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Title: Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's 'De Consolatione Philosophiae'
Author: Chaucer, Geoffrey, 1343?-1400
Language: English
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Chaucer’s Translation of
BOETHIUS’S “DE CONSOLATIONE
PHILOSOPHIÆ”
EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY
Extra Series, No. 5
1868
(Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc., 1969)
Price 40s.
Chaucer’s Translation of
BOETHIUS’S “DE CONSOLATIONE
PHILOSOPHIÆ”
Edited From
British Museum Additional MS. 10,340
Collated With
Cambridge University Library MS. Ii.3.21
By
RICHARD MORRIS
_Published for_
THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY
_by the_
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
London New York Toronto
First Published 1868
Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc.,
and 1969
Extra Series, No. 5
Originally printed by
Richard Clay & Sons Ltd., London and Bungay
and now reprinted lithographically in Great Britain
at the University Press, Oxford
by Vivian Ridler
Printer to the University
INTRODUCTION.
When master hands like those of Gibbon and Hallam have sketched the life
of _Boethius_, it is well that no meaner man should attempt to mar their
pictures. They drew, perhaps, the most touching scene in Middle-age
literary history,--the just man in prison, awaiting death, consoled by
the Philosophy that had been his light in life, and handing down to
posterity for their comfort and strength the presence of her whose
silver rays had been his guide as well under the stars of Fortune as the
mirk of Fate. With Milton in his dark days, Boece in prison could say,--
‘I argue not
Against Heaven’s hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, friend, to have lost them overplied
In liberty’s defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe rings from side to side.’
For, indeed, the echoes of Boethius, Boethius, rang out loud from every
corner of European Literature. An Alfred awoke them in England, a
Chaucer, a Caxton would not let them die; an Elizabeth revived them
among the glorious music of her reign.[I-1] To us, though far off, they
come with a sweet sound. ‘The angelic’ Thomas Aquinas commented on him,
and many others followed the saint’s steps. Dante read him, though,
strange to say, he speaks of the Consolation as ‘a book not known by
many.’[I-2] Belgium had her translations--both Flemish[I-3] and
French[I-4]; Germany hers,[I-5] France hers,[I-6] Italy hers.[I-7] The
Latin editors are too numerous to be catalogued here, and manuscripts
abound in all our great libraries.
No philosopher was so bone of the bone and flesh of the flesh of
Middle-age writers as Boethius. Take up what writer you will, and you
find not only the sentiments, but the very words of the distinguished
old Roman. And surely we who read him in Chaucer’s tongue, will not
refuse to say that his full-circling meed of glory was other than
deserved. Nor can we marvel that at the end of our great poet’s life, he
was glad that he had swelled the chorus of Boethius’ praise; and ‘of the
translacioun of Boece de Consolacioun,’ thanked ‘oure Lord Ihesu Crist
and his moder, and alle the seintes in heuen.’
The impression made by Boethius on Chaucer was evidently very deep. Not
only did he translate him directly, as in the present work, but he read
his beloved original over and over again, as witness the following list,
incomplete of course, of passages from Chaucer’s poems translated more
or less literally from the _De Consolatione_:
[Footnote I-1: Other translations are by John Walton of Osney, in
verse, in 1410 (Reg. MS. 18, A 13), first printed at Tavistock in
1525, and to be edited some time or other for the E.E.T.S. An
anonymous prose version in the Bodleian. George Coluile, alias
Coldewel, 1556; J. T. 1609; H. Conningesbye, 1664; Lord Preston,
1695, 1712; W. Causton, 1730; Redpath, 1785; R. Duncan, 1789;
anon. 1792 (Lowndes).]
[Footnote I-2: Dante, in his _Convito_, says, “Misimi a legger
quello _non conosciuto da molti_ libro di Boezio, nel quale
captivo e discacciato consolato s’avea.”]
[Footnote I-3: Printed at Ghent, 1485.]
[Footnote I-4: By Reynier de Seinct Trudon, printed at Bruges,
1477.]
[Footnote I-5: An old version of the 11th cent., printed by Graff,
and a modern one printed at Nuremberg, 1473.]
[Footnote I-6: By Jean de Méung, printed at Paris, 1494.]
[Footnote I-7: By Varchi, printed at Florence, 1551; Parma, 1798.]
I. LOVE.
Wost thou nat wel the olde clerkes sawe,
That who schal yeve a lover eny lawe,
Love is a grettere lawe, by my pan,
Then may be yeve to (of) eny erthly man?
(_Knightes Tale, Aldine Series_, vol. ii. p. 36, 37.)
But what is he þat may ȝeue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter
lawe and a strengere to hym self þan any lawe þat men may ȝeuen.
(_Chaucer’s Prose Translation_, p. 108.)
_Quis legem det amantibus?
Major lex amor est sibi._
(Boeth., lib. iii. met. 12.)
II. A DRUNKEN MAN.
A dronke man wot wel he hath an hous,
But he not[I-8] which the righte wey is thider.
(_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 39.)
_Ryȝt as a dronke man not nat[I-9] by whiche paþe he may retourne
home to hys house._
(Chaucer’s Trans., p. 67.)
_Sed velut ebrius, domum quo tramite revertatur, ignorat._
(Boeth., lib. iii. pr. 2.)
[Footnote I-8: The Harl. MS. reads _not nat_, to the confusion of
the metre.]
[Footnote I-9: = ne wot nat = knows not.]
III. THE CHAIN OF LOVE.
The firste moevere of the cause above,
Whan he first made the fayre cheyne of love,
Gret was theffect, and heigh was his entente;
Wel wist he why, and what therof he mente;
_For with that faire cheyne of love he bond
The fyr, the watir, the eyr, and eek the lond
In certeyn boundes, that they may not flee._
(_Knightes Tale_, p. 92.)
That þe world with stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges //
þat the contraryos qualite of elementȝ holden amonge hem self
aliaunce perdurable / þat phebus the sonne with his goldene
chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / þat the mone hath
commaundement ouer the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesperus the eue
sterre hat[h] browt // þat þe se gredy to flowen constreyneth with
a certeyn ende hise floodes / so þat it is nat l[e]ueful to
strechche hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // þat is
to seyn to couere alle the erthe // Al this a-cordaunce of thinges
is bownden with looue / þat gouerneth erthe and see / and [he]
hath also commaundementȝ to the heuenes / and yif this looue
slakede the brydelis / alle thinges þat now louen hem to-gederes /
wolden maken a batayle contynuely and stryuen to fordoon the
fasoun of this worlde / the which they now leden in acordable
feith by fayre moeuynges // this looue halt to-gideres poeples /
ioygned with an hooly bond / and knytteth sacrement of maryages of
chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to trewe felawes // O
weleful weere mankynde / yif thilke loue þat gouerneth heuene
gouerned yowre corages /.
(_Chaucer’s Boethius_, bk. ii. met. 8.)
Quod mundus stabili fide
Concordes variat vices,
Quod pugnantia semina
Fœdus perpetuum tenent,
Quod Phœbus roseum diem
Curru provehit aureo,
Ut quas duxerit Hesperus
Phœbe noctibus imperet,
Ut fluctus avidum mare
Certo fine coerceat,
Ne terris liceat vagis
Latos tundere terminos;
_Hanc rerum seriem ligat,
Terras ac pelagus regens,
Et cœlo imperitans amor._
Hic si fræna remiserit,
Quicquid nunc amat invicem,
Bellum continuo geret:
Et quam nunc socia fide
Pulcris motibus incitant,
Certent solvere machinam.
Hic sancto populos quoque
Junctos fœdere continet,
Hic et conjugii sacrum
Castis nectit amoribus,
Hic fidis etiam sua
Dictat jura sodalibus.
O felix hominum genus,
Si vestros animos amor,
Quo cælum regitur, regat.
(_Boeth._, lib. ii. met. 8.)
Love, that of erth and se hath governaunce!
Love, that his hestes hath in hevene hye!
Love, that with an holsom alliaunce
Halt peples joyned, as hym liste hem gye!
Love, that knetteth law and compaignye,
And couples doth in vertu for to dwelle!
(_Troylus & Cryseyde_, st. 243, vol. iv. p. 296.)
That, that the world with faith, which that is stable
Dyverseth so, his stoundes concordynge;--
That elementz, that ben so discordable,
Holden a bond, perpetualy durynge;--
That Phebus mot his rosy carte forth brynge,
And that the mone hath lordschip overe the nyghte;--
Al this doth Love, ay heryed be his myght!
That, that the se, that gredy is to flowen,
Constreyneth to a certeyn ende so
Hise flodes, that so fiersly they ne growen
To drenchen erth and alle for everemo;
And if that Love aught lete his brydel go,
Al that now loveth asonder sholde lepe,
And lost were al that Love halt now to kepe.
(_Ibid._ st. 244, 245.)
IV. MUTABILITY DIRECTED AND LIMITED BY AN IMMUTABLE AND DIVINE
INTELLIGENCE.
That same prynce and moevere eek, quod he,
Hath stabled, in this wrecched world adoun,
Certeyn dayes and duracioun
To alle that er engendrid in this place,
Over the whiche day they may nat pace,
Al mowe they yit wel here dayes abregge;
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Than may men wel by this ordre discerne
That thilke moevere stabul is and eterne.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
And therfore of his wyse purveaunce
He hath so wel biset his ordenaunce,
That spices of thinges and progressiouns
Schullen endure by successiouns
And nat eterne be, withoute any lye.
(_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 92, 93.)
Þe engendrynge of alle þinges quod she and alle þe progressiouns
of muuable nature. and alle þat moeueþ in any manere takiþ hys
causes. hys ordre. and hys formes. of þe stablenesse of þe deuyne
þouȝt [and thilke deuyne thowht] þat is yset and put in þe toure.
þat is to seyne in þe heyȝt of þe simplicite of god. stablisiþ
many manere gyses to þinges þat ben to don.
(_Chaucer’s Boethius_, bk. iv. pr. 6, p. 134.)
V. THE PART IS DERIVED FROM THE WHOLE, THE IMPERFECT FROM THE PERFECT.
Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool,
That every partye dyryveth from his hool.
For nature hath nat take his bygynnyng
Of no partye ne cantel of a thing,
But of a thing that parfyt is and stable,
Descendyng so, til it be corumpable.
(_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 92.)
For al þing þat is cleped inperfit . is proued inperfit by þe
amenusynge of perfeccioun . or of þing þat is perfit . and her-of
comeþ it . þat in euery þing general . yif þat . þat men seen any
þing þat is inperfit . certys in þilke general þer mot ben somme
þing þat is perfit. For yif so be þat perfeccioun is don awey .
men may nat þinke nor seye fro whennes þilke þing is þat is cleped
inperfit . For þe nature of þinges ne token nat her bygynnyng of
þinges amenused and inperfit . but it procediþ of þingus þat ben
al hool . and absolut . and descendeþ so doune in-to outerest
þinges and in-to þingus empty and wiþ-oute fruyt . but as I haue
shewed a litel her byforne . þat yif þer be a blisfulnesse þat be
frele and vein and inperfit . þer may no man doute . þat þer nys
som blisfulnesse þat is sad stedfast and perfit.’
(bk. iii. pr. 10, p. 89.)
Omne enim quod imperfectum esse dicitur, id deminutione perfecti
imperfectum esse perhibetur. Quo fit ut si in quolibet genere
imperfectum quid esse videatur, in eo perfectum quoque aliquod
esse necesse sit. Etenim perfectione sublata, unde illud, quod
imperfectum perhibetur, extiterit, ne fingi quidem potest. _Neque
enim ab diminutis inconsummatisque natura rerum cepit exordium,
sed ab integris absolutisque procedens in hæc extrema atque effœta
dilabitur._ Quod si, uti paulo ante monstravimus, est quædam boni
fragilis imperfecta felicitas, esse aliquam solidam perfectamque
non potest dubitari.
(_Boeth._, lib. iii. pr. 10.)
VI. GENTILITY.
For gentilnesse nys but renomé
Of thin auncestres, for her heigh bounté
Which is a straunge thing to thy persone.
(_The Wyf of Bathes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 241.)
For if þe name of gentilesse be referred to renoun and clernesse
of linage. þan is gentil name but a foreine þing.
(_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 78.)
_Quæ_ [nobilitas], _si ad claritudinem refertur, aliena est._
(_Boethius_, lib. iii. pr. 6.)
VII. NERO’S CRUELTY.
No teer out of his eyen for that sighte
Ne cam; but sayde, a fair womman was sche.
Gret wonder is how that he couthe or mighte
Be domesman on hir dede beauté.
(_The Monkes Tale_, vol. iii. p. 217.)
Ne no tere ne wette his face, but he was so hard-herted þat he
myȝte ben domesman or iuge of hire dede beauté.
(_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 55.)
Ora non tinxit lacrymis, sed esse
Censor extincti potuit decoris.
(_Boethius_, lib. ii. met. 6.)
VIII. PREDESTINATION AND FREE-WILL.
In ‘Troylus and Cryseyde’ we find the following long passage taken from
Boethius, book v. prose 2, 3.
Book iv. st. 134, vol. iv. p. 339.
(1) Syn God seth every thynge, out of doutaunce,
And hem disponeth, thorugh his ordinaunce,
In hire merites sothely for to be,
As they shul comen by predesteyné
136
(2) For som men seyn if God seth al byforne,
Ne God may not deseyved ben pardé!
Than moot it fallen, theigh men hadde it sworne,
That purveyaunce hath seyn befor to be,
Wherfor I seye, that, from eterne, if he
Hathe wiste byforn our thought ek as oure dede,
We have no fre choys, as thise clerkes rede.
137
(3) For other thoughte, nor other dede also,
Myghte nevere ben, but swich as purveyaunce,
Which may nat ben deceyved nevere moo,
Hath feled byforne, withouten ignoraunce;
For if ther myghte ben a variaunce,
To wrythen out fro Goddes purveyinge,
Ther nere no prescience of thynge comynge;
138
(4) But it were rather an opinyon
Uncertein, and no stedfast forseynge;
And certes that were an abusyon
That God shold han no parfit clere wetynge,
More than we men, that han douteous wenynge,
But swich an erroure upon God to gesse
Were fals, and foule, and wikked corsednesse.
139
(5) They seyn right thus, that thynge is nat to come,
For that the prescience hath seyne byfore
That it shal come; but they seyn that therfore
That it shal come, therfor the purveyaunce
Woot it bifore, withouten ignorance.
140
(6) And in this manere this necessité
Retourneth in his part contrarye agayn;
For nedfully byhoveth it not to be,
That thilke thynges fallen in certeyn
That ben purveyed; but nedly, as they seyne,
Bihoveth it that thynges, which that falle,
That thei in certein ben purveied alle.
141
(7) I mene as though I labourede me in this,
To enqueren which thynge cause of whiche thynge be;
(8) As, whether that the prescience of God is
The certein cause of the necessité
Of thynges that to comen ben, pardé!
Or, if necessité of thynge comynge
Be cause certein of the purveyinge.
142
(9) But now nenforce I me nat in shewynge
How the ordre of causes stant; but wel woot I
That it bihoveth that the bifallynge
Of thynges, wiste bifor certeinly,
Be necessarie, al seme it nat therby
That prescience put fallynge necessaire
To thynge to come, al falle it foule or faire.
143
(10) For, if ther sit a man yonde on a see, [seat]
Than by necessité bihoveth it,
That certes thyn opinioun soth be,
That wenest or conjectest that he sit;
And, further over, now ayeinwarde yit,
Lo right so is it on the part contrarie,
As thus,--nowe herkene, for I wol nat tarie:--
144
(11) I sey, that if the opinion of the
Be soth for that he sit, than seye I this,
That he moot sitten by necessité;
And thus necessité in either is,
For in hym nede of sittynge is, ywis,
And in the, nede of soth; and thus forsoth
Ther mot necessité ben in yow bothe.
145
(12) But thow maist seyne, the man sit nat therfore,
That thyn opinioun of his sittynge sothe is;
But rather, for the man sat there byfore,
Therfor is thyn opinioun soth, ywys;
And I seye, though the cause of soth of this
Cometh of his sittynge, yet necessité
Is interchaunged both in hym and the.
146
(13) Thus in the same wyse, out of doutaunce,
I may wel maken, as it semeth me,
My resonynge of Goddes purveiaunce,
And of the thynges that to comen be; . . .
147
(14) For although that for thynge shal come, ywys,
Therfor it is purveyed certeynly,
Nat that it cometh for it purveied is;
Yet, natheles, bihoveth it nedfully,
That thynge to come be purveied trewly;
Or elles thynges that purveied be.
That they bitiden by necessité.
148
(15) And this sufficeth right ynough, certeyn,
For to distruye oure fre choys everydele.
(1) Quæ tamen ille ab æterno cuncta prospiciens providentiæ cernit
intuitus, et suis quæque meritis prædestinata disponit. . . . .
(_Boethius_, lib. v. pr. 2.) . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) Nam si cuncta prospicit Deus neque falli ullo modo potest,
evenire necesse est, quod providentia futurum esse præviderit.
Quare si ab æterno non facta hominum modo, sed etiam consilia
voluntatesque prænoscit, nulla erit arbitrii libertas;
(3) Neque enim vel factum aliud ullum vel quælibet existere
poterit voluntas, nisi quam nescia falli providentia divina
præsenserit. Nam si res aliorsum, quam provisæ sunt detorqueri
valent, non jam erit futuri firma præscientia;
(4) Sed opinio potius incerta; quod de Deo nefas credere judico.
(5) Aiunt enim non ideo quid esse eventurum quoniam id providentia
futurum esse prospexerit; sed e contrario potius, quoniam quid
futurum est, id divinam providentiam latere non possit.
(6) Eoque modo necessarium est hoc in contrariam relabi partem;
neque enim necesse est contingere quæ providentur, sed necesse est
quæ futura sunt provideri.
(7) Quasi vero quæ cujusque rei causa sit,
(8) Præscientiane futurorum necessitatis an futurorum necessitas
providentiæ, laboretur.
(9) At nos illud demonstrare nitamur, quoquo modo sese habeat ordo
causarum, necessarium esse eventum præscitarum rerum, etiam si
præscientia futuris rebus eveniendi necessitatem non videatur
inferre.
(10) Etenim si quispiam sedeat, opinionem quæ eum sedere conjectat
veram esse necesse est: at e converso rursus,
(11) Si de quopiam vera sit opinio quoniam sedet eum sedere
necesse est. In utroque igitur necessitas inest: in hoc quidem
sedendi, at vero in altero veritatis.
(12) Sed non idcirco quisque sedet, quoniam vera est opinio: sed
hæc potius vera est, quoniam quempiam sedere præcessit. Ita cum
causa veritatis ex altera parte procedat, inest tamen communis in
utraque necessitas.
(13) Similia de providentia futurisque rebus ratiocinari patet.
(14) Nam etiam si idcirco, quoniam futura sunt, providentur: non
vero ideo, quoniam providentur, eveniunt: nihilo minus tamen a Deo
vel ventura provideri, vel provisa evenire necesse est:
(15) Quod ad perimendam arbitrii libertatem solum satis est.
(lib. v. pr. 3.)
See _Chaucer’s Boethius_, pp. 154-6.
IX. THE GRIEF OF REMEMBERING BYGONE HAPPINESS.
For, of fortunes scharp adversité,
The worste kynde of infortune is this,
A man to han ben in prosperité,
And it remembren, when it passed is.
(_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 226, vol. iv. p. 291.)
Sed hoc est, quod recolentem me vehementius coquit. Nam in omni
adversitate fortunæ infelicissimum genus est infortunii, fuisse
felicem.[I-10]
(_Boethius_, lib. ii. pr. 4.)
[Footnote I-10: Cf. Dante, _Inferno_, V. 121.
Nessun maggior dolore
Che ricordarsi del tempo felice
Nella miseria; e ciò sa ’l tuo Dottore.]
X. VULTURES TEAR THE STOMACH OF TITYUS IN HELL.
----Syciphus in Helle,
Whos stomak fowles tyren everemo,
That hyghten volturis.
(_Troylus and Cryseyde_, book i. st. 113, p. 140.)
Þe fowel þat hyȝt voltor þat etiþ þe stomak or þe giser of ticius.
(_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 107.)
XI. THE MUTABILITY OF FORTUNE.
For if hire (Fortune’s) whiel stynte any thinge to torne
Thanne cessed she Fortune anon to be.
(_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. i. st. 122, p. 142.)
If fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] þan to ben fortune.
(_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 32.)
(Compare stanzas 120, 121, p. 142, and stanza 136, p. 146, of ‘Troylus
and Cryseyde’ with pp. 31, 33, 35, and p. 34 of Chaucer’s Boethius.)
At omnium mortalium stolidissime, si manere incipit, fors esse
desistit.
(_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 1.)
XII. WORLDLY SELYNESSE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Imedled is with many a bitternesse.
Ful angwyshous than is, God woote, quod she,
Condicion of veyn prosperité!
For oyther joies comen nought yfeere,
Or elles no wight hath hem alwey here.
(_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 110, p. 258.)
Þe swetnesse of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e]
bitternesses.
(_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 42.)
--ful anguissous þing is þe condicioun of mans goodes. For eyþer
it comeþ al to-gidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it lasteþ not perpetuely.
(_Ib._ p. 41.)
Quam multis amaritudinibus humanæ felicitatis dulcedo respersa
est!
(_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 4.)
Anxia enim res est humanorum conditio bonorum, et quæ vel nunquam
tota proveniat, vel nunquam perpetua subsistat.
(_Ib._)
O, brotel wele of mannes joie unstable!
With what wight so thow be, or how thow pleye,
Oither he woot that thow joie art muable,
Or woot it nought, it mot ben on of tweyen:
Now if he woot it not, how may he seyen
That he hath veray joie and selynesse,
That is of ignoraunce ay in distresse?
Now if he woote that joie is transitorie,
As every joie of worldly thynge mot fle,
Thanne every tyme he that hath in memorie,
The drede of lesyng maketh hym that he
May in no parfyte selynesse be:
And if to lese his joie, he sette not a myte,
Than semeth it, that joie is worth ful lite.
(_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 111, 112, vol. iv. p. 258.)
(1) What man þat þis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ, eiþer he woot
þat [it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat. And yif he woot
it not. what blisful fortune may þer be in þe blyndenesse of
ignoraunce.
(2) And yif he woot þat it is chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad
þat he ne lese þat þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may
leesen it. . . . . . For whiche þe continuel drede þat he haþ
ne suffriþ hym nat to ben weleful. Or ellys yif he leese it he
wene[þ] to be dispised and forleten hit. Certis eke þat is a ful
lytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan it is loost.
(_Chaucer’s Boethius_, pp. 43, 44.)
(1) Quem caduca ista felicitas vehit, vel scit eam, vel nescit
esse mutabilem. Si nescit, quænam beata sors esse potest
ignorantiæ in cæcitate?
(2) Si scit, metuat necesse est, ne amittat, quod amitti posse non
dubitat; quare continuus timor non sinit esse felicem. An vel si
amiserit, negligendum putat? Sic quoque perexile bonum est, quod
æquo animo feratur amissum.
(_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 4.)
XIII. FORTUNE.
----Fortune
That semeth trewest when she wol bigyle,
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
And, when a wight is from hire whiel ithrowe,
Than laugheth she, and maketh hym the mowe.
(_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 254, vol. iv. p. 299.)
She (Fortune) vseþ ful flatryng familarité wiþ hem þat she
enforceþ to bygyle.
(_Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 30.)
. . . . . . . She lauȝeþ and scorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe
whiche she haþ maked wepe wiþ hir free wille . . . . Yif þat a
wyȝt is seyn weleful and ouerþrowe in an houre.
(_Ib._ p. 33.)
In book v., stanza 260, vol. v. p. 75, Chaucer describes how the soul of
Hector, after his death, ascended ‘up to the holughnesse of the seventhe
spere.’ In so doing he seems to have had before him met. 1, book 4, of
Boethius, where the ‘soul’ is described as passing into the heaven’s
utmost sphere, and looking down on the world below. See _Chaucer’s
Boethius_, p. 110, 111.
Ætas Prima is of course a metrical version of lib. ii. met. 5.
Hampole speaks of the wonderful sight of the Lynx; perhaps he was
indebted to Boethius for the hint. --(See _Boethius_, book 3, pr. 8,
p. 81.)
I have seen the following elsewhere:
(1) Value not beauty, for it may be destroyed by a three days’
fever.
(See _Chaucer’s Boethius_, p. 81.)
(2) There is no greater plague than the enmity of thy familiar
friend.
(See _Chaucer’s_ translation, p. 77.)
* * * * *
Chaucer did not English Boethius second-hand, through any early French
version, as some have supposed, but made his translation with the Latin
original before him.
Jean de Méung’s version, the only early French translation, perhaps,
accessible to Chaucer, is not always literal, while the present
translation is seldom free or periphrastic, but conforms closely to the
Latin, and is at times awkwardly literal. A few passages, taken
haphazard, will make this sufficiently clear.
_Et dolor ætatem jussit inesse suam._ And sorou haþ comaunded his
age to be in me (p. 4).
Et ma douleur {com}ma{n}da a vieillesse
Entrer en moy / ains quen fust hors ieunesse.
_Mors hominum felix, quæ se nec dulcibus annis
Inserit, et mæstis sæpe vocata venit._
Þilke deeþ of men is welful þat ne comeþ not in ȝeres þat ben
swete (i. _mirie_). but comeþ to wrecches often yclepid. (p. 4)
On dit la mort des ho{m}es estre eureuse
Qui ne vie{n}t pas en saiso{n} pla{n}tureuse
Mais des tristes mo{u}lt souue{n}t appellee
Elle y affuit nue / seche et pelee.
_Querimoniam lacrymabilem._ Wepli compleynte (p. 5). Fr. ma
complainte moy esmouuant a pleurs.
_Styli officio._ Wiþ office of poyntel (p. 5). Fr. (que ie
reduisse) p{ar} escript.
_Inexhaustus._ Swiche . . . þat it ne myȝt[e] not be emptid (p.
5). Fr. inconsumptible.
_Scenicas meretriculas._ Comune strumpetis of siche a place þat
men clepen þe theatre (p. 6). Fr. ces ribaudelles fardees.
_Præcipiti profundo._ In ouer-þrowyng depnesse (p. 7).
[L]As que la pensee de lomme
Est troublee et plongie comme
En _abisme precipitee_
Sa propre lumiere gastee.
_Nec pervetusta nec incelebris._ Neyþer ouer-oolde ne vnsolempne
(p. 11). Fr. desquelz la memoire nest pas trop ancienne ou no{n}
recitee.
_Inter secreta otia._ Among my secre restyng whiles (p. 14). Fr.
entre mes secrettes {et} oyseuses estudes.
_Palatini canes._ Þe houndys of þe palays (p. 15). Fr. les chiens
du palais.
_Masculæ prolis._ Of þi masculyn children (p. 37). Fr. de ta
lignie masculine.
_Ad singularem felicitatis tuæ cumulum venire delectat._ It
deliteþ me to comen now to þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse
(p. 37). Fr. Il me plait venir au singulier monceau de ta
felicite.
_Consulare imperium._ Emperie of consulers (p. 51). Fr. le{m}pire
consulaire.
_Hoc ipsum brevis habitaculi._ Of þilke litel habitacle (p. 57).
Fr. de cest trespetit habitacle.
_Late patentes plagas._ Þe brode shewyng contreys (p. 60).
QVico{n}ques tend a gloire vaine
Et le croit estre souueraine
Voye _les regions pate{n}tes_
Du ciel . . . . . .
_Ludens hominum cura._ Þe pleiyng besines of men (p. 68).
Si quil tollist par doulz estude
Des hommes la solicitude . .
_Hausi cœlum._ I took heuene (p. 10). Fr. ie . . . regarday le
ciel.
_Certamen adversum præfectum prætorii communis commodi ratione
suscepi._ I took strif aȝeins þe prouost of þe pretorie for comune
profit (p. 15). Fr. ie entrepris lestrif a lencontre du prefect du
parlement royal a cause de la commune vtilite.
_At cujus criminis arguimur summam quæris?_ But axest þou in somme
of what gilt I am accused? (p. 17). Fr. Mais demandes tu la somme
du pechie duquel pechie nous so{m}mes arguez?
_Fortuita temeritate._ By fortunouse fortune (p. 26). Fr. par
fortuite folie.
_Quos premunt septem gelidi triones._ Alle þe peoples þat ben
vndir þe colde sterres þat hyȝten þe seuene triones (p. 55). Fr.
ceulx de septentrion.
_Ita ego quoque tibi veluti corollarium dabo._ Ryȝt so wil I ȝeue
þe here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune (p. 91). Fr.
semblablement ie te donneray ainsi que vng correlaire.
_In stadio._ In þe stadie or in þe forlonge (p. 119). Fr. ou (for
au) champ.
_Conjecto._ I coniecte (p. 154). Fr. ie coniecture.
_Nimium . . . adversari ac repugnare videtur._ It semeþ . . . to
repugnen and to contrarien gretly. Fr. Ce semble chose trop
contraire et repugnante.
_Universitatis ambitum._ Envirounynge of þe vniuersite (p. 165).
Fr. lauironnement de luniuersalite.
_Rationis universum._ Vniuersite of resoun (p. 165). Fr.
luniuersalite de Raison.
_Scientiam nunquam deficientis instantiæ rectius æstimabis._ Þou
shalt demen [it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science of presence or
of instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ (p. 174). Fr. mais tu la diras
plus droittement et mieulx science de instante p{re}sentialite non
iamais defaillant mais eternelle.
Many of the above examples are very bald renderings of the original, and
are only quoted here to show that Chaucer did not make his translation
from the French.
Chaucer is not always felicitous in his translations:--thus he
translates _clavus atque gubernaculum_ by _keye and a stiere_ (p. 103),
and _compendium_ (gain, acquisition) by _abreggynge_ (abridging,
curtailment), p. 151. Many terms make their appearance in English for
the first time,--and most of them have become naturalized, and are such
as we could ill spare. Some few are rather uncommon, as _gouernaile_
(gubernaculum), p. 27; _arbitre_ (arbitrium), p. 154. As Chaucer takes
the trouble to explain _inestimable_ (inæstimabilis), p. 158, it could
not have been a very familiar term.
Our translator evidently took note of various readings, for on p. 31 he
notes a variation of the original. On p. 51 he uses _armurers_
(= armures) to render _arma_, though most copies agree in reading
_arva_.
There are numerous glosses and explanations of particular passages,
which seem to be interpolated by Chaucer himself. Thus he explains what
is meant by the _heritage of Socrates_ (p. 10, 11); he gives the
meaning of _coemption_ (p. 15); of _Euripus_ (p. 33); of the _porch_
(p. 166).[I-11] Some of his definitions are very quaint; as, for
instance, that of Tragedy--‘_a dité of a prosperité for a tyme þat endiþ
in wrechednesse_’ (p. 35). One would think that the following definition
of Tragedian would be rather superfluous after this,--‘_a maker of dites
þat hyȝten_ (are called) _tregedies_’ (p. 77).
_Melliflui . . . oris Homerus_
is thus quaintly Englished: _Homer wiþ þe hony mouþe, þat is to seyn.
homer wiþ þe swete dites_ (p. 153).
* * * * *
The present translation of the _De Consolatione_ is taken from
Additional MS. 10,340, which is supposed to be the _oldest_ manuscript
that exists in our public libraries. After it was all copied out and
ready for press, Mr Bradshaw was kind enough to procure me, for the
purpose of collation, the loan of the Camb. University MS. Ii. 3. 21,
from which the various readings at the foot of the pages are taken.
Had I had an opportunity of examining the Cambridge MS. carefully
throughout before the work was so far advanced, I should certainly have
selected it in preference to the text now given to the reader. Though
not so ancient as the British Museum MS., it is far more correct in its
grammatical inflexions, and is no doubt a copy of an older and very
accurate text.
The Additional MS. is written by a scribe who was unacquainted with the
force of the final _-e_. Thus he adds it to the preterites of strong
verbs, which do not require it; he omits it in the preterites of weak
verbs where it is wanted, and attaches it to passive participles (of
weak verbs), where it is superfluous. The scribe of the Cambridge MS. is
careful to preserve the final _-e_ where it is a sign (1) of the
definite declension of the adjective; (2) of the plural adjective;
(3) of the infinitive mood; (4) of the preterite of weak verbs; (5) of
present participles;[I-12] (6) of the 2nd pers. pret. indic. of strong
verbs; (7) of adverbs; (8) of an older vowel ending.
The Addit. MS. has frequently _thilk_ (singular and plural), and _-nes_
(in _wrechednes_, &c.), when the Camb. MS. has _thilke_[I-13] and
_-nesse_.
For further differences the reader may consult the numerous collations
at the foot of the page.
If the Chaucer Society obtains that amount of patronage from the
literary public which it deserves, but unfortunately has yet not
succeeded in getting, so that it may be enabled to go on with the great
work which has been so successfully commenced, then the time may come
when I shall have the opportunity of editing the Camb. MS. of Chaucer’s
Boethius for that Society, and lovers of Early English Literature will
have two texts instead of one.
[Footnote I-11: See pages 39, 50, 61, 94, 111, 133, 149, 153,
159.]
[Footnote I-12: In the Canterbury Tales we find participles in
_-yngë_.]
[Footnote I-13: It is nearly always _thilkë_ in the Canterbury
Tales.]
APPENDIX TO INTRODUCTION.
The last of the ancients, and one who forms a link between the classical
period of literature and that of the middle ages, in which he was a
favourite author, is Boethius, a man of fine genius, and interesting
both from his character and his death. It is well known that after
filling the dignities of Consul and Senator in the court of Theodoric,
he fell a victim to the jealousy of a sovereign, from whose memory, in
many respects glorious, the stain of that blood has never been effaced.
The _Consolation of Philosophy_, the chief work of Boethius, was written
in his prison. Few books are more striking from the circumstances of
their production. Last of the classic writers, in style not impure,
though displaying too lavishly that poetic exuberance which had
distinguished the two or three preceding centuries, in elevation of
sentiment equal to any of the philosophers, and mingling a Christian
sanctity with their lessons, he speaks from his prison in the swan-like
tones of dying eloquence. The philosophy that consoled him in bonds, was
soon required in the sufferings of a cruel death. Quenched in his blood,
the lamp he had trimmed with a skilful hand gave no more light; the
language of Tully and Virgil soon ceased to be spoken; and many ages
were to pass away, before learned diligence restored its purity, and the
union of genius with imitation taught a few modern writers to surpass in
eloquence the Latinity of Boethius. --(Hallam’s _Literature of Europe_,
i. 2, 4th ed. 1854.)
The Senator Boethius is the last of the Romans whom Cato or Tully could
have acknowledged for their countryman. As a wealthy orphan, he
inherited the patrimony and honours of the Anician family, a name
ambitiously assumed by the kings and emperors of the age; and the
appellation of Manlius asserted his genuine or fabulous descent from a
race of consuls and dictators, who had repulsed the Gauls from the
Capitol, and sacrificed their sons to the discipline of the Republic. In
the youth of Boethius the studies of Rome were not totally abandoned; a
Virgil is now extant, corrected by the hand of a consul; and the
professors of grammar, rhetoric, and jurisprudence, were maintained in
their privileges and pensions by the liberality of the Goths. But the
erudition of the Latin language was insufficient to satiate his ardent
curiosity; and Boethius is said to have employed eighteen laborious
years in the schools of Athens, which were supported by the zeal, the
learning, and the diligence of Proclus and his disciples. The reason and
piety of their Roman pupil were fortunately saved from the contagion of
mystery and magic, which polluted the groves of the Academy, but he
imbibed the spirit, and imitated the method, of his dead and living
masters, who attempted to reconcile the strong and subtle sense of
Aristotle with the devout contemplation and sublime fancy of Plato.
After his return to Rome, and his marriage with the daughter of his
friend, the patrician Symmachus, Boethius still continued, in a palace
of ivory and [glass] to prosecute the same studies. The Church was
edified by his profound defence of the orthodox creed against the Arian,
the Eutychian, and the Nestorian heresies; and the Catholic unity was
explained or exposed in a formal treatise by the _indifference_ of three
distinct though consubstantial persons. For the benefit of his Latin
readers, his genius submitted to teach the first elements of the arts
and sciences of Greece. The geometry of Euclid, the music of Pythagoras,
the arithmetic of Nicomachus, the mechanics of Archimedes, the astronomy
of Ptolemy, the theology of Plato, and the logic of Aristotle, with the
commentary of Porphyry, were translated and illustrated by the
indefatigable pen of the Roman senator. And he alone was esteemed
capable of describing the wonders of art, a sun-dial, a water-clock, or
a sphere which represented the motions of the planets. From these
abstruse speculations, Boethius stooped, or, to speak more truly, he
rose to the social duties of public and private life: the indigent were
relieved by his liberality; and his eloquence, which flattery might
compare to the voice of Demosthenes or Cicero, was uniformly exerted in
the cause of innocence and humanity. Such conspicuous merit was felt and
rewarded by a discerning prince: the dignity of Boethius was adorned
with the titles of consul and patrician, and his talents were usefully
employed in the important station of master of the offices.
Notwithstanding the equal claims of the East and West, his two sons were
created, in their tender youth, the consuls of the same year. On the
memorable day of their inauguration, they proceeded in solemn pomp from
their palace to the forum amidst the applause of the senate and people;
and their joyful father, the true Consul of Rome, after pronouncing an
oration in the praise of his royal benefactor, distributed a triumphal
largess in the games of the circus. Prosperous in his fame and fortunes,
in his public honours and private alliances, in the cultivation of
science and the consciousness of virtue, Boethius might have been styled
happy, if that precarious epithet could be safely applied before the
last term of the life of man.
A philosopher, liberal of his wealth and parsimonious of his time, might
be insensible to the common allurements of ambition, the thirst of gold
and employment. And some credit may be due to the asseveration of
Boethius, that he had reluctantly obeyed the divine Plato, who enjoins
every virtuous citizen to rescue the state from the usurpation of vice
and ignorance. For the integrity of his public conduct he appeals to the
memory of his country. His authority had restrained the pride and
oppression of the royal officers, and his eloquence had delivered
Paulianus from the dogs of the palace. He had always pitied, and often
relieved, the distress of the provincials, whose fortunes were exhausted
by public and private rapine; and Boethius alone had courage to oppose
the tyranny of the Barbarians, elated by conquest, excited by avarice,
and, as he complains, encouraged by impunity. In these honourable
contests his spirit soared above the consideration of danger, and
perhaps of prudence; and we may learn from the example of Cato, that a
character of pure and inflexible virtue is the most apt to be misled by
prejudice, to be heated by enthusiasm, and to confound private enmities
with public justice. The disciple of Plato might exaggerate the
infirmities of nature, and the imperfections of society; and the mildest
form of a Gothic kingdom, even the weight of allegiance and gratitude,
must be insupportable to the free spirit of a Roman patriot. But the
favour and fidelity of Boethius declined in just proportion with the
public happiness; and an unworthy colleague was imposed to divide and
control the power of the master of the offices. In the last gloomy
season of Theodoric, he indignantly felt that he was a slave; but as his
master had only power over his life, he stood without arms and without
fear against the face of an angry Barbarian, who had been provoked to
believe that the safety of the senate was incompatible with his own. The
Senator Albinus was accused and already convicted on the presumption of
_hoping_, as it was said, the liberty of Rome.
“If Albinus be criminal,” exclaimed the orator, “the senate and myself
are all guilty of the same crime. If we are innocent, Albinus is equally
entitled to the protection of the laws.” These laws might not have
punished the simple and barren wish of an unattainable blessing; but
they would have shown less indulgence to the rash confession of
Boethius, that, had he known of a conspiracy, the tyrant never should.
The advocate of Albinus was soon involved in the danger and perhaps the
guilt of his client; their signature (which they denied as a forgery)
was affixed to the original address, inviting the emperor to deliver
Italy from the Goths; and three witnesses of honourable rank, perhaps of
infamous reputation, attested the treasonable designs of the Roman
patrician. Yet his innocence must be presumed, since he was deprived by
Theodoric of the means of justification, and rigorously confined in the
tower of Pavia, while the senate, at the distance of five hundred miles,
pronounced a sentence of confiscation and death against the most
illustrious of its members. At the command of the Barbarians, the occult
science of a philosopher was stigmatized with the names of sacrilege and
magic. A devout and dutiful attachment to the senate was condemned as
criminal by the trembling voices of the senators themselves; and their
ingratitude deserved the wish or prediction of Boethius, that, after
him, none should be found guilty of the same offence.
While Boethius, oppressed with fetters, expected each moment the
sentence or the stroke of death, he composed in the tower of Pavia the
_Consolation of Philosophy_; a golden volume not unworthy of the leisure
of Plato or Tully, but which claims incomparable merit from the
barbarism of the times and the situation of the author. The celestial
guide, whom he had so long invoked at Rome and Athens, now condescended
to illumine his dungeon, to revive his courage, and to pour into his
wounds her salutary balm. She taught him to compare his long prosperity
and his recent distress, and to conceive new hopes from the inconstancy
of fortune. Reason had informed him of the precarious condition of her
gifts; experience had satisfied him of their real value; he had enjoyed
them without guilt; he might resign them without a sigh, and calmly
disdain the impotent malice of his enemies, who had left him happiness,
since they had left him virtue. From the earth, Boethius ascended to
heaven in search of the SUPREME GOOD; explored the metaphysical
labyrinth of chance and destiny, of prescience and free-will, of time
and eternity; and generously attempted to reconcile the perfect
attributes of the Deity with the apparent disorders of his moral and
physical government. Such topics of consolation, so obvious, so vague,
or so abstruse, are ineffectual to subdue the feelings of human nature.
Yet the sense of misfortune may be diverted by the labour of thought;
and the sage who could artfully combine in the same work the various
riches of philosophy, poetry, and eloquence, must already have possessed
the intrepid calmness which he affected to seek. Suspense, the worst of
evils, was at length determined by the ministers of death, who executed,
and perhaps exceeded, the inhuman mandate of Theodoric. A strong cord
was fastened round the head of Boethius, and forcibly tightened till his
eyes almost started from their sockets; and some mercy may be discovered
in the milder torture of beating him with clubs till he expired. But his
genius survived to diffuse a ray of knowledge over the darkest ages of
the Latin world; the writings of the philosopher were translated by the
most glorious of the English kings, and the third emperor of the name of
Otho removed to a more honourable tomb the bones of a Catholic saint,
who, from his Arian persecutors, had acquired the honours of martyrdom
and the fame of miracles. In the last hours of Boethius, he derived some
comfort from the safety of his two sons, of his wife, and of his
father-in-law, the venerable Symmachus. But the grief of Symmachus was
indiscreet, and perhaps disrespectful; he had presumed to lament, he
might dare to revenge, the death of an injured friend. He was dragged in
chains from Rome to the palace of Ravenna; and the suspicions of
Theodoric could only be appeased by the blood of an innocent and aged
senator.--Gibbon’s _Decline and Fall_, 1838, vol. vii. p. 45-52 (without
the notes).
INDEX
_(Giving the first line of each Metre, the first words of each Prose,
and the corresponding page of the translation)._
Book Metre Prose Page
I 1 -- Carmina qui quondam studio florente peregi 4
„ -- 1 Hæc dum mecum tacitus ipse reputarem 5
„ 2 -- Heu, quam præcipiti mersa profundo 7
„ -- 2 Sed medicinæ, inquit, potius tempus est 8
„ 3 -- Tunc me discussa liquerunt nocte tenebræ 9
„ -- 3 Haud aliter tristitiæ nebulis dissolutis,
hausi cœlum 10
„ 4 -- Quisquis composito serenus ævo 12
„ -- 4 Sentisne, inquit, hæc, atque animo
illabuntur tuo? 13
„ 5 -- O stelliferi conditor orbis 21
„ -- 5 Hæc ubi continuato dolore delatravi 23
„ 6 -- Cum Phœbi radiis grave 25
„ -- 6 Primum igitur paterisne me pauculis
rogationibus 26
„ 7 -- Nubibus atris 29
II -- 1 Posthæc paulisper obticuit 29
„ 1 -- Hæc cum superba verterit vices dextra 33
„ -- 2 Vellem autem pauca tecum fortunæ ipsius 33
„ 2 -- Si quantas rapidis flatibus incitus 35
„ -- 3 His igitur si pro se tecum fortuna
loqueretur 36
„ 3 -- Cum polo Phœbus roseis quadrigis 39
„ -- 4 Tum ego, Vera, inquam, commemoras 39
„ 4 -- Quisquis volet perennem 44
„ -- 5 Sed quoniam rationum jam in te mearum
fomenta 45
„ 5 -- Felix nimium prior ætas 50
„ -- 6 Quid autem de dignitatibus, potentiaque
disseram 51
„ 6 -- Novimus quantas dederit ruinas 55
„ -- 7 Tum ego, Scis, inquam, ipsa 56
„ 7 -- Quicumque solam mente præcipiti petit 60
„ -- 8 Sed ne me inexorabile contra fortunam 61
„ 8 -- Quod mundus stabili fide 62
III -- 1 Jam cantum illa finierat 63
„ 1 -- Qui serere ingenuum volet agrum 64
„ -- 2 Tum defixo paululum visu 64
„ 2 -- Quantas rerum flectat habenas 68
„ -- 3 Vos quoque, o terrena animalia 69
„ 3 -- Quamvis fluente dives auri gurgite 71
„ -- 4 Sed dignitates honorabilem reverendumque 72
„ 4 -- Quamvis se Tyrio superbus ostro 74
„ -- 5 An vero regna regumque familiaritas
efficere potentem valent? 75
„ 5 -- Qui se volet esse potentem 77
„ -- 6 Gloria vero quam fallax sæpe,
quam turpis est! 77
„ 6 -- Omne hominum genus in terris 78
„ -- 7 Quid autem de corporis voluptatibus loquar? 79
„ 7 -- Habet omnis hoc voluptas 80
„ -- 8 Nihil igitur dubium est, quin 80
„ 8 -- Eheu, quam miseros tramite devio 81
„ -- 9 Hactenus mendacis formam felicitatis
ostendisse 82
„ 9 -- O qui perpetua mundum ratione gubernas 87
„ -- 10 Quoniam igitur quæ sit imperfecti 88
„ 10 -- Huc omnes pariter venite capti 94
„ -- 11 Assentior, inquam. 95
„ 11 -- Quisquis profunda mente vestigat verum 100
„ -- 12 Tum ego, Platoni, inquam, vehementer
assentior 101
„ 12 -- Felix qui potuit boni 106
IV -- 1 Hæc cum Philosophia, dignitate 108
„ 1 -- Sunt etenim pennæ volucres mihi 110
„ -- 2 Tum ego, Papæ, inquam, ut magna promittis! 112
„ 2 -- Quos vides sedere celso 118
„ -- 3 Videsne igitur quanto in cœno probra
volvantur 119
„ 3 -- Vela Neritii ducis 122
„ -- 4 Tum ego, Fateor, inquam, nec injuria
dici video 123
„ 4 -- Quid tantos juvat excitare motus 130
„ -- 5 Hic ego, Video, inquam, quæ sit vel
felicitas 131
„ 5 -- Si quis Arcturi sidera nescit 132
„ -- 6 Ita est, inquam. 133
„ 6 -- Si vis celsi jura tonantis 143
„ -- 7 Jamne igitur vides, quid hæc omnia
quæ diximus, consequatur? 144
„ 7 -- Bella bis quinis operatus annis 147
V -- 1 Dixerat, orationisque cursum ad alia quædam 149
„ 1 -- Rupis Achæmeniæ scopulis, ubi versa
sequentum 151
„ -- 2 Animadverto, inquam, idque uti tu dicis,
ita esse consentio. 152
„ 2 -- Puro clarum lumine Phœbum 153
„ -- 3 Tum ego, En, inquam, difficiliori rursus
ambiguitate confundor. 154
„ 3 -- Quænam discors fœdera rerum 159
„ -- 4 Tum illa, Vetus, inquit, hæc est de
Providentia querela 161
„ 4 -- Quondam porticus attulit 166
„ -- 5 Quod si in corporibus sentiendis, quamvis 168
„ 5 -- Quam variis terras animalia permeant
figuris! 170
„ -- 6 Quoniam igitur, uti paulo ante
monstratum est 171
Appendix.--Ætas Prima 180
„ Balades de Vilage sanz Peinture 182
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
++[I]NCIPIT TABULA LIBRI BOICII DE CONSOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE.
[_Additional MS. 10,340, fol. 3._]
[Sidenote: [fol. 3.]]
LIBER PRIMUS.
1 Carmina qui quondam studio flore{n}te p{er}egi.
2 Hic dum mecum tacitus.
3 Heu q{ua}m precipiti.
4 Set medicine inquit tempus.
5 Tunc me discussa.
6 Haut[C-1] aliter tristicie.
7 Quisquis composito.
8 Sentis ne inquit.
9 O stelliferi conditor orbis.
10 Hic ubi continuato dolore.
11 Cum phebi radijs.
12 Primu{m} igit{ur} pateris rogac{i}o{n}ib{us}.
13 Nubib{us} atris condita.
EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS.
LIBER SECUNDUS.
1 Postea paulisper[C-2] conticuit.
2 Hec cum superba.
3 Uellem autem pauca.
4 Si quantas rapidis.
5 His igitur si {et} pro se.
6 Cum primo polo.
7 Tunc ego uera inq{ua}m.
8 Contraq{ue}.
9 Quisq{ui}s ualet p{er}hennem cantus.
10 Set cum racionu{m} iam in te.
11 Felix i{n} miru{m} iam prior etas.
12 Quid au{tem} de dignitatib{us}.
13 Nouim{us} quantos dederat.
14 Tu{m} ego scis inq{ua}m.
15 Quicu{n}q{ue} solam mente.
16 Set ne me inexorabile.
17 Q{uo}d mu{n}dus stabile fide.
EXPLICIT LIBER S{E}C{UN}DUS.
LIBER TERCIUS.
1 Iam tantu{m} illa.
2 Qui serere ingeniu{m}.
3 Tunc defixo paululu{m}.
4 Quantas reru{m} flectat.
5 Uos quoq{ue} terrena a{n}i{m}alia.
6 Qua{m}uis fluenter diues.
7 Set dignitatib{us}.
8 Qua{m}uis se tirio.
9 An uero regna.
10 Qui se ualet esse potentem.
11 Gloria uero q{uam} fallax.
12 Omne hominu{m} genus in terris.
13 Quid au{tem} de corporib{us}.
14 Habet hoc uoluptas.
15 Nichil igit{ur} dubiu{m} est.
16 Heu q{ue} miseros tramite.
17 Hacten{us} me{n}dacio forma{m}.
18 O qui p{er}petua.
19 Q{uonia}m igit{ur} qui scit.
20 Nunc omnes pariter.
21 Assencior inq{ua}m cuncta.
22 Quisq{ue} profunda.
23 Tunc ego platoni inq{ua}m.
24 Felix qui poterit.
EXPLICIT LIBER T{ER}CIUS.
LIBER QUARTUS.
1 Hec cum philosophia.
2 Sunt eteni{m} penne.
3 Tunc ego pape inq{uam}.
4 Quos uides sedere celsos.
5 Uides ne igitur quanto.
6 U[e]la naricij ducis.
7 Tunc ego fateor inq{ua}m.
8 Quid tantos iuuat.
9 Huic ego uideo inq{ua}m.
10 Si quis arcturi[C-3] sydera.
11 Ita est inq{ua}m.
12 Si uis celsi iura.
13 Iam ne igit{ur} uides.
14 Bella bis quinis.
EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.
INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.
1 Dixerat orac{i}onis q{ue} cursu{m}.
2 Rupis achemenie.
3 Animaduerto inq{ua}m.
4 Puro claru{m} lumine.
5 Tamen ego en inq{ua}m.
6 Que nam discors.
7 Tamen illa uetus.
8 Quonda{m} porticus attulit.
9 Quod si i{n} corporib{us}.
10 Qua{m} uarijs figuris.
11 Quonia{m} igit{ur} uti paulo ante.
EXPLICIT LIBER QUI{N}TUS {ET} ULTIMUS.
[Footnote C-1: MS. hanc.]
[Footnote C-2: MS. luper.]
[Footnote C-3: MS. arituri.]
[[pg 4]]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS DEPLORES HIS MISFORTUNES.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 3 _b_.]]
*LIBER PRIMUS.
INCIPIT LIBER BOICII DE CO{N}SOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE.
Car{m}i{n}a qui q{u}onda{m} studio flore{n}te p{er}egi.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Boethius deplores his misfortunes in the following
pathetic elegy.]
++Allas I wepyng am constreined to bygynne vers of
sorouful matere. ¶ Þat whilom in florysching
studie made delitable ditees. For loo rendyng muses
of poetes enditen to me þinges to be writen. and drery 4
v{er}s of wrecchednes weten my face wiþ v{er}ray teers.
¶ At þe leest no drede ne myȝt[e] ouer-come þo muses.
þat þei ne were{n} felawes {and} folweden my wey. þat is
to seyne when I was exiled.
[Sidenote: ypalage antithesis]
þei þat weren glorie of 8
my youȝth whilom weleful {and} grene co{n}forten now þe
sorouful werdes of me olde man.
[Sidenote: Laments his immature old age.]
for elde is comen vnwarly
vpon me hasted by þe harmes þat I haue. {and}
sorou haþ comau{n}ded his age to be in me. ¶ Heeres 12
hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. and
þe slak[e] skyn trembleþ vpon myn emty body.
[Sidenote: Death turns a deaf ear to the wretched.]
þilk[e]
deeþ of men is welful þat ne comeþ not in ȝeres þat
ben swete (.i. mirie.) but comeþ to wrecches often 16
yclepid.
[Linenotes:
1 _of_--MS. of of.
2 _florysching_--floryssynge
3 _rendyng_--rendynge
4 _be_--ben
5 _wrecchednes_--wrecchednesse
_teers_--teeres
6 _leest_--leeste
_myȝt[e] ouer-come_--myhte ouercomen
8 _seyne when_--seyn whan
9 _youȝth_--MS. þoȝt, C. yowthe
10 _sorouful werdes_--sorful wierdes [i. fata]
12 _sorou_--sorwe
_haþ_--MS. haþe
_be_--ben
13 _hore_--hoore
_ben_--arn
_myne_--myn
14 _slak[e]_--slake
_vpon_--of
_emty_--emptyd
_þilk[e]_--thilke
15 _welful_--weleful
_comeþ not_--comth nat
16 _.i. mirie_--omitted]
¶ Allas allas wiþ how deef an eere deeþ cruel
to{ur}neþ awey fro wrecches {and} naieþ to closen wepyng
eyen.
[Sidenote: When Fortune was favourable Death came near Boethius,
but in his adversity life is unpleasantly protracted.]
¶ While fortune vnfeiþful fauored[e] me 20
wiþ lyȝte goodes (.s. temp{or}els.) þe sorouful houre þat
is to seyne þe deeþ had[de] almost dreynt myne heued.
¶ But now for fortune clowdy haþ chaunged hir disceyuable
chere to me warde. myn vnpitouse lijf draweþ 24
a long vnagreable dwellynges in me.
[Sidenote: Why did his friends call him happy? He stood not firm
that hath thus fallen.]
¶ O ȝe my
frendes what or wherto auaunted[e] ȝe me to be weleful: [[pg 5]]
for he þat haþ fallen stood not i{n} stedfast degree.
[Linenotes:
19 _tourneþ_--torneth
_naieþ_--nayteth
_wepyng_--wepynge
20 _While_--Whil
_fauored[e]_--fauorede
21 _lyȝte_--lyhte
_.s. temporels_--omitted
_sorouful houre_--sorwful howr{e}
22 _seyne_--seyn
_had[de]_--hadde
_myne_--myn
23 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_chaunged hir disceyuable_--chaungyd hyre deceyuable
24 _vnpitouse lijf_--vnpietous lyf]
[Headnote:
PHILOSOPHY APPEARS TO BOETHIUS.]
HIC DUM MECUM TACITUS.
[Sidenote: [The firste p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Philosophy appears to Boethius, like a beautiful woman,
and of great age.]
++IN þe mene while þat I stille recorded[e] þise þinges 28
wiþ my self. {and} markede my wepli compleynte wiþ
office of poyntel. I saw stondyng aboue þe heyȝt of my
heued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunt
hir eyen brennyng {and} clere seing ouer þe comune 32
myȝt of men. wiþ a lijfly colo{ur} {and} wiþ swiche vigoure
{and} strenkeþ þat it ne myȝt[e] not be emptid. ¶ Al
were it so þat sche was ful of so greet age. þat men ne
wolde not trowe i{n} no manere þat sche were of oure 36
elde.
[Sidenote: Her height could not be determined, for there were
times when she raised her head higher than the heavens.]
þe stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. for
su{m}tyme sche constreyned[e] {and} schronk hir selue{n}
lyche to þe comune mesure of men. {and} su{m}tyme it
semed[e] þat sche touched[e] þe heuene wiþ þe heyȝte 40
of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer sche
p{er}ced[e] þe selue heuene. so þat þe syȝt of men lokyng
was i{n} ydel.
[Sidenote: Her clothes were finely wrought and indissoluble, but
dark and dusky, like old besmoked images.]
¶ Hir cloþes weren maked of ryȝt delye
þredes {and} subtil crafte of p{er}durable matere. þe wyche 44
cloþes sche hadde wouen wiþ hir owen hondes: as I
knew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryng {and} schewyng
to me þe beaute. þe wiche cloþes a derkenes of a forleten
and dispised elde had[de] duskid {and} dirkid as 48
it is wo{n}t to dirken by-smoked ymages.
[Sidenote: On the lower hem of her garment was the letter Π
and on the upper Θ.]
¶ In þe neþerest[e]
hem or bordure of þese cloþes me{n} redden [[pg 6]]
ywouen in swiche a gregkysche .P. þat signifieþ þe lijf
actif. And abouen þ{a}t l{ett}re in þe heyȝest[e] bordure 52
a grekysche T. þat signifieþ þe lijf contemplatif.
[Linenotes:
26 _auaunted[e]_--auauntede
_be_--ben
27 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_not_--nat
_stedfast_--stidefast
28 _In þe mene_--omitted
_recorded[e]_--recordede
30 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawh
_stondyng above_--MS. studiyng aboue, C. stondinge abouen
_heyȝt_--heyhte
_my_--myn
31 _greet_--gret
32 _brennyng_--brennynge
_clere seing_--cleer seynge
33 _swiche_--swych
34 _strenkeþ_--strengthe
_it----emptid_--it myhte nat ben emted
_Al_--alle
36 _wolde----trowe_--wolden nat trowen
37 _iugement_--Iuggement
38 _sumtyme_--somtyme
_constreyned[e]_--constreynede
_schronk_--MS. schronke, C. shronk
39 _lyche_--lyk
40 _semed[e]_--semede
_touched[e]_--towchede
41 _when_--whan
_hef_--MS. heued, C. hef
_heyer_--hyere
42 _perced[e]_--percede
_syȝt_--syhte
_lokyng_--lookynge
44 _crafte_--craft
45 _wouen_--MS. wonnen, C. wouen
_owen hondes_--owne handes
46 _knew_--MS. knewe, C. knewh
_selfe declaryng_--self declarynge
_schewyng_--shewynge
47 _derkenes_--dirknesse
_forleten_--forletyn
48 _dispised_--despised
_had[de] duskid_--hadde dusked
_dirkid_--derked
49 _by-smoked_--the smokede
_neþerest[e]_--nethereste
50 _þese_--thise
51 _swiche_--omitted
_gregkysche_--grekyssh{e}
_signifieþ_--syngnifieth
52 _heyȝest[e]_--heyeste]
[Headnote:
A DESCRIPTION OF PHILOSOPHY.]
[Sidenote: Between the letters were steps like a ladder.]
¶ And by-twene þese two l{ett}res þere weren seien degrees
nobly wrouȝt in manere of laddres. By wyche
degrees men myȝt[en] clymbe fro þe neþemast[e] l{ett}re 56
to þe ouermast[e].
[Sidenote: Philosophy’s garments were tattered and torn, and
pieces had been carried violently off.]
¶ Naþeles hondes of su{m} men
hadde korue þ{a}t cloþe by vyolence {and} by strenkeþ.
¶ And eueryche man of hem hadde born away syche
peces as he myȝte geet[e].
[Sidenote: In her right hand she bore her books, and in her left a
sceptre.]
¶ And forsoþe þis forsaide 60
woman ber bookes in hir ryȝt honde. {and} in hir lefte
honde sche ber a ceptre. ¶ And when sche sauȝ þese
poetical muses ap{ro}chen aboute my bedde. {and} endytyng
wordes to my wepynges. sche was a lytel ameued 64
and glowed[e] wiþ cruel eyen.
[Sidenote: Philosophy bids the Muses leave Boethius, as they only
increase his sorrow with their sweet venom.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 4.]]
¶ Who q{uo}d sche haþ
suffred ap{ro}chen to þis seek[e] man þise comune strumpetis
of siche a place þat *men clepen þe theatr{e}.
¶ Þe wyche only ne asswagen not his sorowes. wiþ no 68
remedies. but þei wolde fede {and} norysche hem wiþ
swete venym. ¶ Forsoþe þise ben þo þat wiþ þornes
{and} prykkynges of talentȝ or affecciou{n}s wiche þat
ben no þing frutefiyng nor p{ro}fitable destroyen þe 72
cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson.
[Sidenote: They may accustom the mind to bear grief, but cannot
free it from its malady.]
¶ For þei
holden þe hertes of men i{n} usage. but þei ne delyuere
not folk fro maladye. but if ȝe muses hadde wiþdrawen
fro me wiþ ȝoure flateries. any vnkonnyng
{and} vnp{ro}fitable [[pg 7]]
man as men ben wont to fynde comunely amonges 77
þe peple. I wolde wene suffre þe lasse greuously.
[Linenotes:
54 _by-twene þese_--bytwixen thise
_þere_--ther
_seien_--seyn
55 _nobly wrouȝt_--nobely ywroght
_wyche_--whiche
56 _myȝt[en] clymbe_--myhten clymbyn
_neþemast[e]_--nethereste
57 _ouermast[e]_--vppereste
_sum_--some
58 _hadde korue_--hadden koruen
_cloþe_--cloth
_strenkeþ_--strengthe
59 _born_--MS. borne, C. born
_away syche_--awey swiche
60 _geet[e]_--geten
_forsaide_--forseide
61 _ber_--MS. bere, C. bar
_bookes_--smale bookes
_honde_--hand
_lefte honde_--left hand
62 _ber_--MS. bere, C. baar
_sauȝ þese_--say thise
63 _bedde_--bed
_endytyng_--enditynge
64 _ameued_--amoued
65 _glowed[e]_--glowede
_haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath
66 _seek[e]_--sike
_þise_--the
_strumpetis_--strompetes
67 _siche_--swich
_clepen_--clepyn
68 _only ne_--nat oonly ne
_not his_--nat hise
_no_--none
69 _wolde fede_--wolden feeden
_norysche hem_--noryssyn hym
72 _ben_--ne ben
_frutefiyng_--fructefiynge
73 _cornes plenteuouse_--corn plentyuos
74 _þe_ and _ne_--both omitted
75 _not_--nat
_if ȝe_--MS. if þe, C. yif ye
_hadde_--hadden
76 _vnkonnyng_--vnkunnynge
78 _peple_--poeple]
[Headnote:
PHILOSOPHY REBUKES THE MUSES.]
[Sidenote: Philosophy is deeply grieved, because they have not
seduced one of the profane, but one who has been brought up in
Eleatic and Academic studies.]
¶ For-why in syche an vnp{ro}fitable man myne ententes
weren no þing endamaged. ¶ But ȝe wiþdrawen me 80
þis man þat haþ ben norysched in studies or scoles of
Eleaticis {and} of achademicis in grece.
[Sidenote: She bids the syrens begone.]
¶ But goþ now
raþer awey ȝe meremaydenes wyche ben swete til it
be at þe laste. {and} suffreþ þis man to be cured {and} 84
heled by myne muses. þat is to say by notful sciences.
[Sidenote: Blushing for shame they pass the threshold.]
¶ And þus þis compaygnie of muses I-blamed casten
wroþely þe chere adou{n}ward to þe erþe {and} schewyng
by redenesse hir schame þei passeden sorowfuly þe 88
þreschefolde. ¶ And I of whom þe syȝt plonged i{n}
teres was derked so þat I ne myȝt[e] not knowe what
þat woman was of so i{m}perial auctorite.
[Sidenote: Boethius is astonished at the presence of the august
dame.]
¶ I wex al
a-besid {and} astoned. {and} caste my syȝt adoune in to þe 92
erþe. {and} bygan stille forto abide what sche wolde don
afterwarde. ¶ Þo come sche nere {and} sette hir doun
vpon þe vterrest[e] corner of my bedde.
[Sidenote: Philosophy expresses her concern for Boethius.]
{and} sche byholdyng
my chere þat was cast to þe erþe heuy {and} 96
greuous of wepyng. co{m}pleinede wiþ þise wordes þ{a}t I
schal sey þe p{er}t{ur}bac{i}ou{n} of my þouȝt.
[Linenotes:
79 _syche_--swhiche
_myne_--myn
80 _weren_--ne weeren
_ȝe_--ye
81 _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath
_ben_--be
_scoles_--schooles
82 _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth
83 _wyche_--whiche þat
85 _say_--seyn
_notful_--noteful
86 _I-blamed_--Iblamyd
87 _wroþely_--wrothly
_adounward_--downward
88 _redenesse_--rednesse
_sorowfuly_--sorwfully
89 _þreschefolde_--thresshfold
_syȝt_--syhte
90 _derked_--dyrked
_myȝt[e]----knowe_--myhte nat knowen
91 _wex_--wax
92 _a-besid_--abaysshed
_caste_--cast
_adoune in to_--down to
93 _don_--MS. done
95 _vterrest[e] corner_--vttereste corner{e}
_bedde_--bed
97 _compleinede_--compley[n]de
98 _sey_--seyen]
[Headnote:
PHILOSOPHY ADDRESSES BOETHIUS.]
HEU Q{UAM} PRECIPITI MERSA PROFUNDO.
[Sidenote: [The 2de Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Drowned in the depth of cares the mind loses its proper
clearness.]
++Allas how þe þouȝt of man dreint in ouer þrowyng
depnesse dulleþ {and} forletiþ hys p{ro}pre clerenesse. 100
myntynge to gone in to foreyne derknesses as
ofte as hys anoious bisines wexiþ wiþ-oute{n} mesure.
þ{a}t is dryuen to {and} fro wiþ worldly wyndes. [[pg 8]]
[Sidenote: Man in his freedom knew each region of the sky, the
motions of the planets, and was wont to investigate the causes of
storms, the nature and properties of the seasons, and the hidden
causes of nature.]
¶ Þis
man þat su{m}tyme was fre to who{m} þe heuene was open 104
{and} knowen {and} was wont to gone in heuenelyche
paþes. {and} sauȝ þe lyȝtnesse of þe rede sunne. {and} sauȝ
þe sterres of þe colde moone. {and} wyche sterre i{n}
heuene vseþ wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres. 108
¶ Þis man ouer comere hadde co{m}p{re}hendid al þis by
noumbre. of accountyng in astronomye. ¶ And ouer
þis he was wont to seche þe causes whennes þe sounyng
wy{n}des moeuen {and} bisien þe smoþe water of þe 112
see. {and} what spirit turneþ þe stable heuene. {and}
whi þe sterre ryseþ oute of þe reede eest. to falle
in þe westren wawes. and what attempriþ þe lusty
houres of þe fyrste somer sesou{n} þat hiȝteþ {and} apparaileþ 116
þe erþe wiþ rosene floures. ¶ And who
makeþ þat plenteuouse autu{m}pne in fulle ȝeres fletiþ
wiþ heuy grapes. ¶ And eke þis ma{n} was wont to
telle þe dyuerses causes of nature þat weren yhid. 120
[Sidenote: But now, alas, he is constrained to keep his face to
the ground.]
¶ Allas now lieþ he emptid of lyȝt of hys þouȝt. {and}
hys nekke is p{re}ssid wiþ heuy cheynes {and} bereþ his
chere enclined adoune for þe greet[e] weyȝt. and is
constreyned to loke on foule erþe. 124
[Linenotes:
101 _gone_--goon
102 _bisines_--bysynesse
_outen_--owte
103 _worldly_--wordely
104 _sumtyme_--whilom
105 _gone_--goon
106 _paþes_--paathes
_sauȝ_--sawh
_lyȝtnesse_--lythnesse
_sunne_--sonne
_sauȝ_--MS. sue, C. sawgh
107 _wyche_--which
108 _risorses_--recourses
111 _seche_--seken
_sounyng_--sownynge
114 _ryseþ oute_--aryseth owt
_falle_--fallen
115 _westren_--westrene
116 _fyrste_--fyrst
119 _eke_--ek
120 _dyuerses_--diuerse
_yhid_--MS. yhidde
121 _lieþ_--lith
_emptid_--emted
123 _adoune_--adown
_greet[e] weyȝt_--grete weyhte
124 _loke----foule_--looken on the fool]
[Headnote:
PHILOSOPHY ENLIGHTENS BOETHIUS.]
SET MEDICINE INQUIT TEMPUS.
[Sidenote: [The ij^de p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: More need of medicine than of complaint.]
++Bvt tyme is now q{uo}d sche of medicine more þen of
compleynte. ¶ Forsoþe þen sche entendyng to
me warde wiþ al þe lokyng of hir eyen saide.
[Sidenote: Philosophy addresses Boethius.]
¶ Art
not þou he q{uo}d sche þat su{m}tyme I-norschid wiþ my 128
mylke {and} fostre[d] wiþ my meetes were ascaped {and}
comen to corage of a p{er}fit man. ¶ Certys I ȝaf þe
syche armures þat ȝif þou þi self ne haddest first caste [[pg 9]]
hem away. þei schulden haue defendid þe in sykernesse 132
þat may not be ouer-comen. ¶ Knowest þou me not.
[Sidenote: She fears his silence proceeds from shame rather than
from stupidity.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 4 _b_.]]
*Why art þou stille. is it for schame or for astonynge.
It were me leuer þat it were for schame. but it semeþ
me þat astony{n}ge haþ opp{re}ssed þe.
[Sidenote: She finds him, however, in a lethargy, the distemper of
a disordered mind.]
¶ And whan 136
sche say me not oonly stille. but wiþ-outen office of
tonge {and} al doumbe. sche leide hir honde softely vpon
my brest {and} seide. ¶ Here nis no p{er}il q{uod} sche.
¶ He is fallen in to a litargie. whiche þat is a comune 140
sekenes to hertes þat ben desceiued. ¶ He haþ a litel
forȝeten hym self. but certis he schal lyȝtly reme{m}bren
hym self. ¶ Ȝif so be þat he haþ knowe{n} me or now.
[Sidenote: To make his recovery an easy matter, she wipes his
eyes, which were darkened by the clouds of mortal things, and
dries up his tears.]
{and} þat he may so done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen. 144
þat ben derked by þe cloude of mortel þinges ¶ Þise
wordes seide sche. and wiþ þe lappe of hir garment
yplitid in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen þat were
ful of þe wawes of my wepynges. 148
[Linenotes:
125, 126 _þen_--than
127 _al_--alle
_saide_--seyde
128 _sumtyme_--whilom
_I-norschid_--MS. I-norschide, C. noryssed
129 _fostre[d]_--fostered
_my_--myne
130 _Certys_--Certes
_ȝaf_, yaf
131 _syche_--swiche
_ȝif_--yif
_caste_--C. cast
132 _away_--awey
_schulden haue_--sholden han
133 _not be_--nat ben
_Knowest þou_--knowestow
134 _art þou_--artow
136 _haþ_--MS. haþe
138 _tonge_--tunge
_doumbe_--dowmb
_honde_--hand
139 _Here_--her
140 _litargie whiche_--litarge which
141 _sekenes_--sykenesse
141, 143 _haþ_--MS. haþe
144 _done_--doon
_wil wipe_--wol wypen
146 _garment_--garnement
147 _dried[e]_--dryede
_were_--weeren
148 _ful_--fulle]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS RECOGNIZES HIS PHYSICIAN.]
TUNC ME DISCUSSA.
[Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Her touch dispels the darkness of his soul, just as the
heavy vapours, that darken the skies and obscure the sunlight, are
chased away by the north wind, causing the return of the hidden
day, when the sun smites our wondering sight with his sudden
light.]
++Þus when þat nyȝt was discussed {and} chased awey.
derknesses forleften me. {and} to myn eyen repeyre
aȝeyne her firste strenkeþ. and ryȝt by ensample as
þe sonne is hid when þe sterres ben clustred. þat is to 152
sey whe{n} sterres ben couered wiþ cloudes by a swifte
wynde þat hyȝt chorus. {and} þat þe firmame{n}t stont
derked by wete ploungy cloudes. and þat þe sterres not
apperen vpo{n} heuene. ¶ So þat þe nyȝt semeþ sprad 156
vpo{n} erþe. ¶ Yif þan þe wynde þat hyȝt borias
sent out of þe kaues of þe contre of Trace betiþ þis [[pg 10]]
nyȝt. þat is to seyn chasiþ it away {and} descouereþ þe
closed day. ¶ Þan schineþ pheb{us} yshaken wiþ 160
sodeyne lyȝt {and} smyteþ wiþ hys bemes i{n} m{er}uely{n}g
eyen.
[Linenotes:
149 _when_--whan
150 _myn_--myne
_repeyre_--repeyrede
151 _aȝeyne_--omitted
_her firste_--hir fyrst
152 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hid
_when_--whan
153 _sey_--seyn
_when_--whan
154 _hyȝt_--heyhte
_chorus_--MS. thorus
_stont_--MS. stonde, C. stant
157 _þan_--thanne
_wynde_--wynd
_hyȝt_--hyhte
158 _sent_--isent
160 _þan_--thanne
161 _sodeyne_--sodeyn]
[Headnote:
THE TRIALS OF PHILOSOPHY AND PHILOSOPHERS.]
HAUT[1] ALITER TRISTICIE.
[Footnote 1: MS. hanc.]
[Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: The clouds of sorrow being dispelled, Boethius
recollects the features of his Physician, whom he discovers to be
Philosophy.]
++Ryȝt so {and} none oþer wyse þe cloudes of sorowe
dissolued {and} don awey. ¶ I took heuene. {and} 164
receyuede mynde to knowe þe face of my fyciscien.
¶ So þat I sette myne eyen on hir {and} festned[e] my
lokyng. I byholde my norice philosophie. in whos
houses I hadde conuersed {and} haunted fro my ȝouþe. 168
{and} I seide þus.
[Sidenote: He addresses her.]
¶ O þou maistresse of alle uertues
descendid fro þe souereyne sete. Whi art þou comen
in to þis solitarie place of myn exil. ¶ Art þou comen
for þ{o}u art mad coupable wiþ me of fals[e] blames. 172
[Sidenote: She expresses her concern for him, and tells him that
she is willing to share his misfortunes.]
¶ O q{uod} sche my norry scholde I forsake þe now. and
scholde I not parte wiþ þe by comune trauaille þe charge
þat þou hast suffred for envie of my name. ¶ Certis
it nar[e] not leueful ne sittyng to philosophie to leten 176
wiþ-outen compaignie þe wey of hym þat is i{n}nocent.
[Sidenote: She fears not any accusation, as if it were a new
thing.]
¶ Scholde I þan redoute my blame {and} agrisen as þouȝ
þer were byfallen a newe þing. q. d. non. ¶ For
trowest þou þat philosophi be now alþerfirst assailed 180
i{n} p{er}ils by folk of wicked[e] maneres.
[Sidenote: For before the age of Plato she contended against
folly, and by her help Socrates triumphed over an unjust death.]
¶ Haue I not
stryuen wiþ ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore þe
age of my plato aȝeins þe foolhardines of foly {and}
eke þe same plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates 184
deserued[e] victorie of vnryȝtful deeþ in my presence.
[Sidenote: Of the inheritance of Socrates the rout of Epicureans
and Stoics wanted to get a part.]
¶ Þe heritage of wyche socrates. þe h{er}itage is to seyne
þe doctrine of þe whiche soc{ra}tes in hys oppiniou{n} of [[pg 11]]
felicite þat I clepe welfulnesse ¶ Whan þat þe people 188
of epicuriens {and} stoyciens {and} many oþer enforceden
hem to go rauische eueryche man for his part þat is
to seyne. þat to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to þe
defence of his oppiniou{n} þe wordes of socrates. 192
[Sidenote: Philosophy withstood them, whereupon they tore her
robe, and, departing with the shreds, imagined that they had got
possession of her.]
¶ Þei
as in p{ar}tie of hir preye todrowe{n} me criynge {and}
debatyng þer aȝeins. {and} tornen {and} torente{n} my cloþes
þat I hadde woue{n} wiþ myn handes. {and} wiþ þe
cloutes þat þei hadden arased oute of my cloþes. þei 196
wenten awey wenyng þat I hadde gon wiþ he{m} euery
dele.
[Sidenote: Thus, clothed with her spoils, they deceived many.]
In whiche epicuryens {and} stoyciens. for as
myche as þer semed[e] so{m}me traces {and} steppes of
myne habit.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 5.]]
þe folye of men wenyng þo epicuryens 200
{and} stoyciens my *familers p{er}uertede (.s. p{er}sequend{o})
so{m}me þoruȝ þe errour of þe wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e]
multitude of hem.
[Sidenote: Philosophy adduces examples of wise men, who had
laboured under difficulties on account of being her disciples.]
¶ Þis is to seyne for þei
semeden philosophres: þei weren p{ur}sued to þe deeþ 204
and slayn. ¶ So yif þou hast not knowen þe exilynge
of anaxogore. ne þe empoysenyng of socrates. ne þe
to{ur}mentȝ of ȝeno for þei [weren] straungers. ¶ Ȝit
myȝtest þou haue knowe{n} þe senectiens {and} þe Canyos 208
{and} þe sorancis of wyche folk þe renou{n} is neyþer ouer
oolde ne vnsolempne. ¶ Þe whiche men no þing ellys
ne brouȝt[e] hem to þe deeþ but oonly for þei weren
enfourmed of my maneres. {and} semede{n} moste vnlyke 212
to þe studies of wicked folk. ¶ And forþi þou auȝtest
not to wondre þouȝ þ{a}t I in þe bitter see of þis lijf be
fordryuen wiþ tempestes blowyng aboute. [[pg 12]]
[Sidenote: It is the aim of Philosophy to displease the wicked,
who are more to be despised than dreaded, for they have no
leader.]
in þe whiche
te{m}peste þis is my most p{ur}pos þat is to seyn to displese 216
to wikked[e] men. ¶ Of whiche schrews al be
þe oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis gouerned
wiþ no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only by
flityng errour folyly {and} lyȝtly.
[Sidenote: If Philosophy is attacked by the wicked, she retires
within her fortress, leaving the enemy busy among the useless
baggage, and laughing to scorn such hunters of trifles.]
¶ And if þei somtyme 220
maky{n}g an ost aȝeynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oure
leder draweþ to gedir hys rycchesse i{n} to hys toure.
{and} þei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or sachels vnp{ro}fitable
forto taken. but we þat ben heyȝ abouen syker 224
fro al tumulte {and} wode noise. ben stored {and} enclosed
in syche a palays. whider as þat chateryng or anoying
folye ne may not attayne. ¶ We scorne swiche
rauiners {and} honters of foulest[e] þinges. 228
[Linenotes:
163 _none oþer_--non oother
_sorowe_--sorwe
165 _knowe_--knowen
166 _myne_--myn
_festned[e]_--fastnede
170 _fro_--from
170, 171 _art þou_--artow
172 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked
_fals[e]_--false
174 _parte_--parten
176 _nar[e]_--nere
_sittyng_--sittinge
178 _þan_--thanne
179 _þing_--thing
_q.d. non_--omitted
180 _trowest þou_--trowestow
_alþerfirst_--alderfirst
181 _wicked[e]_--wikkede
182 _strife_--strif
183 _aȝeins_--ayenis
_foolhardines_--foolhardinesse
_foly_--folie
184 _eke_--ek
185 _deserued[e]_--desseruede
186 _wyche_--the which
_seyne_--seyn
188 _welfulnesse_--welefulnesse
189 _oþer_--oothre
190 _go_--gon
_eueryche_--euerich
191 _seyne_--seyn
_to_--omitted
_eueryche_--euerich
194 _tornen_--_read_ coruen, C. koruen
195 _wouen_--MS. wonne{n}, C. wouen
196 _arased_--arraced
197 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon
198 _dele_--del
199 _myche_--moche
_semed[e]_--semede
{and}--or
200 _myne_--myn
_wenyng_--MS. wevyng, C. weninge
202 _þoruȝ_--thorw
_wikked[e]_--wikkede
_vnkunnyng[e]_--vnkunnynge
203 _seyne_--seyn þ{a}t
204 _semeden_--semede
_pursued_--MS. pursuede, C. pursued
205 _slayn_--MS. slayne, C. slayn
207 [_weren_]--weeren
208 _myȝtest þou haue_--myhtestow han
209 _sorancis_--sorans
_wyche_--which
_is_--nis
210 _oolde_--MS. colde, C. old
211 _brouȝt[e]_--browhte
212 _enfourmed_--MS. vnfourmed, C. enformyd
_my_--myne
_vnlyke_--vnlyk
213 _wicked folk_--wikkede foolk{e}
_auȝtest_--owhtest
214 _wondre_--wondren
_bitter_--bittre
216 _displese_--displesen
217 _wikked[e]_--wikkede
_schrews_--shrewes
218 _oost_--glossed _acies_ in C.
_grete_--gret
219, 222 _leder_--leder{e}
220 _flityng_--fleetynge
_lyȝtly_--lythly
_if_--yif
221 _aȝeynest_--ayenis
222 _to----rycchesse_, to gydere hise rychesses
_toure_--towr
224 _heyȝ_--heye
225 _al_--alle
_ben_--omitted
_stored_--warnestored
226 _syche_--swich
_þat_--omitted
227 _scorne_--schorne
228 _rauiners----þinges_--rauyneres & henteres of fowleste thinges]
[Headnote:
THE AIM OF PHILOSOPHY.]
QUISQ{UI}S COMPOSITO.
[Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: He who hath triumphed over fate, and remained
insensible to the changes of Fortune, shall not be moved by
storms, nor by the fires of Vesuvius, nor by the fiercest
thunderbolts.]
++Who so it be þat is clere of vertue sad {and} wel ordinat
of lyuyng. þat haþ put vnderfote þe prowed[e]
wierdes {and} lokiþ vpryȝt vpon eyþer fortune. he may
holde hys chiere vndiscomfited. ¶ Þe rage ne þe manace 232
of þe co{m}moeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro þe
botme. ne schal not moeue þat man. ne þe vnstable
mountaigne þat hyȝt veseuus. þat wircheþ oute þoruȝ
hys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. ¶ Ne þe wey 236
of þonder lyȝt þat is wont to smyte heyȝe toures ne
schal not mouene þat man.
[Sidenote: Fear not the tyrant’s rage.]
¶ Wherto þen wrecches
drede ȝe tyrauntes þat ben wode {and} felownes wiþ-outen
ony strenkeþ.
[Sidenote: He who neither fears nor hopes for anything disarms the
tyrant.]
¶ Hope after no þing ne drede nat. {and} 240
so schalt þou desarmen þe ire of þilke vnmyȝty tyraunt. [[pg 13]]
[Sidenote: He whose heart fails him, yields his arms, and forges
his own fetters.]
¶ But who so þat quakyng dredeþ or desireþ þing þat
nis not stable of his ryȝt. þat man þat so doþ haþ cast
awey hys schelde {and} is remoeued fro hys place. {and} 244
enlaceþ hym i{n} þe cheyne wiþ whiche he may be
drawen.
[Linenotes:
229 _clere_--cleer
230 _lyuyng_--leuynge
_haþ_--MS. haþe
_vnderfote_--vndir-foot
_prowed[e]_--prowde
231 _may----chiere_--may his cheere holde
232 _manace_--manesses
233 _þe_--þe see
235 _hyȝt_--hihte
_veseuus_--MS. vesenus
_wircheþ_--writith
236 _broken[e]_--brokene
_smokyng_--smokynge
237 _smyte_--smyten
238 _Wherto þen_--wharto thanne
239 _felownes----ony_--felonos withowte any
241 _schalt þou desarmen_--shaltow deseruien
243 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth
_haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath
_cast_--MS. caste, C. cast
244 _schelde_--sheld
_remoeued fro_--remwed from
245 _whiche_--the which
_be_--ben]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS SPEAKS OF HIS TROUBLES.]
SENTIS NE INQUIT.
[Sidenote: [The verthe p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Philosophy seeks to know the malady of Boethius.]
++FElest þou q{uod} sche þise þinges {and} entren þei ouȝt
in þi corage. ¶ Art þou like an asse to þe harpe. 248
Whi wepest þou whi spillest þou teres. ¶ Yif þou
abidest after helpe of þi leche. þe byhoueþ discouere þi
wounde.
[Sidenote: Boethius complains of Fortune’s unrelenting rage.]
¶ Þo .I. þat hadde gadered strenkeþ in my
corage answered[e] {and} seide. {and} nedeþ it ȝitte q{uod} 252
.I. of rehersyng or of amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} scheweþ it not
ynouȝ by hym self þe scharpnes of fortune þat wexeþ
woode aȝeynes me.
[Sidenote: Is not she moved, he asks, with the aspect of his
prison?]
¶ Ne moeueþ it nat þe to seen þe
face or þe man{er}e of þis place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.).
[Sidenote: His library, his habit, and his countenance are all
changed.]
¶ Is þis 256
þe librarie wyche þat þou haddest chosen for a ryȝt
certeyne sege to þe i{n} myne house. ¶ Þere as þou
desputest of[te] wiþ me of þe sciences of þinges touching
diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde. ¶ Was þan 260
myn habit swiche as it is now. was þan my face or
[Interlinear: quasi d{ice}ret non.]
my chere swiche as now.
¶ Whan I souȝt[e] wiþ þe
secretys of nature. whan þou enfo{ur}medest my maners
{and} þe resou{n} of al my lijf. to þe ensaumple of þe ordre 264
of heuene.
[Sidenote: Is this, he asks, the reward of his fidelity?]
[Interlinear: ironice]
¶ Is nat þis þe gerdou{n} þat I refere to þe
to whom I haue be obeisaunt. ¶ Certis þou enfo{ur}medist
by þe mouþe of plato þis sentence.
[Sidenote: Plato (de Rep. v.) says that those Commonwealths are
most happy that are governed by philosophers, or by those who
study to be so.]
þat is to
seyne þat co{m}mune þinges or comunabletes weren 268
blysful yif þei þat haden studied al fully to wisdom [[pg 14]]
gouerneden þilke þinges.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 5 _b_.]]
or ellys yif it so by-felle þat
þe gouernours *of co{m}munalites studieden in grete wisdomes.
[Linenotes:
247 _Felest þou_--Felistow
_ouȝt_--awht
248 _art þou_--artow
249 _wepest þou_--wepistow
_spillest þou_--spillestow
252 _answered[e]_--answerede
255 _woode_--wood
257 _wyche_--which
258 _myne house þere_--myn hows ther
259 _desputest of[te]_--desputedest ofte
260 _þan_--thanne
261 _it_ and _þan_--both omitted
261, 262 _swiche_--swich
262 _souȝt[e]_--sowhte
263 _secretys_--secretȝ
_my_--MS. me, C. my
264 _al_--alle
265 _gerdoun_--gerdouns
266 _enfourmedist_--conformedest
267 _mouþe_--mowht
268 _comunabletes_--comunalitees
270 _by-felle_--byfille
271 _in grete wisdomes_--to geten wysdom]
[Headnote:
PHILOSOPHERS TO BE POLITICIANS.]
[Sidenote: The same Plato urged philosophers to take upon them the
management of public affairs, lest it should fall into the hands
of unprincipled citizens.]
¶ Þou saidest eke by þe mouþe of þe same 272
plato þat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken
{and} desire þe gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune þi{n}ges. for þat þe
gou{er}nementes of comune citees y-left in þe hondes of
felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citiȝenis ne scholde not brynge 276
inne pestile{n}ce {and} destrucc{i}ou{n} to goode folk.
[Sidenote: Boethius declares that he desired to put in practice
(in the management of public affairs) what he had learnt in his
retirement.]
¶ And
þerfore I folowynge þilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng
to put[te] furþe in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune
admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} þo þinges þat .I. hadde lerned of þe 280
among my secre restyng whiles. ¶ Þou {and} god þ{a}t
put[te] þee in þe þouȝtis of wise folk ben knowen wiþ
me þat no þing brouȝt[e] me to maistrie or dignite: but
þe comune studie of al goodenes.
[Sidenote: He sought to do good to all, but became involved in
discord with the wicked.]
¶ And þer-of comeþ 284
it þat by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse
discordes. þat ne myȝten not be relesed by p{ra}yeres.
[Sidenote: Consciousness of integrity made him despise the anger
of the most powerful.]
¶ For þis libertee haþ fredom of conscience þat þe wraþþe
of more myȝty folk haþ alwey ben despised of me for 288
saluac{i}ou{n} of ryȝt.
[Sidenote: He opposed Conigastus, and put a stop to the doings of
Triguilla.]
¶ How ofte haue .I. resisted {and}
wiþstonde þilk man þat hyȝt[e] conigaste þat made
alwey assautes aȝeins þe p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble
folke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. ȝitte put of. or cast out 292
hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of þe kynges hous boþe of þe
wronges þat he hadde bygon[ne] to done {and} eke fully
p{er}formed. ¶ How ofte haue I couered {and} defended
by þe auctorite of me put aȝeins p{er}ils.
[Sidenote: He put his authority in peril for the defence of poor
folk.]
þat is to seine put 296
myne auctorite in peril for þe wreched pore folke. þat
þe couetise of straungeres vnpunysched to{ur}mentid alwey [[pg 15]]
wiþ myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre.
[Linenotes:
272 _eke_--ek
275 _comune_--omitted
_y-left_--MS. ylefte, C. yleft
276 _Citiȝenis_--citesenes
_brynge inne_--bryngen in
278 _þerfore_--therfor
_þilk_--thilke
_desiryng_--desired
279 _put[te] furþe_--putten forth
280 _þo_--thilke
282 _put[te]_--putte
283 _brouȝt[e]_--ne browhte
284 _þe_--omitted
_al goodenes_--alle goodnesse
_comeþ_--comth
287, 288 _haþ_--MS. haþe
289 _saluacioun_--sauacioun
290 _þilk_--thilke
_hyȝt[e]_--hyhte
290 _conigaste_--MS. coniugaste
292 _ofte_--ofte ek
_ȝitte_--omitted
294 _bygon[ne]_--bygunne
_done_--don
295 _couered_--MS. couerede, C. couered
296 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
_seine_--seyn
297 _myne_--myn
298 _vnpunysched_--vnpunyssed
299 _myseses_--myseyses]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS DEFENDS HIS OWN CONDUCT.]
[Sidenote: I never deviated, he says, from the path of justice.]
¶ Neuer man drow me ȝitte fro ryȝt to wro{n}g. When I say þe 300
fortunes {and} þe rychesse of þe people of þe p{ro}uinces
ben harmed eyþer by p{r}iue rauynes or by comune
tributis or cariages.
[Sidenote: I felt for those that were wrongfully oppressed.]
as sory was I as þei þat suffred[e]
þe harme. _Glosa._ ¶ Whan þat theodoric þe kyng of 304
gothes in a dere ȝere hadde hys gerners ful of corne
{and} comaundede þat no ma{n} ne schold[e] bie no corne
til his corne were solde {and} þat at a dere greuous pris.
¶ But I w{i}t{h}stod þat ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it 308
knowy{n}g al þis þe kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciou{n} þat
is to seyn comune achat or bying to-gidere þat were
establissed vpon poeple by swiche a manere imposiciou{n}
as who so bouȝt[e] a busshel corn he most[e] ȝeue þe 312
ky{n}g þe fifte p{ar}t. _Textus._
[Sidenote: I opposed successfully Coemption in Campania.]
¶ Whan it was in þe
soure hungry tyme þere was establissed or cried greuous
{and} inplitable coempciou{n} þat men seyn wel it schulde
greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and} endamagen al þe p{ro}uince of 316
co{m}paigne I took strif aȝeins þe p{ro}uost of þe pretorie
for comune p{ro}fit. ¶ And þe kyng knowyng of it I
ouercom it so þat þe coempciou{n} ne was not axed ne
took effect.
[Sidenote: I saved Paulinus out of the hands of the hounds of the
palace (_Palatini canes_).]
¶ Paulyn a counseiller of Rome þe rychesse 320
of þe whyche paulyn þe houndys of þe palays. þat is to
seyn þe officeres wolde han deuoured by hope {and}
couetise ¶ Ȝit drow I hym out of þe Iowes .s. faucib{us}
of hem þat gapede{n}.
[Sidenote: I defended Albinus against Cyprian.]
¶ And for as myche as þe peyne 324
of þe accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynly
henten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller of
Rome. I put[te] me aȝenis þe hates {and} indignac{i}ou{n}s [[pg 16]]
of þe accuso{ur} Ciprian. ¶ Is it not þan ynought yseyn 328
þat I haue p{ur}chased greet[e] discordes aȝeins my self.
[Sidenote: For the love of justice I forfeited all favour at
Court.]
but I aughte be more asseured aȝenis alle oþer folk þat
for þe loue of ryȝtwisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer no
þing to my self to hem ward of þe kynges halle .s. officers. 332
by þe whiche I were þe more syker. ¶ But þoruȝ þe
same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned.
[Linenotes:
300 _drow_--MS. drowe, C. weth drowh
_ȝitte_--yit
_wrong_--wronge
301 _rychesse_--richesses
_þe_ (2)--omitted
302 _harmed eyþer_--harmyd or amenused owther
303 _tributis_--tributȝ
_suffred[e]_--suffreden
304 _harme_--harm
305 _ȝere_--yer
_hys_--hise
305, 306, 307 _corne_--corn
306 _schold[e] bie_--sholde byen
308 _But I withstod_--Boece withstood (MS. withstode)
_com_--MS. come, C. com
311 _swiche_--swich
312 _bouȝt[e]_--bowhte
_busshel_--bossel
_most[e] ȝeue_--moste yeue
315 _inplitable_--vnplitable
_seyn_--sayen
319 _ouercom_--MS. ouercome, C. ouer com
320 _counseiller_--consoler
_rychesse_--rychesses
321 _whyche_--which
322 _wolde_--wolden
323 _drow_--MS. drowe, C. drowh
324 _myche_--moche
326 _punischen_--punisse
327 _putt[e]_--putte
328 _yseyn_--MS. yseyne
329 _greet[e]_--grete
330 _aughte be_--owhte be the
_oþer_--oothre
333 _by þe whiche_--by which
_þoruȝ þe_--thorw tho]
[Headnote:
THE ACCUSERS OF BOETHIUS.]
[Sidenote: Boethius makes mention of his accusers, Basilius,
Opilio, Gaudentius, men who had been commanded to leave the city
on account of their many crimes.]
¶ Of þe noumbre of whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius þat somtyme
was chased out of þe kynges seruice. is now co{m}pelled 336
i{n} accusyng of my name for nede of foreine
moneye. ¶ Also opilion {and} Gaudenci{us} han accused
me. al be it so þat þe Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed
hem boþe to go in to exil. for her treccheries {and} fraudes 340
wiþ-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche iugement þei wolde
not obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holy
houses.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 6.]]
*þat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries. {and}
whan þis was ap{er}ceiued to þe kyng. he comaunded[e] 344
but þat þei voided[e] þe citee of Rauenne by certeyne
day assigned þat men scholde merken hem on þe forheued
wiþ an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of toune.
¶ Now what þing semeþ þe myȝt[e] be lykned to þis 348
cruelte.
[Sidenote: But, on the day this sentence was to be executed, they
accused him, and their testimony against him was accepted.]
For certys þilk same day was receyued þe accusyng
of my name by þilk[e] same accuso{ur}s. ¶ What
may be seid herto. haþ my studie {and} my konnyng
deserued þus. or ellys þe forseide dampnaciou{n} of me. 352
made þat hem ryȝtful accuso{ur}s or no (q.d. no{n}).
[Sidenote: Fortune, if not ashamed at this, might at least blush
for the baseness of the accusers.]
¶ Was not fortune asshamed of þis. [Certes alle hadde
nat fortune ben asshamyd] þat i{n}nocence was accused.
ȝit auȝt[e] sche haue had schame of þe filþe of myn accuso{ur}s. 356
[Linenotes:
335 _whiche_--the whiche
_one_--oon
_somtyme_--whilom
339 _sumtyme_--whilon
340 _go_--gon
_her_--hir
341 _wiþ-outen_--withowte
_wolde not_--nolden nat
342 _defended[e]_--defendedyn
_by_--by the
343 _seyne_--seyn
_seyntuaries_--sentuarye
344 _was_--omitted
_comaunded[e]_--comaundede
345 _voided[e]_--voidede
_certeyne_--certeyn
346 _men_--me
_merken_--marke
347 _hoke of iren_--hoot yren
348 _þe_--omitted
_myȝt[e] be_--myhte ben
349 _þilk_--thilke
350 _þilk[e]_--thilke
351 _be_--ben
_seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
_haþ_--MS. haþe
354, 355 [_Certes----asshamyd_]--from C.
356 _auȝt[e]_--owte
_haue had_--han had, MS. hadde]
[[pg 17]]
[Headnote:
THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BOETHIUS.]
¶ But axest þou in so{m}me of what gilt .I.
am accused.
[Sidenote: Boethius says he is accused of trying to save the
Senate, and of having embarrassed an informer against the Senate.]
men seyne þat I wolde sauen þe co{m}paignie
of þe senato{ur}s. ¶ And desirest þou to here
in what manere .I. am accused þat I scholde han distourbed 360
þe accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche he
scholde han maked þe senatours gilty aȝeins þe kynges
Real maieste. ¶ O meistresse what demest þou of
þis. schal .I. forsake þis blame þat I ne be no schame to 364
þe (q. d. no{n}).
[Sidenote: It is true that he tried to save the Senate, for he has
and will have its best interests always at heart.]
¶ Certis .I. haue wold it. þat is to
seyne þe sauuaciou{n} of þe senat. ne I schal neuer leten
to wilne it. {and} þat I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but
þe entent of þe accusour to be destourbed schal cese. 368
¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie þan or a synne þat I
haue desired þe sauuaciou{n} of þe ordre of þe senat.
and certys ȝit hadde þilk same senat don by me þoruȝ
her decretȝ {and} hire iugementys as þouȝ it were a synne 372
or a felonie þat is to seyne to wilne þe sauuaciou{n} of
he{m} (.s senat{us}).
[Sidenote: (Folly cannot change the merit of things.]
¶ But folye þat lieth alwey to hym
self may not chaunge þe merit of þinges.
[Sidenote: According to Socrates’ judgment it is not lawful to
hide the truth nor assent to a falsehood.)]
¶ Ne .I.
trowe not by þe iugement of socrates þ{a}t it were leueful 376
to me to hide þe soþe. ne assent[e] to lesynges.
¶ But certys how so euer it be of þis I put[te] it to gessen
or p{re}ise{n} to þe iugeme{n}t of þe {and} of wise folk. ¶ Of
whiche þing al þe ordinaunce {and} þe soþe for as moche 380
as folk þat ben to comen aftir our{e} dayes scholle{n}
knowen it.
[Sidenote: Boethius determines to transmit an account of his
prosecution to posterity.]
¶ I haue put it in scripture {and} remembraunce.
for touching þe l{ett}res falsly maked. by
whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped þe fredom of 384
Rome. What app{er}teneþ me to speken þer-of.
[Sidenote: Boethius says that he could have defeated his accusers
had he been allowed the use of their confessions.]
Of whiche l{ett}res þe fraude hadde ben schewed ap{er}tly if
I hadde had libertee forto han vsed {and} ben at þe [[pg 18]]
co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ Þe whiche þing in 388
alle nedys haþ grete strenkeþ. ¶ For what oþ{er} fredo{m}
may men hopen.
[Sidenote: But there is now no remains of liberty to be hoped
for.]
Certys I wolde þat some oþ{er} fredom
myȝt[e] be hoped. ¶ I wolde þan haue answered by
þe wordes of a man þat hyȝt[e] Canius. for whan he was 392
accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son þat he (cani{us})
was knowyng {and} consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked
aȝeins hym (.s. Gai{us}). ¶ Þis Canius answered[e]
þus. ¶ Yif I had[de] wist it þou haddest not wist it. 396
[Linenotes:
357 _axest þou_--axestow
358 _seyne_--seyn
_sauen_--saue
359 _desirest þou_--desires thow
_here_--hereen
362 _maked_--MS. maken, C. makyd
363 _demest þou_--demestow
365 _wold_--MS. wolde, C. wold
366 _seyne_--seyn
367 _þat_--omitted
_am_--I am
368 _be_--ben
369 _it_--it thanne
_þan_--omitted
371 _þilk_--thilke
372 _her_--hir
_hire_--hir
_þouȝ_--thogh
373 _or_--and
_seyne_--seyn
374 _lieth_--MS. lieþe, C. lieth
377 _assent[e]_--assente
381 _schollen_--shellen
382 {and}--{and} in
385 _speken_--speke
385-86 _of----lettres_--C. omits
386 _if_--yif
387 _had_--MS. hade, C. had
388 _myn_--myne
389 _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hath
_grete_--gret
_what_--omitted
390 _some_--som
391 _myȝt[e] be_--myhte ben
_þan haue_--thanne han
392 _hyȝt[e]_--hyhte
394 _maked_--ymaked
395 _answered[e]_--answerede
396 _had[de]_--hadde]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS COMPLAINS TO PHILOSOPHY.]
[Sidenote: It is not strange that the wicked should conspire
against virtue.]
In whiche þing sorwe haþ not so dulled my witte
þ{a}t I pleyne oonly þat schrewed[e] folk apparailen
folies aȝeins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly how þat
þei may p{er}forme þinges þat þei had[de] hoped forto 400
done.
[Sidenote: The will to do ill proceeds from the defects of human
nature.]
For why. to wylne schrewednesse þat comeþ
p{ar}auenture of oure defaute. ¶ But it is lyke to a
monstre {and} a meruaille.
[Sidenote: It is a marvel how such evil acts can be done under the
eye of an Omniscient God.]
¶ How þat in þe p{re}se{n}t
syȝt of god may ben acheued {and} p{er}formed swiche 404
þinges. as euery felonous man haþ conceyued in hys
þouȝt aȝeins i{n}nocent. ¶ For whiche þing oon of þi
familers not vnskilfully axed þus.
[Sidenote: If there be a God, whence proceeds evil? If there is
none, whence arises good?]
¶ Ȝif god is. whennes
comen wikked[e] þinges. {and} yif god ne is whennes 408
comen goode þinges. but al hadde it ben leueful þat
felonous folk þat now desiren þe bloode {and} þe deeþ of
alle goode men. {and} eke of al þe senat han wilned to
gone destroien me. whom þei han seyn alwey bataile{n} 412
{and} defenden goode men {and} eke al þe senat. Ȝit
hadde I not desserued of þe fadres. þat is to seyne of
þe senatours þat þei scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}.
[Sidenote: Boethius defends the integrity of his life.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 6 _b_.]]
¶ Þou remembrest wele as I gesse þat whan I wolde [[pg 19]]
don or *seyn any þing. þou þi self alwey p{re}sent reweledest me. 417
[Sidenote: He defended the Senate at Verona.]
¶ At þe citee of verone wha{n} þat þe
kyng gredy of comune slauȝter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten
vpon al þe ordre of þe senat. þe gilt of his real 420
maieste of þe whiche gilt þat albyn was accused. wiþ
how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended[e] I al
þe senat.
[Sidenote: He spake only the truth, and did not boast.]
¶ Þou wost wel þat I seide soþe. ne I
auaunted[e] me neuer in preysyng of my self. 424
[Sidenote: (Boasting lessens the pleasure of a self approving
conscience.)]
¶ For
alwey when any wyȝt resceiueþ p{re}ciouse renou{n} in
auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiþ þe
secre of hys conscience. ¶ But now þou mayst wel
seen to what ende I am comen for myne i{n}nocence. 428
[Linenotes:
397 _whiche_--which
_sorwe_--sorw
_haþ_--MS. haþe
_witte_--wit
398 _schrewed[e]_--shrewede
399 _folies_--felonies
_vertues_--vertu
400 _had[de]_--han
401 _done_--don
_comeþ_--comth
402 _lyke to a_--lyk a
404 _syȝt_--syhte
405 _haþ_--MS. haþe
406 _innocent_--innocentȝ
_whiche_--which
408 _wikked[e]_--wykkede
410 _bloode_--blod
411 _eke_--ek
412 _gone_--gon {and}
_seyn_--seyen
413 _eke_--ek
414 _seyne_--seyn
415 _scholde_--sholden
416 _wele_--wel
417 _don_--MS. done, C. doon
_seyn_--seyen
418 _þe_ (1)--omitted
419 _slauȝter_--slawhtre
420 _transporten vpon_--transpor vp
422 _grete_--gret
_defended[e]_--deffendede
423 _seide soþe_--seye soth
424 _auaunted[e]_--auauntede
425 _when_--whan
_preciouse_--presious]
[Headnote:
OF HIS FALSE ACCUSERS.]
[Sidenote: But as the reward of his innocence he is made to suffer
the punishment due to the blackest crime.]
I receiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdou{n} of verray
vertue. ¶ And what open co{n}fessiou{n} of felonie
had[de] euer iugis so accordaunt i{n} cruelte. þat is to
seyne as myne accusyng haþ. ¶ Þat oþer errour of 432
mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune þat is vncerteyne
to al mortal folk ne submytted[e] su{m}me of he{m}. þat is
to seyne þat it ne cheyned[e] su{m}me iuge to han pitee
or compassiou{n}. 436
[Sidenote: Had he been accused of a design to burn temples,
massacre priests, he would have been allowed to confront his
accusers.]
¶ For al þouȝ I had[de] ben accused
þat I wolde brenne holy houses. {and} strangle p{re}stys
wiþ wicked swerde. ¶ or þat .I. had[de] grayþed deeþ
to alle goode men algatis þe sentence scholde han
punysched me p{re}sent confessed or co{n}uict.
[Sidenote: But now this is denied him, and he is proscribed and
condemned to death.]
¶ But 440
now I am remewed fro þe Citee of rome almost fyue-hundreþ
þousand pas. I am wiþ outen defence dampned
to p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to þe deeþ. for þe studie {and}
bountees þat I haue done to þe senat. ¶ But o wel ben 444
þei worþi of mercye (as who seiþ nay.) þer myȝt[e] neuer
ȝit non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame as [[pg 20]]
myn is of swiche t{r}espas myn accuso{ur}s seyen ful wel þe dignitee.
[Linenotes:
429 _in_--for
430 _vertue_--vertu
431 _had[de]_--hadde
432 _seyne_--seyn
_myne_--myn
_haþ_--MS. haþe
433 _witte_--wit
_vncerteyne_--vncerteyn
434 _al_--alle
_submytted[e]_--submittede
435 _seyne_--seyn
_cheyned[e]_--enclinede
436 _had[de]_--hadde
438 _wicked_--wykkede
_had[de]_--hadde
441 _almost_--almest
442 _þousand_--MS. þousas
_wiþ outen_--withowte
444 _done_--doon
445 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
446 _ben_--be
_swiche_--swich
447 _myn_ (_both_)--myne
_swiche_--whiche
_seyen_--sayen]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS ACCUSED OF SORCERY.]
[Sidenote: Boethius says that his enemies accused him of sorcery.]
þe wiche dignite for þei wolde derken it 448
wiþ medelyng of some felonye. þei beren me on honde
{and} lieden. þat I hadde polute {and} defouled my conscience
wiþ sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ And
certys þou þi self þat art plaunted in me chacedest oute 452
þe sege of my corage al couetise of mortal þinges. ne
sacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a place in me byforne
þine eyen.
[Sidenote: He affirms that he has always followed the golden maxim
of Pythagoras,-- ἕπου Θεῷ.]
¶ For þou drouppedest euery day in myn
eer{e}s {and} in my þouȝt þilk comaundement of pictogoras. 456
þat is to seyne men schal seruen to god. {and} not to
goddes. ¶ Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede to
taken helpe of þe foulest spirites. ¶ I þat þou hast
ordeyned or set in syche excellence þ{a}t [þou] makedest 460
me lyke to god. and ouer þis þe ryȝt clene secre
chaumbre of myn house.
[Sidenote: His family and friends could clear him from all
suspicion of the crime of sorcery.]
þat is to seye my wijf {and} þe
co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my wyues
fadir as wel holy as worþi to ben reuerenced þoruȝ 464
hys owen dedis. defenden me of al suspecciou{n} of syche
blame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For þei þat accusen me
taken of þe philosophie feiþe of so grete blame.
[Sidenote: Because he has given himself up to Philosophy, his
enemies accuse him of using unlawful arts.]
¶ For 467
þei trowen þat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or enchau{n}tementȝ
by cause þat I am replenissed {and} fulfilled
wiþ þi techynges. {and} enformed of þi maners.
¶ And þus it sufficeþ not only þat þi reuerence ne auayle
me not. but ȝif þat þou of þi fre wille raþer be blemissed 472
wiþ myne offensiou{n}. ¶ But certys to þe harmes þat I
haue þere bytydeþ ȝit þis encrece of harme.
[Linenotes:
448 _wolde_--wolden
449 _some_--som
_beren_--baren
_on honde_--an hand
450 _polute_--polut
451 _sacrelege_--C. _has_ sorcerie _as a gloss to_ sacrilege
453 _al_--alle
454 _had[de]_--hadde
_byforne_--byforn
455 _drouppedest_--droppedest
_myn_--myne
456 _þilk_--thilke
457 _seyne_--seyn
_seruen_--serue
_god_--godde
459 _helpe_--help
_spirites_--spirite
460 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
_syche_--swiche
[_þou_]--thow
461 _lyke_--lyk
462 _house_--hows
_seye_--seyn
463 _myn_--my
465 _owen_--owne
_of al_--from alle
_syche_--swich
467 _philosophie_--philosophre
_feiþe_--feyth
_grete_--gret
468 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
473 _myne_--myn
474 _þere_--ther
_harme_--harm]
[[pg 21]]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS DEPLORES THE POPULAR CENSURE.]
þat þe gessinge {and} þe iugement of myche folk ne loken no
þing to þe[de]sertys of þinges but only to þe aue{n}t{ur}e 476
of fortune.
[Sidenote: Most people imagine that that only should be judged to
be undertaken with prudent foresight which is crowned with
success.]
¶ And iugen þat only swiche þinges ben
p{ur}ueied of god. whiche þat temporel welefulnesse
co{m}mendiþ. _Glosa._ ¶ As þus þat yif a wyȝt haue
prosperite. he is a good man {and} worþi to haue þat 480
p{ro}sperite.
[Sidenote: The unfortunate lose the good opinion of the world.]
and who so haþ aduersite he is a wikked
man. {and} god haþ forsake hym. {and} he is worþi to
haue þat aduersite. ¶ Þis is þe opiniou{n} of so{m}me
folke.
[Sidenote: [* Text begins again.]]
*{and} þer of comeþ þat good gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of 484
al þi{n}g forsakeþ wrecches certys it greueþ me to þink[e]
ryȝt now þe dyuerse sentences þat þe poeple seiþ of
me. ¶ And þus moche I seye þat þe laste charge of
contrarious fortune is þis.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 7.]]
*þat whan þat ony blame is 488
laid vpon a caytif. men wenen þat he haþ deserued þat
he suffreþ.
[Sidenote: Boethius laments the loss of his dignities and
reputation.]
¶ And I þat am put awey fro{m} goode men
{and} despoiled from dignitees {and} defoulid of my name
by gessyng haue suffred torment for my goode dedis. 492
[Sidenote: The wicked, he says, sin with impunity, while the
innocent are deprived of security, protection, and defence.]
¶ Certys me semeþ þat I se þe felonus couines of
wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes. ¶ And
I se þat euery lorel shapiþ hy{m} to fynde oute newe
fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I se þat goode 496
men ben ou{er}þrowen for drede of my p{er}il. ¶ and
euery luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed
{and} ben excited þerto by ȝiftes. and i{n}nocentȝ
ne ben not oonly despoiled of sykernesse but of defence 500
{and} þerfore me list to crien to god in þis manere.
[Linenotes:
475 _myche_--moche
476 _þe[de]sertys_--the desertȝ
479 _Glosa_--glose
480 _good_--MS. goode, C. good
_haue_--han
481 _so_--omitted in C.
481, 482 _haþ_--MS. haþe
483 _haue_--han
484 _Fyrste_--fyrst
485 _al_--alle
_þink[e]_--thinke
488 _ony_--any
489 _laid_--MS. laide, C. leyd
_haþ_--MS. haþe
490 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
491 _from_--of
494 _abounden_--habownden
_gladnes_--gladnesse
495 _oute_--owt
496 _accusen_--accuse
497 _ben_--beth
501 _manere_--wise]
[Headnote:
THE CRUEL CHANGES OF FORTUNE]
O STELLIFERI CONDITOR ORBIS.
[Sidenote: [The fifthe met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Author of the starry sky, Thou, seated on high, turnest
the spheres, and imposest laws upon the stars and planets.]
++O þou maker of þe whele þat bereþ þe sterres. whiche
þat art fastned to þi p{er}durable chayere. {and}
turnest þe heuene wiþ a rauyssyng sweigh{e}
{and} {con}streinest [[pg 22]]
þe sterres to suffren þi lawe. ¶ So þ{a}t þe 505
mone somtyme schynyng wiþ hir ful hornes metyng
wiþ alle þe bemes of þe sonne.
[Sidenote: The sun obscures the lesser lights, and quenches even
the moon’s light.]
¶ Hir broþer hideþ þe
sterres þat ben lasse. {and} somtyme whan þe mone 508
pale wiþ hir derke hornes approcheþ þe sonne. leesith
hir lyȝtes.
[Sidenote: Thou raisest Hesperus to usher in the shades of night,
and again causest him to be the harbinger of day, whence his name
Lucifer.]
¶ And þat þe euesterre esperus whiche
þat in þe first[e] tyme of þe nyȝt bryngeþ furþe hir
colde arysynges comeþ eft aȝeynes hir vsed cours. {and} 512
is pale by þe morwe at þe rysynge of þe sonne. and is
þan cleped lucifer. ¶ Þou restreinest þe day by schorter
dwellyng in þe tyme of colde wynter þat makeþ þe
leues to falle. ¶ Þou diuidest þe swifte tides of þe 516
nyȝt when þe hote somer is comen.
[Sidenote: Thou controllest the changing seasons of the year.]
¶ Þi myȝt attempre[þ]
þo variau{n}tȝ sesons of þe ȝere. so þat
ȝepherus þe deboneire wynde bringeþ aȝein in þe first[e]
somer sesou{n} þe leues þat þe wynde þat hyȝt[e] boreas 520
haþ reft awey in autu{m}pne. þat is to seyne in þe laste
eende of somer. and þe sedes þat þe sterre þat hyȝt arctur{us}
saw ben waxen hey[e] cornes whan þe sterre
sirius eschaufeþ hym. 524
[Sidenote: All nature is bound by thy eternal law.]
¶ Þere nis no þing vnbounde
from hys olde lawe ne forleteþ hym of hys p{ro}pre estat.
[Linenotes:
502 _whele_--whel
_whiche_--which
503 _fastned_--yfastned
_chayere_--chayer
504 _sweighe_--sweyh
_constreinest_, MS. contreuiest, C. constreynest
506 _hir_--her{e}
508 _lasse_--lesse
510 _esperus whiche_--hesperus which
511 _first[e]_--fyrste
_furþe_--forth
512 _eft_--est
514 _restreinest_--MS. restreniest
516 _to_--omitted
518 _attempre[þ] þo_--atempreth the
_sesons_--sesoun
_ȝere_--yer
519 _wynde bringeþ_--wynd brengeth
520 _wynde_--wynd
_hyȝt[e]_--hihte
521 _reft_--MS. refte, C. reft
_seyne_--seyn
522 _hyȝt_--hihte
_arcturus_--MS. aritur{us}
523 _saw_--MS. saweþ, C. sawgh
_hey[e]_--hyye
524 _hym_--hem
_þere_--ther
_þing_--thinge
525 _from_--fram
_forleteþ hym of_--forleetheth þe werke of]
[Headnote:
CONTRASTED WITH THE ORDER OF NATURE.]
[Sidenote: Why, then, leavest thou man’s actions uncontrolled?]
¶ O þou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle þinges by certeyne
ende. why refusest þou oonly to gouerne þe werkes of
men by dewe manere.
[Sidenote: Why should fickle fortune be allowed to work such
mighty changes in the world?]
¶ Whi suffrest þ{o}u þat slidyng 528
fortune turneþ to grete vtter chaungynges of þinges.
so þat anoious peyne þat scholde duelly punissh{e} felouns
punissitȝ innocentȝ.
[Sidenote: The wicked are prosperous, while the righteous are in
adversity.]
¶ And folk of wikked[e]
man{er}es sitten in heiȝe chaiers. {and} anoienge folk 532
treden {and} þat vnryȝtfully in þe nekkes of holy men. [[pg 23]]
¶ And vertue clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in
dirke dirkenesses. {and} þe ryȝtful man beriþ þe blame
{and} þe peyne of þe felowne. ¶ Ne þe forsweryng ne 536
þe fraude couered {and} kembd wiþ a fals colo{ur} ne
a-noyeþ not to schrewes. ¶ Þe whiche schrewes whan
hem lyst to vsen her strengþe þei reioisen hem to
putte{n} vndir hem þe souerayne kynges. whiche þ{a}t 540
poeple wiþ[outen] noumbre dreden.
[Sidenote: O thou that bindest the disagreeing elements, look upon
this wretched earth, and, as thou dost govern the spacious
heavens, so let the earth be firmly bound.]
¶ O þou what so
euer þou be þat knyttes[t] alle bondes of þinges loke
on þise wrecched[e] erþes. we men þat ben nat a
foule party but a faire party of so grete a werke we 544
ben turmentid in þe see of fortune. ¶ Þou gouerno{ur}
wiþdraw {and} restreyne þe rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne
{and} forme þise erþes stable wiþ þilke [bonde] wiþ
whiche þou gouernest þe heuene þat is so large. 548
[Linenotes:
527 _refusest þou_--refowsestow
529 _to----þinges_--so grete entrechaunginges of thynges
531 _punissitȝ_--punysshe
_wikked[e]_--wykkede
532 _heiȝe_--heer{e}
533 _in_--oon
534 {and}--omitted
536 _Ne þe forsweryng_--Ne forswerynge
537 _kembd_--MS. kembde, C. kembd
541 _wiþ[outen]_--withhowtyn
542 _knyttes[t]_--knyttest
543 _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede
544 _a_ (2)--omitted
545 _þe_--this
546 _wiþdraw_--MS. wiþdrawe, C. withdrawh
_þe_--thei
547 _forme_--ferme
[_bonde_]--from C.
_wiþ_--by]
[Headnote:
PHILOSOPHY CONSOLES BOETHIUS,]
HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE.
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Philosophy consoles Boethius.]
++Whan I hadde wiþ a continuel sorwe sobbed or
broken out þise þinges sche wiþ hir chere peisible
{and} no þi{n}g amoeued. wiþ my compleyntes seide þ{us}.
whan I say þe q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist[e] 552
on-one þat þou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I
wist[e] neuer how fer þine exile was: ȝif þi tale ne
hadde schewed it to me. but certys al be þou fer fro þi
contre.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 7 _b_.]]
þou nart *nat put out of it. but þou hast 556
fayled of þi weye {and} gon amys.
[Sidenote: She speaks to him of his country.]
¶ and yif þou hast
leuer forto wene þan þou be put out of þi contre. þan
hast þou put oute þi self raþer þen ony oþer wyȝt haþ.
[Linenotes:
550 _broken_--borken
552 _wist[e]_--wyste
553 _on-one_--anon
554 _wist[e]_--wyste
_fer_--ferr{e}
555 _ne hadde_--nadde
557 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon
558 _leuer_--leuer{e}
558, 559 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
559 _haþ_--MS. haþe]
[Headnote:
AND PROPOSES TO ADMINISTER REMEDIES.]
¶ For no wyȝt but þi self ne myȝt[e] neuer haue don 560
þat to þe. [[pg 24]]
[Sidenote: She reminds him that he is a citizen of a country not
governed by a giddy multitude, but εἷς κοίρανός ἐστιν, εἷς
βασιλεύς.]
¶ For ȝif þou remembre of what contre þou
art born. it nis not gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by
gouernement of multitude. as weren þe contres of hem
of athenes. ¶ But o lorde {and} o kyng {and} þat is god 564
þat is lorde of þi contree. whiche þat reioiseþ hym of
þe dwellyng of hys Citeȝenis. {and} not forto putte hem
in exile. Of þe whiche lorde it is a souerayne fredom
to be gouerned by þe bridel of hym and obeie to his 568
iustice.
[Sidenote: The Commonwealth of Boethius.]
¶ Hast þou forȝeten þilke ryȝt olde lawe of þi
Citee. in þe whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and} establissed
þat what wyȝt þat haþ leuer founden þer i{n}ne hys sete
or hys house. þen ellys where: he may not be exiled 572
by no ryȝt fro þat place. ¶ For who so þat is co{n}tened
in-wiþ þe paleis [{and} the clos] of þilke Citee. þer nis
no drede þat he may deserue to ben exiled. ¶ But
who þat letteþ þe wille forto enhabit[e] þere. he forleteþ 576
also to deserue to ben Citeȝein of þilke Citee.
[Sidenote: Philosophy says she is moved more by the looks of
Boethius than by his gloomy prison.]
¶ So þat I seye þat þe face of þis place ne amoeueþ me
nat so myche as þine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe not
raþer þe walles of þi librarie apparailled {and} wrouȝt 580
wiþ yvory {and} wiþ glas þan after þe sete of þi þouȝt.
[Sidenote: Books are to be valued on account of the _thoughts_
they contain.]
In whiche I putte nat somtyme bookes. but .I. putte
þat þat makeþ bookes worþi of p{ri}s or p{re}cious þat is
to sein þe sentence of my books. ¶ {And} certeinly of 584
þi dec{er}tes by-stowed in co{m}mune good. þou hast seid
soþe but after þe multitude of þi goode dedys. þou hast
seid fewe. {and} of þe vnhonestee or falsnesse of þinges
þat ben opposed aȝeins þe. þou hast remembred þinges 588
þat be{n} knowe to alle folk.
[Sidenote: Boethius has rightfully and briefly recounted the
frauds of his accusers.]
and of þe felonies {and}
fraudes of þine accuso{ur}s. it semeþ þe haue I-touched
it forsoþe ryȝtfully {and} schortly. ¶ Al myȝten þo
same þinges bettere {and} more plentiuousely be couth [[pg 25]]
in þe mouþe of þe poeple þ{a}t knoweþ al þis. ¶ Þou 593
hast eke blamed gretly {and} compleyned of þe wrongful
dede of þe senat. ¶ And þou hast sorwed for my
blame.
[Sidenote: Thou hast, said Philosophy, bewailed the loss of thy
good name, thou hast complained against Fortune, and against the
unequal distribution of rewards and punishments.]
{and} þou hast wepen for þe damage of þi renoune 596
þat is appaired. {and} þi laste sorwe eschaufed
aȝeins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest þat gerdou{n}s ne ben not
euenliche ȝolde to þe desertes of folk. {and} in þe l{att}re
ende of þi woode muse þou p{r}iedest þ{a}t þilke pees þat 600
gouerneþ þe heuene scholde gou{er}ne þe erþe ¶ But
for þat many tribulac{i}ou{n}s of affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed
þe. {and} sorwe {and} Ire {and} wepyng todrawen þee
dyuersely
[Sidenote: Strong medicines are not proper for thee now,
distracted by grief, anger, and sadness.]
¶ As þou art now feble of þouȝt. myȝtyer 604
remedies ne schullen not ȝit touchen þe for whiche
we wil[e] vsen somedel lyȝter medicines.
[Sidenote: Light medicines must prepare thee for sharper
remedies.]
So þat þilk[e]
passiou{n}s þat ben woxen harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}
folowyng in to þi þouȝt mowen woxe esy 608
{and} softe to receyue{n} þe strenkeþ of a more myȝty {and}
more egre medicine by an esier touchyng.
[Linenotes:
560 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
_haue_--han
_don_--MS. done, C. don
562 _born_--MS. borne, C. born
566 _hys_--hise
_putte_--put
568 _be_--ben
571 _haþ_--MS. haþe
572 _house_--hows
574 [_and----clos_]--from C.
576 _wille_--wyl
_enhabit[e]_--enhabyte
578 _seye_--sey
_amoeueþ_--moueth
579 _myche_--mochel
_owen_--owne
_ne_ (2)--omitted
582 _putte_ (_both_)--put
_somtyme_--whilom
585 _decertes_--desertes
_seid_--MS. seide, C. seyde
586 _soþe_--soth
587 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
588 _opposed_--aposyd
599 _knowe_--knowyn
592 _be couth_--MS. be couth{e}, C. ben cowth
596 _wepen_--wopen
597 _laste_--last
_eschaufed_--eschaufede
598 _not_--omitted
599 _ȝolde_--yolden
602 _many_--manye
604 _myȝtyer_--myhtyer{e}
605 _whiche_--which
606 _wil[e]_--wol
_lyȝter_--lyhter{e}
_þilk[e]_--thilke
607 _harde_--hard
608 _folowyng_--Flowyng
_woxe_--wexen
610 _esier_--esyer{e}]
[Headnote:
PHILOSOPHY QUESTIONS BOETHIUS.]
CU{M} PHEBI RADIIS G{RA}UE CA{N}C{R}I SID{US} ENESTUAT.
[Sidenote: [The sixte met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: He who sows his seed when the sun is in the Sign of
Cancer, must look for no produce.]
++Whan þat þe heuy sterre of þe cancre eschaufeþ by
þe beme of pheb{us}. þat is to seyne whan þat pheb{us} 612
þe sonne is in þe signe of þe Cancre. Who so ȝeueþ
þan largely hys sedes to þe feldes þat refuse to receiuen
hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust þat he
hadde to hys corn. to acorns or okes.
[Sidenote: Think not to ingather violets in the wintry and stormy
season.]
yif þou wilt 616
gadre violettȝ. ne go þou not to þe purp{er} wode whan
þe felde chirkynge agriseþ of colde by þe felnesse of
þe wynde þat hyȝt aquilon
[Sidenote: If you wish for wine in autumn let the tendrils of the
vine be free in the spring.]
Yif þou desirest or
¶ wolt vsen grapes ne seke þou nat wiþ a gloto{n}us hande [[pg 26]]
to streine {and} p{re}sse þe stalkes of þe vine in þe first 621
somer sesou{n}. for bachus þe god of wyne haþ raþer
ȝeuen his ȝiftes to autu{m}pne þe latter ende of somer.
[Sidenote: To every work God assigns a proper time, nor suffers
anything to pass its bounds.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 8.]]
¶ God tokeniþ {and} assigneþ *þe tymes. ablyng hem 624
to her p{ro}pre offices. ¶ Ne he ne suffreþ not stoundes
whiche þat hym self haþ deuided {and} co{n}streined to
be medeled to gidre
[Sidenote: Success does not await him who departs from the
appointed order of things.]
¶ And forþi he þat forleteþ
certeyne ordinaunce of doynge by ou{er}þrowyng wey. 628
he ne haþ no glade issue or ende of hys werkes.
[Linenotes:
612 _beme_--beemes
_seyne_--seyn
614 _hys_--hise
_refuse_--refusen
615 after _hem_ C. adds [s. corn]
_lete hym gon_ (MS. _gone_)--lat hym gon
616 _or_--of
_wilt gadre_--wolt gadery
618 _felde_--feeld
_felnesse_--felnesses
619 _hyȝt_--hyhte
620 _hande_--hond
622 _haþ_--MS. haþe
625 _her propre_--heer{e} propres
_not_--nat the
626 _haþ_--MS. haþe
627 _be medeled_--ben I-medled
628 _certeyne_--certeyn
629 _haþ_--MS. haþe]
[Headnote:
DISCOVERS THE CAUSE OF HIS DISTEMPER.]
PRIMU{M} IGITUR PATERIS ROGACIONIB{US}.
[Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Philosophy proposes to question Boethius.]
++FIrst wolt þou suffre me to touche {and} assaie þe stat
of þi þouȝt by a fewe demaundes. so þat I may
vnderstonde what be þe manere of þi curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ Axe 632
me q{uod} .I. atte þi wille what þou wilt. {and} I schal
answer{e}.
[Sidenote: _P._ Is the world governed by Chance?]
¶ Þo saide sche þus. wheþer wenest þou q{uo}d
sche þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes
{and} fortunes. or elles wenest þou þat þer be i{n} it any 636
gouerneme{n}t of resou{n}.
[Sidenote: _B._ By no means. The Creator presides over his own
works.]
Certes q{uod} .I. ne trowe not
in no manere þat so certeyne þinges scholde be moeued
by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel þat god maker
{and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of þis werk.
[Sidenote: I shall never swerve from this opinion.]
Ne neuer nas 640
ȝit day þat myȝt[e] putte me oute of þe soþenesse of
þat sentence.
[Sidenote: _P._ Yes! Thou didst say as much when thou didst
declare man alone to be destitute of divine care.]
¶ So is it q{uod} sche. for þe same þing
songe þou a lytel here byforne {and} byweyledest {and}
byweptest. þat only men weren put oute of þe cure of 644
god. ¶ For of alle oþer þinges þou ne doutest nat
þat þei nere gouerned by reso{n}.
[Sidenote: Still thou seemest to labour under some defect even in
this conviction.]
but how (.i. pape.).
I wondre gretly certes whi þat þou art seek. siþen þou
art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken 648
depper. I coniecte þat þere lakkeþ I not what. [[pg 27]]
[Sidenote: Tell me how the world is governed.]
but sey me þis. siþen þat þou ne doutest nat þ{a}t þis worlde
be gouerned by god ¶ wiþ swycche gouernailes takest
þou hede þat it is gouerned.
[Sidenote: _B._ I do not thoroughly comprehend your question.]
¶ vnneþ q{uod} .I. knowe 652
.I. þe sente{n}ce of þi q{ue}stiou{n}. so þat I ne may nat
ȝit answeren to þi demaundes.
[Sidenote: _P._ I was not deceived, then, when I said there was
some defect in thy sentiment.]
¶ I nas nat deceiued
q{uod} sche þat þere ne faileþ su{m}what. by whiche þe
maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept in to þi þouȝt. so 656
as þe strengþe of þe paleys schynyng is open.
[Sidenote: Tell me what is the chief end of all things; and
whither all things tend.]
¶ But
seye me þis reme{m}brest þou ouȝt what is þe ende of
þi þinges. whider þat þe entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tendeþ.
¶ I haue herd told it somtyme q{uod} .I. but drerynesse 660
haþ dulled my memorie. ¶ Certys q{uod} sche
þou wost wel whe{n}nes þat alle þinges ben comen {and}
p{ro}ceded.
[Sidenote: _B._ God is the beginning of all things.]
I wot wel q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered[e] þat
god is þe bygynnyng of al.
[Sidenote: _P._ How, then, art thou ignorant of their end?]
¶ And how may þis be 664
q{uod} sche þat siþen þ{o}u knowest þe bygynnyng of
þinges. þat þou ne knowest not what is þe endyng of
þinges.
[Sidenote: But it is the nature of these perturbations (which thou
endurest) to unsettle men’s minds.]
but swiche ben þe customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s.
{and} þis power þei han. þat þei may moeue a ma{n} fro 668
hys place. þat is to seyne from þe stablenes {and} p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}
of hys knowyng. but certys þei may not al
arace hym ne alyene hy{m} in al. ¶ But I wolde þat
þou woldest answere to þis.
[Sidenote: Dost thou remember that thou art a man?]
¶ Remembrest þou þat 672
þou art a man
[Sidenote: _B._ Certainly I do.]
¶ _Boice._ ¶ Whi scholde I nat remembre
þat q{uod} .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ What is man?]
_Philosophie._ ¶ Maiste þou not telle
me þan q{uod} sche what þing is a man.
[Sidenote: _B._ If you ask me whether I am a rational and mortal
creature, I know and confess I am.]
¶ Axest not
me q{uod} I. wheþir þat be a resonable best mortel. I 676
wot wel {and} I confesse wel þat I am it.
[Sidenote: _P._ But dost thou not know that thou art more than
this?]
¶ Wistest
þou neuer ȝit þat þou were ony oþer þing q{uod} she.
[Linenotes:
630 _wolt þou_--woltow
_stat_--estat
633 _atte_--at
_wilt_--wolt
635 _worlde_--world
_foolisshe_--foolyssh
636 _fortunes_--fortunows
638 _scholde_--sholden
639 _wot_--MS. wote, C. woot
641 _myȝt[e] putte_--myhte put
644 _put_--MS. putte
645 _doutest_--dowtedest
646 _how_--owh
647 _seek siþen_--syk{e} syn
648 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
649 _depper_--depper{e}
_not what_--not ner{e} what
650 _siþen_--syn
_worlde_--world
651 _takest þou_--takestow
658 _seye_--sey
_remembrest þou_--remenbres thow
_ouȝt_--omitted
659 _al_--alle
660 _herd told_--MS. herde tolde
_herd told it_--herd yt toold
661 _haþ_--MS. haþe
663 _proceded_--procedeth
_ansewered[e]_--answerede
664 _þe_--omitted
_al_--alle
665 _siþen_--syn
668 _fro_--owt of
669 _seyne from_--seyn fro
672 _Remembrest þou_--Remenbresthow
674 _Maiste þou_--Maysthow
675 _þan_--þanne
_þing_--thinge
_Axest_--Axestow
677 _Wistest þou_--wystesthow
678 _þing_--thinge]
[[pg 28]]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS NEEDS LIGHT REMEDIES.]
[Sidenote: _B._ No.]
No q{uod} .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Now I know the principal cause of thy distemper.]
now wot I q{uod} she oþer cause of þi
maladie {and} þat ryȝt grete ¶ Þou hast left forto 680
knowe þi self what þou art. þoruȝ whiche I haue pleynelyche
knowen þe cause of þi maladie. or ellis þe
entre of recoueryng of þin hele.
[Sidenote: Thou hast lost the knowledge of thyself, thou knowest
not the end of things, and hast forgotten how the world is
governed.]
¶ Forwhy for þou
art co{n}founded wiþ forȝetyng of þi self. forþi sorwest 684
þou þat þou art exiled of þi p{ro}pre goodes. ¶ And
for þou ne wost what is þe ende of þinges. for[þi] demest
[þou] þat felono{us} {and} wikked men ben myȝty {and} weleful
for þou hast forȝeten by whiche gouernementȝ þe worlde 688
is gouerned. ¶ Forþi wenest þou þat þise mutac{i}ou{n}s
of fortune fleten wiþ oute{n} gouerno{ur}.
[Sidenote: These are not only great occasions of disease, but also
causes of death itself.]
þise ben grete
causes not oonly to maladie. but certes grete causes to
deeþ
[Sidenote: I thank God that Reason hath not wholly deserted thee.]
¶ But I þanke þe auctour {and} þe makere of 692
heele þat nat{ur}e haþ not al forleten þe.
[Sidenote: I have some hope of thy recovery since thou believest
that the world is under Divine Providence, for this small spark
shall produce vital heat.]
{and} I haue
g[r]ete norissinges of þi hele. {and} þat is þe soþe sentence
of gou{er}nau{n}ce of þe worlde.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 8 _b_.]]
þat þou byleuest
þat þe gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit ne vnderput 696
to þe folie *of þise happes auenterouses. but to þe
resou{n} of god ¶ And þer fore doute þe noþing.
For of þis litel spark þine heet of lijf schal shine.
[Sidenote: But as this is not the time for stronger remedies, and
because it is natural to embrace false opinions so soon as we have
laid aside the true, from whence arises a mist that darkens the
understanding, I shall endeavour therefore to dissipate these
vapours so that you may perceive the true light.]
¶ But
for as muche as it is not tyme ȝitte of fastere remedies 700
¶ And þe nature of þouȝtes disseiued is þis þat as ofte
as þei casten aweye soþe opyniou{n}s: þei cloþen hem in
fals[e] opiniou{n}s. [of which{e} false opyniou{n}s] þe derknesse
of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexeþ vp. þat comfoundeþ þe verray 704
insyȝt. {and} þat derkenes schal .I. say somwhat to
maken þi{n}ne {and} wayk by lyȝt {and} meenelyche remedies.
so þat after þat þe derknes of desseyuynge
desyrynges is don awey. þou mow[e] knowe þe schynyng 708
of verray lyȝt.
[Linenotes:
680 _hast left_--MS. haste lefte, C. hast left
681 _knowe_--knowen
_pleynelyche knowen_--pleynly fwonde [= founde]
684 _sorwest þou_--sorwistow
686 _for[þi] demest [þou]_--For thy demesthow
687 _wikked_--MS. wilked, C. wykkyd
688 _worlde_--world
689 _wenest þou_--wenestow
690 _outen_--owte
693 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_al_--alle
694 _þi_--thin
696 _vnderput_--vndyrputte
697 _to_ (2)--omitted
698 _fore_--for
_noþing_--nothinge
699 _spark þine heet_--sparke thin hete
700 _muche_--meche
702 _aweye_--away
703 [_of----opyniouns_]--from C.
705 _insyȝt_--insyhte
_say_--assaye
706 _lyȝt_--lyhte
708 _don_--MS. don{e}
_mow[e]_--mowe]
[[pg 29]]
[Headnote:
HE IS NOT TO TAKE HIS LOSSES TO HEART.]
NUBIB{US} ATRIS CONDITA.
[Sidenote: [The seuende Metyr.]]
[Sidenote: Black clouds obscure the light of the stars.]
++ÞE sterres cou{er}ed wiþ blak[e] cloudes ne mowen
geten a dou{n} no lyȝt.
[Sidenote: If the south wind renders the sea tempestuous, the
waves, fouled with mud, will lose their glassy clearness.]
Ȝif þe trouble wy{n}de þat
hyȝt auster stormynge {and} walwy{n}g þe see medleþ þe 712
heete þat is to seyne þe boylyng vp from þe botme
¶ Þe wawes þ{a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and}
lyke to þe fair[e] bryȝt[e] dayes wiþstant anon þe
syȝtes of men. by þe filþe {and} ordure þat is resolued. 716
{and} þe fletyng streme þat royleþ dou{n} dyuersely fro
heyȝe mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme
by þe encountrynge of a stoon þ{a}t is dep{ar}tid {and}
fallen from some roche. 720
[Sidenote: If thou wouldst see truth by the clearest light, pursue
the path of right.]
¶ And forþi yif þou wilt
loken {and} demen soþe wiþ clere lyȝt. {and} holde þe
weye wiþ a ryȝt paþe.
[Sidenote: Away with joy, fear, hope, and sorrow.]
¶ Weyue þou ioie. drif fro þe
drede. fleme þou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che.
[Sidenote: Let none of these passions cloud thy mind.]
þat is
to sein lat noon of þise four passiou{n}s ouer come þe. 724
or blynde þe.
[Sidenote: Where these things control, the soul is bound by strong
fetters.]
for cloudy {and} dirke is þilk þouȝt {and}
bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as þise þinges regnen.
EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS.
