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Title: The complete works of John Gower, volume 3 : The English works
Author: Gower, John
Language: English
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*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The complete works of John Gower, volume 3 : The English works" ***
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
Italics are represented as _italic_.
THE COMPLETE WORKS
OF
JOHN GOWER
_G. C. MACAULAY_
* * *
THE ENGLISH WORKS
HENRY FROWDE, M.A.
PUBLISHER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
[Illustration]
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
PAGE
CONFESSIO AMANTIS:--
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 l. 6431* _read_ daies
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 7182* _read_ underfing
p. 145, l. 7208* _read_ Sacrilegge
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
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
CONFESSIO AMANTIS
(LIBER QUINTUS).
[Sidenote: [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 wise[2]
After the Scole of hire aprise
[Sidenote: Hic tractat confessor super illa specie
Auaricie, que Cupiditas[3] 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 winne[5]
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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 194=]
Of resonable mannes fare.
Wher he pourposeth him to fare[7]
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 embrace[9]
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
[Sidenote: =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:
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
[Sidenote: [TALE OF VIRGIL’S MIRROR.]]
Whan Rome stod in noble plit,
Virgile, which was tho parfit,
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 196=]
That Rome hadde werres stronge
Ayein Cartage, and stoden longe
The tuo Cites upon debat.
Cartage sih the stronge astat[12] 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.
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 Emperour[15]
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,
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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 by[20]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 199=]
As thogh thei were goddes thre.
Nou herkne the soutilete.
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 ones[21] 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 undersette[22]
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 honde[23]
Hath undertake in alle weie.
This lord, which hadde his wit aweie
And was with Covoitise blent,
Anon therto yaf his assent;
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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 drowh[25]
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;
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,
[Sidenote: [COVEITISE.]]
With gold which hadde ben atteignt.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Wherof, mi Sone, thou miht hiere,
Whan Covoitise hath lost the stiere[27]
[Sidenote: =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,
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [TALE OF THE TWO COFFERS.]]
In a Cronique this I rede.
Aboute a king, as moste nede,
[Sidenote: 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 eorum[28] 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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 204=]
That it ne comth out ate laste;
The king it wiste, and als so faste,[29]
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 throwe[31]
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;
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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
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,
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [TALE OF THE BEGGARS AND THE PASTIES.]]
Somdiel to this matiere lik
I finde a tale, hou Frederik,
[Sidenote: 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 sorte[36]
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
To the Paleis, wher he schal ete,
And bad ordeine for here mete
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [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 tho[41]
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 covoitise[42]
Of sotie and of fol emprise
[Sidenote: =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;
So that som thing to his likinge[44]
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]
[Sidenote: 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:
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 211=]
Thus is he commun as the Strete,
I sette noght of his beyete.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, hast thou such covoitise?
[Sidenote: 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 unthryve[47]
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]
[Sidenote: 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,
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 longeth[49]
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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 cam[52] 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]
I couthe noght, thogh it wer so,
No betre love hir than I do.
[Sidenote: =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 yhe[56]
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 affeccioun[59]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
And al that to good governance 2590
Belongeth of a worthi wiht[62]
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,
[Sidenote: =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?
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, I seie it is wel do.
For tak of this riht good believe,[63]
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.
[Sidenote: [TALE OF THE KING AND HIS STEWARD’S WIFE.]]
To trete upon the cas of love,
So as we tolden hiere above,
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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,
And otherwise he kneu no cure.
This king, which stod in aventure[66]
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;
[Sidenote: =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 alyve[69]
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 fond[70] 2690
So worthily, and such richesse
Of worldes good and such largesse
With hire he yaf in mariage,
That only for thilke avantage[71]
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
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.
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 219=]
With bothe hire handes hath him preid[75]
Knelende and in this wise seid,[76]
That sche to reson and to skile
In what thing that he bidde wile[77] 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
[Sidenote: =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 wise[81]
Hath bede that sche scholde arise.
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 schame[85]
In savinge of hire goode name
He myhte leden hom ayein
This lady, and hath told him plein
[Sidenote: =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.
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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, be thou war therfore,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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,
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]
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 223=]
Of covoitise if ther be more
In love, agropeth out the sore.
[Sidenote: [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.
[Sidenote: Hic tractat super illis[92] Auaricie speciebus,
que falsum Testimonium et Periurium nuncupantur; quorum
fraudulenta circumuencio tam in cupiditatis[95] 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 crok[97]
Thei make here maister ofte winne
And wol noght knowe what is sinne
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
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: [FALSE WITNESS.]]
And many a good womman beguiled.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 225=]
The cause in which thei wole procede,
And also siker as the crede
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.
[Sidenote: 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 yit[103]
Ne mihte it sinke into mi wit,
That I my conseil scholde seie
To eny wiht, or me bewreie[104] 2940
[Sidenote: =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,
As ye have herd, and natheles 2950
In youre dom I put it al.[106]
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: 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 warde[107]
Sche thoghte him salfly to betake,
As sche which dradde for his sake[108]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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,
Wher that sche seide he scholde abyde[113]
Among hise dowhtres forto duelle.
Achilles herde his moder telle,
And wiste noght the cause why;
And natheles ful buxomly 3030
[Sidenote: =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 compainie[115]
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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 230=]
And that was thilke time seene.
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
[Sidenote: =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.
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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 route[122]
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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 233=]
Ne be his vois, ne be his pas.
Ulixes thanne upon this cas[123]
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 seke[124]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 yit[126]
Thing which schal nevere be foryete,
Hou that Achilles hath begete
Pirrus upon Deïdamie,
Wherof cam out the tricherie
Of Falswitnesse, whan thei saide[127]
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.
[Sidenote: 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 innocence[128]
Is nou alday thurgh such credence[129] 3210
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 235=]
Deceived ofte, as it is seene,
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]
[Sidenote: [PERJURY.]]
Forthi, my Sone, do noght so.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [TALE OF JASON AND MEDEA.]]
Beleveth yit, and Peleüs
He hihte; bot it fell him thus, 3250
[Sidenote: 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
senectam[135] 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
[Sidenote: =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
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 fare[139] 3300
[Sidenote: =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 this[142] worthi folk Gregeis[143]
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]
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 240=]
And gan to preche him and to preie;
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 name[147]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 day[150]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 245=]
What thing that passeth hem betwene:
And forthermore upon the grene
Ther goth the flees of gold to kepe
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
[Sidenote: =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 fyr[161]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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
The goddes, and so forth be ese
The flees of gold he scholde sese. 3630
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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
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 spere[173]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
The kniht which hath mi maidenhiede!’ 3740
And ay sche loketh toward thyle.
Bot whan sche sih withinne a while[176]
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
[Sidenote: =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;
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 255=]
Riht strawht into the kinges halle.
The king cam with his knihtes alle
And maden him glad welcominge;
And he hem tolde the tidinge[185]
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
[Sidenote: =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 thinges[188]
Thei spieke aloud for supposinges
Of hem that stoden there aboute:
For love is everemore in doute, 3850
If that it be wisly governed[189]
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
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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]
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 260=]
And that was ate mydnyht tyde.
The world was stille on every side;[196]
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 gras[198]
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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 261=]
And up sche styh, and faire and wel
Sche drof forth bothe char and whel[201]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 enclosed[206]
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
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 by[207]
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 wise[208]
Sche gan to make hir sacrifice, 4050
[Sidenote: =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 charmes[209]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 can[213]
Sche was, as who seith, a goddesse,
And what hir liste, more or lesse,
Sche dede, in bokes as we finde,
That passeth over manneskinde.[214] 4110
[Sidenote: =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 bouele[217]
Of the Seewolf, and for the hele[218]
Of Eson, with a thousand mo
Of thinges that sche hadde tho,[219] 4140
[Sidenote: =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.
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 us[223]
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
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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,
And he was left in gret destresse.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Mi fader, I may lieve it wel, 4230
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 269=]
For I have herde it ofte seie[227]
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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [TALE OF PHRIXUS AND HELLE.]]
The fame of thilke schepes fell,[228]
Which in Colchos, as it befell,
[Sidenote: Nota qualiter aureum vellus in partes insule
Colchos primo deuenit. Athemas Rex Philen habuit coniugem,
ex qua Frixum et Hellen genuit: mortua autem[229] 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 canitur[231]
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
Endure upon this Erthe hiere,
This worthi queene, as thou miht hiere, 4260
[Sidenote: =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 make[232]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 bad[238] 4330
These men be redy forto do.
Bot the goddesse which Juno
Is hote, appiereth in the stede,
And hath unto the men forbede[239]
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
[Sidenote: =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]
[Sidenote: 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,
If that you list to taken hiede[246]
Upon mi Schrifte to procede, 4370
In loves cause ayein the vice
Of covoitise and Avarice
What ther is more I wolde wite.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 274=]
I schal hierafterward declare,
Which makth on riche, an other bare.
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: 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 selleth[248]
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.
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;
[Sidenote: =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 continuance[252]
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
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Mi fader, nay, for ought I hiere.
For of tho pointz ye tolden hiere
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 276=]
I wol you be mi trouthe assure,
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
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:
[Sidenote: =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.
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 above[265]
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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,
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,
[Sidenote: =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 dede[268]
Is sore venged, as I rede.
[Sidenote: [LOVE-BROKERAGE. TALE OF ECHO.]]
Brocours of love that deceiven,
No wonder is thogh thei receiven[269]
After the wrong that thei decerven;
For whom as evere that thei serven[270]
And do plesance for a whyle,
Yit ate laste here oghne guile
[Sidenote: 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 Eccho[272] 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;
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 281=]
For sche was evere in on acord[273]
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:
[Sidenote: =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
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.
[Sidenote: =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 change[279]
And love in other place strange.[280]
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Mi fader, as in this degre
My conscience is noght accused;
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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, I schal the branches schifte
Be ordre so as thei ben set,
On whom no good is wel beset. 4670
[Sidenote: [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 lignage[281]
For conseil and for cousinage,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 284=]
To be withholde ayein largesse,
[Sidenote: 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.
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: Confessio Amantis.]
