
206 4029 þat wiþ þe air YE ... B₂, BT þat was with þe air Δ þat was of air XG
207 4043 puttes AJ, B, F pettes S
208 4049 and in such wise] in such a wise C in such(e) wise BT and such(e) wise RLB₂
209 4067 And þan B And þat T
210 4072 þe cook H₁G, BT
211 4073 either] euery AM ... B₂
212 4088 put J, S, F putte AC, B
213 4106 fforþ A ... GC
214 4110 over] euery ERLB₂, W ony C oure X
215 4113 make] take ERCB₂
216 4129 his] hir C, B
217 4137 therafter] after E ... B₂ her (hir) after BT
218 4138 seefoul E, BTΛ sedewolf L
219 4140 that] which E ... B₂, W
220 4151 mede E ... B₂
221 4152 be sene (seene) AJ, B besene S, F
222 4160 and fieble] fieble E, B, W
223 4161 into (in to) AM ... B₂
224 4177 eny stede XGL, BΔ
225 4186 telleþ BT
226 4217 wold C, SB, F wolde AJ
227 4231 herde AJ, F herd C, B
228 4243 schepe felle B
229 4250 margin mortua autem Philen SΔΛ mortua autem Hellen A ... B₂, BT, FWH₃
230 4266 margin cum solo vellere A ... B₂, B
231 4267 margin canitur YGE, BTΔΛ canetur AMH₁XRCLB₂, S, FH₃ habetur W
232 4276 Anon sche bigan for to make E ... B₂ She kest anone howe she myght make W
233 4278 schope AJ, S, F schop (schoop) C, B
234 4307 all S, F alle AJ, B
235 4309 seid AJ, B, F seide C
236 4311 hem haþ preid B hath hem preide W
237 4321 it is AMH₁
238 4330 Wherin J, F
239 4334 þo men H₁XGEC, B
240 4343 þe AMH₁XGB₂, Δ, W
241 4349 was lore H₁ ... B₂
242 4351 As] And AM ... B₂
243 4352 hirself adreynt B
244 4361 was spoke H₁XECLB₂
245 4367 To him þat BT, W
246 4369 you] þou H₁YB₂, BT, WH₃
247 4391 where þe biȝete sterte EC wher euere þei be ȝit stert(e) H₁XRLB₂
248 4396 To] And H₁ ... B₂
249 4402 by so AMH₁XRCLB₂, B so W
250 4411 thei] sche B
251 4413 wolde he H₁XRCLB₂
252 4423 of continuance BT and contenance LB₂, WH₃
253 4425 his om. AM ... B₂
254 4427 wher it is A ... B₂, FWKH₃
255 4452 it were AM
256 4462 ther] þat BT
257 4468 My þought and al my loue BT Mi loue and al mi trewþe Δ
258 4485 sein (seie) MXCLB₂, W
259 4504 mihte S miht (might) AJ, B, F
260 4507 usure] mesure BT
261 4512 al þis BT
262 4518 als so] als (as) X, Ad, WH₃
263 4523 it om. B
264 4525 Thus beie I diere] I beye deere H₁ ... B₂
265 4526 noght om. H₁RCLB₂, W
266 4565 þe ende H₁ ... B₂
267 4568 riht wel paid] wel a payd (appaied) H₁ ... B₂
268 4571 of suche dede BT
269 4574 thogh] of ERCB₂ if H₁
270 4576 ffro whom AM
271 4579 hire AJM
272 4586 margin decreuit, pro eo quod ipsa Eccho om. BT, H₃
273 4587 on om. BT
274 4595 that om. MH₁XRCLB₂, Δ, W
275 4612 was om. AM
276 4634 quite BT, W
277 4642 vice BT
278 4643 in the wodes] euere in wodes AM ... B₂
279 4651 herte XEC, BT, W
280 4652 places XGLB₂, B
281 4671 Blinde AJ, S, F Blind C, B
282 4680 wole A
283 4682 Whan EC
284 4701 By (Bi) so AM ... B₂, B (Be so G)
285 4717 why F which A ... B₂, S ... Δ, KH₃Magd thi W
286 4732 ffor wiþ SΔ
287 4738 By so AMX ... B₂, B
288 4739 I myhte] It m. AM ... B₂, S ... Δ
289 4742 That it schal H₁ ... B₂
290 4770 I schal BT
291 4788 That man H₁ ... B₂
292 4789 margin Babilonem A ... B₂
293 4792 yifte om. H₁RCLB₂
294 4808 Rabio A ... B₂
295 4814 such om. AMRCL
296 4817 Spondeus H₁ ... B₂ Spondius T
297 4818 in om. RCB₂
298 4851 Rabio A ... B₂
299 4856 the] he AM
300 4862 schette (schet) JXERCB₂
301 4868 I] it BT þou H₁ ... B₂
302 4872 wold B
303 4877 thi] þis H₁E ... B₂
304 Latin Verses vii. 2 dicta que SBT dictaque AJM, FW dictique (dicti que) H₁E ... B₂
305 3 alonge AJ, F a longe SB
306 4920 Dampnen þe vnkinde creature H₁ ... B₂ (Dampneth H₁B₂) lifissh S, F liuissh BT liuynge AJM, Δ liflich (livelich) WH₃
307 4921 who that it kan] þat it can AM by þat I can H₁ ... B₂
308 4935 olde AJ, S, F old C, B
309 4942 at] þat XECLB₂ þat at H₁R
310 4944 the om. H₁ ... B₂, BΔ
311 4959 margin ipsum] insuper ipsum AM
312 4981 the] þo B om. T
313 4984 all S, F alle AJ, B
314 4989 f. put: knvt AMC pit: knit H₁XRLB₂, Ad, W
315 4994 þe pit (put &c.) H₁ ... B₂, Ad, W
316 5003 sore] for AM he W
317 5011 fantosme, bot yit] fantasme (fantome) þat BTΛ fantasme and ȝit L fantasie but he ȝit W
318 5021 him hath adresced] þo him haþ dresced H₁XRCLB₂
319 5025 al softe] alofte B softe W
320 5034 If it so be þat he vpbreyde (vmbreide) BT
321 5035 speke F rest spoke
322 5045 o word H₁C, BT one word Δ, W
323 5051 the om. AM
324 5054 aroute F
325 5064 a om. H₁RCLB₂
326 5071 Thonkende] Touchynge AH₁R (Thonkinge in ras. C)
327 5102 That to] Vnto B
328 5105 bot it be grace] but it be bi grace AM but be goddis grace Δ
329 5111 the om. AM
330 5114 so he dede AdBTΔ, W
331 5125 al aboute H₁XRCL
332 5128 þat man H₁ ... B₂
333 5130 him om. BT
334 5131 ek (eek) AJC, BT eke F
335 5134 a mannes] mannes XE, B
336 5145 And in þe AM And tho the H₁
337 5157 the] in AM ... B₂
338 5158 eny AM
339 5159 hem AMGRLB₂
340 5180 eny om. AM
341 5199 bot] by (be) BT for W
342 5204 Wherof AM ... B₂
343 5210 þy þought BT
344 5215 standt S, F stant AC, B standeþ J thi] þe H₁ ... B₂
345 5225 ffor loue H₁ ... B₂
346 5236 bar AJC, BT bare S, F
347 5237 margin suffultus] fultus BT
348 5239 margin vincit H₁ ... B₂
349 5242 vsed AM ... B₂, W
350 5248 dighte F dihte AJ and so also in l. 5352
351 5252 cite H₁ ... B₂, T
352 5277 And] Of B
353 5281 of Troie XC, S ... Δ, W
354 5282 lost hath] lost(e) H₁ ... B₂ hath lost W
355 5288 world] lord BT
356 5299 therinne] euer inne H₁ ... B₂
357 5302 many AC, B manye (manie) S, F monie J
358 5308 As] And X ... B₂
359 5316 this] his L, BT
360 5321 the king] to king E ... B₂, kynge (om. the) X
361 5326 put AJ, S, F putte C, BT
362 5341 sche schold B, W sche wolde T
363 5346 ayeinward] aȝein H₁ ... B₂
364 5349 tok (took) AJC, SB toke F
365 5357 Hou he] How þat he AH₁RCLB₂ How þat M
366 5359 þe maide AM ... B₂
367 5364 So was B gret om. AM wonder AC, BT wondre J, S, F
368 5372 þis ground S ... Δ
369 5387 wold(e) BT
370 5411 f.
And so fell þat vpon an ile
Thei were wind driue wiþinne a while

H₁ ... B₂ (driuen in a while L)

371 5427 his] alle B
372 5430 schipman H₁ ... B₂, W
373 5438 afriht (a fright &c.) A ... B₂ (except E), W
374 5449 it at nede H₁XRCLB₂
375 5456 is] was H₁E ... B₂
376 5457 into] to S ... Δ
377 5464 tresces AC tresses BT trescess J, S, F
378 5465 wiþ hir selue (self) took a strif H₁ ... B₂ wiþ hirself sche took such a s. B
379 5466 betwen(e) deþ H₁ ... B₂
380 5467 lay] weepe (wep) BT
381 5480 after þat S ... Δ
382 5500 as for BT
383 5507 it om. AM ... B₂ (except E)
384 5510 seruant H₁ ... B₂
385 5520 þei failen H₁ ... B₂ he faileth W
386 5522 what] al þat B
387 5524 thee schal] schal M ... B₂ schal þe Δ, W
388 5527 seline BT
389 5532 ladi love] loue desire H₁ ... B₂
390 5533 That] ffor BT was om. H₁ ... B₂
391 5539 wolde H₁ ... B₂
392 5546 lust AMCL listne Δ
393 5557 margin duas filias om. B
394 5559 margin Terco A ... B₂
395 5561 margin cum om. A ... B₂
396 5563 margin sororis A ... B₂, B, W
397 5560 wel om. H₁E ... B
398 5590 sche lay XGB₂, S ... Δ, W
399 5592 kist SB, F kyste (kiste) AJ
400 5597 to] by (be) A ... B₂
401 5600 Vnto B
402 5610 noght om. AM
403 5611 Of þat þey preyde T And þat þei preyde B
404 5621 he om. BT
405 5622 a fyre XC, B
406 5627 that] þe BT
407 5633 which] that H₁, BT om. M, W
408 5646 þi A this] þe M
409 5667 þo stones EC
410 5670 tale] al BT
411 5671 f.
And crie it to briddes al aboute
How þou hast do to me þurghoute H₁ ... B₂

(to þe briddes R)

412 5678 How schalt AM ... B₂ Euel has W
413 5684 a om. A
414 5719 Of] And BT
415 5737 wele vnto E, B welþe into MH₁C grete A, S, F gret JC, B
416 5740 and þus C
417 5743 wrongful þing X ... B₂ wonderfull thyng H₁
418 5748 hadde I S ... Δ
419 5765 wold(e) H₁ECB₂, W
420 5769 tyt (tit) AC, SB tyd J, F
421 5773 hadde (had) do H₁ ... B₂
422 5774 lappeþ B
423 5802 riht om. H₁ ... B₂
424 5807 ther] wher H₁ ... B₂
425 5810 sihe AJ, S, F sih C, B
426 5816 a vov (a vou) J, S, F avow AC, B
427 5837 ladis (ladyes) H₁ ... B₂
428 5859 noght] neuer H₁ ... B₂
429 5873 chambre H₁XELB₂, AdBTΔ, W
430 5878 herkne (herken) LB₂, BTΔ, W
431 5880 The AJMH₁XRLB₂ Tho EC
432 5889 To ... grieue H₁ ... B₂
433 5890 þat was so lieue H₁ ... B₂
434 5918 hier ben nou we] here be we now J nowe we her be W here ben we M hier (here) ben now (om. we) H₁ ... B₂
435 5925 remenbrance F
436 5929 in to H₁ECLB₂, BTΔ, H₃
437 5936 Al sodeinly þat men it syhe H₁ ... B₂
438 5944 þe nightingale XECLB₂
439 5958 Sche thenkth] Sche was H₁ ... B₂
440 5962 larchesse F
441 5966 al] and AM ... L om. B₂
442 5971 sih (sigh &c.) E, AdBT, WH₃ saw Δ (seþ S)
443 5974] þe Philomene H₁ ... B₂
444 5977 openly] priuely H₁ ... B₂
445 5979 O why] Why BT
446 5981 Which AJ, S, F Whiche B
447 6008 world] woode B word T
448 6011 chatreþ (chatereth) AMH₁ chater (chateren) YXG ... B₂
449 6012 falshod A, S, F falshode JC, B
450 6016 wol C, B
451 6019 to vnderstonde H₁E ... B₂
452 6020 falshod A, F falshode J, SB falshede C hire] here (her) H₁ERL, SAdΔ, FH₃
453 6026 no om. AM, Ad þe X, W
454 6042 in H₁E ... B₂
455 6044 he was] of a BT
456 6046 The l. A ... B₂, SAdΔ, WH₃
457 6048 Bewar F Be war AJC, SB
458 6052 to Tereus BT
459 6053 goddes forebode] nay god it forbede X ... B₂ nay god for bede H₁ (goddes forbode AJM, AdT, WH₃)
460 6054 be fortrede (for trede) H₁XECLB₂ to be trede R
461 6059 louer(e) AM ... B₂
462 6076 himseluen (himself) in d. H₁ ... B₂
463 6084 water AC, B watre J, S, F
464 6101 pourchas S ... Δ
465 6103 as] or AMRCL heere H₁ om. E
466 6110 wyldee F wher] þer AM
467 6114 hir(e) chaffare H₁ ... B₂ þi ch. M
468 margin cum om. B
469 6151 þis AM þe H₁XGRB₂ þo EC
470 6162 Neptimus AH₁R, BT, H₃
471 6167 so sod.] al sod. H₁ ... B₂
472 6178 Wherfor(e) to AB₂, Δ Wherof to H₁ Where to BT, W
473 6190 and] ad F lete it be AM
474 6215 Maide] may H₁ ... B₂ him hath] is him S ... Δ hath him W
475 6234 wol B
476 6239 margin quendam] quem B
477 6256 in to A ... B₂, W
478 6257 al a] alle AM al þe (alle the) H₁E ... B₂
479 6267 byde AM
480 6289 he AdBT
481 6293 vngoodlich JC, SB, F vngoodliche A
482 6296 of micherye B
483 6302 chastie EC
484 6304 that om. AM, Ad
485 6313 in honde X, SAdBTΔ
486 6317 happeþ E, AdBTΔ happed W
487 6318 he YEC, AdBT
488 6319 a bough H₁ ... B₂, Δ
489 6324 wodesschawe AJ, F woode schawe C, BT
490 6336 so] tuo E, B too W
491 6341 a weie F
492 6351 olde ensamples AdBT, W
493 Latin Verses x. om. here and ins. later S ... Δ (ins. here Λ)
494 6361 That whilom was an emp. H₁E That whilom þer was emp. XRCLB₂ þat what man was þo emp. Δ
495 6363 and in] and AMR in LB₂
496 6364 margin sedebant H₁RCLB₂
497 6366 of] a AdBT
498 6367 womman H₁ ... B₂, W
499 6372 Phirus AM
500 6378 be om. AM
501 6381 threste] put B
502 6382 him] it B
503 6387 f.
That maidenhode is forto preise
Who þat þe vertus wolde peise

S ... ΔΛ

504 6390 margin Hii secuntur agnum quocunque ierit SΔ
505 6395*-6438* Only in SAdBTΔΛ The text here follows S
506 6396* ff. margin In carne—est om. B
507 6398* Lich BT Liche S
508 Latin Verses x. inserted after 6412* SAdBT after 6413* Δ
509 margin Milicia—terram BΛ om. SΔ
510 6413* book BT boke S
511 6427* dedly BT dedely S
512 6429* stood BT stode S
513 6430* is ȝit SΔ it is AdBTΛ
514 margin contra sue om. B
515 6439* margin castissime B
516 6436* stood BT stode S
517 6408 and] of AdBT
518 6409 put AJ, S, F putte B
519 6418 My fader H₁ ... B₂, Ad mai wel AMEC, S ... ΔΛ
520 6429 take AJ, F tak SB
521 6444 Criseid(e) þe doughter AdBTΔ (Criseide dowhter S)
522 6452 grete AJ, S, F gret C, BT
523 6461 in] hem AXG ... B₂ hym MH₁
524 6463 he founde RCLB₂ be f. E
525 6465 apposed AM ... B₂ (except E)
526 6471 maide and] mayden (maide) H₁ ... B₂, AdBT, W
527 6472 ȝaf AM ... B₂, T, W (gave)
528 6486 f.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
My fader so I wole I wis
But now [wiþ] ȝour ensamplerie H₁ ... B₂

(wiþ om. all except E)

529 Latin Verses xi. 1 ad horam E, B
530 2 tempora AdBT
531 3 insidii H₁ ... B₂
532 6499 margin custodire A ... B₂
533 6501 at home H₁ ... B₂
534 6518 wold(e) H₁ ... B₂
535 6533 As] And AdBT, H₃
536 6547 And for AdBT, W
537 6585 wolde AJ, SB wold C, F
538 6597 hih A, F hihe B hye J
539 6617 no om. H₁E ... B₂, H₃
540 6633 pile C
541 6634 skile C
542 6641 I wot wel may I] wel ne may I B wel may I AdT I wot wel I mai Δ
543 6653 tolde] me tolde AM
544 6659 such a wise MH₁E ... B₂, W
545 6667 to] and S ... Δ
546 6678 the] hire (hir) X ... B₂, B here H₁
547 6694 who so AdBT þoght (þought) C, SB þoghte (þouhte) AJ, F
548 6697 ha doo AM kan do Δ
549 6700 put AJ, S, F putte B it on] it in H₁ECL me in B₂
550 6706 tel E, B
551 6715 his lawe AMX ... B₂ hire lawe H₁ þe lawe S ... Δ
552 6717 margin de die] die H₁ ... B₂ de nocte B
553 6728 margin matre nescia] matre H₁RCLB₂ matre nesciente X, B nesciente matre E
554 6731 margin quem om. AMH₁E ... B₂
555 6732 margin nunc H₁ ... B₂
556 6719 Phebus H₁ ... B₂
557 6742 if om. AM
558 6746 thus om. AM
559 6751 which] þat A ... B₂ om. W
560 6756 How it befell and how it was H₁ ... B₂
561 6766 it schal S ... Δ
562 6768 Mow AC, S, F Mowe J, B
563 6769 hir(e) AJM, WH₃
564 6771 do make J, SΔ, FH₃ to make AM, AdBT, W go make H₁ ... B₂
565 6795 he AdBT
566 6802 and om. B
567 6803 bifell AM, Ad, H₃
568 6816 margin sectis ARCLB₂
569 6824 margin voluntatem AM
570 6811 Toward XRCLB₂ Towarde H₁
571 6821 S has lost a leaf (ll. 6821-7000)
572 6836 Weere F Were AC, B Wher(e) JG
573 6839 so om. H₁XRCLB₂ him E
574 6846 herte H₁RCLB₂
575 For 6848-6851 X has—
That he by daye in oþer stede
ffor ouȝte þat he haþ prayde and bede
To stele myȝte nouȝt suffise
Beþouȝte him in a noþer wise
And þer vpon his time awaiteþ
576 6856 him om. A ... B₂
577 6857 hire AM, B
578 6858 That] And AM ... B₂
579 6867 the man] to man H₁ ... B₂
580 6883 Ech AJC, B Eche F hemself B
581 6895 Beginne H₁ ... B₂ (except C), AdBT
582 6925 þrew C, B þrewe AJ, F
583 6932 a route J, B, F arowte A
584 6933 it ferde AdBT
585 6954 Mi om. AdBT
586 6955 on rowe H₁RCLB₂
587 6967 a lawe B
588 7015*-7036* Only in AdBTΛ (not Δ) S is here defective, but did not contain the passage. Text follows B
589 7015* f. taght: naght T
590 7025* euere T euer B
591 7034* þenkeþ B thinkth T
592 7036* rifleth T ruyfleþ B
593 6994 wurse A, F worse JC, B
594 7001 S resumes
595 7007 (7061*) margin SBΔΛ have here Hic tractat precipue de tribus sacrilegis, quorum vnus fuit Antiochus, alter Nabuzardan, tercius Nabugodonosor. (precipue om. Δ)
596 7008 lawe AdBT
597 7009 hou om. H₁ ... B₂
598 7010 sore] alle H₁ ... B₂
599 7022 (7076*) margin Nota de scriptura in pariete tempore Regis Baltazar, que fuit mane, techel, phares SBΛ (scripta B)
600 7025 it om. H₁ ... B₂
601 7086*-7210* Only in SAdBTΔΛ Text here follows S
602 7100* sleyhte SΔ stelþe AdBT
603 7104* line om. BT
604 7121* charboncle AdT charbocle B
605 7126* margin barbam ab eo] barbam a deo BΛ (margin om. AdT)
606 7128* margin volui] nolui BΛ
607 7129* margin qui ante—templo om. B
608 7132* margin set honestate] sed ex honestate BΛ
609 7140* he om. AdBTΛ
610 7148* the] he S
611 7150* a feerd (a ferd) SB aferd T
612 7156* Durste BT Durst S
613 7157* gret BT grete S
614 7176* As vnto þat SΔ Vnto þat AdTΛ Vnto þat point B
615 7181* of SΔ þurgh BT þoro Ad
616 7183* And ... am I AdBTΛ
617 7204* took BT toke S
618 7048 love] houe G, AdBTΛ
619 7053 leueful AJ, S, F leuful C lieful B
620 7070 the fleissh] his fl. AdBTΛ
621 7078 preie (prey) AMH₁
622 7094 do] be CL
623 7106 noght] neuer (neer) A ... B₂
624 7119 or of] of a AM
625 7124 to me haþ be strange H₁ ... B₂, W
626 7131 on hire A ... B₂ on here H₁
627 7137 wold C, S, F wolde AJ, B
628 7152 I wolde AdBTΛ
629 7160 I om. AMR
630 7163 eny] holi S ... ΔΛ
631 7166 as it were H₁ ... B₂ ȝif I were J
632 7172 so] to AM
633 7177 so] sone H₁ ... B₂
634 7181 ȝe þenken AM ȝou þenken H₁XRCL ye thingeth W
635 7194 on þe I wol H₁ ... CB₂ on þe wol I L
636 7203 margin famossima F
637 7205 margin vniuersa BT vniuersum A ... B₂
638 7206 margin causabat A ... B₂
639 7208 the] in AM ... B₂
640 7215 that] þe H₁ ... B₂
641 7223 þe tale H₁ ... B₂
642 7236 maken] make an B
643 7257 of good] and good JH₁, AdBTΛ
644 7264] þo þenkende he B þus þenking he GC he þenking he H₁XRLB₂ he þenking þus E
645 7271 euery AdBT
646 7274 Antenor F
647 7275 Esiona H₁ ... B₂, T
648 7277 be large Ad by grace AM
649 7297 that] þe S ... Δ
650 7303 f. two lines om. AdBT
651 7311 hem] tuo (too) H₁ ... B₂
652 7318 his] him H₁ ... B₂, B, W
653 7327 And a proud word AMH₁XRCL And proude wordes B₂
654 7328 as tho] also AdBT
655 7336 all S, F alle AJ, B
656 7344 forto schewe] forto eschewe (for teschewe &c.) H₁ ... B₂
657 7363 or to werste JXERCL, H₂ falle it to werste H₁B₂
658 7382 This wrong and schame in bettre forme H₁ ... B₂ (The wrong X)
659 7388 wol (wil) him H₁ ... B₂, W
660 7391 trew F trewe AJC, SB
661 7400 ende er dai A
662 7403 went AC, S, F wente J, BT
663 7405 the] to AdBT
664 7410 a visioun MXGCLB₂, Δ, FWH₃ auisioun (avision etc.) AJH₁ER, SAdBT
665 7417 putt A, S, F putte JC, B
666 7419 that] þe AM
667 7441 Cassandre H₁ ... B₂
668 7464 the om. AM ... B₂
669 7470 þat same XRCLB₂, T
670 7504 wolde AdB
671 7510 on side H₁ ... B₂ (except E)
672 7533 went A, SB, F wente JC
673 7535 that om. AM ... B₂
674 7541 unto] to H₁ ... B₂
675 7544 it om. H₁ ... B₂
676 7554 in to AM ... B₂, WH₃ to Δ
677 7570 token] tolden S ... Δ
678 7602 of lust (luste) H₁ ... B₂
679 7604 line om. B
680 7611 what] þe AdBT that W
681 7619 Skarnesse F
682 7621 and of M ... B₂, T
683 7630 to trouþe AMH₁XRCLB₂ by trouþe E
684 7634 partie (party) þat he wrongeþ AM ... B₂
685 Latin Verses xiii. 1 extrema que C, B extremaque J, F
686 7689 tomoche E, S, F to moche AJ, BT tuo (two) moche H₁ ... B₂ (except E) the moche W
687 7694 lost AM ... B₂ (except E) loseth W leueth Δ
688 7700 it bredeþ A ... B₂
689 7701-7746 Forty-six lines om. S ... Δ (ins. Λ)
690 7725 margin Beacius—accipere om. A ... B₂ accipere] ac-pere F
691 7742 margin Aplus A Amplus H₁ERC Amplius B₂ Ambrosius X
692 7751 The whil J, W þat whil C (Al þe while he hath his pak Δ)
693 7766 non] gon AM
694 7784 sene (sen) many on H₁ ... B₂
695 7804 to] vnto E, B
696 7809 wol me AdBT, W me wolde M
697 7817 in auenture AM ... B₂, W
698 7819 Telle JC, SB Tell A, F
699 7823 tymes AdBTΔ
700 7829 stilled S ... Δ
701 7840 euermore H₁XRB₂, BΔ, W

[Pg 167]

## Incipit Liber Sextus

P. iii. 1
[Gluttony.]
i. Est gula que nostrum maculauit prima parentem
Ex vetito pomo, quo dolet omnis homo.
Hec agit vt corpus anime contraria spirat,
Quo caro fit crassa, spiritus atque macer.
Intus et exterius si que virtutis habentur,
Potibus ebrietas conuiciata ruit.
Mersa sopore, labris, que Bachus inebriat hospes,
Indignata Venus oscula raro premit.
The grete Senne original,
Which every man in general
Upon his berthe hath envenymed,
Hic in sexto libro tractare intendit de illo capitali vicio quod Gula dicitur, nec non et de eiusdem duabus solummodo speciebus, videlicet Ebrietate et Delicacia, ex quibus humane concupiscencie oblectamentum habundancius augmentatur.
In Paradis it was mystymed:
Whan Adam of thilke Appel bot,
His swete morscel was to hot,
Which dedly made the mankinde.
And in the bokes as I finde,
This vice, which so out of rule
Hath sette ous alle, is cleped Gule;702 10
P. iii. 2
Of which the branches ben so grete,
That of hem alle I wol noght trete,
Bot only as touchende of tuo703
I thenke speke and of no mo;
[i. Drunkenness.]
Wherof the ferste is Dronkeschipe,
Which berth the cuppe felaschipe.
Ful many a wonder doth this vice,
He can make of a wisman nyce,
And of a fool, that him schal seme
That he can al the lawe deme, 20
And yiven every juggement
Which longeth to the firmament
Bothe of the sterre and of the mone;
[Pg 168]
And thus he makth a gret clerk sone
Of him that is a lewed man.
Ther is nothing which he ne can,
Whil he hath Dronkeschipe on honde,
He knowth the See, he knowth the stronde,
He is a noble man of armes,
And yit no strengthe is in his armes: 30
Ther he was strong ynouh tofore,
With Dronkeschipe it is forlore,
And al is changed his astat,
And wext anon so fieble and mat,704
That he mai nouther go ne come,
Bot al togedre him is benome
The pouer bothe of hond and fot,
So that algate abide he mot.
And alle hise wittes he foryet,
The which is to him such a let, 40
P. iii. 3
That he wot nevere what he doth,
Ne which is fals, ne which is soth,
Ne which is dai, ne which is nyht,
And for the time he knowth no wyht,705
That he ne wot so moche as this,
What maner thing himselven is,
Or he be man, or he be beste.
That holde I riht a sori feste,
Whan he that reson understod
So soudeinliche is woxe wod, 50
Or elles lich the dede man,
Which nouther go ne speke can.
Thus ofte he is to bedde broght,
Bot where he lith yit wot he noght,
Til he arise upon the morwe;
And thanne he seith, ‘O, which a sorwe
It is a man be drinkeles!’706
So that halfdrunke in such a res
With dreie mouth he sterte him uppe,707
And seith, ‘Nou baillez ça the cuppe.’ 60
That made him lese his wit at eve[Pg 169]
Is thanne a morwe al his beleve;
The cuppe is al that evere him pleseth,
And also that him most deseseth;
It is the cuppe whom he serveth,
Which alle cares fro him kerveth708
And alle bales to him bringeth:
In joie he wepth, in sorwe he singeth,
For Dronkeschipe is so divers,709
It may no whyle stonde in vers. 70
P. iii. 4
He drinkth the wyn, bot ate laste
The wyn drynkth him and bint him faste,
And leith him drunke be the wal,
As him which is his bonde thral
And al in his subjeccion.
[Love-Drunkenness.]
And lich to such condicion,
As forto speke it other wise,
It falleth that the moste wise
Ben otherwhile of love adoted,710
And so bewhaped and assoted, 80
Of drunke men that nevere yit
Was non, which half so loste his wit
Of drinke, as thei of such thing do
Which cleped is the jolif wo;
And waxen of here oghne thoght
So drunke, that thei knowe noght711
What reson is, or more or lesse.
Such is the kinde of that sieknesse,
And that is noght for lacke of brain,
Bot love is of so gret a main, 90
That where he takth an herte on honde,
Ther mai nothing his miht withstonde:
The wise Salomon was nome,
And stronge Sampson overcome,
The knihtli David him ne mihte
Rescoue, that he with the sihte
Of Bersabee ne was bestad,
Virgile also was overlad,
[Pg 170]
And Aristotle was put under.
Forthi, mi Sone, it is no wonder 100
P. iii. 5
If thou be drunke of love among,712
Which is above alle othre strong:
And if so is that thou so be,
Tell me thi Schrifte in privite;
It is no schame of such a thew
A yong man to be dronkelew.
Of such Phisique I can a part,
And as me semeth be that art,
Thou scholdest be Phisonomie
Be schapen to that maladie 110
Of lovedrunke, and that is routhe.
Confessio Amantis.
Ha, holi fader, al is trouthe
That ye me telle: I am beknowe
That I with love am so bethrowe,
And al myn herte is so thurgh sunke,
That I am verrailiche drunke,
And yit I mai bothe speke and go.
Bot I am overcome so,
And torned fro miself so clene,
That ofte I wot noght what I mene; 120
So that excusen I ne mai
Min herte, fro the ferste day
That I cam to mi ladi kiththe,
I was yit sobre nevere siththe.
Wher I hire se or se hire noght,
With musinge of min oghne thoght,
Of love, which min herte assaileth,
So drunke I am, that mi wit faileth
And al mi brain is overtorned,
And mi manere so mistorned, 130
P. iii. 6
That I foryete al that I can
And stonde lich a mased man;
That ofte, whanne I scholde pleie,
It makth me drawe out of the weie
In soulein place be miselve,
As doth a labourer to delve,
Which can no gentil mannes chere;
[Pg 171]
Or elles as a lewed Frere,
Whan he is put to his penance,
Riht so lese I mi contienance. 140
And if it nedes so betyde,
That I in compainie abyde,
Wher as I moste daunce and singe
The hovedance and carolinge,
Or forto go the newefot,713
I mai noght wel heve up mi fot,
If that sche be noght in the weie;
For thanne is al mi merthe aweie,
And waxe anon of thoght so full,
Wherof mi limes ben so dull, 150
I mai unethes gon the pas.714
For thus it is and evere was,715
Whanne I on suche thoghtes muse,
The lust and merthe that men use,
Whan I se noght mi ladi byme,
Al is foryete for the time
So ferforth that mi wittes changen
And alle lustes fro me strangen,
That thei seie alle trewely,
And swere, that it am noght I.716 160
P. iii. 7
For as the man which ofte drinketh,
With win that in his stomac sinketh717
Wext drunke and witles for a throwe,
Riht so mi lust is overthrowe,
And of myn oghne thoght so mat
I wexe, that to myn astat
Ther is no lime wol me serve,
Bot as a drunke man I swerve,
And suffre such a Passion,
That men have gret compassion, 170
And everich be himself merveilleth
What thing it is that me so eilleth.718
Such is the manere of mi wo
Which time that I am hire fro,
[Pg 172]
Til eft ayein that I hire se.
Bot thanne it were a nycete
To telle you hou that I fare:
For whanne I mai upon hire stare,
Hire wommanhede, hire gentilesse,
Myn herte is full of such gladnesse, 180
That overpasseth so mi wit,
That I wot nevere where it sit,
Bot am so drunken of that sihte,
Me thenkth that for the time I mihte
Riht sterte thurgh the hole wall;
And thanne I mai wel, if I schal,
Bothe singe and daunce and lepe aboute,
And holde forth the lusti route.
Bot natheles it falleth so
Fulofte, that I fro hire go 190
P. iii. 8
Ne mai, bot as it were a stake,
I stonde avisement to take
And loke upon hire faire face;
That for the while out of the place
For al the world ne myhte I wende.
Such lust comth thanne into mi mende,
So that withoute mete or drinke,719
Of lusti thoughtes whiche I thinke
Me thenkth I mihte stonden evere;
And so it were to me levere 200
Than such a sihte forto leve,
If that sche wolde yif me leve720
To have so mochel of mi wille.
And thus thenkende I stonde stille
Withoute blenchinge of myn yhe,
Riht as me thoghte that I syhe
Of Paradis the moste joie:
And so therwhile I me rejoie,
Into myn herte a gret desir,721
The which is hotere than the fyr, 210
Al soudeinliche upon me renneth,
That al mi thoght withinne brenneth,
[Pg 173]
And am so ferforth overcome,
That I not where I am become;
So that among the hetes stronge722
In stede of drinke I underfonge
A thoght so swete in mi corage,
That nevere Pyment ne vernage
Was half so swete forto drinke.
For as I wolde, thanne I thinke 220
P. iii. 9
As thogh I were at myn above,
For so thurgh drunke I am of love,
That al that mi sotye demeth
Is soth, as thanne it to me semeth.
And whyle I mai tho thoghtes kepe,
Me thenkth as thogh I were aslepe
And that I were in goddes barm;
Bot whanne I se myn oghne harm,
And that I soudeinliche awake
Out of my thought, and hiede take 230
Hou that the sothe stant in dede,
Thanne is mi sekernesse in drede
And joie torned into wo,
So that the hete is al ago
Of such sotie as I was inne.723
And thanne ayeinward I beginne
To take of love a newe thorst,
The which me grieveth altherworst,
For thanne comth the blanche fievere,
With chele and makth me so to chievere, 240
And so it coldeth at myn herte,724
That wonder is hou I asterte,725
In such a point that I ne deie:
For certes ther was nevere keie
Ne frosen ys upon the wal
More inly cold than I am al.
And thus soffre I the hote chele,
Which passeth othre peines fele;
In cold I brenne and frese in hete:
And thanne I drinke a biter swete250
P. iii. 10
[Pg 174]With dreie lippe and yhen wete.
Lo, thus I tempre mi diete,
And take a drauhte of such reles,
That al mi wit is herteles,
And al myn herte, ther it sit,
Is, as who seith, withoute wit;
So that to prove it be reson
In makinge of comparison
Ther mai no difference be
Betwen a drunke man and me. 260
Bot al the worste of everychon
Is evere that I thurste in on;726
The more that myn herte drinketh,
The more I may; so that me thinketh,
My thurst schal nevere ben aqueint.
God schilde that I be noght dreint
Of such a superfluite:
For wel I fiele in mi degre
That al mi wit is overcast,
Wherof I am the more agast, 270
That in defaulte of ladischipe
Per chance in such a drunkeschipe
I mai be ded er I be war.
For certes, fader, this I dar
Beknowe and in mi schrifte telle:
Bot I a drauhte have of that welle,
In which mi deth is and mi lif,
Mi joie is torned into strif,
That sobre schal I nevere worthe,
Bot as a drunke man forworthe; 280
P. iii. 11
So that in londe where I fare727
The lust is lore of mi welfare,
As he that mai no bote finde.
Bot this me thenkth a wonder kinde,
As I am drunke of that I drinke,728
So am I ek for falte of drinke;
Of which I finde no reles:
Bot if I myhte natheles
[Pg 175]
Of such a drinke as I coveite,
So as me liste, have o receite, 290
I scholde assobre and fare wel.
Bot so fortune upon hire whiel
On hih me deigneth noght to sette,
For everemore I finde a lette:
The boteler is noght mi frend,
Which hath the keie be the bend;
I mai wel wisshe and that is wast,729
For wel I wot, so freissh a tast,
Bot if mi grace be the more,
I schal assaie neveremore. 300
Thus am I drunke of that I se,
For tastinge is defended me,
And I can noght miselven stanche:
So that, mi fader, of this branche
I am gultif, to telle trouthe.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, that me thenketh routhe;
For lovedrunke is the meschief
Above alle othre the most chief,
If he no lusti thoght assaie,
Which mai his sori thurst allaie: 310
P. iii. 12
As for the time yit it lisseth
To him which other joie misseth.
Forthi, mi Sone, aboven alle
Thenk wel, hou so it the befalle,
And kep thi wittes that thou hast,
And let hem noght be drunke in wast:
Bot natheles ther is no wyht
That mai withstonde loves miht.
Bot why the cause is, as I finde,
Of that ther is diverse kinde 320
Of lovedrunke, why men pleigneth
After the court which al ordeigneth,
I wol the tellen the manere;
Nou lest, mi Sone, and thou schalt hiere.
[Jupiter’s Two Tuns.]
For the fortune of every chance
After the goddes pourveance
Hic narrat secundum Poetam, qualiter in suo celario Iupiter duo dolea habet, quorum primum liquoris dulcissimi, secundum amarissimi plenum consistit, ita quod ille cui fatata est prosperitas de dulci potabit, alter vero, cui aduersabitur, poculum gustabit amaram.
To man it groweth from above,
[Pg 176]
So that the sped of every love
Is schape there, er it befalle.730
For Jupiter aboven alle, 330
Which is of goddes soverein,
Hath in his celier, as men sein,
Tuo tonnes fulle of love drinke,
That maken many an herte sinke
And many an herte also to flete,
Or of the soure or of the swete.
That on is full of such piment,
Which passeth all entendement
Of mannes witt, if he it taste,731
And makth a jolif herte in haste: 340
P. iii. 13
That other biter as the galle,
Which makth a mannes herte palle,
Whos drunkeschipe is a sieknesse
Thurgh fielinge of the biternesse.
Cupide is boteler of bothe,
Which to the lieve and to the lothe
Yifth of the swete and of the soure,
That some lawhe, and some loure.
But for so moche as he blind is,
Fulofte time he goth amis 350
And takth the badde for the goode,
Which hindreth many a mannes fode
Withoute cause, and forthreth eke.
So be ther some of love seke,732
Whiche oghte of reson to ben hole,
And some comen to the dole
In happ and as hemselve leste733
Drinke undeserved of the beste.734
And thus this blinde Boteler
Yifth of the trouble in stede of cler 360
And ek the cler in stede of trouble:
Lo, hou he can the hertes trouble,
And makth men drunke al upon chaunce735
[Pg 177]
Withoute lawe of governance.
If he drawe of the swete tonne,
Thanne is the sorwe al overronne
Of lovedrunke, and schalt noght greven736
So to be drunken every even,
For al is thanne bot a game.
Bot whanne it is noght of the same, 370
P. iii. 14
And he the biter tonne draweth,
Such drunkeschipe an herte gnaweth
And fiebleth al a mannes thoght,
That betre him were have drunke noght
And al his bred have eten dreie;
For thanne he lest his lusti weie737
With drunkeschipe, and wot noght whider
To go, the weies ben so slider,
In which he mai per cas so falle,738
That he schal breke his wittes alle. 380
And in this wise men be drunke
After the drink that thei have drunke:739
Bot alle drinken noght alike,
For som schal singe and som schal syke,
So that it me nothing merveilleth,
Mi Sone, of love that thee eilleth;
For wel I knowe be thi tale,740
That thou hast drunken of the duale,
Which biter is, til god the sende
Such grace that thou miht amende. 390
[Prayer. Bacchus in the Desert.]
Bot, Sone, thou schalt bidde and preie
In such a wise as I schal seie,
That thou the lusti welle atteigne
Thi wofull thurstes to restreigne
Of love, and taste the swetnesse;
As Bachus dede in his distresse,
Whan bodiliche thurst him hente
Nota hic qualiter potus aliquando sicienti precibus adquiritur. Et narrat in exemplum quod, cum Bachus de quodam bello ab oriente repatrians in quibusdam Lubie partibus alicuius generis potum non inuenit, fusis ad Iouem precibus, apparuit ei Aries, qui terram pede percussit,742 statimque fons emanauit; et sic potum petenti peticio preualuit.
In strange londes where he wente.
This Bachus Sone of Jupiter
[Pg 178]
Was hote, and as he wente fer 400
P. iii. 15
Be his fadres assignement
To make a werre in Orient,
And gret pouer with him he ladde,
So that the heiere hond he hadde
And victoire of his enemys,
And torneth homward with his pris,
In such a contre which was dreie
A meschief fell upon the weie.741
As he rod with his compainie
Nyh to the strondes of Lubie, 410
Ther myhte thei no drinke finde
Of water nor of other kinde,
So that himself and al his host
Were of defalte of drinke almost743
Destruid, and thanne Bachus preide
To Jupiter, and thus he seide:
‘O hihe fader, that sest al,
To whom is reson that I schal
Beseche and preie in every nede,
Behold, mi fader, and tak hiede 420
This wofull thurst that we ben inne744
To staunche, and grante ous forto winne,
And sauf unto the contre fare,
Wher that oure lusti loves are
Waitende upon oure hom cominge.’
And with the vois of his preiynge,
Which herd was to the goddes hihe,
He syh anon tofore his yhe
A wether, which the ground hath sporned;
And wher he hath it overtorned, 430
P. iii. 16
Ther sprang a welle freissh and cler,
Wherof his oghne boteler
After the lustes of his wille
Was every man to drinke his fille.745
And for this ilke grete grace
Bachus upon the same place
[Pg 179]
A riche temple let arere,
Which evere scholde stonde there
To thursti men in remembrance.
Confessor.
Forthi, mi Sone, after this chance 440
It sit thee wel to taken hiede
So forto preie upon thi nede,746
As Bachus preide for the welle;
And thenk, as thou hast herd me telle,
Hou grace he gradde and grace he hadde.
He was no fol that ferst so radde,
For selden get a domb man lond:
Tak that proverbe, and understond
That wordes ben of vertu grete.
Forthi to speke thou ne lete, 450
And axe and prei erli and late
Thi thurst to quenche, and thenk algate,
The boteler which berth the keie
Is blind, as thou hast herd me seie;
And if it mihte so betyde,
That he upon the blinde side
Per cas the swete tonne arauhte,
Than schalt thou have a lusti drauhte
And waxe of lovedrunke sobre.
And thus I rede thou assobre 460
P. iii. 17
Thin herte in hope of such a grace;
For drunkeschipe in every place,
To whether side that it torne,747
Doth harm and makth a man to sporne
And ofte falle in such a wise,
Wher he per cas mai noght arise.
[Love-Drunkenness. Tristram.]
And forto loke in evidence
Upon the sothe experience,
Hic de amoris ebrietate ponit exemplum, qualiter Tristrans ob potum,749 quem Brangweyne in naui ei porrexit, de amore Bele Isolde inebriatus extitit.
So as it hath befalle er this,748
In every mannes mouth it is 470
Hou Tristram was of love drunke
With Bele Ysolde, whan thei drunke
The drink which Brangwein hem betok,
Er that king Marc his Eem hire tok
[Pg 180]
To wyve, as it was after knowe.
And ek, mi Sone, if thou wolt knowe,
As it hath fallen overmore
In loves cause, and what is more
Of drunkeschipe forto drede,
As it whilom befell in dede, 480
Wherof thou miht the betre eschuie
Of drunke men that thou ne suie
The compaignie in no manere,
A gret ensample thou schalt hiere.
[Marriage of Pirithous.]
This finde I write in Poesie
Of thilke faire Ipotacie,
Hic de periculis ebrietatis causa in amore contingentibus750 narrat quod, cum Pirothous illam pulcherimam Ypotaciam in vxorem duceret, quosdam qui Centauri vocabantur inter alios vicinos ad nupcias inuitauit; qui vino imbuti, noue nupte formositatem aspicientes, duplici ebrietate insanierunt, ita quod ipsi subito salientes a mensa Ipotaciam a Pirothoo marito suo in752 impetu rapuerunt.
Of whos beaute ther as sche was
Spak every man,—and fell per cas,
That Pirotoüs so him spedde,
That he to wyve hire scholde wedde, 490
P. iii. 18
Wherof that he gret joie made.
And for he wolde his love glade,
Ayein the day of mariage
Be mouthe bothe and be message
Hise frendes to the feste he preide,751
With gret worschipe and, as men seide,
He hath this yonge ladi spoused.
And whan that thei were alle housed,
And set and served ate mete,
Ther was no wyn which mai be gete,753 500
That ther ne was plente ynouh:
Bot Bachus thilke tonne drouh,
Wherof be weie of drunkeschipe
The greteste of the felaschipe
Were oute of reson overtake;
And Venus, which hath also take
The cause most in special,
Hath yove hem drinke forth withal754
Of thilke cuppe which exciteth
The lust wherinne a man deliteth: 510
And thus be double weie drunke,[Pg 181]
Of lust that ilke fyri funke
Hath mad hem, as who seith, halfwode,755
That thei no reson understode,
Ne to non other thing thei syhen,
Bot hire, which tofore here yhen
Was wedded thilke same day,
That freisshe wif, that lusti May,
On hire it was al that thei thoghten.756
And so ferforth here lustes soghten, 520
P. iii. 19
That thei the whiche named were
Centauri, ate feste there
Of on assent, of on acord
This yonge wif malgre hire lord
In such a rage awei forth ladden,
As thei whiche non insihte hadden
Bot only to her drunke fare,
Which many a man hath mad misfare
In love als wel as other weie.
Wherof, if I schal more seie 530
Upon the nature of the vice,757
Of custume and of excercice
The mannes grace hou it fordoth,
A tale, which was whilom soth,
Of fooles that so drunken were,
I schal reherce unto thine Ere.
[Galba and Vitellius.]
I rede in a Cronique thus
Of Galba and of Vitellus,
Hic loquitur specialiter contra vicium illorum, qui nimia potacione quasi ex consuetudine ebriosi efficiuntur. Et narrat exemplum de Galba et Vitello, qui potentes in Hispania principes fuerunt, set ipsi cotidiane ebrietatis potibus assueti, tanta vicinis intulerunt enormia, quod tandem760 toto conclamante populo pena sentencie capitalis in eos iudicialiter diffinita est: qui priusquam morerentur, vt penam mortis alleuiarent, spontanea vini ebrietate sopiti, quasi porci semimortui gladio interierunt.758
The whiche of Spaigne bothe were
The greteste of alle othre there, 540
And bothe of o condicion
After the disposicion
Of glotonie and drunkeschipe.759
That was a sori felaschipe:
For this thou miht wel understonde,
That man mai wel noght longe stonde
Which is wyndrunke of comun us;
[Pg 182]
For he hath lore the vertus,
Wherof reson him scholde clothe;
And that was seene upon hem bothe. 550
P. iii. 20
Men sein ther is non evidence,
Wherof to knowe a difference
Betwen the drunken and the wode,
For thei be nevere nouther goode;761
For wher that wyn doth wit aweie,
Wisdom hath lost the rihte weie,
That he no maner vice dredeth;
Nomore than a blind man thredeth
His nedle be the Sonnes lyht,762
Nomore is reson thanne of myht, 560
Whan he with drunkeschipe is blent.
And in this point thei weren schent,
This Galba bothe and ek Vitelle,
Upon the cause as I schal telle,
Wherof good is to taken hiede.
For thei tuo thurgh her drunkenhiede
Of witles excitacioun
Oppressede al the nacion
Of Spaigne; for of fool usance,763
Which don was of continuance 570
Of hem, whiche alday drunken were,
Ther was no wif ne maiden there,
What so thei were, or faire or foule,
Whom thei ne token to defoule,
Wherof the lond was often wo:
And ek in othre thinges mo
Thei wroghten many a sondri wrong.
Bot hou so that the dai be long,
The derke nyht comth ate laste:
God wolde noght thei scholden laste, 580
P. iii. 21
And schop the lawe in such a wise,
That thei thurgh dom to the juise
Be dampned forto be forlore.
[Pg 183]
Bot thei, that hadden ben tofore
Enclin to alle drunkenesse,—
Here ende thanne bar witnesse;
For thei in hope to assuage
The peine of deth, upon the rage
That thei the lasse scholden fiele,
Of wyn let fille full a Miele,764 590
And dronken til so was befalle
That thei her strengthes losten alle
Withouten wit of eny brain;
And thus thei ben halfdede slain,
That hem ne grieveth bot a lyte.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, if thou be forto wyte
In eny point which I have seid,
Wherof thi wittes ben unteid,
I rede clepe hem hom ayein.765
Amans.
I schal do, fader, as ye sein, 600
Als ferforth as I mai suffise:
Bot wel I wot that in no wise
The drunkeschipe of love aweie
I mai remue be no weie,
It stant noght upon my fortune.
Bot if you liste to comune
Of the seconde Glotonie,
Which cleped is Delicacie,
Wherof ye spieken hier tofore,
Beseche I wolde you therfore. 610
Confessor.
P. iii. 22
Mi Sone, as of that ilke vice,
Which of alle othre is the Norrice,
And stant upon the retenue
Of Venus, so as it is due,
The proprete hou that it fareth
The bok hierafter nou declareth.
[Delicacy.]
ii. Delicie cum diuiciis sunt iura potentum,
In quibus orta Venus excitat ora gule.
Non sunt delicie tales, que corpora pascunt,
Ex quibus impletus gaudia venter agit,
[Pg 184]
Quin completus amor maiori munere gaudet,
Cum data deliciis mens in amante satur.766
Of this chapitre in which we trete
There is yit on of such diete,
Hic tractat super illa specie Gule que Delicacia nuncupatur, cuius mollicies767 voluptuose carni in personis precipue potentibus queque768 complacencia corporaliter ministrat.
To which no povere mai atteigne;
For al is Past of paindemeine769 620
And sondri wyn and sondri drinke,
Wherof that he wole ete and drinke:
Hise cokes ben for him affaited,
So that his body is awaited,
That him schal lacke no delit,
Als ferforth as his appetit
Sufficeth to the metes hote.
Wherof this lusti vice is hote
Of Gule the Delicacie,
Which al the hole progenie 630
Of lusti folk hath undertake
To feede, whil that he mai take
Richesses wherof to be founde:770
Of Abstinence he wot no bounde,
To what profit it scholde serve.
And yit phisique of his conserve
P. iii. 23
Makth many a restauracioun
Unto his recreacioun,
Which wolde be to Venus lief.
Thus for the point of his relief 640
The coc which schal his mete arraie,
Bot he the betre his mouth assaie,
His lordes thonk schal ofte lese,
Er he be served to the chese:
For ther mai lacke noght so lyte,
That he ne fint anon a wyte;
For bot his lust be fully served,771
Ther hath no wiht his thonk deserved.
And yit for mannes sustenance,
To kepe and holde in governance, 650
To him that wole his hele gete[Pg 185]
Is non so good as comun mete:
For who that loketh on the bokes,772
It seith, confeccion of cokes,
A man him scholde wel avise
Hou he it toke and in what wise.
For who that useth that he knoweth,
Ful selden seknesse on him groweth,
And who that useth metes strange,
Though his nature empeire and change 660
It is no wonder, lieve Sone,
Whan that he doth ayein his wone;
Philosophus. Consuetudo est altera natura.
For in Phisique this I finde,
Usage is the seconde kinde.773
P. iii. 24
[Love-Delicacy.]
And riht so changeth his astat774
He that of love is delicat:
For though he hadde to his hond
The beste wif of al the lond,
Or the faireste love of alle,
Yit wolde his herte on othre falle 670
And thenke hem mor delicious
Than he hath in his oghne hous:
Men sein it is nou ofte so;775
Avise hem wel, thei that so do.
And forto speke in other weie,
Fulofte time I have herd seie,
That he which hath no love achieved,
Him thenkth that he is noght relieved,
Thogh that his ladi make him chiere,
So as sche mai in good manere 680
Hir honour and hir name save,776
Bot he the surplus mihte have.
Nothing withstondende hire astat,
Of love more delicat
He set hire chiere at no delit,
[Pg 186]
Bot he have al his appetit.777
Mi Sone, if it be with thee so,
Tell me.
Confessio Amantis.
Myn holi fader, no:
For delicat in such a wise
Of love, as ye to me devise, 690
Ne was I nevere yit gultif;
For if I hadde such a wif
As ye speke of, what scholde I more?
For thanne I wolde neveremore
P. iii. 25
For lust of eny wommanhiede
Myn herte upon non other fiede:
And if I dede, it were a wast.
Bot al withoute such repast
Of lust, as ye me tolde above,
Of wif, or yit of other love, 700
I faste, and mai no fode gete;
So that for lacke of deinte mete,
Of which an herte mai be fedd,
I go fastende to my bedd.
Bot myhte I geten, as ye tolde,
So mochel that mi ladi wolde
Me fede with hir glad semblant,
Though me lacke al the remenant,
Yit scholde I somdel ben abeched
And for the time wel refreched. 710
Bot certes, fader, sche ne doth;
For in good feith, to telle soth,
I trowe, thogh I scholde sterve,
Sche wolde noght hire yhe swerve,
Min herte with o goodly lok778
To fede, and thus for such a cok
I mai go fastinge everemo:
Bot if so is that eny wo
Mai fede a mannes herte wel,
Therof I have at every meel 720
Of plente more than ynowh;
Bot that is of himself so towh,
[Pg 187]
Mi stomac mai it noght defie.
Lo, such is the delicacie
P. iii. 26
Of love, which myn herte fedeth;
Thus have I lacke of that me nedeth.
Bot for al this yit natheles
I seie noght I am gylteles,
That I somdel am delicat:
For elles were I fulli mat, 730
Bot if that I som lusti stounde
Of confort and of ese founde,
To take of love som repast;
For thogh I with the fulle tast779
The lust of love mai noght fiele,
Min hunger otherwise I kiele
Of smale lustes whiche I pike,
And for a time yit thei like;
If that ye wisten what I mene.
Confessor.
Nou, goode Sone, schrif thee clene 740
Of suche deyntes as ben goode,
Wherof thou takst thin hertes fode.
Confessio Amantis.
Mi fader, I you schal reherce,
Hou that mi fodes ben diverse,
So as thei fallen in degre.
O fiedinge is of that I se,780
An other is of that I here,
The thridde, as I schal tellen here,
It groweth of min oghne thoght:
And elles scholde I live noght; 750
For whom that failleth fode of herte,781
He mai noght wel the deth asterte.
Of sihte is al mi ferste fode,
Nota qualiter visus in amore se continet delicatus.
Thurgh which myn yhe of alle goode
P. iii. 27
Hath that to him is acordant,
A lusti fode sufficant.
Whan that I go toward the place
Wher I schal se my ladi face,
Min yhe, which is loth to faste,
Beginth to hungre anon so faste, 760
That him thenkth of on houre thre,[Pg 188]
Til I ther come and he hire se:782
And thanne after his appetit
He takth a fode of such delit,
That him non other deynte nedeth.
Of sondri sihtes he him fedeth:
He seth hire face of such colour,
That freisshere is than eny flour,
He seth hire front is large and plein
Withoute fronce of eny grein, 770
He seth hire yhen lich an hevene,
He seth hire nase strauht and evene,
He seth hire rode upon the cheke,
He seth hire rede lippes eke,
Hire chyn acordeth to the face,
Al that he seth is full of grace,
He seth hire necke round and clene,
Therinne mai no bon be sene,
He seth hire handes faire and whyte;
For al this thing without wyte 780
He mai se naked ate leste,
So is it wel the more feste
And wel the mor Delicacie
Unto the fiedinge of myn yhe.783
P. iii. 28
He seth hire schapthe forth withal,784
Hire bodi round, hire middel smal,
So wel begon with good array,
Which passeth al the lust of Maii,
Whan he is most with softe schoures
Ful clothed in his lusti floures. 790
With suche sihtes by and by
Min yhe is fed; bot finaly,
Whan he the port and the manere
Seth of hire wommanysshe chere,
Than hath he such delice on honde,
Him thenkth he mihte stille stonde,
And that he hath ful sufficance
Of liflode and of sustienance
[Pg 189]
As to his part for everemo.
And if it thoghte alle othre so, 800
Fro thenne wolde he nevere wende,
Bot there unto the worldes ende
He wolde abyde, if that he mihte,
And fieden him upon the syhte.
For thogh I mihte stonden ay
Into the time of domesday
And loke upon hire evere in on,
Yit whanne I scholde fro hire gon,
Min yhe wolde, as thogh he faste,
Ben hungerstorven al so faste, 810
Til efte ayein that he hire syhe.
Such is the nature of myn yhe:
Ther is no lust so deintefull,
Of which a man schal noght be full,
P. iii. 29
Of that the stomac underfongeth,
Bot evere in on myn yhe longeth:
For loke hou that a goshauk tireth,
Riht so doth he, whan that he pireth
And toteth on hire wommanhiede;
For he mai nevere fulli fiede 820
His lust, bot evere aliche sore
Him hungreth, so that he the more
Desireth to be fed algate:
And thus myn yhe is mad the gate,
Thurgh which the deyntes of my thoght
Of lust ben to myn herte broght.
Riht as myn yhe with his lok785
Is to myn herte a lusti coc
Of loves fode delicat,
Qualiter auris in amore delectatur.
Riht so myn Ere in his astat, 830
Wher as myn yhe mai noght serve,
Can wel myn hertes thonk deserve
And fieden him fro day to day
With suche deyntes as he may.
For thus it is, that overal,
Wher as I come in special,
I mai hiere of mi ladi pris;
[Pg 190]
I hiere on seith that sche is wys,786
An other seith that sche is good,
And som men sein, of worthi blod 840
That sche is come, and is also787
So fair, that nawher is non so;
And som men preise hire goodli chiere:
Thus every thing that I mai hiere,
P. iii. 30
Which souneth to mi ladi goode,
Is to myn Ere a lusti foode.
And ek min Ere hath over this
A deynte feste, whan so is
That I mai hiere hirselve speke;
For thanne anon mi faste I breke 850
On suche wordes as sche seith,
That full of trouthe and full of feith
Thei ben, and of so good desport,
That to myn Ere gret confort
Thei don, as thei that ben delices.
For al the metes and the spices,788
That eyn Lombard couthe make,
Ne be so lusti forto take
Ne so ferforth restauratif,
I seie as for myn oghne lif, 860
As ben the wordes of hire mouth:
For as the wyndes of the South
Ben most of alle debonaire,
So whan hir list to speke faire,
The vertu of hire goodly speche
Is verraily myn hertes leche.
And if it so befalle among,
That sche carole upon a song,
Whan I it hiere I am so fedd,
That I am fro miself so ledd, 870
As thogh I were in paradis;
For certes, as to myn avis,
Whan I here of hir vois the stevene,
Me thenkth it is a blisse of hevene.
P. iii. 31
And ek in other wise also
[Pg 191]
Fulofte time it falleth so,
Min Ere with a good pitance
Is fedd of redinge of romance
Of Ydoine and of Amadas,
That whilom weren in mi cas, 880
And eke of othre many a score,
That loveden longe er I was bore.
For whan I of here loves rede,
Min Ere with the tale I fede;
And with the lust of here histoire
Somtime I drawe into memoire
Hou sorwe mai noght evere laste;
And so comth hope in ate laste,
Whan I non other fode knowe.
And that endureth bot a throwe, 890
Riht as it were a cherie feste;
Bot forto compten ate leste,789
As for the while yit it eseth
And somdel of myn herte appeseth:
For what thing to myn Ere spreedeth,
Which is plesant, somdel it feedeth
With wordes suche as he mai gete
Mi lust, in stede of other mete.
Amans.
Lo thus, mi fader, as I seie,790
Of lust the which myn yhe hath seie, 900
And ek of that myn Ere hath herd,
Fulofte I have the betre ferd.
And tho tuo bringen in the thridde,
The which hath in myn herte amidde
P. iii. 32
His place take, to arraie
The lusti fode, which assaie791
I mot; and nameliche on nyhtes,
Whan that me lacketh alle sihtes,
And that myn heringe is aweie,
Thanne is he redy in the weie 910
Mi reresouper forto make,
Of which myn hertes fode I take.
This lusti cokes name is hote
[Pg 192]
Thoght, which hath evere hise pottes hote
Qualiter cogitatus impressiones leticie ymaginatiuas cordibus inserit amantum.
Of love buillende on the fyr
With fantasie and with desir,
Of whiche er this fulofte he fedde
Min herte, whanne I was abedde;
And thanne he set upon my bord
Bothe every syhte and every word 920
Of lust, which I have herd or sein.
Bot yit is noght mi feste al plein,
Bot al of woldes and of wisshes,
Therof have I my fulle disshes,
Bot as of fielinge and of tast,
Yit mihte I nevere have o repast.
And thus, as I have seid aforn,792
I licke hony on the thorn,793
And as who seith, upon the bridel
I chiewe, so that al is ydel 930
As in effect the fode I have.
Bot as a man that wolde him save,
Whan he is sek, be medicine,
Riht so of love the famine
P. iii. 33
I fonde in al that evere I mai
To fiede and dryve forth the day,
Til I mai have the grete feste,
Which al myn hunger myhte areste.
Lo suche ben mi lustes thre;
Of that I thenke and hiere and se 940
I take of love my fiedinge
Withoute tastinge or fielinge:
And as the Plover doth of Eir
I live, and am in good espeir
That for no such delicacie
I trowe I do no glotonie.794
And natheles to youre avis,
Min holi fader, that be wis,
I recomande myn astat
Of that I have be delicat. 950
Confessor.
Mi Sone, I understonde wel
[Pg 193]
That thou hast told hier everydel,
And as me thenketh be thi tale,
It ben delices wonder smale,
Wherof thou takst thi loves fode.
Bot, Sone, if that thou understode
What is to ben delicious,
Thou woldest noght be curious
Upon the lust of thin astat
To ben to sore delicat, 960
Wherof that thou reson excede:
For in the bokes thou myht rede,
If mannes wisdom schal be suied,
It oghte wel to ben eschuied795
P. iii. 34
In love als wel as other weie;
[Delicacy.]
For, as these holi bokes seie,
Delicie corporis militant aduersus animam.
The bodely delices alle
In every point, hou so thei falle,
Unto the Soule don grievance.
And forto take in remembrance, 970
A tale acordant unto this,
Which of gret understondinge is
To mannes soule resonable,796
I thenke telle, and is no fable.
[Dives and Lazarus.]
Of Cristes word, who wole it rede,
Hou that this vice is forto drede
Hic ponit exemplum contra istos delicatos. Et narrat de diuite et Lazaro, quorum gestus797 in euangelio Lucas euidencius describit.
In thevangile it telleth plein,
Which mot algate be certein,
For Crist himself it berth witnesse.
And thogh the clerk and the clergesse 980
In latin tunge it rede and singe,
Yit for the more knoulechinge
Of trouthe, which is good to wite,
I schal declare as it is write
In Engleissh, for thus it began.
Crist seith: ‘Ther was a riche man,
A mihti lord of gret astat,
And he was ek so delicat798
Of his clothing, that everyday
Of pourpre and bisse he made him gay, 990[Pg 194]
And eet and drank therto his fille
After the lustes of his wille,
As he which al stod in delice799
And tok non hiede of thilke vice.
P. iii. 35
And as it scholde so betyde,
A povere lazre upon a tyde
Cam to the gate and axed mete:
Bot there mihte he nothing gete800
His dedly hunger forto stanche;
For he, which hadde his fulle panche 1000
Of alle lustes ate bord,
Ne deigneth noght to speke a word,
Onliche a Crumme forto yive,
Wherof the povere myhte live801
Upon the yifte of his almesse.
Thus lai this povere in gret destresse802
Acold and hungred ate gate,
Fro which he mihte go no gate,803
So was he wofulli besein.
And as these holi bokes sein,804 1010
The houndes comen fro the halle,
Wher that this sike man was falle,
And as he lay ther forto die,
The woundes of his maladie
Thei licken forto don him ese.
Bot he was full of such desese,
That he mai noght the deth eschape;
Bot as it was that time schape,
The Soule fro the bodi passeth,
And he whom nothing overpasseth, 1020
The hihe god, up to the hevene
Him tok, wher he hath set him evene
In Habrahammes barm on hyh,805
Wher he the hevene joie syh
[Pg 195]
P. iii. 36
And hadde al that he have wolde.
And fell, as it befalle scholde,
This riche man the same throwe806
With soudein deth was overthrowe,
And forth withouten eny wente
Into the helle straght he wente;807 1030
The fend into the fyr him drouh,
Wher that he hadde peine ynouh
Of flamme which that evere brenneth.
And as his yhe aboute renneth,
Toward the hevene he cast his lok,
Wher that he syh and hiede tok
Hou Lazar set was in his Se
Als ferr as evere he mihte se
With Habraham; and thanne he preide
Unto the Patriarch and seide: 1040
“Send Lazar doun fro thilke Sete,
And do that he his finger wete
In water, so that he mai droppe
Upon my tunge, forto stoppe
The grete hete in which I brenne.”
Bot Habraham answerde thenne
And seide to him in this wise:
“Mi Sone, thou thee miht avise808
And take into thi remembrance,
Hou Lazar hadde gret penance, 1050
Whyl he was in that other lif,
Bot thou in al thi lust jolif
The bodily delices soghtest:
Forthi, so as thou thanne wroghtest,
P. iii. 37
Nou schalt thou take thi reward
Of dedly peine hierafterward
In helle, which schal evere laste;
And this Lazar nou ate laste
The worldes peine is overronne,
In hevene and hath his lif begonne 1060
Of joie, which is endeles.
[Pg 196]
Bot that thou preidest natheles,
That I schal Lazar to the sende
With water on his finger ende,
Thin hote tunge forto kiele,
Thou schalt no suche graces fiele;
For to that foule place of Sinne,
For evere in which thou schalt ben inne,
Comth non out of this place thider,
Ne non of you mai comen hider; 1070
Thus be yee parted nou atuo.”
The riche ayeinward cride tho:
“O Habraham, sithe it so is,
That Lazar mai noght do me this
Which I have axed in this place,
I wolde preie an other grace.
For I have yit of brethren fyve,
That with mi fader ben alyve
Togedre duellende in on hous;
To whom, as thou art gracious, 1080
I preie that thou woldest sende
Lazar, so that he mihte wende
To warne hem hou the world is went,
That afterward thei be noght schent
P. iii. 38
Of suche peines as I drye.809
Lo, this I preie and this I crie,
Now I may noght miself amende.”
The Patriarch anon suiende
To his preiere ansuerde nay;810
And seide him hou that everyday 1090
His brethren mihten knowe and hiere
Of Moïses on Erthe hiere
And of prophetes othre mo,
What hem was best. And he seith no;
Bot if ther mihte a man aryse
Fro deth to lyve in such a wise,
To tellen hem hou that it were,
He seide hou thanne of pure fere811
Thei scholden wel be war therby.
[Pg 197]
Quod Habraham: “Nay sikerly;812 1100
For if thei nou wol noght obeie
To suche as techen hem the weie,
And alday preche and alday telle
Hou that it stant of hevene and helle,
Thei wol noght thanne taken hiede,813
Thogh it befelle so in dede
That eny ded man were arered,814
To ben of him no betre lered
Than of an other man alyve.”815
Confessor.
If thou, mi Sone, canst descryve 1110
This tale, as Crist himself it tolde,
Thou schalt have cause to beholde,816
To se so gret an evidence,
Wherof the sothe experience
P. iii. 39
Hath schewed openliche at ÿe,
That bodili delicacie
Of him which yeveth non almesse
Schal after falle in gret destresse.
And that was sene upon the riche:
For he ne wolde unto his liche 1120
A Crumme yiven of his bred,
Thanne afterward, whan he was ded,
A drope of water him was werned.
Thus mai a mannes wit be lerned
Of hem that so delices taken;
Whan thei with deth ben overtaken,
That erst was swete is thanne sour.
Bot he that is a governour
Of worldes good, if he be wys,
Withinne his herte he set no pris 1130
Of al the world, and yit he useth
The good, that he nothing refuseth,
As he which lord is of the thinges.
The Nouches and the riche ringes,
The cloth of gold and the Perrie
He takth, and yit delicacie
[Pg 198]
He leveth, thogh he were al this.
The beste mete that ther is
He ett, and drinkth the beste drinke;
Bot hou that evere he ete or drinke, 1140
Delicacie he put aweie,
As he which goth the rihte weie
Noght only forto fiede and clothe
His bodi, bot his soule bothe.
P. iii. 40
Bot thei that taken otherwise
Here lustes, ben none of the wise;817
And that whilom was schewed eke,
If thou these olde bokes seke,
Als wel be reson as be kinde,
Of olde ensample as men mai finde. 1150
[Delicacy of Nero.]
What man that wolde him wel avise,818
Delicacie is to despise,
Hic loquitur de delicacia Neronis, qui corporalibus deliciis magis adherens spiritalia gaudia minus819 obtinuit.
Whan kinde acordeth noght withal;
Wherof ensample in special
Of Nero whilom mai be told,
Which ayein kinde manyfold
Hise lustes tok, til ate laste
That god him wolde al overcaste;
Of whom the Cronique is so plein,
Me list nomore of him to sein. 1160
And natheles for glotonie
Of bodili Delicacie,
To knowe his stomak hou it ferde,
Of that noman tofore herde,
Which he withinne himself bethoghte,
A wonder soubtil thing he wroghte.
Thre men upon eleccioun
[Pg 199]
Of age and of complexioun
Lich to himself be alle weie
He tok towardes him to pleie, 1170
And ete and drinke als wel as he.
Therof was no diversite;
For every day whan that thei eete,
Tofore his oghne bord thei seete,
And of such mete as he was served,
Althogh thei hadde it noght deserved,
P. iii. 41
Thei token service of the same.
Bot afterward al thilke game
Was into wofull ernest torned;
For whan thei weren thus sojorned, 1180
Withinne a time at after mete
Nero, which hadde noght foryete
The lustes of his frele astat,
As he which al was delicat,
To knowe thilke experience,
The men let come in his presence:820
And to that on the same tyde,
A courser that he scholde ryde
Into the feld, anon he bad;
Wherof this man was wonder glad, 1190
And goth to prike and prance aboute.
That other, whil that he was oute,
He leide upon his bedd to slepe:
The thridde, which he wolde kepe
Withinne his chambre, faire and softe
He goth now doun nou up fulofte,
Walkende a pass, that he ne slepte,
Til he which on the courser lepte
Was come fro the field ayein.
Nero thanne, as the bokes sein, 1200
These men doth taken alle thre
And slouh hem, for he wolde se
The whos stomak was best defied:
And whanne he hath the sothe tryed,
He fond that he which goth the pass
Defyed best of alle was,
[Pg 200]
P. iii. 42
Which afterward he usede ay.
And thus what thing unto his pay
Was most plesant, he lefte non:821
With every lust he was begon, 1210
Wherof the bodi myhte glade,
For he non abstinence made;
Bot most above alle erthli thinges
Of wommen unto the likinges
Nero sette al his hole herte,
For that lust scholde him noght asterte.
Whan that the thurst of love him cawhte,
Wher that him list he tok a drauhte,
He spareth nouther wif ne maide,
That such an other, as men saide, 1220
In al this world was nevere yit.
He was so drunke in al his wit
Thurgh sondri lustes whiche he tok,
That evere, whil ther is a bok,
Of Nero men schul rede and singe
Unto the worldes knowlechinge,
Mi goode Sone, as thou hast herd.
[Love-Delicacy.]
For evere yit it hath so ferd,
Delicacie in loves cas
Withoute reson is and was;822 1230
For wher that love his herte set,
Him thenkth it myhte be no bet;
And thogh it be noght fulli mete,823
The lust of love is evere swete.
Confessor.
Lo, thus togedre of felaschipe
Delicacie and drunkeschipe,
P. iii. 43
Wherof reson stant out of herre,
Have mad full many a wisman erre
In loves cause most of alle:
For thanne hou so that evere it falle, 1240
Wit can no reson understonde,
Bot let the governance stonde
To Will, which thanne wext so wylde,
That he can noght himselve schylde
[Pg 201]
Fro no peril, bot out of feere824
The weie he secheth hiere and there,
Him recheth noght upon what syde:
For oftetime he goth beside,
And doth such thing withoute drede,
Wherof him oghte wel to drede. 1250
Bot whan that love assoteth sore,
It passeth alle mennes lore;
What lust it is that he ordeigneth,
Ther is no mannes miht restreigneth,825
And of the godd takth he non hiede:
Bot laweles withoute drede,
His pourpos for he wolde achieve826
Ayeins the pointz of the believe,
He tempteth hevene and erthe and helle,
Hierafterward as I schal telle. 1260
[Sorcery and Witchcraft.]
iii. Dum stimulatur amor, quicquid iubet orta voluptas,
Audet et aggreditur, nulla timenda timens.
Omne quod astra queunt herbarum siue potestas,
Seu vigor inferni, singula temptat amans.
Quod nequit ipse deo mediante parare sinistrum,
Demonis hoc magica credulus arte parat.
Sic sibi non curat ad opus que recia tendit,
Dummodo nudatam prendere possit auem.
P. iii. 44
Who dar do thing which love ne dar?
To love is every lawe unwar,
Hic tractat qualiter Ebrietas et Delicacia omnis pudicicie contrarium instigantes inter alia ad carnalis concupiscencie promocionem Sortilegio827m magicam requirunt.
Bot to the lawes of his heste
The fissch, the foul, the man, the beste
Of al the worldes kinde louteth.
For love is he which nothing douteth;
In mannes herte where he sit,827
He compteth noght toward his wit
The wo nomore than the wele,
No mor the hete than the chele, 1270
No mor the wete than the dreie,
No mor to live than to deie,
[Pg 202]
So that tofore ne behinde
He seth nothing, bot as the blinde
Withoute insyhte of his corage
He doth merveilles in his rage.
To what thing that he wole him drawe,
Ther is no god, ther is no lawe,
Of whom that he takth eny hiede;
Bot as Baiard the blinde stede, 1280
Til he falle in the dich amidde,
He goth ther noman wole him bidde;
He stant so ferforth out of reule,
Ther is no wit that mai him reule.
And thus to telle of him in soth,
Ful many a wonder thing he doth,
That were betre to be laft,
Among the whiche is wicchecraft,
That som men clepen Sorcerie,828
Which forto winne his druerie 1290
P. iii. 45
With many a circumstance he useth,
Ther is no point which he refuseth.
Nota de Auctorum necnon et de829 librorum tam naturalis quam execrabilis magice nominibus.
The craft which that Saturnus fond,
To make prickes in the Sond,830
That Geomance cleped is,
Fulofte he useth it amis;
And of the flod his Ydromance,
And of the fyr the Piromance,
With questions echon of tho
He tempteth ofte, and ek also 1300
Aëremance in juggement
To love he bringth of his assent:
For these craftes, as I finde,
A man mai do be weie of kinde,
Be so it be to good entente.
Bot he goth al an other wente;
For rathere er he scholde faile,
With Nigromance he wole assaile
To make his incantacioun
With hot subfumigacioun. 1310
Thilke art which Spatula is hote,[Pg 203]
And used is of comun rote831
Among Paiens, with that craft ek
Of which is Auctor Thosz the Grek,
He worcheth on and on be rowe:
Razel is noght to him unknowe,
Ne Salomones Candarie,832
His Ydeac, his Eutonye;
The figure and the bok withal833
Of Balamuz, and of Ghenbal834 1320
P. iii. 46
The Seal, and therupon thymage
Of Thebith, for his avantage
He takth, and somwhat of Gibiere,
Which helplich is to this matiere.
Babilla with hire Sones sevene,
Which hath renonced to the hevene,
With Cernes bothe square and rounde,
He traceth ofte upon the grounde,
Makende his invocacioun;
And for full enformacioun 1330
The Scole which Honorius
Wrot, he poursuieth: and lo, thus
Magique he useth forto winne
His love, and spareth for no Sinne.
And over that of his Sotie,
Riht as he secheth Sorcerie
Of hem that ben Magiciens,
Riht so of the Naturiens
Upon the Sterres from above
His weie he secheth unto love, 1340
Als fer as he hem understondeth.
In many a sondry wise he fondeth:
He makth ymage, he makth sculpture,
He makth writinge, he makth figure,
He makth his calculacions,
He makth his demonstracions;
His houres of Astronomie
He kepeth as for that partie
[Pg 204]
Which longeth to thinspeccion
Of love and his affeccion; 1350
P. iii. 47
He wolde into the helle seche
The devel himselve to beseche,
If that he wiste forto spede,
To gete of love his lusti mede:
Wher that he hath his herte set,
He bede nevere fare bet
Ne wite of other hevene more.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, if thou of such a lore
Hast ben er this, I red thee leve.835
Amans.
Min holi fader, be youre leve 1360
Of al that ye have spoken hiere
Which toucheth unto this matiere,
To telle soth riht as I wene,
I wot noght o word what ye mene.
I wol noght seie, if that I couthe,
That I nolde in mi lusti youthe
Benethe in helle and ek above
To winne with mi ladi love
Don al that evere that I mihte;
For therof have I non insihte 1370
Wher afterward that I become,
To that I wonne and overcome
Hire love, which I most coveite.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, that goth wonder streite:
For this I mai wel telle soth,
Ther is noman the which so doth,
For al the craft that he can caste,
That he nabeith it ate laste.
For often he that wol beguile
Is guiled with the same guile, 1380
P. iii. 48
And thus the guilour is beguiled;
As I finde in a bok compiled
To this matiere an old histoire,
The which comth nou to mi memoire,
And is of gret essamplerie
Ayein the vice of Sorcerie,
Wherof non ende mai be good.
[Pg 205]
Bot hou whilom therof it stod,836
A tale which is good to knowe
To thee, mi Sone, I schal beknowe. 1390
[Tale of Ulysses and Telegonus.]
Among hem whiche at Troie were,837
Uluxes ate Siege there
Nota contra istos ob amoris causam sortilegos; vbi narrat in exemplum quod, cum Vluxes a subuersione Troie repatriare nauigio voluisset, ipsum in Insula Cilly, vbi illa expertissima maga nomine Circes regnauit, contigit applicuisse: quem vt in sui amoris concupiscenciam exardesceret, Circes omnibus suis incantacionibus vincere conabatur. Vluxes tamen magica potencior ipsam in amore subegit, ex qua filium nomine Thelogonum genuit, qui postea patrem suum interfecit: et sic contra fidei naturam genitus contra generacionis naturam patricidium operatus est.
Was on be name in special;
Of whom yit the memorial
Abit, for whyl ther is a mouth,
For evere his name schal be couth.
He was a worthi knyht and king
And clerk knowende of every thing;
He was a gret rethorien,
He was a gret magicien; 1400
Of Tullius the rethorique,
Of king Zorastes the magique,
Of Tholome thastronomie,
Of Plato the Philosophie,
Of Daniel the slepi dremes,
Of Neptune ek the water stremes,
Of Salomon and the proverbes,
Of Macer al the strengthe of herbes,
And the Phisique of Ypocras,
And lich unto Pictagoras 1410
P. iii. 49
Of Surgerie he knew the cures.
Bot somwhat of his aventures,
Which schal to mi matiere acorde,
Ter thee, mi Sone, I wol recorde.
This king, of which thou hast herd sein,
Fro Troie as he goth hom ayein
Be Schipe, he fond the See divers,
With many a wyndi storm revers.
Bot he thurgh wisdom that he schapeth838
Ful many a gret peril ascapeth, 1420
Of whiche I thenke tellen on,
Hou that malgre the nedle and ston
Wynddrive he was al soudeinly
Upon the strondes of Cilly,
[Pg 206]
Wher that he moste abyde a whyle.
Tuo queenes weren in that yle
Calipsa named and Circes;
And whan they herde hou Uluxes
Is londed ther upon the ryve,
For him thei senden als so blive. 1430
With him suche as he wolde he nam
And to the court to hem he cam.839
Thes queenes were as tuo goddesses
Of Art magique Sorceresses,
That what lord comth to that rivage,
Thei make him love in such a rage
And upon hem assote so,840
That thei wol have, er that he go,
Al that he hath of worldes good.
Uluxes wel this understod, 1440
P. iii. 50
Thei couthe moche, he couthe more;
Thei schape and caste ayein him sore841
And wroghte many a soutil wyle,
Bot yit thei mihte him noght beguile.842
Bot of the men of his navie
Thei tuo forschope a gret partie,
Mai non of hem withstonde here hestes;
Som part thei schopen into bestes,
Som part thei schopen into foules,
To beres, tigres, Apes, oules, 1450
Or elles be som other weie;
Ther myhte hem nothing desobeie,
Such craft thei hadde above kinde.
Bot that Art couthe thei noght finde,
Of which Uluxes was deceived,
That he ne hath hem alle weyved,
And broght hem into such a rote,
That upon him thei bothe assote;
And thurgh the science of his art
He tok of hem so wel his part, 1460
That he begat Circes with childe.
He kepte him sobre and made hem wilde,
[Pg 207]
He sette himselve so above,
That with here good and with here love,
Who that therof be lief or loth,
Al quit into his Schip he goth.
Circes toswolle bothe sides
He lefte, and waiteth on the tydes,
And straght thurghout the salte fom
He takth his cours and comth him hom, 1470
P. iii. 51
Where as he fond Penolope;
A betre wif ther mai non be,
And yit ther ben ynowhe of goode.
Bot who hir goodschipe understode
Fro ferst that sche wifhode tok,
Hou many loves sche forsok
And hou sche bar hire al aboute,
Ther whiles that hire lord was oute,
He mihte make a gret avant843
Amonges al the remenant 1480
That sche was on of al the beste.844
Wel myhte he sette his herte in reste,
This king, whan he hir fond in hele;
For as he couthe in wisdom dele,
So couthe sche in wommanhiede:
And whan sche syh withoute drede
Hire lord upon his oghne ground,
That he was come sauf and sound,
In al this world ne mihte be845
A gladdere womman than was sche. 1490
The fame, which mai noght ben hidd,
Thurghout the lond is sone kidd,
Here king is come hom ayein:
Ther mai noman the fulle sein,
Hou that thei weren alle glade,
So mochel joie of him thei made.
The presens every day be newed,
He was with yiftes al besnewed;
The poeple was of him so glad,
That thogh non other man hem bad, 1500
P. iii. 52[Pg 208]
Taillage upon hemself thei sette,
And as it were of pure dette
Thei yeve here goodes to the king:
This was a glad hom welcomyng.
Thus hath Uluxes what he wolde,
His wif was such as sche be scholde,
His poeple was to him sougit,
Him lacketh nothing of delit.
Bot fortune is of such a sleyhte,
That whan a man is most on heyhte,846 1510
Sche makth him rathest forto falle:
Ther wot noman what schal befalle,
Oracius. Omnia847 sunt hominum tenui pendencia filo.
The happes over mannes hed
Ben honged with a tendre thred.
That proved was on Uluxes;
For whan he was most in his pes,848
Fortune gan to make him werre
And sette his welthe al out of herre.849
Upon a dai as he was merie,
As thogh ther mihte him nothing derie,850 1520
Whan nyht was come, he goth to bedde,
With slep and bothe his yhen fedde.
And while he slepte, he mette a swevene:
Him thoghte he syh a stature evene,851
Which brihtere than the sonne schon;
A man it semeth was it non,
Bot yit it was as in figure
Most lich to mannyssh creature,
Bot as of beaute hevenelich
It was most to an Angel lich: 1530
P. iii. 53
And thus betwen angel and man
Beholden it this king began,
And such a lust tok of the sihte,
That fain he wolde, if that he mihte,
The forme of that figure embrace;
And goth him forth toward the place,852
Wher he sih that ymage tho,
[Pg 209]
And takth it in his Armes tuo,
And it embraceth him ayein
And to the king thus gan it sein: 1540
‘Uluxes, understand wel this,
The tokne of oure aqueintance is
Hierafterward to mochel tene:
The love that is ous betuene,
Of that we nou such joie make,
That on of ous the deth schal take,
Whan time comth of destine;
It may non other wise be.’
Uluxes tho began to preie
That this figure wolde him seie 1550
What wyht he is that seith him so.
This wyht upon a spere tho
A pensel which was wel begon,
Embrouded, scheweth him anon:
Thre fisshes alle of o colour
In manere as it were a tour
Upon the pensel were wroght.
Uluxes kneu this tokne noght,
And preith to wite in som partie
What thing it myhte signefie, 1560
P. iii. 54
‘A signe it is,’ the wyht ansuerde,
‘Of an Empire:’ and forth he ferde
Al sodeinly, whan he that seide.
Uluxes out of slep abreide,
And that was riht ayein the day,
That lengere slepen he ne may.
Bernardus. Plures plura sciunt853 et seipsos nesciunt.
Men sein, a man hath knowleching854
Save of himself of alle thing;
His oghne chance noman knoweth,
Bot as fortune it on him throweth: 1570
Was nevere yit so wys a clerk,
Which mihte knowe al goddes werk,
Ne the secret which god hath set
Ayein a man mai noght be let.
Uluxes, thogh that he be wys,
[Pg 210]
With al his wit in his avis,
The mor that he his swevene acompteth,
The lasse he wot what it amonteth:
For al his calculacion,
He seth no demonstracion 1580
Al pleinly forto knowe an ende;855
Bot natheles hou so it wende,
He dradde him of his oghne Sone.
That makth him wel the more astone,
And schop therfore anon withal,
So that withinne castel wall
Thelamachum his Sone he schette,
And upon him strong warde he sette.
The sothe furthere he ne knew,
Til that fortune him overthreu; 1590
P. iii. 55
Bot natheles for sikernesse,
Wher that he mihte wite and gesse
A place strengest in his lond,
Ther let he make of lym and sond
A strengthe where he wolde duelle;
Was nevere man yit herde telle
Of such an other as it was.
And forto strengthe him in that cas,856
Of al his lond the sekereste
Of servantz and the worthieste, 1600
To kepen him withinne warde,
He sette his bodi forto warde;857
And made such an ordinance,
For love ne for aqueintance,
That were it erly, were it late,
Thei scholde lete in ate gate
No maner man, what so betydde,
Bot if so were himself it bidde.
Bot al that myhte him noght availe,
For whom fortune wole assaile, 1610
Ther mai be non such resistence,
Which mihte make a man defence;
[Pg 211]
Al that schal be mot falle algate.
This Circes, which I spak of late,
On whom Uluxes hath begete
A child, thogh he it have foryete,
Whan time com, as it was wone,
Sche was delivered of a Sone,
Which cleped is Thelogonus.
This child, whan he was bore thus, 1620
P. iii. 56
Aboute his moder to ful age,
That he can reson and langage,
In good astat was drawe forth:
And whan he was so mochel worth
To stonden in a mannes stede,
Circes his moder hath him bede
That he schal to his fader go,
And tolde him al togedre tho
What man he was that him begat.
And whan Thelogonus of that 1630
Was war and hath ful knowleching858
Hou that his fader was a king,
He preith his moder faire this,
To go wher that his fader is;
And sche him granteth that he schal,
And made him redi forth withal.
It was that time such usance,
That every man the conoiscance
Of his contre bar in his hond,
Whan he wente into strange lond; 1640
And thus was every man therfore
Wel knowe, wher that he was bore:
For espiaile and mistrowinges
They dede thanne suche thinges,
That every man mai other knowe.859
So it befell that ilke throwe
Thelogonus as in this cas;
Of his contre the signe was
Thre fisshes, whiche he scholde bere
Upon the penon of a spere: 1650
P. iii. 57[Pg 212]
And whan that he was thus arraied
And hath his harneis al assaied,
That he was redy everydel,
His moder bad him farewel,
And seide him that he scholde swithe
His fader griete a thousand sithe.
Thelogonus his moder kiste
And tok his leve, and wher he wiste
His fader was, the weie nam,
Til he unto Nachaie cam, 1660
Which of that lond the chief Cite
Was cleped, and ther axeth he
Wher was the king and hou he ferde.
And whan that he the sothe herde,
Wher that the king Uluxes was,
Al one upon his hors gret pas
He rod him forth, and in his hond
He bar the signal of his lond
With fisshes thre, as I have told;860
And thus he wente unto that hold, 1670
Wher that his oghne fader duelleth.
The cause why he comth he telleth
Unto the kepers of the gate,
And wolde have comen in therate,
Bot schortli thei him seide nay:
And he als faire as evere he may
Besoghte and tolde hem ofte this,
Hou that the king his fader is;
Bot they with proude wordes grete
Begunne to manace and threte,861 1680
P. iii. 58
Bot he go fro the gate faste,
Thei wolde him take and sette faste.
Fro wordes unto strokes thus
Thei felle, and so Thelogonus
Was sore hurt and welnyh ded;
Bot with his scharpe speres hed
He makth defence, hou so it falle,
And wan the gate upon hem alle,
And hath slain of the beste fyve;
[Pg 213]
And thei ascriden als so blyve 1690
Thurghout the castell al aboute.862
On every syde men come oute,
Wherof the kinges herte afflihte,
And he with al the haste he mihte
A spere cauhte and out he goth,863
As he that was nyh wod for wroth.864
He sih the gates ful of blod,
Thelogonus and wher he stod
He sih also, bot he ne knew
What man it was, and to him threw865 1700
His Spere, and he sterte out asyde.
Bot destine, which schal betide,
Befell that ilke time so,
Thelogonus knew nothing tho
What man it was that to him caste,
And while his oghne spere laste,
With al the signe therupon
He caste unto the king anon,
And smot him with a dedly wounde.
Uluxes fell anon to grounde; 1710
P. iii. 59
Tho every man, ‘The king! the king!’
Began to crie, and of this thing
Thelogonus, which sih the cas,
On knes he fell and seide, ‘Helas!
I have min oghne fader slain:
Nou wolde I deie wonder fain,866
Nou sle me who that evere wile,
For certes it is riht good skile.’867
He crith, he wepth, he seith therfore,
‘Helas; that evere was I bore, 1720
That this unhappi destine
So wofulli comth in be me!’
This king, which yit hath lif ynouh,
His herte ayein to him he drouh,
And to that vois an Ere he leide
[Pg 214]
And understod al that he seide,
And gan to speke, and seide on hih;
‘Bring me this man.’ And whan he sih
Thelogonus, his thoght he sette
Upon the swevene which he mette, 1730
And axeth that he myhte se
His spere, on which the fisshes thre
He sih upon a pensel wroght.868
Tho wiste he wel it faileth noght,
And badd him that he telle scholde869
Fro whenne he cam and what he wolde.
Thelogonus in sorghe and wo
So as he mihte tolde tho
Unto Uluxes al the cas,
Hou that Circes his moder was, 1740
P. iii. 60
And so forth seide him everydel,
Hou that his moder gret him wel,
And in what wise sche him sente.
Tho wiste Uluxes what it mente,
And tok him in hise Armes softe,
And al bledende he kest him ofte,870
And seide, ‘Sone, whil I live,
This infortune I thee foryive.’
After his other Sone in haste
He sende, and he began him haste 1750
And cam unto his fader tyt.
Bot whan he sih him in such plit,
He wolde have ronne upon that other
Anon, and slain his oghne brother,
Ne hadde be that Uluxes
Betwen hem made acord and pes,
And to his heir Thelamachus
He bad that he Thelogonus
With al his pouer scholde kepe,
Til he were of his woundes depe 1760
Al hol, and thanne he scholde him yive
Lond wher upon he mihte live.
Thelamachus, whan he this herde,
[Pg 215]
Unto his fader he ansuerde
And seide he wolde don his wille.
So duelle thei togedre stille,
These brethren, and the fader sterveth.
Lo, wherof Sorcerie serveth.
Thurgh Sorcerie his lust he wan,
Thurgh Sorcerie his wo began, 1770
P. iii. 61
Thurgh Sorcerie his love he ches,
Thurgh Sorcerie his lif he les;
The child was gete in Sorcerie,
The which dede al this felonie:
Thing which was ayein kynde wroght
Unkindeliche it was aboght;
The child his oghne fader slowh,
That was unkindeschipe ynowh.
Forthi tak hiede hou that it is,
So forto winne love amis, 1780
Which endeth al his joie in wo:
For of this Art I finde also,
That hath be do for loves sake,
Wherof thou miht ensample take,
A gret Cronique imperial,
Which evere into memorial871
Among the men, hou so it wende,872
Schal duelle to the worldes ende.
[Tale of Nectanabus.]
The hihe creatour of thinges,
Which is the king of alle kinges, 1790
Hic narrat exemplum super eodem, qualiter Nectanabus ab Egipto873 in Macedoniam fugitiuus,874 Olimpiadem Philippi Regis ibidem tunc absentis vxorem arte magica decipiens, cum ipsa concubuit, magnumque ex ea Alexandrum sortilegus genuit: qui natus, postea cum ad erudiendum sub custodia Nectanabi commendatus fuisset, ipsum Nectanabum patrem suum ab altitudine cuiusdam turris in fossam profundam proiciens interfecit. Et sic sortilegus ex875 suo sortilegio infortunii sortem sortitus est.
Ful many a wonder worldes chance
Let slyden under his suffrance;
Ther wot noman the cause why,
Bot he the which is almyhty.
And that was proved whilom thus,
Whan that the king Nectanabus,
Which hadde Egipte forto lede,—
Bot for he sih tofor the dede
Thurgh magique of his Sorcerie,
Wherof he couthe a gret partie, 1800
P. iii. 62[Pg 216]
Hise enemys to him comende,
Fro whom he mihte him noght defende,
Out of his oghne lond he fledde;
And in the wise as he him dredde
It fell, for al his wicchecraft,
So that Egipte him was beraft,
And he desguised fledde aweie
Be schipe, and hield the rihte weie
To Macedoine, wher that he
Aryveth ate chief Cite. 1810
Thre yomen of his chambre there
Al only forto serve him were,
The whiche he trusteth wonder wel,
For thei were trewe as eny stiel;
And hapneth that thei with him ladde876
Part of the beste good he hadde.
Thei take logginge in the toun877
After the disposicion
Wher as him thoghte best to duelle:
He axeth thanne and herde telle 1820
Hou that the king was oute go
Upon a werre he hadde tho;
But in that Cite thanne was
The queene, which Olimpias
Was hote, and with sollempnete
The feste of hir nativite,
As it befell, was thanne holde;
And for hire list to be beholde878
And preised of the poeple aboute,
Sche schop hir forto riden oute 1830
P. iii. 63
At after mete al openly.
Anon were alle men redy,
And that was in the monthe of Maii,
This lusti queene in good arrai
Was set upon a Mule whyt:
To sen it was a gret delit
The joie that the cite made;
With freisshe thinges and with glade
[Pg 217]
The noble toun was al behonged,
And every wiht was sore alonged 1840
To se this lusti ladi ryde.
Ther was gret merthe on alle syde;
Wher as sche passeth be the strete,
Ther was ful many a tymber bete
And many a maide carolende:
And thus thurghout the toun pleiende
This queene unto a pleine rod,879
Wher that sche hoved and abod
To se diverse game pleie,
The lusti folk jouste and tourneie; 1850
And so forth every other man,
Which pleie couthe, his pley began,
To plese with this noble queene.
Nectanabus cam to the grene
Amonges othre and drouh him nyh.
Bot whan that he this ladi sih
And of hir beaute hiede tok,
He couthe noght withdrawe his lok
To se noght elles in the field,
Bot stod and only hire behield. 1860
P. iii. 64
Of his clothinge and of his gere
He was unlich alle othre there,
So that it hapneth ate laste,
The queene on him hire yhe caste,
And knew that he was strange anon:
Bot he behield hire evere in on
Withoute blenchinge of his chere.
Sche tok good hiede of his manere,
And wondreth why he dede so,
And bad men scholde for him go. 1870
He cam and dede hire reverence,
And sche him axeth in cilence
Fro whenne he cam and what he wolde.
And he with sobre wordes tolde,
And seith, ‘Ma dame, a clerk I am,880
To you and in message I cam,
The which I mai noght tellen hiere;
[Pg 218]
Bot if it liketh you to hiere,
It mot be seid al prively,881
Wher non schal be bot ye and I.’ 1880
Thus for the time he tok his leve.
The dai goth forth til it was eve,
That every man mot lete his werk;882
And sche thoghte evere upon this clerk,
What thing it is he wolde mene:
And in this wise abod the queene,
And passeth over thilke nyht,
Til it was on the morwe liht.
Sche sende for him, and he com,
With him his Astellabre he nom, 1890
P. iii. 65
Which was of fin gold precious
With pointz and cercles merveilous;
And ek the hevenely figures
Wroght in a bok ful of peintures
He tok this ladi forto schewe,
And tolde of ech of hem be rewe
The cours and the condicion.
And sche with gret affeccion
Sat stille and herde what he wolde:
And thus whan he sih time, he tolde, 1900
And feigneth with hise wordes wise
A tale, and seith in such a wise:
‘Ma dame, bot a while ago,
Wher I was in Egipte tho,
And radde in scole of this science,
It fell into mi conscience
That I unto the temple wente,
And ther with al myn hole entente
As I mi sacrifice dede,
On of the goddes hath me bede 1910
That I you warne prively,
So that ye make you redy,
And that ye be nothing agast;
For he such love hath to you cast,
That ye schul ben his oghne diere,
[Pg 219]
And he schal be your beddefiere,
Til ye conceive and be with childe.’
And with that word sche wax al mylde,
And somdel red becam for schame,
And axeth him that goddes name, 1920
P. iii. 66
Which so wol don hire compainie.
And he seide, ‘Amos of Lubie.’
And sche seith, ‘That mai I noght lieve,
Bot if I sihe a betre prieve.’
‘Ma dame,’ quod Nectanabus,
‘In tokne that it schal be thus,
This nyht for enformacion
Ye schul have an avision:
That Amos schal to you appiere,
To schewe and teche in what manere 1930
The thing schal afterward befalle.883
Ye oghten wel aboven alle
To make joie of such a lord;
For whan ye ben of on acord,
He schal a Sone of you begete,
Which with his swerd schal winne and gete
The wyde world in lengthe and brede;
Alle erthli kinges schull him drede,
And in such wise, I you behote,884
The god of erthe he schal be hote.’ 1940
‘If this be soth,’ tho quod the queene,
‘This nyht, thou seist, it schal be sene.
And if it falle into mi grace,
Of god Amos that I pourchace
To take of him so gret worschipe,
I wol do thee such ladischipe,
Wherof thou schalt for everemo
Be riche.’ And he hir thonketh tho,
And tok his leve and forth he wente.
Sche wiste litel what he mente, 1950
P. iii. 67
For it was guile and Sorcerie,
Al that sche tok for Prophecie.
Nectanabus thurghout the day,
[Pg 220]
Whan he cam hom wher as he lay,885
His chambre be himselve tok,
And overtorneth many a bok,
And thurgh the craft of Artemage
Of wex he forgeth an ymage.
He loketh his equacions
And ek the constellacions, 1960
He loketh the conjunccions,
He loketh the recepcions,
His signe, his houre, his ascendent,
And drawth fortune of his assent:
The name of queene Olimpias
In thilke ymage write was
Amiddes in the front above.
And thus to winne his lust of love
Nectanabus this werk hath diht;
And whan it cam withinne nyht, 1970
That every wyht is falle aslepe,
He thoghte he wolde his time kepe,
As he which hath his houre apointed.
And thanne ferst he hath enoignted
With sondri herbes that figure,
And therupon he gan conjure,
So that thurgh his enchantement
This ladi, which was innocent
And wiste nothing of this guile,
Mette, as sche slepte thilke while, 1980
P. iii. 68
Hou fro the hevene cam a lyht,
Which al hir chambre made lyht;
And as sche loketh to and fro,
Sche sih, hir thoghte, a dragoun tho,
Whos scherdes schynen as the Sonne,
And hath his softe pas begonne
With al the chiere that he may
Toward the bedd ther as sche lay,
Til he cam to the beddes side.
And sche lai stille and nothing cride, 1990
For he dede alle his thinges faire
And was courteis and debonaire:
[Pg 221]
And as he stod hire fasteby,886
His forme he changeth sodeinly,
And the figure of man he nom,
To hire and into bedde he com,887
And such thing there of love he wroghte,
Wherof, so as hire thanne thoghte,
Thurgh likinge of this god Amos
With childe anon hire wombe aros, 2000
And sche was wonder glad withal.
Nectanabus, which causeth al
Of this metrede the substance,
Whan he sih time, his nigromance
He stinte and nothing more seide
Of his carecte, and sche abreide
Out of hir slep, and lieveth wel
That it is soth thanne everydel
Of that this clerk hire hadde told,
And was the gladdere manyfold 2010
P. iii. 69
In hope of such a glad metrede,
Which after schal befalle in dede.
Sche longeth sore after the dai,
That sche hir swevene telle mai
To this guilour in privete,
Which kneu it als so wel as sche:888
And natheles on morwe sone
Sche lefte alle other thing to done,
And for him sende, and al the cas
Sche tolde him pleinly as it was, 2020
And seide hou thanne wel sche wiste
That sche his wordes mihte triste,
For sche fond hire Avisioun
Riht after the condicion
Which he hire hadde told tofore;
And preide him hertely therfore
That he hire holde covenant
So forth of al the remenant,
That sche may thurgh his ordinance
Toward the god do such plesance,889 2030
That sche wakende myhte him kepe[Pg 222]
In such wise as sche mette aslepe.
And he, that couthe of guile ynouh,
Whan he this herde, of joie he louh,
And seith, ‘Ma dame, it schal be do.
Bot this I warne you therto:
This nyht, whan that he comth to pleie,
That ther be no lif in the weie
Bot I, that schal at his likinge
Ordeine so for his cominge, 2040
P. iii. 70
That ye ne schull noght of him faile.890
For this, ma dame, I you consaile,
That ye it kepe so prive,
That no wiht elles bot we thre
Have knowlechinge hou that it is;
For elles mihte it fare amis,891
If ye dede oght that scholde him grieve.’
And thus he makth hire to believe,
And feigneth under guile feith:
Bot natheles al that he seith 2050
Sche troweth; and ayein the nyht
Sche hath withinne hire chambre dyht,
Wher as this guilour faste by
Upon this god schal prively
Awaite, as he makth hire to wene:892
And thus this noble gentil queene,
Whan sche most trusteth, was deceived.
The nyht com, and the chambre is weyved,
Nectanabus hath take his place,
And whan he sih the time and space, 2060
Thurgh the deceipte of his magique893
He putte him out of mannes like,894
And of a dragoun tok the forme,
As he which wolde him al conforme
To that sche sih in swevene er this;
[Pg 223]
And thus to chambre come he is.
The queene lay abedde and sih,
And hopeth evere, as he com nyh,
That he god of Lubye were,
So hath sche wel the lasse fere. 2070
P. iii. 71
Bot for he wolde hire more assure,895
Yit eft he changeth his figure,
And of a wether the liknesse
He tok, in signe of his noblesse
With large hornes for the nones:
Of fin gold and of riche stones
A corone on his hed he bar,
And soudeinly, er sche was war,
As he which alle guile can,
His forme he torneth into man, 2080
And cam to bedde, and sche lai stille,
Wher as sche soffreth al his wille,
As sche which wende noght misdo.896
Bot natheles it hapneth so,
Althogh sche were in part deceived,
Yit for al that sche hath conceived
The worthieste of alle kiththe,
Which evere was tofore or siththe
Of conqueste and chivalerie;897
So that thurgh guile and Sorcerie 2090
Ther was that noble knyht begunne,898
Which al the world hath after wunne.
Thus fell the thing which falle scholde,
Nectanabus hath that he wolde;
With guile he hath his love sped,
With guile he cam into the bed,
With guile he goth him out ayein:
He was a schrewed chamberlein,
So to beguile a worthi queene,
And that on him was after seene. 2100
P. iii. 72
Bot natheles the thing is do;
This false god was sone go,
[Pg 224]
With his deceipte and hield him clos,
Til morwe cam, that he aros.
And tho, whan time and leisir was,
The queene tolde him al the cas,
As sche that guile non supposeth;
And of tuo pointz sche him opposeth.
On was, if that this god nomore
Wol come ayein, and overmore, 2110
Hou sche schal stonden in acord
With king Philippe hire oghne lord,
Whan he comth hom and seth hire grone.
‘Ma dame,’ he seith, ‘let me alone:
As for the god I undertake
That whan it liketh you to take
His compaignie at eny throwe,
If I a day tofore it knowe,
He schal be with you on the nyht;
And he is wel of such a myht 2120
To kepe you from alle blame.
Forthi conforte you, ma dame,
Ther schal non other cause be.’
Thus tok he leve and forth goth he,
And tho began he forto muse
Hou he the queene mihte excuse
Toward the king of that is falle;
And fond a craft amonges alle,
Thurgh which he hath a See foul daunted,
With his magique and so enchaunted, 2130
P. iii. 73
That he flyh forth, whan it was nyht,
Unto the kinges tente riht,
Wher that he lay amidde his host:
And whanne he was aslepe most,
With that the See foul to him broghte
And othre charmes, whiche he wroghte899
At hom withinne his chambre stille,
The king he torneth at his wille,
And makth him forto dreme and se
The dragoun and the privete 2140
Which was betuen him and the queene.900
[Pg 225]
And over that he made him wene
In swevene, hou that the god Amos,
Whan he up fro the queene aros,
Tok forth a ring, wherinne a ston901
Was set, and grave therupon
A Sonne, in which, whan he cam nyh,
A leoun with a swerd he sih;
And with that priente, as he tho mette,902
Upon the queenes wombe he sette 2150
A Seal, and goth him forth his weie.
With that the swevene wente aweie,
And tho began the king awake
And sigheth for his wyves sake,
Wher as he lay withinne his tente,903
And hath gret wonder what it mente.904
With that he hasteth him to ryse
Anon, and sende after the wise,
Among the whiche ther was on,
A clerc, his name is Amphion: 2160
P. iii. 74
Whan he the kinges swevene herde,
What it betokneth he ansuerde,
And seith, ‘So siker as the lif,
A god hath leie be thi wif,
And gete a Sone, which schal winne
The world and al that is withinne.
As leon is the king of bestes,
So schal the world obeie his hestes,
Which with his swerd schal al be wonne,
Als ferr as schyneth eny Sonne.’ 2170
The king was doubtif of this dom;
Bot natheles, whan that he com
Ayein into his oghne lond,
His wif with childe gret he fond.
He mihte noght himselve stiere,
That he ne made hire hevy chiere;
Bot he which couthe of alle sorwe,
Nectanabus, upon the morwe
Thurgh the deceipte and nigromance
[Pg 226]
Tok of a dragoun the semblance, 2180
And wher the king sat in his halle,
Com in rampende among hem alle
With such a noise and such a rore,
That thei agast were also sore
As thogh thei scholde deie anon.
And natheles he grieveth non,
Bot goth toward the deyss on hih;
And whan he cam the queene nyh,
He stinte his noise, and in his wise
To hire he profreth his servise, 2190
P. iii. 75
And leith his hed upon hire barm;
And sche with goodly chiere hire arm
Aboute his necke ayeinward leide,
And thus the queene with him pleide
In sihte of alle men aboute.
And ate laste he gan to loute
And obeissance unto hire make,
As he that wolde his leve take;
And sodeinly his lothly forme
Into an Egle he gan transforme, 2200
And flyh and sette him on a raile;
Wherof the king hath gret mervaile,
For there he pruneth him and piketh,
As doth an hauk whan him wel liketh,
And after that himself he schok,
Wherof that al the halle quok,
As it a terremote were;
Thei seiden alle, god was there:
In such a res and forth he flyh.
The king, which al this wonder syh, 2210
Whan he cam to his chambre alone,
Unto the queene he made his mone905
And of foryivenesse hir preide;
For thanne he knew wel, as he seide,
Sche was with childe with a godd.
Thus was the king withoute rodd
Chastised, and the queene excused
Of that sche hadde ben accused.
[Pg 227]
And for the gretere evidence,
Yit after that in the presence 2220
P. iii. 76
Of king Philipp and othre mo,
Whan thei ride in the fieldes tho,
A Phesant cam before here yhe,
The which anon as thei hire syhe,
Fleende let an ey doun falle,
And it tobrak tofore hem alle:906
And as thei token therof kepe,
Thei syhe out of the schelle crepe
A litel Serpent on the ground,
Which rampeth al aboute round, 2230
And in ayein it wolde have wonne,907
Bot for the brennynge of the Sonne
It mihte noght, and so it deide.
And therupon the clerkes seide,
‘As the Serpent, whan it was oute,
Went enviroun the schelle aboute
And mihte noght torne in ayein,
So schal it fallen in certein:
This child the world schal environe,
And above alle the corone 2240
Him schal befalle, and in yong Age
He schal desire in his corage,
Whan al the world is in his hond,
To torn ayein into the lond908
Wher he was bore, and in his weie
Homward he schal with puison deie.’
The king, which al this sih and herde,909
Fro that dai forth, hou so it ferde,
His jalousie hath al foryete.
Bot he which hath the child begete, 2250
P. iii. 77
Nectanabus, in privete
The time of his nativite
Upon the constellacioun
Awaiteth, and relacion
Makth to the queene hou sche schal do,910
[Pg 228]
And every houre apointeth so,
That no mynut therof was lore.911
So that in due time is bore
This child, and forth with therupon
Ther felle wondres many on 2260
Of terremote universiel:
The Sonne tok colour of stiel
And loste his lyht, the wyndes blewe,
And manye strengthes overthrewe;
The See his propre kinde changeth,
And al the world his forme strangeth;
The thonder with his fyri levene
So cruel was upon the hevene,
That every erthli creature
Tho thoghte his lif in aventure. 2270
The tempeste ate laste cesseth,
The child is kept, his age encresseth,
And Alisandre his name is hote,
To whom Calistre and Aristote
To techen him Philosophie
Entenden, and Astronomie,
With othre thinges whiche he couthe
Also, to teche him in his youthe
Nectanabus tok upon honde.
Bot every man mai understonde, 2280
P. iii. 78
Of Sorcerie hou that it wende,
It wole himselve prove at ende,
And namely forto beguile
A lady, which withoute guile
Supposeth trouthe al that sche hiereth:
Bot often he that evele stiereth
His Schip is dreynt therinne amidde;
And in this cas riht so betidde.
Nectanabus upon a nyht,
Whan it was fair and sterre lyht, 2290
This yonge lord ladde up on hih
Above a tour, wher as he sih
The sterres suche as he acompteth,
And seith what ech of hem amonteth,
[Pg 229]
As thogh he knewe of alle thing;
Bot yit hath he no knowleching
What schal unto himself befalle.
Whan he hath told his wordes alle,
This yonge lord thanne him opposeth,912
And axeth if that he supposeth 2300
What deth he schal himselve deie.913
He seith, ‘Or fortune is aweie
And every sterre hath lost his wone,914
Or elles of myn oghne Sone
I schal be slain, I mai noght fle.’
Thoghte Alisandre in privete,
‘Hierof this olde dotard lieth’:
And er that other oght aspieth,
Al sodeinliche his olde bones
He schof over the wal at ones, 2310
P. iii. 79
And seith him, ‘Ly doun there apart:
Wherof nou serveth al thin art?
Thou knewe alle othre mennes chance
And of thiself hast ignorance:915
That thou hast seid amonges alle
Of thi persone, is noght befalle.’
Nectanabus, which hath his deth,
Yit while him lasteth lif and breth,
To Alisandre he spak and seide
That he with wrong blame on him leide; 2320
Fro point to point and al the cas
He tolde, hou he his Sone was.
Tho he, which sory was ynowh,
Out of the dich his fader drouh,
And tolde his moder hou it ferde
In conseil; and whan sche it herde
And kneu the toknes whiche he tolde,
Sche nyste what sche seie scholde,
Bot stod abayssht as for the while
Of his magique and al the guile. 2330
Sche thoghte hou that sche was deceived,916
[Pg 230]
That sche hath of a man conceived,
And wende a god it hadde be.
Bot natheles in such degre,
So as sche mihte hire honour save,
Sche schop the body was begrave.
And thus Nectanabus aboghte
The Sorcerie which he wroghte:
Thogh he upon the creatures
Thurgh his carectes and figures 2340
P. iii. 80
The maistrie and the pouer hadde,
His creatour to noght him ladde,
Ayein whos lawe his craft he useth,
Whan he for lust his god refuseth,
And tok him to the dieules craft,917
Lo, what profit him is belaft:
That thing thurgh which he wende have stonde,
Ferst him exilede out of londe
Which was his oghne, and from a king
Made him to ben an underling; 2350
And siththen to deceive a queene,
That torneth him to mochel teene;
Thurgh lust of love he gat him hate,
That ende couthe he noght abate.
His olde sleyhtes whiche he caste,918
Yonge Alisaundre hem overcaste,
His fader, which him misbegat,919
He slouh, a gret mishap was that;
Bot for o mis an other mys
Was yolde, and so fulofte it is; 2360
Nectanabus his craft miswente,
So it misfell him er he wente.
I not what helpeth that clergie
Which makth a man to do folie,
And nameliche of nigromance,
Which stant upon the mescreance.
[Zoroaster.]
And forto se more evidence,
Nota qualiter Rex Zorastes, statim cum ab vtero matris sue nasceretur, gaudio magno risit; in quo prenosticum doloris subsequentis signum figurabatur: nam et ipse detestabilis magice primus fuit inuentor, quem postea Rex Surrie dira morte trucidauit, et sic opus operarium consumpsit.
Zorastes, which thexperience
Of Art magique ferst forth drouh,
[Pg 231]
Anon as he was bore, he louh, 2370
P. iii. 81
Which tokne was of wo suinge:
For of his oghne controvinge
He fond magique and tauhte it forth;
Bot al that was him litel worth,
For of Surrie a worthi king
Him slou, and that was his endyng.920
Bot yit thurgh him this craft is used,
And he thurgh al the world accused,
For it schal nevere wel achieve
That stant noght riht with the believe: 2380
Bot lich to wolle is evele sponne,
Who lest himself hath litel wonne,
[Saul and the Witch.]
An ende proveth every thing.921
Saül, which was of Juys king,
Nota de Saule et Phitonissa.922
Up peine of deth forbad this art,
And yit he tok therof his part.
The Phitonesse in Samarie
Yaf him conseil be Sorcerie,
Which after fell to mochel sorwe,
For he was slain upon the morwe. 2390
Confessor.
To conne moche thing it helpeth,
Bot of to mochel noman yelpeth:
So forto loke on every side,
Magique mai noght wel betyde.
[Magic to be eschewed.]
Forthi, my Sone, I wolde rede
That thou of these ensamples drede,
That for no lust of erthli love
Thou seche so to come above,
Wherof as in the worldes wonder
Thou schalt for evere be put under. 2400
P. iii. 82
Amans.
Mi goode fader, grant mercy,
For evere I schal be war therby:
Of love what me so befalle,923
Such Sorcerie aboven alle
Fro this dai forth I schal eschuie,
[Pg 232]
That so ne wol I noght poursuie
Mi lust of love forto seche.
Bot this I wolde you beseche,
Beside that me stant of love,
As I you herde speke above 2410
Hou Alisandre was betawht
To Aristotle, and so wel tawht
Of al that to a king belongeth,
Wherof min herte sore longeth
To wite what it wolde mene.
For be reson I wolde wene
That if I herde of thinges strange,924
Yit for a time it scholde change
Mi peine, and lisse me somdiel.
Confessor.
Mi goode Sone, thou seist wel. 2420
For wisdom, hou that evere it stonde,
To him that can it understonde
Doth gret profit in sondri wise;
Bot touchende of so hih aprise,
Which is noght unto Venus knowe,
I mai it noght miselve knowe,
Which of hir court am al forthdrawe
And can nothing bot of hir lawe.
Bot natheles to knowe more
Als wel as thou me longeth sore; 2430
P. iii. 83
And for it helpeth to comune,
Al ben thei noght to me comune,
The scoles of Philosophie,925
Yit thenke I forto specefie,
In boke as it is comprehended,926
Wherof thou mihtest ben amended.
For thogh I be noght al cunnynge
Upon the forme of this wrytynge,
Som part therof yit have I herd,
In this matiere hou it hath ferd. 2440

Explicit Liber Sextus.

### FOOTNOTES:

702 10 sette AJC, S, F set BT
703 13 tuo] mo B
704 34 wext BT, F wexit J wexþ A wexeþ C
705 44 As for AdBTΛ
706 57 a man be] for to be AdBT a man to be JB₂, Δ
707 59 sterte AJ, S, F stert C, BT
708 66 care H₁ ... B₂
709 69 ffro F
710 79 doted AdBT
711 86 þei ne knowe AM ... B₂ (except GE) þei knewe J
712 101 If] Of ERCB₂ Thouȝe X
713 145 newefot S, F the rest newe foot (fot)
714 151 a pas H₁ ... B₂
715 152 cuer(e) it was AdBT
716 160 I am H₁XERC
717 162 With] The AM ... B₂
718 172 so om. H₁ ... B₂
719 197 or] and AMX ... B₂, Δ
720 202 ȝif A, F ȝiue J, B ffor wel is me þat I haue leue H₁ ... B₂ (I om. C)
721 209 Vnto AdBT
722 215 þo hetes ST þo hertes B
723 235 I om. AM
724 241 at] al (alle) H₁E, SAdTΔ
725 242 hou] þat AM
726 262 þruste M, Δ trust(e) AdBT, W
727 281 wher þat AMG, H₃
728 285 line om. B
729 297 wel om. AM ... B₂
730 329 be falle JH₁ERB₂, BT
731 339 caste AdBT, H₃
732 354 of þe seke AM ... B₂
733 357 In iape AM
734 358 vnserued AM, W
735 363 drinke al H₁X, AdBT drunken (om. al) E all (om. drunke) B₂ dronke and W
736 367 Of louedrunke and schalt FK Of louedrunke and schal J, SAdBT, W Of louedrinke and schal AM ... B₂, Δ Of loue drunken and shal H₃
737 376 lest J, B, F lesþ A leeseþ C
738 379 which A, B, F whiche J
739 382 that om. AdBT
740 387 I wel AJM I wol(e) H₁ ... B₂
741 408 the] þei F
742 409 margin concussit A ... B₂
743 414 for defaute H₁ ... C, Δ, H₃ in defaute B₂, W
744 421 wofull] foule AdBT
745 434 Was] Ȝaf H₁ ... B₂
746 442 þe nede AM ... B₂
747 463 i (I) torne AM
748 469 So þat AdBT, W
749 470 margin ad potum H₁ ... B₂
750 488 margin contigentibus F
751 495 feste AJ, B fest C, F
752 497 margin in om. H₁ ... B₂, SBΔ, W
753 500 be gete] begete (bigete) AX, SAdTΔ
754 508 ȝoue B, F ȝeue A ȝiue J, C
755 513 halfwode S, F half wode (woode) AJ, B
756 519 On] Of B
757 531 þis vice A ... B₂, S ... Δ
758 556 margin perierunt A ... B₂
759 543 and of H₁ ... B₂, W
760 550 margin que tandem AM coclamante F
761 554 neuere AJ, T neuer C, SB, F
762 559 Sonne H₁E, B, W (sonne bright)
763 569 of fool] a fool AM ... C a foul B₂ of foul Ad of foli Δ
764 590 fille ful] fulfille (ful fille) H₁XRCB₂ fulle M fille W
765 599 I rede þe H₁ERCB₂, Ad I rede þou X (I rede þe M corr.)
766 Latin Verses ii. 6 fatur H₁ ... B₂, B
767 621 margin molliciis A ... B₂
768 623 margin quoque AMH₁XB₂, W
769 620 is Past of] his past of AJ is past(e) as BT his past is Ad
770 633 Richesse AMH₁, H₃ Riches W
771 647 For bot] But if AdBT
772 653 who that] who so AM ... B₂
773 664 Vsance A ... B₂
774 665-964 ins. after 1146 SAdBTΔΛ These copies proceed here with l. 965
Vsage is þe seconde kinde
In loue als wel as oþer weie, &c.
775 673 nou om. AM
776 681 His honour AM
777 686 But if BT
778 715 a goodly JH₁RCB₂, AdBT, H₃ a gladly W one goodly Δ
779 734 ful paast AM
780 746 Of fieding(e) AM, AdΛ, H₃ If feding(e) H₁ ... B₂ (not G) Tho fedyng W
781 751 of herte] and herte AJM
782 762 he hire] to hir(e) AdBT
783 784 myn] his AM ... B₂
784 785 schapþe S, F the rest schape (schappe &c.)
785 827 Paragraph at l. 830 in MSS.
786 838 seith] seie MC, AdΔ, W (say)
787 841 is also] seiþ also AdBT
788 856 and all(e) þe spices M ... B₂, W
789 892 for tacompten B
790 899 as I þe seye B
791 906 fode] þoughtes B om. AdT flode B₂
792 927 toforn AdBT
793 928 on] of EB₂, AdBT
794 946 I do] to do AM
795 After 964 Als wel be reson as be kinde etc. (1149 ff.) SAdBTΔΛ
796 973 To] In AM ... B₂
797 979 margin gesta B
798 988 eek he was C, Δ
799 993 As] And AdBT stood al H₁ ... B₂, Ad, W
800 998 he] be AMXRB₂
801 1004 þis p. S ... Δ
802 1006 þe p. S ... Δ
803 1008 ffor AdBT
804 1010 these] þe AM ... B₂, H₃
805 1023 Habrahammes J, F rest Abrahames (Abrahams &c.): so 1039, 1046, 1073
806 1027 the] þis H₁ ... B₂
807 1030 Vnto þe helle BT In to helle JRB₂, Δ, W
808 1048 margin Salomon. Qui obturat aures suas ad clamorem pauperum, ipse clamabit et non exaudietur SBTΔ
809 1085 I drye] þey drye B
810 1089 his] þis (this) H₁, AdBTΔ (his S)
811 1098 hou om. S ... Δ
812 1100 Habraham JX, F rest Abraham
813 1105 wold(e) M, B, W
814 1107 Than eny AH₁ Themeny M (p. m.)
815 1109 of lyue X ... B₂, Ad, H₃ on liue Δ
816 1112 be holde JH₁RB₂
817 After 1146 SAdBTΔΛ have the following six lines (omitting the two 1147 f.), and then insert the passage 665-964. The text here is that of S:—
Bot now a dai a man mai se
The world so full of vanite,
That noman takþ of reson hiede
Or forto cloþe or forto fiede,
Bot al is sett vnto þe vice
To newe and changen his delice.
And riht so etc. (as 665 ff.)
818 1151 That man X ... B₂ (not G), W
819 1155 margin minus om. B
820 1186 let C, BT lete AJ, S, F
821 1209 non] anon EC, AdBT
822 1230 it is AM ... B₂
823 1233 Alþough B As þough AdT Thogh W
824 1245 no] þe B₂, AdBT þat M
825 1254 is] as A ... B₂
826 1257 wol(e) AH₁ ... B₂
827 1267 he] it G, B
827m 1267 margin Sortilegio SBTΔΛ Sacrilegio AX ... B₂, FH₃ sacrilegis H₁ sacri legis M (Latin om. J, Ad, W)
828 1289 som men] somme (some &c.) A ... B₂
829 1293 margin et de] et BT
830 1294 pikkes AdBTΛ
831 1312 of] to AM
832 1317 Ne] The B
833 1319 and] of B
834 1320 Chenbal B₂, SΔ Geubal AM Glenball H₃ Thenballe W
835 1359 red S, F rede AJC, B
836 1388 whilom how þerof AMX ... B₂ hou somtyme þ. J whilome therof how H₁
837 1391 whiche SB which AJC, F
838 1419 which B
839 1432 of hem AdBT
840 1437 And] That AM ... B₂ (not G)
841 1442 schope S ... Δ
842 1444 And ȝit AM ... B₂
843 1479 a om. AJMXGERCL
844 1481 was om. AdBT
845 1489 þe world AM ... B₂
846 1510 on] of AMG, H₃ in Δ
847 1513 margin Omina T, F
848 1516 in pes AdBTΔ (in his pes S)
849 1518 al om. AdBT
850 1520 ther] he AM
851 1524 statue A ... B₂, B
852 1536 þat place BT
853 1567 margin Multi multa sciunt AH₁XGECLB₂ Latin om. JMR, AdB, W
854 1567 seiþ SBT
855 1581 As S ... Δ
856 1598 þe cas JM, Δ þa cas A
857 1602 He] His F He charged hem þei scholde harde H₁ ... B₂ (but warde E)
858 1631 hath] had (hadde) AM ... B₂, W
859 1645 mihte (might) S ... Δ
860 1669 Which A
861 1680 and to þrete JH₁CB₂, Δ, WK
862 1691 al om. AM
863 1695 out] forþ H₁, AdBT
864 1696 nyh] right AdBT for wroth] and wroþ AM ... B₂ (except C), W wroþ T for worþ J
865 1700 and] but AdBT
866 1716 I wolde AMX ... B₂
867 1718 good skile] and skile S ... ΔΛ
868 1733 þe pensel G, B
869 1735 badd S bad A, B bed J badde F
870 1746 kest J, SB, F keste T kiste AC
871 1786 into] in A ... B₂ vnto W
872 1787 it so AM
873 1793 margin de Egipto BT
874 1794 margin fugiturus BT
875 1806 margin ex] pro BT
876 1815 thei] he B
877 1817 toke (took &c.) A ... B₂
878 1828 to beholde (be holde) H₁, AdTB
879 1847 þe pleine AdBT
880 1875 And] He AdBT
881 1879 al] so S ... Δ
882 1883 leue R, AdBT
883 1931 thing] king B
884 1939 such AJC, B suche S, F
885 1954 wher þat A ... B₂ (except E) ther as W
886 1993 fasteby J, F faste by AC, SB
887 1996 he om. AdBT
888 2016 als (as) wel XCLB₂, Δ(?), WK
889 2030 Towardes (Toward) god AdBT
890 2041 ȝe schol (schul) not of him AdΔ ye ne shalle of him H₁ I ne schal of him AM
891 2046 mihte AJ, S miht F might C, B
892 2055 and he makþ BT and makeþ Ad
893 2061 the om. AM ... B₂, Δ
894 2062 putte AC, B put J, F
895 2071 wolde AJ, SB wold F
896 2083 noght misdo om. B
897 2089 and of cheualerie (chiualrie &c.) AM ... B₂, AdΔ, W
898 2091 that] þe AM
899 2136 Anoþer charme H₁ ... B₂
900 2141 hem B, K
901 2145 þer inne AdBT
902 2149 tho] so AdBT
903 2155 Wher þat AM ... B₂
904 2156 what] þat AM
905 2212 he om. B
906 2226 bifore (biforn &c.) M ... B₂ afore (aforn) Δ, W
907 2231 he wolde AdBT
908 2244 vnto AdBT
909 2247 sih (sigh, seyh) A, SB sihe F sye J
910 2255 schal] had H₁, AdBT
911 2257 no om. B
912 2299 apposeþ AMGB₂, W
913 2301 schold(e) SAdBT
914 2303 hast F
915 2314 of H₁GEC, S ... Δ, W if AJMXRLB₂, FK
916 2331 that om. AM ... B₂, WK
917 2345 dieules S, F dieueles A deueles J, B
918 2355 caste] caughte B
919 2357 S has lost a leaf 2357-vii. 88.
920 2376 that om. AM
921 2383 An ende BT, F And ende AJMERL, Ad, K And þende CL And the ende H₁ And sende X The ende B₂, W At ende Δ
922 2385 margin Nota de Saule et Ph. om. AM, Δ
923 2403 so me A ... B₂, AdΔ euer me W
924 2417 But B
925 2433 Philophie F
926 2435 bokes AdBT, W

[Pg 233]