[Linenotes:
710 _blak[e]_--blake
712 _stormynge_--turnyng
713 _from_--fro
714 _somtyme_--whilom
715 _lyke_--lyk
_fair[e]----wiþstant_ (MS. wiþstante)--fayr{e} cleer{e} dayes
{and} brihte withstand
716 _syȝtes_--syhtes
717 _streme_--strem
718 _heyȝe_--hy
720 _from some_--fram som
_wilt_--wolt
721 _soþe_--soth
_clere_--cleer
_holde_--holden
722 _weye_--wey
_paþe_--paath
724 _come_--comen
725 _blynde_--blende
_þilk_--thilke]
[Headnote:
PHILOSOPHY EXHIBITS TO BOETHIUS THE WILES OF FORTUNE.]
INCIPIT LIBER SECUNDUS.
POSTEA [PAU]LISPER CONTICUIT.
[Sidenote: [The fyrst p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Philosophy exhorts Boethius not to torment himself on
account of his losses.]
++After þis she stynte a litel. and after þat she hadde
gadred by atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she 728
seide þus.
[Sidenote: Thou art, she says, affected by the loss of thy former
fortune.]
¶ As who so myȝt[e] seye þus. After þise
þinges she stynt[e] a lytel. {and} whanne she ap{er}ceiued[e]
by atempre stillenesse þat I was ententif to
herkene hire. she bygan to speke in þis wyse. ¶ Yif 732
I q{uod} she haue vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly þe [[pg 30]]
causes {and} þe habit of þi maladie. þou languissed {and}
art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of þi raþer fortune.
[Sidenote: It hath perverted thy faculties.]
¶ She þat ilke fortune only þat is chaunged as þou 736
feinest to þe ward. haþ p{er}uerted þe clerenesse {and} þe
astat of þi corage.
[Sidenote: I am well acquainted with all the wiles of that Prodigy
(_i. e._ Fortune).]
¶ I vnderstonde þe felefolde
colo{ur} {and} deceites of þilke merueillous monstre fortune.
and how she vseþ ful flatryng familarite wiþ hem 740
þat she enforceþ to bygyle. so longe til þat she co{n}founde
wiþ vnsuffreable sorwe hem þat she haþ left
in despeir vnpurueyed.
[Sidenote: Though she has left thee, thou hast not lost anything
of beauty or of worth.]
¶ and if þou remembrest wel
þe kynde þe maners {and} þe desert of þilke fortune. þow 744
shalt wel knowe as in hir þou neuer ne haddest ne
hast ylost any fair þing. But as I trowe I shal not
gretly trauaile to don þe remembren of þise þinges.
[Sidenote: Thou wert once proof against her allurements.]
¶ For þou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir 748
wiþ manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and}
presente {and} p{ur}sewedest hir wiþ sentences þat were
drawe{n} oute of myne entre. þat is to seyne out of
myn i{n}formac{i}ou{n}
[Sidenote: But sudden change works a great alteration in the minds
of men, hence it is that thou art departed from thy usual peace of
mind.]
¶ But no sudeyne mutac{i}ou{n} ne 752
bytideþ nat wiþ oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages.
and so is it byfallen þat þou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro
þe pees of þi þouȝt.
[Sidenote: But with some gentle emollients I shall prepare thee
for stronger medicines.]
but now is tyme þat þou drynke
{and} atast[e] some softe {and} delitable þinges. so þat whan 756
þei ben entred wiþ i{n}ne þe. it mow make weye to
strenger drynkes of medycynes.
[Sidenote: Approach then, Rhetoric, with thy persuasive charms,
and therewith let Music also draw near.]
¶ Com nowe furþe
þerfore þe suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche
þat goþ oonly þe ryȝt wey whil she forsakeþ not myne 760
estatutȝ. ¶ And wiþ Rethorice com forþe musice a
damoisel of oure house þat syngeþ now lyȝter moedes
or p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s now heuyer. [[pg 31]]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 9.]]
*what ayleþ þe man. what
is it þat haþ cast þe in to murnyng {and} in to wepyng. 764
I trow[e] þat þou hast sen some newe þing {and} uncouþe.
[Sidenote: Thou thinkest that Fortune is changed towards thee.]
¶ Þou wenest þat fortune be chaunged aȝeins þe
[Sidenote: But thou art deceived.]
¶ But þou wenest wrong. yif þou [þat] wene.
[Sidenote: In this misadventure of thine she hath preserved her
constancy in changing.]
Alwey þo ben hire maners. she haþ raþer [kept] as to 768
þe ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in þe chaungyng of hyre
self. ¶ Ryȝt swyche was she whan she flatered[e]
þe. {and} desseiued[e] þe wiþ vnleueful lykynges of
false welefulnesse.
[Sidenote: You have seen the double face of this blind divinity.]
þou hast now knowen {and} ataynt 772
þe doutous or double visage of þilke blynde goddesse
fortune. ¶ She þat ȝit couereþ hir {and} wympleþ hir
to oþer folk. haþ shewed hir euerydel to þe. ¶ Ȝif
þou app{ro}uest hir {and} þenkest þat she is good. vse 776
hir maners {and} pleyne þe nat.
[Sidenote: If thou dost abhor her perfidy cast her off, for her
sports are dangerous.]
¶ And if þou agrisest
hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye hir þat
pleyeþ so harmefully. for she þat is now cause of so
myche sorwe to þe. sholde be to þe cause of pees {and} 780
[of] ioie. ¶ she haþ forsaken þe forsoþe. þe whiche
þat neuer man may be syker þat she ne shal forsake
hym. _Glose._ ¶ But naþeles some bookes han þe text
þus. For soþe she haþ forsaken þe ne þer nis no man 784
syker þat she ne haþ not forsaken.
[Sidenote: Is that happiness which is so transient?]
¶ Holdest þou
þan þilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to þe þat shal passen.
[Sidenote: Is the attendance of Fortune so dear to thee, whose
stay is so uncertain, and whose removal causes such grief?]
{and} is p{re}sent fortune derworþi to þe. whiche þat nis
not feiþful forto dwelle. {and} whan she goþ aweye þat 788
she bryngeþ a wyȝt in sorwe ¶ For syn she may nat
be wiþholde{n} at a mans wille. she makeþ hym a wrecche
whe{n} she dep{ar}teþ fro hym.
[Sidenote: What is she (Fortune) but the presage of future
calamity?]
¶ What oþer þing is
flitti{n}g fortune but a manere shewyng of wrycchednesse [[pg 32]]
þat is to comen. ne it ne suffriþ nat oo[n]ly to loken 793
of þing þat is p{re}sent byforne þe eyen of man. but
wisdom lokeþ {and} mesureþ þe ende of þinges.
[Sidenote: Her mutability should make men neither fear her threats
nor desire her favours.]
{and} þe
same chau{n}gyng from one to an oþer. þat is to seyne 796
fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite makeþ þat þe manaces of
fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne þe flatrynges of
hir to ben desired. ¶ Þus atte þe last it byhoueþ þe
to suffren wiþ euene wille in pacience al þat is don 800
inwiþ þe floor of fortune. þat is to seyne in þis worlde.
[Linenotes:
727 _she_ (2)--I
729 _myȝt[e] seye_--myht{e} seyn
730 _stynt[e]_--stynte
732 _hire_--here
733 _knowe vtterly_--knowen owtrely
734 _languissed_--languyssest
737 _haþ_--MS. haþe
738 _astat_--estat
_felefolde_--feelefold
739 _colour_--colours
_deceites_ (MS. decrites)--deceytes
_merueillous_--meruayles
742 _haþ_--MS. haþe
743 _if_--yif
746 _any_ (MS. my)--any
_þing_--thinge
747 _trauaile_--travaylen
_don_--do
_remembren of_--remenbre on
748 [_and despysen_]--from C.
749 _was_--omitted
750 _were_--weren
751 _myne_--myn
_seyne_--sayn
752 _sudeyne_--sodeyn
753 _outen_--owte
757 _inne_--in
_mow----weye_--mowe maken way
758 _strenger_--strengere
_Com nowe furþe_--MS. Come; C. Com now forth
760 _goþ_--MS. goþe
761 _com_--MS. come, C. com
762 _house_--hows
_lyȝter_--lyhter{e}
763 _prolaciouns_--p{ro}basyons
_heuyer_--heuyer{e}
_ayleþ_--eyleth
765 _trow[e]_--trowe
_sen_--MS. sene, C. seyn
_some_--som
_þing_--thinge
_uncouþe_--vnkowth
766 _aȝeins_--ayein
767 _wenest_--weenes
[_þat_]--C. that
768 _haþ_--MS. haþe
[_kept_]--from C.
769 _stablenes in þe_--stabylnesse standeth in the
770 _swyche_--swich
771 _vnleueful_--vnlefful
775 _haþ_--MS. had, C. hat
776 _good_--MS. goode, C. god
777 _agrisest_--MS. agrised, C. agrysyst
778 _fals[e]_--false
780 _myche_--mochel
781 [_of_]--from C.
_haþ_--MS. haþe
783 _text_--texte
784 _haþ_--MS. haþe
785 _forsaken_--forsake
_Holdest þou_--holdestow
786 _þan_--thanne
_preciouse_--p{re}syes
787 _derworþi_--dereworthe
_whiche_--which
788 _feiþful_--feythfulle
_goþ_--MS. goþe
_aweye_--awey
790 _mans_--mannys
791 _when_--wan
_þing_--thinge
793 _suffriþ_--suffiseth
794 _of þing_--on thynge
_byforne_--MS. byforne byforne
_man_--a man
795 _mesureþ_--amesureth
796 _from one_--fram oon
_seyne_--seyn
797 _fro_--from
_to_--into
799 _atte þe last_--at the laste]
[Headnote:
PHILOSOPHY EXPOSTULATES WITH BOETHIUS.]
[Sidenote: If you submit to her yoke you must patiently endure her
inflictions.]
¶ Syþen þou hast oones put þi nekke vnder þe ȝokke
of hir. for if þou wilt write a lawe of wendyng {and} of
dwellyng to fortune whiche þat þou hast chosen frely 804
to be þi lady
[Sidenote: Impatience will only embitter your loss.]
¶ Art þou nat wrongful in þat {and}
makest fortune wroþe {and} asp{er}e by þin inpacience.
{and} ȝit þou mayst not chaungen hir.
[Sidenote: You cannot choose your port if you leave your vessel to
the mercy of the winds.]
¶ Yif þou co{m}mittest
[{and}] bitakest þi sayles to þe wynde. þou shalt 808
be shouen not þider þat þou woldest(:) but whider þat
þe wy{n}de shoueþ þe ¶ Yif þou castest þi seedes in þe
feldes þou sholdest haue in mynde þat þe ȝeres ben
oþer while plenteuous {and} oþ{er} while bareyne.
[Sidenote: You have given yourself up to Fortune; it becomes you
therefore to obey her commands.]
¶ Þou 812
hast bytaken þiself to þe gouernaunce of fortune.
{and} forþi it byhoueþ þe to ben obeisaunt to þe manere
of þi lady.
[Sidenote: Would you stop the rolling of her wheel?]
and enforcest þou þe to aresten or wiþstonden
þe swyftnesse {and} þe sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng 816
whele.
[Sidenote: Fool! if Fortune once became stable she would cease to
exist.]
¶ O þou fool of alle mortel fooles if fortune
bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] þan to ben fortune.
[Linenotes:
801 _seyne_--seyn
_worlde_--world
802 _Syþen_--Syn
_ȝokke_--yok{e}
803 _if_--yif
_write_--wryten
804 _whiche_--which
805 _lady_--ladye
_Art þou_--Artow
806 _wroþe_--wroth
_þin_--thine
807 _chaungen_--chaunge
808 [_and_]--from C.
809 _þider_--thedyr
_whider_--whedyr
811 _haue_--han
814 _manere_--maneres
815 {and}--omitted
_wiþstonden_--withholden
816 _sweyes_--sweyȝ
818 _cesed[e]_--cesede]
[[pg 33]]
[Headnote:
THE INCONSTANCY OF FORTUNE.]
HEC CUM SUPERBA.
[Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]
[Sidenote: Fortune is as inconstant as the ebb and flow of
Euripus.]
++Whan fortune wiþ a proude ryȝt hande haþ turnid
hir chau{n}gyng stoundes she fareþ lyke þe maners 820
of þe boillyng eurippe. _Glose._ Eurippe is an arme of
þe see þ{a}t ebbith {and} flowiþ. {and} somtyme þe streme
is on one syde {and} somtyme on þat oþer. _Texte_
[Sidenote: She hurls kings from their thrones, and exalts the
captive.]
¶ She
cruel fortune kasteþ adoune kynges þat somtyme weren 824
ydred. {and} she deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp þe humble
chere of hym þat is discomfited.
[Sidenote: She turns a deaf ear to the tears and cries of the
wretched.]
{and} she neyþer hereþ
ne reccheþ of wrecched[e] wepynges. {and} she is so harde
þat she lauȝeþ {and} scorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe whiche 828
she haþ maked wepe wiþ hir free wille.
[Sidenote: Thus she sports and boasts her power and presents a
marvel to her servants if, in the space of an hour, a man is
hurled from happiness into adversity.]
¶ Þus she
pleyeþ {and} þ{us} she p{re}ueþ hir strengþe {and} sheweþ a
grete wondre to alle hir seruau{n}tȝ. ¶ Yif þat a wyȝt
is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}þrowe in an houre. 832
[Linenotes:
819 _proude_--prowd
_hande_--hand
_haþ_--MS. haþe
820 _lyke_--lik
821 _arme_--arm
822 _streme_--strem
823 _one_--o
821 _adoune_--adown
_somtyme_--whilom
825 _ydred_ (MS. _ydredde_)--ydrad
_humble_--vmble
827 _reccheþ_--rekkeþ
_wrecched[e]_--wrecchede
_harde_--hard
828 _lauȝeþ_--lyssheth
_wepyng_--wepynges
830 _strengþe_--strengthes]
[Headnote:
PROSPERITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FELICITY.]
VELLEM AUTE{M} PAUCA.
[Sidenote: [The secunde p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Philosophy expostulates with Boethius in the name of
Fortune.]
++CErtis I wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges vsynge
þe wordes of fortune tak heede now þi self. yif þ{a}t
she axeþ ryȝt.
[Sidenote: Why do you accuse me (Fortune) as guilty?]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 9 _b_.]]
*¶ O þou man wher fore makest þou
me gilty by þine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges 836
haue I don þe.
[Sidenote: What goods or advantages have I deprived you of?]
what goodes haue I byreft þe þat weren
þine. stryf or plete wiþ me by fore what iuge þat þou
wilt of þe possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of dignites
[Sidenote: Can you prove that ever any man had a fixed property in
his riches?]
¶ And
yif þou maist shewe me þat euer any mortal man haþ 840
receyued any of þese þinges to ben his in p{ro}pre. þan
wol I graunt[e] frely þat [alle] þilke þinges were{n} þine
whiche þat þou axest.
[Sidenote: You came naked into the world, and I cherished you and
encompassed you with affluence.]
¶ Whan þat nature brouȝt[e] þe
forþe out of þi moder wombe. I receyued[e] þe naked 844
{and} nedy of al þing. {and} I norysshed[e] þe wiþ my [[pg 34]]
rychesse. {and} was redy {and} ententif þo{ru}ȝ my fauo{ur} to
sustene þe. ¶ And þat makeþ þe now i{n}pacient aȝeins
me. {and} I envirounde þe wiþ al þe habundaunce {and} 848
shinyng of al goodes þat ben in my ryȝt.
[Sidenote: Now that I have a mind to withdraw my bounty, be
thankful and complain not.]
¶ Now it
lykeþ me to wiþ drawe myne hande. þou hast had grace
as he þat haþ vsed of foreyne goodes. þou hast no ryȝt to
pleyne þe. as þouȝ þou haddest vtterly lorn alle þi 852
þinges. whi pleynest þou þan. I haue don þe no wrong.
[Sidenote: Riches and honours are subject to me.]
Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche oþer þinges ben of my
ryȝt.
[Sidenote: They are my servants, and come and go with me.]
¶ My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. þei
comen wiþ me {and} dep{ar}ten whan I wende. I dar wel 856
affermen hardyly. þat yif þo þinges of whiche þou
pleynest þat þou hast forlorn hadde ben þine. þou ne
haddest not lorn he{m}.
[Sidenote: Shall I alone be forbidden to use my own right?]
¶ shal I þan only be defended
to vse my ryȝt.
[Sidenote: Doth not heaven give us sunny days and obscure the same
with dark nights?]
¶ Certis it is leueful to þe heuene to 860
make clere dayes. {and} after þat to keuere þe same dayes
wiþ derke nyȝtes.
[Sidenote: Is not the earth covered with frost as well as with
flowers?]
¶ Þe erþe haþ eke leue to apparaile
þe visage of þe erþe now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wiþ
fruyt. {and} to confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wiþ raynes {and} 864
wiþ coldes.
[Sidenote: The sea sometimes appears calm, and at other times
terrifies us with its tempestuous waves.]
¶ Þe see haþ eke hys ryȝt to be somtyme
calme {and} blaundyshing wiþ smoþe water. {and}
somtyme to be horrible wiþ wawes {and} wiþ tempestes.
[Sidenote: Shall I be bound to constancy by the covetousness of
men?]
¶ But þe couetyse of men þat may not be staunched 868
shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn þat stedfastnesse
is vnkouþ to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengþe.
[Sidenote: I turn my rolling wheel and amuse myself with exalting
what was low, and bringing down what was high.]
{and} þis pley. I pley[e] co{n}tinuely. I tourne þe whirly{n}g
whele wiþ þe tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge 872
þe lowest to þe heyeste. {and} þe heyest to þe loweste.
[Linenotes:
833 _plete_--pleten
834 _tak_--MS. take, C. tak
835 _makest þou_--makes thow
836 _wronges_--wro{n}ge
837 _don_--MS. done, C. don
_byreft_--MS. byrefte, C. byreft
838 _stryf_--MS. stryue, C. stryf
_plete_--pleten
_by fore_--by forn
839 _wilt_--wolt
_rycchesse_--rychesses
840 _shewe_--shewyn
_euer_--eu{er}e
_haþ_--MS. haþe
841 _þese_--tho
_his_--hise
842 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
[_alle_]--from C.
845 _al þing_--alle thinges
_norysshed[e]_--noryssede
846 _rychesse_--rychesses
848, 849 _al_--alle
848 _habundaunce_--abou{n}dau{n}ce
850 _wiþ----hande_--withdrawen myn hand
_had_--MS. hadde, C. had
851 _haþ_--MS. haþe
852 _vtterly_--outrely
_lorn_--MS. lorne, C. for lorn.
853 _don_--MS. done, C. don
854 _Ricches_--Rychesses
858 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. forlorn
859 _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lorn
860 _vse_--vsen
861 _keuere þe_--coeu{er}yn tho
862 _derke_--dirk
_erþe_--yer
_haþ_--MS. haþe
864 _confounde_--co{n}fownden
865 _haþ_--MS. haþe
866 _calme_--kalm
867 (2nd) _wiþ_--omitted
869 _stedfast_--stidefast
_stedfastnesse_--stidefastnesse
870 _vnkouþ_--MS. vnkouþe, C. vnkowth
_Swyche_--Swych
871 _pley[e]_--pleye
872 _whele_--wheel
_glade_--glad
_chaunge_--chaungy{n}]
[[pg 35]]
[Headnote:
BE SUBJECT TO FORTUNE’S CHANGES.]
[Sidenote: Ascend if you will, but come down when my sport
requires it.]
worþe vp yif þou wilt. so it be by þis lawe. þat þou
ne holde not þat I do þe wronge þouȝ þou descende
dou{n} whanne resou{n} of my pleye axeþ it.
[Sidenote: Know you not the history of Crœsus and of Paulus
Æmilius?]
Wost þou 876
not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Cir{us}
was ful sore agast a litel byforne þat þis rewlyche
Cresus was cauȝt of Cirus {and} lad to þe fijr to be
brent. but þat a reyne desce{n}ded[e] dou{n} from heuene 880
þat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it out of þi mynde how
þat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take þe
kyng of p{er}ciens weep pitou[s]ly for þe captiuitee of þe
self[e] kyng.
[Sidenote: What else does the weeping muse of Tragedy deplore but
the overthrow of kingdoms by the indiscriminate strokes of
Fortune?]
What oþer þinges bywaylen þe criinges of 884
Tragedies. but only þe dedes of fortune. þat wiþ an
vnwar stroke ouert{ur}neþ þe realmes of grete nobley
¶ _Glose._ Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for
a tyme þat endiþ in wrechednesse.
[Sidenote: Did you not learn whilst a youth, that at the gates of
Jove’s palace stand two vessels, one full of blessings, the other
of woes?]
Lernedest nat þou 888
in grek whan þou were ȝonge þat in þe entre or in þe
seler of Iuppiter þer ben couched two tunnes. þat on
is ful of good þat oþer is ful of harme.
[Sidenote: What if you have drunk too deep of the first vessel?]
¶ What ryȝt
hast þou to pleyne. yif þou hast taken more plenteuously 892
of þe goode syde þat is to seyne of my rycchesse {and}
p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be nat departed fro þe.
[Sidenote: My mutability gives thee hope of happier days.]
What eke. yif my mutabilitee ȝiueþ þe ryȝtful cause of
hope to han ȝit better þi{n}ges.
[Sidenote: Desire not to be exempted from the vicissitudes of
humanity.]
¶ Naþeles desmaie þe 896
nat in þi þouȝt. and þ{o}u þat art put in comune realme
of alle: ne desijr[e] nat to lyue by þine oonly p{ro}pre ryȝt.
[Linenotes:
874 _worþe_--worth
_wilt_--wolt
876 _doun_--adou{n}
_whanne_--wan
_pleye_--pley
_Wost þou_--wistesthow
877 _kyng_ (1)--the kyng
_lyndens_--lydyens
878 _byforne_--byforn
880 _reyne descended[e]_--rayn dessendede
_from_--fro
881 _rescowed[e]_--rescowede
882 _take_--takyn
885 _an_--a
886 _þe_--omitted
887 _seyne_--seyn
890 _tunnes_--tonnes
891 _harme_--harm
892 _hast þou_--hasthow
893 _seyne_--seyn
_rycchesse_--rychesses
894 _I be nat_--I ne be nat al
896 _better_--beter{e}
898 _lyue_--lyuen
_þine_--thin]
[Headnote:
THE COVETOUS ARE EVER DISCONTENTED.]
SI Q{UA}NTAS RAPIDIS.
[Sidenote: [the secu{n}de met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Though Plenty, from her teeming horn, poured down as
many riches on the world as there are sands on the sea-shore, or
stars in heaven, mankind would not cease to complain.]
++ÞOuȝ plentee þat is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n}
wiþ ful horn. {and} wiþdraweþ nat hir hand. ¶ As 900
many recches as þe see turneþ vpwardes sandes whan it
is moeued wiþ rauysshing blastes. or ellys as many [[pg 36]]
rycches as þer shynen bryȝt[e] sterres on heuene on þe
sterry nyȝt. Ȝit for al þat mankynde nolde not cesce to 904
wope wrecched[e] pleyntes.
[Sidenote: Though Heaven may grant every desire, they will still
cry for more.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 10.]]
¶ And al be it so *þat
god receyueþ gladly her p{ra}yers {and} ȝeueþ hem as ful
large muche golde {and} app{ar}aileþ coueytous folk wiþ
noble or clere hono{ur}s. ȝit semeþ hem haue I-gete noþing. 908
but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al þat þei
han geten shewiþ oþer gapinges. þat is to seye gapen
{and} desiren ȝit after moo rycchesse.
[Sidenote: What rein can restrain unbounded avarice?]
¶ What brideles
myȝten wiþholde to any certeyne ende þe desordene 912
coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere þe raþer þ{a}t it fletiþ in
large ȝiftis: þe more ay brenneþ in hem þe þrest of
hauyng.
[Sidenote: He who thinks himself poor, though he be rich, doth
truly labour under poverty.]
¶ Certis he þat quakyng {and} dredeful weneþ
hym seluen nedy. he ne lyueþ neu{er}e mo ryche. 916
[Linenotes:
899 _rycches_--rychesses
901 _recches_--rychesses
_vpwardes_--vpward
902 _rauysshing_--rauyssynge
903 _rycches_--rychesses
_bryȝt[e]_--bryhte
_on_ (1)--in
904 _nyȝt_--nyhtes
905 _wope wrecched[e]_--wepe wrecchede
906 _her_--hir
_ful_--fool
907 _muche_--meche
_folk_--men
908 _haue_--hauen
_I-gete_--I-getyn
909 _her_--hir
910 _seye_--seyn
911 _rycchesse_--rychesses
912 _wiþholde_--wytholden
_certeyne_--certeyn
914 _þrest_--thurst
915 _dredeful_--dredful
916 _lyueþ_--leueth]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS IS NOT UNHAPPY.]
HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE.
[Sidenote: [The thrydde p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: If Fortune spake thus to you, you could not defend your
complaint.]
++Þerfore yif þat fortune spake wiþ þe for hir self in
þis manere. For soþe þou ne haddest [nat] what
þou myȝtest answere. and if þou hast any þi{n}g wherwiþ.
þou mayist ryȝtfully tellen þi co{m}pleynt. ¶ It 920
byhoueþ þe to shewen it. {and} .I. wol ȝeue þe space to
tellen it.
[Sidenote: _B._ What you have said is very specious, but such
discourses are only sweet while they strike our ears.]
¶ Certeynely q{uod} I þan þise ben faire
þinges {and} enoyntid wiþ hony swetnesse of rethorike
{and} musike. {and} only while þei ben herd þei ben 924
deliciouse.
[Sidenote: They cannot efface the deep impressions that misery has
made in the heart.]
¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of
harme. þis is to seyn þat wrecches felen þe harmes þat
þei suffren more greuously þan þe remedies or þe delites
of þise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so þat 928
whan þise þinges stynten forto sou{n}[e] in eres. þe sorwe [[pg 37]]
þat is inset greueþ þe þouȝt.
[Sidenote: _P._ So it is indeed; for my arguments are not designed
as remedies, but as lenitives only.]
Ryȝt so is it q{uod} she.
¶ For þise ne ben ȝit none remedies of þi maladie. but
þei ben a manere norissinges of þi sorwe ȝit rebel 932
aȝeyne þi curac{i}ou{n}.
[Sidenote: When time serves, I will administer those things that
shall reach the seat of your disease.]
¶ For whan þat tyme is. I shal
moue swiche þinges þat p{er}cen hem self depe.
[Sidenote: But you are not among the number of the wretched.]
¶ But
naþeles þ{a}t þou shalt not wilne to leten þi self a
wrecche. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þe nou{m}bre {and} þe 936
manere of þi welefulnesse.
[Sidenote: I shall not speak of your happiness in being provided
for (in your orphanage) by the chief men of the city; nor of your
noble alliance with Festus and Symmachus;]
I holde me stille how þat
þe souerayn men of þe Citee toke{n} þe in cure {and}
kepynge whan þou were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir.
{and} were chosen i{n} affinite of p{r}inces of þe Citee. 940
¶ And þou bygu{n}ne raþer to ben leef {and} deere þan
forto ben a neyȝbo{ur}. þe whiche þing is þe most p{re}ciouse
kynde of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce þat may
ben. ¶ Who is it þat ne seide þou nere ryȝt weleful 944
wiþ so grete a nobley of þi fadres in lawe.
[Sidenote: nor of your virtuous wife, and manly sons.]
¶ {And} wiþ
þe chastite of þi wijf. {and} wiþ þe oportunite {and}
noblesse of þi masculyn children. þat is to seyne þi
sones {and} ou{er} al þis me lyst to passe of comune þinges. 948
¶ How þou haddest in þi þouȝt dignitees þat weren
warned to olde men. but it deliteþ me to comen now to
þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse. ¶ Yif any
fruyt of mortal þinges may han any weyȝte or price of 952
welefulnesse.
[Sidenote: Can you ever forget the memorable day that saw your two
sons invested with the dignity of Consuls?]
¶ Myȝtest þou euere forȝeten for any
charge of harme þat myȝt[e] byfallen. þe remembrau{n}ce
of þilke day þat þou sey[e] þi two sones maked conseillers.
{and} ylad to gidre from þin house vndir so gret 956
assemble of senatours. {and} vndir þe blyþenesse of poeple.
{and} whan þou say[e] hem sette in þe court in her
chaieres of dignites. ¶ Þou rethorien or p{ro}nou{n}cere [[pg 38]]
of kynges p{re}ysinges. deseruedest glorie of wit {and} of 960
eloquence.
[Sidenote: When in the circus you satisfied the expectant
multitude with a triumphal largess?]
whan þou sittyng bytwix þi two sones conseillers
in þe place þat hyȝt Circo. {and} fulfildest þe
abydyng of multitude of poeple þat was sprad about þe
wiþ large p{ra}ysynge {and} laude as me{n} syngen in victories. 964
[Sidenote: By your expressions you flattered Fortune, and obtained
from her a gift which never before fell to any private person.]
þo ȝaue þou wordes of fortune as I trowe. þat
is to seyne. þo feffedest þou fortune wiþ glosynge
wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] þe
{and} norsshed[e] þe as hir owen delices. ¶ Þou hast 968
had of fortune a ȝifte þat is to seyn swiche gerdou{n}
þat she neu[er]e ȝaf to p{re}ue man
[Sidenote: Will you therefore call Fortune to account?]
¶ Wilt þou þerfore
leye a rekenyng wiþ fortune.
[Sidenote: She now begins, I own, to look unkindly on you; but if
you consider the number of your blessings, you must confess that
you are still happy.]
she haþ now twynkeled
first vpon þe wiþ a wykked eye. ¶ Yif þou considere 972
þe nou{m}bre {and} þe manere of þi blysses. {and} of þi
sorwes.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 10 _b_.]]
*þou maist nat forsake þat þou nart ȝit blysful.
[Linenotes:
918 [_nat_]--from C.
919 _if_--yif
920 _mayist_--mayst
_tellen_--defendyn
921 _ȝeue_--yeuyn
922 _þan_--thanne
_ben_--bet (= beth)
923 _swetnesse_--swetenesse
924 _while_--whil
_herd_--MS. herde
926 _harme_--harm
928 _mowe_--mowen
929 _soun[e]_-sowne
930 _inset_--MS. insette, C. inset
932 _sorwe_--sorwes
933 _aȝeyne_--ayein
934 _moue swiche_--moeue swych
938 _souerayn_--sou{er}ane
943 _neyȝbour_--neysshebo{ur}
944 _nere_--were
945 _nobley_--nobleye
_fadres_--fadyr-is
947 _seyne_--seyn
948 _lyst_--lyste
_passe of_--passen the
949 _þouȝt_--yowthe
950 _warned_--werned
952 _fruyt_--frute
_price_--p{r}is
953 _Myȝtest þow_--myhtes-thow
954 _harme_--harm
_myȝt[e] byfallen_--myhte befalle
955 _sey[e]_--saye
956 _from_--fro
_gret_--MS. grete, C. gret
958 _say[e]_--saye
_sette_--set
_her_--heer{e}
961 _bytwix_--bytwyen
962 _hyȝt_--hihte
963 _of_ (1)--of the
_about_--abowten
964 _wiþ_--w{i}t{h} so
965 _ȝaue_--MS. þan, C. yaue
_of_--to
966 _seyne_--seyn
967 _accoied[e]_--acoyede
968 _norsshed[e]_--noryssede
_owen_--owne
_þou----of_--thow bar away of
969 _had_--MS. hadde
_swiche_--swich
970 _preue_--pryue
971 _leye_--lye
_haþ_--MS. haþe
972 _wykked_--wyckede
973 _blysses_--blysse
974 _forsake_--forsakyn
_nart_--art
_blysful_--blysseful]
[Headnote:
ADVERSITY IS BUT TRANSIENT.]
[Sidenote: These evils that you suffer are but transitory.]
For if þou þerfore wenest þi self nat weleful for þinges
þat þo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Þer nis nat whi 976
þou sholdest wene þi self a wrecche. for þinges þat now
semen soory passen also. ¶ Art þou now comen firste
a sodeyne gest in to þe shadowe or tabernacle of þis
lijf.
[Sidenote: Can there be any stability in human affairs, when the
life of man is exposed to dissolution every hour?]
or trowest þou þ{a}t any stedfastnesse be in mannis 980
þinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolueþ þe same
man. þat is to seyne whan þe soule dep{ar}tiþ fro þe
body. For al þouȝ þat yelde is þer any feiþ þat fortunous
þinges willen dwelle.
[Sidenote: The last day of life puts an end to Prosperity.]
ȝit naþeles þe last[e] day 984
of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e deeþ to fortune. {and} also
to þilke þat haþ dwelt.
[Sidenote: What matters it then, whether you by death leave it, or
it (Fortune) by flight doth leave you?]
{and} þerfore what wenist þou
þar recche yif þou forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys þ{a}t she
fortune forlete þe i{n} fleenge awey. 988
[Linenotes:
978 _soory_--sorye
_firste_--fyrst
979 _sodeyne_--sodeyn
_shadowe_--shadwe
980 _stedfastnesse_--stedefastnesse
981 _swifte_--swyft
_dissolueþ_--dyssoluede
983 _al þouȝ þat_--al þ{a}t thowgh
_fortunous_--fortune
984 _willen dwelle_--wolen dwellyn
_last[e]_--laste
986 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_wenist þou_--weenestow
987 _þar recche_--dar recke
988 _awey_--away]
[[pg 39]]
[Headnote:
MANY BLESSINGS STILL REMAIN.]
CUM PRIMO POLO.
[Sidenote: [The .iij. Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: The stars pale before the light of the rising sun.]
++Whan phebus þe sonne bygynneþ to spreden his clerenesse
w{i}t{h} rosene chariettes. þan þe sterre ydimmyd
paleþ hir white cheres. by þe flamus of þe so{n}ne þat
ouer comeþ þe sterre lyȝt. ¶ Þis is to seyn whan þe 992
sonne is risen þe day sterre wexiþ pale {and} lesiþ hir
lyȝt for þe grete bryȝtnesse of þe sonne.
[Sidenote: Westerly winds deck the wood with roses, but easterly
winds cause their beauty to fade.]
¶ Whan þe
wode wexeþ redy of rosene floures in þe first somer
sesou{n} þoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus þat wexeþ 996
warme. ¶ Yif þe cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche.
þan goþ awey þe fayrnesse of þornes.
[Sidenote: Now the sea is calm, and again it is tempestuous.]
Ofte þe see is
clere {and} calme wiþoute moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte
þe horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeueþ boylyng tempestes 1000
{and} ouer whelweþ þe see.
[Sidenote: If all things thus vary, will you trust in transitory
riches?]
¶ Yif þe forme of þis worlde
is so [ȝeelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}niþ by so many
entrechau{n}gynges. wilt þou þa{n} truste{n} in þe trublynge
fortunes of me{n}. wilt þou trowen i{n} flittyng goodes. 1004
[Sidenote: All here below is unstedfast and unstable.]
It is certeyne {and} establissed by lawe p{er}durable þat no
þi{n}g þ{a}t is engendred nys stedfast no stable.
[Linenotes:
989 _his_--hyr
990 _þan_--thanne
991 _flamus_--flambes
995 _redy_--rody
_rosene_--rosyn
997 _warme_--warm
998 _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth
_fayrnesse_--fayrenesse
999 _clere_--cleer
_calme_--kalm
1000 _wynde_--wynd
1001 _whelweþ_--welueeth
1002 [_ȝeelde_]--from C.
1003, 1004 _wilt þou_--wolthow
1003 _þan_--thanne
_trublynge_--towmbly{n}ge
1004 _in flittyng_--on flettynge
1005 _It is_--is it
1006 _no_--ne
_stable_--estable]
[Headnote:
MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.]
TUNC EGO UERA INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The ferthe prose.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny my sudden and early prosperity.]
++ÞAnne seide I þus. O norice of alle uertues þou
seist ful soþe. ¶ Ne I may nat forsake þe ryȝt[e] 1008
swifte cours of my p{ro}speritee. þat is to seine. þat
p{ro}speritee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly {and}
soone. but þis is a þing þat gretly smertiþ me whan it
remembreþ me.
[Sidenote: It is the remembrance of former happiness that adds
most to man’s infelicity.]
¶ For in alle aduersitees of fortune þe 1012
most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune is to han
ben weleful.
[Sidenote: _P._ Recollect that you have yet much affluence.]
¶ But þat þou q{uo}d she abaist þus þe
to{ur}ment of þi fals[e] opiniou{n} þat maist þou not ryȝtfully
blamen ne aretten to þinges. as who seiþ for þou [[pg 40]]
hast ȝitte many habundaunces of þinges. ¶ _Textus._ 1017
For al be it so þat þe ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse
moeueþ þe now. it is leueful þat þou rekene
w{i}t{h} me of how many[e] þinges þou hast ȝit plentee. 1020
[Sidenote: What you esteemed most precious in your happy days, you
still retain, and ought therefore not to complain.]
¶ And þerfore yif þat þilke þing þat þou haddest for
most p{re}cious in alle þi rycchesse of fortune be kept
to þe by þe grace of god vnwemmed {and} vndefouled.
Mayst þou þa{n} pleyne ryȝtfully vpon þe myschief of fortune. 1024
syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e] þinges. ¶ Certys ȝit
lyueþ in goode poynt þilke p{re}cious hono{ur} of mankynde.
[Sidenote: Symmachus, dear to you as life, is safe and in health.]
¶ Symacus þi wyues fadir whiche þat is a
man maked al of sapience {and} of vertue. þe whiche 1028
man þou woldest b[i]en redely wiþ þe pris of þin owen
lijf. he byweyleþ þe wronges þat men don to þee. {and}
not for hym self. for he liueþ in sykernesse of any
sentence put aȝeins him.
[Sidenote: Your wife Rusticiana is also alive, and bewails her
separation from you.]
¶ And ȝit lyueþ þi wif þat 1032
is attempre of witte {and} passyng oþer women in clennes
of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes
she is lyke to hir fadir. I telle þe welle þat she lyueþ
looþ of hir life. {and} kepiþ to þee oonly hir goost. {and} 1036
is al maat {and} ouer-comen by wepyng {and} sorwe for
desire of þe ¶ In þe whiche þing only I mot graunten
þat þi welefulnesse is amenused.
[Sidenote: Why need I mention your two sons, in whom so much of
the wit and spirit of their sire and grandsire doth shine?]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 11.]]
¶ What shal I seyn
eke of þi two sones conseillours of whiche as of children 1040
of hir age þer shineþ *þe lyknesse of þe witte of
hir fadir {and} of hir eldefadir.
[Sidenote: And since it is the chief care of man to preserve life;
you are still most happy in the possession of blessings which all
men value more than life.]
and siþen þe souereyn
cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owe{n} lyues.
[Linenotes:
1008 _soþe_--soth
_Ne I may_--Ne I ne may
1009 _seine_--seyn
1011 _a_--omitted
_gretly_--gretely
1012 _aduersitees_--adu{er}syte
1013 _most_--mooste
1014 _abaist_--abyest
1015 _tourment_--tormentȝ
_fals[e]_--false
1016 _seiþ_--MS. seiþe, C. seyh
1017 _ȝitte_--yit
1019 _leueful_--leefful
1020 _many[e] þinges_--manye grete thinges
1022 _alle_--al
1023 _þe by_--the yit by
1024 _myschief_--meschef
1025 _best[e]_--beste
1026 _lyueþ_--leueth
_goode_--good
1027 _whiche_--which
1028 _al_--alle
_of_ (2)--omitted
1029 _b[i]en_--byen
_owen_--owne
1030 _byweyleþ_--bewayleth
_don_--MS. done, C. don
1031 _liueþ_--leueth
1033 _witte_--wyt
_women_--wymmen
1034 _shortly_--shortely
1035 _lyke_--lik
_welle_--wel
1036 _hir life_--this lyf
1037 _maat_--maad
1038 _whiche_--weche
1039 _amenused_--amenyssed
_seyn_--(MS. seyne) seyn
1041 _lyknesse_--lykenesse
_witte_--wyt
1042 {and} (1)--or
_eldefadir_--eldyr fadyr
_siþen_--syn
1043 _folke_--folk]
[Headnote:
THE CONDITION OF HUMAN BLISS.]
¶ O how weleful art þou þouȝ þou knowe þi goodes. 1044
¶ But ȝitte ben þer þinges dwelly{n}g to þe wardes þat no [[pg 41]]
man douteþ þat þei ne ben more derworþe to þe þen
þine owen lijf.
[Sidenote: Dry up thy tears, thou hast still present comfort and
hope of future felicity.]
¶ And forþi drie þi teres for ȝitte nys
nat eueriche fortune al hateful to þe warde. ne ou{er} 1048
greet tempest haþ nat ȝit fallen vpon þe. whan þat þin
ancres cliue fast[e] þat neiþer wole suffre þe comfort of þis
tyme p{re}sent. ne þe hope of tyme comynge to passen
ne to falle{n}.
[Sidenote: _B._ I hope these will never fail me.]
¶ And I p{re}ie q{uod} I þat fast[e] mot[en] 1052
þei holden. ¶ For whiles þat þei halden. how so eu{er}e
þat þinges ben. I shal wel fleten furþe and eschapen.
[Sidenote: But do you not see how low I am fallen?]
¶ But þou mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailes {and}
aray þat me lakkeþ þat ben passed awey fro me. 1056
[Sidenote: _P._ I should think that I had made progress if you did
not repine so at your fate.]
¶ I haue su{m}what auau{n}ced {and} forþered þe q{uod} she. if
þat þou anoie nat or forþenke nat of al þi fortune. As
who seiþ. ¶ I haue somwhat comforted þe so þat þou
tempest nat þe þus wiþ al þi fortune. syn þou hast 1060
ȝit þi best[e] þinges.
[Sidenote: It grieves me to hear you complain while you possess so
many comforts.]
¶ But I may nat suffre þin
delices. þat pleinst so wepyng. {and} anguissous for þat
oþer lakkeþ somwhat to þi welefulnesse.
[Sidenote: Every one, however happy, has something to complain
of.]
¶ For what
man is so sad or of so p{er}fit welefulnesse. þat he ne 1064
stryueþ or pleyneþ on some half aȝeine þe qualitee of
his estat.
[Sidenote: The condition of human enjoyment is anxious; for either
it comes not all at once, or makes no long stay when it does
come.]
¶ For whi ful anguissous þing is þe condiciou{n}
of mans goodes. ¶ For eyþer it comeþ al to
gidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it lasteþ not p{er}petuely. 1068
[Linenotes:
1044 _art þou þouȝ_--arthow yif
1045 _But ȝitte_--for yit
_dwellyng_--dwellyd
_wardes_--ward
1046 _þat_--than
_derworþe_--dereworthe
_þen þine_--than thin
1047 _ȝitte_--yit
1049 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_þin_--thyne
1050 _cliue fast[e]_--cleuen faste
_wole suffre_--wolen suffren
1052 _fallen_--faylen
_fast[e] mot[en]_--faste moten
1053 _holden_--halden
1054 _furþe_--forth
1055 _mayst_--mayste
_greet[e]_--grete
1058 _forþenke_--forthinke
1061 _best[e]_--beste
_suffre þin_--suffren thi
1063 _oþer_--ther
1064 _perfit_--parfyt
1065 _or_--and
_some half aȝeine_--som halue ayen
1067 _mans_--mannes
_comeþ al_--comth nat al
1068 _lasteþ_--last
_perpetuely_--p{er}petuel]
[Headnote:
HAPPINESS ARISES FROM CONTENTMENT.]
[Sidenote: One man is very wealthy, but his birth is obscure.]
¶ For som man haþ grete rycchesse. but he is asshamed
of hys vngentil lynage.
[Sidenote: Another is conspicuous for nobility of descent, but is
surrounded by indigence.]
{and} som man is renomed
of noblesse of kynrede. but he is enclosed in so
grete angre for nede of þinges. þat hym were leuer þat 1072
he were vnknowe.
[Sidenote: A third is blest with both advantages, but is
unmarried.]
and som ma{n} habundeþ boþe i{n}
rychesse {and} noblesse. but ȝit he bywaileþ hys chast[e]
lijf. for he haþ no wijf. [[pg 42]]
[Sidenote: This man is happy in a wife, but is childless, while
that other man has the joy of children, but is mortified by their
evil ways.]
¶ and som man is wel {and}
selily maried but he haþ no children. {and} norissheþ his 1076
ricchesse to þe heires of straunge folk. ¶ And som
man is gladded wiþ children. but he wepiþ ful sory for
þe trespas of his son or of his douȝtir.
[Sidenote: Thus we see that no man can agree easily with the state
of his fortune.]
¶ and for þis
þer accordeþ no wyȝt lyȝtly to þe condic{i}ou{n} of his fortune. 1080
for alwey to euery man þere is i{n} mest somwhat
þat vnassaieþ he ne wot not or ellys he drediþ þat he
haþ assaied.
[Sidenote: The senses of the happy are refined and delicate, and
they are impatient if anything is untoward.]
¶ {And} adde þis also þat euery weleful
man haþ a wel delicat felyng. ¶ So þat but yif alle 1084
þinges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or is
nat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is þrowe
adoũne for euery lytel þing.
[Sidenote: The happiness of the most fortunate depends on
trifles.]
¶ And ful lytel þinges
ben þo þat wiþdrawen þe so{m}me or þe p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of 1088
blisfulnesse fro hem þat ben most fortunat.
[Sidenote: How many would think themselves in heaven if they had
only a part of the remnant of thy fortune!]
¶ How
many men trowest þou wolde demen hem self to ben
almost in heuene yif þei myȝten atteyne to þe leest[e]
p{ar}tie of þe remenaunt of þi fortune. ¶ Þis same place 1092
þat þou clepist exil is contre to hem þat enhabiten
here.
[Sidenote: Thy miseries proceed from the thought that thou art
miserable.]
{and} forþi. Noþing wrecched. but whan þou
wenest it
[Sidenote: Every lot may be happy to the man who bears his
condition with equanimity and courage.]
¶ As who seiþ. þouȝ þi self ne no wyȝt
ellys nys no wrecche but whan he weneþ hym self a 1096
wrecche by reputac{i}ou{n} of his corage.
[Linenotes:
1069 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
1070 _renomed_--renowned
1072 _angre for_--Angwysshe of
_leuer_--leu{er}e
1074 _chast[e]_--caste
1075, 1076 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1076 _maried_--ymaryed
_his_--hise
1077 _ricchesse_--Rychesses
_heires_--eyres
_folk_--foolkys
1080 _þer_--þ{er} ne
1081 _mest_--omitted
1082 _vnassaieþ_--vnassaied
_wot_--MS. wote, C. wot
1083, 1084 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1084 _wel_--ful
1085 _fallen_--byfalle
_wille_--wyl
1086 _none_--non
_an-oone_--Anon
_þrowe_--throwen
1087 _adoũne_--adou{n}
1090 _wolde_--wolden
1095 _it_--hyt
_who_--ho
1096 _no_--a]
[Headnote:
THE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS.]
CONTRAQ{UE}.
[Sidenote: When patience is lost then a change of state is
desired.]
++And aȝeinewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by þe
agreablete or by þe egalite of hym þat suffreþ it.
¶ What man is þat. þat is so weleful þat nolde chau{n}ge{n} 1100
his estat whan he haþ lorn pacience. þe swetnesse of
mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e] bitternesses.
þe whiche welefulnesse al þouȝ it seme swete {and} [[pg 43]]
ioyeful to hym þat vseþ it. ȝit may it not be wiþ-holden 1104
þat it ne goþ away whan it wol.
[Sidenote: How much is human felicity embittered!]
¶ Þan is it wel sen
how wrecched is þe blisfulnesse of mortel þinges.
[Sidenote: It will not stay with those that endure their lot with
equanimity, nor bring comfort to anxious minds.]
þat neiþ{er} it dwelliþ p{er}petuel wiþ hem þat euery fortune
receyuen agreablely or egaly. ¶ Ne it ne deliteþ not in 1108
al. to hem þat ben anguissous.
[Sidenote: Why then, O mortals, do ye seek abroad for that
felicity which is to be found within yourselves?]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 11 _b_.]]
¶ O ye mortel folkes
what seke *ȝe þan blisfulnesse oute of ȝoure self. whiche
þat is put in ȝoure self. Erro{ur} {and} folie co{n}fou{n}deþ
ȝow ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. þe poynt of souereyne 1112
blisfulnesse.
[Sidenote: Nothing is more precious than thyself.]
Is þer any þing to þe more p{re}ciouse þan
þi self ¶ Þou wilt answere nay.
[Sidenote: If thou hast command over thyself, Fortune cannot
deprive thee of it.]
¶ Þan if it so be þat
þou art myȝty ouer þi self þat is to seyn by tranquillitee
of þi soule. þan hast þou þing i{n} þi power þat þou 1116
noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it þe.
[Sidenote: Happiness does not consist in things transitory.]
{and} þat þou mayst knowe þat blisfulnesse [ne] may
nat standen in þinges þat ben fortunous {and} te{m}perel.
[Sidenote: If happiness be the supreme good of nature, then that
thing cannot be it which can be withdrawn from us.]
¶ Now vndirstonde {and} gadir it to gidir þus 1120
yif blisfulnesse be þe souereyne goode of nature þat
liueþ by resou{n} ¶ Ne þilke þing nis nat souereyne
goode þat may be taken awey in any wyse. for more
worþi þing {and} more digne is þilke þing þ{a}t may nat be 1124
taken awey.
[Sidenote: Instability of fortune is not susceptive of true
happiness.]
¶ Þan shewiþ it wele þat þe vnstablenesse
of fortune may nat attayne to receyue verray
blisfulnes. ¶ And ȝit more ouer.
[Sidenote: He who is led by fading felicity, either knows that it
is changeable or does not know it.]
¶ What man þat
þis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ. eiþer he woot þat 1128
[it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat.
[Sidenote: If he knows it not, what happiness has he in the
blindness of his ignorance?]
¶ And yif
he woot it not. what blisful fortune may þer be in þe
blyndenesse of ignorau{n}ce. and yif he woot þat it is
chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad þ{a}t he ne lese 1132
þat þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may leesen it.
[Linenotes:
1098 _aȝeinewarde al_--ayeinward alle
1099 _it_--hyt
1101 _whan_--what
_haþ_--MS. haþe
_lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lost
1102 _yspranid_--spraynyd
_bitternesses_--beternesses
1104 _hym_--hem
_it_--hyt
_be_--ben
1105 _goþ_--MS. geþe
_wol_--woole
_sen_--MS. sene
1107 _dwelliþ_--dureth
1109 _folkes_--folk{e}
1110 _oute_--owt
1112 _shortly_--shortely
1114 _wilt_--MS. wilte, C. wolt
_if_--yif
1117 _by-nyme_--be-neme
1118 _blisfulnesse [ne]_--blyssefulnesse ne
1120 _to gidir_--to gidere
1121, 1122 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
1125 _wele_--wel
1126 _receyue_--resseyuen
1129 [_it_]--from C.
_it_--hyt
1130 _be_--ben
1131 _blyndenesse_--blyndnesse]
[[pg 44]]
[Headnote:
RICHES DO NOT CONSTITUTE HAPPINESS.]
[Sidenote: If he knows it is fleeting he must be afraid of losing
it, and this fear will not suffer him to be happy.]
¶ As whoo seiþ he mot ben alwey agast lest he
leese þat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For whiche þe
continuel drede þat he haþ ne suffriþ hym nat to ben 1136
weleful. ¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to be
dispised {and} forleten hit. ¶ Certis eke þat is a ful
lytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan it is
loost. ¶ Þat is to seyne þat men don no more force. 1140
of þe lost þan of þe hauynge.
[Sidenote: Since thou art convinced of the soul’s immortality,
thou canst not doubt that if death puts an end to human felicity,
that all men when they die, are plunged into the depths of
misery.]
¶ And for as myche as
þou þi self art he to who{m} it haþ ben shewid {and} p{ro}ued
by ful many[e] demonstrac{i}ou{n}s. as I woot wel þat þe
soules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke 1144
syn it is clere. {and} certeyne þat fortunous welefulnesse
endiþ by þe deeþ of þe body. ¶ It may nat ben douted
þat yif þat deeþ may take awey blysfulnesse þat al þe
kynde of mortal þi{n}g{us} ne descendiþ in to wrecchednesse 1148
by þe ende of þe deeþ.
[Sidenote: But we know that many have sought to obtain felicity,
by undergoing not only death, but pains and torments.]
¶ And syn we knowen
wel þat many a man haþ souȝt þe fruit of blisfulnesse
nat only wiþ suffryng of deeþ. but eke wiþ suffryng of
peynes {and} to{ur}mentes.
[Sidenote: How then can this present life make men truly happy,
since when it is ended they do not become miserable?]
how myȝt[e] þan þis p{re}sent 1152
lijf make men blisful. syn þat whanne þilke self[e]
lijf is endid. it ne makeþ folk no wrecches.
[Linenotes:
1134 _it_--hyt
_seiþ_--MS. seiþe, C. seyth
1135 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot
_leese_ (2)--leese it
_whiche_--which
1136 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1137 _ellys_--omitted
_wene_--weneth
1138 _hit_--omitted
1139 _goode_--good
_born_--MS. borne, C. born
_hert[e]_--herte
1140 _seyne_--seyn
_don_--MS. done, C. do
_force_--fors
1142 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1143 _many[e]_--manye
1144 _mowen_--mowe
_dien_--deyen
1145 _clere_--cleer
_certeyne_--certeyn
1147 _al_--alle
1150 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_fruit_--frut
1152 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
1153 _make_--maken
_self[e]_--selue]
[Headnote:
RICHES HAVE NO INTRINSIC VALUE.]
QUISQUIS UOLET[2] P{ER}HENNEM CAUTUS.
[Footnote 2: MS. ualet.]
[Sidenote: [The ferthe met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: He who would have a stable and lasting seat must not
build upon lofty hills; nor upon the sands, if he would escape the
violence of winds and waves.]
++What maner man stable {and} war þat wil founden hym
a p{er}durable sete {and} ne wil not be cast doune 1156
wiþ þe loude blastes of þe wynde Eurus. {and} wil dispise
þe see manassynge wiþ floodes ¶ Lat hym eschewe to
bilde on þe cop of þe mou{n}tay{n}gne. or in þe moyste
sandes. ¶ For þe fel[le] wynde auster to{ur}menteþ þe cop 1160
of þe mou{n}tayngne wiþ alle his strengþes. ¶ and þe
lowe see sandes refuse to beren þe heuy weyȝte. [[pg 45]]
[Sidenote: If thou wilt flee perilous fortune, lay thy foundation
upon the firmer stone, so that thou mayst grow old in thy
stronghold.]
{and} forþi yif þou wolt flee þe p{er}ilous auenture þat is to
seine of þe worlde ¶ Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn 1164
þi house of a myrie site in a lowe stoone. ¶ For al
þouȝ þe wynde troublyng þe see þondre wiþ ouereþrowynges
¶ Þou þat art put i{n} quiete {and} welful by
strengþe of þi palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng 1168
þe wodenesses and þe Ires of þe eir.
[Linenotes:
1155, 1156, 1157 _wil_--wole
1156 _be cast_--MS. be caste, C. ben cast
1157 _wynde_--wynd
1158 _eschewe_--eschewen
1160 _fel[le]_--felle
1161 _his_--hise
1162 _lowe_--lavse
_see_--omitted
_refuse_--refusen
_weyȝte_--wyhte
1163 _flee_--fleen
1164 _seine_--seyn
1165 _þi_--thin
_lowe stoone_--lowh stoon
1167 _welful_--weleful
1169 _wodenesses_--woodnesses]
[Headnote:
GLORY NOT IN RICHES; THEY ADD NOTHING TO VIRTUE.]
SET CUM RACIONU{M} IAM IN TE.
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: It is now time to use stronger medicines, since lighter
remedies have taken effect.]
++But for as moche as þe noryssinges of my resou{n}s
descenden now in to þe. I trowe it were tyme to
vsen a litel strenger medicynes.
[Sidenote: What is there in the gifts of Fortune that is not vile
and despicable?]
¶ Now vndirstonde 1172
here al were it so þat þe ȝiftis of fortune nar[e] nat
brutel ne t{ra}nsitorie.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 12.]]
what is þer in hem þat may be
þine *in any tyme. or ellis þat it nys foule if þat it be
considered {and} lokid p{er}fitely.
[Sidenote: Are riches precious in themselves, or in men’s
estimation?]
¶ Richesse ben þei 1176
p{re}ciouse by þe nature of hem self. or ellys by þe
nature of þe.
[Sidenote: What is most precious in them, quantity or quality?]
What is most worþi of rycchesse. is it
nat golde or myȝt of moneye assembled.
[Sidenote: Bounty is more glorious than niggardliness.]
¶ Certis
þilke golde {and} þilke moneye shineþ {and} ȝeueþ better 1180
renou{n} to hem þat dispenden it. þen to þilke folke þat
mokeren it.
[Sidenote: Avarice is always hateful, while liberality is
praise-worthy.]
For auarice makeþ alwey mokeres to be
hated. {and} largesse makeþ folke clere of renou{n}
¶ For syn þat swiche þi{n}g as is t{ra}nsfered from o 1184
man to an oþer ne may nat dwellen wiþ no man.
[Sidenote: Money cannot be more precious than when it is dispensed
liberally to others.]
Certis þan is þilke moneye p{re}cious. whan it is translated
in to oþer folk. {and} stynteþ to ben had by
vsage of large ȝeuy{n}g of hym þat haþ ȝeuen it. 1188
[Sidenote: If one man’s coffers contained all the money in the
world, every one else would be in want of it.]
{and} also yif al þe moneye þat is ouer-al in þe world were
gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al oþer men [[pg 46]]
to ben nedy as of þat. ¶ And certys a voys al hool
þat is to seyn wiþ-oute amenusynge fulfilleþ to gyder 1192
þe heryng of myche folke.
[Sidenote: Riches cannot be dispensed without diminution.]
but Certys ȝoure rycchesse
ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wiþ-oute amenussyng
¶ And whan þei ben apassed. nedys þei maken
hem pore þat forgon þe rycchesses.
[Sidenote: O the poverty of riches, that cannot be enjoyed by many
at the same time, nor can be possessed by one without
impoverishing others!]
¶ O streite {and} 1196
nedy clepe I þise rycchesses. syn þat many folke [ne]
may nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on man
wiþ-oute pouerte of al oþer folke. ¶ And þe shynynge
of ge{m}mes þat I clepe p{re}ciouse stones. draweþ it nat 1200
þe eyen of folk in to hem warde. þat is to seyne for þe
beaute.
[Sidenote: The beauty of precious stones consists only in their
brightness, wherefore I marvel that men admire that which is
motionless, lifeless, and irrational.]
¶ For certys yif þer were beaute or bounte
in shynyng of stones. þilke clerenesse is of þe stones
hem self. {and} nat of men. ¶ For whiche I wondre 1204
gretly þat men merueilen on swiche þinges. ¶ For
whi what þing is it þat yif it wa{n}teþ moeuyng {and}
ioynture of soule {and} body þat by ryȝt myȝt[e] semen
a faire creature to hym þat haþ a soule of resou{n}. 1208
[Sidenote: Precious stones are indeed the workmanship of the
Creator, but their beauty is infinitely below the excellency of
man’s nature.]
¶ For al be it so þat ge{m}mes drawen to hem self a
litel of þe laste beaute of þe worlde. þoruȝ þe entent
of hir creato{ur} {and} þoruȝ þe distincc{i}ou{n} of hem self.
ȝit for as myche as þei ben put vndir ȝoure excellence. 1212
þei han not desserued by no weye þat ȝe shullen
merueylen on hem.
[Sidenote: Doth the beauty of the field delight thee?]
¶ And þe beaute of feeldes deliteþ
it nat mychel vnto ȝow.
[Sidenote: _B._ Why should it not? for it is a beautiful part of a
beautiful whole.]
_Boyce._ ¶ Whi sholde it nat
deliten vs. syn þat it is a ryȝt fayr porciou{n} of þe ryȝt 1216
fair werk. þat is to seyn of þis worlde.
[Sidenote: Hence, we admire the face of the sea, the heavens, as
well as the sun, moon, and stars.]
¶ And ryȝt
so ben we gladed somtyme of þe face of þe see whan
it is clere. And also merueylen we on þe heuene {and}
on þe sterres. {and} on þe sonne. {and} on þe mone. [[pg 47]]
[Sidenote: _P._ Do these things concern thee? darest thou glory in
them?]
_Philosophie._ ¶ App{er}teineþ q{uo}d she any of þilke 1221
þinges to þe. whi darst þou glorifie þe in þe shynynge
of any swiche þinges.
[Sidenote: Do the flowers adorn you with their variety?]
Art þou distingwed {and} embelised
by þe spryngyng floures of þe first somer 1224
sesou{n}. or swelliþ þi plente in fruytes of somer. whi
art þou rauyshed wiþ ydel ioies.
[Sidenote: Why embracest thou things wherein thou hast no
property?]
why enbracest þou
straunge goodes as þei weren þine.
[Sidenote: Fortune can never make that thine which the nature of
things forbids to be so.]
Fortune shal neuer
maken þat swiche þinges ben þine þat nature of þinges 1228
maked foreyne fro þe.
[Sidenote: The fruits of the earth are designed for the support of
beasts.]
¶ Syche is þat wiþ-oute{n}
doute þe fruytes of þe erþe owen to ben on þe
norssinge of bestes.
[Sidenote: If you seek only the necessities of nature, the
affluence of Fortune will be useless.]
¶ And if þou wilt fulfille þi
nede after þat it suffiseþ to nature þan is it no nede 1232
þat þou seke after þe sup{er}fluite of fortune.
[Sidenote: Nature is content with a little, and superfluity will
be both disagreeable and hurtful.]
¶ For
wiþ ful fewe þinges {and} w{i}t{h} ful lytel þing nature
halt hire appaied. {and} yif þou wilt achoken þe fulfillyng
of nat{ur}e wiþ sup{er}fluites ¶ Certys þilke 1236
þinges þ{a}t þou wilt þresten or pouren in to nature
shullen ben vnioyeful to þe or ellis anoies.
[Sidenote: Does it add to a man’s worth to shine in variety of
costly clothing?]
¶ Wenest
þou eke þat it be a fair þinge to shine wiþ dyuerse
cloþing.
[Sidenote: The things really to be admired are the beauty of the
stuff or the workmanship of it.]
of whiche cloþing yif þe beaute be agreable 1240
to loken vpon. I wol merueylen on þe nature of þe
matere of þilke cloþes. or ellys on þe werkeman þat
wrouȝt[e] hem.
[Sidenote: Doth a great retinue make thee happy?]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 12 _b_.]]
but al so a longe route of meyne. makiþ
þat a blisful *man.
[Sidenote: If thy servants be vicious, they are a great burden to
the house, and pernicious enemies to the master of it.]
þe whiche seruauntes yif þei ben 1244
vicioũs of condic{i}ou{n}s it is a greet charge {and} a
destrucc{i}ou{n} to þe house. {and} a g{r}eet enmye to þe lorde
hym self
[Sidenote: If they be good, why should the probity of others be
put to thy account?]
¶ {And} yif þei ben goode men how shal
straung[e] or foreyne goodenes ben put in þe nou{m}bre 1248
of þi rycchesse.
[Sidenote: Upon the whole, then, none of those enjoyments which
thou didst consider as thy own did ever properly belong to thee.]
so þ{a}t by alle þise forseide þinges. it is
clerly shewed þat neuer none of þilke þinges þat þou
accou{m}ptedest for þin goodes nas nat þi goode.
[Sidenote: If they be not desirable, why shouldst thou grieve for
the loss of them?]
¶ In
þe whiche þinges yif þer be no beaute to ben desired. 1252
[Linenotes:
1172 _strenger_--strenger{e}
_vndirstonde_--vndyrstond
1173 _nar[e]_--ne weere
1174 _be þine_--ben thyn
1175 _foule_--fowl
1176 _Richesse_--Rychessis
1178 _rycchesse_--rychesses
1179, 1180 _golde_--gold
1180 _better_--betere
1181 _þen_--thanne
1182 _mokeres_--mokereres
1183 _folke clere_--folk cler
1184 _swiche_--swich
_from_--fram
1187 _stynteþ_--stenteth
1188 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1189 _world_--worlde
1190 _al_--alle
1191 _al hool_--omitted
1193 _myche folke_--moche folk{e}
_rycchesse_--rychesses
1194 _myche_--moche
1196 _forgon_--MS. forgone
1197 _þise_--this
_rycchesses_--rychesse
[_ne_]--from C.
1198 _on_--o
1199 _wiþ-oute_--with-owten
_al_--alle
_folke_--folk{e}
1200 _preciouse_--p{re}syous
1201 _in_--omitted
_warde_--ward
_seyne_--seyn
1202 _beaute_ (1)--beautes
_For_--but
1203 _in_--in the
1204 _whiche_--which
1207 _ioynture_--Ioyngture
1208 _faire_--fayr
_haþ_--MS. haþe
1210 _laste_--last
_worlde_--world
1212 _myche_--mochel
1213 _desserued_--MS. desseyued, C. desseruyd
_weye_--wey
_shullen_--sholden
1215 _mychel_--mochel
1217 _fair werk_--fayr{e} werke
_worlde_--world
1219 _clere_--cler
1222 _darst þou glorifie_--darsthow gloryfyen
1225 _in_--in the
1229 _Syche_--Soth
1230 _on_--to
1231, 1235, 1237 _wilt_--wolt
1238 _shullen_--shollen
1239 _fair_--fayre
1240 _whiche_--which
1242 _werkeman_--werkman
1246 _house_--hows
_lorde_--lord
1248 _goodenes_--goodnesse
1250 _shewed_--I-shewyd
_none_--oon
1251 _þin_--thine
_goode_--good]
[[pg 48]]
[Headnote:
RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.]
whi sholdest þou be sory yif þou leese hem. or whi
sholdest þou reioysen þe to holden hem.
[Sidenote: If they are fair by nature, what is that to thee?]
¶ For if þei
ben fair of hire owen kynde. what app{er}teneþ þat to þe.
[Sidenote: They would be equally agreeable whether thine or not.]
for as wel sholde þei han ben faire by hem self. 1256
þouȝ þei were{n} dep{ar}tid from alle þin rycchesse.
[Sidenote: They are not to be reckoned precious because they are
counted amongst thy goods, but because they seemed so before thou
didst desire to possess them.]
¶ For-why
faire ne p{re}cioũs ne weren þei nat. for þat þei
comen amonges þi rycchesse. but for þei semeden fair
{and} p{re}cious. þerfore þou haddest leuer rekene hem 1260
amonges þi rycchesse.
[Sidenote: What, then, is it we so clamorously demand of Fortune?]
but what desirest þou of fortune
wiþ so greet a noyse {and} wiþ so greet a fare
[Sidenote: Is it to drive away indigence by abundance?]
¶ I
trowe þou seke to dryue awey nede wiþ habundaunce
of þinges.
[Sidenote: But the very reverse of this happens, for there is need
of many helps to keep a variety of valuable goods.]
¶ But certys it turneþ to ȝow al in þe 1264
contrarie. for whi certys it nediþ of ful many[e] helpynges
to kepen þe dyuersite of preciouse ostelmentȝ.
[Sidenote: They want most things who have the most.]
and soþe it is þat of many[e] þinges han þei nede þat
many[e] þinges han.
[Sidenote: They want the fewest who measure their abundance by the
necessities of nature, and not by the superfluity of their
desires.]
{and} aȝeyneward of litel nediþ 1268
hem þat mesuren hir fille after þe nede of kynde {and}
nat after þe outrage of couetyse
[Sidenote: Is there no good planted within ourselves, that we are
obliged to go abroad to seek it?]
¶ Is it þan so þat ye
men ne han no p{ro}pre goode. I-set in ȝow. For
whiche ȝe moten seken outwardes ȝoure goodes in 1272
foreine {and} subgit þinges.
[Sidenote: Are things so changed and inverted, that god-like man
should think that he has no other worth but what he derives from
the possession of inanimate objects?]
¶ So is þan þe condic{i}ou{n}
of þinges turned vpso dou{n}. þat a man þat is a devyne
beest by merit of hys resou{n}. þinkeþ þat hy{m}
self nys neyþer fair ne noble. but if it be þoruȝ 1276
possessiou{n} of ostelmentes. þat ne han no soules.
[Linenotes:
1255 _fair_--fayr{e}
_hire owen_--hyr owne
1256 _sholde_--sholden
_self_--selue
1257 _þin rycchesse_--thyne rychesses
1259 _amonges_--among{e}
1259, 1261 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
1259 _fair_--fayr{e}
1260 _leuer rekene_--leu{er}e rekne
1262 _greet_ (2)--grete
1265, 1267 _many[e]_--manye
1267 _soþe_--soth
1272 _outwardes_--owtward
1276 _fair_--fayr{e}
_if_--yif]
[Headnote:
IGNORANCE CRIMINAL IN MAN.]
[Sidenote: Inferior things are satisfied with their own
endowments, while man (the image of God) seeks to adorn his nature
with things infinitely below him, not understanding how much he
dishonours his Maker.]
¶ And certys al oþ{er} þi{n}ges ben appaied of hire owen
beautes. but ȝe men þat ben semblable to god by ȝour{e}
resonable þouȝt desiren to apparaille ȝour{e} excellent 1280
kynde of þe lowest[e] pinges. ne ȝe ne vndirstonde nat
how gret a wro{n}g ȝe don to ȝoure creato{ur}.
[Sidenote: God intended man to excel all earthly creatures, yet
you debase your dignity and prerogative below the lowest beings.]
for he
wolde þat man kynde were moost worþi {and} noble of
any oþer erþely þinges. and ȝe þresten adou{n} ȝoure [[pg 49]]
dignitees by-neþen þe lowest[e] þinges.
[Sidenote: In placing your happiness in despicable trifles, you
acknowledge yourselves of less value than these trifles, and well
do you merit to be so esteemed.]
¶ For if þat al 1285
þe good of euery þing be more p{re}ciouse þan is þilk
þing whos þat þe good is. syn ȝe demen þat þe
foulest[e] þinges ben ȝoure goodes. þanne summytten 1288
ȝe {and} putten ȝoure self vndir þo foulest[e] þinges by
ȝoure estimac{i}ou{n}. ¶ And certis þis bitidiþ nat wiþ
out ȝour{e} desert.
[Sidenote: Man only excels other creatures when he knows himself.]
For certys swiche is þe co{n}dic{i}ou{n}
of al man kynde þat oonly whan it haþ knowyng of it 1292
self. þan passeþ it i{n} noblesse alle oþer þinges.
[Sidenote: When he ceases to do so, he sinks below beasts.]
and whan it forletiþ þe knowyng of it self. þan it is
brouȝt byneþen alle beestes.
[Sidenote: Ignorance is natural to beasts, but in men it is
unnatural and criminal.]
¶ For-why alle oþer
[leuynge] beestes han of kynde to knowe not hem 1296
self. but whan þat men leten þe knowyng of hem self.
it comeþ hem of vice.
[Sidenote: How weak an error is it to believe that anything
foreign to your nature can be an ornament to it.]
but how brode sheweþ þe erro{ur}
{and} þe folie of ȝow men þat wenen þat ony þing may
ben apparailled wiþ straunge apparaillementȝ ¶ but 1300
for-soþe þat may nat be don.
[Sidenote: If a thing appear beautiful on account of its external
embellishments, we admire and praise those embellishments alone.]
for yif a wyȝt shyneþ wiþ
þi{n}ges þat ben put to hym. as þus. yif þilke þinges
shynen wiþ whiche a man is apparailled. ¶ Certis
þilke þinges ben commendid {and} p{re}ised wiþ whiche 1304
he is apparailled.
[Sidenote: The thing covered still continues in its natural
impurity.]
¶ But naþeles þe þing þat is
couered {and} wrapped vndir þat dwelleþ in his filþe.
[Sidenote: I deny that to be a good which is hurtful to its
owner.]
and I denye þat þilke þing be good þat anoyeþ hym
þat haþ it.
[Sidenote: Am I deceived in this? You will say no; for riches have
often hurt their possessors.]
¶ Gabbe I of þis. þou wolt seye nay. 1308
¶ Certys rycchesse han anoyed ful ofte hem þat han þe
rycchesse.
[Sidenote: Every wicked man desires another’s wealth, and esteems
him alone happy who is in possession of riches.]
¶ Syn þat euery wicked shrew {and} for
hys wickednesse þe more gredy aftir oþer folkes rycchesse
wher so euer it be in any place. be it golde or 1312
p{re}cious stones. [[pg 50]]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 13.]]
{and} weniþ hym *only most worþi þat
haþ hem
[Sidenote: You, therefore, who now so much dread the instruments
of assassination, if you had been born a poor wayfaring man,
might, with an empty purse, have sung in the face of robbers.]
¶ þou þan þat so besy dredest now þe swerde
{and} þe spere. yif þou haddest entred in þe paþe of þis
lijf a voide wayfaryng man. þan woldest þou syng[e] 1316
by-fore þe þeef. ¶ As who seiþ a poure man þat bereþ
no rycchesse on hym by þe weye. may boldly syng[e]
byforne þeues. for he haþ nat wher-of to ben robbed.
[Sidenote: O the transcendant felicity of riches! No sooner have
you obtained them, than you cease to be secure.]
¶ O preciouse {and} ryȝt clere is þe blysfulnesse of 1320
mortal rycchesse. þat wha{n} þou hast geten it. þan hast
þou lorn þi syke[r]nesse.
[Linenotes:
1278 _hire owen_--hir owne
1281 _ne_ (2)--omitted
_vndirstonde_--vndyrstondyn
1282 _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret
1284 _oþer erþely_--oothre worldly
_þresten_--threste
1285 _by-neþen_--by-nethe
_if_--yif
1286 _good_--MS. goode, C. good
_þing_--thinge
_preciouse_--p{re}syos
_þilk þing_--thilke thinge
1287 _þe_ (2)--tho
1288 _summytten_--submitten
1289 _self_--seluen
_foulest[e]_--fowleste
1290 _bitidiþ_--tydeth
1291 _out_--owte
_desert_--desertes
1292 _al_--alle
1293 _self_--selue
1294 _it is_--is it
1296 [_leuynge_]--from C.
_hem_--hym
1297 _þat_--omitted
1298 _comeþ_--comth
1299 _þing_--thinge
1302 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
1303 _whiche_--which
1306 _filþe_--felthe
1307 _þing_--thinge
_good_--MS. goode, C. good
1308 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1309 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
_þe_--tho
1310 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
_shrew_--shrewe
1311 _rycchesse_--rychesses
1312 _golde_--gold
1314 _haþ_--MS. haþe, C. hat
_besy_--bysy
_swerde_--swerd
1315 _paþe_--paath
1316 _wayfaryng_--wayferynge
_syng[e]_--synge
1317 _by-fore_--by-forn
_seiþ_--MS. seiþe, C. seyth
_poure_--pore
_bereþ_--berth
1318 _boldly syng[e]_--boldely synge
1319 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1320 _preciouse_--p{re}cyos
_clere_--cler
1321 _rycchesse_--rychesses
1322 _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lorn]
[Headnote:
THE GOLDEN AGE.]
FELIX IN MIRU{M} PRIOR ETAS.
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Happy was the first age of men. They were contented
with what the faithful earth produced.]
++Blysful was þe first age of men. þei helden hem
apaied wiþ þe metes þat þe trewe erþes brouȝten 1324
furþe. ¶ þei ne destroyed[e] ne desceyued[e] not hem
self wiþ outerage.
[Sidenote: With acorns they satisfied their hunger.]
¶ þei weren wont lyȝtly to slaken
her hunger at euene wiþ acornes of okes
[Sidenote: They knew not Hypocras nor Hydromel.]
¶ þei ne
couþe nat medle þe ȝift of bacus to þe clere hony. 1328
þat is to seyn. þei couþe make no piment of clarre.
[Sidenote: They did not dye the Serian fleece in Tyrian purple.]
ne þei couþe nat medle þe briȝt[e] flies of þe co{n}tre
of siriens wiþ þe venym of tirie. þis is to seyne. þei
couþe nat dien white flies of sirien contre wiþ þe 1332
blode of a manar shelfysshe. þat men fynden in tyrie.
wiþ whiche blode men deien purper.
[Sidenote: They slept upon the grass, and drank of the running
stream, and reclined under the shadow of the tall pine.]
¶ þei slepen
holesom slepes vpon þe gras. and dronken of þe rynnyng
watres. {and} laien vndir þe shadowe of þe heyȝe 1336
pyne trees.
[Sidenote: No man yet ploughed the deep, nor did the merchant
traffick with foreign shores.]
¶ Ne no gest ne no straunger [ne] karf
ȝit þe heye see wiþ oores or wiþ shippes. ne þei ne
hadden seyne ȝitte none newe strondes to leden merchaundyse [[pg 51]]
in to dyuerse co{n}tres.
[Sidenote: The warlike trumpet was hushed and still.]
¶ þo weren þe cruel 1340
clariou{n}s ful whist {and} ful stille.
[Sidenote: Bloodshed had not yet arisen through hateful quarrels.]
ne blode yshed by
egre hate ne hadde nat deied ȝit armurers.
[Sidenote: Nothing could stimulate their rage to engage in war,
when they saw that wounds and scars were the only meeds.]
for wherto
or whiche woodenesse of enmys wolde first moeuen
armes. whan þei seien cruel woundes ne none medes 1344
ben of blood yshad
[Sidenote: O that those days would come again!]
¶ I wolde þat oure tymes sholde
turne aȝeyne to þe oolde maneres.
[Sidenote: The thirst of wealth torments all; it rages more
fiercely than Ætna’s fires.]
¶ But þe anguissous
loue of hauyng brenneþ in folke moore cruely þan þe
fijr of þe Mou{n}taigne of Ethna þat euer brenneþ. 1348
[Sidenote: Cursed be the wretch who first brought gold to light.]
¶ Allas what was he þat first dalf vp þe gobets or
þe weyȝtys of gold couered vndir erþe. {and} þe p{re}cious
stones þat wolden han ben hid. he dalf vp p{re}cious
perils. þat is to seyne þat he þat hem first vp dalf. he 1352
dalf vp a p{re}cious peril.
[Sidenote: It has since proved perilous to many a man.]
for-whi. for þe p{re}ciousnesse
of swyche haþ many man ben in peril.
[Linenotes:
1324 _erþes_--feeldes
1325 _furþe_--forth
_destroyed[e]_--dystroyede
1327 _her_--hyr
_at_--MS. as, C. at
_euene_--euen
1328 _couþe_--cowde
_medle_--medly
_ȝift_--yifte
_clere_--cleer
1329 _couþe_--cowde
_of_--nor
1330 _couþe_--cowde
_briȝt[e] flies_--bryhte fleeȝes
1331 _siriens_--Seryens
_seyne_--seyn
1332 _couþe_--cowde
_dien_--deyen
_flies_--fleȝes
1333 _blode_--blood
_shelfysshe_--shyllefyssh
1334 _blode_--blood
1335 _holesom_--holsom
_rynnyng watres_--rennynge wateres
_shadowe_--shadwes
_heyȝe_--heye
1337 _pyne_--pyn
_no_ (2)--omitted
[_ne_]--from C.
_karf_--karue
1339 _hadden seyne ȝitte_--hadde seyn yit
1341 _whist_--hust
_blode yshed_--blod I-shad
1343 _whiche woodenesse_--whych wodnesse
1344 _seien_--say
1346 _turne aȝeyne_--torne ayein
1347 _folke_--folk
1348 _þe_--omitted
_euer_--ay
1351 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hydd
1352 _seyne_--seyn
_he_ (2)--omitted
1354 _swyche_--swych thinge
_haþ_--MS. haþe
_ben_--be]
[Headnote:
OF DIGNITIES AND POWERS.]
QUID AUTE{M} DE DIGNITATIB{US} {ET} C{ETERA}.
[Sidenote: [The sixte p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: But why should I discourse of dignities and powers
which (though you are ignorant of true honour and real power) you
extol to the skies?]
++But what shal I seyne of dignitees {and} of powers.
þe whiche [ye] men þ{a}t neiþer knowen verray dignitee 1356
ne verray power areysen hem as heye as þe
heuene.
[Sidenote: When they fall to the lot of a wicked man, they produce
greater calamities than the flaming eruption of Ætna, or the most
impetuous deluge.]
þe whiche dignitees {and} powers yif þei come
to any wicked man þei don [as] greet[e] damages {and}
distrucc{i}ou{n} as doþ þe fla{m}me of þe Mou{n}taigne 1360
Ethna whan þe fla{m}me wit walwiþ vp ne no deluge
ne doþ so cruel harmes.
[Sidenote: You remember that your ancestors desired to abolish the
Consular government (the commencement of the Roman liberty),
because of the pride of the Consuls; as their ancestors before for
the same consideration had suppressed the title of King.]
¶ Certys ye remembriþ wel
as I trowe þat þilke dignitee þat men clepiþ þe emperie
of {con}sulers þe whiche þat somtyme was bygynnyng 1364
of fredom. ¶ Ȝoure eldres coueiteden to han
don a-wey þat dignitee for þe p{r}ide of þe conseilers.
[Linenotes:
1355 _seyne_--seye
1358 _come_--comen
1359 _don_--MS. done, C. don
_[as] greet[e]_--as grete
1360 _distruccioun_--destrucciou{n}s
_doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth
_flamme_--flaumbe
1361 _flamme_--flawmbe
_wit_--omitted
1362 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth
1363 _clepiþ_--clepyn
1364 _whiche_--whych
_somtyme_--whilom
1366 _for_--MS. of, C. for]
[[pg 52]]
[Headnote:
HONOURS NOT INTRINSICALLY GOOD,]
¶ And ryȝt for þe same p{r}ide ȝoure eldres byforne þat
tyme hadden don awey out of þe Citee of rome þe 1368
kynges name. þat is to seien. þei nolden haue no
lenger no kyng ¶ But now yif so be þ{a}t dignitees
{and} powers ben ȝeuen to goode men. þe whiche þing
is ful ȝelde. what agreable þi{n}ges is þer in þo dignitees. 1372
or powers. but only þe goodenes of folk þat vsen hem.
[Linenotes:
1368 _don_--MS. done, C. don
1369 _seien_--seyn
1370 _lenger_--lenger{e}
_kyng_--kynge
1371 _whiche_--which
1373 _folk_--foolkys]
[Headnote:
FOR THEY FALL TO THE LOT OF THE WICKED.]
[Sidenote: Virtue is not embellished by dignities, but dignities
derive honour from virtue.]
¶ And þerfore it is þus þat hono{ur} ne comeþ nat to
vertue for cause of dignite. but aȝeinward. hono{ur}
comeþ to dignite by cause of vertue.
[Sidenote: But what is this power, so much celebrated and
desired?]
but whiche is 1376
ȝoure derworþe power þat is so clere {and} so requerable
[Sidenote: What are they over whom you exercise authority?]
¶ O ȝe erþelyche bestes considere ȝe nat ouer whiche
þing þat it semeþ þat ȝe han power.
[Sidenote: If thou sawest a mouse assuming command over other
mice, wouldst thou not almost burst with laughter?]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 13 _b_.]]
¶ Now yif þou
say[e] a mouse amo{n}g{us} *oþer myse þat chalenged[e] to 1380
hymself ward ryȝt {and} power ouer alle oþer myse. how
gret scorne woldest þou han of hit. ¶ _Glosa._ ¶ So
fareþ it by men. þe body haþ power ouer þe body.
[Sidenote: What is more feeble than man, to whom the bite of a fly
may be the cause of death?]
For yif þow loke wel vpon þe body of a wyȝt what 1384
þing shalt þou fynde moore frele þan is mannes kynde.
þe whiche ben ful ofte slayn wiþ bytynge of smale
flies. or ellys wiþ þe entryng of crepyng wormes in to
þe priuetees of mennes bodyes.
[Sidenote: But how can any man obtain dominion over another,
unless it be over his body, or, what is inferior to his
body,--over his possessions, the gifts of Fortune?]
¶ But wher shal 1388
men fynden any man þat may exercen or haunten any
ryȝt vpon an oþer ma{n} but oonly vpon hys body. or
ellys vpo{n} þinges þat ben lower þen þe body. whiche
I clepe fortunous possessiou{n}s
[Sidenote: Can you ever command a freeborn soul?]
¶ Mayst þou euer haue 1392
any comaundement ouer a fre corage
[Sidenote: Can you disturb a soul consistent with itself, and knit
together by the bond of reason?]
¶ Mayst þou
remuen fro þe estat of hys p{ro}pre reste. a þouȝt þat is
cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast resou{n}. ¶ As
somtyme a tiraunt wende to co{n}founde a freeman of 1396
corage ¶ {And} wende to co{n}streyne hym by to{ur}ment [[pg 53]]
to maken hym dyscoueren {and} acusen folk þat wisten
of a coniurac{i}ou{n}. whiche I clepe a confederacie þat
was cast aȝeins þis tyraunt
[Sidenote: Have you not read how Anaxarchus bit off his tongue and
spat it in the face of Nicocreon?]
¶ But þis free man boot 1400
of hys owen tunge. {and} cast it in þe visage of þilke
woode tyrau{n}te. ¶ So þat þe to{ur}mentȝ þat þis
tyrau{n}t wende to han maked mater{e} of cruelte. þis
wyse man maked[e it] matere of vertues.
[Sidenote: What is it that one man can do to another that does not
admit of retaliation?]
¶ But what 1404
þing is it þat a man may don to an oþer man. þat he
ne may receyue þe same þing of oþer folke i{n} hym
self. or þus. ¶ What may a man don to folk. þat folk
ne may don hym þe same.
[Sidenote: Busiris used to kill his guests, but at last himself
was killed by Hercules, his guest.]
¶ I haue herd told of 1408
busirides þat was wo{n}t to sleen hys gestes þat herburghden
in hys hous. and he was slayn hym self of
ercules þat was hys gest
[Sidenote: Regulus put his Carthaginian prisoners in chains, but
was afterwards obliged to submit to the fetters of his enemies.]
¶ Regulus had[de] taken in
bataile many men of affrike. and cast hem in to fetteres. 1412
but sone after he most[e] ȝiue hys handes to
ben bounden w{i}t{h} þe cheynes of hem þat he had[de]
somtyme ou{er}comen.
[Sidenote: Is he mighty that dares not inflict what he would upon
another for fear of a requital?]
¶ Wenest þou þan þat he be
myȝty. þat may nat don a þing. þat oþer ne may don 1416
hym. þat he doþ to oþer.
[Sidenote: If powers and honours were intrinsically good, they
would never be attained by the wicked.]
{and} ȝit more ou{er} yif it so
were þat þise dignites or poweres hadden any p{ro}pre
or naturel goodnesse in hem self neuer nolden þei
comen to shrewes.
[Sidenote: An union of things opposite is repugnant to nature.]
¶ For contrarious þinges ne ben 1420
not wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres. ¶ Nature refuseþ
þat contra[r]ious þinges ben yioigned.
[Sidenote: But as wicked men do obtain the highest honours, it is
clear that honours are not in themselves good, otherwise they
would not fall to the share of the unworthy.]
¶ And so
as I am in certeyne þat ryȝt wikked folk han dignitees
ofte tymes. þan sheweþ it wel þat dignitees {and} powers 1424
ne ben not goode of hir owen kynde. syn þat þei suffren
hem self to cleue{n} or ioynen hem to shrewes.
[Sidenote: The worst of men have often the largest share of
Fortune’s gifts.]
¶ And certys þe same þing may most digneliche Iugen
{and} seyen of alle þe ȝiftis of fortune
þat most plenteuously [[pg 54]]
comen to shrewes.
[Sidenote: We judge him to be valiant who has given evidence of
his fortitude.]
¶ Of þe whiche ȝiftys I 1429
trowe þat it auȝt[e] ben considered þat no man doutiþ
þat he nis strong. in whom he seeþ strengþe. {and} in
whom þat swiftnesse is ¶ Soþe it is þat he is swyfte. 1432
[Sidenote: So music maketh a musician, &c.]
Also musyk makeþ musiciens. {and} fysik makeþ phisiciens.
{and} rethorik rethoriens.
[Sidenote: The nature of everything consists in doing what is
peculiar to itself, and it repels what is contrary to it.]
¶ For whi þe nature
of euery þing makiþ his p{ro}pretee. ne it is nat
ent{er}medled wiþ þe effect{is} of co{n}trarious þinges. 1436
[Linenotes:
1374 _comeþ_--comth
1375, 1376 _vertue_--vertu
1376 _comeþ_--comth
_by_--for
_whiche_--which
1377 _derworþe_--dereworthe
_clere_--cleer
1378 _whiche_--which
1379 _han_--MS. hanne, C. han
1380 _say[e]_--saye
_mouse amongus_--mous amonges
_myse_--musȝ
1382 _scorne_--scorn
1383 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1385 _mannes_--man
1386 _þe----slayn_--the whiche men wel ofte ben slayn
1388 _mennes bodyes_--mannes body
1391 _lower_--lower{e}
_whiche_--the which
1395 _stedfast_--stidefast
1396 _somtyme_--whylom
1399 _whiche_--which
1401 _owen_--owne
1406 _receyue_--resseyuen
_oþer_--oothre
1408 _herd told_--MS. herde tolde, C. herd told
1409 _hys_--hise
_herburghden_--herberweden
1410 _slayn_--sleyn
1411 _had[de]_--hadde
1413 _most[e]_--moste
1414 _bounden_--bownde
_cheynes_--MS. þeues, C. cheynes
_had[de]_--hadde
1415 _somtyme_--whylom
1416 _þat----þing_--that hath no power to don a thinge
_oþer_--oothre
1417 _hym_--in hym
_doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth
_to oþer_--in oothre
1421 _togidres_--to-gider{e}
1423 _certeyne_--certein
1424 _tymes_--tyme
1425 _owen_--owne
1429 _whiche_--which
1430 _auȝt[e]_--owhte
1432 _Soþe_--soth
_swyfte_--swyft
1435 _is_--nis
1436 _effectis_--effect]
[Headnote:
POWER DOES NOT CONFER GOODNESS.]
¶ And as of wil it chaseþ oute þinges þat to it ben
contrarie
[Sidenote: Riches cannot restrain avarice. Power cannot make a man
master of himself if he is the slave of his lusts.]
¶ But certys rycchesse may nat restreyne
auarice vnstaunched ¶ Ne power [ne] makeþ nat a
ma{n} myȝty ouer hym self. whiche þat vicious lustis 1440
holden destreined wiþ cheins þat ne mowen nat ben
vnbounden.
[Sidenote: Dignities conferred upon base men do not make them
worthy, but rather expose their want of merit.]
{and} dignitees þat ben ȝeuen to shrewed[e]
folk nat oonly ne makiþ hem nat digne. but it sheweþ
raþer al openly þat þei ben vnworþi {and} vndigne. 1444
[Sidenote: Why is it so? ’Tis because you give false names to
things. You dignify riches, power, and honours, with names they
have no title to.]
¶ And whi is it þ{us}. ¶ Certis for ȝe han ioye to
clepen þinges wiþ fals[e] names. þat beren hem al in
þe co{n}t{ra}rie. þe whiche names ben ful ofte reproued
by þe effect of þe same þinges.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 14.]]
so þat *þise ilke rycchesse 1448
ne auȝten nat by ryȝt to ben cleped rycchesse.
ne whiche power ne auȝt[e] not ben cleped power. ne
whiche dignitee ne auȝt[e] nat ben cleped dignitee.
[Sidenote: In fine, the same may be said of all the gifts of
Fortune, in which nothing is desirable, nothing of natural good in
them, since they are not always allotted to good men, nor make
them good to whom they are attached.]
¶ And at þe laste I may conclude þe same þinge of 1452
al þe ȝiftes of fortune in whiche þer nis no þing to
ben desired. ne þat haþ in hym self naturel bounte.
¶ as it is ful wel sene. for neyþer þei ne ioygne{n}
hem nat alwey to goode men. ne maken hem alwey 1456
goode to who{m} þei be{n} y-ioigned.
[Linenotes:
1437 _oute_--owt
1441 _ben_--be
1442 _shrewed[e]_--shrewede
1446 _fals[e]_--false
_al_--alle
1447 _whiche_--which
1449 _auȝten_--owhten
_rycchesse_--rychesses
1450 _whiche_--swich
_auȝt[e]_--owhte
1451 _whiche_--swich
_auȝt[e]_--owht
1453 _al_--alle
1454 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1455 _sene_--I-seene]
[[pg 55]]
[Headnote:
NERO’S CRUELTY.]
NOUIMUS QUANTOS DEDERAT.
[Sidenote: [The sixte Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: We know what ruin Nero did.]
++WE han wel knowen how many g{r}eet[e] harmes {and}
destrucc{i}ou{n}s weren doñ by þe Emp{er}oure Nero.
[Sidenote: He burnt Rome, he slew the conscript fathers, murdered
his brother, and spilt his mother’s blood.]
¶ He letee brenne þe citee of Rome {and} made slen þe 1460
senato{ur}s. and he cruel somtyme slouȝ hys broþer. {and}
he was maked moyst wiþ þe blood of hys modir. þat is
to seyn he let sleen {and} slitte{n} þe body of his modir to
seen where he was conceiued.
[Sidenote: He looked unmoved upon his mother’s corpse, and passed
judgment upon her beauty.]
{and} he loked[e] on euery 1464
half vpon hir colde dede body. ne no tere ne wette
his face. but he was so hard herted þat he myȝt[e] ben
domesman or Iuge of hire dede beaute.
[Sidenote: Yet this parricide ruled over all lands, illumined by
the sun in his diurnal course, and controlled the frozen regions
of the pole.]
¶ And ȝitte
neuerþeles gouerned[e] þis Nero by Ceptre al þe peoples 1468
þat phebus þe sonne may seen comyng from his outerest
arysyng til he hidde his bemes vndir þe wawes. ¶ þat
is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle þe peoples by Ceptre imp{er}ial
þat þe so{n}ne goþ aboute from est to west ¶ And 1472
eke þis Nero goueyrende by Ceptre. alle þe peoples þat
ben vndir þe colde sterres þat hyȝten þe seuene triones.
þis is to seyn he gouerned[e] alle þe poeples þat ben vndir
þe p{ar}ties of þe norþe.
[Sidenote: He governed, too, the people in the torrid zone.]
¶ And eke Nero gouerned[e] 1476
alle þe poeples þat þe violent wynde Nothus scorchiþ
{and} bakiþ þe brennynge sandes by his drie hete. þat
is to seyne. alle þe poeples in þe souþe.
[Sidenote: But yet Nero’s power could not tame his ferocious
mind.]
[but yit ne
myhte nat al his heye power torne the woodnesse of 1480
this wykkyd nero /
[Sidenote: It is a grievous thing when power strengthens the arm
of him whose will prompts him to deeds of cruelty.]
Allas it is greuous fortune it is]. as
ofte as wicked swerde is ioygned to cruel venym. þat is
to sein. venimous cruelte to lordshipe.
[Linenotes:
1458 _greet[e]_--grete
1460 _letee_--let
1461 _somtyme slouȝ_--whilom slow
1463 _let_--lette
1464 _where_--wher
1465 _half_--halue
1466 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
1467 _hire_--hyr
1468 _neuerþeles_--natheles
_gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede
_al_--alle
1469 _from_--fram
_outerest_--owtereste
1470 _hidde_--hide
1471 _seyne_--seyn
1472 _goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth
1473 _goueyrende_--gou{er}nyd
1474 _triones_--tyryones
1475 _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede
1476 _parties_--p{ar}ty
_norþe_--north
_gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede
1477 _wynde_--wynd
_scorchiþ_--scorklith
1479 _seyne_--seyn
_souþe_--sowth
1479-81 [_but----it is_]--MS. _has_: but ne how greuous fortune is
1482 _swerde_--swerd]
[[pg 56]]
[Headnote:
THE LOVE OF GLORY.]
TU{M} EGO SCIS INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ Thou knowest that I did not covet mortal and
transitory things.]
++ÞAnne seide I þus. þou wost wel þiself þat þe 1484
couetise of mortal þinges ne hadden neuer lordshipe
of me. but I haue wel desired matere of þinges
to done. as who seiþ.
[Sidenote: I only wished to exercise my virtue in public concerns,
lest it should grow feeble by inactivity.]
I desired[e] to han matere of
gou{er}naunce ouer comunalites. ¶ For vertue stille ne 1488
sholde not elden. þat is to seyn. þat list þat or he wex
olde ¶ His uertue þat lay now ful stille. ne sholde
nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune.
¶ For whiche men myȝten speke or write{n} of his 1492
goode gouernement.
[Sidenote: _P._ A love of glory is one of those things that may
captivate minds naturally great, but not yet arrived at the
perfection of virtue.]
¶ _Philosophie._ ¶ For soþe q{uo}d
she. {and} þat is a þing þat may drawen to gouernaunce
swiche hertes as ben worþi {and} noble of hir nature.
but naþeles it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as 1496
ben y-brouȝt to þe ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. þat is
to seyn couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel
administred þe comune þinges. or doon goode decertes
to p{ro}fit of þe comune.
[Sidenote: But consider how small and void of weight is that
glory.]
for se now {and} considere how 1500
litel {and} how voide of al prise is þilke glorie.
[Sidenote: Astronomy teaches us that this globe of earth is but a
speck compared with the extent of the heavens, and is as nothing
if compared with the magnitude of the celestial sphere.]
¶ Certeine
þing is as þou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of
astronomye þat al þe envyronynge of þe erþe aboute
ne halt but þe resou{n} of a prykke at regard of þe gretnesse 1504
of heuene. þat is to seye. þat yif þat þer were
maked co{m}parisou{n} of þe erþe to þe gretnesse of
heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle þat erþe [ne] helde
no space
[Sidenote: Ptolemy shows that only one-fourth of this earth is
inhabited by living creatures.]
¶ Of þe whiche litel regiou{n} of þis worlde 1508
þe ferþe partie is enhabitid wiþ lyuyng beestes þat
we knowen. as þou hast þi self lerned by tholome þat
p{ro}uitħ it.
[Sidenote: Deduct from this the space occupied by seas, marshes,
lakes, and deserts, and there remains but a small proportion left
for the abode of man.]
¶ yif þou haddest wiþ drawen {and} abated
in þi þouȝte fro þilke ferþe partie as myche space as þe 1512
see {and} [the] mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as
myche space as þe regiou{n} of droughte ou{er}streccheþ.
[Linenotes:
1487 _desired[e]_--desyr{e}
1489 _wex olde_--wax old
1492 _whiche_--which
_speke_--spekyn
1496 _tollen_--MS. tellen, C. tollen
1497 _ful[le]_--fulle
1501 _al prise_--alle prys
1505 _seye_--seyn
1507 _wolde_--woldyn
_alle_--al
[_ne_]--from C.
1510 _lerned_--ylerned
1512 _þouȝte_--thowht
_myche_--moche
1513 [_the_]--from C.
1514 _myche space_--moche spaces]
[[pg 57]]
[Headnote:
FAME IS CIRCUMSCRIBED.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 14 _b_.]]
þat is to seye sandes {and} desertes wel vnneþ sholde
*þer dwellen a ryȝt streite place to þe habitaciou{n} of 1516
men.
[Sidenote: And do you, who are confined to the least point of this
point, think of nothing but of blazing far and wide your name and
reputation?]
{and} ȝe þan þat ben environed {and} closed wiþ
i{n}ne þe leest[e] prikke of þilk prikke þenke ȝe to
manifesten ȝoure renou{n} {and} don ȝoure name to ben
born forþe.
[Sidenote: What is there great in a glory so circumscribed?]
but ȝour{e} glorie þat is so narwe {and} so 1520
streyt yþronge{n} in to so litel boundes. how myche
conteinþe it in largesse {and} in greet doynge.
[Sidenote: Even in this contracted circle, there is a great
variety of nations, to whom not only the fame of particular men,
but even of great cities, cannot extend.]
And also
sette þis þer to þat many a nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge
{and} of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of hir lyuyng ben 1524
enhabitid in þe cloos of þilke litel habitacle. ¶ To þe
whiche nac{i}ou{n}s what for difficulte of weyes. {and} what
for diu{er}site of langages. {and} what for defaute of
vnusage entercomunynge of marchau{n}dise. nat only þe 1528
names of singler men ne may [nat] strecchen. but eke
þe fame of Citees ne may nat strecchen.
[Sidenote: In the time of Marcus Tullius the fame of Rome did not
reach beyond Mount Caucasus.]
¶ At þe
last[e] Certis in þe tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym
self writeþ in his book þat þe renou{n} of þe comune of 1532
Rome ne hadde nat ȝitte passed ne clou{m}ben ou{er} þe
mou{n}taigne þat hyȝt Caucasus. {and} ȝitte was þilk
tyme rome wel wexen {and} gretly redouted of þe p{ar}thes.
and eke of oþer folk enhabityng aboute.
[Sidenote: How narrow, then, is that glory which you labour to
propagate.]
¶ Sest þou 1536
nat þan how streit {and} how comp{re}ssed is þilke glorie
þat ȝe t{ra}uaile{n} aboute to shew {and} to multiplie.
[Sidenote: Shall the glory of a Roman citizen reach those places
where the name even of Rome was never heard?]
May þan þe glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen þider
as þe fame of þe name of Rome may nat clymben ne 1540
passen.
[Sidenote: Customs and institutions differ in different
countries.]
¶ And eke sest þ{o}u nat þat þe maners of
diu{er}se folk {and} eke hir lawes ben discordau{n}t amonge
hem self.
[Sidenote: What is praise-worthy in one is blame-worthy in
another.]
so þ{a}t þilke þing þat so{m}men iugen worþi of
p{re}ysynge. oþer folk iugen þat it is worþi of torment. 1544
[Linenotes:
1515 _seye_--seyn
1516 _streite_--streyt
1517 _þan_--thanne
1518 _inne_--in
_leest[e]_--leste
_þilk_--thilke
_þenke ȝe_--thinken ye
1520 _born forþe_--MS. borne, C. born, forth
_narwe_--narwh
1521 _streyt_--streyte
_myche_--mochel
1522 _conteinþe_--coueyteth
1525 _habitacle_--MS. habitache, C. habytacule
1529 [_nat_]--from C.
1531 _last[e]_--laste
1532 _writeþ_--writ
1533 _hadde_--hadden
_ȝitte_--omitted
1534 _hyȝt_--hyhte
_þilk_--thikke
1535 _wexen_--waxen
1536 _Sest þou_--sestow
1538 _shew_--shewe
1539 _singlere_--singler]
[Headnote:
FAME IS NOT ETERNAL.]
[Sidenote: It is not the interest of any man who desires renown to
have his name spread through many countries.]
¶ and þer of comeþ þat þouȝ a man delite hy{m} in
p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}. he ne may nat i{n} no wise [[pg 58]]
bryngen furþe ne sprede{n} his name to many manere
peoples.
[Sidenote: He ought, therefore, to be satisfied with the glory he
has acquired at home.]
¶ And þerfore euery man{er} man auȝte to ben 1548
paied of hys glorie þat is puplissed among hys owen
neyȝbores.
[Sidenote: But of how many personages, illustrious in their times,
have the memorials been lost through the carelessness and neglect
of writers.]
¶ And þilke noble renou{n} shal be
restreyned wiþ-i{n}ne þe boundes of o maner folk but how
many a man þat was ful noble in his tyme. haþ þe 1552
nedy {and} wrecched forȝetynge of writers put oute of
mynde {and} don awey.
[Sidenote: But writings do not preserve the names of men for
ever.]
¶ Al be it so þat certys þilke
writynges p{ro}fiten litel. þe whiche writy{n}ges longe {and}
derke elde doþ aweye boþe he{m} {and} eke her auto{ur}s. 1556
[Sidenote: But perhaps you suppose that you shall secure
immortality if your names are transmitted to future ages.]
but ȝe men semen to geten ȝow a p{er}durablete whan ȝe
þenke þat in tyme comyng ȝoure fame shal lasten.
[Sidenote: If you consider the infinite space of eternity you will
have no reason to rejoice in this supposition.]
¶ But
naþeles yif þou wilt maken co{m}parisou{n} to þe endeles
space of eternite what þing hast þou by whiche þou 1560
maist reioysen þe of lo{n}g lastyng of þi name.
[Sidenote: If a _moment_ be compared with 10,000 years, there is a
proportion between them, though a very small one.]
¶ For
if þer were maked co{m}parysou{n} of þe abidyng of a
mome{n}t to ten þousand wynter. for as myche as boþe
þo spaces ben endid. ¶ For ȝit haþ þe moment some 1564
porciou{n} of hit al þouȝ it a litel be.
[Sidenote: But this number of years, multiplied by whatever sum
you please, vanishes when compared with the infinite extent of
eternity.]
¶ But naþeles
þilke self nou{m}bre of ȝeres. and eke as many ȝeres as
þer to may be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d
to þe p{er}durablete þat is een[de]les.
[Sidenote: There may be comparison between finite things, but none
between the infinite and finite.]
¶ For of 1568
þinges þat han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but of
thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges þ{a}t han ende
may be maked no {com}parysou{n}].
[Sidenote: Hence it is, that Fame (however lasting), compared with
eternity, will seem absolutely nothing.]
¶ And for þi is it al
þouȝ renou{n} of as longe tyme as euer þe lyst to þinken 1572
were þouȝt by þe regard of et{er}nite. þat is vnstauncheable
{and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but
pleinliche ryȝt nouȝt.
[Sidenote: But yet you do good from no other view than to have the
empty applause of the people, foregoing the pleasures of a good
conscience in order to have the insignificant praises of other
people.]
¶ But ȝe men certys ne konne
don no þing aryȝt. but ȝif it be for þe audience of poeple. [[pg 59]]
{and} for ydel rumo{ur}s. {and} ȝe forsaken þe grete worþinesse 1577
of conscience {and} of vertue. {and} ȝe seke{n} ȝoure
gerdou{n}s of þe smale wordes of st{ra}nge folke.
[Linenotes:
1545 _comeþ_--comth it
1547 _furþe_--forth
_manere_--maner
1548 _þerfore_--ther-for
_auȝte_--owhte
1549 _paied_--apayed
_hys owen_--hise owne
1550 _neyȝbores_--nesshebours
_be_--ben
1552 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1553 _put_ (MS. _putte_) _oute_--put owt
1556 _derke_--derk
_doþ aweye_--MS. doþe, C. doth a-wey
_her autours_--hir actorros
1557 _ȝe_--yow
_semen_--semeth
1558 _comyng_--to comynge
1559 _wilt_--wolt
1560 _whiche_--which
1563 _myche_--mochel
1564 _þo_--the
_haþ_--MS. haþe
_some_--som
1566 _self_--selue
1567 _be_ (2)--ben
1568 _een[de]les_--endeles
1569 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked
[_but----comparysoun_]--from C.
1573 _by_--to]
[Headnote:
VANITY REPROVED.]
[Sidenote: This silly vanity was once thus ingeniously and
pleasantly rallied.]
¶ Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} þe lyȝtnesse of whiche 1580
p{r}ide {and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy
{and} myrily swiche vanite.
[Sidenote: A certain man, who had assumed the name of a
philosopher through a love of vain-glory, was told by a man of
humour that he could prove he was a philosopher by bearing
patiently the injuries offered him.]
somtyme þere was a man þat
had[de] assaied wiþ striuyng wordes an oþer ma{n}. ¶ þe
whiche nat for vsage of verrey vertue. but for proude 1584
veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly þe name
of a philosopher. ¶ þis raþer man þat I speke of
þouȝt[e] he wolde assay[e] where he þilke were a
philosopher or no.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 15.]]
þat is to seyne yif he wolde han suffred 1588
lyȝtly in pacience þe wro{n}ges *þat weren don vnto hym.
[Sidenote: After counterfeiting patience for a while, the sophist
said to the other, ‘You must surely confess that I am a
philosopher.’]
¶ þis feined[e] philosophre took pacience a
litel while. {and} whan he hadde receiued wordes of
outerage he as in stryuynge aȝeine {and} reioysynge of 1592
hym self seide at þe last[e] ryȝt þus. ¶ vndirstondest
þou nat þat I am a philosophere.
[Sidenote: ‘I might have believed it,’ said the other, ‘had you
held your tongue.’]
þat oþer man answered[e]
aȝein ful bityngly {and} seide. ¶ I had[de]
wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif þou haddest holde{n} þi tonge 1596
stille.
[Sidenote: What advantage is it to great and worthy men to be
extolled after death?]
¶ But what is it to þise noble worþi men.
For certys of swyche folk speke .I. þat seken glorie wiþ
vertue. what is it q{uo}d she. what atteiniþ fame to
swiche folk whan þe body is resolued by þe deeþ. atte 1600
þe last[e].
[Sidenote: If body and soul die, then there can be no glory; nor
can there be when he (to whom it is ascribed) does not exist.]
¶ For yif so be þat men dien in al. þat is
to seyne body {and} soule. þe whiche þing oure resou{n}
defendiþ vs to byleuen þanne is þere no glorie in no
wyse. For what sholde þilke glorie ben. for he of 1604
who{m} þis glorie is seid to be nis ryȝt nouȝt in no wise.
[Sidenote: But if the soul is immortal when it leaves the body, it
takes no thought of the joys of this world.]
and ȝif þe soule whiche þat haþ in it self science of
goode werkes vnbounden fro þe p{r}isou{n} of þe erþe [[pg 60]]
wendeþ frely to þe heuene. dispiseþ it nouȝt þan alle 1608
erþely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and} beynge i{n} heuene reioiseþ þat
it is exempt from alle erþely þinges [as wo seith /
thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renou{n} of this
world]. 1612
[Linenotes:
1580 _whiche_--swych
1581 _scorned[e]_--scornede
1582 _swiche_--swych
_somtyme_--whilom
1583 _had[de]_--hadde
1584 _whiche_--which
_proude_--prowd
1586 _speke_--spak
1587 _þouȝt[e]_--thowhte
_assay[e]_--assaye
1588 _seyne_--seyn
1590 _feined[e]_--feynede
1592 _aȝeine_--ayein
1593 _last[e]_--laste
_vndirstondest þou_--vndyrstondow
1594 _answered[e]_--answerde
1595 _had[de]_--hadde
1596 [_yt_]--from C.
1601 _last[e]_--laste
1602 _seyne_--seyn
1604 _for_ (2)--whan
1605 _þis_--thilke
_seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
_nouȝt_--nawht
1606 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1608 _nouȝt þan_--nat thanne
1610 _from_--fro
1610-1612 [_as----world_]--from C.]
[Headnote:
DEATH PUTS AN END TO RENOWN.]
QUICUMQ{UE} SOLAM MENTE.
[Sidenote: [The 7th Metre.]]
[Sidenote: Let him who seeks fame, thinking it to be the sovereign
good, look upon the broad universe and this circumscribed earth;
and he will then despise a glorious name limited to such a
confined space.]
++Who so þat wiþ ouerþrowyng þouȝt only sekeþ glorie
of fame. {and} weniþ þat it be souereyne good
¶ Lete hym loke vpon þe brode shewyng contreys of
þe heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} þe streite sete of þis erþe. {and} 1616
he shal be ashamed of þe encres of his name. þat may
nat fulfille þe litel compas of þe erþe. ¶ O what
coueiten proude folke to liften vpon hire nekkes in
ydel {and} dedely ȝok of þis worlde.
[Sidenote: Will splendid titles and renown prolong a man’s life?]
¶ For al þouȝ 1620
[þ{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples goþ
by dyuerse tonges. and al þouȝ grete houses {and} kynredes
shyne wiþ clere titles of hono{ur}s.
[Sidenote: In the grave there is no distinction between high and
low.]
ȝit naþeles
deeþ dispiseþ al heye glorie of fame. {and} deeþ wrappeþ 1624
to gidre þe heye heuedes {and} þe lowe {and} makeþ egal
{and} euene þe heyest[e] to þe lowest[e].
[Sidenote: Where is the good Fabricius now?]
¶ where
wone{n} now þe bones of trewe fabricius.
[Sidenote: Where the noble Brutus, or stern Cato?]
what is
now brutus or stiern Caton þe þinne fame ȝit lastynge 1628
of hir ydel names is markid wiþ a fewe lettres.
[Sidenote: Their empty names still live, but of their persons we
know nothing.]
but al þouȝ we han knowe{n} þe faire wordes of þe fames of
hem. it is nat ȝeuen to knowe he{m} þat ben dede {and}
consumpt.
[Sidenote: Fame cannot make you known.]
Liggiþ þanne stille al vtterly vnknowable 1632
ne fame ne makeþ ȝow nat knowe. and yif ȝe wene
to lyuen þe leng{er} for wynde of ȝoure mortal name.
whan o cruel day shal rauyshe ȝow. þan is þe secunde
deeþ dwellyng in ȝow.
[Sidenote: It will be effaced by conquering Time, so that death
will be doubly victorious.]
_Glosa._ þe first deeþ he clepiþ 1636
here þe dep{ar}tynge of þe body {and} þe soule. ¶ and [[pg 61]]
þe secunde deeþ he clepeþ as here. þe styntynge of
þe renoune of fame.[3]
[Linenotes:
1615 _Lete_--Lat
_loke_--looken
1616 _sete_--Cyte
1617 _be_--ben
1619 _vpon_--vp
1620 _and dedely_--in the dedly
1621 _y-spradde_--ysprad
[_þat_]--from C.
_ferne_--MS. serue, C. ferne
_goþ_--MS. goþe, C. goth
1622 {and} (2)--or
1623 _shyne_--shynen
_clere_--cler
1624 _al_--alle
1626 _heyest[e]_--heyoste
_lowest[e]_--loweste
1628 _stiern_--MS. sciern, C. stierne
1632 _consumpt_--{con}sumpte
1634 _lenger_--longer{e}
1637 _þe_ (1)--omitted
1639 _renoune_--renou{n}]
[Footnote 3: The next three chapters are from the Camb. MS.]
[Headnote:
ADVERSE FORTUNE IS BENEFICIAL.]
[SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA.
[Sidenote: [The viij p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: ‘But do not believe,’ said Philosophy, ‘that I am an
implacable enemy to Fortune.]
++BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen q{uod} she 1640
þ{a}t I bere vntretable batayle ayenis fortune //
[Sidenote: This inconstant dame sometimes deserves well of men,
when she appears in her true colours.]
yit som-tyme it by-falleth þ{a}t she desseyuable desserueth
to han ryht good thank of men // {And} þ{a}t is whan she
hir{e} self opneth / {and} whan she descou{er}eth hir frownt / 1644
{and} sheweth hir maneres p{ar}-auentur{e} yit vndirstondesthow
nat þ{a}t .I. shal seye //
[Sidenote: And what I say may perhaps appear paradoxical.]
it is a wondyr þ{a}t .I.
desyr{e} to telle /
[Sidenote: That is, that adverse fortune is more beneficial than
prosperous fortune.]
{and} forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my
sentense w{i}t{h} wordes for I. deme þ{a}t contraryos fortune 1648
p{ro}fiteth mor{e} to men than fortune debonayr{e} //
[Sidenote: The latter lies and deceives us, the former displays
her natural inconstancy.]
For al-wey whan fortune semeth debonayr{e} than she lyeth
falsly in by-hetynge the hope of welefulnesse // but forsothe
{con}traryos fortune is alwey sothfast / whan she 1652
sheweth hir self vnstable thorw hyr chau{n}gynge //
[Sidenote: That deceives us, this instructs us; that, by a
fallacious show of good, enslaves the mind; this, by the knowledge
of her fickleness, frees and absolves it.]
the amyable fortune desseyueth folk / the contrarye fortune
techeth // the amyable fortune byndeth w{i}t{h} the beaute
of false goodys the hertes of folk þ{a}t vsen he{m} / the 1656
contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by þ^e knowynge of
freele welefulnesse //
[Sidenote: The one is wavering and incapable of reflection, the
other is staid and wise through experience of adversity.]
the amyable fortune maysthow sen
alwey wyndynge {and} flowynge / {and} eu{er}e mysknowynge 1659
of hir self // the contrarye fortune is a-tempre {and} restreynyd
{and} wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte //
[Sidenote: Lastly, prosperous fortune leads men astray. Adversity
teaches them wherein real happiness consists.]
at the laste amyable fortune w{i}t{h} hir flaterynges draweth
mys wandrynge men fro the souereyne good // the contraryos
fortune ledith ofte folk ayein to sothfast goodes / 1664
{and} haleth hem ayein as w{i}t{h} an hooke /
[Sidenote: It renders us no inconsiderable service in enabling us
to recognize our true friends.]
weenesthow
thanne þ{a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel thing / þ{a}t
this aspre {and} horible fortune hath discoueryd to the / the
thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune 1668
hath departyd {and} vncou{er}yd to the bothe the [[pg 62]]
certeyn vysages {and} ek the dowtos visages of thy
felawes // wha{n} she dep{ar}tyd awey fro the / she took
awey hyr frendes {and} lafte the thyne frendes // 1672
[Sidenote: At what price would you not have bought this knowledge
in your prosperity?]
now whan thow wer{e} ryche {and} weleful as the semede / w{i}t{h}
how mochel woldesthow han bowht the fulle knowynge
of this // þ{a}t is to seyn the knowynge of thy
verray freendes //
[Sidenote: Complain not, then, of loss of wealth, since thou hast
found infinitely greater riches in your true friends.]
now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse 1676
.I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste p{re}syos kynde
of Rychesses þ{a}t is to seyn thy verray frendes.
[Headnote:
ALL THINGS BOUND BY THE CHAIN OF LOVE.]
QUOD MU{N}DUS STABILI FIDE.
[Sidenote: [The viij Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: This world, by an invariable order, suffers change.]
++THat þ^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable
chaungynges //
[Sidenote: Elements, that by nature disagree, are restrained by
concord.]
þ{a}t the contraryos qualite of elementȝ 1680
holden among{e} hem self aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / þ{a}t pheb{us}
the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene chariet / bryngeth forth the
rosene day / þ{a}t the mone hath {com}mau{n}dement ou{er} the
nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesp{er}us the eue sterre hat browt // 1684
[Sidenote: The sea is thus kept within its proper bounds.]
þ{a}t þ^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a certeyn ende
hise floodes / so þ{a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche hise
brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // þ{a}t is to seyn
to cou{er}e alle the erthe //
[Sidenote: This concord is produced by love, which governeth earth
and sea, and extends its influence to the heavens.]
Al this a-cordau{n}ce of thinges 1688
is bownden w{i}t{h} looue / þ{a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and}
hath also {com}mau{n}dementȝ to the heuenes /
[Sidenote: If this chain of love were broken all things would be
in perpetual strife, and the world would go to ruin.]
{and} yif
this looue slakede the brydelis / alle thinges þ{a}t now
louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a batayle contynuely 1692
{and} stryuen to fordoon the fasou{n} of this worlde /
the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre
moeuynges //
[Sidenote: Love binds nations together, it ties the nuptial knot,
and dictates binding laws to friendship.]
this looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned
w{i}t{h} an hooly bond / {and} knytteth sacrement of maryages 1696
of chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to
trewe felawes //
[Sidenote: Men were truly blest if governed by this celestial
love!’]
O weleful weer{e} mankynde / yif thilke
loue þ{a}t gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowr{e} corages /
EXPLICIT LIB{ER} 2_^us_.
[Linenote:
1690 _hath_--H. he hath]
[[pg 63]]
[Headnote:
BOETHIUS IS COMFORTED BY PHILOSOPHY’S SONG.]
INCIPIT LIB{ER} 3^_us_.
IAM CANTU{M} ILLA FINIERAT.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Philosophy now ended her song.]
++By this she hadde endid hir{e} song{e} / whan the swetnesse 1700
of hir{e} ditee hadde thorw p{er}ced me þ{a}t was desirous
of herkninge /
[Sidenote: I was so charmed that I kept a listening as if she were
still speaking.]
{and} .I. astoned hadde yit streyhte myn
Eres / þ{a}t is to seyn to herkne the bet / what she wolde
seye //
[Sidenote: At last I said, O sovereign comforter of dejected
minds, how much hast thou refreshed me with the energy of thy
discourse, so that I now think myself almost an equal match for
Fortune and able to resist her blows.]
so þ{a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde thus // O thow 1704
þ{a}t art sou{er}eyn comfort of Angwissos corages // So thow
hast remou{n}ted {and} norysshed me w{i}t{h} the weyhte of thy
sentenses {and} w{i}t{h} delit of thy syngynge // so þ{a}t .I. trowe
nat now þ{a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as 1708
who seyth. I. dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune
{and} wel deffende me fro hyr //
[Sidenote: I fear not, therefore, thy remedies, but earnestly
desire to hear what they are.]
{and} tho remedies
whyche þ{a}t thow seydest hir{e} byforn weren ryht sharpe
Nat oonly p{a}t .I. am nat agrysen of hem now // but .I. desiros 1712
of herynge axe gretely to heeren tho remedyes //
[Sidenote: _P._ When I perceived that, silent and attentive, you
received my words, I expected to find such a state of mind in you,
or rather, I created in you such an one.]
than seyde she thus // þ{a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she //
whan þ{a}t thow ententyf {and} stylle rauysshedest my
wordes // {and} .I. abood til þ{a}t thow haddest swych habyte 1716
of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl þ{a}t .I.
my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which
þ{a}t is a moore verray thing{e} //
[Sidenote: What remains to be said is of such a nature that when
it is first tasted it is pungent and unpleasant, but when once
swallowed it turns sweet, and is grateful to the stomach.]
And certes the remenau{n}t
of thinges þ{a}t ben yit to seye / ben swyche // þ{a}t fyrst 1720
whan men tasten hem they ben bytynge / but whan
they ben resseyuyd w{i}t{h}-inne a whyht than ben they
swete //
[Sidenote: But because you say you would now gladly hear, with
what desire would you burn if you could imagine whither I am going
to lead you?]
but for thow seyst þ{a}t thow art so desirous to
herkne hem // wit[h] how gret brennynge woldesthow 1724
glowen / yif thow wystest whyder .I. wol leden the //
[Sidenote: _B._ Whither is that, I pray?]
whydyr{e} is þ{a}t q{uod} .I. //
[Sidenote: _P._ To that true felicity, of which you seem to have
but a faint foretaste.]
to thilke verray welefulnesse
q{uod} she // of whyche thynge herte dremeth //
[Sidenote: But your sight is clouded with false forms, so that it
cannot yet behold this same felicity.]
but for as moche as thy syhte is ocupied {and} distorbed / by 1728
Imagynasyon of herthely thynges / thow mayst nat yit
sen thilke selue welefulnesse //
[Sidenote: _B._ Show me, I pray, that true happiness without
delay.]
do q{uod} .I. {and} shewe
me / what is thilke verray welefulnesse / .I. preye the [[pg 64]]
w{i}t{h}-howte tarynge //
[Sidenote: _P._ I will gladly do so at your desire, but I will
first describe that false cause (of happiness), so that you may be
better able to comprehend the exact model.]
þ{a}t wole .I. gladly don q{uod} she / 1732
for the cause of the // but .I. wol fyrst marken the by
wordes / {and} I wol enforcen me to enformen the //
thilke false cause of blysfulnesse þ{a}t thow more knowest /
so þ{a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke false 1736
goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to þ{a}t oother syde / thow
mowe knowe the clernesse of verray blysfulnesse //]
[Linenotes:
1702 _streyhte_--H. strenghed
1712 _am nat_--H. nam nought
1718 _had[de]_--H. hade
1734 _wol_--H. shall{e}
1739 _wil_--wole
_felde_--feeld]
[Headnote:
AWAY WITH FALSE FELICITY!]
[Sidenote: * Here the Add. MS. begins again.]
*QUI SERERE I{N}GENIUM.
[Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: He who would sow seed must first clear the ground of
useless weeds, so that he may reap an abundant harvest.]
¶ Who so wil sowe a felde plentiuous. lat hym first
delyuer it of þornes {and} kerue asondre wiþ his hooke 1740
þe bushes {and} þe ferne so þat þe corne may come{n} heuy
of eres {and} of greins.
[Sidenote: Honey tastes all the sweeter to a palate disgusted by
offensive flavours.]
hony is þe more swete yif mouþes
han firste tastid sauoures þ{a}t ben wikke.
[Sidenote: The stars shine all the clearer when the southern
showery blasts cease to blow.]
¶ þe sterres
shynen more agreably whan þe wynde Nothus letiþ his 1744
ploungy blastes.
[Sidenote: When Lucifer has chased away the dark night, then
Phœbus mounts his gay chariot.]
{and} aftir þat lucifer þe day sterre haþ
chased awey þe derke nyȝt. þe day þe feir{e}r lediþ þe
rosene horse of þe sonne.
[Sidenote: So you, beholding the false felicity, and withdrawing
your neck from the yoke of earthly affections, will soon see the
sovereign good.]
¶ Ryȝt so þou byholdyng
first þe fals[e] goodes. bygynne to wiþdrawe þi nek[ke] 1748
fro þe ȝok of erþely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde þe
verrey goodes sholle{n} entre i{n} to þi corage.
[Linenotes:
1740 _delyuer_--delyuere
_of_--fro
_hooke_--hook
1741 _bushes_--bosses
_ferne_--fern
_corne_--korn
1743 _firste_--fyrst
_wikke_--wyckyd
1744 _wynde_--wynd
_his_--hise
1745 _haþ_--MS. haþe
1746 _feirer_--fayrere
1747 _horse_--hors
_Ryȝt_--And Ryht
1748 _fals[e]_--false
_bygynne_--bygyn
_wiþdrawe_--w{i}t{h} drawen
_nek[ke]_--nekke
1749 _afterwarde_--afft{er}ward
1750 _entre_--entren]
[Headnote:
THE DESIRE OF THE TRUE GOOD.]
TUNC DEFIXO PAULULU{M}.
[Sidenote: [The 2^de p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Philosophy, with a serious air, and appearing to
recollect herself, and to rouse up all her faculties, thus began.]
++ÞO fastned[e] she a lytel þe syȝt of hir eyen {and} wiþdrow
hir ryȝt as it were in to þe streite sete of hir 1752
þouȝt. {and} bygan to speke ryȝt þ{us}.
[Sidenote: All the cares and desires of men seek one
end--happiness.]
Alle þe cures
q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche þat trauaylen hem i{n}
many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 15 _b_.]]
¶ But naþeles þei enforced hem *to comen oonly to on 1756
ende of blisfulnesse [[pg 65]]
[Sidenote: True happiness is that complete good which, once
obtained, leaves nothing more to be desired.]
[And blysfulnesse] is swiche a goode
þat who so haþ geten it he ne may ouer þat no þing more
desiire.
[Sidenote: It is the sovereign good, and comprehends all others.
It lacks nothing, otherwise it could not be the supreme good.]
and þis þing for soþe is þe souereyne good þat conteiniþ
in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to þe whiche goode 1760
yif þere failed[e] any þing. it myȝt[e] nat ben souereyne
goode. ¶ For þan were þere som goode out of þis ilke souereyne
goode þ{a}t myȝt[e] ben desired.
[Sidenote: Happiness is, therefore, that perfect state, in which
all other goods meet and centre.]
Now is it clere {and}
certeyne þa{n} þat blisfulnesse is a p{er}fit estat
by þe congregac{i}ou{n} 1764
of alle goodes.
[Sidenote: It is the object which all men strive after.]
¶ þe whiche blisfulnesse as
I haue seid alle mortal folke enforcen hem to geten by
dyuerse weyes.
[Sidenote: A desire of the true good is a natural instinct, but
error misleads them to pursue false joys.]
¶ For-whi þe couetise of verray goode
is naturely y-plaunted in þe hertys of men. ¶ But þe 1768
myswandryng erro{ur} myslediþ hem in to fals[e] goodes.
[Sidenote: Some, imagining the supreme good to consist in lacking
nothing, labour for an abundance of _riches_; others, supposing
that this good lies in the _reverence_ and _esteem_ of their
fellow men, strive to acquire honourable positions.]
¶ of þe whiche men some of hem wenen þat souereygne
goode is to lyue wiþ outen nede of any þing.
{and} t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse. 1772
and some oþer men deme{n}. þat sou{er}ein goode be forto
be ryȝt digne of reu{er}ences. {and} enforce{n} hem to ben
reu{er}enced among hir neyȝbo{ur}s. by þe hono{ur}s þat þei
han ygeten
[Sidenote: There are some, again, who place it in supreme _power_,
and seek to rule, or to be favoured by the ruling powers.]
¶ {and} some folk þer ben þat halden þat 1776
ryȝt heyȝe power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen
he{m} forto regnen or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem þat
regnen.
[Sidenote: There are those who fancy _fame_ to be the height of
happiness, and seek by the arts of war or peace to get renown.]
¶ And it semeþ to some oþer folk þat noblesse
of renou{n} be þe sou{er}ein goode. {and} hasten hem to 1780
geten glorious name by þe artes of werre or of pees.
[Sidenote: Many there are who believe nothing to be better than
_joy_ and _gladness_, and think it delightful to plunge into
luxury.]
and many folke mesuren {and} gessen þ{a}t sou{er}ein goode
be ioye {and} gladnesse {and} wenen þat it be ryȝt blisful
[thyng{e}] to ploungen hem i{n} uoluptuous delit.
[Sidenote: Some there are who use these causes and ends
interchangeably, as those who desire riches as a means of getting
power; or who desire power in order to get money or renown.]
¶ And 1784
þer ben folk þat enterchaungen þe causes {and} þe endes
of þise forseide goodes as þei þat desire{n} rycchesse to [[pg 66]]
han power {and} delices. Or ellis þei desiren power forto
han moneye or for cause of renou{n}.
[Sidenote: In all they do they have a particular end in view.]
¶ In þise þinges 1788
{and} i{n} swyche oþer þinges is to{ur}ned al þe entenc{i}ou{n}
of desirynges {and} [of] werkes of me{n}. ¶ As þus.
[Linenotes:
1751 _fastned[e]_--fastnede
_wiþdrow_--MS. wiþdrowen, C. w{i}t{h} drowh
1752 _sete_--Cyte
1756 _enforced_--enforsen
1757 [_And blysfulnesse_]--from C.
_goode_--good
1758 _so_--so þ{a}t
_haþ_--MS. haþe
1759 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn
1760 _al_--alle
_goode_--good
1761 _þere_--ther
_failed[e]_--faylyde
_myȝt[e]_--myhte
_souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
1762 _þan_--thanne
_þere_--ther
_goode_--good
_souereyne_--sou{er}eyn
1763 _goode_--good
_myȝt[e]_--myhte
1764 _certeyne_--certein
1766 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
_folke_--foolk
1767 _goode_--good
1769 _fals[e]_--false
1770 _souereygne goode is_--sou{er}eyn good be
1771 _lyue wiþ outen_--lyuen w{i}t{h} owte
1772 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
1773 _some_--som
_goode be_--good ben
1774 _be_--ben
1775 _neyȝbours_--nesshebors
1776 _halden_--holden
1777 _heyȝe_--heyh
_to_--omitted
_goode_--good
1780 _goode_--good
1781 _or_--{and}
1782 _folke_--folk
_goode_--good
1783 _be_--by
1784 [_thynge_]--from C.
1786 _rycchesse_--rychesses
1787 _delices_--delytes
1789 _oþer_--oothre
_al_--alle
1790 [_of_]--from C.]
[Headnote:
FRIENDSHIP A SACRED THING.]
[Sidenote: Nobility and popular favour are sought after by some in
order to become famous.]
¶ Noblesse {and} fauo{ur} of poeple whiche þat ȝiueþ as it
semeþ a manere clernesse of renou{n}.
[Sidenote: By others, wives and children are only desired as
sources of pleasure.]
¶ and wijf {and} 1792
children þat men desiren for cause of delit {and} mirinesse.
[Sidenote: Friendship must not be reckoned among the goods of
fortune, but among those of virtue, for it is a very sacred
thing.]
¶ But forsoþe frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened
among þe goodes of fortune but of vertue. for it
is a ful holy man{er}e þing.
[Sidenote: All else are desired either for the power or pleasure
they afford.]
alle þise oþer þinges forsoþe 1796
ben taken for cause of power. or ellis for cause of
delit.
[Sidenote: The goods of the body fall under the same predicament.]
¶ Certis now am I redy to referen þe goodes of
þe body to þise forseide þinges abouen.
[Sidenote: Strength and a good stature seem to give power and
worthiness.]
¶ For it semeþ
þ{a}t strengþe {and} gretnesse of body ȝeuen power {and} 1800
worþinesse.
[Sidenote: Beauty and swiftness give glory and fame; and health
gives delight.]
¶ and þat beaute {and} swiftenesse ȝeuen
noblesse {and} glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body semeþ
ȝiuen delit.
[Sidenote: In all these happiness alone is sought.]
¶ In alle þise þi{n}g{us} it semeþ oonly þat
blisfulnesse is desired.
[Sidenote: What a man most wishes for, that he esteems the supreme
good, which, as we have defined, is happiness.]
¶ For-whi þilke þing þat euery 1804
man desireþ moost ouer alle þinges. he demiþ þat be þe
souereyne goode. ¶ But I haue diffined þat blisfulnesse
is þe souereyne goode. for whiche euery wyȝt
demiþ þat þilke estat þat he desireþ ouer alle þinges þat 1808
it be þe blisfulnesse.
[Sidenote: Thou hast now before thee a view of human felicity
(falsely so called), that is, riches, honours, power, glory, and
delight, which last _Epicurus_ considered as the sovereign good.]
¶ Now hast þou þan byforne
[thy eyen] almost al þe p{ur}posed forme of þe welfulnesse
of ma{n}ky{n}de. þat is to seyne rycchesse. hono{ur}s.
power. glorie. {and} delitȝ. þe whiche delit oonly considered 1812
Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. þat delit is þe
souereyne goode. for as myche as alle oþer þinges as
hym þouȝt[e] by-refte awey ioie {and} myrþe fro{m} þe
herte.
[Sidenote: I now return to the inclinations and pursuits of
mankind.]
¶ But I reto{ur}ne aȝeyne to þe studies of meen. 1816
of whiche men þe corage alwey rehersiþ {and} seekeþ þe [[pg 67]]
souereyne goode of alle be it so þ{a}t it be wiþ a derke
memorie [but he not by whiche paath].
[Sidenote: Their minds are bent upon the chief good, and are ever
seeking it with a darkened understanding, like a drunken man, who
cannot find his way home.]
¶ Ryȝt as a
dronke ma{n} not nat by whiche paþe he may reto{ur}ne 1820
home to hys house.
[Sidenote: Do they go astray who strive to keep themselves from
want?]
¶ Semeþ it þanne þat folk folyen
{and} erren þat enforcen he{m} to haue nede of no þing
[Linenotes:
1794 _shollen_--sholden
1795 _þe_--tho
1796 _oþer_--oothre
1801 _swiftenesse_--sweftnesse
1803 _ȝiuen_--MS. ȝiueþ, C. yeuen
1806, 1807 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
1807 _whiche_--whych
1809 _þe_--omitted
_þan byforne_--thanne byforn
1810 [_thy eyen_]--from C.; MS. _has_ ȝeuen aȝeyne
_almost_--almest
_welfulnesse_--welefulnesse
1811 _seyne rycchesse_--seyn Rychesses
1814 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
_myche_--moche
_oþer_--oothre
1815 _þouȝt[e]_--thowhte
_from_--fram
1816 _aȝeyne_--ayein
1818 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
_of_--omitted
_alle_--al
_derke_--dirkyd
1819 [_but----paath_]--from C.
1820 _dronke_--dronken
_paþe_--paath
1821 _home_--hym]
[Headnote:
ALL SEEK THE CHIEF GOOD.]
[Sidenote: By no means. No state is happier than that in which a
man is above want, and independent of others.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 16.]]
¶ Certys þer nys non oþer þing þat may so weel p{er}fo{ur}ny
blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} *of alle 1824
goodes þat ne haþ nede of none oþer þing. but þat it is
suffisant of hy{m} self. vnto hym self.
[Sidenote: Are they guilty of folly that seek esteem and
reverence?]
and foleyen
swyche folk þanne. þat wenen þat þilk þing þ{a}t is
ryȝt goode. þat it be eke ryȝt worþi of honour {and} of 1828
reuerence.
[Sidenote: No; for that is not contemptible for which all men
strive.]
¶ Certis nay. for þat þing nys neyþer foule
ne worþi to ben dispised þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel
folke trauaille forto geten it.
[Sidenote: Is not power to be reckoned amongst desirable goods?]
¶ And power auȝt[e]
nat þat eke to be rekened amonges goodes
[Sidenote: Why not? For that is not an insignificant good which
invests a man with authority and command.]
what ellis. 1832
for it nys nat to wene þat þilke þing þat is most
worþi of alle þinges be feble {and} wiþ out strengþe {and}
clernesse of renou{n} auȝte þat to ben dispised.
[Sidenote: Fame also is to be regarded, for everything excellent
is also shining and renowned.]
¶ Certys
þer may no man forsake þat al þing þat is ryȝt excellent 1836
{and} noble. þat it ne semeþ to be ryȝt clere {and} renomed.
[Sidenote: We hardly need say that happiness is not an unjoyous
and melancholy state, for in the pursuit of the smallest matters
men seek only pleasure.]
¶ For certis it nediþ nat to seie. þat blisfulnesse
be anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne
to sorwes. syn þat in ryȝt litel þi{n}g{us} folk seken to 1840
haue {and} to vsen þat may deliten hem.
[Sidenote: Hence it is that mankind seek riches, &c., because by
them they hope to get independence, honour, &c.]
¶ Certys þise
ben þe þi{n}ges þat men wolen {and} desyren to geten.
and for þis cause desiren þei rycches. dignites. regnes.
glorie {and} delices ¶ For þerby wenen þei to han suffisau{n}ce 1844
hono{ur} power. renou{n} {and} gladnesse.
[Sidenote: However varied their desires, _happiness_ is their sole
pursuit.]
¶ þanne
is it goode. þ{a}t men seken þus by so many dyu{er}se
studies. In whiche desijr it may lyȝtly be shew{e}d.
how grete is þe strengþe of nature. [[pg 68]]
[Sidenote: However various men’s opinions are respecting
happiness, all agree in pursuing it as the end of their actions
and desires.]
¶ For how so þat 1848
men han dyuerse sentences {and} discordyng algates men
accordyn alle in lyuynge þe ende of goode.
[Linenotes:
1823 _perfourny_--p{er}forme
1825 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_none_--non
1827 _þilk_--thilke
1828 _goode_--good
1829 _foule_--fowl
1830 _al_--welneyh alle
1831 _trauaille_--trauaylen
_auȝt[e]_--owhte
1832 _be_--ben
1834 _out_--owte
1835 _auȝte_--owhte
1836 _al_--alle
1837 _be_--ben
_clere_--cleer
1843 _rycches_--Rychesses
1846 _goode_--good
1847 _be_--ben
1848 _grete_--gret
1849 _algates_--Allegates
1850 _goode_--good]
[Headnote:
OF NATURE’S LAWS.]
Q{UA}NTAS RER{UM} FLECTAT.
[Sidenote: [The 2^de Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: I will now sing of Nature’s laws, by which the universe
is governed.]
++IT likeþ me to shew[e] by subtil songe wiþ slakke {and}
delitable sou{n} of strenges how þat nature myȝty enclineþ 1852
{and} flitteþ gouernementȝ of þinges ¶ {and} by
whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepiþ þe grete worlde. {and}
how she bindynge restreineþ alle þing{us} by a bonde þat
may nat be vnbounden.