Mi fader, it hath stonde thus,
That if the tresor of Cresus 4730
And al the gold Octovien,
Forth with the richesse Yndien[286]
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 286=]
Of Perles and of riche stones,
Were al togedre myn at ones,
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 may[287]
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 achieve[289]
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,
[Sidenote: =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,
To axe of me if I be scars
To love, for as to tho pars
I wole ansuere and seie no.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: [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:
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur contra istos, qui Auaricia stricti
largitatis beneficium in amoris causa confundunt. Et ponit
exemplum, qualiter Croceus largus et hillaris Babionem[292]
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 good[291]
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]
[Sidenote: =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,
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 he[295]
Men wisten noght in al the lond,
And hadde affaited to his hond
His servant, the which Spodius[296]
Was hote. And in this wise thus[297]
The worldes good of sufficance
Was had, bot likinge and plesance, 4820
Of that belongeth to richesse
Of love, stod in gret destresse;
[Sidenote: =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;
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Mi fader, in mi conscience 4870
If ther be eny thing amis,
I wol amende it after this,[302]
Toward mi love namely.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, wel and redely
Thou seist, so that wel paid withal
I am, and forthere if I schal
Unto thi schrifte specefie[303]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 291=]
Which is comun at alle assaies,
As men mai finde nou adaies.
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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,
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.
[Sidenote: [TALE OF ADRIAN AND BARDUS.]]
To speke of an unkinde man,
I finde hou whilom Adrian,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 293=]
Of Rome which a gret lord was,
[Sidenote: 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 ipsum[311] 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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 oghte[313]
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
That Adrian him scholde holde.
Bot it was tho per chance falle,
Into that pet was also falle[315]
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.
[Sidenote: =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 herde[317]
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 softe[319]
Hath drawe and set him up alofte
Withouten harm al esely.
He seith noght ones ‘grant merci,’
[Sidenote: =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 umbreide[320]
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,
[Sidenote: =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,
And in hir kinde a reverence[325]
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 Ston[326]
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.
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 Rome[331]
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,
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 audience[336]
Declared was in the presence
Of themperour and many mo;
Wherof was mochel speche tho
[Sidenote: =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 may[338]
Ensamplen him, and take in mynde[339]
[Sidenote: [INGRATITUDE.]]
What schame it is to ben unkinde; 5160
Ayein the which reson debateth,
And every creature it hateth.
[Sidenote: 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?
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Mi fader, I wol seie Helas,
That evere such a man was bore,
Which whan he hath his trouthe suore
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 301=]
And hath of love what he wolde,
That he at eny time scholde[340] 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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, of that unkindeschipe,
The which toward thi ladischipe
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: [TALE OF THESEUS AND ARIADNE.]]
Mynos, as telleth the Poete,
The which whilom was king of Crete,
A Sone hadde and Androchee
[Sidenote: Hic ponit exemplum contra viros amori ingratos.
Et narrat qualiter Theseus Cadmi filius, consilio suffultus[347]
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,
[Sidenote: =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 dighte[350]
A strong pouer, and forth he wente
Unto Athenys, where he brente
The pleine contre al aboute: 5250
The Cites stode of him in doute,
As thei that no defence hadde[351]
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,
[Sidenote: =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
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,
[Sidenote: =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 on[357]
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.
This sterne king, this cruel lord
Tok every day on of the Nyne,
And put him to the discipline[361]
Of Minotaure, to be devoured;
Bot Theseüs was so favoured,
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 307=]
So as this Maide him hadde tawht,[366]
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 ground[368]
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,
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 unkindeschipe[371]
Hath al foryete the goodschipe
Which Adriane him hadde do,
And bad unto the Schipmen tho[372] 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
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,
[Sidenote: =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 couth[375]
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 lif[379]
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.
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [RAVINE.]]
viii. _Viribus ex clara res tollit luce Rapina,_
_Floris et inuita virgine mella capit._
In the lignage of Avarice,
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Forthi, mi Sone, schrif thee hier,
If thou hast ben a Raviner 5530
Of love.
[Sidenote: 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;
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 313=]
It is no good man, which so doth.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
In good feith, Sone, thou seist soth:
For he that wole of pourveance[391]
Be such a weie his lust avance, 5540
He schal it after sore abie,
Bot if these olde ensamples lie.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Nou, goode fader, tell me on,
So as ye cunne manyon,
Touchende of love in this matiere.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: [TALE OF TEREUS.]]
Ther was a real noble king,
And riche of alle worldes thing,
Which of his propre enheritance
[Sidenote: 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 Tereo[394] Regi Tracie desponsata, contigit quod
cum[395] Tereus ad instanciam vxoris[396] 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,
[Sidenote: =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,
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.
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 315=]
This Tereüs goth forth to Schipe[400]
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 faile[402] 5610
Of that he preide, and yive hire leve:[403]
And sche, that wolde noght beleve,
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.
[Sidenote: =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 there[408]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 beheste[412]
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 wod[413]
With hise unhappi handes stronge
Hire cauhte be the tresses longe,
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: =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;
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:
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 320=]
I wolde I hadde noght be bore,
For thanne I hadde noght forlore[418]
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
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 tyt[420]
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 tho[422]
And sette hir signet therupon
And sende it unto Progne anon.
[Sidenote: =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,
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,
[Sidenote: =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 fade[425] 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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =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.
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 stod[430]
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 grief[432]
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
[Sidenote: =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
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,
[Sidenote: =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 nyhtingale[438]
Was schape, and that was Philomene,
Which in the wynter is noght sene,
For thanne ben the leves falle
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,
[Sidenote: =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 largesse[440]
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 Philomene[443]
And makth hir ferste yeres flyht;
Wher as sche singeth day and nyht,
And in hir song al openly[444]
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.
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:
[Sidenote: =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 grene[447]
And comen is the Somertide,
Than fleth sche forth and ginth to chide, 6010
And chitreth out in hir langage[448]
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]
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 329=]
And ek for that sche was a spouse,
Among the folk sche comth to house,
To do thes wyves understonde[451]
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 feith[456]
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 330=]
And is the brid falseste of alle.
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Mi fader, goddes forebode![459]
Me were levere be fortrode[460]
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.
[Sidenote: [ROBBERY.]]
ix. _Viuat vt ex spoliis grandi quamsepe tumultu,_
_Quo graditur populus, latro perurget iter._
[Sidenote: =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 debat[462]
Thurgh lacke of his misgovernance,
That he unto his sustienance
[Sidenote: 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 londe[463]
Of thing which othre men beswinke
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,
[Sidenote: =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 come[466] 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,
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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 333=]
And tok his lust under the schawe
Ayein love and ayein his lawe.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [NEPTUNE AND CORNIX.]]
I rede hou whilom was a Maide,
The faireste, as Ovide saide,
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur contra istos in amoris causa
predones, qui cum in suam furtiue concupiscenciam aspirant,
fortuna in contrarium operatur. Et narrat quod cum[468]
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,
Ther cam Neptunus in the weie,[470]
[Sidenote: =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 unwar[471]
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,
[Sidenote: =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
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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 336=]
[Sidenote: [TALE OF CALISTONA.]]
King Lichaon upon his wif
A dowhter hadde, a goodly lif,
[Sidenote: 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, quendam[476] 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,
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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 337=]
Diane, which it herde telle,
In prive place unto a welle[477]
With Nimphes al a compainie[478]
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,
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.
[Sidenote: =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.
Withinne a time and therupon
Befell that with a bowe on honde,[485]
To hunte and gamen forto fonde,
[Sidenote: =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 wodesschawe[489]
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.
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 340=]
And nameliche of thilke good
Which every womman that is good
Desireth forto kepe and holde,
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.
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur de virginitatis commendacione, vbi
dicit quod nuper Imperatores ob tanti status dignitatem
virginibus cedebant[496] in via.]
That what man tho was Emperour[494]
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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 341=]
Touchende of men, ensample I finde,
[Sidenote: 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 kinde[499]
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;
Bot for he wolde be nomore[500]
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 syhen[502]
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
[Sidenote: [CHASTITY OF VALENTINIAN.]]
Of Valentinian the king
And Emperour be thilke daies,
[Sidenote: 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 live[505]
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: =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,
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,
[Sidenote: Milicia est vita hominis super terram.[509]]
The bok seith that a mannes lif
Upon knyhthode in werre and strif[510]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 343=]
Wherof the Soule stod amended,[512]
Upon this erthe is yit commended.[513] 6430*
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur qualiter Valentinianus Imperator,
cum ipse octogenarius plures prouincias Romano Imperio
belliger subiugasset, dixit se super omnia magis gaudere de
eo quod contra[514] sue carnis concupiscenciam victoriam
optinuisset; nam et ipse virgo omnibus diebus vite sue
castissimus[515] 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.)
* * * * *
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 londes[517]
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:
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 344=]
He was a virgine, as he seide;
On that bataille his pris he leide. (6450*)
[Sidenote: [VIRGINITY.]]
Lo nou, my Sone, avise thee.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, take it as I seie;[520]
If maidenhod be take aweie 6430
Withoute lawes ordinance,
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]
[Sidenote: =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.
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 spende[527]
For evere whil sche scholde live:
And thus the Senne was foryive
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 346=]
And al the pestilence cessed.
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: Hic tractat super illa Cupiditatis specie, que
secretum latrocinium dicitur, cuius natura custode[532] 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.
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =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,
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.
[Sidenote: [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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 349=]
Tell on forthi and sei the trouthe.
[Sidenote: 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.
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
[Sidenote: =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 me[538]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 slyke[541]
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:
For thanne I mihte yit per cas
Of love make som pourchas 6650
[Sidenote: =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 wise[544]
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 beholde[545]
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 se[546]
If eny grace wolde falle,
So that I mihte under the palle 6680
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
I preie you, fader, sei me hou.[550]
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 354=]
And in his Methamor he tolde
A tale, which is good to holde.
[Sidenote: [TALE OF LEUCOTHOE.]]
The Poete upon this matiere
Of Stelthe wrot in this manere.
Venus, which hath this lawe in honde[551]
[Sidenote: Hic in amoris causa super isto Latrocinio quod
de die[552] 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 nescia[553] deflorauit: vnde
ipsa inpregnata iratus pater filiam suam ad sepeliendum
viuam effodit; ex cuius tumulo florem, quem[554] Solsequium
vocant, dicunt tunc[555] 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
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
[Sidenote: =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 stelthe[558]
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 was[560]
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 is[562]
To soffre her maidenhed be stole,[563]
Wherof that sche the deth schal thole.’ 6770
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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,
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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 357=]
Wherof I miyhte ensample take.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [TALE OF HERCULES AND FAUNUS.]]
The myhtieste of alle men
Whan Hercules with Eolen,
[Sidenote: 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 seperatim[568] 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 voluptatem[569] 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,
This Cave was under the hell 6830
[Sidenote: =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 withinne[574]
He sette and caste hou that he myhte
Of love pyke awey be nyhte[575]
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 have[576]
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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 359=]
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
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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 grounde[582]
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 route[583]
Cam doun to loke hou that he ferde,[584]
And whan that thei the sothe herde,
He was bejaped overal.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, be thou war withal
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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 362=]
Which toucheth to mi schrifte, I preie
That ye therof me wolde seie,
So that I mai the vice eschuie.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, if I be order suie[585]
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
[Sidenote: [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._
[Sidenote: 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,
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.