## Incipit Liber Septimus.

P. iii. 84
[The Education of Alexander.]
i. Omnibus in causis sapiens doctrina salutem
Consequitur, nec habet quis nisi doctus opem.
Naturam superat doctrina, viro quod et ortus
Ingenii docilis non dedit, ipsa dabit.
Non ita discretus hominum per climata regnat,
Quin, magis vt sapiat, indiget ipse scole.
I Genius the prest of love,
Quia omnis doctrina bona humano regimini salutem confert, in hoc septimo libro ad instanciam Amantis languidi intendit Genius illam ex qua Philosophi et Astrologi philosophie doctrinam Regem Alexandrum imbuerunt, secundum aliquid declarare. Diuidit enim philosophiam in tres partes, quarum prima Theorica, secunda Rethorica, tercia Practica nuncupata est, de quarum condicionibus subsequenter per singula tractabit.
Mi Sone, as thou hast preid above
That I the Scole schal declare
Of Aristotle and ek the fare
Of Alisandre, hou he was tauht,
I am somdel therof destrauht;
For it is noght to the matiere
Of love, why we sitten hiere
To schryve, so as Venus bad.
Bot natheles, for it is glad, 10
So as thou seist, for thin aprise
To hiere of suche thinges wise,
Wherof thou myht the time lisse,927
So as I can, I schal the wisse:
P. iii. 85
For wisdom is at every throwe928
Above alle other thing to knowe
In loves cause and elleswhere.
Forthi, my Sone, unto thin Ere,
Though it be noght in the registre
Of Venus, yit of that Calistre 20
And Aristotle whylom write
To Alisandre, thou schalt wite.
Bot for the lores ben diverse,
[Pg 234]
[Three Parts of Philosophy.]
I thenke ferst to the reherce
The nature of Philosophie;929
Which Aristotle of his clergie,
Wys and expert in the sciences,
Declareth thilke intelligences,930
As of thre pointz in principal.931
Wherof the ferste in special 30
Is Theorique, which is grounded
On him which al the world hath founded,
Which comprehendeth al the lore.
And forto loken overmore,
Next of sciences the seconde
Is Rethorique, whos faconde
Above alle othre is eloquent:
To telle a tale in juggement
So wel can noman speke as he.
The laste science of the thre 40
It is Practique, whos office
The vertu tryeth fro the vice,
And techeth upon goode thewes
To fle the compaignie of schrewes,
P. iii. 86
Which stant in disposicion
Of mannes free eleccion.
Practique enformeth ek the reule,
Hou that a worthi king schal reule
His Realme bothe in werre and pes.
Lo, thus danz Aristotiles 50
These thre sciences hath divided
And the nature also decided,
Wherof that ech of hem schal serve.
The ferste, which is the conserve
And kepere of the remnant,
As that which is most sufficant932
And chief of the Philosophie,
If I therof schal specefie
So as the Philosophre tolde,
Nou herkne, and kep that thou it holde. 60
[i. Theoric.][Pg 235]
ii. Prima creatorem dat scire sciencia summum:
Qui caput agnoscit, sufficit illud ei.933
Plura viros quandoque iuuat nescire, set illud
Quod videt expediens, sobrius ille sapit.
Of Theorique principal
The Philosophre in special
The propretees hath determined,
Hic tractat de prima parte Philosophie, que Theorica dicitur, cuius natura triplici dotata est sciencia, scilicet Theologia, Phisica et Mathematica: set primo illam partem Theologie declarabit.
As thilke which is enlumined
Of wisdom and of hih prudence
Above alle othre in his science:
And stant departed upon thre,
The ferste of which in his degre
Is cleped in Philosophie
The science of Theologie, 70
P. iii. 87
That other named is Phisique,
The thridde is seid Mathematique.
[Theology.]
Theologie is that science
Which unto man yifth evidence
Of thing which is noght bodely,
Wherof men knowe redely
The hihe almyhti Trinite,
Which is o god in unite
Withouten ende and beginnynge
And creatour of alle thinge, 80
Of hevene, of erthe and ek of helle.
Wherof, as olde bokes telle,
The Philosophre in his resoun
Wrot upon this conclusioun,
And of his wrytinge in a clause
He clepeth god the ferste cause,
Which of himself is thilke good,934
Withoute whom nothing is good,
Of which that every creature935
Hath his beinge and his nature. 90
Nota quod triplex dicitur essencia: Prima temporanea, que incipit et desinit, Secunda perpetua, que incipit et non desinit, Tercia sempiterna, que nec incipit nec desinit.
After the beinge of the thinges
Ther ben thre formes of beinges:936
Thing which began and ende schal,
[Pg 236]
That thing is cleped temporal;
Ther is also be other weie
Thing which began and schal noght deie,
As Soules, that ben spiritiel,
Here beinge is perpetuel:
Bot ther is on above the Sonne,
Whos time nevere was begonne, 100
P. iii. 88
And endeles schal evere be;
That is the god, whos mageste
Alle othre thinges schal governe,
And his beinge is sempiterne.
The god, to whom that al honour
Belongeth, he is creatour,
And othre ben hise creatures:
The god commandeth the natures937
That thei to him obeien alle;938
Withouten him, what so befalle, 110
Her myht is non, and he mai al:
The god was evere and evere schal,
And thei begonne of his assent;
The times alle be present
To god, to hem and alle unknowe,
Bot what him liketh that thei knowe:
Thus bothe an angel and a man,
The whiche of al that god began
Be chief, obeien goddes myht,939
And he stant endeles upriht. 120
To this science ben prive
The clerkes of divinite,
The whiche unto the poeple prechen
The feith of holi cherche and techen,
Which in som cas upon believe
Stant more than thei conne prieve
Be weie of Argument sensible:
Bot natheles it is credible,
And doth a man gret meede have,
To him that thenkth himself to save. 130
P. iii. 89
Theologie in such a wise
[Pg 237]
Of hih science and hih aprise
Above alle othre stant unlike,
And is the ferste of Theorique.
[Physics.]
Phisique is after the secounde,
Nota de secunda parte Theorice, que Phisica dicitur.
Thurgh which the Philosophre hath founde
To techen sondri knowlechinges
Upon the bodiliche thinges.
Of man, of beste, of herbe, of ston,
Of fissch, of foughl, of everychon 140
That ben of bodely substance,
The nature and the circumstance
Thurgh this science it is ful soght,
Which vaileth and which vaileth noght.
[Mathematics.]
The thridde point of Theorique,
Nota de tercia parte Theorice, que Mathematica dicitur, cuius condicio quatuor in se continet intelligencias, scilicet Arsmeticam, Musicam, Geometriam et Astronomiam: set primo de Artismetice natura dicere intendit.
Which cleped is Mathematique,
Devided is in sondri wise
And stant upon diverse aprise.
The ferste of whiche is Arsmetique,
And the secounde is seid Musique, 150
The thridde is ek Geometrie,
Also the ferthe Astronomie.
Of Arsmetique the matiere
Is that of which a man mai liere
What Algorisme in nombre amonteth,
Whan that the wise man acompteth
After the formel proprete
Of Algorismes Abece:
Be which multiplicacioun
Is mad and diminucioun 160
P. iii. 90
Of sommes be thexperience
Of this Art and of this science.
Nota de Musica, que secunda pars Artis Mathematice dicitur.
The seconde of Mathematique,940
Which is the science of Musique,
That techeth upon Armonie
A man to make melodie
Be vois and soun of instrument
Thurgh notes of acordement,
The whiche men pronounce alofte,
Nou scharpe notes and nou softe, 170
Nou hihe notes and nou lowe,[Pg 238]
As be the gamme a man mai knowe,
Which techeth the prolacion
Of note and the condicion.
Nota de tercia specie Artis Mathematice, quam Geometriam vocant.941
Mathematique of his science
Hath yit the thridde intelligence
Full of wisdom and of clergie
And cleped is Geometrie,
Thurgh which a man hath thilke sleyhte
Of lengthe, of brede, of depthe, of heyhte 180
To knowe the proporcion
Be verrai calculacion
Of this science: and in this wise
These olde Philosophres wise,
Of al this worldes erthe round,
Hou large, hou thikke was the ground,
Controeveden thexperience;
The cercle and the circumference
Of every thing unto the hevene
Thei setten point and mesure evene.942 190
P. iii. 91
Mathematique above therthe
Of hyh science hath yit the ferthe,
Which spekth upon Astronomie
And techeth of the sterres hihe,
Beginnynge upward fro the mone.
Bot ferst, as it was forto done,
This Aristotle in other thing
Unto this worthi yonge king
The kinde of every element
Which stant under the firmament, 200
Hou it is mad and in what wise,
Fro point to point he gan devise.
[Creation of the Four Elements.]
iii. Quatuor omnipotens elementa creauit origo,
Quatuor et venti partibus ora dabat.
Nostraque quadruplici complexio sorte creatur,
Corpore sicque suo stat variatus homo.
Tofore the creacion
Of eny worldes stacion,
[Pg 239]
Hic interim943 tractat de creacione quatuor Elementorum, scilicet terre, aque, aeris et ignis, necnon et de eorum naturis, nam et singulis proprietates singule attribuuntur.
Of hevene, of erthe, or eke of helle,
So as these olde bokes telle,
As soun tofore the song is set
And yit thei ben togedre knet,
Riht so the hihe pourveance
Tho hadde under his ordinance 210
A gret substance, a gret matiere,
Of which he wolde in his manere
These othre thinges make and forme.
For yit withouten eny forme
Was that matiere universal,
Which hihte Ylem in special.
P. iii. 92
Of Ylem, as I am enformed,
These elementz ben mad and formed,
Of Ylem elementz they hote
After the Scole of Aristote, 220
Of whiche if more I schal reherce,
Foure elementz ther ben diverse.
The ferste of hem men erthe calle,
Nota de Terra, quod est primum elementum.
Which is the lowest of hem alle,
And in his forme is schape round,
Substancial, strong, sadd and sound,
As that which mad is sufficant
To bere up al the remenant.
For as the point in a compas
Stant evene amiddes, riht so was 230
This erthe set and schal abyde,
Philosophus. Vnumquodque naturaliter appetit suum centrum.
That it may swerve to no side,
And hath his centre after the lawe
Of kinde, and to that centre drawe
Desireth every worldes thing,
If ther ne were no lettyng.944
Nota de Aqua, quod est secundum elementum.
Above therthe kepth his bounde
The water, which is the secounde
Of elementz, and al withoute
It environeth therthe aboute. 240
Bot as it scheweth, noght forthi
This soubtil water myhtely,
[Pg 240]
Thogh it be of himselve softe,
The strengthe of therthe perceth ofte;
For riht as veines ben of blod
In man, riht so the water flod
P. iii. 93
Therthe of his cours makth ful of veines,
Als wel the helles as the pleines.
And that a man may sen at ÿe,
For wher the hulles ben most hyhe, 250
Ther mai men welle stremes finde:
So proveth it be weie of kinde
The water heyher than the lond.
Nota de Aere, quod est tercium elementum.
And over this nou understond,
Air is the thridde of elementz,
Of whos kinde his aspirementz
Takth every lifissh creature,945
The which schal upon erthe endure:
For as the fissh, if it be dreie,
Mot in defaute of water deie, 260
Riht so withouten Air on lyve
No man ne beste myhte thryve,946
The which is mad of fleissh and bon;
There is outake of alle non.
Nota qualiter Aer in tribus Periferiis diuiditur.
This Air in Periferies thre
Divided is of such degre,
Benethe is on and on amidde,
To whiche above is set the thridde:
And upon the divisions947
There ben diverse impressions 270
Of moist and ek of drye also,
Whiche of the Sonne bothe tuo
Ben drawe and haled upon hy,
And maken cloudes in the Sky,
As schewed is at mannes sihte;948
Wherof be day and ek be nyhte
P. iii. 94
After the times of the yer
Among ous upon Erthe her
In sondri wise thinges falle.
De prima Aeris Periferia.
The ferste Periferie of alle 280
[Pg 241]
Engendreth Myst and overmore
The dewes and the Frostes hore,
After thilke intersticion
In which thei take impression,
De secunda Aeris Periferia.
Fro the seconde, as bokes sein,
The moiste dropes of the reyn
Descenden into Middilerthe,
And tempreth it to sed and Erthe,
And doth to springe grass and flour.
And ofte also the grete schour 290
Out of such place it mai be take,
That it the forme schal forsake
Of reyn, and into snow be torned;
And ek it mai be so sojorned
In sondri places up alofte,
That into hail it torneth ofte.
De tercia Aeris Periferia.
The thridde of thair after the lawe
Thurgh such matiere as up is drawe949
Of dreie thing, as it is ofte,
Among the cloudes upon lofte,950 300
And is so clos, it may noght oute,—
Thanne is it chased sore aboute,
Til it to fyr and leyt be falle,951
And thanne it brekth the cloudes alle,
The whiche of so gret noyse craken,
That thei the feerful thonder maken.
P. iii. 95
The thonderstrok smit er it leyte,
And yit men sen the fyr and leyte,
The thonderstrok er that men hiere:
So mai it wel be proeved hiere 310
In thing which schewed is fro feer,
A mannes yhe is there nerr
Thanne is the soun to mannes Ere.
And natheles it is gret feere
Bothe of the strok and of the fyr,
Of which is no recoverir
In place wher that thei descende,
Bot if god wolde his grace sende.
[Pg 242]
Nota hic952 qualiter Ignes, quos noctanter in Aere discurrere videmus, secundum varias apparencie formas varia gestant nomina: quorum primus Assub, secundus Capra saliens, tercius Eges et quartus Daali in libris Philosophorum nuncupatus est.
And forto speken over this,
In this partie of thair it is 320
That men fulofte sen be nyhte
The fyr in sondri forme alyhte.
Somtime the fyrdrake it semeth,953
And so the lewed poeple it demeth;
Somtime it semeth as it were
A Sterre, which that glydeth there:
Bot it is nouther of the tuo,
The Philosophre telleth so,
And seith that of impressions
Thurgh diverse exalacions954 330
Upon the cause and the matiere
Men sen diverse forme appiere
Of fyr, the which hath sondri name.
Assub, he seith, is thilke same,
The which in sondry place is founde,
Whanne it is falle doun to grounde,955
P. iii. 96
So as the fyr it hath aneled,
Lich unto slym which is congeled.
Of exalacion I finde956
Fyr kinled of the fame kinde, 340
Bot it is of an other forme;
Wherof, if that I schal conforme
The figure unto that it is,
These olde clerkes tellen this,
That it is lik a Got skippende,
And for that it is such semende,
It hatte Capra saliens.
And ek these Astronomiens
An other fyr also, be nyhte
Which scheweth him to mannes syhte, 350
Thei clepen Eges, the which brenneth
Lik to the corrant fyr that renneth
Upon a corde, as thou hast sein,
[Pg 243]
Whan it with poudre is so besein
Of Sulphre and othre thinges mo.
Ther is an other fyr also,
Which semeth to a mannes yhe
Be nyhtes time as thogh ther flyhe
A dragon brennende in the Sky,
And that is cleped proprely 360
Daaly, wherof men sein fulofte,957
‘Lo, wher the fyri drake alofte
Fleth up in thair!’ and so thei demen.
Bot why the fyres suche semen
Of sondri formes to beholde,958
The wise Philosophre tolde,
P. iii. 97
So as tofore it hath ben herd.
Confessor.
Lo thus, my Sone, hou it hath ferd:959
Of Air the due proprete
In sondri wise thou myht se, 370
And hou under the firmament
It is ek the thridde element,
Which environeth bothe tuo,
The water and the lond also.960
Nota de Igne, quod est quartum elementum.
And forto tellen overthis
Of elementz which the ferthe is,
That is the fyr in his degre,
Which environeth thother thre
And is withoute moist al drye.
Bot lest nou what seith the clergie; 380
For upon hem that I have seid
The creatour hath set and leid
The kinde and the complexion
Of alle mennes nacion.
Foure elementz sondri ther be,
Lich unto whiche of that degre
Among the men ther ben also
Complexions foure and nomo,
Wherof the Philosophre treteth,
That he nothing behinde leteth, 390
And seith hou that thei ben diverse,
[Pg 244]
So as I schal to thee reherse.
[The Four Complexions of Man.]
He which natureth every kinde,961
The myhti god, so as I finde,
Of man, which is his creature,
Nota hic qualiter secundum naturam quatuor elementorum quatuor in humano corpore complexiones, scilicet Malencolia, Fleuma, Sanguis et Colera, naturaliter constituuntur: vnde primo de Malencolia dicendum est.
Hath so devided the nature,
P. iii. 98
That non til other wel acordeth:
And be the cause it so discordeth,
The lif which fieleth the seknesse
Mai stonde upon no sekernesse. 400
Of therthe, which is cold and drye,
The kinde of man Malencolie
Is cleped, and that is the ferste,
The most ungoodlich and the werste;
For unto loves werk on nyht
Him lacketh bothe will and myht:
No wonder is, in lusty place
Of love though he lese grace.
What man hath that complexion,
Full of ymaginacion 410
Of dredes and of wrathful thoghtes,
He fret himselven al to noghtes.
De complexione Fleumatis.
The water, which is moyste and cold,
Makth fleume, which is manyfold
Foryetel, slou and wery sone
Of every thing which is to done:
He is of kinde sufficant
To holde love his covenant,
Bot that him lacketh appetit,
Which longeth unto such delit. 420
De complexione Sanguinis.
What man that takth his kinde of thair,
He schal be lyht, he schal be fair,
For his complexion is blood.
Of alle ther is non so good,
For he hath bothe will and myht
To plese and paie love his riht:
P. iii. 99
Wher as he hath love undertake,
Wrong is if that he be forsake.
De complexione Colere.
The fyr of his condicion962
[Pg 245]
Appropreth the complexion 430
Which in a man is Colre hote,
Whos propretes ben dreie and hote:
It makth a man ben enginous
And swift of fote and ek irous;
Of contek and folhastifnesse
He hath a riht gret besinesse,
To thenke of love and litel may:
Though he behote wel a day,963
On nyht whan that he wole assaie,
He may ful evele his dette paie. 440
Nota qualiter quatuor complexiones quatuor in homine habitaciones diuisim possident.
After the kinde of thelement,
Thus stant a mannes kinde went,
As touchende his complexion,
Upon sondri division
Of dreie, of moiste, of chele, of hete,964
And ech of hem his oghne sete
Appropred hath withinne a man.
And ferst to telle as I began,
Splen domus est965 Malencolie.
The Splen is to Malencolie
Assigned for herbergerie: 450
Pulmo domus966m Fleumatis.
The moiste fleume with his cold966
Hath in the lunges for his hold
Ordeined him a propre stede,
To duelle ther as he is bede:
Epar domus Sanguinis.
To the Sanguin complexion
Nature of hire inspeccion967
P. iii. 100
A propre hous hath in the livere
For his duellinge mad delivere:
Fel domus Colere.
The dreie Colre with his hete
Be weie of kinde his propre sete 460
Hath in the galle, wher he duelleth,
So as the Philosophre telleth.
Nota de Stomacho, qui vna cum aliis cordi968 specialius deseruit.
Nou over this is forto wite,
As it is in Phisique write
Of livere, of lunge, of galle, of splen,
[Pg 246]
Thei alle unto the herte ben
Servantz, and ech in his office
Entendeth to don him service,
As he which is chief lord above.969
The livere makth him forto love, 470
The lunge yifth him weie of speche,
The galle serveth to do wreche,
The Splen doth him to lawhe and pleie,
Whan al unclennesse is aweie:
Lo, thus hath ech of hem his dede.
And to sustienen hem and fede
In time of recreacion,
Nature hath in creacion970
The Stomach for a comun Coc
Ordeined, so as seith the boc.971 480
The Stomach coc is for the halle,
And builleth mete for hem alle,
To make hem myghty forto serve972
The herte, that he schal noght sterve:
For as a king in his Empire
Above alle othre is lord and Sire,
P. iii. 101
So is the herte principal,
To whom reson in special
Is yove as for the governance.
[The Soul of Man.]
And thus nature his pourveance 490
Hath mad for man to liven hiere;
Bot god, which hath the Soule diere,973
Hath formed it in other wise.
That can noman pleinli devise;
Bot as the clerkes ous enforme,
That lich to god it hath a forme,
Thurgh which figure and which liknesse
The Soule hath many an hyh noblesse
Appropred to his oghne kinde.
Bot ofte hir wittes be mad blinde 500
Al onliche of this ilke point,
That hir abydinge is conjoint
[Pg 247]
Forth with the bodi forto duelle:
That on desireth toward helle,
That other upward to the hevene;
So schul thei nevere stonde in evene,
Bot if the fleissh be overcome
And that the Soule have holi nome974
The governance, and that is selde,
Whil that the fleissh him mai bewelde.975 510
Al erthli thing which god began
Was only mad to serve man;
Bot he the Soule al only made
Himselven forto serve and glade.
Alle othre bestes that men finde
Thei serve unto here oghne kinde,
P. iii. 102
Bot to reson the Soule serveth;
Wherof the man his thonk deserveth
And get him with hise werkes goode
The perdurable lyves foode. 520
[The Division of the Earth.]
Of what matiere it schal be told,976
A tale lyketh manyfold
Hic loquitur vlterius de diuisione Terre que post diluuium tribus filiis Noe in tres partes, scilicet Asiam, Affricam et Europam diuidebatur.
The betre, if it be spoke plein:
Thus thinke I forto torne ayein
And telle plenerly therfore977
Of therthe, wherof nou tofore
I spak, and of the water eke,
So as these olde clerkes spieke,978
And sette proprely the bounde
After the forme of Mappemounde, 530
Thurgh which the ground be pourparties
Departed is in thre parties,
That is Asie, Aufrique, Europe,
The whiche under the hevene cope,
Als ferr as streccheth eny ground,
Begripeth al this Erthe round.
Bot after that the hihe wrieche
The water weies let out seche
[Pg 248]
And overgo the helles hye,
Which every kinde made dye 540
That upon Middelerthe stod,979
Outake Noë and his blod,
His Sones and his doughtres thre,
Thei were sauf and so was he;—
Here names who that rede rihte,
Sem, Cam, Japhet the brethren hihte;—980
P. iii. 103
And whanne thilke almyhty hond
Withdrouh the water fro the lond,
And al the rage was aweie,
And Erthe was the mannes weie, 550
The Sones thre, of whiche I tolde,
Riht after that hemselve wolde,981
This world departe thei begonne.
De Asia.
Asie, which lay to the Sonne
Upon the Marche of orient,
Was graunted be comun assent
To Sem, which was the Sone eldeste;
For that partie was the beste
And double as moche as othre tuo.
And was that time bounded so; 560
Wher as the flod which men Nil calleth
Departeth fro his cours and falleth
Into the See Alexandrine,
Ther takth Asie ferst seisine
Toward the West, and over this
Of Canahim wher the flod is
Into the grete See rennende,
Fro that into the worldes ende
Estward, Asie it is algates,
Til that men come unto the gates 570
Of Paradis, and there ho.
And schortly for to speke it so,
Of Orient in general
Withinne his bounde Asie hath al.
De Aufrica982 et Europa.
And thanne upon that other syde
[Pg 249]
Westward, as it fell thilke tyde,
P. iii. 104
The brother which was hote Cham
Upon his part Aufrique nam.983
Japhet Europe tho tok he,
Thus parten thei the world on thre. 580
Bot yit ther ben of londes fele
In occident as for the chele,
In orient as for the hete,
Which of the poeple be forlete984
As lond desert that is unable,
For it mai noght ben habitable.
Nota de mari quod magnum Occeanum dicitur.
The water eke hath sondri bounde,
After the lond wher it is founde,
And takth his name of thilke londes
Wher that it renneth on the strondes: 590
Bot thilke See which hath no wane
Is cleped the gret Occeane,
Out of the which arise and come
The hyhe flodes alle and some;
Is non so litel welle spring,
Which ther ne takth his beginnyng,
And lich a man that haleth breth985
Be weie of kinde, so it geth
Out of the See and in ayein,
The water, as the bokes sein. 600
Nota hic secundum philosophum de quinto Elemento, quod omnia sub celo creata infra suum ambitum continet, cui nomen Orbis specialiter appropriatum est.
Of Elementz the propretes
Hou that they stonden be degres,
As I have told, nou myht thou hiere,
Mi goode Sone, al the matiere
Of Erthe, of water, Air and fyr.
And for thou saist that thi desir
P. iii. 105
Is forto witen overmore
The forme of Aristotles lore,
He seith in his entendement,
That yit ther is an Element 610
Above the foure, and is the fifte,
Set of the hihe goddes yifte,
The which that Orbis cleped is.
[Pg 250]
And therupon he telleth this,
That as the schelle hol and sound
Encloseth al aboute round
What thing withinne an Ey belongeth,
Riht so this Orbis underfongeth
These elementz alle everychon,
Which I have spoke of on and on.986 620
Bot overthis nou tak good hiede,987
Mi Sone, for I wol procede
To speke upon Mathematique,
Which grounded is on Theorique.
The science of Astronomie
I thinke forto specefie,
Withoute which, to telle plein,
Alle othre science is in vein988
Toward the scole of erthli thinges:
For as an Egle with his winges 630
Fleth above alle that men finde,
So doth this science in his kinde.
[Astronomy.]
iv. Lege planetarum magis inferiora reguntur,
Ista set interdum regula fallit opus.
Vir mediante deo sapiens dominabitur astris,
Fata nec immerito quid nouitatis agunt.989
P. iii. 106
Benethe upon this Erthe hiere
Of alle thinges the matiere,
Hic loquitur de Artis Mathematice quarta specie, que Astronomia nuncupata est, cui eciam Astrologia socia connumeratur: set primo de septem planetis, que inter astra potenciores existunt, incipiendo a luna seorsum tractare intendit.
As tellen ous thei that ben lerned,
Of thing above it stant governed,
That is to sein of the Planetes.
The cheles bothe and ek the hetes,
The chances of the world also,
That we fortune clepen so, 640
Among the mennes nacion
Al is thurgh constellacion,
Wherof that som man hath the wele,
And som man hath deseses fele
In love als wel as othre thinges;
[Pg 251]
The stat of realmes and of kinges
In time of pes, in time of werre
It is conceived of the Sterre:
And thus seith the naturien
Which is an Astronomien. 650
Bot the divin seith otherwise,
That if men weren goode and wise
And plesant unto the godhede,
Thei scholden noght the sterres drede;
For o man, if him wel befalle,
Is more worth than ben thei alle
Towardes him that weldeth al.
Bot yit the lawe original,
Which he hath set in the natures,
Mot worchen in the creatures, 660
That therof mai be non obstacle,
Bot if it stonde upon miracle
P. iii. 107
Thurgh preiere of som holy man.
And forthi, so as I began
To speke upon Astronomie,
As it is write in the clergie,
To telle hou the planetes fare,
Som part I thenke to declare,
Mi Sone, unto thin Audience.
Astronomie is the science 670
Of wisdom and of hih connynge,
Which makth a man have knowlechinge990
Of Sterres in the firmament,
Figure, cercle and moevement
Of ech of hem in sondri place,
And what betwen hem is of space,
Hou so thei moeve or stonde faste,
Al this it telleth to the laste.
Assembled with Astronomie
Is ek that ilke Astrologie, 680
The which in juggementz acompteth
Theffect, what every sterre amonteth,
And hou thei causen many a wonder
To tho climatz that stonde hem under.991
[Pg 252]
[Planets and Signs.]
And forto telle it more plein,992
These olde philosophres sein
That Orbis, which I spak of err,
Is that which we fro therthe a ferr
Beholde, and firmament it calle,
In which the sterres stonden alle, 690
Among the whiche in special
Planetes sefne principal
P. iii. 108
Ther ben, that mannes sihte demeth,
Bot thorizonte, as to ous semeth.993
And also ther ben signes tuelve,
Whiche have her cercles be hemselve
Compassed in the zodiaque,
In which thei have here places take.
And as thei stonden in degre,
Here cercles more or lasse be, 700
Mad after the proporcion
Of therthe, whos condicion
Is set to be the foundement
To sustiene up the firmament.
And be this skile a man mai knowe,
The more that thei stonden lowe,
The more ben the cercles lasse;
That causeth why that some passe
Here due cours tofore an other.
Bot nou, mi lieve dere brother, 710
As thou desirest forto wite
What I finde in the bokes write,
To telle of the planetes sevene,
Hou that thei stonde upon the hevene
And in what point that thei ben inne,
Tak hiede, for I wol beginne,
So as the Philosophre tauhte994
To Alisandre and it betauhte,
Wherof that he was fulli tawht
Of wisdom, which was him betawht. 720
Benethe alle othre stant the Mone,
[Pg 253]
[The Planets.]
The which hath with the See to done:
Nota hic de prima planeta, que aliis inferior Luna dicitur.
P. iii. 109
Of flodes hihe and ebbes lowe
Upon his change it schal be knowe;995
And every fissh which hath a schelle
Mot in his governance duelle,
To wexe and wane in his degre,
As be the Mone a man mai se;
And al that stant upon the grounde
Of his moisture it mot be founde. 730
Alle othre sterres, as men finde,
Be schynende of here oghne kinde
Outake only the monelyht,
Which is noght of himselve bright,
Bot as he takth it of the Sonne.
And yit he hath noght al fulwonne996
His lyht, that he nys somdiel derk;
Bot what the lette is of that werk
In Almageste it telleth this:
The Mones cercle so lowe is, 740
Wherof the Sonne out of his stage
Ne seth him noght with full visage,
For he is with the ground beschaded,
So that the Mone is somdiel faded
And may noght fully schyne cler.
Bot what man under his pouer
Is bore, he schal his places change
And seche manye londes strange:
And as of this condicion
The Mones disposicion 750
Upon the lond of Alemaigne
Is set, and ek upon Bretaigne,
P. iii. 110
Which nou is cleped Engelond;
For thei travaile in every lond.
De secunda planeta, que Mercurius dicitur.
Of the Planetes the secounde
Above the Mone hath take his bounde,
Mercurie, and his nature is this,
That under him who that bore is,
In boke he schal be studious
And in wrytinge curious, 760
And slouh and lustles to travaile[Pg 254]
In thing which elles myhte availe:
He loveth ese, he loveth reste,
So is he noght the worthieste;
Bot yit with somdiel besinesse
His herte is set upon richesse.
And as in this condicion,
Theffect and disposicion
Of this Planete and of his chance997
Is most in Burgoigne and in France. 770
De tercia planeta, que Venus dicitur.
Next to Mercurie, as wol befalle,
Stant that Planete which men calle
Venus, whos constellacion
Governeth al the nacion
Of lovers, wher thei spiede or non,
Of whiche I trowe thou be on:
Bot whiderward thin happes wende,
Schal this planete schewe at ende,
As it hath do to many mo,
To some wel, to some wo. 780
And natheles of this Planete
The moste part is softe and swete;
P. iii. 111
For who that therof takth his berthe,
He schal desire joie and merthe,
Gentil, courteis and debonaire,
To speke his wordes softe and faire,
Such schal he be be weie of kinde,
And overal wher he may finde
Plesance of love, his herte boweth
With al his myht and there he woweth. 790
He is so ferforth Amourous,
He not what thing is vicious
Touchende love, for that lawe
Ther mai no maner man withdrawe,
The which venerien is bore
Be weie of kinde, and therefore
Venus of love the goddesse
Is cleped: bot of wantounesse998
[Pg 255]
The climat of hir lecherie
Is most commun in Lombardie. 800
Nota de Sole, qui medio planetarum residens Astrorum principatum obtinet.
Next unto this Planete of love
The brighte Sonne stant above,
Which is the hindrere of the nyht
And forthrere of the daies lyht,
As he which is the worldes ÿe,
Thurgh whom the lusti compaignie
Of foules be the morwe singe,
The freisshe floures sprede and springe,
The hihe tre the ground beschadeth,
And every mannes herte gladeth. 810
And for it is the hed Planete,
Hou that he sitteth in his sete,
P. iii. 112
Of what richesse, of what nobleie,
These bokes telle, and thus thei seie.
Nota de curru Solis necnon et de vario eiusdem apparatu.
Of gold glistrende Spoke and whiel
The Sonne his carte hath faire and wiel,
In which he sitt, and is coroned
With brighte stones environed;
Of whiche if that I speke schal,
Ther be tofore in special 820
Set in the front of his corone
Thre Stones, whiche no persone
Hath upon Erthe, and the ferste is
Be name cleped Licuchis;
That othre tuo be cleped thus,
Astrices and Ceramius.
In his corone also behinde,
Be olde bokes as I finde,
Ther ben of worthi Stones thre
Set ech of hem in his degre: 830
Wherof a Cristall is that on,
Which that corone is set upon;
The seconde is an Adamant;
The thridde is noble and avenant,
Which cleped is Ydriades.
And over this yit natheles
Upon the sydes of the werk,
[Pg 256]
After the wrytinge of the clerk,
Ther sitten fyve Stones mo:
The smaragdine is on of tho, 840
Jaspis and Elitropius
And Dendides and Jacinctus,
P. iii. 113
Lo, thus the corone is beset,
Wherof it schyneth wel the bet;
And in such wise his liht to sprede
Sit with his Diademe on hede
The Sonne schynende in his carte.
And forto lede him swithe and smarte
After the bryhte daies lawe,
Ther ben ordeined forto drawe 850
Foure hors his Char and him withal,
Wherof the names telle I schal:
Eritheüs the ferste is hote,
The which is red and schyneth hote,
The seconde Acteos the bryhte,
Lampes the thridde coursier hihte,
And Philogeüs is the ferthe,
That bringen lyht unto this erthe,
And gon so swift upon the hevene,
In foure and twenty houres evene 860
The carte with the bryhte Sonne
Thei drawe, so that overronne
Thei have under the cercles hihe
Al Middelerthe in such an hye.
And thus the Sonne is overal
The chief Planete imperial,
Above him and benethe him thre:
And thus betwen hem regneth he,
As he that hath the middel place
Among the Sevene, and of his face 870
Be glade alle erthly creatures,
And taken after the natures
P. iii. 114
Here ese and recreacion.
And in his constellacion
Who that is bore in special,
Of good will and of liberal
He schal be founde in alle place,
[Pg 257]
And also stonde in mochel grace
Toward the lordes forto serve
And gret profit and thonk deserve. 880
And over that it causeth yit
A man to be soubtil of wit
To worche in gold, and to be wys
In every thing which is of pris.
Bot forto speken in what cost
Of al this erthe he regneth most
As for wisdom, it is in Grece,
Wher is apropred thilke spiece.
Nota de quinta planeta, que Mars dicitur.
Mars the Planete bataillous
Next to the Sonne glorious 890
Above stant, and doth mervailes
Upon the fortune of batailes.
The conquerours be daies olde
Were unto this planete holde:
Bot who that his nativite
Hath take upon the proprete
Of Martes disposicioun
Be weie of constellacioun,
He schal be fiers and folhastif
And desirous of werre and strif. 900
Bot forto telle redely
In what climat most comunly
P. iii. 115
That this planete hath his effect,
Seid is that he hath his aspect
Upon the holi lond so cast,
That there is no pes stedefast.
Nota de sexta planeta, que Iupiter dicitur.
Above Mars upon the hevene,
The sexte Planete of the sevene,
Stant Jupiter the delicat,
Which causeth pes and no debar. 910
For he is cleped that Planete999
Which of his kinde softe and swete
Attempreth al that to him longeth;
And whom this planete underfongeth
To stonde upon his regiment,
He schal be meke and pacient
[Pg 258]
And fortunat to Marchandie
And lusti to delicacie
In every thing which he schal do.
This Jupiter is cause also 920
Of the science of lyhte werkes,
And in this wise tellen clerkes
He is the Planete of delices.
Bot in Egipte of his offices
He regneth most in special:
For ther be lustes overal
Of al that to this lif befalleth;
For ther no stormy weder falleth,
Which myhte grieve man or beste,
And ek the lond is so honeste 930
That it is plentevous and plein,
Ther is non ydel ground in vein;
P. iii. 116
And upon such felicite1000
Stant Jupiter in his degre.
De septima planeta, que reliquis celsior Saturnus dictus est.1001
The heyeste and aboven alle
Stant that planete which men calle1002
Saturnus, whos complexion
Is cold, and his condicion
Causeth malice and crualte
To him the whos nativite 940
Is set under his governance.
For alle hise werkes ben grevance
And enemy to mannes hele,
In what degre that he schal dele.
His climat is in Orient,
Wher that he is most violent.
Of the Planetes by and by,
Hou that thei stonde upon the Sky,
Fro point to point as thou myht hiere,
Was Alisandre mad to liere. 950
Bot overthis touchende his lore,
Of thing that thei him tawhte more
Upon the scoles of clergie
Now herkne the Philosophie.
[Pg 259]
[The Signs.]
He which departeth dai fro nyht,
Postquam dictum est de vii. Planetis, quibus singuli septimane dies singulariter attitulantur, dicendum est iam de xii. Signis, per que xii. Menses Anni variis temporibus effectus varios assequntur.1004
That on derk and that other lyht,1003
Of sevene daies made a weke,
A Monthe of foure wekes eke
He hath ordeigned in his lawe,
Of Monthes tuelve and ek forthdrawe 960
He hath also the longe yeer.
And as he sette of his pouer
P. iii. 117
Acordant to the daies sevene
Planetes Sevene upon the hevene,
As thou tofore hast herd devise,
To speke riht in such a wise,
To every Monthe be himselve
Upon the hevene of Signes tuelve
He hath after his Ordinal
Assigned on in special, 970
Wherof, so as I schal rehersen,
The tydes of the yer diversen.
Bot pleinly forto make it knowe
Hou that the Signes sitte arowe,
Ech after other be degre
In substance and in proprete
The zodiaque comprehendeth
Withinne his cercle, as it appendeth.1005
Nota hic de primo Signo, quod Aries dicitur, cui Mensis Marcii specialiter appropriatus est.
Quo deus in primo produxit ad esse1006 creata.
The ferste of whiche natheles1007
Be name is cleped Aries, 980
Which lich a wether of stature
Resembled is in his figure.
And as it seith in Almageste,
Of Sterres tuelve upon this beste1008
Ben set, wherof in his degre
The wombe hath tuo, the heved hath thre,
The Tail hath sevene, and in this wise,
As thou myht hiere me divise,
Stant Aries, which hot and drye
Is of himself, and in partie 990
[Pg 260]
P. iii. 118
He is the receipte and the hous
Of myhty Mars the bataillous.
And overmore ek, as I finde,
The creatour of alle kinde
Upon this Signe ferst began
The world, whan that he made man.
And of this constellacioun
The verray operacioun
Availeth, if a man therinne
The pourpos of his werk beginne; 1000
For thanne he hath of proprete
Good sped and gret felicite.
The tuelve Monthes of the yeer
Attitled under the pouer
Of these tuelve Signes stonde;
Wherof that thou schalt understonde
This Aries on of the tuelve1009
Hath March attitled for himselve,
Whan every bridd schal chese his make,
And every neddre and every Snake 1010
And every Reptil which mai moeve,
His myht assaieth forto proeve,
To crepen out ayein the Sonne,
Whan Ver his Seson hath begonne.
Secundum Signum dicitur Taurus, cuius Mensis est Aprilis.
Quo prius occultas inuenit herba vias.
Taurus the seconde after this
Of Signes, which figured is
Unto a Bole, is dreie and cold;1010
And as it is in bokes told,
P. iii. 119
He is the hous appourtienant1011
To Venus, somdiel descordant. 1020
This Bole is ek with sterres set,
Thurgh whiche he hath hise hornes knet
Unto the tail of Aries,
So is he noght ther sterreles.
Upon his brest ek eyhtetiene
He hath, and ek, as it is sene,
Upon his tail stonde othre tuo.1012
[Pg 261]
His Monthe assigned ek also
Is Averil, which of his schoures
Ministreth weie unto the floures. 1030
Tercium Signum dicitur Gemini, cuius Mensis Maiius est.
Quo volucrum cantus gaudet de floribus ortis.
The thridde signe is Gemini,
Which is figured redely
Lich to tuo twinnes of mankinde,1013
That naked stonde; and as I finde,
Thei be with Sterres wel bego:
The heved hath part of thilke tuo
That schyne upon the boles tail,
So be thei bothe of o parail;
But on the wombe of Gemini
Ben fyve sterres noght forthi, 1040
And ek upon the feet be tweie,
So as these olde bokes seie,
That wise Tholomeüs wrot.
His propre Monthe wel I wot1014
Assigned is the lusti Maii,
Whanne every brid upon his lay
P. iii. 120
Among the griene leves singeth,
And love of his pointure stingeth
After the lawes of nature
The youthe of every creature. 1050
Quartum Signum Cancer dicitur, cuius Mensis Iunius est.
Quo falcat pratis pabula tonsor equis.
Cancer after the reule and space
Of Signes halt the ferthe place.
Like to the crabbe he hath semblance,
And hath unto his retienance
Sextiene sterres, wherof ten,
So as these olde wise men
Descrive, he berth on him tofore,
And in the middel tuo be bore,1015
And foure he hath upon his ende.
Thus goth he sterred in his kende, 1060
And of himself is moiste and cold,
And is the propre hous and hold
Which appartieneth to the Mone,
[Pg 262]
And doth what longeth him to done.
The Monthe of Juin unto this Signe
Thou schalt after the reule assigne.
Quintum signum Leo dicitur, cuius Mensis Iulius est.
Quo magis ad terras expandit Lucifer ignes.
The fifte Signe is Leo hote,
Whos kinde is schape dreie and hote,
In whom the Sonne hath herbergage.
And the semblance of his ymage 1070
Is a leoun, which in baillie
Of sterres hath his pourpartie:
The foure, which as Cancer hath
Upon his ende, Leo tath
P. iii. 121
Upon his heved, and thanne nest
He hath ek foure upon his brest,
And on upon his tail behinde,
In olde bokes as we finde.
His propre Monthe is Juyl be name,1016
In which men pleien many a game. 1080
Sextum Signum Virgo dicitur, cuius Mensis Augustus est.
Quo vacuata prius pubes replet horrea messis.
After Leo Virgo the nexte
Of Signes cleped is the sexte,
Wherof the figure is a Maide;
And as the Philosophre saide,
Sche is the welthe and the risinge,
The lust, the joie and the likinge
Unto Mercurie: and soth to seie
Sche is with sterres wel beseie,
Wherof Leo hath lent hire on,
Which sit on hih hir heved upon, 1090
Hire wombe hath fyve, hir feet also
Have other fyve: and overmo
Touchende as of complexion,
Be kindly disposicion
Of dreie and cold this Maiden is.1017
And forto tellen over this
Hir Monthe, thou schalt understonde,
Whan every feld hath corn in honde
And many a man his bak hath plied,
[Pg 263]
Unto this Signe is Augst applied.1018 1100
Septimum Signum Libra dicitur, cuius Mensis Septembris est.
Vinea quo Bachum pressa liquore colit.
After Virgo to reknen evene
Libra sit in the nombre of sevene,
P. iii. 122
Which hath figure and resemblance
Unto a man which a balance
Berth in his hond as forto weie:
In boke and as it mai be seie,
Diverse sterres to him longeth,
Wherof on hevede he underfongeth
Ferst thre, and ek his wombe hath tuo,
And doun benethe eighte othre mo. 1110
This Signe is hot and moiste bothe,
The whiche thinges be noght lothe
Unto Venus, so that alofte
Sche resteth in his hous fulofte,
And ek Saturnus often hyed
Is in this Signe and magnefied.1019
His propre Monthe is seid Septembre,
Which yifth men cause to remembre,
If eny Sor be left behinde
Of thing which grieve mai to kinde. 1120
Octauum Signum Scorpio dicitur, cuius Mensis October est.
Floribus exclusis yemis qui ianitor extat.
Among the Signes upon heighte
The Signe which is nombred eighte
Is Scorpio, which as feloun
Figured is a Scorpioun.
Bot for al that yit natheles
Is Scorpio noght sterreles;
For Libra granteth him his ende
Of eighte sterres, wher he wende,
The whiche upon his heved assised
He berth, and ek ther ben divised 1130
P. iii. 123
Upon his wombe sterres thre,
And eighte upon his tail hath he.
Which of his kinde is moiste and cold
And unbehovely manyfold;
He harmeth Venus and empeireth,
Bot Mars unto his hous repeireth,
Bot war whan thei togedre duellen.
[Pg 264]
His propre Monthe is, as men tellen,
Octobre, which bringth the kalende
Of wynter, that comth next suiende. 1140
Nonum signum Sagittarius dicitur, cuius Mensis Nouember est.
Quo mustum bibulo linquit sua nomina vino.
The nynthe Signe in nombre also,
Which folweth after Scorpio,
Is cleped Sagittarius,
The whos figure is marked thus,
A Monstre with a bowe on honde:
On whom that sondri sterres stonde,
Thilke eighte of whiche I spak tofore,
The whiche upon the tail ben bore1020
Of Scorpio, the heved al faire
Bespreden of the Sagittaire; 1150
And eighte of othre stonden evene
Upon his wombe, and othre sevene
Ther stonde upon his tail behinde.
And he is hot and dreie of kinde:
To Jupiter his hous is fre,
Bot to Mercurie in his degre,
For thei ben noght of on assent,
He worcheth gret empeirement.
P. iii. 124
This Signe hath of his proprete
A Monthe, which of duete 1160
After the sesoun that befalleth
The Plowed Oxe in wynter stalleth;
And fyr into the halle he bringeth,1021
And thilke drinke of which men singeth,
He torneth must into the wyn;
Thanne is the larder of the swyn;
That is Novembre which I meene,
Whan that the lef hath lost his greene.
Decimum Signum Capricornus dicitur, cuius Mensis December est.
Ipse diem Nano noctemque Gigante figurat.
The tenthe Signe dreie and cold,
The which is Capricornus told, 1170
Unto a Got hath resemblance:
For whos love and whos aqueintance
Withinne hise houses to sojorne
It liketh wel unto Satorne,
Bot to the Mone it liketh noght,
[Pg 265]
For no profit is there wroght.
This Signe as of his proprete
Upon his heved hath sterres thre,
And ek upon his wombe tuo,
And tweie upon his tail also. 1180
Decembre after the yeeres forme,1022
So as the bokes ous enforme,
With daies schorte and nyhtes longe
This ilke Signe hath underfonge.
Vndecimum Signum Aquarius dicitur, cuius Mensis Ianuarius est.
Quo Ianus vultum duplum conuertit in annum.
Of tho that sitte upon the hevene
Of Signes in the nombre ellevene
P. iii. 125
Aquarius hath take his place,
And stant wel in Satornes grace,
Which duelleth in his herbergage,
Bot to the Sonne he doth oultrage. 1190
This Signe is verraily resembled
Lich to a man which halt assembled
In eyther hand a water spoute,
Wherof the stremes rennen oute.
He is of kinde moiste and hot,
And he that of the sterres wot
Seith that he hath of sterres tuo
Upon his heved, and ben of tho
That Capricorn hath on his ende;
And as the bokes maken mende, 1200
That Tholomeüs made himselve,
He hath ek on his wombe tuelve,
And tweie upon his ende stonde.
Thou schalt also this understonde,
The frosti colde Janever,
Whan comen is the newe yeer,
That Janus with his double face
In his chaiere hath take his place
And loketh upon bothe sides,
Somdiel toward the wynter tydes, 1210
Somdiel toward the yeer suiende,
That is the Monthe belongende
Unto this Signe, and of his dole
[Pg 266]
He yifth the ferste Primerole.
Duodecimum Signum Piscis dicitur, cuius Mensis Februarius est.
Quo pluuie torrens riparum concitat ampnes.
P. iii. 126
The tuelfthe, which is last of alle
Of Signes, Piscis men it calle,
The which, as telleth the scripture,
Berth of tuo fisshes the figure.
So is he cold and moiste of kinde,
And ek with sterres, as I finde, 1220
Beset in sondri wise, as thus:
Tuo of his ende Aquarius
Hath lent unto his heved, and tuo1023
This Signe hath of his oghne also
Upon his wombe, and over this
Upon his ende also ther is
A nombre of twenty sterres bryghte,
Which is to sen a wonder sighte.
Toward this Signe into his hous1024
Comth Jupiter the glorious, 1230
And Venus ek with him acordeth
To duellen, as the bok recordeth.
The Monthe unto this Signe ordeined
Is Februer, which is bereined,
And with londflodes in his rage
At Fordes letteth the passage.
Nou hast thou herd the proprete
Of Signes, bot in his degre
Albumazar yit over this
Seith, so as therthe parted is 1240
In foure, riht so ben divised
The Signes tuelve and stonde assised,
That ech of hem for his partie
Hath his climat to justefie.
P. iii. 127
Wherof the ferste regiment
Toward the part of Orient
From Antioche and that contre
Governed is of Signes thre,
That is Cancer, Virgo, Leo:
And toward Occident also 1250
From Armenie, as I am lerned,
[Pg 267]
Of Capricorn it stant governed,
Of Pisces and Aquarius:
And after hem I finde thus,
Southward from Alisandre forth
Tho Signes whiche most ben worth
In governance of that doaire,
Libra thei ben and Sagittaire
With Scorpio, which is conjoint
With hem to stonde upon that point:1025 1260
Constantinople the Cite,1026
So as the bokes tellen me,
The laste of this division
Stant untoward Septemtrion,
Wher as be weie of pourveance
Hath Aries the governance1027
Forth with Taurus and Gemini.
Thus ben the Signes propreli
Divided, as it is reherced,
Wherof the londes ben diversed. 1270
Confessor.
Lo thus, mi Sone, as thou myht hiere,
Was Alisandre mad to liere
Of hem that weren for his lore.
But nou to loken overmore,
P. iii. 128
Of othre sterres hou thei fare
I thenke hierafter to declare,
So as king Alisandre in youthe
Of him that suche thinges couthe
Enformed was tofore his yhe
Be nyhte upon the sterres hihe.1028 1280
[The Fifteen Stars.]
Upon sondri creacion
Stant sondri operacion,
Hic tractat super doctrina Nectanabi, dum ipse iuuenem Alexandrum instruxit, de illis precipue xv. stellis vna cum earum lapidibus et herbis, que ad artis magice naturalis operacionem specialius conueniunt.
Som worcheth this, som worcheth that;
The fyr is hot in his astat
And brenneth what he mai atteigne,
The water mai the fyr restreigne,
The which is cold and moist also.1029
Of other thing it farth riht so
[Pg 268]
Upon this erthe among ous here;
And forto speke in this manere, 1290
Upon the hevene, as men mai finde,
The sterres ben of sondri kinde
And worchen manye sondri thinges
To ous, that ben here underlinges.
Among the whiche forth withal
Nectanabus in special,
Which was an Astronomien
And ek a gret Magicien,
And undertake hath thilke emprise
To Alisandre in his aprise 1300
As of Magique naturel
To knowe, enformeth him somdel
Of certein sterres what thei mene;
Of whiche, he seith, ther ben fiftene,
P. iii. 129
And sondrily to everich on
A gras belongeth and a Ston,
Wherof men worchen many a wonder
To sette thing bothe up and under.
Prima Stella vocatur Aldeboran, cuius lapis Carbunculus et herba Anabulla est.
To telle riht as he began,
The ferste sterre Aldeboran, 1310
The cliereste and the moste of alle,
Be rihte name men it calle;
Which lich is of condicion
To Mars, and of complexion
To Venus, and hath therupon
Carbunculum his propre Ston:
His herbe is Anabulla named,
Which is of gret vertu proclamed.
Secunda stella vocatur Clota seu Pliades, cuius lapis Cristallum et herba Feniculus est.
The seconde is noght vertules;
Clota or elles Pliades 1320
It hatte, and of the mones kinde1030
He is, and also this I finde,
He takth of Mars complexion:
And lich to such condicion
His Ston appropred is Cristall,
And ek his herbe in special
The vertuous Fenele it is.
[Pg 269]
Tercia Stella vocatur Algol, cuius lapis Dyamans et herba Eleborum nigrum est.
The thridde, which comth after this,
Is hote Algol the clere rede,
Which of Satorne, as I may rede, 1330
His kinde takth, and ek of Jove
Complexion to his behove.
His propre Ston is Dyamant,
Which is to him most acordant;
P. iii. 130
His herbe, which is him betake,
Is hote Eleborum the blake.
Quarta Stella vocatur Alhaiot, cuius lapis Saphirus et herba Marrubium est.
So as it falleth upon lot,
The ferthe sterre is Alhaiot,
Which in the wise as I seide er
Of Satorne and of Jupiter 1340
Hath take his kinde; and therupon
The Saphir is his propre Ston,
Marrubium his herbe also,
The whiche acorden bothe tuo.
Quinta Stella vocatur Canis maior, cuius lapis Berillus1031 et herba Savina est.
And Canis maior in his like
The fifte sterre is of Magique,
The whos kinde is venerien,
As seith this Astronomien.
His propre Ston is seid Berille,
Bot forto worche and to fulfille 1350
Thing which to this science falleth,
Ther is an herbe which men calleth
Saveine, and that behoveth nede
To him that wole his pourpos spede.
Sexta Stella vocatur Canis minor, cuius lapis Achates et herba Primula est.
The sexte suiende after this
Be name Canis minor is;
The which sterre is Mercurial
Be weie of kinde, and forth withal,
As it is writen in the carte,
Complexion he takth of Marte. 1360
His Ston and herbe, as seith the Scole,1032
Ben Achates and Primerole.
Septima Stella vocatur Arial, cuius lapis Gorgonza et herba Celidonia est.
The sefnthe sterre in special
Of this science is Arial,
P. iii. 131
Which sondri nature underfongeth.
[Pg 270]
The Ston which propre unto him longeth,
Gorgonza proprely it hihte:
His herbe also, which he schal rihte
Upon the worchinge as I mene,
Is Celidoine freissh and grene. 1370
Octaua stella vocatur Ala Corui, cuius lapis Honochinus1033 et herba Lapacia est.
Sterre Ala Corvi upon heihte
Hath take his place in nombre of eighte,
Which of his kinde mot parforne
The will of Marte and of Satorne:
To whom Lapacia the grete
Is herbe, hot of no beyete;
His Ston is Honochinus hote,
Thurgh which men worchen gret riote.
Nona stella vocatur Alaezel, cuius lapis Smaragdus et herba Salgea est.
The nynthe sterre faire and wel
Be name is hote Alaezel, 1380
Which takth his propre kinde thus
Bothe of Mercurie and of Venus.
His Ston is the grene Amyraude,1034
To whom is yoven many a laude:
Salge is his herbe appourtenant
Aboven al the remenant.
Decima stella vocatur Almareth, cuius lapis Iaspis et herba Plantago est.
The tenthe sterre is Almareth,
Which upon lif and upon deth
Thurgh kinde of Jupiter and Mart
He doth what longeth to his part. 1390
His Ston is Jaspe, and of Planteine
He hath his herbe sovereine.
Vndecima Stella vocatur Venenas, cuius lapis Adamans et herba Cicorea est.
The sterre ellefthe is Venenas,1035
The whos nature is as it was
P. iii. 132
Take of Venus and of the Mone,
In thing which he hath forto done.
Of Adamant is that perrie
In which he worcheth his maistrie;
Thilke herbe also which him befalleth,
Cicorea the bok it calleth.1036 1400
Duodecima stella vocatur Alpheta, cuius lapis Topazion1037 et herba Rosa marina est.
Alpheta in the nombre sit,
And is the twelfthe sterre yit;
[Pg 271]
Of Scorpio which is governed,
And takth his kinde, as I am lerned;
And hath his vertu in the Ston
Which cleped is Topazion:1038
His herbe propre is Rosmarine,
Which schapen is for his covine.
Terciadecima stella vocatur Cor Scorpionis, cuius lapis Sardis et herba Aristologia1039 est.
Of these sterres, whiche I mene,
Cor Scorpionis is thritiene; 1410
The whos nature Mart and Jove
Have yoven unto his behove.
His herbe is Aristologie,1040
Which folweth his Astronomie:
The Ston which that this sterre alloweth,
Is Sardis, which unto him boweth.
Quartadecima stella vocatur Botercadent, cuius lapis Crisolitus et herba Satureia est.
The sterre which stant next the laste,
Nature on him this name caste
And clepeth him Botercadent;
Which of his kinde obedient 1420
Is to Mercurie and to Venus.
His Ston is seid Crisolitus,
His herbe is cleped Satureie,
So as these olde bokes seie.
P. iii. 133
Quintadecima stella vocatur Cauda Scorpionis, cuius lapis Calcedonia et herba Maiorana est.
Bot nou the laste sterre of alle
The tail of Scorpio men calle,
Which to Mercurie and to Satorne
Be weie of kinde mot retorne
After the preparacion
Of due constellacion. 1430
The Calcedoine unto him longeth,
Which for his Ston he underfongeth;
Of Majorane his herbe is grounded.
Thus have I seid hou thei be founded,
Of every sterre in special,
Which hath his herbe and Ston withal,
As Hermes in his bokes olde
Witnesse berth of that I tolde.
[Pg 272]
[Authors of the Science of Astronomy.]
The science of Astronomie,
Which principal is of clergie 1440
Nota hic de Auctoribus illis, qui ad Astronomie scienciam pre ceteris studiosius intendentes libros super hoc distinctis nominibus composuerunt.
To dieme betwen wo and wel
In thinges that be naturel,
Thei hadde a gret travail on honde1041
That made it ferst ben understonde;
And thei also which overmore
Here studie sette upon this lore,
Thei weren gracious and wys
And worthi forto bere a pris.
And whom it liketh forto wite
Of hem that this science write, 1450
On of the ferste which it wrot
After Noë, it was Nembrot,
To his disciple Ychonithon
And made a bok forth therupon
P. iii. 134
The which Megaster cleped was.
An other Auctor in this cas
Is Arachel, the which men note;
His bok is Abbategnyh hote.
Danz Tholome is noght the leste,
Which makth the bok of Almageste; 1460
And Alfraganus doth the same,
Whos bok is Chatemuz be name.
Gebuz and Alpetragus eke
Of Planisperie, which men seke,1042
The bokes made: and over this
Ful many a worthi clerc ther is,
That writen upon this clergie
The bokes of Altemetrie,
Planemetrie and ek also,
Whiche as belongen bothe tuo, 1470
So as thei ben naturiens,
Unto these Astronomiens.
Men sein that Habraham was on;1043
Bot whether that he wrot or non,
That finde I noght; and Moïses
Ek was an other: bot Hermes
[Pg 273]
Above alle othre in this science1044
He hadde a gret experience;
Thurgh him was many a sterre assised,
Whos bokes yit ben auctorized. 1480
I mai noght knowen alle tho
That writen in the time tho
Of this science; bot I finde,
Of jugement be weie of kinde
P. iii. 135
That in o point thei alle acorden:
Of sterres whiche thei recorden
That men mai sen upon the hevene,
Ther ben a thousend sterres evene
And tuo and twenty, to the syhte
Whiche aren of hemself so bryhte,1045 1490
That men mai dieme what thei be,
The nature and the proprete.
Nou hast thou herd, in which a wise1046
These noble Philosophres wise
Enformeden this yonge king,
And made him have a knowleching
Of thing which ferst to the partie
Belongeth of Philosophie,
Which Theorique cleped is,
As thou tofore hast herd er this. 1500
Bot nou to speke of the secounde,
Which Aristotle hath also founde,
And techeth hou to speke faire,
Which is a thing full necessaire
To contrepeise the balance,
Wher lacketh other sufficance.
[ii. Rhetoric.]
v. Compositi pulcra sermonis verba placere 1047
Principio poterunt, veraque fine placent.
Herba, lapis, sermo, tria sunt virtute repleta,
Vis tamen ex verbi pondere plura facit.1048
Above alle erthli creatures
The hihe makere of natures
[Pg 274]
Hic tractat de secunda parte Philosophie, cuius nomen Rethorica facundos efficit. Loquitur eciam de eiusdem duabus speciebus, scilicet Grammatica et Logica, quarum doctrina Rethor sua verba perornat.
The word to man hath yove alone,
So that the speche of his persone, 1510
P. iii. 136
Or forto lese or forto winne,
The hertes thoght which is withinne
Mai schewe, what it wolde mene;
And that is noghwhere elles sene
Of kinde with non other beste.
So scholde he be the more honeste,
To whom god yaf so gret a yifte,
And loke wel that he ne schifte
Hise wordes to no wicked us;
For word the techer of vertus 1520
Is cleped in Philosophie.
Wherof touchende this partie,
Is Rethorique the science
Appropred to the reverence
Of wordes that ben resonable:
And for this art schal be vailable
With goodli wordes forto like,
It hath Gramaire, it hath Logiqe,
That serven bothe unto the speche.
Gramaire ferste hath forto teche1049 1530
To speke upon congruite:
Logique hath eke in his degre
Betwen the trouthe and the falshode
The pleine wordes forto schode,
So that nothing schal go beside,
That he the riht ne schal decide,
Wherof full many a gret debat
Reformed is to good astat,
And pes sustiened up alofte
With esy wordes and with softe, 1540
P. iii. 137
Wher strengthe scholde lete it falle.
The Philosophre amonges alle
Forthi commendeth this science,
Which hath the reule of eloquence.
In Ston and gras vertu ther is,1050
Bot yit the bokes tellen this,
[Pg 275]
That word above alle erthli thinges
Is vertuous in his doinges,
Wher so it be to evele or goode.
For if the wordes semen goode 1550
And ben wel spoke at mannes Ere,
Whan that ther is no trouthe there,
Thei don fulofte gret deceipte;
For whan the word to the conceipte
Descordeth in so double a wise,
Such Rethorique is to despise
In every place, and forto drede.
For of Uluxes thus I rede,
As in the bok of Troie is founde,
His eloquence and his facounde 1560
Of goodly wordes whiche he tolde,
Hath mad that Anthenor him solde
The toun, which he with tresoun wan.
Word hath beguiled many a man;
With word the wilde beste is daunted,
With word the Serpent is enchaunted,
Of word among the men of Armes
Ben woundes heeled with the charmes,
Wher lacketh other medicine;
Word hath under his discipline 1570
P. iii. 138
Of Sorcerie the karectes.
The wordes ben of sondri sectes,
Of evele and eke of goode also;
The wordes maken frend of fo,1051
And fo of frend, and pes of werre,
And werre of pes, and out of herre
The word this worldes cause entriketh,1052
And reconsileth whan him liketh.
The word under the coupe of hevene
Set every thing or odde or evene; 1580
With word the hihe god is plesed,
With word the wordes ben appesed,
The softe word the loude stilleth;
Wher lacketh good, the word fulfilleth,
To make amendes for the wrong;
[Pg 276]
Whan wordes medlen with the song,
It doth plesance wel the more.
Bot forto loke upon the lore1053
Hou Tullius his Rethorique1054
Nota de Eloquencia Iulii in causa Cateline contra Cillenum et alios tunc vrbis Rome Conciues.
Componeth, ther a man mai pike 1590
Hou that he schal hise wordes sette,
Hou he schal lose, hou he schal knette,
And in what wise he schal pronounce
His tale plein withoute frounce.
Wherof ensample if thou wolt seche,
Tak hiede and red whilom the speche1055
Of Julius and Cithero,1056
Which consul was of Rome tho,
Of Catoun eke and of Cillene,
Behold the wordes hem betwene, 1600
P. iii. 139
Whan the tresoun of Cateline
Descoevered was, and the covine
Of hem that were of his assent
Was knowe and spoke in parlement,
And axed hou and in what wise
Men scholde don hem to juise.
Cillenus ferst his tale tolde,
To trouthe and as he was beholde,1057
The comun profit forto save,
He seide hou tresoun scholde have 1610
A cruel deth; and thus thei spieke,
The Consul bothe and Catoun eke,
And seiden that for such a wrong
Ther mai no peine be to strong.
Bot Julius with wordes wise
His tale tolde al otherwise,
As he which wolde her deth respite,
And fondeth hou he mihte excite
The jugges thurgh his eloquence1058
Fro deth to torne the sentence 1620
And sette here hertes to pite.
Nou tolden thei, nou tolde he;
[Pg 277]
Thei spieken plein after the lawe,
Bot he the wordes of his sawe
Coloureth in an other weie
Spekende, and thus betwen the tweie,
To trete upon this juggement,
Made ech of hem his Argument.
Wherof the tales forto hiere,
Ther mai a man the Scole liere 1630
P. iii. 140
Of Rethoriqes eloquences,
Which is the secounde of sciences
Touchende to Philosophie;
Wherof a man schal justifie
Hise wordes in disputeisoun,
And knette upon conclusioun
His Argument in such a forme,
Which mai the pleine trouthe enforme
And the soubtil cautele abate,
Which every trewman schal debate.1059 1640
[iii. Practic.]
vi. Practica quemque statum pars tercia Philosophie
Ad regimen recte ducit in orbe vie:
Set quanto maior Rex est, tanto magis ipsum
Hec scola concernit, qua sua regna regat.1060
The ferste, which is Theorique,
Hic tractat de tercia parte Philosophie, que Practica vocatur, cuius species sunt tres, scilicet Etica, Ichonomia et Policia, quarum doctrina regia magestas in suo regimine ad honoris magnificenciam per singula dirigitur.
And the secounde Rethorique,
Sciences of Philosophie,
I have hem told as in partie,
So as the Philosophre it tolde
To Alisandre: and nou I wolde
Telle of the thridde what it is,
The which Practique cleped is.
Practique stant upon thre thinges
Toward the governance of kinges; 1650
Wherof the ferst Etique is named,1061
The whos science stant proclamed
To teche of vertu thilke reule,
[Pg 278]
Hou that a king himself schal reule
Of his moral condicion
With worthi disposicion
P. iii. 141
Of good livinge in his persone,
Which is the chief of his corone.
It makth a king also to lerne
Hou he his bodi schal governe, 1660
Hou he schal wake, hou he schal slepe,
Hou that he schal his hele kepe
In mete, in drinke, in clothinge eke:
Ther is no wisdom forto seke
As for the reule of his persone,
The which that this science al one1062
Ne techeth as be weie of kinde,
That ther is nothing left behinde.
That other point which to Practique
Belongeth is Iconomique,1063 1670
Which techeth thilke honestete1064
Thurgh which a king in his degre
His wif and child schal reule and guie,
So forth with al the companie
Which in his houshold schal abyde,
And his astat on every syde
In such manere forto lede,
That he his houshold ne mislede.
Practique hath yit the thridde aprise,
Which techeth hou and in what wise 1680
Thurgh hih pourveied ordinance1065
A king schal sette in governance
His Realme, and that is Policie,
Which longeth unto Regalie
In time of werre, in time of pes,
To worschipe and to good encress
P. iii. 142
Of clerk, of kniht and of Marchant,
And so forth of the remenant1066
Of al the comun poeple aboute,
Withinne Burgh and ek withoute,1067 1690
[Pg 279]
Of hem that ben Artificiers,
Whiche usen craftes and mestiers,
Whos Art is cleped Mechanique.
And though thei ben noght alle like,
Yit natheles, hou so it falle,1068
O lawe mot governe hem alle,
Or that thei lese or that thei winne,
After thastat that thei ben inne.1069
[Five Points of Policy.]
Lo, thus this worthi yonge king
Was fulli tauht of every thing, 1700
Which mihte yive entendement
Of good reule and good regiment
To such a worthi Prince as he.
Bot of verray necessite
The Philosophre him hath betake
Fyf pointz, whiche he hath undertake
To kepe and holde in observance,
As for the worthi governance
Which longeth to his Regalie,
After the reule of Policie. 1710
[The First Point of Policy. Truth.]
vii. Moribus ornatus regit hic qui regna moderna,
Cercius expectat ceptra futura poli.
Et quia veridica virtus supereminet omnes,
Regis ab ore boni fabula nulla sonat.
To every man behoveth lore,1070
Bot to noman belongeth more
P. iii. 143
Than to a king, which hath to lede
Hic secundum Policiam tractare intendit precipue super quinque regularum Articulis, que ad Principis Regimen obseruande specialius existunt,1071 quarum prima veritas nuncupatur. Per quam veridicus fit sermo Regis ad omnes.
The poeple; for of his kinghede
He mai hem bothe save and spille.
And for it stant upon his wille,
It sit him wel to ben avised,
And the vertus whiche are assissed1072
Unto a kinges Regiment,
To take in his entendement: 1720
Wherof to tellen, as thei stonde,
Hierafterward nou woll I fonde.
[Pg 280]
Among the vertus on is chief,
And that is trouthe, which is lief
To god and ek to man also.
And for it hath ben evere so,
Tawhte Aristotle, as he wel couthe,
To Alisandre, hou in his youthe
He scholde of trouthe thilke grace
With al his hole herte embrace, 1730
So that his word be trewe and plein,
Toward the world and so certein
That in him be no double speche:
For if men scholde trouthe seche
And founde it noght withinne a king,
It were an unsittende thing.
The word is tokne of that withinne,
Ther schal a worthi king beginne
To kepe his tunge and to be trewe,
So schal his pris ben evere newe. 1740
Avise him every man tofore,
And be wel war, er he be swore,
P. iii. 144
For afterward it is to late,
If that he wole his word debate.1073
For as a king in special
Above all othre is principal
Of his pouer, so scholde he be
Most vertuous in his degre;
And that mai wel be signefied1074
Be his corone and specified. 1750
Nota super hiis que in corona Regis designantur.1075
The gold betokneth excellence,
That men schull don him reverence
As to here liege soverein.
The Stones, as the bokes sein,
Commended ben in treble wise:
Ferst thei ben harde, and thilke assisse
Betokneth in a king Constance,
So that ther schal no variance
Be founde in his condicion;
And also be descripcion 1760
[Pg 281]
The vertu which is in the stones
A verrai Signe is for the nones
Of that a king schal ben honeste
And holde trewly his beheste
Of thing which longeth to kinghede:
The bryhte colour, as I rede,
Which in the stones is schynende,
Is in figure betoknende
The Cronique of this worldes fame,1076
Which stant upon his goode name.1077 1770
The cercle which is round aboute
Is tokne of al the lond withoute,
P. iii. 145
Which stant under his Gerarchie,
That he it schal wel kepe and guye.
And for that trouthe, hou so it falle,
Is the vertu soverein of alle,
That longeth unto regiment,
A tale, which is evident
Of trouthe in comendacioun,
Toward thin enformacion, 1780
Mi Sone, hierafter thou schalt hiere
Of a Cronique in this matiere.
[King, Wine, Woman and Truth.]
As the Cronique it doth reherce,
A Soldan whilom was of Perce,
Hic narrat, qualiter Darius filius Ytaspis Soldanus Percie a tribus suis Cubiculariis, quorum nomina Arpaghes, Manachaz et Zorobabel dicta sunt, nomine questionis singillatim interrogauit, vtrum Rex aut mulier aut vinum maioris fortitudinis vim obtineret: ipsis vero varia opinione respondentibus, Zorobabel vltimus asseruit1082 quod mulier sui amoris complacencia tam Regis quam vini potenciam excellit. Addidit insuper pro finali conclusione dicens, quod veritas super omnia vincit. Cuius responsio ceteris laudabilior acceptabatur.
Which Daires hihte, and Ytaspis
His fader was; and soth it is
That thurgh wisdom and hih prudence
Mor than for eny reverence
Of his lignage as be descente1078
The regne of thilke empire he hente: 1790
And as he was himselve wys,1079
The wisemen he hield in pris1080
And soghte hem oute on every side,1081
That toward him thei scholde abide.
Among the whiche thre ther were
That most service unto him bere
[Pg 282]
As thei which in his chambre lyhen1083
And al his conseil herde and syhen.
Here names ben of strange note,
Arpaghes was the ferste hote,1084 1800
And Manachaz was the secounde,
Zorobabel, as it is founde
P. iii. 146
In the Cronique, was the thridde.
This Soldan, what so him betidde,
To hem he triste most of alle,1085
Wherof the cas is so befalle:
This lord, which hath conceiptes depe,
Upon a nyht whan he hath slepe,
As he which hath his wit desposed,
Touchende a point hem hath opposed. 1810
The kinges question was this;
Of thinges thre which strengest is,
The wyn, the womman or the king:
And that thei scholde upon this thing
Of here ansuere avised be,1086
He yaf hem fulli daies thre,
And hath behote hem be his feith
That who the beste reson seith,
He schal resceive a worthi mede.
Upon this thing thei token hiede 1820
And stoden in desputeison,
That be diverse opinion
Of Argumentz that thei have holde
Arpaghes ferst his tale tolde,
And seide hou that the strengthe of kinges
Is myhtiest of alle thinges.
For king hath pouer over man,
And man is he which reson can,
As he which is of his nature
The moste noble creature 1830
Of alle tho that god hath wroght:
And be that skile it semeth noght,
P. iii. 147
He seith, that eny erthly thing
[Pg 283]
Mai be so myhty as a king.
A king mai spille, a king mai save,
A king mai make of lord a knave1087
And of a knave a lord also:
The pouer of a king stant so,
That he the lawes overpasseth;
What he wol make lasse, he lasseth, 1840
What he wol make more, he moreth;
And as the gentil faucon soreth,1088
He fleth, that noman him reclameth;
Bot he al one alle othre tameth,
And stant himself of lawe fre.
Lo, thus a kinges myht, seith he,
So as his reson can argue,
Is strengest and of most value.
Bot Manachaz seide otherwise,
That wyn is of the more emprise; 1850
And that he scheweth be this weie.
The wyn fulofte takth aweie
The reson fro the mannes herte;
The wyn can make a krepel sterte,
And a delivere man unwelde;
It makth a blind man to behelde,
And a bryht yhed seme derk;
It makth a lewed man a clerk,
And fro the clerkes the clergie
It takth aweie, and couardie 1860
It torneth into hardiesse;
Of Avarice it makth largesse.
P. iii. 148
The wyn makth ek the goode blod,
In which the Soule which is good
Hath chosen hire a resting place,
Whil that the lif hir wole embrace.
And be this skile Manachas
Ansuered hath upon this cas,
And seith that wyn be weie of kinde
Is thing which mai the hertes binde 1870
Wel more than the regalie.
Zorobabel for his partie
[Pg 284]
Seide, as him thoghte for the beste,
That wommen ben the myhtieste.
The king and the vinour also
Of wommen comen bothe tuo;
And ek he seide hou that manhede
Thurgh strengthe unto the wommanhede
Of love, wher he wole or non,
Obeie schal; and therupon, 1880
To schewe of wommen the maistrie,
A tale which he syh with yhe1089
As for ensample he tolde this,—1090
Nota hic de vigore amoris, qui inter Cirum Regem Persarum et Apemen Besazis filiam ipsius Regis Concubinam spectante tota Curia experiebatur.
Hou Apemen, of Besazis1091
Which dowhter was, in the paleis
Sittende upon his hihe deis,
Whan he was hotest in his ire
Toward the grete of his empire,
Cirus the king tirant sche tok,
And only with hire goodly lok 1890
Sche made him debonaire and meke,
And be the chyn and be the cheke
P. iii. 149
Sche luggeth him riht as hir liste,
That nou sche japeth, nou sche kiste,
And doth with him what evere hir liketh;
Whan that sche loureth, thanne he siketh,
And whan sche gladeth, he is glad:
And thus this king was overlad
With hire which his lemman was.
Among the men is no solas, 1900
If that ther be no womman there;
For bot if that the wommen were,1092
This worldes joie were aweie:
Thurgh hem men finden out the weie
To knihthode and to worldes fame;
Thei make a man to drede schame,
And honour forto be desired:
Thurgh the beaute of hem is fyred
The Dart of which Cupide throweth,
Wherof the jolif peine groweth, 1910
[Pg 285]
Which al the world hath under fote.
A womman is the mannes bote,
His lif, his deth, his wo, his wel;
And this thing mai be schewed wel,
Hou that wommen ben goode and kihde,
For in ensample this I finde.
[Tale of Alcestis.]
Whan that the duk Ametus lay
Nota de fidelitate Coniugis, qualiter Alcesta vxor Ameti, vt maritum suum viuificaret, seipsam morti spontanee subegit.
Sek in his bedd, that every day
Men waiten whan he scholde deie,
Alceste his wif goth forto preie, 1920
As sche which wolde thonk deserve,
With Sacrifice unto Minerve,
P. iii. 150
To wite ansuere of the goddesse
Hou that hir lord of his seknesse,
Wherof he was so wo besein,
Recovere myhte his hele ayein.
Lo, thus sche cride and thus sche preide,
Til ate laste a vois hir seide,
That if sche wolde for his sake
The maladie soffre and take, 1930
And deie hirself, he scholde live.
Of this ansuere Alceste hath yive1093
Unto Minerve gret thonkinge,
So that hir deth and his livinge
Sche ches with al hire hole entente,
And thus acorded hom sche wente.
Into the chambre and whan sche cam,
Hire housebonde anon sche nam
In bothe hire Armes and him kiste,
And spak unto him what hire liste; 1940
And therupon withinne a throwe
This goode wif was overthrowe1094
And deide, and he was hool in haste.
So mai a man be reson taste,
Hou next after the god above
The trouthe of wommen and the love,
In whom that alle grace is founde,
Is myhtiest upon this grounde
And most behovely manyfold.
[Pg 286]
Lo, thus Zorobabel hath told 1950
The tale of his opinion:
Bot for final conclusion
P. iii. 151
What strengest is of erthli thinges,
The wyn, the wommen or the kinges,
He seith that trouthe above hem alle
Is myhtiest, hou evere it falle.
The trouthe, hou so it evere come,
Mai for nothing ben overcome;
It mai wel soffre for a throwe,
Bot ate laste it schal be knowe. 1960
The proverbe is, who that is trewe,
Him schal his while nevere rewe:
For hou so that the cause wende,
The trouthe is schameles ate ende,
Bot what thing that is troutheles,
It mai noght wel be schameles,
And schame hindreth every wyht:
So proveth it, ther is no myht
Withoute trouthe in no degre.
And thus for trouthe of his decre 1970
Zorobabel was most commended,
Wherof the question was ended,
And he resceived hath his mede
For trouthe, which to mannes nede
Is most behoveliche overal.
Forthi was trouthe in special
The ferste point in observance
Betake unto the governance1095
Of Alisandre, as it is seid:
For therupon the ground is leid1096 1980
Of every kinges regiment,
As thing which most convenient
P. iii. 152
Is forto sette a king in evene
Bothe in this world and ek in hevene.
[The Second Point of Policy. Liberality.]
viii. Absit Auaricia, ne tangat regia corda,
Eius enim spoliis excoriatur humus.1097
[Pg 287]
Fama colit largum volitans per secula Regem,
Dona tamen licitis sunt moderanda modis.
Next after trouthe the secounde,
In Policie as it is founde,
Hic tractat de regie maiestatis secunda Policia, quam Aristotiles largitatem vocat: cuius virtute non solum propulsata Auaricia Regis nomen magnificum extollitur, set et sui subditi omni1098 diuiciarum habundancia iocundiores efficiuntur.
Which serveth to the worldes fame
In worschipe of a kinges name,
Largesse it is, whos privilegge
Ther mai non Avarice abregge. 1990
The worldes good was ferst comune,
Bot afterward upon fortune
Was thilke comun profit cessed:
For whan the poeple stod encresced
And the lignages woxen grete,
Anon for singulier beyete
Drouh every man to his partie;
Wherof cam in the ferste envie
With gret debat and werres stronge,
And laste among the men so longe, 2000
Til noman wiste who was who,
Ne which was frend ne which was fo.
Til ate laste in every lond
Withinne hemself the poeple fond
That it was good to make a king,
Which mihte appesen al this thing
And yive riht to the lignages
In partinge of here heritages
P. iii. 153
And ek of al here other good;
And thus above hem alle stod 2010
The king upon his Regalie,
As he which hath to justifie
The worldes good fro covoitise.
So sit it wel in alle wise
A king betwen the more and lesse1099
To sette his herte upon largesse
Toward himself and ek also
Toward his poeple; and if noght so,
That is to sein, if that he be
[Pg 288]
Toward himselven large and fre 2020
And of his poeple take and pile,1100
Largesse be no weie of skile
It mai be seid, bot Avarice,
Which in a king is a gret vice.
A king behoveth ek to fle
The vice of Prodegalite,
That he mesure in his expence
So kepe, that of indigence
He mai be sauf: for who that nedeth,
In al his werk the worse he spedeth. 2030
Nota super hoc quod Aristotiles Alexandrum exemplificauit de exaccionibus Regis Chaldeorum.
As Aristotle upon Chaldee
Ensample of gret Auctorite
Unto king Alisandre tauhte
Of thilke folk that were unsauhte
Toward here king for his pilage:
Wherof he bad, in his corage
That he unto thre pointz entende,
Wher that he wolde his good despende.
P. iii. 154
Ferst scholde he loke, hou that it stod,
That al were of his oghne good 2040
The yiftes whiche he wolde yive;
So myhte he wel the betre live:
And ek he moste taken hiede1101
If ther be cause of eny nede,
Which oghte forto be defended,
Er that his goodes be despended:
He mot ek, as it is befalle,
Amonges othre thinges alle
Se the decertes of his men;
And after that thei ben of ken 2050
And of astat and of merite,
He schal hem largeliche aquite,
Or for the werre, or for the pes,
That non honour falle in descres,
Which mihte torne into defame,
Bot that he kepe his goode name,
So that he be noght holde unkinde.
For in Cronique a tale I finde,
[Pg 289]
Which spekth somdiel of this matiere,
Hierafterward as thou schalt hiere. 2060
[Tale of Julius and the poor Knight.]
In Rome, to poursuie his riht,
Ther was a worthi povere kniht,
Hic secundum gesta Iulii exemplum ponit, qualiter Rex suorum militum, quos probos agnouerit, indigenciam largitatis sue beneficiis releuare1102 tenetur.
Which cam al one forto sein
His cause, when the court was plein,
Wher Julius was in presence.
And for him lacketh of despence,
Ther was with him non advocat
To make ple for his astat.
P. iii. 155
Bot thogh him lacke forto plede,
Him lacketh nothing of manhede; 2070
He wiste wel his pours was povere,
Bot yit he thoghte his riht recovere,
And openly poverte alleide,
To themperour and thus he seide:
‘O Julius, lord of the lawe,
Behold, mi conseil is withdrawe
For lacke of gold: do thin office1103
After the lawes of justice:1104
Help that I hadde conseil hiere
Upon the trouthe of mi matiere.’ 2080
And Julius with that anon
Assigned him a worthi on,
Bot he himself no word ne spak.
This kniht was wroth and fond a lak
In themperour, and seide thus:
‘O thou unkinde Julius,
Whan thou in thi bataille were
Up in Aufrique, and I was there,
Mi myht for thi rescousse I dede
And putte noman in my stede, 2090
Thou wost what woundes ther I hadde:
Bot hier I finde thee so badde,
That thee ne liste speke o word1105
Thin oghne mouth, nor of thin hord
[Pg 290]
To yive a florin me to helpe.
Hou scholde I thanne me beyelpe
Fro this dai forth of thi largesse,
Whan such a gret unkindenesse
P. iii. 156
Is founde in such a lord as thou?’
This Julius knew wel ynou 2100
That al was soth which he him tolde;
And for he wolde noght ben holde
Unkinde, he tok his cause on honde,
And as it were of goddes sonde,
He yaf him good ynouh to spende
For evere into his lives ende.1106
And thus scholde every worthi king
Take of his knihtes knowleching,
Whan that he syh thei hadden nede,
For every service axeth mede: 2110
Bot othre, whiche have noght deserved
Thurgh vertu, bot of japes served,
A king schal noght deserve grace,
Thogh he be large in such a place.
[Antigonus and Cinichus.]
It sit wel every king to have
Discrecion, whan men him crave,
Hic ponit exemplum de Rege Antigono, qualiter dona regia secundum maius et minus equa discrecione moderanda sunt.
So that he mai his yifte wite:
Wherof I finde a tale write,
Hou Cinichus a povere kniht
A Somme which was over myht 2120
Preide of his king Antigonus.
The king ansuerde to him thus,1107
And seide hou such a yifte passeth
His povere astat: and thanne he lasseth,
And axeth bot a litel peny,
If that the king wol yive him eny.
The king ansuerde, it was to smal
For him, which was a lord real;1108
P. iii. 157
To yive a man so litel thing
It were unworschipe in a king. 2130
Be this ensample a king mai lere
[Pg 291]
[Discretion in Giving.]
That forto yive is in manere:
For if a king his tresor lasseth
Withoute honour and thonkles passeth,
Whan he himself wol so beguile,
I not who schal compleigne his while,
Ne who be rihte him schal relieve.
Bot natheles this I believe,
To helpe with his oghne lond
Behoveth every man his hond1109 2140
To sette upon necessite;
Nota hic quod Regius status a suis fidelibus omni fauore supportandus est.
And ek his kinges realte
Mot every liege man conforte,
With good and bodi to supporte,
Whan thei se cause resonable:
For who that is noght entendable
To holde upriht his kinges name,
Him oghte forto be to blame.
[Prodigality of Kings.]
Of Policie and overmore
To speke in this matiere more, 2150
Nota hic secundum Aristotilem,1110 qualiter Principum Prodegalitas paupertatem inducit communem.
So as the Philosophre tolde,
A king after the reule is holde
To modifie and to adresce
Hise yiftes upon such largesce
Seneca.1111 Sic aliis benefacito, vt tibi non noceas.
That he mesure noght excede:
For if a king falle into nede,
It causeth ofte sondri thinges
Whiche are ungoodly to the kinges.1112
P. iii. 158
What man wol noght himself mesure,
Men sen fulofte that mesure 2160
Him hath forsake: and so doth he
That useth Prodegalite,
Which is the moder of poverte,
Wherof the londes ben deserte;
And namely whan thilke vice
Aboute a king stant in office
And hath withholde of his partie
The covoitouse flaterie,
[Pg 292]
Which many a worthi king deceiveth,
Er he the fallas aperceiveth 2170
Of hem that serven to the glose.
For thei that cunnen plese and glose,
Ben, as men tellen, the norrices
Unto the fostringe of the vices,
Wherof fulofte natheles
A king is blamed gulteles.
[Flatterers.]
A Philosophre, as thou schalt hiere,
Nota qualiter in principum curiis adulatores triplici grauitate offendunt.
Spak to a king of this matiere,
And seide him wel hou that flatours
Coupable were of thre errours. 2180
Primo contra deum.
On was toward the goddes hihe,
That weren wrothe of that thei sihe
The meschief which befalle scholde
Of that the false flatour tolde.
Secundo contra Principem.
Toward the king an other was,
Whan thei be sleihte and be fallas
Of feigned wordes make him wene
That blak is whyt and blew is grene
P. iii. 159
Touchende of his condicion:
For whanne he doth extorcion 2190
With manye an other vice mo,
Men schal noght finden on of tho
To groucche or speke therayein,
Bot holden up his oil and sein
That al is wel, what evere he doth;
And thus of fals thei maken soth,
So that here kinges yhe is blent
And wot not hou the world is went.1113
Tercio contra populum.1114
The thridde errour is harm comune,
With which the poeple mot commune 2200
Of wronges that thei bringen inne:
And thus thei worchen treble sinne,
That ben flatours aboute a king.
Ther myhte be no worse thing
Aboute a kinges regalie,
Thanne is the vice of flaterie.
[Pg 293]
And natheles it hath ben used,
That it was nevere yit refused
As forto speke in court real;
For there it is most special, 2210
And mai noght longe be forbore.
Bot whan this vice of hem is bore,
That scholden the vertus forthbringe,
And trouthe is torned to lesinge,
It is, as who seith, ayein kinde,
Wherof an old ensample I finde.
[Tale of Diogenes and Aristippus]
Among these othre tales wise
Of Philosophres, in this wise
P. iii. 160
1115Hic contra vanitates adulantum loquitur, et narrat quod cum Arisippus de Cartagine Philosophus scole studium relinquens sui Principis obsequio in magnis adulacionibus pre ceteris carior assistebat, accidit vt ipse quodam die Diogenem Philosophum nuper socium suum, virum tam moribus quam sciencia probatissimum, herbas ad olera sua collectas lauantem ex casu ad ripam inuenit: cui ait, ‘O Diogenes, vere si tu sicut et ego Principi tuo placere scires, huiusmodi herbas aut colligere aut lauare tibi minime indigeret.’ Cui alter respondit, ‘O Arisippe, certe et si tu sicut et ego olera tua colligere et lauare scires, principem tuum ob inanis glorie cupiditatem blandiri nullatenus deberes.’
I rede, how whilom tuo ther were,
And to the Scole forto lere 2220
Unto Athenes fro Cartage
Here frendes, whan thei were of Age,
Hem sende; and ther thei stoden longe,
Til thei such lore have underfonge,
That in here time thei surmonte
Alle othre men, that to acompte
Of hem was tho the grete fame.
The ferste of hem his rihte name
Was Diogenes thanne hote,
In whom was founde no riote: 2230
His felaw Arisippus hyhte,
Which mochel couthe and mochel myhte.
Bot ate laste, soth to sein,
Thei bothe tornen hom ayein
Unto Cartage and scole lete.
This Diogenes no beyete
[Pg 294]
Of worldes good or lasse or more
Ne soghte for his longe lore,
Bot tok him only forto duelle
At hom; and as the bokes telle, 2240
His hous was nyh to the rivere
Besyde a bregge, as thou schalt hiere.
Ther duelleth he to take his reste,1116
So as it thoghte him for the beste,
To studie in his Philosophie,
As he which wolde so defie
The worldes pompe on every syde.
Bot Arisippe his bok aside
P. iii. 161
Hath leid, and to the court he wente,
Wher many a wyle and many a wente 2250
With flaterie and wordes softe1117
He caste, and hath compassed ofte
Hou he his Prince myhte plese;
And in this wise he gat him ese
Of vein honour and worldes good.
The londes reule upon him stod,
The king of him was wonder glad,
And all was do, what thing he bad,
Bothe in the court and ek withoute.
With flaterie he broghte aboute 2260
His pourpos of the worldes werk,
Which was ayein the stat of clerk,1118
So that Philosophie he lefte
And to richesse himself uplefte:
Lo, thus hadde Arisippe his wille.
Bot Diogenes duelte stille
At home and loked on his bok:
He soghte noght the worldes crok
For vein honour ne for richesse,
Bot all his hertes besinesse 2270
He sette to be vertuous;
And thus withinne his oghne hous
He liveth to the sufficance
Of his havinge. And fell per chance,
[Pg 295]
This Diogene upon a day,
And that was in the Monthe of May,
Whan that these herbes ben holsome,
He walketh forto gadre some
P. iii. 162
In his gardin, of whiche his joutes
He thoghte have, and thus aboutes 2280
Whanne he hath gadred what him liketh,
He satte him thanne doun and pyketh,1119
And wyssh his herbes in the flod
Upon the which his gardin stod,
Nyh to the bregge, as I tolde er.
And hapneth, whil he sitteth ther,
Cam Arisippes be the strete
With manye hors and routes grete,
And straght unto the bregge he rod,
Wher that he hoved and abod; 2290
For as he caste his yhe nyh,
His felaw Diogene he syh,
And what he dede he syh also,
Wherof he seide to him so:1120
‘O Diogene, god thee spede.
It were certes litel nede
To sitte there and wortes pyke,
If thou thi Prince couthest lyke,
So as I can in my degre.’
‘O Arisippe,’ ayein quod he, 2300
‘If that thou couthist, so as I,
Thi wortes pyke, trewely
It were als litel nede or lasse,
That thou so worldly wolt compasse
With flaterie forto serve,
Wherof thou thenkest to deserve
Thi princes thonk, and to pourchace
Hou thou myht stonden in his grace,
P. iii. 163
For getinge of a litel good.
If thou wolt take into thi mod 2310
Reson, thou myht be reson deeme
That so thi prince forto queeme
[Pg 296]
Is noght to reson acordant,
Bot it is gretly descordant
Unto the Scoles of Athene.’
Lo, thus ansuerde Diogene
Ayein the clerkes flaterie.
[Flattery.]
Bot yit men sen thessamplerie1121
Of Arisippe is wel received,
And thilke of Diogene is weyved. 2320
Office in court and gold in cofre
Is nou, men sein, the philosophre
Which hath the worschipe in the halle;
Bot flaterie passeth alle
In chambre, whom the court avanceth;
For upon thilke lot it chanceth
To be beloved nou aday.
*I not if it be ye or nay,
Bot as the comun vois it telleth;1122
Bot wher that flaterie duelleth1123 2330

*I not if it be ye or nay.
[Example of Dante.]
How Dante the poete answerde1124
Nota exemplum cuiusdam poete de Ytalia, qui Dante vocabatur.
To a flatour, the tale I herde.2330*
Upon a strif bitwen hem tuo
He seide him, ‘Ther ben many mo1125
Of thy servantes than of myne.
For the poete of his covyne
Hath non that wol him clothe and fede,
But a flatour may reule and lede
P. iii. 164
A king with al his loun aboute.’
So stant the wise man in doute
Of hem that to folie drawe:
For such is now the newe lawe,2340*
And as the comune vois it telleth,
Wher now that flaterie duelleth
In every lond etc. (as 2331 ff.)

In eny lond under the Sonne,1126
Ther is ful many a thing begonne
[Pg 297]
Which were betre to be left;
That hath be schewed nou and eft.
Bot if a Prince wolde him reule1127
Of the Romeins after the reule,
In thilke time as it was used,1128
This vice scholde be refused,
Wherof the Princes ben assoted.
Bot wher the pleine trouthe is noted, 2340
Ther may a Prince wel conceive,
That he schal noght himself deceive,
Of that he hiereth wordes pleine;
For him thar noght be reson pleigne,
That warned is er him be wo.
And that was fully proeved tho,
Whan Rome was the worldes chief,
The Sothseiere tho was lief,
Which wolde noght the trouthe spare,
Bot with hise wordes pleine and bare 2350
To Themperour hise sothes tolde,
As in Cronique is yit withholde,1129
Hierafterward as thou schalt hiere
Acordende unto this matiere.
[The Roman Triumph.]
P. iii. 165
To se this olde ensamplerie,
That whilom was no flaterie
1130Hic narrat super eodem, qualiter nuper Romanorum Imperator, cum ipse triumphator in hostes a bello Rome rediret, tres sibi laudes in signum sui triumphi precipue debebantur: primo quatuor equi albissimi currum in quo sedebat veherent, secundo tunica Iovis pro tunc indueretur, tercio sui captiui prope currum ad vtrumque latus cathenati deambularent. Set ne tanti honoris adulacio eius animum in superbiam extolleret, quidam scurra linguosus iuxta ipsum in curru sedebat, qui quasi continuatis vocibus improperando ei dixit, ‘Notheos,’ hoc est nosce teipsum, ‘quia si hodie fortuna1133 tibi prospera fuerit,1134 cras forte1135 versa rota mutabilis aduersabitur.’
Toward the Princes wel I finde;
Wherof so as it comth to mynde,
Mi Sone, a tale unto thin Ere,
Whil that the worthi princes were 2360
At Rome, I thenke forto tellen.
For whan the chances so befellen
[Pg 298]
That eny Emperour as tho1131
Victoire hadde upon his fo,
And so forth cam to Rome ayein,
Of treble honour he was certein,
Wherof that he was magnefied.
The ferste, as it is specefied,
Was, whan he cam at thilke tyde,
The Charr in which he scholde ryde 2370
Foure whyte Stiedes scholden drawe;
Of Jupiter be thilke lawe
The Cote he scholde were also;
Hise prisoners ek scholden go
Endlong the Charr on eyther hond,
And alle the nobles of the lond1132
Tofore and after with him come
Ridende and broghten him to Rome,
In thonk of his chivalerie
And for non other flaterie. 2380
And that was schewed forth withal;
Wher he sat in his Charr real,
Beside him was a Ribald set,
Which hadde hise wordes so beset,1136
P. iii. 166
To themperour in al his gloire
He seide, ‘Tak into memoire,
For al this pompe and al this pride
Let no justice gon aside,(2400*)
Bot know thiself, what so befalle.
For men sen ofte time falle 2390
Thing which men wende siker stonde:
Thogh thou victoire have nou on honde,
Fortune mai noght stonde alway;
The whiel per chance an other day
Mai torne, and thou myht overthrowe;
Ther lasteth nothing bot a throwe.’
With these wordes and with mo
This Ribald, which sat with him tho,
To Themperour his tale tolde:
[Pg 299]
And overmor what evere he wolde, 2400
Or were it evel or were it good,
So pleinly as the trouthe stod,
He spareth noght, bot spekth it oute;
And so myhte every man aboute
The day of that solempnete
His tale telle als wel as he
To Themperour al openly.
And al was this the cause why;
That whil he stod in that noblesse,1137
He scholde his vanite represse 2410
With suche wordes as he herde.
[The Emperor and his Masons.]
Lo nou, hou thilke time it ferde1138
Toward so hih a worthi lord:
Hic eciam contra adulacionem scribit quod primo die quo nuper Imperator intronizatus extitit, latomi sui ab ipso constanter peterent, de quali lapide sue sepulture tumulum fabricarent; vt sic futuram mortem commemorans vanitates huius seculi transitorias facilius reprimeret.1139
For this I finde ek of record,
P. iii. 167
Which the Cronique hath auctorized.
What Emperour was entronized,
The ferste day of his corone,
Wher he was in his real Throne
And hield his feste in the paleis
Sittende upon his hihe deis 2420
With al the lust that mai be gete,
Whan he was gladdest at his mete,
And every menstral hadde pleid,
And every Disour hadde seid1140
What most was plesant to his Ere,
Than ate laste comen there
Hise Macons, for thei scholden crave
Wher that he wolde be begrave,1141
And of what Ston his sepulture
Thei scholden make, and what sculpture 2430
He wolde ordeine therupon.
Tho was ther flaterie non
[Pg 300]
The worthi princes to bejape;
The thing was other wise schape1142
With good conseil; and otherwise
Thei were hemselven thanne wise,
And understoden wel and knewen.
Whan suche softe wyndes blewen
Of flaterie into here Ere,
Thei setten noght here hertes there; 2440
Bot whan thei herden wordes feigned,
The pleine trouthe it hath desdeigned
Of hem that weren so discrete.
So tok the flatour no beyete1143
P. iii. 168
Of him that was his prince tho:
And forto proven it is so,
A tale which befell in dede
In a Cronique of Rome I rede.
[Caesar’s Answer.]
Cesar upon his real throne
Hic inter alia gesta Cesaris narrat vnum exemplum precipue contra illos qui, cum in aspectu principis aliis sapienciores apparere vellent, quandoque tamen simulate sapiencie talia committunt, per que ceteris stulciores in fine comprobantur.
Wher that he sat in his persone 2450
And was hyest in al his pris,
A man, which wolde make him wys,
Fell doun knelende in his presence,
And dede him such a reverence,
As thogh the hihe god it were:
Men hadden gret mervaille there
Of the worschipe which he dede.
This man aros fro thilke stede,
And forth with al the same tyde
He goth him up and be his side1144 2460
He set him doun as pier and pier,1145
And seide, ‘If thou that sittest hier
Art god, which alle thinges myht,
Thanne have I do worschipe ariht1146
As to the god; and other wise,
If thou be noght of thilke assisse,
Bot art a man such as am I,
Than mai I sitte faste by,
[Pg 301]
For we be bothen of o kinde.’1147
Cesar ansuerde and seide, ‘O blinde, 2470
Thou art a fol, it is wel sene
Upon thiself: for if thou wene
I be a god, thou dost amys
To sitte wher thou sest god is;
P. iii. 169
And if I be a man, also
Thou hast a gret folie do,
Whan thou to such on as schal deie
The worschipe of thi god aweie
Hast yoven so unworthely.
Thus mai I prove redely, 2480
Thou art noght wys.’ And thei that herde
Hou wysly that the king ansuerde,
It was to hem a newe lore;
Wherof thei dradden him the more,
And broghten nothing to his Ere,
Bot if it trouthe and reson were.1148
So be ther manye, in such a wise
That feignen wordes to be wise,(2500*)
And al is verray flaterie
To him which can it wel aspie. 2490
[Flatterers of a King.]
The kinde flatour can noght love
Bot forto bringe himself above;
Nota, qualiter isti circa Principem adulatores pocius a Curia expelli, quam ad regie maiestatis munera acceptari, Policia suadente deberent.
For hou that evere his maister fare,
So that himself stonde out of care,
Him reccheth noght: and thus fulofte
Deceived ben with wordes softe
The kinges that ben innocent.
Wherof as for chastiement
The wise Philosophre seide,
What king that so his tresor leide 2500
Upon such folk, he hath the lesse,
And yit ne doth he no largesse,
Bot harmeth with his oghne hond
Himself and ek his oghne lond,
P. iii. 170
And that be many a sondri weie.
Wherof if that a man schal seie,
As forto speke in general,
[Pg 302]
Wher such thing falleth overal
That eny king himself misreule,
The Philosophre upon his reule 2510
In special a cause sette,
Which is and evere hath be the lette
In governance aboute a king
Upon the meschief of the thing,
And that, he seith, is Flaterie.
Wherof tofore as in partie
What vice it is I have declared;
For who that hath his wit bewared
Upon a flatour to believe,
Whan that he weneth best achieve 2520
His goode world, it is most fro.
And forto proeven it is so
Ensamples ther ben manyon,
Of whiche if thou wolt knowen on,
It is behovely forto hiere
What whilom fell in this matiere.
[Ahab and Micaiah.]
Among the kinges in the bible
I finde a tale, and is credible,
Hic loquitur vlterius de consilio adulantum, quorum fabulis principis aures organizate veritatis auditum capere nequiunt. Et narrat exemplum de Rege Achab, qui pro eo quod ipse prophecias fidelis Michee recusauit blandiciisque adulantis1150 Zedechie adhesit, Rex Sirie Benedab in campo bellator ipsum diuino iudicio deuictum interfecit.
Of him that whilom Achab hihte,
Which hadde al Irahel to rihte;1149 2530
Bot who that couthe glose softe
And flatre, suche he sette alofte
In gret astat and made hem riche;
Bot thei that spieken wordes liche
P. iii. 171
To trouthe and wolde it noght forbere,
For hem was non astat to bere,
The court of suche tok non hiede.
Til ate laste upon a nede,
That Benedab king of Surie
Of Irahel a gret partie,1151 2540
Which Ramoth Galaath was hote,
Hath sesed; and of that riote
He tok conseil in sondri wise,
Bot noght of hem that weren wise.
[Pg 303]
And natheles upon this cas
To strengthen him, for Josaphas,1152
Which thanne was king of Judee,
He sende forto come, as he
Which thurgh frendschipe and alliance
Was next to him of aqueintance; 2550
For Joram Sone of Josaphath
Achabbes dowhter wedded hath,
Which hihte faire Godelie.
And thus cam into Samarie
King Josaphat, and he fond there
The king Achab: and whan thei were
Togedre spekende of this thing,
This Josaphat seith to the king,
Hou that he wolde gladly hiere
Som trew prophete in this matiere,1153 2560
That he his conseil myhte yive
To what point that it schal be drive.1154
And in that time so befell,
Ther was such on in Irahel,
P. iii. 172
Which sette him al to flaterie,
And he was cleped Sedechie;
And after him Achab hath sent:
And he at his comandement
Tofore him cam, and be a sleyhte
He hath upon his heved on heyhte 2570
Tuo large hornes set of bras,
As he which al a flatour was,
And goth rampende as a leoun
And caste hise hornes up and doun,
And bad men ben of good espeir,
For as the homes percen their,
He seith, withoute resistence,
So wiste he wel of his science
That Benedab is desconfit.
Whan Sedechie upon this plit 2580
Hath told this tale to his lord,
Anon ther were of his acord
Prophetes false manye mo
[Pg 304]
To bere up oil, and alle tho
Affermen that which he hath told,
Wherof the king Achab was bold
And yaf hem yiftes al aboute.
But Josaphat was in gret doute,(2600*)
And hield fantosme al that he herde,
Preiende Achab, hou so it ferde, 2590
If ther were eny other man,
The which of prophecie can,
To hiere him speke er that thei gon.
Quod Achab thanne, ‘Ther is on,1155
P. iii. 173
A brothell, which Micheas hihte;
Bot he ne comth noght in my sihte,
For he hath longe in prison lein.
Him liketh nevere yit to sein1156
A goodly word to mi plesance;
And natheles at thin instance 2600
He schal come oute, and thanne he may
Seie as he seide many day;
For yit he seide nevere wel.’
Tho Josaphat began somdel
To gladen him in hope of trouthe,
And bad withouten eny slouthe
That men him scholden fette anon.
And thei that weren for him gon,
Whan that thei comen wher he was,1157
Thei tolden unto Micheas 2610
The manere hou that Sedechie
Declared hath his prophecie;
And therupon thei preie him faire
That he wol seie no contraire,
Wherof the king mai be desplesed,
For so schal every man ben esed,
And he mai helpe himselve also.
Micheas upon trouthe tho
His herte sette, and to hem seith,1158
Al that belongeth to his feith 2620
And of non other feigned thing,
[Pg 305]
That wol he telle unto his king,1159
Als fer as god hath yove him grace.
Thus cam this prophete into place
P. iii. 174
Wher he the kinges wille herde;
And he therto anon ansuerde,
And seide unto him in this wise:
‘Mi liege lord, for mi servise,
Which trewe hath stonden evere yit,
Thou hast me with prisone aquit: 2630
Bot for al that I schal noght glose
Of trouthe als fer as I suppose;
And as touchende of this bataille,1160
Thou schalt noght of the sothe faile.
For if it like thee to hiere,
As I am tauht in that matiere,
Thou miht it understonde sone;1161
Bot what is afterward to done
Avise thee, for this I sih.
I was tofor the throne on hih, 2640
Wher al the world me thoghte stod,1162
And there I herde and understod
The vois of god with wordes cliere
Axende, and seide in this manere:
“In what thing mai I best beguile
The king Achab?” And for a while
Upon this point thei spieken faste.
Tho seide a spirit ate laste,
“I undertake this emprise.”
And god him axeth in what wise. 2650
“I schal,” quod he, “deceive and lye
With flaterende prophecie
In suche mouthes as he lieveth.”
And he which alle thing achieveth
P. iii. 175
Bad him go forth and don riht so.
And over this I sih also
The noble peple of Irahel1163
Dispers as Schep upon an hell,
[Pg 306]
Withoute a kepere unarraied:
And as thei wente aboute astraied, 2660
I herde a vois unto hem sein,
“Goth hom into your hous ayein,
Til I for you have betre ordeigned.”’
Quod Sedechie, ‘Thou hast feigned
This tale in angringe of the king.’
And in a wraththe upon this thing
He smot Michee upon the cheke;
The king him hath rebuked eke,
And every man upon him cride:
Thus was he schent on every side, 2670
Ayein and into prison lad,
For so the king himselve bad.
The trouthe myhte noght ben herd;
Bot afterward as it hath ferd,
The dede proveth his entente:
Achab to the bataille wente,
Wher Benedab for al his Scheld
Him slouh, so that upon the feld
His poeple goth aboute astray.
Bot god, which alle thinges may, 2680
So doth that thei no meschief have;
Here king was ded and thei ben save,
And hom ayein in goddes pes
Thei wente, and al was founde les
P. iii. 176
That Sedechie hath seid tofore.
So sit it wel a king therfore
To loven hem that trouthe mene;
For ate laste it wol be sene(2700*)
That flaterie is nothing worth.1164
Bot nou to mi matiere forth, 2690
As forto speken overmore1165
After the Philosophres lore,
The thridde point of Policie
I thenke forto specifie
[The Third Point of Policy. Justice.]
ix. Propter transgressos leges statuuntur in orbe,
Ut viuant iusti Regis honore viri.
[Pg 307]
Lex sine iusticia populum sub principis vmbra
Deuiat, vt rectum nemo videbit iter.
What is a lond wher men ben none?
What ben the men whiche are al one
Hic tractat de tercia Principum regiminis1166 Policia, que Iusticia nominata est, cuius condicio legibus incorrupta vnicuique quod suum est equo pondere distribuit.
Withoute a kinges governance?
What is a king in his ligance,
Wher that ther is no lawe in londe?
What is to take lawe on honde, 2700
Bot if the jugges weren trewe?
These olde worldes with the newe
Who that wol take in evidence,
Ther mai he se thexperience,
What thing it is to kepe lawe,
Thurgh which the wronges ben withdrawe
And rihtwisnesse stant commended,
Wherof the regnes ben amended.
For wher the lawe mai comune
The lordes forth with the commune,1167 2710
P. iii. 177
Ech hath his propre duete;
And ek the kinges realte
Of bothe his worschipe underfongeth,
To his astat as it belongeth,
Which of his hihe worthinesse
Hath to governe rihtwisnesse,
As he which schal the lawe guide.
And natheles upon som side
His pouer stant above the lawe,
To yive bothe and to withdrawe 2720
The forfet of a mannes lif;
But thinges whiche are excessif
Ayein the lawe, he schal noght do
For love ne for hate also.
The myhtes of a king ben grete,
Bot yit a worthi king schal lete
Imperatoriam maiestatem non solum armis, set eciam legibus oportet esse armatam.
Of wrong to don, al that he myhte;
For he which schal the poeple ryhte,
It sit wel to his regalie
That he himself ferst justefie 2730
[Pg 308]
Towardes god in his degre:
For his astat is elles fre
Toward alle othre in his persone,
Save only to the god al one,
Which wol himself a king chastise,
Wher that non other mai suffise.
So were it good to taken hiede
That ferst a king his oghne dede
Betwen the vertu and the vice
Redresce, and thanne of his justice 2740
P. iii. 178
So sette in evene the balance
Towardes othre in governance,
That to the povere and to the riche
Hise lawes myhten stonde liche,
He schal excepte no persone.
Bot for he mai noght al him one
In sondri places do justice,1168
He schal of his real office
With wys consideracion
Ordeigne his deputacion1169 2750
Of suche jugges as ben lerned,
So that his poeple be governed
Be hem that trewe ben and wise.
For if the lawe of covoitise
Be set upon a jugges hond,
Wo is the poeple of thilke lond,
For wrong mai noght himselven hyde:
Bot elles on that other side,
If lawe stonde with the riht,
The poeple is glad and stant upriht. 2760
Wher as the lawe is resonable,
The comun poeple stant menable,1170
And if the lawe torne amis,
The poeple also mistorned is.
[Justice of Maximin.]
And in ensample of this matiere
Nota hic de iusticia Maximini Imperatoris, qui cum alicuius prouincie custodem sibi substituere volebat, primo de sui nominis fama proclamacione facta ipsius condicionem diligencius inuestigabat.
Of Maximin a man mai hiere,
Of Rome which was Emperour,
[Pg 309]
That whanne he made a governour
Be weie of substitucion
Of Province or of region, 2770
P. iii. 179
He wolde ferst enquere his name,
And let it openly proclame
What man he were, or evel or good.
And upon that his name stod
Enclin to vertu or to vice,1171
So wolde he sette him in office,
Or elles putte him al aweie.
Thus hield the lawe his rihte weie,
Which fond no let of covoitise:
The world stod than upon the wise, 2780
As be ensample thou myht rede;
And hold it in thi mynde, I rede.
[Gaius Fabricius.]
In a Cronique I finde thus,
Hou that Gayus Fabricius,
Which whilom was Consul of Rome,
Hic ponit exemplum de iudicibus incorruptis. Et narrat qualiter Gayus Fabricius nuper Rome Consul aurum a Sampnitibus sibi oblatum renuit, dicens quod nobilius est aurum possidentes dominio subiugare, quam ex auri cupiditate dominii libertatem amittere.
Be whom the lawes yede and come,
Whan the Sampnites to him broghte
A somme of gold, and him besoghte(2800*)
To don hem favour in the lawe,
Toward the gold he gan him drawe, 2790
Wherof in alle mennes lok
A part up in his hond he tok,1172
Which to his mouth in alle haste
He putte, it forto smelle and taste,1173
And to his yhe and to his Ere,
Bot he ne fond no confort there:
And thanne he gan it to despise,
And tolde unto hem in this wise:
‘I not what is with gold to thryve,
Whan non of all my wittes fyve 2800
P. iii. 180
Fynt savour ne delit therinne.
So is it bot a nyce Sinne
Of gold to ben to covoitous;
Bot he is riche and glorious,
[Pg 310]
Which hath in his subjeccion
Tho men whiche in possession1174
Ben riche of gold, and be this skile;
For he mai aldai whan he wile,
Or be hem lieve or be hem lothe,
Justice don upon hem bothe.’ 2810
Lo, thus he seide, and with that word
He threw tofore hem on the bord
The gold out of his hond anon,
And seide hem that he wolde non:1175
So that he kepte his liberte
To do justice and equite,
Withoute lucre of such richesse.
Ther be nou fewe of suche, I gesse;
For it was thilke times used,
That every jugge was refused 2820
Which was noght frend to comun riht;
Bot thei that wolden stonde upriht
For trouthe only to do justice
Preferred were in thilke office
To deme and jugge commun lawe:
Which nou, men sein, is al withdrawe.
To sette a lawe and kepe it noght
Ther is no comun profit soght;
Bot above alle natheles
The lawe, which is mad for pes, 2830
P. iii. 181
Is good to kepe for the beste,
For that set alle men in reste.
[The Emperor Conrad.]
The rihtful Emperour Conrade
Hic narrat de iusticia nuper Conradi Imperatoris, cuius tempore alicuius reuerencia persone, aliqua seu precum interuencione quacunque vel auri redempcione, legum Statuta commutari seu redimi nullatenus potuerunt.
To kepe pes such lawe made,
That non withinne the cite
In destorbance of unite
Dorste ones moeven a matiere.
For in his time, as thou myht hiere,
What point that was for lawe set
It scholde for no gold be let,1176 2840
To what persone that it were.
[Pg 311]
And this broghte in the comun fere,
Why every man the lawe dradde,
For ther was non which favour hadde.
[The Consul Carmidotirus.]
So as these olde bokes sein,
I finde write hou a Romein,
Nota exemplum de constancia iudicis; vbi narrat de Carmidotiro Rome nuper Consule, qui cum sui statuti legem nescius offendisset, Romanique super hoc penam sibi remittere voluissent, ipse propria manu, vbi nullus alius in ipsum vindex fuit, sui criminis vindictam executus est.
Which Consul was of the Pretoire,
Whos name was Carmidotoire,
He sette a lawe for the pes,
That non, bot he be wepneles,1177 2850
Schal come into the conseil hous,
And elles as malicious
He schal ben of the lawe ded.
To that statut and to that red
Acorden alle it schal be so,
For certein cause which was tho:
Nou lest what fell therafter sone.1178
This Consul hadde forto done,1179
And was into the feldes ride;
And thei him hadden longe abide, 2860
P. iii. 182
That lordes of the conseil were,
And for him sende, and he cam there
With swerd begert, and hath foryete,1180
Til he was in the conseil sete.
Was non of hem that made speche,
Til he himself it wolde seche,
And fond out the defalte himselve;
And thanne he seide unto the tuelve,
Whiche of the Senat weren wise,
‘I have deserved the juise, 2870
In haste that it were do.’
And thei him seiden alle no;
For wel thei wiste it was no vice,
Whan he ne thoghte no malice,
Bot onliche of a litel slouthe:
And thus thei leften as for routhe
[Pg 312]
To do justice upon his gilt,
For that he scholde noght be spilt.
And whanne he sih the maner hou
Thei wolde him save, he made avou 2880
With manfull herte, and thus he seide,
That Rome scholde nevere abreide
His heires, whan he were of dawe,
That here Ancestre brak the lawe.
Forthi, er that thei weren war,
Forth with the same swerd he bar
The statut of his lawe he kepte,1181
So that al Rome his deth bewepte.(2900*)
[Example of Cambyses.]
In other place also I rede,
Wher that a jugge his oghne dede 2890
P. iii. 183
Nota quod falsi iudices mortis pena puniendi sunt. Narrat enim qualiter Cambises Rex Persarum quendam iudicem corruptum excoriari viuum fecit, eiusque pelle cathedram iudicialem operiri constituit: ita quod filius suus super patris pellem postea pro tribunali cessurus iudicii equitatem euidencius memoraretur.
Ne wol noght venge of lawe broke,
The king it hath himselven wroke.
The grete king which Cambises
Was hote, a jugge laweles
He fond, and into remembrance
He dede upon him such vengance:
Out of his skyn he was beflain
Al quyk, and in that wise slain,
So that his skyn was schape al meete,1182
And nayled on the same seete1183 2900
Wher that his Sone scholde sitte.
Avise him, if he wolde flitte
The lawe for the coveitise,
Ther sih he redi his juise.
Thus in defalte of other jugge
The king mot otherwhile jugge,
To holden up the rihte lawe.
And forto speke of tholde dawe,
To take ensample of that was tho,
I finde a tale write also, 2910
Hou that a worthi prince is holde
The lawes of his lond to holde,
Ferst for the hihe goddes sake,
And ek for that him is betake
[Pg 313]
The poeple forto guide and lede,
Which is the charge of his kinghede.
[Lycurgus and his Laws.]
In a Cronique I rede thus
Of the rihtful Ligurgius,
Hic ponit exemplum de Principibus illis, qui1184 non solum legem statuentes illam conseruant, set vt commune bonum adaugeant, propriam facultatem diminuunt. Et narrat quod, cum Ligurgius Athenarum princeps subditos suos1185 in omni prosperitatis habundancia divites et vnanimes congruis legibus stare fecisset, volens ad vtilitatem rei publice leges illas firmius obseruari, peregre proficisci se finxit; set prius iuramentum solempne a legiis suis sub hac forma exegit, quod ipsi vsque in reditum suum leges suas nullatenus infringerent: quibus iuratis peregrinacionem suam in exilium absque reditu pro perpetuo delegauit.1186
Which of Athenis Prince was,
Hou he the lawe in every cas, 2920
P. iii. 184
Wherof he scholde his poeple reule,
Hath set upon so good a reule,
In al this world that cite non
Of lawe was so wel begon
Forth with the trouthe of governance.
Ther was among hem no distance,
Bot every man hath his encress;
Ther was withoute werre pes,
Withoute envie love stod;
Richesse upon the comun good 2930
And noght upon the singuler
Ordeigned was, and the pouer
Of hem that weren in astat
Was sauf: wherof upon debat
Ther stod nothing, so that in reste
Mihte every man his herte reste.
And whan this noble rihtful king
Sih hou it ferde of al this thing,
Wherof the poeple stod in ese,
He, which for evere wolde plese 2940
The hihe god, whos thonk he soghte,
A wonder thing thanne him bethoghte,
And schop if that it myhte be,
Hou that his lawe in the cite
Mihte afterward for evere laste.
And therupon his wit he caste
What thing him were best to feigne,
That he his pourpos myhte atteigne.
A Parlement and thus he sette,
His wisdom wher that he besette 2950
P. iii. 185
In audience of grete and smale,1187
[Pg 314]
And in this wise he tolde his tale:
‘God wot, and so ye witen alle,
Hierafterward hou so it falle,
Yit into now my will hath be
To do justice and equite
In forthringe of comun profit:
Such hath ben evere my delit.
Bot of o thing I am beknowe,
The which mi will is that ye knowe: 2960
The lawe which I tok on honde,
Was altogedre of goddes sonde
And nothing of myn oghne wit;
So mot it nede endure yit,
And schal do lengere, if ye wile.
For I wol telle you the skile;
The god Mercurius and no man1188
He hath me tawht al that I can
Of suche lawes as I made,
Wherof that ye ben alle glade; 2970
It was the god and nothing I,
Which dede al this, and nou forthi
He hath comanded of his grace
That I schal come into a place
Which is forein out in an yle,
Wher I mot tarie for a while,
With him to speke, as he hath bede.1189
For as he seith, in thilke stede
He schal me suche thinges telle,
That evere, whyl the world schal duelle, 2980
P. iii. 186
Athenis schal the betre fare.
Bot ferst, er that I thider fare,
For that I wolde that mi lawe
Amonges you ne be withdrawe
Ther whyles that I schal ben oute,
Forthi to setten out of doute
Bothe you and me, this wol I preie,
That ye me wolde assure and seie(3000*)
With such an oth as I wol take,1190
[Pg 315]
That ech of you schal undertake 2990
Mi lawes forto kepe and holde.’
Thei seiden alle that thei wolde,
And therupon thei swore here oth,1191
That fro the time that he goth,
Til he to hem be come ayein,
Thei scholde hise lawes wel and plein
In every point kepe and fulfille.
Thus hath Ligurgius his wille,
And tok his leve and forth he wente.
Bot lest nou wel to what entente1192 3000
Of rihtwisnesse he dede so:
For after that he was ago,
He schop him nevere to be founde;1193
So that Athenis, which was bounde,
Nevere after scholde be relessed,1194
Ne thilke goode lawe cessed,
Which was for comun profit set.
And in this wise he hath it knet;
He, which the comun profit soghte,
The king, his oghne astat ne roghte; 3010
P. iii. 187
To do profit to the comune,
He tok of exil the fortune,
And lefte of Prince thilke office
Only for love and for justice,
Thurgh which he thoghte, if that he myhte,
For evere after his deth to rihte
The cite which was him betake.
Wherof men oghte ensample take
The goode lawes to avance
With hem which under governance1195 3020
The lawes have forto kepe;
For who that wolde take kepe
Of hem that ferst the lawes founde,
Als fer as lasteth eny bounde
Of lond, here names yit ben knowe:
And if it like thee to knowe
[Pg 316]
Some of here names hou thei stonde,
Nou herkne and thou schalt understonde.
[The First Law-givers.]
Of every bienfet the merite
The god himself it wol aquite; 3030
Hic ad eorum laudem, qui iusticie causa leges primo statuerunt, aliquorum nomina specialius commemorat.
And ek fulofte it falleth so,
The world it wole aquite also,
Bot that mai noght ben evene liche:
The god he yifth the heveneriche,
The world yifth only bot a name,
Which stant upon the goode fame
Of hem that don the goode dede.
And in this wise double mede
Resceiven thei that don wel hiere;
Wherof if that thee list to hiere1196 3040
P. iii. 188
After the fame as it is blowe,
Ther myht thou wel the sothe knowe,
Hou thilke honeste besinesse
Of hem that ferst for rihtwisnesse
Among the men the lawes made,
Mai nevere upon this erthe fade.
For evere, whil ther is a tunge,
Here name schal be rad and sunge
And holde in the Cronique write;
So that the men it scholden wite, 3050
To speke good, as thei wel oghten,
Of hem that ferst the lawes soghten
In forthringe of the worldes pes.
Unto thebreus was Moïses
The ferste, and to thegipciens
Mercurius, and to Troiens
Ferst was Neuma Pompilius,
To Athenes Ligurgius
Yaf ferst the lawe, and to Gregois
Foroneüs hath thilke vois,1197 3060
And Romulus to the Romeins.
For suche men that ben vileins
The lawe in such a wise ordeigneth,1198
That what man to the lawe pleigneth,
[Pg 317]
[Kings must keep the Laws.]
Be so the jugge stonde upriht,
He schal be served of his riht.
And so ferforth it is befalle
That lawe is come among ous alle:
God lieve it mote wel ben holde,
As every king therto is holde; 3070
P. iii. 189
For thing which is of kinges set,
With kinges oghte it noght be let.
What king of lawe takth no kepe,
Be lawe he mai no regne kepe.
Do lawe awey, what is a king?
Wher is the riht of eny thing,
If that ther be no lawe in londe?
This oghte a king wel understonde,
As he which is to lawe swore,
That if the lawe be forbore 3080
Withouten execucioun,
It makth a lond torne up so doun,
Which is unto the king a sclandre.
Forthi unto king Alisandre
The wise Philosophre bad,
That he himselve ferst be lad1199
Of lawe, and forth thanne overal
So do justice in general,1200(3100*)
That al the wyde lond aboute
The justice of his lawe doute, 3090
And thanne schal he stonde in reste.
For therto lawe is on the beste
Above alle other erthly thing,
To make a liege drede his king.
Bot hou a king schal gete him love
Toward the hihe god above,
And ek among the men in erthe,
This nexte point, which is the ferthe
Of Aristotles lore, it techeth:
Wherof who that the Scole secheth, 3100
P. iii. 190
What Policie that it is
The bok reherceth after this.
[Pg 318]
[The Fourth Point of Policy. Pity.]
x. Nil racionis habens vbi velle tirannica regna
Stringit, amor populi transiet exul ibi.1201
Set Pietas, regnum que conseruabit in euum,
Non tantum populo, set placet illa deo.
It nedeth noght that I delate
The pris which preised is algate,
Hic tractat de quarta Principum regiminis Policia, que Pietas dicta est; per quam Principes erga populum misericordes effecti misericordiam altissimi gracius1202 consequuntur.
And hath ben evere and evere schal,
Wherof to speke in special,
It is the vertu of Pite,
Thurgh which the hihe mageste
Was stered, whan his Sone alyhte,
And in pite the world to rihte 3110
Tok of the Maide fleissh and blod.
Pite was cause of thilke good,
Wherof that we ben alle save:
Wel oghte a man Pite to have
And the vertu to sette in pris,
Whan he himself which is al wys
Hath schewed why it schal be preised.
Pite may noght be conterpeised
Of tirannie with no peis;
For Pite makth a king courteis 3120
Bothe in his word and in his dede.
Nota.1203
It sit wel every liege drede
His king and to his heste obeie,
And riht so be the same weie
It sit a king to be pitous
Toward his poeple and gracious
P. iii. 191
Upon the reule of governance,
So that he worche no vengance,
Which mai be cleped crualte.
Justice which doth equite 3130
Is dredfull, for he noman spareth;
Bot in the lond wher Pite fareth
The king mai nevere faile of love,
For Pite thurgh the grace above,
So as the Philosophre affermeth,1204
[Pg 319]
His regne in good astat confermeth.*

*Thapostle James in this wise1205
Seith, what man scholde do juise,1206 3150*
And hath not pite forth with al,
The doom of him which demeth al
He may himself fulsore drede,
That him schal lakke upon the nede
To fynde pite, whan he wolde:
For who that pite wol biholde,—
It is a poynt of Cristes lore.
And for to loken overmore,
It is bihovely, as we fynde,
To resoun and to lawe of kynde.3160*
Cassodorus. Vbi regnat pietas, consolidatur regnum.
Cassodre in his apprise telleth,
‘The regne is sauf, wher pite duelleth.’
Tullius. Qui pietate vincitur scutum victorie merito gestabit.
And Tullius his tale avoweth,1207
And seith, ‘What king to pite boweth
And with pite stant overcome,
He hath that schield of grace nome,
P. iii. 192
Which to the kinges yifth victoire.’
Valerius narrat quod cum rex Alexander in ira sua quendam militem morti condempnasset, et ille appellauit, dixit rex, ‘In terra nullus maior me est: ad quem ergo appellas?’ Respondit miles, ‘Non a maiestate tua, set a sentencia ire tue tantum ad pietatem tuam appello.’ Et sic rex pietate motus ipsum in misericordiam benignissime suscepit.
Of Alisandre in his histoire
I rede how he a worthi knight
Of sodein wraththe and nought of right3170*
Forjugged hath, and he appeleth.
And with that word the king quereleth,
And seith, ‘Non is above me.’
‘That wot I wel my lord,’ quoth he;
‘Fro thy lordschipe appele I nought,
But fro thy wraththe in al my thought
To thy pitee stant myn appeel.
The king, which understod him wel,
Of pure pite yaf him grace.
And eek I rede in other place,3180*
Thus seide whilom etc. (as 3137 ff.)

Constantinus Imperator ait: ‘Vere se dominum esse comprobat, qui seruum pietatis se facit.’
Thus seide whilom Constantin:1208
‘What Emperour that is enclin
[Pg 320]
To Pite forto be servant,
Of al the worldes remenant 3140
He is worthi to ben a lord.’
Troianus ait, quod ipse subditos suos solite pietatis fauore magis quam austeritatis rigore regere, eorumque benevolenciam pocius quam timorem penes se attractare proponebat.1209
In olde bokes of record
This finde I write of essamplaire:1210
Troian the worthi debonaire,
Be whom that Rome stod governed,
Upon a time as he was lerned(3190*)
Of that he was to familier,
He seide unto that conseiller,1211
That forto ben an Emperour
His will was noght for vein honour, 3150
Ne yit for reddour of justice;
Bot if he myhte in his office
P. iii. 193
Hise lordes and his poeple plese,
Him thoghte it were a grettere ese
With love here hertes to him drawe,
Than with the drede of eny lawe.(3200*)
For whan a thing is do for doute,
Fulofte it comth the worse aboute;
Bot wher a king is Pietous,1212
He is the more gracious, 3160
That mochel thrift him schal betyde,
Which elles scholde torne aside.*

[Tale of the Jew and the Pagan.]
*To do pite support and grace,1213
The Philosophre upon a place
Hic in pietatis exemplum prout Aristotiles Regi Alexandro nuper rettulit, declarans scribit qualiter Iudeus pedester cum quodam pagano asinum equitante per desertum itinerando ipsum de secta et fide sua strictius interrogauit. Qui respondens ait: ‘Paganus sum et fides mea hec est, vt omnes vno animo diligam et penes vnumquemque tempore necessitatis pietatem1214 pro posse meo excerceam.’1215 Cui Iudeus: ‘Permitte me ergo, qui lassatus itinere deficio, aliquantulum equitare, et tu respectu pietatis ob meam recreacionem pedibus pro tempore1216 incedas.’ Et ita factum est, vnde postea paganus infra breue lassatus asino suo restitui1217 a Iudeo postulauit. At ille ait: ‘Nequaquam: quia fides mea est, vt illi qui sectam meam non credit, nocumentum1218 absque pietate prouocare debeo.’ Et hiis dictis asellum veloci passu coegit, et paganum a dorso illusum reliquit. Quod videns paganus in terram dolens corruit, extensisque in celum manibus summam iusticiam inuocabat. Postque a terra exurgens, cum paulisper deambulasset, respexit in quamdam vallem1219 Iudeum a leone in mortis articulo prostratum; et sic asinum suum cum gaudio resumens, pietatem magis quam austeritatem laudabilem decreuit.1220
In his writinge of daies olde
A tale of gret essample tolde3210*
Unto the king of Macedoine:
How betwen Kaire and Babeloine,1221
Whan comen is the somer heete,
It hapneth tuo men forto meete,
[Pg 321]
As thei scholde entren in a pas,
Wher that the wyldernesse was.
And as they wenten forth spekende
Under the large wodes ende,
That o man axeth of that other:
‘What man art thou, mi lieve brother?1222 3220*
Which is thi creance and thi feith?’
‘I am paien,’ that other seith,
‘And be the lawe which I use
I schal noght in mi feith refuse
P. iii. 194
To loven alle men aliche,
The povere bothe and ek the riche:
Whan thei ben glade I schal be glad,
And sori whan thei ben bestad;
So schal I live in unite
With every man in his degre.3230*
For riht as to miself I wolde,
Riht so toward alle othre I scholde1223
Be gracious and debonaire.
Thus have I told thee softe and faire
Mi feith, mi lawe, and mi creance;
And if thee list for aqueintance,
Now tell what maner man thou art.’
And he ansuerde upon his part:
‘I am a Jew, and be mi lawe
I schal to noman be felawe3240*
To kepe him trowthe in word ne dede,
Bot if he be withoute drede1224
A verrai Jew riht as am I:
For elles I mai trewely
[Pg 322]
Bereve him bothe lif and good.’
The paien herde and understod,
And thoghte it was a wonder lawe.
And thus upon here sondri sawe
Talkende bothe forth thei wente.
The dai was hoot, the sonne brente,3250*
The paien rod upon an asse,
And of his catell more and lasse
With him a riche trusse he ladde.
The Jew, which al untrowthe hadde,
P. iii. 195
And wente upon his feet beside,
Bethoghte him how he mihte ride;1225
And with his wordes slihe and wise
Unto the paien in this wise
He seide: ‘O, now it schal be seene
What thing it is thou woldest meene:3260*
For if thi lawe be certein
As thou hast told, I dar wel sein,
Thou wolt beholde mi destresse.
Which am so full of werinesse,
That I ne mai unethe go,1226
And let me ride a Myle or tuo,
So that I mai mi bodi ese.’
The paien wolde him noght desplese
Of that he spak, bot in pite
It list him forto knowe and se3270*
The pleignte which that other made;
And for he wolde his herte glade,
He lihte and made him nothing strange.
[Pg 323]
Thus was ther made a newe change,
The paien goth, the Jew alofte
Was sett upon his asse softe:
So gon thei forth carpende faste
Of this and that, til ate laste1227
The paien mihte go nomore,
And preide unto the Jew therfore3280*
To suffre him ride a litel while.
The Jew, which thoghte him to beguile,
Anon rod forth the grete pas,1228
And to the paien in this cas
P. iii. 196
He seide, ‘Thou hast do thi riht,
Of that thou haddest me behiht
To do socour upon mi nede;
And that acordeth to the dede,
As thou art to the lawe holde.
And in such wise as I thee tolde,3290*
I thenke also for mi partie
Upon the lawe of Juerie1229
To worche and do mi duete.
Thin asse schal go forth with me
With al thi good, which I have sesed;
And that I wot thou art desesed,
I am riht glad and noght mispaid.’
And whanne he hath these wordes said,
In alle haste he rod aweie.
This paien wot non other weie,3300*
Bot on the ground he kneleth evene,
His handes up unto the hevene,
And seide, ‘O hihe sothfastnesse,
[Pg 324]
That lovest alle rihtwisnesse,
Unto thi dom, lord, I appele;1230
Behold and deme mi querele,
With humble herte I thee beseche;
The mercy bothe and ek the wreche
I sette al in thi juggement.’
And thus upon his marrement3310*
This paien hath made his preiere:1231
And than he ros with drery chiere,1232
And goth him forth, and in his gate
He caste his yhe aboute algate,
P. iii. 197
The Jew if that he mihte se.
Bot for a time it mai noght be;
Til ate laste ayein the nyht,
So as god wolde, he wente ariht,
As he which hield the hihe weie,
And thanne he sih in a valleie3320*
Wher that the Jew liggende was,
Al blodi ded upon the gras,
Which strangled was of a leoun.
And as he lokede up and doun,
He fond his asse faste by
Forth with his harneis redely
Al hol and sound, as he it lefte,1233
Whan that the Jew it him berefte:
Wherof he thonketh god knelende.
Lo, thus a man mai knowe at ende,3330*
How the pitous pite deserveth.
For what man that to pite serveth,
[Pg 325]
As Aristotle it berth witnesse,
God schal hise foomen so represse,
That thei schul ay stonde under foote.
Pite, men sein, is thilke roote
Wherof the vertus springen alle:
What infortune that befalle
In eny lond, lacke of pite1234
Is cause of thilke adversite;3340*
And that aldai mai schewe at yhe,
Who that the world discretly syhe.1235
Good is that every man therfore
Take hiede of that is seid tofore;
P. iii. 198
For of this tale and othre ynowhe
These noble princes whilom drowhe
Here evidence and here aprise,
As men mai finde in many a wise,1236
Who that these olde bokes rede:
And thogh thei ben in erthe dede,3350*
Here goode name may noght deie
For Pite, which thei wolde obeie,
To do the dedes of mercy.
And who this tale redily
Remembre, as Aristotle it tolde,
He mai the will of god beholde
Upon the point as it was ended,
Wherof that pite stod commended,
Which is to charite felawe,
As thei that kepen bothe o lawe.1237 3360*

[Tale of Codrus.]
P. iii. 198, l. 17
Of Pite forto speke plein,
Which is with mercy wel besein,
Fulofte he wole himselve peine
Nota hic de Principis pietate erga populum, vbi narrat quod, cum Codrus Rex Athenarum contra Dorences bellum gerere deberet, consulto prius Appolline responsum accepit, quod vnum de duobus, videlicet aut seipsum in prelio interfici et populum suum saluari, aut populum interfici et se1238 saluum fieri, eligere oporteret. Super quo Rex pietate motus plebisque sue magis quam proprii corporis salutem affectans, mortem sibi preelegit; et sic bellum aggrediens pro vita multorum solus interiit.
To kepe an other fro the peine:
For Charite the moder is
Of Pite, which nothing amis
Can soffre, if he it mai amende.
It sit to every man livende 3170
To be Pitous, bot non so wel
As to a king, which on the whiel(3370*)
Fortune hath set aboven alle:
For in a king, if so befalle1239
That his Pite be ferme and stable,
To al the loud it is vailable
P. iii. 199
Only thurgh grace of his persone;
For the Pite of him al one
Mai al the large realme save.
So sit it wel a king to have 3180
Pite; for this Valeire tolde,
And seide hou that be daies olde(3380*)
Codrus, which was in his degre
King of Athenis the cite,
A werre he hadde ayein Dorrence:
And forto take his evidence1240
What schal befalle of the bataille,
He thoghte he wolde him ferst consaille
With Appollo, in whom he triste;
Thurgh whos ansuere this he wiste, 3190
Of tuo pointz that he myhte chese,
Or that he wolde his body lese(3390*)
And in bataille himselve deie,
Or elles the seconde weie,
To sen his poeple desconfit.
Bot he, which Pite hath parfit
Upon the point of his believe,
[Pg 326] The poeple thoghte to relieve,1241
And ches himselve to be ded.
Wher is nou such an other hed, 3200
Which wolde for the lemes dye?
And natheles in som partie(3400*)
It oghte a kinges herte stere,
That he hise liege men forbere.
And ek toward hise enemis
Fulofte he may deserve pris,
P. iii. 200
To take of Pite remembrance,
Wher that he myhte do vengance:
For whanne a king hath the victoire,
And thanne he drawe into memoire 3210
To do Pite in stede of wreche,
He mai noght faile of thilke speche
Wherof arist the worldes fame,
To yive a Prince a worthi name.
[Pompeius and the King of Armenia.]
I rede hou whilom that Pompeie,
To whom that Rome moste obeie,
Hic ponit exemplum de victoriosi Principis pietate erga aduersarios suos. Et narrat quod, cum Pompeius Romanorum Imperator Regem Armenie aduersarium suum in bello victum cepisset, captumque vinculis alligatum Rome tenuisset, tirannidis iracundie stimulos postponens, pietatis mansuetudinem operatus est. Dixit enim quod nobilius est Regem facere quam deponere: super quo dictum Regem absque vlla redempcione non solum a vinculis absoluit, set ad sui regni culmen gratuita voluntate coronatum restituit.1244
A werre hadde in jeupartie
Ayein the king of Ermenie,1242
Which of long time him hadde grieved.
Bot ate laste it was achieved 3220
That he this king desconfit hadde,
And forth with him to Rome ladde
As Prisoner, wher many a day
In sori plit and povere he lay,
The corone of his heved deposed,1243
Withinne walles faste enclosed;
And with ful gret humilite
He soffreth his adversite.
Pompeie sih his pacience
And tok pite with conscience, 3230
So that upon his hihe deis
Tofore al Rome in his Paleis,
As he that wolde upon him rewe,
Let yive him his corone newe
[Pg 327]
And his astat al full and plein1245
Restoreth of his regne ayein,
P. iii. 201
And seide it was more goodly thing
To make than undon a king,
To him which pouer hadde of bothe.
Thus thei, that weren longe wrothe, 3240
Acorden hem to final pes;
And yit justice natheles
Was kept and in nothing offended;
Wherof Pompeie was comended.1246
Ther mai no king himself excuse,
Bot if justice he kepe and use,
Which for teschuie crualte
He mot attempre with Pite.
[Cruelty.]
Of crualte the felonie
Engendred is of tirannie, 3250
Ayein the whos condicion
God is himself the champion,(3450*)
Whos strengthe mai noman withstonde.
For evere yit it hath so stonde,
That god a tirant overladde;
Bot wher Pite the regne ladde,
Ther mihte no fortune laste
Which was grevous, bot ate laste
The god himself it hath redresced.
Pite is thilke vertu blessed 3260
Which nevere let his Maister falle;
Bot crualte, thogh it so falle
That it mai regne for a throwe,
God wole it schal ben overthrowe:
Wherof ensamples ben ynowhe
Of hem that thilke merel drowhe.
[Cruelty of Leontius.]
P. iii. 202
Of crualte I rede thus:
Whan the tirant Leoncius
Hic loquitur contra illos, qui tirannica potestate principatum obtinentes in1247 iniquitatis sue malicia gloriantur. Et narrat exemplum,1248 qualiter Leoncius tirannus pium Iustinianum non solum a solio imperatorie maiestatis fraudulenter expulit, set vt ipse inhabilis ad regnum in1249 aspectu plebis efficeretur, naso et labris abscisis, ipsum tirannice mutulauit. Deus tamen, qui super omnia pius est, Tiberio superueniente vna cum adiutorio Terbellis Bulgarie Regis, Iustinianum interfecto Leoncio ad imperium restitui misericorditer procurauit.
Was to thempire of Rome arrived,
Fro which he hath with strengthe prived1250 3270
The pietous Justinian,1251
[Pg 328]
As he which was a cruel man,
His nase of and his lippes bothe
He kutte, for he wolde him lothe
Unto the poeple and make unable.
Bot he which is al merciable,1252
The hihe god, ordeigneth so,
That he withinne a time also,
Whan he was strengest in his ire,1253
Was schoven out of his empire. 3280
Tiberius the pouer hadde,
And Rome after his will he ladde,
And for Leonce in such a wise
Ordeigneth, that he tok juise
Of nase and lippes bothe tuo,
For that he dede an other so,
Which more worthi was than he.
Lo, which a fall hath crualte,
And Pite was set up ayein:
For after that the bokes sein, 3290
Therbellis king of Bulgarie
With helpe of his chivalerie
Justinian hath unprisoned
And to thempire ayein coroned.
[Cruelty of Siculus.]
In a Cronique I finde also
Of Siculus, which was ek so
P. iii. 203
Hic loquitur vlterius de crudelitate Siculi tiranni,1254 necnon et de Berillo eiusdem Consiliario, qui ad tormentum populi quendam taurum eneum tirannica coniectura fabricari constituit; in quo tamen ipse prior, proprio crimine illud exigente, vsque ad sui interitus expiracionem iudicialiter torquebatur.
A cruel king lich the tempeste,
The whom no Pite myhte areste,—1255
He was the ferste, as bokes seie,
Upon the See which fond Galeie 3300
And let hem make for the werre,—
As he which al was out of herre(3500*)
Fro Pite and misericorde;
For therto couthe he noght acorde,
Bot whom he myhte slen, he slouh,
And therof was he glad ynouh.
[Pg 329]
He hadde of conseil manyon,
Among the whiche ther was on,
Be name which Berillus hihte;
And he bethoghte him hou he myhte 3310
Unto the tirant do likinge,
And of his oghne ymaginynge
Let forge and make a Bole of bras,
And on the side cast ther was
A Dore, wher a man mai inne,
Whan he his peine schal beginne
Thurgh fyr, which that men putten under.
And al this dede he for a wonder,
That whanne a man for peine cride,
The Bole of bras, which gapeth wyde, 3320
It scholde seme as thogh it were
A belwinge in a mannes Ere,
And noght the criinge of a man.
Bot he which alle sleihtes can,
The devel, that lith in helle fast,
Him that this caste hath overcast,1256
P. iii. 204
That for a trespas which he dede
He was putt in the same stede,
And was himself the ferste of alle
Which was into that peine falle1257 3330
That he for othre men ordeigneth;
Ther was noman which him compleigneth.1258
Of tirannie and crualte
Be this ensample a king mai se,
Himself and ek his conseil bothe,
Hou thei ben to mankinde lothe
And to the god abhominable.
Ensamples that ben concordable1259
I finde of othre Princes mo,
As thou schalt hiere, of time go.1260 3340
The grete tirant Dionys,
Which mannes lif sette of no pris,1261
[Pg 330]
[Dionysius and his Horses.]
Unto his hors fulofte he yaf
The men in stede of corn and chaf,
Nota hic de Dionisio tiranno, qui mire crudelitatis seueritate eciam hospites suos ad deuorandum equis suis tribuit: cui Hercules tandem superueniens victum impium in impietate sua pari morte conclusit.
So that the hors of thilke stod
Devoureden the mennes blod;
Til fortune ate laste cam,
That Hercules him overcam,
And he riht in the same wise
Of this tirant tok the juise: 3350
As he til othre men hath do,
The same deth he deide also,(3550*)
That no Pite him hath socoured,
Til he was of hise hors devoured.
[Lichaon.]
Of Lichaon also I finde
Hou he ayein the lawe of kinde
P. iii. 205
Nota hic de consimili Lichaontis tirannia, qui carnes hominum hominibus in suo hospicio ad vescendum dedit; cuius formam condicioni similem Iupiter1262 coequans ipsum in lupum transformauit.
Hise hostes slouh, and into mete
He made her bodies to ben ete
With othre men withinne his hous.
Bot Jupiter the glorious, 3360
Which was commoeved of this thing,
Vengance upon this cruel king
So tok, that he fro mannes forme
Into a wolf him let transforme:
And thus the crualte was kidd,
Which of long time he hadde hidd;
A wolf he was thanne openly,
The whos nature prively
He hadde in his condicion.
And unto this conclusioun, 3370
That tirannie is to despise,
I finde ensample in sondri wise,
And nameliche of hem fulofte,
The whom fortune hath set alofte
Upon the werres forto winne.
Bot hou so that the wrong beginne
Of tirannie, it mai noght laste,
Bot such as thei don ate laste
To othre men, such on hem falleth;
For ayein suche Pite calleth 3380
[Pg 331]
Vengance to the god above.
For who that hath no tender love
In savinge of a mannes lif,
He schal be founde so gultif,
That whanne he wolde mercy crave
[Nobleness of the Lion.]
In time of nede, he schal non have.
P. iii. 206
Of the natures this I finde,1263
Nota qualiter Leo hominibus stratis parcit.
The fierce Leon in his kinde,
Which goth rampende after his preie,
If he a man finde in his weie, 3390
He wole him slen, if he withstonde.
Bot if the man coude understonde
To falle anon before his face
In signe of mercy and of grace,
The Leon schal of his nature
Restreigne his ire in such mesure,
As thogh it were a beste tamed,1264
And torne awey halfvinge aschamed,
That he the man schal nothing grieve.
Hou scholde than a Prince achieve 3400
The worldes grace, if that he wolde
Destruie a man whanne he is yolde(3600*)
And stant upon his mercy al?
Bot forto speke in special,
Ther have be suche and yit ther be
Tirantz, whos hertes no pite
Mai to no point of mercy plie,
That thei upon her tirannie
Ne gladen hem the men to sle;
And as the rages of the See 3410
Ben unpitous in the tempeste,
Riht so mai no Pite areste1265
Of crualte the gret oultrage,
Which the tirant in his corage
Engendred hath: wherof I finde
A tale, which comth nou to mynde.
P. iii. 207
I rede in olde bokes thus:
[Pg 332]
[Spertachus and Thamaris.]
Ther was a Duk, which Spertachus
Men clepe, and was a werreiour,
Hic loquitur precipue1266 contra tirannos illos qui, cum in bello vincere possunt, humani sanguinis effusione saturari nequiunt. Et narrat in exemplum de quodam Persarum Rege, cuius nomen Spertachus erat, qui pre ceteris tunc in Oriente bellicosus et victoriosus, quoscunque gladio vincere poterat, absque pietate interfici constituit. Set tandem sub manu Thamaris Marsegetarum Regine in bello captus, quod a diu quesivit, seueritatem pro seueritate finaliter inuenit. Nam et ipsa quoddam vas de sanguine Persarum plenum ante se afferri1267 decreuit, in quo caput tiranni vsque ad mortem mergens dixit: ‘O tirannorum crudelissime, semper esuriens sanguinem sitisti: ecce iam ad saturitatem sanguinem bibe.’
A cruel man, a conquerour 3420
With strong pouer the which he ladde.
For this condicion he hadde,
That where him hapneth the victoire,1268
His lust and al his moste gloire
Was forto sle and noght to save:
Of rancoun wolde he no good have
For savinge of a mannes lif,
Bot al goth to the swerd and knyf,
So lief him was the mannes blod.1269
And natheles yit thus it stod, 3430
So as fortune aboute wente,
He fell riht heir as be descente1270
To Perse, and was coroned king.
And whan the worschipe of this thing
Was falle, and he was king of Perse,
If that thei weren ferst diverse,
The tirannies whiche he wroghte,
A thousendfold welmore he soghte
Thanne afterward to do malice.
The god vengance ayein the vice1271 3440
Hath schape: for upon a tyde,
Whan he was heihest in his Pride,
In his rancour and in his hete
Ayein the queene of Marsagete,
Which Thameris that time hihte,
He made werre al that he myhte:
P. iii. 208
And sche, which wolde hir loud defende,
Hir oghne Sone ayein him sende,1272
Which the defence hath undertake.
Bot he desconfit was and take; 3450
And whan this king him hadde in honde,
He wol no mercy understonde,(3650*)
Bot dede him slen in his presence.
[Pg 333]
The tidinge of this violence1273
Whan it cam to the moder Ere,
Sche sende anon ay wydewhere
To suche frendes as sche hadde,
A gret pouer til that sche ladde.
In sondri wise and tho sche caste
Hou sche this king mai overcaste; 3460
And ate laste acorded was,
That in the danger of a pass,
Thurgh which this tirant scholde passe,
Sche schop his pouer to compasse1274
With strengthe of men be such a weie1275
That he schal noght eschape aweie.
And whan sche hadde thus ordeigned,
Sche hath hir oghne bodi feigned,
For feere as thogh sche wolde flee
Out of hir lond: and whan that he 3470
Hath herd hou that this ladi fledde,
So faste after the chace he spedde,
That he was founde out of array.
For it betidde upon a day,
Into the pas whanne he was falle,
Thembuisschementz tobrieken alle1276
P. iii. 209
And him beclipte on every side,
That fle ne myhte he noght aside:
So that ther weren dede and take
Tuo hundred thousend for his sake, 3480
That weren with him of his host.
And thus was leid the grete bost
Of him and of his tirannie:1277
It halp no mercy forto crie1278
To him which whilom dede non;
For he unto the queene anon
Was broght, and whan that sche him sih,
This word sche spak and seide on hih:
‘O man, which out of mannes kinde
[Pg 334]
Reson of man hast left behinde 3490
And lived worse than a beste,
Whom Pite myhte noght areste,
The mannes blod to schede and spille
Thou haddest nevere yit thi fille.
Bot nou the laste time is come,
That thi malice is overcome:
As thou til othre men hast do,
Nou schal be do to thee riht so.’
Tho bad this ladi that men scholde
A vessel bringe, in which sche wolde 3500
Se the vengance of his juise,
Which sche began anon devise;(3700*)
And tok the Princes whiche he ladde,
Be whom his chief conseil he hadde,
And whil hem lasteth eny breth,1279
Sche made hem blede to the deth
P. iii. 210
Into the vessel wher it stod:
And whan it was fulfild of blod,
Sche caste this tirant therinne,
And seide him, ‘Lo, thus myht thou wynne1280 3510
The lustes of thin appetit.
In blod was whilom thi delit,
Nou schalt thou drinken al thi fille.’
And thus onliche of goddes wille,
He which that wolde himselve strange
To Pite, fond mercy so strange,
That he withoute grace is lore.
So may it schewe wel therfore
That crualte hath no good ende;
Bot Pite, hou so that it wende, 3520
Makth that the god is merciable,
If ther be cause resonable
Why that a king schal be pitous.1281
Bot elles, if he be doubtous
To slen in cause of rihtwisnesse,
It mai be said no Pitousnesse,
Bot it is Pusillamite,
[Pg 335]
[Mercy must be without Weakness.]
Which every Prince scholde flee.
For if Pite mesure excede,
Kinghode may noght wel procede1282 3530
To do justice upon the riht:
For it belongeth to a knyht
Als gladly forto fihte as reste,
To sette his liege poeple in reste,
Whan that the werre upon hem falleth;
For thanne he mote, as it befalleth,
P. iii. 211
Of his knyhthode as a Leon
Be to the poeple a champioun
Withouten eny Pite feigned.
For if manhode be restreigned, 3540
Or be it pes or be it werre,
Justice goth al out of herre,
So that knyhthode is set behinde.
Of Aristotles lore I finde,
A king schal make good visage,
That noman knowe of his corage
Bot al honour and worthinesse:
For if a king schal upon gesse
Withoute verrai cause drede,
He mai be lich to that I rede; 3550
And thogh that it be lich a fable,1283
Thensample is good and resonable.(3750*)
[The Mountain and the Mouse.]
As it be olde daies fell,
I rede whilom that an hell
Hic loquitur secundum Philosophum, dicens quod sicut non decet Principes tirannica impetuositate esse crudeles, ita nec decet timorosa pusillanimitate esse vecordes.
Up in the londes of Archade
A wonder dredful noise made;1284
For so it fell that ilke day,
This hell on his childinge lay,
And whan the throwes on him come,
His noise lich the day of dome 3560
Was ferfull in a mannes thoght
Of thing which that thei sihe noght,
Bot wel thei herden al aboute
The noise, of which thei were in doute,
[Pg 336]
As thei that wenden to be lore
Of thing which thanne was unbore.
P. iii. 212
The nerr this hell was upon chance
To taken his deliverance,
The more unbuxomliche he cride;
And every man was fledd aside, 3570
For drede and lefte his oghne hous:
And ate laste it was a Mous,
The which was bore and to norrice
Betake; and tho thei hield hem nyce,1285
For thei withoute cause dradde.1286
Thus if a king his herte ladde
With every thing that he schal hiere,
Fulofte he scholde change his chiere
And upon fantasie drede,
Whan that ther is no cause of drede. 3580
Nota hic secundum Oracium de magnanimo Yacide et pusillanime Thersite.
Orace to his Prince tolde,
That him were levere that he wolde
Upon knihthode Achillem suie
In time of werre, thanne eschuie,
So as Tersites dede at Troie.
Achilles al his hole joie
Sette upon Armes forto fihte;
Tersites soghte al that he myhte
Unarmed forto stonde in reste:1287
Bot of the tuo it was the beste 3590
That Achilles upon the nede
Hath do, wherof his knyhtlihiede1288
Is yit comended overal.
Salomon. Tempus belli, tempus pacis.
King Salomon in special
Seith, as ther is a time of pes,
So is a time natheles
P. iii. 213
Of werre, in which a Prince algate
Schal for the comun riht debate
And for his oghne worschipe eke.
Bot it behoveth noght to seke 3600
[Pg 337]
[There is a time for War.]
Only the werre for worschipe,
Bot to the riht of his lordschipe,(3800*)
Which he is holde to defende,
Mote every worthi Prince entende.
Nota qualiter inter duo extrema consistit virtus.
Betwen the simplesce of Pite
And the folhaste of crualte,
Wher stant the verray hardiesce,1289
Ther mote a king his herte adresce,
Whanne it is time to forsake,
And whan time is also to take 3610
The dedly werres upon honde,
That he schal for no drede wonde,
If rihtwisnesse be withal.
For god is myhty overal
To forthren every mannes trowthe,1290
Bot it be thurgh his oghne slowthe;
And namely the kinges nede
It mai noght faile forto spede,
For he stant one for hem alle;
So mote it wel the betre falle 3620
And wel the more god favoureth,
Whan he the comun riht socoureth.
And forto se the sothe in dede,
Behold the bible and thou myht rede
Of grete ensamples manyon,
Wherof that I wol tellen on.
[Story of Gideon.]
P. iii. 214
Upon a time as it befell,
Ayein Judee and Irahel1291
Whan sondri kinges come were
Hic dicit quod Princeps iusticie causa bellum nullo modo timere debet. Et narrat qualiter dux Gedeon cum solis tricentis viris quinque Reges, scilicet Madianitarum, Amalechitarum, Amonitarum, Amoreorum et Iebuseorum, cum eorum excercitu, qui ad lxxxxta Milia numeratus est, gracia cooperante diuina, victoriose in fugam conuertit.
In pourpos to destruie there 3630
The poeple which god kepte tho,—
And stod in thilke daies so,
That Gedeon, which scholde lede
The goddes folk, tok him to rede,
And sende in al the lond aboute,
Til he assembled hath a route
With thritti thousend of defence,
[Pg 338]
To fihte and make resistence
Ayein the whiche hem wolde assaille:1292
And natheles that o bataille 3640
Of thre that weren enemys1293
Was double mor than was al his;
Wherof that Gedeon him dradde,
That he so litel poeple hadde.
Bot he which alle thing mai helpe,
Wher that ther lacketh mannes helpe,
To Gedeon his Angel sente,
And bad, er that he forther wente,
Al openly that he do crie
That every man in his partie 3650
Which wolde after his oghne wille
In his delice abide stille1294(3850*)
At hom in eny maner wise,
For pourchas or for covoitise,
For lust of love or lacke of herte,
He scholde noght aboute sterte,
P. iii. 215
Bot holde him stille at hom in pes:
Wherof upon the morwe he les
Wel twenty thousend men and mo,
The whiche after the cri ben go. 3660
Thus was with him bot only left
The thridde part, and yit god eft
His Angel sende and seide this
To Gedeon: ‘If it so is
That I thin help schal undertake,
Thou schalt yit lasse poeple take,
Be whom mi will is that thou spede.
Forthi tomorwe tak good hiede,
Unto the flod whan ye be come,
What man that hath the water nome 3670
Up in his hond and lapeth so,
To thi part ches out alle tho;1295
And him which wery is to swinke,
Upon his wombe and lith to drinke,
[Pg 339]
Forsak and put hem alle aweie.
For I am myhti alle weie,
Wher as me list myn help to schewe1296
In goode men, thogh thei ben fewe.’
This Gedeon awaiteth wel,
Upon the morwe and everydel, 3680
As god him bad, riht so he dede.
And thus ther leften in that stede
With him thre hundred and nomo,1297
The remenant was al ago:
Wherof that Gedeon merveileth,
And therupon with god conseileth,
P. iii. 216
Pleignende as ferforth as he dar.
And god, which wolde he were war1298
That he schal spede upon his riht,1299
Hath bede him go the same nyht 3690
And take a man with him, to hiere
What schal be spoke in his matere1300
Among the hethen enemis;
So mai he be the more wys,
What afterward him schal befalle.
This Gedeon amonges alle
Phara, to whom he triste most,
Be nyhte tok toward thilke host,
Which logged was in a valleie,
To hiere what thei wolden seie; 3700
Upon his fot and as he ferde,1301
Tuo Sarazins spekende he herde.(3900*)
Quod on, ‘Ared mi swevene ariht,
Which I mette in mi slep to nyht.1302
Me thoghte I sih a barli cake,
Which fro the Hull his weie hath take,
And cam rollende doun at ones;
And as it were for the nones,
Forth in his cours so as it ran,
The kinges tente of Madian, 3710
[Pg 340]
Of Amalech, of Amoreie,
Of Amon and of Jebuseie,
And many an other tente mo
With gret noise, as me thoghte tho,
It threw to grounde and overcaste,
And al this host so sore agaste1303
P. iii. 217
That I awok for pure drede.’
‘This swevene can I wel arede,’
Quod thother Sarazin anon:
‘The barli cake is Gedeon, 3720
Which fro the hell doun sodeinly
Schal come and sette such ascry
Upon the kinges and ous bothe,
That it schal to ous alle lothe:
For in such drede he schal ous bringe,
That if we hadden flyht of wynge,
The weie on fote in desespeir1304
We scholden leve and flen in their,1305
For ther schal nothing him withstonde.’
Whan Gedeon hath understonde 3730
This tale, he thonketh god of al,
And priveliche ayein he stal,
So that no lif him hath perceived.
And thanne he hath fulli conceived
That he schal spede; and therupon
The nyht suiende he schop to gon
This multitude to assaile.
Nou schalt thou hiere a gret mervaile,
With what voisdie that he wroghte.
The litel poeple which he broghte, 3740
Was non of hem that he ne hath
A pot of erthe, in which he tath
A lyht brennende in a kressette,
And ech of hem ek a trompette
Bar in his other hond beside;
And thus upon the nyhtes tyde
P. iii. 218
Duk Gedeon, whan it was derk,
Ordeineth him unto his werk,1306
[Pg 341]
And parteth thanne his folk in thre,
And chargeth hem that thei ne fle, 3750
And tawhte hem hou they scholde ascrie
Alle in o vois per compaignie,1307(3950*)
And what word ek thei scholden speke,
And hou thei scholde here pottes breke
Echon with other, whan thei herde
That he himselve ferst so ferde;
For whan thei come into the stede,
He bad hem do riht as he dede.
And thus stalkende forth a pas
This noble Duk, whan time was, 3760
His pot tobrak and loude ascride,
And tho thei breke on every side.
The trompe was noght forto seke;1308
He blew, and so thei blewen eke
With such a noise among hem alle,
As thogh the hevene scholde falle.
The hull unto here vois ansuerde,
This host in the valleie it herde,
And sih hou that the hell alyhte;
So what of hieringe and of sihte, 3770
Thei cawhten such a sodein feere,
That non of hem belefte there:
The tentes hole thei forsoke,1309
That thei non other good ne toke,
Bot only with here bodi bare
Thei fledde, as doth the wylde Hare.
P. iii. 219
And evere upon the hull thei blewe,
Til that thei sihe time, and knewe
That thei be fled upon the rage;
And whan thei wiste here avantage, 3780
Thei felle anon unto the chace.
Thus myht thou sen hou goddes grace
Unto the goode men availeth;
But elles ofte time it faileth
To suche as be noght wel disposed.
This tale nedeth noght be glosed,
[Pg 342]
For it is openliche schewed
That god to hem that ben wel thewed
Hath yove and granted the victoire:
So that thensample of this histoire 3790
Is good for every king to holde;
Ferst in himself that he beholde
If he be good of his livinge,
And that the folk which he schal bringe
Be good also, for thanne he may
Be glad of many a merie day,
In what as evere he hath to done.1310
For he which sit above the Mone
And alle thing mai spille and spede,
In every cause, in every nede1311 3800
His goode king so wel adresceth,
That alle his fomen he represseth,(4000*)
So that ther mai noman him dere;
And als so wel he can forbere,
And soffre a wickid king to falle
In hondes of his fomen alle.
[Saul and Agag.]
P. iii. 220
Nou forthermore if I schal sein
Of my matiere, and torne ayein
Hic dicit quod vbi et quando causa et tempus requirunt, princeps illos sub potestate sua, quos iusticie aduersarios agnouerit, occidere de iure tenetur. Et narrat in exemplum qualiter, pro eo quod Saul Regem Agag in bello deuictum iuxta Samuelis consilium occidere noluit, ipse diuino iudicio non solum a regno Israel priuatus, set et heredes sui pro perpetuo exheredati sunt.
To speke of justice and Pite
After the reule of realte, 3810
This mai a king wel understonde,
Knihthode mot ben take on honde,
Whan that it stant upon the nede:
He schal no rihtful cause drede,
Nomore of werre thanne of pes,
If he wol stonde blameles;
For such a cause a king mai have
That betre him is to sle than save,
Wherof thou myht ensample finde.1312
The hihe makere of mankinde 3820
Be Samuel to Saül bad,
That he schal nothing ben adrad
Ayein king Agag forto fihte;
[Pg 343]
For this the godhede him behihte,
That Agag schal ben overcome:
And whan it is so ferforth come,
That Saül hath him desconfit,
The god bad make no respit,
That he ne scholde him slen anon.
Bot Saül let it overgon 3830
And dede noght the goddes heste:
For Agag made gret beheste
Of rancoun which he wolde yive,
King Saül soffreth him to live
And feigneth pite forth withal.
Bot he which seth and knoweth al,
P. iii. 221
The hihe god, of that he feigneth
To Samuel upon him pleigneth.
And sende him word, for that he lefte
Of Agag that he ne berefte 3840
The lif, he schal noght only dye
Himself, bot fro his regalie
He schal be put for everemo,
Noght he, bot ek his heir also,
That it schal nevere come ayein.
[David and Joab.]
Thus myht thou se the sothe plein,
Hic narrat vlterius super eodem, qualiter Dauid in extremis iusticie causa vt Ioab occideretur absque vlla remissione filio suo Salomoni iniunxit.
That of tomoche and of tolyte
Upon the Princes stant the wyte.
Bot evere it was a kinges riht
To do the dedes of a knyht; 3850
For in the handes of a king
The deth and lif is al o thing(4050*)
After the lawes of justice.
To slen it is a dedly vice,1313
Bot if a man the deth deserve;
And if a king the lif preserve
Of him which oghte forto dye,
He suieth noght thensamplerie
Which in the bible is evident:
Hou David in his testament, 3860
Whan he no lengere myhte live,1314
Unto his Sone in charge hath yive
[Pg 344]
That he Joab schal slen algate;
And whan David was gon his gate,
The yonge wise Salomon
His fader heste dede anon,
P. iii. 222
And slouh Joab in such a wise,
That thei that herden the juise
Evere after dradden him the more,
And god was ek wel paid therfore, 3870
That he so wolde his herte plye
The lawes forto justefie.
And yit he kepte forth withal
Pite, so as a Prince schal,
That he no tirannie wroghte;
He fond the wisdom which he soghte,
And was so rihtful natheles,
That al his lif he stod in pes,
That he no dedly werres hadde,
For every man his wisdom dradde. 3880
And as he was himselve wys,
Riht so the worthi men of pris
He hath of his conseil withholde;
For that is every Prince holde,
To make of suche his retenue
Whiche wise ben, and to remue
The foles: for ther is nothing
Which mai be betre aboute a king,
Than conseil, which is the substance
Of all a kinges governance. 3890
[Solomon’s Wisdom.]
In Salomon a man mai see
What thing of most necessite
Hic dicit quod populum sibi commissum bene regere super omnia Principi laudabilius est. Et narrat in exemplum qualiter, pro eo quod Salomon, vt populum bene regeret, ab altissimo sapienciam specialius postulauit, omnia bona pariter cum illa sibi habundancius aduenerunt.
Unto a worthi king belongeth.
Whan he his kingdom underfongeth,
God bad him chese what he wolde,
And seide him that he have scholde
P. iii. 223
What he wolde axe, as of o thing.
And he, which was a newe king,
Forth therupon his bone preide
To god, and in this wise he seide: 3900
‘O king, be whom that I schal regne,
[Pg 345]
Yif me wisdom, that I my regne,1315(4100*)
Forth with thi poeple which I have,1316
To thin honour mai kepe and save.’
Whan Salomon his bone hath taxed,
The god of that which he hath axed
Was riht wel paid, and granteth sone
Noght al only that he his bone
Schal have of that, bot of richesse,
Of hele, of pes, of hih noblesse, 3910
Forth with wisdom at his axinges,
Which stant above alle othre thinges.
Bot what king wole his regne save,
Hic dicit secundum Salomonem, quod regie maiestatis imperium ante omnia sano consilio dirigendum est.
Ferst him behoveth forto have
After the god and his believe
Such conseil which is to believe,
Fulfild of trouthe and rihtwisnesse:
Bot above alle in his noblesse
Betwen the reddour and pite
A king schal do such equite 3920
And sette the balance in evene,
So that the hihe god in hevene
And al the poeple of his nobleie
Loange unto his name seie.
For most above all erthli good,
Wher that a king himself is good
P. iii. 224
It helpeth, for in other weie
If so be that a king forsueie,
Quicquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achiui.
Fulofte er this it hath be sein,
The comun poeple is overlein 3930
And hath the kinges Senne aboght,
Al thogh the poeple agulte noght.
Of that the king his god misserveth,
The poeple takth that he descerveth
Hier in this world, bot elleswhere
I not hou it schal stonde there.
Forthi good is a king to triste
Ferst to himself, as he ne wiste
Non other help hot god alone;
[Pg 346]
So schal the reule of his persone 3940
Withinne himself thurgh providence
Ben of the betre conscience.
And forto finde ensample of this,
A tale I rede, and soth it is.
[The Courtiers and the Fool.]
In a Cronique it telleth thus:
The king of Rome Lucius
Withinne his chambre upon a nyht
Hic de Lucio Imperatore exemplum ponit, qualiter Princeps sui nominis famam a secretis consiliariis sapienter inuestigare debet; et si quid in ea sinistrum inuenerit, prouisa discrecione ad dexteram conuertat.
The Steward of his hous, a knyht,
Forth with his Chamberlein also,
To conseil hadde bothe tuo, 3950
And stoden be the Chiminee
Togedre spekende alle thre.(4150*)
And happeth that the kinges fol
Sat be the fyr upon a stol,
As he that with his babil pleide,
Bot yit he herde al that thei seide,
P. iii. 225
And therof token thei non hiede.
The king hem axeth what to rede
Of such matiere as cam to mouthe,
And thei him tolden as thei couthe. 3960
Whan al was spoke of that thei mente,
The king with al his hole entente
Thanne ate laste hem axeth this,
What king men tellen that he is:
Among the folk touchende his name,
Or be it pris, or be it blame,
Riht after that thei herden sein,
He bad hem forto telle it plein,
That thei no point of soth forbere,
Be thilke feith that thei him bere. 3970
The Steward ferst upon this thing
Yaf his ansuere unto the king
And thoghte glose in this matiere,
And seide, als fer as he can hiere,
His name is good and honourable:
Thus was the Stieward favorable,
That he the trouthe plein ne tolde.
The king thanne axeth, as he scholde,
[Pg 347]
The Chamberlein of his avis.
And he, that was soubtil and wys, 3980
And somdiel thoghte upon his feith,
Him tolde hou al the poeple seith
That if his conseil were trewe,
Thei wiste thanne wel and knewe1317
That of himself he scholde be
A worthi king in his degre:
P. iii. 226
And thus the conseil he accuseth
In partie, and the king excuseth.
The fol, which herde of al the cas1318
That time, as goddes wille was,1319 3990
Sih that thei seiden noght ynowh,
And hem to skorne bothe lowh,
And to the king he seide tho:
‘Sire king, if that it were so,
Of wisdom in thin oghne mod
That thou thiselven were good,
Thi conseil scholde noght be badde.’
The king therof merveille hadde,
Whan that a fol so wisly spak,
And of himself fond out the lack 4000
Withinne his oghne conscience:
And thus the foles evidence,(4200*)
Which was of goddes grace enspired,
Makth that good conseil was desired.1320
He putte awey the vicious
And tok to him the vertuous;
The wrongful lawes ben amended,
The londes good is wel despended,
The poeple was nomore oppressed,
And thus stod every thing redressed. 4010
For where a king is propre wys,
And hath suche as himselven is
Of his conseil, it mai noght faile
That every thing ne schal availe:
The vices thanne gon aweie,
And every vertu holt his weie;
[Pg 348]
P. iii. 227
Wherof the hihe god is plesed,
And al the londes folk is esed.
For if the comun poeple crie,
And thanne a king list noght to plie1321 4020
To hiere what the clamour wolde,
And otherwise thanne he scholde
Desdeigneth forto don hem grace,
It hath be sen in many place,
Ther hath befalle gret contraire;
And that I finde of ensamplaire.
[Folly of Rehoboam.]
After the deth of Salomon,
Whan thilke wise king was gon,
Hic dicit quod Seniores magis experti ad Principis consilium admittendi pocius existunt. Et narrat qualiter, pro eo quod Roboas Salomonis filius et heres senium sermonibus renuncians dicta iuuenum preelegit, de xii. tribubus Israel a dominio suo x. penitus amisit, et sic cum duabus tantummodo illusus postea regnauit.
And Roboas in his persone
Receive scholde the corone, 4030
The poeple upon a Parlement1322
Avised were of on assent,
And alle unto the king thei preiden,
With comun vois and thus thei seiden:
‘Oure liege lord, we thee beseche
That thou receive oure humble speche
And grante ous that which reson wile,1323
Or of thi grace or of thi skile.
Thi fader, whil he was alyve
And myhte bothe grante and pryve, 4040
Upon the werkes whiche he hadde
The comun poeple streite ladde:
Whan he the temple made newe,
Thing which men nevere afore knewe1324
He broghte up thanne of his taillage,
And al was under the visage
P. iii. 228
Of werkes whiche he made tho.
Bot nou it is befalle so,
That al is mad, riht as he seide,
And he was riche whan he deide; 4050
So that it is no maner nede,
If thou therof wolt taken hiede,(4250*)
[Pg 349]
To pilen of the poeple more,
Which long time hath be grieved sore.
And in this wise as we thee seie,
With tendre herte we thee preie
That thou relesse thilke dette,
Which upon ous thi fader sette.
And if thee like to don so,
We ben thi men for everemo, 4060
To gon and comen at thin heste.’
The king, which herde this requeste,
Seith that he wole ben avised,
And hath therof a time assised;
And in the while as he him thoghte
Upon this thing, conseil he soghte.
And ferst the wise knyhtes olde,
To whom that he his tale tolde,
De consilio Senium.
Conseilen him in this manere;
That he with love and with glad chiere 4070
Foryive and grante al that is axed
Of that his fader hadde taxed;
For so he mai his regne achieve
With thing which schal him litel grieve.
The king hem herde and overpasseth,
And with these othre his wit compasseth,
P. iii. 229
That yonge were and nothing wise.
And thei these olde men despise,
De consilio iuuenum.
And seiden: ‘Sire, it schal be schame
For evere unto thi worthi name, 4080
If thou ne kepe noght the riht,1325
Whil thou art in thi yonge myht,
Which that thin olde fader gat.
Bot seie unto the poeple plat,
That whil thou livest in thi lond,
The leste finger of thin hond
It schal be strengere overal
Than was thi fadres bodi al.
And this also schal be thi tale,
If he hem smot with roddes smale, 4090
With Scorpions thou schalt hem smyte;1326
[Pg 350]
And wher thi fader tok a lyte,1327
Thou thenkst to take mochel more.1328
Thus schalt thou make hem drede sore
The grete herte of thi corage,
So forto holde hem in servage.’
This yonge king him hath conformed
To don as he was last enformed,
Which was to him his undoinge:
For whan it cam to the spekinge, 4100
He hath the yonge conseil holde,
That he the same wordes tolde(4300*)
Of al the poeple in audience;
And whan thei herden the sentence
Of his malice and the manace,
Anon tofore his oghne face
P. iii. 230
Thei have him oultreli refused
And with ful gret reproef accused.
So thei begunne forto rave,
That he was fain himself to save; 4110
For as the wilde wode rage
Of wyndes makth the See salvage,
And that was calm bringth into wawe,
So for defalte of grace and lawe
This poeple is stered al at ones1329
And forth thei gon out of hise wones;
So that of the lignages tuelve
Tuo tribes only be hemselve
With him abiden and nomo:
So were thei for everemo 4120
Of no retorn withoute espeir
Departed fro the rihtfull heir.
Al Irahel with comun vois1330
A king upon here oghne chois
Among hemself anon thei make,
And have here yonge lord forsake;
A povere knyht Jeroboas
Thei toke, and lefte Roboas,
[Pg 351]
Which rihtfull heir was be descente.
Lo, thus the yonge cause wente: 4130
For that the conseil was noght good,
The regne fro the rihtfull blod
Evere afterward divided was.
So mai it proven be this cas
That yong conseil, which is to warm,
Er men be war doth ofte harm.
P. iii. 231
Old age for the conseil serveth,
And lusti youthe his thonk deserveth
Upon the travail which he doth;
And bothe, forto seie a soth, 4140
Be sondri cause forto have,
If that he wole his regne save,
A king behoveth every day.
That on can and that other mai,
Be so the king hem bothe reule,
For elles al goth out of reule.
[Wisdom in a King’s Council.]
And upon this matiere also
A question betwen the tuo
Nota questionem cuiusdam Philosophi, vtrum regno conueniencius foret principem cum malo consilio optare sapientem, quam cum sano consilio ipsum eligere insipientem.
Thus writen in a bok I fond;
Wher it be betre for the lond 4150
A king himselve to be wys,
And so to bere his oghne pris,(4350*)
And that his consail be noght good,
Or other wise if it so stod,
A king if he be vicious
And his conseil be vertuous.
It is ansuerd in such a wise,
That betre it is that thei be wise
Be whom that the conseil schal gon,
For thei be manye, and he is on;1331 4160
And rathere schal an one man1332
With fals conseil, for oght he can,
From his wisdom be mad to falle,
Thanne he al one scholde hem alle
Fro vices into vertu change,
For that is wel the more strange.
[Pg 352]
[Mercy and Justice.]
P. iii. 232
Forthi the lond mai wel be glad,
Whos king with good conseil is lad,
Which set him unto rihtwisnesse,
So that his hihe worthinesse 4170
Betwen the reddour and Pite
Doth mercy forth with equite.
A king is holden overal
To Pite, bot in special1333
To hem wher he is most beholde;
Thei scholde his Pite most beholde
That ben the Lieges of his lond,
For thei ben evere under his hond
After the goddes ordinaunce
To stonde upon his governance. 4180
Nota adhuc precipue de principis erga suos subditos debita pietate. Legitur enim qualiter Anthonius a Cipione exemplificatus dixit, quod mallet vnum de populo sibi commisso virum saluare, quam centum ex hostibus alienigenis in bello perdere.
Of themperour Anthonius
I finde hou that he seide thus,
That levere him were forto save1334
Oon of his lieges than to have
Of enemis a thousend dede.1335
And this he lernede, as I rede,1336
Of Cipio, which hadde be
Consul of Rome. And thus to se
Diverse ensamples hou thei stonde,
A king which hath the charge on honde 4190
The comun poeple to governe,
If that he wole, he mai wel lerne.
Is non so good to the plesance
Of god, as is good governance;1337
And every governance is due
To Pite: thus I mai argue
P. iii. 233
That Pite is the foundement
Of every kinges regiment,
If it be medled with justice.
Thei tuo remuen alle vice, 4200
And ben of vertu most vailable
To make a kinges regne stable.(4400*)
Lo, thus the foure pointz tofore,
In governance as thei ben bore,
[Pg 353]
Of trouthe ferst and of largesse,
Of Pite forth with rihtwisnesse,
I have hem told; and over this
The fifte point, so as it is1338
Set of the reule of Policie,
Wherof a king schal modefie 4210
The fleisschly lustes of nature,
Nou thenk I telle of such mesure,1339
That bothe kinde schal be served
And ek the lawe of god observed.
[The Fifth Point of Policy. Chastity.]
xi. Corporis et mentis regem decet omnis honestas,
Nominis vt famam nulla libido ruat.
Omne quod est hominis effeminat illa voluptas,
Sit nisi magnanimi cordis, vt obstet ei.
The Madle is mad for the femele,
Bot where as on desireth fele,
That nedeth noght be weie of kinde:
Hic tractat secundum Aristotelem de quinta principum regiminis Policia, que Castitatem concernit, cuius honestas impudicicie motus obtemperans tam corporis quam anime mundiciam specialius preseruat.
For whan a man mai redy finde
His oghne wif, what scholde he seche
In strange places to beseche 4220
To borwe an other mannes plouh,
Whan he hath geere good ynouh1340
P. iii. 234
Affaited at his oghne heste,
And is to him wel more honeste
Than other thing which is unknowe?
Forthi scholde every good man knowe
And thenke, hou that in mariage
His trouthe plight lith in morgage,
Which if he breke, it is falshode,
And that descordeth to manhode, 4230
And namely toward the grete,
Wherof the bokes alle trete;
So as the Philosophre techeth
To Alisandre, and him betecheth
The lore hou that he schal mesure
His bodi, so that no mesure
Of fleisshly lust he scholde excede.
[Pg 354]
And thus forth if I schal procede,
The fifte point, as I seide er,1341
Is chastete, which sielde wher 4240
Comth nou adaies into place;
And natheles, bot it be grace
Above alle othre in special,
Is non that chaste mai ben all.
Bot yit a kinges hihe astat,1342
Which of his ordre as a prelat
Schal ben enoignt and seintefied,
He mot be more magnefied
For dignete of his corone,
Than scholde an other low persone, 4250
Which is noght of so hih emprise.
Therfore a Prince him scholde avise,(4450*)
P. iii. 235
Er that he felle in such riote,
And namely that he nassote
To change for the wommanhede
The worthinesse of his manhede.
Nota de doctrina Aristotilis, qualiter Princeps, vt animi sui iocunditatem prouocet, mulieres formosas crebro aspicere debet. Caueat tamen, ne mens voluptuosa torpescens ex carnis fragilitate in vicium dilabatur.
Of Aristotle I have wel rad,
Hou he to Alisandre bad,
That forto gladen his corage
He schal beholde the visage 4260
Of wommen, whan that thei ben faire.
Bot yit he set an essamplaire,1343
His bodi so to guide and reule,
That he ne passe noght the reule,
Wherof that he himself beguile.
For in the womman is no guile1344
Of that a man himself bewhapeth;
Whan he his oghne wit bejapeth,
I can the wommen wel excuse:1345
Bot what man wole upon hem muse 4270
After the fool impression
Of his ymaginacioun,
Withinne himself the fyr he bloweth,
Wherof the womman nothing knoweth,
[Pg 355]
So mai sche nothing be to wyte.
For if a man himself excite
To drenche, and wol it noght forbere,1346
The water schal no blame bere.
What mai the gold, thogh men coveite?
If that a man wol love streite, 4280
The womman hath him nothing bounde;
If he his oghne herte wounde,
P. iii 236
Sche mai noght lette the folie;
And thogh so felle of compainie
That he myht eny thing pourchace,
Yit makth a man the ferste chace,
The womman fleth and he poursuieth:
So that be weie of skile it suieth,
The man is cause, hou so befalle,
That he fulofte sithe is falle 4290
Wher that he mai noght wel aryse.
And natheles ful manye wise
Befoled have hemself er this,
As nou adaies yit it is
Among the men and evere was,
The stronge is fieblest in this cas.
It sit a man be weie of kinde
To love, bot it is noght kinde
A man for love his wit to lese:
For if the Monthe of Juil schal frese 4300
And that Decembre schal ben hot,
The yeer mistorneth, wel I wot.(4500*)
To sen a man fro his astat
Thurgh his sotie effeminat,
And leve that a man schal do,
It is as Hose above the Scho,
To man which oghte noght ben used.
Bot yit the world hath ofte accused
Ful grete Princes of this dede,
Hou thei for love hemself mislede, 4310
Wherof manhode stod behinde,
Of olde ensamples as I finde.1347
[Pg 356]
[Evil Example of Sardanapalus.]
P. iii. 237
These olde gestes tellen thus,
That whilom Sardana Pallus,1348
Hic ponit exemplum qualiter, pro eo quod Sardana Pallus1349 Assiriorum Princeps muliebri1350 oblectamento effeminatus sue concupiscencie torporem quasi ex consuetudine adhibebat, a Barbaro Rege Medorum super hoc insidiante in sui feruoris maiori voluptate1351 subitis mutacionibus extinctus est.
Which hield al hol in his empire
The grete kingdom of Assire,
Was thurgh the slouthe of his corage
Falle into thilke fyri rage
Of love, which the men assoteth,
Wherof himself he so rioteth, 4320
And wax so ferforth womannyssh,1352
That ayein kinde, as if a fissh
Abide wolde upon the lond,
In wommen such a lust he fond,
That he duelte evere in chambre stille,
And only wroghte after the wille
Of wommen, so as he was bede,
That selden whanne in other stede
If that he wolde wenden oute,
To sen hou that it stod aboute. 4330
Bot ther he keste and there he pleide,1353
Thei tawhten him a Las to breide,
And weve a Pours, and to enfile
A Perle: and fell that ilke while,
On Barbarus the Prince of Mede
Sih hou this king in wommanhede1354
Was falle fro chivalerie,
And gat him help and compaignie,
And wroghte so, that ate laste
This king out of his regne he caste, 4340
Which was undon for everemo:
And yit men speken of him so,
P. iii. 238
That it is schame forto hiere.
[David.]
Forthi to love is in manere.
Nota qualiter Dauid amans mulieres propter hoc probitatem Armorum non minus excercuit.
King David hadde many a love,
Bot natheles alwey above
Knyhthode he kepte in such a wise,
That for no fleisshli covoitise
[Pg 357]
Of lust to ligge in ladi armes
He lefte noght the lust of armes. 4350
For where a Prince hise lustes suieth,
That he the werre noght poursuieth,(4550*)
Whan it is time to ben armed,
His contre stant fulofte harmed,
Whan thenemis ben woxe bolde,
That thei defence non beholde.
Ful many a lond hath so be lore,1355
As men mai rede of time afore
Of hem that so here eses soghten,
Which after thei full diere aboghten. 4360
[Cyrus and the Lydians.]
To mochel ese is nothing worth,
For that set every vice forth1356
Hic loquitur qualiter regnum lasciuie voluptatibus deditum de facili vincitur.1357 Et ponit exemplum de Ciro Rege Persarum, qui cum Liddos mire1358 probitatis strenuissimos sibique in bello aduersantes nullo modo vincere potuit, cum ipsis tandem pacis tractatum dissimilans concordiam finalem stabiliri1359 finxit. Super quo Liddi postea per aliquod tempus armis insoliti sub pacis torpore1360 voluptatibus intendebant: quod Cirus percipiens in eos armatus subito irruit, ipsosque indefencibiles1361 vincens sub imperio tributarios subiugauit.
And every vertu put abak,
Wherof priss torneth into lak,
As in Cronique I mai reherse:
Which telleth hou the king of Perse,
That Cirus hihte, a werre hadde
Ayein a poeple which he dradde,
Of a contre which Liddos hihte;
Bot yit for oght that he do mihte 4370
As in bataille upon the werre,
He hadde of hem alwey the werre.
P. iii. 239
And whan he sih and wiste it wel,
That he be strengthe wan no del,
Thanne ate laste he caste a wyle
This worthi poeple to beguile,
And tok with hem a feigned pes,
Which scholde lasten endeles,
So as he seide in wordes wise,
Bot he thoghte al in other wise. 4380
For it betidd upon the cas,1362
Whan that this poeple in reste was,
Thei token eses manyfold;
And worldes ese, as it is told,
[Pg 358]
Be weie of kinde is the norrice
Of every lust which toucheth vice.
Thus whan thei were in lustes falle,
The werres ben foryeten alle;
Was non which wolde the worschipe
Of Armes, hot in idelschipe 4390
Thei putten besinesse aweie
And token hem to daunce and pleie;
Bot most above alle othre thinges
Thei token hem to the likinges
Of fleysshly lust, that chastete1363
Received was in no degre,
Bot every man doth what him liste.
And whan the king of Perse it wiste,
That thei unto folie entenden,
With his pouer, whan thei lest wenden, 4400
Mor sodeinly than doth the thunder
He cam, for evere and put hem under.1364(4600*)
P. iii. 240
And thus hath lecherie lore
The lond, which hadde be tofore
The beste of hem that were tho.
[The Counsel of Balaam.]
And in the bible I finde also
A tale lich unto this thing,
Nota hic1365 qualiter fata bellica luxus infortunat. Et narrat quod cum Rex Amalech Hebreis sibi insultantibus resistere nequiit, consilio Balaam mulieres regni sui pulcherrimas in castra Hebreorum misit; qui ab ipsis contaminati1366 graciam statim amiserunt. Et sic ab Amalech deuicti in magna multitudine gladio ceciderunt.
Hou Amalech the paien king,
Whan that he myhte be no weie
Defende his lond and putte aweie 4410
The worthi poeple of Irael,1367
This Sarazin, as it befell,
Thurgh the conseil of Balaam
A route of faire wommen nam,
That lusti were and yonge of Age,1368
And bad hem gon to the lignage
Of these Hebreus: and forth thei wente
With yhen greye and browes bente
And wel arraied everych on;
And whan thei come were anon 4420
[Pg 359]
Among thebreus, was non insihte,
Bot cacche who that cacche myhte,
And ech of hem hise lustes soghte,
Whiche after thei full diere boghte.1369
For grace anon began to faile,
That whan thei comen to bataille
Thanne afterward, in sori plit
Thei were take and disconfit,
So that withinne a litel throwe
The myht of hem was overthrowe, 4430
That whilom were wont to stonde.
Til Phinces the cause on honde
P. iii. 241
Hath take, this vengance laste,
Bot thanne it cessede ate laste,
For god was paid of that he dede:1370
For wher he fond upon a stede
A couple which misferde so,
Thurghout he smot hem bothe tuo,
And let hem ligge in mennes yhe;
Wherof alle othre whiche hem sihe 4440
Ensamplede hem upon the dede,
And preiden unto the godhiede
Here olde Sennes to amende:
And he, which wolde his mercy sende,
Restorede hem to newe grace.
Thus mai it schewe in sondri place,
Of chastete hou the clennesse
Acordeth to the worthinesse
Of men of Armes overal;
Bot most of alle in special 4450
This vertu to a king belongeth,
For upon his fortune it hongeth(4650*)
Of that his lond schal spede or spille.
Forthi bot if a king his wille
Fro lustes of his fleissh restreigne,
Ayein himself he makth a treigne,
Into the which if that he slyde,
Him were betre go besyde.
For every man mai understonde,
[Pg 360]
Hou for a time that it stonde, 4460
It is a sori lust to lyke,
Whos ende makth a man to syke
P. iii. 242
And torneth joies into sorwe.
The brihte Sonne be the morwe
Beschyneth noght the derke nyht,
The lusti youthe of mannes myht,
In Age bot it stonde wel,
Mistorneth al the laste whiel.
[Evil Example of Solomon.]
That every worthi Prince is holde
Withinne himself himself beholde, 4470
Hic loquitur qualiter Principum irregulata voluptas eos a semita recta multociens deuiare compellit. Et narrat exemplum de Salomone, qui ex sue carnis concupiscencia victus mulierum blandimentis in sui scandalum deos alienos eolere presumebat.
To se the stat of his persone,1371
And thenke hou ther be joies none
Upon this Erthe mad to laste,
And hou the fleissh schal ate laste
The lustes of this lif forsake,
Him oghte a gret ensample take
Of Salomon, whos appetit
Was holy set upon delit,
To take of wommen the plesance:
So that upon his ignorance 4480
The wyde world merveileth yit,
That he, which alle mennes wit
In thilke time hath overpassed,
With fleisshly lustes was so tassed,
That he which ladde under the lawe
The poeple of god, himself withdrawe
He hath fro god in such a wise,
That he worschipe and sacrifise
For sondri love in sondri stede
Unto the false goddes dede. 4490
This was the wise ecclesiaste,
The fame of whom schal evere laste,1372
P. iii. 243
That he the myhti god forsok,
Ayein the lawe whanne he tok
Hise wyves and hise concubines
Of hem that weren Sarazines,
For whiche he dede ydolatrie.
[Pg 361]
For this I rede of his sotie:
Sche of Sidoyne so him ladde,
De filia Regis Cidonie.
That he knelende hise armes spradde 4500
To Astrathen with gret humblesse,
Which of hire lond was the goddesse:(4700*)
De filia Regis Moab.
And sche that was a Moabite
So ferforth made him to delite
Thurgh lust, which al his wit devoureth,
That he Chamos hire god honoureth.
De filia Regis Amon.
An other Amonyte also
With love him hath assoted so,
Hire god Moloch that with encense
He sacreth, and doth reverence 4510
In such a wise as sche him bad.
Thus was the wiseste overlad
With blinde lustes whiche he soghte:
Bot he it afterward aboghte.
[Division of his Kingdom.]
For Achias Selonites,
Which was prophete, er his decess,
Nota hic qualiter Achias propheta, in signum quod regnum post mortem Salomonis ob eius peccatum a suo herede diminueretur, pallium suum in xii. partes scidit, vnde x. partes Ieroboe filio Nabal, qui regnaturus postea successit, precepto dei tribuit.
Whil he was in hise lustes alle,
Betokneth what schal after falle.
For on a day, whan that he mette
Jeroboam the knyht, he grette 4520
And bad him that he scholde abyde,
To hiere what him schal betyde.
P. iii. 244
And forth withal Achias caste
His mantell of, and also faste
He kut it into pieces twelve,1373
Wherof tuo partz toward himselve1374
He kepte, and al the remenant,
As god hath set his covenant,
He tok unto Jeroboas,
Of Nabal which the Sone was 4530
And of the kinges court a knyht:
And seide him, ‘Such is goddes myht,
As thou hast sen departed hiere
Mi mantell, riht in such manere
After the deth of Salomon
God hath ordeigned therupon,
[Pg 362]
This regne thanne he schal divide:
Which time thou schalt ek abide,
And upon that division
The regne as in proporcion 4540
As thou hast of mi mantell take,
Thou schalt receive, I undertake.
And thus the Sone schal abie
The lustes and the lecherie
Of him which nou his fader is.’
So forto taken hiede of this,
It sit a king wel to be chaste,
For elles he mai lihtly waste
Himself and ek his regne bothe,
And that oghte every king to lothe. 4550
O, which a Senne violent,
Wherof so wys a king was schent,(4750*)
P. iii. 245
That the vengance in his persone
Was noght ynouh to take al one,
Bot afterward, whan he was passed,
It hath his heritage lassed,
As I more openli tofore1375
The tale tolde. And thus therfore
Aristotiles.1376 O Alexander, super omnia consulo, conserua tibi calorem naturalem.
The Philosophre upon this thing
Writ and conseileth to a king, 4560
That he the surfet of luxure
Schal tempre and reule of such mesure,
Which be to kinde sufficant
And ek to reson acordant,
So that the lustes ignorance
Be cause of no misgovernance,
Thurgh which that he be overthrowe,
As he that wol no reson knowe.
For bot a mannes wit be swerved,
Whan kinde is dueliche served, 4570
It oghte of reson to suffise;
For if it falle him otherwise,1377
He mai tho lustes sore drede.1378
[Pg 363]
[Antonius.]
For of Anthonie thus I rede,1379
De voluptuoso Antonio.
Which of Severus was the Sone,
That he his lif of comun wone
Yaf holy unto thilke vice,
And ofte time he was so nyce,
Wherof nature hire hath compleigned
Unto the god, which hath desdeigned 4580
The werkes whiche Antonie wroghte1380
Of lust, whiche he ful sore aboghte:
P. iii. 246
For god his forfet hath so wroke
That in Cronique it is yit spoke.
Bot forto take remembrance
Of special misgovernance
Thurgh covoitise and injustice
Forth with the remenant of vice,
And nameliche of lecherie,
I finde write a gret partie 4590
Withinne a tale, as thou schalt hiere,
Which is thensample of this matiere.
[Tarquin and his son Aruns.]
So as these olde gestes sein,
The proude tirannyssh Romein
Hic loquitur de Tarquino nuper Rome1381 Imperatore, necnon et de eiusdem filio nomine Arrons, qui omni viciorum varietate repleti tam in homines quam in mulieres innumera scelera perpetrarunt: set specialiter super hiis que contra Gabinos fraudulenter operati sunt tractare intendit.
Tarquinus, which was thanne king
And wroghte many a wrongful thing,
Of Sones hadde manyon,
Among the whiche Arrons was on,
Lich to his fader of maneres;
So that withinne a fewe yeres 4600
With tresoun and with tirannie
Thei wonne of lond a gret partie,(4800*)
And token hiede of no justice,
Which due was to here office
Upon the reule of governance;
Bot al that evere was plesance
Unto the fleisshes lust thei toke.
And fell so, that thei undertoke
A werre, which was noght achieved,
[Pg 364]
Bot ofte time it hadde hem grieved,1382 4610
Ayein a folk which thanne hihte1383
The Gabiens: and al be nyhte
P. iii. 247
This Arrons, whan he was at hom
In Rome, a prive place he nom
Withinne a chambre, and bet himselve
And made him woundes ten or tuelve
Upon the bak, as it was sene;
And so forth with hise hurtes grene
In al the haste that he may
He rod, and cam that other day 4620
Unto Gabie the Cite,
And in he wente: and whan that he
Was knowe, anon the gates schette,
The lordes alle upon him sette
With drawe swerdes upon honde.
This Arrons wolde hem noght withstonde,
Bot seide, ‘I am hier at your wille,
Als lief it is that ye me spille,1384
As if myn oghne fader dede.’
And forthwith in the same stede 4630
He preide hem that thei wolde se,
And schewede hem in what degre
His fader and hise brethren bothe,
Whiche, as he seide, weren wrothe,
Him hadde beten and reviled,
For evere and out of Rome exiled.
And thus he made hem to believe,
And seide, if that he myhte achieve
His pourpos, it schal wel be yolde,
Be so that thei him helpe wolde. 4640
Whan that the lordes hadde sein1385
Hou wofully he was besein,
P. iii. 248
Thei token Pite of his grief;
Bot yit it was hem wonder lief
That Rome him hadde exiled so.
These Gabiens be conseil tho1386
Upon the goddes made him swere,
[Pg 365]
That he to hem schal trouthe bere
And strengthen hem with al his myht;
And thei also him have behiht 4650
To helpen him in his querele.
Thei schopen thanne for his hele(4850*)
That he was bathed and enoignt,
Til that he was in lusti point;
And what he wolde thanne he hadde,
That he al hol the cite ladde
Riht as he wolde himself divise.
And thanne he thoghte him in what wise
He myhte his tirannie schewe;
And to his conseil tok a schrewe, 4660
Whom to his fader forth he sente
In his message, and he tho wente,1387
And preide his fader forto seie
Be his avis, and finde a weie,
Hou they the cite myhten winne,
Whil that he stod so wel therinne.
And whan the messager was come
To Rome, and hath in conseil nome
The king, it fell per chance so
That thei were in a gardin tho, 4670
This messager forth with the king.
And whanne he hadde told the thing
P. iii. 249
In what manere that it stod,
And that Tarquinus understod
Be the message hou that it ferde,
Anon he tok in honde a yerde,
And in the gardin as thei gon,
The lilie croppes on and on,
Wher that thei weren sprongen oute,
He smot of, as thei stode aboute, 4680
And seide unto the messager:
‘Lo, this thing, which I do nou hier,
Schal ben in stede of thin ansuere;
And in this wise as I me bere,
Thou schalt unto mi Sone telle.’
And he no lengere wolde duelle,
[Pg 366]
Bot tok his leve and goth withal
Unto his lord and told him al,1388
Hou that his fader hadde do.
Whan Arrons herde him telle so, 4690
Anon he wiste what it mente,
And therto sette al his entente,
Til he thurgh fraude and tricherie
The Princes hefdes of Gabie
Hath smiten of, and al was wonne:
His fader cam tofore the Sonne
Into the toun with the Romeins,
And tok and slowh the citezeins
Withoute reson or pite,
That he ne spareth no degre. 4700
And for the sped of this conqueste
He let do make a riche feste(4900*)
P. iii. 250
With a sollempne Sacrifise
In Phebus temple; and in this wise
Whan the Romeins assembled were,
In presence of hem alle there,
Upon thalter whan al was diht
And that the fyres were alyht,
From under thalter sodeinly
An hidous Serpent openly 4710
Cam out and hath devoured al
The Sacrifice, and ek withal
The fyres queynt, and forth anon,
So as he cam, so is he gon
Into the depe ground ayein.
And every man began to sein,
‘Ha lord, what mai this signefie?’
And therupon thei preie and crie
To Phebus, that thei mihten knowe
The cause: and he the same throwe 4720
With gastly vois, that alle it herde,
The Romeins in this wise ansuerde,
And seide hou for the wikkidnesse
Of Pride and of unrihtwisnesse,
That Tarquin and his Sone hath do,
[Pg 367]
The Sacrifice is wasted so,
Which myhte noght ben acceptable
Upon such Senne abhominable.
And over that yit he hem wisseth,
And seith that which of hem ferst kisseth 4730
His moder, he schal take wrieche
Upon the wrong: and of that speche
P. iii. 251
Thei ben withinne here hertes glade,
Thogh thei outward no semblant made.
Ther was a knyht which Brutus hihte,
And he with al the haste he myhte
To grounde fell and therthe kiste,1389
Bot non of hem the cause wiste,
Bot wenden that he hadde sporned
Per chance, and so was overtorned. 4740
Bot Brutus al an other mente;
For he knew wel in his entente
Hou therthe of every mannes kinde
Is Moder: bot thei weren blinde,
And sihen noght so fer as he.
Bot whan thei leften the Cite1390
And comen hom to Rome ayein,
Thanne every man which was Romein
And moder hath, to hire he bende
And keste, and ech of hem thus wende 4750
To be the ferste upon the chance,
Of Tarquin forto do vengance,(4950*)
So as thei herden Phebus sein.
[The Rape of Lucrece.]
Bot every time hath his certein,1391
So moste it nedes thanne abide,
Til afterward upon a tyde
Hic narrat quod, cum Tarquinus in obsidione Ciuitatis Ardee, vt eam destrueret, intentus fuit, Arrons filius eius Romam secreto adiens in domo Collatini hospitatus est; vbi de nocte illam castissimam dominam Lucreciam ymaginata fraude vi oppressit: vnde illa pre dolore mortua, ipse cum Tarquino patre suo tota conclamante Roma in perpetuum exilium delegati sunt.
Tarquinus made unskilfully
A werre, which was fasteby
Ayein a toun with walles stronge
Which Ardea was cleped longe, 4760
And caste a Siege theraboute,
That ther mai noman passen oute.
[Pg 368]
P. iii. 252
So it befell upon a nyht,
Arrons, which hadde his souper diht,
A part of the chivalerie
With him to soupe in compaignie
Hath bede: and whan thei comen were
And seten at the souper there,
Among here othre wordes glade
Arrons a gret spekinge made, 4770
Who hadde tho the beste wif
Of Rome: and ther began a strif,1392
For Arrons seith he hath the beste.
So jangle thei withoute reste,
Til ate laste on Collatin,
A worthi knyht, and was cousin
To Arrons, seide him in this wise:
‘It is,’ quod he, ‘of non emprise
To speke a word, bot of the dede,
Therof it is to taken hiede.1393 4780
Anon forthi this same tyde
Lep on thin hors and let ous ryde:
So mai we knowe bothe tuo
Unwarli what oure wyves do,
And that schal be a trewe assay.’
This Arrons seith noght ones nay:
On horse bak anon thei lepte
In such manere, and nothing slepte,
Ridende forth til that thei come
Al prively withinne Rome; 4790
In strange place and doun thei lihte,
And take a chambre, and out of sihte
P. iii. 253
Thei be desguised for a throwe,
So that no lif hem scholde knowe.
And to the paleis ferst thei soghte,1394
To se what thing this ladi wroghte1395
Of which Arrons made his avant:
And thei hire sihe of glad semblant,
Al full of merthes and of bordes;
Bot among alle hire othre wordes 4800
[Pg 369]
Sche spak noght of hire housebonde.
And whan thei hadde al understonde(5000*)
Of thilke place what hem liste,1396
Thei gon hem forth, that non it wiste,
Beside thilke gate of bras,
Collacea which cleped was,
Wher Collatin hath his duellinge.
Ther founden thei at hom sittinge
Lucrece his wif, al environed
With wommen, whiche are abandoned1397 4810
To werche, and sche wroghte ek withal,
And bad hem haste, and seith, ‘It schal1398
Be for mi housebondes were,
Which with his swerd and with his spere1399
Lith at the Siege in gret desese.
And if it scholde him noght displese,
Nou wolde god I hadde him hiere;
For certes til that I mai hiere
Som good tidinge of his astat,
Min herte is evere upon debat. 4820
For so as alle men witnesse,
He is of such an hardiesse,
P. iii. 254
That he can noght himselve spare,
And that is al my moste care,
Whan thei the walles schulle assaile.1400
Bot if mi wisshes myhte availe,
I wolde it were a groundles pet,
Be so the Siege were unknet,
And I myn housebonde sihe.’
With that the water in hire yhe 4830
Aros, that sche ne myhte it stoppe,
And as men sen the dew bedroppe1401
The leves and the floures eke,
Riht so upon hire whyte cheke
The wofull salte teres felle.
Whan Collatin hath herd hire telle
The menynge of hire trewe herte,
[Pg 370]
Anon with that to hire he sterte,
And seide, ‘Lo, mi goode diere,
Nou is he come to you hiere, 4840
That ye most loven, as ye sein.’
And sche with goodly chiere ayein
Beclipte him in hire armes smale,
And the colour, which erst was pale,
To Beaute thanne was restored,
So that it myhte noght be mored.
The kinges Sone, which was nyh,
And of this lady herde and syh
The thinges as thei ben befalle,
The resoun of hise wittes alle 4850
Hath lost; for love upon his part
Cam thanne, and of his fyri dart(5050*)
P. iii. 255
With such a wounde him hath thurghsmite,
That he mot nedes fiele and wite
Of thilke blinde maladie,
To which no cure of Surgerie
Can helpe. Bot yit natheles
At thilke time he hield his pes,
That he no contienance made,
Bot openly with wordes glade, 4860
So as he couthe in his manere,
He spak and made frendly chiere,
Til it was time forto go.
And Collatin with him also
His leve tok, so that be nyhte
With al the haste that thei myhte
Thei riden to the Siege ayein.
Bot Arrons was so wo besein
With thoghtes whiche upon him runne,
That he al be the brode Sunne 4870
To bedde goth, noght forto reste,
Bot forto thenke upon the beste
And the faireste forth withal,
That evere he syh or evere schal,
So as him thoghte in his corage,
Where he pourtreieth hire ymage:
Ferst the fetures of hir face,
[Pg 371]
In which nature hadde alle grace
Of wommanly beaute beset,
So that it myhte noght be bet;1402 4880
And hou hir yelwe her was tresced1403
And hire atir so wel adresced,
P. iii. 256
And hou sche spak, and hou sche wroghte,
And hou sche wepte, al this he thoghte,
That he foryeten hath no del,
Bot al it liketh him so wel,1404
That in the word nor in the dede1405
Hire lacketh noght of wommanhiede.
And thus this tirannysshe knyht
Was soupled, bot noght half ariht, 4890
For he non other hiede tok,
Bot that he myhte be som crok,
Althogh it were ayein hire wille,
The lustes of his fleissh fulfille;
Which love was noght resonable,
For where honour is remuable,
It oghte wel to ben avised.
Bot he, which hath his lust assised
With melled love and tirannie,
Hath founde upon his tricherie 4900
A weie which he thenkth to holde,
Audaces fortuna iuuat.
And seith, ‘Fortune unto the bolde(5100*)
Is favorable forto helpe.’
And thus withinne himself to yelpe,
As he which was a wylde man,
Upon his treson he began:
And up he sterte, and forth he wente
On horsebak, bot his entente
Ther knew no wiht, and thus he nam
The nexte weie, til he cam 4910
Unto Collacea the gate
Of Rome, and it was somdiel late,
P. iii. 257
Riht evene upon the Sonne set,
As he which hadde schape his net1406
Hire innocence to betrappe.
[Pg 372]
And as it scholde tho mishappe,
Als priveliche as evere he myhte
He rod, and of his hors alyhte1407
Tofore Collatines In,
And al frendliche he goth him in,1408 4920
As he that was cousin of house.
And sche, which is the goode spouse,
Lucrece, whan that sche him sih,
With goodli chiere drowh him nyh,
As sche which al honour supposeth,
And him, so as sche dar, opposeth
Hou it stod of hire housebonde.
And he tho dede hire understonde
With tales feigned in his wise,1409
Riht as he wolde himself devise, 4930
Wherof he myhte hire herte glade,
That sche the betre chiere made,
Whan sche the glade wordes herde,
Hou that hire housebonde ferde.
And thus the trouthe was deceived
With slih tresoun, which was received
To hire which mente alle goode;
For as the festes thanne stode,
His Souper was ryht wel arraied.
Bot yit he hath no word assaied1410 4940
To speke of love in no degre;
Bot with covert soubtilite
P. iii. 258
His frendly speches he affaiteth,
And as the Tigre his time awaiteth1411
In hope forto cacche his preie.
Whan that the bordes were aweie
And thei have souped in the halle,
He seith that slep is on him falle,
And preith he moste go to bedde;
And sche with alle haste spedde, 4950
So as hire thoghte it was to done,
That every thing was redi sone.(5150*)
Sche broghte him to his chambre tho
[Pg 373]
And tok hire leve, and forth is go
Into hire oghne chambre by,
As sche that wende certeinly
Have had a frend, and hadde a fo,
Wherof fell after mochel wo.
This tirant, thogh he lyhe softe,
Out of his bed aros fulofte, 4960
And goth aboute, and leide his Ere
To herkne, til that alle were
To bedde gon and slepten faste.
And thanne upon himself he caste
A mantell, and his swerd al naked
He tok in honde; and sche unwaked
Abedde lay, but what sche mette,
God wot; for he the Dore unschette
So prively that non it herde,
The softe pas and forth he ferde 4970
Unto the bed wher that sche slepte,1412
Al sodeinliche and in he crepte,
P. iii. 259
And hire in bothe his Armes tok.
With that this worthi wif awok,
Which thurgh tendresce of wommanhiede
Hire vois hath lost for pure drede,
That o word speke sche ne dar:
And ek he bad hir to be war,
For if sche made noise or cry,
He seide, his swerd lay faste by 4980
To slen hire and hire folk aboute.
And thus he broghte hire herte in doute,
That lich a Lomb whanne it is sesed
In wolves mouth, so was desesed
Lucrece, which he naked fond:
Wherof sche swounede in his hond,
And, as who seith, lay ded oppressed.
And he, which al him hadde adresced
To lust, tok thanne what him liste,
And goth his wey, that non it wiste, 4990
Into his oghne chambre ayein,
And clepede up his chamberlein,
[Pg 374]
And made him redi forto ryde.
And thus this lecherouse pride
To horse lepte and forth he rod;
And sche, which in hire bed abod,
Whan that sche wiste he was agon,
Sche clepede after liht anon
And up aros long er the day,
And caste awey hire freissh aray, 5000
As sche which hath the world forsake,
And tok upon the clothes blake:(5200*)
P. iii. 260
And evere upon continuinge,
Riht as men sen a welle springe,
With yhen fulle of wofull teres,
Hire her hangende aboute hire Eres,
Sche wepte, and noman wiste why.
Bot yit among full pitously
Sche preide that thei nolden drecche
Hire housebonde forto fecche 5010
Forth with hire fader ek also.
Thus be thei comen bothe tuo,
And Brutus cam with Collatin,
Which to Lucrece was cousin,
And in thei wenten alle thre
To chambre, wher thei myhten se
The wofulleste upon this Molde,
Which wepte as sche to water scholde.
The chambre Dore anon was stoke,
Er thei have oght unto hire spoke; 5020
Thei sihe hire clothes al desguised,
And hou sche hath hirself despised,
Hire her hangende unkemd aboute,
Bot natheles sche gan to loute
And knele unto hire housebonde;
And he, which fain wolde understonde
The cause why sche ferde so,
With softe wordes axeth tho,
‘What mai you be, mi goode swete?’
And sche, which thoghte hirself unmete 5030
And the lest worth of wommen alle,
Hire wofull chiere let doun falle
[Pg 375]
P. iii. 261
For schame and couthe unnethes loke.
And thei therof good hiede toke,
And preiden hire in alle weie
That sche ne spare forto seie
Unto hir frendes what hire eileth,
Why sche so sore hirself beweileth,
And what the sothe wolde mene.
And sche, which hath hire sorwes grene, 5040
Hire wo to telle thanne assaieth,
Bot tendre schame hire word delaieth,
That sondri times as sche minte1413
To speke, upon the point sche stinte.
And thei hire bidden evere in on
To telle forth, and therupon,
Whan that sche sih sche moste nede,
Hire tale betwen schame and drede
Sche tolde, noght withoute peine.
And he, which wolde hire wo restreigne, 5050
Hire housebonde, a sory man,
Conforteth hire al that he can,(5250*)
And swor, and ek hire fader bothe,
That thei with hire be noght wrothe
Of that is don ayein hire wille;
And preiden hire to be stille,
For thei to hire have al foryive.
But sche, which thoghte noght to live,
Of hem wol no foryivenesse,
And seide, of thilke wickednesse 5060
Which was unto hire bodi wroght,
Al were it so sche myhte it noght,
P. iii. 262
Nevere afterward the world ne schal
Reproeven hire; and forth withal,
Er eny man therof be war,
A naked swerd, the which sche bar
Withinne hire Mantel priveli,
Betwen hire hondes sodeinly
Sche tok, and thurgh hire herte it throng,
And fell to grounde, and evere among, 5070
Whan that sche fell, so as sche myhte,
[Pg 376]
Hire clothes with hire hand sche rihte,
That noman dounward fro the kne
Scholde eny thing of hire se:
Thus lay this wif honestely,
Althogh she deide wofully.
Tho was no sorwe forto seke:
Hire housebonde, hire fader eke
Aswoune upon the bodi felle;
Ther mai no mannes tunge telle 5080
In which anguisshe that thei were.
Bot Brutus, which was with hem there,
Toward himself his herte kepte,
And to Lucrece anon he lepte,
The blodi swerd and pulleth oute,
And swor the goddes al aboute
That he therof schal do vengance.
And sche tho made a contienance,
Hire dedlich yhe and ate laste
In thonkinge as it were up caste, 5090
And so behield him in the wise,
Whil sche to loke mai suffise.
P. iii. 263
And Brutus with a manlich herte
Hire housebonde hath mad up sterte
Forth with hire fader ek also
In alle haste, and seide hem tho
That thei anon withoute lette
A Beere for the body fette;
Lucrece and therupon bledende
He leide, and so forth out criende 5100
He goth into the Market place1414
Of Rome: and in a litel space(5300*)
Thurgh cry the cite was assembled,
And every mannes herte is trembled,1415
Whan thei the sothe herde of the cas.
And therupon the conseil was
Take of the grete and of the smale,
And Brutus tolde hem al the tale;
And thus cam into remembrance
[Pg 377]
Of Senne the continuance, 5110
Which Arrons hadde do tofore,
And ek, long time er he was bore,
Of that his fadre hadde do1416
The wrong cam into place tho;
So that the comun clamour tolde
The newe schame of Sennes olde.
And al the toun began to crie,
‘Awey, awey the tirannie
Of lecherie and covoitise!’
And ate laste in such a wise 5120
The fader in the same while
Forth with his Sone thei exile,
P. iii. 264
And taken betre governance.
Bot yit an other remembrance
That rihtwisnesse and lecherie
Acorden noght in compaignie
With him that hath the lawe on honde,
That mai a man wel understonde,
As be a tale thou shalt wite,
Of olde ensample as it is write.1417 5130
[Tale of Virginia.]
At Rome whan that Apius,
Hic ponit exemplum super eodem,1418 qualiter Liuius Virginius dux excercitus Romanorum vnicam filiam pulcherimam habens cum quodam nobili viro nomine Ilicio, vt ipsam in vxorem duceret, finaliter concordauit. Set interim Apius Claudius tunc1419 Imperator virginis formositatem, vt eam violaret, concupiscens, occasiones quibus matrimonium impedire, ipsamque ad sui vsum apprehendere posset, subdola conspiracione fieri coniectauit. Et cum propositum sui desiderii productis falsis testibus in iudicio Imperator habere debuisset, pater tunc ibidem presens extracto gladio filie sue pectus mortali vulnere per medium transfodit, dicens: ‘Malo michi de filia mea virginem habere mortuam, quam in sui scandalum meretricem reseruare viuentem.’
Whos other name is Claudius,
Was governour of the cite,
Ther fell a wonder thing to se
Touchende a gentil Maide, as thus,1420
Whom Livius Virginius
Begeten hadde upon his wif:
Men seiden that so fair a lif
As sche was noght in al the toun.
This fame, which goth up and doun, 5140
To Claudius cam in his Ere,
Wherof his thoght anon was there,
Which al his herte hath set afyre,
That he began the flour desire
Which longeth unto maydenhede,
[Pg 378]
And sende, if that he myhte spede
The blinde lustes of his wille.
Bot that thing mai he noght fulfille,
For sche stod upon Mariage;
A worthi kniht of gret lignage, 5150
Ilicius which thanne hihte,
Acorded in hire fader sihte(5350*)
P. iii. 265
Was, that he scholde his douhter wedde.
Bot er the cause fully spedde,
Hire fader, which in Romanie
The ledinge of chivalerie
In governance hath undertake,
Upon a werre which was take
Goth out with al the strengthe he hadde
Of men of Armes whiche he ladde: 5160
So was the mariage left,1421
And stod upon acord til eft.
The king, which herde telle of this,
Hou that this Maide ordeigned is
To Mariage, thoghte an other.
And hadde thilke time a brother,
Which Marchus Claudius was hote,
And was a man of such riote
Riht as the king himselve was:
Thei tuo togedre upon this cas 5170
In conseil founden out this weie,1422
That Marchus Claudius schal seie
Hou sche be weie of covenant
To his service appourtenant
Was hol, and to non other man;
And therupon he seith he can
In every point witnesse take,
So that sche schal it noght forsake.
Whan that thei hadden schape so,
After the lawe which was tho, 5180
Whil that hir fader was absent,
Sche was somouned and assent1423
P. iii. 266
To come in presence of the king
[Pg 379]
And stonde in ansuere of this thing.1424
Hire frendes wisten alle wel
That it was falshed everydel,
And comen to the king and seiden,
Upon the comun lawe and preiden,
So as this noble worthi knyht
Hir fader for the comun riht 5190
In thilke time, as was befalle,
Lai for the profit of hem alle
Upon the wylde feldes armed,
That he ne scholde noght ben harmed
Ne schamed, whil that he were oute;
And thus thei preiden al aboute.
For al the clamour that he herde,
The king upon his lust ansuerde,
And yaf hem only daies tuo
Of respit; for he wende tho, 5200
That in so schorte a time appiere1425
Hire fader mihte in no manere.(5400*)
Bot as therof he was deceived;
For Livius hadde al conceived
The pourpos of the king tofore,
So that to Rome ayein therfore1426
In alle haste he cam ridende,
And lefte upon the field liggende
His host, til that he come ayein.
And thus this worthi capitein 5210
Appiereth redi at his day,
Wher al that evere reson may
P. iii. 267
Be lawe in audience he doth,
So that his dowhter upon soth
Of that Marchus hire hadde accused
He hath tofore the court excused.
The king, which sih his pourpos faile,
And that no sleihte mihte availe,
Encombred of his lustes blinde
The lawe torneth out of kinde,1427 5220
[Pg 380]
And half in wraththe as thogh it were,
In presence of hem alle there
Deceived of concupiscence
Yaf for his brother the sentence,
And bad him that he scholde sese
This Maide and make him wel at ese;
Bot al withinne his oghne entente
He wiste hou that the cause wente,
Of that his brother hath the wyte
He was himselven forto wyte. 5230
Bot thus this maiden hadde wrong,
Which was upon the king along,
Bot ayein him was non Appel,
And that the fader wiste wel:
Wherof upon the tirannie,
That for the lust of Lecherie
His douhter scholde be deceived,
And that Ilicius was weyved
Untrewly fro the Mariage,1428
Riht as a Leon in his rage, 5240
Which of no drede set acompte
And not what pite scholde amounte,
P. iii. 268
A naked swerd he pulleth oute,
The which amonges al the route
He threste thurgh his dowhter side,
And al alowd this word he cride:
‘Lo, take hire ther, thou wrongfull king,1429
For me is levere upon this thing
To be the fader of a Maide,
Thogh sche be ded, than if men saide 5250
That in hir lif sche were schamed1430
And I therof were evele named.’(5450*)
Tho bad the king men scholde areste
His bodi, bot of thilke heste,
Lich to the chaced wylde bor,
The houndes whan he fieleth sor,
Tothroweth and goth forth his weie,
In such a wise forto seie
[Pg 381]
This worthi kniht with swerd on honde
His weie made, and thei him wonde, 5260
That non of hem his strokes kepte;
And thus upon his hors he lepte,
And with his swerd droppende of blod,1431
The which withinne his douhter stod,
He cam ther as the pouer was
Of Rome, and tolde hem al the cas,
And seide hem that thei myhten liere1432
Upon the wrong of his matiere,1433
That betre it were to redresce
At hom the grete unrihtwisnesse, 5270
Than forto werre in strange place
And lese at hom here oghne grace.
P. iii. 269
For thus stant every mannes lif
In jeupartie for his wif
Or for his dowhter, if thei be1434
Passende an other of beaute.
Of this merveile which thei sihe
So apparant tofore here yhe,
Of that the king him hath misbore,1435
Here othes thei have alle swore 5280
That thei wol stonde be the riht.
And thus of on acord upriht
To Rome at ones hom ayein
Thei torne, and schortly forto sein,
This tirannye cam to mouthe,
And every man seith what he couthe,
So that the prive tricherie,
Which set was upon lecherie,
Cam openly to mannes Ere;
And that broghte in the comun feere, 5290
That every man the peril dradde
Of him that so hem overladde.
Forthi, er that it worse falle,1436
Thurgh comun conseil of hem alle
[Pg 382]
Thei have here wrongfull king deposed,
And hem in whom it was supposed
The conseil stod of his ledinge1437
Be lawe unto the dom thei bringe,
Wher thei receiven the penance
That longeth to such governance. 5300
And thus thunchaste was chastised,
Wherof thei myhte ben avised(5500*)
P. iii. 270
That scholden afterward governe,
And be this evidence lerne,
Hou it is good a king eschuie
The lust of vice and vertu suie.
[Tobias and Sara.]
To make an ende in this partie,
Which toucheth to the Policie
Hic inter alia castitatis regimen concernencia loquitur quomodo Matrimonium, cuius status Sacramentum, quasi continenciam equiperans, eciam honeste delectacionis regimine moderari debet. Et narrat in exemplum, qualiter pro eo quod illi vii.tem viri, qui Sarre Raguelis filie magis propter concupiscenciam quam propter matrimonium voluptuose nupserunt, vnus post alium omnes prima nocte a demone Asmodeo singillatim iugulati interierunt.
Of Chastite in special,
As for conclusion final 5310
That every lust is to eschue
Be gret ensample I mai argue:
Hou in Rages a toun of Mede
Ther was a Mayde, and as I rede,
Sarra sche hihte, and Raguel
Hir fader was; and so befell,
Of bodi bothe and of visage
Was non so fair of the lignage,
To seche among hem alle, as sche;
Wherof the riche of the cite, 5320
Of lusti folk that couden love,
Assoted were upon hire love,
And asken hire forto wedde.
On was which ate laste spedde,
Bot that was more for likinge,
To have his lust, than for weddinge,
As he withinne his herte caste,
Which him repenteth ate laste.
For so it fell the ferste nyht,
That whanne he was to bedde dyht, 5330
As he which nothing god besecheth
Bot al only hise lustes secheth,
[Pg 383]
P. iii. 271
Abedde er he was fully warm
And wolde have take hire in his Arm,
Asmod, which was a fend of helle,
And serveth, as the bokes telle,1438
To tempte a man of such a wise,1439
Was redy there, and thilke emprise,
Which he hath set upon delit,
He vengeth thanne in such a plit, 5340
That he his necke hath writhe atuo.1440
This yonge wif was sory tho,
Which wiste nothing what it mente;
And natheles yit thus it wente
Noght only of this ferste man,1441
Bot after, riht as he began,
Sexe othre of hire housebondes
Asmod hath take into hise bondes,1442
So that thei alle abedde deiden,
Whan thei her hand toward hir leiden, 5350
Noght for the lawe of Mariage,
Bot for that ilke fyri rage(5550*)
In which that thei the lawe excede:
For who that wolde taken hiede
What after fell in this matiere,
Ther mihte he wel the sothe hiere.
Whan sche was wedded to Thobie,
And Raphael in compainie
Hath tawht him hou to ben honeste,
Asmod wan noght at thilke feste, 5360
And yit Thobie his wille hadde;
For he his lust so goodly ladde,
P. iii. 272
That bothe lawe and kinde is served,
Wherof he hath himself preserved,
That he fell noght in the sentence.
O which an open evidence1443
Of this ensample a man mai se,
That whan likinge in the degre
[Pg 384]
[Chastity.]
Of Mariage mai forsueie,
Wel oghte him thanne in other weie 5370
Of lust to be the betre avised.
For god the lawes hath assissed
Als wel to reson as to kinde,
Bot he the bestes wolde binde
Only to lawes of nature,
Bot to the mannes creature
God yaf him reson forth withal,
Wherof that he nature schal
Upon the causes modefie,1444
Nota.1445
That he schal do no lecherie, 5380
And yit he schal hise lustes have.
So ben the lawes bothe save
And every thing put out of sclandre;1446
As whilom to king Alisandre
The wise Philosophre tawhte,
Whan he his ferste lore cawhte,
Noght only upon chastete,
Bot upon alle honestete;1447
Wherof a king himself mai taste,
Hou trewe, hou large, hou joust, hou chaste 5390
Him oghte of reson forto be,
Forth with the vertu of Pite,1448
P. iii. 273
Thurgh which he mai gret thonk deserve
Toward his godd, that he preserve
Him and his poeple in alle welthe
Of pes, richesse, honour and helthe
Hier in this world and elles eke.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, as we tofore spieke
In schrifte, so as thou me seidest,
And for thin ese, as thou me preidest, 5400
Thi love throghes forto lisse,
That I thee wolde telle and wisse(5600*)
The forme of Aristotles lore,
I have it seid, and somdiel more
Of othre ensamples, to assaie
If I thi peines myhte allaie
[Pg 385]
Thurgh eny thing that I can seie.1449
Amans.
Do wey, mi fader, I you preie:
Of that ye have unto me told
I thonke you a thousendfold. 5410
The tales sounen in myn Ere,1450
Bot yit myn herte is elleswhere,
I mai miselve noght restreigne,
That I nam evere in loves peine:
Such lore couthe I nevere gete,
Which myhte make me foryete
O point, bot if so were I slepte,1451
That I my tydes ay ne kepte
To thenke of love and of his lawe;
That herte can I noght withdrawe. 5420
Forthi, my goode fader diere,
Lef al and speke of my matiere1452
P. iii. 274
Touchende of love, as we begonne:
If that ther be oght overronne
Or oght foryete or left behinde
Which falleth unto loves kinde,1453
Wherof it nedeth to be schrive,
Nou axeth, so that whil I live
I myhte amende that is mys.
Confessor.
Mi goode diere Sone, yis. 5430
Thi schrifte forto make plein,
Ther is yit more forto sein
Of love which is unavised.
Bot for thou schalt be wel avised
Unto thi schrifte as it belongeth,
A point which upon love hongeth
And is the laste of alle tho,
I wol thee telle, and thanne ho.