[Sidenote: [j]]
[Sidenote: The Punic lion submits to man, and dreads the keeper’s
lash; yet, if he once taste blood, his savage instincts revive,
and his keeper falls a victim to his fury.]
¶ Al be it so þat þe liou{n}s of 1856
þe contree of pene beren þe fair[e] cheines. {and} taken
metes of þe handes of folk þat ȝeuen it hem. {and}
dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche þei ben wont to
suffren [betinges]. yif þat hir horrible mouþes ben bi-bled. 1860
þat is to sein of bestes devoured. ¶ Hir corage
of tyme passeþ þat haþ ben ydel {and} rested. repaireþ
aȝein þat þei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on hir
nature. {and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden. 1864
and hir maistre first to-teren wiþ blody toþe
assaieþ þe woode wraþþes of hem. ¶ þis is to sein þei
freten hir maister.
[Sidenote: [ij]]
[Sidenote: If the caged bird though daintily fed, gets a sight of
the pleasant grove where she was wont to sing, she will spurn her
food, and pine for the beloved woods.]
¶ And þe Iangland brid þat syngiþ
on þe heye braunches. þis is to sein in þe wode {and} 1868
after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al þouȝ [þ{a}t] þe
pleiyng besines of men ȝeueþ hem honied[e] drinkes
{and} large metes. wiþ swete studie. ¶ ȝit naþeles yif
þilke brid skippynge oute of hir streite cage seeþ þe 1872
agreable shadewes of þe wodes. she defouleþ wiþ hir
fete hir metes yshad {and} sekeþ mournyng oonly þe
wode {and} twitriþ desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swete
voys.
[Sidenote: [iij]]
[Sidenote: The sapling, bent down by a mighty hand, will resume
its natural position as soon as the restraining force is removed.]
¶ þe ȝerde of a tree þat is haled adou{n} by myȝty 1876
strengþe bowiþ redely þe croppe adou{n}. but yif þat þe [[pg 69]]
hande of hym þat it bente lat it gon aȝein. ¶ An oon
þe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene.
[Sidenote: [iiij]]
[Sidenote: Though the sun sets in the western main at eve, yet by
a secret path he takes his wonted journey toward the east.]
¶ þe sonne phebus
þat failleþ at euene in þe westrene wawes retorniþ aȝein 1880
eftsones his cart by a priue paþe þere as it is wont
aryse.
[Sidenote: All things pursue their proper course, obedient to the
source of order.]
¶ Alle þinges seken aȝein in to hir p{ro}pre
cours. and alle þinges reioisen hem of hir retournynge
aȝein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis bytaken to 1884
þi{n}ges but þat.
[Sidenote: Hence, throughout the world entire stability is found,
for all things, having fulfilled their appointed course, return
from whence they came.]
þat haþ ioignynge þe endynge to þe
bygynnynge. {and} haþ makid þe cours of it self stable
þat it chaungeþ nat fro{m} hys p{ro}pre kynde.
[Linenotes:
1851 _shew[e]_--shewe
1854 _whiche_--MS. swiche, C. whyche
_worlde_--world
1856 _be_--ben
_vnbounden_--vnbownde
1857 _fair[e]_--fayr{e}
1860 [_betinges_]--from C.
1862 _passeþ_--passed
1864 _from_--fram
_vnbounden_--vnbownde
1865 _to-teren_--to-torn
_toþe_--toth
1867 _Iangland_--Iangelynge
1869 _streit_--streyht
1870 _pleiyng_--MS. pleinyng, C. pleyynge
_besines_--bysynesse
_honied[e]_--honyede
1872 _oute_--owt
1873 _agreable_--agreables
1874 _fete_--feet
1875 _twitriþ_--twiterith
1877 _croppe_--crop
1878 _hande_--hand
_bente_--bent
1880 _failleþ_--falleth
1881 _cart_--carte
_a_--omitted
_paþe_--paath
1883 _of_--MS. of of
1885 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_ioignynge_--Ioyned
1886 _haþ_--MS. haþe]
[Headnote:
THE SEARCH AFTER FELICITY.]
VOSQ{UE} TERRENA ANIMALIA.
[Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: O earthly animals, you have an indistinct perception of
your beginning, and you have ever the true end of felicity in
view, but your natural instincts are perverted by many errors.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 16 _b_.]]
*++CErtis also ȝe men þat ben erþelich{e} bestes dreme{n} 1888
alwey [yowre bygynnynge] al þouȝ it be wiþ a
þinne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a maner þouȝt al be it
nat clerly ne p{er}fitly ȝe looken from a fer til þilk 1891
verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and þerfore þe naturel entenc{i}ou{n}
ledeþ ȝow to þilk verray good ¶ But
many manere errours misto{ur}niþ ȝow þer fro.
[Sidenote: Can men obtain the end they have in view by the means
they usually employ in the pursuit of happiness?]
¶ Considere
now yif þat be þilke þinges by whiche a man
weniþ to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif þat he may comen 1896
to þilke ende þat he weneþ to come by nature
[Sidenote: If riches and honours and the like make men happy, so
that they shall want for nothing, then happiness may be procured
by these acquisitions.]
¶ For
yif þat moneye or hono{ur}s or þise oþer forseide þinges
bryngen to men swiche a þing þat no goode ne faille
hem. ne semeþ faille. ¶ Certys þan wil I graunt[e] 1900
þat þei ben maked blisful. by þilke þinges þat þei han
geten.
[Sidenote: But if these things cannot make good what they promise,
if there still be something to be desired, then they are
delusions, and the felicity after all is a counterfeit.]
¶ but yif so be þat þilke þi{n}ges ne mowe nat
p{er}fo{ur}men þat þei by-heten {and} þat þer be defaute of
many goodes. ¶ Sheweþ it nat þan clerely þ{a}t fals 1904
beaute of blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in þilke
þinges. ¶ First {and} forward þou þi self þat haddest
haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon. [[pg 70]]
[Sidenote: In your prosperity were you never annoyed by some wrong
or grievance?]
¶ I axe
ȝif þat in þe haboundaunce of alle þilk[e] rycchesses 1908
þou were neuer anguissous or sory in þi corage of any
wrong or greuau{n}ce þat by-tidde þe on any syde.
[Linenotes:
1889 [_yowre bygynnynge_]--from C.
_al_--MS. as, C. Al
1891 _from_--fram
_til þilk_--to thylke
1892 _þe_--omitted
1893 _þilk_--thylke
1895 _be_--by
1896 _gete_--geten
1899 _swiche_--swych
_goode_--good
1900 _wil_--wole
_graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
1904 _many_--manye
_clerely_--clerly
_fals_--false
1905 _knowe_--knowen
1908 _þilk[e]_--thylke]
[Headnote:
NONE ARE FREE FROM CARE.]
[Sidenote: _B._ I must confess that I cannot remember ever being
wholly free from some trouble or other.]
¶ Certys q{uo}d I it remembreþ me nat þat euere I was
so free of my þouȝt. þat I ne was al-wey in anguysh{e} of 1912
somwhat.
[Sidenote: _P._ That was because something was absent which you
did desire, or something present which you would fain be quit of.]
þ{a}t was þat þou lakkedest þat þou noldest
han lakked. or ellys þou haddest þat þou noldest
han had.
[Sidenote: _B._ That’s quite true.]
ryȝt so is it q{uod} I þan.
[Sidenote: _P._ Then you did desire the presence of the one and
the absence of the other?]
desiredest þou
þe p{re}sence of þat oon {and} þe absence of þat oþer. 1916
[Sidenote: _B._ I confess I did.]
I graunt[e] wel q{uod} .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Every man is in need of what he desires.]
for soþe q{uod} she þan nediþ þer
somwhat þat euery man desireþ.
[Sidenote: _B._ Certainly he is.]
ȝe þer nediþ q{uod} I.
[Sidenote: _P._ If a man lack anything can he be supremely happy?]
¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} he þat haþ lakke or nede of a
wyȝt nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym self. 1920
[Sidenote: _B._ No.]
no q{uod} .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Did you not in your abundance want for somewhat?]
{and} þou q{uo}d she in alle þe plente of þi
rycchesse haddest þilke lak of suffisaunce.
[Sidenote: _B._ What then if I did?]
¶ what
ellis q{uod} .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ It follows that riches cannot put a man beyond all
want, although this was what they seemed to promise.]
¶ þanne may nat rycchesse maken þat a
man nis nedy. ne þat he be suffisaunt to hym self. {and} 1924
þat was it þ{a}t þei byhyȝten as it semeþ.
[Sidenote: Money may part company with its owner, however
unwilling he may be to lose it.]
¶ and eke
certys I trowe þat þis be gretly to consydere þat moneye
ne haþ nat in hys owen kynde þat it ne may ben by-nomen
of hem þat han it maugre hem.
[Sidenote: _B._ I confess that’s true.]
¶ I by-knowe 1928
it wel q{uod} I
[Sidenote: _P._ It ought to be confessed when every day we see
_might_ prevailing over _right_.]
¶ whi sholdest þou nat by-knowen it
q{uod} she. whan euery day þe strenger folke by-nymen
it fram þe febler maugre hem.
[Sidenote: From whence springs so much litigation, but from this,
that men seek to recover their own of which they have been
unjustly deprived?]
¶ Fro whennes comen
ellys alle þise foreine compleintes or quereles of 1932
plety{n}g{us}. ¶ But for þat men axen aȝeine her moneye
þat haþ be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and}
alwey maugre hem.
[Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true.]
¶ Ryȝt so it is q{uod} I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Then a man needs the assistance of others in order
to keep his riches.]
þan q{uo}d
she haþ a man nede to seke{n} hym foreyne helpe by 1936
whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may say nay q{uod} .I.
[Linenotes:
1913 _þat----lakkedest_--And was nat þ{a}t q{uod} she for
þ{a}t the lacked som-what
1915 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
1917 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
1919 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_a wyȝt_--awht
1921 _alle_--al
1922 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
_lak_--lakke
1923 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
1927 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_owen_--owne
1930 _strenger folke by-nymen_--strenger{e} folk by-nemyn
1931 _fram_--fro
_febler_--febeler{e}
_Fro_--for
1933 _aȝeine_--ayeyn
1934 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_be_--ben
1936 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_helpe_--help
1937 _say_--sey]
[[pg 71]]
[Headnote:
RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.]
[Sidenote: If he had no money to lose he would not stand in need
of this help?]
¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} hym nediþ no helpe
yif he ne hadde no moneye þat he myȝt[e] leese.
[Sidenote: _B._ That is beyond all doubt.]
¶ þat
is doutles q{uod} .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Then the very reverse of what was expected (from
riches) takes place? For riches add to a man’s necessities.]
þanne is þis þi{n}g turned in to þe contrarie 1940
q{uod} she ¶ For rycchesse þat men wenen sholde
make suffisau{n}ce. þei maken a man raþer han nede of
foreine helpe.
[Sidenote: Tell me how do riches drive away necessity? Are not
rich men liable to hunger, thirst, and cold?]
¶ whiche is þe manere or þe gise q{uod}
she þat rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk 1944
may þei neiþer han hungre ne þrest. þise ryche men
may þei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter.
[Sidenote: You will say that the rich have wherewithal to satisfy
these wants.]
¶ But
þou wilt answere þat ryche men han y-nouȝ wher wiþ
þei may staunchen her hunger. {and} slaken her þrest 1948
{and} don awey colde.
[Sidenote: By riches indigence may be alleviated, but they cannot
satisfy every want.]
¶ In þis wise may nede be co{n}forted
by rycchesses. but certys nede ne may nat al
out{er}ly be don awey.
[Sidenote: Even if gaping and greedy necessity be filled with
riches, yet some cravings will remain.]
for þouȝ þis nede þat is alwey
gapyng {and} gredy be fulfilled wiþ rycchesses. {and} axe 1952
any þing ȝit dwelleþ þanne a nede þat myȝt[e] ben fulfilled.
[Sidenote: A little suffices for nature, but avarice never has
enough.]
¶ I holde me stille {and} telle nat how þat litel
þing suffiseþ to nature. but certys to auarice ynouȝ ne
suffiseþ no þinge.
[Sidenote: If riches, then, add to our wants, why should you think
that they can supply all your necessities?]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 17.]]
*¶ For syn þat rychesse ne may nat 1956
al don awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may
it þanne be þat ȝe wenen þat rychesses mowen ȝeue{n}
ȝow suffisau{n}ce.
[Linenotes:
1938 _nediþ no helpe_--nedede non help
1939 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
1940 _doutles_--dowteles
1941 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
1943 _helpe_--help
_whiche_--whych
1944 _rycches_--Rychesse
_dryuen_--dryue
1945 _hungre_--hungyr
_þrest_--thurst
1946 _þei_--the
_colde_--coold
_in_--on
1947 _wilt answere_--wolt Answeren
_y-nouȝ_--y-now
1948 _þrest_--thurst
1949 _colde_--coold
1950 _nat_--omitted
1951 _outerly_--vtrely
1953 _myȝt[e] ben_--myhte be
1957 _rychesse_--Rychesses]
QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES.
[Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: The rich man, had he a river of gold, would never rest
content.]
++Al were it so þat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer 1960
fletynge alle of golde ȝitte sholde it neuer staunche
hys couetise.
[Sidenote: Though his neck be loaded with precious pearls, and his
fields be covered with innumerable herds, yet shall unquiet care
never forsake him; and at his death his riches shall not bear him
company.]
¶ And þouȝ he hadde his nekke I-charged
wiþ p{re}ciouse stones of þe rede see. {and} þouȝ he do
erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wiþ an hundreþ oxen neuere 1964
ne shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he
lyueþ. ne þe lyȝt[e] rychesses ne shal nat beren hym [[pg 72]]
compaignie whanne he is dede.
[Linenotes:
1960 _riuer_--a Ryu{er}
1961 _alle_--al
_golde_--gold
_ȝitte_--yit
_staunche_--stau{n}chyn
1962, 1963 _þouȝ_--thow
1964 _erye_--Ere
_hundreþ_--hundred
1965 _while_--whyl
1966 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte
_shal_--shol
1967 _dede_--ded]
[Headnote:
OF DIGNITIES.]
SET DIGNITATIB{US}.[4]
[Footnote 4: Read _dignitates_.]
[Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: It may be said that _dignities_ confer honour on their
possessors.]
++Bvt dignitees to whom þei ben comen make þei hym 1968
honorable {and} reuerent.
[Sidenote: But have they power to destroy vice or implant virtue
in the heart?]
han þei nat so grete strengþe
þat þei may putte vertues in þe hertis of folk. þat vsen
þe lordshipes of hem. or ellys may þei don awey þe
vices.
[Sidenote: So far from expelling vicious habits, they only render
them more conspicuous.]
Certys þei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses. 1972
but þei ben wont raþer to shew[en] wikkednesses.
[Sidenote: Hence arises the indignation when we see dignities
given to wicked men.]
{and} þer of comeþ it þat I haue ryȝt grete desdeyne.
þat dignites ben ȝeuen ofte to wicked men.
[Sidenote: Hence Catullus’ resentment against Nonius, whom he
calls the botch, or impostume of the State.]
¶ For whiche þing catullus clepid a consul of Rome þat 1976
hyȝt noni{us} postum. or boch. as who seiþ he clepiþ
hy{m} a congregac{i}ou{n} of uices in his brest as a postum
is ful of corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were þis noni{us} set in a
chayere of dignitee.
[Sidenote: The deformities of wicked men would be less apparent if
they were in more obscure situations.]
Sest þou nat þan how gret vylenye 1980
dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworþines of
wikked men shold{e} ben þe lasse ysen yif þei nere renomed
of none hono{ur}s.
[Sidenote: Would you free yourself from peril by accepting a
magistracy along with Decoratus a buffoon and informer?]
¶ Certys þou þi self ne
myȝtest nat ben brouȝt wiþ as many p{er}ils as þou 1984
myȝtest suffren þat þ{o}u woldest bere þi magistrat wiþ
decorat. þat is to seyn. þat for no p{er}il þat myȝt[e] bifalle{n}
þe by þe offence of þe kyng theodorik þou noldest
nat ben felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat. whanne 1988
þou say[e] þat he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerous
shrewe {and} of an acusor.
[Sidenote: Honours do not render undeserving persons worthy of
esteem.]
¶ Ne I ne may nat for swiche
honours Iuge{n} hem worþi of reuerence þat I deme {and}
holde vnworþi to han þilke same hono{ur}s.
[Sidenote: If you find a man endowed with wisdom you deem him
worthy of respect and of the wisdom which he professes.]
¶ Now yif 1992
þou saie a man þat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys þou
ne myȝtest nat demen þ{a}t he were vnworþi to þe [[pg 73]]
hono{ur}. or ellys to þe wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled.
[Sidenote: _B._ I could not do otherwise.]
No q{uod} .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Virtue has her proper worth, which she ever
transfers to her votaries.]
¶ Certys dignitees q{uod} she app{er}tienen 1996
p{ro}perly to vertue. {and} uertue transporteþ dignite anon
to þilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned.
[Linenotes:
1969 _make_--maken
1969 _grete_--gret
1972 [_ne_]--from C.
_ben_--be
1972, 1973 _wikkednesses_--wykkydnesse
1973 _to_--omitted
_shew[en]_--shewen
1974 _comeþ_--comth
_grete desdeyne_--gret desdaign
1976 _whiche_--which
1977 _hyȝt_--hyhte
_nonius_--MS. vonn{us}, C. nomy{us}
_boch_--MS. boþe, C. boch
_clepiþ_--clepyd
1979 _nonius_--MS. uonn{us}, C. nomy{us}
_set_--MS. sette, C. set
1980 _Sest þou_--Sesthow
_þan_--thanne
_vylenye_--fylonye
1981 _vnworþines_--vnworthynesse
1982 _ben_--be
_ysen_--MS. ysene, C. I-sene
1984 _many_--manye
1985 _bere_--beren
1986 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
1987 _þe_ (2)--omitted
1988 _whanne_--whan
1989 _say[e]_--saye
_had[de]_--hadde
1994 _demen_--deme
1995 _whiche_--which
1996 _quod she_--omitted
1997 _vertue_--vertu
_uertue_--vertu
1998 _whiche_--whych]
[Headnote:
DIGNITIES APPERTAIN TO VIRTUE.]
[Sidenote: Honours conferred by the populace do not make men
worthy of them, for they have no intrinsic merit to bestow.]
¶ And for as moche as hono{ur}s of poeple ne may nat
maken folk digne of hono{ur}. it is wel seyn clerly þat 2000
þei ne han no p{ro}pre beaute of dignite. ¶ And ȝit men
auȝten take more hede in þis.
[Sidenote: Dignities conferred upon shrews only make their vices
the more conspicuous.]
¶ For if it so be þat he
is most out cast þat most folk dispisen. or as dignite ne
may nat maken shrewes worþi of no reuerences. þan 2004
makeþ dignites shrewes more dispised þan p{re}ised. þe
whiche shrewes dignit[e] scheweþ to moche folk
[Sidenote: Nor do dignities themselves escape without injury; for
worthless men take their revenge upon them, and defile them by
their contagious villanies.]
¶ {and}
for soþe nat vnpunissed. þat is forto sein. þat shrewes
reuengen hem aȝeinward vpon dignites. for þei ȝelden 2008
aȝein to dignites as gret gerdou{n} whan þei byspotten
{and} defoulen dignites wiþ hire vylenie.
[Sidenote: These shadowy honours have nothing in their nature to
procure respect; for if a man, having borne the honours of the
consulate, should go among barbarians would this honour gain him
their respect?]
¶ And for as
moche as þou mow[e] knowe þat þilke verray reuerence
ne may nat comen by þe shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees. 2012
vndirstonde now þis. yif þat a man hadde vsed {and}
hadde many manere dignites of consules {and} were
come{n} p{er}auenture amonges straunge nac{i}ou{n}s. sholde
þilke hono{ur} maken hym worshipful {and} redouted of 2016
straunge folk
[Sidenote: If respect were an attribute of honour it would
infallibly bring esteem everywhere, just as heat is ever an
attribute of fire.]
¶ Certys yif þat honour of poeple were
a naturel ȝifte to dignites. it ne myȝte neuer cesen
nowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office.
[Linenotes:
2000 _clerly_--MS. clerkly, C. clerly
2002 _auȝten----hede_--owhten taken mor heed
2002-3 _For----dignite_--For yif so be þ{a}t a wykkyd whyght be
so mochel the fowler{e} {and} the moore owt cast þ{a}t he
is despised of most folk so as dignete
2004-2007 _maken----soþe_--maken shrewes digne of Reu{er}ence
the whych shrewes dignete sheweth to moche foolk thanne
makith dignete shrewes rather so moche mor{e} despised than
preysed {and} forsothe
2008 _ȝelden_--yilden
2009 _byspotten_--by-spetten
2010 _hire_--hyr
2011 _moche_--mochel
_mow[e]_--mowe
2012 _þe shadewy_--thyse shadwye
2013 _vndirstonde_--vndyrstond
_þis_--thus
2014 _hadde_--had
2018 _ȝifte_--yift
2019 _folke_--foolk
_done_--don]
[Headnote:
DIGNITIES DO CONFER ESTEEM.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 17 _b_.]]
¶ Ryȝt as fire i{n} euery contre ne stinteþ nat to 2020
enchaufen {and} *to ben hote.
[Sidenote: Honours arise from the false opinions of men, and
vanish when they come among those who do not esteem them, that is,
among foreign nations.]
but for as myche as forto
be holden honorable or reuerent ne comeþ nat to folk of
hir p{ro}pre strengþe of nat{ur}e. but only of þe fals[e] [[pg 74]]
opiniou{n} of folk. þat is to sein. þat wenen þat dignites 2024
maken folk digne of hono{ur}. An on þerfore whan þat
þei comen þer as folk ne knowe{n} nat þilke dignites.
her hono{ur}s vanissen awey {and} þat on oon. but þat is
a-mong straung folk. maist þou sein.
[Sidenote: Do they always endure in those places that gave birth
to them?]
but amo{n}g{us} 2028
hem þat þei weren born duren þilk[e] dignites alwey.
[Sidenote: The Prætorate was once a great honour, but now it is
only an empty name and a heavy expense.]
¶ Certys þe dignite of þe p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme
a grete power. now is it no þing but an ydel
name. {and} þe rente of þe senatorie a g{r}et charge. 2032
[Sidenote: What is more vile than the office of the
superintendency of provisions?]
{and} yif a whiȝt somtyme hadde þe office to taken he[de] to
þe vitailes of þe poeple as of corne {and} what oþer þinges
he was holden amonges grete. but what þing is more
nowe out cast þanne þilke p{ro}uostrie
[Sidenote: That which hath no innate beauty must lose its
splendour or value according as popular opinion varies concerning
it.]
¶ And as I haue 2036
seid a litel here byforne. þat þilke þing þat haþ no
p{ro}pre beaute of hym self resceyueþ somtyme pris {and}
shinynge {and} somtyme lesiþ it by þe opiniou{n} of
vsaunces.
[Sidenote: If dignities cannot confer esteem, if they become vile
through filthy shrews, if they lose their lustre by the change of
times, if they become worthless by the change of popular opinion,
what beauty do they possess which should make them desirable, or
what dignity can they confer on others?]
¶ Now yif þat dignites þanne ne mowen 2040
nat maken folk digne of reuerence. {and} yif þ{a}t dignites
wexen foule of hir wille by þe filþe of shrewes. ¶ and
yif þat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng of
tymes. and yif þei wexen foule by estimac{i}ou{n} of 2044
poeple. what is it þat þei han in hem self of beaute
þat auȝte ben desired. as who seiþ none. þanne ne
mowen þei ȝiuen no beaute of dignite to none oþer.
[Linenotes:
2020 _enchaufen_--eschaufen
2021 _myche_--mochel
2022 _be_--ben
2023 _fals[e]_--false
2024 _þat_ (2)--omitted
2027 _her_--hyr
_vanissen_--vanesshen
2028 _a-mong_--amonges
_straung_--strau{n}ge
_but_--ne
2029 _þat_--ther
_duren þilk[e]_--ne duren nat thylke
2030 _somtyme_--whylom
2031 _grete_--gret
2032 _þe_ (2)--omitted
2033 _somtyme_--whylom
_þe_--MS. þe þe
2034 _corne_--corn
_what_--omitted
2035 _more nowe_--now more
2036 _cast_--MS. caste, C. cast
2037 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
_here byforne_--her by-forn
_haþ_--MS. haþe
2042 _filþe_--felthe
2043 _þat_--omitted
2046 _auȝte_--owhte
_none_--non
2047 _þei_--MS. ȝe, C. they
_none_--non]
QUA{M}UIS SE TIRIO.
[Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Nero, though invested with the purple and adorned with
pearls, was hated by all men.]
++Al be it so þat þe proude nero wiþ al his woode luxurie 2048
kembed hym {and} apparailed hym wiþ faire purp{er}s
of Tirie {and} wiþ white perles. Algates ȝitte throf he
hateful to alle folk ¶ þis is to seyn þat
al was he by-hated [[pg 75]]
of alle folk.
[Sidenote: Yet he had lordship, and gave to the senators the
dishonoured seats of dignity.]
¶ ȝitte þis wicked Nero hadde gret 2052
lordship {and} ȝaf somtyme to þe dredeful senatours þe
vnworshipful setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful setes
he clepiþ here fore þat Nero þat was so wikked ȝaf þo
dignites.
[Sidenote: Who then can think that felicity resides in honours
given by vicious shrews?]
who wolde þanne resonably wenen þat blysfulnesse 2056
were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben ȝeuen by vicious
shrewes.
[Linenotes:
2048 _al_ (2)--alle
2049 _kembed_--kembde
_apparailed_--MS. apparailen, C. a-paraylede
2050 _ȝitte_--yit
2053 _lordship_--lorshippe
_ȝaf somtyme_--yaf whylom
_dredeful_--reu{er}encȝ
2055 _fore_--for
_ȝaf_--yaf]
[Headnote:
KINGDOMS DO NOT MAKE A MAN MIGHTY.]
AN UERO REGNA.
[Sidenote: [The 5^the p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _P._ Do kingdoms and a familiarity with princes make a
man mighty?]
++Bvt regnes {and} familarites of kynges may þei maken a
ma{n} to ben myȝty.
[Sidenote: _B._ Why should they not if they are durable?]
how ellys. ¶ whanne hir 2060
blysfulnesse dureþ p{er}petuely
[Sidenote: _P._ Past ages, as well as the present, furnish us with
many examples of princes who have met with dismal reverses of
fortune.]
but certys þe olde age of
tyme passeþ. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is ful of
ensau{m}ples how þ{a}t kynges þat han chaunged in to
wrechednesse out of hir welefulnesse.
[Sidenote: O then how noble and glorious a thing is power that is
too weak to preserve itself!]
¶ O a noble þing 2064
{and} a cler þing is power þat is nat founden myȝty to
kepe it self.
[Sidenote: If dominion brings felicity, then misery will follow if
it be defective.]
¶ And yif þat power of realmes be auctour
{and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif þilke power lakkeþ on
any side. amenusiþ it nat þilke blisfulnesse {and} bryngeþ 2068
in wrechednesse.
[Sidenote: But human rule has its limits, therefore wherever power
ceases there impotence enters, bringing misery along with it.]
but yif al be it so þat realmes of mankynde
stretchen b{r}oode. ȝit mot þer nede ben myche
folk ouer whiche þat euery kyng ne haþ no lordshipe
no comaundement ¶ and certys vpon þilke syde þat 2072
power failleþ whiche þat makiþ folk blisful. ryȝt on þat
same side nou{n}power entriþ vndirneþ þat makeþ hem
wreches.
[Sidenote: Kings, therefore, have a larger portion of misery than
of felicity.]
¶ In þis manere þanne moten kynges han
more porciou{n} of wrechednesse þan of welefulnesse. 2076
[Linenotes:
2060 _myȝty_--MS. vnmyȝty, C. myhty
2062 _passeþ_--passed
_of_ (2)--omitted
2063 _kynges þat han_--kynges ben
2066 _kepe_--kepen
2067 _maker_--maker{e}
2069 _yif_--yit
_realmes_--the Reaumes
2070 _stretchen_--strechchen
_myche_--moche
2071 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2073 _whiche_--whych
2074 _vndirneþ_--vndyr-nethe]
[Headnote:
POWER DOES NOT DRIVE AWAY CARE.]
[Sidenote: Dionysius of Sicily, conscious of this condition,
exhibited the fears and cares of royalty by the terror of a naked
sword hanging over the head of his friend and flatterer Damocles.]
¶ A tyraunt þat was kyng of sisile þat had[de] assaied
þe p{er}il of his estat shewid[e] by similitude þe dredes
of realmes by gastnesse of a swerde þat heng ouer þe
heued of his familier.
[Sidenote: What then is this thing called Power, which cannot do
away with care or fear?]
what þing is þan þis power þat 2080
may nat don awey þe bytynges of besines ne eschewe [[pg 76]]
þe prikkes of drede.
[Sidenote: Men would live in security but cannot, and yet they
glory in their power.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 18.]]
and certys ȝit wolden þei lyuen
*in sykernesse. but þei may nat. and ȝit þei glorifien
hem in her power
[Sidenote: Is he powerful who cannot do what he wishes?]
¶ Holdest þou þan þat þilk[e] man 2084
be myȝty þat þ{o}u seest þat he wolde don þat he may
nat don.
[Sidenote: Is he a mighty man who goes surrounded with an armed
guard, to terrify those whom he himself fears, and whose power
depends solely upon his numerous retinue?]
¶ And holdest þou þan hym a myȝty man
þat haþ environed hise sydes wiþ men of armes or
seruauntes {and} dredeþ more [hem] þat he makeþ agast. 2088
þen þei dreden hym. {and} þat is put in þe handes of hise
seruauntȝ. for he sholde seme myȝty but of familiers
[or] seruauntȝ of ky{n}ges.
[Sidenote: Why need I enlarge upon the favourites of princes
having thus displayed the imbecility of kings!]
¶ what sholde I telle þe
any þing. syn þat I my self haue shewed þe þat realmes 2092
hem self ben ful of gret feblenesse.
[Sidenote: Their prosperity is affected by the caprice of their
fortunate masters as well as by the adversity to which they are
incident.]
þe whiche familiers
certis þe real power of kynges in hool estat {and} in estat
abated ful [ofte] þroweþ adou{n}.
[Sidenote: Nero only allowed his master Seneca to choose the
manner of his death.]
¶ Nero co{n}streined[e]
his familier {and} his maistre seneca to chesen on what 2096
deeþ he wolde deien.
[Sidenote: Antonius (Caracalla) commanded Papinian to be slain by
the swords of his soldiers.]
¶ Antonius comau{n}did[e] þat
knyȝtis slowen wiþ her swerdis Papinian his familier
whiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful myȝty
a-monges hem of þe courte.
[Sidenote: Yet both would have given up all they possessed.]
and ȝit certis þei wolde boþe 2100
han renou{n}ced her power.
[Sidenote: Seneca begged for poverty and exile. But relentless
fortune precipitated them to destruction, and did not permit them
to choose their fate.]
of whiche [two] senek enforced[e]
hym to ȝiue{n} to Nero his rychesses. {and} also
to han gon in to solitarie exil. ¶ But whan þe grete
weyȝt. þat is to sein of lordes power or of fortune 2104
draweþ hem þat sholden falle. neyþer of hem ne
myȝt[e] do þat he wolde.
[Sidenote: What then is Power, which terrifies its possessors, and
which cannot be got rid of at pleasure?]
what þing is þanne þilke
power þat þouȝ men han it þat þei ben agast. ¶ {and}
whan þou woldest han it þou nart nat siker. ¶ And 2108
yif þou woldest forleten it þou mayst nat eschewen it.
[Sidenote: No advantage is to be gained by friendship based on
prosperity instead of virtue.]
¶ But wheþir swiche men ben frendes at nede as ben
conseiled by fortune {and} nat by vertue.
[Sidenote: Adversity will turn this sort of friendship into
enmity. And what greater plague can there be than the enmity of
thy familiar friend?]
Certys swiche
folk as weleful fortune makeþ frendes. contrarious fortune [[pg 77]]
makeþ hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence is 2113
more myȝty forto anoye a wiȝt þan a familier enemy.
[Linenotes:
2077 _had[de]_--hadde
2078 _shewid[e]_--shewede
2079 _realmes_--Reaumes
_swerde_--swerd
_heng_--MS. henge, C. heng
2081 _besines_--bysynesse
2083 _ȝit_--yif
_glorifien_--gloryfye
2084 _þilk[e]_--thylke
2087 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_environed_--enuyrownede
2088 [_hem_]--from C.
2089 _þen_--than
2091 [_or_]--from C.
2092 _realmes_--Reames
2093 _feblenesse_--feblesse
2094 _real_--Ryal
2095 [_ofte_]--from C.
_constreined[e]_--co{n}streynede
2096 _his_ (1)--hyr
_seneca_--Senek
2097 _comaundid[e]_--comau{n}dede
2098 _her_--hyr
2099 _whiche_--which
_had[de] ben long_--þ{a}t hadde ben longe
2100 _courte_--court
_wolde_--wolden
2101 [_two_]--from C.
_enforced[e]_--enforcede
2102 _ȝiuen_--yeuen
_his_--hyse
2104 _weyȝt_--weyhte
2105 _sholden_--sholen
2106 _myȝt[e]_--myhte]
[Headnote:
GLORY IS DECEPTIVE.]
QUI SE UALET[5] ESSE POTENTEM.
[Footnote 5: Read _uolet_]
[Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: He who would obtain sovereign power must obtain
conquest over himself, and not yield to his passions.]
++Who so wolde ben myȝty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel
corage. ne put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir 2116
þe foule reines of lecherie.
[Sidenote: Though your dominion extended from India to Thule, yet
if thou art tormented by care thou hast no real power.]
for al be it so þat þi lordship[e]
strecche so fer þat þe contre Inde quakiþ at þi
comaundement. or at þi lawes. {and} þat þe leest isle in
þe see þat hyȝt tile be þral to þe ¶ ȝit yif þou mayst 2120
nat pute{n} awey þi foule derk[e] desijres {and} dryue{n}
oute fro þe wreched co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis no
power þat þou hast.
[Linenotes:
2115 _wolde ben_--wole be
2116 _put[te]_--putte
2117 _lordship[e]_--lordshype
2119 _comaundement_--comau{n}dementȝ
_leest isle_--last Ile
2120 _hyȝt_--hyhte
2121 _puten_--putten
_derk[e]_--dyrke
2122 _oute_--owt]
[Headnote:
GENTILITY IS FOREIGN TO RENOWN.]
GLORIA UERO QUA{M} FALLAX.
[Sidenote: [The 6^the p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: How deceptive and deformed a thing is glory! Well did
the Tragedian exclaim--ὦ δόξα δόξα μυρίοισι δὴ βροτῶν, οὐδὲν
γεγῶσι βίοτον ὤγκωσας μέγαν, for the undeserving have been
crowned with glory and renown by popular and erring opinion.]
++Bvt glorie how deceiuable {and} how foule is it ofte. for 2124
whiche þing nat vnskilfully a tregedien þat is to
sein a maker of dites þat hyȝten tregedies cried[e] {and}
seide. ¶ O glorie glorie q{uod} he. þou nart no þing
ellys to þousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of eres. 2128
for many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by þe fals[e] oppiniou{n}
of poeple.
[Sidenote: What can be more infamous than renoun founded on the
prejudices of the vulgar?]
and what þing may ben þouȝt fouler
þen swiche p{re}isynge
[Sidenote: Those that are undeservedly praised ought to blush for
shame.]
for þilk[e] folk þat be{n} p{re}ised
falsly. þei moten nedes han shame of hir p{re}isynges. 2132
[Sidenote: If a wise man gets well-merited praise it does not add
to his felicity.]
{and} yif þat folk han gete{n} hem þank or p{re}ysyng by
her desertes. what þing haþ þilk pris echid or encresed
to þe conscience of wise folk þ{a}t mesure{n} hire
good. not by þe rumo{ur} of þe poeple. but by þe soþefastnesse 2136
of conscience.
[Sidenote: If it be a good thing to spread abroad one’s fame, it
must be dishonourable not to do so.]
{and} yif it seme a fair þing a
man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. þan folweþ
it. þat it is demed to ben a foule þinge yif it ne be [[pg 78]]
ysprad ne encresed.
[Sidenote: But a good name cannot penetrate everywhere, and the
most illustrious names must be unknown to the greatest part of the
world.]
but as I seide a litel her byforne. 2140
þat syn þer mot nedes ben many folk to whiche folk þe
renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfalleþ þat he
þat þou wenest be glorious {and} renomed. semiþ in þe
nexte p{ar}ties of þe erþe to ben wiþ out glorie. {and} wiþ 2144
out renou{n}.
[Sidenote: The favour of the people is worth but little as it is
seldom judicious and never permanent.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 18 _b_.]]
¶ and certis amo{n}ges þise þinges I ne trowe
nat þat þe p{r}is {and} grace of þe poeple nis neiþer worþi
*to ben remembrid ne comeþ of wise iugement. ne is
ferm p{er}durably.
[Sidenote: How empty and transitory are titles of nobility!]
¶ But now of þis name of gentilesse. 2148
what man is it þat ne may wel seen how veyne {and}
how flittyng a þing it is.
[Sidenote: Gentility is wholly foreign to renown, and to those who
boast of noble birth.]
¶ For if þe name of gentilesse
be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of linage. þan
is gentil name but a for[e]ine þing. þat is to sein to 2152
hem þat glorifien hem of hir linage.
[Sidenote: Nobility is fame derived from the merits of one’s
ancestors.]
¶ For it semeþ
þat gentilesse be a maner p{re}ysynge þat comeþ of decert
of auncestres.
[Sidenote: If praise can give nobility they are noble who are
praised.]
¶ And yif p{re}ysynge makeþ gentilesse
þan moten þei nedes be gentil þat ben p{re}ysed. 2156
[Sidenote: Then if thou hast no nobility of thy own, thou canst
not derive any splendour from the merits of others.]
For whiche þing it folweþ. þat yif þou ne haue no gentilesse
of þi self. þat is to sein pris þ{a}t comeþ of þi deserte
foreine gentilesse ne makeþ þe nat gentil.
[Sidenote: If there be any good in nobleness of birth, it consists
alone in this, that it imposes an obligation upon its possessors
not to degenerate from the virtues of their ancestors.]
¶ But certis
yif þer be any goode in gentilesse. I trowe it be i{n} al 2160
oonly þis. þat it semeþ as þat a maner necessitee be imposed
to gentil men. for þat þei ne sholden nat outraien
or forliuen fro þe uertues of hire noble kynrede.
[Linenotes:
2124 _foule_--fowl
2125 _whiche_--whych
2126 _maker_--maker{e}
_cried[e]_--cryde
2127 _he_--she
2128 _sweller_--sweller{e}
2129 _many[e]_--manye
_had_--MS. hadde, C. had
_fals[e]_--false
2130 _fouler_--fowler{e}
2131 _þen_--thanne
_þilk[e]_--thylke
2133 _or_--of
2134 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_þilke_--thylke
2139 _foule þinge_--fowl thing
2140 _ne_--{and}
_byforne_--byforn
2144 _parties_--partye
_erþe_--Erthes
_out_--owte
2145 _out_--owhte
2148 _ferm_--ferme
2149 _veyne_--veyn
2150 _if_--yif
2154 _comeþ of_--comth of the
2157 _whiche_--which
2158 _pris_--preys
_comeþ_--comth
2160 _goode_--good
_in_ (2)--omitted
2161 _maner_--maner{e}]
OMNE HOMINU{M} GENUS IN TERRIS.
[Sidenote: [The 6^th Metre.]]
[Sidenote: All men have the same origin.]
++Al þe linage of men þat ben i{n} erþe ben of semblable 2164
burþe.
[Sidenote: They have one father and one king, who gave the moon
her horns, and adorned the sun with his rays.]
On al one is fadir of þinges. On alone
minyst[r]eþ alle þinges. ¶ He ȝaf to þe sonne hys
bemes. he ȝaf to þe moone hir hornes.
[Sidenote: The same gave the earth to man and adorned the sky with
stars.]
he ȝaf þe men to
þe erþe. he ȝaf þe sterres to þe heuene.
[Sidenote: He breathed into man the breath of life.]
¶ he encloseþ 2168
wiþ membres þe soules þat comen fro hys heye sete. [[pg 79]]
[Sidenote: All men spring from this illustrious source.]
¶ þanne comen alle mortal folk of noble seed.
[Sidenote: Why then do they boast of pedigree?]
whi noysen ȝe or bosten of ȝoure eldris
[Sidenote: He alone is ignoble who submits to vice and forgets his
noble origin.]
¶ For yif þou
look[e] ȝoure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god ȝoure aucto{ur} {and} 2172
ȝoure makere. þan is þer no forlyued wyȝt but ȝif he
norisse his corage vnto vices {and} forlete his p{ro}pre
burþe.
[Linenotes:
2166 _hys_--hyse
2167 _hir_--hyse
2169 _fro hys_--fram hyse
2170 _seed_--sede
2171 _bosten_--MS. voscen, C. bosten
2172 _look[e]_--loke]
[Headnote:
SENSUAL PLEASURES FULL OF ANXIETY.]
QUID AUTEM DE CORPORIBUS.[6]
[Footnote 6: Read _corporis voluptatibus_.]
[Sidenote: [The 7^the p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: But what shall I say with respect to sensual pleasures,
the desire of which is full of anxiety, and the enjoyment of them
full of repentance?]
++But what shal I seie of delices of body. of whic[h]e 2176
delices þe desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} þe
fulfillinges of he{m} ben ful of penaunce.
[Sidenote: What diseases and intolerable pains (the merited fruits
of vice) are these delights wont to bring upon those who enjoy
them!]
¶ How grete
sekenesse {and} how grete sorwes vnsuffrable ryȝt as a
manere fruit of wickednesse ben þilke delices wont to 2180
bryngen to þe bo[d]ies of folk þat vsen hem.
[Sidenote: I am unable to see what joy is to be found in the
gratification of them.]
¶ Of
whiche delices I not what ioye may ben had of hir
moeuyng.
[Sidenote: The remembrance of criminal indulgence brings with it
bitter remorse.]
¶ But þis woot I wel þat who so euere wil
remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde. 2184
þat þe issues of delices ben sorowful {and} sory.
[Sidenote: If such things make men happy, then may brutes attain
to felicity, since by their instinct they are urged to satisfy
their bodily delights.]
¶ And yif þilke delices mowen make folk blisful. þan
by þe same cause moten þise bestes ben clepid blisful.
¶ Of whiche bestes al þe entenc{i}ou{n} hasteþ to fulfille 2188
hire bodyly iolyte.
[Sidenote: A wife and children do not always bring happiness, for
some have found tormentors in their own offspring.]
and þe gladnesse of wijf [{and}]
children were [an] honest þing. but it haþ ben seid.
þat it is ouer myche aȝeins kynde þat children han ben
fou{n}den tormentours to hir fadres I not how many. 2192
¶ Of whiche children how bitynge is euery condic{i}ou{n}.
It nedeþ nat to tellen it þe þat hast or þis tyme assaied
it. {and} art ȝit now anguysso{us}.
[Sidenote: I approve of this opinion of Euripides, that he who is
childless is happy in his misfortune.]
In þis approue I þe
sentence of my disciple Euridippus. þat seide þat he 2196
þat haþ no children is weleful by i{n}fortune.
[Linenotes:
2173 _is_--nis
2176 _delices_--delites
_body_--bodye
2177 _anguisse_--Angwyssh
2178 _grete_--gret
2179 _sekenesse_--sykenesse
_grete sorwes_--gret soruwes
2180 _fruit_--frut
2182 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
2183 _wil_--wole
2184 _hys_--hyse
2185 _sorowful_--sorwful
_sory_--sorye
2186 _make_--makyn
2189 [_and_]--from C.
2190 [_an_]--from C.
_haþ_--haþe
_seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
2191 _myche_--mochel
2192 _many_--manye
2196 _Euridippus_--Eurydyppys; _read_ Euripides
2197 _haþ_--MS. haþe]
[[pg 80]]
[Headnote:
NO HAPPINESS IN EXTERNAL THINGS.]
HABET HOC UOLUPTAS.
[Sidenote: [The 7^de Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Pleasure leaves a pain behind it.]
++Euery delit haþ þis. þat it anguisseþ hem wiþ prikkes
þ{a}t vsen it.
[Sidenote: The bee gives us agreeable honey, but try to hold it,
and it quickly flies, leaving its sting behind.]
¶ It resembliþ to þise flying flyes þat
we clepen been. þat aftre þat þe bee haþ shed hys agreable 2200
honies he fleeþ awey {and} styngeþ þe hertes of he{m}
þat ben ysmyte wiþ bytynge ouer longe holdynge.
[Linenotes:
2198 _Euery_--MS. Ouery, C. Every
2198, 2200 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_shed hys_--shad hyse]
[Headnote:
MEN ARE LED ASTRAY BY IGNORANCE.]
NICHIL IGITUR DUBIUM EST.
[Sidenote: [The 8^the p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: It appears then that happiness is not to be found in
the above-mentioned external things.]
++Now nis it no doute þan þ{a}t þise weyes ne ben a
maner mysledy{n}g to blisfulnesse. ne þat þei ne 2204
mowe nat leden folke þider as þei byheten to lede{n}
hem.
[Sidenote: These false ways are perplexed with many evils, as I
shall presently show thee.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 19.]]
¶ But wiþ how grete harmes þise *forseide weyes
ben enlaced. ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly.
[Sidenote: Do you want to amass wealth, then you must take it from
your neighbours.]
¶ For whi
yif þou enforcest þe to assemble moneye. þou most by-reuen 2208
hym his moneye þat haþ it.
[Sidenote: Would you shine in dignities, then you must beg for
them and disgrace yourself by a humiliating supplication.]
and yif þou wilt
shynen wiþ dignites. þou most bysechen {and} supplien
hem þat ȝiue{n} þo dignitees. ¶ And yif þou coueitest
by hono{ur} to gon by-fore oþer folk þ{o}u shalt defoule þi 2212
self by hu{m}blesse of axing.
[Sidenote: If power be your ambition, you expose yourself to the
snares of inferiors.]
yif þou desiryst power.
þou shalt by awaites of þi subgitȝ anoyously be cast
vndir many p{er}iles.
[Sidenote: Do you ask for glory, to be distracted by vexations and
so lose all security.]
axest þou glorie þ{o}u shalt ben so
destrat by aspre þinges þat þou shalt forgone sykernesse. 2216
[Sidenote: Do you prefer a voluptuous life? Think then that all
men will despise him who is a thrall to his body.]
¶ And yif þou wilt leden þi lijf in delices.
euery whiȝt shal dispisen þe {and} forleten þe as þou þat
art þral to þing þat is ryȝt foule {and} brutel. þat is [to]
sein seruau{n}t to þi body.
[Sidenote: They build upon a weak foundation that place bodily
delights above their own reason.]
¶ Now is it þan wel yseen 2220
how lytel {and} how brutel possessiou{n} þei coueiten þat
putten þe goodes of þe body abouen hire owe{n} resou{n}.
[Sidenote: Can you surpass the elephant in bulk, or the bull in
strength?]
¶ For mayst þou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} þise olifuñtȝ in gretnesse
or weyȝt of body. Or mayst þou ben strenger þan þe 2224
bole.
[Sidenote: Art thou swifter than the tiger?]
Mayst þou ben swifter þan þe tigre.
[Sidenote: Behold the immense extent of the heavens and cease to
admire vile or lesser things.]
biholde þe
spaces {and} þe stablenesse {and} þe swyfte cours of þe [[pg 81]]
heuene. {and} stynte somtyme to wondren on foule
þinges.
[Sidenote: Admire what is still more admirable, the consummate
wisdom that governs them.]
þe whiche heuene certys nis nat raþer for þise 2228
þinges to ben wondred vpon. þan for þe resou{n} by
whiche it is gouerned.
[Sidenote: How fleeting is beauty!]
but þe shynynge of þi forme þat
is to seien þe beaute of þi body. how swiftly passyng is
it {and} how transitorie.
[Sidenote: It fades sooner than the vernal flowers.]
¶ Certis it is more flittynge 2232
þan þe mutabilite of floures of þe som{er} sesou{n}.
[Sidenote: For, as Aristotle says, if a man were lynx-eyed and
could look into the entrails of Alcibiades (so fair outwardly) he
would find all foul and loathsome.]
For so
as aristotil telleþ þat yif þat men hadden eyen of a
beest þat hiȝt lynx. so þat þe lokyng of folk myȝt[e]
percen þoruȝ þe þinges þ{a}t wiþstonden it. who so lokid 2236
þan in þe entrailes of þe body of alcibiades þat was
ful fayr in þe sup{er}fice wiþ oute. it shulde seme ryȝt
foule.
[Sidenote: Thy nature does not make thee seem beautiful, but the
imperfect view of thy admirers.]
{and} for þi yif þou semest faire. þi nature ne
makiþ nat þat. but þe desceiuau{n}ce of þe fieblesse of þe 2240
eyen þat loken.
[Sidenote: Prize bodily perfections as much as you will, yet a
three days’ fever will destroy them.]
¶ But p{re}ise þe goodes of þi body as
moche as euer þe list. so þat þou know[e] algates þat
what so it be. þat is to seyn of þe goodes of þi body
whiche þat þ{o}u wondrest vpon may ben destroied or 2244
dessolued by þe hete of a feuere of þre dayes. ¶ Of
alle whiche forseide þinges I may reduce{n} þis shortly in
a so{m}me.
[Sidenote: Worldly goods do not give what they promise, do not
comprise every good, are not the paths to felicity, nor can of
themselves make any one happy.]
¶ þat þise worldly goodes whiche þat ne
mowen nat ȝiuen þat þei byheten. ne ben nat p{er}fit by 2248
þe congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. þat þei ne ben nat
weyes ne paþes þat bryngen men to blysfulnesse ne
maken men to ben blysful.
[Linenotes:
2203 _nis_--is
2204 _mysledyng_--mysledynges
2205 _folke_--folk
2208 _enforcest_--MS. enforced, C. enforcest
2209 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_wilt_--wolt
2211 _ȝiuen_--yeuen
2212 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon
_by-fore_--byforn
_shalt_--shal
2213 _by_--thorw
2214 _by_--be
_be_--ben
2216 _destrat_--MS. destralle, C. destrat
_forgone_--forgoon
2217 _wilt_--wolt
2218 _whiȝt_--wyht
2219 _foule_--fowl
[_to_]--from C.
2220 _yseen_--seen
2221 _brutel_--brotel
2222 _owen_--owne
2224 _weyȝt_--weyhty
_strenger_--strenger{e}
2225 _swifter_--swyfter{e}
_biholde_--by-hold
2227 _stynte_--stynt
2228 _whiche_--whych
2230 _whiche_--wych
2231 _seien_--seyn
2234 _as_--omitted
2235 _hiȝt_--hyhte
_myȝt[e]_--myhte
2237 _alcibiades_--MS. alcidiades
2238 _fayr_--fayr{e}
_þe_--omitted
_shulde_--sholde
2239 _foule_--fowl
_faire_--fayr
_ne_--omitted
2240 _desceiuaunce of þe fieblesse_--deceyuable or the feblesse
2242 _moche_--mochel
_know[e]_--knowe
2243 _þe_--omitted
_þi body whiche_--the body whych
2247 _a_--omitted]
[Headnote:
MEN PURSUE FALSE JOYS.]
HEU Q{UE} MISEROS TRAMITE.
[Sidenote: [The 8^the Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Alas! how through folly and ignorance do men stray from
the path of true happiness!]
++Allas whiche folie {and} whiche ignorau{n}ce myslediþ 2252
wandryng wrecches fro þe paþe of verrey good.
[Sidenote: Ye do not seek gold upon trees nor diamonds from the
vine.]
¶ Certis ȝe ne seken no golde in grene trees. ne ȝe ne
gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in þe vines. [[pg 82]]
[Sidenote: Ye lay not your nets to catch fish upon the lofty
hills.]
ne ȝe ne
hiden nat ȝoure gynnes in heyȝe mou{n}taignes to kachen 2256
fisshe of whiche ȝe may maken ryche festes.
[Sidenote: The hunter goes not to the Tyrrhene waters to hunt the
roe.]
and yif
ȝow lykeþ to hunte to roos. ȝe ne gon nat to þe foordes
of þe water þat hyȝt tyrene.
[Sidenote: Men know where to look for white pearls, and for the
fish that yields the purple dye.]
{and} ouer þis men knowen
wel þe crikes {and} þe cau{er}nes of þe see yhidd in þe 2260
floodes. {and} knowen eke whiche water is most plentiuo{us}
of white perles. {and} knowen whiche water habundeþ
most of rede purpre. þat is to seyen of a maner shelfisshe
w{i}t{h} whiche men dien purpre.
[Sidenote: They know where the most delicate of the finny race
abound and where the fierce sea-urchin is to be found.]
{and} knowen 2264
whiche strondes habounden most of tendre fisshes or
of sharpe fisshes þat hyȝten echynnys.
[Sidenote: But where the Sovereign Good abides blinded mortals
never know, but plunge into the earth below to look for that which
has its dwelling in the heavens.]
but folk suffren
hem self to ben so blynde þat hem ne recchiþ nat to
knowe where þilk[e] goodes ben yhidd whiche þat þei 2268
coueiten but ploungen hem in erþe {and} seken þere
þilke goode þ{a}t so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe heuene þat bereþ þe
sterres.
[Sidenote: What doom do the silly race deserve?]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 19 _b_.]]
¶ what *p{re}yere may I make þat be digne to
þe nice þouȝtis of men.
[Sidenote: May they pursue such false joys, and having obtained
them, too late find out the value of the true.]
but I p{re}ye þat þei coueite{n} 2272
rycches {and} hono{ur}s so þat whan þei han geten þo
false goodes wiþ greet trauayle þat þerby þei mowe
knowen þe verray goodes.
[Linenotes:
2252 _whiche_ (_both_)--whych
2253 _paþe_--paath
_good_--goode
2254 _golde_--gold]
[Headnote:
THE INSUFFICIENCY OF WORLDLY BLISS.]
HACTENUS MENDACIS FORMA{M}.
[Sidenote: [The 9^ne p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _P._ I have been describing the form of counterfeit
happiness, and if you have considered it attentively I shall
proceed to give you a perfect view of the true.]
++IT suffisiþ þat I haue shewed hider to þe forme of 2276
false wilfulnesse. so þat yif þou look[e] now clerely
þe ordre of myn entenc{i}ou{n} requeriþ from hennes forþe
to shewe{n} þe verray wilfulnesse.
[Sidenote: _B._ I now see that there is no sufficiency in riches,
no power in royalty, no esteem in dignities, nor nobility in
renown, nor joy in carnal pleasures.]
¶ For q{uod} .I. (b) [I.]
se wel now þat suffisau{n}ce may nat comen by richesse. ne 2280
power by realmes. ne reuere{n}ce by dignitees. ne gentilesse
by glorie. ne ioye by delices. and (p) hast þou wel
knowen q{uo}d she þe cause whi it is. Certis me semeþ
q{uod} .I. þat .I. se hem ryȝt as þouȝ
it were þoruȝ a litel [[pg 83]]
clifte.
[Sidenote: I have a glimpse of the cause of all this, but I should
like a more distinct view.]
but me were leuer knowen hem more openly of 2285
þe. Certys q{uod} she þe resou{n} is al redy
[Sidenote: _P._ The cause is obvious--for that which is by nature
one and indivisible human ignorance separates and divides, and
reverses the true order of things.]
¶ For
þilk þing þat symply is on þing wiþ outen ony
diuisiou{n}. þe errour {and} folie of mankynde departeþ 2288
{and} diuidiþ it. {and} mislediþ it {and} t{ra}nsporteþ from
verray {and} p{er}fit goode. to goodes þat ben false {and}
inp{er}fit.
[Sidenote: Does that state which needs nothing stand in need of
power?]
¶ But seye me þis. wenest þou þat he þat haþ
nede of power þat hy{m} ne lakkeþ no þing.
[Sidenote: _B._ I should say no. _P._ Right! That which wants
power needs external aid.]
Nay q{uo}d 2292
.I ¶ Certis q{uo}d she þou seist aryȝt. For yif so be
þ{a}t þer is a þing þat in any p{ar}tie be fieble of power.
[Sidenote: _B._ That is true! _P._ Sufficiency and power therefore
are of one nature. _B._ It seems so indeed.]
Certis as in þat it most[e] nedes be nedy of foreine
helpe. ¶ Riȝt so it is q{uo}d .I. Suffisaunce and power 2296
ben þan of on kynde ¶ So semeþ it q{uod} I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Are power and sufficiency to be despised? Are they
not rather worthy of universal respect?]
¶ And
demyst þou q{uo}d she þat a þing þat is of þis manere.
þat is to seine suffisau{n}t {and} myȝty auȝt[e] to ben dispised.
or ellys þ{a}t it be ryȝt digne of reuerences abouen 2300
alle þinges.
[Sidenote: _B._ They are doubtless highly estimable. _P._ Add
respect to sufficiency and power, and consider all three as one
and the same thing.]
¶ Certys q{uo}d I it nys no doute þat it
nis ryȝt worþi to ben reuerenced. ¶ Lat vs q{uo}d she þan
adden reuerence to suffisaunce {and} to power ¶ So þat
we demen þat þise þre þinges ben alle o þing.
[Sidenote: _B._ I see no objection to that view.]
¶ Certis 2304
q{uo}d I lat vs adden it. yif we willen graunten þe soþe.
[Sidenote: _P._ But can that be obscure and ignoble which
possesses three such attributes? is it not noble and worthy of a
shining reputation?]
what demest þou þan q{uo}d she is þat a dirke þing {and}
nat noble þat is suffisau{n}t reu{er}ent {and} myȝty. or ellys
þat is ryȝt clere {and} ryȝt noble of celebrete of renou{n}. 2308
[Linenotes:
2256 _heyȝe_--the hyye
_kachen_--kachche
2257 _fisshe_--fyssh
2258 _hunte_--honte
_roos_--Rooes
2259 _hyȝt_--hyhte
2260 _crikes_--brykes
_yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hyd
2261, 2262 _whiche_--whych
2263 _shelfisshe_--shelle fysh
2264, 2265 _whiche_--whych
2264 _dien_--deyen
2265 _of_--w{i}t{h}
2266 _echynnys_--MS. ethynnys, C. Echynnys
2268 _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hydd
2270 _goode_--good
2271 _make_--maken
2273 _rycches_--Rychesse
2277 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse
_look[e]_--loke
_clerely_--clerly
2279 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse
_For_--For-sothe
[_I._]--from C.
2280 _richesse_--Rychesses
2281 _realmes_--Reames
2287 _þilk_--thylke
_on_--o
2290 _goode_--good
2291 _seye_--sey
_haþ_--MS. haþe
2294 _fieble_--febler{e}
2295 _most[e]_--mot
2296 _helpe_--help
2297 _on_--o
2298 _demyst þou_--demesthow
2299 _seine_--seyn
_auȝt[e]_--owhte
2300 _reuerences_--Reu{er}ence
2302 _nis ryȝt_--is ryht
2304 _alle_--al
2305 _willen_--wolen
2306 _dirke_--dyrk
2308 _clere_--cler
_of celebrete_--by celebryte]
[Headnote:
THE UNITY OF TRUE FELICITY.]
[Sidenote: He who is most powerful and worthy of renown--if he
lack fame which he cannot give to himself, must (by this defect)
seem in some measure more weak and abject.]
¶ Considere þan q{uo}d she as we han grau{n}tid her byforne.
þat he þat ne haþ ne[de] of no þing {and} is most
myȝty {and} most digne of hono{ur} yif hym nediþ any
clernesse of renou{n} whiche clernesse he myȝt[e] nat 2312
graunten of hym self. ¶ So þat for lakke of þilke
clerenesse he myȝt[e] seme febler on any syde or þe
more outcaste. _Glosa._ þis is to seyne nay. [[pg 84]]
[Sidenote: He that is sufficiently mighty and esteemed will have
necessarily an illustrious name.]
¶ For who
so þat is suffisau{n}t myȝty {and} reuerent. clernesse of 2316
renou{n} folweþ of þe forseide þinges. he haþ it alredy of
hys suffisaunce.
[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny it, for reputation seems inseparable
from the advantages you have just mentioned.]
boice. I may nat q{uo}d I denye it.
¶ But I mot graunten as it is. þat þis þing be ryȝt
celebrable by clernesse of renou{n} {and} noblesse.
[Sidenote: _P._ Therefore Renown differs in no wise from the three
above-mentioned attributes.]
¶ þan 2320
folweþ it q{uo}d she þat we adden clernesse of renou{n} to
þe þre forseide þinges. so þat þer ne be amonges hem
no difference. {and} þis is a consequente q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: And if any one then stands in need of no external aid,
can have all he wants, and is illustrious and respected--is not
his condition very agreeable and pleasant?]
þis þing þan q{uo}d she þat ne haþ no nede of no foreine 2324
þing. {and} þat may don alle þinges by his strengþes.
{and} þat is noble {and} hono{ur}able. nis nat þat a myrie
þing {and} a ioyful.
[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot conceive how such a one can have grief or
trouble.]
_boice._ but wenest q{uo}d I þ{a}t any
sorow myȝt[e] comen to þis þing þat is swiche. ¶ Certys 2328
I may nat þinke.
[Sidenote: _P._ It must then be a state of happiness; and we may
also affirm that sufficiency, power, nobility, differ only in
name, but not in substance.]
_P._ ¶ þanne moten we graunt[e] q{uod}
she þat þis þing be ful of gladnesse yif þe þorseide þinges
be soþe. ¶ And also certys mote we graunten. þat
suffisaunce power noblesse reuerence {and} gladnesse ben 2332
only dyuerse bynames. but hir substaunce haþ no
diu{er}site.
[Sidenote: _B._ It is a necessary consequence.]
_Boice._ It mot nedely be so q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ The depravity of mankind then divides that which
is essentially indivisible; and, seeking for a part of that which
has no parts, they miss the entire thing which they so much
desire.]
_P._ þilke
þinge þan q{uo}d she þat is oon {and} simple i{n} his nature.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 20.]]
þe wikkednesse of men departiþ it *diuidiþ it. {and} 2336
whan þei enforcen hem to gete p{ar}tie of a þing þat ne
haþ no part. þei ne geten hem neiþer þilk[e] p{ar}tie þat
nis none. ne þe þing al hole þat þei ne desire nat.
[Sidenote: _B._ How is that?]
_.b._ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ He that seeks riches in order to avoid poverty, is
not solicitous about power; he prefers meanness and obscurity, and
denies himself many natural pleasures that he may not lessen his
heaps of pelf.]
_p._ þilke man q{uo}d she þat 2340
sekeþ rychesse to fleen pouerte. he ne trauayleþ hym
nat to for to gete power for he haþ leuer ben dirk {and}
vile. {and} eke wiþdraweþ from hym selfe many naturel
delitȝ for he nolde lesen þe moneye þat he haþ assembled. 2344
[Sidenote: He who lacks power, is pricked with trouble, and
rendered an outcast and obscure by his sordid ways, does not
possess sufficiency.]
but certis in þis manere he ne getiþ hym nat [[pg 85]]
suffisaunce þat power forletiþ. {and} þat moleste p{re}keþ.
{and} þat filþe makeþ outcaste. {and} þat derknesse hideþ.
[Sidenote: He who only aims at power squanders his riches, and
despises delights and honours unaccompanied by power.]
and certis he þ{a}t desireþ only power he wastiþ {and} 2348
scatriþ rychesse {and} dispiseþ delices {and} eke hono{ur}
þat is wiþ out power. ne he ne p{re}iseþ glorie no þing.
[Linenotes:
2310 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2312 _whiche_--whych
_myȝt[e]_--myhte
2314 _clerenesse_--clernesse
_myȝt[e]_--myhte
_febler_--the febeler{e}
2315 _seyne_--seyn
2317 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2324 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2325 _his_--hyse
2326 _myrie_--mery
2327 _wenest_--whennes
2328 _sorow myȝt[e]_--sorwe myhte
2329 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
2331 _be_--ben
_also certys_--certes also
2333 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2334 _nedely_--nedly
2335 _þinge_--thing
2337 _gete_--geten
2338 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_þilk[e]_--thilke
2339 _none_--non
_hole_--hool
2340 _whiche_--whych
2341 _rychesse_--Rychesses
_fleen_--MS. sleen, C. flen
2342 _leuer_--leu{er}
2343 _vile_--vyl
_selfe_--self
2344 _delitȝ_--delices
_lesen_--lese
_haþ_--MS. haþe
2346 _prekeþ_--prykketh
2347 _derknesse_--dyrknesse
2349 _scatriþ_--schatereth
_delices_--delycȝ
2350 _wiþ out_--w{i}t{h} owte]
[Headnote:
OF FALSE FELICITY.]
¶ Certys þus seest þou wel þat many þi{n}g{us} failen to
hym. for he haþ somtyme faute of many necessites. 2352
[Sidenote: Such a one must be subject to many anxieties.]
{and} many anguysses biten hym
[Sidenote: And when he cannot get rid of these evils he ceases to
have what he most desired--power.]
¶ {and} whan he may
nat don þo defautes awey. he forleteþ to ben myȝty.
{and} þat is þe þing þat he most desireþ.
[Sidenote: In the same way honour, glory, and pleasure, are all
inseparable; he that seeks one without the other will fail to
obtain his desires.]
{and} ryȝt þus
may I make semblable resou{n}s of hono{ur}s {and} of glorie 2356
{and} of delices. ¶ For so as euery of þise forseide
þinges is þe same þat þise oþer þinges ben. þat is to
sein. al oon þing. who so þat euer sekeþ to geten þat
oon of þise {and} nat þat oþer. he ne geteþ nat þat he 2360
desireþ.
[Sidenote: _B._ What then if a man should desire to gain them all
at once?]
_Boice._ ¶ what seist þou þan yif þat a man
coueiteþ to geten alle þise þinges to gider.
[Sidenote: _P._ He would then indeed desire perfect felicity--but
can he ever expect to find it in the acquisitions above mentioned,
which do not perform what they promise?]
_P._ Certys
q{uo}d she .I. wolde seie þat he wolde geten hym souereyne
blisfulnes. but þat shal he nat fynde in þo þinges 2364
þat .I. haue shewed þat ne mowe nat ȝeuen þat þei by-heten.
[Sidenote: _B._ No, surely!]
_boice._ Certys no q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Then happiness is not to be sought in these things
which are falsely supposed capable of satisfying our desires?]
¶ þan q{uod} she ne
sholden men nat by no weye seken blysfulnesse in
swiche þinges as men wenen þat þei ne mowe 2368
ȝeuen but o þing senglely of alle þ{a}t me{n} seken.
[Sidenote: _B._ I confess it, and nothing can be more truly
affirmed than this.]
I graunt[e] wel q{uo}d .I. ne no soþer þing ne may nat
ben said.
[Sidenote: Turn your mind’s eye upon the reverse of all this
_false felicity_ and you will perceive _the true happiness_.]
_P._ ¶ Now hast þou þan q{uo}d she þe forme
{and} þe causes of false welefulnesse. ¶ Now turne {and} 2372
flitte þe eyen of þi þouȝt. for þere shalt þou seen an oon
þilk verray blysfulnesse þ{a}t I haue byhyȝt þee.
[Sidenote: _B._ It is very clear, and I had a complete view of it
when you explained to me the causes of its counterfeit.]
_b._ Certys q{uo}d .I. it is cler {and} opyn. þouȝ þat it were to
a blynde man. {and} þat shewedest þou me [ful wel] a 2376
lytel her byforne. whan þou enforcedest þe to shewe me [[pg 86]]
þe causes of þe false blysfulnesse
[Sidenote: True felicity consists in a state of sufficiency, of
power, and honour--as well as of a shining reputation and every
desirable pleasure: and I must confess that true felicity is that
which is bestowed by these advantages, as they are in reality all
one and the same.]
¶ For but yif I be by-giled.
þan is þilke þe verray p{er}fit blisfulnesse þat p{er}fitly
makiþ a man suffisau{n}t. myȝty. hono{ur}able noble. 2380
{and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for þou shalt wel knowe þat I
haue wel vndirstonden þise þinges wiþ i{n}ne myne herte.
I knowe wel þilke blisfulnesse þat may verrayly ȝeuen
on of þe forseide þinges syn þei ben al oon .I. knowe 2384
douteles þat þilke þing is þe fulle of blysfulnesse.
[Sidenote: _P._ O my nursling, how happy are you in this
conviction, provided you add but one limitation.]
_P._ O my nurry q{uod} she by þis oppiniou{n} q{uo}d she I
sey[e] þat þou art blisful yif þou putte þis þer to þat I
shal seine.
[Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]
what is þat q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Thinkest thou that any thing in this world can
confer this happiness? (the sovereign good).]
¶ Trowest þou þat 2388
þer be any þing in þis erþely mortal toumblyng þinges
þat may bryngen þis estat.
[Sidenote: _B._ I think not; for nothing can be desirable beyond
such a state of perfection.]
Certys q{uo}d I trowe it nat.
{and} þou hast shewed me wel þat ouer þilke goode þer
is no þing more to ben desired.
[Sidenote: _P._ These imperfect things above mentioned only confer
the shadow of the supreme good, or at most only an imperfect
felicity, but they cannot bestow true and perfect happiness.]
_P._ þise þinges þan 2392
q{uo}d she. þat is to seyne erþely suffisaunce {and} power.
{and} swiche þinges eyþer þei semen likenesse of verray
goode. or ellys it semeþ þat þei ȝeuen to mortal folk a
maner of goodes þat ne ben nat perfit. ¶ But þilke 2396
goode þat is verray {and} p{er}fit. þat may þei nat ȝeuen.
[Sidenote: _B._ I quite agree with you.]
_boice._ I. accorde me wel q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Then, knowing the difference between true and
false felicity you must now learn where to look for this supreme
felicity.]
þan q{uo}d she for as
moche as þou hast knowen whiche is þilke verray blisfulnesse.
{and} eke whiche þilke þinges ben þat lien 2400
falsly blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne. þat by desceit
seme{n} verray goodes.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 20 _b_.]]
¶ Now byhoueþ þe to knowe{n}
*whennes {and} where þou mowe seek[e] þilke verray
blisfulnesse. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I þat desijr I gretly {and} 2404
haue abiden longe tyme to herkene it.
[Sidenote: _P._ But, as Plato says that even in the least things
the Divine assistance ought to be implored, what ought we do, to
render us worthy of so important a discovery as the true source
and seat of the sovereign good?]
¶ But for as
moche q{uo}d she as it likeþ to my disciple plato in his
book of i{n} thimeo. þat in ryȝt lytel þinges men sholde
bysechen þe helpe of god. ¶ what iugest þou þat be 2408
[now] to done so þat we may deserue to fynde þe sete of [[pg 87]]
þilke souereyne goode.
[Sidenote: _B._ Let us invoke the Father of all things.]
_B._ ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme
þat we shulle clepen to þe fadir of alle goodes. ¶ For
wiþ outen hym nis þer no þing founden aryȝt.
[Sidenote: You are right, said Philosophy, and thus she sang:--]
þou seist 2412
a-ryȝt q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to syngen ryȝt þus.
[Linenotes:
2351 _many_--manye
2352 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_faute_--defaute
2353 _may_--ne may
2354 _don_--MS. done, C. don
2356 _make_--maken
2357 _forseide_--MS. sorseide
2363 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn
2365 _mowe_--mowen
2368 _wenen_--wene
_mowe_--mowen
2370 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
_soþer_--sother{e}
2371 _said_--MS. saide, C. sayd
2376 [_ful wel_]--from C.
2377 _byforne_--by-forn
2378 _blysfulnesse_--MS. blyndenesse, C. blysfulnesse
2385 _of_--omitted
2386 _nurry_--norye
2387 _sey[e]_--seye
2388 _seine_--seyn
2389 _þis_--thise
2390 _nat_--nawht
2393 _seyne_--sey
2395 _ȝeuen_--yeue
2397 _goode_--good
2399 _whiche_--which
2401 _seyne_--seyn
2402 _knowen_--knowe
2403 _seek[e]_--seke
2405 _herkene_--herknen
2407 _sholde_--sholden
2408 _bysechen_--by-shechen
_helpe_--help
2409 [_now_]--from C.
2410 _souereyne goode_--verray good
2411 _shulle_--shollen
_to_--omitted
2413 _on-one_--anon]
[Headnote:
IN SEEKING SUPREME FELICITY THE DIVINE AID IS TO BE INVOKED.]
O QUI PERPETUA.
[Sidenote: [The 9^ne Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: O Father and Maker of heaven and earth, by whose
eternal reason the world is governed, and by whose supreme command
Time flows from the birth of ages, Thou, firm and unchanged
thyself, makest all things else to move!]
++O þou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of erþes þat
gouernest þis worlde by p{er}durable resou{n} þat comaundist
þe tymes for to gon from tyme þat age had[de] 2416
bygy{n}ny{n}g. þou þat dwellest þi self ay stedfast {and}
stable {and} ȝiuest alle oþer þinges to ben moeued.
[Sidenote: Thy sovereign will to floating matter gave its various
forms, impelled by no exterior causes, but by the Idea of the Best
in thy great mind conceived void of malice.]
ne forein causes necesseden þe neuer to co{m}poune werke
of floterynge mater. but only þe forme of souereyne 2420
goode y-set wiþ i{n}ne [þe] wiþ outen envie þat moeued[e]
þe frely.
[Sidenote: Fairest thyself bearing the world’s figure in thy
thought, thou didst create the world after that prototype, and
dost draw all things from the image of the fair Supreme, and dost
command that this world should have perfect parts.]
þou þat art alþerfairest beryng þe faire worlde
in þi þouȝt. formedest þis worlde to þe likkenesse
semblable of þat faire worlde in þi þouȝt. þou drawest 2424
alle þinges of þi souereyne ensampler. {and} comaundedist
þat þis worlde p{er}fitlyche ymaked haue frely {and}
absolut hyse p{er}fit parties.
[Sidenote: By harmonious measures thou dost bind fast the
elements, so that there is no discordance between things cold and
hot, or between the moist and the dry.]
¶ þou byndest þe elementȝ
by noumbres p{ro}porcionables. þat þe colde þinges 2428
mowen accorde wiþ þe hote þinges. {and} þe drye þi{n}ges
wiþ þe moyst þinges.
[Sidenote: That the fire may not fly too high, and that weight may
not press the earth and water lower than they are now placed,]
þat þe fire þat is purest ne fleye
nat ouer heye. ne þat þe heuynesse ne drawe nat adou{n}
ouer lowe þe erþes þat ben plounged in þe watres. 2432
[Linenotes:
2415 _worlde_--world
2416 _from----age_--from syn þ{a}t age
_had[de]_--hadde
2417 _stedfast_--stedefast
2418 _oþer_--oothre
2419 _forein_--foreyne
_werke_--werk
2420 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
2421 _y-set_--MS. y-sette, C. Iset
_wiþ inne_--w{i}t{h} in
[_þe_]--the
_wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
_moeued[e]_--moeuede
2422 _alþerfairest_--alderfayrest
2422-24-26 _worlde_--world
2423 _likkenesse_--lyknesse
2426 _and absolut_--C. omits
2427 _hyse_--hys
2430 _fire_--fyr
_fleye_--fle
2431 _drawe_--drawen]
[Headnote:
GOD IS THE FOUNTAIN OF FELICITY.]
[Sidenote: thou didst join the Middle Soul (of a threefold nature)
moving all things, and then by agreeing numbers didst resolve it.]
¶ þou knyttest to-gidre þe mene soule of treble kynde
moeuyng alle þinges. {and} diuidest it by membres accordynge.
[Sidenote: When that is done, cut into two orbs, it moves about
returning to itself, and then encompassing the profound mind doth
by that fair idea turn the heaven.]
¶ And whan it is þus diuided it haþ assembled
a moeuyng in two roundes. ¶ It goþ to to{ur}ne 2436
aȝein to hym owen self. {and} environeþ a fulle deep [[pg 88]]
þouȝt. {and} to{ur}niþ þe heuene by semblable ymage.
[Sidenote: Thou by such causes dost raise all souls and lesser
lives, and adaptest them to their light vehicles.]
þou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest þe soules {and} þe lasse
liues {and} ablynge hem heye by lyȝt[e] cartes. 2440
[Sidenote: Thou sowest them in heaven and earth, and they return
to thee by thy kind law like a recoiling flame.]
þou sewest hem in to heuene {and} in to erþe. {and} whan þei
ben conuertid to þe by þi benigne lawe. ¶ þou makest
hem retorne aȝeine to þe by aȝein ledyng fijr.
[Sidenote: O Father, elevate our souls and let them behold thy
august throne.]
¶ O
fadir yif þou to þi þouȝt to stien vp in to þi streite sete. 2444
{and} graunte [hym] to enviroune þe welle of good.
[Sidenote: Let them behold the fountain of all good. Dispel the
mists of sense, remove the weights of earth-born cares, and in thy
splendour shine (in our minds).]
{and} þe lyȝte yfounde graunte hym to ficchen þe clere syȝtes
of hys corage in þe. ¶ And scatre þou {and} to-breke
[thow] þe weyȝtes {and} þe cloudes of erþely heuynesse. 2448
{and} shyne þou by þi bryȝtnes.
[Sidenote: For thou art ever clear, and to the good art peace and
rest. He who looks on thee beholds beginning, support, guide, path
and goal, combined!]
for þou art clernesse þou
art peisible to debonaire folke. ¶ þou þi self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge.
berere. ledere. paþ {and} t{er}me to loke on þe
[þat] is oure ende. _Glose._ 2452
[Linenotes:
2435 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2436 _goþ_--MS. goþe
2437 _owen_--C. omits
2438 _tourniþ_--MS. to{ur}niþe
2439 _euenlyk_--euene lyke
2440 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte
2442 _benigne_--bygynnynge
2444 _yif_--yiue
_þi streite_--the streyte
2445 [_hym_]--from C.
2446 _lyȝte_--lyht
2448 [_thow_]--from C.
2449 _bryȝtnes_--bryhtnesse
2451 _paþ_--MS. paþe; paath
2452 [_þat_]--that]
[Headnote:
GOD THE SUPREME GOOD.]
QUONIAM IGITUR QUI SCIT.[7]
[Footnote 7: Read que sit.]
[Sidenote: [The 10^the p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Now that thou hast had a faithful representation of
future felicity as well as of the true happiness, I shall show
thee in what the Perfection of Happiness consists.]
++FOr as moche þan as þou hast seyn. whiche is þe
forme of goode þat nys nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is þe
forme of goode þat is p{er}fit. now trowe I þat it were
goode to shewe in what þis p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse is 2456
set.
[Sidenote: Our best plan will be to inquire whether there be in
nature such a good as thou hast lately defined, lest we be
deceived by the vanity of Imagination and be carried beyond the
truth of the matter subjected to our inquiry.]
{and} in þis þing I trowe þat we sholden first enquere
forto witen yif þat any swiche manere goode as þilke
goode þat þou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. þat
is to seine souereyne goode may be founden in þe nature 2460
of þinges. For þat veyne ymaginac{i}ou{n} of þouȝt ne
desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of þe soþefastnesse
of þilke þinge þat is su{m}myttid to vs. þis is to seyne.
but it may nat ben denoyed þat þilke goode ne is. 2464
¶ and þat it nis ryȝt as a welle of alle goodes.
[Sidenote: The sovereign good does exist, and is the source of all
other good.]
¶ For
al þing þat is cleped i{n}p{er}fit.
is proued i{n}p{er}fit by þe [[pg 89]]
amenusynge of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of þing þat is p{er}fit.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 21.]]
[Sidenote: When we say that a thing is _imperfect_ we assert that
there is something else of its kind _perfect_.]
{and} her of comeþ it. þat in euery þing general. yif þat. 2468
þat men seen any þing þat is i{n}p{er}fit *certys in þilke general
þer mot ben so{m}me þing þat is p{er}fit. ¶ For yif so
be þat p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat þinke
nor seye fro whe{n}nes þilke þing is þat is cleped inperfit. 2472
[Sidenote: Nature takes not her origin from things diminished and
imperfect; but, proceeding from an entire and absolute substance,
descends into the remotest and most fruitless things.]
¶ For þe nature of þinges ne token nat her bygynnyng
of þinges amenused {and} i{n}p{er}fit. but it p{ro}cediþ of
þi{n}g{us} þat ben al hool. {and} absolut. {and} descendeþ so
doune in to outerest þinges {and} in to þi{n}g{us} empty {and} 2476
wiþ oute fruyt.
[Sidenote: If there be an imperfect and fading felicity there must
also be one stable and perfect.]
but as I haue shewed a litel her byforne.
þat yif þer be a blisfulnesse þat be frele {and} vein {and}
inp{er}fit. þer may no man doute. þat þer nys som blisfulnesse
þat is sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit. b. þis is concludid 2480
q{uo}d I fermely {and} soþefastly.
[Sidenote: But now consider wherein this felicity resides. That
God is the governor of all things is proved by the universal
opinion of all men.]
_P._ But co{n}sidere
also q{uo}d she in wham þis blisfulnesse enhabiteþ. þe
co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of þe corages of men
p{ro}ueþ {and} graunteþ þat god p{r}ince of alle þi{n}g{us} is 2484
good.
[Sidenote: For since nothing may be conceived better than God,
then He who has no equal in goodness must be good.]
¶ For so as no þing ne may ben þouȝt bettre þan
god. it may nat ben douted þan þat [he þ{a}t] no þing is
bettre. þat he nys good.
[Sidenote: Reason clearly demonstrates (1) that God is good, and
(2) that the sovereign good exists in him.]
¶ Certys resou{n} sheweþ þat
god is so goode þat it p{ro}ueþ by verray force þat p{er}fit 2488
goode is in hym.
[Sidenote: If it were not so He could not be the Ruler of all
things, for there would be some other being excelling him who
possesses the supreme good and who must have existed before Him.]
¶ For yif god ne is swiche. he ne
may nat ben p{r}ince of alle þinges. for certis som þing
possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode sholde ben more
þan god. {and} [it] sholde seme þat þilke þing were first 2492
{and} elder þan god.
[Sidenote: And we have already shown that the perfect precedes the
imperfect;]
¶ For we han shewed ap{er}tly þat
alle þinges þat ben p{er}fit. ben first or þinges þat ben inperfit.
[Linenotes:
2453 _whiche_--which
2454-55-56-58-59 _goode_--good
2454 _whiche_--whych
2457 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
2460 _seine_--seyn
_souereyne goode_--souereyn good
_be founden_--ben fownde
2461 _veyne_--veyn
2463 _þis is to seyne_--C. omits
2464 _denoyed_--MS. deuoyded, C. denoyed
_goode_--good
2465 _of_--MS. of of
2466 _al þing_--alle thing
2468 _her of comeþ_--ther of comht
2470 _somme_--som
2471 _don_--MS. done, C. don
2473 _token_--took
2475 _hool_--hoole
2476 _doune_--down
2477 _wiþ oute fruyt_--w{i}t{h} owten frut
2480 _stedfast_--stydefast
2481 _fermely_--MS. fennely, C. fermely
_soþefastly_--sothfastly
2486 [_he þat_]--from C.
_is bettre_--nis bettr{e}
2488-89-91 _goode_--good
2489 _swiche_--swych
2492 [_it_]--from C.
_seme_--semen
2493 _elder_--elder{e}]
[Headnote:
GOD THE SOURCE OF TRUE FELICITY.]
[Sidenote: wherefore, that our reasonings may not run on with
infinity, we must confess that the Supreme God is full of perfect
and consummate good.]
¶ And for þi for as moche as [that] my resou{n}
or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wiþoute an ende. we 2496
ouȝt[e] to graunten þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of
souereyne p{er}fit goode. [[pg 90]]
[Sidenote: And as we have seen that the perfect good is true
happiness, it follows that the true felicity resides in the
Supreme Divinity.]
and we han establissed þat þe
souereyne goode is verrey blisfulnesse. þan mot it nedes
ben [þ{a}t verray blysfulnesse is] yset i{n} souereyne god. 2500
_B._ þis take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne þis ne may nat be wiþseid
in no manere.
[Sidenote: But let us see how we can firmly and irrefragably prove
that the Supreme God contains in his own nature a plenitude of
perfect and consummate good.]
¶ But I p{re}ie þe q{uo}d she see now how
þou mayst preuen holily {and} wiþ-oute{n} corrupciou{n} þis
þat I haue seid. þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of 2504
souereyne goode. [In whych man{er}e q{uo}d I.] wenest
þou ouȝt q{uo}d she þat þis p{r}ince of alle þinges haue
ytake þilke souereyne good any where þan of hym self.
¶ of whiche souereyne goode men p{ro}ueþ þat he is ful 2508
ryȝt as þou myȝtest þinken. þat god þat haþ blisfulnesse
in hym self. {and} þat ilke blisfulnesse þat is in hym
were diu{er}s in substaunce.
[Sidenote: If you think that God has received this good from
without, then you must believe that the giver of this good is more
excellent than God the receiver.]
¶ For yif þou wene þat
god haue receyued þilke good oute of hy{m} self. þou 2512
mayst wene þat he þat ȝaf þilke good to god. be more
goode þan is god.
[Sidenote: But we have concluded that there is nothing more
excellent than God.]
¶ But I am byknowen {and} confesse
{and} þat ryȝt dignely þat god is ryȝt worþi abouen alle
þinges.
[Sidenote: But if this supreme good is in Him by nature, and is
nevertheless of a different substance, we cannot conceive, since
God is the author of all things, what could have united these two
substances differing one from another.]
¶ And yif so be þat þis good be in hym by 2516
nature. but þat it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng
resou{n}. syn we speke of god p{r}ince of alle þinges feyne
who so feyne may. who was he þat [hath] co{n}ioigned
þise diu{er}s þinges to-gidre.
[Sidenote: Lastly, a thing which essentially differs from another
cannot be the same with that from which it is supposed to differ.]
{and} eke at þe last[e] se 2520
wel þat o þing þat is diu{er}s from any þing. þat þilke
þing nis nat þat same þing. fro whiche it is vndirstonde{n}
to ben diu{er}s.
[Sidenote: Consequently, what in its nature differs from the chief
good cannot be the supreme good.]
þan folweþ it. þat þilke þi{n}g þat
by hys nature is dyuers from souereyne good. þat þat 2524
þing nys nat souereyne good.
[Sidenote: But it would be impious and profane thus to conceive of
God, since nothing can excel Him in goodness and worth.]
but certys þat were a
felonous corsednesse to þinken þat of hym. þat no þing
nis more worþe.
[Sidenote: In fact, nothing can exist whose nature is better than
its origin.]
For alwey of alle þinges. þe nat{ur}e
of hem ne may nat ben better þan his bygy{n}nyng. 2528
[Linenotes:
2495 [_that_]--from C.
2496 _proces_--p{ro}cesses
2497 _ouȝt[e]_--owen
2498 _goode_--good
2499 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good
2500 [_þat----is_]--from C.
_yset_--MS. ysette, C. set
2501 _be_--ben
_wiþseid_--MS. wiþseide, C. withseid
2503 _wiþ-outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte
2504 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
2505 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good
[_In----I_]--from C.
2506 _ouȝt_--awht
2507 _þan of_--owt of
2508 _whiche_--whych
_souereyne goode_--souereyn good
2509 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2510 _þat ilke_--thilke
2511 _were_--weren
2514 _goode_--worth
2517 _from_--fro
[_hym_]--from C.
2518 _feyne_--faigne
2519 _feyne_--feigne
[_hath_]--from C.
2520 _last[e]_--laste
2521 _o_--a
2522 _whiche_--whych
2524 _from_--fro
2527 _nis_--is
2528 _better_--bettre]
[Headnote:
THERE CANNOT BE TWO CHIEF GOODS.]
[Sidenote: We may therefore conclude that the Author of all things
is really and substantially the supreme Good.]
¶ For whiche I may concluden by ryȝt uerray resou{n}. [[pg 91]]
þat þilke þat is bygynnyng of alle þinges. þilke same
þing is good in his substaunce.
[Sidenote: _B._ Most rightly said!]
_B._ þou hast seid ryȝtfully
q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ But you have owned that true felicity is the
sovereign good; then you must also grant that God is that true
felicity.]
_P._ But we han graunted q{uo}d she þat 2532
souereyne good is blysfulnes. þat is soþe q{uo}d .I. þan
q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen þat
þilke same souereyne goode be god.
[Sidenote: _B._ Your conclusions follow from your premises.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 21 _b_.]]
¶ Certys *q{uo}d
.I. I ne may nat denye ne wiþstonde þe resou{n}s p{ur}posed. 2536
and I see wel þat it folweþ by strengþe of þe
p{re}misses.
[Sidenote: _P._ Let us see whether we cannot prove this more
convincingly by considering it in this view, that there cannot be
two sovereign goods which differ in themselves.]
¶ Loke nowe q{uo}d she yif þis be proued
[yit] more fermely þus. ¶ þat þer ne mowen nat ben
two souereyne goodes þat ben diuerse amo[n]ges hem 2540
self.
[Sidenote: For it is plain that of the goods that differ one
cannot be what the other is; wherefore neither of them can be
perfect where one wants the other.]
þat on is nat þat þat oþer is. þan [ne] mowen
neiþer of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyþer of hem lakkiþ to
oþir.
[Sidenote: That which is not perfect cannot be the supreme good.]
but þat þat nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly
þat it nis nat souereyne.
[Sidenote: Neither can the chief good be essentially different.]
þe þinges þan þat ben 2544
souereynely goode ne mowen by no wey ben diuerse.
[Sidenote: But it has been shown that God and happiness are the
chief good, wherefore the sovereign felicity and the Supreme
Divinity are one and the same.]
¶ But I haue wel conclude þat blisfulnesse {and} god ben
[the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be þat
souereyne blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite. ¶ No 2548
þing q{uo}d I nis more soþefast þan þis ne more ferme by
resou{n}. ne a more worþi þing þan god may nat ben
concluded.
[Sidenote: Following then the examples of geometricians who deduce
their consequences from their propositions, I shall deduce to thee
something like a corollary as follows:--]
_P._ vpon þise þinges þan q{uo}d she. ryȝt as
þise geometriens whan þei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s 2552
ben wont to brynge{n} in þinges þat þei clepen porismes
or declarac{i}ou{n}s of forseide þinges. ryȝt so wil I ȝeue
þe here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune.
[Sidenote: Because by the attainment of felicity men become happy,
and as felicity is the same as Divinity itself, therefore by the
attainment of Divinity men are made happy.]
For whi.
for as moche as by þe getynge of blisfulnesse men ben 2556
maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite. ¶ þan is
it manifest {and} open þat by þe gety{n}g of diuinite men
ben makid blisful.
[Sidenote: But as by the participation of justice or of wisdom men
become just or wise,]
ryȝt as by þe getynge of iustice . . .
{and} by þe getyng of sapience þei ben maked wise. 2560
[Linenotes:
2529 _whiche_--whych
2531 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
2533 _soþe_--soth
2534 _mote_--moten
2539 [_yit_]--from C.
2541 _is_ (1)--nis
_oþer_--othre
[_ne_]--from C.
2546 _conclude_--concluded
2547 [_the_] from C.
_goode_--good
_be_--ben
2549 _soþefast_--sothfast
_ferme_--MS. forme, C. ferme
2552 _proposiciouns_--MS. p{ro}porsiou{n}s, C. p{ro}posiciou{n}s
2553 _porismes_--MS. poeismes, C. porysmes
2554 _wil_--wole]
[Headnote:
THE HAPPY MAN IS A GOD.]
[Sidenote: so by partaking of Divinity they must necessarily,
and by parity of reason, become gods.]
¶ Ryȝt so nedes by þe semblable resou{n}
wha{n} þei han getyn [[pg 92]]
diuinite þei ben maked goddys.
[Sidenote: Every happy man then is a god. But by nature there is
only _One_; but by participation of Divine essence there may be
many gods.]
þan is euery blisful
man god. ¶ But certis by nature. þer nys but oon god.
but by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s of diuinite þere ne letteþ ne 2564
disturbeþ no þing þat þer ne ben many goddes. ¶ þis
is q{uo}d .I. a faire þing {and} a p{re}cious. ¶ Clepe it as
þ{o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede of coroune
or declarynges ¶ Certys q{uo}d she no þing nis fairer. 2568
þan is þe þing þat by resou{n} sholde ben added to þise
forseide þinges. what þing q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: But as happiness seems to be an assemblage of many
things, ought we not to consider whether these several things
constitute conjointly the body of happiness, or whether there is
not some one of these particular things that may complete the
substance or essence of it, and to which all the rest have a
relation?]
¶ So q{uo}d she as
it semeþ þat blisfulnesse conteniþ many þinges. it were
forto witen wheþir [þ{a}t] alle þise þinges maken or 2572
conioignen as a maner body of blysfulnesse by diuersite
of parties or [of] me{m}bris. Or ellys yif any of alle
þilke þi{n}g{us} be swyche þat it acomplise by hy{m} self þe
substaunce of blisfulnesse. so þat alle þise oþer þinges 2576
ben referred and brouȝt to blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne
as to þe chief of hem.
[Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate this matter by proper examples.]
¶ I wolde q{uo}d I þat þou
makedest me clerly to vndirstonde what þou seist. {and}
þat þou recordest me þe forseide þinges.
[Sidenote: _P._ As you grant that happiness is a good, you may say
the same of all the other goods; for perfect sufficiency is
identical with supreme felicity; so is supreme power, likewise
high rank, a shining reputation, and perfect pleasure.]
¶ Haue I nat 2580
iuged q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is goode. ȝis forsoþe
q{uo}d .I. {and} þat souereyne goode. ¶ Adde þan q{uo}d
she þilke goode þat is maked blisfulnes to alle þe forseide
þinges. ¶ For þilke same blisfulnesse þat is 2584
demed to ben souereyne suffisaunce. þilke self is
souereyne power. souereyne reuerence. sou{er}eyne clernesse
or noblesse {and} souereyne delit.
[Sidenote: What say you, then; are all these things, sufficiency,
power, and the rest, to be considered as constituent parts of
felicity? or are they to be referred to the sovereign good as
their source and principal?]
what seist þou
þan of alle þise þinges. þat is to seyne. suffisance power 2588
{and} þise oþer þinges. ben þei þan as membris of blisfulnesse.
or ben þei referred {and} brouȝt to souereyne good.
¶ Ryȝt as alle þinges þat ben brouȝt to þe chief of hem.
[Linenotes:
2563 _oon_--o
2564 _letteþ_--let
2566 _faire_--fayr
2567 _porisme_--MS. pousme, C. porisme
2572 [_þat_]--from C.
2573 _maner_--maner{e}
_by_--be
2574 [_of_]--from C.
2575 _swyche_--swych
2576 _oþer_--oothr{e}
2577 _seyne_--seyn
2578 _chief_--chef
2581 _goode ȝis_--good ys
2582 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
2583 _goode_--good
2585 _self_--selue
2588 _þise_--C. omits
_seyne_--seyn
2589 _oþer_--oothre]
[Headnote:
GOOD, THE RULE AND SQUARE OF THINGS DESIRABLE.]
[Sidenote: _B._ I see what you are aiming at, and I am desirous to
hear your arguments.]
b. I vndirstonde wel q{uo}d .I. what þou p{ur}posest to [[pg 93]]
seke. but I desijr[e] to herkene þat þou shewe it me. 2593
[Sidenote: _P._ If all these things were members of felicity, they
would differ one from another, for it is the property of diverse
parts to compose one body.]
_p._ Take now þus þe discressiou{n} of þis questiou{n} q{uo}d
she. yif al þise þinges q{uo}d she weren membris to
felicite. þan weren þei diu{er}se þat oon fro þat oþer. 2596
¶ And swiche is þe nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties or of membris.
þat dyuerse me{m}bris compounen a body.
[Sidenote: But it has been well shown that all these things are
the same and do not differ--therefore they are not parts, for if
they were, happiness might be made up of one member--which is
absurd and impossible.]
¶ Certis
q{uo}d I it haþ wel ben shewed her byforne. þat alle þise
þinges ben alle on þing. þan ben þei none membris q{uo}d 2600
she.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 22.]]
for ellys it sholde seme þat blisfulnesse were
conioigned *al of one membre alone. but þat is a þi{n}g
þat may nat ben doon.
[Sidenote: _B._ This I doubt not, but I desire to hear the
sequel.]
þis þing q{uo}d .I. nys nat
doutous. but I abide to herkene þe remenaunt of þe 2604
questiou{n}.
[Sidenote: _P._ All the things above-mentioned must be tried by
Good, as the rule and square.]
þis is ope{n} {and} clere q{uo}d she. þat alle oþer
þinges ben referred {and} brouȝt to goode.
[Sidenote: Sufficiency, power, &c., are all desired, because they
are esteemed a good.]
¶ For þerfore
is suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben
good. {and} forþi is power requered. for men trowen also 2608
þat it be goode. and þis same þing mowe we þinken {and}
coueiten of reuerence {and} of noblesse {and} of delit.
[Sidenote: Good is the cause why all things are desired.]
þan is souereyne good þe soume {and} þe cause of alle þat
auȝt[e] be desired.
[Sidenote: For that which contains no good, either in reality or
appearance, can never be desired.]
forwhi þilke þing þat wiþ-holdeþ no 2612
good in it self ne semblaunce of goode it ne may nat
wel in no manere be desired ne requered.
[Sidenote: On the contrary, things not essentially good are
desired because they appear to be real goods.]
{and} þe contrarie.
For þouȝ þat þinges by hir nature ne ben nat
goode algates yif men wene þat þei be{n} goode ȝit ben 2616
þei desired as þouȝ [þ{a}t] þei were verrayly goode.
[Sidenote: Hence, Good is esteemed as the cause and end of all
things that we desire.]
{and} þerfore is it þat men auȝte{n} to wene by ryȝt þat bounte
be souereyne fyn {and} þe cause of alle þinges þat ben to
requeren.
[Sidenote: That which is the cause of our desiring any thing is
itself what we chiefly want.]
¶ But certis þilke þ{a}t is cause for whiche 2620
men requeren any þing. ¶ it semeþ þat þilke same
þing be most desired.
[Sidenote: If a man desire to ride on account of health--it is not
the ride he wants so much as its salutary effects.]
as þus yif þat a wyȝt wolde ryde
for cause of hele. he ne desireþ nat so mychel þe
moeuyng to ryden as þe effect of his heele. [[pg 94]]
[Sidenote: Since all things are sought after for the sake of Good,
they cannot be more desirable than the good itself.]
Now þan 2624
syn þat alle þinges ben requered for þe grace of good.
þei ne ben [nat] desired of alle folk more þan þe same
good
[Sidenote: It has been shown that all the aforesaid things are
only pursued for the sake of happiness--hence it is clear that
good and happiness are essentially the same.]
¶ But we han graunted þat blysfulnesse is þat
þing for whiche þat alle þise oþer þinges ben desired. 2628
þan is it þus þat certis only blisfulnesse is requered {and}
desired ¶ By whiche þing it sheweþ clerely þat good
{and} blisfulnesse is al oone {and} þe same substaunce.
[Sidenote: _B._ I see no cause to differ from you.]
¶ I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore þat men myȝt[en] discorden 2632
in þis.
[Sidenote: _P._ It has been proved that God and happiness are
identical and inseparable.]
_p._ {and} we han shewed þat god {and} verrey blysfulnesse
is al oon þing
[Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]
¶ þat is soþe q{uod} .I.
[Sidenote: Therefore the substance of God is also the same as that
of the Supreme Good.]
þan mowe we conclude sikerly þ{a}t þe substaunce of god is
set in þilke same good {and} in noon oþer place. 2636
[Linenotes:
2591 _brouȝt_--MS wrouȝt, C. browht
2593 _desijr[e] to herkene_--desir{e} for to herkne
2594 _Take_--tak
2596 _fro_--from
2597 _swiche_--swhych
2600 _on þing_--othing
2602 _one_--on
2603 _ben doon_--be don
2604 _herkene_--herknen
2605 _clere_--cler
_oþer_--oothre
2606 _goode_--good
2609 _goode_--good
_mowe_--mowen
2617 [_þat_]--from C.
_were verrayly_--weeren verraylyche
2618 _þerfore_--therfor
_auȝten_--owhten
2619 _alle_--alle the
2620 _whiche_--whych
2623 _mychel_--mochel
2624 _moeuyng_--moeuynge
2626 [_nat_]--from C.
2628 _oþer_--oothr{e}
2630 _clerely_--clerly
_good and blisfulnesse_--of good {and} of blysfulnesse
2631 _oone_--oon
2632 _myȝt[en]_--myhten
2634 _oon_--oo
_soþe_--soth
2635 _mowe_--mowen
2636 _set_--MS. sette, C. set]
[Headnote:
GOD A HAVEN OF REST.]
NUNC OMNES PARITER {ET}C.
[Sidenote: [The 10^the Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Come hither, all ye that are captives--bound and
fettered with the chains of earthly desires;--come to this source
of goodness, where you shall find rest and security.]
++O Comeþ alle to-gidre now ȝe þat ben ycauȝt {and}
ybounde wiþ wicked[e] cheines by þe deceiuable
delit of erþely þinges inhabytynge in ȝoure þouȝt. here
shal ben þe reste of ȝoure laboures. here is þe hauene 2640
stable in peisible quiete. þis al oone is þe open refut to
wreches.
[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss upon the Text.]
_Glosa._ þis is to seyn. þat ȝe þat ben combred
{and} deceyued wiþ worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s comeþ now
to þis souereyne good þat is god. þat is refut to hem þat 2644
wolen come to hym.
[Sidenote: Not the gold of Tagus or of Hermus, nor the gems of
India, can clear the mental sight from vain delusions, but rather
darken it.]
_Textus._ ¶ Alle þe þinges þat þe
ryuere Tagus ȝiueþ ȝow wiþ his golden[e] grauels. or
ellys alle þe þynges þat þe ryuere herm{us}. ȝiueþ wiþ his
rede brynke. or þat yndus ȝiueþ þat is nexte þe hote 2648
p{ar}tie of þe worlde. þat medeleþ þe grene stones
(smaragd{e}) wiþ þe white (margarits). ne sholde nat
cleren þe lokynge of ȝoure þoȝt. but hiden raþer ȝoure
blynde corages wiþ i{n}ne hire dirkenesse
[Sidenote: Such sources of our delight are found in the earth’s
gloomy caverns,--but the bright light that rules the heavens
dispels the darkness of the soul.]
¶ Alle þat 2652
likeþ ȝow here {and} excitiþ {and} moeueþ ȝoure þouȝtes.
þe erþe haþ noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but þe [[pg 95]]
shynyng by þe whiche þe heuene is gouerned {and}
whennes þat it haþ hys strengþe þat chaseþ þe derke 2656
ouerþrowyng of þe soule.
[Sidenote: He who has seen this light will confess that the beams
of the sun are weak and dim.]
¶ And who so euer may
knowen þilke lyȝt of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine þat
þe white bemes of þe sonne ne ben nat cleer.
[Linenotes:
2638 _wicked[e]_--wyckyde
2639, 2640 _here_--her
2640 _hauene_--MS. heuene, C. hauene
2641 _al oone_--allone
2643 _worldly_--worldely
2645 _come_--comyn
2646 _golden[e] grauels_--goldene grauayles
2647 _þynges_--MS. rynges, C. thinges
_hermus_--MS. herin{us}, C. herynus
2648 _nexte_--next
2649 _worlde_--world
2654, 2656 _haþ_--MS. haþe
2654 _hys_--hyse
2656 _chaseþ þe derke_--eschueth the dyrke
2657 _euer_--C. omits
2658 _seine_--seyn]
[Headnote:
MEN DO NOT SEEK TRUE FELICITY.]
ASSENCIOR INQ{UA}M CUNCTA. Boice.
[Sidenote: [The 11 p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ I assent, and am convinced by the force of your
arguments.]
++I assent[e] me q{uo}d .I. For alle þise þinges ben 2660
strongly bounden wiþ ryȝt ferme resou{n}s.
[Sidenote: _P._ But how greatly would you value it, did you fully
know what this good is?]
how mychel wilt þou p{re}isen it q{uo}d she. yif þat þou
knowe what þilke goode is.
[Sidenote: _B._ I should value it infinitely if at the same time I
might attain to the knowledge of God, who is the sovereign good.]
I wol p{re}ise it q{uo}d I by
price wiþ outen ende. ¶ yif it shal bytyde me to 2664
knowe also to-gidre god þat is good.
[Sidenote: _P._ I shall elucidate this matter by incontrovertible
reasons if thou wilt grant me those things which I have before
laid down as conclusions.]
¶ certys q{uo}d she
þ{a}t shal I do þe by verray resou{n}.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 22 _b_.]]
yif þat þo þinges þat
I haue conclude[d] a litel her by *forne dwellen oonly
in hir first[e] graunty{n}g.
[Sidenote: _B._ I grant them all.]
_Boice._ þei dwellen graunted 2668
to þe q{uo}d .I. þis is to seyne as who seiþ .I. graunt þi
forseide conclusiou{n}s.
[Sidenote: _P._ Have I not shown that the things which the
majority of mankind so eagerly pursue are not true and perfect
goods, for they differ from one another; and because where one of
them is absent the others cannot confer absolute happiness (or
good)?]
¶ Haue I nat shewed þe q{uo}d
she þat þe þinges þat ben requered of many folke. ne
ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for þei ben diu{er}se þat 2672
oon fro þat oþer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng to
oþer. þei ne han no power to bryngen a good þ{a}t is ful
{and} absolute.
[Sidenote: Have I not shown, too, that the true and chief good is
made up of an assemblage of all the goods in such a way, that if
sufficiency is an attribute of this good, it must at the same time
possess power, reverence, &c.]
¶ But þan atte arst ben þei verray good
whan þei ben gadred to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in 2676
to oon wirchy{n}g. so þat þilke þing þat is suffisaunce.
þilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse {and}
mirþe.
[Sidenote: If they be not one and the same, why should they be
classed among desirable things?]
¶ And forsoþe but alle þise þi{n}ges ben alle o
same þing þei ne han nat wher by þat þei mowen ben 2680
put in þe nou{m}bre of þinges. þat auȝten ben requered
or desired. _b._ ¶ It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne her of may
þer no man douten.
[Sidenote: While these things differ from one another they are not
goods; but as soon as they become one then they are made
goods.--Do not they owe their being good to their unity?]
_p._ þe þinges þan q{uo}d she þat ne
ben none goodes whan þei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan þei [[pg 96]]
bygynnen to ben al o þing. þan ben þei goodes. ne 2685
comiþ it hem nat þan by þe getynge of unite þat þei ben
maked goodes.
[Sidenote: _B._ So it appears.]
_b._ so it semeþ q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Do you confess that everything that is good
becomes such by the participation of the sovereign good or no?]
but alle þing þat
is good q{uo}d she grauntest þou þat it be good
by p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} 2688
of good or no.
[Sidenote: _B._ It is so.]
¶ I graunt[e] it q{uo}d .I.
[Linenotes:
2660 _assent[e]_--assente
2662 _mychel_--mochel
2663 _goode_--good
2664 _price_--prys
2669 _is_--omitted
_seyne_--seyn
2671 _folke_--folkes
2673 _oþer_--oothre
_eche_--ech
2675 _absolute_--absolut
_atte arst_--at erste
2676 _al_--alle
_a_--O
2677 _to_--omitted
_wirchyng_--wyrkynge
2678 _þilk_--thilke
2681 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
_auȝten_--owhten
2684 _none_--no
2685 _al o_--alle oon
2686 _comiþ_--comth
2689 _graunt[e]_--graunte]
[Headnote:
UNITY NECESSARY TO EXISTENCE.]
[Sidenote: _P._ Then you must own that unity and good are the same
(for the substance of those things must be the same, whose effects
do not naturally differ).]
¶ þan mayst þou graunt[en] it q{uo}d she by sembleable
resou{n} þat oon {and} good ben o same þing. ¶ For of
þinges [of] whiche þat þe effect nis nat naturely diuerse 2692
nedys þe substaunce mot ben o same þinge.
[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot gainsay it.]
I ne may
nat denye it q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Do you not perceive that everything which exists
is permanent so long as it preserves its unity--but as soon as it
loses this, it is dissolved and annihilated?]
¶ Hast þou nat knowen wel q{uo}d
she. þat al þing þat is haþ so longe his dwellyng {and}
his substaunce. as longe is it oone. ¶ but wha{n} it 2696
forletiþ to ben oone it mot nedis dien {and} corrumpe togidre.
[Sidenote: _B._ How so?]
¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ In the animal creation as long as the soul and the
body are united and conjoined in one, this being is called an
animal or beast, but when the union is dissolved by the separation
of these, the animal perishes and is no longer a beast.]
¶ Ryȝt as in
beestes q{uod} she. whan þe soule {and} þe body ben
co{n}ioigned in oon {and} dwellen to-gidre it is cleped a 2700
beest. {and} whan hire vnite is destroied by disseueraunce
þat oon fram þ{a}t oþir. þan sheweþ it wel þat it is a
dede þi{n}g. {and} þat it is no lenger no beste.
[Sidenote: The same may be said of man and all other things; they
subsist while unity is preserved, but as soon as that is destroyed
the things themselves lose their existence.]
{and} þe
body of a wyȝt while it dwelleþ in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n} 2704
of membris it is wel seyn þat it is a figure of
mankynde. and yif þe partyes of þe body ben [so]
diuide[d] {and} disseuered þat oon fro þat oþir þat þei
destroien vnite. þe body forletiþ to ben þat it was byforne. 2708
¶ And who so wolde renne in þe same manere
by alle þinges he sholde seen þat wiþ outen doute euery
þinge is in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and}
whan it forletiþ to ben oon it dieþ {and} p{er}issiþ.
[Sidenote: _B._ I believe we should find this true in every case.]
_boice._ 2712
whan I considre q{uo}d I many þinges I see noon oþ{er}.
[Linenotes:
2690 _mayst þou graunt[en]_--mosthow grau{n}ten
2692 [_of_]--from C.
2695 _al_--alle
_haþ_--MS. haþe
2696, 2697 _oone_--oon
2698 _whiche_--which
2703 _dede_--ded
_lenger_--lenger{e}
_beste_--beest
2704 _while_--whil
_oon_--oo
2706 _[so] diuide[d]_--so deuydyd
2709 _so_--omitted
2713 _many_--manye]
[Headnote:
NATURE SUSTAINS VEGETATION.]
[Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything which acts naturally that
forgoes this desire of existence and wishes for death and
corruption?]
¶ Is þer any þing þanne q{uo}d she þat in as moche as
it lyueþ naturely. þat forletiþ þe appetit or talent of 2715
hys beynge. {and} desireþ to come to deeþ
{and} to corrupc{i}ou{n}. [[pg 97]]
[Sidenote: _B._ I do not find any creature endowed with volition,
which, of itself and without constraint, renounces or despises
life and self-preservation or willingly hastens to destruction.]
¶ yif I considere q{uod} I þe beestes þat han
any manere nature of willy{n}ge or of nillynge I ne
fynde no þing. but yif it be constreyned fro wiþ out
forþe. þat forletiþ or dispiseþ to lyue {and} to dure{n} 2720
or þat wole his þankes hasten hy{m} to dien. ¶ For
euery beest trauayleþ hy{m} to defende {and} kepe þe
sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} escheweþ deeþ {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}.
[Sidenote: But with regard to herbs and trees, I am doubtful
whether I ought to have the same opinion of them, for they have no
sensitive soul, nor any natural volition like animals.]
_b._ but certys I doute me of herbes {and} of trees. þat is 2724
to seyn þat I am in a doute of swiche þinges as herbes
or trees þat ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel
wirchynges seruy{n}g to appetite as beestes han wheþer
þei han appetite to dwelle{n} {and} to duren.
[Sidenote: _P._ There is no cause for doubt in respect to these.]
¶ Certis 2728
q{uo}d she ne þer of þar þe nat doute.
[Sidenote: Herbs and trees first choose a convenient place to grow
in, where, agreeably to their respective natures, they are sure to
thrive, and are in no danger of perishing; for some grow on
plains, some on mountains, &c.; and if you try to transplant them,
they forthwith wither and die.]
¶ Now look
vpon þise herbes {and} þise trees. þei waxen firste in
swiche place as be{n} couenable to hem. in whiche place
þei ne mowen nat sone dien ne dryen as longe as hire 2732
nature may defenden he{m}. ¶ For some of hem waxen
in feldes {and} some in mou{n}taignes. {and} oþir waxen i{n}
mareis. [_A leaf lost here, and supplied from C._]
[{and} oothre cleuyn on Roches / {and} soume waxen plentyuos 2736
in sondes / {and} yif þ{a}t any wyht enforce hym to
beryn hem in to oother places / they wexen drye //
[Sidenote: To everything that vegetates, nature gives what is
needful for its subsistence, and takes care that they should not
perish before their time.]
For natur{e} yeueth to eu{er}y thing þ{a}t /
þ{a}t is co{n}uenient to
hym {and} trauaylith þ{a}t they ne dye nat as longe as they 2740
han power to dwellyn {and} to lyuen //
[Sidenote: Need I tell you that plants are nourished by their
roots (which are so many mouths hid in the earth), and diffuse
strength throughout the whole plant, as through their marrow?]
what woltow seyn
of this / þ{a}t they drawen alle hyr norysshynges by hyr
rootes / ryht as they haddyn hyr Mowthes I.-plounged 2743
w{i}t{h} in the erthes / {and} shedyn by hyr maryes (i. medull{as})
hyr wode {and} hyr bark /
[Sidenote: And further, it is admirably contrived that the pith,
the most tender part of plants, is hid in the middle of the trunk,
surrounded with hard and solid wood, and with an outer coat of
bark to ward off the storms and weather.]
{and} what woltow seyn
of this þ{a}t thilke thing / þ{a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i.
sapp) is / þ{a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and}
þ{a}t it is defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of 2748
wode // {and} þ{a}t the vttereste bark is put ayenis
the destemprau{n}ce
of the heuene / as a defendowr myhty to suffren [[pg 98]]
harm /
[Sidenote: Admire, too, the diligence of nature in propagating
plants by a multiplicity of seeds, which are as a foundation for a
building, not to remain for a time, but as it were for ever.]
{and} thus certes maystow wel sen / how gret is
the diligence of natur{e} / For alle thinges renouelen {and} 2752
pupllisen hem w{i}t{h} seed .I.-multiplyed / nether nis no man
þ{a}t ne wot wel þ{a}t they ne ben ryht as a foundement {and}
edyfice for to duren / nat only for a tyme / but ryht as forto
duren p{er}durablely by generacyou{n} //
[Sidenote: Things inanimate incline to what is most suitable to
their beings, and to preserve continuance.]
{and} the thinges ek 2756
þ{a}t men wenen ne hauen none sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech
of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to kepyn þ{a}t that is hirs / þ{a}t
is to seyn þ{a}t is acordynge to hyr natur{e} in conseruaciou{n}
of hyr beynge {and} endurynge //
[Sidenote: For why should the flame mount upwards by lightness,
and the earth tend towards its centre by gravity (weight), unless
these motions were agreeable to their respective natures?]
For wher for elles berith 2760
lythnesse the flaumbes vp / {and} the weyhte p{re}sseth the
erthe a-dou{n} // but For as moche as thilke places and
thilke moeuynges ben couenable to eu{er}ich of hem //
[Linenotes:
2718 _willynge_--wylnynge
_or_--{and}
2719 _þing_--beest
_out forþe_--owte forth
2720 _lyue_--lyuen
2723 _of lijf_--of hys lyf
2726 _soule_--sowles
2727 _appetite_--appetites
2729 _look_--loke
2730 _waxen firste_--wexen fyrst
2733, 2734 _some_--som
2734 _oþir_--oothre
2753 _pupllisen_--H. publisshen)
2755 _edyfice_--MS. edyfite
_a tyme_--H. oon) tyme
2758 _that_--H. omits
_hirs_--H. his]
[Headnote:
THE LOVE OF LIFE IS INSTINCTIVE.]
[Sidenote: Whatever is agreeable to the nature of a thing
preserves it. So what is contrary to its nature destroys it.]
{and} forsothe eu{er}y thing kepith thilke þ{a}t is acordynge 2764
{and} propre to hym // ryht as thinges þ{a}t ben contraryes
{and} enemys corompen hem //
[Sidenote: Dense bodies, such as stones, resist an easy separation
of parts; whereas the particles of liquid or flowing things, such
as air and water, are easily separated and soon reunited.]
{and} yit the harde thinges
as stoones clyuen {and} holden hyr partyes to gydere
ryht faste {and} harde / {and} deffenden hem in withstondenge 2768
þ{a}t they ne departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the
thinges þ{a}t ben softe {and} fletynge as is water {and} Eyr
they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place to hem þ{a}t
brekyn or deuyden hem // but natheles they retorne{n} 2772
sone ayein in to the same thinges fro whennes they ben
arraced //
[Sidenote: Fire avoids and utterly refuses any such division.]
but fyr [fleetħ] {and} refuseth alle deuysyou{n} /
[Sidenote: I am not now treating of the voluntary motion of a
conscious soul, but of the natural intention and instinct.]
ne I. ne trete nat heer{e} now of weleful moeuynges of the
sowle þ{a}t is knowynge // but of the naturel entenciou{n} 2776
of thinges //
[Sidenote: We swallow our meat without thinking of it, and we draw
our breath in sleep without perception.]
As thus ryht as we swolwe the mete þ{a}t we
resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen
owr{e} breth in slepynge þ{a}t we wite it nat whil we slepyt //
[Sidenote: The love of life in animals is not derived from an
intellectual will, but from natural principles implanted in them.]
For certes in the beestys the loue of hyr lyuynges ne of 2780
hyr beeinges ne comth nat of the wilnynges of the sowle //
but of the bygynnyngis of natur{e} //
[Sidenote: For the will, induced by powerful reasons, sometimes
chooses and embraces death, although nature dreads and abhors it.]
For certes thorw
constreynynge causes / wil desireth {and} embraceth ful
ofte tyme / the deth þ{a}t natur{e} dredith
// that is to seyn [[pg 99]]
as thus that a man may ben constreynyd so by som 2785
cause that his wil desireth and taketh the deth which
þ{a}t natur{e} hateth {and} dredeth ful sore //
[Sidenote: And, on the contrary, we see that concupiscence (by
which alone the human race is perpetuated) is often restrained by
the will.]
And som tyme
we seeth the contrarye / as thus that the wil of a wight / 2788
destorbeth {and} constreyneth þ{a}t þ{a}t natur{e} desireth / and
requereth al-wey // that is to sein the werk of gen{er}aciou{n} /
by the whiche gen{er}aciou{n} only / dwelleth {and} is sustenyd
the longe durablete of mortal thinges //
[Sidenote: Self-love possessed by every creature is not the
product of volition, but proceeds from a natural impression or
intention of nature.]
And thus 2792
this charite and this Loue þ{a}t eu{er}y thing hath to hym
self ne comth nat of the moeuynge of the sowle / but of
the entenciou{n} of natur{e} //
[Sidenote: Providence has implanted in all created things an
instinct, for the purpose of self-preservation, by which they
desire to prolong existence to its utmost limits.]
For the puruyance of god
hat yeuen to thinges þ{a}t ben creat of hym / this þ{a}t is 2796
a ful gret cause / to lyuen {and} to duren / for which they
desiren naturelly hyr lyf as longe as eu{er} they mowen //
[Linenotes:
2774 [_fleeth_]--from H.
2775 _weleful_--H. wilfull{e}
2779 _slepyt_--H. slepe{n}
2788 _seeth_--H. seen)
_wil_--H. will{e}
2792 _And_--H. as
2796 _hat_--H. haue]
[Headnote:
THE WILL IS SUPERIOR TO INSTINCT.]
[Sidenote: Doubt not, therefore, that everything which exists
desires existence and avoids dissolution.]
For w[h]ych thou maist nat drede by no manere / that
alle the thinges / that ben anywher{e} / that they ne requeren 2800
naturelly / the ferme stablenesse of p{er}durable
dwellynge / and ek the eschuynge of destruccyou{n} //
[Sidenote: _B._ You have made those things perfectly plain and
intelligible, which before were obscure and doubtful.]
B //
now confesse I. wel q{uod} I. that I. see wel now certeynly /
w{i}t{h} owte dowtes / the thinges that whylom semeden 2804
vncerteyn to me /
[Sidenote: _P._ That which desires to subsist desires also to
retain its unity for if this be taken away it cannot continue to
exist.]
P. // but q{uod} she thilke thyng þ{a}t
desiretħ to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely / he desireth
to ben oon // For yif þ{a}t that oon weer{e} destroied // certes
beinge ne shulde ther non dwellyn to no wiht //
[Sidenote: _B._ That is very true!]
that 2808
is sotħ q{uod} I. //
[Sidenote: _P._ All things then desire one thing--unity.]
Thanne q{uod} she desirin alle thinges
oon //
[Sidenote: _B._ They do.]
.I. assente q{uod} .I. //
[Sidenote: _P._ Unity then is the same as good.]
{and} I haue shewyd q{uod} she
that thilke same oon is thilke that is good //
[Sidenote: _B._ Yes.]
B // ye forsothe
q{uod} I. //
[Sidenote: _P._ Thus all things desire good--and it is one and the
same good that all creatures desire.]
Alle thinges thanne q{uod} she requyren 2812
good // And thilke good thanne [þow] maist descryuen
ryht thus // Good is thilke thing þ{a}t euery wyht desireth //
[Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true. For either all things must
be reduced to nothing (or have no relation to anything else), and,
destitute of a head, float about without control or order; or if
there be anything to which all things tend, that must be the
supreme good.]
Ther ne may be thowht q{uod} .I. no moor{e}
verray thing / for either alle thinges ben referred {and} 2816
browht to nowht / {and} floteryn w{i}t{h} owte gou{er}nour
despoiled of oon / as of hir propre heued / or elles yif [[pg 100]]
ther be any thinge / to which þ{a}t alle thinges tenden
{and} hyen / that thing moste ben the souereyn good of 2820
alle goodes /
[Sidenote: _P._ I rejoice greatly, my dear pupil, that you so
clearly apprehend this truth, of which but just now you were
ignorant.]
P /. thanne seyde she thus // O my norry
q{uod} she I haue gret gladnesse of the // For thow
hast fichched in thin herte the myddel sothtfastnesse //
that is to seyn the prykke // but this thing hath ben 2824
descouered to the / in that thow seydyst þ{a}t thow
wystest nat a lytel her by-forn //
[Sidenote: _B._ What was that?]
what was th{a}t q{uod} I. //
[Headnote:
THE END OF ALL THINGS.]
[Sidenote: _P._ The _End of all things_. And this is what every
one desires; but we have shown that _good_ is the thing desired by
all, therefore _Good_ is the _End of all things_.]
That thow ne wystest nat q{uod} she whych was
the ende of thinges // and Certes that is the thing þ{a}t 2828
eu{er}y wiht desireth // and for as mochel as we han
gaderid / {and} co{m}p{re}hendyd that good is thilke thing
that is desired of alle / thanne moten we nedes confessun /
that good is the fyn of alle thinges. 2832
[Linenotes:
2800 _the_--H. þo
2806 _perdurablely_--H. p{er}durably
2807 _destroied_--H. destrued
2811 _thilke_ (1)--H. ilke
2818 _heued or elles_--H. hede or els
2820 _hyen_--H. hyen) to
_moste_--H. must]
[Headnote:
TRUTH INTUITIVE.]
QUISQUIS P{RO}FUNDA MENTE.
[Sidenote: [The .11. Met{ru}m.]]
[Sidenote: He who seeks truth with deep research and is unwilling
to go wrong, should collect his slumbering thoughts, and turn the
inner light upon the soul itself.]
++WHo so that sekith sotħ by a deep thoght And
coueyteth nat to ben deseyuyd by no mys-weyes //
lat hym rollen {and} trenden w{i}t{h} Inne hym self / the Lyht
of his inward syhte // And lat hym gader{e} ayein enclynynge 2836
in to a compas the longe moeuynges of hys
thowhtes /
[Sidenote: The knowledge that he seeks without he will find
treasured up in the recesses of the mind.]
And lat hym techen his corage that he hath
enclosed {and} hyd / in his tresors / al þ{a}t he compaseth or
sekith fro w{i}t{h} owte //
[Sidenote: The light of Truth will disperse Error’s dark clouds,
and shine forth brighter than the sun.]
And thanne thilke thing that the 2840
blake cloude of errour whilom hadde y-couered / shal
lyhten more clerly tha{n}ne pheb{us} hym self ne shyneth //
[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss.]]
Glosa // who so wole seken the dep[e] grounde / of soth 2843
in his thowht / {and} wol nat be deceyuyd by false p{ro}posiciou{n}s /
that goon amys fro the trouthe // lat hym wel
examine / {and} rolle w{i}t{h} inne hym self the natur{e} {and}
the p{ro}pretes of the thing // and lat hym yit eft sones
examine {and} rollen his thowhtes by good deliberaciou{n} 2848
or that he deme // and lat hym techen his sowle that it [[pg 101]]
hat by naturel pryncyplis kyndeliche y-hyd w{i}t{h} in
it self alle the trowthe the whiche he ymagynith to ben
in thinges w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne alle the dyrknesse of 2852
his mysknowynge shal seen more euydently to [þe]
syhte of his vndyrstondynge thanne the sonne ne semyth
to [þe] syhte w{i}t{h} owte forth /
[Sidenote: For when the body enclosed the soul and cast oblivion
o’er its powers it did wholly exterminate the heaven-born light.]
For certes the body
bryngynge the weyhte of foryetynge / ne hath nat chasyd 2856
owt of yowr{e} thowhte al the clernesse of yowre knowyng //
[Sidenote: The germs of truth were latent within, and were fanned
into action by the gentle breath of learning.]
For certeynly the seed of sooth haldith {and} clyueth
w{i}t{h} in yowr{e} corage / {and} it is a-waked {and} excited by
the wynde {and} by the blastes of doctryne //
[Sidenote: Were not truth implanted in the heart, how could man
distinguish right from wrong?]
For wher{e} 2860
for elles demen ye of yowr{e} owne wyl the ryhtes whan
ye ben axed // but yif so wer{e} þ{a}t the noryssynges of
resou{n} ne lyuede .I.-plowngyd in the depthe of yowr{e}
herte // this [is] to seyn how sholden men demen þe 2864
sooth of any thing þ{a}t weer{e} axed / yif ther neer{e} a
Roote of sothfastnesse þ{a}t weer{e} yplowngyd {and} hyd in
the natur{e}[l] pryncyplis / the whiche sothfastnesse
lyued w{i}t{h} in the depnesse of the thowght //
[Sidenote: So, if what Plato taught is true, ‘to learn is no other
than to remember what had been before forgotten.’]
{and} yif 2868
so be þ{a}t the Muse {and} the doctryne of plato syngyth
sooth // al þ{a}t eu{er}y whyht lerneth / he ne doth no
thing elles tha{n}ne but recordeth as me{n} recordyn thinges
þ{a}t ben foryetyn. 2872
[Linenotes:
2838 _his_--H. þis
_that_--H. {and} þ{a}t
2841 _blake_--H. blak
_hadde y-couered_--H. had cou{er}ed
2842 _lyhten_--H. light
2843 _dep[e]_--C. dep, H. depe
2847 _thing_--H. þyng{es}
2863 _depthe_--H. depe
2864 [_is_]--from H.
_sholden_--H. shulde
2867 _nature[l]_--H. nat{ur}ell{e}]
[Headnote:
THE WORLD GOVERNED BY GOD.]
TUM EGO PLATONI INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The .12. p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ I am quite of Plato’s opinion, for you have now a
second time recalled these things to my remembrance which had been
forgotten, first by the contagious union of soul and body, and
afterwards by the pressure of my afflictions.]
++THanne seide I thus // I acorde me gretly to plato / for
thow remenbrist {and} recordist me thise thinges yit]
[Sidenote: [*_Addit. MS. 10,340, fol. 23._]]
*þe seconde tyme. þat is to seyn. first whan I lost[e] my
memorie by þe co{n}tagioũs coniuncc{i}ou{n} of þe body wiþ 2876
þe soule. {and} eftsones afterward whan I lost[e] it co{n}founded
by þe charge {and} by þe burden of my sorwe.
[Sidenote: _P._ If you will reflect upon the concessions you have
already made, you will soon call to mind that truth, of which you
lately confessed your ignorance.]
¶ And þan sayde she þus. ¶ If þou look[e] q{uo}d she
firste þe þinges þat þou hast graunted it ne shal nat 2880
ben ryȝt feer þat þou ne shalt remembren þilke þing þat [[pg 102]]
þou seidest þat þou nistest nat.
[Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]
what þing q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ It was, by what power the world is governed.]
¶ by whiche gouerme{n}t q{uo}d she þat þis worlde is
gouerned.
[Sidenote: _B._ With regard to that, I own I confessed my
ignorance, but though I now remotely see what you infer, yet I
wish for further explanation from you.]
Me remembriþ it wel q{uo}d I. {and} I confesse 2884
wel þat I ne wist[e] it nat ¶ But al be it so þat
I se now fro{m} afer what þou p{ur}posest ¶ Algates I
desire ȝit to herkene it of þe more pleynely.
[Sidenote: _P._ You acknowledged a little while ago that this
world was governed by God?]
¶ þou ne
wendest nat q{uo}d she a litel here byforne þat men 2888
sholden doute þat þis worlde is gouerned by god.
[Sidenote: _B._ I still cling to this opinion, and will give you
my reasons for this belief.]
¶ Certys q{uo}d I ne ȝitte doute I it nauȝt. ne I nil
neuer wene þat it were to doute. as who seiþ. but I
wot wel þat god gouerneþ þis worlde. ¶ And I shal 2892
shortly answere þe by what resou{n}s I am brouȝt to þis.
[Sidenote: The discordant elements of this world would never have
assumed their present form unless there had been a wise
Intelligence to unite them; and even after such a union, the
joining of such opposites would have disunited and ruined the
fabric made up of them, had not the same conjoining hand kept them
together.]
¶ þis worlde q{uod} I of so many dyuerse {and} co{n}trarious
p{ar}ties ne myȝten neuer han ben assembled in o forme.
but yif þere ne were oon þat conioigned so many[e 2896
diu{er}se] þinges. ¶ And þe same diuersite of hire
natures þat so discordeden þat oon fro þat oþer most[e]
dep{ar}ten {and} vnioigne{n} þe þi{n}ges þat ben co{n}ioigned.
yif þere ne were oon þat contened[e] þat he haþ co{n}ioigned 2900
{and} ybounde.
[Sidenote: The order that reigns throughout nature could not
proceed so regularly and uniformly if there were not a Being,
unchangeable and stedfast, to order and dispose so great a
diversity of changes.]
ne þe certein ordre of nature ne
sholde. nat brynge furþe so ordinee moeuynge. by
places. by tymes. by doynges. by spaces. by qualites.
yif þere ne were oon þat were ay stedfast dwellynge. 2904
þat ordeyned[e] {and} disposed[e] þise diuersites of
moeuynges.
[Sidenote: This Being, the creator and ruler of all things, I call
God.]
¶ and þilke þinge what so euer it be. by
whiche þat alle þinges ben maked {and} ylad. I clepe
hym god þat is a worde þat is vsed to alle folke. 2908
[Sidenote: _P._ As thy sentiments on these points are so just I
have but little more to do--for thou mayest be happy and secure,
and revisit thy own country.]
þan seide she. syn þou felest þus þise þinges q{uo}d she. I
trowe þat I haue lytel more to done. þat þou myȝty of
wilfulnesse hool {and} sounde ne se eftsones þi contre.
[Linenotes:
2875, 2877 _lost[e]_--loste
2878 _burden_--burdene
2879 _look[e]_--looke
2880 _firste_--fyrst
2883 _whiche_--which
_gouerment_--gou{er}nement
_worlde_--wordyl
2885 _wist[e]_--wiste
2887 _pleynely_--pleynly
2888 _here byforne_--her byforn
2889 _worlde is_--world nis
2890 _ȝitte doute_--yit ne dowte
_nil_--nel
2892 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot
2892, 2894 _worlde_--world
2893 _answere_--answeren
2894 _many_--manye
2895 _myȝten_--myhte
2896 _þere_--ther
_many[e]_--manye
2897 [_diuerse_]--from C.
_hire_--hir
2898 _most[e]_--moste
2900 _þere_--ther
_contened[e]_--contenede
_haþ_--MS. haþe
2902 _furþe_--forth
_ordinee moeuynge_--ordene moeuynges
2904 _þere_--ther
_stedfast_--stidefast
2905 _ordeyned[e]_--ordeynede
_disposed[e]_--disponede
2907 _whiche_--which
_ben_--be
_ylad_--MS. yladde, C. I-ladd
2908 _worde_--word
_folke_--foolk
2911 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse]
[Headnote:
GOD IS ALL-SUFFICIENT.]
[Sidenote: But let us reflect a little more upon these matters.]
¶ But lat vs loken þe þinges þat we han
p{ur}posed her-byforn. [[pg 103]]
[Sidenote: Did we not agree that _Sufficiency_ is of the nature of
true happiness?]
¶ Haue I nat nou{m}bred {and} seid q{uod} she 2913
þat suffisaunce is in blisfulnesse.
[Sidenote: And have we not seen that God is that true felicity,
and that He needs no external aid nor instruments?]
{and} we han accorded
þat god is {and} þilke same blisfulnesse. ¶ yis forsoþe q{uo}d
I. {and} þat to gouerne þis worlde q{uod} she. ne shal he 2916
neuer han nede of none helpe fro wiþoute.
[Sidenote: For if he should, he would not be self-sufficient.]
for ellys yif
he had[de] nede of any helpe. he ne sholde not haue
[no] ful suffisau{n}ce. ȝis þus it mot nedes be q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: And he directs all things by himself alone?]
¶ þan ordeyneþ he by hym self al oon alle þinges q{uo}d 2920
she.
[Sidenote: _B._ It cannot be gainsaid.]
þat may nat ben denied q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ I have shown that God is the chief good; God must,
therefore, direct and order all things by _good_, since he governs
them by himself, whom we have proved to be the _supreme good_, and
he is that helm and rudder, by which this machine of the world is
steadily and securely conducted.]
¶ And I haue
shewed þat god is þe same good. ¶ It reme{m}breþ me
wel q{uo}d I. ¶ þan ordeineþ he alle þinges by þilke
goode q{uod} she. Syn he whiche we han accorded to 2924
ben good gouerneþ alle þi{n}g{us} by hym self. {and} he is a
keye {and} a stiere by whiche þat þe edifice of þis worlde
is ykept stable {and} wiþ oute corumpynge
[Sidenote: _B._ I entirely agree to this, and partly anticipated
your remarks.]
¶ I accorde
me gretly q{uod} I. {and} I ap{er}ceiuede a litel here byforn 2928
þat þou woldest seyne þus. Al be it so þat it were by
a þinne suspeciou{n}.
[Sidenote: _P._ I believe it; for your eyes are now more intent
upon these great truths relating to true felicity; but what I am
going to say is not less open to your view.]
I trowe it wel q{uo}d she. ¶ For as
I trowe þou leedest nowe more ententifly þine eyen to
loken þe verray goodes ¶ but naþeles þe þinges þat I 2932
shal telle þe ȝit ne sheweþ nat lasse to loken.
[Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]
what is
þat q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ As we believe that God governs all things by his
goodness, and that all things have a natural tendency towards the
_good_, can it be doubted but that they all voluntarily submit to
the will and control of their ruler?]
¶ So as men trowen q{uo}d she {and} þat
ryȝtfully þat god gouerneþ alle þinges by þe keye of his
goodnesse. ¶ And alle þise same þinges as I [haue] 2936
tauȝt þe. hasten hem by naturel ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to comen
to goode þer may no man doute{n}. þat þei ne ben
gouerned uoluntariely. {and} þat þei ne conuerten [hem]
nat of her owe{n} wille to þe wille of hire ordeno{ur}. 2940
[Linenotes:
2912 _han_--ha
2913 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
2916 _worlde_--world
2917 _none helpe_--non help
2918 _had[de]_--hadde
_helpe_--help
2919 [_no_]--from C.
2920 _al oon_--allone
2921 _ben denied_--be denoyed
2924, 2926 _whiche_--which
2925 _ben_--be
2926 _worlde_--world
2928 _gretly_--gretely
_here_--her
2929 _seyne_--seye
2931 _nowe_--now
2932 _naþeles_--nat[h]les
2935 _ryȝtfully_--MS. on ryȝtfully
2936 [_haue_]--from C.
2938 _goode_--good
2939 [_hem_]--from C.
2940 _nat_--omitted
_her_--hir
_owen_--owne
_wille_ (_both_)--wil
_hire_--hyr]
[Headnote:
ALL THINGS SUBMIT TO GOD.]
as þei þat ben accordyng {and} enclinynge to her gouerno{ur}
{and} her kyng. [[pg 104]]
[Sidenote: _B._ It cannot be otherwise. There would be no safety
for those who obey, if the discord of a portion were allowed.]
¶ It mot nedys be so q{uo}d. I.
[Sidenote: [* Fol. 23 _b_.]]
*¶ For þe realme ne sholde not seme blisful ȝif þere were a ȝok
of mysdrawynges in diu{er}se p{ar}ties ne þe sauynge of 2944
obedient þinges ne sholde nat be.
[Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything that follows the dictates of
nature that seeks to counteract the will of God?]
þan is þere no þing
q{uo}d she þ{a}t kepiþ hys nature[;] þat enforceþ hym to
gone aȝeyne god.
[Sidenote: _B._ No.]
¶ No q{uo}d. I.
[Sidenote: _P._ If there should be any such, it could not prevail
against him, who is supremely happy and consequently omnipotent.]
¶ And if þat any þi{n}g
enforced[e] hym to wiþstonde god. myȝt[e] it auayle at 2948
þe laste aȝeyns hym þat we han g{ra}unted to ben al
myȝty by þe ryȝt of blisfulnesse. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I al
outerly it ne myȝt[e] nat auaylen hym.
[Sidenote: Then there is nothing that either will or can withstand
this supreme good?]
þan is þere no
þing q{uo}d she þat eyþer wol or may wiþstonde to þis 2952
souereyne good.
[Sidenote: _B._ Nothing, certainly.]
¶ I trowe nat q{uo}d. I
[Sidenote: _P._ It is then the supreme good that governs and
orders all things powerfully and benignly.]
¶ þan is
þilke þe souereyne good q{uo}d she þat alle þi{n}g{us}
gouerneþ strongly {and} ordeyneþ hem softly.
[Sidenote: _B._ I am delighted with your _conclusions_, but much
more with your _language_; so that fools may be ashamed of their
objections to the divine government.]
þa{n} seide I
þus. I delite me q{uo}d I nat oonly in þe endes or in þe 2956
so{m}mes of [the] resou{n}s þat þou hast concludid {and}
p{ro}ued. ¶ But þilke wordes þat þ{o}u vsest deliten me
moche more. ¶ So at þe last[e] fooles þat so{m}tyme
renden greet[e] þinges auȝte{n} ben asshamed of hem 2960
self.
[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss.]]
¶ þat is to seyne þ{a}t we fooles þat rep{re}henden
wickedly þe þi{n}g{us} þat touchen goddes gouernaunce we
auȝte{n} ben asshamed of oure self. As I þat seide god
refuseþ oonly þe werkes of men. {and} ne entremetiþ nat 2964
of he{m}.