[Sidenote: =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 taught[589]
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 pourchace 7020*
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.)
* * * * *
So forth with al the remenant
To goddes hous appourtenant,
Wher that he scholde bidde his bede,
He doth his thefte in holi stede,
[Sidenote: =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 dawe[596]
Of Princes hou ther weren thre[597]
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;
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 365=]
The thridde, which was after schamed,
Was Nabugodonosor named,
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.
[Sidenote: =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]
[Sidenote: [TALE OF LUCIUS AND THE STATUE.]]
Er Rome cam to the creance
Of Cristes feith, it fell per chance,
[Sidenote: 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
eo[605] deposui, quia ipsum patri suo assimilare volui,[606]
nam et Apollo, qui ante ipsum in templo[607] stetit, absque
barba iuvenis apparuit. Et sic ea que gessi non ex furto set
honestate[608] 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;
[Sidenote: =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
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 nom[609] 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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 368=]
And was thurgh spoken overal:
Bot forto knowe in special 7160*
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?’
‘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 live 7180*
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,
[Sidenote: =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 evidence 7210*
In loves cause, &c. (_as_ 7033 ff.)
* * * * *
In loves cause if I schal trete,
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 371=]
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 syde[621]
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?
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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 save[632] (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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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]
[Sidenote: [TALE OF PARIS AND HELEN.]]
To alle men, as who seith, knowe
It is, and in the world thurgh blowe,
[Sidenote: 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
famosissima[636] obsidio per vniuersi[637] 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
Was at his wille yove and granted.
And thus hath Grece Troie danted, 7220
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =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
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 reste[645]
It thoghte hem thanne for the beste (7450*)
With resonable amendement;
And thus was Anthenor forth sent[646]
To axe Esionam ayein[647]
And witen what thei wolden sein.
So passeth he the See be barge[648]
To Grece forto seie his charge,
The which he seide redely
Unto the lordes by and by: 7280
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 tho[654]
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 worthi[655]
Stant nou in Grece the manhode
Of worthinesse and of knihthode;
For who so wole it wel agrope,
To hem belongeth al Europe, 7340
[Sidenote: =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 schewe[656]
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.
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
[Sidenote: =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 forme[658]
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 querele[660]
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 fare[661] 7400
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 382=]
To hunte unto the grete hert,
Which was tofore myn houndes stert,
And every man went on his syde[662]
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 visioun[664] 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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 whyle[669] 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,--
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 stronde[672]
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 thymage[674]
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
[Sidenote: =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]
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 sklaundre[677] 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
[Sidenote: =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
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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [DIVISIONS OF AVARICE.]]
And tak good hiede also therfore 7610
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 389=]
Upon what forme, of Avarice[680]
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 live[683] 7630
Toward his god, and ek also
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
[Sidenote: [PRODIGALITY AND LARGESS.]]
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 390=]
xiii. _Prodegus et parcus duo sunt extrema, que largus_[685]
_Est horum medius, plebis in ore bonus._
[Sidenote: 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,
Til ate laste he seith, ‘I wende’;
Bot that is spoken al to late,
For thanne is poverte ate gate
[Sidenote: =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 lyte[686]
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 proprete[687]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 392=]
Which thurgh his wast mesure excedeth,
For noman wot what harm that bredeth.[688] 7700
Bot mochel joie ther betydeth,[689]
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.
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: Beacius est dare quam accipere.[690]]
Betre is to yive than to take:
With yifte a man mai frendes make,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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.’
[Sidenote: 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.’
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [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
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
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 395=]
Thurgh wast of love, that thei spente
In sondri places wher thei wente.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Riht so, mi Sone, I axe of thee
If thou with Prodegalite 7790
Hast hier and ther thi love wasted.
[Sidenote: 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 wit[695]
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]
[Sidenote: 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.
For thing which mai be worth the cost
Per chaunce is nouther wast ne lost;
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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 protectio_u_n (?) 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 c_aus_a 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 þ_er_ 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 w_ith_ 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 whan_n_e 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 þ_at_ was w_ith_ 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 Spo_n_dius 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 (Tho_n_kinge _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
þ_at_ 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 þ_at_ he haþ prayde and bede
To stele myȝte nouȝt suffise
Beþouȝte hi_m_ i_n_ a noþer wise
And þ_er_ 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* eu_er_e 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 q_ue_ C, B extremaq_ue_ 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 Ampli_us_ B₂ Ambrosi_us_ 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
Incipit Liber Sextus
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 1=]
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 2=]
Of which the branches ben so grete,
That of hem alle I wol noght trete,
Bot only as touchende of tuo[703]
I thenke speke and of no mo;
[Sidenote: [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;
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
[Sidenote: =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
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 kerveth[708]
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [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 noght[711]
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,
And Aristotle was put under.
Forthi, mi Sone, it is no wonder 100
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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;
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 7=]
For as the man which ofte drinketh,
With win that in his stomac sinketh[717]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 leve[720]
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,
And am so ferforth overcome,
That I not where I am become;
So that among the hetes stronge[722]
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
[Sidenote: =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 swete 250
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 10=]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 11=]
So that in londe where I fare[727]
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
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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [JUPITER’S TWO TUNS.]]
For the fortune of every chance
After the goddes pourveance
[Sidenote: 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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 leste[733]
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 chaunce[735]
Withoute lawe of governance.
If he drawe of the swete tonne,
Thanne is the sorwe al overronne
Of lovedrunke, and schalt noght greven[736]
So to be drunken every even,
For al is thanne bot a game.
Bot whanne it is noght of the same, 370
[Sidenote: =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 weie[737]
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
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: 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
Was hote, and as he wente fer 400
[Sidenote: =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 almost[743]
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 inne[744]
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
[Sidenote: =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
A riche temple let arere,
Which evere scholde stonde there
To thursti men in remembrance.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [LOVE-DRUNKENNESS. TRISTRAM.]]
And forto loke in evidence
Upon the sothe experience,
[Sidenote: 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
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.
[Sidenote: [MARRIAGE OF PIRITHOUS.]]
This finde I write in Poesie
Of thilke faire Ipotacie,
[Sidenote: Hic de periculis ebrietatis causa in amore
contingentibus[750] 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 in[752]
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
[Sidenote: =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 withal[754]
Of thilke cuppe which exciteth
The lust wherinne a man deliteth: 510
And thus be double weie drunke,
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [GALBA AND VITELLIUS.]]
I rede in a Cronique thus
Of Galba and of Vitellus,
[Sidenote: 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 tandem[760] 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;
For he hath lore the vertus,
Wherof reson him scholde clothe;
And that was seene upon hem bothe. 550
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 21=]
And schop the lawe in such a wise,
That thei thurgh dom to the juise
Be dampned forto be forlore.
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.
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [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,_
_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,
[Sidenote: Hic tractat super illa specie Gule que Delicacia
nuncupatur, cuius mollicies[767] voluptuose carni in
personis precipue potentibus queque[768] complacencia
corporaliter ministrat.]
To which no povere mai atteigne;
For al is Past of paindemeine[769] 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
[Sidenote: =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
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;
[Sidenote: Philosophus. Consuetudo est altera natura.]
For in Phisique this I finde,
Usage is the seconde kinde.[773]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 24=]
[Sidenote: [LOVE-DELICACY.]]
And riht so changeth his astat[774]
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,
Bot he have al his appetit.[777]
Mi Sone, if it be with thee so,
Tell me.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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 lok[778]
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,
Mi stomac mai it noght defie.
Lo, such is the delicacie
[Sidenote: =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 tast[779]
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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Nou, goode Sone, schrif thee clene 740
Of suche deyntes as ben goode,
Wherof thou takst thin hertes fode.
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: Nota qualiter visus in amore se continet delicatus.]
Thurgh which myn yhe of alle goode
[Sidenote: =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,
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]
[Sidenote: =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
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,
[Sidenote: =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 lok[785]
Is to myn herte a lusti coc
Of loves fode delicat,
[Sidenote: 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;
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 also[787]
So fair, that nawher is non so;
And som men preise hire goodli chiere:
Thus every thing that I mai hiere,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 31=]
And ek in other wise also
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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 32=]
His place take, to arraie
The lusti fode, which assaie[791]
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
Thoght, which hath evere hise pottes hote
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, I understonde wel
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 eschuied[795]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 34=]
In love als wel as other weie;
[Sidenote: [DELICACY.]]
For, as these holi bokes seie,
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [DIVES AND LAZARUS.]]
Of Cristes word, who wole it rede,
Hou that this vice is forto drede
[Sidenote: Hic ponit exemplum contra istos delicatos. Et
narrat de diuite et Lazaro, quorum gestus[797] 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 delicat[798]
Of his clothing, that everyday
Of pourpre and bisse he made him gay, 990
And eet and drank therto his fille
After the lustes of his wille,
As he which al stod in delice[799]
And tok non hiede of thilke vice.
[Sidenote: =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 gete[800]
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 live[801]
Upon the yifte of his almesse.
Thus lai this povere in gret destresse[802]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 36=]
And hadde al that he have wolde.
And fell, as it befalle scholde,
This riche man the same throwe[806]
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 avise[808]
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
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
[Sidenote: =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 fere[811]
Thei scholden wel be war therby.
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]
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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
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.
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [DELICACY OF NERO.]]
What man that wolde him wel avise,[818]
Delicacie is to despise,
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur de delicacia Neronis, qui
corporalibus deliciis magis adherens spiritalia gaudia
minus[819] 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
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,
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Lo, thus togedre of felaschipe
Delicacie and drunkeschipe,
[Sidenote: =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
Fro no peril, bot out of feere[824]
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 achieve[826]
Ayeins the pointz of the believe,
He tempteth hevene and erthe and helle,
Hierafterward as I schal telle. 1260
[Sidenote: [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._
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 44=]
Who dar do thing which love ne dar?
To love is every lawe unwar,
[Sidenote: Hic tractat qualiter Ebrietas et Delicacia omnis
pudicicie contrarium instigantes inter alia ad carnalis
concupiscencie promocionem Sortilegio[827m] 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,
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 45=]
With many a circumstance he useth,
Ther is no point which he refuseth.