Explicit Liber Septimus.

### FOOTNOTES:

927 13 þi time AdBTΔ, K (þe tymes lasse C)
928 15 drowe AM
929 25 matier AdBT
930 28 Declared AdBT
931 29 thre] þe H₁, AdBT, W
932 56 And þat AM ... B₂
933 Latin Verses ii. 2 capit AdBT, W
934 87 is thilke] þis ilke H₁ ... B₂
935 89 S resumes
936 92 thre] þe AMH₁XRLB₂
937 108 The god] And he B The T He Ad
938 109 That] And AdBT
939 119 By chief AM ... C, W þe cheef L
940 161 experience M ... B₂, Δ
941 177 margin vocat A ... B₂ (except E)
942 190 The F
943 207 margin interim om. BΔ
944 236 ther ne] þerþe (the erthe &c.) ne AMH₁XGEL þerþe (om. ne) C erþe ne R line om. W
945 257 lyfliche AM liueliche W lif iche H₁ fissche Δ
946 262 Noman S, F
947 269 the om. AM
948 275 And B
949 298 is vpdrawe (vp drawe) C, AdBT, W
950 300 vpon alofte AM vp alofte T, Δ
951 303 befalle H₁EC, SAdB, W
952 319 margin hic om. A ... B₂, B, W (Nota hic om. Δ)
953 323 fyry drake E, BT
954 330 exaltaciouns AM
955 336 falle doun to gr.] doun (downe) to þe gr. (om. falle) AM ... B₂ falle doun to þe grounde J, T, W (thre grounde T)
956 339 exaltacioun AMH₁
957 361 Daily H₁ Baaly CL
958 365 forme AdBT
959 368 hou it om. Ad T it B
960 374 sond(ė) AMXGERCB₂
961 393 The CL Be AdT
962 429 fyr] ferst B firþ Ad
963 438 be hote AJMH₁XL, AdTΔ, K
964 445 chele] cold(e) AM ... B₂
965 449 margin est om. B
966 451 þe cold AdBT
966m 451 margin domus J, SB, F domus est ACB₂ &c.
967 456 his AdBT hyȝe X
968 464 margin cordi om. AM ... B₂
969 469 chief om. H₁ ... B₂ (is chief om. R)
970 478 increacioun AM ... B₂, W
971 480 Ordeineþ AH₁ ... B₂ Ordeyne M
972 483 forto] to AM
973 492 hath] þat AM ... B₂
974 508 haþ AMH₁, AdBTΔ, WK
975 510 fleissh(e) may H₁XRCLB₂ fleissh may him E
976 521 be told JGC, B betold (bitold) A, S, F
977 525 priuely AJM pleinly B₂
978 528 bookes B
979 541 Middelerþe (middelerþe) J, S, F myddel erþe AC, B
980 546 Cam AJ, F Cham C, SB
981 552 himselue AJM
982 575 margin Aufrica AJC, F Affrica SB
983 578 Vnto S ... Δ
984 584 Which AJC, F Whiche SB
985 597 haleth] lakkeþ AdBTΛ
986 620 Which AJ, S, F Whiche B
987 621 good JC, SB goode A, F
988 628 Alle oþre AJ, S, F Alle (Al) oþer EC, B
989 Latin Verses iv. 4 quod H₁ ... B₂, B quis T
990 672 knowechinge F
991 684 tho] þe JXGL, AdBTΔ, K (þo S)
992 685 Paragr. in MSS at 686
993 694 Bot þorizonte FWK Be (By) þorizonte SAdBTΔΛ But (Bot) zorizonte AMYXGERCB₂ Bot þorughout (þurgh out &c.) JH₁L
994 717 it tawhte (taughte) A ... B₂
995 724 schal beknowe SΔ, FK
996 736 fulwonne FK rest ful wonne
997 769 and om. AMH₁XGR
998 798 wantounesse JC, B, F wantonnesse S wantonesse T
999 911 that] þe AMH₁G, AdBT, W
1000 933 vpon] whan AM
1001 935 f. margin De septima—dictus est om. B
1002 936 þe AM ... B₂, AdΔ
1003 956 bryht (bright) S ... Δ
1004 962 margin assequitur H₁E ... B₂ asseruntur X
1005 978 as it] and it E, AdBT it XL
1006 983 margin adesse H₁XGECR, SBΔ, W (Lat. om. JM, AdT)
1007 979-982 Four lines om. B
1008 984 þe beste AM ... B₂ his brest W
1009 1007 out of AdBT and of W
1010 1017 is om. AdBT
1011 1019 hous of AM
1012 1027 tuo] moo (mo) AM ... B₂
1013 1033 of o kynde H₁ERCB₂ of kynde XL
1014 1044 Hise F
1015 1058 be bore] bifore (before) AdBT
1016 1079 Monthe om. B
1017 1095 cold om. AdBT
1018 1100 Augst applied T, F August applied A ... B₂ (except E). SAdΔ, WK August plyed E, B
1019 1116 this] þe AMH₁XGRLB₂
1020 1148 To ... bore AMX ... L To ... lore B₂
1021 1163 he] it A ... B₂
1022 1181 f. formes ... enformes AdBT
1023 1223 unto] and to B
1024 1229 his signe AdBT
1025 1260 þe point AM ... B₂
1026 1261 Constantyn noble þe cite H₁XERCL Constantyne þe noble cite B₂
1027 1266 Aries haþ H₁ ... B₂
1028 1280 hihe] sihe (seye) BT
1029 1287 moist AJ, S, F moiste B
1030 1321 Is hette AM it hatteth Δ monþes BT mannes W
1031 1346 margin Berillis A ... B₂, W
1032 1361 as þe scole (om. seith) AMH₁XRLB₂ after þis scole E (as seiþ þe scole JGC)
1033 1372 margin Honochinus om. AM
1034 1383 grene] grete B, W
1035 1393 ellefþe JC, S, F elleþe A elleueþe B
1036 1400 him calleþ R, AdBT
1037 1404 margin Topaxion H₁ ... B₂
1038 1406 Topaxion (topaxione) H₁ ... CB₂ to paxione L
1039 1412 margin Astrologia (astrologia) A ... B₂, BΔ, H₃
1040 1413 Astrologie (astrologie) MH₁E, BΔ, H₃
1041 1445 which AJ, S, F whiche B
1042 1464 palmestrie H₁ ... B₂
1043 1473 Habraham JX, F rest Abraham
1044 1477 this] his AdBT
1045 1490 aren] been (ben) A ... B₂, W
1046 1493 such a wise MH₁CL, T, H₃
1047 Latin Verses v. 1 sermones H₁ ... B₂, B
1048 4 pulcra AdBT
1049 1530 ferste A, S, F ferst (first) JC, B
1050 1545 in gras H₁CLB₂, W
1051 1574 and fo A ... B₂, AdT
1052 1577 þe worldes A ... B₂, BΔ
1053 1588 þis lore A ... B₂
1054 1589 his] þe AdBT
1055 1596 Tak (Taak) AC, SB Take J, F
1056 1597 and of AMR
1057 1618 he] men A me M
1058 1619 iugge AdBT
1059 1640 trewman AC, S, F trewe man B
1060 Latin Verses vi. 4 Hec FKH₃Magd Ex A ... B₂, S ... ΔΛ, W regit BTΛ gerit Ad
1061 1651 ferst AJ, S, F ferste (firste) C, B
1062 1666 that om. AM ... B₂
1063 1670 Belongeþ to Icon. AM ... B₂
1064 1671 honeste M ... B₂ (except C), SΔ, WH₃
1065 1681 hih] his B
1066 1688 of] al AdBT
1067 1690 eek C, B eke (eeke) A, F
1068 1695 hou om. AM
1069 1698 þe staat (state) AMB₂, W þe estate R
1070 1711 behoveth] bilongeþ X, AdBT
1071 1718 margin existat AM ... B₂
1072 1718 are] been (ben) A ... B₂
1073 1744 wolde B
1074 1749 be wel A ... B₂ (except H₁ welbe)
1075 1751 margin Nota—designantur om. R, B, H₃
1076 1769 his worldes H₁ ... B₂
1077 1770 goode om. AM
1078 1789 as] and A ... B₂
1079 1791 And for he AM ... B₂
1080 1792 wisemen S, F wise men AJC, B
1081 1793 on] in AM ... C of L
1082 1795 margin asserit B
1083 1797 which A, F whiche B
1084 1800 Arpaphes AMH₁XCLB₂ Araphes R
1085 1805 he triste] þat trist(e) AM he trusteth Δ
1086 1815 anssuere F
1087 1836 of lord] a lord E, AdBT, W
1088 1842 þe S, FW a AC, B
1089 1882 I sih AdBT
1090 1883 And for AM
1091 1884 of Besaxis H₁XRCB₂ and Besaxis L
1092 1902 þe womman J, BT
1093 1932 Of] And M, AdBT
1094 1942 The A ... B₂
1095 1978 the om. J, AdBT
1096 1980 therupon] vpon AM
1097 Latin Verses viii. 2 Eius FKH₃Magd rest Cuius
1098 1992 margin subditi omni] sub dicionum (subdicionum) A ... B₂, B
1099 2015 bitwene (betwen) more AM ... B₂, Δ, WH₃
1100 2021 and pile] no pile AM
1101 2043 Paragr. here J, SB, F &c.
1102 2067 margin reuelare AM om. C
1103 2077 do] to H₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1104 2078 lawe AM ... B₂, AdBT
1105 2093 list (luste) to H₁EB₂, AdBT
1106 2106 vnto H₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1107 2122 king om. AM
1108 2128 which] þat AM ... B₂
1109 2140 Bilongeþ AdBT
1110 2150 margin Nota—Aristotilem om. BΔ secundum Aristotilem om. S
1111 2155 margin Seneca] Salomon B
1112 2158 been (ben) A ... B₂
1113 2198 not A, F noght S nought J, B
1114 2199 margin Tercio contra populum om. B, W
1115 2219 ff. margin Hic contra—deberes] Hic loquitur super eodem, et narrat quod, cum Diogenes et Arisippus philosophi a scolis Athenarum ad Cartaginem, vnde orti fuerant, reuertissent, Arisippus curie principis sui familiaris adhesit, Diogenes vero in quodam mansiunculo suo studio vacans permansit. Et contigit quod, cum ipse quodam die ad finem orti (ortus S) sui super ripam herbas quas elegerat (eligerat S) ad olera lauasset, superuenit ex casu Arisippus, dixitque ei, ‘O Diogenes, certe si Principi tuo placere scires, tu ad olera tua lauanda non indigeres.’ Cui ille respondit, ‘O Arisippe, certe si tu olera tua lauare scires, te in blandiciis et adulacionibus principi tuo seruire non oporteret.’ SBΔΛ (Lat. om. AdT)
1116 2243 and takþ B
1117 2251 and] and wiþ AM, Δ
1118 2262 þastat B
1119 2282 satte S, F sate W sat J, AdBT sitte (sit) AMH₁XGC sette (set) ERLB₂, Δ, H₃
1120 2294 so] þo GLB₂, AdBT, W
1121 2318 sein B sayne W
1122 2329 Bot] And AdBTΛ
1123 2330 Bot wher] And wher AM ... B₂ Wher now AdBTΛ
1124 2329*-2340* only in AdBTΛ (not SΔ)
1125 2332* seid T sayd B
1126 2331 euery AdBT
1127 2335 him wolde S ... Δ, W
1128 2337 as om. AM ... B₂ (except C)
1129 2352 is yit] it is C, AdBT
1130 2357 ff. margin Hic narrat—aduersabitur] Hic eciam contra vicium adulacionis ponit exemplum: et narrat quod, cum nuper Romanorum imperator contra suos hostes victoriam optinuisset, et cum palma triumphi (triumphe S) in vrbem redire debuisset, ne ipsum inanis glorie altitudo superextolleret, licitum fuit pro illo die quod vnusquisque peiora que sue condicionis agnosceret in aures suas apercius exclamaret, vt sic gaudium cum dolore compesceret, et adulantum voces, sique fuerant, pro minimo computaret. SBΔΛ (Lat. om. AdT)
1131 2363 eny om. AM
1132 2376 of loond A
1133 2377 margin fortunata A ... B₂
1134 2378 margin fuerit] fuit B₂ sint H₁ ... L
1135 2379 margin forte om. AM tokne S ... Δ
1136 2384 word(e) AMXLB₂
1137 2409 that] his B
1138 2412 it om. J, AdBT
1139 2414 ff. margin Hic eciam—reprimeret] Hic ponit exemplum super eodem; et narrat quod eodem die quo imperator intronizatus in palacio suo regio ad conuiuium in maiori leticia sedisset, ministri sui sculptores coram ipso procederent alta voce dicentes, ‘O imperator, die nobis cuius forme et vbi tumbam sculpture tue faciemus,’ vt sic morte remorsus huius vite blandicias obtemperaret, SBΔΛ but procederant SBΛ (Lat. om. AdT)
1140 2424 Disour] Gestour AM ... B₂
1141 2428 be om. AM
1142 2434 thing] king B₂, AdBT
1143 2444 Tho took AdB Sto cok T
1144 2460 be om. AM
1145 2461 as] and A
1146 2464 do worschipe] worschiped AdBT
1147 2469 boþe (both) AM ... B₂, AdBΔ, W
1148 2486 if om. AM, Δ
1149 2530 Irahel (Irael) J, S, FK rest Israel
1150 2536 margin adulatis A ... B₂
1151 2540 Irahel (Irael) AJ, S, FK rest Israel
1152 2546 fro BT
1153 2560 trew S, F trewe AC, B
1154 2562 I schal AM
1155 2594 Ther is on] is þer non B is þer on T
1156 2598 liked S ... Δ, W
1157 2609 þer S ... Δ
1158 2619 him AMX ... B₂, K
1159 2622 his] þe H₁, S ... Δ
1160 2633 this] þi S ... Δ
1161 2637 miht (might) JC, B mihte A, S, F
1162 2641 S has lost two leaves (ll. 2641-3004)
1163 2657 Irahel (Irael) J, FK rest Israel
1164 2689 flatering AdBT
1165 2691 euermore JM, B forthermore W
1166 2698 margin regiminis] Regis AM, BT, FW legis H₁ ... B₂ siue regis Δ (Lat. om. J, Ad, K)
1167 2710 lorde AH₁ lordeþ M
1168 2747 do] to AM
1169 2750 disputacioun AM ... B₂
1170 2762 menable AXG, FW moeuable (moueable &c.) H₁E, AdBT, K meuable (?) JMRCLB₂, Δ
1171 2775 Enclynd (Enclined) H₁ ... B₂, W
1172 2792 in to his AM ... B₂
1173 2794 putte AC, B put F
1174 2806 whiche AJ, B which C, F
1175 2814 non] anon MCB₂ (p. m.) gon E
1176 2840 good AdBT
1177 2850 f.
That euery man be wepenles
That come in to &c. H₁ ... B₂
1178 2857 lest] heer (here) AM ... B₂
1179 2858 Thus AM
1180 2863 igerd (I gerde &c.) AM ... B₂
1181 2887 he om. B
1182 (2889-2916 om. R)
1183 2900 vpon H₁ ... B₂
1184 2920 margin qui om. BT
1185 2926 margin subditos suos om. A ... B₂
1186 2938 margin delegatur BT
1187 2951 and om. A (p. m.)
1188 2967 no man JC, B noman A, F
1189 2977 as] and AdBT
1190 2989 ȝe wol AdBT I wold Δ
1191 2993 swere H₁ ... B₂, Ad, WK
1192 3000 lest] heer (here) AM ... B₂
1193 3003 schop (schoop) AJC, B schope F
1194 3005 S resumes
1195 3020 which AC, S, F whiche B
1196 3040 to om. A ... CB₂
1197 3060 hadde AdBT
1198 3063 such JC, SB suche A, F
1199 3086 he lad AM, Δ he bad B₂
1200 3088 To do H₁ ... B₂
1201 Latin Verses x. 2 vbi H₁ ... B₂
1202 3110 margin graciosius H₁ ... B₂, W
1203 3122 margin Nota F om. AC, B
1204 3135 Philosophre] holy book BTΛ
1205 3149*-3180* Only in BTΛ (Ad defective). Text follows B
1206 3150* scholde] þat scholde T
1207 3163* þis tale T
1208 3137-3162 Placed after 3360* in SΔ
1209 3142 ff. margin Troianus—proponebat om. BT
1210 3143 This A, F Thus B
1211 3148 conseilleir F
1212 3159 pitous (petous) JH₁LB₂, Δ, W piteous R piteuous X
1213 3207*-3360* Only in SAdBTΔΛ (Ad defective to l. 3269*). Text follows S
1214 3222* margin pietatem om. B
1215 3223* marg. excerciam S
1216 3228* marg. pro tempore om. BT
1217 3231* marg. asinum sibi restitui BTΛ
1218 3234* marg. nocumentum S nocumenta B
1219 3244* marg. quadam valle BT
1220 3251* margin after decreuit B adds et cum omni sui cordis intimo deo gracias egit
1221 3212* betwene S
1222 3220* art] arþ S
1223 3232* I om. BT
1224 3242* And T
1225 3256* Boþoghte S
1226 3265* vnneþes T
1227 3278* On þis on þat AdBTΛ
1228 3283* rod] goþ T
1229 3292* Iuerie AdT Iewerie B Iurie S
1230 3305* dom (doom) AdBT dome S
1231 3311* made SAdBΔΛ mad T
1232 3312* whan B
1233 3327* hol BT hole SAd
1234 3339* lond AdBT londe S
1235 3342* discretely S
1236 3348* many wise AdB
1237 After 3360* ins. 3137-3162 SΔ rest proceed with 3163 ff.
1238 3176 margin se] seipsum BT, H₃ eligere om. BT
1239 3174 if it so AM
1240 3186 his om. AM an W
1241 3198 thoghte to relieve] of his byleeue AM
1242 3218 in Ermonie AM
1243 3225 on his heed B
1244 3233 margin restuit F
1245 3235 and ful AM ... B₂
1246 3244 was] is ȝit S ... Δ
1247 3271 margin in om. H₁ ... B₂, BTΔ
1248 3274 margin in exemplum S ... Δ
1249 3279 margin in om. BT
1250 3270 with] þe XGERL by H₁ no B₂
1251 3271 pitous (petows) MH₁XLB₂, Δ, WH₃ piteuous AdT
1252 3276 al is SAdBT is Δ
1253 3279 of his ire Δ in his A in hie M
1254 3298 margin tiranni om. A ... B₂
1255 3298 To whom AM ... B₂, Ad Inne whom W hom Δ
1256 3326 this caste] it cast B is cast Ad, H₃ þis made A ... B₂
1257 3330 vnto AdBT to Δ
1258 3332 which] þat AM ... B₂
1259 3338 couenable AM ... R coueable L couable B₂ (C defect.)
1260 3340 ago (a go) H₁E, BΔ, WH₃
1261 3342 of] at A ... B₂ om. W
1262 3362 margin Iupiter om. BT
1263 3387 nature þis AdBT natures þus AM ... B₂
1264 3397 i tamed AM ... B₂
1265 3412 areste] haue reste AM
1266 3420 margin precipue om. A ... B₂
1267 3436 margin offerre A ... B₂ (offerri G, W)
1268 3423 hapned XERCB₂ papned L
1269 3429 to mannes b. AM ... B₂
1270 3432 as he by sente A as by sente M alle by dissent W
1271 3440 Til god S ... Δ
1272 3448 His AM
1273 3454 dydinge AM
1274 3464 hir(e) power H₁, BTΔ, W ouerpasse AM
1275 3465 With] By AM ... B₂
1276 3476 tobrieken S, F tobreken (to breken) AJC, B
1277 3483 of om. AM
1278 3484 no] not (noght) AM ... B₂ (except E)
1279 3505 f. him ... him AdBT, W
1280 3510 him om. AM ... B₂, Δ
1281 3523 Why] Wiþ AdBT
1282 3530 Knighthode R, B, W
1283 3551 þogh it be lich to a fable A þoght it be lich a fable M
1284 3556 And wonder dredful noise it made AdBT
1285 3574 hield (heeld) A, S, F heelde (helde) C, B helden J
1286 3575 causa F
1287 3589 and reste AM ... B₂
1288 3592 wher of þat his knighthede H₁ ... B₂ wher of his knyhthede AM, AdΔ, H₃ (knythlihiede F)
1289 3607 hardinesse R, AdBTΔ, W
1290 3615 forþere (forþre, forþer) AM ... B₂ (forþe X)
1291 3628 Irahel (Irael) J, S, F rest Israel
1292 3639 hem L, S ... Δ he A ... CB₂, Λ, FWKMagd
1293 3641 thre] these W
1294 3652 delit(e) H₁ ... B₂, W
1295 3672 out om. AdBT
1296 3677 my lust AM
1297 3683 nomo JC, S, F no mo(o) A, B
1298 3688 which] þat AM ... B₂
1299 3689 scholde AdBT
1300 3692 his] þis AM ... B₂, AdBTΔ, Magd
1301 3701 he ferde] aferde AM
1302 3704 slep] sweuen(e) AM ... L (slep G)
1303 3716 his host E, B, Magd
1304 3727 despeir AJMH₁RLB₂, AdBTΔ, W
1305 3728 schullen B
1306 3748 his] þis H₁G, BΔ
1307 3752 per] þe AdBT þair L
1308 3763 forto] þo to AM B₂ to W
1309 3773 hole J, S, F holly AC, B
1310 3797 what þat AM ... B₂
1311 3800 in] and AM ... RLB₂
1312 3819 myht (might) AC, B myhte (mihte) J, S, F
1313 3854 flen (fle) SΔ
1314 3861 non F
1315 3902 I my regne] I may regne C, W I regne AdT in my regne H₁E in me regne XRLB₂
1316 3903 thi] þe AMC
1317 3984 wel þanne AMH₁, AdΔ wel than al W
1318 3989 al of þis BT of al þis Ad al this W
1319 3990 What tyme B
1320 4004 that] þe AdBT
1321 4020 thanne] þat A ... B₂
1322 4031 þe parlement AM
1323 4037 which þat H₁ ... B₂, BT, W þat Ad
1324 4044 to fore (tofore) AM ... B₂, W
1325 4081 þi (þy) right MH₁L, BΔ
1326 4091 him AM
1327 4092 a lyte S alyte (alite) AJC, B, F
1328 4093 þenkest take B
1329 4115 is om. FWK
1330 4123 Al Irahel (Irael) J, S, FK Al Israhel (Israel &c.) AM ... B₂, W Of Israel G, AdBT
1331 4160 is on] but oon (on &c.) AM ... B₂
1332 4161 oonly (only) AM ... B₂
1333 4174 bot] and AM ... B₂
1334 4183 How him were leuere AdBT
1335 4185 an hondred AM ... B₂
1336 4186 þus AdBT, W
1337 4194 good] god F
1338 4208 ferste (first &c.) AM ... B₂ fist Ad
1339 4212 þenk C, S, F þenke AJ, B
1340 4222 good] at home S ... Δ
1341 4239 firste (ferst &c.) H₁ ... B₂, W fist(e) M, Ad
1342 4245 hihe (hye) AJC, S, F hih B
1343 4262 set A, S, F sette C, B
1344 4266 wommen AM ... B₂, W
1345 4269 womman J, AdBT, W
1346 4277 it om. AdBTΔ (ins. S)
1347 4312 I] men S ... Δ
1348 4314 Sardanapallus E, Δ, W
1349 4316 marg. Sardanapallus ER, Δ, W
1350 4317 marg. mulieri A ... B₂ (except E)
1351 4322 marg. voluptati H₁ ... B₂
1352 4321 waxþ (waxeþ, wexeþ) A ... B₂, Δ, W
1353 4331 þer as ... þer as AM
1354 4336 how þat þe king AMLB₂ how þe k. H₁ ... C
1355 4357 many JC, SB manye A, F
1356 4362 that] it AM ... B₂
1357 4365 margin viuatur AM vincit W
1358 4367 margin mirum H₁ ... B₂
1359 4372 marg. stabilire A ... B₂
1360 4375 marg. tempore B₂, BT
1361 4378 marg. indefenbiles F
1362 4381 betidd S, F betidde AC, B be tid J
1363 4395 fleyssly F
1364 4402 put AJ, S, F putte C, B
1365 4408 margin hic om. BT
1366 4415 ff. margin contaminati—ceciderunt] contaminati sunt (om. graciam—ceciderunt) BT
1367 4411 Irael (Irahel) J, S, FK rest Israel
1368 4415 of ȝong age B
1369 4424 aboughte MH₁GE, AdBΔ
1370 4435 god om. A
1371 4471 þastat (þe astate) AdBT
1372 4492 of which B om. Ad
1373 4525 kut (kutt) AJC, S, F cutte B
1374 4526 toward] vnto AdBT
1375 4557 f. As more ... is told AdB As more ... tolde T
1376 4559 margin Aristotiles om. B
1377 4572 fille H₁ ... B₂ fulle AM
1378 4573 tho] þe H₁ ... B₂, AdΔ, W
1379 4574 Anthonie AJ, F Antonie S antoigne B
1380 4581 Antonie S Anthonie A Antoine J, B, F
1381 4595 margin nuper Rome] rome nuper BT nuper A om. M
1382 4610 he hadde AM ... B₂
1383 4611 a] þe LB₂, Δ om. AM, T
1384 4628 ye me] I me AdBT
1385 4641 Whan þe lordes AM
1386 4646 The B₂, AdBT
1387 4662 þo he AdBT
1388 4688 told C, SB, F tolde A
1389 4737 ground F therthe] þer he AdBT þere (þer) H₁YXGERC, Λ
1390 4746 the] þat S ... Δ
1391 4754 Paragraph in MSS. at 4757
1392 4772 ther] þus B
1393 4780 Wher of (Wherof) AdBT, K
1394 4795 the om. A
1395 4796 þis ladyes B þeis ladis Ad þise lady (s erased) T
1396 4803 him AXGCR
1397 4810 were X, AdBT
1398 4812 seide B
1399 4814 swerd] schield (shelde) H₁, B
1400 4825 schulde (scholde) M, AdBT
1401 4832 dewe droppe AM, W
1402 4880 let GEC, AdBT
1403 4881 hir om. B her(e) H₁XR
1404 4886 liked SAdBT
1405 4887 in the dede] in dede AMXLB₂
1406 4914 And he AdBT
1407 4918 he lighte AdBT
1408 4920 he om. AdBT
1409 4929 þis wise AdBT
1410 4940 he om. AM
1411 4944 the om. AM a H₁
1412 4971 In to AdBT
1413 5043 f. minte ... stinte J, SB, F mente ... stente AEC
1414 5101 vnto X ... B₂
1415 5104 mannes herte trembled H₁ ... B₂, W manne herte trembled AM
1416 5113 fadre S, F fader AJC, B
1417 5130 olde ensample C, F old (oold) ensample AJ, B olde ensamples SΔ
1418 5133 margin super eodem om. B
1419 5140 margin tunc om. BT
1420 5135 and þus FWKMagd
1421 5161 þis Mariage SBTΔ
1422 5171 þe weie GB₂, S ... Δ
1423 5182 somouned (or sommoned) AJ, F somoned C, SB
1424 5184 stood (stode) H₁ ... B₂ stante W
1425 5201 schorte J, S, F schort AC, B
1426 5206 And þoughte to be þer þerfore H₁ ... B₂
1427 5220 torned AM ... B₂
1428 5239 fro] for J, AdBT
1429 5247 take (taake) AC, S, F tak J, B
1430 5251 aschamed ALM, Δ
1431 5263 Al with ... of blood T Al wiþ ... al blod B Wiþ ... al blode Ad
1432 5267 seide AJ, SB seid F
1433 5268 þis AMB₂
1434 5275 And for AdBT Or of W
1435 5279 haþ him AM, W
1436 5293 ffor þey B
1437 5327 withinne] which in AdBT
1438 5336 serued B
1439 5337 in such CRB₂
1440 5341 wriþe AJC, SB wriþ F
1441 5345 of] for AdBT
1442 5348 hise bondes J, S, FK his hondes H₁ ... B₂, AdTBΔ, WMagd hondes (om. his) AM
1443 5366 Of which AdBT, W O such H₁
1444 5379 cause AdBT
1445 5380 marg. Nota A, F om. C, B
1446 5383 put AJ, SB pit F
1447 5388 honeste H₁ ... B₂, Δ, WK
1448 5392 the om. AM
1449 5407 which I AdBT
1450 5411 so̅u̅n̅en F
1451 5417 S has lost two leaves (5417-viii. 336)
1452 5422 al om. H₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1453 5426 in to (into) AMB₂

[Pg 386]

## Incipit Liber Octavus.

[Lechery.]
P. iii. 275
i. Que fauet ad vicium vetus hec modo regula confert,
Nec nouus econtra qui docet ordo placet.
Cecus amor dudum nondum sua lumina cepit,
Quo Venus impositum deuia fallit iter.
The myhti god, which unbegunne
Stant of himself and hath begunne
Postquam ad instanciam Amantis confessi Confessor Genius super hiis que Aristotiles Regem Alexandrum edocuit, vna cum aliarum Cronicarum exemplis seriose tractauit, iam vltimo in isto octauo volumine ad confessionem in amoris causa regrediens tractare proponit super hoc, quod nonnulli primordia nature ad libitum voluptuose consequentes, nullo humane racionis arbitrio seu ecclesie legum imposicione a suis excessibus debite refrenantur. Vnde quatenus amorem concernit Amantis conscienciam pro finali sue confessionis materia Genius rimari conatur.
Alle othre thinges at his wille,
The hevene him liste to fulfille
Of alle joie, where as he
Sit inthronized in his See,
And hath hise Angles him to serve,
Suche as him liketh to preserve,
So that thei mowe noght forsueie:
Bot Lucifer he putte aweie, 10
With al the route apostazied
Of hem that ben to him allied,
Whiche out of hevene into the helle1454
From Angles into fendes felle;
Wher that ther is no joie of lyht,
Bot more derk than eny nyht
P. iii. 276
The peine schal ben endeles;
And yit of fyres natheles
Ther is plente, bot thei ben blake,
Wherof no syhte mai be take. 20
Thus whan the thinges ben befalle,
That Luciferes court was falle
Wher dedly Pride hem hath conveied,
Anon forthwith it was pourveied
Thurgh him which alle thinges may;
[Pg 387]
[The Origin of Mankind.]
He made Adam the sexte day
In Paradis, and to his make
Him liketh Eve also to make,
And bad hem cresce and multiplie.
For of the mannes Progenie, 30
Which of the womman schal be bore,
The nombre of Angles which was lore,
Whan thei out fro the blisse felle,
He thoghte to restore, and felle
In hevene thilke holy place
Which stod tho voide upon his grace.
Bot as it is wel wiste and knowe,1455
Adam and Eve bot a throwe,
So as it scholde of hem betyde,
In Paradis at thilke tyde 40
Ne duelten, and the cause why,
Write in the bok of Genesi,
As who seith, alle men have herd,
Hou Raphael the fyri swerd
In honde tok and drof hem oute,
To gete here lyves fode aboute
P. iii. 277
Upon this wofull Erthe hiere.
Metodre seith to this matiere,1456
As he be revelacion
It hadde upon avision, 50
Hou that Adam and Eve also
Virgines comen bothe tuo
Into the world and were aschamed,
Til that nature hem hath reclamed
To love, and tauht hem thilke lore,
That ferst thei keste, and overmore
Thei don that is to kinde due,
Wherof thei hadden fair issue.
A Sone was the ferste of alle,
And Chain be name thei him calle;1457 60
Abel was after the secounde,
And in the geste as it is founde,
Nature so the cause ladde,
[Pg 388]
Tuo douhtres ek Dame Eve hadde,
The ferste cleped Calmana
Was, and that other Delbora.
[Laws of Marriage.]
Thus was mankinde to beginne;
Forthi that time it was no Sinne
The Soster forto take hire brother,
Whan that ther was of chois non other: 70
To Chain was Calmana betake,1458
And Delboram hath Abel take,1459
In whom was gete natheles
Of worldes folk the ferste encres.
Men sein that nede hath no lawe,
And so it was be thilke dawe
P. iii. 278
And laste into the Secounde Age,1460
Til that the grete water rage,
Of Noë which was seid the flod,1461
The world, which thanne in Senne stod, 80
Hath dreint, outake lyves Eyhte.
Tho was mankinde of litel weyhte;
Sem, Cham, Japhet, of these thre,
That ben the Sones of Noë,
The world of mannes nacion
Into multiplicacion
Was tho restored newe ayein
So ferforth, as the bokes sein,
That of hem thre and here issue
Ther was so large a retenue, 90
Of naciouns seventy and tuo;
In sondri place ech on of tho
The wyde world have enhabited.
Bot as nature hem hath excited,
Thei token thanne litel hiede,
The brother of the Sosterhiede
To wedde wyves, til it cam
Into the time of Habraham.1462
Whan the thridde Age was begunne,
The nede tho was overrunne,1463 100
For ther was poeple ynouh in londe:[Pg 389]
Thanne ate ferste it cam to honde,
That Sosterhode of mariage
Was torned into cousinage,
So that after the rihte lyne
The Cousin weddeth the cousine.
P. iii. 279
For Habraham, er that he deide,
This charge upon his servant leide,
To him and in this wise spak,
That he his Sone Isaäc 110
Do wedde for no worldes good,
Bot only to his oghne blod:
Wherof this Servant, as he bad,
Whan he was ded, his Sone hath lad
To Bathuel, wher he Rebecke
Hath wedded with the whyte necke;
For sche, he wiste wel and syh,
Was to the child cousine nyh.
And thus as Habraham hath tawht,
Whan Isaäc was god betawht, 120
His Sone Jacob dede also,
And of Laban the dowhtres tuo,
Which was his Em, he tok to wyve,
And gat upon hem in his lyve,
Of hire ferst which hihte Lie,
Sex Sones of his Progenie,
And of Rachel tuo Sones eke:
The remenant was forto seke,
That is to sein of foure mo,
Wherof he gat on Bala tuo, 130
And of Zelpha he hadde ek tweie.
And these tuelve, as I thee seie,
Thurgh providence of god himselve
Ben seid the Patriarkes tuelve;
Of whom, as afterward befell,
The tribes tuelve of Irahel1464
P. iii. 280
Engendred were, and ben the same
That of Hebreus tho hadden name,
Which of Sibrede in alliance
[Pg 390]
For evere kepten thilke usance 140
Most comunly, til Crist was bore.
Bot afterward it was forbore
Amonges ous that ben baptized;
For of the lawe canonized
The Pope hath bede to the men,1465
That non schal wedden of his ken
Ne the seconde ne the thridde.
Bot thogh that holy cherche it bidde,1466
So to restreigne Mariage,
Ther ben yit upon loves Rage 150
Full manye of suche nou aday
That taken wher thei take may.
For love, which is unbesein
Of alle reson, as men sein,
Thurgh sotie and thurgh nycete,
Of his voluptuosite
He spareth no condicion
Of ken ne yit religion,
Bot as a cock among the Hennes,
Or as a Stalon in the Fennes, 160
Which goth amonges al the Stod,
Riht so can he nomore good,
Bot takth what thing comth next to honde.
Confessor.
Mi Sone, thou schalt understonde,
That such delit is forto blame.
Forthi if thou hast be the same
P. iii. 281
To love in eny such manere,
Tell forth therof and schrif thee hiere.
Amans.
Mi fader, nay, god wot the sothe,
Mi feire is noght of such a bothe,1467 170
So wylde a man yit was I nevere,
That of mi ken or lief or levere
Me liste love in such a wise:
And ek I not for what emprise
I scholde assote upon a Nonne,
For thogh I hadde hir love wonne,
It myhte into no pris amonte,1468
[Pg 391]
So therof sette I non acompte.
Ye mai wel axe of this and that,
Bot sothli forto telle plat, 180
In al this world ther is bot on
The which myn herte hath overgon;
I am toward alle othre fre.
Full wel, mi Sone, nou I see
Confessor.
Thi word stant evere upon o place,1469
Bot yit therof thou hast a grace,
That thou thee myht so wel excuse
Of love such as som men use,1470
So as I spak of now tofore.
For al such time of love is lore, 190
And lich unto the bitterswete;
For thogh it thenke a man ferst swete,
He schal wel fielen ate laste
That it is sour and may noght laste.
For as a morsell envenimed,
So hath such love his lust mistimed,
P. iii. 282
And grete ensamples manyon
A man mai finde therupon.
[Examples of Incest. Caligula.]
At Rome ferst if we beginne,
Ther schal I finde hou of this sinne 200
Hic loquitur contra illos, quos Venus sui desiderii feruore inflammans ita incestuosos efficit, vt neque propriis Sororibus parcunt. Et narrat exemplum, qualiter pro eo quod Gayus Caligula tres sorores suas virgines coitu illicito opressit, deus tanti sceleris peccatum impune1471 non ferens ipsum non solum ab imperio set a vita iusticia vindice priuauit.1472
Narrat eciam aliud exemplum super eodem, qualiter Amon filius Dauid fatui amoris concupiscencia preuentus, sororem suam Thamar a sue virginitatis pudicicia inuitam deflorauit, propter quod et ipse a fratre suo Absolon postea interfectus, peccatum sue mortis precio inuitus redemit.
An Emperour was forto blame,
Gayus Caligula be name,
Which of his oghne Sostres thre
Berefte the virginite:
And whanne he hadde hem so forlein,1473
As he the which was al vilein,
He dede hem out of londe exile.
Bot afterward withinne a while
God hath beraft him in his ire
His lif and ek his large empire: 210
And thus for likinge of a throwe
For evere his lust was overthrowe.
Of this sotie also I finde,
[Pg 392]
[Ammon.]
Amon his Soster ayein kinde,
Which hihte Thamar, he forlay;
Bot he that lust an other day
Aboghte, whan that Absolon
His oghne brother therupon,
Of that he hadde his Soster schent,
Tok of that Senne vengement 220
And slowh him with his oghne hond:
And thus thunkinde unkinde fond.
[Lot and his Daughters.]
And forto se more of this thing,
The bible makth a knowleching,
Hic narrat, qualiter Loth duas filias suas ipsis consencientibus carnali copula cognouit, duosque ex eis filios, scilicet Moab et Amon, progenuit, quorum postea generacio praua et exasperans contra populum dei in terra saltim promissionis vario grauamine quam sepius insultabat.
Wherof thou miht take evidence
Upon the sothe experience.
P. iii. 283
Whan Lothes wif was overgon
And schape into the salte Ston,1474
As it is spoke into this day,
Be bothe hise dowhtres thanne he lay, 230
With childe and made hem bothe grete,1475
Til that nature hem wolde lete,
And so the cause aboute ladde
That ech of hem a Sone hadde,
Moab the ferste, and the seconde
Amon, of whiche, as it is founde,
Cam afterward to gret encres1476
Tuo nacions: and natheles,
For that the stockes were ungoode,1477
The branches mihten noght be goode; 240
For of the false Moabites
Forth with the strengthe of Amonites,
Of that thei weren ferst misgete,
The poeple of god was ofte upsete
In Irahel and in Judee,1478
As in the bible a man mai se.
Confessor.
Lo thus, my Sone, as I thee seie,
Thou miht thiselve be beseie
Of that thou hast of othre herd:
[Pg 393]
[Incest.]
For evere yit it hath so ferd, 250
Of loves lust if so befalle
That it in other place falle
Than it is of the lawe set,
He which his love hath so beset
Mote afterward repente him sore.
And every man is othres lore;
P. iii. 284
Of that befell in time er this1479
The present time which now is
May ben enformed hou it stod,
And take that him thenketh good, 260
And leve that which is noght so.
Bot forto loke of time go,1480
Hou lust of love excedeth lawe,
It oghte forto be withdrawe;
For every man it scholde drede,
And nameliche in his Sibrede,
Which torneth ofte to vengance:
Wherof a tale in remembrance,
Which is a long process to hiere,
I thenke forto tellen hiere. 270
[Apollonius of Tyre.]
ii. Omnibus est communis amor, set et immoderatos
Qui facit excessus, non reputatur amans.
Sors tamen vnde Venus attractat corda, videre
Que racionis erunt, non racione sinit.
Hic loquitur adhuc contra incestuosos amantum coitus. Et narrat mirabile exemplum de magno Rege Antiocho, qui vxore mortua propriam filiam violauit: et quia filie Matrimonium penes alios impedire voluit, tale ab eo exiit edictum, quod si quis eam in vxorem peteret, nisi ipse prius1481 quoddam problema questionis, quam ipse Rex proposuerat, veraciter solueret, capitali sentencia puniretur. Super quo veniens tandem discretus iuuenis princeps Tyri Appolinus questionem soluit; nec tamen filiam habere potuit, set Rex indignatus ipsum propter hoc in mortis odium recollegit. Vnde Appolinus a facie Regis fugiens, quam plura, prout inferius intitulantur, propter amorem pericla passus est.
Of a Cronique in daies gon,
The which is cleped Pantheon,
In loves cause I rede thus,
Hou that the grete Antiochus,
Of whom that Antioche tok
His ferste name, as seith the bok,
Was coupled to a noble queene,
And hadde a dowhter hem betwene:
Bot such fortune cam to honde,
That deth, which no king mai withstonde, 280
Bot every lif it mote obeie,
This worthi queene tok aweie.
[Pg 394]
P. iii. 285
The king, which made mochel mone,
Tho stod, as who seith, al him one
Withoute wif, bot natheles
His doghter, which was piereles
Of beaute, duelte aboute him stille.
Bot whanne a man hath welthe at wille,
The fleissh is frele and falleth ofte,
And that this maide tendre and softe, 290
Which in hire fadres chambres duelte,1482
Withinne a time wiste and felte:
For likinge and concupiscence1483
Withoute insihte of conscience
The fader so with lustes blente,
That he caste al his hole entente
His oghne doghter forto spille.
This king hath leisir at his wille1484
With strengthe, and whanne he time sih,
This yonge maiden he forlih: 300
And sche was tendre and full of drede,
Sche couthe noght hir Maidenhede
Defende, and thus sche hath forlore
The flour which sche hath longe bore.
It helpeth noght althogh sche wepe,
For thei that scholde hir bodi kepe
Of wommen were absent as thanne;
And thus this maiden goth to manne,
The wylde fader thus devoureth
His oghne fleissh, which non socoureth,1485 310
And that was cause of mochel care.
Bot after this unkinde fare
P. iii. 286
Out of the chambre goth the king,
And sche lay stille, and of this thing,
Withinne hirself such sorghe made,
Ther was no wiht that mihte hir glade,
For feere of thilke horrible vice.
With that cam inne the Norrice
Which fro childhode hire hadde kept,
[Pg 395]
And axeth if sche hadde slept, 320
And why hire chiere was unglad.
Bot sche, which hath ben overlad
Of that sche myhte noght be wreke,
For schame couthe unethes speke;
And natheles mercy sche preide
With wepende yhe and thus sche seide:
‘Helas, mi Soster, waileway,
That evere I sih this ilke day!
Thing which mi bodi ferst begat
Into this world, onliche that 330
Mi worldes worschipe hath bereft.’
With that sche swouneth now and eft,
And evere wissheth after deth,
So that welnyh hire lacketh breth.
That other, which hire wordes herde,
In confortinge of hire ansuerde,
To lette hire fadres fol desir1486
Sche wiste no recoverir:
Whan thing is do, ther is no bote,
So suffren thei that suffre mote; 340
Ther was non other which it wiste.
Thus hath this king al that him liste
P. iii. 287
Of his likinge and his plesance,
And laste in such continuance,
And such delit he tok therinne,
Him thoghte that it was no Sinne;
And sche dorste him nothing withseie.
Bot fame, which goth every weie,
To sondry regnes al aboute
The grete beaute telleth oute 350
Of such a maide of hih parage:
So that for love of mariage
The worthi Princes come and sende,
As thei the whiche al honour wende,1487
And knewe nothing hou it stod.1488
The fader, whanne he understod,
That thei his dowhter thus besoghte,
[Pg 396]
With al his wit he caste and thoghte1489
Hou that he myhte finde a lette;
And such a Statut thanne he sette, 360
And in this wise his lawe he taxeth,
That what man that his doghter axeth,1490
Bot if he couthe his question
Assoile upon suggestion
Of certein thinges that befelle,
The whiche he wolde unto him telle,
He scholde in certein lese his hed.
And thus ther weren manye ded,
Here hevedes stondende on the gate,
Till ate laste longe and late, 370
For lacke of ansuere in the wise,1491
The remenant that weren wise
P. iii. 288
Eschuieden to make assay.
De aduentu Appolini in Antiochiam, vbi ipse filiam Regis Antiochi in vxorem postulauit.
Til it befell upon a day
Appolinus the Prince of Tyr,
Which hath to love a gret desir,
As he which in his hihe mod
Was likende of his hote blod,
A yong, a freissh, a lusti knyht,
As he lai musende on a nyht 380
Of the tidinges whiche he herde,
He thoghte assaie hou that it ferde.
He was with worthi compainie
Arraied, and with good navie
To schipe he goth, the wynd him dryveth,
And seileth, til that he arryveth:
Sauf in the port of Antioche
He londeth, and goth to aproche
The kinges Court and his presence.
Of every naturel science, 390
Which eny clerk him couthe teche,
He couthe ynowh, and in his speche
Of wordes he was eloquent;
And whanne he sih the king present,
He preith he moste his dowhter have.
[Pg 397]
The king ayein began to crave,
And tolde him the condicion,
Hou ferst unto his question
He mote ansuere and faile noght,
Or with his heved it schal be boght: 400
And he him axeth what it was.
Questio Regis Antiochi.
The king declareth him the cas
P. iii. 289
With sturne lok and sturdi chiere,1492
To him and seide in this manere:
Scelere vehor, materna carne vescor, quero patrem meum, matris mee virum, vxoris mee filium.
‘With felonie I am upbore,
I ete and have it noght forbore
Mi modres fleissh, whos housebonde
Mi fader forto seche I fonde,
Which is the Sone ek of my wif.
Hierof I am inquisitif; 410
And who that can mi tale save,
Al quyt he schal my doghter have;
Of his ansuere and if he faile,
He schal be ded withoute faile.
Forthi my Sone,’ quod the king,
‘Be wel avised of this thing,1493
Which hath thi lif in jeupartie.’
Responsio Appollini.
Appolinus for his partie,
Whan he this question hath herd,1494
Unto the king he hath ansuerd 420
And hath rehersed on and on
The pointz, and seide therupon:
‘The question which thou hast spoke,
If thou wolt that it be unloke,
It toucheth al the privete
Betwen thin oghne child and thee,
And stant al hol upon you tuo.’
Indignacio Antiochi super responsione Appolini.1495
The king was wonder sory tho,
And thoghte, if that he seide it oute,
Than were he schamed al aboute. 430
With slihe wordes and with felle
He seith, ‘Mi Sone, I schal thee telle,
[Pg 398]
P. iii. 290
Though that thou be of litel wit,
It is no gret merveile as yit,
Thin age mai it noght suffise:
Bot loke wel thou noght despise
Thin oghne lif, for of my grace
Of thretty daies fulle a space
I grante thee, to ben avised.’
De recessu Appollini ab Antiochia.
And thus with leve and time assised 440
This yonge Prince forth he wente,
And understod wel what it mente,
Withinne his herte as he was lered,1496
That forto maken him afered
The king his time hath so deslaied.
Wherof he dradde and was esmaied,1497
Of treson that he deie scholde,
For he the king his sothe tolde;
And sodeinly the nyhtes tyde,
That more wolde he noght abide, 450
Al prively his barge he hente
And hom ayein to Tyr he wente:
And in his oghne wit he seide
For drede, if he the king bewreide,
He knew so wel the kinges herte,
That deth ne scholde he noght asterte,
The king him wolde so poursuie.
Bot he, that wolde his deth eschuie,
And knew al this tofor the hond,
Forsake he thoghte his oghne lond, 460
That there wolde he noght abyde;
For wel he knew that on som syde1498
P. iii. 291
This tirant of his felonie
Be som manere of tricherie
To grieve his bodi wol noght leve.
De fuga Appolini per mare1499 a Regno suo.
Forthi withoute take leve,
Als priveliche as evere he myhte,1500
He goth him to the See be nyhte
In Schipes that be whete laden:1501
[Pg 399]
Here takel redy tho thei maden 470
And hale up Seil and forth thei fare.1502
Bot forto tellen of the care
That thei of Tyr begonne tho,
Whan that thei wiste he was ago,
It is a Pite forto hiere.
They losten lust, they losten chiere,
Thei toke upon hem such penaunce,
Ther was no song, ther was no daunce,
Bot every merthe and melodie
To hem was thanne a maladie; 480
For unlust of that aventure
Ther was noman which tok tonsure,
In doelful clothes thei hem clothe,1503
The bathes and the Stwes bothe
Thei schetten in be every weie;
There was no lif which leste pleie
Ne take of eny joie kepe,
Bot for here liege lord to wepe;
And every wyht seide as he couthe,
‘Helas, the lusti flour of youthe, 490
Our Prince, oure heved, our governour,
Thurgh whom we stoden in honour,1504
P. iii. 292
Withoute the comun assent
Thus sodeinliche is fro ous went!’
Such was the clamour of hem alle.
Nota1505 qualiter Thaliartus Miles, vt Appolinum veneno intoxicaret, ab Antiocho in Tyrum missus, ipso ibidem non inuento Antiochiam rediit.
Bot se we now what is befalle
Upon the ferste tale plein,
And torne we therto ayein.
Antiochus the grete Sire,
Which full of rancour and of ire 500
His herte berth, so as ye herde,
Of that this Prince of Tyr ansuerde,
He hadde a feloun bacheler,
Which was his prive consailer,
And Taliart be name he hihte:1506
[Pg 400]
The king a strong puison him dihte
Withinne a buiste and gold therto,1507
In alle haste and bad him go
Strawht unto Tyr, and for no cost
Ne spare he, til he hadde lost1508 510
The Prince which he wolde spille.
And whan the king hath seid his wille,
This Taliart in a Galeie1509
With alle haste he tok his weie:
The wynd was good, he saileth blyve,
Til he tok lond upon the ryve
Of Tyr, and forth with al anon
Into the Burgh he gan to gon,
And tok his In and bod a throwe.
Bot for he wolde noght be knowe, 520
Desguised thanne he goth him oute;
He sih the wepinge al aboute,
P. iii. 293
And axeth what the cause was,
And thei him tolden al the cas,
How sodeinli the Prince is go.
And whan he sih that it was so,
And that his labour was in vein,
Anon he torneth hom ayein,
And to the king, whan he cam nyh,
He tolde of that he herde and syh, 530
Hou that the Prince of Tyr is fled,
So was he come ayein unsped.
The king was sori for a while,
Bot whan he sih that with no wyle
He myhte achieve his crualte,1510
He stinte his wraththe and let him be.
Qualiter Appolinus in portu Tharsis applicuit, vbi in hospicio cuiusdam magni viri nomine Strangulionis hospitatus est.
Bot over this now forto telle
Of aventures that befelle
Unto this Prince of whom I tolde,1511
He hath his rihte cours forth holde 540
Be Ston and nedle, til he cam
To Tharse, and there his lond he nam.
A Burgeis riche of gold and fee
[Pg 401]
Was thilke time in that cite,
Which cleped was Strangulio,
His wif was Dionise also:
This yonge Prince, as seith the bok,
With hem his herbergage tok;1512
And it befell that Cite so
Before time and thanne also, 550
Thurgh strong famyne which hem ladde
Was non that eny whete hadde.
P. iii. 294
Appolinus, whan that he herde1513
The meschief, hou the cite ferde,
Al freliche of his oghne yifte
His whete, among hem forto schifte,
The which be Schipe he hadde broght,
He yaf, and tok of hem riht noght.
Bot sithen ferst this world began,
Was nevere yit to such a man 560
Mor joie mad than thei him made:
For thei were alle of him so glade,
That thei for evere in remembrance
Made a figure in resemblance
Of him, and in the comun place1514
Thei sette him up, so that his face1515
Mihte every maner man beholde,
So as the cite was beholde;1516
It was of latoun overgilt:
Thus hath he noght his yifte spilt. 570
Qualiter Hellicanus ciuis Tyri Tharsim veniens Appolinum de insidiis Antiochi premuniuit.1517
Upon a time with his route1518
This lord to pleie goth him oute,
And in his weie of Tyr he mette
A man, the which on knees him grette,1519
And Hellican be name he hihte,
Which preide his lord to have insihte
Upon himself, and seide him thus,
Hou that the grete Antiochus
[Pg 402]
Awaiteth if he mihte him spille.
That other thoghte and hield him stille, 580
And thonked him of his warnynge,
And bad him telle no tidinge,1520
P. iii. 295
Whan he to Tyr cam hom ayein,
That he in Tharse him hadde sein.
Qualiter Appolinus portum Tharsis relinquens, cum ipse per mare nauigio securiorem quesiuit, superueniente tempestate nauis cum omnibus preter ipsum solum in eadem contentis iuxta Pentapolim periclitabatur.
Fortune hath evere be muable
And mai no while stonde stable:
For now it hiheth, now it loweth,
Now stant upriht, now overthroweth,
Now full of blisse and now of bale,
As in the tellinge of mi tale1521 590
Hierafterward a man mai liere,
Which is gret routhe forto hiere.
This lord, which wolde don his beste,
Withinne himself hath litel reste,
And thoghte he wolde his place change
And seche a contre more strange.
Of Tharsiens his leve anon
He tok, and is to Schipe gon:1522
His cours he nam with Seil updrawe,
Where as fortune doth the lawe, 600
And scheweth, as I schal reherse,
How sche was to this lord diverse,
The which upon the See sche ferketh.
The wynd aros, the weder derketh,
It blew and made such tempeste,
Non ancher mai the schip areste,
Which hath tobroken al his gere;
The Schipmen stode in such a feere,
Was non that myhte himself bestere,
Bot evere awaite upon the lere, 610
Whan that thei scholde drenche at ones.
Ther was ynowh withinne wones
P. iii. 296
Of wepinge and of sorghe tho;
This yonge king makth mochel wo
So forto se the Schip travaile:
Bot al that myhte him noght availe;
[Pg 403]
The mast tobrak, the Seil torof,
The Schip upon the wawes drof,
Til that thei sihe a londes cooste.
Tho made avou the leste and moste,1523 620
Be so thei myhten come alonde;
Bot he which hath the See on honde,
Neptunus, wolde noght acorde,
Bot altobroke cable and corde,1524
Er thei to londe myhte aproche,
The Schip toclef upon a roche,
And al goth doun into the depe.
Bot he that alle thing mai kepe
Unto this lord was merciable,
And broghte him sauf upon a table, 630
Which to the lond him hath upbore;
The remenant was al forlore,
Wherof he made mochel mone.1525
Qualiter Appolinus nudus super litus iactabatur, vbi quidam piscator ipsum suo collobio vestiens ad vrbem Pentapolim direxit.
Thus was this yonge lord him one,
Al naked in a povere plit:1526
His colour, which whilom was whyt,1527
Was thanne of water fade and pale,
And ek he was so sore acale
That he wiste of himself no bote,
It halp him nothing forto mote 640
To gete ayein that he hath lore.
Bot sche which hath his deth forbore,
P. iii. 297
Fortune, thogh sche wol noght yelpe,
Al sodeinly hath sent him helpe,
Whanne him thoghte alle grace aweie;
Ther cam a Fisshere in the weie,
And sih a man ther naked stonde,
And whan that he hath understonde
The cause, he hath of him gret routhe,
And onliche of his povere trouthe 650
Of suche clothes as he hadde
With gret Pite this lord he cladde.
[Pg 404]
And he him thonketh as he scholde,
And seith him that it schal be yolde,
If evere he gete his stat ayein,
And preide that he wolde him sein
If nyh were eny toun for him.
He seide, ‘Yee, Pentapolim,
Wher bothe king and queene duellen.’
Whanne he this tale herde tellen, 660
He gladeth him and gan beseche
That he the weie him wolde teche:
And he him taghte; and forth he wente
And preide god with good entente
To sende him joie after his sorwe.
Qualiter Appolino Pentapolim adueniente ludus Gignasii per vrbem publice proclamatus est.
It was noght passed yit Midmorwe,
Whan thiderward his weie he nam,1528
Wher sone upon the Non he cam.
He eet such as he myhte gete,
And forth anon, whan he hadde ete, 670
He goth to se the toun aboute,
And cam ther as he fond a route
P. iii. 298
Of yonge lusti men withalle;
And as it scholde tho befalle,
That day was set of such assisse,
That thei scholde in the londes guise,
As he herde of the poeple seie,1529
Here comun game thanne pleie;
And crid was that thei scholden come
Unto the gamen alle and some1530 680
Of hem that ben delivere and wyhte,
To do such maistrie as thei myhte.
Thei made hem naked as thei scholde,
For so that ilke game wolde,
As it was tho custume and us,1531
Amonges hem was no refus:
The flour of al the toun was there
And of the court also ther were,
And that was in a large place
[Pg 405]
Riht evene afore the kinges face, 690
Which Artestrathes thanne hihte.
The pley was pleid riht in his sihte,
And who most worthi was of dede
Receive he scholde a certein mede
And in the cite bere a pris.
Qualiter Appolinus ludum gignasii vincens in aulam1532 Regis ad cenam honorifice receptus est.
Appolinus, which war and wys
Of every game couthe an ende,
He thoghte assaie, hou so it wende,
And fell among hem into game:
And there he wan him such a name, 700
So as the king himself acompteth
That he alle othre men surmonteth,
P. iii. 299
And bar the pris above hem alle.
The king bad that into his halle
At Souper time he schal be broght;1533
And he cam thanne and lefte it noght,
Withoute compaignie al one:
Was non so semlich of persone,
Of visage and of limes bothe,
If that he hadde what to clothe. 710
At Soupertime natheles
The king amiddes al the pres
Let clepe him up among hem alle,
And bad his Mareschall of halle1534
To setten him in such degre
That he upon him myhte se.
The king was sone set and served,
And he, which hath his pris deserved1535
After the kinges oghne word,
Was mad beginne a Middel bord, 720
That bothe king and queene him sihe.
He sat and caste aboute his yhe
And sih the lordes in astat,
And with himself wax in debat
Thenkende what he hadde lore,
[Pg 406]
And such a sorwe he tok therfore,
That he sat evere stille and thoghte,
As he which of no mete roghte.
Qualiter Appolinus in cena recumbens nichil comedit, set doloroso vultu, submisso capite, ingemiscebat;1536 qui tandem a filia Regis confortatus cytharam plectens cunctis audientibus citharisando vltramodum complacuit.
The king behield his hevynesse,
And of his grete gentillesse 730
His doghter, which was fair and good
And ate bord before him stod,
P. iii. 300
As it was thilke time usage,
He bad to gon on his message
And fonde forto make him glad.
And sche dede as hire fader bad,
And goth to him the softe pas
And axeth whenne and what he was,
And preith he scholde his thoghtes leve.
He seith, ‘Ma Dame, be your leve 740
Mi name is hote Appolinus,
And of mi richesse it is thus,
Upon the See I have it lore.
The contre wher as I was bore,
Wher that my lond is and mi rente,
I lefte at Tyr, whan that I wente:
The worschipe of this worldes aghte,1537
Unto the god ther I betaghte.’1538
And thus togedre as thei tuo speeke,
The teres runne be his cheeke. 750
The king, which therof tok good kepe,
Hath gret Pite to sen him wepe,
And for his doghter sende ayein,
And preide hir faire and gan to sein
That sche no lengere wolde drecche,
Bot that sche wolde anon forth fecche
Hire harpe and don al that sche can
To glade with that sory man.
And sche to don hir fader heste 760
Hir harpe fette, and in the feste
Upon a Chaier which thei fette
Hirself next to this man sche sette:
[Pg 407]
P. iii. 301
With harpe bothe and ek with mouthe
To him sche dede al that sche couthe
To make him chiere, and evere he siketh,
And sche him axeth hou him liketh.
‘Ma dame, certes wel,’ he seide,
‘Bot if ye the mesure pleide
Which, if you list, I schal you liere,
It were a glad thing forto hiere.’ 770
‘Ha, lieve sire,’ tho quod sche,
‘Now tak the harpe and let me se1539
Of what mesure that ye mene.’
Tho preith the king, tho preith the queene,
Forth with the lordes alle arewe,
That he som merthe wolde schewe;
He takth the Harpe and in his wise
He tempreth, and of such assise
Singende he harpeth forth withal,
That as a vois celestial 780
Hem thoghte it souneth in here Ere,
As thogh that he an Angel were.1540
Thei gladen of his melodie,
Bot most of all the compainie
The kinges doghter, which it herde,
And thoghte ek hou that he ansuerde,1541
Whan that he was of hire opposed,1542
Withinne hir herte hath wel supposed
That he is of gret gentilesse.
Hise dedes ben therof witnesse 790
Forth with the wisdom of his lore;
It nedeth noght to seche more,
P. iii. 302
He myhte noght have such manere,
Of gentil blod bot if he were.
Whanne he hath harped al his fille,
The kinges heste to fulfille,
Awey goth dissh, awey goth cuppe,
Doun goth the bord, the cloth was uppe,
Thei risen and gon out of halle.
[Pg 408]
Qualiter Appolinus cum Rege pro filia sua erudienda retentus est.
The king his chamberlein let calle, 800
And bad that he be alle weie
A chambre for this man pourveie,
Which nyh his oghne chambre be.
‘It schal be do, mi lord,’ quod he.
Appolinus of whom I mene
Tho tok his leve of king and queene
And of the worthi Maide also,
Which preide unto hir fader tho,
That sche myhte of that yonge man1543
Of tho sciences whiche he can 810
His lore have; and in this wise
The king hir granteth his aprise,
So that himself therto assente.
Thus was acorded er thei wente,
That he with al that evere he may
This yonge faire freisshe May
Of that he couthe scholde enforme;1544
And full assented in this forme
Thei token leve as for that nyht.
Qualiter filia Regis Appolinum ornato apparatu vestiri fecit, et ipse ad puelle doctrinam in quampluribus familiariter intendebat: vnde placata puella in amorem Appolini exardescens infirmabatur.
And whanne it was amorwe lyht, 820
Unto this yonge man of Tyr
Of clothes and of good atir
P. iii. 303
With gold and Selver to despende
This worthi yonge lady sende:
And thus sche made him wel at ese,
And he with al that he can plese
Hire serveth wel and faire ayein.1545
He tawhte hir til sche was certein
Of Harpe, of Citole and of Rote,1546
With many a tun and many a note1547 830
Upon Musique, upon mesure,
And of hire Harpe the temprure
He tawhte hire ek, as he wel couthe.
Bot as men sein that frele is youthe,
With leisir and continuance
This Mayde fell upon a chance,
[Pg 409]
That love hath mad him a querele
Ayein hire youthe freissh and frele,
That malgre wher sche wole or noght,1548
Sche mot with al hire hertes thoght 840
To love and to his lawe obeie;
And that sche schal ful sore abeie.
For sche wot nevere what it is,
Bot evere among sche fieleth this:1549
Thenkende upon this man of Tyr,
Hire herte is hot as eny fyr,
And otherwhile it is acale;
Now is sche red, nou is sche pale
Riht after the condicion
Of hire ymaginacion; 850
Bot evere among hire thoghtes alle,
Sche thoghte, what so mai befalle,1550
P. iii. 304
Or that sche lawhe, or that sche wepe,
Sche wolde hire goode name kepe
For feere of wommanysshe schame.
Bot what in ernest and in game,1551
Sche stant for love in such a plit,
That sche hath lost al appetit
Of mete, of drinke, of nyhtes reste,1552
As sche that not what is the beste;1553 860
Bot forto thenken al hir fille
Sche hield hire ofte times stille
Withinne hir chambre, and goth noght oute:
The king was of hire lif in doute,
Which wiste nothing what it mente.
Qualiter tres filii Principum filiam Regis singillatim in vxorem suis supplicacionibus postularunt.
Bot fell a time, as he out wente
To walke, of Princes Sones thre
Ther come and felle to his kne;
And ech of hem in sondri wise
Besoghte and profreth his servise, 870
So that he myhte his doghter have.
The king, which wolde his honour save,1554
[Pg 410]
Seith sche is siek, and of that speche
Tho was no time to beseche;
Bot ech of hem do make a bille1555
He bad, and wryte his oghne wille,
His name, his fader and his good;
And whan sche wiste hou that it stod,
And hadde here billes oversein,
Thei scholden have ansuere ayein. 880
Of this conseil thei weren glad,
P. iii. 305
And writen as the king hem bad,
And every man his oghne bok
Into the kinges hond betok,
And he it to his dowhter sende,
And preide hir forto make an ende
And wryte ayein hire oghne hond,
Riht as sche in hire herte fond.
Qualiter filia Regis omnibus aliis relictis Appolinum in maritum preelegit.
The billes weren wel received,
Bot sche hath alle here loves weyved, 890
And thoghte tho was time and space
To put hire in hir fader grace,1556
And wrot ayein and thus sche saide:
‘The schame which is in a Maide
With speche dar noght ben unloke,
Bot in writinge it mai be spoke;
So wryte I to you, fader, thus:
Bot if I have Appolinus,
Of al this world, what so betyde,
I wol non other man abide. 900
And certes if I of him faile,
I wot riht wel withoute faile
Ye schull for me be dowhterles.’
This lettre cam, and ther was press
Tofore the king, ther as he stod;
And whan that he it understod,
He yaf hem ansuer by and by,
Bot that was do so prively,
That non of othres conseil wiste.
Thei toke her leve, and wher hem liste 910
Thei wente forth upon here weie.
[Pg 411]
Qualiter Rex et Regina in maritagium filie sue cum Appolino consencierunt.
The king ne wolde noght bewreie
P. iii. 306
The conseil for no maner hihe,
Bot soffreth til he time sihe:
And whan that he to chambre is come,
He hath unto his conseil nome
This man of Tyr, and let him se
The lettre and al the privete,
The which his dowhter to him sente:
And he his kne to grounde bente 920
And thonketh him and hire also,
And er thei wenten thanne atuo,
With good herte and with good corage
Of full Love and full mariage
The king and he ben hol acorded.
And after, whanne it was recorded
Unto the dowhter hou it stod,
The yifte of al this worldes good1557
Ne scholde have mad hir half so blythe:
And forth withal the king als swithe, 930
For he wol have hire good assent,
Hath for the queene hir moder sent.
The queene is come, and whan sche herde
Of this matiere hou that it ferde,
Sche syh debat, sche syh desese,
Bot if sche wolde hir dowhter plese,
And is therto assented full.
Which is a dede wonderfull,
For noman knew the sothe cas
Bot he himself, what man he was; 940
And natheles, so as hem thoghte,
Hise dedes to the sothe wroghte
P. iii. 307
That he was come of gentil blod:
Him lacketh noght bot worldes good,
And as therof is no despeir,
For sche schal ben hire fader heir,1558
And he was able to governe.
Thus wol thei noght the love werne
Of him and hire in none wise,
[Pg 412]
Bot ther acorded thei divise1559 950
The day and time of Mariage.
Qualiter Appolinus filie Regis nupsit, et prima nocte cum ea concubiens ipsam impregnauit.
Wher love is lord of the corage,
Him thenketh longe er that he spede;
Bot ate laste unto the dede
The time is come, and in her wise
With gret offrende and sacrifise
Thei wedde and make a riche feste,
And every thing which was honeste1560
Withinnen house and ek withoute
It was so don, that al aboute 960
Of gret worschipe, of gret noblesse1561
Ther cride many a man largesse1562
Unto the lordes hihe and loude;
The knyhtes that ben yonge and proude,
Thei jouste ferst and after daunce.
The day is go, the nyhtes chaunce
Hath derked al the bryhte Sonne;
This lord, which hath his love wonne,
Is go to bedde with his wif,
Wher as thei ladde a lusti lif,1563 970
And that was after somdel sene,
For as thei pleiden hem betwene,
P. iii. 308
Thei gete a child betwen hem tuo,
To whom fell after mochel wo.
Qualiter Ambaciatores a Tyro in quadam naui Pentapolim venientes mortem Regis Antiochi Appolino nunciarunt.
Now have I told of the spousailes.1564
Bot forto speke of the mervailes
Whiche afterward to hem befelle,
It is a wonder forto telle.
It fell adai thei riden oute,1565
The king and queene and al the route, 980
To pleien hem upon the stronde,
Wher as thei sen toward the londe
A Schip sailende of gret array.
To knowe what it mene may,
[Pg 413]
Til it be come thei abide;
Than sen thei stonde on every side,
Endlong the schipes bord to schewe,
Of Penonceals a riche rewe.
Thei axen when the schip is come:
Fro Tyr, anon ansuerde some, 990
And over this thei seiden more
The cause why thei comen fore
Was forto seche and forto finde
Appolinus, which was of kinde1566
Her liege lord: and he appiereth,
And of the tale which he hiereth
He was riht glad; for thei him tolde,
That for vengance, as god it wolde,
Antiochus, as men mai wite,
With thondre and lyhthnynge is forsmite;1567 1000
His doghter hath the same chaunce,
So be thei bothe in o balance.
P. iii. 309
‘Forthi, oure liege lord, we seie
In name of al the lond, and preie,
That left al other thing to done,
It like you to come sone
And se youre oghne liege men
With othre that ben of youre ken,
That live in longinge and desir1568
Til ye be come ayein to Tyr.’ 1010
This tale after the king it hadde
Pentapolim al overspradde,
Ther was no joie forto seche;
For every man it hadde in speche
And seiden alle of on acord,
‘A worthi king schal ben oure lord:
That thoghte ous ferst an hevinesse
Is schape ous now to gret gladnesse.’
Thus goth the tidinge overal.
Qualiter Appolino cum vxore sua impregnata a Pentapoli versus Tyrum nauigantibus, contigit vxorem, mortis articulo angustiatam, in naui filiam, que postea Thaisis vocabatur, parere.
Bot nede he mot, that nede schal: 1020
Appolinus his leve tok,
To god and al the lond betok
[Pg 414]
With al the poeple long and brod,
That he no lenger there abod.1569
The king and queene sorwe made,
Bot yit somdiel thei weren glade
Of such thing as thei herden tho:
And thus betwen the wel and wo
To schip he goth, his wif with childe,
The which was evere meke and mylde 1030
And wolde noght departe him fro,
Such love was betwen hem tuo.
P. iii. 310
Lichorida for hire office
Was take, which was a Norrice,
To wende with this yonge wif,
To whom was schape a woful lif.
Withinne a time, as it betidde,
Whan thei were in the See amidde,
Out of the North they sihe a cloude;
The storm aros, the wyndes loude 1040
Thei blewen many a dredful blast,
The welkne was al overcast,
The derke nyht the Sonne hath under,
Ther was a gret tempeste of thunder:
The Mone and ek the Sterres bothe
In blake cloudes thei hem clothe,
Wherof here brihte lok thei hyde.1570
This yonge ladi wepte and cride,
To whom no confort myhte availe;
Of childe sche began travaile, 1050
Wher sche lay in a Caban clos:
Hire woful lord fro hire aros,
And that was longe er eny morwe,
So that in anguisse and in sorwe
Sche was delivered al be nyhte
And ded in every mannes syhte;1571
Bot natheles for al this wo
A maide child was bore tho.
Qualiter Appolinus vxoris sue mortem planxit.
Appolinus whan he this knew,
For sorwe a swoune he overthrew,1572 1060
[Pg 415]
That noman wiste in him no lif.
And whanne he wok, he seide, ‘Ha, wif,
P. iii. 311
Mi lust, mi joie, my desir,1573
Mi welthe and my recoverir,
Why schal I live, and thou schalt dye?
Ha, thou fortune, I thee deffie,
Nou hast thou do to me thi werste.
Ha, herte, why ne wolt thou berste,
That forth with hire I myhte passe?1574
Mi peines weren wel the lasse.’ 1070
In such wepinge and in such cry
His dede wif, which lay him by,
A thousend sithes he hire kiste;
Was nevere man that sih ne wiste
A sorwe unto his sorwe lich;
For evere among upon the lich1575
He fell swounende, as he that soghte
His oghne deth, which he besoghte
Unto the goddes alle above
With many a pitous word of love; 1080
Bot suche wordes as tho were
Yit herde nevere mannes Ere,
Bot only thilke whiche he seide.
The Maister Schipman cam and preide
With othre suche as be therinne,
And sein that he mai nothing winne
Ayein the deth, bot thei him rede,
He be wel war and tak hiede,
The See be weie of his nature
Receive mai no creature 1090
Withinne himself as forto holde,
The which is ded: forthi thei wolde,
P. iii. 312
As thei conseilen al aboute,
The dede body casten oute.
For betre it is, thei seiden alle,
That it of hire so befalle,
Than if thei scholden alle spille.
[Pg 416]
The king, which understod here wille1576
Qualiter suadentibus nautis corpus vxoris sue mortue in quadam Cista plumbo et ferro obtusa1577 que circumligata Appolinus cum magno thesauro vna cum quadam littera sub eius capite scripta recludi et in mare1578 proici fecit.
And knew here conseil that was trewe,
Began ayein his sorwe newe 1100
With pitous herte, and thus to seie:
‘It is al reson that ye preie.
I am,’ quod he, ‘bot on al one,
So wolde I noght for mi persone
Ther felle such adversite.
Bot whan it mai no betre be,
Doth thanne thus upon my word,1579
Let make a cofre strong of bord,
That it be ferm with led and pich.’
Anon was mad a cofre sich,1580 1110
Al redy broght unto his hond;
And whanne he sih and redy fond
This cofre mad and wel enclowed,
The dede bodi was besowed
In cloth of gold and leid therinne.
And for he wolde unto hire winne
Upon som cooste a Sepulture,
Under hire heved in aventure
Of gold he leide Sommes grete
And of jeueals a strong beyete1581 1120
Forth with a lettre, and seide thus:
Copia littere Appolini capiti vxoris sue supposite.
‘I, king of Tyr Appollinus,
P. iii. 313
Do alle maner men to wite,
That hiere and se this lettre write,
That helpeles withoute red
Hier lith a kinges doghter ded:
And who that happeth hir to finde,
For charite tak in his mynde,1582
And do so that sche be begrave
With this tresor, which he schal have.’ 1130
Thus whan the lettre was full spoke,1583
Thei haue anon the cofre stoke,
[Pg 417]
And bounden it with yren faste,
That it may with the wawes laste,
And stoppen it be such a weie,
That it schal be withinne dreie,
So that no water myhte it grieve.
And thus in hope and good believe
Of that the corps schal wel aryve,
Thei caste it over bord als blyve. 1140
Qualiter Appolinus, vxoris sue corpore in mare proiecto, Tyrum relinquens cursum suum versus Tharsim nauigio dolens arripuit.
The Schip forth on the wawes wente;
The prince hath changed his entente,1584
And seith he wol noght come at Tyr
As thanne, bot al his desir
Is ferst to seilen unto Tharse.
The wyndy Storm began to skarse,
The Sonne arist, the weder cliereth,
The Schipman which behinde stiereth,
Whan that he sih the wyndes saghte,
Towardes Tharse his cours he straghte. 1150
Qualiter corpus predicte defuncte super litus apud Ephesim quidam medicus nomine Cerymon cum aliquibus suis discipulis inuenit; quod in hospicium suum1585 portans et extra cistam ponens, spiraculo vite in ea adhuc inuento, ipsam plene sanitati restituit.
Bot now to mi matiere ayein,
To telle as olde bokes sein,
P. iii. 314
This dede corps of which ye knowe
With wynd and water was forthrowe
Now hier, now ther, til ate laste
At Ephesim the See upcaste
The cofre and al that was therinne.
Of gret merveile now beginne
Mai hiere who that sitteth stille;
That god wol save mai noght spille. 1160
Riht as the corps was throwe alonde,
Ther cam walkende upon the stronde
A worthi clerc, a Surgien,
And ek a gret Phisicien,
Of al that lond the wisest on,
Which hihte Maister Cerymon;
Ther were of his disciples some.
This Maister to the Cofre is come,1586
He peiseth ther was somwhat in,
And bad hem bere it to his In, 1170
[Pg 418]
And goth himselve forth withal.
Al that schal falle, falle schal;
They comen hom and tarie noght;
This Cofre is into chambre broght,
Which that thei finde faste stoke,
Bot thei with craft it have unloke.
Thei loken in, where as thei founde
A bodi ded, which was bewounde1587
In cloth of gold, as I seide er,
The tresor ek thei founden ther 1180
Forth with the lettre, which thei rede.
And tho thei token betre hiede;
P. iii. 315
Unsowed was the bodi sone,
And he, which knew what is to done,1588
This noble clerk, with alle haste
Began the veines forto taste,
And sih hire Age was of youthe,
And with the craftes whiche he couthe
He soghte and fond a signe of lif.
With that this worthi kinges wif 1190
Honestely thei token oute,
And maden fyres al aboute;
Thei leide hire on a couche softe,
And with a scheete warmed ofte
Hire colde brest began to hete,
Hire herte also to flacke and bete.
This Maister hath hire every joignt
With certein oile and balsme enoignt,
And putte a liquour in hire mouth,
Which is to fewe clerkes couth, 1200
So that sche coevereth ate laste:
And ferst hire yhen up sche caste,
And whan sche more of strengthe cawhte,
Hire Armes bothe forth sche strawhte,
Hield up hire hond and pitously
Sche spak and seide, ‘Ha, wher am I?1589
Where is my lord, what world is this?’
[Pg 419]
As sche that wot noght hou it is.
Bot Cerymon the worthi leche
Ansuerde anon upon hire speche 1210
And seith, ‘Ma dame, yee ben hiere,
Where yee be sauf, as yee schal hiere
P. iii. 316
Hierafterward; forthi as nou
Mi conseil is, conforteth you:
For trusteth wel withoute faile,
Ther is nothing which schal you faile,
That oghte of reson to be do.’
Thus passen thei a day or tuo;
Thei speke of noght as for an ende,
Til sche began somdiel amende, 1220
And wiste hireselven what sche mente.
Qualiter vxor Appolini sanata domum religionis peciit, vbi sacro1591 velamine munita castam omni tempore se vouit.
Tho forto knowe hire hol entente,1590
This Maister axeth al the cas,
Hou sche cam there and what sche was.
‘Hou I cam hiere wot I noght,’
Quod sche, ‘bot wel I am bethoght
Of othre thinges al aboute’:
Fro point to point and tolde him oute
Als ferforthli as sche it wiste.
And he hire tolde hou in a kiste 1230
The See hire threw upon the lond,
And what tresor with hire he fond,
Which was al redy at hire wille,
As he that schop him to fulfille
With al his myht what thing he scholde.
Sche thonketh him that he so wolde,
And al hire herte sche discloseth,
And seith him wel that sche supposeth
Hire lord be dreint, hir child also;
So sih sche noght bot alle wo.1592 1240
Wherof as to the world nomore
Ne wol sche torne, and preith therfore
P. iii. 317
That in som temple of the Cite,
To kepe and holde hir chastete,
Sche mihte among the wommen duelle.
[Pg 420]
Whan he this tale hir herde telle,
He was riht glad, and made hire knowen
That he a dowhter of his owen
Hath, which he wol unto hir yive
To serve, whil thei bothe live, 1250
In stede of that which sche hath lost;
Al only at his oghne cost1593
Sche schal be rendred forth with hire.1594
She seith, ‘Grant mercy, lieve sire,
God quite it you, ther I ne may.’
And thus thei drive forth the day,
Til time com that sche was hol;
And tho thei take her conseil hol,1595
To schape upon good ordinance
And make a worthi pourveance1596 1260
Ayein the day whan thei be veiled.
And thus, whan that thei be conseiled,
In blake clothes thei hem clothe,
This lady and the dowhter bothe,
And yolde hem to religion.
The feste and the profession
After the reule of that degre
Was mad with gret solempnete,
Where as Diane is seintefied;
Thus stant this lady justefied 1270
In ordre wher sche thenkth to duelle.
Qualiter Appolinus Tharsim nauigans, filiam suam Thaisim Strangulioni et Dionisie vxori sue educandam commendauit; et deinde Tyrum adiit, vbi cum inestimabili gaudio a suis receptus est.
Bot now ayeinward forto telle
P. iii. 318
In what plit that hire lord stod inne:
He seileth, til that he may winne1597
The havene of Tharse, as I seide er;
And whanne he was aryved ther,
And it was thurgh the Cite knowe,1598
Men myhte se withinne a throwe,
As who seith, al the toun at ones,
That come ayein him for the nones, 1280
To yiven him the reverence,
So glad thei were of his presence:
[Pg 421]
And thogh he were in his corage
Desesed, yit with glad visage
He made hem chiere, and to his In,
Wher he whilom sojourned in,
He goth him straght and was resceived.
And whan the presse of poeple is weived,
He takth his hoste unto him tho,
And seith, ‘Mi frend Strangulio, 1290
Lo, thus and thus it is befalle,
And thou thiself art on of alle,
Forth with thi wif, whiche I most triste.1599
Forthi, if it you bothe liste,
My doghter Thaise be youre leve
I thenke schal with you beleve
As for a time; and thus I preie,
That sche be kept be alle weie,
And whan sche hath of age more,
That sche be set to bokes lore. 1300
And this avou to god I make,
That I schal nevere for hir sake
P. iii. 319
Mi berd for no likinge schave,
Til it befalle that I have
In covenable time of age
Beset hire unto mariage.’
Thus thei acorde, and al is wel,
And forto resten him somdel,
As for a while he ther sojorneth,
And thanne he takth his leve and torneth 1310
To Schipe, and goth him hom to Tyr,
Wher every man with gret desir
Awaiteth upon his comynge.
Bot whan the Schip com in seilinge,
And thei perceiven it is he,1600
Was nevere yit in no cite
Such joie mad as thei tho made;
His herte also began to glade
Of that he sih the poeple glad.1601
Lo, thus fortune his hap hath lad; 1320
[Pg 422]
In sondri wise he was travailed,
Bot hou so evere he be assailed,
His latere ende schal be good.
Qualiter Thaysis vna cum Philotenna Strangulionis et Dionisie filia omnis sciencie et honestatis doctrina imbuta est: set Thaisis Philotennam precellens in odium mortale per inuidiam a Dionisia recollecta est.
And forto speke hou that it stod
Of Thaise his doghter, wher sche duelleth,
In Tharse, as the Cronique telleth,
Sche was wel kept, sche was wel loked,
Sche was wel tawht, sche was wel boked,
So wel sche spedde hir in hire youthe
That sche of every wisdom couthe, 1330
That forto seche in every lond
So wys an other noman fond,
P. iii. 320
Ne so wel tawht at mannes yhe.
Bot wo worthe evere fals envie!1602
For it befell that time so,
A dowhter hath Strangulio,
The which was cleped Philotenne:
Bot fame, which wole evere renne,
Cam al day to hir moder Ere,
And seith, wher evere hir doghter were 1340
With Thayse set in eny place,
The comun vois, the comun grace
Was al upon that other Maide,
And of hir doghter noman saide.
Who wroth but Dionise thanne?
Hire thoghte a thousend yer til whanne
Sche myhte ben of Thaise wreke
Of that sche herde folk so speke.
And fell that ilke same tyde,
That ded was trewe Lychoride, 1350
Which hadde be servant to Thaise,
So that sche was the worse at aise,
For sche hath thanne no servise
Bot only thurgh this Dionise,
Which was hire dedlich Anemie
Thurgh pure treson and envie.
Sche, that of alle sorwe can,
Tho spak unto hire bondeman,
Which cleped was Theophilus,
[Pg 423]
And made him swere in conseil thus, 1360
That he such time as sche him sette
Schal come Thaise forto fette,
P. iii. 321
And lede hire oute of alle sihte,
Wher as noman hire helpe myhte,1603
Upon the Stronde nyh the See,
And there he schal this maiden sle.
This cherles herte is in a traunce,
As he which drad him of vengance
Whan time comth an other day;
Bot yit dorste he noght seie nay, 1370
Bot swor and seide he schal fulfille1604
Hire hestes at hire oghne wille.
Qualiter Dionisia Thaysim, vt occideretur,1605 Theophilo seruo suo tradidit, qui cum noctanter longius ab vrbe ipsam prope litus maris interficere proposuerat, Pirate ibidem prope1608 latitantes Thaisim de manu Carnificis eripuerunt, ipsamque vsque Ciuitatem Mitelenam ducentes, cuidam Leonino scortorum ibidem magistro vendiderunt.1609
The treson and the time is schape,
So fell it that this cherles knape1606
Hath lad this maiden ther he wolde1607
Upon the Stronde, and what sche scholde
Sche was adrad; and he out breide
A rusti swerd and to hir seide,
‘Thou schalt be ded.’ ‘Helas!’ quod sche,
‘Why schal I so?’ ‘Lo thus,’ quod he, 1380
‘Mi ladi Dionise hath bede,
Thou schalt be moerdred in this stede.’
This Maiden tho for feere schryhte,
And for the love of god almyhte
Sche preith that for a litel stounde
Sche myhte knele upon the grounde,
Toward the hevene forto crave,
Hire wofull Soule if sche mai save:1610
And with this noise and with this cry,1611
Out of a barge faste by, 1390
Which hidd was ther on Scomerfare,
Men sterten out and weren ware
P. iii. 322
Of this feloun, and he to go,
And sche began to crie tho,
[Pg 424]
‘Ha, mercy, help for goddes sake!
Into the barge thei hire take,
As thieves scholde, and forth thei wente.
Upon the See the wynd hem hente,
And malgre wher thei wolde or non,1612
Tofor the weder forth thei gon, 1400
Ther halp no Seil, ther halp non Ore,
Forstormed and forblowen sore
In gret peril so forth thei dryve,
Til ate laste thei aryve
At Mitelene the Cite.
In havene sauf and whan thei be,
The Maister Schipman made him boun,
And goth him out into the toun,
And profreth Thaise forto selle.
On Leonin it herde telle, 1410
Which Maister of the bordel was,
And bad him gon a redy pas
To fetten hire, and forth he wente,1613
And Thaise out of his barge he hente,
And to this bordeller hir solde.1614
And he, that be hire body wolde1615
Take avantage, let do crye,
That what man wolde his lecherie
Attempte upon hire maidenhede,
Lei doun the gold and he schal spede. 1420
And thus whan he hath crid it oute
In syhte of al the poeple aboute,
P. iii. 323
He ladde hire to the bordel tho.1616
Qualiter Leoninus Thaisim ad lupanar destinauit, vbi dei gracia preuenta ipsius virginitatem nullus violare potuit.
No wonder is thogh sche be wo:1617
Clos in a chambre be hireselve,
Ech after other ten or tuelve
Of yonge men to hire in wente;
Bot such a grace god hire sente,
That for the sorwe which sche made
Was non of hem which pouer hade 1430
[Pg 425]
To don hire eny vileinie.
This Leonin let evere aspie,
And waiteth after gret beyete;
Bot al for noght, sche was forlete,
That mo men wolde ther noght come.1618
Whan he therof hath hiede nome,
And knew that sche was yit a maide,
Unto his oghne man he saide,
That he with strengthe ayein hire leve
Tho scholde hir maidenhod bereve. 1440
This man goth in, bot so it ferde,
Whan he hire wofull pleintes herde
And he therof hath take kepe,
Him liste betre forto wepe
Than don oght elles to the game.
And thus sche kepte hirself fro schame,
And kneleth doun to therthe and preide1619
Unto this man, and thus sche seide:
‘If so be that thi maister wolde
That I his gold encresce scholde,1620 1450
It mai noght falle be this weie:
Bot soffre me to go mi weie
P. iii. 324
Out of this hous wher I am inne,
And I schal make him forto winne
In som place elles of the toun,
Be so it be religioun,1621
Wher that honeste wommen duelle.
And thus thou myht thi maister telle,
That whanne I have a chambre there,
Let him do crie ay wyde where, 1460
What lord that hath his doghter diere,
And is in will that sche schal liere
Of such a Scole that is trewe,
I schal hire teche of thinges newe,
Which as non other womman can1622
In al this lond.’ And tho this man
[Pg 426]
Hire tale hath herd, he goth ayein,
And tolde unto his maister plein
That sche hath seid; and therupon,
Whan than he sih beyete non 1470
At the bordel be cause of hire,
He bad his man to gon and spire
A place wher sche myhte abyde,
That he mai winne upon som side
Be that sche can: bot ate leste
Thus was sche sauf fro this tempeste.1623
Qualiter Thaisis a lupanari virgo liberata, inter sacras mulieres hospicium habens, sciencias quibus edocta fuit nobiles regni puellas ibidem edocebat.
He hath hire fro the bordel take,
Bot that was noght for goddes sake,
Bot for the lucre, as sche him tolde.
Now comen tho that comen wolde 1480
Of wommen in her lusty youthe,
To hiere and se what thing sche couthe:
P. iii. 325
Sche can the wisdom of a clerk,
Sche can of every lusti werk1624
Which to a gentil womman longeth,
And some of hem sche underfongeth
To the Citole and to the Harpe,
And whom it liketh forto carpe
Proverbes and demandes slyhe,
An other such thei nevere syhe, 1490
Which that science so wel tawhte:
Wherof sche grete yiftes cawhte,
That sche to Leonin hath wonne;
And thus hire name is so begonne
Of sondri thinges that she techeth,
That al the lond unto hir secheth
Of yonge wommen forto liere.
Qualiter Theophilus ad Dionisiam mane rediens affirmauit se Thaisim occidisse; super quo Dionisia vna cum Strangulione marito suo dolorem in publico confingentes,1625 exequias et sepulturam honorifice quantum ad extra subdola coniectacione fieri constituerunt.
Nou lete we this maiden hiere,
And speke of Dionise ayein
And of Theophile the vilein,1626 1500
Of whiche I spak of nou tofore.
Whan Thaise scholde have be forlore,
This false cherl to his lady
Whan he cam hom, al prively
[Pg 427]
He seith, ‘Ma Dame, slain I have1627
This maide Thaise, and is begrave
In prive place, as ye me biede.
Forthi, ma dame, taketh hiede
And kep conseil, hou so it stonde.’1628
This fend, which this hath understonde, 1510
Was glad, and weneth it be soth:
Now herkne, hierafter hou sche doth.1629
P. iii. 326
Sche wepth, sche sorweth, sche compleigneth,1630
And of sieknesse which sche feigneth
Sche seith that Taise sodeinly
Be nyhte is ded, ‘as sche and I
Togedre lyhen nyh my lord.’
Sche was a womman of record,
And al is lieved that sche seith;
And forto yive a more feith, 1520
Hire housebonde and ek sche bothe
In blake clothes thei hem clothe,
And made a gret enterrement;1631
And for the poeple schal be blent,
Of Thaise as for the remembrance,
After the real olde usance
A tumbe of latoun noble and riche
With an ymage unto hir liche
Liggende above therupon
Thei made and sette it up anon. 1530
Hire Epitaffe of good assisse
Was write aboute, and in this wise
It spak: ‘O yee that this beholde,
Lo, hier lith sche, the which was holde1632
The faireste and the flour of alle,
Whos name Thaïsis men calle.
The king of Tyr Appolinus
Hire fader was: now lith sche thus.
Fourtiene yer sche was of Age,
Whan deth hir tok to his viage.’ 1540
Qualiter Appolinus in regno suo apud Tyrum existens parliamentum fieri constituit.
Thus was this false treson hidd,
[Pg 428]
Which afterward was wyde kidd,
P. iii. 327
As be the tale a man schal hiere.
Bot forto dare mi matiere,1633
To Tyr I thenke torne ayein,
And telle as the Croniqes sein.
Whan that the king was comen hom,
And hath left in the salte fom
His wif, which he mai noght foryete,
For he som confort wolde gete, 1550
He let somoune a parlement,
To which the lordes were asent;
And of the time he hath ben oute,
He seth the thinges al aboute,
And told hem ek hou he hath fare,1634
Whil he was out of londe fare;
And preide hem alle to abyde,
For he wolde at the same tyde
Do schape for his wyves mynde,
As he that wol noght ben unkinde. 1560
Solempne was that ilke office,
And riche was the sacrifice,
The feste reali was holde:
And therto was he wel beholde;
For such a wif as he hadde on
In thilke daies was ther non.
Qualiter Appolinus post parliamentum Tharsim pro Thaise filia sua querenda adiit, qua ibidem non inventa abinde navigio recessit.
Whan this was do, thanne he him thoghte
Upon his doghter, and besoghte
Suche of his lordes as he wolde,
That thei with him to Tharse scholde, 1570
To fette his doghter Taise there:
And thei anon al redy were,
P. iii. 328
To schip they gon and forth thei wente,
Til thei the havene of Tharse hente.
They londe and faile of that thei seche
Be coverture and sleyhte of speche:
This false man Strangulio,
And Dionise his wif also,
That he the betre trowe myhte,
[Pg 429]
Thei ladden him to have a sihte 1580
Wher that hir tombe was arraied.
The lasse yit he was mispaied,
And natheles, so as he dorste,
He curseth and seith al the worste
Unto fortune, as to the blinde,
Which can no seker weie finde;
For sche him neweth evere among,
And medleth sorwe with his song.
Bot sithe it mai no betre be,
Qualiter Nauis Appolini ventis agitata portum vrbis Mitelene in die quo festa Neptuni celebrare1635 consueuerunt applicuit; set ipse pre dolore Thaysis filie sue, quam mortuam reputabat, in fundo nauis obscuro iacens lumen videre noluit.
He thonketh god and forth goth he1636 1590
Seilende toward Tyr ayein.
Bot sodeinly the wynd and reyn
Begonne upon the See debate,
So that he soffre mot algate
The lawe which Neptune ordeigneth;
Wherof fulofte time he pleigneth,
And hield him wel the more esmaied
Of that he hath tofore assaied.
So that for pure sorwe and care,
Of that he seth his world so fare, 1600
The reste he lefte of his Caban,
That for the conseil of noman
P. iii. 329
Ayein therinne he nolde come,
Bot hath benethe his place nome,
Wher he wepende al one lay,
Ther as he sih no lyht of day.
And thus tofor the wynd thei dryve,
Til longe and late thei aryve
With gret distresce, as it was sene,
Upon this toun of Mitelene, 1610
Which was a noble cite tho.
And hapneth thilke time so,
The lordes bothe and the comune
The hihe festes of Neptune
Upon the stronde at the rivage,
As it was custumme and usage,
Sollempneliche thei besihe.
[Pg 430]
Qualiter Athenagoras vrbis Mitelene Princeps, nauim Appollini inuestigans, ipsum sic contristatum nichilque respondentem consolari satagebat.
Whan thei this strange vessel syhe
Come in, and hath his Seil avaled,
The toun therof hath spoke and taled. 1620
The lord which of the cite was,1637
Whos name is Athenagoras,
Was there, and seide he wolde se
What Schip it is, and who thei be
That ben therinne: and after sone,
Whan that he sih it was to done,
His barge was for him arraied,
And he goth forth and hath assaied.
He fond the Schip of gret Array,
Bot what thing it amonte may, 1630
He seth thei maden hevy chiere,
Bot wel him thenkth be the manere
P. iii. 330
That thei be worthi men of blod,1638
And axeth of hem hou it stod;
And thei him tellen al the cas,
Hou that here lord fordrive was,
And what a sorwe that he made,1639
Of which ther mai noman him glade.
He preith that he here lord mai se,
Bot thei him tolde it mai noght be, 1640
For he lith in so derk a place,1640
That ther may no wiht sen his face:
Bot for al that, thogh hem be loth,
He fond the ladre and doun he goth,
And to him spak, bot non ansuere
Ayein of him ne mihte he bere1641
For oght that he can don or sein;
And thus he goth him up ayein.
Tho was ther spoke in many wise1642
Amonges hem that weren wise, 1650
Now this, now that, bot ate laste
Qualiter precepto Principis, vt Appolinum consolaretur, Thaisis cum cithara sua ad ipsum in obscuro nauis, vbi jacebat, producta est.
The wisdom of the toun this caste,
That yonge Taise were asent.
For if ther be amendement
[Pg 431]
To glade with this woful king,
Sche can so moche of every thing,
That sche schal gladen him anon.
A Messager for hire is gon,
And sche cam with hire Harpe on honde,
And seide hem that sche wolde fonde 1660
Be alle weies that sche can,1643
To glade with this sory man.
P. iii. 331
Bot what he was sche wiste noght,
Bot al the Schip hire hath besoght
That sche hire wit on him despende,
In aunter if he myhte amende,
And sein it schal be wel aquit.
Whan sche hath understonden it,
Sche goth hir doun, ther as he lay,
Wher that sche harpeth many a lay 1670
And lich an Angel sang withal;
Bot he nomore than the wal
Tok hiede of eny thing he herde.
And whan sche sih that he so ferde,
Sche falleth with him into wordes,
And telleth him of sondri bordes,
And axeth him demandes strange,
Wherof sche made his herte change,
And to hire speche his Ere he leide
And hath merveile of that sche seide. 1680
For in proverbe and in probleme
Sche spak, and bad he scholde deme
In many soubtil question:1644
Bot he for no suggestioun
Which toward him sche couthe stere,
He wolde noght o word ansuere,
Bot as a madd man ate laste1645
His heved wepende awey he caste,
And half in wraththe he bad hire go.
Bot yit sche wolde noght do so, 1690
And in the derke forth sche goth,
Til sche him toucheth, and he wroth,
[Pg 432]
P. iii. 332
And after hire with his hond
He smot: and thus whan sche him fond
Desesed, courtaisly sche saide,
‘Avoi, mi lord, I am a Maide;
And if ye wiste what I am,
And out of what lignage I cam,
Ye wolde noght be so salvage.’
Qualiter, sicut deus destinauit, pater filiam inuentam recognouit.
With that he sobreth his corage 1700
And put awey his bevy chiere.
Bot of hem tuo a man mai liere
What is to be so sibb of blod:
Non wiste of other hou it stod,
And yit the fader ate laste
His herte upon this maide caste,
That he hire loveth kindely,
And yit he wiste nevere why.
Bot al was knowe er that thei wente;
For god, which wot here hol entente,1646 1710
Here hertes bothe anon descloseth.
This king unto this maide opposeth,
And axeth ferst what was hire name,1647
And wher sche lerned al this game,
And of what ken that sche was come.1648
And sche, that hath hise wordes nome,
Ansuerth and seith, ‘My name is Thaise,
That was som time wel at aise:
In Tharse I was forthdrawe and fed,
Ther lerned I, til I was sped, 1720
Of that I can. Mi fader eke
I not wher that I scholde him seke;
P. iii. 333
He was a king, men tolde me:
Mi Moder dreint was in the See.’
Fro point to point al sche him tolde,
That sche hath longe in herte holde,
And nevere dorste make hir mone
Bot only to this lord al one,
To whom hire herte can noght hele,
Torne it to wo, torne it to wele, 1730
[Pg 433]
Torne it to good, torne it to harm.
And he tho toke hire in his arm,1649
Bot such a joie as he tho made
Was nevere sen; thus be thei glade,
That sory hadden be toforn.
Fro this day forth fortune hath sworn
To sette him upward on the whiel;
So goth the world, now wo, now wel:
This king hath founde newe grace,
So that out of his derke place 1740
He goth him up into the liht,
And with him cam that swete wiht,
His doghter Thaise, and forth anon
Thei bothe into the Caban gon
Which was ordeigned for the king,
And ther he dede of al his thing,
And was arraied realy.
Qualiter Athenagoras Appolinum de naui in hospicium honorifice recollegit, et Thaisim, patre consenciente, in vxorem duxit.
And out he cam al openly,
Wher Athenagoras he fond,
The which was lord of al the lond:1650 1750
He preith the king to come and se
His castell bothe and his cite,
P. iii. 334
And thus thei gon forth alle in fiere,
This king, this lord, this maiden diere.1651
This lord tho made hem riche feste
With every thing which was honeste,1652
To plese with this worthi king,
Ther lacketh him no maner thing:
Bot yit for al his noble array
Wifles he was into that day, 1760
As he that yit was of yong Age;1653
So fell ther into his corage
The lusti wo, the glade peine
Of love, which noman restreigne
Yit nevere myhte as nou tofore.
This lord thenkth al his world forlore,
Bot if the king wol don him grace;
[Pg 434]
He waiteth time, he waiteth place,
Him thoghte his herte wol tobreke,
Til he mai to this maide speke 1770
And to hir fader ek also
For mariage: and it fell so,
That al was do riht as he thoghte,
His pourpos to an ende he broghte,
Sche weddeth him as for hire lord;
Thus be thei alle of on acord.
Qualiter Appolinus vna cum filia et eius marito nauim ingredientes a Mitelena vsque Tharsim cursum proposuerunt. Set Appolinus in sompnis ammonitus versus Ephesim, vt ibidem in templo Diane sacrificaret, vela per mare diuertit.
Whan al was do riht as thei wolde,
The king unto his Sone tolde
Of Tharse thilke traiterie,
And seide hou in his compaignie 1780
His doghter and himselven eke
Schull go vengance forto seke.
P. iii. 335
The Schipes were redy sone,
And whan thei sihe it was to done,
Withoute lette of eny wente
With Seil updrawe forth thei wente
Towardes Tharse upon the tyde.
Bot he that wot what schal betide,
The hihe god, which wolde him kepe,
Whan that this king was faste aslepe,1654 1790
Be nyhtes time he hath him bede
To seile into an other stede:1655
To Ephesim he bad him drawe,
And as it was that time lawe,
He schal do there his sacrifise;
And ek he bad in alle wise
That in the temple amonges alle
His fortune, as it is befalle,
Touchende his doghter and his wif
He schal beknowe upon his lif. 1800
The king of this Avisioun
Hath gret ymaginacioun,
What thing it signefie may;
And natheles, whan it was day,
He bad caste Ancher and abod;
And whil that he on Ancher rod,
[Pg 435]
The wynd, which was tofore strange,
Upon the point began to change,
And torneth thider as it scholde.
Tho knew he wel that god it wolde, 1810
And bad the Maister make him yare,
Tofor the wynd for he wol fare
P. iii. 336
To Ephesim, and so he dede.
And whanne he cam unto the stede
Where as he scholde londe, he londeth
With al the haste he may, and fondeth
To schapen him be such a wise,
That he may be the morwe arise
And don after the mandement
Of him which hath him thider sent. 1820
And in the wise that he thoghte,
Upon the morwe so he wroghte;
His doghter and his Sone he nom,
And forth unto the temple he com
With a gret route in compaignie,
Hise yiftes forto sacrifie.
The citezeins tho herden seie
Of such a king that cam to preie
Unto Diane the godesse,
And left al other besinesse, 1830
Thei comen thider forto se
The king and the solempnete.
Qualiter Appolinus Ephesim in templo Diane sacrificans, vxorem suam ibidem velatam inuenit; qua secum assumpta in Nauim, versus Tyrum regressus est.
With worthi knyhtes environed
The king himself hath abandoned
Into the temple in good entente.
The dore is up, and he in wente,1656
Wher as with gret devocioun
Of holi contemplacioun
Withinne his herte he made his schrifte;
And after that a riche yifte 1840
He offreth with gret reverence,
And there in open Audience1657
P. iii. 337
Of hem that stoden thanne aboute,1658
He tolde hem and declareth oute
[Pg 436]
His hap, such as him is befalle,
Ther was nothing foryete of alle.
His wif, as it was goddes grace,
Which was professed in the place,
As sche that was Abbesse there,
Unto his tale hath leid hire Ere: 1850
Sche knew the vois and the visage,
For pure joie as in a rage
Sche strawhte unto him al at ones,
And fell aswoune upon the stones,1659
Wherof the temple flor was paved.
Sche was anon with water laved,
Til sche cam to hirself ayein,
And thanne sche began to sein:
‘Ha, blessed be the hihe sonde,
That I mai se myn housebonde, 1860
That whilom he and I were on!’1660
The king with that knew hire anon,
And tok hire in his Arm and kiste;
And al the toun thus sone it wiste.
Tho was ther joie manyfold,
For every man this tale hath told
As for miracle, and were glade,
Bot nevere man such joie made
As doth the king, which hath his wif.
And whan men herde hou that hir lif 1870
Was saved, and be whom it was,
Thei wondren alle of such a cas:
P. iii. 338
Thurgh al the Lond aros the speche
Of Maister Cerymon the leche
And of the cure which he dede.
The king himself tho hath him bede,
And ek this queene forth with him,1661
That he the toun of Ephesim
Wol leve and go wher as thei be,
For nevere man of his degre 1880
Hath do to hem so mochel good;
And he his profit understod,
[Pg 437]
And granteth with hem forto wende.
And thus thei maden there an ende,
And token leve and gon to Schipe
With al the hole felaschipe.
Qualiter Appolinus vna cum vxore et filia sua Thyrum applicuit.
This king, which nou hath his desir,
Seith he wol holde his cours to Tyr.
Thei hadden wynd at wille tho,
With topseilcole and forth they go,1662 1890
And striken nevere, til thei come
To Tyr, where as thei havene nome,1663
And londen hem with mochel blisse.
Tho was ther many a mowth to kisse,
Echon welcometh other hom,
Bot whan the queen to londe com,
And Thaise hir doghter be hir side,
The joie which was thilke tyde
Ther mai no mannes tunge telle:
Thei seiden alle, ‘Hier comth the welle 1900
Of alle wommannysshe grace.’
The king hath take his real place,
P. iii. 339
The queene is into chambre go:
Ther was gret feste arraied tho;
Whan time was, thei gon to mete,
Alle olde sorwes ben foryete,
And gladen hem with joies newe:
The descoloured pale hewe
Is now become a rody cheke,
Ther was no merthe forto seke, 1910
Bot every man hath that he wolde.1664
Qualiter Appolinus Athenagoram cum Thaise vxore sua super Tyrum coronari fecit.1665
The king, as he wel couthe and scholde,
Makth to his poeple riht good chiere;
And after sone, as thou schalt hiere,
A parlement he hath sommoned,
Wher he his doghter hath coroned
Forth with the lord of Mitelene,
That on is king, that other queene:
And thus the fadres ordinance
[Pg 438]
This lond hath set in governance,1666 1920
And seide thanne he wolde wende1667
To Tharse, forto make an ende
Of that his doghter was betraied.
Therof were alle men wel paied,1668
And seide hou it was forto done:
The Schipes weren redi sone,
And strong pouer with him he tok;1669
Up to the Sky he caste his lok,1670
And syh the wynd was covenable.
Qualiter Appolinus a Tyro per mare versus Tharsim iter arripiens vindictam contra Strangulionem et Dionisiam vxorem suam pro iniuria, quam ipsi Thaisi filie sue intulerunt, iudicialiter assecutus est.
Thei hale up Ancher with the cable, 1930
The Seil on hih, the Stiere in honde,1671
And seilen, til thei come alonde
P. iii. 340
At Tharse nyh to the cite;
And whan thei wisten it was he,
The toun hath don him reverence.
He telleth hem the violence,
Which the tretour Strangulio
And Dionise him hadde do
Touchende his dowhter, as yee herde;1672
And whan thei wiste hou that it ferde,1673 1940
As he which pes and love soghte,
Unto the toun this he besoghte,
To don him riht in juggement.
Anon thei were bothe asent
With strengthe of men, and comen sone,
And as hem thoghte it was to done,
Atteint thei were be the lawe
And diemed forto honge and drawe,
And brent and with the wynd toblowe,
That al the world it myhte knowe: 1950
And upon this condicion
The dom in execucion
Was put anon withoute faile.
And every man hath gret mervaile,
[Pg 439]
Which herde tellen of this chance,
And thonketh goddes pourveance,
Which doth mercy forth with justice.
Slain is the moerdrer and moerdrice
Thurgh verray trowthe of rihtwisnesse,
And thurgh mercy sauf is simplesse 1960
Of hire whom mercy preserveth;
Thus hath he wel that wel deserveth.
P. iii. 341
Qualiter Artestrate Pentapolim Rege mortuo, ipsi de regno Epistolas super hoc Appolino direxerunt: vnde Appolinus vna cum vxore sua ibidem aduenientes ad decus imperii cum magno gaudio coronati sunt.
Whan al this thing is don and ended,
This king, which loved was and frended,
A lettre hath, which cam to him
Be Schipe fro Pentapolim,
Be which the lond hath to him write,1674
That he wolde understonde and wite
Hou in good mynde and in good pes
Ded is the king Artestrates, 1970
Wherof thei alle of on acord
Him preiden, as here liege lord,
That he the lettre wel conceive1675
And come his regne to receive,
Which god hath yove him and fortune;
And thus besoghte the commune
Forth with the grete lordes alle.
This king sih how it was befalle,1676
Fro Tharse and in prosperite
He tok his leve of that Cite 1980
And goth him into Schipe ayein:
The wynd was good, the See was plein,
Hem nedeth noght a Riff to slake,
Til thei Pentapolim have take.
The lond, which herde of that tidinge,
Was wonder glad of his cominge;
He resteth him a day or tuo
And tok his conseil to him tho,
And sette a time of Parlement,
Wher al the lond of on assent 1990
Forth with his wif hath him corouned,
[Pg 440]
Wher alle goode him was fuisouned.
P. iii. 342
Lo, what it is to be wel grounded:1677
For he hath ferst his love founded
Honesteliche as forto wedde,
Honesteliche his love he spedde
And hadde children with his wif,
And as him liste he ladde his lif;
And in ensample his lif was write,1678
That alle lovers myhten wite 2000
How ate laste it schal be sene
Of love what thei wolden mene.
For se now on that other side,
Antiochus with al his Pride,
Which sette his love unkindely,
His ende he hadde al sodeinly,1679
Set ayein kinde upon vengance,
And for his lust hath his penance.
Confessor ad Amantem.1680
Lo thus, mi Sone, myht thou liere
What is to love in good manere, 2010
And what to love in other wise:
The mede arist of the servise;
Fortune, thogh sche be noght stable,
Yit at som time is favorable
To hem that ben of love trewe.
Bot certes it is forto rewe
To se love ayein kinde falle,
For that makth sore a man to falle,
As thou myht of tofore rede.
Forthi, my Sone, I wolde rede 2020
To lete al other love aweie,
Bot if it be thurgh such a weie
P. iii. 343
As love and reson wolde acorde.
For elles, if that thou descorde,
And take lust as doth a beste,
Thi love mai noght ben honeste;
For be no skile that I finde
[Pg 441]
[The Lover requires Counsel.]
Such lust is noght of loves kinde.
Confessio Amantis, vnde pro finali conclusione consilium Confessoris impetrat.
Mi fader, hou so that it stonde,
Youre tale is herd and understonde, 2030
As thing which worthi is to hiere,
Of gret ensample and gret matiere,
Wherof, my fader, god you quyte.
Bot in this point miself aquite
I mai riht wel, that nevere yit
I was assoted in my wit,
Bot only in that worthi place
Wher alle lust and alle grace
Is set, if that danger ne were.
Bot that is al my moste fere: 2040
I not what ye fortune acompte,
Bot what thing danger mai amonte
I wot wel, for I have assaied;
For whan myn herte is best arraied
And I have al my wit thurghsoght
Of love to beseche hire oght,
For al that evere I skile may,1681
I am concluded with a nay:
That o sillable hath overthrowe
A thousend wordes on a rowe 2050
Of suche as I best speke can;
Thus am I bot a lewed man.
P. iii. 344
Bot, fader, for ye ben a clerk
Of love, and this matiere is derk,
And I can evere leng the lasse,
Bot yit I mai noght let it passe,1682
Youre hole conseil I beseche,
That ye me be som weie teche
What is my beste, as for an ende.
Mi Sone, unto the trouthe wende 2060
Now wol I for the love of thee,
And lete alle othre truffles be.1683
The more that the nede is hyh,
The more it nedeth to be slyh
[Pg 442]
[The Confessor Replies.]
To him which hath the nede on honde.
I have wel herd and understonde,
Mi Sone, al that thou hast me seid,
Hic super Amoris causa finita confessione, Confessor Genius Amanti ea que sibi salubrius expediunt, sano consilio finaliter iniungit.
And ek of that thou hast me preid,
Nou at this time that I schal
As for conclusioun final 2070
Conseile upon thi nede sette:1684
So thenke I finaly to knette
This cause, where it is tobroke,
And make an ende of that is spoke.1685
For I behihte thee that yifte
Ferst whan thou come under my schrifte,
That thogh I toward Venus were,
Yit spak I suche wordes there,
That for the Presthod which I have,
Min ordre and min astat to save, 2080
I seide I wolde of myn office
To vertu more than to vice
P. iii. 345
Encline, and teche thee mi lore.
Forthi to speken overmore
Of love, which thee mai availe,
Tak love where it mai noght faile:1686
For as of this which thou art inne,
Be that thou seist it is a Sinne,
And Sinne mai no pris deserve,
Withoute pris and who schal serve, 2090
I not what profit myhte availe.
Thus folweth it, if thou travaile,
Wher thou no profit hast ne pris,
Thou art toward thiself unwis:
And sett thou myhtest lust atteigne,1687
Of every lust thende is a peine,
And every peine is good to fle;
So it is wonder thing to se,1688
Why such a thing schal be desired.
[Pg 443]
The more that a Stock is fyred, 2100
The rathere into Aisshe it torneth;
The fot which in the weie sporneth
Fulofte his heved hath overthrowe;
Thus love is blind and can noght knowe1689
Wher that he goth, til he be falle:
Forthi, bot if it so befalle1690
With good conseil that he be lad,
Him oghte forto ben adrad.
For conseil passeth alle thing
To him which thenkth to ben a king; 2110
And every man for his partie
A kingdom hath to justefie,
P. iii. 346
That is to sein his oghne dom.
If he misreule that kingdom,
He lest himself, and that is more
Than if he loste Schip and Ore
And al the worldes good withal:
For what man that in special
Hath noght himself, he hath noght elles,
Nomor the perles than the schelles; 2120
Al is to him of o value:
Thogh he hadde at his retenue
The wyde world riht as he wolde,
Whan he his herte hath noght withholde
Toward himself, al is in vein.
And thus, my Sone, I wolde sein,
As I seide er, that thou aryse,
Er that thou falle in such a wise
That thou ne myht thiself rekevere:
For love, which that blind was evere, 2130
Makth alle his servantz blinde also.
My Sone, and if thou have be so,
Yit is it time to withdrawe,
And set thin herte under that lawe,1691
The which of reson is governed
And noght of will. And to be lerned,
Ensamples thou hast many on
[Pg 444]
Of now and ek of time gon,1692
That every lust is bot a while;
And who that wole himself beguile, 2140
He may the rathere be deceived.
Mi Sone, now thou hast conceived
P. iii. 347
Somwhat of that I wolde mene;
Hierafterward it schal be sene
If that thou lieve upon mi lore;
For I can do to thee nomore
Bot teche thee the rihte weie:
Now ches if thou wolt live or deie.
[The Controversy.]
Mi fader, so as I have herd
Your tale, bot it were ansuerd, 2150
Hic loquitur de controuersia, que inter Confessorem et Amantem in fine confessionis versabatur.
I were mochel forto blame.
Mi wo to you is bot a game,
That fielen noght of that I fiele;1693
The fielinge of a mannes Hiele
Mai noght be likned to the Herte:
I mai noght, thogh I wolde, asterte,
And ye be fre from al the peine
Of love, wherof I me pleigne.
It is riht esi to comaunde;
The hert which fre goth on the launde 2160
Not of an Oxe what him eileth;
It falleth ofte a man merveileth
Of that he seth an other fare,
Bot if he knewe himself the fare,
And felt it as it is in soth,
He scholde don riht as he doth,
Or elles werse in his degre:
For wel I wot, and so do ye,
That love hath evere yit ben used,
So mot I nedes ben excused. 2170
Bot, fader, if ye wolde thus
Unto Cupide and to Venus
P. iii. 348
Be frendlich toward mi querele,
So that myn herte were in hele
[Pg 445]
Of love which is in mi briest,
I wot wel thanne a betre Prest
Was nevere mad to my behove.
Bot al the whiles that I hove1694
In noncertein betwen the tuo,1695
And not if I to wel or wo1696 2180
Schal torne, that is al my drede,
So that I not what is to rede.
Bot for final conclusion
I thenke a Supplicacion
With pleine wordes and expresse
Wryte unto Venus the goddesse,
The which I preie you to bere
And bringe ayein a good ansuere.
Tho was betwen mi Prest and me
Debat and gret perplexete: 2190
Mi resoun understod him wel,
And knew it was soth everydel
That he hath seid, bot noght forthi
Mi will hath nothing set therby.
For techinge of so wis a port1697
Is unto love of no desport;
Yit myhte nevere man beholde
Reson, wher love was withholde,
Thei be noght of o governance.
And thus we fellen in distance, 2200
Mi Prest and I, bot I spak faire,
And thurgh mi wordes debonaire
P. iii. 349
Thanne ate laste we acorden,1698
So that he seith he wol recorden
To speke and stonde upon mi syde
To Venus bothe and to Cupide;
And bad me wryte what I wolde,
And seith me trewly that he scholde
Mi lettre here unto the queene.
And I sat doun upon the grene 2210
[Pg 446]
[The Supplication.]
Fulfilt of loves fantasie,
And with the teres of myn ÿe
In stede of enke I gan to wryte
The wordes whiche I wolde endite1699
Unto Cupide and to Venus,
And in mi lettre I seide thus.
The wofull peine of loves maladie,
Hic tractat formam cuiusdam Supplicacionis, quam ex parte Amantis per manus Genii Sacerdotis sui Venus sibi porrectam acceptabat.
Ayein the which mai no phisique availe,
Min herte hath so bewhaped with sotie,
That wher so that I reste or I travaile,1700 2220
I finde it evere redy to assaile
Mi resoun, which that can him noght defende:
Thus seche I help, wherof I mihte amende.
Ferst to Nature if that I me compleigne,
Ther finde I hou that every creature
Som time ayer hath love in his demeine,
So that the litel wrenne in his mesure
Hath yit of kinde a love under his cure;1701
And I bot on desire, of which I misse:
And thus, bot I, hath every kinde his blisse. 2230
P. iii. 350
The resoun of my wit it overpasseth,
Of that Nature techeth me the weie
To love, and yit no certein sche compasseth
Hou I schal spede, and thus betwen the tweie
I stonde, and not if I schal live or deie.
For thogh reson ayein my will debate,
I mai noght fle, that I ne love algate.
Upon miself is thilke tale come,
Hou whilom Pan, which is the god of kinde,
With love wrastlede and was overcome:1702 2240
For evere I wrastle and evere I am behinde,
That I no strengthe in al min herte finde,
Wherof that I mai stonden eny throwe;
So fer mi wit with love is overthrowe.
[Pg 447]
Whom nedeth help, he mot his helpe crave,
Or helpeles he schal his nede spille:
Pleinly thurghsoght my wittes alle I have,1703
Bot non of hem can helpe after mi wille;
And als so wel I mihte sitte stille,
As preie unto mi lady eny helpe: 2250
Thus wot I noght wherof miself to helpe.1704
Unto the grete Jove and if I bidde,
To do me grace of thilke swete tunne,
Which under keie in his celier amidde
Lith couched, that fortune is overrunne,
Bot of the bitter cuppe I have begunne,
I not hou ofte, and thus finde I no game;1705
For evere I axe and evere it is the same.
P. iii. 351
I se the world stonde evere upon eschange,
Nou wyndes loude, and nou the weder softe; 2260
I mai sen ek the grete mone change,
And thing which nou is lowe is eft alofte;
The dredfull werres into pes fulofte
Thei torne; and evere is Danger in o place,
Which wol noght change his will to do me grace.
Bot upon this the grete clerc Ovide,
Of love whan he makth his remembrance,
He seith ther is the blinde god Cupide,
The which hath love under his governance,
And in his hond with many a fyri lance1706 2270
He woundeth ofte, ther he wol noght hele;
And that somdiel is cause of mi querele.1707
Ovide ek seith that love to parforne
Stant in the hond of Venus the goddesse,
Bot whan sche takth hir conseil with Satorne,
Ther is no grace, and in that time, I gesse,
Began mi love, of which myn hevynesse
Is now and evere schal, bot if I spede:
So wot I noght miself what is to rede.
[Pg 448]
Forthi to you, Cupide and Venus bothe, 2280
With al myn hertes obeissance I preie,
If ye were ate ferste time wrothe,
Whan I began to love, as I you seie,
Nou stynt, and do thilke infortune aweie,1708
So that Danger, which stant of retenue
With my ladi, his place mai remue.
P. iii. 352
O thou Cupide, god of loves lawe,
That with thi Dart brennende hast set afyre
Min herte, do that wounde be withdrawe,
Or yif me Salve such as I desire: 2290
For Service in thi Court withouten hyre
To me, which evere yit have kept thin heste,
Mai nevere be to loves lawe honeste.
O thou, gentile Venus, loves queene,1709
Withoute gult thou dost on me thi wreche;
Thou wost my peine is evere aliche grene
For love, and yit I mai it noght areche:
This wold I for my laste word beseche,1710
That thou mi love aquite as I deserve,
Or elles do me pleinly forto sterve. 2300
[Venus replies to the Supplication.]
Whanne I this Supplicacioun
With good deliberacioun,
Hic loquitur qualiter Venus, accepta Amantis Supplicacione, indilate ad singula respondit.
In such a wise as ye nou wite,
Hadde after min entente write
Unto Cupide and to Venus,
This Prest which hihte Genius
It tok on honde to presente,
On my message and forth he wente
To Venus, forto wite hire wille.
And I bod in the place stille, 2310
And was there bot a litel while,
Noght full the montance of a Mile,
Whan I behield and sodeinly
I sih wher Venus stod me by.
P. iii. 353
So as I myhte, under a tre
[Pg 449]
To grounde I fell upon mi kne,
And preide hire forto do me grace:
Sche caste hire chiere upon mi face,
And as it were halvinge a game1711
Sche axeth me what is mi name.1712 2320
‘Ma dame,’ I seide, ‘John Gower.’
‘Now John,’ quod sche, ‘in my pouer
Thou most as of thi love stonde;
For I thi bille have understonde,
In which to Cupide and to me
Somdiel thou hast compleigned thee,
And somdiel to Nature also.
Bot that schal stonde among you tuo,
For therof have I noght to done;
For Nature is under the Mone 2330
Maistresse of every lives kinde,
Bot if so be that sche mai finde1713
Som holy man that wol withdrawe
His kindly lust ayein hir lawe;1714
Bot sielde whanne it falleth so,
For fewe men ther ben of tho,
Bot of these othre ynowe be,
Whiche of here oghne nycete
Ayein Nature and hire office
Deliten hem in sondri vice, 2340
Wherof that sche fulofte hath pleigned,
And ek my Court it hath desdeigned1715
And evere schal; for it receiveth
Non such that kinde so deceiveth.
P. iii. 354
For al onliche of gentil love
Mi court stant alle courtz above
And takth noght into retenue
Bot thing which is to kinde due,
For elles it schal be refused.
Wherof I holde thee excused, 2350
For it is manye daies gon,
[Pg 450]
That thou amonges hem were on
Which of my court hast ben withholde;
So that the more I am beholde
Of thi desese to commune,
And to remue that fortune,
Which manye daies hath the grieved.
Bot if my conseil mai be lieved,
Thou schalt ben esed er thou go
Of thilke unsely jolif wo, 2360
Wherof thou seist thin herte is fyred:
Bot as of that thou hast desired
After the sentence of thi bille,
Thou most therof don at my wille,
And I therof me wole avise.
For be thou hol, it schal suffise:
Mi medicine is noght to sieke1716
For thee and for suche olde sieke,1717
Noght al per chance as ye it wolden,1718
Bot so as ye be reson scholden, 2370
Acordant unto loves kinde.1719
For in the plit which I thee finde,
So as mi court it hath awarded,
Thou schalt be duely rewarded;
P. iii. 355
And if thou woldest more crave,
It is no riht that thou it have.’
iii. Qui cupit id quod habere nequit, sua tempora perdit,
Est vbi non posse, velle salute caret.
Non estatis opus gelidis hirsuta capillis,
Cum calor abcessit, equiperabit hiems;
Sicut habet Mayus non dat natura Decembri,
Nec poterit compar floribus esse lutum;
Sic neque decrepita senium iuvenile voluptas
Floret in obsequium, quod Venus ipsa petit.1720
Conveniens igitur foret, vt quos cana senectus
Attigit, vlterius corpora casta colant.(10)
[Pg 451]
Venus, which stant withoute lawe
In noncertein, bot as men drawe
Hic in exemplum contra quoscunque viros inveteratos amoris concupiscenciam affectantes loquitur Venus, huiusque Amantis Confessi supplicacionem quasi deridens, ipsum pro eo quod senex et debilis est, multis exhortacionibus insufficientem redarguit.1721
Of Rageman upon the chance,
Sche leith no peis in the balance, 2380
Bot as hir lyketh forto weie;
The trewe man fulofte aweie
Sche put, which hath hir grace bede,
And set an untrewe in his stede.
Lo, thus blindly the world sche diemeth
In loves cause, as tome siemeth:1722
I not what othre men wol sein,1723
Bot I algate am so besein,
And stonde as on amonges alle
Which am out of hir grace falle: 2390
It nedeth take no witnesse,
For sche which seid is the goddesse,
To whether part of love it wende,
Hath sett me for a final ende
The point wherto that I schal holde.
For whan sche hath me wel beholde,
P. iii. 356
Halvynge of scorn, sche seide thus:
‘Thou wost wel that I am Venus,
Which al only my lustes seche;
And wel I wot, thogh thou beseche 2400
Mi love, lustes ben ther none,
Whiche I mai take in thi persone;
For loves lust and lockes hore1724
In chambre acorden neveremore,
And thogh thou feigne a yong corage,
It scheweth wel be the visage
That olde grisel is no fole:
There ben fulmanye yeres stole
With thee and with suche othre mo,1725
That outward feignen youthe so 2410
And ben withinne of pore assay.
[Pg 452]
Min herte wolde and I ne may
Is noght beloved nou adayes;
Er thou make eny suche assaies
To love, and faile upon the fet,
Betre is to make a beau retret;
For thogh thou myhtest love atteigne,
Yit were it bot an ydel peine,
Whan that thou art noght sufficant
To holde love his covenant. 2420
Forthi tak hom thin herte ayein,
That thou travaile noght in vein,
Wherof my Court may be deceived.
I wot and have it wel conceived,
Hou that thi will is good ynowh;
Bot mor behoveth to the plowh,
P. iii. 357
Wherof the lacketh, as I trowe:
So sitte it wel that thou beknowe1726
Thi fieble astat, er thou beginne
Thing wher thou miht non ende winne. 2430
What bargain scholde a man assaie,
Whan that him lacketh forto paie?
Mi Sone, if thou be wel bethoght,1727
This toucheth thee; foryet it noght:
The thing is torned into was;
That which was whilom grene gras,1728
Is welked hey at time now.1729
Forthi mi conseil is that thou
Remembre wel hou thou art old.’
[The Companies of Lovers.]
Whan Venus hath hir tale told, 2440
And I bethoght was al aboute,1730
Qualiter super derisoria Veneris exhortacione contristatus Amans, quasi mortuus in terram corruit, vbi, vt sibi videbatur, Cupidinem cum innumera multitudine nuper Amantum variis turmis assistencium conspiciebat.
Tho wiste I wel withoute doute,1731
That ther was no recoverir;
And as a man the blase of fyr
With water quencheth, so ferd I;1732
[Pg 453]
A cold me cawhte sodeinly,1733
For sorwe that myn herte made
Mi dedly face pale and fade
Becam, and swoune I fell to grounde.
And as I lay the same stounde, 2450
Ne fully quik ne fully ded,
Me thoghte I sih tofor myn hed
Cupide with his bowe bent,
And lich unto a Parlement,
Which were ordeigned for the nones,
With him cam al the world at ones
P. iii. 358
Of gentil folk that whilom were
Lovers, I sih hem alle there
Forth with Cupide in sondri routes.
Min yhe and as I caste aboutes, 2460
To knowe among hem who was who,
I sih wher lusty Youthe tho,1734
As he which was a Capitein,
Tofore alle othre upon the plein
Stod with his route wel begon,
Here hevedes kempt, and therupon
Garlandes noght of o colour,
Some of the lef, some of the flour,
And some of grete Perles were;
The newe guise of Beawme there, 2470
With sondri thinges wel devised,
I sih, wherof thei ben queintised.
It was al lust that thei with ferde,
Ther was no song that I ne herde,
Which unto love was touchende;
Of Pan and al that was likende1735
As in Pipinge of melodie
Was herd in thilke compaignie
So lowde, that on every side
It thoghte as al the hevene cride 2480
In such acord and such a soun
Of bombard and of clarion
With Cornemuse and Schallemele,
[Pg 454]
That it was half a mannes hele
So glad a noise forto hiere.
And as me thoghte, in this manere
P. iii. 359
Al freissh I syh hem springe and dance,
And do to love her entendance
After the lust of youthes heste.
Ther was ynowh of joie and feste, 2490
For evere among thei laghe and pleie,
And putten care out of the weie,
That he with hem ne sat ne stod.
And overthis I understod,
So as myn Ere it myhte areche,
The moste matiere of her speche
Was al of knyhthod and of Armes,1736
And what it is to ligge in armes
With love, whanne it is achieved.
De nominibus illorum nuper Amantum, qui tunc Amanti spasmato, aliqui iuuenes, aliqui senes, apparuerunt. Senes autem precipue tam erga deum quam deam amoris pro sanitate Amantis recuperanda multiplicatis precibus misericorditer instabant.
Ther was Tristram, which was believed 2500
With bele Ysolde, and Lancelot
Stod with Gunnore, and Galahot
With his ladi, and as me thoghte,
I syh wher Jason with him broghte
His love, which that Creusa hihte,
And Hercules, which mochel myhte,
Was ther berende his grete Mace,
And most of alle in thilke place
He peyneth him to make chiere
With Eolen, which was him diere. 2510
Theseüs, thogh he were untrewe
To love, as alle wommen knewe,
Yit was he there natheles
With Phedra, whom to love he ches:
Of Grece ek ther was Thelamon,
Which fro the king Lamenedon
P. iii. 360
At Troie his doghter refte aweie,
Eseonen, as for his preie,
Which take was whan Jason cam
Fro Colchos, and the Cite nam 2520
In vengance of the ferste hate;
That made hem after to debate,
[Pg 455]
Whan Priamus the newe toun
Hath mad. And in avisioun
Me thoghte that I sih also
Ector forth with his brethren tuo;
Himself stod with Pantaselee,
And next to him I myhte se,
Wher Paris stod with faire Eleine,
Which was his joie sovereine; 2530
And Troilus stod with Criseide,
Bot evere among, althogh he pleide,
Be semblant he was hevy chiered,
For Diomede, as him was liered,
Cleymeth to ben his parconner.
And thus full many a bacheler,
A thousend mo than I can sein,
With Yowthe I sih ther wel besein
Forth with here loves glade and blithe.
And some I sih whiche ofte sithe 2540
Compleignen hem in other wise;
Among the whiche I syh Narcise
And Piramus, that sory were.1737
The worthy Grek also was there,
Achilles, which for love deide:
Agamenon ek, as men seide,
P. iii. 361
And Menelay the king also
I syh, with many an other mo,
Which hadden be fortuned sore
In loves cause.
And overmore 2550
Of wommen in the same cas,
With hem I sih wher Dido was,
Forsake which was with Enee;
And Phillis ek I myhte see,
Whom Demephon deceived hadde;
And Adriagne hir sorwe ladde,
For Theseüs hir Soster tok
And hire unkindely forsok.
I sih ther ek among the press
Compleignende upon Hercules 2560
[Pg 456]
His ferste love Deyanire,
Which sette him afterward afyre:
Medea was there ek and pleigneth
Upon Jason, for that he feigneth,
Withoute cause and tok a newe;
Sche seide, ‘Fy on alle untrewe!’
I sih there ek Deÿdamie,
Which hadde lost the compaignie
Of Achilles, whan Diomede
To Troie him fette upon the nede. 2570
Among these othre upon the grene
I syh also the wofull queene
Cleopatras, which in a Cave1738
With Serpentz hath hirself begrave
Alquik, and so sche was totore,1739
For sorwe of that sche hadde lore
P. iii. 362
Antonye, which hir love hath be:
And forth with hire I sih Tisbee,
Which on the scharpe swerdes point
For love deide in sory point; 2580
And as myn Ere it myhte knowe,
She seide, ‘Wo worthe alle slowe!’
The pleignte of Progne and Philomene
Ther herde I what it wolde mene,
How Tereüs of his untrouthe
Undede hem bothe, and that was routhe;
And next to hem I sih Canace,
Which for Machaire hir fader grace
Hath lost, and deide in wofull plit.
And as I sih in my spirit, 2590
Me thoghte amonges othre thus
The doghter of king Priamus,
Polixena, whom Pirrus slowh,
Was there and made sorwe ynowh,
As sche which deide gulteles
For love, and yit was loveles.
And forto take the desport,
I sih there some of other port,1740
[Pg 457]
And that was Circes and Calipse,
That cowthen do the Mone eclipse, 2600
Of men and change the liknesses,
Of Artmagique Sorceresses;
Thei hielde in honde manyon,
To love wher thei wolde or non.
Bot above alle that ther were
Of wommen I sih foure there,
P. iii. 363
Whos name I herde most comended:
Be hem the Court stod al amended;
For wher thei comen in presence,
Men deden hem the reverence, 2610
As thogh they hadden be goddesses,
Of al this world or Emperesses.
And as me thoghte, an Ere I leide,
And herde hou that these othre seide,
‘Lo, these ben the foure wyves,
Whos feith was proeved in her lyves:
For in essample of alle goode
With Mariage so thei stode,
That fame, which no gret thing hydeth,
Yit in Cronique of hem abydeth.’ 2620
Penolope that on was hote,
Whom many a knyht hath loved hote,
Whil that hire lord Ulixes lay1741
Full many a yer and many a day
Upon the grete Siege of Troie:
Bot sche, which hath no worldes joie
Bot only of hire housebonde,
Whil that hir lord was out of londe,
So wel hath kept hir wommanhiede,
That al the world therof tok hiede, 2630
And nameliche of hem in Grece.
That other womman was Lucrece,
Wif to the Romain Collatin;
And sche constreigned of Tarquin
To thing which was ayein hir wille,
Sche wolde noght hirselven stille,
P. iii. 364
Bot deide only for drede of schame
[Pg 458]
In keping of hire goode name,
As sche which was on of the beste.
The thridde wif was hote Alceste, 2640
Which whanne Ametus scholde dye
Upon his grete maladye,
Sche preide unto the goddes so,
That sche receyveth al the wo
And deide hirself to yive him lif:
Lo, if this were a noble wif.1742
The ferthe wif which I ther sih,
I herde of hem that were nyh
Hou sche was cleped Alcione,
Which to Seyix hir lord al one1743 2650
And to nomo hir body kepte;
And whan sche sih him dreynt, sche lepte
Into the wawes where he swam,1744
And there a Sefoul sche becam,
And with hire wenges him bespradde
For love which to him sche hadde.1745
Lo, these foure were tho
Whiche I sih, as me thoghte tho,
Among the grete compaignie
Which Love hadde forto guye: 2660
Bot Youthe, which in special
Of Loves Court was Mareschal,
So besy was upon his lay,
That he non hiede where I lay1746
Hath take. And thanne, as I behield,
Me thoghte I sih upon the field,
P. iii. 365
Where Elde cam a softe pas
Toward Venus, ther as sche was.
With him gret compaignie he ladde,
Bot noght so manye as Youthe hadde:1747 2670
The moste part were of gret Age,
And that was sene in the visage,1748
[Pg 459]
And noght forthi, so as thei myhte,
Thei made hem yongly to the sihte:
Bot yit herde I no pipe there1749
To make noise in mannes Ere,1750
Bot the Musette I myhte knowe,
For olde men which souneth lowe,1751
With Harpe and Lute and with Citole.
The hovedance and the Carole, 2680
In such a wise as love hath bede,
A softe pas thei dance and trede;
And with the wommen otherwhile
With sobre chier among thei smyle,
For laghtre was ther non on hyh.
And natheles full wel I syh
That thei the more queinte it made
For love, in whom thei weren glade.
And there me thoghte I myhte se
The king David with Bersabee, 2690
And Salomon was noght withoute;
Passende an hundred on a route
Of wyves and of Concubines,
Juesses bothe and Sarazines,1752
To him I sih alle entendant:
I not if he was sufficant,1753
P. iii. 366
Bot natheles for al his wit
He was attached with that writ
Which love with his hond enseleth,
Fro whom non erthly man appeleth. 2700
And overthis, as for a wonder,1754
With his leon which he put under,1755
With Dalida Sampson I knew,
Whos love his strengthe al overthrew.
I syh there Aristotle also,
Whom that the queene of Grece so1756
Hath bridled, that in thilke time
[Pg 460]
Sche made him such a Silogime,
That he foryat al his logique;
Ther was non art of his Practique, 2710
Thurgh which it mihte ben excluded
That he ne was fully concluded
To love, and dede his obeissance.
And ek Virgile of aqueintance
I sih, wher he the Maiden preide,
Which was the doghter, as men seide,
Of themperour whilom of Rome;
Sortes and Plato with him come,
So dede Ovide the Poete.
I thoghte thanne how love is swete, 2720
Which hath so wise men reclamed,
And was miself the lasse aschamed,
Or forto lese or forto winne
In the meschief that I was inne:
And thus I lay in hope of grace.
And whan thei comen to the place
P. iii. 367
Wher Venus stod and I was falle,
These olde men, with o vois alle
To Venus preiden for my sake.
And sche, that myhte noght forsake 2730
So gret a clamour as was there,
Let Pite come into hire Ere;
And forth withal unto Cupide
Sche preith that he upon his side
Me wolde thurgh his grace sende
Som confort, that I myhte amende,
Upon the cas which is befalle.
And thus for me thei preiden alle
Of hem that weren olde aboute,
And ek some of the yonge route, 2740
Of gentilesse and pure trouthe
I herde hem telle it was gret routhe,
That I withouten help so ferde.
And thus me thoghte I lay and herde.
Cupido, which may hurte and hele
In loves cause, as for myn hele
[Pg 461]
[Cupid and the Lover.]
Upon the point which him was preid
Cam with Venus, wher I was leid
Hic tractat qualiter Cupido Amantis senectute confracti viscera perscrutans, ignita sue concupiscencie tela ab eo penitus extraxit, quem Venus postea absque calore percipiens, vacuum reliquit: et sic tandem prouisa Senectus, racionem inuocans, hominem interiorem per prius amore infatuatum mentis sanitati plenius restaurauit.
Swounende upon the grene gras.
And, as me thoghte, anon ther was 2750
On every side so gret presse,
That every lif began to presse,
I wot noght wel hou many score,
Suche as I spak of now tofore,
Lovers, that comen to beholde,
Bot most of hem that weren olde:
P. iii. 368
Thei stoden there at thilke tyde,
To se what ende schal betyde
Upon the cure of my sotie.
Tho myhte I hiere gret partie 2760
Spekende, and ech his oghne avis
Hath told, on that, an other this:
Bot among alle this I herde,
Thei weren wo that I so ferde,
And seiden that for no riote
An old man scholde noght assote;
For as thei tolden redely,
Ther is in him no cause why,
Bot if he wolde himself benyce;1757
So were he wel the more nyce. 2770
And thus desputen some of tho,
And some seiden nothing so,
Bot that the wylde loves rage
In mannes lif forberth non Age;
Nota.1758
Whil ther is oyle forto fyre,
The lampe is lyhtly set afyre,
And is fulhard er it be queynt,
Bot only if it be som seint,
Which god preserveth of his grace.
And thus me thoghte, in sondri place 2780
Of hem that walken up and doun
Ther was diverse opinioun:
And for a while so it laste,
Til that Cupide to the laste,
[Pg 462]
[The Fiery Dart withdrawn.]
Forth with his moder full avised,
Hath determined and devised
P. iii. 369
Unto what point he wol descende.
And al this time I was liggende
Upon the ground tofore his yhen,
And thei that my desese syhen 2790
Supposen noght I scholde live;
Bot he, which wolde thanne yive
His grace, so as it mai be,
This blinde god which mai noght se,
Hath groped til that he me fond;
And as he pitte forth his hond1759
Upon my body, wher I lay,
Me thoghte a fyri Lancegay,
Which whilom thurgh myn herte he caste,
He pulleth oute, and also faste 2800
As this was do, Cupide nam
His weie, I not where he becam,
And so dede al the remenant
Which unto him was entendant,
Of hem that in Avision
I hadde a revelacion,
So as I tolde now tofore.
[The Healing of Love.]
Bot Venus wente noght therfore,
Ne Genius, whiche thilke time1760
Abiden bothe faste byme. 2810
And sche which mai the hertes bynde
In loves cause and ek unbinde,
Er I out of mi trance aros,
Venus, which hield a boiste clos,
And wolde noght I scholde deie,
Tok out mor cold than eny keie
P. iii. 370
An oignement, and in such point
Sche hath my wounded herte enoignt,
My temples and my Reins also.1761
And forth withal sche tok me tho 2820
A wonder Mirour forto holde,
[Pg 463]
In which sche bad me to beholde
And taken hiede of that I syhe;
Wherinne anon myn hertes yhe
I caste, and sih my colour fade,
Myn yhen dymme and al unglade,
Mi chiekes thinne, and al my face
With Elde I myhte se deface,
So riveled and so wo besein,
That ther was nothing full ne plein, 2830
I syh also myn heres hore.
Mi will was tho to se nomore
Outwith, for ther was no plesance;1762
And thanne into my remembrance
I drowh myn olde daies passed,
And as reson it hath compassed,
Quod status hominis Mensibus anni equiperatur.1763
I made a liknesse of miselve
Unto the sondri Monthes twelve,
Wherof the yeer in his astat
Is mad, and stant upon debat, 2840
That lich til other non acordeth.
For who the times wel recordeth,
And thanne at Marche if he beginne,
Whan that the lusti yeer comth inne,
Til Augst be passed and Septembre,
The myhty youthe he may remembre
P. iii. 371
In which the yeer hath his deduit
Of gras, of lef, of flour, of fruit,1764
Of corn and of the wyny grape.
And afterward the time is schape1765 2850
To frost, to Snow, to Wind, to Rein,
Til eft that Mars be come ayein:
The Wynter wol no Somer knowe,
The grene lef is overthrowe,
The clothed erthe is thanne bare,
Despuiled is the Somerfare,1766
[Pg 464]
That erst was hete is thanne chele.
And thus thenkende thoghtes fele,
I was out of mi swoune affraied,
Wherof I sih my wittes straied,1767 2860
And gan to clepe hem hom ayein.
And whan Resoun it herde sein
That loves rage was aweie,
He cam to me the rihte weie,
And hath remued the sotie
Of thilke unwise fantasie,
Wherof that I was wont to pleigne,
So that of thilke fyri peine
I was mad sobre and hol ynowh.
Venus behield me than and lowh, 2870
And axeth, as it were in game,
What love was. And I for schame
Ne wiste what I scholde ansuere;
And natheles I gan to swere
That be my trouthe I knew him noght;
So ferr it was out of mi thoght,
P. iii. 372
Riht as it hadde nevere be.
‘Mi goode Sone,’ tho quod sche,
‘Now at this time I lieve it wel,
So goth the fortune of my whiel; 2880
Forthi mi conseil is thou leve.’
‘Ma dame,’ I seide, ‘be your leve,
Ye witen wel, and so wot I,
That I am unbehovely
Your Court fro this day forth to serve:1768
And for I may no thonk deserve,
And also for I am refused,
I preie you to ben excused.
And natheles as for the laste,1769
Whil that my wittes with me laste, 2890
Touchende mi confession
I axe an absolucion
Of Genius, er that I go.’
[Pg 465]
[The Absolution.]
The Prest anon was redy tho,
And seide, ‘Sone, as of thi schrifte
Thou hast ful pardoun and foryifte;
Foryet it thou, and so wol I.’
Amans.
‘Min holi fader, grant mercy,’
Quod I to him, and to the queene1770
I fell on knes upon the grene, 2900
And tok my leve forto wende.
[Leave-taking of Venus.]
Bot sche, that wolde make an ende,
As therto which I was most able,
A Peire of Bedes blak as Sable
Sche tok and heng my necke aboute;
Upon the gaudes al withoute
P. iii. 373
Was write of gold, Por reposer.1771
‘Lo,’ thus sche seide, ‘John Gower,
Now thou art ate laste cast,
This have I for thin ese cast, 2910
That thou nomore of love sieche.
Bot my will is that thou besieche
And preie hierafter for the pes,
And that thou make a plein reles
To love, which takth litel hiede
Of olde men upon the nede,
Whan that the lustes ben aweie:
Forthi to thee nys bot o weie,
In which let reson be thi guide;
For he may sone himself misguide, 2920
That seth noght the peril tofore.
Mi Sone, be wel war therfore,
And kep the sentence of my lore
And tarie thou mi Court nomore,
Bot go ther vertu moral duelleth,1772
Wher ben thi bokes, as men telleth,1773
Whiche of long time thou hast write.
For this I do thee wel to wite,
If thou thin hele wolt pourchace,
Thou miht noght make suite and chace, 2930
[Pg 466]
Wher that the game is nought pernable;1774
It were a thing unresonable,
A man to be so overseie.
Forthi tak hiede of that I seie;
For in the lawe of my comune
We be noght schape to comune,
P. iii. 374
Thiself and I, nevere after this.
Now have y seid al that ther is1775
Of love as for thi final ende:
*Adieu, for y mot fro the wende.’ 2940
P. iii. 375
And with that word al sodeinly,
[Pg 467]
Enclosid in a sterred sky,1776
Venus, which is the qweene of love,
Was take in to hire place above,
P. iii. 376
More wiste y nought wher sche becam.1777
And thus my leve of hire y nam,1778
And forth with al the same tide
Hire prest, which wolde nought abide,
P. iii. 377
Or be me lief or be me loth,
Out of my sighte forth he goth, 2950
And y was left with outen helpe.
So wiste I nought wher of to yelpe,
Bot only that y hadde lore
My time, and was sori ther fore.
P. iii. 378
And thus bewhapid in my thought,
Whan al was turnyd in to nought,
I stod amasid for a while,
And in my self y gan to smyle
Thenkende uppon the bedis blake,
And how they weren me betake, 2960
For that y schulde bidde and preie.
And whanne y sigh non othre weie
Bot only that y was refusid,
Unto the lif which y hadde usid
I thoughte nevere torne ayein:
And in this wise, soth to seyn,
Homward a softe pas y wente,
Wher that with al myn hol entente1779
[Pg 468]
Uppon the point that y am schryve
I thenke bidde whil y live.1780 2970
[The Author prays for the State of England.]
iv. Parce precor, Criste, populus quo gaudeat iste;
Anglia ne triste subeat, rex summe, resiste.
Corrige quosque status, fragiles absolue reatus;
Vnde deo gratus vigeat locus iste beatus.
He which withinne daies sevene1781
This large world forth with the hevene
Hic in anno quartodecimo Regis Ricardi orat pro statu regni, quod a diu diuisum nimia aduersitate periclitabatur.1782
Of his eternal providence
Hath mad, and thilke intelligence
In mannys soule resonable
Hath schape to be perdurable,
Wherof the man of his feture
Above alle erthli creature
Aftir the soule is immortal,
[Pg 469]
To thilke lord in special, 2980
P. iii. 379
As he which is of alle thinges
The creatour, and of the kynges
Hath the fortunes uppon honde,
His grace and mercy forto fonde
Uppon my bare knes y preie,
That he this loud in siker weie
Wol sette uppon good governance.1783
For if men takyn remembrance
What is to live in unite,1784
Ther ys no staat in his degree 2990
That noughte to desire pes,
With outen which, it is no les,
To seche and loke in to the laste,
Ther may no worldes joye laste.1785
[Evil of Division in the Land.]
Ferst forto loke the Clergie,
Hem oughte wel to justefie
Thing which belongith to here cure,
As forto praie and to procure
Oure pes toward the hevene above,
And ek to sette reste and love 3000
[Pg 470]
Among ous on this erthe hiere.
For if they wroughte in this manere
Aftir the reule of charite,
I hope that men schuldyn se
This loud amende.
And ovyr this,1786
To seche and loke how that it is1787
Touchende of the chevalerie,
Which forto loke, in som partie
Is worthi forto be comendid,
And in som part to ben amendid, 3010
P. iii. 380
That of here large retenue
The lond is ful of maintenue,
Which causith that the comune right1788
In fewe contrees stant upright.
Extorcioun, contekt, ravine1789
Withholde ben of that covyne,
Aldai men hierin gret compleignte
Of the desease, of the constreignte,
Wher of the poeple is sore oppressid:
[Pg 471]
God graunte it mote be redressid. 3020
For of knyghthode thordre wolde
That thei defende and kepe scholde
The comun right and the fraunchise1790
Of holy cherche in alle wise,
So that no wikke man it dere,
And ther fore servith scheld and spere:1791
Bot for it goth now other weie,
Oure grace goth the more aweie.
And forto lokyn ovyrmore,
Wher of the poeple pleigneth sore, 3030
Toward the lawis of oure lond,
Men sein that trouthe hath broke his bond
And with brocage is goon aweie,
So that no man can se the weie
Wher forto fynde rightwisnesse.
And if men sechin sikernesse
Uppon the lucre of marchandie,1792
Compassement and tricherie
Of singuler profit to wynne,
Men seyn, is cause of mochil synne, 3040
P. iii. 381
And namely of divisioun,
Which many a noble worthi toun
[Pg 472]
Fro welthe and fro prosperite
Hath brought to gret adversite.
So were it good to ben al on,
For mechil grace ther uppon1793
Unto the Citees schulde falle,
Which myghte availle to ous alle,
If these astatz amendid were,
So that the vertus stodyn there 3050
And that the vices were aweie:
Me thenkth y dorste thanne seie,
This londis grace schulde arise.
[The Duty of a King.]
Bot yit to loke in othre wise,1794
Ther is a stat, as ye schul hiere,
Above alle othre on erthe hiere,
Which hath the loud in his balance:
To him belongith the leiance
Of Clerk, of knyght, of man of lawe;
Undir his hond al is forth drawe1795 3060
The marchant and the laborer;
So stant it al in his power
Or forto spille or forto save.1796
Bot though that he such power have,
And that his myghtes ben so large,
He hath hem nought withouten charge,1797
To which that every kyng ys swore:
So were it good that he ther fore
[Pg 473]
First un to rightwisnesse entende,
Wherof that he hym self amende 3070
P. iii. 382
Toward his god and leve vice,
Which is the chief of his office;
And aftir al the remenant
He schal uppon his covenant
Governe and lede in such a wise,
So that ther be no tirandise,
Wherof that he his poeple grieve,
Or ellis may he nought achieve
That longith to his regalie.
For if a kyng wol justifie 3080
His lond and hem that beth withynne,1798
First at hym self he mot begynne,
To kepe and reule his owne astat,
That in hym self be no debat
Toward his god: for othre wise1799
Ther may non erthly kyng suffise
Of his kyngdom the folk to lede,
Bot he the kyng of hevene drede.
For what kyng sett hym uppon pride
And takth his lust on every side 3090
And wil nought go the righte weie,
Though god his grace caste aweie
No wondir is, for ate laste
He schal wel wite it mai nought laste,1800
The pompe which he secheth here.
[Pg 474]
Bot what kyng that with humble chere
Aftir the lawe of god eschuieth
The vices, and the vertus suieth,1801
His grace schal be suffisant
To governe al the remenant 3100
P. iii. 383
Which longith to his duite;
So that in his prosperite
The poeple schal nought ben oppressid,
Wherof his name schal be blessid,
For evere and be memorial.
[The Book completed.]
And now to speke as in final,
Touchende that y undirtok
Hic in fine recapitulat super hoc quod in principio libri primi promisit se in amoris causa specialius tractaturum. Concludit enim quod omnis amoris delectacio extra caritatem nichil est. Qui autem manet in caritate, in deo manet.
In englesch forto make a book
[Pg 475]
Which stant betwene ernest and game,
I have it maad as thilke same 3110
Which axe forto ben excusid,
And that my bok be nought refusid
Of lered men, whan thei it se,1802
For lak of curiosite:
For thilke scole of eloquence
Belongith nought to my science,
Uppon the forme of rethoriqe
My wordis forto peinte and pike,
As Tullius som tyme wrot.
Bot this y knowe and this y wot, 3120
That y have do my trewe peyne
With rude wordis and with pleyne,
In al that evere y couthe and myghte,
This bok to write as y behighte,
So as siknesse it soffre wolde;
And also for my daies olde,
[Pg 476]
That y am feble and impotent,
I wot nought how the world ys went.
So preye y to my lordis alle
Now in myn age, how so befalle, 3130
P. iii. 384
That y mot stonden in here grace:1803
For though me lacke to purchace
Here worthi thonk as by decerte,
Yit the symplesse of my poverte
Desireth forto do plesance
To hem undir whos governance
I hope siker to abide.
[Farewell to Earthly Love.]
But now uppon my laste tide
That y this book have maad and write,
My muse doth me forto wite, 3140
And seith it schal be for my beste
Fro this day forth to take reste,
That y nomore of love make,
[Pg 477]
Which many an herte hath overtake,
And ovyrturnyd as the blynde
Fro reson in to lawe of kynde;
Wher as the wisdom goth aweie1804
And can nought se the ryhte weie
How to governe his oghne estat,
Bot everydai stant in debat1805 3150
Withinne him self, and can nought leve.
And thus forthy my final leve
I take now for evere more,
Withoute makynge any more,
Of love and of his dedly hele,
Which no phisicien can hele.
For his nature is so divers,
That it hath evere som travers
Or of to moche or of to lite,
That pleinly mai noman delite,1806 3160
P. iii. 385
Bot if him faile or that or this.
Bot thilke love which that is
Withinne a mannes herte affermed,
And stant of charite confermed,
[Pg 478]
[Heavenly Love.]
Such love is goodly forto have,
Such love mai the bodi save,
Such love mai the soule amende,
The hyhe god such love ous sende
Forthwith the remenant of grace;1807
So that above in thilke place 3170
Wher resteth love and alle pes,
Oure joie mai ben endeles.
Explicit iste liber, qui transeat, obsecro liber
Vt sine liuore vigeat lectoris in ore.
Qui sedet in scannis celi det vt ista Iohannis
Perpetuis annis stet pagina grata Britannis.
Derbeie Comiti, recolunt quem laude periti,1808
Vade liber purus, sub eo requiesce futurus.1809