[Sidenote: _P._ You have read the Poets’ fables, how the Giants
stormed heaven--how they were repulsed and punished according to
their deserts; but may we not compare our reasons together, for by
so doing some clear spark of truth may shine forth?]
_p._ þou hast wel herd q{uo}d she þe fables of þe
poetes. how þe geauntes assailden þe heuene wiþ þe
goddes. but for soþe þe debonaire force of god disposed[e]
hem so as it was worþi. þat is to seyne distroied[e] þe 2968
geauntes. as it was worþi. ¶ But wilt þou þat we
ioygnen togedre þilke same resou{n}s. for p{er}auenture of
swiche coniuncc{i}ou{n} may sterten vp some faire sp{er}kele
of soþe
[Sidenote: _B._ As you please.]
¶ Do q{uo}d I as þe list.
[Sidenote: _P._ Is God omnipotent?]
wenest þou q{uo}d she 2972
þat god ne is almyȝty. no man is in doute of it. [[pg 105]]
[Sidenote: _B._ No one doubts it.]
Certys
q{uo}d I no wyȝt ne defendiþ it if he be in hys mynde.
[Linenotes:
2941 _her_--hyr
2943 _realme_--Reaume
_seme_--semen
2945 _þere_--ther
2947 _gone aȝeyne_--goon ayein
2948 _enforced[e]_--enforcede
_myȝt[e]_--myhte
_auayle_--auaylen
2949 _aȝeyns_--a-yenis
2951 _outerly_--owtrely
_myȝt[e]_--myhte
_auaylen_--MS. aualeyne, C. auaylen
_hym_--hem
_þere_--ther
2952 _wol_--wole
_wiþstonde_--w{i}t{h}-stondyn
_þis souereyne_--his sou{er}eyn
2955 _softly_--softtely
2957 _sommes_--somme
[_the_]--from C.
2959 _last[e]_--laste
2960 _greet[e]_--grete
2960, 2963 _auȝten_--owhten
2961 _seyne_--seyn
2965 _of hem_--of it
_herd_--MS. herde, C. herd
2967 _disposed[e]_--desposede
2968 _seyne distroied[e]_--seyn destroyede
2971 _swiche_--swych
_some_--som
2972 _soþe_--soth
_list_--liste
2973 _is_ (1)--be
_man_--omitted
_is_ (2)--nis
2974 _defendiþ_--dowteth]
[Headnote:
EVIL HAS NO EXISTENCE.]
[Sidenote: _P._ If he is almighty, there are, then, no limits to
his power?]
but he q{uo}d she þat is al myȝty þere nis no þing þat he
ne may do.
[Sidenote: _B._ He can doubtless do all things.]
þat is soþe q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ May God do evil?]
May god done yuel 2976
q{uo}d she.
[Sidenote: _B._ No.]
nay for soþe q{uo}d. I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Is evil nothing, since God, who is almighty,
cannot do it?]
¶ þan is yuel no þing
q{uo}d she. ¶ Syn þat he ne may not done yuel þat
may done alle þinges.
[Sidenote: _B._ Dost thou mock me or play with me, leading me with
thy arguments into an inextricable labyrinth, and enclosing me in
a wonderful circle of Divine Simplicity?]
scornest þou me q{uo}d. I. or ellys
pleyest þou or deceiuest þou me. þat hast so wouen me 2980
wiþ þi resou{n}s. þe house of didalus so entrelaced. þat it
is vnable to ben vnlaced. þou þat oþer while entrest
þere þou issest {and} oþer while issest þere þou entrest.
ne fooldest þou nat to gidre by replicac{i}ou{n} of wordes a 2984
maner wondirful cercle or envirounynge of symplicite
deuyne.
[Sidenote: For thou didst first begin with happiness, and didst
say that it was the sovereign good, and that it resided in God;
then, that God was that _Good_ and the perfection of happiness;
and, hence, thou didst infer that nobody could be happy unless he
became likewise a God.]
¶ For certys a litel her byforn{e} whan þou bygu{n}ne
atte blisfulnesse þ{o}u seidest þat it is souereyne
good. {and} seidest þat it is set in souereyne god. {and} þat 2988
god is þe ful[le] blisfulnesse. for whiche þou ȝaf[e] me
as a couenable ȝifte. þat is to seyne þ{a}t no wyȝt nis
blisful. but yif he be good al so þer wiþ
[Sidenote: Again, thou saidst that the very form of good was the
substance whereof God and happiness were composed, and that it was
the object and desire of all things in nature.]
{and} seidest
eke þat þe forme of goode is þe substaunce of god. {and} 2992
of blisfulnesse. {and} seidest þ{a}t þilke same oone is þilke
same goode þat is requered {and} desired of al þe kynde
of þinges.
[Sidenote: Thou didst prove that God rules the world by his
goodness, and that all things willingly obeyed him; and that evil
has no existence.]
{and} þou p{ro}euedest in disputynge þat god
gouerneþ alle [the] þinges of þe worlde by þe gouernementys 2996
of bountee. {and} seydest þat alle þinges wolen
ybeyen to hym. and seidest þat þe nature of yuel nis
no þing.
[Sidenote: These truths you established by forcible and natural
arguments, and by no strained and far-fetched reasons.]
{and} þise þinges ne shewedest þou nat wiþ no
resou{n}s ytake fro wiþoute but by proues in cercles {and} 3000
homelyche knowen. ¶ þe whiche p{ro}eues drawen to hem
self hir feiþ {and} hir accorde eu{er}iche [of] hem of oþer. þan
seide she þus.
[Sidenote: _P._ I have not deluded you, for by the Divine aid we
have accomplished our chief task.]
I ne scorne þe nat ne pleye ne desseyue
þe. but I haue shewed to þe þinge þat is grettest ouer [[pg 106]]
alle þinges by þe ȝifte of god þat we some tyme prayden 3005
[Linenotes:
2975 _þere_--ther
2976 _do_--C. omits
_soþe_--soth
_done_--don
2978, 2979 _done_--don
2980 _wouen_--MS. wonnen, C. wouen
2981 _house_--hows
2983 _þere_ (_both_)--ther
2987 _atte_--at
2988 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
2989 _ful[le]_--fulle
_whiche_--which
_ȝaf[e]_--yaue
2990 _ȝifte_--yift
_seyne_--seyn
2992, 2994 _goode_--good
2993 _oone_--oon
2994 _al_--alle
2996 [_the_]--from C.
2998 _ybeyen_--obeyen
2999 _no_ (2)--none
3000 _ytake_--I-taken
3001 _homelyche_--hoomlich
3002 _eueriche_--eu{er}ich
[_of_]--from C.
3004 _þe þinge_--the the thing
3005 _ȝifte_--yift
_some tyme prayden_--whilom preyeden]
[Headnote:
GOD IS LIKE A SPHERE.]
[Sidenote: I have proved to you that it is an essential property
of the Divine nature not to go out of itself, nor to receive into
itself anything extraneous.]
¶ For þis is þe forme of [the] deuyne substaunce. þat
is swiche þat it ne slydeþ nat in to outerest foreine
þinges. ne ne rec[e]yueþ no st{ra}nge þinges in hym. 3008
[Sidenote: Parmenides says of the Deity that _God is like a
well-rounded sphere_.]
but ryȝt as p{ar}maynws seide in grek of þilke deuyne substaunce.
he seide þus þat þilke deuyne substaunce
torneþ þe worlde {and} þilke cercle moeueable of þinges
while þilke dyuyne substau{n}ce kepiþ it self wiþ outen 3012
moeuynge.
[Sidenote: He causes the moving globe to revolve, but is himself
immovable.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 24.]]
þat *is to seyne þat it ne moeuiþ neuere mo.
{and} ȝitte it moeueþ alle oþer þinges.
[Sidenote: If I have chosen my arguments from the subjects within
range of our discussion, do not let that surprise you, for, as
Plato has taught us, there ought to be an alliance between the
words and the subject of discourse.]
but na-þeles yif I
[haue] stered resou{n}s þat ne ben nat taken fro wiþ oute
þe compas of þe þinge of whiche we treten. but resou{n}s 3016
þat ben bystowed wiþ i{n}ne þat compas þere nis nat whi
þat þou sholde[st] merueylen. sen þou hast lerned by
þe sentence of plato þat nedes þe wordes moten ben
cosynes to þo þinges of whiche þei speken. 3020
[Linenotes:
3006 [_the_]--from C.
3007 _swiche_--swich
3009 _parmaynws_--a p{ar}manides
3011 _worlde_--world
3012 _while_--whil
_wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
3013 _seyne_--seyn
3014 _ȝitte_--yit
_oþer_--oothre
3015 [_haue_]--from C.
3016 _whiche_--which
3017 _wiþ inne_--w{i}t{h} in
3020 _cosynes_--MS. conceyued, C. cosynes
_þo_--þe
_whiche_--which]
[Headnote:
THE POWER OF MUSIC.]
FELIX QUI POTERIT. {ET} CET{ER}A.
[Sidenote: [The .12. Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Happy is he that hath seen the lucid spring of truth!
Happy the man that hath freed himself from terrestrial chains!]
++Blisful is þat man þat may seen þe clere welle of good.
blisful is he þat may vnbynde hym fro þe bonde of
heuy erþe.
[Sidenote: The Thracian poet, consumed with grief for the loss of
his wife, sought relief from music.]
¶ þe poete of t{ra}ce [orphe{us}] þat somtyme
hadde ryȝt greet sorowe for þe deeþ of hys wijf.
[Sidenote: His mournful songs drew the woods along; the rolling
rivers ceased to flow; the savage beasts became heedless of their
prey; the timid hare was not aghast at the hound.]
aftir þat 3024
he hadde maked by hys wepely songes þe wodes meueable
to rennen. {and} hadde ymaked þe ryueres to stonden
stille. {and} maked þe hertys {and} hyndes to ioignen
dredles hir sides to cruel lyou{n}s to herkene his songe. 3028
{and} had[de] maked þat þe hare was nat agast of þe
hounde whiche þat was plesed by hys songe.
[Sidenote: But the songs that did all things tame, could not allay
their master’s ardent love.]
so þat
whane þe most[e] ardaunt loue of hys wijf brende þe
entrailes of his brest. ne þe songes þat hadde ouer [[pg 107]]
comen alle þinges ne myȝten nat assuage hir lorde 3033
orpheus.
[Sidenote: He bewailed the cruelty of the gods above, and
descended to Pluto’s realm.]
¶ He pleyned[e] hym of þe godes þat were{n}
cruel to hym. he wente hym to þe houses of helle
[Sidenote: There he struck his tuneful strings and sang,
exhausting all the harmonious art imparted to him by his mother
Calliope.]
{and} þere he tempred[e] hys blaundissyng songes by resounyng 3036
of hys strenges. ¶ And spak {and} song in
wepynge alle þat euer he hadde resceyued {and} laued
oute of þe noble welles of hys modir calliope þe goddesse.
[Sidenote: In songs dictated both by grief and love, he implored
the infernal powers to give him back his Eurydice.]
{and} he song wiþ as mychel as he myȝt[e] of 3040
wepynge. {and} wiþ as myche as loue þat doubled[e] his
sorwe myȝt[e] ȝeuen hym {and} teche hy{m} in his seke
h{er}te. ¶ And he commoeuede þe helle {and} requered[e]
{and} souȝte by swete p{re}iere þe lordes of soules in helle 3044
of relesynge. þat is to seyne to ȝelden hym hys wif.
[Sidenote: Cerberus, Hell’s three-headed porter, stood amazed;]
¶ Cerberus þe porter of helle wiþ his þre heuedes was
cauȝt {and} al abaist for þe new[e] songe.
[Sidenote: the Furies, tormentors of guilty souls, did weep;]
{and} þe þre goddesses
furijs {and} vengerisse of felonies þat to{ur}mente{n} 3048
{and} agaste{n} þe soules by anoye wexen sorweful {and} sory
{and} wepen teres for pitee.
[Sidenote: Ixion, tormented by the revolving wheel, found rest;]
þan was nat þe heued of
Ixion{e} yto{ur}mented by þe ou{er}þrowi{n}g whele.
[Sidenote: Tantalus, suffering from a long and raging thirst,
despised the stream;]
¶ And
tantalus þat was destroied by þe woodnesse of longe 3052
þrust dispiseþ þe flodes to drynke.
[Sidenote: and the greedy vulture did cease to eat and tear the
growing liver of Tityus.]
þe fowel þat hyȝt
voltor þat etiþ þe stomak or þe giser of ticius is so fulfilled
of his songe þat it nil etyn ne tyren no more.
[Linenotes:
3022 _vnbynde_--vnbyndyn
_bonde_--bondes
3023 [_orpheus_]--from C.
_somtyme_--whilom
3024 _sorowe_--sorwe
3028 _dredles_--dredeles
_to herkene_--forto herknen
3029 _had[de]_--hadde
3030 _þat_ (2)--omitted
3031 _most[e]_--moste
3032 _hadde_--hadden
3033 _assuage_--asswagen
_lorde_--lord
3034 _pleyned[e]_--pleynede
_godes_--heuene goodes
3035 _wente_--MS. wenten, C. wente
3036 _tempred[e] hys_--temprede hise
3037 _of hys_--C. omits
_spak_--MS. spakke, C. spak
_song_--MS. songe, C. soonge
3038 _alle_--al
3039 _oute_--owt
_goddesse_--goddes
3040 _song_--MS. songe, C. soonge
_mychel_--mochel
3041 _myche_--moche
_doubled[e]_--dowblede
3042 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
_ȝeuen_--yeue
_teche_--thechen
_in----herte_--omitted
3043 _commoeuede_--MS. comaunded, C. co{m}moeuede
3044 _souȝte_--by-sowhte
3045 _ȝelden_--yilden
3046 _his_--hise
3047 _cauȝt_--MS. cauȝte, C. cawht
_new[e] songe_--newe song
3049 _anoye----sorweful_--anoy woxen soruful
3050 _þan_--tho ne
3051 _whele_--wheel
3053 _þrust_--thurst
_hyȝt_--hihte
3054 _fulfilled_--fulfyld
3055 _songe_--song]
[Headnote:
FIX NOT THE THOUGHTS ON EARTHLY THINGS.]
[Sidenote: At length Pluto himself relented, crying out, ‘We are
overcome! Let us give him back his wife, he hath well won her by
his song.]
¶ Atte þe laste þe lorde {and} Iuge of soules was moeued 3056
to misericordes {and} cried[e] we ben ouer comen q{uo}d
he. yif[e] we to orpheus his wijf to bere hym co{m}paignye
he haþ welle I-bouȝt hir by his faire songe {and}
his ditee. [[pg 108]]
[Sidenote: But we will lay this injunction upon him. Till he
escape the infernal bounds, he shall not cast a backward look.’]
but we wil putte{n} a lawe in þis. {and} couenaunt 3060
in þe ȝifte. þ{a}t is to seyne. þat til he be out of
helle yif he loke byhynden hym [þ{a}t] hys wijf shal
come{n} aȝeine to vs
[Sidenote: But, who shall give a lover any law? Love is a greater
law than may be given to any earthly man.]
¶ but what is he þat may ȝeue a
lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter lawe {and} a strengere to 3064
hym self þan any lawe þ{a}t men may ȝeuen.
[Sidenote: Alas! having left the realms of night, Orpheus cast a
look behind and lost his too-much-loved Euridice.]
¶ Allas
whan Orpheus {and} his wijf were al most at þe termes of
þe nyȝt. þat is to seyne at þe last[e] boundes of helle.
Orpheus loked[e] abakwarde on Erudice his wijf {and} 3068
lost[e] hir {and} was deed.
[Sidenote: This fable belongs to all you, whose minds would view
the Sovereign Good.]
¶ þis fable app{er}teineþ to
ȝow alle who so euer desireþ or sekiþ to lede his þouȝte
in to þe souereyne day. þat is to seyne to clerenes[se]
of souereyne goode.
[Sidenote: For he who fixes his thoughts upon earthly things and
low, must lose the noble and heaven-imparted Good.]
¶ For who so þat eu{er}e be so ouer 3072
come{n} þat he fycche hys eyen in to þe put[te] of helle.
þat is to seyne who so setteþ his þouȝtes in erþely
þinges. al þat euer he haþ drawen of þe noble good
celestial he lesiþ it whan he lokeþ þe helles. þat is to 3076
seyne to lowe þinges of þe erþe.
EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS.
[Linenotes:
3056 _Atte_--At
_lorde_--lord
3057 _cried[e]_--cryde
3058 _yif[e]_--yiue
3059 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_welle_--wel
_faire_--C. omits
_songe_--song
3060 _wil putten_--wol putte
3062 _byhynden_--by-hynde
[_þat_]--from C.
3063 _to_--vn-to
3064 _gretter_--gret
3066 _were al most_--weren almest
3067 _last[e]_--laste
3068 _loked[e] abakwarde_--lookede abacward
3069 _lost[e]_--loste
3070 _þouȝte_--thowht
3071 _clerenes[se]_--clernesse
3072 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn god
3073 _put[te]_--putte
3074 _setteþ_--sette
3075 _haþ_--MS. haþe]
[Headnote:
THE EXISTENCE OF EVIL.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 24 _b_.]]
*INCIPIT LIBER QUARTUS.
HEC CUM PHILOSOPHIA DIGNITATE UULT{US}.
[Sidenote: [The 1^ma p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: When P. with grace and dignity had poured forth her
songs, I, not quite quit of my load of grief, interrupted her as
she was continuing her discourse.]
++Whanne philosophie hadde songe{n} softly {and} delitably
þe forseide þinges kepynge þe dignitee of hir
choere in þe weyȝte of hir wordes. I þan þat ne hadde 3080
nat al out{er}ly forȝeten þe wepyng {and} mournyng
þat was set in myne herte for-brek þe entenc{i}ou{n} of hir
þat entended[e] ȝitte to seyne oþ{er} þinges.
[Sidenote: All your discourses, O my conductress to the true
light! have been very clear and unanswerable, both by the divine
testimony which they carry along with them, and by thy
irrefragable arguments.]
¶ Se q{uo}d
I. þou þat art gideresse of verray lyȝte þe þinges þat þou 3084
hast seid [me] hider to ben to me so clere
{and} so shewyng [[pg 109]]
by þe deuyne lokyng of hem {and} by þi resou{n}s þat
þei ne mowe nat ben ouercomen.
[Sidenote: Through the oppression of grief I had forgotten these
truths, but was not wholly ignorant of them.]
¶ And þilke þi{n}g{us}
þat þou toldest me. al be it so þat I hadde som tyme 3088
fo[r]ȝeten hem for [the] sorwe of þe wronge þat haþ ben
don to me. ȝit naþeles þei ne were nat alouterly vnknowen
to me.
[Sidenote: The principal cause of my trouble is this--that, whilst
the absolute Ruler of all things is goodness itself, evil exists
and is allowed to pass unpunished.]
but þis same is namly a gret cause of
my sorwe. þat so as þe gouernoure of þinges is goode. 3092
yif þat yuelys mowen ben by any weyes. or ellys yif
þat yuelys passen wiþ outen punyssheinge.
[Sidenote: This, to say the least, is astonishing.]
þe whiche
þinge oonly how worþi it is to ben wondred vpon. þou
considerest it weel þi self certeynly.
[Sidenote: Moreover, while _vice_ flourishes _virtue_ is not only
unrewarded, but trampled under foot by base and profligate men,
and suffers the punishment due to impiety.]
but ȝitte to þis 3096
þing þere is an oþer þing y-ioigned more to ben ywondred
vpon. ¶ For felonie is emperisse {and} flowreþ ful of
rycchesse. and vertues nis nat al oonly wiþ outen medes.
but it is cast vndir {and} fortroden vndir þe feet of felonous 3100
folk. {and} it abieþ þe to{ur}me{n}tes in sted of
wicked felou{n}s
[Sidenote: Here is cause for wonderment, since such things are
possible under the government of an omniscient and omnipotent God,
who wills nothing but what is the best.]
¶ Of al[le] whiche þing þer nis no wyȝt
þat [may] merueyllen ynouȝ ne compleyne þat swiche
þinges ben don in þe regne of god þat alle þinges woot. 3104
and alle þinges may {and} ne wool nat but only goode
þinges.
[Sidenote: _P._ It were indeed, not only marvellous, but also
horribly monstrous, if, in the well-regulated family of so great a
master, the worthless vessels should be honoured and the precious
ones be despised:--but it is not so.]
¶ þan seide she þus. certys q{uo}d she þat were
a grete meruayle {and} an enbaissynge wiþouten ende.
{and} wel more horrible þan alle monstres yif it were as 3108
þ{o}u wenest. þat is to sein. þat in þe ryȝt ordeyne house
of so mochel a fader {and} an ordenour of meyne. þat þe
vesseles þat ben foule {and} vyle sholde ben hono{ur}ed
{and} heried. and þe p{re}cious uesseles sholde ben defouled 3112
{and} vyle. but it nis nat so.
[Sidenote: For if the conclusions we have come to, be sound and
irrefragable, we must confess that under God’s rule the _good_ are
always powerful and mighty, and the _wicked_ weak and
contemptible;]
For yif þe þinges
þat I haue co{n}cluded a litel here byforne ben kept hoole [[pg 110]]
{and} vnraced. þou shalt wel knowe by þe auctorite of
god. of þe whos regne I speke þat certys þe good[e] 3116
folk ben alwey myȝty. {and} shrewes ben alwey yuel {and}
feble.
[Sidenote: that vice never passes unpunished, nor virtue goes
unrewarded;]
ne þe vices ben neu{e}re mo wiþ outen peyne[;] ne
þe vertues ne ben nat wiþ outen mede.
[Sidenote: that happiness attends good men, and misfortune falls
to the lot of the wicked.]
and þat blisfulnesses
comen alwey to goode folke. {and} infortune comeþ 3120
alwey to wicked folke.
[Sidenote: These and many other truths of like nature shall be
proved to thee, and shall put an end to thy complaints, and
strengthen thee with firmness and solidity.]
¶ And þou shalt wel knowe
many[e] þinges of þis kynde þ{a}t sholle cessen þi pleyntes.
{and} stedfast þe wiþ stedfast saddenesse.
[Sidenote: Having shown you a picture of true felicity, and
wherein it resides, I shall now trace out the way which will lead
you to your home.]
¶ And for þou
hast seyn þe forme of þe verray blisfulnesse by me þat 3124
[haue] somtyme I-shewed it þe. And þou hast knowen
i{n} whom blysfulnesse is set. alle þinges I treted þ{a}t I
trowe ben nessessarie to put[te] furþe ¶ I shal shewe
þe. þe weye þat shal brynge þe aȝeyne vnto þi house 3128
[Sidenote: I will give your soul wings to soar aloft, so that all
tribulation being removed, you may, under my guiding, by my road,
and with my vehicle, return whole and sound into your own
country.]
{and} I shal ficche feþeres in þi þouȝt by whiche it may
arysen in heyȝte. so þat al tribulac{i}ou{n} don awey þou
by my gidyng & by my paþe {and} by my sledes shalt
mowen retourne hool {and} sounde in to þi contre. 3132
[Linenotes:
3078 _softly_--softely
3080 _choere in_--cheere {and}
3082 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
_myne_--Myn
_for-brek_--MS. for-breke, C. Forbrak
3083 _entended[e]_--entendede
3084 _lyȝte_--lyht
3085 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seid
[_me_]--from C.
3086 _þi_--the
3087 _mowe_--mowen
3088 _som tyme_--whilom
3089 [_the_]--from C.
_wronge_--wrong
_haþ_--MS. haþe
3090 _don_--MS. done, C. don
_were_--weeren
3091 _namly_--namely
3092 _goode_--good
3094 _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
3095 _þinge_--thing
3097 _þere_--ther
_ben ywondred_--be wondryd
3098 _flowreþ_--MS. folweþ, C. flowrith
3099 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
_vertues_--vertu
_wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
3101 _in sted_--in stide
3102 _wicked_--wikkede
_al[le]_--alle
_þing_--thinges
3103 [_may_]--from C.
3104 _don_--MS. done, C. doon
3105 _wool_--wole
_goode_--good
3107 _grete_--gret
_enbaissynge_--enbasshinge
3108 _alle_--al
3109 _ordeyne house_--ordenee hows
3111, 3113 _vyle_--vyl
3112 _heried_--he heryed
_sholde_--sholden
3113 _þe_--tho
3114 _here byforne_--her byforn
_kept_--MS. kepte, C. kept
3116 _good[e]_--goode
3117 _alwey_ (2)----_feble_--alwey owt cast {and} feble
3118, 3119 _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
3119 _vertues_--vertuus
3122 _many[e]_--manye
_sholle cessen_--shollen cesen
3123 _stedfast----stedfast_--strengthyn the w{i}t{h} stidfast
3124 _seyn_--MS. seyne, C. seyn
3125 [_haue_]--from C.
_somtyme_--whilom
3126 _set_--MS. sette, C. I-set
3127 _put[te] furþe_--putten forth
3128 _weye_--wey
_brynge_--bryngen
_þi house_--thin hows
3129 _ficche_--fycchen
3130 _arysen_--areysen
_don_--MS. done, C. ydoñ
3131 _paþe_--paath
_shalt mowen_--shal mowe
3132 _sounde_--sownd]
[Headnote:
VIRTUE NEVER GOES UNREWARDED.]
SU{N}T ETENIM PENNE. {ET} C{ETERA}.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: I have nimble wings that enable the mind to rise from
earth to heaven, to leave the clouds behind, to pass the region of
perpetual flame, and to reach the starry mansion, journeying
either by Phœbus’ radiant path, or accompanying cold and aged
Saturn, or riding, as a soldier, with Mars.]
++I Haue for soþe swifte feþeres þat surmou{n}ten þe heyȝt
of þe heuene whan þe swifte þouȝt haþ cloþed it self.
in þo feþeres it dispiseþ þe hat[e]ful erþes. {and} surmou{n}teþ
þe heyȝenesse of þe greet[e] eyir. {and} it seiþ þe 3136
cloudes by-hynde hir bak {and} passeþ þe heyȝt of þe
regiou{n} of þe fire þat eschaufiþ by þe swifte moeuyng of
þe firmament. til þat she a-reisiþ hir in til þe houses þ{a}t
beren þe sterres. {and} ioygneþ hir weyes wiþ þe sonne [[pg 111]]
phebus. {and} felawshipeþ þe weye of þe olde colde 3141
saturnus. and she ymaked a knyȝt of þe clere sterre.
[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s Gloss.]]
þat is to seyne þat þe soule is maked goddys knyȝt by
þe sekyng of treuþe to comen to þe verray knowlege of 3144
god.
[Sidenote: Through every sphere she (the mind) runs where night is
most cloudless and where the sky is decked with stars, until she
reaches the heaven’s utmost sphere--]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 25.]]
and þilke soule renne[þ] by þe cercle *of þe sterres
in alle þe places þere as þe shynyng nyȝt is depeynted.
þat is to seyne þe nyȝt þat is cloudeles. for on nyȝtes þat
ben cloudeles it semeþ as þe heuene were peynted wiþ 3148
dyuerse ymages of sterres. {and} whan þe soule haþ gon
ynouȝ she shal forleten þe last[e] poynt of þe heuene.
[Linenotes:
3133 _heyȝt of þe heuene_--heyhte of heuene
3134 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3136 _heyȝenesse----eyir_--Rou{n}dnesse of the grete ayr
_seiþ_--seth
3137 _hir_--his
3138 _fire_--Fyr
_eschaufiþ_--MS. eschaufiþe
3139 _she_--he
_hir_--hym
3140 _hir_--his
3141 _weye_--wey
_þe----saturnus_--MS. saturnus þe olde colde
3142 _saturnus_--sat{ur}nis
_she_--he
3143 _soule_--thowght
3144 _treuþe_--trowthe
_knowlege_--knoleche
3145 _soule_--thoght
3146 _depeynted_--painted
3149-50 _and whan----she shal_--{and} whanne he hath I-doon
ther{e} I-nowh he shal
3149 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3150 _þe last[e]----heuene_--the laste heuene]
[Headnote:
VICE IS ALWAYS PUNISHED.]
[Sidenote: then pressing on she shall be prepared to see the true
Source of Light, where the great King of kings bears his mighty
sceptre, and holds the reins of the universe.]
{and} she shal p{re}ssen {and} wenden on þe bak of þe swifte
firmament. and she shal ben maked p{er}fit of þe dredefulle 3152
clerenesse of god. ¶ þere haldeþ þe lorde of kynges
þe ceptre of his myȝt {and} atte{m}p{er}eþ þe gouernementes
of þis worlde.
[Sidenote: Here the great Judge, standing in shining robes, firmly
guides his winged chariot, and rules the tumultuous affairs of the
world.]
{and} þe shynynge iuge of þinges stable i{n}
hy{m} self gouerneþ þe swifte carte. þat is to seyne þe 3156
circuler moeuyng of [the] sonne.
[Sidenote: If you at length shall arrive at this abode, you will
say this is my country--here I was born--and here will I abide.]
{and} yif þi weye ledeþ
þe aȝeyne so þat þou be brouȝt þider. þan wilt þou seye
now þat þat is þe contre þat þou requeredest of whiche þou
ne haddest no mynde. but now it remenbreþ me wel 3160
here was I born. here wil I fastne my degree. here wil
I dwelle.
[Sidenote: And should you deign to look on the gloomy earth,
you’ll see those tyrants, the fear of wretched folk, banished from
those fair realms.]
but yif þe lyke þan to loken on þe derkenesse
of þe erþe þat þou hast for-leten. þan shalt þou seen þat
þise felonous tyrauntes þat þe wrecched[e] poeple dredeþ 3164
now shule ben exiled from þilke faire contre.
[Linenotes:
3151-2 _she_--he
3152-3 _of þe----of god_--of the worshipful lyht of god
3153 _þere haldeþ_--ther halt
3155 _þis worlde_--the world
3156 _carte_--cart or wayn
3157 [_the_]--from C.
3159 _whiche_--which
3161 _here_ (1, 2, 3)--her
_born_--MS. borne, C. born
_wil_ (1)--wol
_wil_ (2)--wole
3162 _lyke_--liketh
_derkenesse_--dyrknesses
3164 _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede
3165 _shule_--shollen
_from_--fro]
[[pg 112]]
[Headnote:
THE GOOD ARE ALWAYS STRONG.]
TUNC EGO PAPE INQ{UA}M. {ET} C{ETERA}.
[Sidenote: [The 2^e p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ Ah! thou promisest me great things indeed!--but
without delay, satisfy the expectations you have raised.]
++ÞAnne seide I þus. [owh] I wondre me þat þou by-hetest
me so grete þinges. ne I ne doute nat þat þ{o}u
ne mayst wel p{er}forme þat þou by-hetest. but I preie þe 3168
oonly þis. þat þou ne tarie nat to telle me þilke þinges
þat þou hast meoued.
[Sidenote: _P._ You must first be convinced that the good are
always strong and powerful and the wicked destitute of strength.]
first q{uo}d she þou most nedes
knowen. þ{a}t good[e] folk ben al wey strong[e] {and}
myȝty. and þe shrewes ben feble {and} desert {and} naked 3172
of alle strengþes.
[Sidenote: These assertions do mutually demonstrate each other.]
and of þise þinges certys eueryche of
hem is declared {and} shewed by oþ{er}.
[Sidenote: For since good and evil are contrary, if good be
powerful evil must be impotent.]
¶ For so as good
{and} yuel ben two cont{ra}ries. yif so be þat goode be
stedfast. þa{n} sheweþ þe fieblesse of yuel al openly. 3176
[Sidenote: And if the frailty of evil is known, the strength and
stability of good must also be known to you.]
and yif þou knowe clerely þe freelnesse of yuel. þe stedfastnesse
of goode is knowen.
[Sidenote: But to convince you I shall proceed to prove it from
both these principles, establishing these truths, by arguments
drawn first from one of these topics and then from the other.]
but for as moche as þe fey of
my sentence shal be þe more ferme {and} habou{n}daunt. I
wil goon by þat oon wey {and} by þat oþer {and} I wil conferme 3180
þe þinges þat ben p{ur}posed now on þis side {and}
now on þ{a}t syde.
[Sidenote: Two things are necessary to every action--the Will and
the Power; if either be wanting, nothing can be effected.]
¶ Two þinges þer ben in whiche þe
effect of alle þe dedes of man kynde standiþ. þat is to
seyn. wil {and} power. and yif þat oon of þise two fayleþ 3184
þere nis no þing þat may be don.
[Sidenote: A man can do nothing without the concurrence of his
will, and if power faileth the will is of no effect.]
for yif þat wil lakkeþ
þere nys no wyȝt þat vndirtakeþ to done þat he wol not
don. and yif power fayleþ þe wille nis but i{n} ydel {and}
stant for nauȝt.
[Sidenote: Hence, if you see a person desirous of getting what he
cannot procure, you are sure he lacks power to obtain it.]
and þer of comeþ it þat yif þou se a 3188
wyȝt þat wolde gete{n} þat he may nat geten. þou mayst
nat douten þat power ne fayleþ hy{m} to haue{n} þat he
wolde. ¶ þis is open {and} clere q{uo}d I. ne it may nat
ben denyed in no manere.
[Sidenote: And if you see another do what he had a mind to do, can
you doubt that he had the power to do it?]
and yif þou se a wyȝt q{uo}d 3192
she. þat haþ don þat he wolde don þ{o}u nilt nat douten
þat he ne haþ had power to done it.
[Sidenote: _B._ No, surely. _P._ A man, then, is esteemed
powerful in respect of what he is able to do, and weak in
relation to what he is unable to perform.]
no q{uo}d. I. and in
þat. þat euery wyȝt may. in þat þat men may holden
hym myȝty. as who seiþ i{n} as moche as a man is myȝty [[pg 113]]
to done a þing. in so moche men halden hy{m} myȝty. 3197
and in þat þat he ne may. in þat men demen hym to
ben feble.
[Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]
I confesse it wel q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Do you remember that I proved that the will of
man, following different pursuits, seeks happiness only?]
Remembriþ þe q{uo}d
she þat I. haue gadred {and} shewed by forseide resou{n}s 3200
þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of þe wil of ma{n}kynde whiche þat
is lad by diuerse studies hastiþ to comen to blisfulnesse.
¶ It reme{m}breþ me wel q{uo}d I þat it hath ben shewed.
[Linenotes:
3166 [_owh_]--from C.
3171 _good[e]_--goode
_strong[e]_--stronge
3172 _desert_--dishert
3173 _eueryche_--eu{er}ich
3175 _goode_--good
3176 _stedfast_--stidefast
3177 _freelnesse_--frelenesse
_stedfastnesse_--stidefastnesse
3178 _goode_--good
3180 _oon_--oo
_wil_ (2)--wole
3185-6 _þere_--ther
3185 _don_--MS. done, C. don
3186 _done_--don
3187 _wille_--wil
3188 _comeþ_--comht
3189 _mayst_--MS. mayste, C. mayst
3191 _clere_--cler
3192 _denyed_--denoyed
3193-4 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3193 _don_ (_both_)--MS. done, C. doon
3194 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
_done_--doon
3196 _as moche_--so moche
3197 _done_--doon
_moche_--mochel
_halden_--halt
3201 _whiche_--which
3202 _lad_--MS. ladde, C. lad
3203 _it hath ben_--MS. I herde þe, C. it hath ben]
[Headnote:
THE IMPOTENCY OF THE WICKED.]
[Sidenote: Do you recollect too, that it has been shown that
happiness is the supreme good of men--and all desire this good,
since all seek happiness?]
{and} recordeþ þe nat þan q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is 3204
þilke same goode þat men requeren.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 25 _b_.]]
so þat whan þat
blisfulnesse is requered *of alle. þat goode [also] is
requered {and} desired of al. It recordeþ me wel q{uo}d I.
for haue it gretly alwey ficche[d] in my memorie.
[Sidenote: All men, then, good and bad, seek to acquire good?]
alle 3208
folk þan q{uo}d she goode {and} eke badde enforcen he{m}
wiþ oute difference of entenc{i}ou{n} to come{n} to goode.
þat is a uerray consequence q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: And it is certain that when men obtain good they become
good?]
and certeyne is q{uo}d
she þat by þe gety{n}g of goode ben men ymaked goode. 3212
[Sidenote: _B._ It is most certain.]
þis is certeyne q{uo}d. I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Do good men, then, get what they desire?]
¶ þan geten goode men þat þei
desiren.
[Sidenote: _B._ It seems so.]
so semeþ it q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ If evil men obtain the good, they can be no longer
evil?]
but wicked[e] folk q{uo}d
she yif þei geten þe goode þat þei desire{n} þei [ne]
mowen nat ben wicked.
[Sidenote: _B._ It is so.]
so is it q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Since then both parties pursue the good, which
only the virtuous obtain, we must believe that good men are
powerful, and that the wicked are weak and feeble?]
¶ þan so as 3216
þat oon {and} þat oþer [q{uod} she] desiren good. {and} þe
goode folk geten good {and} nat þe wicked folk ¶ þan
nis it no doute þat þe goode folk ne ben myȝty {and} þe
wicked folk ben feble.
[Sidenote: _B._ None can doubt this, save such as either consider
not rightly the nature of things, or are incapable of
comprehending the force of any reasoning.]
¶ who so þat euer q{uo}d I 3220
douteþ of þis. he ne may nat considre þe nature of
þi{n}ges. ne þe consequence of resou{n}. and ouer þis q{uo}d she.
[Linenotes:
3205-6 _goode_--good
3206 [_also_]--from C.
3207 _al_--alle
_It----I_--it ne recordeth me nat q{uod} I
3210-12(1)-15 _goode_--good
3214 _wicked[e]_--wikkede
3215 [_ne_]--from C.
3216 _mowen_--mowe
3217 [_quod she_]--from C.
3218 _wicked_--wilk{e} (? wikke)
3220 _wicked_--wikkede]
[Headnote:
THE WICKED DO NOT SEEK ARIGHT THE SUPREME GOOD.]
[Sidenote: _P._ If two beings have the same end in view--and one
of them accomplishes his purpose by the use of natural means,
while the other not using legitimate means does not attain his
end--which of these two is the most powerful?]
¶ yif þat þer ben two þinges þat han o same 3223
p{ur}pos by kynde. {and} þat one of he{m} p{ur}sueþ {and} p{er}formeþ
þilke same þinge by naturel office. {and} þat oþer
ne may nat done þilk naturel office. but folweþ by
oþer manere þan is couenable to nat{ur}e ¶ Hym þat
acomplisiþ hys p{ur}pos kyndely.
{and} ȝit he ne acomplisiþ [[pg 114]]
nat hys owen purpos. wheþer of þise two demest 3229
þou for more myȝty.
[Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate your meaning more clearly.]
¶ yif þat I coniecte q{uo}d .I. þat
þou wilt seye algates. ȝit I desire to herkene it more
pleynely of þe.
[Sidenote: _P._ The motion of walking is natural to man? And this
motion is the natural office of the feet? Do you grant this?]
þou nilt nat þan denye q{uo}d she þat þe 3232
moeueme{n}tȝ of goynge nis in men by kynde. no for soþe
q{uo}d I. ne þou ne doutest nat q{uo}d she þ{a}t þilke naturel
office of goynge ne be þe office of feet.
[Sidenote: _B._ I do.]
I ne doute
it nat q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ If, then, he who is able to use his feet walks,
whilst another lacking this power creeps on his hands--surely he
that is able to move naturally upon his feet is more powerful than
he who cannot.]
þan q{uo}d she yif þat a wyȝt be myȝty to 3236
moeue {and} goþ vpon hys feet. and anoþer to whom
þilke naturel office of feet lakkeþ. enforceþ hym to gone
crepynge vpo{n} hys handes. ¶ whiche of þise two auȝte
to ben holden more myȝty by ryȝt. knyt furþe þe remenaunt 3240
q{uo}d I. ¶ For no wyȝt ne douteþ þat he þat
may gone by nat{ur}el office of feet. ne be more myȝty
þan he þat ne may nat
[Sidenote: _P._ The good and bad seek the supreme good: the good
by the natural means of virtue--the wicked by gratifying divers
desires of earthly things (which is not the natural way of
obtaining it).]
¶ but þe souereyne good q{uo}d
she þat is euenlyche p{ur}posed to þe good folk {and} to 3244
badde. þe good folke seken it by naturel office of
uertues. {and} þe shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by
dyuerse couetise of erþely þinges. whiche þat nis no
naturel office to geten þilke same souereyne goode. 3248
[Sidenote: Do you think otherwise?]
trowest þou þat it be any oþer wyse.
[Sidenote: _B._ The consequence is plain, and that follows from
what has been granted--that the good are powerful, while the
wicked are feeble.]
nay q{uo}d .I. for þe
co{n}seque{n}ce is open {and} shewynge of þinges þat I haue
graunted. ¶ þat nedes goode folk moten ben myȝty.
{and} shrewes feble {and} vnmyȝty.
[Sidenote: _P._ You rightly anticipate me; for it is a good sign,
as physicians well know, when Nature exerts herself and resists
the malady.]
¶ þou rennest aryȝt 3252
byfore me q{uo}d she. {and} þis is þe iugement þat is to
seyn. ¶ I iuge of þe ryȝt as þise leches ben wont forto
hopen of seke folk whan þei ap{er}ceyuen þat nature is
redressed {and} wiþstondeþ to þe maladie.
[Sidenote: But, as you are so quick of apprehension, I shall
continue this mode of reasoning.]
¶ But for I 3256
see þe now al redy to þe vndirstandynge I shal shewe
þe more þilke {and} continuel resou{n}s.
[Sidenote: The weakness of the wicked is conspicuous--they cannot
attain the end to which their natural disposition prompts and
almost compels them; what would become of them without this
natural prompting, so powerful and irresistible?]
¶ For loke now
how gretly shewiþ þe feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked [[pg 115]]
folke. þat ne mowen nat come to þat hire naturel 3260
entenc{i}ou{n} ledeþ hem. {and} ȝitte almost þilk naturel
entenc{i}ou{n} constreineþ hem. ¶ and what wer{e} to deme
þan of shrewes. yif þilke naturel helpe hadde for-leten
hem. ¶ þe whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} goþ alwey 3264
byforne hem. {and} is so grete þat vnneþ it may be
ou{er}comen.
[Sidenote: Consider how great is the impotence of the wicked. (The
greater the things desired, but unaccomplished, the less is the
power of him that desires, and is unable to attain his end.)]
¶ Considre þan how gret defaute of power
{and} how gret feblesse þere is in grete felonous folk as
who seiþ þe gretter þi{n}ges þat ben coueited {and} þe desire 3268
nat accomplissed of þe lasse myȝt is he þat coueiteþ it
{and} may nat acomplisse. ¶ And forþi philosophie seiþ
þus by souereyne good.
[Sidenote: The wicked seek after no trivial things--which they
fail to obtain; but they aspire in vain to the sovereign good,
which they endeavour day and night to obtain.]
¶ Sherewes ne requere nat
lyȝt[e] medes ne veyne gaines whiche þei ne may nat 3272
folwen ne holden. but þei fayle{n} of þilke some of þe
heyȝte of þinges þat is to seyne souereyne good. ne þise
wrecches ne comen nat to þe effect of souereyne good.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 26.]]
*þe whiche þei enforcen hem oonly to gete{n} by nyȝtes 3276
{and} by dayes.
[Sidenote: The good attain the end of their desires, and therein
their power is manifested.]
¶ In þe getyn[g] of whiche goode þe
strengþe of good folk. is ful wel ysen.
[Sidenote: For as you deem him a good walker that goes to the end
of his journey, so you must esteem him powerful that attains his
desires, beyond which there is nothing to desire.]
For ryȝt so as
þ{o}u myȝtest demen hym myȝty of goynge þat goþ on
hys feet til he myȝt[e] come to þilke place fro þe whiche 3280
place þere ne lay no wey forþer to be gon. Ryȝt so
most þou nedes demen hym for ryȝt myȝty þat getiþ
{and} atteiniþ to þe ende of alle þinges þat ben to desire.
by-ȝonde þe whiche ende þat þer nis no þing to desire. 3284
[Linenotes:
3226 _þilk_--thilke
3229 _owen_--owne
3231 _wilt_--wolt
_herkene_--herkne
3232 _pleynely_--pleynly
_denye_--denoye
3233 _moeuementȝ_--Moeuement
3237 _goþ_--MS. goþe
_hys_--hise
3238 _gone_--goon
3239 _hys_--hise
_whiche_--which
3240 _more_--the Moore
_furþe_--forth
3242 _gone_--gon
3245 _good_--goode
3246 _uertues_--vertuus
3247 _whiche_--which
3248 _goode_--good
3253 _byfore_--by-forn
3254 _forto_--to
3255 _seke_--sike
3259 _wicked_--wikkede
3260 _come_--comyn
3261 _þilk_--thilke
3262 _deme_--demen
3263-4 _helpe_--help
3264 _whiche_--which
_goþ_--MS. goþe
3265 _grete_--gret
_vnneþ_--vnnethe
_be ouercomen_--ben ou{er}come
3267 _þere_--ther
_grete_--wikkede
3268 _þinges_--thing
_ben_--is
3271 _Sherewes ne requere_--ne shrewes ne requeren
3272 _lyȝt[e]_--lyhte
_veyne_--veyn
_nat_--omitted
3276 _whiche_--which
3277 _getyn[g]_--getinge
_whiche goode_--which good
3278 _ysen_--MS. and C. ysene
3279 _goþ_--MS. goþe
3280 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
3281 _þere_--ther
_lay_--laye
_forþer_--forthere
_be_--ben
3283 _desire_--desired
3284 _þat_--omitted]
[Headnote:
THE WICKED HAVE NO REAL EXISTENCE.]
[Sidenote: Wicked men, then, are destitute of those powers which
the good so amply possess.]
¶ Of whiche power of good folk men may conclude þat
wicked men semen to ben bareyne {and} naked of alle
strengþe.
[Sidenote: Wherefore do they leave virtue, and follow vice? Is it
because they are ignorant of good?]
For whi forleten þei v{er}tues {and} folwen
vices. nis it nat for þat þei ne knowen nat þe goodes. 3288
[Sidenote: What is more weak and base than the blindness of
ignorance? Or do they know the way they ought to follow, but are
led astray by lust and covetousness?]
¶ But what þing is more feble {and} more caitif þan is þe [[pg 116]]
blyndenesse of ignoraunce. or ellys þei knowen ful wel
whiche þinges þat þei auȝten to folwen ¶ but lecherye
{and} couetise ouerþroweþ hem mysturned.
[Sidenote: And so, indeed, weak-minded men are overpowered by
intemperance, for they cannot resist vicious temptations.]
¶ and certis 3292
so doþ distemp{er}aunce to feble men. þat ne mowe{n} nat
wrastle aȝeins þe vices
[Sidenote: Do they willingly desert Good and turn to Evil? If they
do so, they not only cease to be powerful, but even cease to
exist.]
¶ Ne knowen þei nat þan wel
þat þei foreleten þe good wilfully. {and} turnen hem vilfully
to vices. ¶ And in þis wise þei ne forleten nat 3296
oonly to ben myȝty. but þei forleten al outerly in any
wise forto ben
[Sidenote: For those who neglect the common end of all beings,
cease to exist.]
¶ For þei þat forleten þe comune fyn of
alle þinges þat ben. þei for-leten also þerwiþ al forto
ben.
[Sidenote: You may marvel that I assert that the wicked, the
majority of the human race, have no existence--but it is, however,
most true.]
and p{er}auenture it sholde semen to som folk þat 3300
þis were a merueile to seyne þat shrewes whiche þat
contienen þe more p{ar}tie of me{n} ne ben nat. ne han no
beynge. ¶ but naþeles it is so. {and} þus stant þis þing
[Sidenote: That the wicked are bad I do not deny--but I do not
admit that they have any real existence.]
for þei þat ben shrewes I denye nat þat þei ben shrewes. 3304
but I denye {and} sey[e] symplely and pleynly þat þei
[ne] ben nat. ne han no beynge.
[Sidenote: You may call a corpse a dead man, but you cannot with
propriety call it a man.]
for ryȝt as þou myȝtest
seyn of þe careyne of a man þat it were a ded man.
¶ but þou ne myȝtest nat symplely callen it a man. 3308
[Sidenote: So the vicious are profligate men, but I cannot confess
they absolutely exist.]
¶ So graunt[e] I wel for soþe þat vicious folk ben
wicked. but I ne may nat graunten absolutely {and}
symplely þat þei ben.
[Sidenote: That thing exists that preserves its rank, nature, and
constitution, but when it loses these essentials it ceases to be.]
¶ For þilk þing þat wiþ
holdeþ ordre {and} kepiþ nature. þilk þing is {and} haþ 3312
beynge. but þat þing þat faileþ of þat. þat is to seyne
he þ{a}t forletiþ naturel ordre he for-letiþ þilk beyng
þat is set in hys nature.
[Sidenote: But, you may say that the wicked have a _power_ to act,
nor do I deny it; but their power is an effect of weakness.]
but þou wolt sein þat shrewes
mowen. ¶ Certys þat ne denye I nat. ¶ but certys 3316
hir power ne descendeþ nat of strengþe but of feblesse.
[Sidenote: They can do evil, but this they could not do, if they
retained the power of doing good.]
for þei mowen don wickednesses. þe whiche þei ne
myȝten nat don yif þei myȝte{n} dwelle in þe forme {and}
in þe doynge of goode folke. [[pg 117]]
[Sidenote: This power, then, clearly shows their impotence.]
¶ And þilke power 3320
sheweþ ful euydently þat þei ne mowen ryȝt nauȝt.
[Linenotes:
3285 _whiche_--the which
_þat_--þ{a}t the
3286 _ben_--be
3291 _auȝten to folwen_--owhten folwe
3293 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth
3394 _wrastle_--wrastlen
3295 _vilfully_--wilsfully
3297 _outerly_--owtrely
3301 _seyne_--seyen
3304-5 _denye_--denoye
3305 _sey[e] symplely_--seye sympeli
3306 [_ne_]--from C.
3307 _seyn_--seyen
3309 _graunt[e]_--graunte
3311-12 _þilk_--thilke
3312 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3313 _þat_ (1)--what
_seyne_--seyn
3314 _þilk_--thilke
3315 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
3316 _denye_--denoye
3318 _don_--MS. done, C. don
3319 _myȝten_ (1)--myhte
_dwelle_--dwellin
3320 _goode_--good]
[Headnote:
POWER, AN ATTRIBUTE OF THE CHIEF GOOD.]
[Sidenote: For as evil is nothing, it is clear that while the
wicked can only do evil they can do nothing.]
¶ For so as I haue gadered {and} p{ro}ued a lytel her byforn
þat yuel is nauȝt. {and} so as shrewes mowen oonly
but shrewednesse. þis conclusiou{n} is al clere. þat 3324
shrewes ne mowen ryȝt nat to han power.
[Sidenote: That you may understand the force of this power, I have
proved that nothing is more powerful than the sovereign good.]
and for as
moche as þou vndirstonde whiche is þe strengþe þat is
power of shrewes. I haue diffinised a lytel here byforn
þat no þing nis so myȝty as souereyne good
[Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]
¶ þat is 3328
soþe q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ And that supreme good can do no evil?]
[{and} thilke same souereyn good may don
non yuel //
[Sidenote: _B._ Certainly not.]
Certes no q{uod} I]
[Sidenote: _P._ Is there any one who thinks that man can do all
things?]
¶ Is þer any wyȝt þan
q{uo}d she þat weniþ þat men mowen don alle þinges.
[Sidenote: _B._ No sane man can think so.]
No man q{uo}d .I. but yif he be out of hys witte.
[Sidenote: _P._ But men may do evil.]
¶ but 3332
certys sherewes mowen doñ yuel q{uo}d she.
[Sidenote: _B._ I would to God they could not.]
¶ ȝe wolde
god q{uo}d I þat þei ne myȝte{n} don none.
[Sidenote: _P._ Since he that can do good, can do all things, and
he that has power to do evil cannot do all things, therefore the
evil-doers are less powerful.]
þat q{uo}d she
so as he þat is myȝty to done oonly but good[e] þinges
may don alle þinges. and þei þat ben myȝty to done 3336
yuel[e] þinges ne mowen nat alle þinges. þan is þis open
þing {and} manifest þat þei þ{a}t mowe{n} don yuel ben of
lasse power.
[Sidenote: Let me add too that _power_ is one of the things to be
desired, and that all such things are to be referred to the chief
good (the perfection of their nature).]
and ȝitte to p{ro}ue þis conclusiou{n} þere
helpeþ me þis þat I haue shewed here byforne. þat al 3340
power is to be nou{m}bred amonge þinges þat men auȝten
requere. {and} haue shewed þat alle þi{n}ges þat auȝten ben
desired ben referred to good ryȝt as to a manere heyȝte
of hyr nature.
[Sidenote: But the power of doing evil has no relation to that
Good, therefore it is not desirable; but as all power is
desirable, it is clear that the ability to do evil is not power.]
¶ But for to mowen don yuel {and} 3344
felonye ne may nat ben referred to good. þan nis nat
yuel of þe nou{m}bre of þinges þat auȝte{n}.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 26 _b_.]]
*be desired. but
al power auȝt[e] ben desired {and} requered. ¶ þan is
it open {and} cler þat þe power ne þe moeuyng of shrewes 3348
nis no powere.
[Sidenote: It clearly follows from this reasoning, that the good
only are powerful while the vicious are feeble.]
{and} of alle þise þinges it sheweþ wel þat
þe goode folk ben certeynly myȝty. {and} þe shrewes ben [[pg 118]]
douteles vnmyȝty
[Sidenote: And Plato’s opinion is hereby verified that the _wise_
only have the power to do what they desire; the wicked may follow
the dictates of their lusts, but their great aim and desire,
_i. e._ HAPPINESS, they can never attain.]
¶ And it is clere {and} open þat þilke
sentence of plato is uerray {and} soþe. þ{a}t seyþ þat oonly 3352
wiseme{n} may [doon] þat þei desiren. {and} shrewes
mowen haunten þat hem lykeþ. but þat þei desiren þat
is to seyne to comen to souereyne good þei ne han no
power to acomplissen þat.
[Sidenote: The wicked may gratify their desires, thinking to
attain the chief good (for which they wish), but they can never
possess it, for impiety and vice can never be crowned with
happiness.]
¶ For shrewes don þat hem 3356
list whan by þo þinges in whiche þei deliten þei wenen
to atteyne to þilke good þat þei desiren. but þei ne geten
ne atteynen nat þer to. ¶ for vices ne comen nat to
blisfulnesse. 3360
[Linenotes:
3324 _shrewednesse_--shrewednesses
_clere_--cleer
3325 _nat----power_--nawht ne han no power
3326 _whiche_--which
_þat is_--of this
3327 _here_--her
3328 _nis_--is
3329 _soþe_--soth
3329, 3330 [_and thilke----quod I_]--from C.
3334 _don_--MS. done, C. don
_none þat_--non thanne
3335 _done_--doon
_good[e]_--goode
3336 _don_--MS. done, C. don
_done_--don
3337 _yuel[e]_--yuele
_þis_--it
3338 _don_--MS. done, C. don
3339 _ȝitte_--yit
_þere_--ther
3340 _shewed here byforne_--Ishewed her by-forn
_al_--alle
3341 _amonge_--among
3344 _don_--MS. done, C. don
3346 _auȝten be_--owhte ben
3347 _al_--alle
_auȝt[e]_--owhte
3351 _clere_--cler
3352 _soþe_--soth
_þat seyþ_--MS. but siþe, C. þ{a}t seyth
3353 [_doon_]--from C.
3355 _seyne_--seyn
3357 _whiche_--which]
[Headnote:
THE WICKED ARE UNHAPPY.]
QUOS UIDES SEDERE CELSOS.
[Sidenote: [The ij^de Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Whosoever might strip of their purple coverings, proud
kings, who, surrounded by their guards, sit on lofty thrones, and
whose stern looks wear fierce threatenings, and boiling breasts
breathe fury; would see those mighty lords inwardly fettered, and
tormented by lust, passion, grief, and delusive hopes.]
++Who so þat þe couertures of her veyn apparailes
myȝt[e] strepen of þise proude kynges þat þou
seest sitten on heyȝe in her chayeres glyterynge in
shynynge purpre envyroned wiþ sorweful arm{ur}es 3364
manasyng wiþ cruel mouþe. blowyng by woodnesse of
herte. ¶ He sholde se þan þat ilke lordes beren wiþ
i{n}ne hir corages ful streyte cheynes for leccherye tormentiþ
he{m} on þat oon syde wiþ gredy venyms {and} 3368
troublable Ire þat araiseþ in hem þe floodes of troublynges
tourmentiþ vpon þat oþer side hir þouȝt. or sorwe halt
he{m} wery or ycauȝt. or slidyng {and} disseyuyng hope
tourmentiþ hem.
[Sidenote: Since, then, so many tyrants bear sway over one
head--that lord, oppressed by so many masters (i. e. vices), is
weak and feeble, and his actions are not obedient to his will.]
And þerfore syn þou seest on heed. 3372
þat is to seyne oon tyraunt bere so many[e] tyrauntis.
þa{n} ne doþ þilk tyraunt nat þat he desiriþ. syn he
is cast doune wiþ so many[e] wicked lordes. þat is to
seyn wiþ so many[e] vices. þat han so wicked lordshipes 3376
ouer hym.
[Linenotes:
3361-63 _her_--hir
3362 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
3363 _heyȝe_--heygh
3364 _sorweful_--sorwful
3365 _mouþe_--Mowth
3366 _se_--seen
_ilke_--thilke
3368 _on_--in
3369 _hem_--hym
3371 _disseyuyng_--deceyuynge
3373 _seyne_--seyn
_bere_--beeren
3373-75-76 _many[e]_--manye
3373 _tyrauntis_--tyranyes
3374 _doþ_--MS. doþe
_þilk_--thilke
3375 _doune_--down
_wicked_--wikkede
3376 _wicked_--wikkedly]
[[pg 119]]
[Headnote:
THEY DO NOT ESCAPE PUNISHMENT.]
VIDES NE IGITUR QUANTO.
[Sidenote: [The iij.^de p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: See you not in how great and filthy a mire the wicked
wallow?]
++SEest þou nat þan in how gret filþe þise shrewes ben
ywrapped. {and} wiþ whiche cleernesse þise good
folk shynen.
[Sidenote: This is a proof that good folks do not go unrewarded,
nor do the evil-doers escape punishment.]
In þis sheweþ it wel þat to good folk ne 3380
lakkeþ neuer mo hir medes. ne shrewes ne lakken
neuer mo to{ur}mentis.
[Sidenote: Every action is done for a certain end, and that end is
the reward of the action.]
for of alle þinges þat ben ydon
þilke þing for whiche any þing is doon. it semeþ as by
ryȝt þat þilke þing be þe mede of þat. as þus. ¶ yif a 3384
man renneþ in þe stadie or in þe forlonge for þe corone.
þan lieþ þe mede in þe corone for whiche he renneþ.
[Sidenote: But Happiness is that good for which all things are
done. Therefore happiness is the reward which all the human race
seek as the reward of their actions.]
¶ And I haue shewed þat blisfulnesse is þilke same
good for whiche þat alle þi{n}g{us} ben don. þan is þilke 3388
same good p{ur}posed to þe werkes of mankynde ryȝt as
a comune mede.
[Sidenote: This good is inseparable from the virtuous, therefore
virtue can never want its reward.]
whiche mede ne may ben disseuered
fro good folk. for no wyȝt as by ryȝt fro þennes forþe
þ{a}t hym lakkiþ goodnesse ne shal ben cleped good. 3392
For whiche þing folk of good[e] maneres her medes ne
forsaken hem neuer mo.
[Sidenote: Evil men may rage as they please against the good, but
the crown of the wise shall not fall nor fade.]
For al be it so þat sherewes
waxen as wood as hem list aȝeynes good[e] folk. ȝitte
neuer þe les þe corone of wise men ne shal nat fallen 3396
ne faden.
[Sidenote: The wickedness of another cannot deprive a virtuous
soul of its own honour.]
¶ For foreine shrewednesse ne bynymeþ
nat fro þe corages of good[e] folk hire p{ro}pre honoure.
[Linenotes:
3379 _whiche_--which
3380 _good_--goode
3381 _ne_ (2)--omitted
3383 _whiche_--which
3385 _forlonge_--forlong
3386-88-90 _whiche_--which
3391 _forþe_--forth
3393 _whiche_--which
_good[e]_--goode
3395 _wood_--woode
_good[e]_--goode
3396 _les_--leese
_ne_--omitted
3398 _good[e]_--goode]
[Headnote:
THE REWARD OF THE GOOD.]
[Sidenote: If a man pride himself on the possession of an
advantage received from another, he may be deprived of it, either
by the giver or by others.]
but yif þat any wyȝt reioiseþ hem of goodnesse þat þei
had[de] taken fro wiþoute. as who seiþ yif [þ{a}t] any 3400
wyȝt had[de] hys goodnesse of any oþer man þan of
hym self. certys he þat ȝaf hym þilke goodnesse or
ellys som oþer wyȝt myȝt[e] bynym[e] it hym.
[Sidenote: But, as the reward of the virtuous is derived from
virtue, a man cannot lose this meed unless he ceases to be
virtuous.]
but for
as moche as to euery wyȝt hys owen p{ro}pre bounte 3404
ȝeueþ hy{m} hys mede. þan at arst shal he faylen of
mede whan he forletiþ to ben good.
[Sidenote: Lastly, since a reward is desired because it is
supposed to be a good, can we believe that he who is capable of
good is deprived of the recompence?]
{and} at þe laste so
as alle medes be{n} requered for men wenen þat þei ben
good[e]. who is he þat wolde deme þat he þat is ryȝt [[pg 120]]
myȝty of goode were p{ar}tles of mede. 3409
[Sidenote: What reward shall he receive?]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 27.]]
*{and} of what
mede shal he be gerdoned.
[Sidenote: Certainly the fairest and richest of all rewards.]
certys of ryȝt faire mede
{and} ryȝt greet abouen alle medes.
[Sidenote: Call to mind that excellent corollary I have already
given thee, and reason thus:--]
¶ Remembre þe of
þilk noble corolarie þat I ȝaf þe a lytel here byforne. 3412
{and} gadre it to gidre in þis manere.
[Sidenote: Since the supreme good is happiness, it follows that
all good men are happy in as much as they are good; but if they
are happy they must become as it were gods.]
so as god hym self
is blisfulnesse. þan is it clere {and} certeyn. þat alle good
folk ben makid blisful for þei ben good[e]. and þilke
folk þat ben blisful it accordiþ {and} is couenable to ben 3416
godde[s].
[Sidenote: The reward (_i. e._ divinity) of the righteous is such
that no time can impair it, no power can diminish it, nor can any
wickedness obscure it.]
þan is þe mede of goode folk swiche. þat no
day [ne] shal enpeyren it. ne no wickednesse shal endirken
it. ne power of no wyȝt ne shal nat amenusen it
þat is to seyn to ben maked goddes.
[Sidenote: Since, then, happiness belongs to good men, punishment
inseparably attends the wicked.]
¶ and syn it is 3420
þus þat goode men ne faylen neuer mo of hir{e} medes.
[Linenotes:
3399 _reioiseþ_--reioyse
_hem_--hym
_þei had[de]_--he hadde
3400 [_þat_]--from C.
3401 _had[de]_--hadde
3402 _self_--MS. selk
3403 _myȝt[e] bynym[e]_--myhte be-nyme
3404 _owen_--owne
3406 _laste_--last
3408 _good[e]_--goode
_wolde_--nolde
3409 _goode_--good
_of_ (2)--of the
3411 _greet_--grete
3412 _here byforne_--her by-forn
3413 _god_--good
3414 _is_ (1)--his
_clere_--cleer
3415 _good[e]_--goode
3417 _godde[s]_--goddes
_swiche_--swich
3418 [_ne_]--from C.
_endirken_--derken]
[Headnote:
VIRTUE EXALTS MANKIND.]
¶ certys no wise man ne may doute of þe vndep{ar}table
peyne of shrewes. ¶ þat is to seyn þat þe peyne of
shrewes ne dep{ar}tiþ nat from hem self neuer mo. 3424
[Sidenote: For since _good_ and _evil_ are contraries, so are
_rewards_ and _punishments_.]
¶ For so as goode {and} yuel {and} peyne {and} medes ben
contrarie it mot nedes ben þ{a}t ryȝt as we seen by-tiden
in gerdou{n} of goode.
[Sidenote: It is evident that rewards follow good actions, and
punishments attend evil actions; then as virtue itself is the
reward of the virtuous, so vice is the punishment of the vicious.]
þat also mot þe peyne of yuel
answer{e} by þe contrarie partye to shrewes. now þan so 3428
as bounte {and} prowesse ben þe medes to goode folk.
also is shrewednesse it self torment to shrewes
[Sidenote: He who is punished with pain and uneasiness knows that
he is afflicted with evil.]
¶ þan
who so þat euer is entecched {and} defouled wiþ yuel.
[Sidenote: If, then, the wicked did rightly understand themselves
they would perceive that they are not exempted from punishment.]
yif shrewes wolen þan p{re}isen hem self may it semen 3432
to hem þat þei ben wiþ oute{n} p{ar}tye of tourment.
[Sidenote: Since vice, the extreme and worst kind of evil, not
only afflicts them, but infects and entirely pollutes them.]
syn þei ben swiche þat þe [vtteriste wikkednesse / þ{a}t is to
seyn wikkede thewes / which þ{a}t is the] out{er}este {and}
þe w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouliþ nat ne 3436
entecehiþ nat hem oonly but infectiþ {and} enuenemyþ
he{m} gretely
[Sidenote: But contemplate the punishment of the wicked.]
¶ And al so loke on shrewes þat ben þe
contrarie p{ar}tye of goode men.
how grete peyne felawshipeþ [[pg 121]]
{and} folweþ hem.
[Sidenote: You have been taught that _unity_ is essential to being
and is good--and all that have this unity are good; whatsoever,
then, fails to be good ceases to exist.]
¶ For þou hast lerned a litel 3440
here byforn þat al þi{n}g þat is {and} haþ beynge is oon.
{and} þilke same oon is good. þan is þis consequence þat
it semeþ wel. þat al þat is {and} haþ bey{n}ge is good. þis
is to seyne. as who seiþ þat beynge {and} vnite {and} 3444
goodnesse is al oon. {and} in þis manere it folweþ þan.
þat al þing þat faileþ to ben good. it styntiþ forto be.
{and} forto haue any beynge.
[Sidenote: So that it appears that evil men must cease to be what
they were.]
wher fore it is þat shrewes
stynten forto ben þat þei weren.
[Sidenote: That they were once men, the outward form of the body,
which still remains, clearly testifies.]
but þilke oþer forme 3448
of mankynde. þat is to seyne þe forme of þe body wiþ
oute. shewiþ ȝit þat þise shrewes were somtyme men.
[Linenotes:
3422 _wise man_--wysman
_þe_--omitted
_vndepartable_--MS. vndirp{ar}table, C. vndepartable
3423 _of_ (1)--of the
3428 _answere_--answery
_þe_--omitted
3434 [_vtteriste----is the_]--from C.
3438 _gretely_--gretly
3439 _grete_--gret
3441 _al_--alle
_haþ_--MS. haþe
3443 _al_--alle
_haþ_--MS. haþe
3446 _al_--alle
3447 _haue_--han
3448 _stynten_--MS. styntent
3450 _were somtyme_--weeren whilom]
[Headnote:
HE WHO CEASES TO BE VIRTUOUS CEASES TO BE A MAN.]
[Sidenote: Wherefore, when they degenerate into wickedness they
lose their human nature.]
¶ wher fore whan þei ben p{er}uerted {and} torned in to
malice. certys þan han þei forlorn þe nature of mankynde. 3452
[Sidenote: But as virtue alone exalts one man above other men, it
is evident that vice, which divests a man of his nature, must sink
him below humanity.]
but so as oonly bounte {and} prowesse may enhawnse
euery man ouer oþer men. þan mot it nedes be
þat shrewes whiche þat shrewednesse haþ cast out of þe
condic{i}ou{n} of mankynde ben put vndir þe merite {and} 3456
þe deserte of men.
[Sidenote: You cannot, therefore, esteem him to be a man whom you
see thus transformed by his vices.]
þan bitidiþ it þat yif þou seest a
wyȝt þat be t{ra}nsformed in to vices. þou ne mayst nat
wene þat he be a man.
[Sidenote: The greedy robber, you will say, is like a _wolf_.]
¶ For ȝif he [be] ardaunt in
auarice. {and} þat he be a rauyno{ur} by violence of 3460
foreine rychesse. þou shalt seyn þat he is lyke to a
wolf.
[Sidenote: He who gives no rest to his abusive tongue, you may
liken to a _hound_.]
{and} yif he be felonous {and} wiþ out reste {and}
ex{er}cise hys tonge to chidynges. þou shalt lykene hym
to þe hounde.
[Sidenote: Does he delight in fraud and trickery? then is he like
young _foxes_.]
{and} yif he be a p{re}ue awaito{ur} yhid {and} 3464
reioyseþ hym to rauysshe by wyles. þou shalt seyne
hym lyke to þe fox whelpes.
[Sidenote: Is he intemperate in his anger? then men will compare
him to a raging _lion_.]
¶ And yif he be distempre
{and} quakiþ for ire men shal wene þat he bereþ
þe corage of a lyou{n}.
[Sidenote: If he be a coward, he will be likened to a _hart_.]
{and} yif he be dredeful {and} fleynge 3468
and dredeþ þinges þat ne auȝten nat ben dred. men
shal holde hym lyke to þe h{er}te. [[pg 122]]
[Sidenote: If he be slow, dull, and lazy, then is he like an
_ass_.]
{and} yif he be slowe
{and} astoned {and} lache. he lyueþ as an asse.
[Sidenote: Is he fickle and inconstant? Then is he like a _bird_.]
{and} yif he
be lyȝt {and} vnstedfast of corage {and} chaungeþ ay his 3472
studies. he is lickened to briddes.
[Sidenote: Doth he wallow in filthy lusts? Then doth he roll
himself in the mire like a nasty _sow_.]
¶ {and} yif he be
plounged in foule {and} vnclene luxuries. he is wiþholden
in þe foule delices of þe foule soowe.
[Sidenote: It follows, then, that he who ceases to be virtuous,
ceases to be a man; and, since he cannot attain divinity, he is
turned into a beast.]
¶ þan folweþ it
þat he þat forletiþ bountee {and} prowesse. he forletiþ to 3476
ben a man. syn he ne may nat passe in to þe condic{i}ou{n}
of god. he is tourned in to a beest.
[Linenotes:
3452 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. forlorn
3453 _as_--omitted
_enhawnse_--enhawsen
3455 _whiche_--which
_haþ_--MS. haþe
3459 [_be_]--from C.
3464 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hidd
3465 _seyne_--seyn
3468 _dredeful_--dredful
3469 _ben_--to ben
_dred_--MS. dredde, C. dredd
3470 _holde_--holden
_lyke_--lyk
_herte_--hert
_slowe_--slowh
3472 _vnstedfast_--vnstidefast
_his_--hise
3475 _þan_--MS. þat, C. thanne
3477 _passe_--passen]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 27 _b_.]]
*V[E]LA NARICII DUCIS.
[Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Ulysses was driven by the eastern winds upon the shores
of that isle where Circe dwelt, who, having entertained her guests
with magic draughts, transformed them into divers shapes--one into
a boar, another into a lion;]
++Evrus þe wynde aryueþ þe sayles of vlixes duc of þe
contre of narice. {and} hys wandryng shippes by þe 3480
see in to þe isle þere as Circe þe fayre goddesse douȝter
of þe sonne dwelleþ þat medlyþ to hir newe gestes
drynkes þat ben touched {and} maked wiþ enchau{n}tmentȝ.
{and} after þat hir hande myȝty of þe herbes 3484
had[de] chau{n}ged hir gestes i{n} to dyuerse maneres. þat
oon of hem is couered his face wiþ forme of a boor. þat
oþer is chau{n}ged in to a lyou{n} of þe contre of marmorike.
{and} his nayles {and} his teþe wexen.
[Sidenote: some into howling wolves, and others into Indian
tigers.]
¶ þat 3488
oþer of hem is newliche chaunged in to a wolf. {and}
howeliþ whan he wolde wepe. þat oþer goþ debonairly
in þe house as a tigre of Inde.
[Sidenote: But Mercury, the Arcadian god, rescued Ulysses from the
Circean charms. Yet his mariners, having drunk of her infected
drinks, were changed to swine, and fed on acorns.]
but al be it so þat þe
godhed of mercurie þat is cleped þe bride of arcadie haþ 3492
had mercie of þe duc vlixes byseged wiþ diu{er}se yueles
{and} haþ vnbounden hym fro þe pestilence of hys
oosteresse algates þe rowers {and} þe maryners hadden by
þis ydrawen in to hir mouþes {and} dronken þe wicked[e] 3496
drynkes þei þat were woxen swyne hadden by þis [[pg 123]]
chau{n}ged hire mete of brede forto ete acorns of ookes.
[Sidenote: All traces of the human form were lost, and they were
bereft of speech.]
non of hir lymes ne dwelliþ wiþ he{m} hoole. but
þei han lost þe voys {and} þe body.
[Sidenote: Their souls, unchanged, bewailed their dreadful fate.]
Oonly hir{e} þouȝt 3500
dwelleþ wiþ hem stable þ{a}t wepiþ {and} bywailiþ þe
monstruous chaungynge þat þei suffren.
[Sidenote: O most weak, are Circe’s powers compared with the
potency of vice, to transform the human shape!]
¶ O ouer lyȝt
hand. as who seiþ. ¶ O feble {and} lyȝt is þe hand of
Circes þe enchaunteresse þat chaungeþ þe bodies of folk 3504
in to bestes to regarde {and} to co{m}parisou{n} of mutac{i}ou{n}
þat is makid by vices.
[Sidenote: Circe’s herbs may change the body, but cannot touch the
mind, the inward strength of man.]
ne þe herbes of circes ne ben nat
myȝty. for al be it so þat þei may chau{n}gen þe lymes
of þe body. ¶ algates ȝit þei may nat chau{n}ge þe 3508
hertes. for wiþ inne is yhid þe strengþe {and} þe vigour
of me{n} in þe secre toure of hire hertys. þat is to seyn
þe strengþe of resou{n}.
[Sidenote: But vice is more potent than Circe’s poisonous charms.]
but þilke uenyms of vices to-drawen
a man to hem more myȝtily þan þe venym of 3512
circes.
[Sidenote: Though it leaves the body whole, it pierces the inner
man, and inflicts a deadly wound upon the soul.]
¶ For vices ben so cruel þat þei percen {and}
þoruȝ passen þe corage wiþ i{n}ne. {and} þouȝ þei ne anoye
nat þe body. ȝitte vices wooden to distroien men by
wounde of þouȝt. 3516
[Linenotes:
3479 _aryueþ_--aryuede
_vlixes_--MS. vluxies, C. vlixes
3481 _Circe_--Circes
3483 _enchauntmentȝ_--enchauntementȝ
3484 _hande_--hand
_of_--ou{er}
3485 _had[de]_--hadde
_gestes_--MS. goostes, C. gestes
3486 _boor_--boer{e}
3488 _his_ (1)--hise
_his teþe_--hise teth
3489 _newliche_--neweliche
3490 _goþ_--MS. goþe
3491 _house_--hows
3492 _bride_--bryd
_haþ_--MS. haþe
3493 _mercie_--MS. mercurie, C. mercy
3494 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3495 _oosteresse_--oostesse
3496 _wicked[e]_--wikkede
3497 _were woxen swyne_--weeren wexen swyn
3498 _chaunged_--Ichaunged
_brede_--bred
_forto_--MS. {and} forto
_ete acorns_--eten akkornes
3499 _hoole_--hool
3501 _wepiþ_--MS. kepiþ, C. weepith
3502 _monstruous_--MS. monstronous, C. Monstruos
3504 _Circes_--MS. Cirtes
_folk_--folkys
3509 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hydd
3515 _wooden_--MS. wolden, C. wooden]
[Headnote:
THE WICKED ARE TORMENTED BY A THREEFOLD WRETCHEDNESS.]
TUNC EGO FATEOR INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The ferthe p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ I confess that vicious men are rightly called
beasts.]
++Þan seide I þus I confesse {and} am aknowe q{uo}d I. ne
I ne se nat þat men may seyn as by ryȝt.
[Sidenote: They retain the outward form of man, but the qualities
of their souls prove them to be beasts.]
þ{a}t
shrewes ne ben nat chaunged in to beestes by þe
qualite of hir soules. ¶ Al be it so þ{a}t þei kepen ȝitte 3520
þe forme of þe body of mankynde.
[Sidenote: I wish, however, that the wicked were without the power
to annoy and hurt good men.]
but I nolde nat of
shrewes of whiche þe þouȝt cruel woodeþ alwey in to
destrucc{i}ou{n} of good[e] men. þat it wer{e} leueful to hem
to done þat.
[Sidenote: _P._ They have no power, as I shall presently show
you.]
¶ Certys q{uo}d she ne it nis nat leueful 3524
to hem as I shal wel shewen þe in couenable place.
[Sidenote: But were this power, which men ascribe to them, taken
away from the wicked, they would be relieved of the greatest part
of their punishment.]
¶ But naþeles yif so were þat þilke þat me{n} wene{n} ben
leueful for shrewes were bynomen hem. so þat þei ne [[pg 124]]
myȝten nat anoyen or don harme to goode men. ¶ Certys 3528
a gret p{ar}ty of þe peyne to shrewes shulde ben allegged
{and} releued.
[Sidenote: The wicked are more unhappy when they have accomplished
their evil designs than when they fail to do so.]
¶ For al be it so þ{a}t þis ne seme nat
credible þing p{er}auent{ur}e to so{m}me folk ȝit mot it
nedes be þat shrewes ben more wrecches {and} vnsely. 3532
whan þei may don {and} p{er}forme þat þei coueiten [than
yif they myhte nat complyssen þ{a}t they coueyten].
[Sidenote: If it is a miserable thing to will evil, it is a
greater unhappiness to have the power to execute it, without which
power the wicked desires would languish without effect.]
¶ For
yif so be þat it be wrecchednesse to wilne to don yuel[;]
þan is it more wrecchednesse to mowen don yuel. 3536
wiþ oute whiche moeuyng þe wrecched wille sholde
languisshe wiþ oute effecte.
[Sidenote: Since, then, each of these three things (_i. e._ the
will, the power, and the accomplishment of evil) hath its misery,
therefore a threefold wretchedness afflicts those who both will,
can, and do commit sin.]
¶ þan syn þat eueryche of
þise þinges haþ hys wrecchednesse. þat is to seyne wil
to done yuel. and moeuynge to done yuel. it mot nedes 3540
be. þat þei (shrewes) ben constreyned by þre vnselynesses
þat wolen {and} mowen {and} p{er}formen felonyes
{and} shrewednesses.
[Sidenote: _B._ I grant it--but still I wish the vicious were
without this misfortune.]
¶ I accorde me q{uo}d I. but I
desire gretely þat shrewes losten sone þilke vnselynesses. 3544
þat is to seyne þat shrewes were despoyled of moeuyng
to don yuel.
[Sidenote: _P._ They shall be despoiled of it sooner than you wish
perhaps, or than they themselves imagine.]
¶ so shulle{n} þei q{uo}d she.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 28.]]
sonnere
p{er}auenture þen þ{o}u woldest *or sonnere þen þei hem
self wenen to lakken mowynge to done yuel.
[Sidenote: In the narrow limits of this life, nothing, however
tardy it appears, can seem to an immortal soul to have a very long
duration.]
¶ For 3548
þere nis no þing so late in so short bou{n}des of þis lijf
þat is longe to abide. namelyche to a corage inmortel.
[Sidenote: The great hopes, and the subtle machinations of the
wicked, are often suddenly frustrated, by which an end is put to
their wickedness.]
Of whiche shrewes þe grete hope {and} þe heye co{m}passy{n}g{us}
of shrewednesse is often destroyed by a 3552
sodeyne ende or þei ben war. {and} þat þing establiþ to
shrewes þe ende of hir shrewednesse.
[Sidenote: If vice renders men wretched, the longer they are
vicious the longer must they be miserable.]
¶ For yif þat
shrewednesse makiþe wrecches. þan mot he nedes be
most wrecched þat lengest is a shrewe.
[Sidenote: And they would be infinitely wretched if death did not
put an end to their crimes.]
þe whiche 3556
wicked shrewes wolde ydemen aldirmost vnsely {and}
caytifs yif þat hir shrewednes ne were yfinissed. at þe [[pg 125]]
leste weye by þe outerest[e] deeþ.
[Sidenote: It is clear, as I have already shown, that eternal
misery is infinite.]
for [yif] I haue concluded
soþe of þe vnselynesse of shrewednesse. þan sheweþ 3560
it clerely þat þilke shrewednesse is wiþ outen ende þe
whiche is certeyne to ben p{er}durable.
[Sidenote: _B._ This consequence appears to be just, but difficult
to assent to.]
¶ Certys q{uo}d I
þis [conclusion] is harde {and} wonderful to graunte. ¶ But
I knowe wel þat it accordeþ moche to [the] þi{n}ges þat I 3564
haue graunted her byforne.
[Sidenote: _P._ You think rightly; but if you cannot assent to my
conclusion you ought to show that the premises are false, or that
the consequences are unfairly deduced; for if the premises be
granted, you cannot reject the inferences from them.]
¶ þou hast q{uo}d she þe ryȝt
estimac{i}ou{n} of þis. but who so euere wene þat it be an
harde þing to acorde hym to a conclusiou{n}. it is ryȝt
þat he shewe þat so{m}me of þe p{re}misses ben fals. or 3568
ellys he mot shewe þat þe colasiou{n} of p{re}posic{i}ou{n}s
nis nat spedful to a necessarie conclusio{n}. ¶ and yif it
be nat so. but þat þe p{re}misses ben yg{ra}nted þer nis
nat whi he sholde blame þe argument.
[Sidenote: What I am about to say is not less wonderful, and it
follows necessarily from the same premises.]
for þis þing þat 3572
I shal telle þe nowe ne shal not seme lasse wondirful.
[Linenotes:
3517 _aknowe_--aknowe it
3518 _seyn_--sayn
3523 _good[e]_--goode
3524 _done_--don
3526 _ben_--be
3527 _for_--to
3528 _myȝten_--myhte
_don_--MS. done, C. doon
_harme_--harm
3529 _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret
3533-36 _don_--MS. done, C. doon
3533-34 [_than----coueyten_]--from C.
3537 _moeuyng_--mowynge
_wille_--wil
3539 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_seyne_--seyn
3540 _done_ (1)--doon
_moeuynge to done_--Mowynge to don
_mot_--MS. mote, C. mot
3544 _gretely_--gretly
3545 _seyne_--seyn
_were_--weeren
_moeuyng_--mowynge
3548 _wenen_--weene
_to lakken----yuel_--omitted
3549 _þere_--ther
_so_ (2)--the
3550 _longe_--long
3552 _shrewednesse_--shrewednesses
_often_--ofte
3558 _shrewednes_--shrewednesse
_yfinissed_--fynyshed
3559 _weye_--wey
_outerest[e]_--owtteryste
[_yif_]--from C.
3560 _soþe_--soth
3561 _clerely_--cleerly
3563 [_conclusion_]--from C.
_harde_--hard
3564 [_the_]--from C.
3567 _harde_--hard
3568 _fals_--false
3573 _nowe_--now]
[Headnote:
THE WRETCHEDNESS OF THE WICKED IS DIMINISHED BY PUNISHMENT.]
but of þe þinges þat ben taken al so it is necessarie as
who so seiþ it folweþ of þat whiche þat is p{ur}posed
byforn.
[Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]
what is þat q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ That the wicked who have been punished for their
crimes, are happier than if justice had allowed them to go
unpunished.]
¶ certys q{uo}d she þat is 3576
þat þ{a}t þise wicked shrewes ben more blysful or ellys
lasse wrecches. þat byen þe tourmentes þat þei han
deserued. þan yif no peyne of Iustice ne chastied[e]
hem.
[Sidenote: I do not appeal to popular arguments, that punishment
corrects vice, that the fear of chastisement leads them to take
the right path, and that the sufferings of evil-doers deter others
from vice, but I believe that guilty men, unpunished, become much
more unhappy in another way.]
ne þis ne seye I nat now for þat any man myȝt[e] 3580
þenk[e] þat þe maneres of shrewes ben coriged {and}
chastised by veniaunce. {and} þat þei ben brouȝt to þe
ryȝt wey by þe drede of þe tourment. ne for þat þei
ȝeuen to oþer folk ensample to fleyen fro{m} vices. ¶ But 3584
I vndirstonde ȝitte [in] an oþer manere þat shrewes
ben more vnsely whan þei ne ben nat punissed al be it
so þat þere ne ben had no resou{n} or lawe of correcc{i}ou{n}.
ne none ensample of lokynge.
[Sidenote: _B._ In what way do you mean?]
¶ And what manere 3588
shal þat ben q{uo}d I. ouþer þan haþ ben told here [[pg 126]]
byforn
[Sidenote: _P._ Are not good people happy, and evil folk
miserable?]
¶ Haue we nat graunted þan q{uo}d she þat
good[e] folk ben blysful. {and} shrewes ben wrecches.
[Sidenote: _B._ Yes.]
ȝis q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ If good be added to the wretchedness of a man,
will not he be happier than another whose misery has no element of
good in it?]
[thanne q{uod} she] ȝif þat any good were 3592
added to þe wrecchenesse of any wyȝt. nis he nat more
blisful þan he þat ne haþ no medelyng of goode in hys
solitarie wrecchednesse.
[Sidenote: _B._ It seems so.]
so semeþ it q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ And if to the same wretched being another misery
be annexed, does not he become more wretched than he whose misery
is alleviated by the participation of some good?]
and what
seyst þou þan q{uo}d she of þilke wrecche þat lakkeþ alle 3596
goodes. so þat no goode nis medeled in hys wrecchednesse.
{and} ȝitte ouer alle hys wickednesse for whiche
he is a wrecche þat þer be ȝitte anoþer yuel anexid {and}
knyt to hym. shal not men demen hym more vnsely 3600
þan þilke wrecche of whiche þe vnselynesse is re[le]ued
by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} of som goode.
[Sidenote: _B._ He does.]
whi sholde he nat
q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ When evil men are punished they have a degree of
good annexed to their wretchedness, to wit, the punishment itself,
which as it is the effect of justice is good.]
¶ þan certys q{uo}d she han shrewes whan þei
ben punissed somwhat of good anexid to hir wrecchednesse. 3604
þat is to seyne þe same peyne þat þei suffren
whiche þat is good by þe resou{n} of Iustice.
[Sidenote: And when these wretches escape punishment something
more of ill (_i. e._ exemption from punishment) is added to their
condition.]
And whan
þilke same shrewes ascapen wiþ outen tourment. þan
han þei somwhat more of yuel ȝit ouer þe wickednesse 3608
þat þei han don. þat is to seye defaute of peyne.
whiche defaute of peyne þou hast graunted is yuel.
[Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny it.]
¶ For þe desert of felonye I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Much more unhappy are the wicked when they enjoy
an unmerited impunity than when they suffer a lawful
chastisement.]
¶ Moche more þan q{uo}d she ben shrewes vnsely 3612
whan þei ben wrongfully delyuered fro peyne. þan
whan þei beþ punissed by ryȝtful vengeaunce.
[Sidenote: It is just to punish evil-doers, and unjust that they
should escape punishment.]
but þis is
open þi{n}g {and} clere þat it is ryȝt þat shrewes ben
punissed. {and} it is wickednesse {and} wrong þat þei 3616
escapin vnpunissed.
[Sidenote: _B._ Nobody denies that.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 28 _b_.]]
¶ who myȝt[e] denye *þat q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Everything, too, which is just is good; and, on
the contrary, whatsoever is unjust is evil.]
but q{uo}d she may any ma{n} denye. þat al þat is ryȝt nis
good. {and} also þe contrarie. þat alle þat is wrong nis
wicked. [[pg 127]]
[Sidenote: _B._ These are just inferences from our former
premises.]
certys q{uo}d I þise þinges ben clere ynouȝ. {and} 3620
þat we han concludid a litel here byforn{e}.
[Sidenote: But is there any punishment for the soul after death of
the body?]
but I p{re}ye
þe þat þou telle me yif þou accordest to leten no to{ur}ment
to þe soules aftir þat þe body is dedid by þe deþe.
þis [is] to seyn. vndirstondest þou ouȝt þat soules han 3624
any to{ur}ment after þe deþe of þe body.
[Sidenote: _P._ Yes, and great ones too. Some punishments are
rigorous and eternal.]
¶ Certis q{uo}d
she ȝe {and} þat ryȝt grete. of whiche soules q{uo}d she I
trowe þat so{m}me ben to{ur}mentid by asprenesse of
peyne.
[Sidenote: Others have a corrective and purifying force, and are
of finite duration.]
{and} so{m}me soules I trowe be exc{er}cised by a 3628
p{ur}ging mekenesse.
[Sidenote: But this is not to our purpose.]
but my conseil nys nat to determyne
of þis peyne. but I haue trauayled and told it
hider to.
[Sidenote: I want you to see that the power of the wicked is in
reality nothing, that the wicked never go unpunished; that their
licence to do evil is not of long duration, and that the wicked
would be more unhappy if it were longer, and infinitely wretched
if it were to continue for ever.]
¶ For þou sholdest knowe þat þe mowynge
[.i. myght] of shrewes whiche mowynge þe semeþ to 3632
ben. vnworþi nis no mowynge. {and} eke of shrewes of
whiche þou pleynedest þat þei ne were nat punissed.
þat þou woldest seen þat þei ne weren neuer mo wiþ
outen þe torment of hire wickednesse. {and} of þe licence 3636
of mowynge to done yuel. þat þou p{re}idest þat it
myȝt[e] sone ben endid. {and} þat þou woldest fayne
lerne. þat it ne sholde nat longe endure. {and} þat
shrewes ben more vnsely yif þei were of lenger duryng. 3640
{and} most vnsely yif þei weren p{er}durable.
[Sidenote: After this I showed that evil men are more unhappy,
having escaped punishment, than if justly chastised.]
{and} after
þis I haue shewed þe þat more vnsely ben shrewes
whan þei escapen wiþ oute ryȝtful peyne. þan whan þei
ben punissed by ryȝtful uengeaunce.
[Sidenote: Wherefore when they are supposed to get off scot-free
they suffer most grievously.]
and of þis sentence 3644
folweþ it þat þan be{n} shrewes constreyned atte laste wiþ
most greuous tourment. whan men wene þat þei ne ben
nat ypunissed.
[Sidenote: _B._ Your reasoning appears convincing and conclusive.
But your arguments are opposed to current opinions, and would
hardly command assent, or even a hearing.]
whan I considre þi resou{n}s q{uo}d I. I.
ne trowe nat þat men seyn any þing more verrely. {and} 3648
yif I to{ur}ne aȝeyn to þe studies of men. who is [he] to
who{m} it sholde seme þat [he] ne sholde nat only leue{n}
þise þinges. but eke gladly herkene he{m}.
[Sidenote: _P._ It is so. For those accustomed to the darkness of
error cannot fix their eyes on the light of perspicuous truth,
like birds of night which are blinded by the full light of day.]
Certys q{uo}d
she so it is. but men may nat. for þei han hire eyen so [[pg 128]]
wont to derkenesse of erþely þinges. þat þei may nat 3653
liften hem vp to þe lyȝt of clere soþefastnes. ¶ But
þei ben lyke to briddes of whiche þe nyȝt lyȝtneþ hyre
lookyng. {and} þe day blyndeþ hem.
[Sidenote: They consider only the gratification of their lusts,
they think there is happiness in the liberty of doing evil and in
exemption from punishment.]
for whan men loken 3656
nat þe ordre of þinges but hire lustes {and} talentȝ. þei
wene þat oþir þe leue or þe mowynge to done wickednesse
or ellys þe escapi{n}g wiþ oute peyne be weleful.
[Linenotes:
3575 _who so seiþ_--ho seyth
_whiche_--which
3578 _byen_--a-byen
3579 _chastied[e]_--chastysede
3580 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
3581 _þenk[e]_--thinke
3584 _ȝeuen_--MS. ȝeuene, C. yeuen
_fleyen_--flen
3585 _ȝitte_--yif
[_in_]--from C.
3588 _none_--non
3589 _ouþer_--oother
_haþ_--MS. haþe
_ben_--be
_told_--MS. tolde, C. told
3591 _good[e]_--goode
3592 [_thanne----she_]--from C.
3594 _blisful_--weleful
_haþ_--MS. haþe
3594-97 _goode_--good
3598 _alle_--al
_whiche_--which
3600 _knyt_--knytte
3601 _re[le]ued_--releued
3602 _goode_--good
3605 _seyne_--seyn
3606 _whiche_--which
3607 _outen_--owte
3609 _don_--MS. done
_seye_--seyn
3610 _whiche_--which
3611 _desert_--deserte
3614 _beþ_--MS. beþe, C. ben
3615 _clere_--cler
3617 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
3618 _is ryȝt nis_--MS. nis ryȝt is
3619 _alle_--al
_nis wicked_--is wykke
3621 _here_--her
3623 _dedid_--endyd
_deþe_--deth
3624 [_is_]--from C.
_ouȝt_--awht
3625 _deþe_--deth
3626 _grete_--gret
3628 _be_--ben
3629 _determyne_--determenye
3630 _peyne_--peynes
_told_--MS. tolde
3632 [_.i. myght_]--from C.
3632-34 _whiche_--which
3633 _eke_--ek
3635 _seen_--seyn
3637 _done_--don
3638 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
_fayne lerne_--fayn lernen
3639 _endure_--dur{e}
3645 _atte_--at the
_laste_--MS. þast, C. laste
3647 _resouns_--resoun
3649-50 [_he_]--from C.
3651 _eke_--ek
3653 _derkenesse_--derknesse
3654 _clere soþefastnes_--cleer sothfastnesse
3655 _whiche_--which
3658 _oþir_--eyther
_done_--don
3659 _escaping_--schapynge]
[Headnote:
VIRTUE ITS OWN REWARD.]
[Sidenote: Do you attend to the eternal law written in your own
heart. Conform your mind to what is good, and you will stand in no
need of a judge to confer a reward upon you--for you have it
already in the enjoyment of the best of things (_i. e._ virtue).]
but co{n}sider{e} þe iugement of þe p{er}durable lawe. for if 3660
þou conferme þi corage to þe beste þinges. þou ne hast
no nede to no iuge to ȝiue{n} þe p{r}is or meede. for þou
hast ioigned þi self to þe most excellent þing.
[Sidenote: If you indulge in vice, you need no other
chastisement--you have degraded yourself into a lower order of
beings.]
and yif
þou haue enclined þi studies to þe wicked þinges. ne 3664
seek no foreyn wrekere out of þi self. for þou þi self
hast þrest þe in to wicked þinges. ryȝt as þou myȝtest
loken by dyuerse tymes þe foule erþe {and} þe heuene.
{and} þat alle oþer þinges stynten fro wiþ oute. so þat 3668
þou [ner{e} neyther in heuene ne in erthe] ne say[e] no
þing more. þan sholde it semen to þe as by only resou{n}
of lokynge. þat þou were in þe sterres. {and} now in þe
erþe.
[Sidenote: The multitude doth not consider this.]
but þe poeple ne lokeþ nat on þise þinges.
[Sidenote: What then? Shall we take them as our models who
resemble beasts?]
what 3672
þan shal we þan app{ro}chen vs to hem þat I haue
shewed þat þei ben lyke to þe bestes. (q. d. no{n})
[Linenotes:
3662 _to_ (1)--of
3665 _foreyn_--foreyne
3666 _þrest_--thryst
_wicked_--wikke
3669 [_nere----erthe_]--from C.
_heuene_--C. heuenene
_say[e]_--C. saye
3672 _on_--in
3674 _lyke_--lyk
_q. d._--MS. q{uo}d]
[Headnote:
THE WICKED NEED PITY.]
[Sidenote: If a man who had lost his sight, having even forgotten
his blindness, should declare that his faculties were all perfect,
shall we weakly believe that those who retain their sight are
blind?]
¶ And what wilt þou seyne of þis ¶ yif þat a man
hadde al forlorn hys syȝt. {and} had[de] forȝeten þat he 3676
euer saw {and} wende þ{a}t no þing ne fayled[e] hym of
p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of ma{n}kynde. now we þat myȝten sen þe
same þing wolde we nat wene þat he were bly{n}de (q. d.
sic).
[Sidenote: The vulgar will not assent to what I am going to say,
though supported by conclusive arguments--to wit, that persons are
more unhappy that do wrong than those who suffer wrong.]
ne also ne accordeþ nat þe poeple to þat I shal 3680
seyne. þe whiche þing is susteyned by a stronge foundement
of resou{n}s. þat is to seyn þat more vnsely ben þei
þat don wrong to oþer folk. þen þei þat þe wrong [[pg 129]]
suffren.
[Sidenote: _B._ I would willingly hear your reasons.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 29.]]
¶ I wolde heren þilke *same resou{n}s q{uo}d I 3684
[Sidenote: _P._ Do you deny that every wicked man deserves
punishment?]
¶ Deniest þou q{uo}d she þat alle shrewes ne ben worþi
to han to{ur}ment.
[Sidenote: _B._ No, I do not.]
nay q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ I am satisfied that impious men are in many ways
miserable.]
but q{uo}d she I am certeyne
by many resou{n}s þat shrewes ben vnsely.
[Sidenote: _B._ They are so.]
it accordeþ
q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Then those that deserve punishment are miserable.]
þan [ne] dowtest þou nat q{uo}d she þat 3688
þilke folk þat ben worþi of to{ur}ment þat þei ne ben
wrecches.
[Sidenote: _B._ I admit it.]
It accordeþ wel q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ If you were a judge, upon whom would you inflict
punishment? upon the wrong-doer, or upon the injured?]
yif þou were þan
q{uo}d she yset a Iuge or a knower of þinges. wheþer
trowest þou þ{a}t men sholde to{ur}ment[e] hym þat haþ 3692
don þe wronge. or hym þat haþ suffred þe wronge.
[Sidenote: _B._ I should not hesitate to punish the offender as a
satisfaction to the sufferer.]
I ne doute nat q{uo}d I. þat I nolde don suffissaunt satisfacc{i}ou{n}
to hym þat had[de] suffred þe wrong by þe
sorwe of hym þat had[de] don þe wronge.
[Sidenote: _P._ Then you would deem the injuring person more
unhappy than he who had been wronged?]
¶ þan 3696
semeþ it q{uo}d she þat þe doar of wrong is more wrecche
þan he þat haþ suffred þe wrong.
[Sidenote: _B._ That follows naturally.]
þat folweþ wel q{uo}d [I].
[Sidenote: _P._ From this then, and other reasons of like nature,
it seems that vice makes men miserable, and an injury done to any
man is the misery of the doer, and not of the sufferer.]
þan q{uo}d she by þise causes {and} by oþer causes
þat ben enforced by þe same roate þat filþe or synne by 3700
þe p{ro}pre nature of it makeþ men wretches. {and} it
sheweþ wel þat þe wrong þat me{n} don nis nat þe
wrecchenesse of hym þat receyueþ þe wrong. but þe
wrecchednesse of hym þat doþ þe wronge
[Sidenote: But our advocates think differently--they try to obtain
pity for those that have suffered cruelty and oppression;]
¶ but certys 3704
q{uo}d she þise orato{ur}s or aduocatȝ don al þe contrarie
for þei enforcen hem to co{m}moeue þe iuges to han pite
of he{m} þat han suffred {and} resceyued þe þinges þat ben
greuous {and} aspre.
[Sidenote: but the juster pity is really due to the oppressors,
who ought, therefore, to be led to judgment as the sick are to the
physician, not by angry but by merciful and kind accusers, so
that, by the physic of chastisement, they may be cured of their
vices.]
{and} ȝitte men sholden more ryȝtfully 3708
han pitee on hem þat don þe greuaunces {and} þe
wronges. þe whiche shrewes it were a more couenable
þing þat þe accuso{ur}s or aduocatȝ not wroþe but pitous
{and} debonaire ladden þe shrewes þat han don wro{n}g to 3712
þe Iugement. ryȝt as men leden seke folk to þe leche.
[Linenotes:
3675 _wilt þou seyne_--woltow seyn
3676 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. for-lorn
_syȝt_--syhte
_had[de]_--hadde
3677 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawh
_fayled[e]_--faylede
3678 _sen_--MS. sene, C. sen
3679 _þing_--thinges
_q. d._--MS. q{uod}
3681 _whiche_--which
3683 _don_--MS. done, C. don
_oþer_--oothr{e}
3688 [_ne_]--from C.
3691 _yset_--MS. ysette, C. yset
_wheþer_--omitted
3692 _tourment[e]_--tormenten
3692-3 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3693 _wronge_ (2)--wrong
3695 _had[de]_--hadde
3696 _had[de]_--hadden
_wronge_--wrong
3697 _doar_--doere
3698 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3699 [_I_]--from C. [[_word moved to l. 3698_]]
3700 _ben_--ben of
_roate_--Roote
3703-4 _but----wronge_--omitted
3704 _doþ_--MS. doþe
3711 _wroþe_--wroth
3712 _þe_--tho
_don_--MS. done, C. don
3713 _seke_--syke]
[Headnote:
THE DUTY OF ADVOCATES.]
for þat þei sholden seken out þe maladies of synne by
to{ur}mentȝ. [[pg 130]]
[Sidenote: I would not have the guilty defrauded by their
advocates. Their duty is to accuse, and not to excuse offenders.]
and by þis couenaunt eyþer þe entent of þe
defendo{ur}s or aduocatȝ sholde fayle {and} cesen in al. or 3716
ellys yif þe office of aduocatȝ wolde bettre p{ro}fiten to
men. it sholde be to{ur}ned in to þe habit of accusac{i}ou{n}.
þat is [to] s[e]yn þei sholde{n} accuse shrewes. {and} nat
excuse hem.
[Sidenote: Were it permitted the wicked to get a slight view of
virtue’s beauty, which they have forsaken, and could they be
persuaded of the purifying effects of lawful chastisement, they
surely would not consider punishment as an evil, but would
willingly give themselves up to justice and refuse the defence of
their advocates.]
{and} eke þe shrewes hem self. ȝit it were 3720
leueful to hem to seen at any clifte þe vertue þat þei
han forleten. {and} sawen þat þei sholde putten adou{n}
þe filþes of hire vices by [the] to{ur}mentȝ of peynes. þei
ne auȝten nat ryȝt for þe reco{m}pensac{i}ou{n} forto geten 3724
hem bounte {and} prowesse whiche þat þei han lost demen
ne holden þat þilke peynes weren to{ur}mentes to hem.
{and} eke þei wolden refuse þe attendau{n}ce of hir aduocatȝ
{and} taken hem self to hire iuges {and} to hir accusours. 3728
[Sidenote: The wise hate nobody, only a fool hates good men; and
it is as irrational to hate the wicked.]
for whiche it bytideþ [þ{a}t] as to þe wise folk
þer nis no place ylete to hate. þat is to seyn. þat hate
ne haþ no place amonges wise men. ¶ For no wyȝt
wolde haten gode men. but yif he were ouer moche a 3732
fole. ¶ and forto haten shrewes it nis no resou{n}.
[Sidenote: Vice is a sickness of the soul, and needs our
compassion, and not our hate, for the distempers of the soul are
more deplorable than those of the body, and have more claims upon
our compassion.]
¶ For ryȝt so as languissing is maladie of body. ryȝt
so ben vices {and} sy{n}ne maladies of corage. ¶ and so as
we ne deme nat þat þei þat ben seek of hire body ben 3736
worþi to ben hated. but raþer worþi of pite. wel more
worþi nat to ben hated. but forto ben had in pite ben
þei of whiche þe þouȝtes ben constreined by felonous
wickednesse. þat is more cruel þa{n} any languissinge of 3740
body.
[Linenotes:
3715 _tourmentȝ_--torment
_þe_ (2)--omitted
3719 _[to] s[e]yn_--to seyn
3722 _sawen_--sawh
_sholde_--sholden
3723 [_the_]--from C.
3724 _auȝten_--owhte
3725-29 _whiche_--which
3729 _bytideþ_--MS. byndeþ, C. bytidith
[_þat_]--from C.
3730 _ylete_--I-leten
3731 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3732 _wolde_--nyl
_moche_--mochel
3733 _fole_--fool
3736 _seek_--syke]
[Headnote:
THE FOLLY OF WAR.]
QUID TANTOS IUUAT.
[Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: What frenzy causes man to hasten on his fate, that is,
by war or by strife.]
++What deliteþ it ȝow to exciten so grete moewynges of
hatredes {and} to hasten {and} bisien [the] fatal disposic{i}ou{n}
of ȝoure deeþ wiþ ȝoure p{ro}pre handes. þat is 3744
to seyn by batailes or [by] contek.
[Sidenote: If death is desired he delays not to come.]
for yif ȝe axen þe
deeþ it hastisiþ hym of hys owen wille. ne deeþ ne [[pg 131]]
tarieþ nat hys swifte hors.
[Sidenote: Why do they who are exposed to the assaults of beasts
of prey and venomous reptiles seek to slay each other with the
sword.]
and [the] men þat þe serpentȝ
{and} þe lyou{n}s. {and} þe tigre. {and} þe beere {and} þe 3748
boore seken to sleen wiþ her teþe. ȝit þilke same men
seken to sleen eueryche of hem oþer wiþ swerde.
[Sidenote: Lo! their manners and opinions do not accord, wherefore
they engage in unjust wars, and fiercely urge on each other’s
destiny.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 29 _b_.]]
loo for
her man{er}s ben *diuerse {and} discordaunt ¶ þei
moeuen vnryȝtful oostes {and} cruel batailes. {and} wilne 3752
to p{er}isse by enterchaungynge of dartes.
[Sidenote: But this is no just reason for shedding blood.]
but þe resou{n}
of cruelte nis nat ynouȝ ryȝtful.
[Sidenote: Wouldst thou reward each as he deserves? Then love the
good as they deserve, and have pity upon the wicked.]
wilt þou þan ȝelden a
couenable gerdou{n} to þe desertes of men ¶ Loue ryȝtfully
goode folk[;] {and} haue pite on shrewes. 3756
[Linenotes:
3743 [_the_]--from C.
3745 [_by_]--from C.
3746 _hastisiþ_--hasteth
_owen wille_--owne wyl
3747 [_the_]--from C.
3749 _boore_--boor
_teþe_--teth
3750 _swerde_--swerd
3751 _her_--hir
3752 _wilne_--wylnen
3753 _enterchaungynge_--entrechaungynges]
[Headnote:
THE OPERATIONS OF CHANCE.]
HINC EGO UIDEO INQ{UA}M. {ET} CET{ERA}.
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ I see plainly the nature of that felicity which
attends the virtues of the good, and of the misery that follows
the vices of the wicked.]
++Þus see I wel q{uo}d I. eyþer what blisfulnesse or ellys
what vnselinesse is estab[l]issed in þe desertys of
goode men {and} of shrewes.
[Sidenote: But in Fortune I see a mixture of good and evil. The
wise man prefers riches, &c., to poverty, &c.]
¶ but in þis ilke fortune
of poeple I see somwhat of goode. {and} somwhat of 3760
yuel. for no wise man haþ nat leuer ben exiled pore
{and} nedy {and} nameles. þan forto dwellen in hys Citee
{and} flouren of rychesses. {and} be redoutable by honoure.
{and} stronge of power
[Sidenote: And wisdom appears more illustrious, when wise men are
governors and impart their felicity to their subjects; and when
imprisonment, torture, &c., are inflicted only upon bad citizens.]
for in þis wise more clerely {and} 3764
more witnesfully is þe office of wise men ytretid whan
þe blisfulnes {and} [the] pouste of gouerno{ur}s is as it
were yshad amonges poeples þat ben neyȝboures {and}
subgitȝ. syn þat namely prisou{n} lawe {and} þise oþer 3768
to{ur}mentȝ of lawful peynes ben raþer owed to felonous
Citeȝeins. for þe whiche felonous Citeȝeins þo peynes
ben establissed. þan for goode folk.
[Sidenote: Why, then, should things undergo so unnatural a
change? Why should the worthy suffer and the vicious receive
the reward of virtue?]
¶ þan I m{er}ueile
me gretly q{uo}d I. whi [þ{a}t] þe þinges ben so mys 3772
entrechaunged. þat to{ur}mentȝ felounes pressen {and}
confounden goode folk. {and} shrewes rauyssen medes of
vertue {and} ben i{n} hono{ur}s. {and} in grete estatis. [[pg 132]]
[Sidenote: I should like to hear the reason of so unjust a
distribution.]
and I
desire eke to wite{n} of þe. what semeþ þe to ben þe 3776
resou{n} of þis so wrongful a confusiou{n}
[Sidenote: I should not marvel so much if _Chance_ were the cause
of all this confusion.]
¶ For I wolde
wondre wel þe lasse yif I trowed[e] þat alle þise þinges
were medeled by fortuouse hap.
[Sidenote: But I am overwhelmed with astonishment when I reflect,
that God the director of all things thus unequally distributes
rewards and punishments.]
¶ But now hepeþ
{and} encreseþ myne astonyenge god gouerno{ur} of þinges. 3780
þat so as god ȝeueþ ofte tymes to good[e] men goodes
{and} myrþes. {and} to shrewes yuel and aspre þinges.
{and} ȝeueþ aȝeynewarde to goode folk hardnesse. {and} to
shrewes [he] g{ra}unteþ hem her wille {and} þat þei desiren. 3784
[Sidenote: What difference is there, then, unless we know the
cause, between God’s proceedings and the operations of Chance?]
what difference þan may þer be bitwixen þ{a}t þat
god doþ. {and} þe hap of fortune. yif men ne knowe nat
þe cause whi þat [it] is.
[Sidenote: _P._ It is not at all surprising that you think you see
irregularities, when you are ignorant of that order by which God
proceeds.]
it nis no merueile q{uo}d she þouȝ
þat men wenen þat þer be somwhat folysche and confus 3788
whan þe resou{n} of þe order is vnknowe.
[Sidenote: But, forasmuch as God, the good governor, presides over
all, rest assured that all things are done rightly and as they
ought to be done.]
¶ But alle
þouȝ þou ne know nat þe cause of so gret a disposic{i}ou{n}.
naþeles for as moche as god þe good[e] gouernour attempreþ
{and} gouerneþ þe world. ne doute þe nat þat 3792
alle þinges ne ben doon aryȝt.
[Linenotes:
3760 _goode_--good
3761 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_nat_--omitted
_leuer_--leu{er}e
3762 _þan_--MS. þat, C. than
3763 _redoutable_--MS. redentable, C. redowtable
3764 _stronge_--strong
_clerely_--clerly
3766 [_the_]--from C.
3767 _neyȝboures_--nesshebors
3769 _lawful_--laweful
3771 _goode_--good
3772 [_þat_]--from C.
3775 _grete_--gret
3776 _to witen_--forto weten
3778 _trowed[e]_--trowede
_alle_--al
3779 _were_--weeren
_fortuouse_--fortunous
3780 _myne_--myn
3781 _good[e]_--goode
3782 _yuel_--yuelis
3783 _hardnesse_--hardnesses
3784 [_he_]--from C.
_wille_--wyl
3785 _difference_--MS. differenee
3786 _doþ_--MS. doþe
_hap_--happe
3787 [_it_]--from C.
_it_--ne it
3788 _confus_--confuse
3789 _alle_--al
3791 _good[e]_--goode
3793 _ne_--omitted]
[Headnote:
THE HIDDEN CAUSES OF THINGS.]
SI QUIS ARCTURI[8] SYDERA.
[Footnote 8: MS. arituri]
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: He who knows not that the Bear is seen near the Pole,
nor has observed the path of Boötes, will marvel at their
appearance.]
++Who so þat ne knowe nat þe sterres of arctour
yto{ur}ned neye to þe souereyne contre or point.
þat is to seyne yto{ur}ned neye to þe souereyne pool of þe 3796
firmament {and} woot nat whi þe sterre boetes passeþ or
gaderiþ his wey[n]es. {and} drencheþ his late flaumbes in
þe see. {and} whi þat boetes þe sterre vnfoldiþ his ouer
swifte arisynges. þan shal he wo{n}dre{n} of þe lawe of þe 3800
heye eyre.
[Sidenote: The vulgar are alarmed when shadows terrestrial obscure
the moon’s brightness, causing the stars to be displayed.]
{and} eke if þat he ne knowe nat why þat þe
hornes of þe ful[le] moene waxen pale {and} infect by þe
bou{n}des of þe derke nyȝt ¶ and how þe moene dirk
{and} confuse discouereþ þe sterres. þat she had[de] [[pg 133]]
ycouered by hir clere visage.
[Sidenote: Thinking the eclipse the result of enchantment, they
sought to destroy the charms by the tinkling of brazen vessels or
cymbals.]
þe co{m}mune errour moeueþ 3805
folk {and} makiþ wery hir bacines of bras by þikke
strookes. þat is to seyne þat þer is a maner poeple þat
hyȝt[e] coribandes þat wenen þat whan þe moone is in 3808
þe eclips þat it be enchau{n}tid. and þerfore forto rescowe
þe moone þei betyn hire basines wiþ þikke strokes.
[Sidenote: Yet none marvel when the north-west wind renders the
sea tempestuous; nor when vast heaps of congealed snow are melted
by the warm rays of the sun, because the causes are apparent.]
¶ Ne no man ne wondreþ whan þe blastes of þe wynde
chorus betyn þe strondes of þe see by quakynge floodes. 3812
ne no man ne wondreþ whan þe weyȝte of þe snowe
yhardid by þe colde. is resolued by þe brennynge hete
of phebus þe sonne. ¶ For here seen men redyly þe
causes.
[Sidenote: Things whose causes are unknown disquiet the human
mind.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 30.]]
but þe *causes yhid þat is to seye in heuene 3816
trouble þe brestes of men.
[Sidenote: The fickle mob stands amazed at every rare or sudden
phenomenon.]
¶ þe moeueable poeple is
a-stoned of alle þinges þat comen selde {and} sodeynely in
oure age.
[Sidenote: Fear and wonder, however, soon cease when ignorance
given place to certain knowledge.]
but yif þe troubly errour of oure ignora{n}ce
departid[e] from vs. so þat we wisten þe causes whi þat 3820
swiche þinges bitiden. certys þei sholde{n} cesse to seme
wondres.
[Linenotes:
3794 _arctour_--MS. aritour
3795 _neye_--neygh
3796 _seyne_--seyn
_neye_--nygh
3797-99 _boetes_--MS. boeces, C. boetes
3798 _his_ (1)--hise
_wey[n]es_--weynes
3802 _ful[le]_--fulle
3804 _had[de]_--hadde
3806 _bacines_--MS. batines
_þikke_--MS. þilke, C. thilke
3807 _seyne_--seyn
3808 _hyȝt[e]_--hihte
3809 _eclips_--eclypse
3812 _chorus_--MS. thorus, C. chorus
3813 _snowe_--sonwh = snowh
3815 _here_--her
_redyly_--redely
3816 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hid
_seye_--seyn
3817 _trouble_--trowblen
3820 _departid[e] from_--departede fro]
[Headnote:
FIVE GREAT QUESTIONS.]
ITA EST INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ So it is. But as thou hast promised to unfold the
hidden causes of things, and unveil things wrapt up in darkness; I
pray thee deliver me from my present perplexity, and explain the
mystery I mentioned to you.]
++Þvs is it q{uo}d I. but so as þou hast ȝeuen or byhyȝt
me to vnwrappe{n} þe hidde causes of þinges ¶ and 3824
to discoueren me þe resou{n}s couered w{i}t{h} dirknesses I
p{re}ye þe þat þou diuise {and} Iuge me of þis matere. {and}
þat þou do me to vndrestonde{n} it. ¶ For þis miracle
or þis wondre troubleþ me ryȝt gretely.
[Sidenote: _P._ You ask me to declare to you the most intricate of
all questions, which I am afraid can scarce be answered.]
{and} þan she a 3828
litel [what] smylyng seide. ¶ þou clepest me q{uo}d
she to telle þing. þat is grettest of alle þinges þat mowen
ben axed. ¶ And to þe whiche questiou{n} vnneþ[e]s is
þere auȝt ynow to lauen it. as who seiþ. vnneþes is þer 3832
suffisauntly any þing to answere p{er}fitly to þi questiou{n}.
[Sidenote: For the subject is of such a kind, that when one doubt
is removed, innumerable others, like the heads of the hydra,
spring up.]
¶ For þe matere of it is swiche þat whan oon doute is [[pg 134]]
determined {and} kut awey þer wexe{n} oþer doutes wiþ-outen
nou{m}bre. ryȝt as þe heuedes waxen of ydre þe 3836
serpent þat hercules slouȝ.
[Sidenote: Nor would there be any end of them unless they were
restrained by a quick and vigorous effort of the mind.]
¶ Ne þere ne were no
man{er}e ne noon ende. but yif þat a wyȝt co{n}streined[e]
þo doutes. by a ryȝt lyuely {and} a quik fire of þouȝt. þat
is to seyn by vigo{ur} {and} strengþe of witte.
[Sidenote: The question whereof you want a solution embraces the
five following points: 1. Simplicity, or unity of Providence. 2.
The order and course of Destiny.]
¶ For in 3840
þis matere me{n} weren wont to maken questiou{n}s of þe
simplicite of þe p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} of þe ordre of
destine.
[Sidenote: 3. Sudden chance. 4. Prescience of God, and divine
predestination. 5. Free-will.]
{and} of sodeyne hap. {and} of þe knowyng {and}
p{re}destinac{i}ou{n} deuine {and} of þe lyberte of fre wille. 3844
þe whiche þing þou þi self ap{er}ceiust wel of what weyȝt
þei ben. but for as mochel as þe knowynge of þise
þinges is a manere porc{i}ou{n} to þe medicine to þe. al be it
so þat I haue lytel tyme to don it.
[Sidenote: I will try to treat of these things:--]
ȝit naþeles I wole 3848
enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it. ¶ but al þouȝ
þe norissinges of dite of musike deliteþ þe þow most
suffren. {and} forberen a litel of þilk delite while þat I
weue (contexo) to þe resou{n}s yknyt by ordre ¶ As it likeþ 3852
to þe q{uo}d I so do.
[Sidenote: Resuming her discourse as from a new principle,
Philosophy argued as follows:--]
¶ þo spak she ryȝt a[s] by an oþer
bygynnyn[ge] {and} seide þus.
[Sidenote: The generation of all things, every progression of
things liable to change, and everything that moveth, derive their
causes, order, and form from the immutability of the divine
understanding.]
¶ þe enge{n}drynge of alle
þinges q{uo}d she {and} alle þe progressiou{n}s of muuable
nat{ur}e. {and} alle þ{a}t moeueþ in any manere takiþ hys 3856
causes. hys ordre. {and} hys formes. of þe stablenesse of þe
deuyne þouȝt
[Sidenote: Providence directs all things by a variety of means.]
[{and} thilke deuyne thowht] þat is yset {and}
put in þe toure. þat is to seyne in þe heyȝt of þe simplicite
of god. stablisiþ many manere gyses to þinges þat 3860
ben to don.
[Sidenote: These means, referred only to the divine intelligence,
are called Providence; but when contemplated in relation to the
things which receive motion and order from them, are called
Destiny.]
¶ þe whiche manere whan þat men loken
it i{n} þilke pure clerenesse of þe deuyne i{n}telligence. it
is ycleped p{ur}ueaunce ¶ but whan þilke manere is referred
by me{n} to þinges þat it moeueþ {and} disponeþ þan [[pg 135]]
of olde men. it was cleped destine.
[Linenotes:
3823 _byhyȝt_--by-hyhte
3824 _hidde_--hyd
3826 _preye_--p{re}ey
_diuise_--deuyse
3827 _do_--don
3828 _gretely_--gretly
3829 [_what_]--from C.
3832 _þere auȝt_--ther awht
3834 _swiche_--swych
_oon_--o
3835 _wiþouten noumbre_--w{i}t{h}-owte nowmbyr
3836 _waxen_--wexen
3837 _þere_--ther
3838 _constreined[e]_--constreynede
3839 _lyuely_--lyfly
3840 _witte_--wit
3843 _hap_--happe
3845 _weyȝt_--wyht
3848 _wole_--wol
3850 _þow_--MS. now, C. þ{o}u
_most suffren_--MS. moste to souereyne; C. most suffren
3851 _þilk_--thilke
3853 _þo_--so
_spak_--MS. spake, C. spak
_a[s]_--as
3856 _alle_--al
3858 [_and----thowht_]--from C.
_yset_--MS. ysette, C. yset
3859 _toure_--towr
_seyne_--seyn
_heyȝt_--heyhte
3861 _don_--done
3862 _clerenesse_--klennesse]
[Headnote:
OF FATE AND PROVIDENCE.]
[Sidenote: Reflection on the efficacy of the one and the other
will soon cause us to see their differences.]
¶ þe whiche 3865
þinges yif þat any wyȝt lokeþ wel in his þouȝt.
þe strengþe of þat oon {and} of þat oþer he shal lyȝtly mowen
seen þat þise two þinges ben diuers.
[Sidenote: Providence is the divine intelligence manifested in the
disposition of worldly affairs.]
¶ For p{ur}ueau{n}ce 3868
is þilke deuyne resou{n} þat is establissed in þe souereyne
p{r}ince of þinges. þe whiche p{ur}ueaunce disponiþ alle
þinges.
[Sidenote: Destiny or Fate is that inherent state or condition of
movable things by means whereof Providence retains them in the
order in which she has placed them.]
but destine is þe disposic{i}ou{n} {and} ordenaunce
cleuynge to moeuable þinges. by þe whiche disposic{i}ou{n} 3872
þe p{ur}ueaunce knyteþ alle þinges in hire ordres.
[Sidenote: Providence embraces all things, although diverse and
infinite; but Fate gives motion to every individual thing, and in
the place and under the form appropriated to it.]
¶ For p{ur}ueaunce enbraceþ alle þi{n}ges to hepe. al þouȝ þat
þei ben dyuerse {and} al þouȝ þei ben wiþ outen fyn. but
destynie dep{ar}teþ {and} ordeyneþ alle þinges singlerly 3876
{and} diuideþ. in moeuynges. in places. in formes. in
tymes. dep{ar}tiþ [as] þus.
[Sidenote: So that the explication of this order of things wrapt
up in the divine intelligence is Providence; and being unfolded
according to time and other circumstances, may be called Fate.]
so þat þe vnfoldyng of temp{or}el
ordenaunce assembled {and} ooned in þe lokyng of
þe deuyne þouȝt ¶ Is p{ur}ueaunce {and} þilke same 3880
assemblynge. {and} oonyng diuided {and} vnfolden by
tymes. lat þat ben called destine.
[Sidenote: Though these things appear to differ, yet one of them
depends on the other, for the order of Fate proceeds from the
unity of Providence.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 30 _b_.]]
{and} al be *it so þat
þise þinges ben dyuerse. ȝitte naþeles hangeþ þat oon
on þat oþer. forwhi þe ordre destinal p{ro}cediþ of þe 3884
simplicite of purueaunce.
[Sidenote: For as a workman, who has formed in his head the plan
of a work which he is desirous to finish, executes it afterwards,
and produces after a time all the different parts of the model
which he has conceived;]
for ryȝt as a werkma{n} þat
ap{er}ceiueþ in hys þouȝt þe forme of þe þing þat he wil
make moeueþ þe effect of þe werke. {and} lediþ þat he
had[de] loked byforne in hys þouȝt symply {and} p{re}sently 3888
by temp{or}el þouȝt.
[Sidenote: so God in the plan of his Providence disposes
everything to be brought about in a certain order and in a proper
time;]
¶ Certys ryȝt so god disponiþ
in hys p{ur}ueaunce singlerly {and} stably þe þinges
þat ben to done. but he amynistreþ in many maneres
{and} in dyuerse tymes by destyne. þilke same þinges 3892
þat he haþ disponed þan wheþir þat destine be excercised.
[Linenotes:
3872 _cleuynge_--clyuynge
3875 _wiþ outen fyn_--Infynyte
3876 _singlerly_--syngulerly
3877 _in_ (3)--MS. {and}, C. in
3878 _departiþ_--omitted
[_as_]--from C.
_so þat_--lat
3884 _on_--of
3886 _wil_--wol
3888 _had[de]_--hadde
_symply_--symplely
3889 _þouȝt_--ordinau{n}ce
3890 _singlerly_--syngulerly
_stably_--stablely
3893 _haþ_--MS. haþe]
[Headnote:
PROVIDENCE CONTROLS FATE.]
[Sidenote: and afterwards, by the ministry of Fate, he
accomplishes what he has planned, conformably to that order and
that time.]
eyþer by so{m}me dyuyne spirites seruaunteȝ to
þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. or ellys by so{m}me soule (a{n}i{m}a
mundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. or ellys [[pg 136]]
by þe celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by þe vertue 3897
of aungels. or ellys by þe dyuerse subtilite of deueles.
or ellys by any of he{m}. or ellys by hem alle þe destynal
ordynau{n}ce is ywouen or accomplissed. certys it is open 3900
þing þat þe p{ur}ueaunce is an vnmoeueable {and} symple
forme of þinges to done. {and} þe moeueable bonde {and}
þe temp{or}el ordynaunce of þinges whiche þat þe deuyne
simplicite of p{ur}ueaunce haþ ordeyned to done. þat is 3904
destine.
[Sidenote: So then, however Fate be exercised, it is evident that
things subject to Destiny are under the control of Providence,
which disposes Destiny.]
For whiche it is þat alle þinges þat ben put
vndir destine ben certys subgitȝ to p{ur}ueaunce. to
whiche p{ur}ueaunce destine it self is subgit {and} vndir.
[Sidenote: But some things under Providence are exempt from the
control of Fate; being stably fixed near to the Divinity himself,
and beyond the movement of Destiny.]
¶ But so{m}me þinges ben put vndir purueaunce þat 3908
so{ur}mounten þe ordinaunce of destine. {and} þo ben
þilke þat stably ben yficched ney to þe first godhed þei
so{ur}mou{n}ten þe ordre of destinal moeuablite.
[Sidenote: For even, as among several circles revolving round one
common centre, that which is innermost approaches nearest to the
simplicity of the middle points, and is, as it were, a centre,
round which the outward ones revolve;]
¶ For
ryȝt as cercles þat to{ur}nen aboute a same Centre or 3912
about a poynt. þilke cercle þat is inrest or moost wiþ-ynne
ioineþ to þe symplesse of þe myddel {and} is as it
were a Centre or a poynt to þat oþer cercles þat tourne{n}
aboute{n} hym.
[Sidenote: whilst the outermost, revolving in a wider
circumference, the further it is from the centre describes a
larger space--but yet, if this circle or anything else be joined
to the middle point, it is constrained to be immovable.]
¶ and þilke þat is outerest compased by 3916
larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces in so
mochel as it is forþest fro þe mydel symplicite of þe
poynt. and yif þer be any þi{n}g þat knytteþ {and} felawshippeþ
hym selfe to þilke mydel poynt it is constreyned 3920
in to symplicite. þat is to seyn in to [vn]moeueablete.
{and} it ceseth to ben shad {and} to fleti{n} dyuersly.
[Sidenote: By parity of reason, the further anything is removed
from the first intelligence, so much the more is it under the
control of Destiny;]
¶ Ryȝt
so by semblable resou{n}. þilke þinge þat dep{ar}tiþ firþest
fro þe first þouȝt of god. it is vnfolde{n} {and} su{m}mittid 3924
to grettere bondes of destine.
[Sidenote: and the nearer anything approaches to this
Intelligence, the centre of all things, the more stable it
becomes, and the less dependent upon Destiny.]
and in so moche is þe
þing more free {and} lovs fro destyne as it axeþ {and}
holdeþ hym ner to þilke Centre of þinges. þat is to [[pg 137]]
seyne god.
[Linenotes:
3894 _eyþer_--owther
_seruaunteȝ_--MS. seruaunceȝ
3895 _somme_--som
3896 _al_--alle
3897 _moeuyng_--moeuynges
3900 _ywouen_--MS. ywonnen, C. ywouen
_or_--{and}
3902 _bonde_--bond
3904 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3905 _whiche_--which
3912 _as_--as of
3913 _about_--a-bowte
_inrest_--innerest
3917 _larger_ (1)--a large
3918 _mochel_--moche
_forþest_--ferther{e}
3920 _selfe_--self
3921 _[vn]moeueablete_--vnmoeuablete
3922 _ceseth_--MS. fleþe, C. cesith
3923 _þinge_--thing
3924 _of_--MS. to, C. of
3926 _lovs_--laus
3927 _ner_--ner{e}]
[Headnote:
DESTINY RULES NATURE.]
[Sidenote: And if we suppose that the thing in question is joined
to the stability of the supreme mind, it then becomes immovable,
and is beyond the necessity and power of destiny.]
¶ and if þe þinge cleueþ to þe stedfastnesse 3928
of þe þouȝt of god. {and} be wiþ oute moeuyng certys it
so{ur}mounteþ þe necessite of destyne.
[Sidenote: As reasoning is to the understanding, as that which is
produced to that which exists of itself, as time to eternity, as
the circle to the centre, so is the movable order of Fate to the
stable simplicity of Providence.]
þan ryȝt swiche
comparisou{n} as [it] is of skilynge to vndirstondyng {and}
of þing þat is engendred to þing þat is. {and} of tyme to 3932
eternite. {and} of þe cercle to þe Centre. ryȝt so is þe
ordre of moeueable destine to þe stable symplicite of
p{ur}ueaunce.
[Sidenote: Destiny rules nature.]
¶ þilke ordinaunce moeueþ þe heuene
{and} þe sterres {and} attempreþ þe elymentȝ to gider 3936
amonges hem self. {and} t{ra}nsformeþ hem by enterchau{n}gable
mutac{i}ou{n}. ¶ and þilke same ordre neweþ
aȝein alle þinges growyng {and} fallyng a-doune by sembleables
p{ro}gressiou{n}s of seedes {and} of sexes. þat is 3940
to sein. male {and} female.
[Sidenote: It controls the actions of men by an indissoluble chain
of causes, and is, like their origin, immutable.]
and þis ilke ordre co{n}streyneþ
þe fortunes {and} þe dedes of men by a bonde of causes
nat able to ben vnbou{n}den (indissolubili). þe whiche
destinal causes whanne þei passen oute fro þe bygynnynges 3944
of þe vnmoeueable purueaunce it mot nedes
be þat þei ne be nat mutable.
[Sidenote: Thus, then, are all things well conducted, since that
invariable order of cause has its origin in the simplicity of the
Divine mind, and by its inherent immutability exercises a
restraint upon mutable things, and preserves them from
irregularity.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 31.]]
{and} þus ben þe þinges ful
wel ygouerned. yif þat þe symplicite dwelly{n}ge *in þe
deuyne þouȝt sheweþ furþe þe ordre of causes. vnable to 3948
be I-bowed. {and} þis ordre constreyneþ by hys p{ro}pre
stablete þe moeueable þinges. or ellys þei sholde fleten
folily
[Sidenote: To those who understand not this order, things appear
confused--nevertheless, the proper condition of all things directs
and inclines it to their true good.]
for whiche it is þat alle þinges semen to be confus
{and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat co{n}sider{e} 3952
þilke ordinaunce. ¶ Naþeles þe p{ro}pre manere of
euery þing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle.
[Sidenote: For there is nothing done for the sake of evil, not
even by the wicked, who, in seeking for felicity, are led astray
by crooked error.]
for þere nis no þinge don for cause of yuel. ne þilke
þing þat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel 3956
þe whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuously
seken goode. but wicked errour mysto{ur}niþ he{m}.
[Linenotes:
3928 _seyne_--seyn
_þinge cleueþ_--thing clyueth
_stedfastnesse_--stydefastnesse
3930 _swiche_--swych
3931 [_it_]--from C.
3932 _to_ (2)--MS. of, C. to
3937 _enterchaungable_--MS. enterchau{n}gyngable,
C. entrechaungeable
3939 _a-doune_--a-down
_sembleables_--semblable
3942 _bonde_--bond
3943 _ben vnbounden_--be vnbownde
3944 _oute_--owt
3948 _furþe_--forth
3949 _I-bowed_--MS. vnbounde{n}, C. I-bowed
3950 _sholde_--sholden
3951 _whiche_--which
3952 _mowe_--mowen
3956 _wicked[e]_--wykkede
3957 [_ful_]--from C.
3958 _goode_--good]
[[pg 138]]
[Headnote:
NOTHING DONE FOR EVIL’S SAKE.]
[Sidenote: But the order proceeding from the centre of supreme
goodness does not mislead any.]
¶ Ne þe ordre comynge fro þe poynt of souereyne goode ne
declineþ nat fro hys bygynnynge.
[Sidenote: But you may say, what greater confusion can there be
than that both prosperous and adverse things should at times
happen to good men, and that evil men should at one time enjoy
their desires and at another be tormented by hateful things.]
but þou mayst sein 3960
what vnreste may ben a wors co{n}fusiou{n} þan þ{a}t goode
men han so{m}me tyme aduersite. {and} so{m}tyme p{ro}sperite.
¶ and shrewes also han now þinges þat þei
desiren.
[Sidenote: Are men wise enough to discover, whether those whom
they believe to be virtuous or wicked, are so in reality?]
{and} now þi{n}ges þat þei haten ¶ wheþer men 3964
lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of þouȝt. as who seiþ.
ben men now so wise. þat swiche folk as þei demen to
ben goode folk or shrewes þ{a}t it mot nedes ben þat folk
ben swiche as þei wenen.
[Sidenote: Opinions differ as to this matter. Some who are deemed
worthy of reward by one person, are deemed unworthy by another.]
but in þis manere þe domes 3968
of men discorden. þat þilke men þ{a}t so{m}me folk demen
worþi of mede. oþer folk demen hem worþi of to{ur}ment.
[Sidenote: But, suppose it were possible for one to distinguish
with certainty between the good and the bad?]
but lat vs graunt[e] I pose þat som man may wel demen
or knowen þe goode folk {and} þe badde.
[Sidenote: Then he must have as accurate a knowledge of the mind
as one has of the body.]
May he þan 3972
knowen {and} seen þilke inrest attemp{er}aunce of corages.
as it haþ ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who saiþ
may a man speken {and} determine of attemp{er}aunce in
corages. as men were wont to demen or speken of complexiou{n}s 3976
{and} attemp{er}aunces of bodies (q’ non).
[Sidenote: It is miraculous to him who knows it not, why sweet
things are agreeable to some bodies, and bitter to others; why
some sick persons are relieved by lenitives and others by sharper
remedies.]
ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem þat ne knowe{n}
it nat. ¶ As who seiþ. but is lyke a merueil or a
miracle to hem þat ne knowe{n} it nat. whi þat swete 3980
þinges [ben] couenable to some bodies þat ben hool {and}
to some bodies bittre þinges ben couenable. {and} also
whi þat some seke folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} lyȝt medicines
[{and} some folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} sharppe medicynes] 3984
[Sidenote: It is no marvel to the leech, who knows the causes of
disease, and their cures.]
but naþeles þe leche þ{a}t knoweþ þe manere {and} þe attemp{er}aunce
of heele {and} of maladie ne merueileþ of it no
þing.
[Sidenote: What constitutes the health of the mind, but goodness?
And what are its maladies, but vice?]
but what oþer þing semeþ hele of corages but
bounte {and} prowesse. {and} what oþer þing semeþ maladie 3988
of corages but vices.
[Sidenote: Who is the preserver of good, or the driver away of
evil, but God, the physician of souls, who knows what is necessary
for men, and bestows it upon them?]
who is ellys kep{er}e of good or
dryuere awey of yuel but god gouerno{ur} {and} leecher of [[pg 139]]
þouȝtes. þe whiche god wha{n} he haþ by-holden from þe
heye toure of hys p{ur}ueaunce he knoweþ what is 3992
couenable to euery wyȝt. {and} leneþ hem þat he wot
[þat] is couenable to hem.
[Sidenote: From this source springs that great marvel--_the order
of destiny_--wrought by the wisdom of God, and marveled at by
ignorant men.]
Loo here of comeþ {and}
here of is don þis noble miracle of þe ordre destinal.
[Linenotes:
3959 _goode_--good
3960 _declineþ_--MS. enclineþ, C. declynyth
3961 _wors_--worse
3962 _somme tyme_--somtyme
3965 _swiche_--swych
3967 _goode_--good
_mot_--moste
3971 _graunt[e]_--graunte
3973 _inrest_--Inneryste
3974 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_said_--MS. saide, C. seyd
3975 _determine_--det{er}minen
3978 [_ne_]--from C.
_vnlyke_--vn-lyk
3979 _lyke_--lik
3981 [_ben_]--from C.
_hool_--hoole
3984 [_and----medicynes_]--from C.
3991 _haþ_--MS. haþe
3993 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot
3994 [_þat_]--from C.
3995 _don_--MS. done, C. don
_miracle_--MS. mirache, C. myracle
_ordre_--MS. ordre of]
[Headnote:
GOD THE SOUL’S PHYSICIAN.]
whan god þat alle knoweþ doþ swiche þing. of whiche 3996
þing [þat] vnknowyng folk ben astoned
[Sidenote: But, now let us notice a few things concerning the
depth of the Divine knowledge which human reason may comprehend.]
but forto constreine
as who seiþ ¶ But forto co{m}prehende {and} telle
a fewe þinges of þe deuyne depnesse þe whiche þat mans
resou{n} may vnderstonde.
[Sidenote: The man you deem just, may appear otherwise to the
omniscient eye of Providence.]
¶ þilk man þat þou wenest 4000
to ben ryȝt Iuste {and} ryȝt kepyng of eq{u}ite. þe contrarie
of þat semeþ to þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce þat al woot.
¶ And lucan my familier telleþ þat þe victories cause
liked[e] to þe goddes {and} causes ouercomen liked[e] to 4004
cato{u}n.
[Sidenote: When you see apparent irregularities--unexpected and
unwished for--deem them to be rightly done.]
þan what so euer þou mayst seen þat is don in
þis [world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is þe ryȝt[e]
ordre of þinges. but as to þi wicked[e] oppiniou{n} it is a
co{n}fusiou{n}.
[Sidenote: Let us suppose a man so well behaved, as to be approved
of God and man--but not endowed with firmness of mind, so that the
reverses of fortune will cause him to forgo his probity, since
with it he cannot retain his prosperity.]
but I suppose þat som man be so wel yþewed. 4008
þat þe deuyne Iugement {and} þe Iugeme{n}t of mankynde
accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast
of corage [þat] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde
for-leten p{er}auenture to continue i{n}nocence by þe 4012
whiche he ne may nat wiþholden fortune.
[Sidenote: A wise Providence, knowing that adversity might destroy
this man’s integrity, averts from him that adversity which he is
not able to sustain.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 31 _b_.]]
¶ þan þe
wise dispensac{i}ou{n} of god spareþ hym þe whiche
man{er}e adu{er}site *myȝt[e] enpeyren. ¶ For þat god
wil nat suffren hym to trauaile. to whom þat trauayl 4016
nis nat couenable.
[Sidenote: Another man is thoroughly virtuous, and approaches to
the purity of the deity--him Providence deems it an injustice to
oppress by adversity, and therefore exempts him even from bodily
disease.]