[Sidenote: Nota de Auctorum necnon et de[829] 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,
And used is of comun rote[831]
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 withal[833]
Of Balamuz, and of Ghenbal[834] 1320
[Sidenote: =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
Which longeth to thinspeccion
Of love and his affeccion; 1350
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, if thou of such a lore
Hast ben er this, I red thee leve.[835]
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.
Bot hou whilom therof it stod,[836]
A tale which is good to knowe
To thee, mi Sone, I schal beknowe. 1390
[Sidenote: [TALE OF ULYSSES AND TELEGONUS.]]
Among hem whiche at Troie were,[837]
Uluxes ate Siege there
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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 schapeth[838]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 50=]
Thei couthe moche, he couthe more;
Thei schape and caste ayein him sore[841]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 avant[843]
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 be[845]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 52=]
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,
[Sidenote: Oracius. Omnia[847] 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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: Bernardus. Plures plura sciunt[853] et seipsos
nesciunt.]
Men sein, a man hath knowleching[854]
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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;
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
[Sidenote: =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 knowleching[858]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 57=]
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
[Sidenote: =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;
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 threw[865] 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
[Sidenote: =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
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 scholde[869]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 memorial[871]
Among the men, hou so it wende,[872]
Schal duelle to the worldes ende.
[Sidenote: [TALE OF NECTANABUS.]]
The hihe creatour of thinges,
Which is the king of alle kinges, 1790
[Sidenote: Hic narrat exemplum super eodem, qualiter
Nectanabus ab Egipto[873] 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
ex[875] 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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 62=]
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 ladde[876]
Part of the beste good he hadde.
Thei take logginge in the toun[877]
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 beholde[878]
And preised of the poeple aboute,
Sche schop hir forto riden oute 1830
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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;
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 67=]
For it was guile and Sorcerie,
Al that sche tok for Prophecie.
Nectanabus thurghout the day,
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
[Sidenote: =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:
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
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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 magique[893]
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;
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 72=]
Bot natheles the thing is do;
This false god was sone go,
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
[Sidenote: =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 wroghte[899]
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]
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 ston[901]
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
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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 mone[905]
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.
And for the gretere evidence,
Yit after that in the presence 2220
[Sidenote: =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 lond[908]
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
[Sidenote: =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]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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]
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [ZOROASTER.]]
And forto se more evidence,
[Sidenote: 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,
Anon as he was bore, he louh, 2370
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: [SAUL AND THE WITCH.]]
An ende proveth every thing.[921]
Saül, which was of Juys king,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
To conne moche thing it helpeth,
Bot of to mochel noman yelpeth:
So forto loke on every side,
Magique mai noght wel betyde.
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 82=]
[Sidenote: 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,
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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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_ contige_n_tibus 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 þ_ou_ 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
Incipit Liber Septimus.
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 84=]
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: 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:
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 85=]
For wisdom is at every throwe[928]
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,
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: =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 sufficant[932]
And chief of the Philosophie,
If I therof schal specefie
So as the Philosophre tolde,
Nou herkne, and kep that thou it holde. 60
[Sidenote: [i. THEORIC.]]
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,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 87=]
That other named is Phisique,
The thridde is seid Mathematique.
[Sidenote: [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 creature[935]
Hath his beinge and his nature. 90
[Sidenote: 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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 natures[937]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 89=]
Theologie in such a wise
Of hih science and hih aprise
Above alle othre stant unlike,
And is the ferste of Theorique.
[Sidenote: [PHYSICS.]]
Phisique is after the secounde,
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [MATHEMATICS.]]
The thridde point of Theorique,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 90=]
Of sommes be thexperience
Of this Art and of this science.
[Sidenote: 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,
As be the gamme a man mai knowe,
Which techeth the prolacion
Of note and the condicion.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: Hic interim[943] 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.
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: 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,
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: 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 divisions[947]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 94=]
After the times of the yer
Among ous upon Erthe her
In sondri wise thinges falle.
[Sidenote: De prima Aeris Periferia.]
The ferste Periferie of alle 280
Engendreth Myst and overmore
The dewes and the Frostes hore,
After thilke intersticion
In which thei take impression,
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: De tercia Aeris Periferia.]
The thridde of thair after the lawe
Thurgh such matiere as up is drawe[949]
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.
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: Nota hic[952] 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 exalacions[954] 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]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 96=]
So as the fyr it hath aneled,
Lich unto slym which is congeled.
Of exalacion I finde[956]
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,
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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 97=]
So as tofore it hath ben herd.
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: 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,
So as I schal to thee reherse.
[Sidenote: [THE FOUR COMPLEXIONS OF MAN.]]
He which natureth every kinde,[961]
The myhti god, so as I finde,
Of man, which is his creature,
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: 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:
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 99=]
Wher as he hath love undertake,
Wrong is if that he be forsake.
[Sidenote: De complexione Colere.]
The fyr of his condicion[962]
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
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: Splen domus est[965] Malencolie.]
The Splen is to Malencolie
Assigned for herbergerie: 450
[Sidenote: Pulmo domus[966m] Fleumatis.]
The moiste fleume with his cold[966]
Hath in the lunges for his hold
Ordeined him a propre stede,
To duelle ther as he is bede:
[Sidenote: Epar domus Sanguinis.]
To the Sanguin complexion
Nature of hire inspeccion[967]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 100=]
A propre hous hath in the livere
For his duellinge mad delivere:
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Nota de Stomacho, qui vna cum aliis cordi[968]
specialius deseruit.]
Nou over this is forto wite,
As it is in Phisique write
Of livere, of lunge, of galle, of splen,
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 creacion[970]
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 serve[972]
The herte, that he schal noght sterve:
For as a king in his Empire
Above alle othre is lord and Sire,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 101=]
So is the herte principal,
To whom reson in special
Is yove as for the governance.
[Sidenote: [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
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 nome[974]
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,
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [THE DIVISION OF THE EARTH.]]
Of what matiere it schal be told,[976]
A tale lyketh manyfold
[Sidenote: 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 therfore[977]
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
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]
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: De Aufrica[982] et Europa.]
And thanne upon that other syde
Westward, as it fell thilke tyde,
[Sidenote: =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 forlete[984]
As lond desert that is unable,
For it mai noght ben habitable.
[Sidenote: 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 breth[985]
Be weie of kinde, so it geth
Out of the See and in ayein,
The water, as the bokes sein. 600
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.
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 vein[988]
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.
[Sidenote: [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]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 106=]
Benethe upon this Erthe hiere
Of alle thinges the matiere,
[Sidenote: 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;
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
[Sidenote: =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 knowlechinge[990]
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]
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: =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 tauhte[994]
To Alisandre and it betauhte,
Wherof that he was fulli tawht
Of wisdom, which was him betawht. 720
Benethe alle othre stant the Mone,
[Sidenote: [THE PLANETS.]]
The which hath with the See to done:
[Sidenote: Nota hic de prima planeta, que aliis inferior Luna
dicitur.]
[Sidenote: =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 fulwonne[996]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 110=]
Which nou is cleped Engelond;
For thei travaile in every lond.
[Sidenote: 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
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 chance[997]
Is most in Burgoigne and in France. 770
[Sidenote: 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;
[Sidenote: =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 wantounesse[998]
The climat of hir lecherie
Is most commun in Lombardie. 800
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 112=]
Of what richesse, of what nobleie,
These bokes telle, and thus thei seie.
[Sidenote: 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,
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,
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =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,
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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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 Planete[999]
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
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;
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 116=]
And upon such felicite[1000]
Stant Jupiter in his degre.
[Sidenote: De septima planeta, que reliquis celsior
Saturnus dictus est.[1001]]
The heyeste and aboven alle
Stant that planete which men calle[1002]
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.
[Sidenote: [THE SIGNS.]]
He which departeth dai fro nyht,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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]
[Sidenote: Nota hic de primo Signo, quod Aries dicitur, cui
Mensis Marcii specialiter appropriatus est.
Quo deus in primo produxit ad esse[1006] creata.]
The ferste of whiche natheles[1007]
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 beste[1008]
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
[Sidenote: =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 tuelve[1009]
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.
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 119=]
He is the hous appourtienant[1011]
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]
His Monthe assigned ek also
Is Averil, which of his schoures
Ministreth weie unto the floures. 1030
[Sidenote: 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 wot[1014]
Assigned is the lusti Maii,
Whanne every brid upon his lay
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: 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,
And doth what longeth him to done.
The Monthe of Juin unto this Signe
Thou schalt after the reule assigne.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: 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,
Unto this Signe is Augst applied.[1018] 1100
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.
His propre Monthe is, as men tellen,
Octobre, which bringth the kalende
Of wynter, that comth next suiende. 1140
[Sidenote: 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 bore[1020]
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.
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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,
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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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
He yifth the ferste Primerole.
[Sidenote: Duodecimum Signum Piscis dicitur, cuius Mensis
Februarius est.
Quo pluuie torrens riparum concitat ampnes.]
[Sidenote: =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 tuo[1023]
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 hous[1024]
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.
[Sidenote: =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,
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 governance[1027]
Forth with Taurus and Gemini.
Thus ben the Signes propreli
Divided, as it is reherced,
Wherof the londes ben diversed. 1270
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [THE FIFTEEN STARS.]]
Upon sondri creacion
Stant sondri operacion,
[Sidenote: 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
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: 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 kinde[1030]
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.
[Sidenote: 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;
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 130=]
His herbe, which is him betake,
Is hote Eleborum the blake.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Quinta Stella vocatur Canis maior, cuius lapis
Berillus[1031] 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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Septima Stella vocatur Arial, cuius lapis
Gorgonza et herba Celidonia est.]
The sefnthe sterre in special
Of this science is Arial,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 131=]
Which sondri nature underfongeth.
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
[Sidenote: Octaua stella vocatur Ala Corui, cuius lapis
Honochinus[1033] 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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Vndecima Stella vocatur Venenas, cuius lapis
Adamans et herba Cicorea est.]
The sterre ellefthe is Venenas,[1035]
The whos nature is as it was
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: Duodecima stella vocatur Alpheta, cuius lapis
Topazion[1037] et herba Rosa marina est.]
Alpheta in the nombre sit,
And is the twelfthe sterre yit;
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.
[Sidenote: Terciadecima stella vocatur Cor Scorpionis,
cuius lapis Sardis et herba Aristologia[1039] 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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 133=]
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [AUTHORS OF THE SCIENCE OF ASTRONOMY.]]
The science of Astronomie,
Which principal is of clergie 1440
[Sidenote: 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 honde[1041]
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
[Sidenote: =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
Above alle othre in this science[1044]
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
[Sidenote: =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 wise[1046]
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.