*Adieu, for I mot fro the wende.
And gret wel Chaucer whan ye mete,1810 2941*
As mi disciple and mi poete:
For in the floures of his youthe
In sondri wise, as he wel couthe,
Of Ditees and of songes glade,
The whiche he for mi sake made,
The loud fulfild is overal:
Wherof to him in special
Above alle othre I am most holde.1811
For thi now in hise daies olde2950*
Thow schalt him telle this message,
That he upon his latere age,
To sette an ende of alle his werk,1812
As he which is myn owne clerk,
Do make his testament of love,
As thou hast do thi schrifte above,
So that mi Court it mai recorde.’
‘Madame, I can me wel acorde,’
Quod I, ‘to telle as ye me bidde.’
And with that word it so betidde,1813 2960*
Out of my sihte al sodeynly,1814
Enclosed in a sterred sky,
Up to the hevene Venus straghte,1815
And I my rihte weie cawhte,1816
Hom fro the wode and forth I wente,1817
Wher as with al myn hole entente,1818
Thus with mi bedes upon honde,1819
For hem that trewe love fonde
I thenke bidde whil I lyve
Upon the poynt which I am schryve.2970*
[The Author prays for the King.]
iv.* Ad laudem Cristi, quem tu, virgo, peperisti,
Sit laus Ricardi, quem sceptra colunt leopardi.
Ad sua precepta compleui carmina cepta,
Que Bruti nata legat Anglia perpetuata.1820
He which withinne dayes sevene
This large world forth with the hevene
Hic in fine libri honorificos que virtuosos illustrissimi Principis domini sui Regis Anglie Ricardi secundi mores, sicut dignum est, laude commendabili describens, pro eiusdem status salubri conseruacione cunctipotentem deuocius exorat.
Of his eternal providence
Hath mad, and thilke intelligence1821
In mannes soule resonable
Enspired to himself semblable,
Wherof the man of his feture
Above alle erthly creature1822
After the soule is immortal,
To thilke lord in special,2980*
As he which is of alle thinges
The creatour, and of the kinges
Hath the fortunes upon honde,1823
His grace and mercy forto fonde
Upon mi bare knees I preye,
That he my worthi king conveye,
Richard by name the Secounde,1824
In whom hath evere yit be founde1825
Justice medled with pite,
Largesce forth with charite.2990*
In his persone it mai be schewed
What is a king to be wel thewed,
Touchinge of pite namely:
[The King commended.]
For he yit nevere unpitously
Ayein the liges of his lond,1826
For no defaute which he fond,
Thurgh cruelte vengaunce soghte;
And thogh the worldes chaunce in broghte1827
Of infortune gret debat,
Yit was he not infortunat:3000*
For he which the fortune ladde,
The hihe god, him overspradde
Of his Justice, and kepte him so,1828
That his astat stood evere mo
Sauf, as it oghte wel to be;1829
Lich to the Sonne in his degree,
Which with the clowdes up alofte
Is derked and bischadewed ofte,1830
But hou so that it trowble in their,1831
The Sonne is evere briht and feir,3010*
Withinne himself and noght empeired:1832
Althogh the weder be despeired,
The hed planete is not to wite.1833
Mi worthi prince, of whom I write,
Thus slant he with himselve clier,1834
And doth what lith in his power1835
Not only hier at hom to seke1836
Love and acord, but outward eke,1837
As he that save his poeple wolde.
So ben we alle wel beholde1838 3020*
To do service and obeyssaunce
To him, which of his heyh suffraunce1839
Hath many a gret debat appesed,1840
To make his lige men ben esed;1841
Wherfore that his Croniqe schal
For evere be memorial
To the loenge of that he doth.1842
For this wot every man in soth,
What king that so desireth pes,1843
He takth the weie which Crist ches:3030*
And who that Cristes weies sueth,
It proveth wel that he eschueth
The vices and is vertuous,1844
Wherof he mot be gracious
Toward his god and acceptable.
And so to make his regne stable,1845
With al the wil that I mai yive
I preie and schal whil that I live,
As I which in subjeccioun
Stonde under the proteccioun,1846 3040*
And mai miselven not bewelde,1847
What for seknesse and what for elde,1848
Which I receyve of goddes grace.
But thogh me lacke to purchace
[The Author presents his Book to the King.]
Mi kinges thonk as by decerte,1849
Yit the Simplesce of mi poverte
Unto the love of my ligance
Desireth forto do plesance:
And for this cause in myn entente
This povere bok heer I presente1850 3050*
Unto his hihe worthinesse,
Write of my simple besinesse,1851
So as seknesse it suffre wolde.1852
And in such wise as I ferst tolde,
Whan I this bok began to make,1853
In som partie it mai be take1854
As for to lawhe and forto pleye;
And forto loke in other weye,1855
It mai be wisdom to the wise:
So that somdel for good aprise1856 3060*
And eek somdel for lust and game1857
I have it mad, as thilke same1858
Which axe forto ben excused,1859
That I no Rethoriqe have used
Upon the forme of eloquence,
For that is not of mi science;
But I have do my trewe peyne
With rude wordes and with pleyne
To speke of thing which I have told.1860
[Farewell to Earthly Love.]
But now that I am feble and old,1861 3070*
And to the worschipe of mi king
In love above alle other thing1862
That I this bok have mad and write,1863
Mi Muse doth me forto wite1864
That it is to me for the beste
Fro this day forth to take reste,1865
That I nomore of love make.1866
But he which hath of love his make1867
It sit him wel to singe and daunce,1868
And do to love his entendance3080*
In songes bothe and in seyinges
After the lust of his pleyinges,
For he hath that he wolde have:
But where a man schal love crave1869
And faile, it stant al otherwise.1870
In his proverbe seith the wise,
Whan game is best, is best to leve:1871
And thus forthi my fynal leve,
With oute makyng eny more,1872
I take now for evere more3090*
Of love and of his dedly hele,1873
Which no phisicien can hele.
For his nature is so divers,
That it hath evere som travers
Or of to moche or of to lite,
That fully mai noman delyte,
But if him lacke or that or this.1874
But thilke love which that is
Withinne a mannes herte affermed,
[Heavenly Love.]
And stant of charite confermed,3100*
That love is of no repentaile;
For it ne berth no contretaile,
Which mai the conscience charge,
But it is rather of descharge,1875
And meedful heer and overal.
Forthi this love in special1876
Is good for every man to holde,1877
And who that resoun wol beholde,1878
Al other lust is good to daunte:
Which thing the hihe god us graunte1879 3110*
Forth with the remenant of grace
So that of hevene in thilke place
Wher resteth love and alle pes,1880
Oure joye mai ben endeles.1881
[Pg 479]

### FOOTNOTES:

1454 13 the om. AM ... B₂, AdBTΔΛ, W
1455 37 wiste AJ, F wist C, B
1456 48 his A
1457 60 Cham AJ Chaym (Caym) H₁ ... B₂, AdBT, W
1458 71 Cham AJM Chaym (Caym) H₁ ... B₂, AdBT, W
1459 72 Delbora H₁ ... B₂ (Debora E), Δ, W
1460 77 into A, FW vnto CLB₂, B
1461 79 the om. A
1462 98 Habraham J, FK rest Abraham
1463 100 was þo AML
1464 136 tribus MH₁CB₂, TΔ, W Irahel (Irael) J, FK rest Israel
1465 145 bode H₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1466 148 it om. GC, BΔ
1467 170 in such AdBTΔ
1468 177 I myhte AM
1469 185 The AM, W
1470 188 such AJ, B suche F
1471 210 margin impune om. BT, W inpunitum E
1472 212 margin priuauit] preliauit H₁ ... B₂
1473 205 so om. AdBT
1474 228 vnto MCL, BT
1475 231 and made] he made AM ... B₂, AdTB
1476 237 gret AC, B grete F
1477 239 not (nought) goode AM ... B₂, AdBT
1478 245 Irahel as in l. 136
1479 257 And þat AdBT
1480 262 ago AM ... B₂, AdBTΔ
1481 280 margin ipse prius FK, om. A ... B₂, BT (Lat. om. AdΔ, W)
1482 291 chambre (chamber) MH₁XEC, AdBTΔ, WK
1483 293 and] of AM ... B₂, AdBT
1484 298 The king H₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1485 310 which om. B
1486 337 S resumes
1487 354 the om. AdBT, W
1488 355 how þat H₁ ... B₂, AdB
1489 358 soghte (soughte) A ... CB₂, SAdTB (In al wise he him be þowt Δ)
1490 362 that om. BTΔ, W
1491 371 þis wise EB₂, BΔ
1492 403 sturne F sterne A, SB lok] word B
1493 416 of of F
1494 419 this] þat AdBT the B₂
1495 428 margin Indignacio—Appolini om. SΔ (as also the marginal notes following down to l. 1020)
1496 443 his om. B
1497 446 esmaied JEC, S, FK amaied (amayed) AMH₁XGRLB₂, AdBT dismaied Δ, W
1498 462 tyde AMX, W
1499 467 margin mare om.
1500 F as evere he] as he H₁ ... B₂, Ad as þey BT
1501 469 In] Her(e) AdBTΛ be] ben wiþ AdBTΔΛ, W
1502 471 hale up] haleþ AM ... B₂, AdBTΛ
1503 483 deelful (deleful) AML, W deedful (dedful) H₁ ... CB₂, AdTΛ dedly B
1504 492 stonden B₂, AdBTΔ, WK
1505 496 margin Nota om. A ... B₂, BT (Lat. om. SAdΔ)
1506 505 Taliart F Thaliart AJ, SB
1507 507 box AM ... B₂, AdBT
1508 510 spare he FK rest spare
1509 513 Taliart J, F Thaliart A, SB
1510 535 He] His F
1511 539 which B
1512 548 him H₁, AdBT
1513 553 whan (when) AJC, B whanne S, F
1514 565 the om. AMH₁XRL, Ad a B
1515 566 him FWK it ACLB₂, B
1516 568 So as] So þat AM ... B₂ (So as G)
1517 573 margin prenunciauit B preminuit M
1518 571 a route AM ... B₂, AdBT
1519 574 the which on knees] which on his knees E, B which on knees H₁XRLB₂, AdTΔ
1520 582 no] for no H₁E ... B₂
1521 590 As in telling(e) AM, AdT ffor as in telling(e) H₁ ... B₂
1522 598 ygon B
1523 620 avou (avow) A, B, F a vow (a vou) J, S, K
1524 624 altobroke A, S, F al tobroke C, B al to broke J
1525 633 Therof (Ther of) A ... B₂, AdBT Wherefore W
1526 635 a om. AMR
1527 636 was whilom AM ... B₂, AdBT was som tyme J
1528 667 Than (Thanne) AM ... B₂, AdBT afterward B
1529 677 As was herd AdBT
1530 680 game MH₁, AdBTΔ, W gamis X
1531 685 As] And AM ... B₂, AdBT tho] þe H₁ ... B₂, AdBT, WK om. Δ
1532 697 margin aula A ... B₂, BT
1533 705 schulde (scholde) AdBT, W
1534 714 his Mareschal of h. J, S, FK his Marchal of his h. AM ... CB₂, BT his marschal of the h. Δ, W þe Marchal of his h. Ad (ll. 704-714 om. L)
1535 718 hadde B
1536 732 margin maxime ingemiscebat A ... B₂, BT (Latin om. SAdΔ)
1537 747 of þis worldes aghte J, SΔ, FWK þer of (þerof) which I aughte AM ... B₂, AdBT
1538 748 I þer(e) H₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1539 772 taakþ (takeþ) AM
1540 782 he] it AM ... B₂, AdBT
1541 786 hou that] of þat AH₁ ... B₂, AdBT þat M howe W
1542 787 he was] it was H₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1543 809 that] þe H₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1544 817 he scholde AdB
1545 827 Hire] He AdBT
1546 829 of Citole] citole B and citole K
1547 830 tun] time X, B
1548 839 wolde AdBT
1549 845 Touching(e) AM ... B₂, AdBTΛ
1550 852 may so AMR
1551 856 and in game] what in game ME, B and what in game CLB₂, AdT
1552 859 and drinke MCL, BT of drinkyng W
1553 860 that om. AMH₁
1554 872 hir(e) honour AJH₁ ... L, AdBT
1555 875 to make AdBT
1556 892 put AJ, S, F putte C, B
1557 928 þe worldes A ... B₂, AdT
1558 946 fadres (faders) AM ... B₂ (except E), AdΔ
1559 950 Paragraph here F ther] al (alle) AM ... B₂, AdBT
1560 958 which was] þat was W was Ad was riht AM ... B₂, BT
1561 961 and gret AMH₁E ... B₂, BT and of gret X
1562 962 many man AH₁EC, AdBT many men X
1563 970 lede B
1564 975 spousales FK
1565 979 adai (aday) J, F a dai (a day) AC, SB
1566 994 was FWK is A ... B₂, S ... Δ
1567 1000 forto smyte AM
1568 1009 liuen in AH₁ ... B₂, AdBTΔ
1569 1024 lengerr F
1570 1047 here (her) AC, SB hire J, F
1571 1056 deide AdBT
1572 1060 a swoune JC, SB, F aswoune A
1573 1063 and my desir AdBT, W and desir J
1574 1069 it myhte FWK
1575 1076 For evere] Was euer(e) AH₁ ... B₂, AdBT Was neuere M
1576 1098 Latin here and at 1122, 1141, 1151, 1324, 1373, 1424 om. SΔ (up to 2029 om. Δ)
1577 1102 margin obtusa que C, B obtusaque A, F
1578 1106 marg. in mari A ... B₂, BT
1579 1107 þis AdBT
1580 1110 sich (siche, swiche) AJMRB₂, BΔ, W such(suche) H₁XECL, SAdT, FK
1581 1120 of jeueals a] of Ieweles (Iewels) AM ... B₂, AdBT of the Ieweles a W
1582 1128 tak AJ, S, F take C, B
1583 1131 whan (when) AJ, SB whanne F
1584 1142 This prince AJM, SΔ
1585 1156 margin suum om. A ... B₂, BT
1586 1168 the] þis BΔ, W
1587 1178 was iwounde (I wounde &c.) AM ... L was I bounde B₂ lay ywounde AdBT
1588 1184 which ... is] þat ... was AM ... B₂, AdBT
1589 1206 Ha om. MXR, AdBT, W
1590 1222 hol (hool) C, B, F hole AB₂
1591 1224 margin sacro] facto BT
1592 1240 sih] seiþ AML
1593 1252 line om. B
1594 1253 schal] haþ AdBT
1595 1258 took(e) LB₂ AdBT, W
1596 1260 made AH₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1597 1274 seiled AdBT
1598 1277 And FW Tho ACLB₂, B
1599 1293 whiche A, S, F which JC, B
1600 1315 And parceiuen þat it B
1601 1319 þe FW his ACLB₂, B
1602 1334 worþe J, F worþ AC, SB
1603 1364 wher þat AM ... B₂, AdBT, W
1604 1371 swer(e) E ... B₂, K sware X
1605 1373 margin occideret A ... B₂, BT
1606 1374 cherlissh (cherlische &c.) H₁ ... B₂, AdBT, K
1607 1375 wher(e) H₁ ... B₂, AdBTΔ, W
1608 1378 margin Pirate ibidem prope] Pirate ibidem A ... B₂ ibidem BT
1609 1383 margin reddiderunt AM
1610 1388 þat sche AM ... B₂, AdBT
1611 1389 and þis cry A
1612 1399 thei] sche B
1613 1413 fecchen (fechen) AM ... B₂, AdB sechen T
1614 1415 hir] he AM ... B₂, AdBT1
1615 1416 And þat he by (be) H₁ ... B₂ And þat by AM
1616 1423 Paragraph here in MSS.
1617 1424 No wonder þough sche were wo B No wonder þogh sche be wo Ad
1618 1435 nomen wolde þer noght come K nomen wolden þeer (þer) come AM no man (noman) wolde þer(e) come H₁ ... B₂, AdBT mo men wolde ther none come W
1619 1447 kneled BTΔ
1620 1450 good BT
1621 1456 be of rel. AM ... B₂, BT
1622 1465 Which þat AM ... B₂, BT
1623 1476 fro] of AM ... B₂, BT
1624 1484 eny AM ... B₂, B
1625 1503 margin configentes F
1626 1500 Theophile AJC, T, F Theophil B
1627 1505 ich haue AM
1628 1509 kepeþ BT
1629 1512 Now se her after B Now hiere after T
1630 1513 sorweth] crieþ BT
1631 1523 make BT om. W
1632 1534 the om. AM, Δ, W
1633 1544 forto clare] to declare AM ... B₂, BT
1634 1555 told A, B, F tolde C
1635 1593 margin celebrari A ... B₂, BT, W
1636 1590 Paragraph here FWK, at 1595 in most other copies
1637 1621 þat cite H₁XELB₂, BT
1638 1633 be] were B
1639 1637 which a s. AM ... B₂, AdBT
1640 1641 so] þe AM
1641 1646 here LB₂, Δ, W
1642 1649 Paragraph here ALB₂, BT at 1652 J, SAd, FW Tho] Thus A ... B₂
1643 1661 all(e) þe weies AM ... B₂, AdBT
1644 1683 many F many a ALB₂, B, W
1645 1687 madd man S madd mad man F
1646 1710 hol B, F hole AB₂
1647 1713 was FW is ALB₂, B
1648 1715 that om. AM, W
1649 1732 toke J, S, F tok (took) AEC, B
1650 1750 þat lond AJM, SΔ
1651 1754 maiden] doughter B
1652 1756 which was þo h. AM
1653 1761 of yong] ȝong of E, B
1654 1790 þe king JC
1655 1792 vnto H₁ ... B₂, AdB, W
1656 1836 he in F in he A ... B₂, S ... Δ, WK
1657 1842 euidence AdBT
1658 1843 thanne aboute] al (alle) aboute AM ... B₂, AdT þer aboute B
1659 1854 aswowe AM aswowen B
1660 1861 That] Which AM ... B₂, AdBT
1661 1877 þe queene AM ... B₂, AdBT
1662 1890 topseil(e) cole H₁ ... B₂, AdBTΔ, W
1663 1892 havene] haue C, AdBT, W þe hauen B₂
1664 1911 what he w. X ... B₂, AdBT
1665 1912 ff. margin Qualiter—fecit om. BΔ
1666 1920 lord B
1667 1921 thanne] þat AM ... B₂, AdBT
1668 1924 Wher of (Wherof) H₁ ... B₂, AdBT, W
1669 1927 And FW A ACLB₂, B
1670 1928 Up to] Vpon AM ... B₂, AdBT
1671 1931 on honde AM ... B₂, AdBT, W
1672 1939 he herde AM, W
1673 1940 wiste(n) how it AM ... B₂, AdBT, W
1674 1967 In which AM ... B₂, AdBT
1675 1973 wil (wol) conceyue H₁EL, W wol(e) resceyue AdBT
1676 1978 is befalle AdB, W was falle L
1677 1992 was him AM, Δ, W
1678 1999 his lif was write A ... B₂, S ... Δ as it is write FWK
1679 2006 he hadde al] he hadde J, SΔ (had) hadde (had) AM ... B₂, AdBT
1680 2009 margin Confessor ad Amantem om. JEC, AdBT Confessor B₂, Δ, W
1681 2047 skile] sike AdBT
1682 2056 let S, F lete AJ, B
1683 2062 truffles AJC, S, F trifles (triffles) L, B travailes W
1684 2071 Conseile J, S, F Conseil (Counseil) AC, B
1685 2073 Thi (þy) cause A ... B₂, S ... Δ where] þer B
1686 2086 noght faile] auaile AM ... B₂, AdBT (line om. R)
1687 2095 sett] siþe (siþ, seþþe &c.) JH₁ERLB₂, AdBT, W sertein if Δ
1688 2098 it is H₁, FK is it AJMX ... B₂, S ... Δ, W
1689 2104 This BT Thi Ad And W
1690 2106 so be befalle F
1691 2134 set AJ, S, F sette CLB₂, B
1692 2138 agon (a goon) H₁RCB₂, AdBT, W
1693 2153 That feelen noght of þat (om. I fiele) A That feelen noght. be likned to þe herte M
1694 2178 while AM ... B₂, AdBT, W
1695 2179 no certein AdBT the] þo AM
1696 2180 if] wher AM ... B₂, AdBT
1697 2195 techinge J, SΔ, FWK touchynge (touching) AM ... B₂, AdBTΛ
1698 2203 þei (þey) acorden AdBT
1699 2214 wol(e) AdBT
1700 2220 or I trauaile J, S, F the rest or trauaile
1701 2228 a love] of loue AM ... B₂, BT (Haþ love of kinde ȝit Ad)
1702 2240 was] is AdBT
1703 2247 þurghout BT
1704 2251 ȝelpe AdBTΛ
1705 2257 I fynde BTΔ
1706 2270 his om. B
1707 2271 wher AdBT
1708 2284 þis infortune AdBT þilke fortune B₂, Δ that ilke infortune W
1709 2294 gentile AJ, S, F gentil C, B
1710 2298 wold J, S, F wolde AC, B
1711 2319 agame AJMRL, AdT in game Δ in grame W
1712 2320 is] was A ... B₂, SBTΔ
1713 2332 if] it AMXE ... B₂, B
1714 2334 Hire B
1715 2342 disteigned AH₁XRLB₂ distreigned M restreigned E
1716 2367 f. Two lines om. S ... Δ (ins. Λ)
1717 2368 The which is holsom to þe seke H₁ ... B₂
1718 2369 f.
Noght al as þou desire woldest
Bot so as þou be resoun scholdest

S ... Δ

1719 2371-2376 Six lines om. S ... Δ
1720 Latin Verses iii. 8 obsequium] obsessum X ... L obessum B₂
1721 2379 ff. margin Hic in exemplum—redarguit] Hic narrat qualiter indignata Venus, amantis languidi infirmitatem inspiciens, ne quid amplius in curia sua attemptare presumat, ipsum insufficientem tanquam pro medicina pluribus exemplis exhortabatur S ... ΔΛ
1722 2386 tome S, F to me AJC, B
1723 2387 wolde H₁ ... B₂, AdBT
1724 2403 Mi loues AM, Λ My loue AdBT (Ad ends with this line)
1725 2409 with om. AM ... B₂, BT
1726 2428 sitte AJC, F sit B
1727 2433 if þat þou wel beþought (be þought) X ... B₂, BTΛ if that thou wel the be thouht H₁
1728 2436 The which AM ... B₂, BTΛ (þat whilom was þe grene gras Δ)
1729 2437 as time now AM ... B₂, BTΛ
1730 2441 Than I AM, BΛ Whan I H₁ ... B₂, T
1731 2442 And wist(e) wel AM ... B₂, BTΛ
1732 2445 ferd AJ, S, F ferde C, B
1733 2446 And cold AM
1734 2462 line om. B
1735 2476 margin Pan id est deus nature A ... B₂
1736 2497 It was AM ... B₂, BT
1737 2543 Priamus AM, B, W
1738 2573 graue BT
1739 2575 Alquik F Al quik AJ, SB, K
1740 2598 þere F þer (þer) AJC, B
1741 2623 Vluxes BT
1742 2646 Lo, if] See wher AM ... B₂, BT
1743 2650 Which Ceix (om. to) B Which to seke X Which for to se W
1744 2653 wawe A ... B₂, S ... Δ
1745 2656 which] þat AM ... B₂, BT
1746 2664 he lay X, BT (line om. Δ p. m.)
1747 2670 manye] fele AM ... B₂, BT
1748 2672 here visage AM ... B₂, BT
1749 2675 pipes AM ... B₂, BT piper Δ
1750 2676 noise] merþe AM ... B₂, BT
1751 2678 sowned AM ... B₂, BT
1752 2694 Iuesses eek AM Iues boþe (Iewes both) KW Iewes (Iues &c.) eek H₁ ... B₂, BT
1753 2696 wher he was AM wher(e) he were X ... B₂, BT if he were H₁, W
1754 2701 no wonder B
1755 2702 put AJ, F putte C, B
1756 2706 so] also E, BT þo Δ
1757 2769 benyce J, S, FK be nyce (by nice &c.) AM ... B₂, BTΔ, W
1758 2775 margin Nota LB₂, F Nota bene C om. A ... R, SBTΔ, WK
1759 2796 pitte F putte AJC, SB
1760 2809 whiche S, F which AJC, B
1761 2819 margin Nota contra senes voluptuosos, quorum calor refrigescente natura extinctus est SBTΔ (om. Λ)
1762 2833 Outwiþ SΔ, FWK Out wiþ AJM, TΛ Therwiþ (Ther wiþ) H₁ ... B₂ On which B
1763 2837 margin equiperatur A equipatur C, BT, F
1764 2848 of flour of lef AM ... CB₂ and floure of leef L
1765 2850 þis time H₁ ... B₂
1766 2856 Somerfare S, F somer fare AJC, B
1767 2860 straied] frayed AM ... B₂
1768 2885 forth] for EC, BTΛ
1769 2889 for to laste BT
1770 2899 the om. AM
1771 2907 pur AM ... B₂, B, W pour H₁, T
1772 2925 moral vertu AM ... B₂, W vertu morar S
1773 2926 Wher ben þe M, TΛ Ther ben þe B
1774 2931 pernable J, SΔ, FK parnable W prouable (prouable) AM ... B₂, BTΛ
1775 2938 Here begins a new hand in F and ll. 2938-2966 are over an erasure.
1776 2942 serred S
1777 2945 wiste ST wist B, F
1778 2946 hire (hir) BTΔ, WK here S, F
1779 2968 hol B, F hole S
1780 2970 lieue F
1781 2971 The J, B
1782 2973 ff. margin Hic in anno—periclitabatur SΔ, FK om. BTΛ, W
1783 2987 Wol] Wel S
1784 2989 liue BTΔ, W lieue S, FK
1785 2994 wordles F
1786 3005 f. Paragraph begins And ouer þis S To seche FWK No Paragraph BT
1787 3006 how þat is B howe it is W
1788 3013 comune (commune) SBT, F comyn W
1789 3015 contekt FK contect SBT Contek W contek and Magd contel and Δ
1790 3023 comun B, F comune ST
1791 3026 þer fore (þerfore) FK þerof (þer of) SBTΔ, W
1792 3037 machandie F merchandie S
1793 3046 mechil F mekull W mochil SBT
1794 3054 oþre wise S, F oþer w. BTΔ, WK
1795 3060 is al B
1796 3063 forto ... forto S for to ... forto F for to ... for to BT
1797 3066 wiþouten F wiþoute SBT
1798 3081 beþ F ben (be) SBTΔ, WK
1799 3085 oþre wise F oþrewise S oþerwise BT othir wyse W
1800 3094 nouȝt F noght S nought B not T, W
1801 3098 vertu B
1802 3113 whanne F
1803 3131 mot ST, W mote B, F
1804 3147 Hand in F changes again
1805 3150 euerydai F euery day SBT
1806 3160 noman F no man SBT
1807 3169 fforþwiþ F fforþ wiþ SBT
1808 Explicit 5 f. Last two lines om. AJCL
1809 6 sub eo que recumbe S
1810 2941* ff. This conclusion is in first recension copies only, A ... B₂ &c. But ll. 2941*-2961* also in Λ. All variations from A are noted.
1811 2949* moost A
1812 2953* eende A al J
1813 2960* world AMX betidde (bitidde) JH₁ECB₂ by tydde (be tidde) AMRL
1814 2961* sihte (sighte) JR syht (sight) AMH₁ECLB₂
1815 2963* f. straghte: cawhte AM strauhte: cauhte J straght(e): caght(e) RL straughte: caughte EC
1816 2964* righte (rihte) JEC riht (right) AMH₁R
1817 2965* Hoom AM and om. C
1818 2966* hole J hoole AM
1819 2967* f. hoonde: foonde AM
1820 Latin Verses iv.* 3 ceptra AM
1821 2974* mad J maad A
1822 2978* erþly C eerþli AM erþely JH₁ERLB₂
1823 2983* f. hoonde: foonde AM
1824 2987* be J
1825 2988* byfounde A by founde M
1826 2995* f. loond: foond A
1827 2998* inbroughte JH₁
1828 3003* kepte ECB₂ kept AJMH₁RL
1829 3005* bee A
1830 3008* bischadewed (byshadewed) AMH₁E by schadewed (by schadowed) RCLB₂ beschaded J
1831 3009* Bot JH₁
1832 3011* Wiþin AM
1833 3013* hed (hede) JM heed A heued H₁E ... B₂
1834 3015* f. clier: power J cleer: poweer A
1835 3016* dooþ AM
1836 3017* only hier at hom to seke J oonly heer athoom to seeke A
1837 3018* acord JER acorde AC eeke AEC
1838 3020* been AMC by holde AM
1839 3022* hihe H₁RLB₂ hie J
1840 3023* a gret (agret) JCL a grete (agrete) AMH₁ &c.
1841 3024* been A
1842 3037* f. dooþ: sooþ AMR
1843 3029* f. pees: chees AMR
1844 3033* f. vertuows: graciows AM
1845 3036* And for to CB₂ maake A
1846 3040* Stoonde AM the] his J
1847 3041* by welde AMH₁
1848 3042* sekenesse AMH₁R
1849 3045* be J
1850 3050* bok J book AC
1851 3052* besinesse (besynesse) JH₁RL bisinesse A busynesse C
1852 3053* seeknesse (seknesse) JC seekenesse (sekenesse &c.) AMH₁R
1853 3055* book by gan to maake A
1854 3056* by taake A
1855 3058* looke A ooþer AM
1856 3060* f. somdeel A
1857 3061* of game J
1858 3062* as AJM for H₁XRCLB₂
1859 3063* been A
1860 3069* f. toold: oold A
1861 3070* Bot J
1862 3072* ooþer A
1863 3073* book A &c.
1864 3074* dooþ AM
1865 3076* taake A
1866 3077* nomoore of loue maake A
1867 3078* Bot J maake A
1868 3079* sit J sitte AMRCLB₂
1869 3084* Bot J
1870 3085* alooþerwise A
1871 3087* Whan game is beste A
1872 3089* f. moore: moore A
1873 3091* f. heele: heele AM
1874 3097* f. Bot J
1875 3104* Bot J
1876 3106* love om. AM
1877 3107* hoolde A
1878 3108* wol byholde (biholde) ARCL wil biholde B₂ wel be holde J wel byholde M
1879 3110* ous J
1880 3113* pees AMC
1881 3114* been endelees AM At the end Amen MXERCLB₂

1882 Epistola super huius opusculi sui complementum Iohanni Gower a quodam philosopho transmissa.

Quam cinxere freta, Gower, tua carmina leta
Per loca discreta canit Anglia laude repleta.
Carminis Athleta, satirus, tibi, siue Poeta,
Sit laus completa quo gloria stat sine meta.

1883 Quia1884 vnusquisque, prout a deo accepit, aliis impartiri tenetur, Iohannes Gower super hiis que deus sibi sensualiter1885 donauit villicacionis sue racionem, dum tempus instat,1886 secundum aliquid alleuiare cupiens,1887inter labores et ocia ad aliorum noticiam tres libros doctrine causa forma subsequenti propterea composuit.

[Pg 480]

Primus liber Gallico sermone editus in decem diuiditur partes, et tractans de viciis et virtutibus,1888 necnon et de variis huius seculi gradibus,1889viam qua peccator transgressus ad sui creatoris agnicionem redire debet, recto tramite docere conatur. Titulusque1890 libelli istius Speculum Meditantis1891 nuncupatus est.

1892 Secundus enim liber sermone latino metrice compositus tractat de variis infortuniis tempore Regis Ricardi Secundi in Anglia contingentibus. Vnde non solum regni proceres et communes tormenta passi sunt, set et ipse crudelissimus rex suis ex demeritis ab alto corruens in foueam quam fecit finaliter proiectus est. Nomenque voluminis huius Vox Clamantis intitulatur.

1893 Tercius iste liber qui ob reuerenciam strenuissimi domini sui domini Henrici de Lancastria, tunc Derbeie Comitis, Anglico sermone conficitur, secundum Danielis propheciam super huius mundi regnorum mutacione a tempore regis Nabugodonosor vsque1894 nunc tempora distinguit.1895 Tractat eciam secundum Aristotilem1896 super hiis quibus rex Alexander tam in sui regimen1897 quam aliter1898eius disciplina edoctus fuit. Principalis tamen huius operis1899 materia1900 super amorem et infatuatas amantum passiones fundamentum habet. Nomenque sibi appropriatum Confessio Amantis specialiter1901 sortitus est.

### FOOTNOTES:

1882 Epistola huius operis sui AJECL huius operis vel opusculi sui XRB₂ huius opusculi Δ
1883 Quia vnusquisque ins. AJXERCLB₂, BTΛ, F om. SΔ, Magd (MH₁G, Ad, WKH₃ defective at the end)
1884 1 Qvuia F
1885 2 sensualiter] intellectualiter A ... B₂
1886 3 dum tempus instat om. BTΛ
1887 4 ff. inter labores—composuit] tres precipue libros per ipsum dum vixit doctrine causa compositos ad aliorum noticiam in lucem seriose produxit. BTΛ
1888 8 f. necnon—gradibus om. BTΛ
1889 9 ff. viam—conatur] viam precipue qua peccator in penitendo Cristi misericordiam assequi poterit, tota mentis deuocione finaliter contemplatur BTΛ
1890 11 Titulusque] titulus AX ... B₂
1891 Speculum hominis A ... B₂ Speculum mediantis B
1892 13 ff. Secundus enim liber, sermone latino versibus exametri et pentametri compositus, tractat super illo mirabili euentu qui in Anglia (anglica J) tempore domini Regis Ricardi secundi anno regni sui quarto contigit, quando seruiles rustici impetuose contra nobiles et ingenuos regni insurrexerunt. Innocenciam tamen dicti domini Regis tunc minoris etatis causa inde excusabilem pronuncians, culpas aliunde, ex quibus et non a fortuna talia inter homines contingunt enormia, euidencius declarat. Titulusque voluminis huius, cuius ordo Septem continet paginas, Vox clamantis nominatur A ... B₂

Secundus liber versibus exametri et pentametri sermone latino componitur, tractat de variis infortuniis tempore regis Ricardi secundi in Anglia multipliciter contingentibus, vbi pro statu regni compositor deuocius exorat. Nomenque voluminis huius, quod in septem diuiditur partes, Vox clamantis intitulatur BTΛ

1893 20 ff. Tercius iste liber (liber iste J) Anglico sermone in octo partes diuisus, qui ad instanciam serenissimi Principis dicti domini Regis Anglie Ricardi secundi conficitur A ... B₂ Tercius iste liber qui in octo partes diuisus ob reuerenciam stren. dom. sui dom. Henrici de Lanc. &c. BT
1894 24 vsque in nunc T
1895 24 distingui B
1896 25 Nectanabum et Aristotilem A ... B₂
1897 26 regimine X ... B₂
1898 26 f. eius disciplina—materia om. AX ... B₂ eorum disciplina &c. J
1899 27 operis] libri J
1900 28 ff. super amorem et amantum condiciones fundamentum habet: vbi variarum Cronicarum historiarumque sentencie, necnon Poetarum Philosophorumque scripture ad exemplum distinccius inseruntur. Nomenque presentis opusculi Confessio Amantis specialiter intitulatur. A ... B₂ (but all except J have finem for sentencie).
1901 30 specialiter om. Λ

[Pg 481]

## TO KING HENRY THE FOURTH1902

IN PRAISE OF PEACE1903

1904 Electus Cristi, pie Rex Henrice, fuisti,
Qui bene venisti cum propria regna petisti;
Tu mala vicisti que bonis bona restituisti,
Et populo tristi noua gaudia contribuisti.
Est michi spes lata quod adhuc per te renouata
Succedent fata veteri probitate beata,
Est tibi nam grata gracia sponte data.
O worthi noble kyng, Henry the ferthe,1905
In whom the glade fortune is befalle
The poeple to governe uppon this erthe,1906
God hath the chose in comfort of ous alle:1907
The worschipe of this lond, which was doun falle,1908
Now stant upriht thurgh grace of thi goodnesse,
Which every man is holde forto blesse.
The highe god of his justice allone
The right which longeth to thi regalie
Declared hath to stonde in thi persone, 10
And more than god may no man justefie.
Thi title is knowe uppon thin ancestrie,
The londes folk hath ek thy riht affermed;
So stant thi regne of god and man confermed.
[Pg 482]
Ther is no man mai seie in other wise,
That god himself ne hath thi riht declared,1909
Whereof the lond is boun to thi servise,1910
Which for defalte of help hath longe cared:
Bot now ther is no mannes herte spared
To love and serve and wirche thi plesance, 20
And al is this thurgh godes pourveiance.1911
In alle thing which is of god begonne
Ther folwith grace, if it be wel governed:
Thus tellen thei whiche olde bookes conne,
Whereof, my lord, y wot wel thow art lerned.
Axe of thi god, so schalt thou noght be werned
Of no reqweste which is resonable;
For god unto the goode is favorable.
Kyng Salomon, which hadde at his axinge
Of god what thing him was levest to crave,1912 30
He ches wisdom unto the governynge1913
Of goddis folk, the whiche he wolde save:
And as he ches it fel him forto have;
For thurgh his wit, whil that his regne laste,
He gat him pees and reste unto the laste.1914
Bot Alisaundre, as telleth his histoire,1915
Unto the god besoghte in other weie,
Of all the world to winne the victoire,
So that undir his swerd it myht obeie.
In werre he hadde al that he wolde preie, 40
The myghti god behight him that beheste,
The world he wan, and had it of conqweste.1916
Bot thogh it fel at thilke time so,
That Alisandre his axinge hath achieved,
This sinful world was al paiene tho,1917
Was non which hath the hihe god believed:
No wondir was thogh thilke world was grieved,
Thogh a tiraunt his pourpos myhte winne;
Al was vengance and infortune of sinne.
[Pg 483]
Bot now the feith of Crist is come a place 50
Among the princes in this erthe hiere,
It sit hem wel to do pite and grace;
Bot yit it mot be tempred in manere:
For as thei finden cause in the matiere1918
Uppon the point, what aftirward betide,
The lawe of riht schal noght be leid aside.
So mai a kyng of werre the viage
Ordeigne and take, as he therto is holde,
To cleime and axe his rightful heritage
In alle places wher it is withholde: 60
Bot other wise if god himsilve wolde
Afferme love and pes betwen the kynges,
Pes is the beste above alle erthely thinges.1919
Good is teschue werre, and natheles
A kyng may make werre uppon his right,
For of bataile the final ende is pees.
Thus stant the lawe, that a worthi knyght
Uppon his trouthe may go to the fight;
Bot if so were that he myghte chese,
Betre is the pees, of which may no man lese. 70
<Sustene> pes oghte every man alyve,1920
First for to sette his liege lord in reste,
And ek these othre men that thei ne stryve;
For so this world mai stonden ate beste.1921
What kyng that wolde be the worthieste,
The more he myghte oure dedly werre cesse,
The more he schulde his worthinesse encresse.
Pes is the chief of al the worldes welthe,
And to the heven it ledeth ek the weie;
Pes is of soule and lif the mannes helthe, 80
Of pestilence and doth the werre aweie.
Mi liege lord, tak hiede of that y seie,
If werre may be left, tak pes on honde,
Which may noght be withoute goddis sonde.
[Pg 484]
With pes stant every creature in reste;
Withoute pes ther may no lif be glad:
Above alle othre good pes is the beste,
Pes hath himself whan werre is al bestad,
The pes is sauf, the werre is evere adrad:1922
Pes is of alle charite the keie,1923 90
Which hath the lif and soule forto weie.
My liege lord, if that the list to seche
The sothe essamples that the werre hath wroght,1924
Thow schalt wiel hiere of wisemennes speche
That dedly werre turneth into noght.
For if these olde bokes be wel soght,1925
Ther myght thou se what thing the werre hath do,
Bothe of conqueste and conquerour also.
For vein honour or for the worldes good
Thei that whilom the stronge werres made, 100
Wher be thei now? Bethenk wel in thi mod.
The day is goon, the nyght is derk and fade,
Her crualte, which mad hem thanne glade,
Thei sorwen now, and yit have noght the more;
The blod is schad, which no man mai restore.
The werre is modir of the wronges alle;
It sleth the prest in holi chirche at masse,
Forlith the maide and doth hire flour to falle.1926
The werre makth the grete Citee lasse,
And doth the lawe his reules overpasse. 110
There is no thing wherof meschef mai growe
Which is noght caused of the werre, y trowe.
The werre bringth in poverte at hise hieles,
Wherof the comon poeple is sore grieved;
The werre hath set his cart on thilke whieles
Wher that fortune mai noght be believed.
For whan men wene best to have achieved,
Ful ofte it is al newe to beginne:
The werre hath no thing siker, thogh he winne.
[Pg 485]
Forthi, my worthi prince, in Cristes halve, 120
As for a part whos feith thou hast to guide,1927
Ley to this olde sor a newe salve,1928
And do the werre awei, what so betide:
Pourchace pes, and set it be thi side,1929
And suffre noght thi poeple be devoured,
So schal thi name evere after stonde honoured.1930
If eny man be now or evere was1931
Ayein the pes thi preve counseillour,
Let god ben of thi counseil in this cas,1932
And put awei the cruel werreiour.1933 130
For god, which is of man the creatour,
He wolde noght men slowe his creature
Withoute cause of dedly forfeture.
Wher nedeth most, behoveth most to loke.
Mi lord, how so thi werres ben withoute,
Of time passed who that hiede toke,
Good were at hom to se riht wel aboute;
For everemor the werste is forto doute:
Bot if thou myghtest parfit pes atteigne,
Ther schulde be no cause forto pleigne. 140
Aboute a kyng good counseil is to preise
Above alle othre thinges most vailable;
Bot yit a kyng withinne himself schal peise,
And se the thinges that ben resonable,
And ther uppon he schal his wittes stable
Among the men to sette pes in evene,
For love of him which is the kyng of hevene.
Ha, wel is him that schedde nevere blod,1934
Bot if it were in cause of rihtwisnesse:
For if a kyng the peril undirstod, 150
What is to sle the poeple, thanne y gesse,
The dedly werres and the hevynesse,
Wherof the pes distourbid is ful ofte
Schulde at som time cesse and wexe softe.
[Pg 486]
O kyng fulfild of grace and of knyghthode,1935
Remembre uppon this point for Cristes sake,
If pes be profred unto thi manhode,
Thin honour sauf, let it noght be forsake.
Though thou the werres darst wel undirtake,
Aftir reson yit tempre thi corage, 160
For lich to pes ther is non avantage.
My worthi lord, thenk wel, how so befalle,1936
Of thilke lore, as holi bokes sein,
Crist is the heved and we ben membres alle,
Als wel the subgit as the sovereign:1937
So sit it wel that charite be plein,
Which unto god himselve most acordeth,
So as the lore of Cristes word recordeth.
In tholde lawe, er Crist himself was bore,
Among the ten comandementz y rede 170
How that manslaghtre schulde be forbore;
Such was the will that time of the godhede:
And aftirward, whanne Crist tok his manhede,1938
Pes was the ferste thing he let do crie
Ayein the worldes rancour and envie.1939
And er Crist wente out of this erthe hiere,
And stigh to hevene, he made his testament,1940
Wher he beqwath to his disciples there
And yaf his pes, which is the foundement
Of charite, withouten whos assent 180
The worldes pes mai nevere wel be tried,1941
Ne love kept, ne lawe justefied.
The Jewes with the paiens hadden werre,1942
Bot thei among hemself stode evere in pes:
Whi schulde thanne oure pes stonde out of herre,1943
Which Crist hath chose unto his oghne encres?
For Crist is more than was Moïses,
And Crist hath set the parfit of the lawe,
The which scholde in no wise be withdrawe.
[Pg 487]
To yive ous pes was cause whi Crist dide; 190
Withoute pes may no thing stonde availed:
Bot now a man mai sen on everi side
How Cristes feith is every dai assailed,1944
With the Paiens destruid, and so batailed
That for defalte of help and of defence
Unethe hath Crist his dewe reverence.
The righte feith to kepe of holy chirche
The firste point is named of knyghthode,
And everi man is holde forto wirche
Uppon the point which stant to his manhode.1945 200
Bot now, helas, the fame is sprad so broode,
That everi worthi man this thing compleigneth,1946
And yit ther is no man which help ordeigneth.1947
The worldes cause is waited overal,
Ther ben the werres redi to the fulle;
Bot Cristes oghne cause in special,
Ther ben the swerdes and the speres dulle;
And with the sentence of the popes bulle,
As forto do the folk paien obeie,1948
The chirche is turned al an other weie. 210
It is to wondre above a mannys wit1949
Withoute werre how Cristes feith was wonne,
And we that ben uppon this erthe yit
Ne kepe it noght, as it was first begonne.
To every creature undir the sonne
Crist bad himself how that we schulden preche,1950
And to the folk his evangile teche.
More light it is to kepe than to make;
Bot that we founden mad tofore the hond1951
We kepe noght, bot lete it lightly slake. 220
The pes of Crist hath altobroke his bond,
We reste ourselve and soeffrin every lond
To slen ech other as thing undefendid:
So stant the werre, and pes is noght amendid.
[Pg 488]
Bot thogh the heved of holy chirche above
Ne do noght al his hole businesse
Among the men to sette pes and love,1952
These kynges oughten of here rightwisnesse
Here oghne cause among hemself redresse:
Thogh Petres schip as now hath lost his stiere, 230
It lith in hem that barge forto stiere.
If holy cherche after the duete
Of Cristes word ne be noght al avysed
To make pes, acord and unite
Among the kinges that ben now devised,
Yit natheles the lawe stant assised
Of mannys wit to be so resonable,
Withoute that to stonde hemselve stable.1953
Of holy chirche we ben children alle,
And every child is holden forto bowe 240
Unto the modir, how that evere it falle,1954
Or elles he mot reson desalowe:
And for that cause a knyght schal ferst avowe
The right of holi chirche to defende,
That no man schal the previlege offende.
Thus were it good to setten al in evene
The worldes princes and the prelatz bothe,
For love of him which is the king of hevene:
And if men scholde algate wexe wrothe,
The Sarazins, whiche unto Crist be lothe, 250
Let men ben armed ayein hem to fighte;1955
So mai the knyht his dede of armes righte.
Uppon thre pointz stant Cristes pes oppressed:
Ferst holy cherche is in hirsilf divided,1956
Which oughte of reson first to be redresced;
Bot yit so highe a cause is noght decided.
And thus, whan humble pacience is prided,
The remenant, which that thei schulden reule,
No wondir is though it stonde out of reule.
[Pg 489]
Of that the heved is siek, the limes aken: 260
These regnes that to Cristes pes belongen
For worldes good these dedly werres maken,
Whiche helpeles as in balance hongen.1957
The heved above hem hath noght undirfongen
To sette pes, bot every man sleeth other,
And in this wise hath charite no brother.
The two defaltes bringen in the thridde,
Of mescreantz, that sen how we debate,
Betwen the two thei fallen in amidde,1958
Wher now aldai thei finde an open gate. 270
Lo, thus the dedly werre stant algate;
Bot evere y hope of King Henries grace
That he it is which schal the pes embrace.
My worthi noble prince and kyng enoignt,
Whom god hath of his grace so preserved,
Behold and se the world uppon this point,1959
As for thi part that Cristes pes be served:
So schal thin highe mede be deserved
To him which al schal qwiten ate laste,
For this lif hiere mai no while laste. 280
See Alisandre, Ector and Julius,
See Machabeu, David and Josue,
See Charlemeine, Godefroi, Arthus,1960
Fulfild of werre and of mortalite.
Here fame abit, bot al is vanite;
For deth, which hath the werres under fote,
Hath mad an ende of which ther is no bote.
So mai a man the sothe wite and knowe,1961
That pes is good for every king to have:
The fortune of the werre is evere unknowe, 290
Bot wher pes is, ther ben the marches save.1962
That now is up, to morwe is under grave;
The mighti god hath alle grace in honde,
With outen him pes mai nought longe stonde.1963
[Pg 490]
Of the Tenetz to winne or lese a chace,1964
Mai no lif wite er that the bal be ronne:
Al stant in god, what thing men schal pourchace,
Thende is in him er that it be begonne.
Men sein the wolle, whanne it is wel sponne,
Doth that the cloth is strong and profitable, 300
And elles it mai nevere be durable.1965
The worldes chaunces uppon aventure
Ben evere sett, bot thilke chaunce of pes
Is so behoveli to the creature,
That it above alle othre is piereles:1966
Bot it mai noght be gete natheles1967
Among the men to lasten eny while,
Bot wher the herte is plein withoute guyle.
The pes is as it were a sacrement
Tofore the god, and schal with wordes pleine 310
Withouten eny double entendement
Be treted, for the trouthe can noght feine:
Bot if the men withinne hemself be veine,
The substance of the pes may noght be trewe,
Bot every dai it chaungeth uppon newe.
Bot who that is of charite parfit,
He voideth alle sleightes ferr aweie,
And sett his word uppon the same plit,
Wher that his herte hath founde a siker weie:
And thus whan conscience is trewly weie, 320
And that the pes be handlid with the wise,1968
It schal abide and stonde in alle wise.
Thapostle seith, ther mai no lif be good
Which is noght grounded uppon charite,
For charite ne schedde nevere blod,
So hath the werre as ther no proprite:
For thilke vertu which is seid pite
With charite so ferforth is aqweinted,
That in hire may no fals semblant be peinted.1969
[Pg 491]
Cassodre, whos writinge is auctorized, 330
Seith, wher that pite reigneth, ther is grace,1970
Thurgh which the pes hath al his welthe assised,
So that of werre he dredeth no manace.
Wher pite dwelleth, in the same place
Ther mai no dedly cruelte sojorne,
Wherof that merci schulde his weie torne.1971
To se what pite forth with mercy doth,
The croniqe is at Rome in thilke empire
Of Constantin, which is a tale soth;
Whan him was levere his oghne deth desire 340
Than do the yonge children to martire,
Of crualte he lafte the querele,
Pite he wroghte and pite was his hele.
For thilke mannes pite which he dede
God was pitous and mad him hol at al;1972
Silvestre cam, and in the same stede
Yaf him baptisme first in special,
Which dide awai the sinne original,
And al his lepre it hath so purified,
That his pite for evere is magnified.1973 350
Pite was cause whi this emperour
Was hol in bodi and in soule bothe,
And Rome also was set in thilke honour
Of Cristes feith, so that the lieve of lothe,
Whiche hadden be with Crist tofore wrothe,
Resceived weren unto Cristes lore:1974
Thus schal pite be preised evermore.
My worthi liege lord, Henri be name,
Which Engelond hast to governe and righte,
Men oghten wel thi pite to proclame, 360
Which openliche in al the worldes sighte
Is schewed with the help of god almighte,
To yive ous pes, which longe hath be debated,
Wherof thi pris shal nevere ben abated.
[Pg 492]
My lord, in whom hath evere yit be founde1975
Pite withoute spot of violence,
Kep thilke pes alwei withinne bounde,
Which god hath planted in thi conscience:
So schal the cronique of thi pacience
Among the seintz be take into memoire 370
To the loenge of perdurable gloire.1976
And to thin erthli pris, so as y can,
Which everi man is holde to commende,
I, Gower, which am al thi liege man,
This lettre unto thin excellence y sende,
As y which evere unto my lives ende
Wol praie for the stat of thi persone
In worschipe of thi sceptre and of thi throne.1977
Noght only to my king of pes y write,
Bot to these othre princes cristene alle, 380
That ech of hem his oghne herte endite,
And see the werre er more meschief falle:1978
Sette ek the rightful Pope uppon his stalle,
Kep charite and draugh pite to honde,
Maintene lawe, and so the pes schal stonde.

Explicit carmen de pacis commendacione, quod ad laudem et memoriam serenissimi principis domini Regis Henrici quarti suus1979 humilis orator Iohannes Gower composuit.1980 Et nunc sequitur epistola in qua idem Ioannes pro statu et salute dicti domini sui apud altissitmum deuocius exorat.

1981Rex celi deus et dominus, qui tempora solus
Condidit, et solus condita cuncta regit;
Qui rerum causas ex se produxit et vnum
In se principium rebus inesse dedit;
Qui dedit vt stabili motu consisteret orbis
[Pg 493]
Fixus ineternum mobilitate sua;
Quique potens verbi produxit ad esse creata,
Quique sue mentis lege ligauit ea;
Ipse caput regum, reges quo rectificantur,
Te que tuum regnum, rex pie, queso, regat.1982 10
Grata superueniens te misit gracia nobis,
Quo sine labe salus nulla perante fuit.
Sic tuus aduentus noua gaudia sponte reduxit,
Quo prius in luctu lacrima maior erat:
Nos tua milicies pauidos releuauit ab ymo,
Quos prius oppressit ponderis omne malum:
Ex probitate tua, quo mors latitabat in vmbra,
Vita resurexit clara que regna regit:
Sic tua sors sortem mediante deo renouatam
Sanat et emendat, que prius egra fuit. 20
O pie rex, Cristum per te laudamus, et ipsum
Qui tibi nos tribuit terra reuiua colit.
Sancta sit illa dies qua tu tibi regna petisti,
Sanctus et ille deus qui tibi regna dedit.
Qui tibi prima tulit, confirmet regna futura,
Quo poteris magno magnus honore frui.
Sit tibi progenies ita multiplicata per euum,
Quod genus inde pium repleat omne solum.
Quicquid in orbe boni fuerit, tibi summus ab alto
Donet, vt in terris rex in honore regas: 30
Omne quod est turpe vacuum discedat, et omne
Est quod honorificum det deus esse tuum.
Consilium nullum, pie rex, te tangat iniquum,
In quibus occultum scit deus esse dolum.
Absit auaricia, ne tangat regia corda,
Nec queat in terra proditor esse tua.
Sic tua processus habeat fortuna perhennes,
Quo recolant laudes secula cuncta tuas:
Nuper vt Augusti fuerant preconia Rome,1983
Concinat in gestis Anglia leta tuis. 40
O tibi, rex, euo detur, fortissime, nostro
Semper honorata sceptra tenere manu:
Stes ita magnanimus quod, vbi tua regna gubernas,
Terreat has partes hostica nulla manus:
[Pg 494]
Augeat imperium tibi Cristus et augeat annos,
Protegat et nostras aucta corona fores:
Sit tibi pax finis, domito domineris in orbe,
Cunctaque sint humeris inferiora tuis.1984
Sic honor et virtus, laus, gloria, pax que potestas1985
Te que tuum regnum magnificare queant.1986 50
Cordis amore boni, pie rex, mea vota paraui;
Corpore cum nequii, seruio mente tibi:
Ergo tue laudi que tuo genuflexus honori1987
Verba loco doni pauper habenda tuli.
Est tamen ista mei, pie rex, sentencia verbi,
Fine tui regni sint tibi regna poli.

### FOOTNOTES:

1902 The text is that of the MS. at Trentham Hall (T). Variations marked Th are those of the copy in Chaucer’s Works, ed. 1532, ff. 375 vo-377.
1903 No title in T Iohan Gower vnto the worthy and noble kynge Henry the fourth Th
1904 Latin Verses placed at the end of the poem Th
1905 1 O Noble worthy kyng Th
1906 3 uppon this] here vpon Th
1907 4 chosen Th
1908 8 highe Th high T
1909 16 thi] the Th
1910 17 bounde Th
1911 21 this is Th goddes purueyaunce Th godespourveiance T
1912 30 to om. Th
1913 31 the om. Th
1914 35 unto the] in to his Th
1915 36 his storie Th
1916 42 he om. Th
1917 45 paynem Th
1918 54 as om. Th
1919 63 erthly Th
1920 71 S.... pes (erasure after S) T To stere peace Th eueriche on lyue Th
1921 74 lande may stande Th
1922 89 euer TTh
1923 90 al TTh
1924 93 that] what Th
1925 96 ysought Th
1926 108 here T her Th
1927 121 hast be gyde Th
1928 122 Ley Th Leie T
1929 124 sette TTh
1930 126 euer TTh
1931 127 euer TTh
1932 129 Lete T Lette Th
1933 130 put Th putte T
1934 148 neuer TTh
1935 155 and knighthode Th
1936 162 þenke T thynke Th
1937 165 the subgit] be subiecte Th
1938 173 But afterwarde Th
1939 175 Ayenst Th
1940 177 stighed Th
1941 181 neuer TTh
1942 183 paynyms Th
1943 185 erre Th
1944 194 paynems Th
1945 200 which] þat Th
1946 202 worthi om. Th
1947 203 is there Th which] that Th
1948 209 payne Th
1949 211 a] any Th
1950 216 how om. Th
1951 219 the om. Th
1952 227 men] people Th
1953 238 him selfe Th
1954 241 euer TTh
1955 251 ayenst Th
1956 254 is om. Th hersilf T her selfe Th
1957 263 helpples T helplesse Th
1958 269 Betwene TTh
1959 276 Beholde TTh
1960 283 Godfray and Arthus Th
1961 288 mai] many Th
1962 291 ben] is Th
1963 294 pes] men Th
1964 295 Off (for Of) T
1965 301 neuer TTh
1966 305 That is aboue al other peerles Th
1967 306 begete Th
1968 321 the pes] these Th
1969 329 here T her Th
1970 331 ther om. Th
1971 336 wei T way Th
1972 345 made Th
1973 350 euer TTh
1974 356 were TTh
1975 365 euer TTh
1976 371 loenge] legende Th
1977 378 and thy throne Th
1978 382 mor T
1979 Explicit 3 suis Th
1980 4 Et nunc—exorat om. Th
1981 Instead of the Latin lines that follow Th has here the lines ‘Electus Cristi—sponte data,’ which in T stand at the beginning, and after these without a break, ‘Henrici quarti—futura deus,’ twelve lines which are written at the end of the Trentham MS.
1982 10 Teque T
1983 39 augusti T
1984 48 Cuncta que T
1985 49 paxque T
1986 50 Teque T
1987 53 laudique T

[Pg 495]

## NOTES

LIB. V. (continued)

1980. F has a stop after ‘Avarice,’ but see note on l. 3966.

1982 ff. The meaning seems to be that they make no distinction of day or night when there is work of this kind to be done.

2004. overhippeth, i. e. leaps over or omits something, so that he has not all that he desires. The word is used in Piers Plowman, xv. 379, of omitting passages in the services of the Church.

2015 ff. Cp. Mirour de l’Omme, 6253 ff.,

‘Sicomme le Luce en l’eaue gloute
Du piscon la menuse toute,
Qu’il presde luy verra noer,
Ensi ly riches,’ &c.

2031 ff. The tale of Virgil’s Mirror is from the French prose Roman des Sept Sages, as published by Le Roux de Lincy. It might easily be shown that Gower did not follow either the French metrical version or the Latin Historia Septem Sapientum. The English metrical version published by Weber is from a source similar to that of Gower’s story, but it differs in some points. Gower seems to be responsible for the introduction of Carthage and Hannibal.

2099. slepende a nyht, i. e. while they slept.

2101. Cp. Prol. 182.

2115. he his oghne body, i. e. ‘he himself.’

2150 f. This point is omitted in the English metrical version.

2157 f. The English metrical version is very similar, ‘We schulle the ymage so undersette, That we ne schal hit nothing lette.’

2168. That is, the timber having been set up.

2198 ff. This about Hannibal is introduced here as if taken from a different source, ‘For this I finde,’ &c.

2238f. Cp. Mirour, 10651, ‘Plus que gaigners son augst attent.’

2273 ff. The tale of the Two Coffers is essentially the same story as that which we have in Boccaccio Decam. x. i, and essentially different from that which is told in Vit. Barlaam et Josaphat, cap. vi, as a sequel to the story of the Trump of Death. The story which we have here and in Boccaccio is not at all connected with the idea of choosing[Pg 496] by the outward appearance. The coffers are exactly alike, and the very point of the situation lies in the fact that the choice is a purely fortuitous one. The object was to show that they who complained were persons who had fortune against them, and that this was the cause of their having failed of reward, and not any neglect on the part of the king. I cannot say what the source was for Gower; certainly not Boccaccio, whose story is altogether different in its details.

2391 ff. With this story may be compared that in the Gesta Romanorum, 109, where by a choice between three pasties, one containing money, a decision is come to as to whether it is God’s will that a certain sum shall be restored to its owner, who is a miser.

2476. tall, i. e. comely, elegant.

2481. Cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, D 259.

2507. His thonkes, ‘of his own good will’: cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, A 1626, &c.

2543 ff. See Hist. Alexandri Magni de Preliis, f 1, ed. Argent. 1489.

2547 ff. Rom. de Troie, 23283 ff.

2563. Cp. ii. 2025.

2587. ‘If men shall estimate her value.’ The reading of the text is also that of S.

2643 ff. This story is to be found in the Roman des Sept Sages. Gower follows the same French prose version as before, 2031 ff.

2677. it stod. In this kind of expression the verb is usually subjunctive, as Prol. 481, i. 991, iv. 182, &c.

2752. a weie. This is also the reading of S.

2815 f. A rather more violent displacement than usual of the conjunction, ‘And fled away with all the haste,’ &c. Cp. l. 3947.

2835. hele seems here to mean ‘profit,’ in a worldly sense.

2872. According to the New Engl. Dict. this is the same as the Dutch ‘heepe,’ ‘heep,’ meaning a pruning-hook. ‘As there is no cognate word in O. E., its appearance in Gower, and this apparently in a proverbial phrase, is not easy to account for.’ In any case the phrase here seems equivalent to ‘by hook or by crook.’

2937. F has punctuation after ‘dai,’ but this is clearly a case of the inverted order of the conjunction: cp. note on Prol. 155, and below on l. 3966.

2961 ff. The story is probably taken from Statius, Achill. i. 197 ff., where however it is told at much greater length. For Gower’s acquaintance with the Achilleis, cp. iv. 1968 ff.

3002 ff. Cp. Achill. i. 338 ff.

3004 f. That is, howsoever his behaviour might be watched.

3082. Protheüs. According to Statius, Achill. i. 494 ff., Protesilaus rebuked Calchas for not having discovered Achilles, upon which Calchas revealed the truth. Perhaps the mention of Protesilaus suggested to Gower the idea of Proteus, of whom he had heard as one who could change his form at will, see l. 6672, and perhaps as[Pg 497] having prophesied the birth and greatness of Achilles (Ovid, Metam. xi. 221 ff.).

3119. topseilcole, see note on viii. 1890.

3138 f. Cp. Achill. i. 812 ff.

3247 ff. The first part of the story of Jason and Medea (ll. 3247-3926) is taken from Benoît (Rom. de Troie, 703-2062), and not from Guido, as may be easily shown by comparison of the texts. For example, Guido tells all the conditions of the enterprise, about the fire-breathing bulls, the serpent’s teeth and so on, at the beginning of the story, whereas Benoît more dramatically introduces them into the instructions given to Jason by Medea (Rom. de Troie, 1337-1374, 1691-1748), and in this he is followed by Gower (3505-3540). Guido says nothing about the sleeplessness of the serpent (Rom. de Troie, 1357 f., Conf. Am. v. 3514), nor about repeating the charm ‘contre orient’ (Rom. de Troie, 1700), nor does he mention the thanksgiving which Jason is to offer up to the gods after his victory and before he takes the fleece (Rom. de Troie, 1735 f., Conf. Am. v. 3626 ff.). The sleep of Jason after leaving Medea is omitted by Guido (Rom. de Troie, 1755 ff., Conf. Am. v. 3665 ff.), and also the bath which he took after his adventure (Rom. de Troie, 1999, Conf. Am. v. 3801). There is no need to multiply instances, which will be observed by every careful reader. We have seen on other occasions that Gower prefers Benoît to Guido, and not without excellent reasons. Guido indeed makes this story even more prosaic than usual, and combines it with matter-of-fact discussions about the magic powers of Medea and the virtues of the various stones which she used.

Gower, however, does not follow Benoît in a slavish manner. He omits or alters the details of the story very happily at times, and he adds much of his own. Thus he omits all mention of the evil motives of Peleus (or Pelias), and makes the proposal to seek the golden fleece come from Jason; he passes over the story of the dispute with Laomedon, which was necessary to the Roman de Troie, but not to the story of Jason taken separately; he adds the discourse of Jason with Oëtes on his arrival; he omits the details about Medea’s hair and eyes, her arms and her chin (Rom. de Troie, 1254 ff.), and dwells rather upon the feelings which the two lovers had for one another at first sight (3376 ff.). When they are together at night, it is Medea, according to our author, and not Jason, who suggests that it is time to rise and to speak of what has to be done (3547 ff.); and Gower adds the scene of parting (3634-3659), the description of Jason’s return over the sea and of Medea’s feelings meanwhile upon her tower, and the sending of the maid to inquire how he did. Finally, he much improves the story by making the flight take place at once, instead of prolonging Jason’s stay for a month.

Chaucer, who tells the story in a rather perfunctory manner, follows Guido (Leg. of Good Women, 1396 ff.).

3291. And schop anon, &c. This might be understood of Peleus,[Pg 498] who, according to the original story, gave orders for the building of the ship; but better perhaps of Jason, ‘And schop’ for ‘And he schop,’ cp. l. 4590 and vi. 1636.

3376. herd spoke: cp. 4485, ‘I have herd seid.’

3388. That is, ‘they took heed each of other.’ For the plural verb cp. 3439.

3416. That is, ‘he took St. John as his pledge’ of a good issue, ‘he committed himself to the care of St. John.’ The expression was often used in connexion with setting out on a journey: cp. Chaucer, Compl. of Mars, 9.

3422. Cp. iv. 3273, vi. 2104. The expression in vi. 1621 f., ‘to ful age, That he can reson and langage,’ that is, ‘till he is of full age and knows reason,’ &c., is much of the same kind.

3488. dede him helpe. We must take this second ‘helpe’ as a substantive, otherwise the rhyme would not be good. The rule is that words identical in form can only be combined in rhyme when they have some difference of meaning.

3509. to thyle. The idea was that the golden fleece was guarded in a small island adjacent to the larger ‘isle of Colchos.’ See Rom. de Troie, 1791 ff.,

‘Ilec li covient à passer,
Ou voille ou non, un bras de mer;
Mès estreiz est, ne dure mie
Gaires plus de lieue et demie.
De l’altre part est li isliax,
Non mie granz, mès molt est biax.’

3533. dethes wounde, ‘deadly wound’: cp. iii. 2657, ‘And smot him with a dethes wounde,’ and also the genitives ‘lyves’ for ‘living’ and ‘worldes’ for ‘worldly,’ i. 1771, iv. 382, &c.

3573. hold, i. e. let him hold: cp. viii. 1128, 1420.

3579 ff. According to Benoît Medea gave him first the magic figure, ‘une figure Fete par art et par conjure’ (cp. 3580), then the ointment and the ring, and after that a writing, the words of which he was to repeat three times when he came to the place. Gower changes the order of things, and combines the writing with the ‘hevenely figure,’ describing it as written over with names which he is to repeat in the manner mentioned.

3632. That thanne he were, &c., that is, she prayed that he would soon be gone.

3654. ‘It shall not be owing to any sloth of mine if I do not,’ &c.

3665 ff.

‘Dedanz son lit s’est tost cochiez
Endormi sei en eslepas;
Car tot esteit de veiller las:
Et quant il ot dormi grant piece,
Tant qu’il estoit ja halte tierce,
Levez s’est,’ &c. Rom. de Troie, 1756 ff.

‘undren hih’ is in the French ‘halte tierce.’

[Pg 499]

3681. recorde, ‘take note of.’

3688. The reading of X here, ‘And forth with all his wey he fongeth,’ is also that of GOAd₂.

3707. scherded: perhaps the word is suggested by Benoît’s expression, ‘Les escherdes hérice’ (Rom. de Troie, 1905).

3711. A literal translation of Rom. de Troie, 1906, ‘Feu et venin gitot ensenble.’ With the lines that follow cp. Rom. de Troie, 1911 ff.

3731 ff. The picturesque elements here are perhaps partly suggested by Rom. de Troie, 1869 ff.

3747. That he ne were, expressing a wish: cp. iv. 3414, ‘Helas, that I nere of this lif,’ equivalent to ‘why ne were I,’ l. 5979.

3781 f. ‘leyhe’ seems to be modified in form for the sake of the rhyme, the usual form in Gower being ‘lawhe.’

3786. naght, in rhyme for ‘noght’: cp. ‘awht,’ ‘auht,’ i. 2770, v. 6073.

3789. So Ovid, Metam. vii. 144 ff.,

‘Tu quoque victorem complecti, barbara, velles,
Obstitit incepto pudor,’ &c.,

but it is also in Benoît, Rom. de Troie, 1991 f.

3793 ff. The sending of the maid, with the pretty touch in l. 3800, is an addition by Gower.

3890. Cp. i. 1516.

3904. this was conseil, ‘this was a secret’: cp. iii. 778, vi. 2326; so Chaucer, Cant. Tales, C 819, ‘Shal it be conseil?’ cp. D 966, E 2431.

3927 ff. Benoît tells no more of Jason’s life after his return to Greece, saying that Dares relates no more, and he does not wish to tell stories that may not be true, ‘N’en velt fere acreire mençonge.’ From this point then Gower follows Ovid, Metam. vii. 159-293, and it must be understood that the illustrative quotations in the notes are from this passage.

3947. ‘And prayed her that by the magic art which she knew,’ &c. For the order of words cp. 2815 f.

3957 f. Ovid makes it full moon, l. 180, but afterwards, l. 188, says ‘Sidera sola micant.’

3962 ff.

‘Egreditur tectis vestes induta recinctas,
Nuda pedem, nudos humeris infusa capillos,
Fertque vagos mediae per muta silentia noctis
Incomitata gradus.’ Metam. vii. 182 ff.

The comparison to the adder in l. 3967 is Gower’s own.

3966. F has a stop after ‘specheles,’ there being a natural tendency even in the best copies to treat ‘and’ or ‘for’ as the beginning of a new clause: so (to take examples from the fifth book only) v. 231, 410, 444, 2318, 2937, 5096, in all which places F has apparently wrong punctuation in connexion with this kind of inverted order.

3971 ff.

‘Ter se convertit, ter sumptis flumine crinem
Irroravit aquis, ternis ululatibus ora
Solvit’: 189 f.

[Pg 500]

3981. The punctuation is that of F, but perhaps we ought rather to read,

‘Sche preide and ek hield up hir hond,
To Echates and gan to crie.’

3986. help. For this use of the imperat. sing, (with ‘helpeth’ just above) see Introduction, p. cxviii.

3994.

‘Sublimis rapitur, subiectaque Thessala Tempe
Despicit, et Creteis regionibus applicat angues:’ 222 f.

Gower very naturally understood this to mean that Medea visited Crete, and hence the confusion of geography. He could not be expected to know that Othrys and Olympus were mountains of Thessaly, and hence that the ‘Creteis’ or ‘cretis’ of his manuscript was probably a corruption.

4000 f.

‘et placitas partim radice revellit,
Partim succidit curvamine falcis ahenae.’ 226 f.

4005. Eridian, i. e. Apidanus.

4006.

‘Necnon Peneus, necnon Spercheïdes undae
Contribuere aliquid.’ 230 f.

4011. the rede See. Perhaps Gower read ‘rubrum mare’ for ‘refluum mare’ in Metam. vii. 258.

4031 ff.

‘statuitque aras e caespite binas,
Dexteriore Hecates, at laeva parte Iuventae.’ 240 f.

4039. ‘verbenis, silvaque incinxit agresti,’ 242. Gower took ‘silva agrestis’ as the name of a herb and ingeniously translated it into ‘fieldwode.’

4052 f. ‘Umbrarumque rogat rapta cum coniuge regem,’ 249. Our author is able to supply the names correctly.

4064-4114. This picturesque passage is for the most part original.

4127 ff. ‘Nec defuit illic Squamea Cinyphii tenuis membrana chelydri,’ 272. Gower understood this to mean ‘the scales of Cinyphius (or Cimphius) and the skin of Chelidrus.’

4134. ‘novem cornicis saecula passae,’ 274.

4137. Ovid speaks of the entrails of a werwolf, ‘Ambigui prosecta lupi,’ &c.

4156. For omission of relative cp. l. 4205 and note on i. 10.

4175 ff. The story here is only summarized by Ovid, Metam. vii. 394-401. Gower of course knew it from other sources.

4219. ‘intrat Palladias arces,’ Metam. vii. 398. This means Athens, but it is misunderstood by Gower.

4251. Philen, i. e. Nephele. Hyginus tells this story much as it is told here (except that it was the mother of the children who provided the ram), but he gives the name in its Latin form, as ‘Nebula.’ Note the mistake as to this name in the margin, appearing in all MSS. except SΔΛ.

[Pg 501]

4299 ff. Note the confused construction of the sentence: cp. note on i. 98.

4391. The metaphor of hunting is still kept up: the gain which they pursue is started like a hare and driven into the net.

4399. Outward, that is, when he gives things out, cp. ‘withinne’ below.

4452. I were a goddeshalf. This seems to mean, ‘I should be content,’ that is, I should be ready to say ‘In God’s name let it be so.’ For the expression cp. l. 5016, ‘Thanne a goddes half The thridde time assaie I schal.’ In the New Engl. Dict. (‘half’) it is said to be used ‘to add emphasis to a petition, command, or expression of consent or resignation’: cp. Chaucer, Book of the Duchess, 370, 757.

4455. I biede nevere ... Bot, ‘I demand only.’ In this expression ‘biede’ and ‘bidde’ have been confused, as often. Thus we have ‘I bidde nevere a betre taxe,’ i. 1556, ‘That I ne bede nevere awake,’ iv. 2905, in the latter of which ‘bede’ may be either pret. subj. of ‘bidde,’ or pres. ind. equivalent to ‘biede,’ and vi. 1356, ‘He bede nevere fare bet’ where ‘bede’ is apparently pret. subj. of bidde; while in the English Rom. of the Rose, 791, we have ‘Ne bode I nevere thennes go,’ in which ‘bode’ must be pret. subj. of ‘biede.’

4465. lete: see note on i. 3365.

4549 ff. Cp. i. 42 ff.

4557 f. ‘No law may control him either by severity or by mildness.’ For the use of ‘compaignie’ in the sense of ‘friendliness’ cp. i. 1478, and below, l. 7759.

4583 ff. Ovid, Metam. iii. 362 ff., but the circumstances are somewhat modified to suit Gower’s purpose. According to Ovid Echo’s fault was that she talked too much and diverted Juno’s attention, and her punishment was that her speech was confined to a mere repetition of what she heard. Here the crime is rather that she cunningly concealed in her speech what she ought to have told, and the punishment is that she is obliged to tell everything that comes to her ears.

4590. ‘And through such brocage he was untrue,’ &c. For the omission of the pronoun see note on i. 1895.

4623. maken it so queinte, ‘be so cunning’: cp. iv. 2314, where however ‘queinte’ has a different meaning.

4642. hire mouth ascape, i. e. escape being repeated by her mouth.

4661. The aspiration of ‘hem,’ so as to prevent elision, is very unusual: cp. Introduction, p. cxxv.

4668 ff. ‘I shall arrange in their due order those branches of Avarice on which no wealth is well bestowed,’ that is, those which make no return for what is bestowed upon them, viz. Usury and Ingratitude.

4708. of som reprise, i. e. ‘of some cost,’ cp. i. 3414,

‘Which most is worth, and no reprise
It takth ayein,’

that is, it costs nothing.

[Pg 502]

4724. with ydel hand, ‘with empty hand,’ that is, without a lure. This seems to be the original meaning of the adjective: see New Eng. Dict. ‘idle.’

4731. the gold Octovien. The treasures of Octovien (or Octavian) were proverbial: cp. Rom. de Troie, 1684 f.,

‘Unques Oteviens de Rome
Ne pot conquerre tel aveir,’

and again 28594,

‘Se li tresors Octoviens
Fust lor, si lor donassent il.’

The expression here seems to be in imitation of the French form without preposition, as in the latter of the above quotations.

The French Roman d’Othevien, found in the Bodleian MS. Hatton 100, and reproduced in two English versions, has nothing to do with the treasures of Octovien, for which see William of Malmesbury, Gesta Regum, ii. § 169 f. The treasures were supposed to be buried at Rome or elsewhere, and several persons, especially the Pope Silvester (Gerbert), were said to have seen them, but not to have been permitted to carry them away. They appear also in the Roman des Sept Sages.

4748. eschu of. The adjective is used by Chaucer with ‘to’ (or ‘for to’) and infin., Cant. Tales, E 1812, I 971. We may note the spelling here with reference to Chaucer’s rhyme in the former passage.

4763. ‘It may not by any means be avoided that,’ &c.

4774. as to tho pars, ‘as regards those matters’: ‘pars’ is the French plural form, cp. Mirour, 7386, where apparently ‘pars’ means ‘duties.’

4787. Cp. l. 7716, where the saying has a different application. The proverb is here used of those who are, as we say, penny wise and pound foolish. In the other passage it is applied to the opposite case of gaining the coat for the hood.

4808 ff. This story is founded on the so-called Comedia Babionis, one of those Latin elegiac poems in a quasi-dramatic form which were popular in the fourteenth century. Others of the same class are Geta and Pamphilus. In the original, Viöla is Babio’s step-daughter, with whom he is in love, and who is taken in marriage against his will by Croceus. The serving-man is Fodius, not Spodius, and most of the piece is concerned with an intrigue between him and the wife of Babio. See Wright’s Early Mysteries, p. 65.

4899. comth to londe, ‘appears’: cp. l. 18.

4921. who that it kan, that is, as any one who knows it will witness: cp. l. 4927, ‘For, as any one who observes may know, a beast is,’ &c.

4937 ff. This story, which is of Eastern origin, is told near the end of the Speculum Stultorum (i. e. Burnellus), with which Gower was acquainted, as we know from the Vox Clamantis. The names there are Bernardus and Dryānus, and the animals are three, a serpent, an ape, and a lion. A similar tale is told by Matthew Paris, under the year 1195, as related by King Richard I in order to recommend[Pg 503] liberality in the cause of Christendom. In this the rich man is Vitalis, a Venetian, and the poor man’s name is not given. The animals in the pit are a lion and a serpent. Vitalis thanks his deliverer, and appoints a time for him to come to his palace in Venice and receive the promised reward of half his goods; but when he comes, he is refused with contumely. The magic qualities of the gem which the serpent brings are not mentioned in the story of Vitalis.

5010 f. So in the Speculum Stultorum, ‘Tunc ita Bernardus, Sathanae phantasmate lusum Se reputans, dixit,’ &c.

5022. blessed, i. e. crossed himself. This ceremony plays a considerable part in the story of Vitalis, for by it he is preserved from the wild beasts while in the pit.

5025. Betwen him and his Asse, that is, he and his ass together: cp. l. 5381. The expression is imitated from the French, cp. Roman de Troie, 5837.

5093. There is a stop after ‘Purs,’ no doubt rightly, in F. On the other hand the stop after ‘wif’ in l. 5096 must be wrong.

5123 f. Cp. 4597 ff.

5215. standt. For this spelling cp. ‘bidt,’ iv. 1162.

5231 ff. The outline of this story might have been got from Ovid and from Hyginus, Fab. 40-43, but several points of detail suggest a different source. These are, for example, the idea that the son of Minos went to Athens to study philosophy, the statement of the number of persons sent as a tribute to Minos, the incident of the ball of pitch given by Ariadne to Theseus to be used against the Minotaur, and the name of the island where Ariadne was deserted. In the first and third of these Gower agrees with Chaucer, Legend of Good Women, 1894 ff., but his story is apparently quite independent, so that in regard to, these matters we must assume a common source: cp. L. Bech in Anglia, v. 337 ff.

as telleth the Poete. The authority referred to here must be Ovid (cp. i. 386, ii. 121, v. 6713, 6804, &c.). He slightly mentions the death of Androgeus, Metam. vii. 458, and relates the war of Minos against Megara at some length (Metam. viii. 1 ff), very briefly summarising the remainder of the story. Chaucer follows Ovid more fully here, telling the story of Nisus, to which Gower does not think it necessary to refer.

5248. dighte. This is the form of spelling here in S as well as F: so also in l. 5352.

5264 f. Hyginus says seven persons each year: Chaucer seems to conceive it as one every third year. The usual account is seven youths and seven maidens either every year or once in nine years.

5302. many on. Perhaps we should read ‘manye on’ with S and F, as vii. 2191, ‘manye an other.’

5319. This expression occurs also in ll. 5598 and 7553.

5360. fawht. Elsewhere this verb has preterite ‘foghte,’ as iii. 2651, iv. 2095, but the strong form ‘faught’ is used by Chaucer, e. g. Cant. Tales, B 3519, and this in fact is the originally correct form.

[Pg 504]

5413. Chyo. Ovid says ‘Dia,’ that is Naxos.

5507. His rihte name: cp. Mirour, 409, ‘par son droit noun Je l’oi nommer Temptacioun,’ 4243, ‘Si ot a noun par droit nommant,’ &c. and other similar expressions.

5510. as men telleth: cp. l. 6045, ‘men seith.’

5511. According to the margin Extortion is the mother of Ravine.

5550. femeline, used repeatedly both as adjective and as substantive in the Mirour de l’Omme.

5551 ff. The tale of Tereus is from Ovid, Metam. vi. 424-674, in some parts abbreviated and in others expanded, with good judgement usually in both cases, so that this is one of Gower’s best-told tales. He omits the long account given by Ovid of the way in which Pandion was persuaded to allow Philomela to accompany Tereus (Metam. vi. 447-510), the incidents of the rescue of Philomela from her imprisonment, which no doubt he felt would be unintelligible to his readers (587-600), and many of the more shocking details connected with the death of Itys and the feast upon his flesh. On the other hand he has added the prayer and reflections of Philomene in her prison (ll. 5734-5768), the prayers of the two sisters (5817-5860), the words of Progne to Tereus (5915-5927), and especially the reflections on the nightingale and the swallow at the end of the story (5943-6029). This latter part is quite characteristic of our author, and as usual it is prettily conceived.

Chaucer, who tells the story in the Legend of Good Women, 2228-2393, was weary of it even from the beginning (2257 f.), and omits the conclusion altogether, either as too shocking or as not suiting with his design. So far as he goes, however, he follows Ovid more closely than Gower.

5555. See note on Prol. 460.

5598. So also ll. 5319, 7553.

5623. Ovid’s comparison is to fire catching dry straw and leaves, Metam. vi. 456 f.

5643 ff. Ovid compares her state after the deed was done to that of a lamb hurt by a wolf and still trembling, or a dove which has escaped wounded from a bird of prey (527-530). Here, on the other hand, the idea is of being held fast, so that she cannot move or escape; while Chaucer, using the same similes as Ovid, applies the comparison less appropriately to her fear of the violence yet to come.

5651. Cp. Metam. vi. 531, ‘Mox ubi mens rediit.’

5663 ff.

‘si copia detur,
In populos veniam; si silvis clausa tenebor,
Implebo silvas, et conscia saxa movebo.’ Metam. vi. 545 ff.

5670. I suspect the combination ‘tale and ende’ may have arisen from some such phrase as ‘to sette tale on ende’ (or ‘an ende’), meaning to begin a speech: see New Engl. Dict. under ‘ende.’

5676. where is thi fere? that is, ‘where is thy fear of the gods?’[Pg 505] We must not take ‘fere’ in the sense of ‘companion’ or ‘equal,’ because in that case it could not properly rhyme with ‘Ere.’

5690 f.

‘comprensam forcipe linguam
Abstulit ense fero.’ Metam. vi. 556 f.

Gower must be commended for omitting the tasteless lines which follow in Ovid about the severed tongue, and still more the shocking statement, which even Ovid accompanies with ‘vix ausim credere,’ of 561 f.

5709. tyh, preterite of ‘ten,’ from OE. ‘tēon,’ meaning ‘draw,’ and hence ‘come.’

5724. The punctuation follows F, ‘To hire’ meaning ‘in her case,’ cp. l. 4182, vii. 4937. It would suit the sense better perhaps to set the comma after ‘forsake,’ and to take ‘To hire’ with what follows: cp. note on l. 3966, where it is shown that the punctuation of F is often wrong in such cases as this.

5726. hir Sostres mynde, ‘her sister’s memory.’

5730. guile under the gore, that is, deceit concealed, as it were, under a cloak: cp. l. 6680. The expression ‘under gore’ is common enough, meaning the same as ‘under wede,’ and this alliterative form looks like a proverbial expression.

5734-5768. All this is original.

5737. so grete a wo: cp. l. 6452, and see Introduction, p. cx.

5778. ‘nec scit quid tradat in illis,’ Metam. vi. 580.

5793. ‘Non est lacrimis hic, inquit, agendum, Sed ferro,’ Metam. vi. 611.

5802 ff. According to Ovid this was done under cover of a Bacchic festival (587 ff.).

5816-5860. This is all original.

5840. to lytel of me let: see note on l. 1004.

5891 ff. Gower does well in omitting the circumstances of this which Ovid gives (619-646), and in partially covering the horror of it by the excuse of madness, but there is one touch which ought to have been brought in, ‘Ah, quam Es similis patri!’ (621).

5910 ff. Ovid says that Philomela threw the gory head into the father’s face, and that Tereus endeavoured to vomit up that which he had eaten. Our author has shown good taste in not following him.

5915 ff. This speech is not in Ovid.

5943-6029. Nearly all this is Gower’s own. Ovid only says, ‘Quarum petit altera silvas: Altera tecta subit’ (668 f.). We have already observed upon our author’s tendency to make additions of this symbolical kind to the stories which he takes from Ovid: see note on i. 2355.

6020. The reading ‘here’ is given both by S and F, but ‘hire’ (‘hir’), supported by AJMXGCB₂, BT, W, seems to be required by the sense. She informs them of the falseness of her husband, that they also may learn to beware of them, that is of husbands. The combination of ‘here’[Pg 506] with the singular ‘housebonde,’ meaning ‘their husbands,’ would be very harsh.

6041 ff.

‘Ille dolore suo, poenaeque cupidine velox,
Vertitur in volucrem, cui stant in vertice cristae,
Prominet immodicum pro longa cuspide rostrum.
Nomen Epops volucri, facies armata videtur.’

Metam. vi. 671 ff.

The lapwing is identified with the hoopoe because of its crest. In the Traitié, xii, where this story is shortly told, Tereus is changed into a ‘hupe,’

‘Dont dieus lui ad en hupe transformée,
En signe qu’il fuist fals et avoltier,’

while at the same time in the Mirour, 8869 ff., the ‘hupe’ is represented as the bird which tries to deceive those who search for its nest, a description which obviously belongs to the lapwing.

6047. Cp. Chaucer, Parl. of Foules, 347, ‘The false lapwyng ful of trecherye.’

6053. goddes forebode: cp. Chaucer, Leg. of Good Women, 10,

‘But goddes forbode but men schulde leve,’

where the second form of text has

‘But god forbede but men shulde leve.’

We must take ‘forebode’ as a substantive.

6073. auht: modified to suit the rhyme: so ‘awht,’ i. 2770, and ‘naght,’ l. 3786, rhyming with ‘straght.’ The regular forms for Gower are ‘oght,’ ‘noght.’

6145 ff. This is from Ovid, Metam. ii. 569-588. Gower has judiciously kept it apart from the story of Coronis and the raven, told by him in the second book, with which it is combined in rather a confusing manner by Ovid. The story is somewhat expanded by Gower.

6150. wif to Marte: cp. 1214 f.

6169. And caste: cp. l. 4590, and see note on i. 1895.

6197. ‘mota est pro virgine virgo, Auxiliumque tulit,’ Metam. ii. 579 f., but Ovid says nothing of any special prayer to Pallas for help, nor does he represent that Cornix was before in attendance upon that goddess.

6207 ff. This is original and characteristic of our author.

6225 ff. This story is from Ovid, Metam. ii. 409-507, but Gower evidently knew it from other sources also, for the name Calistona (or Callisto) is not given by Ovid, who calls her ‘virgo Nonacrina’ and ‘Parrhasis.’ Hyginus tells it in various forms, Fab. 177 and Poet. Astr. ii. 2.

6255. According to Ovid, Diana was quite ignorant of the fact, though the nymphs suspected it.

6258. in a ragerie, that is ‘in sport’: cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales,[Pg 507] E 1847, and the use of the verb ‘rage,’ e. g. i. 1764 and Cant. Tales, A 257, 3273, 3958.

6275 ff. ‘I procul hinc, dixit, nec sacros pollue fontes,’ Metam. ii. 464.

6281. F has a stop after ‘schame.’

6291 ff. This address is mostly original: cp. Metam. ii. 471 ff.

6334 ff.

‘Arcuit omnipotens, pariterque ipsosque nefasque
Sustulit, et celeri raptos per inania vento
Imposuit caelo vicinaque sidera fecit.’

Metam. ii. 505 ff.

Latin Verses, x. The idea expressed is that though examples of virginity can only be produced through marriage, yet virginity is nobler than marriage, as the flower of a rose is nobler than the stock from which it springs. Marriage, in fact, replenishes the earth, but virginity heaven: cp. Trait. ii.

6359 ff. Cp. Mirour, 17119 ff., where the saying is attributed to Jerome, who says in fact that precedence was given in the streets to the Vestal Virgins by the highest magistrates, and even by victors riding in the triumphal car (adv. Jovin. ii. 41).

6372 ff. Cp. Mirour, 18301 ff. The anecdote is taken from Valerius Maximus, Mem. iv. 5, but the name in the original is ‘Spurina,’ and he does not thrust out his eyes, but merely destroys the beauty of his face. In the Mirour it is ‘Coupa ses membres.’

6385 ff. ‘So may I prove that, if a man will weigh the virtues, he will find that virginity is to be praised above all others.’ The sentence is disordered for the sake of the rhymes: cp. ii. 709 ff.

6389. The quotation from the Apocalypse is given in the margin of SΔ and in Mirour, 17053 ff. The reference is to Rev. xiv. 4.

6395* ff. Cp. Mirour, 17067 and note.

6398 ff. This also appears in Mirour, 17089 ff., and Traitié, xvi. It may have been taken from the Epistola Valerii ad Rufinum.

6402. The margin makes him ‘octogenarius,’ and so it is also in the Mirour and Traitié, as well as in the Epistola Valerii.

6435 ff. This shows more knowledge than could have been got from the Roman de Troie. The story is told by Hyginus, Fab. 121, but not exactly as we have it here. This ‘Criseide douhter of Crisis’ should be distinguished from the Criseide daughter of Calchas (Briseïda in the Roman de Troie), who is associated with Troilus, if it is worth while making distinctions where so much confusion prevails.

6442. dangerous, that is, ‘grudging’ or ‘reluctant’: cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, D 1090, and see note on i. 2443.

6452. So grete a lust: cp. l. 5737 and Introduction, p. cx.

6498. as a Pocok doth. It is difficult to see the appropriateness of the comparison, for to ‘stalke’ is to go cautiously or secretly, and that is evidently the meaning here, so that any idea of display is out of the question. The peacock was supposed to be ashamed of its[Pg 508] ugly feet, cp. Mirour, 23459, and in the Secretum Secretorum we actually have the expression ‘humilis et obediens ut pavo,’ translated by Lydgate (or Burgh) ‘Meeke as a pecock.’ Albertus Magnus says, ‘Cum aspicitur ad solem, decorem ostentat, et alio tempore occultat quantum poterit’ (De Animalibus, 23). There seems to have been a notion that it was liable to have its pride humbled and to slink away ashamed.

6526. bile under the winge, that is, concealed, as a bird’s head under its wing: apparently proverbial.

6541. I mai remene ... mene. This is apparently the reading of the MSS. The meaning of ‘remene’ is properly to bring back. It is used earlier, i. 279, with reference to the application of the teaching about vices generally to the case of love, and here it seems to have much the same sense. ‘So that I may apply what has been said about this craft directly’ (‘Withouten help of eny mene’) to the case of lovers, they being very evidently offenders in this way.

6581. hire it is: but in l. 4470, ‘It schal ben hires.’

6608 ff. For the construction see note on i. 718.

6620. Danger: see note on i. 2443.

6634. slyke: cp. l. 7092*, ‘He can so wel hise wordes slyke.’ The word means properly to smoothe, hence to flatter: cp. the modern ‘sleek.’

6635. Be him, &c., i. e. by his own resources or by the help of any other.

6636. To whom: see note on i. 771.

6654. a nyht, i. e. by night, also written ‘anyht,’ ii. 2857.

6672. Protheüs, that is Proteus: cp. note on l. 3082.

6674. in what liknesse, ‘into any form whatsoever.’

6680. under the palle, ‘in secret,’ like ‘under the gore,’ l. 5730.

6713 ff. From Ovid, Metam. iv. 192-255, but with several changes. In the original story the Sun-god came to Leucothoe by night and in the form of her mother. Clytie (not Clymene) discovered the fact (without the aid of Venus) and told it to the father; and it was an incense plant which grew from the place where Leucothoe was buried.

6757. For the expression cp. iii. 2555, ‘Achastus, which with Venus was Hire priest.’

6779. This change into a flower which follows the sun is suggested by Metam. iv. 266 ff., where we are told that Clytie was changed into a heliotrope. Here it is a sun-flower apparently.

6807 ff. From Ovid, Fasti, ii. 305-358. The ‘mistress’ of whom Ovid speaks is Omphale, but Gower supposed it to be Iole. He gets ‘Thophis’ as the name of the cave from a misunderstanding of l. 317, and apparently he read ‘Saba’ for ‘Lyda’ in l. 356, out of which he has got his idea of a goddess Saba with attendant nymphs. This feature, though based on a mistake, is a decided improvement of the story, which is told by Gower in a spirited and humorous manner.

6848 ff. The reading of X in this passage is also that of GOAd₂.

6899. The punctuation is that of F.

6932. al a route: so iv. 2145, cp. l. 6257, ‘al a compainie.’

[Pg 509]

7013. Cp. Mirour, 7181 ff.

7048. This is a nautical metaphor, ‘so near the wind will they steer.’ The verb ‘love’ is the modern ‘luff,’ meaning to bring a ship’s head towards the wind. The substantive ‘lof’ (genit. ‘loves’) means in ME. a rudder or some similar contrivance for turning the ship, and ‘love’ here seems to mean simply to steer. The rhyme with ‘glove’ makes ‘love’ from ‘lufian’ out of the question, even if it gave a satisfactory sense.

7140. gon offre. The ceremony of ‘offering’ after mass was one which involved a good deal of etiquette as regards precedence and so on, cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, A 449 ff., and ladies apparently were led up to the altar on these occasions by their cavaliers.

7179. ‘If I might manage in any other way,’ like the expression ‘(I cannot) away with,’ &c.

7195 ff. The story comes no doubt from Benoît, Rom. de Troie, 2851-4916, where it is told at much greater length. Guido does not differ much as regards the incidents related by Gower, but by comparing the two texts in some particular places we can tell without much difficulty which was Gower’s source. For example, in the speech of Hector Benoît has,

‘Veez Europe que il ont,
La tierce partie del mont,
Où sont li meillor chevalier.’ 3791 ff.,

while Guido says, ‘Nostis enim ... totam Affricam et Europam hodie Grecis esse subiectam, quanta Greci multitudine militum sunt suffulti,’ &c. See below, 7340 ff.

The story is told by Gower with good judgement, and he freely omits unnecessary details, as those of the mission of Antenor to Greece. The debate in Priam’s parliament is shortened, and the speeches of Hector and Paris much improved.

7197 ff. Cp. 3303 ff.

7202. The sentence is broken off and resumed in a different form: see note on i. 98.

7015* ff. Cp. Mirour, 7156 ff.

7033*. And that, i. e. ‘And provided that.’

7092*. See note on l. 6634.

7105* ff. The tale is told also in the Mirour de l’Omme, 7093-7128. It is to be found in the Gesta Romanorum (which however is not Gower’s source), and in various other places. Cicero tells what is practically the same story of Dionysius of Syracuse (De Nat. Deorum, iii. 34), but the acts of sacrilege were committed by him in various places. The golden mantle was taken from the statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the beard from that of Aesculapius at Epidaurus, the justification in this latter case being that Apollo, the father of Aesculapius, was always represented without a beard. Those who repeated the anecdote in the Middle Ages naturally missed this point. We may note that Dyonis is the name given in the Mirour.

[Pg 510]

7213 ff. Cp. Rom. de Troie, 2779 ff.

7235 ff. Rom. de Troie, 3029 ff. Gower has judiciously cut short the architectural details.

7275. Esionam: see note on l. 6719.

7307. in his yhte, ‘in his possession.’ For the substance of these lines cp. Rom. de Troie, 2915-2950.

7372. schape ye, imperative, for schapeth; so ‘Sey ye’ in l. 7435.

7377. Strong thing, i. e. a hard thing to bear. This is apparently a translation of the French ‘fort,’ which was very commonly used in the sense of ‘difficult’: see the examples in Godefroy’s Dictionary, e. g. ‘forte chose est de çou croire,’ ‘fors choses est a toi guerroier ancontre moi.’

7390 ff. ‘Ten men have been seen to deal with a hundred and to have had the better.’

7400. Rom. de Troie, 3842, ‘L’autrier ès kalendes de Mai,’ &c. The word ‘ender’ is an adjective meaning ‘former,’ originally perhaps an adverb. It is used only in the expressions ‘ender day’ and ‘ender night.’ The combination ‘enderday’ occurs in i. 98.

7420. Rom. de Troie, 3889 f.,

‘Cascune conseilla à mei
Privéement et en segrei,’ &c.

7451 ff. For Cassandra as the Sibyl cp. Godfrey of Viterbo, Pantheon, p. 214 (ed. 1584).

7497 f.

‘Molt est isnele Renommée,
Savoir fist tost par la contrée,’ &c.

Rom. de Troie, 4299 ff.

7555 ff. The further incidents of the embarkation and of the voyage home, Rom. de Troie, 4505-4832, are omitted.

7576 f. Cp. Rom. de Troie, 4867 ff.

7591 ff. This incident is related in the Rom. de Troie, 17457 ff. The occasion was an anniversary celebration at the tomb of Hector, and though the temple of Apollo is not actually named here by Benoît, it has been previously described at large as Hector’s burial place.

7597 ff. The scene in Chaucer’s Troilus, i. 155 ff., is well known. He took it from Boccaccio.

7612. In the treatment of Avarice Gower has departed entirely from the plan of fivefold division which he follows in the first three books, as throughout in the Mirour. In the sixth book he deliberately declines to deal with more than two of the branches of Gule (vi. 12f.), and the treatment of Lechery is also irregular.

7651. here tuo debat, i. e. the strife of those two.

7716. the Cote for the hod: that is, he gets a return larger than the amount that he gave; a different form of the expression from that which we have in l. 4787.

7719. hors: probably plural in both cases.

7724. ‘If a man will go by the safe way.’

[Pg 511]

7736 ff. This saying is not really quoted from Seneca, but from Caecilius Balbus, Nug. Phil. xi. It must have been in Chaucer’s mind when he wrote ‘Suffice unto thy good, though it be smal,’ that is, ‘Adapt thy life to thy worldly fortune.’

7830 f. I take this to mean, ‘And suddenly to meet his flowers the summer appears and is rich.’ For the meaning of ‘hapneth’ see the examples in the New English Dictionary.

7838. be war: written as one word in F and afterwards divided by a stroke.

LIB. VI.

Latin Verses. i. 6. ruit seems to be transitive, ‘casts down.’

i. 7. Rather involved in order: ‘on the lips which Bacchus intoxicates and which are plunged in sleep.’

4. mystymed, ‘unhappily produced.’ In other places, as i. 220, iii. 2458, the word seems to mean to order or arrange wrongly. The OE. ‘mistīmian’ means to happen amiss.

7. dedly, ‘mortal,’ i. e. subject to death.

34. wext, ‘he waxeth’: for the omission of the pronoun see note on i. 1895 and cp. ll. 149, 213, 367, below.

57. For the form of expression cp. i. 380, ii. 2437, and below, l. 106.

59. sterte is for ‘stert,’ pres. tense.

70. in vers, that is ‘in order.’ The word ‘vers’ is given in Godefroy’s Dictionary with the sense ‘state,’ ‘situation’; e. g. Rom. de la Rose, 9523 ff.,

‘Malement est changies li vers,
Or li vient li gieus si divers,
Qu’el ne puet ne n’ose joer.’

71 f. Cp. Mirour, 8246 f.

84. the jolif wo: cp. i. 88, vii. 1910, and Balades, xii. 4, ‘Si porte ades le jolif mal sanz cure.’

105. of such a thew, ‘by such a habit’ (i. e. of love), to be taken with ‘dronkelew.’

144. hovedance, ‘court dance’: see New Eng. Dictionary.

145. the newefot: written thus as one word in S and F: it must be regarded as the name of some dance.

160. it am noght I: cp. Chaucer, Leg. of G. Women, 314, ‘sir, hit am I,’ Cant. Tales, A 1736, &c.

188. holde forth the lusti route: perhaps simply, ‘continue to be with the merry company.’ See ‘forth’ in the Glossary.

218. vernage: the same wine that is called ‘gernache’ or ‘garnache’ in the Mirour de l’Omme, ‘vernaccia’ in Italian, but whether a wine of Italy or Greece seems uncertain.

221. at myn above: see note on iv. 914.

239. the blanche fievere: cp. Chaucer, Troilus, i. 916, with Skeat’s note.

249. Cp. Chaucer, Troilus, i. 420, ‘For hete of cold, for cold of hete, I dye.’

[Pg 512]

253. of such reles: this seems to men ‘of such strength,’ and ‘relais’ perhaps has a somewhat similar sense in Mirour, 3021,

‘C’est droit qu’il sente le relais
De la tempeste et de l’orage.’

As in the modern ‘relay,’ the idea of ceasing or of relaxation may be accompanied by the notion of fresh vigour taking the place of exhaustion, and so the word may stand simply for strength or freshness.

If this explanation is not admissible, we must suppose that ‘reles’ means here the power of relaxing or dissolving.

285 f. Cp. Rom. de la Rose, 4326 f.,

‘C’est la soif qui tous jors est ivre,
Yvrece qui de soif s’enyvre.’

290. liste: perhaps pret. subjunctive; so l. 606, and ‘leste,’ 357.

296. be the bend, i. e. ‘by the band,’ at his girdle.

311 f. ‘This for the time alleviates the pain for him who has no other joy.’ ‘As for the time yit’ means simply ‘for the time,’ cp. ll. 738, 893.

321. For ‘men’ with singular verb cp. ii. 659, v. 5510, 6045, vii. 1352, and Chaucer, Cant. Tales, A 149, &c.

330 ff. Cp. viii. 2252 ff. and. Traitié, xv. 2. The poet referred to in the margin is perhaps Homer, who is quoted in the Rom. de la Rose as authority for an arrangement somewhat similar to that described here:

‘Jupiter en toute saison
A sor le suel de sa maison,
Ce dit Omers, deus plains tonneaus;
Si n’est viex hons ne garçonneaus,
N’il n’est dame ne damoisele,
Soit vielle ou jone, laide ou bele,
Qui vie en ce monde reçoive,
Qui de ces deus tonneaus ne boive.
C’est une taverne planière,
Dont Fortune la tavernière
Trait aluine et piment en coupes’ &c. 6836 ff. (ed. Méon).

Gower has applied the idea especially to the subject of love, and has made Cupid the butler instead of Fortune. The basis in Homer is Il. xxiv. 527 ff.,

δοιοὶ γάρ τε πίθοι κατακείαται ἐν Διὸς οὔδει, κ.τ.λ.

360. trouble is properly an adjective, cp. v. 4160. The corrupt reading ‘chere’ for ‘cler’ has hitherto obscured the sense.

399 ff. This story of Bacchus is told by Hyginus, Poet. Astr. ii, under the heading ‘Aries.’

437. a riche temple. This was the temple of Jupiter Ammon.

439. ‘To remind thirsty men’ of the power of prayer.

485 ff. The story is from Ovid, Metam. xii. 210 ff.

502 f. thilke tonne drouh, wherof, &c., ‘drew such wine for them[Pg 513] that by it,’ &c. See note on i. 771 and cp. ll. 618 and 1249 of this book.

537. I do not know what authority is referred to.

598. unteid, ‘set free,’ so ‘wandering abroad.’

609. The name of this second branch of Gluttony has not been mentioned before.

632 f. ‘so long as he has wealth by which he may be provided with the means.’ For the use of ‘founde’ cp. v. 2690 and Chaucer, Cant. Tales, C 537, ‘How gret labour and cost is thee to fynde!’ (addressing the belly).

640. for the point of his relief, ‘in order to please him,’ so below ‘he is noght relieved,’ l. 678.

656. toke, subjunctive, ‘how he should take it.’

662. After this line a couplet is inserted by Pauli from the Harleian MS. 7184 (H₃),

To take metes and drinkes newe,
For it shulde alwey eschewe.’

The lines are nonsense and have no metre. They come originally from K, the copyist of which apparently inserted them out of his own head, to fill up a space left by the accidental omission of two lines (645 f.) a little above in the same column. He was making his book correspond column for column with the copy, and therefore discovered his mistake when he reached the bottom, but did not care to draw attention to it by inserting what he had omitted.

663. ‘Physique’ is apparently meant for the Physics of Aristotle, and something very like this maxim is to be found there, but the quotation, ‘Consuetudo est altera natura,’ is actually taken from the Secretum Secretorum (ed. 1520, f. 21).

664. The transposition after this line of the passage ll. 665-964, which occurs in MSS. of the second recension, is not accidental, as we see by the arrangements made afterwards for fitting in the passage (l. 1146). The object apparently was to lay down the principle ‘Delicie corporis militant aduersus animam,’ illustrated by the parable of Dives and Lazarus, before proceeding to the discussion of ‘Delicacie’ in the case of love, and this is perhaps the more logical arrangement; but the alteration, as it is made, involves breaking off the discussion here of the ill effects of change, and resuming it after an interval of nearly two hundred lines.

674. Avise hem wel, i. e. ‘let them take good heed.’

683. ‘Without regard to her honour’: cp. Balades, xxii. 4, ‘Salvant toutdis l’estat de vostre honour.’

709. abeched, from the French ‘abechier,’ to feed, used properly of feeding young birds. The word ‘refreched’ is conformed to it in spelling.

728. The reading of Pauli, ‘I say I am nought gilteles,’ just reverses the sense. Berthelette has the text right here.

[Pg 514]

738. for a time yit: cp. 311, ‘As for the time yit,’ and 893, ‘As for the while yit.’

770. ‘Without wrinkle of any kind,’ cp. Mirour, 10164, ‘Car moult furont de noble grein’; or perhaps ‘Without the smallest wrinkle,’ ‘grein’ being taken to stand for the smallest quantity of a thing: cp. ii. 3310.

778. Cp. Chaucer, Book of the Duchess, 939 ff.

785. schapthe. For this form, which is given by S and F, cp. the word ‘ssepþe,’ meaning ‘creature’ or ‘form,’ which occurs repeatedly in the Ayenbite of Inwyt.

800. ‘And if it seemed so to all others.’ The person spoken of throughout this passage as ‘he,’ ‘him,’ is the eye of the lover. This seems to itself to have sufficient sustenance by merely gazing on the beloved object, and if it seemed so to all others also, that is, to the other senses, the eye would never cease to feed upon the sight: but they, having other needs, compel it to turn away.

809. as thogh he faste: the verb seems to be pret. subjunctive, as ‘syhe’ down below.

817. tireth. This expresses the action of a falcon pulling at its prey: cp. Chaucer, Troilus, i. 787, ‘Whos stomak foules tiren everemo.’ The word is used in the same sense also in the Mirour, 7731.

845. mi ladi goode, ‘my lady’s goodness.’

857. Lombard cooks were celebrated, and there was a kind of pastry called ‘pain lumbard,’ Mirour, 7809.

879. The romance of Ydoine and Amadas is one of those mentioned at the beginning of the Cursor Mundi. It has been published in the ‘Collection des poètes français du moyen âge’ (ed. Hippeau, 1863). Amadas is the type of the lover who remains faithful through every kind of trial.

891. a cherie feste: cp. Prol. 454. It is an expression used for pleasures that last but a short time: cp. Audelay’s Poems (Percy Soc. xiv) p. 22,

‘Hit fallus and fadys forth so doth a chere fayre’

(speaking of the glory of this world).

893. Cp. 311, 738.

897. he, i. e. my ear.

908. me lacketh: the singular form is due perhaps to the use of the verb impersonally in many cases.

961. excede, subjunctive, ‘so as to go beyond reason.’

986 ff. This story furnishes a favourable example of our author’s style and versification. It is told simply and clearly, and the verse is not only smooth and easy, but carefully preserved from monotony by the breaking of the couplet very frequently at the pauses: see 986, 998, 1006, 1010, 1016, &c.

995. We have remarked already upon Gower’s fatalism, iii. 1348, &c. Here we may refer also to ll. 1026, 1613, 1702, for further indications of the same tendency.

[Pg 515]

1059. is overronne, that is, ‘has passed beyond.’

1110. descryve, apparently ‘understand,’ ‘discern,’ perhaps by that confusion with ‘descry’ which is noted in the New Engl. Dictionary.

1149 f. These two lines are omitted without authority by Pauli.

1176. That is, though they had rendered no services for which they ought to be so distinguished.

1180. sojorned: the word is used in French especially of a horse kept in stable at rack and manger and refreshed for work: see Mirour, Glossary.

1216. ‘So that that pleasure should not escape him.’

1245. out of feere, ‘without fear.’

1262. unwar, here ‘unknown’: cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, B 427, ‘The unwar wo or harm that comth behinde.’

1295. Originally geomancy seems to have been performed, as suggested in this passage, by marks made in sand or earth, then by casual dots on paper: see the quotations under ‘geomancy’ in the New Engl. Dictionary. Gower here mentions the four recognized kinds of divination, by the elements of earth, water, fire, and air.

1306 ff. It is practically certain that Gower was acquainted with the treatise ascribed to Albertus Magnus, called Speculum Astronomiae or De libris licitis et illicitis (Alberti Magni Opera, v. 655 ff.), since he seems to follow it to a great extent not only here, but also in his list of early astronomers (vii. 1449 ff.). There are however some things here which he must have had from other sources; for there is no mention in the above-mentioned treatise of ‘Spatula,’ ‘Babilla,’ ‘Cernes,’ ‘Honorius.’

1312. comun rote, that is, apparently, ‘common custom.’ The word ‘rote’ is used also below, l. 1457, where it appears to mean ‘condition.’ It must be the same as that which appears in the phrase ‘by rote,’ and it is difficult to believe that it can be the French ‘route,’ as is usually said. The rhyme here and in l. 1457, as well as those in Chaucer (with ‘cote,’ ‘note’), show that the ‘o’ had an open sound, and this would be almost impossible from French ‘ou.’ The expression ‘par routine’ or ‘par rotine’ is given by Cotgrave as equivalent to the English ‘by rote,’ but I am not aware of any use of such an expression in French as early as the fourteenth century. Many of the examples of the phrase ‘by rote’ seem to have to do with singing or church services (cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, B 1712, Piers Plowmans Crede, 379), and Du Cange gives a quotation in which ‘rotae’ seems to mean ‘chants’ or ‘hymns’ (‘rota,’ 6). From such a sense as this the idea of a regular order of service, and thence of ‘custom,’ ‘habit,’ might without much difficulty arise.

1314 ff. The following passage from the Spec. Astronomiae, cap. 10, gives most of the names and terms which occur in these lines: ‘Ex libris vero Toz Graeci est liber de stationibus ad cultum Veneris, qui sic incipit: Commemoratio historiarum ... Ex libris autem Salomonis est liber de quatuor anulis, quem intitulat nominibus quatuor discipulorum suorum, qui sic incipit: De arte eutonica et ideica, &c. Et liber[Pg 516] de nouem candariis.... Et alius paruus de sigillis ad dæmoniacos, qui sic incipit: Caput sigilli gendal et tanchil.’

1316. Razel. ‘Est autem unus liber magnus Razielis, qui dicitur liber institutionum,’ &c. In MS. Ashmole 1730 there is a letter to Dr. Richard Napier from his nephew at Oxford, speaking of a book of Solomon in the University Library called Cephar Raziel, that is, he explains, ‘Angelus magnus secreti Creatoris,’ of which he proposes to make a copy, having obtained means of entering the library at forbidden hours. Again, in MS. Ashmole 1790 there is a description of this book.

1320. ‘cui adiungitur liber Beleni de horarum opere,’ Spec. Astron. p. 661. The seal of Ghenbal is the ‘sigillum gendal,’ mentioned in the former citation.

1321 f. thymage Of Thebith. Thebith (or Thebit) stands for Thabet son of Corah, a distinguished Arabian mathematician, to whom were attributed certain works on astrology and magic that were current in Latin. Thus we find Thebit de imaginibus very commonly in MSS., and a Liber Thebit ben Corat de tribus imaginibus magicis was printed in 1559 at Frankfort. In this latter book the author says, ‘Exercentur quoque hae imagines in amore vel odio, si fuerit actor earum prouidus et sapiens in motibus coeli ad hoc utilibus.’ Thebith is mentioned several times in the Spec. Astronomiae, e. g. p. 662, ‘Super istis imaginibus reperitur unus liber Thebith eben Chorath,’ &c. We must take ‘therupon’ in l. 1321 to mean ‘moreover,’ for it is not to be supposed that the image of Thebith was upon the seal of Ghenbal.

1338. The ‘Naturiens’ are those who pursue the methods of astrology, as opposed to those who practise necromancy (‘nigromance’) or black magic.

1356. He bede nevere: see note on v. 4455.

1359. red, originally written ‘rede’ in F, but the final letter was afterwards erased. See Introduction, p. cxiv.

1371 f. The rhyme requires that ‘become,’ ‘overcome’ shall either be both present or both preterite (subjunctive), and ‘wonne’ seems to decide the matter for preterite. The only difficulty is ‘have I’ for ‘hadde I’ in l. 1370, the latter being required also by the sense (for the reference is to the former time of youth), but not given by the MSS. ‘So that I wonne’ means ‘Provided that I won.’

1391 ff. This story is from the Roman de Troie, 28571-28666, 29629-30092. Guido does not differ as to the main points, but there are several details given by Gower from Benoît which are not found in Guido. In particular the ensign carried by Telegonus is mentioned by Guido only in telling of the dream of Ulysses. Some of the passages which tend to show that Benoît was our author’s authority are noted below.

1408. al the strengthe of herbes: a poem De Viribus Herbarum passed in the Middle Ages under the name of Macer.

[Pg 517]

1422. The mention of ‘nedle and ston’ in this connexion is a rather daring anachronism, for which of course Gower is responsible.

1424. Cilly. Benoît says ‘les isles d’Oloi,’ and Guido ‘in Eolidem insulam,’ but Sicily has been mentioned shortly before.

1438 f. Cp. Rom. de Troie, 28594 ff. Guido does not mention it.

1441. ‘S’el sot des arz, il en sot plus,’ Rom. de Troie, 28641.

1445 ff. Benoît says nothing of this, but the story of the adventures of Ulysses was to some extent matter of common knowledge in the Middle Ages. Gower may have had it from Ovid, Metam. xiv. 277 ff. Guido says in a general way that Circe was in the habit of transforming those who resisted her power into beasts.

1457. into such a rote, that is, ‘into such a habit’ (or ‘condition’): see note on l. 1312.

1467. toswolle bothe sides, ‘with both her sides swollen’: cp. Rom. de Troie, 28660 f.,

‘Et si li lesse les costez
Toz pleins, ço quit, de vif enfant.’

1474. understode: subj., see note on Prol. 460.

1481. on of al the beste, see note on iv. 2606.

1513 f. margin. This quotation is not from Horace, but from Ovid, Pont. iv. 3. 35. Cp. Mirour, 10948, where the same quotation occurs and is attributed as here to ‘Orace.’

1524. The form ‘stature’ is required by the metre here, and is given by the best MSS. of the second and third recensions. In Prol. 891, where ‘statue’ occurs, it is reduced to a monosyllable by elision, and so it is in Chaucer, Cant. Tales, A 975, 1955. The forms ‘statura,’ ‘stature,’ are found with this sense in the Latin and French of the time.

1541 ff.

‘Et si me disoit: Hulixes
Saiches, ceste conjuncions,
Cist voloir, ceste asembloisons,
Que de moi et de toi desirres,
Ce sunt dolors et mortex ires.’

Rom. de Troie, 29670 ff.

The prediction, however, that one of the two would have his death by reason of their meeting comes later, 29699, whereas Guido combines the materials here much in the same way as Gower.

1552 ff. This idea of a pennon embroidered with a device is Gower’s own conception, constructed from the not very clear or satisfactory account of the matter given by his authority here and later, 29819 ff. The fact is that Benoît did not understand the expression used in the Latin book (the so-called ‘Dictys Cretensis’) which he was here following, the passage being probably corrupt in his copy, and consequently failed to make it intelligible to his readers. The original statement (made with reference to the ensign carried afterwards by Telegonus) is, ‘Ithacam venit gerens manibus quoddam hastile, cui summitas[Pg 518] marinae turturis osse armabatur, scilicet insigne insulae eius in qua genitus erat.’ The meaning apparently is that his spearhead was made of a sea-turtle’s shell. Benoît, in recounting the vision, says that the figure which appeared bore upon the steel head of his lance a crown worked of the bone of a sea-fish,

‘Portoit une coronne ovrée
D’os de poisson de mer salée.’ 29687 f.

Then afterwards, in telling of the departure of Telegonus to seek his father, he says that, to show of what country he was, he bore on the top of his lance the sign of a sea-fish worked like a tower,

‘En semblance de tor ovrée.’ 29822.

Guido apparently was not able to make much of this, and after saying, in the account of the dream, that at the top of the lance there appeared ‘quedam turricula tota ex piscibus artificiose composita’ (Bodl. MS. Laud 645, with variants ‘craticula,’ MS. Add. 365, ‘curricula,’ printed editions), he subsequently omitted mention of the recognisance.

1561 f. A signe it is ... Of an Empire. Benoît has,

‘Que c’iert d’ampire conoissance
Et si aperte demostrance
Que por ce seroient devis,’ &c. 29695 ff.,

which may perhaps mean, ‘that it was the cognisance of a kingdom and a sign that they should be divided.’ In Guido, however, it is ‘hoc est signum impie disiunccionis’ (MS. Laud 645 and printed text), or ‘hoc est signum impii et disiunccionis’ (MS. Add. 365).

1567 f. Cp. 2296 ff.

1603 ff. For the order of the clauses here cp. ii. 709, iv. 3520 ff.

1622 ff. That, for ‘Til that’; cp. iv. 3273, v. 3422.

1636. ‘And he made himself ready forthwith.’ For the omission of the pronoun even where the subject is changed cp. v. 3291, 4590.

1637 ff. Cp. Rom. de Troie, 29824 ff. Guido says nothing about it.

1643. That is, ‘to avoid espial and wrong suspicions.’

1656. Rom. de Troie, 29801 f.,

‘A Hulyxes, qui fut ses druz,
Mande par lui v. c. saluz.’

Guido says nothing about this.

1660. Nachaie, a mistake for ‘Acaie,’

‘Tant qu’il vint droit en Acaie’;

and this again seems to be from ‘Ithaca.’

1685. and welnyh ded: cp. Rom. de Troie, 29906 f. Guido says only ‘et ab illis est grauiter vulneratus.’

1689. Gower has judiciously reduced the number from fifteen (Rom. de Troie, 29902).

1696. for wroth, that is, ‘by reason that he was wroth’: see note on iv. 1330. We can hardly take ‘wroth’ as a substantive.

[Pg 519]

1701. ‘Se il ne fust un poi guenchiz,’ Rom. de Troie, 29939.

1707. With al the signe, ‘together with the signe,’ like the French ‘ove tout’; cp. Mirour 4 (note).

1745 f. Rom. de Troie, 30022 ff. Guido omits this.

1769 ff. For this repetition cp. 2095 ff.

1785. The ‘Cronique imperial’ is evidently the story itself, and not any particular book in which it is to be found.

1789 ff. The authority which is mainly followed by our author for this story is the Anglo-Norman Roman de toute Chevalerie, by Eustace (or Thomas) of Kent. The beginning of this, including all that we have to do with here, has been printed by M. Paul Meyer in his book on the Alexander romances, ‘Bibliothèque française du moyen âge’ vol. iv. pp. 195-216. Gower was acquainted, however, also with the Latin Historia Alexandri de Preliis, and has made use of this in certain places, as (1) in the account of Philip’s vision (2129-2170) where he probably found the French unintelligible, and (2) in the story of the death of Nectanabus (2289 ff.), of which the Latin authority certainly gives the more satisfactory account.

The following are some of the points in which Gower agrees with the Roman de toute Chevalerie against the two Latin versions of the story, viz. the Historia de Preliis and the Res Gestae Alexandri of Valerius: (1) the celebration by Olympias of the festival of her nativity, when she rides out on a white mule and is first seen by Nectanabus, ll. 1823-1880; (2) the omission of the sealing of the queen’s womb by Nectanabus, this being introduced only in Philip’s vision; (3) the question of the queen as to how she shall procure further interviews with the god, and the answer of Nectanabus, ll. 2109 ff.; (4) the circumstances connected with the egg from which the serpent was hatched, ll. 2219 ff. The English metrical Romance of Alexander, printed by Weber, is also taken from the Roman de toute Chevalerie, and consequently the details of it are for the most part the same as those in Gower. It is certain, however, that Gower does not follow this. It would be quite contrary to his practice to follow an English authority, and apart from this there are many small matters here in which he agrees with the French as against the English, e. g. the name Nectanabus, which is Neptanabus in the English (Anectanabus in the Hist. de Preliis), the mention of the nativity of Olympias as the occasion of her festival, ‘Grant feste tint la dame de sa nativité,’ the use of the word ‘artemage,’ l. 1957, the incident of the dragon being changed into an eagle, l. 2200; and such points of correspondence as may seem to suggest a connexion between the two English writers, as in ll. 1844 f., 2231 f., are also to be found in the French. The English alliterative Romance of Alexander follows the Hist. de Preliis, and consequently it agrees with Gower in the two passages which have been referred to above.

1798. The sentence is broken off and finished in a different manner. See note on i. 98, and cp. vii. 3632.

1811. Thre yomen, &c. This is an addition by Gower. According to[Pg 520] the original story Nectanabus was alone, and this would evidently be the better for his purpose.

1828. list. This may be present tense, ‘it pleases.’ Loss of the final e in the preterite would hardly occur except before a vowel: see Introduction, p. cxv. The French original lays stress here on the extravagant desire that women have to display themselves.

1831. At after, i. e. ‘After,’ used especially of meals, cp. l. 1181, and Chaucer, Cant. Tales, B 1445, F 918 ‘at after diner,’ E 1921 ‘At after mete,’ F 302, 1219 ‘At after soper,’ for which references, as for many others elsewhere, I am indebted to Prof. Skeat’s very useful Glossary.

1844 f. The French has

‘E tymbres e tabours ont e leur corns corné,’ 130,

and later

‘Plus de mil damoisels ount le jur karolé, 140.

The English version of the second line,

‘There was maidenes carolying,’

comes very near to Gower.

1924. Bot if I sihe, ‘unless I should see,’ pret. subj.

1943 ff. This promise is not in the French.

1959 ff. The astrological terms in these lines are due to Gower. The original says that Nectanabus laid the image in a bed with candles lighted round it, bathed it in the juice of certain herbs, and said his charms over it.

1997. such thing ... Wherof: cp. ll. 502, 2398.

2005 f.

‘Nectanabus idunc ses karectes fina.’

2062. putte him. We should rather read ‘put him’ with S and F: see Introduction, p. cxvi. The French romance here grotesquely represents Nectanabus as making up a disguise for himself with a ram’s head and a dragon’s tail, which he joins together with wax, ‘e puis dedens se mist.’ The Latin Hist. de Preliis says simply that he changed himself into a dragon.

2074 ff. The French has,

‘Une pel de moton ouvec les cornes prist,
Une coroune d’or sur les cornes assist.’