¶ An oþ{er} man is p{er}fit in alle
uertues. {and} is an holy man {and} neye to god so þat þe
p{ur}ueaunce of god wolde demen þat it were a felony
þat he were touched wiþ any aduersites. so þat he ne 4020
wil nat suffre þat swiche a man be moeued wiþ any [[pg 140]]
manere maladie. ¶ But so as seide a philosophre [the
moore excellent by me]. þe adu{er}sites comen nat (he
seide in grec[;]) þere þ{a}t uertues han edified þe bodie 4024
of þe holy man.
[Sidenote: Providence often gives the direction of public affairs
to good men, in order to curb and restrain the malice of the
wicked.]
and ofte tyme it bitideþ þat þe
so{m}me of þinges þat ben to don is taken to good folk
to gouerne. for þat þe malice habundaunt of shrewes
sholde ben abatid.
[Sidenote: To some is given a mixture of good and evil, according
to what is most suitable to the dispositions of their minds.]
{and} god ȝeueþ {and} dep{ar}tiþ to oþer 4028
folk p{ro}sp[er]ites {and} aduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir
þe qualite of hire corages {and} remordiþ som folk by
adu{er}sites.
[Sidenote: Upon some are laid moderate afflictions, lest they wax
proud by too long a course of prosperity.]
for þei ne sholden nat wexen proude by
longe welefulnesse.
[Sidenote: Others suffer great adversities that their virtues may
be exercised, and strengthened by the practice of patience.]
{and} oþer folk he suffreþ to ben 4032
trauayled wiþ harde þinges. ¶ For þat þei sholden conferme
þe vertues of corage by þe vsage {and} ex{er}citac{i}ou{n}
of pacie{n}ce.
[Sidenote: Some fear to be afflicted with what they are able to
endure. Others despise what they are unable to bear; and God
punishes them with calamities, to make them sensible of their
presumption.]
and oþer folke dreden more þen þei auȝten
þe wiche þei myȝt[en] wel beren. {and} þilke folk god 4036
lediþ in to exp{er}ience of hem self by aspre {and} sorweful
þinges.
[Sidenote: Many have purchased a great name by a glorious death.]
¶ And many oþer folk han bouȝt honorable
renoune of þis worlde by þe pris of glorious deeþ.
[Sidenote: Others by their unshaken fortitude, have shown that
virtue cannot be overcome by adversity.]
and som men þat ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by 4040
tourment han ȝeuen ensample to oþer folk þat vertue ne
may nat be ouer-comen by aduersites.
[[Transcriber’s Note:
The sidenote “Others despise what they are unable to bear” does not
correspond to anything in the text. Skeat’s edition includes the
phrase “and somme dispyse that they mowe nat beren” (Book IV,
Prose 6: _Ita Est Inquam_).]]
[Linenotes:
3996 _alle_--al
_doþ_--MS. doþe
_whiche_--which
3997 [_þat_]--from C.
3999 _mans_--mannes
4000 _þilk_--thilke
4004 _liked[e]_ (_both_)--lykede
4005 _is don_--MS. is to don
4006 [_world_]--from C.
_ryȝt[e]_--ryhte
4007 _wicked[e]_--wykkede
4010 _vnstedfast_--vnstydefast
4011 [_þat_]--from C.
_wolde_--wol
4015 _manere_--man
_myȝt[e]_--myhte
4016 _wil_--wol
4018 _neye_--negh
4021 _wil_--wol
_swiche_--swych
4022 _manere_--bodyly
4022-3 [_the----me_]--from C.
4023 _þe aduersites----nat_--omitted
4024 _þere_--omitted
4026 _don_--done
_to_ (2)--MS. so
_to good----gouerne_--to gou{er}ne to goode folk
4028 _oþer_--oothr{e}
4030 _som_--some
4031 _sholden_--sholde
4033 _conferme_--confermen
4034 _corage_--corages
4036 _myȝt[en]_--myhten
4037 _hem_--hym
_sorweful_--sorwful
4038 _oþer_--oothr{e}
4039 _worlde_--world
_of_ (2)--of the
4041 _oþer_--othr{e}]
[Headnote:
HOW PROVIDENCE DEALS WITH MANKIND.]
[Sidenote: These things are done justly, and in order, and are for
the good of those to whom they happen.]
¶ and of alle
þise þinges þer nis no doute þ{a}t þei ne ben don ryȝtfully
{and} ordeinly to þe p{ro}fit of hem to whom we 4044
seen þise þinges bitide.
[Sidenote: From the same causes it happens, that sometimes
adversity and sometimes prosperity falls to the lot of the
wicked.]
¶ For certys þat aduersite
comeþ some tyme to shrewes. {and} some tyme þat þei
desiren it comeþ of þise forseide causes
[Sidenote: None are surprised to see bad men afflicted--they get
what they deserve.]
{and} of sorweful
þinges þat bytyden to shrewes. Certys no man ne 4048
wondreþ. For alle me{n} wenen þat þei han wel deserued it.
[Sidenote: Their punishment, too, may cause amendment, or deter
others from like vices.]
{and} þei ben of wicked m{er}ite of whiche
shrewes þe to{ur}ment som tyme agasteþ oþer to done [[pg 141]]
folies. {and} som tyme it amendeþ hem þat suffren þe 4052
to{ur}mentis.
[Sidenote: When the wicked enjoy felicity--the good should learn
how little these external advantages are to be prized, which may
fall to the lot of the most worthless.]
¶ And þe p{ro}sp{er}ite þat is ȝeuen to
shrewes sheweþ a grete argument to good[e] folk what
þing þei sholde demen of þilk wilfulnesse þe whiche
p{ro}sperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes.
[Sidenote: Another reason for dispensing worldly bliss to the
wicked is, that indigence would prompt naturally violent and
rapacious minds to commit the greatest enormities.]
in þe whiche 4056
þing I trowe þat god dispensiþ. for p{er}auenture þe nature
of som man is so ouerþrowyng to yuel {and} so vncouenable
þat þe nedy pouerte of hys house-hold myȝt[e]
raþer egren hym to done felonies.
[Sidenote: Their disease God cures by the medicine of money.]
and to þe maladie 4060
of hym god puttiþ remedie to ȝiuen hym rychesse.
[Sidenote: Some men will cease to do wrong for fear, lest their
wealth be lost through their crimes.]
{and} som oþer man byholdiþ hys conscience defouled wiþ
synnes {and} makiþ co{m}parisou{n} of his fortune {and} of
hym self ¶ and drediþ p{er}auenture þat hys blisfulnesse 4064
of whiche þe vsage is ioyful to hym þat þe lesynge of
þilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym. {and} þerfore
he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he drediþ
to lese hys fortune. he forletiþ hys wickednesse. 4068
[Sidenote: Upon others unmerited happiness is conferred, which at
last precipitates them into deserved destruction.]
to oþer folk is welefulnesse yȝeue{n} vnworþily þe whiche
ouerþroweþ hem in to destrucc{i}ou{n} þat þei han deserued.
[Sidenote: To some there is given the power of chastisement, in
order both to exercise the virtues of the good and to punish the
wicked.]
and to som oþer folk is ȝeuen power to
punisse{n}. for þat it shal be cause of continuac{i}ou{n} {and} 4072
ex{er}cisinge to good[e] folk. {and} cause of to{ur}ment to
shrewes.
[Sidenote: For as there is no alliance between good and bad, so
neither can the vicious agree together.]
¶ For so as þer nis none alyaunce bytwixe
good[e] folke {and} shrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat
accorde{n} amo{n}ges hem self
[Sidenote: And how should they? Their vices make them at war with
themselves, rending and tearing their consciences, and there is
scarce anything they do, but what afterwards they disapprove of.]
{and} whi nat. for shrewes 4076
discorde{n} of hem self by her vices þe whiche vices al to
renden her consciences. {and} don oft[e] tyme þinges þe
whiche þinges whan þei han don hem. þei demen þat
þo þinges ne sholde nat han ben don.
[Sidenote: Hence arises a signal miracle brought about by
Providence--that evil men have often made wicked men good.]
for whiche þinge 4080
þilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce haþ maked oft[e] tyme
[fair{e}] miracle so þ{a}t shrewes han maked oftyme [[pg 142]]
shrewes to ben good[e] men.
[Sidenote: For these latter having suffered injuries from the
former, have become virtuous, in order that they might not
resemble those whom they so detested.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 32.]]
for whan þat som shrewes
*seen þat þei suffren wrongfully felonies of oþer shrewes 4084
þei wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem þat anoien
hem. {and} retournen to þe fruit of uertue. when þei
studien to ben vnlyke to he{m} þat þei han hated.
[Linenotes:
4046 _comeþ_--comth
_some_ (_both_)--som
_þat þei_--MS. þei þat, C. þ{a}t that they
4047 _comeþ_--comth
_sorweful_--sorwful
4050 _wicked_--wykkede
_merite_--MS. u{er}ite, C. m{er}yte
4051 _oþer_--oothr{e}
_done_--don
4052 _folies_--felonies
4054 _grete_--gret
_good[e]_--goode
4055 _sholde_--sholden
_þilk_--thilke
4056 _serue_--seruen
_whiche_--which
4057 _dispensiþ_--MS. dispisiþ, C. dispensith
4059 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
4060 _done_--don
4061 _rychesse_--Rychesses
4065 _whiche_--which
4068 MS. wrongly inserts _welefulnesse_ after _wickednesse_
4069-71 _oþer_--oothr{e}
4073 _good[e]_--goode
4074 _none_--non
4075 _good[e]_--goode
4076 _accorden_--acordy
4078 _don_--MS. done, C. don
_oft[e]_--ofte
4079 _don_--MS. done, C. don
4080 _sholde_--sholden
_whiche þinge_--which thing
4081 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_oft[e]_--ofte
4082 [_faire_]--from C.
_oftyme_--omitted
4083 _good[e]_--goode
4085 _hat[e]_--hate
_anoien_--anoyeden
4087 _studien_--omitted
_vnlyke_--vnlyk]
[Headnote:
EVIL IS OVERRULED FOR GOOD.]
[Sidenote: It is only the Divine power that can turn evil to good,
overruling it for his own purposes.]
¶ Certys þis only is þe deuyne myȝt to þe whiche myȝt 4088
yueles ben þan good. whan it vseþ þo yueles couenably
{and} draweþ out þe effect of any good. as who seiþ þat
yuel is good oonly by þe myȝt of god. for þe myȝt of
god ordeyneþ þilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasiþ 4092
alle þinges. so þat what wyȝt [þ{a}t] dep{ar}tiþ fro
þe resou{n} of þe ordre whiche þat is assigned to hym.
algates ȝit he slideþ in to an oþ{er} ordre.
[Sidenote: Nothing occurs by the caprice of chance in the realms
of Divine Providence.]
so þat noþing
nis leueful to folye in þe realme of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. 4096
as who seiþ no þing nis wiþouten ordinaunce in
þe realme of þe deuyne purueaunce.
[Sidenote: Since God is the governor of all things, it is not
lawful to man to attempt to comprehend the whole of the Divine
economy, or to explain it in words.]
¶ Syn þat þe ryȝt
strong[e] god gouerniþ alle þinges in þis worlde for it
nis nat leueful to no man to co{m}p{re}henden by witte ne 4100
vnfolden by worde alle þe subtil ordinaunces {and} disposic{i}ou{n}s
of þe deuyne entent.
[Sidenote: Let it suffice to know that God orders all things for
the best.]
for oonly it auȝt[e]
suffice to han loked þat god hym self makere of alle
natures ordeyniþ and dressiþ alle þinges to good.
[Sidenote: And while he retains things created after his own
likeness conformably to his goodness, he banishes evil by the
cause of destiny out of his empire.]
while 4104
þat he hastiþ to wiþhalden þe þinges þat he haþ maked
in to hys semblaunce. þat is to seyn forto wiþholden
þinges in to good. for he hym self is good he chaseþ
oute al yuel of þe boundes of hys co{m}munalite by þe 4108
ordre of necessite destinable.
[Sidenote: So that those evils which you seem to see are only
imaginary.]
For whiche it folweþ þat
yif þou loke þe p{ur}ueaunce ordeynynge þe þinges þat
men wenen ben haboundaunt in erþes. þou ne shalt not
seen in no place no þing of yuel.
[Sidenote: But you are exhausted and weary with the prolixity of
my reasoning, and look for relief from the harmony of my verse.]
¶ but I se now þat 4112
þou art charged wiþ þe weyȝte of þe questiou[n] {and} [[pg 143]]
wery wiþ lengþe of my resou{n}. {and} þat þou abidest som
swetnesse of songe.
[Sidenote: Take, then, this draught, with which when refreshed,
you may more strongly proceed to higher matters.]
tak þa{n} þis drauȝt {and} whan þou
art wel refresshed {and} refet þou shalt ben more stedfast 4116
to stye in to heyere questiou{n}s.
[Linenotes:
4089-90 _good_--goode
4092 _þilk_--thilke
4093 [_þat_]--from C.
4094 _þe_ (2)--thilke
_whiche_--which
4096 _realme_--Reame
4099 _strong[e]_--stronge
_worlde_--world
4100 _no_--omitted
_witte_--wit
4101 _worde alle_--word al
4102 _auȝt[e]_--owhte
4104 _good while_--goode wyl
4105 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4108 _of_ (1)--fro
4109 _whiche_--which
4111 _ben haboundaunt_--ben out{ra}ious / or habowndant
4115 _tak_--MS. take, C. tak
4116 _refet_--refect
_shalt ben_--shal be
_stedfast_--stydefast]
[Headnote:
LOVE TEMPERS ALL THINGS.]
SI UIS CELSI IURA.
[Sidenote: [The syxte Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: If thou wouldst explore the laws of the high Thunderer,
behold the lofty heavens, where, bound by fixed laws, the stars
keep their ancient peace.]
++Yif þou wolt demen in þi pur{e} þouȝt þe ryȝtes or þe
lawes of þe heye þund[ere]re. þat is to seyne of god.
loke þou {and} bihold þe heyȝtes of souereyne heuene. 4120
¶ þere kepen þe sterres by ryȝtful alliaunce of þinges
hir olde pees.
[Sidenote: There the rosy Sun does not invade the moon’s colder
sphere. Nor doth the Bear stray from his appointed bounds, to
quench his light in the western main.]
þe sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne
destourbiþ nat þe colde cercle of þe moone. ¶ Ne þe
sterre yclepid þe bere. þ{a}t encliniþ hys rauyssynge 4124
courses abouten þe souereyne heyȝt of þe worlde. ne þe
same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in þe depe
westerne see. ne coueitiþ nat to dyȝen hys flaumbes in
þe see of [the] occian. al þouȝ he see oþer sterres yplounged 4128
in to þe see.
[Sidenote: Vesper always makes its wonted appearance at eve.
Lucifer ushers in the morn.]
¶ And hesperus þe sterre
bodiþ {and} telliþ alwey þe late nyȝtes. And lucifer þe
sterre bryngeþ aȝeyne þe clere day.
[Sidenote: So mutual love moves all things, and from the starry
region banishes all strife.]
¶ And þus makiþ
loue enterchaungeable þe p{er}durable courses. {and} þus 4132
is discordable bataile yput oute of þe contre of þe sterres.
[Sidenote: This concord in equal measures tempers the elements, so
that the moist atoms war no more with the dry, nor heat with cold
contends; but the aspiring flame soars aloft, while down the heavy
earth descends.]
þis accordaunce atte{m}preþ by euene-lyke manere[s] þe
elementes. þat þe moyste þinges striuen nat wiþ þe
drye þinges. but ȝiuen place by stoundes. and þat þe 4136
colde þinges ioynen hem by feiþ to þe hote þinges. {and}
þat þe lyȝt[e] fyre arist in to heyȝte. {and} þe heuy erþes
aualen by her weyȝtes.
[Sidenote: By these same causes the flowing year yields sweet
smells in the warm spring-tide; the hot summer ripens the corn.]
¶ by þise same cause þe floury
yere ȝeldeþ swote smellys in þe fyrste somer sesou{n} 4140
warmynge. {and} þe hote somer dryeþ þe cornes.
[Sidenote: Autumn comes crowned with plenty, and winter wets the
earth with showers.]
{and} autumpne comeþ aȝeyne heuy of apples. and þe fletyng [[pg 144]]
reyne bydeweþ þe wynter. þis attemp{er}aunce noryssiþ
{and} brynggeþ furþe al þinge þat brediþ lyfe in þis 4144
worlde.
[Sidenote: These changes give life and growth to all that breathe;
and at last by death efface whatever has had birth.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 32 _b_.]]
¶ and þilk same attemp{er}aunce rauyssyng hideþ
{and} bynymeþ {and} drencheþ vndir þe last[e] deþe alle
*þinges yborn.
[Sidenote: Meanwhile the world’s Creator, the Source of all, the
Lawgiver, the wise Judge, sits above equitably directing all
things.]
¶ Amonges þise þinges sitteþ þe heye
makere kyng {and} lorde. welle {and} bygynnynge. lawe 4148
{and} wise Iuge. to don equite {and} gouerniþ {and} encliniþ
þe bridles of þinges.
[Sidenote: Those things which have been set in motion by him are
also checked and forced to move in an endless round, lest they go
from their source, and become chaotic.]
{and} þo þinges þat he stireþ to don
by moeuynge he wiþdraweþ {and} arestiþ {and} affermiþ þe
moeueable or wandryng þinges. ¶ For ȝif þat he ne 4152
clepiþ nat aȝein þe ryȝt goynge of þinges. {and} ȝif þat he
ne constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse
enclined þe þinges þ{a}t ben now continued by stable
ordinaunce. þei sholde deperten from hir welle. þat is 4156
to sein from hir bygynnynge {and} failen. þat is to sein
to{ur}nen in to nauȝt.
[Sidenote: This love is common to all things, and all things tend
to good; so, urged by this, they all revert to that First Cause
that gave them being.]
¶ þis is þe co{m}mune loue of alle
þinges. {and} alle þi{n}ges axen to be holden by þe fyn of
good. For ellys ne myȝten þei nat lasten yif þei ne 4160
come nat eftesones aȝeine by loue retourned to þe cause
þat haþ ȝeuen he{m} beynge. þat is to seyn to god.
[Linenotes:
4118 _þou wolt_--þ{o}u wys wilt
4119 _þund[ere]re_--thonderer{e}
_seyne_--seyn
4120 _bihold_--MS. biholde, C. byhold
4122 _rody_--MS. redy, C. rody
_fire_--Fyr
4123 _cercle_--clerke
4125 _courses_--cours
_heyȝt_--heyhte
4127 _westerne_--westrene
_dyȝen_--deeyn
4128 [_the_]--from C.
_he see_--MS. it sewe, C. he see
_oþer_--oothr{e}
4131 _aȝeyne_--ayein
4133 _oute_--owt
4134 _euene-lyke manere[s]_--euenelyk maneres
4135 _striuen_--stryuynge
_nat_--omitted
4136 _but_--omitted
4138 _lyȝt[e] fyre arist_--lyhte fyr arysith
4140 _yere_--ȝer
4142 _comeþ aȝeyne_--comth ayein
4143 _reyne_--reyn
4144 _furþe al þinge_--forth alle thing
_brediþ lyfe_--berith lyf
4145 _worlde_--world
_þilk_--thilke
4146 _last[e] deþe_--laste deth
4147 _yborn_--MS. yborne, C. I-born
4148 _lorde_--lord
4149 _wise_--wys
4150 _stireþ_--sterith
_don_--gon
4151 _þe_--omitted
4153 _clepiþ_--klepede
4154 _constreyned[e]_--constreynede
_roundenesse_--Rowndnesses
4156 _sholde_--sholden
4158 _tournen_--torne
_of_--to
4159 _be_--ben
4161 _eftesones aȝeine_--eft sones ayein
4162 _haþ_--MS. haþe]
[Headnote:
ALL FORTUNE IS BENEFICIAL.]
IAM NE IGITUR UIDES.
[Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _P._ Do you see what follows from our arguments?]
++Sest þou nat þan what þing folweþ alle þe þinges þat I
haue seid.
[Sidenote: _B._ What is it?]
what þing q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ That all fortune is good.]
¶ Certys q{uo}d she 4164
outerly þat al fortune is good.
[Sidenote: _B._ How can that be?]
and how may þat be
q{uo}d .I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Since all fortune, whether prosperous or adverse,
is for the reward of the good or the punishment of the bad, all
fortune is good which is either just or useful.]
¶ Now vndirstand q{uo}d she so as [alle
fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspr{e}]
fortune is ȝiuen eiþer by cause of g{er}donynge or ellys of 4168
ex{er}cisynge of goode folk or ellys by cause to punissen.
or ellys to chastysen shrewes. ¶ þan is alle fortune [[pg 145]]
good. þe whiche fortune is certeyne þat it be eiþer ryȝtful
or p{ro}fitable.
[Sidenote: But let us put this opinion among those positions which
thou saidst were not commonly believed by the people.]
¶ For soþe þis is a ful verray resou{n} 4172
q{uo}d I. and yif I considere þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce {and} þe
destine þat þou tauȝtest me a litel here byforne þis sentence
is susteyned by stedfast resou{n}s. but yif it like
vnto þe lat vs nou{m}bre hem amonges þilk[e] þinges of 4176
whiche þou seidest a litel here byforne þat þei ne were
nat able to ben ywened to þe poeple.
[Sidenote: _P._ Why so?]
¶ whi so q{uo}d she.
[Sidenote: _B._ Because it is a common expression that _the
fortune of such a one is bad_.]
for þat þe comune worde of men mysusiþ q{uo}d I.
þis manere speche of fortune. {and} sein ofte tymes [þ{a}t] 4180
þe fortune of som wyȝt is wicked.
[Linenotes:
4163 _þing_--thinge
4165 _outerly_--al owtrely
_al_--alle
4166-7 [_alle----aspre_]--from C.
4169 _goode_--good
4174 _here byforne_--her by-forn
4175 _stedfast_--stydefast
4176 _noumbre_--nowmbren
_þilk[e]_--thilke
4177 _here byforne_--her by-forn
4178 _ywened_--weened
4179 _worde_--word]
[Headnote:
PUNISHMENT IS BENEFICIAL.]
[Sidenote: _P._ Do you wish me to conform for awhile to the
language of the people, lest we should seem to depart too much
from the popular mode of expression?]
wilt þou þan q{uo}d
she þat I p{ro}che a litel to þe wordes of þe poeple so it
seme nat to hem þat I be ouer moche dep{ar}tid as fro þe
vsage of man kynde.
[Sidenote: _B._ As you please.]
as þou wolt q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Is everything profitable that is good?]
¶ Demest 4184
þou nat q{uo}d she þat al þing þat p{ro}fitiþ is good.
[Sidenote: _B._ Yes, certainly.]
ȝis q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ That which exercises or corrects is profitable?]
certis þilk þing þat ex{er}cisiþ or corigiþ profitiþ.
[Sidenote: _B._ It is.]
I confesse it wel q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Therefore it is good?]
þan is it good q{uo}d she.
[Sidenote: _B._ Yes.]
whi nat q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ This is the fortune of the virtuous who combat
with adversity, or of those who, relinquishing vice, pursue the
path of virtue?]
but þis is þe fortune [q{uod} she] of 4188
hem þat eiþer ben put in vertue {and} batailen aȝeins
aspre þinges. or ellys of hem þat eschewen {and} declinen
fro vices {and} taken þe weye of vertue.
[Sidenote: _B._ It is.]
¶ þis ne may
nat I denye q{uo}d I
[Sidenote: _P._ The vulgar regard that prosperity which is
bestowed as a reward on the good to be beneficial, and they
believe those calamities by which the wicked are punished as the
most miserable things that can be imagined.]
¶ But what seist þou of þe myrye 4192
fortune þat is ȝeuen to good folk in gerdou{n} deuiniþ
ouȝt þe poeples þat it is wicked. nay forsoþe q{uo}d I. but
þei demen as it soþe is þat it is ryȝt good. ¶ And what
seist þou of þat oþer fortune q{uo}d she. þat al þouȝ it 4196
be aspre {and} restreiniþ þe shrewes by ryȝtful tourment.
weniþ ouȝt þe poeple þ{a}t it be good. nay q{uo}d I. ¶ But
þe poeple demiþ þat it be most wrecched of alle þinges
þat may ben þouȝt.
[Sidenote: But in following the popular opinion, let us beware of
being involved in some new and incredible consequence.]
war now {and} loke wel q{uo}d she 4200
lest þat we in folwyng þe opyniou{n} of poeple haue confessed
{and} co{n}cluded þing þat is vnable to be wened to [[pg 146]]
þe poeple.
[Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]
what is þat q{uo}d I
[Sidenote: _P._ We have decided that the fortune of the virtuous
or of those growing up in virtue must needs be good--but that the
fortune of the wicked must be most wretched.]
¶ Certys q{uo}d she it
folweþ or comeþ of þinges þ{a}t ben graunted þat alle 4204
fortune what so euer it be. of hem þat eyþer ben i{n}
possessiou{n} of vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys
in þe purchasynge of vertue. þat þilke fortune is good.
¶ And þat alle fortune is ryȝt wicked to hem þat 4208
dwellen in shrewednesse. as who seiþ. {and} þus weneþ
nat þe poeple.
[Linenotes:
4180 [_þat_]--from C.
4181 _wicked_--wykkede
4182 _proche_--aproche
4185 _al_--alle
4186 _þilk_--thilke
4188 [_quod she_]--from C.
4191 _weye_--wey
4193 _deuiniþ_--demyth
4194 _ouȝt_--awht
4195 _soþe_--soth
4198 _ouȝt_--awht
4199 _be_--is
4204 _comeþ_--comth
4206 [_or----vertu_] from C.
4208 _wicked_--wykkede]
[Headnote:
THE FORTUNE OF THE VIRTUOUS IS GOOD.]
[Sidenote: _B._ That’s true, though none dare acknowledge it.]
¶ þat is soþe q{uo}d I. ¶ Al be it so
þat noma{n} dar confesse{n} it ne byknowen it.
[Sidenote: _P._ Why so? The wise man ought not to be cast down,
when he has to wage war with Fortune, no more than the valiant man
ought to be dismayed on hearing the noise of the battle.]
¶ whi so
q{uo}d she.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 33.]]
For ryȝt as no strong man ne semeþ nat to 4212
abassen or disdaigne{n} as *ofte tyme as he hereþ þe noise
of þe bataile. ne also it ne semeþ nat to þe wyse man to
beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to þe strif of
fortune.
[Sidenote: The dangers of war enable the one to acquire more
glory, and the difficulties of the other aid him to confirm and
improve his wisdom.]
for boþe to þat on man {and} eke to þat oþ{er} 4216
þilke difficulte is þe matere to þat oon man of encrese
of his glorious renou{n}. {and} to þat oþer man to conferme
hys sapience. þat is to seine þe asprenesse of hys estat.
[Sidenote: Thus virtue, in its literal acceptation, is a power
that, relying on its own strength, overcomes all obstacles.]
¶ For þerfore is it called uertue. for þat it susteniþ {and} 4220
enforceþ by hys strengþes þat it nis nat ouer-come{n} by
aduersites.
[Sidenote: You, who have made so much progress in virtue, are not
to be carried away by delights and bodily lusts.]
¶ Ne certys þou þat art put in þe encrese
or in þe heyȝt of uertue ne hast nat comen to fleten wiþ
delices {and} forto welken in bodyly lust.
[Sidenote: You must engage in a fierce conflict with every
fortune--with adversity, lest it dismay you--with prosperity, lest
it corrupt you.]
¶ þou sowest 4224
or plauntest a ful egre bataile in þi corage aȝeins euery
fortune. for þat þe sorweful fortune ne co{n}fou{n}de þe nat.
ne þat þe myrye fortune ne corrumpe þe nat.
[Sidenote: Seize the _golden mean_ with all your strength. All
below or above this line is a contemptible and a thankless
felicity.]
¶ Occupy
þe mene by stedfast strengþes. for al þat euer is vndir 4228
þe mene. or ellys al þat ou{er}-passeþ þe mene despiseþ
welefulnesses. ¶ As who seiþ. it is vicious {and} ne haþ
no mede of hys trauaile.
[Sidenote: The choice of fortune lies in your own hands, but
remember that even adverse fortune, unless it exercises the
virtues of the good or chastises the wicked, is a punishment.]
¶ For it is set in ȝour{e} hand.
as who seiþ it lieþ in ȝour{e} power what fortune ȝow is 4232
leuest. þat is to seyne good or yuel. ¶ For alle fortune
þat semeþ sharpe or aspre yif it ne ex{er}cise nat þe good [[pg 147]]
folk. ne chastisiþ þe wicked folk. it punisseþ.
[Linenotes:
4210 _soþe_--soth
4211 _confessen_--co{n}fesse
4212 _no strong_--the stronge
4213 _abassen_--abayssen
4215 _oft[e]_--ofte
4219 _seine_--seyn
4223 _heyȝt_--heyhte
4224 _welken_--wellen
4226 _confounde_--MS. co{n}fou{n}ded, C. confownde
4227 _Occupy_--Ocupye
4228 _stedfast_--stydefast
4230 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4231 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
4232 _lieþ_--lith
4233 _seyne_--seyn
4234 _sharpe_--sharp]
[Headnote:
WE CHOOSE OUR OWN FORTUNE.]
BELLA BIS QUENIS. {ET} C{ETERA}.
[Sidenote: [The seuende Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Atrides carried on a ten years’ war to punish the
licentious Paris.]
++ÞE wrekere attrides ¶ þat is to seyne agamenon þat 4236
wrouȝt[e] {and} continued[e] þe batailes by ten ȝere
recouered[e] {and} p{ur}ged[e] in wrekyng by þe destrucc{i}ou{n}
of troie þe loste chambres of mariage of hys broþer
þis is to seyn þat [he] agamenon wan aȝein Eleine þat 4240
was Menelaus wif his broþer.
[Sidenote: With blood he purchased propitious gales for the
Grecian fleet, by casting off all fatherly pity, and sacrificing
his daughter Iphigenia to the vengeance of Diana.]
In þe mene while þat
þilke agamenon desired[e] to ȝeuen sailes to þe grekyssh{e}
nauye {and} bouȝt[e] aȝein þe wyndes by blode. he
vncloþed[e] hym of pite as fad{er}. {and} þe sory p{re}st 4244
ȝiueþ in sacrifiynge þe wreched kuyttyng of þrote of þe
douȝter. ¶ þat is to sein þat agamenon lete kuytte{n} þe
þrote of hys douȝter by þe prest. to maken alliaunce wiþ
hys goddes. {and} for to haue wynde wiþ whiche he 4248
myȝt[e] wende to troie.
[Sidenote: Ulysses bewailed his lost mates, devoured by
Polyphemus, but, having deprived the Cyclop of his sight, he
rejoiced to hear the monster’s roar.]
¶ Itakus þat is to sein vlixies
bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn þe whiche felawes þe
fiers[e] pholifem{us} ligginge in his grete Caue had[de]
freten {and} dreint in hys empty wombe. but naþeles 4252
polifem{us} wood for his blinde visage ȝeld to vlixies ioye
by hys sorowful teres. þis is to seyn þat vlixes smot
oute þe eye of poliphem{us} þat stod in hys forhede.
[Linenotes:
4236 _seyne_--seyn
4237 _wrouȝt[e]_--wrowhte
_continued[e]_--continuede
_ȝere_--ȝer
4238 _purged[e]_--purgede
4240 [_he_]--from C.
_wan_--MS. wanne, C. wan
4242 _desired[e]_--desirede
4243 _bouȝt[e]_--bowhte
_blode_--blod
4244 _vncloþed[e]_--vnclothede
_as_--of
4245 _kuyttyng_--MS. knyttyng, C. kuttynge
4246 _lete_--let
_kuytten_--MS. knytte{n}, C. kuttyn
4248 _haue_--han
4249 _myȝt[e] wende_--myhte wenden
4250 _bywept[e]_--by-wepte
_ylorn_--MS. ylorne, C. y-lorn
4251 _fiers[e]_--feerse
_had[de]_--hadde
4253 _ȝeld_--yald
4254 _sorowful_--sorwful
_smot_--MS. smote, C. smot
4255 _oute_--owt
_stod_--MS. stode, C. stood
_forhede_--forehed]
[Headnote:
THE LABOURS OF HERCULES.]
for whiche vlixes hadde ioie whan he saw poliphem{us} 4256
wepyng {and} blynde.
[Sidenote: Hercules is renowned for his many labours, so
successfully overcome.]
¶ Hercules is celebrable for hys
hard[e] trauaile
[Sidenote: He overthrew the proud Centaurs;]
he dawntede þe proude Centauris half
hors half man.
[Sidenote: he slew the Nemean lion and wore his skin as a trophy
of his victory;]
{and} he rafte þe despoylynge fro þe
cruel lyou{n} þat is to seyne he slouȝ þe lyou{n} {and} [[pg 148]]
rafte hy{m} hys skyn.
[Sidenote: he smote the Harpies with his arrows;]
he smot þe brids þat hyȝte{n} 4261
arpijs [in þe palude of lyrne] wiþ certeyne arwes.
[Sidenote: he caried off the golden apples of the Hesperides, and
killed the watchful dragon;]
he rauyssed[e] applis fro þe wakyng dragou{n}. {and}
hys hand was þe more heuy for þe golde[ne] 4264
metal.
[Sidenote: he bound Cerberus with a threefold chain;]
He drouȝ Cerberus þe hound of helle by
hys treble cheyne.
[Sidenote: he gave the body of proud Diomede as food for the
tyrant’s horses;]
he ouer-comer as it is seid haþ
put an vnmeke lorde fodre to hys cruel hors ¶ þis is
to sein. þat hercules slouȝ diomedes {and} made his hors 4268
to etyn hym.
[Sidenote: he slew the serpent Hydra;]
and he hercules slouȝ Idra þe serpent {and}
brend[e] þe venym.
[Sidenote: he caused Achelous to hide his blushing head within his
banks;]
and achelaus þe flode defouled[e] in
his forhede dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his
strondes. þis is to sein þat achelaus couþe transfigure 4272
hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse. {and} as he fauȝt wiþ
orcules at þe laste he t{ur}nid[e] hym in to a bole and
hercules brak of oon of hys hornes. {and} achelaus for
shame hidde hym in hys ryuer.
[Sidenote: he left Antæus dead upon the Lybian shore;]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 33 _b_.]]
¶ And [he] hercules 4276
*cast[e] adou{n} Antheus þe geaunt in þe strondes of
libye.
[Sidenote: he appeased Evander’s wrath by killing Cacus;]
{and} kacus apaised[e] þe wraþþes of euander. þis
is to sein þat hercules slouȝ þe Monstre kacus {and}
apaised[e] wiþ þat deeþ þe wraþþe of euander.
[Sidenote: he slew the Erymanthean boar;]
¶ And 4280
þe bristled[e] boor marked[e] wiþ scomes þe sholdres of
hercules. þe whiche sholdres þe heye cercle of heuene
sholde þreste.
[Sidenote: and bore the weight of Atlas upon his shoulders.]
{and} þe laste of his labo{ur}s was þat he
sustened[e] þe heuene vpo{n} his nekke vnbowed.
[Sidenote: These labours justly raised him to the rank of a god.]
{and} he 4284
deserued[e] eftsones þe heuene to ben þe pris of his
laste trauayle
[Sidenote: Go then, ye noble souls, and follow the path of this
great example.]
¶ Goþ now þan ȝe stronge men þere as
þe heye weye of þe grete ensample ledeþ ȝou. ¶ O nice
men whi nake ȝe ȝoure bakkes. as who seiþ.
[Sidenote: O ye slothful ones, wherefore do ye basely fly!]
¶ O ȝe 4288
slowe {and} delicat men whi fley ȝe aduersites. {and} ne [[pg 149]]
fyȝte{n} nat aȝeins hem by vertue to wynnen þe mede of
þe heuene.
[Sidenote: He who conquers earth doth gain the heavens.]
for þe erþe ouer-come{n} ȝeueþ þe sterres.
¶ þis is to seyne þat whan þat erþely lust is ouer-comen. 4292
a man is maked worþi to þe heuene.
EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.
[Linenotes:
4256 _saw_--say
4258 _hard[e] trauaile_--harde trauayles
_dawntede_--MS. dawnded, C. dawntede
4259 _half_--MS. hals
_rafte_--byrafte
_fro_--from
4260 _seyne_--seyn
4261 _smot_--MS. smote, C. smot
4262 [_in----lyrne_]--from C.
4263 _rauyssed[e]_--rauysshede
4266 _seid_--MS. seide, C. sayd
_haþ_--MS. haþe
4267 _lorde_--lord
4269 _etyn_--freten
4270 _brend[e]_--brende
_flode defouled[e]_--flood defowlede
4271 _forhede dreint[e]_--forhed dreynte
4273 _lykenesse_--lyknesses
4274 _turnid[e]_--tornede
4275 _brak_--MS. brake, C. brak
_hys_--hise
4276 [_he_]--from C.
4278-80 _apaised[e]_--apaysede
4281 _bristled[e]_--brystelede
_marked[e]_--markede
4282 _cercle_--clerke
4283 _þreste_--thriste
4285 _deserued[e]_--deseruede
4286 _Goþ_--MS. Goþe
_þere_--ther
4287 _weye_--way
4288 _nake_--MS. make, C. nake
4289 _slowe_--MS. slouȝ, C. slowe
_fley_--flee
4292 _seyne_--seyn]
[Headnote:
THE EXISTENCE OF CHANCE.]
INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.
DIXERAT ORACIONISQ{UE} CURSUM.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste prose.]]
[Sidenote: When Philosophy had thus spoken, and was about to
discuss other matters I interrupted her.]
++She hadde seid {and} to{ur}ned[e] þe cours of hir resou{n} to
so{m}me oþ{er} þinges to ben tretid {and} to ben ysped.
[Sidenote: _B._ Thy exhortation is just and worthy of thy
authority, but thou saidst that the question of the Divine
Superintendence or Providence is involved with many others--and
this I believe.]
þan seide I. Certys ryȝtful is þin amonestyng {and} ful 4296
digne by auctorite. but þat þou seidest som tyme þat
þe questiou{n} of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce is enlaced wiþ
many oþer questiou{n}s. I vndir-stonde wel {and} p{ro}ue it
by þe same þinge.
[Sidenote: I am desirous, however, of knowing whether there be
such a thing as _Chance_, and what thou thinkest it is.]
but I axe yif þat þou wenest þat hap 4300
be any þing in any weys. {and} if þou wenest þat hap be
any [thing] what is it.
[Sidenote: _P._ I hasten to fulfil my promise and to show the road
to your own country.]
þan q{uo}d she. I haste me to
ȝelden {and} assoilen þe to þe dette of my byheste {and}
to shewen {and} opnen þe wey by whiche wey þou maist 4304
come aȝein to þi contre.
[Sidenote: But although these things you question me about are
profitable to know, yet they lead us a little out of our way.]
¶ but al be it so þat þe þinges
whiche þat þou axest b{e}n ryȝt p{ro}fitable to knowe.
ȝitte ben þei diuers somwhat fro þe paþe of my purpos.
[Sidenote: And by straying from the path you may be too fatigued
to return to the right road.]
And it is to douten þat þou ne be maked weery by 4308
mysweys so þat þou ne mayst nat suffise to mesure{n} þe
ryȝt weye.
[Sidenote: _B._ Don’t be afraid of that, for it will refresh me as
much as rest to know these things in which I am delightfully
interested.]
¶ Ne doute þe þer-of no þing q{uo}d I. for
forto knowen þilke þinges to-gidre in þe whiche þinges
I delite me gretly. þat shal ben to me in stede of reste. 4312
Syn it nis nat to douten of þe þinges folwy{n}ge whan
euery side of þi disputisou{n} shal be stedfast to me by
vndoutous feiþ. þan seide she. þat manere wol I don
þe. {and} byga{n} to speken ryȝt þus [[pg 150]]
[Sidenote: _P._ I will then comply with thy requests.]
¶ Certys q{uo}d she 4316
yif any wyȝt diffinisse hap in þis manere. þat is to seyn.
[Linenotes:
4294 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
_þe_--by
4297 _som tyme_--whilom
4298 _þe_ (2)--thy
4300 _þinge_--thing
4302 [_thing_]--from C.
4303 _ȝelden_--yilden
_assoilen_--MS. assailen, C. assoylen
_byheste_--byhest
4304-6 _whiche_--which
4306 _ben_--MS. b{e}n{e}
4307 _paþe_--paath
4312 _stede_--styde
4314 _disputisoun_--disputaciou{n}
_be_--han ben
_stedfast_--stydefast
4317 _seyn_--seyng]
[Headnote:
DEFINITION OF CHANCE.]
[Sidenote: If we define Chance to be an event produced by an
unintelligent motion, and not by a chain or connection of causes,
I should then affirm that Chance is nothing and an empty sound.]
þat hap is bytidynge y-brouȝt forþe by foelyshe
moeuynge. {and} by no knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme
þat hap nis ryȝt nauȝt in no wise. and I deme al 4320
outerly þat hap nis ne dwelliþ but a voys. ¶ As who
seiþ. but an ydel worde wiþ outen any significac{i}ou{n} of
þing summittid to þat vois.
[Sidenote: What room is there for folly and disorder where all
things are restrained by order, through the ordinance of God?]
for what place myȝt[e] ben
left or dwellynge to folie {and} to disordinau{n}ce. syn þat 4324
god lediþ {and} streyniþ alle þinges by ordre.
[Sidenote: For it is a great truth that nothing can spring out of
nothing.]
¶ For þis
sentence is verray {and} soþe þat no þinge ne haþ his
beynge of nouȝt. to [the] whiche sentence none of þise
olde folk ne wiþseide neuere al be it so þat þei ne 4328
vndirstoden ne moeueden it nauȝt by god p{r}ince {and}
gynner of wirkyng. but þei casten as a manere foundement
of subgit material. þat is to seyn of [the] nature
of alle resou{n}.
[Sidenote: Now, if anything arises without the operation of a
cause, it proceeds from nothing.]
{and} ȝif þat ony þinge is woxen or comen 4332
of no causes. þan shal it seme þat þilke þinge is comen
or woxen of nouȝt.
[Sidenote: But if this is impossible, then there can be no such a
thing as Chance, as we have defined it.]
but yif þis ne may nat ben don.
þan is it nat possible þat þere haþ ben any swiche þing
as I haue diffinissid a litel here byforne.
[Sidenote: _B._ Is there nothing, then, that may be called Chance
or Fortune?]
¶ How shal 4336
it þan ben q{uo}d I. nis þer þan no þing þat by ryȝt may
be cleped eyþer hap{pe} or ellis auenture of fortune.
[Sidenote: Is there nothing (hid from the vulgar) to which these
words may be applied?]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 34.]]
or is
þer ouȝt al *be it so þat it is hidd fro þe poeple to
whiche þise wordes ben couenable.
[Sidenote: _P._ Aristotle defines this matter with much precision
and probability.]
Myn aristotul q{uo}d 4340
she. in þe book of his phisik diffinisseþ þis þing by
short resou{n} and neyȝe to þe soþe.
[Sidenote: _B._ How?]
¶ In whiche manere
q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ So often as a man does anything for the sake of
any other thing, and another thing than what he intended to do is
produced by other causes, that thing so produced is called
_Chance_.]
¶ As ofte q{uo}d she as men don any þing for
grace of any oþer þing. {and} an oþer þinge þan þilke 4344
þing þat men ententen to doon bytideþ by som[e] causes
it is ycleped hap{pe}.
[Sidenote: As if a man trench the ground for tillage and find
gold, then this is believed to happen by chance, although it is
not so.]
¶ Ryȝt as a man dalf þe erþe by
cause of tylienge of þe felde. {and} fond þere a gobet of [[pg 151]]
golde by-doluen. þan wenen folk þat it is fallen by fortunous 4348
bytydyng. but for soþe it nis nat for nauȝt for
it haþ hys p{ro}pre causes of whiche causes þe cours vnforseyn
and vnwar semiþ to han maked hap{pe}.
[Sidenote: For if the tiller had not ploughed the field, and if
the hider of the gold had not concealed it in that spot, the gold
had not been found.]
¶ For
yif þe tilier in þe erþe ne delue nat in þe felde. and yif 4352
þe hider of þe golde ne hadde hidd þe golde in þilke
place. þe golde ne had[de] nat ben founde.
[Sidenote: These, then, are the causes of a fortuitous acquisition
which proceeds from a conflux of encountering causes, and not from
the intention of the doer.]
þise ben
þan þe causes of þe abreggynge of fortune hap. þe whiche
abreggynge of fortune hap comeþ of causes encountrynge 4356
{and} flowyng to-gidre to hem selfe. {and} nat by þe entenc{i}ou{n}
of þe doer.
[Sidenote: For neither the hider of the gold nor the husbandman
intended or understood that the gold should be found.]
¶ For neiþer þe hider of þe gold.
ne þe deluer of þe felde ne vndirstanden nat þat þe
golde sholde han be founde. but as I seide.
[Sidenote: But it happened by the concurrence of these two causes
that the one did dig where the other had hidden the money.]
it bytidde 4360
{and} ran to-gidre þat he dalf þere as þat oþer hadde hidd
þe golde.
[Sidenote: Chance, then, is an unexpected event, by a concurrence
of causes, following an action designed for a particular purpose.]
Now may I þus diffinissen hap{pe}. ¶ Hap{pe}
is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in þinges þat
ben don for som oþer þinge. but þilke ordre p{ro}cedynge 4364
by an vneschewable byndynge to-gidre.
[Sidenote: This concurrence of causes proceeds from that order
which flows from the fountain of Providence and disposes all
things as to place and time.]
whiche þat
descendeþ fro þe wel of purueaunce þat ordeineþ alle
þinges i{n} hir{e} places {and} in hire tymes makeþ þat þe
causes rennen {and} assemblen to-gidre. 4368
[Linenotes:
4318 _forþe_--forth
4322 _worde_--word
4323 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
4324 _left_--lefte
4325 _streyniþ_--constreynyth
4326 _soþe_--soth
_no þinge_--nothing
_haþ_--MS. haþe
4327 [_the_]--from C.
4330 _gynner_--bygynner{e}
4331 [_the_]--from C.
4332 _ȝif_--MS. ȝit, C. yif
_þinge_--thing
4335 _þat----ben_--þ{a}t hap be
_haþ_--MS. haþe
_swiche_--swych
4338 _happe_--hap
4339 _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hidd
4340 _whiche_--which
4342 _neyȝe_--nehg
_whiche_--which
4343 _don_--MS. done, C. don
4344 _þinge_--thing
4345 _som[e]_--some
4346 _happe_--hap
4347 _of_ (1)--to
_fond_--MS. fonde, C. fownde
4348 _golde_--gold
_fallen_--byfalle
4349 _for_ (2)--of
4350 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_hys_--hise
4351 _happe_--hap
4352 _tilier_--tylyer{e}
_delue_--dolue
4353 _hider_--hyder{e}
_golde_--gold
_hidd_--MS. hidde
4353-4 _golde_--gold
4354 _had[de]_--hadde
4355 _fortune_--fortuit
_whiche_--which
4356 _fortune_--fortuit
_comeþ_--comth
4357 _flowyng_--MS. folwyng, C. flowynge
_selfe_--self
4358 _doer_--doer{e}
_hider_--hider{e}
4359 _deluer_--deluer{e}
_felde_--feeld
_vndirstanden_--vndirstoden
4360 _golde_--gold
4361 _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hyd
4362 _happe_ (_both_)--hap
4365 _whiche_--which
4366 _descendeþ_--MS. defendeþ, C. descendith
_wel_--welle]
RUPIS ACHEMENIE.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Where the flying Parthian doth pierce his pursuers with
his shafts, there from the Achemenian heights flow the Tigris and
Euphrates, but soon their streams divide and flow into separate
channels.]
++TIgris [{and}] eufrates resoluen {and} spryngen of a welle in
þe kragges of þe roche of þe contre of achemenye þer{e}
as þe fleenge [batayle] ficchiþ hire dartes reto{ur}nid in
þe brestes of hem þat folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre 4372
þe same ryueres tigris {and} eufrates vnioygne{n} {and} dep{ar}ten
hir{e} watres. [[pg 152]]
[Sidenote: But should they unite again, in the impetuous stream,
boats, ships, and trees would be all intermingled, whirled about;
and blind Chance seems to direct the current’s course.]
and yif þei comen to-gidre {and} ben
assembled {and} clepid to-gidre in to o cours. þan moten
þilke þinges fletyn to-gidre whiche þat þe water of þe 4376
entrechau{n}gyng flode bry{n}geþ þe shippes {and} þe stokkes
araced wiþ þe flood moten assemble. {and} þe watres
ymedlyd wrappiþ or implieþ many fortunel happes or
maneres.
[Sidenote: But the sloping earth, the laws of fluids, govern these
things.]
þe whiche wandryng happes naþeles þilke enclinyng 4380
lowenes of þe erþe. {and} þe flowynge ordre of
þe slidyng water gouerniþ.
[Sidenote: So though Chance seems to wander unrestrained, it is
nevertheless curbed and restrained by Divine Providence.]
¶ Ryȝt so fortune þat
semeþ as [þat] it fletiþ wiþ slaked or vngouerned[e]
bridles. It suffriþ bridles þat is to seyn to ben gouerned 4384
{and} passeþ by þilke lawe. þat is to sein by þe deuyne
ordinaunce.
[Linenotes:
4369 [_and_]--from C.
_a_--oo
4371 [_batayle_]--from C.
4373 _þe_--tho
4374 _to-gidre_--to-gyderes
4376 _whiche_--which
4377 _flode_--flod
4378 _assemble_--assemblyn
4380 _enclinyng_--declynynge
4381 _lowenes_--lownesse
4383 [_þat_]--from C.
_vngouerned[e]_--vngou{er}nede
4385 _þe_--thilke]
[Headnote:
ON FREE WILL.]
A{N}I{M}ADUERTO INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The .2^de. p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ Is there any _free-will_ in this chain of cohering
causes?]
++Þis vndirstonde I wel q{uo}d I. {and} accorde wel þat it
is ryȝt as þou seist. but I axe yif þer be any liberte 4388
or fre wil in þis ordre of causes þat cliue{n} þus to-gidre
in hem self.
[Sidenote: Or doth the _chain of destiny_ constrain the motions of
the human mind?]
¶ or ellys I wolde witen yif þat þe
destinal cheine co{n}streiniþ þe moeueuynge of þe corages
of me{n}.
[Sidenote: _P._ There is a freedom of the will possessed by every
rational being.]
yis q{uo}d she þer is liberte of fre wille. ne þer 4392
ne was neuer no nature of resou{n} þat it ne hadde liberte
of fre wille.
[Sidenote: A rational being has judgment to judge of and discern
everything.]
¶ For euery þing þat may naturely vsen
resou{n}. it haþ doom by whiche it discerniþ {and} demiþ
euery þing.
[Sidenote: Of himself he knows what he is to avoid or to desire.
He seeks what he judges desirable, and he shuns what he deems
should be avoided.]
¶ þan knoweþ it by it self þinges þat be{n} 4396
to fleen. {and} þinges þat ben to desiren. {and} þilk þing
þat any wyȝt demeþ to ben desired þ{a}t axeþ or desireþ
he {and} fleeþ [thilke] þing þat he troueþ ben to fleen.
[Linenotes:
4389 _or_--of
4390 _hem_--hym
4392 _yis_--MS. yif, C. yis
4392-94 _wille_--wil
4395 _whiche_--which
4397 _þilk_--thilke
4399 [_thilke_]--from C.]
[Headnote:
PROVIDENCE SEES ALL THINGS.]
[Sidenote: A rational being possesses, then, the liberty of
choosing and rejecting.]
¶ wher-fore in alle þinges þ{a}t resou{n} is. i{n} hem also is 4400
libertee of willyng {and} of nillynge.
[Sidenote: This liberty is not equal in all beings.]
¶ But I ne ordeyne
nat. as who seiþ. I ne graunte nat þat þis lib{er}tee be
euene like in alle þinges.
[Sidenote: In heavenly substances, as spirits, &c., judgment is
clear, and the will is incorruptible, and has a ready and
efficacious power of doing things which are desired.]
forwhi in þe souereyns deuynes
substau{n}ces.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 34 _b_.]]
þat is to *seyn in spiritȝ ¶ Iugement is 4404
more clere {and} wil nat be corumped. {and} haþ myȝt [[pg 153]]
redy to speden þinges þat ben desired.
[Sidenote: The souls of men must needs be more free when employed
in the contemplation of the Divine Mind, and less so when they
enter into a body, and still less free when enclosed and confined
in earthly members; but the most extreme servitude is when they
are given over to vice and wholly fallen from their proper
reason.]
¶ But þe soules
of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem
in þe speculac{i}ou{n} or lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt. {and} 4408
lasse free whan þei sliden in to þe bodies. {and} ȝit lasse
free whan þei ben gadred to-gidre {and} co{m}p{re}hendid in
erþely membris. but þe last[e] seruage is whan þat þei
ben ȝeue{n} to vices. {and} han yfalle fro þe possessiou{n} of 4412
hire p{ro}pre resou{n}
[Sidenote: For at once they are enveloped by the cloud of
ignorance and are troubled by pernicious desires, by yielding to
which they aid and increase that slavery which they brought upon
themselves, and thus even under the liberty proper to them, they
remain captives.]
¶ For after þat þei han cast aweye
hir eyen fro þe lyȝt of þe souereyn soþefastnesse to lowe
þinges {and} dirke ¶ Anon þei dirken by þe cloude of
ignoraunce {and} ben troubled by felonous talentȝ. to þe 4416
whiche talentȝ whan þei app{ro}chen {and} assenten. þei
hepen {and} encresen þe seruage whiche þei han ioigned
to hem self. and in þis manere þei ben caitifs fro hire
p{ro}pre libertee.
[Sidenote: Yet the eye of Providence, beholding all things from
eternity, sees all this and disposes according to their merit all
things as they are predestinated.]
þe whiche þinges naþeles þe lokynge of 4420
þe deuyne purueaunce seeþ þ{a}t alle þinges byholdeþ
{and} seeþ fro et{er}ne. and ordeyneþ hem eueryche i{n} her
merites. as þei ben p{ro}destinat.
[Sidenote: He, as Homer says of the sun, _sees and hears all
things_.]
{and} it is seid in grek.
þat alle þinges he seeþ {and} alle þinges he hereþ. 4424
[Linenotes:
4405 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4411 _last[e]_--laste
4412 _fro_--from
4415 _cloude_--clowdes
4418 _whiche_--which
4423 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd]
PURO CLARU{M} LUMINE.
[Sidenote: [The .2^de. Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: The sweet-tongued Homer sings of the sun’s pure light.
Yet the sun’s beams cannot pierce into the inner bowels of the
earth, nor into the depths of the sea.]
++HOmer wiþ þe hony mouþe. þat is to seyn. homer
wiþ þe swete dites syngeþ þat þe sonne is cleer by
pure lyȝt. naþeles ȝit ne may it nat by þe inferme lyȝt
of hys bemes breke{n} or p{er}ce{n} þe inwarde entrailes of 4428
þe erþe. or ellys of þe see.
[Sidenote: But God, the world’s maker, beholding from on high, has
his vision impeded neither by earth nor cloud.]
¶ so ne seeþ nat god makere
of þe grete worlde to hym þat lokeþ alle þinges from on
heye ne wiþstandiþ nat no þinges by heuynesses of erþe.
ne þe nyȝt ne wiþstondeþ nat to hy{m} by þe blake 4432
cloudes.
[Sidenote: At a glance he sees all events, present, past, and
future.]
¶ þilke god seeþ i{n} o strook of þouȝt alle
þinges þat ben or weren or schullen come.
[Sidenote: God, then, that alone sees all things, may indeed be
called the true Sun.]
¶ and þilke
god for he lokeþ {and} seeþ alle þinges al oon. þou maist [[pg 154]]
seyn þat he is þe verray sonne. 4436
[Linenotes:
4425 _mouþe_--Mowth
4428 _percen_--MS. p{er}te{n}, C. p{er}cen
_inwarde_--inward
4430 _worlde_--world
_on heye_--an hegh
4431 _nat_--omitted
4434 _schullen come_--shollen comyn
4435 _al oon_--alone]
[Headnote:
GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE AND MAN’S FREE WILL.]
TAMEN EGO EN INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The .3^de. p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _B._ I am distracted by a more difficult doubt than
ever.]
++ÞAn seide I now am I co{n}fou{n}ded by a more harde
doute þan I was. what doute is þat q{uo}d she.
¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche þinges þou art
troubled.
[Sidenote: God’s foreknowledge seems to me inconsistent with man’s
free-will.]
It semeþ q{uo}d I to repugnen {and} to contrarien 4440
gretly þat god knoweþ byforn alle þinges. {and}
þat þer is any fredom of liberte.
[Sidenote: For if God foresees all things, and cannot be deceived,
then that which Providence hath foreseen must needs happen.]
for yif so be þat god
lokeþ alle þinges byforn. ne god ne may nat ben
desseiuid in no manere. þan mot it nedes ben þat alle 4444
þinges bytyden þe whiche þat þe purueaunce of god haþ
sein byforn to comen.
[Sidenote: If God from eternity doth foreknow not only the works,
but the designs and wills of men, there can be no liberty of
will--nor can there be any other action or will than that which a
Divine and infallible Providence hath foreseen.]
¶ For whiche yif þat god
knoweþ by-forn nat oonly þe werkes of men. but also
hir conseils {and} hir willes. þan ne shal þer be no 4448
liberte of arbitre. ne certys þer ne may ben noon oþer
dede ne no wille but þilke whiche þe deuyne purueaunce
þat ne may nat ben desseiued haþ feled byforn
[Sidenote: For if things fall out contrary to such foreseeing, and
are wrested another way, the prescience of God in regard to
futurity would not be sure and unerring--it would be nothing but
an uncertain opinion of them: but I take it to be impious and
unlawful to believe this of God.]
¶ For
yif þat þei myȝten wryþen awey in oþer manere þan þei 4452
ben purueyed. þan ne sholde þer ben no stedfast p{re}science
of þinge to comen but raþer an vncerteyn
oppiniou{n}. þe whiche þinge to trowen on god I deme it
felonie {and} vnleueful.
[Sidenote: Nor do I approve of the reasoning made use of by some.
For they say that a thing is not necessarily to happen because God
hath foreseen it, but rather because it is to happen it cannot be
hid from the divine Providence.]
¶ Ne I ne proeue nat þilk 4456
same resou{n}. as who seiþ I ne allowe nat. or I ne p{re}ise
nat þilke same resou{n} by whiche þat som men wenen
þat þei mowen assoilen {and} vnknytten þe knot of þis
questiou{n}. ¶ For certys þei seyn þ{a}t þing nis nat to 4460
come for þat þe purueaunce of god haþ seyn it byforn{e}.
þat is to comen but raþer þe cont{ra}rie. ¶ And þat
is þis þat for þat þe þing is to comen þat þerfore
ne may it nat ben hyd fro þe purueaunce of god. 4464
[Sidenote: [* fol. 35.]]
[Sidenote: Now by this reason necessity appears to change sides.
For it is not necessary that the things which are foreseen should
happen, but it is necessary that the things which are to befall
should be foreseen.]
*{and} in þis manere þis necessite slydiþ aȝein in to þe [[pg 155]]
contrarie p{ar}tie. ne it ne byhoueþ [nat] nedes þat þinges
bytiden þat ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes /
þ{a}t thinges þ{a}t ben to comyn ben yporueyid] but as it 4468
were yt{ra}uailed.
[Sidenote: As if the question was, which was the cause of the
other--_prescience_ the cause of the necessity of future events,
or the _necessity_ the cause of the prescience of future events?]
as who seiþ. þat þilke answere p{ro}cediþ
ryȝt as þouȝ men trauailden or weren bysy to
enqueren þe whiche þing is cause of whiche þinges. as
wheþer þe p{re}science is cause of þe necessite of þinges to 4472
comen. or ellys þat þe necessite of þi{n}ges to comen is
cause of þe purueau{n}ce.
[Sidenote: But I will prove that, however the order of causes may
stand, the event of things foreseen is necessary, although
prescience doth not seem to impose a necessity upon future things
to fall out.]
¶ But I ne enforce me nat now
to shewe{n} it þat þe bytidyng of þinges y-wist byforn is
necessarie. how so or in what manere þat þe ordre of 4476
causes haþ it self. al þouȝ þat it ne seme nat þat þe
p{re}science brynge in necessite of bytydynge of þinges
to comen.
[Sidenote: For if a man sit--the belief in the sitting is true;
and, on the other hand, if the opinion is true of his sitting, he
must needs sit.]
¶ For certys yif þat any wyȝt sitteþ it byhoueþ
by necessite þat þe oppiniou{n} be soþe of hym 4480
þ{a}t coniectiþ þat he sitteþ. and aȝeinward. al so is it of
þe contrarie. yif þe oppiniou{n} be soþe of any wyȝt for
þat he sitteþ it byhoueþ by necessite þat he sitte
[Sidenote: In both cases there is a necessity--in the latter that
the person sits--in the former, that the opinion concerning the
other is true.]
¶ þan
is here necessite in þat oon {and} in þ{a}t oþer. for in þat 4484
oon is necessite of sittynge.
[Sidenote: But the man does not sit because the opinion of his
sitting is true, but the opinion is true because the action of his
being seated was antecedent in time.]
{and} certys in þat oþer is
necessite of soþe but þerfore ne sitteþ nat a wyȝt for þat
þe oppiniou{n} of sittyng is soþe. but þe oppiniou{n} is
raþer soþe for þat a wyȝt sitteþ by-forn.
[Sidenote: So that although the cause of truth arises from the
sitting, there is a common necessity in both.]
and þus al 4488
þouȝ þ{a}t þe cause of soþe comeþ of [þe] syttyng. and
nat of þe trewe oppiniou{n}. Algates ȝitte is þer comune
necessite in þat oon {and} in þat oþer.
[Sidenote: Thus may we reason concerning Providence and future
events.]
¶ þus sheweþ it
þ{a}t I may make semblable skils of þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce of god 4492
{and} of þinges to come.
[Sidenote: For allowing things are foreseen because they are to
happen, and that they do not befall because they are foreseen, it
is necessary that future events should be foreseen of God, or if
foreseen that they should happen; and this alone is sufficient to
destroy all idea of _free-will_.]
¶ For al þouȝ for þat þat þinges
ben to comen. þer-fore ben þei p{ur}ueid. nat certys for
þei ben p{ur}ueid. þer-fore ne bytide þei nat. ȝit naþeles
byhoueþ it by necessite þat eiþer þe þinges to comen 4496
ben yp{ur}ueied of god. or ellys þat þe þinges þat ben
p{ur}ueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And þis [[pg 156]]
þing oonly suffiseþ I-nouȝ to distroien þe fredome of
oure arbitre. þat is to seyn of oure fre wille
[Sidenote: But it is preposterous to make the happening of
temporal things the cause of eternal prescience, which we do in
imagining that God foresees future events because they are to
happen.]
¶ But now 4500
[certes] sheweþ it wel how fer fro þe soþe {and} how vp
so dou{n} is þis þing þat we seyn þat þe bytidinge of
temp{or}el þinges is þe cause of þe eterne p{re}science.
¶ But forto wenen þat god p{ur}ueiþ [the] þinges to comen. 4504
for þei ben to comen. what oþer þing is it but forto
wene þat þilke þinges þat bitiden som tyme ben causes
of þilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce þat is i{n} god.
[Sidenote: And, moreover, when I know that anything exists, it is
necessary for my belief that it should be.]
¶ And
her-to I adde ȝitte þis þing þat ryȝt as whan þat I woot 4508
þat o þing is it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke self þing be.
[Sidenote: So also when I know that an event shall come to pass,
it must needs happen.]
{and} eke þat whan I haue knowe þat any þi{n}ge shal
bitiden so byhoueþ it by necessite þ{a}t þilk[e] same
þing bytide.
[Sidenote: The event, therefore, of a thing foreseen must befall.]
so folweþ it þan þat þe bytydynge of þe 4512
þinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed.
[Sidenote: Lastly, if a person judge a thing to be different to
what it is--this is not knowledge, but a false opinion of it, and
far from the true knowledge.]
¶ And
at þe last[e] yif þat any wyȝt wene a þing to ben oþer
weyes þan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable
oppiniou{n} ful diuerse {and} fer fro þe soþe of 4516
science.
[Linenotes:
4437 _harde_--hard
4445 _haþ_--MS. haþ{e}
4446 _whiche_--which
4450 _wille_--wil
_whiche_--which þ{a}t
4451 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4453 _stedfast_--stydefast
4454-55 _þinge_--thing
4455 _on_--of
4456 _þilk_--thilke
4458 _whiche_--which
4459 _knot_--knotte
4461 _come_--comyn
_haþ_--MS. haþe
4464 _hyd_--MS. hydde, C. hidde
4466 [_nat_]--from C.
4467-8 [_but----yporueyid_]--from C.
4471 _þinges_--thing
4477 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4480-82 _soþe_--soth
4486 _soþe_--sooth
4487 _soþe_--soth
4488 _soþe_--sooth
4489 _soþe comeþ_--sooth comth
[_þe_]--from C.
4490 _comune_--MS. comme, C. comune
4493 _come_--comyn
4494 _to_--omitted
4494-95 _purueid_--MS. p{ur}ueide, C. p{ur}ueyid
4498 [_.s._]--from C.
4499 _fredome_--freedom
4500 _wille_--wil
4501 [_certes_]--from C.
4504 _purueiþ_--MS. p{ur}ueiþe
[_the_]--from C.
4506 _bitiden_--bytydden
_som tyme_--whilom
4509 _o_--a
_self_--selue
4510 _þinge_--thing
4511 _þilk[e]_--thilke
4513 _þinge_--thing
4514 _last[e]_--laste
4515 _nys_--is]
[Headnote:
FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN WILL.]
[Sidenote: If, therefore, a thing be so to happen that the event
of it is neither necessary nor certain, how can any one foresee
what is to happen?]
¶ wher-fore yif any þing be so to comen so þat
þe bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie.
¶ who may weten [byforn] þ{a}t þilke þing is to come.
[Sidenote: For as pure knowledge has no element in it of
falsehood, so what is comprehended by true knowledge cannot be
otherwise than as comprehended.]
¶ For ryȝt as science ne may nat be medelyd wiþ falsnesse. 4520
as who seiþ þat yif I woot a þing. it ne may nat
be fals þat I ne woot it. ¶ Ryȝt so þilk þing þat
is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon
oþ{er} weyes þan [as] it is conceiued.
[Sidenote: Hence it is that true knowledge cannot err, because
everything must precisely be what true knowledge perceives it to
be.]
For þat is þe cause 4524
whi þat science wa{n}tiþ lesynge. as who seiþ. whi þat
witynge ne receyueþ nat lesynge of þat it woot. ¶ For
it byhoueþ by necessite þat euery þi{n}ge [be] ryȝt as science
co{m}p{re}hendiþ it to be.
[Sidenote: What follows, then? How does God foreknow these
uncertain contingencies?]
what shal I þan sein. ¶ In 4528
whiche man{er}e knoweþ god byforn þe þinges to comen.
¶ yif þei ne be nat certeyne. [[pg 157]]
[Sidenote: For if he thinks that a thing will inevitably happen,
which possibly may not, he is deceived--but this is sheer
blasphemy.]
¶ For yif þat he deme
þat þei ben to comen vneschewably.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 35 _b_.]]
{and} so may be þat
it is possible þat þei ne shulle{n} *nat comen. god is 4532
desseiued. but nat only to trowen þat god is desseiued.
but for to speke it wiþ mouþe it is a felonous sy{n}ne.
[Sidenote: But if God discerns that just as things are to come
they shall come; if he knows that they may or may not come, what
sort of prescience is this, which comprehends nothing certain,
nothing invariable?]
¶ But yif þat god woot þat ryȝt so as þinges ben to
comen. so shulle þei comen. so þat he wit[e] egaly. as 4536
who seiþ indifferently þat þinges mowen ben don or
ellys nat don. what is þilke p{re}science þat ne comp{re}hendiþ
no certeyne þinge ne stable.
[Sidenote: Or how does divine prescience differ from human
opinion, if He hath an uncertain judgment of things, whereof the
events are uncertain and unfixed?]
or ellys what difference
is þer bytwixe þe p{re}science. {and} þilke iape-worþi 4540
dyuynynge of Tiresie þe diuino{ur} þat seide. ¶ Al þat
I seie q{uo}d he eyþer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat
be. Or ellis how moche is worþe þe diuyne p{re}science
more þan þe oppiniou{n} of mankynde yif so be þat it 4544
demeþ þe þinges vncerteyne as me{n} don. of þe whiche
domes of men þe bytydynge nis nat certeyne.
[Sidenote: But if there can be no uncertainty in his knowledge,
who is the source of all certainty; the event of all things which
he foreknows must be fixed and inevitable.]
¶ But
yif so be þ{a}t noon vncerteyne þinge may ben in hym
þat is ryȝt certeyne welle of alle þinges. þa{n} is þe 4548
bytydynge certeyne of þilke þinges whiche he haþ wist
byforn fermely to come{n}.
[Sidenote: Whence it follows that men have no freedom in their
designs and actions; because the Divine Mind, endowed with an
infallible foresight, constrains and binds them to a certain
event.]
For whiche it folweþ þat þe
fredom of þe co{n}seils {and} of þe werkes of mankynde nis
non syn þat þe þouȝt of god seeþ alle þinges w{i}t{h} outen 4552
erro{ur} of falsnesse byndeþ {and} co{n}streiniþ hem to a
bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] þi{n}g be on-is
grau{n}tid {and} receyued. þat is to seyn. þat þer nis no
fre wille. þan sheweþ it wel how gret distrucc{i}ou{n} {and} 4556
how grete damages þer folwen of þinges of mankynde.
[Linenotes:
4518 _it_--hit
4519 [_byforn_]--from C.
4522 _fals_--false
4523 [_nat_]--from C.
_ben_--MS. by, C. ben
4524 _þan [as] it is_--MS. þan it is be
4527 [_be_]--from C.
4529 _whiche_--which
4534 _mouþe_--Mowth
4536 _shulle_--shullyn
_wit[e]_--wite
4538 _don_--MS. done, C. y-doon
4543 _moche_--mochel
_worþe_--worth
4549 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4550 _whiche_--which
4551 _mankynde_--man-kynd
4554 [_this_]--from C.
4555 _grauntid_--ygraunted]
[Headnote:
FATE UNDER THE CONTROL OF PROVIDENCE.]
¶ For in ydel ben þer þan p{ur}posed and byhyȝt medes
of goode folk. {and} peynes to badde folk. syn þat no
moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haþ nat deserued 4560
hem. þat is to seyn neiþer mede nor peyne.
[Sidenote: Rewards and punishments now deemed just and equitable,
will be considered most unjust, when, it is allowed, that mankind
are not prompted by any will of their own, to either virtue or
vice, but in all their actions are impelled by a fatal necessity.]
¶ And it
sholde seme þan þat þilke þinge is alþer worste whiche
þat is nowe demed. for alþ{er} moste iuste {and} moste [[pg 158]]
ryȝtful. þat is to seyn þat shrewes ben punyssed. or 4564
ellys þ{a}t good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. þe whiche folk
syn þat þe p{ro}pre wille [ne] sent hem nat to þ{a}t oon ne
to þat oþer. þat is to seyn. neþer to good[e] ne to
harme. but constreineþ hem certeyne necessite of þinges 4568
to comen.
[Sidenote: Nor would there be such things as virtue or vice, but
such a medley of the one and the other as would be productive of
the greatest confusion.]
¶ þanne ne sholle{n} þer neuer ben ne neuer
weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde raþer ben co{n}fusiou{n}
of alle desertes medlid wiþoute discresiou{n}. ¶ And
ȝitte þer folweþ an oþer i{n}co{n}uenient of þe whiche þer 4572
ne may ben þouȝt ne more felonous ne more wikke.
[Sidenote: And from this it will follow--that since all order
comes of Divine Providence, and that there is no freedom of the
human will, that also our vices must be referred to the author of
all good--which is a most impious opinion.]
{and} þat is þis þat so as þe ordre of þinges is yledd {and}
comeþ of þe purueaunce of god. ne þat no þing nis
leueful to þe conseils of mankynde. as who seiþ þat 4576
men han no power to done no þing. ne wilne no þing.
þan folweþ it þat oure vices ben refferred to þe mak[er]e
of alle good. as who seiþ þan folweþ it. þat god auȝt[e]
han þe blame of oure vices. syn he co{n}streiniþ by 4580
necessite to don vices.
[Sidenote: Then is it useless to hope for anything from God, or to
pray to him.]
þan nis þer no resou{n} to han
hopen in god. ne forto p{re}ien to god.
[Sidenote: For why should men do either, when all they can desire
is irreversibly predestined?]
¶ For what
sholde any wyȝt hopen to god. or whi sholde he p{re}ien
to god. syn þat þe ordenaunce of destine whiche þat ne 4584
may nat ben enclined. knytteþ {and} streiniþ alle þinges
þat men may desire{n}.
[Sidenote: Hope and prayer being thus ineffectual, all intercourse
is cut off between God and man.]
¶ þan sholde þere be don awey
þilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen god {and} men. þat is to
seien to hopen {and} to p{re}ien.
[Sidenote: By reverent and humble supplication we earn divine
grace, a most inestimable favour, and are able to associate with
the Deity, and to unite ourselves to the inaccessible light.]
but by þe p{re}is of ryȝtfulnesse 4588
{and} of veray mekenesse we deserue þe gerdou{n}
of þe deuyne grace whiche þat is inestimable. þat is to
sein þat it is so grete þat it ne may nat ben ful yp{re}ised.
{and} þis is oonly þe manere. þat is to seyen hope {and} 4592
prayeres. for whiche it semeþ þat [men] mowen speken
wiþ god. {and} by resou{n} of supplicac{i}ou{n}
ben conioigned [[pg 159]]
to þilk clernesse þat nis nat app{ro}ched no raþer or
þat men byseken it {and} emp{re}nten it.
[Sidenote: If men believe that hope and prayer have no power
because of the necessity of future events, by what other way can
we be united, and hold fast to the sovereign Lord of all things?]
And yif men 4596
ne wene [nat] þat [hope] ne p{re}iers ne han no strengþes.
by þe necessite of þinges to comen y-resceiued. what
þi{n}g is þer þan by whiche we mowen be co{n}ioygned
{and} clyuen to þilke souereyne p{r}ince of þinges.
[Sidenote: Wherefore mankind must be dissevered and disunited from
the source of its existence, and shrink from its beginning.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 36.]]
¶ For 4600
whiche it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe lynage of mankynde
as *þou songe a litel here byforne ben dep{ar}ted
{and} vnioyned from hys welle {and} faylen of hys bygynnynge.
þat is to seien god. 4604
[Linenotes:
4558 _medes of_--Meedes to
4560 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4562 _alþer worste whiche_--alderworst which
4563 _nowe_--MS. newe, C. now
_alþer moste iuste_--alder moost Iust
_moste_--most
4565-67 _good[e]_--goode
4566 _wille_--wil
[_ne_]--from C.
4571 _wiþoute_--w{i}t{h}-owten
4573 _þouȝt_--thoght
4574 _yledd_--MS. yledde, C. yled
4575 _comeþ_--comth
4577 _done_--doon
4578 _mak[er]e_--maker{e}
4579 _auȝt[e]_--owhte
4584 _whiche_--which
4588 _preis_--prys
_ryȝtfulnesse_--Rihtwessenesse
4589 _deserue_--desseruyn
4590 _deuyne_--MS. deuynes, C. dyuyne
4590-93 _whiche_--which
4591 _grete_--gret
4593 [_men_]--from C.
_speken_--speke
4595 _þilk_--thilke
4596 _emprenten_--impetrent
4597 [_nat_]--from C.
[_hope_]--from C.
4601 _whiche_--which
4602 _byforne_--by-forn]
[Headnote:
THE UNKNOWN CANNOT BE DESIRED.]
QUE NAM DISCORS
[Sidenote: [The .3^de. Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Say what discordant cause looses the bonds of things?]
++What discordable cause haþ to-rent {and} vnioigned þe
byndyng or þe alliaunce of þinges. þat is to seyne
þe coniuncc{i}ou{n} of god {and} of man.
[Sidenote: What power doth make these two great truths (_i. e._
Providence and Free-will) contend, which when separate are plain
and clear, but united appear dark and perplexed?]
¶ whiche god
haþ establissed so grete bataile bitwixe{n} þise two soþefast 4608
or verray þinges. þat is to sein bytwixen þe p{ur}ueaunce
of god {and} fre wille. þat þei ben synguler {and}
diuided. ne þat þei ne wolen nat ben medeled ne
coupled to-gidre. but þer nis no discorde to [tho] verray 4612
þinges. but þei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self.
[Sidenote: The mind of man encumbered by the earthly body, can
never, with her cloudy sight, discover the subtle and close bonds
of things.]
but þe þouȝt of man co{n}founded {and} ouerþrowen by þe dirke
membris of þe body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed]
lokynge. þat is to seyn by þe vigo{ur} of hys insyȝt while 4616
þe soule is in þe body knowen þe þinne subtil knyttynges
of þinges.
[Sidenote: But why does man burn with ardour to learn the hidden
notes of truth?]
¶ But wherfore eschaufiþ it so by so
grete loue to fynden þilke note[s] of soþe y-cou{er}ed. (_glosa_)
þat is to sein wherfore eschaufiþ þe þouȝt of man by so 4620
grete desir to knowen þilke notificac{i}ou{n}s þat ben yhidd
vndir þe couerto{ur}s of soþe.
[Sidenote: Why gropes he for he knows not what? None seek to know
what is known.]
woot it ouȝt þilke þinges
þat it anguissous desireþ to knowe. as who seiþ nay. [[pg 160]]
¶ For no man ne trauaileþ forto witen þinges þat he woot. 4624
{and} þerfore þe texte seiþ þus. ¶ [_Glosa_] Si eni{m} a{n}i{m}a
ignorat istas subtiles co{n}nexiones. r{espo}nde. vn{de} est
q{uo}d desiderat scire cu{m} nil ignotu{m} possit desiderare.
¶ But who traua[i]leþ to wyten þinges y-knowe.
[Sidenote: If he knows them not, what does he so blindly seek?]
and yif 4628
þat he ne knoweþ hem nat. what sekiþ þilke blynde
þouȝt.
[Sidenote: Who wishes for things he hath never known?]
what is he þat desireþ any þinge of whiche he
woot ryȝt nat. as who seiþ who so desiriþ any þing
nedis som what he knoweþ of it. or ellys he ne couþe 4632
nat desire it. or who may folwen þinges þat ne ben nat
ywist
[Sidenote: Or if he seek, where shall he find them? Or if he find,
how shall he be sure that he has found what he sought for?]
¶ and þouȝ [þ{a}t] he seke þo þinges where shal
he fynde{n} hem. what wyȝt þat is al vnknowynge {and}
ignoraunt may knowe þe forme þat is yfounde.
[Sidenote: The pure soul that sees the divine thought, knows all
the secret chains of things.]
¶ But 4636
whan þe soule byholdeþ {and} seeþ þe heye þouȝt. þat is
to seyn god. þan knoweþ it to-gidre þe so{m}me {and} þe
singularites. þat is to seyn þe p{r}inciples {and} eueryche
by hym self.
[Sidenote: Yet, though now hidden in its fleshly members, it hath
some remembrance of its pure state--it retains the sums of things,
but has lost their particulars.]
¶ But now while þe soule is hidd in þe 4640
cloude {and} in þe derknesse of þe membris of þe body.
it ne haþ nat al forȝeten it selfe. but it wiþholdeþ þe
so{m}me of þinges {and} lesiþ þe singularites.
[Sidenote: He who seeks truth is not in either circumstance
(_i. e._ seeking for what he knows or knows not), he knoweth not
all things, nor hath he wholly forgotten all.]
þan who so
þat sekeþ soþenesse. he nis in neiþ{er} nouþir habit. for 4644
he not nat alle ne he ne haþ nat alle for-ȝeten.
[Sidenote: But he ponders on what he knows, that he may add those
things that he hath forgotten to those that he retains.]
¶ But
ȝitte hym remembriþ þe so{m}me of þinges þat he wiþholdeþ
{and} axeþ cou{n}seil {and} tretiþ depelyche þi{n}ges
ysein byforne. [_Glosa_] þat is to sein þe grete so{m}me in 4648
hys mynde. [_textus_] so þat he mowe adden þe p{ar}ties
þat he haþ forȝeten. to þilke þat he haþ wiþholden.
[Linenotes:
4605 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4606 _seyne_--seyn
4607 _whiche_--which
4608 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_grete_--gret
_soþefast_--soothfast
4610 _wille_--wil
4612 _discorde_--discord
[_tho_]--from C.
4613 _cleuen_--clyuen
4615 _dirk[ed]_--derkyd
4616 _while_--whil
4617 _knowen_--knowe
4619-21 _grete_--gret
_note[s]_--notes
4619 _soþe_--soth
4621 _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. Ihyd
4622 _soþe_--sooth
_þinges_--thing
4625 [_Glosa_]--from C.
4630 _þinge_--thing
_whiche_--which
4631 _woot_--not
_nat_--nawht
4632 _couþe_--kowde
4634 [_þat_]--from C.
_where_--wher
4635 _what_--MS. þat, C. what
_vnknowynge_--vnkunnynge
4639 _eueryche_--eu{er}ych
4640 _while_--whil
_þe_--MS. þe þe
_hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hidde
4641 _derknesse_--derkenesse
4642 _haþ_--MS. haþe
_selfe_--self
4644 _nouþir habit_--nother habite
4645 _alle_ (_both_)--al
_haþ_--MS. haþe
4648 [_Glosa_]--from C.
4649 [_textus_]--from C.
4650 _haþ_ (_both_)--MS. haþe]
[[pg 161]]
[Headnote:
ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS AGAINST PROVIDENCE.]
TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQ{U}IT HEC EST.
[Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: _P._ This is the old objection against Providence, so
ably handled by Cicero in his _Book of Divination_; and you
yourself have anxiously discussed it.]
++Þanne seide she. þis is q{uo}d she þe olde questiou{n} of
þe p{ur}ueaunce of god. {and} marcus tulius whan he 4652
deuided[e] þe deuinac{i}ou{n}s. þat is to sein in hys booke
þat he wroot of deuinac{i}ou{n}s. he moeued[e] gretly þis
questiou{n}. {and} þou þi self hast souȝt it mochel {and}
outerly {and} lo{n}g[e].
[Sidenote: But neither of you have offered a satisfactory solution
of the difficulty.]
but ȝit ne haþ it nat ben determined 4656
ne yspedd fermely {and} diligently of any of yow.
[Sidenote: The cause of this mystery is that the human
understanding cannot conceive the simplicity of the divine
prescience, for if it were possible to comprehend this, every
difficulty would at once disappear.]
¶ And þe cause of þis derkenesse {and} [of this] difficulte
is for þat þe moeuynge of þe resou{n} of mankynde ne
may nat moeue{n} to. þat is to sein applien or ioygnen to 4660
þe simplicite of þe deuyne p{re}science. ¶ þe whiche
symplicite of þe deuyne p{re}science ȝif þat men [myhten
thinken it in any maner{e} / þ{a}t is to seyn / þ{a}t yif men] myȝte
þinken {and} co{m}p{re}henden þe þinges as god seeþ hem. 4664
þan ne sholde þer dwellen outerly no doute.
[Sidenote: I shall, therefore, try to explain and solve this
difficult question.]
þe whiche
resou{n} {and} cause of difficulte I shal assaie at þe laste
to shewen {and} to speden.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 36 _b_.]]
¶ whan I haue *firste
[yspendyd / {and}] ansewered to þo resou{n}s by whiche þ{o}u 4668
art ymoeued.
[Sidenote: I ask, then, why you do not approve the reasoning of
such as think--that Prescience does not obstruct the liberty of
the will, because it is not the necessitating cause of future
events?]
¶ For I axe whi þ{o}u wenest þat þilk[e]
resou{n}s of hem þat assoilen þis questiou{n} ne ben nat
spedeful ynouȝ ne sufficient þe whiche soluc{i}ou{n} or þe
whiche resou{n} for þat it demiþ þat þe p{re}science nis nat 4672
cause of necessite to þinges to comen. þan ne weneþ it
nat þat fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by p{re}science.
[Linenotes:
4653 _deuided[e]_--deuynede
_booke_--book
4654 _moeued[e]_--moeuede
4655 _souȝt_--I-sowht
4656 _long[e]_--longe
_haþ_--MS. haþe
4657 _yspedd_--MS. yspedde, C. Isped
_fermely_--MS. feruently, C. fermely
4658 _derkenesse_--dirknesse
[_of this_]--from C.
4662-3 [_myhten----men_]--from C.
4663 _myȝte_--myhten
4667 _firste_--fyrst
4668 [_yspendyd and_]--from C.
_þo_--the
_whiche_--which
4669 _art_--MS. arte
_þilk[e]_--thilke
4671 _spedeful_--spedful
4672 _whiche_--which
4674 _wille_--wyl]
[Headnote:
NECESSITY AND PRESCIENCE.]
[Sidenote: Do you draw an argument of the necessity of future
events, from any other topic than this,--that those things which
are foreknown must of necessity happen?]
for ne drawest þou nat argumentes from ellys
where of þe necessite of þinges to comen. As who seiþ 4676
any oþer wey þan þus. but þat þilke þinge[s] þat þe p{re}scie{n}ce
woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. þat is to
seyn þat þei moten bitide.
[Sidenote: If divine prescience imposes no necessity upon future
things, must not the issue of things be voluntary, and man’s will
free and unconstrained?]
¶ But þan yif þat p{re}science
ne putteþ no necessite to þinges to comen. as þou þi self 4680
hast confessed it {and} byknowen a litel herbyforn{e}.
¶ what [[pg 162]]
cause [or what] is it. as who seiþ þere may no cause be.
by whiche þat þe endes (exitus) uoluntarie of þinges
myȝten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng.
[Sidenote: For argument sake let us suppose there is no
prescience, would, then, the events which proceed from free-will
alone be under the power of necessity?]
¶ For 4684
by grace of possessiou{n}. so þat þou mowe þe better vndirstonde
þis þat folweþ. ¶ I pose (inpossibile) þat
þer ne be no p{re}science. þan axe I q{uo}d she in as
moche as app{er}teniþ to þat. sholde þan þinges þat 4688
comen of frewille ben constreined to bytiden by
necessite.
[Sidenote: _B._ No.]
{Boici}us. nay q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ Let us, then, admit Prescience, but that it
imposes no necessity on what is to happen; the freedom of the will
would still remain entire and absolute.]
þan aȝeinward q{uo}d
she. I suppose þat þere be p{re}science but þat ne putteþ
no necessite to þinges. þan trowe I þat þilk self fredom 4692
of wille shal dwelle{n} al hool {and} absolut {and} vnbounden.
[Sidenote: But although Prescience, you may say, is not the
necessary cause of future events, yet it is a sign that they shall
necessarily happen, and hence it follows that, although there were
no prescience, future events would still be an inevitable
necessity.]
but þou wolt sein þat al be it so þat p{re}science
nis nat cause of þe necessite of bitidynge to þinges to
comen. ¶ Algates ȝitte it is a signe þ{a}t þe þinges ben 4696
to bytiden by necessite. by þis manere þan al þouȝ þe
p{re}science ne hadde neuer yben. ȝit algate or at þe
lest[e] wey. it is certeyne þing þat þe e{n}dys {and} þe
bitydynges of þinges to come{n} sholde ben necessarie. 4700
[Sidenote: For the sign of a thing is not really the thing itself,
but only points out what the individual is.]
¶ For euery sygne sheweþ {and} signifieþ oonly what þe
þing is ¶ but it ne makiþ nat þe þing þat it signifieþ.
[Sidenote: Wherefore, it must be first proved that everything
happens by necessity before we can conclude that prescience is a
sign of that necessity.]
¶ For whiche it byhoueþ firste to shewen þat no þing
ne bitidiþ [þ{a}t it ne bytydith] by necessite. so þat it 4704
may apere þ{a}t þe p{re}scie{n}ce is signe of þis necessite
[Sidenote: For if there be no necessity, prescience cannot be the
sign of that which has no existence.]
¶ or ellys yif þere nere no necessite. certys þilke p{re}science
ne myȝt[e] nat ben signe of þinge þat nis nat.
[Linenotes:
4677 _þinge[s]_--thinges
4683 _whiche_--which
4685 _better_--beter{e}
4688 _moche_--mochel
4689 _frewille_--free wyl
4691 _þat ne_--þat is ne
4692 _þat_--MS. þan
_þilk self_--thilke selue
4693 _wille_--wil
4699 _lest[e]_--leeste
4700 _sholde_--sholden
4703 _whiche_--which
_firste_--fyrst
4704 [_þat----bytydith_]--from C.
4707 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
_þinge_--thing]
[Headnote:
NOT ALL THINGS CONTROLLED BY NECESSITY.]
[Sidenote: The assertion that nothing happens but by necessity,
must be proved by arguments drawn from causes connected and
agreeing with this necessity, and not from signs or foreign
causes.]
¶ But certys it is nowe certeyne þat þe preue of þis 4708
susteniþ by stedfast resou{n} ne shal nat ben ladd ne
p{ro}ued by signes ne by argumentys ytaken fro wiþ oute.
but by causes couenable {and} necessarie ¶ But þou
mayst sein how may it be þat þe þinges ne bitiden nat 4712
þat ben ypurueyed to comen. but certys ryȝt as we [[pg 163]]
trowen þat þo þinges whiche þat þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce woot byforn
to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [þ{a}t] ne sholde
we nat demen. but raþer al þouȝ [þat] þei schal bitiden. 4716
ȝit ne haue þei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden.
{and} þis maist þou lyȝtly ap{er}ceyue{n} by þis þat I shal
seyn.
[Sidenote: We see many things when they are done before our eyes;
such as a charioteer driving his chariot, and other things of like
nature.]
but we seen many þinges whan þei ben don byforn
oure eyen ryȝt as men seen þe karter worken in þe 4720
to{ur}nynge {and} in attempryng or in adressy{n}g of hys
kartes or chariottes. ¶ and by þis manere as who seiþ
mayst þou vnd{er}sto{n}de of alle manere oþir werkeme{n}.
[Sidenote: Now, is there any necessity which compels these things
to be done?]
¶ Is þere þanne any necessite as who seiþ in oure lokynge 4724
[þ{a}t] constreineþ or compelliþ any of þilke þinges
to ben don so.
[Sidenote: _B._ No. For if all things were moved by
compulsion--the efforts of art would be vain and fruitless.]
b. nay q{uo}d I ¶ For in ydel {and} in
veyne were alle þe effect of crafte yif þat alle þinges
weren moeued by constreynynge. þat is to seyn by constreynynge 4728
of oure eyen or of oure syȝt.
[Sidenote: _P._ The things, then, which are done are under no
necessity that they should be done; then first before they were
done, they were under no necessity of coming to pass; wherefore
some things happen, the event of which is unconstrained by
necessity.]
_P._ þise þi{n}g{us}
þan q{uo}d she þat whan men don hem ne han non
necessite þat men don hem. eke þo same þinges first or
þei be don. þei ben to comen wiþ out necessite.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 37.]]
for whi 4732
þer ben so{m}me þinges to bytide of whiche þe endys
{and} þe bitidynges of hem ben absolut *{and} quit of alle
necessite.
[Sidenote: These things therefore, although foreknown, have free
events: for as the knowledge of present things imposes no
necessity upon things which are now done, so neither does the
foreknowledge of futurities necessitate the things which are to
come.]
for certys I ne trowe nat þat any man wolde seyn
þis. þat þo þinges þat men don now þ{a}t þei ne weren 4736
to bitiden. first or þei were ydon ¶ and þilk same
þinges al þouȝ þ{a}t men hadde{n} ywyst hem by-forn.
ȝitte þei han fre bitidynges. for ryȝt as science of
þinges p{re}sent ne bryngeþ in no necessite to þinges 4740
[þ{a}t men doon // Ryht so the p{re}science of thinges to
comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to thinges] to bytiden
[Sidenote: But you may doubt whether there can be any certain
prescience of things, of which the event is not necessitated: for
here there seems to be an evident contradiction.]
but þou mayst seyn þat of þilke same it is ydouted. as
wheþer þat of þilke þinges þat ne han non endes {and} 4744
bytidynges necessaryes yif þer-of may ben any p{re}science
[Linenotes:
4708 _nowe_--now
4709 _susteniþ_--ysustenyd
_stedfast_--stydefast
_ladd_--MS. ladde, C. lad
4714 _whiche_--which
4715 [_þat_]--from C.
_sholde_--sholden
4716 _demen_--MS. denyen
[_þat_]--from C.
4717 _necessite_--MS. necessites
4721 _hys_--hise
4725 [_þat_]--from C.
4727 _veyne_--veyn
_alle_--al
_crafte_--craft
4729 _þise_--MS. þise þise, C. the
4732 _wiþ out_--w{i}t{h}-owte
4733 _bytide_--bytyden
_whiche_--which
4737 _were_--weeren
_ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon
_þilk_--thilke
4741-2 [_þat----thinges_]--from C.
4744 _endes_--issues]
[[pg 164]]
[Headnote:
THE NATURE OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE.]
[Sidenote: If things are foreknown, you may contend they must
necessarily happen; and if their event is not necessary, they
cannot be foreseen, because true knowledge can comprehend nothing
but what is absolutely certain.]
¶ For certys þei seme to discorde. for þou
wenest þat yif þat þinges ben yseyn byforn þat necessite
folweþ hem. and yif ({et} putas) necessite faileþ hem þei ne 4748
myȝten nat ben wist byforn. {and} þat no þinge ne may
ben comp{re}hendid by science but certeyne.
[Sidenote: And if things uncertain in their events are foreseen as
certain, this knowledge is nothing more than a false opinion.]
{and} yif þo
þinges þat ne han no certeyne bytidynges ben ypurueied
as certeyn.
[Sidenote: For it is very remote from true knowledge to judge of
things otherwise than they really are.]
it sholde ben dirkenesse of oppiniou{n} nat 4752
soþefastnesse of science [{and} þ{o}u weenyst þ{a}t it be diu{er}se
fro the hoolnesse of science / þ{a}t any man sholde deme
a thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self].
[Sidenote: The cause of this error is that men imagine that their
knowledge is wholly derived from the nature of the things known,
whereas it is quite the reverse.]
and þe
cause of þis errour is. þat of alle þe þinges þat euery 4756
wyȝt haþ yknowe. þei wenen þat þo þinges ben y-knowe
al oonly by þe strengþe {and} by þe nature of þe þinges
þat ben ywyst or yknowe. {and} it is al þe contrarie. for
alle þat eu{er}e is yknowe.
[Sidenote: Things are not known from their inherent properties,
but by the faculties of the observer.]
it is raþer comp{re}hendid {and} 4760
yknowe{n} nat after his strengeþ {and} hys nature. but after
þe faculte þat is to seyn þe power {and} [the] nature of
hem þat knowen.
[Sidenote: The roundness of a body affects the sight in one way,
and the touch in another.]
{and} for þat þis shal mowe shewen by
a short ensample þe same roundenes of a body .O. oþer 4764
weyes þe syȝt of þe eye knoweþ it. {and} oþer weyes þe
touchi{n}g.
[Sidenote: The eye, from afar, darts its rays upon the object, and
by beholding it comprehends its form.]
þe lokynge by castynge of his bemes waiteþ
{and} seeþ fro afer alle þe body to-gider wiþ oute mouynge
of it self.
[Sidenote: But the object is not distinguished by the touch unless
the hand comes in contact with it and feels it all round.]
but þe touchinge cliuiþ {and} conioigneþ to þe 4768
rounde body (orbi) {and} moueþ abouten þe environynge.
{and} comp{re}hendiþ by p{ar}ties þe roundenesse.
[Linenotes:
4746 _seme_--semyn
_discorde_--discorden
4749 _þat_--yif
4753-5 [_and----self_]--from C.
4757 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4760 _alle_--al
4763 _mowe_--mowen
4764 _roundenes_--Rowndnesse
4765 _syȝt_--sihte
4767 _alle_--al
4769 _abouten_--abowte
4770 _roundenesse_--Rowndnesse]
[Headnote:
SENSE, REASON, AND INTELLIGENCE.]
[Sidenote: Man himself is surveyed in divers ways--by the senses,
by the imagination, by reason, and by the intelligence (of the
Deity).]
¶ and þe man hym self oþer weies wyt byholdiþ hym. {and}
oþ{er}weyes ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} oþer weyes resou{n}. {and} 4772
oþer weyes intelligence.
[Sidenote: The senses take note of his material figure--the
imagination considers the form alone, exclusive of the matter.]
¶ For þe wit co{m}p{re}he{n}diþ
fro wiþ outen furþe þe figure of þe body of þe man. þat
is establissed in þe matere subiect. But þe ymaginac{i}ou{n}
[comp{re}hendith only the figur{e} w{i}t{h} owte the mater{e} / 4776
[Sidenote: Reason transcends the imaginations, and examining
existences in general discovers the particular species, but the
eye of Intelligence soars still higher; for, going beyond the
bounds of what is general, it surveys the _simple forms_
themselves, by its own pure and subtle thought:]
Resou{n} surmou{n}teth ymaginaciou{n}]
{and} co{m}p{re}hendeþ [[pg 165]]
by an vniuersel lokynge þe co{mmun}e spece (sp{eci}em)
þat is in þe singuler peces. ¶ But þe eye of intelligence
is heyȝer for it so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe envirounynge of þe 4780
vniu{er}site {and} lookeþ ouer þat by pure subtilite of þouȝt.
[Sidenote: in which this is chiefly to be considered, that the
higher power of perception embraces the lower; but the inferior
cannot attain to the energy of the superior:]
þilk same symple forme of man þat is p{er}durably in þe
deuyne þouȝt. in whiche þis auȝt[e] gretely to ben considered
þat þe heyest strengþe to co{m}prehenden þinges 4784
enbraceþ {and} conteyneþ þe lower[e] strengþe [but the
lower{e} strengthe ne arysith nat in no maner{e} to heyer{e}
strengthe].
[Sidenote: for the senses cannot go beyond the perception of
matter; the imagination cannot comprehend existences in general,
nor can the reason conceive the simple form.]
for wit ne may no þinge co{m}p{re}hende oute of
matere. ne þe ymagynac{i}ou{n} ne lokeþ nat þe vniuerseles 4788
speces. ne resou{n} ne takeþ nat þe symple forme. so as
i{n}telligence takeþ it.
[Sidenote: But the Intelligence looking down (as from above) and
having conceived the form, discerns all things that are below it,
and comprehends what does not fall within the reach of the other
faculties of the mind.]
but þe intelligence þat lokeþ al
abouen whan it haþ co{m}p{re}hendid þe forme it knoweþ
{and} demeþ alle þe þinges þat be{n} vndir þat forme. but 4792
she knoweþ he{m} vndir þilke manere in þe whiche it
comp{re}hendiþ þilke same symple forme þat ne may
neuer be knowen to non of þat oþer. þat is to seyn to
non of þo þre forseide strengþes of þe soule.
[Sidenote: Without the aid of those faculties Intelligence
comprehends things _formally_ (_i. e._ by beholding their simple
forms) by one effort of mind.]
for it 4796
knoweþ þe vniuersite of resou{n} {and} þe figure of
þe ymaginac{i}ou{n}.
{and} þe sensible mat{er}ial conseiued. {and} þou
wenest þ{a}t it be diuerse fro þe hoolnesse of science. þat
any man sholde deme a þing to ben oþ{er}weyes þan it is 4800
it self {and} þe cause of þis erro{ur} {et}c’. {vt sup}ra. by wit.
[Sidenote: Reason, without the aid of Imagination and Sense, in
considering things in general, comprehends all imaginable and
sensible things.]
ne it ne vseþ nat nor of resou{n} ne of ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne
of wit wiþ oute forþe but it byholdeþ alle þinges so as I
shal seye. by a strok of þouȝt formely wiþ oute disco{ur}s 4804
or collac{i}ou{n} ¶ Certys resou{n} whan it lokeþ any þing
vniu{er}sel it ne vseþ nat of ymaginac{i}ou{n} nor of wit {and}
algates ȝit [it] co{m}prendiþ þe þinges ymaginable {and}
sensible.
[Sidenote: For instance, reason defines her general conceptions
thus:--]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 37 _b_.]]
for resou{n} is she þat *diffinisseþ þe vniuersel 4808
of hir conseite ryȝt þus. [[pg 166]]
[Sidenote: Man is a rational two-footed animal, which, though it
be a general idea, yet every one knows that man thus defined is
perceived both by the imagination and the senses, notwithstanding
that in this instance reason does not make use of imagination or
the senses, but of her own rational conception.]
¶ Man is a resonable t[w]o-footid
beest. and how so þat þis knowynge [is] vniuersel.
ȝit nys þer no wyȝt þat ne woot wel. þat a ma{n} is [a thing]
ymaginable {and} sensible ¶ and þis same co{n}sidereþ wel 4812
resou{n}. but þat nis nat by ymaginac{i}ou{n}. nor by witte.
but it lokiþ it by [a] resonable concepc{i}ou{n}.
[Sidenote: The imagination also, although it derives its power of
seeing and forming figures from the senses, yet in the absence and
without the use of the senses it considers and comprehends all
sensible things by its own imaginative power.]
¶ Also ymaginac{i}ou{n}
al be it so. þat it takeþ of wit þe bygyny{n}g{us}
to seen {and} to formen þe figures. algates al þouȝ þat wit 4816
ne ware not p{re}sent. ȝit it envirouniþ {and} co{m}p{re}hendiþ
alle þinges sensible. nat by resou{n} sensible of demynge.
but by resou{n} ymaginatif.
[Sidenote: Do not you see that men attain to the knowledge of
things more by their own faculties, than by the inherent property
of things?]
¶ sest þou nat þan þat alle
þe þinges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir 4820
power. þan þei don of [the] faculte or of power of þinges
þat ben yknowen.
[Sidenote: Nor is it unreasonable that it should be so--for since
every judgment is the act of the person judging; every one must
needs do his own work by the help of his own faculties, and not by
the aid of foreign power.]
ne þat nis no wronge. for so as euery
iugement is þe dede or þe doynge of hym þat demeþ. It 4823
byhoueþ þat euery wyȝt p{er}forme þe werke {and} hys entenc{i}ou{n}
nat of forein power[;] but of hys propre power.
[Linenotes:
4774 _fro wiþ outen furþe_--w{i}t{h} owte forth
4776-7 [_comprehendith----ymaginacioun_]--from C.
4777 _comprehendeþ_--MS. co{m}p{re}hendynge
4778 _an_--omitted
4780 _heyȝer_--heyer{e}
4783 _whiche_--which
_auȝt[e]_--owhte
4784 _heyest_--heyiste
4785 _lower[e]_--lower{e}
4785-7 [_but----strengthe_]--from C.
4787 _wit_--witte
_oute_--owt
4791 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4793 _whiche_--which
4795-6 _non_--none
4796 _strengþes_--thinges
4798-4801 _and þou----vt supra_--omitted
4805 _collacioun_--MS. callac{i}ou{n}, C. collaciou{n}
4806 _wit_--witte
4810 [_is_]--from C.
4813 _witte_--wit
4821 _don_--MS. done, C. doon
[_the_]--from C.
4822 _yknowen_--Iknowe]
_no wronge_--nat wrong
4824 _werke_--werk
4825 _forein_--foreyne]
[Headnote:
HOW OUR KNOWLEDGE OF OUTWARD THINGS IS GAINED.]
QUONDAM PORTICUS ATTULIT.
[Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Fallacious and obscure was the lore of the Stoics,]
++ÞE porche þat is to sein a gate of þe toune of athenis
þer as philosophres hadde hir congregac{i}ou{n} to dispoyten.
{and} þilke porche brouȝt[e] so{m}tyme olde men ful 4828
derke in hire sentences. þ{a}t is to sein philosophers þat
hyȝten stoiciens.
[Sidenote: who taught that images of things obvious to the senses
were imprinted on the mind by external objects, and that the soul
is at first like a mirror or a clean parchment, free from figures
and letters.]
þat wenden þat ymages [{and}] sensibilites
þat is to sein sensible ymaginac{i}ou{n}s. or ellys ymaginac{i}ou{n}
of sensible þinges were{n} i{n}p{re}ntid in to soules 4832
fro bodies wiþ oute forþe. ¶ As who seiþ þat þilke
stoiciens wenden þ{a}t þe soule hadde ben naked of it
self. as a mirour or a clene p{ar}chemyn. so þat alle
fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro þinges fro wiþ oute in to 4836
soules. {and} ben inp{re}ntid in to soules. _Textus._ Ryȝt
as we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen
l{ett}res emp{re}ntid in þe smoþenesse or in þe plainesse of
þe table of wex. or in p{ar}chemyn þat ne haþ no figure [[pg 167]]
[ne] note in it.
[Sidenote: But if the mind is passive in receiving the impressions
of outward objects, whence proceeds the knowledge by which the
mind comprehends all things?]
_Glosa._ But now arguiþ boece aȝeins þat 4841
oppiniou{n} {and} seiþ þus. but yif þe þriuyng soule ne
vnplitiþ no þing. þat is to sein ne doþ no þing by hys
p{ro}pre moeuynges. but suffriþ {and} lieþ subgit to þe 4844
figures {and} to þe notes of bodyes wiþ oute forþe. {and}
ȝeldeþ ymages ydel {and} veyne in þe manere of a
mirour. whennes þriueþ þan or whennes comeþ þan
þilke knowyng in oure soule. þat discerniþ {and} byholdeþ 4848
alle þinges.
[Sidenote: Whence its force to conceive individual existences, to
separate those things when known, to unite divided things, and to
choose and change its path, soaring to the highest and descending
to the lowest things--and returning to itself, to confute false
things by the true?]
and whennes is þilke strengþe þat
byholdeþ þe syngulere þinges. or whennes is þe strengþe
þat dyuydeþ þinges yknowe. {and} þilke stre{n}gþe þat
gadereþ to-gidre þe þinges deuided. {and} þe strengþe þat 4852
cheseþ hys entrechau{n}ged wey for som tyme it heueþ
vp þe heued. þat is to sein þat it heueþ vp þe ente{n}c{i}ou{n}
to ryȝt heye þinges. {and} som tyme it discendiþ in
to ryȝt lowe þinges. {and} whan it retourniþ in to hym 4856
self. it rep{re}uiþ {and} destroieþ þe false þinges by þe
trewe þinges.
[Sidenote: This cause is more efficacious and powerful to see and
to know things, than that cause which receives the characters
impressed like servile matter.]
¶ Certys þis strengþe is cause more
efficient {and} mochel more myȝty to seen {and} to knowe
þinges. þan þilke cause þat suffriþ and resceyueþ þe 4860
notes {and} þe figures inp{re}ssed in manere of matere
[Sidenote: Yet the sense in the living body excites and moves the
mental powers; as when the light striking the eyes causes them to
see, or as the voice rushing into the ear excites hearing.]
algates
þe passiou{n} þat is to seyn þe suffraunce or þe wit
i{n} þe quik[e] body goþ byforne excitynge {and} moeuyng
þe strengþes of þe þouȝte. ryȝt so as whan þat 4864
clerenesse smyteþ þe eyen {and} moeuiþ hem to seen. or
ryȝt so as voys or soune hurtliþ to þe eres {and} co{m}moeuiþ
hem to herkne.
[Sidenote: Then is the force of thought excited; it calls forth
the images within itself, and adds to them the outward forms,
blending external images with the counterparts concealed within.]
þan is þe stre{n}gþe of þe þouȝt
ymoeuid {and} excitid {and} clepeþ furþe þe semblable 4868
moeuynges þe speces þat it halt wiþ i{n}ne it self. {and}
addiþ þo speces to þe notes {and} to þe þinges wiþ out
forþe. {and} medeleþ þe ymages of þinges wiþ out forþe
to þe forme[s] yhid wiþ i{n}ne hym self. 4872
[Linenotes:
4827 _hadde_--hadden
_dispoyten_--desputen
4828 _brouȝt[e]_--browhte
4830 [_and_]--from C.
4837 _inprentid_--aprentyd
4838 _some tyme_--somtyme
_swift_--swyfte
4840 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4843 _vnplitiþ_--vnpleyteth
_doþ_--MS. doþe
4845 _þe_--tho
4863 _quik[e]_--qwyke
_goþ_--MS. goþe
4864 _þouȝte_--thoght
4865 _clerenesse_--cleernesse
4866 _soune_--sown
4868 _furþe_--forth
4870 _out_--owte
4871 _out forþe_--owte forth
4872 _forme[s]_--formes
_yhid_--I-hidde]
[[pg 168]]
[Headnote:
INTELLIGENCE A DIVINE ATTRIBUTE.]
Q{UO}D SI IN CORPORIB{US} SENCIEND{IS}.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 38.]]
*QUESTIO.
[Sidenote: [The .5.^the p{ro}se.]]
[Sidenote: Although there are in objects certain qualities which
strike externally upon the senses, and put their instruments in
motion; although the passive impression upon the body precedes the
action of the mind,]
++But what [yif] þat in bodies to be{n} feelid þat is
to sein in þe takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly
þinges. and al be it so þat þe qualites of bodies þ{a}t ben 4875
obiect fro wiþ oute forþe moeuen {and} entalenten þe instrumentes
of þe wittes.
[Sidenote: and although the former rouses the latter to action,
yet if in the perception of bodily things, the soul is not by the
impression of external things made to know these things, but by
its own power judgeth of these bodily impressions,]
and al be it so þat þe passiou{n}
of þe body þat is to seyn þe witte [or the] suffrau{n}ce
[goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the
which passiou{n} or suffraunce] clepiþ furþe þe dede of 4880
þe þouȝt in hym self. {and} moeueþ {and} exiteþ in þis
mene while þe formes þ{a}t resten wiþ in forþe. and yif
þat i{n} sensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage nis nat
ytauȝt or enp{re}ntid by passiou{n} to knowe þise þinges. 4884
but demiþ {and} knoweþ of hys owen strengþe þe passiou{n}
or suffrau{n}ce subiect to þe body.
[Sidenote: how much more shall those pure spiritual beings (as God
or angels) discern things by an act of their understanding alone,
without the aid of impressions from external objects?]
Moche more þan þoo
þinges þat ben absolut {and} quit fram alle talentȝ or
affecc{i}ou{n}s of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne folwen 4888
nat in discernynge þinges obiect from wiþ oute forþe.
but þei accomplissen {and} speden þe dede of hir þouȝt
[Sidenote: For this reason, then, there are several sorts of
knowing distributed among various beings.]
by þis resou{n}.
¶ þan þere comen many manere knowynges
to dyu{er}se {and} differy{n}g substaunces.
[Sidenote: For sense (or sensation) destitute of all other
knowledge is allotted to those creatures that have no motion, as
shell-fish.]
for þe wit 4892
of þe body þe whiche witte is naked {and} despoyled of
alle oþer knowynges. þilke witte comeþ to bestes þat ne
mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne þere. as oystres
{and} muscles {and} oþer swiche shelle fysshe of þe see. 4896
þ{a}t cliue{n} {and} ben norissed to roches.
[Sidenote: But imagination is given to such brutes capable of
motion, and having in some degree the power of desiring or
refusing.]
but þe ymaginac{i}ou{n}
comeþ to remuable bestes þat seme{n} to han talent
to fleen or to desiren any þinge.
[Sidenote: Reason, however, is the attribute of man alone, as
Intelligence is that of God.]
but resou{n} is al only to
þe lynage of mankynde ryȝt as i{n}telligence is oonly þe 4900
deuyne nature.
[Sidenote: Hence His (i. e. God’s) knowledge exceeds all other,
comprehending both what belongs to His own nature, and what is
comprehended by all inferior creatures.]
of whiche it folweþ þat þilke knowyng
is more worþe þan [th]is[e] oþer. syn it knoweþ by hys
p{ro}pre nature nat only hys subiect. as who seiþ it ne [[pg 169]]
knoweþ nat al oonly þat app{er}teiniþ p{ro}prely to hys 4904
knowynge. but it knoweþ þe subgitȝ of alle oþer knowynges.
[Linenotes:
4873 [_yif_]--from C.
4878 [_or the_]--from C.
_suffraunce_--MS. suffisau{n}ce, C. suffraunce
4879-80 [_goth----suffraunce_]--from C.
4883 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
4887 _quit_--quite
4888 _hys_--hise
4889 _discernynge_--MS. discryuyng, C. discernynge
_from_--fro
4893-94 _witte_--wit
4895 _mowen_--mowe
_here ne þere_--her {and} ther
4901 _whiche_--which
4902 _[th]is[e] oþer_--thise oothr{e}]
[Headnote:
THE POWERS OF SENSE AND IMAGINATION.]
[Sidenote: But how shall it be then, if sense and imagination
oppose reason, affirming that the general idea of things, which
reason thinks it so perfectly sees, is nothing?]
but how shal it þan be yif þat wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n}
stryuen aȝeins resonynge {and} sein þat of þilke
vniuersel þinges. þat resou{n} weneþ to seen þat it nis 4908
ryȝt nauȝt.
[Sidenote: For what falls under the cognisance of the senses and
imagination cannot be general.]
for wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} seyn þat þat. þat
is sensible or ymaginable it ne may nat ben vniuersel.
þan is eiþer þe iugement of resou{n} [soth]. ne þat
þer nis no þinge sensible. or ellys for þat resou{n} woot 4912
wel þat many þinges ben subiect to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}.
þan is þe co{n}sepc{i}ou{n} of resou{n} veyn {and} fals
whiche þat lookeþ {and} co{m}p{re}hendiþ. þat þat is
sensible {and} synguler as uniuersele.
[Sidenote: But if reason should answer to this--that in her idea
of what is general she comprehends whatever is sensible and
imaginable; but as to the senses and imagination, they cannot
attain to the knowledge of what is general, since their knowledge
is confined to material figures; and therefore in all real
knowledge of things we must give the greatest credit to that
faculty which has a more steadfast and perfect judgment of
things.]
and ȝif þat resou{n} 4916
wolde answeren aȝein to þise two þat is to sein to wit
{and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} sein þat soþely she hir self.
þat is to seyn þat resou{n} lokeþ {and} comp{re}hendiþ by
resou{n} of vniuersalite. boþe þat þat is sensible {and} þat 4920
þat is ymaginable. {and} þat þilke two þat is to seyn wit
{and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne mowe{n} nat strecchen ne enhaunsen
hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for þat
þe knowy{n}g of hem ne may exceden nor so{ur}mou{n}te{n} 4924
þe bodyly figure[s] ¶ Certys of þe knowyng of þinges
men auȝten raþer ȝeue credence to þe more stedfast {and}
to þe more p{er}fit iugement.
[Sidenote: In a controversy of this kind ought not we, who possess
faculties of reason, &c., to side with reason and espouse her
cause?]
In þis manere stryuynge
þan we þat han strengþe of resonynge {and} of ymaginynge 4928
{and} of wit þat is to seyn by resou{n} {and} by ymaginac{i}ou{n}
{and} by wit. [{and}] we sholde raþer p{re}ise þe cause
of resou{n}. as who seiþ þan þe cause of wit or ymaginac{i}ou{n}.
[Linenotes:
4907 _aȝeins_--ayein
4908 _vniuersel_--vniu{er}sels
4911 [_soth_]--from C.
4914 _fals whiche_--false which
4917 _wit_--witte
4918 _soþely_--soothly
4923 _knowynge_--knowy
4926 _ȝeue_--yeuen
_stedfast_--stidefast
4930 [_and_]--from C.
4931 _or_--{and} of]
[Headnote:
REASON SHOULD SUBMIT TO INTELLIGENCE.]
[Sidenote: The case is entirely similar when human reason thinks
the Divine Intelligence cannot behold future events in any other
way than she herself is capable of perceiving them.]
semblable þinge is it þat þe resou{n} of mankynde 4932
ne weneþ nat þat þe deuyne intelligence byholdeþ or
knoweþ þinges to comen. but ryȝt as þe resou{n} of mankynde
knoweþ hem.
[Sidenote: For thus you argue:--
What things are not necessitated cannot be foreknown; therefore
there is no prescience of these things, for, if there were,
everything would be fixed by an absolute necessity.]
for þou arguist {and} seist þus. þat
yif it ne seme nat to men þat so{m}me þinges han certeyne [[pg 170]]
{and} necessarie bytidynges. þei ne mowen nat ben wist 4937
byforn certeynely to bytiden. þa{n} nis [ther] no p{re}science
of þilke þinges. {and} yif we trowen þat p{re}science
ben in þise þinges. þan is þer no þinge þat it ne 4940
bitidiþ by necessite.
[Sidenote: If it were possible to enjoy the intelligence of the
Deity, we should then deem it right that sense and imagination
should yield to reason, and also judge it proper that human reason
should submit to the Divine Intelligence.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 38 _b_.]]
but certys yif we myȝte{n} han þe
iugeme{n}t of þe deuyne þouȝt as we *ben p{ar}son{er}s of
resou{n}. ryȝt so as we han demed. it byhoueþ þat ymaginac{i}ou{n}
{and} wit ben byneþe resou{n}. ryȝt so wolde 4944
we deme{n} þat it were ryȝtful þing þat ma{n}s resou{n}
auȝt[e] to su{m}mitten it self {and} to ben byneþe þe deuyne
þouȝt.
[Sidenote: Let us, therefore, strive to elevate ourselves to the
height of the supreme intelligence--there shall reason see what
she cannot discover in herself; and that is in what manner the
prescience of God sees and defines all things; although they have
no certain event; and she will see that this is no mere
conjecture, but rather simple, supreme, and unlimited knowledge.]
for whiche þat yif we mowen. as who seiþ.
þat yif þat we mowe{n} I conseil[e] þat we enhanse vs in 4948
to þe heyȝt of þilke souereyne i{n}telligence. for þere shal
resou{n} wel seen þat þat it ne may nat by-holden in it
self. and certys þat is þis in what manere þe p{re}science
of god seeþ alle þinges c{er}teins {and} difinissed al þouȝ þei 4952
ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne þis is non
oppiniou{n} but it is raþer þe simplicite of þe souereyn
science þat nis nat enclosed nor yshet wiþi{n}ne no boundes.
[Linenotes:
4938 [_ther_]--from C.
4939 _trowen_--trowe
4942 _parsoners_--parsoneres
4945 _mans_--mannes
4946 _auȝt[e]_--owte
4947 _whiche_--which
4948 _þat yif_--yif þ{a}t
4949 _heyȝt_--heihte
_þere_--ther
4952 _þouȝ_--MS. þouȝt
4955 _no_--none]
QUAM UARIIS FIGURIS.
[Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]
[Sidenote: Various are the shapes of created beings. Some creep
along the ground and trace the dust in furrows as they go;]
++ÞE bestes passen by þe erþes by ful dyuerse figures 4956
for so{m}me of hem han hir bodies strauȝt {and}
crepe{n} in þe dust {and} drawen after he{m} a t{ra}is or a
forghe contynued. þat is to sein as addres or snakes.
[Sidenote: others with nimble wings float through the air;]
and oþer bestes by [the] wandryng lyȝtnesse of hir 4960
wenges beten þe wyndes {and} ouer-swymme{n} þe spaces
of þe longe eyer by moist flee[y]nge.
[Sidenote: some with their feet impress the ground, or tread
lightly o’er the meads, or seek the shady grove.]
and oþer bestes
gladen hem to diggen her traas or her stappes i{n} þe
erþe wiþ hir goynge or wiþ her feet. or to gone eyþe[r] 4964
by þe grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder þe wodes.
[Sidenote: Though we see an endless variety of forms, yet all are
prone; to the earth they bend their looks, increasing the
heaviness of their dull sense.]
{and} al be it so þ{a}t þou seest þat þei
alle discorden by [[pg 171]]
dyuerse formes. algate hir{e} [faces] enclini[n]g heuieþ hir{e}
dulle wittes.
[Sidenote: Man alone doth raise aloft his noble head; light and
erect he spurns the earth.]
Onlyche þe lynage of man heueþ heyest hys 4968
heyȝe heued {and} stondeþ lyȝt wiþ hys vpryȝt body {and}
byholdeþ þe erþe vndir hym.
[Sidenote: Thou art admonished by this figure then, unless by
sense deceived, that whilst taught by thy lofty mien to look
above, thou shouldst elevate thy mind lest it sink below its
proper level.]
[and] but-ȝif þou erþely man
wexest yuel oute of þi witte. þis figure amonesteþ þe þ{a}t
axest þe heuene wiþ þi ryȝt[e] visage. {and} hast areised 4972
þi forhede to beren vp on heye þi corage so þat þi þouȝt
ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir foot. sen þat þi
body is so heye areised.
[Linenotes:
4957 _somme_--som
4959 _forghe contynued_--forwh Ikonntynued
_addres_--nadris
4960 [_the_]--from C.
4963 _hem_--hem self
_stappes_--steppis
4964 _or to gone_--{and} to gon
_eyþe[r]_--eyther
4965 [_elles_]--from C.
4967 [_faces_]--from C.
_algate_--algates
_enclini[n]g_--enclynyd
4968 _Onlyche_--Oonly
_heyest_--heyeste
4970 _erþe_--erthes
4971 _oute_--owt
_witte_--wit
4972 _ryȝt[e]_--ryhte
_hast_--MS. haþe, C. hast
4973 _forhede_--foreheuyd
_on heye_--a heygh
4974 _foot sen_--foote syn]
[Headnote:
DEFINITION OF ETERNITY.]
PR{O}SA VLTI{M}A.
QUONIA{M} IGITUR UTI PAULO ANTE.
[Sidenote: [The 6^te p{ro}se {and} the laste.]]
[Sidenote: Since everything which is known is not, as I have
shown, perceived by its own inherent properties, but by the
faculties of those comprehending them, let us now examine the
disposition of the Divine nature.]
++ÞEr-fore þan as I haue shewed a litel her byforne þat 4976
al þinge þat is ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature
p{ro}pre. but by þe nature of he{m} þat comp{re}henden it.
¶ Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to vs. as
who seiþ lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche þ{a}t þe 4980
estat is of þe deuyne substaunce so þat we mowen [ek]
knowen what his science is.
[Sidenote: All rational creatures agree in affirming that God is
eternal.]
þe comune iugement of alle
creatures resonables þan is þis þat god is eterne. lat vs
considere þa{n} what is et{er}nite. For certys þat shal 4984
shewen vs to-gidre þe deuyne nature {and} þe deuyne
science
[Sidenote: And eternity is a full, total, and perfect possession
of a life which shall never end. This will appear more clearly
from a comparison with temporal things.]
¶ Eternite þan is p{er}fit possessiou{n} {and} al
togidre of lijf interminable {and} þat sheweþ more clerely
by þe co{m}parisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of temp{or}el þinges. 4988
[Sidenote: Temporal existence proceeds from the past to the
present, and thence to the future.]
for al þing þat lyueþ in tyme it is p{re}sent {and} p{ro}cediþ fro
preteritȝ in to fut{ur}es. þat is to sein. fro tyme passed
in to tyme comynge.
[Sidenote: And there is nothing under the law of time, which can
at once comprehend the whole space of its existence.]
ne þer nis no þing establissed i{n}
tyme þat may enbracen to-gidre al þe space of hys lijf. 4992
[Linenotes:
4977 _al þinge_--alle thinges
4979 _moche_--mochel
4980 _loken_--loke
_whiche_--which
4981 [_ek_]--from C.
4987 _clerely_--cleerly
4989 _al_--alle]
[Headnote:
THE WORLD IS NOT ETERNAL.]
[Sidenote: Having lost _yesterday_ it does not as yet enjoy
_to-morrow_; and as for _to-day_ it consists only in the present
transitory moment.]
for certys ȝit ne haþ it nat taken þe tyme of þe morwe.
{and} it haþ lost þat of ȝister-day. and certys in þe lijf
of þis day ȝe ne lyuen no more but ryȝt
as in þis moeueable [[pg 172]]
{and} t{ra}nsitorie moment.
[Sidenote: Whatever, therefore, is subjected to a temporal
condition, as Aristotle thought of the world, may be without
beginning and without end; and although its duration may extend to
an infinity of time, yet it cannot rightly be called eternal: for
it doth not comprehend at once the whole extent of its infinite
duration, having no knowledge of things future which are not yet
arrived.]
þan þilke þinge þat suffriþ 4996
temp{or}el condic{i}ou{n}. a[l]þough{e} þat [it] bygan neuer
to be. ne þough{e} it neu{er}e cese forto be. as aristotle
demde of þe worlde. and al þouȝ þat þe lif of it be
strecchid wiþ infinite of tyme.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 39.]]
ȝit al*gates nis it no 5000
swiche þing þat men myȝten trowen by ryȝt þat it is
eterne. for al þouȝ þat it comp{re}hende {and} embrace þe
space of life infinite. ȝit algates ne [em]braceþ it nat þe
space of þe lif alto-gidre. for it ne haþ nat þe fut{ur}es 5004
þat ne ben nat ȝit. ne it ne haþ no lenger þe p{re}t{er}itȝ
þat ben ydon or ypassed.
[Sidenote: For what is eternal must be always present to itself
and master of itself, and have always with it the infinite
succession of time.]
but þilke þing þan þat haþ
{and} co{m}prehendiþ to-gidre alle þe plente of þe lif i{n}terminable.
to whom þere ne failiþ nat of þe fut{ur}e. 5008
{and} to whom þer nis nat of þe p{re}t{er}it escapid nor
ypassed. þilk[e] same is ywitnessed or yproued by ryȝt
to ben eterne. and it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke
þinge be alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} co{m}potent. as 5012
who seiþ alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} so myȝty þat al
by ryȝt at hys plesaunce. {and} þ{a}t he haue al p{re}sent
þe infinit of þe moeuable tyme.
[Sidenote: Therefore some philosophers, who had heard that Plato
believed that this world had neither beginning nor end, falsely
concluded, that the created universe was coeternal with its
Creator.]
wherfore som men
trowe{n} wrongefully þat whan þei heren þat it semid[e] 5016
to plato þat þis worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge
of tyme. ne þat it neu{er}e shal haue faylynge. þei wenen
i{n} þis man{er}e þat þis worlde ben maked coet{er}ne wiþ
his makere. as who seiþ. þei wenen þat þis worlde {and} 5020
god ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful
wenynge.
[Sidenote: But it is one thing to be conducted through a life of
infinite duration, which was Plato’s opinion of the world, and
another thing to comprehend at once the whole extent of this
duration as present which, it is manifest, can only belong to the
Divine mind.]
for oþer þing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable
as plato graunted[e] to þe worlde. {and} oþer
þing is it to embracen to-gidre alle þe p{re}sence to þe lif 5024
interminable. þe whiche þing it is clere {and} manifest
þat it is p{ro}pre to þe deuine þouȝt. [[pg 173]]
[Sidenote: Nor ought it to seem to us that God is prior to and
more ancient than his creatures by the space of time, but rather
by the simple and undivided properties of his nature.]
ne it ne sholde nat
semen to vs þat god is elder þan þinges þat ben ymaked
by quantite of tyme. but raþer by þe p{ro}prete of hys 5028
symple nature.
[Sidenote: The infinite progression of temporal things imitates
the ever-present condition of an immovable life:]
for þis ilke infinit[e] moeuyng of temp{or}el
þinges folwiþ þis p{re}sentarie estat of þe lijf i{n}moeueable.
[Linenotes:
4993-4 _haþ_--MS. haþe
4993 _þe_ (2)--to
4994 _þat_--the tyme
4997 _a[l]þoughe_--al-thogh
[_it_]--from C.
4999 _worlde_--world
5001 _swiche_--swych
5002 _eterne_--from C., MS. eternite
5003 _life_--lyf
5004-5-6 _haþ_--MS. haþe
5006 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon
5007 _alle_--al
5008-9 _nat_--nawht
5010 _þilk[e]_--thilke
_or_--{and}
5014 _by_--be
5016 _semid[e]_--semede
5017 _worlde_--world
_had[de]_--hadde
5018 _haue_--han
5019-20 _worlde_--world
5022 _yladd_--MS. yladde, C. I-lad
5023 _worlde_--world
5024 _embracen_--enbrace
_alle_--al
_presence to_--p{re}sent of
5025 _clere_--cleer]
[Headnote:
GOD IS ETERNAL.]
[Sidenote: and since it cannot copy nor equal it from an immovable
and simply present state, it passes into motion and into an
infinite measure of past and future time.]
{and} so as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne feyne{n}
it ne ben euene lyke to it. for þe inmoeueablete. þat is 5032
to seyn þat is i{n} þe eternite of god. ¶ it faileþ {and}
falleþ in to moeuynge fro þe simplicite of [the] p{re}sence
of god. {and} disencresiþ to þe infinite quantite of
fut{ur}e {and} of p{re}terit.
[Sidenote: But since it cannot possess at once the whole extent of
its duration, yet, as it never ceases wholly to be, it faintly
emulates _that_ whose perfection it can neither attain nor
express, by attaching itself to the present fleeting moment,
which, because it resembles the durable present time, imparts to
those things that partake of it an appearance of existence.]
{and} so as it ne may nat han togidre 5036
al þe plente of þe lif. algates ȝitte for as moche as
it ne cesiþ neuere forto ben in som manere it semeþ
somde[l] to vs þat it folwiþ {and} resembliþ þilke þing
þ{a}t it ne may nat attayne to. ne fulfille. {and} byndeþ it 5040
self to som manere p{re}sence of þis litel {and} swifte
moment. þe whiche p{re}sence of þis lytele {and} swifte
moment. for þat it bereþ a manere ymage or lykenesse
of þe ay dwellynge p{re}sence of god. it graunteþ to 5044
swiche manere þinges as it bitidiþ to þat it semeþ hem
þat þise þinges han ben {and} ben
[Sidenote: But as it cannot stop or abide it pursues its course
through infinite time, and by gliding along it continues its
duration, the plenitude of which it could not comprehend, by
abiding in a permanent state.]
{and} for [þ{a}t] þe p{re}sence
of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle þer-for
[it] rauyssid[e] {and} took þe infinit[e] wey of tyme. þat 5048
is to seyn by successiou{n}. {and} by þis man{er}e it is ydon.
for þat it sholde continue þe lif in goynge of þe whiche
lif it ne myȝt[e] nat embrace þe plente in dwellynge.
[Sidenote: If we would follow Plato in giving things their right
names, let us say that God is _eternal_ and the world
_perpetual_.]
{and} for þi yif we willen putte worþi name[s] to þinges 5052
{and} folwen plato. lat vs seyn þa{n} soþely þat god is
et{er}ne. {and} þat þe worlde is p{er}petuel.
[Sidenote: His knowledge, surpassing the progression of time, is
ever present, containing the infinite space of past and future
times, and embraces in his clear insight all things, as if they
were now transacting.]
þan syn þat
euery iugeme{n}t knoweþ {and} comp{re}hendiþ by hys owen
nature þinges þat ben subiect vnto hym. þere is soþely 5056
al-wey to god an et{er}ne {and} p{re}sentarie estat. {and} þe
science of hym þat ouer-passeþ alle
temp{or}el moe[ue]m{en}t [[pg 174]]
dwelliþ in þe symplicite of hys p{re}sence {and} embraceþ
{and} considereþ alle þe infinit spaces of tymes 5060
p{re}teritȝ {and} fut{ur}es {and} lokeþ in þis symple knowynge
alle þinges of p{re}t{er}it ryȝt as þei weren ydoon p{re}sently
ryȝt now
[Sidenote: Prescience is, then, a foreknowledge, not of what is to
come, but of the present and _never-failing now_ (in which God
sees all things as if immovably present).]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 39 _b_.]]
¶ yif þou wolt þan þenke {and} avise{n} þe
p{re}science by whiche it knoweþ al[le] þi{n}ges *þou ne 5064
shalt nat demen it as p{re}science of þinges to comen.
[Linenotes:
5032 _lyke_--lyk
5034 [_the_]--from C.
5039 _somde[l]_--somdel
5040 _fulfille_--fullfyllen
5041 _litel_--from C., MS. lykly
5042 _whiche_--which
_lytele_--from C., MS. lykly
5046 _ben_ (1)--yben
[_þat_]--from C.
5047 _swiche_--swych
5048 [_it_]--from C.
5051 _myȝt[e]_--myhte
5052 _willen putte_--wollen putten
_name[s]_--names
5053 _soþely_--sothly
5054 _worlde_--world
5055 _owen_--owne
5056 _soþely_--sothly
5057 _al-wey_--al-weys
5058 _alle_--al
_moe[ue]ment_--moeueme{n}t
5063 _þenke_--thinken
_avisen_--auyse
5064 _whiche_--which
_al[le]_--alle]
[Headnote:
DEFINITION OF PRESCIENCE.]
but þou shalt deme{n} [it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science
of presence or of instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ.
[Sidenote: Therefore _foreknowledge_ is not so applicable a term
as _providence_--for God looks down upon all things from the
summit of the universe.]
for whiche it nis nat ycleped p{ro}uidence but it sholde raþer 5068
be cleped purueaunce þat is establissed ful fer fro ryȝt
lowe þinges. {and} byholdeþ from a-fer alle þinges ryȝt as
it were fro þe heye heyȝte of þinges.
[Sidenote: Do you think that God imposes a necessity on things by
beholding them? It is not so in human affairs.]
whi axest þou þan
or why disputest þou þan þat þilke þinges ben don by 5072
necessite whiche þat ben yseyen {and} yknowen by þe
deuyne syȝt. syn þat for soþe men ne maken nat þilke
þi{n}ges necessarie. whiche þat þe[i] seen be ydoon in
hir{e} syȝt.
[Sidenote: Does your view of an action lay any necessity upon it?]
for addiþ þi byholdynge any necessite to þilke 5076
þinges þat þou byholdest p{re}sent.
[Sidenote: _B._ No.]
¶ Nay q{uo}d I.
[Sidenote: _P._ By parity of reason it is clear that whilst you
see only some things in a limited instant, God sees all things in
his ever-present time.]
_p._ Certys þan yif men myȝte maken any digne comparisou{n}
or collac{i}ou{n} of þe p{re}sence diuine. {and} of þe p{re}
of mankynde. ryȝt so as ȝe seen so{m}me þinges in þis 5080
temp{or}el presente. ryȝt so seeþ god alle þinges by hys
eterne p{re}sent.
[Sidenote: His Divine prescience therefore does not change the
nature of things--but only beholds those things as present to him
which shall in time be produced.]
¶ wherfore þis dyuyne p{re}science ne
chaungeþ nat þe nature ne þe p{ro}prete of þinges but
byholdeþ swyche þinges present to hym ward. as þei 5084
shollen bytiden to ȝow ward in tyme to come.
[Sidenote: Nor does he judge confusedly of them, but knows at one
view what will necessarily and what will not necessarily happen.]
ne it ne
co{n}foundeþ nat þe Iugementȝ of þinges but by of syȝt
of hys þouȝt he knoweþ þe þinges to comen as wel
necessarie as nat necessarie. ryȝt so as whan ȝe seen togidre 5088
a man walke on þe erþe {and} þe sonne arysen in
[the] heuene. al be it so þat ȝe seen {and} byholde{n} þat
oon {and} þat oþer to-gidre. ȝit naþeles ȝe demen {and} [[pg 175]]
discerne þat þat oon is uolu{n}tarie
{and} þat oþer is necessarie. 5092
[Linenotes:
5066 _shalt_--shal
[_it_]--from C.
5068 _whiche_--which
5074-76 _syȝt_--syhte
5075 _whiche_--which
_þe[i]_--they
5085 _come_--comyn
5086 _of syȝt_--O syhte
5087 _he knoweþ_--MS. repeats
5090 [_the_]--from C.
5092 _discerne_--discernen]
[Headnote:
THE NATURE OF DIVINE PRESCIENCE.]
[Sidenote: The eye of God, seeing all things, doth not alter the
properties of things, for everything is present to him, though its
temporal event is future.]
¶ Ryȝt so þan [the] deuyne lokynge byholdynge
alle þi{n}ges vndir hym ne troubleþ nat þe qualite of
þinges þat ben certeynely p{re}sent to hy{m} ward. but as
to þe condic{i}ou{n} of tyme for soþe þei ben fut{ur}e. 5096
[Sidenote: When God knows that anything is to be, he knows at the
same time that it is not under the necessity of being--but this is
not conjecture, but certain knowledge founded upon truth.]
for whiche it folwiþ þat þis nis non oppiniou{n}. but raþer a
stedfast knowyng ystrengeþed by soþenes. þat whan
þat god knoweþ any þinge to be he ne vnwoot nat þat
þilke þinge wanteþ necessite to be. þis is to seyn þat 5100
whan þat god knoweþ any þinge to bitide. he woot wel
þat it ne haþ no necessite to bitide.
[Sidenote: If you insist that _what God foresees shall and must
happen; and that which cannot do otherwise than happen, must needs
happen_, and so bind me to admit a necessity, I must confess that
things are under such a restraint; but it is a truth that we
scarce can comprehend, unless we be acquainted with the Divine
counsels.]
{and} yif þ{o}u seist
here þat þilke þinge þat god seeþ to bytide it ne may
nat vnbytide. as who seiþ it mot bitide. ¶ and þilke 5104
þinge þat þat ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by
necessite. and þat þou streine me to þis name of necessite.
certys I wol wel confessen {and} byknowe a þinge of
ful sadde trouþe. but vnneþ shal þere any wyȝt [mowe] 5108
seen it or comen þer-to. but yif þat he be byholder of þe
deuyne þouȝte.
[Sidenote: For I will answer you thus. That the thing which is to
happen in relation to the Divine knowledge is necessary; but,
considered in its own nature, seems free and absolute.]
¶ for I wol answer{e} þe þus. þat þilke
þinge þat is future whan it is referred to þe deuyne 5111
knowy{n}g þan is it necessarie. but certys whan it is vndirstonden
in hys owen kynde me{n} sen it [is] vtterly fre
{and} absolut from alle necessite.
[Sidenote: There are two kinds of necessity--one simple; as men
must necessarily die--the other is conditional, as if you know a
man walks he must necessarily walk--for that which is known cannot
be otherwise than what it is apprehended to be.]
for certys þer ben two
maneres of necessites. þat oon necessite is symple as
þus. þat it byhoueþ by necessite þat alle men be mortal 5116
or dedely. an oþ{er} necessite is condicionel as þus. yif
þou wost þat a man walkiþ. it byhoueþ by necessite þat
he walke. þilke þinge þan þat any wyȝt haþ yknowe to
be. it ne may ben non oþer weyes þan he knoweþ it to be. 5120
[Linenotes:
5093 [_the_]--from C.
5097 _whiche_--which
5098 _stedfast_--stidefast
_soþenes_--sothnesse
5102 _haþ_--MS. haþe
5104 _bitide_--bide
5108 _sadde_--sad
_vnneþ_--vnnethe
[_mowe_]--from C.
5109 _comen_--come
5110 _þouȝte_--thoght
_answere_--answeren
5113 _sen_--MS. sene, C. sen
[_is_]--from C.
5117 _dedely_--dedly
5119 _haþ_--MS. haþe]
[Headnote:
PRESCIENCE AND NECESSITY.]
[Sidenote: But this condition does not infer the absolute
necessity, for the nature of the thing itself does not here
constitute the necessity, but the necessity arises from the
conjunction of the condition.]
¶ but þis condicioun ne draweþ nat wiþ hir þilke
necessite symple. For certys þis necessite condicionel.
þe p{ro}pre nature of it ne makeþ it nauȝt.
but þe adiecc{i}ou{n} [[pg 176]]
of þe condic{i}ou{n} makiþ it.