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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 teche[1049] 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
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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;
Whan wordes medlen with the song,
It doth plesance wel the more.
Bot forto loke upon the lore[1053]
Hou Tullius his Rethorique[1054]
[Sidenote: 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 speche[1055]
Of Julius and Cithero,[1056]
Which consul was of Rome tho,
Of Catoun eke and of Cillene,
Behold the wordes hem betwene, 1600
[Sidenote: =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 eloquence[1058]
Fro deth to torne the sentence 1620
And sette here hertes to pite.
Nou tolden thei, nou tolde he;
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: 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,
Hou that a king himself schal reule
Of his moral condicion
With worthi disposicion
[Sidenote: =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 one[1062]
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 honestete[1064]
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 ordinance[1065]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 142=]
Of clerk, of kniht and of Marchant,
And so forth of the remenant[1066]
Of al the comun poeple aboute,
Withinne Burgh and ek withoute,[1067] 1690
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]
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 143=]
Than to a king, which hath to lede
[Sidenote: 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 assissed[1072]
Unto a kinges Regiment,
To take in his entendement: 1720
Wherof to tellen, as thei stonde,
Hierafterward nou woll I fonde.
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,
[Sidenote: =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 signefied[1074]
Be his corone and specified. 1750
[Sidenote: 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
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [KING, WINE, WOMAN AND TRUTH.]]
As the Cronique it doth reherce,
A Soldan whilom was of Perce,
[Sidenote: 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 asseruit[1082]
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 descente[1078]
The regne of thilke empire he hente: 1790
And as he was himselve wys,[1079]
The wisemen he hield in pris[1080]
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
As thei which in his chambre lyhen[1083]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 147=]
He seith, that eny erthly thing
Mai be so myhty as a king.
A king mai spille, a king mai save,
A king mai make of lord a knave[1087]
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.
[Sidenote: =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
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 yhe[1089]
As for ensample he tolde this,--[1090]
[Sidenote: Nota hic de vigore amoris, qui inter Cirum Regem
Persarum et Apemen Besazis filiam ipsius Regis Concubinam
spectante tota Curia experiebatur.]
Hou Apemen, of Besazis[1091]
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
[Sidenote: =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
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.
[Sidenote: [TALE OF ALCESTIS.]]
Whan that the duk Ametus lay
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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 yive[1093]
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 overthrowe[1094]
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.
Lo, thus Zorobabel hath told 1950
The tale of his opinion:
Bot for final conclusion
[Sidenote: =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 governance[1095]
Of Alisandre, as it is seid:
For therupon the ground is leid[1096] 1980
Of every kinges regiment,
As thing which most convenient
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 152=]
Is forto sette a king in evene
Bothe in this world and ek in hevene.
[Sidenote: [THE SECOND POINT OF POLICY. LIBERALITY.]]
viii. _Absit Auaricia, ne tangat regia corda,_
_Eius enim spoliis excoriatur humus._[1097]
_Fama colit largum volitans per secula Regem,_
_Dona tamen licitis sunt moderanda modis._
Next after trouthe the secounde,
In Policie as it is founde,
[Sidenote: 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 omni[1098] 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
[Sidenote: =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 lesse[1099]
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
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
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: =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 hiede[1101]
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,
Which spekth somdiel of this matiere,
Hierafterward as thou schalt hiere. 2060
[Sidenote: [TALE OF JULIUS AND THE POOR KNIGHT.]]
In Rome, to poursuie his riht,
Ther was a worthi povere kniht,
[Sidenote: Hic secundum gesta Iulii exemplum ponit,
qualiter Rex suorum militum, quos probos agnouerit,
indigenciam largitatis sue beneficiis releuare[1102]
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.
[Sidenote: =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 office[1103]
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 word[1105]
Thin oghne mouth, nor of thin hord
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [ANTIGONUS AND CINICHUS.]]
It sit wel every king to have
Discrecion, whan men him crave,
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 157=]
To yive a man so litel thing
It were unworschipe in a king. 2130
Be this ensample a king mai lere
[Sidenote: [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 hond[1109] 2140
To sette upon necessite;
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [PRODIGALITY OF KINGS.]]
Of Policie and overmore
To speke in this matiere more, 2150
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: =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,
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.
[Sidenote: [FLATTERERS.]]
A Philosophre, as thou schalt hiere,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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]
[Sidenote: 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.
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.
[Sidenote: [TALE OF DIOGENES AND ARISTIPPUS]]
Among these othre tales wise
Of Philosophres, in this wise
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 160=]
[Sidenote: [1115]Hic 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
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 161=]
Hath leid, and to the court he wente,
Wher many a wyle and many a wente 2250
With flaterie and wordes softe[1117]
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,
This Diogene upon a day,
And that was in the Monthe of May,
Whan that these herbes ben holsome,
He walketh forto gadre some
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: =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
Is noght to reson acordant,
Bot it is gretly descordant
Unto the Scoles of Athene.’
Lo, thus ansuerde Diogene
Ayein the clerkes flaterie.
[Sidenote: [FLATTERY.]]
Bot yit men sen thessamplerie[1121]
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 duelleth[1123] 2330
* * * * *
*I not if it be ye or nay.
[Sidenote: [EXAMPLE OF DANTE.]]
How Dante the poete answerde[1124]
[Sidenote: 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 mo[1125]
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
[Sidenote: =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
Which were betre to be left;
That hath be schewed nou and eft.
Bot if a Prince wolde him reule[1127]
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.
[Sidenote: [THE ROMAN TRIUMPH.]]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 165=]
To se this olde ensamplerie,
That whilom was no flaterie
[Sidenote: [1130]Hic 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 fortuna[1133] tibi prospera fuerit,[1134]
cras forte[1135] 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
That eny Emperour as tho[1131]
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 lond[1132]
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]
[Sidenote: =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:
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.
[Sidenote: [THE EMPEROR AND HIS MASONS.]]
Lo nou, hou thilke time it ferde[1138]
Toward so hih a worthi lord:
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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 seid[1140]
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
The worthi princes to bejape;
The thing was other wise schape[1142]
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 beyete[1143]
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [CAESAR’S ANSWER.]]
Cesar upon his real throne
[Sidenote: 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 side[1144] 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 ariht[1146]
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,
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;
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [FLATTERERS OF A KING.]]
The kinde flatour can noght love
Bot forto bringe himself above;
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 170=]
And that be many a sondri weie.
Wherof if that a man schal seie,
As forto speke in general,
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.
[Sidenote: [AHAB AND MICAIAH.]]
Among the kinges in the bible
I finde a tale, and is credible,
[Sidenote: 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 adulantis[1150] 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
[Sidenote: =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.
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,
[Sidenote: =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
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]
[Sidenote: =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 sein[1156]
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,
That wol he telle unto his king,[1159]
Als fer as god hath yove him grace.
Thus cam this prophete into place
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 175=]
Bad him go forth and don riht so.
And over this I sih also
The noble peple of Irahel[1163]
Dispers as Schep upon an hell,
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
[Sidenote: =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 overmore[1165]
After the Philosophres lore,
The thridde point of Policie
I thenke forto specifie
[Sidenote: [THE THIRD POINT OF POLICY. JUSTICE.]]
ix. _Propter transgressos leges statuuntur in orbe,_
_Ut viuant iusti Regis honore viri._
_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
[Sidenote: Hic tractat de tercia Principum regiminis[1166]
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: 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
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
[Sidenote: =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 deputacion[1169] 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.
[Sidenote: [JUSTICE OF MAXIMIN.]]
And in ensample of this matiere
[Sidenote: 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,
That whanne he made a governour
Be weie of substitucion
Of Province or of region, 2770
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [GAIUS FABRICIUS.]]
In a Cronique I finde thus,
Hou that Gayus Fabricius,
Which whilom was Consul of Rome,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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,
Which hath in his subjeccion
Tho men whiche in possession[1174]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 181=]
Is good to kepe for the beste,
For that set alle men in reste.
[Sidenote: [THE EMPEROR CONRAD.]]
The rihtful Emperour Conrade
[Sidenote: 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.
And this broghte in the comun fere,
Why every man the lawe dradde,
For ther was non which favour hadde.
[Sidenote: [THE CONSUL CARMIDOTIRUS.]]
So as these olde bokes sein,
I finde write hou a Romein,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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
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*)
[Sidenote: [EXAMPLE OF CAMBYSES.]]
In other place also I rede,
Wher that a jugge his oghne dede 2890
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 183=]
[Sidenote: 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 seete[1183] 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
The poeple forto guide and lede,
Which is the charge of his kinghede.
[Sidenote: [LYCURGUS AND HIS LAWS.]]
In a Cronique I rede thus
Of the rihtful Ligurgius,
[Sidenote: Hic ponit exemplum de Principibus illis, qui[1184]
non solum legem statuentes illam conseruant, set vt commune
bonum adaugeant, propriam facultatem diminuunt. Et narrat
quod, cum Ligurgius Athenarum princeps subditos suos[1185] 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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 185=]
In audience of grete and smale,[1187]
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 man[1188]
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
[Sidenote: =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]
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 entente[1192] 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
[Sidenote: =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 governance[1195] 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
Some of here names hou thei stonde,
Nou herkne and thou schalt understonde.
[Sidenote: [THE FIRST LAW-GIVERS.]]
Of every bienfet the merite
The god himself it wol aquite; 3030
[Sidenote: 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 hiere[1196] 3040
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: =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 lad[1199]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 190=]
What Policie that it is
The bok reherceth after this.
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: Hic tractat de quarta Principum regiminis
Policia, que Pietas dicta est; per quam Principes erga
populum misericordes effecti misericordiam altissimi
gracius[1202] 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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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]
His regne in good astat confermeth.*
* * * * *
*Thapostle James in this wise[1205]
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*
[Sidenote: Cassodorus. Vbi regnat pietas, consolidatur regnum.]
Cassodre in his apprise telleth,
‘The regne is sauf, wher pite duelleth.’
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 192=]
Which to the kinges yifth victoire.’
[Sidenote: 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 right 3170*
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.)
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Constantinus Imperator ait: ‘Vere se dominum
esse comprobat, qui seruum pietatis se facit.’]
Thus seide whilom Constantin:[1208]
‘What Emperour that is enclin
To Pite forto be servant,
Of al the worldes remenant 3140
He is worthi to ben a lord.’
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.*
* * * * *
[Sidenote: [TALE OF THE JEW AND THE PAGAN.]]