The punctuation after ‘tok’ is that of F, but I suspect that ‘in signe of his noblesse’ belongs really in sense to 2076 f., and refers rather to the crown than to the horns, in which case we ought to set a full stop after ‘bar.’

2113. seth hire grone, that is, in child-bed.

2128 ff. The French romance, following Valerius in the main, gives a rather confused account of Philip’s dream. Gower has turned from it to the Historia de Preliis.

2160. Amphion. The name apparently is got from ‘Antifon,’ which occurs below in connexion with the incident of the pheasant’s egg.

[Pg 521]

2182. rampende. The French has ‘mult fierement rampant.’

2199 ff. The transformation into an eagle is found in Valerius and the French romance, and not in the Hist. de Preliis. It may be noted, however, that the picturesque description which we have here of the eagle pruning himself and then shaking his feathers, so that the hall was moved as by an earthquake, is Gower’s own.

2219 ff. The Latin accounts say that a bird, according to Valerius a hen, came and laid an egg in Philip’s lap as he sat in his hall. The Rom. de toute Chevalerie makes the incident take place out in the fields, and the bird, as here, is a pheasant. The expression used, ‘Un oef laissat chaïr sur les curs Phelippun,’ seems to mean that the egg was laid in Philip’s lap. There is nothing about the heat of the sun in the Latin versions.

2250 ff. These lines refer to the precautions taken by Nectanabus to secure that the child shall be born precisely at the right astrological moment: cp. Rom. de toute Chevalerie, 401-425. Gower has chosen to omit the details.

2274. Calistre, i. e. Callisthenes, who was reputed to be the author of the history of Alexander which Valerius translated.

2299 ff. The question of Alexander and the answer of Nectanabus is given as here in the Hist. de Preliis. In Valerius and the French romance Alexander throws Nectanabus down merely in order to surprise him, and the suggestion that Nectanabus knew that he should die by the hands of his son is not made till afterwards.

2368. Zorastes. The statement here about the laughter of Zoroaster at his birth is ultimately derived from Pliny, Hist. Nat. vii. 15. It is repeated by Augustine, with the addition ‘nec ei boni aliquid monstrosus risus ille portendit. Nam magicarum artium fuisse perhibetur inventor; quae quidem illi nec ad praesentis vitae vanam felicitatem contra suos inimicos prodesse potuerunt; a Nino quippe rege Assyriorum, cum esset ipse Bactrianorum, bello superatus est’ (De Civ. Dei, xxi. 14).

2381. ‘Like wool which is ill spun’: cp. i. 10.

2387. Phitonesse, cp. iv. 1937.

2411. betawht To Aristotle, ‘delivered over to Aristotle’: ‘betawht’ is the past partic. of ‘beteche,’ which occurs afterwards, vii. 4234, and in Chaucer, Cant. Tales, B 2114, ‘Now such a rym the devel I beteche.’

2418. Yit for a time: to be taken as one phrase; cp. ‘for a while yit,’ &c., ll. 311, 738, 893.

LIB. VII.

The account given in the earlier part of this book of the parts of Philosophy, that is, of the objects of human knowledge, represents in its essentials the Aristotelian system. The division into ‘Theorique,’[Pg 522] ‘Rethorique,’ and ‘Practique’ is in effect the same as Aristotle’s classification of knowledge as Theoretical, Poetical, and Practical, and the further division of ‘Theorique’ into Theology, Physics, and Mathematics, and of ‘Practique’ into Ethics, Economics, and Politics, is that which is made by Aristotle. The statement of Pauli and others that this part of Gower’s work is ‘very likely borrowed’ from the Secretum Secretorum is absolutely unfounded. This treatise is not in any sense an exposition of the Aristotelian philosophy, indeed it is largely made up of rules for diet and regimen with medical prescriptions. Gower is indebted to it only in a slight degree, and principally in two places, vii. 2014-2057, the discussion of Liberality in a king, and 3207*-3360*, the tale of the Jew and the Pagan.

The most important authority, however, for the earlier part of the seventh book has hitherto been overlooked. It is the Trésor of Brunetto Latini. This book is very largely based upon Aristotle, with whose works Latini was exceptionally well acquainted, and it is from this that Gower takes his classification of the sciences, though in regard to the place of Rhetoric he does not quite agree with Latini, who brings it in under the head of ‘Politique,’ making Logic the third main branch of philosophy. Gower takes from the Trésor also many of his physical and geographical statements and his reference to the debate on the conspiracy of Catiline. On the other hand his astronomy is for the most part independent of the Trésor, and so also is his method of dealing with the principles of Government, under the five points of Policy. Brunetto Latini does not treat of politics generally so much as of the practical rules to be observed by the Podestà of an Italian republic. It may be observed that Gower has drawn on the Trésor also in the sketch of general history given in the Prologue (ll. 727-820). I refer to pages of the edition of Chabaille, 1863.

26 ff. ‘As to which Aristotle ... declares the “intelligences” under three heads especially.’ The meaning of ‘intelligences’ here and in l. 176, and of ‘intelligencias’ in the margin, l. 149, seems to be nearly the same as ‘sciences,’ that is to say, divisions or provinces of knowledge.

155. Algorisme. This stands properly for the decimal system of numeration, but the use of the word in the plural, l. 158, shows that Gower did not use it in this sense only. The association of the word ‘Algorismes’ below with the letters a, b, c (‘Abece’) seems to suggest some kind of algebraical expression, but this is perhaps due to a misunderstanding by Gower of the word ‘abaque’ (or ‘abake’) in the Trésor, p. 6: ‘Et de ce sont li enseignement de l’abaque et de l’augorisme.’

183 ff. ‘Ce est la science par laquele li vii sage s’esforcierent par soutillece de geometrie de trover la grandeur dou ciel et de la terre, et la hautesce entre l’un et l’autre.’ Trésor, pp. 6, 7.

207 ff. Cp. Trésor, p. 15, ‘Cele matiere de quoi ces choses furent formées les desvance de naissance, non mie de tens, autressi comme li[Pg 523] sons est devant le chant, ... et neporquant andui sont ensemble.’ Cp. pp. 104, 105.

216. Ylem, this is ‘hyle’ (Gr. ὕλη), the Aristotelian term for matter. For what follows cp. Trésor, p. 105.

245. This comparison of the movement of water within the earth to the circulation of blood in the veins, is taken from the Trésor, p. 115: ‘autressi comme li sangs de l’ome qui s’espant par ses vaines, si que il encherche tout le cors amont et aval.’

256 ff. Cp. Trésor, p. 117.

265 ff. This which follows about the Air seems to be partly independent of the Trésor, and the word ‘periferie’ is not there used. Aristotle divides the atmosphere into two regions only, that of ἀτμίς or moist vapour, corresponding to the first and second periferies here, and that of exhalation (ἀναθυμίασις) or fiery vapour, corresponding to the third, Meteor. i. 3.

283 f. ‘According to the condition under which they take their form.’ I suppose the word ‘intersticion’ to be taken from ‘interstitium,’ as used with a technical sense in astrology. Albumasar, for example, says, ‘Quicquid in hoc mundo nascitur et occidit ex quatuor elementis est compositum, tribus interstitiis educatum, scilicet principio, medio et fine, quae tria in illa quatuor ducta duodecim producunt.’ This is the cause, he says, why there are twelve signs of the zodiac, ‘Praesunt siquidem haec signa quatuor elementis eorumque tribus interstitiis.’ He then explains that the first ‘interstitium’ of each element is that condition of it which is favourable to production, growth and vigour, the second that which is stationary, and the third that which tends to decay and corruption, so that the word is almost equivalent to condition or quality. (Vincent of Beauvais, Spec. Nat. xv. 36.)

302. Cp. Trésor, p. 119, ‘mais li fors deboutemenz dou vent la destraint et chace si roidement que ele fent et passe les nues et fait toner et espartir.’

307 ff. Cp. Trésor, p. 120.

323 ff. Trésor, p. 120, ‘dont aucunes gens cuident que ce soit li dragons ou que ce soit une estele qui chiet.’ What follows about ‘exhalations’ is not from the Trésor.

334. Assub. This word is used in Latin translations of Aristotle as an equivalent of ‘stella cadens.’

339. exalacion. This stands for fiery vapour only, originally a translation of Aristotle’s ἀναθυμίασις.

351 ff. The names ‘Eges’ and ‘Daaly’ (l. 361), must be taken originally from Aristotle’s expression δαλοὶ καὶ αἶγες, which he says are names given by some people to various forms of fire in the sky, Meteor. i. 4. Our author simply repeated the terms after his authorities and without understanding them. In fact, ‘Eges’ stands for the same as the ‘Capra saliens’ of the preceding lines.

389. The idea of the four complexions of man, corresponding to the[Pg 524] four elements, is not due to Aristotle, but we find it in the Trésor. The application to matters of love in ll. 393-440 is presumably Gower’s own.

405 f. Aristotle says on the contrary, οἱ μελαγχολικοὶ οἱ πλεῖστοι λάγνοι εἰσίν, Probl. 30.

437. To thenke. For this use of ‘may’ with the gerund cp. ii. 510, ‘I myhte noght To soffre.’

510. ‘While the flesh has power to act,’ that is during the life of the body.

521 ff. For the geography which follows cp. Trésor, pp. 151-153.

534. the hevene cope: cp. l. 1579, ‘under the coupe of hevene,’ where the spelling suggests the Latin ‘cupa,’ rather than ‘capa,’ as the origin of the word in this common phrase. The quality of the ‘o’ in Europe is perhaps doubtful.

536. Begripeth: used here as plural, cp. l. 1107: ‘calleth’ in l. 561 with ‘men’ (indef.) as the subject is not a case of the same kind.

545. who that rede: subj., cp. Prol. 460.

559. That is, presumably, double as much as either of the other two: cp. Trésor, p. 152, ‘car Asie tient bien l’une moitié de toute la terre.’

566. Canahim: a mistake for ‘Tanaim’ (or ‘Tanain’), see Trésor, p. 152, where the extent of Asia is said to be from the mouths of the Nile and the ‘Tanain’ (i. e. the Don) as far as the Ocean and the terrestrial Paradise.

593 ff. Cp. Trésor, p. 115.

597. Latini says that this is the explanation given by some people of the tides, but he adds that the astronomers do not agree with them (Trésor, p. 172).

611. Aristotle does in fact make of αἰθήρ a fifth element, of which the heaven and the heavenly bodies consist, but Gower takes this account of it and the name Orbis from the Trésor, p. 110, where also we find the comparison to the shell of an egg.

652 ff. ‘Sapiens dominabitur astris,’ an opinion which is developed in the Vox Clamantis, ii. 217 ff.

694. Bot thorizonte, ‘beyond the horizon’: so perhaps in the first text of v. 3306, ‘But of his lond’ stood for ‘Out of his lond.’ However, this use of ‘but’ is not clearly established in Southern ME. and perhaps the reading of the second recension, ‘Be thorizonte,’ may be right. As regards sense, one is much the same as the other: neither is very intelligible, unless ‘thorizonte’ means the ecliptic.

699. thei, that is the planets, not the signs.

725 ff. Cp. Trésor, p. 141.

831. is that on, i. e. ‘is one,’ or ‘is the first.’

853. The sun’s horses are named by Fulgentius, Mythol. ii, in the same order as we have here, ‘Erythreus, Actæon, Lampos, Philogeus.’ They are said there to represent four divisions of the day, Erythreus, for example, having his name from the red light of morning, and Philogeus from the inclination of the sun towards the earth at evening. Ovid gives a different set of names.

[Pg 525]

944. ‘In whatever degree he shall exercise his powers.’

978. as it appendeth, ‘as it is fitting,’ lit. ‘as it belongs’: cp. ‘appent,’ Mir. 1535.

979. natheles. This word is frequently used by Gower with no sense of opposition, meaning ‘moreover’ or something similar: cp. i. 21, vii. 3877, &c.

983. It may be observed that (in spite of this reference and that in l. 1043) our author’s statements about the number and arrangement of stars in the constellations of the zodiac do not at all correspond with those in the Almagest.

983 (margin). produxit ad esse, ‘brought forth into existence’: the infinitive is often used as a substantive in Gower’s Latin: e. g. Prol. Lat. Verses, iv. 4, v. 6.

989. hot and drye. According to the astrologers, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius preside over the element of fire, and are hot and dry by nature; Taurus, Virgo, Capricornus over that of earth, being dry and cold; Gemini, Libra, Aquarius preside over air, and are hot and moist; while Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are moist and cold, having dominion over water (Albumasar, cited by Vincent of Beauvais, Spec. Nat. xv. 36).

991 f. Aries and Scorpio are the ‘houses’ or ‘mansions’ of Mars, Taurus and Libra of Venus, Gemini and Virgo of Mercury, Cancer of the Moon, Leo of the Sun, Sagittarius and Pisces of Jupiter, Capricornus and Aquarius of Saturn.

1021. somdiel descordant: the hot and moist Libra is more in accordance with her nature: see 1111 ff.

1036 f. This statement and the others like it below, 1073, 1089, 1127, 1147, 1198, 1222, may be taken to indicate that the division of the signs was very uncertain in our author’s mind. It may be observed that the usual representation of Taurus in star-maps is with his head, not his tail, towards Gemini.

1085. the risinge: that is to say, Virgo is the ‘exaltation’ of Mercury, as well as one of his houses.

1100. For the sense of ‘applied’ cp. v. 913.

1115 f. Libra is the exaltation of Saturn.

1135. That is to say, Scorpio is the ‘fall’ of Venus, being the sign opposite to one of her houses, namely Taurus.

1155 f. Sagittarius is a house of Jupiter, and it is opposite to Gemini, which is one of the houses of Mercury.

1162. The Plowed Oxe, i. e. the ox that has ploughed the land.

1166. Then the swine are killed and the larder, or bacon-tub, comes into use.

1175. Capricorn is the ‘fall’ of the Moon, being opposite to her house, Cancer, as the next sign Aquarius is that of the Sun, see l. 1190.

1216. ‘Piscis’ is the reading of the MSS. here in text and margin, but ‘Pisces’ in l. 1253.

1229 ff. That is, Pisces is a house of Jupiter and the exaltation of Venus.

[Pg 526]

1239 ff. The reference is apparently to the Introductorium of Albumasar, but the printed editions of this give an abbreviated text which does not help us here. A fuller translation of the original may be found in manuscript, e. g. MS. Digby 194, where something more or less corresponding to this may be found on f. 55, but the Arabic names of places make it difficult to follow.

1281 ff. This account of the fifteen stars with their herbs and stones is taken by Gower from a treatise called ‘Liber Hermetis de xv stellis et de xv lapidibus et de xv herbis, xv figuris,’ &c., which may be found in several manuscripts, e. g. MSS. Ashmole 341 (f. 123) and 1471 (f. 120 vo): cp. l. 1437, where Hermes is mentioned as the authority. Some information as to the names of the stars here mentioned may be found in Ideler’s Untersuchungen über den Ursprung und die Bedeutung der Sternnamen, 1809.

1292 ff. ‘Et scias quod stelle fixe habent fortunia et infortunia quemadmodum et planete’ (Lib. Herm.).

1317. ‘anabulla seu titimallum.’

1329. Algol, or Caput Algol, the Arabic ‘Ras el-ghûl’ (devil’s head), in Perseus.

1338. Alhaiot, probably for ‘Alhaioc,’ that is Capella, from the Arabic ‘El-‛aijûk.’

1343. ‘prassium seu marrubium.’

1345. Canis maior, ‘Alhabor,’ i. e. Sirius.

1356. Canis minor, ‘Algomeiza,’ i. e. Procyon.

1362. Primerole: in the Liber Hermetis we have here ‘solsecium, quam elitropiam vocant.’

1364. Arial, apparently ‘Cor Leonis,’ i. e. Regulus.

1367. Gorgonza: ‘gregonza’ in MS. Ash. 341.

1375. ‘lappacium maius.’

1378. gret riote: ‘color huius niger est, faciens hominem iratum, animosum et audacem et mala cogitantem et maledicentem ... et faciens fugere demones et congregare.’

1379 ff. ‘Nona stella dicitur Atimet Alaazel, ... et est ex natura Veneris et Mercurii, et dicitur stella pulchritudinis et racionis,’ &c. The name ‘Atimet Alaazel’ is from the Arabic ‘El-simâk el-a‛zal,’ that is the star which we call Spica.

1385. Salge, Lat. ‘saluia.’

1387. ‘Decima vero stella Atimet Alrameth, et dicitur saltator, et est ex natura Martis et Iouis.’ This is the Arabic ‘El-simâk el-râmih,’ which we call Arcturus.

1393. Venenas: ‘Vndecima stella dicitur Benenais et est postrema de ii stellis que sunt in cauda urse maioris.’ In Arabic ‘Banat Na‛sh.’

1401. Alpheta, ‘Elfetah,’ from the Arabic ‘El-fak‛ah’ (the beggar’s dish), meaning the constellation which we call the Northern Crown. Here the name stands for the principal star of that constellation, Gemma.

1419. Botercadent. The Latin says ‘Vultur cadens,’ that is perhaps[Pg 527] Vega; but ‘Botercadent’ would probably be a different star, namely that called in Arabic ‘Batn-Kaitos’ or Whale’s belly.

1426. Tail of Scorpio: in the Latin ‘Cauda Capricorni.’

1449 ff. These names of the chief authors of the science of astronomy seem to be partly taken from the treatise called Speculum Astronomiae or De libris licitis et illicitis, cap. ii. (Alberti Magni Opera, v. 657): cp. note on vi. 1311 ff. The passage is as follows, under the heading ‘De libris astronomicis antiquorum’: ‘Ex libris ergo qui post libros geometricos et arithmeticos inueniuntur apud nos scripti super his, primus tempore compositionis est liber quem edidit Nembroth gigas ad Iohathonem discipulum suum, qui sic incipit: Sphaera caeli &c., in quo est parum proficui et falsitates nonnullae, sed nihil est ibi contra fidem quod sciam. Sed quod de hac scientia vtilius inuenitur, est liber Ptolemaei Pheludensis, qui dicitur Graece Megasti, Arabice Almagesti, ... quod tamen in eo diligentiae causa dictum est prolixe, commode restringitur ab Azarchele Hispano, qui dictus est Albategni in libro suo.... Voluitque Alpetragius corrigere principia et suppositiones Ptolemaei,’ &c.

It would seem that, either owing to corruption of his text or to misunderstanding, our author separated the name ‘Megasti’ from its connexion with Ptolemy and the Almagest, and made of it a book called ‘Megaster,’ which he attributes to Nembrot.

1461. Alfraganus was author of a book called in Latin Rudimenta Astronomica.

1576 f. out of herre ... entriketh, that is, ‘involves (this world) in perplexity, so that it is disordered.’

1579. coupe of hevene, see note on l. 534.

1595 ff. The discussion in the Roman Senate on the fate of the accomplices of Catiline is here taken as a model of rhetorical treatment. The idea is a happy one, but it is borrowed from the Trésor, where Latini, after laying down the rules of rhetoric, illustrates them (pp. 505-517) by a report and analysis of the speeches in this debate, as they are given by Sallust. The ‘Cillenus’ mentioned below is D. Junius Silanus, who as consul-designate gave his opinion first. It is tolerably evident in this passage, as it is obvious in iv. 2647 ff., that Gower did not identify Tullius with Cicero, though Latini actually says, ‘Marcus Tullius Cicero, cils meismes qui enseigne l’art de rectorique, estoit adonques consule de Rome.’

1615 ff. Cp. Trésor, p. 509, ‘mais Jules Cesar, qui autre chose pensoit, se torna as covertures et as moz dorez, porce que sa matiere estoit contraire,’ &c.

1623. after the lawe. It may be observed as a matter of fact that the law was on the side of Caesar, and that this was his chief argument against the death penalty.

1706. Fyf pointz. The Secretum Secretorum recommends to rulers the virtues of Liberality, Wisdom, Chastity, Mercy, Truth, and afterwards of Justice, but there is no very systematic arrangement there,[Pg 528] nor in general does the treatment of the subject, except partly as regards Liberality, resemble Gower’s. It has been already observed that the treatment of Politics in the Trésor is altogether different from that which we have here.

1783 ff. This story comes originally from 3 Esdras, ch. iii, iv. The names, however, of Arpaghes and Manachaz are not found in the text of that book, and the story of Alcestis, which Zorobabel tells, is of course a later addition, made no doubt by our author.

1809. ‘Having his mind so disposed.’

1856. behelde, an archaic form, used here for the rhyme.

1884 ff. 3 Esdr. iv. 29, ‘Videbam tamen Apemen filiam Bezacis, mirifici concubinam regis, sedentem iuxta regem ad dexteram,’ &c.

1961 f. ‘He that is true shall never rue,’ or some such jingle. Cp. Shaksp. K. John, v. 7,

‘Nought shall make us rue,
If England to herself do rest but true.’

2000. laste, pret. ‘lasted’: cp. Prol. 672, iv. 2315.

2017 ff. This seems to be suggested by a passage in the Secretum Secretorum. ‘Reges sunt quattuor. Rex largus subditis et largus sibi, Rex auarus subditis et auarus sibi, Rex auarus sibi et largus subditis, Rex largus sibi et auarus subditis.’ This last is pronounced to be the worst, as the first is the best.

2031 ff. This refers to a passage in the Secretum Secretorum (ed. 1520, f. 8), which runs thus in the printed edition: ‘Que fuit causa destructionis regni calculorum: vnde quia superfluitas expensarum superat redditus ciuitatum, et sic deficientibus redditibus et expensis reges extenderunt manus suas ad res et redditus aliorum. Subditi ergo propter iniuriam clamauerunt ad deum excelsum gloriosum, qui immittens ventum calidum afflixit eos vehementer, et insurrexit populus contra eos et nomina eorum penitus de terra deleuerunt.’

This is obviously corrupt, and it is evident that ‘calculorum’ stands for a proper name, which Gower read ‘Caldeorum,’ as it is in MS. Laud 708. Other Bodleian MSS. to which I have referred give ‘Saldeorum’ (Bodley 181), ‘cangulorum’ (Add. C. 12), ‘singulorum ’ (Laud 645), ‘Anglorum’ (Digby 170). ‘Nonne’ is the reading of the MSS. for ‘vnde,’ and it seems that ‘Que fuit’ &c. is also a question.

2039. So in the Secretum Secretorum (shortly before the passage quoted above), ‘Debes igitur dona dare iuxta posse tuum cum mensura, hominibus indigentibus atque dignis.’

2050. of ken, here apparently ‘of quality.’

2061 ff. The basis of this story is to be found in Seneca, De Beneficiis, v. 24, ‘Causam dicebat apud divum Iulium ex veteranis quidam,’ &c., but there is no question there of an advocate; the veteran simply gains his case by recalling his personal services. The story appears in a form more like that of Gower in the Gesta Romanorum, 87 (ed. Oesterley), but the name Julius is not there mentioned, only ‘Quidam imperator.’ It may be observed also in general, that[Pg 529] though many stories are common to the Gesta Romanorum and the Confessio Amantis, there is no instance in which Gower can be proved to have used the Gesta Romanorum as his authority. Indeed the tales are there so meagrely and badly told for the most part, that there would be little temptation to turn to it if any other book were available.

Such references as ‘dicitur in gestis Romanorum’ are not to this book but to Roman History.

Hoccleve tells this story much as we have it here, in his Regement of Princes, 3270 ff., e. g.

‘Han ye forgote how scharp it with yow ferde,
Whan ye were in the werres of Asie?
Maffeith, your lif stood there in jupartie;
And advocat ne sente I non to yow,
But myself put in prees and for yow faght,’ &c.

2115 ff. This anecdote is perhaps taken from the Trésor, where it occurs more appropriately as an example of hypocritical excuses for not giving, ‘Li Maistres dit: Après te garde de malicieus engin de escondire, si comme fist le rois Antigonus, qui dist à un menestrier qui li demandoit un besant, que il demandoit plus que à lui n’aferoit; et quant il li demanda un denier, il dist que rois ne devoit pas si povrement doner. Ci ot malicieus escondit; car il li pooit bien doner un besant, porce que il estoit rois, ou un denier, porce que il estoit menestrel. Mais Alixandres le fist mieulx; car quant il dona une cité à un home, cil li dist que il estoit de trop has afaire à avoir cité; Alixandres li respondit: Je ne pren pas garde quel chose tu dois avoir, mais quel chose je doi doner’ (p. 412). This may serve as a rather favourable example of Latini’s style.

2132. is in manere: cp. l. 4344. It seems to mean that the virtue of giving depends on the measure with which it is done: cp. Praise of Peace, 53.

2139. To helpe with: cp. i. 452, 2172, ii. 283, &c.

2194. holden up his oil: cp. l. 2584, ‘To bere up oil.’ The only other instance which I can quote of this expression is from Trevisa’s translation of the Polychronicon (Rolls’ Series, vol. iii. p. 447, a reference which I owe to Dr. Murray), ‘There Alisaundre gan to boste ... and a greet deel of hem that were at the feste hilde up the kynges oyl.’ (In the Latin, magna convivantium parte assentiente.’) In all these cases it is used of flatterers, and ‘oil’ seems to stand in this phrase for ‘pride’ or ‘vainglory.’ I am disposed to think it is simply the French ‘oil,’ meaning ‘eye,’ and getting its present sense from such Biblical expressions as ‘oculi sublimium deprimentur,’ ‘oculos superborum humiliabis,’ ‘oculos sublimes, linguam mendacem’; but I can quote no examples of this meaning in French.

2217 ff. This story is based originally on an anecdote told by Valerius Maximus: ‘Idem Syracusis, cum holera ei lavanti Aristippus dixisset, Si Dionysium adulari velles, ista non esses, Immo, inquit, si tu ista[Pg 530] esse velles, non adularere Dionysium’ (Mem. iv. 3). It has been repeated often in a short form.

2268. the worldes crok, that is, the crooked way of the world. See the quotations in the New Engl. Dictionary under ‘crook,’ 12.

2279. joutes: see Godefroy’s Dictionary, where an instance is quoted of the use of this word in a French version of this very story.

2302. F punctuates after ‘pyke,’ and no doubt rightly so. The word ‘trewely’ corresponds to the Latin ‘certe’ in the margin above.

2355 ff. The Roman Triumph as here related was a commonplace of preachers and moralists, cp. Bromyard, Summa Praedicantium, T. v. 36, ‘Triumphus enim secundum Isidorum dicitur a tribus: quia triumphator Romanus cum victoria versus civitatem veniens tres honores habere debuit,’ &c. So l. 2366, ‘Of treble honour he was certein.’ It is also in the Gesta Romanorum, 30 (ed. Oesterley), but from neither of these could Gower have got his ‘Notheos’ (for Γνῶθι σεαυτόν).

2416 ff. This custom is spoken of in Hoccleve’s Regement of Princes with a marginal reference to the Vita Iohannis Eleemosynarii, where it is in fact mentioned (Migne, Patrol., vol. 73, p. 354).

2527 ff. From 1 Kings xxii. It will be seen that the story is told rather freely as regards order of events, as if from memory.

2531 (margin). organizate, used in a musical sense.

2553. Godelie: the person meant is Athaliah.

2584. bere up oil: see note on l. 2194.

2660. astraied. See New Engl. Dict., under ‘astray,’ verb and adv.

2698 (margin). No manuscript here gives the reading ‘regiminis,’ so far as I know; but it is required by the sense, and the reading ‘regis’ might easily arise from the abbreviation of ‘regiminis,’ as we find it in some MSS. at l. 3106 (margin). Note that S is defective here, and J, Ad, K omit the Latin margin. Δ attempts an emendation.

2726 f. lete Of wrong to don, i. e. ‘abstain from doing wrong.’

2765 ff. From Godfrey of Viterbo (in Monum. Germ. Hist. xxii. p. 169), ‘Quando voluit rectores dare provinciis ... nomina eorum examinabat in populo, dicens: Si quis habet crimen contra eos, dicat et probet,’ &c. This passage is not contained in the earlier redactions of the Pantheon, and consequently we may conclude that Gower’s copy was one which contained the later additions: cp. notes on 4181 ff. and viii. 271 ff.

2771. his name, that is, his reputation: cp. 2774.

2780. stod ... upon, ‘rested upon,’ ‘was guided by.’

2783 ff. The saying by which this story is characterized, ‘malle locupletibus imperare quam ipsum fieri locupletem,’ is more properly attributed to M’. Curius Dentatus (Valerius Maximus, Mem. iv. 3. 5): but Fabricius also rejected gifts sent him by the Samnites.

2810. bothe: apparently both the men and their possessions.

2833 ff. This is probably Conrad II, of whom Godfrey of Viterbo says ‘nulli violatori pacis parcebat.’

2845 ff. Originally taken from Valerius Maximus, who tells it,[Pg 531] however, with reference to Charondas, the supposed legislator of Thurii (Mem. vi. 5).

2864. sete: apparently a strong past participle formed from ‘sette’ by confusion with ‘sitte ‘: cp. ‘upsete’ rhyming with ‘misgete,’ viii. 244.

2883. of dawe: equivalent to ‘of this lif,’ iv. 3414.

2889 ff. This is a story which we find very often repeated (originally from Herodotus), e. g. Valerius Maximus, Mem. vi. 3, Gesta Romanorum, 29 (without mention of Cambyses by name), Hoccleve’s Regement of Princes, &c. In Δ we find added to the marginal Latin,

‘vnde versus,
Sede sedens ista iudex inflexibilis sta,
Sit tibi lucerna lux, lex, pellisque paterna,
Qua resides natus pro patre sponte datus.
A manibus reuoces munus, ab aure preces.’

It would seem that the last line should stand as the second.

2902. Avise him, ‘Let him consider.’

flitte, ‘turn aside,’ cp. iv. 214; but also intransitive, v. 7076.

2917 ff. Another often repeated story. The Gesta Romanorum has it (169) with a reference to Trogus Pompeius (that is Justin, Epit. iii. 3). Gower makes the city Athens instead of Sparta (cp. 3089), and the god Mercury instead of Apollo.

3054 ff. This list of legislators is from the Trésor, p. 24, but the text which our author used seems to have been corrupt. The passage runs thus in the printed edition: ‘Moyses fu li premiers qui bailla la loi as Hebreus; et li rois Foroneus fu li premiers qui la bailla as Grezois; Mercures as Egypciens, et Solon à cels de Athenes; Ligurgus as Troyens; Numa Pompilius, qui regna après Romulus en Rome, et puis ses filz, bailla et fist lois as Romains premierement,’ &c. If we suppose ‘Solon’ to have been omitted in the MS., the passage might read (with changes of punctuation) nearly as we have it in Gower.

3092. on the beste Above alle other: cp. iv. 2606, &c.

3137 ff. Cp. Mirour de l’Omme, 13921, and see also ii. 3204 ff. (margin).

3144. Troian: so given in all MSS. for ‘Traian.’ So also in the Mirour, 22168, and in Godfrey of Viterbo, Spec. Reg. ii. 14 (Mon. Germ. Hist. xxii. p. 74).

3181 ff. Valerius Maximus, Mem. v. 6: but he does not mention the Dorians as the enemy against whom Codrus fought. However, the story was a common one: cp. Gesta Romanorum, 41.

3201. lemes: cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, A 3886.

3149* f. The reference is to the Epistle of St. James ii. 13, ‘Iudicium enim sine misericordia illi qui non fecit misericordiam.’

3157*. That is, ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.’

3161* f. Cp. Mirour de l’Omme, 13918 ff., where the same is quoted.

3163* ff. Quoted also in the Mirour, 13925 ff.,and there also attributed to Tullius, but I cannot give the reference.

[Pg 532]

3210. drawe: the change to subjunctive marks this sentence as really conditional.

3215 ff. Valerius Maximus, Mem. v. 1. 9.

3217. in jeupartie, i. e. equally balanced, the result uncertain.

3267 ff. Justinian II is described by Gibbon as a cruel tyrant, whose deposition by Leontius was fully deserved, and who, when restored by the help of Terbelis, took a ferocious vengeance on his opponents: ‘during the six years of his new reign, he considered the axe, the cord, and the rack as the only instruments of royalty.’ Nothing apparently could be less appropriate than the epithet ‘pietous,’ which Gower bestows upon him.

3295 ff. This again was a very common story: cp. Gesta Romanorum, 48 (ed. Oesterley). Hoccleve tells it with a reference to Orosius, Regement of Princes, 3004 ff. Gower probably had it from Godfrey of Viterbo, Pantheon, p. 181 (ed. 1584), where Berillus is given for Perillus, as in our text. He takes ‘Phalaris Siculus’ as the tyrant’s name, and shortens it to Siculus.

3302. I take the preceding three lines as a parenthesis, and this as following l. 3298.

3341. ‘Dionys’ is a mistake for Diomede, or rather Diomedes is confused with the tyrant Dionysius.

3355 ff. Cp. Ovid, Metam. i. 221 ff.

3359. With othre men, i. e. ‘by other men’: cp. viii. 2553.

3387 ff. This characteristic of the lion is mentioned by Brunetto Latini, Trésor, p. 224.

3417 ff. This story is told much as it appears in Justin, Epit. i. 8, and Orosius, Hist. ii. 7, but the name Spertachus (Spartachus) is apparently from Peter Comestor (Migne, Patrol.. vol. 198, p. 1471), who gives this as the name of Cyrus in his boyhood. The same[Pg 533] authority may have supplied the name ‘Marsagete,’ for the histories named above call Thamyris only ‘queen of the Scythians’; but Comestor omits the details of the story.

3207* ff. The tale of the Jew and the Pagan is from the Secretum Secretorum, where it is told as a warning against trusting those who are not of our faith. The differences are mainly as follows. No names of places are mentioned in the original; the ‘pagan’ is called ‘magus orientalis,’ and he rides a mule: the Jew is without provisions, and the Magian feeds him as well as allowing him to ride: the Jew is found not dead but thrown from the mule, with a broken leg and other injuries—there is no mention of a lion except in the entreaties of the Magian, ‘noli me derelinquere in deserto, ne forte interficiar a leonibus.’ The Magian is about to leave him to die, but the Jew pleads that he has acted only in accordance with his own law, and again appeals to the Magian to show him the mercy which his religion enjoins. Finally the Magian carries him away and delivers him safely to his own people. Probably our author thought that this form of the story unduly sacrificed justice to mercy, and therefore he killed his Jew outright.

3342* ff. Note the subjunctive after ‘who (that)’ here and in ll. 3349, 3355: see note on Prol. 460.

3418. The name ‘Spertachus’ is given in full by F in the Latin summary, l. 3426 (margin). In the English text the first syllable is abbreviated in most copies, but A has ‘Spartachus’ and H₃ ‘Spertachus.’

3539. Pite feigned: cp. l. 3835.

3581. The reference should be to Juvenal, Sat. viii. 269 ff.,

‘Malo pater tibi sit Thersites, dummodo tu sis
Aeacidae similis, Vulcaniaque arma capessas,
Quam te Thersitae similem genuisset Achilles.’

Gower has here taken the point out of the quotation to a great extent, but it occurs in the Mirour, 23371 ff., in its proper form, though with the same false reference.

3627 ff. From the Book of Judges, ch. vii.

3632. For the anacoluthon cp. iv. 3201, vi. 1798, and note on i. 98.

3639. The reading of the second recension, ‘hem,’ seems clearly to be right here: ‘against those who would assail them.’

3640 ff. The meaning apparently is that each single division of the three which the enemy had was twice as large as Gideon’s whole army. The original text says nothing of the kind.

3752. per compaignie, ‘together.’

3820 ff. 1 Samuel xv.

3860 ff. 1 Kings ii.

3877. natheles, ‘moreover’: cp. 4242 and note on Prol. 39.

3884. that, for ‘to that’: cp. Prol. 122.

3891 ff. 1 Kings iii.

4011. propre, i. e. ‘in himself.’

4027 ff. 1 Kings xii.

4144. can ... mai, used in their original senses, the one implying knowledge and the other active power.

4181 ff. The person meant is Antoninus Pius, of whom his biographer Capitolinus says that he loved peace ‘eousque ut Scipionis sententiam frequentarit, qua ille dicebat, malle se unum civem servare quam mille hostes occidere’ (Hist. August. ed. 1620, p. 20). Godfrey of Viterbo, in the text given by Waitz (Mon. Germ. Hist. xxii. pp. 75, 163), regularly calls him Antonius, and probably Gower had the saying from this source. It is one of the later additions to the Pantheon: cp. note on 2765 ff.

4195. is due To Pite. This seems to mean ‘is bound by duty’ to show mercy.

4228. His trouthe plight, ‘the engagement of his faith.’ Here we have the word ‘plight’ from OE. ‘pliht,’ to be distinguished from ‘plit.’

4242. natheles: cp. l. 3877.

4245. hihe: note the definite form after the possessive genitive, as after a possessive pronoun.

[Pg 534]

4284. ‘And even if it should chance that he obtained any friendliness from her.’ For the use of ‘compainie’ cp. v. 4558.

4335. Barbarus: more properly Arbaces, but ‘Barbatus’ in the Pantheon (p. 165, ed. 1584).

4361 ff. Cp. Justin, Epit. i. 7, where however the expedient is said to have been used (as related by Herodotus) after Cyrus had put down a revolt.

4406 ff. Numbers xxv.

4408. Amalech: Balak is meant.

4464 ff. This means apparently that the later time of life will be as a dark night which is not illuminated by any sunshine of dawn; but it is not very clearly expressed.

4469 ff. 1 Kings xi.

4515. That is, ‘Ahijah the Shilonite,’ called ‘Ahias Silonites’ in the Latin version.

4559 ff. (margin). The quotation is from the Secretum Secretorum: ‘O summe rex, studeas modis omnibus custodire et retinere calorem naturalem’ (ed. 1520, f. 25 vo).

4574 f. Caracalla, son of Severus, is here meant. His name was Aurelius Antoninus, and he is called Aurelius Antonius in the Pantheon (Mon. Germ. Hist. xxii. p. 166). Caracalla is called by Orosius ‘omnibus hominibus libidine intemperantior, qui etiam novercam suam Iuliam uxorem duxerit’ (Hist. vii. 18), and this character of him is repeated in the Pantheon.

4593 ff. This story is from Ovid, Fasti, ii. 687-720. Gower’s rendering of it is remarkable for ease and simplicity of style: see especially ll. 4667-4685, 4701-4717.

4598. Neither Aruns nor Sextus is mentioned by name in Ovid, who speaks only of ‘Tarquinius iuvenis.’ Gower gives to Aruns the place of Sextus throughout this and the following story.

4623. schette, intransitive, equivalent to ‘were shut’: cp. iii. 1453.

4701 ff. The sacrifice at which this portent occurred is here brought into connexion with the capture of Gabii, a construction which is not unnaturally suggested by Ovid’s abrupt transition, l. 711.

4718 ff.

‘Consulitur Phoebus. Sors est ita reddita: Matri
Qui dederit princeps oscula, victor erit.’ Fasti, ii. 713 f.

Ovid means that a message was sent to Delphi; but our author understands it differently.

4739 f. ‘Creditus offenso procubuisse pede’ (720).

4754 ff. This again is from Ovid, where it occurs as a continuation of the last story, Fasti, 721-852. Chaucer, who tells this story in the Legend of G. Women, 1680 ff., also follows Ovid, and more closely than Gower, e. g. 1761 ff., 1805 ff., 1830f.

4757. unskilfully, that is, ‘unjustly,’ without due ‘skile’ or reason.

4778 ff. ‘Non opus est verbis, credite rebus, ait’ (734).

4805 f. This is derived from a misunderstanding of Fasti, ii. 785,

‘Accipit aerata iuvenem Collatia porta.’

[Pg 535]

Cp. l. 4911 below. Both Chaucer and Gower make the tragedy occur at Rome, though Chaucer professes to have Livy before him.

4902. ‘audentes forsve deusve iuvat.’

4937. To hire: cp. v. 5724. It means here much the same as ‘by her.’

5062. sche myhte it noght, ‘sche could not help it.’

5088 ff.

‘Illa iacens ad verba oculos sine lumine mouit,
Visaque concussa dicta probare coma.’ Fasti, ii. 845 f.

5093 ff. This latter part is added from other sources, perhaps from Livy.

5131 ff. Chaucer tells the story of Virginia as the Tale of the Doctor of Physic, professing to follow Livy, but actually taking his materials chiefly from the Roman de la Rose, 5613 ff., from which he transcribes also the reference to ‘Titus Livius.’ His story differs from that of Livy in many respects, and the changes are not at all for the better. For example, Chaucer does not mention the absence of Virginius in the camp, and he makes him kill his daughter at home and carry her head to Appius. Gower follows Livy, or some account drawn from Livy, without material alteration. It may be observed that Chaucer (following the Rom. de la Rose) uses the name ‘Apius’ alone for the judge, and ‘Claudius’ for the dependent, while Gower names them more correctly ‘Apius Claudius’ and ‘Marchus Claudius.’ On the subject generally reference may be made to Rumbaur’s dissertation, Geschichte von Appius und Virginia in der engl. Litteratur, Breslau, 1890.

5136. Livius Virginius, a mistake for ‘Lucius Virginius.’

5151. Ilicius, that is, Icilius.

5209. til that he come, ‘till he should come,’ the verb being pret. subjunctive.

5254 ff. The sentence is irregular in construction, but intelligible and vigorous: ‘but as to that command, like the hunted wild boar, who when he feels the hounds hard upon him, throws them off on both sides and goes his way, so (we may say) this knight,’ &c. The simile is due to Gower.

5261. kepte, ‘waited for.’

5307 ff. From the Book of Tobit, ch. vi-viii. The moral of the story is given by vi. 17, where Raphael says to Tobias, ‘Hi namque qui coniugium ita suscipiunt, ut Deum a se et a sua mente excludant, et suae libidini ita vacent sicut equus et mulus, quibus non est intellectus, habet potestatem daemonium super eos.’ This, however, is absent from the English version (which follows the LXX), as are also the precepts which follow, about nights to be spent in prayer by the newly married couple. The same is the case with the five precepts given to Sara by her parents, which are mentioned in the Mirour, 17701 ff.

5390. This line, written in F as follows,

‘Hov trewe · hou large · hou ioust · hov chaste,’

is enough to show that v and u are used indifferently in this kind of position: cp. movþe: couþe, 5285 f.

5408. Do wey, ‘Have done’: see New English Dictionary, ‘do,’ 52.

[Pg 536]

LIB. VIII.

We may suppose that our author had some embarrassment as regards the subject of his eighth book. It should properly have dealt with the seventh Deadly Sin and its various branches, that is, as the Mirour de l’Omme gives them, ‘Fornicacioun,’ ‘Stupre,’ ‘Avolterie,’ ‘Incest,’ ‘Foldelit.’ Nearly all of these subjects, however, have already been treated of more or less fully, either in the fifth book, where branches of Avarice are spoken of with reference to the case of love, or in the seventh, under the head of Chastity as a point of Policy. Even the author’s commendation of Virginity, which might well have been reserved for this place, and which would have been rather less incongruous at the end than in the middle of the shrift, has already been set forth in the fifth book. There remained only Incest, and of this unpromising subject he has made the best he could, first tracing out the gradual development of the moral (or rather the ecclesiastical) law with regard to it, and then making it an excuse for the Tale of Apollonius (or Appolinus) of Tyre, which extends over the larger half of the book. The last thousand lines or so are occupied with the conclusion of the whole poem.

36. upon his grace, that is, free for him to bestow on whom he would.

44. Raphael is not named in Genesis.

48. Metodre, that is, Methodius, in whose Revelationes it is written, ‘Sciendum namque est, exeuntes Adam et Evam de Paradiso virgines fuisse,’ so that ‘Into the world’ in l. 53 must mean from Paradise into the outer world.

62 ff. This is not found in Genesis, only ‘genuitque filios et filias,’ but Methodius says that the sisters of Cain and Abel were Calmana and Debora.

110. For the hiatus cp. Mirour, 12241,

‘De Isaäk auci je lis.’

158. ne yit religion. The seduction of one who was a professed member of a religious order was usually accounted to be incest: cp. Mirour, 9085 ff. and l. 175 below.

170. ‘I keep no such booth (or stall) at the fair,’ that is, ‘I do no such trade.’

244. upsete: see Introduction, p. cxix, and cp. vii. 2864.

271 ff. Gower tells us here that he finds the story in the Pantheon. That is true, no doubt: it is told there in the peculiar kind of verse with which Godfrey of Viterbo diversified his chronicle, and a most useful text of this particular story, showing the differences of three redactions, is given by S. Singer in his Apollonius von Tyrus, Halle, 1895, pp. 153-177. There is ample evidence that Gower was acquainted with the Pantheon, but it is not the case that he followed it in this story, as has been too readily assumed. Godfrey tells the[Pg 537] tale in a much abbreviated form, and Gower unquestionably followed mainly the Latin prose narrative which was commonly current, though he thought the Pantheon, as a grave historical authority, more fit to be cited. The very first sentence, with its reference, ‘as seith the bok,’ is enough to indicate this, but a few more points may be mentioned here in which the story of the Pantheon differs from Gower and from the prose Historia Apollonii Tyrii. (1) Godfrey of Viterbo does not say what was the problem proposed by Antiochus, nor does he mention the period of thirty days. (2) He gives no details of the flight of Apollonius or of the mourning of his people, and he does not mention the incident of Taliart (or Thaliarchus). (3) The name Pentapolim is not introduced. (4) There is no mention in the Pantheon of the wooing of the daughter of Archistrates by three princes (or nobles) or of the bills which they wrote. (5) There is no mention of the nurse Lichorida being taken with Apollonius and his wife on shipboard, of the master of the ship insisting that the corpse should be thrown into the sea, or of the name of the physician, Cerimon. (6) The Pantheon says nothing of the vow of Apollonius in ll. 1301-1306. (7) The name Theophilus is not given. (8) There is no mention of the tomb of Thaise (or Tharsia) being shown to Apollonius. (9) In the Pantheon the punishment of Strangulio and Dionysia precedes the visit to Ephesus, and there is no mention of the dream which caused Apollonius to sail to Ephesus.

There are indeed some points in which Gower agrees with the Pantheon against the Historia, for example in making the princess ask for Apollonius as her teacher on the very night of the banquet instead of the next morning, and in representing that Apollonius went to his kingdom after leaving his daughter at Tharsis (cp. E. Klebs, Die Erzählung von Apollonius aus Tyrus, Berlin, 1899). Perhaps however the most marked correspondence is where Gower makes the wife of Apollonius ‘Abbesse’ of Diana’s temple (l. 1849), which is evidently from Godfrey’s line, ‘Sic apud Ephesios velut abbatissa moratur’: cp. also l. 1194 ‘warmed ofte.’ These are both among the later additions to the Pantheon, and apparently were overlooked by Singer and Klebs when they pronounced that Gower probably knew only the earlier redaction: cp. notes on vii. 2765, 4181.

The Latin prose narrative has been printed in Welseri Opera, ed. 1682, pp. 681-704, and also in the Teubner series (ed. Riese, 1871, 1893). It is a translation from a Greek original, as is sufficiently indicated by the Greek words that occur in it, and by the Greek customs which it refers to or presupposes. Gower agrees with it pretty closely, but the story is not improved in his hands. It loses, of course, the Greek characteristics of which we have spoken, and several of the incidents are related by Gower in a less effective manner than in the original. For example, in the scene near the beginning between Antiochus and Apollonius, the king asks, ‘Nosti nuptiarum conditionem?’ and the young man replies, ‘Novi et ad portam vidi,’ to which there is nothing corresponding in Gower.[Pg 538] Again, at a later stage of the story, when the three young nobles send in their proposals to the daughter of Archistrates, the original story makes her reply in a note which declares that she will marry only ‘the ship-wrecked man.’ The king innocently inquires of the three young men which of them has suffered shipwreck, and finally hands the note to Apollonius to see if he can make anything of it. This is much better managed than by Gower. On the other hand our author has done well in dispensing with the rudeness and boastfulness of Apollonius on the occasion when the king’s daughter plays the harp at the feast, and also in modifying the scenes at the brothel and excluding Athenagoras from taking part in them. The quotations given in the following notes are made from the Bodleian MS. Laud 247, a good copy of the twelfth century, which has a form of text more nearly corresponding to that which Gower used than that of any of the printed editions, and by means of which we can account for the names Thaise and Philotenne.

It can hardly be necessary to observe that the play of Pericles, Prince of Tyre, had another source besides Gower, and especially as regards its fourth and fifth acts. Marina is waylaid while going to visit the tomb of her old nurse, as in the original story, the scene of the pirates agrees more nearly with the original than with Gower, Lysimachus plays a part very like that which Gower took away from Athenagoras, and the scene between Cleon and Dionyza (iv. 4) seems to be suggested by the original. The story was current in English prose, as is well known.

386. And seileth: cp. v. 3291 and note.

395. he moste, ‘that he might,’ ‘ut sibi liceret,’ a common use of the word in older English (see examples in Bosworth and Toller’s Dictionary).

405 ff. (margin). The riddle as given in the Laud MS. is, ‘Scelere uehor. Materna carne uescor. Quero patrem meum matris mee uirum uxoris mee filiam, nec inuenio.’ Most copies have ‘fratrem meum’ for ‘patrem meum,’ but Gower agrees with the Laud MS. I do not attempt a solution of it beyond that of Apollonius, which is, ‘Quod dixisti scelere uehor, non es mentitus, ad te ipsum respice. Et quod dixisti materna carne uescor, filiam tuam intuere.’

484. the Stwes. For the spelling cp. ‘Jwes,’ v. 1713, 1808.

536. This is by no means in accordance with the original. Antiochus exclaims on hearing of the flight of Apollonius, ‘Fugere modo quidem potest, effugere autem quandoque me minime poterit,’ and at once issues an edict, ‘Quicunque mihi Apollonium contemptorem regni mei uiuum adduxerit, quinquaginta talenta auri a me dabuntur ei: qui uero caput eius mihi optulerit, talentorum c. receptor erit’ (f. 205 vo), and he causes search to be made after him both by land and sea. The change made by Gower is not a happy one, for it takes away the motive for the flight from Tarsus, where Apollonius heard of this proscription.

[Pg 539]

542 ff. In the original Apollonius meets ‘Hellanicus’ at once on landing, and is informed by him of the proscription. He makes an offer to Strangulio to sell his wheat at cost price to the citizens, if they will conceal his presence among them. The money which he receives as the price of the wheat is expended by him in public benefits to the state, and the citizens set up a statue of him standing in a two-horse chariot (biga), his right hand holding forth corn and his left foot resting upon a bushel measure.

603. ferketh, ‘conveys,’ from OE. ‘fercian’: cp. Anglo-Saxon Chron. 1009, Hī fercodon ða scipo eft to Lundenne’ (quoted in Bosworth and Toller’s Dictionary).

624. ‘But with cable and cord broken asunder ... the ship’ &c., past participle absolute, as ii. 791, viii. 1830.

640. forto mote To gete ayein. Apparently this means ‘to wish to get again,’ a meaning derived from the phrase ‘so mot I,’ &c., expressing a wish. The infinitive is very unusual. For the gerund with ‘to’ which follows it cp. ii. 510, vii. 437, where we have this construction with ‘mai,’ ‘mihte.’

679. The account in the original story is here considerably different. Gower did not understand the Greek customs. ‘Et dum cogitaret unde uite peteret auxilium, uidit puerum nudum per plateam currentem, oleo unctum, precinctum sabana, ferentem ludos iuueniles ad gymnasium pertinentes, maxima uoce dicentem: Audite ciues, audite peregrini, liberi et ingenui, gymnasium patet. Apollonius hoc audito exuens se tribunario ingreditur lauacrum, utitur liquore palladio; et dum exercentes singulos intueretur, parem sibi querit et non inuenit. Subito Arcestrates rex totius illius regionis cum turba famulorum ingressus est: dumque cum suis ad pile lusum exerceretur, uolente deo miscuit se Apollonius regi, et dum currenti sustulit pilam, subtili ueiocitate percussam ludenti regi remisit’ &c. (f. 207 vo).

The story proceeds to say that the king, pleased with the skill of Apollonius in the game of ball, accepted his services at the bath, and was rubbed down by him in a very pleasing manner. The result was an invitation to supper.

Gower agrees here with the Pantheon in making the king a spectator only.

691. Artestrathes. The name is Arcestrates in the Laud MS.

706. lefte it noght, ‘did not neglect it.’

720 f. ‘Ingressus Apollonius in triclinium, contra regem adsignato loco discubuit.’ Gower apparently sets him at the head of the second table. For ‘beginne’ cp. Cant. Tales, Prol. 52, with Skeat’s note.

767 ff. In the original all applaud the performance of the king’s daughter except Apollonius, who being asked by the king why he alone kept silence, replied, ‘Bone rex, si permittis, dicam quod sentio: filia enim tua in artem musicam incidit, nam non didicit. Denique iube mihi tradi liram, et scies quod nescit’ (f. 208 vo). Gower has toned this down to courtesy.

[Pg 540]

782. ‘ita stetit ut omnes discumbentes una cum rege non Apollonium sed Apollinem estimarent.’

866 ff. In the original this incident takes place when the king is in company with Apollonius. The king replies that his daughter has fallen ill from too much study, but he bids them each write his name and the sum of money which he is prepared to offer as dowry, and he sends the bills at once to the princess by the hand of Apollonius. She reads them, and then asks whether he is not sorry that she is going to be married. He says, ‘Immo gratulor,’ and she replies, ‘Si amares, doleres.’ Then she writes a note, saying that she wishes to have ‘the shipwrecked man’ as her husband, adding ‘Si miraris, pater, quod pudica uirgo tam inprudenter scripserim, scitote quia quod pudore indicare non potui, per ceram mandaui, que ruborem non habet.’ The king having read the note asks the young men which of them has been shipwrecked. One claims the distinction, but is promptly exposed by his companions, and the king hands the note to Apollonius, saying that he can make nothing of it. Apollonius reads and blushes, and the king asks, ‘Inuenisti naufragum?’ To which he replies discreetly, ‘Bone rex, si permittis, inueni.’ The king at last understood, and dismissed the three young men, promising to send for them when they were wanted.

901 ff. ‘cui si me non tradideris, amittis filiam tuam,’ but this is afterwards, in a personal interview.

930 ff. There is no mention of the queen in the original. The king calls his friends together and announces the marriage. The description of the wedding, &c., ll. 952-974, is due to Gower.

1003 ff. In the original story it is here announced to Apollonius that he has been elected king in succession to Antiochus; but this was regarded by our author as an unnecessary complication.

1037 ff. The details of the description are due to our author.

1054 ff. So far as the original can be understood, it seems to say that the birth of the child was brought about by the storm and that the appearance of death in the mother took place afterwards, owing to a coagulation of the blood caused by the return of fair weather.

1059-1083. This is all Gower, except 1076 f.

1089 ff. Apparently the meaning is that the sea will necessarily cast a dead body up on the shore, and therefore they must throw it out of the ship, otherwise the ship itself will be cast ashore with it. The Latin says only, ‘nauis mortuum non suffert: iube ergo corpus in pelago mitti’ (f. 211 vo).

1101. The punctuation is that of F.

1128. tak in his mynde, ‘let him take thought’: cp. v. 3573, and l. 1420 below.

1165. the wisest: cp. Introduction, p. cxi.

1184 ff. In the original it is not Cerimon himself, but a young disciple of his, who discovers the signs of life and takes measures for restoring her. She has already been laid upon the pyre, and he by[Pg 541] carefully lighting the four corners of it (cp. l. 1192) succeeds in liquefying the coagulated blood. Then he takes her in and warms her with wool steeped in hot oil.

1195. ‘began’ is singular, and the verbs ‘hete,’ ‘flacke,’ ‘bete’ are used intransitively: ‘to flacke’ means to flutter.

1219. ‘In short, they speak of nothing’: ‘as for an ende’ seems to mean the same as ‘for end’ or ‘for an end’ in later English: cp. New English Dictionary, ‘end.’

1248. This daughter is apparently an invention of Gower’s, who perhaps misread the original, ‘adhibitis amicis filiam sibi adoptauit,’ that is, he adopted her as his daughter.

1285. his In, ‘his lodging,’ in this case the house of Strangulio. Note the distinction made here by the capital letter between the substantive and the adverb: see Introduction, p. clix.

1293. whiche: note the plural, referring to Strangulio and his wife.

1295. The name here in the original is ‘Tharsia,’ given to her by her father’s suggestion from the name of the city, Tharsus, where she was left; but the Laud MS. afterwards regularly calls her Thasia.

1311 ff. This is not in accordance with the Latin prose story. He is there represented as telling Strangulio that he does not care, now that he has lost his wife, either to accept the offered kingdom or to return to his father-in-law, but intends to lead the life of a merchant. Here the expression is ‘ignotas et longinquas petens Egypti regiones.’ On the other hand the Pantheon makes him proceed to his kingdom, apparently Antioch.

1337. Philotenne: the name in the Laud MS. is ‘Philothemia,’ but it is not distinguishable in writing from Philothenna. There is much variation as to this name in other copies.

1349 ff. Much is made in the original story of the death of this nurse and of the revelation which she made to Tharsia of her real parentage. Up to this time she had supposed herself to be the daughter of Strangulio. The nurse suspected some evil, and advised Tharsia, if her supposed parents dealt ill with her, to go and take hold of the statue of her father in the market-place and appeal to the citizens for help. After her death Tharsia visited her tomb by the sea-shore every day, ‘et ibi manes parentum suorum inuocabat.’ Here Theophilus lay in wait for her by order of Dionysiades.

1374. cherles. This is the reading of the best copies of each recension: cp. ‘lyves’ for ‘livissh’ i. e. living, ‘worldes’ for ‘worldly,’ ‘dethes’ for ‘dedly,’ iii. 2657, iv. 382, &c.

1376. what sche scholde, that is, what should become of her.

1391. Scomerfare. The first part of this word must be the French ‘escumerie,’ meaning piracy: see Du Cange under ‘escumator,’ e. g. ‘des compaignons du pays de Bretaigne, qui étaient venuz d’Escumerie.’

1393. and he to go, that is, ‘and he proceeded to go,’ a kind of historic infinitive: cp. Chaucer, Troilus, ii. 1108, ‘And she to laughe,’[Pg 542] Leg. of Good Women, 653 ‘And al his folk to go.’ (In Piers Plowman, A. Prol. 33, ‘And somme murthes to make,’ quoted by Mätzner, it is more probable that ‘to make’ is dependent on ‘chosen.’) In addition to these instances we have the repeated use of ‘to ga’ in Barbour’s Bruce, e. g. viii. 251, ix. 263, which is much more probably to be explained in this way than as a compound verb. Cp. Skeat’s Chaucer, vol. vi. p. 403, with C. Stoffel’s note on Troilus, ii. 1108, which is there quoted.

1410. The Laud MS. has ‘leno leoninus nomine,’ but many copies give no name.

1420. Lei doun, ‘let him lay down’: cp. l. 1128.

1423. There is an interesting touch in the original here which would not be intelligible to Gower. When Tharsia is led into the house, the character of which she does not know, she is bidden to do reverence to a statue of Priapus which stands in the entrance hall. She asks her master whether he is a native of Lampsacus, and he explains to her that his interest in this matter is not local but professional.

1424 ff. There is much in the original about the visit of Athenagoras and of other persons, who are successively so far overcome by the tears and entreaties of Tarsia, as not only to spare her but to give her large sums of money, while at the same time they make a jest both of themselves and of one another for doing so.

1451 f. The rhyme is saved from being an identical one by the adverbial use of ‘weie’ in the second line, ‘mi weie’ being equivalent to ‘aweie.’

1513. In the original she is reproached by her husband for the deed, and this is the case in the play of Pericles also.

1518. of record, ‘of good repute.’

1534 f. Cp. Pericles, iv. 4, ‘The fairest, sweetest, best lies here,’ but the rest of the epitaph compares unfavourably with Gower’s.

1567 ff. Here we have a curious lapse on the part of our author. He represents that the king had no sooner held his parliament and celebrated the sacrifice in memory of his wife, than he began to prepare for his voyage to Tharsis. The story requires however that at least fourteen years should elapse, and this, according to the original narrative, has been spent by Apollonius in travelling about as a merchant, a matter of which Gower says nothing. Probably the Pantheon, which is not very clear on the matter, is responsible for the oversight.

1587. ‘For she is continually changing with regard to him.’

1617. besihe, ‘attended to.’ The use of this verb was not very common in Gower’s time except in the participle ‘beseie,’ ‘besein.’ The verb means (1) look, see, (2) look to, attend to, (3) provide, arrange: hence the participle is quite naturally used in the sense of ‘furnished,’ ‘provided,’ and we have ‘unbesein of,’ l. 153, for ‘unprovided with.’ It is usually explained by reference to its first sense, as having regard necessarily to appearance. ‘Appearing in respect of[Pg 543] dress, &c.,’ ‘Appearing as to accomplishments, furnished’ (so New English Dictionary), but it is more natural to take these meanings of the participle as from senses (2) (3) of the verb. It is doubtful whether even the phrase ‘well besein’ used of personal appearance means anything but ‘well furnished.’

1636. fordrive, ‘driven about’ by storms, actually and metaphorically.

1670 ff. Her song is given in the original; it is rather pretty, but very much corrupted in the manuscripts. It begins thus,

‘Per sordes gradior, sed sordis conscia non sum,
Ut rosa in spinis nescit mucrone perire,’ &c.

1681 ff. Several of her riddles are given in the original story and he succeeds in answering them all at once. One is this,

‘Longa feror uelox formose filia silue,
Innumeris pariter comitum stipata cateruis:
Curro uias multas, uestigia nulla relinquens.’

The answer is ‘Nauis.’

She finally falls on his neck and embraces him, upon which he kicks her severely. She begins to lament, and incidentally lets him know her story. The suggestion contained in ll. 1702 ff., of the mysterious influence of kinship, is Gower’s own, and we find the same idea in the tale of Constance, ii. 1381 f.,

‘This child he loveth kindely,
And yit he wot no cause why.’

1830. ‘And all other business having been left’: cp. ii. 791.

1890. With topseilcole: cp. v. 3119,

‘Bot evene topseilcole it blew.’

The word ‘topseilcole’ (written as one word in the best copies of each recension) does not seem to occur except in these two passages. It is evidently a technical term of the sea, and in both these passages it is used in connexion with a favourable wind. Morley quotes from Godefroy a use of the word ‘cole’ in French in a nautical sense, ‘Se mistrent en barges et alerent aux salandres, et en prisrent les xvii, et l’une eschapa, qui estoit a la cole.’ Unfortunately, however, it is uncertain what this means. The vessels in question were in port when they were attacked, and therefore ‘a la cole’ might reasonably mean with sails (or topsails) set, and so ready to start. A topsail breeze would be one which was fairly strong, but not too strong to allow of sailing under topsails, and this is rather the idea suggested by the two passages in Gower.

It should be noted that in F and in some other MSS. there is a stop after the word ‘topseilcole.’

1948. forto honge and drawe: the verbs are transitive, ‘that men should hang and draw them’ (i. e. pluck out their bowels).

[Pg 544]

1983. This must mean apparently ‘They had no need to take in a reef.’ The use of ‘slake’ with this meaning does not seem quite appropriate, but a sail or part of a sail is slackened in a certain sense when it is taken in, seeing that it is no longer subject to the pressure of the wind.

2055. leng the lasse: cp. iii. 71, ‘the leng the ferre.’ This form of the comparative is usual in such phrases, as Chaucer, Cant. Tales, A 3872, ‘That ilke fruit is ever leng the wers,’ and perhaps also E 687, F 404, Compl. unto Pite, 95, where the MSS. gives ‘lenger.’ The form ‘leng’ is the original comparative adverb of ‘long.’

2077. toward Venus: cp. v. 6757. Here it means ‘on the side of Venus.’

2095. sett, imperative, like ‘set case,’ i. e. ‘suppose that.’ The reading ‘sith’ is certainly wrong.

2113. his oghne dom. The word ‘dom’ is used here in special reference to ‘kingdom’ in the line above. ‘Every man has a royal rule to exercise, that is the rule over himself.’

2124 f. ‘When he has not kept possession for himself of his own heart.’

2165. And felt it: we have here the elision-apocope in the case of a preterite subjunctive.

2194. hath nothing set therby, ‘accounted it as nothing.’

2198. withholde, ‘kept’ (in service).

2212 f. Cp. iii. 298, Vox Clam. ii. 1.

2217 ff. This ‘Supplication’ is a finished and successful composition in its way, and it may make us desire that our author had written more of the same kind. The poem In Praise of Peace, which is written in the same metre and stanza, is too much on a political subject to give scope for poetical fancy. The nearest parallel in style is to be found in some of the author’s French Balades.

2245. Whom nedeth help, ‘He to whom help is needful’: cp. Prol. 800, i. 2446.

2253 ff. Cp. vi. 330 ff.

2259 ff. Cp. Balades, xx.

2265. Danger: see note on i. 2443.

2288. Cp. i. 143 ff.

2312. a Mile: cp. iv. 689. It means apparently the time that it takes to go a mile: cp. Chaucer, Astrol. i. 16, ‘five of these degres maken a milewey and thre mileweie maken an houre.’

2319. a game, for ‘agame’: cp. Chaucer, Troilus, iii. 636, 648. More usually ‘in game,’ as l. 2871.

2341. fulofte hath pleigned: as for example in the Planctus Naturae of Alanus de Insulis.

2365. ‘And I will consider the matter’: practically equivalent to a refusal of the petition, as in the form ‘Le Roy s’avisera.’

2367. is noght to sieke, ‘is not wanting’: cp. i. 924, ii. 44, &c.

2378. ‘In no security, but as men draw the chances of Ragman.’[Pg 545] To understand this it is necessary to refer to compositions such as we find in the Bodleian MSS., Fairfax 16, and Bodley 638, under the name of ‘Ragman (or Ragmans) Rolle.’ The particular specimen contained in these MSS. begins thus:

‘My ladyes and my maistresses echone,
Lyke hit unto your humble wommanhede,
Resave in gre of my sympill persone
This rolle, which withouten any drede
Kynge Ragman me bad [me] sowe in brede,
And cristyned yt the merour of your chaunce.
Drawith a strynge and that shal streight yow lede
Unto the verry path of your governaunce.’

After two more stanzas about the uncertainty of Fortune and the chances of drawing well or ill, there follows a disconnected series of twenty-two more, each giving a description of the personal appearance and character of a woman, in some cases complimentary and in others very much the reverse, usually in the form of an address to the lady herself, e. g.

‘A smal conceyt may ryght enogh suffyse
Of your beaute discripcion for to make;
For at on word ther kan no wyght devyse
Oon that therof hath lasse, I undertake,’ &c.

Apparently these stanzas are to be drawn for and then read out in order as they come, for the game ends with the last,

‘And sythen ye be so jocunde and so good,
And in the rolle last as in wrytynge,
I rede that this game ende in your hood.’

Evidently the same kind of game might be played by men with a view to their mistresses. It is much the same thing as the ‘Chaunces of the Dyse,’ where each stanza is connected with a certain throw made with three dice: cp. note on iv. 2792. The name ‘Ragman Rolle’ seems to be due to the disconnected character of the composition.

2407. olde grisel: cp. Chaucer, To Scogan, 35: ‘grisel’ means grey horse.

2415. upon the fet, that is, when the time comes for action. The rhyme with ‘retret’ shows that this is not the plural of ‘fot’: moreover, that is elsewhere regularly spelt ‘feet’ by Gower.

2428. sitte for ‘sit’: cp. Introduction, p. cxiv.

2435. torned into was: the verb used as a substantive, cp. vi. 923.

2450 ff. The situation here has some resemblance to that in the Prologue of the Legend of Good Women, where the author has a vision of the god of Love coming to him in a meadow, as he lies worshipping the daisy, accompanied by queen Alcestis, and followed first by the nineteen ladies of the Legend, and then by a vast multitude of other[Pg 546] women who had been true in love. The differences, however, are considerable. Here we have Venus and Cupid, the latter armed with a bow and blind (whereas Chaucer gives him two fiery darts and his eyesight), with two companies of lovers, both men and women, marshalled by Youth and Eld as leaders; and the colloquy with the poet has for its result to dismiss him with wounds healed from Love’s service, as one who has earned his discharge, while in the case of Chaucer it is a question of imposing penance for transgressions in the past and of enlisting him for the future as the servant of Love. The conception of the god of Love appearing with a company of true lovers in attendance may be regarded as the common property of the poets of the time, and so also was the controversy between the flower and the leaf (l. 2468), which Chaucer introduces as a thing familiar already to his readers. If our author had any particular model before him, it may quite as well have been the description in Froissart’s Paradys d’Amours (ed. Scheler, i. 29 f.):

‘Lors regardai en une lande,
Si vi une compagne grande
De dames et de damoiselles
Friches et jolies et belles,
Et grant foison de damoiseaus
Jolis et amoureus et beaus.

“Dame,” di je, “puis je sçavoir
Qui sont ceuls que puis là veoir?”
“Oil,” dit ma dame de pris;
“Troïllus y est et Paris,
Qui furent fil au roi Priant,
Et cesti que tu vois riant,
C’est Laiscelos tout pour certain,”’ &c.

and she proceeds to enumerate the rest, including Tristram and Yseult, Percival, Galehaus, Meliador and Gawain, Helen, Hero, Polyxena, and Medea with Jason.

I do not doubt that Gower may have seen the Legend of Good Women, but it was not much his practice to borrow from contemporary poets of his own country, however free he might make with the literature of former times or of foreign lands.

2461. who was who: cp. vii. 2001.

2468. Cp. Chaucer, Leg. of G. Women, 72, 188, &c.

2470. the newe guise of Beawme, that is, the new fashions of dress, &c., introduced from Bohemia by the marriage of Richard II in 1382.

2500 f. which was believed With bele Ysolde, ‘who was accepted as a lover by Belle Isolde.’ Apparently ‘believed’ is here used in the primary sense of the verb, from which we have ‘lief.’ For the use of ‘with’ cp. l. 2553. We may note here that the spelling ‘believe’ is regular in Gower, ‘ie’ representing ‘̄ẹ.’

[Pg 547]

2502. Galahot, i. e. Galahalt, called by Mallory ‘the haut prince.’

2504 ff. It may be noted that several of the lovers in the company of Youth are impenitent in their former faithlessness, as Jason, Hercules and Theseus, while Medea, Deianira and Ariadne are left to complain by themselves. Troilus has recovered Cressida, if only for a time. It is hard to say why Pyramus failed of Thisbe’s company, unless indeed she were unable to pardon his lateness (cp. 2582).

2515 ff. Cp. v. 7213 ff.

2553. with Enee: cp. vii. 3359 and l. 2501.

2573 ff. It is likely enough that this idea of Cleopatra’s death may have been a reminiscence of the Legend of Good Women, 696 ff. Chaucer apparently got it from some such account as that quoted by Vincent of Beauvais from Hugh of Fleury, ‘in mausoleum odoribus refertum iuxta suum se collocavit Antonium. Deinde admotis sibi serpentibus morte sopita est.’ From this to the idea of a grave full of serpents would not be a difficult step.

2582. Wo worthe: cp. l. 1334.

2663. I take ‘lay’ to mean ‘law,’ i. e. the arrangement of his company.

2687. Cp. iv. 2314.

2705 ff. An allusion to some such story as we have in the ‘Lay d’Aristote’ (Méon et Barbazan, iii. p. 96).

2713. The punctuation follows F.

2714 ff. This refers to the well-known story of Virgil and the daughter of the Emperor, who left him suspended in a box from her window.

2718. Sortes. It is impossible that this can be for ‘Socrates,’ with whose name Gower was quite well acquainted. Perhaps it stands for the well-known ‘Sortes Sanctorum’ (Virgilianae, &c.), personified here as a magician, and even figuring, in company with Virgil and the rest, as an elderly lover.

2799. Cp. i. 143 ff.

2823. syhe, subj., ‘should see.’

2828. deface: apparently intransitive, ‘suffer defacement’: cp. iv. 2844.

2833. Outwith, ‘outwardly’: so ‘inwith’ often for ‘within,’ ‘inwardly.’ Dr. Murray refers me to Orm. i. 165, ‘utenn wiþþ,’ and Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 6669, ‘outwith.’ The best MSS. have a stop after ‘Outwith.’

2904. A Peire of Bedes: the usual expression for a rosary: cp. Cant. Tales, Prol. 158 f.,

‘Of smal coral aboute hire arm she bar
A peire of bedes gauded al with grene.’

2926 f. That is the Speculum Hominis and the Vox Clamantis.

2931. pernable. The best MSS. have this, and it is obviously suitable to the sense: ‘Do not pursue when the game cannot be caught.’ From ‘prendre’ Gower uses ‘pernons,’ ‘pernetz,’ &c., in the Mirour.

[Pg 548]

2938. At this point begins a new hand in F, and for the rest of this leaf (f. 184) the text is written over an erasure (ll. 2938-2966). A note is written opposite l. 2938 for the guidance of the scribe, ‘now haue &c.’ It may be noted that l. 2940 has a coloured initial A as for the beginning of a paragraph, and this apparently belongs to the original writing, whereas in the first recension MSS. the paragraph begins at l. 2941. The next leaf (f. 185) is a substituted one, and the text is written still in the same hand.

The orthography of the new hand, in which ll. 2938-3146 are written, differs in some respects from the standard spelling which we have in the rest of the manuscript. The chief points of difference are as follows:

(1) -id (-yd) termination almost always in the past participle, as enclosid, turnyd, bewhapid, blessid (but sterred), iþ frequently in the 3rd pers. sing. of verbs, belongiþ, seruiþ, causiþ (but secheþ, suieþ), and -in (-yn) in 3rd pers. pl., as takyn, sechin, hierin, schuldyn (also to lokyn). (2) -is (-ys) in the genit. sing, and in the plural of substantives, as londis, mannys, bedis, lawis, wordis (but þinges, myghtes). (3) -ir (-yr) termination, as aftir, ouyr, wondir (but siker). (4)y for i (I) in many cases, especially as the pronoun of the first person (once I), also ys (sometimes), hym, wiþynne. (5) gh for h in such words as sigh, sighte, myghte, knyghthode. (6) ou for o in nought, brought, þoughte, &c. (7) consonants doubled in vppon and vowels in maad (also mad), book, goon. (8) separation of words, as in to, un to, hym self, þer fore, þer vpon, wher of, wiþ outen.

It may be observed that something of the same tendency is observable at this point in the Stafford MS., but the differences appear in a much less marked manner, and chiefly in the terminations -id, -iþ, -is, -ir. S does not give y for I, ys for is, nor myghte, sigh, nought, oughte, vppon, þer fore, &c.

2974 (margin). orat pro statu regni. This marks exactly the stage reached in the second of the three versions which we have of Gower’s account of his own works (p. 480,) ‘vbi pro statu regni compositor deuocius exorat.’ The first completely excuses and the third utterly condemns the king, but the second makes no mention of him either[Pg 549] for praise or blame, and that is the line taken in this form of the epilogue.

3012. maintenue, that is, ‘maintenance’ of quarrels by the lords on behalf of their followers: cp. Mirour, 23732 ff., where the same subject is dealt with.

3081. beth: see Introd. p. cxiv: but it is the reading of F only.

3114. curiosite, ‘artful workmanship’: cp. Chaucer, Compleinte of Venus, 81.

3147. Here, at the beginning of f. 186, the hand in F changes again and the rest of the manuscript, including the Traitié, the Latin poems and the author’s account of his books, is written in the hand which we have in the first leaf of the Prologue.

2955*. his testament of love. There is no reason to suppose that this is a reference to any particular work which Gower may have known that Chaucer had in hand. It may be a general suggestion that Chaucer should before his death compose some further work on love, which should serve as his last testimony (or last will and testament) on the subject, as the shrift of the present poem was our author’s leave-taking. To assume that the poem referred to must be the Legend of Good Women, and to argue from this that the Confessio Amantis was written before the Legend was given to the public, would be very rash. It is not likely that Usk’s Testament of Love was known to Gower when he wrote this.

2991*. This quality of mercy, for which Richard is especially praised, seems to have been precisely the point in which he was afterwards most found wanting by our author, so that he finally earns the title of ‘crudelissimus rex.’ Matters had not gone so far as this when the second form of epilogue was substituted, in which these praises were simply omitted. Gower was then (in the fourteenth year of the reign) in a state of suspended judgement, expressed by the ‘orat pro statu regni’ of 2974 (margin). The subsequent events, and especially the treatment of the duke of Gloucester and his friends, finally decided his opinions and his allegiance, as we may see in the Cronica Tripertita.

3054* ff. See Prol. 83* ff.

3102*. no contretaile, ‘no retribution’ afterwards: cp. Traitié, vii. 3, ‘De son mesfait porta le contretaille.’

3104*. That is, it tends rather to set us free from evil consequences than to bring them upon us.

Explicit, 5 f. The following copies of the first recension contain these last two lines, XERB₂Cath. Of the rest MH₁YGODAr.Ash. are imperfect at the end, N₂ omits the Explicit altogether, and I have no note as regards this point about Ad₂P₁Q. Of the seven which I note as having the ‘Explicit’ in four lines only, three are of the revised and four of the unrevised group. All copies of the second and third recensions have the last two lines, except of course those that are imperfect here.

Quam cinxere freta, &c. The ‘philosopher’ who was the author of this epistle is no doubt responsible also for the lines ‘Eneidos, Bucolis,’ &c. (printed in the Roxb. ed. of the Vox Clamantis, p. 427), in which our author is compared to Virgil, the chief difference being that whereas Virgil had achieved fame in one language only, Gower had distinguished himself in three. The writer in that case also is ‘quidam philosophus’ (not ‘quidam Philippus,’ as he is called in the printed[Pg 550] copy), and I suspect that he was the ‘philosophical Strode’ who is coupled with Gower in the dedication of Troilus.

3. ‘tibi’ belongs to the next line, ‘siue satirus Poeta’ being taken together.

Quia vnusquisque, &c. The form here given is found in no manuscript of the Confessio Amantis except F and H₂ (copied from F), though some other third recension copies, as W and K, may probably have contained it. We have it, however, also in two manuscripts of the Vox Clamantis, the All Souls copy and that in the Hunterian Library at Glasgow.

It should be noted that whereas the first recension manuscripts regularly contain the Latin account of the author’s three books in immediate connexion with the Confessio Amantis, in the second recension it is made to follow the Traitié, and SΔ, which do not contain the Traitié, omit this also, while in F it comes later still, following the Latin Carmen de multiplici viciorum pestilencia. Thus the form which we have in F must be regarded as later than the accompanying text of the Confessio Amantis, from which it is separated in the MS. both by position and handwriting, and the words ‘ab alto corruens in foueam quam fecit finaliter proiectus est’ seem to indicate that it was written after the deposition of Richard II.

11 f. ‘Speculum hominis’ in all copies of the first recension. ‘Speculum meditantis’ over an erasure in the Glasgow MS. of the Vox Clamantis.

25 ff. Note the omission here (of nine words which are necessary to the sense) in every first recension copy except J. Similarly below all except J have ‘finem’ for ‘sentencie,’ obviously from a mistaken reading of a contraction (‘ſiē’). These must be original errors, only removed by later revision, the first no doubt due to dropping a line.

IN PRAISE OF PEACE.

The text of this poem is taken from the manuscript at Trentham Hall belonging to the Duke of Sutherland, which contains also the Cinkante Balades. Of this book a full description has been given in the Introduction to Gower’s French Works, pp. lxxix ff. The present poem is the first piece in the book (ff. 5-10 vo), and is written in the same hand as the Balades and Traitié, a hand which resembles that which appears in ff. 184, 185 of the Fairfax MS., though I should hesitate to say positively that it is the same. Evidently, however, the manuscript is contemporary with the author, and it gives us an excellent text of the poem. The date of its composition is doubtless the first year of king Henry IV, for the manuscript which contains it ends with some Latin lines (added in a different hand), in which the author[Pg 551] speaks of himself as having become blind in the first year of king Henry IV and having entirely ceased to write in consequence of this.

As a composition it is not without some merit. The style is dignified, and the author handles his verse in a craftsmanlike manner, combining a straightforward simplicity of language with a smooth flow of metre and a well-balanced stanza, the verse being preserved from monotony by variety of pause and caesura. Some stanzas are really impressive, as those which begin with ll. 99, 127, 148. The divisions of the poem, indicated in the MS. by larger coloured initials, have hitherto escaped the notice of editors.

The poem was printed first in the collected edition of Chaucer’s Works, 1532, commonly called Thynne’s edition (ff. 375 vo-378), and reprinted from this in the succeeding folio editions of Chaucer (e. g. 1561, f. 330 vo, 1598, f. 330 vo, 1602, f. 314). There was no attempt made in any of these to ascribe its authorship to Chaucer, Gower’s name being always given as the author. It has been published also by J. Wright in his Political Poems and Songs (Rolls’ Series), the text being taken from the Trentham MS., and it has been included by Prof. Skeat in his interesting collection of poems which have been printed with Chaucer’s works (Chaucerian and other Pieces, pp. 205-216).

Thynne followed a manuscript which gave a fair text, but one much inferior to that of the Trentham copy, both in material correctness and in spelling, e. g.

‘Kyng Salomon whiche had at his askyng
Of god | what thyng him was leuest craue
He chase wysedom vnto gouernyng
Of goddes folke | the whiche he wolde saue
And as he chase it fyl him for to haue
For through his wytte while yt his reigne last
He gate him peace and rest in to his last’

All the material variations of Thynne are given in the critical notes, but not his differences of spelling. Wright’s text is not to be trusted as a reproduction of the Trentham MS. He made several serious mistakes in copying from or collating it, and he has a good many trifling inaccuracies of spelling. The following are his worst errors:

l. 3 om. this 16 the for thi 71 To stere peace (following Thynne) 108 om. doth tofalle for to falle 136 than for that 173 But aftirwards 202 om. worthi 211 any for a 246 [good] seeming to imply that it is not in the MS. 263 Which heliples 278 reserved for deserved 289 man for king 292 [up] 306 begete for be gete 356 Resteined for Resceived 363 deleated for debated 382 sese for see. In addition to these rather gross blunders, he has about a hundred smaller deviations from the manuscript which he professes to follow, as, for example, 7 for to for forto (and so afterwards) 16 him self for himself (and so afterwards)[Pg 552] 19 But 27 reqwest for reqweste 39 might for myht 56 shal for schal 83 lefte for left 84 not for noght 90 charitie for charite 98 Both for Bothe 102 gone for goon nygth for nyght 110 dothe 112 I 120 Crists 155 fulfilled 172 wille 194 destruied 219 made 254 Ffirst chirche her silf 260 sick 280 life 287 made an end 319 found 355 Which 382 meschiefe and a good many more. He also omits in a very misleading manner the last lines of the rubric which follows the poem, ‘Et nunc sequitur epistola’ &c., as well as the ‘epistle’ itself, ‘Rex celi deus’; and he makes it appear that the lines ‘Henrici quarti’ &c. follow at once, whereas they are at the end of the MS. and in a different hand.

I think it worth while to specify these instances because Wright’s edition has been accepted by Prof. Skeat as an accurate reproduction of a manuscript which is not generally accessible, and if no notice were taken here of the readings given by Wright, it would still remain in doubt whether he or I represented the text more correctly. Especially in the cases where Wright has bracketed a word as not occurring in the manuscript, it might be supposed that his positive testimony was to be preferred.

Prof. Skeat has based his text on Thynne, making such alterations of spelling as seemed to him suitable, and giving the variants of Wright’s edition as those of the Trentham MS. Misled by Wright, he has accepted in his text the readings ‘reserved’ in l. 278, and ‘cese’ in l. 382.

The text given by the Trentham MS. is apparently quite free from material error, except as regards the word erased in l. 71, and the points of spelling which require correction are very few in number. The orthography is not quite in accordance with the standard spelling of the Fairfax and Stafford MSS., and in some respects resembles that of the third hand of F, on which we have commented in the note on Confessio Amantis, viii. 2938. Here however there is only a slight tendency to use i for e in weak terminations. We have distourbid 153, vndefendid: amendid 223 f., handlid 321, soeffrin 222, folwiþ 23, goddis 32, 84, mannys 237, but elsewhere almost always the usual forms, as affermed, cared, gouerned, aken, ledeþ, londes, mannes. On the other hand the -ir termination is used almost regularly, as vndir, wondir, aftir, modir (but vnder 286), and there is a tendency also to substitute i for e in other places also, as first, chirche (also ferst, cherche), wirche, dide (348), proprite, but here for hire 108, 329, cp. 254. For I (pers. pronoun) we have regularly y; gh usually for h in such words as right, myghti, knyght, light, highe, stigh, but also riht, rihtwisnesse, knyht; vppon for vpon, schulde but also scholde. In addition to these points we may note the dropping of -e several times in euer, neuer, which hardly ever occurs in the Fairfax MS., and also in heuen 79, but we have also euere, neuere, heuene. The -e of the weak preterite form is dropped before a vowel in myht 39, behight 41,[Pg 553] had 42, mad 103, 345: -e is inserted in some imperatives, as Leie 122, sette 124, Lete 129, putte 130, þenke 162, Beholde 276 (but let 158, Kep 367, 384, draugh 384). As regards the use of þ and ȝ the Trentham MS. agrees with F.

There is no title in the manuscript, and Prof. Skeat calls the poem ‘The Praise of Peace,’ a title suggested by Mr. E. W. B. Nicholson. I have adopted a modification of this, ‘To King Henry the Fourth in Praise of Peace,’ expressing also the substance of that given by Thynne.

8 ff. The threefold claim of Henry IV is given in this stanza, as in Chaucer’s well-known Envoy, but the ‘conquest’ is here represented as a divine sanction.

50. a place, ‘into place’: cp. Conf. Amantis, v. 735, ‘Hou suche goddes come aplace.’

53. in manere, ‘in due measure’: cp. Conf. Amantis, vii. 2132, 4344.

55. what aftirward betide, ‘whatever may happen afterwards.’

71. The first word of the line is erased in the manuscript, only the initial S being left, with a space for five or six letters after it. The word which is suggested in the text is perhaps as likely as any other: for the form of it cp. ‘Maintene,’ l. 385. Thynne’s reading, ‘To stere peace,’ looks like a lame attempt on the part of a copyist to fill the gap.

78 ff. Conf. Amantis, iii. 2265 ff.

89. I write regularly ‘evere’ ‘nevere’ in accordance with Gower’s practice: so 126, 127, 148, 241, 301, 350, 365.

90. alle charite. The MS. has ‘al charite,’ but the metre and the grammatical usage both require ‘alle,’ as in l. 293 and elsewhere.

94. wisemennes: cp. ‘wisemen,’ Conf. Amantis, vii. 1792.

106 ff. Cp. Conf. Amantis, iii. 2273 ff.

113. Conf. Amantis, iii. 2294 f.

115. Cp. Conf. Amantis, Prol. 444.

121. ‘Whose faith thou hast partly to guide.’

122. I correct the imperative form ‘Leie,’ and also ‘sette’ 124, ‘Lete’ 129, ‘putte’ 130, ‘thenke’ 162, ‘Beholde’ 276, as contrary to Gower’s practice and in several cases disturbing the metre.

150. Strictly speaking, we ought to have the subjunctive, ‘undirstode,’ but the rhyme will not allow.

155. So Prol. 88 f.,

‘The hyhe god him hath proclamed
Ful of knyhthode and alle grace.’

157 f. ‘Peace with honour’ was a favourite thought of Gower’s, ‘pax et honor’ in the Vox Clamantis, vii. 1415.

174. ‘on earth peace, goodwill towards men.’

177 ff. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.’

204. waited, ‘attended to.’

235. devised, ‘divided’: cp. Conf. Amantis, ii. 3264.

[Pg 554]

236 ff. ‘nevertheless the law stands so reasonably established by man’s wit, that they can stand firm without that’ (i. e. without the help of the Church).

266. Cp. Prol. 795, ‘The comun ryht hath no felawe,’ that is, none to take its part.

278 f. deserved To him. The reading is right. It means ‘earned by service rendered to him’: cp. Conf. Amantis, iv. 3577, ‘Thogh I no deth to the deserve.’

281 ff. For the nine worthies see Caxton’s Preface to Mallory’s Morte d’Arthur.

295 f. The question of winning a ‘chase’ at tennis is not one which is decided at once by the stroke that is made, but depends on later developments.

330 f. Cp. Conf. Amantis, vii. 3161*.

337 ff. Conf. Amantis, ii. 3187 ff.

345. at al, ‘altogether.’

354. the lieve of lothe, ‘they who were now loved but had before been hated’ (by God).

356. I read ‘weren’ for the metre. However the case may be with Chaucer, there is no instance elsewhere in Gower of elision prevented by caesura. The cases that have been quoted are all founded on misreadings.

365 f. Cp. Conf. Amantis, viii. 2988*.

379. of pes, ‘with regard to peace.’

382. see the werre, that is, ‘look to the war’: cp. ll. 137, 144, 281 ff. The reading ‘sese’ was invented by Wright.

Rex celi deus, &c. This piece is to a great extent an adaptation of the original version of Vox Clamantis, vi. cap. 18, as it stands in the Digby MS. The first eight lines are identically the same. Then follows in the Vox Clamantis,

‘Ipse meum iuuenem conseruet supplico Regem,’ &c.

Of the remainder, as we have it here, ll. 25 f., 31-33, 36-39, 41 f., 45-48 correspond with slight variations to lines in the Vox Clamantis version, but the arrangement of them is different.

10. Te que tuum regnum, ‘Thee and thy kingdom,’ a quite common position of ‘que’ in Gower’s Latin. So below, ll. 49, 50, 53, and often elsewhere.

35. So also Conf. Amantis, vii, after l. 1984.

[Pg 555]

## GLOSSARY
AND
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES

The general resemblance between Gower and Chaucer in the matter of language makes a comparison of their English vocabularies almost a matter of course. Chaucer’s word-list is naturally much more extensive than Gower’s, not only on account of the superior genius of the writer, but also because of the greater extent and variety of his work, Gower’s English work being less than half of Chaucer’s in amount, and consisting of verse only, while nearly a fourth part of Chaucer’s is prose. We find, however, that Gower has more than six hundred words which are not used by Chaucer. Most of these are comparatively new formations from French or Latin, but there is also among them a fair sprinkling of old-established English words, some of which no doubt were falling into disuse. Such words are, for example: adryh, aghte, anele, arecche, areche, arere v., beȝete, bysne, eldemoder, enderday, ferke, forȝifte, forlie, forworþe, frede, ȝeme, gladschipe, goodschipe, grede (gradde), griþ, heveneriche, kingesriche, lere (= loss), lich (= corpse), metrede, miele, mone (3), mull, orf, orped, rowe v. (= dawn), sawht, skiere, spire v., spousebreche, þarmes, tome s., tote, tyh (pret.), tyt adv., wow, yhte.

Of the rest the following (among others) are words for which no authority earlier than Gower is cited in the New English Dictionary (A-I): those for which Gower is the sole authority are printed in italics.

abeche, ablaste, abord, abroche adv., accidence, agrope, altemetrie, apostazied, apparantie, approbacion, artificier, aspirement, assignement, assobre, assote v., astraied, attempte v., attitled, avant adv., avantance, babe, baldemoine, balke v., baske, bass adj. (‘base’), bedawe, bederke, befole (‘befool’), belwinge, bethrowe, bewympled, bienvenue, bombard, brothell, brygantaille, calculacion, caliphe, carte (= writing), chacable, chace (at tennis), chance v., chevance, circumference, client, coise, cokard, cokerie (‘cookery’), compense, conclave, concordable, congelacion, congruite, contempt, contourbe, courbe s. and adj., decas, deificacion, delaiement, delate (= dilate), depos s., desclos adj., desclose v., desobeie, desobeissance, dispers, distillacion, doubtif, drunkeschipe, duistre, effeminat adj., eloquent, enbrouderie (‘embroidery’), enclin, encluyed, encourtined, enfile, enheritance, ensamplerie, entendable, entendance, entendant, epitaphe, esmaie, espeir, espleit (‘exploit’), exalacion, excessif, excitacioun, excusement, expectant, faie adj., fieverous, fixacioun, flacke, folhaste, folhastif, forcacche, forge s., forstormed, forsueie, forthrere (= furtherer), froise, gaignage, gamme, genitals, godward, gule, hepe (= hook), heraldie, hovedance, injustice, interruption, intersticion, inthronize.

Of these nearly half are used in the English of the present day.

[Pg 556]

For the remainder of the alphabet I content myself with calling attention to the following, without venturing on any statement about their earlier use:

justificacion, liberal, liberalite, lien (= bond), lugge, mathematique, matrone, mechanique, mecherie, menable, mineral, moevement, multitude, oblivion, obstinacie, occupacion, original, passible, perjurie, philliberd (= filbert), piereles, pilage, pleintif adj., pointure, porte (= porthole), preparacion, presage, preserve, proclame, prophetesse, providence, purefie, raile s., recepcion, recreacion, relacion, renounce, reptil, resemblance, restauratif, revelen, riff (= reef of a sail), sale, salvage, scharnebud, scisme, sculpture, seintefic, solucion, specifie, sprantlen, spume, stacion, studious, substitucion, supplante, supporte, temprure, tenetz (= tennis), terremote, tonsure, transpose, trompette.

In matters of vocabulary my obligations are first and principally to the New English Dictionary, then to Prof. Skeat’s Chaucer Glossary, to Stratmann’s Middle Engl. Dictionary (ed. Bradley), and to Halliwell’s Dictionary of Archaisms. With reference especially to Gower I may mention the dissertation by G. Tiete (Breslau, 1889).

The following Glossary is meant to include all the words used in Gower’s English Works, with their various forms of spelling and (where necessary) of inflexion, accompanied with such references as are required for verification of the forms given and for illustration of the different uses and meanings of the words. As a rule, when a word occurs more than once, at least two references are given, but this statement does not apply to inflexional forms. If a word presents any difficulty or is used in a variety of meanings, the number of references is proportionally increased. A complete set of references is given for proper names.

The Confessio Amantis is referred to by P., i, ii, iii, &c., P. standing for the Prologue, and the Roman numerals for the successive books. PP. stands for the poem In Praise of Peace. Word-forms which are not found in the Fairfax MS., or only in the latter part of it, which is written by a different hand, are sometimes enclosed in parentheses. These are also used occasionally to indicate variation of spelling: thus dissencioun (-on) means that the word is spelt either with ‘-oun’ or ‘-on’ termination, wher(e) indicates that ‘wher’ and ‘where’ are alternative forms. In all cases where ‘y’ is used to represent ‘ȝ,’ that fact is indicated by ‘(ȝ)’ placed after the word when it occurs in its place, as beyete(ȝ)

The grammatical abbreviations are, s. substantive, a. adjective, v. verb, v.a. verb active, v.n. verb neuter, v.a.n. verb active and neuter, 3 s.pres. 3rd person singular present tense, pret. past tense, pp. past participle, def. definite form of adjective, &c.

In many cases an explanation is given of the meaning of words for the convenience of readers, but no discussion as to their meaning or origin is admitted in the Glossary.