[Sidenote: No necessity compels a man to walk who does so
willingly, but it must be necessary that he walk when he does step
forward.]
for no necessite ne constreyneþ 5124
a man to [gon / þ{a}t] gooþ by his p{ro}pre wille. al be it
so þat whan he gooþ þat it is necessarie þat he gooþ.
[Sidenote: So everything that is present to the eye of Providence
must assuredly be, although there is nothing in its own nature to
constitute that necessity.]
¶ Ryȝt on þis same manere þan. yif þat þe p{ur}ueaunce
of god seeþ any þing p{re}sent.
[Sidenote: [* fol. 40.]]
þan mot þilke *þinge be 5128
by necessite. al þouȝ þat it ne haue no necessite of hys
owen nature.
[Sidenote: Since God beholds all future events proceeding from
free-will as actually present--these events in relation to Divine
sight are necessary--yet in relation to themselves they are
absolutely free.]
but certys þe fut{ur}es þat bytyden by fredom
of arbitre god seeþ hem alle to-gidre p{re}sentȝ. þise
þinges þan [yif] þei ben referred to þe deuyne syȝt. 5132
þan ben þei maked necessarie to þe condic{i}ou{n} of þe
deuyne knowynge. but certys yif þilke þinges ben considred
by hem self þei ben absolut of necessite. {and} ne
forleten nat ne cesen nat of þe liberte of hire owe{n} 5136
natur{e}.
[Sidenote: All things which God foresees shall surely come to
pass; but some of these things proceed from free-will, which
although they happen,]
þan certys wiþ outen doute alle þe þing{us}
shollen be doon whiche þat god woot by-forn þat þei
ben to comen. but so{m}me of hem comen {and} bitiden of
[free] arbitre or of fre wille. þat al be it so þat þei bytiden. 5140
[Linenotes:
5121 _condicioun_--from C., MS. _necessite_
5123 _nauȝt_--nat
5125 [_gon þat_]--from C.
_wille_--wil
5128 _mot_--MS. mote, C. mot
5131 _presentȝ_--p{re}sent
5132 [_yif_]--from C.
_syȝt_--syhte
5137 _wiþ outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte
5138 _whiche_--which
5139 _somme_--som
5140 [_free_]--from C.]
[Headnote:
PROVIDENCE AND HUMAN INTENTIONS.]
[Sidenote: yet do not thereby change their nature, as before they
happened they had it in their power not to happen.]
ȝit algates ne lese þei nat hire p{ro}pre nature ne
beynge. by þe whiche first or þat þei were doon þei
hadden power nat to han bitidd.
[Sidenote: But it is a thing of no moment then, whether things are
necessary in their own nature or not, since by the condition of
the Divine knowledge they fell out as if they were necessitated.]
_Boece._ what is þis
to seyn þa{n} q{uo}d I. þat þinges ne ben nat necessarie by 5144
hire p{ro}pre nature. so as þei comen in alle maneres in
þe lykenesse of necessite by þe condic{i}ou{n} of þe deuyne
science.
[Sidenote: _P._ The difference is explained in the instances
lately given you, of the man walking, &c.]
{Ph}ilosoph{ie}. þis is þe difference q{uo}d she. þat
þo þinges þat I p{ur}posed[e] þe a litel here byforn. þat 5148
is to seyn þe sonne arysynge {and} þe man walkynge þat
þerwhiles þat þilke þinges ben ydon. þei ne myȝten nat
ben vndon.
[Sidenote: The event of the former was necessary before it befell,
whereas that of the latter was altogether free.]
naþeles þat oon of hem or it was ydon it
byhoued[e] by necessite þat it was ydon. but nat þat 5152
oþ{er}. ryȝt so it is here þat þe þinges þat god haþ p{re}sent.
wiþ outen doute þei shulle ben.
but so{m}me of hem descendiþ [[pg 177]]
of þe nature of þinges as þe sonne arysynge.
{and} so{m}me descendiþ of þe power of þe doers as þe man 5156
walkynge.
[Sidenote: _B._ Then I did not go from the truth when I said that
some things referred to the Divine knowledge are necessary, while
considered in themselves they are not under the bond of
necessity.]
¶ þan seide I. no wronge þat yif þat þise
þinges ben referred to þe deuyne knowynge þan ben þei
necessarie. {and} yif þei ben considered by he{m} selfe þan
ben þei absolut from þe bonde of necessite.
[Sidenote: In the same way everything that is an object of sense
is _general_ when considered in relation to reason--but particular
when considered by itself.]
ryȝt so [as] 5160
alle þinges þat appiereþ or sheweþ to þe wittes yif þou
referre it to resou{n} it is vniuersel. {and} yif þou referre
it or look[e] it to it self. þan is it sy{n}guler.
[Sidenote: But you may say--If I am able to change my purpose I
can deceive providence by changing that which she hath foreseen I
would do.]
but now
yif þou seist þus þ{a}t yif it be in my power to chaunge 5164
my p{ur}pose. þan shal I voide þe p{ur}ueaunce of god.
whan þat p{er}auenture I shal han chau{n}ged þo þinges
þat he knoweþ byforn. þan shal I answere þe þus
[Linenotes:
5141 _ne_ (2)--C. in
5142 _whiche_--which
_were doon_--weeryn Idoon
5143 _bitidd_--MS. bitidde, C. bityd
5148 _purposed[e]_--p{ur}posede
5150 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon
_myȝten_--myhte
5151 _vndon_--MS. vndone, C. vndoon
5151-2 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon
5152 _byhoued[e]_--houyd
5153 _haþ_--MS. haþe
5154 _wiþ outen_--with-owte
_shulle_--shollen
5156 _doers_--doeres
5157 _wronge_--wrong
5159 _selfe_--self
5160 _from_--fro
_bonde_--bond
[_as_]--from C.
5163 _look[e]_--loke
5166 _þo_--the]
[Headnote:
GOD’S KNOWLEDGE FIXED AND UNCHANGED.]
[Sidenote: _P._ You may perhaps alter your purpose--but as
providence takes note of your intentions, you cannot deceive her;
for you cannot escape the divine prescience though you have the
power, through a free-will, to vary and diversify your actions.]
¶ Certys þou maist wel chaungen þi p{ur}pos but for as 5168
mochel as þe p{re}sent soþenesse of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce
byholdeþ þat þou mayst chau{n}ge{n} þi p{ur}pose. {and}
wheþir þou wolt chaunge it or no. {and} whider-ward
þat þou tourne it. þ{o}u maist nat eschewen þe deuyne 5172
p{re}science ryȝt as þou ne mayst nat fleen þe syȝt of þe
p{re}sent eye. al þouȝ þat þou tourne þi self by þi fre
wille in to dyu{er}se acc{i}ou{n}.
[Sidenote: But you may say--Shall the divine knowledge be changed
according to the mutability of my disposition, and the
apprehensions of the Deity fluctuated with my changing purposes?]
¶ But þou mayst seyn
aȝeyne how shal it þan be. shal nat þe dyuyne science 5176
ben chaunged by my disposic{i}ou{n} whan þat I wol o
þing now {and} now an oþer. {and} þilke p{re}science ne
semeþ it nat to enterchau{n}ge stoundes of knowynges.
as who seiþ. ne shal it nat seme to vs þat þe deuyne 5180
p{re}science enterchaungeþ hys dyuers stoundes of knowynge.
so þat it knowe so{m}me tyme o þing {and} so{m}me tyme
þe contrarie.
[Sidenote: No, indeed! The view of the Deity foreruns every future
event, and brings it back into the presence of his own knowledge,
which does not vary, as you imagine, to conform to your caprices,
but remaining fixed, at once foresees and comprehends all your
changes.]
¶ No for soþe. [q{uod} I] for þe deuyne syȝt
renneþ to-forne {and} seeþ alle fut{ur}es {and} clepeþ hem aȝein 5184
{and} reto{ur}niþ hem to þe p{re}sence of
hys p{ro}pre knowynge. [[pg 178]]
ne he ne entrechaungeþ nat [so] as þou wenest þe
stoundes of forknowyng [as] now þis now þat. but he
ay dwellynge comiþ byforn {and} enbraceþ at o strook 5188
alle þi mutac{i}ou{n}s.
[Sidenote: This faculty of comprehending and seeing all things as
present, God does not receive from the issue of futurities, but
from the simplicity of his own nature.]
and þis p{re}sence to co{m}p{re}henden
{and} to sen alle þinges. god ne haþ nat take{n} it of þe
bitydynge of þinges forto come. but of hys p{ro}pre symplicite.
[Linenotes:
5169 _soþenesse_--sothnesse
5170 _chaungen_--chaunge
5173 _syȝt_--syhte
5175 _wille_--wyl
5177 _wol_--wole
5179 _enterchaunge_--MS. enterchau{n}gyng, C. entrechau{n}ge
5181 _hys_--hise
5182 _somme_ (1)--su{m}
_somme_ (2)--som
5183 _syȝt_--syhte
5184 _to-forne_--to-forn
5186 [_so_]--from C.
5187 [_as_]--from C.
5188 _comiþ_--comth
5190 _haþ_--MS. haþe]
[Headnote:
AN ANSWER TO FORMER OBJECTIONS.]
[Sidenote: Here, then, is an answer to your former objection--that
it is folly to think that our future actions and events are the
causes of the prescience of God.]
¶ and her by is assoiled þilke þing þat þou 5192
puttest a litel her byforne. þat is to seyne þat it is vnworþi
þinge to seyn þat oure futures ȝeuen cause of þe
science of god
[Sidenote: For the Divine mind, embracing and comprehending all
things by a present knowledge, plans and directs all things and is
not dependent upon futurity.]
[Sidenote: [* fol. 41 _b_.]]
¶ For c{er}tys *þis strengþe of þe deuyne
science whiche þat enbraceþ alle þinge by his p{re}sentarie 5196
knowynge establisseþ manere to alle þi{n}g{us} {and} it
ne awiþ nat to lattere þinges.
[Sidenote: Since no necessity is imposed upon things by the Divine
prescience, there remains to men an inviolable freedom of will.]
{and} syn þat þise þinges
ben þus. þat is to seyn syn þat necessite nis nat in
þinges by þe deuyne p{re}science. þan is þer fredom of 5200
arbitre. þat dwelleþ hool {and} vnwemmed to mortal men.
[Sidenote: And those laws are just which assign rewards and
punishments to men possessing free-will.]
ne þe lawes ne p{ur}pose nat wikkedly meedes {and} peynes
to þe willynges of men þat ben vnbounde {and} quit of
alle necessite.
[Sidenote: Moreover, God, who sits on high, foreknows all things,
and the eternal presence of his knowledge concurs with the future
quality of our actions, dispensing rewards to good and punishments
to evil men.]
¶ And god byholder {and} forwiter of 5204
alle þinges dwelliþ aboue {and} þe p{re}sent eternite of hys
syȝt renneþ alwey wiþ þe dyuerse qualite of oure dedes
dispe{n}syng {and} ordeynynge medes to good[e] men. {and}
tourmentȝ to wicked men.
[Sidenote: Nor are our hopes and prayers reposed in, and addressed
to God in vain, which when they are sincere cannot be
inefficacious nor unsuccessful.]
ne in ydel ne i{n} veyn ne ben 5208
þer nat put in god hope {and} p{ra}yeres. þat ne mowen
nat ben vnspedful ne wiþ oute effect whan þei ben ryȝtful
[Sidenote: Resist and turn from vice--honour and love virtue,
exalt your mind to God (the truest hope), offer up your prayers
with humility.]
¶ wiþstond þan {and} eschewe þou vices. worshippe
{and} loue þou vertus. areise þi corage to ryȝtful hoopes. 5212
ȝelde þou humble p{re}iers an heyȝe.
[Sidenote: If you are sincere you will feel that you are under an
obligation to lead a good and virtuous life, inasmuch as all your
actions and works are done in the presence of an all-discerning
Judge.]
grete necessite of
prowesse {and} vertue is encharged {and} comaunded to
ȝow yif ȝe nil nat dissimulen. ¶ Syn þat ȝe worchen
{and} doon. þat is to seyn ȝoure dedes {and} ȝoure workes 5216
by-fore þe eyen of þe Iuge þat seeþ {and} demeþ alle [[pg 179]]
þinges. [To whom be goye {and} worshipe bi Infynyt
tymes / AMEN.]
EXPLICIT LIBER QUINTUS. {ET} VLTIM{US}.
[Linenotes:
5193 _seyne_--seyn
5196 _whiche_--which
5198 _awiþ_--oweth
5199 _þat is to----prescience_--omitted
5203 _vnbounde_--vnbownden
_quit_--quite
5206 _syȝt_--sihte
5207 _good[e]_--goode
5211 _wiþstond_--MS. wiþstonde, C. withstond
5213 _an heyȝe_--a heygh
_grete_--Gret
5215 _worchen_--workyn
5216 {and} (2)--or
5217 _by-fore_--by-forn
5218 [_To whom----Amen_]--from C.; MS. reads _et cetera_ after
‘þinges.’ C. ends with the following rubric:
Explicit expliceat luder{e} scriptor eat
Finito libro sit laus {et} gloria {Christ}o
Corpore scribentis sit gr{ati}a cunctipotentis]
[[pg 180]]
[Headnote:
ÆTAS PRIMA.]
APPENDIX.
[_Camb. Univ. MS._ Ii. 3. 21, _fol._ 52 _b_.]
Chawc{er} vp-on this fyfte met{ur} of the second book
++A Blysful lyf a paysyble {and} a swete
Ledden the poeples in the former age
They helde hem paied of the fructes þ{a}t þey ete
Whiche þ{a}t the feldes yaue hem by vsage 4
They ne weer{e} nat forpampred w{i}t{h} owtrage
Onknowyn was þ^e quyerne {and} ek the melle
They eten mast hawes {and} swych pownage
And dronken wat{er} of the colde welle 8
¶ Yit nas the grownd nat wownded w{i}t{h} þ^e plowh
But corn vp-sprong vnsowe of mannes hond
Þe which they gnodded {and} eete nat half .I.-nowh
No man yit knewe the forwes of his lond 12
No man the fyr owt of the flynt yit fonde
Vn-koruen and vn-grobbed lay the vyne
No man yit in the morter spices grond
To clarre ne to sawse of galentyne 16
¶ No Madyr welde or wod no litester{e}
Ne knewh / the fles was of is former hewe
No flessh ne wyste offence of egge or sper{e}
No coyn ne knewh man which is fals or trewe 20
No ship yit karf the wawes grene {and} blewe
No Marchau{n}t yit ne fette owt-landissh war{e}
No batails trompes for the werres folk ne knewe
Ne towres heye {and} walles rownde or square 24
¶ What sholde it han avayled to werreye [[pg 181]]
Ther lay no p{ro}fyt ther was no rychesse
[Sidenote: [fol. 53.]]
But corsed was the tyme .I. dar+ wel seye
Þ{a}t men fyrst dede hir swety bysynesse 28
To grobbe vp metal lurkynge in dirkenesse
{And} in þe Ryuerys fyrst gemmys sowhte
Allas than sprong+ vp al the cursydnesse
Of coueytyse þ{a}t fyrst owr sorwe browhte 32
¶ Thyse tyrau{n}tȝ put hem gladly nat in pres
No places wyldnesse ne no busshes for to wynne
Ther pou{er}te is as seith diogenes
Ther as vitayle ek is so skars {and} thinne 36
Þ{a}t nat but mast or apples is ther Inne
But þ{er} as bagges ben {and} fat vitaile
Ther wol they gon {and} spar{e} for no synne
W{i}t{h} al hir ost the Cyte forto a-sayle 40
¶ Yit was no paleis chaumbres ne non halles
In kaues {and} wodes softe {and} swete
Sleptin this blyssed folk+ w{i}t{h}-owte walles
On gras or leues in p{ar}fyt Ioye reste {and} quiete 44
No down of fetheres ne no bleched shete
Was kyd to hem but in surte they slepte
Hir hertes weer{e} al on w{i}t{h}-owte galles
Eu{er}ych of hem his feith to oother kepte 48
¶ Vnforged was the hawberke {and} the plate
Þ^e lambyssh poeple voyded of alle vyse
Hadden no fantesye to debate
But eche of hem wolde oother wel cheryce 52
No p{r}ide non enuye non Auaryce
No lord no taylage by no tyranye
Vmblesse {and} pes good feith the emp{er}ice
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
¶ Yit was nat Iuppit{er} the lykerous [[pg 182]]
Þ{a}t fyrst was fadyr of delicasie
Come in this world ne nembroth desyrous
To regne had nat maad his towres hye 60
Allas allas now may [men] wepe And crye
For in owr{e} dayes nis but couetyse
Dowblenesse {and} tresou{n} {and} enuye
Poyson {and} manslawhtr{e} {and} mordre in sondry wyse 64
[Linenotes:
39, 40 MS. transposes the lines
44 _On_--MS. Or
56 A line omitted, but no gap left for one.]
[Headnote:
BALADES DE VILAGE SANZ PEINTURE.]
CAUS{ER} / BALADES DE VILAGE SANZ PEINT{UR}E
¶ This wrecched worlde-is t{ra}nsmutaciou{n}
As wele / or wo / now poeer{e} {and} now hono{ur}
W{i}t{h}-owten ordyr or wis descresyou{n}
Gou{er}ned is by fortunes errour 4
But natheles the lakke of hyr fauowr+
Ne may nat don me syngen thowh I. deye
[Sidenote: [fol. 53 _b_.]]
Iay tout p{er}du mou{n} temps {et} mou{n} labour
For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye 8
¶ Yit is me left the lyht of my resou{n}
To knowen frend fro foo in thi merowr+
So mochel hath yit thy whirlynge vp {and} down
I-tawht me for to knowe in an howr 12
But trewely no fors of thi reddowr+
To hym þ{a}t ou{er} hym self hath the maystrye
My suffysau{n}ce shal be my socour+
For fynaly fortune I. thee deffye 16
¶ O socrates þ{o}u stidfast chau{m}pyou{n}
She neu{er} myht[e] be thi tormentowr
Thow neu{er} dreddest hyr opp{re}ssyou{n}
Ne in hyr cher{e} fownde thow no sauour+ 20
Thow knewe wel the deseyte of hyr colour+
And þ{a}t hir most[e] worshipe is to lye
I knew hir ek a fals dissimulour+
For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye 24
[[pg 183]]
LE RESPOU{N}CE DE FORTUNE A PLEINTIF.
¶ No man ys wrechchyd but hym self yt wene
{And} he þ{a}t hath hym self hat suffisaunce
Whi seysthow tha{n}ne y am [to] the so kene
Þ{a}t hast thy self owt of my gou{er}nau{n}ce 28
Sey thus grau{n}t m{er}cy of thyn habou{n}dau{n}ce
That thow hast lent or this why wolt þ{o}u stryue
What woost thow yit how y the wol auau{n}ce
{And} ek thow hast thy beste frende a-lyue 32
¶ I haue the tawht deuisyou{n} by-twene
Frend of effect+ {and} frende of cowntenau{n}ce
The nedeth nat the galle of no hyene
Þ{a}t cureth eyen derkyd for penau{n}ce 36
Now se[st] thow cleer þ{a}t weere in ignorau{n}ce
Yit halt thin ancre {and} yit thow mayst aryue
Ther bownte berth the keye of my substau{n}ce
{And} ek þ{o}u hast thy beste frende alyue 40
¶ How manye haue .I. refused to sustigne
Syn .I. the fostred haue in thy plesau{n}ce
Wolthow thanne make a statute on þy quyene
Þ{a}t .I. shal ben ay at thy ordynau{n}ce 44
Thow born art in my regne of varyau{n}ce
Abowte the wheel w{i}t{h} oother most thow dryue
My loore is bet than wikke is thi greuau{n}ce
{And} ek þou hast thy beste frende a-lyue 48
[Linenotes:
37 _se[st]_--partly erased and _ist_ written on it in a later hand.
41 _igne_ of _sustigne_ is in a later hand.]
LE RESPOU{N}CE DU PLEINTIF COU{N}TR{E} FORTUNE.
[Sidenote: [fol. 54.]]
¶ Thy loor{e} y dempne / it is adu{er}syte
My frend maysthow nat reuen blynde goddesse
Þ{a}t .I. thy frendes knowe .I. thanke to the
Tak hem agayn / lat hem go lye on p{re}sse 52
The negardye in kepynge hyr rychesse
P{re}nostik is thow wolt hir+ towr+ asayle
Wikke appetyt comth ay before sykenesse [[pg 184]]
In general this rewle may nat fayle 56
LE RESPOU{N}CE DE FORTUNE COU{N}TR{E} LE PLEINTIF
¶ Thow pynchest at my mutabylyte
For .I. the lente a drope of my rychesse
And now me lykyth to w{i}t{h}-drawe me
Whi sholdysthow my realte ap{re}sse 60
The see may ebbe {and} flowen moor{e} or lesse
The welkne hath myht to shyne reyne or hayle
Ryht so mot .I. kythen my brutelnesse
In general this rewle may nat fayle 64
LE PLEINTIF
¶ Lo excussyou{n} of the maieste
Þ{a}t al purueyeth of his ryhtwysnesse
That same thinge fortune clepyn ye
Ye blynde beestys ful of lewednesse 68
The heuene hath p{ro}prete of sykyrnesse
This world hath eu{er} resteles trauayle
Thy laste day is ende of myn inter[e]sse
In general this rewele may nat fayle 72
LENUOY DE FORTUNE
¶ Prynses .I. prey yow of yowr{e} gentilesses
Lat nat this man on me thus crye {and} pleyne
And .I. shal quyte yow yowr{e} bysynesse
At my requeste as thre of yow or tweyne 76
Þ{a}t but yow lest releue hym of hys peyne
Preyeth hys best frend of his noblesse
That to som beter{e} estat he may attayne
* * * * *
* * * *
_CHAUCER’S TEXT ONLY_
The following section contains the text alone of Chaucer’s translation
of _De Consolatione Philosophiae_, without the editor’s annotations.
It is followed by the Glossarial Index.
LIBER PRIMUS.
INCIPIT LIBER BOICII DE CO{N}SOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE.
Car{m}i{n}a qui q{u}onda{m} studio flore{n}te p{er}egi.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]
++Allas I wepyng am constreined to bygynne vers of sorouful matere.
¶ Þat whilom in florysching studie made delitable ditees. For loo
rendyng muses of poetes enditen to me þinges to be writen. and drery
v{er}s of wrecchednes weten my face wiþ v{er}ray teers. ¶ At þe leest no
drede ne myȝt[e] ouer-come þo muses. þat þei ne were{n} felawes {and}
folweden my wey. þat is to seyne when I was exiled. þei þat weren glorie
of my youȝth whilom weleful {and} grene co{n}forten now þe sorouful
werdes of me olde man. for elde is comen vnwarly vpon me hasted by þe
harmes þat I haue. {and} sorou haþ comau{n}ded his age to be in me.
¶ Heeres hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. and þe slak[e]
skyn trembleþ vpon myn emty body. þilk[e] deeþ of men is welful þat ne
comeþ not in ȝeres þat ben swete (.i. mirie.) but comeþ to wrecches
often yclepid.
¶ Allas allas wiþ how deef an eere deeþ cruel to{ur}neþ awey fro
wrecches {and} naieþ to closen wepyng eyen. ¶ While fortune vnfeiþful
fauored[e] me wiþ lyȝte goodes (.s. temp{or}els.) þe sorouful houre þat
is to seyne þe deeþ had[de] almost dreynt myne heued. ¶ But now for
fortune clowdy haþ chaunged hir disceyuable chere to me warde. myn
vnpitouse lijf draweþ a long vnagreable dwellynges in me. ¶ O ȝe my
frendes what or wherto auaunted[e] ȝe me to be weleful: for he þat haþ
fallen stood not i{n} stedfast degree.
HIC DUM MECUM TACITUS.
[Sidenote: [The firste p{ro}se.]]
++IN þe mene while þat I stille recorded[e] þise þinges wiþ my self.
{and} markede my wepli compleynte wiþ office of poyntel. I saw stondyng
aboue þe heyȝt of my heued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunt
hir eyen brennyng {and} clere seing ouer þe comune myȝt of men. wiþ a
lijfly colo{ur} {and} wiþ swiche vigoure {and} strenkeþ þat it ne
myȝt[e] not be emptid. ¶ Al were it so þat sche was ful of so greet age.
þat men ne wolde not trowe i{n} no manere þat sche were of oure elde. þe
stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. for su{m}tyme sche
constreyned[e] {and} schronk hir selue{n} lyche to þe comune mesure of
men. {and} su{m}tyme it semed[e] þat sche touched[e] þe heuene wiþ þe
heyȝte of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer sche p{er}ced[e]
þe selue heuene. so þat þe syȝt of men lokyng was i{n} ydel. ¶ Hir
cloþes weren maked of ryȝt delye þredes {and} subtil crafte of
p{er}durable matere. þe wyche cloþes sche hadde wouen wiþ hir owen
hondes: as I knew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryng {and} schewyng to me
þe beaute. þe wiche cloþes a derkenes of a forleten and dispised elde
had[de] duskid {and} dirkid as it is wo{n}t to dirken by-smoked ymages.
¶ In þe neþerest[e] hem or bordure of þese cloþes me{n} redden ywouen in
swiche a gregkysche .P. þat signifieþ þe lijf actif. And abouen þ{a}t
l{ett}re in þe heyȝest[e] bordure a grekysche T. þat signifieþ þe lijf
contemplatif. ¶ And by-twene þese two l{ett}res þere weren seien degrees
nobly wrouȝt in manere of laddres. By wyche degrees men myȝt[en] clymbe
fro þe neþemast[e] l{ett}re to þe ouermast[e]. ¶ Naþeles hondes of su{m}
men hadde korue þ{a}t cloþe by vyolence {and} by strenkeþ. ¶ And
eueryche man of hem hadde born away syche peces as he myȝte geet[e].
¶ And forsoþe þis forsaide woman ber bookes in hir ryȝt honde. {and} in
hir lefte honde sche ber a ceptre. ¶ And when sche sauȝ þese poetical
muses ap{ro}chen aboute my bedde. {and} endytyng wordes to my wepynges.
sche was a lytel ameued and glowed[e] wiþ cruel eyen. ¶ Who q{uo}d sche
haþ suffred ap{ro}chen to þis seek[e] man þise comune strumpetis of
siche a place þat men clepen þe theatr{e}. ¶ Þe wyche only ne asswagen
not his sorowes. wiþ no remedies. but þei wolde fede {and} norysche hem
wiþ swete venym. ¶ Forsoþe þise ben þo þat wiþ þornes {and} prykkynges
of talentȝ or affecciou{n}s wiche þat ben no þing frutefiyng nor
p{ro}fitable destroyen þe cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson. ¶ For
þei holden þe hertes of men i{n} usage. but þei ne delyuere not folk fro
maladye. but if ȝe muses hadde wiþdrawen fro me wiþ ȝoure flateries. any
vnkonnyng {and} vnp{ro}fitable man as men ben wont to fynde comunely
amonges þe peple. I wolde wene suffre þe lasse greuously. ¶ For-why in
syche an vnp{ro}fitable man myne ententes weren no þing endamaged. ¶ But
ȝe wiþdrawen me þis man þat haþ ben norysched in studies or scoles of
Eleaticis {and} of achademicis in grece. ¶ But goþ now raþer awey ȝe
meremaydenes wyche ben swete til it be at þe laste. {and} suffreþ þis
man to be cured {and} heled by myne muses. þat is to say by notful
sciences. ¶ And þus þis compaygnie of muses I-blamed casten wroþely þe
chere adou{n}ward to þe erþe {and} schewyng by redenesse hir schame þei
passeden sorowfuly þe þreschefolde. ¶ And I of whom þe syȝt plonged i{n}
teres was derked so þat I ne myȝt[e] not knowe what þat woman was of so
i{m}perial auctorite. ¶ I wex al a-besid {and} astoned. {and} caste my
syȝt adoune in to þe erþe. {and} bygan stille forto abide what sche
wolde don afterwarde. ¶ Þo come sche nere {and} sette hir doun vpon þe
vterrest[e] corner of my bedde. {and} sche byholdyng my chere þat was
cast to þe erþe heuy {and} greuous of wepyng. co{m}pleinede wiþ þise
wordes þ{a}t I schal sey þe p{er}t{ur}bac{i}ou{n} of my þouȝt.
HEU Q{UAM} PRECIPITI MERSA PROFUNDO.
[Sidenote: [The 2de Met{ur}.]]
++Allas how þe þouȝt of man dreint in ouer þrowyng depnesse dulleþ {and}
forletiþ hys p{ro}pre clerenesse. myntynge to gone in to foreyne
derknesses as ofte as hys anoious bisines wexiþ wiþ-oute{n} mesure.
þ{a}t is dryuen to {and} fro wiþ worldly wyndes. ¶ Þis man þat su{m}tyme
was fre to who{m} þe heuene was open {and} knowen {and} was wont to gone
in heuenelyche paþes. {and} sauȝ þe lyȝtnesse of þe rede sunne. {and}
sauȝ þe sterres of þe colde moone. {and} wyche sterre i{n} heuene vseþ
wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres. ¶ Þis man ouer comere hadde
co{m}p{re}hendid al þis by noumbre. of accountyng in astronomye. ¶ And
ouer þis he was wont to seche þe causes whennes þe sounyng wy{n}des
moeuen {and} bisien þe smoþe water of þe see. {and} what spirit turneþ
þe stable heuene. {and} whi þe sterre ryseþ oute of þe reede eest. to
falle in þe westren wawes. and what attempriþ þe lusty houres of þe
fyrste somer sesou{n} þat hiȝteþ {and} apparaileþ þe erþe wiþ rosene
floures. ¶ And who makeþ þat plenteuouse autu{m}pne in fulle ȝeres
fletiþ wiþ heuy grapes. ¶ And eke þis ma{n} was wont to telle þe
dyuerses causes of nature þat weren yhid. ¶ Allas now lieþ he emptid of
lyȝt of hys þouȝt. {and} hys nekke is p{re}ssid wiþ heuy cheynes {and}
bereþ his chere enclined adoune for þe greet[e] weyȝt. and is
constreyned to loke on foule erþe.
SET MEDICINE INQUIT TEMPUS.
[Sidenote: [The ij^de p{ro}se.]]
++Bvt tyme is now q{uo}d sche of medicine more þen of compleynte.
¶ Forsoþe þen sche entendyng to me warde wiþ al þe lokyng of hir eyen
saide. ¶ Art not þou he q{uo}d sche þat su{m}tyme I-norschid wiþ my
mylke {and} fostre[d] wiþ my meetes were ascaped {and} comen to corage
of a p{er}fit man. ¶ Certys I ȝaf þe syche armures þat ȝif þou þi self
ne haddest first caste hem away. þei schulden haue defendid þe in
sykernesse þat may not be ouer-comen. ¶ Knowest þou me not. Why art þou
stille. is it for schame or for astonynge. It were me leuer þat it were
for schame. but it semeþ me þat astony{n}ge haþ opp{re}ssed þe. ¶ And
whan sche say me not oonly stille. but wiþ-outen office of tonge {and}
al doumbe. sche leide hir honde softely vpon my brest {and} seide.
¶ Here nis no p{er}il q{uod} sche. ¶ He is fallen in to a litargie.
whiche þat is a comune sekenes to hertes þat ben desceiued. ¶ He haþ a
litel forȝeten hym self. but certis he schal lyȝtly reme{m}bren hym
self. ¶ Ȝif so be þat he haþ knowe{n} me or now. {and} þat he may so
done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen. þat ben derked by þe cloude of mortel
þinges ¶ Þise wordes seide sche. and wiþ þe lappe of hir garment yplitid
in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen þat were ful of þe wawes of my
wepynges.
TUNC ME DISCUSSA.
[Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]
++Þus when þat nyȝt was discussed {and} chased awey. derknesses
forleften me. {and} to myn eyen repeyre aȝeyne her firste strenkeþ. and
ryȝt by ensample as þe sonne is hid when þe sterres ben clustred. þat is
to sey whe{n} sterres ben couered wiþ cloudes by a swifte wynde þat hyȝt
chorus. {and} þat þe firmame{n}t stont derked by wete ploungy cloudes.
and þat þe sterres not apperen vpo{n} heuene. ¶ So þat þe nyȝt semeþ
sprad vpo{n} erþe. ¶ Yif þan þe wynde þat hyȝt borias sent out of þe
kaues of þe contre of Trace betiþ þis nyȝt. þat is to seyn chasiþ it
away {and} descouereþ þe closed day. ¶ Þan schineþ pheb{us} yshaken wiþ
sodeyne lyȝt {and} smyteþ wiþ hys bemes i{n} m{er}uely{n}g eyen.
HAUT ALITER TRISTICIE.
[Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]
++Ryȝt so {and} none oþer wyse þe cloudes of sorowe dissolued {and} don
awey. ¶ I took heuene. {and} receyuede mynde to knowe þe face of my
fyciscien. ¶ So þat I sette myne eyen on hir {and} festned[e] my lokyng.
I byholde my norice philosophie. in whos houses I hadde conuersed {and}
haunted fro my ȝouþe. {and} I seide þus. ¶ O þou maistresse of alle
uertues descendid fro þe souereyne sete. Whi art þou comen in to þis
solitarie place of myn exil. ¶ Art þou comen for þ{o}u art mad coupable
wiþ me of fals[e] blames. ¶ O q{uod} sche my norry scholde I forsake þe
now. and scholde I not parte wiþ þe by comune trauaille þe charge þat
þou hast suffred for envie of my name. ¶ Certis it nar[e] not leueful ne
sittyng to philosophie to leten wiþ-outen compaignie þe wey of hym þat
is i{n}nocent. ¶ Scholde I þan redoute my blame {and} agrisen as þouȝ
þer were byfallen a newe þing. q. d. non. ¶ For trowest þou þat
philosophi be now alþerfirst assailed i{n} p{er}ils by folk of wicked[e]
maneres. ¶ Haue I not stryuen wiþ ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore
þe age of my plato aȝeins þe foolhardines of foly {and} eke þe same
plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates deserued[e] victorie of vnryȝtful
deeþ in my presence. ¶ Þe heritage of wyche socrates. þe h{er}itage is
to seyne þe doctrine of þe whiche soc{ra}tes in hys oppiniou{n} of
felicite þat I clepe welfulnesse ¶ Whan þat þe people of epicuriens
{and} stoyciens {and} many oþer enforceden hem to go rauische eueryche
man for his part þat is to seyne. þat to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to
þe defence of his oppiniou{n} þe wordes of socrates. ¶ Þei as in
p{ar}tie of hir preye todrowe{n} me criynge {and} debatyng þer aȝeins.
{and} tornen {and} torente{n} my cloþes þat I hadde woue{n} wiþ myn
handes. {and} wiþ þe cloutes þat þei hadden arased oute of my cloþes.
þei wenten awey wenyng þat I hadde gon wiþ he{m} euery dele. In whiche
epicuryens {and} stoyciens. for as myche as þer semed[e] so{m}me traces
{and} steppes of myne habit. þe folye of men wenyng þo epicuryens {and}
stoyciens my familers p{er}uertede (.s. p{er}sequend{o}) so{m}me þoruȝ
þe errour of þe wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e] multitude of hem. ¶ Þis is to
seyne for þei semeden philosophres: þei weren p{ur}sued to þe deeþ and
slayn. ¶ So yif þou hast not knowen þe exilynge of anaxogore. ne þe
empoysenyng of socrates. ne þe to{ur}mentȝ of ȝeno for þei [weren]
straungers. ¶ Ȝit myȝtest þou haue knowe{n} þe senectiens {and} þe
Canyos {and} þe sorancis of wyche folk þe renou{n} is neyþer ouer oolde
ne vnsolempne. ¶ Þe whiche men no þing ellys ne brouȝt[e] hem to þe deeþ
but oonly for þei weren enfourmed of my maneres. {and} semede{n} moste
vnlyke to þe studies of wicked folk. ¶ And forþi þou auȝtest not to
wondre þouȝ þ{a}t I in þe bitter see of þis lijf be fordryuen wiþ
tempestes blowyng aboute. in þe whiche te{m}peste þis is my most
p{ur}pos þat is to seyn to displese to wikked[e] men. ¶ Of whiche
schrews al be þe oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis
gouerned wiþ no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only by flityng
errour folyly {and} lyȝtly. ¶ And if þei somtyme maky{n}g an ost
aȝeynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oure leder draweþ to gedir hys
rycchesse i{n} to hys toure. {and} þei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or
sachels vnp{ro}fitable forto taken. but we þat ben heyȝ abouen syker fro
al tumulte {and} wode noise. ben stored {and} enclosed in syche a
palays. whider as þat chateryng or anoying folye ne may not attayne.
¶ We scorne swiche rauiners {and} honters of foulest[e] þinges.
QUISQ{UI}S COMPOSITO.
[Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]]
++Who so it be þat is clere of vertue sad {and} wel ordinat of lyuyng.
þat haþ put vnderfote þe prowed[e] wierdes {and} lokiþ vpryȝt vpon eyþer
fortune. he may holde hys chiere vndiscomfited. ¶ Þe rage ne þe manace
of þe co{m}moeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro þe botme. ne schal not
moeue þat man. ne þe vnstable mountaigne þat hyȝt veseuus. þat wircheþ
oute þoruȝ hys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. ¶ Ne þe wey of þonder
lyȝt þat is wont to smyte heyȝe toures ne schal not mouene þat man.
¶ Wherto þen wrecches drede ȝe tyrauntes þat ben wode {and} felownes
wiþ-outen ony strenkeþ. ¶ Hope after no þing ne drede nat. {and} so
schalt þou desarmen þe ire of þilke vnmyȝty tyraunt. ¶ But who so þat
quakyng dredeþ or desireþ þing þat nis not stable of his ryȝt. þat man
þat so doþ haþ cast awey hys schelde {and} is remoeued fro hys place.
{and} enlaceþ hym i{n} þe cheyne wiþ whiche he may be drawen.
SENTIS NE INQUIT.
[Sidenote: [The verthe p{ro}se.]]
++FElest þou q{uod} sche þise þinges {and} entren þei ouȝt in þi corage.
¶ Art þou like an asse to þe harpe. Whi wepest þou whi spillest þou
teres. ¶ Yif þou abidest after helpe of þi leche. þe byhoueþ discouere
þi wounde. ¶ Þo .I. þat hadde gadered strenkeþ in my corage answered[e]
{and} seide. {and} nedeþ it ȝitte q{uod} .I. of rehersyng or of
amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} scheweþ it not ynouȝ by hym self þe scharpnes of
fortune þat wexeþ woode aȝeynes me. ¶ Ne moeueþ it nat þe to seen þe
face or þe man{er}e of þis place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.). ¶ Is þis þe
librarie wyche þat þou haddest chosen for a ryȝt certeyne sege to þe
i{n} myne house. ¶ Þere as þou desputest of[te] wiþ me of þe sciences of
þinges touching diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde. ¶ Was þan myn habit
swiche as it is now. was þan my face or my chere swiche as now.
[Interlinear: quasi d{ice}ret non.]
¶ Whan I souȝt[e] wiþ þe secretys of nature. whan þou enfo{ur}medest my
maners {and} þe resou{n} of al my lijf. to þe ensaumple of þe ordre of
heuene.
[Interlinear: ironice]
¶ Is nat þis þe gerdou{n} þat I refere to þe to whom I haue be
obeisaunt. ¶ Certis þou enfo{ur}medist by þe mouþe of plato þis
sentence. þat is to seyne þat co{m}mune þinges or comunabletes weren
blysful yif þei þat haden studied al fully to wisdom gouerneden þilke
þinges. or ellys yif it so by-felle þat þe gouernours of co{m}munalites
studieden in grete wisdomes. ¶ Þou saidest eke by þe mouþe of þe same
plato þat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken {and} desire þe
gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune þi{n}ges. for þat þe gou{er}nementes of comune
citees y-left in þe hondes of felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citiȝenis ne
scholde not brynge inne pestile{n}ce {and} destrucc{i}ou{n} to goode
folk. ¶ And þerfore I folowynge þilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng
to put[te] furþe in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune
admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} þo þinges þat .I. hadde lerned of þe among my
secre restyng whiles. ¶ Þou {and} god þ{a}t put[te] þee in þe þouȝtis of
wise folk ben knowen wiþ me þat no þing brouȝt[e] me to maistrie or
dignite: but þe comune studie of al goodenes. ¶ And þer-of comeþ it þat
by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse discordes. þat ne myȝten
not be relesed by p{ra}yeres. ¶ For þis libertee haþ fredom of
conscience þat þe wraþþe of more myȝty folk haþ alwey ben despised of me
for saluac{i}ou{n} of ryȝt. ¶ How ofte haue .I. resisted {and} wiþstonde
þilk man þat hyȝt[e] conigaste þat made alwey assautes aȝeins þe
p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble folke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. ȝitte put
of. or cast out hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of þe kynges hous boþe of þe
wronges þat he hadde bygon[ne] to done {and} eke fully p{er}formed.
¶ How ofte haue I couered {and} defended by þe auctorite of me put
aȝeins p{er}ils. þat is to seine put myne auctorite in peril for þe
wreched pore folke. þat þe couetise of straungeres vnpunysched
to{ur}mentid alwey wiþ myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre. ¶ Neuer
man drow me ȝitte fro ryȝt to wro{n}g. When I say þe fortunes {and} þe
rychesse of þe people of þe p{ro}uinces ben harmed eyþer by p{r}iue
rauynes or by comune tributis or cariages. as sory was I as þei þat
suffred[e] þe harme. _Glosa._ ¶ Whan þat theodoric þe kyng of gothes in
a dere ȝere hadde hys gerners ful of corne {and} comaundede þat no ma{n}
ne schold[e] bie no corne til his corne were solde {and} þat at a dere
greuous pris. ¶ But I w{i}t{h}stod þat ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it
knowy{n}g al þis þe kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciou{n} þat is to seyn comune
achat or bying to-gidere þat were establissed vpon poeple by swiche a
manere imposiciou{n} as who so bouȝt[e] a busshel corn he most[e] ȝeue
þe ky{n}g þe fifte p{ar}t. _Textus._ ¶ Whan it was in þe soure hungry
tyme þere was establissed or cried greuous {and} inplitable coempciou{n}
þat men seyn wel it schulde greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and} endamagen al þe
p{ro}uince of co{m}paigne I took strif aȝeins þe p{ro}uost of þe
pretorie for comune p{ro}fit. ¶ And þe kyng knowyng of it I ouercom it
so þat þe coempciou{n} ne was not axed ne took effect. ¶ Paulyn a
counseiller of Rome þe rychesse of þe whyche paulyn þe houndys of þe
palays. þat is to seyn þe officeres wolde han deuoured by hope {and}
couetise ¶ Ȝit drow I hym out of þe Iowes .s. faucib{us} of hem þat
gapede{n}. ¶ And for as myche as þe peyne of þe accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged
byforn ne scholde not sodeynly henten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a
counseiller of Rome. I put[te] me aȝenis þe hates {and}
indignac{i}ou{n}s of þe accuso{ur} Ciprian. ¶ Is it not þan ynought
yseyn þat I haue p{ur}chased greet[e] discordes aȝeins my self. but I
aughte be more asseured aȝenis alle oþer folk þat for þe loue of
ryȝtwisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer no þing to my self to hem ward of
þe kynges halle .s. officers. by þe whiche I were þe more syker. ¶ But
þoruȝ þe same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned. ¶ Of þe noumbre of
whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius þat somtyme was chased out of þe kynges
seruice. is now co{m}pelled i{n} accusyng of my name for nede of foreine
moneye. ¶ Also opilion {and} Gaudenci{us} han accused me. al be it so
þat þe Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed hem boþe to go in to exil.
for her treccheries {and} fraudes wiþ-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche
iugement þei wolde not obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holy
houses. þat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries. {and} whan þis was
ap{er}ceiued to þe kyng. he comaunded[e] but þat þei voided[e] þe citee
of Rauenne by certeyne day assigned þat men scholde merken hem on þe
forheued wiþ an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of toune. ¶ Now what
þing semeþ þe myȝt[e] be lykned to þis cruelte. For certys þilk same day
was receyued þe accusyng of my name by þilk[e] same accuso{ur}s. ¶ What
may be seid herto. haþ my studie {and} my konnyng deserued þus. or ellys
þe forseide dampnaciou{n} of me. made þat hem ryȝtful accuso{ur}s or no
(q.d. no{n}). ¶ Was not fortune asshamed of þis. [Certes alle hadde nat
fortune ben asshamyd] þat i{n}nocence was accused. ȝit auȝt[e] sche haue
had schame of þe filþe of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ But axest þou in so{m}me of
what gilt .I. am accused. men seyne þat I wolde sauen þe co{m}paignie of
þe senato{ur}s. ¶ And desirest þou to here in what manere .I. am accused
þat I scholde han distourbed þe accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche
he scholde han maked þe senatours gilty aȝeins þe kynges Real maieste.
¶ O meistresse what demest þou of þis. schal .I. forsake þis blame þat I
ne be no schame to þe (q. d. no{n}). ¶ Certis .I. haue wold it. þat is
to seyne þe sauuaciou{n} of þe senat. ne I schal neuer leten to wilne
it. {and} þat I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but þe entent of þe accusour
to be destourbed schal cese. ¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie þan or a
synne þat I haue desired þe sauuaciou{n} of þe ordre of þe senat. and
certys ȝit hadde þilk same senat don by me þoruȝ her decretȝ {and} hire
iugementys as þouȝ it were a synne or a felonie þat is to seyne to wilne
þe sauuaciou{n} of he{m} (.s senat{us}). ¶ But folye þat lieth alwey to
hym self may not chaunge þe merit of þinges. ¶ Ne .I. trowe not by þe
iugement of socrates þ{a}t it were leueful to me to hide þe soþe. ne
assent[e] to lesynges. ¶ But certys how so euer it be of þis I put[te]
it to gessen or p{re}ise{n} to þe iugeme{n}t of þe {and} of wise folk.
¶ Of whiche þing al þe ordinaunce {and} þe soþe for as moche as folk þat
ben to comen aftir our{e} dayes scholle{n} knowen it. ¶ I haue put it in
scripture {and} remembraunce. for touching þe l{ett}res falsly maked. by
whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped þe fredom of Rome. What
app{er}teneþ me to speken þer-of. Of whiche l{ett}res þe fraude hadde
ben schewed ap{er}tly if I hadde had libertee forto han vsed {and} ben
at þe co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ Þe whiche þing in alle nedys
haþ grete strenkeþ. ¶ For what oþ{er} fredo{m} may men hopen. Certys I
wolde þat some oþ{er} fredom myȝt[e] be hoped. ¶ I wolde þan haue
answered by þe wordes of a man þat hyȝt[e] Canius. for whan he was
accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son þat he (cani{us}) was knowyng {and}
consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked aȝeins hym (.s. Gai{us}). ¶ Þis
Canius answered[e] þus. ¶ Yif I had[de] wist it þou haddest not wist it.
In whiche þing sorwe haþ not so dulled my witte þ{a}t I pleyne oonly þat
schrewed[e] folk apparailen folies aȝeins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly
how þat þei may p{er}forme þinges þat þei had[de] hoped forto done. For
why. to wylne schrewednesse þat comeþ p{ar}auenture of oure defaute.
¶ But it is lyke to a monstre {and} a meruaille. ¶ How þat in þe
p{re}se{n}t syȝt of god may ben acheued {and} p{er}formed swiche þinges.
as euery felonous man haþ conceyued in hys þouȝt aȝeins i{n}nocent.
¶ For whiche þing oon of þi familers not vnskilfully axed þus. ¶ Ȝif god
is. whennes comen wikked[e] þinges. {and} yif god ne is whennes comen
goode þinges. but al hadde it ben leueful þat felonous folk þat now
desiren þe bloode {and} þe deeþ of alle goode men. {and} eke of al þe
senat han wilned to gone destroien me. whom þei han seyn alwey
bataile{n} {and} defenden goode men {and} eke al þe senat. Ȝit hadde I
not desserued of þe fadres. þat is to seyne of þe senatours þat þei
scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}. ¶ Þou remembrest wele as I gesse þat
whan I wolde don or seyn any þing. þou þi self alwey p{re}sent
reweledest me. ¶ At þe citee of verone wha{n} þat þe kyng gredy of
comune slauȝter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten vpon al þe ordre of þe
senat. þe gilt of his real maieste of þe whiche gilt þat albyn was
accused. wiþ how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended[e] I al þe
senat. ¶ Þou wost wel þat I seide soþe. ne I auaunted[e] me neuer in
preysyng of my self. ¶ For alwey when any wyȝt resceiueþ p{re}ciouse
renou{n} in auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiþ þe secre of
hys conscience. ¶ But now þou mayst wel seen to what ende I am comen for
myne i{n}nocence. I receiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdou{n} of verray
vertue. ¶ And what open co{n}fessiou{n} of felonie had[de] euer iugis so
accordaunt i{n} cruelte. þat is to seyne as myne accusyng haþ. ¶ Þat
oþer errour of mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune þat is
vncerteyne to al mortal folk ne submytted[e] su{m}me of he{m}. þat is to
seyne þat it ne cheyned[e] su{m}me iuge to han pitee or compassiou{n}.
¶ For al þouȝ I had[de] ben accused þat I wolde brenne holy houses.
{and} strangle p{re}stys wiþ wicked swerde. ¶ or þat .I. had[de] grayþed
deeþ to alle goode men algatis þe sentence scholde han punysched me
p{re}sent confessed or co{n}uict. ¶ But now I am remewed fro þe Citee of
rome almost fyue-hundreþ þousand pas. I am wiþ outen defence dampned to
p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to þe deeþ. for þe studie {and} bountees þat I
haue done to þe senat. ¶ But o wel ben þei worþi of mercye (as who seiþ
nay.) þer myȝt[e] neuer ȝit non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame
as myn is of swiche t{r}espas myn accuso{ur}s seyen ful wel þe dignitee.
þe wiche dignite for þei wolde derken it wiþ medelyng of some felonye.
þei beren me on honde {and} lieden. þat I hadde polute {and} defouled my
conscience wiþ sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ And certys þou þi
self þat art plaunted in me chacedest oute þe sege of my corage al
couetise of mortal þinges. ne sacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a
place in me byforne þine eyen. ¶ For þou drouppedest euery day in myn
eer{e}s {and} in my þouȝt þilk comaundement of pictogoras. þat is to
seyne men schal seruen to god. {and} not to goddes. ¶ Ne it was no
couenaunt ne no nede to taken helpe of þe foulest spirites. ¶ I þat þou
hast ordeyned or set in syche excellence þ{a}t [þou] makedest me lyke to
god. and ouer þis þe ryȝt clene secre chaumbre of myn house. þat is to
seye my wijf {and} þe co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my
wyues fadir as wel holy as worþi to ben reuerenced þoruȝ hys owen dedis.
defenden me of al suspecciou{n} of syche blame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For
þei þat accusen me taken of þe philosophie feiþe of so grete blame.
¶ For þei trowen þat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or
enchau{n}tementȝ by cause þat I am replenissed {and} fulfilled wiþ þi
techynges. {and} enformed of þi maners. ¶ And þus it sufficeþ not only
þat þi reuerence ne auayle me not. but ȝif þat þou of þi fre wille raþer
be blemissed wiþ myne offensiou{n}. ¶ But certys to þe harmes þat I haue
þere bytydeþ ȝit þis encrece of harme. þat þe gessinge {and} þe iugement
of myche folk ne loken no þing to þe[de]sertys of þinges but only to þe
aue{n}t{ur}e of fortune. ¶ And iugen þat only swiche þinges ben
p{ur}ueied of god. whiche þat temporel welefulnesse co{m}mendiþ.
_Glosa._ ¶ As þus þat yif a wyȝt haue prosperite. he is a good man {and}
worþi to haue þat p{ro}sperite. and who so haþ aduersite he is a wikked
man. {and} god haþ forsake hym. {and} he is worþi to haue þat aduersite.
¶ Þis is þe opiniou{n} of so{m}me folke. {and} þer of comeþ þat good
gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of al þi{n}g forsakeþ wrecches certys it greueþ me to
þink[e] ryȝt now þe dyuerse sentences þat þe poeple seiþ of me. ¶ And
þus moche I seye þat þe laste charge of contrarious fortune is þis. þat
whan þat ony blame is laid vpon a caytif. men wenen þat he haþ deserued
þat he suffreþ. ¶ And I þat am put awey fro{m} goode men {and} despoiled
from dignitees {and} defoulid of my name by gessyng haue suffred torment
for my goode dedis. ¶ Certys me semeþ þat I se þe felonus couines of
wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes. ¶ And I se þat euery lorel
shapiþ hy{m} to fynde oute newe fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I
se þat goode men ben ou{er}þrowen for drede of my p{er}il. ¶ and euery
luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed {and} ben
excited þerto by ȝiftes. and i{n}nocentȝ ne ben not oonly despoiled of
sykernesse but of defence {and} þerfore me list to crien to god in þis
manere.
O STELLIFERI CONDITOR ORBIS.
[Sidenote: [The fifthe met{ur}.]]
++O þou maker of þe whele þat bereþ þe sterres. whiche þat art fastned
to þi p{er}durable chayere. {and} turnest þe heuene wiþ a rauyssyng
sweigh{e} {and} {con}streinest þe sterres to suffren þi lawe. ¶ So þ{a}t
þe mone somtyme schynyng wiþ hir ful hornes metyng wiþ alle þe bemes of
þe sonne. ¶ Hir broþer hideþ þe sterres þat ben lasse. {and} somtyme
whan þe mone pale wiþ hir derke hornes approcheþ þe sonne. leesith hir
lyȝtes. ¶ And þat þe euesterre esperus whiche þat in þe first[e] tyme of
þe nyȝt bryngeþ furþe hir colde arysynges comeþ eft aȝeynes hir vsed
cours. {and} is pale by þe morwe at þe rysynge of þe sonne. and is þan
cleped lucifer. ¶ Þou restreinest þe day by schorter dwellyng in þe tyme
of colde wynter þat makeþ þe leues to falle. ¶ Þou diuidest þe swifte
tides of þe nyȝt when þe hote somer is comen. ¶ Þi myȝt attempre[þ] þo
variau{n}tȝ sesons of þe ȝere. so þat ȝepherus þe deboneire wynde
bringeþ aȝein in þe first[e] somer sesou{n} þe leues þat þe wynde þat
hyȝt[e] boreas haþ reft awey in autu{m}pne. þat is to seyne in þe laste
eende of somer. and þe sedes þat þe sterre þat hyȝt arctur{us} saw ben
waxen hey[e] cornes whan þe sterre sirius eschaufeþ hym. ¶ Þere nis no
þing vnbounde from hys olde lawe ne forleteþ hym of hys p{ro}pre estat.
¶ O þou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle þinges by certeyne ende. why refusest
þou oonly to gouerne þe werkes of men by dewe manere. ¶ Whi suffrest
þ{o}u þat slidyng fortune turneþ to grete vtter chaungynges of þinges.
so þat anoious peyne þat scholde duelly punissh{e} felouns punissitȝ
innocentȝ. ¶ And folk of wikked[e] man{er}es sitten in heiȝe chaiers.
{and} anoienge folk treden {and} þat vnryȝtfully in þe nekkes of holy
men. ¶ And vertue clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in dirke
dirkenesses. {and} þe ryȝtful man beriþ þe blame {and} þe peyne of þe
felowne. ¶ Ne þe forsweryng ne þe fraude couered {and} kembd wiþ a fals
colo{ur} ne a-noyeþ not to schrewes. ¶ Þe whiche schrewes whan hem lyst
to vsen her strengþe þei reioisen hem to putte{n} vndir hem þe souerayne
kynges. whiche þ{a}t poeple wiþ[outen] noumbre dreden. ¶ O þou what so
euer þou be þat knyttes[t] alle bondes of þinges loke on þise
wrecched[e] erþes. we men þat ben nat a foule party but a faire party of
so grete a werke we ben turmentid in þe see of fortune. ¶ Þou
gouerno{ur} wiþdraw {and} restreyne þe rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne
{and} forme þise erþes stable wiþ þilke [bonde] wiþ whiche þou gouernest
þe heuene þat is so large.
HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE.
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]
++Whan I hadde wiþ a continuel sorwe sobbed or broken out þise þinges
sche wiþ hir chere peisible {and} no þi{n}g amoeued. wiþ my compleyntes
seide þ{us}. whan I say þe q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist[e]
on-one þat þou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I wist[e] neuer how fer
þine exile was: ȝif þi tale ne hadde schewed it to me. but certys al be
þou fer fro þi contre. þou nart nat put out of it. but þou hast fayled
of þi weye {and} gon amys. ¶ and yif þou hast leuer forto wene þan þou
be put out of þi contre. þan hast þou put oute þi self raþer þen ony
oþer wyȝt haþ. ¶ For no wyȝt but þi self ne myȝt[e] neuer haue don þat
to þe. ¶ For ȝif þou remembre of what contre þou art born. it nis not
gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by gouernement of multitude. as weren þe
contres of hem of athenes. ¶ But o lorde {and} o kyng {and} þat is god
þat is lorde of þi contree. whiche þat reioiseþ hym of þe dwellyng of
hys Citeȝenis. {and} not forto putte hem in exile. Of þe whiche lorde it
is a souerayne fredom to be gouerned by þe bridel of hym and obeie to
his iustice. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þilke ryȝt olde lawe of þi Citee. in þe
whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and} establissed þat what wyȝt þat haþ
leuer founden þer i{n}ne hys sete or hys house. þen ellys where: he may
not be exiled by no ryȝt fro þat place. ¶ For who so þat is co{n}tened
in-wiþ þe paleis [{and} the clos] of þilke Citee. þer nis no drede þat
he may deserue to ben exiled. ¶ But who þat letteþ þe wille forto
enhabit[e] þere. he forleteþ also to deserue to ben Citeȝein of þilke
Citee. ¶ So þat I seye þat þe face of þis place ne amoeueþ me nat so
myche as þine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe not raþer þe walles of þi
librarie apparailled {and} wrouȝt wiþ yvory {and} wiþ glas þan after þe
sete of þi þouȝt. In whiche I putte nat somtyme bookes. but .I. putte
þat þat makeþ bookes worþi of p{ri}s or p{re}cious þat is to sein þe
sentence of my books. ¶ {And} certeinly of þi dec{er}tes by-stowed in
co{m}mune good. þou hast seid soþe but after þe multitude of þi goode
dedys. þou hast seid fewe. {and} of þe vnhonestee or falsnesse of þinges
þat ben opposed aȝeins þe. þou hast remembred þinges þat be{n} knowe to
alle folk. and of þe felonies {and} fraudes of þine accuso{ur}s. it
semeþ þe haue I-touched it forsoþe ryȝtfully {and} schortly. ¶ Al myȝten
þo same þinges bettere {and} more plentiuousely be couth in þe mouþe of
þe poeple þ{a}t knoweþ al þis. ¶ Þou hast eke blamed gretly {and}
compleyned of þe wrongful dede of þe senat. ¶ And þou hast sorwed for my
blame. {and} þou hast wepen for þe damage of þi renoune þat is appaired.
{and} þi laste sorwe eschaufed aȝeins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest þat
gerdou{n}s ne ben not euenliche ȝolde to þe desertes of folk. {and} in
þe l{att}re ende of þi woode muse þou p{r}iedest þ{a}t þilke pees þat
gouerneþ þe heuene scholde gou{er}ne þe erþe ¶ But for þat many
tribulac{i}ou{n}s of affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed þe. {and} sorwe {and}
Ire {and} wepyng todrawen þee dyuersely ¶ As þou art now feble of þouȝt.
myȝtyer remedies ne schullen not ȝit touchen þe for whiche we wil[e]
vsen somedel lyȝter medicines. So þat þilk[e] passiou{n}s þat ben woxen
harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} folowyng in to þi þouȝt mowen
woxe esy {and} softe to receyue{n} þe strenkeþ of a more myȝty {and}
more egre medicine by an esier touchyng.
CU{M} PHEBI RADIIS G{RA}UE CA{N}C{R}I SID{US} ENESTUAT.
[Sidenote: [The sixte met{ur}.]]
++Whan þat þe heuy sterre of þe cancre eschaufeþ by þe beme of pheb{us}.
þat is to seyne whan þat pheb{us} þe sonne is in þe signe of þe Cancre.
Who so ȝeueþ þan largely hys sedes to þe feldes þat refuse to receiuen
hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust þat he hadde to hys corn. to acorns
or okes. yif þou wilt gadre violettȝ. ne go þou not to þe purp{er} wode
whan þe felde chirkynge agriseþ of colde by þe felnesse of þe wynde þat
hyȝt aquilon ¶ Yif þou desirest or wolt vsen grapes ne seke þou nat wiþ
a gloto{n}us hande to streine {and} p{re}sse þe stalkes of þe vine in þe
first somer sesou{n}. for bachus þe god of wyne haþ raþer ȝeuen his
ȝiftes to autu{m}pne þe latter ende of somer. ¶ God tokeniþ {and}
assigneþ þe tymes. ablyng hem to her p{ro}pre offices. ¶ Ne he ne
suffreþ not stoundes whiche þat hym self haþ deuided {and} co{n}streined
to be medeled to gidre ¶ And forþi he þat forleteþ certeyne ordinaunce
of doynge by ou{er}þrowyng wey. he ne haþ no glade issue or ende of hys
werkes.
PRIMU{M} IGITUR PATERIS ROGACIONIB{US}.
[Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]]
++FIrst wolt þou suffre me to touche {and} assaie þe stat of þi þouȝt by
a fewe demaundes. so þat I may vnderstonde what be þe manere of þi
curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ Axe me q{uod} .I. atte þi wille what þou wilt. {and} I
schal answer{e}. ¶ Þo saide sche þus. wheþer wenest þou q{uo}d sche
þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes {and} fortunes. or
elles wenest þou þat þer be i{n} it any gouerneme{n}t of resou{n}.
Certes q{uod} .I. ne trowe not in no manere þat so certeyne þinges
scholde be moeued by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel þat god maker
{and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of þis werk. Ne neuer nas ȝit day þat
myȝt[e] putte me oute of þe soþenesse of þat sentence. ¶ So is it q{uod}
sche. for þe same þing songe þou a lytel here byforne {and} byweyledest
{and} byweptest. þat only men weren put oute of þe cure of god. ¶ For of
alle oþer þinges þou ne doutest nat þat þei nere gouerned by reso{n}.
but how (.i. pape.). I wondre gretly certes whi þat þou art seek. siþen
þou art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken depper.
I coniecte þat þere lakkeþ I not what. but sey me þis. siþen þat þou ne
doutest nat þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by god ¶ wiþ swycche
gouernailes takest þou hede þat it is gouerned. ¶ vnneþ q{uod} .I. knowe
.I. þe sente{n}ce of þi q{ue}stiou{n}. so þat I ne may nat ȝit answeren
to þi demaundes. ¶ I nas nat deceiued q{uod} sche þat þere ne faileþ
su{m}what. by whiche þe maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept in to þi
þouȝt. so as þe strengþe of þe paleys schynyng is open. ¶ But seye me
þis reme{m}brest þou ouȝt what is þe ende of þi þinges. whider þat þe
entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tendeþ. ¶ I haue herd told it somtyme q{uod}
.I. but drerynesse haþ dulled my memorie. ¶ Certys q{uod} sche þou wost
wel whe{n}nes þat alle þinges ben comen {and} p{ro}ceded. I wot wel
q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered[e] þat god is þe bygynnyng of al. ¶ And how
may þis be q{uod} sche þat siþen þ{o}u knowest þe bygynnyng of þinges.
þat þou ne knowest not what is þe endyng of þinges. but swiche ben þe
customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s. {and} þis power þei han. þat þei may
moeue a ma{n} fro hys place. þat is to seyne from þe stablenes {and}
p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of hys knowyng. but certys þei may not al arace hym ne
alyene hy{m} in al. ¶ But I wolde þat þou woldest answere to þis.
¶ Remembrest þou þat þou art a man ¶ _Boice._ ¶ Whi scholde I nat
remembre þat q{uod} .I. _Philosophie._ ¶ Maiste þou not telle me þan
q{uod} sche what þing is a man. ¶ Axest not me q{uod} I. wheþir þat be a
resonable best mortel. I wot wel {and} I confesse wel þat I am it.
¶ Wistest þou neuer ȝit þat þou were ony oþer þing q{uod} she. No q{uod}
.I. now wot I q{uod} she oþer cause of þi maladie {and} þat ryȝt grete
¶ Þou hast left forto knowe þi self what þou art. þoruȝ whiche I haue
pleynelyche knowen þe cause of þi maladie. or ellis þe entre of
recoueryng of þin hele. ¶ Forwhy for þou art co{n}founded wiþ forȝetyng
of þi self. forþi sorwest þou þat þou art exiled of þi p{ro}pre goodes.
¶ And for þou ne wost what is þe ende of þinges. for[þi] demest [þou]
þat felono{us} {and} wikked men ben myȝty {and} weleful for þou hast
forȝeten by whiche gouernementȝ þe worlde is gouerned. ¶ Forþi wenest
þou þat þise mutac{i}ou{n}s of fortune fleten wiþ oute{n} gouerno{ur}.
þise ben grete causes not oonly to maladie. but certes grete causes to
deeþ ¶ But I þanke þe auctour {and} þe makere of heele þat nat{ur}e haþ
not al forleten þe. {and} I haue g[r]ete norissinges of þi hele. {and}
þat is þe soþe sentence of gou{er}nau{n}ce of þe worlde. þat þou
byleuest þat þe gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit ne vnderput to þe
folie of þise happes auenterouses. but to þe resou{n} of god ¶ And þer
fore doute þe noþing. For of þis litel spark þine heet of lijf schal
shine. ¶ But for as muche as it is not tyme ȝitte of fastere remedies
¶ And þe nature of þouȝtes disseiued is þis þat as ofte as þei casten
aweye soþe opyniou{n}s: þei cloþen hem in fals[e] opiniou{n}s. [of
which{e} false opyniou{n}s] þe derknesse of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexeþ
vp. þat comfoundeþ þe verray insyȝt. {and} þat derkenes schal .I. say
somwhat to maken þi{n}ne {and} wayk by lyȝt {and} meenelyche remedies.
so þat after þat þe derknes of desseyuynge desyrynges is don awey. þou
mow[e] knowe þe schynyng of verray lyȝt.
NUBIB{US} ATRIS CONDITA.
[Sidenote: [The seuende Metyr.]]
++ÞE sterres cou{er}ed wiþ blak[e] cloudes ne mowen geten a dou{n} no
lyȝt. Ȝif þe trouble wy{n}de þat hyȝt auster stormynge {and} walwy{n}g
þe see medleþ þe heete þat is to seyne þe boylyng vp from þe botme ¶ Þe
wawes þ{a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and} lyke to þe fair[e]
bryȝt[e] dayes wiþstant anon þe syȝtes of men. by þe filþe {and} ordure
þat is resolued. {and} þe fletyng streme þat royleþ dou{n} dyuersely fro
heyȝe mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme by þe
encountrynge of a stoon þ{a}t is dep{ar}tid {and} fallen from some
roche. ¶ And forþi yif þou wilt loken {and} demen soþe wiþ clere lyȝt.
{and} holde þe weye wiþ a ryȝt paþe. ¶ Weyue þou ioie. drif fro þe
drede. fleme þou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che. þat is to sein lat
noon of þise four passiou{n}s ouer come þe. or blynde þe. for cloudy
{and} dirke is þilk þouȝt {and} bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as þise
þinges regnen.
EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS.
INCIPIT LIBER SECUNDUS.
POSTEA [PAU]LISPER CONTICUIT.
[Sidenote: [The fyrst p{ro}se.]]
++After þis she stynte a litel. and after þat she hadde gadred by
atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she seide þus. ¶ As who so myȝt[e]
seye þus. After þise þinges she stynt[e] a lytel. {and} whanne she
ap{er}ceiued[e] by atempre stillenesse þat I was ententif to herkene
hire. she bygan to speke in þis wyse. ¶ Yif I q{uod} she haue
vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly þe causes {and} þe habit of þi
maladie. þou languissed {and} art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of þi
raþer fortune. ¶ She þat ilke fortune only þat is chaunged as þou
feinest to þe ward. haþ p{er}uerted þe clerenesse {and} þe astat of þi
corage. ¶ I vnderstonde þe felefolde colo{ur} {and} deceites of þilke
merueillous monstre fortune. and how she vseþ ful flatryng familarite
wiþ hem þat she enforceþ to bygyle. so longe til þat she co{n}founde wiþ
vnsuffreable sorwe hem þat she haþ left in despeir vnpurueyed. ¶ and if
þou remembrest wel þe kynde þe maners {and} þe desert of þilke fortune.
þow shalt wel knowe as in hir þou neuer ne haddest ne hast ylost any
fair þing. But as I trowe I shal not gretly trauaile to don þe remembren
of þise þinges. ¶ For þou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir wiþ
manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and} presente {and}
p{ur}sewedest hir wiþ sentences þat were drawe{n} oute of myne entre.
þat is to seyne out of myn i{n}formac{i}ou{n} ¶ But no sudeyne
mutac{i}ou{n} ne bytideþ nat wiþ oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages.
and so is it byfallen þat þou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro þe pees of þi
þouȝt. but now is tyme þat þou drynke {and} atast[e] some softe {and}
delitable þinges. so þat whan þei ben entred wiþ i{n}ne þe. it mow make
weye to strenger drynkes of medycynes. ¶ Com nowe furþe þerfore þe
suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche þat goþ oonly þe ryȝt wey whil
she forsakeþ not myne estatutȝ. ¶ And wiþ Rethorice com forþe musice a
damoisel of oure house þat syngeþ now lyȝter moedes or p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s
now heuyer. what ayleþ þe man. what is it þat haþ cast þe in to murnyng
{and} in to wepyng. I trow[e] þat þou hast sen some newe þing {and}
uncouþe. ¶ Þou wenest þat fortune be chaunged aȝeins þe ¶ But þou wenest
wrong. yif þou [þat] wene. Alwey þo ben hire maners. she haþ raþer
[kept] as to þe ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in þe chaungyng of hyre
self. ¶ Ryȝt swyche was she whan she flatered[e] þe. {and} desseiued[e]
þe wiþ vnleueful lykynges of false welefulnesse. þou hast now knowen
{and} ataynt þe doutous or double visage of þilke blynde goddesse
fortune. ¶ She þat ȝit couereþ hir {and} wympleþ hir to oþer folk. haþ
shewed hir euerydel to þe. ¶ Ȝif þou app{ro}uest hir {and} þenkest þat
she is good. vse hir maners {and} pleyne þe nat. ¶ And if þou agrisest
hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye hir þat pleyeþ so
harmefully. for she þat is now cause of so myche sorwe to þe. sholde be
to þe cause of pees {and} [of] ioie. ¶ she haþ forsaken þe forsoþe. þe
whiche þat neuer man may be syker þat she ne shal forsake hym. _Glose._
¶ But naþeles some bookes han þe text þus. For soþe she haþ forsaken þe
ne þer nis no man syker þat she ne haþ not forsaken. ¶ Holdest þou þan
þilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to þe þat shal passen. {and} is p{re}sent
fortune derworþi to þe. whiche þat nis not feiþful forto dwelle. {and}
whan she goþ aweye þat she bryngeþ a wyȝt in sorwe ¶ For syn she may nat
be wiþholde{n} at a mans wille. she makeþ hym a wrecche whe{n} she
dep{ar}teþ fro hym. ¶ What oþer þing is flitti{n}g fortune but a manere
shewyng of wrycchednesse þat is to comen. ne it ne suffriþ nat oo[n]ly
to loken of þing þat is p{re}sent byforne þe eyen of man. but wisdom
lokeþ {and} mesureþ þe ende of þinges. {and} þe same chau{n}gyng from
one to an oþer. þat is to seyne fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite makeþ þat
þe manaces of fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne þe flatrynges of hir
to ben desired. ¶ Þus atte þe last it byhoueþ þe to suffren wiþ euene
wille in pacience al þat is don inwiþ þe floor of fortune. þat is to
seyne in þis worlde. ¶ Syþen þou hast oones put þi nekke vnder þe ȝokke
of hir. for if þou wilt write a lawe of wendyng {and} of dwellyng to
fortune whiche þat þou hast chosen frely to be þi lady ¶ Art þou nat
wrongful in þat {and} makest fortune wroþe {and} asp{er}e by þin
inpacience. {and} ȝit þou mayst not chaungen hir. ¶ Yif þou co{m}mittest
[{and}] bitakest þi sayles to þe wynde. þou shalt be shouen not þider
þat þou woldest(:) but whider þat þe wy{n}de shoueþ þe ¶ Yif þou castest
þi seedes in þe feldes þou sholdest haue in mynde þat þe ȝeres ben oþer
while plenteuous {and} oþ{er} while bareyne. ¶ Þou hast bytaken þiself
to þe gouernaunce of fortune. {and} forþi it byhoueþ þe to ben obeisaunt
to þe manere of þi lady. and enforcest þou þe to aresten or wiþstonden
þe swyftnesse {and} þe sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng whele. ¶ O þou fool of
alle mortel fooles if fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] þan
to ben fortune.
HEC CUM SUPERBA.
[Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]
++Whan fortune wiþ a proude ryȝt hande haþ turnid hir chau{n}gyng
stoundes she fareþ lyke þe maners of þe boillyng eurippe. _Glose._
Eurippe is an arme of þe see þ{a}t ebbith {and} flowiþ. {and} somtyme þe
streme is on one syde {and} somtyme on þat oþer. _Texte_ ¶ She cruel
fortune kasteþ adoune kynges þat somtyme weren ydred. {and} she
deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp þe humble chere of hym þat is discomfited.
{and} she neyþer hereþ ne reccheþ of wrecched[e] wepynges. {and} she is
so harde þat she lauȝeþ {and} scorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe whiche she haþ
maked wepe wiþ hir free wille. ¶ Þus she pleyeþ {and} þ{us} she p{re}ueþ
hir strengþe {and} sheweþ a grete wondre to alle hir seruau{n}tȝ. ¶ Yif
þat a wyȝt is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}þrowe in an houre.
VELLEM AUTE{M} PAUCA.
[Sidenote: [The secunde p{ro}se.]]
++CErtis I wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges vsynge þe wordes of fortune
tak heede now þi self. yif þ{a}t she axeþ ryȝt. ¶ O þou man wher fore
makest þou me gilty by þine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges haue I
don þe. what goodes haue I byreft þe þat weren þine. stryf or plete wiþ
me by fore what iuge þat þou wilt of þe possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of
dignites ¶ And yif þou maist shewe me þat euer any mortal man haþ
receyued any of þese þinges to ben his in p{ro}pre. þan wol I graunt[e]
frely þat [alle] þilke þinges were{n} þine whiche þat þou axest. ¶ Whan
þat nature brouȝt[e] þe forþe out of þi moder wombe. I receyued[e] þe
naked {and} nedy of al þing. {and} I norysshed[e] þe wiþ my rychesse.
{and} was redy {and} ententif þo{ru}ȝ my fauo{ur} to sustene þe. ¶ And
þat makeþ þe now i{n}pacient aȝeins me. {and} I envirounde þe wiþ al þe
habundaunce {and} shinyng of al goodes þat ben in my ryȝt. ¶ Now it
lykeþ me to wiþ drawe myne hande. þou hast had grace as he þat haþ vsed
of foreyne goodes. þou hast no ryȝt to pleyne þe. as þouȝ þou haddest
vtterly lorn alle þi þinges. whi pleynest þou þan. I haue don þe no
wrong. Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche oþer þinges ben of my ryȝt. ¶ My
seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. þei comen wiþ me {and} dep{ar}ten
whan I wende. I dar wel affermen hardyly. þat yif þo þinges of whiche
þou pleynest þat þou hast forlorn hadde ben þine. þou ne haddest not
lorn he{m}. ¶ shal I þan only be defended to vse my ryȝt. ¶ Certis it is
leueful to þe heuene to make clere dayes. {and} after þat to keuere þe
same dayes wiþ derke nyȝtes. ¶ Þe erþe haþ eke leue to apparaile þe
visage of þe erþe now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wiþ fruyt. {and} to
confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wiþ raynes {and} wiþ coldes. ¶ Þe see haþ eke
hys ryȝt to be somtyme calme {and} blaundyshing wiþ smoþe water. {and}
somtyme to be horrible wiþ wawes {and} wiþ tempestes. ¶ But þe couetyse
of men þat may not be staunched shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn þat
stedfastnesse is vnkouþ to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengþe. {and}
þis pley. I pley[e] co{n}tinuely. I tourne þe whirly{n}g whele wiþ þe
tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge þe lowest to þe heyeste. {and}
þe heyest to þe loweste. worþe vp yif þou wilt. so it be by þis lawe.
þat þou ne holde not þat I do þe wronge þouȝ þou descende dou{n} whanne
resou{n} of my pleye axeþ it. Wost þou not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of
whiche kyng Cir{us} was ful sore agast a litel byforne þat þis rewlyche
Cresus was cauȝt of Cirus {and} lad to þe fijr to be brent. but þat a
reyne desce{n}ded[e] dou{n} from heuene þat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it
out of þi mynde how þat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take þe kyng
of p{er}ciens weep pitou[s]ly for þe captiuitee of þe self[e] kyng. What
oþer þinges bywaylen þe criinges of Tragedies. but only þe dedes of
fortune. þat wiþ an vnwar stroke ouert{ur}neþ þe realmes of grete nobley
¶ _Glose._ Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for a tyme
þat endiþ in wrechednesse. Lernedest nat þou in grek whan þou were ȝonge
þat in þe entre or in þe seler of Iuppiter þer ben couched two tunnes.
þat on is ful of good þat oþer is ful of harme. ¶ What ryȝt hast þou to
pleyne. yif þou hast taken more plenteuously of þe goode syde þat is to
seyne of my rycchesse {and} p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be
nat departed fro þe. What eke. yif my mutabilitee ȝiueþ þe ryȝtful cause
of hope to han ȝit better þi{n}ges. ¶ Naþeles desmaie þe nat in þi
þouȝt. and þ{o}u þat art put in comune realme of alle: ne desijr[e] nat
to lyue by þine oonly p{ro}pre ryȝt.
SI Q{UA}NTAS RAPIDIS.
[Sidenote: [the secu{n}de met{ur}.]]
++ÞOuȝ plentee þat is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n} wiþ ful horn.
{and} wiþdraweþ nat hir hand. ¶ As many recches as þe see turneþ
vpwardes sandes whan it is moeued wiþ rauysshing blastes. or ellys as
many rycches as þer shynen bryȝt[e] sterres on heuene on þe sterry nyȝt.
Ȝit for al þat mankynde nolde not cesce to wope wrecched[e] pleyntes.
¶ And al be it so þat god receyueþ gladly her p{ra}yers {and} ȝeueþ hem
as ful large muche golde {and} app{ar}aileþ coueytous folk wiþ noble or
clere hono{ur}s. ȝit semeþ hem haue I-gete noþing. but alwey her cruel
ravyne deuourynge al þat þei han geten shewiþ oþer gapinges. þat is to
seye gapen {and} desiren ȝit after moo rycchesse. ¶ What brideles myȝten
wiþholde to any certeyne ende þe desordene coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere
þe raþer þ{a}t it fletiþ in large ȝiftis: þe more ay brenneþ in hem þe
þrest of hauyng. ¶ Certis he þat quakyng {and} dredeful weneþ hym seluen
nedy. he ne lyueþ neu{er}e mo ryche.
HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE.
[Sidenote: [The thrydde p{ro}se.]]
++Þerfore yif þat fortune spake wiþ þe for hir self in þis manere. For
soþe þou ne haddest [nat] what þou myȝtest answere. and if þou hast any
þi{n}g wherwiþ. þou mayist ryȝtfully tellen þi co{m}pleynt. ¶ It byhoueþ
þe to shewen it. {and} .I. wol ȝeue þe space to tellen it. ¶ Certeynely
q{uod} I þan þise ben faire þinges {and} enoyntid wiþ hony swetnesse of
rethorike {and} musike. {and} only while þei ben herd þei ben
deliciouse. ¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of harme. þis is to
seyn þat wrecches felen þe harmes þat þei suffren more greuously þan þe
remedies or þe delites of þise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so
þat whan þise þinges stynten forto sou{n}[e] in eres. þe sorwe þat is
inset greueþ þe þouȝt. Ryȝt so is it q{uod} she. ¶ For þise ne ben ȝit
none remedies of þi maladie. but þei ben a manere norissinges of þi
sorwe ȝit rebel aȝeyne þi curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ For whan þat tyme is. I shal
moue swiche þinges þat p{er}cen hem self depe. ¶ But naþeles þ{a}t þou
shalt not wilne to leten þi self a wrecche. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þe
nou{m}bre {and} þe manere of þi welefulnesse. I holde me stille how þat
þe souerayn men of þe Citee toke{n} þe in cure {and} kepynge whan þou
were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir. {and} were chosen i{n} affinite of
p{r}inces of þe Citee. ¶ And þou bygu{n}ne raþer to ben leef {and} deere
þan0 forto ben a neyȝbo{ur}. þe whiche þing is þe most p{re}ciouse kynde
of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce þat may ben. ¶ Who is it þat ne
seide þou nere ryȝt weleful wiþ so grete a nobley of þi fadres in lawe.
¶ {And} wiþ þe chastite of þi wijf. {and} wiþ þe oportunite {and}
noblesse of þi masculyn children. þat is to seyne þi sones {and} ou{er}
al þis me lyst to passe of comune þinges. ¶ How þou haddest in þi þouȝt
dignitees þat weren warned to olde men. but it deliteþ me to comen now
to þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse. ¶ Yif any fruyt of mortal
þinges may han any weyȝte or price of welefulnesse. ¶ Myȝtest þou euere
forȝeten for any charge of harme þat myȝt[e] byfallen. þe remembrau{n}ce
of þilke day þat þou sey[e] þi two sones maked conseillers. {and} ylad
to gidre from þin house vndir so gret assemble of senatours. {and} vndir
þe blyþenesse of poeple. {and} whan þou say[e] hem sette in þe court in
her chaieres of dignites. ¶ Þou rethorien or p{ro}nou{n}cere of kynges
p{re}ysinges. deseruedest glorie of wit {and} of eloquence. whan þou
sittyng bytwix þi two sones conseillers in þe place þat hyȝt Circo.
{and} fulfildest þe abydyng of multitude of poeple þat was sprad about
þe wiþ large p{ra}ysynge {and} laude as me{n} syngen in victories. þo
ȝaue þou wordes of fortune as I trowe. þat is to seyne. þo feffedest þou
fortune wiþ glosynge wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e]
þe {and} norsshed[e] þe as hir owen delices. ¶ Þou hast had of fortune a
ȝifte þat is to seyn swiche gerdou{n} þat she neu[er]e ȝaf to p{re}ue
man ¶ Wilt þou þerfore leye a rekenyng wiþ fortune. she haþ now
twynkeled first vpon þe wiþ a wykked eye. ¶ Yif þou considere þe
nou{m}bre {and} þe manere of þi blysses. {and} of þi sorwes. þou maist
nat forsake þat þou nart ȝit blysful. For if þou þerfore wenest þi self
nat weleful for þinges þat þo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Þer nis nat
whi þou sholdest wene þi self a wrecche. for þinges þat now semen soory
passen also. ¶ Art þou now comen firste a sodeyne gest in to þe shadowe
or tabernacle of þis lijf. or trowest þou þ{a}t any stedfastnesse be in
mannis þinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolueþ þe same man. þat is
to seyne whan þe soule dep{ar}tiþ fro þe body. For al þouȝ þat yelde is
þer any feiþ þat fortunous þinges willen dwelle. ȝit naþeles þe last[e]
day of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e deeþ to fortune. {and} also to
þilke þat haþ dwelt. {and} þerfore what wenist þou þar recche yif þou
forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys þ{a}t she fortune forlete þe i{n}
fleenge awey.
CUM PRIMO POLO.
[Sidenote: [The .iij. Met{ur}.]]
++Whan phebus þe sonne bygynneþ to spreden his clerenesse w{i}t{h}
rosene chariettes. þan þe sterre ydimmyd paleþ hir white cheres. by þe
flamus of þe so{n}ne þat ouer comeþ þe sterre lyȝt. ¶ Þis is to seyn
whan þe sonne is risen þe day sterre wexiþ pale {and} lesiþ hir lyȝt for
þe grete bryȝtnesse of þe sonne. ¶ Whan þe wode wexeþ redy of rosene
floures in þe first somer sesou{n} þoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus
þat wexeþ warme. ¶ Yif þe cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche. þan goþ
awey þe fayrnesse of þornes. Ofte þe see is clere {and} calme wiþoute
moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte þe horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeueþ boylyng
tempestes {and} ouer whelweþ þe see. ¶ Yif þe forme of þis worlde is so
[ȝeelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}niþ by so many entrechau{n}gynges.
wilt þou þa{n} truste{n} in þe trublynge fortunes of me{n}. wilt þou
trowen i{n} flittyng goodes. It is certeyne {and} establissed by lawe
p{er}durable þat no þi{n}g þ{a}t is engendred nys stedfast no stable.
TUNC EGO UERA INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The ferthe prose.]]
++ÞAnne seide I þus. O norice of alle uertues þou seist ful soþe. ¶ Ne I
may nat forsake þe ryȝt[e] swifte cours of my p{ro}speritee. þat is to
seine. þat p{ro}speritee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly {and} soone.
but þis is a þing þat gretly smertiþ me whan it remembreþ me. ¶ For in
alle aduersitees of fortune þe most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune
is to han ben weleful. ¶ But þat þou q{uo}d she abaist þus þe to{ur}ment
of þi fals[e] opiniou{n} þat maist þou not ryȝtfully blamen ne aretten
to þinges. as who seiþ for þou hast ȝitte many habundaunces of þinges.
¶ _Textus._ For al be it so þat þe ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse
moeueþ þe now. it is leueful þat þou rekene w{i}t{h} me of how many[e]
þinges þou hast ȝit plentee. ¶ And þerfore yif þat þilke þing þat þou
haddest for most p{re}cious in alle þi rycchesse of fortune be kept to
þe by þe grace of god vnwemmed {and} vndefouled. Mayst þou þa{n} pleyne
ryȝtfully vpon þe myschief of fortune. syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e]
þinges. ¶ Certys ȝit lyueþ in goode poynt þilke p{re}cious hono{ur} of
mankynde.¶ Symacus þi wyues fadir whiche þat is a man maked al of
sapience {and} of vertue. þe whiche man þou woldest b[i]en redely wiþ þe
pris of þin owen lijf. he byweyleþ þe wronges þat men don to þee. {and}
not for hym self. for he liueþ in sykernesse of any sentence put aȝeins
him. ¶ And ȝit lyueþ þi wif þat is attempre of witte {and} passyng oþer
women in clennes of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes
she is lyke to hir fadir. I telle þe welle þat she lyueþ looþ of hir
life. {and} kepiþ to þee oonly hir goost. {and} is al maat {and}
ouer-comen by wepyng {and} sorwe for desire of þe ¶ In þe whiche þing
only I mot graunten þat þi welefulnesse is amenused. ¶ What shal I seyn
eke of þi two sones conseillours of whiche as of children of hir age þer
shineþ þe lyknesse of þe witte of hir fadir {and} of hir eldefadir. and
siþen þe souereyn cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owe{n}
lyues. ¶ O how weleful art þou þouȝ þou knowe þi goodes. ¶ But ȝitte ben
þer þinges dwelly{n}g to þe wardes þat no man douteþ þat þei ne ben more
derworþe to þe þen þine owen lijf. ¶ And forþi drie þi teres for ȝitte
nys nat eueriche fortune al hateful to þe warde. ne ou{er} greet tempest
haþ nat ȝit fallen vpon þe. whan þat þin ancres cliue fast[e] þat neiþer
wole suffre þe comfort of þis tyme p{re}sent. ne þe hope of tyme comynge
to passen ne to falle{n}. ¶ And I p{re}ie q{uod} I þat fast[e] mot[en]
þei holden. ¶ For whiles þat þei halden. how so eu{er}e þat þinges ben.
I shal wel fleten furþe and eschapen. ¶ But þou mayst wel seen how
greet[e] apparailes {and} aray þat me lakkeþ þat ben passed awey fro me.
¶ I haue su{m}what auau{n}ced {and} forþered þe q{uod} she. if þat þou
anoie nat or forþenke nat of al þi fortune. As who seiþ. ¶ I haue
somwhat comforted þe so þat þou tempest nat þe þus wiþ al þi fortune.
syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e] þinges. ¶ But I may nat suffre þin delices.
þat pleinst so wepyng. {and} anguissous for þat oþer lakkeþ somwhat to
þi welefulnesse. ¶ For what man is so sad or of so p{er}fit
welefulnesse. þat he ne stryueþ or pleyneþ on some half aȝeine þe
qualitee of his estat. ¶ For whi ful anguissous þing is þe condiciou{n}
of mans goodes. ¶ For eyþer it comeþ al to gidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it
lasteþ not p{er}petuely. ¶ For som man haþ grete rycchesse. but he is
asshamed of hys vngentil lynage. {and} som man is renomed of noblesse of
kynrede. but he is enclosed in so grete angre for nede of þinges. þat
hym were leuer þat he were vnknowe. and som ma{n} habundeþ boþe i{n}
rychesse {and} noblesse. but ȝit he bywaileþ hys chast[e] lijf. for he
haþ no wijf. ¶ and som man is wel {and} selily maried but he haþ no
children. {and} norissheþ his ricchesse to þe heires of straunge folk.
¶ And som man is gladded wiþ children. but he wepiþ ful sory for þe
trespas of his son or of his douȝtir. ¶ and for þis þer accordeþ no wyȝt
lyȝtly to þe condic{i}ou{n} of his fortune. for alwey to euery man þere
is i{n} mest somwhat þat vnassaieþ he ne wot not or ellys he drediþ þat
he haþ assaied. ¶ {And} adde þis also þat euery weleful man haþ a wel
delicat felyng. ¶ So þat but yif alle þinges fallen at hys owen wille
for he inpacient or is nat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is
þrowe adoũne for euery lytel þing. ¶ And ful lytel þinges ben þo þat
wiþdrawen þe so{m}me or þe p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse fro hem þat
ben most fortunat. ¶ How many men trowest þou wolde demen hem self to
ben almost in heuene yif þei myȝten atteyne to þe leest[e] p{ar}tie of
þe remenaunt of þi fortune. ¶ Þis same place þat þou clepist exil is
contre to hem þat enhabiten here. {and} forþi. Noþing wrecched. but whan
þou wenest it ¶ As who seiþ. þouȝ þi self ne no wyȝt ellys nys no
wrecche but whan he weneþ hym self a wrecche by reputac{i}ou{n} of his
corage.
CONTRAQ{UE}.
++And aȝeinewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by þe agreablete or by
þe egalite of hym þat suffreþ it. ¶ What man is þat. þat is so weleful
þat nolde chau{n}ge{n} his estat whan he haþ lorn pacience. þe swetnesse
of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e] bitternesses. þe whiche
welefulnesse al þouȝ it seme swete {and} ioyeful to hym þat vseþ it. ȝit
may it not be wiþ-holden þat it ne goþ away whan it wol. ¶ Þan is it wel
sen how wrecched is þe blisfulnesse of mortel þinges. þat neiþ{er} it
dwelliþ p{er}petuel wiþ hem þat euery fortune receyuen agreablely or
egaly. ¶ Ne it ne deliteþ not in al. to hem þat ben anguissous. ¶ O ye
mortel folkes what seke ȝe þan blisfulnesse oute of ȝoure self. whiche
þat is put in ȝoure self. Erro{ur} {and} folie co{n}fou{n}deþ ȝow ¶ I
shal shewe þe shortly. þe poynt of souereyne blisfulnesse. Is þer any
þing to þe more p{re}ciouse þan þi self ¶ Þou wilt answere nay. ¶ Þan if
it so be þat þou art myȝty ouer þi self þat is to seyn by tranquillitee
of þi soule. þan hast þou þing i{n} þi power þat þou noldest neuer
lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it þe. {and} þat þou mayst knowe þat
blisfulnesse [ne] may nat standen in þinges þat ben fortunous {and}
te{m}perel. ¶ Now vndirstonde {and} gadir it to gidir þus yif
blisfulnesse be þe souereyne goode of nature þat liueþ by resou{n} ¶ Ne
þilke þing nis nat souereyne goode þat may be taken awey in any wyse.
for more worþi þing {and} more digne is þilke þing þ{a}t may nat be
taken awey. ¶ Þan shewiþ it wele þat þe vnstablenesse of fortune may nat
attayne to receyue verray blisfulnes. ¶ And ȝit more ouer. ¶ What man
þat þis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ. eiþer he woot þat [it] is
chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat. ¶ And yif he woot it not. what
blisful fortune may þer be in þe blyndenesse of ignorau{n}ce. and yif he
woot þat it is chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad þ{a}t he ne lese þat
þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may leesen it. ¶ As whoo seiþ he
mot ben alwey agast lest he leese þat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For
whiche þe continuel drede þat he haþ ne suffriþ hym nat to ben weleful.
¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to be dispised {and} forleten hit.
¶ Certis eke þat is a ful lytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan
it is loost. ¶ Þat is to seyne þat men don no more force. of þe lost þan
of þe hauynge. ¶ And for as myche as þou þi self art he to who{m} it haþ
ben shewid {and} p{ro}ued by ful many[e] demonstrac{i}ou{n}s. as I woot
wel þat þe soules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke syn it is
clere. {and} certeyne þat fortunous welefulnesse endiþ by þe deeþ of þe
body. ¶ It may nat ben douted þat yif þat deeþ may take awey
blysfulnesse þat al þe kynde of mortal þi{n}g{us} ne descendiþ in to
wrecchednesse by þe ende of þe deeþ. ¶ And syn we knowen wel þat many a
man haþ souȝt þe fruit of blisfulnesse nat only wiþ suffryng of deeþ.
but eke wiþ suffryng of peynes {and} to{ur}mentes. how myȝt[e] þan þis
p{re}sent lijf make men blisful. syn þat whanne þilke self[e] lijf is
endid. it ne makeþ folk no wrecches.
QUISQUIS UOLET P{ER}HENNEM CAUTUS.
[Sidenote: [The ferthe met{ur}.]]
++What maner man stable {and} war þat wil founden hym a p{er}durable
sete {and} ne wil not be cast doune wiþ þe loude blastes of þe wynde
Eurus. {and} wil dispise þe see manassynge wiþ floodes ¶ Lat hym eschewe
to bilde on þe cop of þe mou{n}tay{n}gne. or in þe moyste sandes. ¶ For
þe fel[le] wynde auster to{ur}menteþ þe cop of þe mou{n}tayngne wiþ alle
his strengþes. ¶ and þe lowe see sandes refuse to beren þe heuy weyȝte.
{and} forþi yif þou wolt flee þe p{er}ilous auenture þat is to seine of
þe worlde ¶ Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn þi house of a myrie site in
a lowe stoone. ¶ For al þouȝ þe wynde troublyng þe see þondre wiþ
ouereþrowynges ¶ Þou þat art put i{n} quiete {and} welful by strengþe of
þi palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng þe wodenesses and þe Ires of
þe eir.
SET CUM RACIONU{M} IAM IN TE.
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]
++But for as moche as þe noryssinges of my resou{n}s descenden now in to
þe. I trowe it were tyme to vsen a litel strenger medicynes. ¶ Now
vndirstonde here al were it so þat þe ȝiftis of fortune nar[e] nat
brutel ne t{ra}nsitorie. what is þer in hem þat may be þine in any tyme.
or ellis þat it nys foule if þat it be considered {and} lokid
p{er}fitely. ¶ Richesse ben þei p{re}ciouse by þe nature of hem self. or
ellys by þe nature of þe. What is most worþi of rycchesse. is it nat
golde or myȝt of moneye assembled. ¶ Certis þilke golde {and} þilke
moneye shineþ {and} ȝeueþ better renou{n} to hem þat dispenden it. þen
to þilke folke þat mokeren it. For auarice makeþ alwey mokeres to be
hated. {and} largesse makeþ folke clere of renou{n} ¶ For syn þat swiche
þi{n}g as is t{ra}nsfered from o man to an oþer ne may nat dwellen wiþ
no man. Certis þan is þilke moneye p{re}cious. whan it is translated in
to oþer folk. {and} stynteþ to ben had by vsage of large ȝeuy{n}g of hym
þat haþ ȝeuen it. {and} also yif al þe moneye þat is ouer-al in þe world
were gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al oþer men to ben nedy as
of þat. ¶ And certys a voys al hool þat is to seyn wiþ-oute amenusynge
fulfilleþ to gyder þe heryng of myche folke. but Certys ȝoure rycchesse
ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wiþ-oute amenussyng ¶ And whan þei
ben apassed. nedys þei maken hem pore þat forgon þe rycchesses. ¶ O
streite {and} nedy clepe I þise rycchesses. syn þat many folke [ne] may
nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on man wiþ-oute pouerte of al
oþer folke. ¶ And þe shynynge of ge{m}mes þat I clepe p{re}ciouse
stones. draweþ it nat þe eyen of folk in to hem warde. þat is to seyne
for þe beaute. ¶ For certys yif þer were beaute or bounte in shynyng of
stones. þilke clerenesse is of þe stones hem self. {and} nat of men.
¶ For whiche I wondre gretly þat men merueilen on swiche þinges. ¶ For
whi what þing is it þat yif it wa{n}teþ moeuyng {and} ioynture of soule
{and} body þat by ryȝt myȝt[e] semen a faire creature to hym þat haþ a
soule of resou{n}. ¶ For al be it so þat ge{m}mes drawen to hem self a
litel of þe laste beaute of þe worlde. þoruȝ þe entent of hir creato{ur}
{and} þoruȝ þe distincc{i}ou{n} of hem self. ȝit for as myche as þei ben
put vndir ȝoure excellence. þei han not desserued by no weye þat ȝe
shullen merueylen on hem. ¶ And þe beaute of feeldes deliteþ it nat
mychel vnto ȝow. _Boyce._ ¶ Whi sholde it nat deliten vs. syn þat it is
a ryȝt fayr porciou{n} of þe ryȝt fair werk. þat is to seyn of þis
worlde. ¶ And ryȝt so ben we gladed somtyme of þe face of þe see whan it
is clere. And also merueylen we on þe heuene {and} on þe sterres. {and}
on þe sonne. {and} on þe mone. _Philosophie._ ¶ App{er}teineþ q{uo}d she
any of þilke þinges to þe. whi darst þou glorifie þe in þe shynynge of
any swiche þinges. Art þou distingwed {and} embelised by þe spryngyng
floures of þe first somer sesou{n}. or swelliþ þi plente in fruytes of
somer. whi art þou rauyshed wiþ ydel ioies. why enbracest þou straunge
goodes as þei weren þine. Fortune shal neuer maken þat swiche þinges ben
þine þat nature of þinges maked foreyne fro þe. ¶ Syche is þat
wiþ-oute{n} doute þe fruytes of þe erþe owen to ben on þe norssinge of
bestes. ¶ And if þou wilt fulfille þi nede after þat it suffiseþ to
nature þan is it no nede þat þou seke after þe sup{er}fluite of fortune.
¶ For wiþ ful fewe þinges {and} w{i}t{h} ful lytel þing nature halt hire
appaied. {and} yif þou wilt achoken þe fulfillyng of nat{ur}e wiþ
sup{er}fluites ¶ Certys þilke þinges þ{a}t þou wilt þresten or pouren in
to nature shullen ben vnioyeful to þe or ellis anoies. ¶ Wenest þou eke
þat it be a fair þinge to shine wiþ dyuerse cloþing. of whiche cloþing
yif þe beaute be agreable to loken vpon. I wol merueylen on þe nature of
þe matere of þilke cloþes. or ellys on þe werkeman þat wrouȝt[e] hem.
but al so a longe route of meyne. makiþ þat a blisful man. þe whiche
seruauntes yif þei ben vicioũs of condic{i}ou{n}s it is a greet charge
{and} a destrucc{i}ou{n} to þe house. {and} a g{r}eet enmye to þe lorde
hym self ¶ {And} yif þei ben goode men how shal straung[e] or foreyne
goodenes ben put in þe nou{m}bre of þi rycchesse. so þ{a}t by alle þise
forseide þinges. it is clerly shewed þat neuer none of þilke þinges þat
þou accou{m}ptedest for þin goodes nas nat þi goode. ¶ In þe whiche
þinges yif þer be no beaute to ben desired. whi sholdest þou be sory yif
þou leese hem. or whi sholdest þou reioysen þe to holden hem. ¶ For if
þei ben fair of hire owen kynde. what app{er}teneþ þat to þe. for as wel
sholde þei han ben faire by hem self. þouȝ þei were{n} dep{ar}tid from
alle þin rycchesse. ¶ For-why faire ne p{re}cioũs ne weren þei nat. for
þat þei comen amonges þi rycchesse. but for þei semeden fair {and}
p{re}cious. þerfore þou haddest leuer rekene hem amonges þi rycchesse.
but what desirest þou of fortune wiþ so greet a noyse {and} wiþ so greet
a fare ¶ I trowe þou seke to dryue awey nede wiþ habundaunce of þinges.
¶ But certys it turneþ to ȝow al in þe contrarie. for whi certys it
nediþ of ful many[e] helpynges to kepen þe dyuersite of preciouse
ostelmentȝ. and soþe it is þat of many[e] þinges han þei nede þat
many[e] þinges han. {and} aȝeyneward of litel nediþ hem þat mesuren hir
fille after þe nede of kynde {and} nat after þe outrage of couetyse ¶ Is
it þan so þat ye men ne han no p{ro}pre goode. I-set in ȝow. For whiche
ȝe moten seken outwardes ȝoure goodes in foreine {and} subgit þinges.
¶ So is þan þe condic{i}ou{n} of þinges turned vpso dou{n}. þat a man
þat is a devyne beest by merit of hys resou{n}. þinkeþ þat hy{m} self
nys neyþer fair ne noble. but if it be þoruȝ possessiou{n} of
ostelmentes. þat ne han no soules. ¶ And certys al oþ{er} þi{n}ges ben
appaied of hire owen beautes. but ȝe men þat ben semblable to god by
ȝour{e} resonable þouȝt desiren to apparaille ȝour{e} excellent kynde of
þe lowest[e] pinges. ne ȝe ne vndirstonde nat how gret a wro{n}g ȝe don
to ȝoure creato{ur}. for he wolde þat man kynde were moost worþi {and}
noble of any oþer erþely þinges. and ȝe þresten adou{n} ȝoure dignitees
by-neþen þe lowest[e] þinges. ¶ For if þat al þe good of euery þing be
more p{re}ciouse þan is þilk þing whos þat þe good is. syn ȝe demen þat
þe foulest[e] þinges ben ȝoure goodes. þanne summytten ȝe {and} putten
ȝoure self vndir þo foulest[e] þinges by ȝoure estimac{i}ou{n}. ¶ And
certis þis bitidiþ nat wiþ out ȝour{e} desert. For certys swiche is þe
co{n}dic{i}ou{n} of al man kynde þat oonly whan it haþ knowyng of it
self. þan passeþ it i{n} noblesse alle oþer þinges. and whan it forletiþ
þe knowyng of it self. þan it is brouȝt byneþen alle beestes. ¶ For-why
alle oþer [leuynge] beestes han of kynde to knowe not hem self. but whan
þat men leten þe knowyng of hem self. it comeþ hem of vice. but how
brode sheweþ þe erro{ur} {and} þe folie of ȝow men þat wenen þat ony
þing may ben apparailled wiþ straunge apparaillementȝ ¶ but for-soþe þat
may nat be don. for yif a wyȝt shyneþ wiþ þi{n}ges þat ben put to hym.
as þus. yif þilke þinges shynen wiþ whiche a man is apparailled.
¶ Certis þilke þinges ben commendid {and} p{re}ised wiþ whiche he is
apparailled. ¶ But naþeles þe þing þat is couered {and} wrapped vndir
þat dwelleþ in his filþe. and I denye þat þilke þing be good þat anoyeþ
hym þat haþ it. ¶ Gabbe I of þis. þou wolt seye nay. ¶ Certys rycchesse
han anoyed ful ofte hem þat han þe rycchesse. ¶ Syn þat euery wicked
shrew {and} for hys wickednesse þe more gredy aftir oþer folkes
rycchesse wher so euer it be in any place. be it golde or p{re}cious
stones. {and} weniþ hym only most worþi þat haþ hem ¶ þou þan þat so
besy dredest now þe swerde {and} þe spere. yif þou haddest entred in þe
paþe of þis lijf a voide wayfaryng man. þan woldest þou syng[e] by-fore
þe þeef. ¶ As who seiþ a poure man þat bereþ no rycchesse on hym by þe
weye. may boldly syng[e] byforne þeues. for he haþ nat wher-of to ben
robbed. ¶ O preciouse {and} ryȝt clere is þe blysfulnesse of mortal
rycchesse. þat wha{n} þou hast geten it. þan hast þou lorn þi
syke[r]nesse.
FELIX IN MIRU{M} PRIOR ETAS.
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe met{ur}.]]
++Blysful was þe first age of men. þei helden hem apaied wiþ þe metes
þat þe trewe erþes brouȝten furþe. ¶ þei ne destroyed[e] ne desceyued[e]
not hem self wiþ outerage. ¶ þei weren wont lyȝtly to slaken her hunger
at euene wiþ acornes of okes ¶ þei ne couþe nat medle þe ȝift of bacus
to þe clere hony. þat is to seyn. þei couþe make no piment of clarre. ne
þei couþe nat medle þe briȝt[e] flies of þe co{n}tre of siriens wiþ þe
venym of tirie. þis is to seyne. þei couþe nat dien white flies of
sirien contre wiþ þe blode of a manar shelfysshe. þat men fynden in
tyrie. wiþ whiche blode men deien purper. ¶ þei slepen holesom slepes
vpon þe gras. and dronken of þe rynnyng watres. {and} laien vndir þe
shadowe of þe heyȝe pyne trees. ¶ Ne no gest ne no straunger [ne] karf
ȝit þe heye see wiþ oores or wiþ shippes. ne þei ne hadden seyne ȝitte
none newe strondes to leden merchaundyse in to dyuerse co{n}tres. ¶ þo
weren þe cruel clariou{n}s ful whist {and} ful stille. ne blode yshed by
egre hate ne hadde nat deied ȝit armurers. for wherto or whiche
woodenesse of enmys wolde first moeuen armes. whan þei seien cruel
woundes ne none medes ben of blood yshad ¶ I wolde þat oure tymes sholde
turne aȝeyne to þe oolde maneres. ¶ But þe anguissous loue of hauyng
brenneþ in folke moore cruely þan þe fijr of þe Mou{n}taigne of Ethna
þat euer brenneþ. ¶ Allas what was he þat first dalf vp þe gobets or þe
weyȝtys of gold couered vndir erþe. {and} þe p{re}cious stones þat
wolden han ben hid. he dalf vp p{re}cious perils. þat is to seyne þat he
þat hem first vp dalf. he dalf vp a p{re}cious peril. for-whi. for þe
p{re}ciousnesse of swyche haþ many man ben in peril.
QUID AUTE{M} DE DIGNITATIB{US} {ET} C{ETERA}.
[Sidenote: [The sixte p{ro}se.]]
++But what shal I seyne of dignitees {and} of powers. þe whiche [ye] men
þ{a}t neiþer knowen verray dignitee ne verray power areysen hem as heye
as þe heuene. þe whiche dignitees {and} powers yif þei come to any
wicked man þei don [as] greet[e] damages {and} distrucc{i}ou{n} as doþ
þe fla{m}me of þe Mou{n}taigne Ethna whan þe fla{m}me wit walwiþ vp ne
no deluge ne doþ so cruel harmes. ¶ Certys ye remembriþ wel as I trowe
þat þilke dignitee þat men clepiþ þe emperie of {con}sulers þe whiche
þat somtyme was bygynnyng of fredom. ¶ Ȝoure eldres coueiteden to han
don a-wey þat dignitee for þe p{r}ide of þe conseilers. ¶ And ryȝt for
þe same p{r}ide ȝoure eldres byforne þat tyme hadden don awey out of þe
Citee of rome þe kynges name. þat is to seien. þei nolden haue no lenger
no kyng ¶ But now yif so be þ{a}t dignitees {and} powers ben ȝeuen to
goode men. þe whiche þing is ful ȝelde. what agreable þi{n}ges is þer in
þo dignitees. or powers. but only þe goodenes of folk þat vsen hem.
¶ And þerfore it is þus þat hono{ur} ne comeþ nat to vertue for cause of
dignite. but aȝeinward. hono{ur} comeþ to dignite by cause of vertue.
but whiche is ȝoure derworþe power þat is so clere {and} so requerable
¶ O ȝe erþelyche bestes considere ȝe nat ouer whiche þing þat it semeþ
þat ȝe han power. ¶ Now yif þou say[e] a mouse amo{n}g{us} oþer myse þat
chalenged[e] to hymself ward ryȝt {and} power ouer alle oþer myse. how
gret scorne woldest þou han of hit. ¶ _Glosa._ ¶ So fareþ it by men. þe
body haþ power ouer þe body. For yif þow loke wel vpon þe body of a wyȝt
what þing shalt þou fynde moore frele þan is mannes kynde. þe whiche ben
ful ofte slayn wiþ bytynge of smale flies. or ellys wiþ þe entryng of
crepyng wormes in to þe priuetees of mennes bodyes. ¶ But wher shal men
fynden any man þat may exercen or haunten any ryȝt vpon an oþer ma{n}
but oonly vpon hys body. or ellys vpo{n} þinges þat ben lower þen þe
body. whiche I clepe fortunous possessiou{n}s ¶ Mayst þou euer haue any
comaundement ouer a fre corage ¶ Mayst þou remuen fro þe estat of hys
p{ro}pre reste. a þouȝt þat is cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast
resou{n}. ¶ As somtyme a tiraunt wende to co{n}founde a freeman of
corage ¶ {And} wende to co{n}streyne hym by to{ur}ment to maken hym
dyscoueren {and} acusen folk þat wisten of a coniurac{i}ou{n}. whiche I
clepe a confederacie þat was cast aȝeins þis tyraunt ¶ But þis free man
boot of hys owen tunge. {and} cast it in þe visage of þilke woode
tyrau{n}te. ¶ So þat þe to{ur}mentȝ þat þis tyrau{n}t wende to han maked
mater{e} of cruelte. þis wyse man maked[e it] matere of vertues. ¶ But
what þing is it þat a man may don to an oþer man. þat he ne may receyue
þe same þing of oþer folke i{n} hym self. or þus. ¶ What may a man don
to folk. þat folk ne may don hym þe same. ¶ I haue herd told of
busirides þat was wo{n}t to sleen hys gestes þat herburghden in hys
hous. and he was slayn hym self of ercules þat was hys gest ¶ Regulus
had[de] taken in bataile many men of affrike. and cast hem in to
fetteres. but sone after he most[e] ȝiue hys handes to ben bounden
w{i}t{h} þe cheynes of hem þat he had[de] somtyme ou{er}comen. ¶ Wenest
þou þan þat he be myȝty. þat may nat don a þing. þat oþer ne may don
hym. þat he doþ to oþer. {and} ȝit more ou{er} yif it so were þat þise
dignites or poweres hadden any p{ro}pre or naturel goodnesse in hem self
neuer nolden þei comen to shrewes. ¶ For contrarious þinges ne ben not
wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres. ¶ Nature refuseþ þat contra[r]ious
þinges ben yioigned. ¶ And so as I am in certeyne þat ryȝt wikked folk
han dignitees ofte tymes. þan sheweþ it wel þat dignitees {and} powers
ne ben not goode of hir owen kynde. syn þat þei suffren hem self to
cleue{n} or ioynen hem to shrewes. ¶ And certys þe same þing may most
digneliche Iugen {and} seyen of alle þe ȝiftis of fortune þat most
plenteuously comen to shrewes. ¶ Of þe whiche ȝiftys I trowe þat it
auȝt[e] ben considered þat no man doutiþ þat he nis strong. in whom he
seeþ strengþe. {and} in whom þat swiftnesse is ¶ Soþe it is þat he is
swyfte. Also musyk makeþ musiciens. {and} fysik makeþ phisiciens. {and}
rethorik rethoriens. ¶ For whi þe nature of euery þing makiþ his
p{ro}pretee. ne it is nat ent{er}medled wiþ þe effect{is} of
co{n}trarious þinges. ¶ And as of wil it chaseþ oute þinges þat to it
ben contrarie ¶ But certys rycchesse may nat restreyne auarice
vnstaunched ¶ Ne power [ne] makeþ nat a ma{n} myȝty ouer hym self.
whiche þat vicious lustis holden destreined wiþ cheins þat ne mowen nat
ben vnbounden. {and} dignitees þat ben ȝeuen to shrewed[e] folk nat
oonly ne makiþ hem nat digne. but it sheweþ raþer al openly þat þei ben
vnworþi {and} vndigne. ¶ And whi is it þ{us}. ¶ Certis for ȝe han ioye
to clepen þinges wiþ fals[e] names. þat beren hem al in þe
co{n}t{ra}rie. þe whiche names ben ful ofte reproued by þe effect of þe
same þinges. so þat þise ilke rycchesse ne auȝten nat by ryȝt to ben
cleped rycchesse. ne whiche power ne auȝt[e] not ben cleped power. ne
whiche dignitee ne auȝt[e] nat ben cleped dignitee. ¶ And at þe laste I
may conclude þe same þinge of al þe ȝiftes of fortune in whiche þer nis
no þing to ben desired. ne þat haþ in hym self naturel bounte. ¶ as it
is ful wel sene. for neyþer þei ne ioygne{n} hem nat alwey to goode men.
ne maken hem alwey goode to who{m} þei be{n} y-ioigned.
NOUIMUS QUANTOS DEDERAT.
[Sidenote: [The sixte Met{ur}.]]
++WE han wel knowen how many g{r}eet[e] harmes {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}s
weren doñ by þe Emp{er}oure Nero. ¶ He letee brenne þe citee of Rome
{and} made slen þe senato{ur}s. and he cruel somtyme slouȝ hys broþer.
{and} he was maked moyst wiþ þe blood of hys modir. þat is to seyn he
let sleen {and} slitte{n} þe body of his modir to seen where he was
conceiued. {and} he loked[e] on euery half vpon hir colde dede body. ne
no tere ne wette his face. but he was so hard herted þat he myȝt[e] ben
domesman or Iuge of hire dede beaute. ¶ And ȝitte neuerþeles gouerned[e]
þis Nero by Ceptre al þe peoples þat phebus þe sonne may seen comyng
from his outerest arysyng til he hidde his bemes vndir þe wawes. ¶ þat
is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle þe peoples by Ceptre imp{er}ial þat þe
so{n}ne goþ aboute from est to west ¶ And eke þis Nero goueyrende by
Ceptre. alle þe peoples þat ben vndir þe colde sterres þat hyȝten þe
seuene triones. þis is to seyn he gouerned[e] alle þe poeples þat ben
vndir þe p{ar}ties of þe norþe. ¶ And eke Nero gouerned[e] alle þe
poeples þat þe violent wynde Nothus scorchiþ {and} bakiþ þe brennynge
sandes by his drie hete. þat is to seyne. alle þe poeples in þe souþe.
[but yit ne myhte nat al his heye power torne the woodnesse of this
wykkyd nero / Allas it is greuous fortune it is]. as ofte as wicked
swerde is ioygned to cruel venym. þat is to sein. venimous cruelte to
lordshipe.
TU{M} EGO SCIS INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]
++ÞAnne seide I þus. þou wost wel þiself þat þe couetise of mortal
þinges ne hadden neuer lordshipe of me. but I haue wel desired matere of
þinges to done. as who seiþ. I desired[e] to han matere of gou{er}naunce
ouer comunalites. ¶ For vertue stille ne sholde not elden. þat is to
seyn. þat list þat or he wex olde ¶ His uertue þat lay now ful stille.
ne sholde nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune. ¶ For
whiche men myȝten speke or write{n} of his goode gouernement.
¶ _Philosophie._ ¶ For soþe q{uo}d she. {and} þat is a þing þat may
drawen to gouernaunce swiche hertes as ben worþi {and} noble of hir
nature. but naþeles it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as ben
y-brouȝt to þe ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. þat is to seyn
couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel administred þe comune
þinges. or doon goode decertes to p{ro}fit of þe comune. for se now
{and} considere how litel {and} how voide of al prise is þilke glorie.
¶ Certeine þing is as þou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of
astronomye þat al þe envyronynge of þe erþe aboute ne halt but þe
resou{n} of a prykke at regard of þe gretnesse of heuene. þat is to
seye. þat yif þat þer were maked co{m}parisou{n} of þe erþe to þe
gretnesse of heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle þat erþe [ne] helde no
space ¶ Of þe whiche litel regiou{n} of þis worlde þe ferþe partie is
enhabitid wiþ lyuyng beestes þat we knowen. as þou hast þi self lerned
by tholome þat p{ro}uitħ it. ¶ yif þou haddest wiþ drawen {and} abated
in þi þouȝte fro þilke ferþe partie as myche space as þe see {and} [the]
mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as myche space as þe regiou{n} of
droughte ou{er}streccheþ. þat is to seye sandes {and} desertes wel vnneþ
sholde þer dwellen a ryȝt streite place to þe habitaciou{n} of men.
{and} ȝe þan þat ben environed {and} closed wiþ i{n}ne þe leest[e]
prikke of þilk prikke þenke ȝe to manifesten ȝoure renou{n} {and} don
ȝoure name to ben born forþe. but ȝour{e} glorie þat is so narwe {and}
so streyt yþronge{n} in to so litel boundes. how myche conteinþe it in
largesse {and} in greet doynge. And also sette þis þer to þat many a
nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge {and} of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of
hir lyuyng ben enhabitid in þe cloos of þilke litel habitacle. ¶ To þe
whiche nac{i}ou{n}s what for difficulte of weyes. {and} what for
diu{er}site of langages. {and} what for defaute of vnusage
entercomunynge of marchau{n}dise. nat only þe names of singler men ne
may [nat] strecchen. but eke þe fame of Citees ne may nat strecchen.
¶ At þe last[e] Certis in þe tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym self writeþ in
his book þat þe renou{n} of þe comune of Rome ne hadde nat ȝitte passed
ne clou{m}ben ou{er} þe mou{n}taigne þat hyȝt Caucasus. {and} ȝitte was
þilk tyme rome wel wexen {and} gretly redouted of þe p{ar}thes. and eke
of oþer folk enhabityng aboute. ¶ Sest þou nat þan how streit {and} how
comp{re}ssed is þilke glorie þat ȝe t{ra}uaile{n} aboute to shew {and}
to multiplie. May þan þe glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen þider as
þe fame of þe name of Rome may nat clymben ne passen. ¶ And eke sest
þ{o}u nat þat þe maners of diu{er}se folk {and} eke hir lawes ben
discordau{n}t amonge hem self. so þ{a}t þilke þing þat so{m}men iugen
worþi of p{re}ysynge. oþer folk iugen þat it is worþi of torment. ¶ and
þer of comeþ þat þouȝ a man delite hy{m} in p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}.
he ne may nat i{n} no wise bryngen furþe ne sprede{n} his name to many
manere peoples. ¶ And þerfore euery man{er} man auȝte to ben paied of
hys glorie þat is puplissed among hys owen neyȝbores. ¶ And þilke noble
renou{n} shal be restreyned wiþ-i{n}ne þe boundes of o maner folk but
how many a man þat was ful noble in his tyme. haþ þe nedy {and} wrecched
forȝetynge of writers put oute of mynde {and} don awey. ¶ Al be it so
þat certys þilke writynges p{ro}fiten litel. þe whiche writy{n}ges longe
{and} derke elde doþ aweye boþe he{m} {and} eke her auto{ur}s. but ȝe
men semen to geten ȝow a p{er}durablete whan ȝe þenke þat in tyme comyng
ȝoure fame shal lasten. ¶ But naþeles yif þou wilt maken co{m}parisou{n}
to þe endeles space of eternite what þing hast þou by whiche þou maist
reioysen þe of lo{n}g lastyng of þi name. ¶ For if þer were maked
co{m}parysou{n} of þe abidyng of a mome{n}t to ten þousand wynter. for
as myche as boþe þo spaces ben endid. ¶ For ȝit haþ þe moment some
porciou{n} of hit al þouȝ it a litel be. ¶ But naþeles þilke self
nou{m}bre of ȝeres. and eke as many ȝeres as þer to may be multiplied.
ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d to þe p{er}durablete þat is
een[de]les. ¶ For of þinges þat han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but
of thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges þ{a}t han ende may be
maked no {com}parysou{n}]. ¶ And for þi is it al þouȝ renou{n} of as
longe tyme as euer þe lyst to þinken were þouȝt by þe regard of
et{er}nite. þat is vnstauncheable {and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly
semen litel. but pleinliche ryȝt nouȝt. ¶ But ȝe men certys ne konne don
no þing aryȝt. but ȝif it be for þe audience of poeple. {and} for ydel
rumo{ur}s. {and} ȝe forsaken þe grete worþinesse of conscience {and} of
vertue. {and} ȝe seke{n} ȝoure gerdou{n}s of þe smale wordes of
st{ra}nge folke. ¶ Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} þe lyȝtnesse of
whiche p{r}ide {and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy {and}
myrily swiche vanite. somtyme þere was a man þat had[de] assaied wiþ
striuyng wordes an oþer ma{n}. ¶ þe whiche nat for vsage of verrey
vertue. but for proude veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly þe
name of a philosopher. ¶ þis raþer man þat I speke of þouȝt[e] he wolde
assay[e] where he þilke were a philosopher or no. þat is to seyne yif he
wolde han suffred lyȝtly in pacience þe wro{n}ges þat weren don vnto
hym. ¶ þis feined[e] philosophre took pacience a litel while. {and} whan
he hadde receiued wordes of outerage he as in stryuynge aȝeine {and}
reioysynge of hym self seide at þe last[e] ryȝt þus. ¶ vndirstondest þou
nat þat I am a philosophere. þat oþer man answered[e] aȝein ful bityngly
{and} seide. ¶ I had[de] wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif þou haddest holde{n}
þi tonge stille. ¶ But what is it to þise noble worþi men. For certys of
swyche folk speke .I. þat seken glorie wiþ vertue. what is it q{uo}d
she. what atteiniþ fame to swiche folk whan þe body is resolued by þe
deeþ. atte þe last[e]. ¶ For yif so be þat men dien in al. þat is to
seyne body {and} soule. þe whiche þing oure resou{n} defendiþ vs to
byleuen þanne is þere no glorie in no wyse. For what sholde þilke glorie
ben. for he of who{m} þis glorie is seid to be nis ryȝt nouȝt in no
wise. and ȝif þe soule whiche þat haþ in it self science of goode werkes
vnbounden fro þe p{r}isou{n} of þe erþe wendeþ frely to þe heuene.
dispiseþ it nouȝt þan alle erþely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and} beynge i{n}
heuene reioiseþ þat it is exempt from alle erþely þinges [as wo seith /
thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renou{n} of this world].
QUICUMQ{UE} SOLAM MENTE.
[Sidenote: [The 7th Metre.]]
++Who so þat wiþ ouerþrowyng þouȝt only sekeþ glorie of fame. {and}
weniþ þat it be souereyne good ¶ Lete hym loke vpon þe brode shewyng
contreys of þe heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} þe streite sete of þis erþe. {and}
he shal be ashamed of þe encres of his name. þat may nat fulfille þe
litel compas of þe erþe. ¶ O what coueiten proude folke to liften vpon
hire nekkes in ydel {and} dedely ȝok of þis worlde. ¶ For al þouȝ
[þ{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples goþ by dyuerse
tonges. and al þouȝ grete houses {and} kynredes shyne wiþ clere titles
of hono{ur}s. ȝit naþeles deeþ dispiseþ al heye glorie of fame. {and}
deeþ wrappeþ to gidre þe heye heuedes {and} þe lowe {and} makeþ egal
{and} euene þe heyest[e] to þe lowest[e]. ¶ where wone{n} now þe bones
of trewe fabricius. what is now brutus or stiern Caton þe þinne fame ȝit
lastynge of hir ydel names is markid wiþ a fewe lettres. but al þouȝ we
han knowe{n} þe faire wordes of þe fames of hem. it is nat ȝeuen to
knowe he{m} þat ben dede {and} consumpt. Liggiþ þanne stille al vtterly
vnknowable ne fame ne makeþ ȝow nat knowe. and yif ȝe wene to lyuen þe
leng{er} for wynde of ȝoure mortal name. whan o cruel day shal rauyshe
ȝow. þan is þe secunde deeþ dwellyng in ȝow. _Glosa._ þe first deeþ he
clepiþ here þe dep{ar}tynge of þe body {and} þe soule. ¶ and þe secunde
deeþ he clepeþ as here. þe styntynge of þe renoune of fame.
[SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA.
[Sidenote: [The viij p{ro}se.]]
++BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen q{uod} she þ{a}t I bere
vntretable batayle ayenis fortune // yit som-tyme it by-falleth þ{a}t
she desseyuable desserueth to han ryht good thank of men // {And} þ{a}t
is whan she hir{e} self opneth / {and} whan she descou{er}eth hir frownt
/ {and} sheweth hir maneres p{ar}-auentur{e} yit vndirstondesthow nat
þ{a}t .I. shal seye // it is a wondyr þ{a}t .I. desyr{e} to telle /
{and} forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my sentense w{i}t{h} wordes for I.
deme þ{a}t contraryos fortune p{ro}fiteth mor{e} to men than fortune
debonayr{e} // For al-wey whan fortune semeth debonayr{e} than she lyeth
falsly in by-hetynge the hope of welefulnesse // but forsothe
{con}traryos fortune is alwey sothfast / whan she sheweth hir self
vnstable thorw hyr chau{n}gynge // the amyable fortune desseyueth folk /
the contrarye fortune techeth // the amyable fortune byndeth w{i}t{h}
the beaute of false goodys the hertes of folk þ{a}t vsen he{m} / the
contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by þ^e knowynge of freele welefulnesse
// the amyable fortune maysthow sen alwey wyndynge {and} flowynge /
{and} eu{er}e mysknowynge of hir self // the contrarye fortune is
a-tempre {and} restreynyd {and} wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte //
at the laste amyable fortune w{i}t{h} hir flaterynges draweth mys
wandrynge men fro the souereyne good // the contraryos fortune ledith
ofte folk ayein to sothfast goodes / {and} haleth hem ayein as w{i}t{h}
an hooke / weenesthow thanne þ{a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel
thing / þ{a}t this aspre {and} horible fortune hath discoueryd to the /
the thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune hath
departyd {and} vncou{er}yd to the bothe the certeyn vysages {and} ek the
dowtos visages of thy felawes // wha{n} she dep{ar}tyd awey fro the /
she took awey hyr frendes {and} lafte the thyne frendes // now whan thow
wer{e} ryche {and} weleful as the semede / w{i}t{h} how mochel
woldesthow han bowht the fulle knowynge of this // þ{a}t is to seyn the
knowynge of thy verray freendes // now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse
.I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste p{re}syos kynde of Rychesses
þ{a}t is to seyn thy verray frendes.
QUOD MU{N}DUS STABILI FIDE.
[Sidenote: [The viij Met{ur}.]]
++THat þ^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges
// þ{a}t the contraryos qualite of elementȝ holden among{e} hem self
aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / þ{a}t pheb{us} the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene
chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / þ{a}t the mone hath
{com}mau{n}dement ou{er} the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesp{er}us the eue
sterre hat browt // þ{a}t þ^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a
certeyn ende hise floodes / so þ{a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche
hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // þ{a}t is to seyn to
cou{er}e alle the erthe // Al this a-cordau{n}ce of thinges is bownden
w{i}t{h} looue / þ{a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and} hath also
{com}mau{n}dementȝ to the heuenes / {and} yif this looue slakede the
brydelis / alle thinges þ{a}t now louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a
batayle contynuely {and} stryuen to fordoon the fasou{n} of this worlde
/ the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre moeuynges // this
looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned w{i}t{h} an hooly bond / {and}
knytteth sacrement of maryages of chaste looues // And loue enditeth
lawes to trewe felawes // O weleful weer{e} mankynde / yif thilke loue
þ{a}t gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowr{e} corages /
EXPLICIT LIB{ER} 2_^us_.
INCIPIT LIB{ER} 3._^us_
IAM CANTU{M} ILLA FINIERAT.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste p{ro}se.]]
++By this she hadde endid hir{e} song{e} / whan the swetnesse of hir{e}
ditee hadde thorw p{er}ced me þ{a}t was desirous of herkninge / {and}
.I. astoned hadde yit streyhte myn Eres / þ{a}t is to seyn to herkne the
bet / what she wolde seye // so þ{a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde
thus // O thow þ{a}t art sou{er}eyn comfort of Angwissos corages // So
thow hast remou{n}ted {and} norysshed me w{i}t{h} the weyhte of thy
sentenses {and} w{i}t{h} delit of thy syngynge // so þ{a}t .I. trowe nat
now þ{a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as who seyth. I.
dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune {and} wel deffende me fro
hyr // {and} tho remedies whyche þ{a}t thow seydest hir{e} byforn weren
ryht sharpe Nat oonly p{a}t .I. am nat agrysen of hem now // but .I.
desiros of herynge axe gretely to heeren tho remedyes // than seyde she
thus // þ{a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she // whan þ{a}t thow ententyf
{and} stylle rauysshedest my wordes // {and} .I. abood til þ{a}t thow
haddest swych habyte of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl
þ{a}t .I. my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which þ{a}t is a
moore verray thing{e} // And certes the remenau{n}t of thinges þ{a}t ben
yit to seye / ben swyche // þ{a}t fyrst whan men tasten hem they ben
bytynge / but whan they ben resseyuyd w{i}t{h}-inne a whyht than ben
they swete // but for thow seyst þ{a}t thow art so desirous to herkne
hem // wit[h] how gret brennynge woldesthow glowen / yif thow wystest
whyder .I. wol leden the // whydyr{e} is þ{a}t q{uod} .I. // to thilke
verray welefulnesse q{uod} she // of whyche thynge herte dremeth // but
for as moche as thy syhte is ocupied {and} distorbed / by Imagynasyon of
herthely thynges / thow mayst nat yit sen thilke selue welefulnesse //
do q{uod} .I. {and} shewe me / what is thilke verray welefulnesse / .I.
preye the w{i}t{h}-howte tarynge // þ{a}t wole .I. gladly don q{uod} she
/ for the cause of the // but .I. wol fyrst marken the by wordes / {and}
I wol enforcen me to enformen the // thilke false cause of blysfulnesse
þ{a}t thow more knowest / so þ{a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke
false goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to þ{a}t oother syde / thow mowe
knowe the clernesse of verray blysfulnesse //]
QUI SERERE I{N}GENIUM.
[Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]]
¶ Who so wil sowe a felde plentiuous. lat hym first delyuer it of þornes
{and} kerue asondre wiþ his hooke þe bushes {and} þe ferne so þat þe
corne may come{n} heuy of eres {and} of greins. hony is þe more swete
yif mouþes han firste tastid sauoures þ{a}t ben wikke. ¶ þe sterres
shynen more agreably whan þe wynde Nothus letiþ his ploungy blastes.
{and} aftir þat lucifer þe day sterre haþ chased awey þe derke nyȝt. þe
day þe feir{e}r lediþ þe rosene horse of þe sonne. ¶ Ryȝt so þou
byholdyng first þe fals[e] goodes. bygynne to wiþdrawe þi nek[ke] fro þe
ȝok of erþely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde þe verrey goodes
sholle{n} entre i{n} to þi corage.
TUNC DEFIXO PAULULU{M}.
[Sidenote: [The 2^de p{ro}se.]]
++ÞO fastned[e] she a lytel þe syȝt of hir eyen {and} wiþdrow hir ryȝt
as it were in to þe streite sete of hir þouȝt. {and} bygan to speke ryȝt
þ{us}. Alle þe cures q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche þat trauaylen hem
i{n} many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies. ¶ But naþeles
þei enforced hem to comen oonly to on ende of blisfulnesse [And
blysfulnesse] is swiche a goode þat who so haþ geten it he ne may ouer
þat no þing more desiire. and þis þing for soþe is þe souereyne good þat
conteiniþ in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to þe whiche goode yif þere
failed[e] any þing. it myȝt[e] nat ben souereyne goode. ¶ For þan were
þere som goode out of þis ilke souereyne goode þ{a}t myȝt[e] ben
desired. Now is it clere {and} certeyne þa{n} þat blisfulnesse is a
p{er}fit estat by þe congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. ¶ þe whiche
blisfulnesse as I haue seid alle mortal folke enforcen hem to geten by
dyuerse weyes. ¶ For-whi þe couetise of verray goode is naturely
y-plaunted in þe hertys of men. ¶ But þe myswandryng erro{ur} myslediþ
hem in to fals[e] goodes. ¶ of þe whiche men some of hem wenen þat
souereygne goode is to lyue wiþ outen nede of any þing. {and}
t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse. and some oþer men
deme{n}. þat sou{er}ein goode be forto be ryȝt digne of reu{er}ences.
{and} enforce{n} hem to ben reu{er}enced among hir neyȝbo{ur}s. by þe
hono{ur}s þat þei han ygeten ¶ {and} some folk þer ben þat halden þat
ryȝt heyȝe power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen he{m} forto regnen
or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem þat regnen. ¶ And it semeþ to some
oþer folk þat noblesse of renou{n} be þe sou{er}ein goode. {and} hasten
hem to geten glorious name by þe artes of werre or of pees. and many
folke mesuren {and} gessen þ{a}t sou{er}ein goode be ioye {and}
gladnesse {and} wenen þat it be ryȝt blisful [thyng{e}] to ploungen hem
i{n} uoluptuous delit. ¶ And þer ben folk þat enterchaungen þe causes
{and} þe endes of þise forseide goodes as þei þat desire{n} rycchesse to
han power {and} delices. Or ellis þei desiren power forto han moneye or
for cause of renou{n}. ¶ In þise þinges {and} i{n} swyche oþer þinges is
to{ur}ned al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of desirynges {and} [of] werkes of me{n}.
¶ As þus. ¶ Noblesse {and} fauo{ur} of poeple whiche þat ȝiueþ as it
semeþ a manere clernesse of renou{n}. ¶ and wijf {and} children þat men
desiren for cause of delit {and} mirinesse. ¶ But forsoþe frendes ne
shollen nat ben rekkened among þe goodes of fortune but of vertue. for
it is a ful holy man{er}e þing. alle þise oþer þinges forsoþe ben taken
for cause of power. or ellis for cause of delit. ¶ Certis now am I redy
to referen þe goodes of þe body to þise forseide þinges abouen. ¶ For it
semeþ þ{a}t strengþe {and} gretnesse of body ȝeuen power {and}
worþinesse. ¶ and þat beaute {and} swiftenesse ȝeuen noblesse {and}
glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body semeþ ȝiuen delit. ¶ In alle þise
þi{n}g{us} it semeþ oonly þat blisfulnesse is desired. ¶ For-whi þilke
þing þat euery man desireþ moost ouer alle þinges. he demiþ þat be þe
souereyne goode. ¶ But I haue diffined þat blisfulnesse is þe souereyne
goode. for whiche euery wyȝt demiþ þat þilke estat þat he desireþ ouer
alle þinges þat it be þe blisfulnesse. ¶ Now hast þou þan byforne [thy
eyen] almost al þe p{ur}posed forme of þe welfulnesse of ma{n}ky{n}de.
þat is to seyne rycchesse. hono{ur}s. power. glorie. {and} delitȝ. þe
whiche delit oonly considered Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. þat
delit is þe souereyne goode. for as myche as alle oþer þinges as hym
þouȝt[e] by-refte awey ioie {and} myrþe fro{m} þe herte. ¶ But I
reto{ur}ne aȝeyne to þe studies of meen. of whiche men þe corage alwey
rehersiþ {and} seekeþ þe souereyne goode of alle be it so þ{a}t it be
wiþ a derke memorie [but he not by whiche paath]. ¶ Ryȝt as a dronke
ma{n} not nat by whiche paþe he may reto{ur}ne home to hys house.
¶ Semeþ it þanne þat folk folyen {and} erren þat enforcen he{m} to haue
nede of no þing ¶ Certys þer nys non oþer þing þat may so weel
p{er}fo{ur}ny blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} of alle goodes þat
ne haþ nede of none oþer þing. but þat it is suffisant of hy{m} self.
vnto hym self. and foleyen swyche folk þanne. þat wenen þat þilk þing
þ{a}t is ryȝt goode. þat it be eke ryȝt worþi of honour {and} of
reuerence. ¶ Certis nay. for þat þing nys neyþer foule ne worþi to ben
dispised þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel folke trauaille forto geten
it. ¶ And power auȝt[e] nat þat eke to be rekened amonges goodes what
ellis. for it nys nat to wene þat þilke þing þat is most worþi of alle
þinges be feble {and} wiþ out strengþe {and} clernesse of renou{n} auȝte
þat to ben dispised. ¶ Certys þer may no man forsake þat al þing þat is
ryȝt excellent {and} noble. þat it ne semeþ to be ryȝt clere {and}
renomed. ¶ For certis it nediþ nat to seie. þat blisfulnesse be
anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne to sorwes. syn þat in
ryȝt litel þi{n}g{us} folk seken to haue {and} to vsen þat may deliten
hem. ¶ Certys þise ben þe þi{n}ges þat men wolen {and} desyren to geten.
and for þis cause desiren þei rycches. dignites. regnes. glorie {and}
delices ¶ For þerby wenen þei to han suffisau{n}ce hono{ur} power.
renou{n} {and} gladnesse. ¶ þanne is it goode. þ{a}t men seken þus by so
many dyu{er}se studies. In whiche desijr it may lyȝtly be shew{e}d. how
grete is þe strengþe of nature. ¶ For how so þat men han dyuerse
sentences {and} discordyng algates men accordyn alle in lyuynge þe ende
of goode.
Q{UA}NTAS RER{UM} FLECTAT.
[Sidenote: [The 2^de Met{ur}.]]
++IT likeþ me to shew[e] by subtil songe wiþ slakke {and} delitable
sou{n} of strenges how þat nature myȝty enclineþ {and} flitteþ
gouernementȝ of þinges ¶ {and} by whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepiþ þe
grete worlde. {and} how she bindynge restreineþ alle þing{us} by a bonde
þat may nat be vnbounden.
[Sidenote: [j]]
¶ Al be it so þat þe liou{n}s of þe contree of pene beren þe fair[e]
cheines. {and} taken metes of þe handes of folk þat ȝeuen it hem. {and}
dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche þei ben wont to suffren [betinges].
yif þat hir horrible mouþes ben bi-bled. þat is to sein of bestes
devoured. ¶ Hir corage of tyme passeþ þat haþ ben ydel {and} rested.
repaireþ aȝein þat þei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on hir nature.
{and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden. and hir maistre first
to-teren wiþ blody toþe assaieþ þe woode wraþþes of hem. ¶ þis is to
sein þei freten hir maister.
[Sidenote: [ij]]
¶ And þe Iangland brid þat syngiþ on þe heye braunches. þis is to sein
in þe wode {and} after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al þouȝ [þ{a}t]
þe pleiyng besines of men ȝeueþ hem honied[e] drinkes {and} large metes.
wiþ swete studie. ¶ ȝit naþeles yif þilke brid skippynge oute of hir
streite cage seeþ þe agreable shadewes of þe wodes. she defouleþ wiþ hir
fete hir metes yshad {and} sekeþ mournyng oonly þe wode {and} twitriþ
desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swete voys.