*To do pite support and grace,[1213]
The Philosophre upon a place
[Sidenote: 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 pietatem[1214] 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
tempore[1216] incedas.’ Et ita factum est, vnde postea
paganus infra breue lassatus asino suo restitui[1217] a
Iudeo postulauit. At ille ait: ‘Nequaquam: quia fides mea
est, vt illi qui sectam meam non credit, nocumentum[1218]
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 vallem[1219] 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 tolde 3210*
Unto the king of Macedoine:
How betwen Kaire and Babeloine,[1221]
Whan comen is the somer heete,
It hapneth tuo men forto meete,
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
[Sidenote: =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 scholde[1223]
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 felawe 3240*
To kepe him trowthe in word ne dede,
Bot if he be withoute drede[1224]
A verrai Jew riht as am I:
For elles I mai trewely
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,
[Sidenote: =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 se 3270*
The pleignte which that other made;
And for he wolde his herte glade,
He lihte and made him nothing strange.
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 laste[1227]
The paien mihte go nomore,
And preide unto the Jew therfore 3280*
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
[Sidenote: =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 Juerie[1229]
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,
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 marrement 3310*
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,
[Sidenote: =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 valleie 3320*
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,
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 pite[1234]
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;
[Sidenote: =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*
* * * * *
[Sidenote: [TALE OF CODRUS.]]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 198=, l. 17]
Of Pite forto speke plein,
Which is with mercy wel besein,
Fulofte he wole himselve peine
[Sidenote: 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 se[1238] 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 befalle[1239]
That his Pite be ferme and stable,
To al the loud it is vailable
[Sidenote: =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 evidence[1240]
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,
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [POMPEIUS AND THE KING OF ARMENIA.]]
I rede hou whilom that Pompeie,
To whom that Rome moste obeie,
[Sidenote: 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
And his astat al full and plein[1245]
Restoreth of his regne ayein,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [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.
[Sidenote: [CRUELTY OF LEONTIUS.]]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 202=]
Of crualte I rede thus:
Whan the tirant Leoncius
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur contra illos, qui tirannica
potestate principatum obtinentes in[1247] 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 in[1249] 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 prived[1250] 3270
The pietous Justinian,[1251]
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.
[Sidenote: [CRUELTY OF SICULUS.]]
In a Cronique I finde also
Of Siculus, which was ek so
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 203=]
[Sidenote: 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.
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]
[Sidenote: =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 falle[1257] 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 concordable[1259]
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]
[Sidenote: [DIONYSIUS AND HIS HORSES.]]
Unto his hors fulofte he yaf
The men in stede of corn and chaf,
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [LICHAON.]]
Of Lichaon also I finde
Hou he ayein the lawe of kinde
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 205=]
[Sidenote: Nota hic de consimili Lichaontis tirannia, qui carnes
hominum hominibus in suo hospicio ad vescendum dedit; cuius
formam condicioni similem Iupiter[1262] 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
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
[Sidenote: [NOBLENESS OF THE LION.]]
In time of nede, he schal non have.
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 206=]
Of the natures this I finde,[1263]
[Sidenote: 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 areste[1265]
Of crualte the gret oultrage,
Which the tirant in his corage
Engendred hath: wherof I finde
A tale, which comth nou to mynde.
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 207=]
I rede in olde bokes thus:
[Sidenote: [SPERTACHUS AND THAMARIS.]]
Ther was a Duk, which Spertachus
Men clepe, and was a werreiour,
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur precipue[1266] 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 afferri[1267] 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 descente[1270]
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 vice[1271] 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:
[Sidenote: =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.
The tidinge of this violence[1273]
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 compasse[1274]
With strengthe of men be such a weie[1275]
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 alle[1276]
[Sidenote: =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 crie[1278]
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
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
[Sidenote: =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 wynne[1280] 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,
[Sidenote: [MERCY MUST BE WITHOUT WEAKNESS.]]
Which every Prince scholde flee.
For if Pite mesure excede,
Kinghode may noght wel procede[1282] 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,
[Sidenote: =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*)
[Sidenote: [THE MOUNTAIN AND THE MOUSE.]]
As it be olde daies fell,
I rede whilom that an hell
[Sidenote: 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,
As thei that wenden to be lore
Of thing which thanne was unbore.
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: 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 knyhtlihiede[1288]
Is yit comended overal.
[Sidenote: Salomon. Tempus belli, tempus pacis.]
King Salomon in special
Seith, as ther is a time of pes,
So is a time natheles
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [STORY OF GIDEON.]]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 214=]
Upon a time as it befell,
Ayein Judee and Irahel[1291]
Whan sondri kinges come were
[Sidenote: 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 lxxxx^{ta} 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,
To fihte and make resistence
Ayein the whiche hem wolde assaille:[1292]
And natheles that o bataille 3640
Of thre that weren enemys[1293]
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 stille[1294] (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,
[Sidenote: =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,
Forsak and put hem alle aweie.
For I am myhti alle weie,
Wher as me list myn help to schewe[1296]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 216=]
Pleignende as ferforth as he dar.
And god, which wolde he were war[1298]
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 matere[1300]
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
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 agaste[1303]
[Sidenote: =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 desespeir[1304]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 218=]
Duk Gedeon, whan it was derk,
Ordeineth him unto his werk,[1306]
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.
[Sidenote: =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,
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 nede[1311] 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.
[Sidenote: [SAUL AND AGAG.]]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 220=]
Nou forthermore if I schal sein
Of my matiere, and torne ayein
[Sidenote: 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;
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [DAVID AND JOAB.]]
Thus myht thou se the sothe plein,
[Sidenote: 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
That he Joab schal slen algate;
And whan David was gon his gate,
The yonge wise Salomon
His fader heste dede anon,
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [SOLOMON’S WISDOM.]]
In Salomon a man mai see
What thing of most necessite
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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,
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,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 224=]
It helpeth, for in other weie
If so be that a king forsueie,
[Sidenote: 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;
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.
[Sidenote: [THE COURTIERS AND THE FOOL.]]
In a Cronique it telleth thus:
The king of Rome Lucius
Withinne his chambre upon a nyht
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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,
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 knewe[1317]
That of himself he scholde be
A worthi king in his degre:
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 226=]
And thus the conseil he accuseth
In partie, and the king excuseth.
The fol, which herde of al the cas[1318]
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;
[Sidenote: =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 plie[1321] 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.
[Sidenote: [FOLLY OF REHOBOAM.]]
After the deth of Salomon,
Whan thilke wise king was gon,
[Sidenote: 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 Parlement[1322]
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 knewe[1324]
He broghte up thanne of his taillage,
And al was under the visage
[Sidenote: =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*)
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,
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 229=]
That yonge were and nothing wise.
And thei these olde men despise,
[Sidenote: 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]
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
[Sidenote: =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 ones[1329]
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 vois[1330]
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,
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.
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [WISDOM IN A KING’S COUNCIL.]]
And upon this matiere also
A question betwen the tuo
[Sidenote: 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 man[1332]
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.
[Sidenote: [MERCY AND JUSTICE.]]
[Sidenote: =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 special[1333]
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
[Sidenote: 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 save[1334]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
Of trouthe ferst and of largesse,
Of Pite forth with rihtwisnesse,
I have hem told; and over this
The fifte point, so as it is[1338]
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.
[Sidenote: [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:
[Sidenote: 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 ynouh[1340]
[Sidenote: =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.
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*)
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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 guile[1344]
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,
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,
[Sidenote: =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]
[Sidenote: [EVIL EXAMPLE OF SARDANAPALUS.]]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 237=]
These olde gestes tellen thus,
That whilom Sardana Pallus,[1348]
[Sidenote: Hic ponit exemplum qualiter, pro eo quod
Sardana Pallus[1349] Assiriorum Princeps muliebri[1350]
oblectamento effeminatus sue concupiscencie torporem quasi
ex consuetudine adhibebat, a Barbaro Rege Medorum super hoc
insidiante in sui feruoris maiori voluptate[1351] 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 wommanhede[1354]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 238=]
That it is schame forto hiere.
[Sidenote: [DAVID.]]
Forthi to love is in manere.
[Sidenote: 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
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
[Sidenote: [CYRUS AND THE LYDIANS.]]
To mochel ese is nothing worth,
For that set every vice forth[1356]
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur qualiter regnum lasciuie
voluptatibus deditum de facili vincitur.[1357] Et ponit
exemplum de Ciro Rege Persarum, qui cum Liddos mire[1358]
probitatis strenuissimos sibique in bello aduersantes nullo
modo vincere potuit, cum ipsis tandem pacis tractatum
dissimilans concordiam finalem stabiliri[1359] finxit.
Super quo Liddi postea per aliquod tempus armis insoliti
sub pacis torpore[1360] voluptatibus intendebant: quod
Cirus percipiens in eos armatus subito irruit, ipsosque
indefencibiles[1361] 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.
[Sidenote: =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,
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 chastete[1363]
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*)
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 240=]
And thus hath lecherie lore
The lond, which hadde be tofore
The beste of hem that were tho.
[Sidenote: [THE COUNSEL OF BALAAM.]]
And in the bible I finde also
A tale lich unto this thing,
[Sidenote: Nota hic[1365] 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 contaminati[1366] 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
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
[Sidenote: =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,
Hou for a time that it stonde, 4460
It is a sori lust to lyke,
Whos ende makth a man to syke
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [EVIL EXAMPLE OF SOLOMON.]]
That every worthi Prince is holde
Withinne himself himself beholde, 4470
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: =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.
For this I rede of his sotie:
Sche of Sidoyne so him ladde,
[Sidenote: De filia Regis Cidonie.]
That he knelende hise armes spradde 4500
To Astrathen with gret humblesse,
Which of hire lond was the goddesse: (4700*)
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: [DIVISION OF HIS KINGDOM.]]
For Achias Selonites,
Which was prophete, er his decess,
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: =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 himselve[1374]
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,
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*)
[Sidenote: =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 tofore[1375]
The tale tolde. And thus therfore
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: [ANTONIUS.]]
For of Anthonie thus I rede,[1379]
[Sidenote: 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 wroghte[1380]
Of lust, whiche he ful sore aboghte:
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [TARQUIN AND HIS SON ARUNS.]]
So as these olde gestes sein,
The proude tirannyssh Romein
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur de Tarquino nuper Rome[1381]
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,
Bot ofte time it hadde hem grieved,[1382] 4610
Ayein a folk which thanne hihte[1383]
The Gabiens: and al be nyhte
[Sidenote: =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 sein[1385]
Hou wofully he was besein,
[Sidenote: =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 tho[1386]
Upon the goddes made him swere,
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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*)
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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 Cite[1390]
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.
[Sidenote: [THE RAPE OF LUCRECE.]]