- A.
- a, interj. iv. 3622, see ha.
- a, an, indef. art. P. 18, 350, (= one) ii. 1169, 1261.
- a, (= Fr. à), in a dieu, a fin, see adieu, afyn.
- a, in a day, a doun, a ferr, a game, a goddeshalf, a morwe, a nyht, a place, a swoune, see dai, doun, ferr, &c.
- Aaron, P. 437, ii. 3047.
- abaissht, abayssht, pp. iv. 1330, vi. 2329.
- abak, adv. iii. 481, vii. 4363, back.
- abandone, abandoune, v.a. P. 766, ii. 1596, 2772, v. 5378, viii. 1834, let go, give up, devote.
- abate, v.a. ii. 3171, vi. 2354, vii. 1639;
- v.n. tabate, ii. 809.
- Abbategnyh, vii. 1458.
- abbesse, s. viii. 1849.
- abbot, s. ii. 3056.
- abece, vii. 158, a, b, c.
- abeche, v.a. vi. 709, feed.
- abedde, adv. P. 602, i. 1781, 2599.
- abegge, v.a. iii. 1828, v. 7522, pay for:
- cp. abye.
- abeie, see abye.
- Abel, viii. 61, 72.
- abesse, v.a. i. 2063, abase.
- abhominable, a. ii. 3107, vii. 3337.
- abide, abyde(n), v.n. i. 859, 1535, 1599, 2909, 3201, ii. 1501, PP. 285, wait, remain;
- v.a. ii. 2594, 2626, iii. 1616, viii. 900, wait for, endure:
- 3 s.pres. abit, abitt, iii. 201, 1658,
- pret. abod, i. 151,[Pg 557]
- imperat. abyd, iv. 1777,
- pp. abide, vii. 2860.
- abie, see abye.
- ablaste, v.a.pret. v. 3712, blew upon.
- able, a. ii. 98, 3258, iv. 267, 2561.
- Abner, ii. 3087.
- abord, adv. ii. 1138, alongside (of a ship).
- aboute, adv. P. 367, i. 403, ii. 1227,
- abouten, i. 2529,
- aboutes, vii. 2280, viii. 2460, round, round about;
- come aboute, bringe a., i. 2629, ii. 1531, 2282, iv. 61, 259:
- prep. iv. 1356.
- above, adv. P. 891, i. 467, 1610, 1860, 2491, iv. 1595, aloft, at advantage, before this;
- hier above, i. 1377;
- from above, i. 3278:
- prep. i. 810,
- aboven, P. 971, i. 2833:
- as subst. iv. 914, v. 2542, 7293, vi. 221, advantage.
- abregge, v.a. vii. 1990, cut short.
- abreid, s. iv. 588, start.
- abreide, v.a. vii. 2882, upbraid.
- abreide, v.n.pret. i. 155, 2851, ii. 3241, started.
- abroche, adv. v. 1677, abroach.
- abrod, adv. iv. 3102, v. 6891, abroad.
- absence, s. ii. 1321, 1647.
- absent, a. iv. 1797, vii. 5181.
- Absolon, ii. 3093, viii. 217.
- absolucioun (-on), s. ii. 1317, iii. 596, viii. 2892.
- abstinence, s. P. 327, vi. 634.
- abydinge, s. vii. 502.
- abye, abie, v.a. ii. 3022, iii. 221, v. 5541,
- abeie, iii. 306,
- 3 s.pres. abyth, v. 5516,
- abeith, vi. 1378,
- pret. aboghte, ii. 2153, viii. 217,
- pp. aboght, i. 381, 2614, pay for:
- cp. abegge.
- acale, adv. viii. 638, 847, acold.
- accept, a. v. 6394, acceptable.
- acceptable, a. vii. 4727, viii. 3035*.
- accidence, s. ii. 3210, v. 763, see notes.
- accidie, s. iv. 539, sloth.
- accioun, s. ii. 388.
- accompte, accord, see acompte, acord.
- accuse, v.a. P. 487, iii. 2377.
- accusement, s. ii. 1703.
- Achab, vii. 2529 ff.,
- genit. Achabbes, vii. 2552.
- Achaie, v. 1907.
- Achastus, iii. 2555.
- achates, vii. 1362, agate.
- Achelons, iv. 2068.
- Acheron, v. 1110.
- Achias, vii. 4515 ff.
- achieve, v.a. P. 92, i. 103, 700, 1257, ii. 1311, v. 1276, finish, attain to;
- to ben achieved (= to succeed), ii. 2360,
- cp. ii. 3091:
- v.n. ii. 372, v. 2043, succeed.
- Achilles, ii. 2454, iii. 2642 ff., iv. 1694, 1800, 1970 ff., 2161, v. 2963 ff., 7591, viii. 2545, 2569,
- acc. Achillem, vii. 3583.
- Achilo, iii. 2566.
- Achitofell, ii. 3090.
- Acis, ii. 131 ff.
- acold, adv. iv. 247, vi. 1007.
- acompte, s. ii. 1715, iv. 292, 1653,
- accompte, iv. 1062, 2243.
- acompte, v.a. iii. 1104, 2281, v. 2014;
- v.n. vii. 2226,
- tacompte, i. 650.
- acord, s. P. 1034, i. 849, 1789,
- accord, P. 85, iv. 2069;
- in acord, i. 1115;
- of thin acord, &c., i. 849, ii. 2536;
- in on acord, i. 2250.
- acordable, a. v. 2930, in accord.
- acordant, a. i. 455, 2436, iv. 1244:
- adv. iv. 498, v. 142, viii. 2371.
- acorde, v.n. P. 358, 878, i. 388, ii. 105;
- thei ben acorded, ii. 630,
- thus acorded (pp.absol.), i. 826;
- refl. i. 3386, vii. 3241:
- 2 s.pret. acordest, iii. 2058,
- pres. part. acordende, ii. 1612, iii. 603: agree.
- acordement, s. vii. 168.
- acquite, see aquite.
- acroche, v.a. iii. 1047, v. 5624, take hold of, gain.
- acte, s. P. 405.
- Acteon, i. 336 ff.
- Acteos, vii. 855.
- adaies, adv. iii. 828, at this time;
- now adaies, nou adayes, &c., P. 171, iv. 1228,
- cp. ‘on daies nou,’ iv. 1731:
- see also aday.
- Adam, i. 3304, iv. 2224, v. 1707 ff., 6964, vi. 5, viii. 26 ff.
- adamant, s. vii. 833, 1397.
- aday, adv. v. 2463,
- now (nou) aday, i. 655, iv. 2616, viii. 151,
- cp. a day, vii. 438,
- now a day, ii. 444:
- cp. adaies.
- addre, see eddre.
- adieu, viii. 2940,
- a dieu, ii. 2739, v. 3662.
- adoted, pp. vi. 79, infatuated.
- adoun, adv. i. 3280,
- a doun, iv. 2710, v. 385.
- adrad, a. i. 157, 2748, ii. 479, 3489.
- adresce, v.a. i. 1722, 2725, v. 1480,
- (refl.) v. 5021,
- adresse, iii. 2336, arrange, prepare.
- Adriagne, Adriane, v. 5332 ff., viii. 2556.
- Adrian (1), P. 745.
- Adrian (2), v. 4938 ff.,
- genit. Adrianes, v. 5155.[Pg 558]
- adryh, adv. iv. 1330, aside.
- adverse, a. iv. 3403.
- adverse, v.a. ii. 1792, oppose.
- adversite, s.v. 2232, vii. 3340*.
- advocat, s. vii. 2067.
- aeremance, s. vi. 1301, divination by air.
- afaite, see affaite.
- afer, adv. v. 318,
- see ferr.
- afered, a. i. 2124, iv. 600,
- a feerd, v. 7150*.
- affaite, v.a. ii. 464, 2851, iv. 3337,
- afaite, iv. 1157, v. 6852,
- pp. affaited, i. 1259, 1671,
- afaited, v. 2000: prepare, train.
- affeccioun (-on), s. i. 2858, vi. 1350,
- thaffeccioun, P. 366, inclination.
- afferme, v.a. P. 189, ii. 2928, iv. 3421, v. 783, confirm, establish;
- v.n. v. 857, 2596, declare, affirm.
- affiche, v.a. v. 2520.
- affile, v.a. i. 678, iii. 516, iv. 3332, sharpen, prepare.
- afflyhte, afflihte, aflihte, v.n.pret. i. 2185, ii. 766, iv. 1438, 1556, was disturbed (with grief, joy or fear), was afflicted;
- v.a. iii. 1422,
- pp. affliht,
- aflyht, ii. 1518, v. 5438.
- affraie, v.a., pp. affraied, iii. 57, iv. 3400, viii. 2859, startle, frighten.
- affray, s. iv. 3068, fright.
- afire, adv. see afyre.
- afore, prep. iii. 2547, v. 822;
- adv. i. 973,
- aforn, vi. 927.
- afote, adv. iv. 2095.
- after, prep. P. 11, 54, 637, i. 809, iv. 1327, v. 1605,
- (aftir, viii. 2979 ff.), after, according to:
- at after mete, &c., vi. 1181, 1831:
- after that, after, (= according as) P. 544, 708, ii. 1586, iii. 1074:
- adv. P. 634, i. 999,
- (aftir, viii. 3073),
- ther after, v. 7030.
- aftercast, s. iv. 904, late throw (of the dice).
- afterward, adv. P. 74, i. 757, iv. 865,
- (aftirward, PP. 55).
- afyn, adv. v. 2349,
- a fin, iv. 60, finally.
- afyre, ii. 149, 2292, v. 1485,
- afire, i. 1662.
- Agag, vii. 3823 ff.
- Agamenon, ii. 2452, iii. 1892 ff., 2186, v. 3101, 6435 ff., viii. 2546.
- agaste, v.a.pret. vii. 3716,
- pp. agast, iii. 420, iv. 2760, terrified.
- agayn, again, adv. v. 3790, 4413, back:
- cp. ayein.
- age, s. i. 488, 779, 2229, iii. 1237, iv. 604, v. 901,
- of age, iii. 1943, v. 1259.
- aghte, s. viii. 747, possession.
- ago, adv. iv. 943,
- cp. agon, ago, pp.
- agon, pp. P. 875, ii. 1218, 2696,
- ago, P. 31, iv. 2918, 2960, gone, past.
- agregge, v.n. v. 7624, grow heavy.
- agrise, v.a. iii. 2160,
- pp. agrise, P. 598, v. 5908, terrify.
- agrope, v.a. and n. ii. 1356, 2814, v. 2858, examine, discover.
- agulte, v.n. vii. 3932, do wrong.
- ai, see ay.
- air, see eir (1).
- aise, see ese.
- aisshe, s. viii. 2101, ashes.
- ake, v.n. PP. 260, ache.
- akiele, v.n. iv. 2671, grow cool.
- al, all, alle, a., sing. al the, al this, al his, &c., P. 95, 104, 135, &c.,
- all his, i. 2291,
- all the, viii. 784,
- the Cite all, ii. 3473;
- alle grace, alle thing, alle untrowthe, alle haste, alle wise, &c., P. 89, 433, i. 301, 747, 925 f., ii. 624, 1259,
- but al honour, i. 879,
- al untrowthe, ii. 1684,
- al Erthe, i. 2825,
- al Envie, ii. 168;
- pl. all my, al the, all these, &c., iii. 123, iv. 2377, 3165, v. 2685, &c.,
- alle, P. 146, i. 992, 1481, 1930, 2877,
- alle othre, P. 734, i. 666,
- al othre, iv. 1532:
- as subst. al, i. 2247, ii. 704, 1027,
- pl. alle, P. 826, i. 1443,
- upon alle, P. 125, ii. 117, on all occasions,
- for al that, iv. 1348, 2278,
- cp. vii. 2677,
- at al, PP. 345, altogether.
- adv. al, P. 13, i. 640, 856, 1068, 1145, ii. 966, &c.,
- all, ii. 608, v. 1935,
- with a. al lene, iv. 1344,
- al one, i. 351, 666, 1526, ii. 2410, &c.,
- (cp. alone),
- al him one, i. 3144,
- al only, ii. 133, iv. 2083,
- all thogh, iv. 269,
- al be it so, iv. 2393, 2920,
- al were there, iii. 2557,
- al nere it, v. 997.
- Ala Corvi, vii. 1371.
- Alaezel, vii. 1380.
- alarge, adv. iii. 2139.
- Albe, ii. 1855.
- Albert, P. 780.
- Albinus, i. 2460.
- Albumazar, vii. 1239.
- Alceone, Alceoun, iv. 2929 ff., 3121 ff.,
- Alcione, viii. 2649.
- Alceste, vii. 1920 ff., viii. 2640.
- alconomie, s. iv. 2459, 2578, alchemy.
- aldai, alday, adv. P. 15, 310, i. 2753, iii. 1178,
- al dai, ii. 1899.
- Aldeboran, vii. 1310.
- ale, s. iii. 433, 1626.
- alegge, see allegge.[Pg 559]
- Alemaine, s. P. 804,
- Alemaigne, vii. 751.
- Alemans, pl. P. 810,
- thalemans, P. 821.
- Alexandrine, a. vii. 563, of Alexandria.
- Alfraganus, vii. 1461.
- alfulli, adv. ii. 501.
- algate, adv. P. 646, 894, i. 1296, ii. 2637,
- algates, i. 300, iii. 690, in any case, assuredly.
- Algol, vii. 1329.
- algorisme, s. vii. 155, 158.
- Alhaiot, vii. 1338.
- alheil, interj. iii. 1261.
- aliche, alyche, adv. P. 932, i. 1298, ii. 3253, iii. 68, iv. 2392, 3330,
- alich, iv. 2253,
- alike, vi. 383.
- alihte, v.n., see alyhte.
- Alisandre, Alisaundre, P. 693, ii. 1841, 2415, iii. 1227, 2366, 2440, v. 1454, 1571, 2545, 5535, vi. 2273 ff., vii. 5, 22, &c., 3168*, 4234 ff., 5384, PP. 36, 44, 281.
- Alisandre, vii. 1255, Alexandria.
- alite, alitel, see lite, litel.
- allaie, v.a. vi. 310, vii. 5406, alleviate.
- allas, interj. v. 3910:
- cp. helas.
- Allee, ii. 722, 1228 ff.
- allegge, alegge, v.a. v. 7326,
- pret. alleide, i. 1453, iii. 2155, iv. 1920, vii. 2073;
- v.n. v. 6980: allege.
- allewey, adv., see alway.
- alliance, s. ii. 1184, vii. 2549, viii. 139.
- allied, a. viii. 12.
- allowe, alowe, v.a. P. 154, i. 1283, 1590, ii. 539, iii. 1552, iv. 2282, v. 564, approve, accept.
- allyhte, v.a. v. 4520, lighten.
- Almageste, vii. 739, 983, 1460.
- Almareth, vii. 1387.
- Almeene, ii. 2466.
- almesse, s. P. 226, 742, i. 2935, ii. 1471, iii. 2233, alms, good deed.
- Almeüs, iii. 2564.
- almost, adv. vi. 414.
- almyhte, almihte, a. ii. 906, viii. 1384, (almighte, PP. 362).
- almyhti, almyhty, a. P. 585, v. 1737, 5741.
- alofte, adv. P. 921, i. 885, 2563, iii. 152, vii. 169, on high, aloud.
- alonde, adv. ii. 2212, v. 3747.
- alone, a. or adv. i. 839, 1523, (allone, PP. 8);
- al one, see al.
- along, adv. iv. 2817,
- along on me, on miself along, on mi will along, &c., iv. 624, 952, 2818, v. 2327, 5881 f.,
- long on, v. 2329.
- alonge, v.n. v. 3282,
- pp. alonged, vi. 1840, desire.
- alowd, aloud, adv. ii. 843, 1512, v. 3848.
- Alpetragus, vii. 1463.
- Alpheta, vii. 1401.
- Alphonse, i. 3393.
- alquik, a. viii. 2575, alive.
- als, adv. P. 565, 1064,
- als faste (at once), i. 414, ii. 1267,
- als so faste, &c., i. 1041, ii. 132, v. 2288:
- cp. also, as.
- also, adv. P. 4, &c.,
- ek also, i. 3305, &c.,
- also wel, i. 1316:
- cp. als.
- altemetrie, s. vii. 1468.
- alter, s. v. 4034,
- aulter, v. 4079, (thalter, vii. 4707).
- alther best, altherbest, adv. i. 1921, iv. 571,
- alther werst, i. 326.
- althermest, adv. i. 3102, v. 2897.
- althertrewest, a. ii. 499.
- altherworst, adv. vi. 238.
- althogh, conj. P. 157, &c.,
- all thogh, iv. 269.
- alto, adv. i. 2415.
- altobreke, v.a., pp. altobroke, viii. 624, PP. 221, break asunder.
- altogedre, adv. vii. 2962,
- cp. togedre.
- alway, alwey, alwei, adv. P. 832, i. 1840, iii. 1459,
- allewey, iv. 2587.
- alyhte (1), alihte, v.n.inf. ii. 423, iii. 182, iv. 3002,
- pret. i. 2227, iii. 2659,
- pp. alyht, v. 1782, come down, alight.
- alyhte (2), v.a., pret. alyhte, v. 1670,
- pp. alyht, vii. 4708, light, give light to;
- v.n. vii. 3769, be lighted up.
- alyve, a. or adv. i. 2164, ii. 645, iv. 2169.
- am, art, &c., see be.
- Amadas, vi. 879.
- Amadriades, pl. v. 6236.
- amaied, pp. i. 2030, a-maying.
- Amalech, (1) vii. 3711.
- Amalech, (2) vii. 4408, (for Balach).
- amased, pp. iv. 579, 697, v. 5296, (amasid, viii. 2957).
- Amazoine, iv. 2166.
- amblaunt, (pres.p.) a. ii. 1506,
- amblende, iv. 1309, ambling.
- amende, s. v. 7287,
- pl. amendes, v. 688, vii. 1585.
- amende, v.a. P. 183, 254,
- imperat. amende thee, i. 2934,
- god thamende, i. 568,
- pp. amended, i. 1003, viii. 2608, (amendid, viii. 3010);
- v.n. i. 2431, 3350, viii. 1666.
- amendement, s. P. 83, iii. 2514, iv. 1768.
- Ametus, vii. 1917, viii. 2641.[Pg 560]
- amiddes, prep. or adv.,
- the wode amiddes, &c., i. 112, 2819,
- amiddes in, iii. 2074, iv. 1349,
- amiddes of, iv. 2871,
- amidde, iv. 1673, 3498, viii. 1038,
- amidd, prep. i. 361.
- amirall, s. ii. 1090.
- amis, amys, adv. P. 48, i. 1970, iii. 17, vii. 2473.
- amoeved, pp. iii. 497, iv. 861, moved.
- Amon (son of Lot), viii. 236.
- Amon (king), iv. 1509.
- Amon (nation), vii. 3712.
- Amon (son of David), viii. 214.
- among, prep. P. 5, i. 669,
- amonges, P. 40, i. 1372, among, during:
- among, adv. iv. 1209, v. 5984,
- evere among, i. 2333, ii. 1079, &c.,
- alwei among, iii. 1459, meanwhile, at times.
- Amonites, see Amonyte.
- amonte, amounte, v.n. i. 3111, iv. 291, 1654, v. 1917, 2581, avail, mean.
- Amonyte, vii. 4507,
- pl. Amonites, viii. 242.
- Amoreie, vii. 3711.
- amorous, amerous, a. i. 1414, iii. 745, iv. 921, v. 58,
- amourous, v. 1409, vii. 791.
- amorwe, adv. ii. 2657, iv. 3194,
- amorwe day, v. 2116,
- cp. viii. 820,
- a morwe, ii. 781, 890.
- Amos, vi. 1922 ff., (Jupiter) Ammon.
- Amphion, vi. 2160.
- Amphioras, iii. 2563.
- Amphitrion, ii. 2459 ff.
- Amphrisos, v. 4005.
- amyraude, s. vii. 1383, emerald.
- an, see a.
- an, for ‘on,’ v. 496.
- anabulla, vii. 1317, (a herb).
- ancestre, s. v. 1823, vii. 2884.
- ancestrie, s. PP. 12.
- ancher, anker, ii. 1136, viii. 606, 1805 f., anchor.
- Anchises, iv. 79, v. 1400.
- and, P. 2, 12, 155, &c.
- Andragene, v. 1398.
- Andrew, v. 1907.
- Androchee, v. 5233.
- anele, v.a. vii. 337, melt.
- anemie, see enemie.
- angel, s. P. 950, ii. 298, vi. 1530,
- pl. anglis, iii. 2256,
- angles, viii. 7 ff.
- anger, s. iii. 77 ff.,
- angre, iii. 379,
- pl. angres, iii. 380.
- angreliche, adv. iii. 380.
- angri, a. iii. 30, 378.
- angringe, s. vii. 2665.
- anguisshe, anguisse, s. vii. 5081, viii. 1054.
- animalis, Lat. a. iv. 2542.
- anker, see ancher.
- annuied, pp. iv. 1346.
- anon, adv. P. 160, 626, i. 1130,
- anon ryht, P. 1022,
- anon forth, i. 3353,
- anon as, i. 471, 1262, iv. 2758.
- another, P. 968:
- see other.
- ansuere, answere, v.n. i. 290, 1461, 1658,
- 3 s.pres. answerth, i. 1951,
- pp.pl. ansuerde, i. 3246.
- ansuere, answere, s. i. 1510, 1823, iii. 2407,
- ansuer, viii. 907.
- Anthenor, i. 1095, 1124, v. 1835 ff., 7274 ff., vii. 1562.
- Anthonie, Antonie, vii. 4574 ff., (Caracalla).
- Anthonius, vii. 4181, Antoninus.
- Anticrist, v. 1807.
- Antigonus, vii. 2121.
- Antioche, vii. 1247, viii. 275, 387.
- Antiochus, v. 7012, viii. 274 ff., 2004.
- Antonye, viii. 2577, Marcus Antonius.
- Anubus, i. 836 ff.
- any, see eny.
- anyht, adv. ii. 2857,
- cp. a nyht.
- apart, adv. vi. 2311.
- ape, v. 4995 ff., vi. 1450.
- Apemen, vii. 1884.
- aperceive, v.a. i. 960, ii. 983, 2138, perceive.
- apert, a. iv. 3205, open:
- in apert, ii. 686, openly.
- Apis, v. 1560 ff.
- Apius, vii. 5131.
- aplace, adv. i. 1888, v. 735, a place,
- i. 2377, iv. 2481, into place.
- apointe, appointe, v.a. ii. 791, iv. 273, 1692, v. 708, 4115, vi. 1973,
- refl. ii. 3204,
- to ben apointed, i. 2160, fix, resolve, appoint.
- Apollo, &c., see Appollo.
- aportenant, see appourtenant.
- apostazied, a. viii. 11, rebellious.
- apostles, s.pl. iii. 2499, v. 1797,
- sing. thapostel, P. 434, 881.
- appaie, apaie, v.a. i. 3429, ii. 594, 1433, v. 146,
- pp. appaied, ii. 1433, please, satisfy.
- appalle, v.n. iv. 3160, grow faint.
- apparant, a. ii. 1320, 1552, vii. 5278.
- apparant, a. ii. 1711, heir apparent.
- apparantie, s. i. 636, appearance.
- apparence, see thapparence.
- appartiene, v.n. vii. 1063.
- appel, s. (1) v. 7414, vi. 5, apple.[Pg 561]
- appel, s. (2), see appell.
- appele, v.n. vii. 3171*, 3305*, viii. 2700, appeal.
- appeled, pp. iii. 1601, accused.
- appell, appel, s. ii. 3418, vii. 5233,
- apeel, vii. 3177*, appeal.
- appende, v.n. vii. 978, belong.
- appese(n), v.a. P. 191, i. 1351, iii. 133, vii. 2006.
- appetit, s. iv. 3013, 3544, v. 257.
- appiere, v.n. i. 838, 1198, ii. 3337.
- applied, pp. i. 577, iv. 2607, v. 913, assigned.
- appointe, see apointe.
- Appolinus, viii. 375 ff.
- Appollo, v. 918, 1072, 5845, 7594, vii. 3189,
- Apollo, v. 7111* ff.,
- Apollinis (genit.), v. 7109*.
- appourtenant, a. ii. 2508, iv. 64, 3131, v. 1496,
- appourtienant, vii. 1019,
- aportenant, v. 4318.
- apprise, aprise, s. i. 81, 293, iii. 2764, iv. 2332, viii. 812, teaching.
- approbacion, s. iv. 2519.
- appropre, v.a. vii. 430,
- pp. appropred, iv. 3223, vii. 499.
- aproche, v.n. ii. 40, v. 5623;
- v.a. iii. 96, viii. 388,
- naproche, iv. 1135.
- apropriacioun, s. ii. 2396.
- Aquarius, vii. 1187 ff., 1253.
- aqueint, pp. vi. 265, quenched.
- aqueintance, s. i. 2400, ii. 1178, iv. 85.
- aqueinte, v.refl. and n. ii. 3506, iv. 2313,
- pp. aqueinted, iv. 2137,
- (aqweinted, PP. 328).
- aquite, aquyte, acquite, v.a. i. 1594, 2772, iii. 2578, iv. 967, v. 2385, set free, acquit;
- i. 1054, remit;
- iv. 195, satisfy;
- iii. 2671, vii. 3030, requite;
- pp. aquit, iii. 2460, iv. 967,
- acquited, i. 1054.
- ar, adv. ii. 2141, iv. 1422;
- cp. er.
- Arabe, s. iv. 2627, Arabic (language).
- Arachel, vii. 1457.
- arai, araied, see arrai, arraied.
- arawhte, pret. of arecche (OE. areccan), v. 1826, explain.
- Araxarathen, iv. 3675.
- Arcenne, Arcennus, ii. 1332 ff., 1534.
- arcennicum, s. iv. 2483.
- Archade, iii. 2317, v. 1007, vii. 3555.
- Archas, v. 6283.
- Ardea, vii. 4760 ff.
- areche, (OE. arǽcan), v.a. i. 3207, ii. 666, v. 387,
- pret. arauhte, vi. 457, attain, reach to:
- v.n. i. 3024, iii. 2247, reach up, extend.
- arede, v.a.n. P. 601, v. 928, vii. 3703,
- pret. aradde, P. 626, i. 2854: explain, give explanation.
- arere, adv. iii. 1082, behind.
- arere, v.a. iv. 1938, vi. 437, 1107, raise up.
- areste, v.a. i. 1644, ii. 162, 2745, iii. 609, delay, keep in check, arrest.
- arewe, see arowe.
- argue, v.n. vii. 1847, 4196.
- argument, s. iv. 1798, v. 7028,
- pl. argumentz, vii. 1823.
- argumenten, v.n. P. 370.
- Arial, vii. 1364.
- Aries, vii. 980 ff., 1266.
- ariht, adv. i. 2847, ii. 724, iv. 2993.
- Arion, P. 1054.
- arise, aryse, v.n. P. 1041, i. 1909, iii. 2503,
- 3 s.pres. arist, P. 504, 545, ii. 474,
- pret. aros, i. 2957,
- pp. arist, ii. 228,
- arise, v. 5907;
- v.a. (?) v. 1745.
- Arisippus, Arisippe, Arisippes, vii. 2231 ff.
- Aristarchus, iv. 2640.
- ariste, s. iii. 1224, iv. 1285, rising.
- aristologie, s. vii. 1413, birthwort.
- Aristotle, Aristote, Aristotiles, vi. 99, 2274, 2412, vii. 4 ff., 50 ff., 3333* ff., 3544, 4257, 5403, viii. 2705.
- arivaile, arryvaile, s. ii. 1032, iv. 94, 1927.
- arive, see aryve.
- arm, s. ii. 2486, iv. 1141,
- pl. armes, P. 607, i. 912, ii. 2481.
- arme, v.a. v. 3181,
- pp. armed, i. 1171, 1998, iv. 1701, v. 3686.
- Armene, v. 1397.
- Armenye, Armenie, iv. 1245, vii. 1251,
- Ermenie, vii. 3218.
- armes, s.pl. P. 213, i. 1413, 2528, v. 3627 (feat of arms),
- men of armes, ii. 2998, iv. 1625.
- (sal) armoniak, iv. 2480.
- armonie, s. vii. 165.
- arowe, arewe, adv. i. 255, ii. 2038, v. 6955.
- Arpaghes, vii. 1800 ff.
- arrai, array, arai, aray, s. i. 901, 2512, 2705, iv. 1393, v. 1312, 7488.
- arraie, araie, v.a. i. 1748, 2029, ii. 1836, vi. 641, array, prepare;
- arraied of (provided with), ii. 2556.
- arrive, arryve, see aryve.
- Arrons, vii. 4598 ff.
- arryvaile, see arivaile.
- arsmetique, s. vii. 149, arithmetic.
- art, s. iv. 933, 2607.
- artemage, s. vi. 1957, magic art.
- Artestrathes, Artestrates, viii. 691, 1970.[Pg 562]
- Arthus, PP. 283.
- artificier, s. vii. 1691.
- artmagique, s. viii. 2602.
- arwe, s. ii. 2236, v. 1266, arrow.
- aryse, see arise.
- aryve, arive, arryve, arrive, v.a. ii. 717, 1905, bring to land;
- v.n. iii. 1043, iv. 81, 1917, vii. 3269, come to land, come.
- as, P. 50, 60, 233, i. 847, ii. 2205,
- (= as if) i. 666, 1358, ii. 1047,
- as it were, i. 1800,
- as who seith, P. 43, i. 1381 &c.,
- as he which &c., P. 186, 1020, i. 369,
- as him which, iii. 1276,
- as of (as regards), P. 492, i. 557, 1969, iii. 1479,
- as to, P. 199, i. 300, iii. 2283,
- as forto, P. 31, i. 107, 2379,
- as tho, ii. 213, iv. 375,
- as in (= in), i. 1707, 1940,
- as be (= be), i. 1334,
- as me thenketh (= me thenketh), iv. 1649,
- als ... as, P. 1064: cp. als.
- ascape, v.a. i. 1552, 2882 (aschape, v. 7033*), eschape, vi. 1017;
- v.n. i. 517, ii. 1982, iv. 2107, eschape, vii. 3466.
- ascendent, s. vi. 1963.
- aschamed, a. i. 979, iv. 1885.
- ascrie, v.n. vi. 1690, vii. 3751, raise a cry.
- ascry, s. v. 7546, vii. 3722.
- asende, v.a., pret. asente, i. 2138,
- pp. asent, i. 1493, 1743,
- assent, i. 3222, sent for.
- aside, adv. P. 879, i. 1536, 2534, ii. 1426, iv. 2512,
- asyde, v. 4512,
- gon aside, vii. 2388 (go wrong).
- Asie, vii. 533, 554 ff.
- aske, askinge, see axe, axinge.
- aslepe, adv. i. 1180, ii. 825,
- rocke aslepe, ii. 1081,
- broght aslepe, iv. 3347.
- Asmod, vii. 5335 ff.
- aspect, s. i. 3009, vii. 904.
- aspidis, s. i. 463.
- aspie, s. i. 1172, ii. 1830, iii. 2087, v. 1997,
- upon aspie, iv. 1473: spy, watch.
- aspie, v.a. i. 312, ii. 305,
- pp. aspyd, iv. 1858;
- v.n. ii. 100, 515, v. 675,
- pret. aspide, ii. 135.
- aspirement, s. vii. 256, breathing.
- assaie, v.a. i. 1080, 1758, 3028, iii. 647, 1066;
- v.n. i. 3430, v. 2680: try, attempt, experience.
- assaile, assaille, v.a. i. 1999, iii. 154, 1904,
- the feld a., ii. 1838, 2620;
- v.n. P. 727, v. 5526, vi. 1308: attack, attempt.
- assay, assai, s. i. 690, 791, ii. 3261, iii. 717, v. 273, 4156, trial, proof;
- at alle assaies, P. 172, ii. 2447, v. 4883, in every way.
- asse, s. i. 2248, iv. 2009, vii. 3251*.
- assemble, v.n. ii. 2621, iv. 1953, engage in battle, iii. 189, associate (together);
- v.a. ii. 1765, iii. 368, v. 686, 1772, gather together, join.
- assent, s. i. 1125, 3380,
- thassent, ii. 1479,
- of on assent, i. 1494,
- of his a., i. 1744,
- to hire a., i. 2623.
- assente, v.n. ii. 2816, iii. 1976, iv. 3488,
- thei ben assented, ii. 2539, cp. viii. 818.
- asseure, see assure.
- assigne, v.a. i. 234, ii. 1337, iv. 271.
- assignement, s. v. 7154, vi. 401.
- Assire, v. 1541, vii. 4316.
- assise, assisse, v.a. P. 66, i. 1468, 3050, ii. 636, iii. 1866, iv. 280, place, appoint, arrange.
- assisse, assise, s. v. 788, 1986, 2878, viii. 778,
- thassise, P. 148, order, condition, manner.
- assobre, v.n. vi. 291, grow sober;
- v.a. vi. 460, sober.
- assoile, v.a. iii. 2570, viii. 364;
- v.n. pret. assoilede, iii. 2556: absolve, solve (a question).
- assote, v.n. i. 508, 781, 2596, ii. 2269, behave foolishly, dote;
- v.a. iv. 697, v. 6841, vii. 4319, make foolish, besot.
- assuage, v.n. i. 1438, iii. 1614;
- v.a. ii. 3208, vi. 587.
- Assub, vii. 334.
- assure, asseure, v.a. ii. 902, 2013, 2467, iii. 1773, 2202, iv. 3526, assure, satisfy, betroth, pledge.
- astat, estat, s. P. 105, i. 599, 2764, iv. 229, viii. 3149,
- thastat, i. 2100,
- thestat, P. 202,
- estatz (pl.), v. 1849.
- astellabre, s. vi. 1890, astrolabe.
- asterte, v.a. i. 658, 722, 1934, 3381, iii. 163, 240, 566, escape from, elude;
- v.n. iv. 724, 1304, v. 808, 5821, escape, be avoided, v. 707, come to pass.
- astone, v.n. vi. 1584, be at a loss.
- astoned, a. P. 277.
- astraied, pp. v. 145, vii. 2660, astray.
- Astrathen, vii. 4501.
- astray, adv. vii. 2679.
- Astrices, vii. 826.
- astrologie, s. vii. 680.
- astronomie, s. iv. 3246, vi. 1347.
- astronomien, s. v. 3083, vii. 348.[Pg 563]
- aswoune, adv. ii. 1347, 3237, iv. 3632,
- a swoune, viii. 1060.
- asyde, see aside.
- at, prep. P. 34,
- (= to) ii. 2648, iv. 914,
- (= by) v. 611:
- ate, ii. 59,
- ate laste, P. 369, 702,
- ate dees, i. 54,
- ate feste, i. 2501.
- atake, pp. v. 6291, overtaken.
- Athemas (1), iii. 1764, 1807.
- Athemas (2), v. 4249.
- Athenagoras, viii. 1622, 1749.
- Athene, Athenes, Athenys, Athenis, iii. 1984, 2131, v. 5235, 5250 ff., 5554, vii. 2221, 2315, 2919 ff., 3058, 3184.
- Athlans, i. 424, Atlas.
- atir, see atyr.
- Atropos, iv. 2756.
- attache, v.a. viii. 2698, arrest.
- atteigne(n), v.a. i. 754, 1621, ii. 184, 2553,
- pret. atteinte, v. 3698;
- v.n. i. 2690, iv. 949,
- pp. atteignt, v. 2224.
- atteint, pp. iii. 2213, v. 7102*, viii. 1947, convicted.
- attempre(n), v.a. i. 1354, iii. 236, 1857, iv. 2554.
- attempte, v.a. viii. 1419, try.
- attitled, pp. v. 882, 1312, 1331, vii. 1004.
- atwinne, adv. iii. 2750, v. 5942.
- atwo, atuo, adv. iv. 431, v. 73.
- atyr, atir, s. i. 1753, 1758, v. 4118, preparation, attire.
- auctor, see auctour.
- auctorite, s. i. 800, iv. 2628,
- autorite, ii. 2925.
- auctorize, v.a. vii. 2415, vouch for;
- pp. auctorized, vii. 1480, PP. 330, held in repute.
- auctour, auctor, s. iv. 2412, v. 947, vi. 1314, vii. 1456.
- audience, s. P. 452, i. 2556, 3330, viii. 1842.
- auditour, s. v. 1919.
- Aufrique, v. 1195, vii. 533, 578, 2088.
- Augst, vii. 1100, viii. 2845, August.
- augurre, s. iv. 2404,
- augur.
- auht, see oght.
- aulter, see alter.
- aunter, s.,
- in aunter if, P. 480, i. 189, ii. 480,
- in aunter forto, iii. 992,
- per aunter, v. 3351,
- pl. auntres, v. 5879, venture, adventure.
- auntre, v.n. iv. 339,
- refl. v. 6522, venture.
- Aurora, iv. 3190.
- autorite, see auctorite.
- availe, v.n. P. 270, 1074, i. 1082, 3114,
- (avayle, P. 77*, availle, viii. 3048);
- v.a. ii. 91, 265, v. 229,
- pp. availed, PP. 191.
- avale, v.n. ii. 2353, v. 387, descend;
- v.a. iii. 505, viii. 1619, lower.
- avance, v.a. i. 2652, ii. 16, 2589, iv. 2116, v. 3006,
- avaunce, iv. 2780.
- avancement, s. v. 2279.
- avant, adv. iii. 1082, in front.
- avant, s. i. 2427, ii. 2952, boast.
- avantage, s. i. 1575, 2711, ii. 3158, iv. 2358,
- thavantages, v. 1978.
- avantance, s. i. 2399, boasting.
- avantarie, s. i. 2407,
- avanterie, i. 2438, boasting.
- avante, see avaunte.
- avarice, P. 315, v. 8, 21 &c.
- avaunte, avante, v.refl. i. 2389, 2567, 2655, 2961, boast (oneself).
- avenant, a. vii. 834, comely.
- aventure, s. P. 212, 619, i. 1416, ii. 260, 3297, iii. 2016, peril, chance, case;
- put (sette) in aventure, i. 3212, iv. 322,
- per (par) aventure, i. 1521, 2350, iv. 1101.
- aventurous, a. i. 1523.
- Averil, v. 5968, vii. 1029.
- averous, a. v. 61, 4676,
- thaverous, v. 57, avaricious.
- Avicen, iv. 2610.
- Avinoun, see Avynoun.
- avis, s. i. 501, iii. 1804, iv. 1333, v. 1202,
- avys, i. 1471, opinion, advice.
- avise, v.a. i. 1736;
- v.n. iii. 1067, observe;
- refl. P. 520, i. 436, 748, 2680, ii. 525, 790, viii. 2365, consider, beware;
- be avised, P. 65, i. 996, 1543,
- avised with, ii. 635,
- (avysed, PP. 233).
- avisement, s. i. 3121, iii. 751,
- up avisement, iv. 1002.
- avisioun (-on), s. i. 845, ii. 3479, vi. 1928.
- avoi, interj. viii. 1696.
- avou, s. i. 964, iii. 1014, iv. 1511, 1549, 3133, promise.
- avouterie, s. v. 873, 1045, 1164, adultery.
- avowe, v.a. i. 717, iv. 3438, v. 124, vii. 3163*, PP. 243, declare, justify, vow.
- Avynoun, Avinoun, P. 331, ii. 3001.
- await, s. iii. 955, 1016, v. 666, watch, ambush:
- cp. wait.
- awaite, awayte, v.a. i. 1260, 1672, ii. 463, iii. 1368, iv. 263, 808, v. 3004, watch for, attend to;
- v.n. i. 907, ii. 2332, 2869, iv. 2119, v. 207, watch, wait.
- awake, v.a. i. 887, 1782, 2087, iv. 3228, v. 424, wake, keep awake;
- v.n. ii. 2896, iv. 2905,
- pret. awok, i. 121, ii. 843, v. 5435, vii. 3717.
- awarde, v.a. viii. 2373.[Pg 564]
- aweie, adv. P. 132, 849, i. 1110 &c.,
- aweye, i. 53,
- awey, P. 1069, i. 1323, 2472,
- awei, iii. 1711, iv. 1277,
- away, awai, ii. 1466, iii. 547, iv. 1186, v. 4024;
- schal nevere aweie, iv. 2394,
- myhte noght aweie, could not avail, i. 1110,
- cp. iii. 349, v. 7179.
- aweiward, adv. i. 141.
- awher, adv. ii. 393, v. 6585.
- awhile (= a while), i. 1842, 2810.
- awht, see oght.
- awroke, pp. v. 7268, avenged.
- awry, adv. ii. 442.
- axe, aske, v.a. P. 268, 960, i. 170, 694, 1461, 2149, v. 5472,
- imperat. axe, i. 3344;
- v.n. i. 160, 881, 1875, ii. 1232, iii. 2747: ask, ask for, demand.
- axeltre, s. iii. 1209.
- axinge, s. i. 1480, ii. 339, iv. 2128,
- pl. axinges, i. 3295, vii. 3911,
- askinge, iv. 3494.
- ay, adv. ii. 395, 3125, iv. 286,
- ai, v. 6419*.
- ayein (ȝ), prep. P. 679, 713, i. 1137, 1141, 1284, 2340, ii. 1438,
- ayeins, v. 6413, against, contrary to, opposite, to meet;
- ayein the day, i. 930, toward morning,
- cp. v. 4954,
- ayein the dai, i. 2511, with a view to the day.
- ayein, ayeyn (ȝ), adv. P. 185, i. 861, 1057, 2090, iii. 1243, iv. 1137, again, back, in reply:
- cp. agayn.
- ayeincomynge (ȝ), s. iv. 102.
- ayeinward (ȝ), adv. i. 1792, ii. 132.
- ayer (ȝ), adv. viii. 2226, in the year.
- B
- babe, s. ii. 3238, iii. 320.
- Babel, P. 1019.
- babil, s. vii. 3955, bauble.
- Babilla, vi. 1325.
- Babiloine, Babiloyne, P. 665, 675, 681, i. 2955, iii. 2452,
- Babeloine, vii. 3212*.
- Babio, v. 4808 ff., 4851.
- bacbite, v.a. ii. 411.
- bacbitinge, bakbitinge, s. ii. 451, 558, 1605, 1609.
- bacheler, s. i. 2594, 3373, ii. 125, 2658, iii. 1343,
- bachilier, ii. 2658.
- Bachus, v. 141, 166 ff., 1051, 1469, 3138, 6837 (genit.), vi. 396 ff., 502.
- back, bak, s. P. 400, i. 2069, ii. 393, 1651, iv. 1344.
- badde, a. i. 1246, ii. 513, iii. 1562, iv. 1350,
- as subst. vi. 351.
- bagge, s. v. 83, 129, 4701.
- Baiard, vi. 1280.
- baillez ça, vi. 60.
- baillie, s. P. 220, i. 783, ii. 1870, v. 1012, vii. 1071, charge, property.
- bait, s. iii. 956.
- bak, bakbitinge, see back, bacbitinge.
- bake, v.a.pp., v. 2408.
- bal, s. PP. 296.
- Bala, viii. 130.
- Balaam, vii. 4413.
- balade, s. i. 2709, 2727.
- Balamuz, vi. 1320.
- balance, s. P. 541, i. 3, 42, ii. 1418, 3244, iii. 559, 2506, scales, danger.
- baldemoine, s. i. 1704, gentian.
- bale, s. iii. 1496, vi. 67, viii. 589.
- balke, v.n. iii. 515, see note.
- balsme, s. viii. 1198.
- Baltazar, P. 685, v. 7022.
- banere, s. ii. 1835, iv. 3220,
- baner, v. 492.
- Bangor, ii. 905.
- banke, s. P. 508, ii. 144, 720,
- pl. banckes, iv. 2726.
- banne, v.a. iv. 877;
- v.n. iv. 2834, curse.
- baptesme, s. ii. 609, 899, 3470, v. 1779,
- (baptisme, PP. 347).
- baptized, pp. viii. 143.
- Barbarie, ii. 599, 612, 1172, 1181.
- Barbarus, vii. 4335.
- Bardus, v. 4956 ff.
- bare, a. P. 936, i. 935.
- bareigne, a. iii. 2319, v. 824.
- bargain, s. v. 2876, 4414, viii. 2431.
- barge, s. P. 45*, 234, ii. 1902.
- barli, as a. vii. 3705 ff., of barley.
- barm, s. iii. 302, vi. 227, bosom.
- barnage, s. ii. 2982, baronage.
- baronie, s. P. 104.
- baske, v.refl. iii. 315, bathe.
- (baskle, v.refl. iii. 315, v.l.)
- bass, a. i. 1678, low.
- bataille, s. P. 214, i. 1081, iii. 2650,
- bataile, v. 3429.
- bataille, v.n. iii. 1903;
- v.a. bataile, PP. 194.
- bataillous, a. v. 1211, vii. 889, warlike.
- bath, s. i. 1747,
- pl. bathes, v. 3801, viii. 484.
- bathe, v.n. i. 364, iii. 312;
- v.a. ii. 3206.
- Bathuel, viii. 115.
- be, ben, v. P. 44, 65, 78, 147,
- 1 s.pres. am, P. 52,
- 2 s. art, i. 154,
- 3 s. is,[Pg 565] P. 4
- (ys, viii. 2990), we ben, P. 3, be we, i. 2212,
- 3 pl. pres. be(n), P. 78 &c., (beth, viii. 3081), are(n), vii. 1490, 1718, ar, iv. 1375,
- pret. was, P. 3,
- 2 s. were thou, iv. 600,
- pl. were(n), P. 37, 45, weere, v. 6836, wer, ii. 2147,
- subj. were, i. 1662, 2545, 3335, iv. 343, weere, iv. 1324, wer, v. 2555,
- pp. be(n), P. 582;
- be so (that), i. 187, 1458, ii. 1177,
- be he ... be he, ii. 254.
- be, prep. P. 36, i. 175, 761, 794 &c.,
- be name, i. 806,
- be nyhte, i. 823,
- be me (in my case), i. 1963,
- be cause that, ii. 2771,
- (by, v. 7021*):
- cp. by.
- beau, a., beau retret, viii. 2416.
- beaute, s. i. 771, 1837, ii. 123.
- Beawme, viii. 2470, Bohemia.
- beblede, v.a.pp. bebled, ii. 700, iii. 1406, stain with blood.
- beclippe, v.a. i. 1790, ii. 2550, iv. 2783, v. 2003,
- pp. beclipt, i. 912, embrace, contain.
- become, v.n. P. 303,
- 3 s.pret. becom, i. 932, 2967,
- becam, ii. 1189, v. 4949,
- 3 pl. become, P. 738.
- bedawe, v.n. v. 1982, dawn.
- bedd, bed, s. i. 876, ii. 828, 856,
- to bedde, i. 1780, ii. 822,
- goth to bedde to, i. 2604,
- beddes side, ii. 833.
- beddefere, s. v. 3056,
- beddefiere, vi. 1916, bedfellow.
- beddeshed, s. iii. 445.
- bede, s. P. 273, i. 667, ii. 1472, iii. 2148, iv. 3484,
- bedes, iv. 717,
- (bedis, viii. 2959),
- peire of bedes, viii. 2904: prayer, command, bead.
- bederke, v.a. i. 1169.
- bedroppe, v.a. vii. 4832, cover with drops.
- beerdles, a. v. 7202*.
- beere, s. vii. 5098, bier.
- befalle, v.n. P. 26, 501, i. 55, 1397, vii. 655,
- pret. befell, P. 702, i. 67,
- (bifel, P. 35*),
- 3 s. pres. subj. befalle, P. 69*, i. 1397,
- 3 s. pret. subj. befelle, iv. 2773.
- beflain, v.a.pp. vii. 2897, flayed.
- befole, v.a. P. 200, vii. 4293.
- before, prep. i. 2054, ii. 1048,
- befor, ii. 573;
- adv. i. 1228, ii. 569,
- before tyme, P. 848,
- beforn, P. 843.
- befrose, pp. ii. 1820.
- begert, pp. vii. 2863.
- begete, v.a., pret. begat, v. 900,
- beyat (ȝ), v. 1396,
- pp. begete(n), iv. 3249, v. 3194, 7313, vii. 5137.
- begge, v.a. v. 1785*, buy:
- cp. beie.
- beggere, begger, s. i. 2249, iv. 2249, v. 2414,
- pl. beggers, v. 2395.
- beginne, v.a.n. P. 266, 659, 835, i. 2331,
- begynne, P. 404,
- 3 s.pres. beginth, vi. 760,
- pret.s. began, P. 667, 973, i. 13,
- pl. begunne, iii. 742, 1128,
- begonne, iv. 1045,
- pp. begonne, P. 688, iii. 1260,
- begunne, i. 1138;
- beginne of, i. 2550, 2562,
- began to, i. 1446;
- I am to beginne, ii. 512,
- cp. iii. 1320, iv. 956.
- beginnyng(e), s. vii. 79, 596.
- bego, v.a., pp. bego(n), i. 3252, iv. 556, 606, work upon, furnish;
- pp. with adv. iii. 1157, vi. 1553,
- wel begon of, ii. 1323,
- wel b. with, iv. 1313,
- cp. v. 2335,
- wo bego(n), iv. 3394, v. 4348.
- begrave, v.a. i. 2348,
- pp. begrave, ii. 887, 2649, iv. 2171, bury;
- pp. begrave, i. 2541, engraved.
- begripe, v.a. vii. 536, encompass.
- begrowe, pp. v. 6831, grown over.
- beguile, v.a. i. 677, 705, ii. 651, iii. 2180, deceive, betray.
- behelde, see beholde.
- beheste, s. P. 81*, i. 1100, 1270, PP. 41, promise, assurance.
- behete, behiete, behihte, see behote.
- behinde, behynden, prep. i. 2069, ii. 483:
- adv. i. 227, ii. 282,
- behynde, v. 2706.
- beholde(n), v.a. P. 35, 840, i. 199, &c.
- (biholde, vii. 3156*),
- behelde, vii. 1856,
- 3 s.pres. beholt, i. 2700, ii. 2434,
- 3 s.pret. behield, i. 414, v. 5441,
- beheld, ii. 1833,
- pl. behielde, iv. 3090,
- pret. subj. behelde, iv. 574,
- pl. behielden, P. 360,
- imperat. behold, P. 551, ii. 771.
- beholde, pp. v. 94, vii. 4175, bound.
- behonge, v.a. v. 7489, vi. 1839.
- behote, v.a.n. inf. iv. 1824,
- 1 s.pres. behote, i. 1233, 2678,
- behete, behiete, iv. 638, 3144, 3470, v. 6701,
- 3 s. behet, i. 1954,
- 3 pl. behote, ii. 1664,
- pret. behihte, i. 1565, iii. 1014, iv. 1555, v. 1476, 4979,
- behyhte, v. 7014,
- (behighte, behight, viii. 3124, PP. 41),
- pp. behyht, behiht, i. 1694, vii. 3286*; promise, assure, pronounce, dedicate.
- behove, s. P. 358, ii. 1674, vii. 1332, advantage.
- behove, v.n. iii. 640, 1114, vii. 1711, 2025, viii. 2426,
- behoveth nede, vii. 1353: be needful, help, ought.
- behovely (-li), a. i. 2393, iii. 1330, v. 1757, PP. 304,
- (bihovely, vii. 3159*),
- behovelich(e)[Pg 566], v. 4012, vii. 1975; profitable, helpful.
- beie,
- v.a. ii. 3061, iii. 639,
- 3 s.pres. beith, v. 4396,
- pret. boghte, ii. 2397, 2736, iii. 380,
- pp. boght, iii. 894, 2066, buy, pay for, avenge;
- cp. begge.
- beinge, s. vii. 90 ff.
- bejape, v.a. i. 2363, ii. 2489, iv. 900, v. 3207, 6216, deceive, mock.
- beknowe(n), v.a.n. i. 593, 1376, ii. 275, vi. 1390,
- pp. beknowe(n), P. 1039, i. 550, v. 6466,
- imperat. beknow, ii. 883, make known, confess:
- I am beknowe, i. 550, 1940,
- I am beknowe ... this, ii. 236,
- cp. v. 2855.
- Bel, v. 1556 f.
- Bele Ysolde, vi. 472, viii. 2501.
- beleve, v.n. P. 10, i. 1516, ii. 2524, iv. 2816,
- pret. belefte, v. 5698, remain:
- is beleft, was beleft, ii. 2569, 3458,
- is belaft, vi. 2346.
- (belie), v.a.,
- 3 pl. pret. beleie, v. 7581,
- pp. belein, i. 1993, iii. 1757, 2046, iv. 2147, besiege.
- believe, v.a.n. P. 284, i. 580, 1215, 2012, ii. 629, 2136, iii. 2222, viii. 2500,
- beleve, v. 6124; believe, believe in, trust.
- believe, bilieve, s. P. 91, i. 699, 894, 1216, ii. 3396, iii. 967,
- beleve, vi. 62,
- pl. believes, v. 748, 951; belief, faith, religion.
- belle, s. i. 1949, 2391, ii. 1728, iv. 346.
- beloke(n), pp. ii. 3393, iv. 3667, shut up.
- belonge, v.n. P. 67, 259, i. 691, 2345, 2904, iv. 2293, 3307, (3 s.pres. belongith, viii. 2997 ff.), belong, be fitting.
- beloved, a. P. 38, i. 1920, v. 4365.
- Belus, v. 1546, 1556.
- belwe, v.n. iv. 2113, bellow.
- belwinge, s. vii. 3322, bellowing.
- Belzebub, v. 1557.
- bemene, v.a. i. 1540, iii. 1983.
- bench, s. v. 4383.
- bend, s. vi. 296, band.
- bende, v.a.n.,
- pret. bende, ii. 2235, vii. 4749,
- pp. bent, iii. 449, viii. 2453.
- bene, s. v. 4408, bean.
- Benedab, vii. 2539 ff.
- benedicite, interj. i. 205.
- benefice, s. P. 316,
- pl. benefices, ii. 2338.
- beneicoun, s. iii. 939.
- benethe, adv. P. 931, i. 2527;
- prep. vii. 721.
- benigne, a. iii. 215.
- bente, a.pl. vii. 4418, arched.
- benyce, v.refl. viii. 2769, befool (oneself).
- benyme, v.a.,
- 2, 3 s.pres. benymst, benymth, iii. 1309, v. 7002,
- pp. benome, vi. 36, take away.
- beqwath, v.a.pret. PP. 178.
- berd, beerd, s. i. 2045, v. 7113*, 7149*, viii. 1303, beard.
- bere, s. ii. 160, vi. 1450, bear.
- bere, v.a. P. 294, 492, i. 850,
- 3 s.pres. berth, i. 467, iii. 1784,
- pret.s. bar, P. 908, i. 434,
- pl. bere, beere, i. 2795, iv. 1323, 1376, vii. 1796,
- pret. subj. beere, iv. 2749,
- pp. bore, i. 773, 2788, ii. 933, 2635,
- boren, ii. 976,
- ybore, ii. 499;
- bar (berth) on hond, iii. 664, iv. 32, v. 546,
- berth an hond, v. 496.
- bereined, pp. i. 2915, vii. 1234.
- Berenger, P. 780.
- bereve, v.a. P. 411, vii. 3245*,
- pret. berefte, P. 744, vii. 3840,
- beraft, v. 5647,
- pp. beraft, viii. 209.
- beried, pp. iii. 293.
- berille, vii. 1349.
- Berillus, vii. 3309.
- berke, v.n. ii. 1796,
- 3 s.pret. bark, ii. 1861.
- berne, s. ii. 86, v. 4907, barn.
- Bersabee, vi. 97, viii. 2690.
- berste, v.n. viii. 1068.
- berthe, s. iv. 2231, v. 827.
- besant, s. v. 1930.
- Besazis, vii. 1884.
- beschade, v.a. iv. 3207, vii. 743, 809;
- cp. bischadewe.
- beschrewe, v.a. i. 1036, iii. 810, curse.
- beschrewed, a. i. 640, iii. 480, evil-disposed.
- beschyne, v.a. vii. 4465, shine upon.
- (be-se), v.a.,
- pret. pl. besihe, viii. 1617, look after, prepare:
- pp. besein, beseie, P. 559, i. 358, 2360, iv. 1384,
- wo besein, ii. 262,
- besein of, iii. 1844,
- besein to, iv. 180, provided, equipped, prepared.
- beseche, v.a.n. i. 589, 1339, 1985, 2174, 2259 &c.,
- besieche, viii. 2912,
- beseke, ii. 960, v. 916, 1355;
- pret. besoghte(n), i. 1808, 2640, ii. 108, 1212, 1483, v. 1459,
- besoughte, v. 3440,
- besoughten (pl.), P. 198,
- pp. besoght, v. 6230,
- imperat. besech, i. 2937.
- beseke, see beseche.
- beseme, v.a. i. 2013, ii. 2935, iv. 745.
- besette, v.a. i. 3237, iv. 1482,
- pp. beset, i. 2538, 2736, ii. 3252, iv. 1567, v. 555,
- besett, iv. 496, set, employ, bestow.[Pg 567]
- besi, besy, a. ii. 1764, iv. 235, 509, 953.
- beside, besyde, prep. i. 2305, iii. 294, 530, vii. 2242,
- besiden, v. 7311, beside, contrary to:
- adv. P. 446, 801, ii. 60, 1993, by the side, aside, as well:
- faile and go beside, iv. 2862,
- cp. v. 2428, vi. 1248, vii. 4458.
- besien, v.refl. iv. 1183, 1230.
- besiliche, adv. i. 373, iv. 57, 1235,
- besily, iv. 2185.
- besinesse, s. i. 1130, ii. 460, 1074, iv. 513, viii. 3052*,
- besynesse, P. 49*,
- bisinesse, P. 63,
- (businesse, PP. 226).
- besischipe, s. iv. 1119.
- besnewed, pp. i. 2044, vi. 1498.
- besowed, pp. viii. 1114, sewn up.
- besprede, v.a. vii. 1150,
- pret. bespradde, viii. 2655,
- pp. bespred, v. 6917.
- best, a. i. 1525,
- the beste, i. 768,
- pl. iii. 500;
- as subst. for the beste, to the beste, i. 997, 1748, 2488,
- thi beste, i. 1603:
- adv. best, P. 337, ii. 2676.
- bestad, pp. i. 1049, 2584, ii. 69, 922, 1149, iii. 77, vii. 3228*, situated, engaged, troubled.
- bestaile, s. v. 331, 1022, cattle.
- beste, s. P. 909, i. 976, 2828, beast.
- bestere, v.refl. ii. 3196, viii. 609.
- bestial, a. i. 2913.
- bestly, a. i. 3025.
- bestowe, v.a. iv. 2472.
- beswike, v.a. i. 498, 760, deceive.
- beswinke, v.a. v. 6085,
- pp. beswunke, i. 2646, labour for.
- besyde, see beside.
- bet, a. v. 4715:
- adv. i. 1976, 2514, iii. 349, 2239;
- for bet for wers, iv. 673:
- cp. betre.
- betake, v.a. iv. 1431,
- 3 s.pres. betakth, iii. 1978,
- pret. betok, iv. 3327,
- imperat. betaketh, ii. 1036,
- pp. betake(n), P. 309, i. 80, vii. 1335, viii. 2960; give, deliver, commend:
- betaken (pp.), v. 743, taken.
- bete, v.a.n. P. 428, i. 1155, ii. 2356,
- pret. bet, iii. 997, vii. 4615,
- pp. bete(n), iii. 974, v. 1960, vii. 4635, beat.
- beteche, v.a. vii. 4234,
- pret. betawhte, betauhte, betaghte, iii. 1940, v. 3575, viii. 748,
- pp. betawht, vi. 2411, viii. 120, deliver.
- bethenke, v.a.n. PP. 101,
- pret. bethoghte, vi. 1165,
- pp. bethoght, iv. 142, think of, remember;
- refl. he him bethoghte, i. 798,
- cp. i. 2116,
- bethoughte hire, v. 3423;
- I am bethoght, i. 1267,
- this I am bethoght, iii. 1250,
- bethoght, ii. 2906.
- Bethincia, v. 1141.
- bethrowe, pp. vi. 114.
- betide, betyde, v.n. i. 149, 2265, iv. 1024, 1779,
- 3 s.pres. betitt, ii. 1997,
- pret. betidde, betydde, ii. 2463, vi. 1607,
- betidd, vii. 4381,
- pp. betid, P. 182, v. 2101,
- betidd, iii. 473, v. 6254, happen, come to pass.
- betokne, v.a. P. 594, 628, i. 2888, ii. 731, vii. 1757 ff.;
- v.n. ii. 1804, vii. 4518.
- betraie, v.a. i. 1079, ii. 1181, viii. 1923.
- betrappe, v.a. iii. 1358, vii. 4915.
- betre, bettre, a. P. 352, i. 1556, 2424, iv. 37;
- subst. the betre, v. 7393:
- adv. P. 543, i. 720,
- the betre, i. 1543:
- cp. bet.
- betwen, betuen, prep. P. 18, i. 2164, ii. 411, 653, v. 5025, 5718,
- hem betwene (betuene), P. 790, 1000, v. 3062:
- adv. betwene, ii. 942.
- betyde, see betide.
- bewake, v.a. v. 3498, 6611, watch, watch through.
- bewar, v.imperat. (= be war), ii. 571, iii. 1496, 1738, v. 6048.
- beware, v.a. P. 394, ii. 3066, 3359, iii. 2219, vii. 2518, spend, employ.
- beweile, v.refl. i. 972, iv. 2958.
- bewelde, v.refl. iii. 990, vii. 510, viii. 3041*, have power over (oneself).
- bewepe, v.a. iv. 1565, vii. 2888.
- bewhape, v.a. vi. 80, vii. 4267, viii. 2219,
- (pp. bewhapid, viii. 2955), bewilder, amaze.
- bewounde, v.a.pp. v. 5008, viii. 1178.
- bewreie, v.a. ii. 1530, v. 701, 2940, viii. 454,
- pp. bewreid, v. 6785, reveal, expose.
- bewympled, pp. v. 6913.
- beyelpe (ȝ), v.refl. vii. 2096, boast (oneself).
- beyende (ȝ), prep. i. 424.
- beyete (ȝ), s. P. 304, 784, i. 1194, 2684, ii. 2355, iv. 1709, gain, property, possession.
- bible, s. P. 354, i. 2788, iv. 1960, 2655, v. 7025, vii. 2527, 3624, viii. 224.
- bidde, v.a.n. P. 458, i. 884, 934, 1556,
- bidde his bede, v. 6985,
- 3 s.pres. bit, i. 1310, iv. 1161,
- bidt, iv. 1162, 2802,
- pret. bad, P. 45*, i. 157, 1535, 2902, ii. 1140,
- badd, vi. 1735,
- pl. bede, i. 2048, iii. 750,
- biede, viii. 1507,
- pret. subj. bede, iv. 2905, vi. 1356,
- imperat. bidd, iv. 1434, v. 7588,[Pg 568]
- pp. bede, i. 813, 841, iii. 1557,
- beden, i. 2520; bid, command, invite, ask for, pray:
- cp. biede, with which bidde has been confused.
- biddinge, s. i. 2552.
- bide, v.n.,
- pret. bod, viii. 519, 2310, stay.
- biede, v.a. v. 4455,
- pp. bode, P. 244, i. 2865, command, demand:
- cp. bidde.
- bienfait, s. iii. 758,
- bienfet, vii. 3029.
- bienvenue, s. ii. 1503.
- bile, s. iv. 2710, 3108, v. 6526.
- bilieve, see believe, s.
- bille, s. viii. 875, 889, 2324, writing.
- bime, see byme.
- binde, bynde, v.a.n. i. 1623, v. 3606, viii. 2811,
- 3 s.p. bint, vi. 72,
- pret.s. bond, v. 853, 5056,
- pl. bounden, v. 151,
- pp. bounde(n), i. 2538, ii. 540, iii. 2095.
- bischadewe, v.a. viii. 3008*.
- bisinesse, see besinesse.
- bisschop, bisshop, ii. 904, 936.
- bisschopriches, s.pl. P. 208.
- bisse, s. vi. 990, fine linen.
- bite, v.n. iii. 119,
- pret. bot, vi. 5.
- Biten, v. 1402.
- biter, a. vi. 250,
- def. biter, vi. 371,
- bitter, viii. 2256;
- the bitre (as subst.), i. 1708.
- biternesse, s. vi. 344.
- bitterswete, s. viii. 191:
- cp. vi. 250.
- blad, bladd, s. iii. 252, iv. 927.
- blak, a. iv. 1343, v. 4045,
- blake, def. i. 1167,
- voc. iv. 2842,
- pl. iv. 2494.
- blame, s. i. 630, 1017, 2074, 3056;
- as a. i. 2405.
- blame(n), v.a. P. 60*, i. 3053,
- to blame(n), P. 538, i. 3054, v. 5210.
- blameles, a. vii. 3816.
- blaminge, s. v. 1455.
- blanche, a. (fem.) vi. 239.
- blase, v.n. ii. 2949.
- blase, s. v. 3510, 4089, viii. 2444.
- blast, s. i. 1069, 2411, iii. 419.
- bleche, a. v. 2477, wan.
- blede, v.n. ii. 840, vi. 1746.
- blenchinge, s. vi. 205, 1867.
- blende, v.a.,
- 3 s.pres. blent, v. 2492,
- pret. blente, v. 3467,
- pp. blent, i. 1126, v. 2165, blind, conceal.
- blesse, v.a. i. 3418, v. 1238,
- (pp. blessid, viii. 3104);
- v.n. i. 620, v. 5022, cross oneself.
- blessed, a. vii. 3260.
- blessinge, s. ii. 3317, v. 1281.
- blew, a. as subst. iv. 1317, vii. 2188, blue.
- blind, blynd, a. i. 47, ii. 355, 759, v. 980,
- blinde, P. 139,
- def. i. 621, 2490, ii. 1822,
- pl. i. 228, 927, iii. 1465, v. 2959;
- the blinde (blynde), as subst. P. 536, i. 2952, v. 536,
- cp. vii. 2470: blind, deceitful.
- blindly, adv. viii. 2385.
- blisse, s. i. 1771, v. 544, viii. 33.
- blithe, blythe, a. ii. 18, 657, v. 6140, viii. 929.
- blockes, s.pl. iii. 1033.
- blod, s. i. 2235, 3170, vi. 840, vii. 4132,
- blood, vii. 423.
- blodi, a. P. 757, iii. 1400,
- blody, ii. 861.
- blowe, v.a.n. P. 923, i. 1065, 2133, 2411, ii. 1122, 2134, v. 1818,
- pret. blew, bleu, i. 2143, iii. 1025, v. 5409,
- blewh, ii. 2892,
- pl. blewe, vi. 2263,
- pp. blowe, i. 2298, iv. 735, vii. 3041.
- blowinge, s. iv. 2484.
- blythe, see blithe.
- blyve, blive, adv. iii. 1044, viii. 515, quickly;
- als (as) blyve, iv. 1854, v. 3318,
- cp. vi. 1430: forthwith.
- boc, see bok.
- bode, v.a. i. 3282, proclaim.
- bodi, body, s. P. 474, 995, ii. 977,
- pl. bodies, iv. 1320, 2463.
- bodili, bodily, bodely, a. ii. 3256, v. 193, 1775,
- bodiliche, ii. 3344, vi. 397:
- adv. bodily, ii. 2969 (= in person), iii. 767,
- bodely, iv. 975.
- boiste, see buiste.
- bok, s. P. 18, ii. 868
- (book, viii. 3108),
- boc, vii. 480,
- in boke, iv. 978,
- pl. bokes, P. 2, i. 2458.
- boke, v. P. 51*, iv. 2664, viii. 1328, record, write books, teach with books.
- bold, a. ii. 1690, iii. 1846, iv. 2192,
- pl. bolde, vii. 4355.
- bole, s. iv. 2112, vii. 1017, 3313, bull.
- bombard, s. viii. 2482, (a musical instrument).
- bon, s. i. 1531, ii. 2291, iii. 463,
- pl. bones, ii. 2302, vi. 2309.
- bond, s. ii. 2112, iv. 894,
- pl. bondes, P. 502, ii. 3027, iv. 2105.
- bonde, a. vi. 74, bond (slave).
- bondeman, s. viii. 1358.
- bone, s. ii. 768, 1430, vii. 3899, petition, boon.
- Boneface, Bonefas, ii. 2940, 2950 ff.
- bor, s. vii. 5255, boar.
- bord, s. i. 2111, ii. 689, iv. 400, viii. 720,
- pl. bordes, i. 2529, ii. 1426, iv. 3018, board, table;
- iv. 1741, side (of a ship),
- schipes bord, v. 3922, viii. 987,
- over bord, viii. 1140.[Pg 569]
- borde, s. iii. 741,
- pl. bordes, vii. 4799, viii. 1676, jest.
- bordel, s. v. 1054, viii. 1411 ff., brothel.
- bordeller, s. viii. 1415.
- borwe, v.a. n. iv. 10, v. 6640, 7665.
- borwe, s., to borwe, iv. 774, 960, v. 3416.
- bost, s. iii. 2083, v. 2142, vii. 3482, boast.
- bot, s. P. 44*, i. 1960, ii. 1108,
- be bote, P. 40*,
- to bote, v. 3731; boat.
- bot, prep. vii. 694, beyond: conj. P. 12, 56, 73 &c.,
- but, P. 63* f., 168,
- bot (= only), P. 454, i. 675, (= unless) P. 144, i. 1543, ii. 374, v. 473,
- ne ... bot, i. 264,
- noght ... bot, ii. 1587,
- bot if, P. 345, i. 441, 1546,
- bote (except), ii. 2392, (but) v. 2015.
- bote, s. i. 28, 2232, ii. 2051, iv. 133,
- do bote, ii. 2274, iii. 2272: remedy, help.
- boteler, s. i. 2593, vi. 295 ff.
- Botercadent, vii. 1419.
- bothe, s. viii. 170, booth.
- bothe, a.pl. P. 159, i. 317,
- bothe tuo, P. 1068, i. 851,
- bothen, i. 1829, vii. 2469,
- oure herte bothe, iii. 1473,
- bothe also, iii. 1471;
- as adv. i. 1106, iv. 1874.
- botme, s. i. 1961, bottom.
- bouele, s. v. 4137.
- boun, a. viii. 1407, PP. 17, ready.
- bounde, s. iv. 2506, vi. 634.
- bounde, v.a. ii. 1754, vii. 560.
- bounte, s. v. 2595, goodness.
- bowe, s. i. 1967, ii. 151, 2234, 2956, iv. 2983, bow.
- bowe, v.n. P. 153, i. 718, 1238, 1248, 1284, ii. 3225, iv. 1130, bow, bend, turn aside, submit.
- bowh, s. iv. 856, 1331,
- pl. bowes, i. 2824, 2902, bough.
- Bragmans, pl. v. 1453.
- braie, v.n. i. 3027.
- brain, s. i. 2568, iv. 107,
- brayn, v. 1463.
- branche, s. P. 346, iv. 3688, v. 1965,
- braunche, i. 2311.
- Branchus, i. 1428, 1456.
- Brangwein, vi. 473.
- bras, s. P. 610, i. 1087, iv. 236, 2472.
- breche, s. v. 332.
- bred, s. ii. 1856, iii. 446.
- brede, s. iii. 1963, v. 5661, breadth.
- brede, v.a. i. 542, iii. 1322, v. 7700.
- breide, v.a. vii. 4332, braid.
- breide, v.a., pret. iii. 1429, viii. 1377, drew.
- bregge, s. v. 2205, vii. 2242, bridge.
- breke, v.a. P. 148, i. 1303, 1334, 1512;
- v.n. i. 1248, 1700, ii. 3008:
- pret. brak, ii. 3008, iv. 847, v. 1710,
- pp. broke, P. 653, ii. 3394.
- brenne, v.a. n. P. 329, i. 323, ii. 5, 23, iv. 820,
- 3 s. pret. brende, ii. 2302, v. 1100,
- brente, v. 1667,
- 3 pl. brenden, i. 1184,
- pp. brent, i. 2006,
- def. brente, v. 7210, burn.
- brennynge, s. vi. 2232.
- brere, s. P. 409, 413, briar.
- brest, s. P. 607, i. 662, 1327, iii. 2011, v. 1384,
- briest, viii. 2175, breast, heart.
- Bretaigne, vii. 752.
- breth, s. i. 119, 2127, ii. 530, iii. 289, iv. 2758.
- brewe, v.a. ii. 246, iii. 1626.
- Brexeïda, ii. 2455.
- brid, s. i. 101, 2703,
- bridd, i. 2088,
- pl. briddes, i. 111, 1728.
- bridel, s. i. 1697, ii. 3009, iii. 1629, iv. 1203,
- brydel, iv. 1434.
- bridlen, v.a. i. 2037, viii. 2707.
- briht, bryht, bright, a. v. 3110, vii. 734,
- def. bryhte, v. 3169,
- brighte, v. 2783,
- pl. brihte, iv. 988,
- bryghte, iii. 1039.
- brihte, bryhte, adv. v. 36, 3732,
- bryht, vii. 1857,
- compar. bryhtere, brihtere, iv. 1322*, vi. 1525.
- brimme, s. v. 4968.
- bringe, v.a. P. 348, i. 1318, 1447,
- 3 s. pres. bringth, P. 1082,
- pret. broghte, P. 760, ii. 1246, iv. 2951, broughte, v. 3934,
- pp. broght, P. 623, i. 788, brought, iii. 604,
- imperat. bring, vi. 1728;
- bringen forth, iv. 3119, forth broghte, ii. 1246, broght aboute, iv. 2352.
- bringere, s. v. 345.
- brinke, s. i. 2310, 2980, iii. 1408.
- brocage, s. v. 341, 4426, 4590, viii. 3033.
- broche, s. v. 6173, brooch.
- brocour, s. v. 4387 ff., 4573.
- brod, brood, s. ii. 383, v. 4375, brood.
- brod, a. iv. 3164, v. 6792,
- pl. brode, i. 1729, 1749, v. 1266, broad:
- adv. v. 1086, (broode, PP. 201).
- brond, s. v. 1485, 4089.
- brothell, s. vii. 2595, worthless fellow.
- brother, s. P. 1050, i. 2071, PP. 266,
- genit. i. 2139, ii. 1197, iv. 2944,
- pl. brethren, v. 799, vi. 1077.
- browe, s. i. 1589, 1678, vii. 4418.
- brustle, v.n. iv. 2732.
- Brut, P. 38*.
- brutel, s. P. 877, brittle.
- Brutus, vii. 4735 ff.
- bryd, s. i. 1788, bride.
- brygantaille, s. P. 213, irregular troops.[Pg 570]
- bryht, see briht.
- buck, s. iv. 1300, 1978.
- buille, buile, v.n. iii. 431, v. 1487, 4121,
- pres.p. buillende, v. 2221.
- buissh, s. i. 359, 2984, ii. 2356,
- bussh, i. 2044.
- buisshelles, s.pl. v. 2204.
- buisshement, s. iii. 2089.
- buiste, boiste, s. v. 3594, viii. 507, 2814, box.
- Bulgarie, vii. 3291.
- bulle, s. ii. 2825, 2978, PP. 208, (pope’s) bull.
- burel, a. P. 52, simple.
- burgeis, s. v. 7255, viii. 543, citizen.
- burgh, s. P. 794, v. 3125, vii. 1690.
- Burgoigne, vii. 770.
- burned, a. i. 2540, v. 3110, 4339, polished.
- buxom, a. P. 153, v. 2807, obedient.
- buxomly, adv. iii. 546, v. 3030.
- buxomnesse, s. i. 1355.
- by, adv. i. 1802, iv. 1172, v. 4517, vii. 4955,
- bi, iv. 397,
- by and by (in order), iii. 557, v. 5503, 7280,
- faste by, v. 298:
- cp. be, prep.
- byme, bime (= by me), ii. 2016, iii. 892 (against me), 2702 (for me), iv. 1182, 1423 (to me), 3369, v. 4484.
- bysne, a. ii. 771, blind.
- C
- ça, vi. 60.
- caban, s. viii. 1051, 1601.
- cable, s. i. 1068, v. 443, viii. 624.
- cacche, v.a. iv. 3283,
- pret. cawhte, ii. 1349, 1441, iii. 1461,
- cauhte, v. 3924,
- pp. cawht, i. 1654, 2277,
- caght, ii. 1746;
- v.n. ii. 3192.
- cadence, s. iv. 2414.
- Cadme, Cadmus, i. 339, iv. 2401, v. 4273.
- cage, s. iv. 1191.
- caitif, s. i. 161, v. 2801.
- cake, s. vii. 3705 ff.
- Calcas, i. 1085.
- calcedoine, s. vii. 1431.
- calcinacion, s. iv. 2518.
- calculacion (-oun), s. v. 3085, 6459, 7163*.
- Caldee (country), P. 666, 717, v. 750, 781, 1592,
- Chaldee, vii. 2031;
- Caldee (language), iv. 2627.
- Caldeus, pl. v. 787.
- caldron, caldroun, s. v. 4117, 4141.
- Caleph, v. 1687.
- Calidoyne, iv. 2047.
- Caligula, viii. 202.
- caliphe, s. (1), ii. 2549, caliph.
- caliphe, s. (2), v. 3915, (a kind of vessel).
- Calipsa, Calipse, vi. 1427, viii. 2599.
- Calistona, v. 6228 ff.
- Calistre, vi. 2274, vii. 20.
- calle, v.a.n. P. 126, i. 2459, 3146, ii. 937, iii. 1436.
- calm, a. vii. 4113.
- Calmana, viii. 65, 71.
- Calvus, P. 775.
- Cam, see Cham.
- Cambises, P. 680, vii. 2893.
- camelion, s. i. 2698.
- camused, a. v. 2479, flat-nosed.
- can, see conne.
- Canace, iii. 147 ff., viii. 2587.
- Canahim, vii. 566.
- Cancer, vii. 1051 ff., 1249,
- in Cancro, iv. 3242.
- Candace, v. 1571, 1575, 2543.
- Candalus, v. 1574.
- candarie, vi. 1317.
- canele, s. i. 1704, cinnamon.
- Canis maior, vii. 1345.
- Canis minor, vii. 1356.
- canonized, pp. ii. 2821, viii. 144, installed, appointed by canon.
- Capadoce, ii. 1332.
- Capaneüs, i. 1980.
- capitein, capitain, s. i. 1428, iii. 2421, vii. 5210,
- fem. capiteine, v. 1972.
- capoun, s. v. 2408.
- Capra saliens, vii. 347.
- Capricorn, Capricornus, iv. 3222, vii. 1170, 1199, 1252.
- carbuncle, s. i. 466, v. 7121*,
- carbunculum, vii. 1316.
- cardinal, s. ii. 636, 2811, 2832.
- care, s. i. 2516, iii. 1794,
- pl. cares, iii. 299.
- care, v.n. ii. 226, iv. 1774, PP. 18, feel trouble, be distressed.
- carecte, s. i. 470, v. 3588, vi. 2006,
- karecte, vii. 1571, charm, conjuration.
- carie, v.a. ii. 2648, iv. 3292, v. 1197.
- Carmente, iv. 2637.
- Carmidotoire, vii. 2848.
- carole, s. i. 2730, v. 3146,
- karole, iv. 251,
- carolles, pl. i. 2708.
- carole, v.n. iv. 2779, vi. 868, 1845.
- carolinge, s. iv. 1530, vi. 144.
- carpe, v.n. vii. 3277*, converse;
- v.a. viii. 1488, utter.
- Cartage, iv. 81, v. 2048 ff., vii. 2221, 2235.[Pg 571]
- carte, s. (1) P. 444, ii. 1974, iv. 987, 3233, vii. 816 ff.,
- (cart, PP. 115),
- the carte weie, iii. 2074; car, chariot.
- carte, s. (2) vii. 1359, writing.
- cas, s. P. 438, 746, i. 646, 2600,
- per cas, iv. 39, 1239,
- in cas that, iv. 1917.
- Cassandra, Cassandre, Cassaundre, v. 7441, 7451, 7569.
- Cassodre, vii. 3161*, PP. 330.
- cast, s. ii. 2374.
- caste, v.a. i. 40, 1322,
- 1 s.pres. caste, i. 1965,
- cast, iv. 560,
- 3 s. cast, i. 663,
- casteth, iii. 80,
- pret. caste, i. 122, 1575, 2159,
- cast, i. 152,
- imperat. s. cast, i. 438,
- pl. casteth, i. 3160,
- pp. cast, ii. 1666, viii. 2909, throw, defeat, conjecture, plan, calculate.
- castell, castel, s. i. 1423, ii. 719, iv. 741.
- cat, s. iii. 1643, iv. 1108.
- catel, s. v. 25,
- catell, vii. 3252*, goods.
- Cateline, vii. 1601.
- Catoun, vii. 1599, 1612.
- cause, s. P. 16, 190, 905, i. 3437,
- whos cause, i. 1040 (for the sake of which),
- be this c., i. 1053,
- be c. that, ii. 343, 2771,
- for c. of, ii. 3285,
- be c. of, iii. 1433, v. 1158;
- be cause (as conj.), iii. 2319.
- cause, v.a. P. 348, i. 1987, ii. 3078, iv. 2845
- (3 s.pres. causith, viii. 3013).
- cautele, s. vii. 1639, trick.
- cave, s. iv. 2991, v. 1573, 6813, viii. 2573.
- cedre, s. i. 359.
- ceinte, s. iv. 857, girdle.
- Ceïx, iv. 2928,
- Seyix, viii. 2650.
- celee, a. ii. 1953, secret (i. e. apt to keep secrets).
- celestial, a. viii. 780.
- Celestin, ii. 2824.
- celidoine, vii. 1370.
- celier, s. vi. 332, viii. 2254, cellar.
- Celion, ii. 3350.
- celles, s.pl. v. 1463.
- cendal, s. i. 1787.
- Centaurus, iv. 1971 ff., 1988,
- pl. Centauri, vi. 522.
- centre, s. vii. 233.
- Cephalus, iv. 3189, 3253 ff.
- Ceramius, vii. 826.
- cercle, s. iv. 3237, v. 4093.
- Cereres, v. 1233, 1278, 1489,
- Ceres, v. 1237, 4288.
- cernes, vi. 1327.
- certefie, v.a. ii. 963.
- certein, a. i. 237, 1459, iv. 2919 (true), viii. 828,
- certain, iv. 2506,
- a certein man, i. 2130, iv. 435,
- certein thinges, viii. 365;
- as subst. in certein, i. 3215, ii. 1738, v. 7819,
- in certain, ii. 498.
- certein, certain, s. P. 140, v. 200, vii. 4754, certainty, fixed point.
- certeinete, s. i. 48.
- certeinly, adv. ii. 1111, iv. 180,
- certeinliche, iv. 942.
- certes, adv. i. 128, 1295, iv. 1726.
- Cerymon, viii. 1166 ff., 1874.
- Cesar, P. 714, v. 7107*, vii. 2449, 2470.
- cesse, v.n. P. 1035, ii. 2903, v. 1852;
- v.a. iv. 230, v. 5366, PP. 76: come to an end, retire; bring to an end.
- chacable, a. v. 1269.
- chace, s. i. 345, 2296, ii. 2634, iv. 1989, (at tennis) PP. 295.
- chaced, see chase.
- chaf, s. P. 844, ii. 85, 2127, iv. 1710.
- chaffare, s. v. 4522, 6114, merchandise.
- chaiere, s. P. 307, v. 2214, vii. 1208,
- chaier, viii. 762.
- Chain, viii. 60, 71.
- Chaldee, see Caldee.
- chalk, s. P. 416, ii. 2346.
- Cham, Cam, iv. 2396, vii. 546, 577, viii. 83.
- chamberere, s. iii. 826, iv. 1193.
- chamberlein, s. ii. 726, 1232, iv. 2705.
- chambre, s. i. 954, 1737, 2572, 2983.
- Chamos, vii. 4506.
- (champartie, iii. 1173, v.l.)
- champion (-oun), s. vii. 3252, 3538.
- chance, chaunce, s. P. 70, i. 1583, 1670, ii. 207, iii. 2720, iv. 722, 2792,
- pl. chances, vii. 2362,
- per (par) chance, ii. 1644, iii. 2604.
- chance, v.n. vii. 2326.
- chancellerie, s. v. 1921.
- change, s. vii. 3274*.
- change, v.a. P. 119, 208, i. 2696, iv. 1444,
- chaunge, v. 7123;
- v.n. P. 32, 628, i. 3030,
- chaunge, PP. 315.
- chapelet, s. v. 7066.
- chapelle, chapele, s. iv. 1137, v. 7110.
- chapitre, s. v. 1959, vi. 617.
- chapman, s. v. 5115,
- pl. chapmen, ii. 3059.
- chapmanhod(e), s. ii. 3067, iv. 2447.
- char, charr, s. i. 2029 ff., iv. 1000, 1205, vii. 851,
- genit. chares, iv. 1208, carriage, car.
- charge, s. P. 301, i. 2822, ii. 1691, 2114, iii. 173, iv. 1495, v. 826;[Pg 572]
- no charge (no matter), ii. 1068,
- yaf in charge, iv. 1052.
- charge, v.a. i. 1223, ii. 1030, v. 7772, viii. 3103*, command, burden, trust;
- iv. 2242, blame.
- charge, s. viii. 3066, duty.
- charite, s. P. 110, i. 2049, 3371,
- Charite, ii. 3173, vii. 3167,
- pl. charitees, i. 3360.
- charitous, a. ii. 3329.
- charke, v.n. iv. 2996, creak.
- Charlemeine, P. 748, PP. 283,
- Charles, P. 752.
- charme, s. v. 3580, 4067.
- charr, see char.
- chartre, s. i. 3357.
- chase, v.a. vii. 302,
- pp. chaced, vii. 5255.
- chaste, a. P. 228, i. 847, vii. 4244.
- chastellein, s. ii. 725.
- chastete, s. vii. 4240, 5387,
- chastite, P. 472.
- chastie, v.a. i. 2117, 2900, ii. 38, punish, correct.
- chastiement, s. vii. 2498.
- chastise, v.a. iv. 1242, vi. 2217.
- chastisinge, s. iv. 1276.
- chastite, see chastete.
- Chatemuz, vii. 1462.
- Chaucer, viii. 2941*.
- chaunce, see chance.
- cheke, s. i. 1680, iv. 185, 385,
- chieke, v. 2471, viii. 2827, cheek.
- chele, s. iii. 121, v. 7195*, vii. 638, chill.
- Chelidre, v. 4129.
- chenes, s.pl. v. 151, 681, chains.
- chep, s.,
- good chep, v. 1241.
- cherche, s. P. 225, 246, &c., iii. 2275,
- (chirche, PP. 107, 239),
- genit. the cherche keie, P. 212, v. 1868,
- pl. cherches, ii. 3477.
- chere, see chiere.
- cherie, see chirie.
- cherl, s. iii. 1252, v. 148, viii. 1367,
- cherles knape, viii. 1374.
- chese, s. P. 416, ii. 2346, iii. 502, vi. 644.
- chese, v.a.n. i. 1196, 1311, 1819,
- pret.s. ches, i. 3281, ii. 2457,
- pl. chose, P. 805,
- imperat. ches, i. 1829,
- pp. chose(n), i. 101, 2088, iv. 2091.
- cheste, s. P. 215, iii. 417 ff., v. 541, contention (in words).
- chevance, s. v. 4424, 6106, profit.
- chide, chyde, v.n. iii. 492, 534, 553,
- pp. chidd, iii. 474, 552.
- chidinge, s. iii. 443, 565.
- chief, a. ii. 2501, vi. 308,
- def. pl. chief, v. 1112.
- chief, s. P. 149, iii. 2265, chief thing;
- ii. 1778, iv. 4, leader.
- chieke, see cheke.
- chiere, chere, s. P. 155, i. 141, 341, 619, 1384, 3172, ii. 991, iii. 1081, iv. 1408,
- chier, viii. 2684, face, looks, welcome:
- frendly chiere, i. 2423,
- hevy c., i. 2871, 3148,
- feigned c., i. 724,
- cp. ii. 2061,
- tok c. on honde, i. 1767,
- make c., P. 155, ii. 2181, iv. 747, 1194,
- withoute lyves chiere (i. e. lifeless), v. 1501.
- chiered, a., hevy chiered, viii. 2533.
- chievere, v.n. vi. 240, shiver.
- chiewe, v.n. iii. 1629, vi. 930.
- child, s. ii. 3206, 3258,
- chyld, iv. 1842, 1982,
- with childe, i. 916, ii. 919,
- of childe, v. 1255,
- pl. children, i. 2163, ii. 3219.
- childhode, s. ii. 793, viii. 319.
- childinge, s. i. 805, iv. 461, v. 829, childbirth.
- childly, a. v. 3020.
- chiminee, s. vii. 3951, fire-place.
- chin, chyn, s. i. 1682, vi. 775, vii. 1892,
- unto the chinne, ii. 3450, v. 372.
- chinche, v. 4814, miser.
- chippes, s.pl. i. 1918.
- chirie, cherie, s., chirie feire, P. 454,
- cherie feste, vi. 891.
- Chiro, iv. 1971 ff.
- chitre, v. v. 5700, 6011, twitter.
- chivalerie, s. P. 723, i. 784, 2462, ii. 1826, iv. 1520,
- (chevalerie, viii. 3007), cavalry, army, prowess.
- chivalerous, a. i. 1414, ii. 2517, v. 653.
- chois, s. i. 1827, ii. 3391, viii. 70.
- chyme, v.n. iv. 347.
- Chymerie, iv. 2987.
- Chyo, v. 5413.
- Cicorea, vii. 1400.
- cilence, see silence.
- Cillene, Cillenus, vii. 1599, 1607, Silanus.
- Cillenus, v. 143, Silenus.
- Cilly, vi. 1424.
- Cimpheius, v. 4127.
- Cinichus, vii. 2119.
- Cipio, vii. 4187.
- Circes, vi. 1427, 1461 ff., viii. 2599.
- circumference, s. vii. 188.
- circumstance, s. ii. 619, iii. 2745, v. 4293.[Pg 573]
- Cirophanes, v. 1525, 1529.
- Cirus, P. 679, vii. 1889, 4367.
- cit, s. P. 836, city.
- cite, citee, s. P. 106, 665, ii. 1344, iii. 459.
- citezein, s. P. 842, i. 1007, ii. 680,
- fem. citezeine, i. 1006.
- Cithero, iv. 2648, vii. 1597.
- citole, viii. 829, 1487, 2679.
- Civile, ii. 83, the civil law.
- Cizile, i. 1841, v. 967, 972, 1279, Sicily.
- Cladyns, iv. 2407.
- clamour, s. P. 514, v. 2394, viii. 2731.
- claper, s. iv. 347.
- clappe, v. i. 2391, v. 4640.
- clare, v.a. viii. 1544, declare.
- clarion, s. viii. 2482.
- Claudius (Apius), vii. 5132 ff.
- Claudius (Marchus), vii. 5167 ff.
- clause, s. vii. 85.
- clawe, v.n. iv. 2725.
- (cle), s.,
- pl. cles, i. 2994, iv. 1109, claws.
- cleime, see cleyme.
- Clemenee, iv. 985,
- Clymene, v. 6756.
- clene, a. ii. 3447:
- adv. i. 587, ii. 1413, vi. 119,
- cleene, iii. 2762.
- clennesse, s. iv. 2558, vii. 4447.
- clense, v.a. ii. 3463.
- Cleopatras, viii. 2573.
- clepe, v.a.n. P. 126, 436, i. 744, ii. 849, 3049, v. 1790,
- pret. clepede, iv. 842, v. 951,
- cleped, i. 1535.
- cler, see clier.
- clergesse, s. vi. 980, clergy:
- cp. Mirour, 5546.
- clergie, s. P. 281, 955, ii. 3351, iv. 236, learning, clergy.
- clergoun, s. ii. 2850.
- clerk, clerc, s. P. 52, i. 2274, iv. 234,
- pl. clerkes, P. 194, i. 1856.
- cleve, v.n. ii. 577, 2293;
- v.a.,
- pp. cleft, v. 4085.
- cleym, s. ii. 2706.
- cleyme(n), v.a. ii. 1025, iii. 1973,
- cleime, PP. 59;
- v.n. ii. 2380, claim.
- client, s. iii. 160.
- clier, cler, a. P. 925, ii. 1888, vi. 431,
- def. clere, vii. 1329,
- pl. cliere, ii. 195, vii. 2643;
- as subst. vi. 360 f.:
- superl. the cliereste, vii. 1311:
- adv. cler, vii. 745.
- cliere, v.n. viii. 1147, become clear.
- climat, s. P. 137, vii. 799,
- pl. climatz, vii. 684.
- Climestre, iii. 1909 ff.
- clippe (1), v.a. v. 5591,
- pret. clipte, v. 4998, embrace.
- clippe (2), v.a. v. 5690, cut.
- clos, a. ii. 684
- (def.), 1346, iv. 2755,
- in clos, i. 1730:
- adv. ii. 469, 3197, iii. 769, iv. 1331.
- close, v.a. i. 1275, iv. 2655, 3371, v. 340.
- closet, s. i. 897.
- Clota, vii. 1320.
- cloth, s. i. 2111, 2997, iv. 1534, 2431, 2436, v. 283, 2759,
- pl. clothes, iii. 695, iv. 1536.
- clothe(n), v.a. P. 466, i. 612, ii. 1377,
- pret. cladde, viii. 652,
- pp. clothed, ii. 302, 2271, &c.,
- clad, iv. 27, 1306;
- refl. iii. 966;
- v.n. P. 317, iv. 2236: clothe; be clothed.
- clothing(e), s. v. 214, vi. 989.
- Cloto, iv. 2762.
- cloude, s. iv. 3063, 3211, v. 1668, viii. 1039,
- (pl. clowdes, viii. 3007*).
- clowdy, cloudy, a. P. 925, iv. 2843.
- clue, s. v. 5343.
- clymbe, v.n. ii. 241, 1630, iv. 2726.
- Clymene, see Clemenee.
- coc, cock, see cok.
- Cochitum, v. 1110.
- Codrus, vii. 3183.
- coevere (1), see covere.
- coevere (2), v.n. viii. 1201, recover.
- coffre, cofre, cophre, s. P. 314, ii. 2257, v. 33, 2079.
- coign, s. v. 335, coin.
- coigne, v.a. iv. 2448, coin.
- coise, s. i. 1734.
- cok (1), cock, s. iv. 3003, v. 4099, viii. 159, cock.
- cok (2), coc, s. v. 4072, vi. 641, 716,
- pl. cokes, vi. 623, cook.
- cokard, s. v. 2803, fool.
- cokerie, s. iv. 2433.
- cokkel, cockel, v. 1881, 1884.
- colblak, a. iii. 808.
- Colchos, v. 3265 ff., 4244, 4354, 6609, 7199, viii. 2520.
- cold, a. ii. 1966,
- def. colde, iv. 422, vii. 1205,
- pl. colde, iii. 299, iv. 405.
- cold, s. P. 977, i. 2421, iv. 1090.
- colde, v.n. vi. 241, grow cold.
- cole, s. v. 6204, coal.
- Collacea, vii. 4806, 4911.
- collacioun, s. ii. 2328, iv. 1144, conference, contrivance.
- Collatin, vii. 4775 ff., viii. 2633.
- colour, s. i. 606, 692, 1113, 2701, ii. 1874, iii. 2394, iv. 2981, colour, kind, pretence.
- coloure, v.a. vii. 1625.[Pg 574]
- colre, s. vii. 431, 459, choler.
- comande, v.a.n. i. 1275, 3240, iii. 2064, 2288,
- comaunde, P. 30*, iv. 2794.
- comandement, commandement, s. P. 84, i. 2790, ii. 3200.
- comandinge, comandynge, P. 54*, i. 1335.
- combes, s.pl. i. 1749.
- come(n), v.n. P. II, 419, i. 902, &c.,
- 2 s.pres. comst, v. 3448,
- 3 s.pres. cometh, P. 853,
- comth, i. 193,
- pret. 1, 3 sing.
- com, P. 1017, ii. 2073,
- cam, P. 236, i. 1185,
- 2 s. come, viii. 2076,
- pl. come(n), i. 835, 2048, iv. 1307,
- imperat. com, i. 197, 1617,
- pp. come(n), P. 703, 731, iv. 1283.
- comelihiede, comlihied, s. v. 2598, 6734.
- comely, a. ii. 441,
- superl. def. comelieste, v. 3048.
- comendacioun, s. vii. 1779.
- comende, commende, v.a. P. 493, i. 3361, iii. 2264, iv. 1794, v. 6358, 7677,
- (pp. comendid, viii. 3009).
- cominge, s. ii. 800, iv. 819, 1529,
- comynge, i. 1599, ii. 1336, iv. 2961.
- comlihied, see comelihiede.
- commandement, see comandement.
- commende, see comende.
- commoeved, pp. vii. 3361, moved.
- commun, commune, see comun, &c.
- compaignie, s. P. 288, i. 735, 1478, 1780, ii. 306, v. 4558,
- compainie, v. 2081, 7759,
- companie, vii. 1674, company, friendliness:
- per compaignie, vii. 3752, together.
- comparisoun (-on), s. P. 916, i. 2283, v. 6598.
- compas, s. ii. 2341, contrivance, vii. 229, circle.
- compasse, v.a.n. P. 58*, i. 5, 518, 1893, ii. 409, 806, vii. 3464, 4076, surround, contrive, achieve.
- compassement, s. ii. 2323, iii. 889.
- compassioun (-on), s. iii. 2722, vi. 170.
- compense, v.a. iii. 2554, v. 4505.
- compiled, pp. vi. 1382.
- compleigne, v.a. i. 114, ii. 188, 1301, iv. 1586;
- refl. v. 1903, viii. 2541;
- v.n. i. 965, 1380, ii. 264: mourn for, mourn, murmur, complain.
- compleignte, s. P. 516, i. 1345.
- compleignynge, s. iii. 1425.
- complexioun (-on), s. P. 975, i. 1498, ii. 3256, v. 2647, vii. 383 ff.
- compone, v.a. iv. 2643, vii. 1590.
- composicioun, s. P. 814, agreement.
- comprehende, v.a.pp. v. 1735, vi. 2435, vii. 33, contain, include.
- compte, v.a. i. 1567, vi. 1268.
- comun, commun, a. P. 124, 377, 1082, i. 2695, v. 1117, 2235,
- comune, vi. 2432, vii. 1991,
- (comon, PP. 114).
- comune, s. P. 499, i. 651, ii. 1844,
- comun, P. 1066 f., v. 3759, common people, commonalty.
- comune, commune, v.a. i. 70, 775, iv. 754, v. 984, vii. 2709;
- v.n. i. 652, vi. 606, 2431, vii. 2200; join, communicate, share; associate, converse, share.
- comunliche, adv. i. 803, ii. 3058,
- comunly, i. 1352, ii. 367.
- comynge, see cominge.
- conceite, conceipte, s. P. 113, ii. 2311, vii. 1554, 1807.
- conceive, v.a.n. i. 830, ii. 2902, iv. 2561, v. 458.
- concele, v. v. 4635.
- conclave, s. ii. 2812.
- conclude, v.n. i. 250, iv. 2316;
- v.a. ii. 777, viii. 2048, 2712.
- conclusioun (-on), s. P. 575, i. 249, 3085, iii. 1816.
- concordable, a. ii. 2799, iii. 2438, suitable.
- concubine, s. v. 6757, vii. 4495, viii. 2693.
- concupiscence, s. vii. 5223, viii. 293.
- condicioun (-on), s. P. 805, 1029, i. 846, 1373, 2284, ii. 314, 1318, 3271, iv. 1784, v. 386, 4380, condition, state of things, disposition.
- conduit, s.,
- sauf conduit, v. 994.
- confeccion, s. vi. 654.
- conferme(n), v.a. P. 811, ii. 388, viii. 3164.
- confesse, v. refl. and n. i. 1393, 1952, ii. 219, 738, 1734.
- confessioun, confession, s. i. 202, 1374, v. 4379, viii. 2891.
- confirmacion, s. ii. 2938.
- conforme, v.a. ii. 608, iv. 216, 3110.
- confort, s. ii. 261, 1562, iv. 800, 2568,
- (comfort, PP. 4).
- conforte, v.a. i. 916, 1001, ii. 1065, vii. 2143;
- refl. v. 3653, viii. 1214.
- confortinge, s. viii. 336.
- confounde, v.a. P. 290, i. 3093, iv. 300.
- confusioun, s. P. 852, i. 3086.
- congeie, v.a. v. 3306, 7202, dismiss.
- congelacion, s. iv. 2514.
- congele, v.a. vii. 338.[Pg 575]
- congruite, s. iv. 2646, vii. 1531.
- conjoint, a. vii. 502, 1259, joined.
- conjunccion, s. vi. 1961.
- conjure, s. v. 3580.
- conjure, v.n. vi. 1976.
- conne, konne, kunne, v. ii. 1215, v. 928, 2909,
- 1, 3 s.pres. can, kan, ii. 3496, iv. 2334, vii. 4144,
- 2 s. canst, v. 4623,
- pl. cunne, kunne, iv. 2390, v. 5544,
- subj. conne, i. 264,
- pret. cowthe, couthe, ii. 1214, iv. 374, vi. 1441,
- 2 s. couthest, couthist, vii. 2298, 2301;
- cowthe him thonk, ii. 1007; know:
- 1, 3 s.pres. can, P. 60, i. 28,
- pl. conne, i. 506, 1505, ii. 2116, iii. 2297,
- cunnen, vii. 2172,
- pret. cowthe, couthe, P. 1073, i. 30, 536,
- cowde, coude, iv. 1255, 1540, know how to, be able to.
- connynge, s. vii. 671.
- conoiscance, s. vi. 1638.
- conquere, v.n. iii. 1649.
- conquerour, s. iii. 1286, vii. 893.
- conqueste, s. P. 709, v. 3413,
- (conqweste, PP. 42).
- Conrade, vii. 2833.
- consaile, see conseile.
- consailer, see conseilour.
- conscience, s. P. 297, i. 595, 1236, 2429, ii. 2390, 2844, iii. 11, 1504, iv. 792, v. 1847, feeling, conscience, sense of guilt.
- conseil, consail, P. 146, 156, i. 609, 888, 1018, 1097, 1395, ii. 687, 1891, 3415, v. 3904 (secret), vii. 2076 (advocate);
- in conseil (secretly), vi. 2326,
- hold conseil (be silent), iii. 778,
- prive conseil, ii. 1917,
- conseil hous, vii. 2851,
- conseile, viii. 2071,
- (counseil, PP. 129).
- conseile, consaile, consaille, v.a.n. i. 1123, 2950, ii. 1457, 1685, 2708, iii. 1163, iv. 3430, 3464 (ask advice);
- refl. iii. 2727, vii. 3188.
- conseilour, conseiller, consailer, s. iii. 1538, v. 2861, vii. 3148,
- (counseillour, PP. 128).
- consente, v.n. iv. 2797.
- conserve, s. vi. 636, vii. 54, conserve, preserver.
- consideracion, s. vii. 2749.
- consistoire, s. ii. 2908.
- conspire, v.n. i. 1206, ii. 2170, 2834, ii. 2945;
- v.a. i. 1173, 1504, ii. 2329: conspire; agree upon, contrive.
- conspirement, s. ii. 1704.
- Constance, ii. 597 ff.,
- Constantine, ii. 706.
- constance, s. vii. 1757, steadfastness.
- Constantin (1), Constantinus, P. 743, ii. 3188, 3339, 3449, vii. 3137, PP. 339, Constantine the Great.
- Constantin (2), ii. 590, Tiberius Constantinus.
- Constantin (3), P. 740, Constantine V.
- Constantinople, vii. 1261.
- constellacion (-oun), s. P. 532, i. 393, 1506, iv. 3247, v. 755, vi. 2253.
- constreigne, v.a. iii. 347, iv. 486, 3529.
- constreignte, s. viii. 3018.
- consul, ii. 1775, vii. 1598, 2785.
- contek, s. iii. 1093 ff., 2735,
- (contekt, viii. 3015).
- contemplacion (-oun), s. v. 7126, viii. 1838.
- contempt, s. ii. 1722.
- contenance, contienance, contenaunce, s. i. 698, ii. 1419, iii. 2404, iv. 380, 1180, 3155, v. 476, 694,
- continance, ii. 3116; bearing, expression, self-control.
- conterpeise, see contrepeise.
- continence, s. P. 472.
- continuance, s. iv. 187, 368, v. 1565.
- continue, v.n. iv. 508.
- continuinge, s. vii. 5003.
- contourbed, pp. i. 222.
- contraire, a. i. 2356, iv. 1803;
- in contraire, i. 631, 3416, iii. 2400;
- as subst. the contraire, P. 554, 979.
- contraire, s. vii. 4025, trouble.
- contrariende, pres. part. P. 555.
- contre, s. P. 729, ii. 1453, iii. 1312,
- pl. contres, iii. 1843,
- (contrees, viii. 3014).
- contrefet, a. i. 832, 1127, feigned, false.
- contrefete, v.a. ii. 2476,
- pp. contrefet, ii. 982.
- contrepeise, conterpeise, v.a. vii. 1505, 3118.
- contretaile, s. viii. 3102*.
- contrevaille, contrevaile, v.a. P. 728, ii. 3313.
- contricioun, s. i. 214.
- controeve, v.n. iv. 936, 2454, contrive (to);
- v.a., pret.pl. controeveden, vii. 187,
- pp. controved, ii. 1708, devise.
- controvinge, s. vi. 2372.
- conveie, v.a. ii. 1125, iv. 203, viii. 2986*.
- convenient, a. v. 7190*, vii. 1982, fitting.
- converten, v.a. ii. 601, 639, iv. 1676,
- (pp. convert, v. 1906*).
- cope, s. iv. 1315, 2979, vii. 534,
- coupe, vii. 1579, cloak, covering, vault.
- coper, s. iv. 2473.
- coppe, see cuppe.[Pg 576]
- Cor Scorpionis, vii. 1410.
- corage, s. P. 111, 448, i. 780, 833, ii. 1338, iv. 391, heart, spirit, disposition.
- corde, s. iv. 2431, 3592, v. 4989.
- corn, s. P. 844, iv. 2376,
- pl. cornes, iv. 2442, v. 1244.
- cornemuse, s. viii. 2483, bagpipe.
- Cornide, iii. 785, 801.
- Cornix, v. 6183.
- coronal, s. iv. 1326.
- corone, s. P. 33*, i. 2461, iv. 1323.
- corone, coroune, v.a. P. 765, ii. 1595, iii. 2171.
- corps, s. iv. 2499, 3657, cors, iii. 2075,
- pl. corps, v. 2207, body.
- corrant, a. vii. 352, running.
- corrupcioun, s. P. 986.
- corrupt, a. P. 922, ii. 1732, v. 765.
- cors, see corps.
- corse, see curse.
- cortaisly, see courtaisly.
- Corvus, iii. 796.
- cost, s. (1), i. 3105, ii. 363, 2347, cost.
- cost, s. (2), see coste.
- costage, s. i. 3104.
- coste, v.n. i. 3273.
- coste, cooste, s. i. 499, viii. 619,
- cost, vii. 885, coast, country.
- costeiant, a. ii. 2551, bordering.
- costne, v.n. i. 3313, cost.
- cote, s. i. 2999, ii. 2270, iv. 1355, v. 7716, coat.
- cotidian, a. v. 464.
- couard, a. iv. 611;
- subst. iv. 2301.
- couardie, s. iv. 1934, vii. 1860.
- couche, s. iv. 3015, v. 160, viii. 1193.
- couche, v.n. i. 1261;
- v.a. iv. 2710,
- pp. couched, viii. 2255.
- coude, see conne.
- coupable, a. P. 582, ii. 275, iii. 1120, iv. 1503.
- coupe, see cope.
- couple, s. vii. 4437.
- coupled, v.a.pp. v. 657, viii. 277.
- courbe, s. v. 956, hump.
- courbe, a. i. 1687, bent.
- cours, s. i. 509, 2637, iii. 1031, iv. 1270.
- courser, s. vi. 1188,
- coursier, vii. 856.
- court, s. P. 219, i. 1410.
- courtaisly, cortaisly, adv. i. 2108, viii. 1695.
- courteis, curteis, a. iv. 2300, v. 155, vi. 1992.
- courteour, s. i. 1410, v. 7125*.
- courtesie, curtesie, s. ii. 1214, v. 169, 5397.
- courtins, s.pl. i. 1787, curtains.
- cousin, s. P. 778, vii. 4776, viii. 106,
- fem. cousine, ii. 1201, viii. 106.
- cousinage, s. i. 1437, v. 4672, viii. 104.
- Couste, ii. 1163, 1401 ff.,
- Custe, ii. 1219.
- couth, a. see cowth.
- couthe, v. see conne.
- coveite, v.a.n. ii. 238, v. 262, 6379.
- coveitise, s. P. 263, iii. 2308, v. 223,
- covoitise, v. 1976 ff., vii. 2013, covetousness.
- coveitous, a. ii. 317,
- def. covoitouse, vii. 2168,
- pl. coveitouse, v. 4800,
- the coveitous (subst.), ii. 335.
- covenable, a. v. 2675, 6112, suitable.
- covenant, s. i. 686, 948.
- covere, coevere, v.a. i. 432, iv. 2092.
- covert, a. ii. 2033, vii. 4942,
- pl. coverte, iv. 1606;
- in covert, iv. 3206, v. 1666:
- adv. v. 6499.
- coverture, s. i. 645, ii. 1939, iv. 1102.
- covine, s. i. 29, 819, ii. 676, 683, 1895, 2115, iii. 2267,
- (covyne, vii. 2335*, viii. 3016), company, agreement, device, conspiracy.
- covined, pp. i. 1102, agreed.
- covoitise, covoitous, see coveitise, &c.
- cow, s. iv. 3323 ff.
- cowde, see conne.
- cowth, couth, a. ii. 432, iii. 2109, iv. 2543; v. 389,
- pl. cowthe, i. 2862, known.
- cowthe, v. see conne.
- crabbe, s. vii. 1053.
- craft, s. i. 1136, 1749, ii. 1849, iv. 925,
- craftes, iv. 1048, 2667.
- crafteliche, adv. i. 1755.
- crafti, a. i. 1091, skilful.
- crake, v.n. vii. 305, burst.
- Crassus, v. 2069.
- crave, v.a. i. 1362, 3343, ii. 329, iii. 1306, iv. 3290, v. 189;
- v.n. iv. 54, vii. 2427: ask for, ask.
- creacion, s. v. 933, vii. 203.
- creance, s. ii. 754, iii. 2505, v. 783.
- creatour, s. ii. 3436, v. 778.
- creature, s. P. 911, i. 1529, v. 779.
- crede, s. iii. 478, v. 2912, 7119.
- credence, s. i. 533, 707, ii. 867, iv. 2921, v. 743, belief, faith.
- credible, a. P. 574, vii. 128, 2528.
- Creon, v. 4195.
- crepe, v.n. v. 1893*, 5109,
- pret. crepte, i. 908,
- pp. crope, ii. 1141.
- (Fa) crere, ii. 2122 ff.
- cresce, v.n. viii. 29, increase.
- creste, s. v. 6044.[Pg 577]
- Cresus, iv. 1325 (genit.), v. 4730.
- Crete, iii. 1939, 1968, v. 845, 981, 1169, 1222, 3994, 4018, 5232 ff.
- Creusa, v. 2540, 4196, 4203, viii. 2505.
- cri, cry, s. i. 375, 2188, iii. 545, 1055, iv. 3600.
- crie(n), v.a.n. i. 955, 1369, iii. 222, iv. 3066, vii. 3649,
- crye, viii. 1417,
- 3 s. pres. crith, i. 2338, iv. 3619,
- pret. cride, i. 2326, 3167,
- pp. cryd, iv. 1857,
- crid, viii. 679, cry, lament, pray for, proclaim.
- criinge, s. vii. 3323.
- Crise, i. 1085,
- Crisis, v. 6444.
- Criseide (1), v. 7597, viii. 2531,
- Criseïda, ii. 2456.
- Criseide (2), v. 6444.
- crisolitus, vii. 1422.
- Crist, genit. Cristes, P. 165, 237 ff., 749 ff., 1032, i. 664, ii. 587 ff., 1597, 2503, 3354, 3466, iii. 1121, 2288, 2494 ff., 2547, iv. 1662 ff., v. 747, 1752 ff., 6390, 7001, 7106*, vi. 975 ff., vii. 3157*, viii. 141, 3030* f., PP. 50, 120, 156 ff.
- cristall, s. iv. 1322*, v. 5066, vii. 1325.
- cristendom, s. ii. 746, 3454, Christianity.
- cristene, s.pl. P. 898, Christians:
- a. PP. 380;
- superl. the cristeneste, ii. 1598.
- cristne, v.a. ii. 908, 3474.
- Croceus, v. 4835, 4860.
- crois, s. ii. 770, 3392, v. 1722.
- crok, s. v. 2872, vii. 2268, 4892, crook, crookedness, device.
- croke, v.a. v. 522, bend.
- croked, a. iii. 440.
- croket, s. v. 7065, curl.
- cronique, croniqe, P. 101, i. 759, 1994, 3059,
- pl. croniqes, iv. 2395.
- crop, s. P. 118,
- pl. croppes, vii. 4678, top.
- Cropheon, iii. 2022.
- crossen, v.a. i. 1165, set (sails).
- crouche, s. ii. 390, cross.
- crowe, v.a. iv. 3003, announce by crowing.
- crowe, s. iv. 3001, v. 6206.
- crualte, s. P. 49, iii. 235, 2149,
- (cruelte, viii. 2997*).
- cruel, a. iii. 15, 2000, iv. 1509.
- crumme, s. vi. 1003.
- cry, see cri.
- cunne, see conne.
- cunnynge, a. vi. 2437, skilled.
- Cupide, i. 124, ii. 39, iii. 169, 1351, 1463, 1695, iv. 488, 496, 1242, 1265, 1275, 1471, 1684, 1692, 3558, v. 1405, 1419, 1485, 4802, 4827, 5819, 5843, vi. 345, viii. 2172 ff., 2453 ff.,
- Cupido, ii. 2470, iii. 907, iv. 1733, viii. 2745.
- cuppe, coppe, s. P. 343, i. 2474, ii. 699, iv. 399, v. 285.
- cure, s. P. 211, i. 132, 1507, 3211, ii. 1083, 3054, iv. 1744, v. 1492, 1915, 2655, charge (of parish, &c.), care, help, remedy.
- cured, a. P. 211, with spiritual charge.
- curiosite, s. viii. 3114, artful skill.
- curious, a. i. 1524, iv. 922, v. 6816, vii. 760, careful, inquisitive.
- curse, v.n. i. 1369, iv. 2834;
- v.a. v. 557,
- corse, v. 7354.
- cursednesse, s. v. 6989, curse.
- cursinge, s. P. 274, ii. 2979.
- curteis, see courteis.
- curtesie, see courtesie.
- cuss, s. v. 6558, kiss.
- custummance, s. v. 1117.
- custumme, custume, s. vi. 532, viii. 685, 1616.
- custummer, s. ii. 1928.
- Cusy, ii. 3092.
- cutte, see kutte.
- D
- Daaly, vii. 361.
- Dace, v. 884.
- dai, day, s. P. 59, 163, i. 812, 1991,
- al dai, ii. 1899,
- to day, iv. 2216,
- fro dai to dai, v. 1586,
- be daie, iii. 148, v. 1265,
- have good day, iv. 2814,
- now a day, ii. 444,
- cp. aday,
- genit. daies, i. 1470, 1812,
- pl. daies, P. 36, i. 761, 2273,
- on daies nou, iv. 1731,
- nou on d., v. 4913,
- cp. adaies:
- see also dawe.
- Daires, genit. v. 1063.
- Daires, see Darius.
- dale, s. i. 356, iv. 1583.
- Dalida, viii. 2703.
- dame, s. i. 2551, ii. 749,
- ma dame, i. 168, iv. 1374.
- damoiselle, s. v. 1352.
- dampnacion, s. v. 1360.
- dampne, v.a. i. 1032, ii. 880, v. 4922, condemn.
- dance, see daunce.
- danger, see daunger.
- dangerous, a. v. 6442, reluctant.[Pg 578]
- Daniel, P. 590 ff., 1039, i. 2859 ff., vi. 1405.
- dansinge, s. iv. 1530.
- Dante, vii. 2329*.
- dante, see daunte.
- Danubie, ii. 1819.
- danz, s. i. 3395, vii. 50, 1459, (used as a title).
- Daphne, iii. 1686 ff.
- dar, v.n. 1 s.pres. i. 1222, 2765,
- 2 s. darst, iv. 617,
- 3 pl. dar, iv. 345, 350,
- pres. subj. dore, iv. 2825,
- pret. dorste, i. 3157, iii. 196, iv. 3485,
- dorst, ii. 1633,
- pret. subj. durste, iii. 486, 1622,
- 2 s. durstest, iv. 40: dare.
- Darius, P. 691,
- Daires, vii. 1785.
- dart, s. i. 144, iii. 1700, iv. 1994,
- pl. dartes, iv. 1274.
- daunce, v.n. iv. 2779, vi. 143,
- dance, viii. 2487, 2682.
- daunger, danger, s. i. 2443, ii. 1110, iii. 1537 ff., iv. 1149, 1641, 2813, 2903, 3589, v. 1389, 6620 ff., viii. 2264:
- see note on i. 2443.
- daunsinge, s. v. 3143.
- daunte, v.a. i. 469, 2390, 2962, iii. 177, iv. 2072,
- dante, v. 7220, tame, conquer.
- David, ii. 3088, vi. 95, vii. 3860 ff., 4345, viii. 2690, PP. 282.
- dawe, s. i. 2125,
- of dawe, vii. 2883 (dead),
- pl. dawes, i. 2794, iv. 3318:
- cp. dai.
- de (Langharet), ii. 2995.
- debat, s. P. 106, 567, i. 2920, ii. 1907, strife, dispute.
- debate, v.n. P. 928, i. 2453, iii. 2731;
- v.a. P. 998, vii. 1640, 1744: contend; contend for, contend against.
- debonaire, a. P. 553, i. 231, iii. 601, v. 176, vi. 863.
- decas, s. P. 837, destruction.
- deceipte, s. P. 541, i. 676, 753, iii. 184,
- deceite, P. 114.
- deceivable, a. ii. 1698, deceived;
- ii. 2202, 3018, deceitful.
- deceivant, a. i. 1214, iv. 2076;
- as subst. ii. 1875.
- deceive, v.a. i. 417, 751, viii. 2344:
- v.n. i. 1207.
- Decembre, vii. 1181, 4301.
- decerte, s. i. 614, 1354, 3277, iii. 2293, iv. 1605,
- pl. decertes, vii. 2049, service, merit.
- decerve, see deserve.
- decess, s. v. 3253, vii. 4516.
- decide, v.a. P. 334, vii. 52, PP. 256.
- declaracion, s. iv. 2228.
- declare, v.n. i. 3436, iv. 312, v. 1380;
- v.a. i. 73, v. 7399.
- ded, a. i. 982, 3115, ii. 1855,
- def. dede, ii. 840, 2647, iv. 2890,
- the dede, (as subst.), i. 1445,
- pl. dede, P. 9, i. 1037, iv. 1959, dead, killed.
- Dedalion, iv. 2933.
- Dedalus, iv. 1039, v. 5286.
- dede, s. P. 228, i. 634, 1851,
- in dede, i. 2933, iii. 329.
- dedly, dedli, a. P. 904, i. 577, ii. 2571, iii. 274, iv. 2163, vi. 7,
- dedlich (def.), vii. 5089, viii. 1355;
- adv. iii. 1579, v. 6759.
- deduit, s. viii. 2847, delight.
- dee, s. v. 2437,
- pl. dees, i. 54, iv. 1095, 1778, 2792, die,
- pl. dice.
- def, a. iv. 585.
- deface, see desface.
- defalte, s. P. 502, i. 1510, ii. 1856, iv. 1253,
- in mi defalte, in thi d., iv. 3482, 3588,
- defaulte, v. 537, vi. 271,
- defaute, vii. 260, failure, want, fault.
- defame, s. v. 5925, vii. 2055.
- defence, defense, s. P. 218, 388, ii. 1806, iv. 1026, v. 1710, 5638, prohibition, protection.
- defende, v.a. P. 421, i. 567, ii. 3411, iii. 2263, 2769, iv. 1672, 2338, protect, forbid.
- defie (1), defye, v.a.n. i. 1043, iii. 503, vi. 723, 1203 ff., dissolve, digest.
- defie (2), deffie, v.a. iv. 2848, vii. 2246, viii. 1066, defy.
- defloure, v.a. v. 5812.
- defoule, v.a. i. 977, 2835, iii. 2534, v. 2197, vi. 574;
- v.n. iii. 586, pollute, destroy, outrage.
- degre, degree, s. P. 50, 798, 930, i. 751, 1256, 2234, ii. 1224, v. 1688, condition, state, manner;
- be degrees (degres), i. 258, iv. 2490, in gradation.
- Deianire, Deianyre, ii. 2154 ff., iv. 2048 ff.,
- Deyanire, viii. 2561.
- Deïdamie, v. 3046 ff., Deÿdamie, viii. 2567.
- deie, see dye.
- deificacion, s. v. 934, 1173.
- deifie, v.a. v. 776, 1148, 1494.
- deigne, v.n. vi. 293, 1002;
- impers. i. 2099, iv. 3564.
- deinte, see deynte.
- deintefull, a. vi. 813.
- del, see diel.
- delaie, deslaie, v.a. 1434, iv. 1755, 3399, vii. 5042, viii. 445;
- v.n. ii. 1020.[Pg 579]
- delaiement, s..iv. 226, v. 5088.
- delate, v.a. vii. 3103, set forth.
- delay, s. ii. 824, 3418.
- Delbora (1), iv. 2437.
- Delbora (2), viii. 66,
- acc. Delboram, viii. 72.
- dele, v.n. i. 1225, 2762, ii. 3202, iii. 69, iv. 333, have to do, deal, consult.
- deliberacioun, s. viii. 2302.
- delicacie, s. P. 325, iv. 2434, vi. 608 ff.
- delicat, a. vi. 666 ff., vii. 909.
- delice, s. vi. 795,
- pl. delices, i. 2673, iv. 1671, v. 876, delight.
- delicious, a. vi. 671, 957, delightful, delicate.
- delit, s. i. 442, iv. 384, 3014, v. 187 ff., pleasure, charm.
- delitable, a. v. 2676.
- delite, v.n. and refl. i. 2688, iv. 3357, vi. 510,
- (delyte, viii. 3096*).
- deliverance, s. i. 1584, v. 1657.
- delivere, a. vii. 1855, viii. 681, active;
- adv. vii. 458, readily.
- delivere, v.a. v. 3549,
- pp. delivered (of childbirth), ii. 935, iii. 202, iv. 459.
- Delos, v. 1256.
- Delphos, v. 1071.
- delve, v.a.n. P. 352, i. 3256, v. 2159, dig, dig for.
- demande, s. i. 3071, ii. 2973, iv. 2793, viii. 1489.
- deme, dieme, v.a. P. 537, i. 1892, 2014, iii. 2101, iv. 1770;
- v.n. iii. 340, 750, 1216, v. 5152,
- deeme, vii. 2311: judge of, think good, condemn; decide, be judge.
- demeine, s. viii. 2226,
- pl. demeynes, v. 1332, possession.
- demene, v.a. ii. 1101, deal with.
- Demephon, iii. 1764, 1807, iv. 731 ff 2555.
- Demetrius, ii. 1619 ff.
- demeynes, see demeine.
- demonstracioun (-on), s. v. 7164*, vi. 1346.
- dendides, vii. 842, (name of a stone).
- dep, a. v. 4947,
- depe, (def.) iv. 1715,
- (pl.) i. 3069:
- subst. the depe, ii. 1035.
- departe(n), v.a. P. 468, 643, i. 2935, iv. 1317, v. 602, 1689, divide, distribute;
- v.n. P. 169, ii. 2645, iii. 2750, iv. 2833, be separated, depart.
- departinge, s. ii. 320.
- depe, adv. i. 1679;
- comp. deppere, ii. 2070.
- depos, s. ii. 1757, see note.
- depose, v.a. ii. 1017, 2750, vii. 3225, depose, put down.
- depthe, s. vii. 180.
- deputacion, s. vii. 2750.
- dere, v.a. i. 1997, 2766, vii. 3803,
- derie, vi. 1520, injure.
- dere, a. see diere.
- derie, see dere.
- derk, a. P. 941, iii. 984,
- def. derke, ii. 1892, iv. 815, 2843,
- voc. i. 956,
- pl. derke, i. 634:
- as subst. the derke, v. 1893, viii. 1691.
- derke, v.n. viii. 604, grow dark;
- v.a. viii. 967, 3008*, darken.
- derne, a. i. 1932, secret.
- derthe, s. v. 4284.
- desallowe, v.a. i. 1237,
- desalowe, PP. 242.
- descencion, s. iv. 2515.
- descende, v.n. v. 4579, viii. 2787.
- descente, s. vii. 1789, 3432.
- descerve, see deserve.
- descharge, s. viii. 3104*.
- descharge, v.a. P. 302, set free.
- desclos, disclos, a. iii. 192, 770, made known:
- adv. v. 6724, openly.
- desclose, v.a. i. 3401, iii. 435, v. 4030,
- disclose, viii. 1237.
- descoevere, discoevere, discovere, v.a. i. 2630, ii. 2054, 2384, iii. 778, 794.
- descoloured, a. viii. 1908.
- desconfit, v.a.pp. iii. 2467, vii. 2579, 3827,
- disconfit, vii. 4428, defeated.
- descord, discord, s. P. 121, 1046, iii. 1162, iv. 1734.
- descordable, a. v. 2929, out of accord.
- descordant, a. vii. 1020, 2314.
- descorde, discorde, v.n. ii. 1893, v. 2926, vii. 398, viii. 2024.
- descres, s. vii. 2054.
- descripcion, s. vii. 1760.
- descrive, v.a. i. 1690, iii. 468, iv. 2406,
- descryve, vi. 1110.
- desdeign, s. i. 2058, 2359, ii. 1714, iv. 2332, v. 6453.
- desdeigne, v.a. i. 1243, v. 4804, viii. 2342.
- desert, a. vii. 585,
- pl. deserte, vii. 2164.
- desert, s. iv. 2056, v. 1665.
- deserve, v.a.n. P. 71*, 708, i. 170, 738, 1119, 2132, ii. 1279, 3268, iv. 3577, PP. 278,
- decerve, v. 4575,
- descerve, vii. 3934, earn, deserve.
- desese, s. P. 178, 1007, i. 2881, ii. 50,[Pg 580]
- disese, iv. 1475,
- (desease, viii. 3018), trouble.
- desese, v.a. ii. 3010, vi. 64,
- pp. desesed, i. 1352, ii. 248, iv. 209.
- desespeir, s. iv. 3687, vii. 3727,
- despeir, viii. 945.
- desesperance, s. iv. 3499.
- desface, deface, v.a. iv. 1322, v. 6308;
- v.n. iv. 2844, viii. 2828.
- desguise, v.a. P. 364, i. 2702 ff., iv. 3333.
- deshonoured, pp. v. 5811, 7262.
- desir, s. i. 599, 684, iv. 2567, v. 965.
- desire, v.a. P. 221, i. 1205, 1481, ii. 1423;
- v.n. P. 292, 682, i. 3289, ii. 2160, iv. 122.
- desirous, a. i. 1413, ii. 2518.
- deslaie, see delaie.
- desobeie, v.a.n. i. 1315, iii. 1762.
- desobeissance, s. i. 1307.
- desobeissant, a. i. 1392, ii. 2507.
- desolat, a. ii. 2651.
- despeire, v.n. and refl. ii. 3347, iv. 3506, 3541.
- despeired, a. ii. 1846, iii. 74, 1144, viii. 3012*, in despair, hopelessly bad.
- despence, s. v. 4838, vii. 2066.
- despende, v.a. P. 73, i. 1004, 1904, 3018, ii. 1126, iii. 877,
- pret. despente, v. 1054.
- despense, v.a. iii. 2553.
- despise, v.a. i. 1356, 1978, iii. 564, iv. 2870, scorn, hate.
- despit, s. i. 990, 2580, insult.
- desplaie, v.a. ii. 1835,
- displaie, v. 492.
- desplese, v.a. i. 1387, iii. 528,
- displese, vii. 4816.
- desport, s. iv. 1188, 3100, v. 1425.
- desporte, v.a. and refl. i. 1002, 2294.
- despose, v.a. vii. 1809.
- despreise, v.a. i. 2119.
- despuile, v.a. i. 2206, 2906, viii. 2856, strip.
- desputeisoun (-on), s. i. 1440, vii. 1821,
- disputeisoun, vii. 1635.
- desputen, v.n. ii. 310, iv. 812;
- v.a. iv. 619.
- destance, distance, s. iii. 611, 2695, vii. 2926, difference.
- desteigne, v.a. i. 696, 966, ii. 2245, iv. 838, stain, disfigure.
- destine, s. i. 1835, iv. 1915.
- destourbance, s. ii. 642, 1951,
- destorbance, iii. 2465, vii. 2836.
- destourbe, destorbe, v.a. i. 221, 1688, iii. 373,
- (pp. distourbid, PP. 153.)
- destrauht, see distraght.
- destresse, s. iii. 1605, iv. 462, v. 828,
- distresse, distresce, ii. 3266, viii. 1609.
- destruccioun, destruccion, s. i. 1105, iii. 973, iv. 1067.
- destruie, v.a. i. 2836, iii. 1520,
- pret. destruide, v. 2212,
- pp. destruid, i. 3185, ii. 3355, iv. 225, 976, v. 1070.
- determine, v.n. ii. 3204, viii. 2786;
- v.a. vii. 63.
- deth, s. P. 704, i. 1054,
- genit. dethes (deadly), iii. 2657, v. 3533,
- to dethe, i. 1448, ii. 1292,
- fro dethe, ii. 3399,
- fro deth, i. 1593, ii. 1525.
- detraccioun, s. ii. 387, 534.
- dette, s. iii. 2214, iv. 2588, v. 1552.
- devel, iii. 663, vi. 1352,
- genit. develes, ii. 3148,
- cp. dieules.
- devide, see divide.
- devise, v.a. P. 464, i. 1544, 2178, ii. 1390, iii. 1208,
- divise, P. 822, vii. 988, 1130, tell, contrive;
- devise himself, i. 1817, decide.
- devocioun (-on), s. i. 213, 801, ii. 3433.
- devolte, a. i. 636, devoute, i. 669.
- devoure, v.a. P. 314, i. 654, 1189, ii. 1842, iii. 327.
- dew, s. vii. 4832,
- pl. dewes, vii. 282.
- deynte, deinte, a. P. 475, vi. 702.
- deynte, s. v. 3838, vi. 741.
- deyss, deis, s. vi. 2187, vii. 1886, high table, seat of state.
- diademe, s. P. 765, ii. 2936.
- Diana, Diane, i. 363, iv. 3238, v. 1250 ff., 6244 ff., viii. 1269, 1829.
- dich, s. v. 7249, vi. 1281, 2324.
- Dido, iv. 87, 141, viii. 2552.
- diel, del, s. P. 137, v. 212, portion;
- no del, no diel, P. 418, i. 2434, nothing:
- as adv. nevere a diel, P. 878, not at all.
- dieme, see deme.
- diere, dere, a. i. 162, 3147, ii. 250, v. 1241 (of price):
- adv. i. 381, iii. 880, iv. 2133,
- deere, v. 6729.
- diere, s. vi. 1915.
- diete, s. i. 1707, vi. 252.
- (a) dieu, ii. 2739.
- dieules, s.genit. vi. 2345:
- cp. devel.
- difference, s. P. 451, v. 744.
- differred, v.a.pp. ii. 3074, put aside.
- dignite, dignete, s. P. 210, iii. 2170, vii. 4249,
- pl. dignitees, ii. 2338.
- dihte, v.a. i. 1131,
- pret. dihte, v. 1200, 1364, 4252,
- dighte, v. 5248,
- pp. diht, ii. 2774, iv. 130,
- dyht, ii. 822, v. 554, prepare, set in order.
- dike, v.n. P. 352.[Pg 581]
- diligence, s. iv. 1075, 1792, 2584.
- diligent, a. iv. 1126.
- diminucioun, vii. 160.
- dimme, adv. v. 4967, faintly (of voice):
- cp. dymme, a.
- Dindimus (1), iv. 2641.
- Dindimus (2), v. 1453.
- Diogenes, Diogene, iii. 1203 ff., vii. 2229 ff.
- Diomedes, Diomede, ii. 2458, v. 3099, 7601, viii. 2534, 2569.
- Dionise, viii. 546, 1345 ff.
- Dionys, vii. 3341.
- disciple, s. vii. 1453, viii. 1167, 2942*.
- discipline, s. i. 942, iv. 294, v. 5326.
- disclos, disclose, see desclos, &c.
- disconfit, see desconfit.
- discord, see descord.
- discovere, discoevere, see descoevere.
- discrecioun (-on), s. v. 264, vii. 2116.
- discresce, v.n. v. 1851.
- discrete, a. (pl.), vii. 2443.
- discretly, adv. vii. 3342*.
- disme, s. P. 269, tithe.
- disour, s. vii. 2424.
- dispers, a. v. 1497, 1729, vii. 2658.
- displaie, see desplaie.
- displese, see desplese.
- disposed, a. i. 1253, 3785.
- disposicioun (-on), s. P. 943, i. 1497, ii. 3255, iv. 2740.
- disputeisoun, see desputeisoun.
- dissencioun (-on), s. P. 781, iii. 595, 740, v. 3307.
- dissevere, v.a. ii. 2229, iii. 1573;
- v.n. iv. 2838.
- dissh, s. ii. 699, v. 3853,
- disch, v. 285.
- dissimilacion, s. i. 957.
- distance, see destance.
- distempre, v.a. iii. 58, 1858.
- distillacion, s. iv. 2513.
- distille, v.a. P. 62*.
- distraght, destrauht, pp. ii. 1745, iii. 7, vii. 6.
- distreigne, v.a. ii. 1302, torment.
- distresse, see destresse.
- ditee, s. viii. 2945*.
- diverse, v.n. P. 677, vii. 972, change;
- pp. diversed, P. 29, vii. 1270, changed, made different.
- diverse, a. P. 365, i. 426, 2463, ii. 2547, iii. 2101, vii. 3436,
- divers, iii. 2290, vi. 69, different, perverse, evil.
- diverseliche, adv. v. 218, 5940.
- diversite, diversete, s. P. 988, v. 490, 1373.
- divide, v.a. P. 127, 706,
- devide, vii. 147;
- v.n. P. 880, v. 1661.
- divin, s. v. 142, divinity,
- vii. 651, theologian.
- divin, a.,
- divine, (def. or fem.), ii. 3243,
- dyvyn, v. 1058.
- divine, v.a. i. 2861.
- divinite, s. vii. 122.
- divise, see devise.
- divised, pp. ii. 3264, vii. 1241,
- (devised, PP. 235), divided.
- divisioun (-on), s. P. 576, 967, ii. 1743, vii. 4539.
- do, don, v.a. (n.) P. 63, 271,
- (doo, doon, P. 28*, 49*),
- to (forto) done, P. 141, 483, i. 691, 995,
- 3 s. pres. doth, P. 286, 761, i. 1913,
- pret. dede, P. 226, i. 561, 2579, ii. 2283, iii. 924, 1049,
- (dide, PP. 348),
- imperat. s. do, i. 2936,
- pl. doth, i. 127,
- pp. do, don, P. 857, i. 2599, ii. 770, 1234:
- doth restore, P. 761,
- doth ous forto wite, P. 286,
- let do make, ii. 1286,
- hath do slain, ii. 1799,
- cp. iv. 816,
- doth to seme, i. 614,
- do that ther be, iv. 2520,
- on dede, ii. 2283,
- dede upon, iv. 2979, v. 3556,
- do aweie, iv. 71,
- do wey, vii. 5408: do, cause, make, put.
- do, doo, s. iv. 1300, 1978, doe.
- doaire, s. vii. 1257, province.
- doelful, a. viii. 483.
- doinge, s. v. 4631, 5743.
- dole, s. iv. 252, vi. 356, vii. 1213, distribution.
- dom, s. i. 1050, 1647, ii. 1732, vi. 2171, viii. 2113,
- (doom, vii. 3152*), judgement, dominion:
- day of dome, vii. 3560.
- domb, see doumb.
- domesdai (-day), s. v. 1905, vi. 806.
- Domilde, ii. 947.
- dominus, i. 215.
- Donat, iv. 2641.
- dore, s. P. 1083, ii. 2130, iv. 903.
- Dorrence, vii. 3185.
- Dorus, v. 1337.
- dotard, s. vi. 2307.
- double, a. P. 130, i. 635 (deceitful), ii. 341, 3343;
- as subst. ii. 333.
- double, v.a. ii. 349.
- doubte, see doute.
- doubtif, a. vi. 2171.
- doubtous, a. vii. 3524.
- doumb, domb, a. iv. 345, 585, vi. 447.
- doun, s. iv. 3021, down.
- doun, down, adv. P. 570, i. 1155,
- up so doun, ii. 1744, iii. 80,
- a doun. iv. 2710.[Pg 582]
- dounes, s.pl. iv. 1583, hills.
- dounward, adv. vii. 5073.
- doute, v.a. i. 404, v. 3602,
- doubte, i. 2892;
- v.n. iv. 62: fear.
- doute, s. P. 562, i. 2222, 3124, v. 181,
- doubte, iv. 1022,
- stant no d., ii. 2124, iv. 2118,
- cp. iii. 2536.
- dowhter, douhter, s. i. 1841, iv. 1535,
- doghter, ii. 638,
- doughter, ii. 663,
- genit. dowhter, i. 3208, ii. 1469,
- dowhtres, i. 3231, iii. 218,
- pl. dowhtres, douhtres, i. 391, v. 7310,
- doghtres, v. 3049.
- dowhterles, a. viii. 903.
- dragon, dragoun, s. v. 3718, 3989, vi. 1984.
- drake, s. vii. 362, dragon.
- drawe, v.a.n. P. 69, i. 1745, ii. 519, iii. 946, viii. 1948,
- 3 s.pres. drawth, P. 1002,
- draweth, i. 2336, 3 s.pret.
- drowh, drouh, P. 792, i. 819, ii. 1580, 2695, iii. 2084, iv. 35, v. 4046,
- drogh, iv. 3192,
- pl. drowe(n), drowhe, i. 1041, 1136, iii. 1040, iv. 2026, vii. 3346*,
- imperat. draugh, PP. 384,
- pp. drawe, v. 5457, vii. 4625.
- drawhte, drauhte, s. iii. 2057, v. 4167, vi. 253, draught.
- drecche, v.a. i. 621, 2097, iv. 2896,
- dreche, iv. 1185;
- v.n. iv. 102, vii. 5009, viii. 755: deceive, torment, while away, debase; delay.
- drecchinge, s. iv. 3476, tormenting.
- drecchinge, a. v. 3975.
- drede, v.a. refl. and n. P. 500, i. 2245, iii. 180, 1321,
- pret. dradde, i. 1668, v. 2814, 5003,
- drad, viii. 1368,
- dredde, v. 3355,
- imperat. dred, i. 2246.
- drede, s. P. 1082, i. 1987,
- pl. dredes, vii. 411,
- withoute drede, ii. 2388, v. 68 (doubtless).
- dredful(l), a. i. 435, 2133, iv. 3382, vii. 3131, terrible;
- ii. 2622, timorous.
- dreie, a. i. 2042, ii. 2224, v. 1664,
- drie, drye, v. 4143, vii. 379, dry:
- cp. drye.
- dreie, v.a. iii. 695.
- dreint, dreynte, see drenche.
- drem, s. P. 599, ii. 3376, iv. 2729,
- pl. dremes, iv. 3575.
- dreme, v.n. iii. 51, iv. 2722, 3285.
- drenche, v.a.n. vii. 4277,
- pret. dreynte, iv. 1030, 3061,
- pp. dreint, dreynt, ii. 1122, 1826, v. 1342, 1870, 4352,
- def. dreinte, iv. 3093: drown.
- drery, a. vii. 3312*.
- Driades, v. 1333.
- drink, drinke, s. ii. 3099, iii. 2611, iv. 1719,
- pl. drinkes, v. 1472.
- drinke(n), v.a.n. P. 318, i. 1390, 2309, vii. 3513,
- drynke, iii. 1402, 3 s.pres.
- drinkth, i. 1708,
- drynkth, vi. 72,
- drinketh, v. 253,
- pret. drank, iii. 895,
- dronk, ii. 1008,
- pl. drunke, i. 2645, vi. 472,
- dronken, vi. 591,
- imperat. drink, i. 2551,
- pp. drunke(n), vi. 374, 388.
- drinkeles, a. vi. 57, without drink.
- drive, see dryve.
- dronkelew, a. vi. 106,
- drunken.
- drope, s. v. 4147, 4752.
- droppe, v. vi. 1043, vii. 5263.
- druerie, s. iv. 2713, vi. 1290, courtship.
- drunke(n), a. P. 343, ii. 1010, v. 145, vi. 73 ff.
- drunkenesse, s. vi. 585.
- drunkenhiede, s. vi. 566.
- drunkeschipe, dronkeschipe, s. v. 150, vi. 15.
- drye, dryhe, v.a. iv. 2836, 3474, vi. 1085, endure.
- drye, dreie, s. P. 977, vii. 271, 445.
- dryve, v.a.n. ii. 712, 718, 1906, iv. 1853,
- drive, ii. 729,
- dryve forth, spend (time), P. 374, ii. 1309, iv. 3390,
- pret. drof, iii. 1048, iv. 1020,
- pp. drive, P. 578, iv. 1027.
- duale, s. vi. 388, narcotic draught.
- duc, duck, see duk.
- due, a. P. 457, ii. 2928, iv. 510, 3247, vii. 4195 (dewe, PP. 196), owing, fitting, bound (?).
- dueliche, duely, adv. vii. 4570, viii. 2374.
- duelle(n), dwelle, P. 2, 142, 818, i. 147, ii. 1265, iii. 1338, vii. 2980,
- pret. duelte, i. 2488, v. 2084, remain, dwell.
- duellinge, s. iv. 1979, vii. 458.
- duete, s. P. 258, iv. 3204,
- (duite, viii. 3101).
- duistre, s. i. 1027, guide.
- duk, duc, duck, s. i. 782 ff., 2644, iii. 1987, iv. 1525, vii. 1917, 3747,
- genit. dukes, i. 2639,
- duckes, iv. 477, duke, leader.
- dull, a. v. 1948, vi. 150,
- pl. dulle, iv. 947, PP. 207.
- dulle, v.a. P. 14.
- durable, a. PP. 301.
- duresce, s. P. 411.
- dwelle, see duelle.
- dwyne, v.n. iv. 3440, pine away.
- dyamant, vii. 1333.
- dyche, v.a. i. 3256:
- cp. dike.[Pg 583]
- dyches, s.pl. v. 19.
- dye, die, deie, v.n. P. 978, 990, i. 127, 1333, 1972, ii. 701, 1858, iv. 3065,
- pret. deide, ii. 692, 1161, v. 1079,
- deiede, iv. 1593,
- dyde, P. 705,
- dide, PP. 190,
- pres. part. deyinge, i. 1710.
- dyht, see dihte.
- dymme, a.pl. viii. 2826:
- cp. dimme.
- Dyon, v. 1049.
- E
- ease, see ese.
- ebbe, v.n. P. 933.
- ebbes, s.pl. vii. 723.
- Eccho, v. 4618, 4644.
- ecclesiaste, vii. 4491.
- ech, pron. P. 375, i. 817, iv. 500,
- eche, P. 516, i. 2061,
- ech other, i. 2489.
- Echates, v. 3981, 4035.
- echedaies, s.genit. v. 512.
- echon, pron. P. 1049, i. 1854, iv. 2094.
- eclipse, v.n. P. 919, v. 769, viii. 2600.
- Ector, see Hector.
- eddre, s. iv. 2109,
- addre, v. 3967,
- thaddre, v. 3528.
- Edwyn, ii. 1319.
- eem, see em.
- eere, see ere.
- effect, s. iii. 2395, vi. 931,
- theffect, iv. 1759.
- effeminat, a. vii. 4304.
- eft, efte, adv. i. 160, 963, ii. 2570, iv. 2111, 2858, v. 5789 f., vii. 2334, after, again.
- eftsone, adv. ii. 1305, iv. 806,
- eftsones, iv. 2830.
- Eges, vii. 351.
- Egeüs, iii. 2561, v. 5255, 5259.
- eggetol, s. v. 3708.
- Egiona, iii. 2173, 2185.
- Egipcienes, &c. see thegipcienes.
- Egipte, ii. 2549, 2628, v. 789, 814 ff., 1592, 1653, vi. 1797 ff., vii. 924.
- Egistus, Egiste, iii. 1906 ff., 2029 ff.
- egle, s. vi. 2200, vii. 630, eagle.
- eighte, num. vii. 1110 ff.,
- eyhte, viii. 81.
- eile, eyle, eille, v.n. i. 971, ii. 1348, iii. 2296, v. 7444, vi. 172,
- impers. vi. 386, ail.
- eir (1), air, s. P. 921, vi. 943, vii. 255 ff.,
- their, thair, iii. 1215, v. 3993: air.
- eir (2), s. see heir.
- either, pron.a. ii. 630, v. 1662,
- eyther, vii. 1193.
- ek, eke, adv. P. 154, 913, i. 865, ii. 2931,
- ek also, ii. 1233,
- (eek, P. 57*, vii. 3180*).
- ekinge, s. iv. 622.
- Elda, ii. 726 ff.
- elde, s. v. 4183, viii. 2828, (person) viii. 2667.
- eldemoder, s. iv. 2251.
- eldeste, a.superl. def. v. 3047, vii. 557.
- eleborum, vii. 1336.
- eleccioun (-on), P. 365, 435, vi. 1167, vii. 46.
- Eleine, see Heleine.
- element, s. vii. 372,
- pl. elementz, v. 773, vii. 218 ff.,
- thelementz, v. 759.
- elitropius, s. vii. 841, (name of a stone).
- elixir, elixer, s. iv. 2522, 2577.
- ellefthe, a. vii. 1393, eleventh.
- elles, adv. P. 290, 477, i. 1574, 2344, ii. 3382,
- (ellis, viii. 3078),
- elles where, ii. 1979, iii. 2079.
- elleswhere, adv. P. 9, iv. 164,
- see elles.
- ellevene, num. vii. 1186.
- eloquence, s. iii. 440, iv. 2651,
- pl. eloquences, vii. 1631.
- eloquent, a. vii. 37, viii. 393.
- em, s. i. 1517, v. 3289,
- eem, vi. 474,
- genit. emes, i. 1489, uncle.
- embatailled, pp. ii. 1837, 2619.
- embrace, enbrace, v.a. P. 90, i. 1286, ii. 2082, iv. 58, 409, v. 24,
- embraseth, iii. 1483, take in hand, embrace, obtain;
- i. 431, put on the arm.
- embrouded, enbrouded, pp. iv. 1319, vi. 1554,
- embroudred, i. 2511.
- embuisshed, pp. ii. 3007.
- embuisschement, see thembuisschementz.
- Emilius, ii. 1776.
- empeire, v.a. P. 453, iii. 1143, iv. 3505;
- v.n. P. 833, ii. 367, 3068: damage, make worse; become worse.
- empeirement, s. v. 2161, vii. 1158, harm.
- emperesse, s. viii. 2612.
- emperour, s. P. 726, iii. 2393,
- themperour, i. 762,
- genit. emperoures, ii. 1219.
- empire, s. P. 681, 721, i. 2793, ii. 2709,
- thempire, P. 767.
- emprise, s. P. 1018, i. 2066, ii. 2358, iii. 1017, iv. 1898, v. 905, vii. 1850, 4251, 4778, viii. 174, boldness, valour, worth, object.
- emty, a. i. 1681.
- enbrouded, see embrouded.
- enbrouderie, s. iv. 1175.[Pg 584]
- encence, encense, s. v. 1568, vii. 4509.
- enchantement, s. i. 477, iv. 765.
- enchanting, s. iv. 648.
- enchaunte, v.a. i. 470, ii. 481, 2492, iii. 178.
- encheson, s. i. 2440, 2747, v. 7354, occasion.
- enclin, a. ii. 3177, vi. 585.
- encline, v.a. iv. 3565;
- v.n. v. 1637, viii. 2083:
- enclined, pp. ii. 271.
- enclose, v.a. iii. 1333, v. 21, 4029,
- (pp. enclosid, viii. 2942.)
- encluyed, pp. iv. 1345,
- enclowed, viii. 113, hurt with a nail, nailed.
- encombre, v.a. ii. 1770, vii. 5219, endanger, harass.
- encourtine, v.a. i. 877, curtain.
- encresce, encresse, v.a.n. P. 1036, i. 672, ii. 3428, iv. 782, v. 6476, vi. 2272.
- encress, s. i. 3342, ii. 1666, v. 3, 7712,
- encres, viii. 74, increase, advancement.
- ende, P. 162, 556, i. 1067, 1616, ii. 2753, iii. 1380, v. 5670, viii. 697, 1219,
- thende, P. 883.
- ende, v.a.n. P. 74, i. 2110, iv. 2900, v. 194, vi. 1781.
- endeles, i. 2717, iii. 2466;
- adv. P. 662, ii. 3429.
- enderday, s. i. 98,
- ender day, v. 7400.
- endite, v.a.n. P. 22, ii. 412, 2046, iii. 270, PP. 381, compose, accuse, examine.
- enditour, s. iv. 2411.
- endlong, prep. ii. 689, iii. 1031;
- adv. iii. 1209: along.
- endure, v.a.n. i. 131, ii. 259, iv. 2105.
- endyng, s. vi. 2376.
- Eneas, Enee, i. 1095, 1124, iv. 78 ff., 2183, v. 1400, viii. 2553.
- enemie, s.fem., v. 6753,
- anemie, viii. 1355.
- enemy, s. iii. 12, 1532, iv. 2186,
- pl. enemys, enemis, iv. 1953, v. 7397.
- enfile, v.a. vii. 4333, thread.
- enformacion (-oun), s. i. 2270, ii. 2783, v. 593.
- enforme, v.a.n. i. 276, 1340, 1974, 3229, ii. 2121, 2499, iv. 923, relate, instruct, enform.
- Engelond, P. 24, ii. 1581, vii. 753, PP. 359.
- engendre, v.a.n. P. 987, ii. 2841, 3176.
- engin, engyn, s. ii. 1956, iv. 2438, 2637, v. 2156, disposition, ingenuity, device.
- engine, v.a. i. 878, 1101, ii. 2116, deceive, entrap.
- enginous, a. vii. 433, quick-witted.
- englissh, s. P. 23, iii. 21,
- Engleissh, vi. 985,
- (englesch, viii. 3108).
- englue, v.a. iii. 1553, iv. 3363, fasten, ensnare.
- enhabite, v.a. iii. 1335, viii. 93.
- enheritance, s. v. 5553.
- enke, s. iii. 298, 1070, viii. 2213, ink.
- enlumined, pp. vii. 64.
- enoignte, v.a. v. 3601,
- pp. enoynt, v. 3599,
- enoignt, vii. 4247,
- enoignted, vi. 1974.
- enquere, v.a. ii. 488, vii. 2771.
- ensamplaire, see essamplaire.
- ensample, s. P. 196, i. 1405, iv. 2339,
- (essample, PP. 93).
- ensample(n), v.a. P. 47;
- refl. iv. 3684, v. 5159, vii. 4441;
- essampled, P. 7.
- ensamplerie, s. P. 496, v. 4935,
- essamplerie, vi. 1385.
- ensele, v.a. viii. 2699, seal.
- enspire, v.a. iv. 2200, vii. 4003, viii. 2976*.
- entaile, s. i. 1088, 1252, iv. 374, v. 1499, 2442,
- entaille, iv. 2990, form, fashion, sculpture.
- entame, v.a. i. 709, wound;
- v. 3482, begin.
- entencion, s. iv. 2270, 2516.
- entendable, a. vii. 2146.
- entendance, s. viii. 2488, service.
- entendant, a. ii. 1623, v. 1352, viii. 2695.
- entende, v.n. P. 253, 376, ii. 3412, iii. 2347, iv. 1735, pay attention, undertake.
- entendement, s. i. 3122, ii. 584, iv. 1767, vii. 609, 1701, understanding, meaning, instruction.
- entente, s. P. 668, 1023, i. 60, 825, 1121, 1770, ii. 1002, 2669, meaning, purpose, thought.
- enterdit, s. ii. 2979, 3013.
- entermette, v.refl. ii. 66, interfere.
- enterrement, s. v. 5727, viii. 1523.
- entre, s. i. 1144, ii. 2131, 3033.
- entrecomune, v.n. ii. 3249.
- entren, v.n. vii. 3215*.
- entrike, v.a. iii. 2340, iv. 3042, 3298, vii. 1577, ensnare, entangle.
- entronize, v.a. vii. 2416,
- intronize, ii. 2822,
- inthronized, viii. 6.
- envenime, envenyme, v.a. ii. 2237, iii. 2457, vi. 3, envenom, poison.
- envie, s. P. 347, i. 3083, 3441, ii. 10 ff.,
- (envye, P. 58*).
- envie, v.a. ii. 2828, 3104.
- envious, a. ii. 223, 318,
- thenvious, ii. 1728;
- as subst. ii. 345.[Pg 585]
- environe, v.a. vi. 2239, vii. 240, encompass.
- enviroun, adv. ii. 1474, vi. 2236.
- eny, pron. P. 387, i. 2419, &c.,
- any, i. 14,
- pl. eny, v. 2039,
- enye, v. 921:
- eny thing, as adv. ii. 2057.
- Eolen, Eole, ii. 2263 ff., v. 6808 ff., 6884 ff., viii. 2510.
- Eolus, iii. 143, iv. 735, v. 968,
- pl. Eoli, v. 978.
- Ephesim, viii. 1156, 1793 ff.
- Ephiloquorus, iv. 2409.
- epitaphe, s. iv. 3359, 3670,
- epitaffe, viii. 1531.
- Epius, i. 1091.
- equacion, s. vi. 1959.
- equite, s. ii. 3327, vii. 2816.
- er, adv. ii. 1995, vii. 2285,
- err, vii. 687,
- ar, ii. 2141, iv. 1422:
- prep. er this, P. 513, i. 610,
- er dai, v. 2182,
- or this, i. 1944:
- er, conj. P. 503, i. 911, 1122,
- (er that), iv. 2068.
- ere, s. P. 236, i. 2181, &c.,
- eere, P. 10, ear.
- ere, eere, v.a.n. i. 3257, v. 819, plough.
- Ericon, v. 1401.
- Eridian, v. 4005.
- eringe, s. v. 1228, ploughing.
- Eriphile, iii. 2565.
- Eritheüs, vii. 853.
- erl, s. i. 3376.
- erldom, s. i. 3354.
- erli, erly, a. vi. 1605:
- adv. i. 2176, iv. 1829,
- erliche, v. 2313.
- Ermenie, see Armenye.
- ernest, s., ernest and game, &c., P. 462, ii. 528, iii. 549, iv. 50, viii. 856.
- erre, v.n. P. 355, ii. 2963, v. 1893.
- errour, s. P. 511, v. 812, 1620.
- erst, adv. iii. 376, iv. 805, v. 1778.
- erthe, P. 40, 614, i. 2796, 3251,
- therthe, i. 3265, earth, clay.
- erthly, erthli, a. P. 201, i. 2889, iv. 1322,
- ertheli, erthely, iii. 2520, PP. 63.
- eschange, s. P. 207, i. 2330, viii. 2259.
- eschape, see ascape.
- eschete, s. i. 3354.
- eschu, a. v. 4748, shy.
- eschuie, v.a.n. i. 945, 1212, 2255, 2667, ii. 3250, iii. 1674,
- teschuie, vii. 3247,
- eschue, P. 458, v. 7002, avoid, escape.
- Esculapius, v. 1059 ff.
- Esdras, iv. 2407.
- ese, s. i. 3052, ii. 49, 3122, iv. 1814, v. 3629,
- aise, viii. 1352, 1718,
- pl. eses, vii. 4359,
- eases, iv. 1089.
- ese, v.a.n. ii. 247, 3183, vi. 893, vii. 2616.
- esely, adv. v. 5027, gently.
- Esiona, v. 7215,
- acc. Esionam, Eseonen, v. 7275, viii. 2518.
- esmaie, v.refl. v. 3348;
- pp. esmaied, iii. 58, iv. 1372.
- Eson, v. 3255, 3931 ff.
- espeir, s. ii. 1551, 3147, iii. 2707, hope.
- espiaile, s. vi. 1643.
- espleit, s. v. 3924, success.
- esposaile, s. iv. 1498,
- espousaile, v. 5815.
- essamplaire, ensamplaire, s. iv. 887, vii. 3143, 4026.
- essampled, essamplerie, see ensample, &c.
- essoine, s. i. 1778, excuse.
- estat, see astat.
- estre, s. ii. 3370, abode.
- estrete, s. i. 1344, extraction, origin.
- estward, adv. ii. 1088, vii. 569.
- esy, esi, a. vii. 1540, viii. 2159.
- ete, v.a.n. P. 318, i. 2844, v. 2405,
- 3 s.pres. ett, vi. 1139,
- pret. eet, i. 2977, ii. 3029, v. 851,
- pl. eete, vi. 1173,
- pp. ete(n), iii. 1401, v. 5902.
- eternal, a. viii. 2973.
- eterne, a. P. 586.
- eth, a. i. 544, easy.
- Ethiope, iv. 649.
- Ethna, P. 329, ii. 20, 163, 2837, v. 1289.
- etique, s. vii. 1651, ethics.
- Eurice, ii. 2267.
- Europe, v. 7340, vii. 533, 579.
- eutonye, vi. 1318.
- evangile, s. PP. 217.
- Eve, iv. 2225, viii. 28 ff.
- eve(n), s. i. 858, ii. 2888, vi. 368,
- even liht, iv. 2804.
- evel, a. iii. 1272,
- def. evele, v. 2331:
- adv. evele, iv. 3266, v. 146,
- evel mouthed, v. 519.
- evel, s. v. 4926,
- evele, vii. 1549.
- evene, a. as subst., in evene, i. 2, iv. 3294, v. 1702,
- hir evene, v. 3386:
- adv. i. 2819, ii. 175, 3401, v. 75,
- evene liche, iii. 2397, vii. 3033.
- evenynge, see thevenynge.
- evere, adv. P. 38, 335, i. 1641,
- for evere, ii. 1581,
- evere in on, i. 1795.
- everich, pron. vi. 171, each one.
- everich, a. see every.
- evermore, everemore, adv. i. 1330, ii. 442,
- evermor, everemor, P. 980, i. 34, v. 671, PP. 138,
- everemo, i. 1381, iv. 3590,[Pg 586]
- evermo, i. 1852, (evere mo, viii. 3004*),
- for everemo, i. 1161, vii. 3843.
- every, pron.a. P. 28, i. 1202, (everi, PP. 199),
- everich (everych) on, ii. 2020, vii. 1305, 4419;
- cp. everychon.
- everychon, everichon, pron. i. 246, 2103, iv. 714, 1311;
- cp. every.
- everydel, everydiel, s. P. 641, iii. 836, 929;
- adv. P. 828, ii. 1253.
- evidence, s. P. 332, i. 1074, 1160, iv. 3054,
- in evidence, i. 1857, ii. 2678,
- pl. evidences, iv. 2665.
- evident, a. vii. 3859.
- exalacion, s. vii. 330.
- examinacioun, s. ii. 313.
- examine, v.a. iv. 293.
- excede, v.a. i. 541, iv. 3525, v. 247.
- excellence, s. PP. 375.
- excepte, v.a. vii. 2745, accept.
- excercise, s. vi. 532.
- excess, s. v. 4457.
- excessif, a. vii. 2722.
- excitacioun, s. vi. 567.
- excite, v.a. vi. 509, vii. 4276.
- exclude, v.a. viii. 2711.
- excusable, a. i. 1029.
- excusacioun, s. iv. 330, v. 7094*.
- excuse(n), v.a. P. 488, 522, i. 733, 2102, 2723, vi. 121,
- (pp. excusid, viii. 3111), excuse, give as excuse.
- excusement, s. i. 1022.
- excusinge, s. i. 1929.
- execucioun (-on), s. vii. 3081, viii. 1952.
- execut, pp. ii. 1742.
- exil, s. v. 1221, vii. 3012.
- exile, v.a. P. 280, i. 1055, ii. 1845, iii. 2179, v. 862.
- expectant, a. ii. 1712.
- expence, s. vii. 2027.
- experience, s. i. 217, 1073, v. 321,
- thexperience, P. 331.
- expert, a. vii. 27.
- exponde, v.a. P. 663, 823, 873,
- expounde, i. 2867.
- exposicioun (-on), s. i. 2932, iv. 2739.
- expresse, a. v. 3220, viii. 2185.
- expressly, adv. iii. 2331.
- extorcion (-oun), s. v. 5511, vii. 2190, viii. 3015.
- extremite, s. iv. 2489, v. 7641,
- thextremetes, iv. 2565.
- ey, s. i. 2545, vi. 2225, vii. 617, egg.
- eyhte, see eighte.
- eyhtetiene, num. i. 1803, vii. 1025.
- eyther, see either.
- F
- Fa crere, ii. 2122 ff.
- fable, s. P. 864, ii. 2800, v. 1270.
- Fabricius, vii. 2784.
- face, s. P. 130, i. 966, i. 3327.
- facounde, faconde, s. v. 3126, vii. 36, eloquence.
- fade, a. ii. 403, iii. 310, viii. 637, PP. 102:
- adv. i. 2043.
- fade, v.n. ii. 2738, iv. 3454, vii. 3046;
- faded, pp. iv. 3208, vii. 744.
- fader, s. i. 216, &c.,
- fadre, ii. 2519, iii. 1946,
- genit. fader, i. 2557, 3334, ii. 1483, 1625, &c.,
- fadres, iii. 263, vi. 401.
- faderhode, s. iv. 527.
- faie, faye, a. i. 2317, ii. 1019, iv. 1321, v. 3769;
- as subst. v. 4105.
- faierie, s. ii. 964, 1593, v. 5003, 7073.
- faile, v.n. P. 650, i. 896, 1968, iv. 934, 1722,
- faille, iii. 2184, vi. 751,
- failen of, i. 1059.
- faile, s. P. 1032, i. 3113, ii. 2534.
- fain, a. i. 2759, iii. 1666:
- adv. fain wolde, i. 1433, ii. 1415,
- fayn, ii. 491, v. 3789.
- fair, a. i. 362, 779, 1100, 1899,
- (feir, viii. 3010*),
- pl. faire, i. 353;
- comp. fairer, fairere, ii. 1247, v. 4810;
- superl. def. i. 767, 1804.
- faire, adv. P. 600, i. 1131, 3415.
- faiterie, s. i. 179, false pretence.
- faitour, s. i. 174, 689.
- fal, fall, s. P. 336, ii. 227, v. 4950.
- fallas, s. i. 645, iv. 2509, vii. 2186.
- falle(n), v.n. P. 372, 528, 972, i. 39, 683, v. 3654,
- 3 s. pres. falth, P. 545, i. 24,
- falleth, v. 5485,
- pret. fel, fell, P. 619, 692, i. 761, ii. 2160,
- pl. felle(n), P. 782, i. 2083,
- subj. felle, i. 3151, vii. 4253.
- fals, a. i. 3063,
- def. fals, P. 739, i. 680, ii. 404,
- false, i. 1107, ii. 824,
- voc. false, iii. 1252,
- pl. false, i. 871,
- as subst. v. 7392;
- superl. falseste, v. 6047:
- adv., false tunged, ii. 1750.
- false(n), v.a.n. ii. 2150, v. 5182, violate, break faith.
- falshed, falshede, falshiede, s. i. 1009, ii. 857, 1692, v. 927, 2956,
- falshod(e), ii. 1755, v. 6012, vii. 1533.
- falsly, adv. ii. 1280, 2765,
- falsliche, v. 5920.
- falssemblant, s. ii. 1876 ff.
- falswitnesse, s. v. 2863 ff.
- falte, s. vi. 286, want.
- fame, s. P. 100, i. 1415, 2412, iii. 1019.
- familier, a. vii. 3147.[Pg 587]
- famine, famyne, s. iii. 2268, v. 4284, viii. 551.
- famous, a. iii. 2373, v. 7125*.
- fantasie, s. ii. 1408, iii. 126, v. 441,
- pl. fantasies, ii. 2898.
- fantosme, s. v. 5011, vii. 2589.
- fare, v.n. P. 646, i. 110, 1976, ii. 2040,
- 2 s.pres. farst, iv. 626,
- 3 s.pres. farth, iii. 1079, vii. 1288,
- fareth, iv. 244,
- pret. ferde, i. 97, 910, ii. 111,
- ferd, viii. 2445,
- pp. ferd, i. 445,
- fare(n), iii. 2692, v. 3797, viii. 1555 f.,
- imperat. fare (wel), iii. 305, iv. 1378,
- (cp. farewel),
- pres.p. (wel) farende, v. 3381.
- fare, s. i. 2291, iv. 440, v. 1379, 1611, 1987, doing, condition, business.
- farewel, v. 4218, vi. 1654,
- farwel, v. 7758.
- fast, a. iv. 903.
- faste, adv. P. 370, i. 473, 984, 2302,
- fast, vii. 3325:
- als faste, i. 414, 474, quickly;
- fast aslepe, ii. 2870;
- faste, ii. 1089, close,
- faste by, i. 897, ii. 756, iv. 666,
- cp. fasteby.
- faste, s. vi. 850.
- faste, v.n. i. 660, ii. 244, iv. 814.
- fasteby, adv. vi. 1993, vii. 4758;
- cp. faste, adv.
- fastnen, v.n. v. 3598.
- fat, a. P. 474, v. 1947,
- pl. fatte, iv. 1310.
- fate, s. v. 1159.
- faucon, s. iii. 2430, vii. 1842.
- Faunus, v. 6833 ff.
- favorable, a. ii. 1697, iv. 443, vii. 3976, partial, favourable.
- favour, s. vii. 2789, 2844.
- favoure, v.n. iv. 2254;
- v.a. v. 5328.
- faye, see faie.
- Februer, vii. 1234.
- fecche, v.a. vii. 5010:
- cp. fette.
- fede, v.a. and refl. P. 466, i. 2823,
- fiede, v. 2009,
- feede, vi. 632,
- pret. fedde, i. 2830, 5301,
- pp. fedd, fed, ii. 244, v. 1719, vi. 792.
- Fedra, v. 5395, 5481,
- Phedra, viii. 2514.
- fee, s. viii. 543, property;
- pl. fees, i. 53, iv. 1096, wages.
- feer, see ferr.
- feere, feerful, see fere, ferful.
- feigne, v.a.n. P. 416, i. 166, 595, 1103, 2197, ii. 654, v. 928 (refl.),
- (feyne, P. 60*, feine, PP. 312),
- pp. feigned, i. 797, 1084, v. 3051 (disguised), vii. 3539.
- feihte(n), v.n. P. 1020, i. 1427, ii. 2177, iv. 1674,
- feighte, iv. 2081, 2111,
- fihte, fyhte, P. 215, iii. 1648, iv. 1508, v. 1475,
- (fighte, PP. 251),
- pret. foghte, iii. 2651, iv. 2095,
- fawht, v. 5360.
- feint, a. i. 1217, v. 4351,
- def. feinte, v. 6945,
- pl. feinte, iv. 118, false, sluggish, faint.
- feintise, s. i. 175, feigning.
- feir, see fair.
- feire, s. P. 454, i. 301, ii. 3067, v. 565, fair.
- feith, s. P. 237, i. 707, 2216;
- in good feith, i. 727, iv. 665;
- make his feith (give his assurance), v. 2897, 2924.
- felaschipe, s. P. 1015, i. 1163, ii. 326, iv. 1958,
- felaschip, ii. 1217.
- felawe, s. P. 795, i. 1244, 3042, ii. 2031, 2366,
- felaw, ii. 333, vii. 2292,
- felawh, ii. 1965,
- fela, ii. 318, v. 2420, fellow, sharer, equal.
- feld, s. P. 838, i. 2469, ii. 1838, 2593, v. 5964,
- field, iv. 1832, 2091, 2377, v. 3745, field, battle.
- fele, a.pl. iii. 828, v. 208;
- as subst. iv. 1069, v. 6970, many.
- felicite, s. i. 206, vii. 933.
- fell, a. i. 68, iii. 2655,
- pl. felle, v. 2744, cruel.
- fell, s. v. 3816, 4243, skin.
- felle (1), see fille.
- felle (2), v.a. i. 2903, ii. 2298, fell.
- felonie, s. ii. 215, 884, iii. 336, iv. 3580.
- feloun, a. vii. 1123, viii. 1393.
- felt, felte, see fiele.
- felthe, s. ii. 422, filth.
- femele, a. as subst. iv. 1301, vii. 4215.
- femeline, a. v. 5550.
- Feminee, iv. 2140, v. 2548.
- fend, s. ii. 705, v. 1582, 4885, vii. 5335, fiend.
- fenele, s. vii. 1327, fennel.
- fennes, s.pl. viii. 160, fens.
- fer, a. see ferr.
- fer, s. see fyr.
- ferde, ferd, see fare.
- fere, s. (1), P. 57*, i. 462, 1439, 2205, ii. 46, iii. 1524, v. 5676,
- feere, ii. 696, iii. 1396, fear.
- fere, s. (2), see fiere.
- fere, feere, v.a. ii. 578, fear;
- refl. feere, iii. 454, be afraid.
- ferforth, adv. P. 29*, i. 2690, ii. 1596, iv. 2139.
- ferforthli, adv. ii. 77, viii. 1229.
- ferful (1), feerful, a. iv. 360, v. 1860, vii. 306, 3561.
- ferke, v.a. viii. 603, convey.
- ferme, ferm, a. vii. 3175, viii. 1109.
- ferr, fer, feer, a. P. 261, i. 2378, iii. 68, v. 1507, vii. 311,[Pg 588]
- def. ferre, iii. 1901, far, distant:
- adv. P. 565, i. 1042, 1313, iii. 878, iv. 831, 931,
- feer, i. 570;
- compar. ferre, iii. 71:
- a ferr, i. 2335, iii. 1039,
- afer, v. 318.
- ferst, a.,
- def. ferste, i. 580, ii. 1307, 1676,
- (firste, v. 7017*, PP. 198),
- ferst, iii. 27,
- ate ferste, P. 522, iv. 895:
- adv. P. 198, i. 998,
- ferste, iv. 2601, vii. 1530,
- (first, viii. 3082).
- ferthe, a.,
- def. ii. 1875, iv. 2482, PP. 1, fourth.
- ferthest, adv. iv. 13.
- fest, s. ii. 468, fist.
- feste, s. i. 2499, iv. 1483, v. 1018.
- fet, s. viii. 2415, deed, feat.
- fethere, s. iv. 107,
- pl. fetheres, fethers, iv. 1049, v. 6204, 6209.
- fethrebed, s. iv. 3020.
- fette(n), v.a. i. 2548, iv. 646, viii. 1413,
- pret. fette, v. 2779,
- pp. fet, fett, i. 2549, ii. 2686, iv. 1851, fetch, get.
- feture, s. iv. 380, v. 2598, viii. 2977,
- pl. fetures, vii. 4877, feature, make.
- fewe, a.pl. P. 22, i. 1424,
- as subst. iv. 2614;
- a fewe, ii. 1507, iv. 1286.
- fieble, a. P. 887, iii. 269, iv. 1392,
- (feble, viii. 3127),
- sup. fieblest, vii. 4296;
- as subst. P. 615.
- fieble, v.a. vi. 373.
- fieblesce, s. ii. 2272.
- fiede, see fede.
- fiedinge, s. vi. 746, 941.
- field, see feld.
- fieldwode, s. v. 4039, see note.
- fiele, v.a.n. ii. 3015, iii. 2730, v. 1043,
- pret. felte, i. 2497,
- felt, viii. 2165,
- pp. felt, i. 210, feel, think.
- fielinge, s. P. 951, vi. 344.
- fierce, see fiers.
- fiere, ii. 349, companion;
- in fiere, in fere, i. 993, ii. 710, viii. 1753, together.
- fiers, a. vii. 899,
- pl. fierce, v. 3517.
- fievere, s. v. 464 ff., 5995.
- fieverous, a. v. 589.
- fifte, a.def. ii. 2320, vii. 611.
- fiftene, num. vii. 1304.
- fight, s. PP. 68.
- figure, s. P. 620, i. 1530, iv. 2563,
- pl. figures, P. 918.
- figure, v.a. vii. 1016, 1032, shape, figure.
- fihte, fyhte, see feihte.
- fille, felle, s. iii. 2609, v. 255, 1680, fill.
- fille, felle, v.a. ii. 3448, v. 2205, vi. 590, viii. 34, fill.
- fin, a. P. 606, vi. 1891,
- pl. fine, v. 1548,
- fyne, iv. 2554.
- a fin, iv. 60, at last:
- cp. afyn.
- final, a. P. 982, i. 1647, iii. 1816,
- (fynal, viii. 3088*),
- in final, viii. 3106.
- finali, finaly, adv. i. 1956, ii. 1050, iii. 75, v. 595.
- finde, fynde, v.a. P. 94, 572, iii. 2056,
- 3 s.pres. fint, fynt, ii. 394, 2129, iv. 3403,
- pret. fond, i. 113, 2337, v. 2690, vii. 3300,
- pl. founde(n), P. 812, i. 1109,
- pp. founde(n), i. 2299, v. 6814, vi. 633; find, invent, provide.
- finger, s. iv. 653, v. 7118*,
- finger ende, vi. 1064,
- pl. fingres, iv. 1177.
- fire, v. see fyre.
- firmament, s. P. 959, iv. 1032.
- firy, see fyri.
- fissh, fissch, s. vi. 1264,
- pl. fisshes, i. 491, ii. 3456, iii. 957.
- fisshere, s. iii. 956, viii. 646.
- five, see fyve.
- fixacion (-oun), s. iv. 2520, 2574.
- flacke, v.n. viii. 1196, flutter.
- flamme, s. P. 345, v. 3508.
- flaterende, pres.p. as a. vii. 2652.
- flaterie, s. vii. 2168 ff., 2515 ff.
- flatour, s. vii. 2179 ff., 2330*.
- fle, flen (1), v.a.n. P. 203, i. 1223, 1701, iii. 600, iv. 1990,
- flee, ii. 3161, vii. 3528,
- pret. fledde, i. 2636, ii. 152,
- pp. fledd, vii. 3570; escape, flee, avoid.
- fle (2), v.n. iv. 1050, vi. 2225,
- 3 s.pres. fleth, i. 1727, ii. 151, iii. 2430,
- fleith, i. 2673,
- pret. flyh, flih, iii. 2108, v. 6206,
- subj. flyhe, vii. 358,
- pp. flowe(n), v. 3750, 6129; fly.
- fle (3), v.a. v. 4692, flay.
- flees, s. v. 46, 3272.
- Flegeton, v. 1109.
- fleisschly, fleisshly (-li), fleysshly, a. vii. 4211, 4237, 4348, 4395,
- flesshly, v. 6402*.
- fleissh, s. i. 2235, v. 1940,
- fleisch, i. 1531,
- flessh, v. 6395* ff.
- flete, s. ii. 1134, iii. 1036, fleet.
- flete, v.n. iii. 1628, vi. 335,
- flietende, iv. 3083, float.
- fleume, s. vii. 414, 451.
- flihte, see flyhte.
- flint, s. v. 4692.
- flitte, v.a.n. v. 7076, vii. 2902,
- flitt, iv. 214, move, turn aside.
- flock, s. P. 391, 421.
- flod, s. i. 364, ii. 719, v. 1605, viii. 79,
- pl. flodes, P. 1013.[Pg 589]
- flor, s. iv. 2785, v. 4148, viii. 1855, floor, ground.
- Florent, i. 1411 ff.
- florin, s. v. 335, 2410, vii. 2095.
- flour, s. i. 3261, v. 278,
- pl. floures, P. 937, viii. 2943*.
- floure, v.n. v. 4144, 7626.
- flowe, v.n. P. 39*, 933, ii. 1881.
- flyh, see fle (2).
- flyhte, flihte, s. iv. 1055, 2342,
- flyht, iv. 1058, v. 5975.
- fo, s. ii. 3354, iii. 284, iv. 3408;
- as a. v. 7252.
- fode, s. i. 2975, ii. 87, v. 325,
- foode, vi. 846.
- fol, a. i. 442, 2269,
- fool, vi. 569, vii. 4271, foolish.
- fol, s. i. 2214, ii. 3248, iv. 3347, vii. 3953 ff.,
- foll, i. 1967,
- fool, vi. 19,
- pl. foles, iv. 625, v. 322,
- fooles, vi. 535; fool.
- folde, s. P. 390, 439, ii. 3055, fold: v. 2784, embrace.
- fole, s. viii. 2407, foal.
- folhaste, s. iii. 1430 ff., 2735,
- folhast, iii. 1096.
- folhastif, a. iii. 1635, 1795, vii. 899.
- folhastifnesse, s. vii. 435.
- folie, s. i. 520, 2357, iii. 141.
- folk, s. P. 467, i. 2033, ii. 1770, iii. 185.
- folwe, v.a.n. P. 443, i. 261,
- 3 s.pres. folweth, ii. 3503,
- folwith, iv. 671, PP. 23.
- fom, s. iv. 1666, v. 4008, vi. 1469.
- foman, s. v. 6418*,
- pl. fomen, i. 2877, iv. 1523,
- foomen, vii. 3334*.
- fonde, v.a.n. P. 62, 80*, i. 3198, ii. 929, iv. 3109, v. 1421, attempt, try.
- fonge, v.a. ii. 2558, iii. 1111, iv. 2294, take.
- for, prep. P. 16, i. 844, 1683, ii. 1856, iv. 1090 f.,
- for al that &c., i. 192, 1055, iii. 334, vii. 2677:
- cp. fore.
- for, conj. P. 12, 40, i. 598, 1012, 1466,
- for that, P. 22, i. 1784, since, because, in order that.
- forbere, v.a. i. 244, 1602, 3119, 3163, ii. 538, 1768, iii. 138, 411, 754, 2321, iv. 1496, 2344, v. 6309;
- v.n. i. 1279, iii. 754, v. 563: leave out, spare, prevent, forbear, avoid.
- forbiede, v.a.n. v. 394,
- god forbiede &c., ii. 3064, iii. 1121,
- god forbede, iii. 477,
- pret. forbad, v. 1636,
- pp. forbede, i. 3408, iii. 2253.
- forblowe(n), pp. ii. 25, viii. 1402, blown about.
- forboght, pp. ii. 1573, bought off.
- forcacche, v.a. P. 409, drive out.
- forcast, pp. v. 1193, cast away.
- forde, s. ii. 2166, vii. 1236, ford.
- fordo, v.a. P. 326, i. 2415, ii. 3172,
- pp. fordo, v. 7576, destroy.
- fordrive, v.a.pp. viii. 1636, driven about.
- fore, adv., come fore, travaile fore, &c., iv. 1723, v. 3345, viii. 992.
- forebode, s. v. 6053, prohibition.
- forein, a. iii. 5, v. 973, vii. 2975, far removed.
- forest, s. i. 351, 1528, 2292, iii. 324.
- forestempne, s. iii. 994, man at the prow (?).
- foretokne, s. i. 2812.
- foreward, s. iii. 507, v. 7004, engagement.
- forfare, pp. i. 109, worn out (with travel).
- forfet, s. iii. 1798, vii. 2721, 4583, transgression, forfeit.
- forfete, v.a. v. 5477.
- forfeture, forsfaiture, iii. 1500, v. 780, 1764, 4214, offence, punishment.
- forge, s. i. 1088, v. 963, workmanship, forge.
- forge, v.a. i. 1087, iv. 237, vi. 1958.
- forgnawe, pp. iii. 1406, gnawed to pieces.
- forgon, v.a. v. 7284, go without.
- forjugge, v.a. vii. 3171*, condemn.
- forlete, v.a.pp. vii. 584, viii. 1434, abandoned, left alone.
- forlie, v.a.,
- 3 s.pres. forlith, PP. 108,
- pret. forlai, forlay, iii. 2031, v. 802, viii. 215,
- forlih, viii. 300,
- pp. forlein, forlain, iii. 198, 2276, v. 3189; lie with, violate.
- forlore, v.a.pp. i. 2947, ii. 1242, v. 2825,
- forlorn, v. 1882, lost.
- forme, s. P. 53*, 871, i. 576, 1339, 2670, ii. 2473, iv. 2211, v. 1872,
- pl. formes, iv. 2501.
- forme, v.a. ii. 1012, 3245.
- formel, a. vii. 157.
- Foroneüs, vii. 3060.
- fors, s.,
- no fors, v. 7720, no matter.
- forsake, v.a. P. 166, i. 1012, iii. 680, iv. 1592,
- 3 s.pres. forsakth, ii. 2450,
- forsok, iii. 2031,
- pl. forsoke(n), P. 809, i. 611,
- imperat. forsak, vii. 3675,
- pp. forsake, i. 210, 3128, ii. 157; deny, give up, avoid, desert.
- forschape, v.a. iv. 2108,
- pret. forschop, i. 370, 1846,
- pl. forschope, vi. 1446,
- pp. forschape, i. 416, iii. 377, transform.
- forsfaiture, see forfeture.
- forsfet, pp. ii. 1039.
- forslowthen, v.a. iv. 2319, v. 1887, neglect by sloth.[Pg 590]
- forsmite, pp. viii. 1000, smitten (to death).
- forstormed, pp. ii. 25, viii. 1402, driven by storms.
- forsueie, v.n. i. 1028, vii. 3928, 5369, go wrong.
- forswere, v.a. v. 2870,
- pp. forswore, ii. 875, v. 3229.
- forth, adv. (of place) i. 826, iv. 799, vii. 4362, (of time) P. 818, i. 949, v. 1724,
- forth therupon, i. 2503,
- forth after, iii. 2103,
- forth over, i. 3431,
- forth riht, ii. 1270;
- forth (= continually), P. 931,
- axeth forth (go on asking) i. 2668,
- dryve forth, P. 374, spend (time):
- as prep. forth with, P. 680, i. 680, 2936, ii. 927, 1479, iii. 310,
- forthwith, ii. 699, 1034, together with, with;
- forth withal, ii. 791.
- forth, s. i. 3314, course.
- forthbringe, v.a. vii. 2213,
- pp. forthbroght, v. 1257.
- forthdrawe, v.a. v. 330,
- pp. forthdrawe, ii. 1395, 2697, iv. 471, 1569, 1616,
- (forth drawe, viii. 3060), draw out, bring forth, bring up, breed.
- forthdrawere, s. iv. 3381, breeder.
- forthdrawinge, s. v. 1021, breeding.
- forthenke, v.a. iii. 2614;
- impers. iii. 139, 630,
- pret. forthoghte, ii. 796, 2398: repent; it repents (me), it is displeasing.
- forther(e), adv. see furthere.
- forthermor(e), see furthermor(e).
- forthest, a. i. 1199, ii. 3150:
- cp. furthere.
- forthferde, v.n.pret. i. 98, went forth.
- forthgon, v.n. iv. 1850.
- forthi, adv. P. 5, i. 1638,
- (forthy, viii. 3152,
- for thi, viii. 2950*), therefore:
- noght forthi, i. 1901, ii. 398, nevertheless.
- forthren, v.a. ii. 2045, vi. 353.
- forthrere, s. vii. 804.
- forthriht, adv. v. 7118*, straight.
- forthringe, s. ii. 661, 2048, vii. 2957, furtherance.
- forthrowe, pp. viii. 1154, thrown about.
- forthwith, adv. ii. 359, 1204, v. 643, at once, moreover:
- prep. see forth.
- forto, P. 31, 208, i. 804, &c.,
- for to, P. 209, 339.
- fortrede, v.a.,
- pp. fortrode, v. 6054, tread to death.
- fortunat, a. vii. 917.
- fortune, s. P. 70, i. 1670, 2625, ii. 1477.
- fortune, v.a. P. 584, i. 1859, iii. 2365, iv. 188, viii. 2549, bring about, deal with, regulate, make fortunate.
- forwacched, pp. v. 5421, wearied with want of sleep.
- forwakid, pp. iv. 404, wearied with want of sleep.
- forwept, pp. iv. 404, worn out with weeping.
- forwhy and, conj. ii. 2025, v. 2563, provided that.
- forworthe, v.n. vi. 280, perish.
- foryete (ȝ), v.a. i. 224, iv. 576,
- 3 s.pres. foryet, iv. 544,
- pret. foryat, iv. 654,
- imperat. foryet, viii. 2434,
- pp. foryete(n), P. 311, i. 2015, v. 5239;
- v.n. i. 3426.
- foryetel (ȝ), a. vii. 415, forgetful.
- foryetelnesse (ȝ), s. iv. 541, 629.
- foryifte (ȝ), s. viii. 2896, forgiveness.
- foryive (ȝ), v.a.n. i. 2384, iii. 898, iv. 3427, vii. 4071,
- pp. foryive, i. 2253, 3334,
- foryove, i. 2136, forgive, give.
- foryivenesse (ȝ), s. iv. 3491, vi. 2213.
- fostre, v.a. P. 326, ii. 437.
- fostringe, s. vii. 2174.
- fot, s. P. 357, i. 2053, 2539,
- under fote, P. 117, iii. 1167,
- under foote, vii. 3335*,
- on fote, v. 1664,
- at his fot, iii. 233,
- pl. feet, P. 612, i. 2300;
- fot hot, iv. 3350.
- foul, foughl, s. see fowhl.
- foul, a. i. 1532,
- def. foule, i. 1734, iii. 2252,
- pl. iii. 431, vi. 573;
- compar. foulere, i. 1759;
- sup. the fouleste, i. 1718.
- foule, adv. v. 5708.
- founde, v.a. P. 289, 824, ii. 3476, viii. 1994,
- 3 pl.pret. foundeden, v. 904.
- foundement, s. vii. 703, 4197.
- foundour, s. v. 1002.
- foure, num. ii. 1037, iv. 2464, vii. 2371,
- fowre, iv. 2477.
- fourtenyht, s. iv. 1418.
- fourtiene, num. i. 3134, viii. 1539.
- fourty, num. iv. 1563.
- fowhl, foughl, foul, s. iii. 2605, v. 7072, vii. 140,
- pl. fowhles, foules, iii. 2601, iv. 1298, v. 1025.
- fox, s. ii. 3033,
- pl. foxes, iv. 1836.
- France, P. 747, ii. 2966, 3011 ff., vii. 770.
- franchise, s. P. 761, ii. 3483, iii. 2699,
- (fraunchise, viii. 3023), freedom, privilege, liberality.
- franchised, pp. ii. 3263, privileged.
- fraternite, s. v. 1775.[Pg 591]
- fraude, s. ii. 2151, 3046, iii. 1068.
- fre, a. i. 752, 1930, ii. 2112, iii. 2236, v. 4728 (liberal):
- adv. ii. 3253.
- frede, v.a. iv. 3511,
- pret. fredde, v. 7167, feel.
- Frederik, v. 2392.
- freissh, freyssh, a. i. 779, iv. 1362,
- def. freisshe, fresshe, i. 3353, iii. 1390, v. 6736,
- freissh, vii. 5000,
- pl. freisshe, freysshe, i. 353, 2355;
- comp. freisshere, vi. 768.
- freissh, adv. viii. 2487.
- frele, a. i. 773, viii. 289, 834, frail.
- frely, adv. v. 2847,
- freliche, v. 4769.
- frend, s. iii. 274, vii. 1574 f.,
- pl. frendes, i. 992, 2147.
- frended, pp. viii. 1964.
- frendliche, adv. vii. 4920.
- frendlihede (-hiede), s. iii. 946, v. 4755.
- frendly, frendlich, a. i. 2423, v. 4833, viii. 2173.
- frendschipe, s. ii. 2179, 2461,
- frenschipe, iii. 1060.
- frenesie, s. iii. 210, v. 848.
- Frensche, a.def. P. 770;
- subst. pl. Frensche, ii. 2993.
- frere, s. vi. 138, friar.
- frese, v.n. iv. 613, 1092, vi. 249.
- fressh, see freissh, a.
- frete, v.a., 3 s. pres. fret, vii. 412, consume.
- frette, s. v. 3015, ornament.
- freyne, v.a. v. 7471, question.
- friday, s. v. 81.
- Frigelond, Frige, v. 147, 272.
- Frigidilles, iv. 2408.
- Frixus, v. 4254 ff.
- fro, prep. P. 169, i. 395, 2895,
- mi ladi fro, iv. 558,
- cp. v. 3639,
- from, v. 6250:
- adv. P. 569, i. 457, 1791, iv. 2877.
- froise, s. iv. 2732, pancake.
- fronce, see frounce.
- front, frount, s. i. 1685, iv. 1349, v. 6305, forehead.
- frosen, (pp.) a. vi. 245.
- frost, s. vii. 282, viii. 2851.
- frosti, a. vii. 1205.
- frounce, fronce, s. ii. 392, vi. 770, vii. 1594, wrinkle, obstruction.
- frounce (up), v.a. i. 1589, wrinkle.
- froward, prep. P. 863, away from.
- fruit, s. i. 2822, v. 278,
- fruyt, v. 374.
- fuisoune, v.a. viii. 1992, supply in abundance.
- fulfille, v.a. i. 856, 1290, v. 256,
- pret. fulfelde, v. 1246,
- pp. fulfild, i. 895, ii. 909,
- fulfilt, viii. 2211;
- v.n. vii. 1584: fill, perform; suffice.
- fulgrowe, a. i. 2818.
- fulhard, a. viii. 2777.
- full, a. P. 399, 558,
- ful, P. 89, ii. 598,
- def. fulle, iv. 3705,
- full, i. 1629,
- pl. fulle, v. 822, 2204.
- full, ful, adv. P. 451, 787, i. 1171, 1178, ii. 607.
- fulle, s. ii. 2826, iv. 948, 2896.
- fully, fulli, adv. i. 1292, 2047, 2769,
- fulliche, i. 1757, ii. 1326,
- fullich, iii. 2661.
- fulmanye, a. viii. 2408, very many.
- fulofte, adv. P. 507, &c.,
- fullofte, i. 662,
- fulofte tyme, i. 1382,
- cp. iii. 41,
- ful ofte, P. 463,
- full ofte, ii. 2330.
- fulsore, adv. vii. 3153*.
- fulwoful, a. i. 3000.
- fulwonne, v.a.pp. vii. 736, fully won.
- funke, s. vi. 512, spark.
- furgh, s. iv. 1846, v. 3527, furrow, (furlong).
- furlong, s. v. 1991.
- furred, a. i. 627.
- further(e), adv. i. 105, 2447, ii. 78, iii. 81,
- forther(e), ii. 1191, iii. 2747, vii. 3648.
- furthermor(e), forthermor, adv. ii. 626, 1164, iii. 942, iv. 2858,
- forthere mor, iii. 885.
- fy, interj. i. 616, iv. 610.
- fyf, see fyve.
- fyhte, see feihte.
- fynde, see finde.
- fyne, v.a. iv. 2456, refine.
- fyne, a. see fin.
- fyr, s. P. 344, ii. 164,
- on fyre, iii. 16,
- be the fyr, iv. 2724,
- fer, iii. 694,
- pl. fyres, iii. 1039.
- fyrdrake, s. vii. 323, fiery dragon.
- fyre, s. ii. 150, bolt (of a crossbow).
- fyre, fire, v.a. P. 222, i. 1174, ii. 2946, iv. 2088, viii. 2775, set on fire.
- fyri, firy, a. i. 144, 2002, iv. 1020, 1274.
- fyve, five, num. i. 296, 545, 2163,
- fyf, vii. 1706.
- G
- gabbe, v.n. ii. 1937, lie.
- Gabie, vii. 4621 ff.
- Gabiens, pl. vii. 4612 ff.
- gadre, v.a. v. 1287, 3999;
- pres. part. gaderende,
- v.n. iii. 858.
- gaignage, s. iii. 2347, harvest.
- Galahot, viii. 2502.
- Galathe(e), ii. 108 ff.[Pg 592]
- Galba, vi. 538, 563.
- galeie, s. ii. 2543, v. 3915, vii. 3300, viii. 513.
- galle, s. iii. 703, v. 1481, vi. 341, vii. 461 ff.
- galled, pp. iv. 1344.
- game, s. P. 462, i. 1542, ii. 269, iii. 44, viii. 678, 2931, 3087*,
- gamen, i. 347, v. 6314, viii. 680,
- diverse game, vi. 1849,
- in game, ii. 528, iii. 549,
- on pure g., iii. 733,
- a game, viii. 2319.
- gamme, s. vii. 172, scale (of music).
- gan, see ginne.
- gape, v.n. vii. 3320.
- gardin, s. i. 3144, vii. 2279.
- garlandes, s.pl. viii. 2467.
- garnement, s. i. 2510, v. 7189*.
- gaspe, v.n. v. 3975, 4064.
- gastly (-li), a. v. 2745, 5062, vii. 4721, fearful.
- gate, s. P. 439, i. 299, 2134, iv. 1001, v. 3329 f., vii. 3313*,
- gate tre, iv. 3593; gate, way.
- gaudes, s.pl. viii. 2906.
- gay, a. i. 2704, v. 3106.
- Gayus Caligula, viii. 202.
- Gayus Fabricius, vii. 2784.
- geant, s. ii. 155, 2167, iv. 2075,
- pl. geantz, v. 1091.
- Geber, iv. 2608.
- Gebuz, vii. 1463.
- Gedeon, vii. 3633 ff.
- Gelboë, iv. 1952.
- Gemini, vii. 1031 ff., 1267.
- generacion, s. iv. 2227.
- general, a. P. 384, ii. 2804, 3084, v. 1700,
- in general, P. 431, i. 1502.
- Genesi, v. 1602, viii. 42.
- genitals, s.pl. v. 855.
- Genius, i. 196, iv. 2771, vii. 1, viii. 2306, 2809, 2893.
- gentil, a. P. 61*, i. 2665, ii. 1180, iv. 206, 2223,
- gentile, v. 2713, viii. 2294:
- s. the gentils, iv. 2199, v. 1271.
- gentilesse, -esce, s. i. 1436, 1721, iii. 2699, iv. 2202,
- gentillesse, viii. 730.
- geomance, vi. 1295, divination by earth.
- geometrie, s. vii. 151.
- Geptes, pl. i. 2466.
- gerarchie, s. vii. 1773, rule.
- gerdil, s. v. 6866.
- gere, s. i. 1996, v. 2984, 3663.
- gert, pp. v. 3965.
- gesse, s. i. 1889, vii. 3548,
- al to gesses, v. 840,
- withoute gesses, v. 1136.
- gesse, v.a.n. P. 64, i. 896, iv. 282, 881, vi. 1592.
- gest, s.,
- pl. gestes, v. 493, guest.
- geste, s. v. 5275,
- pl. gestes, v. 6359, vii. 4313, story.
- Geta, Gete, ii. 2477 ff.
- gete(n), v.a. (n.) P. 312, i. 628, 793, iv. 2124,
- get, (inf.) ii. 60,
- 3 s.pres. get, v. 6086,
- pret. gat, i. 3420, iv. 136,
- pp. gete, ii. 977, 1813, get, beget.
- getinge, s. vii. 2309.
- Ghenbal, vi. 1320.
- gibet, s. iii. 2104.
- Gibiere, vi. 1323.
- gilt, see gult.
- ginne, v.n.,
- 3 s.pres. ginth, v. 6010,
- pret. gan, i. 110, 114, 199, &c.,
- pl. gonnen, v. 3764.
- gknawe, see gnawe.
- glad, a. P. 55*, i. 158,
- gladd, v. 495,
- pl. glade, P. 299, i. 1114;
- compar. gladdere, iv. 1543,
- gladder, v. 5373;
- sup. gladdest, vii. 2422.
- glade(n), v.a. i. 2767, iv. 3199;
- v.n. i. 2738, ii. 2737, vi. 1211;
- refl. i. 2532, vii. 2605: gladden; rejoice.
- gladly, adv. ii. 284, 2032.
- gladnesse, s. i. 90, ii. 223, iv. 2784.
- gladschipe, s. i. 3128, ii. 229,
- gladschip, iii. 72.
- glas, s. ii. 1921, v. 2154, mirror.
- glede, s. iii. 39, hot coal.
- glistre, v.n. i. 1137, v. 3734, vii. 815.
- Glodeside, i. 2575 ff.
- gloire, s. P. 262, i. 2677, 2720.
- glorious, s. v. 6815, vii. 890.
- glose, s. i. 271, vii. 2171, comment, flattery.
- glose, v.a. i. 1254, vii. 3786, explain, conceal;
- v.n. v. 6537, vii. 2172, 2531, 3973, flatter, cajole.
- glotonie, s. vi. 543, 1161.
- glotoun, s. v. 1058, 1469.
- glove, s. P. 357, iii. 2154, v. 7047.
- glu, s. v. 3603.
- glyde, v.n. v. 5062, vii. 326,
- pret. glod, v. 3967.
- gnawe, gknawe, v.a.n. ii. 520, vi. 372,
- pp. gnawe, iii. 2014.
- go, gon, v.n. P. 17, 697, i. 1444, 1514, iv. 1583, &c.,
- refl. i. 1619, 2177;
- 3 s.pres. goth, P. 269, i. 933, 1619,
- geth, ii. 1804, 2616, iii. 2300,
- imperat. go, i. 1261,
- go we, i. 1769,
- goth, v. 2343,
- pp. go, gon, P. 132, i. 87,
- (goon, viii. 3033, PP. 102),
- time go, iv. 297,
- go, gon, (= ago), i. 64, ii. 2096.[Pg 593]
- god, s. P. 27, 72, i. 836,
- godd, i. 921, 1903,
- genit. goddes, i. 855,
- godes, i. 2718,
- (goddis, PP. 32),
- pl. goddes, ii. 190.
- goddesse, s. i. 125, iii. 753, v. 839, 1151,
- godesse, i. 235, 369, 805.
- a goddeshalf, v. 4452 (see note),
- cp. v. 5016.
- Godefroi, PP. 283.
- Godelie, vii. 2553.
- godespourveiance, s. PP. 21 (MS.).
- godhede, godhiede, s. P. 192, 498, iii. 2523, v. 1102.
- godward, i. 869.
- gold, s. P. 205, i. 1101, 2537, iii. 1701.
- golde, a. P. 631, v. 6780.
- goldhord, s. v. 2118, hoard of gold.
- goldring, s. ii. 2607, v. 2202.
- gone, v.n. v. 4064, gape.
- good, a. P. 4, 88*, 146, &c.,
- def. goode, P. 459, i. 1257,
- good, i. 2764,
- voc. goode, i. 3147,
- pl. goode, P. 42, i. 2976;
- as subst. v. 3831.
- good, s. P. 249, i. 1183, v. 4926,
- pl. goodes, i. 628, v. 4984, wealth, kindness.
- goode, s. P. 237, i. 1150, 2773, iv. 2369, goodness, advantage.
- goodlihiede, s. iv. 608.
- goodly, goodli, a. i. 152, 2422, 3137, ii. 19,
- goodlych, ii. 2026:
- adv. goodliche, ii. 787,
- goodli, goodly, iv. 152, vii. 5362.
- goodnesse, s. P. 485.
- goodschipe, s. iv. 2173, vi. 1474.
- gore, s. v. 5730, cloak, cover.
- Gorgones, i. 402.
- gorgonza, vii. 1367 (name of a stone).
- goshauk, s. iv. 2935, v. 5644.
- gospell, gospel, s. P. 967, iii. 2492, v. 1794.
- gost, s. iv. 574.
- gostly, gostli, a. P. 420, ii. 2818, v. 1948,
- gostliche, v. 1855:
- adv. gostli, v. 1874.
- got, s. vii. 345, 1171, goat.
- governance, s. P. 108, i. 3391, v. 971,
- governaunce, P. 187.
- governe, v.a.n. P. 721, i. 43, 2009, viii. 947,
- refl. i. 2621.
- governour, s. iii. 2729, v. 1016.
- governynge, s. PP. 31.
- Gower, viii. 2321, 2908, PP. 374.
- grace, s. P. 89, i. 732, 859, 1684, 2158, ii. 2630,
- pl. graces, i. 51, grace, favour, pardon.
- gracious, a. i. 137, ii. 562, 3080, v. 409, favourable, kind, favoured.
- gradde, v.n.pret. iii. 1692, v. 5004;
- v.a. vi. 445: cried out, cried out for.
- gramaire, s. vii. 1528 ff.
- grame, s. iii. 48, 734, trouble.
- grant, graunt, s. i. 793, 1449, ii. 1505, v. 969, permission, gift.
- grantdame, s. i. 1445.
- grante(n), v.a.n. P. 92, i. 1828, 2597,
- graunte, ii. 1463, viii. 3110*.
- grant merci (-y), i. 1832, 1902, ii. 2313, 3366, thanks.
- grape, s. v. 1230, viii. 2849.
- gras, s. i. 352, 2844, vii. 1306,
- grass, vii. 289,
- pl. grases, i. 2976, grass, herb.
- grase, v.n. i. 2974.
- grave, s. i. 1838, ii. 1525.
- grave(n), v.a.pp. i. 555, iii. 2078, iv. 3672, engraved, buried.
- gravel, s. v. 311.
- Grece, P. 717, i. 1108, ii. 1644, iii. 1828, 2310, 2547, iv. 1872, v. 817, 1337, 1560, 1592, 3247, 3359, 3685, 3902, 3927, 4022, 4249, 7199 ff., vii. 887, viii. 2515, 2631, 2706.
- Grecs, see Grek.
- grede, see gradde.
- gredi, a. v. 2006.
- gredily, adv. v. 2240,
- griedili, v. 2017.
- (greede, v.n. v. 394*, desire.)
- Gregeis, a. v. 3311:
- cp. Gregois.
- Gregoire, P. 284, 945, v. 1746 ff., 1901, 6396*.
- Gregois, s. iv. 2401, Greek (language),
- pl. Gregois, Gregeis, i. 1117, 1162, iii. 970 ff., 1759, iv. 1819, 2147, v. 3074, 3753, 3778, 7580, vii. 3059, Greeks:
- cp. Grek.
- greie, greye, a.pl. v. 2473, 6305, vii. 4418.
- grein, s. P. 320, ii. 3310, v. 1885, vi. 770, grain, condition.
- greine, v.n. v. 823, 7626, bear corn, ripen.
- Grek, s. iv. 2627, Greek (language), vi. 1314, viii. 2544;
- pl. Greks, Grecs, P. 696, i. 1080, ii. 1807, iii. 1889 ff., 2677, iv. 1699, v. 1056 ff., 1304 ff., 3148, 7356,
- Grekes, v. 1365, 1455, 3355.
- grene, a. P. 935, i. 113, 778, ii. 496, vii. 4618, 5040,
- greene, iv. 1491, 2309, green, fresh.
- grene, s. i. 682, 2348,
- griene, iv. 3325, green field;
- greene, vii. 1168, greenness.
- gret, a. P. 226, iv. 1837,
- grete, iv. 453, v. 5737,
- def. grete, P. 748, ii. 588,
- pl. P. 78, i. 2683;
- as subst. i. 3365;
- compar. grettere, iv. 1459,
- gretere, vi. 2219;
- sup. greteste, ii. 599.
- grete, v., see griete.[Pg 594]
- gretli, gretly, adv. P. 164, ii. 2834, iii. 1321.
- grevable, a. iv. 309, grievous.
- grevance, s. i. 1308, 1500, ii. 1657, iii. 296,
- grievance, vi. 969, harm, grief.
- greve, s. v. 4015, v. 5965, grove.
- greven, v., see grieve.
- grevous, a. v. 469, vii. 3258.
- griedili, see gredily.
- grief, s. ii. 210, iii. 2724.
- griete, v.a. v. 5583,
- 3 s.pres. gret, vi. 1742,
- pret. grette, vii. 4520,
- imperat. griet, i. 2433,
- gret, viii. 2941*, greet.
- grietinge, s. i. 2425.
- grievance, see grevance.
- grieve, greve(n), v.a.n. P. 283, i. 326, ii. 119, iii. 10, vi. 367;
- impers. P. 1086, i. 2011, ii. 54: hurt, vex, do injury, be vexed.
- grinde, v.a.,
- 3 pl. pret. grounde, iii. 3.
- gripe, s.,
- genit. gripes, i. 2545, griffin.
- grisel, s. viii. 2407.
- grith, iii. 1847, protection.
- grom, s. ii. 3408, servant.
- grone, v.n. iv. 3170, v. 539, vi. 2113.
- grope, v. ii. 3015, v. 103, viii. 2795.
- Grossteste, iv. 234.
- groucche, see grucche.
- ground, s. P. 1062, i. 473, ii. 3432,
- to grounde, i. 119, 2051,
- upon grounde, i. 2300,
- upon the ground, i. 2830,
- fro the grounde, v. 160,
- fro the ground, v. 5702,
- unto the grounde, v. 5007.
- grounded, pp. ii. 1753, iv. 1966, vii. 1433, viii. 1993, based, composed, disposed.
- groundles, a. vii. 4827, bottomless.
- growe, v.n. P. 163, 511, ii. 46, iv. 3006,
- pret.pl. grewe, i. 2084,
- pp. growen, i. 553, iii. 152.
- growinge, s. P. 952.
- grucche, v.n. i. 1264, 1349, v. 545, 4852,
- groucche, vii. 2193, complain.
- grucchinge, s. ii. 2222.
- guide, s. P. 145, 391, ii. 1328.
- guide, guyde, v.a. P. 128, ii. 1884, 7702, direct, carry on.
- guie, guye, v.a. vii. 1673, 1774, viii. 2660.
- guile, s. i. 890, ii. 479,
- (guyle, PP. 308).
- guile, v.a.n. ii. 1915, v. 3204.
- Guilliam de Langharet, ii. 2995.
- guilour, s. vi. 1381, 2015.
- guise, s. i. 2696, 2706, viii. 676, fashion.
- gule, s. vi. 10, 629, gluttony.
- gulion, s. v. 6861, tunic, garment.
- gult, gilt, i. 1880, 3334, ii. 1935, iv. 886, 1223, guilt.
- gulte, v.n. ii. 3294, be guilty.
- gulteles, a. ii. 1702, 2153, iii. 870,
- gylteles, vi. 728.
- gultif, gultyf, a. i. 558, 2448, ii. 873, guilty.
- Gunnore, viii. 2502, Guinevere.
- Gurmond, i. 2466,
- genit. Gurmondes, Gurmoundes, i. 2474 ff.
- guye, see guie.
- gylteles, see gulteles.
- H
- ha, interj. i. 1659, iii. 462,
- ha lord, i. 2207,
- Ha mercy, iii. 225,
- A godd, iv. 3622.
- habit, s. iv. 2575.
- habitable, a. vii. 586.
- Habraham,
- genit. Habrahammes, v. 1628, 1650, vi. 1023 ff., vii. 1473, viii. 98 ff.
- haft, s. iv. 926.
- hail, s. vii. 296.
- hale, v.a.n. ii. 2354, v. 5023, 5431, vii. 273.
- half, halve, s. P. 133, 395, i. 1062, ii. 2787, iii. 1071, iv. 241, side, half;
- a goddes half, v. 5016, in God’s name,
- cp. v. 4452,
- in Cristes halve, PP. 120, for Christ’s sake:
- adv. half, ii. 1955, iv. 1857.
- halfdede, a.pl. vi. 594.
- halfdrunke, a. vi. 58.
- halfwode, a. vi. 513, half mad.
- haliday, s. v. 7058.
- halle, s. i. 2113, 2201, iv. 1325.
- hals, s. v. 2914, neck.
- halsen, v.a. iv. 3074, explain (as an omen).
- halten, v.n. iii. 917, v. 1348,
- pret. haltede, iv. 1345, go lame.
- haltres, s.pl. iv. 1357 ff.
- halve, see half.
- halvendel, s. v. 2109, 4985, half.
- halvinge, halvynge, adv. iv. 1885, viii. 2319, 2397,
- halfvinge, vii. 3398.
- halwe, v.a. v. 7051,
- pp. halwed, v. 7028*.
- hand, see hond.
- handle, v.a. P. 65*, iii. 1956,
- (pp. handlid, PP. 321).
- hange, honge, v.n. i. 1479, 1682, 2181, iii. 1555, 2105, iv. 303,[Pg 595]
- pret. pl. hyngen, iv. 1358;
- v.a. v. 6560,
- pret. hyng, iii. 2181, iv. 860,
- heng, ii. 3094, viii. 2905,
- pl. hinge, v. 1722,
- pp. honged, v. 2811, vi. 1514.
- hansell, s. v. 7160.
- Hanybal, v. 2054, 2198.
- hapne, v.impers. ii. 2234, iii. 2652, iv. 734;
- pers. v. 7831: happen, appear.
- happ, i. 1717, iii. 70,
- hap, i. 67,
- pl. happes, ii. 2547, v. 2249, fortune, chance.
- happe, v.n. v. 2336, viii. 1127;
- impers. ii. 718, iii. 1357:
- cp. hapne.
- happi, a. iv. 367.
- hard, a. P. 640, i. 2330, iv. 3583, v. 452,
- def. harde, i. 2985,
- pl. harde, ii. 3027, iv. 2105;
- superl. hardest, P. 733.
- harde, adv. i. 1050, ii. 1821.
- hardi, hardy, a. ii. 2621, iii. 539, 2404, iv. 161.
- hardiesce(-esse), s. iv. 2015, 2088, vii. 1861.
- hardinesse, s. iv. 1966.
- hardnesse, s. iv. 2495, 2557.
- hare, s. P. 1061, iv. 2720, vii. 3776.
- harm, s. P. 344, ii. 370, iii. 757, v. 716,
- pl. harmes, iv. 881, v. 3360.
- harme, v.a. vii. 1135, 4354.
- harneis, s. v. 3109, vi. 1652, vii. 3326*, suit of armour, trappings.
- harpe, s. P. 1055, iv. 2418, viii. 758.
- harpe, v. P. 1073, v. 922, viii. 1670.
- haste, s. P. 650, i. 2201, ii. 1542.
- haste(n), v.n. ii. 1541, iii. 1652, iv. 290;
- refl. i. 2302, ii. 1831;
- v.a. iii. 1656, 1723, v. 3342.
- hastely, adv. v. 4044.
- hastifesse, s. v. 1482.
- hastihiede, s. v. 3532.
- hastyf, hastif, a. iv. 1629, v. 6286.
- hat, s. ii. 1872.
- hate, s. P. 128, i. 1844, iii. 285.
- hate(n), v.a. P. 927, 997, i. 2454, iii. 935.
- hatte, v. see hote.
- hauberk, s. v. 3170.
- hauk, s. i. 2672, v. 4725, 6129.
- haunte, v.a. i. 2656, ii. 482, v. 1956, practise.
- have, v. P. 61, i. 3344, v. 2839,
- 2 s.pres. hast, i. 176,
- 3 s. hath, P. 88, 130,
- 3 pl. have, i. 1361, &c.,
- han, i. 1021,
- pret. hadde(n), P. 227, &c.,
- hade, iv. 650, viii. 1430,
- had, v. 5865,
- pp. had, P. 62,
- hadd, i. 129, v. 113.
- haveles, a. v. 2506, 6968, destitute.
- havene, s. iii. 1038, v. 7557, viii. 1275.
- havinge, s. vii. 2274, possession.
- he, pron. P. 69,
- him, P. 15, 88,
- hem (pl. obl.) P. 1, 155, 415,
- him (= himself), P. 676, i. 26,
- (hym, viii. 3089),
- hem (= themselves), i. 625.
- hebenus, s. iv. 3017.
- Hebreu, s. iv. 2398, 2653, Hebrew (language);
- Hebreus, vii. 4417, viii. 138,
- thebreus, vii. 3054.
- Hector, iv. 2141, v. 2550, 7332,
- Ector, viii. 2526, PP. 281.
- Hecuba, v. 7308.
- hed, s. (1) P. 605, i. 2535, iii. 1212 (of a cask), iv. 236,
- heved, P. 152, i. 1536,
- hefd, i. 199,
- on hede, vii. 846,
- on hevede, vii. 1108,
- of hed, iv. 3439 (see note),
- pl. hefdes, vii. 4694,
- hevedes, viii. 369; head:
- as a. vii. 811, viii. 3013*, chief.
- hed, s. (2) ii. 2066, condition (?).
- heiere, see hih.
- heihte, heyhte, s. i. 2820, vii. 180,
- on (upon) heihte, P. 1019, i. 467, 2673,
- upon heighte, iv. 2124, vii. 1121.
- heil, a. i. 703, 2122, healthy, wholesome.
- heir, s. i. 1429, ii. 1320,
- eir, iii. 2708,
- hair, ii. 2578, iv. 1252.
- helas, interj. i. 974, 3183, iii. 1472:
- cp. allas.
- hele, s. P. 278, 397, i. 1821, 2761, v. 2835,
- soule hele, P. 749, ii. 1313; health, salvation, profit.
- hele, v.a. (1) P. 398,
- heele, vii. 1568, heal.
- hele, v.a. (2), ii. 1955, iii. 779, 2756, v. 4033;
- v.n. ii. 2056: conceal, cover.
- Heleine (1), Heleyne, v. 3073, 7472 ff.,
- Eleine, viii. 2529, Helen (of Troy).
- Heleine (2), ii. 3471, (mother of Constantine).
- Heleine (3), ii. 1200, 1437.
- Helenus, v. 7461, 7569.
- hell, hel, s. i. 424, ii. 163, iv. 1980, 2991, vii. 3721,
- hull, P. 618, v. 1573, vii. 3706,
- pl. helles, iii. 1035,
- hulles, v. 3996, hill.
- helle, s. P. 456, i. 3410, ii. 3135, v. 29,
- helle king, iv. 2851.
- Hellen, v. 4257.
- Hellican, viii. 575.
- Helmege, i. 2592 ff.
- helpe, help, s. P. 801, i. 2639, ii. 1329, 1516, iv. 986.
- helpe(n), v.a.n. i. 25, 820, iv. 2291,
- pret. halp, i. 421, 1947,
- imperat. help, v. 4970.
- helpeles, a. ii. 1394, viii. 1125, PP. 263.
- helpinge, s. v. 4695.
- helplich, a. iii. 503, vi. 1324.[Pg 596]
- helthe, s. P. 96, 1052, i. 2496, health, salvation.
- hemself, pl. P. 302, 682, i. 1016,
- hemselve(n), P. 351, ii. 98, vii. 2436.
- hen, s. v. 4101,
- pl. hennes, viii. 159.
- hende, a. as subst. iv. 644, graceful creature.
- Henri, P. 87, PP. 358,
- Henry, PP. 1,
- genit. Henries, PP. 272.
- hente, v.a. iv. 2798, 2890,
- pret. hente, i. 144, ii. 1274,
- pp. hent, i. 3379, take, seize.
- hep, s. iv. 3008, great quantity.
- hepe, s. v. 2872, hook.
- hepehalt, a. v. 957, lame.
- her, s. i. 2181, v. 3964,
- pl. heres, i. 2999, hair.
- her, pron. see here.
- herald, s. i. 2403,
- pl. heraldz, i. 2526, iv. 1632.
- heraldie, s. ii. 399, see note.
- herbage, see therbage.
- herbe, s. v. 3802, vi. 1408, vii. 1317 ff.
- herber, s. iv. 833.
- herbergage, s. ii. 1337, iv. 82, vii. 1069, lodging.
- herbergour, s. ii. 1329.
- Hercules, ii. 2154 ff., iv. 2057 ff., v. 1083, 1474, 3294, 3470, 3668, 3878, 6808 ff., 7198, 7217, vii. 3348, viii. 2506, 2560.
- here, v. see hiere.
- here, her, pron. poss. P. 51, 154, &c., their:
- here tuo, v. 7651, of them two.
- Heredot, iv. 2413.
- heresie, s. P. 350.
- heringe, hieringe, s. i. 449, vi. 909, vii. 3770.
- heritage, s. i. 2619, ii. 1025,
- pl. heritages, vii. 2008.
- herke, v.imperat. ii. 1226,
- herk, v. 5878, listen.
- herkne, v.a.n. i. 96, 329, 1596, 2780, ii. 1999, 2037, listen to, listen.
- Hermes, iv. 2606, vii. 1437, 1476.
- Hermyngeld, Hermyngheld, ii. 749 ff.
- herre, s.,
- out of h., P. 962, ii. 2964, iii. 72, PP. 185, off the hinges, out of order.
- hert, i. 371, 2299, iv. 1300, hart.
- herte, s. P. 85, 382,
- genit. herte, i. 145,
- hertes, i. 774,
- pl. hertes, i. 2087,
- but oure herte, here herte, sing. iii. 1473, iv. 1377,
- tok to herte, v. 807.
- herted, a. ii. 640.
- herteles, a. iv. 349, vi. 254.
- hertly, a. ii. 2734, v. 4177,
- hertely, vi. 2026.
- herto, adv. ii. 2215.
- Herupus, iv. 1246.
- hervest, s.v. 2240.
- heste, s. P. 910, i. 813,
- pl. hestes, i. 1335, command.
- hete, s. i. 3353, ii. 2740,
- heete, vii. 3213*,
- pl. hetes, iv. 2521, heat.
- hete, v.n. viii. 1195, grow hot.
- hethen, a. ii. 1090, 3435, vii. 3693,
- the hethen, pl. subst. iv. 1659.
- heve, v.a. v. 381, vi. 146, lift.
- heved, see hed.
- hevene, s. P. 141,
- (heven, PP. 79),
- genit. hevene, P. 66*, ii. 2058, iii. 2286.
- hevenely, hevenly, a. P. 918, i. 834, 3136, v. 774,
- hevenelich(e), i. 2848, vi. 1529.
- heveneriche, s. ii. 3150, vii. 3034.
- heveneward, adv. v. 730.
- hevy, a. i. 1384, 2871, v. 6600,
- hevy chiered, viii. 2533.
- hevynesse, hevinesse, s. ii. 224, iv. 2936, viii. 729, PP. 152.
- hewe, v.a. i. 2903,
- pret. hiewh, v. 4072,
- hieu, v. 5897,
- imperat. hew, i. 2834;
- v.n. i. 1917.
- hewe, s. (1), i. 701, 2699, ii. 2738, iv. 2981, hue.
- hewe, s. (2), ii. 404, fellow.
- hewed, a. i. 2043.
- hey, s. viii. 2437, hay.
- heyher, heyhte, see hih, heihte.
- hide, hyde, v.a. i. 1784, 2388, ii. 434,
- pret. hedde, ii. 2889, v. 1254, 1930,
- hidde, v. 1845,
- imperat. hyd, i. 166,
- hyde, iii. 1502,
- pp. hid, hidd, P. 181, i. 607, ii. 1874,
- hedd, iii. 1920,
- pl. hidde, v. 6789.
- hider, hidir, adv. iv. 1788, vi. 1070.
- hidous, a. vii. 4710.
- hie, v.n. ii. 814, iii. 1288, v. 5040,
- hye, ii. 2233, v. 3995 (refl.), hasten:
- cp. hye, s.
- hiede, s. P. 497, i. 1211, 2192, &c.,
- hede, iii. 67, iv. 447,
- heede, ii. 74, heed.
- hiele, s. P. 443, v. 2484, viii. 2154, heel.
- hierafter, adv. i. 77, ii. 2326.
- hierafterward, adv. P. 26, i. 1869.
- hierde, s. P. 415, iii. 1820, keeper (of sheep, &c.).
- hiere, v.a.n. P. 156, i. 532, 2760,
- here, P. 482, iv. 2795,
- (3 pl. pres. hierin, viii. 3017),
- pret. herde, P. 1063, i. 1008,
- herd, iii. 2082,
- pp. herd, P. 86*, i. 446,
- herde, v. 4231,
- imperat. hier, i. 197.
- hiere, adv. P. 5, 1011,
- hier, i. 1587,
- here, iv. 1292,[Pg 597]
- her, vii. 278,
- (heer, viii. 3050*),
- hier tofore, v. 65,
- here above, iv. 2190,
- h. and there, iv. 2117, v. 689.
- hieringe, see heringe.
- hierof, adv. i. 850, 2448, iv. 1791.
- hih, hyh, a. i. 1026,
- hihe, ii. 2425,
- (highe, PP. 256),
- def. hihe, hyhe, P. 88, 188,
- (highe, PP. 8),
- hih, iv. 2064, v. 6428*,
- (heyh, viii. 3022*),
- pl. hyhe, i. 1678;
- on hyh, on hih, P. 307, i. 2832, ii. 870, 2959,
- upon hy, vii. 273;
- the hihe See, iii. 1063,
- hyh midday, iv. 3273;
- comp. heiere, vi. 404,
- heyher, vii. 253;
- sup. the heyeste, vii. 935,
- hyest, vii. 2451,
- heihest, vii. 3442.
- hihe, hyhe, adv. i. 1917, 2280,
- hye, iv. 1037.
- hihe, v.n. viii. 587, go higher;
- pp. hyed, vii. 1115, exalted.
- hihe, hye, s. iv. 227, vii. 864, viii. 913, haste.
- hihte, see hote.
- hilte, s. iii. 1445.
- himself, himselve(n), pron. P. 157, 177, i. 326, 1133, 1897, v. 3592, viii. 2527,
- (himsilve, PP. 61),
- him self, P. 244,
- (hym self, viii. 3070 ff.).
- hinde, hynde, s. P. 1059, iv. 1300, 1978.
- hindre, v.a. ii. 283, 1572, iii. 891.
- hindrere, s. iii. 1526, iv. 2866, vii. 803.
- hindringe, s. i. 315, 2096, iii. 913,
- hindrynge, iv. 1876.
- hire, hir, pers. pron. i. 181, 365 ff., 3188, iv. 766, her; i. 364, 866, 1693, herself.
- hire, hir, poss. pron. P. 130, i. 188, 1678 ff., her;
- disj. hires, v. 4770,
- hire, v. 6581, hers.
- hirself, hireself, pron. i. 972, 2601, ii. 1034,
- (hirsilf, PP. 254),
- sche hirself, iv. 3618,
- hirselve(n), hireselven, ii. 1142, iv. 860, v. 3737.
- his, poss. pron. P. 71, 95,
- pl. hise, P. 190, i. 669, &c.,
- his, P. 607, &c.;
- disj. his, ii. 2445,
- of his, ii. 2525.
- histoire, s. iv. 660, 2360, vi. 885.
- hit, see it.
- hit, v.a. 3 s.pres. iii. 450, hits.
- ho, interj. iv. 1682, v. 2219, vii. 571, 5438, stop!
- hod, s. i. 627, v. 4787, 7716, hood.
- hol, a. P. 91, 722,
- hool, vii. 1943,
- def. hole, i. 981, 1828,
- hol, P. 668, whole:
- adv. i. 867, 2623,
- hole, vii. 3773.
- hold, s. ii. 1689, 2745, iv. 3024, stronghold, prison.
- holde(n), v.a.n. P. 389, 531, i. 1696, iii. 1824,
- 3 s.pres. holt, ii. 468, v. 507,
- halt, i. 1927, ii. 1903,
- hald, v. 1981,
- pret.s. hield, P. 723, i. 1730,
- hild, v. 1438,
- pl. hielden, i. 3238,
- hield, vii. 3574,
- pret. subj. hielde, v. 82,
- imperat. 2 s. hold, iii. 608,
- 3 s. holde, v. 1944,
- pp. holde(n), P. 102, 224, 363: hold, stand firm, possess, consider.
- holdinge, s. v. 7655.
- hole, s. (1), iii. 1371.
- hole, s. (2), v. 4451, whole.
- holi, holy, a. P. 225, 267, iii. 2500,
- holi lond, vii. 905.
- holi, holy, holly, adv. i. 943, iv. 91, 2737, v. 7109, wholly.
- holinesse, s. i. 831, 1129, ii. 220.
- holsome, a.(pl.) vii. 2277.
- hom, s.,
- at hom, ii. 925, 1342, iii. 1207,
- at home, ii. 782, iii. 1140, iv. 1828,
- fro home, iii. 1905, iv. 167:
- hom, as adv. i. 861, 953,
- home, ii. 814, iv. 227.
- homage, s. ii. 2687,
- hommage, ii. 2968.
- homicide, s. iii. 1093, 1589.
- homward, adv. i. 938, iii. 981, 1021, 2451, iv. 219.
- hond, s. P. 356, 768,
- hand, i. 2, 1807,
- in honde, P. 205,
- on (upon) honde, P. 61, 242, i. 1542, 2517, v. 3748,
- out of h., P. 808, iii. 326,
- to honde, i. 788, ii. 2614,
- bere on hond, iii. 664, iv. 32, v. 546,
- cp. v. 496,
- be the hond, i. 3225,
- tofor the hond, &c., i. 518, iv. 893, v. 4292,
- his oghne hond, iii. 2142,
- cp. iv. 2436:
- pl. hondes, P. 190, &c.,
- handes, i. 2994, v. 1505,
- his oghne hondes, i. 1427, iii. 2011, v. 2306.
- honeste, a. P. 216, i. 868, 975, ii. 1283, vii. 930, honourable, good.
- honestely, honesteliche, adv. i. 843, vii. 5075, viii. 1995 f., honourably.
- honestete, s. vii. 1671, 5388.
- honge, see hange.
- honochinus, vii. 1377.
- Honorius, vi. 1331.
- honour, s. P. 221, i. 879, iv. 1865,
- thonour, i. 1719.
- honourable, honorable, a. ii. 1460, 3017, iv. 2030.
- honoure, v.a. P. 313, ii. 1841, 2986, v. 792.
- hony, s. v. 4049, vi. 928.
- hool, see hol.
- hope, s. P. 71*, i. 893, 1654.
- hope, v.n. P. 160, iii. 531.
- hoppe, v.n. v. 6042.[Pg 598]
- hor, a. iii. 1801,
- pl. hore, i. 1685, 1750, hoary.
- hord, s. vii. 2094, treasure.
- Horestes, iii. 1958 ff.
- horn, s. i. 374,
- pl. hornes, i. 343, 2298, iv. 2116.
- horned, a. v. 4131.
- horrible, a. i. 1045, iii. 235.
- hors, s. i. 1087, 1724,
- genit. horse (side, heved), P. 1085, i. 1536, 2301,
- horse bak, ii. 3007,
- (cp. horsebak),
- horse haltres, iv. 1357,
- horse knave, iv. 1399,
- dat. on horse, ii. 1497,
- to horse, vii. 4995,
- pl. hors, i. 2036, iv. 996, v. 6055, vii. 3343 ff.
- horsebak, s. vii. 4908.
- horsmen, s.pl. ii. 1824.
- hose, s. vii. 4306, stocking.
- host, s. P. 754, ii. 1765, army.
- hostage, s. ii. 632.
- hoste, s. vii. 3357, viii. 1289, host, guest.
- hot, a. i. 2004, ii. 10, v. 6600,
- hoot, vii. 3250*,
- pl. hote, i. 2977, iii. 22,
- fot hot, iv. 3350;
- as subst. P. 977;
- comp. hotere, vi. 210;
- sup. hotest, vii. 1887,
- the hoteste, as subst. i. 2492, ii. 415.
- hote, adv. i. 2595, ii. 132,
- hot, iii. 526.
- hote, v.n.(a.), v. 1327 (be called), 2865 (command),
- pret. hihte, hyhte, P. 679, i. 401, 765,
- hatte, ii. 975, v. 1082, vii. 347,
- pp. hote, i. 337, 782, 1234.
- hou, how, adv. and conj. P. 41, i. 184,
- how that, P. 195, i. 799,
- how ... that, iv. 235,
- how so that, howso that, ii. 3482, iii. 1368,
- how evere that, how evere, how so evere, hou as evere (that), P. 425, 481, i. 991, iv. 182, 1691,
- how so, ii. 441, iii. 1364,
- how, hou (= how so), iv. 415, 1848.
- houle, v.n. v. 4132.
- hound, s. P. 1061, i. 343, ii. 84, iii. 2077.
- houre, s. iii. 29, iv. 241, 277.
- hous, s. iii. 88, 1208,
- to (into) house, iii. 444, 657,
- in house, v. 4799,
- of house, vii. 4921;
- hous (in astronomy), iv. 3223 ff., vii. 991 ff.,
- pl. houses, vii. 1173.
- house, v.n. P. 318;
- v.a. vi. 498.
- housebonde, s. i. 857, v. 2818, vii. 4801,
- housbonde, v. 4627,
- pl. housebondes, vii. 5347.
- houshold, s. ii. 438, 1895, vii. 1675.
- housinge, s. v. 6662.
- hove, v.n. i. 1538, ii. 3006, iii. 1233, vi. 1848,
- imperat. hove (out of), iii. 1307, stay.
- hovedance, s. vi. 144, viii. 2680.
- how, howso, see hou.
- huge, a. ii. 2300.
- huissher, s. ii. 2130.
- hull, see hell.
- hully, a. P. 651.
- Humber, ii. 720.
- humble, a. i. 674, 2183, vii. 4036.
- humble, v.a. i. 2065.
- humblesce, humblesse, s. i. 2256, vii. 4501.
- humilite, s. P. 223, i. 2050.
- hundred, num. iii. 29, iv. 3329,
- hundrid, iv. 2706.
- Hungarie, i. 2022.
- hunger, s. ii. 1856, 3028, v. 280.
- hungerstorven, pp. vi. 810.
- hungre, v.n. vi. 760, impers. vi. 822.
- hungred, a. vi. 1007.
- hungri, a. v. 1998.
- hunte, s. v. 919, 6126, huntsman.
- hunte, v.n. i. 348, 2294.
- hunting(e), huntynge, s. i. 345, iv. 2429, v. 4941.
- hurte, v.a. iii. 117, viii. 2745,
- pp. hurt, vi. 1685.
- hurtes, s.pl. vii. 4618.
- hy, see hih.
- hyde, s. iv. 3454.
- hyde, v., see hide.
- hye, v.n., see hie.
- hye, s. see hihe, s.
- hyed, see hihe, v.
- hyhte, see hote.
- hyre, s. iii. 2024, viii. 2291.
- hyre, v.a. ii. 391.
- I
- I, pers. pron. P. 17, &c.,
- it am I, iv. 3622,
- cp. vi. 160,
- (y, viii. 2938 ff., PP. 25 ff.).
- Iante, iv. 478 ff.
- Icharus, iv. 1040 ff.
- iconomique, s. vii. 1670, economics.
- idelschipe, see ydelschipe.
- idoles, see thidoles.
- if, conj. P. 93, i. 2203,
- if that, P. 16,
- if (interrog.), ii. 14.
- ignorance, s. v. 1891, vi. 2314, vii. 4480.
- ile, see yle.
- Ilicius, vii. 5151 ff.
- ilke, a. P. 908, i. 919, 1338, same.
- illusion, s. v. 1359.[Pg 599]
- immortal, a. viii. 2979.
- imperial, a. vi. 1785, vii. 866.
- impossible, a. v. 772, 4027, incapable, impossible.
- impotent, a. viii. 3127.
- impresse, v.a. ii. 2900, iii. 50, iv. 542.
- impression, s. iv. 389, vii. 270.
- improprelich(e), adv. P. 537, v. 51.
- in, s. v. 2733, vii. 4919, lodging, abode.
- in, prep. P. 5, 782, 805, iii. 2526, in, on, into:
- adv. P. 1082, i. 2037, viii. 1169:
- cp. inne, into.
- incantacioun, s. vi. 1309.
- incurable, a. iv. 3509.
- inderly, adv. ii. 2010, inwardly.
- indigence, s. vii. 2028.
- indrowh. v.a.pret. ii. 3085.
- infernal, a. v. 4052.
- infortunat, a. viii. 3000*.
- infortune, s. ii. 1843, iv. 769,
- pl. infortunes, ii. 3190.
- injustice, s. vii. 4587.
- inly, adv. i. 3324, ii. 1216, inwardly.
- inne, adv. P. 1010, i. 303, 969, &c.,
- wher inne, i. 2030,
- which ... inne, ii. 565, iv. 1868.
- innocence, s. i. 596, 852, vii. 4915.
- innocent, a. as subst. ii. 465, v. 6341.
- inobedience, s. i. 1234 ff.
- inquisitif, a. ii. 1987, viii. 410.
- insihte, s. iii. 181, iv. 2341, v. 660, 5893, 6838, viii. 576,
- insyhte, vi. 1275, perception, note, feeling, care.
- inspeccion, s. vii. 456.
- instance, s. vii. 2600.
- instrument, s. vii. 167.
- intelligence, s. vii. 28, 176, viii. 2974.
- interpretacioun, s. i. 3070.
- interrupcioun, s. P. 985.
- intersticion, s. vii. 283, condition.
- into, prep. P. 69, 580, i. 739, iii. 290,
- in to, P. 93, 691, viii. 2944, into, unto.
- intronize, inthronize, see entronize.
- invisible, a. v. 3574, 4028.
- invocacioun, s. vi. 1329.
- inward, adv. i. 634, iv. 2998.
- Iphis (1), iv. 467 ff.
- Iphis (2), iv. 3517.
- ipocrisie, see ypocrisie.
- Ipotacie, vi. 486.
- Irahel, Irael, P. 551, vii. 2530 ff., 3628, 4123, 4411, viii. 136, 245, Israel.
- ire, s. iii. 15, 2726, vii. 3279.
- iren, yren, s. iv. 2425, 2470, viii. 1133, iron.
- irous, a. vii. 434, wrathful.
- Isaäc, viii. 110, 120.
- Isirus, Isre, v. 798 ff.
- Isis, see Ysis.
- issue, s. iii. 2422, v. 2357, viii. 58.
- it, pron. P. 8, &c.,
- hit, P. 779.
- Ithecus, iv. 3044.
- Ithis, v. 5887.
- iwiss, see ywiss.
- J
- jacinctus, s. vii. 842, jacinth.
- Jacke, v. 7752 ff.
- Jacob, viii. 121.
- Jadahel, iv. 2427.
- jalousie, see jelousie.
- James, vii. 3149*.
- Janever, vii. 1205, January.
- jangle, v.n. ii. 398, 526, iii. 832, v. 6532, vii. 4774, talk, speak evil, dispute.
- janglere, s. ii. 425, v. 519 ff.,
- pl. janglers, iii. 887, talker, evil speaker.
- janglerie, s. ii. 452, (evil) talk.
- janglinge, s. P. 69*, iv. 1474.
- Janus, vii. 1207.
- jape, s i. 2241, ii. 2933, iii. 378.
- jape, v.n. v. 6870, vii. 1894.
- Japhet, vii. 546, 579, viii. 83.
- jargoun, s. v. 4103, note (as of a bird).
- jargoune, v.n. v. 5700.
- Jason, v. 3241, 3256 ff., 4360, viii. 2504, 2519, 2564,
- Jasoun, v. 7198.
- jaspis, jaspe, s. vii. 841, 1391, jasper.
- jaspre (stones), pl. iv. 3666.
- Jebuseie, vii. 3712.
- jelous, a. v. 627,
- as subst. the jelous, v. 534, 591.
- jelousie, s. v. 442 ff.,
- jalousie, v. 511, vi. 2249.
- Jepte, iv. 1507.
- Jeroboas, Jeroboam, vii. 4127, 4520 ff.
- Jerom, iv. 2654.
- Jerusalem, v. 7019.
- jeueals, see juel.
- jeupartie, s. i. 1477, 3237, iii. 1173, vii. 3217, 5274, division, contention, danger.
- Jew, s. vii. 3239* ff.,
- pl. Jewes, iv. 1505, v. 1731,
- Jwes, v. 1713, 1808,
- Juys, vi. 2384.
- Jhesu, v. 1790.
- Joab, ii. 3086, vii. 3863.
- Joachim, ii. 3056.
- Job, v. 2505.
- John (St.), i. 656, v. 3416.[Pg 600]
- John (Gower), viii. 2321 f., 2908.
- joie, joye, s. P. 38*, 1042, i. 1138, 1853,
- pl. joies, joyes, i. 2683, ii. 648.
- joiefull, joiful(l), a. ii. 273, 934, 3384.
- joignt, s. viii. 1197, joint.
- joint, joynt, pp. ii. 2791, iv. 2464, joined.
- jolif, a. i. 88, i. 2703, vi. 84, vii. 1910.
- Jonathas, iv. 1945.
- Joram, vii. 2551.
- Josaphas, Josaphat(h), vii. 2546 ff.
- Josephus, iv. 2410.
- Josuë, v. 1687, PP. 282.
- journe, iii. 1979.
- joust, vii. 5390, just.
- jouste, v.n. i. 2514, vi. 1850, viii. 965.
- joustinge, s. i. 2509.
- joutes, s.pl. vii. 2279, vegetables, (properly ‘beet’).
- Jove, vii. 1331, 1411, viii. 2252.
- Jubal, iv. 2418.
- Judas, i. 657.
- Judee, i. 2858, vii. 2547, 3628, viii. 245,
- Judeam, v. 1906.
- juel, s. v. 1841, 6097,
- jeueals, (pl.) v. 2149, viii. 1120, jewel.
- jueler, s. v. 5086.
- Juerie, vii. 3292*.
- Juesse, s. viii. 2694.
- jugge, s. i. 1031, ii. 1697.
- jugge, v.a.n. vii. 2825, 2906.
- juggement, jugement, s. P. 518, 960, i. 1458, vii. 1484,
- pl. juggementz, vii. 681.
- Juil, see Juyl.
- Juin, vii. 1065.
- juise, s. P. 1042, i. 1047,
- do juise, iii. 322,
- take the j., iii. 2008; judgement, punishment.
- Julien (St.), iii. 34.
- Julius, P. 714, vii. 1597, 1615, 2065 ff., PP. 281.
- Juno, iii. 738 ff., 983, iv. 2966 ff., v. 871, 1146, 1172 ff., 1251, 1484, 4332, 4355, 4585 ff., 6285, 7413.
- Jupiter, ii. 291, iii. 738 ff, 821, iv. 3318, v. 645, 852, 870 ff., 981, 1044, 1064, 1105, 1165, 1169 ff., 1245, 1404, 3485, 4588, 5741, 6249, 6286, vi. 330, 399, 416, vii. 2372, 3360; (the planet) iv. 2472, vii. 909, 920, 1155, 1230, 1340, 1389:
- genit. Jupiteres, v. 1119.
- jus, s. v. 4120, juice.
- justefie, justifie, v.a. i. 1250, v. 775, 4557, vii. 1244, 1634, set right, prove, rule.
- justice, s. P. 102, i. 2451, do justice, i. 1010.
- justificacion, s. ii. 296.
- Justinian (1), v. 5127.
- Justinian (2), vii. 3271 ff.
- Jutorne, iii. 821.
- Juvente, v. 4037.
- Juyl, Juil, vii. 1079, 4300, July.
- Juys, see Jew.
- K
- kacle, v.n. v. 4101, cackle.
- Kaire, ii. 2558, 2648, iv. 1658, vii. 3212*.
- kalende, s. vii. 1139, beginning.
- kan, see conne.
- karecte, see carecte.
- Karle (Calvus), P. 775.
- karole, see carole.
- karpe, carpe, v.n. v. 921, vii. 3277*, speak, converse.
- keie, s. P. 272, i. 2661, v. 1853,
- keye, P. 212.
- kempde, v.a.pret. v. 3809,
- pp. kembd, kempt, v. 7065, viii. 2466, combed.
- ken, kin, s. v. 2470, viii. 146 ff.,
- dat. kinne, v. 4180, kin, quality.
- kende, see kinde.
- kenne, v.a. n. ii. 1331, iv. 831, v. 5443:
- cp. conne.
- kepe, s. P. 179, i. 1179,
- kep, i. 156, v. 3672, care.
- kepe(n), v.a.n. P. 150, 475, i. 746, ii. 803,
- 3 s.pres. kepeth, P. 321,
- kepth, v. 4691,
- pret. kepte, P. 596, i. 2052, v. 5754, vii. 5261,
- kept, ii. 181,
- imperat. kep, i. 1227, iii. 1498, PP. 367,
- pp. kept, P. 147: keep, hold, take care of, regard, wait for; take care, expect.
- kepere, s. v. 4675, vii. 2659,
- pl. kepers, ii. 941.
- keping(e), i. 2131, v. 1467, viii. 2638.
- kerf, s. v. 757, carving.
- kerse, s. iii. 588, 1652, cress.
- kertell, s. v. 6915,
- pl. kertles, iv. 1315.
- kerve, v.a. vi. 66, cut.
- kesse, see kisse.
- keye, see keie.
- kid, kidd, pp. iii. 206, v. 2957, 5124, known.
- kiele, v.n. v. 6908, grow cool;
- v.a. vi. 736, 1065, cool, allay.
- kin, see ken.
- kinde, kynde, s. P. 535, 733, i. 11, 31, 917, 1624,
- kende, v. 4637;
- lawe of kynde, i. 2231,
- kinde of man, v. 2: nature, manner, race.
- kinde, a. iii. 2597, 2706, iv. 502, vii. 4298, kind, natural.[Pg 601]
- kindely, adv. ii. 1381, naturally.
- kindeschipe, s. ii. 325, v. 4910.
- kindly, a. ii. 2740, vii. 1094, natural.
- king, kyng, s. P. 25, 186, 256, i. 1094, 2062, 2141.
- kingdom, s. i. 2968, vii. 4316, viii. 2112,
- kyngdom, viii. 3087.
- kingeshalve, s. ii. 1042, king’s behalf.
- kingesriche, s. v. 4202, kingdom.
- kinghede (-hode), s. vii. 1714, 1765, 3530.
- kinled, pp. vii. 340, kindled.
- kisse, kesse, v.a. iii. 169, iv. 2824,
- pret. keste, P. 109, i. 2053, ii. 1522,
- kiste, i. 912, ii. 1441,
- kist, v. 3777,
- kest, vi. 1746,
- pp. kest, iv. 500.
- kiste, s. v. 83, 2306, viii. 1230, chest.
- kiththe, s. v. 4180, vi. 123, 2087, kith, knowledge.
- knape, s. viii. 1374, knave.
- Knaresburgh, ii. 943 ff., 1264 ff.
- knave, s. iii. 1782, v. 114, 201, vii. 1836, servant;
- knave child, iv. 432, v. 4255, boy.
- kne, s. P. 609, ii. 772, v. 6566,
- pl. knes, knees, i. 213, 3145, iii. 223.
- knele, v.n. i. 935, 3027, iv. 1172.
- knette, v.a. i. 1420, vii. 1592,
- pret. knette, iv. 858,
- knet, v. 6866,
- pp. knet, v. 4966, fasten together, bind, combine.
- knif, knyf, s. ii. 830, iii. 1108, v. 4001.
- kniht, knyhthode, &c., see knyht, &c.
- knowe(n), v.a.n. P. 72, 140, i. 1579,
- pret. knew, i. 1009, 2341,
- kneu, v. 2665, 5410,
- kniew, iv. 1838,
- knewh, ii. 2891,
- 2 s. knewe, vi. 2313,
- pl. knewe(n), P. 106, ii. 3210,
- pret. subj. knewe, i. 1312,
- imperat. know, vii. 2389,
- pp. knowe, i. 1191, 2134;
- knowende of, iii. 864, vi. 1398,
- knowe of, v. 5356, acquainted (with).
- knowleching(e), s. P. 860, i. 1483, ii. 1282, v. 2992,
- knouleching(e), iv. 3202, vi. 982,
- pl. knowlechinges, vii. 137.
- konne, see conne.
- knyf, see knif.
- knyht, kniht, s. P. 707, i. 316, ii. 587,
- (knight, knyght, vii. 3169*, viii. 3059, PP. 243).
- knyhthode, knihthode, s. P. 89, ii. 1640, 2513,
- knyhthod, knihthod, i. 1436, v. 2057,
- (knyghthode, viii. 3021, PP. 155), knighthood, valour.
- knyhtlihiede, s. vii. 3592.
- knyhtly (-li), knihtly (-li), a. ii. 727, 2625, v. 661, vi. 95.
- krepel, s. vii. 1854, cripple.
- kressette, s. vii. 3743, cup (for a light).
- kutte, cutte, v.a.pret. ii. 831, iii. 823,
- kut, vii. 4525,
- pp. cut, v. 6520.
- kynde, see kinde.
- kyng, kyngdom, see king, kingdom.
- L
- Laar, iii. 819.
- Laban, viii. 122.
- laborious, a. iv. 2636.
- labour, s. i. 3252, iii. 665, iv. 2396.
- laboure, v.n. iv. 242, 1691;
- v.a. iv. 970.
- labourer, s. iv. 2440, vi. 136,
- laborer, viii. 3061.
- lacche, v.a. P. 410, ii. 109, seize.
- lachesce, lachesse, s. iv. 4, 281.
- Lachesis, iv. 2761.
- lacke, lack, s. P. 393, i. 1988, iv. 335, 1070, v. 6077, want, fault:
- cp. lak.
- lacke, v.n. P. 428, i. 1366, 2396, 3023,
- lakke, ii. 2392,
- impers. lacketh, viii. 2427 ff.,
- cp. vi. 908, be wanting:
- v.a. ii. 530, iii. 2630, iv. 343, want.
- laden, pp. viii. 469.
- ladi, lady, s. i. 162, 317,
- genit. ladi, lady, i. 924, 1263, ii. 40, iv. 1437,
- pl. ladis, ladys, iv. 1307, v. 3139.
- ladischipe, s. i. 2577, iv. 1120, 1730, vi. 271, 1946, ladyship, honour.
- ladiward, ii. 255, iii. 508.
- Ladon, v. 1015.
- ladre, s. viii. 1644, ladder.
- laghtre, s. viii. 2685, laughter.
- lak, s. i. 1691, ii. 394, iii. 561, iv. 128, v. 6290, fault.
- lame, a. v. 2709.
- Lamedon, v. 3303, 7197 ff.,
- Lamenedon, viii. 2516.
- lampe, s. iv. 258, viii. 2776.
- Lampes, vii. 856.
- Lancastre, P. 87.
- lance, s. viii. 2270.
- lancegay, s. viii. 2798.
- Lancelot, iv. 2035, viii. 2501.
- langage, s. P. 1023, iv. 315.
- Langharet, ii. 2995.
- lanterne, s. iv. 817.
- Laodomie, iv. 1905.
- lapacia, vii. 1375.
- lape, v.n. vii. 3671, lap.
- lapis, iv. 2535 ff.
- lappe, s. iv. 303.[Pg 602]
- lappe, v.a. v. 4207, 5774, wrap.
- lappewincke, s. v. 6041.
- larder, s. v. 5513, vii. 1166.
- large, a. P. 239, i. 876, 2821, wide, liberal;
- at large, P. 46*, ii. 994, iii. 174, iv. 829.
- largely, adv. ii. 953,
- largeliche, vii. 2052.
- largesse, largesce, s. P. 225, v. 409, 1958, 7633 ff., vii. 1989 ff., liberality, gift.
- las, s. vii. 4332, lace.
- lasse, a.comp. P. 20, 57*, 947, i. 476, ii. 2260,
- lesse, v. 2529;
- as subst. iii. 93, iv. 2240:
- adv. lasse, P. 629, i. 263, 1927,
- lesse, i. 1925, v. 4739: less.
- lasse, v.a. P. 56, i. 1836, 2401;
- v.n. iv. 782: make less; grow less.
- last, a. P. 642, vii. 1215,
- def. laste, P. 826:
- as subst. my laste, iii. 304,
- ate l., P. 369, i. 1820,
- to the l., P. 250, i. 983, viii. 2784,
- as for the l., viii. 2889.
- laste, adv. iv. 3383,
- last, vii. 4098.
- laste(n), v.n. P. 249, 662, iii. 289, v. 279,
- pret. laste, P. 672, iv. 2315, last, endure.
- late, a. ii. 345, iv. 878,
- thoghte al to late til, ii. 1538;
- comp. latere, viii. 1323.
- late, adv. i. 1645, iv. 1421, late; i. 1843, iii. 219, lately.
- Latewar, iv. 252;
- cp. iv. 1421.
- laththe, s. iii. 84.
- Latin, s. ii. 3187, iv. 2638, 2656, Latin (language):
- the Latins, iv. 2634:
- a. latin, vi. 981.
- Latona, v. 1249 ff.
- latoun, s. ii. 1850, viii. 569, bronze.
- laude, s. vii. 1384, praise.
- launde, s. iv. 1290, viii. 2160.
- lave, v.a. viii. 1856.
- laverock, s. v. 4100.
- Lavine, iv. 2187.
- lawe, s. P. 102, i. 809, 2793,
- (pl. lawis, viii. 3031):
- cp. lay.
- laweles, a. ii. 2962, vi. 1256.
- lawhe, v.n. ii. 245, iv. 641,
- lawghe, v. 479,
- laghe, viii. 2491,
- leyhe, v. 3781,
- 3 s.pret. lowh, louh, i. 1766, ii. 3320, vi. 2034,
- low, P. 1071,
- 3 pl.pret. lowhen (to scorne), v. 696, 6931; laugh.
- lay, s. (1), iv. 109, v. 1191, lake.
- lay, s. (2), vii. 1046, viii. 1670, song.
- lay, s. (3), ii. 3354, viii. 2663, law.
- Lazar, vi. 1037 ff.
- lazre, s. vi. 996, leper.
- leche, s. ii. 3220, 3296, vi. 866, viii. 1209, physician, remedy.
- lecherie, s. v. 1046, 1493, vii. 799.
- lecherous, a. v. 1410,
- def. lecherouse, vii. 4994.
- lechour, s. v. 872.
- lecoun, s. iii. 1377, iv. 562.
- led, s. iii. 1705, iv. 2471, viii. 1109.
- lede(n), v.a. P. 793, i. 784, 2090, iii. 179, 341, iv. 987,
- pret. ladde, P. 712, 771, i. 763, iii. 332, v. 1247,
- ledde, iii. 2178, v. 677,
- pp. lad, i. 1050, ii. 759,
- ledd, vi. 870; lead, guide, manage, take.
- ledere, s. v. 2055,
- pl. leders, v. 7616, leader.
- ledinge, s. vii. 5156, 5297.
- leese, s. P. 408, meadow.
- lef, s. i. 2884, iv. 586,
- pl. leves, P. 935, i. 354, leaf.
- left, s. iii. 301, left hand.
- legges, s.pl. P. 611.
- leiance, s. viii. 3058, allegiance.
- leie, lein, v.a. i. 500, iv. 1747, v. 2889,
- 3 s.pres. leith, P. 382, i. 472,
- leyth, P. 276,
- 3 pl. leyn, P. 476,
- pret. leide, leyde, i. 1017, 2312, iv. 240,
- pp. leid, leyd, P. 48*, i. 892, v. 7596,
- laid, v. 4512,
- imperat. ley, lei, i. 3434, ii. 1926, viii. 1420; lay, set, apply.
- leisir, leiser, s. iii. 1907, iv. 2799, v. 158, 3435, 7035, time, convenience, opportunity.
- lemes, see lime, s.
- lemman, s. vii. 1899.
- lene, a. iv. 1344, lean.
- lene, v.a.,
- pret. lente, i. 423,
- pp. lent, v. 4128, lend.
- leng, adv. comp. iii. 71, viii. 2055.
- lengere, adv. comp. i. 1516, ii. 1434, 2602,
- lenger, i. 147.
- lengthe, s. iii. 1963, iv. 3255.
- Leo (emperor), P. 739.
- Leo (sign of the zodiac), vii. 1067 ff., 1249.
- Leoncius, Leonce, vii. 3268 ff.
- leonesse, s. iv. 1976.
- Leonin, viii. 1410 ff.
- leoun, leon, s. P. 1059, i. 2248, ii. 3035,
- lyon, v. 5684.
- lepard, s. iv. 1977.
- lepe, v.n. iii. 916, vi. 187,
- pret. lepte, i. 2051, ii. 2301,
- imperat. lep, vii. 4782.
- lepre, s. ii. 3192 ff., PP. 349, leprosy.
- lere, liere, v. P. 868, i. 454, 2123, v. 2029, learn, teach.[Pg 603]
- lere, s. i. 1509, viii. 610, loss.
- lered, a. viii. 3113, learned.
- lerne, v.a.n. i. 44, 2010, ii. 1851, iii. 601, v. 3852, 6836, vii. 3146: teach, inform, learn.
- lerned, a. vii. 635, PP. 25.
- les, s. v. 782, vii. 2684, falsehood.
- Lesbon, v. 6436.
- lese, v.a.n. P. 415, i. 1332, 1809, ii. 32,
- 3 s.pres. lest, ii. 256, iv. 1494,
- pret. les, vi. 1772, vii. 3658; lose.
- lesinge, lesynge, s. i. 679, 2268, ii. 409,
- pl. lesinges, v. 946, lying.
- lesse, see lasse.
- lest, v.imperat. i. 827, 1876, listen.
- lest, v. see list.
- lest, a. i. 3249,
- def. leste, vii. 1459;
- ate leste, i. 277, 3259; least.
- lest, adv. i. 1070, 2362,
- leste, i. 3296.
- let, s. see lette.
- lete, v.a.n. i. 6, 3366, ii. 2253, iii. 2664, iv. 643,
- 3 s.pres. let, P. 509, ii. 1906,
- leteth, vii. 390,
- 3 s.pret. let, P. 1020, i. 1011, ii. 2480, v. 5840,
- imperat. let, lett, i. 220, 1618, 2834,
- lete, vi. 450,
- pp. lete, P. 440, ii. 3228 (shed), iv. 454;
- let make, let do, &c., P. 1020, i. 1011, iv. 490,
- lete by, v. 1004 (valued),
- cp. v. 5840: leave, release, omit, let, cause.
- Lethes, Lethen, iv. 3011, v. 1109.
- lette, v.a.n. i. 38, 780, ii. 94, iii. 1873, 2213, iv. 795, 1481,
- pret. lette, ii. 2240,
- pp. let, P. 308, ii. 128, iii. 2044; hinder, delay, put off.
- lette, s. ii. 93, 2129, iii. 2298, iv. 2000,
- let, v. 3900, vii. 2779, hindrance.
- lettre, s. P. 209, i. 2423, ii. 3038, iv. 2401, letter, writing.
- lettyng, s. vii. 236, hindrance.
- Leuchotoe, v. 6726.
- leve, s. i. 857, 1162, 1469, 1807, ii. 113, iv. 1160,
- token leve, i. 1162,
- cp. ii. 2780, iv. 1381: leave.
- leve(n), v.a.n. P. 404, i. 1311, 1558, 1808, 2693, 2940, iii. 1179, iv. 1159, viii. 2881,
- leeveth, iv. 3428,
- pret. lefte, P. 743, i. 1673, v. 2389,
- lafte, PP. 342,
- pp. laft, v. 4056,
- left, v. 4222,
- imperat. lef, ii. 571, v. 5223; leave, leave off, omit.
- leve, v.n. P. 412, iv. 1382,
- pret. lefte(n), P. 695, vii. 3682, remain.
- leveful, see lieffull.
- levein, s. iii. 446, leaven.
- levene, s. vi. 2267, flash (of lightning).
- levere, a.comp. P. 37, ii. 6,
- hath (hadde) l., i. 1511, ii. 1582, iii. 479,
- were l., ii. 530, iii. 762, iv. 1657:
- as subst. ii. 2449, v. 546:
- adv. iv. 1337: dearer, rather:
- cp. lief, lievest.
- levest, see lievest.
- lewed, a. i. 274, ii. 3423, iii. 479, unlearned, ignorant.
- leyhe, see lawhe.
- leyt, leyte, s. vii. 303, 308, flame.
- leyte, v.n. vii. 307, blaze.
- liberal, a. vii. 876.
- liberalite, s. v. 7646.
- liberte, s. vii. 2815.
- Libra, vii. 1102 ff., 1258.
- libraire, s. P. 321.
- lich, s. viii. 1076, corpse.
- lich, liche, a. P. 113, 634, ii. 3245, iv. 3649, v. 1550,
- lych, v. 29;
- lik, i. 488, ii. 1794, v. 615:
- adv. lich, P. 951, i. 2672, ii. 3033, 3456,
- lik, i. 1950.
- Lichaon, Lichao, v. 6225, 6298, vii. 3355.
- liche, s. i. 2277, 2791, iii. 2588, v. 7318,
- like, lyke, i. 2315, 2995, 3139, ii. 3037; likeness, match.
- Lichomede, v. 2976 ff.
- Lichorida, Lychoride, viii. 1033, 1350.
- licke, v.a. vi. 928, 1015.
- licuchis, vii. 824 (name of a stone).
- Liddos, vii. 4369.
- lie, s. see lye.
- lie, lye, v.n. P. 124, i. 725, 1512, 2437, ii. 1603, iii. 1252, speak falsely.
- Lie, viii. 125, Leah.
- lie, v.n.,
- 3 s.pres. lith, lyth, P. 336, i. 161, 2429,
- 3 s.pret. lay, lai, P. 602, i. 1788, 2728,
- 3 pl. lihe, lyhen, ii. 1456, vii. 1797,
- leie(n), iv. 479, v. 974,
- 2 s.pret. subj. leye, iv. 2849,
- imperat. ly, vi. 2311,
- pp. leie, iv. 2914, lein, vii. 2597; lie, be situated:
- cp. ligge.
- lief, a. ii. 209, vii. 4628,
- lief ... loth, i. 1627, ii. 999, iv. 669,