[Sidenote: [iij]]
¶ þe ȝerde of a tree þat is haled adou{n} by myȝty strengþe bowiþ redely
þe croppe adou{n}. but yif þat þe hande of hym þat it bente lat it gon
aȝein. ¶ An oon þe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene.
[Sidenote: [iiij]]
¶ þe sonne phebus þat failleþ at euene in þe westrene wawes retorniþ
aȝein eftsones his cart by a priue paþe þere as it is wont aryse. ¶ Alle
þinges seken aȝein in to hir p{ro}pre cours. and alle þinges reioisen
hem of hir retournynge aȝein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis
bytaken to þi{n}ges but þat. þat haþ ioignynge þe endynge to þe
bygynnynge. {and} haþ makid þe cours of it self stable þat it chaungeþ
nat fro{m} hys p{ro}pre kynde.
VOSQ{UE} TERRENA ANIMALIA.
[Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]
++CErtis also ȝe men þat ben erþelich{e} bestes dreme{n} alwey [yowre
bygynnynge] al þouȝ it be wiþ a þinne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a maner
þouȝt al be it nat clerly ne p{er}fitly ȝe looken from a fer til þilk
verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and þerfore þe naturel entenc{i}ou{n} ledeþ
ȝow to þilk verray good ¶ But many manere errours misto{ur}niþ ȝow þer
fro. ¶ Considere now yif þat be þilke þinges by whiche a man weniþ to
gete hym blysfulnesse. yif þat he may comen to þilke ende þat he weneþ
to come by nature ¶ For yif þat moneye or hono{ur}s or þise oþer
forseide þinges bryngen to men swiche a þing þat no goode ne faille hem.
ne semeþ faille. ¶ Certys þan wil I graunt[e] þat þei ben maked blisful.
by þilke þinges þat þei han geten. ¶ but yif so be þat þilke þi{n}ges ne
mowe nat p{er}fo{ur}men þat þei by-heten {and} þat þer be defaute of
many goodes. ¶ Sheweþ it nat þan clerely þ{a}t fals beaute of
blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in þilke þinges. ¶ First {and}
forward þou þi self þat haddest haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long
agon. ¶ I axe ȝif þat in þe haboundaunce of alle þilk[e] rycchesses þou
were neuer anguissous or sory in þi corage of any wrong or greuau{n}ce
þat by-tidde þe on any syde. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I it remembreþ me nat þat
euere I was so free of my þouȝt. þat I ne was al-wey in anguysh{e} of
somwhat. þ{a}t was þat þou lakkedest þat þou noldest han lakked. or
ellys þou haddest þat þou noldest han had. ryȝt so is it q{uod} I þan.
desiredest þou þe p{re}sence of þat oon {and} þe absence of þat oþer.
I graunt[e] wel q{uod} .I. for soþe q{uod} she þan nediþ þer somwhat þat
euery man desireþ. ȝe þer nediþ q{uod} I. ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} he
þat haþ lakke or nede of a wyȝt nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym
self. no q{uod} .I. {and} þou q{uo}d she in alle þe plente of þi
rycchesse haddest þilke lak of suffisaunce. ¶ what ellis q{uod} .I.
¶ þanne may nat rycchesse maken þat a man nis nedy. ne þat he be
suffisaunt to hym self. {and} þat was it þ{a}t þei byhyȝten as it semeþ.
¶ and eke certys I trowe þat þis be gretly to consydere þat moneye ne
haþ nat in hys owen kynde þat it ne may ben by-nomen of hem þat han it
maugre hem. ¶ I by-knowe it wel q{uod} I ¶ whi sholdest þou nat
by-knowen it q{uod} she. whan euery day þe strenger folke by-nymen it
fram þe febler maugre hem. ¶ Fro whennes comen ellys alle þise foreine
compleintes or quereles of plety{n}g{us}. ¶ But for þat men axen aȝeine
her moneye þat haþ be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and} alwey
maugre hem. ¶ Ryȝt so it is q{uod} I. þan q{uo}d she haþ a man nede to
seke{n} hym foreyne helpe by whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may
say nay q{uod} .I. ¶ Certis q{uod} she {and} hym nediþ no helpe yif he
ne hadde no moneye þat he myȝt[e] leese. ¶ þat is doutles q{uod} .I.
þanne is þis þi{n}g turned in to þe contrarie q{uod} she ¶ For rycchesse
þat men wenen sholde make suffisau{n}ce. þei maken a man raþer han nede
of foreine helpe. ¶ whiche is þe manere or þe gise q{uod} she þat
rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk may þei neiþer han hungre ne
þrest. þise ryche men may þei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter.
¶ But þou wilt answere þat ryche men han y-nouȝ wher wiþ þei may
staunchen her hunger. {and} slaken her þrest {and} don awey colde. ¶ In
þis wise may nede be co{n}forted by rycchesses. but certys nede ne may
nat al out{er}ly be don awey. for þouȝ þis nede þat is alwey gapyng
{and} gredy be fulfilled wiþ rycchesses. {and} axe any þing ȝit dwelleþ
þanne a nede þat myȝt[e] ben fulfilled. ¶ I holde me stille {and} telle
nat how þat litel þing suffiseþ to nature. but certys to auarice ynouȝ
ne suffiseþ no þinge. ¶ For syn þat rychesse ne may nat al don awey
nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may it þanne be þat ȝe wenen þat
rychesses mowen ȝeue{n} ȝow suffisau{n}ce.
QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES.
[Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]
++Al were it so þat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer fletynge alle of
golde ȝitte sholde it neuer staunche hys couetise. ¶ And þouȝ he hadde
his nekke I-charged wiþ p{re}ciouse stones of þe rede see. {and} þouȝ he
do erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wiþ an hundreþ oxen neuere ne shal his
bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he lyueþ. ne þe lyȝt[e] rychesses ne
shal nat beren hym compaignie whanne he is dede.
SET DIGNITATIB{US}.
[Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]
++Bvt dignitees to whom þei ben comen make þei hym honorable {and}
reuerent. han þei nat so grete strengþe þat þei may putte vertues in þe
hertis of folk. þat vsen þe lordshipes of hem. or ellys may þei don awey
þe vices. Certys þei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses. but þei
ben wont raþer to shew[en] wikkednesses. {and} þer of comeþ it þat I
haue ryȝt grete desdeyne. þat dignites ben ȝeuen ofte to wicked men.
¶ For whiche þing catullus clepid a consul of Rome þat hyȝt noni{us}
postum. or boch. as who seiþ he clepiþ hy{m} a congregac{i}ou{n} of
uices in his brest as a postum is ful of corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were þis
noni{us} set in a chayere of dignitee. Sest þou nat þan how gret vylenye
dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworþines of wikked men shold{e}
ben þe lasse ysen yif þei nere renomed of none hono{ur}s. ¶ Certys þou
þi self ne myȝtest nat ben brouȝt wiþ as many p{er}ils as þou myȝtest
suffren þat þ{o}u woldest bere þi magistrat wiþ decorat. þat is to seyn.
þat for no p{er}il þat myȝt[e] bifalle{n} þe by þe offence of þe kyng
theodorik þou noldest nat ben felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat.
whanne þou say[e] þat he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerous shrewe
{and} of an acusor. ¶ Ne I ne may nat for swiche honours Iuge{n} hem
worþi of reuerence þat I deme {and} holde vnworþi to han þilke same
hono{ur}s. ¶ Now yif þou saie a man þat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys
þoune myȝtest nat demen þ{a}t he were vnworþi to þe hono{ur}. or ellys
to þe wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled. No q{uod} .I. ¶ Certys dignitees
q{uod} she app{er}tienen p{ro}perly to vertue. {and} uertue transporteþ
dignite anon to þilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned. ¶ And
for as moche as hono{ur}s of poeple ne may nat maken folk digne of
hono{ur}. it is wel seyn clerly þat þei ne han no p{ro}pre beaute of
dignite. ¶ And ȝit men auȝten take more hede in þis. ¶ For if it so be
þat he is most out cast þat most folk dispisen. or as dignite ne may nat
maken shrewes worþi of no reuerences. þan makeþ dignites shrewes more
dispised þan p{re}ised. þe whiche shrewes dignit[e] scheweþ to moche
folk ¶ {and} for soþe nat vnpunissed. þat is forto sein. þat shrewes
reuengen hem aȝeinward vpon dignites. for þei ȝelden aȝein to dignites
as gret gerdou{n} whan þei byspotten {and} defoulen dignites wiþ hire
vylenie. ¶ And for as moche as þou mow[e] knowe þat þilke verray
reuerence ne may nat comen by þe shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees.
vndirstonde now þis. yif þat a man hadde vsed {and} hadde many manere
dignites of consules {and} were come{n} p{er}auenture amonges straunge
nac{i}ou{n}s. sholde þilke hono{ur} maken hym worshipful {and} redouted
of straunge folk ¶ Certys yif þat honour of poeple were a naturel ȝifte
to dignites. it ne myȝte neuer cesen nowher amonges no maner folke to
done hys office. ¶ Ryȝt as fire i{n} euery contre ne stinteþ nat to
enchaufen {and} to ben hote. but for as myche as forto be holden
honorable or reuerent ne comeþ nat to folk of hir p{ro}pre strengþe of
nat{ur}e. but only of þe fals[e] opiniou{n} of folk. þat is to sein. þat
wenen þat dignites maken folk digne of hono{ur}. An on þerfore whan þat
þei comen þer as folk ne knowe{n} nat þilke dignites. her hono{ur}s
vanissen awey {and} þat on oon. but þat is a-mong straung folk. maist
þou sein. but amo{n}g{us} hem þat þei weren born duren þilk[e] dignites
alwey. ¶ Certys þe dignite of þe p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme a
grete power. now is it no þing but an ydel name. {and} þe rente of þe
senatorie a g{r}et charge. {and} yif a whiȝt somtyme hadde þe office to
taken he[de] to þe vitailes of þe poeple as of corne {and} what oþer
þinges he was holden amonges grete. but what þing is more nowe out cast
þanne þilke p{ro}uostrie ¶ And as I haue seid a litel here byforne. þat
þilke þing þat haþ no p{ro}pre beaute of hym self resceyueþ somtyme pris
{and} shinynge {and} somtyme lesiþ it by þe opiniou{n} of vsaunces.
¶ Now yif þat dignites þanne ne mowen nat maken folk digne of reuerence.
{and} yif þ{a}t dignites wexen foule of hir wille by þe filþe of
shrewes. ¶ and yif þat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng of
tymes. and yif þei wexen foule by estimac{i}ou{n} of poeple. what is it
þat þei han in hem self of beaute þat auȝte ben desired. as who seiþ
none. þanne ne mowen þei ȝiuen no beaute of dignite to none oþer.
QUA{M}UIS SE TIRIO.
[Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]
++Al be it so þat þe proude nero wiþ al his woode luxurie kembed hym
{and} apparailed hym wiþ faire purp{er}s of Tirie {and} wiþ white
perles. Algates ȝitte throf he hateful to alle folk ¶ þis is to seyn þat
al was he by-hated of alle folk. ¶ ȝitte þis wicked Nero hadde gret
lordship {and} ȝaf somtyme to þe dredeful senatours þe vnworshipful
setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful setes he clepiþ here fore þat Nero þat
was so wikked ȝaf þo dignites. who wolde þanne resonably wenen þat
blysfulnesse were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben ȝeuen by vicious shrewes.
AN UERO REGNA.
[Sidenote: [The 5^the p{ro}se.]]
++Bvt regnes {and} familarites of kynges may þei maken a ma{n} to ben
myȝty. how ellys. ¶ whanne hir blysfulnesse dureþ p{er}petuely but
certys þe olde age of tyme passeþ. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is
ful of ensau{m}ples how þ{a}t kynges þat han chaunged in to wrechednesse
out of hir welefulnesse. ¶ O a noble þing {and} a cler þing is power þat
is nat founden myȝty to kepe it self. ¶ And yif þat power of realmes be
auctour {and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif þilke power lakkeþ on any side.
amenusiþ it nat þilke blisfulnesse {and} bryngeþ in wrechednesse. but
yif al be it so þat realmes of mankynde stretchen b{r}oode. ȝit mot þer
nede ben myche folk ouer whiche þat euery kyng ne haþ no lordshipe no
comaundement ¶ and certys vpon þilke syde þat power failleþ whiche þat
makiþ folk blisful. ryȝt on þat same side nou{n}power entriþ vndirneþ
þat makeþ hem wreches. ¶ In þis manere þanne moten kynges han more
porciou{n} of wrechednesse þan of welefulnesse. ¶ A tyraunt þat was kyng
of sisile þat had[de] assaied þe p{er}il of his estat shewid[e] by
similitude þe dredes of realmes by gastnesse of a swerde þat heng ouer
þe heued of his familier. what þing is þan þis power þat may nat don
awey þe bytynges of besines ne eschewe þe prikkes of drede. and certys
ȝit wolden þei lyuen in sykernesse. but þei may nat. and ȝit þei
glorifien hem in her power ¶ Holdest þou þan þat þilk[e] man be myȝty
þat þ{o}u seest þat he wolde don þat he may nat don. ¶ And holdest þou
þan hym a myȝty man þat haþ environed hise sydes wiþ men of armes or
seruauntes {and} dredeþ more [hem] þat he makeþ agast. þen þei dreden
hym. {and} þat is put in þe handes of hise seruauntȝ. for he sholde seme
myȝty but of familiers [or] seruauntȝ of ky{n}ges. ¶ what sholde I telle
þe any þing. syn þat I my self haue shewed þe þat realmes hem self ben
ful of gret feblenesse. þe whiche familiers certis þe real power of
kynges in hool estat {and} in estat abated ful [ofte] þroweþ adou{n}.
¶ Nero co{n}streined[e] his familier {and} his maistre seneca to chesen
on what deeþ he wolde deien. ¶ Antonius comau{n}did[e] þat knyȝtis
slowen wiþ her swerdis Papinian his familier whiche Papinian had[de] ben
long tyme ful myȝty a-monges hem of þe courte. and ȝit certis þei wolde
boþe han renou{n}ced her power. of whiche [two] senek enforced[e] hym to
ȝiue{n} to Nero his rychesses. {and} also to han gon in to solitarie
exil. ¶ But whan þe grete weyȝt. þat is to sein of lordes power or of
fortune draweþ hem þat sholden falle. neyþer of hem ne myȝt[e] do þat he
wolde. what þing is þanne þilke power þat þouȝ men han it þat þei ben
agast. ¶ {and} whan þou woldest han it þou nart nat siker. ¶ And yif þou
woldest forleten it þou mayst nat eschewen it. ¶ But wheþir swiche men
ben frendes at nede as ben conseiled by fortune {and} nat by vertue.
Certys swiche folk as weleful fortune makeþ frendes. contrarious fortune
makeþ hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence is more myȝty forto anoye a wiȝt
þan a familier enemy.
QUI SE UALET ESSE POTENTEM.
[Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]
++Who so wolde ben myȝty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel corage. ne put[te]
nat his nekke ouercomen vndir þe foule reines of lecherie. for al be it
so þat þi lordship[e] strecche so fer þat þe contre Inde quakiþ at þi
comaundement. or at þi lawes. {and} þat þe leest isle in þe see þat hyȝt
tile be þral to þe ¶ ȝit yif þou mayst nat pute{n} awey þi foule derk[e]
desijres {and} dryue{n} oute fro þe wreched co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis
no power þat þou hast.
GLORIA UERO QUA{M} FALLAX.
[Sidenote: [The 6^the p{ro}se.]]
++Bvt glorie how deceiuable {and} how foule is it ofte. for whiche þing
nat vnskilfully a tregedien þat is to sein a maker of dites þat hyȝten
tregedies cried[e] {and} seide. ¶ O glorie glorie q{uod} he. þou nart no
þing ellys to þousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of eres. for
many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by þe fals[e] oppiniou{n} of poeple.
and what þing may ben þouȝt fouler þen swiche p{re}isynge for þilk[e]
folk þat be{n} p{re}ised falsly. þei moten nedes han shame of hir
p{re}isynges. {and} yif þat folk han gete{n} hem þank or p{re}ysyng by
her desertes. what þing haþ þilk pris echid or encresed to þe conscience
of wise folk þ{a}t mesure{n} hire good. not by þe rumo{ur} of þe poeple.
but by þe soþefastnesse of conscience. {and} yif it seme a fair þing a
man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. þan folweþ it. þat it is demed
to ben a foule þinge yif it ne be ysprad ne encresed. but as I seide a
litel her byforne. þat syn þer mot nedes ben many folk to whiche folk þe
renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfalleþ þat he þat þou wenest be
glorious {and} renomed. semiþ in þe nexte p{ar}ties of þe erþe to ben
wiþ out glorie. {and} wiþ out renou{n}. ¶ and certis amo{n}ges þise
þinges I ne trowe nat þat þe p{r}is {and} grace of þe poeple nis neiþer
worþi to ben remembrid ne comeþ of wise iugement. ne is ferm
p{er}durably. ¶ But now of þis name of gentilesse. what man is it þat ne
may wel seen how veyne {and} how flittyng a þing it is. ¶ For if þe name
of gentilesse be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of linage. þan is
gentil name but a for[e]ine þing. þat is to sein to hem þat glorifien
hem of hir linage. ¶ For it semeþ þat gentilesse be a maner p{re}ysynge
þat comeþ of decert of auncestres. ¶ And yif p{re}ysynge makeþ
gentilesse þan moten þei nedes be gentil þat ben p{re}ysed. For whiche
þing it folweþ. þat yif þou ne haue no gentilesse of þi self. þat is to
sein pris þ{a}t comeþ of þi deserte foreine gentilesse ne makeþ þe nat
gentil. ¶ But certis yif þer be any goode in gentilesse. I trowe it be
i{n} al oonly þis. þat it semeþ as þat a maner necessitee be imposed to
gentil men. for þat þei ne sholden nat outraien or forliuen fro þe
uertues of hire noble kynrede.
OMNE HOMINU{M} GENUS IN TERRIS.
[Sidenote: [The 6^th Metre.]]
++Al þe linage of men þat ben i{n} erþe ben of semblable burþe. On al
one is fadir of þinges. On alone minyst[r]eþ alle þinges. ¶ He ȝaf to þe
sonne hys bemes. he ȝaf to þe moone hir hornes. he ȝaf þe men to þe
erþe. he ȝaf þe sterres to þe heuene. ¶ he encloseþ wiþ membres þe
soules þat comen fro hys heye sete. ¶ þanne comen alle mortal folk of
noble seed. whi noysen ȝe or bosten of ȝoure eldris ¶ For yif þou
look[e] ȝoure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god ȝoure aucto{ur} {and} ȝoure makere.
þan is þer no forlyued wyȝt but ȝif he norisse his corage vnto vices
{and} forlete his p{ro}pre burþe.
QUID AUTEM DE CORPORIBUS.
[Sidenote: [The 7^the p{ro}se.]]
++But what shal I seie of delices of body. of whic[h]e delices þe
desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} þe fulfillinges of he{m} ben ful
of penaunce. ¶ How grete sekenesse {and} how grete sorwes vnsuffrable
ryȝt as a manere fruit of wickednesse ben þilke delices wont to bryngen
to þe bo[d]ies of folk þat vsen hem. ¶ Of whiche delices I not what ioye
may ben had of hir moeuyng. ¶ But þis woot I wel þat who so euere wil
remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde. þat þe issues of
delices ben sorowful {and} sory. ¶ And yif þilke delices mowen make folk
blisful. þan by þe same cause moten þise bestes ben clepid blisful. ¶ Of
whiche bestes al þe entenc{i}ou{n} hasteþ to fulfille hire bodyly
iolyte. and þe gladnesse of wijf [{and}] children were [an] honest þing.
but it haþ ben seid. þat it is ouer myche aȝeins kynde þat children han
ben fou{n}den tormentours to hir fadres I not how many. ¶ Of whiche
children how bitynge is euery condic{i}ou{n}. It nedeþ nat to tellen it
þe þat hast or þis tyme assaied it. {and} art ȝit now anguysso{us}. In
þis approue I þe sentence of my disciple Euridippus. þat seide þat he
þat haþ no children is weleful by i{n}fortune.
HABET HOC UOLUPTAS.
[Sidenote: [The 7^de Met{ur}.]]
++Euery delit haþ þis. þat it anguisseþ hem wiþ prikkes þ{a}t vsen it.
¶ It resembliþ to þise flying flyes þat we clepen been. þat aftre þat þe
bee haþ shed hys agreable honies he fleeþ awey {and} styngeþ þe hertes
of he{m} þat ben ysmyte wiþ bytynge ouer longe holdynge.
NICHIL IGITUR DUBIUM EST.
[Sidenote: [The 8^the p{ro}se.]]
++Now nis it no doute þan þ{a}t þise weyes ne ben a maner mysledy{n}g to
blisfulnesse. ne þat þei ne mowe nat leden folke þider as þei byheten to
lede{n} hem. ¶ But wiþ how grete harmes þise forseide weyes ben enlaced.
¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. ¶ For whi yif þou enforcest þe to assemble
moneye. þou most by-reuen hym his moneye þat haþ it. and yif þou wilt
shynen wiþ dignites. þou most bysechen {and} supplien hem þat ȝiue{n} þo
dignitees. ¶ And yif þou coueitest by hono{ur} to gon by-fore oþer folk
þ{o}u shalt defoule þi self by hu{m}blesse of axing. yif þou desiryst
power. þou shalt by awaites of þi subgitȝ anoyously be cast vndir many
p{er}iles. axest þou glorie þ{o}u shalt ben so destrat by aspre þinges
þat þou shalt forgone sykernesse. ¶ And yif þou wilt leden þi lijf in
delices. euery whiȝt shal dispisen þe {and} forleten þe as þou þat art
þral to þing þat is ryȝt foule {and} brutel. þat is [to] sein seruau{n}t
to þi body. ¶ Now is it þan wel yseen how lytel {and} how brutel
possessiou{n} þei coueiten þat putten þe goodes of þe body abouen hire
owe{n} resou{n}. ¶ For mayst þou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} þise olifuñtȝ in
gretnesse or weyȝt of body. Or mayst þou ben strenger þan þe bole. Mayst
þou ben swifter þan þe tigre. biholde þe spaces {and} þe stablenesse
{and} þe swyfte cours of þe heuene. {and} stynte somtyme to wondren on
foule þinges. þe whiche heuene certys nis nat raþer for þise þinges to
ben wondred vpon. þan for þe resou{n} by whiche it is gouerned. but þe
shynynge of þi forme þat is to seien þe beaute of þi body. how swiftly
passyng is it {and} how transitorie. ¶ Certis it is more flittynge þan
þe mutabilite of floures of þe som{er} sesou{n}. For so as aristotil
telleþ þat yif þat men hadden eyen of a beest þat hiȝt lynx. so þat þe
lokyng of folk myȝt[e] percen þoruȝ þe þinges þ{a}t wiþstonden it. who
so lokid þan in þe entrailes of þe body of alcibiades þat was ful fayr
in þe sup{er}fice wiþ oute. it shulde seme ryȝt foule. {and} for þi yif
þou semest faire. þi nature ne makiþ nat þat. but þe desceiuau{n}ce of
þe fieblesse of þe eyen þat loken. ¶ But p{re}ise þe goodes of þi body
as moche as euer þe list. so þat þou know[e] algates þat what so it be.
þat is to seyn of þe goodes of þi body whiche þat þ{o}u wondrest vpon
may ben destroied or dessolued by þe hete of a feuere of þre dayes. ¶ Of
alle whiche forseide þinges I may reduce{n} þis shortly in a so{m}me.
¶ þat þise worldly goodes whiche þat ne mowen nat ȝiuen þat þei byheten.
ne ben nat p{er}fit by þe congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. þat þei ne
ben nat weyes ne paþes þat bryngen men to blysfulnesse ne maken men to
ben blysful.
HEU Q{UE} MISEROS TRAMITE.
[Sidenote: [The 8^the Met{ur}.]]
++Allas whiche folie {and} whiche ignorau{n}ce myslediþ wandryng
wrecches fro þe paþe of verrey good. ¶ Certis ȝe ne seken no golde in
grene trees. ne ȝe ne gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in þe vines. ne ȝe
ne hiden nat ȝoure gynnes in heyȝe mou{n}taignes to kachen fisshe of
whiche ȝe may maken ryche festes. and yif ȝow lykeþ to hunte to roos. ȝe
ne gon nat to þe foordes of þe water þat hyȝt tyrene. {and} ouer þis men
knowen wel þe crikes {and} þe cau{er}nes of þe see yhidd in þe floodes.
{and} knowen eke whiche water is most plentiuo{us} of white perles.
{and} knowen whiche water habundeþ most of rede purpre. þat is to seyen
of a maner shelfisshe w{i}t{h} whiche men dien purpre. {and} knowen
whiche strondes habounden most of tendre fisshes or of sharpe fisshes
þat hyȝten echynnys. but folk suffren hem self to ben so blynde þat hem
ne recchiþ nat to knowe where þilk[e] goodes ben yhidd whiche þat þei
coueiten but ploungen hem in erþe {and} seken þere þilke goode þ{a}t
so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe heuene þat bereþ þe sterres. ¶ what p{re}yere may I
make þat be digne to þe nice þouȝtis of men. but I p{re}ye þat þei
coueite{n} rycches {and} hono{ur}s so þat whan þei han geten þo false
goodes wiþ greet trauayle þat þerby þei mowe knowen þe verray goodes.
HACTENUS MENDACIS FORMA{M}.
[Sidenote: [The 9^ne p{ro}se.]]
++IT suffisiþ þat I haue shewed hider to þe forme of false wilfulnesse.
so þat yif þou look[e] now clerely þe ordre of myn entenc{i}ou{n}
requeriþ from hennes forþe to shewe{n} þe verray wilfulnesse. ¶ For
q{uod} .I. (b) [I.] se wel now þat suffisau{n}ce may nat comen by
richesse. ne power by realmes. ne reuere{n}ce by dignitees. ne
gentilesse by glorie. ne ioye by delices. and (p) hast þou wel knowen
q{uo}d she þe cause whi it is. Certis me semeþ q{uod} .I. þat .I. se hem
ryȝt as þouȝ it were þoruȝ a litel clifte. but me were leuer knowen hem
more openly of þe. Certys q{uod} she þe resou{n} is al redy ¶ For þilk
þing þat symply is on þing wiþ outen ony diuisiou{n}. þe errour {and}
folie of mankynde departeþ {and} diuidiþ it. {and} mislediþ it {and}
t{ra}nsporteþ from verray {and} p{er}fit goode. to goodes þat ben false
{and} inp{er}fit. ¶ But seye me þis. wenest þou þat he þat haþ nede of
power þat hy{m} ne lakkeþ no þing. Nay q{uo}d .I ¶ Certis q{uo}d she þou
seist aryȝt. For yif so be þ{a}t þer is a þing þat in any p{ar}tie be
fieble of power. Certis as in þat it most[e] nedes be nedy of foreine
helpe. ¶ Riȝt so it is q{uo}d .I. Suffisaunce and power ben þan of on
kynde ¶ So semeþ it q{uod} I. ¶ And demyst þou q{uo}d she þat a þing þat
is of þis manere. þat is to seine suffisau{n}t {and} myȝty auȝt[e] to
ben dispised. or ellys þ{a}t it be ryȝt digne of reuerences abouen alle
þinges. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I it nys no doute þat it nis ryȝt worþi to ben
reuerenced. ¶ Lat vs q{uo}d she þan adden reuerence to suffisaunce {and}
to power ¶ So þat we demen þat þise þre þinges ben alle o þing. ¶ Certis
q{uo}d I lat vs adden it. yif we willen graunten þe soþe. what demest
þou þan q{uo}d she is þat a dirke þing {and} nat noble þat is
suffisau{n}t reu{er}ent {and} myȝty. or ellys þat is ryȝt clere {and}
ryȝt noble of celebrete of renou{n}. ¶ Considere þan q{uo}d she as we
han grau{n}tid her byforne. þat he þat ne haþ ne[de] of no þing {and} is
most myȝty {and} most digne of hono{ur} yif hym nediþ any clernesse of
renou{n} whiche clernesse he myȝt[e] nat graunten of hym self. ¶ So þat
for lakke of þilke clerenesse he myȝt[e] seme febler on any syde or þe
more outcaste. _Glosa._ þis is to seyne nay. ¶ For who so þat is
suffisau{n}t myȝty {and} reuerent. clernesse of renou{n} folweþ of þe
forseide þinges. he haþ it alredy of hys suffisaunce. boice. I may nat
q{uo}d I denye it. ¶ But I mot graunten as it is. þat þis þing be ryȝt
celebrable by clernesse of renou{n} {and} noblesse. ¶ þan folweþ it
q{uo}d she þat we adden clernesse of renou{n} to þe þre forseide þinges.
so þat þer ne be amonges hem no difference. {and} þis is a consequente
q{uo}d .I. þis þing þan q{uo}d she þat ne haþ no nede of no foreine
þing. {and} þat may don alle þinges by his strengþes. {and} þat is noble
{and} hono{ur}able. nis nat þat a myrie þing {and} a ioyful. _boice._
but wenest q{uo}d I þ{a}t any sorow myȝt[e] comen to þis þing þat is
swiche. ¶ Certys I may nat þinke. _P._ ¶ þanne moten we graunt[e] q{uod}
she þat þis þing be ful of gladnesse yif þe þorseide þinges be soþe.
¶ And also certys mote we graunten. þat suffisaunce power noblesse
reuerence {and} gladnesse ben only dyuerse bynames. but hir substaunce
haþ no diu{er}site. _Boice._ It mot nedely be so q{uo}d .I. _P._ þilke
þinge þan q{uo}d she þat is oon {and} simple i{n} his nature. þe
wikkednesse of men departiþ it diuidiþ it. {and} whan þei enforcen hem
to gete p{ar}tie of a þing þat ne haþ no part. þei ne geten hem neiþer
þilk[e] p{ar}tie þat nis none. ne þe þing al hole þat þei ne desire nat.
_.b._ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I. _p._ þilke man q{uo}d she þat sekeþ
rychesse to fleen pouerte. he ne trauayleþ hym nat to for to gete power
for he haþ leuer ben dirk {and} vile. {and} eke wiþdraweþ from hym selfe
many naturel delitȝ for he nolde lesen þe moneye þat he haþ assembled.
but certis in þis manere he ne getiþ hym nat suffisaunce þat power
forletiþ. {and} þat moleste p{re}keþ. {and} þat filþe makeþ outcaste.
{and} þat derknesse hideþ. and certis he þ{a}t desireþ only power he
wastiþ {and} scatriþ rychesse {and} dispiseþ delices {and} eke hono{ur}
þat is wiþ out power. ne he ne p{re}iseþ glorie no þing. ¶ Certys þus
seest þou wel þat many þi{n}g{us} failen to hym. for he haþ somtyme
faute of many necessites. {and} many anguysses biten hym ¶ {and} whan he
may nat don þo defautes awey. he forleteþ to ben myȝty. {and} þat is þe
þing þat he most desireþ. {and} ryȝt þus may I make semblable resou{n}s
of hono{ur}s {and} of glorie {and} of delices. ¶ For so as euery of þise
forseide þinges is þe same þat þise oþer þinges ben. þat is to sein. al
oon þing. who so þat euer sekeþ to geten þat oon of þise {and} nat þat
oþer. he ne geteþ nat þat he desireþ. _Boice._ ¶ what seist þou þan yif
þat a man coueiteþ to geten alle þise þinges to gider. _P._ Certys
q{uo}d she .I. wolde seie þat he wolde geten hym souereyne blisfulnes.
but þat shal he nat fynde in þo þinges þat .I. haue shewed þat ne mowe
nat ȝeuen þat þei by-heten. _boice._ Certys no q{uo}d .I. ¶ þan q{uod}
she ne sholden men nat by no weye seken blysfulnesse in swiche þinges as
men wenen þat þei ne mowe ȝeuen but o þing senglely of alle þ{a}t me{n}
seken. I graunt[e] wel q{uo}d .I. ne no soþer þing ne may nat ben said.
_P._ ¶ Now hast þou þan q{uo}d she þe forme {and} þe causes of false
welefulnesse. ¶ Now turne {and} flitte þe eyen of þi þouȝt. for þere
shalt þou seen an oon þilk verray blysfulnesse þ{a}t I haue byhyȝt þee.
_b._ Certys q{uo}d .I. it is cler {and} opyn. þouȝ þat it were to a
blynde man. {and} þat shewedest þou me [ful wel] a lytel her byforne.
whan þou enforcedest þe to shewe me þe causes of þe false blysfulnesse
¶ For but yif I be by-giled. þan is þilke þe verray p{er}fit
blisfulnesse þat p{er}fitly makiþ a man suffisau{n}t. myȝty.
hono{ur}able noble. {and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for þou shalt wel
knowe þat I haue wel vndirstonden þise þinges wiþ i{n}ne myne herte.
I knowe wel þilke blisfulnesse þat may verrayly ȝeuen on of þe forseide
þinges syn þei ben al oon .I. knowe douteles þat þilke þing is þe fulle
of blysfulnesse. _P._ O my nurry q{uod} she by þis oppiniou{n} q{uo}d
she I sey[e] þat þou art blisful yif þou putte þis þer to þat I shal
seine. what is þat q{uo}d .I. ¶ Trowest þou þat þer be any þing in þis
erþely mortal toumblyng þinges þat may bryngen þis estat. Certys q{uo}d
I trowe it nat. {and} þou hast shewed me wel þat ouer þilke goode þer is
no þing more to ben desired. _P._ þise þinges þan q{uo}d she. þat is to
seyne erþely suffisaunce {and} power. {and} swiche þinges eyþer þei
semen likenesse of verray goode. or ellys it semeþ þat þei ȝeuen to
mortal folk a maner of goodes þat ne ben nat perfit. ¶ But þilke goode
þat is verray {and} p{er}fit. þat may þei nat ȝeuen. _boice._ I. accorde
me wel q{uo}d .I. þan q{uo}d she for as moche as þou hast knowen whiche
is þilke verray blisfulnesse. {and} eke whiche þilke þinges ben þat lien
falsly blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne. þat by desceit seme{n} verray
goodes. ¶ Now byhoueþ þe to knowe{n} whennes {and} where þou mowe
seek[e] þilke verray blisfulnesse. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I þat desijr I gretly
{and} haue abiden longe tyme to herkene it. ¶ But for as moche q{uo}d
she as it likeþ to my disciple plato in his book of i{n} thimeo. þat in
ryȝt lytel þinges men sholde bysechen þe helpe of god. ¶ what iugest þou
þat be [now] to done so þat we may deserue to fynde þe sete of þilke
souereyne goode. _B._ ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme þat we shulle clepen
to þe fadir of alle goodes. ¶ For wiþ outen hym nis þer no þing founden
aryȝt. þou seist a-ryȝt q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to syngen ryȝt þus.
O QUI PERPETUA.
[Sidenote: [The 9^ne Met{ur}.]]
++O þou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of erþes þat gouernest þis worlde
by p{er}durable resou{n} þat comaundist þe tymes for to gon from tyme
þat age had[de] bygy{n}ny{n}g. þou þat dwellest þi self ay stedfast
{and} stable {and} ȝiuest alle oþer þinges to ben moeued. ne forein
causes necesseden þe neuer to co{m}poune werke of floterynge mater. but
only þe forme of souereyne goode y-set wiþ i{n}ne [þe] wiþ outen envie
þat moeued[e] þe frely. þou þat art alþerfairest beryng þe faire worlde
in þi þouȝt. formedest þis worlde to þe likkenesse semblable of þat
faire worlde in þi þouȝt. þou drawest alle þinges of þi souereyne
ensampler. {and} comaundedist þat þis worlde p{er}fitlyche ymaked haue
frely {and} absolut hyse p{er}fit parties. ¶ þou byndest þe elementȝ by
noumbres p{ro}porcionables. þat þe colde þinges mowen accorde wiþ þe
hote þinges. {and} þe drye þi{n}ges wiþ þe moyst þinges. þat þe fire þat
is purest ne fleye nat ouer heye. ne þat þe heuynesse ne drawe nat
adou{n} ouer lowe þe erþes þat ben plounged in þe watres. ¶ þou knyttest
to-gidre þe mene soule of treble kynde moeuyng alle þinges. {and}
diuidest it by membres accordynge. ¶ And whan it is þus diuided it haþ
assembled a moeuyng in two roundes. ¶ It goþ to to{ur}ne aȝein to hym
owen self. {and} environeþ a fulle deep þouȝt. {and} to{ur}niþ þe heuene
by semblable ymage. þou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest þe soules {and}
þe lasse liues {and} ablynge hem heye by lyȝt[e] cartes. þou sewest hem
in to heuene {and} in to erþe. {and} whan þei ben conuertid to þe by þi
benigne lawe. ¶ þou makest hem retorne aȝeine to þe by aȝein ledyng
fijr. ¶ O fadir yif þou to þi þouȝt to stien vp in to þi streite sete.
{and} graunte [hym] to enviroune þe welle of good. {and} þe lyȝte
yfounde graunte hym to ficchen þe clere syȝtes of hys corage in þe.
¶ And scatre þou {and} to-breke [thow] þe weyȝtes {and} þe cloudes of
erþely heuynesse. {and} shyne þou by þi bryȝtnes. for þou art clernesse
þou art peisible to debonaire folke. ¶ þou þi self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge.
berere. ledere. paþ {and} t{er}me to loke on þe [þat] is oure ende.
_Glose._
QUONIAM IGITUR QUI SCIT.
[Sidenote: [The 10^the p{ro}se.]]
++FOr as moche þan as þou hast seyn. whiche is þe forme of goode þat nys
nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is þe forme of goode þat is p{er}fit. now
trowe I þat it were goode to shewe in what þis p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of
blisfulnesse is set. {and} in þis þing I trowe þat we sholden first
enquere forto witen yif þat any swiche manere goode as þilke goode þat
þou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. þat is to seine souereyne
goode may be founden in þe nature of þinges. For þat veyne
ymaginac{i}ou{n} of þouȝt ne desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of þe
soþefastnesse of þilke þinge þat is su{m}myttid to vs. þis is to seyne.
but it may nat ben denoyed þat þilke goode ne is. ¶ and þat it nis ryȝt
as a welle of alle goodes. ¶ For al þing þat is cleped i{n}p{er}fit. is
proued i{n}p{er}fit by þe amenusynge of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of þing
þat is p{er}fit. {and} her of comeþ it. þat in euery þing general. yif
þat. þat men seen any þing þat is i{n}p{er}fit certys in þilke general
þer mot ben so{m}me þing þat is p{er}fit. ¶ For yif so be þat
p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat þinke nor seye fro whe{n}nes
þilke þing is þat is cleped inperfit. ¶ For þe nature of þinges ne token
nat her bygynnyng of þinges amenused {and} i{n}p{er}fit. but it
p{ro}cediþ of þi{n}g{us} þat ben al hool. {and} absolut. {and} descendeþ
so doune in to outerest þinges {and} in to þi{n}g{us} empty {and} wiþ
oute fruyt. but as I haue shewed a litel her byforne. þat yif þer be a
blisfulnesse þat be frele {and} vein {and} inp{er}fit. þer may no man
doute. þat þer nys som blisfulnesse þat is sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit.
b. þis is concludid q{uo}d I fermely {and} soþefastly. _P._ But
co{n}sidere also q{uo}d she in wham þis blisfulnesse enhabiteþ. þe
co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of þe corages of men p{ro}ueþ {and}
graunteþ þat god p{r}ince of alle þi{n}g{us} is good. ¶ For so as no
þing ne may ben þouȝt bettre þan god. it may nat ben douted þan þat [he
þ{a}t] no þing is bettre. þat he nys good. ¶ Certys resou{n} sheweþ þat
god is so goode þat it p{ro}ueþ by verray force þat p{er}fit goode is in
hym. ¶ For yif god ne is swiche. he ne may nat ben p{r}ince of alle
þinges. for certis som þing possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode
sholde ben more þan god. {and} [it] sholde seme þat þilke þing were
first {and} elder þan god. ¶ For we han shewed ap{er}tly þat alle þinges
þat ben p{er}fit. ben first or þinges þat ben inperfit. ¶ And for þi for
as moche as [that] my resou{n} or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wiþoute an
ende. we ouȝt[e] to graunten þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of
souereyne p{er}fit goode. and we han establissed þat þe souereyne goode
is verrey blisfulnesse. þan mot it nedes ben [þ{a}t verray blysfulnesse
is] yset i{n} souereyne god. _B._ þis take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne þis ne
may nat be wiþseid in no manere. ¶ But I p{re}ie þe q{uo}d she see now
how þou mayst preuen holily {and} wiþ-oute{n} corrupciou{n} þis þat I
haue seid. þat þe souereyne god is ryȝt ful of souereyne goode. [In
whych man{er}e q{uo}d I.] wenest þou ouȝt q{uo}d she þat þis p{r}ince of
alle þinges haue ytake þilke souereyne good any where þan of hym self.
¶ of whiche souereyne goode men p{ro}ueþ þat he is ful ryȝt as þou
myȝtest þinken. þat god þat haþ blisfulnesse in hym self. {and} þat ilke
blisfulnesse þat is in hym were diu{er}s in substaunce. ¶ For yif þou
wene þat god haue receyued þilke good oute of hy{m} self. þou mayst wene
þat he þat ȝaf þilke good to god. be more goode þan is god. ¶ But I am
byknowen {and} confesse {and} þat ryȝt dignely þat god is ryȝt worþi
abouen alle þinges. ¶ And yif so be þat þis good be in hym by nature.
but þat it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng resou{n}. syn we speke of
god p{r}ince of alle þinges feyne who so feyne may. who was he þat
[hath] co{n}ioigned þise diu{er}s þinges to-gidre. {and} eke at þe
last[e] se wel þat o þing þat is diu{er}s from any þing. þat þilke þing
nis nat þat same þing. fro whiche it is vndirstonde{n} to ben diu{er}s.
þan folweþ it. þat þilke þi{n}g þat by hys nature is dyuers from
souereyne good. þat þat þing nys nat souereyne good. but certys þat were
a felonous corsednesse to þinken þat of hym. þat no þing nis more worþe.
For alwey of alle þinges. þe nat{ur}e of hem ne may nat ben better þan
his bygy{n}nyng. ¶ For whiche I may concluden by ryȝt uerray resou{n}.
þat þilke þat is bygynnyng of alle þinges. þilke same þing is good in
his substaunce. _B._ þou hast seid ryȝtfully q{uo}d .I. _P._ But we han
graunted q{uo}d she þat souereyne good is blysfulnes. þat is soþe q{uo}d
.I. þan q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen þat þilke same
souereyne goode be god. ¶ Certys q{uo}d .I. I ne may nat denye ne
wiþstonde þe resou{n}s p{ur}posed. and I see wel þat it folweþ by
strengþe of þe p{re}misses. ¶ Loke nowe q{uo}d she yif þis be proued
[yit] more fermely þus. ¶ þat þer ne mowen nat ben two souereyne goodes
þat ben diuerse amo[n]ges hem self. þat on is nat þat þat oþer is. þan
[ne] mowen neiþer of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyþer of hem lakkiþ to
oþir. but þat þat nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly þat it nis nat
souereyne. þe þinges þan þat ben souereynely goode ne mowen by no wey
ben diuerse. ¶ But I haue wel conclude þat blisfulnesse {and} god ben
[the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be þat souereyne
blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite. ¶ No þing q{uo}d I nis more
soþefast þan þis ne more ferme by resou{n}. ne a more worþi þing þan god
may nat ben concluded. _P._ vpon þise þinges þan q{uo}d she. ryȝt as
þise geometriens whan þei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s ben wont to
brynge{n} in þinges þat þei clepen porismes or declarac{i}ou{n}s of
forseide þinges. ryȝt so wil I ȝeue þe here as a corolarie or a mede of
coroune. For whi. for as moche as by þe getynge of blisfulnesse men ben
maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite. ¶ þan is it manifest
{and} open þat by þe gety{n}g of diuinite men ben makid blisful. ryȝt as
by þe getynge of iustice . . . {and} by þe getyng of sapience þei ben
maked wise. ¶ Ryȝt so nedes by þe semblable resou{n} wha{n} þei han
getyn diuinite þei ben maked goddys. þan is euery blisful man god. ¶ But
certis by nature. þer nys but oon god. but by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s
of diuinite þere ne letteþ ne disturbeþ no þing þat þer ne ben many
goddes. ¶ þis is q{uo}d .I. a faire þing {and} a p{re}cious. ¶ Clepe it
as þ{o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede of coroune or
declarynges ¶ Certys q{uo}d she no þing nis fairer. þan is þe þing þat
by resou{n} sholde ben added to þise forseide þinges. what þing q{uo}d
.I. ¶ So q{uo}d she as it semeþ þat blisfulnesse conteniþ many þinges.
it were forto witen wheþir [þ{a}t] alle þise þinges maken or conioignen
as a maner body of blysfulnesse by diuersite of parties or [of]
me{m}bris. Or ellys yif any of alle þilke þi{n}g{us} be swyche þat it
acomplise by hy{m} self þe substaunce of blisfulnesse. so þat alle þise
oþer þinges ben referred and brouȝt to blisfulnesse. þat is to seyne as
to þe chief of hem. ¶ I wolde q{uo}d I þat þou makedest me clerly to
vndirstonde what þou seist. {and} þat þou recordest me þe forseide
þinges. ¶ Haue I nat iuged q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is goode. ȝis
forsoþe q{uo}d .I. {and} þat souereyne goode. ¶ Adde þan q{uo}d she
þilke goode þat is maked blisfulnes to alle þe forseide þinges. ¶ For
þilke same blisfulnesse þat is demed to ben souereyne suffisaunce. þilke
self is souereyne power. souereyne reuerence. sou{er}eyne clernesse or
noblesse {and} souereyne delit. what seist þou þan of alle þise þinges.
þat is to seyne. suffisance power {and} þise oþer þinges. ben þei þan as
membris of blisfulnesse. or ben þei referred {and} brouȝt to souereyne
good. ¶ Ryȝt as alle þinges þat ben brouȝt to þe chief of hem. b.
I vndirstonde wel q{uo}d .I. what þou p{ur}posest to seke. but I
desijr[e] to herkene þat þou shewe it me. _p._ Take now þus þe
discressiou{n} of þis questiou{n} q{uo}d she. yif al þise þinges q{uo}d
she weren membris to felicite. þan weren þei diu{er}se þat oon fro þat
oþer. ¶ And swiche is þe nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties or of membris. þat
dyuerse me{m}bris compounen a body. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I it haþ wel ben
shewed her byforne. þat alle þise þinges ben alle on þing. þan ben þei
none membris q{uo}d she. for ellys it sholde seme þat blisfulnesse were
conioigned al of one membre alone. but þat is a þi{n}g þat may nat ben
doon. þis þing q{uo}d .I. nys nat doutous. but I abide to herkene þe
remenaunt of þe questiou{n}. þis is ope{n} {and} clere q{uo}d she. þat
alle oþer þinges ben referred {and} brouȝt to goode. ¶ For þerfore is
suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben good. {and} forþi is power
requered. for men trowen also þat it be goode. and þis same þing mowe we
þinken {and} coueiten of reuerence {and} of noblesse {and} of delit. þan
is souereyne good þe soume {and} þe cause of alle þat auȝt[e] be
desired. forwhi þilke þing þat wiþ-holdeþ no good in it self ne
semblaunce of goode it ne may nat wel in no manere be desired ne
requered. {and} þe contrarie. For þouȝ þat þinges by hir nature ne ben
nat goode algates yif men wene þat þei be{n} goode ȝit ben þei desired
as þouȝ [þ{a}t] þei were verrayly goode. {and} þerfore is it þat men
auȝte{n} to wene by ryȝt þat bounte be souereyne fyn {and} þe cause of
alle þinges þat ben to requeren. ¶ But certis þilke þ{a}t is cause for
whiche men requeren any þing. ¶ it semeþ þat þilke same þing be most
desired. as þus yif þat a wyȝt wolde ryde for cause of hele. he ne
desireþ nat so mychel þe moeuyng to ryden as þe effect of his heele. Now
þan syn þat alle þinges ben requered for þe grace of good. þei ne ben
[nat] desired of alle folk more þan þe same good ¶ But we han graunted
þat blysfulnesse is þat þing for whiche þat alle þise oþer þinges ben
desired. þan is it þus þat certis only blisfulnesse is requered {and}
desired ¶ By whiche þing it sheweþ clerely þat good {and} blisfulnesse
is al oone {and} þe same substaunce. ¶ I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore þat
men myȝt[en] discorden in þis. _p._ {and} we han shewed þat god {and}
verrey blysfulnesse is al oon þing ¶ þat is soþe q{uod} .I. þan mowe we
conclude sikerly þ{a}t þe substaunce of god is set in þilke same good
{and} in noon oþer place.
NUNC OMNES PARITER {ET}C.
[Sidenote: [The 10^the Met{ur}.]]
++O Comeþ alle to-gidre now ȝe þat ben ycauȝt {and} ybounde wiþ
wicked[e] cheines by þe deceiuable delit of erþely þinges inhabytynge in
ȝoure þouȝt. here shal ben þe reste of ȝoure laboures. here is þe hauene
stable in peisible quiete. þis al oone is þe open refut to wreches.
_Glosa._ þis is to seyn. þat ȝe þat ben combred {and} deceyued wiþ
worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s comeþ now to þis souereyne good þat is god. þat
is refut to hem þat wolen come to hym. _Textus._ ¶ Alle þe þinges þat þe
ryuere Tagus ȝiueþ ȝow wiþ his golden[e] grauels. or ellys alle þe
þynges þat þe ryuere herm{us}. ȝiueþ wiþ his rede brynke. or þat yndus
ȝiueþ þat is nexte þe hote p{ar}tie of þe worlde. þat medeleþ þe grene
stones (smaragd{e}) wiþ þe white (margarits). ne sholde nat cleren þe
lokynge of ȝoure þoȝt. but hiden raþer ȝoure blynde corages wiþ i{n}ne
hire dirkenesse ¶ Alle þat likeþ ȝow here {and} excitiþ {and} moeueþ
ȝoure þouȝtes. þe erþe haþ noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but þe shynyng
by þe whiche þe heuene is gouerned {and} whennes þat it haþ hys strengþe
þat chaseþ þe derke ouerþrowyng of þe soule. ¶ And who so euer may
knowen þilke lyȝt of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine þat þe white bemes
of þe sonne ne ben nat cleer.
ASSENCIOR INQ{UA}M CUNCTA. Boice.
[Sidenote: [The 11 p{ro}se.]]
++I assent[e] me q{uo}d .I. For alle þise þinges ben strongly bounden
wiþ ryȝt ferme resou{n}s. how mychel wilt þou p{re}isen it q{uo}d she.
yif þat þou knowe what þilke goode is. I wol p{re}ise it q{uo}d I by
price wiþ outen ende. ¶ yif it shal bytyde me to knowe also to-gidre god
þat is good. ¶ certys q{uo}d she þ{a}t shal I do þe by verray resou{n}.
yif þat þo þinges þat I haue conclude[d] a litel her by forne dwellen
oonly in hir first[e] graunty{n}g. _Boice._ þei dwellen graunted to þe
q{uo}d .I. þis is to seyne as who seiþ .I. graunt þi forseide
conclusiou{n}s. ¶ Haue I nat shewed þe q{uo}d she þat þe þinges þat ben
requered of many folke. ne ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for þei
ben diu{er}se þat oon fro þat oþer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng
to oþer. þei ne han no power to bryngen a good þ{a}t is ful {and}
absolute. ¶ But þan atte arst ben þei verray good whan þei ben gadred
to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in to oon wirchy{n}g. so þat þilke þing
þat is suffisaunce. þilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse
{and} mirþe. ¶ And forsoþe but alle þise þi{n}ges ben alle o same þing
þei ne han nat wher by þat þei mowen ben put in þe nou{m}bre of þinges.
þat auȝten ben requered or desired. _b._ ¶ It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne
her of may þer no man douten. _p._ þe þinges þan q{uo}d she þat ne ben
none goodes whan þei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan þei bygynnen to ben al o
þing. þan ben þei goodes. ne comiþ it hem nat þan by þe getynge of unite
þat þei ben maked goodes. _b._ so it semeþ q{uo}d .I. but alle þing þat
is good q{uo}d she grauntest þou þat it be good by p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}
of good or no. ¶ I graunt[e] it q{uo}d .I. ¶ þan mayst þou graunt[en] it
q{uo}d she by sembleable resou{n} þat oon {and} good ben o same þing.
¶ For of þinges [of] whiche þat þe effect nis nat naturely diuerse nedys
þe substaunce mot ben o same þinge. I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I.
¶ Hast þou nat knowen wel q{uo}d she. þat al þing þat is haþ so longe
his dwellyng {and} his substaunce. as longe is it oone. ¶ but wha{n} it
forletiþ to ben oone it mot nedis dien {and} corrumpe togidre. ¶ In
whiche manere q{uo}d .I. ¶ Ryȝt as in beestes q{uod} she. whan þe soule
{and} þe body ben co{n}ioigned in oon {and} dwellen to-gidre it is
cleped a beest. {and} whan hire vnite is destroied by disseueraunce þat
oon fram þ{a}t oþir. þan sheweþ it wel þat it is a dede þi{n}g. {and}
þat it is no lenger no beste. {and} þe body of a wyȝt while it dwelleþ
in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n} of membris it is wel seyn þat it is a
figure of mankynde. and yif þe partyes of þe body ben [so] diuide[d]
{and} disseuered þat oon fro þat oþir þat þei destroien vnite. þe body
forletiþ to ben þat it was byforne. ¶ And who so wolde renne in þe same
manere by alle þinges he sholde seen þat wiþ outen doute euery þinge is
in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and} whan it forletiþ to ben
oon it dieþ {and} p{er}issiþ. _boice._ whan I considre q{uo}d I many
þinges I see noon oþ{er}. ¶ Is þer any þing þanne q{uo}d she þat in as
moche as it lyueþ naturely. þat forletiþ þe appetit or talent of hys
beynge. {and} desireþ to come to deeþ {and} to corrupc{i}ou{n}. ¶ yif I
considere q{uod} I þe beestes þat han any manere nature of willy{n}ge or
of nillynge I ne fynde no þing. but yif it be constreyned fro wiþ out
forþe. þat forletiþ or dispiseþ to lyue {and} to dure{n} or þat wole his
þankes hasten hy{m} to dien. ¶ For euery beest trauayleþ hy{m} to
defende {and} kepe þe sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} escheweþ deeþ {and}
destrucc{i}ou{n}. _b._ but certys I doute me of herbes {and} of trees.
þat is to seyn þat I am in a doute of swiche þinges as herbes or trees
þat ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel wirchynges seruy{n}g to
appetite as beestes han wheþer þei han appetite to dwelle{n} {and} to
duren. ¶ Certis q{uo}d she ne þer of þar þe nat doute. ¶ Now look vpon
þise herbes {and} þise trees. þei waxen firste in swiche place as be{n}
couenable to hem. in whiche place þei ne mowen nat sone dien ne dryen
as longe as hire nature may defenden he{m}. ¶ For some of hem waxen
in feldes {and} some in mou{n}taignes. {and} oþir waxen i{n} mareis.
[_A leaf lost here, and supplied from C._] [{and} oothre cleuyn on
Roches / {and} soume waxen plentyuos in sondes / {and} yif þ{a}t any
wyht enforce hym to beryn hem in to oother places / they wexen drye //
For natur{e} yeueth to eu{er}y thing þ{a}t / þ{a}t is co{n}uenient to
hym {and} trauaylith þ{a}t they ne dye nat as longe as they han power to
dwellyn {and} to lyuen // what woltow seyn of this / þ{a}t they drawen
alle hyr norysshynges by hyr rootes / ryht as they haddyn hyr Mowthes
I.-plounged w{i}t{h} in the erthes / {and} shedyn by hyr maryes (i.
medull{as}) hyr wode {and} hyr bark / {and} what woltow seyn of this
þ{a}t thilke thing / þ{a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i. sapp) is /
þ{a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and} þ{a}t it is
defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of wode // {and} þ{a}t
the vttereste bark is put ayenis the destemprau{n}ce of the heuene / as
a defendowr myhty to suffren harm / {and} thus certes maystow wel sen /
how gret is the diligence of natur{e} / For alle thinges renouelen {and}
pupllisen hem w{i}t{h} seed .I.-multiplyed / nether nis no man þ{a}t ne
wot wel þ{a}t they ne ben ryht as a foundement {and} edyfice for to
duren / nat only for a tyme / but ryht as forto duren p{er}durablely by
generacyou{n} // {and} the thinges ek þ{a}t men wenen ne hauen none
sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to
kepyn þ{a}t that is hirs / þ{a}t is to seyn þ{a}t is acordynge to hyr
natur{e} in conseruaciou{n} of hyr beynge {and} endurynge // For wher
for elles berith lythnesse the flaumbes vp / {and} the weyhte p{re}sseth
the erthe a-dou{n} // but For as moche as thilke places and thilke
moeuynges ben couenable to eu{er}ich of hem // {and} forsothe eu{er}y
thing kepith thilke þ{a}t is acordynge {and} propre to hym // ryht as
thinges þ{a}t ben contraryes {and} enemys corompen hem // {and} yit the
harde thinges as stoones clyuen {and} holden hyr partyes to gydere ryht
faste {and} harde / {and} deffenden hem in withstondenge þ{a}t they ne
departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the thinges þ{a}t ben softe {and}
fletynge as is water {and} Eyr they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place
to hem þ{a}t brekyn or deuyden hem // but natheles they retorne{n} sone
ayein in to the same thinges fro whennes they ben arraced // but fyr
[fleetħ] {and} refuseth alle deuysyou{n} / ne I. ne trete nat heer{e}
now of weleful moeuynges of the sowle þ{a}t is knowynge // but of the
naturel entenciou{n} of thinges // As thus ryht as we swolwe the mete
þ{a}t we resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen owr{e}
breth in slepynge þ{a}t we wite it nat whil we slepyt // For certes in
the beestys the loue of hyr lyuynges ne of hyr beeinges ne comth nat of
the wilnynges of the sowle // but of the bygynnyngis of natur{e} // For
certes thorw constreynynge causes / wil desireth {and} embraceth ful
ofte tyme / the deth þ{a}t natur{e} dredith // that is to seyn as thus
that a man may ben constreynyd so by som cause that his wil desireth and
taketh the deth which þ{a}t natur{e} hateth {and} dredeth ful sore //
And som tyme we seeth the contrarye / as thus that the wil of a wight /
destorbeth {and} constreyneth þ{a}t þ{a}t natur{e} desireth / and
requereth al-wey // that is to sein the werk of gen{er}aciou{n} / by the
whiche gen{er}aciou{n} only / dwelleth {and} is sustenyd the longe
durablete of mortal thinges // And thus this charite and this Loue þ{a}t
eu{er}y thing hath to hym self ne comth nat of the moeuynge of the sowle
/ but of the entenciou{n} of natur{e} // For the puruyance of god hat
yeuen to thinges þ{a}t ben creat of hym / this þ{a}t is a ful gret cause
/ to lyuen {and} to duren / for which they desiren naturelly hyr lyf as
longe as eu{er} they mowen // For w[h]ych thou maist nat drede by no
manere / that alle the thinges / that ben anywher{e} / that they ne
requeren naturelly / the ferme stablenesse of p{er}durable dwellynge /
and ek the eschuynge of destruccyou{n} // B // now confesse I. wel
q{uod} I. that I. see wel now certeynly / w{i}t{h} owte dowtes / the
thinges that whylom semeden vncerteyn to me / P. // but q{uod} she
thilke thyng þ{a}t desiretħ to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely / he
desireth to ben oon // For yif þ{a}t that oon weer{e} destroied //
certes beinge ne shulde ther non dwellyn to no wiht // that is sotħ
q{uod} I. // Thanne q{uod} she desirin alle thinges oon // .I. assente
q{uod} .I. // {and} I haue shewyd q{uod} she that thilke same oon is
thilke that is good // B // ye forsothe q{uod} I. // Alle thinges thanne
q{uod} she requyren good // And thilke good thanne [þow] maist descryuen
ryht thus // Good is thilke thing þ{a}t euery wyht desireth // Ther ne
may be thowht q{uod} .I. no moor{e} verray thing / for either alle
thinges ben referred {and} browht to nowht / {and} floteryn w{i}t{h}
owte gou{er}nour despoiled of oon / as of hir propre heued / or elles
yif ther be any thinge / to which þ{a}t alle thinges tenden {and} hyen /
that thing moste ben the souereyn good of alle goodes / P /. thanne
seyde she thus // O my norry q{uod} she I haue gret gladnesse of the //
For thow hast fichched in thin herte the myddel sothtfastnesse // that
is to seyn the prykke // but this thing hath ben descouered to the / in
that thow seydyst þ{a}t thow wystest nat a lytel her by-forn // what was
th{a}t q{uod} I. // That thow ne wystest nat q{uod} she whych was the
ende of thinges // and Certes that is the thing þ{a}t eu{er}y wiht
desireth // and for as mochel as we han gaderid / {and} co{m}p{re}hendyd
that good is thilke thing that is desired of alle / thanne moten we
nedes confessun / that good is the fyn of alle thinges.
QUISQUIS P{RO}FUNDA MENTE.
[Sidenote: [The .11. Met{ru}m.]]
++WHo so that sekith sotħ by a deep thoght And coueyteth nat to ben
deseyuyd by no mys-weyes // lat hym rollen {and} trenden w{i}t{h} Inne
hym self / the Lyht of his inward syhte // And lat hym gader{e} ayein
enclynynge in to a compas the longe moeuynges of hys thowhtes / And lat
hym techen his corage that he hath enclosed {and} hyd / in his tresors /
al þ{a}t he compaseth or sekith fro w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne thilke
thing that the blake cloude of errour whilom hadde y-couered / shal
lyhten more clerly tha{n}ne pheb{us} hym self ne shyneth // Glosa // who
so wole seken the dep[e] grounde / of soth in his thowht / {and} wol nat
be deceyuyd by false p{ro}posiciou{n}s / that goon amys fro the trouthe
// lat hym wel examine / {and} rolle w{i}t{h} inne hym self the natur{e}
{and} the p{ro}pretes of the thing // and lat hym yit eft sones examine
{and} rollen his thowhtes by good deliberaciou{n} or that he deme // and
lat hym techen his sowle that it hat by naturel pryncyplis kyndeliche
y-hyd w{i}t{h} in it self alle the trowthe the whiche he ymagynith to
ben in thinges w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne alle the dyrknesse of his
mysknowynge shal seen more euydently to [þe] syhte of his vndyrstondynge
thanne the sonne ne semyth to [þe] syhte w{i}t{h} owte forth / For
certes the body bryngynge the weyhte of foryetynge / ne hath nat chasyd
owt of yowr{e} thowhte al the clernesse of yowre knowyng // For
certeynly the seed of sooth haldith {and} clyueth w{i}t{h} in yowr{e}
corage / {and} it is a-waked {and} excited by the wynde {and} by the
blastes of doctryne // For wher{e} for elles demen ye of yowr{e} owne
wyl the ryhtes whan ye ben axed // but yif so wer{e} þ{a}t the
noryssynges of resou{n} ne lyuede .I.-plowngyd in the depthe of yowr{e}
herte // this [is] to seyn how sholden men demen þe sooth of any thing
þ{a}t weer{e} axed / yif ther neer{e} a Roote of sothfastnesse þ{a}t
weer{e} yplowngyd {and} hyd in the natur{e}[l] pryncyplis / the whiche
sothfastnesse lyued w{i}t{h} in the depnesse of the thowght // {and} yif
so be þ{a}t the Muse {and} the doctryne of plato syngyth sooth // al
þ{a}t eu{er}y whyht lerneth / he ne doth no thing elles tha{n}ne but
recordeth as me{n} recordyn thinges þ{a}t ben foryetyn.
TUM EGO PLATONI INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The .12. p{ro}se.]]
++THanne seide I thus // I acorde me gretly to plato / for thow
remenbrist {and} recordist me thise thinges yit] þe seconde tyme. þat is
to seyn. first whan I lost[e] my memorie by þe co{n}tagioũs
coniuncc{i}ou{n} of þe body wiþ þe soule. {and} eftsones afterward whan
I lost[e] it co{n}founded by þe charge {and} by þe burden of my sorwe.
¶ And þan sayde she þus. ¶ If þou look[e] q{uo}d she firste þe þinges
þat þou hast graunted it ne shal nat ben ryȝt feer þat þou ne shalt
remembren þilke þing þat þou seidest þat þou nistest nat. what þing
q{uo}d I. ¶ by whiche gouerme{n}t q{uo}d she þat þis worlde is gouerned.
Me remembriþ it wel q{uo}d I. {and} I confesse wel þat I ne wist[e] it
nat ¶ But al be it so þat I se now fro{m} afer what þou p{ur}posest
¶ Algates I desire ȝit to herkene it of þe more pleynely. ¶ þou ne
wendest nat q{uo}d she a litel here byforne þat men sholden doute þat
þis worlde is gouerned by god. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I ne ȝitte doute I it
nauȝt. ne I nil neuer wene þat it were to doute. as who seiþ. but I wot
wel þat god gouerneþ þis worlde. ¶ And I shal shortly answere þe by what
resou{n}s I am brouȝt to þis. ¶ þis worlde q{uod} I of so many dyuerse
{and} co{n}trarious p{ar}ties ne myȝten neuer han ben assembled in o
forme. but yif þere ne were oon þat conioigned so many[e diu{er}se]
þinges. ¶ And þe same diuersite of hire natures þat so discordeden þat
oon fro þat oþer most[e] dep{ar}ten {and} vnioigne{n} þe þi{n}ges þat
ben co{n}ioigned. yif þere ne were oon þat contened[e] þat he haþ
co{n}ioigned {and} ybounde. ne þe certein ordre of nature ne sholde. nat
brynge furþe so ordinee moeuynge. by places. by tymes. by doynges. by
spaces. by qualites. yif þere ne were oon þat were ay stedfast
dwellynge. þat ordeyned[e] {and} disposed[e] þise diuersites of
moeuynges. ¶ and þilke þinge what so euer it be. by whiche þat alle
þinges ben maked {and} ylad. I clepe hym god þat is a worde þat is vsed
to alle folke. þan seide she. syn þou felest þus þise þinges q{uo}d she.
I trowe þat I haue lytel more to done. þat þou myȝty of wilfulnesse hool
{and} sounde ne se eftsones þi contre. ¶ But lat vs loken þe þinges þat
we han p{ur}posed her-byforn. ¶ Haue I nat nou{m}bred {and} seid q{uod}
she þat suffisaunce is in blisfulnesse. {and} we han accorded þat god is
{and} þilke same blisfulnesse. ¶ yis forsoþe q{uo}d I. {and} þat to
gouerne þis worlde q{uod} she. ne shal he neuer han nede of none helpe
fro wiþoute. for ellys yif he had[de] nede of any helpe. he ne sholde
not haue [no] ful suffisau{n}ce. ȝis þus it mot nedes be q{uo}d I. ¶ þan
ordeyneþ he by hym self al oon alle þinges q{uo}d she. þat may nat ben
denied q{uo}d I. ¶ And I haue shewed þat god is þe same good. ¶ It
reme{m}breþ me wel q{uo}d I. ¶ þan ordeineþ he alle þinges by þilke
goode q{uod} she. Syn he whiche we han accorded to ben good gouerneþ
alle þi{n}g{us} by hym self. {and} he is a keye {and} a stiere by whiche
þat þe edifice of þis worlde is ykept stable {and} wiþ oute corumpynge
¶ I accorde me gretly q{uod} I. {and} I ap{er}ceiuede a litel here
byforn þat þou woldest seyne þus. Al be it so þat it were by a þinne
suspeciou{n}. I trowe it wel q{uo}d she. ¶ For as I trowe þou leedest
nowe more ententifly þine eyen to loken þe verray goodes ¶ but naþeles
þe þinges þat I shal telle þe ȝit ne sheweþ nat lasse to loken. what is
þat q{uo}d I. ¶ So as men trowen q{uo}d she {and} þat ryȝtfully þat god
gouerneþ alle þinges by þe keye of his goodnesse. ¶ And alle þise same
þinges as I [haue] tauȝt þe. hasten hem by naturel ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to
comen to goode þer may no man doute{n}. þat þei ne ben gouerned
uoluntariely. {and} þat þei ne conuerten [hem] nat of her owe{n} wille
to þe wille of hire ordeno{ur}. as þei þat ben accordyng {and}
enclinynge to her gouerno{ur} {and} her kyng. ¶ It mot nedys be so
q{uo}d. I. ¶ For þe realme ne sholde not seme blisful ȝif þere were a
ȝok of mysdrawynges in diu{er}se p{ar}ties ne þe sauynge of obedient
þinges ne sholde nat be. þan is þere no þing q{uo}d she þ{a}t kepiþ hys
nature[;] þat enforceþ hym to gone aȝeyne god. ¶ No q{uo}d. I. ¶ And if
þat any þi{n}g enforced[e] hym to wiþstonde god. myȝt[e] it auayle at þe
laste aȝeyns hym þat we han g{ra}unted to ben al myȝty by þe ryȝt of
blisfulnesse. ¶ Certis q{uo}d I al outerly it ne myȝt[e] nat auaylen
hym. þan is þere no þing q{uo}d she þat eyþer wol or may wiþstonde to
þis souereyne good. ¶ I trowe nat q{uo}d. I ¶ þan is þilke þe souereyne
good q{uo}d she þat alle þi{n}g{us} gouerneþ strongly {and} ordeyneþ hem
softly. þa{n} seide I þus. I delite me q{uo}d I nat oonly in þe endes or
in þe so{m}mes of [the] resou{n}s þat þou hast concludid {and} p{ro}ued.
¶ But þilke wordes þat þ{o}u vsest deliten me moche more. ¶ So at þe
last[e] fooles þat so{m}tyme renden greet[e] þinges auȝte{n} ben
asshamed of hem self. ¶ þat is to seyne þ{a}t we fooles þat
rep{re}henden wickedly þe þi{n}g{us} þat touchen goddes gouernaunce we
auȝte{n} ben asshamed of oure self. As I þat seide god refuseþ oonly þe
werkes of men. {and} ne entremetiþ nat of he{m}. _p._ þou hast wel herd
q{uo}d she þe fables of þe poetes. how þe geauntes assailden þe heuene
wiþ þe goddes. but for soþe þe debonaire force of god disposed[e] hem so
as it was worþi. þat is to seyne distroied[e] þe geauntes. as it was
worþi. ¶ But wilt þou þat we ioygnen togedre þilke same resou{n}s. for
p{er}auenture of swiche coniuncc{i}ou{n} may sterten vp some faire
sp{er}kele of soþe ¶ Do q{uo}d I as þe list. wenest þou q{uo}d she þat
god ne is almyȝty. no man is in doute of it. Certys q{uo}d I no wyȝt ne
defendiþ it if he be in hys mynde. but he q{uo}d she þat is al myȝty
þere nis no þing þat he ne may do. þat is soþe q{uo}d I. May god done
yuel q{uo}d she. nay for soþe q{uo}d. I. ¶ þan is yuel no þing q{uo}d
she. ¶ Syn þat he ne may not done yuel þat may done alle þinges.
scornest þou me q{uo}d. I. or ellys pleyest þou or deceiuest þou me. þat
hast so wouen me wiþ þi resou{n}s. þe house of didalus so entrelaced.
þat it is vnable to ben vnlaced. þou þat oþer while entrest þere þou
issest {and} oþer while issest þere þou entrest. ne fooldest þou nat to
gidre by replicac{i}ou{n} of wordes a maner wondirful cercle or
envirounynge of symplicite deuyne. ¶ For certys a litel her byforn{e}
whan þou bygu{n}ne atte blisfulnesse þ{o}u seidest þat it is souereyne
good. {and} seidest þat it is set in souereyne god. {and} þat god is þe
ful[le] blisfulnesse. for whiche þou ȝaf[e] me as a couenable ȝifte. þat
is to seyne þ{a}t no wyȝt nis blisful. but yif he be good al so þer wiþ
{and} seidest eke þat þe forme of goode is þe substaunce of god. {and}
of blisfulnesse. {and} seidest þ{a}t þilke same oone is þilke same goode
þat is requered {and} desired of al þe kynde of þinges. {and} þou
p{ro}euedest in disputynge þat god gouerneþ alle [the] þinges of þe
worlde by þe gouernementys of bountee. {and} seydest þat alle þinges
wolen ybeyen to hym. and seidest þat þe nature of yuel nis no þing.
{and} þise þinges ne shewedest þou nat wiþ no resou{n}s ytake fro
wiþoute but by proues in cercles {and} homelyche knowen. ¶ þe whiche
p{ro}eues drawen to hem self hir feiþ {and} hir accorde eu{er}iche [of]
hem of oþer. þan seide she þus. I ne scorne þe nat ne pleye ne desseyue
þe. but I haue shewed to þe þinge þat is grettest ouer alle þinges by þe
ȝifte of god þat we some tyme prayden ¶ For þis is þe forme of [the]
deuyne substaunce. þat is swiche þat it ne slydeþ nat in to outerest
foreine þinges. ne ne rec[e]yueþ no st{ra}nge þinges in hym. but ryȝt as
p{ar}maynws seide in grek of þilke deuyne substaunce. he seide þus þat
þilke deuyne substaunce torneþ þe worlde {and} þilke cercle moeueable of
þinges while þilke dyuyne substau{n}ce kepiþ it self wiþ outen moeuynge.
þat is to seyne þat it ne moeuiþ neuere mo. {and} ȝitte it moeueþ alle
oþer þinges. but na-þeles yif I [haue] stered resou{n}s þat ne ben nat
taken fro wiþ oute þe compas of þe þinge of whiche we treten. but
resou{n}s þat ben bystowed wiþ i{n}ne þat compas þere nis nat whi þat
þou sholde[st] merueylen. sen þou hast lerned by þe sentence of plato
þat nedes þe wordes moten ben cosynes to þo þinges of whiche þei speken.
FELIX QUI POTERIT. {ET} CET{ER}A.
[Sidenote: [The .12. Met{ur}.]]
++Blisful is þat man þat may seen þe clere welle of good. blisful is he
þat may vnbynde hym fro þe bonde of heuy erþe. ¶ þe poete of t{ra}ce
[orphe{us}] þat somtyme hadde ryȝt greet sorowe for þe deeþ of hys wijf.
aftir þat he hadde maked by hys wepely songes þe wodes meueable to
rennen. {and} hadde ymaked þe ryueres to stonden stille. {and} maked þe
hertys {and} hyndes to ioignen dredles hir sides to cruel lyou{n}s to
herkene his songe. {and} had[de] maked þat þe hare was nat agast of þe
hounde whiche þat was plesed by hys songe. so þat whane þe most[e]
ardaunt loue of hys wijf brende þe entrailes of his brest. ne þe songes
þat hadde ouer comen alle þinges ne myȝten nat assuage hir lorde
orpheus. ¶ He pleyned[e] hym of þe godes þat were{n} cruel to hym. he
wente hym to þe houses of helle {and} þere he tempred[e] hys
blaundissyng songes by resounyng of hys strenges. ¶ And spak {and} song
in wepynge alle þat euer he hadde resceyued {and} laued oute of þe noble
welles of hys modir calliope þe goddesse. {and} he song wiþ as mychel as
he myȝt[e] of wepynge. {and} wiþ as myche as loue þat doubled[e] his
sorwe myȝt[e] ȝeuen hym {and} teche hy{m} in his seke h{er}te. ¶ And he
commoeuede þe helle {and} requered[e] {and} souȝte by swete p{re}iere þe
lordes of soules in helle of relesynge. þat is to seyne to ȝelden hym
hys wif. ¶ Cerberus þe porter of helle wiþ his þre heuedes was cauȝt
{and} al abaist for þe new[e] songe. {and} þe þre goddesses furijs {and}
vengerisse of felonies þat to{ur}mente{n} {and} agaste{n} þe soules by
anoye wexen sorweful {and} sory {and} wepen teres for pitee. þan was nat
þe heued of Ixion{e} yto{ur}mented by þe ou{er}þrowi{n}g whele. ¶ And
tantalus þat was destroied by þe woodnesse of longe þrust dispiseþ þe
flodes to drynke. þe fowel þat hyȝt voltor þat etiþ þe stomak or þe
giser of ticius is so fulfilled of his songe þat it nil etyn ne tyren no
more. ¶ Atte þe laste þe lorde {and} Iuge of soules was moeued to
misericordes {and} cried[e] we ben ouer comen q{uo}d he. yif[e] we to
orpheus his wijf to bere hym co{m}paignye he haþ welle I-bouȝt hir by
his faire songe {and} his ditee. but we wil putte{n} a lawe in þis.
{and} couenaunt in þe ȝifte. þ{a}t is to seyne. þat til he be out of
helle yif he loke byhynden hym [þ{a}t] hys wijf shal come{n} aȝeine to
vs ¶ but what is he þat may ȝeue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter
lawe {and} a strengere to hym self þan any lawe þ{a}t men may ȝeuen.
¶ Allas whan Orpheus {and} his wijf were al most at þe termes of þe
nyȝt. þat is to seyne at þe last[e] boundes of helle. Orpheus loked[e]
abakwarde on Erudice his wijf {and} lost[e] hir {and} was deed. ¶ þis
fable app{er}teineþ to ȝow alle who so euer desireþ or sekiþ to lede his
þouȝte in to þe souereyne day. þat is to seyne to clerenes[se] of
souereyne goode. ¶ For who so þat eu{er}e be so ouer come{n} þat he
fycche hys eyen in to þe put[te] of helle. þat is to seyne who so setteþ
his þouȝtes in erþely þinges. al þat euer he haþ drawen of þe noble good
celestial he lesiþ it whan he lokeþ þe helles. þat is to seyne to lowe
þinges of þe erþe.
EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS.
INCIPIT LIBER QUARTUS.
HEC CUM PHILOSOPHIA DIGNITATE UULT{US}.
[Sidenote: [The 1^ma p{ro}se.]]
++Whanne philosophie hadde songe{n} softly {and} delitably þe forseide
þinges kepynge þe dignitee of hir choere in þe weyȝte of hir wordes.
I þan þat ne hadde nat al out{er}ly forȝeten þe wepyng {and} mournyng
þat was set in myne herte for-brek þe entenc{i}ou{n} of hir þat
entended[e] ȝitte to seyne oþ{er} þinges. ¶ Se q{uo}d I. þou þat art
gideresse of verray lyȝte þe þinges þat þou hast seid [me] hider to ben
to me so clere {and} so shewyng by þe deuyne lokyng of hem {and} by þi
resou{n}s þat þei ne mowe nat ben ouercomen. ¶ And þilke þi{n}g{us} þat
þou toldest me. al be it so þat I hadde som tyme fo[r]ȝeten hem for
[the] sorwe of þe wronge þat haþ ben don to me. ȝit naþeles þei ne were
nat alouterly vnknowen to me. but þis same is namly a gret cause of my
sorwe. þat so as þe gouernoure of þinges is goode. yif þat yuelys mowen
ben by any weyes. or ellys yif þat yuelys passen wiþ outen punyssheinge.
þe whiche þinge oonly how worþi it is to ben wondred vpon. þou
considerest it weel þi self certeynly. but ȝitte to þis þing þere is an
oþer þing y-ioigned more to ben ywondred vpon. ¶ For felonie is
emperisse {and} flowreþ ful of rycchesse. and vertues nis nat al oonly
wiþ outen medes. but it is cast vndir {and} fortroden vndir þe feet of
felonous folk. {and} it abieþ þe to{ur}me{n}tes in sted of wicked
felou{n}s ¶ Of al[le] whiche þing þer nis no wyȝt þat [may] merueyllen
ynouȝ ne compleyne þat swiche þinges ben don in þe regne of god þat alle
þinges woot. and alle þinges may {and} ne wool nat but only goode
þinges. ¶ þan seide she þus. certys q{uo}d she þat were a grete meruayle
{and} an enbaissynge wiþouten ende. {and} wel more horrible þan alle
monstres yif it were as þ{o}u wenest. þat is to sein. þat in þe ryȝt
ordeyne house of so mochel a fader {and} an ordenour of meyne. þat þe
vesseles þat ben foule {and} vyle sholde ben hono{ur}ed {and} heried.
and þe p{re}cious uesseles sholde ben defouled {and} vyle. but it nis
nat so. For yif þe þinges þat I haue co{n}cluded a litel here byforne
ben kept hoole {and} vnraced. þou shalt wel knowe by þe auctorite of
god. of þe whos regne I speke þat certys þe good[e] folk ben alwey
myȝty. {and} shrewes ben alwey yuel {and} feble. ne þe vices ben
neu{e}re mo wiþ outen peyne[;] ne þe vertues ne ben nat wiþ outen mede.
and þat blisfulnesses comen alwey to goode folke. {and} infortune comeþ
alwey to wicked folke. ¶ And þou shalt wel knowe many[e] þinges of þis
kynde þ{a}t sholle cessen þi pleyntes. {and} stedfast þe wiþ stedfast
saddenesse. ¶ And for þou hast seyn þe forme of þe verray blisfulnesse
by me þat [haue] somtyme I-shewed it þe. And þou hast knowen i{n} whom
blysfulnesse is set. alle þinges I treted þ{a}t I trowe ben nessessarie
to put[te] furþe ¶ I shal shewe þe. þe weye þat shal brynge þe aȝeyne
vnto þi house {and} I shal ficche feþeres in þi þouȝt by whiche it may
arysen in heyȝte. so þat al tribulac{i}ou{n} don awey þou by my gidyng &
by my paþe {and} by my sledes shalt mowen retourne hool {and} sounde in
to þi contre.
SU{N}T ETENIM PENNE. {ET} C{ETERA}.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste met{ur}.]]
++I Haue for soþe swifte feþeres þat surmou{n}ten þe heyȝt of þe heuene
whan þe swifte þouȝt haþ cloþed it self. in þo feþeres it dispiseþ þe
hat[e]ful erþes. {and} surmou{n}teþ þe heyȝenesse of þe greet[e] eyir.
{and} it seiþ þe cloudes by-hynde hir bak {and} passeþ þe heyȝt of þe
regiou{n} of þe fire þat eschaufiþ by þe swifte moeuyng of þe firmament.
til þat she a-reisiþ hir in til þe houses þ{a}t beren þe sterres. {and}
ioygneþ hir weyes wiþ þe sonne phebus. {and} felawshipeþ þe weye of þe
olde colde saturnus. and she ymaked a knyȝt of þe clere sterre. þat is
to seyne þat þe soule is maked goddys knyȝt by þe sekyng of treuþe to
comen to þe verray knowlege of god. and þilke soule renne[þ] by þe
cercle of þe sterres in alle þe places þere as þe shynyng nyȝt is
depeynted. þat is to seyne þe nyȝt þat is cloudeles. for on nyȝtes þat
ben cloudeles it semeþ as þe heuene were peynted wiþ dyuerse ymages of
sterres. {and} whan þe soule haþ gon ynouȝ she shal forleten þe last[e]
poynt of þe heuene. {and} she shal p{re}ssen {and} wenden on þe bak of
þe swifte firmament. and she shal ben maked p{er}fit of þe dredefulle
clerenesse of god. ¶ þere haldeþ þe lorde of kynges þe ceptre of his
myȝt {and} atte{m}p{er}eþ þe gouernementes of þis worlde. {and} þe
shynynge iuge of þinges stable i{n} hy{m} self gouerneþ þe swifte carte.
þat is to seyne þe circuler moeuyng of [the] sonne. {and} yif þi weye
ledeþ þe aȝeyne so þat þou be brouȝt þider. þan wilt þou seye now þat
þat is þe contre þat þou requeredest of whiche þou ne haddest no mynde.
but now it remenbreþ me wel here was I born. here wil I fastne my
degree. here wil I dwelle. but yif þe lyke þan to loken on þe derkenesse
of þe erþe þat þou hast for-leten. þan shalt þou seen þat þise felonous
tyrauntes þat þe wrecched[e] poeple dredeþ now shule ben exiled from
þilke faire contre.
TUNC EGO PAPE INQ{UA}M. {ET} C{ETERA}.
[Sidenote: [The 2^e p{ro}se.]]
++ÞAnne seide I þus. [owh] I wondre me þat þou by-hetest me so grete
þinges. ne I ne doute nat þat þ{o}u ne mayst wel p{er}forme þat þou
by-hetest. but I preie þe oonly þis. þat þou ne tarie nat to telle me
þilke þinges þat þou hast meoued. first q{uo}d she þou most nedes
knowen. þ{a}t good[e] folk ben al wey strong[e] {and} myȝty. and þe
shrewes ben feble {and} desert {and} naked of alle strengþes. and of
þise þinges certys eueryche of hem is declared {and} shewed by oþ{er}.
¶ For so as good {and} yuel ben two cont{ra}ries. yif so be þat goode be
stedfast. þa{n} sheweþ þe fieblesse of yuel al openly. and yif þou knowe
clerely þe freelnesse of yuel. þe stedfastnesse of goode is knowen. but
for as moche as þe fey of my sentence shal be þe more ferme {and}
habou{n}daunt. I wil goon by þat oon wey {and} by þat oþer {and} I wil
conferme þe þinges þat ben p{ur}posed now on þis side {and} now on þ{a}t
syde. ¶ Two þinges þer ben in whiche þe effect of alle þe dedes of man
kynde standiþ. þat is to seyn. wil {and} power. and yif þat oon of þise
two fayleþ þere nis no þing þat may be don. for yif þat wil lakkeþ þere
nys no wyȝt þat vndirtakeþ to done þat he wol not don. and yif power
fayleþ þe wille nis but i{n} ydel {and} stant for nauȝt. and þer of
comeþ it þat yif þou se a wyȝt þat wolde gete{n} þat he may nat geten.
þou mayst nat douten þat power ne fayleþ hy{m} to haue{n} þat he wolde.
¶ þis is open {and} clere q{uo}d I. ne it may nat ben denyed in no
manere. and yif þou se a wyȝt q{uo}d she. þat haþ don þat he wolde don
þ{o}u nilt nat douten þat he ne haþ had power to done it. no q{uo}d. I.
and in þat. þat euery wyȝt may. in þat þat men may holden hym myȝty. as
who seiþ i{n} as moche as a man is myȝty to done a þing. in so moche men
halden hy{m} myȝty. and in þat þat he ne may. in þat men demen hym to
ben feble. I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. Remembriþ þe q{uo}d she þat I.
haue gadred {and} shewed by forseide resou{n}s þat al þe entenc{i}ou{n}
of þe wil of ma{n}kynde whiche þat is lad by diuerse studies hastiþ to
comen to blisfulnesse. ¶ It reme{m}breþ me wel q{uo}d I þat it hath ben
shewed. {and} recordeþ þe nat þan q{uo}d she. þat blisfulnesse is þilke
same goode þat men requeren. so þat whan þat blisfulnesse is requered of
alle. þat goode [also] is requered {and} desired of al. It recordeþ me
wel q{uo}d I. for haue it gretly alwey ficche[d] in my memorie. alle
folk þan q{uo}d she goode {and} eke badde enforcen he{m} wiþ oute
difference of entenc{i}ou{n} to come{n} to goode. þat is a uerray
consequence q{uo}d I. and certeyne is q{uo}d she þat by þe gety{n}g of
goode ben men ymaked goode. þis is certeyne q{uo}d. I. ¶ þan geten goode
men þat þei desiren. so semeþ it q{uo}d I. but wicked[e] folk q{uo}d she
yif þei geten þe goode þat þei desire{n} þei [ne] mowen nat ben wicked.
so is it q{uo}d .I. ¶ þan so as þat oon {and} þat oþer [q{uod} she]
desiren good. {and} þe goode folk geten good {and} nat þe wicked folk
¶ þan nis it no doute þat þe goode folk ne ben myȝty {and} þe wicked
folk ben feble. ¶ who so þat euer q{uo}d I douteþ of þis. he ne may nat
considre þe nature of þi{n}ges. ne þe consequence of resou{n}. and ouer
þis q{uo}d she. ¶ yif þat þer ben two þinges þat han o same p{ur}pos by
kynde. {and} þat one of he{m} p{ur}sueþ {and} p{er}formeþ þilke same
þinge by naturel office. {and} þat oþer ne may nat done þilk naturel
office. but folweþ by oþer manere þan is couenable to nat{ur}e ¶ Hym þat
acomplisiþ hys p{ur}pos kyndely. {and} ȝit he ne acomplisiþ nat hys owen
purpos. wheþer of þise two demest þou for more myȝty. ¶ yif þat I
coniecte q{uo}d .I. þat þou wilt seye algates. ȝit I desire to herkene
it more pleynely of þe. þou nilt nat þan denye q{uo}d she þat þe
moeueme{n}tȝ of goynge nis in men by kynde. no for soþe q{uo}d I. ne þou
ne doutest nat q{uo}d she þ{a}t þilke naturel office of goynge ne be þe
office of feet. I ne doute it nat q{uo}d .I. þan q{uo}d she yif þat a
wyȝt be myȝty to moeue {and} goþ vpon hys feet. and anoþer to whom þilke
naturel office of feet lakkeþ. enforceþ hym to gone crepynge vpo{n} hys
handes. ¶ whiche of þise two auȝte to ben holden more myȝty by ryȝt.
knyt furþe þe remenaunt q{uo}d I. ¶ For no wyȝt ne douteþ þat he þat may
gone by nat{ur}el office of feet. ne be more myȝty þan he þat ne may nat
¶ but þe souereyne good q{uo}d she þat is euenlyche p{ur}posed to þe
good folk {and} to badde. þe good folke seken it by naturel office of
uertues. {and} þe shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by dyuerse couetise
of erþely þinges. whiche þat nis no naturel office to geten þilke same
souereyne goode. trowest þou þat it be any oþer wyse. nay q{uo}d .I. for
þe co{n}seque{n}ce is open {and} shewynge of þinges þat I haue graunted.
¶ þat nedes goode folk moten ben myȝty. {and} shrewes feble {and}
vnmyȝty. ¶ þou rennest aryȝt byfore me q{uo}d she. {and} þis is þe
iugement þat is to seyn. ¶ I iuge of þe ryȝt as þise leches ben wont
forto hopen of seke folk whan þei ap{er}ceyuen þat nature is redressed
{and} wiþstondeþ to þe maladie. ¶ But for I see þe now al redy to þe
vndirstandynge I shal shewe þe more þilke {and} continuel resou{n}s.
¶ For loke now how gretly shewiþ þe feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked
folke. þat ne mowen nat come to þat hire naturel entenc{i}ou{n} ledeþ
hem. {and} ȝitte almost þilk naturel entenc{i}ou{n} constreineþ hem.
¶ and what wer{e} to deme þan of shrewes. yif þilke naturel helpe hadde
for-leten hem. ¶ þe whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} goþ alwey
byforne hem. {and} is so grete þat vnneþ it may be ou{er}comen.
¶ Considre þan how gret defaute of power {and} how gret feblesse þere is
in grete felonous folk as who seiþ þe gretter þi{n}ges þat ben coueited
{and} þe desire nat accomplissed of þe lasse myȝt is he þat coueiteþ it
{and} may nat acomplisse. ¶ And forþi philosophie seiþ þus by souereyne
good. ¶ Sherewes ne requere nat lyȝt[e] medes ne veyne gaines whiche þei
ne may nat folwen ne holden. but þei fayle{n} of þilke some of þe heyȝte
of þinges þat is to seyne souereyne good. ne þise wrecches ne comen nat
to þe effect of souereyne good. þe whiche þei enforcen hem oonly to
gete{n} by nyȝtes {and} by dayes. ¶ In þe getyn[g] of whiche goode þe
strengþe of good folk. is ful wel ysen. For ryȝt so as þ{o}u myȝtest
demen hym myȝty of goynge þat goþ on hys feet til he myȝt[e] come to
þilke place fro þe whiche place þere ne lay no wey forþer to be gon.
Ryȝt so most þou nedes demen hym for ryȝt myȝty þat getiþ {and} atteiniþ
to þe ende of alle þinges þat ben to desire. by-ȝonde þe whiche ende þat
þer nis no þing to desire. ¶ Of whiche power of good folk men may
conclude þat wicked men semen to ben bareyne {and} naked of alle
strengþe. For whi forleten þei v{er}tues {and} folwen vices. nis it nat
for þat þei ne knowen nat þe goodes. ¶ But what þing is more feble {and}
more caitif þan is þe blyndenesse of ignoraunce. or ellys þei knowen ful
wel whiche þinges þat þei auȝten to folwen ¶ but lecherye {and} couetise
ouerþroweþ hem mysturned. ¶ and certis so doþ distemp{er}aunce to feble
men. þat ne mowe{n} nat wrastle aȝeins þe vices ¶ Ne knowen þei nat þan
wel þat þei foreleten þe good wilfully. {and} turnen hem vilfully to
vices. ¶ And in þis wise þei ne forleten nat oonly to ben myȝty. but þei
forleten al outerly in any wise forto ben ¶ For þei þat forleten þe
comune fyn of alle þinges þat ben. þei for-leten also þerwiþ al forto
ben. and p{er}auenture it sholde semen to som folk þat þis were a
merueile to seyne þat shrewes whiche þat contienen þe more p{ar}tie of
me{n} ne ben nat. ne han no beynge. ¶ but naþeles it is so. {and} þus
stant þis þing for þei þat ben shrewes I denye nat þat þei ben shrewes.
but I denye {and} sey[e] symplely and pleynly þat þei [ne] ben nat. ne
han no beynge. for ryȝt as þou myȝtest seyn of þe careyne of a man þat
it were a ded man. ¶ but þou ne myȝtest nat symplely callen it a man.
¶ So graunt[e] I wel for soþe þat vicious folk ben wicked. but I ne may
nat graunten absolutely {and} symplely þat þei ben. ¶ For þilk þing þat
wiþ holdeþ ordre {and} kepiþ nature. þilk þing is {and} haþ beynge. but
þat þing þat faileþ of þat. þat is to seyne he þ{a}t forletiþ naturel
ordre he for-letiþ þilk beyng þat is set in hys nature. but þou wolt
sein þat shrewes mowen. ¶ Certys þat ne denye I nat. ¶ but certys hir
power ne descendeþ nat of strengþe but of feblesse. for þei mowen don
wickednesses. þe whiche þei ne myȝten nat don yif þei myȝte{n} dwelle in
þe forme {and} in þe doynge of goode folke. ¶ And þilke power sheweþ ful
euydently þat þei ne mowen ryȝt nauȝt. ¶ For so as I haue gadered {and}
p{ro}ued a lytel her byforn þat yuel is nauȝt. {and} so as shrewes mowen
oonly but shrewednesse. þis conclusiou{n} is al clere. þat shrewes ne
mowen ryȝt nat to han power. and for as moche as þou vndirstonde whiche
is þe strengþe þat is power of shrewes. I haue diffinised a lytel here
byforn þat no þing nis so myȝty as souereyne good ¶ þat is soþe q{uo}d
.I. [{and} thilke same souereyn good may don non yuel // Certes no
q{uod} I] ¶ Is þer any wyȝt þan q{uo}d she þat weniþ þat men mowen don
alle þinges. No man q{uo}d .I. but yif he be out of hys witte. ¶ but
certys sherewes mowen doñ yuel q{uo}d she. ¶ ȝe wolde god q{uo}d I þat
þei ne myȝte{n} don none. þat q{uo}d she so as he þat is myȝty to done
oonly but good[e] þinges may don alle þinges. and þei þat ben myȝty to
done yuel[e] þinges ne mowen nat alle þinges. þan is þis open þing {and}
manifest þat þei þ{a}t mowe{n} don yuel ben of lasse power. and ȝitte to
p{ro}ue þis conclusiou{n} þere helpeþ me þis þat I haue shewed here
byforne. þat al power is to be nou{m}bred amonge þinges þat men auȝten
requere. {and} haue shewed þat alle þi{n}ges þat auȝten ben desired ben
referred to good ryȝt as to a manere heyȝte of hyr nature. ¶ But for to
mowen don yuel {and} felonye ne may nat ben referred to good. þan nis
nat yuel of þe nou{m}bre of þinges þat auȝte{n}. be desired. but al
power auȝt[e] ben desired {and} requered. ¶ þan is it open {and} cler
þat þe power ne þe moeuyng of shrewes nis no powere. {and} of alle þise
þinges it sheweþ wel þat þe goode folk ben certeynly myȝty. {and} þe
shrewes ben douteles vnmyȝty ¶ And it is clere {and} open þat þilke
sentence of plato is uerray {and} soþe. þ{a}t seyþ þat oonly wiseme{n}
may [doon] þat þei desiren. {and} shrewes mowen haunten þat hem lykeþ.
but þat þei desiren þat is to seyne to comen to souereyne good þei ne
han no power to acomplissen þat. ¶ For shrewes don þat hem list whan by
þo þinges in whiche þei deliten þei wenen to atteyne to þilke good þat
þei desiren. but þei ne geten ne atteynen nat þer to. ¶ for vices ne
comen nat to blisfulnesse.
QUOS UIDES SEDERE CELSOS.
[Sidenote: [The ij^de Met{ur}.]]
++Who so þat þe couertures of her veyn apparailes myȝt[e] strepen of
þise proude kynges þat þou seest sitten on heyȝe in her chayeres
glyterynge in shynynge purpre envyroned wiþ sorweful arm{ur}es manasyng
wiþ cruel mouþe. blowyng by woodnesse of herte. ¶ He sholde se þan þat
ilke lordes beren wiþ i{n}ne hir corages ful streyte cheynes for
leccherye tormentiþ he{m} on þat oon syde wiþ gredy venyms {and}
troublable Ire þat araiseþ in hem þe floodes of troublynges tourmentiþ
vpon þat oþer side hir þouȝt. or sorwe halt he{m} wery or ycauȝt. or
slidyng {and} disseyuyng hope tourmentiþ hem. And þerfore syn þou seest
on heed. þat is to seyne oon tyraunt bere so many[e] tyrauntis. þa{n} ne
doþ þilk tyraunt nat þat he desiriþ. syn he is cast doune wiþ so many[e]
wicked lordes. þat is to seyn wiþ so many[e] vices. þat han so wicked
lordshipes ouer hym.
VIDES NE IGITUR QUANTO.
[Sidenote: [The iij.^de p{ro}se.]]
++SEest þou nat þan in how gret filþe þise shrewes ben ywrapped. {and}
wiþ whiche cleernesse þise good folk shynen. In þis sheweþ it wel þat to
good folk ne lakkeþ neuer mo hir medes. ne shrewes ne lakken neuer mo
to{ur}mentis. for of alle þinges þat ben ydon þilke þing for whiche any
þing is doon. it semeþ as by ryȝt þat þilke þing be þe mede of þat. as
þus. ¶ yif a man renneþ in þe stadie or in þe forlonge for þe corone.
þan lieþ þe mede in þe corone for whiche he renneþ. ¶ And I haue shewed
þat blisfulnesse is þilke same good for whiche þat alle þi{n}g{us} ben
don. þan is þilke same good p{ur}posed to þe werkes of mankynde ryȝt as
a comune mede. whiche mede ne may ben disseuered fro good folk. for no
wyȝt as by ryȝt fro þennes forþe þ{a}t hym lakkiþ goodnesse ne shal ben
cleped good. For whiche þing folk of good[e] maneres her medes ne
forsaken hem neuer mo. For al be it so þat sherewes waxen as wood as hem
list aȝeynes good[e] folk. ȝitte neuer þe les þe corone of wise men ne
shal nat fallen ne faden. ¶ For foreine shrewednesse ne bynymeþ nat fro
þe corages of good[e] folk hire p{ro}pre honoure. but yif þat any wyȝt
reioiseþ hem of goodnesse þat þei had[de] taken fro wiþoute. as who seiþ
yif [þ{a}t] any wyȝt had[de] hys goodnesse of any oþer man þan of hym
self. certys he þat ȝaf hym þilke goodnesse or ellys som oþer wyȝt
myȝt[e] bynym[e] it hym. but for as moche as to euery wyȝt hys owen
p{ro}pre bounte ȝeueþ hy{m} hys mede. þan at arst shal he faylen of mede
whan he forletiþ to ben good. {and} at þe laste so as alle medes be{n}
requered for men wenen þat þei ben good[e]. who is he þat wolde deme þat
he þat is ryȝt myȝty of goode were p{ar}tles of mede. {and} of what mede
shal he be gerdoned. certys of ryȝt faire mede {and} ryȝt greet abouen
alle medes. ¶ Remembre þe of þilk noble corolarie þat I ȝaf þe a lytel
here byforne. {and} gadre it to gidre in þis manere. so as god hym self
is blisfulnesse. þan is it clere {and} certeyn. þat alle good folk ben
makid blisful for þei ben good[e]. and þilke folk þat ben blisful it
accordiþ {and} is couenable to ben godde[s]. þan is þe mede of goode
folk swiche. þat no day [ne] shal enpeyren it. ne no wickednesse shal
endirken it. ne power of no wyȝt ne shal nat amenusen it þat is to seyn
to ben maked goddes. ¶ and syn it is þus þat goode men ne faylen neuer
mo of hir{e} medes. ¶ certys no wise man ne may doute of þe
vndep{ar}table peyne of shrewes. ¶ þat is to seyn þat þe peyne of
shrewes ne dep{ar}tiþ nat from hem self neuer mo. ¶ For so as goode
{and} yuel {and} peyne {and} medes ben contrarie it mot nedes ben þ{a}t
ryȝt as we seen by-tiden in gerdou{n} of goode. þat also mot þe peyne of
yuel answer{e} by þe contrarie partye to shrewes. now þan so as bounte
{and} prowesse ben þe medes to goode folk. also is shrewednesse it self
torment to shrewes ¶ þan who so þat euer is entecched {and} defouled wiþ
yuel. yif shrewes wolen þan p{re}isen hem self may it semen to hem þat
þei ben wiþ oute{n} p{ar}tye of tourment. syn þei ben swiche þat þe
[vtteriste wikkednesse / þ{a}t is to seyn wikkede thewes / which þ{a}t
is the] out{er}este {and} þe w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouliþ
nat ne entecehiþ nat hem oonly but infectiþ {and} enuenemyþ he{m}
gretely ¶ And al so loke on shrewes þat ben þe contrarie p{ar}tye of
goode men. how grete peyne felawshipeþ {and} folweþ hem. ¶ For þou hast
lerned a litel here byforn þat al þi{n}g þat is {and} haþ beynge is oon.
{and} þilke same oon is good. þan is þis consequence þat it semeþ wel.
þat al þat is {and} haþ bey{n}ge is good. þis is to seyne. as who seiþ
þat beynge {and} vnite {and} goodnesse is al oon. {and} in þis manere it
folweþ þan. þat al þing þat faileþ to ben good. it styntiþ forto be.
{and} forto haue any beynge. wher fore it is þat shrewes stynten forto
ben þat þei weren. but þilke oþer forme of mankynde. þat is to seyne þe
forme of þe body wiþ oute. shewiþ ȝit þat þise shrewes were somtyme men.
¶ wher fore whan þei ben p{er}uerted {and} torned in to malice. certys
þan han þei forlorn þe nature of mankynde. but so as oonly bounte {and}
prowesse may enhawnse euery man ouer oþer men. þan mot it nedes be þat
shrewes whiche þat shrewednesse haþ cast out of þe condic{i}ou{n} of
mankynde ben put vndir þe merite {and} þe deserte of men. þan bitidiþ it
þat yif þou seest a wyȝt þat be t{ra}nsformed in to vices. þou ne mayst
nat wene þat he be a man. ¶ For ȝif he [be] ardaunt in auarice. {and}
þat he be a rauyno{ur} by violence of foreine rychesse. þou shalt seyn
þat he is lyke to a wolf. {and} yif he be felonous {and} wiþ out reste
{and} ex{er}cise hys tonge to chidynges. þou shalt lykene hym to þe
hounde. {and} yif he be a p{re}ue awaito{ur} yhid {and} reioyseþ hym to
rauysshe by wyles. þou shalt seyne hym lyke to þe fox whelpes. ¶ And yif
he be distempre {and} quakiþ for ire men shal wene þat he bereþ þe
corage of a lyou{n}. {and} yif he be dredeful {and} fleynge and dredeþ
þinges þat ne auȝten nat ben dred. men shal holde hym lyke to þe
h{er}te. {and} yif he be slowe {and} astoned {and} lache. he lyueþ as an
asse. {and} yif he be lyȝt {and} vnstedfast of corage {and} chaungeþ ay
his studies. he is lickened to briddes. ¶ {and} yif he be plounged in
foule {and} vnclene luxuries. he is wiþholden in þe foule delices of þe
foule soowe. ¶ þan folweþ it þat he þat forletiþ bountee {and} prowesse.
he forletiþ to ben a man. syn he ne may nat passe in to þe
condic{i}ou{n} of god. he is tourned in to a beest.
V[E]LA NARICII DUCIS.
[Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]
++Evrus þe wynde aryueþ þe sayles of vlixes duc of þe contre of narice.
{and} hys wandryng shippes by þe see in to þe isle þere as Circe þe
fayre goddesse douȝter of þe sonne dwelleþ þat medlyþ to hir newe gestes
drynkes þat ben touched {and} maked wiþ enchau{n}tmentȝ. {and} after þat
hir hande myȝty of þe herbes had[de] chau{n}ged hir gestes i{n} to
dyuerse maneres. þat oon of hem is couered his face wiþ forme of a boor.
þat oþer is chau{n}ged in to a lyou{n} of þe contre of marmorike. {and}
his nayles {and} his teþe wexen. ¶ þat oþer of hem is newliche chaunged
in to a wolf. {and} howeliþ whan he wolde wepe. þat oþer goþ debonairly
in þe house as a tigre of Inde. but al be it so þat þe godhed of
mercurie þat is cleped þe bride of arcadie haþ had mercie of þe duc
vlixes byseged wiþ diu{er}se yueles {and} haþ vnbounden hym fro þe
pestilence of hys oosteresse algates þe rowers {and} þe maryners hadden
by þis ydrawen in to hir mouþes {and} dronken þe wicked[e] drynkes þei
þat were woxen swyne hadden by þis chau{n}ged hire mete of brede forto
ete acorns of ookes. non of hir lymes ne dwelliþ wiþ he{m} hoole. but
þei han lost þe voys {and} þe body. Oonly hir{e} þouȝt dwelleþ wiþ hem
stable þ{a}t wepiþ {and} bywailiþ þe monstruous chaungynge þat þei
suffren. ¶ O ouer lyȝt hand. as who seiþ. ¶ O feble {and} lyȝt is þe
hand of Circes þe enchaunteresse þat chaungeþ þe bodies of folk in to
bestes to regarde {and} to co{m}parisou{n} of mutac{i}ou{n} þat is makid
by vices. ne þe herbes of circes ne ben nat myȝty. for al be it so þat
þei may chau{n}gen þe lymes of þe body. ¶ algates ȝit þei may nat
chau{n}ge þe hertes. for wiþ inne is yhid þe strengþe {and} þe vigour of
me{n} in þe secre toure of hire hertys. þat is to seyn þe strengþe of
resou{n}. but þilke uenyms of vices to-drawen a man to hem more myȝtily
þan þe venym of circes. ¶ For vices ben so cruel þat þei percen {and}
þoruȝ passen þe corage wiþ i{n}ne. {and} þouȝ þei ne anoye nat þe body.
ȝitte vices wooden to distroien men by wounde of þouȝt.
TUNC EGO FATEOR INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The ferthe p{ro}se.]]
++Þan seide I þus I confesse {and} am aknowe q{uo}d I. ne I ne se nat
þat men may seyn as by ryȝt. þ{a}t shrewes ne ben nat chaunged in to
beestes by þe qualite of hir soules. ¶ Al be it so þ{a}t þei kepen ȝitte
þe forme of þe body of mankynde. but I nolde nat of shrewes of whiche þe
þouȝt cruel woodeþ alwey in to destrucc{i}ou{n} of good[e] men. þat it
wer{e} leueful to hem to done þat. ¶ Certys q{uo}d she ne it nis nat
leueful to hem as I shal wel shewen þe in couenable place. ¶ But naþeles
yif so were þat þilke þat me{n} wene{n} ben leueful for shrewes were
bynomen hem. so þat þei ne myȝten nat anoyen or don harme to goode men.
¶ Certys a gret p{ar}ty of þe peyne to shrewes shulde ben allegged {and}
releued. ¶ For al be it so þ{a}t þis ne seme nat credible þing
p{er}auent{ur}e to so{m}me folk ȝit mot it nedes be þat shrewes ben more
wrecches {and} vnsely. whan þei may don {and} p{er}forme þat þei
coueiten [than yif they myhte nat complyssen þ{a}t they coueyten]. ¶ For
yif so be þat it be wrecchednesse to wilne to don yuel[;] þan is it more
wrecchednesse to mowen don yuel. wiþ oute whiche moeuyng þe wrecched
wille sholde languisshe wiþ oute effecte. ¶ þan syn þat eueryche of þise
þinges haþ hys wrecchednesse. þat is to seyne wil to done yuel. and
moeuynge to done yuel. it mot nedes be. þat þei (shrewes) ben
constreyned by þre vnselynesses þat wolen {and} mowen {and} p{er}formen
felonyes {and} shrewednesses. ¶ I accorde me q{uo}d I. but I desire
gretely þat shrewes losten sone þilke vnselynesses. þat is to seyne þat
shrewes were despoyled of moeuyng to don yuel. ¶ so shulle{n} þei q{uo}d
she. sonnere p{er}auenture þen þ{o}u woldest or sonnere þen þei hem self
wenen to lakken mowynge to done yuel. ¶ For þere nis no þing so late in
so short bou{n}des of þis lijf þat is longe to abide. namelyche to a
corage inmortel. Of whiche shrewes þe grete hope {and} þe heye
co{m}passy{n}g{us} of shrewednesse is often destroyed by a sodeyne ende
or þei ben war. {and} þat þing establiþ to shrewes þe ende of hir
shrewednesse. ¶ For yif þat shrewednesse makiþe wrecches. þan mot he
nedes be most wrecched þat lengest is a shrewe. þe whiche wicked shrewes
wolde ydemen aldirmost vnsely {and} caytifs yif þat hir shrewednes ne
were yfinissed. at þe leste weye by þe outerest[e] deeþ. for [yif] I
haue concluded soþe of þe vnselynesse of shrewednesse. þan sheweþ it
clerely þat þilke shrewednesse is wiþ outen ende þe whiche is certeyne
to ben p{er}durable. ¶ Certys q{uo}d I þis [conclusion] is harde {and}
wonderful to graunte. ¶ But I knowe wel þat it accordeþ moche to [the]
þi{n}ges þat I haue graunted her byforne. ¶ þou hast q{uo}d she þe ryȝt
estimac{i}ou{n} of þis. but who so euere wene þat it be an harde þing to
acorde hym to a conclusiou{n}. it is ryȝt þat he shewe þat so{m}me of þe
p{re}misses ben fals. or ellys he mot shewe þat þe colasiou{n} of
p{re}posic{i}ou{n}s nis nat spedful to a necessarie conclusio{n}. ¶ and
yif it be nat so. but þat þe p{re}misses ben yg{ra}nted þer nis nat whi
he sholde blame þe argument. for þis þing þat I shal telle þe nowe ne
shal not seme lasse wondirful. but of þe þinges þat ben taken al so it
is necessarie as who so seiþ it folweþ of þat whiche þat is p{ur}posed
byforn. what is þat q{uo}d I. ¶ certys q{uo}d she þat is þat þ{a}t þise
wicked shrewes ben more blysful or ellys lasse wrecches. þat byen þe
tourmentes þat þei han deserued. þan yif no peyne of Iustice ne
chastied[e] hem. ne þis ne seye I nat now for þat any man myȝt[e]
þenk[e] þat þe maneres of shrewes ben coriged {and} chastised by
veniaunce. {and} þat þei ben brouȝt to þe ryȝt wey by þe drede of þe
tourment. ne for þat þei ȝeuen to oþer folk ensample to fleyen fro{m}
vices. ¶ But I vndirstonde ȝitte [in] an oþer manere þat shrewes ben
more vnsely whan þei ne ben nat punissed al be it so þat þere ne ben had
no resou{n} or lawe of correcc{i}ou{n}. ne none ensample of lokynge.
¶ And what manere shal þat ben q{uo}d I. ouþer þan haþ ben told here
byforn ¶ Haue we nat graunted þan q{uo}d she þat good[e] folk ben
blysful. {and} shrewes ben wrecches. ȝis q{uo}d I. [thanne q{uod} she]
ȝif þat any good were added to þe wrecchenesse of any wyȝt. nis he nat
more blisful þan he þat ne haþ no medelyng of goode in hys solitarie
wrecchednesse. so semeþ it q{uo}d I. and what seyst þou þan q{uo}d she
of þilke wrecche þat lakkeþ alle goodes. so þat no goode nis medeled in
hys wrecchednesse. {and} ȝitte ouer alle hys wickednesse for whiche he
is a wrecche þat þer be ȝitte anoþer yuel anexid {and} knyt to hym. shal
not men demen hym more vnsely þan þilke wrecche of whiche þe vnselynesse
is re[le]ued by þe p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} of som goode. whi sholde he nat
q{uo}d I. ¶ þan certys q{uo}d she han shrewes whan þei ben punissed
somwhat of good anexid to hir wrecchednesse. þat is to seyne þe same
peyne þat þei suffren whiche þat is good by þe resou{n} of Iustice. And
whan þilke same shrewes ascapen wiþ outen tourment. þan han þei somwhat
more of yuel ȝit ouer þe wickednesse þat þei han don. þat is to seye
defaute of peyne. whiche defaute of peyne þou hast graunted is yuel.
¶ For þe desert of felonye I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I. ¶ Moche more
þan q{uo}d she ben shrewes vnsely whan þei ben wrongfully delyuered fro
peyne. þan whan þei beþ punissed by ryȝtful vengeaunce. but þis is open
þi{n}g {and} clere þat it is ryȝt þat shrewes ben punissed. {and} it is
wickednesse {and} wrong þat þei escapin vnpunissed. ¶ who myȝt[e] denye
þat q{uo}d I. but q{uo}d she may any ma{n} denye. þat al þat is ryȝt nis
good. {and} also þe contrarie. þat alle þat is wrong nis wicked. certys
q{uo}d I þise þinges ben clere ynouȝ. {and} þat we han concludid a litel
here byforn{e}. but I p{re}ye þe þat þou telle me yif þou accordest to
leten no to{ur}ment to þe soules aftir þat þe body is dedid by þe deþe.
þis [is] to seyn. vndirstondest þou ouȝt þat soules han any to{ur}ment
after þe deþe of þe body. ¶ Certis q{uo}d she ȝe {and} þat ryȝt grete.
of whiche soules q{uo}d she I trowe þat so{m}me ben to{ur}mentid by
asprenesse of peyne. {and} so{m}me soules I trowe be exc{er}cised by a
p{ur}ging mekenesse. but my conseil nys nat to determyne of þis peyne.
but I haue trauayled and told it hider to. ¶ For þou sholdest knowe þat
þe mowynge [.i. myght] of shrewes whiche mowynge þe semeþ to ben.
vnworþi nis no mowynge. {and} eke of shrewes of whiche þou pleynedest
þat þei ne were nat punissed. þat þou woldest seen þat þei ne weren
neuer mo wiþ outen þe torment of hire wickednesse. {and} of þe licence
of mowynge to done yuel. þat þou p{re}idest þat it myȝt[e] sone ben
endid. {and} þat þou woldest fayne lerne. þat it ne sholde nat longe
endure. {and} þat shrewes ben more vnsely yif þei were of lenger duryng.
{and} most vnsely yif þei weren p{er}durable. {and} after þis I haue
shewed þe þat more vnsely ben shrewes whan þei escapen wiþ oute ryȝtful
peyne. þan whan þei ben punissed by ryȝtful uengeaunce. and of þis
sentence folweþ it þat þan be{n} shrewes constreyned atte laste wiþ most
greuous tourment. whan men wene þat þei ne ben nat ypunissed. whan I
considre þi resou{n}s q{uo}d I. I. ne trowe nat þat men seyn any þing
more verrely. {and} yif I to{ur}ne aȝeyn to þe studies of men. who is
[he] to who{m} it sholde seme þat [he] ne sholde nat only leue{n} þise
þinges. but eke gladly herkene he{m}. Certys q{uo}d she so it is. but
men may nat. for þei han hire eyen so wont to derkenesse of erþely
þinges. þat þei may nat liften hem vp to þe lyȝt of clere soþefastnes.
¶ But þei ben lyke to briddes of whiche þe nyȝt lyȝtneþ hyre lookyng.
{and} þe day blyndeþ hem. for whan men loken nat þe ordre of þinges but
hire lustes {and} talentȝ. þei wene þat oþir þe leue or þe mowynge to
done wickednesse or ellys þe escapi{n}g wiþ oute peyne be weleful. but
co{n}sider{e} þe iugement of þe p{er}durable lawe. for if þou conferme
þi corage to þe beste þinges. þou ne hast no nede to no iuge to ȝiue{n}
þe p{r}is or meede. for þou hast ioigned þi self to þe most excellent
þing. and yif þou haue enclined þi studies to þe wicked þinges. ne seek
no foreyn wrekere out of þi self. for þou þi self hast þrest þe in to
wicked þinges. ryȝt as þou myȝtest loken by dyuerse tymes þe foule erþe
{and} þe heuene. {and} þat alle oþer þinges stynten fro wiþ oute. so þat
þou [ner{e} neyther in heuene ne in erthe] ne say[e] no þing more. þan
sholde it semen to þe as by only resou{n} of lokynge. þat þou were in þe
sterres. {and} now in þe erþe. but þe poeple ne lokeþ nat on þise
þinges. what þan shal we þan app{ro}chen vs to hem þat I haue shewed þat
þei ben lyke to þe bestes. (q. d. no{n}) ¶ And what wilt þou seyne of
þis ¶ yif þat a man hadde al forlorn hys syȝt. {and} had[de] forȝeten
þat he euer saw {and} wende þ{a}t no þing ne fayled[e] hym of
p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of ma{n}kynde. now we þat myȝten sen þe same þing
wolde we nat wene þat he were bly{n}de (q. d. sic). ne also ne accordeþ
nat þe poeple to þat I shal seyne. þe whiche þing is susteyned by a
stronge foundement of resou{n}s. þat is to seyn þat more vnsely ben þei
þat don wrong to oþer folk. þen þei þat þe wrong suffren. ¶ I wolde
heren þilke same resou{n}s q{uo}d I ¶ Deniest þou q{uo}d she þat alle
shrewes ne ben worþi to han to{ur}ment. nay q{uo}d I. but q{uo}d she I
am certeyne by many resou{n}s þat shrewes ben vnsely. it accordeþ q{uo}d
I. þan [ne] dowtest þou nat q{uo}d she þat þilke folk þat ben worþi of
to{ur}ment þat þei ne ben wrecches. It accordeþ wel q{uo}d I. yif þou
were þan q{uo}d she yset a Iuge or a knower of þinges. wheþer trowest
þou þ{a}t men sholde to{ur}ment[e] hym þat haþ don þe wronge. or hym þat
haþ suffred þe wronge. I ne doute nat q{uo}d I. þat I nolde don
suffissaunt satisfacc{i}ou{n} to hym þat had[de] suffred þe wrong by þe
sorwe of hym þat had[de] don þe wronge. ¶ þan semeþ it q{uo}d she þat þe
doar of wrong is more wrecche þan he þat haþ suffred þe wrong. þat
folweþ wel q{uo}d [I]. þan q{uo}d she by þise causes {and} by oþer
causes þat ben enforced by þe same roate þat filþe or synne by þe
p{ro}pre nature of it makeþ men wretches. {and} it sheweþ wel þat þe
wrong þat me{n} don nis nat þe wrecchenesse of hym þat receyueþ þe
wrong. but þe wrecchednesse of hym þat doþ þe wronge ¶ but certys q{uo}d
she þise orato{ur}s or aduocatȝ don al þe contrarie for þei enforcen hem
to co{m}moeue þe iuges to han pite of he{m} þat han suffred {and}
resceyued þe þinges þat ben greuous {and} aspre. {and} ȝitte men sholden
more ryȝtfully han pitee on hem þat don þe greuaunces {and} þe wronges.
þe whiche shrewes it were a more couenable þing þat þe accuso{ur}s or
aduocatȝ not wroþe but pitous {and} debonaire ladden þe shrewes þat han
don wro{n}g to þe Iugement. ryȝt as men leden seke folk to þe leche. for
þat þei sholden seken out þe maladies of synne by to{ur}mentȝ. and by
þis couenaunt eyþer þe entent of þe defendo{ur}s or aduocatȝ sholde
fayle {and} cesen in al. or ellys yif þe office of aduocatȝ wolde
bettre p{ro}fiten to men. it sholde be to{ur}ned in to þe habit of
accusac{i}ou{n}. þat is [to] s[e]yn þei sholde{n} accuse shrewes.
{and} nat excuse hem. {and} eke þe shrewes hem self. ȝit it were
leueful to hem to seen at any clifte þe vertue þat þei han forleten.
{and} sawen þat þei sholde putten adou{n} þe filþes of hire vices
by [the] to{ur}mentȝ of peynes. þei ne auȝten nat ryȝt for þe
reco{m}pensac{i}ou{n} forto geten hem bounte {and} prowesse whiche þat
þei han lost demen ne holden þat þilke peynes weren to{ur}mentes to hem.
{and} eke þei wolden refuse þe attendau{n}ce of hir aduocatȝ {and} taken
hem self to hire iuges {and} to hir accusours. for whiche it bytideþ
[þ{a}t] as to þe wise folk þer nis no place ylete to hate. þat is to
seyn. þat hate ne haþ no place amonges wise men. ¶ For no wyȝt wolde
haten gode men. but yif he were ouer moche a fole. ¶ and forto haten
shrewes it nis no resou{n}. ¶ For ryȝt so as languissing is maladie of
body. ryȝt so ben vices {and} sy{n}ne maladies of corage. ¶ and so as we
ne deme nat þat þei þat ben seek of hire body ben worþi to ben hated.
but raþer worþi of pite. wel more worþi nat to ben hated. but forto ben
had in pite ben þei of whiche þe þouȝtes ben constreined by felonous
wickednesse. þat is more cruel þa{n} any languissinge of body.
QUID TANTOS IUUAT.
[Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]]
++What deliteþ it ȝow to exciten so grete moewynges of hatredes {and} to
hasten {and} bisien [the] fatal disposic{i}ou{n} of ȝoure deeþ wiþ ȝoure
p{ro}pre handes. þat is to seyn by batailes or [by] contek. for yif ȝe
axen þe deeþ it hastisiþ hym of hys owen wille. ne deeþ ne tarieþ nat
hys swifte hors. and [the] men þat þe serpentȝ {and} þe lyou{n}s. {and}
þe tigre. {and} þe beere {and} þe boore seken to sleen wiþ her teþe. ȝit
þilke same men seken to sleen eueryche of hem oþer wiþ swerde. loo for
her man{er}s ben diuerse {and} discordaunt ¶ þei moeuen vnryȝtful oostes
{and} cruel batailes. {and} wilne to p{er}isse by enterchaungynge of
dartes. but þe resou{n} of cruelte nis nat ynouȝ ryȝtful. wilt þou þan
ȝelden a couenable gerdou{n} to þe desertes of men ¶ Loue ryȝtfully
goode folk[;] {and} haue pite on shrewes.
HINC EGO UIDEO INQ{UA}M. {ET} CET{ERA}.
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]
++Þus see I wel q{uo}d I. eyþer what blisfulnesse or ellys what
vnselinesse is estab[l]issed in þe desertys of goode men {and} of
shrewes. ¶ but in þis ilke fortune of poeple I see somwhat of goode.
{and} somwhat of yuel. for no wise man haþ nat leuer ben exiled pore
{and} nedy {and} nameles. þan forto dwellen in hys Citee {and} flouren
of rychesses. {and} be redoutable by honoure. {and} stronge of power for
in þis wise more clerely {and} more witnesfully is þe office of wise men
ytretid whan þe blisfulnes {and} [the] pouste of gouerno{ur}s is as it
were yshad amonges poeples þat ben neyȝboures {and} subgitȝ. syn þat
namely prisou{n} lawe {and} þise oþer to{ur}mentȝ of lawful peynes ben
raþer owed to felonous Citeȝeins. for þe whiche felonous Citeȝeins þo
peynes ben establissed. þan for goode folk. ¶ þan I m{er}ueile me gretly
q{uo}d I. whi [þ{a}t] þe þinges ben so mys entrechaunged. þat
to{ur}mentȝ felounes pressen {and} confounden goode folk. {and} shrewes
rauyssen medes of vertue {and} ben i{n} hono{ur}s. {and} in grete
estatis. and I desire eke to wite{n} of þe. what semeþ þe to ben þe
resou{n} of þis so wrongful a confusiou{n} ¶ For I wolde wondre wel þe
lasse yif I trowed[e] þat alle þise þinges were medeled by fortuouse
hap. ¶ But now hepeþ {and} encreseþ myne astonyenge god gouerno{ur} of
þinges. þat so as god ȝeueþ ofte tymes to good[e] men goodes {and}
myrþes. {and} to shrewes yuel and aspre þinges. {and} ȝeueþ aȝeynewarde
to goode folk hardnesse. {and} to shrewes [he] g{ra}unteþ hem her wille
{and} þat þei desiren. what difference þan may þer be bitwixen þ{a}t þat
god doþ. {and} þe hap of fortune. yif men ne knowe nat þe cause whi þat
[it] is. it nis no merueile q{uo}d she þouȝ þat men wenen þat þer be
somwhat folysche and confus whan þe resou{n} of þe order is vnknowe.
¶ But alle þouȝ þou ne know nat þe cause of so gret a disposic{i}ou{n}.
naþeles for as moche as god þe good[e] gouernour attempreþ {and}
gouerneþ þe world. ne doute þe nat þat alle þinges ne ben doon aryȝt.
SI QUIS ARCTURI SYDERA.
[Sidenote: [The fyfthe Met{ur}.]]
++Who so þat ne knowe nat þe sterres of arctour yto{ur}ned neye to þe
souereyne contre or point. þat is to seyne yto{ur}ned neye to þe
souereyne pool of þe firmament {and} woot nat whi þe sterre boetes
passeþ or gaderiþ his wey[n]es. {and} drencheþ his late flaumbes in þe
see. {and} whi þat boetes þe sterre vnfoldiþ his ouer swifte arisynges.
þan shal he wo{n}dre{n} of þe lawe of þe heye eyre. {and} eke if þat he
ne knowe nat why þat þe hornes of þe ful[le] moene waxen pale {and}
infect by þe bou{n}des of þe derke nyȝt ¶ and how þe moene dirk {and}
confuse discouereþ þe sterres. þat she had[de] ycouered by hir clere
visage. þe co{m}mune errour moeueþ folk {and} makiþ wery hir bacines of
bras by þikke strookes. þat is to seyne þat þer is a maner poeple þat
hyȝt[e] coribandes þat wenen þat whan þe moone is in þe eclips þat it be
enchau{n}tid. and þerfore forto rescowe þe moone þei betyn hire basines
wiþ þikke strokes. ¶ Ne no man ne wondreþ whan þe blastes of þe wynde
chorus betyn þe strondes of þe see by quakynge floodes. ne no man ne
wondreþ whan þe weyȝte of þe snowe yhardid by þe colde. is resolued by
þe brennynge hete of phebus þe sonne. ¶ For here seen men redyly þe
causes. but þe causes yhid þat is to seye in heuene trouble þe brestes
of men. ¶ þe moeueable poeple is a-stoned of alle þinges þat comen selde
{and} sodeynely in oure age. but yif þe troubly errour of oure
ignora{n}ce departid[e] from vs. so þat we wisten þe causes whi þat
swiche þinges bitiden. certys þei sholde{n} cesse to seme wondres.
ITA EST INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]]
{Þ}vs is it q{uo}d I. but so as þou hast ȝeuen or byhyȝt me to
vnwrappe{n} þe hidde causes of þinges ¶ and to discoueren me þe
resou{n}s couered w{i}t{h} dirknesses I p{re}ye þe þat þou diuise {and}
Iuge me of þis matere. {and} þat þou do me to vndrestonde{n} it. ¶ For
þis miracle or þis wondre troubleþ me ryȝt gretely. {and} þan she a
litel [what] smylyng seide. ¶ þou clepest me q{uo}d she to telle þing.
þat is grettest of alle þinges þat mowen ben axed. ¶ And to þe whiche
questiou{n} vnneþ[e]s is þere auȝt ynow to lauen it. as who seiþ.
vnneþes is þer suffisauntly any þing to answere p{er}fitly to þi
questiou{n}. ¶ For þe matere of it is swiche þat whan oon doute is
determined {and} kut awey þer wexe{n} oþer doutes wiþ-outen nou{m}bre.
ryȝt as þe heuedes waxen of ydre þe serpent þat hercules slouȝ. ¶ Ne
þere ne were no man{er}e ne noon ende. but yif þat a wyȝt
co{n}streined[e] þo doutes. by a ryȝt lyuely {and} a quik fire of þouȝt.
þat is to seyn by vigo{ur} {and} strengþe of witte. ¶ For in þis matere
me{n} weren wont to maken questiou{n}s of þe simplicite of þe
p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} of þe ordre of destine. {and} of sodeyne hap.
{and} of þe knowyng {and} p{re}destinac{i}ou{n} deuine {and} of þe
lyberte of fre wille. þe whiche þing þou þi self ap{er}ceiust wel of
what weyȝt þei ben. but for as mochel as þe knowynge of þise þinges is a
manere porc{i}ou{n} to þe medicine to þe. al be it so þat I haue lytel
tyme to don it. ȝit naþeles I wole enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it.
¶ but al þouȝ þe norissinges of dite of musike deliteþ þe þow most
suffren. {and} forberen a litel of þilk delite while þat I weue
(contexo) to þe resou{n}s yknyt by ordre ¶ As it likeþ to þe q{uo}d I so
do. ¶ þo spak she ryȝt a[s] by an oþer bygynnyn[ge] {and} seide þus.
¶ þe enge{n}drynge of alle þinges q{uo}d she {and} alle þe
progressiou{n}s of muuable nat{ur}e. {and} alle þ{a}t moeueþ in any
manere takiþ hys causes. hys ordre. {and} hys formes. of þe stablenesse
of þe deuyne þouȝt [{and} thilke deuyne thowht] þat is yset {and} put in
þe toure. þat is to seyne in þe heyȝt of þe simplicite of god. stablisiþ
many manere gyses to þinges þat ben to don. ¶ þe whiche manere whan þat
men loken it i{n} þilke pure clerenesse of þe deuyne i{n}telligence. it
is ycleped p{ur}ueaunce ¶ but whan þilke manere is referred by me{n} to
þinges þat it moeueþ {and} disponeþ þan of olde men. it was cleped
destine. ¶ þe whiche þinges yif þat any wyȝt lokeþ wel in his þouȝt. þe
strengþe of þat oon {and} of þat oþer he shal lyȝtly mowen seen þat þise
two þinges ben diuers. ¶ For p{ur}ueau{n}ce is þilke deuyne resou{n} þat
is establissed in þe souereyne p{r}ince of þinges. þe whiche
p{ur}ueaunce disponiþ alle þinges. but destine is þe disposic{i}ou{n}
{and} ordenaunce cleuynge to moeuable þinges. by þe whiche
disposic{i}ou{n} þe p{ur}ueaunce knyteþ alle þinges in hire ordres.
¶ For p{ur}ueaunce enbraceþ alle þi{n}ges to hepe. al þouȝ þat þei ben
dyuerse {and} al þouȝ þei ben wiþ outen fyn. but destynie dep{ar}teþ
{and} ordeyneþ alle þinges singlerly {and} diuideþ. in moeuynges. in
places. in formes. in tymes. dep{ar}tiþ [as] þus. so þat þe vnfoldyng of
temp{or}el ordenaunce assembled {and} ooned in þe lokyng of þe deuyne
þouȝt ¶ Is p{ur}ueaunce {and} þilke same assemblynge. {and} oonyng
diuided {and} vnfolden by tymes. lat þat ben called destine. {and} al be
it so þat þise þinges ben dyuerse. ȝitte naþeles hangeþ þat oon on þat
oþer. forwhi þe ordre destinal p{ro}cediþ of þe simplicite of
purueaunce. for ryȝt as a werkma{n} þat ap{er}ceiueþ in hys þouȝt þe
forme of þe þing þat he wil make moeueþ þe effect of þe werke. {and}
lediþ þat he had[de] loked byforne in hys þouȝt symply {and} p{re}sently
by temp{or}el þouȝt. ¶ Certys ryȝt so god disponiþ in hys p{ur}ueaunce
singlerly {and} stably þe þinges þat ben to done. but he amynistreþ in
many maneres {and} in dyuerse tymes by destyne. þilke same þinges þat he
haþ disponed þan wheþir þat destine be excercised. eyþer by so{m}me
dyuyne spirites seruaunteȝ to þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. or ellys by
so{m}me soule (a{n}i{m}a mundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god.
or ellys by þe celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by þe vertue of
aungels. or ellys by þe dyuerse subtilite of deueles. or ellys by any of
he{m}. or ellys by hem alle þe destynal ordynau{n}ce is ywouen or
accomplissed. certys it is open þing þat þe p{ur}ueaunce is an
vnmoeueable {and} symple forme of þinges to done. {and} þe moeueable
bonde {and} þe temp{or}el ordynaunce of þinges whiche þat þe deuyne
simplicite of p{ur}ueaunce haþ ordeyned to done. þat is destine. For
whiche it is þat alle þinges þat ben put vndir destine ben certys
subgitȝ to p{ur}ueaunce. to whiche p{ur}ueaunce destine it self is
subgit {and} vndir. ¶ But so{m}me þinges ben put vndir purueaunce þat
so{ur}mounten þe ordinaunce of destine. {and} þo ben þilke þat stably
ben yficched ney to þe first godhed þei so{ur}mou{n}ten þe ordre of
destinal moeuablite. ¶ For ryȝt as cercles þat to{ur}nen aboute a same
Centre or about a poynt. þilke cercle þat is inrest or moost wiþ-ynne
ioineþ to þe symplesse of þe myddel {and} is as it were a Centre or a
poynt to þat oþer cercles þat tourne{n} aboute{n} hym. ¶ and þilke þat
is outerest compased by larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces
in so mochel as it is forþest fro þe mydel symplicite of þe poynt. and
yif þer be any þi{n}g þat knytteþ {and} felawshippeþ hym selfe to þilke
mydel poynt it is constreyned in to symplicite. þat is to seyn in to
[vn]moeueablete. {and} it ceseth to ben shad {and} to fleti{n} dyuersly.
¶ Ryȝt so by semblable resou{n}. þilke þinge þat dep{ar}tiþ firþest fro
þe first þouȝt of god. it is vnfolde{n} {and} su{m}mittid to grettere
bondes of destine. and in so moche is þe þing more free {and} lovs fro
destyne as it axeþ {and} holdeþ hym ner to þilke Centre of þinges. þat
is to seyne god. ¶ and if þe þinge cleueþ to þe stedfastnesse of þe
þouȝt of god. {and} be wiþ oute moeuyng certys it so{ur}mounteþ þe
necessite of destyne. þan ryȝt swiche comparisou{n} as [it] is of
skilynge to vndirstondyng {and} of þing þat is engendred to þing þat is.
{and} of tyme to eternite. {and} of þe cercle to þe Centre. ryȝt so is
þe ordre of moeueable destine to þe stable symplicite of p{ur}ueaunce.
¶ þilke ordinaunce moeueþ þe heuene {and} þe sterres {and} attempreþ þe
elymentȝ to gider amonges hem self. {and} t{ra}nsformeþ hem by
enterchau{n}gable mutac{i}ou{n}. ¶ and þilke same ordre neweþ aȝein alle
þinges growyng {and} fallyng a-doune by sembleables p{ro}gressiou{n}s of
seedes {and} of sexes. þat is to sein. male {and} female. and þis ilke
ordre co{n}streyneþ þe fortunes {and} þe dedes of men by a bonde of
causes nat able to ben vnbou{n}den (indissolubili). þe whiche destinal
causes whanne þei passen oute fro þe bygynnynges of þe vnmoeueable
purueaunce it mot nedes be þat þei ne be nat mutable. {and} þus ben þe
þinges ful wel ygouerned. yif þat þe symplicite dwelly{n}ge in þe deuyne
þouȝt sheweþ furþe þe ordre of causes. vnable to be I-bowed. {and} þis
ordre constreyneþ by hys p{ro}pre stablete þe moeueable þinges. or ellys
þei sholde fleten folily for whiche it is þat alle þinges semen to be
confus {and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat co{n}sider{e} þilke
ordinaunce. ¶ Naþeles þe p{ro}pre manere of euery þing dressynge hem to
goode disponit hem alle. for þere nis no þinge don for cause of yuel. ne
þilke þing þat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel þe whiche
shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuously seken goode. but wicked
errour mysto{ur}niþ he{m}. ¶ Ne þe ordre comynge fro þe poynt of
souereyne goode ne declineþ nat fro hys bygynnynge. but þou mayst sein
what vnreste may ben a wors co{n}fusiou{n} þan þ{a}t goode men han
so{m}me tyme aduersite. {and} so{m}tyme p{ro}sperite. ¶ and shrewes also
han now þinges þat þei desiren. {and} now þi{n}ges þat þei haten
¶ wheþer men lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of þouȝt. as who seiþ. ben
men now so wise. þat swiche folk as þei demen to ben goode folk or
shrewes þ{a}t it mot nedes ben þat folk ben swiche as þei wenen. but in
þis manere þe domes of men discorden. þat þilke men þ{a}t so{m}me folk
demen worþi of mede. oþer folk demen hem worþi of to{ur}ment. but lat vs
graunt[e] I pose þat som man may wel demen or knowen þe goode folk {and}
þe badde. May he þan knowen {and} seen þilke inrest attemp{er}aunce of
corages. as it haþ ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who saiþ may a man
speken {and} determine of attemp{er}aunce in corages. as men were wont
to demen or speken of complexiou{n}s {and} attemp{er}aunces of bodies
(q’ non). ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem þat ne knowe{n} it
nat. ¶ As who seiþ. but is lyke a merueil or a miracle to hem þat ne
knowe{n} it nat. whi þat swete þinges [ben] couenable to some bodies þat
ben hool {and} to some bodies bittre þinges ben couenable. {and} also
whi þat some seke folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} lyȝt medicines [{and} some
folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} sharppe medicynes] but naþeles þe leche þ{a}t
knoweþ þe manere {and} þe attemp{er}aunce of heele {and} of maladie ne
merueileþ of it no þing. but what oþer þing semeþ hele of corages but
bounte {and} prowesse. {and} what oþer þing semeþ maladie of corages but
vices. who is ellys kep{er}e of good or dryuere awey of yuel but god
gouerno{ur} {and} leecher of þouȝtes. þe whiche god wha{n} he haþ
by-holden from þe heye toure of hys p{ur}ueaunce he knoweþ what is
couenable to euery wyȝt. {and} leneþ hem þat he wot [þat] is couenable
to hem. Loo here of comeþ {and} here of is don þis noble miracle of þe
ordre destinal. whan god þat alle knoweþ doþ swiche þing. of whiche þing
[þat] vnknowyng folk ben astoned but forto constreine as who seiþ ¶ But
forto co{m}prehende {and} telle a fewe þinges of þe deuyne depnesse þe
whiche þat mans resou{n} may vnderstonde. ¶ þilk man þat þou wenest to
ben ryȝt Iuste {and} ryȝt kepyng of eq{u}ite. þe contrarie of þat semeþ
to þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce þat al woot. ¶ And lucan my familier telleþ
þat þe victories cause liked[e] to þe goddes {and} causes ouercomen
liked[e] to cato{u}n. þan what so euer þou mayst seen þat is don in þis
[world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is þe ryȝt[e] ordre of þinges. but
as to þi wicked[e] oppiniou{n} it is a co{n}fusiou{n}. but I suppose þat
som man be so wel yþewed. þat þe deuyne Iugement {and} þe Iugeme{n}t of
mankynde accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast of corage
[þat] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde for-leten p{er}auenture to
continue i{n}nocence by þe whiche he ne may nat wiþholden fortune. ¶ þan
þe wise dispensac{i}ou{n} of god spareþ hym þe whiche man{er}e
adu{er}site myȝt[e] enpeyren. ¶ For þat god wil nat suffren hym to
trauaile. to whom þat trauayl nis nat couenable. ¶ An oþ{er} man is
p{er}fit in alle uertues. {and} is an holy man {and} neye to god so þat
þe p{ur}ueaunce of god wolde demen þat it were a felony þat he were
touched wiþ any aduersites. so þat he ne wil nat suffre þat swiche a man
be moeued wiþ any manere maladie. ¶ But so as seide a philosophre [the
moore excellent by me]. þe adu{er}sites comen nat (he seide in grec[;])
þere þ{a}t uertues han edified þe bodie of þe holy man. and ofte tyme it
bitideþ þat þe so{m}me of þinges þat ben to don is taken to good folk to
gouerne. for þat þe malice habundaunt of shrewes sholde ben abatid.