Bot every time hath his certein,[1391]
So moste it nedes thanne abide,
Til afterward upon a tyde
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =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 wroghte[1395]
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
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 abandoned[1397] 4810
To werche, and sche wroghte ek withal,
And bad hem haste, and seith, ‘It schal[1398]
Be for mi housebondes were,
Which with his swerd and with his spere[1399]
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,
[Sidenote: =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 bedroppe[1401]
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,
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*)
[Sidenote: =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,
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 tresced[1403]
And hire atir so wel adresced,
[Sidenote: =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 dede[1405]
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,
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 257=]
Riht evene upon the Sonne set,
As he which hadde schape his net[1406]
Hire innocence to betrappe.
And as it scholde tho mishappe,
Als priveliche as evere he myhte
He rod, and of his hors alyhte[1407]
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 assaied[1410] 4940
To speke of love in no degre;
Bot with covert soubtilite
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 258=]
His frendly speches he affaiteth,
And as the Tigre his time awaiteth[1411]
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
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,
[Sidenote: =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,
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*)
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: =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 minte[1413]
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,
[Sidenote: =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,
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.
[Sidenote: =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 place[1414]
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
Of Senne the continuance, 5110
Which Arrons hadde do tofore,
And ek, long time er he was bore,
Of that his fadre hadde do[1416]
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,
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [TALE OF VIRGINIA.]]
At Rome whan that Apius,
[Sidenote: 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 tunc[1419] 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,
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*)
[Sidenote: =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 assent[1423]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 266=]
To come in presence of the king
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 appiere[1425]
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 therfore[1426]
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
[Sidenote: =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
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,
[Sidenote: =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 schamed[1430]
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
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 liere[1432]
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.
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 269=]
For thus stant every mannes lif
In jeupartie for his wif
Or for his dowhter, if thei be[1434]
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
Thei have here wrongfull king deposed,
And hem in whom it was supposed
The conseil stod of his ledinge[1437]
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*)
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [TOBIAS AND SARA.]]
To make an ende in this partie,
Which toucheth to the Policie
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: =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 evidence[1443]
Of this ensample a man mai se,
That whan likinge in the degre
[Sidenote: [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]
[Sidenote: 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]
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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
Thurgh eny thing that I can seie.[1449]
[Sidenote: 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 matiere[1452]
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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 knowechi_n_ge 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] me_n_ 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 dicionu_m_ (subdicionu_m_) 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_ No_ta_ F _om._ AC, B
[1204] 3135 Philosophre] holy book BTΛ
[1205] 3149*-3180* _Only in_ BTΛ (Ad _defective_). _Text follows_ B
[1206] 3150* scholde] þ_at_ 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 o_mn_i sui cordis
i_n_timo deo gr_aci_as 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 nup_er_ 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 somo_u_ned (_or_ som_m_oned) 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
Incipit Liber Octavus.
[Sidenote: [LECHERY.]]
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: 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 helle[1454]
From Angles into fendes felle;
Wher that ther is no joie of lyht,
Bot more derk than eny nyht
[Sidenote: =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;
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: =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,
Tuo douhtres ek Dame Eve hadde,
The ferste cleped Calmana
Was, and that other Delbora.
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: =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:
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.
[Sidenote: =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 Irahel[1464]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 280=]
Engendred were, and ben the same
That of Hebreus tho hadden name,
Which of Sibrede in alliance
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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, thou schalt understonde,
That such delit is forto blame.
Forthi if thou hast be the same
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 281=]
To love in eny such manere,
Tell forth therof and schrif thee hiere.
[Sidenote: 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]
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
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 282=]
And grete ensamples manyon
A man mai finde therupon.
[Sidenote: [EXAMPLES OF INCEST. CALIGULA.]]
At Rome ferst if we beginne,
Ther schal I finde hou of this sinne 200
[Sidenote: 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 impune[1471] 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,
[Sidenote: [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.
[Sidenote: [LOT AND HIS DAUGHTERS.]]
And forto se more of this thing,
The bible makth a knowleching,
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: =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 encres[1476]
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.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Lo thus, my Sone, as I thee seie,
Thou miht thiselve be beseie
Of that thou hast of othre herd:
[Sidenote: [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;
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 284=]
Of that befell in time er this[1479]
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
[Sidenote: [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._
[Sidenote: 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 prius[1481] 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.
[Sidenote: =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 concupiscence[1483]
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 wille[1484]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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 desir[1486]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
With al his wit he caste and thoghte[1489]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 288=]
Eschuieden to make assay.
[Sidenote: 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.
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.
[Sidenote: Questio Regis Antiochi.]
The king declareth him the cas
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 289=]
With sturne lok and sturdi chiere,[1492]
To him and seide in this manere:
[Sidenote: 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.’
[Sidenote: 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.’
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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.’
[Sidenote: 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 syde[1498]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 291=]
This tirant of his felonie
Be som manere of tricherie
To grieve his bodi wol noght leve.
[Sidenote: De fuga Appolini per mare[1499] 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]
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]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 292=]
Withoute the comun assent
Thus sodeinliche is fro ous went!’
Such was the clamour of hem alle.
[Sidenote: Nota[1505] 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]
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 lost[1508] 510
The Prince which he wolde spille.
And whan the king hath seid his wille,
This Taliart in a Galeie[1509]
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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
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.
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 294=]
Appolinus, whan that he herde[1513]
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 place[1514]
Thei sette him up, so that his face[1515]
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
[Sidenote: Qualiter Hellicanus ciuis Tyri Tharsim veniens
Appolinum de insidiis Antiochi premuniuit.[1517]]
Upon a time with his route[1518]
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
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]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 295=]
Whan he to Tyr cam hom ayein,
That he in Tharse him hadde sein.
[Sidenote: 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 tale[1521] 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
[Sidenote: =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;
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]
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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.
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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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 some[1530] 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
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.
[Sidenote: Qualiter Appolinus ludum gignasii vincens in
aulam[1532] 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,
[Sidenote: =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 halle[1534]
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 deserved[1535]
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,
And such a sorwe he tok therfore,
That he sat evere stille and thoghte,
As he which of no mete roghte.
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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:
[Sidenote: =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 se[1539]
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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 man[1543]
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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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 note[1547] 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,
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]
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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]
Seith sche is siek, and of that speche
Tho was no time to beseche;
Bot ech of hem do make a bille[1555]
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: Qualiter Rex et Regina in maritagium filie sue
cum Appolino consencierunt.]
The king ne wolde noght bewreie
[Sidenote: =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 good[1557]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
Bot ther acorded thei divise[1559] 950
The day and time of Mariage.
[Sidenote: 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 honeste[1560]
Withinnen house and ek withoute
It was so don, that al aboute 960
Of gret worschipe, of gret noblesse[1561]
Ther cride many a man largesse[1562]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 308=]
Thei gete a child betwen hem tuo,
To whom fell after mochel wo.
[Sidenote: 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,
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 kinde[1566]
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.
[Sidenote: =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 desir[1568]
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.
[Sidenote: 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
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.
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: Qualiter Appolinus vxoris sue mortem planxit.]
Appolinus whan he this knew,
For sorwe a swoune he overthrew,[1572] 1060
That noman wiste in him no lif.
And whanne he wok, he seide, ‘Ha, wif,
[Sidenote: =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 lich[1575]
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,
[Sidenote: =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.
The king, which understod here wille[1576]
[Sidenote: Qualiter suadentibus nautis corpus vxoris sue
mortue in quadam Cista plumbo et ferro obtusa[1577] que
circumligata Appolinus cum magno thesauro vna cum quadam
littera sub eius capite scripta recludi et in mare[1578]
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 beyete[1581] 1120
Forth with a lettre, and seide thus:
[Sidenote: Copia littere Appolini capiti vxoris sue supposite.]
‘I, king of Tyr Appollinus,
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: Qualiter corpus predicte defuncte super litus
apud Ephesim quidam medicus nomine Cerymon cum aliquibus
suis discipulis inuenit; quod in hospicium suum[1585]
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,
[Sidenote: =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
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 bewounde[1587]
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;
[Sidenote: =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?’
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: Qualiter vxor Appolini sanata domum religionis
peciit, vbi sacro[1591] 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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 317=]
That in som temple of the Cite,
To kepe and holde hir chastete,
Sche mihte among the wommen duelle.
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 cost[1593]
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 pourveance[1596] 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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 318=]
In what plit that hire lord stod inne:
He seileth, til that he may winne[1597]
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:
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
[Sidenote: =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
In sondri wise he was travailed,
Bot hou so evere he be assailed,
His latere ende schal be good.
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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,
And made him swere in conseil thus, 1360
That he such time as sche him sette
Schal come Thaise forto fette,
[Sidenote: =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 fulfille[1604]
Hire hestes at hire oghne wille.
[Sidenote: Qualiter Dionisia Thaysim, vt occideretur,[1605]
Theophilo seruo suo tradidit, qui cum noctanter longius
ab vrbe ipsam prope litus maris interficere proposuerat,
Pirate ibidem prope[1608] 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 knape[1606]
Hath lad this maiden ther he wolde[1607]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 322=]
Of this feloun, and he to go,
And sche began to crie tho,
‘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 wolde[1615]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 323=]
He ladde hire to the bordel tho.[1616]
[Sidenote: 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
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 preide[1619]
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
[Sidenote: =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 can[1622]
In al this lond.’ And tho this man
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]
[Sidenote: 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:
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 325=]
Sche can the wisdom of a clerk,
Sche can of every lusti werk[1624]
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.
[Sidenote: 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
He seith, ‘Ma Dame, slain I have[1627]
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]
[Sidenote: =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 holde[1632]
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
[Sidenote: Qualiter Appolinus in regno suo apud Tyrum
existens parliamentum fieri constituit.]
Thus was this false treson hidd,
Which afterward was wyde kidd,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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,
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,
[Sidenote: Qualiter Nauis Appolini ventis agitata portum
vrbis Mitelene in die quo festa Neptuni celebrare[1635]
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 he[1636] 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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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 bere[1641]
For oght that he can don or sein;
And thus he goth him up ayein.
Tho was ther spoke in many wise[1642]
Amonges hem that weren wise, 1650
Now this, now that, bot ate laste
[Sidenote: 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
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.
[Sidenote: =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 laste[1645]
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,
[Sidenote: =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.’
[Sidenote: 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;
[Sidenote: =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
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.
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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;
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.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: =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,
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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 Audience[1657]
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 337=]
Of hem that stoden thanne aboute,[1658]
He tolde hem and declareth oute
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:
[Sidenote: =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,
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.