- lieve ... lothe, ii. 3229, iv. 778,
- def. as subst. lieve, iii. 1901,
- pl. ii. 3395,
- voc. lieve, iv. 1702, dear, pleasant:
- cp. levere, lievest.
- lief, s. i. 1203, ii. 2449, 2486, loved one.
- lieffull, a. iii. 2208,
- leveful, v. 7053, lawful.
- liegance, ligeance, ligance, s. P. 25*, iii. 1822, v. 2673, vii. 2698, allegiance, rule.
- liege, a. P. 27*, i. 2075, ii. 2762, iv. 201,
- (lige, viii. 3024),
- pl. here oghne liege, iii. 1760.
- liege, s. iii. 1767, iv. 1904, vii. 3094, 4177,
- (lige, viii. 2995*), subject.
- lien, s. iii. 242, bond.[Pg 604]
- lieutenant, s. i. 947, ii. 1319.
- lieve, v.a.n. i. 44, 727, 1063, ii. 471, iii. 1315, believe, trust:
- god lieve, vii. 3069, God grant.
- lievest, a.superl. ii. 329, iv. 1501, v. 186,
- levest, PP. 30:
- adv. i. 1608:
- cp. lief.
- lif, s. P. 96, i. 36, 1477, ii. 1225, v. 2297,
- genit. lyves, lives, i. 1821, 2685,
- pl. lyves, iv. 2353, viii. 81;
- to lyve, ii. 1525,
- on lyve, v. 7102,
- al my lyve, iii. 886,
- a lyves creature, iv. 382: life, person.
- lifissh, a. v. 4920, vii. 257, living.
- liflode, s. v. 4961, vi. 798, livelihood.
- lifte, s. ii. 3488, sky.
- ligance, see liegance.
- Ligdus, iv. 451.
- lige, see liege.
- ligge, v.n. ii. 1138, iv. 2132,
- pres. part. liggende, i. 885, ii. 839,
- ligende, i. 2346.
- lignage, s. i. 3335, ii. 2849,
- pl. lignages, v. 1600, vii. 4117, descent, tribe.
- Ligurgius, iv. 738, vii. 2918 ff., 3058.
- liht, s. see lyht.
- liht, a. (1) see lyht.
- liht, lyht, a. (2), i. 3078, iii. 518,
- (light, PP. 218),
- pl. lyhte, v. 831;
- comp. lihtere, v. 4692: light, easy.
- lihte, v.a. iv. 258, kindle.
- lihte, v.n. v. 7072,
- 3 s.pres. liht, v. 1580,
- pret. lihte, i. 2310, vii. 3273*, alight.
- lihtly (-li), lyhtly, adv. i. 1063, ii. 2085, iv. 538, viii. 2776,
- (lightly, PP. 220),
- lihtliche, i. 2650, easily.
- lik, see lich.
- like, lyke, s. see liche.
- like, lyke, v.n.impers., i. 70, 652, 756, 950, iii. 634, iv. 1182, 2150,
- lyketh, v. 7079, vii. 522;
- pers. ii. 1377, viii. 378,
- lyke, P. 21, vii. 2298;
- likende, viii. 2476,
- is to like, iv. 2419: please, be pleased, like.
- liking(e), likynge, s. i. 496, 1709, iv. 1868, v. 649, 7737,
- pl. likinges, vi. 1214, pleasure.
- likinge, a. iii. 186, v. 3840, pleasant.
- liklihiede, s. v. 596, comparison.
- likned, pp. ii. 2118, viii. 2155, compared.
- liknesse, s. P. 908, i. 370, iv. 2109, viii. 2601.
- lilie, s. as a. vii. 4678, of lilies.
- lime, v.a. ii. 574, besmear (with birdlime).
- lime, s. iv. 275,
- pl. limes, lemes, v. 1476, vii. 3201, limb.
- linde, s. i. 2304, iv. 1341.
- line, lyne, s. iv. 2623, v. 1082, 4054, viii. 105.
- lippe, s. i. 1683, iii. 119, iv. 386.
- liquour, s. viii. 1199.
- lisse, v.a. iii. 1361, vi. 2419, vii. 5401, relieve;
- v.n. vi. 311, give relief.
- list, v.impers. i. 1403, 1822, iii. 1110, iv. 907,
- lest, i. 37, 1922,
- lusteth, v. 2577,
- pres. subj. liste, v. 505,
- pret. (ind. or subj.) liste, i. 932, 1984,
- leste, i. 720, vi. 357,
- list, iii. 2446, please:
- pers. i. 2741, iii. 1
- (if thou lest), 111, iv. 3147, viii. 486,
- (lust, P. 85*), like, desire.
- lite, see lyte.
- litel, a. P. 957, i. 357, ii. 1151:
- adv. i. 615, iv. 2617,
- alitel, iv. 1339.
- lith, s. i. 1691, limb.
- live(n), v.n. P. 171, i. 127, 189, 1710, ii. 1723,
- lyve, iv. 1930.
- livere, s. vii. 457 ff., liver.
- livinge, lyvynge, s. v. 1615, vii. 1657, 1934.
- Livius (Virginius), vii. 5136, 5204.
- lo, interj. P. 234, 918.
- lock, s. iv. 2879, v. 6621,
- lokes (pl.), v. 6632, lock (of a door).
- lockes, s.pl. i. 1685, viii. 2403, locks (of hair).
- lode, s. v. 4962, load.
- lodesman, s. iii. 996, helmsman.
- loenge, loange, s. iv. 1548, vii. 3924, viii. 3027*, PP. 371, praise.
- lofte, s. vii. 300, height.
- logged, loged, pp. v. 2114, 6659, lodged.
- logginge, s. vi. 1817.
- logique (-qe), s. vii. 1528 ff., viii. 2709.
- lok, s. i. 122, 2313, ii. 1350, look, gaze.
- loke(n), v.n. P. 328, 449, i. 1686, 2811, 2992, ii. 3075, v. 624,
- (lokyn, viii. 3029),
- imperat. lok, i. 1225,
- loke, i. 1703, v. 1220, look, take care, keep watch;
- v.a. P. 52*, ii. 733, vi. 1959 ff., examine, watch.
- loke(n), v.a.pp. ii. 358, 1868, 1996, v. 33, shut up.
- lokes, see lock.
- lokinge, lokynge, s. i. 680, 1785, iii. 763, looking, sight.
- lollardie, s. P. 349, v. 1807, 1819.
- lomb, s. i. 604, vii. 4983.
- Lombard, Lumbard, P. 207, 778, vi. 857,
- pl. Lombardz, Lombars, Lombardes, P. 772 ff., i. 2459, ii. 2101 ff.
- Lombardie, P. 755, i. 2461, vii. 800.[Pg 605]
- lond, s. P. 123, 959
- (gen. londis, viii. 3053),
- pl. londes, P. 501;
- to londe, i. 1170, ii. 1828, v. 18, 4899,
- into londe, i. 3288,
- of londe, i. 2240,
- in londe, iii. 1818,
- be londe, iv. 1627,
- out of londe, iii. 878,
- over londe, v. 923,
- fro the londe, ii. 179.
- londe, v.n. ii. 2545, iv. 736, 1927.
- londflodes, s.pl. vii. 1235.
- lone, s. v. 4697, loan.
- long, a. P. 55, i. 2870,
- def. longe, i. 171, ii. 817.
- longe, adv. P. 62, i. 1645, iii. 1888, iv. 943, 1490, 1782,
- long, v. 1086, vii. 4999;
- comp. (no) longer, ii. 1038:
- long on, see along.
- longe, v.n. (1), ii. 1424, v. 7030, desire:
- impers. iii. 2760, v. 2526, 3688.
- longe, v.n. (2), P. 80, i. 254, 1480, v. 972, vii. 1064,
- (3 s.pres. longith, viii. 3079), belong.
- lope, s. iii. 916, leap.
- lord, s. P. 86, i. 816,
- ha lord, v. 2397,
- pl. lordes, i. 2032, v. 7332,
- (lordis, viii. 3129).
- lorde, v.n. ii. 3267, be lord.
- lordschipe, s. i. 2959, ii. 1484.
- lore, s. P. 19, 323, i. 1338, 2665,
- pl. lores, i. 2768, vii. 23, teaching, learning.
- lore, pp. i. 974, 2008, iii. 188, lost:
- cp. lose.
- lorer, s. iii. 1716, laurel.
- loresman, s. v. 1005, teacher.
- los, s. iii. 2144, v. 996, 5334, fame.
- los, a.,
- def. lose, i. 2660, loose.
- lose, v.a. v. 697, vii. 1592, set free:
- pret. loste, P. 686, i. 3304,
- lost, ii. 2290, v. 3465,
- pp. lost, P. 44, i. 1742, lose:
- cp. lese.
- lost, s. P. 762, i. 3106, ii. 2348, iv. 1485, loss.
- lot, s. v. 5309, vii. 1337.
- Loth, viii. 227.
- loth, a. i. 2876, ii. 962, iv. 1186,
- pl. lothe, i. 2282, v. 4277,
- lief ... loth, i. 1203, ii. 999, 2227,
- lieve ... lothe, ii. 3229, iv. 778, v. 770,
- hem thoghte lothe, iv. 1041: unwilling, unpleasing, hateful.
- lothe, v.a. v. 4650, vii. 3274, hate, make hateful;
- v.n. v. 5767, vii. 3724, be hateful.
- lothly, a. i. 1530, v. 647, vi. 2199;
- sup. the lothlieste, i. 1676.
- loude, see lowde.
- lourde, a. v. 657, clumsy.
- loure, v.n. i. 172, ii. 245, iii. 30, v. 479, frown.
- loute, v.n. i. 720, 2333, iii. 127, iv. 1169, bow, yield (to):
- cp. lute.
- love, s. P. 75, i. 811, 1863,
- genit. loves, i. 689, ii. 188, iii. 131,
- love drinke, vi. 333; love, loved one.
- love(n) (1), v.a.n. P. 389, 1050, i. 752, 1936, ii. 502.
- love (2), v.n. v. 7048, (luff), steer.
- loveday, s. P. 1047.
- lovedrunke, s. vi. 111, 307, love drunkenness.
- loveles, a. ii. 2961, v. 2505.
- lovere, s. iv. 554,
- pl. lovers, i. 673, ii. 237.
- low, lou, a. i. 2256, iv. 3521,
- lowe, iii. 606, vii. 740,
- pl. lowe, P. 924;
- superl. the lowest, vii. 224.
- low, lowh, v.,
- see lawhe.
- lowde, loude, a.pl. i. 2808, ii. 309, iv. 3064:
- adv. iii. 452, v. 5673.
- lowe, adv. i. 718, 1066, iv. 1004;
- sup. lowest, i. 704.
- lowe, v.a.n. iv. 1273, viii. 587, lower, go lower.
- Lowis (emperor), P. 777.
- Lowyz (king of France), ii. 2966.
- Lubie, vi. 410, 1922,
- Lubye, vi. 2069.
- luce, s. v. 2015, pike.
- Lucie, ii. 905, Lucius.
- Lucifer, i. 3299, v. 1701, viii. 10,
- genit. Luciferes, viii. 22.
- Lucius (1), v. 7124* ff.
- Lucius (2), vii. 3946.
- lucre, s. i. 1706, iii. 2360, iv. 2590.
- Lucrece, vii. 4809, 4985 ff., viii. 2632.
- lugge, v.a. vii. 1893.
- Lumbard, see Lombard.
- lunge, s. vii. 452, 465.
- lure, s. iv. 285.
- lurke, v.n. v. 6746.
- lust, s. P. 19, 230, i. 443, 754, ii. 1109,
- pl. lustes, i. 778, 1241, 2517, iv. 1318; pleasure, desire, charm.
- lust, v. see list.
- lusti, lusty, a. P. 937, i. 317, 1581, 2167, 2306, pleasant.
- lustles, a. ii. 2024, iv. 3262, 3455.
- lute, s. viii. 2679.
- lute, v.n. i. 1933, lurk:
- cp. loute.
- luxure, s. vii. 4561, lust.
- lye, v. see lie.
- lye, lie, s. P. 504, iii. 895, dregs.
- lyht, liht, s. i. 633, 1168, ii. 836, iii. 920,
- be lyhte, v. 6517,
- pl. lyhtes, iv. 3221, light.
- lyht, liht, a. (1) P. 941, i. 2176, vi. 1982, vii. 956,
- pl. lihte, iii. 783, bright.[Pg 606]
- lyht, a. (2), see liht.
- lyhte, adv. v. 4076, brightly.
- lyhthnynge, s. viii. 1000, lightning.
- lyke, see liche.
- lym, s. v. 7233, vi. 1594, lime, (mortar).
- lyn, s. iv. 2437, v. 1203, flax.
- lyne, see line.
- lyon, see leoun.
- lyte, a. ii. 429, v. 6627,
- as subst. a lyte, a lite, i. 264, 2687, ii. 2045,
- (often in MSS. alite, alyte, as i. 2687, ii. 2045, vii. 4092);
- to lite, iii. 581, see tolite.
- lyvynge, see livinge.
- M
- ma dame, i. 168, iv. 1374.
- macched, pp. v. 5422.
- mace, s. v. 6865, viii. 2507.
- Macedoyne, Macedoine, ii. 1616, iii. 2451, vi. 1809, vii. 3211*;
- as a. ii. 1840.
- Macer, vi. 1408.
- Machabeu, PP. 282.
- Machaire, iii. 146 ff., viii. 2588.
- macon, s. vii. 2427, mason.
- madd, mad, a. i. 130, v. 496, 5891.
- Madian, vii. 3710.
- madle, a. as subst. iv. 1301, vii. 4215, male.
- mageste, see majeste.
- magicien, s. v. 3084, vi. 1337.
- magique, s. iv. 2077, vi. 1402;
- a. v. 3947, vi. 1434.
- magnefie, magnifie, v.a. P. 44, 886, i. 2998, ii. 2827, iv. 2608.
- mai, v. see mowe.
- maide(n), mayde(n), i. 2481, 2573 ff. 3327, v. 3476,
- a maide child, viii. 1058,
- pl. maidenes, iv. 255, maidens, iv. 1464, 1575:
- cp. may.
- maidehiede, s. v. 6384.
- maidenhod(e), maidenhiede (-hede), maydenhiede (-hede), s. iv. 1566, 1585, v. 3068, 6181, 6219, vii. 5145,
- maidenhed, v. 6769.
- Maii, i. 100, 2026, vii. 1045,
- May, vii. 2276,
- genit. Maies, i. 2089, May.
- maile, s. v. 3111.
- main, s. vi. 90, strength.
- maintenue, s. viii. 3012, maintenance.
- maintiene, v.a. i. 3285,
- meintiene, iv. 3433,
- maintene, PP. 385.
- maister, s. i. 35, 1260, ii. 1134, v. 56,
- pl. maistres, v. 434.
- maistred, v.a.pp. iv. 3518.
- maistrefull, a. iii. 212.
- maistresse, s. i. 1825, iii. 170, viii. 2331.
- maistrie, s. iii. 1566, 2768, vi. 2341, vii. 1398,
- pl. maistries, v. 2061, mastery, great deed.
- majeste, mageste, s. ii. 1058, v. 1510, 1737.
- majorane, s. vii. 1433.
- make, s. (1), i. 101, 2088, iii. 2612, v. 4275, mate, match.
- make, s. (2), v. 2296, fashion.
- make(n), v.a. P. 23, 155, viii. 3143,
- 2, 3, s.pres. makst, makth, i. 774, iv. 2844,
- pret. made, P. 207, 816, ii. 858, 1265,
- mad, ii. 310, v. 3822,
- pp. mad, P. 347, i. 2427,
- (maad, viii. 3110),
- made (pl.), P. 300,
- maked, v. 680.
- makere, s. ii. 916, vii. 1508.
- makinge, makyng(e), s. v. 1022, 1203, viii. 3089*, 3154, making, composing (poetry).
- maladie, maladye, s. i. 128, ii. 9, 3221, viii. 2642.
- male, s. iv. 546, wallet.
- Malebouche, ii. 389.
- malencolie, s. P. 1069, iii. 27 ff., vii. 402.
- malencolien, a. iii. 33, 241.
- malencolious, a. iii. 87.
- malengin, s. v. 344, evil device.
- malgracious, a. v. 647.
- malgre, s. v. 6481, 6946, ill-will:
- adv. i. 789, 1329, in spite of the will;
- malgre myn, iv. 59,
- m. hem, iv. 1233, cp. vi. 524.
- malice, s. P. 62*, i. 605, vii. 939.
- malicious, a. iii. 1634, vii. 2852.
- man, s. P. 21, iii. 1249 ff.,
- genit. mannes, P. 14, i. 2412,
- (mannys, viii. 2975),
- to manne, iii. 1967, viii. 308,
- pl. men, P. 12, 167, i. 768,
- genit. mennes, i. 1995; man, servant.
- manace, s. i. 1598, iii. 1832.
- manace, v.a.n. iii. 1525, 1533, vi. 1680.
- Manachaz, Manachas, vii. 1801 ff.
- mandement, s. viii. 1819, command.
- Mane, v. 7023.
- manere, s. P. 362, i. 793, iv. 1281,
- such a maner wise, &c., P. 83*, i. 1086, 1360, iii. 1072,
- cp. i. 1977,
- in manere, vii. 2132, 4344, PP. 53.
- Manes, pl. v. 1363.
- manfull, a. vii. 2881.
- manhod(e), s. P. 260, ii. 1639, 2514, iii. 1964,
- manhiede, manhed(e), i. 1212, 3044, iv. 325, 2033; man’s nature, manliness, race of men.[Pg 607]
- mankinde, s. ii. 3108, iv. 2443.
- manlich, a. vii. 5093.
- manna, s. v. 1673.
- manneskinde, s. v. 4110.
- mannyssh, a. vi. 1528.
- manslawhte, s. iii. 2544,
- (manslaghtre, PP. 171).
- mantel, mantell, s. v. 3557, 4201, 6890, vii. 4524, 5067.
- many, mani, a.sing. P. 857, ii. 89, 447, iv. 1619,
- many a, P. 75, i. 1958,
- manye an, vii. 2191, many (manye) on, v. 5302,
- pl. manye, manie, P. 299, 672, i. 2530, iv. 1629,
- many, v. 2904, 4015, 5147;
- as subst. manye, i. 3238, v. 4001.
- manyfold, adv. iii. 1702, 1952, iv. 125,
- be manyfold, v. 1778.
- manyon, pron. i. 416, 655, 2441,
- pl. manion, ii. 1272:
- cp. many.
- mappemounde, s. vii. 530.
- marbre, s. iv. 3666 ff., v. 2035.
- Marc, vi. 474.
- March, v. 5968, vii. 1008,
- Marche, viii. 2843,
- Mars, viii. 2852, March.
- marchandie, s. ii. 600, vii. 917.
- marchant, s. v. 952, 2689, vii. 1687.
- marche, s. P. 720, i. 1417, ii. 2521 ff., vii. 555, PP. 291, border, territory.
- Marche, see March.
- marche, v.n. iv. 2987, border.
- Marchus Claudius, vii. 5167 ff.
- mareschall, mareschal, s. viii. 714, 2662.
- mariage, s. i. 1763, ii. 625, v. 1260.
- Marie, i. 3278, v. 1782*.
- maried, pp. v. 509.
- marked, pp. vii. 1144.
- market (place), s. v. 1535, vii. 5101.
- marrement, s. vii. 3310*, trouble.
- marrubium, vii. 1343, (name of a herb).
- Mars (1), Mart, Marte, v. 651 ff., 883 ff., 1215, 1477, 3506, 6150;
- (the planet) iv. 2470, vii. 889 ff., 992, 1136, 1314, 1323, 1360, 1374, 1389, 1411.
- Mars (2), see March.
- Marsagete, vii. 3444.
- martire, s. PP. 341.
- mased, a. vi. 132.
- Masphat, iv. 1533.
- masse, see messe.
- mast, s. i. 1068, viii. 617.
- mat, a. iii. 114, vi. 34, 730, weak, dejected.
- mathematique, vii. 72, 145 ff., 623.
- matiere, s. P. 6, 984, iv. 565, v. 572, matter, cause.
- matins, s. v. 7111.
- matrimoine, s. i. 1777.
- matrone, s. i. 1657.
- may, v. see mowe.
- may, s. iv. 30, v. 3438:
- cp. maide.
- mayde, see maide.
- Maximin, vii. 2766.
- me, pron. P. 30*, i. 117, 567, me, myself.
- mea culpa, i. 661.
- mechanique, s. vii. 1693.
- mecherie, see micherie.
- mechil, see mochel.
- mede, s. i. 795, 1554, ii. 2727, v. 4720,
- meede, v. 7133*, vii. 129.
- Mede, vii. 4335, 5313.
- Medee, Medea, iii. 2559, v. 2539, 3241, 3368 ff., 4361, viii. 2563.
- medicine, s. i. 30, 167, ii. 3203, medicine, healing.
- meditacioun, s. ii. 2876.
- medle, v.a. i. 1709, 3014,
- pp. medled, P. 858,
- medlid, iv. 1475;
- v.n. vii. 1586: mingle.
- Meduse, Medusa, i. 401 ff., 551.
- medwe, s. v. 4151, 5964.
- meedful, a. viii. 3105*.
- meel, s. vi. 720, meal.
- meene, see mene.
- meete, see mete.
- Megaster, vii. 1455.
- meind, see meynd.
- meintiene, see maintiene.
- meke, mieke, a. v. 2472, 5396, vii. 916.
- meke, v.refl. i. 866, v. 7386, submit.
- meknesse, s. i. 126, ii. 1486.
- melk, s. v. 4048.
- melle, v.n. v. 2833,
- cp. medle.
- melled, a. vii. 4899, mingled.
- melodie, s. i. 494, v. 1030.
- melte, v.n. iv. 1057,
- pret. malt, iv. 1065.
- membre, s. P. 153, v. 1457, PP. 164.
- memoire, s. P. 1002, i. 1775, ii. 1421.
- memorial, s. iv. 532, 563, 2042, memory.
- memorial, a. viii. 3026*, 3105, remembered.
- men, indef. pron. sing. ii. 659, v. 5510, viii. 2926, people.
- menable, a. i. 1067, ii. 1123, iii. 390, vii. 2762:
- see note on i. 1067.
- menage, s. v. 4809.
- Menander (1), iv. 109.
- Menander (2), iv. 2409.
- mencioun, s. ii. 428, iii. 739.
- mende, see mynde.
- mene, meene, v.a.n. i. 15, 280, 926, 1210, ii. 2465, iii. 2761, iv. 1859,
- pret.[Pg 608]
- mente, P. 667, 1024,
- minte, vii. 5043; mean, intend, speak.
- mene, meene, a. v. 3895, 5330.
- mene, s. v. 6542.
- Menelay, iii. 2136, v. 3072, viii. 2547.
- Menesteüs, iii. 2145.
- meninge, s. ii. 1599,
- menynge, vii. 4837.
- menstral, s. vii. 2423.
- menstre, s. v. 7059, minster.
- mercerie, s. ii. 3059.
- merci, mercy, s. i. 1832, 1902, 1936, iii. 222, thanks, mercy.
- merciable, a. iii. 1514, iv. 3426, vii. 3276, merciful.
- Mercurial, a. vii. 1357.
- Mercurie, Mercurius, i. 422 ff., iv. 2053, 3332 ff., v. 938, 1399, 1465, 7411, vii. 2967, 3056;
- (the planet) iv. 2474, vii. 757 ff., 1087, 1156, 1382, 1421, 1427.
- merel, s. P. 430, vii. 3266, lot.
- merie, merye, a. i. 2081, 2734, iv. 504, v. 6128:
- adv. v. 3779.
- merite, s. P. 301, v. 4893,
- merit, v. 1725.
- meritoire, a. P. 465.
- merthe, s. i. 2531, iv. 3149,
- pl. merthes, i. 102, vii. 4799.
- merveile, merveille, v.n. ii. 774, 1347, iv. 1266, vi. 171,
- mervaile, i. 2226;
- impers. v. 4481, vi. 385.
- merveile, merveille, s. i. 3234, iii. 1422, vii. 3998,
- merveilles (pl.), v. 309, iv. 2059,
- mervaile, mervaille, iv. 1480, vii. 2456.
- merveiled, a. v. 2060, filled with wonder.
- merveilous, a. iv. 2990, v. 5292.
- meschief, s. P. 150, ii. 1029, iii. 2387,
- (meschef, PP. 111),
- mischief, iii. 137.
- meschieved, pp. iv. 15.
- mescreance, s. v. 1444, vi. 2366.
- mescreantz, s.pl. PP. 268.
- Mese, iii. 2645, iv. 3516.
- message, s. i. 834, ii. 816, iii. 255, message, embassy.
- messager, s. ii. 943, v. 1185, vii. 4681,
- messagier, i. 2505;
- fem. messagere, iv. 2972.
- messe, masse, s. i. 660, iv. 1133, v. 7037, 7111.
- mestier, s. vii. 1692, occupation.
- mesure, s. P. 1056, 1080, i. 2402, iv. 3305, viii. 768.
- mesure, v.a. iv. 3306, v. 7638.
- metall, metal, s. P. 735, iv. 2449 ff.
- Metamor, Methamor, i. 389, v. 6711.
- mete, s. P. 475, i. 812, 2843, ii. 1363, iii. 183, meat.
- mete, meete, miete, v.a.n. (1), i. 2599, ii. 457, iii. 52, iv. 2902, v. 5584,
- pret. mette, P. 42*, i. 85,
- pp. met, iv. 2094, meet.
- mete, meete, v.a.n. (2), iii. 51, iv. 2901,
- pret. mette, iv. 2910, 3065, vi. 1980, dream.
- mete, meete, a. and adv. ii. 458, vii. 2899, fit, fitly.
- Methamor, see Metamor.
- Metodre, viii. 48.
- metre, s. iv. 2414.
- metrede, s. vi. 2003, dream.
- meynd, meind, a. P. 615, v. 2311, 4049, mingled.
- mi, min, see my.
- Micene, Micenes, iii. 2039, 2081.
- Micheas, vii. 2595 ff.,
- Michee, vii. 2667.
- micherie, mecherie, s. v. 6296, 6495, 6754, 6944, thievishness.
- michinge, s. v. 6525, thieving.
- midday, s. iv. 3273.
- middel, a. P. 17, v. 7691, viii. 720.
- middel, s. iv. 1356, vi. 786, vii. 1058, waist, middle.
- middelerthe, middilerthe, s. i. 3305, vii. 287.
- Mide, Myde, v. 153 ff., 412.
- midmorwe, s. viii. 666.
- midnyht, s. ii. 2891.
- mieke, a. see meke.
- miele, s. vi. 590, bowl.
- miete, see mete.
- miht, mihte, v. see mowe.
- miht, s. see myht.
- milde, mylde, a. P. 1058, i. 915, ii. 1056, vi. 1918, viii. 1030.
- mile, myle, s. ii. 1474, a ten mile, iv. 1707,
- thritty mile, v. 2036, (of time) iv. 689, viii. 2312.
- milion, s. v. 2613.
- minde, see mynde.
- mine, s. see myn.
- mineral, s. iv. 2559.
- minerall, a. iv. 2552.
- Minerve, s. i. 1120, 1147, v. 1189, 1460, 1831, 7413, vii. 1922, 1933.
- ministre, v.n. i. 808;
- v.a. vii. 1030.
- ministres, s.pl. i. 583.
- Minotaurus, Minotaure, iv. 1043, v. 5277, 5291 ff.
- minte, see mene.
- minut, mynut, s. iv. 241, 642, vi. 2257.
- mir, see myr.
- miracle, s. iv. 522, 3661, vii. 662.
- mirour, s. P. 496, iii. 1076, v. 2033, viii. 2821.
- mirre, s. i. 1705.[Pg 609]
- mis, mys, s. i. 3311, vi. 2359, wrong.
- mis, mys, adv. i. 2403, ii. 559, vii. 5429, amiss.
- misbegat, v.a.pret. vi. 2357.
- misbelieve, s. ii. 1569, v. 833, 1593.
- misbelieved, (pp.) a. v. 739.
- misbere, v.refl. vii. 5279, misbehave (oneself).
- misbore, pp. ii. 971.
- miscaste, v.a. iii. 110.
- mischief, see meschief.
- misconte, v.n. i. 3112.
- misdede, s. iii. 1931, 2614.
- misdespended, v.a.pp. i. 298.
- misdo, v.a.n. i. 3443,
- pret. misdede, iii. 227,
- pp. misdo, i. 2385, ii. 3513.
- miselve(n), miself, pron. i. 62, 192, 556,
- myselve, iv. 853,
- (my self, viii. 2958).
- misericorde, s. iii. 2628, 2712, vii. 3303.
- misfalle, v.n.,
- pret. misfell, vi. 2362.
- misfare, v.n. ii. 694, iv. 3387,
- pret. misferde, iv. 3602, vii. 4437,
- pp. misferd, ii. 2432, go wrong, transgress.
- misgete, v.a.pp. viii. 243.
- misgovernance, s. ii. 2965, v. 693.
- misguide, v.a. viii. 2920.
- mishandlinge, s. v. 1869.
- mishap(p), s. iii. 814, vi. 2358.
- mishappe, v.n. iv. 304, vii. 4916, fare ill, unfortunately happen.
- mislede, v.a. vii. 1678, 4310.
- misledere, s. ii. 3021.
- mislike, v.n. v. 7054, be displeasing.
- mislok, s. i. 334.
- misloke, v.n. i. 418, sin in looking.
- mislokynge, s. i. 445.
- mispaie, v.a. iii. 648,
- pp. mispaid, mispaied, ii. 549, viii. 1582, displease.
- mispeche, s. ii. 545.
- mispeke, v.a.n. ii. 535, 548, 2008, iii. 562, speak amiss.
- misreule, v.a. vii. 2508, viii. 2114.
- misse, v.n. iii. 1362, viii. 2229, fail;
- v.a. vi. 312,
- pret. miste, iv. 836, lose.
- misserve, v.a. vii. 3933.
- misseye, v.n. P. 480, say amiss.
- missit, v.n. 3 s.pres. v. 5213, is unfitting.
- mist, myst, s. v. 1866, vii. 281.
- mistake, v.a. iv. 1001.
- misteppe, v.n. v. 473, go wrong.
- misthrowe, v.a. i. 549.
- mistime, v.a. i. 220, iii. 2458, viii. 196,
- mystyme, vi. 4, disorder, bring about wrongly.
- mistorne, v.a.n. P. 957, i. 427, v. 6304, vii. 4468.
- mistriste, v.n. i. 3165.
- mistrowinge, s. vi. 1643.
- mistrust, s. ii. 53.
- misuse, v.a. P. 521, v. 4538.
- miswende, v.a.n. iii. 1548,
- pret. miswente, vi. 2361,
- pp. miswent, P. 517, i. 395, v. 5288.
- Mitelene, viii. 1405, 1610, 1917.
- mitre, s. ii. 2936.
- mo, a.pl. i. 922, 1272, iv. 1357:
- cp. nomo.
- Moab, viii. 235.
- Moabite, vii. 4503, viii. 241.
- moche, a. i. 224;
- as subst. to moche, iii. 581,
- cp. tomoche:
- for als moche, i. 272,
- cp. vi. 349.
- mochel, a. P. 342, i. 1568, iii. 1619,
- (mochil, mechil, viii. 3040, 3046);
- adv. i. 1412, 1983, ii. 2251, iii. 908.
- mod, s. ii. 2734, iv. 1280, PP. 101, mood, mind.
- modefie, modifie, v.a. vii. 2153, 4210, 5379, limit.
- moder, s. P. 852, ii. 644, vii. 4731,
- (modir, PP. 106, 241),
- genit. moder, iii. 313, 2175,
- pl. modres, ii. 3223.
- moderhed(e), s. ii. 1073, v. 5893.
- moerdre, s. ii. 3293, iii. 1883, murder.
- moerdre, v.a. iii. 1935 ff., viii. 1382, murder.
- moerdrer, s. viii. 1958.
- moerdrice, s. iii. 2003, viii. 1958, murderess.
- moeve(n), v.a. ii. 190, 1379;
- v.n. iii. 1273, vii. 677: move.
- moevement, s. vii. 674.
- Moïses, P. 306, iii. 2254, v. 1656, 1682, 6967, vi. 1092, vii. 1475, 3054, PP. 187,
- Moises, iv. 648.
- moist(e), s. P. 977, vii. 271, 379, 445, moisture.
- moiste, moyste, a. ii. 3123, vii. 413, 1061 ff.,
- moist, vii. 1287.
- moisture, s. vii. 730.
- molde, s. i. 1607, ii. 1737, iv. 1844, vii. 5017, earth;
- iv. 1112, fashion.
- Moloch, vii. 4509.
- moltoun, s. P. 1060, sheep.
- monarchie, s. P. 673, i. 763.
- mone, s. (1), i. 2180, 3143, ii. 703, iii. 556, moan, lament.
- mone, s. (2), P. 142, 484, i. 1168, v. 1447, vii. 721 ff., moon.
- mone, s. (3), i. 1634, companion.
- moneie, monoie, s. iv. 2448, v. 11, 610, 1834, 4377, money.
- monelyht, s. vii. 733.[Pg 610]
- monkes, s.genit. iv. 2732.
- monstre, s. i. 404, v. 1091, 5275.
- mont, s. ii. 3350, 3378,
- pl. montz, P. 755, iv. 1952.
- montaine, montaigne, monteine, s. iii. 365, v. 1048, 1288, 1331.
- montance, s. viii. 2312, amount.
- monthe, s. i. 100, 2026,
- pl. monthes, iv. 2960,
- a monthe (tuo monthe) day, iv. 776, 2955.
- mor (1), s. iv. 2786, moor.
- mor (2), see more.
- Moral, P. 945, (Gregory’s) Moralia.
- moral, a. iv. 2321, v. 1852, viii. 2925.
- More, i. 1686, Moor.
- more, a. P. 158, v. 5889;
- as subst. P. 20, 324, 762,
- mor, ii. 996, iv. 1650;
- cp. mo:
- adv. P. 640, i. 1263, iv. 122,
- mor, i. 1951, 2703, ii. 1736,
- the more, P. 55*, i. 2322,
- more yit (moreover), iv. 2446.
- more, v.a. v. 1614, vii. 1841, 4846, increase.
- morgage, s. vii. 4228.
- Morien, iv. 2609.
- Moris, ii. 937, 975, 1365 ff.
- Morpheüs, iv. 3039, 3057.
- morscel, s. vi. 6,
- morsell, viii. 195.
- mortalite, s. PP. 284.
- mortiel, a. iii. 1532, 2027.
- morwe, s. i. 2169, 2852, ii. 2713, iii. 2616,
- be the m., v. 3415,
- a morwe, ii. 781;
- as a. iv. 1829.
- morwetyde, s. iii. 1221.
- most, a.superl. i. 1194, 2074,
- def. moste, ii. 46, iii. 2678, iv. 959, greatest, chief:
- adv. most, P. 120, ii. 2336, v. 233,
- moste, i. 307, v. 3103.
- mote, v.n. viii. 640, 1,
- 3 s.pres. mot, P. 650, i. 1296, 2102,
- mote, vii. 3536, 3604 ff., viii. 255,
- 2 s. most, ii. 206,
- pl. mote(n), P. 698, ii. 3225, iii. 1030,
- pret. moste,
- (as pres.) P. 525, 646, i. 261, 1333, 2700, v. 526,
- (as pret.) P. 729, i. 2309,
- pres. subj. (expressing a wish), mot, mote, P. 92, 340, i. 2878, 3347: must, may.
- mote, s. ii. 576.
- mounte, monte, v.n. i. 3065, iv. 1061.
- mous, s. iii. 1643, vii. 3572.
- mowe, s. iv. 900, v. 1926, grimace.
- mowe, v.n.inf. iv. 38,
- mow, ii. 1670,
- 1, 3 s.pres. mai, may, P. 21, 249, i. 174, 689, 987, 1545, vii. 111, 4144,
- 2 s. miht, myht, i. 247, 710, 2242, ii. 2085,
- (myght, PP. 97),
- 2 pl. mow ye, iv. 2788,
- 3 pl. mow, v. 6768,
- pret. mihte, myhte, P. 203, 728, i. 1412, 2261, 2332, vii. 5062,
- (myghte, viii. 3048, PP. 76),
- miht, iii. 1356,
- myht, PP. 39,
- myhte ... to, ii. 510,
- cp. vii. 437, be able (to), have power, (may, might).
- mowe, v.a. ii. 2375, reap.
- mowth, mouth, s. i. 1275, ii. 431,
- to mowthe, to mouthe, be mowthe, i. 1642, 2433, ii. 485, vii. 5285,
- pl. mouthes, v. 3609, vii. 2653.
- muable, a. P. 581, v. 444, viii. 585, changing, easily moved.
- mue, s. iii. 1412, cage.
- muk, s. v. 4855.
- mule, s. ii. 1506, vi. 1835.
- mull, s. v. 2310, rubbish.
- multeplie, multiplie, v.a.n. iv. 2460, v. 133, 1651, 6423, viii. 29, increase.
- multiplicacioun (-on), s. iv. 2573, vii. 159, viii. 86.
- multitude, s. ii. 1810, v. 2201.
- Mundus, i. 783.
- murmur, s. i. 1345.
- muse, v.n. i. 3091, iii. 75, 1219, vii. 4270, reflect, gaze.
- Muse, s. viii. 3074*, 3140.
- musette, s. viii. 2677, (a musical instrument).
- musike, musiqe, musique, s. i. 497, iv. 2416, 3335, vii. 150.
- musinge, s. vi. 126.
- must, vii. 1165.
- my, mi, myn, min, poss. pron. P. 63, 85, i. 2, 74 ff.,
- pl. my, myn, min, i. 228, iii. 60, iv. 3219;
- disj. myn, i. 950, iii. 896,
- pl. myne, vii. 2333*:
- al myn one, i. 115, see one.
- mydnyht, a. v. 3961.
- myht, miht, s. P. 655, i. 2848, ii. 1155, vii. 2120,
- pl. mihtes, myhtes, i. 2917, iii. 1112,
- (myghtes, viii. 3065).
- myht, myhte,
- v. mowe.
- myhtely, adv. vii. 242.
- myhti(-y), mihty, mihti, a. P. 378, i. 940, 2792, 3013, ii. 1639,
- (myghti, mighti, PP. 41, 293);
- sup. myhtiest,
- def. myhtieste, P. 736, i. 1098, vii. 1826.
- mylde, see milde.
- myle, see mile.
- myn, pron. see my.
- myn, s. v. 86, 2155,
- myne, mine, iv. 2455, 2553, mine.
- mynde, minde, s. P. 93, i. 918, 1618, ii. 2226, v. 5726, viii. 1559,
- mende, iv. 643, 1961, vii. 1200, mind, memory, mention.
- myne, v.n. v. 2121, mine.
- myne, s. see myn.[Pg 611]
- Mynitor, v. 897.
- Mynos, v. 5231 ff.
- mynour, s. v. 2121, miner.
- mynut, see minut.
- myr, ii. 1974, iii. 1631, iv. 2723,
- mir, i. 683, mire.
- mys, see mis.
- mysbefalle, v.impers. i. 459.
- mysdrawe, pp. P. 430, wrongly drawn.
- myst, see mist.
- mystyme, see mistime.
- myswreynt, pp. v. 1869, wrongly twisted.
- myte, s. v. 4412.
- N
- Nabal, vii. 4530.
- nabeith (= ne abeith), vi. 1378.
- Nabugodonosor, P. 595, i. 2786, v. 7018.
- Nabuzardan, v. 7013.
- Nachaie, vi. 1660.
- nacion (-oun), s. i. 394, iv. 1451, viii. 85, 91, kind, race.
- nagher(e), adv. ii. 1244, 1260, v. 6240, nowhere:
- cp. nowher.
- naght, see noght.
- Naiades, v. 1334.
- naked, a. i. 363, 1781, iii. 248 &c.,
- nakid, ii. 709, iii. 1429, iv. 403,
- def. nakede, iv. 421.
- nam (= ne am), i. 743, 2751.
- nam, v.a.pret. i. 1738, ii. 1438, iii. 1447,
- nom, P. 758,
- pp. nome, P. 982, i. 443, 901, 3264, took, taken:
- thurgh nome, v. 3635, penetrated.
- name, s. P. 99, 294, i. 806, 2096, name, honour.
- name, v.a. P. 87, i. 3394, iii. 1599, iv. 2477,
- pret. namede, iv. 468.
- namely, adv. P. 144, iii. 63, 2633,
- namly, ii. 47,
- nameliche, i. 2370, v. 6345,
- namliche, iv. 1449, especially.
- Namplus, iii. 1002 ff.,
- cp. Nauplus.
- naproche (= ne aproche), iv. 1135.
- Narcizus, i. 2285,
- Narcise, viii. 2542.
- nargh, a. i. 1685, narrow.
- nase, s. i. 1678, iv. 2544, vii. 3273, nose.
- nassote (= ne assote), vii. 4254.
- natheles, P. 36, i. 21, 988, vii. 3877, nevertheless, moreover.
- nativite, s. i. 392, iv. 2764.
- nature, s. ii. 1376, iii. 175, 350 ff., viii. 2224 ff.,
- pl. natures, vii. 108.
- nature, v.a. vii. 393, fashion.
- naturel, a. i. 1498, iii. 2581, iv. 2399, vii. 1301.
- naturien, s. vi. 1338, vii. 649, 1471, follower of natural magic.
- Nauplus, iv. 1816 ff.,
- cp. Namplus.
- navele, s. i. 489.
- navie, s. i. 528, 1171, iv. 80, vi. 1445,
- navye, ii. 1128.
- nawher(e), see nowher.
- nay, adv. P. 373, i. 740, iii. 55.
- nayled, pp. vii. 2900.
- ne, adv. i. 733, iii. 936, iv. 2855,
- ne ... no, P. 179, i. 159, 792,
- ne ... noght, i. 166, iii. 570,
- that ... ne, P. 990, i. 788, 2093,
- ne ... bot, i. 264,
- non ... ne, iv. 1400;
- ne (= nor), i. 25, 794, 1082,
- ne ... ne, viii. 2451,
- noght ... ne noght ne, i. 2722:
- ne hadde he (if he had not), iv. 2184,
- ne hadde be that, vi. 1755,
- that I nere, that he ne were, (O that I were, &c.), iv. 3414, v. 3747.
- Neabole, v. 1435.
- necessaire, a. vii. 1504.
- necessite, s. P. 797, vii. 1704.
- necgligence, negligence, s. iv. 889 ff.
- necgligent, a. iv. 962, 1031.
- necke, s. P. 605, i. 1687.
- Nectanabus, v. 6671, vi. 1796 ff., vii. 1296.
- neddre, s. vii. 1010, adder:
- cp. eddre.
- nede, s. P. 227, i. 1988, 2239,
- ned, iv. 3449,
- pl. nedes, ii. 3414;
- ate nede, iii. 1772,
- mot nede, nedes mot, moste nedes, &c., P. 574, i. 1714, ii. 778, iii. 352.
- nedeles, a. i. 3267, without need (of help).
- nedeth, needeth, v.n. 3 s.pres. P. 800, i. 2446, iii. 1311, viii. 2245;
- impers. P. 33, i. 283, ii. 1897, 3364: is necessary, (it) is needful.
- nedle, s. vi. 559,
- nedle and ston, vi. 1422, viii. 541.
- nedly, adv. iv. 1168.
- nedy, a. v. 7757.
- negligence, see necgligence.
- neisshe, see neysshe.
- Nembrot, Nembroth, P. 1018, v. 1547, vii. 1452.
- Neptunus, Neptune, i. 1152, ii. 180, v. 983 ff., 1146, 6162 ff., vi. 1406, viii. 623, 1595, 1614.
- nere (= ne were), iv. 3414.
- Nereïdes, v. 1345.
- Nero, vi. 1155 ff.
- nerr, a. and adv. comp. i. 2323, iii. 1040, iv. 1705, vii. 312,
- ner, ii. 2286, v. 5050;
- as prep. iii. 694: nearer.
- Nessus, ii. 2168 ff.[Pg 612]
- nest, s. iv. 1669.
- nest, adv. see next.
- Nestor, iii. 1801 ff.
- net, s. iii. 183, iv. 2428.
- netherdes, s.pl. v. 1006, neatherds.
- netle, s. ii. 401.
- Neuma Pompilius, vii. 3057.
- nevere, adv. P. 660, i. 1532, 2324.
- neveremo, adv. iv. 2266,
- neveremor(e), v. 2813, 4474,
- nevermor, ii. 1304.
- nevoeu, s. i. 1409, nephew.
- newe, a. P. 349, 659, i. 2083,
- as subst. P. 1003, i. 1202;
- of newe, P. 6,
- uppon newe, PP. 315.
- newe, adv. P. 163, i. 1665.
- newe, v.a. P. 92*, i. 2700, vi. 1497, renew, produce;
- v.n. P. 59, viii. 1587, change.
- newefongel, a. v. 4367.
- newefot, s. vi. 145, (name of a dance).
- next, adv. i. 256, 1230, 1964,
- nest, vii. 1075.
- nexte, a.def. ii. 3149.
- neyhe, v.n. v. 3782, draw near.
- neysshe, neisshe, a. iv. 3681, v. 4693, soft.
- nice, see nyce.
- Nicolas, ii. 2809.
- Nigargorus, v. 1521.
- nigromaunce, s. v. 6673, vi. 1308.
- niht, see nyht.
- Nil, vii. 561.
- nimphe, s. i. 365, 2317,
- pl. nimphes, i. 2343, v. 1182, 1328 ff.,
- nimphis, v. 6932.
- Ninus, v. 1541.
- nis (= ne is), i. 618, 3382,
- nys, i. 443, ii. 2946.
- no, a. P. 106, i. 152,
- no thing, iii. 1824:
- cp. non.
- no, adv. i. 712, ii. 1931, iv. 2746,
- no lengere, v. 5082.
- noble, a. P. 633, i. 3351;
- sup. noblest, i. 465.
- nobleie, s. i. 2032, vii. 813.
- nobles, s.pl. v. 3758, vii. 2376.
- noblesce, noblesse, i. 2100, ii. 2820, v. 7648.
- Noë, P. 1015, v. 1605, vii. 542, 1452, viii. 79, 84.
- noght, s. P. 624, i. 2197,
- (nought, viii. 3078),
- at noght, i. 1567, 1896,
- for n., ii. 2696,
- al to n., iii. 580,
- as n. ne were, iv. 696, 1925,
- for n. he preide &c., ii. 1164, 2974,
- al to noghtes, vii. 412.
- noght, adv. P. 124, 221, 270 &c.,
- nought, P. 33, 70*,
- naght, v. 3786,
- not, vii. 2198, viii. 3017*.
- noghwhere, see nowher.
- noise, s. i. 375, 1733,
- noyse, ii. 3239.
- noise, v.a. iv. 3004, disturb.
- nolde (= ne wolde), vi. 1366, viii. 1603.
- nom, see nam.
- noman, P. 41, i. 21 &c.,
- (no man, PP. 11).
- nomaner, iii. 173.
- nombre, s. vii. 155, number.
- nombre, v.a. ii. 1769, vii. 1122.
- nome, see nam.
- nomo, s.pl. i. 1898, ii. 133,
- no mo, i. 1272.
- nomore, nomor, a. ii. 1526, iv. 603:
- subst. i. 270, 1605, 3439;
- cp. nomo:
- adv. P. 1086, i. 1226, 2101.
- non, a. P. 207, 901, i. 890, iv. 505, 1543,
- pl. none, P. 201, iv. 691, 1446,
- non, i. 1336, 1386;
- in none wise, v. 1637, viii. 949;
- cp. no:
- pron. P. 176, ii. 1828, no one:
- adv. i. 137, 1329, iii. 2443, not.
- non, s. viii. 668, noon.
- Nonarcigne, v. 1009.
- noncertein, s. viii. 2179, 2378, uncertainty.
- nones, i. 2538, ii. 1130, iv. 1353, 3009.
- nonne, s. viii. 175, nun.
- norrice, s. i. 618, ii. 1076, iii. 1936, iv. 1087, vii. 3573, nurse, nurture.
- north, s. viii. 1039.
- Northumberlond, ii. 717.
- not (= ne wot), P. 254, i. 56, iii. 124,
- nost (= ne wost), iv. 1779,
- nyste (= ne wyste), i. 914, iii. 998.
- not, adv. see noght.
- note, s. (1), P. 1058, iv. 434, 699,
- pl. notes, i. 496, note (of music), mark.
- note, s. (2), iv. 566, nut.
- note, v.a.n. iv. 698, 2415, v. 1346, vii. 2340.
- notefie, v.a. ii. 2825.
- notetre, s. iv. 867, nut-tree.
- nother, see nouther.
- nothing, s. i. 909, ii. 1166 &c.,
- no thing, iii. 1834:
- adv. P. 214, i. 3029 &c.
- nouche, s. i. 2420, v. 7066, vi. 1134, brooch.
- nought, see noght.
- noughte (= ne oughte), viii. 2991.
- nouther, nowther, a. iv. 2254;
- as conj. i. 271, 2470, ii. 1412, v. 2849,
- nother, iv. 1268: neither.
- novellerie, s. v. 3955.
- Novembre, vii. 1167.
- now, nou, adv. P. 27 &c.,
- now ... now, nou ... nou, P. 569 f., i. 90,
- as now, i. 546,
- tyme now, i. 2379, viii. 2437,
- on daies nou, iv. 1731 (cp. now adaies):
- as subst. P. 843, iv. 2772, v. 4501.[Pg 613]
- nowher, adv. ii. 31,
- noghwhere, vii. 1514,
- nawher(e), iv. 1044, v. 3269:
- cp. naghere.
- nowhider, adv. v. 520.
- nowther, see nouther.
- nyce, nice, a. i. 1224, 2016, 2276, ii. 1866, iv. 610, v. 1038, 2818;
- as subst. v. 4725: foolish, fastidious, delicate.
- nycete, s. v. 462, vi. 176, folly.
- nygard, s. v. 4850.
- nygardie, s. v. 4805.
- nyh, a. P. 261;
- adv. P. 884, i. 1527;
- prep. i. 2322, ii. 1115:
- cp. nerr.
- nyht, niht, s. P. 939, i. 1167, ii. 2656,
- nyght, PP. 102,
- gen. nyhtes, i. 860, vii. 358;
- be nyhte, be nihte, i. 823, ii. 2681, iii. 148, iv. 420,
- be nyht, iii. 1541, iv. 3057,
- at nyht, i. 870,
- on nyht, i. 1811,
- a nyht, v. 2099, 6507,
- to nyht, i. 944.
- nyhte, v.n. v. 4955, become night.
- nyhtingale, s. i. 355, iv. 2872, v. 5944.
- nyle (= ne wyle), iii. 961.
- nyne, num. iii. 1521, v. 4019.
- nynthe, a. vii. 1141, 1379.
- nys, see nis.
- nyste, see not.
- O
- O, interj. i. 124, v. 5677.
- o, pron.a. i. 1505, v. 2252, 2296,
- that o, P. 981, v. 2255,
- that o ... that other, v. 2306 ff.,
- cp. on pron.
- obedience, s. i. 1301, 1858.
- obedient, a. i. 1291, iv. 1125.
- obeie, v.a.n. P. 729, i. 510, 1269, 1281, 2236, ii. 2612, v. 6364;
- refl. iii. 265;
- is obeied (to), ii. 1529: obey, submit, do obeisance.
- obeissance, s. P. 107, i. 2606, viii. 2713,
- (obeyssaunce, viii. 3021*), obedience, homage.
- obeissant, a. i. 2502, 2795, iv. 425, v. 1351, obedient.
- oblivion, s. iv. 651.
- observance, s. i. 881, 1869, 2605.
- observe, v.a. P. 72*, iv. 3252, vii. 4214.
- obstacle, s. ii. 1546, iv. 521.
- obstinacie, s. iv. 3434.
- obstinat, a. iv. 3442, v. 1704.
- occeane, s. vii. 592.
- occident, s. iv. 3235, vii. 582,
- thoccident, P. 720, the West.
- occupacioun (-on), s. iv. 212, 1257, v. 197.
- Octobre, vii. 1139.
- Octovien, v. 4731.
- odde, a. vii. 1580.
- Oënes, iv. 2045.
- Oëtes, v. 3321.
- of, prep. P. 1, 3, 235, i. 825, 1212, 2237, 2737, ii. 2285, iv. 3414, v. 1998, of, from, by reason of, as regards, by:
- of that (= since), P. 333, i. 417, 1128, 2566;
- of tolde, speke of, &c., i. 2866, iv. 2466:
- adv. i. 1745, 2471, off.
- offence, s. i. 2072, iii. 104, 614, iv. 505.
- offende, v.n. P. 422;
- v.a. vii. 3243, PP. 245.
- office, s. P. 80, i. 2410, iii. 2004, 2218,
- thoffice, i. 242.
- officer, officier, s. i. 647, 2506.
- offre, v.a. i. 1122, 1159;
- v.n. iii. 1990.
- offrende, s. i. 936, v. 1638, viii. 956,
- offringe, iii. 1995, v. 830.
- ofherkne, v.n. ii. 2007.
- ofte, adv. P. 14, i. 620,
- often, P. 502,
- ofte sithes (time), i. 118, ii. 2015,
- often times, v. 4777.
- oftetime, adv. vi. 1248.
- oghne, a. P. 86, i. 951 &c.,
- oughne, i. 1948, v. 588,
- owen, viii. 1248,
- owne, viii. 2954*.
- oght, s. P. 846, iv. 673, 1765, 3487,
- ought, i. 1287, ii. 1930, iv. 1745,
- auht, v. 6073:
- adv. i. 549, ii. 274,
- awht, i. 2770.
- oghth, v. 3 s.pres. iii. 2474,
- pret. oghte, i. 462, 2238, v. 4984,
- oughte, v. 2607,
- owhte, ii. 549,
- thou oghtest, iv. 1794;
- impers. ii. 2142, iii. 704, 1666: ought, owe, own.
- oignement, s. v. 3596, viii. 2817.
- oil, s. vii. 2194, 2584 (see note).
- oile, s. see oyle.
- old, a. P. 1003, i. 1072,
- def. olde, i. 2693, 2696,
- pl. olde, P. 7, i. 3390,
- (as subst.), v. 3930;
- of (be) olde ensample, iii. 782, 1683,
- be olde tyde, v. 139:
- cp. eldeste.
- Olimpe, v. 3997.
- Olimpias, vi. 1824, 1965.
- olyve, s. v. 4142.
- Omelie, v. 1901, Homilies.
- on, prep. P. 28, 789, i. 350, 697, 1677, iv. 624, 1632;
- adv. i. 1273: on, in.
- on, num. P. 125, i. 194, 1274, 1793, one;
- in on, P. 159, united;
- in on, evere in on, P. 523, i. 1795, iii. 526, v. 375, in the same way, without ceasing;
- on and on, i. 194, vi. 1315, one by one:[Pg 614]
- pron. on, i. 2483, ii. 1217, 1247, iv. 605, 2050,
- oon, ii. 1092, iv. 555, v. 519,
- on ... other, P. 649, 968, i. 1496,
- that on ... that other, i. 397, v. 2298,
- on the ferste, &c., iv. 2606, vi. 1481, vii. 3092:
- cp. one.
- onde, s. i. 979, v. 3975, emotion, breath.
- one, a. i. 2179, vii. 3619, 4161,
- al one, P. 72, i. 351,
- al myn one, &c., i. 115, iv. 833,
- him one, viii. 634, single, alone.
- ones, adv. i. 962, ii. 1490,
- at ones, i. 2202, ii. 2301, iv. 2102.
- only, onli, adv. P. 265, 719, i. 622, iv. 3202,
- onlyche, onlich(e), i. 740, 1948, iii. 42.
- onwrong (?), adv. P. 65*.
- oon, see on, pron.
- open, a. P. 34, 865, ii. 431, 776,
- in open, i. 616,
- leie open, v. 974.
- openly, adv. P. 330, i. 2187,
- openliche, i. 1035, ii. 918.
- operacioun (-on), s. vii. 998, 1282.
- opinioun (-on), s. i. 1990, ii. 3214, iii. 2114,
- oppinion, P. 531, v. 1174.
- opne, v.a. v. 3594, 5785.
- oppose, v.a. i. 225, 880, 1276, 1601;
- v.n. iii. 436, viii. 1712; question; ask questions.
- opposit, s. iv. 3243.
- oppresse, v.a. iii. 49, 2335, v. 889, 1806, vi. 568,
- (pp. oppressid, viii. 3019).
- or, conj. P. 215,
- or ... or, P. 211, i. 740, either ... or,
- or (that) ... or, iii. 1192, iv. 1093, whether ... or.
- or, prep. see er.
- Orace, vii. 3581,
- cp. vi. 1513 marg.
- Orayn, v. 806.
- Orbis, vii. 613, 618, 687.
- Orchamus, v. 6727.
- ordeine, ordeigne, v.a. P. 379, i. 828, 1754, 2126, 2504, 3319, iv. 3624, appoint, arrange.
- ordinal, s. vii. 969, arrangement.
- ordinance, s. ii. 677, 1643, iii. 1787,
- ordinaunce, iv. 3559, management, order.
- ordre, s. i. 243, 1026, v. 890,
- order, v. 6954,
- pl. ordres, i. 608.
- ore, s. ii. 1904, v. 3688, viii. 1401, oar.
- Oreades, v. 1330.
- orf, s. P. 410, cattle.
- orient, s. i. 2789, iv. 3236, vii. 555,
- thorient, P. 719.
- original, a. v. 1767, vi. 1.
- orped, a. i. 2590, iii. 2415, valiant.
- Ortolan, iv. 2609.
- Orus, v. 798.
- oth, s. i. 985, 1487, iii. 55, 220, oath.
- other, a. P. 264,
- other wise, P. 463, i. 1048, 1615,
- in othre wise, viii. 3054,
- cp. otherwise, an other, i. 178,
- another, P. 968,
- an othre, i. 481,
- non othre, viii. 2962,
- that other, P. 373, i. 1783, ii. 1832 (the next),
- thother, ii. 1740,
- that othre, v. 3172,
- pl. othre, P. 255, i. 1728, iv. 1184,
- other, i. 116, iv. 1183,
- thother, vii. 371:
- as subst. P. 1024,
- an other, i. 1500, iii. 179, vii. 4741, 5165,
- an othre, i. 1496, ii. 511,
- ech ... other, iv. 500,
- eche (echon) ... othre, i. 2061, 2082,
- pl. othre, P. 427, i. 810, 2074:
- adv. i. 1760, otherwise.
- othergate, adv. P. 440, iv. 2790.
- otherwhile, adv. i. 2335 f., 2515, ii. 456, 1080, sometimes, any time.
- otherwise, adv. P. 240, i. 1938,
- of otherwise, ii. 2421:
- cp. other.
- Othes, P. 818.
- Othrin, v. 3997.
- oughne, see oghne.
- ought, see oght.
- oughte, see oghth.
- oule, s. i. 1727, iii. 585, vi. 1450.
- oultrage, s. P. 1080, ii. 2967, iii. 1775, vii. 1190.
- oultreli, adv. vii. 4107, utterly.
- oure, poss. pron. P. 5, i. 2062, iii. 1473,
- our, v. 1860.
- ourselve, pron. PP. 222,
- cp. ousselve.
- ous, pers. pron. P. 1, 5 &c.,
- refl. P. 543,
- (us, viii. 3110*), us.
- ousselve, pron. P. 525,
- ousself, iii. 2302, ourselves:
- cp. ourselve.
- out, see oute.
- outake(n), outtake, pp. P. 136, vii. 264;
- as prep. i. 3077, iv. 3459, v. 215: excepted, except.
- outbreide, v.a.pret. iii. 800,
- out breide, viii. 1377, drew out.
- outdrowh, outdrouh, v.a.pret. iii. 1661, v. 3719, drew out.
- oute, out, adv. P. 689, i. 1418, ii. 1887, 3240, iv. 2351, viii. 1377,
- (as exclamation) v. 3910,
- out of, P. 131, i. 933, &c.
- outher, conj. see owther.
- outher, indef.pron. v. 2836.
- outtake, see outake.
- outward, adv. P. 447, ii. 2201, v. 1996, 4399; outwardly, out.
- outwith, a. viii. 2833, outwardly.[Pg 615]
- over, prep. P. 755,
- over this, P. 328,
- (ovyr this, viii. 3005),
- over that, P. 1017, besides,
- cp. overthis, overthat;
- over al, iii. 1945, throughout.
- overal, adv. P. 119, i. 1713,
- overall, iv. 2882, everywhere, throughout.
- overblowe, v.n. v. 7828.
- overcaste, v.a. P. 657, i. 1070, iii. 1010, 1136, 1354, v. 4603, viii. 1042, overthrow, upset, cover (with clouds).
- overcome, v.a.,
- 3 s.pres. overcomth, iii. 619,
- pret. overcom, P. 757,
- overcam, v. 1093,
- pp. overcome, P. 704, i. 970, v. 3745.
- overforth, adv. P. 635.
- overgilt, pp. viii. 569, gilded over.
- overglad, i. 2713, iv. 678.
- overgladed, pp. iii. 106.
- overgo, v.n.,
- 3 s.pres. overgoth, iii. 102,
- overgeth, iii. 1962,
- pp. overgo(n), i. 3325, iv. 664, pass away:
- v.a. iii. 576, 1488, viii. 182, 227, overcome.
- overhaste, v.a. iii. 1675.
- overhippe, v.a. v. 2004, leap over.
- overladde, v.a.pret. iii. 2364,
- pp. overlad, iv. 582, v. 2749, overcame, overcome.
- overlein, pp. vii. 3930, oppressed.
- overlippe, s. v. 376, upper lip.
- overmo, overmor(e), adv. i. 2386, 3361, ii. 378, iii. 918,
- (ovyrmore, viii. 3029), moreover.
- overpasse, v.a. i. 517, 2402, ii. 2401, vii. 1839, 4075, pass over, pass by, avoid, surpass;
- v.n. P. 630, i. 6, 2922, iii. 94, iv. 1134, pass away.
- overrede, v.a.,
- pret. overradde, ii. 956,
- pp. overrad, iv. 207, read over.
- overrenne, v.a.,
- pret. overran, iii. 2445,
- pp. overronne, i. 2478, iv. 2188, v. 6974, vi. 1059, vii. 862,
- overrunne, viii. 100, overrun, conquer, pass, omit, transgress.
- overscape, v.a. i. 2242, iii. 518, escape from.
- overseie, pp. oversein,
- v.a. ii. 1011, viii. 879, looked over.
- oversein, overseie, a. v. 3190, viii. 2933, careless, imprudent.
- overset, v.a.pp. i. 1953, v. 2707.
- oversit, v.a. 3 s.pres. iii. 618,
- pret. oversat, iv. 806, outstay.
- overspradde, v.a.pret. v. 1653, 7114*, viii. 1012, 3002*.
- overtake, v.a. v. 700,
- pret. overtok, ii. 303,
- pp. overtake, P. 135, ii. 2586, iii. 2098, iv. 3415, overtake, convict, ruin.
- overthat, adv. P. 839, iii. 277, moreover;
- cp. over.
- overthis, adv. i. 448, 573, iv. 3698, moreover;
- cp. over.
- overthrowe, v.a. P. 139,
- pret. overthrew, overthreu, vi. 1590, viii. 2704,
- pl. overthrewe, vi. 2264, turn over, overthrow;
- v.n. P. 969, i. 1886, 1962, ii. 252,
- pret.subj. overthrewe, iii. 1630, be overthrown.
- overtorne, v.a. iv. 1280, vi. 129, 1956,
- (pp. ovyrturnyd, viii. 3145), turn over, overturn;
- v.n. P. 958.
- overtrowe, v.n. i. 2369.
- overwende, v. iii. 1131, v. 1668, overturn, come over.
- overwroth, a. iii. 579.
- Ovide, i. 333, 386, 2274, ii. 106, 2297, iii. 361, 381, 736, iv. 1211, 2669 ff., 3317, v. 140, 635, 878, 4229, 5570, 6146, 6710, viii. 2266 ff., 2719.
- owen, see oghne.
- owther, outher, conj. i. 2309, iii. 847, iv. 938, either.
- oxe, s. i. 2843, ii. 86, v. 10,
- pl. oxen, v. 1023,
- oxes, iv. 1835.
- oyle, oile, s. iv. 257, viii. 1198, 2775, oil.
- P
- Paceole, v. 299.
- pacience, s. ii. 2819, iii. 12, 1098.
- pacient, a. iii. 706.
- packe, s. v. 5516, 6094.
- Pafagoine, iv. 2148 ff.
- page, s. iv. 1192, foot-boy.
- paie, v.a.n. iv. 1848, 3269, v. 2679,
- 3 s.p. paith, v. 4522,
- paieth, v. 5513,
- pret. payde, v. 1755,
- pp. paid, payd, i. 2449, 3324, ii. 2217, iii. 934,
- paied, i. 2984, please, pay, satisfy.
- paiement, s. v. 5087, 5520.
- paien, s. vii. 3246* ff.,
- pl. paiens, vi. 1313, PP. 183, pagan.
- paiene, payene, a. v. 1137, 1943,
- paien, vii. 3222*, 4408, pagan.
- paindemeine, s. vi. 620.
- Palamades, iii. 1007, iv. 1817.
- pale, a. i. 701, 982, ii. 1346.
- paleis, s. P. 838, i. 2964, ii. 3231.
- Palene, v. 1199.
- Palladion, v. 1833 ff.[Pg 616]
- Pallant, v. 1209.
- Pallas, i. 420 ff., v. 1207 ff., 4219, 6149 ff.
- palle, v.a.n. v. 5486, vi. 342, weaken, grow weak.
- palle, s. v. 6680, covering.
- Pan, v. 1007, viii. 2239, 2476.
- panche, s. vi. 1000, belly.
- Pandas, iv. 2410.
- Pandion, v. 5556.
- Pandulf, iv. 2408.
- panne, s. i. 2472, iv. 2733.
- Pantasilee, iv. 2139 ff., v. 2547,
- Pantaselee, viii. 2527.
- Panthasas, iv. 3049.
- Pantheon, viii. 272.
- papacie, s. P. 364, ii. 2895.
- papal, a. ii. 2925.
- papat, s. ii. 2833, papacy.
- paper, s. iv. 198.
- Paphos, iv. 435.
- Paphus, iv. 434.
- pappes, s.pl. iii. 2010, 2073.
- par, prep. see per.
- paradis, s. P. 1005, i. 3303, iv. 682, v. 1707, vi. 207,
- paradys, i. 502.
- parage, s. i. 3336, viii. 351, equal rank, rank.
- parail, s. vii. 1038.
- paramour, s. iv. 1269, 1470.
- Parasie, v. 1011.
- parconner, s. viii. 2535, partner.
- pardoun, s. i. 2174, viii. 2896.
- parfit, a. iii. 2496, v. 2032,
- def. parfit, iv. 2522,
- parfite, iv. 2624;
- as subst. the parfit, iv. 2363, v. 1723:
- adv. v. 1714.
- parfitly, parfitli, adv. ii. 755, iv. 2497, v. 2136,
- parfihtliche, v. 1732.
- parforne, v.a. vii. 1373, viii. 2273, perform.
- Paris, v. 7374 ff., viii. 2529.
- park, s. i. 1566, iv. 1288.
- parlement, s. ii. 1549, 2653, iii. 2130, v. 484.
- part, s. P. 64, i. 321, 1376, ii. 174, 1447,
- pl. pars, v. 4774,
- partz, v. 7704.
- parte, v.a. P. 170, 467, v. 73, divide, distribute:
- v.n. ii. 1578, v. 131, 3639, 6175, 7582, part (from, with), depart, share.
- parti, a. iii. 983, variegated.
- parti, s. ii. 1740, v. 7341, part, party.
- partie, s. P. 43, 792, 956, ii. 230, part, party:
- stant partie, iii. 1160.
- partinge, s. vii. 2008, division.
- pas, pass, s. i. 1421, ii. 2205, v. 6090, pass, passage;
- i. 2183, vi. 1197, pace, foot’s pace,
- the grete pas, ii. 988, v. 3178, vii. 3283*,
- (the) softe pas, ii. 1509, vii. 4970.
- Pasiphe, v. 5279.
- passage, s. ii. 1885, 2194, 2209, 3036, iv. 1902, passage, passing away.
- passe(n), v.a. i. 332, 651, 1849, 2175, iv. 1666, viii. 2692, pass, pass through, pass over, surpass;
- v.n. P. 689, i. 142, 499, 1534, 2247, ii. 944, 2810, iv. 2239, v. 5954, vii. 4762, pass, happen, pass away.
- passible, a. v. 771, liable to suffer.
- passioun (-on), s. P. 915, iii. 2721, vi. 169.
- past, s. iii. 447, vi. 620, paste, pastry.
- paste, s. v. 2407, pasty.
- pasture, v.n. i. 2915.
- paternoster, s. v. 7119.
- path, s. v. 1990.
- patriarch, s. v. 1635, vi. 1040,
- pl. patriarkes, viii. 134.
- patrimoine, s. P. 741.
- Paul (Emilius), Paulus, ii. 1776 ff.
- Pauline, i. 765 ff.
- paved, pp. viii. 1855.
- pay, s. vi. 1208, satisfaction.
- payene, see paiene.
- peine, s. P. 509, i. 1209, 1367, ii. 2586,
- (peyne, viii. 3121),
- pl. peines, i. 2900, punishment, pain:
- do mi peine, &c., ii. 507, v. 658, endeavour.
- peine, peyne, v.refl. iv. 414, viii. 2509, suffer, take pains;
- peined, pp. i. 2916, ii. 26, troubled.
- peinte, v.a. i. 284, 1346, 2729, ii. 2854, iv. 2138, PP. 329, paint, embellish.
- peinture, s. vi. 1894.
- peire, s. v. 5691,
- p. of bedes, viii. 2904.
- peis, s. vii. 3119, viii. 2380, weight.
- peise, v.a. P. 540, i. 3377, iii. 2403;
- v.n. v. 232, viii. 1169: weigh, feel by weight.
- Pelage, ii. 1316.
- Peleüs (1), iii. 2550.
- Peleus (2), v. 3249 ff., 4187, Pelias.
- pelote, s. v. 5349, ball.
- pelrinage, s. i. 803, ii. 1315, iv. 1199.
- penance, penaunce, s. P. 471, i. 1669, ii. 2316, viii. 477.
- Peneie, v. 4006.
- penne, s. iii. 271.
- Penolope, iv. 152 ff., 1822, vi. 1471, viii. 2621.
- penon, s. vi. 1650.
- penonceal, s. viii. 988.
- pensel, s. vi. 1553, 1733, pennon.
- Pentapolim, viii. 658, 1966 ff.
- peny, s. vii. 2125.[Pg 617]
- per, par, prep. P. 42*, i. 1521, 2049, 2225, ii. 1644, iii. 2604, iv. 39, 964, 1101, 1239, v. 3351.
- peraunter, adv. ii. 563, perchance.
- perce, v.a. iii. 451, iv. 2881, 3030, v. 1678, pierce.
- Perce, see Perse.
- perceive, v.a. i. 471, 899;
- v.n. v. 2086.
- perdurable, a. vii. 520, viii. 2976, eternal.
- perfeccioun, s. P. 436.
- periferie, s. vii. 265 ff.
- peril, s. P. 381, i. 1076, iii. 185.
- perjurie, s. v. 3225, perjure, v. 7617.
- perle, s. iv. 1313, v. 3015, vii. 4334.
- perled, a. i. 2510.
- pernable, a. viii. 2931.
- Peronelle, i. 3396.
- perpetuel, a. vii. 98.
- perplexete, s. viii. 2190.
- perrie, s. i. 2997, v. 7117*, vi. 1135, vii. 1397, precious stones, stone.
- Perse (1), Perce, P. 678 ff., ii. 2548, 2629 ff., iii. 2312, vii. 1784, 3433 ff., 4366 ff., Persia.
- Perse (2), see Perseüs (2).
- Perse (3), ii. 1784 ff., (name of a dog).
- Perseüs (1), i. 419.
- Perseüs (2), Perse, ii. 1620, 1647 ff., (king of Macedon).
- Persiens, pl. P. 697.
- persone, s. P. 71, i. 840, ii. 1098, iv. 160.
- pes, s. P. 109, i. 1103, iv. 2046, PP. 62,
- pees, P. 1061, PP. 35, peace, protection.
- pese, s. v. 4409, pea.
- pestilence, s. P. 279, ii. 1648, v. 1070.
- pet, s. i. 2981, v. 4945 ff.,
- pitt, i. 1908,
- pl. pettes, v. 1114, 4047,
- puttes, v. 4043, pit.
- Peter, i. 656, ii. 3335, 3478, v. 1871, 1904,
- genit. Petres, P. 234, PP. 230.
- Petornius, v. 1520.
- Petro, i. 3395.
- Phara, vii. 3697.
- Pharao, v. 1654.
- Phares, v. 7023.
- Pharisee, P. 305.
- Phebe, iv. 3254.
- Phebus, iii. 783 ff., 1688 ff., iv. 979 ff., 3197, 3243 ff., v. 6447 ff., 6740 ff., vii. 4704 ff.,
- Phebum (acc.), v. 6719.
- Phedra, see Fedra.
- phesant, s. vi. 2223.
- Pheton, iv. 983 ff.
- Philemenis, iv. 2151.
- Philemon, iv. 2405.
- Philen, v. 4251.
- Philerem, v. 1163.
- Philippe (1), Philipp, vi. 2112, 2221.
- Philippe (2), ii. 1616.
- philliberd, s. iv. 869, filbert.
- Phillis, iv. 743, 866 ff., viii. 2554.
- Philogeüs, vii. 857.
- Philomene, v. 5561 ff., viii. 2583.
- philosophie, s. iii. 1219, iv. 2399, vi. 1404.
- philosophre, s. ii. 2674, iii. 1201, iv. 2453,
- philisophre, v. 2080.
- Philotenne, viii. 1337.
- Phinees, vii. 4432.
- phisicien, s. viii. 1164, 3156.
- phisique, s. ii. 3163, iv. 2420, 3304, vi. 663, 1409, vii. 71, 135; medicine, treatment, physical science.
- phisonomie, s. vi. 109.
- phitonesse, s. iv. 1937, vi. 2387.
- Phocus, iii. 2551.
- Phoieus, s. iii. 2023 ff.
- Phorceüs, i. 390.
- Phyryns, v. 6372.
- pich, s. v. 2176, 5349, viii. 1109, pitch.
- Pictagoras, vi. 1410.
- pie, s. iv. 3001, v. 1998, magpie.
- piece, s. v. 1338,
- al to pieces, iii. 465, 1048.
- pier, s. i. 3337, iii. 1344, vii. 2461;
- as a. i. 3365: peer, equal.
- piereles, a. viii. 286, PP. 305.
- pietous, a. vii. 3159, 3271, merciful.
- pigne, s. v. 1010, pine.
- pike, pyke, v.a.n. i. 698, 2568, iii. 500, iv. 2650, v. 6633, 6681, vii. 1590, 2282, pick, choose, assume.
- pilage, s. v. 2071, 6172, vii. 2035, plunder, plundering.
- pile(n), v.a.n. P. 401, iii. 2359, vii. 4053, plunder.
- pilegrin, s. i. 2041, pilgrim.
- Pileon, iv. 1980.
- piler, s. iv. 2054, v. 1670, pillar.
- pilour, s. iii. 2372, robber.
- pilwe, s. i. 2986, iv. 3021, v. 540, pillow.
- piment, see pyment.
- pinacle, s. iv. 3662.
- pipe, pype, s. iv. 3334, 3342, v. 1032, viii. 2675.
- pipe, v.n. iv. 3343, v. 95, 1032.
- pipinge, s. iv. 3345, viii. 2477.
- Piramus, iii. 1376 ff., 1660, viii. 2543.
- pire, v.n. vi. 818, peer.
- piromance, s. vi. 1298, divination by fire.
- Pirotoüs, vi. 489.
- Pirrus, iv. 2161, v. 3195, viii. 2593.[Pg 618]
- Piscis, vii. 1216,
- Pisces, vii. 1253.
- pitance, s. vi. 877, portion (of food).
- pite, s. P. 320, i. 2203, ii. 3174, vii. 3107 ff.,
- pitee, vii. 3177*, mercy, pity.
- pitous, a. i. 122, 680, 979, vii. 3125.
- pitously, adv. iii. 1663, iv. 3621,
- pitousliche, iv. 2810.
- pitousnesse, s. vii. 3526.
- pitt, see pet.
- place, s. i. 136, 1314, 1513,
- a place, i. 2377, iv. 2451,
- cp. aplace.
- planemetrie, s. vii. 1469.
- planete, s. iii. 1216, iv. 2467, v. 753, vii. 637 ff.
- planisperie, s. vii. 1464.
- plante, v.a. PP. 368.
- planteine, s. vii. 1391.
- plat, adv. i. 472, 1495, ii. 2047, vii. 4084, flatly, plainly.
- plate, s. v. 3111, 7113*.
- Plato, vi. 1404, viii. 2718.
- plaunte, s. ii. 2370.
- plede, v.n. vii. 2069.
- pledour, s. ii. 3416.
- ple, plee, s. ii. 3416, vii. 2068, plea.
- pleie, v.n. i. 54, 348, 1764, 1854, 2031, v. 6786, vii. 2423,
- pleye, P. 85*, viii. 3057*;
- refl. i. 364, iii. 151;
- v.a. iv. 904.
- pleiefieres, s. pl. iv. 482.
- pleigne, v.n. P. 183, 747, i. 999, ii. 446, 1650,
- pleine, iv. 3180, complain.
- pleignte, pleinte, s. i. 3026, ii. 293, iii.
- 1983, iv. 117, complaint.
- plein, a. (1), iv. 1539, vii. 931,
- def. pleine, i. 864, full.
- plein, a. (2), P. 184, 408, i. 282, 736, vii. 2350, viii. 1982,
- def. pleine, v. 5251,
- pl. pleyne, viii. 3122, level, simple, plain, smooth.
- plein, adv. i. 1490, 1656, ii. 1452, iv. 39, vii. 1594, fully, plainly.
- pleine, plein, s. i. 113, 357, ii. 1498, v. 1287.
- pleinly, pleinli, adv. P. 473, i. 127, ii. 1238, 2789,
- pleinliche, i. 211, fully, plainly.
- pleinte, see pleignte.
- pleintif, a. iv. 154.
- plenerliche, adv. P. 527, i. 1278,
- plenerly, vii. 525, fully.
- plente, s. P. 97, v. 2218.
- plentivous, plentevous, a. v. 2147, vii. 931, abundant.
- plesance, s. i. 882, 1499, 2617, ii. 1177.
- plesant, a. i. 1503, v. 1295.
- plese(n), v.a. P. 192, i. 1698, 3051, ii. 1450, v. 4761.
- plesir, s. v. 501.
- pley, s. P. 85*, vi. 1852, viii. 692.
- pleye, see pleie.
- pleyinge, s. viii. 3082*.
- Pliades, vii. 1320.
- plie, v.a. i. 578, 1249, ii. 3419,
- plye, vii. 3871, bend;
- v.n. i. 1779, iii. 871, iv. 3564, bend, submit;
- ii. 3146, strive.
- plight, s. vii. 4228, engagement.
- plihte, plyhte (1), v.a. iii. 1508,
- pret. plihte, plyhte, i. 822, ii. 1205,
- pp. pliht, iv. 757, engage.
- plihte (2), v.a.pret.,
- to plihte, v. 850, tore in pieces.
- plit, s. P. 57, 296, i. 989, 1663, 2579, ii. 692, v. 2031,
- plyt, ii. 2980, condition, state of things, manner.
- plover, s. vi. 943.
- plowh, plouh, s. i. 1566, 3257, iii. 514, v. 3720,
- plogh, iv. 2383, plough, ploughed land.
- plowed, a. vii. 1162, of the plough.
- plowman, s. ii. 3422.
- Pluto, iv. 2851, v. 1104, 1146, 1290, 4052.
- plye, see plie.
- plyhte, see plihte.
- pocock, s. v. 6498.
- poeple, s. P. 107, i. 1193.
- poesie, s. iv. 1038, 2668, v. 6806.
- poete, s. i. 386, ii. 121, viii. 2719.
- point, i. 73, 1229, iii. 308, viii. 2579 f.,
- (poynt, vii. 3157*),
- pl. pointz, i. 288, vii. 1706;
- in the point as (as soon as), P. 268,
- in p. to, ii. 1016,
- in good p., ii. 2792,
- cp. vii. 4654,
- out of p., i. 1304: point, condition, manner.
- pointure, s. vii. 1048, prick.
- policed, pp. i. 2543, polished.
- policie, s. iii. 459, vii. 1683, 1986, &c.
- Poliphemus, Polipheme, ii. 107 ff.
- Polixenen, iv. 1696,
- Polixena, v. 7593, viii. 2593.
- pomel, iii. 307, 1443.
- pompe, s. P. 304, i. 2685, ii. 1773.
- Pompeie, v. 5533, vii. 3215 ff.
- Pompilius, see Neuma.
- Pontsorge, ii. 3003.
- pope, s. P. 371, 745, ii. 635, 2809 ff., PP. 383.
- popi, s. iv. 3007, poppy.
- por reposer, viii. 2907.
- porchace, see pourchace.
- pore, see povere.
- porpartie, see pourpartie.
- porpos, see pourpos.[Pg 619]
- porsuite, see poursuite.
- port, s. (1), i. 674, 3429, iv. 1187, v. 1426, viii. 2195, bearing, behaviour, kind.
- port, s. (2), viii. 387, harbour.
- porte, s. ii. 1114 ff., porthole.
- porveaunce, see pourveance.
- positif, a. P. 247, iii. 172.
- possessioun (-on), s. P. 684, ii. 3480, v. 64, v. 1685.
- pot, s. iii. 656, vii. 3742,
- pl. pottes, P. 614, vi. 914.
- potestat, s. iv. 3522.
- poudre, see pouldre.
- pouer, P. 144, i. 2892, ii. 928, iii. 1779,
- (power, viii. 3062 ff.).
- Poul, ii. 3335, 3478, v. 1910.
- pouldre, poudre, s. P. 623, i. 2003, vii. 354, powder.
- Poulins, iv. 2420.
- pound, s. iv. 2591, v. 2719.
- pourchace, pourchase, v.a. i. 816, iii. 1484, iv. 1996,
- purchace, P. 129, viii. 3132,
- porchace, v. 4684, procure, seek after;
- v.n. i. 2157, ii. 3504, v. 2001, vi. 1944, endeavour, make gain, succeed.
- pourchas, s. v. 6089, gain.
- poure, v.a. iii. 679, v. 2222, pour.
- pourpartie, s. i. 406, v. 7000,
- porpartie, v. 1691, share.
- pourpos, s. i. 642, 1178,
- porpos, v. 3363.
- pourpose, v.a.n. ii. 2528,
- purpose, P. 53;
- refl. v. 1988.
- pourpre, s. vi. 990, purple.
- pours, purs, s. ii. 2683 ff., v. 5093 ff., purse.
- poursuiant, s. ii. 2552,
- pl. poursuiantz, ii. 239, suitor.
- poursuie, v.a. i. 946, iv. 2685,
- poursewe, iv. 3453, pursue, attain to;
- v.n. ii. 255, 2630, iii. 1673, vi. 2406, make pursuit, continue.
- poursuite, porsuite, s. iv. 28, v. 4423.
- pourtreie, v.a. vii. 4876.
- pourtreture, s. iv. 2421, v. 757.
- pourveance, s. P. 585, i. 1916, 2028, v. 926, 5539,
- porveaunce, porveance, P. 188, v. 2674, providence, foresight, provision.
- pourveie, v.a. i. 843, iv. 204,
- pp. pourveid, v. 4021,
- pourveied, vii. 1681;
- v.n. ii. 1327;
- impers. viii. 24: provide, ordain.
- pourveour, s. v. 1997, procurer.
- povere, a. P. 227, i. 2098, 3010,
- pore, viii. 2411;
- as subst. P. 317, vi. 1004;
- superl. the povereste, iv. 2238.
- poverte, s. P. 303, i. 1353, iv. 2219.
- power, see pouer.
- practique, s. iv. 2612, vii. 41, 1648 ff., method, moral science.
- prance, v.n. vi. 1191.
- preche(n), v.a. ii. 3433, iii. 2500, v. 3361 (admonish);
- v.n. P. 231, i. 1277.
- prechinge, s. v. 1906.
- prechour, s. ii. 3356.
- precious, a. v. 1549,
- pl. preciouse, iv. 1354.
- preferre, v.a. ii. 3073, 3254, iv. 1806, vii. 2824.
- preie, s. iii. 1393, 2605, prey.
- preie, v.a.n. P. 231, i. 804, 3195, iv. 369,
- praie, ii. 1933, viii. 2998,
- (preye, P. 31*, 66*),
- prai (1 s.pres.) i. 220,
- 3 s.pres. preith, P. 748,
- pret. preide, P. 600, i. 1549, ii. 1120, iv. 398, 1368,
- preyde, iv. 192,
- pp. preid, v. 4241,
- imperat. prei, i. 2937, vi. 451; pray to, pray for, pray.
- preiere, s. i. 794, iii. 135, iv. 172, 3231, prayer.
- preise, v.a.n. P. 539, i. 2120, ii. 394, v. 231.
- preisinge, s. ii. 407.
- preiynge, s. vi. 426.
- prelacie, s. P. 287, v. 1902.
- prelat, s. P. 294, vii. 4246,
- pl. prelatz, v. 1850, PP. 247.
- prenostik, s. ii. 1793, presage.
- preparacion, s. vii. 1429.
- pres, press, presse, s. iv. 148, 2162, v. 4, 2440, 7253, viii. 904, 2751, crowd, eagerness:
- in presse, iv. 2849, down below (cp. Chaucer, Troilus, i. 559).
- presage, s. ii. 1790.
- presence, s. i. 1635, 2071, ii. 757, v. 1069.
- present, s. v. 4204,
- in present, v. 3595,
- pl. presens, vi. 1497, gift.
- present, a. P. 587, ii. 1368.
- presente, v.a. v. 1911, viii. 2307;
- refl. v. 2093.
- preserve, v.a. vii. 3856, viii. 1961.
- press, presse, s. see pres.
- presse, v.a. ii. 462, 1733;
- v.n. viii. 2752.
- prest, priest, s. i. 193 ff., iii. 2275, 2556,
- pl. prestes, i. 810.
- presthod(e), s. P. 259, viii. 2079.
- presumpcioun, s. i. 1989.
- pretoire, s. vii. 2847.
- Priamus, iii. 975, 1890, v. 7226 ff., viii. 2523, 2592.[Pg 620]
- pricke, s. P. 396, i. 3311, iii. 116.
- pride, s. P. 224, i. 581 &c.
- pride, pryde, v.refl. i. 2372, ii. 1811;
- pp. prided, PP. 257.
- prie, v.n. iv. 1176, v. 7078,
- pryhe, v. 470.
- priente, s. i. 555, vi. 2149, print.
- prieve, see prove, proeve.
- prike, v.a.n. i. 2036, iv. 997, vi. 1191, spur, ride.
- prime, s. v. 3880.
- primerole, s. vii. 1214, 1362, primrose.
- prince, s. P. 45, ii. 633, iii. 1005.
- prinche, v.n. v. 4854.
- principal, a. i. 307, 581, iv. 2489, v. 1115;
- as subst. iii. 1282, v. 1995, 6446,
- in principal, vii. 29.
- prioresse, s. v. 891.
- pris, s. P. 42, i. 848, 1900, 2525, 2755, 3304, 3329, vii. 3966,
- priss, vii. 4364, value, prize, fame, praise:
- sette pris of, i. 3068, iii. 1454, iv. 908, value,
- stonde in p., iv. 2632, v. 1708,
- cp. ii. 278, be valued, be praised.
- prisoner, s. iii. 2375, v. 7212, vii. 2374.
- prisoun (-on), s. ii. 1854, iv. 1042 ff., v. 5734;
- prisone, vii. 2630.
- prive, pryve, v.a. vii. 3270, 4040, deprive.
- prive, a. i. 815, 1738, ii. 2858, vii. 121,
- privi, v. 7621,
- (preve, PP. 128),
- in prive, ii. 686; secret.
- prively (-li), adv. i. 898, 2069, v. 2143,
- privelich(e), ii. 1695, v. 1247.
- privete, privite, s. i. 1660, ii. 1416, 1651,
- pl. privetes, i. 2806.
- privilege, privilegge, P. 103, v. 7173, vii. 1989,
- (previlege, PP. 245).
- probleme, s. i. 3071, viii. 1681.
- procede, v.n. P. 405, 1025, iv. 1.
- process, s. viii. 269.
- processioun, s. i. 1140, v. 7560.
- proclame, v.a. P. 88, ii. 3039, iv. 2478.
- procurour, s. v. 2862.
- prodegalite, s. v. 7645, vii. 2026.
- proeve(n), prove(n), v.a.n. P. 556, 926, 948, i. 61, 758, 1851, iii. 2311,
- prieve, vii. 126, try, prove, appear.
- professed, pp. v. 890, 1805, viii. 1848, bound by vow.
- professioun (-on), s. ii. 2383, viii. 1266.
- profit, s. P. 295, ii. 348., iii. 2468, v. 188.
- profitable, a. ii. 2201, PP. 300.
- profite, v.n. iv. 2298, 2572.
- profre, v.a.n. and refl. iii. 1988, iv. 1130,
- 3 s.pres. proferth, i. 1693,
- profreth, i. 1772, v. 5322, 6923, offer.
- profre, s. iii. 1989, v. 4745, offer.
- progenie, s. ii. 592, iv. 2701.
- Progne, v. 5559 ff., viii. 2583.
- prolacioun (-on), s. ii. 2875, vii. 173, utterance.
- prolificacion, iv. 3248, fruitfulness.
- prologe, s. P. 66.
- promission, s. v. 1686, promise.
- Promotheüs, iv. 2422, v. 1523.
- pronounce, v.a. ii. 391, v. 7321.
- prophecie, s. P. 588, ii. 1857, iii. 764.
- prophecie, v.a. v. 1167.
- prophete, s. v. 1693, vi. 1093, vii. 2560.
- prophetesse, s. ii. 1802.
- proporcion, s. v. 2531, 7245.
- propre, a. P. 258, 535, i. 3393, ii. 2365, iii. 2361, iv. 2543, proper, own, appropriate;
- adv. vii. 4011, for (his) own part.
- proprely (-li), adv. i. 299, ii. 289, v. 1328, vii. 1268,
- properly, P. 947,
- propreliche, iv. 5.
- proprete, s. P. 929, ii. 2377, iii. 2326, v. 1336,
- (proprite, PP. 326),
- pl. propretes, i. 257, iii. 1225,
- propretees, vii. 63.
- Proserpine, Proserpina, iv. 2850, v. 1277, 4053.
- prosperite, s. i. 2802, iv. 1213.
- proteccioun, s. v. 2573, viii. 3040*.
- Protheselai, iv. 1901.
- Protheüs, v. 3082, 6672.
- proud, a. P. 347, 712, v. 198,
- def. proude, P. 222, i. 1980;
- sup. proudest, i. 1996.
- proudly, adv. i. 1912.
- prouesse (-esce), P. 98, i. 1083, ii. 2589, iv. 2302.
- prove, v. see proeve.
- prove, s. ii. 1673,
- prieve, ii. 2022, vi. 1924, trial.
- Provence, ii. 3004.
- provende, s. P. 210, prebend.
- proverbe, s. P. 786, v. 6631, vi. 448, vii. 1961.
- providence, s. ii. 1322, iv. 863, vii. 3941.
- province, s. vii. 2770.
- provisour, s. v. 2905.
- prudence, s. iv. 2652, v. 2289.
- prune, v.refl. vi. 2203, trim (oneself).
- Prus, iv. 1630.
- pryhe, see prie.
- pryve, see prive, v.
- Pseudo, v. 1879.
- Puile, v. 2064 ff., 2646.[Pg 621]
- puison, puyson, s. i. 2645, ii. 565, iii. 2457, vi. 2246, poison.
- pulle, v.a. P. 400, ii. 1788,
- imperat. pull, iv. 723.
- purchace, see pourchace.
- pure, a. P. 742, i. 1721, 1987, iii. 2214;
- sup. the purest, P. 921; pure, mere, absolute.
- pure, v.a. iv. 2555.
- purefie, purifie, v.a. i. 1044, ii. 3460.
- purgatoire, s. i. 1776, 2682.
- purge, v.a. i. 1039.
- purifie, see purefie.
- purpose, see pourpose.
- purs, see pours.
- pusillamite, s. iv. 314, 707, vii. 3527.
- put, s. see pet.
- pute(n), v.a.inf. i. 462, ii. 1551, iii. 547, 2648, iv. 1641,
- putte, iv. 2288,
- put, i. 1578, 3213, ii. 93,
- 1 s.pres. put, i. 732, v. 2951,
- 3 s. put, i. 690, ii. 2493,
- 3 pl. pres. (subj.) putte, v. 608,
- pret. putte, P. 1069, i. 2797,
- pitte, viii. 2796,
- put, P. 683, 693, 718, i. 1013, 1807,
- putt (pl.), v. 7417,
- imperat. sing. put, ii. 3154,
- pl. putteth, ii. 1033.
- pyke, see pike.
- pyl, s. ii. 390, pile (as in the phrase ‘cross or pile’).
- Pymaleon, iv. 372.
- pyment, piment, s. vi. 218, 337.
- pyne, s. v. 4020, pain.
- Q
- quake, v.n.,
- pret. quok, qwok, iii. 258, vi. 2206.
- qualite, s. P. 954.
- quant, see tant.
- quarel, s. v. 7239, bolt.
- queene, queen, quen, see qwene.
- queint, queynte, see quenche.
- queinte, qweinte, a. i. 283, 2730, ii. 2853, iv. 2314, v. 4623, viii. 2687, cunning, curious, gentle.
- queintise, s. i. 906, ii. 2403, cunning.
- queintise, v.a. viii. 2472, adorn.
- quelle, v.a. v. 5357, kill.
- queme, see qweme.
- quenche, v.a. ii. 1627, vi. 452,
- pret. queynte, v. 3697,
- pp. queint, queynt, ii. 1556, 1748, v. 2223.
- querele, s. P. 277, i. 134, 1822, ii. 16, v. 2066,
- querelle, ii. 2703, 2967, cause, quarrel, enterprise.
- querele, v.n. vii. 3172*.
- queste, s. v. 2878.
- questioun (-on), s. i. 1013, 1460, 3098, iii. 2245, question, torture.
- quik, quyk, qwik, a. v. 6774, vii. 2898, viii. 2451,
- def. qwike, ii. 2779,
- pl.s. qwike, ii. 3405, alive, living.
- quikselver, s. iv. 2475.
- quit, qwyt, a. i. 1664, ii. 691, iii. 1588, iv. 661,
- pl. quyte, iii. 2577, free, unpunished.
- quite, quyte, v.a. i. 3347, iii. 1608, v. 7184*, viii. 1255,
- (qwiten, PP. 279),
- pp. quit, iii. 2194, v. 7729; pay for, requite, acquit.
- quod, v.pret. i. 183, 1273, 1557, 3183, said.
- qwed, qued, s. iii. 1534, v. 3568, bad thing, villain.
- qweinte, see queinte.
- qweme, queme, v.a.n. ii. 197, iii. 902, v. 4366,
- queeme, vii. 2312;
- impers. iv. 746, 966: please, be pleasing.
- qwene, qweene, s. i. 139, 1914, 2601,
- queene, i. 132, queen, viii. 1896,
- qwen, quen, v. 2543 ff.
- qwik, see quik.
- qwok, see quake.
- qwyt, see quit.
- R
- racches, s.pl. v. 4388, hounds (hunting by scent).
- Rachel, viii. 127.
- rage, s. P. 1079, i. 2620, 2945, ii. 910, 1275,
- pl. rages, vii. 3410.
- rage, v.n. i. 1764, sport.
- Rageman, s. viii. 2379, see note.
- ragerie, s. v. 6258, sport.
- Rages, vii. 5313.
- ragged, a. v. 1509.
- ragges, s.pl. i. 1723.
- Raguel, vii. 5315.
- raile, s. vi. 2201.
- ramage, a. iii. 2430, wild.
- Ramoth Galaath, vii. 2541.
- rampe, v.n. vi. 2182, 2230, vii. 2573.
- rancoun, s. v. 1755, vii. 3426.
- rancour, iii. 2730, vii. 3443.
- ransake, v.a. v. 6094.
- rape, s. iii. 517, 1625, haste.[Pg 622]
- rape, v.n. iii. 1678, hasten.
- Raphael, vii. 5358, viii. 44.
- rase, v.n. v. 4090, run swiftly.
- rased, pp. iv. 580, erased.
- rasour, as a. ii. 830.
- rathere, adv. comp. i. 2748, ii. 503, iv. 2195, 2756,
- rather, P. 88*, iv. 1619, sooner, rather;
- superl. rathest, i. 27, iii. 2121.
- rave, v.n. iii. 91, vii. 4109, be mad, rage.
- raven, s. iii. 812, 2077.
- Ravenne, i. 2638.
- ravine, s. iii. 2433, v. 5507 ff., rapine, robbery by violence.
- raviner, s. v. 5530, 5627.
- ravisht, a. iv. 683.
- Razel, vi. 1316.
- Rea, v. 849.
- real, a. i. 2924, v. 5551, vii. 2449, viii. 1526, royal.
- reali (-y), adv. viii. 1563, 1747, royally.
- realme, s. vii. 49, 646.
- realte, s. i. 2063, vii. 3810, royalty.
- Rebecke, viii. 115.
- rebell, ii. 1718, rebellious.
- rebelle, v.n. v. 2065.
- rebuke, v.a. v. 689, vii. 2668.
- recche, v.n. ii. 2344, v. 4402,
- pret. rowhte, iv. 3547,
- roghte, v. 6383, have care;
- v.a., pret. roghte, vii. 3010, care for;
- impers. ii. 252, v. 4702,
- pret. roghte, ii. 2403, iii. 664, v. 938, be a care (to).
- receite, receipte, s. vi. 290, vii. 991, receiving, receptacle.
- receive, receyve, v.a. P. 178, i. 872, 1208, viii. 1974,
- resceive, vii. 1819, viii. 1287.
- recepcion, s. vi. 1962.
- reclame, v.a. v. 4724, vii. 1843, viii. 54, 2721, call back (as a hawk), summon.
- reclus, a. ii. 2817.
- recomande, v.a. P. 29*, vi. 949.
- reconcile, v.a. P. 185, v. 1743*,
- reconsile, v. 1783, vii. 1578.
- record, s. P. 122, i. 850, ii. 939, 1696, v. 3082, viii. 1518,
- be (stonde) of r., i. 1116, 1632, 3363, iii. 2060.
- recorde(n), v.a.n. P. 964, i. 481, ii. 106, 629, 892, iii. 1377, iv. 562, 1639, v. 3681, viii. 2204, remember, take note of, relate, repeat.
- recovere, v.a. iii. 578, 1998, iv. 1485, v. 303, 6579;
- v.n. v. 2429, 4420: get back, make good, help; prosper.
- recoverir, s. ii. 3159, v. 228, 6195, remedy, expedient.
- recreacioun (-on), s. vi. 638, vii. 477.
- red, a. iv. 386,
- def. rede, v. 1661, 4011,
- pl. rede, ii. 402;
- as subst. the rede, iv. 2571: red.
- red, s. i. 108, 1563, 2146, ii. 116, 2065,
- to rede, iii. 1771, vii. 3634; advice, counsel.
- reddour, s. iii. 348, v. 4558, vii. 3151, harshness, strictness.
- rede, v.a.n. P. 15, i. 2271, ii. 104,
- pret. radde, v. 3693,
- pp. rad, ii. 1045, iv. 571,
- imperat. red, vii. 1596, read: P. 16, i. 914, 1294,
- 1 s.pres. rede, i. 78, 1396, red, vi. 1359,
- pret. radde, iv. 1842, advise, decide.
- rede, v.n. iv. 185, v. 5988, grow red.
- redely (-li), redily, redyly, adv. P. 948, i. 1533, ii. 1221, v. 297, 366, 1601, 2239, 6462, 7836, easily, quickly, eagerly.
- redi, redy, a. P. 424, i. 856, 2093, ii. 3444, iii. 83, v. 1036:
- adv. iii. 449.
- redinesse, s. iv. 2356.
- redinge, s. vi. 878.
- redresce, v.a. P. 486, i. 3417, ii. 2427,
- redresse, ii. 1801, (pp. redressid, viii. 3020); set right, reform.
- redy, see redi.
- reforme, v.a. i. 3035, ii. 3404, iv. 2945, vii. 1538, restore.
- refreche, v.a. vi. 710.
- refte, v.a.pret. v. 5697, viii. 2517.
- refus, s. viii. 686, refused.
- refuse, v.a.n. P. 74*, i. 1015, iii. 76, 1195, iv. 1238, 1750,
- (pp. refusid, viii. 2963), deny, refuse.
- regalie, s. P. 103, i. 2959, ii. 1022, vii. 1684, royal estate, royalty.
- regiment, s. ii. 1751, vii. 915, 1245, 1702, rule, government.
- regioun, region, s. iv. 2939, v. 2599, 6032.
- registre, s. vii. 19.
- registred, v.a.pp. ii. 3031.
- regne, s. P. 127, 579, ii. 2651.
- regne(n), v.n. P. 32*, i. 2890, 3036, v. 3253,
- (reigne, PP. 331), reign.
- reguard, s. iv. 3520.
- reguerdoned, v.a.pp. iii. 2716.
- reguerdoun, s. v. 2368.
- reherce, reherse, v.a. i. 584, 1637, ii. 1682, iv. 3029, declare, repeat.
- rein, reyn, s. iii. 692, vii. 286, viii. 1592,
- pl. reines, i. 2987, rain.
- reinbowe, s. v. 1185.
- reine, reyne, v.n. i. 2925, iii. 689;
- v.a. v. 1672: rain.
- reins, s.pl. viii. 2819, reins (of the body).[Pg 623]
- reisshe, reysshe, s. ii. 42, v. 4694,
- risshe, iv. 2853, rush.
- rejoie, v.refl. vi. 208.
- rekeninge, s. iii. 2283.
- rekevere, v.refl. viii. 2129, recover:
- cp. recovere.
- rekne(n), v.n. iii. 64, vii. 1101.
- relacion, s. vi. 2254, report.
- reles, s. i. 1188, iii. 848, vi. 253, deliverance, release, power (?).
- relesse, v.a. ii. 2904, 3322, iv. 1572, vii. 3005.
- relief, s. vi. 640, satisfaction.
- relieve, v.a. ii. 104, ii. 172, iii. 1316, 2636, v. 2135, 2628, vi. 678, raise up, assist, relieve, satisfy.
- religioun (-on), s. i. 623, viii. 158, 1265, 1456.
- remembrance, s. P. 69, i. 1060, 3392, ii. 1519, iii. 2558,
- remembraunce, iv. 449, memory, mention.
- remembre, v. i. 2682, vii. 1118, have memory, remember.
- remenant, s. P. 963, i. 1184, 3016, 3294.
- remene, v.a. i. 279, v. 6541, (bring back), apply.
- remission, s. v. 4445.
- remuable, a. vii. 4896, unstable.
- remue, v.a. i. 1327; iii. 1165;
- v.n. iii. 1411, v. 5646; move, remove.
- Remus, v. 900.
- rende, v.a.,
- pret. rente, iii. 2072.
- rendre, v.a. viii. 1253, deliver.
- renegat, s. ii. 1093.
- renes, s.pl. iv. 998, reins (for driving).
- renne, v.n. P. 505, ii. 24, 401, 1972,
- pret. ran, ii. 2296,
- pl. ronne, i. 373,
- runne, vii. 4869, viii. 750,
- pp. runne, v. 6127.
- renomed, a. i. 2653.
- renomee, s. iv. 1250.
- renoun, s. iii. 1886, iv. 2154.
- renounce, v.a. ii. 2931.
- rente, s. i. 1566, 3356, v. 1053.
- repast, s. vi. 698, 926.
- repeire, v.n. vii. 1136.
- repentaile, s. v. 6783, viii. 3101*.
- repentance, s. i. 2446, iii. 803, v. 296.
- repente, v.a.n. i. 757, iii. 2184, v. 2837;
- refl. iii. 1814, viii. 255;
- impers. vii. 5328.
- replie, v.n. v. 4644.
- repos, s. v. 508.
- reposer, viii. 2907.
- represse, v.a. vii. 2410, 3334*.
- reprise, s. i. 3308, 3414, v. 4708, retribution, cost.
- reproef, s. P. 490, vii. 4108.
- reproeve(n), v.a. iii. 498, 1274, iv. 862,
- reprove, v. 4619.
- reptil, s. vii. 1011.
- requeste, s. ii. 1491,
- reqweste, PP. 27.
- reresouper, s. vi. 911, late supper.
- rerewarde, s. ii. 1827, rear-guard.
- res, s. iii. 1152, 1671, vi. 58, haste.
- resceive, see receive.
- rescoue, v.a. i. 667, vi. 96,
- rescowe, v. 2019, save, deliver.
- rescousse, ii. 1700, iii. 2085, v. 2551,
- rescouss, iv. 2146, rescue.
- resemblable, a. P. 950.
- resemblance, s. ii. 1376, iv. 2424.
- resemblant, a. iv. 2492.
- resembled, v.a.pp. ii. 2839, v. 251, compared.
- resigne, v.a. P. 776, ii. 2931.
- resistence, s. P. 387, i. 2154.
- resonable, a. P. 359, i. 1030, ii. 276, iii. 389.
- resoun, reson, P. 151, 488, i. 775, 2675, ii. 2495, iii. 245, iv. 652.
- respit, s. iv. 1563, vii. 3828, 5200.
- respite, v.a. i. 1053, 1593, iii. 2672, save, i. 2213, vii. 1617, delay;
- v.n. i. 1456, delay.
- restauracioun, s. vi. 637.
- restauratif, a. vi. 859.
- reste, s. P. 110, i. 998, 1604, ii. 2509.
- reste(n), v.n. ii. 1135, 1476, iv. 736, 1670;
- v.a. vii. 2936;
- refl. viii. 1308.
- resting place, s. vii. 1865.
- restore, v.a. P. 761, iii. 1827, 2480, vii. 4445.
- restreigne, v.a. P. 510, i. 2660, ii. 889, 1168, restrain, keep back.
- retenance, retienance, s. ii. 1576, v. 7467, vii. 1054, retinue.
- retenue, s. i. 1328, ii. 3409, iii. 1166, 2421, service, retinue.
- rethorien, s. vi. 1399.
- rethorike, rethorique (-qe), s. iv. 2649, vi. 1401, vii. 36, 1523 ff., 1631.
- retorn, s. vii. 4121.
- retorne, v.n. vii. 1428.
- retret, s. viii. 2416.
- reule, s. P. 108, 803, i. 883,
- rewle, iii. 1169,
- rule, vi. 9.
- reule(n), v.a.n. P. 252, 497, i. 17, 808, ii. 1322,
- rewle, iii. 2250.
- revel, s. v. 3143.
- revelacion, s. viii. 49, 2806.
- revelen, v.n. iv. 2719, revel.[Pg 624]
- reverence, s. P. 298, i. 218, 3291, ii. 1358, 2843, v. 322.
- revers, a. ii. 222, 2105, v. 7658, vi. 1418;
- subst. iii. 2289: opposite, contrary.
- reversed, pp. P. 30.
- revile, v.a. v. 2806, vii. 4635, debase, abuse.
- revolucion, s. iv. 1783.
- reward, s. iii. 345, iv. 2024, v. 4978, regard, reward.
- rewarde, v.a. v. 171, 4471, viii. 2374.
- rewardinge, s. iii. 1596, v. 5195.
- rewe, v.a.n. P. 164, 1004, iii. 1610, 1625, v. 5760, vii. 3233, repent, be sorry, have pity.
- rewe, s. see rowe.
- reyn, see rein.
- reyne, see reine.
- reyni, reyny, a. i. 692, iii. 988, iv. 2979, rainy.
- ribald, s. vii. 2383 ff.
- Richard, P. 25, viii. 2987*,
- genit. Richardes, P. 24*.
- riche, a. P. 633, i. 814, 2537;
- as subst. vi. 1072;
- sup. richest, the richeste, i. 1098, v. 2612.
- riche, s. i. 2278, domain.
- riche, v.a. iv. 2265, v. 2398, 7744, enrich.
- richeliche, adv. iv. 1371.
- richesse, s. P. 97, ii. 737, iv. 514, 2208,
- pl. richesses, vi. 633.
- ride, ryde(n), v.a.n. i. 350, 2035, ii. 945, 3194, iv. 1106, v. 7404, vi. 1188,
- pret.sing. rod, i. 348, ii. 1136,
- pl. riden, ii. 1272, v. 1293,
- imperat. ryd, i. 1562,
- pp. ride, vii. 2859;
- cam ride, &c., i. 350, iv. 1307: ride, make expedition, lie at anchor.
- riedes, s.pl. v. 1031, reeds.
- rif, a. ii. 1618, rife, current.
- riff, s. viii. 1983, reef (of a sail).
- rifle, v.a. iii. 2384, v. 6521.
- rigole, v.a. v. 1436, delight (wantonly).
- riht, a., rihte, vii. 1312,
- def. rihte, ryhte, P. 232, i. 33, 1052, ii. 947,
- (righte, viii. 3091),
- riht, iii. 300:
- adv. riht, ryht, P. 682, 829, i. 639, 1862, 3362, ii. 1789, right, P. 50,
- rihte, v. 5351, vii. 545.
- riht, ryht, s. P. 271, 795,
- right, P. 251, viii. 3023,
- ryhte, v. 898,
- be rihte, vii. 2137,
- at alle rihtes, v. 3530.
- rihte, ryhte, v.a. ii. 589, iv. 821, v. 3058, vii. 2728,
- (righte, PP. 252),
- pret. rihte, vii. 5072, direct, arrange;
- v.n. ii. 3071, go right.
- rihtful, rihtfull, a. vii. 2833, 2918, 3814, 4122,
- (rightful, PP. 59, 383), just, true.
- rihtwisnesse, ryhtwisnesse, s. P. 109, i. 2936, v. 1645,
- (rightwisnesse, viii. 3035), righteousness.
- rime, s. iv. 2414, rhyme.
- rime, v.a. v. 1370, put in rhyme.
- rinde, rynde, s. i. 3261, v. 324, 4123, bark.
- ring, s. i 2420, ii. 2614,
- ryng, v. 7119*.
- ringe, v.a.,
- pp. runge, ii. 1728, iii. 452.
- riote, s. v. 1217, 5240, 5278, vii. 1378,
- riot, v. 7131*, riot, disorder.
- riote, v.refl. vii. 4320.
- ripe, a. i. 2822, ii. 2579.
- rise, ryse, v.n. P. 544, v. 7135*,
- pret. ros, iv. 436,
- pp. rise, ii. 1427.
- risinge, s. vii. 1085.
- risshe, see reisshe.
- rivage, s. vi. 1435, viii. 1615, landing place.
- rivele, v.n. i. 1681, be wrinkled;
- pp. riveled, viii. 2829.
- rivere, s. i. 1043, ii. 2161, v. 1014.
- ro, s. iv. 2786, roe.
- robbe, v.a.n. v. 207, 993, 6107.
- robberie, s. iii. 2212, v. 6083 ff., 6142.
- Roboas, vii. 4029, 4128.
- roche, s. i. 2305, iii. 1048, v. 6814,
- pl. rockes, iii. 1034, 1054, rock.
- rocke, v.a. ii. 1081.
- rockes, s.pl. see roche.
- rodd, s. i. 2898, iv. 1276.
- rode, s. (1), i. 1730, iv. 1629, journey, raid.
- rode, s. (2), vi. 773, ruddy colour.
- rode, s. (3), ii. 1161, rood.
- Rodes, iv. 1630.
- rodi, rody, a. iv. 385, v. 2471, viii. 1909, ruddy.
- Rodopeie, iv. 734.
- rof, s. ii. 2947, roof.
- rolle, v.n. iii. 313, vii. 3707.
- romance, s. vi. 878.
- Romanie, ii. 2638, vii. 5155.
- rome, a.n. v. 6502.
- Rome, P. 715 ff., 845, i. 763 ff., ii. 588 ff., 1195 ff., 1315 ff., 1448 ff., 1638 ff., 2502 ff., 2803, 3039, 3189, 3476 ff., iii. 100, iv. 2647, v. 904, 1067, 1435, 2031 ff., 2196, 2393, 4939, 5020, 5125, 6359 ff., 6811, 7104* ff., vii. 1598, 2061, 2347, 2361 ff., 2448, 2767, 2785, 2882 ff., 3145, 3216 ff., 3269 ff., 3946, 4188, 4636 ff., 5131 ff., viii. 199, 2717, PP. 353;
- Rome lond, P. 715,
- Rome gate, ii. 1537.[Pg 625]
- Romein, a. ii. 1406, 1829, 2565, iv. 2639;
- subst. P. 768, i. 764, ii. 2554 ff., vii. 2846, 4594,
- Romain, viii. 2633,
- pl. Romeins, P. 737, 841, ii. 679, 1774 ff., 2777, v. 1068 ff., 1307, 2199 ff., vii. 2336, 3061, 4697 ff.
- Romelond, ii. 2544.
- Romeward, ii. 1173, v. 2190.
- Romulus, v. 900, vii. 3061.
- rondeal, s. i. 2709, 2727.
- ronne, see renne.
- rooted, a. i. 1319.
- rore, v.n. ii. 160, roar.
- rore, s. vi. 2183.
- rose, s. i. 603, ii. 402.
- Rosemounde, i. 2481.
- rosine, s. v. 2176, rosin.
- Rosiphelee, iv. 1249.
- rosmarine, s. vii. 1407.
- rote, s. (1), P. 118, i. 145, 2838, iv. 134,
- roote, vii. 3336*, root.
- rote, s. (2), vi. 1312, 1457, custom, condition.
- rote, s. (3), viii. 829, (a musical instrument).
- rother, s. ii. 2494, rudder.
- round, a. iv. 1147, vi. 777,
- pl. rounde, vi. 1327:
- adv. i. 358, 2829, iv. 3005.
- roune, v.n. ii. 45, 1944, iv. 407, v. 478;
- v.a. v. 2460: whisper.
- rounge, v.n. ii. 520, nibble.
- route, s. P. 793, i. 2734, ii. 2997, iii. 2389, v. 1910, 5054, company, quantity:
- al a route, iv. 2145, v. 6932.
- route, v.n. iv. 2731, 3272, v. 6895, snore.
- routhe, see rowthe.
- rovere, s. iii. 2369.
- rowe, s. ii. 1960, iv. 26, 2238,
- rewe, viii. 998, row, company;
- be rowe, vi. 1315, in order:
- cp. arowe, arewe.
- rowe, v.n. (1), P. 40*, i. 1961, iv. 1781;
- v.a. ii. 1905: row.
- rowe, v.n. (2), iii. 1057, dawn.
- rowthe, routhe, s. i. 182, 1200, iii. 1597, v. 5394, pity.
- rueke, v.n. iv. 1669, crouch.
- ruide, rude, ii. 173, iv. 946, v. 2571, viii. 3122.
- ruine, s. P. 837, v. 1706.
- rule, see reule.
- runge, see ringe.
- rust, s. iv. 2494, 2557.
- rusti, a. viii. 1378.
- ryde, see ride.
- ryht, ryhtwisnesse, see riht, &c.
- ryve, s. vi. 1429, viii. 516, shore.
- S
- Saba, v. 6833, 6932.
- sable, s. viii. 2904.
- sacre, v.a. vii. 4510, worship.
- sacrement, s. PP. 309.
- sacrifice, sacrifise, s. i. 1120, 1141, iii. 1995, iv. 2966.
- sacrifie, v.a.n. i. 1128, iv. 1519, viii. 1826, sacrifice, offer.
- sacrilegge, s. v. 6979 ff.,
- sacrilege, v. 7016*, 7090.
- sadd, a. vii. 226, firm.
- sadel, s. iv. 1202,
- pl. sadles, iv. 1312.
- sage, a. v. 7455.
- saghte, see sawht.
- Sagittarius, Sagittaire, vii. 1143, 1150, 1258.
- sai, sain, saide, &c., see seie.
- sail, see seil.
- saintuaire, s. P. 322.
- sake, s. P. 24, i. 209, 2474, ii. 585.
- sal armoniak, s. iv. 2480.
- Salamyne, iv. 3652.
- sale, s. v. 5084.
- salfly, see saufly.
- salge, s. vii. 1385.
- saliens, see Capra.
- Salomon, iv. 2340, vi. 93, 1317, 1407, vii. 3594, 3865, 3891 ff., 4027, 4477 ff., viii. 2691, PP. 29.
- salt, s. iv. 1837.
- salte, a. iv. 1666, 3092, v. 1342,
- pl. v. 1347.
- salue, v.a. ii. 1504, greet.
- Salustes, Saluste, ii. 1199, 1220.
- salvacion, s. ii. 3361, v. 1795.
- salvage, a. iv. 2262, vii. 4112, wild.
- salve, s. P. 134, 396, ii. 2788, viii. 2290, cure.
- salvely, see saufly.
- Samarie, iv. 1938, vi. 2387, vii. 2554.
- same, a. i. 1585;
- as subst. P. 461, i. 629, 3032.
- same, adv. v. 3375, together.
- Samele, v. 1044.
- Sampnites, pl. vii. 2787.
- Sampson, vi. 94, viii. 2703.
- Samuel, iv. 1936 ff., vii. 3821 ff.
- sanguin, a. vii. 455.
- sanz, prep. iii. 1550, v. 508.
- saphir, s. vii. 1342.
- sapience, s. v. 1205.
- Sarazin, s. iii. 2489, iv. 1679, vii. 3702 ff., 4412, PP. 250;
- fem. Sarazine, ii. 705, vii. 4496, viii. 2694.[Pg 626]
- Sardana Pallus, vii. 4314, Sardanapalus.
- sardis, vii. 1416, sard.
- Sarra, vii. 5315.
- Satiri, pl. v. 1327.
- satureie, s. vii. 1423, savory.
- Saturnus, Saturne, Satorne, iv. 2445, v. 845 ff., 1133 ff., 1221, 1388, vi. 1293;
- (the planet) iv. 2471, 3223, vii. 937, 1115, 1174, 1188, 1330, 1340, 1374, 1427, viii. 2275.
- sauf, a. P. 104, ii. 181, iv. 917,
- sauf conduit, v. 994,
- saulf, P. 1016,
- pl. save, ii. 1157, iv. 1453, 2172, safe:
- adv. ii. 935, 2188, safely:
- as prep. i. 432,
- save, i. 1271,
- salve, v. 1359, save, except;
- save ... that, iv. 3497.
- saufly, saufli, adv. i. 1469, 3152, ii. 3309, v. 2159,
- saufliche, v. 3617,
- salvely, v. 2932,
- salfly, v. 2965, safely.
- Saül, iv. 1935 ff., vi. 2384, vii. 3821 ff.
- saundres, s.pl. ii. 1961.
- save, v.a. P. 470, i. 941, 1300, iii. 927.
- save, prep., see sauf.
- saveine, s. vii. 1353.
- savinge, s. v. 2794, vii. 3383.
- savour, s. iv. 2495, v. 587.
- sawe, s. ii. 588, 1396, iii. 431, iv. 2684, saying, speech.
- sawht, pp.a. iii. 2742, reconciled,
- saghte (pl.), viii. 1149, at peace.
- Saxon, ii. 723,
- Saxoun (language), ii. 1405.
- say, s. ii. 2090, trial.
- scales, see skales.
- scars, see skars.
- scarsly, see skarsly.
- scarsnesse, see skarsnesse.
- sceptre, s. ii. 589, PP. 378.
- schake, v.a., pp. v. 570,
- pret. schok, vi. 2205.
- schal, v. 1, 3 s.pres. P. 15, 93, i. 1711, iv. 377, 2823,
- 2 s. schalt, P. 589,
- pl. schulle(n), i. 2251, 2558,
- schul(l), i. 3197, 3246, v. 1914,
- schule, v. 3529,
- schol, P. 1034,
- pret. scholde(n), P. 43, 153, 275, 362, 421, &c.,
- schold, ii. 578,
- schulde(n), P. 317, v. 5357, viii. 2961,
- (schuldyn, viii. 3004): shall, must, may.
- schale, s. iv. 566, (nut) shell.
- schallemele, s. viii. 2483, shawm.
- schame, s. i. 274, 1668, ii. 3062, 3355, iv. 871.
- schame, v.a. iii. 2200, v. 723.
- schameles, a. vii. 1964, free from shame.
- schanckes, s.pl. iv. 2725, legs.
- schape(n), v.a.n. and refl. P. 387, i. 297, 820, 1514, 1551, 3342,
- pret. schop, P. 706, ii. 2855, iii. 1206,
- schope, v. 4278,
- pl. schope(n), i. 1105, 2627,
- pp. schape(n), i. 1195, 1509, 1544; shape, appoint, contrive, prepare, bring about.
- schaply, a. ii. 3112.
- schappe, s. i. 1736, shape.
- schapthe, s. vi. 785, shape.
- scharnebud, s. ii. 413, dung-beetle.
- scharpe, a. P. 396, iii. 252, iv. 2417, vii. 170.
- scharpnesse, s. P. 1084.
- schave, v.a. viii. 1303.
- schawe, s. iv. 1293, v. 6133, wood.
- sche, pron. P. 853, i. 148, &c.,
- scheo, i. 160.
- schede(n), v.a. iii. 2243, vii. 3493,
- pret. schedde, PP. 148,
- pp. schad, iv. 1661, PP. 105.
- schedinge, s. iii. 1105, 2534.
- scheete, s. viii. 1194.
- scheld, see schield.
- schelle, s. vi. 2228, vii. 615, viii. 2120.
- schenche, v.a. ii. 3098, pour out.
- schent, v.a.pp. i. 1292, iii. 450, iv. 554, v. 728, harmed, ruined.
- schep, schiep, s. P. 399, v. 3271,
- pl. P. 414, iv. 2894.
- scheperdesse, s. v. 6115.
- schepherde, s. P. 394, 1064, iii. 2257.
- scherded, (pp.) a. v. 3707.
- scherdes, s.pl. vi. 1985, scales.
- schere, v.a. v. 4001,
- pp. schore, i. 1751, cut, crop.
- scheres, s.pl. v. 5691.
- scherte, s. i. 2171, ii. 2243,
- schortes (pl.), i. 2179.
- schete, v.n.,
- 3 s.pres. schet, ii. 2957,
- pret. schotte, v. 4862, shoot.
- schette, v.a. ii. 2130,
- pret. schette, vi. 1587,
- pp. schet, ii. 2807, iii. 2043;
- v.n. iii. 1453, vii. 4623: shut.
- schewe(n), v.a. P. 112, i. 84, 1035, ii. 603,
- imperat. schew, scheu, i. 185, v. 6190, show;
- v.n. P. 46, 834, i. 626, ii. 1921, iii. 809, 857, appear, be evident.
- schield, scheld, s. i. 421, 1998, 2470, ii. 2594.
- schiep, see schep.
- schifte, v.a. iii. 1310, v. 3166, 4668, vii. 1518, viii. 556, arrange, dispose of, turn.
- schilde, schylde, v.a. P. 67*, ii. 714, iv. 2753, v. 6334, vi. 1244;
- v.n. 266: protect, defend.[Pg 627]
- schip, s. i. 1065, ii. 24,
- be schipe, P. 1016, iv. 731,
- to (into) schipe, i. 1164, ii. 1108,
- to schip, viii. 1573.
- schipman, s. i. 500, iii. 991, viii. 1084.
- schode, v.a. i. 1750, vii. 1534, divide.
- schof, see schowve.
- scholde, see schal.
- schoo, scho, s. P. 356, vii. 4306, shoe.
- schort, a. i. 1687, iv. 1709,
- schorte, vii. 5201,
- pl. schorte, ii. 903, iii. 874.
- schortly, schortli, adv. i. 1690, v. 2603.
- schote, s. ii. 2238, shot.
- schour, s. vii. 290,
- pl. schoures, v. 4173, 7829,
- shoures, P. 938.
- schovele, s. v. 16, shovel.
- schowve, v.a. ii. 2340,
- pret. schof, ii. 174, iv. 108,
- pp. schoven, vii. 3280, push, thrust.
- schreden, v.a. i. 2837, tear.
- schrewe, s. iii. 798, 2220, v. 959, vii. 44, rascal, scoundrel.
- schrewed, a. vi. 2098, villainous.
- schrifte, s. i. 197, 818, v. 1385.
- schrive(n), schryve, v.a.n. and refl. i. 208, 219, 546, iii. 1127, v. 7101,
- pret. schrof, iv. 519,
- imperat. scrif (thee), i. 587, 2718,
- pp. schrive(n), i. 190, 2383, iv. 1772,
- schryve, viii. 2969, confess, hear in confession, absolve.
- schrunken, pp. i. 1683.
- schryhte, v.n.pret. viii. 1383, shrieked.
- schuldre, s. P. 607, i. 1687, ii. 2220, shoulder.
- schydes, s.pl. iii. 1033, split pieces (of wood).
- schylde, see schilde.
- schyne, v.n. iii. 1308, iv. 980,
- pret. schon, iv. 3551.
- science, s. iv. 974, 2413,
- pl. sciences, iv. 2666, vii. 27.
- scisme, s. P. 348, schism.
- sclaundre, sclandre, sklaundre, s. ii. 881, v. 712, 5536, 7570, vii. 3083.
- sclaundre, v.a. ii. 864, slander.
- scole, s. P. 199, i. 2665, ii. 436, iv. 3373, school.
- scomerfare, s. viii 1391, piracy.
- score, s. ii. 500, iv. 1356, 2891.
- scorn, s. viii. 2397,
- to scorne, to skorne, v. 696, 6931, vii. 3992.
- scorne, v.a. v. 6217.
- Scorpio, vii. 1123 ff., 1259, 1403,
- tail of Scorpio, vii. 1426.
- scorpioun (-on), s. vii. 1124, 4091.
- Scottes, pl. ii. 929.
- scribe, s. P. 305.
- scripture, P. 872, iv. 2626, writing.
- scrivein, s. iii. 1070, writer.
- sculpture, s. iv. 2422, vi. 1343.
- se, sen, v.a.n. P. 28, 134, 610, i. 1132,
- (see, PP. 281 ff., 382),
- 2 s.pres. sest, ii. 1059,
- 3 s. seth, i. 2804, ii. 224,
- pret. sih, syh, P. 603, 617, i. 795, &c.,
- sawh, i. 138, iii. 1604,
- sihe, v. 5810,
- (sigh, viii. 2962),
- 2 s. sihe, ii. 234, iii. 2629,
- pl. syhe(n), sihen, iii. 970, vii. 1798, 4745,
- pret. subj. syhe, sihe, i. 664, 904,
- imperat. seth, ii. 861,
- pres. part. seënde, ii. 1808,
- pp. sen, P. 342,
- sene, P. 789, 936,
- seene, iv. 1492,
- seie, ii. 967, v. 2374,
- sein, seyn, i. 2883, ii. 170, iii. 757.
- seal, s. i. 1474, 1487, ii. 3217.
- seche, v.a.n. P. 173, 899, i. 570, 1285, 2278, ii. 3219, iv. 3463,
- (3 pl.pres. sechin, viii. 3036),
- sieche, viii. 2911,
- seke, sieke, i. 1024, 3072, ii. 928, 1455, iv. 1604,
- pret. soghte(n), i. 425, 1144, ii. 2474, iv. 2163,
- soughte, P. 197, v. 3933,
- sowhte, iv. 3548,
- pp. soght, ii. 3128,
- sought, v. 4003,
- imperat. sech, v. 7605;
- al to seche, noght to s., &c., i. 924, ii. 44, 2276, iv. 2963.
- secounde, a. i. 2601, ii. 1, iv. 2479, v. 2127,
- seconde, i. 1233, v. 2129, following, second.
- secre, a. ii. 2132,
- in secre, i. 617.
- secret, s. vi. 1573.
- secretaire, s. iv. 888, private counsellor.
- secte, s. P. 349, v. 1643, vii. 1572, religion, kind.
- seculers, s.pl. i. 648.
- sed, s. iv. 3007, v. 4014, seed.
- Sedechie, vii. 2566 ff.
- see, se, s. (1) P. 306, v. 1944, vi. 1037, seat.
- see, se, s. (2) P. 933, i. 486, ii. 145, 2531, iii. 86, sea:
- see foul, vi. 2129,
- cp. sefoul.
- seewolf, s. v. 4138, shark.
- sefne, see sevene.
- sefnthe, a. vii. 1363.
- sefoul, s. viii. 2654.
- Segne, v. 1113.
- seie (1), sein, sain, v.a.n.inf. P. 431, i. 281, 2760, (seye, seyn, P. 86*, viii. 2966), say, sai, i. 2750, v. 5198,
- 2 s.pres. seist, saist, i. 176, ii. 555,
- 3 s. seith, P. 43, &c.,
- 3 pl. sein, sain, P. 12, 56, seie, P. 442,
- pret. seide, saide, i. 153, 768, 2740, 3218, sayde, v. 1756, seid, i. 3188, v. 4309,
- imperat. sey, sei, say, sai, i. 184, 1822, 2418, ii. 1871, iii. 932, seie, vii. 4084,[Pg 628]
- pp. seid, said, P. 335, i. 585, 1229, 3323, iii. 931, vii. 150;
- as who seith, P. 43, i. 2794: say, name.
- seie (2), see se.
- seil, s. i. 704, 1165, ii. 2152, iii. 1555,
- sail, v. 3313, 3923, sail.
- seile(n), saile, v.n. i. 511, iv. 1741, v. 991,
- pres.part. sailende, seilende, ii. 1210, iv. 733, v. 5407,
- seilinge, i. 524.
- sein, pp. see se.
- seint, a. ii. 3335,
- fem. seinte, iv. 964.
- seint, s. viii. 2778,
- pl. seintz, v. 1813.
- seintefie, v.a. vii. 4247, viii. 1269.
- seisine, see sesine.
- sek, siek, a. i. 703, 1703, ii. 15, v. 586, viii. 873,
- sik, v. 616,
- def. sike, vi. 1012,
- pl. seke, P. 914;
- as subst. the sike, ii. 1202,
- pl. seke, ii. 3163,
- sieke, viii. 2368: sick, sick man.
- seke, see seche.
- seker, see siker.
- sekerliche, see sikerliche.
- sekernesse, see sikernesse.
- seknesse, s. P. 61, i. 2571, v. 410,
- sieknesse, i. 185, 713,
- siknesse, ii. 3249, iii. 280, sickness.
- selde(n), adv. P. 787, iii. 1636, iv. 61,
- sielde(n), iv. 1472, 2282, v. 4420;
- sielde whanne, iv. 2734,
- sielde wher, vii. 4240,
- selde if, v. 6595,
- selden whanne ... if, vii. 4328: seldom.
- seli, a. iii. 658, simple.
- selk, s. iv. 857, v. 5770, silk.
- selle, v.a. ii. 3061, v. 243,
- pret. solde, iii. 2546,
- pp. sold, ii. 1662.
- Selonites, vii. 4515.
- selve, a. i. 200, ii. 51, 2064;
- as subst. that selve, i. 1247.
- selver, s. P. 608, iv. 2460, viii. 823.
- Sem, vii. 546, 557, viii. 83.
- semblable, a. i. 646, iii. 2595, v. 1545.
- semblance, semblaunce, s. ii. 3273, iv. 379, v. 1534, 6674.
- semblant, s. P. 114, i. 1213, ii. 1912, vi. 707, appearance;
- feigne semblant, ii. 187, 2015, 2196, make pretence.
- seme(n), v.n. and impers. P. 559, i. 614, 903,
- sieme, i. 1891, viii. 2386,
- me (him, you) semeth, iii. 2344, iv. 965, 1774.
- Semiramis, iii. 1332, v. 1432.
- semly, semlich, a. i. 1899, viii. 708.
- sempiterne, a. vii. 104.
- senatour, s. ii. 1195, 1330.
- sende, v.a.n. P. 86, 161,
- pret. sende, P. 1013, i. 851, 992,
- sente, i. 3095, ii. 613, v. 1072,
- pp. sent, P. 588,
- send, v. 5236.
- Senec, ii. 3095, v. 7735.
- senne, sinne, s. P. 457, 920, 1017, i. 2929, ii. 3063, iii. 2033, 2546, v. 1739 ff.,
- (synne, viii. 3040), sin.
- sensible, a. vii. 127.
- sentence, s. i. 2153, ii. 2978, 3417, vii. 1620.
- Septembre, vii. 1117, viii. 2845.
- Septemtrion, vii. 1264.
- sepulture, s. i. 2349, iii. 2015.
- Serapis, v. 1564 ff.
- serpent, s. i. 396,
- pl. serpentz, viii. 2574.
- servage, s. ii. 2981, vii. 4096, servitude.
- servant, s. i. 251, ii. 3300,
- pl. servantz, iii. 18,
- servantes, vii. 2333*.
- serve(n), v.a. P. 707, i. 737, 860, 2521, ii. 35, 1297, iii. 502, iv. 531;
- v.n. i. 169, 1245, 2131, iii. 1291, iv. 1407,
- (3 s.pres. servith, viii. 3026).
- servicable, a. v. 762.
- service, servise, s. P. 78*, i. 176, ii. 2971, iv. 1036.
- servitute, s. v. 1655.
- sese, v.a. i. 1697, 2479, 3357, ii. 3009, iii. 2646, seize, take possession of, deliver as a possession.
- sesine, seisine, s. v. 5527, vii. 564, possession.
- sesoun (-on), s. iii. 693, vii. 1014, season.
- set, s. vii. 4913, setting (of the sun).
- sete, seete, s. v. 846, vi. 1041, vii. 2900, seat.
- sette(n), v.a.n. P. 357, i. 2,
- 3 s.pres. set, i. 637, 1724,
- sett, viii. 3089,
- pret. sette, P. 41*, i. 201, ii. 2226, vii. 4624,
- set, ii. 2220, v. 3691,
- imperat. sett, viii. 2095,
- pp. set, sett, P. 116, 245, i. 1486, iii. 647,
- sette, vi. 10,
- sete, vii. 2864;
- sette ... of, v. 2498,
- set ... therby, viii. 2194;
- set, appoint, suppose, account, plant, make attack.
- sevene, num. P. 804, i. 577, ii. 3207,
- sefne, i. 2916, vii. 692.
- seventy, num. viii. 91.
- Severus, vii. 4575.
- sewe, s. v. 5900, seasoned dish.
- sex, sexe, num. v. 7246, vii. 5347, viii. 126.
- sexte, a. vii. 908, 1082.
- sextenthe, a. P. 25.
- sextiene, num. vii. 1055.
- seyinge, s. viii. 3081*.
- Seyix, see Ceïx.
- shoures, see schoures.
- sibb, a. viii. 1703, related.[Pg 629]
- Sibeles, Sibele, v. 1135 ff.
- Sibille, v. 7454.
- sibrede, s. viii. 139, 266, kindred.
- sich, see such.
- Siculus, vii. 3296.
- side, syde, s. P. 28, 146, 392, 1085, i. 2381, 3424, iii. 1503, iv. 1308, 3227,
- (ride) on side, iv. 1311.
- Sidoyne, vii. 4499.
- sieche, see seche.
- siege, s. i. 1082, iii. 1759.
- sieged, v.a.pp. iii. 2046, besieged.
- siek, sieknesse, see sek, seknesse.
- sieke, v. see seche.
- sielde(n), see selde(n).
- sighe, syghen, v.n. iv. 3170, v. 3670, 5729, sigh.
- sighte, see sihte.
- signal, s. vi. 1668, sign.
- signe, s. i. 2544, iii. 2227;
- (of the zodiac) iv. 3222, v. 752, vii. 695, 968 ff.
- signet, s. v. 5775.
- signifie, signefie, v.a. P. 885, iii. 814, v. 914, vii. 4717.
- sihte, syhte, s. i. 427, 437, 665, 1728, 2221, ii. 3072,
- sighte, vii. 1228, viii. 2950, sight.
- sik, see sek.
- sike, syke, v.n. i. 697, 1726, 2996, 3140, ii. 1350, iv. 1150, sigh.
- siker, seker, a. P. 568, ii. 2422, 3153, iv. 1003, v. 664, 2427;
- superl. sikerest, ii. 2469,
- the sekereste, vi. 1599;
- adv. i. 3048, 3339, iv. 911: sure, secure; surely.
- sikerliche, sekerliche, adv. i. 1564, 2145,
- sikerly, iii. 1427,
- sikirly, iv. 2498, surely, assuredly.
- sikernesse, sekernesse, s. i. 1890, iv. 937, v. 205, vi. 232, security.
- siknesse, see seknesse.
- silence, s. i. 1302,
- cilence, iv. 3206, vi. 1872.
- sillable, s. viii 2049.
- silogime, s. viii. 2708.
- Silvestre, P. 742, ii. 3351 ff., PP. 346.
- Simon (Magus), P. 204, 241, 439 ff., ii. 3055.
- simple, a. iv. 1187, v. 2589, viii. 3052*.
- simplesce (-esse), s. P. 217, i. 832, 2099,
- (symplesce, P. 76*, symplesse, viii. 3134), simplicity, humility.
- sinful(l), a. iii. 2569, PP. 45;
- as subst. iv. 3490.
- singe, v.n. i. 111, ii. 3012, iii. 330,
- pret. song, P. 1057, ii. 1080,
- sang, i. 2732,
- pl. songe, i. 2034,
- sunge, v. 1468,
- pp. sunge, ii. 1300.
- singulier, singuler, a. vii. 1996, 2931, private.
- sinke, v.n. i. 1309, v. 2938,
- sincke, iii. 1628,
- pret. sank, ii. 2070,
- pp. sunke, vi. 115.
- sinne, see senne.
- sire, s. P. 722, i. 2878, ii. 54, 2710, lord, sir.
- Sirenes, pl. i. 484.
- sithe, sythe, s. v. 3590,
- ofte sithe (sithes), fulofte sythe, &c. i. 118, 318, 1400, ii. 658, iii. 458, time, times.
- siththe(n), adv. P. 832, i. 1842, vi. 2351;
- conj. siththe, sith, sithe(n), P. 973, i. 13, iii. 66, vi. 1073,
- sithen that, i. 2244: since.
- sitte, v.n. P. 337, i. 2397,
- 2 s.pres. sist, v. 5742,
- sittest, vii. 2462,
- 3 s. sit, sitt, i. 1317, v. 6121,
- sitteth, iv. 2724, vii. 2286,
- pret. sat, i. 1675, iv. 653,
- satte, vii. 2282,
- pl. seten, i. 2524, ii. 2913, iii. 2163,
- siete(n), iii. 1809, v. 3339,
- seete, vi. 1174, sit, be seated:
- impers. (it) sit, i. 273, 745, 1211, iii. 1674,
- sitte, viii. 2428, suits, is fitting.
- sive, s. iii. 433, sieve.
- skales, scales, s.pl. ii. 3456, v. 4128.
- skar, s. P. 507, crack.
- skarcete, s. v. 4857, stinginess.
- skars, scars, a. v. 4712, 4728, sparing.
- skarse, v.n. viii. 1146, diminish.
- skarsly, scarsly, adv. iv. 552, v. 4412.
- skarsnesse, scarsnesse, s. v. 394, 4674 ff., 4740, stinginess.
- skiere, v. (refl.) i. 478, ii. 472, v. 1424, defend.
- skile, s. P. 380, 402, i. 36, 1866, iii. 2165,
- skyle, iii. 2360,
- pl. skiles, ii. 2770, reason, reasoning:
- as a. iii. 397, reasonable.
- skile, v.n. viii. 2047, reason.
- skin, skyn, s. i. 1681, v. 2469, 6862.
- skippe, v.n. iv. 2784, vii. 345,
- pret. skipte, iv. 2110, v. 4997.
- sklaundre, see sclaundre.
- skorne, see scorne.
- skulke, v.a. iv. 2720.
- skulle, s. i. 2544 ff.
- sky, s. i. 2001, iii. 984, iv. 825, 1436, viii. 2942,
- pl. skyes, v. 3993, cloud, sky.
- skyn, see skin.
- slades, s.pl. iv. 2727.
- slake, v.a. iv. 2812, viii. 1983, slacken, appease;
- v.n. PP. 220.[Pg 630]
- slawhte, s. iii. 2058, 2483, slaying.
- sle(e), slen, v.a.n. i. 1439, 2590, iii. 261,
- 3 s.pres. sleth, ii. 2623, iii. 957,
- (sleeth, PP. 265),
- pret. slowh, slouh, slow, slou, i. 434, v. 3727, 4045, 5897,
- pl. slowhe, i. 377, v. 1722,
- slowen, i. 1181,
- subj. slowe, PP. 132,
- pp. slain, slayn, P. 685, i. 527, 1427,
- slawe, i. 514, ii. 770.
- sleihte, sleyhte, s. i. 468, 688, 797, 1085, 1111,
- sleighte, iv. 2082, 2123, v. 2111,
- pl. sleyhtes, ii. 1873, skill, device, trickery.
- slep, s. i. 155, 1782,
- a slepe, v. 2177,
- to slepe, ii. 3333,
- to slep, iv. 2819,
- Slep, Slepes hous, god of Slep, iv. 2973 ff.
- slepe(n), v.n. P. 310, 476, i. 884,
- pret. slepte, P. 595,
- slep, v. 2762,
- pp. slepe, iv. 2914, v. 158.
- slepi, a. iv. 2731, 2848, vi. 1405.
- slider, a. vi. 378, slippery.
- slieve, s. v. 2575, 7669.
- slih, see slyh.
- slipte, v.n.pret. iv. 2109.
- slitte, s. P. 338, cleft, separation.
- slombre, v.n. iv. 3032.
- slow, slou, slowh, slouh, a. iv. 54, 245, 1281, v. 1949, vii. 415, 761,
- voc. slowe, iv. 843,
- pl. (as subst.) slowe, iv. 137, 356, 1082;
- superl. the sloweste, iv. 1082.
- slowh, s. i. 2981, marsh.
- slowthe, slouthe, s. P. 321, 342, iii. 2758, iv. 3 &c., sloth.
- slowthe, v.a. iv. 19, lose by sloth;
- v.n. iv. 1796, 3420, be slothful.
- sluggardie, s. iv. 2714, 3177,
- slugardie, iv. 2752.
- slyde(n), v.n. iv. 41, v. 4158, vi. 1792, vii. 4457.
- slyh, slih, a. P. 262, v. 2303, vii. 4936,
- def. slyhe, ii. 2374,
- slyh, ii. 2341,
- pl. slyhe, slihe, ii. 2199, v. 3213, vii. 3257*;
- superl. def. slyheste, slyeste, i. 1442, ii. 2102: cunning.
- slyhli (-ly), adv. i. 2629, v. 677, 7145*.
- slyke, v.a. v. 7092*, smoothe;
- v.n. v. 6634, flatter.
- slym, s. vii. 338.
- slype, v.refl. v. 6530, sneak along.
- smal, a. iv. 463, 1147,
- def. smale, v. 1990,
- pl. smale, P. 81, i. 1679;
- as subst.pl. P. 426: slender, small.
- smale, adv. v. 4535.
- smaragdine, s. vii. 840, emerald.
- smarte, adv. vii. 848, quickly.
- smeile, v.n. iv. 2546;
- v.a. vii. 2794.
- smite, see smyte.
- smith, s. v. 644, 962.
- smok, s. i. 2171.
- smoke, s. ii. 1556.
- smyle, v.n. ii. 1404, iv. 388, v. 3012.
- smyte, v.a.n. P. 424, iii. 910,
- 3 s.pres. smit, P. 1085,
- pret. sing. smot, i. 2003, 2342, ii. 874, iv. 3349,
- smette, ii. 2239,
- pp. smite(n), iii. 911, v. 334, vii. 4695.
- snake, s. vii. 1010.
- snoute, s. iii. 128, 1400, iv. 2749.
- snow, s. vii. 293, viii. 2851,
- snow whyt, iii. 807.
- so, adv. P. 8, 29, i. 1695, ii. 139;
- who so, P. 1002,
- how so, i. 1455,
- be so, so be, i. 187, 1652,
- up so doun, ii. 1744, iii. 80, iv. 561.
- sobbe(n), v.n. iii. 303, v. 5729.
- sobbinge, s. i. 2182.
- sobre, a. P. 239, iii. 140, viii. 2684, 2869.
- sobre, v.a. viii. 1700.
- socour, s. iii. 2670, v. 4953.
- socoure, v.a. i. 653, ii. 2882, iii. 328.
- Socrates, iii. 640, 701.
- sode, pp. v. 4281, boiled.
- sodein, a. P. 619, i. 1069, ii. 688, iii. 335,
- soudein, v. 4942, sudden:
- adv. iii. 862.
- sodeinliche, soudeinliche, adv. P. 503, i. 2963, v. 7830, vi. 211,
- sodeinly (-li), P. 1038, i. 911, iv. 573,
- soudeinly, vi. 1423,
- (sodeynly, viii. 2961*).
- soffrance, suffrance, s. P. 773, iii. 1639, 1672, v. 4267,
- (suffraunce, viii. 3022*).
- soffre, suffre, v.a.n. P. 698, 788, i. 1371, 2380, 2570, 2941, ii. 206, 3023, v. 7378,
- 3 s.pres. soffreth, soeffreth, suffreth, iii. 2431, iv. 1428, v. 574,
- (1 pl. soeffrin, PP. 222); suffer, allow, leave, permit.
- softe, a. i. 619, 1220, 2564, soft, iii. 2734,
- pl. softe, i. 915, ii. 309;
- the softe pas, iii. 1386; gentle, quiet:
- adv. P. 476, i. 1725.
- softly, adv. iv. 2885.
- sojorne, sojourne, v.n. iv. 740, 3224, v. 1078, vii. 1173, viii. 1286, dwell, remain:
- pp. sojorned, vi. 1180, vii. 294, kept.
- solas, s. vii. 1900, pleasure.
- soldan, see souldan.
- solein, soulein, a. iii. 1220, iv. 448, vi. 135,
- fem. soleine, v. 1971, alone, lonely, strange.
- solempne, sollempne, a. v. 1317, vii. 4703, viii. 1561.[Pg 631]
- solempnite, sollempnite, s. i. 1157, iv. 3651,
- solempnete, sollempnete, iii. 2169, vi. 1825, vii. 2405, celebration, ceremony.
- sollempneliche, adv. viii. 1617.
- solucion, s. iv. 2515.
- Solyns, Solins, iii. 2600, iv. 2410, Solinus.
- som, a. P. 6, i. 1499, v. 2469 ff.,
- som while, som time, iii. 2624, iv. 649, viii. 3119,
- som man, vii. 643 f.;
- pl. some, i. 1265,
- somme, P. 355,
- alle and some, v. 7320,
- som men, P. 529, iii. 2113:
- as subst. som, vi. 384,
- pl. some, somme, P. 432, i. 2034 ff., ii. 1362, 2510, iii. 2112.
- somdiel, somdel, a. P. 613, iii. 697, iv. 800;
- adv. P. 286, 612, i. 1003: some, somewhat.
- somer, s. iv. 1091, viii. 2853,
- somer dai, ii. 732,
- somer floures, P. 937; summer.
- somerfare, s. viii. 2856, condition of summer.
- somertide, s. v. 6009,
- somer tyde, v. 6819.
- somme, s. iii. 2568, vii. 161, viii. 1119, sum.
- somoune, sommone, v.a. vii. 5182, viii. 1551, 1915, summon.
- sompnolence, s. iv. 2703, 2770 ff.
- somtime, adv. iv. 810 f., 1131, 2799,
- somtyme, iv. 3304,
- som time, som tyme, iv. 649, viii. 3119.
- somwhat, pron. i. 1297, iii. 2332, iv. 2829;
- adv. P. 19.
- somwho, pron. P. 345, some one.
- sond, s. v. 4009, vi. 1294, sand.
- sonde, s. ii. 324, 1567, iii. 247, iv. 799, viii. 1859, sending, message, decree.
- sondre, v.n.,
- to sondre, iii. 986, part asunder.
- sondri, sondry, P. 29, 501, i. 2530, ii. 1476, iii. 2210, v. 1458,
- sundri, v. 7437, separate, several, various.
- sondrily, adv. vii. 1305.
- sone, s. P. 740, i. 206 &c.,
- to sone, v. 806; son.
- sone, adv. i. 996, 1633, 2091, ii. 357,
- also sone, i. 3079; soon.
- soned, see soune.
- song, s. ii. 3012, iv. 3346,
- songe, i. 2745,
- pl. songes, i. 2739.
- sonne, s. P. 919, iii. 1307, iv. 979,
- sonne lyht, v. 2790,
- sonnes l., vi. 559,
- sunne, ii. 3452, sun.
- sopp, s. v. 3807.
- sor, s. P. 134, ii. 22, 2789,
- sore, v. 2858, hurt, sore.
- sorceresse, s. vi. 1434, viii. 2602.
- sorcerie, s. iv. 2077, v. 940, vi. 1289, 1768 ff.
- sore, adv. P. 598, i. 475, 2245,
- sor, vii. 5256.
- sore, v.n. i. 2672, vii. 1842, soar.
- sore, s., see sor.
- sorgful(l), a. ii. 1303, iii. 1481, sorrowful.
- sorgfully, sorwfulli, adv. i. 3173, ii. 69.
- sorghe, see sorwe.
- sori, sory, a. i. 989, 2182, ii. 2307, iii. 2203, iv. 1347, wretched, unhappy.
- sort, s. i. 673, iv. 450, 3099, kind, lot.
- Sortes, viii. 2718.
- sorwe, s. i. 971, 1665, ii. 48, iv. 1212,
- sorghe, ii. 165, v. 513, sorrow.
- sorwe, v.n. i. 1814, 3182, ii. 745;
- v.a. PP. 104.
- soster, s. i. 399, 3155, iii. 165, iv. 1383,
- suster, iv. 1369,
- genit. sostres, v. 5726.
- sosterhode, s. v. 4205, 5398, viii. 103,
- sosterhiede, viii. 96.
- soth, a. P. 12, 534, i. 1955,
- def. sothe, iii. 1270,
- pl. sothe, PP. 93,
- in soth, iii. 1078.
- soth, s. ii. 58,
- the sothe, P. 834, 850, i. 981,
- pl. sothes, vii. 2351, truth.
- sothfastnesse, s. i. 2268, vii. 3303*.
- sothly, sothli, adv. ii. 522, iv. 3496, v. 244,
- sothliche, ii. 2021, truly.
- sothsawe, s. v. 2935, truth.
- sothseiere, s. iii. 761, vii. 2348.
- sotie, s. i. 539, 2320, iv. 1887,
- sotye, vi. 223, folly.
- soubgit, a. P. 675, iv. 3523, v. 1726,
- sougit, vi. 1507;
- subst. soubgit, iii. 1277, v. 55,
- subgit, PP. 165: subject.
- soubtil, soutil, a. ii. 2125, iv. 2076, vi. 1443,
- soubtiel, v. 1026.
- soubtilite, s. ii. 2378, 3046,
- soutilete, v. 2138.
- souche, v.n. i. 314, ii. 1969, suspect.
- soudein, see sodein.
- soudeinliche, see sodeinliche.
- sougit, see soubgit.
- souke, v.n. ii. 3227, suck.
- souldan, soldan, s. ii. 613 ff., 2548 ff., vii. 1784.
- souldeour, s. iii. 2356, soldier.
- soule, s. P. 453,
- genit. P. 749, ii. 1313.
- soulein, see solein.
- soulphre, see sulphre.
- soun, s. i. 2217, iii. 453, iv. 346, sound.
- sound, a. ii. 2223, v. 5371, vi. 1488,
- pl. sounde, v. 4164.[Pg 632]
- soune, v.n. i. 2807, ii. 2875, iii. 60;
- v.a. v. 5699,
- soned, (pp.), iv. 2644: sound.
- soupe, v.n. i. 2114, v. 6872, vii. 4766, have supper.
- souper, s. i. 2112, v. 3835, 6871,
- souper time, viii. 705.
- soupertime, s. viii. 711.
- souple, v.a. vii. 4890, (bend), influence.
- sour, a. vi. 1127, viii. 194,
- the soure, vi. 336;
- adv. soure, ii. 246.
- source, s. i. 148, iii. 611.
- soure, v.a. iii. 447, make sour;
- v.n. i. 1190, turn sour.
- south, s. vi. 862.
- southward, adv. vii. 1255.
- soutilete, see soubtilite.
- soverein, sovereign, a. P. 186, i. 1609, iv. 1518, vii. 1776,
- fem. sovereine, ii. 3507, vii. 1392, viii. 2530:
- subst. i. 862, v. 1133,
- soverain, v. 1464.
- sovereinete, s. i. 1847.
- sowe, v.a.n. P. 320, v. 819,
- pret. siew, sieu, sew, iv. 1837, v. 1883, 3722,
- pp. sowe, ii. 2376.
- sowinge, s. v. 1228.
- sowke, s. ii. 1079, suck.
- space, s. iv. 615, 679, v. 3439, 3843.
- spade, s. v. 16.
- Spaine, Spaigne, i. 3390, ii. 1088, vi. 539, 569.
- spanne, s. i. 1112, span.
- spare, v.a. ii. 693, 3360, iii. 2220, PP. 19;
- v.n. iii. 2217, iv. 439,
- to spare, v. 7826.
- sparinge, s. v. 4785.
- sparke, s. ii. 2946, iv. 2995.
- spatula, s. vi. 1311.
- specefie, see specifie.
- speche, s. P. 174, i. 923, 1278, iv. 875,
- spieche, iv. 144.
- specheles, a. i. 1293, v. 3966.
- special, a., in special, P. 120, i. 1501.
- specifie, specefie, v.a.n. P. 33, 866, i. 572, ii. 1407, iv. 2534.
- sped, s. i. 107, 1379, ii. 115, iv. 3450,
- spied, i. 1956, iv. 301, success, advantage.
- spede, spiede, v.n. i. 687, 796, 2654, iv. 2280,
- pret. spedde, iv. 2178, succeed, be advanced;
- v.a. and refl. ii. 103, 2232, iii. 2198,
- pret. spedde, ii. 624, v. 3866,
- pp. sped, i. 1557, vi. 2095,
- spedd, v. 1720, advance, help, hasten.
- speke(n), v.n. P. 31, i. 10, 204, 1520,
- 3 s.pres. spekth, i. 656,
- pret. spak, i. 294, 818,
- pl. spieke(n), ii. 959, 1456, 2264, v. 622, vii. 1611,
- speeke, viii. 749,
- imperat. spek, iii. 850,
- pp. spoke, i. 537, 1178,
- speke, v. 5035.
- spekere, s. v. 945, 1466.
- spekinge, s. v. 7129*,
- pl. spekynges, i. 239.
- spelle, v.a. iv. 570.
- spellinge, s. v. 4067.
- spende, v.a. iv. 2591,
- pret. spente, v. 7787.
- Spercheïdos, v. 4006.
- spere, s. i. 1998, ii. 3195.
- Spertachus, vii. 3418.
- spiece, s. vii. 888,
- pl. spieces, spices, i. 2977, 3446, iii. 466, v. 5898, vi. 856, kind, spice.
- spille, v.a. i. 1192, 2850, vii. 3493,
- pret. spilde, ii. 948,
- spilte, iii. 1446,
- pp. spilt, ii. 3285, viii. 570, destroy, spill, waste;
- v.n. iii. 264, iv. 2586, perish, fail.
- spinne, v.a.n. v. 1283,
- pp. sponne, vi. 2381, PP. 299.
- spire, v.n. ii. 1146, 1999;
- v.a. viii. 1472: inquire, inquire for.
- spirit, s. ii. 3137, iv. 2364, viii. 2590,
- pl. spiritz, iv. 2464.
- spirital, spiritiel, a. ii. 2987, v. 1915;
- as subst. P. 855, ii. 3492.
- splen, s. vii. 449 ff.
- Spodius, v. 4817.
- spoke, s. vii. 815.
- spore, s. P. 1084, i. 2301, iii. 1235, spur.
- sporne, v.a. iv. 2115, vi. 429, kick against;
- v.n. iv. 1279, vi. 464, vii. 4739, stumble.
- spot, s. iv. 609, PP. 366.
- spousaile, s. ii. 642,
- pl. spousailes, viii. 975.
- spouse, s. iii. 658, v. 6017.
- spouse, v.a. vi. 497.
- spousebreche, s. iii. 2158, v. 6014, adultery.
- spoute, s. vii. 1193.
- sprantlende, v.n. pres.part. iv. 111.
- spriede, sprede, spreede, v.a.n. i. 2824, ii. 504, vi. 895,
- 3 s.pres. sprat, ii 417,
- spredeth, v. 7679,
- pret. spradde, ii. 684, iv. 1526, v. 1458,
- spredde, v. 6891,
- pp. sprad, iv. 3082,
- spred, v. 2316; spread.
- spring, s. v. 6239,
- daies spring, iv. 2852.
- springe(n), v.n. P. 347, i. 353, iii. 428,
- pret. sprong, i. 2306, iii. 1921,
- pl. spronge, i. 2085,
- sprungen, v. 1595,
- pp. sprongen, vii. 4679.
- spume, s. v. 4122.
- square, a. vi. 1327.[Pg 633]
- squier, s. ii. 254,
- pl. squiers, v. 2275.
- stable (dore), s. iv. 903.
- stable, a. iv. 268, 444, vii. 4202;
- adv. iv. 3671.
- stable, v.a. PP. 145, set firmly.
- stacion, s. vii. 204, place.
- staf, s. P. 420, v. 536, 4991.
- stage, s. P. 603, iv. 2977, vii. 741.
- stake, s. ii. 3094, iv. 2431, vi. 191.
- stalke, v.n. i. 910, ii. 828, v. 3861, 6498, go stealthily.
- stalle, s. PP. 383, place.
- stalle, v.a. vii. 1162.
- stalon, s. viii. 160, stallion.
- stanche, staunche, v.a. P. 345, i. 2312, 2838, 3308, vi. 303, 422, quench, satisfy, heal.
- stare, v.n. iv. 1832, vi. 178.
- stark, adv. iv. 3082.
- stat, s. ii. 2992, iii. 1998,
- (staat, viii. 2990):
- cp. astat.
- statue, s. P. 891.
- stature, s. i. 2166, 3135, iv. 744, vii. 981, stature, form; vi. 1524, statue.
- statut, s. ii. 1741, v. 4551, viii. 360.
- stede, s. (1) P. 274, 1074, i. 842, iii. 923, iv. 3483,
- pl. stedes, iv. 718, v. 2087, place;
- in stede of, P. 128, 396, i. 1669,
- in the stede, ii. 2684,
- in hire stede, i. 2602, iii. 1558.
- stede (2), see stiede.
- stedefast, a. vii. 906.
- stel, see stiel.
- stele, v.a.n. iv. 3333, v. 207, 3873,
- pret. stal, stall, iv. 3351, v. 3900, 6750,
- pp. stole(n), iv. 902, v. 6558, steal.
- Stellibon, i. 398.
- stelthe, s. i. 644, v. 6296, 6495 ff.
- stepmoder, s. i. 1844.
- stere, v.a. ii. 447, iii. 137, iv. 337, 2085, 3124, v. 1854;
- v.n. v. 3064: stir, move.
- steringe, s. ii. 3141, motive.
- sterne, a. i. 2127, iii. 2444, iv. 2065,
- sturne, viii. 403.
- sterre, s. iv. 1348, v. 879, 912, vii. 1303 ff.
- sterred, a. vii. 1060, viii. 2942.
- sterreles, a. vii. 1024, 1126.
- sterreliht, s. v. 3958, 6508,
- sterre lyht, i. 1168.
- sterte, v.n. iv. 336, vi. 59, vii. 3656,
- pret. sterte, ii. 850, iv. 2102,
- pp. stert, i. 372, start, rush, move.
- sterve(n), v.n. i. 3263, ii. 36, iv. 797,
- pret. sing, starf, ii. 885,
- pp. storve(n), iii. 1509, v. 1999; die.
- stevene, s. i. 493, 3025, iv. 847, voice, promise.
- steward, see stieward.
- steyne, v. ii. 1963, stain.
- sticke, s. v. 4959, 5054, 5972.
- stiede, stede, s. i. 2508, iv. 901, vi. 1280, steed.
- stiel, s. P. 611, vi. 1814,
- stel, iv. 2425, steel.
- stiere, s. i. 560, 2943, ii. 709, helm, guidance.
- stiere, v.a. P. 234, 1088, i. 506, 1064, 2394;
- v.n. iii. 993.
- stiereles, a. ii. 1393, without rudder.
- stieresman, s. v. 3122.
- stieward, steward, ii. 1091, 2760, v. 2669 ff, vii. 3948.
- Stige, v. 1113, Styx.
- stigh, see styh.
- stike, v.n. iii. 1631, iv. 2723, stick.
- stile, s. i. 8.
- stille, a. i. 1289, iii. 932, 2738, iv. 3009, silent, quiet:
- adv. P. 478, i. 886, 952, 1794, 2617, iii. 1719, quietly, in silence, always.
- stille, v.a. P. 61*, vii. 1583, viii. 2636, keep still, silence, satisfy.
- Stinfalides, v. 1019.
- stinge, v.a. vii. 1048.
- stink, s. iv. 2557.
- stinte(n), v.n. iii. 1612, iv. 3453,
- pret. stinte, ii. 1132,
- imperat. stynt, viii. 2284, cease;
- v.a. iv. 132, vi. 2005, make to cease.
- stock, s. iii. 585, v. 1513, viii. 239,
- stok, iv. 2868.
- stod, s. vii. 3345, viii. 161, stud.
- stoke(n), v.a.pp. i. 538, iv. 584, vii. 5019, shut.
- stol, s. vii. 3954,
- pl. stoles, P. 336, iv. 626, stool.
- stomak, stomac, stomach, s. v. 1487, vi. 162, vii. 479.
- stomble, v.n. iv. 621.
- ston, s. P. 618, i. 1794, iv. 2523 ff.,
- pl. stones, P. 953, i. 2537.
- stonde, v.n. P. 84, i. 428, 1313, 3233,
- 3 s.pres. stant, P. 30, 118, 170, &c.,
- standt, v. 5215,
- pres. subj. stonde, P. 481, i. 1458,
- stond, i. 3416,
- pret. stod, P. 95, 214, ii. 2513,
- (stood, viii. 3004*),
- pl. stode(n), P. 50, 233, 798,
- 3 s.pret. subj. stode, P. 41, iii. 1580,
- (3 pl. stodyn, viii. 3050),
- imperat. stond, iv. 3244,
- pp. stonde(n), i. 2930, vii. 2629; stand, remain, depend.[Pg 634]
- stoppe(n), v.a. i. 475, 522, v. 3516.
- stor, s. ii. 2363, store.
- storie, s. v. 6002.
- stormes, s.pl. i. 2987, v. 3298.
- stormy, a. P. 938, iii. 686.
- storve, see sterve.
- stounde, s. i. 1425, ii. 2, 877, iv. 3632, time, period.
- stoute, a. (pl.), v. 3507, 7282.
- straght, adv. P. 1044, ii. 1482,
- strawht, strauht, v. 3327, 3665.
- straied, pp. viii. 2860.
- strange, a. P. 604, i. 1416, 3029, ii. 2060.
- strange, v.a. iv. 1489, v. 1890, 6040;
- v.n. v. 4103: estrange, change; grow strange.
- strangle, v.a. v. 6531, vii. 3323*.
- Strangulio, viii. 545, 1290 ff.
- strauht, a. vi. 772, straight.
- strauht, strawht, adv. see straght.
- straw, see stree.
- strecche, v.a. and refl. i. 1, 622,
- pret. strawhte, strauhte, ii. 1056, iii. 1407, v. 5029,
- straghte, i. 2820, viii. 1150, stretch, direct;
- v.n.pret. strawhte, strauhte, straghte, i. 2820, iii. 1939, v. 3338, 3923, reach, go.
- stree, stre, s. iii. 85, 667, iv. 1716,
- straw, v. 2310,
- pl. stres, i. 2993, straw.
- streit, a. v. 7655, close.
- streite, streyte, adv. ii. 237, 1638, v. 261, vi. 1374, near, closely, strictly.
- streite, v.a. v. 6380, diminish.
- strem, s. P. 509, ii. 195, iv. 2730, stream.
- strengere, strengest, see strong.
- strengthe, s. P. 704, i. 787, ii. 2413, vi. 1595, strength, force, stronghold.
- strengthe(n), v.a. ii. 1077, 3157, vi. 1598, vii. 2546, strengthen.
- strete, s. i. 938, iii. 1338, street.
- streyte, see streite.
- strif, s. P. 248, 993, iii. 650.
- strike, v.a. v. 3318;
- v.n. viii. 1891.
- strok, s. P. 426, iv. 2099, v. 2565.
- stronde, s. i. 1169, ii. 758, iv. 741, shore.
- strong, a. P. 716, ii. 1740, v. 7377,
- def. stronge, P. 314, v. 2050,
- pl. i. 1155, ii. 48, iii. 1112, iv. 2103;
- comp. strengere, vii. 4087;
- superl. strengest, vi. 1593:
- as subst. the stronge, P. 615, vii. 4296.
- strowed, v.a.pp. iv. 3022, strewn.
- stryve, v.n. iii. 26, 1651, PP. 73.
- studie, v.n. P. 323, i. 3091, vii. 2245.
- studie, s. iv. 2662, v. 3090.
- studious, a. vii. 759.
- sturdi, a. viii. 403, harsh.
- sturne, see sterne.
- stwes, s.pl. viii. 484, stews.
- styh, v.n. 3 s.pret. ii. 3401, v. 3991,
- (stigh, PP. 177), ascended.
- subfumigacioun, s. vi. 1310.
- subgit, see soubgit.
- subjeccioun (-on), s. P. 683, i. 2857, ii. 3272, v. 6409.
- sublimacion, s. iv. 2517.
- substance (-aunce), s. P. 199, iv. 2465, 2563, PP. 314.
- substancial, a. vii. 226.
- substitucion, s. vii. 2769.
- such, pron.a. P. 8, i. 175, 1624, ii. 2241, iii. 2421,
- swich, v. 377,
- swiche, iv. 1429,
- sich, viii. 1110,
- pl. suche, i. 853,
- swiche, ii. 504:
- as subst. swich, ii. 566,
- pl. suche, swiche, P. 233, 299, iv. 1236:
- as adv. such, P. 735.
- sucre, s. i. 1705, v. 2833, sugar.
- suete, see swete.
- sufficance, s. i. 4, 1915, v. 4819, ability, sufficiency.
- sufficant, a. i. 1183, ii. 2700, iii. 1779, viii. 2696,
- (suffisant, viii. 3099), sufficient.
- suffise, suffice, v.n. P. 324, i. 1399, iii. 321, iv. 790, 1129, v. 320, vii. 5092, suffice, be able, endure.
- suffrance, suffre, see soffrance, &c.
- suggestioun (-on), s. i. 1014, viii. 364, 1684.
- suie, v.a. i. 2256, ii. 256,
- (sue, viii. 3031*);
- v.n.pres.p. suiende, ii. 1591, 3526, iv. 2482,
- suinge, vi. 2371: follow.
- suite, s. ii. 1378, iv. 27, 1306, v. 4385 f., viii. 2930: fashion, livery; pursuit.
- sulphre, soulphre, sulphur, s. iv. 2481, v. 2176, vii. 355.
- Sulpices, iv. 2407.
- sundri, see sondri.
- suore, suote, see swere, swete.
- superfluite, s. v. 2217, vi. 267.
- superiour, a. iii. 2447.
- supplant (-aunt), s. ii. 2368, 2374.
- supplantacioun (-on), s. ii. 2327, 2937.
- supplantarie, s. ii. 2322.
- supplante, supplaunte, v.a. ii. 2369, 2385 ff.,
- pret. supplantede, ii. 2453.
- supplicacion (-oun), s. viii. 2184, 2301.
- supplantour, s. ii. 2437, 3024.
- support, s. vii. 3207*.
- supporte, v.a. vii. 2144.
- suppose, v.a.n. i. 226, 879, 2196, ii. 1018, 1174, vi. 2300;
- impers. v. 22: conjecture, think; seem.
- supposinges, s.pl. v. 3848, conjectures.
- surfet, s. vii. 4561, excess.[Pg 635]
- surgerie, s. v. 1061, vi. 1411.
- surgien, s. viii. 1163.
- Suriale, i. 399.
- Surie, see Surrie.
- surmonte, v.a. ii. 1716, v. 6738, rise above, surpass.
- surquiderie, s. i. 1877, 2358.
- surquidous, a. i. 2257.
- surplus, s. vi. 682, rest.
- Surrie, vi. 2375,
- Surie, vii. 2539.
- suspecion (-oun), v. 578, 7093*.
- sustienance, sustenance, s. ii. 1851, iv. 2443, v. 122.
- sustiene(n), v.a. vii. 476, 704,
- (sustene, PP. 71).
- swalwe, s. v. 6005.
- swan, s. iii. 797, iv. 105.
- swelle, v.n. iii. 671,
- (pret. swal, i. 368*).
- swerd, s. P. 242, i. 1189, iii. 3.
- swere, v.a.n. i. 1462, 2765,
- pret.s. swor, i. 985,
- suor, v. 5930,
- pp. swore, i. 1227, 1513, ii. 2536,
- suore, v. 5178,
- sworn, v. 4306.
- swere, s. iv. 859, neck.
- swerve, v.n. P. 862, ii. 2406, iv. 1216;
- v.a. i. 366, iv. 1408, vii. 4569.
- swete, v.n. iv. 1092, sweat.
- swete, suete, a. P. 325, v. 1861,
- swote, suote, i. 113, iv. 1297, v. 3999;
- as subst. i. 1190, 1708, iv. 637, 3469, v. 668: sweet.
- swetnesse, s. iv. 1671, vi. 395.
- swevene, s. P. 596, i. 2815, iv. 3023,
- swefne, i. 2851, dream.
- swich(e), see such.
- swift, a. v. 6005,
- pl. swifte, i. 2300, iii. 2107;
- superl. swiftest, i. 705:
- adv. swift, vii. 859.
- swimme, v.n. iv. 3096,
- pret. swam, v. 4338, viii. 2653.
- swinke, v.n. iv. 2440, v. 6964, labour.
- swithe, adv. vi. 1655, vii. 848, viii. 930, swiftly.
- swot, s. i. 1390, sweat.
- swote, see swete.
- swoune, adv. viii. 2449, in a swoon.
- swoune, v.n. i. 983, ii. 846, iii. 233, v. 4351, 6006.
- swoune, s. viii. 2859,
- in swoune, on swoune, v. 3647, 5788,
- a swoune, viii. 1060,
- cp. aswoune.
- swyn, s.(pl.) v. 6894, vii. 1166.
- syh, syhte, see se, sihte.
- syke, see sike.
- Synon, i. 1172.
- sythe, see sithe.
- T
- tabate (= to abate), ii. 809.
- table, s. iv. 3672, viii. 630, tablet, plank.
- tacompte (= to accompte), i. 650, 2241.
- tail, s. i. 475, vii. 987 ff.
- taillage, s. vi. 1501, vii. 4045, taxation.
- taille, s. v. 1923, tally.
- take(n), v.a. P. 122, 497, i. 1011, iii. 1970,
- 3 s.pres. takth, P. 205,
- tath, v. 48, vii. 1074,
- (3 pl. takyn, viii. 2988),
- pret. tok, P. 229, i. 421, ii. 2243,
- 2 s. tok, i. 2421,
- pl. toke(n), P. 810, i. 1162,
- tok, v. 7534,
- pret. subj. toke, i. 383,
- imperat. tak, i. 447, 1317,
- take, v. 6429,
- pp. take(n), P. 130, i. 1107, take, give;
- v.n. P. 54, prevail;
- refl. and n. iii. 1063, iv. 2385, v. 1262, betake (oneself).
- takel, s. iii. 989, viii. 470, tackle.
- tale, s. P. 82, 573, i. 650,
- pl. tales, i. 1283, ii. 312, tale, reckoning, speech.
- tale(n), v.n. P. 425, ii. 47, iv. 1178, v. 3772, speak.
- talent, s. v. 7136, inclination.
- Taliart, viii. 505, 513.
- talke, v.n. ii. 2093.
- tall, a. v. 2476, comely.
- Taltabius, iii. 1928.
- tame, a. P. 1058, i. 3031, v. 1017.
- tame, v.a. iv. 1886, v. 1024, vii. 1844.
- tant ne quant, ii. 2430.
- Tantaly, v. 365.
- tapinage, s. v. 1810, skulking.
- tarie, v.a. i. 452, iv. 1499, 3450, viii. 2924, vex, delay;
- v.n. i. 1645, ii. 825, iv. 8, delay.
- tariinge, tariynge, s. iv. 35, 1184, v. 3633.
- Tarquinus, Tarquin, vii. 4595 ff., viii. 2634.
- Tartarie, s. iv. 1631.
- tasse, s. v. 4400, 4958, collection, heap.
- tasse, v.a. vii. 4484.
- tast, s. i. 1191, v. 7144, taste, touch.
- taste, v.a.n. iv. 2546, v. 7792, vii. 1944, viii. 1186, taste, perceive, try.
- tastinge, s. vi. 302, 942.
- Taurus, vii. 1015, 1267.
- taverne, s. ii. 3098.
- taxe, s. i. 1556, engagement.
- taxe, v.a. P. 267, i. 3108, ii. 334, vii. 3905, viii. 361, tax, appoint.[Pg 636]
- teche, v.a.n. P. 417, i. 229, 2260,
- pret. tawhte, tauhte, ii. 754, iii. 2543, v. 3583,
- tawht, iii. 176,
- taghte, P. 361, viii. 663,
- pp. tawht, tauht, i. 2253, v. 6074,
- taught, v. 7015*.
- Techel, v. 7023.
- techer, s. vii. 1520.
- techyng, techinge, i. 1592, v. 611.
- teene, tene, s. i. 3399, iii. 772, v. 5483, sorrow.
- Tegea, v. 6242.
- teide, v.a.pret. i. 2311,
- pp. teid, v. 52, tied.
- teise, v.a. v. 6331, stretch.
- telle(n), v.a.n. P. 82, 168, i. 66, 400, 3297, iii. 450, iv. 1693,
- 3 s.pres. telth, v. 6126,
- pret. tolde(n), P. 599, i. 2109, vii. 1622,
- told, i. 3187, ii. 884,
- imperat. tell, i. 164, 1254,
- pp. telleth, i. 1395; tell, say, speak, name.
- tellinge, s. iii. 506.
- tempeste, s. i. 2142, ii. 1907, iii. 2739, iv. 3063.
- tempeste, v.a. v. 1184, disturb.
- temple, s. i. 800, iii. 1993, v. 1313,
- the temple flor, viii. 1855.
- temples, s.pl. viii. 2819, temples (of the head).
- temporal, a. ii. 2988, vii. 94;
- as subst. P. 854, ii. 3491.
- tempre, v.a. i. 23, ii. 3178, v. 3802, viii. 778,
- pp. as adj. tempred, iv. 2521; mingle, temper, restrain, tune.
- temprure, s. P. 1055, viii. 832, harmony, tuning.
- tempte, v.a. ii. 3139, iii. 711, vii. 5337.
- Temse, P. 39*, Thames.
- ten, num. P. 526, ii. 52, 2063, iv. 475.
- tendre, a. i. 779, ii. 3175, iv. 1362, vi. 1514,
- tender, vii. 3382, tender, delicate.
- tendre, v.a. i. 2172, soften;
- v.n. ii. 3289, grow tender.
- tendresse (-esce), ii. 1073, 2165, vii. 4975, affection, care, softness.
- tene, see teene.
- tenetz, s. PP. 295, tennis.
- tente, s. ii. 2635, iv. 2431.
- tenthe, a. vii. 1169, 1387.
- tere, v.a. iii. 2010,
- pp. tore, P. 413, i. 1154, tear.
- teres, s.pl. i. 1680, vii. 4835, tears.
- Tereüs, v. 5569 ff., viii. 2585.
- terme, s. iii. 2411.
- Termegis, iv. 2408.
- termine, v.a. ii. 272, bring to a conclusion.
- terremote, s. vi. 2207, 2261.
- Tersites, vii. 3585.
- teschuie (= to eschuie), vii. 3247, teschue, PP. 64.
- testament, s. P. 245, vii. 3860, viii. 2955*, PP. 177.
- tete, s. ii. 3227, teat.
- text, s. i. 271.
- thaddre (= the addre), v. 3528.
- thaffeccioun (= the affeccioun), P. 366.
- thair (= the air), v. 3993.
- Thaise, Thayse, Taise, viii. 1295 ff.,
- Thaïsis, viii. 1536.
- thalemans (= the Alemans), P. 821.
- thalter (the alter), vii. 4707.
- Thamar, viii. 215.
- thamende (= thee amende), i. 568.
- Thameris, vii. 3445.
- thank, see thonk.
- thankworth, a. i. 2405.
- thanne, than, adv. P. 48, i. 183,
- as thanne, iii. 2005, then;
- conj. P. 57, i. 973, 1927, than.
- thapocalips (= the apocalips), v. 6389.
- thapostel (= the apostel), P. 434, v. 1953,
- thapostle, vii. 3149*.
- thapparence (= the apparence), iv. 3053.
- thar, impers. ii. 2430, vii. 2344, it behoves;
- pers. tharst, iv. 1774,
- thar, iv. 3180, ought.
- Tharbis, iv. 650 ff.
- tharmes, s.pl. P. 608, intestines.
- Tharse, viii. 542 ff.
- Tharsiens, pl. viii. 597.
- thassay (= the assay), v. 3239.
- thassent (= the assent), ii. 1479.
- thassise (= the assise), P. 148.
- thastat (= the astat), i. 2100.
- thastronomie (= the astronomie), vi. 1403.
- that, dem.pron. and a. P. 122, 689, 725,
- that on ... that other, P. 649, i. 397,
- that Remus, that Diane, v. 899, 1249,
- that (= that which), P. 3, 21, i. 298, 603, &c.;
- pl. tho, P. 48, i. 299, 1273,
- that ilke tuo, i. 1271:
- relat. P. 1, 15, 39, 42:
- conj. P. 4, 8, 13, 20, i. 439, ii. 2640,
- if that, P. 16,
- whan that, P. 37,
- who that, what that, P. 13, 460, iii. 1879,
- that (= take care that), ii. 2872,
- that I ne hadde, &c. (a wish), iv. 1422, v. 3747.[Pg 637]
- thavantages (= the avantages), v. 1978.
- thaverous (= the averous), v. 57.
- the, def. art. P. 2, 72, 260, &c.,
- the more, the betre, &c., P. 55*, i. 1543, 2322 f.
- Thebes, i. 338, 1992.
- Thebith, vi. 1322.
- thebreus (= the Hebreus), vii. 3054, 4421.
- theder, see thider.
- theffect (= the effect), iv. 1759.
- thefte, s. v. 944, 6088.
- Theges, iv. 2403.
- thegipcienes (= the Egipcienes), v. 811, 821,
- thegipciens, vii. 3055.
- thei, they, pron. P. 159, 424, &c.
- their (= the eir), iii. 1215, viii. 3009*.
- Thelacuse, iv. 452.
- Thelamacus, Thelamachus, iv. 1851, vi. 1757 ff.,
- Thelamachum, vi. 1587.
- Thelamon, v. 7216, viii. 2515.
- Thelaphus, Telaphus, iii. 2642 ff.
- thelement, thelementz (= the element, &c.), v. 759, vii. 441.
- Thelogonus, vi. 1619 ff.
- Thelcüs, ii. 1092.
- thembuisschementz (= the embuisschementz), vii. 3476.
- themperour (= the emperour), i. 762, ii. 1196.
- thempire (= the empire), P. 767, i. 1482.
- thencress (= the encress), v. 3941.
- thende (= the ende), P. 883.
- thenemis (= the enemis), vii. 4355.
- thenke (1), v.n. P. 23, 77, 193, 1076,
- thinke, v. 213, vi. 198,
- 3 s.pres. thenkth, i. 2687,
- thenketh, i. 657,
- pret. thoghte, i. 811, 1571, 2106,
- (thoughte, viii. 2965),
- imperat. thenk, iii. 225, v. 5217,
- thenke, iii. 1083;
- v.a. ii. 2195,
- (cp. i. 657), iii. 559: think.
- thenke (2), impers.,
- 3 s.pres. thenkth, P. 260, i. 1700, thenketh, i. 569, thinketh, v. 254,
- pret. thoghte, P. 603, i. 346, 929, ii. 1374; seem.
- thenne, fro thenne, adv. i. 2637, iv. 98, vi. 1046, thence.
- thensample (= the ensample), vii. 3552.
- thensamplerie (= the ensamplerie), vii. 3858.
- thenvious (= the envious), ii. 1728.
- theologie, s. vii. 70, 131.
- Theophilus, Theophile, viii. 1359, 1500.
- theorique, s. vii. 31, 134 ff., 624.
- ther, there, adv. P. 46, 115, i. 725, iii. 60, 236, there, in that matter:
- conj. P. 389, i. 1317, 1732, iii. 311, 807, iv. 169, where, whereas;
- ther(e) as, i. 1282, ii. 114,
- ther while, iv. 760.
- theraboute, adv. vii. 4761, about it.
- therat, adv. i. 600,
- therate, iv. 1534, vi. 1674.
- therayein (ȝ), adv. i. 1018, iii. 357, against it.
- therbage (= the herbage), s. iii. 1397.
- Therbellis, vii. 3291.
- therby, adv. i. 330, iii. 400,
- therbi, iv. 1462,
- ther by, iii. 768.
- there, see ther.
- therfore, P. 2, i. 1514, ii. 1454,
- therfor, ii. 534,
- therefore, vii. 796,
- (ther fore, viii. 2954 ff.).
- therfro, adv. iii. 960, iv. 1216.
- therinne, adv. i. 824, 2192,
- thrinne, iii. 315, v. 7345,
- ther inne, iv. 1658.
- therof, adv. P. 120, i. 732, 1315.
- theroute, adv. i. 2818, iii. 2472,
- therout, v. 4158, out there, out.
- therthe (= the erthe), i. 3265, v. 825.
- therto, adv. P. 1056, i. 421, 1291, 2055, ii. 1635, to it, moreover.
- therupon, adv. P. 815, i. 841, 2697, vi. 1321,
- (ther uppon, viii. 3046).
- therwhile, adv. iv. 1708, meanwhile;
- conj. P. 962, ii. 2716,
- therwhiles that, P. 673, v. 3474,
- ther while(s), ther whyles, iii. 1903, vi. 1478, vii. 2985, while.
- these, see this.
- Thesëus, v. 5310 ff., viii. 2511, 2557.
- Thessaile, v. 4018.
- thessamplerie (= the essamplerie), vii. 2318.
- thestat (= the estat), P. 202.
- Thetis, v. 2961 ff.
- Theucer, iii. 2645 ff., iv. 3516.
- thevangile (= the evangile), vi. 977.
- thevenynge (= the evenynge), v. 3886.
- thew, s. vi. 105,
- pl. thewes, vii. 43, habit, manner.
- thewed, a.,
- wel thewed, i. 273, 639, vii. 3788, of good disposition.
- thexperience (= the experience), P. 331, v. 764.
- thextremetes (= the extremetes), iv. 2565.
- thi, thin, poss. pron. i. 165, 449, iv. 3220;
- disj. thin, i. 949,
- thyne (pl.), i. 168.
- thider, adv. ii. 707, 789, &c.,
- theder, v. 7476.
- thiderward, adv. iii. 1044, 1622.
- thidoles (= the idoles), v. 1955.[Pg 638]
- thief, s. i. 319, iii. 2388,
- pl. thieves, v. 603.
- thikke, a. v. 5971, vii. 186, thick.
- thilke, pron. P. 16, i. 804, 2410, ii. 3056;
- as subst. i. 2548.
- thing, s. P. 34, 686, i. 792,
- thyng, P. 930,
- pl. thinges, P. 255, i. 1265, &c.,
- alle thinge, ii. 557, v. 1246, 3885, vii. 80,
- othre thing, i. 574.
- thinke, see thenke.
- thinne, a. i. 1787, viii. 2827, thin.
- thinspeccion (= the inspeccion), vi. 1349.
- this, pron. and a. P. 11, 27, 276, 481, iv. 1365,
- pl. these, P. 7, 900, &c.,
- thes, ii. 475, 3319.
- thiself, pron. i. 1615, ii. 2441, iv. 267.
- tho, pron. see that.
- tho, adv. P. 3, 94 ff., i. 809, iv. 1358, then:
- conj. viii. 1466, when.
- Thoas, v. 1831 ff.
- Thobie, vii. 5357 ff.
- thoccident (= the occident), P. 720.
- thoffice (= the office), i. 242, v. 1921.
- thogh, conj. P. 61, 402, &c.,
- as thogh, P. 270, i. 2013,
- though, i. 1283, ii. 962,
- all thogh, iv. 269,
- cp. althogh.
- thoght, s. i. 195, 1568,
- thought, ii. 66,
- pl. thoghtes, i. 721,
- thoughtes, vi. 198.
- tholde (= the olde), v. 7007.
- thole, v.a. v. 6770, suffer.
- Tholome, Tholomeüs, vi. 1403, vii. 1043, 1201, 1459, Ptolemy (the astronomer).
- Thomas (the apostle), v. 1909.
- thombe, s. ii. 468.
- thonder, thondre, thunder, s. i. 2002, iii. 455, vii. 4401, viii. 1000.
- thonderstrok, s. vii. 307.
- thondre, v.n. iii. 985.
- thonk, s. P. 72*, i. 738, 816, 1119, 2650,
- thank, ii. 60, 2012, gratitude, thanks, reward:
- his thonkes, v. 2507, by his own will.
- thonke, v.a.n. i. 961, 2664, 3346, ii. 773, 1517, thank, give thanks.
- thonkinge, s. ii. 3317, vii. 1933.
- thonkles, a. vii. 2134, without thanks.
- thonour (= the honour), i. 1719, iv. 2142.
- Thophis, v. 6817.
- thordre (= the ordre), viii. 3021.
- thorghsese, v.a. iv. 210, take hold of.
- thorient (= the orient), P. 719.
- thorizonte (= the orizonte), vii. 694.
- thorn, s. i. 603, vi. 928,
- pl. thornes, P. 412.
- thorst, see thurst.
- Thosz, vi. 1314.
- thother (= the other), ii. 1740, vii. 378 (pl.).
- thou, thow, i. 124, 174, obl. the, thee, i. 436, 448, 1545.
- though, thought, see thogh, thoght.
- thousend, thousand, num. i. 1153, ii. 500, iii. 59, iv. 720, 3034.
- thousendel, s. i. 728, iii. 468, thousandth part, thousand times.
- thousendfold, iv. 3023, v. 2602, vii. 3438.
- thral, s. v. 54, vi. 74.
- thre, num. i. 406, 3097.
- thred, s. i. 1419, v. 5343, thread.
- threde, v.a. vi. 558.
- threste, v.a.pret. iv. 135, v. 6381, thrust.
- threte, v.a. iii. 2124, threaten.
- thretty, see thritty.
- thridde, a. i. 400, 1884;
- as subst. iv. 552.
- thries, adv. ii. 2897, v. 3593, thrice.
- thrift, s. vii. 3161, prosperity.
- thrinne, see therinne.
- thritiene, num. vii. 1410, thirteen.
- thritty (-ti), num. v. 7311, vii. 3637,
- thretty, viii. 438, thirty.
- throghes, see throwe, s. (2).
- throne, s. vii. 2418, 2449, PP. 378.
- throng, v.a.pret. vii. 5069, thrust.
- throstle, s. i. 355.
- throte, s. ii. 831, v. 1470, throat.
- throwe, s. (1) P. 566, i. 117, 410, 2297, ii. 1587, time, short time.
- throwe, s. (2) iii. 1130, iv. 97,
- pl. throwes, vii. 3559,
- throghes, vii. 5401, throe, pang.
- throwe(n), v.a. iii. 788, iv. 1274, v. 3609,
- pret. threw, i. 145,
- pp. throwe(n), i. 27, ii. 243, 2158.
- thryve, v.n. iv. 2345, 2592, vii. 262, 2799.
- thunchaste (= the unchaste), vii. 5301.
- thunder, see thonder.
- thunkinde (= the unkinde), viii. 222.
- thunsemlieste (= the unsemlieste), a.superl. i. 1625.
- thurgh, prep. P. 49, i. 827, 2952, through, by reason of:
- adv. v. 3581, 3635, all over, thoroughly.
- thurghknowe, pp. i. 2847, thoroughly known.
- thurghout, prep. ii. 2748, 2873, through;
- adv. ii. 2245, v. 3655, thoroughly.
- thurghseche, v.a.,
- pp. thurghsoght, thorghsoght, i. 1895, iv. 636, viii. 2045, 2247; seek through, penetrate, resolve.
- thurghsmite, v.a.pp. vii. 4853.
- thurst, thorst, s. i. 2308, v. 377, vi. 237,
- pl. thurstes, vi. 394.
- thurste, v.n. vi. 262;
- impers. v. 254, 384.[Pg 639]
- thursti, a. vi. 439.
- thus, adv. P. 52, i. 761.
- thyle (= the yle), v. 1071.
- thymage, thymages (= the ymage, &c.), v. 5791, 7541.
- thyne, see thi.
- Tiberie Constantin, ii. 590.
- Tiberius (1), i. 762.
- Tiberius (2), vii. 3281.
- Tibre, i. 1042, v. 2206.
- tide, tyde, s. P. 27, i. 150, 860, 1731, 2715, ii. 1883, iii. 1024, v. 139, vii. 972, time, tide, season.
- tidinge, tyding(e), s. i. 450, iii. 444, iv. 2962, v. 3322,
- pl. tidinges, tidynges, i. 2761, iv. 178.
- tigre, s. iv. 1977, vi. 1450, vii. 4944.
- til, prep. ii. 902, vii. 397, viii. 2841, to:
- conj. P. 597, i. 1333,
- til that, P. 677, iv. 2890,
- til whanne, iv. 1262, until.
- tile, v.a. iv. 2441, v. 328, till.
- tilinge, s. v. 1227, tilling.
- tilthe, s. v. 1238, 1882, 4304, crop, cultivation.
- timber, tymber, s. v. 2158, 2168.
- timberwerk, s. v. 2179.
- time, tyme, s. P. 5, 701, i. 839, 2379, 2846, ii. 805, iv. 615, 3401, v. 3641.
- time, v.a. ii. 2238, aim.
- tirannie, tirannye, s. P. 49, ii. 1721, v. 5921,
- tyrannyes, (pl.) v. 988,
- tirandie, tiraundie, P. 756, iii. 1117,
- (tirandise, viii. 3076).
- tirannyssh, a. vii. 4594,
- tirannysshe, vii. 4889.
- tirant, a. v. 5627, vii. 1889,
- (subst. tiraunt, PP. 48).
- tire, v.n. vi. 817, pull.
- Tiresias, iii. 363, 749.
- Tisbee, iii. 1374 ff., 1663, viii. 2578.
- title, s. PP. 12.
- titled, v.a.pp. iv. 2468, assigned.
- to, prep. P. 10, 67, i. 1554, ii. 158, v. 5724;
- with gerund, P. 33, 133, ii. 511, iv. 2373, viii. 1393, cp. forto:
- adv. (1) to ... fro, P. 569, i. 1571, 2067; (2) P. 81, i. 1063, too;
- cp. tomoche, tolite.
- to, prefix, see to plihte.
- tobete, v.a.pp. iii. 122, beaten to pieces.
- toblowe, v.a.pp. viii. 1949, blown about.
- tobreide, v.a.pret. iv. 1535, rent.
- tobreke, v.a. i. 1068, 1420, 2650,
- pret. tobrak, ii. 1825,
- pp. tobroke, P. 390, i. 1154, break in pieces;
- v.n. iv. 359,
- 3 s.pres. tobrekth, P. 505,
- pret. tobrak, vi. 2226,
- pl. tobrieken, vii. 3476, break (in pieces), break forth.
- toclef, v.n.pret. viii. 626, parted asunder.
- todrawe, v.a.,
- 3 pl. pret. todrowhe, i. 378,
- pp. todrawe, i. 513, iii. 1405, tear asunder.
- tofore, prep. P. 1, i. 2134, iii. 2052, &c.,
- tofor, i. 518, iii. 2053, 2375, before, in presence of:
- adv. P. 822, i. 2948,
- ther tofore, i. 1153,
- hier t., i. 2787,
- now t., i. 1867,
- toforn, ii. 2128, before, formerly.
- togedre, adv. P. 648, i. 1102, ii. 137,
- al togedre, P. 984.
- tohewe, v.a. iv. 1547,
- toheewe, (pp.) v. 5899, hew in pieces.
- tokne, s. P. 638, i. 873, 1174, 2211, iii. 804,
- that in tokne, P. 907.
- tokne, v.a. P. 601, betoken.
- tokninge, s. v. 5765.
- tolyte, tolite, s. i. 19, iv. 2621, vii. 3847,
- to lite, iii. 581, too little.
- tombe, see tumbe.
- tome, s. ii. 2680, (leisure), opportunity.
- tome (= to me), i. 294, ii. 3160, viii. 2386.
- tomoche, s. i. 19, iv. 2621, v. 7689,
- to moche, iii. 591, too much.
- tomorwe, adv. iii. 2399, iv. 9, vii. 3668.
- tonge, see tunge.
- tonne, s. P. 504, iii. 1210, v. 1677, vi. 333,
- tunne, viii. 2253.
- tonsure, s. viii. 482.
- too, s. v. 472,
- pl. ton, P. 876, toe.
- toose, v.a. P. 400, shear.
- Topazion, vii. 1406.
- to plihte, v.a.pret. v. 850, pulled in pieces.
- topseilcole, s. v. 3119, viii. 1890.
- topulled, v.a.pp. i. 565, pulled asunder.
- torche, s. iv. 3651, v. 3846.
- tormente, v.a. i. 2989, iv. 412.
- torne, v.a. P. 273, i. 1537, 2267, 2408,
- (pp. turnyd, viii. 2956);
- refl. i. 1792, iv. 2112;
- v.n. P. 463, 591, i. 3265, v. 312,
- (turne, PP. 95): turn, return.
- torneie, tourneie, v.n. i. 2515, vi. 1850, tourney.
- tornement, s. i. 2509.
- torninge, tornynge, s. P. 138, iii. 85.
- torof, v.n.pret. viii. 617, was torn to pieces.
- to sondre, see sondre.
- tosprad, pp. v. 3964.
- toswal, v.n.pret. v. 6252,
- pp. toswolle, vi. 1467.
- tote, v.n. v. 470, vi. 819, spy, gaze.[Pg 640]
- toth, s. P. 325,
- pl. teeth, teth, ii. 411, v. 3523, tooth.
- tothe (= to the), iv. 1875.
- tothrowe, v.a. vii. 5257, throw aside.
- totore, pp. P. 414, i. 1723, iv. 1355, torn in pieces.
- touche, touch, s. v. 269, 315, 6278, 7147.
- touche, v.a. P. 58, i. 313, ii. 2057, iv. 667, v. 275, touch, concern;
- touchende, i. 742, 3441, concerning:
- v.n. i. 241, ii. 527, iv. 3016, have concern, treat;
- touchende of, P. 481, i. 1232,
- (as) touchinge of, i. 2721, viii. 2993*,
- touchende to, i. 1338, 1971, concerning.
- touchinge, s. iii. 84.
- toun, s. P. 839, i. 802, iii. 454, 1380,
- to toune, ii. 1354,
- in toune, ii. 2103.
- tour, s. P. 1019, ii. 3027, iv. 818, tower.
- tourneie, see torneie.
- tow, s. v. 5623.
- toward, prep. i. 456, 638, 1136, 2103, 2284, 3032, ii. 1384, viii. 2077,
- towardes, P. 78, i. 747, iii. 1090, to, towards, with regard to, near:
- toward Troie, iii. 2643, on the way to T.
- towh, a. vi. 722, tough.
- Trace, v. 1198, 5569, 5832, Thrace.
- trace, v.a. vi. 1328.
- traiteresse, s. v. 4620.
- traiterie, s. iii. 2211, viii. 1779, treason.
- trance, traunce, s. i. 1800, iii. 1457, viii. 1367, 2813.
- trance, v. iv. 2115, trample (?).
- transforme, v.a. i. 2971, ii. 194, iv. 501.
- translate, v.a. ii. 3044,
- 3 pl. pret. translateden, iv. 2660, change, translate.
- transpose, v.a. iv. 2656, translate.
- trapped, v.a.pp. i. 1133, v. 2708, furnished with trap-doors, entrapped.
- traunce, see trance.
- travail(l), s. ii. 1009, iv. 1105, 1604 ff.,
- travaile, iv. 2663, labour.
- travaile, v.n. P. 78*, i. 2658, ii. 266, 641, 2533, viii. 1050, labour, travail;
- refl. iii. 584, v. 110; labour, strive:
- v.a. ii. 3314, iv. 428, 1893, trouble, cause to labour, iii. 1205, travel about.
- travers, s. viii. 3158, obstacle.
- tre, tree, s. i. 1319, 2818, iv. 3593,
- pl. tres, trees, P. 935, ii. 2298.
- treble, a. vii. 1755, 2366.
- trede, v. viii. 2682.
- tregetour, s. ii. 1873, juggler.
- treigne, s. vii. 4456, snare.
- treine, s. iv. 621, train (of a robe).
- treis, s. i. 2963, three, (or one, two, three).
- tremble, v.n. ii. 2622, iii. 190;
- v.a. vii. 5104.
- tresced, a. vii. 4881.
- tresces, tresses, s.pl. v. 5464, 5686.
- treson, tresoun, s. i. 1659, ii. 1185, 2945, vii. 1563.
- tresor, s. P. 316, i. 2633, v. 69,
- tresour, ii. 3305, treasure.
- tresorer, s. ii. 3304.
- tresorie, s. v. 134, 1922.
- trespas, s. vii. 3327.
- tresses, see tresces.
- trete(n), v.n. P. 77, i. 7, 1099, ii. 3201, iii. 1831;
- v.a. ii. 1686: treat, deal, deal with.
- tretee, s.v. 5258, treaty.
- tretour, s. iii. 2096, viii. 1937, traitor.
- trewe, trew, a. P. 184, i. 702, 1198, iii. 2228, 2346, v. 2877, 7391, true;
- superl. the treweste, ii. 1282.
- trewes, s.pl. iv. 2708, truce.
- trewly, trewli, treuly, i. 1650, iii. 66, iv. 921, v. 2536, 3454,
- trewely, ii. 2018, iv. 1649,
- trewliche, i. 1336, truly.
- trewman, s. vii. 1640.
- tribe, s. vii. 4118, viii. 136.
- tribut, s. i. 2795, iv. 2159, v. 5365.
- tricherie, s. i. 828, ii. 812, iv. 2078.
- tricherous, a. ii. 3019.
- Tricolonius, v. 1239.
- trie, trye, v.a. ii. 3420, iv. 2456, v. 2895, vi. 1204, vii. 42, separate, purify, test.
- trinite, s. i. 3276, vii. 77.
- triste, v.a.n. i. 1947, ii. 492, 1160,
- truste, v. 2898,
- pret. triste, i. 1983, 2573, 2874,
- troste, i. 1739,
- truste, v. 3894; trust.
- tristesce, s. iv. 3396, 3432.
- Tristram, vi. 471, viii. 2500.
- Triton, v. 1192.
- Trocinie, iv. 2928.
- Troian, vii. 3144, Trajan.
- Troie, i. 1078 ff., ii. 2452, iii. 974 ff., 1757, 1885 ff., 2643, iv. 81, 147 ff., 772 ff., 1696, 1820 ff., 1903 ff., 2143, 2152, v. 1003, 1833, 2551, 3071, 3303, 5281, 6455, 7197 ff., vi. 1391, 1416, vii. 3585, viii. 2517, 2570, 2625;
- newe Troye, P. 37*,
- tale of (bok of) T., i. 483, iii. 971, v. 3245, vii. 1559.
- Troiens, pl. v. 1839, 7211, vii. 3056.
- Troieward, iv. 732, v. 6450.
- Troilus, ii. 2457, iv. 2795, v. 7597, viii. 2531.
- trompe, s. i. 2128, ii. 2866, vii. 3763.
- trompen, v.n. i. 2139, sound a trumpet.
- trompette, s. vii. 3744, trumpet.
- trosse, see trusse.[Pg 641]
- trouble, a. v. 4160;
- as subst. vi. 360: turbid.
- trouble, v.a. vi. 362;
- v.n. trowble, viii. 3009*.
- trowe, v.a. P. 512, v. 580, 1925, believe;
- v.n. i. 1925, 2691, iii. 531, believe, think.
- trowthe, trouthe, s. P. 154, 488, i. 746, 1559, 1588, iv. 2747, v. 4363, vi. 2285, vii. 1724 ff.,
- trouthe plight, vii. 4228,
- pl. trowthes, i. 822: truth, assurance, loyalty.
- truage, s. iv. 2175, v. 1553, 1726, tribute, subjection.
- truandise, s. iv. 2767, laziness.
- truantz, s.pl. iv. 342, idlers.
- truffle, s. viii. 2062, trifle.
- trusse, v.a. i. 2634, iv. 1398, pack.
- trusse, trosse, s. v. 4966, v. 5056, vii. 3253*, bundle.
- trust, s. P. 91, i. 3154, ii. 769, iii. 281,
- trist, iii. 2754, v. 2133.
- truste, see triste.
- Tubal, iv. 2425.
- tuelfthe, see twelfthe.
- tuelve, see twelve.
- Tullius, iv. 2648, vi. 1401, vii. 1589, 3163*, viii. 3119.
- tumbe, tombe, s. iv. 3665, viii. 1527, 1581, tomb.
- tun, s. viii. 830, tune.
- tunder, s. ii. 1274, tinder.
- tunderstonde (= to understonde), ii. 815.
- tunge, s. P. 61*, i. 678, ii. 1602, iv. 2639,
- tonge, iii. 1799, tongue, language.
- (false) tunged, a. ii. 1751.
- tunne, see tonne.
- tuo, two, num. P. 336, i. 810, 2041, v. 188,
- bothe tuo, P. 1068, i. 851.
- turne, see torne.
- Turne, iv. 2186.
- turves, s.pl. v. 4031.
- tweie, num. P. 18, i. 1344, v. 3610,
- tweine, tueine, ii. 3472, v. 4040, two.
- twelfthe, tuelfthe, a. vii. 1215, 1402.
- twelve, tuelve, num. P. 158, 526, i. 1134, ii. 97.
- twenty, num. iv. 1356, vii. 1227.
- twinklinge, twinclinge, s. i. 3033, v. 5935.
- twinne, v.a. iii. 423;
- v.n. ii. 2293: separate, be separated.
- twinnes, s.pl. vii. 1033, twins.
- two, see tuo.
- twyes, adv. v. 4094, twice.
- tyde, s. see tide.
- tyde, v.n. v. 3755, happen.
- tyding(e), see tidinge.
- tye, s. v. 3559, case.
- tyh, v.n.pret. v. 5709, came.
- tymber (1), see timber.
- tymber (2), vi. 1844, timbrel.
- tyme, see time.
- tymliche, adv. iv. 3163.
- Tymolus, v. 6831.
- Typhon, v. 798 ff.
- Tyr, viii. 375 ff.
- tyrannye, see tirannie.
- tyt, adv. v. 5769, vi. 1751, quickly.
- U
- Uluxes, Ulixes, Ulixe, i. 516 ff., iv. 147, 1818 ff., v. 3099 ff., 3201, vi. 1392 ff., viii. 2623.
- umbreide, v.a. v. 5034, reproach.
- unable, a. vii. 585, 3275, useless, incapable.
- unaffiled, a. i. 2287, untrained.
- unansuerd, a. ii. 2706.
- unaperceived, a. v. 6271,
- unaparceived, v. 7147*.
- unaquit, a. ii. 3332, unrewarded.
- unarme, v.a. v. 3803.
- unarmed, a. vii. 3589.
- unarraied, a. vii. 2659, in disorder.
- unavanced, a. v. 2328.
- unavised, a. or adv. i. 2701, iii. 1097, iv. 1241, unwise, unwisely.
- unbegunne, a. viii. 1, without beginning.
- unbehovely, a. vii. 1134, viii. 2884, unprofitable, unfit.
- unbende, v.a.pret. i. 1967, unbent.
- unbesein, a. viii. 153, devoid.
- unbinde, v.a. viii. 2812,
- pp. unbounde, v. 159.
- unbore, unborn, a. i. 3164, iv. 3221, v. 1748.
- unbounde, a. v. 7734.
- unbuxom, a. i. 1255, 1272, disobedient.
- unbuxomly, unbuxomliche, adv. i. 1368, vii. 3569, rebelliously.
- unbuxomnesse, s. i. 1394, disobedience.
- unchaste, see thunchaste.
- unclene, a. ii. 575, unclean.
- unclennesse, s. vii. 474.
- unclose, v.a. v. 2376, open.
- unclothe, v.refl. v. 3494.
- uncoupled, v.a.pp. i. 2298.
- uncouth, a. v. 5694.
- undefendid, a. PP. 223, not forbidden.
- under, prep. P. 108, i. 27, 1104, undur,[Pg 642]
- v. 1573, (undir, viii. 3060, PP. 39):
- adv. P. 76, i. 2237, ii. 418.
- underfonge, v.a. P. 68, iv. 206, viii. 1486,
- pret. underfing, v. 7182*, pp.
- underfonge, i. 63, ii. 1751, iv. 418,
- (undirfongen, PP. 264), receive, accept.
- undergete, v.pp. ii. 1133, come under.
- underling, s. vi. 2350, vii. 1294.
- undernethe, prep. ii. 2933;
- adv. v. 3130.
- undersette, v.a. v. 2157, support.
- understonde, v.a.n. P. 206, 481, i. 46,
- pret. understod, i. 1798,
- (undirstod, PP. 150),
- pret. subj. understode, P. 460, i. 2774,
- imperat. understond, i. 1882, ii. 3132,
- pp. understonde, P. 34*.
- understondinge, s. iii. 1950, vi. 972, understanding, significance.
- undertake, v.a.n. i. 2020, 3232, iv. 1967, v. 2340,
- (undirtake, PP. 159),
- pret. undertok, v. 2130,
- (undirtok, viii. 3107),
- pl. undertoke, v. 2077,
- pp. undertake, P. 241, i. 1108, undertake, take in hand, declare.
- undeserved, a. i. 51, vi. 358.
- undo(n), v.a.n. i. 2855, iii. 690,
- pret. undede, v. 2380,
- imperat. undo, ii. 2483,
- pp. undo, ii. 1016, v. 7450.
- undoinge, s. vii. 4099.
- undren, s. v. 3669.
- unenvied, a. P. 115.
- unethes, adv. P. 846, i. 1221,
- unethe, iii. 2536,
- noght (ne) ... unethes, iv. 570, 3478,
- unnethes, vii. 5033, hardly.
- unevene, a. P. 803, v. 4547:
- adv. P. 170, iii. 14.
- unfolde, v.a. iv. 686.
- ungentilesce, s. iv. 845.
- unglad, a. ii. 234, 3117,
- pl. unglade, ii. 3287.
- unglade, v.a. v. 5680.
- ungoode, a.pl. P. 489, viii. 239.
- ungoodly, a. v. 6136,
- ungoodlich, v. 6293;
- superl. def. ungoodlieste, iii. 422.
- unhapp, s. ii. 3085, iii. 1466,
- pl. unhappes, iv. 1024.
- unhappely, adv. i. 376.
- unhappi, a. ii. 2280, iii. 1390, v. 5685, unfortunate, ill-omened.
- unholpe, a. v. 1862, unhelped.
- unholy, a. v. 7021*.
- unhorsed, v.a.pp. iii. 2658.
- unite, s. P. 987, vii. 78, unity.
- universiel, universal, a. vi. 2261, vii. 215.
- unjoynted, v.a.pp. iv. 274.
- unkemd, vii. 5023, uncombed.
- unkendeli, a. ii. 3124, unnatural:
- cp. unkindeliche.
- unkest, a. ii. 467,
- unkist, iv. 2712, unkissed.
- unkinde, unkynde, a. i. 2565, iii. 374, 2055, iv. 849,
- thunkinde, viii. 222, unnatural, ungrateful.
- unkinde, s. viii. 222.
- unkindeliche, adv. iii. 375, 2066,
- unkindely, iii. 2065, viii. 2005, 2558, unnaturally, unkindly.
- unkindenesse, s. v. 5141.
- unkindeschipe, s. ii. 3103, v. 4699, 4887 ff.
- unkist, see unkest.
- unknet, v.a.pp. ii. 2372, v. 556, vii. 4828.
- unknowe(n), a. P. 319, ii. 467, v. 1251, unknown; ii. 1105, v. 3148, not knowing.
- unliche, unlich, unlike, a. v. 4415, vi. 1862, vii. 133, unequal, unlike, superior.
- unliered, unlered, a. P. 233, iv. 611, untaught.
- unloke, v.a.pp. P. 654, iii. 425, viii. 424, unlocked.
- unlust, s. viii. 481, sorrow.
- unlusti, a. ii. 1308, unhappy.
- unmerciable, a. iii. 216, unmerciful.
- unmete, unmeete, a. ii. 122, iii. 1100, iv. 3573, vii. 5030, unequalled, unworthy, far apart:
- adv. v. 2140, beyond comparison.
- unmyhti, a. v. 1502, unable.
- unmylde, a. i. 1242.
- unpeysed, a. P. 64*, unweighed.
- unpike, v.a. v. 6509, unfasten.
- unpinned, pp. iii. 424, unconfined.
- unpitous, a. vii. 3411.
- unpitously, adv. viii. 2994*.
- unplein, a. i. 1058, dishonest.
- unpreised, a. ii. 2078.
- unprisone, v.a. vii. 3293, free from prison.
- unprofitable, a. ii. 3108.
- unpurse, v.a. v. 558, take from the purse.
- unresonable, a. v. 761, viii. 2932.
- unriht, a. ii. 2773, iii. 1247, wrong.
- unrihte, v.a. ii. 506, v. 6744, set wrong, undo.
- unrihtwisnesse, s. vii. 4724, 5270.
- unsauhte, a.(pl.), vii. 2034, out of accord.
- unschette, v.n. iv. 2997, vii. 4968, open.[Pg 643]
- unsein, a. v. 3572, unseen.
- unsely, a. i. 88, v. 459, viii. 2360, unhappy.
- unsemlieste, see thunsemlieste.
- unserved, a. iii. 2277.
- unsittende, a. vii. 1736, unfitting.
- unskilfully, adv. vii. 4757, unjustly.
- unsofte, a. iii. 123.
- unsowed, v.a.pp. viii. 1183.
- unsped, a. viii. 532, without success.
- unstable, a. P. 863, ii. 1226.
- unstoken, pp. v. 34, opened.
- untame, a. iii. 245, wild.
- unteid, a. iii. 830, iv. 3462, vi. 598, unrestrained, wandering.
- unthewed, a. i. 3040, wrongly disposed.
- unthryve, v.n. v. 2508, be unprosperous.
- until, prep. i. 2061, iv. 3058, unto.
- unto, prep. P. 80, 152, i. 2162, iv. 684, &c.,
- un to, P. 339, viii. 3069.
- untome (= unto me), iii. 99.
- untoward, prep. iv. 559, v. 2622, towards.
- untreuly, untrewly, adv. v. 5814, vii. 5239,
- untrewely, v. 6976.
- untrewe, a. P. 536, i. 1201.
- untrist, untrust, s. v. 585, 717, mistrust.
- untrowthe, untrouthe, s. i. 926, ii. 852, 2750, v. 5683.
- untrusse, v.a. v. 4988, unload.
- unwaked, a. vii. 4966, asleep.
- unwar, a. ii. 1041, iv. 15, vi. 1262,
- pl. unware, P. 393, ignorant, careless, unknown.
- unwarli, adv. vii. 4784.
- unwedded, a. ii. 785, v. 6436*.
- unwelde, a. iii. 989, vii. 1855, unmanageable, helpless.
- unwerred, a. iii. 2317, free from war.
- unwis, see unwys.
- unworschipe, s. vii. 2130, dishonour.
- unworthely, adv. vii. 2479.
- unwys, a. ii. 208, iv. 3529, unwis, viii. 2094, def. unwise, iii. 1799,
- pl. unwise, v. 742.
- up, prep. ii. 3469, iv. 1002, 1342, v. 160, upon:
- adv. P. 570, i. 339, 1184, v. 3530;
- cp. uppe:
- up so doun, ii. 1744, iii. 80, iv. 561.
- upbere, v.a., pp. upbore, v. 1814, viii. 405, 631.
- upcaste, v.a.pret. iv. 3032, vii. 1156, pp.
- upcast, i. 697.
- updrawe, v.a.pp. ii. 794, v. 3313, viii. 599, brought up, drawn up.
- uphield, v.a.pret. i. 985.
- uplefte, v.a.pret. i. 1674, vii. 2264,
- uplifte, i. 198, lifted up;
- v.n. uplefte, P. 696, was raised.
- upon, prep. P. 27, 61, 781, i. 968, 1000, 1197, 1599, 2673, ii. 2899, iii. 2425, iv. 236, 2080, 3101, (uppon, viii. 2959);
- adv. v. 3556,
- hier upon, v. 7206*: on, upon, into, with regard to, by reason of.
- uppe, adv. P. 344, i. 2570, iv. 1831: cp. up.
- upriht, upryht, a. and adv. P. 147, 656, 1028, i. 746, ii. 253, vii. 5282.
- uprihtes, upryhtes, adv. P. 940, i. 2918, iii. 2634.
- upriste, s. i. 2198, rising.
- upset, v.a.pp. v. 2316, set up,
- upsete, viii. 244, overthrown.
- upward, adv. i. 663, v. 3978.
- us, s. P. 359, i. 2695, v. 137, use, usage.
- usage, s. v. 7542, vi. 664.
- usance, s. i. 2027, vi. 569, custom.
- use(n), v.a. P. 397, i. 342, 1373, 2101, v. 6578,
- (pp. usid, viii. 2964), use, practise;
- v.n. ii. 400, v. 38, be wont.
- usure, s. v. 4384 ff.
- V
- vailable, a. vii. 1526, 3176, PP. 142, serviceable.
- vailant, a. iv. 1633, valiant.
- vaile, v.n. vii. 144, profit.
- Valentinian, v. 6398.
- Valerie, Valeire, v. 6360, vii. 3181.
- valleie, s. v. 1013, vii. 3320*, valley.
- value, s. ii. 3410, iii. 2765.
- vanite, s. i. 451, 2784, v. 215, vii. 2410.
- vanyssht, v.n.pp. v. 3959.
- variance, s. P. 542, vii. 1758.
- vasselage, s. v. 902, 6435*, prowess.
- vecke, s. i. 1675, hag.
- Vegecius, v. 885.
- vegetabilis, iv. 2535.
- veile, v.a. viii. 1261.
- vein, a. ii. 1713,
- def. vein, P. 221, i. 599,
- fem. veine, P. 262, i. 2677,
- pl. veine, i. 2689;
- in vein, i. 1946, 2736, ii. 2253.
- veines, veynes, s. pl. ii. 3123, iv. 3463, v. 4164, viii. 1186, veins.
- veneison, s. iv. 1996, game (in hunting).
- Venenas, vii. 1393.
- venerie, s. v. 1262, hunting.[Pg 644]
- venerien, a. vii. 795, 1347.
- vengable, a. iv. 3510, apt to take vengeance.
- vengance, s. i. 378, 1433,
- (vengaunce, viii. 2997*).
- venge(n), v.a. and refl. i. 991, 2578, ii. 1285, iii. 1013, vii. 2891, avenge.
- vengement, s. i. 1457, viii. 220, vengeance.
- Venus, i. 124, 235 ff., 2491, iii. 1462, 2555, iv. 419, 824, 1262, 1467, 1787, 3558, 3658, v. 650, 859, 917, 1388 ff., 1493, 4827, 4861, 5819, 5843, 6715, 6753, 7413, 7479 ff., vi. 506, 614, 639, 2425, vii. 20, viii. 2172 ff.;
- (the planet) iv. 2473, 3245, vii. 773, 797, 1020, 1113, 1135, 1231, 1315, 1382, 1395, 1421.
- venym, s. P. 858, ii. 2294, 3490.
- Ver, vii. 1014.
- Verconius, iv. 2433.
- vernage, s. vi. 218, (a kind of wine).
- verrai, verray, a. P. 978, i. 1450, 2451, ii. 3397, iv. 2275,
- veray, verai, iv. 2519, v. 1774, true.
- verrailiche, verraily, adv. i. 904, vi. 116, 866.
- vers, s. vi. 70, order.
- vertu, s. P. 79, 360, iv. 2327, vii. 1545, virtue, power.
- vertue, v.refl. iii. 2766, endeavour.
- vertules, a. vii. 1319, without virtue.
- vertuous, a. P. 39, ii. 7, iv. 2635, vii. 1327, 1548, virtuous, powerful.
- verveyne, s. v. 4039.
- Vesper, iv. 3209.
- vessel(l), s. ii. 1133, 3445, vii. 3500.
- Veste, v. 892.
- vestement, s. v. 7135.
- viage, s. ii. 2528, iv. 218, 1948, viii. 1540, journey.
- vicair, s. ii. 2804.
- vice, s. P. 79, i. 577, 647.
- vicious, a. vii. 792.
- victoire, s. P. 1001, i. 2476, iii. 2681.
- vigile, s. iv. 3252.
- vil, a. P. 887, i. 2098.
- vilein, a. iii. 1182, v. 7203,
- pl. vileins, P. 738, worthless, cowardly:
- subst. iii. 1244, iv. 2300, vii. 3062, boor, commoner.
- vilenie, vileinie, s. i. 2408, v. 170, viii. 1431, worthlessness, unworthy deed.
- vines, s.pl. iv. 2441, v. 1229.
- vinour, s. vii. 1875, vine-grower.
- Viola, v. 4811, 4849.
- violence, s. ii. 2977, iii. 24, iv. 607.
- violent, a. vii. 946, 4551.
- virelai, s. i. 2709, 2727.
- Virgile, v. 2032, vi. 98, viii. 2714.
- virgine, s. v. 1773 ff., 6363 ff., viii. 52.
- virginite, s. v. 6243, 6340 ff., viii. 204.
- Virginius, vii. 5136.
- Virgo, vii. 1081 ff., 1249.
- visage, s. P. 112, i. 1684, ii. 1789, iii. 1784, vii. 4046, face, appearance, pretext.
- viser, s. i. 637, ii. 2081, mask.
- visioun, s. v. 7410.
- visite, v.a. ii. 917.
- vitaile, v.a. ii. 711, 1031, victual.
- Vitellus, Vitelle, vi. 538, 563.
- voide, a. iv. 2098, v. 1914, viii. 36, empty, clear.
- voide, voyde, v.a. i. 1890, ii. 2125, iv. 2084, PP. 317, empty, drive away.
- vois, s. i. 495, 1828, v. 995, 1721, voice, rumour, vote.
- voisdie, s. vii. 3739, cunning.
- voluptuosite, s. viii. 156.
- vou, s. v. 5816.
- vouche, v.a. iii. 486, iv. 668, affirm.
- vowe, v.a. i. 3021.
- Vulcanus, v. 642 ff., 956.
- W
- wacche, v.n. ii. 110, watch.
- wacche, wachche, s. iv. 2808, v. 2241, watch.
- wade, v.n. ii. 2221, iii. 228.
- waile, weile, v.n. i. 3025, v. 7443.
- waileway, interj. viii. 327.
- waisshe(n), v.a.n. and refl. v. 301, 1471,
- pret.s. wissh, v. 306,
- wyssh, v. 3806, vii. 2283,
- pl. wisshen, v. 3836,
- pp. waisshen, i. 2846; wash.
- waite, wayten, v.n. ii. 110, 117, iii. 915, 2090, iv. 802, wait, keep watch;
- v.a. v. 7112, PP. 204, watch for, attend to.
- wake(n), v.n. iii. 51, iv. 2709, 2837, 3314,
- pret. wok, i. 914, ii. 1349, wake, stay awake.
- wakere, s. iv. 3162.
- wakinge, s. iv. 3142.
- wal, see wall.
- Wales, ii. 904.
- walke, v.n. i. 99, ii. 758, 2094, iii. 364.
- wall, wal, s. P. 836, ii. 1089, 2893,
- pl. walles, i. 1155.
- walle, v.a. v. 7230.
- wane, s. v. 5369, vii. 591.
- wanhope, s. iii. 281, iv. 3397, despair.
- wantounesse, s. iv. 1277, v. 6116, vii. 798.[Pg 645]
- wantounly, adv. iv. 1017.
- war, a. P. 508, i. 330, 1075, ii. 557,
- pl. ware, viii. 1392,
- be war, ii. 1606, v. 7838, aware, careful.
- war, v.n. and refl. imperat. war thee wel, iii. 968, v. 7606,
- war hem wel, iii. 1113,
- war, vii. 1137.
- warant, s. i. 1695, ii. 1237, v. 1924, security, warrant.
- warde, s. i. 332, iii. 1953, v. 5298, guard;
- pl. wardes, v. 1868, wards (of a key).
- warde, v.a.n. i. 331, 536, iii. 1954, v. 5297, guard.
- wardein, s. v. 6614, 7152*.
- warie, v.a. v. 510, 3913, curse.
- warisoun (-on), s. i. 671, 3349, property.
- warm, a. iii. 314, iv. 422, vii. 4135,
- al warm, ii. 2485, v. 679.
- warme, v.a. viii. 1194.
- warne, v.a. i. 2506, ii. 1436, 2092, iv. 1432, warn, command, inform.
- warnynge, s. viii. 581.
- was, were, &c., see be.
- was, as subst. viii. 2435.
- wast, a. P. 839, v. 7816, desolate, wasted.
- wast, s. (1), i. 1192, v. 356, 4656, waste.
- wast, s. (2), v. 7143, waist.
- waste, v.a. P. 649, i. 2836, 3310.
- wastour, s. v. 1053.
- water, s. i. 2194, ii. 2189, 3170, iv. 3009, vii. 238,
- water stronde, i. 1169,
- water Nimphes, v. 1182,
- water spoute, vii. 1193.
- watergates, s.pl. iii. 689, 987.
- waterpot, s. iii. 673.
- wawe, s. i. 2945, ii. 24, 728, iv. 3083.
- waxe, wexe, v.n. P. 629, ii. 2260, iii. 56, iv. 345,
- 3 s.pres. wext, vi. 34,
- waxeth, P. 1078,
- 3 s.pret. wax, P. 914, ii. 1713,
- 3 pl. woxen, P. 914, vii. 1995,
- pp. woxe, v. 9, 6008.
- way, see weie.
- wayt, s. ii. 2447, 2999.
- wayten, see waite.
- we, pron. P. 2, i. 842, &c.,
- cp. ous.
- wedd, s. i. 1558, pledge;
- to wedde, i. 1588, ii. 2662, iv. 2876, as a pledge.
- wedde(n), v.a.n. i. 1587, 1741, 2486, ii. 623, 664, 1305, v. 486,
- pp. weddid, iv. 650, wedded, i. 1761.
- wedded, a. v. 4655, 5631.
- weddinge, s. vii. 5326.
- wede, s. ii. 1847, v. 6209, dress, cover.
- weder, s. i. 2925, ii. 1888, iii. 1029, v. 7048, weather, wind.
- weene, s. iv. 2595, expectation.
- weene, v. see wene.
- weer, see wer.
- weie, s. P. 17, 232, i. 89, 818, 1002, 1712, 3440,
- (weye, viii. 3058*),
- wey, i. 1562,
- way, v. 6596;
- do wey, vii. 5408;
- mi weie, his weie (= away), viii. 1452, PP. 336: way, road, means.
- weie, v.a.n. v. 4412, vii. 1105, PP. 91,
- pp. weie, PP. 320, weigh.
- weile, see waile.
- weke, s. i. 3110, vii. 957, week.
- wel, adv. P. 92, 522, 616, &c.,
- wiel, P. 648, vii. 816,
- wel is, i. 1605,
- wel you be, ii. 1513,
- cp. iii. 840,
- wel the more, &c., P. 55*, ii. 3512, 3523,
- wel a fourtenyht, iv. 1418,
- als (also) wel ... as, i. 1316, 2248 f., ii. 3408.
- wel, wele, s. P. 547, i. 149, 2371, iii. 283, 780, iv. 1070, prosperity, happiness.
- welcome, a. v. 3788.
- welcome, v.a. v. 3373, viii. 1895.
- welcominge, welcomyng, s. ii. 671, v. 3813, vi. 1504.
- welde(n), v.a. ii. 2411, iv. 1828, v. 77, 1631, vii. 657, manage, rule.
- welfare, s. ii. 225, iv. 3412.
- welke, v.n. P. 934, wither;
- pp. welked, viii. 2437.
- welkne, s. P. 928, iii. 985, viii. 1042.
- welle, s. i. 148, 2306, 2343, iii. 1408, well, spring;
- welle stremes, vii. 251.
- wellwillende, a. iv. 507, well disposed.
- welmore, adv. i. 973, iii. 455, 797, much more.
- welnyh, adv. P. 30, i. 983, vi. 1685.
- welthe, P. 95, 787, i. 2495, ii. 1207, prosperity, wealth.
- welwillinge, s. iii. 599, 2258, goodwill.
- wenche, s. ii. 3097.
- wende(n), v.a. v. 522,
- pret. wente, ii. 2248,
- pp. went, P. 246, iii. 878, v. 4450, vii. 442, turn;
- v.n. and refl. P. 591, i. 2090,
- 3 s.pres. went, i. 50,
- pret. wente, i. 143, 826, 1163, v. 3314,
- went, v. 7533, turn, go.
- wene, weene, v.n. P. 337, 656, i. 681, 1603, 1897, ii. 2479, iv. 911, 2596,
- pret. wende, i. 2005, ii. 2289, think, expect, trust;
- v.a. i. 925, 1194, ii. 2018,
- pret. wende, i. 1187, expect, believe.
- wenge, see wynge.
- wente, s. iv. 168, v. 2726, vi. 1029, vii. 2250, turn, way, device.
- wenynge, wenyng, i. 1946, 1958, 2267, expectation, thought.
- wepe, v.n. i. 115, 955, 965, 2325,
- 3 s.pres. wepth, i. 2338,
- pret. wepte, i. 2180, 2325, weep.
- wepinge, s. i. 2188, 3171, viii. 522.[Pg 646]
- wepne, s. ii. 1767, v. 338, weapon.
- wepneles, a. vii. 2850, without arms.
- wer, weer, s. P. 143, i. 1924, iii. 1148, doubt, difficulty.
- werche, see worche(n).
- were (1), v.a. P. 356, iv. 1429,
- pp. wered (oute), P. 870, wear;
- v.n. were (oute), P. 368.
- were (2), v.a. v. 3615, defend.
- were, s. vii. 4813, wearing.
- werinesse, s. vii. 3264*.
- werk, s. P. 51, i. 1090, 2542,
- pl. werkes, P. 491, iii. 1274.
- werke, see worche(n).
- werkman, s. i. 1091.
- werkmanschipe, s. i. 2541.
- werne, v.a. i. 1931, ii. 85, iv. 2066, viii. 948;
- v.n. i. 2622, prevent, refuse.
- werre, s. P. 129, i. 2463, 3288, war.
- werre, v.a. iii. 2489, 2537, fight against,
- pp. werred, iv. 1805, be engaged in war;
- v.n. iii. 2584, v. 6420*, make war.
- werre, see werse.
- werreiour, s. ii. 2516, iii. 2348, PP. 130.
- werse, a.comp. P. 638, iii. 1563,
- worse, P. 57, iii. 2598;
- as subst. the werse, iii. 587,
- the worse, v. 7353,
- the werre, P. 176, iii. 1646,
- for bet, for wers, iv. 673:
- adv. wurse, v. 6994,
- worse, vii. 5293.
- werste, a.sup. i. 3057,
- worste, iii. 2102;
- as subst. the werste, P. 641, ii. 1675, v. 7363,
- cp. viii. 1067,
- the worste, ii. 443, v. 3278:
- adv. werst, worst, i. 326, iv. 420,
- worste, i. 2360.
- wery, a. iii. 1153, vii. 415, weary.
- west, s. vii. 565.
- westward, adv. vii. 576.
- wet, a. i. 1680,
- pl. wete, v. 4087;
- as subst. the wete, vi. 1271.
- wete, v.a. vi. 1042,
- pret. wette, v. 3973, wet.
- wether, s. v. 4045, vi. 429, ram.
- wetinge, s. iv. 1109, wetting.
- weve, v.a.n. v. 1283, vii. 4333,
- pret. waf, v. 5770, weave.
- wevinge, s. iv. 1175.
- wex, s. iv. 1055, vi. 1958, wax.
- wexe, see waxe.
- wey, see weie.
- weyhte, s. ii. 341, 1926, iii. 1572, weight, balance.
- weyve, v.a. i. 479, 2894, ii. 610, 2930, iii. 1061, iv. 3692, vi. 1456, 2058,
- weive, iii. 1854, viii. 1288, put aside, refuse, leave, vacate;
- v.n. ii. 3469, iii. 1768, 2509, turn aside, refuse, leave off.
- whan, whanne, conj. P. 9, 343, i. 112,
- whan that, P. 37, 337,
- when, i. 1757, 2402.
- what, pron. and a. P. 26, i. 881, (= whatever) P. 69*, i. 281, iii. 325,
- what man, iii. 2508,
- what womman, i. 1610,
- what ... that, P. 68, 399, 997,
- what as (evere), P. 487, i. 1830, v. 351,
- what ... what, iv. 701, v. 527, 7583,
- what ... and, viii. 856,
- what time, iv. 1983.
- what, s. i. 1676, iii. 1217, v. 4429, thing.
- whel, see whiel.
- whelp, s. i. 1259.
- when, see whan, whenne.
- whenne, when, interr. adv. iv. 578, viii. 738, 989,
- fro whenne, ii. 3135, v. 614,
- fro whenne that, ii. 1147,
- fro when, iv. 1336;
- conj. whenne as evere, i. 3375,
- whenne that, ii. 1583: whence.
- wher (1), where, interr. adv. P. 381, i. 126, 932;
- conj. P. 288, i. 35,
- wher that, P. 666,
- wher(e) as (evere), P. 893, i. 37, iii. 2339, iv. 2877;
- wher on, iv. 3001,
- elles where, ii. 1979, iii. 2079: where.
- wher (2), interr. adv.,
- wher ... or, i. 57, 1811;
- conj., wher ... or, i. 789, iii. 1000, iv. 1516,
- wher so ... or, iv. 641, v. 466, 3569, viii. 2220: whether.
- wherby, rel. adv. v. 4991.
- wherinne, rel. adv. iv. 1835.
- wherof, rel. adv. P. 47, i. 454, 829, 1203, iv. 1790, vii. 741,
- (whereof, PP. 17 ff., wher of, viii. 2952 ff.),
- wherof that, i. 541, 1266; of which, whence.
- wherto, rel. adv. iii. 254.
- wherupon, rel. adv. i. 12, v. 268,
- (wher upon, vi. 1762).
- wherwith, rel. adv. v. 2618.
- whete, s. iv. 1710, viii. 469.
- whether, a. ii. 1725, iii. 1733, iv. 1741, which (of the two), which ever.
- whether, conj.,
- whether that ... or, i. 1332, iv. 1092;
- cp. wher (2).
- whi, why, interr. adv. P. 32, 849, i. 2149, iv. 2023,
- why that, P. 557,
- whi ne were it (a wish), iv. 2855;
- for why, v. 4717.
- which, rel. pron. and a. P. 52, 75, i. 193, 766, 2411, iii. 343 (that which), 2527,
- the which, P. 71,
- pl. whiche, P. 707, i. 404, ii. 604,
- which, P. 1016,
- which that, i. 94,
- which(e) as, i. 1653, ii. 2082:
- interr. i. 827;
- in exclamation, iv. 1212, v. 388, 1186.
- whider, interr. adv. iv. 578, 3446, whither.
- whiderward, interr. adv. vii. 777.[Pg 647]
- whiel, whel, P. 138, 444, 561, i. 2490, ii. 241, 1822, iv. 1196, wheel.
- whil, whyl, while, conj. P. 252, i. 762, ii. 1010, iii. 1577, iv. 1495,
- whil that, whyl that, i. 963, 3384.
- while, whyle, s. P. 558, i. 706, 756, 1094, 1264, 1577, 2628, ii. 1846, 2324, 2862, v. 6752;
- al the while (as conj.), iii. 2530,
- the whyle, iv. 1565, (meanwhile): short time, time, leisure.
- whiles, whyles, see therwhile.
- whilom, P. 54, 886, i. 975, whylom, iv. 2347, formerly.
- whippe, s. iii. 120.
- who, pron.indef., who that, P. 13, 550, i. 481,
- who so, P. 1002,
- who so that, v. 50,
- who as evere, iv. 1096, 1685,
- as who seith, P. 43, i. 1381, 2794:
- interr. P. 176,
- who was who, vii. 2001, viii. 2461:
- relat. whom, P. 85,
- the whom, ii. 162,
- whos, P. 444,
- the whos, iv. 3039, v. 1798:
- cp. which.
- why, see whi.
- whyt, whit, a. ii. 1506, iii. 797, iv. 1348,
- def. whyte, iv. 859,
- pl. whyte, i. 2045, iv. 1310:
- as subst. whyt, iv. 1317,
- the whyt, v. 3016,
- the whyte, iv. 2571.
- wicchecraft, s. vi. 1288.
- wicke, a. ii. 571, iii. 115, 462, 1651, v. 7353,
- wikke, viii. 3025, bad:
- as subst. v. 5915.
- wicke, s. i. 3312, ii. 495, evil.
- wicked, a. ii. 496, iii. 1626,
- wickid, iii. 649, vii. 3805,
- wikkid, P. 459.
- wickedly, adv. i. 959.
- wickednesse, wikkidnesse, s. vii. 4723, 5060.
- wide, see wyde.
- wiel, see wel.
- wierde, s. iii. 1819,
- weerdes, (pl.) iv. 2765, destiny.
- wif, s. i. 677, 765, 1573,
- genit. wyves, i. 2500,
- dat. to wyve, v. 2686,
- pl. wyves, ii. 1283, v. 6019, woman, wife.
- wifhode, s. i. 974, v. 456, vi. 1475.
- wifles, a. i. 1411, viii. 1760, without wife.
- wihssinge, s. iii. 1174, wishing.
- wiht, wyht, s. i. 28, 315, 745, 1548,
- wight, i. 3011, person, creature.
- wikkid, wikkidnesse, see wicked, &c.
- wilde, wylde, a. P. 68*, 1057, i. 1241, ii. 161, 2295, iii. 325, 1638,
- a wylde fyr, v. 2178.
- wildernesse, s. iv. 1975, v. 1263,
- wyldernesse, vii. 3216*.
- wile, see wyle.
- wilful, a. iii. 2449.
- wille, will, s. P. 477, i. 190, 928, 1953, iii. 1161 ff., iv. 1828,
- (wil, P. 72*, viii. 3037*), will, pleasure, wilfulness.
- willinge, s. v. 5744.
- wind, see wynd.
- winde, v.a., pret. wond, v. 6889.
- winge, see wynge.
- winke, wynke, v.n. i. 384, v. 1842, close the eye.
- winne, see wynne.
- winnynge, s. iii. 2284.
- wirche, see worche(n).
- wis, see wys.
- wisdom, s. P. 13, i. 2267, viii. 1483.
- wise, s. P. 463, i. 478, 747, 2018, 3027,
- wyse, P. 8, manner.
- wisemen, see wysman.
- wisly, see wysly.
- wiss, adv., als so wiss, v. 3487,
- als so wiss ... as, v. 4444, surely.
- wisse(n), v.a. P. 232, iii. 1640, v. 1669, inform, guide.
- wisshe, v.n. i. 115, 3164, iii. 1575, iv. 11,
- pret. wisshide, i. 120.
- wisshes, s.pl. iii. 1507, iv. 1107, vii. 4826.
- wist, see wite.
- wit, witt, s. P. 14, i. 1309, 1907, iii. 609, 1163 ff.,
- pl. wittes, P. 81, i. 296, mind, reason, wits, senses.
- wite(n), v.a.n. P. 286, i. 2742,
- 2 s.pres. wost, ii. 3528,
- 3 s. wot, P. 27, ii. 226,
- woot, i. 1640,
- 3 pl. witen, i. 608,
- pret. wiste, P. 1024, i. 911, 931, ii. 36,
- wist, ii. 2010,
- pp. wist, P. 503,
- hadde I wist, i. 1888, ii. 473, iv. 305,
- wiste, viii. 37,
- imperat. wite, i. 2450, know:
- cp. not.
- with, prep. and adv. P. 85, 132, i. 248, 514, ii. 283, viii. 2501, 2553,
- with that, i. 972, ii. 1528,
- forth with, see forth.
- withal, adv. P. 545, i. 1225,
- withalle, i. 2307, ii. 1777,
- withall, ii. 3474,
- with al, i. 3421, therewith, moreover.
- withdrawe, v.a. and refl. i. 2224,
- pret. withdrowh, withdrouh, i. 930, iii. 2673, v. 6268,
- pp. withdrawe, ii. 2582, iv. 2683, v. 2812,
- imperat. withdrawgh, withdrawh, iv. 3220, v. 7738;
- v.n. iv. 1924.
- withholde, v.a. iv. 533, v. 3383,
- pp. withholde, P. 101, 263, i. 262, iii. 851, keep, retain (in service).
- withinne, prep. P. 989, i. 1158, 2954,
- withinnen, viii. 959;
- adv. P. 836, i. 360, 875,
- (withynne, viii. 3081).
- withoute, prep. P. 114, i. 119,
- withouten, P. 985, iii. 55,
- (with outen, with oute, viii. 2951, 3089*), without:
- adv. withoute, P. 794, i. 597, ii. 4, v. 2279, outside, outwardly, without.[Pg 648]
- withsein, withseie, v.a. iii. 978, 2166,
- 3 s.pres. withseith, ii. 2806,
- withseid, iii. 1838, oppose, say in opposition.
- withset, v.a.pp. ii. 2335, hindered.
- withstonde, v.a. i. 787, iv. 1993,
- pret. withstod, ii. 2973,
- pp. withstonde, i. 91;
- noght withstondende, v. 1611,
- cp. vi. 683.
- witles, a. vi. 163, 567, senseless.
- witnesse, s. P. 907, i. 714, 2559, ii. 1696, iii. 487, iv. 2040, evidence, witness.
- witnesse, v.a.n. ii. 3095, v. 2864, vii. 4821, bear testimony (to).
- wo, s. P. 547, iv. 3031,
- wo thee be, i. 1659, iii. 462,
- cp. i. 1076, iii. 802,
- wo worthe, viii. 1334, 2582,
- wo begon, i. 1762,
- wo the while, v. 6752.
- wo, a. ii. 134, v. 3678, sorrowful.
- wod, a. P. 1078, ii. 153, iii. 217,
- def. wode, iii. 244, iv. 3064, mad, wild.
- wode, s. i. 110, 344, ii. 2296,
- (woode, v. 7026*),
- genit. wodes, iv. 1308, wood.
- wode, v.n. iii. 86, rage.
- wodemayde, s. v. 6237, wood-maiden.
- wodesschawe, s. v. 6324, wood.
- woful(l), a. P. 255, i. 75, 1001, 1674;
- sup. the wofulleste, vii. 5017.
- wofully, wofulli, adv. ii. 1149, 3224, vi. 1009.
- wol, v. 1, 3 s.pres. P. 482, 750, 963,
- woll, P. 62, i. 838, 1266,
- wole, i. 2389, v. 4516,
- wile, i. 1865,
- nyle (= ne wyle), iii. 961,
- 2 s. wolt, i. 2254,
- wilt, i. 3333,
- pl. ye wole, i. 1831,
- ye woll, i. 66, 3274,
- wol ye, ii. 551,
- 3 pl. wol, i. 1363 f., iv. 1678,
- wole, v. 2107,
- 3 s.pres. subj. (?) wole, P. 368, iv. 1171, 1215,
- wile, P. 379, i. 35,
- pret. ind. and subj. wolde, P. 17, 151, 461, i. 162, 816, 3169,
- wold, v. 4217, 7137,
- wolde god, iv. 899, 1148,
- pp. wold, iv. 248; will, would (as auxil.):
- v.a. i. 3169, iv. 3475, desire.
- woldes, as subst. pl. vi. 923.
- wolf, s. P. 419, iv. 328, vii. 3364.
- wolle, s. iv. 2435, v. 45, 1203,
- wulle, P. 399, iv. 2895, wool.
- wollesak, s. i. 1692, sack of wool.
- wombe, s. P. 609, iii. 190, iv. 2755, belly, womb.
- womman, s. i. 681, ii. 56,
- pl. wommen, i. 488.
- wommanhiede (-hede), s. i. 1719, iii. 1607, iv. 602, 2305, v. 533, woman’s nature, womanliness.
- wommanlich, wommanly, a. i. 2757, vii. 4879.
- wommanysshe, wommannysshe, wommanisshe, a. i. 495, 913, iv. 1924, v. 6199, viii. 855,
- wommannysch, womannyssh, i. 1530, vii. 4321, womanly, effeminate.
- wonde(n), v.n. iii. 1569, 2215, v. 7036, turn aside;
- v.a. vii. 5260, avoid.
- wonder, s. P. 75, 243, i. 2798,
- wondre, iv. 1972,
- (wondir, viii. 3093, PP. 47),
- pl. wondres, v. 1570;
- no wonder thogh, &c., i. 1726, 2759.
- wonder, a. i. 67, 411, 1328, wondrous:
- adv. P. 604, i. 368.
- wonderfull, a. P. 557, v. 349.
- wonderly (-li), adv. ii. 1544, iii. 1157, iv. 2980.
- wondre, v.n. P. 175, ii. 775, 1508, iv. 3647.
- wondringe, s. v. 5149.
- wone, s. i. 2276, ii. 3260, iii. 149, v. 468, custom, habit.
- wone, v.n. i. 920, ii. 1053, iii. 150, v. 467, dwell.
- wones, s.pl. iv. 2217, v. 210, vii. 4116, viii. 612, possession.
- wont, a. i. 2979, 3036, iv. 3105.
- worche(n), v.a.n. i. 2615, ii. 215, 1850, iii. 357, 959, iv. 2595, v. 463,
- werche, P. 450, i. 626, v. 1800,
- (wirche, PP. 20, 199),
- werke, i. 633, v. 1894;
- pret. wroghte, P. 694, 1008, iii. 1117,
- (wroughte, viii. 3002),
- pp. wroght, i. 1061, 2613, work, do.
- worchinge, s. ii. 3485, vii. 1369.
- word, s. P. 113, 460, i. 746, ii. 1406, vii. 1509 ff.,
- (pl. wordis, viii. 3118 ff.).
- worde, v.n. iii. 742, dispute.
- world, s. P. 10, 28, 383, 1081, i. 178, 1257, ii. 2972, iii. 626, iv. 2078, vii. 2521, 2702;
- worldes blisse, &c., i. 1771, 2683, iii. 2470,
- worldes deth, i. 2213,
- a worldes womman, v. 5755: world, fortune.
- worldesriche, s. iii. 2587, v. 87.
- worldly, a. P. 219;
- adv. vii. 2304.
- worm, s. v. 3716, 5131, serpent.
- worschipe, s. P. 785, i. 919, 1553, v. 188, 195, honour.
- worschipe, v.a. P. 105, v. 1272, honour, worship.
- worschipful, a. ii. 662.
- worse, worst, see werse, werste.
- wortes, s.pl. vii. 2297, herbs.
- worth, s. P. 636, iv. 1327.
- worth, a. P. 629, i. 1927, iii. 1652.
- worthe, v.n. vi. 279, become,
- wo worthe, viii. 1334, 2582.[Pg 649]
- worthi, a. P. 45, i. 203, 316, 764, iv. 1335, v. 105;
- as subst.pl. v. 2058;
- sup. the worthieste, i. 1432, vi. 1600.
- worthili (-ly), adv. ii. 604, 2649.
- worthinesse, s. P. 50*, i. 1435, iv. 1156.
- wounde, s. i. 1426, iii. 308, vii. 1568, wound.
- wounde(n), v.a. iv. 2002, vii. 4282,
- pp. wounded, viii. 2818.
- wow, s. iii. 1341, iv. 246, wall.
- wowe, v.n. iv. 161, 2281, 2711, v. 2888, woo.
- wower, s. ii. 52, wooer.
- wrastle, v.n. viii. 2240 f.
- wrathful, a. vii. 411.
- wrathfulli, adv. v. 7202.
- wraththe, s. i. 3325, iii. 83, 842,
- wrathe, iii. 21.
- wraththe(n), v.n. and refl. iii. 385, 401,
- pret. wroth, viii. 1692, be angry.
- wrecche, s. i. 2098, v. 4856, wretch.
- wreche, s. P. 899, ii. 572, iii. 231, v. 388,
- wrieche, vii. 537, 4731,
- wreeche, iii. 2147, vengeance.
- wreke, v.a. i. 1519, iii. 1109, iv. 3618,
- pp. wroke(n), ii. 536, 2174, iii. 860,
- wreke, ii. 186, v. 5869, avenge, satisfy.
- wrenne, s. viii. 2227.
- wrieche, see wreche.
- wringe, v.a. iii. 1426, iv. 2673.
- writ, s. ii. 3386, v. 1923, viii. 2698.
- write, see wryte.
- writere, s. iv. 2657.
- writhe, v.a.pp. vii. 5341, twisted.
- writinge, see wrytinge.
- wroghte, wroght, see worchen.
- wrong, a. ii. 2391, v. 5743,
- def. wrong, ii. 295,
- pl. wronge, iv. 3709.
- wrong, s. P. 251, ii. 1739, iii. 2425, PP. 106,
- with wrong (= wrongly), vi. 2320.
- wronge, v.n. ii. 3070, v. 7634, do wrong.
- wrongful, wrongfull, a. ii. 2980, iii. 2343, 2354, v. 7385, vii. 5247.
- wroth, a. i. 368, 1204, iii. 217,
- for wroth, vi. 1696,
- pl. wrothe, P. 920, iv. 1873.
- wryte(n), v.a.n. P. 6, 21, i. 74, &c.,
- (write, P. 56*, viii. 3014*),
- 3 s.pres. writ, P. 13, vii. 4560,
- pret.s. wrot, i. 1487,
- pl. write(n), P. 1, i. 1857, iv. 2525,
- pret. subj. write, P. 41,
- pp. write(n), P. 3, iv. 1662; write.
- wrytinge, wrytynge, s. P. 38, ii. 3030, iv. 2924, vi. 2438,
- writynge, P. 53*,
- writinges (pl.), i. 8.
- wulle, see wolle.
- wurse, see werse.
- wyde, wide, a. P. 100, i. 627, ii. 595;
- adv. vii. 3320,
- wyde where, iii. 1019, viii. 1460.
- wydewhere, adv. vii. 3456, far and wide:
- see wyde.
- wyht, see wiht.
- wyhte, a.pl. viii. 681, nimble.
- wylde, see wilde.
- wyle, s. i. 755, 2627, ii. 480,
- wiles, (pl.) i. 2588, cunning, wile.
- wympel, wimpel, s. iii. 1396, 1419, v. 6889.
- wyn, s. i. 2549, ii. 1008,
- pl. wynes, iv. 2442, wine.
- wynd, s. P. 923, i. 2410,
- wind, viii. 2851.
- wynddrive, pp. vi. 1423, driven by wind.
- wyndi, wyndy, a. vi. 1418, viii. 1146.
- wyndou, wyndowe, s. v. 6513, 6661.
- wyndrunke, a. vi. 547, drunk with wine.
- wynge, winge, s. ii. 417, v. 6005, 6526,
- pl. wynges, iii. 2107, iv. 111,
- wenges, viii. 2655.
- wynke, see winke.
- wynne, winne, v.a.n. P. 265, 403, i. 792, 823, 1809,
- pret. wan, P. 709, i. 3421,
- pl. wonne, iii. 2049,
- pret. subj. wonne, iv. 2782,
- pp. wonne, P. 687, i. 755, iv. 2184, vi. 2231,
- wunne, vi. 2092, win, get, make, gain;
- v.n. winne (awey), v. 352, get (away).
- wynter, s. i. 2355, 3253,
- genit. wyntres, v. 5959,
- pl. with num., wynter, i. 1153, 1803, ii. 3207;
- as a. P. 938, i. 1167, ii. 1817, iii. 684.
- wyny, a. viii. 2849.
- wype, v.a. v. 6529.
- wys, wis, a. P. 157, i. 1899,
- def. wyse, P. 65, i. 3396,
- pl. wise, P. 363, i. 2017, 2768, iv. 2367;
- as subst. sing. the wise, ii. 3248,
- pl. wyse, P. 7;
- superl. the wiseste (as subst.), P. 666, i. 1097: wise.
- wyse, s. see wise.
- wysly, wisly, adv. i. 536, ii. 2854, vii. 2482.
- wysman, wisman, s. P. 68, i. 130, 1064, iii. 954,
- pl. wisemen, vii. 1792,
- genit. wisemennes, PP. 94.
- wyte, s. ii. 430, iv. 2622,
- (wite, P. 59*), blame, censure.
- wyte, v.a. ii. 1844, charge;
- to (forto) wyte, P. 530, i. 20, 263, 592, 1455, 2214,
- (to wite, viii. 3013*), to be blamed.
- wyve, v.n. ii. 3112, iv. 256, take a wife.
- wyve, wyves, s. see wif.[Pg 650]
- Y
- yare (ȝ), a. i. 1165, v. 3299, 5613, ready.
- ybore, see bere.
- Ychonithon, vii. 1453.
- ydeac, vi. 1318.
- ydel, a. i. 1986, iv. 1094, 2678, v. 4724, idle, useless, empty:
- adv. iv. 1152.
- ydeliche, adv. iv. 1197, idly.
- ydelnesse, s. iv. 1086, 1104.
- ydelschipe, idelschipe, s. iv. 1729, 2329, vii. 4390.
- Ydoine, vi. 879.
- ydolatrie, s. v. 1587, vii. 4497.
- Ydomeneux, iii. 1949.
- ydriades, vii. 835, (name of a stone).
- ydromance, s. vi. 1297, divination by water.
- ydropesie, s. v. 250, dropsy.
- ye (ȝ), pron. P. 16, i. 182, 588, 1821,
- yee, vi. 1071, viii. 1533,
- obl. you, yow, i. 66, 173.
- ye, yee (ȝ), adv. P. 373, i. 550, 740, ii. 17, 1387, yea.
- ÿe, see yhe.
- yede (ȝ), v.n.pret. ii. 856, vii. 2786, went.
- yelde(n) (ȝ), v.a. v. 4926, 7092,
- pret. pl. yolde, viii. 1265,
- pp. yolde, iv. 2125, v. 5648, vii. 4639, render, surrender, repay.
- yelpe (ȝ), v.n. iv. 3410, v. 6156;
- refl. i. 26, 1651: boast.
- yelwe (ȝ), a. vii. 4881.
- yeme (ȝ), v.a. v. 6611, take care of.
- yer, yeer (ȝ), s. P. 25, 779,
- pl. yeres, ii. 711, 1218, 2259,
- yeeres, iv. 481,
- yer, i. 2922, 3134;
- yer (yeer) to yere, yer to yeere, i. 342, ii. 239, v. 1242,
- yer be yere, ii. 20,
- yeeres dai, v. 1311: year.
- yerd (ȝ), s. iv. 870, courtyard.
- yerde (ȝ), s. iii. 369, v. 2363, vii. 4676, stick.
- yeve (ȝ), see yive(n).
- yhe, ÿe, s. P. 34, 330, i. 305, 903, 2362, v. 2034,
- pl. yhen, i. 140, 774, eye, sight.
- yhed, a.,
- bryht yhed, vii. 1857, bright eyed (man).
- yhte, s. v. 7307, possession.
- yifte (ȝ), s. i. 794, 1100, ii. 330, gift;
- god I yive a yifte, iv. 1114, I vow to God,
- cp. iv. 1684.
- yifteles (ȝ), a. ii. 997.
- yis (ȝ), adv. ii. 235, 1251, iii. 416, 854, iii. 1269, yes (not specially after a negative).
- yit (ȝ), adv. P. 62, i. 1284, 2364, ii. 60, iii. 199,
- yet (ȝ), P. 179, i. 576, 786;
- for the time yit, &c., vi. 311, 893: yet, as yet, moreover.
- yive(n) (ȝ), v.a. i. 964, 1648, ii. 1208, iv. 1114,
- yeve, P. 167,
- 2 s.pres. yifst, v. 5856,
- 3 s. yifth, P. 519, iv. 367,
- pret. yaf, P. 226, i. 817,
- imperat. yif, i. 135, 1972,
- pp. yove(n), P. 332, i. 1125, iii. 1594, give.
- yle, ile, s. i. 1578, iv. 435, v. 861, 1254,
- thyle, v. 1071, island.
- ylem, s. vii. 216 ff., first substance.
- Ylia, v. 894.
- Ylioun, v. 7236.
- ymage, s. P. 604, i. 804, v. 1499.
- ymagerie, s. v. 5771.
- ymaginacion (-oun), s. i. 958, 2269, 3069, ii. 2845.
- ymaginynge, s. vii. 3312.
- ynche, s. i. 1112, inch.
- Ynde, iii. 2447, iv. 2056, v. 1049, 1910.
- Yndien, a. v. 4732.
- Yno, v. 4271 ff.
- ynowh, a. i. 929, 1565,
- pl. ynowhe, ynowe, i. 1135, ii. 3226;
- subst. ynogh, ynow, v. 84, 2485: enough.
- ynowh, ynouh, ynow, ynou, adv. ii. 3319, v. 2607, 5010, vii. 2100, sufficiently.
- Yo, iv. 3319 ff.
- yock (ȝ), s. v. 108, yoke.
- yoke(n) (ȝ), v.a. iv. 1836, v. 3519, yoke.
- yomen (ȝ), s.pl. vi. 1811.
- yong (ȝ), a. i. 488,
- def. yonge, i. 790, iv. 503,
- pl. yonge, ii. 3219, iii. 1800;
- as subst. pl. i. 2086, v. 3930;
- comp. yonger, v. 5395;
- sup. the yongest, i. 3133.
- yongly (ȝ), a. v. 7202*, viii. 2674.
- you, yow (ȝ), see ye.
- youre (ȝ), poss. pron. i. 2768, iii. 596, 1087,
- your, iii. 627;
- disj. youres, i. 1852.
- yowthe, youthe (ȝ), s. i. 730, iii. 153, 793, iv. 1588, (person) viii. 2462 ff.
- Ypocras, vi. 1409.
- ypocrisie, ipocrisie, s. i. 585, 635, 1034, 1079, hypocrisy.
- ypocrite, s. i. 591 ff.
- Ypolitus, v. 967.
- yren, see iren.
- Yris, iv. 2972 ff.
- ys, s. ii. 1824, vi. 245, ice.
- Ysis, i. 806, v. 801, 816,
- Isis, iv. 460,
- Ysis temple, i. 842, 858.
- Ysolde, vi. 472, viii. 2501.[Pg 651]
- Ytaile, iv. 93, 2183, v. 887, 903, 1223.
- Ytalie, ii. 591.
- Ytaspis, vii. 1785.
- yvor, s. iv. 383, ivory.
- yvy (lef), s. iv. 586, ivy (leaf).
- ywiss, adv. i. 1281, ii. 2394,
- iwiss, i. 1226, certainly.
- Z
- Zelpha, viii. 131.
- Zenzis, iv. 2421.
- zodiaque, s. vii. 697, 977.
- Zorastes, vi. 1402, 2368.
- Zorobabel, vii. 1802 ff.