{and} god ȝeueþ {and} dep{ar}tiþ to oþer folk p{ro}sp[er]ites {and}
aduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir þe qualite of hire corages {and}
remordiþ som folk by adu{er}sites. for þei ne sholden nat wexen proude
by longe welefulnesse. {and} oþer folk he suffreþ to ben trauayled wiþ
harde þinges. ¶ For þat þei sholden conferme þe vertues of corage by þe
vsage {and} ex{er}citac{i}ou{n} of pacie{n}ce. and oþer folke dreden
more þen þei auȝten þe wiche þei myȝt[en] wel beren. {and} þilke folk
god lediþ in to exp{er}ience of hem self by aspre {and} sorweful þinges.
¶ And many oþer folk han bouȝt honorable renoune of þis worlde by þe
pris of glorious deeþ. and som men þat ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by
tourment han ȝeuen ensample to oþer folk þat vertue ne may nat be
ouer-comen by aduersites. ¶ and of alle þise þinges þer nis no doute
þ{a}t þei ne ben don ryȝtfully {and} ordeinly to þe p{ro}fit of hem to
whom we seen þise þinges bitide. ¶ For certys þat aduersite comeþ some
tyme to shrewes. {and} some tyme þat þei desiren it comeþ of þise
forseide causes {and} of sorweful þinges þat bytyden to shrewes. Certys
no man ne wondreþ. For alle me{n} wenen þat þei han wel deserued it.
{and} þei ben of wicked m{er}ite of whiche shrewes þe to{ur}ment som
tyme agasteþ oþer to done folies. {and} som tyme it amendeþ hem þat
suffren þe to{ur}mentis. ¶ And þe p{ro}sp{er}ite þat is ȝeuen to shrewes
sheweþ a grete argument to good[e] folk what þing þei sholde demen of
þilk wilfulnesse þe whiche p{ro}sperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes.
in þe whiche þing I trowe þat god dispensiþ. for p{er}auenture þe nature
of som man is so ouerþrowyng to yuel {and} so vncouenable þat þe nedy
pouerte of hys house-hold myȝt[e] raþer egren hym to done felonies. and
to þe maladie of hym god puttiþ remedie to ȝiuen hym rychesse. {and} som
oþer man byholdiþ hys conscience defouled wiþ synnes {and} makiþ
co{m}parisou{n} of his fortune {and} of hym self ¶ and drediþ
p{er}auenture þat hys blisfulnesse of whiche þe vsage is ioyful to hym
þat þe lesynge of þilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym. {and}
þerfore he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he drediþ to lese hys
fortune. he forletiþ hys wickednesse. to oþer folk is welefulnesse
yȝeue{n} vnworþily þe whiche ouerþroweþ hem in to destrucc{i}ou{n} þat
þei han deserued. and to som oþer folk is ȝeuen power to punisse{n}. for
þat it shal be cause of continuac{i}ou{n} {and} ex{er}cisinge to good[e]
folk. {and} cause of to{ur}ment to shrewes. ¶ For so as þer nis none
alyaunce bytwixe good[e] folke {and} shrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat
accorde{n} amo{n}ges hem self {and} whi nat. for shrewes discorde{n} of
hem self by her vices þe whiche vices al to renden her consciences.
{and} don oft[e] tyme þinges þe whiche þinges whan þei han don hem. þei
demen þat þo þinges ne sholde nat han ben don. for whiche þinge þilke
souereyne p{ur}ueaunce haþ maked oft[e] tyme [fair{e}] miracle so þ{a}t
shrewes han maked oftyme shrewes to ben good[e] men. for whan þat som
shrewes seen þat þei suffren wrongfully felonies of oþer shrewes þei
wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem þat anoien hem. {and} retournen to
þe fruit of uertue. when þei studien to ben vnlyke to he{m} þat þei han
hated. ¶ Certys þis only is þe deuyne myȝt to þe whiche myȝt yueles ben
þan good. whan it vseþ þo yueles couenably {and} draweþ out þe effect of
any good. as who seiþ þat yuel is good oonly by þe myȝt of god. for þe
myȝt of god ordeyneþ þilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasiþ alle
þinges. so þat what wyȝt [þ{a}t] dep{ar}tiþ fro þe resou{n} of þe ordre
whiche þat is assigned to hym. algates ȝit he slideþ in to an oþ{er}
ordre. so þat noþing nis leueful to folye in þe realme of þe deuyne
p{ur}ueaunce. as who seiþ no þing nis wiþouten ordinaunce in þe realme
of þe deuyne purueaunce. ¶ Syn þat þe ryȝt strong[e] god gouerniþ alle
þinges in þis worlde for it nis nat leueful to no man to
co{m}p{re}henden by witte ne vnfolden by worde alle þe subtil
ordinaunces {and} disposic{i}ou{n}s of þe deuyne entent. for oonly it
auȝt[e] suffice to han loked þat god hym self makere of alle natures
ordeyniþ and dressiþ alle þinges to good. while þat he hastiþ to
wiþhalden þe þinges þat he haþ maked in to hys semblaunce. þat is to
seyn forto wiþholden þinges in to good. for he hym self is good he
chaseþ oute al yuel of þe boundes of hys co{m}munalite by þe ordre of
necessite destinable. For whiche it folweþ þat yif þou loke þe
p{ur}ueaunce ordeynynge þe þinges þat men wenen ben haboundaunt in
erþes. þou ne shalt not seen in no place no þing of yuel. ¶ but I se now
þat þou art charged wiþ þe weyȝte of þe questiou[n] {and} wery wiþ
lengþe of my resou{n}. {and} þat þou abidest som swetnesse of songe. tak
þa{n} þis drauȝt {and} whan þou art wel refresshed {and} refet þou shalt
ben more stedfast to stye in to heyere questiou{n}s.
SI UIS CELSI IURA.
[Sidenote: [The syxte Met{ur}.]]
++Yif þou wolt demen in þi pur{e} þouȝt þe ryȝtes or þe lawes of þe heye
þund[ere]re. þat is to seyne of god. loke þou {and} bihold þe heyȝtes of
souereyne heuene. ¶ þere kepen þe sterres by ryȝtful alliaunce of þinges
hir olde pees. þe sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne destourbiþ nat þe
colde cercle of þe moone. ¶ Ne þe sterre yclepid þe bere. þ{a}t encliniþ
hys rauyssynge courses abouten þe souereyne heyȝt of þe worlde. ne þe
same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in þe depe westerne see. ne
coueitiþ nat to dyȝen hys flaumbes in þe see of [the] occian. al þouȝ he
see oþer sterres yplounged in to þe see. ¶ And hesperus þe sterre bodiþ
{and} telliþ alwey þe late nyȝtes. And lucifer þe sterre bryngeþ aȝeyne
þe clere day. ¶ And þus makiþ loue enterchaungeable þe p{er}durable
courses. {and} þus is discordable bataile yput oute of þe contre of þe
sterres. þis accordaunce atte{m}preþ by euene-lyke manere[s] þe
elementes. þat þe moyste þinges striuen nat wiþ þe drye þinges. but
ȝiuen place by stoundes. and þat þe colde þinges ioynen hem by feiþ to
þe hote þinges. {and} þat þe lyȝt[e] fyre arist in to heyȝte. {and} þe
heuy erþes aualen by her weyȝtes. ¶ by þise same cause þe floury yere
ȝeldeþ swote smellys in þe fyrste somer sesou{n} warmynge. {and} þe hote
somer dryeþ þe cornes. {and} autumpne comeþ aȝeyne heuy of apples. and
þe fletyng reyne bydeweþ þe wynter. þis attemp{er}aunce noryssiþ {and}
brynggeþ furþe al þinge þat brediþ lyfe in þis worlde. ¶ and þilk same
attemp{er}aunce rauyssyng hideþ {and} bynymeþ {and} drencheþ vndir þe
last[e] deþe alle þinges yborn. ¶ Amonges þise þinges sitteþ þe heye
makere kyng {and} lorde. welle {and} bygynnynge. lawe {and} wise Iuge.
to don equite {and} gouerniþ {and} encliniþ þe bridles of þinges. {and}
þo þinges þat he stireþ to don by moeuynge he wiþdraweþ {and} arestiþ
{and} affermiþ þe moeueable or wandryng þinges. ¶ For ȝif þat he ne
clepiþ nat aȝein þe ryȝt goynge of þinges. {and} ȝif þat he ne
constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse enclined þe þinges
þ{a}t ben now continued by stable ordinaunce. þei sholde deperten from
hir welle. þat is to sein from hir bygynnynge {and} failen. þat is to
sein to{ur}nen in to nauȝt. ¶ þis is þe co{m}mune loue of alle þinges.
{and} alle þi{n}ges axen to be holden by þe fyn of good. For ellys ne
myȝten þei nat lasten yif þei ne come nat eftesones aȝeine by loue
retourned to þe cause þat haþ ȝeuen he{m} beynge. þat is to seyn to god.
IAM NE IGITUR UIDES.
[Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]
++Sest þou nat þan what þing folweþ alle þe þinges þat I haue seid. what
þing q{uo}d I. ¶ Certys q{uo}d she outerly þat al fortune is good. and
how may þat be q{uo}d .I. ¶ Now vndirstand q{uo}d she so as [alle
fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspr{e}] fortune is ȝiuen
eiþer by cause of g{er}donynge or ellys of ex{er}cisynge of goode folk
or ellys by cause to punissen. or ellys to chastysen shrewes. ¶ þan is
alle fortune good. þe whiche fortune is certeyne þat it be eiþer ryȝtful
or p{ro}fitable. ¶ For soþe þis is a ful verray resou{n} q{uo}d I. and
yif I considere þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce {and} þe destine þat þou tauȝtest me a
litel here byforne þis sentence is susteyned by stedfast resou{n}s. but
yif it like vnto þe lat vs nou{m}bre hem amonges þilk[e] þinges of
whiche þou seidest a litel here byforne þat þei ne were nat able to ben
ywened to þe poeple. ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. for þat þe comune worde of men
mysusiþ q{uo}d I. þis manere speche of fortune. {and} sein ofte tymes
[þ{a}t] þe fortune of som wyȝt is wicked. wilt þou þan q{uo}d she þat I
p{ro}che a litel to þe wordes of þe poeple so it seme nat to hem þat I
be ouer moche dep{ar}tid as fro þe vsage of man kynde. as þou wolt
q{uo}d I. ¶ Demest þou nat q{uo}d she þat al þing þat p{ro}fitiþ is
good. ȝis q{uo}d I. certis þilk þing þat ex{er}cisiþ or corigiþ
profitiþ. I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. þan is it good q{uo}d she. whi nat
q{uo}d I. but þis is þe fortune [q{uod} she] of hem þat eiþer ben put in
vertue {and} batailen aȝeins aspre þinges. or ellys of hem þat eschewen
{and} declinen fro vices {and} taken þe weye of vertue. ¶ þis ne may nat
I denye q{uo}d I ¶ But what seist þou of þe myrye fortune þat is ȝeuen
to good folk in gerdou{n} deuiniþ ouȝt þe poeples þat it is wicked. nay
forsoþe q{uo}d I. but þei demen as it soþe is þat it is ryȝt good. ¶ And
what seist þou of þat oþer fortune q{uo}d she. þat al þouȝ it be aspre
{and} restreiniþ þe shrewes by ryȝtful tourment. weniþ ouȝt þe poeple
þ{a}t it be good. nay q{uo}d I. ¶ But þe poeple demiþ þat it be most
wrecched of alle þinges þat may ben þouȝt. war now {and} loke wel q{uo}d
she lest þat we in folwyng þe opyniou{n} of poeple haue confessed {and}
co{n}cluded þing þat is vnable to be wened to þe poeple. what is þat
q{uo}d I ¶ Certys q{uo}d she it folweþ or comeþ of þinges þ{a}t ben
graunted þat alle fortune what so euer it be. of hem þat eyþer ben i{n}
possessiou{n} of vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys in þe
purchasynge of vertue. þat þilke fortune is good. ¶ And þat alle fortune
is ryȝt wicked to hem þat dwellen in shrewednesse. as who seiþ. {and}
þus weneþ nat þe poeple. ¶ þat is soþe q{uo}d I. ¶ Al be it so þat
noma{n} dar confesse{n} it ne byknowen it. ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. For ryȝt
as no strong man ne semeþ nat to abassen or disdaigne{n} as ofte tyme as
he hereþ þe noise of þe bataile. ne also it ne semeþ nat to þe wyse man
to beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to þe strif of fortune.
for boþe to þat on man {and} eke to þat oþ{er} þilke difficulte is þe
matere to þat oon man of encrese of his glorious renou{n}. {and} to þat
oþer man to conferme hys sapience. þat is to seine þe asprenesse of hys
estat. ¶ For þerfore is it called uertue. for þat it susteniþ {and}
enforceþ by hys strengþes þat it nis nat ouer-come{n} by aduersites.
¶ Ne certys þou þat art put in þe encrese or in þe heyȝt of uertue ne
hast nat comen to fleten wiþ delices {and} forto welken in bodyly lust.
¶ þou sowest or plauntest a ful egre bataile in þi corage aȝeins euery
fortune. for þat þe sorweful fortune ne co{n}fou{n}de þe nat. ne þat þe
myrye fortune ne corrumpe þe nat. ¶ Occupy þe mene by stedfast
strengþes. for al þat euer is vndir þe mene. or ellys al þat
ou{er}-passeþ þe mene despiseþ welefulnesses. ¶ As who seiþ. it is
vicious {and} ne haþ no mede of hys trauaile. ¶ For it is set in ȝour{e}
hand. as who seiþ it lieþ in ȝour{e} power what fortune ȝow is leuest.
þat is to seyne good or yuel. ¶ For alle fortune þat semeþ sharpe or
aspre yif it ne ex{er}cise nat þe good folk. ne chastisiþ þe wicked
folk. it punisseþ.
BELLA BIS QUENIS. {ET} C{ETERA}.
[Sidenote: [The seuende Met{ur}.]]
++ÞE wrekere attrides ¶ þat is to seyne agamenon þat wrouȝt[e] {and}
continued[e] þe batailes by ten ȝere recouered[e] {and} p{ur}ged[e] in
wrekyng by þe destrucc{i}ou{n} of troie þe loste chambres of mariage of
hys broþer þis is to seyn þat [he] agamenon wan aȝein Eleine þat was
Menelaus wif his broþer. In þe mene while þat þilke agamenon desired[e]
to ȝeuen sailes to þe grekyssh{e} nauye {and} bouȝt[e] aȝein þe wyndes
by blode. he vncloþed[e] hym of pite as fad{er}. {and} þe sory p{re}st
ȝiueþ in sacrifiynge þe wreched kuyttyng of þrote of þe douȝter. ¶ þat
is to sein þat agamenon lete kuytte{n} þe þrote of hys douȝter by þe
prest. to maken alliaunce wiþ hys goddes. {and} for to haue wynde wiþ
whiche he myȝt[e] wende to troie. ¶ Itakus þat is to sein vlixies
bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn þe whiche felawes þe fiers[e] pholifem{us}
ligginge in his grete Caue had[de] freten {and} dreint in hys empty
wombe. but naþeles polifem{us} wood for his blinde visage ȝeld to
vlixies ioye by hys sorowful teres. þis is to seyn þat vlixes smot oute
þe eye of poliphem{us} þat stod in hys forhede. for whiche vlixes hadde
ioie whan he saw poliphem{us} wepyng {and} blynde. ¶ Hercules is
celebrable for hys hard[e] trauaile he dawntede þe proude Centauris half
hors half man. {and} he rafte þe despoylynge fro þe cruel lyou{n} þat is
to seyne he slouȝ þe lyou{n} {and} rafte hy{m} hys skyn. he smot þe
brids þat hyȝte{n} arpijs [in þe palude of lyrne] wiþ certeyne arwes. he
rauyssed[e] applis fro þe wakyng dragou{n}. {and} hys hand was þe more
heuy for þe golde[ne] metal. He drouȝ Cerberus þe hound of helle by hys
treble cheyne. he ouer-comer as it is seid haþ put an vnmeke lorde fodre
to hys cruel hors ¶ þis is to sein. þat hercules slouȝ diomedes {and}
made his hors to etyn hym. and he hercules slouȝ Idra þe serpent {and}
brend[e] þe venym. and achelaus þe flode defouled[e] in his forhede
dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his strondes. þis is to sein þat
achelaus couþe transfigure hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse. {and} as he
fauȝt wiþ orcules at þe laste he t{ur}nid[e] hym in to a bole and
hercules brak of oon of hys hornes. {and} achelaus for shame hidde hym
in hys ryuer. ¶ And [he] hercules cast[e] adou{n} Antheus þe geaunt in
þe strondes of libye. {and} kacus apaised[e] þe wraþþes of euander. þis
is to sein þat hercules slouȝ þe Monstre kacus {and} apaised[e] wiþ þat
deeþ þe wraþþe of euander. ¶ And þe bristled[e] boor marked[e] wiþ
scomes þe sholdres of hercules. þe whiche sholdres þe heye cercle of
heuene sholde þreste. {and} þe laste of his labo{ur}s was þat he
sustened[e] þe heuene vpo{n} his nekke vnbowed. {and} he deserued[e]
eftsones þe heuene to ben þe pris of his laste trauayle ¶ Goþ now þan ȝe
stronge men þere as þe heye weye of þe grete ensample ledeþ ȝou. ¶ O
nice men whi nake ȝe ȝoure bakkes. as who seiþ. ¶ O ȝe slowe {and}
delicat men whi fley ȝe aduersites. {and} ne fyȝte{n} nat aȝeins hem by
vertue to wynnen þe mede of þe heuene. for þe erþe ouer-come{n} ȝeueþ þe
sterres. ¶ þis is to seyne þat whan þat erþely lust is ouer-comen. a man
is maked worþi to þe heuene.
EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.
INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.
DIXERAT ORACIONISQ{UE} CURSUM.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste prose.]]
++She hadde seid {and} to{ur}ned[e] þe cours of hir resou{n} to so{m}me
oþ{er} þinges to ben tretid {and} to ben ysped. þan seide I. Certys
ryȝtful is þin amonestyng {and} ful digne by auctorite. but þat þou
seidest som tyme þat þe questiou{n} of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce is enlaced
wiþ many oþer questiou{n}s. I vndir-stonde wel {and} p{ro}ue it by þe
same þinge. but I axe yif þat þou wenest þat hap be any þing in any
weys. {and} if þou wenest þat hap be any [thing] what is it. þan q{uo}d
she. I haste me to ȝelden {and} assoilen þe to þe dette of my byheste
{and} to shewen {and} opnen þe wey by whiche wey þou maist come aȝein to
þi contre. ¶ but al be it so þat þe þinges whiche þat þou axest b{e}n
ryȝt p{ro}fitable to knowe. ȝitte ben þei diuers somwhat fro þe paþe of
my purpos. And it is to douten þat þou ne be maked weery by mysweys so
þat þou ne mayst nat suffise to mesure{n} þe ryȝt weye. ¶ Ne doute þe
þer-of no þing q{uo}d I. for forto knowen þilke þinges to-gidre in þe
whiche þinges I delite me gretly. þat shal ben to me in stede of reste.
Syn it nis nat to douten of þe þinges folwy{n}ge whan euery side of þi
disputisou{n} shal be stedfast to me by vndoutous feiþ. þan seide she.
þat manere wol I don þe. {and} byga{n} to speken ryȝt þus ¶ Certys
q{uo}d she yif any wyȝt diffinisse hap in þis manere. þat is to seyn.
þat hap is bytidynge y-brouȝt forþe by foelyshe moeuynge. {and} by no
knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme þat hap nis ryȝt nauȝt in no wise. and
I deme al outerly þat hap nis ne dwelliþ but a voys. ¶ As who seiþ. but
an ydel worde wiþ outen any significac{i}ou{n} of þing summittid to þat
vois. for what place myȝt[e] ben left or dwellynge to folie {and} to
disordinau{n}ce. syn þat god lediþ {and} streyniþ alle þinges by ordre.
¶ For þis sentence is verray {and} soþe þat no þinge ne haþ his beynge
of nouȝt. to [the] whiche sentence none of þise olde folk ne wiþseide
neuere al be it so þat þei ne vndirstoden ne moeueden it nauȝt by god
p{r}ince {and} gynner of wirkyng. but þei casten as a manere foundement
of subgit material. þat is to seyn of [the] nature of alle resou{n}.
{and} ȝif þat ony þinge is woxen or comen of no causes. þan shal it seme
þat þilke þinge is comen or woxen of nouȝt. but yif þis ne may nat ben
don. þan is it nat possible þat þere haþ ben any swiche þing as I haue
diffinissid a litel here byforne. ¶ How shal it þan ben q{uo}d I. nis
þer þan no þing þat by ryȝt may be cleped eyþer hap{pe} or ellis
auenture of fortune. or is þer ouȝt al be it so þat it is hidd fro þe
poeple to whiche þise wordes ben couenable. Myn aristotul q{uo}d she. in
þe book of his phisik diffinisseþ þis þing by short resou{n} and neyȝe
to þe soþe. ¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d I. ¶ As ofte q{uo}d she as men don
any þing for grace of any oþer þing. {and} an oþer þinge þan þilke þing
þat men ententen to doon bytideþ by som[e] causes it is ycleped hap{pe}.
¶ Ryȝt as a man dalf þe erþe by cause of tylienge of þe felde. {and}
fond þere a gobet of golde by-doluen. þan wenen folk þat it is fallen by
fortunous bytydyng. but for soþe it nis nat for nauȝt for it haþ hys
p{ro}pre causes of whiche causes þe cours vnforseyn and vnwar semiþ to
han maked hap{pe}. ¶ For yif þe tilier in þe erþe ne delue nat in þe
felde. and yif þe hider of þe golde ne hadde hidd þe golde in þilke
place. þe golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. þise ben þan þe causes of þe
abreggynge of fortune hap. þe whiche abreggynge of fortune hap comeþ of
causes encountrynge {and} flowyng to-gidre to hem selfe. {and} nat by þe
entenc{i}ou{n} of þe doer. ¶ For neiþer þe hider of þe gold. ne þe
deluer of þe felde ne vndirstanden nat þat þe golde sholde han be
founde. but as I seide. it bytidde {and} ran to-gidre þat he dalf þere
as þat oþer hadde hidd þe golde. Now may I þus diffinissen hap{pe}.
¶ Hap{pe} is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in þinges þat ben don
for som oþer þinge. but þilke ordre p{ro}cedynge by an vneschewable
byndynge to-gidre. whiche þat descendeþ fro þe wel of purueaunce þat
ordeineþ alle þinges i{n} hir{e} places {and} in hire tymes makeþ þat þe
causes rennen {and} assemblen to-gidre.
RUPIS ACHEMENIE.
[Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]
++TIgris [{and}] eufrates resoluen {and} spryngen of a welle in þe
kragges of þe roche of þe contre of achemenye þer{e} as þe fleenge
[batayle] ficchiþ hire dartes reto{ur}nid in þe brestes of hem þat
folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre þe same ryueres tigris {and} eufrates
vnioygne{n} {and} dep{ar}ten hir{e} watres. and yif þei comen to-gidre
{and} ben assembled {and} clepid to-gidre in to o cours. þan moten þilke
þinges fletyn to-gidre whiche þat þe water of þe entrechau{n}gyng flode
bry{n}geþ þe shippes {and} þe stokkes araced wiþ þe flood moten
assemble. {and} þe watres ymedlyd wrappiþ or implieþ many fortunel
happes or maneres. þe whiche wandryng happes naþeles þilke enclinyng
lowenes of þe erþe. {and} þe flowynge ordre of þe slidyng water
gouerniþ. ¶ Ryȝt so fortune þat semeþ as [þat] it fletiþ wiþ slaked or
vngouerned[e] bridles. It suffriþ bridles þat is to seyn to ben gouerned
{and} passeþ by þilke lawe. þat is to sein by þe deuyne ordinaunce.
A{N}I{M}ADUERTO INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The .2^de. p{ro}se.]]
++Þis vndirstonde I wel q{uo}d I. {and} accorde wel þat it is ryȝt as
þou seist. but I axe yif þer be any liberte or fre wil in þis ordre of
causes þat cliue{n} þus to-gidre in hem self. ¶ or ellys I wolde witen
yif þat þe destinal cheine co{n}streiniþ þe moeueuynge of þe corages of
me{n}. yis q{uo}d she þer is liberte of fre wille. ne þer ne was neuer
no nature of resou{n} þat it ne hadde liberte of fre wille. ¶ For euery
þing þat may naturely vsen resou{n}. it haþ doom by whiche it discerniþ
{and} demiþ euery þing. ¶ þan knoweþ it by it self þinges þat be{n} to
fleen. {and} þinges þat ben to desiren. {and} þilk þing þat any wyȝt
demeþ to ben desired þ{a}t axeþ or desireþ he {and} fleeþ [thilke] þing
þat he troueþ ben to fleen. ¶ wher-fore in alle þinges þ{a}t resou{n}
is. i{n} hem also is libertee of willyng {and} of nillynge. ¶ But I ne
ordeyne nat. as who seiþ. I ne graunte nat þat þis lib{er}tee be euene
like in alle þinges. forwhi in þe souereyns deuynes substau{n}ces. þat
is to seyn in spiritȝ ¶ Iugement is more clere {and} wil nat be
corumped. {and} haþ myȝt redy to speden þinges þat ben desired. ¶ But þe
soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem in þe
speculac{i}ou{n} or lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt. {and} lasse free whan
þei sliden in to þe bodies. {and} ȝit lasse free whan þei ben gadred
to-gidre {and} co{m}p{re}hendid in erþely membris. but þe last[e]
seruage is whan þat þei ben ȝeue{n} to vices. {and} han yfalle fro þe
possessiou{n} of hire p{ro}pre resou{n} ¶ For after þat þei han cast
aweye hir eyen fro þe lyȝt of þe souereyn soþefastnesse to lowe þinges
{and} dirke ¶ Anon þei dirken by þe cloude of ignoraunce {and} ben
troubled by felonous talentȝ. to þe whiche talentȝ whan þei app{ro}chen
{and} assenten. þei hepen {and} encresen þe seruage whiche þei han
ioigned to hem self. and in þis manere þei ben caitifs fro hire p{ro}pre
libertee. þe whiche þinges naþeles þe lokynge of þe deuyne purueaunce
seeþ þ{a}t alle þinges byholdeþ {and} seeþ fro et{er}ne. and ordeyneþ
hem eueryche i{n} her merites. as þei ben p{ro}destinat. {and} it is
seid in grek. þat alle þinges he seeþ {and} alle þinges he hereþ.
PURO CLARU{M} LUMINE.
[Sidenote: [The .2^de. Met{ur}.]]
++HOmer wiþ þe hony mouþe. þat is to seyn. homer wiþ þe swete dites
syngeþ þat þe sonne is cleer by pure lyȝt. naþeles ȝit ne may it nat by
þe inferme lyȝt of hys bemes breke{n} or p{er}ce{n} þe inwarde entrailes
of þe erþe. or ellys of þe see. ¶ so ne seeþ nat god makere of þe grete
worlde to hym þat lokeþ alle þinges from on heye ne wiþstandiþ nat no
þinges by heuynesses of erþe. ne þe nyȝt ne wiþstondeþ nat to hy{m} by
þe blake cloudes. ¶ þilke god seeþ i{n} o strook of þouȝt alle þinges
þat ben or weren or schullen come. ¶ and þilke god for he lokeþ {and}
seeþ alle þinges al oon. þou maist seyn þat he is þe verray sonne.
TAMEN EGO EN INQ{UA}M.
[Sidenote: [The .3^de. p{ro}se.]]
++ÞAn seide I now am I co{n}fou{n}ded by a more harde doute þan I was.
what doute is þat q{uo}d she. ¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche
þinges þou art troubled. It semeþ q{uo}d I to repugnen {and} to
contrarien gretly þat god knoweþ byforn alle þinges. {and} þat þer is
any fredom of liberte. for yif so be þat god lokeþ alle þinges byforn.
ne god ne may nat ben desseiuid in no manere. þan mot it nedes ben þat
alle þinges bytyden þe whiche þat þe purueaunce of god haþ sein byforn
to comen. ¶ For whiche yif þat god knoweþ by-forn nat oonly þe werkes of
men. but also hir conseils {and} hir willes. þan ne shal þer be no
liberte of arbitre. ne certys þer ne may ben noon oþer dede ne no wille
but þilke whiche þe deuyne purueaunce þat ne may nat ben desseiued haþ
feled byforn ¶ For yif þat þei myȝten wryþen awey in oþer manere þan þei
ben purueyed. þan ne sholde þer ben no stedfast p{re}science of þinge to
comen but raþer an vncerteyn oppiniou{n}. þe whiche þinge to trowen on
god I deme it felonie {and} vnleueful. ¶ Ne I ne proeue nat þilk same
resou{n}. as who seiþ I ne allowe nat. or I ne p{re}ise nat þilke same
resou{n} by whiche þat som men wenen þat þei mowen assoilen {and}
vnknytten þe knot of þis questiou{n}. ¶ For certys þei seyn þ{a}t þing
nis nat to come for þat þe purueaunce of god haþ seyn it byforn{e}. þat
is to comen but raþer þe cont{ra}rie. ¶ And þat is þis þat for þat þe
þing is to comen þat þerfore ne may it nat ben hyd fro þe purueaunce of
god. {and} in þis manere þis necessite slydiþ aȝein in to þe contrarie
p{ar}tie. ne it ne byhoueþ [nat] nedes þat þinges bytiden þat ben
ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes / þ{a}t thinges þ{a}t ben to comyn ben
yporueyid] but as it were yt{ra}uailed. as who seiþ. þat þilke answere
p{ro}cediþ ryȝt as þouȝ men trauailden or weren bysy to enqueren þe
whiche þing is cause of whiche þinges. as wheþer þe p{re}science is
cause of þe necessite of þinges to comen. or ellys þat þe necessite of
þi{n}ges to comen is cause of þe purueau{n}ce. ¶ But I ne enforce me nat
now to shewe{n} it þat þe bytidyng of þinges y-wist byforn is
necessarie. how so or in what manere þat þe ordre of causes haþ it self.
al þouȝ þat it ne seme nat þat þe p{re}science brynge in necessite of
bytydynge of þinges to comen. ¶ For certys yif þat any wyȝt sitteþ it
byhoueþ by necessite þat þe oppiniou{n} be soþe of hym þ{a}t coniectiþ
þat he sitteþ. and aȝeinward. al so is it of þe contrarie. yif þe
oppiniou{n} be soþe of any wyȝt for þat he sitteþ it byhoueþ by
necessite þat he sitte ¶ þan is here necessite in þat oon {and} in þ{a}t
oþer. for in þat oon is necessite of sittynge. {and} certys in þat oþer
is necessite of soþe but þerfore ne sitteþ nat a wyȝt for þat þe
oppiniou{n} of sittyng is soþe. but þe oppiniou{n} is raþer soþe for þat
a wyȝt sitteþ by-forn. and þus al þouȝ þ{a}t þe cause of soþe comeþ of
[þe] syttyng. and nat of þe trewe oppiniou{n}. Algates ȝitte is þer
comune necessite in þat oon {and} in þat oþer. ¶ þus sheweþ it þ{a}t I
may make semblable skils of þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce of god {and} of þinges to
come. ¶ For al þouȝ for þat þat þinges ben to comen. þer-fore ben þei
p{ur}ueid. nat certys for þei ben p{ur}ueid. þer-fore ne bytide þei nat.
ȝit naþeles byhoueþ it by necessite þat eiþer þe þinges to comen ben
yp{ur}ueied of god. or ellys þat þe þinges þat ben p{ur}ueied of god
bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And þis þing oonly suffiseþ I-nouȝ to
distroien þe fredome of oure arbitre. þat is to seyn of oure fre wille
¶ But now [certes] sheweþ it wel how fer fro þe soþe {and} how vp so
dou{n} is þis þing þat we seyn þat þe bytidinge of temp{or}el þinges is
þe cause of þe eterne p{re}science. ¶ But forto wenen þat god p{ur}ueiþ
[the] þinges to comen. for þei ben to comen. what oþer þing is it but
forto wene þat þilke þinges þat bitiden som tyme ben causes of þilke
souereyne p{ur}ueaunce þat is i{n} god. ¶ And her-to I adde ȝitte þis
þing þat ryȝt as whan þat I woot þat o þing is it byhoueþ by necessite
þat þilke self þing be. {and} eke þat whan I haue knowe þat any þi{n}ge
shal bitiden so byhoueþ it by necessite þ{a}t þilk[e] same þing bytide.
so folweþ it þan þat þe bytydynge of þe þinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat
ben eschewed. ¶ And at þe last[e] yif þat any wyȝt wene a þing to ben
oþer weyes þan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable
oppiniou{n} ful diuerse {and} fer fro þe soþe of science. ¶ wher-fore
yif any þing be so to comen so þat þe bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne
ne necessarie. ¶ who may weten [byforn] þ{a}t þilke þing is to come.
¶ For ryȝt as science ne may nat be medelyd wiþ falsnesse. as who seiþ
þat yif I woot a þing. it ne may nat be fals þat I ne woot it. ¶ Ryȝt so
þilk þing þat is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon oþ{er} weyes
þan [as] it is conceiued. For þat is þe cause whi þat science wa{n}tiþ
lesynge. as who seiþ. whi þat witynge ne receyueþ nat lesynge of þat it
woot. ¶ For it byhoueþ by necessite þat euery þi{n}ge [be] ryȝt as
science co{m}p{re}hendiþ it to be. what shal I þan sein. ¶ In whiche
man{er}e knoweþ god byforn þe þinges to comen. ¶ yif þei ne be nat
certeyne. ¶ For yif þat he deme þat þei ben to comen vneschewably. {and}
so may be þat it is possible þat þei ne shulle{n} nat comen. god is
desseiued. but nat only to trowen þat god is desseiued. but for to speke
it wiþ mouþe it is a felonous sy{n}ne. ¶ But yif þat god woot þat ryȝt
so as þinges ben to comen. so shulle þei comen. so þat he wit[e] egaly.
as who seiþ indifferently þat þinges mowen ben don or ellys nat don.
what is þilke p{re}science þat ne comp{re}hendiþ no certeyne þinge ne
stable. or ellys what difference is þer bytwixe þe p{re}science. {and}
þilke iape-worþi dyuynynge of Tiresie þe diuino{ur} þat seide. ¶ Al þat
I seie q{uo}d he eyþer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat be. Or ellis
how moche is worþe þe diuyne p{re}science more þan þe oppiniou{n} of
mankynde yif so be þat it demeþ þe þinges vncerteyne as me{n} don. of þe
whiche domes of men þe bytydynge nis nat certeyne. ¶ But yif so be þ{a}t
noon vncerteyne þinge may ben in hym þat is ryȝt certeyne welle of alle
þinges. þa{n} is þe bytydynge certeyne of þilke þinges whiche he haþ
wist byforn fermely to come{n}. For whiche it folweþ þat þe fredom of þe
co{n}seils {and} of þe werkes of mankynde nis non syn þat þe þouȝt of
god seeþ alle þinges w{i}t{h} outen erro{ur} of falsnesse byndeþ {and}
co{n}streiniþ hem to a bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] þi{n}g be
on-is grau{n}tid {and} receyued. þat is to seyn. þat þer nis no fre
wille. þan sheweþ it wel how gret distrucc{i}ou{n} {and} how grete
damages þer folwen of þinges of mankynde. ¶ For in ydel ben þer þan
p{ur}posed and byhyȝt medes of goode folk. {and} peynes to badde folk.
syn þat no moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haþ nat deserued hem.
þat is to seyn neiþer mede nor peyne. ¶ And it sholde seme þan þat þilke
þinge is alþer worste whiche þat is nowe demed. for alþ{er} moste iuste
{and} moste ryȝtful. þat is to seyn þat shrewes ben punyssed. or ellys
þ{a}t good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. þe whiche folk syn þat þe p{ro}pre
wille [ne] sent hem nat to þ{a}t oon ne to þat oþer. þat is to seyn.
neþer to good[e] ne to harme. but constreineþ hem certeyne necessite of
þinges to comen. ¶ þanne ne sholle{n} þer neuer ben ne neuer weren vice
ne vertue. but it sholde raþer ben co{n}fusiou{n} of alle desertes
medlid wiþoute discresiou{n}. ¶ And ȝitte þer folweþ an oþer
i{n}co{n}uenient of þe whiche þer ne may ben þouȝt ne more felonous ne
more wikke. {and} þat is þis þat so as þe ordre of þinges is yledd {and}
comeþ of þe purueaunce of god. ne þat no þing nis leueful to þe conseils
of mankynde. as who seiþ þat men han no power to done no þing. ne wilne
no þing. þan folweþ it þat oure vices ben refferred to þe mak[er]e of
alle good. as who seiþ þan folweþ it. þat god auȝt[e] han þe blame of
oure vices. syn he co{n}streiniþ by necessite to don vices. þan nis þer
no resou{n} to han hopen in god. ne forto p{re}ien to god. ¶ For what
sholde any wyȝt hopen to god. or whi sholde he p{re}ien to god. syn þat
þe ordenaunce of destine whiche þat ne may nat ben enclined. knytteþ
{and} streiniþ alle þinges þat men may desire{n}. ¶ þan sholde þere be
don awey þilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen god {and} men. þat is to seien
to hopen {and} to p{re}ien. but by þe p{re}is of ryȝtfulnesse {and} of
veray mekenesse we deserue þe gerdou{n} of þe deuyne grace whiche þat is
inestimable. þat is to sein þat it is so grete þat it ne may nat ben ful
yp{re}ised. {and} þis is oonly þe manere. þat is to seyen hope {and}
prayeres. for whiche it semeþ þat [men] mowen speken wiþ god. {and} by
resou{n} of supplicac{i}ou{n} ben conioigned to þilk clernesse þat nis
nat app{ro}ched no raþer or þat men byseken it {and} emp{re}nten it. And
yif men ne wene [nat] þat [hope] ne p{re}iers ne han no strengþes. by þe
necessite of þinges to comen y-resceiued. what þi{n}g is þer þan by
whiche we mowen be co{n}ioygned {and} clyuen to þilke souereyne p{r}ince
of þinges. ¶ For whiche it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe lynage of
mankynde as þou songe a litel here byforne ben dep{ar}ted {and} vnioyned
from hys welle {and} faylen of hys bygynnynge. þat is to seien god.
QUE NAM DISCORS
[Sidenote: [The .3^de. Met{ur}.]]
++What discordable cause haþ to-rent {and} vnioigned þe byndyng or þe
alliaunce of þinges. þat is to seyne þe coniuncc{i}ou{n} of god {and} of
man. ¶ whiche god haþ establissed so grete bataile bitwixe{n} þise two
soþefast or verray þinges. þat is to sein bytwixen þe p{ur}ueaunce of
god {and} fre wille. þat þei ben synguler {and} diuided. ne þat þei ne
wolen nat ben medeled ne coupled to-gidre. but þer nis no discorde to
[tho] verray þinges. but þei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. but þe
þouȝt of man co{n}founded {and} ouerþrowen by þe dirke membris of þe
body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed] lokynge. þat is to seyn by þe
vigo{ur} of hys insyȝt while þe soule is in þe body knowen þe þinne
subtil knyttynges of þinges. ¶ But wherfore eschaufiþ it so by so grete
loue to fynden þilke note[s] of soþe y-cou{er}ed. (_glosa_) þat is to
sein wherfore eschaufiþ þe þouȝt of man by so grete desir to knowen
þilke notificac{i}ou{n}s þat ben yhidd vndir þe couerto{ur}s of soþe.
woot it ouȝt þilke þinges þat it anguissous desireþ to knowe. as who
seiþ nay. ¶ For no man ne trauaileþ forto witen þinges þat he woot.
{and} þerfore þe texte seiþ þus. ¶ [_Glosa_] Si eni{m} a{n}i{m}a ignorat
istas subtiles co{n}nexiones. r{espo}nde. vn{de} est q{uo}d desiderat
scire cu{m} nil ignotu{m} possit desiderare. ¶ But who traua[i]leþ to
wyten þinges y-knowe. and yif þat he ne knoweþ hem nat. what sekiþ þilke
blynde þouȝt. what is he þat desireþ any þinge of whiche he woot ryȝt
nat. as who seiþ who so desiriþ any þing nedis som what he knoweþ of it.
or ellys he ne couþe nat desire it. or who may folwen þinges þat ne ben
nat ywist ¶ and þouȝ [þ{a}t] he seke þo þinges where shal he fynde{n}
hem. what wyȝt þat is al vnknowynge {and} ignoraunt may knowe þe forme
þat is yfounde. ¶ But whan þe soule byholdeþ {and} seeþ þe heye þouȝt.
þat is to seyn god. þan knoweþ it to-gidre þe so{m}me {and} þe
singularites. þat is to seyn þe p{r}inciples {and} eueryche by hym self.
¶ But now while þe soule is hidd in þe cloude {and} in þe derknesse of
þe membris of þe body. it ne haþ nat al forȝeten it selfe. but it
wiþholdeþ þe so{m}me of þinges {and} lesiþ þe singularites. þan who so
þat sekeþ soþenesse. he nis in neiþ{er} nouþir habit. for he not nat
alle ne he ne haþ nat alle for-ȝeten. ¶ But ȝitte hym remembriþ þe
so{m}me of þinges þat he wiþholdeþ {and} axeþ cou{n}seil {and} tretiþ
depelyche þi{n}ges ysein byforne. [_Glosa_] þat is to sein þe grete
so{m}me in hys mynde. [_textus_] so þat he mowe adden þe p{ar}ties þat
he haþ forȝeten. to þilke þat he haþ wiþholden.
TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQ{U}IT HEC EST.
[Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]
++Þanne seide she. þis is q{uo}d she þe olde questiou{n} of þe
p{ur}ueaunce of god. {and} marcus tulius whan he deuided[e] þe
deuinac{i}ou{n}s. þat is to sein in hys booke þat he wroot of
deuinac{i}ou{n}s. he moeued[e] gretly þis questiou{n}. {and} þou þi self
hast souȝt it mochel {and} outerly {and} lo{n}g[e]. but ȝit ne haþ it
nat ben determined ne yspedd fermely {and} diligently of any of yow.
¶ And þe cause of þis derkenesse {and} [of this] difficulte is for þat
þe moeuynge of þe resou{n} of mankynde ne may nat moeue{n} to. þat is to
sein applien or ioygnen to þe simplicite of þe deuyne p{re}science. ¶ þe
whiche symplicite of þe deuyne p{re}science ȝif þat men [myhten thinken
it in any maner{e} / þ{a}t is to seyn / þ{a}t yif men] myȝte þinken
{and} co{m}p{re}henden þe þinges as god seeþ hem. þan ne sholde þer
dwellen outerly no doute. þe whiche resou{n} {and} cause of difficulte I
shal assaie at þe laste to shewen {and} to speden. ¶ whan I haue firste
[yspendyd / {and}] ansewered to þo resou{n}s by whiche þ{o}u art
ymoeued. ¶ For I axe whi þ{o}u wenest þat þilk[e] resou{n}s of hem þat
assoilen þis questiou{n} ne ben nat spedeful ynouȝ ne sufficient þe
whiche soluc{i}ou{n} or þe whiche resou{n} for þat it demiþ þat þe
p{re}science nis nat cause of necessite to þinges to comen. þan ne weneþ
it nat þat fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by p{re}science. for
ne drawest þou nat argumentes from ellys where of þe necessite of þinges
to comen. As who seiþ any oþer wey þan þus. but þat þilke þinge[s] þat
þe p{re}scie{n}ce woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. þat is to seyn
þat þei moten bitide. ¶ But þan yif þat p{re}science ne putteþ no
necessite to þinges to comen. as þou þi self hast confessed it {and}
byknowen a litel herbyforn{e}. ¶ what cause [or what] is it. as who seiþ
þere may no cause be. by whiche þat þe endes (exitus) uoluntarie of
þinges myȝten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng. ¶ For by grace of
possessiou{n}. so þat þou mowe þe better vndirstonde þis þat folweþ. ¶ I
pose (inpossibile) þat þer ne be no p{re}science. þan axe I q{uo}d she
in as moche as app{er}teniþ to þat. sholde þan þinges þat comen of
frewille ben constreined to bytiden by necessite. {Boici}us. nay q{uo}d
I. þan aȝeinward q{uo}d she. I suppose þat þere be p{re}science but þat
ne putteþ no necessite to þinges. þan trowe I þat þilk self fredom of
wille shal dwelle{n} al hool {and} absolut {and} vnbounden. but þou wolt
sein þat al be it so þat p{re}science nis nat cause of þe necessite of
bitidynge to þinges to comen. ¶ Algates ȝitte it is a signe þ{a}t þe
þinges ben to bytiden by necessite. by þis manere þan al þouȝ þe
p{re}science ne hadde neuer yben. ȝit algate or at þe lest[e] wey. it is
certeyne þing þat þe e{n}dys {and} þe bitydynges of þinges to come{n}
sholde ben necessarie. ¶ For euery sygne sheweþ {and} signifieþ oonly
what þe þing is ¶ but it ne makiþ nat þe þing þat it signifieþ. ¶ For
whiche it byhoueþ firste to shewen þat no þing ne bitidiþ [þ{a}t it ne
bytydith] by necessite. so þat it may apere þ{a}t þe p{re}scie{n}ce is
signe of þis necessite ¶ or ellys yif þere nere no necessite. certys
þilke p{re}science ne myȝt[e] nat ben signe of þinge þat nis nat. ¶ But
certys it is nowe certeyne þat þe preue of þis susteniþ by stedfast
resou{n} ne shal nat ben ladd ne p{ro}ued by signes ne by argumentys
ytaken fro wiþ oute. but by causes couenable {and} necessarie ¶ But þou
mayst sein how may it be þat þe þinges ne bitiden nat þat ben ypurueyed
to comen. but certys ryȝt as we trowen þat þo þinges whiche þat þe
p{ur}ueau{n}ce woot byforn to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [þ{a}t]
ne sholde we nat demen. but raþer al þouȝ [þat] þei schal bitiden. ȝit
ne haue þei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden. {and} þis maist þou
lyȝtly ap{er}ceyue{n} by þis þat I shal seyn. but we seen many þinges
whan þei ben don byforn oure eyen ryȝt as men seen þe karter worken in
þe to{ur}nynge {and} in attempryng or in adressy{n}g of hys kartes or
chariottes. ¶ and by þis manere as who seiþ mayst þou vnd{er}sto{n}de of
alle manere oþir werkeme{n}. ¶ Is þere þanne any necessite as who seiþ
in oure lokynge [þ{a}t] constreineþ or compelliþ any of þilke þinges to
ben don so. b. nay q{uo}d I ¶ For in ydel {and} in veyne were alle þe
effect of crafte yif þat alle þinges weren moeued by constreynynge. þat
is to seyn by constreynynge of oure eyen or of oure syȝt. _P._ þise
þi{n}g{us} þan q{uo}d she þat whan men don hem ne han non necessite þat
men don hem. eke þo same þinges first or þei be don. þei ben to comen
wiþ out necessite. for whi þer ben so{m}me þinges to bytide of whiche þe
endys {and} þe bitidynges of hem ben absolut {and} quit of alle
necessite. for certys I ne trowe nat þat any man wolde seyn þis. þat þo
þinges þat men don now þ{a}t þei ne weren to bitiden. first or þei were
ydon ¶ and þilk same þinges al þouȝ þ{a}t men hadde{n} ywyst hem
by-forn. ȝitte þei han fre bitidynges. for ryȝt as science of þinges
p{re}sent ne bryngeþ in no necessite to þinges [þ{a}t men doon // Ryht
so the p{re}science of thinges to comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to
thinges] to bytiden but þou mayst seyn þat of þilke same it is ydouted.
as wheþer þat of þilke þinges þat ne han non endes {and} bytidynges
necessaryes yif þer-of may ben any p{re}science ¶ For certys þei seme to
discorde. for þou wenest þat yif þat þinges ben yseyn byforn þat
necessite folweþ hem. and yif ({et} putas) necessite faileþ hem þei ne
myȝten nat ben wist byforn. {and} þat no þinge ne may ben comp{re}hendid
by science but certeyne. {and} yif þo þinges þat ne han no certeyne
bytidynges ben ypurueied as certeyn. it sholde ben dirkenesse of
oppiniou{n} nat soþefastnesse of science [{and} þ{o}u weenyst þ{a}t it
be diu{er}se fro the hoolnesse of science / þ{a}t any man sholde deme a
thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self]. and þe cause of þis
errour is. þat of alle þe þinges þat euery wyȝt haþ yknowe. þei wenen
þat þo þinges ben y-knowe al oonly by þe strengþe {and} by þe nature of
þe þinges þat ben ywyst or yknowe. {and} it is al þe contrarie. for alle
þat eu{er}e is yknowe. it is raþer comp{re}hendid {and} yknowe{n} nat
after his strengeþ {and} hys nature. but after þe faculte þat is to seyn
þe power {and} [the] nature of hem þat knowen. {and} for þat þis shal
mowe shewen by a short ensample þe same roundenes of a body .O. oþer
weyes þe syȝt of þe eye knoweþ it. {and} oþer weyes þe touchi{n}g. þe
lokynge by castynge of his bemes waiteþ {and} seeþ fro afer alle þe body
to-gider wiþ oute mouynge of it self. but þe touchinge cliuiþ {and}
conioigneþ to þe rounde body (orbi) {and} moueþ abouten þe environynge.
{and} comp{re}hendiþ by p{ar}ties þe roundenesse. ¶ and þe man hym self
oþer weies wyt byholdiþ hym. {and} oþ{er}weyes ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and}
oþer weyes resou{n}. {and} oþer weyes intelligence. ¶ For þe wit
co{m}p{re}he{n}diþ fro wiþ outen furþe þe figure of þe body of þe man.
þat is establissed in þe matere subiect. But þe ymaginac{i}ou{n}
[comp{re}hendith only the figur{e} w{i}t{h} owte the mater{e} / Resou{n}
surmou{n}teth ymaginaciou{n}] {and} co{m}p{re}hendeþ by an vniuersel
lokynge þe co{mmun}e spece (sp{eci}em) þat is in þe singuler peces.
¶ But þe eye of intelligence is heyȝer for it so{ur}mou{n}teþ þe
envirounynge of þe vniu{er}site {and} lookeþ ouer þat by pure subtilite
of þouȝt. þilk same symple forme of man þat is p{er}durably in þe deuyne
þouȝt. in whiche þis auȝt[e] gretely to ben considered þat þe heyest
strengþe to co{m}prehenden þinges enbraceþ {and} conteyneþ þe lower[e]
strengþe [but the lower{e} strengthe ne arysith nat in no maner{e} to
heyer{e} strengthe]. for wit ne may no þinge co{m}p{re}hende oute of
matere. ne þe ymagynac{i}ou{n} ne lokeþ nat þe vniuerseles speces. ne
resou{n} ne takeþ nat þe symple forme. so as i{n}telligence takeþ it.
but þe intelligence þat lokeþ al abouen whan it haþ co{m}p{re}hendid þe
forme it knoweþ {and} demeþ alle þe þinges þat be{n} vndir þat forme.
but she knoweþ he{m} vndir þilke manere in þe whiche it comp{re}hendiþ
þilke same symple forme þat ne may neuer be knowen to non of þat oþer.
þat is to seyn to non of þo þre forseide strengþes of þe soule. for it
knoweþ þe vniuersite of resou{n} {and} þe figure of þe ymaginac{i}ou{n}.
{and} þe sensible mat{er}ial conseiued. {and} þou wenest þ{a}t it be
diuerse fro þe hoolnesse of science. þat any man sholde deme a þing to
ben oþ{er}weyes þan it is it self {and} þe cause of þis erro{ur} {et}c’.
{vt sup}ra. by wit. ne it ne vseþ nat nor of resou{n} ne of
ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne of wit wiþ oute forþe but it byholdeþ alle þinges so
as I shal seye. by a strok of þouȝt formely wiþ oute disco{ur}s or
collac{i}ou{n} ¶ Certys resou{n} whan it lokeþ any þing vniu{er}sel it
ne vseþ nat of ymaginac{i}ou{n} nor of wit {and} algates ȝit [it]
co{m}prendiþ þe þinges ymaginable {and} sensible. for resou{n} is she
þat diffinisseþ þe vniuersel of hir conseite ryȝt þus. ¶ Man is a
resonable t[w]o-footid beest. and how so þat þis knowynge [is]
vniuersel. ȝit nys þer no wyȝt þat ne woot wel. þat a ma{n} is [a thing]
ymaginable {and} sensible ¶ and þis same co{n}sidereþ wel resou{n}. but
þat nis nat by ymaginac{i}ou{n}. nor by witte. but it lokiþ it by [a]
resonable concepc{i}ou{n}. ¶ Also ymaginac{i}ou{n} al be it so. þat it
takeþ of wit þe bygyny{n}g{us} to seen {and} to formen þe figures.
algates al þouȝ þat wit ne ware not p{re}sent. ȝit it envirouniþ {and}
co{m}p{re}hendiþ alle þinges sensible. nat by resou{n} sensible of
demynge. but by resou{n} ymaginatif. ¶ sest þou nat þan þat alle þe
þinges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir power. þan þei don
of [the] faculte or of power of þinges þat ben yknowen. ne þat nis no
wronge. for so as euery iugement is þe dede or þe doynge of hym þat
demeþ. It byhoueþ þat euery wyȝt p{er}forme þe werke {and} hys
entenc{i}ou{n} nat of forein power[;] but of hys propre power.
QUONDAM PORTICUS ATTULIT.
[Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]
++ÞE porche þat is to sein a gate of þe toune of athenis þer as
philosophres hadde hir congregac{i}ou{n} to dispoyten. {and} þilke
porche brouȝt[e] so{m}tyme olde men ful derke in hire sentences. þ{a}t
is to sein philosophers þat hyȝten stoiciens. þat wenden þat ymages
[{and}] sensibilites þat is to sein sensible ymaginac{i}ou{n}s. or ellys
ymaginac{i}ou{n} of sensible þinges were{n} i{n}p{re}ntid in to soules
fro bodies wiþ oute forþe. ¶ As who seiþ þat þilke stoiciens wenden
þ{a}t þe soule hadde ben naked of it self. as a mirour or a clene
p{ar}chemyn. so þat alle fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro þinges fro wiþ
oute in to soules. {and} ben inp{re}ntid in to soules. _Textus._ Ryȝt as
we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen l{ett}res
emp{re}ntid in þe smoþenesse or in þe plainesse of þe table of wex. or
in p{ar}chemyn þat ne haþ no figure [ne] note in it. _Glosa._ But now
arguiþ boece aȝeins þat oppiniou{n} {and} seiþ þus. but yif þe þriuyng
soule ne vnplitiþ no þing. þat is to sein ne doþ no þing by hys p{ro}pre
moeuynges. but suffriþ {and} lieþ subgit to þe figures {and} to þe notes
of bodyes wiþ oute forþe. {and} ȝeldeþ ymages ydel {and} veyne in þe
manere of a mirour. whennes þriueþ þan or whennes comeþ þan þilke
knowyng in oure soule. þat discerniþ {and} byholdeþ alle þinges. and
whennes is þilke strengþe þat byholdeþ þe syngulere þinges. or whennes
is þe strengþe þat dyuydeþ þinges yknowe. {and} þilke stre{n}gþe þat
gadereþ to-gidre þe þinges deuided. {and} þe strengþe þat cheseþ hys
entrechau{n}ged wey for som tyme it heueþ vp þe heued. þat is to sein
þat it heueþ vp þe ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to ryȝt heye þinges. {and} som tyme
it discendiþ in to ryȝt lowe þinges. {and} whan it retourniþ in to hym
self. it rep{re}uiþ {and} destroieþ þe false þinges by þe trewe þinges.
¶ Certys þis strengþe is cause more efficient {and} mochel more myȝty to
seen {and} to knowe þinges. þan þilke cause þat suffriþ and resceyueþ þe
notes {and} þe figures inp{re}ssed in manere of matere algates þe
passiou{n} þat is to seyn þe suffraunce or þe wit i{n} þe quik[e] body
goþ byforne excitynge {and} moeuyng þe strengþes of þe þouȝte. ryȝt so
as whan þat clerenesse smyteþ þe eyen {and} moeuiþ hem to seen. or ryȝt
so as voys or soune hurtliþ to þe eres {and} co{m}moeuiþ hem to herkne.
þan is þe stre{n}gþe of þe þouȝt ymoeuid {and} excitid {and} clepeþ
furþe þe semblable moeuynges þe speces þat it halt wiþ i{n}ne it self.
{and} addiþ þo speces to þe notes {and} to þe þinges wiþ out forþe.
{and} medeleþ þe ymages of þinges wiþ out forþe to þe forme[s] yhid wiþ
i{n}ne hym self.
Q{UO}D SI IN CORPORIB{US} SENCIEND{IS}.
QUESTIO.
[Sidenote: [The .5.^the p{ro}se.]]
++But what [yif] þat in bodies to be{n} feelid þat is to sein in þe
takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly þinges. and al be it so þat þe
qualites of bodies þ{a}t ben obiect fro wiþ oute forþe moeuen {and}
entalenten þe instrumentes of þe wittes. and al be it so þat þe
passiou{n} of þe body þat is to seyn þe witte [or the] suffrau{n}ce
[goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the which
passiou{n} or suffraunce] clepiþ furþe þe dede of þe þouȝt in hym self.
{and} moeueþ {and} exiteþ in þis mene while þe formes þ{a}t resten wiþ
in forþe. and yif þat i{n} sensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage
nis nat ytauȝt or enp{re}ntid by passiou{n} to knowe þise þinges. but
demiþ {and} knoweþ of hys owen strengþe þe passiou{n} or suffrau{n}ce
subiect to þe body. Moche more þan þoo þinges þat ben absolut {and} quit
fram alle talentȝ or affecc{i}ou{n}s of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne
folwen nat in discernynge þinges obiect from wiþ oute forþe. but þei
accomplissen {and} speden þe dede of hir þouȝt by þis resou{n}. ¶ þan
þere comen many manere knowynges to dyu{er}se {and} differy{n}g
substaunces. for þe wit of þe body þe whiche witte is naked {and}
despoyled of alle oþer knowynges. þilke witte comeþ to bestes þat ne
mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne þere. as oystres {and} muscles {and}
oþer swiche shelle fysshe of þe see. þ{a}t cliue{n} {and} ben norissed
to roches. but þe ymaginac{i}ou{n} comeþ to remuable bestes þat seme{n}
to han talent to fleen or to desiren any þinge. but resou{n} is al only
to þe lynage of mankynde ryȝt as i{n}telligence is oonly þe deuyne
nature. of whiche it folweþ þat þilke knowyng is more worþe þan
[th]is[e] oþer. syn it knoweþ by hys p{ro}pre nature nat only hys
subiect. as who seiþ it ne knoweþ nat al oonly þat app{er}teiniþ
p{ro}prely to hys knowynge. but it knoweþ þe subgitȝ of alle oþer
knowynges. but how shal it þan be yif þat wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n}
stryuen aȝeins resonynge {and} sein þat of þilke vniuersel þinges. þat
resou{n} weneþ to seen þat it nis ryȝt nauȝt. for wit {and}
ymaginac{i}ou{n} seyn þat þat. þat is sensible or ymaginable it ne may
nat ben vniuersel. þan is eiþer þe iugement of resou{n} [soth]. ne þat
þer nis no þinge sensible. or ellys for þat resou{n} woot wel þat many
þinges ben subiect to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. þan is þe
co{n}sepc{i}ou{n} of resou{n} veyn {and} fals whiche þat lookeþ {and}
co{m}p{re}hendiþ. þat þat is sensible {and} synguler as uniuersele. and
ȝif þat resou{n} wolde answeren aȝein to þise two þat is to sein to wit
{and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} sein þat soþely she hir self. þat is to
seyn þat resou{n} lokeþ {and} comp{re}hendiþ by resou{n} of
vniuersalite. boþe þat þat is sensible {and} þat þat is ymaginable.
{and} þat þilke two þat is to seyn wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne mowe{n}
nat strecchen ne enhaunsen hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for þat
þe knowy{n}g of hem ne may exceden nor so{ur}mou{n}te{n} þe bodyly
figure[s] ¶ Certys of þe knowyng of þinges men auȝten raþer ȝeue
credence to þe more stedfast {and} to þe more p{er}fit iugement. In þis
manere stryuynge þan we þat han strengþe of resonynge {and} of
ymaginynge {and} of wit þat is to seyn by resou{n} {and} by
ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} by wit. [{and}] we sholde raþer p{re}ise þe cause
of resou{n}. as who seiþ þan þe cause of wit or ymaginac{i}ou{n}.
semblable þinge is it þat þe resou{n} of mankynde ne weneþ nat þat þe
deuyne intelligence byholdeþ or knoweþ þinges to comen. but ryȝt as þe
resou{n} of mankynde knoweþ hem. for þou arguist {and} seist þus. þat
yif it ne seme nat to men þat so{m}me þinges han certeyne {and}
necessarie bytidynges. þei ne mowen nat ben wist byforn certeynely to
bytiden. þa{n} nis [ther] no p{re}science of þilke þinges. {and} yif we
trowen þat p{re}science ben in þise þinges. þan is þer no þinge þat it
ne bitidiþ by necessite. but certys yif we myȝte{n} han þe iugeme{n}t of
þe deuyne þouȝt as we ben p{ar}son{er}s of resou{n}. ryȝt so as we han
demed. it byhoueþ þat ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} wit ben byneþe resou{n}.
ryȝt so wolde we deme{n} þat it were ryȝtful þing þat ma{n}s resou{n}
auȝt[e] to su{m}mitten it self {and} to ben byneþe þe deuyne þouȝt. for
whiche þat yif we mowen. as who seiþ. þat yif þat we mowe{n} I
conseil[e] þat we enhanse vs in to þe heyȝt of þilke souereyne
i{n}telligence. for þere shal resou{n} wel seen þat þat it ne may nat
by-holden in it self. and certys þat is þis in what manere þe
p{re}science of god seeþ alle þinges c{er}teins {and} difinissed al þouȝ
þei ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne þis is non oppiniou{n}
but it is raþer þe simplicite of þe souereyn science þat nis nat
enclosed nor yshet wiþi{n}ne no boundes.
QUAM UARIIS FIGURIS.
[Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]
++ÞE bestes passen by þe erþes by ful dyuerse figures for so{m}me of hem
han hir bodies strauȝt {and} crepe{n} in þe dust {and} drawen after
he{m} a t{ra}is or a forghe contynued. þat is to sein as addres or
snakes. and oþer bestes by [the] wandryng lyȝtnesse of hir wenges beten
þe wyndes {and} ouer-swymme{n} þe spaces of þe longe eyer by moist
flee[y]nge. and oþer bestes gladen hem to diggen her traas or her
stappes i{n} þe erþe wiþ hir goynge or wiþ her feet. or to gone eyþe[r]
by þe grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder þe wodes. {and} al be it
so þ{a}t þou seest þat þei alle discorden by dyuerse formes. algate
hir{e} [faces] enclini[n]g heuieþ hir{e} dulle wittes. Onlyche þe lynage
of man heueþ heyest hys heyȝe heued {and} stondeþ lyȝt wiþ hys vpryȝt
body {and} byholdeþ þe erþe vndir hym. [and] but-ȝif þou erþely man
wexest yuel oute of þi witte. þis figure amonesteþ þe þ{a}t axest þe
heuene wiþ þi ryȝt[e] visage. {and} hast areised þi forhede to beren vp
on heye þi corage so þat þi þouȝt ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir
foot. sen þat þi body is so heye areised.
PR{O}SA VLTI{M}A.
QUONIA{M} IGITUR UTI PAULO ANTE.
[Sidenote: [The 6^te p{ro}se {and} the laste.]]
++ÞEr-fore þan as I haue shewed a litel her byforne þat al þinge þat is
ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature p{ro}pre. but by þe nature of he{m}
þat comp{re}henden it. ¶ Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to
vs. as who seiþ lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche þ{a}t þe estat is of
þe deuyne substaunce so þat we mowen [ek] knowen what his science is. þe
comune iugement of alle creatures resonables þan is þis þat god is
eterne. lat vs considere þa{n} what is et{er}nite. For certys þat shal
shewen vs to-gidre þe deuyne nature {and} þe deuyne science ¶ Eternite
þan is p{er}fit possessiou{n} {and} al togidre of lijf interminable
{and} þat sheweþ more clerely by þe co{m}parisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of
temp{or}el þinges. for al þing þat lyueþ in tyme it is p{re}sent {and}
p{ro}cediþ fro preteritȝ in to fut{ur}es. þat is to sein. fro tyme
passed in to tyme comynge. ne þer nis no þing establissed i{n} tyme þat
may enbracen to-gidre al þe space of hys lijf. for certys ȝit ne haþ it
nat taken þe tyme of þe morwe. {and} it haþ lost þat of ȝister-day. and
certys in þe lijf of þis day ȝe ne lyuen no more but ryȝt as in þis
moeueable {and} t{ra}nsitorie moment. þan þilke þinge þat suffriþ
temp{or}el condic{i}ou{n}. a[l]þough{e} þat [it] bygan neuer to be. ne
þough{e} it neu{er}e cese forto be. as aristotle demde of þe worlde. and
al þouȝ þat þe lif of it be strecchid wiþ infinite of tyme. ȝit algates
nis it no swiche þing þat men myȝten trowen by ryȝt þat it is eterne.
for al þouȝ þat it comp{re}hende {and} embrace þe space of life
infinite. ȝit algates ne [em]braceþ it nat þe space of þe lif
alto-gidre. for it ne haþ nat þe fut{ur}es þat ne ben nat ȝit. ne it ne
haþ no lenger þe p{re}t{er}itȝ þat ben ydon or ypassed. but þilke þing
þan þat haþ {and} co{m}prehendiþ to-gidre alle þe plente of þe lif
i{n}terminable. to whom þere ne failiþ nat of þe fut{ur}e. {and} to whom
þer nis nat of þe p{re}t{er}it escapid nor ypassed. þilk[e] same is
ywitnessed or yproued by ryȝt to ben eterne. and it byhoueþ by necessite
þat þilke þinge be alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} co{m}potent. as who
seiþ alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} so myȝty þat al by ryȝt at hys
plesaunce. {and} þ{a}t he haue al p{re}sent þe infinit of þe moeuable
tyme. wherfore som men trowe{n} wrongefully þat whan þei heren þat it
semid[e] to plato þat þis worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge of tyme. ne
þat it neu{er}e shal haue faylynge. þei wenen i{n} þis man{er}e þat þis
worlde ben maked coet{er}ne wiþ his makere. as who seiþ. þei wenen þat
þis worlde {and} god ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful
wenynge. for oþer þing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable as plato
graunted[e] to þe worlde. {and} oþer þing is it to embracen to-gidre
alle þe p{re}sence to þe lif interminable. þe whiche þing it is clere
{and} manifest þat it is p{ro}pre to þe deuine þouȝt. ne it ne sholde
nat semen to vs þat god is elder þan þinges þat ben ymaked by quantite
of tyme. but raþer by þe p{ro}prete of hys symple nature. for þis ilke
infinit[e] moeuyng of temp{or}el þinges folwiþ þis p{re}sentarie estat
of þe lijf i{n}moeueable. {and} so as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne
feyne{n} it ne ben euene lyke to it. for þe inmoeueablete. þat is to
seyn þat is i{n} þe eternite of god. ¶ it faileþ {and} falleþ in to
moeuynge fro þe simplicite of [the] p{re}sence of god. {and} disencresiþ
to þe infinite quantite of fut{ur}e {and} of p{re}terit. {and} so as it
ne may nat han togidre al þe plente of þe lif. algates ȝitte for as
moche as it ne cesiþ neuere forto ben in som manere it semeþ somde[l] to
vs þat it folwiþ {and} resembliþ þilke þing þ{a}t it ne may nat attayne
to. ne fulfille. {and} byndeþ it self to som manere p{re}sence of þis
litel {and} swifte moment. þe whiche p{re}sence of þis lytele {and}
swifte moment. for þat it bereþ a manere ymage or lykenesse of þe ay
dwellynge p{re}sence of god. it graunteþ to swiche manere þinges as it
bitidiþ to þat it semeþ hem þat þise þinges han ben {and} ben {and} for
[þ{a}t] þe p{re}sence of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle þer-for
[it] rauyssid[e] {and} took þe infinit[e] wey of tyme. þat is to seyn by
successiou{n}. {and} by þis man{er}e it is ydon. for þat it sholde
continue þe lif in goynge of þe whiche lif it ne myȝt[e] nat embrace þe
plente in dwellynge. {and} for þi yif we willen putte worþi name[s] to
þinges {and} folwen plato. lat vs seyn þa{n} soþely þat god is et{er}ne.
{and} þat þe worlde is p{er}petuel. þan syn þat euery iugeme{n}t knoweþ
{and} comp{re}hendiþ by hys owen nature þinges þat ben subiect vnto hym.
þere is soþely al-wey to god an et{er}ne {and} p{re}sentarie estat.
{and} þe science of hym þat ouer-passeþ alle temp{or}el moe[ue]m{en}t
dwelliþ in þe symplicite of hys p{re}sence {and} embraceþ {and}
considereþ alle þe infinit spaces of tymes p{re}teritȝ {and} fut{ur}es
{and} lokeþ in þis symple knowynge alle þinges of p{re}t{er}it ryȝt as
þei weren ydoon p{re}sently ryȝt now ¶ yif þou wolt þan þenke {and}
avise{n} þe p{re}science by whiche it knoweþ al[le] þi{n}ges þou ne
shalt nat demen it as p{re}science of þinges to comen. but þou shalt
deme{n} [it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science of presence or of
instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ. for whiche it nis nat ycleped
p{ro}uidence but it sholde raþer be cleped purueaunce þat is establissed
ful fer fro ryȝt lowe þinges. {and} byholdeþ from a-fer alle þinges ryȝt
as it were fro þe heye heyȝte of þinges. whi axest þou þan or why
disputest þou þan þat þilke þinges ben don by necessite whiche þat ben
yseyen {and} yknowen by þe deuyne syȝt. syn þat for soþe men ne maken
nat þilke þi{n}ges necessarie. whiche þat þe[i] seen be ydoon in hir{e}
syȝt. for addiþ þi byholdynge any necessite to þilke þinges þat þou
byholdest p{re}sent. ¶ Nay q{uo}d I. _p._ Certys þan yif men myȝte maken
any digne comparisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of þe p{re}sence diuine. {and}
of þe p{re}sence of mankynde. ryȝt so as ȝe seen so{m}me þinges in þis
temp{or}el presente. ryȝt so seeþ god alle þinges by hys eterne
p{re}sent. ¶ wherfore þis dyuyne p{re}science ne chaungeþ nat þe nature
ne þe p{ro}prete of þinges but byholdeþ swyche þinges present to hym
ward. as þei shollen bytiden to ȝow ward in tyme to come. ne it ne
co{n}foundeþ nat þe Iugementȝ of þinges but by of syȝt of hys þouȝt he
knoweþ þe þinges to comen as wel necessarie as nat necessarie. ryȝt so
as whan ȝe seen togidre a man walke on þe erþe {and} þe sonne arysen in
[the] heuene. al be it so þat ȝe seen {and} byholde{n} þat oon {and} þat
oþer to-gidre. ȝit naþeles ȝe demen {and} discerne þat þat oon is
uolu{n}tarie {and} þat oþer is necessarie. ¶ Ryȝt so þan [the] deuyne
lokynge byholdynge alle þi{n}ges vndir hym ne troubleþ nat þe qualite of
þinges þat ben certeynely p{re}sent to hy{m} ward. but as to þe
condic{i}ou{n} of tyme for soþe þei ben fut{ur}e. for whiche it folwiþ
þat þis nis non oppiniou{n}. but raþer a stedfast knowyng ystrengeþed by
soþenes. þat whan þat god knoweþ any þinge to be he ne vnwoot nat þat
þilke þinge wanteþ necessite to be. þis is to seyn þat whan þat god
knoweþ any þinge to bitide. he woot wel þat it ne haþ no necessite to
bitide. {and} yif þ{o}u seist here þat þilke þinge þat god seeþ to
bytide it ne may nat vnbytide. as who seiþ it mot bitide. ¶ and þilke
þinge þat þat ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by necessite. and þat
þou streine me to þis name of necessite. certys I wol wel confessen
{and} byknowe a þinge of ful sadde trouþe. but vnneþ shal þere any wyȝt
[mowe] seen it or comen þer-to. but yif þat he be byholder of þe deuyne
þouȝte. ¶ for I wol answer{e} þe þus. þat þilke þinge þat is future whan
it is referred to þe deuyne knowy{n}g þan is it necessarie. but certys
whan it is vndirstonden in hys owen kynde me{n} sen it [is] vtterly fre
{and} absolut from alle necessite. for certys þer ben two maneres of
necessites. þat oon necessite is symple as þus. þat it byhoueþ by
necessite þat alle men be mortal or dedely. an oþ{er} necessite is
condicionel as þus. yif þou wost þat a man walkiþ. it byhoueþ by
necessite þat he walke. þilke þinge þan þat any wyȝt haþ yknowe to be.
it ne may ben non oþer weyes þan he knoweþ it to be. ¶ but þis
condicioun ne draweþ nat wiþ hir þilke necessite symple. For certys þis
necessite condicionel. þe p{ro}pre nature of it ne makeþ it nauȝt. but
þe adiecc{i}ou{n} of þe condic{i}ou{n} makiþ it. for no necessite ne
constreyneþ a man to [gon / þ{a}t] gooþ by his p{ro}pre wille. al be it
so þat whan he gooþ þat it is necessarie þat he gooþ. þan mot þilke
þinge be by necessite. al þouȝ þat it ne haue no necessite of hys owen
nature. ¶ Ryȝt on þis same manere þan. yif þat þe p{ur}ueaunce of god
seeþ any þing p{re}sent. but certys þe fut{ur}es þat bytyden by fredom
of arbitre god seeþ hem alle to-gidre p{re}sentȝ. þise þinges þan [yif]
þei ben referred to þe deuyne syȝt. þan ben þei maked necessarie to þe
condic{i}ou{n} of þe deuyne knowynge. but certys yif þilke þinges ben
considred by hem self þei ben absolut of necessite. {and} ne forleten
nat ne cesen nat of þe liberte of hire owe{n} natur{e}. þan certys wiþ
outen doute alle þe þing{us} shollen be doon whiche þat god woot by-forn
þat þei ben to comen. but so{m}me of hem comen {and} bitiden of [free]
arbitre or of fre wille. þat al be it so þat þei bytiden. ȝit algates ne
lese þei nat hire p{ro}pre nature ne beynge. by þe whiche first or þat
þei were doon þei hadden power nat to han bitidd. _Boece._ what is þis
to seyn þa{n} q{uo}d I. þat þinges ne ben nat necessarie by hire
p{ro}pre nature. so as þei comen in alle maneres in þe lykenesse of
necessite by þe condic{i}ou{n} of þe deuyne science. {Ph}ilosoph{ie}.
þis is þe difference q{uo}d she. þat þo þinges þat I p{ur}posed[e] þe a
litel here byforn. þat is to seyn þe sonne arysynge {and} þe man
walkynge þat þerwhiles þat þilke þinges ben ydon. þei ne myȝten nat ben
vndon. naþeles þat oon of hem or it was ydon it byhoued[e] by necessite
þat it was ydon. but nat þat oþ{er}. ryȝt so it is here þat þe þinges
þat god haþ p{re}sent. wiþ outen doute þei shulle ben. but so{m}me of
hem descendiþ of þe nature of þinges as þe sonne arysynge. {and} so{m}me
descendiþ of þe power of þe doers as þe man walkynge. ¶ þan seide I. no
wronge þat yif þat þise þinges ben referred to þe deuyne knowynge þan
ben þei necessarie. {and} yif þei ben considered by he{m} selfe þan ben
þei absolut from þe bonde of necessite. ryȝt so [as] alle þinges þat
appiereþ or sheweþ to þe wittes yif þou referre it to resou{n} it is
vniuersel. {and} yif þou referre it or look[e] it to it self. þan is it
sy{n}guler. but now yif þou seist þus þ{a}t yif it be in my power to
chaunge my p{ur}pose. þan shal I voide þe p{ur}ueaunce of god. whan þat
p{er}auenture I shal han chau{n}ged þo þinges þat he knoweþ byforn. þan
shal I answere þe þus ¶ Certys þou maist wel chaungen þi p{ur}pos but
for as mochel as þe p{re}sent soþenesse of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce
byholdeþ þat þou mayst chau{n}ge{n} þi p{ur}pose. {and} wheþir þou wolt
chaunge it or no. {and} whider-ward þat þou tourne it. þ{o}u maist nat
eschewen þe deuyne p{re}science ryȝt as þou ne mayst nat fleen þe syȝt
of þe p{re}sent eye. al þouȝ þat þou tourne þi self by þi fre wille in
to dyu{er}se acc{i}ou{n}. ¶ But þou mayst seyn aȝeyne how shal it þan
be. shal nat þe dyuyne science ben chaunged by my disposic{i}ou{n} whan
þat I wol o þing now {and} now an oþer. {and} þilke p{re}science ne
semeþ it nat to enterchau{n}ge stoundes of knowynges. as who seiþ. ne
shal it nat seme to vs þat þe deuyne p{re}science enterchaungeþ hys
dyuers stoundes of knowynge. so þat it knowe so{m}me tyme o þing {and}
so{m}me tyme þe contrarie. ¶ No for soþe. [q{uod} I] for þe deuyne syȝt
renneþ to-forne {and} seeþ alle fut{ur}es {and} clepeþ hem aȝein {and}
reto{ur}niþ hem to þe p{re}sence of hys p{ro}pre knowynge. ne he ne
entrechaungeþ nat [so] as þou wenest þe stoundes of forknowyng [as] now
þis now þat. but he ay dwellynge comiþ byforn {and} enbraceþ at o strook
alle þi mutac{i}ou{n}s. and þis p{re}sence to co{m}p{re}henden {and} to
sen alle þinges. god ne haþ nat take{n} it of þe bitydynge of þinges
forto come. but of hys p{ro}pre symplicite. ¶ and her by is assoiled
þilke þing þat þou puttest a litel her byforne. þat is to seyne þat it
is vnworþi þinge to seyn þat oure futures ȝeuen cause of þe science of
god ¶ For c{er}tys þis strengþe of þe deuyne science whiche þat enbraceþ
alle þinge by his p{re}sentarie knowynge establisseþ manere to alle
þi{n}g{us} {and} it ne awiþ nat to lattere þinges. {and} syn þat þise
þinges ben þus. þat is to seyn syn þat necessite nis nat in þinges by þe
deuyne p{re}science. þan is þer fredom of arbitre. þat dwelleþ hool
{and} vnwemmed to mortal men. ne þe lawes ne p{ur}pose nat wikkedly
meedes {and} peynes to þe willynges of men þat ben vnbounde {and} quit
of alle necessite. ¶ And god byholder {and} forwiter of alle þinges
dwelliþ aboue {and} þe p{re}sent eternite of hys syȝt renneþ alwey wiþ
þe dyuerse qualite of oure dedes dispe{n}syng {and} ordeynynge medes to
good[e] men. {and} tourmentȝ to wicked men. ne in ydel ne i{n} veyn ne
ben þer nat put in god hope {and} p{ra}yeres. þat ne mowen nat ben
vnspedful ne wiþ oute effect whan þei ben ryȝtful ¶ wiþstond þan {and}
eschewe þou vices. worshippe {and} loue þou vertus. areise þi corage to
ryȝtful hoopes. ȝelde þou humble p{re}iers an heyȝe. grete necessite of
prowesse {and} vertue is encharged {and} comaunded to ȝow yif ȝe nil nat
dissimulen. ¶ Syn þat ȝe worchen {and} doon. þat is to seyn ȝoure dedes
{and} ȝoure workes by-fore þe eyen of þe Iuge þat seeþ {and} demeþ alle
þinges. [To whom be goye {and} worshipe bi Infynyt tymes / AMEN.]
EXPLICIT LIBER QUINTUS. {ET} VLTIM{US}.
* * * *
* * * * *
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
[[Pages 180-184 are the Appendix and _Balades_, each with separate
line numbering.]]
ABAIST = ABYEST, sufferest, endurest, 39/1014
ABAIST, abashed, 107/3047
ABASSEN, to be abashed, dismayed, 146/4213
ABESID (= ABAYSSHED), abashed, 7/92
ABIDE, to await, 7/93.
‘ABIDE after’ = look after, expect, 13/250;
_p.p._ Abiden, waited, 86/2405
Abieþ, suffers, 109/3101
ABLYNGE, enabling, fitting (_aptans_), 26/624, 88/2440
Abood, abode, 63/1716
Aboven, above, 6/52
Abreggynge, curtailing; hence _gain_ obtained by curtailment
(_compendium_), 151/4355
Accoie, to soothe, quiet (_demulcere_), 38/967
Accordaunce, agreement, 143/4134
Accordaunt, agreeing, unanimous, 19/431
Accorde, to agree, 42/1080
Accoumpte, account, 47/1251
Accountyng, calculation, 8/110
Achat, purchase, 15/310
Acheve, to achieve, accomplish, 18/404
Achoken, to choke, 47/1235
Acomplise, Acomplisse, to accomplish, 92/2575, 118/3356
Acordable, agreeing, 62/1694
Acusor, informer, 72/1990
Addre (Nadre), adder, 170/4959
Adoune, down, downward, 7/92
Adounward, downwards, 7/87
Adrad, in fear, afraid, 43/1132
Adresse, to direct, control, 163/4721
Afer, afar, 164/4767
Agast, aghast, frightened, 76/2107
Agaste, to terrify, frighten, 141/4051
Agon, ago, 70/1907
Agreableté, goodwill, 42/1099
Agrisen, to be afraid, dread, 10/178, 31/777
Ajuge, to adjudge, 15/325
Aknowe, acknowledged, 17/367
Aldirmost, most of all, 124/3557
Algates, Algate, yet, nevertheless, 19/439, 68/1849, 81/2242,
162/4696, 4698
Allegge, to alleviate, 124/3529
Alouterly, utterly, entirely, 109/3090
Alþerfairest, fairest of all, 87/2422
Alþerfirst, first of all, 10/180
Alþermoste, most of all, 158/4563
Alþerworste, worst of all, 157/4562
Alyene, to alienate, 27/671
Amenuse, to lessen, diminish, 19/426, 40/1039
Amenusynge, diminution, 46/1192
Ameve, Amoeve, Amove, to move, 6/64, 23/551
Amoneste, to admonish, 171/4971
Amonestyng, admonition, exhortation, 149/4296
Amongus, amongst, 52/1380
Amonicioun, admonition, 13/253
Amynistre, to administer, 135/3891
Ancre, anchor, 41/1050
Angre, grief, misery, 41/1072
Anguisse, Angysse, anguish, 79/2177;
to torment, 80/2198
Anguissous, anxious, sorrowful, 41/1062, 1066
Anoie, to be grieved, be sorry, 41/1058
Anoienge, 22/532
Anoies, hurtful, 47/1238
Anoious, annoying, hurtful, 7/102
An-oone, anon, 42/1086
Anoyously, dangerously, hurtfully, 80/2214
Apaise, to appease, 148/4278
Apasse, to pass away, go, 46/1195
Aperceive, to perceive, 16/344, 134/3845
Apertly, plainly, 17/386, 91/2543
Appaie, to please, satisfy, 47/1235
Appaire, to impair, 25/597
Apparaile, to clothe, adorn, 8/116
Apparaillement, clothing, ornament, 49/1300
Appertiene, to appertain, 73/1996
Applien, bend to, join, 161/4660
Apresse, to oppress, 184/60
Aprochen, to approach, 6/63, 66
Arace, Arase, Arrace, to tear, tear from, separate, 11/196, 27/671,
98/2774, 152/4278
Araise, Areise, Areyse, to raise, 51/1357, 118/3369, 178/5212
Arbitre, will, free will, 156/4500
Ardaunt, ardent, 106/3031
Aresten, to stop, arrest, 32/815
Aretten, to ascribe to, impute to, 40/1016
Arist, arises, 143/4138
Armurers, armours, arms, 51/1342
Armures, armour, 9/131
Arst, first, 95/2675
Arwe, arrow, 148/4262
Arysynge, rising, 22/512
Aryve, to bring to shore, 122/3479
Asayle, to assail, 181/40
Ascape, to escape, 8/129
Asondre, asunder, 64/1740
Aspre, sharp, rough, 32/806, 80/2216
Asprenesse, sharpness, 127/3627
Assaie, to essay, 42/1083
Assemble, to gather together, amass (money), 80/2208
Asseure, to assure, 16/330
Assoilen, to absolve, pay, unloose, dissolve, 149/4303, 154/4459
Astat, estate, state, 30/738
Astoned, astonished, 7/92, 63/1702;
_stupidus_, 122/3471
Astonynge, Astonyenge, astonishment, 9/134, 132/3780
Ataste, to taste, 30/756
Ataynt, Ateint, attained, knowing, experienced, 31/772, 69/1905
Attayne, to reach, 12/227
Atte, at the, 95/2675
Attemperaunce, tempering, temperament, 138/3973, 144/4145
Attempre, to temper, moderate, 8/115, 111/3154;
control, 163/4721;
(_adj._) modest, 29/728, 40/1033
Atteyne, to attain, 118/3358
Atwyne, in two, 98/2769
Avalen, to fall down, 143/4139
Avaunce, to advance, further, 41/1057
Avaunte, to boast, 5/26, 19/426
Auctorité, authority, 7/91
Aventerouse, fortuitous, 28/697, 40/1018
Aventure, event, 21/476
Autour, author, 58/1556
Auȝte, ought, 11/213
Avisen, to consider, 174/5063
Awaite, snare, 80/2214
Awaitour, one who lies in wait, 121/3463
Awiþ = aweþ, oweth (_debet_), 178/5198
Ay, ever, 184/55
Ay-dwellynge, ever-dwelling, 173/5044
Ayenis, against, 97/2749
Axe, to ask, 17/357, 24/579
Aȝeins, Aȝeynes, Aȝeynest, against, 10/183, 11/194, 12/221, 13/255
Aȝeinewarde, on the contrary, on the other hand, 42/1098
Bacine, basin, 133/3806
Batailen, to war on, do battle against, 18/412
Been, bees, 80/2200
Ber, did bear, 6/61
Bere, Bear, 143/4124
Beren on hond, to accuse falsely, 20/449
Bet, better, 63/1703
Bibled, covered over with blood, 48/1860
Bisien, to trouble, 8/112
Bitake. _See_ Bytake.
Bitidd, happened, 176/5143
Bitwixen. _See_ Bytwixen.
Blaundissinge, flattering, 30/749
Blaundyshing, flattery, blandishment, 34/866
Bleched, bleached, 181/45
Blemisse, to blemish, abuse (_lacero_), 20/472
Blyssed, blessed, 181/43
Blyþenesse, joyfulness, 37/957
Boch, botch, blain, sore, 72/1977
Bode, to foretell, 143/4130
Bole, bull, 148/4274
Boot, did bite, 53/1400
Bordure, border, hem, 6/50
Bosten, to boast, 79/2171
Botme, bottom, 12/234
Bounté, Bownté, goodness, kindness, 19/444, 46/1202, 183/39
Brenne (_pret._ Brende), to burn, 19/437, 106/3031
Brid, bird, 68/1867
Bristlede, bristly, 148/4281
Brode, broadly, plainly, 49/1298
Brutel, brittle, fragile, 45/1174
Brutelnesse, brittleness, frailty, 184/63
Burþe, birth, 78/2165
Busshel (corn), 15/312
Bydolven (_p.p._), buried, 151/4348
Byen (for _abyen_), suffer, 125/3578
Byforen, BYFORN, BYFORNE, before, 20/454
Bygunne, didst begin, 37/941
Bygyle, to beguile, 25/615
Byhate, to hate, 75/2051
Byheste, promise, 149/4303
Byhete, to promise, 61/1651, 69/1903
Byhynde, Byhynden, behind, 108/3062, 110/3137
Byhyȝt, promised, 70/1925, 85/2374, 157/4558
Byknowen, Byknowe, to acknowledge, 146/4211, 175/5107;
_p.p._ Byknowen, 90/2514
Byleve, believe, 28/695
Byname, an additional name, 84/2333
Byneþen, beneath, 49/1295
Bynomen (_p.p._), taken from, 124/3527
Bynyme, to deprive of, take away, 43/1117, 70/1930
Byreft, bereft, 33/837
Byseche, to beseech, 86/2408
Bysmoked, besmoked, 5/49
Byspotte, to defile, 73/2009
Bystowe, to bestow, 24/585
Bysynesse, toil, 184/75
Bytake, to entrust, 32/808
Bytide (_pret._ BYTIDDE, _p.p._ BYTID), to befall, happen,
20/474, 151/4360, 155/4467
Bytwene, between, 6/54
Bytwixen, betwixt, 132/3785
Bytynge, biting, sharp, 63/1721
Bywepe, to weep for, 26/644
Byweyle, to bewail, 26/643
Caitif, Caytif, wretched, 21/489, 116/3289
Careyne, carcase, corpse, 116/3307
Cariages, taxes (_vectigalia_), 15/303
Celebrable, commendable, noted, 84/2320, 147/4257
Certein, certain, 170/4952
Cese, to cease, 36/904, 130/3716
Cesse, to cease, 133/3821
Chalenge, to claim, 52/1380
Chastie, Chastysen, to chastise, 125/3579, 145/4170
Chayere, chair, seat, 21/503
Cheminey, furnace (_caminus_), 12/236
Cheryce, to cherish, 181/52
Chesen, to choose, 76/2096
Cheyn, chain, 8/122
Chiere, CHERE, CHOERE, face, countenance, 8/123, 12/232, 108/3080
Chirkynge, groaning (_stridens_), 25/618
Clarré, a kind of wine, 50/1329
Cleer, serene, 45/1168
Clepe, to call, 4/17, 11/188, 17/369
Clifte, fissure, cleft, 130/3721
Cliven, CLIVE, to stick, cling, adhere to, 41/1050, 101/2858, 159/4600
Cloumben = CLOMBEN, climbed, ascended, 57/1533
Coempcioun, coemption, 15/309
Coeterne, coeternal, 172/5019
Colasioun, collation, 125/3569
Collacioun, comparison, 165/4805
Combred, troubled, 94/2642
Commoeve, to move, 107/3043
Commoevyng, moving (_excitans_), 12/233
Communalité, commonwealth, 14/271, 142/4108
Comparisoune, to compare, 58/1567
Complyssen, to accomplish, 124/3534
Compotent, having the mastery (_compos_), 172/5012
Compoune, to compose, form, 87/2419, 93/2598
Comprende, comprehend, 165/4807
Comunableté, commonwealth, 13/268
Comune, common, 9/140, 15/310
Confederacie, conspiracy, 53/1399
Confus, confused, 132/3788
Conjecte, to conjecture, 27/649, 114/3230
Conjoignen, to join, 92/2573
Conjuracioun, conspiracy, 18/394, 53/1399
Consequente, consequence, 84/2323
Constreyne, to constrain, contract, 5/38
Consuler (CONSEILER), consul, 51/1364, 1366
Consumpt (_consumptus_), consumed, 60/1632
Contek, contest, strife, 130/3745
Contene, Contienen, to contain, comprehend, 24/573, 116/3302
Contrarien, to be opposed to, adverse to, 154/4440
Contrarious, adverse, opposite, 21/488, 53/1420
Contrefeten, to counterfeit, 173/5031
Convenably, fitly, conveniently, 142/4089
Convict, convicted, 19/440
Cop, top, summit, 44/1159
Corage, mind, spirit, 118/3367, 119/3398
Corige, to correct, 125/3581
Corompe, Corrumpe, to become corrupt, 98/2766, 96/2697
Corone, Coroune, a crown, 119/3385, 91/2555
Corsed, cursed, 181/27
Corsednesse, cursedness, 90/2526
Corumpynge, corruption, 103/2927
Cosyne, cousin, 106/3020
Couche, to lay, set, 35/890
Coupable, guilty, 10/172
Couth, known, 25/592
Coveite, to covet, 51/1365
Covenable, fit, convenient, 97/2731
Covertour, Coverture, covering, 118/3361, 159/4622
Covetise, Coveytyse, covetousness, 20/451, 181/32
Covine, deceit, collusion, 21/493
Coyn, money, 180/20
Creat, created, 99/2796
Crike, creek, 82/2260
Croppe, top, 69/1877
Curacioun, cure (_curatio_), 26/632
Curage, 30/753. _See_ Corage.
Cure, care, 64/1753
Dalf (_pret._ of _delven_), dug, delved, 51/1349
Damoisel, damsel, 30/762
Dampnacioun, condemnation, 16/352
Daunten, Dawnte, to subdue, daunt, 77/2115, 147/4258
Debonairly, mildly, 122/3490
Deboneire, gentle (_mitis_), 22/519;
good, 88/2450
Deceivable, deceptive, 77/2124
Dede, did, 181/28
Dedid, made dead, 127/3623
Deef, deaf, 4/18
Deere, dear, 37/941
Deeþ, death, 4/15
Defaute, fault, defect, 18/402
Defende, to forbid, 34/859
Deffeted, enfeebled, weakened, 30/735
Defoule, to defile, 21/491, 68/1873
Degrees, steps, 6/54
Delices, delight, delights (_deliciæ_), 38/968, 41/1062, 66/1787
Delitable, delectable, 30/756
Delitably, delightfully, 108/3078
Delve, should dig, 151/4352
Delver, a digger, 151/4359
Delyé, thin, fine, 5/43. Fr. _délié_.
Dempne, to condemn, 183/49
Denoye, to deny, 88/2464
Departe, to separate, 29/719
Depelyche, deeply, 160/4647
Depeynte, to depict, 111/3146
Depper, deeper, 27/649
Derke, Derken, to darken, 7/90, 20/448
Derworþe, Derworþi, precious, 31/787, 41/1046
Desarmen, disarm, 13/241
Desceivaunce, deception, 81/2240
Desceive, Desseive, to deceive, 9/141, 38/967
Descryven, to describe, 99/2813
Desmaie, to dismay, 35/896
Desordene, inordinate, 36/912
Despoylynge, spoil, prey, 147/4259
Destempraunce, severity, 97/2749
Destinal, fatal, 135/3884
Destourbe, disturb, 143/4123
Destrat, distracted, 80/2216
Destreine, to constrain, bind, 54/1441
Diffinisse, to define, 88/2459, 165/4808
Digne, worthy, just, 43/1124, 149/4297
Digneliche, worthily, 53/1427
Dirke, dark, 83/2306
Dirke, Dirken, to make dark, darken, 5/48, 49
Dirkenesse, darkness, 23/535
Disceyvable, deceptive, 4/23
Discordable, discordant, 143/4133
Discorde, to disagree, 94/2632, 102/2898
Discordyng, disagreeing, discordant, 68/1849
Discours, judgment, reason, 165/4804
Discressioun, discretion, 93/2594
Discussed, dispersed, scattered, 9/149
Disdaignen, to disdain (_indignari_), 146/4213
Disencrese, to decrease, 173/5035
Disordinaunce, disorder, 150/4324
Dispenden, to spend, expend, 45/1181
Dispone, to dispose, 135/3864
Disputisoun, disputation, 149/4314
Disseveraunce, separation, 96/2701
Dissimulen, to dissemble, 178/5215
Distempre, intemperate, 121/3466
Distingwed, distinguished, 47/1223
Dité, ditty, 134/3850
Divinour, diviner, 157/4541
Domesman, judge, 55/1467
Doom, judgment, 152/4395
Doumbe, dumb, 9/138
Doutous, Dowtos, doubtful, 5/37
Dowblenesse, duplicity, 182/63
Drede, dread, 21/497
Dredeful, timid, 121/3468
Dredles, fearless, 106/3028
Dreint, Dreynt, drowned, drenched, 4/22, 7/99, 148/4271
Dresse, to direct, order, 137/3954, 142/4104
Drouppe, to drop, 20/455
Drow, drew, 15/300
Duelly, duly, 22/530
Dulle, to become dull, 7/100
Dure, Duren, to last, 98/2755
Duske, to make dusk or dim, 5/48
Dyverses (_pl._), divers, 8/120
Dyvynynge, divination, 157/4541
Echid, increased, 77/2134
Echynnys, sea-urchins, 82/2266
Egalité, equality, evenness (of mind), 42/1099
Egaly, equally, evenly, 43/1108, 157/4536
Egge, edge, 180/19
Egre, sharp, 25/610
Egren, to urge, excite, 141/4060
Eir, air, 45/1169
Ek, Eke, also, 40/1040, 181/36
Elde, old age, 5/48
Eldefadir, grandfather, 40/1042
Elder, older, 89/2493
Embelise, to embellish, 47/1223
Emperie, government, 51/1363
Emperisse, empress, 109/3098
Empoysenyng, poisoning, 11/206 (_venenum_)
Emprente, to imprint, 166/4839
Emprenten, obtain (translates the Latin, _impetrent_), 159/4596.
Perhaps a mistake for _empetren_.
Emptid, exhausted, 5/34
Enbaissynge, a debasing, 109/3107
Enbrase, embrace, 142/4092
Enchaufen, to make hot, _chafe_, 73/2020
Encharge, to impose, 178/5214
Enchaunteresse, enchantress, 123/3504
Endamagen, to damage, 15/316
Endirken, to obscure, 120/3418
Enditen, to indite, 4/4
Enfourme, to inform, instruct, 11/212, 13/263
Enhaunse, Enhawnse, to raise, exalt (_enhance_), 33/825
Enlace, to bind, entangle, entertwine, perplex, 13/245,
80/2207, 149/4298
Enoynte, to anoint, 36/923
Enpeyren, to impair, 120/3418, 139/4015
Ensample, example, 9/151
Entalenten, to excite, 168/4876
Entecche, defile, pollute, 120/3431
Entendyng, intent, looking stedfastly on, 8/126
Entente, to intend, 150/4345
Ententes, endeavours, labours, 7/79
Ententif, attentive, intent, 12/223, 29/731
Ententifly, attentively, 103/2931
Enterchaunge, to interchange, 65/1785, 131/3753
Entercomunynge, commerce, communication, 57/1528
Entermedle, to intermix, 54/1436
Entré (_adytum_), 30/751
Entrechaunge, to interchange, 39/1003
Entrelaced, intermingled, entangled, 105/2981
Entremete, intermeddle, 104/2964
Enveneme, to poison, infect, 120/3437
Enviroune, to surround, 34/848, 88/2437
Environynge, circumference, 164/4769
Erþeliche, Erþelyche, earthly, 52/1378, 69/1888
Erye, to plough, ear, 71/1964
Eschapen, to escape, 41/1054
Eschaufe, to become hot, to burn, 22/524
Eschewen, to avoid, escape, 177/5172
Eschuynge, eschewing, 99/2802
Establisse, to establish, 15/311
Eterne, eternal;
fro eterne = from eternity, 153/4422
Eternité, eternity, 171/4986
Evenliche, evenly, 25/599
Everyche, every, 11/190;
each, 181/48
Evesterre, evening star, 22/510
Excussyoun, execution, 184/65
Exercen, to exercise, practise, 52/1389
Exercitacioun, exercise, 140/4034
Exilynge, banishment, 11/205
Exite, to excite, 168/4881
Eyen, eyes, 183/36
Eyer, air, 170/4962
Fader, father, 18/414
Familarité, familiarity, 30/740
Familers, familiars, 18/407
Fantesye, fancy, inclination, 181/51
Fasoun, fashion, 62/1693
Feffe, (?) 38/966
Fel, felle, fierce, 44/1160
Felawschipe, to accompany, 111/3141
Felefold, manifold, 30/738
Felliche, fiercely, 39/997
Felnesse, fierceness, 25/618
Felonous, wicked, depraved, 18/405
Felonye, crime, 124/3542
Fer, far, 23/554
Ferm, firm, 78/2148
Fermely, firmly, 157/4550
Ferne, fern, 64/1741
Ferne, distant, 60/1621
Ferþe, fourth, 56/1509
Festivaly, gaily, 59/1581
Festne, to fasten, fix, 10/166
Fette, fetched, 180/22
Fey, faith, truth, 112/3178
Ficchen, to fix, fasten, 45/1164, 88/2446
Fieblesse, feebleness, 81/2240, 112/3176
Fille, abundance, 48/1269
Flaumbe, flame, 98/2761
Fleme, to banish, 29/723
Fles, fleece, 180/18
Flete, Fleten, to float, flow, pass away, abound, 8/118,
28/690, 146/4223, 152/4376
Fletynge, flowing, 71/1961
Fley, flee, 149/4289
Fleyen, to flee, 125/3584
Flies, fleece, 50/1330
Flitte, to remove, 68/1853
Flittyng, changing, fickle, 78/2150
Flityng, flitting, 12/220
Flotere, to float, 99/2817
Floterynge, floating, 87/2420
Flouren, to flourish, 131/3763
Fodre, fodder, 148/4267
Foleyen, Folyen, to act foolishly, 67/1821, 1826
Folyly, foolishly, 12/220
Fooldest, foldest, 105/2984
Forbrek, broke, interrupted, 108/3082
Fordoon, to undo, destroy, 62/1693
Fordryven, driven about, 12/215
Foreyne, foreign, 34/851
Forghe, furrow, 170/4959
Forheved, forehead, 16/346
Forknowyng, foreknowledge, 178/5187
Forleften, left (_pret._ of _forleve_, _linquo_), 9/150
Forlete, to cease, 96/2697;
leave, forsake, 22/525
Forleten (_p.p._), neglected, forsaken, 5/47
Forliven, degenerate from (_degenero_), 78/2163
Forlorn, lost, 34/858, 121/3452
Forme, an error for _ferme_, to make firm, 23/547
Forpampred, overpampered, 180/5
Fors, force;
‘no fors,’ no matter, 182/13
Forsweryng, perjury, 23/536
Forþenke, to be sorry, grieved, 41/1058
Forþere, to further, promote, 41/1057
Forþest, farthest, 136/3918
Forþi, therefore, 28/689
Fortroden, trodden upon, trampled, 109/3100
Fortunel, fortuitous, 152/4379
Fortunouse, Fortuouse, fortuitous, 26/639, 38/983, 132/3779
Forwes, furrows, 180/12
Forwiter, foreknower, 178/5204
Foryetyn, forgotten, 101/2872
Foundement, foundation, 98/2754
Fowel, bird, 107/3053
Fram, from, 70/1931
Freele, frail, 61/1658
Frete, to eat, devour, 147/4252
Frounce, flounce, 9/147
Fructe, fruit, 180/3
Frutefiyng, fructifying, fruitful, 6/72
Fulfilling, satisfying, 79/2178
Fycche, fix, 108/3073. _See_ Ficchen.
Fyn, end, 69/1892
Gabbe, ‘gabbe I?’ am I deceived? 49/1308
Galentyne, a dish in ancient cookery made of sopped bread
and spices (_Halliwell_), 180/16
Galles, galls, 181/47
Gapen, to desire, be greedy for, 15/324, 36/910
Gapinge, desire, 36/910
Gastnesse, terror, fear, 75/2079
Geaunt, giant, 104/2966
Gentilesse, nobility, 78/2154
Geometrien, geometrician, 91/2552
Gerdoned, rewarded, 120/3410
Gerdoun, reward, 13/265
Gerner, garner, 15/305
Gesse, Gessen, to deem, suppose, estimate, 17/378, 19/416, 65/1782
Gessinge, opinion, 21/475
Gest, guest, 38/979
Gideresse, a female guide, 108/3084
Gise, guise, mode, 71/1943
Giser, gizzard, 107/3054
Glotonus, greedy, 26/620
Gnodded, pounded, 180/11
Gobet, a bit (of gold), 51/1349
Godhed, divinity, 122/3492
Goost, spirit, ghost, 40/1036
Governaile, government (_gubernaculum_), 27/651
Governaunce, control, 32/813
Goye, joy, 179/5218
Grayþe, to devise, prepare, 19/438
Grobbe up, to grub up, 181/29
Grond, did grind, 180/15
Gynne, snare, trap, 82/2256
Gynner, beginner, 150/4330
Gyse, guise, mode, 134/3860
Habitacle, habitation, 57/1525
Habunde, to abound, 41/1073
Halden, to hold, 41/1053
Hale, to draw, drag, 61/1665
Halt, holds, 56/1504
Hardnesse, hardship, 132/3783
Hardyly, boldly, 34/857
Hastise, to hasten, 131/3746
Haunten, to frequent, 10/168;
to practise, exercise, 52/1389
Heeres, hairs, 4/12
Heet, heat, 28/699
Hef, raised, heaved, 5/41
Hele, health, 93/2623
Henten, to seize, 15/326
Hepen, to heap up, increase, 153/4418
Herburghden, harboured, lodged, 53/1409
Herie, to praise, 109/3112
Hert, hart, 106/3027
Herted, hearted, 55/1466
Heve, to raise, heave, 171/4968
Heved, head, 4/13
Hevenelyche, heavenly, 8/105
Hevie, to make heavy, 171/4967
Hey, high, 22/523
Heyere, higher, 143/4117
Heyȝe, high, 171/4969
Hielde, pour, 35/899
Hiȝte, to adorn, 8/116
Hoke, hook, 16/347
Holily, wholly, entirely, 90/2503
Homelyche, homely, 105/3001
Hond, hand, 20/449
Honter, a hunter, 12/228
Hool, whole, 46/1191
Hoolnesse, wholeness, 164/4754
Hoope, to hope, 17/384
Hore, hoary, 4/13
Humblesse, humility, 80/2213
Hungry tyme, time of famine, 15/314
Hurtlen, to rush against, to oppose, 30/748, 167/4866
Hyene, hyæna, 185/35
Hyȝt, is called, 9/154, 25/619
Hyȝten, are called, 77/2126
Ibouȝt, bought, 157/4540
Ibowed, bent, turned, 137/3949
Icharged, loaded, 71/1962
Igete, gotten, 36/908
Ilorn, lost, 62/1677
Imperial, august (_imperiosus_), 7/91
Implie, to fold, enclose, 152/4379
Infortune, misfortune, 79/2197
Inmoeveable, immovable, 173/5030
Inmoeveableté, immobility, 173/5032
Inorschid, nourished, nurtured, 8/128
I-nowh, enough, 180/11
Inperfit, imperfect, 83/2291
Inplitable (_inexplicabilis_), 15/315
Inprente, to imprint, 166/4832
Inpressed, impressed, 167/4861
Inrest, innermost, 136/3913
Instaunce (_instantia_), presence, 174/5067
Intil, into, 110/3139
Inwiþ, within, 32/801
Issest, issuest, 105/2983
Iwist, known, 156/4513
Jangland, chattering, 68/1867
Jape-worthi, ridiculous, 157/4540
Jolyté, pleasure, 79/2189
Jowes, jaws, 15/323
Joygnen, to join, 54/1455
Joynture, juncture, joining, 46/1207
Juge, a judge, 19/431;
to judge, 53/1427
Jugement, judgment, 114/3253
Karf (_pret._ of Kerven), cut, 50/1337
Kembd, KEMBED, combed, 23/537
Kerve, to cut, 64/1740
Kevere, cover, obscure, 34/861
Keye, helm (_clavus_), 103/2926
Knowelechinge, knowledge, 168/4874
Knyȝt, soldier, 111/3142
Konnyng, knowledge, 16/351
Korue (_p.p._), cut, rent, 6/58
Kuytten, to cut, 147/4246
Kyd, known, 181/46
Kyndeliche, Kyndely, naturally, 101/2850, 114/3228
Kythen, to make known, show, 184/63
Lache, slow, lazy, 122/3471
Lad (_p.p._), led, 35/879
Laddre, ladder, 6/55
Lambyssh, lamb-like, 181/50
Languisse, to languish, 30/734, 130/3740
Lappe, flap, 9/146
Largesse, liberality, 45/1183
Lasse, less, 22/508
Leche, Leecher, physician, 13/250, 114/3254, 139/3990
Leef, dear, 37/941
Leesen, Leese, to lose, 22/509, 43/1133
Lene, to give, 139/3993
Lenger, longer, 52/1370
Lesynge, loss, 141/4066
Lesynge, leasing, lie, 156/4525
Leten, to leave, 10/176;
to esteem, 61/1666
Leve, permission, leave, 128/3658
Leveful, allowable, lawful, 10/176
Ligge, to lie, 60/1632, 147/4251
Liifly, lively, lifelike, 5/33
Likerous, lecherous, 72/1989
Litargie, lethargy, 9/140
Litestere, a dyer, 180/17
Lokyng, sight, 10/167
Loos, praise
Looþ, loath, 40/1036
Lorel, a wretch, 21/495
Lorn, lost, 34/859
Lous, loose, free, 136/3926
Lykynge, pleasure, 31/771
Lymes, limbs, 71/1946
Lynage, lineage, 41/1070
Lythnesse, lightness, 98/2761
Lyȝte goodes, temporal goods, 4/21
Lyȝtly, easily, 12/220
Lyȝtne, to enlighten, 128/3655
Lyȝtnesse, light, brightness, 8/106
Maat, weary, dejected, 40/1037
Magistrat, magistracy, 72/1985
Maistresse, mistress, 10/169
Malice, _nefas_, wickedness, 20/466
Malyfice, _maleficium_, 20/468
Manace, menace, 12/232
Manase, to menace, 118/3365
Manassynge, threatening, 44/1158
Mareis, Mareys, marsh, 56/1513, 97/2735
Margarits, pearls, 94/2650
Marye, pith, marrow, 97/2744
Maugré, in spite of, 70/1928
Mede, meed, reward, 91/2555
Medle, to mix, _Medelyng_, mixing, mixture, 20/449, 122/3482, 126/3594
Meenelyche, moderate, 28/706
Meistresse, mistress, 17/363
Melle, mill, 180/6
Mene, the mean or middle path, 146/4228
Meremaydenes, mermaids, 7/83
Merken, to mark, 16/346
Mervaille, Merveile, marvel, 18/403, 132/3787
Merveilen, to marvel, 46/1205
Mervelyng, wondering, 10/161
Mest, most, 42/1081
Mesuren, to measure, 65/1782
Meyné, servants, domestics, 47/1243
Mirie, pleasant, sweet, 4/16
Mirinesse, pleasure, 66/1793
Misericorde, mercy, pity, 107/3057
Mistourne, to misturn, mislead, 69/1894
Mochel, great, 62/1674, 109/3110
Moeveable, mobile, fickle, 133/3817
Moeven, to move, 8/112, 150/4329
Moewyng, moving, motion, 130/3742
Mokere, to hoard up, 45/1182
Mokere, miser, 45/1182. A mistake for _mokerere_.
Molesté, trouble, grief, 85/2346
Monstre, prodigy, 18/403
More, greater, 129/3697
Morwe, morning, 22/513
Mosten (_pl._), must, 166/4836
Mot, must, 40/1038
Mowen, be able, 25/608
Mowynge, ability, power, 124/3548
Myche, much, 21/475
Mychel, much, 46/1215
Myntynge, purposing, endeavouring, 7/101
Myrie, pleasant, 45/1165
Myrily, pleasantly, 59/1582
Myrþes, pleasures, 132/3782
Mys, badly, wrongly, 131/3772
Mysese, grievance, trouble, 15/299
Mysknowynge, ignorant, 61/1659
Mysweys, wrong paths, 149/4309
Naie, to refuse, 4/19
Nake, to make naked, 148/4288
Nameles, unrenowned, 131/3762
Namelyche, Namly, especially, 124/3550
Nare, were not, 10/176
Nart, art not, 23/556
Narwe, narrow, 57/1520
Nas, was not, 180/9
Naþeles, nevertheless, 6/57
Nat, not, 23/556
Necesseden, necessitated, 87/2419
Nedely, of necessity, 84/2334
Negardye, (_sb._) misers, 183/53
Nere, were not, 26/646
Neþemaste, lowest, nethermost, 6/56
Neþereste, lowest, 6/50
Newe, to renew, 137/3938
Newliche, recently, 122/3489
Nice, foolish, 148/4287
Nil, will not, 107/3055
Nillynge, being unwilling, 97/2718
Nilt, wilt not, 112/3193
Nis, is not, 12/218
Niste, knew not, 102/2882
Noblesse, nobleness, 37/947
Nobley, nobility, nobleness, 37/945
Nolden, would not, 52/1369
Norice, nurse, 10/167
Norisse, to nourish, 79/2174
Norry, nursling, pupil, 10/173
Norssinge, nourishment, support, 47/1231;
nutriment, 37/932
Not, know not (_1st pers._), 27/649
Notful, useful, 7/85
Nounpower, impotence, 75/2074
Nouþir, neither, 160/4644
Noyse, to make a noise (about a thing), to brag, 79/2171
Nurry (_see_ Norry), 86/2386
Nys, is not, 45/1175
O, one, 24/564
Obeisaunt, obedient, 13/266, 32/814
Object, presented, 168/4889
Occupye, to seize, 146/4227
Offence, hurt, damage, 180/19
Offensioun, offence, 20/473
Olifuntȝ, elephants, 80/2223
Onknowyn, unknown, 180/6
Onlyche, only, 171/4968
Onone, Onoon, at once, anon, 23/553, 74/2027
Ony, any, 21/488
Ooned, united, 135/3879
Oor, oar, 50/1338
Oosteresse, hostess, 122/3495
Or, ere, before, 9/143
Ordeinly, orderly, 140/4044
Ordenour, ordainer, 109/3110
Ordeyne, orderly, 109/3109
Ordinat, ordered, settled, 12/229
Ordinee, orderly, 102/2902
Ordure, filth, 29/716
Ostelmentȝ, furniture, goods, 48/1266
Oþerweyes, otherwise (_aliter_), 164/4772
Outerage, excess, 50/1326
Outerest, extremest, remotest, 55/1469, 89/2476
Outerly, utterly, 108/3081
Outraien, do harm (?), 78/2162
Over-comere, conqueror, 8/109
Overmaste, highest, uppermost, 6/57
Overmyche, overmuch, very much, 79/2191
Overoolde, very old, 11/209
Overþrowen, prostrate, 21/497
Overþrowyng, forward, headstrong, 7/99, 141/4058
Overtymelyche, untimely, 4/13
Owh, an exclamation (_papæ_), 112/3166
Owtrage, excess, 180/5
Paied, satisfied, 58/1549
Paleis, pale, 24/574
Palude, marsh, 148/4262
Paraventure, peradventure, 18/402
Parchemyn, parchment, 166/4835
Parsoners, sharers, partakers, 170/4942
Partles, without a share, 120/3409
Pas, paces, 19/442
Paysyble, peaceable, peaceful, 180/1
Peisible, quiet, placid, 23/550, 88/2450
Percen, to pierce, 81/2236
Perdurable, lasting, perpetual, 5/44, 21/503
Perdurableté, immortality, 58/1557
Perfitlyche, _Perfitly_, perfectly, 87/2426, 133/3833
Perfourny, to afford, furnish, 67/1823
Perisse, to perish, 96/2712
Perturbacioun, perturbation, 7/98
Perverte, to destroy, 11/201
Peyne, punishment, 121/3439
Piment, a kind of drink, 50/1329
Plenté, fulness, 173/5037
Plentevous, affluent, 67/1824
Plentivous, yielding abundantly, fertile, 64/1739
Plentivously, abundantly, 25/592
Plete, argue, plead, 33/833
Pletyngus, pleadings, debates (at law), 70/1933
Pleyne, to complain, 31/777
Pleynelyche, plainly, 28/681
Pleynt, complaint, 110/3122
Plonge, Ploungen, to plunge, 7/89, 65/1784
Ploungy, wet, rainy (_imbrifer_), 64/1745
Polute, polluted, 20/450
Pose, to put a case, cf. put a _poser_, 162/4686
Pousté, power, 131/3766
Pownage, pasturage, 180/7
Poyntel, style, 166/4838
Preiere, prayer, 107/3044
Preisen, to estimate, judge, 7/379
Preisynge, praising, 77/2131
Preke, to prick, 85/2346
Prenostik, prognostic, 183/54
Presentarie, present, 178/5196
Preterit, preterite, past, 171/4990
Pretorie, the imperial body-guard, 15/317
Prevé, secret, 121/3464
Preven, to prove, 90/2503
Prie, to pray, 25/600
Pris, value;
‘worþi of _pris_,’ precious, 24/583
Proche, to approach, 145/4182
Proeve, to approve, 154/4456
Punisse, to punish, 22/531
Puplisse, to publish, spread, propagate, 58/1549, 98/2753
Purper, purple, 25/617
Purpose, to propose, 176/5148
Purveaunce, providence, 134/3863
Purveiable, provident, foreseeing, 68/1854
Purveie, to ordain, order, 21/478
Purvyance, providence, 99/2795
Quereles, complaints, 70/1932
Quik, living, 134/3839
Quyene, queen, 183/43
Quyerne, a mill, 180/6
Rafte, bereft, 147/4259
Raþer, earlier, former, 30/735
Raviner, a plunderer, 12/228
Ravische, to snatch, 11/190
Ravyne, plunder, rapine, 15/302, 36/909
Ravynour, plunderer, 121/3460
Ravysse, to carry off, 131/3774
Real, royal, 19/420
Recche, to care, reck, 33/827, 38/987
Recompensacioun, recompense, 130/3724
Recorde, to recount, recall, 92/2580, 101/2871
Reddowr, severity, rigour, 182/13
Redenesse, redness, flushing, 7/88
Redoutable, venerable, 131/3763
Redoute, to fear, 10/178, 57/1535
Redy = rody, red, ruddy, 39/995
Refet, refreshed, 143/4116
Reft (away), carried off, 22/521
Refut, refuge, 94/2644
Regne, kingdom, 67/1843
Regnen, to reign, rule, 29/726
Remewe, to remove, 19/441
Remorde, to vex, trouble, 140/4030
Remuable, able to remove from one place to another, 168/4898
Remuen, to remove, 52/1394
Renomed, renowned, 41/1070, 78/2143
Renovele, to renew, 98/2752
Replenisse, to replenish, 20/469
Reprere, to reprove, 167/4857
Repugnen, to be repugnant to, 154/4440
Requerable, desirable, 52/1377
Requere, to require, 99/2790
Rescowe, to recover, 133/3809
Rescowe, to rescue, 35/881
Resolve, to loosen, melt, 133/3814
Resoune, to resound, 107/3036
Rethoryen, rhetorical, 30/759
Rewlyche, pitiable, sorrowful, 35/878
Risorse = recourse (_recursus_), course, 8/108
Rody, ruddy, 143/4122
Roos, roes, 82/2258
Rosene, roseat, 8/117
Route, company, 47/1243
Royle, to run, roll, 29/717
Rynnyng, running, 50/1335
Ryȝtwisnesse, righteousness, equity, 16/331
Sachel, satchel, sack, 12/223
Sad, stable, 41/1064
Saddenesse, stability, 110/3123
Sarpuler, a sack made of coarse cloth (_Sarcinula_), 12/223
Sauuacioun, safety, salvation, 97/2723
Sauȝ, Say, saw, 8/106, 9/137
Saye, sawest, 37/958
Schad, shed, 4/13
Schrew, a wicked person, a wretch, 12/217
Schrewed, wicked, 18/398
Schrewednesse, wickedness, 18/401, 117/3324
Schronk, shrunk, 5/38
Schulden (_pl._), should, 9/132
Schullen (_pl._), shall, 25/605
Scom, foam, froth, 148/4281
Scripture, writing, 17/382
Sege, seat, 13/258
Seien (_pl._), saw, 51/1344
Seien (_p.p._), seen, 6/54
Selde, seldom, 133/3818
Seler, cellar, 35/890
Selily, happily, blissfully, 42/1076
Selve, very, 5/42
Semblable, like, 48/1279
Semblaunce, likeness, 142/4106
Semblaunt, appearance, countenance, 5/31
Senglely, singly, 85/2369
Sensibilites, sensations, 166/4830
Servage, servitude, 153/4411
Sewe, to follow, 88/2441
Seye, sawest, 37/955
Seyntuaries, sanctuaries, 16/343
Shad, divided, spread, 136/3922
Sholdres, shoulders, 148/4281
Sich, such, 6/67
Sikerly, certainly, 94/2635
Singler, individual, single, 57/1529
Singlerly, singly, 135/3890
Sittyng, fitting, becoming, 10/176
Skilynge, reason, 137/3931
Slaken, to slake (hunger), 50/1326
Slede, sledge, 110/3131
Sleen, Slen, to slay, 53/1409, 55/1460
Slouȝ, slew, 55/1461
Smaragde, emerald, 94/2650
Smerte, to smart, pain, 39/1011
Smot, smote, 147/4254
Smoþe, smooth, 8/112
Sodeyn, sudden, 10/161
Somedel, somewhat, 25/606
Somer, summer, 22/517
Songen (_p.p._), sung, 108/3078
Soory, sorry, grievous, 38/978
Soþe, true, 17/377, 118/3352
Soþefastly, truly, 89/2481
Soþely, truly, 169/4918
Soþenesse, truth, 26/641
Sothfast, true, 61/1652
Soun, sound, 68/1852
Soune, to sound, 37/929
Sounyng, sounding, roaring, 8/111
Sovereyne, supreme, 90/2508
Sovereynely, supremely, 91/2545
Sourmounte, to surpass, 80/2223
Spece, species, 165/4789
Speculacioun, looking, contemplation, 153/4408
Spedeful, Spedful, efficacious, conducive, 125/3570, 161/4671
Speden, to make clear, explain, 161/4667
Spere, sphere, 8/108
Sperkele, spark, 104/2971
Sprad, spread (_p.p._), 9/156
Stableté, stability, 137/3950
Stablise, to establish, 134/3860
Stably, firmly, 135/3890
Stappe, step, 170/4963
Staunche, to satisfy, 71/1948, 1961
Stere, to move (_agitare_), 106/3015
Sterre, star, 36/903
Sterry, starry, 36/904
Sterten, to start, 104/2971
Stidefastnesse, stability, strength, 97/2748
Stidfast, steadfast, 182/17
Stien, to ascend, 88/2444
Stiere, _steer_, rudder (_gubernaculum_), 103/2926
Stiern, stern, 60/1628
Stoon, stone, 45/1165
Stormynge, making stormy, 29/712
Stont, stands, 9/154
Stoundes, times, 178/5187
Strauȝt, stretched, extended, 170/4957
Strengere, stronger, 12/221
Strenkeþ, strength, 12/240
Streyhte, stretched, 63/1702
Streyne, to restrain, 150/4325
Strond, strand, 51/1339
Strook, stroke, 153/4433
Strumpet, 6/66
Stye, to ascend, 143/4117
Stynte, to stop, 37/929
Styntynge, stopping, ceasing, 61/1638
Suasioun, persuasion (_suadela_), 30/759
Subgit, subject, 48/1273
Submytte, to compel, force (_summitto_), 19/434
Sudeyn, sudden, 30/752
Suffisaunce, sufficiency, 70/1922
Suffisaunt, sufficient, 70/1924
Suffisauntly, sufficiently, 133/3833
Summitte, Summytte, to submit, 49/1288, 136/3924
Superfice, surface, 81/2238
Supplien, to supplicate, 80/2210
Surté, security, 181/46
Sustigne, to sustain, 183/41
Sweighe, whirl, circular motion (_turbo_), 22/504
Swerd, sword, 19/438
Swety, sweaty, 181/28
Sweyes, whirlings, 32/816
Swich, such, 20/446
Swolwe, to swallow, 98/2777
Syker, secure, safe, 12/224, 16/333
Sykernesse, security, safety, 9/132
Symplesse, simplicity, 136/3914
Syn, since, 31/789
Syþen, since, 32/802
Talent, affection, desire, will, 6/71, 168/4887
Taylage, tollage, 181/54
Þar, need, 38/987
Þerwhiles, whilst, 176/5150
Þilke, the same, that, 99/2814
Þo, Þoo (_pl._), the, 11/200, 168/4886
Þondre, thunder, 45/1166
Þoruȝ, through, 11/202
Þreschefolde, threshold, 7/89
Þrest, thirst, 36/914, 71/1945
Þreste, Þresten, thrust, 47/1237, 148/4283
Throf, throve, flourished, 74/2050
Þrust, thirst, 107/3053
Til, to, 69/1891
Tilier, a tiller, 151/4352
To-breke, break in pieces, 88/2447
Todrowen (_pl._), drew asunder, 11/193
Toforne, before, 177/5184
Togidres, together, 53/1421
To hepe, together, 140/4029
Tokene, to token, 26/624
Tollen, to draw, 56/1496
Torenten (_pl._), rent asunder, 11/194
To-teren, tear in pieces, 68/1865
Traas, Trais, trace, track, 170/4958, 4963
Transporten, throw on (_transferre_), 19/419
Travaille, labour, toil, 10/174
Travayle, to toil, labour, 64/1754
Travayle, labour, 148/4286
Tregedie, tragedy, 77/2126
Tregedien, tragedian, 77/2125
Trenden, to roll, turn, 100/2835
Troublable, troublesome, 118/3369
Trouble, turbid, stormy, 29/711
Troubly, troubled, cloudy (_nubilus_), 133/3819
Trowen, to trow, believe, 20/468, 152/4399
Twitre, to twitter, 68/1875
Twynkel, to wink, 38/971
Tylienge, tilling, 151/4347
Tyren, to tear, 107/3055
Umblesse, humility, 181/55
Unagreable, unpleasant, disagreeable, 4/25
Unassaieþ, untried, 42/1082
Unbitide, not to happen, 161/4678
Unbowed, unbent, 148/4284
Uncovenable, unmeet, importunate (_importunus_), 141/4058
Undefouled, undefiled, 40/1023
Undepartable, inseparable, 120/3422
Underput, put under, subject, 28/696
Understonde, to understand, 30/733, 43/1120
Undigne, unworthy, 54/1444
Undirneþ, underneath, 75/2074
Undiscomfited, not discomfited (_invictus_), 12/232
Undoutous, indubitable, 149/4315
Uneschewably, unavoidably, 157/4531
Ungentil, ignoble, 41/1070
Ungrobbed, ungrubbed, 180/14
Unhonestee, disreputableness, 24/587
Unhoped, unexpected, 139/4006
Université, whole, 165/4797
Unjoynen, Unjoygnen, to separate, 151/4373
Unknowyng, ignorant, 139/3997
Unknytten, to unloose (_dissolvere_), 154/4459
Unkonnyng, Unkunnynge, unknowing, ignorant, 7/76, 11/202
Unkorven, uncut, 180/14
Unkouþ, unknown, foreign, 34/870
Unlace, to disentangle, 105/2982
Unleveful, illicit, unlawful, 154/4456
Unmeke, fierce, cruel, 148/4267
Unmoeveable, immovable, 136/3901
Unmoeveableté, immobility, 136/3921
Unmyȝty, weak, impotent, 13/241
Unneþ, scarcely, 27/652
Unparygal, unequal, 63/1708
Unpitouse, cruel, 4/24
Unpleyten, to explain, 61/1647
Unplite, explain, unfold, 167/4843
Unpunissed, unpunished, 21/498
Unpurveyed, unforeseen, 30/743
Unraced, unbroken, whole, 110/3115
Unryȝtful, unjust, 10/185
Unryȝtfully, unrightfully, unjustly, 23/533
Unscience, unreal knowledge, no knowledge, 156/4515
Unsely, wretched, 39/1013
Unselynesse, wretchedness, 124/3544
Unskilfuly, unwisely, improperly, 18/407
Unsolempne, not famous, not celebrated, 11/210
Unsowe, unsown, 180/10
Unspedful, unsuccessful, 178/5210
Unstauncheable, unlimited, infinite, 58/1573
Unstaunched, uncurbed, unrestrained, 54/1439
Unsuffrable, intolerable, 79/2179
Unusage, unfrequency, 57/1528
Untretable, inexorable, implacable, 61/1641
Unwar, unexpected, 35/886
Unwarly, unaware, unexpectedly, 4/10
Unwemmed, inviolate, 40/1023, 178/5201
Unwened, unexpected, 139/4006
Unwoot, knows not, 175/5099
Unworshipful, dishonoured, 75/2054
Uphepyng, heaping up, 37/951
Upsodoun, upside down, 48/1274, 156/4501
Upsprong, upsprung, 180/10
Used, accustomed, wonted, 22/512
Uterreste, extremest, outermost, 7/95
Vanisse, to vanish, 74/2027
Variaunt, varying, 22/518
Vengerisse, a she-avenger, 107/3048
Verray, Verrey, true, 19/429
Vilfully (Wilsfully), wilfully, 116/3295
Voide, having an empty purse (_vacuus_), 50/1316
Voyded (of), emptied of, free from, 181/50
Wakyng, watchful, 148/4263
Walwe, to toss, 51/1361
Walwyng, tossing, 29/712
Wan, did win, 147/4240
War, be aware, take care, 145/4200
Warne, to refuse, deny, 37/950
Wawe, a wave, 8/115
Wayk, weak, 28/706
Weep (_pret._), wept, 35/883
Welde, wild, 180/17. It may mean _boiled_, since another copy
reads _wellyd_.
Weleful, Welful, prosperous, joyful, 4/15
Welefulnesse, Welfulnesse, prosperity, felicity, 11/188, 21/478
Welken, to wither, fade, 146/4224
Welkne, welkin, 184/62
Welle, well, source, 157/4548
Wende, weened, thought, 53/1397
Wenge, wing, 170/4961
Wenynge, opinion, 172/5022
Wepen (_p.p._), wept, 25/596
Wepli, tearful, 5/29
Werdes, fates, destinies, 4/10
Werreye, to make war, 181/25
Weten, to know, 156/4519
Wex, wax, 167/4840
Weyve, to waive, forsake, 29/722
Wham, whom, 89/2482
Whelwe, to toss, roll, 39/1001
Whiderward, whither, 177/5171
Whist, hushed, 51/1341
Wierdes, fates, destinies, 12/231
Wikke, wicked, bad, 64/1743
Willynge, desire, 178/5203
Wilne, to desire, 17/367
Wilnynge, desire, 98/2781
Wirche, to work, 12/235
Wirchyng, working, operation, 95/2677
Wist, known, 170/4937
Witen, to know, learn, 88/2458, 132/3776, 160/4624
Wiþdrow, withdrew, 64/1751
Wiþhalden, to withhold, 142/4105
Wiþoute forþe, outwardly, 165/4803
Wiþseid, denied, 90/2501
Wiþstant, withstand, 29/715
Wiþstonde (_p.p._), withstood, 14/290
Witnesfully, attestedly, publicly, 131/3765
Witynge, knowledge, 156/4526
Wod, woad, 180/17
Wod, Wode, mad, raging, 12/225
Wode, wood, 39/995
Wodenesse, rage, madness, 45/1169, 107/3052
Wolen (_pl._), will, 94/2645
Woltow, wilt thou, 97/2741
Wone, to dwell, 60/1627
Woode, Wode, furious, mad, 25/600
Woode, to rage, 123/3515
Woodnesse, rage, madness, 107/3052
Woot, knows, 43/1128
Wope, to weep, 36/905
Worchen, to work, 178/5215
Wost, knowest, 19/423
Woxe, to increase, wax, grow, 25/608
Woxen (_p.p._), grown, 25/607
Wrekere, avenger, 128/3665
Wrekyng, vengeance, 147/4238
Wroþely, grieved, sad, 7/87
Wryþen, twist, turn, wrest, 154/4452
Wymple, to cover with a veil or wimple, 31/774
Wyt, sense, 164/4771
Wyȝt, wight, person, 19/425
Yave (_pl._), gave, 180/4
Yben, been, 162/4698
Ybeyen, to obey, 105/2998
Ycauȝt, caught, captured, 118/3371
Ycleped, called, 150/4346
Ydel, ‘_in ydel_,’ in vain, 5/43
Ydred, feared, 33/825
Yfelawshiped, associated, united, 53/1421
Yficched, fixed, 136/3910
Yfinissed, finished, 125/3558
Yflit, flitted, removed, 8/108
Ygeten, gotten, 65/1776
Yhardid, hardened, 133/3814
Yheuied, made heavy, 171/4974
Ylad, led, 37/956, 172/5022
Ylete, permitted, 130/3730
Ylett, hindered, 161/4674
Ylorn, lost, 147/4250
Ymaginable, possessing imagination, 166/4812
Ymaked, made, 87/2426
Ymedeled, mixed, 140/4029
Ynouȝ, enough, 71/1947
Yplitid, pleated, folded, 9/147
YPORVEYID, YPURVEID, foreseen, 155/4467, 4468
Ysen, seen, 72/1982
Yshad, shed, scattered, 68/1874
Yshet, shut, 170/4955
Ysmyte, smitten, 80/2202
Yspedd, made clear, determined, 161/4657;
despatched, 149/4295
Yspendyd, examined (_expediero_), 161/4668
Ysprad, spread, 78/2140
Yspranid, sprinkled, mixed, 42/1102.
_Read_ yspraind.
Ystrengeþed, strengthened, 175/5098
Yþewed, behaved, 139/4008
Yþrongen, pressed, squeezed, 57/1521
Ytravailed, laboured, 155/4469
Ytretid, handled, performed, 131/3765
Yvel, evil, 105/2976
Ywened, believed, 145/4178
Ywist, known, 155/4475
Ywoven, woven, 6/51
Ywyst, known, 164/4759
Yȝeven, given, 141/4069
Ȝaf, gave, 8/130
Ȝeelde, Ȝelde, seldom, 39/1002, 52/1372
Ȝeld, yielded, 147/4253
Ȝelden, to yield, 149/4303
Ȝeve, to give, 149/4291
Ȝevyng, giving, 45/1188
Ȝif, if, 9/131
Ȝis, yes, 103/2919
Ȝisterday, yesterday, 171/4994
Ȝitte, yet, 156/4508
Ȝok, Ȝokke, yoke, 32/802, 60/1620
Ȝolde (_p.p._), yielded, 25/599
Ȝonge, young, 35/889
Ȝouþe, youth, 10/168
* * * * *
* * * *
_Errors and Inconsistencies_ (Noted by Transcriber)
_Introduction_
(8) Præscientiane futurorum necessitatis an futurorum necessitas
providentiæ, laboretur.
[[dot or flyspeck over last u in “futurorum” in two different
printings]]
_keye and a stiere_ (p. 103)
[[italicized “_keye_ and a stiere”: changed to match
primary text]]
_Primary Text_
[Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]
[[no closing bracket]]
[Linenote: 852 ... _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. for lorn.]
[[printed as shown, with no space for hyphen at line break]]
[SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA.
...
of verray blysfulnesse //]
[[brackets open on page 61 and close on page 64]]
nat now þ{a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as 1708
who seyth. I. dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune
[[spacing unchanged: expected “seyth .I.”]
¶ But forsoþe frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened
[[printed “rek-/kened” at line break;
expected spelling “rekened”]]
[Linenote: 2049 ... _apparailed_--MS. apparailen, C. a-paraylede]
[[hyphen in “apparailen” invisible]]
[Sidenote: What can be more infamous than renoun founded on the
prejudices of the vulgar?] [[spelling unchanged]]
[Sidenote: _P._ Thinkest thou that any thing in this world can confer
this happiness? (the sovereign good).]
[[“t” in “this world” invisible]]
[Sidenote: He who looks on thee beholds beginning, support, guide,
path and goal, combined!] [beginning support, guide]
{and} her of comeþ it. þat in euery þing general. yif þat. 2468
þat men seen any þing þat is i{n}p{er}fit *certys in þilke general
þer mot ben so{m}me þing þat is p{er}fit.
[[text printed as shown, but “yif þat. þat” may be an error:
Skeat edition has only one “þat”]]
[Sidenote: [Chaucer’s gloss upon the Text.]
[[no closing bracket]]
[Headnote: MEN DO NOT SEEK TRUE FELICITY.]
[[final . missing or invisible]]
... in þat þat men may holden
hym myȝty. 3196
[[text printed as shown, but “in þat þat” may be an error:
Skeat edition has only one “þat”]]
þe w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouliþ nat ne 3436
entecehiþ nat hem oonly but infectiþ {and} enuenemyþ
[[text unchanged: expected form “entecchiþ”]
... þan sheweþ 3560
it clerely þat þilke shrewednesse is wiþ outen ende ...
[[text printed as shown, but may be an error for “wrecchednesse”
as in Skeat; sidenote has “eternal misery is infinite”]]
[Sidenote: ... and being unfolded according to time and other
circumstances, may be called Fate.]
[[invisible hyphen in “circumstances”]]
[Sidenote: For there is nothing done for the sake of evil, not even
by the wicked ...] [[“n” in “even” invisible]]
[Sidenote: From this source springs that great marvel ...] [[spring]]
[Linenote: 4006 [_world_]--from C.]
[4006--[_world_]--from C.]
[l. 4423] as þei ben p{ro}destinat.
[[text unchanged: may be editorial error for “p{re}destinat”
as in l. 3844]]
[Sidenote: For what falls under the cognisance of the senses and
imagination cannot be general.]
[[invisible hyphen in “imagination”]]
[Linenote: 5148 _purposed[e]_--p{ur}posede]
[[invisible hyphen in “p{ur}posede”]]
_Glossary_
Alþermoste, most of all, 158/4563
Alþerworste, worst of all, 157/4562
[[Both are two words in primary text: Alþer moste, Alþer worste]]
Anguissous, anxious, sorrowful, 41/1062, 1066 [41/1062, 1606]
Anoienge, 22/532 [[definition missing]]
Fel, felle, fierce 44/1160
[[citation “44/1160” supplied by transcriber]]
Taylage, tollage, 181/54 [181/524]
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's 'De Consolatione Philosophiae'" ***
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