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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]
[Sidenote: 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
This lond hath set in governance,[1666] 1920
And seide thanne he wolde wende[1667]
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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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,
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.
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 341=]
[Sidenote: 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 conceive[1675]
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,
Wher alle goode him was fuisouned.
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [THE LOVER REQUIRES COUNSEL.]]
Such lust is noght of loves kinde.
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [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,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.
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 knowe[1689]
Wher that he goth, til he be falle:
Forthi, bot if it so befalle[1690]
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,
[Sidenote: =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
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [THE CONTROVERSY.]]
Mi fader, so as I have herd
Your tale, bot it were ansuerd, 2150
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 348=]
Be frendlich toward mi querele,
So that myn herte were in hele
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 hove[1694]
In noncertein betwen the tuo,[1695]
And not if I to wel or wo[1696] 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 port[1697]
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [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 endite[1699]
Unto Cupide and to Venus,
And in mi lettre I seide thus.
The wofull peine of loves maladie,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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.
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.
[Sidenote: =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 lance[1706] 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.
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.
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [VENUS REPLIES TO THE SUPPLICATION.]]
Whanne I this Supplicacioun
With good deliberacioun,
[Sidenote: 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.
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 353=]
So as I myhte, under a tre
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 game[1711]
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 finde[1713]
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 desdeigned[1715]
And evere schal; for it receiveth
Non such that kinde so deceiveth.
[Sidenote: =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,
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 sieke[1716]
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;
[Sidenote: =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)
Venus, which stant withoute lawe
In noncertein, bot as men drawe
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: =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 hore[1724]
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.
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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 357=]
Wherof the lacketh, as I trowe:
So sitte it wel that thou beknowe[1726]
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.’
[Sidenote: [THE COMPANIES OF LOVERS.]]
Whan Venus hath hir tale told, 2440
And I bethoght was al aboute,[1730]
[Sidenote: 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]
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
[Sidenote: =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 likende[1735]
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,
That it was half a mannes hele
So glad a noise forto hiere.
And as me thoghte, in this manere
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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,
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,
[Sidenote: =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
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 Cave[1738]
With Serpentz hath hirself begrave
Alquik, and so sche was totore,[1739]
For sorwe of that sche hadde lore
[Sidenote: =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]
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,
[Sidenote: =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 lay[1741]
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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 364=]
Bot deide only for drede of schame
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 one[1743] 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 lay[1746]
Hath take. And thanne, as I behield,
Me thoghte I sih upon the field,
[Sidenote: =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]
And noght forthi, so as thei myhte,
Thei made hem yongly to the sihte:
Bot yit herde I no pipe there[1749]
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]
[Sidenote: =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 so[1756]
Hath bridled, that in thilke time
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
[Sidenote: =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
[Sidenote: [CUPID AND THE LOVER.]]
Upon the point which him was preid
Cam with Venus, wher I was leid
[Sidenote: 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:
[Sidenote: =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;
[Sidenote: 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,
[Sidenote: [THE FIERY DART WITHDRAWN.]]
Forth with his moder full avised,
Hath determined and devised
[Sidenote: =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 hond[1759]
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.
[Sidenote: [THE HEALING OF LOVE.]]
Bot Venus wente noght therfore,
Ne Genius, whiche thilke time[1760]
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
[Sidenote: =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,
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,
[Sidenote: 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
[Sidenote: =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 schape[1765] 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]
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,
[Sidenote: =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.’
[Sidenote: [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.’
[Sidenote: Amans.]
‘Min holi fader, grant mercy,’
Quod I to him, and to the queene[1770]
I fell on knes upon the grene, 2900
And tok my leve forto wende.
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: =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
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,
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 374=]
Thiself and I, nevere after this.
Now have y seid al that ther is[1775]
Of love as for thi final ende:
*Adieu, for y mot fro the wende.’ 2940
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 375=]
And with that word al sodeinly,
Enclosid in a sterred sky,[1776]
Venus, which is the qweene of love,
Was take in to hire place above,
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: =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 entente[1779]
Uppon the point that y am schryve
I thenke bidde whil y live.[1780] 2970
[Sidenote: [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 sevene[1781]
This large world forth with the hevene
[Sidenote: 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,
To thilke lord in special, 2980
[Sidenote: =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]
[Sidenote: [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
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 is[1787]
Touchende of the chevalerie,
Which forto loke, in som partie
Is worthi forto be comendid,
And in som part to ben amendid, 3010
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 380=]
That of here large retenue
The lond is ful of maintenue,
Which causith that the comune right[1788]
In fewe contrees stant upright.
Extorcioun, contekt, ravine[1789]
Withholde ben of that covyne,
Aldai men hierin gret compleignte
Of the desease, of the constreignte,
Wher of the poeple is sore oppressid:
God graunte it mote be redressid. 3020
For of knyghthode thordre wolde
That thei defende and kepe scholde
The comun right and the fraunchise[1790]
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
[Sidenote: =P. iii. 381=]
And namely of divisioun,
Which many a noble worthi toun
Fro welthe and fro prosperite
Hath brought to gret adversite.
So were it good to ben al on,
For mechil grace ther uppon[1793]
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.
[Sidenote: [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 drawe[1795] 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
First un to rightwisnesse entende,
Wherof that he hym self amende 3070
[Sidenote: =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 wise[1799]
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.
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [THE BOOK COMPLETED.]]
And now to speke as in final,
Touchende that y undirtok
[Sidenote: 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
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,
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
[Sidenote: =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.
[Sidenote: [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,
Which many an herte hath overtake,
And ovyrturnyd as the blynde
Fro reson in to lawe of kynde;
Wher as the wisdom goth aweie[1804]
And can nought se the ryhte weie
How to governe his oghne estat,
Bot everydai stant in debat[1805] 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
[Sidenote: =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,
[Sidenote: [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 olde 2950*
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*
[Sidenote: [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
[Sidenote: 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 intelligence[1821]
In mannes soule resonable
Enspired to himself semblable,
Wherof the man of his feture
Above alle erthly creature[1822]
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 founde[1825]
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:
[Sidenote: [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 broghte[1827]
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 power[1835]
Not only hier at hom to seke[1836]
Love and acord, but outward eke,[1837]
As he that save his poeple wolde.
So ben we alle wel beholde[1838] 3020*
To do service and obeyssaunce
To him, which of his heyh suffraunce[1839]
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
[Sidenote: [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 presente[1850] 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 take[1854]
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 aprise[1856] 3060*
And eek somdel for lust and game[1857]
I have it mad, as thilke same[1858]
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]
[Sidenote: [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 thing[1862]
That I this bok have mad and write,[1863]
Mi Muse doth me forto wite[1864]
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 make[1867]
It sit him wel to singe and daunce,[1868]
And do to love his entendance 3080*
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 crave[1869]
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 more 3090*
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,
[Sidenote: [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 special[1876]
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 graunte[1879] 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]
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 inpunitu_m_ 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 me_n_ 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 neu_er_e M
[1576] 1098 _Latin here and at_ 1122, 1141, 1151, 1324, 1373, 1424
_om._ SΔ (_up to_ 2029 _om._ Δ)
[1577] 1102 _margin_ obtusa q_ue_ C, B obtusaq_ue_ 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 whan_n_e 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 haue_n_ 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 (þ_at_ 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 þ_er_e F þer (þ_er_) 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_ No_ta_ LB₂, F No_ta_ b_e_n_e_ 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 p_er_nable J, SΔ, FK parnable W p_ro_uable (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 þ_at_ is B howe it is W
[1788] 3013 comune (com_m_une) 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 whan_n_e 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 q_ue_ 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]=Quia[1884] vnusquisque, prout a deo accepit, aliis
impartiri tenetur, Iohannes Gower super hiis que deus sibi
sensualiter[1885] donauit villicacionis sue racionem,
dum tempus instat,[1886] secundum aliquid alleuiare
cupiens,[1887] inter labores et ocia ad aliorum noticiam
tres libros doctrine causa forma subsequenti propterea
composuit.=
=Primus liber Gallico sermone editus in decem diuiditur
partes, et tractans de viciis et virtutibus,[1888] necnon
et de variis huius seculi gradibus,[1889] viam qua peccator
transgressus ad sui creatoris agnicionem redire debet,
recto tramite docere conatur. Titulusque[1890] libelli
istius Speculum Meditantis[1891] 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 vsque[1894] nunc tempora
distinguit.[1895] Tractat eciam secundum Aristotilem[1896]
super hiis quibus rex Alexander tam in sui regimen[1897]
quam aliter[1898] eius disciplina edoctus fuit. Principalis
tamen huius operis[1899] materia[1900] super amorem et
infatuatas amantum passiones fundamentum habet. Nomenque
sibi appropriatum Confessio Amantis specialiter[1901]
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
TO KING HENRY THE FOURTH[1902]
IN PRAISE OF PEACE[1903]
[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.
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 governynge[1913]
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.
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 matiere[1918]
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
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.
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.
=T=he 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.
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 was[1931]
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.
=H=a, 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.
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.
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.
=T=he 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 wit[1949]
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 hond[1951]
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.
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.
=U=ppon 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.
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]
=O=f 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 natheles[1967]
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]
=C=assodre, 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.
=M=y 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.
My lord, in whom hath evere yit be founde[1975]
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]
=N=oght 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 suus[1979] 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.=
[1981]Rex 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
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:
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 potestas[1985]
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 honori[1987]
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 v^o-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] þ_at_ 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
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 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 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, 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.’
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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?’
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’ 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_,
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
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.’
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_.
* * * * *
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.’
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.’
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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,’
‘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
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
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.
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.
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 v^o): 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
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, 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 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
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,
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.
* * * * *
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 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.
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 v^{o}).
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.’
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.
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 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. 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 v^o), 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.
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 v^o).
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 v^o). Gower has toned
this down to courtesy.
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 v^o).
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
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,’ _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 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).
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.’ 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 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.’
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_.
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
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
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 v^o), 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 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 v^{o}-378), and
reprinted from this in the succeeding folio editions of Chaucer (e. g.
1561, f. 330 v^{o}, 1598, f. 330 v^{o}, 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 y^t 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_) 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, _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.
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.
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.
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,
_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.
=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=.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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=, 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)=, 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.
=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,
_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.
=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.
=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.
=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;
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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=.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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,
=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.
=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.
=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=.
=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.
=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.
=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,
=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.
=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,
_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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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=.
=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,
_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.
=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,
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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._ =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.
=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.
=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=.
=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.
=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.
=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:
_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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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=.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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).
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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,
_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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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=.
=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=,
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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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=.
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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
=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.
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