## INDEX TO THE NOTES

- abaissht, iv. 1330.
- abeche, vi. 709.
- accidence, ii. 3210.
- Achelons, iv. 2045.
- adjective forms, P. 139, 221, 738, i. 636, 1006, 2677, ii. 2341, 3507, iv. 1320, 2624, vii. 4245.
- aftercast, iv. 904.
- a game, viii. 2319.
- Alanus de Insulis, viii. 2341.
- Albertus Magnus, v. 6498:
- see also Speculum Astronomiae.
- Albumasar, vii. 283, 989, 1239.
- alchemy, terms of, iv. 2462 ff.
- Alexander, Historia de Preliis, v. 1453, 1571, 2543, vi. 1789 ff.,
- Romance of, vi. 1789 ff.,
- see also Roman de toute Chevalerie.
- Alfraganus, vii. 1461.
- algorisme, vii. 155.
- Almagest, vii. 983, 1449.
- ‘along on,’ iv. 624.
- amaied, i. 2030.
- anacoluthon, i. 98, iii. 1593, vi. 1798, vii. 5254.
- ‘and,’ position of, P. 155, v. 2815.
- Andreas Capellanus, iv. 1245.
- Antoninus Pius, vii. 4181.
- a place, a doun, &c., i. 2377.
- Apollonius of Tyre, Historia, viii. 271-1681.
- appende, vii. 978.
- applied, i. 577.
- archdeacon’s court, P. 407.
- arechen, v. 1826.
- ariste, iv. 1285.
- Aristotle, vi. 663, vii. 1, 265, 334 ff., 611.
- article, use of, P. 72.
- ‘as he which,’ &c., i. 695, ii. 785.
- ‘as to,’ ‘as forto,’ i. 713.
- asp, i. 463 (with Addenda).
- assise, i. 3050.
- assub, vii. 334.
- asterte, iii. 626.
- astraied, vii. 2660.
- ‘at after,’ vi. 1831.
- Augustine, i. 463, iii. 2363, vi. 2368.
- Avian’s Fables as authority, ii. 291.
- Avicen, iv. 2610.
- ‘away,’ v. 7179.
- Ayenbite of Inwyt, vi. 785.
- Babio (comedy), v. 4808.
- baillie, P. 220.
- balke, iii. 515.
- Barbour’s Bruce, viii. 1393.
- Barlaam et Josaphat, i. 2021, v. 729 ff., 2273.
- believe, viii. 2500.
- Benoît de Sainte-More as authority, i. 483, 1077, iii. 973 ff., 1757, 1885 ff., 2639 ff., iv. 1693, 2135, v. 1831, 2547, 3247 ff., 6435, 7195 ff., 7591, vi. 1391 ff.
- beseie, besein, viii. 1617.
- beteche, vi. 2411.
- ‘betwen hem two,’ &c., ii. 653, v. 5025.
- bewar, iii. 1496, v. 7838.
- Bible as authority, P. 881, i. 2785, iv. 1505, 1935, 2325, 2342, v. 1930, 1952, vi. 986, vii. 1783 ff., 2527, 3149*, 3627, 3820, 3860, 3891, 4027, 4406, 4469, 5307.
- bidde, biede, bede, v. 4455.
- blanche fievere, vi. 239.
- blesse, v. 5022.
- Boccaccio, i. 389, 2316, ii. 2451, iii. 2555, v. 2273.
- Boethius quoted, P. 567, false reference, ii. 261.
- Bohemian fashions, viii. 2470.
- Boniface VIII, legend of, ii. 2803.
- bord, iv. 1741.
- bot (= beyond), vii. 694.
- Bromyard, Summa Praedicantium, ii. 83, vii. 2355.
- Brunetto Latini as authority, P. 745
- (Addenda), i. 463
- (Addenda), vii. 1-725, 1595 ff., 2115, 3054, 3387.
- brygantaille, P. 212.[Pg 652]
- burel, P. 52.
- Burley, De Vita Philosophorum, iii. 1201.
- byme (= by me), i. 232.
- Caecilius Balbus quoted as Seneca, v. 7736.
- Callisthenes, vi. 2274.
- ‘cam ride,’ i. 350.
- Canahim, vii. 566.
- capital letters, use of, iii. 1158, iv. 1285, viii. 1285.
- Capitolinus, vii. 4181.
- Caracalla, vii. 4574.
- Catiline, debate on the conspiracy, vii. 1595 ff.
- ‘cause of,’ P. 905.
- champartie, iii. 1173.
- ‘chase’ at tennis, PP. 295.
- Chaucer and Gower, i. 1407 ff., ii. 587 ff., 2451, iii. 143, 1331, iv. 104, 731, 2927, v. 3247, 5231, 5551 ff., vii. 4754, 5131, 7597, viii. 2450, 2573, 2955*.
- Chaunces of the Dyse, iv. 2792.
- cherry fair (or feast), P. 454, vi. 891.
- cheste, iii. 417.
- Cicero (Cithero), not identified with Tullius, iv. 2648, vii. 1595.
- cit, P. 836.
- Civile, ii. 83.
- ‘coat for the hood,’ v. 4787, 7716.
- Colchos, Isle of, v. 3509.
- Comestor, Petrus, iv. 647, vii. 3417.
- ‘common voice,’ P. 122.
- conjunctions, position of, P. 155.
- conscience, i. 595.
- consecutive clauses, i. 492.
- conseil, v. 3904.
- contenance, i. 698.
- contretaile, viii. 3102*.
- ‘cope (coupe) of hevene,’ vii. 534.
- crok, vii. 2268.
- ‘cross and pile,’ ii. 390.
- ‘curry favel,’ i. Lat. Verses, x. 5.
- Daaly, vii. 351.
- ‘danger,’ i. 2443.
- Dante, ii. 3095, iv. 2200, 2208.
- definite form of adjectives, P. 221, ii. 2341, vii. 4245,
- before proper names, P. 139.
- demonstrative for definite article, P. 900, ii. 317.
- depos, ii. 1757.
- descryve, vi. 1110.
- deserve, PP. 278.
- digressions, v. 729.
- Dindymus, Didymus, iv. 2641.
- disorder of clauses, P. 34*, i. 2078, ii. 709, iv. 242, 3520.
- ‘do wey,’ vii. 5408.
- dom, viii. 2113.
- ‘doute,’ ‘hem stant no doute,’ ii. 2124.
- due, vii. 4195.
- Eges, vii. 351.
- elision before ‘have,’ i. 2398.
- elision never prevented by caesura, PP. 356.
- elision-apocope, P. 683, vi. 2062, viii. 2165.
- Emaré, ii. 1300.
- enbrace, i. 431.
- entame, i. 709.
- Epistola Valerii ad Rufinum, v. 6398.
- erasures in Fairfax MS., i. 2713, ii. 594, iii. 2346, iv. 1245 (end), vi. 1359, viii. 2938.
- errors of original copyists, i. 2410, ii. 833, 1020, 1778, 2537, iii. 1065, iv. 2973, v. 4251, vii. 2698 (margin).
- eschu, v. 4748.
- ‘-eth’ termination of plural verb, vii. 536.
- Etna, fire of, P. 329, ii. 20.
- ‘evel’ in the metre, v. 519.
- ‘exaltation’ of planets, vii. 1085 ff.
- ‘excuse,’ i. 733.
- exponde, P. 823.
- Fa crere, ii. 2122.
- faie, i. 2317.
- ‘fall’ of planets, vii. 1135 ff.
- fatalism of Gower, i. 1714, iii. 352, vi. 995.
- fawht, pret., v. 5360.
- felawe, P. 795.
- feminine forms of substantives, i. 1006,
- of adjectives, i. 636, 1006, 2677, ii. 3507.
- ferke, viii. 603.
- fet, viii. 2415.
- fieldwode, v. 4039.
- finde, vi. 632.
- ‘for an ende,’ viii. 1219.
- ‘for pure abaissht,’ ‘for wroth,’ &c., iv. 1330, vi. 1696.
- fore, iv. 1723.
- forebode, v. 6053.
- ‘forwhy and,’ ii. 2025.
- French plural adjective, P. 738,
- fem. adj. i. 636, 1006, 2677, ii. 3507, iv. 2624.
- Froissart, iv. 3438, viii. 2450.
- Fulgentius as authority, v. 363, 1520, vii. 853.
- Galahot, viii. 2505.
- Garland, see Hortulanus.
- Geber, iv. 2608.
- genitive for adjective, v. 3533, viii. 1374.[Pg 653]
- Genius, i. 196:
- cp. Vox Clamantis, iv. 587 ff.
- ‘gentilesse,’ iv. 2200.
- geomancy, vi. 1295.
- Gesta Romanorum, iii. 1201, v. 2391, 7105*, vii. 2061, 2355, 2889, 2917, 3295;
- not used by Gower, vii. 2061.
- Geta of Vitalis Blesensis, ii. 2459 (Addenda).
- ‘goddeshalf,’ v. 4452.
- Godfrey of Viterbo as authority, i. 2459, iv. 647, 2396 ff., v. 1541 ff., vii. 2765, 2833, 3144, 3295, 4181, 4335, 4574, viii. 271, 679, 1311, 1567.
- gold laid on the book, v. 558.
- Gregory cited, P. 289, 945, v. 1756, 1900.
- grein, vi. 770.
- grisel, viii. 2407.
- Grosteste, legend of, iv. 234.
- Guido di Colonna (or delle Colonne), iii. 2639;
- also referred to, i. 483, 1077, iii. 973 ff., 1757, 1885 ff., v. 3247 ff., 7195, vi. 1391 ff.
- ‘had’ for ‘hadde,’ i. 2569.
- ‘hadde I wist,’ iv. 305.
- Hampole referred to, viii. 2833.
- hapne, v. 7830.
- hed, ii. 2066.
- ‘of hed,’ iv. 3438.
- Hegesippus as authority, i. 761, 940.
- hepe, v. 2872.
- heraldie, ii. 399.
- Hermes (Trismegistus), iv. 2410, 2606,
- as authority, vii. 1281 ff.
- ‘heved’ in the metre, i. 1536.
- hevenly, hevenely, v. 774.
- ‘hire’ in the metre, i. 367.
- ‘his oghne (hondes, &c.),’ i. 1427, ii. 3260.
- Hoccleve, vii. 2061, 2416, 2889, 3295.
- Homer, vi. 330.
- homward, i. 938, iii. 2451.
- Horace, false references to, vi. 1513, vii. 3581.
- hors (pl.), iv. 1309.
- horse side, &c., P. 1085.
- horses of the sun, vii. 853.
- Hortulanus, iv. 2533, 2609.
- ‘houses’ in astrology, vii. 991 ff.
- Hugh of Fleury, viii. 2573.
- Hyginus, ii. 2451, iii. 973, iv. 1815, v. 363, 4251, 5231 ff., 6435, vi. 399.
- ‘-ie’ termination, P. 299, 323, ii. 905.
- ‘if,’ interrogative, ii. 11.
- imperative, 2nd pers. for 3rd, P. 550, viii. 1128,
- sing. and plur., iv. 1432, v. 3986, 7372.
- incest, iii. 172, viii. 158.
- infinitive (Latin) as noun, P. Lat. Verses, iv. 4.
- intelligences, vii. 26.
- intersticion, vii. 283.
- inverted order, i. 833, ii. 2642.
- Jerome, iii. 641, v. 6359.
- jeupartie, iii. 1173, vii. 3217.
- Joachim (Abbot), ii. 3056.
- John, ‘Seint John to borwe,’ v. 3416.
- joutes, vii. 2279.
- Justin, ii. 1613, vii. 2917, 3417.
- Justinian II, vii. 3267.
- Juvenal quoted, vii. 3581.
- Kaire, ii. 2558.
- Langharet, ii. 2995.
- lapwing, v. 6041.
- Latini, see Brunetto Latini.
- Lay d’Aristote, viii. 2705.
- Legenda Aurea, ii. 3187 ff.
- ‘leng the lasse,’ viii. 2055.
- lere, i. 1509.
- leste, adv. i. 3296.
- lete, i. 3365, iv. 453.
- ‘lete by,’ ‘let of,’ v. 1004, 5840.
- letters of request, P. 207.
- Livy, vii. 5093, 5131.
- loke, P. 52*.
- Lombards, ii. 2098.
- love (= luff), v. 7048.
- Lydgate, i. 1129, 1917, 2443, iii. 143, iv. 869, 1330, 2533.
- Macer, vi. 1408.
- maintenue, viii. 3012.
- Malebouche, ii. 389.
- ‘in manere,’ vii. 2132.
- ‘many,’ ii. 447.
- Matthew Paris, v. 4937.
- ‘men,’ vi. 321.
- menable, i. 1067.
- merel, P. 430.
- Methodius as authority, viii. 48, 62.
- mi, min, iv. 3159.
- microcosm, P. 947.
- miht, mihte, iii. 1356.
- mile, viii. 2312.
- Mirour de l’Omme, P. 16, 54, 122, 204, 212, 323, 407, 430, 480, 823, 836, 900, 910, 945 ff., 1066, i. 10, 299, 463, 492, 636, 695, 709, 718, 1006, 1067, 1354, 1676, 2677, 2703, 3067, 3308, ii. 20, 83, 389, 401, 413, 2098, 2430, 3095, 3122, 3507, iii. 431, 585, 699, 2599, iv. 9, 60, 448, 893, 914, 1090, 1108, 1632, 2014, 2200, 2606, 2738, v. 29, 49, 249, 363, 370, 1879, 1900, 1919, 2015, 2238, 4774, 5507, 5550, 6041, 6359, 6372, 6389, 6395*, 6398, 6498, 7013, 7015*, 7105*, 7612, vi. 71, 218, 253, 770, 857, 1513, 1707, vii. 978, 3137, 3144, 3161* ff., 3581, 5307, viii. 110, 158, 2931, 3012.[Pg 654]
- mistime, iii. 2458, vi. 4.
- Morien, iv. 2609.
- moste, viii. 395.
- mote, viii. 640.
- ‘Namplus,’ ‘Nauplus,’ iii. 1002.
- natheles, i. 21, vii. 979.
- ‘nedle and ston,’ vi. 1422.
- newe, P. 92*.
- ‘Nonarcigne,’ v. 1009.
- Norwich, bishop of, P. 268.
- Octovien, gold of, v. 4731.
- ‘of hed,’ iv. 3438.
- ‘of this lif,’ &c., iv. 3414.
- ‘offering,’ v. 7140.
- oil, vii. 2194.
- old, olde, iii. 782.
- omission of pronoun subject, P. 676, i. 1895, vi. 34;
- of relative, i. 10;
- of negative, ii. 2423, iii. 78.
- ‘on the ferste,’ &c., iv. 2606.
- ‘onwrong,’ P. 65*.
- oppose, i. 225.
- ‘Orbis,’ vii. 611.
- order of words, P. 155, 905, i. 833, ii. 2642,
- of clauses, P. 34*, i. 2078, ii. 709.
- Ormulum, viii. 2833.
- Orosius, ii. 1613, vii. 3417, 4574.
- orthography, P. 24*, 252, 550, 702, iv. 2123, v. 5215, 5248, vii. 3418, viii. 484, 2938, PP. (p. 552).
- other, othre, i. 116.
- outwith, viii. 2833.
- overhippe, v. 2004.
- Ovid as authority, P. 1055, i. 333, 389, 2275 ff., ii. 104, 2157, 2451, iii. 143 ff., 361, 736, 783, 818, 1331, 1685, iv. 77, 104, 147, 371, 451, 731 ff., 816, 979, 1035, 1901, 2045, 2927 ff., 3187, 3317, 3515 ff., v. 141 ff., 635, 1009, 3927 ff., 4583, 5231, 5551 ff., 6145 ff., 6225 ff., 6713 ff., 6807, vi. 485, 1445, 1513, vii. 3355, 4593 ff., 4754 ff.
- ‘owl on stock,’ iii. 585.
- Pantheon, see Godfrey of Viterbo.
- par, per, i. 2049.
- paragraphs in the MSS., ii. 2451, v. 1323.
- pars, v. 4774.
- participle absolute, ii. 752, 791, 1723.
- participle for infinitive, i. 3153, iv. 249, 816.
- participle inflected as predicate, i. 3246.
- Paulus Diaconus, i. 2459.
- Paulus Langius, ii. 2803.
- peace with France, P. 162.
- ‘peace with honour,’ PP. 157.
- peacock, v. 6498.
- ‘peire of bedes,’ viii. 2904.
- Pericles, Prince of Tyre, viii. 271, 1534.
- pernable, viii. 2931.
- Physics of Aristotle, vi. 663.
- ‘pillars of Hercules,’ iv. 2054.
- pipe, v. 95.
- plight, vii. 4228.
- ‘poete,’ i. e. Ovid, v. 5231.
- ‘positive law,’ P. 247, iii. 172.
- pronoun subject omitted, P. 676, i. 1895, vi. 34.
- Proteus, v. 3082.
- provende, P. 210.
- proverbs, P. 416, i. 1293, 1917, iii. 585, v. 4787, 6526.
- Pseudo, v. 1879.
- punctuation, P. 809, i. 320, 1102, 2548, 2939, ii. 762, 1001 f., 1173, 1950, iii. 1394, iv. 733, 1490, 1927, 3438 (end), 3542, v. 1636, 1980, 2937, 3966; 3981, 5093, 5724, 6281, vi. 2074, vii. 2302, viii. 1101, 2713.
- queinte, iv. 2314.
- Ragman, viii. 2378.
- Razel, vi. 1316.
- relative omitted, i. 10.
- reles, vi. 253.
- remene, v. 6541.
- repetition of line, i. 2106, iii. 352.
- reprise, i. 3308, v. 4708.
- rhyme, ii. 2578, 2680, iv. 453, 979, 1723, v. 3488, 3786, 6073, vi. 709, viii. 1451, PP. 150.
- Richard II, viii. 2991*.
- riddles, viii. 405, 1681.
- Rishanger’s Chronicle, ii. 2803.
- Robert of Geneva, P. 196.
- Roman de la Rose, P. 945, i. 196, 213, 2443, ii. 389, iii. 1158, iv. 2200, 2421, 2901, vi. 330, vii. 5131.
- Roman de toute Chevalerie as authority, vi. 1789 ff.
- Roman des Sept Sages as authority, v. 2031, 2643.
- Roman de Troie, see Benoît de Sainte-More.
- ‘Romance of Alexander,’ (English), vi. 1789 ff.
- Romance of Ydoine and Amadas, vi. 879.
- rote, vi. 1312.[Pg 655]
- schapthe, vi. 785.
- scomerfare, viii. 1391.
- sea terms, iv. 1741, v. 7048.
- Secretum Secretorum, iv. 2533, v. 6498, vi. 663, vii. 1, 1706, 2017, 2031 ff., 3207*, 4559.
- see, PP. 382.
- sein (= seen), i. 2883.
- sende (pret.), P. 1013.
- Seneca, vii. 2061,
- false references to, ii. 3095, v. 7736.
- sete, vii. 2864.
- sett, viii. 2095.
- Silvester, legend of, ii. 3187.
- Simon Magus, P. 204.
- ‘slake a riff,’ viii. 1983.
- slyke, v. 6634.
- sojorned, vi. 1180.
- solein, iv. 448.
- som, P. 529.
- Sortes, viii. 2718.
- soth, sothe, P. 850.
- Speculum Astronomiae as authority, vi. 1306 ff., vii. 1449.
- Speculum Stultorum, v. 4937 ff.
- ‘Spertachus,’ vii. 3417 ff.
- stars, names of, vii. 1281, 1329 ff.
- Statius as authority, i. 1980, iv. 1968, v. 2961 ff.
- statue, P. 891.
- stature, vi. 1524.
- ‘stones’ of alchemy, iv. 2533.
- ‘strong thing,’ v. 7377.
- subjunctive in indirect speech. P. 41, i. 532, iii. 708;
- with ‘who that,’ &c., P. 460, iv. 1096, v. 2677.
- ‘Supplication,’ viii. 2217.
- supposeth (impers.), v. 22.
- symbolism of Gower, i. 2355, ii. 196, v. 5943.
- syncope, P. 66*, 152, v. 519.
- ‘Synon,’ ‘Symon,’ i. 1172.
- take, P. 54.
- ‘tale and ende,’ v. 5670.
- Tantalus, punishment of, v. 363.
- ‘testament of love,’ viii. 2955*.
- ‘that,’ v. 899,
- ‘that I arise,’ &c., iv. 3273, v. 3422,
- ‘that I ne hadde,’ &c., iv. 1422,
- ‘that ... ne betre (more, &c.),’ i. 718, ii. 1423.
- ‘the,’ use of, P. 72, 116.
- Thebith, vi. 1321.
- thenken, thinken, i. 2684.
- ‘ther,’ i. 987.
- Tiberius Constantinus, ii. 590.
- tire, vi. 817.
- ‘to,’ use of, v. 5724,
- ‘to loke,’ &c., P. 133,
- ‘to’ after ‘mai,’ ‘myhte,’ ‘mote,’ ii. 510, vii. 437, viii. 640.
- ‘he to go,’ viii. 1393.
- tome (= to me), i. 232.
- tome (subst.), ii. 2680.
- topseilcole, viii. 1890.
- ‘toward,’ v. 6757, viii. 2077.
- Trésor, see Brunetto Latini.
- Trevisa’s Polychronicon, vii. 2194.
- Trivet as authority, ii. 587.
- ‘Troian,’ vii. 3144.
- Tullius, iv. 2648, vii. 1595.
- tyh (pret.), v. 5709.
- u and v, vii. 5390.
- ‘under the gore,’ &c., v. 5730, 6680.
- unskilfully, vii. 4757.
- unwar, vi. 1262.
- Valerii Epistola ad Rufinum, v. 6398 f.
- Valerius Maximus, ii. 1613, vii. 2217, 2783, 2845, 2889, 3181, 3215.
- Valerius, Res Gestae Alexandri vi. 1789 ff.
- ‘vernage,’ vi. 218.
- vers, vi. 70.
- Vincent of Beauvais, i. 761, ii. 1613, iii. 1201, vii. 283, 989, viii. 2573.
- Virgil, legends of, v. 2031, viii. 2714.
- Vita Iohannis Eleemosynarii, vii. 2416.
- Vox Clamantis, P. 207, 247, 268, 305, 407, 945, 947, i. 718, v. 1879, 1900, 4937, viii. 2212, PP. 157 and p. 554.
- Walsingham’s Chronicle, iv. 3438.
- ‘was,’ viii. 2435.
- Weddynge of Sir Gawene, i. 1407 ff.
- weer, P. 143.
- what (subst.), i. 1676.
- ‘what’ (= whatever), P. 69*.
- ‘whi ne were it,’ iv. 2855.
- ‘whiche’ in the metre, i. 2769.
- ‘who that,’ P. 13.
- William of Malmesbury, v. 4731.
- ‘Wit and Will,’ iii. 1158.
- ‘with,’ use of, i. 452, v. 6757, vii. 3359.
- ‘with al,’ vi. 1707.
- wool, iv. 2895.
- world, P. 383, iii. 626.
- ydel, v. 4724.
- ‘yit’ used redundantly, vi. 311, 2418.
- Ylem, vii. 216.
- Zoroaster, vi. 2368.

OXFORD
PRINTED AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
BY HORACE HART, M.A.
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN GOWER, VOLUME 3 ***
Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.
Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.
START: FULL LICENSE

## THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.
Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works
1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.
1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others.
1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.
1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

> This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™.
1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License.
1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that:

- • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”
- • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.
- • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.
- • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
1.F.
1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.
1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.
1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™
Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life.
Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.
Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.
The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact
Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.
The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.
While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate.
International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.
Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works
Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org.
This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.